Chapter 519
The class rivalry in the Empire—specifically, Ainter’s faction leading by a slim margin over Rutis and Lather—turned into a fierce three-way contest.
It makes sense, considering most imperial academy students are Empire citizens, and they’re rallying together for Ainter’s victory. Yet, it’s quite remarkable that Rutis and Lather maintain a slight lead despite the Empire’s unity.
“Long live the Empire!”
“Long live the Empire! Long live Marquis Idrid!”
However, despite the slim margins, it’s undeniable that the Empire is winning. The students were ecstatic, having seen Ainter’s faction not slip from first place in the horse racing events up until now.
“There are still plenty of events to go; it’s not over yet!”
“Don’t you know the saying? It’s not over until it’s over!”
Of course, foreign students were annoyed by the Empire’s exuberance, which felt like an outright victory declaration.
“So, who’s in first place?”
“Don’t be like that. Maybe you’re just no good at reading numbers since you only ever get second place.”
“Haha! Good one!”
The imperial students laughed off the protests from foreign students, perceiving them as the sour grapes of the defeated. While it’s true that the class rivalry is not finished, the Empire has been consistently in the lead. So, they just assume it’ll remain that way until the end.
‘These crazy kids.’
Watching the miraculous smack talk, I shook my head quietly. Even as an outsider, it was impressive enough to garner a reaction. No wonder foreign students were probably frustrated out of their minds. If the Empire were to flop at the last moment, it would surely be a point of embarrassment for the rest of their lives.
However, I didn’t intend to step in to cool things off (which might just be a ploy to stir the pot). No matter how maddening things got, at the end of the day, it was just a bunch of kids fighting amongst themselves. The academy students were merely engaging earnestly in an academy event. Just like the Emperor said, it’s not up to outsiders to interfere.
Plus, judging by their antics, I figured my intervention would probably be pointless. If I dared suggest they tone it down, I could easily end up branded as a non-empire traitor.
‘If I’m not careful, I might get put on probation myself.’
Gathering public sentiment and squashing dissent—now that’s a pretty effective way of handling things. If only those kids had been born a few years earlier, they might have had a bright future ahead of them.
And maybe they’ll turn out to be a fresh batch of recruits for the Ministry.
‘They’ll manage on their own.’
With that thought, I turned away from the enthusiastic cheering. As long as the students didn’t reach the conclusion of “let’s attack the leader!” I could overlook their blabbering support.
Even when cooking rice, there needs to be a vent for the steam to escape. Likewise, students should let off some steam to avoid an explosion of enthusiasm that could lead to a brawl.
“What’s left when knights draw swords in the Kingdom?”
“Calling it a magic powerhouse, but losing to a Duke like Marcilio doesn’t help their case.”
“Don’t fight too much. In front of the Empire, you’re both equally below it.”
…It won’t happen, right?
‘Isn’t this just begging for a bench-clearing brawl?’
I was honestly worried. Students who’d lived their lives as dignified nobles charging into the arena to throw punches? All while shouting their national pride?
Just imagining it makes my heart cramp with anxiety. If such a thing were to happen, it would surely go down in academy history forever.
And it would be an embarrassing blemish on my life and the Principal’s as well.
‘Damn it.’
I felt like tears might spill. Why does some absurd drama have to happen when I should be quietly enjoying my later years?
‘That damn brother of mine.’
Yeah, as much as I thought about it, this was all Erich’s fault. The madness from Rutis and Lather was a yearly occurrence, while Ainter stayed quiet until this whirlwind struck after being influenced by Erich. Each of the three had their own valid reasons, but—
There’s no way I can ever forgive Erich.
‘Just you wait.’
I resolved to eventually give Erich a good legal thrashing under the pretext of training.
—
Enen is a truly considerate person.
“This time, the Empire have won again!”
“Hey, don’t be down! Second place is still great! We are in first, after all!”
“Lift your head, my friend! Losing to the strong is nothing to be ashamed of!”
If it weren’t for this insane spectacle, it wouldn’t be happening so close to graduation. Is this really just for me before I go back to Armein?
It’s so moving that I feel I might faint from looking at it for too long.
“Father.”
However, as the head of the Armein escort troops and representative of the three countries’ forces, I couldn’t afford such luxurious escapes.
“What’s going on?”
“Well… the atmosphere among the knights doesn’t feel right.”
Seeing Perosa struggle to speak, embarrassed, I sighed softly. If Perosa feels the knights are off, their patience must have already hit its limit.
“They’re ready to teach those students a lesson at any moment.”
“Is that so?”
I finally nodded at the detailed explanation of the situation.
It’s troubling. Knights who came to the Empire to protect young Rutis are getting agitated, and those stationed in the Empire representing Armein are starting to look at the students’ match not as an outsider but as Armein knights, eager to see the squire’s struggles.
‘I get their feelings, but…’
I don’t deny understanding the knights’ sentiment. After all, I’m a proud knight of Armein too, so it’s impossible not to understand their feelings. They just have to endure given their position—they’re scared of the fallout from acting recklessly.
The escort troops shouldn’t act for personal reasons. If Armein moves, other countries are likely to move, too. If something were to happen because of this, blame would fall on Armein for being the first to act.
Therefore, they’ve been holding back amidst the academy’s rivalry, even though it has become a matter of national pride. They also aimed to prevent the students’ match from spilling outside the academy’s walls.
“This contest should be fought by the students’ strength alone. Any victory aided by outsiders would not be recognized. If you truly care for Armein, relay that to them.”
Even if adults intervene and claim victory, can it really be considered a true win?
“Yes, Father. I will do that.”
Perosa understood my intent and nodded.
That’s a relief. If Perosa, being younger than them, conducts himself with restraint, the other knights should follow suit too.
“I’ll casually let Yuben know, too.”
“Alright.”
I was briefly surprised by the follow-up statement, but I naturally replied.
I see, Yuben was on the verge of intervening with the students as well. At least it’s fortunate that the Holy Kingdom is staying quiet.
‘…Why is it at the end that such a thing happens?’
No, it’s not lucky at all. Just the occurrence of such an incident is utterly dreadful.
As someone who must protect your Majesty and the royal family, to follow Rutis across countries and suddenly be turned into a shield called “representative of the three countries” was painful.
I thought I could finally be done with that pain, only to face this incident right before the finish line.
‘Was my offering too lacking?’
I guess my genuine feelings towards Enen weren’t strong enough.
—
As time passed, the increasingly darkened expressions of Villar and Olivia began to calm after a certain moment.
‘They’ve let go.’
I could roughly grasp the situation, and a heavy sense of solemnity weighed on my chest. They must have reached their breaking point and finally relaxed their hearts.
It’s unfortunate. Both Villar and Olivia were on the brink of a glorious graduation this semester, and yet here they are stuck dealing with the giant mess caused by that damned brother of mine! As the culpable older brother, it would be inhumane not to feel some remorse.
However, regrettably, there was nothing I could do for the two who’d attained relief.
“Gather everyone nearby! We have the numbers!”
“We’ll finish it before they can gather! Everyone charge in!”
“What’s the matter with you sitting there!? Don’t just stand by and join in!”
As the class rivalry hit its halfway point, the benches exploded into chaos.
With news of bench-clearing brawls erupting everywhere, I hardly had the energy to focus on others. With my own life on the line, what use was it to feel sorry or ponder morality at a time like this?
‘Damn it.’
In any case, I stepped forward to address the inevitable brawl. If a fight breaks out before my very eyes, I’d better at least pretend to bring order to it.
But it’s bizarre. There hasn’t been anything resembling a bench-clearing brawl in this world, let alone any event that would qualify as a sports match, and yet these kids are beginning to treat the class rivalry like a pro sport.
Serious players, passionate cheerleaders, fiercely proud supporters, and even bench-clearing fights.
‘Is this really a fantasy world?’
No matter how I looked at it, it felt like modern sports. Could this world be an example of a genre drift?
And it’s astonishing how students who once knew nothing managed to reach the stage of initiating their own bench-clearing brawls. Physical conflicts are part of human instinct, or so I thought—
‘Huh?’
As I moved closer to stop the conflicts, I spotted a familiar face among the students.
It was Erich.
…
‘There you are, you little brat.’
Gotcha.
“Stop! What’s all this ruckus in a place meant for honorable dueling!”
As soon as I saw Erich’s face, I rushed forward with a thunderous shout. I needed to subdue him before the bench-clearing chaos voluntarily ceased.
This was a blessing from the gods, enabling me to give Erich a good whacking legally.
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