On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 353

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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 353
Inefficient.
Berhal and the other professors flinched at the sight of the Family Heads entering the auditorium.
Three of them were Master Grade, and the remaining two were nearly Master Grade—how could they possibly look so exhausted?
“What happened in just one night……?”
Those who had ascended to Master Grade never grew weary, even after fighting all night long.
There was a reason why enemies fled the moment a Master Grade appeared on the battlefield.
Yet these Masters, or near-Masters, looked utterly hollow.
“It seems their mental stamina was severely depleted.”
Elcanto agreed with Isabella’s assessment.
“At times, the depletion of mental stamina shows itself more starkly than physical exhaustion.”
That was true.
The six Family Heads had spent the night wracking their brains, drafting documents and preparing presentations.
That accursed competition!
Driven by nothing but the single conviction that they could never fall behind the other families, they had burned through the night.
The man responsible for reducing these lords of the Great Families—beings who never suffered defeat anywhere—to such a state was none other than…….
“Teacher Ziel’s reputation really is formidable, isn’t it?”
“It…… does seem that way. To think he’d put them through such hardship…….”
“Competitive spirit played its part too, but…… still, only someone like Teacher Ziel could have said such a thing.”
Ziel himself merely regarded the Family Heads with an expressionless gaze.
“Then, we shall begin.”
The presentations commenced.
Six families representing the Empire itself, and the Family Heads of those very families making a presentation before a mere teacher of the Sword School!
Technically, there were other professors present as well, but not a single one carried themselves with Ziel’s composure.
They were parents, after all—and before that, the heads of families bearing one of the pillars of imperial power!
How could one possibly ‘point out flaws’ in such people’s opinions and raise objections?
‘This is driving me mad, truly.’
Merhen and Idel especially were squirming in their seats.
They wanted nothing more than to leave.
So they failed to notice one crucial fact.
The Family Heads were more nervous than they were.
“Ahem. Cough. Ahem. I, I am Itheus Schneider, Family Head of the Schneider Family. I shall now explain our family’s practical training curriculum.”
In that sense, a truly peculiar scene was unfolding.
‘Will I ever see such a sight again in my life…….’
A Family Head of a house whose name was known to all in the Empire, presenting with visible anxiety and restlessness.
Elcanto turned his gaze blankly toward Ziel.
No matter how one looked at it, the scene was surreal—yet with Ziel at its center, it somehow made sense.
“……Accordingly, we intend to pursue individual student development by conducting personalized instruction for each student. That concludes my presentation.”
It did not end with the presentation alone.
“In what manner do you intend to conduct personalized instruction?”
“By understanding each student’s swordsmanship and then proposing problem-solving methods suited to them…….”
“Could you provide concrete examples?”
“For instance, we strengthen a student’s speed if they lack it, and so forth.”
“You ought to have a more detailed curriculum.”
“…….”
There were critiques.
But no one questioned the validity of those critiques.
Because they came from Ziel.
Even the Schneider Family Head, though visibly flustered, simply nodded.
“Ah, I understand.”
Was it the sheer pressure bearing down on him?
Or had the shocking display of the class observation moments before left him too stunned?
The next presenter, the Family Head of the Dark Family, was even more visibly tense.
“Ahem, cough.”
He cleared his throat repeatedly, constantly seeking and drinking water.
Watching him, Merhen belatedly understood.
‘This…… seems to have become far more than a simple practical training anymore…….’
That was it.
Had things gone as originally proposed by Kundel and Rihart—had the families simply chosen one of the two—the atmosphere would have been entirely different.
A pride battle between the Great Families!
It was nothing short of a proxy war.
On the first level, victory would be determined by how many students chose their family, and on the second level, those students’ achievements would determine the ultimate victor!
It was truly a high-stakes presentation.
“Ours is a method inspired by our Dark Family’s knight order training. We divide the students into groups of five, and they take turns sparring with five knights from our family order. For example, Student 1 spars with Knight 1, then five minutes later spars with Knight 2, and after another five minutes spars with Knight 3, and so on…….”
An ingenious approach was proposed.
The other Family Heads, though they showed no outward sign, thought it was quite a promising method.
Yet Ziel remained unmoved.
“Inefficient. If opponents constantly change, students will focus solely on adapting their quick thinking to each new knight’s characteristics rather than correcting their own flaws. Practical training certainly requires real combat experience, but systematic correction must come first.”
“Ah, yes, I see. Then I shall revise this aspect.”
“Very well.”
Only Ziel could deliver such forthright statements to a Family Head!
Amos and Daren were no exceptions either.
“Before assigning each student a single mentor, we must first assess that student’s skill level and swordsmanship tendencies. However, I see no such provision in your plan.”
“What matters is understanding the students’ levels and presenting appropriate training methods. Beyond swordsmanship, students require physical strength and reflex training as well.”
Faced with such cold and incisive criticism, the Family Heads grew visibly worn.
Though there was praise as well.
“This is quite amusing, isn’t it?”
The composed Isabella leaned toward Berhal and whispered softly.

“In terms of status, those Family Heads are practically nothing compared to some, and yet they’re completely at a loss before a single word from him.”
“True. It’s a sight rarely seen anywhere. We’re fortunate only we are here.”
Had there been more witnesses present, the Family Heads might have found it unbearable on account of their pride.
There was good reason they had come alone, without their entourages or guard knights.
“At a single word from Teacher Ziel, they relax and then grow anxious again…….”
“Do you know what’s truly surprising, Professor Isabella?”
Berhal gestured toward Ziel.
“Teacher Ziel shows no emotion whatsoever toward this entire situation.”
“Ah…….”
“An ordinary person might enjoy this scenario or even betray some sense of condescension toward the Family Heads, but Teacher Ziel shows none of that. He simply appears to be doing what must be done.”
“You’re right, just as the Department Head says.”
Though it was his nature even otherwise, Ziel today revealed even less emotion than usual.
Yet there was one moment.
When Amil’s turn came, he showed genuine interest.
“Every man in the Northern Region undergoes a coming-of-age ceremony, and in that ceremony, he gains the right to challenge the Stairs of Struggle. I have adapted that very method.”
Ziel nodded.
“Intriguing. I would like to hear more.”
The heads of the other families turned sharply.
Interest shown from the start!
The eyes of Amos and Daren gleamed with intensity.
It was jealousy.
Noticing their glances from the corner of his eye, a faint smile flickered across Amil’s lips.
“I shall continue. As you can see from the documents, students ascend the ‘stairs,’ facing a new challenger at each step. The student who defeats that challenger and reaches the top is ultimately victorious.”
“Competition—an excellent motivation.”
“Precisely. Competition is a vital motivation and a driving force for growth. Thus, our family has placed a reward on the line.”
Amil revealed what he had prepared.
It was a sword.
“The student who emerges ultimately victorious shall receive a sword personally forged by one of the Northern Region’s most renowned bladesmiths.”
A sword.
This is the Sword School.
Could there be a greater reward than that?
‘How cunning!’
‘Offering a sword!’
‘I should have done that too…….’
The other Family Heads, regretting in unison!
They all began frantically recalling prizes they could offer.
Plans could be modified; that was no problem.
The issue was that Ziel continued to display the interest he had not shown during the previous five Family Heads’ presentations!
“Competition, reward. And finally, I have added anticipation.”
“Anticipation? What sort of anticipation?”
“The top ten percent of practical training participants shall receive direct swordsmanship instruction from me.”
Direct instruction in swordsmanship from a Master Grade!
Undoubtedly, it was an enticing proposal.
In fact, it is the second years that are unusual; the other grades desperately need instruction from a Master Grade.
They are currently studying under professors who are not Master Grade.
Is that not so?
If one were Master Grade, there would be no reason whatsoever to come to the Sword School.
Unless, like Berhal, one had come with a special mission to take the role of Department Head.
“I shall conclude here.”
“Excellent, Family Head Amil Renfield.”
“Perfect?”
“Not at all. I shall now provide my critiques.”
“…….”
Amil’s mood deflated slightly.
Yet the criticisms that followed were all reasonable.
“For efficiency’s sake, you should either increase the Renfield Family knight order participating in the Stairs of Struggle curriculum to twenty, or divide the current ten in half to form two groups of five each. By the calculations provided, the training time per student is far too short.”
“I shall take note of that.”
“Additionally, you must incorporate physical training into the regimen. By inserting physical training intervals during swordsmanship practice, you can operate the curriculum far more efficiently.”
The presentations thus concluded.
Amil found himself the sole recipient of envious glances.
Because Ziel had alone praised his plan!
“I knew the Northern Region had such a tradition…….”
Amos, in particular, expressed regret.
Because he had targeted Ziel first!
‘If I’d known, I would’ve spoken first since my turn came earlier.’
Daren too harbored similar regrets, even entertaining such bitter thoughts.
It seemed these two had rarely been more aligned in their thinking than these past few days.
“Then, Family Heads, I ask that you proceed with your practical training according to your plans. I’m at a loss for words.”
The one delighted was Berhal and the other professors.
Originally, only one of two families—Kundel or Rihart—was to have come and conducted the practical training, yet now six families were participating!
There would be difficulties with protocol, yes, but it goes without saying that this would greatly benefit the students’ development.
‘And it’s all thanks to Teacher Ziel.’
Berhal gazed at Ziel with a pleased smile.
Yet when Ziel met Berhal’s smile, he tilted his head quizzically.
Clear evidence that he was utterly unaware of what he had just set in motion!
Of course, Ziel was not one to concern himself with such things.
Simply by the book.
Just as he had resolved from the start.
For the students’ sake.
That was all.
“Um, Teacher Ziel.”
And so, after all presentations had concluded, the Family Head of the Schneider Family approached him privately and spoke, prompting such a reaction.
“If, if I may impose, could you perhaps speak positively of the Schneider Family’s proposal……?”
“I cannot speak positively of a plan that is not positive, Family Head Itheus Schneider.”
“…….”
Under normal circumstances, he would have resented such bluntness, but his opponent was unfavorable for such feelings.
Moreover, Ziel was fair.
“The choice belongs to the students. The Sword School will distribute the plans to the students, and they shall choose.”
“I, I see.”
A principle: while the Sword School would evaluate the plans, the students themselves would make the choice.
Naturally, advice could be offered.
On which approach would be more beneficial.
That too would be handled fairly.
Even a plan with minor flaws might prove beneficial to certain students.
But unaware of all this, the Family Heads found themselves in urgent straits.
“Send people from the family now to retrieve the sword we’ve been keeping in storage.”
“Family Head, surely not…….”
“Yes, my prized possession!”
The Schneider Family urgently issued orders to procure a sword—
“We shall hold a Knight Order Camp during this break period.”
“What? Family Head! That’s when other families have events…….”
“We’re now falling behind Kundel again! No wait, now even Renfield has entered the fray, and I absolutely will not accept third place!”
“Oh dear…….”
Daren was devising a plan to use the Knight Order Camp as bait to attract students.
Kundel was equally formidable.
He decided to dispatch family knights matching the number of students throughout the practical training period.
“There’s no turning back now.”
Upon hearing the news, Berhal smiled with a peculiar expression.
It was escalating beyond all expectation.
Yet all the Family Heads knew.
There was no ground left on which to retreat.
“This shall be quite entertaining.”
An exhilarating sensation filled the moment!
Soon, the battle of six families would commence.
And it would take place none other than at the Sword School.

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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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