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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Alright, then we’ll do it. Do you have any additional conditions?”
“…”
Elua couldn’t quite grasp what was happening.
She had intended to meet Lee Seok-hyun, intimidate him with her noble authority, and, as usual, belittle and dismiss him as a commoner.
But from the moment they met and began their conversation, Elua felt like she was floating on air.
Unaware of her surroundings, just drifting aimlessly.
Like a cloud, moved by the whims of the wind.
Lee Seok-hyun was the wind, and Elua, the powerless cloud.
“Surely you have some conditions, something you want… Or do nobles find satisfaction in victory alone? As expected of nobility.”
“Ahem, well, I am a noble.”
Despite being insulted as materialistic and vulgar, the commoner before her simply nodded, unfazed.
Even her most cutting remarks were met with an agreeable expression, as he seamlessly transitioned to the next point.
He kept the conversation focused on the core issues, even throwing in occasional compliments, leaving her no opening for criticism.
“So, I think we’ve covered everything… what do you say?”
“Um… well, hmm.”
Elua had never drafted a contract before, nor had she ever been present for such a process.
Everything had been handled through intermediaries, and she’d simply claimed the honor of a successfully negotiated agreement.
Therefore, she struggled to comprehend the numerous clauses laid out before her.
*”‘Party A’ and ‘Party B’… I understand this, but… why does it say the relationship between the two parties is equal? Aren’t they supposed to be distinct? But then again, here it says… they’re not equal.'”
Clauses about fulfilling obligations and transferring responsibilities included the phrase “mutual accountability,” while sections related to social standing mentioned “guaranteed protection against disadvantages.”
She desperately wanted to ask about each point she didn’t understand, but…
“As expected… You understand just by glancing at it? I heard nobles from Velutos Academy were different… It’s true.”
“Ahem, well! It’s nothing special.”
…the constant stream of compliments made it impossible.
Moreover, the commoner kept escalating the situation.
“You’ll act as guarantor, correct?”
“Of course. But does that mean Mirinae Academy’s first-year students will actively cooperate in the illegal gambling den investigation?”
“Naturally. If I, Lee Seok-hyun, the first-year Class S president, participate, most will cooperate.”
“I admit I was hasty in my judgment, and since I have to participate in the exchange competition anyway, I’ll officially validate this agreement.”
Carmel, the captain of the White Blade, smoothly inserted herself into the conversation.
She casually took a seat and signed the contract, adding her name as a witness.
As the situation escalated and grew more complex, Elua simply wanted it to be over.
“I’ll sign too.”
“As expected of a noble, so decisive.”
The moment Elua’s name and family seal were imprinted on the contract…
A subtle, knowing smirk spread across Lee Seok-hyun’s face.
A smirk that Elua failed to notice.
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‘A historic agreement has been reached.’
The agreed payout ratio between Velutos and Mirinae was set at 1.21:3.14.
Elua would undoubtedly take this contract and, without revealing its contents, boast about having personally negotiated an agreement with a commoner.
Then, she’d scramble to gather funds, pouring all of Velutos Academy’s resources into the wager.
I would then enjoy watching that mountain of money before adding my own contribution.
After that, a clean victory in the exchange competition would trigger a massive payout, a truly spectacular upset.
‘Now, time for some propaganda.’
Having received my rewards and secured this unexpected opportunity, I immediately returned to Mirinae Academy.
‘I need to keep training anyway…’
With Pephais strengthened, there were new strategies to develop, new tactics to explore. There was plenty to do.
But my immediate priority was clear.
‘Boosting morale.’
I had to ignite a burning desire for victory against Velutos Academy.
“Tired? If you’re tired, then stop. No one’s forcing you.”
“Yeah, just rest. It’s important to take breaks, Instructor said so himself.”
“But I still…”
“Then stop whining and run! Is that all the spirit you have? What would Instructor think if he saw you like this?!”
Excellent.
On my way to the training grounds, I overheard their conversation and couldn’t help but nod in approval.
Even during their breaks, they were pushing themselves, motivated by my words.
A true example of self-driven learning.
“H-here comes Instructor! Attention!”
“…! Attention!”
“At ease. Take your break.”
“”Thank you, sir!””
Such discipline, even during their rest period.
This was the kind of dedication that made teaching worthwhile.
Step, step, step.
As I walked through the hallways leading to the training grounds, the salutes grew louder, culminating in a unified chorus as I reached the entrance.
“Salute Instructor Lee Seok-hyun!”
“”Sir, yes, sir!””
“At ease. Is everyone doing well?”
“”Yes, sir!””
Excellent.
With their spirits this high, there was no need for elaborate speeches or motivational talks.
‘Just give them a target.’
At first, they trained to overcome despair, then to become stronger.
They ran to survive, pushed themselves to the point of vomiting to avoid the helplessness they’d felt during the demon attack.
But human beings couldn’t maintain that level of intensity indefinitely.
They needed to see results, to prove their growth, to achieve something tangible.
And I intended to ignite that spark.
Step, step, step.
“My fellow students, you’ve all been working hard.”
I planted my feet firmly on the ground, kicking up dust as I walked towards the platform at the center of the training grounds.
“But some of you might be doubting yourselves. Is this really working? Am I just pointlessly pushing myself?”
“Who dares to question Instructor?! I’ll kill them!”
“Wait! If you think like that, he’ll make you spar with him!”
“…! It was me! I had those doubts!”
“No, it was me! I’ve been questioning this training since the beginning! Please! Punish me! I’m worthless!”
With a simple wave of my hand, I silenced the overly dramatic outbursts.
“You wouldn’t fight seriously against your friends anyway. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, sir!”
Every word I spoke drew their attention, their gazes fixed on me as I ascended the platform.
21 centimeters.
That’s all it took to establish a clear hierarchy.
“When I went out on leave, I met Elua Velutos of Velutos Academy.”
“Gasp… The Elua Velutos?”
“Yes. And she challenged me. She said, ‘Let’s see which academy is stronger, Velutos or Mirinae!’ Naturally, I accepted. And then… I was met with cold disdain.”
“…”
It was partially true. Elua had belittled me and Mirinae Academy.
And sometimes, a bit of exaggeration was necessary to boost morale.
“She called us a mongrel academy, a mixture of commoners and nobles! She said mongrels could never defeat purebloods! She looked down on us, mocked us, based solely on our social standing!”
“How dare she…!”
“No one insults us like that!”
Class S had relatively few commoners, but the lower the class ranking, the more commoners there were.
Emotions are contagious, and by igniting the commoners’ resentment, I could channel that anger towards the nobles as well.
They had trained together, overcome hardships as a single unit, transcending their social differences to become fellow “trainees.”
The bonds they’d forged were stronger than any social divide.
“How dare she say such a thing!”
“No one can talk to us like that!”
The shared experiences, the training, the resolution they’d made to never be defeated again—their social status was meaningless now.
“Yes! That’s right! No one can talk to us like that! They don’t understand what we’ve been through, the sacrifices we’ve made! Are we going to let this slide?!”
“No, sir!”
“Are we mongrels?!”
“No, sir!”
My voice rose, and their responses echoed my intensity.
“We are Mirinae Academy students! Not mongrels! What are we?!”
“Mirinae Academy students, sir!!!”
“Mirinae Academy students know no defeat! Do you understand?!”
“Yes, sir!!!”
The spark caught.
The small ember I’d carefully nurtured was now ablaze, fanned by the winds of their shared anger.
“In one month! We will show them! Who we are! How meaningless their petty squabbles about blood purity are! We have to show them!”
“Yes, sir!”
“We! We will prove we’re the strongest academy! Not just to Velutos, but to the entire world! To every nation! Being the strongest is all that matters! We wouldn’t have trained so hard if we didn’t want to win! Am I right?!”
“”You’re absolutely right, sir!!!””
“Then let the special training for the exchange competition begin! Follow me! If you don’t want to, then don’t! Ask yourselves! Do you want to become stronger?! And what will you do with that strength?!”
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
Their simmering rage and uncontainable excitement erupted, transforming into a battle cry.
“I, I will make you the greatest students! Trust me! And trust your professors! They will always lead you to victory! Give it your all! Pour your souls into it! We are academy students destined for greatness!”
“Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Yes, sir!”
“Dominate! We will dominate! We will crush our enemies and leave them in despair!”
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!”
As their war cries filled the training grounds…
Clap, clap, clap.
…Gainard, tears streaming down his face, came into view.
‘The stage is set.’
We would crush Velutos.
This wasn’t a declaration of intent, but a statement of fact, an absolute certainty.
‘And I’ll make a fortune while I’m at it.’
The financial gains were a bonus.
A rather substantial bonus, but still… just a pleasant side effect.
A small gift to myself.
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Time flew by, and a month later.
At the opening ceremony of the inter-academy exchange competition…
The other academies, including Velutos,
Had no idea what was about to happen.
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