Chapter 21

"Then, shall we hear everyone's opinions?"

"White"

"Probably white"

"I judge it as white"

"It's white, I think"

"I have thoroughly analyzed it. Even without hearing others, it's definitely white."

Everyone judged it as white.

Finally, Dew, who was left, sighed and answered.

"Black"

...

"That's not fair...

You're not suited for gambling, yet you get so worked up!"

"Don't you say that, Justin, after all the provoking you did!

If that brat fails, I'll win 300 million reals all by myself!

Hehehe"

Dew, who had been at his physical and mental limits from consecutive all-nighters, was completely consumed by the large sum of money that seemed to roll into his pocket. He was completely out of touch with reality.

He was a typical example of someone who shouldn't gamble.

"Then, it's decided that without clear evidence of cheating, Allen will remain in the academy."

The responsible person, Muzika, declared.

"Hey! I said it's black!

Where's the unanimous decision, don't mess with me!

What's this 'Eternal Battlefield' Zold Vainforce!

There's no way such an amazing tutor exists!

That brat is definitely just making things up!"

Dew's claim was just sour grapes, but in a sense, it hit the mark.

However, the fact that Zold had raised two excellent students, and that Allen, when thoroughly investigated, showed no suspicious points, was significant.

Especially, the magic theory test video, with an inaccuracy rate of 99.99..., was thoroughly checked.

Scenes where Allen solved advanced problems in magic conversion mathematics, which no one else could solve, were scrutinized to the point of having holes poked in them.

Allen, after a little thought, used the margins to do calculations and solved the problems normally. During the review, he noticed a small calculation error and corrected it.

There's no way someone could cheat by doing calculations smoothly in the margins and correcting calculation errors during the review.

Throughout the test, when faced with problems that would be impossible to solve without prior knowledge, he skipped them with a clear conscience.

The remaining possibility was a substitute, but the handwriting matched perfectly with past academic tests.

From the entrance to the exit, Allen walked alone in the middle of the vast stone-paved area, so isolated that it was almost suspicious.

The only time he interacted with other examinees was when he passed a group waiting for the cut-off after the practical test. This was thoroughly analyzed by many experts, including Emi. The residual magic, walking style, and voiceprint all indicated that the person who took the practical test and the academic test were the same.

Seeing Allen finish the five subjects in 2 hours and 45 minutes and then review with a sleepy look, the examiners somehow understood.

Ah, this isn't the face of someone cheating...

Then, just now, Godolphin, as the homeroom teacher, conducted the questioning—

"I have already sent a reliable person to evaluate the character.

If they are deemed a solid candidate, I have instructed them to scout on the spot.

If necessary, they can use my name."

Godolphin nodded at Muzika's answer.

"It won't take long for Zold Vainforce's name to spread throughout the country.

We must secure the talent that can raise people, no matter what..."

Everyone nodded with a serious expression.

"Absolutely avoid the situation where he leaks to another country.

Coordinate with the Dragoon on this point.

The rest is a fair fight."

"...By the way, old man, what's with that condition for A-class admission...?"

"Unhappy?

I thought I took the most beneficial measures for the country..."

Godolphin glared at Dew.

"Of course I'm unhappy!

What, are you openly bailing out your own bet!"

"Hmm.

...Shall we hear everyone's opinions?"

"It has already been discussed.

Everyone except Dew is satisfied, so it's unanimous."

Muzika boldly crushed Dew's dissenting vote.

Even if they took a vote, with the most popular option having a majority, everyone had given up.

More importantly, as Godolphin said, considering the current situation, everyone understood that Allen should be in A-class to spur him on.

Only Dew was making a fuss.

"Rather, isn't that condition for staying in A-class a bit too strict?

Even if it's an unprecedented case, it's quite harsh for a boy who just came from the countryside."

Ignoring the still fussing Dew, the gentle Ketsugou Dante asked.

"Considering how much he messed up during the self-introduction.

Ahaha, it was really something."

Pachy laughed.

"Absolutely. It's not a laughing matter!

If it's true, it's quite a problem!

Keeping someone captive for over 6 hours and then treating them like a stranger in front of everyone, and discarding them like a rag!"

Muzika said, fuming.

"Muzika has been secretly watching that scene repeatedly.

With a blissful expression.

She's a masochist, imagining herself being humiliated and discarded, getting excited.

She hasn't had a boyfriend for a long time, so her desire is pent up."

Emi promptly added more information.

"St-stop saying such nonsense, Emi-chan!!"

"?? It's not nonsense."

Emi's finger glowed—

But Muzika, with incredible speed, pinned Emi's finger down.

"Hey, stop it!

Yes, I haven't had a boyfriend for three years, and my desire is pent up, a pitiful woman over thirty! I admit it, so don't show it!"

"Muzika has a poor eye for men, so you don't have to worry. She'll end up with a bad man and be discarded like a rag."

The responsible person crouched on the spot.

"Emi-chan is... a sadist..."

"?

I don't have a hobby of tormenting those who enjoy being tormented.

I only torment those who resist."

"…That's just bullying, isn't it?"

◆

Godolphin, who had let the conversation stray, forcibly brought it back to Dante.

"Hem.

The boy, despite his age, has a harshness that cuts through sweetness.

He must have known he had no chance, yet the challenge he threw at me was impressive."

"When he declared his intentions, I thought he was selfish.

It's common for talented children to be arrogant.

But when he challenged me, he clearly stated that he would crush anyone who obstructs his 'path'.

At that moment, I changed my mind; he's not just a talented child who has grown arrogant with a sense of omnipotence."

"Indeed. I felt the boy's resolve.

But how about politics?

He achieved top-class results in the royal academy entrance exam.

Regardless of his will, he can't avoid the power struggles.

What can he do if he can't even clear this level of vote-gathering?"

"Ah, I see.

You're intentionally creating a political situation to measure that ability.

It's a perfect difficulty level to gauge his abilities.

You're still as good as ever, old man."

Justin added with a grin, looking excited.

"As for me, I'm more interested in when he asked to be your disciple.

You're his homeroom teacher now.

With 'The Buddha Godolphin' at his disposal, he could ask anything, yet he wasn't satisfied.

What kind of teaching did he want to seek? Don't you wonder?"

"Ah"

Dew, who had been listening with a furrowed brow, spoke up.

"That brat bowing to the old man.

It wasn't just a quick bow.

He practiced it repeatedly, elevating it to a 'form'."

"...Why would he do that..."

"How should I know.

It makes no sense, but it's definitely true.

I felt the unique refinement of a 'form' honed by repeated practice.

If he did it 100 times, he did it 100 times exactly the same."

Emi projected the scene.

Indeed, the movement was refined.

Dante was impressed.

"...It's a beautiful movement. I can't help but feel his sincerity."

Dew, picking his nose, continued.

"Probably, that fake tutor told him it was 'part of mental training' or something, and made him memorize it as a 'form' for making requests to superiors.

Is that okay...?

Using Muzika's name for a high-pressure recruitment...

He seems to have a strong sense of principle."

Muzika, who had been crouching, suddenly looked up.

"If you noticed, say it sooner!

Without Dew's speed, he's just a lazy old man!

I'll send a magic bird!"

There are no communication magic devices in this world yet.

"...Hmm.

I imagined 'Eternal Battlefield' Zold Vainforce's teachings to be more rough...

But this seems to have unexpected depth.

It's hard to fathom..."

2022/08/08 Revised