Chapter 15
The public training ground of Galimar Academy.
The place, shaped like a large circular arena, was in full swing with the heated enthusiasm of the students.
Tension was evident on every child's face.
Galimar's schedule, notorious for its intensity.
The 'Class Assignment Test', called the first gateway among them, was in progress.
Students each prove their own abilities.
Some for honor, some for reputation, and others for the future.
"Tsk tsk... This year's class is also overflowing with passion."
The dean watching the test smiles contentedly.
Although wrinkles have formed with age, his eyes are still full of intelligence.
"What do the other professors think?"
"It seems there are many talented sprouts. It's not lacking to call it the 'best generation' throughout history."
"I agree with Professor Cardel's words."
"The talents of the continent have all gathered."
The faculty members immediately answer the dean's question.
Only praising evaluations continue.
The dean nods with a satisfied expression.
"It's truly amazing."
The top tier of this year's class was truly overwhelming.
From second place to 15th place. Students who would have taken first place in normal years were lined up.
It was an unparalleled boon for the academy.
"This will also serve as a foundation to further solidify our academy's reputation."
The dean laughs quietly. Someone approaches the old man's side.
"While I fully agree with the Dean's words... there's one part that bothers me."
"Speak, Professor Cardel."
He was a professor who had been actively voicing opinions from before.
"There's no doubt that this year's students are excellent."
"That's right."
"But in contrast, there seems to be a lot of talk about the top entrant..."
The professor speaks as if regretful.
But this is mere pretense.
The corners of his mouth were twisted unpleasantly, and his eyes were directed at Selena.
It was clearly mockery aimed at Selena.
"I'm concerned it might become a reason for students to doubt Galimar's name."
"Isn't this already a settled matter?"
"I'm merely mentioning it."
"I remember the disposition regarding Chief Professor Selena. I won't retract or change the conditions now."
Yuda Snakers, who entered as the top student.
If he doesn't maintain a rank within the top 10 in this class assignment test, Selena will be stripped of her Chief Professor position.
In other words, she would be demoted to a regular professor.
"So don't act rashly."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Professor Cardel retreats with an unpleasant smile.
The reactions of the watching faculty were divided into two.
One group mocking Selena, the other sending sympathetic glances.
Surprisingly, there were professors who took Selena's side, but even that reaction stemmed from pity.
Everyone was predicting Yuda's defeat.
In a way, it was natural.
Although he had shown quite an impressive appearance in the entrance ceremony speech, it was true that he was far from deserving the name of top student.
Selena was pushed to the edge of a cliff.
'It's over.'
'She was a capable person, though a bit loose... it's become unfortunate.'
'Finally, the day to pull that down has come.'
'They said she was an alcoholic... I guess her mind went weird too.'
'If it were another student it would be different, but the opponent is Her Highness the Imperial Princess...'
The faculty members quietly glance sideways.
At the point where the gazes converge, only a woman with purple hair stands.
"......"
Selena, staring blankly into space.
Although she was clearly in a precarious situation, her appearance was no different from usual.
Her red eyes ripple calmly.
[Test #7]
[Yuda Snakers vs Charlotte Little von Staufen]
"Is it starting?"
The woman mutters quietly.
Her eyes were fixed on the center of the circular arena. More precisely, towards the boy entering it.
Golden hair shines following the pouring sunlight.
A fight with no visible chance of winning.
Yet the boy was boldly stepping onto the stage.
***
The class assignment test was conducted according to the set order.
The order I was assigned was seventh.
Considering that the number of new students this year was close to 1,000, and about 100 students take the test on the first day, it was an extremely early order.
Maybe that's why.
My turn came without even having time to feel bored.
Just 30 minutes ago I was watching other students' tests, but now I was standing in that place.
I stepped onto the arena with heavy steps.
《The 7th test will begin soon.》
《Students taking this test, please move according to the guidance announcement.》
The guidance announcement comes somewhat noisily.
The test method was simple.
Two students of similar levels dueling each other.
Regardless of win or loss, all content becomes the basis for evaluation and is used as grounds for reassigning rankings.
'I can't believe my opponent is really Charlotte.'
I smile slightly.
Is it because an unqualified person took first place? It seems the faculty was quite upset.
It must mean they want to pull me down.
"It wasn't a position I wanted from the beginning... This is troublesome."
=I didn't want to be first either. They force it on me and now they're making a fuss.
Why did they put me in first place in the first place?
"It's just regrettable."
=Stupid handling. This sucks.
It seems they're expecting me to get crushed.
But sorry, that's not going to happen this time.
If you decide to use others, you should be prepared to be used in return.
'Not a bad opportunity. I needed a chance to establish my position anyway...'
As I was thinking for a moment like that.
My eyes meet with the platinum blonde girl standing opposite me.
"......"
"......"
Blue eyes resembling the sea.
As we exchange glances for a moment, suddenly the guidance announcement rings out again, grating on our eardrums.
《Examinees, please standby in your positions.》
《The test will proceed as a duel. The test ends when you subdue or incapacitate your opponent.》
《Additionally, the test also ends if one side surrenders.》
It's about to start now.
I gather lies at my fingertips. A jet-black mist covers my arm.
A voice comes from the opposite side.
"I won't go easy on you."
Charlotte, still looking this way with an unreadable gaze.
She was the very image of the Little Prince. I deliberately answered in a playful tone.
"For Her Highness to show her true self... This is troublesome."
"I'm curious about you."
"Are you talking about me?"
"You resemble someone. Someone I saw once. I'm not sure if you're the same person yet, so..."
"So you're saying you want to test me too, Your Highness?"
"Yes. I'm going to do my best."
"Haha, I hope I can live up to Your Highness's expectations."
"I look forward to it."
Charlotte draws her sword from her waist.
The drawing of the sword continues, smoothly tracing a line. The clean blade surface flashes as it reflects the sunlight.
《Ready.》
I also condense lies in response.
The shadows gathering in my palm soon take shape, becoming a sword.
We point our sword tips towards each other.
《Begin!》
The test begins with a short signal.
Charlotte, who had been gathering mana. The girl seems to lightly flex her arm a few times, then immediately leaps off the ground.
Tak-!
A single burst of sound rings out.
The next moment, Charlotte is right in front of me.
A sword strike swung without any hesitation. A silver line flies through the air, cutting space.
Clang-!
I barely block it.
It was a strike that would have hit if it were a mediocre student. Charlotte mutters as if she had expected it.
"As I thought, you reacted."
"I was lucky."
"Indeed."
Clang! Clang!! Screech...! Tung!!
The attacks continue fiercely.
Sparks fly every time the swords clash. I step back one step at a time in the storm of swords bearing down.
"Ugh...!"
I groan, furrowing my brow.
Of course, it wasn't really tough, I was just pretending to struggle.
It was a plan I had set up, you could say.
'Let's just parry adequately... Just adequately.'
The rank I'm aiming for in this class assignment test is none other than the top 10.
I had no intention of going higher or lower.
Higher is too much, lower is insufficient.
My goal in this life is to live inconspicuously and watch over the happy ending of the world.
That's why I controlled my strength to get a mid-range grade in the entrance exam at first.
If I stay at the top, I keep drawing aggro.
But if I lose pathetically and my rank plummets to the bottom, that would draw aggro in its own way.
They'd probably say things like "As expected, he was a bubble top student" and my reputation would be cut.
'I'm definitely weaker than Charlotte... but I need to give the impression that I have hidden strength.'
I continue acting while gripping my sword tightly.
A bit of lies released into the air makes the fight look more precarious.
Clang-!
The fierce song of iron continues.
Sparks fly every time our swords clash.
As we continue such an intense exchange, reactions start coming from the watching students.
-Wh-what... He's fighting better than expected?
-That's not just fighting well. He's continuously blocking Her Highness's sword...!
-I thought he'd fall with the first attack, but...
-Didn't they say he was a bubble top student?
-It's because his opponent is Her Highness, but his skills aren't bad either?
Yes, that's it.
Hurry and think of me as 'Extra #1 who's ambiguous as a top student but still strong'.
I grin behind the stirring atmosphere.
"Huff, huff......"
"Are you tired?"
"Yes... Your Highness."
"For someone saying that, you seem to be receiving attacks too well."
Tung-!!
Charlotte, who had been looking dubious for a moment.
She suddenly pushes away the sword that had been in a power struggle, then takes distance and assumes a stance.
Two hands holding the sword with the tip pointing down.
"Whether that exhausted appearance is real, or an act... Shall we find out?"
Transparent blue eyes blink.
The mana inside her body explodes. The overflowing energy quickly spreads throughout the girl's entire body.
A blue aura swirls around Charlotte.
Whee-ee-!
The terrified air begins to shake.
An overwhelmingly splendid scene. Knowing what this prelude meant, I couldn't help but be flustered.
'No... She's using her ultimate technique in just a class assignment test?'
And against an opponent who's losing?
A feeling of bewilderment rushed in, but Charlotte's technique struck faster than that.
A cold light flashes over her diluted eyes.
Her pale red lips recite the activation words.
"Sword, be dyed."
Kwak-!
The girl thrusts the sword she was holding into the arena floor.
Following the spell that rang out, the sound of steel and stone breaking echoes. It was an especially sharp noise.
The blue aura that had been swirling fiercely spreads in all directions.
And the next moment.
Kugugugu-!
Steel vines sprout from the ground, surrounding the entire circular arena.
The stems intertwine and cut each other.
Thus, a single massive landscape is created.
"Haha... Isn't this too much of a performance?"
What comes into view is none other than a rose garden.
It was a cradle of steel where every leaf and petal takes the form of a sword.
"I told you. That I'd do my best."
Charlotte approaches with light steps.
In her hand was a new longsword (rose sword) she had just plucked from the thicket.
The look in her eyes as she gazed this way was unusual, it seemed she had no intention of letting go until I played along.
I reluctantly gripped my sword.
"Haha......"
It's really difficult to lose inconspicuously.