Chapter 92: I Want Someone Other Than These Brats (1)
Chapter 92: I Want Someone Other Than These Brats (1)
“Excuse me, Princess Isabella, may we sit here?”
Isabella turned her head to find a group of second-year students standing there.
“What about your exams?”
“They finished a moment ago. We came to watch the first-years, but Patrick’s turn isn't over yet, right?”
“He’s about to start.”
“We made it just in time, then. Thank you.”
The second-years took their seats, keeping a respectful distance from Isabella.
As Isabella scanned the surroundings…
The gallery has grown.
It wasn't uncommon for outsiders to observe the Knight Department’s exams. However, the crowd this time was exceptionally large.
There were second and third-years, of course, but also students and professors from other departments, and even outsiders wearing visitor passes on their chests. All of them were focused on the figure now stepping into the center of the training ground.
Patrick Schneider.
The eye of the storm who had caused one incident after another since the moment he enrolled, even crushing the third-year runner-up, Jordic Panola, in the process.
Just how great was his skill?
Word on the street was that Jordic was a seasoned 3-Star. If Patrick had defeated him, he had to be at least a 3-Star himself—perhaps even a 4-Star.
If that were the case…
“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent.”
“If he’s already a 3-Star in his first year, he’ll be at least a 4-Star by graduation, right?”
“He might even reach the 7-Star realm in the future.”
“Indeed, the East has produced quite a figure.”
“That must be why the Margrave of the East, Count Parmas, gave him a letter of recommendation.”
“Come to think of it, I heard he performed distinguished service in the East as well.”
“Service in the East? Did he distinguish himself in a monster subjugation?”
“No. I heard he took the head of a Dark Mage.”
“A Dark Mage? At such a young age? He certainly has luck on his side.”
People from high-ranking noble families, the Tower of Truth, the Temple, and various other organizations were all watching Patrick. Without even realizing it, Patrick had already become quite famous in the capital.
This is going to be a pain even if he wins, Isabella muttered to herself as she watched Patrick stand on the training ground.
“What are you going to do, Patrick?”
Patrick scanned the spectator stands surrounding the training ground. From those who came out of curiosity to those watching him with a serious, evaluative gaze—a significant number of people had gathered.
“So it ends up like this. I’m the center of attention again.”
Patrick had expected a day like this would come eventually. Given his abilities and his plans for the future, unless he intended to live as a hermit hidden deep in the mountains, fame was inevitable.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Well, with these dazzling good looks, innate genius, and noble character, it’s impossible for a man as great as me not to attract the world’s attention.”
Does this guy even have a conscience?
Regardless, Patrick wasn't one to be flustered by such a situation.
In his past life, the first footsteps of the Radiant Dragon Hero, Jincheon, began at the age of twenty-two. A disciple of a small sect called the Twin Dragon Sect, he began his journey through the Martial World by challenging an elder of the Wudang Sect to a duel and winning. Starting from there, he engaged in a series of one hundred consecutive duels.
The result was a record of a hundred battles and a hundred victories.
Most of his opponents were elder-level masters known as luminaries of the Jianghu or leaders of the Unorthodox Faction. By the time he was not yet thirty, the young man had defeated them all, and thus the legend of the Radiant Dragon Hero began.
Sixteen, huh… It’s a bit earlier than in my past life, but starting around now isn't bad.
A smile played on Patrick’s lips.
“I’ll create a legend for the Academy… a very small one.”
As Patrick stood in the training ground, the professor spoke.
“Your opponent is Georgia Formov.”
“Yes, sir.”
The designated opponent moved to enter the ring, but Patrick raised a hand to stop him.
“Wait a moment.”
Patrick then looked toward the professor.
“It won't be any fun even if you pit ten of these kids against me.”
“What?”
“It’s too predictable. Do you think the gallery gathered over there will be satisfied with that?”
“Hah? Your confidence is piercing the heavens.”
“Ahem!”
“…That wasn't a compliment.”
“Oh? Really?”
The professor looked at him with an incredulous expression. In over ten years of teaching at the Academy, he had seen all sorts of characters, but this was a new experience.
Is he insane?
Patrick didn't care about the professor’s gaze, which treated him like a madman. He was used to it. He simply smiled nonchalantly and said, “I want someone other than these brats.”
The professor frowned at those words.
“Are you saying you want to face a second or third-year?”
“No, I said ‘other than these brats,’ didn't I?”
“Then who… surely?”
The professor trailed off, staring at Patrick with a look of sheer disbelief. Patrick crooked his finger beckoningly.
“I ask for a lesson from you, Professor.”
“……”
“I’ll hit you gently.”
The professor had wondered if Patrick was crazy, but he was wrong. This was a 100 percent pure lunatic.
The strongest knight force in the Atronia Kingdom was the Royal Knight Order. To bolster the authority of the throne with a powerful knight order, the royal family practically swept up every talented knight they could find.
However, when those knights of the Royal Knight Order had to leave due to unavoidable circumstances or early retirement, where did most of them go?
For instance, where would a person with enough temper to trample their seniors into a bloody pulp and spit on them before walking out find a place that would take them in?
“Achoo! Is someone talking about me?”
Professor Late cleared his throat, but let us continue.
The secondary career choice for most of these individuals was becoming a professor in the Academy’s Knight Department. If they only cared about money, there were places offering better terms, but people of the caliber to belong to the Royal Knight Order couldn't help but value their prestige over money.
A profession that maintained their dignity as a knight, promised a satisfactory salary, and held a sufficiently high social status—that was only the role of an Academy professor.
In other words, most of the Academy’s professors were former members of the Royal Knight Order. Their realm was at least 4-Star or higher. Even the professors who held chalk and taught theory every day were at least 4-Stars. The professors in charge of practical training were mostly at the 5-Star realm or higher.
And these were the men currently being provoked by a first-year student.
“Hahaha… Should I call him bold, or…”
“Calling him insane would be more accurate.”
“More importantly, are we just going to leave that madman be?”
Half the professors were dumbfounded, while the other half were furious. It was only natural for them to be angry when a mere first-year was challenging them to a fight.
In truth, there was no need to even fight. They could simply use their authority as professors to drag the lunatic out. But…
“How interesting.”
All the professors’ heads snapped around. Their gazes landed on Professor Late, who stood with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
Justin Late.
The Indomitable Knight.
A swordsman who had achieved the 6-Star realm (publicly).
Even among the professors of the Knight Department, he was a man who stood out.
“He’s a fearsome child who doesn't know the height of the heavens,” Late said. “He has great talent, but isn't it our duty to teach him so that his talent doesn't turn into arrogance?”
“Professor Late, are you suggesting we actually grant the request of that reckless mad dog?”
“A reckless mad dog, you say…”
That’s a very accurate description.
Late let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly.
“As you can see, many spectators have gathered. Not just from within the Academy, but plenty of outsiders as well.”
At Professor Late’s words, the others realized it anew. As a result of the rumors that had spread, the current midterm evaluation for the Knight Department had drawn the largest gallery in history.
“Everyone wants to know the true extent of the rumored Patrick Schneider’s skill. In truth, it’s impossible to gauge that monster’s skill using a student as a yardstick.”
“You speak as if you already know that student’s skill, Professor Late.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Did he know? He knew it so well it made his teeth ache.
After clearing his throat, Professor Late continued.
“In any case, simply kicking him out now would be a bad move. Setting aside the Academy’s internal reputation, the outsiders won't view it favorably either.”
“Are you saying we should face a student just for the sake of outside evaluation?” one professor asked indignantly.
“The Arcana is coming up soon, isn't it?” Late replied.
“Well… what does that have to do with this?”
“Normally, a first-year isn't chosen as a representative for the Arcana. They’re usually picked from the fourth or fifth-years. But what if Patrick Schneider’s skill is the real deal?”
“Are you suggesting we pick a first-year as an Arcana representative?”
“That’s absurd. There’s no precedent for that.”
“It would be recorded as a lasting disgrace to the Academy.”
As the professors protested vehemently, Professor Late gave a hollow laugh.
“Disgrace?”
“……”
“Is there any disgrace greater than finishing in last place in the Arcana for ten consecutive years?”
“Urgh…”
“No, well, that’s…”
“You didn't have to put it quite like that.”
The professors turned their heads away as if they were too ashamed to look. In truth, what Late had just said was their greatest source of shame.
The kingdom’s finest educational institution. The shortcut to nurturing elite knights. What was the point of all that? When they went outside the kingdom to compete, they had finished in dead last for ten years straight.
Late spoke to the professors who were trying to ignore reality.
“If that boy’s skill is real, he might be the one to end our humiliation.”
“Hmm, are you certain he has that much skill?”
“Yes. And even if he doesn't, what’s the harm?”
“…?”
“Shouldn't we professors occasionally show our dignity through skill rather than just authority?”
At that moment, the eyes of some of the professors changed. In any world, being a teacher isn't easy. It was even more so here, where most of the students were born with silver spoons, if not gold ones. No matter how firm the Academy’s authority was, would the sons of the kingdom’s most powerful men listen obediently?
Whenever that happened, the professors thought: It would be so much easier if I could just crush them with skill, like I used to do with the juniors in the knight order.
“Ahem… Well, I suppose it wouldn't be bad once in a while.”
“It is also a teacher’s role to demonstrate the difference in skill…”
“Who’s going first? If no one else is stepping up, I will.”
The professors suddenly became proactive. Seeing this, Professor Late thought to himself:
I’m sorry, everyone. And…
He looked at Patrick, who was yawning in the center of the training ground.
I’ve done as you asked, so this should be enough, right?
Indeed, Patrick had a plan for everything.
*
“What? What’s happening?”
“Are they actually doing it?”
“For real? You’re not joking?”
A professor from the Knight Department stepped up across from Patrick, holding a wooden sword.
Professor vs. Student.
The spectators couldn't believe their eyes. The gallery was in an uproar at this incredible scene, something that had never happened since the Academy’s founding.
Patrick had been the one to provoke them, but no one expected the Academy professors to actually accept. While some wondered if this was even allowed, a more pressing thought came to mind…
Is that rumored first-year really that strong?
Strong enough that the professors have to step in personally, rather than an upperclassman?
Surely he isn't as strong as the 12 Paladins of the Holy Kingdom or the Magic Swordsmen of the Tower of Truth?
Even the rising stars famous in the Benator Empire aren't guaranteed to beat a professor.
Just how strong was he? Why were the professors stepping up personally to face this first-year?
Under everyone’s gaze, the professor who stood as Patrick’s opponent spoke.
“I will face you, as you wished.”
“Thank you. Um… what was your name, Professor?”
“It’s Jonathan Bricks. Did you not even know your instructor’s name?”
“I’m a big-picture person, so I don't usually pay attention to trivial details.”
“……”
You’re proud of that, you little brat?
The professor couldn't bring himself to say those words out loud, given his position. Looking at Patrick, who cut him off after saying only what he wanted to say, Professor Bricks vowed to teach him a proper lesson.
The two faced each other. The referee, seeing that they were ready, shouted loudly.
“Begin!”