Chapter 336

The weekend flowed by, and once again, the weekday returned. In second-year classes, we mostly focus on advanced courses and hands-on experiential learning that build upon what we learned in the first year.

The structure of the classes doesn’t change much, but surely the increased difficulty will feel more comfortable. The first week is just orientation.

But really, an orientation means there’s not much to see. It’s mostly just talking about what classes we’ll be taking in the future.

More importantly, next week, a duel event will be happening among the freshmen. This means dignitaries from all over the world will be gathering.

“Professor, what are we second-years supposed to do during that time?”

“We have nothing to do. Just go grab some popcorn.”

So, no classes then. You might think, “What the heck is this free ride?” but yes, it’s a free ride.

That doesn’t mean the second-years are just twiddling their thumbs, though. During the week of the freshmen duels, we’ll still be doing our part.

For example, we might have free dueling practice or review the knowledge we learned in our first year, and so on.

After the freshmen duel, things are going to get really busy, so a lot of us see it as our last taste of freedom.

“If you want, you guys can watch the duels. However, it might be tough for assistant candidates to observe, so keep that in mind.”

“Are we participating in the duels too?”

“That’s right.”

Unfortunately, as an assistant candidate, it’s going to be tough to watch the duels directly. I wanted to see Reina fight, but alas.

I know Reina possesses overwhelming physical strength in the Soul World. She’s a master who can handle a massive battle axe with ease.

With that prowess, she gets a lot of attention, but sadly, that attention morphs into pressure, leading her to endure some tough times.

“Usually, three assistants are assigned per class, totaling nine. But right now, one has already been selected.”

“Selected already?”

“Yeah. A priest from the Gaia Church. Priests are quite rare.”

“… …”

Erica is probably a 100% certainty. She was selected as an assistant in the Soul World too.

The Gaia Church has a significant impact globally, big or small. Even nobles hesitate to meddle with it carelessly.

Especially in the Eastern Empire where studies like ‘Feng Shui’ and ‘Back Mountain, Front Water’ have deep ties with the land, Gaia’s influence is formidable.

They aren’t worshipping her as the earth mother goddess for nothing. Eastern cultures tend to have a strong interest in things that aren’t visible, like physiognomy or auspicious sites.

“I heard other classes have about five to six candidates each. The assistant candidates will duel starting next week. Each one will duel twice.”

“How about just selecting one first? It sounds like it’s going to end in bloodshed.”

Antonio chuckled with a hint of sarcasm. While his tone was a bit mocking, he wasn’t wrong.

If I were to duel, the opponent would definitely suffer quite a bit. That implies a preventative suggestion.

While Karas and Luna are recognized as top contenders, I am not.

I’m simply a walking disaster. It’s hard to say that about myself, but it’s true.

“… … I wouldn’t want that either.”

At Antonio’s cutting remark, Malboro threw a side glance at me, agreeing. A wry smile came as a side dish.

But I’ve already been selected as a candidate against all odds through some dreadful luck in rock-paper-scissors. I have to follow the principles laid out.

“Regardless, the selection will be fair. Oh, passing the duel doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted.”

“What’s in between?”

“Well, we know you well, but the first-year professors don’t. So, there will be a short interview.”

An interview. Come to think of it, I vaguely remember hearing about that in the Soul World.

Since the duel was the main focus, I didn’t really pay it much mind. Besides, it didn’t carry much weight as one was just presenting their face without any options involved.

“An interview might be harder than the duel.”

An interview requires not just good speaking skills but also leaving a deep impression. In that sense, I looked at Luna.

Luna was listening to Malboro’s explanation with her usual blank expression. I wondered what nonsense she’d spout during the interview.

Surprisingly, it might go smoothly, but considering the Chaos Mouth, I doubt it.

“Even if it’s an interview, it’s closer to a personality test, so you shouldn’t worry. By the way, if there’s a record of any disciplinary action, you might get point deductions.”

“Whoops.”

“Uh-oh.”

As soon as the word ‘discipline’ popped up, both Kara and I reacted. The only ones here with discipline records are the two of us.

Especially Kara, who has an overwhelming number of disciplinary actions, and I have also received a few for major incidents.

Malboro, perhaps anticipating our reactions, continued in his customary solemn voice.

“So, you better watch your words. What we need is strength, not violence.”

“… …”

“The interviews will take place before the duels, likely during Wednesday’s free training period.”

“Hmm…”

Kara let out a mumbled sound. It seems the unexpectedly intense interview content is giving her a headache.

But it’s not just her; I, too, am troubled by the idea of discipline being brought up aloud.

After class ended and Malboro stepped outside, Kara let out a groan.

“No way. I never even considered disciplinary action…”

“Why not just pass that on to me?”

Grace teased Kara gently, pouring oil on the fire.

Kara grimaced and responded in a tone that suggested there was no way that would happen.

“Who would benefit from that? Just wait and see. I’ll show how good-natured I am.”

“Sure, sure. Good luck with that.”

“Hmm…”

While Grace was being sarcastic, Luna stared at Kara thoughtfully. She looked like she was pondering something.

Did she read the thoughts hidden in that expression? Kara raised one eyebrow as she looked at Luna.

“What are you thinking? Spit it out.”

“Nothing, just…”

“Am I not good-natured?”

Luna shook her head. That meant no.

What could that mean? When Kara gave an inquisitive look, Luna finally spoke.

“Kara unni, you are nice, after all.”

“Isn’t that right? You’re starting to catch on…”

“Considering you quietly did 100 hours of community service… yeah, that’s nice. Just a little spicy.”

“… …”

It was either a peak in sarcasm or perhaps Luna’s unique brand of chaos; it was extremely confusing.

Of course, from Kara’s viewpoint, it would have to sound like sophisticated sarcasm. That 100 hours of community service has quite the impact.

But that doesn’t mean I could hit her. The moment I do, I’ll just come off as the petty one.

It truly is a gamble. Kara fluttered her lips and forced a smile.

“R-really? How would you know my hands are spicy?”

“By getting hit, of course.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to know more? It could get even spicier.”

“Uh… no? I think I’ll pass for the sake of your disciplinary record.”

As Kara laughed and clenched her fist, Luna politely declined. She’s quite quick on the uptake in these moments.

Anyway, whether I’d be grilled with questions during the interview is still a concern.

It was skipped over in the Soul World, so it’s bound to be not just a little, but quite challenging.

“I should probably practice in advance.”

There’s a method I often used when applying for jobs back on Earth. Even though I ended up here before ever needing it, I know it.

It’s called anticipating questions. Literally predicting the questions and preparing answers accordingly.

It sounds easy at a glance, but many people end up struggling to answer questions during an actual interview.

“Kara, Kara.”

“Yeah?”

“How are you planning to answer during the interview?”

“Well, I think I should know the questions first, don’t you?”

Kara appeared to have the same line of thought. It’s quite obvious we’ll be hit with this question.

Could you explain the reason for the disciplinary action due to incidents of violence? Something along those lines.

I’ve thought about it a bit, but Kara doesn’t seem to have a clue. After all, she didn’t aspire to be an assistant in the Soul World.

“What if something like that comes up? I’m guessing they’ll ask about the reason for the disciplinary action.”

“Well… I’ll just have to wrap it up nicely. Something about having friction between us.”

“That’s definitely not going to cut it! It’d be better to emphasize that your record has been clean since that day.”

Grace chimed in from the side. That’s actually a solid strategy.

Kara at the time was lacking in maturity but is not anymore.

During her first year, she didn’t have a single disciplinary record, and she endured through that stalking incident.

The past Kara would have punched a stalker in the face, but she simply shuddered and waited patiently instead.

“I could say something like I wasn’t mentally mature back then, but now I am?”

“That’s much better. I’m not sure how the professors would take it, though.”

“Then what about you, Sivar? What do you plan to say?”

Luna asked with a curious gleam in her eyes, as did the others who were watching me with similar expressions. Everyone was curious.

While I might not have as many incidents as Kara, each reason behind my disciplinary actions packs quite the punch.

Especially the time I cut off a classmate’s tongue; thankfully, Rod sorted it out, or it might have turned into an expulsion situation.

“Um… I do have something in mind.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve never hit a person.”

“… …?”

That statement led to everyone tilting their heads in confusion. But I wasn’t done talking yet.

“But I’m not an animal. Animals only listen if you hit them.”

“… …”

“The reason I used violence was not because of a person but because it was an animal. So I hit it. Something like that?”

“That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Right?”

People reacted negatively to my response. I thought it was fine, but apparently not.

Looks like I’ll need to search for another answer. I should consult with Grace once we head back to the dorm.

“I also wonder what Karas will say in his interview?”

Out of the blue, I got curious. Karas is included among the assistant candidates.

He may be clean in terms of disciplinary records, but there are anticipated questions he’ll need to answer as well.

Such as why he wants the assistant role, and what he hopes to gain from it, etc.

“Karas.”

“Huh? You got something to say?”

“What would you say? Your reason for wanting to be an assistant.”

So, I asked directly. Karas stopped writing in his notebook and quietly closed it.

I wasn’t interested in prying into someone else’s privacy, so I didn’t care about his notebook.

“Oh, you mean about the interview? I’m not worried at all about that.”

“Why?”

“I’d rather ask a question myself. Is there a reason not to pick me?”

“… …”

That was an extremely cocky response. However, upon reflection, it’s true.

There’s probably no one better than Karas to ‘control’ the freshmen. After all, he’s the prince of the empire.

Even if the Eastern nobles band together, they’d still fall short of escaping the pressure he brings.

In fact, the reason eastern nations united was because of the Matra Empire and the Granada Empire.

So, if Karas becomes an assistant, it would certainly be quite easy for the professors to manage him.

“Is that the ‘parachute’ you hear about?”

But it’s more like a special forces unit. Comprised of veterans in their field.

I nodded along in understanding.

---