episode_0015

The public training grounds of Galimar Academy.

In the spacious arena, shaped like a circular stadium, the students’ fervent energy was in full swing. Every child’s face was etched with tension.

Galimar’s schedule was notoriously fierce. Among them, the ‘Class Placement Test,’ known as the first hurdle, was underway.

Students were proving their abilities, each in their own way. Some for honor, some for reputation, and still others for their future.

“Heh heh… This batch is also full of passion.”

The dean, observing the test, smiled contentedly. Although wrinkled with age, his eyes still gleamed with intelligence.

“What do the other professors think?”

“It seems many talented younglings are emerging. Even compared to past generations, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them the ‘best generation’.”

“I also agree with Professor Cadell’s words.”

“All the talents of the continent have gathered here.”

The faculty members responded immediately to the dean’s question. Only evaluations filled with praise followed.

The dean nodded with a satisfied expression. “It truly is astounding.”

The top ranks of this batch were simply overwhelming. From the runner-up to 15th place. Children who, under normal circumstances, would have easily claimed first place were lined up.

From the academy’s perspective, it was an unparalleled blessing.

“This, too, will become the foundation that further solidifies our academy’s reputation.”

The dean quietly chuckled. Someone subtly approached the old man.

“I fully agree with Dean-nim’s words, but… there’s something that bothers me a little.”

“Tell me, Professor Cadell.”

He was a professor who had been actively expressing his opinions.

“There is no doubt that the students in this batch are outstanding.”

“Indeed.”

“However, regarding the top-ranked incoming student… it seems there are many whispers.”

The professor spoke as if regretfully. But this was merely a pretense. The corners of his mouth twisted mockingly, and his eyes were fixed on Selena.

It was clearly a taunt aimed at Selena.

“I am concerned that it might cause students to doubt Galimar’s name.”

“Isn’t that already a settled matter?”

“I am merely stating my concern.”

“I remember the terms regarding Professor Selena’s head professorship. I won’t retract the conditions now.”

Yuda Snakers, who entered as the top student. If he fails to maintain a top 10 rank in this class placement test, Selena’s position as head professor will be revoked. In a word, it meant she would be demoted to a regular professor.

“So, do not act rashly.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

Professor Cadell retreated with an unpleasant smile. The reactions of the watching faculty members were divided into two. One side was the group that mocked Selena, the other was the group that cast sympathetic gazes.

Surprisingly, there were professors who sided with Selena, but even those reactions stemmed from pity.

Everyone was predicting Yuda’s defeat. In a way, it was natural. Although he had shown a rather impressive display during the entrance ceremony speech, it was true that he was far from deserving the title of top student.

Selena was pushed to the brink.

‘It’s over.’

‘Even if she had a screw loose, she was a capable person… It’s a shame.’

‘The day has finally come to drag her down.’

‘They said she was an alcoholic… I guess her mind got messed up too.’

‘If it were any other student, maybe, but since her opponent is Her Imperial Highness the Princess…’

The faculty members quietly cast sidelong glances. At the center of their gazes, stood only the woman with purple hair.

“……”

Selena, lost in thought, seemed blank. She was clearly in a precarious situation, yet her demeanor was no different than usual. Her red eyes calmly rippled.

[The 7th Test] [Yuda Snakers vs. Charlotte Little von Staufen]

“It’s starting.”

The woman muttered quietly. Her eyes were fixed on the center of the arena. More precisely, they were on the boy entering it.

His golden hair shimmered under the beaming sunlight.

A battle with no apparent chance of victory. Nevertheless, the boy was confidently stepping onto the stage.

***

The class placement test was conducted according to a fixed order. My assigned turn was the seventh.

Considering the number of new students this year was close to 1000, and about 100 students were taking the test on the first day, it was a very early turn.

Perhaps that was why. My turn came without much chance to get bored. Just 30 minutes ago, I was watching other students’ tests, but now I was standing in that very spot.

I stepped onto the arena with a trudging gait.

《The 7th test will begin shortly.》 《Students participating in this test, please move according to the announcement.》

The announcement blared somewhat loudly.

The test method was simple. Two students of similar skill levels would spar. Regardless of win or loss, all aspects would serve as the basis for evaluation, and would be used as grounds for reassigning ranks.

‘No way… Charlotte is really my opponent.’

I let out a wry chuckle. Was it because an underqualified student took the top spot? It seemed the faculty was thoroughly vexed. They must intend to drag me down.

“It wasn’t a position I wanted in the first place… This is quite awkward.”

=I didn’t want to be the top student either. They forced it on me, and now they’re making a fuss.

If this was their plan all along, why did they make me the top student?

“It’s truly regrettable.”

=Idiotic handling of affairs. This is bullshit.

It seems they’re expecting me to be thoroughly defeated. Sorry, but this time, there’s no way. If they intended to use others, they should be prepared to be used in return.

‘Not a bad opportunity. I needed a chance to solidify my position anyway…’

As I was pondering this for a moment, my eyes met with the platinum-haired girl standing opposite me.

“……” “……”

Blue eyes resembling the ocean. As our gazes briefly lingered, the sudden blare of the announcement once again grated on my eardrums.

《Participants, please take your respective positions.》 《The test will proceed as a spar. The test ends when one opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》 《Additionally, the test will also end if one side concedes.》

It’s about to begin now.

I gathered the lies at my fingertips. A pitch-black mist covered my arm.

A voice came from the opposite side.

“I won’t go easy on you.”

Charlotte, still looking at me with unreadable eyes. She was every bit the little prince. I deliberately replied in a playful tone.

“For Your Imperial Highness to show your true intentions… This is troublesome.”

“I’m curious about you.”

“Are you speaking of me?”

“You resemble someone. Someone I saw once. I’m not sure if the two of you are the same person yet, so…”

“So, Your Highness intends to test me as well.”

“Yes. I’m going to do my best.”

“Haha, I hope I can live up to Your Highness’s expectations.”

“Please take care of me.”

Charlotte drew a sword from her waist. A smooth, flowing draw. The pristine blade glinted, reflecting the sunlight.

《Prepare.》

Not to be outdone, I condensed the lies. The shadows gathering in my palm soon took shape, and quickly settled into the form of a sword.

We pointed our sword tips at each other.

《Begin!》

Following the brief signal, the test began.

Charlotte, who had been gathering her mana. The girl seemed to lightly shake her arms a few times, then immediately kicked off the ground and leaped.

Thud-!

A single sharp crack echoed. The next moment, Charlotte was right in front of me.

A sword strike delivered without a shred of hesitation. A silver line sliced through the air and came flying.

Clang-!

I barely managed to block it. It was a blow that an average student would have been hit by directly. Charlotte muttered as if she had expected it.

“As expected, you reacted.”

“I was lucky.”

“Indeed.”

Clang! Clang!! Grind…! Thwack!!

The attacks continued fiercely. Sparks flew with every clash of swords. Amidst the storm of swords, I retreated step by step.

“Ugh…!”

I groaned, furrowing my brow. Of course, it wasn’t truly difficult; I was just pretending to struggle. You could say it was a plan I had devised.

‘Just block adequately… just adequately.’

The rank I was aiming for in this class placement test was none other than the top 10. I had no intention of going higher or lower. Higher was too much, lower was not enough. My goal in this life was to live as if I didn’t exist, and watch the world’s happy ending. That was also why I had controlled my power to get a mid-tier score during the initial entrance exam.

If I remained the top student, I would constantly draw attention. But if I lost without any fight and my rank plummeted to the bottom, that would also draw attention in its own way. My reputation would probably be tarnished, with people saying ‘He was just a fake top student after all,’ or something similar.

‘I’m definitely weaker than Charlotte, but… I still need to give the impression that I have potential.’

I continued my act, gripping my sword tightly. The slight lies I had released into the air made the fight appear even more perilous.

Clang-!

The furious song of steel continued. Sparks flew with every clash of our swords.

As the fierce duel continued, reactions slowly began to emerge from the watching students.

-W-what the… he’s fighting better than I thought?

-That’s not just ‘fighting well’. He’s continuously blocking Her Imperial Highness the Princess’s sword…!

-I thought he’d be knocked out by the first attack…

-Didn’t they say he was a fake top student?

-It’s true that his opponent is Her Highness, but his skill isn’t to be underestimated, is it?

Yes, that’s it. Go on, think of me as ‘Extra No. 1, ambiguous as a top student but certainly strong’.

Behind the murmuring atmosphere, I grinned.

“Haaah, haaah……”

“Are you tired?”

“Yes… Your Highness.”

“For someone who’s tired, you’re blocking remarkably well.”

Thwack-!!

Charlotte, who had been looking at me with suspicious eyes for a moment, suddenly pushed back hard against the sword that had been in a struggle of strength, then distanced herself and took a stance. Both hands gripping the sword, its tip pointed downwards.

“Whether that tired look is real or an act… shall we find out?”

Her clear blue eyes blinked. The mana within her body exploded. The overflowing energy rapidly spread throughout the girl’s entire body.

A blue aura swirled around Charlotte.

Whoosh-!

The frightened atmosphere began to tremble.

An overwhelmingly magnificent sight. Knowing what that precursor meant, I couldn’t help but be flustered.

‘No way… she’s using her ultimate skill in just a class placement test?’

And against an opponent she’s winning against?

A sense of bewilderment washed over me, but Charlotte’s technique arrived a step faster. A chilling light flashed in her pale eyes. Her light-red lips murmured the incantation.

“Sword, be dyed.”

Slam-!

The girl plunged the sword she was holding into the arena floor. Immediately after the incantation resonated, the sound of steel and stone rupturing echoed. It was a uniquely sharp noise.

The blue aura that had been swirling extended in all directions.

And the next moment.

Rumble rumble-!

Steel vines sprouted from the ground, encompassing the entire arena. The tendrils interwove and cut through each other. Thus, a single massive landscape was created.

“Haha… isn’t this a bit too much of a performance?”

What came into view was none other than a rose garden. Every leaf and petal was shaped like a sword, a cradle of steel.

“I told you. I’m going to do my best.”

Charlotte approached with light steps. In her hand was a Rose Sword freshly plucked from among the bushes. Her gaze at me was unusual, and it seemed she had no intention of letting me go until I played along.

Crying while eating mustard [doing something reluctantly], I grasped my sword.

“Haha……”

It’s truly difficult to lose subtly.