228th Episode
The number of third-year students who passed this year’s Izhise entrance exam totaled 25.
Among them, Ray entered the building where the last orientation was taking place and took his assigned seat.
Sitting next to Ray was not Buisé, a discriminator of status—but Jusephin.
Jusephin kept glancing at Ray and openly showed her discomfort.
In fact, what made Jusephin most uneasy was that she didn’t know exactly who Ray really was.
If Ray were indeed a secret instructor assessing the personalities of students as some had speculated during the entrance exam, then no matter how offended she might feel, she couldn’t afford to act rashly.
On the other hand, if Ray truly turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime genius, it would be even harder for her to confront him directly.
“…”
Jusephin felt her eyes welling up as she realized she would have to pretend to be friendly with someone who had caused her such humiliation.
Ray sighed inwardly upon seeing her reaction.
‘Is there anyone so ungrateful?’
Had Ray not deprived Jusephin of the chance to showcase her abilities during the entrance exam, she would have undoubtedly failed.
As Ray frowned and glared at Jusephin, she quickly averted her gaze.
While Ray and Jusephin silently engaged in their one-sided tension, the orientation began.
The first item on the orientation agenda was the announcement of the top student and the runner-up.
“Top student: Johanna.”
Johanna stepped forward after being called by the host, and everyone applauded in unison.
Though some might have looked down on her due to her commoner background, all eyes sparkled with admiration as they briefly cheered for her.
Ray muttered under his breath again, “I’m used to playing the villain, anyway.”
“Runner-up: Aaron Berbo.”
Following Johanna, Aaron, the second-place finisher from the entrance exam, was called forward by the host.
As Aaron stood up and moved forward, Ray let out a small sigh of admiration. Aaron was the one who had beaten Ray 45 times with a broken straight sword.
Their eyes met; Aaron, standing on the podium, immediately tensed up.
When Ray casually waved at him, Aaron started trembling uncontrollably, almost losing his composure.
Fortunately, Aaron’s remaining sanity held strong, preventing him from charging at Ray.
After brief commendations for the top and runner-up students, the orientation proceeded with its main content.
What kind of curriculum does Izhise offer?
First, the new students will get the opportunity to learn swordsmanship and mana refinement techniques suited to their aptitudes.
Even prestigious noble families rarely have access to the highest-level swordsmanship and mana refinement techniques provided to the students here.
Alongside this, the students begin their training to acquire the skills necessary to become part of the Empire’s elite combat force.
They learn about the strategies of Grand Knights, Grand Mages, Grand Clerics, and all high-tier battlefield combinations they might face.
Additionally, they are granted access to confidential materials related to demon worshippers, preparing them to handle any danger.
It takes over six years for these elite students to master the basics before they are assigned to their respective positions within the Empire.
Many graduates of Izhise are appointed as probationary knights directly under the royal family.
There, they hone themselves further to achieve higher ranks or possibly be selected as members of the Royal Guard.
Only an extremely small number of Izhise students are directly appointed to the Royal Guard right after graduation.
Of course, not all graduates join the knight orders. Some take up roles as high-ranking officers in the Imperial Army, specifically as operations advisors.
Though some may question why specialists capable of actual combat are assigned to operational advisory roles, the reason is clear.
Those strategizing long-term tactics within the Imperial Capital don’t necessarily need physical prowess, but advisors directly participating in the battlefield require both tactical knowledge and combat ability.
If the operation advisor were merely a smart civilian, their security needs on the battlefield would skyrocket dangerously.
Moreover, given the prevalence of small-scale elite battles rather than large-scale rotations in this world’s battlefields, those without firsthand combat experience are prone to misjudging battlefield situations.
Regardless of these nuances, the fact remains that Izhise students are among the Empire’s finest elites.
Thus, the royal family invests substantial resources into them.
To avoid unnecessary complications, in certain cases, even the immediate families of Izhise students may be guaranteed residence within or near the Imperial Capital.
As detailed explanations followed during the orientation, the new students listened attentively with excitement.
Time flew quickly, and the orientation soon concluded.
Though the next six years would be tough, enduring them promised a glorious future for everyone.
All the newly admitted students were prepared to push themselves relentlessly for about ten years without looking back.
At that moment, just as the orientation ended, someone walked up to the podium.
“Alright, red badges.”
The person wearing a blue badge, a second-year student, referred to the third-year students wearing red badges as “red badges.”
The new students hastily stood up, aligning their feet and assuming the attention position.
For the new students, the second-year students, their direct seniors, seemed even more intimidating than the Royal Guard in some ways.
Seeing the disciplined posture of the new students, the second-year student smirked.
“Follow me.”
*
Inside a tavern rented for the day within the Imperial Capital.
A few second-year students participating in the welcoming party were chatting idly while waiting for the newcomers.
“This year’s red badges… hahaha.”
One second-year student burst into laughter mid-sentence.
Since those gathered here were recently red badges themselves not too long ago, such talk did seem amusing.
“Hmm, there’s a strange one among this year’s red badges, right?”
“I’ve heard rumors.”
According to the rules, details of the Izhise entrance exam cannot be disclosed externally.
Thus, the second-year students relied on rumors rather than accurate information to continue their conversation.
“Thirty-meter sword aura… well, that’s probably exaggerated. But it seems he did play around a bit when facing a spirit user and during the tournament.”
“Hahaha… crazy guy.”
“He’s completely out of line. We should put him in his place today.”
Given past incidents, the welcoming ceremony for recent Izhise freshmen has been relatively tame.
Preparing them mentally could wait until after the official admission ceremony.
However, if someone gets overly arrogant from the start during the entrance exam, it’s necessary to knock some sense into them early.
“Who wants to do it? Should I?”
“No, no, I’ll do it.”
Second-year student Loen volunteered.
The other second-year students nodded confidently, trusting Loen to handle it well.
Around that time, the red badges, or the freshmen, bustled into the tavern.
Despite their obvious tension, the welcoming party commenced.
It started with simple self-introductions, and contrary to the expectations of most freshmen, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm.
Before long, the freshmen relaxed, raising their glasses and engaging in conversations with their seniors.
The second-year students addressed the freshmen as ‘red badges’ but shared various anecdotes from their own experiences at Izhise in a very approachable manner.
With numerous fascinating stories, the freshmen listened intently to their seniors.
As the atmosphere grew lively,
Loen finally spoke.
“So… who’s the ‘broken straight sword’ among you?”
“…”
An eerie silence descended over the tavern.
The gazes of the freshmen, checking each other, eventually focused on one person.
Loen pointed at Ray.
“You? Stand up.”
Ray promptly stood up and assumed the attention position.
Loen approached Ray personally, stared at him intently, and smirked.
“Huh, damn…”
Silence again.
In the frozen atmosphere, Loen tapped Ray’s cheek and asked,
“Weren’t you acting all smug during the entrance exam?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey… Do you think Izhise is a joke?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you think you’re the only talented one here?”
“No, sir.”
“There isn’t a single person here who hasn’t been called a genius at some point. So why are you strutting around like you’re special? Can’t stand the sight of you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ray answered briskly.
Loen, slightly satisfied with Ray’s respectful attitude yet still pushing him, continued reprimanding.
Originally, such actions needed to be carried through properly to set an example for others.
After about ten minutes of scolding, Loen commanded in a low tone,
“Undress.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Undress. Take off everything you’re wearing.”
Undressing is a time-honored form of harsh punishment across worlds and eras.
Nothing gives quite as much humiliation as undressing so simply and effectively.
Especially since Izhise students are accustomed to physical hardship, using humiliation like this works better than corporal punishment.
Loen expected Ray to hesitate. He even had plans in case of resistance.
But Ray immediately began undressing.
Loen momentarily felt satisfied before his expression hardened.
‘This kid… starting with the pants…?’
Most people gathered here were practically strangers to Ray. Moreover, there were women present.
When ordered to undress in such a situation, sensible individuals usually start by hesitantly removing their outerwear and tops.
But starting with the pants? Removing underwear without taking off the outer clothes first?
Loen recalled an ancient saying passed down among Izhise students:
“Beware of those who undress starting with the bottom.”
People who undress starting with the lower garments tend to lack something fundamental as human beings.
Loen instinctively sensed that Ray was no ordinary lunatic.
Yet, Ray had his reasons for starting with the lower half.
First, Ray’s upper body was covered in scars.
Nearly half of his torso bore healed scars from a previous injury, along with many smaller ones. They weren’t particularly impressive to show off.
Certainly, Ray’s decision to remove his pants first was also influenced by his newfound ‘confidence.’
After reincarnation, Ray had developed unwavering confidence, which made his actions bold and unrestrained.
As Ray started pulling down his pants, Jusephin gasped, covering her eyes with her hands but sneakily peeking through her fingers.
She couldn’t miss the scene where the person who humiliated her was now being humiliated himself, making some excuse like that.
Johanna murmured something like, “I saw this before…” while showing an intrigued expression.
Amidst everyone’s focused gazes,
Just as Ray was about to remove his underwear, Loen kicked him in the stomach.
Punch- Crash!
Ray rolled on the floor once before standing up quickly in front of Loen, still wearing his underwear.
Loen, observing Ray’s prompt movements, spoke again.
“Behave yourself from now on. I’ll be watching.”
“Yes! Understood!”
“Boy… take your pants and go.”
“Thank you!!”
With a loud reply, Ray returned to his seat.
Seeing how the Ray who had caused such a commotion during the entrance exam was powerless against the seniors, the freshmen all felt a strong sense of vicarious satisfaction.
Thus, the tense atmosphere didn’t last long, and the freshmen became even more lively, sharing drinks enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Ray returned to his seat, sitting close to Delun and muttering quietly,
“Damn, I should’ve brought a medal.”
“…”
Delun didn’t find Ray’s words amusing at all.
Anyway, that day’s welcoming party concluded without major issues aside from the Ray incident.
*
In the courtyard of the Alstein family mansion.
In a space arranged for tea drinking while viewing the flower beds, Saria suddenly spoke while sipping her tea.
“I want to visit my nephew.”
Diorica, seated opposite Saria, straightened up and placed her teacup down.
“Hmm…”
The nephew Saria mentioned wasn’t likely Diorica’s kind of ‘nephew.’
Recalling that Saria had recently obtained information about Ray, Diorica replied,
“If Lady wishes, I can arrange a meeting.”
Since Ray was currently in the Imperial Capital, arranging a brief meeting between him and Saria wouldn’t be difficult.
However, Saria shook her head briefly to decline.
“No.”
“Huh?”
“My nephew is a baby.”
After a brief silence, Diorica cautiously confirmed,
“Did you refer to Ray as a baby?”
“Ray is a baby. He needs someone to look after him. A guardian.”
“…”
“A guardian like me needs to be by his side.”
“…”
Diorica had countless counterarguments.
But would Saria change her mind just because Diorica argued? Certainly not.
‘If Lady insists on working as a special instructor for a semester, Izhise would surely welcome her with open arms…’
This wasn’t something Diorica could resolve alone with Izhise.
After pondering for a moment, Diorica nodded.
“I cannot give a definite answer, but… I’ll check if we can arrange a meeting.”
Upon receiving a positive response, Saria nodded in satisfaction.
Saria’s mood improved greatly as she thought about pampering her baby.
