Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Cradle's Brats (2)
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It seemed I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
The faces of the cadets looking our way were filled with wariness.
The group competition hadn't even started, yet the sharp glares were so intense my skin tingled.
Then again, it would've been stranger if they hadn't realized who had the upper hand in this competition after watching Group 3 train for the past month.
For the last month, we had focused more on coordinating with each other than on honing our individual skills.
It was a fact known to every cadet in the Eunsuri class.
So, it wasn't particularly strange for the cadets' eyes to be so sharp.
From the moment the group competition was announced, I had expected things to turn out this way.
There was nothing new about it.
The problem wasn't me, but the kids.
“Hoo. Hoo.”
“Finally…”
The kids were panting with excitement, yet there wasn't a hint of intimidation in their expressions.
If anything, they looked restless, eager to start the competition as soon as possible.
It was a truly proud sight.
Group 3, composed of those who had barely scraped by in the entrance rankings.
The undisputed weakest of the Eunsuri class.
These underdogs, who had chosen to focus on not losing the flag-capturing battle rather than winning it, were now burning with a competitive spirit.
The efforts of the past month had not been in vain.
*Nod.*
I gave a subtle nod to the kids who met my gaze.
Just wait a little longer.
The opportunity to reap the rewards of your hard work will come soon.
But not everyone welcomed the current situation.
“Shouldn't there be some basic rules? We're not common soldiers.”
A cadet raised an objection.
I didn't know his name, but his face was familiar.
He was from Group 1, I think.
A cadet from a prestigious family who always hung around Bern Vigete.
“You’re trying to say this lacks dignity, is that it?”
The cadet didn't answer Professor Dieter Riesner’s question.
His intentions were transparent.
He seemed to think that participating in a ruleless brawl was beneath someone who revered chivalry.
He was undoubtedly convinced that his objection was justified.
*Tsk.*
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
It wasn't long ago that they were all running around in a panic as if the world were ending.
And now that things had calmed down a bit, they were spouting nonsense again.
Would it take the world going to hell, just like in my past life, for them to learn anything?
It seemed squires and knights alike only came to their senses after getting their heads smashed in.
And in my opinion, the role of smashing the heads of these immature, vain peacocks belonged to our Group 3.
But first, they had to be persuaded.
“This is part of your training to prepare you for the battlefield, so follow orders without complaint.”
That, of course, was Professor Dieter Riesner's role.
“I understand that there are unwritten rules even on the battlefield.”
“That only applies to knights. It has nothing to do with you.”
He asked.
Are you knights?
“W-Well, not yet, but… by the time we leave the Cradle, won't we be knights?”
Faced with the professor’s uncharacteristically firm attitude, the cadet who had first objected faltered but stubbornly pressed his point.
“Then we can talk about it again then.”
Of course, it was completely ineffective.
“On the battlefield, a squire’s duty isn’t just to trail behind his master. Depending on the situation, you may have to command soldiers in your master's stead, and sometimes you may even have to lead a detached unit away from the main force.”
He went on, saying that in such cases, a squire must do their utmost to fulfill their duty as a junior officer of the army, and if necessary, they shouldn't hesitate to fight in a melee alongside the soldiers.
“If you still can't accept this after I've explained it this far, it must mean you have no intention of understanding. Anyone with a complaint can leave. Having unmotivated people here will only ruin the atmosphere.”
Every word he said was right.
“Of course, you will bear the consequences of that decision.”
*Gulp.*
The cadets swallowed dryly.
Although he didn't specify, everyone knew the consequences he spoke of would be anything but light.
Everyone could feel it.
The atmosphere of the Cradle had changed.
Professor Dieter Riesner was just the beginning.
The old him was not a man who would strong-arm cadets like this.
An order must have come down from above.
In fact, the flippant man I met yesterday had already foretold changes in the Cradle.
I had been half in doubt, but it was true.
And the catalyst was surely the Apocalypse Record.
I was inwardly impressed.
I never thought they would take a text of unknown origin so seriously, nor did I expect them to react so quickly.
*Clench.*
I unconsciously tightened my fists.
The giant known as the Cradle was waking from a long slumber, stretching its limbs.
To prepare for the coming war.
All we had were twenty-nine fledglings who weren't even knights yet.
For a giant's first step, it was not just meager, but downright pathetic.
But what did it matter?
In my past life, this giant had slept soundly until it slept forever, without so much as stretching.
The mere fact that they were starting to move was encouraging enough.
Of course, if we couldn't prevent the fall of the satellite city, none of it would matter.
“In this group competition, I want you to focus only on giving your all to win.”
Professor Dieter Riesner’s tone was more resolute than ever.
“And for the record, don't worry about injuries. There are people here who can reattach your limbs even if they get torn off.”
As if on cue, White Knights, clad in their distinctive pure white garments, appeared.
It meant his words about giving their all were not mere encouragement.
“You have one hour. Everyone, gear up and assemble before me within that time.”
On this day, for the first time since returning to the past, I saw hope.
Though it seemed the other cadets saw something different.
Something like gloom, or despair.
* * *
One hour.
For some, it was an unbearably long time; for others, it was far too short.
Group 3 was in the former category.
Having finished their preparations faster than anyone, the kids were fidgeting restlessly.
“They’re still at it.”
“This is so frustrating.”
In a corner, the cadets of Group 1 and Group 2 were putting their heads together, planning their strategy.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed they still had a long way to go.
In contrast, we had long since finished our strategy meeting.
In truth, the "meeting" was just a rehash of the group combat drills we had been doing tirelessly for the past month, so there wasn't much to discuss.
They were pointlessly loosening and tightening the straps of their armor over and over.
“...I'm back.”
“Gah, you scared me!”
A kid I hadn't even noticed was there suddenly poked his head in.
It was the timid Boen.
Boen dreaded the attention of others to an extreme degree.
“S-Sorry.”
Whenever eyes happened to fall on him, his face would turn beet red, and he would hang his head low, just like now.
But even this Boen was unrivaled in one particular field.
Reconnaissance and intelligence.
Boen had a natural talent for it.
He claimed that he naturally learned how to avoid people's attention because he found their gazes burdensome.
But his ability to erase his presence was far beyond the realm of mere social skill.
I could guarantee that if Boen changed his career path to become a budding assassin, a new legend would be born in the empire in no time.
His talent was that rare.
The cadets of Group 1 and Group 2, who hadn't even noticed Boen passing by them, were proof of that.
“So, did you find anything useful?”
At Lian’s question, Boen haltingly relayed Group 1 and Group 2’s plan.
“So they’re planning to have one person take on each of us.”
In short, their plan was to seize the initiative by exploiting Group 3’s smaller numbers and weaker individual skills.
It would allow them to avoid an undignified brawl and neutralize our greatest strength.
It wasn't a bad plan.
“Just as Yan predicted.”
“Wow, I couldn't believe it, but it happened exactly like that.”
“It’s like you’re from the future.”
Unfortunately for them, I already knew they would come at us like this.
Naturally, I had prepared countermeasures.
“We just need to stick to the plan Yan made.”
“I feel sorry for them.”
“Their faces are going to be priceless later.”
The kids spoke as if they were genuinely sympathetic.
If that were the case, they should at least wipe the grins off their faces.
Their mouths were stretched from ear to ear.
* * *
“The group competition will now begin!”
At the brief declaration, the cadets drew their swords as if they had been waiting for the signal.
However, of the twenty-nine cadets from the three groups, only the nineteen from Group 1 and Group 3 assumed combat stances.
*Clank.*
“Ha. Look at these guys.”
Dieter Riesner let out a dry laugh as he watched the cadets from Group 2 cross their arms and step back.
The leaders of Group 1 and Group 2 exchanged glances; it was obvious they had made a prior agreement.
“What a cute little trick.”
Contrary to his words, his eyes were ice-cold.
If this was how it was going to be, his efforts in setting the stage would be wasted.
He took a step forward.
He was about to issue a proper warning against their clumsy scheme.
*Halt.*
Just as he was about to open his mouth, a small-statured cadet with ashen hair caught his eye.
*Shake, shake.*
The cadet was shaking his head, his lips moving.
*Leave it to me.*
That's what his lips seemed to say.
“Hmm.”
Dieter Riesner hesitated.
But the answer had been decided from the start.
*Step.*
He silently stepped back.
*Wink.*
The Group 3 cadet gave him an exaggerated wink.
It was a flippant gesture.
Normally, he would have reprimanded him on the spot.
But instead of pointing out the lack of seriousness, he simply gave a small nod.
*I trust you, kid.*
In truth, whether he trusted him or not was unimportant.
This was a matter decided not by a mere professor, but by those higher up.
‘Put Group 3 at the forefront.’
That was what the Vice Director had said, dismissing his concerns about the cadets’ potential backlash against the new teaching method.
He’d said something about it being Group 3’s role to break the dam.
He was merely the one setting the stage.
And now that the stage was set, all that was left was to watch and see.
Whether the higher-ups' decision to entrust such a heavy role to a mere cadet at this critical juncture would be recorded as a misjudgment.
Or whether it would be recorded as astonishing foresight.
It wouldn't take long to find out.
“Group 1, advance!”
Just then, the cadets began to move.
“Yom of House Brenner! I challenge Cadet Lian Kart to a duel!”
“Cadet Yan! Come forth and receive the sword of I, Grass Harper!”
“Aria of House Czernian. I hope for a good match, Cadet Emmanuelle Constantz.”
“Gil of House Guierne, to Cadet Dario…”
“Angelo of Schmitz, Cadet Pon is…!”
As soon as their leader, Bern Vigete, finished speaking, the cadets of Group 1 singled out members of Group 3, pointing their swords at them.
“...”
But the cadets of Group 3 didn't even utter a word in response.
They simply raised their swords and shields, gauging the distance.
“Then may both winner and loser be honorable!”
As if he were an official witness to a duel, Bern Vigete made his declaration, and the cadets of Group 1 kicked off the ground.
Each one brandishing their sword at their designated opponent.
Dieter Riesner watched the scene with a deep frown.
Despite his efforts in setting the stage, the start of the group competition was filled with the same empty formalities as any other knightly order's drill.
At first, that is…
“Group 3, you crazy bastards!”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!”
That was the case until Group 3 started to move.