Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Placement Test
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The Knight Department's classes were divided into advanced and basic sections.
It was a necessary measure, given the wide variation in the students' skill levels.
But there was something in Erich Hoth’s words that sparked a sense of competition.
A feeling that the treatment between the advanced and basic sections would differ.
Whether he would actually do so remained to be seen.
But those who had trained in swordsmanship since childhood would not want to be placed in the basic section.
'Things are heating up right from the start, huh?'
Sure enough, the students vying for the advanced section were throwing wary glances at one another.
Professor Hoth concluded by explaining the simple rules.
"The test is a one-on-one spar with an instructor. However, the use of aura is forbidden. Violating this rule will result in severe penalties, so keep that in mind."
Ten instructors moved among the students, confidently dividing them into groups.
It seemed they had already assessed everyone's skill levels, as they thoroughly separated those who appeared to be strong.
This was a precaution in case an instructor's stamina ran out.
"You, come over here."
A nod.
As an instructor with a neatly trimmed mustache pointed me out, I dusted myself off and stood up.
After being handed a practice sword, I discreetly scanned the faces of my group members.
Seeing no one I recognized, it seemed most of them were donation-based admissions like me.
But one person was clearly a powerhouse.
'The Second Prince.'
The standout figure in the group was the high-flying delinquent, Frantz.
Wait a minute, this is going to be tough for the instructor, isn't it?
They must have thought I was a nobody and placed me in this group.
They wouldn't have put me with Frantz, who's considered one of the strongest students, otherwise.
'Should I just overwhelm him and make a strong impression right from the get-go?'
I had already left a fairly distinct impression at the entrance ceremony.
After all, I was one of the few who had withstood Hol Sivas’s murderous aura.
Of course, many attributed it to my being far away, claiming that was the only reason I could endure it.
If I were to defeat the instructor this time, I could firmly establish myself as a formidable presence.
Of course, doing so might lead to some awkwardness.
'There's no need to make an enemy of the instructor.'
We'll be seeing each other for at least the next four years.
It seemed better to just show off a decent amount of skill rather than needlessly making an enemy.
Opportunities to stand out would come often enough anyway.
"Student Frantz, you're first."
"Yes."
The instructor was clearly upholding the vice-chancellor’s words from the entrance ceremony.
He spoke informally to the Second Prince, the most likely candidate to be the next emperor, without hesitation.
Even though using extremely polite honorifics with high-ranking royalty was basic etiquette.
Surprisingly, Frantz also acknowledged the instructor's authority and stepped forward.
At this sight, everyone’s eyes widened as they exchanged glances.
They clearly hadn't expected to witness such a scene.
'The Emperor must have given an order.'
I instantly grasped Frantz's mindset and nodded slightly.
Venderford was an academy founded under the Emperor's powerful banner.
Causing trouble here would be tantamount to challenging the authority of the imperial family.
No matter that he was a prince, he wouldn't do something so crazy.
After all, it was the Emperor who decided the successor.
'He might look like a delinquent, but he knows how to act. Bonus points for him.'
I mentally raised my assessment of Frantz a little and watched the spar.
"Are you ready?"
"I am."
A peculiar tension flowed between the Second Prince and the instructor.
His origins were unknown, but his opponent was undoubtedly a distinguished talent from one of the Empire's three great knight orders.
Even for Frantz, who had diligently trained in swordsmanship since childhood, it would not be easy.
Conversely, the instructor also seemed a bit nervous about crossing swords with a prince.
"…Begin the spar."
Clack. Whoosh!
As the signal was given, the Second Prince launched a fierce opening attack.
It seemed he intended to seize the advantage with a swift, decisive strike.
A choice likely made in consideration of his opponent's skill.
Clang—! Ch-chang!
With the harsh sound of metal clashing, flashes of sword light danced between the two.
Frantz’s gambit paid off.
The instructor, having parried the attack poorly, staggered for a moment.
With the very first spar being so thrilling, the students' gazes all turned to our group.
'Did he plan this?'
If the Second Prince's intention was to draw everyone's attention, it was a resounding success.
None of the other groups had even started their spars yet.
And what a battle it was, reminiscent of a real fight.
It was enough to make the onlookers' blood boil.
Having gained the upper hand, Frantz methodically unleashed his swordsmanship.
But his opponent was a knight whose life revolved around training.
Thanks to being forged in real combat, he easily weathered the Second Prince's fierce assault.
Moreover, the scales of the match were gradually tipping in the other direction.
This was because the instructor would occasionally use a high-level technique to break the flow of the offense.
Kagang—!
It was a single clash, yet for some reason, a series of impact sounds followed.
The instructor's sword moved with uncanny grace, rhythmically striking the middle of Frantz’s blade.
'He's pretty good.'
It looked like a simple, light chop, but I knew immediately.
Just how difficult that kind of sword strike was.
It was a technique that could completely wreck your wrist if used incorrectly, but the instructor executed it with masterful skill.
It seemed to be the fundamental movement of his swordsmanship.
Thrusting as if pushing, and parrying attacks by twisting his arm.
A swordsmanship style as elegant as an orchestra conductor, yet containing formidable power.
It was of a high enough level to pique my interest.
"Stop. That's enough."
"…Hah! Hah!"
Ah, and it was just getting interesting!
Just as I was analyzing the instructor's swordsmanship, the call to stop the spar came.
Frantz evened out his ragged breaths, silently returned to his spot, and collapsed onto the ground.
Then, the murmuring of students drifted to my ears.
My assassin's instinct for information gathering kicked in, and my ears perked up.
"That's the Second Prince for you. Is there anything he can't do?"
"The Empire isn't so lenient as to consider someone a successor just for their bloodline."
"And he's handsome, too, isn't he?"
"If I play my cards right, I might have a shot at becoming the Crown Princess."
"Ha! You?"
"Hey, what's wrong with me!"
I didn't need to listen to the bickering of female students dreaming of becoming the Crown Princess, so I tuned it out.
The Second Prince had already earned a good reputation among the students.
With his handsome looks and swordsmanship skills, it was a natural outcome.
As someone who's also quite handsome, I couldn't help but feel a budding sense of rivalry.
'Ah, should I just reveal my real face?'
The ladies' love is mine, you bastard.
Because I was disguised with an ordinary face for my mission, no one gave me a second glance.
As I was muttering this nonsense to myself and about to look away, the Third Prince's spar was about to begin.
"Student Ellington. Over here."
"…Yes."
Frantz’s strong performance was, in fact, expected.
Hadn't the appendix to the mission directive described the Second Prince's skills quite favorably?
But in Ellington's case, there was no precise description of his level.
It seemed to be because he was a figure who rarely showed himself in public.
'If anything, this one's more intriguing.'
I watched the spar with expectant eyes, wondering how the Third Prince would overcome this challenge.
But surprisingly, Ellington's stance wasn't bad.
'Hoh? Look at this.'
The instructor seemed to think similarly to me, a glint of interest in his eyes.
"Ready, begin!"
Unlike the spar with the Second Prince, this one began with a rather long standoff.
This was because the instructor didn't actively take the offensive.
After all, it was just a placement test for the advanced section; it would be strange to completely crush a student.
Just as the long, drawn-out probing was becoming tedious, the instructor, unable to wait any longer, initiated a formal attack.
Kaang!
And what do you know, Ellington lightly deflected the sword.
His opponent seemed quite surprised by the clean response.
Swish.
The Third Prince straightened his blade and then flicked its tip, as if to say, 'Come at me.'
Coming from a young man with a slight build, it felt incredibly provocative.
The instructor gave a slight nod and immediately unleashed his sharp swordsmanship.
It was the same rhythmic wrist snap seen in the spar with the Second Prince.
Although the wielder was different, the proficiency in the technique seemed similar.
Whoosh! Kagang—! Clatter!
Amidst the wave of successive, chopping strikes, Ellington displayed a unique technique.
'Ooh! Now this is intense.'
The Third Prince's style was to counter the opponent's attacks, create openings, and turn their own strength against them.
That's why he had no choice but to engage in a long probing phase.
Of course, if it were me, I would have mixed in some formal attacks to hide my own strengths.
That way, I could use them as a powerful weapon at a critical moment.
But this wasn't a duel; it was a test.
It was a surprisingly good showing, but the Third Prince also lost the spar as his stamina plummeted after the midpoint.
Naturally, they didn't cross swords until a victor was decided.
"Stop."
"Hoo! Hoo!"
Ellington immediately returned the practice sword and slowly walked back to his spot.
But as he walked, he subtly glanced somewhere.
'He's no pushover either. I'll have to change his nickname.'
Surprisingly, the Third Prince was looking at the Second Prince, who was sitting and resting.
His gaze seemed to ask, 'Are you really proud of something like this?'
It might not have meant exactly that, but at least that's how it felt to me.
Between his swordsmanship style that lured opponents in and other things, he was an interesting character in many ways.
As I was watching Ellington with curious eyes, a shadow suddenly fell over me.
'Hey, which bastard is blocking the warm sunlight? Because of that damn sunless room, I've had to...'
As I furrowed my brow and looked up, my eyes met with the instructor standing before me.
"…What are you doing? Who told you to space out? Get up, now!"
He must have called my name a few times, but I hadn't heard him since I was focused on something else.
It happens.
Jeez, he's so strict.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
I scratched the back of my head and got up from my spot.
When I stood in the sparring area, the students' eyes focused on me.
It was likely because the instructor had just shouted.
Professor Hoth was also watching this way.
I glanced at my opponent and saw his expression was completely stiff.
He seemed a little displeased that I had unintentionally ignored him.
I have a feeling he's going to come at me a bit hard.
'If I don't want to be embarrassed, I might have to show some of my skill.'
I enjoyed the focused gazes and raised my practice sword.