Chapter 25. 12. New Ace (2)
Some of them wore expressions asking what that was supposed to mean, and began whispering among themselves.
"Did you hear? It's 2-on-1."
"We originally had one more person, but... still, does 2-on-1 make any sense?"
"Are they seriously telling Darren and Sam to face Rumian together?"
"It's not even Theoro, no, even if it were Theoro, this is still..."
Everyone in Class B couldn't accept it. With uncomfortable faces, as if they had been slighted, they looked toward Professor Karen.
Of course, the most angered ones were Darren Duncan and Sam Marcal.
They were skilled practitioners ranked second and third strongest in Class B, and had never fallen outside the top 10 in the entire grade.
And they had to join forces?
Moreover, their opponent was Rumian Callard, who had consistently ranked last in the grade until last year?
'This needs to be addressed!'
Sam Marcal snorted hot air as he looked at Professor Karen.
Normally, he wouldn't have dared to talk back or even meet her eyes properly, but with his head heated up, none of that came to mind.
"Professor, it seems there's a problem with the match..."
"Rejected."
"...Professor?"
But Professor Karen expressed her refusal before Sam could even finish his sentence.
It meant she intended to proceed with this nonsensical 2-on-1 match.
Then Darren Duncan stepped forward, trying to voice his opinion. But he couldn't.
He could sense a subtle anger in the professor's rapidly continuing words.
"Are you questioning the professor's judgment right now?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant..."
"Enough. I'll forgive your rudeness so far. It seems my explanation was insufficient."
"..."
Professor Karen looked over the Class B students. Then she turned her gaze back to the two.
They were staying silent because of her authority, but still looked unconvinced. It seemed right to explain and move on.
If she started the match right now without sufficient explanation...
'It could end immediately.'
That wasn't what she wanted.
Professor Karen cleared her throat and quietly spoke her thoughts.
"Darren, and Sam. I know you both take pride in your respective skills. Your grades are also in the upper ranks, and you've shown growth every time without being satisfied with that. As your professor, I'm very pleased."
"..."
"However, I cannot tolerate rebellion against my methods. I believe this final match has winning chances for both sides. No, I actually think Rumian's win rate is higher."
"...!"
"Student Rumian has achieved that much growth. During the break, and throughout the first semester."
Darren and Sam's faces crumpled.
As if they had heard an insult to their families, their entire faces turned bright red. It looked like they might lunge at her at any moment if she weren't their professor.
'They still don't believe me.'
It couldn't be helped.
Without knowing the circumstances, she might have shown a similar reaction. In fact, she had been bewildered when Rumian first revealed his skills.
It would be better to just proceed with the match and let them realize it with their bodies.
"Hm. That was long-winded. Anyway, the match proceeds as is. Darren Duncan and Sam Marcal will launch a joint attack against Rumian Callard."
"..."
"Rumian, think about what strategies are needed for a smaller force to face a larger one. Conversely, Darren and Sam, consider how to utilize your numerical advantage. Move delicately so you don't get in each other's way."
"Yes!"
"...Yes."
Rumian answered vigorously, while Darren and Sam responded in low voices.
It felt like angry beasts growling. Their gazes seemed to pierce through Rumian's body.
'I don't know what's going on...'
'Damn it, what is this situation. Whatever, since it's come to this...'
I'll beat him thoroughly!
Darren and Sam both had the same thought.
They would show an overwhelming performance against Rumian, letting everyone know that Professor Karen's judgment was flawed!
Having firmly resolved, the two raised their swords. Rumian also took his stance.
Confirming this, Professor Karen shouted vigorously.
"Begin!"
As soon as the words fell, Rumian quickly closed in on the two.
Swish-!
'What!'
Darren was startled. Rumian's speed far exceeded his expectations.
The sight of the guy penetrating their center in an instant and swinging his sword felt unreal.
Groaning through clenched teeth, he swung his wooden sword from left to right. It was to deflect Rumian's attack.
Boom!
The problem was what came next.
Rumian's sword, having met Darren's, was swung powerfully toward Sam.
Rumian's attack, utilizing Darren's defense against him, brushed past Sam's throat with terrifying speed, and without stopping there, he quickly spun around.
Thud!
Rumian's wooden sword, having lowered his stance at some point, struck Darren's calf. The entire sequence had taken barely 2 seconds.
Darren Duncan collapsed, clutching his leg.
Painful groans spilled from his mouth. Through this, the professor's stern voice rang out across the grounds.
"Rumian, victory."
"...!"
"...!"
Everyone was speechless.
Even the Class E students who knew of Rumian's strength reacted this way, so the shock Class B felt was beyond words.
Defeating the 2nd and 3rd ranked students of Class B with just two sword swings?
And by Rumian, the perpetual last-place student?
It was unbelievable.
But it was an undeniable reality. They couldn't deny what they had clearly witnessed with their own two eyes.
"Ugh..."
"Damn it..."
Darren and Sam glared at Rumian with aggrieved expressions.
They never dreamed he would have become this strong. Rubbing his stinging throat and massaging his aching leg, Sam and Darren thought to themselves.
If they were given one more chance, they could fight much better than this!
But it was too late for regrets.
The evaluation was already over. Professor Karen's pouring criticism made them face reality.
"Didn't I clearly tell you not to let your guard down?"
"..."
"..."
"I also told you to fully consider the advantages of joint attack. If you had taken positions on Rumian's left and right from the start, or occupied the front and back, this result wouldn't have happened. Am I correct?"
"...That is correct."
"That is correct."
"It was pathetic. Keep today's events in your hearts for the rest of the year and reflect on them."
Having finished her admonishment, Professor Karen's gaze turned to Rumian.
She saw Rumian standing with a slightly awkward smile, as if uncomfortable with the attention directed at him.
It felt quite different from when she had the one-on-one consultation with him.
'But that's not the only thing that changed. His skills have improved further.'
It was truly insane growth speed.
She had thought Rumian would have the advantage, but she never expected him to take victory with just two swings.
Even if it was a surprise attack exploiting their guard being down, she couldn't help but acknowledge it.
"Rumian Callard."
"Yes, Professor."
"Excellent surprise attack. The timing of your entry and the wit to turn your opponent's strength against them were both good. I commend you."
"Thank you."
"But it was too reckless. The best way for a smaller force to face a larger one isn't to fight many against one, but to fight one-on-one multiple times. Penetrating the center of two opponents from the start of the match was too much of a gamble."
"I apologize. I will keep that in mind."
Several more points of criticism followed. Rumian listened with a pleased expression, which pleased Professor Karen.
But contrary to his outward appearance, Rumian was letting the professor's explanation go in one ear and out the other.
Rumian wasn't in a position to receive such criticism in the first place.
Even the first point she made was like that.
'If I just run around aiming for one-on-ones, there's no style to it.'
What was important to Rumian was a flashy finish, not stability.
He continued pretending to take the professor's advice to heart while quietly listening to the children's conversations.
His hearing, enhanced with aura, caught the women's voices.
"He's really amazing... how did he beat Darren and Sam in just two exchanges?"
"I know... so cool..."
"Wow, that too, but I think it's amazing how he's accepting the professor's words."
"Right. He won so perfectly but he's still so humble."
"Seeing that side of him, Rumian is definitely Rumian, isn't he? He got so much stronger compared to last year, I thought he was a different person."
"Well, it's much better than getting strong and becoming arrogant. It feels much more reliable than kids who are full of bluster."
'Good, perfect!'
Rumian cheered inwardly.
He really liked the reactions of the Class E girls.
The Class B students weren't giving the reactions he wanted, probably because the shock was too great, but that was fine. What mattered was that he had announced his strength to the outside world.
If he continued to make efforts like this, someday all the second-year girls would show interest in him.
Thinking of such a future, Rumian answered vigorously to Professor Karen's final words.
"...Do you understand?"
"Yes. Thank you, Professor!"
"Good. Return to your place. I've talked too long."
Rumian bowed and returned to Class E. Professor Karen watched his retreating figure warmly, then hardened her face.
She looked around at everyone once, then declared in a solemn voice.
"This exchange match between Class B and Class E is Class E's victory. Bonus points will be awarded to Class E."
"Waaaaah!"
"Of course, even without bonus points, you can still receive good individual evaluations, so don't worry too much. That will be all."
With those words, Professor Karen left.
Immediately after, all the Class E students began approaching Rumian.
"Woooah! Amazing, Rumiaaan!"
"You were seriously the best today!"
"Insane! Beating Darren and Sam that quickly! What on earth happened?"
"The posture you taught us really helped a lot! Thanks, Rumian!"
'Damn it, get off me, you guys!'
Rumian screamed inwardly.
All the approaching students were male. The girls just clapped from a step back, none of them coming close.
They probably found it burdensome to push through the much more numerous male students.
'Damn it, damn it!'
Rumian forced his expression under control.
He wanted to curse right now, but he couldn't. If he did, his image would plummet to the ground despite leading his class to victory.
Looking at the men putting their arms around his shoulders, he said:
"Thanks, everyone won because you all worked hard!"
"What are you talking about! You worked the hardest!"
"Waaaaah! We won! We woooon!"
"Haha."
Theoro, who like the girls was keeping his distance, let out a light laugh.
He was the only one who could see through Rumian's current state of mind.
The sight of him desperately managing his expression so as not to show his annoyance was very entertaining.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
The flashy yet powerful movements Rumian had shown.
Recalling them in his mind, Theoro quietly nodded and thought:
'I need... to work harder.'
***
A few days after the exchange match.
The midterm evaluation results for the Knight Department's second year were announced.
Many students sighed, a few wore bright expressions, and occasionally some beamed with joy. Everyone couldn't be satisfied with their own grades, so these reactions were natural.
Having checked their own grades, the students then checked the name of the 1st place.
It was a habit. They knew it would be the same name anyway, but it felt uneasy to just skip over it.
But then.
[Joint 1st Place: Kal Krone, Rumian Callard]
"Huh?"
"Rumian? Who's that?"
"Rumian Callard? Isn't that the kid in Class E?"
"That kid? He's 1st place?"
The name of an existence they hadn't expected at all, someone who wasn't even on their radar, appeared at the top of the results.
It was the moment a new wind blew through Tarazan Academy.