Survival 86

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It was truly like a bolt from the blue.

A competent wizard, who I was certain would be in my party, turned their back on me.

Elizabeth, with a slight smile, came closer and whispered, “It’s quite unexpected, you being from the west. You could have formed a party with Lucy.”

“Everyone knows…! That is truly the path for Lady Luciana!”

Wouldn’t I have wanted to take that position myself? After conceding it, with tears of blood, to the ducal and royal families!

And our fanatic, who knew this better than anyone, slightly lifted the corners of her mouth. “Indeed, it was for the sake of Lucy’s engagement after all.”

“Well, …that’s true.”

I hadn’t told Elizabeth yet, but our positions on this matter were clear.

‘…Farewell.’

‘You should know better that we are not in a position to say goodbye. Go back to your hometown quietly.’

Luciana, looking forlorn through the computer monitor, and the crown prince, turning away from her.

Having already driven a nail into her heart once, how could I trust and leave it to him?

‘I wouldn’t acknowledge the crown prince even if I were to be buried alive!’ 

I might have considered any other male lead, but I was absolutely opposed to the crown prince.

Then.

“Shouldn’t you be more worried about yourself right now than Luciana?”

“…What do you mean?”

“What if you fail to form a team? It’s been quite some time already.”

The moment I heard that, I felt as if cold water had been poured down my spine, and I suddenly came to my senses.

The belated sense of unease.

Originally.

‘Did she always smile so much when she was with me?’

She would smile brightly and even link arms in front of Luciana.

But when it was just the two of us, she would have a bitter and reluctant expression, if not outright distaste. Honestly, even then, I didn’t care.

She thinks I’m a demon, after all.

An ally who might turn their back at any moment.

Her smiling at me?

‘…I’ve been had.’

I had forgotten that she was both a collaborator and a competitor.

“Huh. You knew about the grading system in advance?”

“Last year, and the year before. I asked some nobles who recently graduated from the academy.”

Elizabeth, indeed, utilized the social gatherings and the academy to her advantage dramatically.

‘Of course, I knew but didn’t say anything.’

I was obviously planning to navigate through this with Elizabeth as allies, but I ended up getting a massive blow to the back of my head.

Moreover, she had used our conversation to buy time. Looking around, I saw that nobles who hadn’t found a team were already paired up in small groups.

‘Typical of someone in league with demons, sly and vile,’ I thought.

“Lucy’s side will be taken care of by me, in addition to my own role.”

……………! 

‘She was aiming for this.’

It was a given that Luciana would be assigned to Class A.

It was nonsensical to even think of attending the same class with her without having formed a team first.

To deliberately push me away from Luciana, with whom I was always supposed to be, and take my place!

My grip tightened.

“Ho-ho, thinking you could enjoy class time with Lady Luciana all by yourself. Did you think I would just stand by and watch?”

“Uh, what are you going to do if you’re not watching?”

Elizabeth, putting a hand to her mouth, blinked innocently.

Seeing the face of the person who actually put this audacious plan into action, I couldn’t help but clench my fist.

But the deed was already done.

‘Revenge is less important than fixing this now.’

“…Just you wait.”

Why would I buy information contained in documents at this timing, for an outrageously high price?

Who to form a party with had already been decided.

One of them was Elizabeth, an unexpected variable now removed.

But that vacancy is easily filled.

To think there was preparation for such a situation…

‘As if.’

At this critical moment, betrayal by an ally!

Of course, unlike me, who has to prevent Luciana’s corruption and the destruction of the world.

Not knowing this, it was a relatively rational choice for Elizabeth, who was only aiming for the seat next to Luciana. She had to pick someone suitable from the reserve members she had arranged just in case.

“What, if you beg me, I could ask my party for permission…”

“No need.”

Trying to make herself look good. I sneered at Elizabeth, who was spouting insincere words.

‘But, I’ll make sure she pays for this moment someday.’

“Ah, do you know this? Within the same class, seats are assigned based on the grades from the entrance ceremony.”

And, it turned out to be a good thing. No need to share the credit.

“I will be seated closer to Lady Luciana than Lady Elizabeth.”

“Hmph. Do you think that’s possible? I’ve gathered only those with skills above the count level.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Typically, the higher the title, the higher the base abilities. A higher level of education is a given. But, she overlooked one fact.

‘Do you think the cooperative class is easy?’

Battle styles, experiences, and talents vary. Above all, there’s distrust towards people from other regions. Especially for northerners, who have gone through real battles due to the ‘Coming of Age’ tradition, others might seem quite frustrating. They’re like hothouse flowers, just babbling what’s in the books.

‘If she had formed a party with me, things would have gone smoothly. Tsk.’

I can already see her struggling future, carrying the burden of a group project all by herself.

Still, it’s the consequence of her choice, so she should accept it humbly.

“Then, I’m busy because someone ran away. See you in Class A. Oh, maybe you won’t see me at all if you’re in Class B?”

“…You’re all talk. Fine, shall we make a bet?”

Was it because I taunted her by bringing up Luciana? Elizabeth, her face flushed with anger, barely contained her emotions as she glared at me.

With the sound of teeth grinding, she proposed, “How about the one with lower grades fulfills a wish for the one with higher grades?”

Such confidence could only come from someone who believes they cannot lose. Coincidentally, I harbored the same confidence.

“Ho, a wish, you say. You won’t regret this?”

“You should be asking yourself that.”

“Then, it’s a deal.”

Elizabeth and I, two fervent fans competing for Luciana’s favor, briefly engaged in a war of nerves before turning our heads away as if it mattered not who did it first.

-This is the most trivial confrontation I’ve seen so far…

Báthory’s comment came from the shadows with a sigh, but I didn’t pay any attention.

-So, what are you going to do? Gargoyle is also from the north, so, bringing him in?

“That’s a good idea, but no.”

I quickly moved on. Oparn had a different role to fulfill.

“The hope of the commoners, I greet you, Saintess! With my humble skills and lowly status, I wish to assist you by your side.”

In the distance, a young man with white hair was seen kneeling before a girl with flowing golden hair. Kneeling on one knee, his right hand was about 4cm away from his left chest. The posture, with his head bowed, was perfect etiquette by anyone’s standards.

‘So, who taught him that.’

The result of intensive training. Thanks to the desire for revenge and excellent teaching methods passed down from Yegor to me.

“Raise your head. It’s an honor for me that such a distinguished mercenary from the north has approached first.”

The saintess welcoming him was also like a model young lady…

‘…Huh? Wait, was she like this in the prologue too?’

-Ah! You’re helping me! Tha-thank you very much!

-…Yes. I’m the one who should be asking for your favor.

The protagonist I remember from the choices was… a bit more raw and flustered.

A slight sense of unease. But once doubt bloomed, it spread uncontrollably.

Before the academy’s entrance, the fact that the saintess had begun her activities, which I thought was due to the Pope’s whims, might actually have been the saintess’s own initiative?

There was a need to confirm if the saintess I knew was indeed the same person.

‘Oparn’s role will be crucial.’ Originally, I intended to send him not to charm the saintess but to separate her from the crown prince.

I thought it would be best to observe a bit longer when –

-What are you stopping for? Don’t you need to recruit a team?

“Ah, I got lost in thought for a moment.”

-I cannot stand to see my retainer not taking the lead. Do your best!

I smirked at the rebuke from the shadow and replied.

“Don’t worry. I have a list of pre-selected candidates.”

Unlike the nobles, who had already gathered in friendly groups upon hearing the information, I approached someone standing alone among the commoners, who were noisily searching for party members.

“Do you have a moment, Georg?”

“…Hiccup.”

To the mercenary, whose cute reaction was out of place for someone dressed in pitch-black plate armor and carrying a greatsword.

***

“It seems you haven’t found a party member yet. Would you like to join me?”

The hand extended towards him made Georg involuntarily swallow his saliva. How could he not recognize this person?

The very person who defeated Luciana, whom he had been defeated by in the final match. Surely, if they became part of the same party, they would be a reliable ally in this test.

‘…But.’

He hesitated to take his hand. To understand why, one would have to go back a few days.

“Hm? The second floor is supposed to be for female students only.”

A rule of all academies. Odd-numbered floors were for male students, and even-numbered floors for female students.

Thus, a muscular blonde man entering the second floor was suspicious to anyone.

“Is he a thug? I’ll have to teach him a lesson properly.”

Mercenaries were like that. Having lived in life-threatening battlefields, many succumbed to immediate pleasures.

It was unexpected to find someone who couldn’t discern right from wrong even among those admitted to the academy.

He immediately followed him stealthily. And then, he saw it.

The blonde laborer was picking a lock with a tool resembling a metal rod.

‘I’ll have to catch him on the spot before he can make excuses.’

As he was about to kick down the door at the slightest sign of trouble, he overheard a conversation.

“You’ve dyed your hair and bulked up. Even your facial features have changed. It’s not been long since we parted, but I can barely recognize you, except for your voice.”

“That’s impossible.”

Georg involuntarily held his breath at the conversation inside.

‘This voice…!’ It was familiar. How could he forget?

The warrior who had won the martial contest and expressed his convictions in front of the duke. The one who had silenced the hostile audience in the Colosseum.

Listening further, the conversation was outrageous.

“Excellent work. I’m pleased.”

“Hehe, no, not really. Besides you, many are looking to buy this information, so I just took care of it while I was at it.”

A scene of buying and selling information about academy students. The secrecy and malevolence made his hair stand on end.

‘What in the world is Hans Byron up to?!’

The woman he thought was just a commoner on the same floor, as well as Hans Byron, whom he believed to be a loyal and brave warrior from the North, had such a hidden side to them. Especially since, in the North, he was known as a loyal servant to the Lady. Suddenly, his mother’s words from the West came to mind.

-Beware of Westerners. They always hide their poison like scorpions.

Hans Byron right now fit that description perfectly. Eloquence, force, and even secret and despicable strategies.

The academy’s hidden shadow was there!

“…A satisfactory deal….”

“..Me too….”

As the conversation seemed to be ending, Georg hurriedly retreated to his room.

Thinking he had avoided any conflict, Georg was taken aback when approached again.

“Could you hurry up with your answer? I need to recruit others as well, and I don’t have much time.”

Why had he approached him again? Had he overheard the eavesdropping? If so, why extend this offer now? Was it an attempt to silence him? Or genuinely to include a fellow Northerner in the party?

Numerous thoughts flitted through Georg’s mind.

“I understand.”

After much consideration, Georg found himself compelled to accept the hand offered to him.

‘The reason for the approach? It’s not important.’

Whether it was simple recruitment, an attempt to silence through persuasion, or even laying the groundwork for elimination, the worst-case scenario had to be considered, but crisis also meant opportunity.

Entrance exam?

Admittedly, the prospect of leveraging Hans Byron’s abilities for a high score was enticing.

‘I’ll have a conversation with him at some point, like with the mole or the frost mane.’

Like them, and as a strong Westerner, Hans Byron might provide clues to break through his own limits.

-Remember, in the mercenary world, strength is power. Georg, return stronger.

Determination filled Georg’s eyes, like the treasured gem of the North he was. To reveal his true self, he had to accept whatever means could make him stronger.

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

****

“Phew, that’s everyone.”

-Am I mistaken? It seems the people you’ve gathered are nothing special.

“Quiet. The kids might hear.”

Báthory’s observation was spot on. Apart from Georg, the level of the rest was mediocre.

‘Mercenaries, what can you do?’

Their basic abilities were lacking, which was inevitable for commoners. Without proper training in swordsmanship or magic, and without adequate support, their options were limited.

Yet, there was one reason I had chosen them.

“Here’s your employment fee.”

“…This much?”

“Of course. We’ll be taking the entrance exam together, after all. I’m counting on you.”

“Me, a student…”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

They were motivated by money.

“As per our agreement,”

And thus, they would be loyal to my commands. That was all.

-They’ll follow your instructions.

‘Better than being looked down upon because I’m a noble’s son or a count’s offspring.’

What’s important in a cooperative class? A team where members work well together?

No.

It’s having a clear leader and team members who follow them faithfully.

This was a grading exam for freshmen, expected to be of moderate difficulty.

-System activation. Party detected. Switching to training mode.

A golem, wielding its greatsword as if it were dual blades, began its operation and slowly advanced towards our party.

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