Volume 7 Chapter 29-2 I Brought Them With Confidence. They Should Be Strong
A tense mood made some students nervously compare the instructor and Randy.
This was easy to understand. For these first-year students, this was only one of the few times they had real combat training. Unlike the high-ranking nobles who learned to fight from when they were kids, most commoners were holding a wooden sword for the first time.
Most of them had never been in a situation this tense before.
That's why, at first, the training focused on simple exercises to help them get used to the special feel of battle...
"Today, before the class starts, we will show a special fight demonstration."
At Gardo's words, all the students looked at him.
"You probably know him. This is Randolph Victor. He is running for student council president in next week's election."
When Gardo said this, Randy turned to face the first-year students. He held up a peace sign and said, "Vote for me."
"Now, I will explain the situation."
Gardo stepped aside, and Gustav came forward. He held his hands behind his back.
"You, the best students who will one day lead this country—"
"Can you hurry up? That would really help," Randy interrupted with a sigh.
Gustav didn't turn, but he twisted his face a little and said, "Well then, students," and began again.
"I believe excellent students like you need even better tools to reach higher."
Gustav spoke seriously about Randy's skill as a fighter. Randy came from an old family of warriors who had protected the Beast Forest, a wild border region. Randy was strong enough to beat an S-rank adventurer.
"He has been officially approved by the two teachers, the Arnathes, as being 'stronger than them.' He has been recommended for student council president."
When Gustav said this, a soft murmur spread through the crowd. They knew Randy was recommended by Gardo and Burk, but they didn't know why. The fact that he was stronger than the teachers themselves was a big deal.
For the students there, many who looked up to strength or wanted it, these words hit home.
This sounded like a big compliment to Randy, but he didn't hide his bad mood and muttered, "Tch."
It was nothing special. They all knew it was just a trick—praise to raise someone up, only to knock them down later.
They act like he is amazing, then beat him up with their own guards, and say, "He wasn't that great," just to make him look bad.
(A tired and worn-out trick.)
Randy, sighing inside, knew this trick worked well because it had been used so much that it became a habit. It worked, so from long ago until now, everyone used it, and it stuck.
By being praised by Gustav, Randy's image rose fast in the eyes of the first-year students.
"Well then. Although he will be your senior's opponent, this is Zaif Aldren, a retired soldier from the Imperial Army."
The man called Zaif bowed politely to the students with a strange smile. He looked polite, but with his head down, he glanced at Randy sideways with a sharp look.
"Everyone, watch carefully and see your brave senior."
Gustav stepped back, not telling the students more about Zaif. All they knew was that he was a former soldier. It helped the trick that no one knew his full story.
Gustav turned away from the students, smiled slyly at Randy, and whispered,
"It'll be over fast. Hang in there."
Only Gardo and Burk, watching Gustav walk away, sighed.
"Well then, leave it to your guard."
Gustav said this loudly enough for Zaif to hear, but the man's face did not change. Before Randy and Zaif faced each other again, Gardo and Burk told the students to stay back and be safe.
When ready, Randy stepped away from Zaif and bowed to the two teachers near him.
"Sorry for messing up the lesson..."
"It's not your fault."
"Yeah! You're just caught in grown-up problems!"
Gardo and Burk looked at Randy, not knowing to lower their voices. They shared a smile.
"Well then, let's get this done fast."
Gardo said with a smile to Randy and turned around. He called out, "Victor."
"The opponent is probably the former Imperial Army's biggest troublemaker, once called the [Black Wolf]."
"Huh. For a troublemaker, you're pretty quiet."
Randy answered, still staring at Zaif.
"He's a different kind of troublemaker."
Gardo smiled and explained that Zaif was cruel, torturing prisoners to death during missions. He hurt his training partners more than needed. He was a sadistic man.
"Bullying the weak, huh..."
"But his skills are real. After all—"
"It's fine."
Randy smiled and turned back to Gardo.
"This seems more fun than dealing with the teachers."
Randy's short line said it all. He showed great respect for Gardo and Burk.
Gardo sighed and said to Randy, who waved his hand back, "I'm not about to fight you."
"Well then. Are you ready?"
Zaif smirked and spoke for the first time in a voice mixed with a laugh, sounding like he was mocking. Randy did not react.
"I thought this was a pointless job, but it's not so bad. You seem strong."
Zaif smiled with his hands in his pockets.
"Thanks."
Randy shrugged.
Gardo stepped between them.
"Now, let's start the mock fight. Use wooden swords if you want weapons. If it gets too dangerous, Burk and I will stop it with force. Neither of you have any problems with that, right?"
The two nodded while staring at each other.
Gardo moved back a little and asked, "Are you ready?"
They answered quietly, and Gardo slowly raised his hand.
"Then, let's begin—"
At the signal, Zaif's head slammed into the ground—
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!