Chapter 141: Trolling (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 141: Trolling (3)
It was that time again. The Academy’s regular event had returned.
The day of the exams was upon us once more.
And the moment I heard the details of the testing process, I couldn't help but ask honestly.
“Are you insane?”
I mean, an off-campus exam?
And they were planning to rent out an entire remote island for it?
They might as well put up an advertisement saying "Dark Mages Welcome."
“That is precisely the point.”
However, Uncle Aeryun looked surprisingly dignified.
“Excuse me?”
When I gave him a look that said he was being ridiculous, Uncle Aeryun began to speak with an expression that suggested he understood everything.
“The Academy—no, the Empire—has predicted countless scenarios based on the data we've gathered so far.”
Then why the hell did you think of a survival match on a remote island?
Seeing everyone’s faces asking that very question, Uncle Aeryun simply laughed.
“Countless Imperial personnel have reviewed every single condition.”
“……”
“This isn't just about this time. Ever since that day when the great evil known as Silence pierced the very heart of the Academy, the Empire has mobilized everything to stop the Dark Mages.”
“……”
“We used every means at our disposal. We invested to the point where people said it was beyond necessary—that it was excessive!”
“……”
“And as a result, we realized something. We can’t stop them anyway!”
“…!”
“We go this far and they still break through? They even built a base nearby? People asked how that could even be possible, but what does it matter! They’re already through!”
There was a saying in my past life.
Those who cry when things are hard are third-rate.
Those who endure when things are hard are second-rate.
Those who laugh when things are hard are first-rate.
In that sense, Uncle Aeryun was first-rate.
Of course, his "laughing" face looked like it was about to burst into tears at any moment, but he was laughing nonetheless.
“Therefore, we had a thought!”
At his shout, which was filled with raw sincerity, we all realized it.
Even the first-years, who hadn't experienced those events personally, had looks of realization on their faces.
These bastards…
“Since they’re going to break in anyway, we might as well not even try to block them!”
They’ve completely given up…
Of course, they had only given up on stopping the Dark Mages in advance.
The Empire wasn't crazy enough to abandon the Academy, which housed the Imperial Prince as well as princes and princesses from various other nations.
“This Aken Island is a small island located in the Aken River, and it was once used as a vacation spot for the Imperial Family.”
The Aken River was a fairly long river connected to the Empire's major territories, and it was said that the Empire frequently transported logistics through it.
Which meant…
“In other words, this place is the Imperial Navy's front yard.”
One might ask what a navy is doing in a river, but floating a ship is the same regardless.
In fact, compared to the sea, there are fewer variables, making it a great place for retired naval officers to train recruits in their later years. Apparently, the Empire paid a surprising amount of attention to it.
“Doesn't that mean they're just inexperienced recruits, then…?”
“Th-they are the elite of the future! In fact, many of the Empire's famous naval officers received their basic military training at the Aken River…”
Given how much he was flapping his gums, it seemed best not to expect much from the soldiers' skill level.
However, the retired generals and soldiers seemed to be figures well-respected even within the Empire.
“First, assuming the Dark Mages show up, Imperial agents, along with the Aken River Navy disguised as being on a training exercise, will eliminate them.”
Was it because of Uncle Aeryun’s serious demeanor, or were the first-years finally waking up to reality?
It was quite satisfying to see that no one denied the possibility of Dark Mages showing up.
“Therefore, we! While taking the exam on Aken Island, will simply catch any Dark Mages who slip through the cracks!”
“Isn't that a bit too shameless…?”
At that bold declaration, the Fire Spammer let out a hollow laugh.
It wasn't like we were in the Empire just for this.
“Fire Marie! I know it’s shameless, but give up! This is something we can’t help! The Empire is trying its best, too!”
“I know it’s shame—wait a minute. Didn't that get longer?!”
The Fire Spammer glared at me with sharp eyes.
How unfair.
Uncle Aeryun was the one who said it, so why was she taking it out on me?
“Anyway! The Aken Island exam was originally for the 1st through 3rd years combined… but! The 4th years will be participating as well. It has become an exam where literally the entire student body participates.”
“The 4th years too?”
I could understand the 1st and 2nd years being bundled together. I could even wrap my head around the 3rd years.
But wasn't it tradition for the 4th years, who were basically in their job-hunting phase, to be managed separately like a remote island?
In fact, Uncle Aeryun had just mentioned that it was a 1st-3rd year integration, but the 4th years had suddenly joined.
“……”
At my question, Uncle Aeryun’s expression changed for the first time.
“…Why do you think?”
“……?”
“You shameless brat.”
“……?”
“It’s because of you, Adam Smith! Because you turned the Magic Department completely upside down!”
“…Ah.”
At Uncle Aeryun’s words, which sounded like he was bursting with resentment, I understood everything.
Right. I see.
“…To take back the title of the strongest mage!”
“Gyaaaah!”
While fending off the Fire Spammer who, for some reason, lunged at me, I managed to protect my title as the Academy's strongest mage.
#1 - We are Mages.
Dark Mages.
Beings rejected by all races, and even by their fellow humans.
They were those who had stepped off the path of the apostles and onto the path of magic to grasp power.
However, their foundation was that of a ‘Mage.’
Magic.
A noble discipline intended to realize the principles of the world.
Because of this, Dark Mages were proud of walking the path of magic.
If the discipline of magic was for realizing the world's principles, then the "righteous path" set by others was merely a path humans had arbitrarily decided upon.
Evil Gods? Demons? The Demon Tribe?
They were also beings that existed in this world, and if so, there was no evidence that their path was wrong.
Thus, the Dark Mages believed.
The reason they were rejected was simply because they had lost to the current mainstream powers.
As the saying goes, history is written by the winners.
In fact, among the countries defeated by the Empire in the past, weren't perfectly fine kings often portrayed as tyrants?
The same went for sacrifices.
To reach the truth, sacrifice was inevitable.
How were the ancestors of Dale—who claimed to be great, who dared to claim they represented magic—any different from Dark Mages?
They developed themselves through the actions they committed in the past, yet they rejected others as Dark Mages.
It wasn't for nothing that a traitor emerged from the Dale Royal Bloodline.
A mage who was a mage himself, yet hated mages more thoroughly than anyone else.
The existence of Silence was the very proof of Dale's original sin.
Of course, quite unfortunately, that existence had vanished all too hollowly.
…Regardless, contrary to the world's evaluation, the Dark Mages did not forget that their foundation was ‘Magic.’
That was also why they called the place where their core members hid the ‘Black Tower.’
“……”
“……”
“……”
Because of that, they had no choice but to fall silent as they watched the footage sent by a spy.
Watching a lowly sword-swinger claim to be using magic while spewing fire and ice from a blade.
“…Th-this is supposed to be magic?!”
“Guaah! Didn't they say it was the Empire's best educational institution! If he's a mage from that place, tell him to prove it!”
“Damn it, if that’s magic, does that mean psychokinesis is just the Flying Swords technique that only a Sword Master can do?!”
The Dark Mages forgot their grand purpose of studying the enemy's strength and could only seethe with rage as one.
And a short while later.
—Come at me.
Everyone cheered at the appearance of Demacia, the man called the strongest in the Imperial Academy.
“If it’s Demacia, it’s different.”
“Didn't they say he could use 6-star magic even as an Academy student?”
“It literally means he can only 'use' it, but being able to use 6-star means he can handle 5-star magic with near-perfect mastery.”
“That brat is finished now!”
The strongest in the Academy.
The Dark Mages, who had analyzed the Imperial Academy more thoroughly than anyone else, knew he possessed the skill to match that name. However…
“What?”
“How can he have such poor control?!”
“That thing is the strongest?!”
“…Admit it. The other guy just dodged well.”
“Guaaaaah!”
Watching even the man called the Academy's strongest mage gradually face certain defeat, the Dark Mages were despondent.
Eventually, by the time Demacia knelt and admitted defeat, the Dark Mages felt a sorrow even greater than their own loss.
And then…
—The strongest mage in the Academy is me, Adam Smith.
At those final words, just as the Academy's mages had…
“!@#^@#$&#$%^*$%$#!@%@#$!~@%$”
“$#!@$%$@#^#$ㅉ%^@$$@~$$^&”
“#%@^ㅆ#$%*&$%^%”
They were enraged, they were in despair, and therefore…
“Along with Saintess Daisy, I propose we place the individual named Adam Smith at the top of the assassination list. All in favor?”
Hands went up as if they had been waiting for the prompt, and the Dark Mage nodded.
“Any opposed?”
Seeing that not a single person raised their hand, the Dark Mage nodded once more.
“The result of the 23rd Imperial Academy Invasion Meeting. By unanimous vote, Adam Smith is also designated as a top-priority assassination target.”
The couple had both ended up on the Dark Mages' hit list.
A few hours in a long line of carriages.
Then a few more hours by boat.
After traveling for half a day, the place called Aken Island boasted beautiful scenery, as expected of a former Imperial vacation spot. However…
“As explained by the Academy, from one hour from now, every student is an enemy.”
The Magic Department Head Professor was currently invoking a "kill each other" scenario.
“Instructors and professors will be watching from various locations, but it is difficult to cover every single student.”
He even went as far as to say we should protect our own lives.
“I will say this again: those who have their badges stolen will be primarily 'eliminated.' However, there will be Losers' Revival Matches on the 3rd and 5th days, so if you're looking for an opportunity…”
Apparently, even those who were eliminated could be resurrected if they briefly revived during the designated period and snatched badges from those who had survived.
“Therefore, for the next week, do your best to survive.”
The duration was a full week.
It was truly an exam worthy of being the first in the Imperial Academy's history to include all grades.
“……”
“……”
“……”
For some reason, the surrounding gazes were stinging.
It felt like hundreds, no, over a thousand eyes were fixed on me.
“Now then… until the signal is given, go and establish your bases.”
With that, everyone began to move to create their own bases, but…
“…Aren't you going?”
The people glaring at me didn't move.
When I cautiously took a step… they all moved in unison.
Wow, this is getting a bit scary.
But.
“Do you really think you weak Magic Spammers who haven't even trained can catch me?”
“This bastard?!”
“Get him!”
the moment I started running at full power, there was no way those frail Magic Spammers could keep up with me.