Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Visiting Students (2)
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I continued my unstoppable winning streak.
After thoroughly beating the A-rank score dispensers, my ranking had already shot up into the thirties.
The man in the black suit whistled, as if proud of my performance.
When I narrowed my eyes in disapproval, he responded with an awkward laugh.
“...”
Why is he so annoying?
He seems to acknowledge me, but it feels a bit strange.
Should I take him on?
I might even win easily now.
Well, it wasn't something I could actually do.
Despite his appearance, the man in the black suit was actually quite helpful.
He was like a faculty NPC who let me check my rank instantly and answered any questions I had...
I wonder how he'll react if I become the master of the Holy Sword.
In any case, to get that chance, I needed to become a Hero candidate again.
I was scheduled to become the top of A-rank soon.
At this rate, I should be able to reach it in time.
While searching for new prey, a group of students came swarming over.
Huh? What is this?
The atmosphere was quite grim, as if they had made some firm resolution.
Ah, my trauma is about to resurface!
It was obvious they were here for me.
‘It's not like I have no idea why...’
Hmm, I did stir up a lot of trouble.
I'd been one-sidedly bullying the A-ranks to raise my ranking.
Without realizing it, I'd become the main culprit in destroying the ecosystem.
They didn't show it in front of me, but their dissatisfaction might have been piling up.
But still, isn't this a bit much?
I could handle three or four of them somehow, but there were well over ten.
How am I supposed to get through this crisis?
There wouldn't be any bloodshed, but it was still a difficult situation.
No, wait a minute...
Looking closely, they were almost all familiar faces.
Students from A-rank with outstanding potential.
I had recommended them to Hector, the family knight, for recruitment.
Now everything made sense.
Serving the Crodain family is the same as serving me, the future family head.
In other words, it seems they want to talk to me directly before deciding.
With their futures on the line, it was only natural for them to be so serious...
“Yes, I’ve been waiting for you.”
I tried to speak normally.
But perhaps due to my inherent dignity, they showed signs of caution.
“I knew you would come at some point. I’ll answer anything.”
“...”
The students glanced at each other.
A moment later, a male student stepped forward.
“We received an offer from the Crodain family. We think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, we’re curious about your thoughts...”
“I welcome you with open arms.”
“Really?”
“I was the one who recommended you, so it's only right that I take responsibility.”
“───??”
As if they hadn't expected it at all, their eyes widened in unison.
“I will guarantee the best treatment. If I see you working hard, I might even provide you with dwarven weapons.”
“───!!”
This time, they were all astonished.
It was understandable, as dwarven weapons were incredibly valuable.
Even a high-salaried knight would fall short after saving for a lifetime.
How about that? Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?
It seems they had already made up their minds, but this would surely seal the deal.
“No, it’s not that we were hoping for something like that, but...”
“Indeed... such generosity, befitting the heir of a great family.”
“I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll endure any harsh training!”
The students' faces lit up with joy.
Some even shouted they would dedicate their lives to the Crodain family.
Everything is going as expected.
I can control their emotions!
The flow was so good it could be described that way.
A moment later, a timid-looking female student shyly raised her hand.
“I think I’m still far too lacking... Will that be okay?”
She was barely maintaining a rank in the top 100.
Students in a similar position nodded in agreement.
Nonsense.
The strength of an A-rank was comparable to an active knight.
With some real combat experience, they would surely pull their own weight.
It wasn't that they didn't know this.
The competition was so fierce that they seemed to have lost their confidence.
“Trust my judgment. Your potential is exceptionally high. Excluding the Hero candidates, I am certain you are the best.”
“───!!”
Perhaps it was because they felt the weight of my words.
They fell silent, basking in the afterglow, as if to say they were deeply moved.
A moment later.
Julian, whom I had met in the B-rank tournament finals, opened his mouth.
“Why did you recommend me? I was trying to defeat you...”
Though he ended up getting thoroughly beaten instead.
That doesn't just make it go away, does it? I don't understand!
He seemed anxious, as if thinking along those lines.
It's fine. This big brother has a heart as wide as the ocean!
“A mistake of that level is not worth worrying about.”
“You’ll forgive me, even though I was part of Cedric’s faction?”
A needless worry. That's precisely why I recommended you.
How would Cedric feel if I made Julian my man?
It's like having a loyal subordinate stolen from you; few things are more infuriating.
“Your actions at the time were certainly wrong, but they weren't something to be condemned as evil. Therefore, there is nothing to forgive.”
“Hmm...”
“You’re mistaken about something from the start.”
“Mistaken about what?”
“I don’t hate Cedric.”
“───??”
“We may not be able to be close friends, but he is still a talent who, as a Hero candidate, must face the Demon King's army alongside us. It would be best to maintain as amicable a relationship as possible. That is my stance, at least.”
“I see... I thought I knew a fair bit about you, but you’re more than I imagined.”
Wow, is this the dignity of a noble?
I almost feel bad for comparing him to Cedric!
They seemed to be expressing their respect in that manner.
The other students, perhaps influenced by this, also looked greatly relieved.
“I couldn’t believe it, but it’s really true...”
“It’s finally certain. We can entrust our fates to him.”
“No, he should have gathered us and told us this sooner.”
“Right. His indifferent attitude made me worry for nothing.”
“Maybe he was conscious of the eyes around us?”
“True, with this many people, the existing factions would have no choice but to be wary...”
“He must have calculated even that. It’s truly amazing. Is it even possible for a person to be this perfect?”
“...”
They were spinning their own wild, almost delusional, fantasies.
It seemed to be because of my inherent dignity, but the reality was a bit different.
Sorry. I was so busy I completely forgot!
I couldn't bring myself to say such a thing, not even if I died and came back to life.
It would be fine to let them continue their misunderstanding, but I still had to say what needed to be said.
“Let's get this straight. I only recommended you. The subsequent process is for the family to handle. Of course, I'll start paying a little more attention from now on, but as you know, my situation is a bit ambiguous.”
Regaining my former strength is the priority.
I need to become a Hero candidate again to stand tall.
Until then, I won't have enough time to look after you, so I hope you understand.
“Ah, I see what you mean.”
“Hmm, we were too shortsighted.”
“That’s right. Your getting stronger is more important than anything else.”
“We know you’ll achieve something great. We’ll be waiting.”
Sincerity always gets through.
With this, things ended on a perfectly heartwarming note.
Just then, the man in the black suit, who had been watching us the whole time, did something bizarre.
He took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his moist eyes.
The children I raised have grown up so splendidly.
The sight of friendship blossoming is always so moving!
He looked at us proudly, as if thinking those things.
Huh? What in the world?
It was a completely self-serving interpretation.
It was a pity I couldn't punish him based on suspicion alone.
Anyway.
I said my goodbyes to each of the students who would become my subordinates and we parted ways.
When I have the time, I'll teach them swordsmanship.
I'll handle the bosses, but I can probably leave the small fry to them.
* * *
The students watched Jace’s back until he was out of sight.
The impression he left behind did not fade easily.
“How can he be so perfect?”
“The more I see him, the more charming he is!”
It wouldn't have been strange for him to treat them as inferiors.
Instead, he had shown them nothing but respect.
“Looking at him again, his character is on another level.”
“He’ll become a Hero candidate again soon, right? I’ll have to pledge my loyalty then.”
They could trust and serve Jace.
That thought arose in all of their minds.
“He didn’t ask for anything from us.”
“If anything, he seemed sorry that he couldn’t do more for us.”
Despite being in a much more advantageous position, his words and actions were righteous.
Consideration for the weak was ingrained in his very being.
“I could feel his sincerity.”
“Until recently, his dantian was broken and he hit rock bottom. I think that experience made him even more humble.”
“That may be, but the speed at which he’s regaining his strength is incredible, isn’t it?”
“Well, he must have worked that hard. We should strive to do better too.”
He grew stronger with each passing day.
The saying, ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent,’ suited him perfectly.
He possessed outstanding qualities.
And despite that, a passion for silently striving forward.
Jace was bound to be an object of envy and admiration.
Compared to him, what about Cedric?
Unlike someone else, he was authoritarian and sinister.
It was the typical behavior of a noble, so it wasn't surprising.
But that was precisely why Jace’s actions stood out even more.
The other Hero candidates were the same.
They were busy forming factions and looking out for their own interests.
Or they were so individualistic that it was difficult to even approach them.
A sudden question came to mind.
Who could possibly control those selfish and stubborn powerhouses?
A clear answer immediately surfaced.
Without Jace, it would be next to impossible.
Of course, it would be difficult right now.
But it was a problem that would naturally be solved if he became the Hero.
Please let it be so...
Julian and the other students prayed earnestly in their hearts.
* * *
Cedric’s face crumpled into a scowl.
Anger surged within him at the unrest among his followers.
A dozen or so A-ranks had gone to see Jace.
They were making a fuss about it, showing their anxiety.
It wasn't a large number of people.
But since they were all A-ranks, their strength alone surpassed his own forces.
“He’s definitely created a faction.”
“He was already formidable on his own, and now he has followers.”
“That’s not all. Haven’t three or four Hero candidates been supporting Jace since before?”
At this point, the tide had clearly turned.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could see it.
They hadn't said it out loud, but a few had already left the faction.
What should I do now?
Should I get out of here quickly too?
It was a situation where such thoughts were inevitable.
It might have been different if Cedric, the leader of the faction, was doing well.
But far from improving, his momentum was actually declining.
The results of the recent tournament alone made it obvious.
Until now, he had at least managed to place in the middle, but this time, he couldn't even do that.
At the very least, he should have presented a clear vision.
But Cedric only grew more eccentric with time.
“You useless pieces of trash... you’re noisy, so all of you, get the hell out!”
“...”
His harsh outburst.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room froze solid.
As everyone held their breath, his close aides flared up and confronted him.
“Wait. Aren’t your words too harsh?”
“We’re only saying this for your own good... Gack!”
Cedric didn't hold back any longer.
His patience had reached its limit.
A bout of merciless violence followed.
Something he never would have done in the past...
He had fallen so far that he could no longer distinguish right from wrong.
“Do I look like a joke to you too?”
“...”
His eyes filled with killing intent.
Everyone cautiously lowered their gazes.
With his aides knocked unconscious, what could they do?
They could only guess at the cause of this situation inwardly.
It didn't require much thought.
Jace’s existence had clearly fueled his inferiority complex.
It was understandable to some extent.
Jace and Cedric were both heirs to great families.
Because his object of comparison was so outstanding.
It wasn't strange for him to half-lose his mind like this.
However, that didn't justify Cedric's actions.
How could they endure such treatment?
They had stayed out of a sense of loyalty, but now, it didn't seem to matter anymore.
Amidst the increasingly cold atmosphere.
Cedric roared.
“Pathetic fools... get out of my sight at once.”
“...”
With that, everything was decided.
The students turned their backs without a word.
And they were filled with regret.
They realized they had wasted their time until now.
Left alone, Cedric twisted his lips into a sneer.
He had acted on impulse, but he didn't regret it in the slightest.
“I don’t need any weaklings...”
Why did I even create a faction?
At the time, I thought it was the natural thing to do, but it was a grave miscalculation.
“Jace Crodain...”
Cedric gritted his teeth.
I should have built friendships with the Hero candidates like he did.
Then things wouldn’t have come to this.
Still, there was a chance for a comeback.
If I am chosen by the Holy Sword, everything will be resolved.
The authority of the Hero is absolute.
Not only the A-ranks but even the Hero candidates will bow their heads to me.
* * *
The next afternoon.
Another group of students came swarming over.
They were all members of Cedric’s faction.
Now, what is it this time?
They're not really planning to jump me, are they?
Contempt for the weak: On.
Always prepared, that's me.
No one but a Hero candidate can defeat me.
Now that I have an exclusive skill and an exclusive weapon, this much is more than enough...
“We want to join your faction too.”
“───??”
“We’ll do anything you say. Please...”
“...”
Huh? Weren't they here for a fight?
It seems some problem has occurred. I should hear them out first.