“In recognition of the bravery displayed by these three students, who saved numerous lives during the arson incident, they will be rewarded with a fitting commendation,” declared Gaspard Cordelius Argus, a golden-haired and bespectacled elder, one of the administrators. It was evident that he harbored some internal conflict regarding the reward, especially considering that Shredica, Isiliraiellyn, and I hailed from the bronze class. Moreover, both Shredica and I were regarded as skillless—a fact that didn’t sit well with the old man, who harbored disdain for those lacking in prowess. However, he had little choice in the matter. Our heroic actions demanded recognition, lest the academy face scrutiny.
Today marked the day of the rewarding ceremony. The three of us stood on the stage, facing the entirety of the academy’s student body. Their scrutinizing gazes made me feel somewhat uneasy.
“The academy does not advocate for reckless behavior such as what you three displayed,” said Gaspard, addressing the gathered students. “We hope that this won’t set a precedent and that those with the necessary skills will handle such situations in the future. However, thanks to your actions, the loss of life was minimized to some extent.”
“To all the students witnessing this ceremony,” Gaspard continued, “I want to make it clear that we do not encourage you to engage in reckless behavior either. However, if you find yourself in a situation where intervention is deemed necessary, we will exercise a degree of leniency. But please, refrain from exceeding the responsibilities of a student and leave matters to the capable elders.”
After receiving three boxes, presumably containing medals, Gaspard turned to the crowd once more. “With that said, the students who bravely rescued and evacuated the victims of the arson incident have exemplified the qualities of a true magic knight. Today, they will be honored for their valor. Let’s give them a round of applause.”
The students applauded, though it lacked genuine enthusiasm. Their applause was rather monotonous. I could discern a few who genuinely clapped, such as Titania, Zeruel, Johanne, and surprisingly, even Princess Myrcella Odette Milham of Milham. I hadn’t expected her to applaud, especially considering her brother was responsible for the arson. Perhaps she was unaware of the truth. Hm? I should definitely look into the affairs of the royal family…
While the applause filled the air, Gaspard proceeded to place the medal on each of us, one by one. Once finished, he turned to the audience once more. “Now then, everyone, let’s give them another round of applause.”
With a lackluster applause from the student body, the rewarding ceremony came to a close.
***
After the ceremony, Shredica approached me. “Come with me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going to have a word with Administrator Gaspard about granting me permission to join the King’s Game.”
“Is that really wise?” I questioned. “Lord Gaspard is the most stubborn of all the administrators, you know?”
“I understand that,” she acknowledged.
“But why take the risk?” I pressed.
“Because I have to give it a shot,” she insisted.
“I’ve already told you, haven’t I? Your best bet is to approach Administrator Galdea. She’s the most understanding of the bunch,” I reiterated.
“Administrator Galdea may be understanding, but she lacks the influence of someone like Administrator Gaspard,” she countered. “If I can secure permission from Administrator Gaspard, the most influential administrator, it might improve my chances of catching the king’s attention as a prospective magic knight.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I interjected.
It’s not like the king is the one creating magic knights in the first place. While he holds considerable power in the kingdom, his authority doesn’t extend to every aspect, particularly the selection of magic knights. That falls under the jurisdiction of the Commander of Magic Knights, and the Academy.
“Enough arguing, Mr. Leon,” Shredica interrupted. “Here comes Administrator Gaspard.”
True to her words, Gaspard approached us with an air of authority. It was evident that his power and influence lent him an aura of superiority. As he drew closer, his gaze behind his glasses held a hidden disdain, perceptible to both Shredica and me. Unfazed, Shredica met his gaze head-on.
“I assume you two have a reason for accosting me,” Gaspard remarked, his tone dripping with disdain. “What do a pair of skillless individuals like yourselves want from someone like me?”
Of all the administrators, Gaspard was notorious for his stubbornness. His disdain for the skillless ran deeper than his aversion to childhood baths. So intense was his hatred for the skillless that when he discovered his own granddaughter was among them, he disowned her, forbidding her from even bearing the prestigious Argus name—a name synonymous with power and influence in the Kingdom of Milham. Currently, his granddaughter was enrolled at Milham’s University for Women, an institution dedicated to educating noblewomen in proper etiquette and basic swordsmanship.
“Let’s get straight to the point,” Shredica declared. “I want you to grant both me and Mr. Leon here permission to participate in the King’s Game.”
Gaspard scoffed derisively upon hearing her request. “Do you truly believe I would entertain such a ludicrous notion? For skillless individuals like yourselves? I’ve already gone out of my way to personally reward you, yet you still have the audacity to make such demands? Skillless individuals like you are utterly shameless. The rightful participants are those with skills alone. Don’t delude yourselves into thinking that skillless individuals like you are on the same level as those with abilities. You’re nothing but rejects.”
Gaspard’s disdain for the skillless was palpable, bordering on outright discrimination. It was akin to ableism, a concept familiar to me from my former world.
“How about we make things interesting with a little wager?” Shredica suggested.
Gaspard arched an eyebrow, intrigued by her proposal.
“A bet?” he inquired.
Shredica nodded, her gaze unwavering. “Grant me permission to join the King’s Game. If I fail to clinch first place, I’ll withdraw from school. And naturally, Mr. Leon here will withdraw as well if I don’t succeed.”
I shot her a bewildered look, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on me. “Miss Shredica, do you realize the gravity of what you’re proposing? I have aspirations to graduate from this academy.”
“Silence, Mr. Leon,” Shredica retorted sharply, her tone laced with warning. “Unless you want me to reveal that picture to your girlfriend.”
It seemed she was resorting to blackmail once again to get her way.
“How about it, Lord Gaspard?” Shredica inquired.
Gaspard pondered for a moment before responding, “Alright. If you don’t win first place, you’ll withdraw from this school.”
“Additionally,” Shredica added, “I’d like to increase my rank in the bronze class. Just giving me permission to withdraw isn’t enough of a stake for this bet, Lord Gaspard. Allowing me to advance from the bronze class would be a more fitting wager.”
Gaspard looked down at her, his laugh cold. “I’m sorry,” he said, though his tone belied his apology. “I can’t grant you that. The stakes are limited to your withdrawal from the academy if you lose. Anything beyond that, I must decline. And as for climbing the ranks, do you truly believe you can rise? You’re a reject, and rejects don’t ascend the ranks. That’s always been the rule.”
“I’ll break that rule,” Shredica declared with unwavering determination.
Gaspard observed her resolute gaze before responding, “You can struggle all you want, but you won’t change anything. No matter how skilled you are, we’ll prevent you from advancing.”
It seemed like he acknowledged that he, or rather, the administrators, were actively hindering her advancement from the bronze class to higher ranks. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. Administrators can be prejudiced, after all. As for Galdea’s involvement, I’ll have to assess that when I encounter her.
“Alright, where are your tickets so I can sign them?” Gaspard asked.
We both handed him our tickets. He retrieved a pen from his chest pocket and proceeded to sign them. After signing, he returned the tickets to us.
“With this, you are granted permission to join the King’s Game,” Gaspard declared with an air of finality, his voice echoing through the hall. “This is unprecedented, the first time three first-years from the bronze class are stepping into the fray. I hope all three of you tread cautiously,” he added, his gaze piercing. “But don’t forget the bet, Miss and Mister Skillless. If you lose, you’ll willingly withdraw from the academy, and I hope I never have to set eyes on you again.”
His words hung heavy in the air, casting a somber shadow over Shredica and me. The weight of the bet settled on our shoulders like a leaden burden, reminding us of the stakes involved. As Gaspard turned to leave, his footsteps echoed ominously, signaling the gravity of the situation.
I couldn’t believe that even my withdrawal was part of this bet.
“There’s a third participant from the bronze class,” Shredica remarked, her tone laced with determination. “Do you have any idea who it could be?”
I already knew who, of course. Gabrielle had given me a list yesterday of who would be those who were going to join the King’s Game, so I saw who, among the students of the academy who would going to join.
On the fourth year, there was one. Third year, there was one. Second year, there were four. I know the three of them. It was Johanne, Princess Myrcella, and another woman, who seemed to be close to those two. Also, Prince Julius was said to be joining as well. And then, in the first year, there were three participants. All three of them were from the bronze class. It was me, Shredica, and another…
“It’s Hereon,” I said to her.
