“Ugh… How…”
Cain muttered under his breath while staring at the screen in disbelief.
On one side of the lecture hall, the inter-grade competition was being broadcast live.
The screen prominently displayed Ryu, the head of the freshman representative group, grinning as if thoroughly enjoying himself after finishing the second test.
Blown up so large it nearly filled the screen.
“R-Remarkable.”
“Of course it’s the St. Claire family…”
Led by the commoner Ryu, the group of four freshmen representatives were impressing everyone with their performance so far.
Starting from the first test, where they finished almost neck-and-neck with the third years.
It was expected that the third year team would arrive at the obstacle race track after completing the first test.
But the moment the freshmen appeared on screen practically right after, with hardly any time difference, the entire building erupted in surprise.
Of course, everyone had expected the second years to come after the third years, not the first years.
It was only natural that the other freshmen students gasped in shock and cheered.
Up to this point, Cain hadn’t been too surprised.
After all, the first test was just a written exam, and the real challenge would begin from the second test.
Surely the freshman team, with only four members, was about to get a harsh wake-up call.
But what happened next?
The freshman team breezed through the second test obstacle course with shocking ease.
This was the event where you could see why the St. Claire family was one of the six great houses, and why Elaine St. Claire was called a generational talent.
Elaine St. Claire, second-ranked student of the 158th graduating class.
She single-handedly smashed through every obstacle, leading her team forward.
Splitting boulders in two, effortlessly cutting down massive trees, and destroying agile golems.
Each time Elaine cleared an obstacle and her team advanced, cheers erupted from the upper floors.
Before they knew it, the freshmen were naturally cheering for their classmates.
Anes and Marie, sitting near Cain, were doing the same.
However, Cain couldn’t bring himself to cheer sincerely for the freshmen team.
Watching Ryu’s ever-smug face grow more irritating by the second, a subtle anger was bubbling up inside him.
It was all just beginner’s luck, thanks to having Elaine St. Claire, the once-in-a-generation second-ranked student.
Cain especially didn’t like how Ryu seemed completely devoid of any sense of guilt or responsibility towards his team.
“Urgh…”
Another point fueling Cain’s irritation was how completely useless Ryu had been so far.
While it wasn’t clear what he did in the first test, in the obstacle race he did nothing but run.
How could the other students cheer for such an incompetent commoner?
“If this keeps up, we might start dungeon exploration faster than the second years!”
“Wow… Do you really think they’ll take second place?”
Bang!
Hearing Anes and Marie’s excited chatter, Cain finally snapped and slammed his desk.
This caused an awkward silence to momentarily descend over the lecture hall.
Of the seven students originally in the S-class lecture room, only Cain, Anes, and Marie remained.
Because of this, Cain’s every action was setting the mood for the entire class.
Making it impossible for Anes and Marie to openly cheer for their classmates’ good performance.
“Ugh…”
“But… The third year seniors are amazing too! With only two of them participating, and they’re already exploring the dungeon.”
Anes and Marie tried to keep the conversation going while trying not to pay attention to Cain.
Forcing themselves to shift the topic toward the impressive third year students.
Indeed, the two third years were showcasing remarkable abilities.
As expected, the two third years who finished both tests first were advancing without pause.
They were moving forward boldly, as if they already knew the dungeon layout through and through.
Garet Iskear, third year top student, and Berte Bernstein, third year runner-up.
Professors famous enough throughout the academy that everyone knew who they were.
When it was announced how few third years were participating in the competition, everyone was surprised.
Then when these two were revealed as the participants, everyone nodded in understanding.
Anes and Marie could only suppress their desire to cheer for their classmates while keeping an eye on Cain.
“Looks like we’re on the wrong side…”
Both were thinking the same thing.
“Wa, wa ha ha…”
Professor Amillion couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“Indeed, the St. Claire family.”
“Already showing this much skill at such a young age.”
“Who would have thought the first years could show such power.”
As other professors chattered around him, Professor Amillion’s shoulders were beginning to rise.
Not only did the freshmen finish the first test faster than the second years, but they continued that momentum to finish the obstacle race faster as well.
His own students, the freshman representative team.
As Professor Amillion watched his students waiting to warp to the third test dungeon, he couldn’t suppress his laughter.
They were truly exceeding expectations.
Of course, it could be said that the competition had barely begun, but still, it was impressive.
As proof, all the professors gathered here were exclaiming in amazement.
“But the problem is…”
As their homeroom teacher, it was good to see his students performing so well without being overshadowed by their seniors.
However, if this kept up, the very meaning of this competition would be diminished.
The sole reason this inter-grade competition was split into three parts and held earlier than usual.
To verify if the commoner Ryu had the qualifications of a top student.
The top student Ryu had shown absolutely no activity in the second test.
Because the monster that was Elaine St. Claire had handled everything herself.
So while Professor Amillion was pleased with his students’ performance, he was simultaneously filled with unease.
If the dungeon exploration also ended up being just a showcase of St. Claire’s abilities…
“Hmph.”
Professor Amillion could already anticipate the headache that would come if that happened.
“Will we be able to see the top student’s abilities during the dungeon exploration?”
“…Professor St. Claire.”
Right on cue, this kind of criticism would come.
“My sister’s skills have improved considerably in the meantime. Though it’s thanks to Professor Amillion’s guidance in this short time, I think.”
“Don’t give me that. What can a wizard like me possibly teach a knight like Elaine? The St. Claire family always does well on their own.”
Professor Amillion was uncomfortable with Cassius St. Claire standing beside him like this.
Especially since he had suddenly become the older brother of one of his own students.
True, compared to other professors, he hadn’t received any direct requests to look after Elaine.
“Still, shouldn’t we see some performance from this year’s top student? Wasn’t his name Ryu? We need to see that to clear everyone’s doubts.”
“…”
Professor Amillion couldn’t find an adequate response to Cassius’ words.
They had hit the nail on the head.
While it wasn’t officially announced, all the professors knew the goal of this inter-grade competition.
That’s why Cassius could say this outright.
And likely all the professors watching the competition here were thinking the same thing.
That the commoner top student Ryu needed to show something.
“Then Professor Amillion’s worries might ease a little.”
“…We’ll just have to wait and see. In a way, the competition is just beginning now.”
Professor Amillion answered Cassius’ words while trying to hide his unease.
The Ryu he had seen was undoubtedly a student with potential.
Achieving the highest score in Golem Hit history using only mana-infused punches and teleportation magic, without any weapon.
And afterwards…
‘Afterwards…’
It didn’t seem like he had shown much else.
During their private counseling session disguised as a sparring match, he had demonstrated inexplicable teleportation magic.
‘He couldn’t use any other magic.’
He wondered if he had the same constitution as the first emperor.
But if he couldn’t use other magic, then even that constitution wouldn’t matter much.
Of course, being able to use teleportation magic was still a great advantage.
‘Can he show… anything?’
“That would be good. Anyway, those kids are going too far ahead.”
“Ah.”
Cassius had already turned his gaze to the screen, mumbling with a smile.
In the screen split into three parts, showing the third year representatives, their performance continued.
As soon as they warped into the dungeon, the two moved forward like fish in water.
Taking advantage of the fact that the dungeon structure from last year’s competition had barely changed.
Berte Bernstein confidently shot flames forward, clearing obstacles in a way she definitely wouldn’t do if there were any reflective barriers.
But the two had the certainty that there weren’t any such traps ahead.
The blue flames of the Bernstein family, represented by Berte of one of the six great houses, filled the screen with their characteristic bluish hue.
“Enough already.”
Hee hee.
Cassius watched his students with obvious satisfaction.
Amillion envied Cassius St. Claire.
He wanted to be able to watch his students perform openly in front of everyone, without any worry.
‘Ryu needs to show something…’
Just then, the freshmen finally appeared in the dungeon, following the third years.
Once again, the freshmen had warped to the third test site before the second years.
The second years were still not even halfway through the obstacle course, giving them plenty of time.
‘Please do well. Especially you, Ryu.’
Swallowing his words, Professor Amillion watched the screen with earnest eyes.
On the screen, Ryu was still wearing a broad smile.
