Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: 8. Just Do It. (4)
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#5 Their Side: The Circumstances of a Certain Judge.
It’s been a very long time since all four academies known as the Empire’s Four Great Prestigious Academies attended the Imperial Tournament.
Back then, they weren’t even called the Empire’s Four Great Prestigious Academies—they were just invited because they were close to the capital where the event was held.
But perhaps because they consistently participated in one of the empire’s biggest events?
The four academies began growing at a frightening pace, and afterward, they came to be known as the Empire’s Four Great Prestigious Academies.
Thanks to that, they were evaluated as the best places for commoners to reverse their fates in life and for nobles to build connections, maintaining their prestige to this day.
Because of that, even from the early days of the empire, it became tradition for an imperial judge to participate in pre-tournament consultations before the Imperial Tournament began—representing the empire’s students and promising clean, fair matches.
However, contrary to that noble intent, my current position is little more than decorative.
“No, this time it’d be better to increase the individual matches to showcase personal skills!”
“No, team matches that demonstrate academy unity fit the meaning of the Imperial Tournament better!”
Arsia, called the top academy, and Marsis, hot on its heels.
The student council presidents from those two are fiercely arguing that their opinions are right.
Arsia teaches all sorts of weapons—swords, blunt instruments, and more—but the weapon most students use is the sword.
Naturally, their individuals are outstanding, showing overwhelming results in individual matches with no rivals.
Because of that characteristic, the more individual matches there are at the Imperial Tournament, the more advantageous it is for Arsia.
On the other hand, Marsis and Yuglasia are academies of mages and summoners, so they have the edge in team matches.
That’s why Arsia always pushes to add more individual matches, while the other academies push for more team matches—and the fight happens every time.
The professors who came to observe and advise have the exact same mindset as their students, so they never intervene.
Because of that, us judges have to handle all the annoying adjustments!
It usually ends with Arsia giving a little ground to the majority opinion, but the students’ fierce debates to secure even slightly favorable matches are always a hassle to watch.
And once it’s all over, the blame always falls on us!
If it’s majority rule, Arsia complains that we always rule against them!
But if we side with Arsia, they say that in a majority-rule outcome, the judge is biased toward Arsia!
No matter whose side we take, we just get flak—there’s nothing more annoying!
But according to the seniors who go on about upholding history and tradition, someone has to be the sacrifice—and this year, that someone is me!
Damn it, if I can just make it to next year, I’ll be high enough in seniority that I won’t have to do this anymore!
If I can just get through this year—why does it have to drag on to the very end!
Lamenting my unlucky life, I gaze at the two academy student council presidents glaring daggers at each other.
…Huh? Two?
“Does Yuglasia’s representative have no opinion?”
In that moment, I realize something’s off.
Yuglasia, known as the weakest among the current Empire’s Four Great Academies.
Because of that, I’d heard their student council president pushes even harder than the others for matches favorable to them.
Yet even as Arsia and Marsis argue, he’s yawning like it has nothing to do with him?
‘I see. They’ve given up?’
Yuglasia’s ranking at the Imperial Tournament is perennial third place.
Considering that includes Mercaria, which isn’t about martial prowess, they’re essentially perennial last place.
And as if confirming my guess, Yuglasia’s yawning student council president nods at me.
“Since no matter what matches come up, it doesn’t matter anyway.”
A perfect declaration of surrender.
Summoners are rated weaker than mages before they summon their familiars.
That’s why Yuglasia’s strategy so far has been team matches—especially prolonged ones.
Giving that up is no different from forfeiting the Imperial Tournament.
“What, Nerkia? I heard Yuglasia’s totally changed this year, but even that wasn’t enough?”
I wasn’t the only one thinking that, as Arsia’s student council president sneered at Yuglasia’s.
From his expression, he was full of anticipation that this time they’d get a favorable match allocation for Arsia.
“Yeah? You giving up like that?”
In contrast, Marsis’s student council president looked a bit uneasy.
Marsis and Yuglasia had similar combat styles, so the two academies always teamed up to secure more long-range or team matches.
But now Yuglasia’s forfeiting!
Already trailing Arsia by a paper-thin margin for the title of top academy, this could widen the gap instead of closing it!
A thrilling situation unlike any before had arisen.
This moment might even be a historic turning point deciding the future of the Empire’s four great academies!
And as I predicted, this meeting did become a major historical turning point for the Empire’s Four Great Prestigious Academies.
Except the ones it affected weren’t Arsia or Marsis!
And the voice announcing that came from Yuglasia’s student council president, who had been wearing an indifferent expression.
“Eh, whatever. Since we’re winning anyway, what does it matter what matches come up? Decide whatever you want.”
“What?”
“Did I hear that wrong?”
In that instant, it felt like the air in the room froze.
Even Mercaria’s student council president, who’d been quietly observing, widened her eyes and stared at Yuglasia’s student council president—everyone looked utterly incredulous.
A natural reaction.
It was a championship declaration, after all.
Even in Yuglasia’s golden age, they’d never made such a statement.
Let alone now, in what’s called the worst era in Yuglasia’s history!
“Nerkia, I didn’t think you were the type to spout such nonsense.”
Everyone nodded at Arsia’s student council president’s words.
No matter what anyone says, current Yuglasia is the weakest.
Yet the reason no other academy could look down on Yuglasia was precisely because of their current student council.
Starting with the president dubbed the Spirit Legion, the vice president called the Trickster and Queen of the Skies!
The treasurer, secretary, and others were no slouches either, and even the ones handling miscellaneous tasks were named powerhouses—Yuglasia’s student council had shown overwhelming strength.
Especially their president, evaluated higher than other academies’ presidents for superior situational judgment and leadership—who’d say something like this?
“Nonsense? I just stated the facts.”
But Yuglasia’s student council president’s expression was utterly indifferent.
With not a shred of doubt, wearing a look like “Why question something so obvious?”—it almost made you feel like you were the one asking something ridiculous.
“You think Yuglasia winning makes sense, Nerkia?”
“The perennial last-place Yuglasia?”
“Yeah, and?”
He looked extremely annoyed at having to yawn.
Propping his chin on the table, he scribbled on a paper: [Wasting my golden after-school time on this useless crap…]
‘What?’
Golden after-school time? Not even golden vacation?
Aren’t all academies across the empire on break right now?
“Are you overestimating Yuglasia, or underestimating us?”
“Neither over nor under. Just stating the facts as they are.”
“You saying the new Yuglasia is that good?”
“The new Yuglasia… Well, if you call it a change, sure it’s changed. But Kir, we’ve seen hell beyond what you can imagine.”
“Hell?”
“Yeah, a hell you can’t even dream of. Seeing that, winning’s a given.”
Suddenly giggling like he was enjoying it, Arsia’s student council president—who’d been standing—took a step back.
He didn’t look sane at all.
I could vouch for that, having judged countless criminals in the empire.
This Yuglasia student council president was utterly mad!
“Heh heh heh, I almost want to show you too, Kir. Our academy life where every day brings fun beyond imagination.”
“H-Hey? Nerkia?”
He looked so serious I wondered if we should summon a psychiatrist from the imperial military hospital.
When Kir shook his head, he turned to Marsis’s president with a disappointed look, inviting him to visit the academy—not like someone in their right mind.
“F-Fine, got it! I said got it!”
In the end, Marsis’s president backed away in horror, and Yuglasia’s licked his lips regretfully.
“Th-Then, Yuglasia and Mercaria have no objections. Arsia proposed adding individual matches, and Marsis proposed adding team matches.”
Letting Yuglasia’s student council president speak more felt like it’d lead somewhere bad.
“So, for this Imperial Tournament, we’ll adjust to have more individual matches than last year’s mix of individual and team.”
Was it because of Yuglasia’s president? I thought Marsis would object, but surprisingly, none came.
“Then, for the detailed match contents, including the existing mandatory ones…”
Marsis grumbled a bit, but it was the same as what Arsia usually said for similar reasons.
Hearing their usual counterargument from Arsia’s president’s mouth, Marsis’s president could only grimace and concede.
“Then, Yuglasia and Mercaria student council presidents—any other opinions?”
“Yes.”
“No, doesn’t matter.”
Marsis’s president looked regretful at those answers, but Yuglasia’s didn’t care at all.
Just bored, endlessly scribbling “Hurry up and end” on his paper—it actually made me feel like Yuglasia might really win this Imperial Tournament.
‘Maybe I should bet on it…’
Excluding Mercaria, which isn’t even on the betting boards, Yuglasia had the highest odds.
Last year: Arsia at 1.2x, Marsis at 1.4x, and Yuglasia at a whopping 4.2x!
And the legend goes that everyone who fell for those odds and bet on Yuglasia went bankrupt!
But this year, somehow it feels believable.
No academy has ever shown that level of confidence before!
As I pondered, Yuglasia’s student council president spoke in an even more indifferent tone, brimming with even more confidence.
“Nerkia, even so, predictions can be wrong—shouldn’t we include some events favorable to Yuglasia?”
“Huh? We’re aiming to win every single match anyway, so what’s favorable mean?”
“What?”
Marsis’s president had thrown that to snag even one more team match, but the response was total victory.
Imperial Tournament matches have scores that vary by day or specific event.
From as low as 1 point to as high as 80, with reversals always possible—that’s the charm.
But there’s one way to nullify that variable.
Sweeping victory.
Win everything, and score fluctuations don’t matter—you win.
But that’s just a hypothetical; no one thought it possible.
Even the strongest have only one body.
With multiple matches simultaneous, one person can do at most two per day.
And only if the first ends early enough for the last one.
Even the strong can exhaust themselves early and lose stupidly next.
Plus, opponents can snipe them, so high-level mind games are essential!
Secure must-win matches, steal opponents’ necessities.
Layer calculations on calculations, check scores, abandon what to abandon, seize what must be won.
That’s how championship-contending academies have operated.
Total sweep?
No academy has ever achieved it.
For current weakest Yuglasia to do it?
Betting odds would be over 100x easily!
“Y-You think that’s possible?”
Arsia’s president shouted in bewilderment, but Yuglasia’s nodded firmly.
“Yes.”
Everyone was speechless.
Where did that baseless confidence come from?
The silence that began then lasted until its maker asked me when this meeting would end.
And so the meeting concluded.
[Yuglasia Total Sweep Odds: 128x]
In the end, I bought it.