Chapter 48 – Roderick (1)

“I knew you would do it!”

As soon as Chief Instructor Rousseau heard Henry’s exam results, he spoke almost shouting.

However, even while making an extremely proud expression, he was in a strange state of repeatedly becoming gloomy.

It was because he knew that although growth was a happy thing, the result of leaving the academy awaited at the end of such growth.

Moreover, the situation was that the Royal Knights coveted Henry.

They would have surely made a proposal, and Rousseau’s thought was that there was no way anyone would refuse such a proposal.

But.

“I refused.”

Henry Camilton was precisely that kind of person.

He kicked away the offer to enlist in the Royal Knights, and even tried to refuse the promotion to Class A.

Simply to keep his promise with Austin.

Also, the reason he refused to enlist in the Royal Knights was a bit different, but anyway, he said it was to follow the chivalry that Henry himself pursued.

By that point, Rousseau also ended up feeling absurd in reverse rather than regret.

“Henry, I don’t know what you think, but the opportunity given to you today is a really good… No, the word ‘good’ is far from enough. It is an immense opportunity. If it comes even once in a lifetime…”

“I know.”

“…….”

“But I have a reason why I must not accept it, Instructor.”

“You can’t tell me the reason, right?”

“I am sorry.”

Henry bowed his head in apology. What was revealed on his face was a feeling of sincere regret.

Also, contrary to Rousseau’s concern, Henry accurately knew the value of the opportunity given to him.

It was just that the reason Henry could not speak of was higher than the value of the opportunity.

“Then I have nothing more to say. Congratulations, Henry. Although three years have passed, as a result, from the moment you rose to Class A, your achievement has surpassed the majority of trainees.”

“Thank you.”

“The only part where I can receive gratitude is the fact that I provided you with useful elixirs. Other than that, I do not deserve to receive your greeting.”

“I do not think that way.”

What Rousseau bestowed upon Henry was not just elixirs.

Before Henry had built up sufficient skills yet.

Although it was a short period, it was definitely Rousseau who looked after his convenience within the academy.

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

The determination not to go to the Royal Knights was confirmed.

However, the fact that he belonged to Class A meant that from now on, Henry Camilton would reveal his skills to his heart’s content.

Within the academy, it held only the meaning of dividing groups of trainees, but from the moment he left here, it was different.

Because numerous noble families would already have their eyes on the figure of Henry Camilton.

“I plan to see my father first. Could you perhaps issue me a vacation pass? If the period is about three days…”

“That won’t do.”

“I understand.”

“I did not mean it in that way. It means that from the moment you belong to Class A, vacation passes are meaningless. Class A trainees can go out freely at any time.”

“Without any conditions, you mean?”

“There is one condition. Just as trainees in Class B and below listen to lectures, it is the same for Class A trainees. However, the number of practical classes is not many, and almost all of them are filled with missions.”

All Class A trainees possessed the skill of a 1-star knight or higher.

As such, instead of meaningless training, a process to allow them to accumulate actual combat experience was prepared.

That process was none other than the mission.

Structurally, it was about making them perform tasks corresponding to low-ranking knights.

“When there are no missions, you may go out freely as much as you like. Even when performing a mission, if there is time left until the scheduled date, it is also possible to wander around leisurely.”

“Can I postpone a mission?”

“You must perform it. Because you only avoid losing points by completing it within the period handed down. However, fortunately, even if you are outside, there is no obstacle to receiving missions.”

“Is that the dean’s support?”

“This would be about all I can tell you. You will find out soon anyway. The important thing is the fact that you can go to see Viscount Camilton as much as you like.”

As Rousseau said, that much information was sufficient for Henry right now.

It was the same for Austin.

However, if there was a difference from Henry, it was the fact that Austin was not holding any expectations for the dean’s “support.”

“Because whatever I receive, they will all be things that already exist in my family. I’m not bragging. You know, right?”

If it was money, there was more than enough.

Although there were objects that could not be obtained even with money, the treasury of the Roderick family had an interior almost like a general store.

Naturally, he had eaten and used everything that was said to be good.

So for Austin, interest could not arise even if it wanted to.

“In the first place, if it was skills that would increase with such things, they would have increased already. In my opinion, Henry, that is a sort of trap.”

“A trap?”

“You think so too, don’t you, Instructor?”

Austin looked at Rousseau, but no answer returned. He only shrugged his shoulders as if he had nothing to say.

That was soon the answer.

“I don’t know what the dean plans to give, but it will probably be amazing things. Logically speaking. Of course, the effect will be immense when used right away. Because things that didn’t work even after training for several months will be broken through with a single use of the objects there.”

“Probably.”

“That is the trap. If one could become a 7-star knight with only the items there, the enlisting conditions of the Royal Knights would have become much more stringent. But the reality is that if one is a 7-star knight, they can enlist setting aside all other conditions. Except for a tiny minority like traitors to the kingdom.”

Henry also agreed.

Austin was, for once, speaking only correct words.

No, rather, the expression that his eyes were out-of-nowhere serious was correct.

“Once you fall for that taste, it is over. At some point, a limit will come, and the persistence to surpass it won’t be left. So, ultimately, while it is support, I think it is as good as an exam.”

“These are words of someone who has experienced it.”

“It’s Roderick, after all.”

Once again, Austin hung a silly smile.

It was just that he had sincerely advised out of worry for Henry, and the statement that he held no expectations was also true.

Henry stared blankly at such an Austin.

‘What on earth is this guy?’

It was a thought that arose every time he looked at Austin.

It was the same for Austin looking at Henry, but the reasons were slightly different from each other.

Also, unlike Austin who had no way to resolve his curiosity.

Henry had a way.

[Information: External (Individual): 2,283,000 won]

* You can check another person’s information in concrete values.

It was an item newly added to the sponsorship shop not long ago.

At that time, Henry only purchased his own “Information,” and could reap considerable benefit with just that.

‘I don’t need it that much yet…’

It was as much as 2.83 million won.

Had it been before, there would not have been even room for hesitation, but now Henry possessed a substantial level of sponsorship funds.

‘Among the items purchased here, there was not a single one I felt was a waste.’

The Archmage’s trade was reliable.

He had priced clear values on all items and placed them on the sponsorship shop, and if anything, they were cheap, but there was absolutely no item he felt was “expensive.”

[Purchased ‘Information: External (Individual)’.]

[You can read the information of all external (individuals).]

* You can read the basic information of all external (individuals).

* You can check the information of a specific external (individual) in more detail through additional purchase.

‘Indeed, is it this way.’

Henry purchased the product after a brief contemplation.

The explanation faced as soon as he purchased was simple.

It meant that it would show anyone’s basic information for now, but by paying an additional fee, one could verify the additional information of that specific individual.

“Why look at me with those eyes all of a sudden?”

“I have something to think about. Wait.”

Henry immediately opened Austin’s information.

[Austin Roderick]

[Comprehensive Evaluation]

* Possesses overwhelmingly outstanding ** ** compared to the same age and gender. Also, the skill to handle ** is overwhelmingly outstanding.

* Possesses outstanding ** ** compared to the belonging group. Also, the skill to handle ** is intermediate.

‘It is the same as when I checked my information.’

It was a part already anticipated.

Henry Camilton’s own information had also been written like this, and as soon as he paid the additional fee, other information popped up additionally.

[Sponsorship funds: 1,880,313 won]

[Settlement scheduled: 637,222 won]

‘I still have leeway.’

In any case, he did not plan to look only at this.

Since he had already spent the money anyway, Henry willingly opened his wallet.

[New information has been unlocked.]

[Austin Roderick: 4-star Knight]

* Level 43

* Alignment: Chaotic

* Main Weapon: Dagger (dual wield)

* Excels in stealth and surprise attacks. Avoids direct combat and prefers combat environments that can be utilized.

‘……What?’

Henry narrowed his eyes without realizing.

As soon as he opened the first page, he faced awkward details.

The alignment written as Chaotic.

Even details that he excelled in stealth and surprise attacks, and preferred a combat method utilizing the surrounding environment.

Weren’t these characteristics that only suited an assassin?

‘And even daggers. He had never used them in duels.’

Also, decisively.

“The look in your eyes is quite strange. Staring at me so intensely. It’s making me uneasy.”

Contrary to what Austin had said, his skill was that of a 4-star knight.

But seeing that his main weapon was written as a dagger, it was clear that when he used other weapons, he was at the level of a 3-star knight.

“Austin.”

“Yeah?”

“You and I need to have a talk later.”

“I am always waiting with an open mind. Just say the word if you want. I will be a serious counseling partner for you.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Immediately, Henry brought up Rousseau’s information as well.

It was to compare.

Whether only Austin had details like this, or others also had similar contents.

However, Rousseau’s information was within the bounds of common sense.

‘A 4-star knight. Seeing that he is level 48, he is close to 5-star. His alignment is Good. It has become certain that Austin is a crazy guy…’

At least it was a relief that he wasn’t Evil-aligned.

The term Chaotic might simply mean his mental state was unique.

If it was only that much, Henry was fully willing to accept it.

‘But verification will be necessary. Perhaps… I might even have to keep a bit of distance. It would be nice if that weren’t the case, though.’

To grasp something more accurate, he had to invest additional sponsorship funds.

However, it was a situation where spending that much felt wasteful.

For now, after settling the situation and waiting, the long-awaited contact arrived through Rousseau.

“The dean has summoned you. Both of you are to go, but you will talk one by one. He says you may decide the order freely.”

***

The one who talked with the dean first was Austin.

His reason was that since it was contents he didn’t expect much from anyway, he wanted to settle it quickly and check out the new dormitory.

Unfortunately, because Henry was called as soon as Austin came out, there was no time to ask various questions.

“Hello.”

The dean’s office had not changed from when he came before.

It was still ordinarily luxurious, and the dean’s hairstyle was likewise a curly silver-grey.

Pushing up his small-rimmed glasses, the dean smiled broadly.

“The protagonist of today has arrived. There aren’t many cases of meeting me again in such a short time like Trainee Henry Camilton. Even then, most were for unpleasant reasons. This dean thinks of it very happily.”

“Thank you.”

“Sir Melissa, a Royal Knight, did not spare praises. Saying that a talent like Henry Camilton must not be left at the bottom. Thanks to that, this dean was also able to avoid missing a precious talent. It is a truly joyful thing.”

“……Thank you.”

“You will be assigned to Class A as of today. There was no school regulation dealing with cases of climbing two stages, but I made one right away after hearing Sir Melissa’s words. Anyone can challenge if they are confident in their own skills, but if they fail, they will have their assigned class lowered by one stage.”

“When I rose to Class C, it was also two stages or more.”

“Below Class B is not important. People don’t care either. School regulations are ultimately made out of necessity.”

The dean received the words without even a change in expression.

Although it was a tone felt somewhat cynical at a glance, Henry could tell that was not the case.

Because the dean’s expression was filled with confidence that literally said, ‘I am the owner of this academy.’

BJ Swordmaster