First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 74

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 74

 

[Are there any classes that want to compete next? If not, we’ll proceed with a draw.]

 

Excluding Class D and Class E, there were 8 classes remaining.

 

No class was eager to step forward first anymore.

 

[I see there aren’t any. Then I’ll draw lots for the next two classes to compete.]

 

Amelia put her hand into the transparent container and pulled out two balls.

 

[Class G, and Class I. Everyone come down to the battlefield.]

 

The next match would be between Class G and Class I.

 

Veronica crossed her arms and asked Fail.

 

“Hey, Fail. Are there any transfer students assigned to the classes competing now?”

 

“In the first semester, Class I was 9th place, and Class G was 4th place, so…”

 

Fail continued while glancing at the Class G and Class I students heading down to the battlefield.

 

“Wouldn’t they be assigned to Class I?”

 

Among the Class I students going down, I could spot a familiar girl with blue twin tails.

 

“So Irin was assigned to Class I.”

 

Cathy, who heard my muttering, asked with an interested expression.

 

“Who’s Irin?”

 

Fail’s reaction answered for me.

 

“Wow, the transfer exam 1st place went to Class I? This makes the match outcome really unpredictable.”

 

Among students from other classes, there seemed to be those who recognized Irin as murmuring sounds could be heard.

 

[Students who will serve as libero from each class, report to me.]

 

From Class G’s side, a tall male student raised his hand.

 

“I’ll do it for Class G.”

 

Since he seemed to always take on the libero role, there appeared to be no particular objections.

 

From Class I’s side, it seemed they had already discussed among themselves.

 

“Class I’s libero is Irin Kramer!”

 

Unlike Ragnor, Irin was assigned as the libero.

 

[Then, let’s begin the match!]

 

* * *

 

[Victory, Class I!]

 

The match ended with Amelia’s declaration.

 

“Woooooooh!”

 

“We won!”

 

Class I students hugged each other and shared the joy of victory.

 

“…”

 

In contrast to their cheers, the seats were covered in heavy silence.

 

Once could be coincidence, but not twice.

 

Following the previous match, for two consecutive rounds, the weaker teams had pulled off upsets and achieved victory.

 

Moreover, this round was also greatly influenced by the performance of transfer student Irin Kramer.

 

“It’s different from previous years.”

 

“This year’s transfer students definitely have something special about them.”

 

An event that would add certainty to their thoughts occurred immediately after.

 

[Next! Class C and Class J!]

 

Both Class C and Class J each had one transfer student included.

 

Class C had Tanya.

 

Class J had a guy named Fabian de Neustain who ranked 4th in the transfer exam.

 

The match result was anticlimactic.

 

Fabian de Neustain’s skills were nothing special compared to the top 3 from the transfer exam.

 

Tanya’s dagger techniques dominated the match, and Class C easily secured victory.

 

“Amazing, Tanya too.”

 

Fail, who watched the match, was impressed.

 

“So cool…”

 

Cathy seemed completely smitten with Tanya’s dagger techniques.

 

[Now, only four classes remain?]

 

Amelia put her hand into the transparent container and mixed the balls.

 

[There don’t seem to be any volunteers this time either, so I’ll draw lots for the next two classes to compete.]

 

Amelia pulled out two balls from the container.

 

After checking the writing on the balls, unmistakable interest appeared in her eyes.

 

[Class A. And Class B. Everyone come down to the battlefield right now.]

 

The moment Class A was confirmed as our opponent.

 

Deep sighs erupted from among the Class B students.

 

“Ah…”

 

“We’re screwed…”

 

Almost every student’s expression strongly showed despair that they couldn’t win.

 

Class A was ranked 1st among all first-year classes, wasn’t it?

 

Moreover, it wasn’t just 1st place, but by an overwhelming margin.

 

Even Class D, which was 2nd place, apparently had a clear gap with Class A.

 

“Ahhh, why of all times!”

 

Fail covered his face with both hands and hung his head.

 

Then he opened his eyes wide, flashing the whites, and grabbed both my shoulders.

 

“Asel! I’m counting on you!”

 

“What are you saying.”

 

“Show everyone that skill you had when you defeated Ragnor during the transfer exam!”

 

“I keep telling you that was just luck.”

 

I felt troubled and removed Fail’s arms.

 

Max, who had been sitting apart at a distance, walked over toward me.

 

“Don’t feel too pressured.”

 

Max patted my back a couple of times.

 

“With our class’s strength, it’ll be hard to beat Class A anyway. Class rankings depend not only on wins and losses, but also greatly on the match process, so let’s just do our best.”

 

“Got it.”

 

That guy Max.

 

Did he deliberately show consideration because he thought I, as a transfer student, might feel burdened?

 

I went down to the battlefield together with the Class B students.

 

A group of students who had been sitting in the opposite seats also slowly stood up and walked down to the battlefield.

 

From their dignified gait and expressions, I could sense confidence that they would never lose.

 

So those guys are Class A.

 

I spotted a familiar face among the students.

 

Shimmering silver hair. Ocean-blue eyes.

 

Seria was part of Class A.

 

“As expected, you can’t take your eyes off the princess either.”

 

Fail nodded as if he understood.

 

“She certainly is beautiful. The princess.”

 

I glared at Fail with a displeased expression.

 

I know it’s understandable to misunderstand.

 

But it’s not like that!

 

“But be careful. The princess is ranked 5th among all first-years. And it’s not just the princess you need to be careful of. Over there.”

 

Fail pointed to a female student with a bright and spirited impression.

 

She was stretching and warming up before the match.

 

“That’s Ersea de Cantabile, ranked 2nd among all first-years. Don’t imagine she’s at Hiscliffe’s level. The rank difference is just one step, but their skills are polar opposites. And.”

 

Fail pointed to yet another female student.

 

The female student with long, light reddish hair cascading down looked up at the ceiling with an indifferent expression.

 

“That person is the 1st place among all first-years. Meirei Estrada. Since passing the entrance exam with top honors, she has never lost a single match in individual duels or team competitions to this day.”

 

I let out a hollow laugh.

 

So, to summarize what Fail was saying.

 

“The 1st, 2nd, and 5th place first-years are all in one class?”

 

“Now do you understand why Class A is the strongest?”

 

I could certainly understand why the students looked so despairing.

 

Even students from other classes didn’t seem to expect Class B to put up much of a fight.

 

Despite having seen plenty of scenes where weak teams made comebacks in previous matches.

 

That’s how much Class A was regarded as being on a completely different level among the first-years.

 

[Students who will serve as libero for each class, report to me.]

 

Max asked me.

 

“Asel. Want to try being libero?”

 

A libero suggestion right from the start.

 

Was my skill being recognized thanks to my record of eliminating Ragnor?

 

Or maybe they were trying to find a new path since sticking to existing strategies would be hopeless.

 

“Who usually did it before?”

 

“Usually it was either me or Veronica. The results were better when Veronica was libero.”

 

When we both looked at Veronica simultaneously, she whirled around.

 

“Be libero against Class A? You guys figure it out yourselves.”

 

Veronica looked like she’d rather die than do it.

 

I felt the same way.

 

“Sorry, but being libero from my first match feels a bit burdensome.”

 

If I, a transfer student, took on the libero role, getting attention would be guaranteed regardless of the results.

 

“Then there’s no choice. Professor! I’ll be Class B’s libero.”

 

[Confirmed.]

 

With that, it was decided that Max would be our class’s libero as usual.

 

[Is Class A still deciding?]

 

Class A gathered together and whispered among themselves.

 

Soon, a female student smiled brightly and raised her arm high.

 

“I’ll do it for Class A!”

 

It was Ersea de Cantabile, ranked 2nd among all first-years.

 

Surprisingly, Meirei, who was ranked 1st, stood apart from the other students, just staring at the ceiling.

 

She seemed to have little interest in the team’s strategy.

 

[Confirmed.]

 

Amelia shouted to the students.

 

[Everyone else! Move to your position locations.]

 

The students quickly moved to their positions.

 

I called out to Max.

 

“I want to be a supporter. Is that okay?”

 

“Do whatever you want.”

 

From observing the previous matches, supporter was the position that drew the least attention.

 

Keepers and forwards, who were close to the base, often had eyes focused on them.

 

Especially forwards could be called the protagonist position of capture the flag, excluding liberos.

 

‘Since we’re going to lose anyway, I’ll just hang around casually and then head up.’

 

The supporter area where I was positioned was right in the center of the battlefield.

 

I spun around once in place and swept my insight over all the first-year students.

 

I could see some students with wicked dispositions scattered about, but that level was at most third-rate delinquent standard.

 

At least among the students, there was no human with a heart as black as Garcia Greyven’s.

 

‘At least the first-years are clean.’

 

Once I investigated Garcia Greyven, there would be nothing more to see among the first-years.

 

The problem was that this was just the beginning.

 

Second-years, third-years, fourth-year students and the professors in charge.

 

I’d have to scan through all of them to barely finish with the Swordsmanship Department, and it would take ages to search through other departments like Magic or Business Administration.

 

‘Damn it all.’

 

I couldn’t get full on the first spoonful, but I hoped Garcia would turn out to be Baal’s agent.

 

Of course, I knew the possibility was slim.

 

Garcia had newly taken up his post this semester to become Class F’s supervising professor.

 

Meanwhile, the information extracted from Ordo Pereira, who had been the Pope of Jagan Church, was from late March.

 

Baal’s agent was said to have already infiltrated the Academy at that time.

 

‘No, then what the hell is that bastard?’

 

I glanced sideways at Garcia sitting on the platform.

 

When viewed with insight, a dark and massive cloud still floated around his chest area.

 

‘What kind of scheme is he hiding that his inner thoughts are like that?’

 

The professors and dean didn’t seem to know his true nature yet.

 

Whether he was Baal’s agent or not, I couldn’t let Garcia continue roaming the campus like this.

 

I would have to approach Garcia somehow soon.

 

As naturally as possible.

 

[Match start!]

 

With Amelia’s shout, Class A’s forwards all rushed forward at once.

 

“Block them!”

 

Max shouted from behind.

 

This was the crucial moment.

 

The key was how long the supporters could hold them back before the opposing forwards crossed into our keeper’s territory.

 

Clang!

 

Sword met sword.

 

The guy who crossed swords with me was a fierce-looking male student.

 

He looked at me with an interested expression and spoke.

 

“Haven’t seen you before? You’re the transfer student who got assigned to Class B!”

 

The male student unleashed a continuous offensive while generating aura.

 

His level was around mid-3-star.

 

His skill was so pathetic I could cut him down with a single stroke right now.

 

I didn’t attack and focused only on defending against his sword.

 

‘Just holding down one person like this should be doing my part, right?’

 

While I continued this endless battle with this guy.

 

The match would conclude with some result regardless of me.

 

“…Grrk!”

 

The male student seemed flustered by my impenetrable defense and gritted his teeth.

 

Sweat was pouring like rain from his muscle-packed body.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————