On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 156

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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 156

Festa Idea (6)

“Oh, hmm. So you had such an idea. And you’re seeking advice, is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s correct, Lord Mortis.”

“Ha. That sounds interesting. If it’s a request from none other than Teacher Ziel, I’d be more than happy to help!”

“Is that so.”

“The design concept is almost finished anyway. Now that I’m starting the actual work… I should have plenty of time in the evening.”

Mortis accepted very readily.

“So 100 students performing a sword dance, that’s your concept, Teacher Ziel?”

“The idea came from Student Yurio Harmatan here. Increasing the number of people was my idea though.”

“Oh. A sword dance, if done well, would be more eye-catching than any Sword School event I’ve heard of! To think a student came up with such an artistic concept!”

Mortis looked at Yurio with eyes that showed subtle envy!

“As expected, students with good aesthetic sense are born under teachers with good aesthetic sense. Karen also has quite good aesthetic sense. Her perspective is interesting. She’s been very active as an assistant in this design.”

Karen and Yurio.

What they had in common was being students who worked hard at anything for their scholarships.

“Is that so. It’s good to hear my students being praised.”

This emotion he felt whenever someone outside Sword School, not inside, praised the first years.

Though Ziel wasn’t yet accustomed to emotions, he could now fully recognize that this was ‘pride.’

‘My students being praised outside is definitely a good thing.’

“It means Teacher Ziel teaches well. There’s a reason why you stay at Sword School teaching students despite your beauty.”

“If you’re beautiful, you shouldn’t be at Sword School?”

“Oh my! That’s not what I meant. It’s the opposite! Um… come to think of it, maybe that’s what makes you more attractive?”

“That makes me attractive?”

“People naturally yearn more for things that are hard to obtain. Haven’t you ever felt that way, Teacher Ziel?”

Desire.

Ziel hadn’t really given it serious thought.

But he had often seen people who displayed their desires.

‘Dietrich Valdrain, for instance.’

The very person who constantly desires him!

Is it because he can’t have him and never will that makes it even more so?

“I hope I can find such a person too.”

By the way, he became a little curious.

Not out of desire, but how Dietrich would move after receiving information about him.

He had told him to investigate Siren, so perhaps he was moving by now.

Then Kundel, Rihart,

“It’s time now. All the students should be gathered.”

“Ah. I see. Then let’s go! I’m looking forward to this. Maybe it’ll be an even more wonderful festa than Telbier Academy’s festa?”

“Telbier Academy – isn’t that the academy in the South?”

“That’s right. I visited there once before, and they strategically threw the entire academy behind their festa, turning it into a festival for the whole South.”

An interesting story.

“Do they have a Sword School there too?”

“Of course. Their academic system is a bit different so the name would be different too… You should visit there sometime when you get the chance.”

“Mm. I understand.”

Telbier Academy in the South.

Ziel memorized it in his mind.

“Teacher, I think it’s time now.”

“Right. Let’s go to the auditorium.”

A little later.

The auditorium where all the First Years had gathered.

As soon as Karen and Yurio entered the auditorium and found their places, Gilbert, who had been waiting in the center of the auditorium, whispered.

“Boss, what are we doing at this late hour?”

“We’re going to practice Sword Dance. Your role is important this time.”

“My role…!”

A few days ago.

Gilbert had received Ziel’s instructions near the Siren Family and successfully completed his mission.

The confidence he recovered thanks to that!

“It’s time for me to step up.”

“That’s right.”

Resolute will and eyes!

“Please tell us anything.”

“I’ll explain in a moment.”

Ziel stood before the students.

“From today until the Festa opens, you will prepare a Sword Dance performance.”

In fact, the First Years had already heard the news and had been resenting Yurio and Karen for quite some time.

‘What the hell is a Sword Dance performance.’

‘What he’s saying is… he’s going to work us to death until the Festa.’

The problem was they still didn’t know exactly how it would proceed…

“I’ve planned the Sword Dance performance for about 20 minutes. And all of you will participate to prepare the event.”

“Teacher, so you’re saying all of us will perform together for 20 minutes…?”

“That’s right. Student Celia Rihart. It’s Student Yurio Harmatan’s idea. However, having everyone participate was my suggestion.”

“Then will we be divided separately and deployed at different time intervals?”

“No. Everyone will perform the same movements for 20 minutes. That will be much more eye-catching.”

“…!”

Ziel’s words were unexpected.

“Lord Mortis will advise on the performance composition. And you must practice to accurately remember and perform all movements in sync with the Sword Dance that Gilbert will demonstrate.”

Then came the words everyone expected but didn’t want to hear.

“4 hours every evening. Gather in this auditorium until 7 PM after dinner.”

“Ugh.”

“We’re dead again…”

“How long has it been since the practical training ended, sob.”

Sounds of lamentation flowing from all directions.

But the students who had gone through Ziel’s classes and training knew.

The fact that lamenting wouldn’t change anything.

Rather, there was even a student trying to seize this opportunity.

“Haha! Teacher! Then are we choosing a leader this time too! If so, you have me, the leadership specialist!”

“No. We’re not choosing one.”

“Why aren’t we choosing one!”

“Because we’re not choosing one.”

Nod.

While Quantus sank in one second, Mortis suddenly came up with a good idea.

“Um, Teacher. Speaking of leaders, how about having one exceptional student perform at the front?”

“An exceptional student, you say?”

“Yes. To focus attention. Specifically, if we place them at the very front where people’s eyes will be most concentrated…”

Mortis looked around at the students!

No one wanted to make eye contact.

‘If I make eye contact, I’m dead… If I make eye contact, I’m dead…’

‘Hey, hey. Eyes. Hurry!’

‘If it’s at the front, all eyes will be on me!’

Just one person.

“That student would draw too much attention.”

“That’s student Quantus Hopel.”

“Let’s go with a different student.”

Except for Quantus, who always craved leadership.

“Hmm. It would be good to have a student whose sword dance lines are beautiful and graceful…”

“You mean swordsmanship?”

“Ah. That’s right. A student whose swordsmanship is ‘beautiful’ would be good. Hmm. Like Teacher Ziel.”

“Then how about putting Boss at the front?”

Mortis’s eyes sparkled at Gilbert’s suggestion, but soon shook his head.

“That’s also a good method, but… the students would be overshadowed instead. Teacher Ziel’s sword dance is art itself.”

He was just about to start installing sculptures after gaining countless inspiration from watching Ziel’s sword dance.

His disciples had even praised the sketches they made of Ziel’s sword dance.

“Then how about our Teaching Assistant?”

Gilbert flinched at Ziel’s suggestion.

“Me, Boss?”

“Yes. You can do it.”

“Me leading this sword dance… I mean…”

“You’ll become the leader.”

“…!”

Leader!

For some reason, his heart fluttered at those words.

‘Leader….’

A role he had never taken on before!

“I’ll do it.”

“Good.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Yes. Do well.”

Gilbert clenched his fist, then suddenly asked.

“But didn’t you say there was an important role for me to play?”

“I can handle that. It’s the Sword Dance demonstration.”

“Ah.”

Originally, Gilbert was supposed to demonstrate the Sword Dance according to the movements Ziel had choreographed, and the students would follow along.

But with Mortis’s suggestion, that role went to Ziel, and Gilbert became the leader who would guide the students from the front!

20 minutes.

Though it wasn’t a long time, the students would spend over 20 days practicing the Sword Dance for those moments.

Of course, Ziel didn’t just throw out goals as he always did.

“I’ll also award Praise Cards for this Sword Dance practice. However, this time everyone will receive one card each, and students who particularly stand out will receive three cards each.”

Praise Cards!

The students’ eyes sparkled at those words.

Ziel had realized one fact through last semester and this semester.

When appropriate rewards were announced, student participation increased even more!

During his assassin days.

The concept of ‘reward’ didn’t exist.

Because it was a concept directly connected to desire.

Having had his emotions severed from the beginning, he couldn’t grasp the concept of desire itself.

But now it was different.

What Ziel offered wasn’t just Praise Cards.

“I’ll also provide snacks.”

“Oh!”

“If there’s anything you want, just tell me. I’ll purchase whatever it is.”

Praise cards.

Snacks.

Both might seem trivial, but they were enough to gradually stimulate the students’ motivation.

And here was Ziel presenting the greatest reward of all.

“This sword dance performance will greatly help your understanding and mastery of swordsmanship.”

Personal growth!

“Swordsmanship is a series of movements. You extend your arm, move your feet, twist your wrist, move your entire body including your shoulders, and when you finally reach a specific point, we call that a ‘movement.'”

Ziel’s lecture began on the spot.

Mortis also listened to Ziel’s lecture with an interested expression.

“In practicing for this sword dance performance, you’ll learn to execute those movements in succession and connect one movement to another. That process will be an opportunity to develop ‘efficiency’ in your swordsmanship.”

Efficiency.

What Ziel valued most.

Not only as an assassin, but the importance of ‘efficiency’ in swordsmanship was something anyone who had reached a certain level had to acknowledge.

Maximum defense and attack with minimum movement!

That was the essence of efficiency!

“Teacher, so you’re saying that through this sword dance practice, we’ll learn the connectivity between movements and use that to develop our swordsmanship?”

“Good understanding, student Delev Kundel. That’s correct. I’ll award you one praise card for now.”

Delev was surprised.

Just for asking a question?

Whoosh.

The praise card left Ziel’s hand and landed precisely in Delev’s hand.

“Everyone remember what student Delev Kundel just said.”

Delev surrounded by envious gazes!

Among those gazes was Gilbert’s as well.

‘If I do well this time, will the boss give me one too?’

“After finishing the sword dance practice and successfully completing the performance, you’ll realize the most efficient way to connect movement to movement.”

Unless you’re a swordsman who can bring anyone in the world to their knees, you must sometimes swing your sword a hundred times following the first strike, second strike, third strike, and fourth strike to defeat your enemy.

“Just keep in mind that swordsmanship is created by connecting movement to movement.”

When Ziel finished speaking, the students’ hearts stirred just as much as Gilbert’s.

If another professor had said this, the students would have just stared off into the distance or couldn’t have expected much from its effects.

But this was Ziel.

By following the goals their teacher presented, they could discover their improved selves before they knew it.

“Once you finish the sword dance performance like that, your skills will definitely improve.”

“Then we’ll be able to feel it at the vacation knight camp!”

Maris raised her hand high with a question.

Ziel nodded.

“You’ll be able to feel it there, and you’ll also feel it during magic doll sparring.”

“Ah!”

“And there’s one more event before this semester ends.”

One more event?

“What else is there? I haven’t heard anything.”

“Me neither. Isn’t the festa the end?”

“Don’t tell me we’re going to hunt magical beasts…?”

Ziel kept his words to himself for now.

Because he wanted to surprise the students.

Only Delev, who knew what the event was, was trying hard to suppress his twitching lips.

‘The kids will be shocked when they see our knight order.’

It was the knight order invitation that had been discussed with Aimerus Kundel during the home visit!

The Kundel Knights, who were evaluated as having individual average skills that surpassed the Imperial Knights even though their scale was smaller!

They were coming to the Academy.

“I’ll announce the details after the festa ends. That’s all.”

The exchange tournament.

The past two practical training sessions.

It was the same for all of them.

They didn’t know what event Teacher Ziel was talking about, but this time too, they would definitely feel their growth.

Imagining that scene made their hearts start racing again.

‘The students’ eyes have changed.’

Mortis was impressed.

What an amazing teacher with such commanding presence.

From what he could see, they hadn’t been together for long, yet he managed to make the students follow him to such an extent.

Among those children were even the heirs of Kundel and Rihart, whom Mortis knew well.

Making someone obediently follow control and presented goals is no easy task!

Yet the students seemed to follow him with genuine sincerity.

‘This too is art. Indeed, how coveted.’

Mortis, who had initially started with a modeling proposal attracted by his appearance, was now falling for Ziel as a person.

‘But why?’

Mortis had met many people with outstanding appearances until now.

While he would admire such people, he had never fallen for them like this.

For Mortis, appearance was one of the criteria, not an absolute value.

Without something that moves the heart, no matter how outstanding the appearance, it’s just a pleasing decoration…

Why was this different?

‘Is it because of those eyes?’

Mortis, whose intuition was developed in a different direction from Ziel’s.

Those rare orange-colored eyes.

When looking into those eyes, he sometimes felt as if he were walking through a dream.

Certainly, those eyes were different from others.

“I’ll conclude the explanation here.”

Then Ziel finally picked up his sword.

“From now on, we’ll begin practicing the Sword Dance performance for the festa.”

Shing.

“First is the sword drawing movement. Everyone draw your swords.”

Shing, shing! Shing!

The students drew their swords in unison.

However, seeing this, Ziel gave another instruction.

“Draw again.”

Swish, swish!

It still didn’t satisfy Ziel.

“Match my speed. The performance starts with sword drawing.”

In other words, all the people had to draw their swords at the exact timing with perfectly identical movements.

It was an uphill battle from the start.

‘I don’t think we’ll finish within 4 hours today…’

‘We’re dead again today.’

But whining doesn’t work in front of Teacher Ziel’s lessons.

Being in pain is useless.

As long as you’re not dying, he’ll somehow fix you.

Which makes it even more painful.

‘Ah. That’s right.’

Swish! Swish!

Mortis suddenly came up with a good idea while watching the students drawing their swords in unison.

“Karen… Ah, that’s right, she’s practicing.”

During the day, Mortis’s assistant.

From evening onwards, a student again.

Karen was extremely busy.

“In that case…”

Mortis immediately began transferring the inspiration that came to him on the spot into a sketch.

It was the performance costume that the students would wear during the Sword Dance performance.

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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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