Chapter 139
There was no midterm exam in the second semester.
This applied not only to Lysquare Academy, but to every academy within the Empire.
And the reason was simple—because the Academy Tournament was held in the second semester.
‘It was basically held in October… like a festival.’
Although it was called a tournament, it actually had a pretty strong festival-like atmosphere.
A festival that lasted for about two weeks starting from early October.
‘The original intent was… a competition where academy students competed in various fields to test their skills, but in truth, it served quite strongly as a place to meet people.’
The students’ matches were indeed the biggest highlight of the tournament.
But of course, there were students who had no particular interest in such things.
Most of those students focused on expanding their connections.
‘Originally, during the tournament period, I also planned to expand my connections. That was my plan, but…….’
A number of unexpected events had occurred.
“Do you still want to send me out as the representative for swordsmanship?”
“You’re the most suitable.”
Luke replied without hesitation to my question.
“For one, you placed first in my swordsmanship class. And… well, I don’t teach all three grade levels, but even among the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years combined, I think you’re the most suitable to represent us.”
“Because I use multiple sword styles?”
“Mm… that’s part of it, and also because you don’t seem like someone who would lose easily to anyone.”
Luke continued speaking with a smile.
“Gideon, when I attended the academy…….”
“You went out as the academy’s swordsmanship representative for three consecutive years, right?”
“Oh? How’d you know that?”
“It’s a famous story. That you were the first person to represent the academy three years in a row.”
“Yeah. I was the first, and there hasn’t been anyone since.”
Luke scratched his head with an embarrassed smile.
“I’m not trying to brag, but back then, I was incredibly famous as a swordsmanship genius.”
“You’re still famous now. There aren’t many people who can defeat the Three Dukes using only swordsmanship and aura.”
“When I was still attending the academy, I could defeat those three. But now, I would definitely lose. Talent and effort alone have their limits.”
After chuckling bitterly, Luke continued.
“Anyway, as the swordsmanship representative in the Academy Tournament—what I felt after going out three times in a row was that having multiple sword styles was definitely advantageous.”
“Yes, having multiple sword styles is certainly advantageous when it comes to matchups.”
“Right. But they’re only useful if you can use them all at a certain level—not half-baked. Back then, I handled four sword styles at a decent level.”
And when Luke added, “And you, too,” I nodded.
“I also handle about four sword styles.”
“With four sword styles, I won first place three years in a row in the swordsmanship division. Knowing how good it is to use multiple styles—and knowing how solid your defensive swordsmanship foundation is—is exactly why I want you to be the representative.”
Luke’s reasoning was sound.
Honestly, I also felt that my participation would give the academy the best chance of winning.
But there was a problem……
“It feels burdensome, right?”
“Yes, it feels burdensome.”
I would be representing the academy.
Actually doing it sounded incredibly stressful.
“That’s inevitable. It’s not just any academy—you’d be representing Lysquare Academy.”
“An academy that always takes first place… If I go out there and lose… yeah. It wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.”
“Exactly. If you lose, even if people lie, they won’t have anything nice to say.”
“How do you know that, sir? You’ve never lost.”
“…Just let that slide.”
Luke snorted at my remark.
“And let me tell you something—our academy didn’t always place first. Even just last year.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, we placed second last year, right?”
“Right. So this year, everyone is determined to reclaim first place no matter what.”
“…I feel like the pressure just increased.”
When I said that with a dry laugh, Luke patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“I won’t force you, but personally, I really want you to go. Honestly, I think you could absolutely win the swordsmanship division.”
“Is there anyone besides me who could be a candidate?”
“If anyone… it would be Sara. Lisa is a bit weak in one-on-one matches, and Jason doesn’t exactly have outstanding combat talent. But the reason it’s awkward to send Sara as our swordsmanship representative is because……”
Luke hesitated for a moment.
But soon, he nodded and continued speaking.
“Do you know which academy beat Lysquare Academy and took first place last year?”
“Muktaba Academy, wasn’t it?”
“Correct. And last year, there was a student who entered both the swordsmanship division and the overall academy representative match at the same time—and led Muktaba Academy to first place with overwhelming results.”
When I heard that, I dug through my memory for a moment.
If it was someone who shined when Lysquare Academy placed second… one person immediately came to mind.
“Are you talking about Eisen Isrinbloom?”
“Yeah. The second son of the Isrinbloom Ducal Family—and Sara’s older brother by one year.”
I nodded at Luke’s words.
Eisen Isrinbloom.
I knew exactly who he was.
And the moment I heard his name, I understood why Luke didn’t want to send Sara as the swordsmanship representative.
“He must be far stronger than Lady Sara.”
“Yeah. I feel bad for Sara, but in both swordsmanship and flames, she can’t beat him. So the chances of you beating Eisen are far higher than Sara doing it.”
“But would I really be able to beat that guy? It was hard enough for me to beat Lady Sara last time, and he’s even stronger than she is.”
“I can’t say for sure that you’ll win. But among all the students who attend my swordsmanship classes, you have the highest chance.”
I fell silent, lost in thought.
Eisen Isrinbloom… I had encountered him several times during the Academy Tournament in the game.
So I knew very well how strong he was.
‘You want me to face Eisen?’
No matter how I thought about it, it seemed impossible.
In the game’s setting, Muktaba Academy used to fluctuate between second and fourth place every year, always lagging behind Lysquare Academy.
But after Eisen enrolled, during the three years he attended the academy—
Muktaba Academy placed first for three consecutive years in the tournament.
All because Eisen practically dragged the entire academy upward by the collar.
‘Eisen of the Academy Tournament… Ugh, even in the game, he was almost designed to be an unbeatable boss. Am I really supposed to win against him in reality?’
No matter how I imagined it, I couldn’t picture myself defeating Eisen.
But anyway……
“Teacher. But you said Sir Eisen participated not only in the Swordsmanship Competition, but also in the Academy’s Overall Representative Competition, right?”
“Yeah, he did. Usually people don’t do both because preparing for two categories was tough, but if your stamina could handle it, one student could compete in multiple events at the same time.”
“Sir Eisen would probably enter both categories again this year, right?”
“Probably, yeah?”
“Then if I said I would enter the Swordsmanship Competition, who would enter the Overall Representative Competition?”
At my question, Luke fell silent for a moment.
And after a few minutes of thought, the answer he gave was……
“Do you want to enter both events too?”
“…Teacher.”
“Hey, alright. Don’t look at me like that.”
Luke scratched his head with an awkward laugh.
“But we definitely have to think about who’s going to enter the Overall Representative Competition. That one gives the highest score.”
For reference, the Overall Representative Competition was, literally, the event where the school’s representatives came out to compete.
Whether it was a swordsman, spearman, archer, or magician.
It didn’t matter what weapon a student mainly used.
You simply entered the tournament as the Academy’s representative and fought to determine who was best.
And just as Luke said, it was the event that awarded the most points, so it needed preparation from every angle.
‘During the time Eisen attended the Academy, he always took first place in this Representative Competition. That was how he brought Muktaba Academy up to first place.’
Anyway, this was something to think about.
I wanted to help Luke too, but no matter how I thought about it, the odds……
“What are you two talking about so seriously?”
“…Jason. Are you okay?”
“Hahaha! I’m fine, bro! I can’t walk because my leg bone got hit perfectly, but I’m fine! Hahaha!”
Jason crawled toward us on all fours.
Luke looked at him with worry.
“Did you also hit your head?”
“Hahahahaha! Lady Layla did hit my head pretty hard!”
“Don’t worry, Teacher.”
Sara had approached at some point, with Layla beside her.
Sara looked down at Jason with a thoroughly refreshed expression.
“This guy is fine. You know he’s not the type to get hurt by something like this.”
“…Sara, you look like all your stress just evaporated.”
“It does feel refreshing.”
When Sara said it with a laugh, Luke and I could only give helpless laughs in return.
Meanwhile, Layla walked up to Jason and checked on him with concern.
“Are you alright? Did I hit your head too hard earlier?”
“Hahahaha! I’m fine, Princess. Would I really get hurt from something like that?”
“Right. You would never get hurt from something like that.”
Behind Jason, Lisa appeared.
She approached us with Nia slung over her shoulder.
“…Nuna. Um, Lady Nia is alive, right?”
“Don’t worry. She’s very much alive.”
“Yeah, brat. I’m perfectly alive. Ow… my back… Hey, Gideon. Could you do something about your girlfriend’s violence? You’re definitely going to suffer once you get married and start married life…”
“Unnie, do you want to get hit again?”
“…I apologize.”
Lisa tossed—no, gently laid—Nia onto the mat.
Then she looked back at Jason again.
“Jason, stop acting crazy and get up.”
“Alright. But Nuna, I’m not acting right now. I really can’t get up. My leg seriously hurts.”
“If you don’t want anything else to start hurting, stop getting in the way of Gideon and my dates from now on.”
“Yes, ma’am. Next time I’ll follow you only after getting your permission.”
After bowing his head to Lisa in submission, Jason sprawled out on the nearby grass.
“Ow, my leg… I won’t be able to walk today.”
“Sir Jason, should I bring you medicine?”
“No. No need. More importantly, Gideon. What were you talking about with Luke just now? You looked way too serious.”
“We were talking about the Academy Competition.”
I explained to Jason and everyone else what Luke and I had been discussing.
From the Swordsmanship Representative to the topic of Eisen.
And the person who reacted first after hearing it was……
“Teacher, send Gideon to the Representative Competition, and make me the Swordsmanship Representative.”
“Sara. I just told you. I’m sorry, but if we look at it objectively, you can’t beat Eisen.”
“Teacher. No—Luke oppa. Let me go. I want to prove myself to Eisen oppa, and to my family.”
Luke looked at Sara and started thinking.
But he didn’t seem able to give an easy answer.
Then Lisa, who had quietly listened until now, opened her mouth.
“Gideon, could you enter both the Swordsmanship Competition and the Representative Competition?”
“…If you tell me to, I will, but I don’t know if my stamina would hold up. If I enter twice, would my body survive?”
“It’s going to be hard. Eisen entering both categories is what’s abnormal.”
Lisa nodded and looked at Luke.
“Luke oppa. Doing what Sara suggested seems best. Having Gideon enter both events would be too much.”
“Well… Lisa, you’re right. Eisen being able to compete in two events is what’s strange. Hah… telling Gideon to enter both would be pushing him too hard, wouldn’t it?”
Luke hesitated again, but soon looked at Sara as if he had made up his mind.
“Sara, can you really face Eisen?”
“Yeah. And I’ll definitely win.”
“Alright then… Gideon, can you enter the Representative Competition?”
“If I’m the best option… it’s a bit intimidating, but yes. I’ll do it.”
At my answer, Luke nodded in satisfaction.
“In that case, Sara and Gideon. Both of you come to the Academy one week before the semester starts.”
“One week before?”
“Yeah, because… there are a few procedures you have to go through to become Academy representatives.”