Chapter 98
Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: 11. Not a Legend, But a Legend (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I blankly watch the footage.
There, just like the protagonist of some old fantasy novel I'd read, is Nerkia exuding overwhelming charisma as he annihilates Arsia Academy.
A moment later, the match ends, and the commentators—who'd been silent throughout—finally start showering Nerkia with praise, calling him incredible.
Well, he is incredible.
He took down a hundred Arsia students all by himself.
One of the commentators, who'd been gushing about Nerkia, soon brings up something else.
[But what on earth could Professor Niserwin's summon be—the one that even a guy like Nerkia could never defeat?]
[I'm dying to know myself. A swordmaster, god-tier summoners, the Spirit King, and thousands of summons—and even then, he says it's unbeatable!]
"Damn it."
"Yeah, Master's screwed."
I'd toned it down, but Ar, right beside me, just says exactly what I'm thinking.
Yeah, I'm screwed.
"Master, should I fetch the student council president?"
"Nah, maybe I should just go stomp him myself?"
"Whoa, you're really pissed, huh, Master?"
"Of course I am."
Let me say it again: this is the imperial capital.
Normally, even for imperial events, massive stadiums like this are built outside the outer walls. But one of the old emperors, too lazy to go far, had them constructed right near the palace, creating this insane setup with arenas inside the inner keep.
When his ministers tried to stop him, saying, "The stadiums will eat up all the capital's space!" he shot back, "Then just expand the capital!" And so he doubled its size. Not quite a legend, but legendary.
A true madman, just like the current emperor and princess's ancestor.
Anyway, thanks to that lunatic, escaping this place means crossing the massive walls that have never once fallen to invaders.
And in a place like that, that damn student council president went and pulled all the aggro on me.
I'd been dodging around pretty carefully, and with Aris becoming a swordmaster, all the attention had shifted to her!
Just when it was perfectly aligning on Aris and the student council president with this performance, the guy sells out Ar—my iron bat.
Even I have to admit, it sounds terrifying.
What the hell? A swordmaster, god-tier summoner, plus the Spirit King, and a guy who beats a thousand students solo?
I sound ridiculously strong!
"Not you—me! I'm the super strong one, Master! You're not!"
"Yeah, you're the strongest. The one who beats gods and demons equally flat! The problem is that title comes with dragging the strongest around with me!"
Now every noble in the imperial capital will come sniffing around just to get a look at my face.
And among those who do, there are sure to be ones who know about Ast.
No matter how vast the palace or how average-looking I am, no noble living there—except maybe Lady Rea—would forget the face that was at the princess's side.
Sure, most will just think it's a resemblance.
They'll tell themselves, no way, probably just looks similar.
But if even one thinks, "What if?" and reports to the princess, she'll come confirm it herself.
"And the second you're busted, Master, clank-clank in chains!"
"So, I'm outta here!"
I consider stomping that student council president first, but if I get caught by even one person on the way out, it's infinite hell from there.
Greet one, finish, another shows up to greet you, then another...
I've had my fill of that in the palace already, so I decide to punish the guy later. I pack my bags in a flash and start disguising myself!
"I want to meet Professor Niserwin!"
"I'm Viscount Reliuss. I wish to see Professor Niserwin!"
"My lord, Count Kelleite, wishes to meet with Professor Niserwin."
"Is this really Yuglasia, where Professor Niserwin is supposed to be?!"
Hearing voices from the tents of the other professors a short distance away, I realize imperial nobles have gotten quicker these days. I bolt for it.
"Br-bring out Professor Niserwin!"
"There is no Professor Niserwin here. He's staying in a different tent from ours!"
"That way, that way! Everyone, please maintain order!"
Sorry to the confused professors, but this is all Nerkia's fault!
So blame him while I make my escape.
#2 Their Side: Lia El Nermia's Situation
"I'm Kir Di Reilar, Arsia Academy's student council president."
"I'm Lia El Nermia of Marsis."
The one extending his hand first for a greeting is Arsia's student council president.
Until last year—no, until just before the Imperial Tournament began—they'd been screaming about Arsia as their arch-rival from Marsis. But now, Marsis, fallen on hard times, finds itself in the same boat as Arsia.
"To put it simply: an alliance for the remaining days?"
"Yes."
Both I and the Arsia student council president before me have reached a point of no return.
[Arsia: 0 points]
[Marsis: 7 points]
[Yuglasia: 74 points]
[Merkiria: 0 points]
Today, I lost to Aris and Yuglasia's onslaught, and Arsia's main forces fell to their student council president alone.
By the time I came to, every match today was a Yuglasia victory.
The fifth day of the Imperial Tournament—where each match was worth 10 points, the foothold for a comeback—ended up widening an insurmountable gap.
"The moment we lose even one match, the Imperial Tournament is over."
"Yes, but I think that's impossible."
"...You're right."
I could understand the Arsia student council president's sigh.
Before coming here, I'd watched footage of his match against Yuglasia's student council president for analysis.
Honestly, I didn't think it was unwinnable.
But I didn't think it was a guaranteed win either.
And the remaining matches are all team battles.
With a summoner like that backed by frontline like Aris, there's no way to win.
Truth be told, even facing Aris and the Hermes summoner from today was overwhelming for me.
"If we team up—Aosia, Marsis, and Merkiria—for the final day, even Yuglasia can't win."
"No, we must win unconditionally."
"Yes..."
This is our last resort.
Marsis, shaped by my input, and Arsia, defeated without touching a single Yuglasia student today, have cast aside all pride to form a coalition.
If we still lose to Yuglasia like this, both academies' evaluations will hit rock bottom.
"And one more thing. Merkiria should join the alliance too."
"Merkiria?"
"Yes."
Though weakest in combat power, Merkiria has more students than the other three academies combined.
"For draining Yuglasia's mana in the siege on the final day, no force beats Merkiria."
"I see. But..."
"Yes, it'll cost us."
Even as part of the Imperial Four Great Academies competing in the tournament, Merkiria's combat strength is abysmal.
Mostly commoners, their curriculum focuses on imperial bureaucracy—no need for fighting.
That's why they forfeit fights but never their gains.
They enter the tournament to trade their matches, wisdom, and numbers for profit.
"We'll take a hefty loss."
"No choice. We have to win no matter what."
Today's scores were outrageously lopsided.
Normally, a sixth-day match might be worth 10 points, but every fifth-day match was.
Probably the organizers' attempt to give the others a shot at reversal.
But it backfired, creating an uncrossable gap. At this rate, Yuglasia could win by 100 points.
A 100-point deficit? Any more losses doom Arsia and Marsis beyond recovery.
When I arrived, Marsis was battling for first and second—now this plunge? Even if not my fault, my evaluation tanks too.
And I'm a first-year student council officer under special provisions!
Vice president next year at least!
I can't let the Marsis I lead sink!
I don't want to be the captain steering a sinking ship.
"Better to sacrifice now. If we keep losing to Yuglasia, Arsia and Marsis drop to the pits for at least four years."
So use everything—even the seniors graduating next year. I've got three more years!
...I don't shout it, as Marsis's representative and a noble lady.
"You're right."
He seems to get it, nodding.
Good—he accepted. I was ready to unleash every psychological pressure and intimidation tactic from training if he refused. Dodged a hassle.
"We'll back your Merkiria deal too, so it won't cost too much."
"Right. Merkiria won't want Yuglasia's solo run either."
Supply follows demand.
If Yuglasia dominates, Merkiria's wares lose value—they won't overprice.
"Then I'll go inform Arsia's high nobles."
"I'll tell Marsis's."
Merkiria doesn't want money.
They want futures.
Mostly commoners, they crave high-noble backing.
Contract-guaranteed backing!
"Move as fast as possible. I want cooperation starting tomorrow."
"Yes, understood."
With that, Arsia's student council president leaves quickly.
No good if anyone spots us meeting.
"Still... any chance tomorrow?"
His movement means Yuglasia's student council—who've been idle—is mobilizing.
Last year, even when Yuglasia's average strength lagged behind Arsia and Marsis, their student council matched anyone.
If they've grown stronger and move now, can we stop them?
Me alone?
"Why doesn't our academy have anyone useful...?"
Everyone's too weak.
If no skill, at least strong spirit. Our president fainted at the score gap; the vice president stirs imperial faction against him when we need unity.
"It's tough..."
So tough.
Never imagined I'd miss Howling.
But experiencing normal academy life like others, why do those days come to mind?
Ah, not that I want to go back.
But... if we had just one more like No. 1 or No. 1000, wouldn't things be easier for me?
Yeah.
Just a thought.
No way they'd be here.
They shouldn't be!
"You're... here?"
The student council president stammers, looking spooked, but I ignore him.
"I'm Hail Reia of Marsis."
She bows politely—the one I'd spent just over a year with.
The one I was just wistfully thinking of!
"Th-thou—"
I start to call her familiarly in panic, but No. 1000 cuts in.
"I'm Hail Reia."
"H-Huh?"
"Hail. Reia."
"Y-Yeah, Hail Reia... Wait, no! Why are you here?!"
"...Because Hail Reia is a Marsis student?"
"What the hell does that mean?!"
No. 1000 tilts her head slightly, sends the president out, and gets us alone.
And...
"The reason I'm here..."
"The reason?"
I swallow hard.
I already know No. 1000 works under that princess.
For her to come here... no way!
"For this month's meals?"
"No way in hell!"
Even as I yell in rage, No. 1000 just gives that old, baffled look.
It takes two more hours before I get the answer I want from her.