The students were quite tired; it was now three hours since the events started.
Many were filled with deep impressions of various Lords.
"My Dear students, today was a wonderful display of our empire's future lords and protectors. It makes my heart feel great pride to announce the leaders of the rankings for this year's rookie Lord trials!"
Merlin stood in his glorious robes, a wide smile on his face.
So many unknown lords with wonderful commanders, others with their mere tenacity and effort impressing him deeply as he watched the students with glazed eyes.
A huge whiteboard began to display highlights of the day over the huge monolith, images of Lancelot's amazing swordsmanship and transformation.
The powerful red dragon of Lady Guinevere, Percival's mythical Sherwood Forest archer commander.
Merlin's eyes shimmered with the beautiful blue cross with four stars as he watched the screen and the students in the Arena.
Students could enrol in these trials from the first year, and the second years were forced to ensure they fulfilled their contract and summoning ceremony.
Failures were immediately kicked from the academy, and all secrets and knowledge were removed from their mind with forbidden magic.
So unlike the second-year trials, the first years normally had less than 100 challengers.
"I am pleased to announce this year's first year's top ten!"
"Their rewards are becoming part of the prestigious Elite Lord Class, 1,000 silver coins and a basic body training manual."
"10th" is The image of a cute girl with absurdly long blue hair wrapped around her body, her hands casting balls of ice at her enemies in the Advanced Trial.
"Maria Lovell from the southern city of Devona, her adorable Ice Fairy Queen allowing her to reach the top ten despite her lack of training!"
"Congratulations!"
Countless students cheered, following Merlin's clap as the beautiful girl skipped onto the stage.
Her body was wrapped in blue hair and a cute robe with blue eyes peeking from the large wizard's hat.
She was given a small bag of the 1,000 coins and a small book with a muscular female doing a bicep curl on the cover.
The cute girl didn't speak much, like a little blue cat, as she bowed to Merlin and skipped off the stage, holding a new silver and black robe to wear.
Merlin continued this way until they reached the top three.
He lifted both arms, strange magic flickering from his fingertips, causing the monolith to once again hide the current table of the top 10.
"Now then! For the top 3, the reward will be far greater!"
"First, all the rewards of the top 10 are given!"
"Second, they can choose a single Professor of ANY level and year as their mentor!"
"Third and the most amazing! They will be able to visit Avalon next week! Three weeks earlier than the rest of the year!"
"Wow!" The crowd became unsettled, causing many who didn't sign up to feel regret.
Everyone knew that the sooner you went to Avalon, the faster you could improve.
In the real world, there was no way to summon your supporting troops or increase the power of your current troops or yourself as a Lord.
Once you visit Avalon, everything changes.
Your status as a student and person would be increased, from a civilian to the lowest tier of Noble, while you serve as a Lord, increasing with more contributions to the realm.
You can use the training manuals of your commanders and bring them into the human realm using your Ether to maintain their form. Otherwise, you need a special territory to keep them in the true realm longer.
Like the huge arena platform which allowed the entire Academy to manifest summoned units for exams and general duels.
It was the dream of all aspiring lords to enter Avalon early.
Because First years were protected for the entire year.
No powerful monsters or enemy Lords could attack them thanks to the extensive barriers each kingdom developed, giving them a chance to survive.
-
A huge display showed the beautiful Lady Guinevere and her powerful young red dragon burning the enemies with ease in the Advanced Trial ground.
Her test was sadly a gauntlet which slowly took its toll on her dragon; even if she fought well with her lance, she almost fell in the final wave.
Thus her second-place position was lost easily.
Lancelot watched from the side of the stage, his body still feeling strange from the sudden increase in power.
He tried to avoid moving because he had grabbed the iron railing earlier and bent the support bars because of his newfound strength.
'Damn... she is beautiful, but...'
Morgana's face and body flashed through his mind, the little temptress now sleeping in his Lord Space.
'Morgana is better.'
"Congratulations on the legendary summon, Princess Guinevere." Merlin gave a respectful bow before handing the Elite robes, a bronze key and the other prizes other people were given before her.
"It wasn't enough." She replied before walking away.
Her face was flat, hiding her emotions until her eyes moved across Lancelot's body.
For a moment, there was a strange flicker of emotion deep within her eyes as she walked down the tunnel to leave.
'What was that about? Such a strange woman...' Lancelot thought, turning back to the stage.
[You are so dense...Why does my master make women swoon for him...]
[Is it the handsome face? The large manhood?]
[Or maybe his stupid enchanting swordsmanship!]
'Oh, Morgana! Did I wake you up?'
Her voice sounded sleepy, but her words made him feel a little guilty; of course, he knew the woman's feelings towards him.
However, one betrayal was enough. She might have her reasons for not coming to support their armies, but he couldn't forgive her just yet.
'Maybe one day I'll know the truth because she died soon after...'
"2nd!"
"Hotaru Sumika!"
An image of a woman with a curved eastern blade, the girl was born in this empire, but her ancestors came from a glorious nation named Nippon.
They were known for their warriors with unbreaking will and their agents of guile and stealth, the Ninja and Kunoichi.
She hopped onto the stage with a graceful movement, wearing an eastern style of the academy's uniform, hiding her voluptuous curves and her twin swords hanging down at her waist.
Merlin gifted her the rewards before she gave a sincere bow and headed towards the exit near Lancelot.
[Again!?]
Sumika also gave him a strange look this time, but it wasn't romantic affection—rather the affection of one warrior to the next.
Her petite body bowed towards him, the raven black hair dancing around her neck as she showed Lancelot respect.
"Your swordsmanship was beautiful; I hope to clash blades with you on the battlefield one day!"
Sumika's voice was bright, like a sunflower in the summer sun.
Lancelot also smiled at her, wanting to fight this woman.
Her swordsmanship used dual swords like his, but her's was based on the Eastern concept of iaijutsu.
A style where the sword would be quickly drawn, like lightning slashing once or several times and based on extremely disciplined and accurate swordsmanship.
"How about we train together sometimes? I feel my sword lacks your sword's extreme discipline and accuracy and would love the chance to improve it further!"
Sumika was halfway towards the tunnel before she turned to him with glowing eyes, beaming like almond suns.
"I would love to!" (Nippon Common Language)
"Hahaha, Let us train well together," Lancelot responded in her language, causing her face to turn red, but she had a happy look.
Like a little girl given candy by her grandfather, she skipped down the tunnel with a happy face.
He could hear her humming for several minutes before the stage became noisy again.
[Ah... These damn women are coming out of nowhere!]
Lancelot wanted to listen to Morgana, but Merlin's loud voice caused him to become excited and ignore her.
"NOW! Without further ado!"
"I present to you our academy's most shining star!"
"The first to clear the Nightmare trial with a perfect score in over 10,000 years!"
"His swordsmanship ethereal like a dance within a dream!"
"A handsome young man you young girls all swoon for!"
"His name, Lancelot du Lac!!!!"
"His rank! Number ONE!"
The moment he was about to jump onto the stage, huge screams and shouts filled the Arena.
Lancelot wasn't popular.
But thanks to his handsome face, he began to thaw the icy hearts of female students.
Then his beautiful and powerful display of swordsmanship destroyed their dislike, winning them over.
Even the boy's found him more interesting.
Not to mention his super sexy succubus commander!
For a moment, Lancelot stopped still, his face looking around; even the teacher Evaine was cheering for him. A strange feeling filled his chest.
A sense of pride that was long lost in the distant battlefield.
'In one life I am embarrassed and scarred for life after an accident...'
'Now, I am cheered and welcomed with open arms...'
[Accept their affection. Take what you deserve. Your recognition is long due, my king!]