Chapter 59 – Field Trip to the Battlefield (5)

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 59 – Field Trip to the Battlefield (5)

The students were notified about the field trip to Ivronic Castle.

The news of a group outing had everyone excited.

Ivronic Castle is renowned throughout the Empire for its stunning scenery.

“Knightley, have you ever been to the Ivronic Castle?”

In the bustling dormitory lounge, one of Knightley’s followers asked her.

However, Knightley didn’t respond and kept looking at the announcement on the lounge bulletin board.

When Knightley didn’t answer, her followers, feeling a bit awkward, started talking among themselves.

They boasted about when their families visited Ivronic, the size of their travel parties, and how many nights they stayed at luxury hotels nearby.

Being ladies from prominent families, they were used to competing over such trivial and materialistic details.

Amidst this, Knightley was lost in thought.

A field trip to a historical battlefield—something that had never happened before.

Like the other changes over the past few months, this too occurred after Professor Dian’s appointment.

Did Professor Dian’s influence extend to this as well?

Typically, field trips to historical sites were the domain of the Theoretical Department, but it was hard to believe Dian had no involvement.

Currently, Dian’s influence at the academy was so significant that he seemed like the de facto headmaster.

He had overturned everything, normalized it, and garnered support from both students and professors.

He even turned a crisis into an opportunity when those absurd rumors about their relationship circulated last week.

Thanks to that, Knightley felt completely isolated like a duck in the Glonas River.

She had neither confirmed nor denied the scandal with Dian, subtly enjoying the attention, but then Dian announced in the auditorium hall that it was all a part of a psychological warfare exercise.

Her followers didn’t openly say it, but they were surely mocking her inwardly.

What? A special relationship with the Head Combat Professor? Ridiculous. It was all a bluff, wasn’t it?

Of course, the individual tutoring was real, but it surprisingly didn’t cause a huge stir.

‘She’s the top student, so she deserves advanced training.’

‘If it’s advanced training, it makes sense for the Head Professor to conduct it.’

‘I want to work hard and join that class too.’

‘I’m jealous of Knightley.’

Instead, there was a surge of students wanting to join that advanced class, making Knightley genuinely anxious these days.

As the daughter of the Duke of Toulouse, an influential family in the Empire, she had never known lack.

She always had what she needed and got what she wanted.

She wanted Professor Dian and managed to secure private lessons, monopolizing his time.

But not anymore. Everyone liked Dian and tried to win his favor.

Even her once exclusive private lessons were now exposed to many students.

Who knows if a new student might join, outshining her?

What if they were more talented? Prettier? More likable?

If Dian started liking that student more, it would be like having her prized possession stolen.

That could never happen.

But if Dian decided to take on a new student, what could Knightley do?

Professor Dian would definitely do that.

With this in mind, Knightley knew she had to prepare.

By practicing hard here, she would surpass the other students, especially Sophie, and secure the top spot.

Then, Professor Dian would not look at anyone else but her.

Alright, Knightley. Let’s do this.

As she had always done, she would prove herself through sheer skill.

Knightley dusted her hands with the rosin provided at the practice ground and began climbing the cliff.

# # # # #

A few days later, the day of the field trip arrived.

Graduating students in practice uniforms and combat boots gathered in front of the dormitory square, laughing and chatting.

“Are you alright...?”

“Mind your own business.”

Knightley responded coldly to her followers’ concern about her bandaged hands.

She knew they had been gossiping and badmouthing her behind her back during her nightly practice sessions.

She didn’t want to waste her emotions on such people.

Knightley’s gaze was fixed on Dian, who was standing at the front and yawning.

Just watch, professor. I’ll show you what I’m capable of today.

She clenched her fist and continued to stare at Dian, but he didn’t meet her gaze.

So instead, Knightley turned to the special student Sophie.

Sophie was easy to spot with her distinctive pink hair, standing on the opposite side, surrounded by lower-ranked students with a nonchalant expression.

After beating up Knightley’s followers, Sophie had inadvertently become a hero to the lower-ranked students who had been bullied.

Sophie would surely be flustered when told to climb a cliff unexpectedly.

But Knightley knew what Dian would make them do.

There’s no student at the academy who knows Professor Dian better than I do...

This gave her a sense of superiority and a thrilling excitement.

# # # # #

“Alright, everyone, get on the elevator in groups of ten!”

At the flat area below Ivronic Castle, after passing through the dimensional gate, the professors directed the students to board the elevator.

?!?!

Knightley was shocked. She had expected to climb the old path or follow Sir Linus’ climbing route up the cliff.

Confused by the unexpected situation, Knightley ran to Dian.

“Professor?! Why are we taking the elevator?!”

In response to Knightley’s question, Dian looked puzzled and asked back.

“Then what, do you want to climb?”

“It’s a field trip to a battlefield!”

“What are you talking about? Why would we suffer when there’s an easier way?”

“This... this wasn’t supposed to happen...!”

Seeing Knightley’s despair, Dian tilted his head in confusion.

[Translator – Peptobismol]