Chapter 299

Chapter 299

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 299: Age of War Enthusiasts (1)

With the conclusion of the ranking battles for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year students, the final exams at the Colosseo Academy have come to an end. Now, the students, along with their parents, proceeded to the auditorium for the closing ceremony.

From there, it’s straight into the vacation. After brief consultations regarding academic achievements over the past year, students can return home with their parents.

A multitude of people, including students, professors, and parents, gathered in the central auditorium of the Colosseo Academy. Among the crowd, certain individuals stood out prominently.

A colossal figure towering close to 3 meters, clad in the fearsome hide of a sea lion, turned inside out. On his back, he wielded a spear as large as a harpoon. He had beastly golden hair and a cheerful demeanor.

“Son! Congratulations on your victory! Your old man can’t stop laughing!”

Cervantes Donquixote, the head of the Donquixote Clan, the spear king, congratulated his son, Tudor, with a hearty laughter.

Right beside him, a gloomy voice interjected, “Are you deliberately talking so loudly?”

Despite being slender, with features comparable to Cervantes, a tall stature, a corpse-like pallor, large yet ominous eyes, bloodless thin lips, and long, spiderweb-like hair.

Roderick Usher, the head of the Usher House, the Bow Demon.

He glanced briefly at his daughter Bianca following which he fixed his gaze back on Cervantes.

“Congratulations on your son’s victory, Cervantes. Though I’m not sure if his victory is worth celebrating.”

“What did you say? Every victory is worth celebrating. Are you complaining because your daughter settled for second place in front of my son? Huh? You’re such a sore loser.”

“Sore loser? No way. Surely not.”

Usher opened his mouth toward Bianca trailing behind him.

“Daughter, tell me clearly why you withdrew in the last moments..”

“Yes, father.”

Bianca followed Usher’s gaze.

There stood Tudor, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“I don’t enjoy showing off in front of the audience. It’s not like we’re performing monkeys in front of a street vendor.”

“What! A monkey!!! So why have you been fighting to the best of your abilities all this time?”

“...Are you really that clueless? Until the finals, we fought privately within the school. But for the finals, even though our parents were spectators. I didn’t want to flaunt my family’s archery skills to those with no understanding.”

So, in a crucial moment, Bianca skillfully dodged Tudor’s spear and gracefully retreated, choosing to forfeit outside the ring.

Roderick chuckled.

“Haha, Monkey in front of a street vendor. Be careful with your expressions, daughter. Remember, there is a legal offense for defamation.”

“Yes, father. The law is a stern thing, so it must be obeyed.”

Usher and Bianca rushed towards the main auditorium, with the attendants following suit.

Left behind, Cervantes, Tudor, and Donquixote’s attendants all snorted, almost synchronized.

“Stay right there! Hey, Usher bastards! Arrogant Monkies, you said?! How about a showdown with me right here?! Yoo-hoo!”

“Bianca! You...! No wonder you forfeited so anticlimactically! Come here! Let’s go at it again!”

Both father and son were the same.

However, the surrounding people quickly shifted their attention elsewhere.

Besides the notable figures of Usher and Donquixote, there were many other remarkable individuals.

For instance, the head of the Reviadon Clan, Hopps de Reviadon, and his youngest son, Granola de Reviadon.

Quovadis Clan – Pope Nabokov I Quabadis and Saintess Dolores L Quovadis.

Baskerville Clan – Lord Osiris Le Baskerville, and his half-siblings: HighBro Le Baskerville, Middlebro Le Baskerville, and Lowbro Le Baskerville. Apparantly Lord Hugo came as well, but he left to do some work.

He delved into retrospective tales of how many graduates secured stable jobs, achieved noble academic accomplishments, and became remarkable individuals. The stories revolved around results and achievements.

“Colosseo Academy’s students may emotionally dislike their strict parents and teachers, but these individuals are valuable guides, teaching their children and disciples the strength and wisdom to overcome hardships and challenges that lie ahead. Now, for those students just entering the school and those soon leaving, you have all worked hard for a year.”

Some students teared up at these words. Professor Banshee, with a stern yet warm voice, continued his speech.

“May you always have tasks at hand, spare change in your wallets, paths appearing at your feet, the ability to quickly make enemies and even more quickly make friends, respect from neighbors, and ignorance from those who wish you harm. May the wind always blow at your backs and the sun shine on your faces, and if it rains on your journey, may a rainbow appear soon. may you always be blessed with love and adoration. May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings. I hope that the saddest day you will ever have is better than the happiest day you have had so far. And may your destinies be filled with peace, love, hope, prosperity, accomplishment, and satisfaction..”

With this, Professor Banshee concluded his speech with a brief (or not so brief) speech. The applause from students erupted loudly, especially from those supported by the noble and aristocratic factions.

Continuing the atmosphere, Principal Winston stepped onto the stage.

.

He looked around at the students with a bright smile that belied his age.

[“The Vice principal said such kind words, I feel pressured. Haha, I should have prepared a good speech too, but oh well.”]

Amidst the audience, light laughter echoed in the auditorium.

Soon after, Winston began his solemn speech with a serious expression and tone.

[“It might be a common piece of advice, but... I want to say to all of you, give your best in every moment.”]

He looked around with a compelling gaze and continued.

[“Some of you may know, but I’ve been away from the school for the past few months. Due to a mana surge, my health deteriorated significantly.”]

Winston’s long absence as principal had allowed Banshee to skip a lot of formalities and step right into the position of vice principal, and he had now pushed aside the principal faction and was almost in complete control of the academy.

Parents, teachers, and senior students were well aware of this intricate power structure, so they nodded silently.

In the midst of this, Winston spoke more sincerely and with a touching voice.

[“I understand the pain. How precious health is, and the value of each moment. Not knowing when we might die, we must live each moment to the fullest.”]

He addressed the students in the front row.

[“This applies to everyone, not just heroes like soldiers or firefighters who risk their lives. Even just you, at any moment, slipping in the shower and hitting your head on the tub could be fatal. Eating your favorite seafood and falling ill, or getting hit by a falling potted plant, or even a sudden mana surge. These are all aspects of being human.”]

The atmosphere among the students became slightly tense at the principal’s words.

[“Humans can’t predict when they will die. That’s why we must live each moment to the fullest. Even during the upcoming vacation, don’t forget the preciousness of life and time. Live a life without regrets, even if you were to die tomorrow, no, even at this very moment...!”]

At that moment,

...Thunk!

A small sound reverberated.

The sound of thin skin tearing and the squishy contents bursting.

The sound was not loud, and the time it reached their ears was extremely short.

...Yet it was enough to make everyone in the auditorium momentarily hold their breath,

[...Cough!]

A burst of bloody fluid erupted from Principal Winston’s mouth.

Something protruded from behind the stage, piercing through Winston’s back and jutting out from his heart.

A knife? No, it was too long for that.

Then a spear? No, it was too limp.

Long, and wriggling like a snake.

...Whoosh!

Spraying a fountain of blood from Winston’s chest and back, what emerged was a single ‘whip.’

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]