“Then, do you think you guys are in a position to say anything?”
“Olivia, no matter what, that’s going too far! We are nobles! How could a noble speak in such a vulgar manner?”
What about it?
“So, I healed you, didn’t I? Every time you got hurt, I healed you, and now what? Isn’t that enough? Are you saying I’m a fool because I helped? Huh?”
“No matter how much Olivia is, this is too rude.”
“Then why don’t you die if you don’t like it?”
I tilted my head slightly, and the nuns pointed their weapons at the students.
“Eek!”
“I’m telling you now. This is for your benefit too. Don’t you want to clear your name from the stigma of being attacked by a succubus?”
It’s not about being weak; it’s about becoming a truly strong noble.
By becoming strong and defeating anti-imperialists, I can bring honor to my family.
‘Why aren’t they doing it?’
“No, then only the men should do it. The women have done nothing wrong!”
The young ladies always try to avoid it.
‘How dare they try to avoid it? Women are better at handling magic, so why not think of using magic as support?’
“We don’t distinguish between men and women here. Who are the ones who stuck with Lily and insulted me? Even if men have weaker immunity to succubus magic, you girls are even more stubborn.”
“No, I never cursed.”
“Yeah. There are probably some who haven’t cursed. “
“After all, she’s Ashtar’s young lady. She’s not someone who should be cursed by other noble ladies.”
“So, what about it?”
I crossed my legs and spoke.
“Are you talking back to the great Tsesa?”
“Ugh.”
“Do you know what happens if you talk back to the great Tsesa? If I decide to, I can easily ruin your family, you know?”
‘If they aren’t idiots, they’d understand this much.’
They all look miserable and don’t argue back.
Right.
They seem to understand their place now that they’ve left Lily’s side and are lowering their heads.
‘But is that all?’
“In the first place, you’re too reckless! At least give us some time to prepare!”
Time, time. Nice words.
Time, huh? But I’m not planning on giving any time.
“I need to catch the anti-imperialists, what time are you talking about? Do you want to listen to me, or do you want to die here?”
“Ugh.”
***
The training began again.
After all, these are students of Atlerina.
They wouldn’t fall easily.
Nobles have pride.
Commoners are elites by nature, so they quickly got used to it.
“So, what do you think? Can these guys deal with the anti-imperialists?”
“We’ll manage somehow within a week.”
At least they need to be raised to the level where they can fight demons.
Since they’re clearly connected to dark magicians, I also need to consider the possibility of demons appearing.
“How much should I pass them in Stage 3?”
‘Stage 3?’
When I think about it, this is actually a high difficulty level.
Galedo is someone who fought dragons alone.
“Considering the professor’s skills, hmm. If they can at least land a hit, that would be good. I’d be happy if they can at least touch your hands.”
“You think too highly of me?”
“Well, considering you fought a dragon, even the nobles should be able to handle it.”
No one, even among the top adventurers, can defeat a dragon alone.
There’s no one like that on the whole continent.
“Oh? Where did you hear that I fought a dragon?”
“If you have any interest in adventurers, you’d definitely know about Dragon Slayer.”
Dragon Slayer Galedo.
Platinum rank adventurer.
In fact, he’s among the top of the top adventurers.
That’s why Atlerina, known for being strict, hired him as a professor.
“It was luck.”
“Luck is also a skill.”
“If you win against an opponent you can’t beat, just because you were lucky, that too is a skill.”
“By the way, it’s certain that the anti-imperialists will show up, right?”
“Yes.”
“You want to use the Atlerina students to show that the sprouts who will carry the empire are still alive and well.”
“Right.”
Anyway, the empire needs to stay strong.
Only then can we capture the Four Heavenly Kings, and it wouldn’t be possible to say that Seto and Clanis isn’t behind the anti-imperialists.
If my theory is correct, in the absence of the Four Heavenly King, Berna, there’s a chance we can make some moves and strike at the empire.
“Alright. Then we just need to make sure they don’t die.”
A murderous gleam flashed in Galedo’s eyes.
‘Yes. This is the kind of professor I wanted.’
An evil professor.
A professor obsessed with practical training.
I like this kind of professor.
After all, it’s not going to affect me.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Time passed again.
***
The students who had been scolded by me were finally able to gradually stand up to the nuns.
Of course, it doesn’t mean they’re winning.
They’ve only learned the courage to stand their ground.
The nuns’ skills aren’t easy to overcome.
“Ah. Ugh. Hah. Hah. This is hard. How much longer do we have to do this?”
One of the male students groaned.
“How much longer, you ask?”
“At least until the nuns get tired of you.”
“So, until we run out of stamina?”
“Isn’t that obvious? At the very least, we have to keep going until the nuns run out of energy.”
“That’s right. But unlike you, the nuns won’t recover.”
“Saint, 24 hours have passed.”
Havel flipped over the hourglass and started again.
And finally, the time had come.
***
Three whole days had passed.
Inside Havel’s hourglass.
“Hah. Hah. Hah.”
As the nuns began to tire, it was becoming obvious.
Good. Not bad.
They managed to make it this far.
I had expected it to take a week, but after setting up the basics, I ended up pushing the nuns into a corner.
At this rate, it might be possible to finish in 5 days.
After all, Galedo is just one person.
His gaze is different, so this time, he should be able to do quite well.
“Are you all tired?”
I asked the three sisters, who were clearly exhausted.
‘If we keep going for a few more days, the nuns will probably lose, so it would be better to wrap it up here and move on to Stage 3.’
“It looks like everyone’s eyes are better now. Alright, then let’s prepare for the next step. The next stage will be a bit more advanced.”
“What the… Huff, huff.”
“There’s more after this?”
Of course, there is.
“Why? Don’t want to? Or do the nobility of the Empire want to give up here? The commoners in the back may be elite enough to enter Atlerina, but you’re giving up here?”
Their eyes burned with anger at my words.
If I weren’t Ashtar, if I weren’t the Grand Marshal, if I weren’t the Saint, they probably would’ve attacked me by now.
But in the end, the students, armed with rage and no direction, got back up.
The three sisters decided to withdraw from here.
“Alright, then the next step will be handled by our professor.”
“Who? No way.”
It seemed like Kruas knew.
Yes, that one.
“I’ll introduce him. The person you’ll be facing next is the platinum-tier adventurer, the Dragon Slayer, Professor Galedo. Alright, everyone, applause!”
When I clapped, Professor Galedo entered shyly through the door, smiling.
“Are you crazy? You want us to fight that monster?”
“Exactly. We’re not fools. A few years ago, he came to our territory and hunted monsters. He took on a whole army single-handedly!”
Ah, I guess that got out.
It would’ve been better if they didn’t know, then they would’ve fought without any hesitation.
This is a bit tricky.
“So you’re saying you can’t do it?”
“Well…”
“Are you giving up here?”
I laughed at the students.
I mocked their pride and their families.
Kruas’s eyes hardened again, and the other students’ tempers flared.
“Don’t worry. I plan to show you some mercy. This professor, and Olivia, are not demons.”
“So, is there a condition for us to win?”
“Yes. If you can land a single blow on the professor’s body, that will be your task.”
“Just one hit?”
“Yeah.”
“So, what will Olivia be doing?”
‘Me? What do they think I’ll be doing?’
“I’ll be having fun.”
“We’re struggling like this and you’re just going to have fun?”
“Then get stronger. Okay?”
The students’ faces immediately aged.
“Aaaaah! Help!”
“You idiots. This is all you can do?”
There’s only one day left.
That should be enough.
It might even be good to leave them for a day.
Since they’ll recover, it won’t matter much.
Then I’ll adjust Havel’s hourglass and go outside.
There are probably a few people lurking around here, so… Ryan.
That guy probably cooperated with me too.
Just in case, tell them to help clean up the anti-Empire forces.
“Yeah. For example, those guys.”
A knight outside the training area was watching us closely.
‘What the hell is he doing here?’
“What are you doing here?”
I casually spoke to him, and the knight jumped in surprise.
“Huh? Ah, um, it’s our duty to guard this area!”
‘Duty, huh? It’s not guarding, but surveillance.’
I can tell he’s probably watching me, calling me a rebel.
‘So, what should I do about this?’
There’s no real reason to capture him here.
Looks like he’s just loitering nearby.
He probably never imagined we’d be training in the dining hall.
I’ll just ignore it and let it slide.
“If I don’t give them attention, they won’t try to mess with us.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Yes. If there’s anything inconvenient for you, just tell me, I’ll do anything!”
‘Anything inconvenient? He seems like he’s trying to get something from me, or maybe just trying to lower his guard.’
Whatever he’s thinking, it’s not bad.
I shook my head.
It’s better to just let it go without asking for anything.
“Well, then. Keep up the good work.”
“Eh?”
“No, just keep up the good work. I don’t really care either way.”
“Oh. Oh, okay.”
“I really don’t care. Do your best.”
“Ah, but by the way.”
“Huh?”
“Are you a knight?”
“Yes. I’m the youngest son of the Fram family from the Plant Duchy.”
‘The youngest son of the Fram family, huh? He must have gotten his noble title somewhere. I can tell just by looking at him. This guy is lying.’
Well, maybe I should mess with him a bit.
“Hahaha. That’s great. Then.”
“Huh?”
Here’s where a little arrogant noble can take over.
I gave Kruas the kind of fox-like smile he sometimes shows.
“Well, you know. Haven’t you heard that anti-Empire people are running around lately?”
“Ah. Ah, yes. I’ve heard.”
‘Is he uncomfortable?’ His voice is trembling.
Now, let’s push him a little further.
“All those lowborn, penniless guys are so arrogant, aren’t they?”
The atmosphere is getting heavier.
The knight looks quite uncomfortable with what I said.
I can tell by the way his expression scrunches up, trying to hide his discomfort.
“What do you mean?”
‘If he asks what I mean, I’ll answer.’
It’s only fair.
“It’s simple. Just look at Atlerina. There are so many talented commoners, but they don’t try. They just insult the Empire and stir up anti-Empire movements. Isn’t that pathetic? You, as a knight, should understand, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
This foolish knight tried hard to smile, but I could tell he was uncomfortable with my words.
“Please protect the Atlerina students from those idiots.”
“I-Idiots? Even so, shouldn’t a noble like you set an example?”
‘Look at that? He can’t control his emotions. He can’t act properly.’