230th Episode
After the self-introductions concluded and the drinking party was in full swing, Ray, who had been sipping his drink alone in a corner, was called over by the second-year students and stood up from his seat.
For quite some time, Ray listened to what resembled lectures and was then led around the tavern by Loen, one of the second-year students. It was to apologize for being arrogant during the entrance exam.
‘Shit…’
Though Ray felt rather uneasy, he followed Loen with a slouched face, thinking of it as part of social life.
After apologizing here and there, Ray finally faced number 45, Aaron.
Ray bowed his head slightly.
“I’m sorry for what happened during the entrance exam.”
“…?”
Aaron stared at Ray with a very stiff expression before glancing aside.
Next to Ray stood Loen, one of the second-year students.
Since if Aaron were to retaliate against Ray with something like “Get lost, bastard,” it would also embarrass Loen, Aaron reluctantly shook hands with Ray.
After this somewhat forced reconciliation, as Ray returned to his seat, one of the second-year students suddenly asked,
“Hey, what’s this about a thirty-meter sword aura?”
“Oh… During the first test, I extended my sword aura quite far, and it seems that story got exaggerated.”
“What about the broken straight sword?”
“A crack formed on the blade during the tournament. The examiner suggested I change weapons, but I insisted on continuing without replacement. That’s how the rumor spread.”
“Ah, I see.”
The second-year students muttered ‘makes sense’ among themselves and chuckled.
The third-year students were busy sizing each other up.
It seemed awkward to reveal here that Ray had fought holding a sword that was literally split in half.
There were even suspicions that Ray might be some kind of undercover instructor checking on the students’ lives.
Until they could clearly identify Ray’s true identity, the third-year students were expected to continue their game of subtle rivalry.
Anyway, the drinking party gradually approached its end amidst a relatively lively atmosphere.
While diligently refilling the seniors’ glasses, Ray kept observing his surroundings.
Whether it was the third or second-year students, they all mingled more harmoniously than Ray had anticipated.
Upon closer inspection, there were a few spots where strange vibes flowed, but wherever people gathered, such tensions were inevitable.
As Ray refilled Loen’s glass, he spoke up.
“Senior, may I ask you a question?”
“Hm? Sure, go ahead.”
Despite Loen’s completely condescending attitude, Ray was moved and trembled before asking carefully,
“I thought many seniors would feel uncomfortable due to my background. But everyone has treated me well, which surprises me. Is this the usual atmosphere at Izhise?”
“…”
Loen frowned at this rather sensitive question.
Still, with the alcohol flowing and not wanting to ruin the mood entirely, Loen relaxed his expression and countered Ray’s question.
“You said you’re a commoner, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Commoners, commoners… Ah, those commoners are just so tough.”
Loen said this while shaking his head.
The commoners are tough—this statement carried much meaning.
Firstly, succeeding in entering Izhise as a commoner meant one possessed talent close to the top tier within Izhise.
Even if their initial grades dipped, after receiving proper support, they could quickly rise to the top.
By calling them tough, Loen essentially implied that the commoners who successfully entered Izhise were extraordinarily talented.
Moreover, after living together for three years, some form of camaraderie inevitably developed.
Additionally, the main reason overt discrimination based on status was difficult within Izhise was related to the Imperial Family.
The Imperial Family favored talents lacking a substantial foundation or base.
It was hard to secure loyalty from someone already satisfied with wealth.
Even if outward loyalty seemed obtained, deeply binding someone to serve the Imperial Family was extremely challenging.
Thus, the Imperial Family tended to welcome individuals lacking status or background, provided their origins were verified, and did not hesitate to invest in winning their hearts.
With the Imperial Family having such preferences, any overt discrimination based on status within Izhise would prompt strong intervention from higher-ups.
Initially, the students might try to draw lines based on status, but under continuous pressure, they inevitably blended together.
On the contrary, children of high-ranking noble families often remained isolated since they were ultimately “those who would leave.”
Having circled back, Loen expressed doubts.
“We… because we’ve spent three years together, we’ve grown closer. But when we were freshmen, everyone was pretty sharp about status issues, right?”
Nobles, gentry, and commoners.
Even if the gentry were accepted, there were cases where commoners weren’t treated as humans.
At least, that was the atmosphere among the new students when Loen first entered.
“…”
Loen looked around.
The third-year students were sharing drinks and laughing together without much restraint or tension.
This scene was completely different from how his fellow freshmen used to behave back in his day.
According to the instructors, it wasn’t Loen’s cohort that was unusual but this year’s freshmen.
“…Your group is kind of special. Strange personalities.”
Loan described this year’s freshmen as having strange personalities, but the peace achieved wasn’t due to their good nature.
It was possible only because Ray had drawn all the hostility and attention towards himself by acting out alone.
Humans, after all, tend to unite only when an “enemy” exists.
Ray murmured,
“I’m used to playing the villain…”
“What did you say just now?”
“Huh? Oh, I must be tipsy. I guess I was muttering to myself.”
“Don’t start whining yet. You still have plenty of drinks to receive.”
Ray bent again, exchanging cups with the seniors.
Initially wary of Ray due to rumors of him stripping first at the welcoming party, the second-year students grew content as Ray consistently maintained a humble stance, offering drinks generously.
Ray lifted another cup and asked,
“So, when do we get to draw the Sacred Sword?”
“Ha! This brat… ‘draw’? Don’t get cocky…”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I misspoke. Would you allow me to correct that?”
“Be careful next time. Try again.”
“When can we grasp the Sacred Sword?”
“After the graduation ceremony, almost immediately. There will be a few more opportunities to handle it later.”
Once during the graduation ceremony, another shortly before or after transitioning from red to blue, and a few more chances afterward.
Historically, the Sacred Sword sometimes didn’t budge initially but responded once the wielder had reflected upon and repented for their sins through self-discipline and improvement.
Among the second-year students, there were a few who resolved to one day draw the Sacred Sword.
Understanding the story, Ray nodded.
*
Two days later.
The Izhise freshmen’s graduation ceremony was approaching.
Ray, Johanna, and Delun had finished their farewell with Ernst the day before and were waiting nearby in the Imperial Capital.
As the sun rose, Ray donned the Izhise student uniform and set off.
The weather was clear. Even if it hadn’t been, a barrier would have been erected around the capital to shield against rain for events like these.
The graduation ceremony took place in front of the Imperial Palace.
Gradually, the number of students gathering in front of the palace reached thirty.
An Izhise instructor reiterated the procedures of the graduation ceremony to the students.
Two hours later, the official ceremony began.
Greeting the principal, singing songs wishing for the prosperity of the Imperial Family and Empire, and listening to speeches from dignitaries.
The speeches were especially long.
Someone listed the history of the empire from the podium, while another shouted about patriotism; to Ray, it was a tiresome experience.
Finally, the turn for reporting admission came.
Traditionally, the top scorer in the entrance exam handled the admission report.
This year’s top scorer was none other than Johanna.
“The 29 new students will be led by student Johanna.”
“…!”
Seeing Johanna nervously step forward onto the podium, Ray bit his teeth tightly to suppress a laugh.
In truth, for Johanna, speaking in front of so many people, especially with many influential figures of the empire watching, was incredibly burdensome.
“…I hereby report that we have officially been admitted.”
Despite the immense pressure causing her to sweat profusely, Johanna managed to complete her task.
That way, the graduation ceremony concluded without any major hitches.
After the ceremony ended, everyone let out deep sighs, their tension finally easing.
Following the ceremony, the students were newly assigned numbers. Johanna, the top scorer, received number 1, while Aaron, the runner-up, received number 30.
An instructor explained that the most outstanding individual leads from the front, while the second best guards from behind.
Numbers prefixed with the grade level were assigned: Johanna became 301, Aaron 330, and Ray 329.
Subsequently, the newly admitted students were guided to the dormitories.
Being the lodging for the empire’s top talents, the facilities were excellent but overall cold.
Space was ample, but two-person rooms were standard.
After entering his assigned room and putting down his luggage, Ray wiped his face.
Realizing he was in a place akin to military barracks, he truly disliked the idea.
The feeling of PTSD from his past life surged, making Ray groan.
‘Am I temporarily insane…?’
Choosing military service in this world, no matter how short, seemed absurd.
As Ray tugged at his hair in distress, the door abruptly opened.
It was Jusephin.
“…”
“…Yikes!”
Jusephin blinked at Ray before belatedly panicking, stumbling backward and falling.
Ray’s headache worsened.
Unless the empire had gone mad or this reincarnation world was a gentle and kind light novel universe, there was no way a military academy would assign males and females to share a room.
With an annoyed expression, Ray waved his hand dismissively.
“You’ve come to the wrong room.”
The floors for male and female dormitories were different, so it was obvious Jusephin had blindly followed someone and climbed one floor too many.
Realizing her mistake late, she dragged herself backward, checked the room number, and slammed the door shut without an apology.
“…”
A brief silence followed.
The door opened again. It was Aaron, number 45, one of the victims of the broken straight sword incident.
Ray greeted his roommate with respect.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“…”
He was blatantly ignored.
With a shrug, as if saying “Do your worst,” Ray proceeded to unpack the rest of his belongings.
The more he organized, the more thoughts of his past military life surfaced, causing him to twist uncomfortably.
A loud voice echoed down the hallway.
“Ten minutes until assembly at the Central Training Hall. Repeat, ten minutes.”
The voice belonged to Nelson, the supervisor of the third-year students.
Despite being elderly, Nelson radiated a sharp presence.
The students hastily put their coats back on, interrupting whatever preparations or rest they were doing.
Since the Central Training Hall was quite far, immediate movement was necessary.
Ten minutes later, as the students lined up quietly in front of the hall, Nelson briefly commanded,
“Follow me.”
Everyone followed Nelson eagerly, their excitement evident.
During childhood, everyone had fantasized at least once about drawing a sacred or divine sword and being celebrated as a hero.
Of course, simply drawing the sacred sword wouldn’t guarantee immediate hero treatment. The world wasn’t that simple.
Nevertheless, the sacred sword symbolized memories of youth and stimulated something more primal than desire.
Feeling strange not to feel exhilarated at the chance to hold it once in their hands.
Finally, the newly admitted freshmen and third-year students arrived at the square where the sacred sword was embedded, guided by their instructor.
After Nelson completed the identity verification process with the knights guarding the square, he turned to the students.
“In numerical order, step forward.”
Number 301, Johanna, stepped forward first.
The other students, instructors, and onlookers watched curiously as Johanna, eyes shining brightly, grasped the beautiful and holy glowing sacred sword.
Naturally, pulling it wouldn’t work…
Clunk!
“?”
“?”
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Izhise (5)
