Chapter 17
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Team Play (3)
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It had been eight months since enrolling at the Loud Swordsmanship Academy.
The 159th class cadets, who had found everything awkward at first.
Now, they were starting to develop a proper stance as swordsmen.
Soon, they would face a major exam.
The Junior Knight exam.
Exactly one year after enrollment, apprentice knights were granted eligibility to take the Junior Knight exam.
It was held once a year.
Passing from apprentice knight to Junior Knight in just one year afterward was quite rare.
Unless one had exceptional talent, it was hard to pass the Junior Knight exam on the first try.
In a single class, if anyone passed, it was usually just one.
Otherwise, it was normal for none to make it.
However.
"This class will have at least two passers."
Edna, the assistant instructor for the 159th class, asked Lepid, who had a cigarette in his mouth.
"What do you think, Senior?"
"You mean those twoJerka and Roin?"
"Yes. The other instructors are predicting the same."
It was understandable.
Including the dungeon mission, Roin had taken first place solo in every test so far.
Jerka was hot on his heels.
The rest lagged far behind.
If anyone else had potential.
"Remina? That girl shows some promise too."
"You mean Remina Whisli?"
"Yeah. She seems to have leadership qualities. Above all, her field of vision is incredibly wide. Her judgment isn't bad either. For her age, having that level of decision-making is no small feat."
That was talent too.
While Roin and Jerka shone purely in swordsmanship, Remina demonstrated consistently above-average skills.
"If three come out like you predict, Senior, the 159th class will go down in history."
"Probably."
There had been exactly one instance of three cadets passing the Junior Knight exam in just one year.
Rodri, Kern Tayla, and Dian.
Those three had been in the same class and claimed the glory of passing together.
There was great anticipation for a return to that golden era.
But not all exams were over yet.
"We still have four months left, so let's not jump to conclusions among ourselves. Instructors and assistants must treat all cadets fairly."
"Yes, Senior."
Complacency breeds accidents.
Like the tactical golem rampage during the entrance exam.
Practical skills were important, but so was cultivating the dignity of a knight.
Dignity was straightforward.
Knightly honor, maintaining decorum, and profound tactical knowledge.
To acquire these, theoretical studies could not be neglected.
The swordsmanship academy held written exams once a month, steadily.
The frequent tests were already wearing the cadets down.
Between exam prep and training.
It was enough to drive anyone mad.
That was why quite a few cadets chose to drop out midway, unable to endure academy life.
As Remina passed through the hallway, she spotted a cadet with head bowed low, crossing the training grounds alongside someone who looked like a butler.
'A dropout, huh.'
Assuming a class started with 100 enrollees, 30 percent dropped out within half a year.
Within a year, another 20 to 30 of the remaining 70 couldn't hack the training and fell behind.
Around 50 percent failed to last even a year.
For all that, Remina had adapted to life here remarkably quickly and well.
Today too, she had gathered her team members.
Drake, Mering, Cleng.
But one was missing.
"Roin?"
Drake was always the one to know Roin's whereabouts.
"About 15 minutes away."
"Why?"
"Said something about having a face pack on or whatever."
"......"
She resolved to get used to these situations by now.
But she still couldn't.
Adapting to academy life was one thing; Roin's eccentricities were another level harder.
Still, thanks to Roin, her team had overtaken Jerka's and solidly held the top score.
But how long could Roin's one-man show last? It was uncertain.
That was why Remina wanted to use this chance to train their teamwork.
Without Roin, though, it was all for naught.
Five needed to move as one.
Missing one dulled the whole point of training.
Remina had only one option.
At this point, such thoughts began creeping in.
'Is having Roin on the team really helpful?'
Roin outright rejected cooperation.
His combat prowess shone in solo fights, sure.
But in team battles, Remina was increasingly realizing his presence could be poison.
Two months later.
The team tournamentthe final test of the Junior Knight examwas finally here.
The tournament would span four weeks.
Weeks 1 and 2: preliminaries.
Week 3: quarterfinals and semifinals.
Week 4: third-place match and finals.
For all teams except Jerka's, the primary goal was this.
Advance past preliminaries!
That secured base points.
Winning the whole thing would be nice, but Jerka's team stood out too much.
Roin's team was no different.
However.
Remina and her other teammates weren't even considering a deep run.
Because of the discord named Roin.
Roin had never properly joined practice once.
Every practice, all he said was.
"I'll handle everything, so just manage your condition."
That was it.
Remina didn't believe even Roin could take on all five opponents alone.
'Overrelying on his own skills could bite him hard later.'
She knew several such cases.
She had even told Roin as much.
But he hadn't listened.
Instead, he'd just said, 'I have a nail appointment, so I'm heading out first.'
'Never met anyone this uncooperative in my life.'
But who was there to blame?
She was the one who had wanted to be on Roin's team.
If she wanted to resent someone, it could only be herself.
The assistants arrived carrying a large box.
Lepid shouted to the cadets.
"Now we'll draw the brackets."
Matchups were pure randomluck, in other words.
Drawing a powerhouse like Jerka's team early meant bad luck.
Drawing weak teams meant good luck.
It all hinged on one person.
"Each team leader, come draw a ball from the box."
The team leader.
Drake, Mering, and Cleng shot Remina looks full of encouragement.
Meanwhile.
Roin was utterly nonchalant.
He acted like facing Jerka's team in the first round wouldn't faze him at all.
Remina sighed deeply once more at the sight.
'Must be nice being so carefree.'
Remina had one goal.
'Avoid Jerka's team at all costs!'
Probably every leader thought the same.
Except Jerka himself.
When Remina's turn came.
She reached into the box.
Out came...
A red ball.
"Group 4."
Fortunately, they dodged Jerka's team.
But she couldn't fully relax.
They were up against a team rated nearly as strong as Jerka's.
Drake offered comfort as Remina returned to her seat.
"You did well. At least it's not the worst. Right?"
"Yeah."
Primary goal achieved.
Now, the task was dragging this matchup luck all the way to the finals.
Once all groups were set.
The matches began the very next day.
They would take place at the special arena right beside the academy building.
Civilians could attend and watch.
Remina's team changed into uniforms symbolizing their group for the match.
"Formation Alpha. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it."
"Understood!"
A patch was affixed to Remina's left wrist.
The moment it fell into enemy hands.
Remina's team lost.
No best-of-three or anything.
Team tournaments were single elimination.
One match decided everything.
That only heightened Remina's anxiety.
"Roin. You good to go?"
Remina eyed Roin, who was lightly tapping his cheek and forehead with his fingers.
Just in case, she checked his condition.
Even before entering the arena, Roin had been lying down with a face pack on.
Roin raised a hand, flashing an OK sign.
The pack prevented talking, so he used gestures instead.
Another deep sigh escaped Remina's lips.
'Really hope he's okay.'
Moments later.
They stepped into the arena for the match.
Their opponents featured Chefman, heir to the bloodline of the senior knights' hero, Renslo.
Chefman entered with a smug grin.
"Roin, right? Been wanting a proper shot at you. Perfect!"
Roin didn't even twitch an eyebrow at the fired-up foe.
Instead.
'What a pain.'
He just wanted to wrap it up quick and go.