Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Hell Is Just Beginning (6)
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“Was I too hard on them…”
-The master went too far! The kids' motivation is zero! Aside from the student council and the third- and fourth-years, everyone's just in the mood to do night self-study now!
When I applied Plan B during the Retia Marquis's visit, the students were wiped out in just one hour of night self-study.
Well, that's only natural. If the professors deliberately stay put like NPCs and don't follow the scenario, even a smaller number of them won't lose to kids who aren't even twenty yet.
It's just that since they're students, it's like giving them a handicap of a few points in Go, or in chess terms, forgoing the chariot and cannon to face them.
-Master, what are you gonna do! You promised me! You said you'd let me run wild too! But I've only gotten to do it once so far!
I hear the iron bat whining, but there's nothing I can do.
Just recharge your mana in advance like usual.
-Eek! Master, you scammer!
I really can't help it!
Did I base it too much on the standards of an evil organization? Is the motivation different between guys with no place to run and those with a hideout?
Or is it because these kids are nobles that they're enduring it!
-Master. Among your disciples, remember how many were Imperial spies? There were tons of nobles, but they were all far from patient.
-Yeah, true.
Come to think of it, the kid from the Raina Archduke family—who could chew through the Ten Great Clans—once put handcuffs on his classmate's wrists and ankles just for a meal, all to help him.
So that means these guys simply lack willpower!
“Which means it's not my fault!”
-As expected of my master! Look at that rationalization!
But vacation's ending soon, and then comes the Imperial Tournament.
Even without it, the scale of the Imperial Tournament has been growing ever since the great war.
Comparing the post-war Imperial Tournament to now, the difference is nearly fivefold.
Fivefold in scale. Even before the war, the Empire was one of the continent's top powers, and the Imperial Tournament—marking the Empire's founding anniversary—was its grandest event.
For such an event to grow five times in scale means the budget has skyrocketed astronomically! And with that comes a flood of participants!
“In a situation where we absolutely must aim for total victory, the night self-study numbers are dropping…”
Not good. If they all just sit around studying, the students will become theory-focused instead of battle-ready.
Reality is worlds apart from theory!
If the Imperial Tournament were like an academic contest where you just sit and solve problems, fine—but it's a showcase of raw strength. Sitting and studying? Defeat is certain.
“For now, should I just make them go until 10 PM even during vacation…”
-Master, you said you'd give them afternoons off during vacation…
“No choice with the situation. Even if I drop back to Plan C, they won't come out.”
Kids who've already lost motivation won't budge even with Plan C.
They couldn't even clear the second floor with Plan C to begin with.
In that state, now they know there are higher plans—would they really move if I said I dropped it?
“Then I need bait.”
-Especially something tempting for the one contracted with the goddess who makes your mouth water.
Right. The biggest reason for this situation is Aris declaring she'd participate in night self-study herself.
Shocked that even her trusted father abandoned her, she's quietly doing night self-study in the classroom now, and her whole class is following suit.
Unlike other years, first-years have only about twenty per class, and total students barely hit a hundred.
One classroom starting night self-study sets the mood for the others, so now all first-years are doing it.
And that trend is spreading to the second-years above.
To stop it, I have to move Aris!
-You beat them up too much; their motivation's rock bottom!
-T-That's not my fault!
Last time I checked, she used to greet people with eyes more rotten than the princess's—eyes that had given up on the world.
“For bait to hook a kid like that…”
There's only one option.
#8 Their Circumstances: Aris Lil Retia's Circumstances
“What is it, Professor?”
A dry, emotionless voice.
Anyone who knew my old self would be shocked, but at Yuglasia Academy, most people are in this state now, so it's nothing unusual.
And the culprit who turned the academy into this, Professor Niserwin, gave me a kind smile as he looked at me.
“It seems academy life has been tough lately, Lady Aris.”
For a moment, I barely suppressed the hot surge rising inside me. Tough? Because of who?!
“Learning is always a struggle.”
But I hold it in. He's Professor Niserwin, who even cooked up my father.
Thanks to him, plans to summon parents starting with my dad to eliminate or negotiate night self-study failed spectacularly, only raising the difficulty of escaping it.
Now it's endless studying every day.
At first, it's manageable. Yeah, isn't studying a student's duty?
Learning diligently and building knowledge I need isn't bad.
But there's a limit!
One day, two days, a week, half a month!
Even coming to school on weekends to study!
I've long mastered all the textbooks. Yet the workbooks Professor Niserwin gives during night self-study are insanely advanced—I can't solve them.
Even asking other professors, they don't know the answers.
I can only solve them using the content from his once-a-week lectures, but the night self-study material is way harder—probably second-year, no, third-year level.
So now, I have nothing to do during night self-study.
“It's great that students aren't trying to skip night self-study lately.”
“Is it?”
What nonsense. Why say that while looking truly regretful?
Honestly, he wants us to run, right? But I won't skip night self-study. Ever.
I tried everything. Methods so shameful I'll cringe later.
But total defeat.
Fine, I admit defeat. I lost. So as a final act of defiance, I swore not to do what Professor Niserwin wants!
“Since you're pleased, Professor, I feel rewarded too.”
All first-years are participating now. Some out of despair, but most are joining my stance—it's practically a protest by committing to night self-study.
Yeah, this I won't give up! No sweet talk will break our resolve!
“I'll eliminate night self-study.”
“R-Really?”
I can give up! Screw the resolve!!!
“Yes, that's right.”
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly without thinking.
I couldn't see my face, but I knew I was shaken badly.
And I showed it to Professor Niserwin, the last person I should.
But no helping it!
He said he'd eliminate night self-study—who wouldn't waver?!
“I'll also eliminate weekend school attendance.”
“W-W-What conditions do you plan to attach, Professor Niserwin?”
Me, who didn't tremble even greeting His Majesty the Emperor, Crown Prince, and Princess at my coming-of-age at fifteen. Shaking over just ending night self-study!
“Talking to you first was the right call, Lady Aris. You caught on so quickly. As expected of the Marquis's daughter.”
No need for praise. Hurry, tell me the rest!
What conditions for ending night self-study?
World conquest? Demon King slaying? Continental unification?
-I'll help with anything!
The goddess is excited too, just like me.
Anyone stuck doing night self-study here would feel the same.
Come on, say it. Professor Niserwin! Right now, I'm confident I can do anything!
“Just win the Imperial Tournament.”
“Ending night self-study with just an Imperial Tournament win?”
“Is the Imperial Tournament 'just' anything?”
Professor Niserwin said, looking quite shocked.
Is that surprising? Considering what we've done so far, winning the Imperial Tournament is an amazingly generous condition to end night self-study.
-Just wipe out a few rookies, and night self-study ends?
See, even Athena—the goddess of war and wisdom—is shocked at how easy an Imperial Tournament win is.
“Yes. If anything, I'm suspicious that ending night self-study only requires something as simple as an Imperial Tournament win.”
I'm even wondering if it's a trap.
Imperial Tournament opponents? Arsia Academy and Marsis Academy.
Can those academy players beat us?
Us, who have life-or-death stakes?
I declare it.
No way those rookies can stop us.
“The Imperial Tournament win is already set.”
“Quite the confidence.”
Confidence? No.
This is sealed fate.
We will win the Imperial Tournament.
To escape the trial called night self-study, to break free from this hell called the academy!
#9 Their Circumstances: Lia El Nermia's Circumstances
“Is it okay to scout so openly?”
“We're just compiling student council opinions and delivering them to Yuglasia Academy's student council.”
Holding documents, I pass Yuglasia Academy's main gate with a few members.
The Empire's Four Great Academies aren't just prestigious—they're close enough that it's like visiting the next village over, and soon we arrive at Yuglasia.
Why come here despite that shady professor Niserwin? One reason.
While strategizing for the Imperial Tournament, we had zero intel on Yuglasia.
-According to the student council president guy, Yuglasia isn't worth intel-gathering, master.
-I know. That's why they had major reforms this year.
History can change in the simplest ways sometimes.
Like a goddess falling to evil godhood in myths.
Like the Medea Kingdom—which once rivaled the Empire—collapsing in a single year.
Like the great demon of terror three years ago now being my slave.
-...I'd rather you not think about that last example, master.
Anyway, ignore the slave.
History can shift in the blink of an eye like that.
In just one year, Yuglasia—proud holders of the worst Imperial Tournament record for a decade—might become the best.
Can't accept that. While I'm here, Marsis Academy must win.
“What is it?”
After crossing the vast garden like Marsis and reaching the academy building, guards appeared to stop us.
Yeah, other academies approaching now would raise flags.
“Lia El Nermia, Marsis student council executive.”
“Ah, from the Nermia family?”
Hostility eased at my words. Time to press.
“I have documents for Yuglasia Academy's student council regarding the Imperial Tournament. Could you guide us there?”
Goal's just confirming their strength.
Yuglasia's main force now: current student council, Lady from Retia family, and her followers.
Seeing them lets me gauge their level.
To reassure them, I brought guards on purpose, but the guard looked flustered.
“Ah, the student council? They're giving a speech to students in the auditorium about the Imperial Tournament right now…”
“A speech?”
Prepping Imperial Tournament already?
Natural for student council, but distant for regular students?
“We're short on time too… Sorry, but can we deliver it at the auditorium?”
My instincts screamed something was off.
Something's happening in that auditorium. Go check!
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
He looked a bit dazed but led us, including me, to Yuglasia Academy's auditorium.
And we witnessed it.
“What is defeat to us?”
-Existence unknown!
Ecstatic cheers.
“To our enemies!”
-Judgment of death.
Killing intent like they'd really kill.
“The silver devil doesn't even know?”
-Rookies unworthy of discussing life or death!
And madness like they'd throw away their lives!
-Master, doesn't look like we can win.
To that, I had no reply.