On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 351
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed Episode 351
Jealousy (2)
The practical inspection had begun.
The Family Heads would stay for two days—today and tomorrow—observing the students’ classes and assessing their level.
In the process, they would also need to consider what appropriate curricula might be necessary for the practical training.
“Each family will be assigned one auditorium. During the practical training, the auditoriums designated for each grade level will serve as training grounds, and we plan to divide the training by skill level within each space. This is the basic framework. You’re welcome to consider the equipment and training methods at your leisure. If any of you wish to conduct training outside, please let us know.”
At Berhal’s explanation, the Family Heads nodded in understanding.
“I’m eager to see the students’ level. I’m curious whether they’re the kind of talent who can endure the training of the Storm Knight Order.”
Unable to restrain himself, the Head of Dark spoke, and the Head of Bernar beside him responded with elegant mockery.
“I hear the Storm Knight Order has been quite active lately. They accomplished something quite significant in the Western Region, or so I’m told.”
The Head of Dark bristled.
“I don’t know what rumor you’ve picked up, but there’s no such fact.”
“Oh, but I distinctly said ‘active,’ and you deny it? How strange.”
Eventually, Rihart, also a Western family, joined in.
“Speaking of the Bernar family, I often hear tales of your brave son.”
“What are you saying now—”
“So brave that he dared express his feelings to the celebrated daughter of Lorelian, no less—and with his family knight order in tow, at that.”
His eyebrows twitched.
The Head of Bernar tried to respond but held himself back.
His opponent was Rihart.
No matter how respected Bernar was in the Southeast Region, they were no match for Rihart.
In the midst of this, Amil let out a soft laugh.
“South of the Mountain Range, you all quarrel like children.”
Under the gathered gazes, Amil spoke coldly.
“Remember why we came here. When you’re recruiting students for your own families anyway, you’ll need to compete, so why waste your energy now?”
It was a fair point, but they found it difficult to accept on principle.
Only Amos, the Head of Kundel, showed interest and agreed.
“The Head of Amil is right. Let’s not make a spectacle of ourselves.”
Even his eternal rival Daren didn’t respond. If only the two families had been present, they would have immediately counter-attacked, but not here, not now.
On the surface, Berhal smiled, but inwardly he sighed.
‘If I were still Knight Commander, I’d have handled this perfectly.’
Sometimes he wondered if he’d retired too early.
There were ambitious juniors climbing up from below, and he’d wanted to step down from the peak and spend his remaining years in peace.
He received sufficient courtesy befitting a former Knight Commander, but as Department Head, he was still in a position of entertaining the Family Heads.
Still, Daren had at least scratched where he itched.
“And we stand before a former Knight Commander. Let us observe courtesy.”
In any case, the Family Heads went on to tour each auditorium, confirming the Academy’s facilities and eagerly calculating in their minds how many students they could attract.
‘Should we say they’ll get a sword each for participating in the training?’
‘If we invite them during the break and let them temporarily join the knight order…’
This was a pride battle between families.
They had to draw as many students as possible into the training, by whatever means.
Moreover, this time, even the sixth-year students nearing graduation would participate.
Some had already confirmed their entry into the Apprentice Knight Order and were already working there, but for the remaining students, this was a golden opportunity to catch the eye of the Influential Family Knight Orders!
In any case, under the cooperation of the Family Heads, the practical inspection was proceeding smoothly.
‘Today should go without worry.’
That was when Berhal thought he could breathe easy.
“Uh, but Teacher Ziel… or rather, when can we meet the other professors?”
The Head of Bernar, unable to hold back any longer, ventured to speak.
Everyone froze.
It was what everyone wanted to know, but no one dared to ask.
They didn’t want to appear too obvious.
Wasn’t that so?
They’d all used the excuse that since all the other Family Heads were coming, they couldn’t very well stay behind.
‘I really need to see him today.’
‘I don’t understand why the Imperial Family takes such interest in him.’
Of those gathered here, only half had actually spoken with Ziel directly.
Amil.
Amos.
And Daren.
The rest, not being parents, had never exchanged a word with Ziel.
“He should be here shortly.”
Berhal chuckled inwardly, as if he’d anticipated this.
Why else would the Family Heads have come?
There were other reasons, certainly, but ultimately they wanted to make a mental note with Ziel.
Ziel was currently uninterested, but if he put his mind to it, he could easily become one of the pillars of Imperial power.
All the Influential Families supported him, and so did their young nobles.
It was already widely known that two Imperial Princes had shown interest and tried to make him theirs, and the Emperor himself was taking considerable interest.
For a simple Sword School teacher to receive such fame and attention, completely removed from politics, was unprecedented!
So the goal of the Family Heads here was this:
‘They definitely want to attract as many second-year students as possible.’
Berhal saw through their transparent scheme and offered a comment.
“With Teacher Ziel, honesty will serve you best.”
The three who understood nodded knowingly.
The other three, not grasping the meaning, tilted their heads in confusion.
Once all the Family Heads had confirmed the auditoriums where each training session would take place, they returned to the first auditorium.
Moments later.
“Oh!”
“Ah, it’s good to see you like this.”
Ziel and the supervising professors for each grade level entered the auditorium.
Ziel’s popularity was nothing short of explosive!
Everyone tried to restrain themselves as much as possible, but how could they not show it?
‘I envy him, I really do.’
‘Damn it, I wish the Family Heads would pay attention to our year’s students too.’
‘Why did the Family Heads have to come now!’
The Family Heads wanted to draw as many as possible to their own families, while the supervising professors hoped their students would receive the best training possible.
But the target of the Family Heads’ attention was none other than Ziel’s grade level—the second years.
“Teacher Ziel, if you send them to us, our family will take responsibility for improving their skills.”
“You know of our family, surely? If they wish, we can teach them the Footwork Secret Technique, if not the secret techniques themselves.”
Watching the Family Heads come forward and tout themselves like merchants made one wonder if these were really the same proud people.
Rather, Amos and Daren remained silent.
They knew Ziel.
“It won’t work anyway.”
“Right, of course it won’t.”
It was a rare moment when both their opinions aligned.
‘How will the Head of Renfield respond?’
Amil watched quietly.
That’s when Ziel and Berhal’s eyes met.
Berhal nodded.
‘It’s time to bring up the matter.’
Before the Family Heads arrived.
Ziel had made a proposal to Berhal.
“I have something to say to the Family Heads.”
“What is it? Go ahead!”
“The other Family Heads need to hear it as well.”
“Ah, I see. Of course.”
This was that very proposal.
“The students will soon receive instruction from the families they have chosen.”
“Y-yes, that’s right?”
“For that reason, we need specific curricula. I would like to request detailed explanations regarding this.”
It was an obvious request, yet not one easily made.
Not when the others were Family Heads.
“You’re welcome to submit documents, or documents accompanied by explanations. All Sword School staff must be able to understand it and convey it to the students.”
This was a proposal only Ziel could make.
Berhal had considered it, but Ziel had brought it up first.
The students needed to grow.
For that reason, the choice of family must be made carefully, and to choose carefully, one needed as much information as possible—a perfectly reasonable logic.
The Family Heads were somewhat taken aback.
‘Documents?’
‘What documents…’
Today was the day of the practical inspection.
They’d thought that being invited, they would simply come, look around, and leave.
But documents? He was asking for documents?
Ordinarily, they might have scoffed or brushed it off, but the other party happened to be Ziel.
“How… how much… by when would you need these documents?”
“As soon as possible. Present the curriculum clearly and concisely. When the students see it, they should be able to understand at a glance and judge whether it will help their swordsmanship or not.”
As Ziel’s calm words continued, Amos and Daren quickly began calculating.
‘We’ll have to finish this overnight.’
‘Our family is actually excellent at paperwork.’
And Amil, the outsider from the North, found this sight utterly fascinating.
‘They’re all scrambling. Is it thanks to that skill he demonstrated in the North?’
That Amil, both the head of the Northern Council and a Family Head, had made the bold move of leaving the North was precisely because of Ziel.
He wanted to understand what kind of person he was.
Someone he planned to challenge, and someone he intended to make his ally!
‘The North’s expansion beyond the Mountain Range could benefit greatly from him.’
But that was a matter for later.
For now, he needed to prepare documents.
There was no problem.
He’d brought numerous attendants and had quite a few capable subordinates for document work.
In fact, it was a good opportunity.
A golden chance for the Renfield family of the North to surpass those five families who still thought themselves the best and receive the most student selections!
“The Renfield family will have the preparations ready by tomorrow, Teacher Ziel.”
At those words, the other Family Heads’ heads snapped around.
‘He came from the North but is this guy insane!’
‘Tomorrow? He said tomorrow?’
Daren and Amos were equally taken aback.
At which point Amil tilted his head innocently.
“Is there a problem? Could it be that beyond the Mountain Range, you don’t usually have to write documents on such short notice?”
It was maddening.
‘Did he come with it already written?’
‘Teacher Ziel went to the North for home visits and met him there… did he tip him off!’
As jealousy took hold, Daren and Amos began to imagine all sorts of scenarios.
The more they couldn’t have something, the more they wanted it.
They hadn’t given up yet.
“A problem? Of course not. We were simply considering how best to showcase our family’s excellent curriculum. Isn’t that so, Daren?”
“Absolutely. The North has many skilled practitioners, and I’ve heard well of the Renfield family’s reputation, but it won’t avail you before Rihart.”
The two of them were getting along surprisingly well today!
Amil didn’t back down and countered.
“Then I look forward to a good presentation. Oh, by the way, I’ll be submitting documents and offering a direct explanation as well. Northern people tend to be rather ambitious, you see.”
“…!”
Shortly after.
In the end, all six families decided they would submit documents and give presentations.
If they backed out now, they wouldn’t receive the students’ choices!
‘One word from Teacher Ziel and they’re all trembling… Amil Renfield really stirred the pot well.’
It was certainly an interesting spectacle.
Personally, the most interesting part was that attempt by the North to finally engage in exchange south of the Mountain Range.
“The class observation you requested will be tomorrow. The curriculum presentations will be the day after.”
The class observation they’d hoped for would proceed as planned.
So the Family Heads were in a hurry.
“Then I’d better get to preparations. I’ll take my leave.”
Amil departed first, and the other Family Heads hurried out after him.
Only then did Berhal approach Ziel and offer praise.
“That was remarkable, sir. To render those Family Heads speechless. Was this a scheme?”
“It was a plan. I had no intention of rendering them speechless.”
“You’re denying it again.”
“It was for the students’ sake.”
Berhal nodded as if he understood well enough, and then Ziel suddenly asked him something.
“Department Head Berhal Abue, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Curious about something, he said.
Berhal felt slightly tense.
“Did you ever build a secret hideout when you were young?”
“…?”
At a question completely unexpected, Berhal stood blankly for a moment before managing an answer.
“Y-yes… isn’t that something everyone tries as a child?”
“Where did you make it?”
“In an unused storage room in my mansion…”
“I envy you.”
“…”
That was it.
Ziel wanted to finish the event quickly and build a secret hideout.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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