Chapter 243: Walpurgis Night (1)

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Walpurgis Night.

The event where academies within the Empire gathered to test their might was finally just around the corner.

Originally, it had been scheduled with a more generous preparation period, but due to various incidents in the Empire, the date was adjusted to take place during the semester.

‘In truth, it was Crown Prince Yulian who pulled the strings.’

Who in their right mind would disobey the one currently first in line for the throne?

With it now nearly confirmed that the powers of the Demon Realm were plotting something starting from Walpurgis Night, it was only natural to shake the foundation of their plan from the beginning.

“Everyone should be ready by now.”

The morning before Walpurgis Night.

The representative team of the Bayern Academy gathered in one place to move to the tournament venue.

From first-year cadets to third-year cadets.

The fourth-years, being in their graduating class, had all made thorough preparations except for a select few.

“The representative cadet of each grade should report after the final check.”

Darius, who had taken on the role of overall representative for the team, gave instructions with a listless expression.

Originally, he had no intention of accepting such a bothersome role, but since his younger brother Carl was the first-year representative, he had been pushed into it unwillingly.

‘Well, it’s just a few days of trouble.’

Unlike his peers who were preparing for post-graduation life, Darius, who was planning to travel the continent, had more free time.

So, he decided to endure a little inconvenience for his brother’s sake.

‘…Besides.’

There were even rumors of a potential terrorist incident during Walpurgis Night.

Carl had given him a heads-up, and whispers had been circulating from various places.

Although the Empire claimed they were taking thorough precautions, it would be better for him to accompany them in case of an emergency.

Carl, who was receiving Darius’s full attention, moved through the first-year representative team and spoke.

“If you need more time, don’t hesitate to say so. Once we set out, there might not be time to spare.”

By now, setting the tone among the cadets came to him naturally.

The first-year cadets also took it for granted and carried out their final checks.

Compared to the other grade-level teams, theirs showed a noticeably higher level of discipline.

“…They seem more orderly than us, somehow.”

Eriksen, the second-year team leader, furrowed his brows as he watched.

“That’s probably a difference in leadership. Eriksen, why don’t you try taking command like Junior Carl does?”

“…Are you telling me to spar against the entire representative team like he did? Are you trying to get me killed?”

Carl’s feat of subduing the first-year team had already become a famous anecdote within Bayern.

Who would have thought someone who had only shown theoretical excellence was actually hiding such outstanding skills?

Even the prideful Nerian Hopenheim and Louis Wolfsburg followed Carl’s orders without complaint—something worth noting.

That was why the upperclassmen found the current structure of the first-year team quite unusual.

“It’s not a common structure. Usually, the top-ranking cadets are at similar levels, so it’s rare for one to dominate.”

“It was similar during our time, but this really might be a golden generation.”

The term “golden generation” was often thrown around whenever freshmen performed well.

But this year, it seemed to carry a different weight.

“Second-year representative team is ready.”

“Third-years have no issues~”

The representative cadets of the second and third years came to report to Darius.

Carl, who came last, also nodded and spoke to his second eldest brother.

“First-year representative team is ready as well.”

“Good. Then let’s get moving. Everyone, board the carriages.”

Originally, Walpurgis Night was held within each academy or at special off-campus venues.

But this year, the Empire intervened directly and built a dedicated Walpurgis Night tournament site in a different region.

If the results were favorable, the long-standing traditional event could continue to be held there.

Soon, the Bayern representatives left the academy grounds and began walking toward the prepared carriages.

Despite the early hour, a significant number of cadets had gathered, cheering on the departing representatives.

“Come back with a win!”

“Let’s win again this year!!”

“Carl, you got this!!!”

It was reminiscent of citizens sending off soldiers heading to war.

The cadets of the representative team straightened their backs even more and waved confidently to their surroundings.

After all, they were representing Bayern Academy.

The representatives began boarding the large carriage.

The representatives from each grade were to ride together.

Second-year Eriksen, third-year Jennier, fourth-year Darius, and first-year Carl.

The carriage carrying the four slowly began moving toward the teleport gate located in the center of the capital.

“Being a representative sure comes with perks. I got pushed into this, but it seems like a good decision.”

Eriksen, ever the cheerful type, opened the conversation with a grin, and Jennier, sitting across from him, nodded.

“Bayern handles things like this well. Being such an old institution, it still holds onto its traditions and formality. I got pushed into this too… except for one person here, I bet everyone did.”

Her gaze shifted toward Carl, who was seated next to her.

The position of representative on the team was, in truth, closer to an honorary title.

It was a bothersome role that required managing the other unruly peers as well.

Of course, it came with a fair amount of honor, but the responsibilities were a real hassle.

“……”

Carl offered only a faint smile.

The reason he had chosen to become the representative of the team was so that he could move freely without restrictions during the tournament.

Of course, it would have been possible even without taking the role, but there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.

So, he accepted the post and endured the minor inconveniences.

By now, he believed it had been a worthwhile choice, as it allowed him to further strengthen the first-year representative team.

“Carl.”

“Yes.”

“Even the Raging Flame will be sending reinforcements to help with tournament security.”

“If we’re lucky, we might see Brother Carius.”

“Almost certainly. Knowing Carius, he would have volunteered without hesitation.”

Darius chuckled and folded his arms.

His older brother had always doted on the youngest sibling, who had been frail since childhood.

Now that Carl had even become the first-year representative, there was no way Carius wouldn’t come.

His own presence was just a bonus.

“How’s the preparation in each year? Since I’m acting as the overall representative, I’d like to leave some definite results.”

Darius shifted the mood and posed a question to the cadets.

This would be his final event at Bayern.

So, he wished to produce the clearest outcome possible.

The weight of his words quickly filled the carriage, and Eriksen and Jennier answered with slightly tense expressions.

“The second years have each completed their preparations. We did well in our first year too, so this time should be no different.”

“We’ve also prepared thoroughly around me. The third years were especially driven after last year’s disappointing result.”

“Hmm.”

Darius nodded, seeing the resolve in their eyes.

Then his gaze turned to Carl, who still wore a faint smile as he answered.

“The only question is how far ahead we’ll be from the academies coming behind us.”

As if taking first place was a foregone conclusion.

The nuance of absolute confidence drew an awed exclamation from Eriksen, and Jennier narrowed her eyes.

“……”

Darius twisted his lips.

If someone else had said something like that in front of him, he would’ve smashed their head in.

‘But Carl is different.’

He couldn’t understand why this audacious kid had been hiding his skills.

Carl was so deep-minded that even guessing was difficult.

He had always been good at concealing his thoughts, so there was no point in wondering why.

‘Still, Carl is Carl.’

Darius decided not to think too deeply about it.

There had always been an oddly unique atmosphere about him, and to be honest, it just felt like what was bound to happen had finally come.

He had been surprised to learn that Carl, who he thought was just a frail child, had been hiding such skill.

But it was something to be glad about, so there was no need to treat him differently.

‘…Wait. Could it be that he intentionally hid his skills to avoid inheriting the lordship?’

That thought flashed through Darius’s mind as he looked into Carl’s eyes.

Apart from his hidden skills, Carl had always been sharp-witted since childhood.

If he stood out too much, it might cause conflict among brothers, or even lead to inheriting the lordship—was that why he intentionally kept quiet?

To Darius, Carl didn’t seem like someone who would tie himself down or belong to something.

So perhaps, like himself, Carl had been planning for his future from an early age—and that suspicion began to creep in.

“Hmm.”

Darius’s nature was to ask directly whenever he had doubts.

But since there were others present who had nothing to do with the family, he barely held his tongue and looked away.

“…We’ve arrived. Everyone off.”

As they conversed along the way, the carriage arrived at the teleport gate located in the heart of the Empire.

Some cadets who had arrived earlier were already getting off and preparing to move, and since their luggage had been sent to the tournament venue days in advance, everyone was traveling light.

“Please enter in groups of ten!”

Following the mage’s instruction, they began entering the teleport gate.

Having gone through the process several times before, Carl stepped forward calmly with half of the first-year representative team.

Vrrrrrm!

Along with a gut-churning sensation, a dazzling light overwhelmed their vision.

When the teleportation ended and they stepped outside, an unexpected sight greeted them.

“…?”

The tournament venue where Walpurgis Night was to be held should have been right in front of them.

It was supposed to be a direct teleport straight to the venue.

But what spread out before the gate was only a dense forest.

“What is this place?”

“Seems like everyone else is arriving too.”

“Did the teleportation line go wrong?”

The cadets who had gone ahead were also gathered with confused expressions.

Not only Carl but all the ones who teleported earlier seemed to have ended up here.

Vrrrrrm.

The gate activated again and began spitting out the remaining cadets.

Darius, the last to exit, frowned as he took in the surrounding scenery.

“Where are we?”

“That’s what we’d like to ask…”

One cadet replied with a puzzled expression.

Darius had already visited the Walpurgis Night venue to help with preparations.

Once you moved through the gate, the tournament facilities were supposed to be laid out immediately.

What was this forest?

“Could it be? The tournament starts the moment we teleport in.”

“…That makes sense. If so, then everything from this point onward would be part of the scoring.”

“Is this a new format?”

While the cadets murmured and speculated, Darius gestured to the team representatives.

“We’ll hold a brief meeting. Everyone else, stay on standby.”

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