Chapter 202: Representative Team (1)

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Time passed quickly.

Carl, who had arrived in the Imperial Capital, focused on matters concerning the Madeira Trading House and NOX.

NOX had extended its influence not only over the Western Third Commercial District, where it originally took root, but gradually expanded its power by nibbling away at the outskirts.

Though NOX grew steadily, the one that experienced a more explosive rise was the Madeira Trading House.

Backed by Crown Prince Yulian, Madeira accumulated immense wealth and power.

With the future emperor providing cover, what was there to fear?

The Merchants’ Guild had already made a grave mistake against Madeira.

Seizing the momentum, Madeira tightened its grip on them and began swallowing not just mana beads, but other key commodities one by one.

“Of course, we’ve maintained limits. If we monopolize too excessively, the Imperial Family would intervene.”

“Yes. The Crown Prince’s protection is strongest when it isn’t used openly. Those who need to know, already do.”

Early in the morning.

Queen was adjusting Carl’s necktie while reviewing business matters of the trading house.

“The Crown Prince will never step forward to help us directly. He’ll instead leak information to influential nobles nearby and wield his influence that way. How we make use of that will determine our competence in his eyes.”

It was a method commonly used by those of high standing.

They only acted personally when facing an irresistible force or unavoidable damage.

Otherwise, they merely lingered quietly, like a master radiating subtle presence.

Tap, tap.

After straightening all of Carl’s attire, Queen stepped back a pace and looked over him from head to toe, as if confirming everything was in order.

“All done.”

“Thank you.”

Before he knew it, the long vacation had ended.

Starting today, he had to return to Bayern Academy, which meant he had to wrap up his schedule with NOX.

“……”

That was why Queen’s expression, as she stepped back, was filled with lingering regret.

It had been a long time since she’d been able to stay by her master’s side for so long, and it was a pity they had to part again.

“Well then, I should be going.”

“Take care.”

In contrast, Carl showed no emotion as he moved forward.

Crossing Beatrice Street toward Bayern, his mind was fully occupied with organizing the plans he had devised for the second semester.

‘The biggest event of the second semester is, without a doubt, the Walpurgis Night Festival.’

It was a major imperial event where all academies gathered to have their cadets compete and rank their abilities.

Originally, he had only planned to show moderate skill to scout for talent to bring into NOX, but his thoughts had changed.

‘There’s no longer any need to stay hidden.’

His martial arts had reached their peak, and he had also gained the new power of Divinity.

To search for Kylos’ fragments and absorb divinity, he needed to raise not only NOX’s influence but also that of Carlos Leipzig.

Walpurgis Night was the perfect stage to lay the foundation for that.

“Carl, how have you been?”

As he sat in the lecture hall, Laysis greeted him with a bright smile after several weeks.

“I’ve been busy. Because of the Madeira Trading House.”

“I heard things were chaotic over there. But I’m glad business seems to be going well.”

“I must make sure everything is well-prepared for when you eventually come over.”

“…Ah.”

Laysis smiled even more brightly.

During the vacation, she had desperately held back the urge to visit Carl.

There must have been a reason why he hadn’t taken her to the Imperial Capital.

‘It was probably a message to focus on training.’

Though she felt lonely and sad, she endured it and devoted herself to training.

And as a result, she managed to overcome another wall.

“You’ve made progress.”

“Yes, I trained hard during the break.”

Carl recognized it as well, and Laysis nodded firmly.

“Oh, also, there was a notice that after today’s classes, all members of the Walpurgis Night representative team should gather. You didn’t attend the vacation meeting, right?”

“I was too busy with the trading house. I had no choice.”

“Yes. But the mood among the upperclassmen was pretty tense. Not because of you, but because there was a friendly match with other academies during the break that didn’t go well.”

“…Aha.”

Bayern held pride in being the empire’s top academy.

They naturally believed they would win the upcoming Walpurgis Night as well.

But once they actually held a friendly match, the results hadn’t met their expectations.

“Understood. Let’s go together after it ends.”

“Okay.”

The rest of the day passed uneventfully.

They caught up with other cadets, listened to the orientation outlining the upcoming semester, and time flew by in a flash.

“Phew.”

After class, Carl let out a small laugh as he saw Maximilian clenching his fist in nervousness.

“Nervous?”

“Of course. Carl, you wouldn’t know since you didn’t attend the vacation gathering, but the atmosphere was intense. They said those who didn’t show up would be given special training, so we should brace ourselves…”

Maximilian glanced at Carl, then chuckled and shook his head.

“Never mind. Who am I to worry about you? So, what will you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to hide your skills like in the first semester? Or crush everyone like you did in front of us?”

“Hmm.”

Carl pondered for a moment.

Each had its pros and cons.

But if he just followed what the seniors said, he would only be dragged into an inefficient approach again.

So, Carl came to a decision and nodded.

“I’ll choose the more efficient way.”

“Good. I’m already looking forward to the seniors’ shocked faces. You’re going to crush them all, right?”

Maximilian asked with a sly smile, as if the vacation gathering had been tough on him.

Carl gave a wry smile and walked ahead, and Maximilian followed behind.

Among Carl’s group, only Carl, Maximilian, Laysis, and Yuria were selected for the Walpurgis Night representative team.

Carl, Laysis, and Yuria had been chosen by merit, while Maximilian was recommended by Carl.

‘He’s not lacking in skill.’

Since overcoming his heart demon, Maximilian’s skills had improved dramatically.

He had reached a level far above cadets like Gale and Amy, who were once on equal footing with him.

Even compared to the other representatives, he would have no trouble securing superiority.

Click.

When the representative team entered the training hall, the designated gathering spot, a fair number of people were already present.

Most faces were familiar, and a few raised their hands to acknowledge Carl.

“Carl!”

Lewis approached with a look of joy.

Others also gave slight nods or exchanged glances in greeting.

Carl, who had become the top theoretical student of the first year, was undeniably a symbol among the cadets.

“You came at the perfect time. We were just talking about you.”

“What were you discussing?”

“About who should be the representative of the first-year team. It’s pretty neck-and-neck right now.”

Lewis raised his hand and pointed out the candidates.

“Nerian, me, and Laysis. All of us are strong in skill and grades. Carl, who do you think fits the role best?”

Lewis spoke in a suggestive tone, winking with one eye.

He had rushed to greet Carl first for this very reason.

‘If I can take the representative seat over Nerian…’

His reputation would rise significantly not just in Bayern, but also in other academies.

That’s why he came to ask before Nerian or Laysis could step forward.

Especially since Carl held considerable presence among the cadets.

Any cadet who had spent the first semester with him would have no grounds to object.

Lewis looked at Carl with anticipation, but what came out of Carl’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“Would it be alright if I nominated a new candidate?”

“A new candidate?”

Lewis widened his eyes.

His expression said, “Who else is left?”

Surely he didn’t mean Maximilian, who was standing in the back.

“Yes, me.”

“Ah. …Ah??”

He wanted to nominate himself as a candidate for representative?

Lewis was left speechless at the completely unexpected declaration.

“There’s no issue with the rules. Anyone can nominate anyone.”

Unexpectedly, Laysis stepped forward as well and supported him.

As if declaring her support for Carl to become the representative of the team.

‘…No, that’s clever.’

Lewis quickly grasped Carl’s intention.

If he had pointed at someone here, it would’ve looked like he was siding with that person’s faction.

So instead, by nominating himself, he smoothly bypassed the current standoff.

‘As expected.’

Lewis admired him inwardly.

A bold yet clever decision.

Just when he was thinking that becoming the top theoretical student wasn’t something anyone could achieve, the silent Nerian finally spoke.

“To be the representative of the team, one must have the strength, charisma, character, and capability to match.”

Character and capability, fine.

But did he really have the strength and charisma?

That was the part Nerian was digging into.

Carl, as if waiting for those words, nodded with a faint smile and locked the door of the training hall he had just entered.

Creak.

At that moment, only two people among the representative team felt nervous.

Laysis and Maximilian, who knew Carl’s true capabilities.

Sensing what was about to happen, they subtly lowered their stances and braced their legs.

“You’ve got the order wrong.”

Carl slowly turned his body and began to release his pressure toward the representative team.

“…!”

A heavy pressure bore down on their heads and shoulders.

Not only Nerian, but Lewis and the cadets nearby widened their eyes and stared at Carl.

Thud.

The pressure intensified further.

“…Grrng.”

Those with relatively weaker skills began to retreat and hunch over.

Yet, the higher-ranked cadets stood firm, enduring Carl’s pressure with their backs straight.

“Let me be the one to judge first. Whether you’re qualified to be in Bayern’s first-year representative team or not.”

Thud—!

Once again, the pressure increased.

Now, the impact was enough that cadets began collapsing to the ground, unable to endure it.

“……”

Lewis clenched his teeth and held on.

There was no time to even question whether Carl had always been this powerful.

Nerian and the others still standing forced him to endure longer.

Boom—!!!

Now, even the walls and floor of the training hall began to crack under the pressure.

The collapsed cadets had fainted, and those who gave up resistance were freed from the pressure, gasping roughly as they trembled and stared at Carl with shaking eyes.

Only four remained standing in the center of the training hall.

Nerian, Lewis, Laysis, and Maximilian.

“…Phew.”

Maximilian was the first to give up, and Laysis soon followed.

Laysis could have held out longer, but she chose to surrender rather than reveal her full strength.

“……”

Nerian’s gaze toward Carl deepened.

She hadn’t expected him to be hiding this level of power.

‘If I don’t strike first, I’ll be crushed.’

Just standing firm wouldn’t be enough to win.

So, after signaling Lewis with her eyes, she slowly drew her sword.

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