HTACS 74

Chapter 74

Zefflin Common Department!

Vast grounds. Countless buildings. And a dormitory district capable of housing a staggering 40,000 students!

Most freshmen, arriving at this academy so much larger than their hometowns, are awestruck.

Such a world existed!

My hometown was truly narrow and small!

This is Zefflin, the pinnacle of global education! A training ground that produces talents who dominate the entire continent!

You can choose between the Knight and Magic Departments, and devote yourself to learning every day!

Thousands upon thousands of peers surround you, and all of them are both friends and rivals!

But exactly two months later, the freshmen realize something.

Everything is great.

Everything is great, but…

There is absolutely nothing fun to do.

Considering that the average entrance age for Zefflin first-years is sixteen, it’s the age when they want to play the most.

Honestly, at an age where even picking and eating berries in the village forest would be fun, a 24-hour full-boarding academy is dreadfully boring.

So the first-year kids gradually move past their awe of Zefflin’s grandeur, realize how miserable the class-food-class-return-self-training-sleep pattern is, recognize that they have no freedom, and reach a stage of resignation.

But even so, humans find ways to play.

During the chick phase, when no play equipment can be brought in, the most entertaining game was right next to them.

That game was called ‘rumor.’

First-years are numerous.

80 students per class, 50 classes, crammed into 10 buildings.

Even if you’re extremely close in the dorms, if your classroom buildings are different, your classes split—which can be a bit disappointing—but think about it. Rumors spread through the dorms: someone from Building 1 did something in swordsmanship class, or there’s a future Magic Department ace in Building 7.

You hear information about fellow first-years brought back by dorm mates, create rumors, inflate them, and turn them into gossip.

And within that, celebrities emerge.

Even among the current second-years, there are those who were first-year celebrities.

Representative examples are ‘Future Light,’ ‘Our Hero,’ ‘Princess of Myth’—Eve von Lohengrin, and ‘Everyone’s Faith,’ ‘Acknowledged by All First-Years,’ ‘Best Friend,’ ‘Dear My Friend’—Nepheterian.

As you can see, those who get good grades in class, or are slated to be grade top or second-ranked, often rise to the position of ‘student-selected celebrity.’

But this year was a bit different.

First of all, the main rumor circulating among first-years was the shocking incident of the top student’s disqualification.

Kelterus, who entered as top student from a commoner background, was stripped of his position due to lack of qualifications—and who would become the next top student became the hot topic among first-years.

And now—Mille-feuille von Sabre’s duel challenge.

The Sabre family. Rumor has it they raise cattle in the eastern grasslands, and while they’re nobles, they’re close to their domain’s residents, and aside from having a very long family history, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about them.

But the actions of that family’s eldest daughter—Mille-feuille von Sabre—were completely at odds with her origins, being nothing short of groundbreaking.

Her image at the start of the school year was that of a lucky underachiever.

Grade top Kelterus missed the sparring match due to personal reasons, and she was about to get credit by default—but then her luck seemed to run out, and a rematch was held.

Everyone expected Mille-feuille’s crushing defeat—but an upset occurred.

Just as the grade top was about to switch to magic attacks, she closed in and landed a clean blow.

After that, Mille-feuille’s fame grew among first-years, especially among the underachievers, and then it accelerated further.

Rumors that she was a member of the former student council president’s faction—’W.R., commonly known as Wolfram Crew (Wolfram cRew).’

And in her duel against the grade second-ranked, she brought W.R. members as notaries, proving her connection to that crew.

Mille-feuille—belonging to the most mysterious and dangerous faction in Zefflin Academy’s 300-year history—had challenged the grade second-ranked to a duel.

Now, all first-year eyes were fixed on the pink chick.

How much of it is true, and how much is false?

Is she really connected to Wolfram von Lohengrin’s faction?

All those questions amplified even further on duel day, when Wolfram and his party appeared aboard the black giant, accompanied by his core executives.

—

The morning of the weekend.

I decided to attend Mille-feuille’s duel as a spectator.

“If you’re ready, let’s go. Go, Patrasche.”

“Hmm. Understood.”

“Ah, Senior! Did you pack snacks?”

“Oh, Wolfram. Are we going?”

Inside the carriage was as noisy as a bus full of kids on a field trip. Since it was built with two cars, there’d still be room for about ten more people in front—but then it wouldn’t be much of a field trip, would it?

I sat at the very front, and Ayla pressed close beside me.

“Hmm. This regular service is really nice. You called it Wolf Carriage, right?”

“Hmm.”

“Is this the start of that train plan you mentioned, Wolfram?”

“…Yes. And I’m making improvements each time. Thicker armor, darker paint, bigger size.”

“It’s a truly wonderful and amazing modification! The family’s craftsmen are also delighted that their skills in handling magic stones and golem cores have improved so much!”

“Hmm. We’ve advanced enough to mount small engines using magic stones.”

“Yes! It’ll develop even further in the future. But why are you modifying it with a focus on defense?”

Though it’s only been a few days since assembly, this Wolf Carriage has undergone quite a few changes.

Having ordered processed metals from the Trista family and started assembling them with Patrasche’s help—to be honest, this carriage has almost given up on speed, focusing purely on durability and bulk.

“This train will eventually go outside. …And going outside means there will be times when the train itself must fend off monster attacks.”

“…That’s true. If it travels between borders or territories, there will be monster attacks.”

“That’s what these modifications are for.”

Of course, it’s excessively large and excessively cool. Covered from head to toe in black iron plates, spikes protruding here and there, and emitting an overwhelmingly loud mana-driven hum—even I think this black carriage looks pretty awesome.

“By the way, ‘Wolf Carriage’ feels a bit lacking as a name, don’t you think?”

“Got a good idea?”

“Black King. How about it?”

“Hmm.”

What is that.

It’s not like it’s some apocalyptic warlord.

Really…

“I like it. From today, this is the Black King.”

“I knew you’d appreciate it, Wolfram!”

It is kinda cool, I admit.

—

In a duel, it’s customary for the notaries to attend and grace the occasion.

Since it’s a duel where retaliation or appeal can occur, they usually designate someone of higher rank—but the notaries Mille-feuille von Sabre designated were far too high-ranking.

Wolfram von Lohengrin is coming as a notary!

That fact lit a fire in the first-years’ hearts.

To the first-years, this is the most dangerous, most mysterious, and at the same time most enviable faction.

Led by the deposed former student council president, these ‘villains’—with their image as rebels against the current system—were objects of admiration, envy, and awe.

“…Ah, that’s it.”

“…U-ugh. Ughhh…”

The first-years gathered in small groups at the training hall couldn’t contain their goosebumps.

Strong mana dominates its surroundings, bringing pressure to the minds of all who possess it.

And that monstrously huge carriage—no, I’m not sure if I should even call it a carriage—that steel giant was emitting a mana wave far too powerful for mere chicks to withstand.

*Squeak.* The carriage stopped, the doors opened automatically, and the figures inside revealed themselves one by one.

“Hmm. The Black King really is comfortable! Don’t you think?”

“Hmm… If Rudika’s hometown had such a vehicle, it would be convenient.”

“My hometown… I think there’s nowhere to park it.”

Black Crystal. Abyssal Dagger. Knight of Faith.

Legends from the upper grades—none of whom could be left out.

The first-years nearby couldn’t even dare to look at them, bowing their heads deeply, while those further back trembled at the mana.

And then, the figure everyone was waiting for appeared.

Beside him, a wolf in a black tailored suit.

His radiant golden hair and sharp blue eyes unmistakably marked him as a direct imperial descendant.

An endlessly cold expression that concealed his heart—an iron-blooded ruler.

Even after being usurped, an imperial grandson who had become an even greater object of fear.

Wolfram von Lohengrin had appeared at the Common Department.

As everyone trembled in fear and bowed their heads, only one first-year approached them.

With a pure and gentle smile, she naturally spoke to the most fearsome man.

“Senior Wolfram. You came.”

“Hmm. You said today was the duel. As a notary, it’s only natural I’d show up.”

“I’m sorry to keep troubling you. But I could only think of you seniors as notaries.”

“Oh my, Peep-peep. You can cause that much trouble for us anytime, you know?”

“…Hehe. Thank you, Senior Ayla!”

“Oh my, oh my, how can you be so cute.”

Ayla Trista stood on tiptoe to pat the head of Mille-feuille, who was taller than her.

Nephti and Rudika also offered words of encouragement.

“Do your best, junior Mille-feuille!”

“Yes! Senior Nephti!”

“Fight hard. Rudika will cheer for you too!”

“Thank you, Senior Rudika!”

Finally, Wolfram von Lohengrin looked Mille-feuille in the eyes again and offered encouragement.

“Just do as I instructed today. If you do—”

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring you victory.”

“Hmm. Ah, right. One more of your ‘available means’ will be arriving.”

“Pardon? Means?”

“Hmm. I’m the one who told you to use every means, after all. Personally, I find it a bit distasteful, but it should be an effective means.”

“Hehe. Since your means have always been right, Senior, I’ll look forward to it.”

“……Hmm.”

Instructions?

Means?

And anticipation?

Wasn’t her tone as if this whole duel was part of Wolfram von Lohengrin’s plan?

Hearing that conversation, all the first-years realized it.

This entire match—no, this duel—was orchestrated by Prince Wolfram von Lohengrin.

If so, the outcome was already decided before it even began…

And right now, they were spectators at the starting point of a grand conspiracy.

—

“……N-now, the duel between Mille-feuille von Sabre and Gale Strike will begin under the notaries’ supervision. Gale Strike’s weapon is one 7-tier greatsword! Mille-feuille von Sabre’s weapon is one 7-tier gauntlet! All combat skills are permitted!”

The referee for the duel was a second-year student. He had some experience refereeing from last year, but today he couldn’t afford to relax his tension.

To be precise, everyone sympathized with the referee’s sentiment—the spectators were more focused on the other side than the duel.

Four people seated in a corner of the second floor. Wolfram. Ayla. Rudika. Nephti.

They had secured the best seats at the very front of the second-floor gallery among the packed audience, and no one dared approach them.

Well, to be precise, no one dared approach—except for one person.

And the reason everyone grew tense was because of that very person.

A blonde girl with blue eyes, wearing a slightly displeased expression.

Cloaked in a mantle granted to only one person in all of Zefflin, she sat cross-legged, calmly looking down at the arena.

The pinnacle of a hundred thousand students—Eve von Lohengrin was there.

“Th-then, let the duel begin! Start!”

The referee declared the start, but most students in the seats—excluding the second floor—couldn’t focus on his voice.

Except for one person.

The pink-haired girl on the arena floor.

“…Ugh, damn it!”

Even Gale Strike couldn’t keep his composure at Eve von Lohengrin’s appearance, reacting just a moment late to the referee’s start signal and his opponent’s movement.

And that created a tiny gap between Mille-feuille von Sabre, who had directly learned agile hand-to-hand combat, and Gale Strike, who centered his fighting on greatsword techniques.

“Tch!”

Gale Strike is capable. He was too slow to dodge or deflect Mille-feuille’s attack—so he’d just take one hit and swing his greatsword in return.

Her weapon was a gauntlet.

It was an unexpected choice, but given her speed, it made sense.

The design was a bit odd, with powerful spikes embedded in the striking surface—but Gale Strike knew Mille-feuille von Sabre’s stats.

No matter how powerful a gauntlet she wears! With her poor stats, the damage won’t be that great!

If it were an ordinary gauntlet, that would be a very correct judgment.

But if it’s not an ordinary gauntlet, it’s a very incorrect judgment.

*Wheee.*

The activation sound was short, and

“Huh?”

The moment of impact was even shorter.

*KABOOOOOM!!!*

The explosion was truly instantaneous.

But the result produced by that single punch was truly immense.

A striking sound that shouldn’t be possible with just one punch rang out, and Gale Strike rolled twice across the training hall floor.

At first, everyone doubted their ears—that’s how loud the impact was.

Then they doubted their eyes—the tiny Mille-feuille had sent the massive Gale flying with one hit.

The moment they turned their gaze to Mille-feuille, everyone understood.

*Pssshhhhh.*

Steam rising from the gauntlet.

And as she bent the back of her hand, a magic stone popped out and clattered to the floor.

The low-grade magic stone had exhausted its power, crumbling with a crackling sound, and Mille-feuille pulled another magic stone from her pocket and inserted it into the back of her hand.

Immediately after, the ‘small engine mounted on the gauntlet’ began whirring and gaining power once more.

If your stats are insufficient, your striking power naturally lacks force.

So what if you used a gauntlet equipped with a small engine powered by magic stones to compensate for that lack?

That stupidly straightforward idea—or fantasy—

combined Wolfram’s blueprint, the Trista family’s craftsmanship, and Vanilla’s equipment-making ability, and began to take on a brutally realistic form.

Ayla called it ‘Peep Punch Mark 1.’

Wolfram called it ‘Cartridge-Type Battle Gauntlet Prototype.’

Mille-feuille clenched her fist, feeling the gauntlet’s ignition sound again.

“Second round. Here I go.”

It was romantic.