Chapter 18
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 18: Is This All?
Freshmen Welcome Exam. Event that existed even in the original work.
‘It was the first episode proceeding in the academy.’
It was a stage to get a feel for game controls lightly after the tutorial. Episode to let users experience refreshing hitting sensation. For easy difficulty, it was set to spar with lower-rank class students. Since the player is usually assigned to Class A if high, Class C if low. It’s like sparring with cadets of a class roughly two levels lower than the assigned class.
‘Thinking about it now, it was a vicious event itself though...’
Setting up matches with predetermined results from the start. Showing the gap between classes. And in front of other cadets watching. Lower-rank students are smashed, and fall again. Device giving humiliation. Hearts trampled thoroughly. If there is a reason for going through such a harsh event, only one.
‘To incite competition.’
Conflict between classes. Lower ranks are ignored accordingly, and upper ranks are treated accordingly. Therefore, lower-rank students try to raise their ranks somehow, and upper-rank students try to keep their seats. In short, giving stimulus. Ridicule, contempt, inferiority complex... all of that stimulates the desire for improvement. Apart from whether the direction of that stimulus is positive or negative.
‘Then if the heart breaks...’
Just considering it was only that much. If one doesn't have the capability to endure even this environment, judging that they were a guy who wouldn't make it from the start. Truly an extreme educational view. Teaching harshly, raising so as not to break. Thus, Grandia Academy’s methods were often felt as harsh.
‘Meaning it’s an elite academy.’
As if declaring. As if one must do this much to be recognized as a member of Grandia Academy. Actually, the number of cadets applying for withdrawal after just one semester is said to be quite high. Most of them being students of lower-rank classes.
‘Since the treatment is not very good.’
Just looking at this exam was so. However, it is a schedule set by the academy, so one cannot ignore it openly. Especially for Class E where most members are commoners, there was no right to refuse. If one wants to get the graduation diploma of this place Grandia, one has to grit one’s teeth for the next 3 years.
“Ah, arrived.”
I also arrived at the exam venue matching the time. Since I was intending to match the rhythm for now. The exam venue was located near Main Building A.
‘It’s huge.’
Should I call it a giant indoor gymnasium. Of course, its size was tremendous to call it a gymnasium though. Size likely to remain even after attaching several soccer stadiums.
“Then... shall we stop around here?”
Kkiik—. Rickshaw stopping at the spot. While getting off quietly, the shuttles pulling the car also shake their hands. Wiping flowing sweat, children entering the exam venue each. I moved my steps following behind the guys. Inside the school uniform pocket, Carmilla wiggles as if admiring.
‘It is not called the continent’s best for nothing. The equipped facilities are also all state-of-the-art.’
Sparring ground built widely similarly. Spectator seats were lined up tightly along the edges. Appearance as if several circular stadiums were attached. While several exams are held, it seemed other students watch from the spectator seats.
‘Because arrival was slightly late.’
‘My turn is last. About 30 minutes left until my turn comes.’
‘Shall we sit in the waiting seat and wait for now? I want to watch other students’ exams too.’
Moving steps. Waiting seat. It was a seat where students about to take the exam sit. Right now Class E and Class C cadets were waiting. As I appeared with the Bread Shuttles, surrounding students’ gazes concentrate.
-Huh...? Isn't that him? Class E Top Student?
-If it’s Class E Top Student... Ah, the kid who became top student with all stats E-rank?
-Did they say Viktor? thought he would run away, but he attended somehow?
Students whispering. Examining school uniform name tags, they were all Class C cadets. It seems they heard about my rumors familiarly.
-What to do since he’s pitiful? He’ll be properly embarrassed today~!
-Phew, how can a total E-rank be the class top student?
-If such trash wears the top student tag, how would the level of kids below him be?
-Tsk tsk... things not even up to the level.
This and that noise poke the ears cook cook. Conversation content full of hostility and ridicule.
‘It has to be so.’
If Class E is a gathering of underachievers, I am the head of that gathering. Moreover, a top student with the flaw of all stats E-rank. There must be many parts to chew on. Furthermore, if it’s Class C, a class with two levels difference from this side. Laughter would come out first thinking about how to play with us.
-Kikik... He must hear everything, is he trying to stand on pride in that state?
-Right~ Doesn't even pretend to care! Seems a bit arrogant too...
-Oh my oh my, let’s not be too much everyone? He is scheduled to be trampled messily soon.
-Fufufu, shall we?
Whether so or not, I sat in the seat. Bread Shuttles filling the seats similarly.
““......””
They were clenching their teeth one and all. Tightly clenched fists tremble violently. However, there was nothing they could do. Just sitting quietly in the seats pretending not to hear.
‘Everyone’s teeth will break.’
I turned my eyes quietly. Where the gaze reached was the sparring ground where the exam was in full swing.
“......”
Starting observation without much words. Sparring contents were all similar. Sparring between Class C cadet and Class E cadet. A gap difficult to match even moderately. One side massacring excitedly, and one side being swept away miserably.
-Oh, this guy seems to endure quite a bit?
-Puheup... Don't you see that? Sylphie is using only one hand.
-Ah is that so? Playing with him completely, only the other side is totally getting heated up?
Ridicule. It was repetition in the next turn, and the next turn too. Class E students fall, and Class C students laugh. I stared at the sparring ground with cooled eyes.
‘Truly...’
Looking at it like this, there was no crazy academy separately. When seeing it as a game, I just passed it thinking it’s such a setting...
-Oh my, look at that struggling over there.
-Ahaha! Hanging danglingly, what is it? Even crying?
-That’s why why did things with low levels enroll...
This. The more I looked, the more my brow furrowed.
‘Not very... pleasant.’
Especially compared to other classes, Class E’s treatment was exceptionally harsh. In addition to the skill problem, most of the class members were commoners. There is no need to even mince words particularly.
‘Well.’
Human. That nature unable to stand without ignoring, disparaging, and trampling others. Unable to live without pushing someone and soaking in that sense of superiority...
‘Because that is human. Different from other races with strong solidarity.’
‘Maybe. Anyway I am also human.’
Before I knew it, the turn approached right in front of nose. Last exam before my turn.
‘Is it Luyan.’
Luyan Zestar. Class E Runner-up. Guy who would have taken the top student if not for me. Also one of the Bread Shuttles pulling the rickshaw. Well... unlike other personnel, he has an exceptionally sharp feeling though.
‘Opponent is...’
Luyan’s opponent was naturally Class C Runner-up. Guy being hit here and there throughout the sparring. He tries to counterattack, but Luyan’s magic couldn't reach the opponent. Just becoming a laughingstock and staggering.
-Oh my, is he runner-up with that shape? He’s particularly tough.
-Getting up persistently? Maybe he can't grasp reality...
Trying to struggle grinding teeth, but eventually failing to succeed a single attack. Luyan eventually retired after being mocked throughout. Guy coming down the sparring ground exhausted. Whether mana exhaustion came, steps staggered.
“......”
Even if surroundings try to support, just shaking it off. Blood flows down from tightly bitten lips. Even such appearance seemed funny to Class C bastards. Watching him buying only ridicule, I stood up from the seat quietly.
““......””
Surroundings were quiet. To be exact, only Class E’s waiting seats were quiet. Children’s eyes one and all exhausted in body and mind, looking like death. Seemed to wish this humiliating time would end quickly.
“Ahem.”
As expected. Feeling wasn't good with this kind of thing.
“Mr. Luyan.”
“......”
“Good work.”
Tap tap—. Eyes as if they would break at any moment. Passing him, I patted his shoulder lightly.
“Rest for a moment.”
My Bread Shuttle No. 1. Luyan just looked at this side blankly. With eyes wondering why is he suddenly acting like this.
“Fufu, cannot use if others touch my bread shuttle.”
Such a thought occurred. My Bread Shuttles. Handling these guys is something only I can do. Whether giving a honey chestnut (knuckle hit on head), or making them buy bread, it means it’s a privilege given only to me.
‘Class E itself is mine.’
Touching as they please and bullshitting. Scratching the tip of the mask, I went down toward the sparring ground.
On the opposite side, the match opponent was already waiting. The one who was chewing on Class E friends diligently since earlier. An unlikable character appearing occasionally in the original work too.
‘Charienne.’
Unlike her pretty face, a girl black inside. I stood facing Charienne quietly. Without a word. Just stroking the mask.
“Hmm...”
“......”
Wide circular stadium. Charienne’s atmosphere was leisurely beyond compare. Well, she must believe the flow is with her. Girl smiling brightly, throwing a few words of light provocation.
“Oh my, are you that person of rumors? The unprecedented figure who took the class top student with overall E-rank.”
“First time knowing I was that famous.”
“Of course famous. Enough that there is no one who doesn't know in the academy... Puheup.”
“......”
Ridicule. Also gazes pouring from spectator seats. I just laughed without particular words. Hoping that smile is transmitted beyond the mask too.
“Aren't you getting worried slowly? What kind of disgrace you will suffer.”
“Well. I think I am a little worried though.”
“Would you like to forfeit at least? If you crawl on all fours in front of the whole school, I might go easy on you a bit.”
“My classmates also did their best, so I must also try my best. Isn't it a rule that you only know length and shortness by measuring?”
“Is that so? Ufufu.”
Girl laughing ominously. Those pupils were extinguished cruelly.
“It’s a shame. To kick away the opportunity given with effort.”
Hwarreuk—!
Saying so, red flames wrap around the extended hand as much as her hair. Fire demon condensed into one form before knowing became a bow. Girl pulling the bright red bowstring stares at this side.
“Don't regret it. I clearly gave you a chance to give up.”
Blazing burning arrow. When aiming was finished, soon the assistant instructor’s voice rings.
Spectator seats’ air sinks. Like audience holding breath right before the highlight.
Assistant reciting signal plainly. One word following fires the silent scene.
Kwaaaaa—!
Simultaneously with assistant’s lips moving, a huge pillar of fire soars in the center of the sparring ground. Blazing flame. Bright red vortex slowly wraps around the circular stadium. Between the fluttering wind texture stands the red-haired girl. At the end of the fully pulled bowstring, an arrow flashes. Charienne whispered with a sneer.
“Then... I will finish it at once without dragging.”
Even though quite a distance apart, heat transmitted vividly. Suddenly a spark popped touched my cheek. There was a fact known just with that fragment.
‘Strong.’
Is she Class C Top Student indeed. Charienne was strong. Air as if it would bake any moment, intricately woven mana structure. Murmuring of spectator seats that subsided for a moment revives.
-Huh... Is top student a top student indeed? Power is transmitted to spectator seats?
-Isn't that dangerous? Not a level a mere Class E can counter back?
-Won't he get hurt like that?
Background sounds warning danger. However, even until such moment I only stood upright.
“Fall out obediently!”
Along with sharp shout, finger releasing the bowstring. Fire demon with leash released shoots fiercely. Arrow leaving a long tail. It swallows the training ground.
Swaaa-aek—!
Bursting sound tearing the air bloodily. When everyone’s gaze concentrated on the flame flower like that. I take a step, and extend one finger.
“Well.”
Mask was smiling. Finger touches. The next moment.
Chwaaaak—!
Rushing flame disappeared. Charienne panicking at that.
“W-What...?”
It wasn't that the arrow was intercepted, or missed or something like that. Literally annihilation. Flower filling the space didn't leave even a shred of heat. Scene where the scene was erased, spectators stare at this side blankly.
“Hmm.”
“......”
I stare. At the red-haired girl dyed in panic.
“You said you would finish in one shot...”
Short provocation. A cold smile hung on the mouth brightly. Mask also similarly, lip corners tear up to below ears grotesquely.
“Is this all?”
Calm, yet resonance dyeing the training ground clearly. The next moment. Spectators’ reaction flipped.