episode_0022

“Ugh… How am I supposed to finish all this by tomorrow…”

“Well, you gotta do it anyway, how many points is it worth?”

“I mean, come on, isn’t the amount of assignments too much since the beginning of the semester?!”

“It’s true, but the teachers are working hard to teach us. It’s better than not doing anything.”

“That’s true… They just want everything to turn out well.”

Several students grumbling after being hit by an assignment bomb. It’s been a while.

Of course, I’m buried under piles of assignments too. It’s overwhelming.

Next week, instead of practicals, we have a simple test, so the schedule is no joke.

Tonight, I’ll have to return to the dorm and finish all these assignments.

Starting this weekend, I’ve decided to pick up a part-time job.

It’s a position I barely snagged as someone quit serving at the usual restaurant.

Whether the boss doesn’t know my reputation or simply doesn’t care, it’s a stroke of luck.

Well, for now, I’m receiving support from the family. But since I plan to break away from them soon, I need to save up funds.

Running away without a plan would be as foolish as it gets.

With incidents at the academy and rumors of divorce circulating on campus, news must have reached the family by now.

Let’s keep going like this. If things continue as they are, it’ll be perfect.

There’s still quite some time until the next event.

Approach it with a relaxed mindset.

“Well then, shall I try to finish today’s assignments?”

The night grows deeper.

…

“My Lord, news has arrived from the academy.”

“I’m aware.”

“I will go and attend to it.”

“Very well. There are separate matters that need my attention right now. You may go back first.”

“Understood.”

With those words, a black shadow resembling a human figure disappears from the Lord’s room.

Exhaling heavily, sitting in a chair, a middle-aged man absentmindedly taps his desk with his hand. Jeron Flame.

As the current Lord of House Flame, he is the insurmountable barrier of lamentation for Bern.

“Sigh… Bern, do you also inherit my bloodline after all? Well, you always had a keen sense from the start, causing problems.”

But there are no issues.

The plan is progressing smoothly without any hitches.

The essential ingredients needed for the plan will soon fall into my hands.

I should have joined forces with Requiem earlier, Jeron Flame thought, his dark hair similar to Bern’s turning increasingly grey with age, losing its former luster.

One of his eyes, like his hair, was gradually losing color, fading into grey.

Yet, such details were inconsequential. The most crucial aspect was the plan he was executing alongside a group of deranged individuals.

Though they were a comical bunch, the man leading them stood out.

While others indulged in murder, kidnapping, and violence for fun, their leader was different.

From the moment they first met, Jeron knew he was of his ilk, yet slightly different.

He saw in him an unfathomable strength accompanied by a visible loneliness, burning solely with the fire of vengeance.

Yes, he seemed like a personification of revenge.

Once hailed as a war hero, even Jeron felt tense in his presence due to his formidable strength and thirst for revenge.

When he first heard about his grand plan, Jeron couldn’t help but burst into laughter out of disbelief.

However, eventually, Jeron became a part of that man’s plan.

Their desires aligned, hence the temporary cooperative relationship. Nothing more, nothing less.

The day to commence the plan is fast approaching.

Ah, yes. Bern… Bern must have caught on by now.

Unlike his other siblings, Bern has always been exceptionally perceptive from a young age.

Perhaps that’s why he played the role of the fool who never succeeded.

It’s irreversible now.

Bern and I have drifted too far apart.

And so, he must have canceled his engagement with Isis.

Bern was a kind person, so he probably didn’t want his fiancée to get involved in this mess.

If it’s that guy Cain, he must be jumping for joy.

Unfortunately, he’s the one taking care of his daughter.

We don’t get along at all.

Well, that’s good. Things are getting interesting.

“……”

I should visit the academy soon.

I don’t really like being manipulated by Bern, but maybe I’ll go along with it once.

….

Time flew by quickly, and the exams were already looming ahead.

Tomorrow, the mock battles would take place instead of practical training.

Ugh, what a headache.

“Bern, what are you thinking? You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said since earlier!”

“Sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“Oh, really? I’ll let it slide this time~.”

“….”

Elin, the girl with pink hair, looked at me with a teasing expression.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I wasn’t completely zoning out.

I was actually thinking about the exam tomorrow.

Due to the cancellation of the practical training by Requiem, a simple mock battle among students was arranged.

A mock battle, an exciting event.

Depending on how well you do here, you could advance to the next grade immediately.

Of course, if you cheat or perform poorly, your reputation may suffer, or worse, you could be demoted.

Since students from similar levels participate in the mock battles, Class A and Class B will compete together.

As a member of Class C, I will battle alongside students from Class D.

The rules for the mock battles are simple.

The battles are one-on-one, and they don’t end until one person retires or surrenders.

Magic can be used as long as it doesn’t cause injury, and only non-lethal weapons are allowed.

The opponents are chosen by drawing lots, so it’s luck of the draw.

Since Class C and Class D are evenly matched, they will proceed with a drawing system.

Anyway, the mock battle tomorrow is going to be a bit of a headache.

It doesn’t bother me, but Elin is the issue.

Judging by Elin’s magical abilities, she is definitely not someone who belongs in Class D.

She has the skills to be in Class B, even Class A.

The magic she used during the previous incident involved very precise manipulation of magical energy.

Being able to use magic for over half a day to thoroughly search the vast mountain indicates her caliber.

Either her mana pool is enormous, or she has incredible control over magical energy to minimize consumption.

But both seem to apply to her.

The spells she used were all of a higher grade. She seemed unaware of it herself.

Apart from the search magic, all the other spells she demonstrated were ones that consumed a tremendous amount of magical energy.

‘They were things I had never seen before.’

Whoever her mentor was, they must have taught her those advanced spells. I’m quite curious about the total amount of magical energy she possesses.

But that’s not the issue. Elin, this kid is not cut out for the mock battles.

She has endured harassment from family and her master for over a year.

Although she seems brighter these days, shadows frequently cross her face.

Her self-esteem is probably already at rock bottom.

It’s hard to recover self-esteem once it’s diminished.

She keeps saying, “I’m sorry… Did I do something wrong…?” but she’s said enough.

If you ask someone with severely low self-esteem to participate in a mock battle, they will definitely back out.

I can’t think of a way to boost her self-esteem right now, which is why it’s even more frustrating.

It’s not my problem, but no one would be happy if a friend loses or withdraws from the mock battles, right?

Elin is a friend who could easily move up to Class A.

However, can she win in the duel?

Winning in a duel isn’t just about casting magic well.

Instant judgment and cognitive ability, in other words, quick wit, are crucial.

If the opponent is a warrior, you might as well unleash high-powered magic from the start, but even that won’t work on skilled individuals.

Moreover, this is an academy. Even if it’s Class D, they’re still elites.

And it’s uncertain whether the kind-hearted girl can attack her opponent and force them to retire.

Although it hasn’t been long since she arrived, judging by her actions, she might even think, “Can I attack people?” and consider withdrawing.

Or she might say, “Can I win in the duel? Me?”

She was the one who said with a self-deprecating voice that she made many mistakes on the entrance exam and got assigned to Class D.

Her self-esteem is at rock bottom.

So maybe she lost confidence in her magic.

That’s probably why she only avoided using offensive magic during practice.

Ugh, what should I do? I wish Elin could have been promoted to Class C.

I also had times when I wondered how to boost my self-esteem.

On the day of the duel, I realized all my worries were unfounded.

Elin, who faced another student from Class D, forced her opponent to retire as soon as the exam began.

She blew the opponent out of the arena with high-powered magic from the start.

After coolly defeating her opponent, she looked at me, gave a thumbs up, and flashed a smile.

How did she know my location? Anyway, everything turned out fine.

Ugh, it was all unnecessary worry.

It wasn’t because of the exam; then why was I feeling that way?

Now it doesn’t matter anymore.

Since I passed the exam safely, now I need to focus on the upcoming duel.

It’ll be my turn soon.

My opponent is a student from Class C-1.

With fiery red hair burning like flames and emerald green eyes, she had a striking appearance.

And she possessed a beauty comparable to Alicia or Elin.

She is a mage who uses fire-based magic like me.

Her name is Lucy, a commoner.

Her personality is as fiery as her hair color, but deep down, she’s a gentle friend.

However, she seems quite competitive, so she might be a rather troublesome opponent.

But of all people to face, why did it have to be another fire mage…

Should I aim for a big hit or go for a sword fight?

As I contemplate my strategy, my turn approaches.

“C-1 Class Lucy, C-2 Class Bern Flame, please enter the arena according to the instructions.”

Finally, the moment has come.

Depending on the evaluation here, my promotion will be decided. Let’s do our best.

The duel begins now.