Sword, Magic and Academic Society

"Now, let's see what everyone's judgment is."

"Clear."

"Sounds clear to me."

"Clear of course."

"I will go with a clear."

"I have analyzed it thoroughly. Even without questioning him, he's undoubtedly clear."

Everyone declared the person in question was clear.

"Suspicious", the last one remaining, Dew, sighed as he replied.

"That's not very fair of you. You look so excited, even though gambling doesn't suit your nature." (Justin)

"That isn't something a manipulative bastard like you have the right to say, Justin! Once that damned brat is disqualified, I'll be the one to hog those 300 million rea! Fuhaha!" (Dew)

Dew was so excited at the prospect of winning the bet that he couldn't sleep for the whole night, and in the end, it even strained him mentally and physically. He was practically drooling as he thought of the money that would soon be rolling onto his lap. He was completely detached from reality— a fairly typical example of someone who easily succumbed to gambling.

"Very well, with a unanimous decision and no clear evidence of cheating, Allen will be demoted to Class E."

Mujikka, the head of the meeting, announced.

"Hey! Didn't I say my doubts!? How did it become a unanimous decision!? Stop messing with me! And what 'Unceasing Prudence' Schord Bainfause!? Like hell, there can be such an amazing tutor in this world! That was obviously an on-the-spot bullshit that that damned brat came up with!"

Dew's statement sounded like a loser dog attempting to salvage the situation. But in a sense, he wasn't far from the truth.

However, it was an undeniable fact that Schord had raised two exceptional students. And another point was that they didn't find any suspicious part about Allen no matter how much they investigated.

Especially the exam footage of the magical theory exam with a cheating probability of 99.99% which was thoroughly reviewed. They had stared at the projection of the scene where Allen solved the application problem of the magic conversion principle so hard that one would have imagined they were trying to open holes through the monitor just with their gazes. As for why, it was because a few questions in the exam paper had far surpassed the level fitting for the entrance examination, with Allen being the only one to solve them.

He solved the problem like everyone else, giving the question a bit of thought and then using the blank space for calculations. Or correcting the minor mistakes he found during his review and fixing them. There was no way calculating on the blank pace and correcting minor mistakes during the review could be considered cheating. Throughout the entire exam, he skipped the questions that he didn't have any chance of solving at all with ease.

They also considered the possibility that the one who took the exam wasn’t Allen but Allen’s proxy or substitute, however, this possibility was abandoned after matching his handwriting with the previous kingdom-wide mock theory exam.

From the outset to the conclusion, there was only one suspicious point — if it could be even counted as one — which was him taking a stroll all alone through the vast cobblestone pathway. The only time he had an exchange with other examinees was after the practical exam when he passed by the group awaiting their preliminary results. There was hardly anyone left among the staff who had not analyzed all of his actions.

Everything from his mana residue, his way of walking, to even his voice, indicated the same conclusion— the Allen who took the theory exam was the same Allen who had taken the practical exam. Well of course they would match, for they were the same person. Examiners had the same thought as they saw Allen completing the 5 subjects of the theory exam in 2 hours and 45 minutes nonchalantly and then reviewing them with sleepy eyes— it wasn't the behavior of someone who was cheating.

And then, as their representative, Godorfun, Class A's class teacher, had even questioned him during the orientation. As a result—

"I've already dispatched trusted individuals to check that person out. I've also instructed them to scout him in case they confirm him to be a hidden talent. If the situation calls for it, I have authorized them to use the name of 'Yugria' as well."

Godorfun nodded hearing Mujikka's reply.

"It's just a matter of time before the name of Schord Bainfause resounds throughout the whole kingdom. Given the current tumultuous times, it is undoubtedly necessary to secure such a talent capable of raising outstanding individuals."

Complex expressions appeared on everyone's faces.

"Certainly, we must ensure that the bountiful treasures of our land stay within our borders. You can also collaborate with the Dragoons if necessary. Everything beyond that will be a level playing field."

"...By the way, old man, what the hell was that condition about entering Class A?"

"What, are you dissatisfied? I took measures that, in my own way, I believe are in the best interests of the nation."

Godorfun said while staring at Dew.

"Of course I'm dissatisfied! You are putting on such a noble cause, but isn't it all just to salvage your bet!?"

"Hmm… and? What's everyone's opinion on this?"

"We already held a meeting regarding this matter. And except for Dew, everyone unanimously agreed with it."

Mujikka triumphantly crushed Dew's voice of objection.

When taking a vote, alongside the obvious popular choice being the Class A qualification, there was no other way to win so everyone was just resigned at that point.

Furthermore, just as Godorfun said earlier, considering the current circumstances, everyone knew that Allen should be allowed to grow in Class A.

The only one whining was Dew.

"But don't you think that the condition to stay in Class A is a bit tough? Even if it's an unprecedented case, it's quite demanding for a boy who has just arrived from the countryside."

Ignoring Dew, who was still making a fuss, the gentle cleft chin Dante asked.

"Well, after all that commotion during the self-introduction, it was quite a spectacle. Ahaha… It was fantastic, really."

Parch burst out in laughter.

"Geez, this isn't a laughing matter! If it's true, it's quite troublesome to be honest! To keep her captive for over 6 hours until morning, only to later treat her like a complete stranger in front of everyone and then throw her away like tattered rags!"

Mujikka exclaimed with simmering rage.

"But weren't you watching that scene with an ecstatic expression again and again? I guess you really are a masochist after all, getting excited by imagining being humiliated and discarded. You must have lots of pent-up frustration since you haven't had a boyfriend for so long."

Emmy swiftly added.

"D-D-D-Don't blabber random nonsense, Emmy-chan!!"

"?? But it's not just a random thought though. Here—"

Emmy's fingers were about to rise when Mujikka firmly pressed it down with incredible speed.

"S-Stop, just stop! That's right, I'm a pitiful super old maid who hasn't had a boyfriend for over three years and my pent-up frustration has grown to unbearable levels! I admit it so please don't show it!"

"Mujikka really has no eye for men, it won't be long before you are entangled with a good-for-nothing man and cast away like a ragged cloth."

The glorious administrator of the Royal Academy collapsed right there.

"You really are a sadist... Emmy-chan......"

"? What are you saying, I really don't have any interest in stick and carrot plays. I only bully those whom I dislike."

"......That's just plain bullying, you know?"

◆◆◆

Godorfun forcefully steered the conversation back on track, which had been derailed by a mile, and said to Dante.

"Cough. I must admit, that brat really has gone through severe training until he lost his naivety. He must have known there was no chance of winning, yet he challenged me with such confidence."

"Living a life doing whatever he wants and however he wants. To be honest, I judged him to be an egotistic kid when he proclaimed so to Leo Zatsinger at the beginning— an arrogance common in noble-born children.

However, the way he exclaimed 'I will crush anyone, no matter who they are, if they tried to interfere with my path' to you with an unhesitating tone refreshes his impression in my mind. He really wasn't impudent, relying solely on his skill."

"Indeed. I sensed that kid's conviction. But, what about the political side? He is someone who has achieved top-class results in the Royal Academy. Whether he wants to or not, there's no way that kid can avoid getting his feet wet when walking on the beach. Without being able to secure a sufficient amount of support, what can he accomplish?"

"I see, hence this deliberate political play. It's indeed a finely-tuned challenge to measure his capabilities. As always, you really have one heck of a personality, old man."

Justin added, grinning to himself.

"I am personally more curious about his intention in wanting to become your disciple. Sir Godorfun is going to be Class A's homeroom teacher. If there's any doubt, the class is the perfect place to ask any question. He must have heard others calling you 'Godorfun the Buddha' as well. Yet he wasn't content with it. Just what was the thing that kid wanted to learn that spurred him to act that way."

"Ahh."

Dew, who had been listening with a frown, spoke, "You're right, that damned brat actually bowed his head. And It wasn't just a simple bow just for the sake of bowing. It looked as if he had repeatedly practiced and refined it into a 'form."

"Why would he do that?"

"How would I know? I can't think of any other reason but you're right. I also felt elegance in his tempered and refined unique 'form'. I dare say he'd perform the exact same movement every single time."

Emmy projected that scene.

"Oh, that's indeed some refined movement." Perch expressed his admiration.

"His movements are really beautiful. If I have to pinpoint that indescribable feeling, one can't help but feel his sincerity."

Dew continued while picking his pose.

"If you ask me, that phony private tutor must have made him practice it for the times when he needs to make requests from his superiors by preaching bullshit like 'It's a part of mental training'. I really wonder about your discussion~? To even use the name of Yugria and scouting through such a high-handed method. He seems to be quite a picky person."

Crestfallen, Mujikka suddenly raised her head.

"If you had realized it, then you should have said it earlier for god sake! Seriously, Dew-san, you're just a sloven old man except for your speed in handling work! I'll immediately send the magic bird!"

This world still lacked any proper communication magic tool.

"...Hmm. I can see that the teaching style of this <Unceasing Prudence> Schord Bainfause is more spartan, but it's still surprisingly profound. There might be more to it than meets the eye."