On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 21

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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 021

 

 

I’m Proud of Myself

 

 

First years surprisingly don’t have many opportunities to directly compare each other’s skill levels.

They can only speculate based on family backgrounds or rumors heard before enrollment.

The selection tournament is essentially the first time they actually cross swords and fight.

During entrance exams, they face separately selected instructors, and these are also individual tests not open to the public.

During the first semester after enrollment, they only take liberal arts classes and theory-focused major classes.

Delev Kundel.

Celia Rihart.

Or Maris Sopen.

Unless they’re children from already well-known families, there’s really no way to know what level of skill they possess.

Of course, you can tell just by looking.

Family background.

This alone determines things to a certain extent.

However, sometimes.

Very rarely—

 

“Huh, he hit the mark again.”

“Student Yurio Harmatan… wasn’t he one of the kids Teacher Ziel teaches?”

 

There’s a student who breaks that precedent.

Like Yurio right now.

 

‘This is it.’

 

Before, his physical strength couldn’t keep up.

He’d get tired after swinging his sword just a few times.

When his stamina dropped, his concentration would scatter and naturally he couldn’t perform the movements he wanted perfectly.

But now it’s different.

The modified breathing technique.

The physical strength that increased thanks to it!

Swordsmanship that unfolds exactly as imagined in his head and pressures his opponent!

Harmatan Style Swift Swordsmanship is finally showing its brilliance.

 

‘Before, my strength would drop completely after just performing 2 sword forms.’

 

His chest swelled with emotion.

 

‘Father, it seems like a path has finally opened for me too.’

 

Though his family discouraged him due to his weak physical strength, Yurio never gave up on the path of swordsmanship.

That decision wasn’t wrong.

 

Clang!

 

“You bastard!”

 

Maris charged forward in anger.

But Yurio easily dodged and knocked away his sword, then struck his shoulder and followed up by kicking his shin.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Maris clutched his leg and tumbled down.

There was nothing more to see, but Maris got up screaming.

 

“Not yet! I haven’t lost!”

 

His pride wouldn’t allow it.

He felt like he needed to land at least one hit on that guy, or actually beat him half to death to feel satisfied.

 

‘How did that bastard manage to…’

 

Minor houses.

They were always targets of Maris’s disdain.

Yurio, Karen, Brent…

Kids from families he’d never even heard of.

Guys who just filled up the headcount for Sword School freshmen.

Sopen is different from those guys.

Very different indeed.

Overwhelming financial power!

Prestige that would soon be called one of the Six Major Families!

And his existence, bearing all the expectations of that family, should always be trampling those guys underfoot!

 

“You… did you pull some kind of trick?”

 

To Maris’s question, now entering the stage of denying reality, Yurio shook his head.

 

“No. I just worked hard, that’s all.”

“Didn’t you hear something from Teacher Ziel!”

 

A weakness?

Or a habit?

If not that, then swordsmanship analysis?

 

‘If it’s not that, this can’t be happening!’

 

Actually, even if that were the case, he should still win.

At least if he’s from the Sopen Family.

Instead of answering further, Yurio kicked off the ground and charged forward.

 

“Guh!”

 

That was the end of it.

Yurio broke through Maris’s defense and thrust at his chest, bringing him down.

The Teaching Assistant checked the professors’ signals and made the announcement.

 

“Winner. Yurio Harmatan.”

“No way!”

 

Maris urgently got up.

But was immediately blocked by Tiron.

 

“Student Maris Sopen. If you don’t accept defeat here, it could affect your score.”

“I lost anyway and got eliminated…”

“Think of your family.”

“…”

 

In the end, Maris hung her head.

Reality came crashing down as her anger subsided.

Now she felt so embarrassed she could die.

 

‘This doesn’t make sense…’

 

If she had to lose, it would be understandable to lose to Delev or Celia.

But why to last-place Yurio…

 

“Perform the sparring etiquette.”

 

Maris half-heartedly performed the sparring etiquette and trudged back to her seat.

No student spoke to her.

No student even looked at her.

All eyes were focused on Yurio.

 

“Wow, he actually won this.”

 

Karen muttered in disbelief.

Then she patted Yurio’s back as he returned.

 

“Well done! You really do have talent for swordsmanship? I thought you were just talking nonsense.”

“I told you it was real…”

“Who would believe that?”

 

He had mentioned it to Karen in passing a few times.

That he often heard he had talent for swordsmanship.

Karen had scolded Yurio each time.

Considering his family background, she wondered if there was any kid at Sword School who hadn’t grown up hearing such things.

 

‘But it’s actually true.’

 

Actually, Karen had something to say too.

There should have been opportunities to verify it directly all this time.

 

“Really amazing. He beat Maris. Wow.”

 

Maris’s skills were by no means lacking.

Some might say the Sopen Family was a place that only flaunted money without proper foundation, but when that money accumulates, it becomes something else entirely.

Moreover, Maris possessed sufficient talent for swordsmanship.

And he had defeated such a heir.

 

“That’s impressive.”

 

Not far away.

Celia, sitting with her friends, sparkled with interest.

A guy she hadn’t paid any attention to had been hiding such skills?

And Delev.

 

“…”

 

His mind raced furiously.

 

‘It would be difficult to win completely.’

 

It was instinct, if you could call it that.

Gauging his own strength against a noteworthy opponent.

His hands twitched.

He wanted to fight right away, but he held back.

His opponent would be someone else.

Meanwhile, opinions were exchanged among the grading professors.

 

“Well, this score should be sufficient, right?”

“It might be disappointing for the Sopen Family, but… there’s no way to find justification for this.”

“If student Maris had at least put up a close fight, we could have considered it.”

 

Even the professors who usually considered family backgrounds couldn’t do anything about such a complete defeat.

 

“The score to give student Maris is… problematic.”

“Won’t the Sopen Family protest?”

“It would probably be difficult. Not yet, anyway.”

 

Professor Elcanto’s words carried many implications.

No matter how much money Sopen had and how much they donated, they weren’t at that level yet.

All the professors agreed with those sharp words.

 

“Then, student Yurio Harmatan’s score is… this.”

 

The score was assigned, and the teaching assistant received the result and reflected it on the score sheet.

Meanwhile.

 

“…This doesn’t make sense.”

 

Maris was sitting in one corner of the auditorium, far from the other students, in despair.

Even though she had been uncooperative at the beginning of class, she was scared of Delev and had listened diligently.

So her physical strength and reflexes had improved significantly, and she had received high scores on the physical fitness test, naturally expecting to be selected for the exchange tournament team…

 

‘What trick did he use? Did Teacher Ziel help him somehow?’

 

The moment he suddenly raised his head.

 

“Hup.”

 

Maris’s eyes met with Ziel’s.

 

“T-Teacher.”

 

Maris squeezed his eyes shut.

 

“I don’t need any comfort…”

 

He didn’t need comfort.

What he needed right now was time alone.

Ziel gazed at Maris quietly before opening his mouth.

 

“Come out for a moment.”

“Pardon?”

“I said come out for a moment, Student Maris Sopen.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s a door behind you.”

 

A moment later.

 

Creak. Thud.

 

Ziel, who had gone inside, came back out.

He was holding a box in his hand.

 

“…”

 

He had come to get something.

 

‘Damn… how embarrassing.’

 

The thought that he might at least receive some comfort now felt shameful instead.

But then.

 

“Apply this to your cheek.”

 

Ziel took out medicine from the box and handed it over.

Maris took the medicine in bewilderment.

 

“You were stabbed twice deeply in the chest, so don’t cough hard or laugh loudly for a while. The pain could get worse.”

“Uh…”

 

Ziel’s calm voice continued.

 

“Injury recovery is important. So focus only on recovering from your injuries as much as possible.”

“T-Teacher…”

“If recovery is fast, growth is fast too. Keep that in mind.”

 

His heart was churning!

His eyes felt like they might overflow with something at any moment.

Maris found himself choking up at an emotion he was feeling for the first time since entering Edelwein Academy.

 

‘Teacher is worried about me.’

 

He had disliked Ziel.

Though he had attended classes properly while being mindful of Delev, honestly he hadn’t liked him.

But right now, in this moment.

Ziel became a very warm teacher in Maris’s heart.

 

“Teacher, thank…”

 

-was what he thought, when.

 

“And you’ll fail the selection tournament. Try again for the exchange tournament next year.”

 

At the sudden factual assault, Maris’s heart flipped upside down.

 

‘Damn teacher.’

 

*

 

The selection tournament goes on all day.

2 Physical Fitness Test events.

2 Swordsmanship Test events.

Since they test a total of 4 events, it takes a long time.

 

“Is this the 30th match now?”

“Hmm. There haven’t been any particularly notable sparring matches since Student Yurio and Student Maris.”

 

The professors’ concentration had also dropped.

From the first sparring match, they had captured attention with surprising results, but that was all.

The sparring matches that followed were just so-so.

 

“Hyaah!”

“Kuk!”

“I-I can’t lose here!”

 

Unlike the students who were sparring fiercely, the professors were feeling bored.

 

“There are 10 matches left now, so it’ll be over soon.”

“Professor Elcanto, would you like to go have a drink at ‘Abuela’ after we finish today? Oh wait, weren’t you on a diet?”

“Hehe. On a day like today, you have a drink. And when the seniors invite you, of course you have to go.”

“That’s our Professor Elcanto for you. Haha!”

 

The 31st sparring match began in a harmonious atmosphere.

 

“Student Delev Kundel. And Student Yon Riversong. Please prepare for sparring.”

 

Finally, his turn.

Delev silently stood up.

Instantly, all eyes focused on him.

Even the chattering professors’ eyes lit up when they heard Delev’s name.

 

‘I’ll pass anyway, but I should show some sincerity.’

 

Other students aside, there was no way Delev or Celia would fail.

Victory was guaranteed.

On the other hand, the student named Yon who was designated as his opponent showed clear signs of nervousness from the start.

Even though no one was looking at him.

 

“Poor guy. He has to face Delev?”

“Riversong is quite capable too though.”

“Hey, I heard they’ve fallen behind a lot lately?”

“Keep it down, will you.”

 

The Riversong Family was one of the families with its own history and tradition, though not quite at the level of the Five Great Families.

However, due to their diminished reputation and several incidents, their status had been declining for quite some time.

And his opponent was none other than Delev Kundel, said to be the greatest talent of the Kundel Family.

 

“….”

 

Cold sweat trickled down Yon’s back.

Yon glanced down at his own hands.

 

‘It’ll be fine.’

 

Yon tried to calm his trembling hands.

 

“Teacher, I’ll do my best.”

 

Just then, Delev politely greeted Ziel.

The professors tilted their heads at this sight.

 

“Such courtesy toward Teacher Ziel….”

“Hmm. So Professor Elcanto was telling the truth. Is the Kundel Family really sponsoring him?”

“Rather, there’s a strong speculation that he’s being sponsored by someone even higher up.”

“Hmm. Professor Elcanto should take good care of him then.”

“Is there any question? He’s already doing so.”

 

Amid the professors’ misunderstanding.

 

“Student Delev Kundel.”

“Yes, Teacher!”

 

Delev waited with an excited heart, wondering what advice Ziel might give him.

 

“Fix your button.”

“Ah.”

 

Delev bowed his head deeply, refastened his button, then headed to the center of the auditorium.

 

‘Kundel… such a tremendous family….’

 

Yon, who had also come out to the auditorium, swallowed dryly.

Delev wasn’t making any expression while looking at him.

This was Ziel’s unintentional teaching.

 

‘Expressionlessness is the best.’

 

Delev had begun to respect Ziel.

So what he was trying to imitate was that unchanging expression.

Looking at that expression created tension and made one cautious even when they hadn’t done anything wrong.

Or it could excite the opponent.

After all, isn’t non-response the most infuriating thing?

 

“Sparring begins.”

 

And so the sparring began.

 

Clang, claaang!

 

As expected.

Delev overwhelmed Yon from the start.

 

“Hmm. It’ll be over soon.”

“The Riversong Family used to be quite respected in the past….”

“They can’t seem to keep up these days, right? I heard their financial difficulties are quite serious. There are even rumors they sold off part of their territory.”

 

The professors also thought this sparring would end soon and leaned back leisurely.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Meanwhile, Yon took a hit.

 

‘He’s faster and stronger than I imagined.’

 

Delev was already strong enough that hardly any student in his year could match him.

On top of that, with Ziel’s teachings improving his physical strength and reflexes, he was too much for Yon to handle.

Yon wasn’t even Ziel’s student.

Delev continued to stare at Yon quietly, just waiting.

Though his thoughts were somewhat different.

 

‘I’m proud of myself. I’ve grown.’

 

Perhaps his former self would have shown some immature behavior here, whether through provocation or mockery.

Meanwhile, Yon gripped his sword with one hand.

 

‘A secret technique?’

 

Delev tensed up slightly and readjusted his grip on his sword.

No matter how great the skill difference, one must be careful of secret techniques.

Depending on the secret technique, it could reverse the situation in an instant.

 

Thud!

 

At that moment, Yon kicked off the ground and charged forward.

He thrust the sword in one hand while reaching toward Delev’s upper body with his other hand.

Up until that point, Delev had no idea whatsoever.

He felt no sense of unease and only thought he should attack first against Yon’s bare hand aiming for his neck.

But then it happened.

 

Thwack!

 

Yon’s hand stopped.

Delev’s thrusting sword also stopped.

 

“Wh-what…?”

“Teacher Ziel! So suddenly…”

 

The teaching assistants, the professors, the watching students—everyone was shocked, and even Delev and Yon who were sparring were surprised by this situation.

There was only one person who wasn’t flustered.

 

“We need to stop the sparring.”

 

It was Ziel, who had intervened between the two and restrained both their hands.

 

‘Wh-when?’

 

Delev was shocked.

He might not have noticed due to his concentration.

But even so, this was too much.

It felt like something had just popped up right in front of his eyes.

The spectators felt the same way.

They had blinked for a moment, and when they opened their eyes, Ziel was in the center of the auditorium.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Ziel lifted up Yon’s left hand that he had grabbed.

When he rolled up Yon’s sleeve with his other hand, a strange cord wrapped around the wrist appeared.

A long device protruding from that cord.

 

“Delayed-action paralysis poison.”

 

The auditorium fell silent.

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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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