The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar Chapter 10: Calculated Partnership [2]

Carlo, whose pupils shook at the direct ntion, answered curtly and then sharply turned his head away.

"A big-frad fellow acting so flimsy. I want to summon a golem and plant a fist in his face."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

At that mont, the firmly closed door of the lecture hall slid open.

The sound of clicking heels mixed with light footsteps. It was a pair of man and woman who entered.

"The Knight departnt is all gathered. Professor Rosalia, how is the Magic departnt?"

A red-haired man with a fairly large scar on his face spoke while looking around the audience.

He was Grad Xant, the professor of "War and Practical Dueling Techniques" for the second-year Knight departnt.

"All second-year Magic departnt students are here as well. Fortunately, there are no latecors."

The owner of the blue-black hair that reached down to her waist, Rosalia Wienderk, the professor of "Combat, War, and Magic" for the second-year Magic departnt, answered.

"I see."

Grad strode forward and stood at the podium.

"I see you've all paired up well and sat together. I'll call attendance. I hope there are no fools who have discrepancies between their submitted partners and the actual ones."

He began to call the roll. Among the total of 100 pairs, 200 students, there were no false or incorrect submissions.

"Hmm, there are unexpected combinations, but all is set. Professor Rosalia, do you have anything to add?"

"No."

"Then I'll start the first joint class right away. It's practical training."

"Practical training?"

"What kind of practical training?"

As students began to murmur, Grad lightly tapped the lectern. The commotion subsided.

"Generally speaking, there's nothing better than real-world experience to confirm what you've learned. From now on, you'll be thrown into the field."

Tap, Grad touched the crystal ball placed on the lectern. The crystal ball emitted light and displayed a single image.

It was the mountainous region in the northern part of the Academy.

"This lecture is a joint lecture of 3 subjects from the Knight departnt including 'War and Practical Dueling Techniques' and 3 subjects from the Magic departnt including 'Combat, War, and Magic'."

Assistants began circulating and distributing maps.

"The destination is marked on the map being distributed now. You must reach this place within three days. But it shouldn't be too early or too late. It must be exactly at 12 o'clock noon, three days later. Any questions?"

As Grad finished his explanation, hands were raised here and there.

"Will the points be reflected in our grades?"

"It's the third most important after the midterm and final exams."

With those words, the eyes of students who had considered it a light test changed.

"Is conflict with each other allowed?"

"There's even extra credit if you catch others."

After answering a reasonable number of questions, Grad confird that the map distribution was complete and clapped his hands.

"Once you've received the map, please enter the magic circle in contact with your partner."

Rosalia, who had drawn the magic circle in the large training ground of the lecture hall with the assistants, said.

And so.

"Then I wish you all luck. Oh, there are unexpected combinations."

Flash-

Just before the mana and light enveloped them, Gerhard's eyes t Grad's.

The first class had begun.

***

After the light of the magic circle enveloped their bodies and the world turned upside down, when they opened their eyes again, what unfolded before Gerhard and Luina were the northern mountains.

Dense mountains. Rugged terrain where the cries of beasts and monsters mixed.

"Where are we?"

"We'll have to check from now on. With map reading..."

"Wouldn't it be easier to just use magic?"

"Is there a magic that can tell us our location?"

Gerhard shrugged nonchalantly.

"No, I an let's get up high and survey."

"Isn't that still a branch of map reading?"

"Let's skip the minor details."

At that mont, two figures appeared with rustling sounds.

"...Gerhard?"

"...Luina?"

It was a pair of man and woman. Their nas were probably...

"Knight departnt rank 71, Jane Hucks. Magic departnt rank 77, Ned Falan."

Their complexions turned pale. From the perspective of these relatively middle-ranked students, eting 10th-ranked Gerhard and second-ranked Luina right from the start could be considered damn unlucky.

"Ah, hello, Gerhard..."

Ned, who had been awkward and kept a distance due to Gerhard's authority, waved his hand awkwardly.

"What do you want to do?"

It wasn't a question for them. It was a question for Luina, who was silently watching from behind.

"I should be asking you. What would you like to do?"

"I'll follow your opinion."

"Didn't you say you were a rchant?"

"But you're a knight. Desire for extra credit is dripping from your eyes."

"Does it not matter to you?"

"I'm saying I'll endure it for your sake."

"Why?"

"Because you're worth it."

Of course, as soone who was certain to beco a Royal Knight, and related to his downfall, he needed to build goodwill.

That's why he beca her partner.

"...Honestly, I don't understand the reason, but for now, I won't refuse."

After hesitating briefly, Luina nodded. At that mont, her figure disappeared.

"Run away!"

Jane Hucks urgently shouted, but Luina was faster.

—!

The wind blew as the blade struck toward them. With a ringing sound, Jane's sword, which reacted instinctively, wavered.

A brief exchange. After five moves, Jane staggered. Luina didn't miss the large opening that appeared.

"No!"

Ned shouted urgently. A blade of wind aid at Luina's side.

—!

A sharp aura split the wind, but that brief gap was enough for Jane to regain her posture.

"Even if it's you, did you think I'd just quietly beco extra credit for you to use!"

Jane targeted Luina's disrupted side. Simultaneously, from the opposite side, the wind was shot once more.

It was a critical situation, but Luina remained calm.

Swallowing her breath, she cut through the wind blade and flung herself in that direction. Jane's sword sliced through empty air.

"No!"

Jane, realizing what Luina's intention was, urgently pursued. And at that mont, Luina reversed and stabbed Jane's chest, which was full of openings.

—!

A shockwave erupted.

"...!"

Jane fell, trembling.

A translucent shield was blocking between Jane and Luina's sword.

Whoosh-

The magic map, having fulfilled its mission of protecting Jane, burned away and disappeared.

"One team down," said Luina, looking down at her with cold eyes.