On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 182

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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 182

 

Because I’m Envious!

 

Mortis was someone whose mere presence, the fact that he had come to find someone, was enough to create a stir.

 

“My goodness, who is that?”

 

“Is that really Lord Mortis?”

 

“No way, why is the Empire’s greatest artist here…?”

 

The knights from the Two Knight Orders who didn’t know the situation recognized Mortis and were flustered.

 

They couldn’t help it.

 

They had heard rumors.

 

That Lord Mortis himself had participated as an advisor in this artistic Sword School Festa.

 

But the fact that he had come like this, and at night no less, quite some time after the Festa had ended, was truly surprising.

 

Moreover, the person he was meeting wasn’t their Family Head, but Teacher Ziel!

 

“Is that teacher… acquainted with him?”

 

“It seems so… considering he came at this hour of the night.”

 

The knights didn’t know.

 

That the reason Lord Mortis had personally come to advise at the Festa was thanks to that very Teacher Ziel.

 

“So this is the students’ training scene. It seems quite different from when they were preparing for the performance.”

 

After greeting Berhal and the other two Family Heads, Mortis immediately began expressing his admiration for the training scene upon meeting Ziel.

 

“I can feel a different artistic quality from that time. I’ve been having many concerns about my New Collection anyway.”

 

“You’re referring to the Collection where I’ll be modeling.”

 

“That’s right, Teacher Ziel. If I had known it would be like this, I should have come to meet you sooner. Hmm, I feel like some inspiration is coming to me…”

 

“You have many concerns about the Collection.”

 

“More than many. I always have concerns. I always have to show something new, after all. Still, I have a feeling that things will work out well!”

 

Mortis smiled broadly as he got to the main point.

 

“As you probably already know, Teacher, I’ve decided on the one student to invite to the Collection I mentioned before.”

 

“It’s been decided. The students have been asking about it frequently.”

 

“I wanted to let you know quickly too, but since image is so important… I had considerable concerns.”

 

Who could it be?

 

Ziel was curious too.

 

The very student who would stand in the collection with him!

 

“The concept of this collection is very clear, Teacher Ziel. Since I drew inspiration from the sword dance of you and your students, I’ve pondered extensively to embody a sharp, linear, yet graceful image.”

 

Mortis was greatly impressed by the preparation for this Festa.

 

So much so that he completely changed the direction of the collection he had originally envisioned!

 

He cleanly abandoned what he had initially planned without regret and even discarded the samples he had made.

 

“At first, I imagined a nimble image. Ann, Karen, and Yurio were the promising candidates.”

 

All three were students who used fast swordsmanship.

 

Yurio stood out the most among them.

 

However, after much consideration, Mortis judged that it didn’t quite match the collection.

 

“Then I considered a heavy image, and though I don’t know much about swordsmanship, Delev Kundel’s swordsmanship looked the heaviest!”

 

“That’s correct. He uses heavy sword technique.”

 

“Yes. But Delev Kundel… his image is too aristocratic. He looks too refined.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“So, while considering a student who had both heavy swordsmanship and a matching image, I finally thought of one person!”

 

Mortis pointed to the student who happened to be visible.

 

“That’s the student. The very student who perfectly suits my collection!”

 

“…”

 

“Teacher Ziel?”

 

Ziel doesn’t know much about art.

 

He doesn’t really understand what direction Mortis is pursuing either.

 

But Mortis’s choice right now was completely unexpected.

 

“That student?”

 

“Yes! His image, his swordsmanship, and even his face are perfect! He’ll play a very important role in this collection!”

 

Mortis seemed excited.

 

That very student was-

 

“Quantus is the one qualified to stand in this collection.”

 

It was Quantus.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Ziel couldn’t understand it for a moment.

 

But it wasn’t incomprehensible.

 

He didn’t know much about art, after all.

 

But he could anticipate one thing.

 

‘The other students will be very surprised.’

 

Just about that much.

 

“What do you think, Teacher Ziel?”

 

“It matches the image Lord Mortis has in mind.”

 

“I see! As expected! I thought Teacher Ziel would agree! Now it’s perfect. That student will form a perfect symmetry with you at the collection unveiling event!”

 

Sharp, aristocratic, dignified, and at the same time cold and beautiful—Ziel’s image.

 

The exact opposite of that was…

 

Quantus.

 

“The other students won’t understand.”

 

“Uh, why not?”

 

“Because they won’t understand.”

 

Nod.

 

Ziel was right.

 

Ziel stood before the students who had finished training.

 

The devastating news pierced the ears of the students who were exhausted to death.

 

“Student Quantus Hofel will be on stage for Lord Mortis’s new collection next year.”

 

“…!”

 

Everyone was so shocked they couldn’t say anything.

 

At first, their gazes were drawn toward Celia and Delev.

 

Then all the students looking at Quantus had the same thought.

 

‘Why?’

 

‘How?’

 

Why Quantus?

 

Out of all these many students, why Quantus!

 

Of course, it was a decision made by someone like Lord Mortis, so the students had no right to question it.

 

But…

 

But still…

 

‘Why does it have to be Quantus…’

 

‘The Sir Mortis Collection is ruined…’

 

And the person in question, Quantus…

 

“M-m-me?”

 

“That’s right. Student Quantus Hofel.”

 

“…”

 

He suddenly spoke up.

 

“I-I’m a bit… you know.”

 

“…!”

 

Delev’s expression twisted.

 

Celia had trouble breathing.

 

What is that crazy bastard saying!

 

He gets this incredible opportunity and says it’s a bit much?

 

“Why, why is that? Student Quantus?”

 

To Mortis’s urgent question, Quantus said something unexpected.

 

“I won’t be able to eat!”

 

“…?”

 

“They say to be a model you have to starve and stuff… I can endure other things, but I can’t stand not being able to eat!”

 

“…”

 

Everyone was speechless.

 

It was truly a reason befitting Quantus.

 

‘He’s going to throw away that opportunity because he can’t stand that?’

 

‘That, that crazy bastard…’

 

But one person understood.

 

“Hmm. That’s a sufficient reason. Food is important.”

 

“Exactly! Teacher understands!”

 

“That’s right. Food is important, Student Quantus Hofel.”

 

“And if I can’t eat and lose muscle mass, I might collapse during training.”

 

“Hmm. That’s an understandable reason.”

 

It was Ziel.

 

At this point, Mortis felt like he was going crazy.

 

Both teacher and disciple!

 

‘Is rejecting first and thinking later everyone’s hobby?’

 

Mortis had never been rejected this frequently before.

 

Everyone would line up begging to be used as collection models, and whenever a new collection came out, they’d come carrying money pouches to buy items!

 

Why was it that this teacher and even his disciple…

 

But he couldn’t give up on the picture he’d already drawn!

 

“Y-you don’t need to lose weight! Quantus, I’m telling you this because I like your current image just as it is!”

 

“Really?”

 

“Eat lots of food, train hard, and just stand there as you are!”

 

“Is it okay if I get even bigger than now?”

 

“Of course! As much as you want!”

 

Had there ever been a time when he had to persuade a model this much?

 

Even when he was a rookie designer, it wasn’t like this.

 

But he had to do it!

 

Ziel and Quantus.

 

The core models of his new collection!

 

“Understood! I’ll do it!”

 

“Th-thank you…”

 

“Not at all!”

 

And now this situation where he was giving thanks!

 

Everything was a bit strange, but it didn’t matter.

 

‘With this, the new collection is secure.’

 

Finally, he could present an unprecedented, groundbreaking collection!

 

“This is cheating.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“There’s definitely a connection between the Hopel Family and Lord Mortis…”

 

Meanwhile, Celia’s hands trembled at the unbelievable result.

 

She looked the most frustrated.

 

‘I thought I had the highest chance!’

 

A young lady from one of the Empire’s most distinguished noble families!

 

Where did her looks fall short?

 

Where did her swordsmanship fall short?

 

Before entering the Academy, she had even built up sufficient reputation and popularity in social circles!

 

Of course, she had only gone a few times, but she received rave reviews every time she went.

 

So naturally, she thought it would be her…

 

‘I would have at least understood if it had been Delev!’

 

It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

 

“Hmm. Even if you eat a lot, you won’t complain later, right…?”

 

Seeing Quantus muttering as if he was somewhat dissatisfied in the midst of all this made her want to hit him hard on the back of the head.

 

Thwack!

 

“Ugh! Ann?”

 

“You idiot, stop grumbling and just do it!”

 

“Why, why did you hit me!”

 

“Because I’m jealous!”

 

“Ah!”

 

Thanks to Ann taking revenge on her behalf, she felt slightly relieved.

 

* * *

 

The last day of the guest lectures.

 

Although there had been the shocking incident of Quantus being selected as a model around the middle, everyone tried to forget about it and devoted themselves to training.

 

“That concludes all the guest lectures.”

 

And with Ziel’s declaration, the guest lectures that had continued for about 7 weeks finally came to an end.

 

“It’s… over…”

 

“Today was the day I burned the brightest…”

 

“How did we actually manage to do this?”

 

Students sprawled out from exhaustion.

 

Students silently gasping for breath.

 

Students sobbing from an inexplicable sense of liberation.

 

Students staring blankly down at the calluses embedded in their palms.

 

7 weeks.

 

A long yet short period of time.

 

Within that time, they had achieved clear growth.

 

“Student Rick, you’ve worked hard. From now on, you’re a Walker.”

 

“Sir Royce….”

 

“You’ve worked hard for 7 weeks. Make sure to apply to our knight order later.”

 

“Yes! I’ll definitely do that!”

 

A student who had finally reached Walker rank.

 

“You were Walker rank when you started, but now you’ve surpassed your limits. Well done, Student Maris.”

 

“Yes! Thank you for your hard work, Sir Martin!”

 

A student like Maris who had started training already at Walker rank and had grown even further.

 

“But I’m really going to remember this. Even so, where else would they make it this intense, Sir Riwal?”

 

“Th-that was the Family Head’s request… Please forgive me, Miss.”

 

“I’m joking. You could have made it even more intense.”

 

Like Delev, since her family’s knight order had been invited, Celia approached it with a different mindset.

 

All the students had done their best.

 

The two goals Ziel had presented.

 

The conditions for Upper Walker rank.

 

And the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament!

 

Since several students would be participating in the Imperial Knights camp during vacation, they had devoted themselves even more to training.

 

And both knight orders had already begun their ‘operation.’

 

“Student Ann Peshwa, Student Quantus Hofel, and Student Yurio Harmatan. All three are students taught by Kundel.”

 

“Will they come to our side?”

 

“We have to make them come somehow. Early scouting of first years is almost unprecedented, but we’ll try to make contact somehow before vacation starts, Family Head.”

 

“Hmm. Do your best to bring them over.”

 

Overflowing talents!

 

Delev and Celia were out of the question from the start.

 

But they had to somehow bring over the other students to secure future talent.

 

The guest classes had ended, but both knight orders’ operations were just beginning.

 

“Both Family Heads, thank you for your cooperation with the guest classes. Please extend our gratitude to the knight order members as well.”

 

Both Family Heads nodded at Ziel’s words of gratitude.

 

“It’s thanks to Teacher Ziel’s curriculum. What could our knight orders have possibly done?”

 

“No. You’ve done plenty for us.”

 

“Oh?”

 

What’s with that response?

 

“Of course, it’s true that it’s thanks to my curriculum.”

 

“….”

 

There we go.

 

But it wasn’t wrong either.

 

I was already thinking of getting Ziel’s permission to use that curriculum within the Knight Order.

 

Though I didn’t yet know that it was only possible with Ziel present.

 

“Sir Mullin, I’ll definitely see you again.”

 

“Yes. You’ll do well. Have a good vacation, and make sure to join our Knight Order next time.”

 

The students exchanged greetings with the Knight Order members they had grown fond of.

 

“You worked hard. Make sure to write letters. I’ll buy you a meal.”

 

“Really? I definitely will!”

 

There was also a student, no, a teaching assistant who wasn’t like that.

 

“Hahahaha! Teacher Gilbert! What a shame! So disappointing! You see, I’ve never trained this hard to death before, but thanks to Teacher Gilbert, I feel like my level has improved too. Ah! So, I’m going to send letters quite frequently. I like Teacher Gilbert so much! Hahahaha! I’ve never had such a compatible sparring partner, let’s continue to get along well!”

 

Gilbert shuddering at the unwanted supply with no demand!

 

But how should I put it.

 

He had grown attached.

 

Though it was an annoying attachment.

 

‘But I never want to see him again. Really.’

 

Gilbert looked at the hand Gunter extended, hesitated, then quickly shook hands and finished.

 

Actually, Gilbert had grown too.

 

He just developed thick skin along with it.

 

Very thick at that!

 

‘Boss, I’ll remember this…!’

 

And after all the Knight Order members had left the auditorium.

 

Ziel finally opened his mouth toward the students.

 

“You all worked hard. Every one of you achieved your goals in this guest lecture.”

 

All students had achieved their training goals.

 

And very precisely at that.

 

There wasn’t a single student who exceeded their goal or fell slightly short.

 

As if they had foreseen the future, the goals the students reached at the exact moment they finished training were precisely the goals Ziel had set for them.

 

“And the semester is now over.”

 

It finally felt real.

 

The second semester, no, the entire first year was finally over.

 

“Oh, Teacher! Then what about our final evaluation…?”

 

Quantus asking without reading the room!

 

Teacher Ziel wouldn’t have forgotten, but you never know!

 

“Hey you…!”

 

“Ack! Why, why?”

 

“Be quiet!”

 

Fortunately, Ziel delivered good news.

 

“I didn’t mention it earlier. The final evaluation was replaced with the guest lecture. Everyone achieved their goals in the guest lecture, so you all pass.”

 

“Yahoo!”

 

“Woooooh!”

 

Cheers erupted in the auditorium.

 

The corners of Ziel’s mouth turned up slightly.

 

‘Is this what feeling liberated is like?’

 

Ziel naturally had no such experience, so he didn’t really know what the students were feeling, but now he thought he understood a little.

 

“With today, all official schedules for the second semester have ended, so go back and prepare for vacation. However, don’t forget that for the next week, you need to practice for the Imperial Palace performance.”

 

“Yes!”

 

The Imperial Palace invitation performance!

 

It was nerve-wracking and scary, but the anticipation was greater.

 

And there was even the Knight Order Camp on top of that.

 

Some students would barely get any rest during the entire vacation, but that was fine.

 

It was a golden opportunity.

 

In the midst of all this, Ziel spoke the words all students had been waiting for.

 

“Then, as promised, I will now bestow the reward for the 5 Praise Cards.”

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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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