But even so, his grades didn't improve.
I found out that he mastered Schema a month ago, but his reinforcement speed was so slow that it made me wonder if it was true.
"However much I'm at the bottom, I won't know until I try. Who knows, things might go well when I actually challenge it?"
"Huhu, yeah, that sounds like you."
Tess had never seen Rian nervous. It was a strange feeling that Rian, who had the weakest ability, remained calm in the face of a test that could lead to limb amputation.
"Well, it was the same then."
Tess got to know Rian during the trial period.
Swordsmen are naturally inclined to fight. Since 300 of these children were gathered, the atmosphere was fierce from day one. The instructors didn't particularly interfere with the matter within the academy. So, as expected, some wolves showed their teeth.
Hierarchy was sorted instantly.
Those learning Schema were in the 1st group, those with strong physical skills were in the 2nd group, and those who were neither were in the 3rd group. The problem was the cadets who couldn't even make it into the 3rd group. They were boys who had no interest in swords but were pushed into it by their parents.
The leader of Group 1, Richard Faiger, persistently bullied these boys. His nature was fierce to begin with, and now that he had come to a military academy legally teaching assassination techniques, his moderation was unleashed.
Tess didn't care. With her skills, she was one of the top ten women among the cadets in Group 1, and she was free from hierarchical competition.
At that time, Rian's rank was in the middle of Group 2.
At this level, he wasn't in a position to be bullied, but Rian didn't fit in with anyone. There was a reason he enrolled in the swordsman academy. Graduation didn't matter. His only thought was to somehow improve his skills and become a swordsman worthy of Shirone.
"Puhahaha! Hey, run! Faster!"
"Neiiigh! Neiiigh!"
One day, Group 1 cadets rode weak boys and held a race in the barracks. Each time they struck the boys playing the role of horses with a stick, horse-like cries erupted.
Some of the cadets frowned, but most were absorbed in cheering as if they were watching a real horse race. It was a small amount, but it was a real race with money involved. Also, if they showed displeasure, they could become the same person crawling under them.
"Faster! We're winning! We're winning!"
Piger, who was in the lead, was thrilled. True to his character of not tolerating defeat in anything, he was going all out even in a mock race. As the finish line loomed, his beating became more violent. The cadet turned racehorse had to crawl on his knees, crying and bleeding.
"Neiiigh! Neiiigh!"
"Oh yes! I'm number one...!"
As he was about to cross the finish line, a blurry figure appeared in Faiger's eyes. Then a strong impact hit his nose.
"Ugh!"
Faiger, who had received a kick without realizing it, fell off the racehorse's back. Meanwhile, the stragglers crossed the finish line one after another.
"Be moderate. Is this your playground?"
Faiger covered his throbbing nose and glared at the blue-haired boy.
"Damn you...!"
Ogent Rian.
As far as Faiger knew, even in the 2nd group, his skills were mediocre. His pride was hurt when he realized he had been hit by a guy who didn't even master Schema.
"What's wrong with you? Do you want to die?"
Rian didn't answer. His reserved nature didn't change even after entering the swordsman academy. He doesn't invent any words if he has nothing to say.
"Look at this kid..."
Faiger stood up, showing his will to fight. It was a tense situation, but none of the cadets, prey to fear, stepped forward.
Of course, there were those who didn't feel the need to do so. Tess was one of them.
This was a fencing school. Nothing would change if they defended the weak in a group learning war techniques. In the end, the situation would be resolved according to the power hierarchy.
"Hey, that's Rian, right? He's finally causing trouble."
Tess looked back. A girl cadet, just like her, but taller than the boys by a head, stood like a wall.
"Do you know his name? He doesn't seem strong."
"He's weak. But stubborn. The other day, a few guys from Group 2 collected some money. It was for Faiger's birthday. But the only person who didn't contribute was Lian."
"Ah, is that why he's the target?"
"I guess he was asking for it. But honestly, I was surprised. He seemed calm, but he's surprisingly temperamental."
"Hmm....."
Only then did Tess look more closely at Rian. He kept his mouth shut, but he also didn't seem like he wanted to back down.
'There are kids like that too. The kingdom is really vast.'
Her curiosity ended there. She had grown up seeing many eccentrics because of her father, who was the commander of an occupied territory.
As much as they boast of their convictions, if their sword isn't strong, they'll be broken. That was the principle of this world.
"Ha ha ha. Has this guy gone crazy? It's too late to back down now. I'm sure you didn't want to chicken out after doing something like that, did you?"
"Let's go outside. If the instructor finds out, it won't be good for the evaluation."
Faiger was astonished. The guy who should be begging for his life was instead suggesting avoiding the instructor's attention and fighting.
"Fine, as you wish. Follow me. All of you, follow me. I'll show you what happens when you challenge me."
Faiger led Rian to an open space behind the building. Cadets from groups 1 to 3 stood behind Faiger, and only the out-of-group kids stood beside Rian.
But they had lost their will to fight. No, they hadn't come here with the intention to fight in the first place. It's just that Rian didn't belong to Faiger's group. In their hearts, they were resentful of Rian for pushing things this far.
"Those who don't want to get beaten, come here."
Faiger offered a pardon. The cadets didn't hesitate. They passed by Rian's side and ran to the opposite side.
"Puhahaha! Pitiful things. Hey, Rian. What are you going to do now? Everyone's gone, and it's just you left."
"Relying on numbers. You were rotten from the start."
"What?"
"If one has no choice but to fight, then one must fight like a gentleman. You don't even qualify to be a gentleman."
Faiger snorted. If a war broke out, knights were no different from dogs biting and tearing at each other. A knight was nothing more than a label for those who had survived, used to elevate themselves.
"Alright, let's see if your fists are as strong as your mouth. Let me face you directly. It's better if you're not too relaxed. Saying you'll fight alone means you're ready to die."
Rian clenched his fist and took a fighting stance. Meanwhile, Faiger leisurely approached, as if taking a stroll.
"I'll give you space. Go ahead and strike first."
When Faiger snapped his fingers, Rian threw a punch. At that moment, Faiger, who dodged the attack, struck Rian in the abdomen.
"Keuk!"
Rian's eyes widened in pain, as if his stomach were being crushed. It felt like a heavy rock had been struck against his abdomen. Was this the force of a Schema-enhanced punch?
"Idiot. Why should I take a punch?"
Faiger scoffed at Rian, but it was unexpected that he couldn't finish him off with one blow. He had been too complacent. With that thought, he unleashed a series of punches with all his strength.
Rian was about to lose consciousness. Although it was a bare-handed duel, Schema itself was a lethal weapon. It was like being struck by a heavily armed soldier.
When Faiger's fist struck his abdomen, Rian's legs lifted off the ground.
When he landed again, even Rian, who had a sturdy build, couldn't stay on his feet. His body, bent at the knees, fell to the ground.
"Ha ha, is that all?"
Faiger taunted Rian. At that moment, Rian shot up like an arrow and lunged at him.
What? Still holding on?
Faiger was taken aback. Rian didn't master Schema. Furthermore, he could tell from the feeling of his fist that his blow had landed correctly. Unless he defended himself with Schema, he should have lost consciousness by now.
Rian focused his attacks on Faiger's stomach. There was no point in aiming for the face since Faiger would easily dodge it. But if he hid his opponent's view with his broad back and attacked from below, Faiger couldn't even counterattack hastily.
The strategy worked, and Faiger was forced to step back repeatedly. Each time he received a punch, his abdomen tightened.
What the hell is wrong with this guy?
From Faiger's perspective, there was nothing to gain even if he won. It was humiliating to have a fight with someone who couldn't even use Schema.
"Little bastard!"
Faiger let go of his restraint. Grabbing Rian's shoulder and pushing him away, he thrashed his fists frantically. A dull sound of punches echoed in the training ground. The cadets watched the one-sided beating with pale faces.
When Faiger regained his senses, Rian lay crumpled like a rag. But he hadn't lost consciousness yet. Seeing Rian's fingers twitch, Faiger's eyes ignited with rage.
"Euaa! This damn guy!"
Faiger kicked Rian violently. Finally realizing the gravity of the situation, the first group of kids rushed over.
"Hey, stop! At this rate, he'll really die!"
"Let go! I'm going to kill him! Die, you bastard!"
Rian's reaction gradually decreased and finally stopped. Faiger looked around. Seeing the fear on the other cadets' faces, he seemed somewhat relieved.
"Take note! This is what happens when you mess with me! Hey, bring some ropes!"
They stripped Rian of his clothes, leaving him only in his underwear. He was bruised all over his hard, muscular body. Faiger thought he should set an example and hung Rian from a tall tree.
Blood dripped from Rian's face, crumpled like a bird.
"Puhahaha! He looks like a worm on a hook, doesn't he? He deserves this for acting out of place."
"Keukeukeu. Oh, it must be so embarrassing. He tried to act tough and got what he deserved."
Mocking words came from all sides. It was as if they had won a war.
Tess frowned. As weak as a person might be, subjecting them to such humiliation was shameful.
Furthermore, there were girls of the same age present. What could Rian possibly be thinking now? No, how much emotional pain must he be enduring?
"Uuuu...."
Rian came to. He hadn't lost consciousness, but he wasn't in good shape either. Many cadets laughed heartily. It was as if they were watching a monkey at a zoo.
Tess stared at Rian. She tried to keep a neutral expression. Any hint of sympathy could worsen his wounds in that state. However, against her expectations, Rian winked at her and smiled.
"Ah, sorry. There are ladies present."
Tess still maintained her indifferent expression, but inside, a strange chemical reaction was occurring.
"Puhaha! What is he saying now? Still boasting in this situation. He's nothing but a fool, isn't he?"
"Hey, hey! Be honest. What do you think you'll look like if you pretend to be proud after being beaten to a pulp? You're hilarious."
"Aren't you ashamed? Embarrassed? In front of the girls in that state. I'd rather bite my tongue and die."
Rian looked at the cadets. Despite their many taunts, his eyes were calm.
"It's okay. Even if I'm embarrassed."
"Puhaha! Well, people like you have to live like this forever. Or are you a pervert? Are you secretly enjoying this?"
Rian calmly said,
"Because soon, I'll be able to forget about this."
Silence fell. An unidentifiable anxious energy dominated the stillness.
"I'm not ashamed because I did everything possible to fight. With the passage of time, I might not even remember that a day like today existed. But... can you really forget it?"
There was no response. Everyone's hearts were pounding.
"The sight of you backing down without even trying to fight will probably haunt you for the rest of your lives. And you'll regret it. 'If only I had fought back then, if only I had stood up.' But you know what? You can't turn back time."
The cadets' faces trembled. It was a different kind of fear from Faiger's violence.