234th Episode
Even after the encounter with Sebas at the bathhouse, Ray continued to outwardly follow Izhise’s rigorous training diligently.
Though there were issues with his joints for such high-intensity relentless training, Ray secretly used mana to strengthen his muscles and employed similar tricks.
He might have been caught under normal circumstances, but thanks to Ray’s exceptional skill, none of his peers noticed anything amiss.
However, Nelson would often observe Ray, who blended in with the other students and mechanically panted through exercises, with a cold gaze.
The brooch given by Karen also greatly aided Ray in recovering from minor fatigue.
Ray always carried the brooch, either wearing it or keeping it in his uniform’s inner pocket depending on the situation.
As a result, Ray no longer worried about physical overexertion.
Of course, Izhise didn’t only instruct the students in physical conditioning.
Izhise was a specialized military education institution, so its students had to study various subjects including military science and liberal arts.
This side of the curriculum was just as intense.
With already demanding military education, the students were also forced to keep up with their liberal arts studies, making for a very packed schedule.
Despite the physical and mental strain, Ray inwardly marveled at how systematic and specialized Izhise’s overall curriculum was compared to what he had expected.
In the future, Izhise students would be thoroughly educated in combat doctrines for various scenarios.
For now, they started with basics like cryptography and toxicology.
On the fourth day since entering Izhise, after finishing physical conditioning, the students gathered in a classroom and took their seats.
An elderly professor teaching Introduction to Tactics entered the room and began the lesson in a gentle tone. Since this was the first class with this batch of students, the experienced professor avoided diving into complex concepts right away and instead tried to engage the students’ interest.
The professor introduced famous historical battles and discussed the tactics involved, encouraging questions and discussions.
As the students began actively participating, the professor used an artefact device to project a hologram-like battlefield in the air and pointed to Ray.
“Number 329.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Ray, who had been quietly listening, immediately responded.
“If we want to assault this fortified position…”
The hologram showed a perfectly fortified base built on a rock layer.
“Just drop a Meteor.”
“…”
The surrounding students stared at Ray as if he were insane, and the professor’s expression twisted.
Thinking the student was making a joke, the professor gave him a pointed look, prompting Ray to hastily correct himself.
“Or… cut off their supplies, deploy diversionary tactics to disperse the enemy’s firepower and exhaust their prepared magic before launching a concentrated breakthrough with our main force to infiltrate, right?”
“Good suggestion.”
Not bad for someone supposedly untrained.
The professor lightly praised Ray and changed the hologram’s form.
“Meteor… You don’t need to go that far. High-level magic capable of mass slaughter is certainly powerful but comes with corresponding risks. History is full of battles lost by those aiming for one decisive blow.”
The hologram showed the sky opening and the ground burning.
As everyone’s attention was on the hologram, the professor added:
“In the incident that occurred in the Alimo Kingdom… Rumors say the Empire’s special operations unit turned the demon worshippers’ magic against them to annihilate the enemy…”
While spreading unverified rumors about a certain special operations member receiving the Imperial Guardian Medal, the professor’s eyes met Ray’s.
Seeing Ray smiling warmly, the professor inexplicably felt irritated.
*
Not all professors at Izhise were lenient for their first classes.
The toxicology professor started spouting theory from the very first lesson. Though toxicology concepts were inevitably difficult when heard for the first time…
Basic map reading skills were something all students already knew, but proper military toxicology was much more complicated and intricate.
After the professor explained the core concepts of toxicology in detail and ended the class, some students were left stunned.
It wasn’t that the professor hadn’t explained well – rather, the explanation had been quite clear. But having encountered unfamiliar concepts, the students needed time to understand and process them.
As Ray summarized and organized the key points, Johanna placed her notebook on his desk.
“I don’t get it.”
Johanna confidently requested tutoring.
Ray blinked at her.
Officially, Ray and Johanna had just met at Izhise. It would look strange to others if she asked him to teach her things so naturally.
When Ray stayed silent, Johanna added in a theatrical tone:
“I don’t understand this concept. You seem to get it. Could you possibly help me out?”
“…Sure.”
Ray smiled faintly as he opened the notebook.
As Ray tutored Johanna, Aaron eventually joined them at the desk too.
Having known each other since childhood, pretending to be awkward around each other felt strangely uncomfortable.
Finding it amusing, Ray continued explaining with a slight smirk.
Being naturally intelligent and experienced with ‘learning’, Ray easily clarified the parts Johanna and Aaron were confused about.
As they continued with their impromptu lesson, Jusephin, sitting nearby, quietly observed and started taking notes.
Ray paused mid-explanation and turned to her.
“Hey, Buesephin.”
“…My name is Jusephin.”
“…Why did your parents give you such a confusing name?”
“Are… Are you mocking my name?!”
“It’s a joke. Stop eavesdropping and come here properly.”
“…”
After hesitating, Jusephin finally brought her notebook to Ray’s desk.
Sitting across from Ray with a face full of humiliation, Jusephin let out a small gasp of delight after understanding the part she couldn’t comprehend before.
“This means…! That…”
Jusephin grinned but then stiffened upon meeting Ray’s gaze again.
There were a few unpleasant professors in other classes besides toxicology, making it difficult to ask questions directly. As a result, the students naturally started asking each other more often.
That way, the third-year students gradually grew closer.
*
Sixth day since entering Izhise.
Today’s schedule included the “Armament Presentation Ceremony”.
At this ceremony, the Emperor presented armaments as gifts to the newly enrolled Izhise students.
Each student received armaments suited to their swordsmanship and physique.
The number and quality of armaments varied greatly among students, indirectly revealing the expectations Izhise had for each individual.
Though somewhat cruel in that aspect, Izhise never shied away from instilling competitiveness and motivation in its students.
Because of this, an odd atmosphere circulated among the third-year students before the ceremony.
Though it would fade later, most third-year students were currently tense, worried about receiving inferior equipment and damaging their pride.
Nelson led these third-year students to the central hall.
After waiting for about half an hour, the Armament Presentation Ceremony began.
“Student number 301, step forward.”
Johanna stepped up to the podium and received a single sword and four defensive artefacts.
The sword was familiar to Johanna – it was the custom-made sword created by Zeppelin.
Two of the defensive artefacts, the shoulder and knee guards, were items Johanna had previously received from Zeppelin’s workshop.
Though officially presented as a gift from the Emperor, this arrangement was quite extravagant by public standards.
Other third-year students sent envious glances Johanna’s way but acknowledged her remarkable talent and applauded accordingly.
Next, Ray received a single sword, a cloak, and a flexible inner armor resembling fabric.
At first glance, the lack of any markings made it hard to gauge their value.
However, the sword belonged to the Omega series, the cloak was made of dragon leather, and the inner armor was supplied to the Royal Guard.
With this level of equipment, Ray could fully utilize his abilities, so he gladly accepted the gear with a smile.
‘Hopefully there won’t be any battles within the Imperial Capital…’
Ray hoped nothing of the sort would happen.
After Ray, Aaron also received his armament.
The third-year students felt joy at receiving expensive armaments while still comparing them with others, experiencing mixed emotions.
Afterward, the third-year students stored their new armaments in their dormitory warehouses and regrouped at the central hall.
By this time, all second-year students had also gathered there.
The third-year students silently bowed slightly and lined up in attention.
“Attention.”
Nelson stepped onto the podium.
“I will introduce the new instructors assigned to Izhise this semester.”
The new recruits or temporary instructors coming to Izhise this semester were not to be underestimated.
The new recruits were top imperial elites who had just retired from active duty, and most temporary instructors were renowned authorities invited to Izhise for limited periods.
Considering them mere ‘newcomers’ was truly foolish given their expertise in their respective fields.
Tension filled both second- and third-year students as the newly appointed instructors entered one by one through the back door of the central hall and stood on the podium.
The students clapped rhythmically.
Finally, Nelson introduced the last instructor.
“Lastly… please welcome Lady Saria Alstein, who will be handling the ‘Artefact Operation Practice’ course. Please step forward.”
“?!”
Casually standing in line, Ray absentmindedly tapped his ears.
He thought he recognized the name and dismissed it as coincidence.
Meanwhile, the students enthusiastically applauded, showing excitement.
Saria Alstein was a renowned knight widely known throughout the empire.
She was famously called a “Weapon Master” among enthusiasts for her skill in wielding multiple artefacts simultaneously.
Creak!
The back door of the central hall opened, and Saria appeared.
Ray blankly blinked at Saria until their eyes met.
“…”
Upon making eye contact with Saria, Ray momentarily froze before reflexively trying to escape.
And soon enough…
A slumped Ray was dragged back by Saria.
Everyone who witnessed the entire process looked on with utter bewilderment.
Regardless of others’ confusion, Saria firmly grabbed Ray under his arms and hauled him up onto the podium.
Looking around briefly, Saria proudly extended Ray forward as if showing him off.
Ray wanted to die.
Izhise (9)
