"Excuse me, Princess Isabella, may we sit here?"
Isabella turned her head to see a group of second-year students.
“What about your exams?”
“We just finished a little while ago. We came to watch the first-year exams, but has Patrick’s turn not started yet?”
“He’s about to start.”
“We’re not late then. Thank you.”
The second-year students then sat down a short distance away from Isabella. Isabella looked around... 'The gallery has grown.'
It was common for outsiders to observe the Knight Faculty's exams. But this time, there were an exceptional number of people. Not only were there second and third-year students, but also students and professors from other departments, and even outsiders wearing visitor passes on their chests.
All of them were focused on the one now walking toward the center of the training grounds.
Patrick Schneider.
The eye of the storm who had caused a series of incidents right after his admission, and in the process, had crushed Jordic Panola, the third-year salutatorian. Just how skilled was he? Jordic’s skill was publicly known to be that of a mature three-star.
If Patrick defeated such a person, he had to be at least a three-star, or maybe even a four-star. If that was the case...
“He’s a talent that comes once in a lifetime.”
“If he’s already a three-star as a first-year, he’ll reach at least four-star by graduation, right?”
“Perhaps he might even reach the seven-star level in the future.”
“Indeed, a remarkable figure has emerged from the eastern territory.”
“That must be why Count Parmas, the Eastern Marching Count, gave him a letter of recommendation.”
“Speaking of which, I heard he achieved great merits in the eastern territory as well?”
“Merits in the east? I suppose he was active in monster subjugations?”
“No. I heard he took the head of a black mage.”
“A black mage? He was quite lucky for someone so young.”
People from various places, such as high noble families, the Tower of Truth, and the temple, were watching Patrick. Unbeknownst to him, Patrick had already become quite famous in the capital. 'This is going to be a pain, even if he wins.'
Isabella murmured as she watched Patrick step onto the training grounds.
“What are you going to do, Patrick?”
Patrick scanned the spectator seats surrounding the training grounds. From those who came out of curiosity to those who were seriously appraising him. Quite a lot of people had gathered.
“In the end, it comes to this. I’m in the spotlight again.”
Patrick had anticipated that a day like this would come. Considering his abilities and future plans, unless he was going to hide away in some deep mountain valley to train like a hermit, fame was unavoidable.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, with this dazzling handsomeness, innate genius, and noble character. A man as great as I am can’t help but attract the world's attention.”
Does this bastard even have a conscience? In any case, Patrick was not one to be flustered by such a situation.
In his past life, the first footsteps of Radiant Dragon Grandmaster Jin Cheon began at the age of 22. A disciple of a small sect called the Twin Dragon Sect began his journey in the martial world, challenged an elder of the Wudang Sect to a duel and won, and starting with that, he engaged in a series of one hundred duels.
The result was one hundred battles, one hundred victories. Most of his opponents were either elder-level masters known as distinguished figures in the martial world or leaders of the unorthodox alliance. The legend of the Radiant Dragon Grandmaster began when a young man, not yet thirty, defeated them all.
'Sixteen...
It's a bit earlier than my past life, but it wouldn't be bad to start around now.' A smile crept onto Patrick's lips as he spoke.
“I’ll create a small... a very small legend at the academy.”
As Patrick stood on the training grounds, a professor announced.
“Your opponent is Georgia Formov.”
“Yes.”
The student named by the professor was about to step out, but Patrick raised his hand to stop her.
“Just a moment.”
Then, Patrick looked at the professor and said.
“It won’t be any fun to pit ten kids against me.”
“What did you say?”
“It’s too obvious. Do you think the gallery gathered over there would be satisfied with that?”
“Hah? Your confidence pierces the heavens.”
“Ahem!”
“... That wasn't a compliment.”
“Huh? Really?”
The professor wore a look of disbelief. He had been a professor at the academy for over ten years and had seen all sorts of characters, but this was a new experience. 'Is he a madman?'
Patrick paid no mind to the professor's gaze, which looked at him as if he were crazy. Because he was used to it. And with a calm smile, he said...
“I want an opponent other than these brats.”
At those words, the professor frowned and said.
“Are you saying you want to face a second or third-year?”
“No, I said other than brats, didn't I?”
“Then who... surely not?”
The professor’s words trailed off as he stared at Patrick with a dumbfounded expression. And Patrick, beckoning with his finger, said.
“I ask for a lesson.”
“I’ll go easy on you.”
The professor had suspected Patrick might be a madman, but he was wrong. This was a 100 percent pure madman. In the Atronia Kingdom, the most powerful knightly force was the Royal Knight Order.
To empower the monarchy with a strong knight order, the Royal Family practically swept up all the exceptional knights.
However.
When the knights of that Royal Knight Order had to quit due to unavoidable circumstances or took an early retirement, where do you think most of them went? For example, where would a place that accepts someone with enough of a temper to beat their seniors to a pulp, spit on them, and walk out, be?
“Achoo!? Is someone talking about me?”
Professor Leit let out a brief cough, but I will continue the story. The second choice for most of these individuals is to become a professor at the Knight Faculty of the academy.
Truthfully, if money were the only consideration, there were other offers with better conditions, but for men who had belonged to the Royal Knight Order, face was more important than money. A profession that allowed them to maintain their dignity as a knight, promised a satisfactory salary, and held a sufficiently high social standing.
That was none other than being a professor at the Knight Faculty. In other words, most of the professors at the academy were former members of the Royal Knight Order. Their level was at least four-star or higher.
Even the professors who held chalk every day and conducted theory lessons in front of a blackboard were at least four-star. In fact, the professors in charge of practical training were mostly at the five-star level or above. And these individuals had just been provoked by a first-year student.
“Hahaha... Should I call him bold.”
“It would be more fitting to call him crazy.”
“More importantly, are we just going to let that madman be?”
Half of the professors were dumbfounded, and the other half were angry. A first-year student had challenged them to a fight, so their anger was justified. In reality, they didn't even have to fight.
They could simply use their authority as professors to drag that madman down from there, and that would be the end of it.
But...
“This is interesting.”
All the professors' heads snapped in one direction. Their gazes gathered on Professor Leit, who was standing with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
Justin Leit.
The Unyielding Knight. A swordsman who had achieved the six-star knight level (publicly). He was a man who stood out even among the professors of the Knight Faculty.
And he was the one who spoke.
“He is a fearsome child who doesn't know his place. His talent is great, but isn't it also our duty to teach him so that his talent does not turn into arrogance?”
“Professor Leit, are you saying you'll grant the demand of that reckless mad dog?”
“A reckless mad dog...”
'What a truly fitting description.' Leit raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said.
“As you can see, many onlookers have gathered. Not just from within the academy, but plenty of outsiders as well.”
At Professor Leit's words, the others also came to a fresh realization. As a result of the rumors that had spread unknowingly, the Knight Faculty's midterm evaluation was currently being watched by the largest gallery in its history.
“Everyone wants to know the extent of the rumored Patrick Schneider's skills. In truth, it’s impossible for a student to properly diagnose the skill of that monster.”
“You speak as if you, Professor Leit, know the student's skills.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Does he just know? He knows all too well, to the point of grinding his teeth. After clearing his throat briefly, Professor Leit continued.
“In any case, just chasing him out of here would be a bad move. Never mind within the academy, it won't be looked upon favorably by outsiders either.”
“Are you telling us to face a student for the sake of some external evaluation?”
When one professor asked indignantly, Professor Leit responded.
“The Arcana Tournament is coming up soon, is it not?”
“Hmm... what does that have to do with anything?”
“Typically, a first-year is not chosen as a representative for the Arcana. They are usually selected from among the fourth and fifth-year students, but what if this Patrick Schneider's skills are the real deal?”
“Are you suggesting we pick a first-year student as the representative for the Arcana?”
“That’s absurd. It’s unprecedented.”
“It would be recorded as an enduring disgrace for the academy.”
To the professors who were vehemently protesting, Professor Leit said with a hollow laugh.
“A disgrace?”
“Is there a greater disgrace than finishing last in the Arcana for ten consecutive years?”
“Khm...”
“Well, that’s...”
“You didn't have to put it like that, did you?”
The professors turned their heads away as if it were too shameful to watch. In fact, the words that Leit had just spoken were what shamed them the most. The kingdom's finest educational institution.
A shortcut to nurturing elite knights? What good was all that? When they went outside the kingdom to compete, they had been last for ten consecutive years.
Leit spoke to the professors who were trying to ignore reality.
“If that brat's skills are real, he might be able to end our humiliation.”
“Hmm, are you that certain of his skills?”
“Yes. And even if he isn't, so what?”
“...?”
“Shouldn't we professors, once in a while, show the students our dignity through skill, not just authority?”
At that moment, the look in some of the professors' eyes changed. In truth, like in any world, the job of a teacher is not always easy. This was especially true here, where most of the students were born with a golden spoon, or at the very least a silver one.
No matter how solid the authority within the academy was, did they really think that gathering the sons of the kingdom's most prominent figures and teaching them would make them listen meekly? At times like that, the professors thought.
'It would be much easier if I could just overpower them with skill, like I did with the junior knights in the order.'
“Khm... well, it might not be so bad once in a while.”
“Showing them the difference in skill is also a master's role...”
“Who will go first? If no one else will, then I shall go.”
Just like that, the professors became proactive. Watching the scene, Professor Leit said. 'My apologies, everyone.'
And then...
He looked at Patrick, who was yawning in the center of the training grounds, and thought. 'I've done as you asked, so we're good now, right?'
That's right.
Patrick had a plan for everything.
“What is this?”
“Are they really doing it?”
“For real? Not a joke?”
Across from Patrick, a professor from the Knight Faculty stepped up, holding a wooden sword. Professor vs. Student. It was hard to believe even while watching it.
The gallery buzzed loudly at this absurd scene, something that had never happened since the academy's founding. Patrick had been the one to provoke them, but they never thought the academy's professors would actually accept. Is this really okay?
That thought crossed their minds, but before that came another... 'Is that rumored first-year that strong?' 'To the point where the professors themselves have to step in, not just the upperclassmen?'
'Surely he's not as strong as the Twelve Paladins of the Holy Empire or the Magic Swordsmen of the Tower of Truth?' 'Even the famed Holy Knights of the Venator Empire would have no guarantee of victory against the professors.' Just how strong was he?
For the professors to personally step forward to face this first-year? Receiving everyone's attention, the professor who stepped up as Patrick's opponent said.
“As you wished, I will be your opponent.”
“Thank you. Um... Professor, your name is?”
“Jonathan Briggs. You didn't even know your own professor's name?”
“It’s just that I’m a magnanimous person who doesn’t concern myself with trivial matters.”
That's not something to be proud of, you bastard. He couldn't say those words, for the sake of his dignity as a professor. To the professor with a sour expression, Patrick extended his twin swords and said.
“Enough talk. The onlookers are getting excited, shall we begin?”
“Khm...”
The professor resolved to teach a firm lesson to Patrick, who said his piece and cut him off. The two faced each other. The referee confirmed they were ready and shouted loudly.
“Begin!”