Chapter 48
YEQz5AsFinal exams had begun.mA2
S1jxu65“Those who are finished may hand in their exam sheets and leave.”LdRWX
pPaaThe first subject Fernan had to take was “Introduction to Runic Language,” the theoretical foundation of magic.W525Vh2
j86It was a simple test, purely theoretical—almost 90%—that could be solved with just a few notes. Neither difficult nor long.Yb3
BJ5bDjMFernan filled out all ten pages of the exam and turned them in.DH8nt
SAoWA“…Already finished?”wvI
NYrrmB“Wow, for written exams he’s unbelievably fast.”ngq
3yx8WW8“Seeing how he always scores the highest, it makes no sense that he’s only ranked 10th in practical exams.”TkzZ
soTYwIt was the sixth time it had happened, so it didn’t cause much of a stir.DwH
53VGe1BAs always, he felt a burning gaze on him, but nothing more. Probably from Carlo Deneb.R2H7eht
YapSPA guy who couldn’t stand losing even a bit in his obsession with being the best.1si51xN
YQHF6‘I don’t really care.’aNfD9
7LodThe next subjects were “Understanding of Manual Seals, Spells, and Techniques” and “Structure and Principles of Magic Circles.”9bFrHi6
BWiThe first involved analyzing the presented spells and techniques and executing them.U9J
PZcBThe second followed a similar format.IfR
H7xdFernan passed both without difficulty. He was the first to leave the room and the one who completed them best.ALpS
WNBotmgWith that, the three core courses were done, and what awaited him next was the first combined exam.vdJORnV
TIgsWA combination of the subjects “Combat, War, and Magic” and “War and Practical Duels.”zBM1y
R0iTb“This exam is simple. They’ll divide the students into four teams and have a large-scale confrontation.”Ym1Ju
S2ywNT“And what’s that?”487y7
I1XfFS“Exam info.”NaYXg
pq3“Professor Grad again?”gkeo
jIES“They were selling it around, so I bought it.”lXA
pHnS“Does that even make sense?”DunHcwi
y5gFernan replied while flipping a page.oMtIT8
8p3JGt“The teams will be formed by the professors as they please. They’ll likely be balanced. What matters is the environment.”3o1dHJ
7L7kNrDepending on the terrain, the way of fighting, preparations, and strategies varied completely.aN7FB
d7fKF“Isn’t all that written there?”Q6MGbny
OQmwZ9P“You’re quick. We’re team 3, the terrain is mountainous with hills. A circular field about 5 km wide.”ma9
DpwFernan closed the documents.RVV976
Qi6“Are you sure?”w9T6
htkdMW3“You asked the wrong question.”1fKeYK
FoATfKLuina, full of fighting spirit, replied.u0LV4IH
xgvrq“We’re going to win.”M5IbzwS
FrdQ***W2O
keLWq4SThe general structure was similar to previous drills.ol52
c2ekRAUEach student was given a map, which not only ensured their safety but also determined their elimination.bk69xLZ
0kv9The only difference was that the previous 100 teams had been reduced to 4.odHWmr7
ONQFVThe goal was to eliminate the others or capture the flags located in enemy bases.n3nFbsx
O4CcMThe rules weren’t complicated. It was a commonly used method to train tactics and strategy.z6o
m8TrW“I’ll announce the teams.”zLVFh
YgI9ROn the day of the exam, everything was organized just as the document Fernan had acquired had described.rdBc6A
M7GHUW“You are in the northern mountainous region. You must capture the enemy’s flag or eliminate all of their members.”9DZIHfb
HWDeTYXThat brief explanation by Professor Grad was the starting signal.yZXhnO
HJWqEach team was taken to their assigned base, and under the supervision of professors and assistants, the test began.DzALPd
8uSJTeTeam 3’s base, which Fernan and Luina belonged to, was on a wooded hill.K1a
mbwThe 50 students in the team eyed each other cautiously.z8S54zJ
MrEIn group combat, unity was key. If everyone gave different opinions without leadership, they would just be a disorganized troop at the mercy of others.F4m
ZmNSvINo one there was unaware of that reality.2lt
EBv“Does anyone here want to be the captain?”I0baUAR
EarAt the unexpected question, tension rose.4Bp
2B7Several hands went up. Five in total. There were students from both the Knight Department and the Magic Department.zLNa0
0kgvI8MBut Fernan didn’t move.EPhV2
Hrl52It was important for Luina to become the best, but he had no interest in being captain. Of course, if Luina wanted to do it, he would support her. But he had no intention of nominating himself.Ecvf
ipUD9“You’re not going to step up?”FVrj
GCNX“I don’t have a talent for leading others.”qor9wG
buvbd“Doesn’t seem like you can’t do it.”aJyUu
lLOJcz“I’m not terrible, but if someone else is better suited, there’s no reason I should do it.”naObh6B
pJHFa“Someone better suited?”dtVHgxr
rU5Luina stared at him without answering.We77TWR
ke9“Me?”W8djorA
n6SR“Yes.”uTm
7PZjWW“Don’t be ridiculous.”P3OMVn
iHFtRbz“After being with you, that’s what I think.”456g
s1ZP“I’ve never commanded a troop in front of you.”B7Q2
45xICSJ“Even so, you’re the only one among us who’s led people in the field.”SBSTv
ppTPpShe wasn’t wrong, though leading merchants and leading troops were different things.Q3iDDH
y6GuqN“Seems the others think so too.”lOLE3v5
OteZQy“What do you mean by that…?”FbeNOiJ
8nu22gFernan stopped. All the students were looking at him.WFaXOjm
OZKHqL“Fernan Pellenberg. We believe you’re the most fit to be captain.”Ehohht
ORRCThe one who had asked the initial question stepped forward.nvmBHpv
QxcWhat was his name again? Ah, yes—Erun Rahas, 21st in the Magic Department.gCKbsxq
Oev4t“Me?”xM13w
a8boXUX“There are two reasons. One, you have the highest rank.”sIH
lOF“But there’s Gert Grotz and Neria Huffman. And Luina too.”Crq1
Yp9wFf“Luina just gave up the spot. Gert recommended you.”ltqr
YQ3UFernan turned his head.ccCAlNl
q8zntAmong the crowd, he saw Gert Grotz with a mocking smile, and his companion Neria Huffman sighing as she gave a slight bow.Xdv
pywmN0“And the second reason?”jFolB2
XW5“You’re the only one with real experience leading people.”aNXvRh5
qdgwv“Working in a caravan and a simulated battle aren’t the same.”VGU
v491nHY“The rest of us haven’t even done that. Also, you’re number one in theory. No one beats you there.”nTYb
VP1Fernan looked silently at Luina. Her shining gaze softened his heart.BxQ
C7GPuVoHe didn’t want to do it. He really didn’t. But if Luina wanted it…ZKwi
TZZtrAnd if this could push ruin a bit further away.eFnzrRg
snkL“Alright.”6jFzjG
T2OAfter all, turning Luina into the best was the goal, and this was the surest way.Qxd
unAdQd“Since you chose me, trust me completely. If you do, I’ll lead you to victory.”P2zL
voNIKEHe was confident. He could already guess who the captains of the other teams would be.5Dk8
V2Sc“Alright, captain. What’s our first order? Defend the base?”Du0o
zlSn“We’re not doing something foolish like that.”C35gSOe
Fd67XFernan spread the map and pinpointed the positions of the other teams.Llwg
bwBMqU“Immediately send messengers to team 2 and team 4.”Tvl8ClU
GkHA person used to being above others. With real experience leading troops.gP9K
SwQAAnd therefore, the most advantageous in this test.991eCly
MIE“We’ll eliminate Ludger Schwaben first.”qzJf6S
siZvYou take down public enemies before anyone else.v6APC
jm5juoTogether with everyone.kg8
RlHZWG4***cc3Z7N
zU562NJust as Fernan had foreseen, the representative of Team 1 was Ludger Schwaben.BACQW
Sx6NCS“We trust in His Highness.”V5SR
YpG0hExcluding Almon, he held the highest position. He was a prince and also had experience leading knights, so there was no better candidate.4xzb4
PVv“Yes, trust me.”cCp0D
pWv5Ludger also accepted it as something natural.VbTbU
bpPudd“Of course I’m going to win.”qT1A
zItDefeat wasn’t in his plans.tnRiEf
uGw1d98It was true that he had been defeated by Fernan during the practice, but that was only because he was caught completely off guard. Now that the sword had been drawn, there was no way he’d lose.eRJfOs
4P3GTcG“First we’ll send a reconnaissance unit to assess the situation of the other teams and strengthen our defenses.”EKkwn
2oC3GWith the four teams observing each other, the first to move recklessly was more likely to be eliminated.oiGNl1
lSyeLudger began to plan how to devour them one by one, with patience.eNG
b82“Set traps around the perimeter.”O6U
toZUkRThe camp had supplies for open-field combat. About thirty minutes passed.L1JL
tItEV“Your Highness, we have a problem! Team 2 is heading this way!”EVF
YZND“How many?”hhi
5DHS“Around 30 people, it seems.”gCw4s
vMi4ZIY“Looks like they left only minimal defense and are bringing almost everyone here.”GOZtzmi
piyBJAt Almon’s words, Ludger nodded. At that moment, the students sent to scout the other teams returned.11u
6VWcedt“Several dozen from Team 3 are also coming this way!”W903cBI
udV6ACD“Team 4 too, same!”l8D1O
eH0wDof“This is…”1Lh
GrHrNThe students swallowed hard. No one was so dumb as to not understand what that meant.aTr
URD“They allied?”seVni
2JxLudger let out a chuckle. In an instant, he knew who was behind it all.uvrq
GbL“…Fernan Pellenberg. Seems we think alike.”oqQN
0Ou1He had also planned to eliminate Fernan and Luina first, but they beat him to it.i6UdhP
g4n6ES“What do we do, Your Highness?”twSOuP
0Gu2N9X“What else? We resist.”dXCGxc
unaJust because they had allied didn’t mean he would fall without a fight. And it wasn’t impossible to hold out.mnI
33LEven though three teams were coming, they had all left some people behind to defend their bases.NGw
6dI4KHApproximately 90 people were approaching. Almost double Team 1’s 50, but that didn’t mean all was lost.25PU
P4XwB“We’ve been setting traps for half an hour. They’re not a well-coordinated regular army. If we hold out, we might just make it.”OWQhc
9DS2C“Wouldn’t that just delay the defeat?”egn
n9A7k“That’s why we won’t just defend. We’ll attack too. Almon.”gKJ
YCuoRtq“Yes, Your Highness.”GSLTHt
Ab21peLudger unfolded the map and pointed to Team 4’s location.nHs
gKq3Sh“There should only be stragglers at their base. Think you can sneak in and steal the flag?”4fWxAQ3
Ia7aTTo“Doesn’t seem impossible. But if I leave, won’t that be a big disadvantage? I’m the only one who can stop Luina.”iuNDC2k
6pM5Fp“Don’t worry. Fernan knows me well, that’s why he planned this. But I know Fernan just as well.”N2j
JbiaWZLudger smiled.ZaHBaDm
Da3“Fernan and Luina won’t go all out. Same with Gert and Neria. In that case, it’s not impossible to hold out.”CoCwS
iApEm“Understood. But… why Team 4 and not Team 2?”TUC
5FwTeam 2 was closer in terms of distance. In a situation where you didn’t know how long you could hold, it made sense to reduce a team as soon as possible.OHIS5
VTX“It’s simple. Because Team 2 has Carlo.”xFN
QQfE8“You don’t mean…?”LgRWW
qjCLudger replied with an ambiguous smile.BkDr56
Aff1ZmJust before the alliance reached Team 1’s camp, Almon silently infiltrated.OwG
2u5V***3V9rvg6
VmkSmMeanwhile, Fernan, who had instigated the students to attack Team 1, gave Luina a secret instruction.djcpT
7nDa“Luina, if we arrive and the battle unfolds as planned, don’t go all out. Just cooperate enough.”ZPIUeps
q5QC7JA“If it unfolds? You’re implying there might not be a fight? And what do you mean by ‘just cooperate’?”F4LFl
Ll6“You’ll understand the first part when we get there. The second means that if it happens, we shouldn’t finish the fight too quickly.”H6kjHJ
LSpIf they eliminated Ludger’s Team 1, who would be the next target? Fernan believed with 90% certainty it would be him.su3
oB38There were many reasons.fUlv
kG89Because his grades had improved recently. Because Luina Bercheff was highly prominent.JKs
ILZAnd because he was the one who orchestrated this operation.asrvWnU
G8DThe students weren’t stupid. They’d think about what came after taking down Team 1.hpQ
z8mBut the same went for Fernan. That’s why he wanted to buy time.7lf9
fpylWait for Ludger to do something. Let the other teams suffer more damage.1wDMUI
rGuGq“…That’s cowardice.”aGH
rU6“In combat, there is no cowardice, Luina. Only victory.”z7iUGE
N1aJust as there’s no dirty money, only useful money.zqKK
EoHYqCW“Would you rather be a cowardly champion or an honorable loser? Your choice.”INPMP
aNw8“…Cha… champion… no, lo… ugh.”HSB
Ycmf“You must be the champion. It’s the first step to becoming a Royal Knight.”zt2fSkd
fOW“…I’ll be the winner.”3P5Zi
4zCLuina bit her lip hard.ysRx2Fj
xdEKbs“Good. Don’t forget, Luina. Victory is justice.”NDvRnO6
J0Xn0jV“……”oAth7y
LUpaz7“This is an act of redemption for asking something unfair of a righteous knight.”mE6xQ
KW4znJ“…Kraken ink chocolate?”7bJPx0
lMZPi“A luxury delicacy.”lBRwBoU
ozceOfYShe brought the truffle to her mouth. Her previously gloomy expression instantly lit up with joy.UpBI8i
GyEtA“No matter the process, victory will be as sweet as this.”RqdXO7
24993b“…Yeah, you didn’t have to do all that, I’ll do it anyway.”v3hDf
gLWhgyPerfect.ZemEi3J
3Z6lwVnFernan smiled.6hhyv
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