Chapter 14
Two weeks had passed since the freshmen had arrived.
On the day before the freshman competition, a meeting of professors was underway in the academy’s main hall.
“It looks like the weather will be clear tomorrow, so we can hold the competition in the First Practice Field as usual.”
“What will the match order be this year?”
“We’ll start in the morning with Class 3, Yellow versus Class 4, Green. In the afternoon, Class 2, Blue will face Class 5, White. And finally, Class 1, Red will compete against Class 6, Black.”
“The first match seems ordinary enough… but the second match is the one I’m really looking forward to.”
“Exactly. Two prodigies who have been famous since childhood are facing off.”
“The Blue Prodigy versus the White Genius… it will be an unusually high-level match for freshmen!”
The professors were most excited about the second match between Blue Class 2 and White Class 5, as both classes were represented by heirs of the six great swordsmanship families, famous from a young age. Everyone was curious to see which side would win.
“And the third match?”
“Well, Black Class 6… it has both the top and second-place students from the entrance exam.”
“Of course, entrance exam scores include written tests, so being first or second doesn’t necessarily mean they are the most skilled.”
“Especially the first-place student, the daughter of the Bastian family, isn’t from the six great swordsmanship families, so she’s a bit lacking in caliber.”
“I heard she even gave up her representative spot to the second-place student, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.”
“As for the second-place student, the child of the Lanzstein family… they are from one of the six great swordsmanship families, but there are a lot of concerning rumors. Honestly, I’m skeptical.”
As soon as Black Class 6 was mentioned, there were many overly disparaging comments, mostly out of caution toward Professor Kaleon Ignias, who was present.
“Meanwhile, Class 1, Red… Rufus Ignias will represent them.”
“Rufus is an extremely talented student. He won’t lose to the heir of the Lanzstein family.”
“His charisma is remarkable; he’s already commanding the Red Class students. I hear all the students are dedicating even their holidays to training.”
“It seems safe to predict that Class 1, Red will win the third match with Rufus at the helm!”
As praise for his son flowed, a smile appeared on Kaleon’s face. He firmly believed that his son would surpass the heirs of the other six great swordsmanship families.
“Well, I think it’s too early to say that for certain.”
At that moment, a voice contradicted the other professors. It belonged to a middle-aged professor with a scar on his right cheek—Yolz Kalesius, the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
“After observing for two weeks, Serine Bastian is indeed worthy of being first in the entrance exam.”
“Oh? Professor Yolz thinks so?”
“Yes. I’ve taught the White Class 5 students as well, but I found Serine Bastian has talent comparable to the White Class ‘Genius.’”
“……!”
“I think Serine was underestimated simply because she isn’t from one of the six great swordsmanship families.”
Yolz himself is a great swordsman, not from a prestigious family but recognized for his battlefield achievements, even receiving the title “Dragon-Slaying Sword” from the emperor. His judgment carried great weight.
“As for Ernas Lanzstein, the second-place student… he’s an interesting kid.”
“Interesting? What do you mean?”
“Overall, he’s slightly weaker than Serine Bastian. But in actual duels, he’s defeated Serine, showing remarkable instincts.”
“Instincts?”
“Let’s call it a sense for victory. I’ve watched him spar with others; he consistently wins using unexpected tactics.”
Yolz stroked his chin as he spoke.
“I haven’t seen Rufus Ignias in Red Class personally, so I can’t say who has the upper hand… but Red Class won’t overpower them easily.”
“Wow…!”
The professors who had earlier belittled Black Class 6 now looked intrigued. Only Kaleon Ignias frowned, clearly displeased.
Training Grounds of Red Class 1
Rufus Ignias met with an instructor for a briefing.
“According to Professor Kaleon, it seems Professor Yolz highly regards Black Class 6.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It would be wise to be cautious of Serine Bastian and Ernas Lanzstein.”
Though the instructor usually remained neutral, he was under Kaleon’s command and had been passing information to Rufus.
“Hmph, I don’t mind Serine Bastian, but why should I worry about Ernas Lanzstein?”
“Rufus, according to Professor Yolz…”
“I’ve sparred with Ernas before.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes, about three years ago.”
Rufus snorted.
“He canceled the duel, claiming he injured his hand when a teacup broke! Ridiculous!”
“Was it really an injury?”
“Of course not! He was just afraid to duel me and made up an excuse!”
Rufus continued with a look of contempt.
“None of the heirs of the swordsmanship families have faced him. He never fights anyone who looks competent! Even when rumors of his victories circulated, there were always suspicious circumstances!”
“You mean…”
“He used money or influence! Truly cowardly!”
Rufus shrugged.
“Professor Yolz was probably fooled by him as well. A deceitful and cunning guy.”
“Hmm… then…”
“But now that he’s facing me in this competition… those tricks won’t work.”
Ernas had hidden his true skill using money and influence, but that wouldn’t help now. Rufus intended to crush him and expose his facade.
“I’ll strip off his mask with my sword… and prove that the Lanzstein family doesn’t even come close to the Ignias family.”
“Yes…”
“So, my main concern is Serine Bastian. Her duel will probably be the most important one.”
Rufus then looked at the instructor.
“By the way, have you checked what Black Class 6 is planning?”
“I asked my peer who’s been observing their island. It seems they’re just doing regular training.”
“Really?”
“Yes, they don’t even seem to know the layout of the competition field.”
“Unprepared fools.”
Rufus had already obtained detailed maps of the arena and had trained Red Class 1 students thoroughly based on that information.
“We’ve trained to the point that we can change formations blindly.”
“The field is a rocky, rugged island. Anyone entering without prior knowledge will be lost.”
“Yes, and we’ll crush those unprepared fools.”
Red Class 1 was ready. They would completely overwhelm Black Class 6, who would naively appear at the competition field.
The Day of the Competition
Black Class 6 was tense from the morning.
“Finally, we’re leaving this island.”
“Heading to the island for the competition?”
“By now, Yellow Class 3 and Green Class 4 are probably competing.”
“Then Blue Class 2 versus White Class 5, and finally us.”
“Red Class 1… they won’t be easy.”
They had been training in isolation on a small island and were nervous to face other classes for the first time.
“Everyone’s assembled.”
“Yes, all gathered.”
I stepped forward with Chloe, catching the attention of the murmuring students.
“Everyone, thank you for preparing for the competition. I apologize for not being able to participate fully in the preparations despite being your class representative.”
The students were surprised by the sudden apology.
“While I couldn’t be with you, leaving Serine, Shumitz, and others in charge, it was necessary to plan our strategy.”
“Strategy…?”
“First, take a look at the map of the arena.”
Chloe unfolded the map, which I had drawn based on descriptions from the novel, and showed it to the students.
“As you can see, the arena is on a rocky island. The terrain is rough, and the paths people can traverse are limited.”
I pointed to the red and black markers on the map.
“The red mark in the northwest is Red Class 1’s starting point. The black mark in the southeast is Black Class 6’s starting point. You’ll wait there and move as soon as the competition begins.”
“Wait a minute!”
A student raised their hand.
“Is this information reliable? Where did you get it…? And why tell us only today? If we knew earlier, we could have trained accordingly…”
“Yes, having this info beforehand would have helped.”
I spoke calmly.
“But if we had, Red Class 1 might learn we’re planning a strategy, and they’d adjust accordingly. People and supplies move between islands all the time; information could leak.”
Rufus Ignias could be spying on us with the power of the Ignias family. I didn’t want him to know we had this intelligence.
“That’s why I didn’t reveal it until today. Thank you for understanding.”
“Yes…”
“Now, let me continue.”
I pointed to the symbols on the map.
“Red Class 1 will advance across relatively easy terrain, launching their attack. But Rufus Ignias probably won’t leave the starting point. He’ll wait with a few aides.”
“Why?”
“Because of his personality.”
Recalling Rufus’s depiction in the novel, I explained:
“Rufus lets his subordinates attack first. When they struggle against Black Class 6, he appears heroically to finish the fight himself.”
“Is that…?”
“It’s not tactical—it’s just showing off.”
“That’s Rufus Ignias. He wants to display his skill.”
If victory is guaranteed without him, he won’t intervene. He prefers winning only when he can take credit at a critical moment.
“We’ll exploit Rufus’s psychology.”
“Psychology…?”
“Yes. We’ll use it to set a trap.”
The students of Black Class 6 in front of me would execute the trap. I was about to explain their roles.
“If we can trap Rufus, this competition will end in Black Class 6’s victory.”
“……!”
Of course, trapping him isn’t enough. Someone must deliver the final blow. That person is none other than Ernas Lanzstein, representative of Black Class 6.
