Chapter 104: Because I’m Obviously Going to Win (1)
Chapter 104: Because I’m Obviously Going to Win (1)
Though Patrick had become the eye of the storm in White Town just by existing, his daily life remained peaceful.
His life consisted of half-heartedly attending classes, teaching Matthew and Isabella in his spare time, and spending the rest of his hours leisurely sipping wine… or so it was supposed to be.
"Schneider."
"Hmm? What is it, Senior?"
Patrick asked back as an unnamed second-year student approached him.
The senior spoke.
"The Chancellor is calling for you. Go to his office immediately."
"The Chancellor?"
"Yes. He summoned the Princess as well."
Patrick and Isabella were called at the same time.
Having an inkling of what this was about, Patrick spoke calmly.
"Understood. Let’s go."
Patrick headed to the Chancellor’s office with Isabella.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Upon hearing the permission from within, Isabella opened the door and stepped inside. Then…
"Isabella Black Atronia and one other have arrived at your summons, Chancellor."
The Chancellor gave a satisfied smile at her disciplined greeting.
"Make yourselves comfortable. You too, Mr. Schneider."
"Understood."
When Patrick entered, several people were already waiting inside the office.
There were familiar faces and some he didn't recognize.
Professor Late and Alex.
And two seniors Patrick wasn't particularly acquainted with.
Gathering them together, the Chancellor of the Academy spoke.
"5th-year top student, Alex Lowensky."
"Yes, Chancellor."
"5th-year second-ranked student, Gerard Teixeira."
"Yes."
"4th-year top student, Karin Trinaldo."
"Yes."
"3rd-year top student, Isabella Black Atronia."
"Yes."
"1st-year top student, Patrick Schneider."
"What about it?"
"……."
The Chancellor’s expression turned complicated for a moment, but he continued.
"These five will represent our country at Arcana."
At those words, an undeniable tension appeared on the faces of the four, excluding Patrick.
They had expected it to some extent, but hearing it directly from the Chancellor’s mouth made the reality sink in.
They were now representatives of their nation.
The Chancellor continued.
"As you all know, our country’s performance in the last Arcana was not very good."
"I heard we just lost everything, though?"
"Ahem… Cough…"
The Chancellor looked uncomfortable, but Patrick didn't care.
What, am I supposed to be some sycophant? I can’t call a defeat a defeat?
The Chancellor sighed and said, "To make up for the past slump, the responsibility on you as this year's Arcana representatives is heavy."
"We are aware."
"We will do our best to uphold the nation's honor."
"Just leave it to us."
Looking at the "seniors"—mere greenhorns full of unearned motivation—Patrick let out a deep sigh.
Could you please learn your place?
A novice who didn't know their own skill level and let enthusiasm get ahead of them was the thirty-ninth thing Patrick hated most.
If such greenhorns were enemies, he could just beat them down, but they were allies…
Well, I suppose I can still solve it by beating them into shape.
While Patrick was thinking about how to properly "discipline" his seniors, the Chancellor spoke to Professor Late.
"Professor Late."
"Yes, please speak."
"Lead and guide them so they can perform well at Arcana."
"I will do my utmost."
The representatives and the guiding professor were set.
The Chancellor personally pinned golden emblems on the five selected students.
Seven stars encircling a moon.
It was the crest of the Atronia Royal Family.
Normally, anyone other than royalty wearing it could be punished for treason, but those chosen as Arcana representatives were permitted to wear this crest as an exception.
That was how glorious an emblem it was.
Among the seniors, Karin Trinaldo even shed tears, unable to control her overwhelming emotions the moment the crest was pinned to her chest.
"Is this pure gold?"
Of course, Patrick ruined the atmosphere immediately afterward.
* * *
That evening.
Patrick called Matthew and told him the news.
"So, because I’m going to Arcana, I won’t be at the Academy for a while."
"This year’s Arcana is being held in the Magellan Kingdom, right? It’s not that far."
"Really? Is it close?"
"It’s the country right to our west."
"Ah… I see."
Maps were quite rare in this world.
Even though Patrick was born a noble, he had never seen a full map of the continent.
In contrast, Matthew, born as the son of the Elvador Merchant Group’s leader, had encountered many maps.
Since the Elvador Merchant Group’s main business was international trade, he naturally had access to them.
"It’s a country to our west, located in the center of the continent. It’ll be convenient for other countries to participate too."
"I see. Come to think of it, how many countries participate in Arcana?"
At Patrick’s question, Matthew sighed and explained.
"First, each of the nine countries on the continent will send five people. Atronia, Decatur, Yuzef, Flame, Magellan, Caesar, Harbor, the Saint Louis Holy Church State, and the Benator Empire."
"Five people from nine countries… so 45 in total?"
"No. Even if they aren't affiliated with a nation, the magic swordsmen belonging to the Tower of Truth also have the right to compete in Arcana."
"Then 50?"
"Besides them, representatives of human-friendly demi-human races, the Elves and Dwarves, also have entry rights."
"Then it’s 60."
"Yeah. But we don't know if the Elves and Dwarves will show up. They’re so isolationist…."
"Anyway, 60 at most. Let’s see… so I only have to win about six times?"
"You talk as if you’re obviously going to win."
"Because I’m obviously going to win."
Matthew gave a bitter smile at Patrick’s words.
Perhaps, if it was this friend, he might actually pull it off.
The next day.
Professor Late and the representatives he was leading gathered to leave White Town for the Magellan Kingdom.
The guiding professor and five representatives.
In addition, it was a group that included 50 others serving as guards and attendants.
Before departing, they headed to White Castle.
There was someone they had to report to before leaving.
"The rightful and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom! His Majesty King Piesto Cloria Atronia enters!"
At the royal attendant’s thunderous voice, everyone, including Professor Late and the five representatives, knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.
What a pain….
Patrick grumbled inwardly but maintained his manners for now.
In truth, he was also curious.
Even the great Radiant Dragon Hero, Jincheon, had never met the king of a nation.
Though he was born a noble in this reincarnation and had been taught since childhood that it was a noble's duty to be loyal to the royal family…
He had never actually met the King.
His father said he had only met him once, when he inherited his title.
To swear loyalty to someone he had never even seen?
Honestly, Patrick couldn't wrap his head around it.
So, he wanted to take this opportunity to see him at least once.
To see if the human above him was truly worthy of that position or not.
He heard the sound of footsteps on the red carpet. After the sound stopped, a voice carrying a soft yet natural dignity spoke.
"Everyone, raise your heads."
At the command, Patrick raised his head and saw the King for the first time.
There stood a man in his mid-fifties, wearing a thick cloak, a golden crown on his head, and holding a magnificent scepter in his hand.
He looks a bit like Isabella.
His hair was a golden-gray with a few white strands mixed in, and he had the same silver eyes as Isabella.
His features were similar enough that anyone could tell they were father and daughter.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess.
The King looked at each of the representatives with a benevolent smile.
"Seeing the wonderful young people who will carry the future of the kingdom makes my heart feel younger as well."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
When Professor Late answered on behalf of the group, the King nodded with a kind expression.
On the surface, he looked like a good person.
He seemed like just a kind-hearted man. But could a person at the pinnacle of a nation really be just that?
Sure enough.
The King slowly looked around at everyone and asked, "Which of you is Patrick Schneider?"
In that instant, Professor Late squeezed his eyes shut.
I knew he’d look for him.
After the midterm evaluation, Patrick’s fame had skyrocketed.
How could it not, when a first-year student had crushed not just his seniors, but the professors as well?
If the King had ears, he would have heard Patrick’s name.
So, it wasn't strange that he was looking for him. It wasn't strange, but…
Please, please let this pass normally….
Knowing Patrick’s eccentric and prickly personality, Professor Late couldn't help but be anxious.
It was like being forced to watch a child play with fire next to a powder keg.
"I, Patrick Schneider, greet the rightful and sole ruler of the kingdom."
Good, he greeted him normally.
Even though it was just a proper greeting, Professor Late clenched his fist in silent celebration.
It seemed that even this "mad dog" didn't intend to act out in front of the King of the nation.
Whether he knew Professor Late was feeling incredibly relieved or not, the King spoke.
"A great talent has emerged from a traditional noble family of the East. My joy knows no bounds."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
A traditional noble family.
In truth, it would be more accurate to say the Schneider Baron’s Family was a noble house with nothing to show for itself except tradition.
It was a family whose only merit was moving to the Eastern Great Forest long ago by royal order and stubbornly surviving there.
He’s really trying hard to talk me up.
Patrick smirked inwardly, and the King said to him, "As you know, our country has not achieved very good results in Arcana lately."
"I am aware."
Not very good results?
We lost every single match without a single win for three consecutive times, what do you mean….
At this point, it shouldn't be called "beautifying" the truth; it should be called "fabricating" it.
The King looked straight at Patrick and asked, "Can you go to this Arcana and uphold the honor of the kingdom?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"Indeed, just hearing that makes me feel reassured."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The King smiled with a satisfied expression, and the conversation seemed to be ending smoothly…
"However, Your Majesty. There is one thing I wish to ask."
…But there was no way it would.
"Cough… Hack…"
Professor Late coughed as if something had gone down the wrong pipe, and the other representatives also stared at Patrick with wide eyes.
No matter how skilled he was, Patrick was just a first-year student at the Academy.
He had no title and hadn't even been knighted yet.
And yet, he was asking a question to the King of the nation?
What is that guy trying to do?
That crazy bastard.
Damn it, are we going to get caught in the crossfire?
Ignoring their stares, Patrick gazed steadily at the King.
The King also met Patrick’s gaze and spoke.
"If there is something you are curious about, speak."
"Thank you. It is nothing else, but…."
Patrick continued, looking the King straight in the eye.
"I understand that if one wins Arcana, Your Majesty will grant the winner one wish."
"I did say that."
"I wish to know the truth of those words. Ah, of course, I am not doubting Your Majesty. But isn't it better for everything to be clear?"
"Hahahaha…."
The King laughed.
He made laughing sounds with his mouth, and his expression changed as if he were amused. But…
Look at those eyes. He looks like he’s ready to kill someone.
Patrick could feel a strong sense of displeasure in the King’s gaze.
Was a King a King after all?
What Patrick had just said could be taken as incredibly rude depending on the interpretation.
He was doubting the words of a King and trying to get additional confirmation.
The King looked at Patrick and thought:
Is he arrogant? Is he greedy? Or is he just insane?
Correct.
All three.
The King’s insight wasn't half bad.