IWLMS 28🔐

Chapter 28

Rankersk’s cold sneer tugged at the long scar across his cheek.

“Wasn’t the recommendation system already meaningless long ago? Look at this—ignoring the entrance exam and even the training summons without a care.”

“Didn’t Duke Cailien himself get prior approval for that?”

“Regardless, no matter whose recommendation it was, if the skill is lacking, I cannot accept it.”

“The promotion exam is soon. When that time comes, we’ll naturally see the child’s abilities.”

Groaning, the headmaster rose to his feet. He tapped his stiff back and walked over to the window.

“Even if Runadeluze Este is one of those people, the fact remains—she is still a student under your charge.”

Looking over the academy grounds, he spoke quietly.

“Don’t forget the words you told me, Rankersk, when you laid down your place in the Royal Knights and resolved to return to Lepium.”

“…I haven’t forgotten.”

Rankersk swallowed before continuing.

“If their rotten parents shove them into Lepium, then I will gladly drag those kids out before they sink into the filth.”

That fiery determination still burned within him. The only problem was that reality wore him down every time. With a long sigh, he rubbed his throbbing temples.

“Still, what a year this is… three students repeating a grade already.”

The first class at the military academy began in the outdoor training grounds.

Along the walls fluttered red banners adorned with golden lions and roses.

The vast arena was filled with all kinds of training equipment, large targets, and straw dummies lined up along the edges.

At the center, where the dirt was firmly packed, cadets stood in perfect formation by platoon, clad in their training uniforms.

The 3rd platoon’s banner stood at the far right. Rune, the last to enter the academy, stood at the very back of that formation.

Her long legs looked graceful in the snug black trousers under a simple tunic. Hands clasped behind her back, Rune stood straight, her eyes fixed on the stage.

Even though she tried to ignore it, she could feel the glances. Cadets in the front rows whispered and kept sneaking looks at her.

“Why is there a noble in the 3rd platoon?”

Rune sighed inwardly at their blatant stares. She could understand their curiosity—most of the cadets in the 3rd platoon were commoners admitted through sponsorships.

No wonder… whenever I tried to greet them, they all looked uncomfortable.

Platoons were assigned in the order applications were submitted. It looked fair on the surface, but there was a flaw: noble families always had their applications processed early.

So of course the 1st platoon is filled with high-ranking nobles.

The 1st and 2nd platoons enjoyed far better facilities and privileges thanks to their families’ support, while the 3rd platoon, made up mostly of commoners, received no such treatment.

So much for “equal education.” Even here, status divides us.

And on top of that, the prejudice against her as a noble made it impossible to befriend anyone.

She hadn’t expected deep camaraderie, but it was bitter nonetheless. Especially since she would have to carry out missions with her platoonmates in the future.

Glancing at the back of Ellen’s head in front of her, Rune let out a faint laugh.

Funny. I never thought having someone in the same situation would feel this comforting.

Suddenly, the whispering stopped. Rankersk Hannon strode onto the stage. His broad shoulders looked even more imposing as he set his hands on his hips.

“Welcome, cadets. I am Rankersk Hannon.”

He unclipped the sword at his waist and tapped the sheath with his palm.

“As I’ve said many times, real swords are forbidden in the academy. This will be the only sword you’re permitted to use—treat it well.”

On the table beside him lay a stack of identical swords.

“When I call your name, come forward and receive your sword.”

One by one, cadets’ names were called. Excited faces returned holding their new weapons.

“Runadeluze Este.”

Rune stepped forward, suppressing the smile tugging at her lips.

“Thank you.”

She accepted the sword with both hands. It was well-balanced, clearly forged from good steel.

Better than I expected.

The slim scabbard was engraved with the academy’s rose emblem.

The double-edged longsword looked like a Federschwert, a practice blade. Its thinner blade reduced the risk of serious injury.

So this is to minimize accidents during training.

She brushed her fingers over the purple stone embedded in the hilt—a magic stone.

Ah. So they’ve enchanted it to prevent drawing the blade outside regulations.

Rune admired the sword with a smile. Rankersk narrowed his eyes at her.

Her gaze is sharp. But skill is another matter entirely.

As Headmaster Gregory had said, her true ability would be revealed in the upcoming promotion exam.

Class began with the basics of sword forms. Watching Rune, Rankersk frowned, deep in thought.

Each family’s martial style developed its own distinct flavor atop the same fundamentals. And Rune was using a very curious blend.

At times he saw the swordsmanship of the magic knight Edmund Este. At other times, the posture she took was unmistakably that of Cailien Heraith.

Just who is this child?

He couldn’t make sense of the connection between the supposedly sickly heir of House Este and Cailien.

“How does it look in person?”

Cailien’s voice came quietly from behind. Rankersk suppressed a sigh and shot him a glare.

“A sudden sponsorship like this—what were you thinking?”

“The academy has already been corrupted. If putting me in the owner’s seat is the price, isn’t this small in comparison?”

“So you’ll muddy Lepium like the rest of them?”

“Who knows? I’m curious myself. The water should’ve been muddied moderately, not this much.”

“You’re one to talk. Since you left, the Marquis of Liechtenstein and his son have been running wild.”

“Alfonso, that brat, hasn’t changed?”

“Not at all. If you hadn’t left for Remoir, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.”

“A shame indeed.”

Rankersk massaged his brow as Cailien smirked mischievously. Rare concern darkened Rankersk’s face.

“This will give them a weakness to exploit.”

“A weakness, hm…”

Cailien turned his eyes to the training grounds, watching Rune hold her sword.

“We’ll see in time what she becomes to me.”

For a week, Rankersk’s training was grueling, just as expected.

“Training dismissed!”

With that command, groans erupted from exhausted cadets.

Rune steadied her breath and sheathed her sword.

Manageable so far. But the real problem starts next.

So far, it had only been physical training and drills. Once tactical exercises began, things would be brutal.

“Here.”

“Oh—thanks, Ellen.”

Ellen appeared and handed her a wet handkerchief. Wiping her sweat-soaked forehead, Rune felt the cool relief spread.

Surprisingly thoughtful.

They had grown closer—eating together in the mess hall and talking often. Rune had learned some things about him.

First, though taciturn, Ellen was oddly considerate toward her.

“Can I use your room again today?”

He wiped his wet jaw and nodded silently.

After the washroom incident, he had offered his private bath to her. Rune hadn’t refused.

Strange. He acts like he hates hassle, but then…

Whether it was a change of heart or not, he showed surprising attentiveness, like giving her this towel.

As cadets rushed off to bathe, Rune and Ellen left together. Then—

“Ellen Grimaldi.”

Rankersk’s voice called him back. After a fleeting glance at Rune, his eyes fixed on Ellen.

“That roommate of yours still hasn’t returned?”

Ellen shook his head. Rankersk clenched his massive fist.

“That damned brat! If you see him, tell him I’ll break his legs next time!”

Rune clicked her tongue inwardly.

He looks like he really means it…

She remembered the noise from Ellen’s room last night. Tilting her head, she asked,

“Didn’t your roommate come back last night?”

“Yeah. Noisy guy.”

He walked on calmly. Rune stared incredulously and hurried after him.

“Then why pretend you didn’t know?”

“Too much noise already.”

Right. That’s the kind of person he is. Rune shook her head knowingly.

Second, Ellen was ruthless about avoiding bothersome things.

So why was he so quietly supportive of her? The more she learned, the less she understood.

“What’ll happen to that repeating cadet? At this rate, he’ll be expelled.”

“He’s not a kid. He’ll figure it out.”

“He clearly isn’t. Why not at least talk to him?”

“Not my problem.”

Cold as ever. Still, now that the roommate was back, she couldn’t keep troubling Ellen by using his bath.

“I guess that’s that. I’ll go back to the shared washroom starting today.”

For the first time, Ellen’s face twisted in shock.

“…Are you serious?”

Third, Ellen was extremely—no, absurdly conservative. To the point where he disliked even seeing bare skin.

Like right now.

“And why not?”