episode_0012

A showdown between professors and guests.

This is the last event of the entrance ceremony.

As the name suggests, this event involves professors and invited guests standing in the center and competing against each other. The opponents change every year, but basically, different professions fight each other.

If the professor is a knight, the guest is a wizard. Something like that.

Since my father is a knight, the opponent will be one of the magic department professors.

Some might ask, is it necessary to do this at the entrance ceremony?

Well, the pretext is to promote students’ growth and improve their skills through a competition between skilled individuals. In reality, it’s an event created simply because people want to watch a fight.

Didn’t they say that the most entertaining spectacle in the world is a fight?

The founding emperor created this event because he loved fighting so much. Of course, only the people of that time knew that it was created to satisfy the emperor. There was no need to publicize that fact.

Whatever the intention, the effect was good. Students diligently devoted themselves to training, dreaming of their future selves while watching their seniors who had walked the path before them.

But there are many young knights and wizards on the continent, so I wonder if it was really necessary to bring in someone of my father’s age. Well, that’s just my personal opinion.

“Is Kyle’s father strong?”

“He is strong. He’s one of the top three knights.”

Most people think that my father and the other two knights have similar skills, but those who know, know. Dekal Ardin is the knight at the pinnacle of the current era. The reason is that, unlike the other two, my father was on the verge of becoming a grandmaster, and he had defeated them in unofficial matches in the past.

“Heung~ So that’s why Kyle is strong?”

“Why are you talking nonsense since a while ago.”

She’s been like that since a while ago. What’s even more absurd is.

“Huh? What~?”

The fact that she acts so brazenly. That’s why I’m a little annoyed. It feels like a weakness has been caught.

Well, it doesn’t matter as long as she doesn’t do anything like blackmailing me with it. It’s not like Lana would do that, and it’s okay as long as she doesn’t do it all the time.

The center of the empty arena. All the freshmen have left and are seated in the seats.

People walk out from both entrances.

On the left is my father, Dekal Ardin, and on the right is Latral Heitald, the representative wizard of the magic department.

“Oh? It’s Grandpa.”

Lana’s eyes lit up at the appearance of her grandfather. The professor who will participate in the event is secretly decided, so even a grandfather who loves his granddaughter wouldn’t reveal the information.

That’s why Lana is reacting like that. On top of that, the opponent is my father. That makes her even more excited.

“Ah, Kyle, you’re seeing Grandpa for the first time, right?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded.

The students don’t know that the manager of the Land of Contracts and the magic department professor are the same person. Because the two figures have different outfits and faces.

She talked about her grandfather. It was just ordinary grandfather bragging.

Then the huge arena was filled with mana. Vast mana that made my whole body tremble. All eyes were focused at once.

Lana also stopped talking and asked me.

“Kyle, who do you think will win?”

“I don’t know. Both of them are strong.”

Both are strong people on the verge of transcendence. No matter how much it is me, I couldn’t predict the victory or defeat. And the two of them are fighting with the purpose of giving teachings rather than winning, so they are only wasting unnecessary energy.

“Kyle. Wanna bet?”

“What kind of bet.”

“Dinner betting on who will win. How about it?”

Hmm, dinner betting….

There’s nothing I can’t do, but it’s just annoying, and I don’t know the outcome of the match. This scene focused on the protagonist’s enlightenment rather than the fight between the father and the professor. Not even a single line came out.

But considering the purpose of this, wouldn’t it probably end in a draw?

‘Should I accept and go back to the dormitory if it’s a draw?’

No matter how I look at it, she seems to be thinking of creating a reason to stay, but I have no intention of going along with it. The protagonist has appeared, so it’s better to avoid it appropriately.

“I’ll bet on my father winning.”

“I’m on Grandpa!”

Since family is involved, she and I have no choice but to choose family.

“Kyle, don’t worry. I won’t pick anything expensive.”

“I don’t know who should be saying that.”

I retorted Lana’s words.

But this also subtly touches my non-existent pride. Of course, she said that because she knows her grandfather’s skills and firmly believes in him, but I felt a little unpleasant that she was talking as if it was obvious that my father would lose.

So I boldly blurted out a word.

“If my father loses, I’ll buy meals for tomorrow too.”

“Kyle, are you saying that seriously?”

“Yeah. Give up if you’re scared.”

Lana’s eyes lit up at my words and shouted.

“I’m seeing this side of Kyle for the first time. I like it! If I lose, I’ll take responsibility for tomorrow’s meals!”

That’s how the betting content was changed.

And at the same time.

Kwaang!!!

The two people collided.

As a side note. I’ll win if I win, there’s absolutely no way I’ll lose.

Well, anyway, it will probably end in a draw.

***

The competition ended, and it was the time when the entrance ceremony was over.

Dekal Ardin, who had given many inspirations and dreams to the students today, walked the hallway of the stadium.

He had a stern expression, but deep down, he was quite happy.

This was his fifth time participating in the entrance ceremony. He was very happy to see the future dreamers grow by looking at his sword for a short time.

Even excluding the benefits that would come to the family as the head of the family through today, that satisfaction and joy were truly of a pure kind.

Dekal Ardin continued walking down the hallway. There were two familiar figures in the distance.

“We greet the head of the family.”

Elaim bowed and showed respect.

“I’m glad you arrived safely, Father.”

It was Veil, worried that his father might have been hurt, although that was unlikely.

“Son. You did well on today’s test. Elaim, you’ve worked hard too.”

“No. I’m still very lacking.”

“I’m just doing my best in the mission I was assigned.”

Dekal Ardin gestured forward, expressing that they should walk. He had a schedule a little later, but he had time to talk with his son and the family’s knight.

“How was the first day of school?”

Dekal asked his son.

In fact, the academy life had already started, even though he hadn’t entered the dormitory. The entrance exam was also a kind of academy activity.

“There’s a joy that I haven’t felt in the family, so I think it will be a fun life.”

Veil gave a faint smile. Was it because the environment was different, or because various people gathered? Meeting other students made his heart flutter.

“I’m glad.”

Dekal was relieved to see his son like that.

Veil was young compared to others, and his talent was also outstanding. And their academy life goes through similar processes. There were many cases of ignoring, looking down on, or harassing with jealousy and envy.

The microcosm of society called school was also a harsh place for geniuses. Dekal Ardin, who graduated from Tianis Academy 28 years ago, knew that fact very well.

That’s why he was proud of his son for adapting well.

“By the way, there were two people who caught my eye.”

“Are you talking about Evan?”

“Yes. If you only look at the talent, it’s similar to your level. I won’t even tell you to be close. But keep them around. The existence of competitors makes each other grow.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Hmm.”

Veil nodded. And continued to speak.

“More than that, who was the last opponent?”

His father’s question. He said two people, but he didn’t know that those words would come out of his father’s mouth.

“…….”

Veil couldn’t open his mouth easily and only moved his lips. However, the memory of the test tormented him and made him close his mouth.

“That child has surpassed your generation. But don’t be discouraged. You are not behind him either. More than that, his physical condition is not good compared to his skills. If you meet him later, suggest that the Ardin family will help him.”

Like the professors and students, his father didn’t seem to know who the opponent was. Veil barely swallowed the gag reflex that would come up and said.

“…Yes.”

Veil then asked Elaim. He had received a separate report by letter, but there was a difference in delivery from the words he heard directly.

“How is Kyle doing?”

“Yes, he is still attending without any problems. He listens to lectures diligently, and recently he has been doing physical training. Yesterday, he even asked me to be his swordsmanship sparring partner.”

“Do you think he’s come to his senses?”

“The young master has always been like that, so I don’t know yet. But….”

“That’s enough. There’s no need for further words. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

The conversation related to the first young master ended at the head of the family’s words.

“Yes, head of the family.”

Elaim answered that way, but there were still things to tell.

For example, about Lana Heitald, a woman who has been close to the young master recently. But she judged that it would be okay to report this later slowly. It was still difficult to judge their relationship.

After that, they talked a little more casually. Mainly about the family. It had been a week since Veil and Elaim left the family for the first time, so they were probably curious about what had happened during that time.

But Veil couldn’t concentrate. No, he couldn’t.

‘You don’t know anything.’

The memory of the entrance exam quietly comes to mind.

‘What kind of person your father is.’

The figure of his older brother with sad eyes.

‘How rotten the Ardin family is.’

His older brother’s distorted face full of anger.

‘You don’t know the darkness contained within.’

A trembling voice, pitying him.

‘Brother….’

It kept overlapping with the situation unfolding before his eyes.

The appearance of the father who didn’t recognize his own child’s face.

The father’s voice that doesn’t give even a small amount of attention to the eldest son.

‘What did you see, brother?’

The father, who he admired as a hero and idol, looked too alien. That face that he had always faced was distorted today.

What aspect of his father did his brother see?

Clearly, his brother’s words were not to be blindly trusted. His mother, the elders, and the family members spared no advice and warnings to be careful of his brother.

But Veil knows. At least his brother doesn’t lie to him. It had been like that from the past. It seemed that it was still the same now.

‘Veil Ardin. You’re just a fool who doesn’t even know that simple truth.’

His brother’s last words come to mind.

‘Maybe so.’

Veil was not the successor. Words were coming out about his brother’s recent actions, but not yet. That’s why he didn’t know anything about the family’s affairs.

It was an excuse if it was an excuse. He was a fool who had been immersed in the sword for 15 years, wielding only the sword without realizing his brother’s suffering.

Veil suppressed the feeling of disgust that was rising deep in his heart and made a decision.

‘I will change it.’

He vowed to change the Ardin family.

For his brother, who had grown up suffering in the family and had even learned black magic, Veil vowed.

‘Please wait a little longer, brother.’

Veil earnestly hoped that his brother would not be kicked out before he stepped in.

***

The result ended in a draw as expected.

It’s a natural result. If they properly exerted their power in this narrow place, all the students would die. They were not people who would do that just to win or lose.

In the end, it turned out that way.

“Too bad. A draw.”

“I trusted Grandpa….”

Lana fell into gloom, and her brown bobbed hair drooped. It seems she really firmly believed that her grandfather would win. The summoned beast Nene patted her and comforted her.

I stayed still and spoke when the gloom subsided.

“I’m leaving now. I’m going to be busy again from tomorrow.”

“You’re coming to volunteer, right?”

“I have to go.”

I’m planning to work hard on the weekends. I have to make up for the time I missed for two days. I have no intention of continuing the volunteer work until next year.

And just as I was about to go to the dormitory.

“Kyle.”

Lana pulled on my sleeve. I said in a persuasive tone.

“I’ll be there for a long time tomorrow, so let me go today. My body is not good because of the exam.”

It’s not to the point of dying, but I want to rest today. I used too much energy on unexpected things.

“I’ll buy you steak at the student restaurant. You’re hungry, right.”

“I’m not going.”

I rejected Lana’s offer. Whatever the intention, a free meal is a welcome fact, but I’m really tired.

Then, Lana whispered quietly.

“Secret menu, Triple S-class steak, are you really not going?”

My body reflexively stopped. Because I know too well what that secret menu is.

Triple S-class steak.

A dish that the cooking master of the student restaurant bakes and makes you drool just by smelling it.

This secret menu can only be ordered by some limited students. Of course, rumors have spread, and ordinary students also know of its existence. They just haven’t seen the real thing.

‘This is unconditionally a profit.’

I know the effect of this too well. If I eat this, I will be overflowing with energy for at least a week. There will be many things to use my strength for in the meantime, so rejecting this would only prove that I’m an idiot.

Because of that, a conflict arose in my heart. But since I was already halfway there, the answer was decided.

“Keueung… Let’s go.”

“Heehee, okay!”

Lana took the lead, and I followed behind her.

‘I’m just going to eat.’

It’s not that I’m falling for the steak temptation and ignoring Lana’s intentions.

Absolutely not, no.

Okay?