Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Sinking Ferry
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“W-We survived?”
Ralph wiped away the tears he’d shed in secret.
Pathetic guy. Still, it was pretty funny seeing him step up like he was protecting someone.
“Yeah, we survived.”
“Th-this kind of test...”
Ralph let out a sigh of relief, took a deep breath, and planted his hands on his hips.
“Did you see that? That’s me for ya!”
Well, well?
Who was the one bawling his eyes out earlier?
Now he’s strutting around like a peacock.
“Yeah, yeah.”
I ignored Ralph and snuck a glance at the red-robed figure.
Her cherry-like lips were trembling faintly. Guess she was scared too.
I mean, who wouldn’t freak out in a place like this?
But... Andrew and Inschtain—those two aren’t normal either.
The unflappable Andrew and Inschtain worshipping gold coins like gods.
Those guys are nuts.
Andrew aside, Inschtain was acting exactly like he did before.
Consistent as ever.
But... looks like some people can’t accept this trial.
“I-I can’t accept this!”
An indignant voice rang out. I turned to see the boy who’d rung the gray bell right at the end.
His face was flushed tomato-red with frustration.
The tomato boy yelled.
“Isn’t this cheating? How can it be like this?! Is this courage? This isn’t courage at all! Don’t you all agree?”
He appealed to the dropouts, and the other kids hesitated before nodding along.
That’s when...
Boom...!
“Eeeek...!”
Something crashed down in front of the boy like a falling boulder.
Janitz. He lowered his head slightly to meet the boy’s eye level.
His lips curled upward, and mana rippled from his body like a dancing wave.
“Cowards always make excuses, just like that. Don’t you know it only elevates the brave even higher?!”
“Uh... uh...”
The once-kindly man turned terrifying in an instant, and the boy’s crotch went soaking wet.
What a pitiful sight.
Ian saw it and quietly draped his cloak over the boy.
Such consideration...
If it were me, I’d have let him stew in his humiliation.
Janitz swept his gaze over the participants and shouted.
“Trial Valley isn’t everything for you all. But... that doesn’t mean you can disrespect this test! You should be applauding it!”
With Janitz stepping in, the dropouts sniffled and nodded. Once they all agreed, Janitz gave the complaining boy’s shoulder a pat.
“There’ll be a next time. This took courage too. See you around.”
Did the boy realize his mistake?
Shamefaced, he bowed his head and apologized.
“S-Sorry...”
And with that, the dropouts left without even entering Trial Valley.
Another round of sifting had whittled down the participants. Now, only the true elites remained.
Kids already proven brave.
Fewer than fifteen, when we’d started with over a hundred. Just the first trial had cut them down to this.
Once everything settled, Ian Pador flashed a warm smile.
“Congratulations to those who passed the first trial. This alone proves your courage—and if you wish, you can become knights with the Pador Family’s support.”
A few boys clenched their fists tight.
Yeah, this was a carp’s chance to become a dragon.
For the Pador Family, kids with that mindset were worth raising.
They’d already hit their goal.
But human ambition just keeps growing, always eyeing the next prize.
Now just two left.
Two more trials to conquer Trial Valley.
We followed Ian to our next spot: the barrier that had held back the water earlier. One odd detail—a ladder stretched all the way to the top.
Ian stopped in front of it and addressed us.
“Climb that ladder on the barrier, and from there on, it won’t end with simple threats like the first trial. Think it over carefully. The moment you enter, even the Pador knights here—including me—can’t intervene.”
Ian warned us again, but...
“Intriguing... very intriguing...!”
Inschtain charged ahead with gusto.
Andrew and Ralph followed right after. No one who’d made it this far was backing down.
I climbed the barrier ladder last, bringing up the rear.
My eyes met Ian’s for a split second.
He smiled. I smiled back.
You’re not the only one hiding fangs, Ian Pador.
An illusion?
Ian Pador felt a sudden chill from Deyan, whose gaze had locked with his for that instant.
No way.
Must be fatigue.
Still... unexpected, Deyan.
Never imagined he’d breeze through the first trial like that.
Nothing standout about him, but no sloppiness either.
That Deyan...?
Not a skill test, of course, but a far cry from the old, confidence-lacking Deyan.
That glance earlier... like staring down a viper with concealed fangs. Hallucination-level eerie.
Deyan...?
Ridiculous fantasy.
He’d watched the boy for over a decade. Closely, at that.
No way the plan had gone awry. Just a kid poisoned beyond saving.
He’d wash out in the second trial anyway.
He had to.
The third had his trap set.
This was all scripted theater.
Did they know?
That they were willingly stepping into a massive beast’s maw as live bait.
It’s just beginning...
Ian Pador gazed at the sky. The sunset.
The Pador Family shone like that sun...
But now, it was time for sunset. Night’s turn.
A ferryboat lay before the participants.
Seeing it stirred old memories. I’d flunked here back then, probably...
Thinking back, that trial was impossible even if you died and came back. Normal kids couldn’t pass. How?
The second trial’s question was simple.
Courage? Done. Now show skill.
And the Pador Family planned to shove these boys into another extreme ordeal.
Oblivious, Inschtain grumbled idly.
“Ride this boat?! Can’t even lie down in it?!”
Doesn’t he ever get tired of it?
Guy came to take the test, yet he’s nonstop complaining.
A Pador knight pointed at the gray bell, face unchanging.
“Don’t like it? Go back. No one’ll stop you.”
“As if!”
Inschtain griped but boarded anyway. The others followed without hesitation.
I deliberately took the seat next to the red robe.
Once we were all aboard, the knight pointed to the straw sacks in front of us.
“Everyone, open your straw sacks.”
Ah... memories.
Really shocked me back then. What a jolt.
Inside the straw sacks...
“Handcuffs?”
“What’s this...?”
Yeah, handcuffs. Heavy, sturdy ones fit for binding criminals.
The knight intoned to the stunned participants like an order.
“Put on all the handcuffs.”
Everyone complied without a word. Even the red robe slipped hers on...
I watched her do it and tossed out a line.
“Your wrists are awfully thin.”
But the reply wasn’t friendly.
“Not your business. Butt out.”
Prickly voice.
Chilly too. Edgy as hell.
Ralph saw it and burst out laughing openly.
“Yeah, not your business—why ask?”
“Shut up, Ralph.”
“This punk keeps butting in?!”
Thud...!
The knight stomped his foot. Our rowdy bunch shut up at that one move.
“This is a sacred trial ground. No idle chatter.”
Ralph eyed the knight warily and bowed his head.
“...Yes.”
Moments like these really show he’s just a kid.
With the commotion quelled, the knight addressed us.
“The second trial is crossing this river. To forfeit, press the white protrusion on your handcuffs.”
He said it, then shoved the boat off.
Infused with mana, maybe? It glided smoothly even with all our weight.
But Inschtain spotted something weird and craned his neck around.
“Hold on—where’s the ferryman?”
The knight—who should’ve answered—stayed silent...
And the boat just kept drifting farther from the barrier.
“This is part of the test, huh...?”
True to their first-trial clearance, the kids accepted it quick after a moment’s shock.
They stared silently at the misty valley.
Andrew, sitting up front, suddenly jabbed a finger at me and yelled.
“What the—that guy from before...?”
Finally clocked it?
Sharp eye.
I shot back with a dumbfounded look.
“Yeah, watching from here.”
“Whoa... so you’re aiming for the same path?”
Andrew sidled up to me all buddy-buddy, which must’ve irked Ralph—he wedged himself between us.
“Hey, you! Tral Clan, right? Greet me first, not him!”
“...Who’re you?”
“Ralph Pador! Ralph Pador!”
Andrew cocked his head, then slapped his knee.
“Oh? Yeah, I’ve heard of you. The guy Ed punked, right?”
“Th-that was a fluke! A fluke...!”
Inschtain smirked and chimed in.
“Heard about you too. Some Pador descendant got utterly humiliated—guess that’s you.”
“You money-grubbing punk dare insult the Pador Family?”
“Watch your words. I’m insulting you, not the family.”
Ralph lurched to his feet, handcuffs and all.
“That confident? Wanna throw down?!”
The boat rocked. Hard.
What a hothead. Ian Pador’s son is Ralph? Wild.
“Unworthy son” fits him to a T.
Fight it out, boys. I won’t stop ya.
Inschtain recoiled at Ralph’s antics.
“No manners at all. How’d the Pador Family spawn you? And Ian’s son, no less...”
“What’s that supposed to mean?! Better than a money-worshipper like you!”
“Pot calling the kettle black.”
The other kids tried breaking it up, handcuffs clanking—but why bother?
Worried they’ll get hurt bad?
No chance.
This boat’s about to sink anyway.
“Come at me, punk!”
“Think I won’t?!”
As the two started thrashing, Andrew scratched his head from the corner.
“Hang on. You two—cut it out?”
“Who asked you!”
“Shut your trap, annoying Tral brat!”
Ignoring the insults, Andrew pointed downward.
“Not that—the boat’s leaking.”
“Huh...?”
Everyone zeroed in on where Andrew’s finger aimed.
The wooden planks were melting away, water pooling inside.
That’s it. Exactly.
The kids’ eyes went wide.
“Wh-what?! Plug it...!”
“How?! With what?!”
“Sit on it!”
“Wait—!”
As the kids flailed in panic, the red robe scanned our surroundings.
Stranded in the middle of the river. Nowhere to go.
The red robe muttered low.
“That’s why they cuffed us...”
“What?”
Ralph shot back at her, and the red robe snapped sharply.
“They planned to sink us from the start.”
The kids hadn’t processed it yet when—
Crack!
The boat shattered.