Weapon Master of the Count’s Family

Chapter 12: Class is Eternal (4)

With the end-of-month evaluation just a week away, Some trained through the night like Jack, while others did the opposite.

Particularly Dale and Branco.

Hailing from the Noble Society and trained from childhood in their aristocratic families, They viewed the upcoming evaluation with disdain.

Rather than training individually, they chose to rest and chatter.

This was a display of their confidence.

“Hey, Branco. Who’re you picking for the duel?”

“If I get the chance? Obviously that bastard Jack Reed. You take Evan Lafard.”

“Tch! Can’t I pick Jack instead?”

“What? Don’t tell me you’re scared of Evan?”

“Scared? As if…”

Though they spoke like this, neither had confronted Evan or Jack for a while.

The memory of being effortlessly defeated by Evan still lingered in their minds.

“Honestly, both times were ambushes. If I wield a sword, there’s no way I’d lose. Fine, watch me crush him with the Barbrek family’s swordsmanship.”

“Alright, alright. Then I’ll completely demolish Jack. He’ll never dare rely on his master again.”

Despite their loss to Evan, they were mid-to-upper-tier cadets, Heirs trained in their families’ secret techniques, renowned as formidable figures in their regions.

They believed defeat was impossible for them, And they carried this conviction right up to the evaluation.

***

The end-of-month evaluation arrived.

It was a critical moment, potentially marking the first expulsions of this class.

Originally, Nell Verind was to oversee the evaluation, but he was handing it over to another instructor.

“So, Brook, listen carefully. Don’t provoke the cadets and create a heated atmosphere like last time.”

“Why not? Duels are supposed to feel like real combat.”

Brook, with his pale, serpentine face, grinned slyly.

Seeing his villainous demeanor, Nell shook his head.

“Sigh… I know, but please, keep it moderate. I’m too worried to leave.”

“If you’re that worried, delegate to another instructor. You think I enjoy this? It’s such a hassle.”

“Honestly, among us instructors, you’ve got the sharpest eye for observation. Like it or not, you’re the best for this.”

“Heh, to hear that from the high-and-mighty Instructor Nell.”

“Shut up and do your job.”

“Fine. Finish explaining.”

With that, Nell completed the handover and left the Academy.

In contrast, Brook, looking annoyed, headed to the dueling arena in Nell’s place.

Hmm… the atmosphere’s pretty grim.

Entering the dueling arena, Not a single cadet spoke, and the vast arena was shrouded in silence.

“Instructor Nell Verind, originally set to oversee the duels, had to leave urgently. Thus, I’ll be in charge. Nothing changes. We’ll proceed with the duels as planned.”

Brook got straight to the point,

As if today’s duels were just another task to get through quickly.

“Cadets called will step forward and name their opponent. The pair can choose from the weapons brought from the training hall or use a pre-approved weapon.”

He pointed to a rack brought in by the assistants.

Dozens of weapons hung there, bound tightly with chains.

Notably, every blade was visibly dulled.

“Since most of you can’t yet control your strength, we’ve brought dulled weapons for new cadets. And to prevent accidents, a healer is present, so don’t make a fuss and focus on the duel.”

In a far corner, a priestess was reading a book.

She seemed disinterested in the duels.

When some cadets glanced at her, she waved them off, gesturing to focus on the instructor.

“Now, let’s begin the duels. I’ll call names randomly.”

Taking the roster from an assistant, Brook picked a name without hesitation.

“First up… Elliott Harpman!”

“Ugh! It’s always me first.”

The one to open the duels was none other than a cadet named Elliott.

“Yes, sir!”

“Step forward.”

The called cadet walked up, visibly tense.

“Elliott Harpman, name your opponent.”

“Well…”

Elliott hesitated, Weighing who he could defeat in a duel.

“Ugh…”

Seeing Elliott’s indecision, Brook smirked.

He leaned in as if whispering but spoke loudly enough for all to hear.

“You seem to be struggling with the choice. No need to overthink it. Just pick someone you’re sure you can beat, like, I could totally crush this guy!”

Though the evaluation wasn’t about winning or losing, Brook deliberately stirred the pot to incite fiercer duels.

“Huh?”

Brook’s words threw Elliott’s decision into further chaos.

Now, choosing an opponent wasn’t just a selection—it was a provocation.

A declaration of I can beat you.

“Pick quickly. If you don’t, I’ll count it as a forfeit.”

“Ugh… I’ll pick him!”

Elliott pointed at a cadet, One ranked lower than himself.

“Good. What’s your name?”

“Gamel Rabat.”

“Gamel! Seems Elliott thinks he can easily beat you. What do you think?”

“We’ll see once we fight.”

The chosen cadet, Gamel, had fire in his eyes, As if determined to make Elliott regret picking him.

“Excellent! Now, draw your weapons.”

At Brook’s command, both cadets took swords from the rack.

“Once you’ve chosen your weapons, take your positions.”

With the dueling atmosphere heightened, Brook gave the signal.

“Begin!”

“Hah!”

“Hyah!”

In the charged atmosphere, the two cadets clashed their swords with full force.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Watching from a distance, Brook was pleased.

Yes, this is how duels should be. There’s got to be some animosity for it to be a real duel.

Rather than a dull exchange of polite blows, He preferred a fight fueled by emotion, as if they wanted to kill each other.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

This, to him, was the true thrill and purpose of a duel.

And so, tainted by Brook’s influence, the first duel reached its conclusion.

“Argh!”

The winner was Gamel, The one who fought with more conviction.

“Well done. Both of you, get treated by the priestess over there and return to your places.”

In this heated dueling environment, Brook made another proposal.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. You don’t have to pick just one opponent. You can choose two or more. Of course, the more you face, the higher your evaluation.”

Though he said this, a many-on-one duel wasn’t something to attempt lightly.

Most cadets were of similar skill, and naming multiple opponents was a massive provocation.

As seen in the previous duel, it would only ignite the opponents’ fury, increasing the risk of defeat.

Perhaps because of this, the cadets didn’t readily accept Brook’s proposal.

“Then I’ll add a reward. Those who win a many-on-one duel will be exempt from training for one day per opponent, by my authority as instructor.”

An unexpected reward.

It didn’t erase the difficulty of a many-on-one duel, but it was enough to motivate.

Thus, cadets considered exceptionally skilled saw it as worth attempting.

For instance, Jaina Vaberin, who had never lost first place among the cadets.

“Next, Jaina Vaberin!”

Called by the instructor, Jaina stepped forward.

Her graceful, peacock-like stride drew everyone’s attention.

Step, step.

Jaina Vaberin.

Heir to the Vaberin family, lords of the largest southern territory.

Daughter of Klaus Vaberin, known alongside Duke Heriel Theron as the Twin Swords of the Kingdom.

I heard she perfectly mastered the Vaberin swordsmanship, called the Ritual of Bloodstorm. And as a woman, no less.

Despite the family’s tradition of male succession, Jaina surpassed the heir in swordsmanship comprehension.

Yet, unsatisfied, she came to the Academy of her own volition to reach greater heights.

She was both the envy and fear of all cadets.

“Jaina, pick your opponent.”

Whoever she chose would be like a frail human before a calamity.

Thus, everyone held their breath, focusing on her.

Gulp.

Who would Jaina pick?

Who would be the sacrificial lamb?

“I will…”

Jaina slowly raised her hand.

And pointed at five cadets.

“Face these five.”

Five cadets, chosen at random.

The fact that she’d face five at once shocked not only the cadets but also Brook.

Five… Is she trying to follow in her father’s footsteps?

Perhaps aiming to emulate the Duke’s legacy, Jaina drew her sword expressionlessly.

The five cadets drew their weapons and exchanged glances.

Right. They’ll think they have a chance with more than three, thanks to numerical advantage. But against overwhelming power…

Reading their minds, Brook gave the signal.

“Begin!”

At the signal, Jaina darted between the cadets in an instant.

“What!”

“What’s that!”

Before they could gain distance, Jaina began spinning.

Clang! Clang!

A whirlwind erupted, with countless blades slashing fiercely toward the cadets.

“Ugh!”

The five raised their weapons to defend.

But against the storm of swords, they could only be pushed back, unable to find an opening to counter.

“Hah!”

Among them, a spear-wielding cadet retreated and boldly thrust his spear.

Whoosh.

But the spear didn’t hit Jaina—it was sucked into the whirlwind.

“Huh?!”

The cadet, pulled in with his spear, Was knocked out when Jaina struck his jaw with her open palm.

Thud.

As one fell, two others revealed openings.

Jaina moved her feet, striking both cadets’ vital points with the tip of her sword simultaneously.

Two remained.

Jaina steadied her breathing, charged again, and swung her sword dazzlingly.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Against the storm-like assault, the two cadets could do nothing.

“I surrender!”

“Argh!”

They could only cry out in surrender and collapse helplessly.

“That’s all.”

Jaina had truly defeated five cadets.

The feat took less than three minutes.

“…”

The cadets were speechless, staring in awe.

Even the disinterested priestess stood to watch.

“Impressive, Jaina Vaberin. You’ve mastered the Ritual of Bloodstorm well. Truly splendid.”

“Thank you.”

Jaina wiped the sweat from her brow and returned to her place.

“Assistants! Clear the field.”

Having enjoyed a rare spectacle, Brook wanted to savor the satisfaction.

But the duels had to continue, so he called a cadet he didn’t expect much from.

“Next, Jack Reed!”

He planned to review Jaina’s duel while overseeing a mid-tier cadet’s match.

But Jack, stepping forward timidly, made a surprisingly bold statement.

“Instructor, can I also do a many-on-one duel?”

“What? Haha! Of course. Jaina’s duel must’ve inspired you.”

The more many-on-one duels, the shorter the evaluation time, so Brook welcomed it.

But the cadets who heard Jack’s words mocked him.

What did he think he was, attempting something only Jaina could pull off?

“Then how many will you pick?”

“I’ll pick two!”

“Oh! That’s the spirit. Go ahead, name them.”

Brook liked Jack’s gusto.

Jack took a deep breath, paused, and shouted.

“Dale, Branco. Come out, you bastards!”