First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 97

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 97

I was probably around fifteen years old at the time.

So now I would be nineteen.

“Hmm….”

Robert touched his chin while observing my face from various angles.

“You look familiar somehow…. Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

“This is my first time meeting Senior Robert. Perhaps you feel that way because of my name?”

“Your name? Ah!”

Robert clapped his hands with a ‘clap’ as if something had just occurred to him.

“I see. Asel. I heard you were the one who achieved the greatest merit in that tragic incident involving the first-years recently. Is your audience with His Majesty a reward for that?”

“That’s correct.”

Robert’s eyes curved with curiosity.

“May I ask what you requested as your reward?”

“I asked for a sword. Since I’m from a commoner background, I don’t have opportunities to handle good swords.”

“A good choice. Imperial swords are crafted by the continent’s finest blacksmiths. It’s more than a commoner like you deserves.”

“Thank you.”

Robert finished speaking and was about to enter his residence when he turned back to look at me.

“What’s your achievement level, by any chance?”

“5-star.”

Robert’s eyes widened greatly.

“…There are many talented students among the first-years. If you don’t mind, I’d like to spar with you.”

“A spar… you say?”

“Coincidentally, I also reached 5-star not long ago. I’d like to experience the swordsmanship of a junior who’s been making such a name for himself.”

As my reputation spreads, more troublesome people keep clinging to me.

I would have normally declined, but I couldn’t carelessly refuse a proposal from a member of the imperial family and a senior.

“Very well. When would be convenient for you?”

The corners of Robert’s mouth twisted upward.

“Right now.”

* * *

Shortly after, I stood facing Robert in the Palace Courtyard.

Each of us held a wooden sword in our hands.

“Though they’re wooden swords, they’re sturdy enough to contain sword energy.”

Swords with poor durability cannot contain an Expert’s sword energy.

Just like how the standard iron sword crumbled unable to withstand Ragnor’s aura during the entrance exam.

However, this sword was designed to contain aura despite being wooden.

‘The Imperial House’s technology is truly impressive.’

My expectations for the sword I would receive from the Imperial House also grew accordingly.

I looked at Robert.

There was no referee, and only a few maids were watching as a precaution – it was a simple spar.

Robert gestured for me to come forward.

“Come. I’ll give you the first move.”

Since he was offering, there was no reason to refuse.

“Here I come.”

Whoosh-!

I kicked off the ground and charged at Robert.

Robert raised his sword diagonally to block my charge.

Whooooo-

Two streams of blue sword energy blazed along the wooden swords.

Clack!

A dull explosive sound erupted as the two wooden swords clashed repeatedly.

Each time the swords collided, the dirt on the ground stirred up.

The wooden swords infused with sword energy trembled and vibrated.

Clack! Crack!

Defense and attack continued in succession.

I had thought to end it quickly if he couldn’t keep up, but Robert was surprisingly following my speed.

Swish-!

Robert delivered a downward slash.

I instantly twisted my body and deflected the slash.

Our sword energies brushed against each other, causing sparks to fly despite being wooden swords.

“…Are you really a first-year?”

Robert’s back was getting soaked with sweat.

Meanwhile, I remained composed.

At that point, the outcome was already essentially decided.

‘There’s no need to use dark attribute aura.’

I twisted my toes and drew a semicircle.

A low slash executed while spinning my body once.

It was an attack with my full weight behind it, intending to end things this time.

Crack-!

Robert barely managed to defend against my attack, but his feet were pushed back, creating an opening.

A series of consecutive thrusts followed.

Robert, with his center disrupted, couldn’t avoid them.

“Kugh-!”

Robert, struck in the solar plexus by the sword, gasped and staggered.

“I’ve lost.”

Robert said, using his wooden sword as a staff to support himself on the ground.

I had worried he might not accept the result and keep attacking, but it was needless concern.

“It was a good match. Thank you, Senior.”

At the banquet four years ago, he had rudely intimidated Seria and me.

So I had cursed and toyed with my opponent, but the Robert I met again had lost his venom and seemed much more straightforward.

I felt once again that humans are creatures that grow.

“It’s hard to believe you’re a first-year, you’re so strong.”

Robert put down his wooden sword and offered me a handshake.

“Asel, would you consider joining the student council?”

“The student council?”

“I may not look it, but I’m the student council vice president. As it happens, the secretary position was vacant, and if you want it, I can arrange for you to join.”

It was a good opportunity.

If I joined the student council, I would have more chances to meet many people.

“Are you referring to the general student council?”

“No. Naturally, it’s the Swordsmanship Department student council.”

That’s unfortunate.

It would have been better if it were the general student council.

“It’s too sudden… Let me think about it and get back to you.”

“Alright. Don’t drag it out too long. Someone else might join in the meantime.”

“Understood.”

The encounter with Robert after so long remained as a good memory.

After taking in the scenery of the residence one last time, I moved toward my next destination.

The place I was heading to this time could be said to be essential to check, now that I had entered the Imperial Capital.

‘I hope I’ll be able to meet them.’

A palace incomparably more grand and splendid than Robert’s and my residences.

Excluding Taeyang Palace where the Emperor resided and the First Imperial Palace, this palace seemed to be the largest in the Imperial Capital.

Considering who lived here, it was only natural.

After lingering in front of the residence for a while, someone opened the door and came out.

“A visitor?”

Shimmering blonde hair and blue eyes that seemed to hold the ocean.

Still gentle-looking but with an unsettling impression.

“I don’t recall inviting someone like you.”

The only son of First Empress Sabina.

First Prince, Arthur de Argent.

‘I naturally thought he’d send out a maid, but he came out himself.’

That was fortunate.

I answered exactly the same way I had lied to Robert.

“I am Asel, a first-year from Millennium Academy’s Swordsmanship Department. On my way back from an audience with His Majesty, I received permission to tour the Imperial Capital and was looking around here and there.”

As I spoke, I immediately activated my Insight.

A function that had been impossible four years ago when I lived in the Imperial Capital due to insufficient mana.

If Arthur was a good person, no particular anomaly would appear.

But if he was evil, black clouds would be identified around his chest area.

‘If that’s the case, it would mean this bastard is also likely connected to the Demon Cult, just like Sabina.’

Previously, I couldn’t be certain due to lack of evidence.

What this bastard was hiding inside, I would finally learn everything today.

Arthur tilted his head slightly.

“You had an audience with His Majesty? For what reason?”

At that moment, the results of my Insight’s analysis came out.

Black clouds surging violently near Arthur’s heart.

Their density and size were on a level that didn’t fall behind Garcia or Grace at all.

I felt my heartbeat quicken with excitement.

‘I still don’t know for certain.’

Hadn’t I suffered trouble with Grace too by trusting only the Insight analysis results and being certain she was an Agent of Baal?

I needed more definitive evidence.

“There was an unfortunate incident at Millennium Academy recently.”

“You mean the Demon Cult’s attack?”

“That’s right. My achievements in that attack were recognized, and His Majesty personally bestowed an award upon me.”

“I see. That’s impressive.”

“I only did what was naturally required. The Demon Cult is vile waste that must be eradicated as soon as possible. Don’t you think so as well, Your Highness?”

Arthur’s and my gazes met in the air.

“….”

My Insight was still active.

Arthur paused for a moment, as if trying to determine whether there was hidden intent in my words, then answered.

“…You’re right. The Demon Cult are very nasty bastards. As a legitimate heir to the throne, I too wish for those pieces of trash to be eradicated as quickly as possible.”

I twisted the corners of my mouth upward.

“It’s an honor that Your Highness and I share the same thoughts.”

The result of my Insight’s judgment.

Arthur’s words about wanting the Demon Cult to be eradicated as soon as possible were lies.

With this, another truth was revealed.

Arthur de Argent was connected to the Demon Cult.

‘I will bring divine punishment upon you mother and son someday.’

It was impossible for now.

But someday, I would inflict pain thousands of times worse than what I had experienced upon them.

I made that vow while staring at Arthur’s gently smiling face.

* * *

Late evening.

I finished touring the Imperial Capital and returned to the dormitory.

Ragnor had arrived first and was sitting on his bed reading.

He glanced at me and spoke.

“Asel. Professor Garcia came looking for you earlier when you weren’t here.”

“Professor Garcia?”

“Yeah. He said to come to his research lab as soon as you arrived.”

There was only one reason Garcia would summon me at this point.

The results of expressing my intention to join the Nox Cartel had come in.

I grabbed my outer coat and headed straight to Garcia’s research lab.

When I opened the door and entered, Garcia was sitting at the reception table drinking tea as usual.

“Come and sit.”

I sat across from Garcia.

“The organization sent word. The conclusion is… let me read it to you directly.”

Garcia pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.

His gaze read down the text written on the paper.

“Garcia, we’ve heard your opinion well. After internal discussion and review, we’ve reached the unprecedented conclusion in our organization’s history to accept that young swordsman.”

I quietly savored the joy inside.

I knew they wouldn’t be able to resist accepting me.

“However.”

Garcia continued speaking.

“While there’s no need to doubt his skills, his mindset is another matter. It’s questionable whether a young swordsman who has lived his entire life only in the light can properly carry out the organization’s missions. Therefore, the organization has decided to give Asel a test and make the final decision on membership based on the results.”

Garcia’s sunken eyes stared at me.

“Below, the purpose of the test is written quite extensively, but to summarize, it means they want to test your ruthlessness, decisiveness, and loyalty to the organization. Are you confident?”

Coldness and decisiveness.

I might not know about loyalty to the organization, but in those two areas at least, I was more confident than anyone.

“Of course. What’s the test content?”

“Do you know about the Western Alliance?”

“I know enough.”

The Western Alliance was the Argent Empire’s greatest enemy and practically the only force in the entire world capable of opposing the Empire.

When I lived in the Imperial Palace, I learned about them until my ears were sore.

“Recently, an emerging criminal organization has appeared in the Western Alliance. It’s a sensitive matter we’re watching closely due to concerns about territorial disputes with other criminal organizations.”

Garcia took a sip of tea and continued.

“Kill their boss as brutally as possible and dismantle the organization. That’s your test content.”

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