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Chapter 59
Hunting a Big Shot (1)
“Are we going into the Western Grand Labyrinth?”
The trainees’ dormitory cafeteria.
In the small cafeteria where only a few trainees were seated, Berislyze’s voice echoed.
“What on earth is Yols Kalesius thinking? Taking trainees to such a dangerous place.”
“Indeed, the Western Grand Labyrinth is dangerous.”
Serine, sitting next to her, nodded in agreement.
Currently, Serine and Berislyze were training together in the Valentiano class.
Their relationship wasn’t great, but both were top students, so the professors spoke highly of them.
“I was surprised when I heard you went to hunt orcs… but I never thought you’d enter the Western Grand Labyrinth. Ernas, are you really sure this is okay?”
“I decided not to go into places that are too dangerous.”
I answered calmly.
“I’ll only go into the upper layers managed by the Baltfeld family.”
“Ah, so this year the Baltfeld family sent graduates.”
The Western Grand Labyrinth was a source of various rare materials.
Among them were ingredients for elixirs, requiring strict management.
The imperial government requested cooperation from the six great swordsmanship families, and each family sent a graduate on a rotating basis each year.
“The Baltfeld family…”
Berislyze scoffed as she listened.
“The fact that they’re managing it makes me even less reassured. They could stab you in the back in the dungeon, you know.”
“Berislyze, if they did something like that, the Baltfeld family wouldn’t escape unscathed either.”
“We’d just erase all the evidence in the dungeon.”
Saying this, Berislyze turned her head.
“Heinrich, aren’t you worried?”
“…….”
Berislyze had pointed to Heinrich, who was sitting alone in the corner, eating.
“I don’t care what they do.”
“What?”
“If the Baltfeld family sends a bunch of people to kill me, I’ll just take them all out.”
“…….”
“And then expose their wrongdoing outside the labyrinth.”
Answering in a cold voice, Heinrich resumed his meal.
Watching him, Berislyze made a face of disbelief.
“That baseless confidence… still the same.”
After saying that, Berislyze turned her gaze to me.
“Ernas, isn’t it dangerous moving with someone like that?”
“Thanks for your concern, Berislyze.”
“Concern, my foot!”
Berislyze stammered angrily.
“Who’s worrying about whom? From my point of view, it’s better if you all fight each other to mutual destruction!”
“That’s harsh.”
Not exactly wrong.
The six great swordsmanship families were competing for the top spot in the academy, and eventually, the Duke of Lichtenauer position.
If the Baltfeld family killed Heinrich and me, got blamed, and ended up cornered… Berislyze’s Schreier family would benefit.
“Ernas, I’m more worried about the monsters in the Western Grand Labyrinth than the Baltfeld family.”
Serine looked at me and said.
“Even if you only go into the upper layers, if a large number of dangerous monsters appear… it could be risky.”
“Don’t worry.”
Of course, Serine was right; it was dangerous.
The terrain was complex, and it was indeed riskier than hunting orcs.
“It’s the first practical exercise, and we’ll proceed only along safe routes.”
“If it’s a safe route… it should be fine.”
Exactly.
Safe routes mean no problem.
Problems arise only if we deviate from that route.
A few days later.
Heinrich, Yols, and I arrived at the Western Grand Labyrinth.
‘So this is the Western Grand Labyrinth…’
From above, it looked like a crumbling ordinary ruin.
But beneath it stretched a massive underground dungeon.
Today, we would enter it.
“By the way… have you taken all the blue elixirs given this time?”
“Yes, Professor.”
“We did.”
Heinrich and I had received one bottle each of the blue elixir as a reward from the last orc hunt.
Students could not receive monetary compensation, so rewards were given in elixirs based on performance.
“You are already lower-level graduates. Taking more elixirs could bring you closer to the mid-level graduate rank… but simply increasing your magical capacity won’t make you reach a higher state.”
“…….”
“Practicing magical control is important, but I believe sharpening your senses through real-world experience is even more crucial. That’s why Yols’ class focuses on practical, combat-oriented training.”
Looking at our faces, Yols continued:
“If we achieve good results together this time, we can establish this method.”
“Our responsibility is heavy, then.”
“Indeed. I originally planned a more measured approach, but then competent students like you showed up…”
Yols smiled wryly.
“We asked for it ourselves, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Understood.”
At that moment, about a dozen swordsmen approached us.
Even without using Atilion’s magic detection, it was clear they were all at least graduate-level.
‘And…’
Tall, far taller than the average woman in this world.
Brown hair like a lion’s mane.
A large sword with a golden hilt strapped to her waist.
The very same Theodora Baltfeld, as described in the novels, was leading them.
“Long time no see, Doronggeom.”
“Indeed, Lady Theodora.”
Yols and Theodora shook hands, having met before.
“Training students in the Western Grand Labyrinth… very much like your style.”
“Based on my experience, I thought this would be the most effective method. Now it needs to be proven.”
“I hope for good results.”
After offering a word of encouragement to Yols, Theodora turned her gaze.
“Ernas Lanzstein and Heinrich Agrippa… I believe this is our first time speaking face to face.”
Looking at us, Theodora spoke in a commanding voice.
“I actually watched your previous duel. Both of you are exceptionally talented.”
“……”
Heinrich’s expression stiffened slightly.
He had lost to me in that duel, so bringing it up wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Our family’s Gort seems to have been inspired as well. I hope you continue to improve.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Theodora’s demeanor toward us was exemplary on the surface.
She appeared to be a noble warrior with good character.
But I knew her true intentions.
‘She’s probably thinking about how to kill me.’
Theodora was Gort’s aunt and mentor, currently staying in the West to support him.
Since the second exam, it had become difficult for her to intervene directly in the academy, so now she was attempting to eliminate me herself.
‘She even hired assassins from the Elder Blood Sword Council, and that failed. Now that I’m here…’
Now I had entered the Western Grand Labyrinth, under Theodora’s control.
Serine said she couldn’t intervene, but that was far from the truth.
Theodora had prepared the labyrinth specifically to eliminate me.
“But, Doronggeom.”
“Why, Lady Theodora?”
“The Academy said the three of you would enter together, correct?”
“Yes.”
“That’s problematic.”
Theodora looked at Yols.
“If something happens while you’re in the labyrinth, our side would be responsible.”
“That shouldn’t be the case.”
“If you were going alone, it would be fine. But this time, you’re bringing young students. Plus, they are heirs of swordsmanship families… If anything happens, it will be difficult to handle the aftermath.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll assign about three graduates to accompany you. That should be enough for safety.”
Feigning kindness, Theodora spoke, but Yols shook his head.
“Lady Theodora, that’s not acceptable.”
“Why not?”
“This is Academy training. We cannot train students under the watch of Baltfeld family swordsmen.”
“……”
“Furthermore, I believe graduates must experience real danger to truly grow.”
Yols looked at us as he spoke.
“Exploring the labyrinth under the protection of Baltfeld family swordsmen… that’s not real training—it’s a picnic.”
“Doronggeom, if that’s the case, shouldn’t you also refrain from entering?”
“Don’t worry. I am not accompanying them as a guardian.”
“Hmm…”
“As submitted in the documents, I will be stationed at the entrance. I won’t go in with the students.”
Hearing the refusal, Theodora paused to think.
Then, one of the swordsmen waiting behind her raised a hand.
“May I speak?”
“What is it?”
“I suggest testing whether these students are qualified to enter the labyrinth.”
“A test, huh.”
Theodora smiled.
“Good idea.”
“Lady Theodora, what do you intend?”
“I want to see how much their skills have improved since the previous duel. If they haven’t progressed, they shouldn’t enter the Western Grand Labyrinth.”
“……”
Her intention was clear.
The purpose was to personally check my current level.
The swordsman who suggested it had probably already discussed it with her.
“Hmm…”
“I have no objections, Professor.”
I spoke up first to Yols, who was hesitating.
“I’ll take the test.”
“Ernas, are you sure?”
“It would be easier to proceed with training if we have Baltfeld family cooperation.”
I turned to Theodora.
“I request that you send one representative. I will prove my qualification through a duel.”
“Very well. You are still lower-level graduates, so we’ll send someone of similar level.”
Theodora gestured to the swordsman who had spoken earlier.
He appeared to be in his mid-thirties.
A lower-level graduate, but a veteran who had seen battles under Theodora.
“Face him, Carlos.”
“Yes, Lady Theodora.”
The swordsman called Carlos stepped forward.
“I won’t use sword energy. Even if we’re both lower-level graduates, I’m much more senior.”
“Are you from the Academy?”
“Yes. My grades were average, though.”
They drew their swords while exchanging light conversation.
As they assumed their stances, Theodora raised her voice.
“Begin!”
Whoosh!
Carlos lunged, striking straight ahead with a threatening force.
‘Typical Northern sword style—heavy attacks.’
Just before he swung, I used the Lichtenauer Leap Technique to launch into the air.
“……!”
Carlos twisted in alarm, preparing for a mid-air attack.
‘It’s useless, Carlos.’
I drew on my mana.
Combining the Lichtenauer Leap Technique with Valahail medium sword technique, I delivered a powerful strike from above.
“Ugh!”
Klang!
Carlos’ sword flew far away.
He fell to the ground, groaning as his wrist bent painfully.
“T-this guy….”
“Thank you for not using sword energy, senior.”
I said calmly, sheathing my sword energy.
He had refrained from using his sword energy out of courtesy, so there was no reason for me to hold back.
“How is it, Lady Theodora?”
I turned to look at her.
She looked stiff, perhaps surprised at how quickly it had ended.
“Are you satisfied?”
“Ernas Lanzstein…”
She glared at me with an aggressive gaze.
“As a lower-level graduate, you’re no match. I should have sent someone stronger.”
“A stronger opponent, huh.”
I looked her straight in the eyes.
“Then, will you face me, Lady Theodora?”
“……!”
She widened her eyes at my bold question.
