Chapter 46. < 21. The Genius Who Transcended the Wall (2)--From here on is paid content--
The final evaluation for the second-year first-semester swordsmanship exam was simple.
Before Professor Karen, the examiner, demonstrate one's greatest strength. That was all.
Unlike the midterm evaluation, there were no bonus points for half-victories, and since there were no opponents, there was less pressure.
However, as the evaluation marking the end of the semester, there was no way they wouldn't have concerns.
Rather, some found their minds more complicated than during the midterm evaluation.
'What is my strength?'
'Defense is somewhat better, but it's far from enough to call it my greatest strength.'
'I'd rather have a sparring match with clear victory and defeat. My head's going to explode!'
The academy cadets lacked both experience and contemplation. There was a significant difference between them and active knights who had walked their own paths for a long time.
That was why most of the children only hastily reflected on themselves after the evaluation criteria were announced.
Some asked their friends about their strengths, while others tried to find their own style and aptitude through sparring. Quite a few locked themselves in their dormitories to meditate.
Professor Karen, sensing the atmosphere change, smiled faintly as she thought.
'About now is when they should start deciding their own paths.'
A knight must have their own center.
Of course, it shouldn't be excessive to the point of becoming narrow-mindedness, but advancing blindly without one's own philosophy was never a good thing. This was merely a wanderer drifting aimlessly without a destination.
Through this evaluation, she hoped the cadets would seriously contemplate their own paths.
After setting clear goals, she hoped they would advance without wavering.
That was Professor Karen's wish.
With such pleasant anticipation, the time for Class A's final evaluation arrived.
Professor Karen maintained her usual solemn expression as she looked over the cadets.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes, Professor!"
"Good voices. Let's begin immediately. Come out in the order I call. Derek Carter!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Begin. Show me whatever you want, just feel at ease."
"Yes! What I will show you is continuous slashing."
"Continuous slashing... having an opponent would be better than swinging at empty air. Begin."
"W-well, how could I dare against a professor..."
Derek Carter wore a hesitant expression.
To attack a professor who was a veteran knight. It was an enormous burden.
But at the professor's following words, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Isn't that better than receiving my sword? Better than cadets whose strength is defense, right?"
"Gasp!"
Some of the watching cadets sucked in their breath.
Come to think of it, that was true. To prove one's defensive skills, someone inevitably had to attack.
However, the children hadn't thought the professor would personally attack. They thought at most a classmate would be assigned...
"Surely there aren't any who are changing their minds now? Don't think it won't show."
"......."
In the instantly subdued atmosphere, Professor Karen grinned.
She raised her sword and spoke to Derek Carter.
"Come."
***
'Were my expectations too high?'
Almost all the cadets' evaluations were finished.
Professor Karen looked at them with a sour expression. The children avoided her gaze with sheepish faces.
Of course, it wasn't an easy task.
Understanding oneself might be much more difficult than figuring out others.
But she hadn't expected that those who had contemplated themselves seriously would be this lacking.
'Everyone was just so focused on showing off on the surface...'
They hadn't pondered what their real strengths were, but instead thought about how to create a more flashy and impressive appearance. It was hard not to be disappointed.
'No, let's not be disappointed.'
Professor Karen shook her head.
These were children with their whole futures ahead of them. Perhaps this exam topic was too early for them.
If they could seriously contemplate their own paths through this event, that would be enough. They would probably show much more mature appearances from now on. And the evaluation wasn't completely over yet.
After a brief pause, Professor Karen called out the last student of Class A.
"Karl Krone, come forth."
"Yes."
The venue fell silent.
It couldn't be otherwise. Karl Krone's presence was always peerless.
His splendor was so great that it didn't seem like he could be the same age, and his skills were impressive enough to overwhelm even that atmosphere.
Everyone had no choice but to fall silent and focus.
But this time was even more special.
The intimidation emanating from Karl Krone's body was making the surrounding cadets nervous on their own.
Like a single sharply honed sword.
No, seeing him who seemed to have transformed into something even more majestic, Professor Karen spoke.
"I heard you skipped even liberal arts classes to train for the swordsmanship evaluation, and you've improved a bit."
A rather stingy evaluation compared to the spirit Karl Krone was currently displaying.
This was due to Professor Karen's personality.
No matter how important swordsmanship was to a knight, she thought neglecting basic classes was the wrong attitude.
'To be honest, I wasn't going to give any praise at all.'
But she couldn't bring herself to do that.
The growth Karl Krone had shown was just that astonishing.
To be at this level when not much time had passed since the Sword Arts Festival ended.
But this wasn't the end.
In the midst of silence, Karl Krone's sword began to shine blue.
"Wow!"
"What is that!"
"Is that an Aura Sword?"
"No, it doesn't seem like an Aura Sword..."
"Then what is it? The light is much more intense than surface reinforcement?"
'This guy, he's broken through the lower gate!'
Even for Professor Karen, she couldn't help but be surprised this time.
What Karl Krone was currently showing was a technique that could only be displayed when breaking through the first of the three gates leading to Sword Expert. And there weren't more than ten people across the entire continent who had reached that stage at age 15.
The genius who had been crouching had finally spread his wings and finished preparing to soar into the sky!
Clap clap clap!
"I must... acknowledge this."
Professor Karen applauded.
She had lost. She had no choice but to give high praise.
Of course, since breaking through the lower gate alone was dangerous, she planned to give separate warning, but there was no need to discourage him in this setting.
The future of the Tarajan Kingdom was here!
But then.
"Professor."
"Yes?"
"I have something else to show you."
Even this wasn't the end.
"Please grant me the opportunity to swing one sword, though I am still immature."
"......."
Whee!
Professor Karen raised her sword without a word.
The other cadets couldn't even breathe as they watched the two. It felt not like an evaluation venue, but like watching a duel with their lives on the line.
What on earth was he planning to show?
No matter how excellent the swordsmanship, wouldn't it pale in comparison to the shining sword he had just shown?
Everyone thought so. Even the professor.
But Karl Krone wasn't a fool.
He had enough confidence to overturn everyone's thoughts, which was why he could dare tell Professor Karen to raise her sword.
Swish-!
Professor Karen's eyes widened.
It was instantaneous. The sword that had risen to its peak the moment she realized something was falling with tremendous speed.
To block the curved movement flying in with acceleration, faster than a straight line, Professor Karen had to urgently raise her aura.
The power was in no way inferior to when facing formal knight order members.
Boom!
Screeeech-!
Immediately after the collision, Karl Krone was pushed backward, creating a long furrow with his feet.
But his face was full of smiles.
The technique he had realized during the spar with Lumian, but hadn't fully internalized.
For the past week, he had struggled to find this sensation again. And finally, just before the evaluation, he achieved the desired result.
"Huuu."
He let out a long breath.
It felt like breaking out of a shell.
Having collected himself, he stood before the professor with a dignified attitude.
Blood was flowing from his hand, but he didn't mind.
Professor Karen spoke.
"That was a sword like the king of the heavens."
"Thank you."
"Like an eagle diving to snatch its prey... it feels very different from before, and this is much better. Congratulations, you'll be first place in this final evaluation too."
It was high praise.
The evaluations for other classes hadn't even started yet.
Nevertheless, she spoke of first place. Considering Professor Karen's prudent nature, this was hard to easily believe.
But no cadets objected to her words.
Most of them hadn't even properly seen Karl Krone's sword.
They only saw something flash, and Karl Krone being pushed far away.
But then, Karl Krone objected to Professor Karen's words once more.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think so."
"Hmm?"
Professor Karen wore a puzzled expression.
She didn't think he was arrogant. His achievements today were too great to find fault with his talking back.
Looking at such Professor Karen, Karl Krone smiled.
It was a smile with a hint of bitterness.
'Still... I don't measure up.'
This semester, Karl Krone underwent many changes.
During the Sword Arts Festival finals, he acknowledged someone else's greatness for the first time.
In front of the Subculture Research Club building, he felt his own inadequacy for the first time.
And a week ago at the training hall, he overcame that weight and achieved tremendous development.
He had achieved internal growth, when previously he had been merely flashy on the outside, no different from a hothouse flower.
'And all of this... yes, it's thanks to Lumian.'
Without him, the current self wouldn't exist.
That was why he couldn't yet pride himself on being first.
Until this semester, he had no choice but to acknowledge that he was above him.
'Though I'll catch up later.'
Having finished his thoughts, Karl Krone grinned and shook his head.
Then he respectfully answered Professor Karen.
"When evaluating Class E, you might have to retract those words."
***
"...That's the story."
"I see."
"So my expectations are very high right now. Karl Krone has never praised others that much, you see..."
Professor Karen's eyes looking at Lumian were filled with half expectation and half doubt.
Seeing his explosive growth made her nod, but seeing Karl Krone's tremendous appearance made her shake her head.
Would he really have a move that transcends the shock he had shown?
'That guy, he seems fine now.'
Lumian briefly averted his eyes from Professor Karen's burdensome gaze as he thought about Karl Krone.
Not only showing excellent skill but also showing an attitude of acknowledging others.
Yet he didn't seem discouraged either.
It seemed safe to say he had achieved perfect internal growth.
It seemed there was no need to worry anymore.
'Then, I can also display my skills comfortably.'
Originally, he planned to match a similar level to Karl Krone.
But when everyone had such expectations, wouldn't it be wrong to let them down?
Thinking that, Lumian raised his sword.
'Shall I do it a bit strongly?'
Immediately after, Lumian's sword fell, and all the cadets wore expressions of shock.
Professor Karen couldn't even offer words of praise.
She just spent that night sleepless, late into the night, thinking of the talents who would support the Tarajan Kingdom.
***
A few days later, the rankings for the first-semester final evaluation were announced.
The children looking at the top of the ranking list wore surprised expressions.
But soon they nodded their heads and took the attitude that it could be so.
They could no longer think it was a coincidence.
They could no longer think it was an anomaly.
The appearance shown by this final evaluation's first place winner was impressive enough to make everyone nod their heads.
[1st Place: Lumian Kallad]
[2nd Place: Karl Krone]
[Tied 3rd Place: Teoro Shutgarne, Boomer Simpson]
[5th Place: Byrn Sigal]
......
[51st Place: Lena Willington]
The disgrace of Tarajan Academy, Lumian Kallad.
The moment had finally arrived when he stood alone at the summit.