༺ Last Class Standing (3) ༻
The inter-class competition, despite its grand name, was one of the blander and gentler events at the academy.
While the fair was a fierce rivalry where nobles staked their pride and while the practical exams were life-altering challenges for commoner students, the inter-class competition lacked both pride and profit. After all, the winning class would naturally emerge as everyone just played along, so why pour a lot of effort into it?
But for the past three years, including this one, the winner wasn’t determined automatically but had to be chosen manually.
“Even though it’s called a competition, it’s about walking together and learning from each other. Someday, all of you that’s gathered here will lead the empire and, more broadly, the continent. Therefore, as an elder, I wish for this competition to be a platform for harmony and not rivalry.”
Thanks to this, the principal’s opening speech was long and touching, moving enough to bring tears to the listener’s heart. There would normally be no need for such a lengthy speech, but it was necessary to prevent the atmosphere of the competition from overheating.
‘What a hardship in his later years.’
I looked sympathetically at the principal’s figure as he delivered his pitiful speech. The vice principal beside me probably shared the same sentiment.
Being the academy’s principal was the pinnacle of one’s career. They would be the mayor of the city centered around the academy and the head of the empire’s top educational institution. It was an honorable and noble position. In the field of education, only the Minister of Education could rival this status.
Of course, this meant nothing compared to the royal family. What did it matter if you were a principal? The royal family could command civil servants with a mere gesture. And since their well-being was at stake, it was pretty understandable why the principal acted this way.
“A healthy dose of competition and spirit of victory are catalysts for progress. But remember, today isn’t your only opportunity.”
The principal emphasized again not to get overly excited.
The speech was repetitive and tedious, but it couldn’t be helped. The atmosphere among the first years was tense, especially since Rutis and Lather were confirmed to participate in the four-person event. Specifically, only the classes of Rutis and Lather were involved.
With these two royals throwing their hats in the ring, the favorites for victory narrowed down to their respective classes, and now their classmates were effectively conscripted as bodyguards who were fighting for the honor of the royals.
Behaving casually in such a prestigious and solemn event? It would almost be similar to indirectly announcing one’s withdrawal from social circles. They would probably rather participate in the competition with gritted teeth.
‘What a mess.’
The principal probably thought the same, but it honestly didn’t seem like it would be effective. I just hope no one loses a limb or something. Maybe I should say a prayer.
“May it be a pleasant memory.”
With that mixture of anxiety and prayers, the inter-class competition began.
The competition didn’t have the ‘slaughter and frenzy permitted by the principal’ that some joked about as soon as it started.
Fortunately, the royalty were only participating in the last event, so there was no need to worry too much. Given the academy’s predominantly noble student body, the other events weren’t too rough either.
Or should I say that these were considered rough?
‘They’re really coming up with everything.’
I could hear the thundering of horse hooves from a distance.
Eighteen horses were racing across the academy’s grand sports field. The first event of the inter-class competition, a horse race, had begun.
‘They’re doing well.’
As I absentmindedly watched, a deep-seated trauma stirred in the back of my mind.
The sight before me, with less than twenty horses, seemed almost cute in comparison. Back in the north, I had seen thousands charging in unison. That was truly horrifying. And it was even worse because I wasn’t watching from the side but head-on.
In the end, we somehow managed to win. But I’m still baffled at how we caught those things. The Invincible Duke is indeed amazing…
While I was lost in thought, a rider crossed the finish line. It was a blonde noblewoman riding a black horse.
— The first to finish is—Irina Yorun from Class 1-3!
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but be impressed. So Irina is a good rider.
Irina smiled and waved her hands in all directions, looking even more majestic as she was sitting on the large, black horse.
“She’s impressive. Many young ladies can ride, but few can ride as well as she does. It’s almost no different from a jockey.”
Hearing this from beside me, I turned to see Marghetta looking at Irina with interest.
Indeed, there was a significant difference between just riding and racing as a jockey.
“How about you, Mar?”
“I’m not just any noblewoman, but a duke’s daughter.”
When I asked jokingly, Marghetta answered with a proud look on her face. She said that she naturally had the ability as she was a member of a ducal family.
I didn’t quite see the connection between being a duke’s daughter and a jockey, but I let it pass because she seemed proud.
“I’m not as good as Carl, though.”
“That’s modest of you.”
I replied with an awkward smile.
Unfortunately and contrary to Marghetta’s belief, I wasn’t good at riding. When would I have had the chance to ride a horse?
I never had the chance before my possession, and certainly not after. My family strictly prevented me from getting near horses. It would be a disaster if I fell off again, after all.
It seemed like the horses became possessed every time I rode in the North. Now that I think about it, those *Kheshig bastards must have targeted me.
‘Why did I only manage to ride properly after the war ended?’
It wasn’t until after the war and when I was least associated with horses that I was able to ride properly. After the war, I often accompanied the crown prince on his hunting trips.
Thanks to that, I could now ride somewhat decently. Just enough not to fall off, at least.
“Fufu, I’d like to ride with Carl sometime.”
“Me too.”
I didn’t have the heart to disappoint her after seeing her excited expression.
I subtly turned my gaze back to the sports field, where Irina was doing her victory lap.
Hmm…
‘Maybe I should learn from Irina.’
When there’s a top player nearby, it’s best to learn from them.
Despite looking forward to the competition in fun mode, Louise’s mood seemed uplifted thanks to her class winning the first event.
However, that was the last victory for Louise’s class. After expending all their energy in the horse race, her class astonishingly lost the subsequent events in a row.
Although the horse race depended not only on the rider but also on the horse’s ability, making it hard to rig, the later events were different.
The students of the two classes who were desperately racing to win contrasted with others who participated more casually. This odd mix led to a predictable outcome.
“It’s intense.”
“Yes, the students seem to be quite eager.”
After seeing Marghetta off, who was busy with Student Council duties, I joined the principal. With the Class Competition in full swing, it seemed wise to stay close to him.
In fact, the competition proceeded with intense battles between Rutis’ and Lather’s classes after the horse race. If Rutis’ class won one game, Lather’s class would win the next, and then Rutis’ class would win again.
‘Even a rigged game wouldn’t be this perfect.’
If they weren’t royals, then there would definitely be suspicions of match-fixing.
Fortunately, the competition was fierce but not serious enough to cause conflicts or bloodshed. It was just excessive enthusiasm for victory.
“It looks like it will end smoothly today.”
The principal’s expression softened a bit, perhaps feeling a sense of relief.
The inter-class competition wasn’t a one-day event, but at least one day had passed without incident. That was enough reason to be happy. Hopefully, the small joys of these overworked civil servants won’t be taken away.
That being said, the last morning event had just finished.
“Since the afternoon events are a while away, would you like to have lunch?”
“Thank you for the offer, but I still have other duties.”
“I see.”
I nodded at the principal’s response. Indeed, other academy tasks don’t disappear just because of the inter-class competition.
Unfortunately, this was the same for Marghetta. It felt a bit awkward to join the members for lunch; it’d be as if I was an adult who was intruding on kids’ mealtimes.
So, I went alone. If I wasn’t with Marghetta or the members, then I had no one else to dine with. It’d be better to eat quickly and return before meeting anyone else.
“Unnie, aren’t you eating?”
“I ate earlier.”
“Then, can I eat it all?”
“Yes. You have a competition later. Eat everything.”
I didn’t expect to meet another person before I even picked up my fork.
This was surprising. I thought that everyone would be caught up in the sports day atmosphere and would be eating outside. I didn’t expect to find anyone here.
‘What’s this situation?’
Two students were huddled outside the cafeteria, and I could hear them whispering something.
I couldn’t just ignore them and walk into the cafeteria, especially after overhearing their conversation. “I already ate” sounded like what someone who was actually starving would say.
After some thought, I approached them. An academy student struggling to get a proper meal was not just an issue for the academy, but a problem for the empire as well. Being at the academy meant that the student was either a noble or a talented commoner.
‘Neither should be in a position to starve.’
Hearing me approach, the older student who was referred to as ‘unnie’ hurriedly turned around.
It would be rude to compare her to a startled meerkat, but that’s what she reminded me of.
“What’s wrong, unnie?”
The younger one who was munching earnestly turned to her sister. But the sister, her face pale with fright, couldn’t respond.
‘I expected this.’
I almost sighed at the predictable reaction. I didn’t avoid contact with the other students for no reason. My dual role as the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office and the academy’s Prosecutor made even the staff wary of me, let alone the students.
As I took another cautious step, the sister visibly flinched.
If anyone saw this, they’d probably think I was bullying a child.
FOOTNOTES
*Kheshig – An elite guard unit that served the Mongol emperors during the Mongol Empire (13th century), which was renowned for its cavalry.
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