Ch.15The Little Prince (2)

The Gallimar Academy’s public training grounds.

The spacious circular arena was buzzing with the passionate energy of students.

Every child’s face was etched with tension.

Gallimar’s schedule was notorious for its intensity.

They were in the midst of the “Class Assignment Test,” known as the first hurdle.

Each student was proving their abilities.

Some for honor, some for reputation, and others for their future.

“Hmm… this year’s class is overflowing with passion too.”

The headmaster watched the exam with a pleased smile.

Though wrinkles had formed with age, his eyes still shone with intelligence.

“What do the other professors think?”

“There seem to be many talented sprouts. Even throughout history, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them ‘the greatest generation.'”

“I agree with Professor Cadel’s assessment.”

“The talents of the continent have all gathered here.”

The faculty members promptly answered the headmaster’s question.

Their evaluations were filled with nothing but praise.

The headmaster nodded with a satisfied expression.

“It’s truly remarkable.”

This year’s top tier was absolutely overwhelming.

From second place to fifteenth—students who would normally have secured the top spot were lined up one after another.

It was an unprecedented windfall for the academy.

“This will further solidify our academy’s reputation.”

The headmaster chuckled quietly. Someone approached the old man’s side.

“While I completely agree with your assessment, Headmaster… there is one concerning matter.”

“Speak your mind, Professor Cadel.”

He was a professor who had been actively voicing his opinions from the beginning.

“There’s no doubt that this year’s students are exceptional.”

“Indeed.”

“However, there seems to be a lot of talk regarding the top-ranked student… quite a bit of gossip circulating.”

The professor spoke as if regretful.

But this was mere pretense.

His lips were twisted into a sneer, and his eyes were fixed on Selena.

It was clearly mockery aimed at her.

“I worry this might cause students to question Gallimar’s reputation.”

“Isn’t this a matter that’s already been settled?”

“I’m merely bringing it to your attention.”

“I remember the conditions regarding Professor Selena’s position. I won’t be changing the terms now.”

Judas Snakus, who entered as the top student.

If he failed to maintain a position in the top 10 during this class assignment test, Selena would be stripped of her position as the head professor.

In other words, she would be demoted to a regular professor.

“So don’t act rashly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Professor Cadel withdrew with an unpleasant smile.

The reactions of the watching faculty were split in two.

One group mocked Selena, while the other gave her sympathetic glances.

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

Everyone predicted Judas’s defeat.

In a way, it was expected.

Although he had made quite an impression during his entrance ceremony speech, the truth was that he fell far short of deserving the top rank.

Selena was backed into a corner.

‘It’s over.’

‘She was talented, if a bit unhinged… what a shame.’

‘Finally, the day has come to bring her down.’

‘They say she’s an alcoholic… I guess her mind’s gone too.’

‘If it were any other student, it might be different, but against Her Highness the Princess…’

The faculty members quietly exchanged glances.

At the center of their attention stood a woman with purple hair.

“……”

Selena stood in a daze.

Though she was clearly in a precarious situation, her demeanor remained unchanged.

Her red eyes rippled calmly.

[Test #7]

[Judas Snakus vs. Sharlotte Little von Staufen]

“So it begins.”

The woman murmured quietly.

Her eyes were fixed on the center of the circular arena. More precisely, on the boy entering it.

His golden hair gleamed in the sunlight.

A battle with seemingly no chance of victory.

Yet the boy was stepping onto the stage with confidence.

***

The class assignment tests were conducted according to a predetermined order.

I was assigned to go seventh.

Considering there were nearly 1,000 new students, with about 100 taking the test on the first day, this was an extremely early slot.

Perhaps that’s why my turn came before I had time to feel bored.

Just 30 minutes ago, I was watching other students’ tests, and now I was standing in their place.

I walked onto the arena with heavy steps.

《Test #7 will begin shortly.》

《Students taking this test, please follow the announcement and move to your positions.》

The announcement rang out rather loudly.

The test format was simple.

Two students of similar levels would duel.

Regardless of the outcome, all aspects would be evaluated and used as a basis for reassigning rankings.

‘I can’t believe my opponent is really Charlotte.’

I smirked.

Was it because an unqualified student took the top spot? The faculty seemed quite upset.

They clearly intended to bring me down.

“I never wanted this position in the first place… this is quite troublesome.”

=I didn’t want to be first. They forced it on me and now they’re making a fuss.

Why did they place me at the top in the first place?

“It’s regrettable.”

=What stupid handling. This is bullshit.

They seem to be expecting me to get crushed.

But unfortunately for them, that wasn’t going to happen this time.

If you plan to use others, you should be prepared to be used in return.

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

While I was pondering this,

My eyes met with the platinum-blonde girl standing opposite me.

“……”

“……”

Ocean-blue eyes.

As we briefly exchanged glances, the announcement suddenly blared again, assaulting my eardrums.

《Examinees, please wait at your designated positions.》

《The test will proceed as a duel. The test ends when one opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》

《Additionally, the test will end if one side forfeits.》

It’s about to begin.

I gather lies at my fingertips. Pitch-black mist covers my arms.

A voice comes from the opposite side.

“I won’t hold back.”

Charlotte was still looking at me with an unreadable expression.

She looked every bit like a young prince. I deliberately responded in a playful tone.

“Her Highness showing her true intentions… how troubling.”

“I’m curious about you.”

“Are you referring to me?”

“You resemble someone. Someone I saw before. I’m not sure if you’re the same person yet, so…”

“So Your Highness wants to test me as well?”

“Yes. I intend to give it my all.”

“Haha, I hope I can live up to your expectations.”

“I look forward to it.”

Charlotte draws her sword from her waist.

The blade emerges smoothly, tracing a clean arc. The polished blade gleams as it reflects the sunlight.

《Ready.》

Not to be outdone, I condense my lies.

The shadows gathering in my palm soon take form, becoming a sword.

We point our blades at each other.

《Begin!》

The test begins after the brief signal.

Charlotte, who had been gathering mana, flexed her arms a few times before leaping forward, kicking off the ground.

Thwack-!

A single explosive sound rang out.

The next moment, Charlotte was right in front of me.

A sword strike without a hint of hesitation. A silver line cuts through the air toward me.

Clang-!

I barely manage to block it.

It was a strike that would have taken down a mediocre student. Charlotte mutters as if she had expected this.

“As I thought, you reacted.”

“I got lucky.”

“Indeed.”

Clang! Clang!! Screech…! Thung!!

The attacks continue fiercely.

Sparks fly each time our swords clash. I take one step back at a time in the face of the storm of sword strikes.

“Ugh…!”

I groan, furrowing my brow.

Of course, I wasn’t really struggling—I was just pretending to have a hard time.

It was part of my plan.

‘Let’s just parry adequately… just adequately.’

My target rank in this class assignment test was none other than the top 10.

I had no intention of going higher or lower.

Higher would be excessive, lower would be insufficient.

My goal in this life was to live inconspicuously and watch the world’s happy ending.

That’s why I had controlled my strength during the entrance exam to achieve a middle-ranking score.

Staying at the top would constantly draw attention.

But if I lost pathetically and my rank plummeted, that would attract attention in its own way.

People would probably say, “See, he was just an inflated top student,” and my reputation would suffer.

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

I grip my sword tightly and continue my act.

The few lies I’ve released into the air make the fight appear more precarious.

Claaang-!

The fierce song of steel continues.

Sparks fly each time our swords clash.

As we continue this intense exchange, the watching students begin to react.

-W-what… he’s fighting better than expected?

-That’s more than just fighting well. He’s continuously blocking Her Highness’s sword…!

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

-Wasn’t he called an inflated top student?

-It’s only because his opponent is Her Highness, but his skills aren’t bad either.

Yes, that’s it.

Please think of me as “Extra #1 who’s not quite worthy of the top spot but is still strong.”

I smile slyly behind the stirring atmosphere.

“Huff, huff…”

“Are you tired?”

“Yes… Your Highness.”

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

Thung-!!

Charlotte, who had been giving me a suspicious look, suddenly pushed hard against my sword, then created distance between us and took a stance.

Her hands held the sword with its tip pointing downward.

“Let’s see if that exhausted appearance is real or just an act.”

Her clear blue eyes flicker.

The mana within her body explodes. The overflowing energy rapidly spreads throughout the girl’s body.

A blue aura swirls around Charlotte.

Whoosh-!

The terrified air begins to tremble.

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

‘No way… using an ultimate technique in a mere class assignment test?’

And against an opponent who’s losing?

I felt bewildered, but Charlotte’s technique arrived faster than my thoughts.

A cold light flashes across her pale eyes.

Her rosy lips recite the activation words.

“Sword, be stained.”

Crash-!

The girl thrusts her sword into the arena floor.

Following the incantation, the sound of steel and stone breaking echoes. It was an exceptionally sharp noise.

The blue aura that had been swirling around her spreads in all directions.

And the next moment.

Rumble-!

Vines made of steel spring from the ground, surrounding the entire circular arena.

The stems intertwine and cut each other.

Thus, a massive landscape is created.

“Haha… isn’t this performance a bit excessive?”

What comes into view is none other than a rose garden.

It was a cradle of steel, where each leaf and petal took the form of a sword.

“I told you. I’d give it my all.”

Charlotte approaches with light steps.

In her hand was a newly plucked longsword from among the foliage.

The look in her eyes as she gazed at me was ominous—it seemed she had no intention of letting me go until I gave her a proper fight.

I reluctantly gripped my sword.

“Haha…”

Losing inconspicuously is quite difficult.