Chapter 114: End-of-Term Report Card (5)
5M2EgAmong the first-year students, Rian was undoubtedly the most diligent in training. In fact, his training regimen was so harsh it bordered on overwork. He tackled it day after day.5E5P3
Q5QhhTYet, his grades did not improve.GOkQJS
BIzAlthough there were rumors that Rian had mastered Schema a month ago, the slow pace of his enhancement cast doubts on whether this was true.chb
rkqR“No matter that I’m the lowest ranked, I won’t know unless I try. Who knows, things might surprisingly go well once I actually take on the challenge?”LA6T
eftdYs“Haha, that’s so like you.”gPeA5
hA76FGTess had never seen Rian tense. The fact that he, the least skilled in the academy, was so composed before a test where his limbs could be severed was oddly unsettling.9uE
R3NVrC1After all, it was the same back then.Lp9UKA
mbZDTess first became aware of Rian during the probation period.6qL
tYtSwordsmen, by nature, enjoy combat. With 300 such kids gathered, the atmosphere from the first day was tense. The instructors did not particularly interfere with what happened inside the barracks. Predictably, some wolves bared their teeth.CQ0tl
Sda8The pecking order was established in no time.GvUAUc
5OTYQl5Those who had mastered Schema formed the first group, those with physical strength the second, and the rest, the third. The problem was with the trainees who didnt fit into the third group. They were boys with no interest in swords but were pushed into the academy by their parents.Sy5
pbXRichard Faiger, the leader of the first group, relentlessly bullied these boys. Already naturally brutal, he had come to an academy where killing techniques were legally taught, and his restraints had been unleashed.bvDyY1S
hluQJ4Tess didn’t care. In terms of skill, she was in the first group, and the handful of women among the trainees were exempt from the hierarchy battle.pTGbUk1
YN9Zk2Rians rank was in the middle of the second group at that time.Nc6h
QCBakxWith this ranking, he wasnt a target for bullying, but Rian didnt mingle with anyone. His reason for joining the swordsmanship academy was just one: to become a swordsman worthy of Shirone. Graduation or anything else didnt matter; he just wanted to improve his skills.wzay
DPcy“Pffhahaha! Hey, run! Faster!”k7VRTc
zmi1“Giggle! Hee-hee!”GKrNxE
NF2Y9hoOne day, the first group’s trainees rode on the weaker kids’ backs, staging a race in the barracks. They hit the “horses” with sticks, eliciting horse-like sounds with each strike.cmqB
z2lprSome trainees frowned at this, but most were engrossed in cheering, as if watching a real horse race. Small bets were placed, and showing dislike could lead to being at the bottom of the hierarchy.PKMLdeS
6qqizB“Faster! I’m winning! I’m winning!”VDXMEF
YTSTrjTFaiger, leading the race, was thrilled. True to his nature of not accepting defeat in anything, even a playful race, he increased his strikes as the finish line approached. The human horse, crying and bleeding from his knees, had to crawl to keep going.Scjq9
16Zz“Hee-hee! Haha!”kqebO
r1L“Yess! I’m first…!”fNpW
wRA8Just as Faiger was about to cross the finish line, a blurry afterimage caught his eye, followed by a strong blow to the bridge of his nose.6AVpXXx
r0NEc“Ow!”xnSAzS2
lI7RvKicked unknowingly, Faiger fell off the human horse. The following runners crossed the finish line in the meantime.WVSgmG
bdW“Stop it. Is this your playground?”79xSPOX
6RXFaiger clutched his throbbing nose, glaring at the blue-haired boy.OSKm
6H8Qwv“You little…!”iXD
XsEmXRian Ogent.vbf
uqGDAs far as Faiger knew, Rian was mediocre even among the second group. Realizing he had been struck by a boy who hadn’t even mastered Schema, his pride was wounded.MOxL
i6mxS“What, you want to die?”hABDwsf
c3WHzT9Rian remained silent. His nature of conserving words hadn’t changed since entering the swordsmanship academy. If he had nothing to say, he wouldnt make something up.CyCu
kad5“Look at this guy…”VbIw
mAoxFaiger stood up, exuding murderous intent. The situation was tense, but the frightened trainees didn’t dare intervene.DYikO
Srug2Of course, there were those who felt no need to. Tess was one of them.2s143f
UPETGLThis was a swordsmanship academy. In a group learning war techniques, standing up for the weak changed nothing. In the end, the hierarchy was always established based on strength.cNA
JFx“Oh, it’s Rian, right? Causing trouble again.”ibJnmaU
cwjzFyTess turned around. Another female trainee, taller than most boys, stood behind her like a wall.aPs
BuOfQA“You know his name? He doesn’t seem very strong.”IQG5azU
nCJAI“He’s weak, but he’s stubborn. Recently, the second group collected some money for Faiger’s birthday. Rian was the only one who didn’t contribute.”2akcBGH
rSi6lN“Aha, so he was targettted for that?”mCe
PRwZ“Probably. But honestly, I was surprised. I thought he was quiet, but he’s unexpectedly hot-blooded.”U0UswF
5JmdUg“Hmm…”7bGTL
SUHOFor the first time, Tess took a closer look at Rian. Still silent, he showed no intention of backing down.zrQfcD
3uDfDPi‘Such a guy exists too. Indeed, the kingdom is vast.’QZesgq
zybOQNHThat was the extent of her interest. Having grown up seeing many eccentrics due to her father’s influence as a colonial commander, she knew that in this world, if the sword wasn’t strong enough, it would just break, no matter the conviction behind it.0C0SkW
km5“Ha, has this guy gone mute? Its too late for regrets. You didn’t think you could do all this and remain unscathed, did you?”FSH
NYNm“Let’s go outside. It won’t look good in the evaluation if the instructor finds out.”XPfRhA
i3veFaiger was incredulous. The very boy who should be begging for mercy was suggesting they fight out of the instructor’s sight.P3C
hV1“Fine, as you wish. Follow me. And everyone else, come watch. I’ll show you what happens when you mess with me.”XOhzto
QM3TFaiger led Rian to an open area behind the building. Trainees from groups one to three followed Faiger, while only non-group members stood with Rian.3Yf
t4WABut they had already lost their will to fight. In fact, they hadnt come to fight at all, just not part of Faiger’s clique. Deep down, they resented Rian for escalating the situation.MSCRU
M3yK4Dl“Hey, if you dont want a beating, come to this side.”dkbUkc
v7PXakFaiger offered them a way out. The trainees didn’t hesitate, passing by Rian and rushing to the opposite side.a8k6
WftS“Hahahaha! Pathetic. Hey, Rian, what now? Everyones left you.”hFq4U
pnoV4o“Relying on numbers? You’ve always been rotten to the core.”sqU
nrFrFqn“What?”gni0
KcX“If you must fight, then fight. Thats what a knight does. You don’t even deserve to be called one.”UbK
RQ3tglNFaiger snorted. In war, knights would tear at each other like dogs. To him, the code of chivalry was nothing more than a fancy wrapper for those who survived such brutality.ecVuoLc
Qhd16“Fine, lets see if your fists are as strong as your mouth. Ill take you on myself. Dont get too comfortable. By saying I’ll fight you alone, I mean I’ll kill you.”TDuC36
R8diR4Rian raised his fists in a fighting stance. Faiger, on the other hand, casually strolled up.gB8
6aD1“I’ll let you hit me first. Go ahead.”LX65X
lKi2Faiger gestured with his fingers, prompting Rian to throw a punch. In that instant, Faiger dodged the attack and struck Rian’s abdomen.X08MFe
n56vR1“Ugh!”tIayicR
Snx3MRian’s eyes widened with the pain of feeling his belly being ripped apart. It felt like a heavy boulder had been slammed into his stomach. Was this the power of a fist enhanced by Schema?mB0N
52ax“Idiot. Why would I let you hit me?”r4o
TkxGFaiger, while mocking Rian, was surprised that he hadn’t ended it with one blow. He had been too complacent. With this realization, he threw a series of rapid punches with all his might.qCQGrov
wWCjrKRian was in dire straits. This bare-handed duel was deadly, with Schema itself being a lethal weapon. It felt like being battered by a soldier in heavy armor.AO1gVqV
a1ZAs Faiger’s fist buried into Rian’s abdomen, his legs lifted off the ground.CHFFS
40oWhen he landed again, even Rian, with his tough resilience, couldn’t stay upright. His body crumpled to the ground, starting from his knees.o6iqN
QxsOLim‘That’s more like it…’4nu
WwECDoQFaiger sneered at Rian. Suddenly, Rian sprang up like an arrow, closing the distance between them.KGN3Pv
zskr8B‘What? He’s still fighting?’Nlp
La9cEFaiger was taken aback. Rian hadn’t mastered Schema, and the punch had definitely landed properly. Without Schema’s protection, he should have been knocked out.mL510
PwNXWCHRian focused his attacks on Faiger’s abdomen. Aiming for the face would be easily evaded, but attacking from below while blocking the view with his wider back made it hard for even Faiger to counterattack quickly.LtO00z
bHC4YkThe tactic was effective, and Faiger found himself retreating under the onslaught. Each punch to his abdomen sent sharp pains through his body.5UaGu
6hXw‘What’s with this guy?’Lor2b
5VTTo Faiger, there was no victory to celebrate. Just being engaged in a brawl with someone who couldn’t even use Schema was shameful.WpP
yzm“You damn bastard!”pKvW
eB1RFLosing control, Faiger grabbed Rian’s shoulders, pushed him away, and then began to pummel him wildly. The dull thuds of his blows echoed across the yard. The trainees watched the one-sided beating with pale faces.cD6Xp
YVPWhen Faiger came to his senses, Rian lay crumpled on the ground like a rag doll, still conscious. Seeing Rian’s fingers twitch, Faiger’s eyes blazed with anger.wxEATjj
hFF7J“Argh! Annoying!”F1KYsQq
j05DFaiger’s kicks bombarded Rian. It was only then that the first group trainees realized the seriousness of the situation and rushed over.ks425a
rzo9y“Stop it! He might actually die at this rate!”Vrg
gcM“Let go! I’m going to kill him! Die, you bastard!”uSP3DOi
UMSnRian’s responses gradually slowed, and then his movements ceased. Faiger looked around. The fear visible on the faces of the trainees seemed to satisfy him somewhat.q4O
tnJ2Xy“Listen well! This is what happens if you mess with me! Get some rope!”VoTEJx
t1kRian was stripped to his underwear and tied up with ropes. His muscular body bore bruises and wounds. Faiger, thinking it necessary to make an example, hung Rian on a tall tree.xD8VlaX
VZ8t7BGBlood dripped down Rian’s face, curled up like a shrimp.LAJBPn
RXhd“Hahaha! Looks like a worm on a fishing hook, right? That’s what you get for overstepping your bounds.”1QjbXJD
utDKaIe“Ha, he must feel so embarrassed. Acting all high and mighty and then getting caught like this.”E3PKWh
Ldf8pA8Jeers rained from all around as if they had won a war.vSb
GiWTess frowned. It was disgraceful to inflict such humiliation on someone, no matter how weak they were.39D
EUE3uJAnd there were girls of the same age present. What could Rian be thinking right now? How hurt must his heart be?Db5okl
VkBXl“Uh…”U4hnaGX
RjRgHRian regained consciousness. He hadn’t lost it entirely, but he was far from okay. The numerous trainees around him were giggling, watching him like a monkey in a zoo.zs30u
pilJKSvTess locked eyes with Rian. She tried to keep a neutral expression, as any sympathy could hurt him more. But, breaking expectations, Rian smiled and winked at her.DyZ9LE
et3eNF“Ah, I’m sorry about this. Especially in front of the ladies.”ClEbY
qZlTess maintained her indifferent expression, but something stirred inside her.Hk2j
k6Mhm7O“Hahaha! What’s he saying now? Even in this situation, he’s still bluffing. Is he just a fool, after all?”4mD
Ura6c“Hey, be honest. Getting beaten up like that, do you think acting tough makes you look good? Youre just ridiculous right now.”8kV
ZT8nc“Aren’t you embarrassed? In front of the girls in that state. Better bite your tongue and die.”kwiwH
Q3Jlkg1Rian looked down at the trainees. Despite their numerous taunts, his gaze remained calm.Qm5Qv7
rnDZ“It’s okay. Even if it’s embarrassing.”nDHeI
CfDXJy“Haha! Sure, someone like you would live with that shame all their life. Or maybe youre a masochist? Are you actually enjoying this?”uTia
6YR2SRRian calmly replied.9BIo
iyYo0MJ“I’ll forget it soon enough.”5WNi5s
MlUZJVSSilence fell. An unexplainable, uneasy aura took over.9lFB
se68UOK“I fought my best, so I’m not ashamed. Time will pass, and maybe days like today will fade into obscurity. But you know… can you really forget?”GEOW
EpIDZNo one answered. Their hearts were pounding rapidly.5LGEI
0Ay“You, who didn’t fight and just curled up, will likely carry this memory for life. And you’ll regret it. If only I had fought back then, if only I had stood up. But you know, right? You can’t turn back time.”uBr
Ant8Kc2The trainees’ faces quivered. This was a fear different from the terror of Faiger’s violence.gZN6
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