Chapter 14
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Money Line (2)
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Oval personally rode in the carriage for Dians sake.
He offered a steaming teacup and said,
This is tea brewed from Triangl fruit. Please, have a taste.
Triangl? Isnt that a rather precious ingredient?
It was versatile enough to be used not just as a spice but also as a base for perfumes.
On top of that, it was hard to obtain, commanding a high price.
For reference, it was also excellent for skin care.
If Roin saw this, hed probably threaten to take everything I had right then and there.
Triangl tea was something not even given to just any esteemed guest.
But Dian was a guest worth that much.
Youve done so much for our swordsmanship academy, Sir Dian. How could I not treat you to something like this? Hahaha!
There was only one reason Dian spared no expense in investing a considerable sum in Loud Swordsmanship Academy.
It was his alma mater.
It was here that Dian had met Rodri, his lifelong benefactor.
And today.
He had met Rodri once more in this very place.
No, not Rodri anymore. He told me to call him Roin.
After savoring a sip of the Triangl tea,
he carefully set it down and opened his mouth.
How are this years 159th class doing?
Weve got quite a few promising talents this time. Youd be surprised, Sir Dian. Do you know who enrolled? None other than the fourth son of the Tayla family!
The famous swordsmanship house, the fourth son of the Tayla family.
Jerka Tayla had enrolled.
Hearing that, Dian thought to himself,
Theres someone even more surprising than Jerka. Looks like he doesnt know yet.
What reaction would the headmaster have if he learned Rodri had reenrolled in the swordsmanship academy?
He suddenly grew curious.
But Dian decided to suppress that curiosity as much as possible.
Roin told me not to talk about him at all.
He didnt want any unnecessary meddling.
That was Roins stance.
Roin always said the same thing to Dian.
Dont stick your nose where it doesnt belong.
Ahem!
After clearing his throat, the itch in his mouth subsided somewhat.
I see. Well, if you say so, Headmaster, Ill have high expectations for the 159th class.
This 159th class will probably go down as the golden generation. Hahaha!
Of course it would. How could it not?
With Rodri there, itd be weirder if it didnt.
So, heres the thing
Dian slyly smiled as he spoke.
Right after Dian left the swordsmanship academy.
Lepid came looking for Roin.
Roin Leyden. A gift from the headmaster.
Roin took the envelope.
It was something completely unexpected.
Whats this?
A pass for going out.
I already got one last time, as I recall.
Not that one. The headmaster said to give you an extra one.
The moment he heard that.
Roin thought of one person.
Dian, that guy.
Hed told him to stay quiet.
It wasnt a bad gift, but it still left a nagging feeling he couldnt shake.
Three months had passed since the 159th class enrolled in the swordsmanship academy.
It was about time to start comrade squad training.
Roin decided to form a squad with Remina and Drake.
On top of that, he recruited Mering, who hed synced with during the entrance exams tactical golem event.
Mering looked deeply grateful as he said,
I was in a bind with no nobles willing to take me. Thank you so much!
Mering thought it was because Drake or Remina had recommended him.
But the two pointed at Roin, who stood there with a blank expression.
It wasnt us.
Were taking you because Roin recommended you, so thank him if you want to.
R-Really?
It was unexpected.
Roin had shown zero interest in putting together the comrade squad roster.
Hed assumed it was definitely thanks to Remina and Drake.
I never imagined Lord Roin would recommend me. Thank you, Lord Roin!
No need to thank me. I just said to bring you on because youve got skills.
To pass the junior knight exam in one go, they needed teamwork and teammates with high combat ability.
Mering was a commoner.
A commoner like Mering would follow Roins orders better than some of the haughty nobles.
Even among the same class, the status gap between noble and commoner was clear.
And hes got decent talent.
Roin didnt show it, but Mering had considerable talent.
Almost no one had noticed yet, but among the people Roin had seen from his Rodri days to now, he ranked as worth keeping an eye on.
When all else was equal, pick the red skirt.
Remina started twirling her pen.
With Mering, that makes four. Who for the last one? Anyone you recommend?
Drake shook his head.
I dont have anyone Roin?
Hmm.
None of these mere apprentice knights had skills that caught Roins eye.
In Roins view, they were all sorely lacking.
Even Jerka Taylas squad, which was topping the 159th class charts.
That was when.
Mering cautiously spoke up.
Um if its okay, could I recommend my roommate?
Roommate? Another commoner special admission?
Drakes sharp words left Mering visibly flustered.
B-But hes really skilled. You can trust me.
They were already worried about taking one special admission commoner.
Now adding another? Drake wasnt happy.
Remina asked Roins opinion.
Roin. What do you think?
Roin didnt care if it was noble or commoner.
For similar reasons to Mering, another special admission commoner might even be better.
Mering.
Yes, Lord Roin.
You said hes skilled. Can you take responsibility for that?
Yes. I can. Hes way stronger than me.
Mering had solid talent in swordsmanship himself.
If he was even better than that
Roins curiosity began to stir.
Then bring him here.
Yes, sir!
Mering shot up from his seat and hurried off.
Drake looked horrified as he asked,
Whatre you doing? Youre not seriously taking him, are you?
No.
But first, this roommate of Merings had a hurdle to clear.
Lets have an interview.
Cleng, the 159th class special admission commoner who shared a room with Mering.
At just eleven years old, he already had a sturdy build.
Cleng bowed deeply to Roin, Remina, and the still-bored-looking Drake.
Im Cleng. Thank you for the opportunity.
His voice was fairly deep too.
Looking at the surprisingly mature Cleng for his age, Roin asked,
You work out, huh?
Yes. Building muscle has been a hobby since I was little.
Come closer.
Cleng decided to follow Roins instructions first.
Roin reached out and felt Clengs arm and thigh muscles.
Solid.
Building muscle like this at a young age wasnt easy.
Whats your main weapon?
A sabre.
Also called a saber, it was a representative one-handed sword in the curved blade form.
The sabre Cleng used was half-curved.
The type mainly used for slashing.
Looking at Clengs sword, Roin muttered to himself.
Not a greatsword lineage like the longsword.
Most buff warriors like this preferred greatswords, leveraging their strength. They had good reach and were advantageous in power-based fights.
So Clengs answer was a bit surprising.
There was a reason Cleng used a sabre.
This worn-out sabre was the only weapon I could afford with the money I had. So I mainly use this.
It wasnt that the sabre fit him perfectly.
He was broke.
A simple, realistic reason.
If it fits your hand well, whatever.
Later on, his main weapon might change.
These were still apprentice knights with open potential.
The moment Roin finished speaking, Remina, whod been waiting, asked,
Howre we doing the interview? Any questions?
Questions are done. Just finished.
Then? Hiring him?
One more test.
Roin held out his hand to Drake.
Drake, who had no idea what he meant, just tilted his head.
Why?
Gimme that.
What?
The thing you were playing with last night.
Oh, that?
Drake had a toy hed had even before enrolling in the swordsmanship academy.
A small, squishy ball that fit in one hand, with excellent bounciness.
He played with it whenever he was bored.
He handed it over from his pocket.
Whatre you gonna do with that?
What Roin planned to do.
Drake couldnt figure it out at all.
Neither could Remina, Mering, or Cleng.
After fiddling with the ball a few times, Roin said to Cleng,
Im gonna throw this ball at you now. Block it, and youre on our team.
Just block it?
Yeah. Bare hands, sabre, whatever. That beat-up sabre wont cut this ball anyway.
You could if you infused it with mana.
Using the so-called sword aura skill.
But no apprentice knight besides Roin could use sword aura.
Bounce the ball away.
Not a hard mission.
Got it. Ill give it a try.
Good.
Just in case, Roin warned the others to stay back.
Cleng had already drawn his sabre.
His eyes were fixed on the ball in Roins right hand.
Ready?
Yes. Start anytime.
Good.
Unlike Cleng, who looked tense, Roins expression hadnt changed since earlier.
He gripped the ball and threw it with all his might.
But.
The direction was off.
The ball flew quickly over Clengs head.
?
Cleng panicked at the unexpected trajectory.
Just as he was about to say maybe it was a bad throw,
Thwack!
A strange sound hit Clengs ears.
Only then did Cleng remember.
The balls bounciness.
The ball that hit the ceiling corner bounced back, aiming straight for Clengs occiput.
Oh nohe swung his sword,
Thud!
But the ball slammed right into Clengs face.
With one hit, Cleng passed out and collapsed.
Cl-Cleng!
His roommate Mering checked on the fallen Cleng.
Roin told Mering not to worry.
Hes fine. Not dead. Just knocked out.
R-Really?
And when Cleng wakes up, tell him this.
Roin gave a faint smile as he said,
Congrats on joining our team.
Huh? But
Didnt he fail the test?
Thats what Mering thought.
But Roin had known it would go like this from the start.
Hed wanted to see just one thing.
Reacting to the ball I threw is skill enough.
Roin turned to Remina.
That guys okay for the team, right?
Remina nodded curtly.
Fine by me.
And so, Clengs joining was all but decided.
In the midst of it, Drake muttered very quietly to himself.
My opinion
He was still treated like lukewarm leftovers.
Maybe even more than Mering or Cleng.