Chapter 283 (Bonus chapter from donations)
Naturally, not just anyone can have an audience with the Emperor. He doesn't meet with just anyone either.
One must consider the consequences.
For a commoner with no noble status or connection to the royal court to seek an audience with the Emperor, they must at least accomplish something like saving the life of the First Princess.
Although, in reality, this would be the second time.
That's why meeting the Emperor is an honor of a lifetime in itself.
However, I am not someone who will live their life considering this a lifelong glory.
When the Emperor requests to see me, I am filled with worry rather than honor.
The Emperor would know many secrets unknown to the masses, and there's a high possibility that even Bertus and Charlotte are unaware of those matters.
He may be able to discuss the activities of the revolutionary forces without taking sides, as well as inquire about the affairs of magical conspiracies like the Black Order.
Alternatively, he might obtain information about numerous highly confidential spells and forbidden artifacts.
Putting aside whether the Emperor will trust the information I provide, and whether he will give me the information I seek, let's consider our possible points of connection.
It could be temporary or continuous. As long as my abilities help stabilize Charlotte's condition, it will be closer to the latter.
The Emperor will want to meet me soon.
I don't know when that day will come, but I suspect it will be after the festival ends and the winter break begins.
——
Friday.
The final exams have ended.
"Ugh, finally! It's over!"
As expected, Kono Lint's exclamation was a predictable response to the end of this tiresome second semester.
Furthermore, starting next week is the festival. We will enjoy the festival for a week, and then the winter break begins.
Although the final exam scores haven't been released yet, I believe I will rank in the upper-middle range. Of course, I won't reach the top ranks due to my numerous absences.
From the beginning, I wasn't particularly concerned about it.
Of course, although the exams are over, for some, the real challenge starts now.
I, who will participate in the first-year tournament.
Ellen, who will participate in the Miss Temple competition.
Cliffman, who will participate in the Mister Temple competition.
And, Harriet, who will participate in the Unrestricted Class Tournament.
"Harriet, are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm telling you, I'm fine. I've thought it all through."
Ellen's participation in Miss Temple was surprising, but what truly astonished everyone was Harriet's decision to enter the Unrestricted Class Tournament. It's already a disadvantageous situation for a magic major, and it's not even a first-year competition but an Unrestricted Class one.
The preliminaries begin tomorrow.
From Saturday to Sunday, the preliminary rounds will filter out the main competitors, and from Monday to Wednesday, the main tournament will take place.
Following that, the Unrestricted Class Tournament will commence on Thursday.
Winners of each grade's tournament will be granted entry to the main Unrestricted Class Tournament, but the decision to participate is left to the individual.
I haven't decided whether to participate yet, but it wouldn't be bad to try. Even if winning the Unrestricted Class Tournament is impossible, there's no harm in challenging myself.
It's ridiculous to assume victory before even attempting to win.
The first-year tournament preliminaries begin on Saturday, followed by the Miss & Mister Temple events. After that, I'll have to deal with the remaining tasks during the winter break.
Kono Lint was excited, as was Liana. She grabbed Ellen and Cliffman's hands and began to pull them along.
"Let's go!"
"Yeah."
"Uh… Do we have to…? Ah, ah, okay, okay! I'll go! I'll go!"
Cliffman tried to say something, but Liana's murderous glare drained the color from his face, and he reluctantly nodded. Liana was excited in a different way than Harriet, and her enthusiasm was evident. It's hard to imagine her ever being so diligent.
Anyway…
What should I do about Miss Temple?
Who should I choose?
I agonized between what would be beneficial and what would be realistic, and the decision was headache-inducing.
Cliffman and Ellen would not be in the training grounds today, and there would be no one there. They would probably stay at the noble's mansion over the weekend and return only when the preliminaries took place. They seemed to have obtained permission to stay at the dormitory beforehand.
Harriet went to the Magic Research Club's dormitory, so there weren't many people in our dormitory.
In any case, the first semester of the first year has come to an end today. The festival is just a festival.
Despite the cold winter weather and the absence of people near the Royal Class dormitory, the festive atmosphere was palpable. Perhaps it's just how I perceive it.
The student council had filled the festival with numerous performances, concerts, and friendly sports matches, instead of the main events, the Royal Class and Orbis Class competition. Cooperation had been sought from various clubs and even graduate students. While it's disappointing for those who were looking forward to the competition, there's not much to be done about it.
I didn't let my guard down.
With no one in the training grounds, I took special lessons from Saviolin Turner. Of course, Ludwig and Scarlett were also there.
Delfin and Erich didn't come. Both had their reasons.
Erich, that kid, seemed to be trying hard lately, but it was clear that he wasn't doing well. He had talent, but he'd played around too much until now.
Nonetheless, he had talent in swordsmanship.
I only had an aptitude for swordsmanship, not talent. But my skills were far better than those of the talented Erich.
In the end, I realized how much Ellen's presence had helped me.
It was as if I had talent in swordsmanship.
Being taught by an exceptional genius, my achievements in swordsmanship surpassed those of talented individuals.
In a way, Ellen was like a doping potion for me.
Though a year is a long time, it is too short for an amateur to surpass a prodigy. Naturally, I can't help but reassess what I've been through so far.
I remember Ellen, who began teaching me swordsmanship, saying, "That's not how you do it."
My efforts, which started in Adriana, gained momentum when Ellen intervened. If I were alone, I would have accomplished nothing. I might still be living as someone inferior to the likes of Erich.
"Good. However, when you put in full power, your precision decreases. That's an issue."
"Don't get excited, Reinhardt. Your greatest flaw is…"
'Is it disappointing to hear it called a flaw?'
It's apparent from the expression on my face. Please stop favoring me so much.
"Your Magic Body Strengthening is still quite unstable. Of course, the fact that you can do it at all is impressive. Don't take it as a criticism."
Saviolin Turner not only watched me but also observed Scarlett and Ludwig, of course.
At first, Saviolin Turner seemed a bit reluctant with Ludwig's excessive fighting spirit. To be precise, it seemed more burdensome than unpleasant.
She favored me, and it was clear that she liked Scarlett personally.
However.
"Ah, I'll do it again!"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine! I'll do it again!"
"Maybe now…"
"No! Just one more time!"
As Ludwig persistently rose after being harshly treated, Turner's demeanor seemed to change.
'What is he? A troll?'
'He said his talent was stamina…'
'Strange…'
'What is he?'
'Scary…'
Ludwig continued to request Turner's guidance with unwavering enthusiasm from the beginning.
Ludwig is an excessively honest character. This refers not to human honesty but the honesty of conviction.
I may be lacking, but I believe I can improve.
I may be weak, but I believe I can grow stronger.
I may falter, but I will grow through it.
He's a character drawn from the sentiment of old-school comics.
Cliché and obvious, yet when confronted with such a person in reality, it's frightening.
An unbreakable human.
Someone who continues to challenge even after dozens of defeats and collapses.
"I'll do it once more!"
I thought I was relentless.
But as I watched Ludwig, who clenched his teeth, fell, twisted his wrist, took hits, and still thanked this opportunity with a constant smile, asking Turner for guidance, I felt anew that the truly relentless ones were people like him.
It's said that those who strive can't beat those who enjoy themselves.
"Scarlett, let's practice together while he's doing that."
"Ah, yes, Reinhardt."
I was the one who strove.
"Huup!"
Ludwig was the one who enjoyed himself.
The hero.
With an unbreakable mentality, standing by the one who would save the world.
-Clang!
I diligently swung my sword.
——
"Reinhardt."
"Yeah?"
After the special class had ended, Ludwig called out to me.
"You're participating in the first-year tournament, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Scarlett and I have decided to participate as well. Did you know?"
"Oh, really?"
It wasn't surprising, as I had expected them to participate. What was unexpected was that Scarlett, who would have originally participated in Miss Temple's event, was joining the tournament.
Pointing towards the training grounds, Ludwig said:
"I'm going to practice some more. I don't know if Teacher Turner will agree to help, though."
He grinned mischievously.
"If I lose to you too pathetically, it'll be rude, right?"
Ludwig seemed to believe that he couldn't beat me.
Nevertheless, he would give it his all. That's the kind of person he was.
Let's put in the effort.
Live kindly.
Be honest.
He seemed to be made of such common, clichéd sayings turned into a person.
"I'll be going then! Good luck with the preliminaries tomorrow! I'll do my best too!"
"Alright."
Ludwig had become much stronger than his original self. It was the reward for not getting tangled up in troublesome matters.
But as I got tangled up in more troublesome matters, I gained strange advantages.
Thus, having been caught up in numerous strange incidents, I was definitely stronger than Ludwig now.
However, would I be able to remain stronger than Ludwig in the future?
He, with his unrealistic mentality, had no limits. Surely, he must have traits akin to a hero's bloodline as well.
It seemed that Teacher Turner was aware that Ludwig was no ordinary person. Although Turner appeared to be slightly burdened by him, their synergy was ultimately not bad.
Since he met her earlier, Ludwig would become even stronger at an incredible pace.
Turner might have held these special classes with the purpose of teaching me, but in reality, they would lead to Ludwig's rapid growth.
He would probably cling to Turner throughout the entire break. Although Turner might not be fully aware, she would probably not refuse Ludwig's request for help.
——
"Reinhardt."
"Yeah, what is it?"
In the B-Class dormitory hallway, Scarlett called out to me.
"Would you like to have a meal?"
"A meal?"
I realized I hadn't eaten dinner due to the special class. Still, it was surprising to hear Scarlett say this.
"Her Highness Charlotte suggested we have dinner together if we have time."
Ah, so that was it.
No wonder she didn't seem keen on additional practice before the tournament.
Since Charlotte had returned to the dormitory, we had both been cautious around each other, merely exchanging greetings when we crossed paths and not engaging in any deeper conversations.