Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Advanced and Basic
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Professor Hott stood with his mouth agape for a long time, a look that didn't suit his cold impression.
What that sponsored student had just shown was a move that should only appear in the first form of the middle section of the Imperial Sound Lock Sword, the Countercurrent Strike.
"He couldn't have learned the Imperial Sound Lock Sword beforehand, so did he instinctively grasp the next stage?"
It wasn't even the very next form; he had skipped three entire stages.
This wasn't a barrier that could be overcome just by perfectly mimicking the assistant's movements.
Honestly, how could someone replicate a sword technique without even seeing it?
Erich Hott suddenly recalled his own training process.
But the more he mulled it over, the more he found himself shaking his head.
No matter how he thought about it, there was no answer.
One thing was certain: the sponsored student possessed an overwhelmingly superior talent.
"A genius… Dean Klebitz told me to keep a close eye on him. This one is something else."
Occasionally, such beings existed.
Individuals who displayed transcendent abilities despite receiving no formal training.
Of course, such people either appeared only in history books or had already built legendary reputations.
For instance, the Four Stars Beyond the Heavens, or the Seven Monstrous Evils.
But for the son of a merchant, who reeked of being a novice, to possess such an unparalleled talent seemed a bit contradictory.
Usually, such individuals showed their promise from a young age.
"It's impossible he wouldn't be known by that age. What's his name?"
"Ray Carter. He's a sponsored stud—"
"I know the basics about him, that's enough."
"Yes, sir."
Professor Hott gazed intently at Ray for a while.
Duels were breaking out simultaneously in each group, but he seemed to have little interest in any of the others.
* * *
"An interesting fellow, isn't he? A sponsored student, you say?"
Ellington was staring intently at Ray, who had just finished his duel.
His unrivaled performance, nearly defeating the assistant, made it impossible not to watch him.
Even to the third prince, who had little interest in swordsmanship, the sponsored student's potential seemed considerable.
A mere beginner had almost brought down an assistant instructor.
At that, Adel, who sat gracefully beside him, tucked her bright golden hair behind her ear and spoke.
"Yes, that's what I've heard."
"Then it should be easy to bring him over to our side."
"Shall I give it a try?"
"Let's not be too obvious about it. The other side won't be able to make an open recruitment attempt anyway."
Ellington gestured with his chin toward Franz, who wore an uncomfortable expression.
The second prince's faction was clearly filled with a large number of children from the empire's central nobility.
Their sense of privilege was so strong it could put most royalty to shame.
And to bring a mere sponsored student into their inner circle?
Even if they didn't show it outwardly, there was bound to be resistance beneath the surface.
In that respect, the third prince was able to recruit from a wider pool of talent.
Though his faction was still smaller than Franz's, it was judged to have great potential.
"He feels familiar somehow…"
"What did you just say?"
Hearing the soft murmur beside him, Ellington quickly turned his head and asked.
In response, Sophia, the only daughter of Marquis Pennant, a lord from the eastern part of the empire, answered while staring at Ray.
"Ah, it's just that he resembles someone I know."
"And who might that be?"
"You may have heard the news about the discovery of the Eastern Conqueror's tomb a while ago."
"I have."
"The treasure hunter who led the dungeon raid at that time… Ah, no. It can't be."
Sophia stopped her explanation mid-sentence and shook her head.
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't the same person.
The name was common enough; there could easily be others with the same name.
Besides, their faces were completely different, weren't they?
Only their overall aura was similar.
"My apologies for the idle talk."
"It's fine. It happens. Let's see if there's anyone else worth watching."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Most of the major established powers had already chosen their sides.
To overcome his current slight disadvantage, he needed to recruit individuals who would grow significantly in the future.
Ellington was trying to find that solution among the lower-tier sponsored and recommended students.
Franz, on the other hand, was focused on recruiting the children of provincial nobles, who made up the middle tier.
The future would reveal whose choice was the right one.
Meanwhile, there was another person who, like Sophia, had doubts about Ray.
"His name is… Ray?"
It was Isabel, who had enrolled as a direct descendant of the Rantzverger family.
With a slightly displeased expression, she glared openly at Ray as he returned to his seat.
But no matter how hard she stared, she couldn't conjure the image of her detestable younger brother who was so far ahead of her.
She didn't want to admit it, but he was an incredibly handsome fellow.
Of course, someone of Ray's caliber would be able to use the Seven-Joint Face-Changing Technique freely.
However, Isabel clicked her tongue and looked away.
"Is there any reason for him to hide his identity to enroll here?"
She couldn't think of any reason he would forsake the advantages of being a direct heir to enroll.
It seemed she couldn't even dream that the sponsored student was the real Ray.
* * *
The first day of swordsmanship class ended up being nothing but duels.
Since the same class was scheduled for the next day, the students gathered in the training yard first thing in the morning.
Perhaps because of yesterday's duels, some of them looked pale.
Among them were students suffering from muscle soreness.
It was a natural outcome, considering that people who hadn't even properly learned the sword had engaged in intense duels.
Of course, I sat among the students with a placid expression.
'Is there any need to act anymore?'
Professor Hott and his assistants, as well as the princes, already had their eyes on me.
Pretending to be struggling would only look strange and have no real effect.
Since it had come to this, I decided to just show my abilities from the very beginning.
'Isn't it only natural to choose the side that offers the best terms?'
I was holding off on making a decision.
Both princes had their own outstanding abilities and charms.
They were both talented enough that it wouldn't be strange for either to become emperor, so I planned to watch a bit longer before offering my support.
If I weighed my options carefully, I might gain even more.
Mission aside, I need to get something out of this to feel motivated, right?
"Alright, let's begin class."
As I sat there feeling the subtle stares, Erich Hott stepped onto the training ground and threw out a blunt remark.
At his words, the students, who had been slightly slouched, straightened up.
They instinctively realized that the results of yesterday's duels were about to be announced.
Professor Hott scanned the assembled students and continued.
"It's obvious that the students' skill levels vary greatly. However, with enough effort, it's possible to overcome those barriers. As a stepping stone for your growth, Venderford will provide aura techniques and sword arts that have been dormant in the imperial archives."
"…!"
The declaration far exceeded their expectations, and the students began to murmur amongst themselves.
The imperial archives, aura techniques, and sword arts.
The shock delivered by these three phrases was simply too intense.
Even the princes looked quite surprised at the mention of secret arts from the imperial archives.
After all, that place was the empire's greatest treasury, a place difficult to access even for the crown prince.
"However! There are several hurdles to passing these on. The most difficult is the vast difference in your skill levels. Therefore, we have no choice but to divide you into an advanced class and a basic class."
"…"
As Erich Hott continued, a tense atmosphere settled over the crowd.
For a noble who had received swordsmanship training since childhood, being placed in the basic class was a terrible dishonor.
Conversely, the recommended students were seized by a strange sense of longing.
Getting into the advanced class here meant their skills were acknowledged to a certain degree.
It would also allow the person who recommended them to save face.
Furthermore, their sponsorship would likely continue.
Amidst that peculiar atmosphere, Professor Hott calmly began calling out names.
"Franz, Ellington, Solberg, Camil, Raul, Verbatov, Eric, Fabrice, Ripley, Frixon, Vizolt…"
The names continued to be called, but mine was not among them.
"That is the confirmed list for the advanced class. Everyone else is in the basic class."
With each name called, the students' expressions changed.
In fact, most were nodding as if it were only natural.
"Yes! Advanced class!"
"I don't really mind either way, but this still feels good."
The emotional expressions and small cheers came from those who weren't of noble birth.
Ripley and Frixon, the sponsored and recommended students who had stood out, were among them.
On the other hand, there were also students who were furious.
One was the child of a provincial noble who had practiced swordsmanship for quite some time but failed to distinguish himself in the duels.
"What? Why am I in the basic class?!"
The fellow, his face flushed with anger, started to jump to his feet but then awkwardly sat back down.
The assistants were shooting him looks, warning him not to act rashly, so he quickly backed down.
Moreover, Professor Hott was also glaring at him with a chilling expression.
'I was wondering when one of them would pop up.'
I nodded as if I had expected it.
Now that the class was divided, it was highly likely we would use separate training yards.
Hadn't they built two in anticipation of this very situation?
The first training yard would likely be for the advanced class, and the second for the basic class.
But Erich Hott wasn't finished speaking.
"The sole consideration for dividing the classes was not just swordsmanship level. The stage of one's aura was also a crucial factor."
The students murmured with expectant expressions.
"Come to think of it, Ray Carter wasn't called."
"Wasn't he the only one who almost beat an assistant?"
"It makes no sense for someone with his skill to be left off the advanced class list."
As my name was mentioned somewhere in the crowd, the students' gazes suddenly focused on me.
On top of that, Professor Hott and the assistants were also staring intently at me.
Hey, guys.
This excessive attention is a bit burdensome, you know?
After a moment of silence, Erich Hott singled me out with a question.
"Ray Carter, I'll give you a choice. You may join the advanced class if you wish."