Chapter 144
Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: First to the Finals
144
5
"I'm gonna die of heat..."
The words slipped out on their own.
My fire-resistant robe had burned away almost completely from the heat.
Even the tips of my hair seemed slightly singed, and my face still burned from the unrelenting heat.
It was terrifying. The red dragon.
Just a slight sneeze had sent me flying.
The crimson dragon Jurth was a fire dragon, true to the color of its scales.
It was an incredibly kind dragon, but even its accidental sneeze had launched me through the air.
To put it in perspective, it was like the gap between an elephant and a mouse... no, an elephant and an ant. It was only natural.
On top of that, riding a dragon was an experience I never wanted to repeat.
I'd ridden on Jurth's back to escape the volcano and easily grabbed a harpy in the process...
But it went beyond mere motion sickness—I'd felt my life was in danger.
The path of a dragon knight is a rough one.
I should never become a dragon knight.
Anyway, I walked on, trying to cool off from the heat.
The unconscious blue-flamed harpy slung over my back was heavy.
I was exhausted enough to want to dive straight into bed, but forcing my legs to move, I spotted the destination point in the distance.
With Jurth's help, maybe I'd settle for a decent third place?
With that hopeful thought, I entered the destination point, and the crowd erupted in wild cheers.
Waaaaaaaaah!!
Amid the cheers and thunderous applause, I couldn't help but look around.
Excluding the spectators and the professors overseeing the Mulrat Contio, no other participants were in sight.
The others, including Leon whom I'd expected to arrive first, were nowhere to be seen.
What?
No way... did I come in first?
After all that chaos...?
"Congratulations, student Theo Agrit. You've become the first qualifier for the glorious Mulrat Contio finals."
Sure enough, Taylor Curtis approached, clapping.
Even in this heat, he wore a suit impeccably, without a single drop of sweat.
He seemed to have erased the word "disheveled" from his dictionary, continuing in a dignified voice.
"I've always had my eye on you. As expected from a student exceptional in both letters and martial arts."
"Haha... thank you for the praise..."
In truth, I wasn't grateful at all.
Having more people watch me was something I'd decline even if it killed me.
But the chancellor had long retired from teaching, so maybe it didn't matter?
Contrary to his words of always watching, I'd never had a private meeting with him.
His "watching" probably meant something else.
Observers following participants during the Mulrat Contio matches.
Glancing aside, large holographic monitors set up in the arena displayed various participants.
My image, however, was absent.
The moment I'd entered Jurth's cave, the observer had been destroyed.
Thanks to Jurth eliminating the magical intruder in its territory.
Because of that, the fact that I'd received Jurth's help remained a secret unknown to the world.
Otherwise, rumors would have spread: talking to a dragon, riding one—dragon rider, and all sorts of nonsense, drawing unwanted attention.
"We'll talk details later. I must greet the other students."
Taylor Curtis stepped back from me and turned.
Following him with my eyes, my gaze met Leon's as he silently entered the destination point, the defeated harpy draped over his shoulder.
Trailing Leon, Yelga—drenched in sweat—and Roland, covered in soot, arrived one after another.
It seemed Yelga had beaten her harpy into submission, while Roland had preserved only its feathers with magic.
Everyone looked like they'd been through hell.
Even Leon appeared unusually worn out, which was rare.
To capture a harpy alive, one had to endure a grueling mountain trek near the summit and then fight.
Still, his vivid red eyes gleamed with feral vitality, so he seemed fine.
Unfortunately, Ethan and Kyriakos came in fifth and sixth.
They'd missed the finals by a hair, but reaching this far was impressive.
Especially since encountering a harpy in this match required considerable luck, so it wasn't a lack of skill.
"Good work, Ethan. You too, senior."
"Whoa! So close! Five minutes faster and I'd have made finals!"
Ethan, silver hair sparkling with sweat, brushed it back and grinned refreshingly.
He seemed quite satisfied, having tested his abilities.
"My training is still insufficient. Seeing you take first really drives it home. I'll redouble my efforts and challenge again next year."
Beside him, Kyriakos wiped his sweat-soaked purple hair with a towel and muttered.
I hadn't aimed for first or anything.
I smiled awkwardly, and soon Leon joined in, nodding.
"It was just luck, so don't overhype it."
"Luck is skill too."
"Leon's right! Buddy, luck counts as skill, so celebrate! I won't lose next time!"
"Why does the logic flow that way...?"
Ethan's brain had turned to muscle all the way through.
What the hell do they teach in gym class, anyway?!
Still... even if he's muscle-brained, he seems mentally matured, so that's good.
In fact, it was fortunate they hadn't made finals, given no incidents so far.
If Anirja was plotting something, it'd surely be in the finals.
Leon could handle anything that came up.
Of course, I wasn't at Leon's level, so I'd prepare in advance.
Having decided to go all the way, I'd do it thoroughly.
6
The cello played a majestic melody, with the violin gliding into a gentle one.
The dim lighting naturally subdued the mood, calming the room.
"Is the food to your liking?"
Between melodies, First Prince Clemens asked in a whisper.
His intellectual voice slipped into the ears without needing volume.
He'd make a great documentary narrator.
With that silly thought, I moved my knife.
In the dining room sat me, Clemens, Leon, Yelga, and Roland.
It was a banquet Clemens had invited the Mulrat Contio finalists to.
Hence, the main course was none other than veal steak.
Slaughtering a calf not yet fully grown purely for cuisine was quite a loss.
Cattle had always been vital labor, in any era.
Even in Tekat Kingdom, veal was forbidden outside royalty.
But this banquet, personally hosted by Clemens, received special permission.
Thanks to that, I could enjoy the long-awaited veal steak... though not fully.
On the table: four forks and four knives each.
Plus two glasses, and a few odd tools.
All utensils for etiquette.
Using the wrong one per course violated protocol.
Having possessed a noble's son, I'd learned etiquette just in case...
But fussing over even one knife gave me a headache, dulling the taste.
Is this why people eat ramen after fancy fine dining?
I'd settle for a casual family restaurant.
"It's delicious."
Yelga's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied.
For her, always stoic and emotionless, reacting like this meant dining with the first prince was a great honor.
"Thanks to you, Your Highness, we're having such a precious experience~"
Roland's eyes sparkled unusually.
His characteristic drawling tone remained, but no trace of laziness.
"You must be tired, so I prepared meat-heavy dishes. Eat up."
Pleased by their reactions, Clemens smiled faintly.
His expressions were subtle, but readable.
Slight tone shifts, pauses, gaze direction, minor gestures revealed his mindset.
"And you two?"
"Delicious."
"It's good."
My voice overlapped Leon's in reply to Clemens.
Leon showed no interest toward him, and neither did I, but Clemens didn't notice.
"Good to hear you all enjoy it. By the way, what would you do if you win?"
Not a speck of sauce on his lips, Clemens dabbed ritually and asked.
Though perfunctory, Yelga and Roland straightened and answered promptly.
"I want to be commissioned as an officer and serve the nation loyally."
"With royal support, contribute through excellent research~"
"Excellent answers. And you?"
Clemens's gaze turned to Leon.
Leon set down his knife and shook his head.
"My immediate goal comes first, so I haven't thought about after finals."
"A rigid reply. Quite unlike Duke Lucius."
Leon wasn't one for sly quips.
Anyway, it was my turn to answer.
Pondering briefly, I shrugged.
"I don't have big wishes. A semester off would be nice."
Even I knew it sounded insane.
Yelga and Roland stared like I was mad.
If this could lower Clemens's favor, great.
They wouldn't grant it anyway, even if I won.
So I thought, but Clemens burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! As expected, you always give amusing answers. Whether sincere or not, if you win, I'll personally make it happen."
This guy likes stuff like this?
Ridiculous... but if he really did it, winning wouldn't be so bad.
No, winning would draw unnecessary eyes, so nah.
"Where've you been hiding?!"
Bang!
Rainer barged into the dining room, flinging the door open.
Striding over, he perched on the table and chugged wine from the bottle.
Clemens narrowed his eyes at the crude behavior.
"What barbarity is this, lacking all dignity?"
"Whoa, whoa, since when do we play nice about dignity?"
Rainer smirked and waved it off dismissively.
His golden eyes fixed intently on me and Leon.
"From the look, money, fame, power—none of that petty crap interests you. Skip this farce and come to me. I'll make you one of the continent's top experts!"
"Amusing, little brother. Bragging about elevating others to heights you haven't reached."
"Hurts, big bro. Even if I never became a master, I could smash you anytime."
"Try it. That day will be your execution."
"Already playing king?"
"Just upholding the kingdom's rightful laws."
The princes traded sharp words, smiling only with their mouths, golden eyes glaring murderously.
Naturally, the music stopped, and everyone held their breath.
A powder keg on the verge of explosion.
Rainer backed off first.
"Next time we meet, better give me the answer I want."
Blowing a raspberry with the bottle, he left those words and departed.
Directed blatantly at me and Leon.
7
Thud.
The door shut firmly behind Rainer.
In his private room, the first to greet him were countless beast skeletons.
Red lions of Kennel Plains, frost bears of Hlirmiskel Forest, storm wolf packs of Stomic Plains.
Bones of man-eating beasts, cleanly stripped, proudly displayed their menace.
Among them, the only taxidermy—not skeleton—was the black-hide wyvern from a fierce battle.
Every skeleton and mount chronicled Rainer von Kusbeug's path of martial prowess.
Passing through, Rainer sank into the sofa, where a massive leopard nuzzled his head.
"Yeah, Pad."
Stroking the leopard's head as he called its name.
It purred like a cat but soon pressed close, tail rigid.
A response to intruders.
At the same time, Rainer addressed the room's darkness.
"Quite the cute little one this time. Anirja."
From the shadows and skeletons emerged a Hekate Academy student.
The one who'd advised preparing fire gear for Theo Agrit.
Speaking through one of many puppets, Anirja replied.
"Have you met Theo Agrit?"
"Yeah, went to crash big bro's lame recruitment pitch. Tempting as ever."
"You must acquire him."
"Don't state the obvious, puppeteer. I know. But he's stubborn. Makes taming him all the sweeter. You know your role's key."
"All preparations are complete."
No wasted words, just essentials.
Rainer nodded satisfied.
"Lure him in the finals. If that fails, use the other method. Teach him there's no second chance."
"Understood."
Anirja bowed politely.
Deep enough that Rainer couldn't see, Anirja's eyes flashed coldly.