Vol. 1 - Ch. 276 - The Instructors of the Academy, Reminiscing Behind the Scene
Sword, Magic and Academic SocietyThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
"*Cough* Alright. Disclose the result now!"
At the cue, the man in charge proficiently took off the cloth draping over the bulletin board in one move. While the results were revealed on one hand, in the same timeframe, a part of students momentarily broke into a sprint.
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"Good grief, it's baffling how everyone's wagging their tail happily."
"Truly, what a pathetic sight. Why must we, the chosen one, have to stay in the doghouse of a dormitory? It's even more incessing we can't have our exclusive maid at the noble dorm either."
"...Chores are a waste of time. Can't do. Club is a total pain, can't do."
While there were some students who had immediately blitz away, there were also freshmen who watched them with cold eyes. They're precisely the 'cheeky freshmen' archetype that Allen would have jumped in delight had he been here to witness them.
A moment after the freshmen at lead took their leave, Allen finally made his appearance riding on his two-wheeler.
"Ah, Allen Rovenne-senpai is finally here. Is he appearing late to centralise the spotlight on…him? .....W-well, that's one way to dress."
The freshmen immediately turned their gaze at the entry of Allen, only to be dumbfounded by his appearance. An appearance that couldn't be any far from 'dashin.' His attire was a huge mismatch, and the way he carried et cetera items, plus with the spanker of a ship sticking behind and bandana inscribed with 'Youth,' made him more like a hawker than anything.
"......*Cough* Maybe, there's a reason why he is dressed like that. After all, I have heard others calling a sly fox, or swindler. I certainly didn't see any grace in him, but it wouldn't be in our favour to antagonise him on the surface at least. I will decide after observing him."
"......I can't think of myself associating with him. His attire is so clowinish. Can't do."
"............"
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After Orientation.
Miharu Shutrane, the Director of Royal Academy, twisted her lips in a wry smile as she watched the situation through the window of the staff room located in the school building.
"I see, they're headhunting for clubs. It sure is getting quite heated. I fear this must be his instigation as well."
"Hmm, it's him. ...It's certainly impressive how he became such an influence in mere one year."
Godorfun remarked, much more in exasperation, and shook his head. The same wry smile was worn by every instructor, their eyes narrowing as if recalling the events of the past year.
It had been precisely one year since Allen Rovenne, a kid from a remote countryside unheard of, suddenly appeared as the biggest dark horse in years they'd seen. Regardless, he was chosen as the top ranker in the physical exam unanimously, and proved himself through the cheating allegation, ultimately even nicknamed walking unprecedented.
The allegation wasn't entirely untrue either. In contrast to the mock exam's result kingdom-wide, the theory exam's result at the academy was dimension apart. It was like he himself was shouting 'I did that crime.' And yet, even that wasn't a baffling part. Every instructor did a thorough analysis of the exam recording, however they couldn't find a single clue pertaining to cheating.
With two outcomes who couldn't be anymore polars apart, the specialists tried to suggest their personal hypothesis, cornering each other, though the outcome remained covered behind an unparsed veil. At the end, Godorfun took the situation in his hand, and declared a conclusion via his authority.
The questioning by Godorfun at the Orientation was watched by everyone present. They saw how the allegation riled Allen to the point he retorted loud and sharp, even prepared to challenge Godorfun with duster in his hand.
They'd seen it themselves. The surging rage, the shiver in his gestures—like a body's primal instinctual reaction at the mention of something abhorrent, and the stern glare could be anything but a criminal's reaction.
The explanation Godorfun gave didn't have anything false. There were precedents that everyone with hints of suspicion were all designated Class E, with no exception. Any examinees, or at least an overwhelming majority, shared the notion that it's extremely implausible to cheat through one's strength, and not even a single person caught the whiff. It was a gamble with 99.99% odds against you and the wager was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The path to Royal Academy was paved by oneself's hard work. The fact that even distinguished nobles would urge their offsprings to study and take the same exams like commoners was exemplary enough. This was the hurdle one had to cross just to cheat in this exam.
On the other hand, though, should one try to cheat and be found out, the consequence would not only befall the candidate, the trouble would follow even their family and ruling noble. At the very least, the candidate would forgo any chance of making a life in their hometown.
But at the end, regardless of cheating or not, the result having minor or major diffraction, there had always been a verdict for one alleged—booted to Class E. There had been no exception. Albeit, the thought did cross in everyone's mind as they watched the spat between Godorfun and Allen, "Allen is indeed for Class A."
At his authority, Godorfun then pressed a harsh, yet seemingly politic-esque challenge as a condition to stay put him in Class A. In an unexpected fashion, Allen, who had been fuming with rage, calmly accepted that offer.
In the eyes of experienced examiners, it felt as if Allen just had a laugh to himself. Then, what happened afterward was an everyone's known tale—Allen's shrewdness on just the day one, followed by his achievement made him the precursor to the majority, if not completely, of discussion as a prodigy beyond any common sense.
He might not be the one casting die in the game, but it surely gave the impression as if the very game was orchestrated by him for the situation to play exactly in that fashion.
"It's already a year, huh. It truly doesn't feel like that long however. Back then, at this moment I still had been casting my doubts on his academic ability......"
This bitter phrase came from Jeffrey, one of the academy's teachers with expertise in magic arithmetic. He had slipped in exactly one question, too advanced for the examinees in the entrance test. It was on the level of absolute, however there still came out one exception—Allen.
During his classes, he had subtly attempted to gauge Allen's knowledge, who explained he also had debates with Schord often during study sessions. He prattled off with a big smile on his face.
He was an inquisitive person who would get to the root of the underlying fundamental under which he deciphered the theory completely. Jeffrey reached the conclusion through his communication with Allen. Along with a new perspective on Allen's character, he even felt shame that he ever doubted him.
"It was clear he didn't cheat, but then, did he purposely set his score in the nation-wide mock exam? There were such doubts, too, and even that angle had been thoroughly investigated down to the answer sheet. They found no oddity from any point."
Of course, no one today would dare raise their finger at Allen and suspect him of cheating. He wasn't someone who would bother paving his path with such cheap stunts. In this one year, his essence of character had been visible and known to everyone.
"I must say, Sir. The assignment was one hell of a condition, then again, it's even more absurd how Allen Rovenne surpassed with ease. This sure earned him fame. The Orientation situation, Hill Road Club, Rising Star Cup, and then outdoor classes. There was also that quibble between Sir and Allen-kun in this very room. It hadn't been that long, but it feels like a distant, nostalgic memory. I was truly dazzled......"
Mujikka chuckled as she recalled her memories.
"Fuhahaha. —I will strike down whoever dares to block my path. No one is an exception. One year, indeed. He really didn't spare this old man from turning his stepping stone either, and so many times too. So, after taking a look at this headhunting for clubs, perhaps the suggestion he had given back then may not be as insane to think about.."
Godorfun stroked his beard and added. Everyone's facial muscles twitched at the mention, and collectively glanced at Mujikka.
"......We have been coordinating the adjustment with every party, though the voice of objection still outweighs as ever. But... after observing the zeal he has displayed, it do pushes us to make it possible anyhow."
Mujikka explained, taking a quick glance at Director Miharu.
At the urging of Miharu, Allen had once made a presentation where the academy required a reformation.
As the hub of talented prodigies, the inventor of new techniques and technology, and whose countless research had fueled Yuglia's growth, Royal Academy was the axel that supported the journey of Yuglia. They'd maintained a confidentiality unprecedented from an education institute.
In other words, unlike Allen's previous world, Royal Academy had no concept of opening its door for outsiders, and any event that made the so-called college life the peak of youth was foreign to it.
"It's not unexpected for the opposing views to come forth. While they can be just in their place, Allen Rovenne-kun had emphasized on this point quite intently. I can't help but be curious to see what changes this will bring. Admittedly, I had nearly forgotten about what this academy was meant to be. ...As long as there's a determined will, as long as this academy puts its all, there's indeed nothing it can not achieve."
At the end of her words, Miharu lifted off her gentle gaze from the beaming expression of students and glanced back at every present member in the staff room.
"For the first in its history spanning a millennia, the Royal Academy will be organising a school festival. Are you all prepared?"
" "Absolutely!!!" "
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"Magic Research club has been entrusted to us by Al-san. We can't let it regress into the shadow of others. Let's support them!"
As Jeuri Leverance's voice echoed from outside the window, Al—Aldol Engraver's new classmate glanced at him with an awkward air.
Having lost his one arm in the incident, and demoted to Class E from Class A, the words perhaps couldn't be anymore cruel for Al. And sure enough, he stood straight, bearing the tears that threatened to spill apart.
He noticed his classmate's gaze on him, and slacken his expression, wiping his cheeks.
"Ah, my bad. You don't have to be mindful of me. It's a fact I lost my arm due to my own action, and I have already come to terms with it."
Al drew a bright smile, clearing the stifling air. The rest of his classmates exhaled a sigh of relief.
"Y-you did... you're strong. Then again, they—Class A—may never understand what other classes beneath them feel."
"I know, right? Ah, but I didn't mean it in a bad way, alright? Let's take it at our pace from here."
Al slipped a chuckle and nodded.
"I know. I am very clear that—"
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Spring Vacation.
In his journey of soul seeking, Al had spent his time under a waterfall back at his hometown—Engraver Viscounty.
Engraver Viscount was located in the middle of one of the, and arguably the most, heavy snowfall areas—Yuhard Mountain Range. The waterfall originated from the collective streams set free from the thawed ice. Though it was by no means cold.
During its coldest period, the same waterfall would be replaced by the 'tree-fall', related to a monster named Anju. And when the spring knocked on the door of the coldest region, the same would retreat to an area at an altitude.
During one of the sessions, he was sitting under the waterfall cross-legged, meditating, when a horned rabbit wrapped in pure white fur appeared. It shined its horn, clearly displaying an aggressive intention.
"Kyuun!"
Al quietly faced his palm in the horned rabbit direction, and shot an ice bullet.
He had only meant to scare it off, hence he kept infusion of his mana limited. He expected the Horned Rabbit to instead dodge, but to his surprise, the Horned Rabbit instead fainted, showing no movement.
Slowly, he dropped his gaze at his palm. And then, his heart skipped a beat. In that moment, the banter he had with Allen back at Nyap Forest replayed in his mind.
"So, that's it... Allen. The answer... it has always been there..."
In that moment, he had already—
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Al turned to his classmates, the later clearly making an attempt to make him feel comfortable, and beamed.
"I know. I am very clear that everyone only held dear wishes for me. Some may show their sympathy, some have cheered me, and then some even scolded me, because they believed in me. ...The means were different, but... you all have given me the courage and strength to walk forward!"
Al's classmates held their breath collectively. In his current situation, Al should've been swiped in the tides of despair, but his classmates saw a bright will dwelling in his eyes as he expressed his gratitude.