NOVEL NEXT Chapter 123.4
When I returned to the waiting area for the referees, the atmosphere was strange.
Everyone was watching the medical tent from a distance.
Did someone get seriously hurt?
Lambert—no, that’s impossible.
As I stood there observing the scene, Elphimia emerged from the medical tent after a while.
She began talking with the instructor who had been waiting nearby.
“He’s unconscious, but he’ll be fine.”
“I see, that’s a relief.”
After bowing to the relieved instructor, Elphimia noticed me too.
As she approached, she muttered, “It was Shock Bolt, the Lightning Arrow.”“Who got hit?”
“A second-year from Kurtos’ unit. Do you know who did it?”
“Could it be… that one?”
“Spot on.”
So, it was you in the circle, Luchena.
“You told me about her, but still—”
Exhausted from using sacred magic, Elphimia stretched slightly.
“She’s incredible, isn’t she? Even with multiple instructors scolding her, do you know what she said back?”
“No idea. I can’t begin to understand her.”
“She said the ban on attack magic is too soft.”
Elphimia gave a dry, humorless laugh, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along.
“What a fool.”
“Yeah. What does she plan to do if she runs into someone resistant to her specialty?”
“She’ll probably rely on her teammates to handle it. We’ve got [Sword Flash] in the mix, too.
Well, getting involved with her never ends well.”
“Looks like it’s already gone bad, though.”
Following her gaze, I saw Lambert and Felix heading our way.
As soon as Lambert spotted me, he stormed over with enough force to nearly stomp through the ground.
“She got disqualified! What was that girl thinking?!”
Felix tried to calm the still-furious Lambert.
Since his master was so upset, it seemed Felix didn’t even have the time to wallow in defeat.
Once Lambert had settled down a bit, I tried starting a conversation.
Felix gave a sheepish smile.
“I felt pretty down when we realized we lost. I thought it was because I wasn’t good enough. But after learning what really caused it, I felt somewhat relieved. Lambert’s strategy was sound after all. I just wish we could have proven it.”
“Haven’t you already?”
Felix followed my gaze, and so did Lambert.
A few second-years passing by gave Lambert a respectful bow.
They must’ve fought under Lambert’s command.
They were battered, but none of them wore the look of defeat.
“They get it. Nobody sees this as a failure. You’ve fulfilled your role as senior. Now it’s their turn.”
Lambert, perhaps hiding his embarrassment, gave a stern nod.
The second-years smiled, bowed once more, and returned to their tent.
“It’s a shame, though. This was your last exercise, too.”
Felix lamented as he watched them leave.
“It’s fine. We wouldn’t have been the best role models for them anyway.”
“Don’t lump me in with you!”
Without missing a beat, Elphimia rejected the statement, but Lambert shook his head.
“To me, you’re all the same. Strategy or no strategy.”
Elphimia started to argue but bit her tongue.
She glanced at me and sighed as if to say, He doesn’t get it.
And so, the final training exercise at the academy came to an end.
As with last year, the students learned many lessons and gained valuable experience.
Though I was stuck as a referee, getting the chance to observe their battles from an objective perspective was a rare experience.
While folding my tent for the retreat, I noticed Lambert and Kurtos shaking hands.
A glance around revealed similar scenes unfolding everywhere.
Shortly, some of these students will likely go on to become key figures supporting the empire.
Lambert should aim to become a court knight.
Leaving him in Keeten would be a waste.
Then again, who am I to talk?
We’ll both keep fighting to protect our rural lands.