Chapter 101: Who the Hell Are You? (1)
Chapter 101: Who the Hell Are You? (1)
"So, that's how it turned out."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is why they say too many cooks spoil the broth."
Having heard what transpired at the professors' meeting, Patrick clicked his tongue.
"I'm sorry. I really wanted to send you as the representative, but at this rate, it might be difficult."
"Well, it can't be helped then," Patrick replied breezily, prompting Professor Late to look at him in surprise.
"Are you giving up?"
"Give up? I heard that's a word they only use in some far-off eastern land when they're counting heads of cabbage."
"Isn't our kingdom the easternmost nation on the continent?"
"Ah, right. It is, isn't it? Just forget I said anything."
"..."
"Anyway, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it myself."
"Take care of it yourself? How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
"Goodness, why so many questions? I said I'd handle it 'just fine,' didn't I?"
"..."
Professor Late felt a deep sense of foreboding.
By now, he knew Patrick well enough. Could he really leave this brat to handle things 'just fine'?
*
A group of dozens of people, clad in armor and armed with swords and shields, arrived at the outer walls of White Town on horseback.
"Ah... We're finally here."
"It's been a year."
"It was long. Hard and long."
"You can say that again."
Their attire was slightly worn, but their equipment was high-quality. More importantly, the crest engraved on their chests made the soldiers guarding the main gate snap to attention.
"Welcome, the future of the kingdom. Welcome to White Town."
At the soldier's disciplined greeting, the man in the lead dismounted and spoke.
"Thank you for the welcome. May we pass?"
"Of course."
Normally, a group of dozens of heavily armed individuals entering the capital's outer walls would require a rigorous inspection, but this was an exception.
The crest featured two swords crossing in front of a shield. It signified that they were students of the Royal Academy. Furthermore, their return to the capital just now meant they were 4th and 5th-year students returning from their knight training.
Though they didn't hold official titles yet, it was certain they would be commissioned as knights upon graduation—or even if they dropped out right now. No soldier was bold enough to subject such individuals to a search.
The crowd of dozens entered the city gates, and even after they were inside, the citizens watched them with eyes full of envy.
"Ooh... Academy students."
"Looking at the color of the crest, they must be 4th and 5th years."
"That means they've just returned from their knight training."
"Impressive. They look strong just at a glance."
Academy students—especially those in their 4th or 5th year—were recognized enough to be treated almost like full-fledged knights. The students' lips curled upward and their backs straightened instinctively at the envious gazes of the citizens. However...
"The fact that they're here now means they're back to compete for the Arcana representative spots, right?"
"Ah... Right. The Arcana representative."
"Dammit, I wanted to forget about that."
As the word 'Arcana' escaped the lips of a few citizens, the expressions of the 4th and 5th years soured. Unaware that the students were listening, the citizens continued their conversation.
"If we're just going to lose again, wouldn't it be better not to go at all?"
"Hey, man. Does that even make sense?"
"No, but isn't he right?"
"Well, even so..."
At the citizens' words, several students bristled and turned their heads toward them. But then...
"Stop."
A handsome young man with dark brown hair leading the group on horseback stopped them.
"Senior. But..."
"Isn't it unfair?"
To the juniors who were about to argue, he spoke with a stern expression.
"We need only wash away the disgrace of the past with our own skill."
"..."
"Above all, it is unthinkable for us, who must protect and serve the people of our nation, to intimidate them."
"We're sorry, Senior."
"We were thoughtless."
As the juniors apologized, the handsome brown-haired man smiled and said, "I appreciate your desire to stand up for me. Bason, Moldiva."
"Thank you, Senior!"
"We will follow you for the rest of our lives!"
How should one put it? He was upright. Just incredibly upright.
Perhaps excessively so.
He was such a 'model youth' that someone with a twisted personality—like two dragons tangled together—would have defined him as 'obnoxious' on sight.
This young man's name was Alex Lowensky.
A 5th-year student in the Knight Department, he was a top-tier genius who had recently reached the 4-Star Realm. Having finished his knight training, he had finally returned to the Academy.
"Oh, welcome back, Lowensky."
"I heard the news. They say you've made great progress recently."
As he arrived, professors were waiting at the Academy entrance to greet him. Alex bowed politely to the professors according to knightly etiquette.
"Alex Lowensky and thirty-three others. We have returned to the Academy."
"Hahaha. Splendid."
"As always, you've grown up so well. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed, indeed."
The elderly professors watched with satisfied expressions as Alex practiced the manners expected of a model knight. The ideal young talent they envisioned was standing right before them.
"You've worked hard. Rest for now, and we'll discuss the details tomorrow."
"Yes. Thank you, Professor."
Once the professor gave his permission, the 4th and 5th years headed straight to the dormitories to wash off the grime of travel and change into clean uniforms.
"Taking off that heavy armor after so long makes me feel alive again."
"Tell me about it."
"Want to go to the cafeteria and grab something to eat?"
"Actually, I heard we're free to go out today. I want to go out and eat and drink comfortably."
"That sounds good."
Having returned to their home base after their training, the seniors were completely relaxed. One of the 5th years spoke to Alex.
"The juniors are going out for a drink. What about you, Alex?"
"I'll pass. Just make sure the juniors don't get too loose and cause trouble."
"They're not kids; they'll be fine. But are you really okay?"
"Ah, since it's been a while, I'd like to go report to her."
"Ah... Well, if that's the case, I won't bother you. Good luck."
Shaking off his classmates' temptation, Alex changed into a neat outfit and headed toward the training ground where the 3rd years would be practicing. When he arrived...
"You're back, Senior!"
"Congratulations on your return."
"I'm glad you returned safely."
Many juniors welcomed Alex. Receiving their greetings, Alex spoke with a gentle smile.
"It's been a long time, everyone. Have you been training hard?"
"Yes, we've been doing our best."
"Senior! Please spar with me sometime."
"If it's alright, I'd like to ask for a lesson right now."
At the juniors' enthusiastic requests, Alex replied with his usual kind smile.
"Sure. I'll take a look when I have time. More importantly..."
He slowly scanned the training ground. Strangely, the person he expected to see was nowhere to be found. If she were at this training ground, there was no way she could hide her presence. Eventually, he asked the juniors in front of him.
"Where is Princess Isabella?"
"Ah... You mean the Princess?"
"Well, about that..."
"She isn't here these days."
Hearing the juniors' hesitant words, Alex asked back, "She isn't here? Did she return to the royal palace?"
"No. Lately, she spends most of her time at the 1st-year training ground instead of the 3rd-year one."
"The 1st-year training ground?"
"Yes. Unless it's a mandatory regular class, she spends most of her time there."
"Is she teaching the 1st-year juniors? She didn't seem like the type to do that..."
"Ah, well..."
"It's become a bit ambiguous..."
Seeing the 3rd years hesitate to speak, Alex felt something was amiss. He spoke to them with a stern expression.
"Speak honestly. What happened?"
Under Alex's questioning, the 3rd years finally confessed the truth.
"The Princess is the one being tutored?"
"Yes, that's right."
"...By a 1st year?"
"Yes, sir."
"Hah... Tutored by a 1st year? That Princess Isabella?"
Knowing Isabella's skill and talent well, Alex looked incredulous. He asked the 3rd years, "What is the name of this 1st-year student?"
"His name is Patrick Schneider."
"Patrick Schneider... I see. Understood."
His footsteps then headed without hesitation toward hell—or rather, the training ground where the 1st years were sweating through their practice.
"The weather is greeeeeat, isn't it?"
"Uwaaaagh!?"
"Ugh... Uuuuuugh..."
"Hey, you've barely started and you're already groaning? People will think I'm making you do something really hard."
"You... son of a... bitch."
"Wow. Our Matthew has really built up some grit. You even know how to swear now. I'm so proud."
As Patrick said this, he used the Thousand Jin Drop on his own body to steadily increase his weight.
"Here, a gift."
"Kugh...!"
Creeeeak.
Matthew groaned under the massive weight that felt like it would crush his joints. He let out a desperate cry.
"How the hell... are you doing this?"
"That'll be five gold if you're curious."
"You bastard!"
Matthew's resentful scream echoed across the grounds.
Currently, Patrick was lying comfortably on a large stone slab, peeling and eating peanuts. The two people lifting this massive stone slab over their heads while repeatedly squatting to train their lower bodies were Matthew and Isabella.
The other 1st years, who were unintentionally witnessing this severe violation of human rights, clicked their tongues.
"To think they don't quit even while suffering like that..."
"Well, they have seen results, haven't they?"
"Matthew, I get. But why is the Princess doing it?"
"Who knows... I'm not sure either."
"Anyway, no matter how strong I get, I don't want to get strong like that."
"Same here. I have my dignity to consider."
While they were having this conversation...
"Senior, I told you not to use Aura, didn't I?"
"...I didn't."
"Ho? So I just saw wrong?"
"...I used a little. Just a little."
"Good job. As a penalty, we're increasing the reps. Start over from the beginning!"
"Uuuugh..."
Isabella looked like she was about to cry, but Patrick showed no mercy. Just as she was about to restart the lower body exercise in sync with Matthew...
"What do you think you're doing?"
A voice filled with rage rang out from somewhere.
"Huh?"
Patrick, still lying sideways on the stone slab, looked toward the source of the voice. A handsome young man with dark brown hair was approaching, glaring at him as if he wanted to kill him.
"Stop this instant! That is an order!"
His voice was so loud it boomed across the entire training ground. Patrick frowned and covered his ears.
"Before we talk about stopping or whatever... who the hell are you?"
Alex faltered for a moment when faced with Patrick's natural, ingrained slovenliness.
What was this? Wasn't this the Academy's Knight Department? Wasn't this a place where the kingdom's talents gathered to learn and train diligently to become great knights?
Why was there...
"A thug here?"