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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The interview went smoothly, as expected.
Where are you from? What are your specialties? Do you hesitate to cut down a person? —I was a bit tired of their audacity, asking these things after the first two exams.— What are your plans after graduation? Things like that.
Honestly, the impression I got from meeting the ‘Heir of Red and Blue Blood’ before the interview was so strong that I think I answered half-heartedly.
‘I had a hunch after seeing the preliminary exam results, but…’
If there was someone capable of entering a special route without my help, I figured it would most likely be the ‘Heir of Red and Blue Blood’ with their high base stats, or, as a second option, the ‘Proud Barbarian’ with their overwhelming physical abilities.
And my prediction was correct.
Of the six templates in Planetarium, if the ‘Nameless War Ghost’ had the highest degree of freedom, the ‘Heir of Red and Blue Blood’ was its exact opposite.
While both had high stats and strong combat abilities, the War Ghost could do whatever they pleased, whereas the Heir had to consider the reactions of those around them and the power dynamics, resulting in many restrictions.
This contrast was also evident when actually playing and developing the characters.
The ‘Nameless War Ghost’ had stats suited for physical builds and excelled in one-on-one combat.
The ‘Heir of Red and Blue Blood’ excelled with magic builds and was more effective in group battles.
‘The same applied to their secondary abilities.’
As the two most popular templates among players, there were rare but existing builds like magic-focused War Ghosts and physical-focused Heirs.
While not as powerful as their standard builds, they were still considered strong.
If their standard builds were considered tier 1, their unconventional builds would be around tier 2.
This contrasted sharply with the ‘Proud Barbarian’ and the ‘Scheming Saint,’ whose stats plummeted to tier 4 if built in the opposite direction.
Incidentally, the ‘Greedy Prodigal’ was tier 3 in combat, even with a standard build.
At best, tier 2.5.
It wasn’t a template designed for direct combat, but for supporting others, so it was only natural.
‘I really want to recruit her as an ally, but how should I go about it?’
Time passed as I pondered, and finally, the day of the entrance ceremony arrived.
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It was clear from the dedicated train and the generous distribution of magic tools during the entrance exam, but the Barhardt Empire was incredibly invested in this project.
Massive funds had been poured into it.
Instead of repurposing existing buildings, dedicated dormitories and educational facilities were built from scratch, and countless support staff were diligently working to ensure the smooth operation of the Academy.
Yet, no one criticized it as wasteful.
No one dared to oppose a project directly planned and led by the hero who had established the Empire, the current Emperor’s father.
And for the Empire, which possessed abundant resources and talent drawn from across the continent and whose economy and technology were rapidly advancing, it wasn’t an overly burdensome expense.
So, what was the Academy built under such circumstances like?
“…Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
I shook my head, clutching the map of the school I had been given.
A school with less than two hundred students currently enrolled, and even considering future admissions, barely reaching a thousand, had mountains, lakes, and even a dedicated shopping district on its grounds?
The central area, where the student dormitories and core educational facilities were located, was smaller since access was restricted to outsiders, but it was still enormous.
Just look at the auditorium where the entrance ceremony was to be held.
It was so dazzling that many students were standing outside, gaping in awe, unable to even enter.
“The sponsor is certainly generous.”
“Even most temples can’t compare to this.”
I said to Regret and Fiore, who were each giving their impressions,
“Let’s go inside. There’s no need to make a bad impression by being late to the entrance ceremony.”
“You’ll make a bad impression sooner or later anyway.”
“You’re certainly not the quiet honor student type, Oppa.”
“Look who’s talking.”
Grumbling amongst ourselves, we entered the auditorium, and the other students, finally snapping out of their daze, followed suit.
Inside, besides the students, there were also many spectators in various attire.
They sat in the audience seats on either side, observing the hundred or so students gathered in the center of the auditorium as if appraising them.
Among them were stern-looking soldiers, scholarly officials, greedy merchants, heads of prominent families, and noblewomen.
Each of them was a prominent figure in their respective fields, demonstrating the immense interest that the Empire, and indeed the entire continent, had in the Academy.
“Everyone—! Silence—!”
The noisy auditorium fell silent in an instant.
“His Majesty, the former Emperor of the great Barhardt Empire, is entering!”
With the eyes of over a thousand people upon him, an old man appeared.
His long beard and hair were white, and his skin, once full of vitality, was now wrinkled.
But his back was straight, his hands and feet, though withered, were steady, and his dignified gait was full of vigor, belying his age of over sixty.
‘The Great Emperor’ Ludwig Barhardt.
One of the most important figures in ‘Planetarium,’ he quietly began to speak.
“First, I would like to express my gratitude to the students who have overcome the difficult trials and joined us here today. You have done truly, truly well.”
Some of the students looked startled by the old Emperor’s words.
Even if it was just a simple compliment, the words of the former Emperor, a hero admired by many since childhood and considered by the populace to be a living embodiment of a celestial star, held immense weight.
The students from other nations didn’t react as dramatically, but they too seemed awestruck by the aura emanating from the man before them, reflexively swallowing their saliva.
“I know that not all of you have gathered here for the Empire or for me. Some dream of advancement, some crave power, and some seek wealth, fame, or pleasure. Perhaps some even resent me.”
As both the students and the audience held their breath at his unexpected words, the Emperor’s gaze briefly lingered on a female student with fiery red hair.
“However, I do not consider that to be a bad thing. For such desires are one of the strongest driving forces that propel humanity to greater heights.”
The Emperor continued,
“From today onward, you will spend your days becoming blades. This Academy is the anvil, and the trials you will face are the hammer. It will not be easy. Some of you may shatter, unable to withstand the harsh blows. I will not deny this.”
Fear flickered in the eyes of some of the younger students.
The Emperor’s warning was delivered so calmly that it felt all the more real.
“Everyone speaks of this as an era of peace. They praise it as a golden age, free from the pain and bloodshed of war. However, a threat capable of shattering all of that is now aimed at this continent.”
The man who had ascended to the throne in an era of war and shaped the current world continued,
“The Ivesthan Empire, and the demons pulling their strings. They are the external threat that could shatter this peace at any moment, and they are the ones you must cut down.”
The Emperor’s gaze, filled with a quiet intensity, swept over the audience.
“Become blades. Become the most beautiful, dazzling, and resilient blades, and cut down your enemies. By doing so, you will obtain what you desire, and by doing so, you will protect what you have gained. You will become heroes, and many will be captivated by you, admiring your strength. I myself will make it so!”
Neither the students nor the audience dared to breathe.
The Emperor’s presence was overwhelming, his charisma undeniable.
“I have great expectations for you.”
With those final words, the Emperor stepped down from the podium.
As everyone remained stunned, I chuckled wryly, wiping the cold sweat from my palms.
I had realized just how naive I had been to underestimate the old man, thinking that a hero was just an old man.
I realized with a jolt that the Ludwig I saw on the screen in ‘Planetarium’ and the old man before me were entirely different people.
It had been a truly intense entrance ceremony.
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