It’s Finally Time to Confirm

“You’ve come.”

A deep voice filled the room.

Wolf, the owner of the voice, smiled gently while looking at the man nearby.

“So, what’s the plan?”

Though his eyes were sharp.

“Haha… I’ll tell you right away!”

The manager immediately straightened his head.

Although the question was asked in a kind tone, he didn’t let his guard down, knowing the emotion behind it wasn’t the same.

Rather, he blinked while sweating cold.

Wolf’s expression, or rather the gaze of the eldest son of the Streman family, was cold as if urging him to speak quickly.

Thud─!

He promptly placed a stack of documents on the desk.

The amount of paper was considerable.

Not only did the coffee cup on top shake violently, but Wolf’s quiet room was suddenly filled with noise.

“Tsk, please be careful.”

“Ahaha, I’m sorry.”

It’s the middle of the night now.

It would be troublesome if someone woke up.

It would be even more awkward if an instructor opened the door due to the loud noise, as this was a secret meeting that others absolutely shouldn’t see.

A cadet and a manager meeting privately was clearly misconduct and a serious violation of school rules.

‘If only I had handled things well…’

I wouldn’t have taken such a risk again.

“Tsk.”

Wolf frowned and clicked his tongue.

Today’s operation should have succeeded.

Yena should have fallen into the deep sea due to the malfunction of the diving equipment, and suffered severe injuries such as fainting or hitting rocks.

That way,

Wouldn’t she be unable to participate in the joint training?

If she had been bedridden in the infirmary for a week, her evaluation score would have naturally plummeted.

But what happened now?

Due to this damn manager’s negligence, they failed to inflict proper damage.

‘Really pathetic.’

Inferior.

Ignorant.

He wanted to kick the guy’s shin right away.

But he held back.

Because he was a manager and Wolf was a cadet.

No matter how extreme the difference in status between their families, it was a principle at the military academy to respect superiors.

“So what are these papers?”

“I’ll explain right away!”

Wolf looked at the manager, thinking he would forgive him with his kind heart.

After all, he had brought a new method, so forgiving him once would be noble, wouldn’t it?

He must have done it because he wasn’t well-educated.

He must have done it because he wasn’t smart.

“First, please look at this!”

Wolf calmed his mind like that and listened attentively to his explanation.

“It’s protective gear again.”

“Haha! You don’t need to worry this time. Although it’s still in preparation since not even a day has passed… there won’t be any more unfortunate incidents like this morning.”

There was a photo on the manager’s finger.

A black-painted metal surface.

Detailed joint parts.

It had an appearance so similar that it could be mistaken for equipment worn during sparring classes between cadets at the military academy.

‘No, is it the same?’

It was the same protective gear, except for the addition of various devices.

“It’s used for group training. Through the facilities you see here, location tracking, heart rate monitoring, and death judgment, etc! Boasting a cutting-edge scientific system…”

The manager, once again afflicted by his chronic disease of explaining his specialty, continued his endless explanation with wide eyes.

“So.”

How could Wolf listen to all that?

He immediately cut off his words.

“What are you going to do with this?”

He only hinted at getting to the point with an expressionless face.

“I-I’ve been talking too long, I’m sorry. This is an item to be used during the last hour of the many remaining classes, during individual sparring training.”

“Hmm, the last day, is it?”

“Please understand as it was hastily planned. No matter how hard we try, it seems impossible before then.”

The manager quickly bowed at a right angle.

Because Wolf’s reaction wasn’t good.

As soon as he heard the news that it would take almost a week for the plan to be executed, his expression turned cold.

‘But it means we can try again.’

However, contrary to the manager’s concerns, Wolf didn’t get very angry.

He took it to mean that he could still get revenge on Yena anyway. He licked his lips while fiddling with the corners of his mouth.

‘As long as it succeeds.’

Having endured all this time, how could he not endure this short while?

If he could thoroughly trample Yena, he could endure even for days. That’s how great his grudge against her was.

“Continue talking.”

“Yes, sir!”

Therefore, he nodded without showing much emotion.

“This time, we’re thinking of tampering with Wolf’s equipment as well…”

The manager quickly complied and continued speaking.

And Wolf,

Sip─

Sneered while savoring the high-class flavor of espresso.

“Hmm?”

The more he listened.

Because the manager’s operation was attractive.

──Was that why?

Was it because both the manager and Wolf were immersed in the conversation?

They didn’t hear it all.

Click!

The sound of a camera shutter ringing out from beyond the roof outside.

---

Swish, swish─!

Numerous cadets walked on water.

Literally walked.

“Hey, you almost bumped into me!”

“I almost died.”

“Why is this so difficult?”

Though they weren’t moving very well.

“Everyone make one last round and then return!”

Gartel shouted below, gesturing widely.

[Underwater Training Ground for Awakened Ones]

Beside him was a sign with the above text written in large letters.

A beach prepared for free movement, and concrete obstacles sparsely erected inside, gesturing as if to pass through here.

All were facilities optimized for education. The effect could be felt just by looking at the movements of the cadets who were just showing their novice status.

Whoosh, whoosh─!

Unlike last time when they first started training, they now skillfully dived and even moved freely around the beach without the instructor’s guidance.

“Ugh, uwaah!”

“It’s fucking hard to pass through one ring!”

Of course, that didn’t mean they were doing well. They still struggled with movement just like before.

“Ye-Yena! Why are you so skilled?”

“My father was a magic officer, remember?”

“Did you learn it?”

“Yes.”

“I-I see…”

That’s why my movements shone even more.

I’ve even torn apart flying bombers, how could I not control this outdated equipment?

I showed skills far superior to others. I was at the level of yawning while watching Erika struggle right in front of me like a chicken trying to fly.

Swish!

As I approached the obstacles, I easily passed through the circular structures made of cement, earning Erika’s admiration.

“Hm?”

While enjoying such comfortable rest,

Whoosh─!

I opened my eyes wide at the sudden strong wind brushing past me.

“Impressive.”

And I muttered to myself with admiration.

“Is she good at everything…”

“High mana, good skills, life is really fair.”

It was as the cadets said.

“Ri-Rina is really amazing.”

It was as Erika muttered.

She, who was once an imperial princess, controlled her body at an incredible speed.

Of course, it was a speed I could keep up with, but considering it was only her second time handling the equipment and she hadn’t used it in advance like me, it was a terrifying talent.

“It really doesn’t move!”

“Hey, hey, you’ll fall if you get too excited.”

Especially compared to Wolf over there, struggling hard.

The difference in their skills was stark.

Their personalities and abilities were completely different. Although Rina had plotted against me before, at least she took training seriously.

However, Wolf even looked down on this. Isn’t he just pretending to train in the back, chatting with friends?

…I should be able to confirm it today.

If there was one thing better than Rina, it was that he hadn’t planned anything vicious against me separately, but even that advantage might disappear from this hour.

As soon as the education ended,

I was scheduled to receive data from Helena.

“Let’s go now.”

“O-Okay.”

I descended to the ground with Erika.

The approaching lunchtime.

The long, long activity finally ended.

“Tried to kill, huh.”

But even while moving, my worries didn’t end. I couldn’t forget the vivid memory of the situation where I almost died the day before.

Someone must have tampered with the diving equipment.

There was no way the equipment management at the joint training ground of the Federation and the Empire would be lax. Moreover, it was almost impossible for the highly hard magic stone to break naturally or by chance.

That means someone damaged it.

I strongly suspected Wolf was behind this.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I was certain.

I had confirmed it wasn’t Rina’s doing, so he was the only suspect left. I just wasn’t asserting it because I only had circumstantial evidence.

That’s why I hoped to get meaningful information from Helena.

“Shouldn’t we go that way?”

“You’re right.”

I stood among the cadets who had lined up in order after arriving on the ground.

“Everyone, attention!”

“Yes!”

Gartel opened his mouth after confirming everyone had gathered.

“I applaud everyone’s efforts to endure and overcome motion sickness, well done. The basic adaptation training ends today. From tomorrow, you will be trained in specialized facilities.”

“Understood!”

“You’re dismissed now.”

He ended the class as usual.

Except for one announcement.

“Ca-Can we finally see monsters?”

“I’m excited…”

The cadets buzzed at the news that the class-by-class education no different from the military academy was finally over, and specialized facility training that could only be experienced at the Sevirpol training ground was about to begin.

“…Monster training, huh.”

I also sparkled my eyes like them.

However, unlike other children who were thrilled at the thought of facing monsters for the first time, a smile formed on my lips in anticipation of being able to truly enjoy it.

I had experienced monsters enough yesterday.

Although I called for monsters of appropriate grades with an upper limit because I couldn’t show all my skills, I fought joyfully until my whole body was soaked in blood.

It was fun.

It was so enjoyable that I wanted to visit again right away.

So I sighed while hardening my expression. Unfortunately, it seemed I wouldn’t be able to go today due to lack of time.

“Erika, I don’t think I can go with you today either.”

“O-Okay…”

“Instead, I’ll buy you charcoal-grilled pork skewers tomorrow. From now on, we probably won’t be separated much, so we might be able to train together.”

“R-Really? Alright!”

Beyond Erika, who was waving her sky-blue hair, clenching her fists, and dimpling,

“Could you go in first?”

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

“…I need to have a meeting with the principal regarding the dispatch. I’m sorry I can’t go with you.”

“It’s okay, I’ll see you at the dormitory.”

As I need to have a long conversation with that lady-in-waiting who was busy lying to Rina.

Click─! Click─!

I approached her, making cheerful sounds with my military boots.