am-books Chapter 55
Chapter 55
"Co-coach, by any chance, could you extend the training hours?"
"Huh?"
It was chick number 7, her name was Rose, right?
An enthusiastic female cadet who had appeared after the Levy Fault incident.
Although admirable, Ihan knew.
This wasn’t a request made because she wanted to become a knight.
"And also, if possible, I'd like to improve my stamina and physical abilities. Is that something we could work on?"
"It would be tough to improve that much in such a short time."
"You didn't say it was impossible, so I'll do it."
"...You’re worried about your fitness scores, aren’t you?"
"Yes."@@@@
A desperate struggle for survival.
How many now?
By today, more than ten cadets had already asked him to come up with new training regimens.
Some even came with potions, luxury chocolates, or whiskey, as if trying to bribe him.
But this wasn’t a real bribe; it was more like begging him to help them increase their stamina and athletic abilities, so Ihan couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
What is this, a gym?
And it wasn’t even summer yet, but it felt like they were urgently asking for crash courses to get six-packs before the beach season.
Well, whatever.
"Alright, no more bribery. If you want to improve your stamina and physical abilities, come every morning at 7 a.m. sharp, without missing a day. I can’t promise you'll get better at everything, but your stamina will definitely improve."
"Yes, sir!"
The cadets left with bright faces, looking like they’d gained a thousand allies now that Ihan had agreed to help them.
But those who had been through Ihan's real training knew the truth.
They weren’t avoiding a snake, they were heading straight for a cliff.
"They’re going to regret this."
"Seems like many will perish tomorrow."
Garand and Arno looked sympathetic as they imagined the cadets groaning in pain from the upcoming training.
Meanwhile—
"Urgh!"
"Why is there so much to memorize?"
"Can’t we just learn how to use swords? Why do we have to study to become knights?"
"Because you’re not knights yet."
"...That’s true."
While some would groan tomorrow, others were already groaning today.
Scratch, scratch.
Normally, the training ground would be filled with the sounds of wooden swords cutting through the air and jump ropes, but today, there were many cadets holding pens and pencils, buried in study.
The library and study halls had already been occupied, so these students had gathered at the training ground to study in groups.
Some of the bear-like students had even cleverly spread out their bear hides like mats and seemed to be studying comfortably.
...The hides that were supposed to be used as armor.
"Well, better than wasting money on nonsense, I guess?"
However, even those who were frugal with their resources were outdone by the rich brats who had bought desks and set up makeshift study halls in the training ground.
While Ihan had allowed them to use the space, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed by the wasteful display of wealth.
These rich kids really couldn’t help but flaunt their money.
"This is why I call you 'rich brats.'"
"We... we can hear you, coach."
"I know. That’s why I’m saying it, you fools. If you had studied earlier, you wouldn’t be in this situation now."
"We were... busy."
"Busy, my foot."
"......."
They had plenty to say but chose to stay silent, preferring to memorize one more fact than argue with him.
"Hmm."
Looking at the training ground, which had suddenly become a study space, a famous saying popped into Ihan’s head.
"From afar, it’s a comedy, but up close, it’s a tragedy."
Indeed, the scene was amusing, yet he couldn’t laugh at it.
Shaking his head, Ihan decided to focus on doing squats instead.
A modest goal of ten thousand squats.
At Pendragon Royal Academy, the exams were considered a 'Big Event' among the citizens of the capital.
‘If I had attended here, I probably would have quit immediately.’
Debates and presentations were things Ihan would never have tolerated.
"So, each student has to give at least five presentations and debates, right?"
"It’s not mandatory, but if you don’t feel confident about your performance, quantity can make up for it."
"And if they don’t perform above average, they’re expelled?"
"Exactly. If they can’t respond well to the professors’ and scholars’ questions, they’re eliminated. That’s why students who don’t study consistently are at a disadvantage."
"And you? No problems, I bet?"
"Many nobles receive tutoring on potential exam topics and debate subjects before they even enter the Academy. That gives us an advantage."
"Ah, that explains it."
No wonder the noble chicks spent more time on sports than preparing for the debates and presentations.
They’d already been prepped by private tutors, so they could focus on their weaker subjects.
"Cunning little foxes."
"That’s how noble girls are. They may look pure and innocent, but they’re as sly as foxes."
"I’ll be sure to pass that along to the chicks."
"!!?"
"Just kidding."
"My heart nearly stopped! It wouldn’t surprise me if you actually did it!"
"Drama queen."
"I-I’m not exaggerating."
Ignoring the ashen-faced Demian, Ihan reflected on why there were so many dropouts at the Academy.
Considering the brutal nature of the exams, it was a wonder that even 10% managed to graduate.
"...Huh?"
As he reviewed the exam schedule, Ihan’s eyes widened.
Something wasn’t right.
"What is this? What’s going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look at the last day of the exam schedule."
The exams stretched over nearly two weeks.
But the last day stood out.
Unlike the other days, there were no written exams scheduled.
Only one thing was listed:
"Why is the swordsmanship exam the grand finale?"
The swordsmanship exam was marked as the main event, as if it were the climax of the entire schedule.
Ihan blinked in confusion.
But Demian, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, replied:
"Of course. It’s the biggest spectacle, after all."
"Did you just call it a spectacle?"
"Th-that was a slip of the tongue! But, really, isn’t it the main event of the exams?"
"Where’s your respect?"
Smack!
"Ow!"
A slave—no, an assistant—dared to talk back.
He still hadn’t learned his lesson.
Ihan rubbed his temples as he ignored the assistant, who was now clutching the back of his head in pain.
He read the schedule more carefully, trying to figure out why the swordsmanship exam was treated like the grand finale.
After a moment:
"...No wonder so many drop out."
He now understood why so many of the commoner cadets from the swordsmanship department resigned.
Because it was an exam no commoner or non-fighter could possibly pass.
[Single combat against a troll.]
It was a monster extermination.
But—
"...Why does this feel wrong?"
A strange sense of unease settled over Ihan as he looked at the troll-hunting portion of the exam.
He couldn’t understand why, but he felt oddly sympathetic toward the troll.