Part III
Ryoji, grinning at Neiham’s unintended murmur, commanded him to take on the additional task.
“You’ve realized you have magic, right? No human in this world is without magic. As you use it, the total amount of your magic will increase.”
“I-I will have an increase in total magic power? Ah! My apologies! Sir!”
Neiham was startled by Ryoji’s remarks while eating breakfast. He had previously been judged to have no magic by the crystal sphere, yet Ryoji said his total amount would increase. Stuck with half-eaten bread in hand, Ryoji spoke to him while laughing.
“You can act normal now. Take your time to enjoy your breakfast. Reynold and the newly arrived professors are acting normally, right? They are Neiham’s senior apprentices, after all?”
“Even Professor Reynold and the others were trained? The title ‘The one who guides the academy towards righteousness’ is no exaggeration! As expected from brother!”
As Neiham nodded appreciatively, Ryoji, noticing his new title, exchanged glances with Melta, who was serving beside them.
“I’ve heard that title before. It started being used after Charlotte-san became the Principle, right? I’ve also heard titles like ‘Blessed by the Gods,’ ‘Sweet Marquis, the Natural Enemy of Women,’ and Princess Elena’s treasured sweets.’”
“The last one! What’s with Princess Elena’s treasured sweet!? It’s getting out of hand! There are too many titles!”
Ryoji blurted out in confusion over the absurd number of titles increasing.
“Hey! White Neiham! Are you here again today? You’re making the academy’s reputation questionable, so don’t show your face here.”
“Stop that! Nobles shouldn’t speak that way. By the way, do you have any reason to be in the academy without magic or attributes? Tell me why you’re in the same classroom as us. Speaking of which, you were with Ryoji-sensei in the morning, right? Still, is there any meaning in associating with someone who has neither magic nor attributes? Really. I can’t understand the feelings of a newly risen Count.”
Neiham, who had endured the insults aimed at himself, stood up as the target shifted to Ryoji, glaring at Yef, who had been bothering him since yesterday.
“Having a useless commoner like you in the same classroom is just torture. Why don’t you hurry up and quit and help your father with his real estate business? When I become the Count, I might consider favoring you. Our house is a well-established County, so it would add prestige, wouldn’t it?”
Neiham, glaring, shouted back at Yef, who placed a hand on his shoulder and began whispering in his ear.
“Don’t mess with me! Do you think I’d introduce properties to a guy like you?”
Just as Neiham and Yef were about to clash, a woman’s voice echoed throughout the classroom.
“Excuse me. Is this where Neiman-sama’s class is held?”
“What? Melta-san?”
All eyes in the classroom turned to Melta, who appeared in a maid outfit. She embodied the image of an intellectual beauty with her rare straight black hair and glasses seldom seen even in the royal capital, eliciting gasps of admiration from the students.
“Ryoji-sama is waiting for you in the special class. I apologize for interrupting, but could you please come with me?”
“Wait a moment. Isn’t it odd to take a commoner with a white medal to a special class? Just because Ryoji-sensei is a Count, does that mean he can do whatever he wants?”
Yef directed his comments toward Melta. Initially taken aback by the sudden interruption, Melta answered while regarding Yef with a quizzical expression.
“I was informed that Neiman-sama will be moving to the special class.”
Yef was initially stunned by Melta’s statement but then burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Hey! Did you hear that? Our shining hope, Neiman-sama, is moving to the special class! A person without magic or attributes in a special class? Don’t you think it’s absurd that Ryoji-sensei is using his Count privileges to take him there?”
“That’s right!” “You should quit the academy!” “The one worthy of going to the special class is Lord Yef!”
Voices rose from Yef’s entourage. Yef raised both hands to calm them down and then spoke to Neiham in a challenging tone.
“Lord Neiham! If you are going to the special class, please show me your prowess. Surely you can do that? Or will you just hide behind Ryoji-sensei? Answer quickly.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I wouldn’t hide! I’ll show you the results of my training!”
“Just as expected from someone going to the special class. Then, let’s have you take the same test as the entrance exam. You can decide the date. Don’t run away. Alright, let’s go!”
Yef sneered as he laughed and left the classroom with his entourage.
“I apologize, Lord Ryoji. I caused an unnecessary disturbance.”
“No! Melta-san is not at fault! If I had just ignored Yef, there wouldn’t have been an issue. I’m sorry, big brother!”
Ryoji was receiving apologies from Melta and Neiham about the commotion during lunch break while waiting in the special class. After listening to the detailed account, Ryoji thought for a moment and headed to speak with Principal Charlotte alongside Melta.
“Excuse me, Principal. May we come in?”
“Of course. Is something the matter?”
Upon hearing the knock and Ryoji’s voice announcing their arrival, Charlotte opened the door and welcomed them inside. Once they entered her office, Ryoji confirmed there were no listening devices present and began to explain the lunchtime ruckus.
“It seems Neiham and Yef got into a fight. As a result, they’ve both agreed to retake the entrance exam, so I’d like to ask if you could be an observer?”
“As principal, I wish to prevent conflicts among students… Nevertheless, it was Neiham and Yef, huh? Two contrasting individuals getting into a fight like that.”
Feeling the gaze of Ryoji and Melta, Charlotte began to explain. While Neiham was a serious student with poor grades, Yef, being the son of a count, had been given privileges from the previous principal.
Though he hadn’t been transferred to the special class, Yef had been using the power of his noble family, with escorts while dungeon attacking and freely using items, keeping the materials he obtained rather than returning them to the academy.
“Is that something you are allowing?”
“I’m not permitting it. As principal, I’ve sent multiple requests to the Count’s family. However, the response I keep receiving is, ‘We appreciate the advice, but we don’t require your instructions!'”
“I see. The previous principal spoiled him, and since Principal Charlotte is not of noble birth, the response becomes careless. Perhaps I’ll ask the Duke for support instead.”
Nodding at Charlotte’s exasperated words, Ryoji penned a letter seeking Harrold’s cooperation.
“Yef Reim, huh? The only son of a Count from the noble faction. Ryoji’s subordinate is fighting an interesting guy. I see, I see. Using the Count’s status to run wild in the academy, huh? I had overlooked that while focusing on professors and lecturers. When I meet this Neiham, I shall give him some praise.”
“You seem pleased, Lord Harrlod. Did you have some dealings with Count Reim?”
After hearing Ryoji’s account, Harrold nodded with a smirk. Then, after a moment of thought, he wrote down plans to oust Count Reim, sealing the letter with wax and handing it to his butler.
“Setting aside the matter of Count Reim, how are recent efforts for poverty alleviation progressing?”
“Ricardo is really working hard. Ever since he was appointed as a knight, he’s been working to the point of worrying me. It’s a relief because he wants to focus on the academy’s reforms, but once he reaches a certain point, I’m thinking of giving him a long vacation.”
“A long vacation? Hmm. Is that something you give to your retainers in your country of Japan?”
Harrold reacted to Ryoji’s words. After hearing that Ryoji planned to give about two weeks of vacation along with a bonus, Harrold nodded appreciatively and decided to implement something similar in his domain.
“I’ve informed him that the duel with Yef is set for a week from now, so make sure you’re prepared!”
“Yes! Sir!”
Back from Harrold’s mansion, Ryoji picked up Neiham at the academy and returned to his residence to continue their special training curriculum.
“Yesterday, you completed 50 items in 30 minutes. Today, you will do 50 in 15 minutes. We’ll keep shortening the completion time! By the final day, aim to do it in 5 minutes!”
“Understood! Sir!”
“Now, we’ll move on to the lesson on attribute granting!”
“Eh? Y-yes! Sir!”
“Listen carefully. We’ll start with fire attributes. Here is a dragon’s Magic Stone. This stone has been imbued with fire attributes. First, try channeling your magical power into it!”
“A d-dragon’s magical stone? Understood! I will channel my magic! Sir!”
As Neiham channeled his magical power, the stone began to react and warm up. The temperature of the stone gradually rose in response to Neiham’s magic. Suddenly, he felt a sensation within him that he had never experienced before and shouted.
“I—I can feel it! I can sense the fire attribute! Sir!”
“Good! Don’t forget that sensation! If your magic runs low, drink a mana potion! This is the only place where you can drink as many mana potions as you want! Don’t expect the same special training at the academy!”
“Understood! Sir!”
Though Neiham floundered in the sensation of fire attributes pouring from within him, he trembled in delight.
“Um? Why have we been summoned to Ryoji-sama’s mansion?”
“I’m glad you came. As a token of gratitude for the hard work you’ve been putting in at the academy, I organized a banquet. I really appreciate you all coming to the academy so willingly, especially since we haven’t met since the exploration of the Cave of Trials. Let me guide you to the dining hall.”
Reynold and the five members of the Cave of Trials exploration team who were summoned suddenly questioned Ryoji about the reason for their summons. Ryoji, looking pleased, explained the purpose of the event and guided Reynold and the others to the dining hall.
“Huh? This feeling right now is—”
“As expected of Reynold. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
As Reynold tilted his head in confusion, Ryoji turned around to speak to him. The other five, also feeling a sense of discomfort, arrived at the dining hall and took their seats. Once Ryoji confirmed that Reynold and the others were settled, he instructed Carena, Melta, Sieve, and the maids to bring drinks.
“Let me introduce you. His name is Neiham. He shall face that foolish noble’s equally foolish son in a duel, bearing the mark of the White Medal — the clash set for the day after tomorrow.”
“I’ve heard about that from Principal Charlotte. Neiham-kun, I apologize that it’s our duty as professors and instructors to protect our students.”
Neiham, receiving apologies from Reynold, responded with a humble expression that it was no problem. Ryoji, who had been watching this scene, suddenly stood up from his chair and shouted an order.
“Everyone stand up! Hey! You guys! You’re slacking! I’ll whip that attitude back into shape! We’re heading into the forest for training! Get ready in 40 seconds!”
{{{{{{YES! sir!}}}}}}
“Eh! Hold on! ANIKI? What are you talking about all of a sudden? I thought I heard that ‘today, I’ve invited Professor Reynold and the other professors as special lecturers, so study hard to prepare for the duel the day after tomorrow!'”
“Well, It’s training… No, brainwashing. No. It’s Education! And I told you to call me Sergeant!”
“No, no! The duel’s the day after tomorrow and you’re making me train in the forest!”
“Oh! He’s actually arguing back against that sergeant! Neiham is a step ahead of us!”
With no room for dispute, Neiham completed two days of intense training alongside Reynold and the professors, and although he wore a burnt-out expression, he felt confident about the duel with Yef.
“I’ll commend you for not running away. However, if you lose in this match, you will disappear from the academy. Having a powerless commoner like you is a major nuisance. And I give my all against anyone. I’ve prepared a Mithril staff with a wyvern magic stone that costs five gold coins just for this occasion. I have a large quantity of mana potions as well. You couldn’t buy them because I bought them all. A lion gives its all even when hunting a rabbit. And today, my father will be watching this grand stage. Keep that in mind and do your best. I want at least a little bit of a spotlight.”
In the audience seats, there were not only students and instructors but also many nobles gathered. As Neiham approached, Yef exchanged intimidating words and gave a smile and a bow to his father, Count Reim.
As Ryoji observed Neiham and Yef from the audience, he confirmed the conversation with his eavesdropping skill and turned his gaze towards the nobles gathered.
“Did Yef invite those nobles?”
“Yes, although they are nobles, the fact that so many people gathered is largely due to the rumors that the Sergeant trained Neiham. Sergeant is a favorite of King Marcel and just became a Count, also belongs to the special class, and has cleared the beginner explorer dungeon, earning a massive reward. Additionally, in measures against the poor, he used his entire reward, gaining overwhelming support from the kingdom’s citizens, and he is also close to Princess Elena. A person like that trained Neiham. People are curious about how he trained him.”
In response to Ryoji’s muttering, Reynold replied with a wry smile. When Ryoji cast his gaze again towards the crowd of nobles, many piercing glances filled with resentment and envy were directed at him.
“Huh? I felt an incredible glare just now?”
“Indeed. I sent a letter to Count Reim saying, ‘It seems your son will be dueling. It’s impressive that you represent the Count’s family. The opponent is someone trained by Count Uchino, who has ties to the duke family, and I will go to support him’.”
In response to Ryoji’s muttering, Harrold, who had used royal authority to come to the match, began explaining happily. He mentioned how Count Reim had pressured the academy for his son, but was turned down by Charlotte. He discussed how the equipment shop had been bought out of potions and mana potions, causing a stock shortage and leading to complaints to the count’s family from the adventurer’s guild due to price hikes. Harrold, smiling with pleasure, was met with Ryoji’s mischievous expression as he began speaking.
“I see. So they were doing pointless things like that. Then I’ll go deliver something.”
“What will you deliver?”
“A Mithril staff using a dragon’s magic stone, an artifact with fatigue recovery effects, and a special item box full of Uchino family’s potions and mana potions, I’ll give it to Neiham.”
Ryoji made sure that the items were audible to Yef while handing them over. Each time Yef heard about the items being given to Neiham, his complexion changed between blue and red, ultimately turning pitch black.
“That’s cowardly! Count! How could a commoner possess such items!”
“Cowardly? Don’t say that it’s ridiculous for someone to monopolize items or exert pressure on the Principal. Surely, a prestigious Count Reim would think that anything is permissible?”
Yef was about to shout that his count family could do as they pleased, but his words were taken by Ryoji, leaving him gaping. Meanwhile, Neiham glared at Yef while speaking to Ryoji.
“Big bro! I’ll do my best! I can’t say I lost when you’ve gone this far for me!”
“Of course! There’s no option of losing after receiving my special training! The only choices are ‘to win’, ‘to win easily’, ‘to win completely’, or ‘to crush them thoroughly!’ Got it?”
“Yes!”
Responding vigorously to Ryoji’s words, Neiham moved toward the spot where the crystal ball was placed. As he returned to his original place, he confirmed with Harrold.
“Where did you find Count Reim’s misdeeds, Harrold-sama?”
“There’s an excellent shadow at work. I’ll introduce him to Ryoji; he’s a fan of yours.”
“Is he cute?”
“He’s cute. He likes to wear black clothing.”
“I’ll give him a black accessory when we meet.”
“That’ll make him happy. Gift him a black dagger or something. By the way, is it okay if I tell Carena, Melta, and Princess Elena about our current discussion?”
“Please refrain from that. There are no ill intentions, right?”
Magic Power Measurement Challenge
“Let’s measure the fundamental magic power. I recorded a light red at the time of enrollment, but my magic power has surely increased since then. Naturally, you, who will enter the special class, are red, right?”
While speaking to Neiham, Yef placed his hands over the magic power measuring device and began pouring in magic power. The device gradually changed colors and ultimately became red.
“You’ve moved up a level from last time”
This time, the examiner was Charlotte. When she announced that the crystal ball was red, cheers erupted from the audience, filled with onlookers and nobles.
Having achieved a good result, Yef threw a condescending look at Neiham, stepping back from the magic power measuring device to speak.
“Please, proceed, Lord Neiham, who will enter the special class.”
“Don’t show off for a mere red! Give it your all as if you’re going to break the measuring device!”
“Yes! Sir! Understood!”[TN: Most of the time anyone of these character says Yes, it is in English. I just find it funny]
In response to Ryoji’s encouragement, Neiham closed his eyes and placed his hand over the measuring device, pouring in all his magic power.
“Oh!” “No way!” “Neiham is amazing!” “He must be cheating!”
As he cautiously opened his eyes, the magic power measuring device had returned to its original color. Seeing Neiham’s anxious expression, Charlotte conveyed the results with a joyful face.
“It’s a light blue on top of red. You did well!”
Upon seeing the result, Yef approached the crystal ball with a disbelieving expression, checking if there had been any foul play. Confirming that there was none, he glared at Neiham while raising an objection.
“That record is fake! Hey! Try again!”
“I’ll show you as many times as you want.”
In response to Yef’s words, Neiham placed his hand over the measuring device to pour magic power once more. Naturally, the device indicated a light blue.
“Yef, do you have any objections? I declare Neiham the winner of the first challenge, the magic power measurement!”
Charlotte’s voice echoed in the training ground.
Elemental Attribute Judgement Challenge
“Well, it seems your magic power has increased somewhat. However, the number of attributes signifies true power within the academy! Look! I possess two attributes!”
As Yef channeled his magic into the crystal, both fire and water attributes appeared.
“Now it’s your turn! Show us your power with no attributes!”
Laughter erupted from the surrounding students, and amusement echoed from the audience where Count Reim was seated. Neiham approached the crystal with trembling hands, biting his lip from nervousness. At that moment, Ryoji called out to him.
“Neiham! Remember your special training! I didn’t train you to get nervous from such low-level jeers!”
“Understood! Sir!”
Regaining his composure, Neiham poured his magic into the device, which changed to red, blue, white, and then gold. More than Neiham, whose attributes had awakened one after the other since their training began, Charlotte started mumbling in shock.
“F-four attributes? H-how? Even I have three attributes! Is this because of Ryoji-kun’s training? I want to know! I need to know what kind of training Ryoji-kun has provided!”
“That’s impossible! There’s no way someone can possess four attributes! Principal Charlotte! This is absolutely unusual! For a commoner to have four attributes! Even I, with the best record in the class, only have two attributes! He was without attributes, and now he has four after just one week, doesn’t that seem odd?!”
In sharp contrast to the two who were making a fuss, the audience was enveloped in silence. Finally, Charlotte, returning to her senses, announced Neiham’s victory.
“What will you do? In the contest of chant speed, Neiham won. The next test of rapid-fire ability will be the final one, but even if you win, it will still be a victory for Neiham. Yef-kun?”
Yef did not respond to Charlotte’s question and glared at Neiham with bloodshot eyes.
“It’s your fault. Everything goes wrong because you’re at the academy! If only you weren’t here, everything would go smoothly!”
Yef’s voice was low at first, almost a whisper, but it gradually grew louder until he was screaming. He was no longer the nobleman he usually appeared to be; his eyes were bloodshot, his breathing ragged, and he was leaning forward menacingly.
“Yef-kun? Calm down—”
“Shut up! You’re part of it too! If you go against my Count family’s wishes, I’ll show you what happens!”
Charlotte noticed Yef’s abnormal behavior and tried to calm him, but he turned his bloodshot eyes toward her, pushed her away, and began to chant.
“I call forth the hot stream here, to strike the enemy! Fire Arrow!”
“Neiham!”
“Yes! Ice Arrow!”
As the magic was fired toward Charlotte, screams erupted from the surroundings. In the midst of this chaos, Neiham, reacting to Ryoji’s words, neutralized the Fire Arrow with his shortened chant, closing the distance in an instant and incapacitating Yef.
“What are you doing to Yef! A commoner like you shouldn’t lay a hand on my son! Save Yef!”
“Oh!”
At the Count Reim’s voice, the knights who had been waiting rushed into the training ground. However, there stood Ryoji with his mithril sword drawn, beginning to speak in a slow, deliberate manner.
“Anyone who enters within the range will be subdued by Ryoji Uchino. If you want to fight me, come at me. I’ll show you the power I have from battling three Ox-Men.”
The mithril sword was enchanted with triple layers lightning magic, its blade sparking with a fantastical glow, and Ryoji’s shining figure and fierce gaze intimidated everyone present—everyone except one person.
“That’s fine! What’s one person to us? If we attack with over ten people, we can take down even the hero of Drugul! Attack all at once!”
The male sorcerer next to Count Reim issued the order to the knights. Ignoring the hesitance of the knights about attacking a minor, even if he was the hero of Drugul, the sorcerer began to chant.
“I bind the hot stream into one, and strike down the enemy before me! Fireball!”
A fireball released by the sorcerer erupted in a massive explosion centered on Ryoji. As screams rose from the surrounding area, the sorcerer wore a satisfied expression, but was shocked to see Ryoji step out of the explosion, coughing but unharmed.
“I shouldn’t have mimicked Neiham; it was a mistake to use Water Ball instead. I’m soaking wet. It would have been better if I had just used Ice Ball to negate it.”
“Unharmed!”
“You’re being reckless. Attacking with a fireball from that distance will catch your allies in the blast, you know?”
Using the knights as a distraction, Ryoji called out to the male sorcerer while casually speaking to the knights.
“Hey, how does it feel to fight alongside someone who casts spells that might catch their allies in the blast? If you don’t want to, I’ll have to get the marquis to intervene.”
“I appreciate your concern. However, we are only servants of the Count’s family. We will follow orders. But even though you’re the hero of Drugul, we have no intention of drawing swords against a minor.”
In response to the knight captain’s reply, Ryoji sighed and shouted toward the knights in front of him.
“I’ve accepted your resolve. It’s a shame that your chivalry is only directed at the Count. I suppose I’ll have to knock you out!”
With that shout, Ryoji shot a Water Ball carelessly to distract the sorcerer and closed the distance with the knights, striking the knight in front of him.
The knight, unable to brace himself, lost consciousness. Ryoji then ignored the fallen knight, faced the knight captain next to him, and using their height difference, ducked in close and struck him in the solar plexus with his hand that held no sword.
“Guh. Disperse and surround—”
“Shut up and stay down.”
In that same position, Ryoji used lightning magic in a shock-gun manner to drain the knight captain’s consciousness, then launched a weakened Water Ball at the eight knights, incapacitating them.
“What are you doing! It’s just one person! Can’t you buy me enough time to cast my magic!”
Angry voices echoed from the audience. Noticing the sorcerer, who was bloodied and furious, Ryoji directed his attention to him. Count Reim, startled by the magical attack, seemed to have fainted from falling out of his chair.
“What in the world are you! How can you wield both sword and magic so skillfully! Don’t mess with me!”
“You look silly yelling with a nosebleed.”
As Ryoji taunted the frantic sorcerer, the sorcerer began to chant again, his face flushed with anger.
“I bind the hot stream into one, and strike down the enemy before me! Fireball!”
“That won’t work!”
The sorcerer aimed another fireball at Ryoji, but he cleaved it in half with a mithril sword imbued with ice magic. He quickly closed the distance between himself and the sorcerer, pressing the blade to his throat and robbing him of the will to fight.
“Take him away! Ensure the sorcerer has a proper gag in his mouth! What will we do with Count Reim, Your Grace?”
“Indeed. Since you were honorably wounded while trying to stop your son in his madness, I presume you must be deeply shaken. I have a retreat in my duchy — please stay there until your wounds heal. Treat him with utmost care and respect. Yes… he shall remain until it is judged that the wounds on the Count’s heart have healed. Take the Count with you, as he is.”
The unconscious knights were carried away on stretchers, while the subdued Yef and the wizard were bound with ropes and escorted. Later, Count Reim would be accused by the Adventurer’s Guild as the mastermind behind price gouging due to the hoarding of potions and other supplies. Furthermore, his threats against the academy and a number of past misdeeds came to light, resulting in the confiscation of his territory. Along with his son Yef, who had voluntarily withdrawn from the academy, he spent the rest of his life at a lakeside villa owned by Harrold.
—End—
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Yep, served the Cunt Reim and his son, Yef, right, Oops Count Reim. 😋
Thanks for the treat.