All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 245

123. First Come, First Served – 1

The news of the Iron-Blooded Duke’s execution spread like wildfire.

I anticipated a civil war, but there were no signs of one. This was because the Iron-Blooded Duke’s son, Selim Fellake, who logically should have been the figurehead of any rebellion, was revealed to be a demon.

When even the Sun Cult announced that he was a massive dragon capable of blotting out the sky, the nobles of the empire were paralyzed, unable to act rashly.

They couldn’t even entertain the notion that the Sun Cult was colluding with the Vlad imperial family to spread such rumors.

Too many people had witnessed the dragon firsthand.

Even the knights of the Fellake Knights, and the bishops of the Sun Cult, testified to the truth of the claims.

There was no point in making a fuss about inheriting the Iron-Blooded Duke’s legacy or succeeding him.

All they would gain was the reputation of having joined hands with a demon.

Furthermore, the Emperor, who had been secluded in the inner palace and neglecting state affairs, finally stepped forward.

He ordered a thorough investigation into the Fellake territory, revealing widespread human trafficking and horrific human experimentation that had been taking place there.

As a result, the nobles were forced to proceed with extreme caution.

“There’s one more thing,” May said, glancing to one side while they ate in the cafeteria.

Her gaze was fixed on Ian, who was eating alone in a corner.

“Ian eliminated that dragon.”

Selim, the Iron-Blooded Duke’s son, was actually Gehern of Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins [powerful demons representing fundamental vices].

Rumors were spreading that Ian had defeated such a terrifying being—a dragon slayer who had killed countless dragons, and a great demon who had devoured countless archdemons and become a great demon himself—with a single strike.

“Ian was directly involved in capturing the Iron-Blooded Duke, so they have to be even more careful.”

The great explosion in the southern Great Plains.

And the awe-inspiring display of annihilating the dragon in one blow.

To others, it might sound like an exaggeration.

However, Swan, who had actually witnessed the explosion, believed that all the rumors were true.

“Ugh… I wonder what Ian’s limits are. But with that level of power, shouldn’t he be considered a Grand Master [a title denoting exceptional skill and mastery]?”

Of course, the Sword Saint [a legendary warrior renowned for their swordsmanship], the Forest Keeper [guardian of the natural world], and the Emperor were all powerful figures.

But she wondered if it was accurate to evaluate Ian on the same level as them.

“Is he just too strong? So strong that he’s beyond human comprehension? People who don’t know anything can’t even approach him.”

As May pointed out, no one was sitting near Ian.

When there were no other Fredon Academy students around, he mostly kept to himself, and few dared to approach him easily.

“Still, they seem too scared…”

May, who knew Ian and realized he wasn’t that intimidating, felt sorry for him, but Swan shook her head.

“They don’t want to get caught in the crossfire… They wouldn’t want to offend someone who caused that explosion and took down a dragon in one hit.”

“Still.”

“No matter how safe a lion may be, those who don’t know it will only fear it.”

As they were whispering, students who had finished training began to enter the cafeteria.

“Hey, Ian. Why are you eating alone?”

The Imperial Academy students and the Fredon Academy students were definitely different in their approach.

Blanche approached with a cheerful smile as always, and Wilval even sat down next to him.

“Did the training time increase more than expected?”

“That bastard Balla lost to Princess Charle, so it increased. Ugh, I don’t know why I’m suffering like this.”

Wilval chuckled at Blanche’s grumbling.

When Ian went to capture the Iron-Blooded Duke, the Imperial Academy had been in an uproar.

Charle, who was only at the user level, had defeated Balla, who was a master.

The result was akin to a child with a stick defeating a heavily armed knight, so the Imperial Academy was almost in a festive mood.

Of course, the Fredon Academy was in a state of mourning.

Eventually, Blanche went out and defeated Charle, but the fact that Balla had lost was a problem in itself.

Because of that, Aranse, who was understandably angry, ordered the Fredon Academy students to train without rest, and everyone was doing just that.

“Anyway, there’s training scheduled for the afternoon… What are you going to do?”

“I have to teach Charle as usual.”

“Isn’t Princess Charle busy?”

“What would she be busy with?”

Since the Emperor had taken over the state affairs, there was nothing for the royals to do.

Ian, who answered vaguely, was sipping his soup when the entrance of the cafeteria became noisy.

It seemed that Osnen, who had been out hunting monsters, had arrived.

He emerged from among the bustling Imperial students and approached the seat where Ian was sitting.

“You’ve caused quite a stir.”

“Any complaints?”

“Not really… I’m just curious if what I heard is really true.”

He sat down and asked about the stories he had heard after going to the Imperial Palace.

The execution of the Iron-Blooded Duke.

And the story that his son, Selim, was actually Gehern.

Everything that was happening in the Fellake territory.

As Osnen recounted everything he had heard, Ian nodded.

“You heard correctly.”

“I see. Then my brother, Pasedin, had his talent stolen after all.”

“I guess?”

Osnen sighed heavily at Ian’s indifferent response.

“…Really? Then what should I do?”

“You’ll have to take a Talent Star [a magical artifact that grants special abilities] or train in some other way.”

Osnen rubbed his face as Ian sipped his soup and replied.

“And I heard one story on the way here.”

“About Charle?”

“Yes. Charle was a mage until I went monster hunting… Suddenly, she switched to being a magic swordsman. After receiving your teachings.”

“That’s right.”

“Did she use a Talent Star? I heard that to make that Talent Star, more than a hundred people have to be sacrificed.”

If that were the case, it would be a serious problem.

No matter how royal she was, such a way of building power would not be tolerated.

“She didn’t use that.”

“Really? Hmm… Then, Ian. I have a request.”

“If you’re asking me to give Prince Pasedin similar training, I refuse.”

“…Why?”

“I haven’t even seen his face, I don’t know who he is, and I don’t know his tendencies. Why should I help him?”

He only reached out to Charle because he liked her.

He had no intention of helping him just because he was Osnen’s brother.

Osnen sighed when Ian cut him off.

“If you’re done with your business, leave. I’m going to…”

It was then.

The cafeteria, which had been buzzing because Ian and Osnen were together, fell silent.

It was because of the blonde girl who had entered the cafeteria.

“…Brother.”

“Ah. Yes.”

It was Charle.

She flinched and trembled when she saw Osnen sitting in front of Ian.

Osnen gave her a bitter smile and stood up to approach her.

“I’ll cheer you on.”

“…Yes.”

“Although you’ve become so strong with Ian’s help, that can also be seen as an opportunity. Don’t miss that opportunity. If you don’t want to regret it.”

“…Ah. Yes.”

Her tone was still laced with annoyance, but Charle didn’t say anything else.

As Osnen left, Charle approached Ian and said.

“It’s training time.”

“Okay.”

Ian drank the rest of his soup and got up from his seat.

“Then we’re going to train, so you guys work hard too.”

As he left with Charle, taking Myane with him, Park Bare had a serious expression on his face.

“If Charle becomes a master like that, won’t we be unable to beat her too?”

“…We shouldn’t be playing around. Hey. Come out. Let’s fight.”

Training was over.

Charle, who had been thoroughly beaten again today, headed to the temple for recovery.

“Haa…”

Sighing, she looked at her arm, which had been repeatedly struck by Ian.

There was a pain that felt like her bones would break, but strangely, there wasn’t a single bruise.

They say it takes talent to hit someone effectively, and it certainly seemed that way.

How could he hit her so painfully to the bone without leaving a single mark on the outside?

“It’s difficult. It’s difficult.”

Feeling bitter, she arrived at the temple and tilted her head.

There was someone she didn’t recognize in front of the temple.

A tall woman with red hair and a sword, and an elf girl with a lovely appearance.

Charle, who was observing them, wondered.

According to what she learned at the Imperial Academy, the red-haired woman should appear much stronger.

But for some reason, the elf girl, who was shorter and smaller than her, seemed incredibly powerful.

‘Is it just my imagination?’

As she was looking at the elf girl with doubts, the elf girl looked directly at Charle and smiled gently.

“Amazing. It’s like a huge building is being built. You’re learning from an excellent teacher?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh… Your tone…?”

“This is how this princess normally speaks.”

“Princess? Ah… Are you Princess Charle?”

The elf girl looked Charle up and down and smiled.

“I heard you’re learning from Count Ian. Well, if you’re receiving his teachings…”

“By the way. Who are you?”

Charle was wary.

As Ian’s name gained prominence, more people were showing interest in her.

That meant that there might be people who would try to exploit Ian through her.

There were so many people who wanted to create an opportunity to meet Ian, using her as an excuse.

Charle suspected that the woman and the elf girl were those kinds of people.

As she became wary, the elf girl smiled.

“I’m Tiel Kaelin.”

“…Sword Saint?”

When she took a step back in surprise, Ian appeared behind Charle.

“What brings the Sword Saint here?”

At Ian’s question, the Sword Saint said with a serious expression.

“I heard from the Saintess [a high-ranking religious figure]. That traces of Kesin [likely a dark entity or cult] have been found along with the Red Moon faith in the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“I came to participate in the subjugation…”

It was then.

A number of knights entered the temple where they were.

The knights in jet-black armor glared at Ian and the Sword Saint with terrifying eyes and said.

“Count Ian. And Sword Saint. His Majesty is looking for you. And…”

One of them turned his gaze and looked at Charle coldly.

“Princess Charle, His Majesty has ordered you to come as well.”

“Why does this princess have to go?”

“I do not know.”

In the end, Charle sighed and followed them.

When she entered the inner palace, she saw the Emperor sitting on the throne.

Just sitting there was enough to make her body stiffen with fear.

As Charle bit her lip, frightened, Myane approached her.

“Myaa~.”

Was it thanks to Myane’s cry?

Charle was barely able to muster her courage.

“Why are you summoning people here and there?”

She looked at Ian in surprise.

Even in front of the Emperor, he asked with an indifferent attitude.

As Charle admired his courage, the Emperor said coldly.

“I have finished investigating Tilda Toan, whom you mentioned.”

“So?”

“There were definitely strange things. Especially since the Red Moon faith was spreading in the places she moved to.”

As he handed over the report made by the Imperial Intelligence Department, the Sword Saint received it and gritted her teeth.

“…I see.”

The Emperor, who glanced at her as if suppressing her anger, continued calmly.

“And. She left the Empire through the gate this morning.”

“You missed her?”

“Yes.”

Ian frowned at his words.

“How can you be so incompetent?”