On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 72
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 072
The Practical Training That Has Already Begun (3)
This must be what it feels like when a painful tooth finally comes out!
Berhal chuckled when he heard the news of the Academic Affairs Director’s dismissal.
He knew this would happen.
It was only natural for Arcane School to cut off the tail.
‘Arcane School must be in complete chaos right now.’
The situation was obvious without even seeing it.
They were probably scheming to find some fault using this incident as an excuse.
That’s just the kind of people mages are.
If they used those brilliant minds for magical advancement, the Empire would have developed several times more than it has now!
Anyway, it had been a while since he felt this good.
“Hmm.”
On the other hand, he was worried.
Coincidentally, the practical training starting this weekend!
Sword School and Arcane School would be sharing the same training location.
He couldn’t know how Arcane School would react, but they certainly weren’t the type to let things slide quietly.
Especially with Ziel, who was at the center of this incident, being there!
‘Looking at the zones… there might be conflicts between Arcane School’s First Years and our First Years.’
Arcane School’s First Years would set up camp right next to Sword School’s First Years’ zone.
They would probably show off by using all sorts of magic to build their campsite and deal with magical beasts.
This was an era where people got more excited about a single fireball from a first-tier mage than flashy and impressive swordsmanship.
The students might feel intimidated, but…
‘Still, it’s Teacher Ziel.’
Berhal trusted Ziel.
Ziel had reached a level where Sword School’s operations couldn’t be explained without him.
So he was curious about how the preparations were going…
Knock knock.
It seemed like he would find out just in time.
It was the Teaching Assistant.
“Ah, yes. How are things going?”
“Yes, Department Head. Here’s the interim report. Five copies total from each grade’s supervising professors and Teacher Ziel.”
“Hmm. Good work. You may go.”
“Yes, then.”
Berhal examined the reports starting with the 5th Year Students’ report.
Nothing particularly stood out.
It was a series of reports that felt thoroughly ceremonial.
“Hmm.”
Professor Elcanto seemed to be trying something, but it didn’t look like it would be particularly effective.
“Why are they doing cliff climbing?”
There were ruins around the campsite, but that didn’t mean there were high cliffs there.
Were they trying to build jaw strength or something?
Meanwhile.
“Huh?”
Berhal tilted his head.
‘What’s this? Did everyone submit two copies?’
After looking at Professor Elcanto’s Second Years report, the remaining stack of reports was unusually thick.
So he thought everyone had submitted two different reports each.
Just by the thickness alone, it was thicker than all the reports from Second Years to 5th Year Students combined.
But his expectation was wrong.
“Whoa.”
What was at the bottom was all First Years reports!
Ziel had written an absurd amount.
“What could he have written to make it…”
Rustle.
Berhal’s expression filled with amazement as he turned the first page and read through the content.
It wasn’t just padding to increase the length.
Training methods, of course.
Individual training results.
Detailed explanations of the training process and their reasons.
Even the equipment used for them.
“Why would he write all this…”
His preparedness was thorough, too thorough.
Just looking at the equipment used, it was like soldiers going on extended training.
There was even equipment that Berhal was seeing for the first time.
The training methods were also surprising.
“Survival… fire starting…”
Are they trying to raise soldiers?
While other professors were conducting Magical Beast Response Training, Ziel was doing Survival Training.
Of course, it wasn’t the wrong approach.
How well they set up the campsite and responded efficiently was also an item included in the scoring.
However, most of it remained qualitative evaluation, and the surest way to earn points was still magical beast response…
“I don’t understand at all.”
The reason became clear as he read through the report.
[Enhancing group response capabilities through strengthened cooperation.]
A definitive single sentence.
The rhetoric mentioning ‘possibilities’ commonly used in reports was nowhere to be found.
“Strengthening cooperation…”
Honestly, he didn’t quite understand.
Starting fires, setting up tents, cooking, and cleaning up afterward.
How could all of those things be related to magical beast response?
“Hmm.”
This time, some doubt arose.
How would it turn out?
Whether the training described in this report would really be effective remained to be seen…
“Oh.”
As expected, there was also Magical Beast Response Training.
But only one page remained.
Turning to the back page, he found a single written sentence.
[Magical Beast Response Training details are attached in a separate report.]
“Separate attachment?”
Right at that moment.
Knock knock.
The Teaching Assistant entered hurriedly.
“Department Head, I’m sorry. I missed one copy…”
“…”
Berhal received the report with a dazed expression.
It was a thicker report than the one he had just been reading.
“Huh…”
The attached report.
That was exactly it.
The heavy weight pressing down on his hands!
“Please go ahead…”
After the Teaching Assistant left.
Berhal suddenly thought.
They’re doing all of this training right now?
In addition to camping-related training, the training written in this report that was too thick to even dare unfold?
‘Are the First Years even still alive?’
Berhal shot up from his seat.
The First Years who hadn’t taken Ziel’s classes realized.
“This is… why those results came out in the Exchange Tournament…”
“I’m dying…”
“This is really too hard…”
The First Years who had taken Ziel’s classes also realized.
“…What we did before was nothing.”
“Damn… This is harder than the first class…”
A field site full of realizations!
The auditorium was hell, filled with blood, sweat, and tears.
“Break time is over. Everyone get up.”
“T-Teacher. Please spare us.”
“You’re not dead yet asking to be spared, what do you mean?”
No words worked in front of Ziel.
At first, it was good.
They were excited when learning to set up tents and start fires.
They were even thrilled wondering how the teacher knew all these things.
When they finally entered the tents they had set up with their own hands and lay down in their sleeping bags, it felt like they were on a field trip.
Not only that.
When they cooked and ate food using fires they had started themselves, they even felt proud.
Everything was being learned for the first time, and it was more fun than most classes.
That’s how it was.
Until they started the Magical Beast Response Training.
“Magical beasts consider you exhausted and collapsed as prey.”
Ziel’s attack came flying!
A dagger sharp as a magical beast’s claws stopped right in front of her nose.
The leader of Group 4, Lydia Rojas, nearly collapsed on the spot.
“Eek.”
The dagger stopped barely 1cm in front of her eyes.
Lydia’s eyes trembled violently.
The Group 4 students were on the verge of collapse, exhausted from the extreme training.
At least Yurio and Karen were holding on, and Lydia, as the group leader, was barely enduring through sheer willpower.
If she weren’t the leader, she would have collapsed long ago.
‘The training intensity is this high…’
Professor Elcanto also conducted training somewhat strictly.
But Teacher Ziel was on a completely different level.
It wasn’t just physically demanding, but the mental pressure was considerable as it resembled real combat.
‘So these kids have been doing this kind of thing all along…?’
A newfound sense of respect welled up.
Now she could somewhat understand why such incredible results came out of the Exchange Tournament.
Of course, it was deadly difficult.
While Lydia just accepted it, the newly joined first years had considerable complaints.
“Teacher!”
“Speak, student Aren Boldrick.”
“We’re going to learn through practical training anyway, so is there a reason to make it this difficult?”
The students’ reactions to that statement were starkly divided.
One side snickered in disbelief.
The other side nodded in agreement.
Ziel responded like this.
Swish.
He disappeared from sight in an instant—
“Gasp.”
He appeared in front of Aren, who had just asked the question, pointing the tip of his dagger at the center of his chest.
“The magical beast ‘Licker’ I just simulated in that attack situation is similar to this speed, or sometimes even faster. Can you respond to it?”
“…Th, that’s.”
“Learning it there will be too late. Whether it’s practical training or real combat, you must be prepared before going out.”
“B, but you said we wouldn’t die, right?”
“Then will you confidently declare that you won’t die in any future battles?”
“…”
As if that were possible.
With that single statement, Aren’s logic crumbled and no response came out.
‘As expected of Teacher.’
‘Those kids will realize it too as they continue.’
Following that incident, the other newly joined first years besides Aren also began to gradually understand Ziel’s words.
That Ziel’s words weren’t wrong.
And also why the first years achieved such incredible results in the Exchange Tournament!
And the Magical Beast Response Training resumed.
“Next, I’ll simulate an attack from ‘Keros’ that ambushes from trees.”
Ziel attacked as if he had become a magical beast himself, perfectly recreating the beasts’ attacks.
And without rest at that.
He had even conducted the same training for Groups 1 through 3 beforehand.
It was spine-chilling just to watch, but experiencing it directly was deadly.
“But how does Teacher know how magical beasts attack?”
“Don’t make me talk, I’m dying…”
“Look at your stamina. I’m not even tired.”
“We can all see your hands shaking, Celia.”
“Ah.”
Delev answered while pondering the question that arose in the midst of all this.
“That’s probably because he’s faced them before.”
“How often do you encounter magical beasts?”
Actually, there aren’t many opportunities to face magical beasts.
They’re called magical beasts, but in reality they’re no different from dangerous animals.
Their numbers have decreased significantly, so stories of people being taken by magical beasts, at least near the capital, are rarely heard anymore.
“Who knows. Maybe Teacher has faced them before?”
“Hmm. If it’s Teacher Ziel…”
Well.
It is Teacher Ziel after all.
The thought that it was entirely possible came to mind.
It’s not just anyone, but Teacher Ziel.
In the midst of all this, Ann brought up something out of the blue.
“At least it’s fortunate though.”
“What is?”
“This training.”
“What’s fortunate about it?”
“When Teacher said he’d conduct Magical Beast Response Training, I thought he might actually bring real magical beasts.”
“…!”
A chill ran down their spines instantly.
It was an entirely plausible scenario.
He attacks the students non-stop for an entire hour under the guise of reflex training!
“But when you think about it… isn’t it scarier that he can perfectly mimic magical beast attacks?”
The students shuddered again at Celia’s counterargument.
It matched perfectly with the magical beast attacks drawn in the textbook Ziel had personally created for them.
One thing was certain.
They would be less panicked when facing actual magical beast attacks.
Or perhaps…
They might respond surprisingly smoothly?
“That concludes Group 4’s response training.”
“Huuuuh.”
“It’s overrrr…”
Group 4’s response training was finished, but the real hell was just beginning.
The feedback session.
“Your feet were slow during that response. Take the stance again.”
“Y-yes.”
“Right. Your left foot was slightly twisted. The auditorium floor has no obstacles, but the ground where we’re going might have obstacles or your foot might slip. Don’t support vertically like this, support horizontally.”
Frighteningly detailed instructions!
“Next. Student Lydia Rojas.”
“Y-yes. Teacher.”
“Your stance as group leader protecting your teammates was good. But you lacked strength.”
“Strength?”
“Muscle strength. If that attack had connected, you would have been knocked back and endangered the teammates behind you.”
“…!”
The heavy responsibility she was feeling for the first time in her life!
“Build your muscle strength. Preferably all the muscles in your body.”
“Yes…!”
Lydia genuinely wanted to do well.
She was actually quite envious.
Watching her peers who had achieved results in the Exchange Tournament, she sometimes regretted not applying for Teacher Ziel’s class.
Of course, before the teacher arrived, the class was rumored to be easy, so applicants flocked to it and she gave up early…
‘I’ll give it a try.’
Lydia clenched her fists tightly.
But soon that determination was about to crumble.
“Huff, huff. Huff, huff.”
“Wh-when does this end?”
“I asked earlier! He said until we’re exhausted to death!”
The final training.
Long distance running.
One side ran as if it was nothing, while the other side was already dying.
They were even restricted from using mana with the sandbags.
And if a student secretly used mana…
“Stop using mana.”
“H-how did you know?”
“Since you used mana, I’ll add another sandbag according to the rules.”
“Ugh!”
Even harder training awaited them.
Truly hellish training!
But Ziel thoroughly managed the students.
“That’s enough. Stop.”
“Huh? I can still run more!”
“Running more than that would be dangerous. This amount is good for your current physical strength.”
One step before death.
In other words, he brilliantly detected students who would have problems if they trained any further and excluded them from training.
‘If this were assassin training, there would be none of this.’
Improving the students’ physical strength!
But more important than that was healthy development.
It would be meaningless if they got injured from being worked to death and couldn’t participate in the practical training.
While the students’ training continued.
“Hmm.”
Department Head Berhal had somehow entered the auditorium and was watching.
‘So this was the kind of training. Ha, they haven’t even done practical training yet, but anyone watching would think this is training for upperclassmen who’ve already experienced practical training multiple times.’
A series of admiration and amazement!
‘First Years are joining practical training for the first time… this might become the standard.’
To other people’s eyes, this might seem like merely strict training.
However, from the perspective of a former Imperial Knight Order commander, it was an efficient and perfect routine.
The intermediate breaks were thorough, and the intensity was differentiated to some degree based on individual student levels.
‘These are routines that can only come from professional training experience.’
As expected, the Imperial Palace’s backing.
What could it be?
What benefit was the Imperial Palace trying to gain by deploying such talent to the Academy?
But it was definitely beneficial for Berhal.
And also for that person over there, who didn’t even know he had arrived and was blankly watching the training scene.
“Professor Elcanto?”
“Huh! D-Department Head. When did you arrive?”
“A while ago. What are you staring at so intently?”
Elcanto scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.
“Well… I was wondering how Teacher Ziel conducts training…”
“Learning is always right.”
“Ahem. That’s correct.”
Ziel was so excellent that even professors came to learn from him now.
‘Are the First Years going to cause a stir again this time?’
Suddenly, Berhal asked Elcanto.
“Professor Elcanto. Isn’t Teacher Ziel remarkable?”
“He’s remarkable. Hmm. No words are needed.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk about.”
Elcanto flinched as if shocked by what followed.
“When this year ends, how about we promote Teacher Ziel to official faculty and prepare him for professorship?”
“O-official faculty?”
Elcanto was surprised.
Usually, Liberal Arts Instructors discuss contract renewals for extensions, but they don’t get promoted to official faculty.
That had been the custom and precedent until now.
This was why Elcanto had inwardly scoffed when Ziel asked if he could become a professor during their first interview.
Because it was impossible.
“There’s nothing wrong with it, is there?”
“But there’s no precedent…”
“Then we’ll just create one, Professor Elcanto.”
“…”
These complicated feelings that were hard to put into words.
People are sometimes materialistic.
That’s how Elcanto was right now.
Of course, Elcanto was materialistic more often than that, but at least right now, anyone would become materialistic.
‘I went through all that hardship to become a professor…’
Five years as a Teaching Assistant.
Under Professor Takeus, who was now expelled, he endured all kinds of hardships, humiliation, and contempt before finally becoming an associate professor and then a full professor.
Of course, it didn’t mean Ziel would become a professor immediately.
‘But even so, it’s way too fast!’
Official faculty!
That meant the path to becoming an associate professor would open up.
“We should treat people according to their abilities, shouldn’t we?”
Why did it sound like he would treat those with poor abilities mercilessly?
“That’s… true. But will the Personnel Department just sit by and watch?”
“By then, we’ll just make sure the Personnel Department has no grounds to refuse Teacher Ziel.”
“Ah…”
“Professor Elcanto, I understand how you feel. But if we don’t treat Teacher Ziel properly, he might leave.”
“…”
It wasn’t wrong.
Kundel.
Rihart.
And even the Imperial Family!
Thanks to the impact he showed at the Exchange Tournament, he received offers from countless places, but for some reason, Ziel stayed.
The reason was unknown.
But he knew one thing.
If they didn’t treat him properly, he would leave.
‘I need to be on guard.’
Elcanto hadn’t won his professor position in a card game either.
But at this rate, Ziel would have a clear advantage!
So this wasn’t the time for this.
“Um, Department Head.”
“Yes, Professor Elcanto.”
“Our 2nd Year students need to prepare for practicals soon, so I’ll head out first.”
“Ah. I see. Understood.”
Eyes burning with intensity.
Berhal read that in Elcanto’s eyes and chuckled inwardly.
‘This is a good development.’
Sword School had united, even if briefly, over Karen’s Special Support System.
And now it was even changing Professor Elcanto.
Ziel Steelheart.
The change had begun since just one person arrived.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
