Chapter 50

The archery assessment is where the entire second year gathers.

It was, of course, a joint evaluation.

The Common Class I was part of, treated like remnants of a defeated army, was also heading to the place where the archery assessment was held.

However, the treatment of the Common Class had changed a bit since Professor Karen’s group assessment incident.

They were just being completely ignored before, but now there was a look of caution added.

The target of this caution was, in fact, me, and my group mates Allen and Riviera from the assessment.

The so-called troublesome trio of the Common Class.

The eldest son of the Celtrine family, known as a troublemaker, the eldest son of the Benesse family, known as a fool, and the fourth-dimensional loner girl.

Even I had to admit, it was quite a headache-inducing combination.

One of those members was right beside me.

“But why do you always use that kind of bow?”

Allen Benesse, who now stammered less when speaking.

Ever since the incident where he beat up Dennis, who used to bully him, he had clearly changed.

An extra who had awakened.

All thanks to me.

Of course, I’m not sure how much help an extra could be.

I never had great expectations to begin with.

After all, I was only planning to use them as a means to fill the group member count while in the Common Class.

“Why? Is there a problem??”

“Ah, no. The team leader is famous for being wealthy, but the bow seems a bit shoddy.”

Allen still called me the team leader.

It seemed to have become a habit for him.

Or is it once a team leader, always a team leader, something like that?

Whatever the case, it didn’t bother me, so I just let it be.

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Just because it looks like trash doesn’t mean it’s all trash. Remember that.”

Me, kindly giving advice.

But after saying it, it felt oddly applicable to Allen himself.

An extra that looks like trash.

Is he really trash?

Or does he have hidden value

“Eh, probably not.”

I shook my head from side to side.

No matter what, this guy?

“That’s right, it’s actually good. I learned something.”

Allen, easily accepting the point.

His acknowledging attitude.

Not typical for an extra.

……Could it be?

Eh.

“Let’s stop talking about that and tell me, who are some good archers in the second year?”

I asked.

Allen would know more about the second-year students than I would.

Except for the named ones or those with some importance, I didn’t remember many.

“Ah, so the team leader is aware of this contest.”

Allen, with his eyes burning with enthusiasm, unasked for.

But he wasn’t wrong.

This assessment definitely had my shoulders tensed up.

I had to rank within the top ten even if just to impress my teacher Hiresia.

“You too?”

“Of course. In an evaluation of martial prowess, the spear of Benesse shall not bow down.”

This guy has an un-extra-like pride.

The attitude of the eldest son of a prestigious family.

……?

Eh.

Could it be?

“Well then, spill the information.”

“Got it, team leader, I’ll tell you about the powerful rivals.”

Allen began to explain.

There was only one in the Common.

The Blood Witch, Riviera.

………Wait, why is she a powerful rival?

Because she was in the same group, does that mean you’re burning with rivalry?

Regardless, next were the Nobles.

There were three of them in the Noble class.

All nobodies I hadn’t heard of.

But if they’re mentioned, they must be good enough with a bow to be considered competitors.

The rest are all in the Royal Class.

Of course, it’s not Royal for nothing.

There were a whopping twenty of them.

Only here did I recognize some of the names.

But is this right?

To have a total of 24 in a generation known for poor performance seems too many.

I have to beat 14 competitors to get into the top ten?

Or is it 15, including Allen?

Was the competition this tough?

“Team leader, don’t be careless. There are countless hidden masters of the bow.”

Allen, advising with serious look.

What is this, some martial arts world?

Are there really that many hidden masters?

I clicked my tongue in disbelief.

“Yawn.”

Just then, Riviera, who had appeared without notice, yawned.

Allen was startled.

“Crap, the rival has appeared.”

“timid man.”

“I, I’m not timid anymore!”

“Man with zero contributions.”

“That, that wasn’t the case!”

“Yawn.”

With just two words, she beat Allen down and disappeared as listlessly as she had appeared.

Allen looked like he was about to cry.

Now I understood why she was chosen as a powerful rival.

“A timid guy.”

“I am not!”

Indeed, this guy is an extra.

The atmosphere at the archery assessment was solemn.

Probably also because the person in charge was Professor Lawrence.

There probably wasn’t anyone bold enough to chat away in front of Professor Lawrence.

“Shoot ten arrows. Ten are enough to measure skill.”

You might hit the center with 1 or 2 arrows by chance, but not with ten.

So, it was a fair point.

“The order will start with the Common Class. No complaints, right?”

Since everyone was shooting the same ten arrows, there was no particular advantage or disadvantage to the order.

So, there were no complaints.

However.

‘I need to score as high as possible.’

Since I couldn’t see the scores of the later classes, it was best to score high and increase the chances as much as possible.

And.

‘It might intimidate the others.’

If a mere Common achieves a high score, those who shoot later may become psychologically pressured.

In that case, shooting first could actually be an advantage.

Not bad.

“Come forward in groups of five.”

Professor Lawrence announced the start of the assessment.

First group.

The attention of the second year was focused on one person.

Riviera, the fourth-dimensional loner girl and one of the members who boldly achieved the miracle of the Common Class.

Her skill was completely unknown.

Since she was usually such an unnoticeable presence, no one really knew her true capabilities.

Professor Lawrence probably did, but,

“Begin.”

At the professor’s command, the students, tense, picked up their bows.

All except Riviera.

She just looked as if she couldn’t be more bothered.

Her expression made the observant Royals and Nobles wary.

On the day of the evaluation, such an expression could only be worn by a true master.

ME

“Hmm.”

Riviera slowly hooked the arrow onto the bowstring.

Her posture seemed a bit sloppy.

‘That figures.’

I snickered to myself.

If a witch was also good with a bow, it would be too bitter to bear for others.

With her frail build, what could she possibly do with a bow?

Creak.

Bang!

The arrow shot out.

And that arrow.

“Uh, ugh?!”

“Huh, what?!”

……………Unexpectedly, the arrow flew towards Professor Lawrence, who was watching from the side.Thwack!

Professor Lawrence, with the mad skill of catching an arrow in mid-flight with his bare hands,

Everyone’s faces looked as though they wanted to burst into applause at his cool demeanor.

On the other hand,

“Tch.”

Rivera clicked her tongue.

“……………Hey, were you really trying to kill me? Was it a instruction from the organization? “

Of course, that would be unlikely.

“Not even a chuckle.”

Professor Lawrence tossed the arrow he had caught onto the ground.

“The first shot is zero points. Keep shooting.”

He’s still generous.

I would have just told them to leave.

Uh…

She’s Really leaving?

“Where are you going?”

“I give up… for safety.”

Using formal speech feels so awkward.

“Do as you like. It’s your life after all.”

Professor Lawrence said with a stiff expression.

-Remember this.

Was it my imagination, or did I feel a chill down my spine just then?

They say it’s not good for human survival if the Blood Witch and the Great Bow collide.

“Don’t worry about it and continue.”

Along with Professor Lawrence’s words, the archery evaluation continued.

“Phew.”

Allen breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The precarious arrow had hit the 8-point mark.

A good save.

Seven shots fired, but none had scored below 8 points.

Two were 10 points, three were 9 points, and two were 8 points.

A fairly good score.

It seemed unlikely that he would tarnish the name of Max Group with this performance.

“Allen Benesse… he really is skilled, isn’t he?”

“Tch, noble blood can’t be faked, it seems.”

“Well, if his brother is that good, even if he has no talent, he should be at least as good as a chicken.”

……………Why did the evaluations become so generous?

Why are you confusing me too?

He’s just an extra.

“That guy has a lousy personality, so he’s nothing to look at anyway.”

Yes, that’s it.

That’s the proper evaluation.

But why do I feel so uneasy?

“Phew…”

Regardless of what others said, Allen calmly focused and successfully completed the archery evaluation.

The last three shots were 10, 9, 9, making his score 91 points.

An excellent score over 90 points.

While it might be tough to be in the top 10 of the class, it was a score that could easily aim for the top 20.

‘Surely, his skills aren’t bad.’

I had to admit it myself.

It was his fatal character flaw that was the issue, but since I had corrected it to some extent, the situation was set for his potential to be fully unleashed.

Could it be?

Nah.

For now, I left it as a possibility for the future.

There was much to do, and many characters to pay attention to.

“Next.”

Finally, it was my turn.

Except for Allen, the performance of those in the common class was terrible.

Too painful to watch with open eyes.

The royals and nobles watched with expressions that seemed to say, ‘They are truly irredeemable trash.’

But this time it was different.

I could feel the air itself had changed.

Because of me.

The scoundrel of the Celtrine family was now participating.

Contempt, disgust, hatred

The usual looks.

But to those looks, a few more were added.

Looks of caution and tension.

As if civilized people were watching barbarians invade their land.

And rightly so.

They thought me a fool, but in the last group evaluation, I completely crushed them.

They must feel a serious threat now.

“Hmph.”

I deliberately looked in their direction and let out a laugh that seemed like a sneer.

Because it’s fun.

And also to mentally set up a decisive stance.

One that says I will definitely achieve excellent results.

“Urgh…….”

“That bastard!”

“Damn it. He’s throwing a fit again.”

Since it was Professor Lawrence’s evaluation, they couldn’t say anything out loud, only grumbling with frustrated faces.

“Ha.”

Elaine shook her head disapprovingly and sighed.

She thought things had improved a bit, but there he goes again.

Oops.

Maybe I should have managed my image a bit better.

No.

That’s not me.

Pretending to be sweet to look good in front of the heroine doesn’t fit my character.

I’ll just live the way I find comfortable.

“Get ready.”

I took my place at the most central shooting lane.

Good.

A position that clearly shows I’m the lead in this group.

Anyway, no one else would care unless it’s the professor.

“Begin.”

As soon as Professor Lawrence’s word fell, I picked up the bow.

Too familiar a posture.

After mastering the basics, that posture had become even more naturally flowing.

I lightly placed an arrow on the bowstring.

In that state, I sensed the wind.

Movement, strength, direction.

Good.

Got it.

Twang!

Without hesitation, I released the bowstring.

Whizz!

The arrow flew.

That arrow…

Landed slightly to the left of the center.

Still barely within the 10-point line.

“Ah, that’s a shame.”

I grumbled as if I wasn’t satisfied.

I wanted to show off a more spectacular first shot to everyone.

But.

“Damn it. A 10-point start?”

“He’s good with a bow, too? How is that possible?”

“……It’s got to be luck. Just luck, right? Luck.”

“Tch, it’s not just luck. His posture is on point from the start.”

The reaction I got was pretty good.

They couldn’t believe I was also good with a bow.

But what can they do?

It’s too early to make a fuss over just this much.

I haven’t shown all of my skills yet.

“Hmph.”

I laughed again.

Let’s show them.

The true value of my archery.

The finest archery skills, directly passed on by ‘The Forgotten Forest’s Princess’ Hiresia.

Enjoy it to your heart’s content.

Creak.

Twang!

The arrow flew with vigor.

And then,

Thunk!

9 points.

“Agh.”

・・・・・・It wasn’t easy.

I instantly became humble.