On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 147

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

The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 147

 

 

Signal Flare of Downfall (1)

 

 

The Iron Keep, where order had finally been restored despite the chaotic situation.

Behind the scenes, things were naturally in complete uproar, but at least the students weren’t affected by it.

Dietrich had controlled the situation magnificently.

 

“Everyone worked hard during the 5-day practical training. Did you all sleep well!”

“Yes!”

 

And Relio, whose expression was definitely better than yesterday.

 

“Today I declare the end of practical training and we’ll wrap things up. Everyone worked hard.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Also, those scheduled to participate in the Knight Order camp during vacation should come with firm resolve.”

“Yes!”

 

The Knight Order camp.

Envious gazes poured toward that position where only a select few were chosen.

The participants themselves hadn’t fully grasped it yet, but they were definitely filled with anticipation.

 

‘To be able to go without worrying about part-time jobs during vacation… it’s like a dream, really.’

 

Karen especially felt this way.

 

‘Teacher told me not to worry and to go enjoy the camp.’

 

It was Ziel’s promise.

Of course, Karen pathologically hated being in debt.

Because debt was so tiresome.

Therefore, she intended to repay the teacher somehow.

 

‘Of course, teacher would definitely say this.’

 

That it’s natural for a teacher to treat students well.

But that should only be to a reasonable extent.

Letting her breathe through the special support system.

Telling her not to worry and go enjoy the camp.

She was even achieving all this through the results of her training.

Breaking free from a life of struggling with debt and only worrying about tomorrow, finally being able to face her future directly!

Meanwhile, besides Karen who was determined to repay somehow, there was also a student who had no idea how to repay at all.

 

‘How on earth should I repay teacher.’

 

That was Delev.

Delev had been saved once again thanks to Ziel on the second day of practical training.

A truly literal expression.

If he had stayed there, some crazy Apprentice Knight would have cut Delev’s body clean in half.

The incident didn’t escalate, but it was a situation where the Kundel Knights would have had nothing to say even if they stormed the Imperial Palace.

It was Ziel who prevented that.

Of course, Delev had also impressed people with his equally magnanimous behavior, but anyway, it wouldn’t have been possible without Ziel.

 

‘Teacher won’t accept anything. Should I invite him to my house during vacation?’

 

Delev, who came to respect Ziel even more after this incident!

It was truly a situation where even engraving gratitude on every bone in his body wouldn’t be enough.

 

‘First, let me send a letter to Father.’

 

Father might know a way.

And it wasn’t just Karen and Delev.

All the First Years clearly felt their growth through this practical training.

And it goes without saying that this was thanks to Ziel’s systematic training.

So the First Years who couldn’t take Ziel’s classes felt even more frustrated and regretful!

Because they only properly realized today the gap between students who took the class and those who didn’t.

 

‘I wonder if they’ll make it 100 students next year… course registration is going to be incredibly competitive.’

‘It would be perfect if teacher took charge of a major. Everyone takes majors…’

 

Desperate prayers!

Though unintended, that gap ultimately stimulated the students’ desires.

The very desire to grow.

 

“Then we’ll dismiss with this. Follow your guides well as you did when you entered. And the rules are still in effect, so please refrain from sudden actions and chatter until you leave the Imperial Palace.”

 

The students finally left the facility and exited the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace was quiet.

As if nothing had happened last night.

If the assassin’s body hadn’t been discovered, the students’ departure might have been pushed to a more distant future.

Meanwhile.

Ziel, who was at the center of this incident, was lost in thought for a different reason.

 

‘So emotions are things that fluctuate frequently.’

 

His ego that had been like a blank sheet.

Emotions beginning to fill it one by one.

When Delev almost died, he felt anger.

When he discovered the assassin’s identity, he felt regret.

When the students were safe, he felt relief.

And when he noticed the assassin’s intrusion, he felt urgency.

 

‘Did I call them without titles and honorifics?’

 

Thinking about it, it seemed like he had.

Ziel had always thoroughly called people by their names in the proper manner.

But the fact that this had changed meant…

 

‘Am I changing?’

 

When Ziel first infiltrated this Academy, he had only thought about his target, the Professor.

While disguising himself in the process was natural, he hadn’t considered that he himself might change.

 

‘I should look for more books about emotions.’

 

That’s when it happened.

Just as he was walking after leaving the Imperial Palace.

 

“Teacher! Can’t we have some snacks to celebrate finishing our practical training?”

 

Celia and Ann approached with sparkling eyes.

 

“Is it District 42? There’s a trendy fried bread shop there! It’s so popular that it expanded here!”

 

Fried bread!

 

‘Is this what joy feels like?’

 

Was it because of the students’ sparkling eyes and joy?

Or was it because of the memories that reflexively came to mind upon hearing the words “fried bread”?

Maybe it was both?

 

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Really? I thought you’d say no!”

“Fried bread is delicious. There’s no reason not to eat it.”

 

There was also a good reason to eat it.

 

‘They said to bill snack expenses going forward.’

 

Since the Department Head had personally promised it, it was trustworthy.

 

“Teacher, what’s wrong with you?”

“Didn’t you suggest eating fried bread?”

“Well, yes, but…”

 

Celia was unusually happy.

Then she whispered to Ann.

 

“Don’t you think Teacher seems a bit different?”

“Does he?”

“I told you. He just calls our names and when we suggest eating like this, he immediately nods.”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem that way…”

“Teacher is finally getting used to us, right?”

 

Ziel watched them quietly and then caught a scent drifting over.

 

“One kilometer ahead.”

“Huh?”

“Exactly 1km left to the fried bread shop.”

“…How do you know?”

“I can smell it.”

 

Celia quickly corrected herself.

 

“Um. Sorry. That’s our usual Teacher. Nothing’s changed.”

“R-right, I think so too?”

“Yeah, definitely. Let’s go.”

 

The two hurriedly returned to the group.

Ziel was a little excited.

At the thought of eating fried bread.

 

‘Since I need to eat lunch afterward, about 20 should be enough.’

 

And when they finally arrived in front of the fried bread shop.

 

“Welcome… Huh?”

 

When the Fried Bread Shop Owner was startled by over 100 customers, Ziel said a word.

 

“All these students will be eating here.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. And give me 20.”

“…Wow, what a great start to the day.”

 

The Fried Bread Shop Owner tilted his head.

 

“But I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere… Oh! You’re that person who paid with a check!”

“That’s right.”

“Oh my, thank you so much!”

 

The Fried Bread Shop Owner grabbed Ziel’s hands.

The savory fried bread scent wafting from hands that had been making fried food since morning!

 

‘I almost mistook them for fried bread.’

 

“You bought so much that day, right? And then customers kept flocking in…”

 

The Fried Bread Shop Owner’s story went like this.

After Ziel came that day and bought a bunch of fried bread, customers strangely started flocking in.

Then some man from the 10th District tried the fried bread and suggested that he invest so they could expand to the Upper District.

 

“How is that thanks to me?”

“There’s such a thing as a benefactor in this world. To me, you are my benefactor!”

 

Benefactor.

Ziel still didn’t quite understand the figurative meaning of that expression.

 

‘A noble person.’

 

But seeing that the other party was in a very good mood, it seemed like it could be used as a compliment.

 

“We haven’t been open long, but business is doing quite well. Even though we raised our prices! Instead of this, one or two… no, but what do you do for work? Why do you have so many kids with you…”

“I’m a Liberal Arts Instructor at the Academy. Ah.”

 

Ziel briefly corrected himself.

 

“I’ll be becoming a full teacher soon.”

“Oh ho. I see. Then today I’ll give you one for free!”

“You mean for free?”

“Yes!”

 

An unexpected stroke of luck!

 

“Then please give me 19 more.”

“…20 total?”

“Yes. I’ll eat them by myself. You said you’d give one for free, so I’ll buy the other 19 separately.”

 

The owner was momentarily stunned by the mention of eating alone.

 

“Y-you’re eating a lot again?”

“I have to eat lunch when I get back to the Academy, so I’m only eating this much.”

“Ah… Hey, I’m in a good mood. I’ll give you those too. I prepared plenty of ingredients today anyway.”

“Thank you.”

“I, I thought you’d decline at least once…”

“Why should I decline?”

 

And Elcanto, who had been walking ahead and turned around to see this scene.

 

‘What, is he buying snacks for the kids to commemorate the end of the practicum?’

 

Was that also part of his teaching policy?

Elcanto pondered for a moment.

 

‘I can’t lose either.’

 

And he boldly shouted.

 

“Second Years! Let’s get snacks before we go in!”

“Oh, really Professor?”

“Of course!”

 

The Second Years were excited about the unexpected snacks.

 

“What’s gotten into Professor Elcanto?”

“Hey, hey. He said he’d buy them, so be quiet and eat.”

“He’s really buying them, right?”

“I’m a bit suspicious. He’s incredibly stingy.”

“Just eat. He must be!”

 

Of course, Elcanto would soon regret this.

 

 

After returning to the Academy.

While the students rested, the professors couldn’t.

Merhen, in charge of the Third Years, sighed at the lower-than-expected practicum scores.

Elcanto, in charge of the Second Years, whose practicum scores weren’t bad but sighed at his completely emptied wallet.

Idel and Professor Isabella, in charge of the Fourth and Fifth Years respectively, had nothing particular to worry about regarding scores.

Finally, there was Ziel, in charge of the First Years, who had achieved ridiculous results in this event as well.

 

“Thank you all for your hard work during this practicum. There was some trouble yesterday, but… at least our students are safe, which is fortunate. At least no one died or got injured at The Iron Keep.”

 

Berhal, who had gathered all the professors together, finally spoke.

 

“I apologize to the professors and teacher for holding such a meeting right after our return, but it seemed necessary to wrap things up quickly. And also… there are urgent matters to inform you about.”

 

Performance evaluation!

And urgent matters to inform them about as well.

 

“As you all know, this practicum was conducted with absolute evaluation. Each assigned Official Member scored the students, and the scores are as follows.”

 

Finally, the scores were being revealed one by one!

 

“First, the year with the highest score is… as expected, the Fifth Years. Professor Isabella, well done.”

“Thank you, Department Head.”

“Next is…”

 

Idel deliberately straightened his posture.

Berhal didn’t even glance at Idel and turned his head in a different direction.

 

“Congratulations, Teacher Ziel.”

“Thank you, Depart… Huh?”

 

Idel, who had started to respond instead and became flustered.

 

“It’s not the Fourth Years?”

“No. Professor Idel. The First Years are right next.”

“That can’t be!”

 

Idel frantically examined the score sheet.

 

‘I definitely heard we were ahead through the third day?’

 

Then he looked at the fourth day’s scores and turned pale.

 

“On the 4th day, the First Years overtook with their practical scores. They showed outstanding performance against the Official Members.”

“Th-that can’t be. No matter what, they’re just First Years…”

“As you know, it’s absolute evaluation. If it were relative evaluation, naturally the First Years couldn’t beat the Fourth Years. But the First Years achieved results above the expected level on average. So, regrettably, the Fourth Years fell behind.”

“…”

 

It was absurd.

No matter what…

 

‘Wait… why are the comments like this?’

 

Practicals aren’t evaluated by scores alone.

They use appropriate and detailed analysis included in comments as their basis.

Therefore, the comment from Imperial Knight Chief Relio, who was in charge of the First Years, was as follows:

 

[In sparring with Official Members, the First Years struggled as expected, but completed sparring with the members without a single student giving up or falling behind. Their appearance of encouraging each other, exchanging feedback, and staying together until the end was impressive. The counterattack attempts and surprise attacks occasionally shown centered around top students were also bold enough to merit points.]

 

Idel with a dejected expression.

Since it was written by an Imperial Knight, and a chief at that, there would naturally be no lies.

Of course, since subjectivity was involved, there would be no end to suspicion if one looked at it doubtfully.

For example, that Ziel had somehow pulled strings.

But-

 

‘He’s just a Liberal Arts Instructor.’

 

For Ziel, who was merely a Liberal Arts Instructor, to do such a thing was absurd in itself!

 

“Professor Idel, still, the scores are very close. It’s not that the Fourth Years did poorly, but that the First Years did well, so please don’t worry too much about it.”

“…”

 

Trembling!

 

There was nothing to be done.

When the scores were like this.

On one hand, she gradually felt a wall.

 

‘At this rate, even at the festa…’

 

The festa coming soon.

If she fell behind even there?

 

‘No, wait. The festa isn’t a competition between Sword Schools.’

 

Idel became gloomy.

It seemed she couldn’t hope for a reversal this semester.

 

“Teacher Ziel? You’ve worked hard. I was watching too, and the First Years’ level was impressive. It’s thanks to your guidance.”

“Yes. It’s thanks to my guidance.”

“…”

 

Ziel, truly consistent as always.

But this time he added a word.

 

“But it’s also thanks to the students doing well. Regardless of the teacher’s guidance, the students’ will is also important.”

“Right. The students’ will is also important. Still, Teacher Ziel teaching them well comes first.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Berhal now just shrugged his shoulders and moved on casually.

 

“Fifth Years, First Years, Fourth Years. Next is… Second Years.”

 

Actually, the problem was elsewhere.

 

“Huh? D-Department Head. Why are the Second Years… shouldn’t the Third Years be first?”

“Professor Merhen, you need to work harder. The Third Years have the worst grades. As I mentioned, it’s absolute evaluation.”

“Why…”

“Please look at the evaluation sheet directly. The Third Years’ mental state was very disappointing. Except for a few top students including Aken Kundel, they had poor attitudes throughout the practical. Did you know this?”

 

How could he know?

He was holed up in the Spire drinking alcohol throughout the practical.

How sweet the senior treatment had been.

 

“Rather, the Second Years seem to have improved a bit from the last practical. You’ve worked hard, Professor Elcanto.”

“Oh, it’s thanks to your support, Department Head.”

 

Actually, the Second Years had nothing particularly to celebrate either.

Second place from the bottom.

The score the Second Years always achieved.

But they beat the Third Years.

 

‘Serves them right.’

 

Elcanto sneering inwardly.

Merhen with his head bowed in shame.

Watching the contrast between the two, Berhal wrapped up the performance announcement.

 

“This concludes the practical score announcement. Professors and teachers, you’ve all worked hard, and now we need to prepare for the festa.”

 

The festa finally approaching.

Practicals aside, it was the most important event of the second semester.

 

“We need to start preparations right after the midterm evaluation, so please prepare your ideas.”

 

Not just the students, but the second semester left no time for professors to rest either.

 

“And… there are two announcements I mentioned earlier.”

 

Berhal looked toward Ziel and smiled slyly.

 

“Coincidentally, both announcements are related to Teacher Ziel.”

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