Chapter 115: End-of-Term Report Card (6)
cmWh“Defeat is okay as long as you maintain your conviction. The shame endured for sticking to your beliefs is quickly forgotten. But the memory of fleeing in fear will haunt you for life. It will torment you while eating, sleeping, or even on the battlefield. That’s why a swordsman’s conviction is as important as their life. Once broken, it never returns.”YNlk
421l0No one mocked Rian any longer.rwikUH
0yPuIxJ“No one wants to carry the memory of being cowardly. Especially not a swordsman. Maybe a day will come when recalling today will be more detestable than death itself. So, end it here. If you want to hold your head high in the future, right now, in this moment, in this place…”csV
ormI9Rian shouted, spitting blood.HNlkKQ
6yNA“Fight, you fools!”8dob
KQtWqRian’s cry pierced the hearts of the trainees. Their blood boiled. Regardless of individual skill, the desire to be known as a ghost of the battlefield, the strongest swordsman, or an iron knight was the same in all of them.sEj
hJn4e2DThe fighting spirit of hundreds ignited simultaneously, palpable in the air. The atmosphere heated up. The fear once directed at Faiger was gone from their eyes.Tq1ejMj
r1bQThe first group, led by Faiger, felt the looming crisis and exuded a murderous aura.Cr2
apmt“Shut up! No one listens to the words of a loser! You want to take me down? Then come at me. Ill make you end up just like that guy hanging there!”gSmLA
qumpK7Tess smiled and fiddled with her lips.enEovv
kcgg“Hmm.”8KEeB
cvCRian Ogent.tGy
7IpSA prospective student of Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.HtSrp
cqQIe“That was good.”951FRLa
owaezkTess leaped into action, untying Rian, who thudded to the ground and painfully arranged himself into a sitting position.22C
rmYiCUH“Your name is Rian, right? I’m Tess. Let’s fight together.”EQu
zEeuMTess offered a handshake, but Rian just stared back, unable to move due to the ropes.SGux
O0p3Tess’s intervention caused a stir among the kids. Although she was part of the women’s group, her skills during training were on par with Faigers.EOh
qHJhTY“I’ll fight too! I can’t stand this any longer!”20JTGn
L3DtgyY“Even the women are stepping up; we men can’t just stand by!”euLBel
GrbAOne after another, they sided with Rian. Eventually, all trainees except for the first group united, shouting:AV1BYo
xwbgR1T“Let’s show them! Drive those ruffians out of the school!”xvG6c
3SwSO“Drive them out! Drive them out!”3sLq
ec4MJgTFaiger and his group found themselves surrounded by nearly 300 kids. Even with enhanced strength through Schema, they couldn’t take on so many.Wex9ZZ
hq4vLI4“You brats! You really want to die!”BRB8oU
hQhSvF“Kill us if you can, you bastards!”8rweV
5vCy7A boy from the second group, known for his strength, attacked first. Faiger’s jaw twisted as he grimaced in pain. The moment he glared back, dozens of kids pounced, pinning him to the ground.s6SBNJ
EE9ndr“Wait! Stop!”gQfx4
LJJ02Faiger, realizing the reality, shouted, but the kids’ anger wouldn’t subside so easily.8ot
IPMElsewhere, trainees from the first group received similar treatment. Even those not in any group joined in, thrashing them mercilessly.tBSKUgB
MFRsZK“Save me! Teachers! Teachers!”PjEvV
vh43kqTess watched Rian, who was observing the battle dispassionately, and laughed.ELMs
Byty“Haha, sorry about this. It feels like I just stuck a fork in a meal prepared by someone else.”K63
iiiMV“That’s fine. I hate playing the hero anyway. That’s why I called you over here.”lACT3EH
Wcd“Oh? Did you really not know?”qKCqTel
xfeYtAs Rian looked puzzled, Tess realized he was serious and looked incredulous.D35PQ4
vKcuel2“Are you an idiot? The instructors would never let us roam free like this. This whole situation is probably being reported right now.”sdxBIj
5c9Tess’s assumption was accurate. Faiger suffered fractures and was expelled, and the other first group kids, despite completing their probation, were denied admission.GS4gjN
LmoLmnCAnd Rian… despite not having the best training record, was admitted as the top of the 30 successful candidates into Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.CZJteb
TjJyeRecalling her first encounter with Rian, Tess smiled broadly.waV4oP
WNW“So, that Rian is now lingering at the bottom.”c81SG6
PfoLV“Shut up. Why bring up the past out of the blue? Who asked to be ranked first?”4O3OXkp
RPl“Haha, but it’s really impressive. If it were me, I’d have been overwhelmed with self-doubt, but you haven’t missed a day of training.”lKbDD9
MHvNu75“Self-doubt, you say? I got over that a long time ago.”h90RI5
GMkK“Arent you worried, though? After all, you’ve been admitted, so you should graduate and make a name as a swordsman. At this rate, youll end up neither here nor there.”wtiErY
aEU0Lsi“…Youre really trying to kill my spirit.”pyXoIyS
AX5x“Nonsense! I’m genuinely worried. And curious. What drives you?”hBzzN2l
7ccUwxRian looked up at the sky, pondering. His motivation. Compared to the other trainees, he was in a more comfortable position.yURje
tX5xLk“Its fine if I dont make a big name as a swordsman as long as I become stronger. For my lord.”GH5yY
0E1“Lord? What are you talking about?”pLVC
kQAFd“Ah, Ive made a knight’s vow.”aJtBHxp
yN2Tess’s eyes widened in surprise. It was like asking a child next door who they would marry and hearing they were already betrothed.xFgOf
agFY“Really? Youre not even twenty yet?”m5s
7bKg0A knight’s vow was a lifelong pledge a swordsman could make only once. Therefore, choosing a lord involved careful consideration of the future and potential.cZsVUZJ
vZ9c“Are you sure? Who is this person? Someone I know?”JIN
T61Tess guessed it must be someone famous. A war hero, a minister at the royal court, or a local lord. After all, to entrust one’s life, they must be of such stature.D9o
fppsyk“Shirone.”SrUB
8G0HTZ“Shirone? Hmm… Shirone… I dont know. What does he do?”QMJIf
DntT“Hes my friend. He’s currently attending a magic academy in our hometown.”aLKf
JmiTkzrTess opened her mouth in disbelief. A friend? Moreover, not even a professional mage, but a student?rquRjO
vtVc“What were you thinking? Even if you’re close, there’s no need for a knight’s vow. Wait, don’t tell me…”1Ns96DW
qZc1STess suddenly felt uneasy. There were cases where knight’s vows were made to someone neither famous nor promising.tAdwb7e
S4q“Is this Shirone… a woman?”bAZ
rCt“Are you crazy? What are you thinking? I wouldn’t make a knight’s vow like that, talentless or not.”oXddDT
M6bTk6“Really? Hmm.”ZGxr
Is5lY9RTess let out a sigh of relief.ynv
hJZ“Anyway, don’t say that recklessly. I believe Shirone will be the best. That’s why I’ve staked my life on it.”1aeo18
qlI5Today, Rian seemed different. Frankly, it was like a camaraderie among boys, but it seemed unlikely to make a knight’s vow for someone less than extraordinary.gxXmjjY
RGYz4l‘Who is this Shirone…?’sGvZ7CA
0ON3Then, a brilliant idea struck her. She had been pondering how to start a conversation, and now she had a perfect excuse with Shirone.J9qNM
KLx“Can I meet him? This Shirone.”xNO3gT
osSZgw9“What? Why do you want to meet my friend?”mLSYm2
GdGab“You brag about him so much, I’m curious. It’s like securing a job before finishing school, right?”5pjnx
c2VGZt“It’s not that simple. Besides, Shirone is in Creas. It’s very far from here.”dW5r
ZnyC“So what? The term is almost over anyway. My family is in the occupied territories, so there’s no one to meet. Let’s go on a trip to Creas. Right, there’s an island to the south, a tourist spot. I’ve always wanted to go there. Let’s go with Shirone.”gB2
jM1QTesss words flowed smoothly as if she had planned this all along. Rian’s mind changed upon hearing her. He had no desire to go on a trip with Tess alone, but if Shirone joined, it would be different.Ospx
cr4h“Hmm, with Shirone… But won’t it be awkward with three of us? Especially around women.”iT3d
T6dOpBEncouraged by Rian’s positive response, Tesss eyes sparkled. She was jealous that he had changed his mind for someone else.pnW2DZ
cEV7W8R“Tell Shirone to bring someone too. There must be girls he knows at the magic school. Let’s go on a double date. How about it?”h0eS
MJZDvsTDouble dating. It sounded fun. Besides, Rian had been thinking about playing with Shirone after the term.MrJ
t0f“Well, I’ll think about it.”1MMWF5
YJyThough he said that, he had practically agreed. Tess nodded, satisfied.ZUn9r2U
5gETY“Great. Then let’s finish the final practical test with a bang.”nYC
Cml9It was soon Tesss turn for the obstacle course.uW9pO
4iZDP“Number 47, Elzain Tess. Ready for the test!”fOsh
smEqXAs Tess announced her readiness, Kuan signaled her to start.tlB3Kur
racIKmA“Go.”Evvn5w
pApWTess charged through the obstacles with a limbo-like maneuver. However, she froze in front of the blade obstacle, lower than her height.Hofn2Qn
SFXQrHaving learned Schema early, it was still her first time attempting external gravity.tql
V9GAAfter calming herself, Tess executed the first impact. The shockwave, amplified by Schema, resonated.dx0Pz
58oFP3g‘Now, shift the center of gravity outwards!’FRk
A2jgNot magic, but a powerful inertia overcoming gravity. Confident, Tess leaned back.QwIZN
LNg‘I did it!’AlkEACX
ewLVAShe smoothly slid under the blade, a testament to her previous training without external gravity.pfnxe
UaN3atc“Number 47, Elzain Tess. Obstacle course complete!”CnLbuRZ
6pjEHobTesss completion was met with applause, but her heart was pounding.GXiQz
jkm‘I did it. It really works?’VhHjonA
MmDuKuans teaching wasn’t in vain. It was all planned.bAA
XMA‘Even a psychopath can teach.’uY0DH8l
xaR2wPkTess finished first, unbeatable with few participants left.DgL23ri
yAiY“Number 52, Ogent Rian. Ready for the test!”CbQR
6l2Wc0As Rian’s turn came, Kuan frowned. He didn’t expect much, but Rian intrigued him.S4yi91L
AJw6c“Go.”iYHoTLt
ejsqRian dashed forward, excelling in obstacles that didn’t require Schema. But the last one was a problem.bf6J
Lswfm‘First impact!’r9AmJ
W1pcHe stamped the ground and leaned back, but something felt off. The blade seemed to be heading for his neck.liJEao
9fmGWTY‘What?’kXiswmT
jbdk3Kuan kicked Rian’s face, sending him rolling. Rian struggled to stand, only to be confronted by an angry Kuan.dUFu8
C1m6D0“Are you crazy? Want to die? Where did you sell your Schema? Throwing your neck under the blade?”t0L077
Sr1“I’m sorry! But I did it! Schema…”8PDi
cLo“What nonsense? Do you even know what Schema is? Those who can’t do it are exempt from practical tests!”od5w
TkuzUK“No! I definitely succeeded! I passed the strength enhancement test!”FWaFx
jsR“What? Strength enhancement? Where did you hear such nonsense…”xPcyqrI
08JA5FYStrength enhancement involved lifting twice one’s weight, a test to verify Schema. Kuan looked around, calculating Rian’s weight for a suitable test.rw2
gRCpiOd“Come here and lift this.”ykUL8ih
OhaeLdBIt was a large stone left from building the training ground.duSg
KZ1HRian approached, taking a deep breath. Even the previous test had been challenging.nFnI
En6E“Huuuh!”AoH
3YTcGrappling the stone, Rian strained to lift it. Trembling, he raised it above his head.8Rp
jgek82HKuan pressed Rian’s body, feeling the vibration of muscle fibers. His expression darkened.ypm
D8j5nx‘Damn it.’5AoeFDQ
iN1h9AIt wasn’t Schema.fSYo
Xx5IDespite his training, Rian hadn’t mastered Schema. Normally, training would suffice, but not for Rian.b0oHAU
kWwetSKuan didn’t want to give up on him. Rian was different, earning respect despite his lack of talent.PQKWs
VtGw“How much have you trained…”S2OS
4fVtMaKuan admired his spirit but faced a harsh truth. Rian lacked talent.Igj8jph
oCvI“Rian, I’m sorry, but you haven’t mastered Schema.”1Wy
SzlThe trainees were shocked. Kuan’s apology was unheard of in half a year.wujkrq
WDcFbP“How can that be? I’m holding this stone! What does that mean?”01zVn
NvlHKuan sighed.pM4y
tXV2PQM“That’s just your foolishly strong muscle power.”XCaQA3
OvGFEStunned, Rian dropped the stone.Rkm
6QnjMkRian Ogent. Last place confirmed.HZjcttX
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!