Ch.159159. Academy’s Destruction

Gilbert’s final assessment task was to stop a monster wave. Considering how difficult it was to stop a monster wave alone, one could say that luck wasn’t on Gilbert’s side. The assignments were randomly distributed to each cadet, and he had drawn one of the most challenging tasks, so even as a platitude, one couldn’t say he was lucky.

However, from Gilbert’s perspective, the evaluation was somewhat nuanced. While it was true that purely in terms of luck, it wasn’t good, the standard changed when considering that the difficulty was calibrated for cadet level.

Gilbert, who had already mastered the art of piloting God-Machine, had recently achieved the feat of slaying a magical beast Ogre single-handedly. In such circumstances, would stopping a monster wave be difficult for him?

Not at all. He was confident he could stop a monster wave that had been downscaled to cadet level.

In fact, there was a heated debate among the faculty regarding Gilbert. The argument centered on whether it was appropriate to evaluate someone who had already far surpassed the cadet level.

The debate split into two opinions: those who believed he should be evaluated argued that it wouldn’t be right to exclude Gilbert from assessment while he was in the process of proving his Blue Blood; those against evaluation argued that since Gilbert had grown beyond standard parameters, evaluating him alongside other cadets would inevitably disadvantage them.

Both opinions were valid when considered from multiple angles. Since the Academy was both a place for advancement and a venue for nobles to prove their abilities, being next to the exceptionally developed Gilbert would make others appear relatively inferior.

Gilbert’s achievements were that distinctive and unprecedented. If he was already receiving such evaluations based solely on publicly known information, cadets evaluated alongside him would inevitably appear undervalued.

However, the faculty debate ultimately concluded that he should be evaluated. The reason was that being assessed alongside other cadets was natural for an Academy cadet, and this couldn’t be considered disadvantageous or unfair.

Considering the original purpose of establishing the Academy, this was only natural. As an institution aimed at producing outstanding talent, excluding exceptional individuals from evaluation contradicted its founding principles.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, at the center of this debate, was mounted on his God-Machine before the practical assessment. As always, with an expressionless face, he waited for the start of the practical exam, showing no signs of tension despite being tasked with stopping an artificial monster wave.

Yet beneath his impassive expression, a glimpse of worry was visible. His mind was completely filled with the main scenario.

The enemy within the main scenario that began after the written assessment.

Gilbert had deduced from the scenario name that the Resistance was planning another attack on the Academy, but the problem was that he couldn’t determine when it would happen.

Unlike the Sigurd clan’s attack, there was no friendly notification of the attack time, nor was his knowledge from playing Tactical Combat helpful. He thought that since this was reality, it wouldn’t be like a game, and considering how sub-scenarios that never appeared in the game had been forcibly accepted, this was a natural progression.

One fortunate aspect was that because it appeared as a main scenario, he could anticipate their attack. Although he didn’t know the exact timing, considering that the main scenario had begun and that the practical assessment was creating confusion, now—during the ongoing practical assessment—was the opportune time.

While he didn’t like the position of having to be captured by them, just knowing about the attack in advance was a significant gain. At least he could act without panic, which was a considerable advantage.

[Cadet Gilbert. We will now begin the practical assessment.]

Gilbert decided to focus on the practical assessment first. Even if the enemy invasion was a foregone conclusion, he couldn’t neglect his Academy life.

Considering his established reputation, he didn’t need to obsess over grades, but it was better to reduce variables. Since he had once been framed as a delinquent, his reputation could collapse quickly.

If he suddenly faltered after maintaining good grades until now, public opinion could flip like a hand. People loved heroes, but they loved the fall of heroes even more. Nothing stimulated interest like juicy gossip.

Of course, it was a stretch to say that poor Academy grades would lead to his downfall. As a hero of the Empire being used for propaganda, such a minor flaw could easily be overlooked.

However, it would be foolish to throw away the reputation he had painstakingly built. The title of valedictorian of the Academy was an excellent card to play for years to come. There was no reason not to use such a good card when it was available.

[Practical assessment initiated.]

As the announcement sounded and the hangar doors opened, Gilbert gripped the controls smoothly, clearing his mind of all distractions and focusing entirely on piloting the God-Machine.

[Cadet Gilbert! Return immediately!]

Just before the monster wave began, Gilbert frowned at the urgent recall order that was almost a scream. He could feel the desperation in the voice.

“What’s happening?”

[Attack! The Academy is under attack!]

Gilbert gritted his teeth. The enemy’s actions were much faster than he had anticipated.

***

The Academy, filled with the tension of practical assessments, was now filled with explosions and screams of cadets. The cause was a large-scale God-Machine force that had suddenly attacked the Academy.

The scale was different from the previous attack incident involving dozens of machines. Even at a glance, hundreds of God-Machines were conducting indiscriminate bombardment, beginning to destroy everything in sight.

The faculty, who had hurriedly declared a state of emergency, rushed toward the hangar, but there was already a God-Machine unit guarding it. Even for Academy professors, facing modern God-Machines barehanded was impossible.

Recently, Gilbert had a record of cutting a God-Machine in half with just a sword, but that was possible because it was an early version. Modern God-Machines, even standard models, were incomparable in size. Considering the magical armaments they carried, facing a God-Machine barehanded was nothing short of suicide.

Several professors burning with a sense of duty tried to sneak into the hangar by deceiving the God-Machine unit’s eyes, but all failed. Either the attackers’ God-Machines were of good quality or they were equipped with superior detection capabilities.

The pilots of these God-Machines, which appeared to have specs above the Academy’s standard models, tore a captured professor in half, creating an atmosphere of terror. Even the Empire’s top professors were hesitant to act rashly in this situation.

“Damn these bastards! We must somehow board the God-Machines.”

“How? The God-Machines they’re piloting appear to have performance above our Academy models. Rushing out recklessly in this situation would only lead to a dog’s death.”

“So, are you suggesting we just stay here like this? Do you think that’s the best we can do?”

“Of course not! But I’m saying it’s reckless to head straight for the hangar… Didn’t you see earlier? They tore Professor James in half after capturing him.”

“Both of you, please calm down. You’re too excited.”

In the frustrating situation, a small conflict arose among the professors. It was due to their heightened sensitivity from the entanglement of thoughts—the idea that cadets might be dying at this very moment, the future reputation of the Academy, and their own safety—both personal and political considerations.

But knowing that emotional responses wouldn’t solve the problem, the experienced professors skillfully controlled their emotions. Clouded reason would be of no help in overcoming the current situation.

“We need to draw their attention.”

One professor offered an opinion. It was the most reasonable suggestion in the current situation, but becoming bait against God-Machines was no different from going to one’s death. The professors who were about to point this out closed their mouths when they saw the expression of the professor who had made the suggestion.

It was a resolute expression with a glimpse of solemnity. Professors who had experienced the battlefield knew all too well what that expression meant.

“Professor Vincent.”

“It’s alright. I’ve already prepared myself mentally.”

The professors couldn’t say anything to that face.

Are professors not human?

Of course they are. They too feared death and had the desire to live, just like any ordinary human. They were merely trying hard to forget it for the sake of the responsibility and duty they bore.

The professors, perhaps inspired by Professor Vincent, all steeled their eyes and gathered their resolve. Since a colleague had first accepted death with dignity, it was now time for them to make their decision as well.

“Being bait alone won’t buy much time. I’ll join too.”

“Professor Palmer. You should consider your age now. I’ll step forward.”

“I can’t just stand by either.”

The professors smiled for the first time since the attack began and exchanged glances. At this moment, the professors’ hearts united as one. They took a light deep breath and glared at the God-Machines guarding the hangar.

Though they didn’t explicitly say it, they agreed to entrust the rear to whoever managed to reach the hangar.

Professor Vincent, feeling once again the camaraderie he had experienced on the battlefield he had left behind, took the lead. He thought that since the stage was set, it was only right that he should be at the forefront.

“I’ll go on the count of three.”

“Yes, we’ll follow soon, so go ahead.”

The professors, maintaining their humor until the last moment, charged toward the hangar led by Professor Vincent. Not one showed fear of death. Their eyes were fixed solely on the hangar entrance, and they didn’t waver even when the God-Machine reached out to catch them as they emerged.

Even until the moment when the shadow fell upon them from the God-Machine’s hand descending from above, the professors fervently prayed that someone would reach the hangar.

– KWANG!

The professors, facing death, blinked their eyes as they saw the God-Machine that had been reaching for them collapse. Despite the sudden situation, the experienced professors didn’t miss this golden opportunity.

The professors ran, looking only forward. Who had helped them was a matter to be determined later.

Fortunately, the skill of the God-Machine knight helping them was quite excellent, as they didn’t falter even when facing several God-Machines. Thanks to this, the professors were able to reach the hangar.

Panting, they boarded the God-Machines without even taking time to catch their breath. After quickly activating them, they immediately sortied to support the God-Machine that had helped them.

“They’ve already been dealt with.”

But by the time they emerged, all the God-Machines had been handled. God-Machines with shattered limbs or cockpits split in half lay collapsed.

The professors connected a communication channel to the only God-Machine standing with a steel sword.

“Who are you?”

Although it was piloting an Academy standard God-Machine, they still couldn’t distinguish friend from foe in the current situation. Despite being helped, they had to question everything in the current circumstances.

The faculty held their breath, waiting for the God-Machine’s communication. Eventually, a blonde-haired man filled the screen, entering the professors’ view.

Some laughed dryly, some showed relief, some sighed as they looked at the man. And in unison, they called out his name.

“Cadet Gilbert!”

Gilbert Lion Heart, now the pride of the Academy.

It was his appearance.