NOVEL NEXT Ch 18 - The Path to Graduate (2)
Chapter 18
The Path to Graduate (2)
After taking the Elixir, I focused on my training.
I knew there wouldn’t be any major events for about a month, so I could dedicate myself to improving.
I worked hard to build my stamina and also didn’t slack off on controlling my mana.
As a result, during the physical training class, I no longer felt tired even after running long distances.
‘By using mana, I can minimize the strain on my body.
I don’t have to worry about stamina running out anymore.’
Ernas had terrible stamina.
That’s why, whenever I had to fight someone, I always focused on quick, short battles.
Whether it was fighting Serine, Schmitz, or Rufus, I always wrapped things up quickly.
But now, I could handle longer battles as well.
‘The first trial coming up might end up being a long battle, after all.’
At the Lichtenaur Swordsmanship Academy, there were several trials.
The first trial could last a long time, which would be risky for Ernas, with my poor stamina.
‘I can’t rely on any cowardly tricks like in the novel, so I needed to train for this part specifically.’
With that, my preparation was complete.
Now, I just needed to challenge the first trial.
“From now on, you’ll be moving to another island.”
Annaliese , the instructor of the Black 6th class, gathered the students and spoke.
“Once you receive the basic explanation there, you’ll head to the location for the first trial together.”
The first trial.
At those words, several students showed nervous expressions.
Unlike the previous competition, there would be a clear penalty for failing the first trial.
“I’ll tell you in advance, the first trial is the easiest of all the trials held at the academy.
However, those who fail the trial will be judged as ‘unfit to continue attending the academy’ and…”
“…”
“…will be expelled.”
Expulsion.
For students who entered the academy with their own goals in mind, it was the most frightening penalty.
So, passing the first trial was essential.
“The first trial will involve all students, from Red 1st to Black 6th.
Other students will also give their all to avoid failing, so you all need to do your best too.”
Red 1st, Blue 2nd, Yellow 3rd, Green 4th, White 5th, Black 6th.
This was the first time that all six classes would gather in one place.
“The boat has arrived.
Let’s board.”
“Yes…!”
We boarded the boat.
We headed toward the island in the center of the wide lake, where the academy’s main building stood.
That was where the large training arena used for the opening ceremony was located.
“…”
All the students from the other classes had gathered in the training arena.
Since we were the last, the Black 6th class entered last.
“Align here.
Ernas, take care of the students.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
Once Annaliese moved to another spot, I, the representative of the Black 6th class, ended up standing at the front.
‘So…’
I turned my head sideways.
At that moment, I locked eyes with the representative of the White 5th class, who was standing right next to me.
“Ernas Lanzstein.
Is this our first time meeting in person?”
A well-groomed young man with silver hair and green eyes that looked down on others.
He looked exactly like the description of him in my novel.
“It seems so, Lester Lancaster.”
Lester Lancaster.
As the heir to the Lancaster family, one of the six great swordsmanship families, and the “genius” of the White 5th class.
This was my first time meeting him.
‘Of course, I know everything about you.’
Unlike Rufus from the Ignias family, who had a simple personality, Lester had a more cunning and calculating nature.
In that way, he was probably the character closest to Ernas from the novel.
“I heard you defeated Rufus Ignias in the last competition.”
Lester stared at me with his green eyes.
“That’s impressive.
Rufus is no easy opponent.”
“You too, I heard you defeated the ‘prodigy’ of Blue 2nd class.”
The prodigy of Blue 2nd class, the genius of White 5th class.
The two of us were the most talked-about students when we entered.
“Hm, about that…”
Lester’s expression slightly stiffened.
“I should clarify.
While White 5th class won the competition, I didn’t defeat the representative of Blue 2nd class.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, the badge of Blue 2nd class… was worn by a different student, not the representative.”
“I didn’t know that.”
That’s a lie.
I knew that Lester hadn’t actually defeated the prodigy of Blue 2nd class.
I brought up this topic deliberately to get under Lester’s skin.
“That doesn’t matter, though.
I’ll settle things with that guy later.”
Lester tried to act relaxed as he said that.
“Anyway, Ernas… I was pretty surprised when I heard the results of the last competition.
I thought Rufus from Red 1st class would win.”
“Seems like many people thought that.”
“To be honest, Ernas, your skills weren’t very well known.”
A smile appeared on Lester’s lips.
“I was curious why you didn’t show your skills.”
“I guess you thought I was hiding my poor skills.”
“Haha, sorry about that.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
I replied in a cold voice.
“It’s because I was embarrassed by my poor skills, so I was hiding them.”
“You’re quite the joker.”
“I’m serious.
I didn’t want anyone to find out how bad I really am.”
“…”
It was true that Ernas’ actual skills were poor.
However, it seemed like Lester took it as me mocking him.
“It’s no use talking like that, Ernas.”
Lester’s green eyes grew sharp.
“From the moment you defeated Rufus, it was clear that you had been hiding your true strength.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I heard you used a terrifying charge attack.
Without even caring about the rugged terrain, you closed the distance in an instant and took down Rufus in one strike.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“There are ways to find out.
You’ve probably bribed quite a few people inside the academy, haven’t you?”
“…”
It was true that Ernas had bribed a few academy staff members.
However, since the novel didn’t specify who they were in detail, I couldn’t reach out to them first.
Anyway, I already knew the information as the writer, so it wasn’t really necessary.
“Was it the northern Gortes Assault Swordsmanship? Or maybe the southern Edrian Assassination Swordsmanship? I wonder which school of swordsmanship you’re using.”
“…”
Lester was trying to figure out which sword style I used.
But since I didn’t react, he shrugged.
“Well, you’ve kept it well hidden so far, so you probably don’t want to reveal it now.
You wouldn’t want anyone to target your weakness.”
“Interesting words, Lester.”
I stared at Lester’s face as I spoke.
“Are you planning to target my weakness?”
“Haha, I didn’t say that.”
Lester shrugged again.
“However… the first trial is one where students will clash with each other.”
“…”
“If you’re not careful, you might fail the first trial due to another student’s interference.
So it’s best to be cautious.”
The first trial was an exam where students had to capture academy instructors scattered around a large mountain.
The students had to find and attack the instructors, and if they landed a successful strike, they would be given a pass.
But the instructors would keep moving around and wouldn’t just stand there to take a hit, so it wasn’t easy.
On top of that… if another student interfered, the difficulty would rise even further.
“Though it’s called the easiest exam, it’s only easy in comparison.
If you’re interfered with by others, you might fail.
There have been cases like that in the past.
So…”
“You’re saying I should be careful, since I could get kicked out of the academy.”
I interrupted Lester mid-sentence.
“Thanks for the advice.
I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Hmm…”
Lester’s expression slightly stiffened.
He had tried hard to scare me, but since it had no effect, he seemed a bit irritated.
“You’re an interesting guy, Ernas.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
I replied coldly, and Lester gave a wry smile.
“Since the White 5th class and Black 6th class will start near each other in the trial, if we happen to cross paths, I’ll be counting on you.”
“Likewise.”
Saying that, I stepped closer to Lester.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“…”
Then, I smiled and extended my hand.
‘What the heck… What’s going on here?’
Lester was confused.
Right now, all the students were lined up neatly in the training hall.
But Ernas had stepped out of line and approached to offer a handshake.
‘Even the Black 6th class students are making surprised faces.’
Students like Serine Bastian were staring at Ernas with shocked expressions.
‘Is this some kind of provocation?’
I couldn’t be sure, but it didn’t seem like he had good intentions.
Still, Lester couldn’t refuse the handshake.
“…”
The White 5th class students were also watching the situation closely.
If Lester refused the handshake now, they would be disappointed in him.
‘I can’t let them be disappointed.’
Lester believed that he was someone qualified to reach the top of the Six Great Swordsmanship Houses.
Because of that, he had always tried to show a composed and confident image in front of others.
He didn’t want to be someone who forced others to submit like Rufus from the Red 1st class, but instead wanted to be the kind of person that others naturally bowed down to.
So, in this situation, he had no choice but to accept the handshake.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Lester glanced quickly at the platform.
The detailed explanation for the first trial was about to begin.
If a professor or instructor caught him in this awkward situation, it would be humiliating, so it was better to finish the handshake quickly.
“Nice to meet you, Ernas…”
Since they were a bit apart, Lester had to step out of line to shake hands as well.
The two of them finally grabbed each other’s hands.
“…?”
But a moment later, Lester felt confused.
Ernas… wouldn’t let go of his hand.
‘What the heck? What’s he doing?’
Even when he tried to pull his hand away, it didn’t work.
Ernas was holding on so tightly that he couldn’t pull his hand away unless he forcefully jerked it free.
He didn’t want to show such an embarrassing scene in front of everyone.
‘The event is about to start!’
Seeing the professor approaching the platform, Lester broke into a cold sweat.
If the professor noticed and called him out, it would be a huge embarrassment.
‘Ernas! What the hell are you thinking?!’
Lester glared desperately at Ernas, but… he was only giving a cold smile in return.
‘Such a timid guy.’
Watching Lester roll his eyes, I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
‘This is all he’s capable of, Lester.’
Lester thought of himself as a composed, intellectual type who was bold and relaxed.
But compared to the Ernas from the novel, he was a step behind.
Ernas was always getting caught up in traps and flustered by his own schemes in the story.
‘Plus, he cares way too much about how others see him.’
Right now, Lester was probably worried about being scolded by the professors or instructors.
But I didn’t care about any of that.
As long as I got what I wanted, it didn’t matter who scolded me.
[Attempting to “replicate ability” for character ‘Lester Lancaster.]
[Understanding of character ‘Lester Lancaster is at 75%.]
[Result: Success]
[Acquiring major abilities of character ‘Lester Lancaster’.]
After the long handshake, the ability replication finally began.