episode_0039

Although the Resistance invaded, the comprehensive evaluation was never re-run. The evaluation was made based on the fourth day, and the evaluation was determined based on the contribution made to the resistance incident.

Among them, the one who received the best evaluation was, of course, Gilbert. The survival knowledge he showed over the four days earned him high marks from the professors, but it was his dealing with the resistance that received the greatest marks. Taking on as many as seven giant god soldiers alone was an achievement worthy of the highest score. After that, although he fainted, Ian received high marks for his initial response against the resistance, followed by the cadets who used magic weapons to keep the enemy in check.

Among them, the highest scores were Angelina, who led the cadets, and Hans, who served as the leader of the action. The two received the second highest scores after Gilbert and Ian, maintaining the top spot in the overall evaluation.

The reward for Gilbert was also quickly awarded.

First, at Demeia Academy, I received a star, one of the highest awards a cadet can receive.

Since the founding of Demeia Academy, the number of cadets who have received stellar recognition has outnumbered those who received the Commander’s Award badge in the entrance mock competition. The award badge, which even Princess Serafina could not receive, was proof of this star.

Meanwhile, the compensation offered to Gilbert by the Infractus Empire was as Gilbert expected. Officially appointing him as a level 6 knight.

At best, it could be said that he was ordained as a knight of the lowest rank, but that was not the case. The current climate of the continent considers being appointed a knight to be a very honorable thing, regardless of rank.

As such, no matter how low a knight he was, he had to be very careful when knighting him, so there were many who initially opposed giving Gilbert a knighthood of the 6th grade.

However, in recognition of Princess Seraphina’s strong argument and his ability and achievement in single-handedly defeating seven Giant God Soldiers of the Resistance while still a freshman, it was decided to award him a level 6 knighthood.

Thus, the greatest reward that Gilbert received from the Resistance incident was social honor. Although some people still viewed him as a fool, there was no one who could ignore and criticize him to his face after being awarded a knighthood as a cadet.

Up to this point, it was just as he expected. In fact, in Tactical Combat, it was a reward received for defeating the Resistance while being Professor Brianna’s exclusive student. There were prizes and elixirs to increase mana, but the biggest reward was a knighthood.

However, what Gilbert was most looking forward to at the moment was not the imperial reward he had expected, but the prototype artificial spirit in front of him. As a byproduct of the development of the next generation of artificial spirits, no one currently knew the value of these artificial spirits.

For that reason, the research team that successfully completed the development of the next-generation artificial spirit disposed of this prototype artificial spirit, but a researcher who found an institutional loophole stole the prototype artificial spirit and sold it at a high price. The one that was sold through the black market was the hand of the current leader of the resistance, and later appeared as a powerful enemy in the main story.

In Tactical Combat’s story line, there was no structural way to steal this prototype’s artificial spirit, but in reality, it was different. Gilbert also requested it from Professor Horizon in a choice that was almost like a gamble, and thanks to the recent Resistance incident, he was able to obtain it without difficulty.

It was safe to say that the empire gave preferential treatment to Gilbert, who had the qualities to become a hero for the country. Otherwise, it could have been because his background family was the famous Iron-Blooded Margrave and because he was influenced by Serafina, the powerful next heir to the throne.

Since the demands of Professor Horizon, the continent’s sage, also overlapped, they would have had no choice but to quickly produce a prototype artificial spirit.

Gilbert reverently infused mana into the beautifully packaged prototype artificial spirit. Golden mana began to accumulate in the artificial spirit’s core.

Eventually, the sleeping artificial spirit began to move with sufficient mana.

[Serial Number. CT-777 begins maneuvering. A formal contract is requested for perfect operation.]

Okay, this is it… ! Gilbert was deeply moved by the words of CT-777, which had begun maneuvering, and proceeded with a formal contract.

“Level 6 knight. Gilbert the Lionheart. A formal contract request is accepted for CT-777.”

[Official contract in progress. Formal contract completed. 6th grade knight. Gilbert the Lionheart. Registered as an article for CT-777.]

CT-777’s core accepted Gilbert’s magical power pattern and became golden. Gilbert smiled at the artificial spirit he had finally obtained.

[article. Are there any missions we are currently assigned?]

Should I say it is like a prototype? Perhaps because there were no commands entered, CT-777 asked Gilbert about the mission that needed to be performed immediately.

“Not yet. There is something more curious than that. CT”

[Speak. article]

“What was your previous mission?”

It was a curiosity that suddenly arose. CT-777 was an artificial spirit developed as a prototype. I knew that he had helped develop the next generation of artificial spirits before falling into his hands, but even he, a veteran of Tactical Combat, could not know the detailed story.

Little was known about CT-777 because it was a kind of MacGuffin and disappeared along with the leader of the Resistance. Since I had this opportunity, it was natural to ask this question.

[Cooperation in the development of next-generation artificial spirits was the previous mission]

“Was it just that?”

[right. The mission was accomplished before reaching the knight. From now on, only orders given to us will have priority.]

“Then CT, what help did you give in developing artificial spirits?”

[It was an analysis of data on the artificial spirit that became the motif of CT-777.]

“The artificial spirit that became the motif? What kind of artificial spirit is that?”

Gilbert was a little excited to hear about the MacGuffin involved in CT-777. No matter how much he cursed and struggled to adapt to this world, he was a huge fan of Tactical Combat. In such a situation, I had the opportunity to hear a story that I couldn’t tell through the original work. How could I not be excited?

[Treatment classified. Confirmation of order priority change through formal contract.]

“Can’t you say it?”

Then it’s leaking. As I anxiously waited for CT-777 to speak, I received a response saying that I could respond by changing the order priority.

[The artificial spirit that became the motif of CT-777 is the artificial spirit of the ancient giant god soldier Colossus.]

“Colossus?”

I didn’t think of this. Gilbert felt like he had been hit by something at CT-777’s words. Now I think I know why the CT-777 performed so well.

Colossus, the ancient giant god soldier.

He is a giant soldier from Atlantica who established a brilliant civilization in the past. It was a giant soldier that boasted the best performance in Tactical Combat.

CT-777 was probably created based on Colossus data found in the discovered ruins, so it was understandable that its performance was excellent.

“Was there any data left about Colossus?”

[right. However, restoration was difficult due to data loss. By analyzing as many of the discovered giant spirits and artificial spirits as possible, we created a prototype, and that is CT-777. Ever since the first maneuver, my mission has been to restore Colossus and restore Colossus’ artificial spirit.]

“I understand. That is exactly what happened.”

Satisfied that he had solved one of Tactical Combat’s MacGuffins, Gilbert took the time to build a bond with CT-777. It was one of the essential processes to keep in sync with CT-777 in the future.

So Gilbert spent the day exchanging questions and answers with CT-777.

***

“Damn…!”

Ian threw the object in his hand towards the wall with all his might. There was a clang and shards of broken glass flew into the air.

But the anger and shame boiling deep in my heart would not subside.

His room was a complete mess, contrary to how neat and tidy it usually was. Every object that could be reached must have been thrown away, and shattered fragments were scattered everywhere.

There is only one reason why Ian is so angry.

“Gilbert…Lion…Heart…!”

It was because of Gilbert. He experienced the greatest humiliation of his life during this comprehensive evaluation.

Ian was taken by surprise because he was complacent in thinking that there was only one member of the resistance, and he fainted spectacularly.

And the person who dealt with the resistance on behalf of the fainted Ian was Gilbert Lionheart, whom he recognized as his rival.

This was the first time in Ian’s life that he had experienced such humiliation and disgrace. How could it be possible for someone to faint in a moment of inattention and have his rival take his place?

However, Ian did not deny the fact, but endured and accepted it. He was definitely arrogant. So far, what he wanted to do had worked out so well that there was no sense of crisis.

Ian thought that was the reason for his humiliation this time. I reflected deeply and made a firm promise that something like this should not happen again in the future.

After finally calming down, he slowly began to clean up the room he had made a mess.

‘By the way, Gilbert the Lionheart. He is the biggest obstacle to me.’

As he was sweeping up the debris, his mind wandered to Gilbert. I was shaking with anger a little while ago, but as my anger subsided, I was able to think objectively.

As Ian threw the swept up debris into the trash can, he recalled what happened during the comprehensive evaluation. The skills of one Resistance member were not very good, but the story would be different if it were seven giant god soldiers.

No matter how Ian is, dealing with that number of giant gods is definitely a challenge. It is not for nothing that they say that one hand cannot stop ten hands.

However, Gilbert defeated seven giant warriors single-handedly and was awarded the rank of 6th grade knight. In the first place, Ian took full glory that was his responsibility.

Ian couldn’t shake the feeling that Gilbert was both his rival and an ordeal he had to overcome. Just as Ian is the main character, Gilbert could have existed as a character who would make the main character shine brighter.

No, that is clearly why he existed. As a stepping stone for Ian’s own growth.

‘Gilbert the Lionheart. I will accept you as my nemesis from now on. So for now, enjoy the moment to the fullest. ‘Because such luck will no longer come in the future.’

Ian’s eyes flashed and he clenched his fists. The main character always bloomed brilliantly in the face of adversity.

And the main character of the world, as always, was Ian.