NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56
—“The team assignments are as written on the examination forms distributed in advance, now let’s start moving!”
Under Colonel Starr’s orders, each of us headed for the simulation room.
I wondered what the alphabet on the examination slip was, but I see that’s what this is about.
Kenya seems to have been assigned to Group B.
In the room to which he was led, a large number of simulation machines were lined up.
As expected of the most prestigious elite school in Asgard.
It is the best facility with ample funds.
The 50 of us in Group B are led by Colonel Starr to the next room.
“Well, this B group will be here in an hour, as the examinations will start in order. Until then, the teams are free to discuss this at their leisure, see you then.”
With an hour to go before the exam, it appears that a strategy meeting will be held.
Colonel Starr walks out, and only the candidates are left in the room.
The 50 candidates take their seats.
As expected, silence envelops the room, as the members here are enemies and friends.
But one boy steps forward.
“My name is Blue Tasmania. My father is an Earl.”
Everyone’s attention is drawn to the boy who steps out to the podium.
(It’s amazing that he can act at first at times like this..)
It’s a feat that Kenya can’t do.
Is he a proactive or what, can you call him a committee chairman type?
“I understand that we are fellow members who aspire to become Holy Knights, but at the same time we are rivals. But without joining hands, there can be no victory. So how about it, if there is no one else to stand for the position, let me take command.”
Then this man Blue, said he would take command.
And he seems to be an earl. I’m not sure about the aristocratic relationship, but apparently he must be a great man, judging by everyone’s reactions.
“No objections!”
“If a Earl is going to take command, I welcome it!”
“Since there is no house higher than the Earl’s family in this place, then I think that would be good!”
It seems that being a noble in the country of Asgard is special, after all.
The barons are the lowest, and the Earls are apparently the two highest. And since the limit to which a soldier can become accustomed through military merit seems to be a baron, he must be a genuine aristocrat.
It is easily decided that a man called Blue will take command.
Blue then walks straight towards Kenya.
“Nice to meet you, Ken-kun. It’s a great honour to be able to fight alongside Rhode-sama’s knights. Please give me your regards.”
“No, no. It’s nice to meet you too! I’m not familiar with this kind of battle strategy, so thank you for your help!”
“..Oh, so you’re not familiar with them.”
Blue then looked down and chuckled.
That smile is invisible to Kenya, but he immediately looks up and gives Kenya a friendly smile.
“You are a knight of the royal family, so you must be strong, but leave the command to me this time. I’m not even close to Rhode-sama’s footsteps, but here, I’m still in the top class for strategy exams.”
“That’s reassuring! I’m counting on you!”
Then, one after another, the strategy is decided, and the teams are divided and deployed.
Kenya is not familiar with these things, so he decides to follow everything one says.
***
“Then it’s time! Give it all you’ve got!”
And when the time came, the 50 of them headed for the simulation room under Colonel Starr’s call.
He seemed to wink in Kenya’s direction, but nothing about an old man’s wink makes me happy.
He’s probably an examiner anyway, just to watch the game with a drink in his hand.
Then he jumped into the virtual world and the fateful Holy Knight exam began.
“The place is mountainous. It’s a map you’re used to.”
We jumped into a mountainous area.
This is the most orthodox stage with mountains, rivers, and broken buildings.
As we were informed beforehand.
Looking around, you see white KOGs.
I guess the colors are unified for easy recognition.
“Then, as per the plan!”
And Kenya waits alone over the mountain, as he was told.
“Well.. I’ve heard that we’ll get a signal, so let’s wait.”
Kenya’s instructions were to raid from the rear with his overwhelming destructive power.
That’s why I received such instructions from Blue, who wanted me to stand by in the early stages of the battle.
So much so that I believed it straight away.
“Blue-san, you’re a pretty good guy.”
Kenya, who had been NEET his previous life with communication problems, was not good at impersonating.
***
“Hmph.”
“How can I help you? Blue-san.”
This is the front line.
Blue and those under Blue’s command are gathered here.
Earl Blue was surrounded by his own people.
“No, I just thought it was interesting how easy it was.”
“You mean Ken Sylphid?”
“Yeah, I could tell from talking to him that he’s just a good-natured fellow. I’ve heard that he’s a knight after all, although I’ve heard that he’s a man of great valour. Tactics are meaningless in the face of strategy. On the battlefield, you’re just a soldier.”
Kenya fell for Blue’s trickery.
A boy who trusts people more than he suspects them, he was easily fooled.
He is forced to stand by at the edge of the battlefield, a place where he can’t make a military victory.
“Blue-san! I saw the enemy shadow!”
“Here they come, all right! Just as planned!”
By Blue, who tries to display military prowess in order to become a holy knight.
(If I follow the test of strategy, I won’t lose! I’m a genius!)
Blue Tasmania.
A brilliant student who passed the strategy exam of the Valhalla School with top marks.
But he didn’t understand.
A boy who had only fought on a desk, he did not understand the battlefield, even though it was a simulation.
And that he is not a genius, only a brilliant one.
***
“Has it started already?”
“Oh! It’s Rhode-sama! We have been waiting for you. This way, please!”
This is the room where the examiners watch the exam on a monitor overlooking the battlefield.
Colonel Starr does not seem to be drinking for the exam, as expected.
Rhode Asgard also enters there, as he had been informed beforehand.
“Well, I wonder how my knight is doing. Well, I’m sure he’ll be fine..”
And Rhode looking at the battlefield, is speechless.
“Hey, Star. What the hell is that guy doing out there? I don’t understand?”
The battle has begun, and the only KOG is waiting at the edge of the battlefield.
The knight’s name is shown over the monitor.
Ken Sylphid.
***
“So, that’s.. what why..”
Rhode with a full view of the entire battlefield.
After looking the battle field for movement, understood everything, and leans back in his chair and looks up to the sky with sigh.
“..huh.. You really are..”
***
“I wonder if the instructions are still – I can’t wait to fight..”
Only to see his knight looking up at the sky in the same way.