Chapter 140
【 300 Years 】
After I returned from the trip to Floris.
After that, nothing special happened during the break.
Lisa and I went back to the mansion of House Balmuth and spent the rest of our vacation there.
Sometimes we stepped outside the mansion to visit the Capital or played on the mountain near the estate… overall, I could spend the break comfortably and with decent fun.
Time passed like that, and before I knew it, it was a week before the break ended.
Normally, we would have returned right on the day the academy reopened…….
“Noona, you finished getting ready, right?”
“Yeah. I finished everything last night.”
Lisa came down the hallway with her luggage.
“You packed everything too, right? I feel like your baggage is way too little though?”
“This actually got larger.”
I looked at the two huge trunk bags beside me.
Back on the last day of the semester, one moderate-sized box had been enough, but now that wasn’t sufficient anymore.
“You bought me a lot of things during the break.”
“I didn’t buy you a lot. I only bought things you needed for attending the academy.”
“Well, clothing-wise, you definitely picked well. I don’t think I’ll need more clothes until I graduate.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lisa tilted her head while looking at me.
“These are summer and fall clothes. You need things to wear in winter, too.”
“…Even if I refuse, it won’t matter, right?”
“Yeah, it won’t matter.”
Lisa stated firmly with a blank expression.
I could only smile as if I had no choice.
While we were talking in the central hallway of the Balmuth Family mansion.
“Lisa! You’re really leaving today? Why is my daughter going so early?”
With an exaggerated reaction, Kafka rushed over to Lisa and hugged her.
Seeing that, Lisa stepped away from Kafka with a half-exasperated look.
“Mom, I already told you. Gideon has to go early, so I’m going early too.”
“I know. I heard Gideon is a candidate for the overall representative in the upcoming Academy Tournament, right? Well, if he’s my son-in-law, of course that’s the least he should do.”
Kafka gave me a grin with a thumbs-up, then looked back at Lisa.
“But… I understand Gideon. What about you? Why are you really going? You don’t do anything for the Tournament.”
“That’s true. Our swordsmanship isn’t exactly suited for fighting people in the first place.”
“…So basically, you’re going to the academy now just because you want to stay close to Gideon?”
“Yes.”
With Lisa’s concise answer, Kafka gave a resigned smile.
“When I see things like this, you seem nothing like me, but then again, you really did end up resembling me. When I was your age, I couldn’t go a day without your father.”
“I guess I did take after you in that sense. By the way, what about Father, Lily, and Natsu?”
“They’ll be here soon. Since you and Gideon are leaving, everyone should say goodbye.”
A little while later.
Lisa and I exchanged farewells with the gathered members of the Balmuth Family.
After that, we departed for the academy right away.
“Gideon, you’re here?”
“Sir Jason? Why are you…….”
While I was unpacking at the dorm after arriving at the academy.
A male student with green hair came to my room.
“Sara also came today because of the Academy Tournament, and you too… And I heard Lisa Noona also came to the academy? Everyone is gathering like this, so I’d feel left out if I were the only one missing.”
“…Is that really the only reason?”
“Well, my father ordered me too. At the very least, while I’m attending the academy, I’m supposed to be in charge of gathering information here.”
“I figured as much.”
Some of the academy students were gathering early because of the Academy Tournament that would take place in the second semester.
Of course, the Academy Tournament wasn’t an event that threatened the Empire in any way.
But the Hawkbat Family was a family that wished to know everything happening within the Empire.
Sending Jason to the academy now was something the Hawkbat Family would naturally do.
“But is it fine to tell me that?”
“Why not? It’s between us.”
Jason smirked and stepped further into my room.
“Oh? You’ve definitely got more luggage than during the first semester. Looks like Lisa Noona bought you a lot during the break?”
“Yes, she did. Especially clothes—she gave me quite a lot.”
“Hmmm, I see. I see…….”
Jason sat on a chair and stared quietly at me.
Judging by his expression, it seemed like he had something he wanted to say.
“Sir Jason, is there something you wished to ask me?”
“…Our classmate Roy Varbellos. He’s very knowledgeable in ancient studies and wants to research that field, correct?”
“Yes, but why…….”
“When we met at Floris and returned home, I heard from my family. Apparently, you met Roy separately during the break.”
“Yes, I did, but what about it…….”
“Did you recently become interested in ancient studies?”
“…….”
I couldn’t answer Jason right away.
Seeing that, he nodded.
It was an unexpected situation, so I was momentarily taken aback.
But I soon calmed myself and asked him back.
“…Did your family tell you to find out? Or is it your personal curiosity?”
“It’s personal curiosity. My family did check that you met Roy separately, but they weren’t interested beyond that.”
At Jason’s words, I silently thought.
I wondered just how much I should tell him……
“Gideon. The you I know isn’t someone who would suddenly take interest in ancient studies for no reason. Did something happen during the break?”
“…As you said, something did happen. But this is… something I haven’t even told Lisa Noona yet.”
“If you can’t even tell Lisa Noona… then it must be something very important to you.”
Jason fell silent for a moment, then looked straight into my eyes and spoke.
“Then tell me just this. That thing of yours, that secret—could it become a threat to the Empire?”
“That… I don’t know. I haven’t figured out much yet.”
But, I added, speaking carefully.
Putting as much sincerity as I could into my voice and eyes.
“If it does turn out to be something that could threaten the Empire, and if it’s something I can’t handle alone, then I will tell you immediately, Sir Jason.”
My family’s past, the other races, the Evil Dragon and the Evil God.
There were still far too many things I didn’t know.
That was why carelessly adding more people who knew about this seemed like a risky move.
‘Of course, borrowing Jason’s—no, the Hawkbat Family’s—information network would help a lot… but relying on the power of a ducal family is truly the last resort.’
At the very least, until I knew what situation I would face and what I had to confront, I had no intention of telling anyone— not even Lisa—first.
Well, Kara roughly knew, but that had been an unavoidable situation.
“…Heh. Gideon. Did I ever tell you? You’re one of the best people I’ve ever met—easily in the top few.”
“Uh… thank… you?”
“I once met someone who tried to overthrow the Empire, you know? But… you really don’t look like that kind of person.”
Jason laughed as he rose from his seat.
“Anyway, I understand that you have something going on. If I were acting as a member of the Hawkbat Family, I would absolutely have to uncover your secret… but just this once, I’ll let it go as your friend, not a Hawkbat.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. But instead, tell me later when you think it’s okay. And… if it ever becomes something you can’t handle alone, tell me—or at least tell Lisa Noona. Don’t try to shoulder everything by yourself.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
At my response, Jason smiled in satisfaction.
“Good, good. And sorry. I feel like I suddenly barged in and said some weird things. Should I help you unpack as an apology?”
“Ah, no. I can…….”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Here, these clothes go in the closet, right?”
Despite my refusal, Jason helped me unpack.
Thanks to him, I finished much faster than expected.
“You said everyone’s gathering at the gym at 4, right?”
“Yes. They said the Academy Tournament representative candidates should assemble at the gym at 4.”
“Hmmm, looking at the time… Sara will basically have to head straight there as soon as she arrives. What are you going to do until 4?”
“I’ll probably spend time with Lisa Noona.”
“Figures. Then enjoy your time, and I’ll see you at the gym later. I should go welcome Sara now.”
“Gideon, Sara. Thanks for coming, both of you. It must have been tiring to get all the way here, right?”
“Well, since it’s pretty far from Muktaba, I’m feeling a bit tired.”
Sara examined her rapier as she answered, then looked around.
We were currently inside the gymnasium.
Inside the gym, teachers and students had gathered.
“These students here are all the candidates for the Tournament, right?”
“Yes, something like that.”
“The swordsmanship candidates… is it those three?”
“Yeah, two 2nd-years, one 3rd-year. If you want to become the swordsmanship representative, you’ll have to beat those three.”
“That will be easy.”
Sara nodded confidently.
I continued observing the surroundings beside her.
The representative candidates for each category, and the teachers escorting them.
Looking at the faces of the candidates, almost all were ones I had seen at least once.
They were the notable name-value students who had been somewhat talked about in the game.
‘There are even some people who came just to watch.’
On the second-floor spectator seats of the gym.
Lisa, Jason, and a few other spectators were there.
Most were teachers, but a few students were present as well.
‘Well, the selection of the Tournament representatives is apparently a pretty fun event to watch.’
While I was lost in various thoughts like that—
Someone entered the gym.
“Looks like everyone is here.”
It was Headmaster Dilug of Lysquare Academy, who, despite his age, still looked very healthy.
At his entrance, the scattered teachers and students gathered before him.
“No need to gather in front of me like this. I’m only attending as a formality. Conduct the representative selection the same way as last year. Luke.”
“Yes, Headmaster.”
“Just like last year, you take charge. You remember the methods and order, yes?”
“Yes, then I’ll begin right away.”
“Please do. I’ll just sit quietly and watch.”
With that, Headmaster Dilug went to a nearby chair and sat down.
Luke waited a moment, then raised his voice loudly.
“From this moment, we will officially begin the selection of the representatives for the Academy Tournament. The procedure, order, and rules are identical to last year, so teachers, please explain them to your students as usual. In addition to that……”
Luke briefly explained how the representatives would be decided.
It was all something I had seen in the game, so I only pretended to listen.
Meanwhile, I was thinking slowly about how I would secure the representative position……
“And, the student who applied for the Overall Representative Tournament this year is only one person, so we will skip all procedures related to that selection.”
The Overall Representative Tournament.
That was the one I had applied for.
But they were skipping it?
For a moment, I didn’t understand what Luke meant.
“…What?”
And once it clicked, I immediately spoke up.
“Teacher, what do you mean? I’m the only one who applied for the Overall Representative Tournament?”
“Yes. You’re the only one.”
At Luke’s answer, I searched my memory.
In the game, I often sent my character to the Academy Tournament.
Swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, magic—my characters participated in basically all categories at least once, including the Overall Representative Tournament.
Participating as a competitor in the Academy Tournament was, as I had said before, a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Winning granted many benefits, but losing as an academy representative brought equally big disadvantages and limited your available routes.
But for me—who had gone beyond even veteran level—the Academy Tournament had been low-risk, high-reward. So whenever possible, I sent my characters into it.
That was why I immediately realized something was strange.
‘Wasn’t there definitely another candidate for the Overall Representative Tournament? I’m sure my character had to duel them to secure the representative spot…?’
While I wondered, a nearby female teacher spoke.
“There were originally several, but once rumors spread that you were applying, everyone withdrew.”
“…Instructor Ellie, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. I teach spearmanship. Anyway, once the rumor spread that you were applying for the Overall Representative position, everyone cancelled their application. Well, I can understand it. You beat the Lady of the Isrinbloom Family, and even scarred Luke Keras’ face. From the students’ perspective, they probably don’t even dare imagine competing with you.”
And then, with a meaningful smile, Ellie added:
“Everyone knows it. That the only student in this academy who has even a chance against Eisen Isrinbloom… is you.”
At Ellie’s words, I fell silent again in thought.
In the game, there definitely had been other students applying for the representative position.
My character had defeated them to become the Overall Representative.
But now, no one had applied……
‘Did my presence change the game’s storyline?’
That was the only reasonable answer I could think of.
It seemed that because I had accomplished more here than I ever did in the game, the students simply chose not to apply.
“Still, think of the bright side. The other candidates must fight each other from today onward to become representatives, but you don’t have to.”
“Well, yes… if I think of it that way, I suppose……”
Responding to Ellie, I turned to Luke.
“Teacher, then does this mean… I’m confirmed as the Overall Representative of Lysquare Academy?”
“We were supposed to accept applications until today, but no one else applied, so… yes? Hmm… should I congratulate you?”
“Uh… yes, please do.”
I answered with a hollow, awkward laugh.