Chapter 184: Proof 6
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 184: Proof 6
[Lucas – 0]
[Clara – 7]
[Sepia – 9]
[Gashurin – 11]
[Kuran – 12]
[Ren – 13]
[Loki – 20]
[Frederick – 22]
The hologram screen displayed the exact number of challengers each person had drawn.
For some, the numbers were exactly as expected; for others, they were significantly higher or lower than anticipated.
‘I didn’t think the gap between Frederick and me would be that small.’
Honestly, Loki had expected Frederick to draw at least thirty people.
“My, my, Lucas. You’re not as popular as I thought, are you? Zero challengers? You really should have been nicer to the other students.”
Loki tossed a joke toward Lucas, who was standing right next to him.
“And I suppose you’re enjoying being so popular?”
Lucas laughed and fired back, but Loki caught the complicated expression hidden beneath that smile.
He even knew the reason behind it.
The reason no one challenged Lucas wasn't because he was weak. It was an objective fact that Lucas was among the strongest even within the Special Class.
However, seven students had challenged Clara, whom the student body generally ranked at a similar skill level to Lucas.
The reason no one stepped up against Lucas had less to do with combat prowess and more to do with his status as the Crown Prince.
Unless it was an unavoidable situation mandated by the Academy, like a midterm exam, no one wanted to choose a duel with the Crown Prince when other options were available.
And Lucas was well aware of this.
Staring at the hologram screen that refused to change no matter how long he looked, Lucas thought it was a good thing he’d joined the club Loki created.
If you were a Special Class student, you basically ignored titles like 'Crown Prince' anyway—they were the type to scream if you messed up during a fight with Professor Elicia and sparred with each other constantly.
“Are you disappointed you don’t get to fight at all?”
He’s like a mind reader, Lucas thought with a bitter smile.
“A little? I won’t have anything to do while the rest of you are fighting.”
“Is that so? Well, it’s not like there’s no way for you to fight.”
“What is it? Are you going to tell those people now that we’re the ones who choose our opponents? If you do that, there’s going to be a huge backlash.”
“I’m not talking about those people.”
As he spoke, Loki extended his index finger, pointing somewhere. Lucas’s gaze naturally followed the gesture.
There, on the second-floor balcony of the auditorium, stood Professor Elicia. She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, looking down at them.
“If you want to fight that badly, why don't you ask Professor Elicia to spar with you? Think of it as a special event. Since the club’s purpose involves dealing with Professor Elicia anyway, it shouldn't be a problem.”
“Suddenly, I’ve lost all desire to fight. Yeah, I’ll just think of this as having the best seat in the house for a fun show.”
“That’s a shame. I wanted to see you fight Professor Elicia gallantly in front of everyone here.”
“Don’t you mean you wanted to see me get beaten up by Professor Elicia in front of everyone?”
“Oh, come on. Do I look like that kind of person to you?”
“You look exactly like that kind of person.”
While Loki and Lucas conversed, the other Special Class students reacted differently to the hologram.
“……”
Clara and Sepia didn't care in the least how many people they were fighting.
Clara’s mind was entirely occupied with finding the Book of Forgotten Memories in the dungeon they were visiting over the weekend.
Sepia was busy glaring at Johanna, who was still staring at Loki.
Kuran, Gashurin, and Ren were all dissatisfied with the number of challengers assigned to them.
“Eleven... I wished to face more. This is quite disappointing.”
“Thirteen. I intended to spread the will of the Gods to more people. Still, I have more than Kuran.”
“Ugh! Only twelve?! This is wrong! Frederick! I shall fight your share as well!”
And finally, Frederick.
“……”
He was silent. His eyes were unfocused.
Frederick stared at the twenty-two students lined up in front of him.
He had prayed for only five—half of Gashurin’s eleven—but he ended up facing twenty-two, double that number.
The twenty-two students had stiff expressions, nervous about the upcoming club entrance exam.
To Frederick, however, those expressions looked like the savage glares of executioners deciding how best to kill him.
“Uwaaaaa...”
“Whoa, whoa! Frederick! You can’t faint now! If you’re going to faint, do it after you deal with those twenty-two!”
“Heeeuuuu...”
* * *
Fortunately, Loki and Kuran managed to keep Frederick from losing consciousness by shaking him and talking to him.
However, though he hadn't fainted, he remained in a daze.
He just kept muttering unintelligible words.
As the challenging students looked toward Professor Idra, wondering when the exam would begin, they saw her approaching Loki.
“Student Loki, I only thought up to this part. What am I supposed to say next?”
“What? Why are you asking me that? You’re the one conducting this exam, Professor Idra. You should have thought of that beforehand.”
“I only found out about this exam ten minutes ago when you told me! Where was I supposed to find the time to prepare? This is your fault for not giving me advance notice, Student Loki.”
“But you agreed immediately because you thought it sounded fun! I put my trust in you, Professor!”
“I only agreed because you said it would run itself even if I just winged it!”
Their childish bickering echoed through the auditorium, amplified by the microphone-like magic tool Idra was holding.
The spectators on the second floor chuckled, while the Special Class students hung their heads in shame, devastated by the fact that these two were their club president and advisor.
Realizing that staying like this would only delay her trek home, Idra finally waved the white flag.
“Ugh, fine. Can I just do it my way? Don't blame me if it turns into a total mess.”
“How could anything you lead turn into a mess, Professor? I believe in you!”
“I’d hate you less if you weren't so silver-tongued.”
With a deep sigh and a shake of her head, Idra shouted loudly.
“The first match will begin in five minutes! If anyone needs the restroom, go quickly!”
One of the students raised their hand.
“Do you have a question?”
“I was wondering which of the Special Class students goes first.”
“Aha! That is a very important question. I forgot because the irresponsible club president who made this exam didn't tell his advisor anything. I suppose this is my fault too?”
“I love how you take immediate responsibility for your mistakes! It’s a great look!”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!”
Unable to take it anymore, Idra lunged at Loki.
Unfortunately, Idra—whose physical abilities were limited to crafting magic tools—had no hope of catching Loki, who underwent rigorous physical training every day.
“Eek! Student Loki, stand still!”
“No thanks!”
The chase between Loki and Idra only ended when Elicia came down from the second floor and gave them both a Finger Flick.
* * *
“Alright, we’ll start with the person at the top of the screen.”
At Idra’s words, the students looked at the hologram.
[Lucas – 0]
[Clara – 7]
[Sepia – 9]
[Gashurin – 11]
[Kuran – 12]
[Ren – 13]
[Loki – 20]
[Frederick – 22]
Since no one had chosen Lucas, the first person to fight was Clara.
Even upon learning she was first, Clara’s expression didn't change at all.
However, the seven students who had chosen her as their opponent were visibly stiff with tension.
“Student Clara, and the students fighting her, please come to the center of the auditorium. Everyone else, please move up onto the stage!”
The Special Class students and the challengers who hadn't picked Clara moved onto the stage.
Clara stood in the center of the hall, but no one stood opposite her.
The seven students who had chosen Clara neither went up to the stage nor stepped forward to face her.
“I’m not ready yet. You guys go first.”
“Why should we go first?!”
“You have the highest grades among us. It makes sense for you to lead.”
“What does that have to do with anything?!”
They were even pointing fingers at each other, arguing over who should go first.
The reason was obvious: the later you fought, the more of an advantage you had as the opponent grew tired.
“If no one comes forward, I’ll just consider you all disqualified!”
Despite Idra’s warning, the students continued to make excuses to delay their turn. Then, Clara’s voice—not loud, but as sharp as a thunderclap—cut through the air.
“Just all of you come. I’ll take you on at once.”