Chapter 77 : Chapter 77
Chapter 77. The Smell of Money
In the faculty meeting room, all the professors, centered around Vice Principal Potecus, were reading documents.
“Is the examination mostly sorted out?”
Potecus asked the professors, pressing the wrinkled area around her eyes.
“Five remain.”
Allegri answered on behalf of the faculty.
“There are still five left? The progress is slow. I know it’s because the schedule changed and the exam difficulty had to be raised, but I hope you will remember that the martial arts tournament is not far off.”
“Yes, we will keep that in mind.”
“Alright. Then……”
Potecus, pausing for a moment, quickly scanned Keller’s mood.
“Ahem! How is the confirmation of withdrawal from the martial arts tournament going?”
After Keller’s son’s accident, the school had been strictly handling the eligibility for the martial arts tournament. This was because, depending on the participant’s level, the probability of avoiding a fatal blow was high. However, it did not prevent serious injuries. As the level of the participants rose, so did the danger.
For that reason, they had contacted the participants’ families. It was to inform them that they could be seriously injured and to ask them to talk to the cadets and withdraw from participation if they did not wish for that.
“About two families have informed us that they will withdraw from participation.”
“Which ones are they?”
“The Montaigne family and the Pirmer family.”
“Are they count families?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
In the case of ducal families, they never withdraw because of the family’s honor.
In the case of viscount families, they never withdraw because their child’s achievements could make them a count.
But count families are different. If their child achieves merit, they could become a marquis, but they would have to move their home base to the borderlands. Also, no matter how hard they try, no matter how many merits they achieve, they can never become a duke. Unless they are thinking of the fame that would spread in high society, there is no reason to force them to participate.
“I see. Fabian Montaigne, Andre Pirmer. Even if they had participated, their results wouldn’t have been high.”
“They themselves seem to have thought it would be difficult to pass the first round.”
Professor Felix, who was in charge of military development studies, picked up on Potecus’s words.
At this, Potecus muttered to herself, ‘I wonder if they’re wise or just lacking in spirit.’
“Which cadets are likely to be a problem in the martial arts tournament?”
At the following question, the professors each began to open their memories.
“I believe we should watch Bartea closely.”
The first to speak was Allegri.
“Isn’t that cadet on the timid side?”
At Keller’s question, Allegri nodded.
“He is timid in his daily life. Anyone would see that. But he hates losing to an extreme degree. He doesn’t show it in front of others, but behind the scenes… there were often times he would get angry.”
“Is that so? He looks so gentle, that’s unexpected. Is the degree of his anger severe? What circle is that child?”
“We have identified him as a faint 2nd Circle.”
At Allegri’s explanation, Potecus nodded as if she understood.
“Let’s increase the security personnel when it’s Cadet Bartea’s turn. Professors, please be ready to intervene if necessary. Then, are there any other cadets?”
Several professors gave a common answer: ‘We must be careful of Egbaldo.’ The reason was that although he boasted a huge body and thick muscles, he frequently acted emotionally.
“That guy’s brain is made of muscle, just like he looks.”
Olivier let out a snort and shook her head.
Seeing this, Potecus asked, ‘Professor Olivier, is there no one that comes to your mind?’, urging her to participate actively in the meeting.
“There’s someone everyone is missing.”
“Who would that be?”
“Dwight.”
As the 3rd Prince’s name was mentioned, the professors’ faces darkened.
“That’s right. Since Hans ended up like that, he must be full of anger.”
“You can tell by looking at the 3rd Queen, can’t you?”
“Still, since he’s on the smart side, wouldn’t he act rationally?”
At the other professors’ words, Olivier shook her head, saying, ‘I wonder.’ The Dwight she saw was excessively and insidiously smart. So she thought he would use Hans’s incident as an excuse to do what he wanted.
‘It’s a stage where it wouldn’t be a problem even if he cripples someone.’
Before the accident happened, the Dwight Olivier saw had Hans as his target.
Although they were brothers, she couldn’t feel any bond between Dwight and Hans. Only a sense of competition could be glimpsed. It seemed they were just looking for an opportunity to bring each other down over a single throne. But now, Hans was gone. As a result, the noble families that had followed Hans and had been wary of Dwight were left hanging.
‘Will he conciliate them, or will he punish them.’
Olivier believed that given Dwight’s temperament, he would choose punishment. That was why she said he should be watched.
“What circle was Dwight at?”
At Potecus’s question, Felix replied, ‘He recently achieved the 3rd Circle.’
“Already? His growth rate is considerable.”
“He still has a long way to go. The color of the circles is faint and their thickness is thin.”
“Still, compared to other cadets, isn’t it fast? Among the ones who entered at the same time, there are still some who are at the 1st Circle.”
“That’s right. Even when Dwight was at the 2nd Circle, he showed skills comparable to an average 3rd Circle. Even if he’s a lacking 3rd Circle, he will be stronger than a normal 3rd Circle.”
“Wow. They said he was a talent to be recorded in the history of Poinus, and it really is true.”
The professors each lined up their praises for Dwight.
In this atmosphere, Allegri, who had been keeping his lips sealed, made a sound of ‘Hmm,’ and drew everyone’s attention.
“What do you all think of Cadet Maxim?”
At the sudden question, most of the professors looked at Allegri with eyes that asked what he was talking about. Among them, Felix said, ‘Maxim? Is there anything dangerous about him?’, conveying to Allegri that it was a pointless question. But Allegri did not agree with that statement in the slightest.
“He is not the Cadet Maxim we used to know. Both the semester opening exam and the Black Market incident, he has completely changed.”
“Is there anyone among us who doesn’t know that? Mayor Cosca himself came and explained it.”
“That’s why I’m saying it. Didn’t he suddenly become strong? He wasn’t given enough time to grasp the extent of his own power. If an accident happens, it’s highly likely to come from Maxim.”
At Allegri’s words, everyone swallowed their saliva and fell into thought.
“Aish, could he have become that strong?”
Keller expressed his doubt.
“That’s right. No one knows if he has become that strong. We don’t even know what circle he is, do we?”
Felix added to the doubt.
“Do you really need to see it to know?”
This time, Olivier cast a vote in favor of Allegri’s words.
The other professors looked at Olivier with surprised eyes. It was because everyone knew she was Allegri’s rival.
“Why? Does it sound like nonsense? Then let’s make a bet. A bet.”
Olivier’s gaze changed as she mentioned the bet. She licked her lips with the tip of her tongue as if her mouth was watering and smiled with her eyes.
Seeing this, Potecus’s face turned fierce.
“Ahem! Professor Olivier.”
“……It’s because you ignore my opinions even when I give them.”
“Professor Olivier. This is a school. Be aware of your position as a professor.”
At Potecus’s point, Olivier turned her gaze and smacked her lips. It was because she was disappointed by the fact that she had to give up on what felt like it would be a fun event, what felt like it would make money.
Potecus clicked her tongue with a thoroughly displeased face.
“Let’s stop here for today. Please finish up the exams. And organize the last remaining participation certificates. We will gather again when all the participating cadets are decided.”
Potecus, who had declared the end of the meeting, made a sound of ‘Hmm!’ and expressed her discomfort.
But it did not reach Olivier. Her mind was full of Maxim. The interest that had once arisen did not easily fade, and she thought she must meet Maxim.
***
Kang!
Piontek’s spear and my Dawn clashed, creating sparks.
“Your left shoulder collapsed.”
I pushed away Piontek’s spear and pointed out the problem he had shown.
“Tsk!”
He was doing it because he wanted to, but it seemed he couldn’t help but feel frustrated after hearing unpleasant things repeatedly. He should have just done it right from the start.
“Tahat!”
Piontek rotated his spear and attempted a thrust. An unpleasant sound, like a bee buzzing, echoed from the spear.
Kagagak!
Along with the sound of Dawn being scraped, my body was pushed back. The weight was considerable. If it had been a normal sword instead of Dawn, it seemed it would have broken or been deflected, unable to withstand the spear’s rotation speed.
Paang!
But the opponent was me. The place he was hitting was Dawn’s body. Thicker and larger than a normal sword, the kind that people ask if it’s a weapon for slaying monsters because of its brutish appearance.
“Keuk!”
Piontek, unable to pierce Dawn, knelt on one knee and vented his frustration.
I let out a short breath and stood facing Piontek.
“If you spin it with both hands, the speed dies. You have to spin it with one hand and thrust deep to increase the destructive power.”
“But that leaves my chest open. It’s fatal if the attack is blocked.”
“You have to make it so it can’t be blocked. Here, give it to me.”
I put down Dawn and took Piontek’s spear. The weight wasn’t bad. A talented person is different even in how they see weapons. In that respect, Piontek is decent. The problem is that his mind hasn't grown up for his age.
“Watch carefully. This is what you want to do.”
I stood in front of a rock as large as a carriage. I held the spear with one hand and saw the path of mana flowing inside the rock. Mana flowing from various directions gathered at one point and then scattered.
‘Thrust at the critical point.’
I composed my breathing and took my stance.
Kung!
My feet dug into the ground, firmly fixing my lower body. My waist turned, and my shoulder moved forward. The arm holding the spear cut through the air, accurately staring at the target. I twisted my hand to give the spear a strong rotation.
Kwaang!
The spear embedded itself in the rock.
I let out a short breath, let go of the spear, and stepped back.
Piontek, with wide eyes, looked back and forth between me and the rock. Soon, disappointment clouded his face.
“What’s this? It’s no big deal. You just stuck the spear in.”
“It wasn’t just stuck in, it was stuck in specially.”
“What’s so special? Even I can do it to a stone. It’s steel that’s difficult.”
Piontek complained endlessly, saying that I had made a big deal about showing him something, only to just stick a spear in a rock.
I let out a very light snort.
“This is probably harder.”
“What’s so hard…….”
Kwarururuk.
The rock crumbled, breaking into small pieces.
Piontek, at a loss for words, repeatedly let out hollow breaths. He then moved his lips and pointed at the rock with his finger. It was as if he wanted to ask how such destructive power could be produced.
“You said it was no big deal, so why are you so surprised?”
Piontek, his eyes wide as if they would pop out, stammered something like, ‘Ah, no.
Th-that’s…….’
So I patted Piontek’s shoulder and said, ‘Yeah, well, maybe it’s no big deal. Right?’ Let him get a little antsy.
“If that’s no big deal, then what is?”
While I was teasing Piontek, a strange voice caught my ear.
“Huh? Oh! Professor!”
Piontek greeted the person behind me with a stiff face.
I turned my head to look at the person called professor. It was the same person who had smiled pleasantly after hearing the Song of the Knight before. Mal…….
“Malco Olive!”
Horror bloomed on Piontek’s face. Then it wasn’t Malco Olive… what was it?
“How do you even attend school without knowing the professor’s name?”
“Um… I attend well by walking…….”
The professor’s gaze turned cold.
“I’m sorry. I injured my head, so my memory is…….”
“Mahler Olivier.”
“Yes?”
“That’s my name. You should at least remember it, shouldn’t you?”
“Ah… Yes. I will try my best to remember. But what’s the reason for your sudden visit?”
Olivier pointed at Dawn with her eyes.
“Let’s have a round first, then we’ll talk.”
A professor asking a student for a round… Is she crazy?