Ch.22Chapter 22. Announcement of the Inter-Grade Competition Events (2)

“Why are you so late?”

Amillion had been waiting endlessly for the students who still hadn’t arrived, even though it seemed like 30 minutes had passed since she’d asked Emily Franz to bring the first-year representatives.

The final events for the competition that were decided yesterday evening weren’t to Amillion’s liking, but there was nothing she could do about it.

After all, it was an event proposed by the Vice Chancellor and approved by the Chancellor.

‘What kind of inter-grade competition is this? It’s just a Ryuyeong test.’

This competition was divided into three stages like the entrance exam, and the content of the events was clearly far from the “inter-grade competition” that had been held every year.

A written test and an obstacle course, of all things.

It was such an obvious ploy that it made her snort.

‘Still, whatever.’

But Amillion wasn’t too worried.

After her one-on-one counseling session with Ryuyeong, Amillion’s evaluation of him had skyrocketed.

After researching information about the first Crescen Emperor until dawn that day, Amillion discovered that the characteristics Ryuyeong showed when using magic were similar to those of the first Emperor.

Though she couldn’t be certain, from the record that “his movements were so fast that even mana, the source of all things, could not keep up with the Emperor’s movements,” Amillion instinctively felt it.

If I were to record Ryuyeong’s appearance in writing, wouldn’t I describe it just like this?

If there were even one video of the first Emperor using magic, she could know more in detail, but unfortunately, there was no such material, so Amillion had to be satisfied with this much.

Moreover, the fact that he was a commoner with black hair like the first Emperor raised Amillion’s expectations even higher.

This was too similar to be a coincidence.

Perhaps Ryuyeong might be of the first Emperor’s bloodline, which was said to have been cut off hundreds of years ago…

Knock knock-

“…Yes.”

She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t properly sensed someone approaching from outside.

With Amillion’s response, the training hall door opened, and four first-year representatives entered, led by Ryuyeong.

“You’re late.”

“I-I’m so sorry! It was my fault for not delivering the message properly…”

Emily Franz stepped forward first and spoke hesitantly.

Amillion hadn’t intended to scold them, but seeing the nervous student, she felt a bit sorry.

“No, it’s fine. I assume you’ve all seen the announcement. That’s why I gathered you all here.”

“Yes, we’ve checked it.”

While listening to Elaine’s response, which somehow contained a hint of anger, Amillion began explaining her plans to her students.

How the classes would proceed from now on and how she would help them prepare for the inter-grade competition, and so on.

‘I must see Ryuyeong use other magic too.’

Though she had other thoughts as well.

**

“Huh? What is this?”

“It’s surprising enough that only four first-years are participating, but the competition events are even more surprising.”

Gareth Iskea, who proudly held the top position in Crescen Academy’s third-year S class, was feeling a bit disappointed looking at the competition events.

A dungeon exploration, just like last year.

There were two additional events before it, but Gareth knew well that those two were essentially meaningless events.

According to his homeroom professor, because the top-ranked freshman was a commoner, the academy had structured the competition to be more like a test than a competition for show to the nobles.

“Still, it’s a chance to avenge last year’s competition.”

“That’s certainly true.”

“Sigh, if only the third-years hadn’t graduated.”

Gareth glanced at Verthe, who was quietly adding comments beside him.

Verthe Bernstein.

The daughter of the Bernstein family, one of the six great families, and the second-ranked student in S class after Gareth, who had made it onto the third-year representative team.

Though her tone was calm and serene, Verthe’s eyes were flickering with competitive spirit.

In last year’s inter-grade competition, Gareth and Verthe had very narrowly missed taking first place.

Most inter-grade competitions naturally ended with third-years in first place, second-years in second, and first-years in third, but last year, the second-year team that Gareth and Verthe belonged to almost took first place.

In the end, they finished second due to some incident at the last moment.

“It might be better this year with just the two of us?”

“Hmm. I wonder.”

This year’s inter-grade competition participants were arguably the fewest in Crescen Academy history.

Four first-years, three second-years, and two third-years.

A total of nine participants.

Last year, twelve first-years alone participated, but this year the total number was less than ten, making it a small-scale event.

Having already experienced dungeon exploration last year, Gareth and Verthe knew how dangerous it was to enter a dungeon with just two people, but they were actually overflowing with confidence.

Both of them had become much stronger than last year.

“I see you’re all checking.”

“Ah, Professor.”

“Hello.”

A low voice sounded behind Gareth and Verthe.

The blond-haired man who looked good in professor’s attire was Kassis Sinclair, the homeroom professor of the third-year S class.

Seeing Gareth and Verthe checking the details of the inter-grade competition, Kassis added with a faint smile.

“Since you both experienced it last year, you’ll do better this year, right?”

In response to Kassis’s words, Gareth also smiled faintly and shook his head.

“Well, unless the dungeon structure is exactly the same as last year. It will have changed, so it’s like doing it for the first time.”

“Hmm.”

Verthe nodded in agreement with Gareth’s words.

Kassis suppressed a smile as he looked at the two confident students while saying this.

“As you know, the competition events have been announced and the schedule has been confirmed, so from today, individual classes with your homeroom professor will begin. No objections, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Ah, Professor, by the way.”

“What is it, Miss Verthe?”

“I heard that your sister is among the first-years.”

“…And?”

“You’re not going to give her special treatment because she’s your sister, are you?”

Verthe stared at Kassis with eyes as red as her hair color.

Verthe’s point was reasonable.

As the daughter of the Bernstein family, one of the six great families like the Sinclair family, Verthe knew very well how burdensome and heavy the name of the six great families was.

Even the smallest action could become a major issue, and there were many people ready to attack at the slightest mistake.

Whether in public or private settings.

Kassis would know this well too, so it was only natural that he would want his sister, Elaine Sinclair, to perform well in the inter-grade competition.

After all, the honor of the Sinclair family name and his sister was at stake.

Therefore, it was reasonable to suspect that Kassis might provide special guidance to Elaine not as the homeroom teacher of the third-year S class, but as Elaine Sinclair’s brother.

“That won’t happen.”

“Can you be certain?”

“Of course. I swear on my honor and the honor of my family that such a thing won’t happen. Rather…”

Kassis continued speaking but trailed off momentarily.

He seemed to be carefully choosing his words.

“Though she’s my sister, Elaine needs to taste the bitterness of the world.”

“Oho.”

“…Ugh. How complicated. If it were my sister, I’d want to protect her.”

In response to Kassis’s words, Verthe showed an interested expression, while Gareth shook his head as if disgusted.

“Anyway, there’s nothing to worry about on that point. Any other questions?”

“No, none.”

“Noble families are indeed complicated! I have no questions either!”

“Gareth, you’ll naturally come to understand when you graduate from the academy. I’ve heard that quite a few nobles are already showing interest in the Iskea family thanks to you.”

“Oh…”

Gareth scratched his head embarrassedly at Kassis’s words and left first.

Despite the presence of the second daughter of the Bernstein family, one of the six great families, Gareth Iskea was one of the geniuses who had never lost the top position since advancing to the second year.

‘Gareth could properly educate Elaine.’

Kassis highly valued Gareth’s skills and potential.

Coming from an unknown provincial noble family, Gareth had consistently ranked first at the academy purely on his own merit, and was already a talent being noticed outside the academy as well.

He possessed a very aggressive swordsmanship, the complete opposite of the Sinclair family’s swordsmanship, which was typically symbolized by an “iron wall.”

As if proving that attack is the best defense, the incident where he cut down Bernstein’s blue flame with a single stroke was quite famous not only among students but also among professors.

‘It would have been better if it were a duel.’

Kassis regretted that if the inter-grade competition event had been a one-on-one duel instead of dungeon exploration, Gareth would have properly taught Elaine a lesson.

His sister Elaine had not yet fully tasted the bitterness of the world.

Even after losing the top rank to a commoner in this exam, she was calmly saying things like “the commoner’s skills were impressive.”

‘It’s a shame, but this isn’t bad either.’

Although the participants in this competition were limited to S class, the fact that the first-years confidently threw their hat in the ring with just four participants was clearly due to Elaine’s influence.

Elaine, with her confidence bordering on arrogance, must have convinced the ignorant commoner that they could do it.

“Professor?”

“Ah, go ahead.”

“Yes, but for this competition, the dungeon structure will change, right? It seems a bit hastily prepared, and the schedule has been moved up too.”

‘Sharp.’

Kassis held back his words as he looked at Verthe, whose eyes were flashing just like before.

The clever Bernstein lady would probably immediately understand what it meant that the professor answered the question with silence.

“…Go ahead.”

“Ohooo.”

Kassis deliberately ignored the mysterious smile forming on Verthe’s lips.