Chapter 122: Heterogeneous Species (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122: Heterogeneous Species (4)
Quite some time had passed since the Academy had turned into a literal arena.
The result of fights breaking out the moment people made eye contact—just like in Pok*mon—was… a resounding success.
If you were to ask why:
“The Flower Arrangement Club’s activities have ground to a halt, haven’t they? Isn’t this all thanks to me?”
“You were just complaining about why it was your fault the students were fighting…”
The Fire Spammer spoke grumpily, but that didn't erase my achievement.
“Well, kids grow up through fighting.”
“Except for Senior Aeryun, we’re all the same age…”
“Hey! Taylor! I’m the same age too!”
A lot had happened, but for now, the RoFan male leads and their group had basically become background noise.
Lately, their mentions in the Academy’s incident logs were at the level of mere extras. It was a reaction quite unlike the typical RoFan male leads, who are usually the center of every storm.
At least the Minor Sword Emperor seemed to be making a name for himself thanks to his winning streak… but considering the guy himself had been lamenting Daisy’s growth, it felt like it was about time for him to get knocked down a peg.
“So, the only thing we need to worry about is the other races! We still have two months until final exams. Let’s take everything else slow.”
“Um…”
At that, Elian cautiously raised his hand.
Looking at the expressions of the other juniors, it felt like Elian was asking on behalf of everyone.
“What?”
“Well, is something scheduled to happen during the final exams? You make it sound like something is definitely going to blow up then…”
“Ah, because that’s when at least one Dark Mage will show up.”
“Pardon? Did a Dark Mage issue a declaration of war or something?!”
“No. They just show up.”
“What?”
“I said, they just show up.”
Seeing their ‘what kind of nonsense is that’ expressions, it seemed these kids still didn't understand how this Academy worked.
“You experienced it once during midterms.”
“No, even so…”
“You’ll understand once you experience it during finals.”
I didn't bother giving a detailed explanation to the freshmen, including Elian, who lacked RoFan sensibility. This was a realm where the more you explained, the less sense it made.
Anyway, once they experienced the RoFan combo of 1st Semester Finals - Summer Break - Founding Festival - 2nd Semester Midterms, they’d understand on their own.
Actually, since this time the exchange with other races was sandwiched between summer break and the Founding Festival, it would be even better for raising their sensibility than last year.
“So, for now… let’s start with the assignments for the other races.”
The murmuring freshmen fell silent at Uncle Aeryun’s words.
The assignment of other races.
This was an issue that could have a massive impact on their future Academy life.
“First of all. Excluding the Dragonkin, two representatives from each race will be coming to the Academy as an advance party.”
“An advance party…?”
“It means if things go well, they’ll continue periodic exchanges in the future. So don't feel too much pressure.”
If things go well, they’re planning to dump even more of them here…?
Should I start an anti-other-race movement at the Academy?
“Adam, you little bastard!”
“Whoa, what’s with you?”
“The look on your face just now was exactly like those slave traders who argue for the oppression of other races!”
“Me?”
“Yes, you bastard!”
…As expected of an Imperial agent. He’s quick on the uptake.
“Even if future exchanges are confirmed, it’s not like more will come next year! You know how long-lived those races are. They’re the type to spend a whole year just holding meetings. Don't cause unnecessary trouble and just do a good job!”
He had a point. There was even an old saying in this world that ten years for a human is like a month for an elf.
However.
“Then isn't only the Empire benefiting?”
“Do we really need to go that far?”
“If they want help, they should start by getting on their knees…”
“Taylor, you bastard, you’re from the Empire!”
There was no reason for us to put in effort for something that only benefited the Empire.
“Should we just ruin it completely?”
“Not a bad idea.”
“If you want to peacefully maintain the Empire’s peace, the central government should give benefits to House Rias! Do you have any idea how much damage we took after the Academy arrived last time?!”
Since the seniors were setting the stage, the juniors, who had been watching the mood, started chiming in one by one.
“Um… we aren't exactly a group gathered for the sake of the Empire.”
“Cooperation with other races that only benefits the Empire!”
Aeryun, who had been listening in silence, finally let out a deep sigh.
“If you keep acting like that, I’ll show you the dignity of the Empire.”
“Boo!”
“He’s resorting to force because he’s losing the argument.”
“Is the Empire really okay like this?!”
We jeered even louder, but we were all forced to shut up at his next words.
“I could just dump every single one of those races onto one person.”
At the image that instantly flashed through my mind, I couldn't help but close my mouth.
The others were likely imagining something similar.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“I can even manipulate the seating arrangements. Just imagine it. Prince Ellen surrounded by seven members of other races. Or Prince Arwen. Wouldn't that be a beautiful sight?”
The fact that he specifically threatened me and the Fire Spammer made it feel like he wasn't joking; he was dead serious.
A chill ran down my spine.
Prince Ellen with Elves on both sides, Beastkin and Dwarves in front and back, and even a Dragonkin sitting diagonally from him.
I could already feel my stomach churning.
Something would explode. No matter what, something was bound to blow up in that setup!
Even if we blocked the RoFan heroine Daisy and her stage, the Flower Arrangement Club, the structure itself was designed for disaster!
“Actually, Dale has always been striving for cooperation and harmony with other races.”
“That’s Dale for you.”
The Fire Spammer, who was the first to snap out of the delusion, raised the white flag. True to her roots as a vulgar Magic Spammer, she betrayed us instantly.
“You know we’re close with the Beastkin, right? Our kingdom even opened trade with the Beast King.”
While martial-arts-focused races like the Beastkin or Dwarves were somewhat friendly toward us, they tended to be hostile toward Magic Spammers due to past history.
“……”
When I pointed that out, the Fire Spammer’s gaze turned sharp, but what could I do? Someone has to die for others to live.
After locking eyes a few times, we reached an agreement.
“But isn't it a bit too uncooperative for a fellow citizen of the Empire?”
“Even when we went to Rias, we were so confident that we were different from the Academy…”
“To ask for benefits after getting breached…”
“Pathetic, truly pathetic.”
“Is this a betrayal?!”
We pinned all the original sin onto Taylor, the easiest target.
And so, we agreed to distribute the other races appropriately.
Of course, we didn't want to distribute them from the start.
“In a way, they’re all new students. Shouldn't they all be 1st years?”
“That’s a rational thought.”
“Seniors…?”
The juniors looked betrayed, but in the world of agents where conspiracies and trickery were rampant, one must never trust anyone.
They were all from different countries anyway… well, one was my direct junior, but still. In this business, you were more important than them, and I was more important than you.
“Sorry, but I’m told that’s not possible.”
Surprisingly, it was Uncle Aeryun who blocked that plan. I thought he’d be happy to dump them all into the 1st year.
“Why?”
When I asked with curiosity, Uncle let out a heavy sigh and answered.
“First, the Beastkin requested to be placed in the 2nd year.”
If they’re Beastkin, they’re definitely in the Swordsmanship Department. Even though it’s called the Swordsmanship Department, other weapons and even hand-to-hand combat techniques fall under its sub-categories.
“I’m asking why.”
“I don't know. You said you were close with the Beastkin. You find out.”
How cold. For some reason, I was reminded of a certain puppy that used to roll around in the corner of my dormitory for a while.
“And the Elves are also 2nd years.”
Just as I was sensing that something had gone wrong.
“Why?”
The Fire Spammer, hearing that even the Elves—who would almost certainly enter the Magic Department—were 2nd years, asked with a face full of doubt just like mine.
“There’s a somewhat rational reason for this one.”
“What is it?”
“They said they want to graduate as quickly as possible.”
“…Then you could just put them in the 3rd or 4th year.”
“…Then there’s no point in an exchange.”
“Do we really need to care about that…?”
At the Fire Spammer’s cold voice, Aeryun avoided her gaze and announced the destinations for the Dwarves and Dragonkin.
“And the remaining Dwarves and Dragonkin are 1st years. They didn't have any specific requests, so I put them in the 1st year.”
At first glance, since there were four 2nd years and three 1st years, you might think the 1st years had it easier.
But looking at it differently, the Dragonkin alone took up the entire 'other race quota' that usually occupied two slots.
Of course, they could have sent two Dragonkin if they wanted to, but Dragonkin weren't exactly common.
In fact, the mere fact that one was moving was enough to make Boradori have a fit.
“The Dwarves will likely enter the Swordsmanship Department, but…”
That’s how rare and dangerous Dragonkin were.
“The Dragonkin said they want to take an aptitude test… so we don't know what will happen.”
Dragonkin.
A race that, in a sense, represented the greatness of humanity, making all other races marvel at human fertility.
To put it another way, their parent was a dragon.
“It probably won't happen, but… you know the fairy tale ‘The Prince and the Dragonkin,’ right?”
It’s called a fairy tale, but it’s a story based on actual events from a very long time ago.
Once upon a time, an abandoned prince happened to meet a Dragonkin woman. The two fell in love, but the kingdom sent a pursuit party to eliminate the prince.
The prince fled alone to avoid bringing harm to the Dragonkin woman, but the kingdom’s pursuers tried to harm her anyway.
Enraged, the Dragonkin woman slaughtered the pursuit party, called her father as a bonus, and had him fire a Breath at the royal castle, toppling the kingdom. That was the legendary story.
“The Empire does not wish for such a tragedy to occur.”
So, we’ll provide help, but you guys handle it yourselves.
Hearing the unspoken words, the 1st-year juniors’ faces began to turn pale.
“Come to think of it, we’re actually quite close with the Beastkin.”
“Dale’s long-cherished wish was to get along with the Elves.”
“Thinking back, it was just Rias being pathetic for getting breached.”
The pathetic seniors had no choice but to immediately flip their stances.
Lately, I’d been under quite a bit of stress due to the issues with the other races.
At times like this, the best thing to do was to move my body.
So, I thought I’d grab the Minor Sword Emperor and have a fun time swinging swords, but…
“……?”
That Minor Sword Emperor was currently flying through the air.
Of course, it wasn't that Asran had suddenly received the protection of a RoFan male lead, broken through his limits, surpassed the level of a Sword Master, and was now treading on air.
He was simply being hit by a 10-hit combo in mid-air and couldn't come down to the ground.
“Urgh! Ack!”
Even in the air where it was hard to steady himself, he managed to block a few attacks, but that only served to prolong his airtime.
The problem was…
“Hey.”
“Ah, damn it, don't interrupt… Oh, Adam? What is it?”
I grabbed one of the familiar faces among the spectators and asked, but I only received a look full of annoyance.
The fact that he even answered because it was me, and wouldn't have even let anyone else speak to him, showed just how interesting this duel was.
“Who’s that?”
“Don't know. Apparently, a new student. They just barged in, looked for the strongest person, and have been winning against everyone.”
After that winning streak, the Minor Sword Emperor, who held the most wins across both the Swordsmanship and Magic Departments, had stepped up… but even he was on the verge of defeat.
“……”
The Defeat Sword Emperor. Just how far would this guy fall?
Still, in the original work, he was the clear second-in-command of the Swordsmanship Department and was supposed to awaken several times.
Now, he was worried about even keeping his third-place spot, and here he was getting thrashed by a new face.
“I-I lose.”
About three minutes later, the Minor Sword Emperor—now more fittingly the Defeat Sword Emperor—admitted defeat.
“H-however…”
But had this guy also grown in his own way?
“I am merely the third-best in our department.”
“……?”
“No matter how strong you are, you won't be able to defeat the ultimate second-in-command, Adam Smith!”
“This little bastard…?”
When did he learn such a high-level skill as ‘Death’s Echo’? He pointed me out as the next opponent and then just passed out.
“Aha!”
At that, the red-haired woman who had just pummeled Asran looked at me with a bright smile.
There was no need to ask how she knew it was me. All the spectators were looking at me, and the bastards standing nearby had even cleared a path.
“Shall we fight?”
At that refreshing smile.
Boom!
“I’d rather not…”
I put all my will to refuse into my words, but her fist was faster than my answer, so it seemed my response was effectively voided.