Chapter 58
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58
“Hah… Hah.”
Sweat poured down me like rain.
Having finally crossed the finish line, I collapsed onto the training grounds, gasping for air. In this Death Rally, I had placed 49th out of roughly a hundred students. It was a close call, but I had finally broken into the top half.
My consistent physical training was finally paying off. Of course, it was largely thanks to the stamina, endurance, and strength-assisting artifacts I had decked myself out in, but considering my stats were halved by my condition, I’d say it evened out. I now possessed physical abilities clearly beyond those of an ordinary person—though that was nothing to brag about in the world of Myrillin Saga, a place overflowing with superhumans.
As I lay there panting, I felt a sharp gaze on me. I glanced toward Freya, but she was busy talking with other female students, a water bottle in her hand.
Not Freya, then.
As I rested, Gaurel, who had been on my team during the last practical exam, approached me.
“Hey, you’re faster than I thought.”
He handed me a water bottle and a towel. Gaurel’s skills were far beyond the level of a basic swordsmanship class; he’d mentioned he only chose it to fill his credit requirements. Until the last class, we’d only known each other by sight, but we’d grown closer after being paired up for the practical.
“Thanks.”
I accepted his gesture, gulping down the water and wiping the sweat from my face.
“By the way, that fatso is still at it.”
Gaurel looked toward Garfield, who was still trudging sluggishly around the training grounds. Garfield looked like he was at death's door, forcing himself forward one agonizing step at a time. I’d heard he’d lost some weight, but he was clearly still struggling.
The nature of the Death Rally meant that the last person to finish had to run the most laps. He was currently on his ninth.
Watching Garfield from a distance, I commented, “Still, isn’t he doing better than last time?”
“You think so?”
He probably wouldn’t pass out and need a stretcher this time, so I suppose that counted as improvement. What mattered was being better than yesterday, even if only by a fraction.
A few minutes later, Garfield finally reached the finish line. He walked like a zombie toward the shade and collapsed.
“Haaah, haaah…”
“Good work,” I said, offering a word of encouragement.
In contrast, Professor Zimmer narrowed his eyes as he looked down at the half-dead student. He snapped his pocket watch shut, his tone dripping with disbelief.
“25 minutes and 17 seconds. While it’s true this basic swordsmanship class aims to improve physical fitness rather than mastery of the blade, this is just pathetic. What on earth was Professor Verdandi thinking, letting someone like that into her class?”
I saw Freya flinch at Zimmer’s words. But Zimmer paid her no mind and continued staring at Garfield.
“You there.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
Even on the verge of collapse, Garfield shot to his feet.
“I expected as much, but this class is clearly too difficult for you. Withdraw from the course.”
“!”
The command to withdraw seemed to snap Garfield back to his senses. He immediately shouted with forced strength.
“N-No, sir! I can do it!”
“‘Do it’? There’s a three-minute gap between you, in last place, and the person before you. You cannot keep up with this class. If you don’t withdraw voluntarily, I’ll expel you on my authority.”
“...!”
“Don’t take it too hard. This is for everyone's sake. You won’t have to suffer anymore, and I can proceed with the class without worrying about a straggler. You’re lucky it’s still the beginning of the semester; there won’t be a penalty on your record.”
Scribble, scribble—
Zimmer scribbled something on a document and thrust it toward Garfield.
“Take this to the administration office. They’ll process it.”
“…”
When Garfield just stood there in a daze, Zimmer waved his arm impatiently.
“My arm’s going to fall off.”
Eventually, with a hollow expression, Garfield slowly approached and took the paper.
“This…”
Freya looked like she was about to protest, but her aides quickly restrained her. Although the Union guaranteed students maximum autonomy, they couldn't easily challenge a professor’s decisions regarding lectures and grading. Not even Freya, the student council president of Ishtal, could interfere.
If she caused trouble over this, inspectors dispatched from various kingdoms and families would come poking around the academy. And Zimmer Demetri certainly had enough influence to make that happen. Though he wasn't on good terms with his brother, the knight commander, he was a prominent member of the ruling faction in the Knight Kingdom. He could act this arrogantly because he had that kind of backing.
Moreover, Freya’s position was already shaky because of the Verdandi incident. She couldn’t afford to create an issue over something so minor that could be used against her. Furthermore, with a major event like the athletic festival approaching, clashing with a presiding professor would do no good.
It was difficult for me to intervene as well. I needed to maintain an A or higher in every class just to keep my position as student council president. There was no reason to provoke a professor and create unnecessary risks—and I wasn't close enough with Garfield to take such a gamble.
“You may leave. If you wish to take Ishtal’s courses, I suggest you focus on theoretical subjects. Weaponry or history should be more your speed.”
Zimmer offered one last piece of "advice" before jutting his chin toward the exit. It was a clear dismissal.
“…”
Clutching the paper, Garfield trudged off the training grounds. Even as he was being kicked out, he didn’t send a single pleading glance toward me or Freya. I wasn’t sure if it was because he knew it would be a burden to us.
Watching his retreating back, I let out a small sigh.
I should buy him a meal later.
I decided I’d treat him to something to cheer him up. And...
I’ll have to get rid of a professor, too.
I thought to myself, quietly glaring at Zimmer as he stood up. Right now, I didn’t have the power to openly challenge him. But I did know a way to get him removed from his position. When that time came, Garfield would be able to rejoin the class.
Zimmer stood on the platform and addressed the remaining students.
“While we’re at it, I have an announcement for all of you.”
Zimmer glanced at the papers in his hand, then tore them to shreds and tossed them into the air.
Flutter—
“As of this moment, Professor Verdandi’s curriculum is hereby abolished. I will not tolerate a situation where every Tom, Dick, and Harry flocks to Ishtal’s practical courses for an easy grade.”
The students’ eyes widened, but Zimmer continued.
“Therefore, I am restructuring the grading for this course. One A, ten Bs. The rest of you will receive a C or lower.”
“!”
As the students reacted in shock, Zimmer’s voice turned cold.
“Simple physical training? An easy way to get credits? I have no intention of allowing that. All training will be treated as real combat. And in real combat, there is only one winner.”
A student raised his hand to object.
“Professor! Only one A? But Lady Freya is in this class!”
“And what of it? You spineless fool. All you have to do is get a better score than Freya. Otherwise, you’ll just have to hope for her mercy.”
“…”
The students began to murmur. Zimmer glanced around at them for a moment before turning to leave.
“The mood here is unsettled. It’s difficult to proceed in this state. That will be all for today. If you wish, you may continue training on your own before you leave.”
Clomp—
With those final words, Zimmer descended from the platform and disappeared. I watched his shrinking figure and clicked my tongue.
“Tsk.”
That gave me one more reason to get rid of him. If I couldn't remove him... my chances of keeping the student council presidency would be slim to none.
*
“Th-this is too unfair…”
At a cafe located within the Ishtal territory, Garfield picked up his fork with a gloomy expression and shoved a piece of cake into his mouth.
Munch, munch—
He barely chewed before swallowing. It seemed he was the type to relieve stress by eating. I spoke in a comforting tone.
“For now, just eat as much as you want and relax. Order anything you like. It’s on me today.”
“…Thank you.”
“You buying for me, too?” Gaurel, sitting next to Garfield, asked casually.
I didn’t know why he’d tagged along, but since we had a connection, I decided to treat him as well. After stuffing several canapés into his mouth at once, Gaurel spoke.
“But to be honest, that professor bastard wasn’t entirely wrong. He’s a rude asshole, but it’s true you’re having a hard time keeping up, Garfield. And it’s not a good thing for just anyone to come to Ishtal and suck up easy credits.”
“Th-that is sophistry! All students of the Union have the right to participate in any class without discrimination!”
“You really believe that nice-sounding bullshit? It’s just what they say to get tuition money. Still, I’m pissed that bastard changed the grading curve. Only one A? What a total prick.”
“Hmm.”
His language was rough, but I agreed. Only one A grade was an injustice unlike any other. The relevant regulations would definitely need to be revised.
Resting my chin on my hand, I asked Garfield a question.
“Garfield, if I were to help you, would you be willing to continue the basic swordsmanship class?”
“You would help me? Is there a way?”
“Whether there is or isn’t depends on what we do. But before that, I have something to ask.” My gaze hardened. “Garfield, what was your purpose for signing up for this class? Was it simply for physical training?”
At my question, Garfield quietly clenched his fist.
“…Not entirely. Physical training is one of my goals, but my true objective is to change myself.”
“To change yourself?”
“That is correct. While I have no intention of competing with my brothers, as a member of the Morty family, I must prove my own abilities to carry on the family business. As a first step, I chose Ishtal’s swordsmanship class. As Professor Verdandi said, physical strength is essential to achieving anything.”
“I see.”
Garfield lowered his head. “However, that is my personal affair. If it would be too much trouble for you, Lord Roen, then you have no need to help. The thought alone is much appreciated.”
Clink—
I set down my teacup and shook my head.
“No, it’s not too much trouble. There is definitely a way to get that professor expelled.”
*
After parting with Garfield, I headed for the Eredor territory.
Since the class was suddenly canceled, I had some time on my hands, so I decided to take care of something I’d been meaning to do for a while.
The issue with Professor Zimmer wasn’t something that could be resolved immediately. To deal a decisive blow, I needed to take my time and gather solid evidence. Of course, I already knew his weakness, but gathering proof was another matter. For now, I had contacted Gretel in the underworld and asked Alfredo to gather the relevant information. Until I heard back, there wasn’t much else to do, so it was fine to put it on the back burner. It would be enough to resolve it before the athletic festival began.
I walked for a long time from the center of the Eredor territory and stopped in front of a shabby building on the outskirts. A sign hung on the entrance of the warehouse-like building.
[Alchemy Club - Alchemist]
I knew it as the club with which Roen had a certain ill-fated connection. I patted my chest, confirming the envelope was in my inner pocket, and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock—