On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 34

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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 034

 

 

A Late Night Outing

 

 

Five days until the Exchange Tournament.

The Sword School is bustling with preparations for the Exchange Tournament.

Takeus was dismissed, but that didn’t mean the Exchange Tournament could be stopped.

And even though Takeus was dismissed, Elcanto was still the youngest professor.

 

“Huff, gasp. So busy, so busy.”

 

It was a time when dieting happened naturally.

A time when you had to run around everywhere all day long, handling work frantically!

The problem was that snack consumption kept increasing proportionally to the busyness, but it was busy enough that you needed it to survive.

 

“I finished checking the third and fourth years… I just need to do the second years and first years?”

 

Check how they’re training and preparing, then report to the Department Head and it’s done.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, should I have strongly recommended promoting Teacher Ziel to professor?’

 

Actually, that would be ridiculous.

Even if Ziel had just achieved merit and there was a vacant professor position, there are things that make sense and things that don’t.

And even after thinking about it, Elcanto shook his head.

 

‘That doesn’t make sense. Of course not. There are procedures. How dare he…’

 

How hard did I work to get where I am!

 

“Professor Elcanto?”

 

Then a voice was heard.

Startled, he turned his head to see Department Head Berhal standing there.

 

“D-Department Head?”

“Why are you so surprised? How’s the inspection going?”

“I’m working hard on it! But where were you heading, Department Head?”

“I was just coming back from observing the sixth years’ Exchange Tournament training.”

 

Sixth years!

The final year of the Sword School, where about half are in early graduation status due to employment or succession training.

So usually sixth years don’t participate in the Exchange Tournament, but this year seems a bit different.

 

“There are many motivated students this year, which is good. Ah. How are the first and second years doing?”

“I was just about to go check on them. I finished the third and fourth years, so I’ll make a report soon and submit it together with the first and second year reports.”

“Ah. Then let’s go together.”

“You’re going too, Department Head?”

“They’re the talents who will lead the future of our Sword School.”

 

Rather, the Department Head took the lead.

Elcanto, who was staring at his back, came up with his own reasoning.

 

‘Is it because of Teacher Ziel after all?’

 

Rising wariness!

As expected, he’s not someone to be taken lightly.

If he’s not careful, he might become a professor at super speed and then escape from being the youngest…

 

‘Stay alert, Elcanto.’

 

“I-I’ll escort you, Department Head!”

 

Elcanto waddled after the Department Head.

First was the second year training.

 

“As expected of second years, they seem to be working well together.”

 

The second years had prepared a separate training ground where they were practicing breakthrough matches.

Since second years are also underclassmen like first years, they seem to put considerable emphasis on breakthrough matches.

 

“The training is progressing well, Professor Elcanto.”

 

And the second year supervisor was none other than Professor Elcanto.

 

“Of course, Department Head. I’m doing my best.”

“I expect good results. Now then…”

 

Next were the first years.

 

‘Well, they’re probably doing breakthrough training just the same, right?’

 

It was common sense.

At least until third year, it’s difficult to achieve great results in melee battles.

Fourth years are about when you start being able to score some points.

Rather than getting eliminated one after another in melees and becoming a laughingstock, it’s better to focus on breakthrough matches where there’s potential.

But the moment they entered the auditorium, all those expectations were shattered.

 

“Delev, behind you!”

“Oh! I’ll go around to the left!”

“Karen! Go low just like that!”

 

Training for melee matches?

They were divided into two groups attacking each other.

It wasn’t just random attacking.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Berhal’s expression gradually became more interested.

 

‘One side is defense, one side is offense. The roles are well divided too… The offense-defense switch is smooth as well. The role distribution by groups is also clear.’

 

The melee is a match where 10 students from each grade participate and fight in a tangled battle.

It’s not about fighting randomly, but requires thorough strategy and tactics.

First years and second years find it difficult to execute such strategy and tactics. They still lack experience and their coordination isn’t there yet.

But…

 

‘They’re quite well coordinated.’

 

This year’s first years were somewhat different.

Delev and Celia.

With these two most talented students at the center, the students’ melee preparation training was showing considerable level.

 

‘Huh…?’

 

Elcanto was surprised in a different sense.

Preparing for the melee match?

Not the breakthrough match?

 

‘Are they crazy?’

 

But having eyes, he could see.

That training.

It was going better than expected.

Rising anxiety!

 

‘Sh-should we second years also… train for the melee match?’

 

Has Teacher Ziel perhaps seen the exchange tournament before?

That melee preparation training.

The attack techniques the students deployed by pairing up in twos and threes even within groups was textbook perfect!

It felt like watching upperclassmen who had experienced the exchange tournament multiple times.

 

“Huh. Professor Elcanto. I didn’t know Teacher Ziel was teaching the first years like this.”

 

Berhal asked casually.

 

“As expected, it seems our Professor Elcanto taught him well again.”

“Ha, haha…”

 

Amid the awkward laughter.

 

“Take a brief rest. Students Delev Kundel, Karen Aswan, and Ann Peshwa, come this way.”

 

Rest was declared and Ziel called the three students over for a moment.

 

“Student Delev Kundel. As I said, you’re somewhat slow in the process of switching from Third Form to Fourth Form. In melee situations, that transition becomes about 0.5 seconds slower. Did you notice?”

“I did feel something getting caught, Teacher.”

“It’s a problem with your right foot. From what I observed, in melee situations your right foot goes out a bit less. It seems to be because there are other students in front, but if you hesitate you’ll be late, and if you’re late the enemy will break through that gap. Keep that in mind.”

“Understood, Teacher.”

“Next, student Karen Aswan.”

 

The interest in Berhal’s expression grew even more.

 

“Very skillful advice. It’s not easy to give advice while watching 10 people simultaneously, not just one… Hmm?”

 

Berhal suddenly noticed the books in the students’ hands.

They were all holding the same book.

 

“Page 30. That exact movement is shown there.”

“Ah! As expected, Teacher.”

“And student Ann Peshwa. If you look at page 25, you’ll be able to understand the point I just made.”

 

Focusing on that book and taking notes diligently was a sight rarely seen in this kind of training.

 

‘What book is that?’

 

He became interested.

Berhal got up from his seat for a moment.

 

“Are you leaving already, Department Head?”

“No. I’m going down to look at something.”

 

Then Elcanto had to get up too.

Following behind him, he could see what had caught Berhal’s interest.

 

‘A book?’

 

The cover only had this written on it.

 

[First-Year Exchange Competition Manual]

 

It was clearly not an officially published book.

 

“Ah, Department Head. Professor Elcanto Paredes.”

 

Ziel greeted the two who had come down at just the right time.

Actually, he already knew.

From before they entered the auditorium.

He just hadn’t paid much attention to them since he was in the middle of training.

 

“Wh-when will Teacher Ziel stop calling us with our full surnames?”

 

Ziel answered Elcanto’s question simply.

 

“Why should I drop the surnames when addressing you?”

“…”

 

Elcanto was left speechless.

Berhal inwardly chuckled at the scene and changed the subject.

 

“Teacher Ziel, what is this book?”

“It’s a textbook.”

 

A simple answer.

Berhal smiled slightly and asked in more detail.

 

“This kind of book isn’t published separately by our Academy… and it’s not in the library either. Did you make it yourself?”

“I had it made at the bookbinding shop near Central Plaza.”

 

Rustle.

 

The smile gradually began to fade from Berhal’s face as he opened the book.

 

‘This is…’

 

He bound it himself?

 

“Did you write and draw all the content inside yourself?”

“That’s correct.”

 

Instead of laughter, surprise took its place.

As he turned the pages, surprise turned into astonishment.

 

‘Incredible observation and analysis.’

 

The content of the book was like this.

It wasn’t much different from general swordsmanship manuals.

However, unlike most textbooks that focus on posture and form, this textbook had no fixed format.

It was a comprehensive manual covering how to block when someone attacks in a certain way, and all the various counterattack methods and variables that arise from those situations.

It was even easy to read and understand.

 

‘Did he learn drawing?’

 

Rather than simply replacing with full-body drawings, when explaining how to apply force in specific situations, he had drawn even the muscles in detail.

 

“Did you really make this yourself, Teacher?”

“Yes.”

“How long did it take?”

“It took about three days.”

“…Three days?”

 

Does that make sense.

This much content in three days?

 

‘Is he bluffing, thinking this is an opportunity?’

 

There were plenty of people who flattered and sucked up in front of him as Department Head, trying to emphasize their achievements somehow.

But Ziel was a bit different.

From what he’d seen so far, he wasn’t that type of person.

Still, it was hard to believe he made all this in three days…

 

“…”

 

However, regardless of how long it took, one thing was certain.

This textbook.

It’s incredible.

 

“Department Head! That textbook is no joke, right? We’re training with it too and it’s incredibly easy to understand!”

 

Then Celia spoke up with a lively voice.

Her expression seemed to say this was an opportunity.

 

“Our Teacher Ziel teaches us sooo well. Very kind…ly and in detail!”

 

She seemed to hesitate slightly at “kind” but it was praise nonetheless.

 

“I see.”

 

The Department Head smiled warmly and asked Ziel.

 

“Teacher Ziel, would it be alright if I took one of these textbooks?”

“Please do.”

“Thank you. This… will be very helpful. Ah. I watched the training well. I’ll look forward to our cute First Years in the Exchange Tournament.”

 

Berhal headed out of the auditorium.

Elcanto followed behind him.

 

“Steelheart… the Steelheart Family…”

 

As soon as Berhal left the auditorium, he asked Elcanto.

 

“What do you think, Professor?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean the First Years. Do they seem to have potential?”

“Potential… you say.”

 

The selection tournament.

Back then, Elcanto had been caught off guard.

Who would have known that ten students taught by Ziel would be selected in a row.

But the Exchange Tournament is different.

Very different indeed.

Because it’s not competing within the same year, but competing by year level.

He had definitely thought that way until he saw the textbook.

Elcanto eventually answered as his heart felt.

 

“…I think it will be different this time.”

 

Ziel Steelheart.

A teacher who has been standing out continuously since taking the position and achieving tremendous results!

Even Elcanto acknowledged that it was difficult to view him as just a general education instructor.

 

“Hmm. As expected, you think the same as me. Professor Elcanto is indeed honest.”

 

That’s a relief.

But honest?

What does that mean?

 

“Professor, about this textbook. I’m planning to examine it today… How about using it as an official Sword School textbook?”

“An official textbook?”

“You’ll probably understand once you read it. It’s excellent. Remarkably so.”

“…”

 

Complex and subtle emotions about Ziel burst forth again.

 

‘He’s too far ahead!’

 

“It’s not something to decide immediately, and we’d have to discuss it at the faculty meeting… but goodness. I can’t take my eyes off this.”

 

Berhal smiled broadly and patted Elcanto’s shoulder.

 

“Isn’t this all thanks to Professor Elcanto who selected and taught Teacher Ziel?”

“Ha, haha. What did I even do…”

“You don’t need to be so modest. Anyway, I’m looking forward to it. This Exchange Tournament.”

 

Berhal walked away humming a tune, which was rare for him, and Elcanto stared blankly at his retreating figure.

 

‘Will this time really be different?’

 

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th years.

The Exchange Tournament rankings were always the reverse of that order.

6th years in 1st place.

1st years in 6th place.

An unchanging truth.

However…

It seemed like cracks were beginning to form in that solid precedent.

 

 

“That’s all. We’ll end today’s training.”

 

Today’s training, which had continued even after the two professors left, finally came to an end.

 

“Huff, huff.”

“Whew. I’m dying.”

 

It didn’t even register in their ears anymore.

All they wanted was to go inside and rest quickly.

 

‘Will I be able to get up tomorrow?’

‘My whole body is going to ache…’

 

Even the enthusiastic Delev and Celia, who had been thinking only about the escort knight proposal, had no energy left to talk as they gathered their swords and headed out of the auditorium.

But their expressions were bright.

Though the training methods were slightly different, thanks to the textbook they were able to quickly correct their habits and attack more precisely.

The same went for defense techniques.

 

“Delev, isn’t the textbook really amazing?”

“You use language like that too, Celia?”

“I only use it in front of you. I can be casual with you.”

“Oh really.”

“Anyway, the textbook is really no joke, right? I noticed the Department Head seemed interested too. This is bad… If he becomes a professor at this rate…”

“Huh? What’s bad about it?”

“Nothing. It’s just something. I’m going ahead.”

 

It wasn’t just the two of them, but most everyone felt that way.

Everyone.

Except Yurio.

 

“Student Yurio Harmatan. Please stay behind for a moment.”

 

In the midst of it all, Ziel’s voice calling out to him.

 

“Me, me?”

“That’s right.”

 

Yurio sighed inwardly.

 

‘As expected, I performed the worst today too.’

 

The pride from passing the selection tournament was only momentary.

Today, Yurio felt the wall of talent.

His congenital illness.

The pride he had felt from passing based on talent alone despite lacking physical strength due to that illness was nowhere to be found.

Delev, Celia.

Compared to their talents, along with recognized talents among the First Years like Contus and Ann, he fell far short.

As time passed, he felt it more clearly.

 

‘I still have a long way to go.’

 

Yurio decided to accept it humbly.

He also brushed off Karen’s worried gaze with a forced smile.

 

“I’ll go ahead, Yurio?”

“Oh, yeah.”

 

Thud.

 

Yurio was left alone with Ziel after the auditorium doors closed.

Yurio picked up his sword again.

 

“Let’s begin, Teacher.”

“Put the sword back where it belongs, student Yurio Harmatan.”

 

As expected.

So it wasn’t about swordsmanship, but starting from the basics?

It was just as Yurio was putting down his sword.

 

“Tonight, I’m going to look into your illness.”

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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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