Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: The Miraculous Portrait
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The military studies class, filled with heated debates, had finally ended.
As I left the classroom, Sophia caught up to me.
"Where are you rushing off to?"
"None of your business."
I felt bad for keeping Eonia waiting, so I decided to at least grab some snacks for her. I turned toward the cafeteria, but Sophia kept following me.
"What is it? Do you need something from me?"
"It's not exactly business.... Even if it was by chance, you're my student now, so I thought we could chat a bit."
"Sigh.... You really are something. What kind of mindset do you have?"
Sophia and I had a connection that was hostile through and through. Our first encounter was when I killed Bekavia's Grand General, humiliating her greatly. Our recent one had me suffering because of her.
Well, that war had Juras's grand scheme behind it, so Sophia's choice wasn't wrong.
In any case, we weren't on friendly chatting terms.
Yet Sophia smiled, showing clear interest in me.
"I've realized something lately. Our blood ally Albad betrayed us, and we formed an alliance with Crossing, who we'd always been hostile toward.... It made me see how things work between nations. You're the same. We were enemies at the Carrington battle, but we fought together against the West, right? Yesterday's enemy can be today's friend."
"So? Are you saying you want to be friends with me?"
"Not quite, but I'm not planning to growl at you either. It'd just be tiring to do that with everyone."
I agreed with that part.
With Sophia approaching like this, it was hard to be curt.
I had some questions for her too, so I decided to go along with the conversation lightly.
"But why are you here of all places?"
"You mean why I came as a teacher?"
"Yeah."
I knew Sophia was 23 years old. One year younger than my sister Yulia or Olaf.
She let out a deep sigh.
"It's political circumstances. If my influence gets too high, it puts my eldest brother in a tough spot."
"Eldest brother—the heir to the throne, I assume."
"Exactly."
So that's how it was. They'd shipped Sophia off to Pensilon Academy out of fear that if she gained the people's trust, it would threaten his claim to the throne.
"Besides, Bekavia needs to boost its international image right now. It's a fitting placement. I go abroad, and my brother steadily prepares for the throne at home."
"Man, you have it rough."
"Tell me about it.... By the way, I heard you travel with flashy escorts, but I don't see a single one now? What if someone attacks you?"
"Showing them off is a form of psychological warfare. Normally, they guard from the shadows. This is actually the tighter security setup. Want me to show you?"
"Oh, no! It's fine."
As we talked, we'd arrived at the garden where Eonia was waiting.
A crowd had formed around her. Everyone was busy gawking at her.
Eonia, who showed no interest in anyone but me, ignored the stares and closely examined her painting tools.
"Eonia. Let's move somewhere else."
"Ah...! Yes!"
It seemed she'd asked Olaf to bring her supplies. The tools needed for painting were all prepared, especially a large canvas big enough for a life-sized portrait.
I pushed through the crowd, pulled her out, and lightly apologized.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to turn you into a spectacle. This person here wouldn't leave me alone."
Sophia looked stunned, as if wondering if that's why she was leaving.
I took Eonia to an empty classroom.
Curious Sophia wanted to follow, but she had to prepare for another class, so she said we'd meet later and left.
"Finally a bit quieter. Let's get started."
Thanks to skipping lunch, we had about two hours of free time. I figured we wouldn't produce anything great under the time pressure, but it didn't matter much.
Art, especially painting, is incredibly hard to judge objectively.
A fine arts student's heartfelt landscape might be worth less than a child's random abstract scribble, and the same painting's value can shift based on interpretation.
They say once you're famous, anything you do gets applause.
If the reviews were bad, I planned to leverage my authority to shut them down.
'Anyway.'
Eonia's brushwork as she started painting was no joke.
It was bold, like an elephant wielding the brush.
She even finished the sketch in under 30 minutes and moved to coloring.
'Oh, this is doomed.'
If a total beginner who’d never painted did this, the outcome was obvious. A sketch might pass, but freely handling paints without innate talent was nearly impossible.
'Might end up with an amazing abstract piece.'
That could be fun to spin in its own way.
"It's done!"
The painting, completed in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
If it were on a small paper, it might not be impressive, but the canvas was 2 meters tall. Finishing that in 1.5 hours told you everything about the result.
"You must be tired. Have some snacks at least."
"I'm fine. Thinking of it as Als's portrait made me so absorbed I didn't feel tired at all."
Eonia, satisfied, stood with arms crossed, snorting proudly.
I approached without high expectations and looked at the painting.
"...Huh?"
That was all I could say.
It was a realm beyond mere talent.
*
*
*
The painting class held in the academy's banquet hall.
It was hugely popular, with over 300 participants.
Mostly noble ladies, but some noblemen and commoners too.
Among them, 150 freshmen had their works veiled with cloth and displayed around the hall.
The second-years eyed them like hyenas, licking their chops.
After roughly setting up my piece, I scanned the surroundings.
'Three people I can meet in this class....'
The standout was Saintess Alicia.
But since she's not an active student, her appearances were unpredictable.
'No sign of the Saintess, as expected. The others are....'
Gu Hoban's Meisen and Iron Bird Helga.
Both second-years, Helga from the Toonkai Kingdom.
I focused on Helga first.
Character rank SR, martial prowess 84—a near-top-tier unit. Specialized in mountain combat and espionage; in the game, she was a lesser version of Gaspar.
She usually just painted quietly, with no real personal bond events.
'Marking her for now.'
My main targets in this painting class were Meisen and Alicia.
Meisen spotted me and looked flustered. The anger in her eyes was gone.
She seemed to want to apologize, approaching hesitantly.
"Um.... Lord Wade?"
"Speak casually. Here, I'm just a student. No need for 'Lord Wade.'"
"Th-then.... Ilrain junior?"
Having heard the situation from Olaf, Meisen treated me very cautiously.
Glancing around, she whispered.
"Bayolaf.... I heard from Olaf. You spread those rumors to borrow his power."
"It was more like a meeting of minds than just borrowing power. You know he wouldn't lend it just because someone asked nicely, right?"
"Yes, he's not the type to betray his country for something like that...."
"In that sense, you need to make a choice too, senior. Stay in Eurofe and oppose Olaf? Or.... Well, I trust Olaf explained that part well."
"...."
Meisen was at a loss. Her mind was pondering, but her heart already seemed swayed toward following Olaf.
'I wanted to turn her slowly if possible, but....'
With the story accelerating, there was no time for that.
Because in the original story, the academy gets destroyed by some mysterious force.
If that timing advanced, who knew how long we could stay here.
"Yes.... I'll think deeply about it."
This was basically recruitment complete. In the game, she joins Als after following Olaf—you could tell.
As I talked with Meisen, eyes started gathering on me.
Just like I'd observed Helga and Meisen. Most students were watching me, Wade.
Especially since I was chatting with a Roipier ducal lady—attention was inevitable.
I spotted Erina and Estelle staring from afar. At least they seemed to get that I was talking as Wade, not Als.
Normally they'd rush over, but they held back.
And another one did the same. A woman smiling meaningfully at me.
"Ahem!"
The painting class teachers cleared their throats to get attention.
"Please stand by your own works. The event is about to begin."
Meisen hurried back to her spot.
With her in place, the teachers kicked off the event proper.
This exhibition, under the guise of a freshman welcome, had a sneaky bad reputation.
Teachers dispatched from various nations and 150 second-years began judging each piece, turning freshmen pale.
The first victim, a Svenner freshman, got sharp critiques.
"This isn't good. The colors are faded. It's eye-straining."
"You need more study on color. Below standard."
Like cracking the whip for discipline, harsh reviews poured in. This was the tradition. Subpar works got no mercy.
That's why they allowed bringing a master's work as a loophole.
Imagine the trauma if it were their own.
Most had brought their master's pieces for that reason.
If not, they either had confidence in their skills or no tact—two types.
Erina was the former, Estelle the latter.
Erina confidently unveiled her work.
Everyone gasped in admiration.
"Oh ho. Excellent! As expected of Gransel's prodigy!"
"This color harmony is flawless!"
Skill that silenced even those loaded with criticism.
Estelle's was the opposite. With no real painting master, her work was... free-spirited, to put it mildly.
She saw painting as a mere hobby, no serious study. She was only here following her friend Erina.
Not bad, but not good either.
The harsh reviews were unavoidable.
"...Urk."
Under the mocking, humiliating stares—trauma for Estelle—she grimaced and sweated coldly.
'This won't do.'
I moved to protect her. Erina felt the same, about to intervene—but right then.
"Hmph! Nothing but fools here!"
A bold voice boomed. Boisterous yet charming.
A woman with jet-black hair in a long ponytail. No makeup, natural complexion, and pants instead of a dress.
Her entrance caused a stir.
"Princess Melodiana!"
"Crossing's Black Jewel...!"
Students flinched.
Melodiana stood protectively in front of Estelle.
"Art is a game for self-satisfaction! If you're happy with your painting, there's no reason for criticism! So Estelle, chin up and stand proud."
"Diana...! Yeah!"
Estelle perked up at Princess Melodiana's encouragement.
Her intrusion shifted the mood.
Seizing the moment, Melodiana showed her own work—a clumsy, childlike scribble.
Yet she stood tall.
If she was satisfied, others' opinions didn't matter.
With the steam killed, the judges switched targets to me.
I was the main dish from the start.
Wade's painting. Even freshmen crowded in curiously.
300 people gathered before me.
"Ah.... One thing first: I didn't paint this. And please don't be too shocked."
Eyes gleaming—what kind of masterpiece prompts that?—I carefully unveiled it.
Silence lasted about 5 seconds. No gasps, no sighs.
Just pure overwhelm.
The subject was simple: me. The issue was the realism.
If exhibited in modern times, everyone would think it was a photo. That level.
Even I could hardly believe it. Beginner Eonia handling colors like that, beyond just a sketch?
She'd watched previous Valkyries paint often, but still astonishing.
"Un, unbelievable."
"Wow...."
Erina gaped blankly at it.
The realism was one thing, but the artistry was perfection. Princess Melodiana murmured in awe.
"You can feel the affection for the subject. It warms the heart."
No need for my spin—people were entranced.
Then someone shouted.
"W-will you sell this painting to me!?"
Some high-status lady; everyone was shocked.
"20 million silan! Please, to me...!"
"I'll buy it! 30 million silan!"
Instant auction chaos.
Erina jumped in anxiously. Estelle eyed it longingly but couldn't keep up with the bids.
"Then I'll take it for 100 million silan!"
Ducal lady intimidation, but Roipier held no sway here like in Caliper.
But not Princess Melodiana.
"Then I'll buy it. Name your price, Als."
"You too...."
"Hehe."
Crossing's princess's blank check silenced all.
I sighed.
"Who said it's for sale? Not selling."
Selling it would plaster my face everywhere. That level of detail.
I'd treasure it at my mansion.
*
*
*
Pensilon Academy, boasting 103 years of history.
Its goal was equal education regardless of status or rank, but that purity had long been tainted.
Especially after the Pensilon Empire's fall, it worsened.
Major nations amicably divided shares in Platon, where the academy stood, promising neutrality—but it deepened political rifts.
It became a land grab; whoever controlled Platon, or conquered neutral Ballast, would rule the continent. Talk like that was rampant.
Tough spot for Ballast Kingdom.
The academy was key to maintaining their neutrality.
They hoped it endured forever.
But opposition existed.
Ballast independence faction.
They thought the opposite: the academy kept Ballast trapped as a neutral.
Leading them: Duke Reginald Haimer of Ballast.
'No future for neutrals in this chaos!'
They'd end up devoured by a great power. Better strike first before that.
The plan was set. Advanced ahead of schedule, but with solid backing, it could proceed smoothly.
Knock knock. The door opened quietly.
Duke Reginald sighed in relief at his visitor.
"Princess Alicia. Please come in. I've been waiting."
Ballast's princess, revered as the Saintess domestically.
'Never expected her ready help. Feels like gaining a heavenly army.'
With her aid, toppling the nation was easy.
"What urgent matter brings you today?"
At Reginald's question, Alicia furrowed her brow.
"I want to eliminate a variable."
"A variable...?"
"The mercenary Wade. If he interferes, things could get tricky."
Wade had skyrocketed as a hot topic since day one.
Debated a teacher into submission in military studies, unveiled a masterpiece in painting, won a multi-player chess game against 50 including the teacher.
Unbelievable feats by word alone.
"He could be a variable if involved, but how do you plan to remove him? He has strong backing from Crossing and Caliper. Reports say his escorts are beyond imagination."
"Yes.... A tiger's den. So to catch the tiger, I'll go in myself."
"You mean!"
"I'll make contact with him."
"Assassination?"
"That'd get me killed too. So another method. The method is...."
"No need to say. I understand your resolve, Princess."
Duke Reginald nodded deeply. Then muttered firmly.
"All for the nation's revival, for Prince Arios...!"
"Yes, for Prince Arios."
Crown Cassius Lloyd as Ballast's new king, inherit Pensilon Empire's legitimacy, revive Ballast anew.
That was the Ballast independence faction's goal.