Chapter 114: End-of-Term Report Card (5)

Chapter 114: End-of-Term Report Card (5)

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Among the first-year students, Rian was undoubtedly the most diligent in training. In fact, his training regimen was so harsh it bordered on overwork. He tackled it day after day.

Yet, his grades did not improve.

Although there were rumors that Rian had mastered Schema a month ago, the slow pace of his enhancement cast doubts on whether this was true.

"No matter that I'm the lowest ranked, I won't know unless I try. Who knows, things might surprisingly go well once I actually take on the challenge?"

"Haha, that's so like you."

Tess had never seen Rian tense. The fact that he, the least skilled in the academy, was so composed before a test where his limbs could be severed was oddly unsettling.

After all, it was the same back then.

Tess first became aware of Rian during the probation period.

Swordsmen, by nature, enjoy combat. With 300 such kids gathered, the atmosphere from the first day was tense. The instructors did not particularly interfere with what happened inside the barracks. Predictably, some wolves bared their teeth.

The pecking order was established in no time.

Those who had mastered Schema formed the first group, those with physical strength the second, and the rest, the third. The problem was with the trainees who didnt fit into the third group. They were boys with no interest in swords but were pushed into the academy by their parents.

Richard Faiger, the leader of the first group, relentlessly bullied these boys. Already naturally brutal, he had come to an academy where killing techniques were legally taught, and his restraints had been unleashed.

Tess didn't care. In terms of skill, she was in the first group, and the handful of women among the trainees were exempt from the hierarchy battle.

Rians rank was in the middle of the second group at that time.

With this ranking, he wasnt a target for bullying, but Rian didnt mingle with anyone. His reason for joining the swordsmanship academy was just one: to become a swordsman worthy of Shirone. Graduation or anything else didnt matter; he just wanted to improve his skills.

"Pffhahaha! Hey, run! Faster!"

"Giggle! Hee-hee!"

One day, the first group's trainees rode on the weaker kids' backs, staging a race in the barracks. They hit the "horses" with sticks, eliciting horse-like sounds with each strike.

Some trainees frowned at this, but most were engrossed in cheering, as if watching a real horse race. Small bets were placed, and showing dislike could lead to being at the bottom of the hierarchy.

"Faster! I'm winning! I'm winning!"

Faiger, leading the race, was thrilled. True to his nature of not accepting defeat in anything, even a playful race, he increased his strikes as the finish line approached. The human horse, crying and bleeding from his knees, had to crawl to keep going.

"Hee-hee! Haha!"

"Yess! I'm first...!"

Just as Faiger was about to cross the finish line, a blurry afterimage caught his eye, followed by a strong blow to the bridge of his nose.

"Ow!"

Kicked unknowingly, Faiger fell off the human horse. The following runners crossed the finish line in the meantime.

"Stop it. Is this your playground?"

Faiger clutched his throbbing nose, glaring at the blue-haired boy.

"You little...!"

Rian Ogent.

As far as Faiger knew, Rian was mediocre even among the second group. Realizing he had been struck by a boy who hadn't even mastered Schema, his pride was wounded.

"What, you want to die?"

Rian remained silent. His nature of conserving words hadn't changed since entering the swordsmanship academy. If he had nothing to say, he wouldnt make something up.

"Look at this guy..."

Faiger stood up, exuding murderous intent. The situation was tense, but the frightened trainees didn't dare intervene.

Of course, there were those who felt no need to. Tess was one of them.

This was a swordsmanship academy. In a group learning war techniques, standing up for the weak changed nothing. In the end, the hierarchy was always established based on strength.

"Oh, it's Rian, right? Causing trouble again."

To Faiger, there was no victory to celebrate. Just being engaged in a brawl with someone who couldn't even use Schema was shameful.

"You damn bastard!"

Losing control, Faiger grabbed Rian's shoulders, pushed him away, and then began to pummel him wildly. The dull thuds of his blows echoed across the yard. The trainees watched the one-sided beating with pale faces.

When Faiger came to his senses, Rian lay crumpled on the ground like a rag doll, still conscious. Seeing Rian's fingers twitch, Faiger's eyes blazed with anger.

"Argh! Annoying!"

Faiger's kicks bombarded Rian. It was only then that the first group trainees realized the seriousness of the situation and rushed over.

"Stop it! He might actually die at this rate!"

"Let go! I'm going to kill him! Die, you bastard!"

Rian's responses gradually slowed, and then his movements ceased. Faiger looked around. The fear visible on the faces of the trainees seemed to satisfy him somewhat.

"Listen well! This is what happens if you mess with me! Get some rope!"

Rian was stripped to his underwear and tied up with ropes. His muscular body bore bruises and wounds. Faiger, thinking it necessary to make an example, hung Rian on a tall tree.

Blood dripped down Rian's face, curled up like a shrimp.

"Hahaha! Looks like a worm on a fishing hook, right? That's what you get for overstepping your bounds."

"Ha, he must feel so embarrassed. Acting all high and mighty and then getting caught like this."

Jeers rained from all around as if they had won a war.

Tess frowned. It was disgraceful to inflict such humiliation on someone, no matter how weak they were.

And there were girls of the same age present. What could Rian be thinking right now? How hurt must his heart be?

"Uh..."

Rian regained consciousness. He hadn't lost it entirely, but he was far from okay. The numerous trainees around him were giggling, watching him like a monkey in a zoo.

Tess locked eyes with Rian. She tried to keep a neutral expression, as any sympathy could hurt him more. But, breaking expectations, Rian smiled and winked at her.

"Ah, I'm sorry about this. Especially in front of the ladies."

Tess maintained her indifferent expression, but something stirred inside her.

"Hahaha! What's he saying now? Even in this situation, he's still bluffing. Is he just a fool, after all?"

"Hey, be honest. Getting beaten up like that, do you think acting tough makes you look good? Youre just ridiculous right now."

"Aren't you embarrassed? In front of the girls in that state. Better bite your tongue and die."

Rian looked down at the trainees. Despite their numerous taunts, his gaze remained calm.

"It's okay. Even if it's embarrassing."

"Haha! Sure, someone like you would live with that shame all their life. Or maybe youre a masochist? Are you actually enjoying this?"

Rian calmly replied.

"I'll forget it soon enough."

Silence fell. An unexplainable, uneasy aura took over.

"I fought my best, so I'm not ashamed. Time will pass, and maybe days like today will fade into obscurity. But you know... can you really forget?"

No one answered. Their hearts were pounding rapidly.

"You, who didn't fight and just curled up, will likely carry this memory for life. And you'll regret it. If only I had fought back then, if only I had stood up. But you know, right? You can't turn back time."

The trainees' faces quivered. This was a fear different from the terror of Faiger's violence.

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