On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 152
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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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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 152
Festa Idea (2)
Everyone doubted their ears.
‘Who did he recruit?’
‘No way, that’s impossible.’
Even Isabella felt the same.
‘Lord Mortis…?’
Was the name that just came out of Ziel’s mouth even remotely reasonable?
Mortis!
The owner of Mortis Boutique, the Empire’s greatest artist, and someone who had countless nobles and even the Imperial Family as fans!
That person’s name just came out of Ziel’s mouth?
As a recruitment target, no less?
‘No, he already recruited him?’
It was Berhal who broke the silence.
“Um, Teacher Ziel. So… who exactly did you recruit?”
“Mortis Allen. The person called Lord Mortis, Department Head Berhal Abue.”
“…How?”
“I asked him.”
“D-did you know him from before?”
“Yes. We met at the boutique.”
Answers that were completely incomprehensible, one after another.
‘Of course you’d meet at a boutique since he runs one, but what does that meeting mean exactly…?’
All the professors here had visited the boutique at least once.
It was true that if you were lucky, you could meet Mortis at the boutique.
But that wasn’t the kind of ‘meeting’ that fit the current situation.
If you went, you’d just see him from afar.
“After meeting…”
“He asked me to be his model.”
“Ah.”
This was somewhat understandable.
That face!
Who wouldn’t be captivated?
“So I refused.”
“…”
“But then we met again. It was at the Valhafen Festa where I went to get ideas.”
“Ah… and then?”
Ziel answered all the successive questions without showing any emotion.
“I judged that we could create a festa that Lord Mortis could enjoy. So I proposed it.”
“And he accepted?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m telling you about it.”
“Ah…”
Did he blackmail him or something?
“In exchange, I accepted his modeling proposal.”
“Ah!”
Berhal let out an exclamation.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
‘He’s not the type who would move just for having someone model for him.’
It was certain.
Mortis had been completely smitten with Ziel from the beginning, enough to want him as a model.
‘Wait, that bracelet…’
The signature and logo visible on the bracelet Ziel was wearing.
‘Is that from the Sir Mortis Collection?’
Just as Berhal’s eyes widened.
“R-really? Teacher Ziel, you recruited Lord Mortis?”
“That’s correct, Professor Merhen Curtis.”
“Heh, heheheh…”
At this moment, no one could secretly criticize or needlessly belittle him.
Ziel had accomplished something tremendous.
Enough to shake the entire Academy!
“This… the very idea itself is absurd.”
Isabella was genuinely amazed.
“Even if you know Lord Mortis and even if Lord Mortis wanted you, how would you even think of recruiting him for a festa?”
She even let out a hollow laugh, seemingly incredulous.
“If it were me, I would have just asked for a few collection pieces. Wouldn’t everyone else do the same?”
That’s right.
This is an idea that only Ziel could come up with.
“Teacher Ziel is really serious about the festa.”
“Yes, I want to create an enjoyable festa.”
Of course, that’s not all.
“And I also want to beat Arcane School.”
Silence settled again.
The tide had turned.
Today’s meeting was just a meeting.
A place to gather ideas and exchange opinions on what to do.
Not many people expected any brilliant strategy to beat Arcane School to come from this meeting.
But with the presence of Mortis that Ziel had recruited, everything began to change.
“A festa unique to Sword School with artistic elements added… I can’t even imagine what that would look like.”
Isabella responded to Berhal’s muttering.
“I can’t imagine it either. But it definitely seems like it’ll be incredible.”
The other professors kept their mouths shut completely.
Their own ideas seemed meaningless in the face of what Ziel had proposed.
‘Labyrinth my ass… It’s just over with Mortis alone.’
‘What’s a Barrier Breaker, how embarrassing!’
‘Blade Challenge? Challenge my frozen ass…’
Just as the professors were lamenting.
“If Lord Mortis’s design is added, more people will flock to the events that the other professors mentioned as well.”
Ziel moved the professors.
“Blade Challenge, Barrier Breaker, Labyrinth Exploration. I think it will make them more interesting.”
Merhen and Idel.
The hearts of the two professors who had still been looking at Ziel unfavorably sank with a thud.
They also felt ashamed.
In truth, there was no justification for openly disliking Ziel.
Just inferiority complex and jealousy!
But even that seemed to be disappearing with Ziel’s single comment.
‘Our professors are moved.’
Berhal chuckled at the expressions of the two troublesome professors.
But really, art is a strange thing.
Looking at Ziel’s face, it makes sense, but to make such a tremendous decision just by recruiting that one model.
‘Is this why they call him Lord Mortis?’
Berhal stared at Ziel intently.
‘No. The person who made such a Lord Mortis fall for him is even more amazing.’
“Good. Well, thanks to Teacher Ziel, things are changing dramatically.”
Mortis’s joining!
His heart was already pounding with excitement.
“Then we should arrange a meeting with Lord Mortis?”
“He’s planning to visit the Academy tomorrow.”
“…That’s quick?”
“There are 28 days left until the festa. And we need to hear the students’ opinions too.”
“The students?”
When Berhal asked, Ziel answered as if it were obvious.
“It’s a festa that students participate in. Of course we need the students’ opinions.”
Until now, festas were just events where professors came up with ideas and students were mobilized to create and participate in the events.
At best, running food stalls?
But Ziel found that strange.
Perhaps there were too many things they had just accepted as natural.
Berhal nodded with a smile.
“Yes. You’re right. Let’s listen to the students’ opinions and plan the events together.”
Sword School’s festa began flowing in a completely different direction.
“Ah, today’s over too.”
“I think I’m getting used to it now?”
“I feel pretty good today. Should we train a bit in preparation for Magic Doll Sparring?”
The class ended today as well.
The first years had gained a lot of confidence after returning from the practical training.
Especially the students who would be going to the Knight Order camp during vacation had been dedicating more time to training outside of regular classes.
“I’m jealous of the kids going to camp. They all seem really close to each other.”
“No way. Delev and Celia were fighting again today, weren’t they?”
“Those two just can’t live without each other. They’re always like that. Even if they were at opposite ends of the Eastern and Western Regions, they’d probably fight through letters.”
The students going to camp even gathered together to train.
This practical training had also greatly influenced the first years.
“But Teacher Ziel isn’t leaving? He usually goes out right after this class ends.”
“Where was he going?”
“Faculty Dining Hall. He’s apparently emptied his food tray more than ten times lately.”
“Does he eat that much?”
“Didn’t you see him at the campfire during the practical training?”
In the midst of this, Ziel, who hadn’t left and was looking over documents, finally opened his mouth toward the students.
“There’s an announcement.”
The lecture hall fell quiet.
All eyes fixed on Ziel.
“The festival is coming soon. Exactly 27 days left.”
Ah.
It’s finally here.
That very festival they’d only heard about from the seniors.
‘They said we just have to do what we’re told.’
‘What kind of events did they have last year?’
Everyone was looking forward to it, but they were all just thinking about buying food and having fun at the festival.
No one had any thought of preparing for the festival.
But Ziel brought up something completely different from their expectations.
“From now on, all first years including you will be entering festival preparations.”
“What?”
“Starting with this festival, the Professor Council has decided to directly listen to students’ ideas and prepare events together.”
While the students froze at this unexpected announcement, Ziel continued speaking.
“So we need someone to collect the ideas. I’ll take volunteers.”
Before raising hands, they needed to understand the situation.
“Teacher! So you’re saying we’ll prepare festival events based on the ideas we submit?”
Celia, who always stepped forward first to ask at times like this.
“Student Celia Rihart, always asking questions first. That’s right. There’s a possibility your ideas could become festival events.”
Ziel even threw out bait.
“If an idea is adopted, the student who submitted it will take charge of preparing that event. And depending on the event’s success, they’ll receive a special scholarship.”
Special scholarship.
At those words, there were two people whose eyes particularly lit up.
Karen and Yurio.
‘This is no joke?’
‘This is totally great!’
The two exchanged glances as if they’d made a promise.
“Therefore, we need to form a Student Preparation Committee. Is there anyone who wants to take on the chairman position?”
Both raised their hands simultaneously!
“I’ll do it!”
“I’ll do it!”
Ziel, who had expected Delev or Celia to raise their hands, showed a surprised reaction.
But there was no reason to refuse volunteers.
However.
“Understood. Student Yurio Harmatan will collect the other students’ opinions.”
It wasn’t Karen.
“What about me!”
“Student Karen Aswan. You have something else to do at this festival.”
“What?”
“The idea forms are prepared, so interested students come forward and take them.”
Ziel, who had somehow prepared documents and placed them out.
Karen, disappointed.
Yurio, immersed in happiness.
Both their eyes sparkled.
‘Should I have done it…?’
Meanwhile, Delev regretted missing the chance to catch Ziel’s attention!
“Damn! I was too slow to react! I could have been a leader again!”
Quantus, obsessing over leadership again today.
‘…Why does that guy Yurio keep standing out lately?’
And even Maris, secretly jealous of Yurio.
“That concludes the announcements. I look forward to everyone’s good ideas.”
If it were some other teacher or professor saying this, it might be different.
But since Ziel said it, no one could just sit still.
“Ideas? What should we do?”
“Should we gather today and talk about it? If we put our heads together, won’t something come up?”
“They’re giving scholarships. Won’t our families be happy if we get one?”
While the students were wracking their brains.
“Boss, let’s go eat!”
“Alright.”
Ziel finished his meal of over 10 bowls at the Faculty Dining Hall today as well.
For reference, Gilbert was satisfied with just 1 bowl.
This wasn’t particularly surprising anymore.
Actually, Ziel had wanted to eat more.
But he couldn’t.
Because the appointed time was approaching.
“Lord Mortis is really coming to the Academy today, right?”
“Yes. He says he wants to take a look around before the meeting.”
“I’m so excited!”
Gilbert was beside himself with joy!
Ever since meeting him at the Valhafen Festa, he had been talking about nothing but Mortis.
“Calm your excitement, Gilbert.”
“I’m just going to stay excited like this!”
Meanwhile, Mortis arrived exactly on time.
“Lord Mortis.”
“Teacher Ziel! Haha, you look beautiful today as well?”
“Is that so.”
“Even such a blunt response is wonderful. Ha, I’ve never been like this before!”
Mortis was extremely delighted upon seeing Ziel.
He was clearly completely smitten.
“I’m so excited thinking that Teacher Ziel will be my model!”
“So there’s someone else besides Gilbert who experiences the emotion of excitement.”
“Ah, Teaching Assistant Gilbert.”
“It’s an honor to see you again, Lord Mortis!”
Either way, both of them were in very good moods.
Though they were looking at different people.
“Now then, shall we take a slow walk and have a look? My concept is to decorate the entire Sword School Festival Area very artistically. Hmm. How should I put it. First, aesthetics are very important. Then naturally guide the gaze, and while guiding the gaze, also draw in footsteps. Within that, divide into sections with related themes…”
Mortis, who had been chattering excitedly, was also pondering at the same time.
“What theme would suit this festival best… That’s the concern I have, you see?”
Mortis was sincere.
Though he had agreed when Ziel said she would be his model, he was always serious about work that required artistic spirit.
Wasn’t this something he was doing with his pride on the line?
If he did it carelessly, it would only tarnish his reputation.
“So I’ve been thinking about it a bit, and a few ideas came to mind immediately, but there’s something, something that feels lacking.”
Mortis was conceiving the theme of this festival centered around ‘swords’.
“For now, there are two themes. One is ‘swords’. Creating various sword designs and installing them as sculptures throughout.”
The first.
Making swords into sculptures and installing them.
And the second.
“The other is themed around ‘swordsmanship’… but this is a bit problematic, you see? I need to show that frozen moment, but I can’t quite figure out what the most beautiful and magnificent moment of swordsmanship would be. The moment of stabbing an enemy? The moment of blocking? Or perhaps, the moment of drawing the sword?”
Mortis expressed his frustration.
“I even met with a knight I know yesterday to watch a sword technique demonstration, but I didn’t really get much inspiration from it.”
Mortis looked around while pondering.
“Since this is Sword School, I thought I’d at least be able to see scenes of swordsmanship practice as soon as I entered…”
“Almost all classes ended today.”
“Ah, I see. That’s unfortunate.”
“Instead, I’ll show you.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
Ziel solved the problem quite simply.
Actually, the person Mortis had met was quite powerful even among the Grand Knights.
‘Since he’s a Sword School teacher, he must be strong, but… that person was the Vice Commander of Knights?’
Well, the swordsmanship expressed with that artistic face was worth looking forward to.
“Let’s do that.”
But the moment they moved to the auditorium and Ziel drew his sword.
Shing.
‘What is this? What is this feeling?’
Mortis felt an inexplicable tingling sensation.
What was this?
It was almost like…
“What movement would you like?”
“Uh… a thrust, for now.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh!
The moment Ziel thrust into the air and stopped—
‘Th, this is….’
Mortis realized.
Perfect speed.
Perfect posture.
And a sword tip that stopped perfectly without a single tremor!
“What’s next?”
“Sl, slashing! Diagonally!”
“Diagonal slash. Yes.”
Swish!
The slashing attack too.
Swoosh!
The upward strike too.
Whoosh!
Even the downward strike that followed.
“Ahh….”
The beauty of restraint.
The beauty of swiftness.
And the beauty of weight.
It was clearly different from the Grand Knight’s swordsmanship he had met and admired yesterday.
‘They’re clearly both holding and swinging swords….’
Was it a matter of skill level?
A difference in the swordsmanship they had learned?
They were clearly similar movements, but why was Ziel’s….
‘Art.’
Why was it so beautiful?
‘Because I’m completely captivated?’
No.
That wasn’t the issue.
Ziel’s sword contained an inexplicable power that inspired awe.
Movements without the slightest waver.
Swordsmanship connections without hesitation.
And a sharpness that would be perfectly fine even if what he held in his hands was just a tree branch!
“Wow… Boss really is something.”
Even Gilbert was newly impressed.
Mortis nodded blankly.
“So swordsmanship… could become art too….”
It was a moment when Mortis gained some realization as an artist.
‘Yes, that was it.’
That tingling sensation he felt the moment Ziel drew his sword!
That was it.
The feeling of seeing art pieces just before their public reveal.
The feeling of facing beauty that had been covered by curtains and finally revealed itself!
‘This is it. This was it. Sword, inspiration about swords is coming.’
That realization soon led to inspiration.
“Should I show you more?”
“No! That’s enough… Actually, I’d like to see more, but right now I need to organize this rising inspiration.”
The corners of Mortis’s mouth turned up.
“I’ll prepare a proper work.”
A work!
The scope of that was the entire Academy Sword School grounds.
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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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