Chapter 231
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 231
Chapter Title: The Underachievers' Final Chance
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He seemed truly regretful.
Those kids had arrived here through some stroke of luck or fateful encounter, but with the academy's high educational standards, it was only natural they'd struggle to keep up.
Children who were just now learning the basics of sword handling couldn't possibly follow lessons on wielding aura.
The same went for theoretical subjects, excluding practical swordsmanship or magic.
"I don't want to see those children unceremoniously expelled from the academy. The dean feels the same way. But rules are rules. For them, this is essentially their last chance."
"Does that include Melissa?"
"No. Melissa returned after taking a leave of absence, so she's only been assigned here per regulations—she's not actually on academic probation. In fact, she's more of a model student, but the academy's rules placed her here regardless."
In other words, his main concern was the ten commoner boys and girls, excluding Melissa.
Of course, not all of them were commoners.
A few were children from impoverished noble families.
"They're all diligent children. But the gap has grown too wide for effort alone to bridge—it leaves them in a heartbreaking situation."
"Shouldn't specialists handle students like that?"
"That's the issue... The professors don't want to take them on."
Ah. Because of their performance records?
No matter how hard they taught, it was realistically impossible for these kids on the list to catch up to those who'd received genius-level education from the start.
"We can't blame them. Professors need to maintain their records too, and teaching those kids would leave a major blemish."
He let out a deep sigh.
"I'm free from those constraints. That's what you're saying."
"Exactly. By the dean's authority, you can be treated as an honorary professor."
Was that the only reason?
As I waited silently, he gave a wry smile.
"But the most important reason is something else."
He looked at me with a serious expression.
"They have bright futures ahead. I lack the skill to prevent them from losing this opportunity."
"You're talking about practical skills. You think I might be able to do something with them. So, what level do they need to reach to avoid academic probation?"
"You can still refuse if it doesn't sit right with you. The placement exam for new students coming up—if they avoid failing scores there."
As a senior, he couldn't tolerate his juniors failing that exam?
"How much time do we have?"
"One month."
Wow, that's no joke.
"Change them in a month?"
"I know it's tough. But I want to give those kids a chance to give their all."
Even if they end up expelled and leave the academy. This experience could help them in life going forward.
Professor Rommel truly thought on a profound level.
"Well, I'll see them first and decide."
"Thank you."
He smiled softly.
Professor Rommel was practically Melissa's mentor.
At least, I understood what a man of his character was thinking when he planned this and asked me.
I'd been full of intentions to work Melissa to the bone anyway, but the mood suddenly felt heavier.
Kids born into unfortunate circumstances must have grasped their own fateful opportunities to make it here.
Peeking into the classroom from outside where the cadets were, I saw ten boys and girls gathered.
Most looked like commoners, with one or two appearing noble.
They came from different backgrounds and specialized fields, but they shared one thing.
Not a spark of life in any of their faces.
They all wore expressions of utter resignation, as if they'd despaired after hitting an insurmountable wall.
Seeing their state, Luna and I both crouched down and exchanged glances.
"They look hopeless."
"A month feels way too short."
To put it bluntly, the method Luna and I used on Melissa wouldn't work on most people.
It was a brutal approach of grinding someone to their limits.
Academy professors had decades of teaching experience and established methods, but I'd never taught anyone—not even during my long time in Labyrinthos.
There were precedents for self-growth, but in my case, I already knew the answers.
Professor Rommel said he believed in me, but I had no such confidence.
Melissa would join in two days anyway.
"Hmm... All I know is extreme measures."
"What'll you do?"
"Well, let's give it a shot."
Some things only become clear face-to-face.
I flung the door open, and all eyes turned to me.
Then they widened at Luna behind me.
Lately, Luna had stopped wearing her mask because it felt stuffy, and I hadn't objected.
In the heavy silence, I walked in steadily and spoke slowly.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Leon Cascadia, and I'll be in charge for the next month."
After the brief introduction, I heard them swallow hard.
My name must still carry weight at the academy.
But that was it.
The resigned kids showed no further reaction.
"First off, you're all on the brink of expulsion after academic probation. Correct?"
No answer.
"Correct?"
I asked again, but still nothing.
Luna glanced at me.
Shall I?
As always, I nodded.
Yes.
Boom!!!!
In an instant, Luna smashed the lectern in front of me into dust.
"Answer."
Her chilling word froze them in shock.
"Not gonna?"
"Y-Yes... correct!"
Terrified, they finally responded.
Good. Now we're getting somewhere.
To avoid chaos from other classrooms hearing the bang, I dispelled the soundproofing spell I'd casually set up.
"Good. Now you're cooperating. Let me ask again. Despite entering via special admission, you've racked up failures for not keeping up, putting you on the verge of expulsion via probation. Correct?"
Some clenched their fists and trembled at my question.
Then answered with effort.
"Yes..."
"Y-Yes... correct..."
"To avoid that future, you must compete with the new cadets in the exam a month from now and avoid failing scores."
New students could afford some fails without issue. But not these guys.
Usually, upperclassmen didn't lose to juniors.
But if the freshmen weren't average, that changed.
Even if not, these kids were struggling against even freshmen.
"Some of you might think, 'No way we'll lose to freshmen,' so I'm warning you now."
I opened the documents and read names.
"The youngest son of the Hontail family."
The legitimate heir of the Hontail family, one of the continent's thirteen great magic houses.
"Disciple of a Sword Master from the Rotorias Kingdom. Canivel Lissenter."
I continued listing names.
Lisia Hevilion, granddaughter of the Galeon Alchemical School's dean.
Ashuria Abelgard, the hidden daughter and disciple of the great archmage Luteon Abelgard, now in seclusion.
And finally.
"World Tree proxy candidate? No—Triana Bell Trigrad, proxy of the Great Forest."
With each name I mentioned, gloom settled deeper on their faces.
"Even excluding these top talents among cadets, the average incoming freshman's level is undeniably high. Way beyond what you can handle."
Since it's relative evaluation, higher competition makes high scores harder.
And they'd unluckily overlapped with an exceptionally strong freshman class—their futures were bleak.
"Meanwhile, you have one month left."
I flipped through the documents.
"I won't handle theory. My subject is practical combat."
I calmly tapped the blackboard behind me.
"Everyone, come out."
I trudged powerlessly to the training ground outside the classroom and handed each a sturdy real sword.
"Real swords?"
"Aren't we using wooden ones?"
"Wooden ones..."
I chuckled.
"Let me be honest."
I snapped my fingers, blocking surrounding sounds.
"When you first entered, your aptitude tests were all marked 'talented' across the board. Useless."
Dropping formal speech, I mocked them.
"Talent? That half-baked crap you have is a dime a dozen. Professor Rommel must've lied to give you a chance. I'm not the nurturing type. Especially annoying to handle failures like you."
Luna stretched lightly, loosening up.
"Got complaints? Then show me how worthless that 'talent' is. Touch Luna's clothes or lift both her feet off the ground—just one of you—and I'll take back my words and apologize."
"..."
"Still mad? Fine, I won't use aura either."
"Aren't you underestimating us too much?!"
"Look at these deluded kids. Professor Rommel told you not to give up because you have talent, huh."
I leaned back against a nearby chair, crossing my legs arrogantly.
"Who do you think you are? You're nothing. So don't waste my time—come at us all you want, then get lost. Only then can I teach promising cadets."
Simple anger turned to deep hostility. Now, even killing intent.
"Even if I die here. I won't forgive you."
Their auras boiled over.
Luna, maintaining her utter calm, beckoned with a finger.
"Come at me. You worthless rejects."
"Raaahhh!!!!"
The first was a sword-wielding cadet.
Meanwhile, I quickly scribbled on the board in my hand.
Basics are solid. Traces of effort, but fundamentally flawed methods.
Spotting true worth is simple.
Put them in extreme situations.
Half-given-up from resignation, would they even show their real skills?
I didn't miss a single movement from all ten.
If Professor Rommel called them talented, they were likely just lost. Without real talent, they wouldn't have lasted years.