On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 359

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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 359
Fruits of the Practicum (2)
The results of the practicum were beginning to show themselves.
You could see it in the classes.
Clang!
Lydia blocked Ziel’s blade and cheered.
“I blocked it! This is the first time I actually blocked it… wait!”
“Don’t celebrate yet—prepare for the follow-up attack, Lydia Rojas.”
“But how am I supposed to not be happy about this!”
It wasn’t only the top-tier students like Lydia.
Students like Renoa, who had been hovering in the lower ranks, showed even better results.
“Well done, Renoa Nihalis.”
Renoa’s face was dazed with disbelief—he’d just blocked Ziel’s blade and even attempted a counterattack of his own.
“How did I… really do that?”
“You did well.”
“Oh.”
Particularly since the last break period, when Ziel had made a home visit, Renoa had been rapidly building his confidence and self-esteem.
Thanks to that, he was now participating in this Dark Family practicum and producing solid results!
“I had a moment of regret about choosing the Renfield Family practicum, but this was clearly the right choice!”
“The Dark Family curriculum will be invaluable going forward. Make sure you learn it well.”
“Yes!”
A virtuous cycle—applying what they learned in class to practicum, and what they learned in practicum back to class!
Of course, Ziel could also learn from what the students brought back from their practicums.
But teaching each student differently in a single class was fairly inefficient.
Given that initially only proposals from the Kundel and Rihart families had come in, Ziel’s suggestion to expand to multiple families had proven effective.
“Aaaaargh! Let me show you the Northern-style overwhelming strength technique… ugh!”
“There’s no such technique in the North, Quantus Hopel.”
“I’m going to create one!”
“Work hard, then.”
While some students like Quantus were developing unusual techniques, overall they were making excellent progress.
“Teacher! Who are the candidates for the Praise Card right now!”
“Three.”
“Ooh!”
“But I won’t say who.”
“Ah.”
Ironically, students like Delev and Celia, who had been in the top tier, were feeling anxious.
Especially those two, who had undergone considerable trial and error training in each other’s families.
‘Damn it, I need to earn that scholarship.’
‘I have to be first no matter what.’
It was already a matter of pride.
To train in a rival family and fail to show outstanding results?
They couldn’t even imagine how much they’d be mocked by the other family.
And when they returned—how embarrassing would it be!
So both of them gritted their teeth and had no choice but to keep swinging their blades.
Of course, Ziel was always thorough.
“Get up, Celia Rihart. Your blade is much slower than it was a moment ago.”
“I’m exhausted… ah!”
“You’ve recovered now.”
As Ziel’s fingertips brushed her arm and passed, she felt mana surging forth.
At first it had been amazing, but now she could only sigh.
“By the way, can you do that in reverse?”
“I can.”
“Would you do it for me?”
“Then I couldn’t conduct the class.”
“Exactly.”
His answer came in the form of his blade, and Celia was mercilessly sent rolling across the ground.
“Celia and Delev seem to be having a rough time of it?”
“You’re not doing much better, Karen.”
“Yurio, are you seriously comparing me to them? Do you have any idea how many books I checked out from the library because I’m studying Northern-style swordsmanship?”
Karen was struggling too, but at least with Yurio by her side, she was adapting to Northern-style swordsmanship without much trouble.
And there was one student who showed unexpected progress.
It was Yon.
The very student who had once resolved to be stern with himself, only to regret it now.
“Yon Riversong, your precision in thrusts and slashing attacks has improved remarkably since last time.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“However, pay attention to your footwork. When swordsmanship changes, footwork must change as well. You need to make fine adjustments. Try again.”
“Yes, sir!”
Thus this practicum was becoming an opportunity for each student to cultivate their deficient areas in precisely the right manner.
This was evident in the interim reports Ziel had collected from each family.
“The Exchange Tournament at the end of the semester is shaping up to be quite interesting.”
Gilbert nodded at Ziel’s words.
“Telbier Academy is going to be in for quite a shock. At least, their second years won’t stand a chance against ours.”
“That’s precisely why they proposed holding matches with elite students selected from all grades, without grade restrictions.”
“They made such a cunning proposal?”
Not long ago.
Sigmund Valentin from Telbier Academy had sent a reply to the Academy Exchange Tournament proposal.
“So what did you decide to do?”
“I said it was fine with me.”
“Then they’ll obviously send only their upper classmen…….”
“But I added an additional proposal that the ratio of upper classmen to lower classmen be set at five to five.”
“Ah, then our students will have a chance to compete.”
There was no way he’d fall for such an obvious scheme.
Telbier was probably after restoring their honor, and they were making a favorable proposal to achieve that.
“The kids will work even harder once they hear about this.”
“Once the participation method is confirmed, we’ll announce it then.”
For the students who had been waiting only for the Festa after the practicum, this was another piece of good news.
A pride battle between academies!
Matches within the academy were fine, but there was nothing quite as thrilling and exhilarating as showcasing one’s abilities to the outside world.
“Quantus, let’s go again!”
“Come on, Ann!”
Watching the students throw themselves into their training, Ziel reflected.
‘The goal is definitely achievable.’
High-level Walker.
After that comes Expert Grade.
Of course, there was one stage to pass through before that.
Establishing one’s own swordsmanship.
This too was a matter of efficiency.
There is no perfect swordsmanship in the world.
There comes a time when one must choose, and that choice determines the character of the swordsmanship one wields.
Of course, Ziel was somewhat different.
He could execute every swordsmanship that existed in the world.
Once he saw it, replicating it was hardly difficult at all!
But that was only possible because he was Ziel.
‘This practicum will bring the answer.’
There was one thing the students needed to learn from this practicum.
To determine the direction of their own swordsmanship.
And the students were following Ziel’s intent faithfully and well.
Especially Delev and Celia, who were unusually diligent today.
The two had returned to their original swordsmanship and begun rebuilding from the ground up.
Their progress was unmistakable.
Swordsmanship regained after experiencing a different style was heavier and sharper than before!
“Today I’m observing the Kundel Family’s practicum.”
“Understood, Boss.”
And from today onward began the Intensive Practicum Week.
A week in which more practicum time than usual was allocated.
Students devoted more time to practicum during this Intensive Practicum Week.
In a word, it was hell week.
“The kids are going to have a rough time of it.”
“But they’ll grow that much more.”
Ziel and Gilbert had little cause for worry.
That was what he’d thought before the practicum began.
“Good heavens, who is this! Teacher Ziel, Teaching Assistant Gilbert! Ha ha ha ha! It’s been so long! I’m Gunter, and I flew here after receiving a support request for Intensive Practicum Week! How wonderful to see you! In all this world! You see, something happened on the way. Do listen. We had the Kundel Family flag set up and were making good progress, when wouldn’t you know it—magical beasts attacked an entire village! So…….”
Ziel regretted it.
Why had he observed the Kundel Family practicum?
This was an uncontrollable variable.
Sir Gunter.
“Ha ha ha ha! So we were a bit delayed compared to schedule, but here I am nonetheless. To meet you on the very first day, my spirits are quite lifted! Oh, and I purchased a house in the Capital. In the 30th District! I heard rumors that property values there might rise, you see. Why don’t you consider acquiring some land or a house there yourself, just in case? In times like these, one must prepare ahead.”
True enough.
In times like these, one did need to prepare.
But some things were impossible to prepare for.
Things that no amount of preparation could prevent!
And in the midst of this, another variable appeared.
“Oh! There’s a report I need to write!”
Gilbert fled.
It was revenge for what had come before.
Revenge against the boss who had abandoned him to Gunter and run away!
“M-Master? G-Gilbert, running away!”
But there was no way to chase after the fleeing Gilbert.
Gunter’s words would not stop coming.
“By the way, Teacher. And I’ve heard there’s an extraordinary dining establishment within the Academy. Curiously, it’s called the Unlimited Table! Is that truly something you operate? If so, that’s impressive indeed! How could you employ such a talented chef and manage it like this! You see, eating is what I love most in this world. When I was young, my family fell into ruin and there was a time I went without. That regret took root, so whenever I come to the Capital, I make it a point to indulge in fine cuisine. This time I’m planning to visit Lancaster’s Star as well, and next…….”
What saved Ziel from that horror was none other than the Family Head, Amos.
“Sir Gunter. You’re talkative as always.”
“Ah, Family Head! You’ve arrived! It’s been so long since I saw Teacher Ziel that I’ve been beside myself with joy! At this rate I could ramble on for another three hours…….”
“Enough. Get to the practicum. The students are waiting.”
“Understood! By the way, Teacher Ziel. I’ll return later! We can finish our conversation then!”
Ziel was already planning to disappear by then.
And he felt a genuine gratitude toward Amos—affection seemed to be welling up abundantly.
‘Is this what love is.’
“What do you make of it, Teacher Ziel?”
“I believe I could come to love it.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. You mean observing the class?”
“Ah, yes. You’ve stopped by often to watch. Our family’s practicum…… Ahem. Still, it’s not worse than Rihart, is it?”
“It’s difficult to make comparisons just yet. We need results first.”
“……I see. Still, the children are following along well, and I’m particularly relieved that Celia seems to have grasped something important.”
Ziel agreed on that point.
Celia was in the process of reconstructing her swordsmanship from the ground up, and the results were eagerly anticipated.
“And how exactly have you been teaching the Second Years? The stamina is one thing, but their tenacity is remarkable. Rather than giving up, they charge forward without tiring, and the Knight Order Members all praise them.”
“I taught them well.”
“Ah.”
“Very well indeed.”
“I see…….”
Quite right.
There was no better answer than that.
There was no way the Second Years could all perform so noticeably without excellent instruction!
“Might you also instruct our Knight Order sometime?”
“My position restricts me to teaching only students.”
The disappointment at such a swift refusal was brief.
“However, should Sword School grant permission, it would not be impossible.”
“Oh!”
“But I would prefer not to.”
“…….”
How many times must he be contradicted.
“Any particular reason……?”
“I’m busy.”
“W-well then.”
Amos accepted the answer readily, for it was honest and simple.
“However, should I have business at the Kundel Family, I can arrange one day for that.”
“Oh!”
After being contradicted several times over, it was a relief that the conclusion still leaned toward possibility.
“Teacher Ziel, if you don’t mind—might you keep this matter secret from the Rihart family?”
“Is there a reason?”
“Well……”
If Daren heard about it, he’d absolutely demand to do the same thing!
“Ahem, in any case, I’d be grateful for your discretion. I’ll take my leave now!”
Amos, unwilling to sound petty with his true answer, simply excused himself from the room.
‘So this teacher really isn’t easy to deal with after all.’
And so the practical training began.
As Ziel watched quietly, a crucial detail suddenly came back to him.
“Kelvin.”
“Yes, Master!”
“I have a mission for you.”
“A mission……!”
“Go and bring Gilbert to me.”
It was time to deal with the traitor.
Of course, Ziel had been the first to betray.
But that wasn’t the important point.
“Yes!”
Today.
Gilbert would meet Gunter again.
Kelvin dashed out with delight.

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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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