Chapter 310
Chapter 310
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: The Golden Generation and the Mad Wizard
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The academy's history was fairly deep-rooted.
Up until now, it had weathered invasions by black wizards, infiltrations by enemy spies, external raids, betrayals from within, and even the escape of an enhanced half-moon bear locked away for experiments—serious incidents galore...
Yet the academy had stubbornly endured through it all, lasting over twenty years.
This was thanks to the unwavering backing of the empire, billed as the ideal nation, and its catchy slogan guaranteeing unconditional growth.
So what if it got raided now and then, or a few people died? As long as you survived somehow, your mana capacity increased. People die everywhere anyway. If danger lurked both inside and out, better to take your chances where there were gains to be had.
Moreover, with graduates making names for themselves across various fields, the value of an academy diploma only rose higher by the day. Applicant numbers trended steadily upward.
And then, this incoming class marked a turning point.
Not just commoners dreaming of rags-to-riches stories or lesser nobles—the great houses like Redburn and Baekryeom began sending their heirs too.
The academy's education must be top-notch if even the great houses trusted it with their children!
(Of course, Redburn's approach bordered on abandonment, and Baekryeom treated it like a carefree vacation spot, but that's how it looked to the outside world.)
As such, this class drew attention even before enrollment.
Redburn's daughter, the Azure Magic Tower's prodigy already destined for greatness, Duke Baekryeom's only daughter, the Golden Magic Tower Master's prized disciple, the Goddess Church's saintess—legends whose mere names commanded awe, all gathered in one place. How could they not turn heads?
Someone dubbed them the "Golden Generation" from that moment on.
But that hype was reserved for a tiny elite: the talented, the blue-blooded, the highborn.
Naturally. Even after rigorous entrance exams weeded out the weak, gems still shone among the stones. It was impossible for an entire class to uniformly level up to freakish specs.
Even when word spread of some wizard parachuting in as a professor.
Or the weird rumor that a guy named Bennett aced a class and ascended to legend status.
Or talk of how the academy was overdue for a raid and casualties, yet things stayed oddly peaceful.
No one held high hopes for the average students. Consensus was they'd serve as stepping stones for the prodigies, mere decorations to make the stars shine brighter.
But the academy team battle changed everything... revealing the true nature of this class.
"Hey, 『Lancelot's Multi-Piece Apple Slicing』 is pure gold. Just dice the apple mid-air for a point."
"Dude, who're you gonna impress with one point...? Over there—some prof's doing a 4v1, but she needs warmup time. Condition's just snipping a hem, and with a surprise init, it's doable."
"I know a gal with killer iaijutsu. Call her?"
"Sweet. I'll disrupt senses first, you slap on the paint..."
The students huddled like day laborers scouting jobs, bantering casually without prior coordination, yet syncing up flawlessly.
"Students, are you prepared? As stated on the sign, I'll use only my shield, won't move a step from this spot. No legends either. You'll have ten seconds to land a valid hit. Combat begins n—"
"Sleeve slice!"
"Wha—huh..."
They shredded the knight professor's hem in a flash, scored their point, and vanished. Sure, the prof had stacked handicaps for balance, but their speed was unnatural.
No wasted moves, no chit-chat—like veterans who'd teamed up dozens of times to topple superiors far beyond them.
Onlookers hurriedly sent attendants to note names, but soon the lists lost meaning.
"This corner's the honey pot, right?"
"Gun kata user LFG."
It wasn't just one standout party. Everyone who'd taken certain classes and tackled specific content moved like this—grouping up, shredding prof outfits for points, moving on.
"Pant cuff cleared. Head to 『Poison Mushroom』 next."
"Prof, can our party jump in right away?"
"W-wait... Students, give me time to change. I'm utterly ragged ri—"
The newly arrived knight professor ended up with her uniform in tatters, clutching dangling sleeves as she huddled in embarrassment.
Even then, she honored her self-imposed limits—a true knight's example. Pity the students showed no mercy.
When her surprisingly cute underwear taste flashed for all to see, the crowd realized it instinctively.
This class wasn't elite outliers—it was everyone. Something was... off!
Each student moved like a battle-hardened vet. Unfazed by surprises, freakishly adept at handling crises.
Shift to the top ranks, and awe gave way to sheer bewilderment.
"H-how's that student double-jumping mid-air?"
"That's a double jump."
"What did that one just do?"
"That's Bennett. No idea what it was."
Somehow, they pulled off all sorts of flashy tricks—useful, sure, but overkill for normal fights.
What classes had they taken to grow this much? Were they brewing elixirs at the academy? Or did the empire dispatch a sword saint for personal training?
As the 『Great Labyrinth』 sprang to life, onlookers witnessed the secret behind this explosive growth.
Duke Baekryeom's first reaction was pride. My girl's a natural leader! Admiration and emotion followed. Facing mighty foes, issuing commands to her peers—she shone brightly. Her raw power fell short, her judgment imperfect. She couldn't match Gordius in strategy or scale the walls of Baekseol and Selbia in might... but no matter. What mattered for those at the top was rallying talent. Power from her ducal seat would fill the gaps. Those more capable than you? Their skills became yours. If she could lead and scheme from afar in the academy, she'd thrive inheriting the duchy back home. Tears welling, the duke dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief—then tilted his head at a nagging unease.
"But it's odd... She's soft like me, yet she stayed cool with spells flying at her face. Quick decisions too."
"The academy must have honed Lady Baekryeom, Your Grace."
"Character doesn't change. Even I never got comfy bossing people around—stomach in knots. I just hide it well."
But masking it took years of agony. Not something achieved in a single year. He himself had bungled crises, panicked, botched fixes, ballooned messes—only after ages of that could he feign poise and command coldly. What had she endured at the academy?
She went through this.
"......"
"......"
Watching students navigate a Great Labyrinth even vile wizards would balk at, Duke Baekryeom asked his retainer.
"Should I pull her out now? She must've endured this. And more to come."
"...Hard to say rashly, Your Grace."
"Sure, surviving hell like this builds character. But hearts wear thin. I sent her for broader horizons, but maybe that was a mistake..."
He'd anticipated some hardship—dorm life meant squabbles. But class difficulty? No sweat.
Past info pegged it as manageable. What changed in one year? When did this happen?
Like sending her on a school trip, only to learn it was boot camp. Meant for fond memories, got a warzone.
"Hmm..."
He didn't want to be the helicopter parent.
Not some shabby noble whining, "Do you know my child's noble blood? How dare you treat them thus? Consider our house's prestige and grant special favors!"
Such meddling ruined kids long-term. So he'd sent weekly letters but never demanded perks or easier classes.
Still... wasn't this grounds for a complaint?
Chin on hand, he reined in paternal instinct for calm judgment.
"No, better hear her side first. Summon the lady after the match."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Moments later.
"Daddy!"
"There's my girl."
Lady Baekryeom crashed into her father's long-missed arms. After savoring the reunion, she noticed the retainers and dialed up formality.
"Father, you must be swamped with duties..."
"Nonsense—seeing you comes first. I watched your performance. You've... grown so much."
"Still lacking."
"Compared to the sun, we're all lacking. But dwell on that, and you'll go blind. Ambition's good, but celebrate your wins too."
"...Then yes. I've learned much. Grown a lot."
The duke smiled warmly, patting her crown. They chatted awhile before he broached the point.
"I saw the Great Labyrinth. Worried you're too harsh on students for achievements."
"Ah..."
"Heard that prof's class is mandatory. Hardships should be for the chosen. What if I petition His Majesty to make it elective? Your thoughts?"
"Hmm..."
Lady Baekryeom pondered.
This could be the one shot to banish the academy's mad professor's shadow. Say "Sounds good," and his class turns elective...
Then.
The next two years? Bliss. No tentacles, no trials. No midnight hopping for double jumps.
Incoming freshmen freed from mandates... all enjoying safe, peaceful academy life.
Only self-flagellating masochists suffering under the mad wizard.
That was, well, kinda—
"A bit unfair..."
"Hm?"
"I mean, hogging this chance for our class feels cheating. The academy's perfect as is, Father."
"I see. If that's your will..."
The duke skipped nitpicking contradictions like "electives aren't opportunity theft." That'd miss her point.
I won't suffer alone.
You all taste this goodness too. Absolutely!
Her eyes screamed resolve.
"...Heh."
Just like her mother. Recalling his late wife, the duke cherished time with his daughter.
Found you. The hooded boy gazed at the screen, thinking. That labyrinth's sadistic layout, designed to wring out agony; the sheer cruelty; the Violet Magic Tower wizard identity. Puzzle pieces clicked perfectly. It was him. After long wandering and waiting, finally. No doubt. He'd supposedly died by the current Violet Magic Tower Master's hand—widely reported. But the boy didn't buy it. No way that monster went quietly. The previous lord might be dead, but that sly fox slipped away somehow. Altered face, identity, age—shamelessly lurking somewhere. And he'd been right. Circumstantial evidence sealed it. The mad wizard was him: former Violet lord's disciple, the boy's arch-nemesis.
"...I'll kill you soon, mad wizard... no, 『Mountain Goat』!"
Of course, it was a misunderstanding.