The common subject exams were no big deal.

It didn’t feel difficult, just like repeating what they had always learned.

The main subjects were basic physical strength, the history of the Empire, and simple laws— the minimum virtues that nobles should possess.

However, there were quite a few subjects, so it tended to take some time.

That’s why they had to take exams all day.

“Your basic physical strength has definitely improved a lot.”

“Huff, huff, well, there… huff, were a lot of… huff! things!”

Even in the basic physical test, Ottbo was running side by side with Luca.

Of course, it was only possible because Luca was holding back a little, but in common subjects, as long as one placed within the top ten percent, a perfect score of 100 was given, so they could just take it easy.

Naturally, both of them placed within the top ten percent.

Luca was relaxed in other common subject exams as well.

Compared to classes in Korea, these were far more leisurely, and “Luca Traverse” was rather clever, too.

‘Well, the common subject exams aren’t important anyway.’

Since the common subjects had low weight in the score calculations, unless there was a significant point gap, they didn’t affect the outcome.

The important parts were the major subjects and the department-wide common exam.

Especially, the department-wide common exam was even more crucial because, unlike subject exams that rate you by class, it assessed all students in the department together.

‘For the swordsmanship and martial arts departments, they use tournament rankings, while for the Magic Department, it’s a memorization contest.’

The martial arts departments naturally determine their rankings through displays of physical strength, while the magical departments hold contests suited to each.

What mattered in magic was who had more knowledge, so it was a memorization contest— a battle to write down as many magic power formulas as possible.

‘Well, that should go fine. Milia said it would be okay, too.’

If someone as observant as Milia said she’d get first place, then it really was likely.

At the very least, she wasn’t the type to say things just to make Ottbo feel better.

‘The only problem is me.’

First of all, if possible, he had to avoid fighting Isella until later.

Even if he lost, as long as Isella became first and he took second, there would be no problem.

But if they met early and he lost, that’d be a disaster.

‘I need to think about what to do if we have to fight early…!’

Tournament matchups were always random.

It was based on the logic that you couldn’t choose your enemy on the battlefield— which, naturally, benefited higher-ranked classes to a certain extent.

Because if higher-ranked students could sometimes fight lower-ranked ones, it meant a better chance for them.

‘The reason they can do this is that there are so many training grounds, allowing dozens to fight at once.’

With so many students in a department, finishing everything in one day was impressive.

Of course, if there wasn’t enough time, they could use the fifth day, set aside as free time, for additional exams, so there wasn’t a problem.

“Ugh… I feel like I’m going to die…”

At the end of the first day, the ‘group of four’ gathered in the evening.

Ottbo, perhaps because he’d been so tense, was complaining in exhaustion.

“Unless you really mess up, the common subjects won’t greatly affect your overall rank, so there’s no need to be so nervous.”

“I know… but still…”

Luca spoke blandly, watching Ottbo sigh again.

“It’s fine to be like this today, but if you act that way tomorrow, you won’t avoid criticism.”

“… Okay.”

Ottbo gulped.

Seeing them, Milia chuckled.

“Well, Luca, you’re the most important one here anyway.”

“Tsk.”

Even if they set Ottbo aside, if Luca didn’t secure first place in the swordsmanship department, they couldn’t be sure of winning.

“There are a few more candidates for first in the Magic Department or Alchemy Department, but in the Swordsmanship Department, it’s just you, Isella, and Brace Avint.”

In the Magic and Alchemy Departments, there were so many capable people that there was a good chance Igar or Archiond might not get first place.

But in the Swordsmanship Department, only those three had a real chance at first.

“I didn’t expect it to come to this, but since both you and Isella are SA-class, even if you get the highest score, it doesn’t match the S-class score.”

Naturally, there was a difference in difficulty between SA-class and S-class courses.

So, their scores were adjusted— even a perfect 100 in SA-class was ranked lower than a 100 in S-class when looking at overall scores.

“So, at the very least, Luca, you need to score better than Brace Avint in the department-wide common exam— ideally even take first place.”

“Tsk.”

To overcome that gap, Luca would need to outscore Brace Avint in the department common test, the tournament.

If he considered the adjusted scores, all the more reason he needed to get first place.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as I win.”

“Right. Should I ask Isella to take it easy on you?”

Milia said that while glancing slyly at Isella.

At that, Luca and Isella spoke at the same time.

“If you command me to lose, I can do it, but he wouldn’t want that.”

“If I was only going to win because I was let off easily, I’d rather just lose outright.”

Seeing them speak at the same time, Milia made a sour expression.

“… Are you two married?”

“Ah, milady, Ma-married— what are you saying…?”

Isella stammered in shock, but Luca was indifferent.

“Let’s stop the nonsense. Still, there is a difference in strength between you and me, so you’ll need to give yourself some restrictions. To what degree?”

No matter what, there was a huge difference between one of the Night’s imperial secret weapons and Luca.

She would have to restrict herself.

Isella thought for a moment, then replied.

“I’ll only use techniques we learned in class.”

In other words, he would use only the skills taught in basic swordsmanship classes.

A reasonable decision.

Luca pressed further.

“How far will you go with physical enhancement?”

“Between mid high-rank expert.”

When Luca had entered, she’d been around the mid-rank expert physically.

And, last time they fought, she’d been at high-rank expert— so that was reasonable too.

But Luca shook his head.

“I won’t enhance myself.”

“Why?”

Since he didn’t mean for her to go easy, given what he’d said before, Isella looked confused.

Luca pouted slightly.

“It’s hard to fight you while holding back.”

“?”

Isella still didn’t get it.

So Luca replied, impassively.

“If I use physical enhancement now, I could almost achieve master-class power.”

“Then shouldn’t I oppose you with master-class power as well?”

“I just don’t want to reveal that both you and I have master-class power.”

It was something that would have to come out eventually, but there was no reason to reveal it now.

In fact, not revealing it could work out well in the future.

Seeming to understand this, Isella nodded.

“Fine, but then your chances of winning will be low.”

“… What?”

Luca narrowed his eyes.

Isella replied with a mocking smile.

“Do you really think you can beat me with just raw physical strength?”

Isella, through the power of moonlight, basically had much greater strength than an ordinary person.

Of course, Luca had trained hard, but couldn’t guarantee he was stronger than her.

But Luca was still unmoved.

“We’ll see after we try.”

“… I’m looking forward to it.”

For once, Isella looked a little excited.

Even someone as calm as her seemed to have sparked a little passion for being a warrior, thanks to the basic swordsmanship class.

* * *

The exams continued.

Since Luca was an assistant and temporary teacher in the basic swordsmanship class—his major—his perfect score was guaranteed.

So, he monitored the other students’ exams.

The second and third days passed uneventfully, and finally, the fourth day arrived.

“They posted the tournament brackets!”

“Damn… I have to fight Brace Avint first?!”

“Yes! I got paired with an E-class!”

As the other students jumped with excitement or cursed their luck, Luca glanced at his bracket and chuckled.

‘Unbelievable. Who put this together?’

It was as if someone had arranged for Luca and Isella’s match to only happen in the finals.

And, just as conveniently, Brace was placed in the semifinals.

“It really looks like someone arranged this.”

Isella approached and commented as she looked at the bracket next to him.

Luca gave a dry laugh.

“Yeah. I heard it was random, but maybe not.”

“I’ll see you in the finals, then.”

With that, Isella left.

Luca shrugged and headed to the training ground for his first match.

His first opponent was a cocky A-class student.

“So you’re Luca Traverse, who got into S-class just because of your family name! If I beat you, dean Kryphi Mosto will pay attention to me! I’ll definitely win!”

Apparently, he’d only heard bad rumors about Luca.

Luca, not even bothering to get angry, drew his sword with a blank look.

Swish.

“Ahh?!”

A clean sword strike.

It took Luca less than a minute to win his match.

“Luca Traverse! After I defeat you—”

Swish-.

“Luca Traverse! Up till now, you’ve just been lucky—”

Swish!

“Hah! I guess you’re not the Head’s protege by luck alone. But I—”

Swish!

Every match after that lasted less than a minute.

No matter what nonsense his opponents spouted, Luca calmly swept them aside and won with pristine swordplay.

And then, finally, the semifinal match against Brace Avint.

“Your fundamentals are excellent.”

“You were watching?”

“I saw by chance.”

In the training ground, Luca and Brace stood facing each other, both expressionless.

But while Luca was as calm as ever, Brace was actually extremely excited inside.

“At last, I get to face you. I’ve been waiting for this ever since the practical class.”

“If you want to duel, you could always ask.”

Brace hesitated for a moment at Luca’s indifferent answer.

“There’s a rumor lately that challenging you to a duel is like asking you on a date.”

“… Ha.”

Luca sighed.

That rumor still lingered.

‘Wait. Was it right after that rumor spread that people wanted to duel me?’

Yeah, it was around then.

Luca shook his head and drew his sword.

“Well then, let’s cross swords properly, as befits heirs of prestigious sword families.”

“Up until now, you’ve only used the basics—mainly sword slash and distancing. Was that on purpose?”

Most of Luca’s matches lasted less than a minute.

Usually, he started with a direct slash, and if that failed, immediately used distancing- attack that used the handle as a second point of attack to create an opening, and then finished with another slash.

The truth was, it was because Luca had only trained in basic swordsmanship.

But he didn’t feel the need to say that.

So he answered flatly.

“There’s no reason to fight properly with idiots who couldn’t even handle that.”

“Then show me the Traverse family’s secret sword technique.”

Shiing.

With that, Brace also drew his sword.

“Ready!”

With the judge’s word, the two faced each other and steadied their breathing.

And as the judge’s hand came down to start the match—

“Start!”

Clang!

The two swords collided.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep