Weapon Master of the Count’s Family

Chapter 7: The Failure Returns (3)

For Evan, mimicking the instructor’s swordsmanship was mere child’s play.

But his resolve in approaching the exam was more earnest than anyone else’s.

‘The two exams of the monthly evaluation may change in content, but the final one is always that. It’s a test I can’t overcome in my current state. So, I need to rack up points in the earlier tests.’

To escape the pigsty, he had to break free from the lower ranks through this monthly evaluation.

Moreover, Evan aimed for the best dorm, with a minimum goal of ranking within the top 30.

At Lansed Academy, three tests were conducted each month, and rankings were determined.

Among them, Evan was most worried about the final test, and to prepare for it, he intended to excel in the first two to secure a high rank.

‘Of course, I didn’t expect to take first place with mere mimicry.’

Evan described his performance in the test as “mere.”

In fact, most cadets thought it was just lucky imitation, and even the assistant instructors felt similarly.

But someone with a keen eye, like Instructor Nell, recognized Evan’s hidden potential.

Of course, there were also those who praised him simply because he was Evan.

“Young master! That was incredible!”

Jack exclaimed with genuine admiration for Evan’s display.

“When did you learn swordsmanship? No way you actually copied it perfectly in one go.”

“You pick up a lot of things just trying to survive.”

“Wow~ I see. One thing’s for sure—you’re more talented than… the previous guy.”

Jack indirectly referred to the real Evan Lafard, who had died.

“Maybe you’ll even move to a good dorm. Or is this test alone enough?”

“But why does she keep staring at me?”

Evan gestured with his eyes toward the red-haired girl, Jaina Vaberin.

“Hmm, maybe because you took first place instead of her? She’s kind of prideful, you know.”

“Really? There’s nothing between us, right?”

“Of course not. As far as I know, no.”

Since Jack was always by his side, Evan decided to trust him.

But why, then?

‘Is that look just because I stole first place? Is she that jealous? Either way, this is trouble.’

For some reason, it felt like something troublesome had gotten tangled up with him.

***

Though not everyone fully grasped Evan’s true worth, his performance and the results of the swordsmanship test made most first-year cadets take notice of him.

Among them was Jaina, who kept glancing at him.

‘Please don’t develop some rival complex toward me. I’m not interested.’

That’s what he thought, but for now, all he could do was avoid her gaze.

Meanwhile, Instructor Nell Verind, who was overseeing the exam, appeared,

and began a brief explanation of the second test.

“The second test is simple: run faster than the others. The essence is the same as the previous test.”

A very straightforward rule.

But, of course, it wasn’t just about running.

“However, there’s one addition this time. As you run along the road connected to the city gate, you’ll find sandbags placed there, one for each of you. All you need to do is pick one up and bring it back.”

The essence of this test was a first-come-first-serve race, but the sandbags added a layer of difficulty.

It wasn’t as impossible as the swordsmanship test, but it was expected to be quite grueling.

“I hope there are no dropouts like last time. Understood?”

“Yes!!!”

“Good spirit. Everyone, gather in front of the gate. Begin!”

The first-year cadets rushed to the starting line in front of the gate.

Each warmed up in their own way, preparing to run.

“Everyone ready? Then… start!”

At the instructor’s signal, the cadets surged forward.

“Move!”

“Hey! Don’t push!”

A few broke ahead from the start,

but most conserved their energy, pacing themselves for the long haul.

“Phew…”

Evan, running alongside Jack in the middle of the pack, was pondering how to tackle this test.

‘Maybe because I grew up starving when I should’ve been eating well, my physical ability is honestly below average compared to my peers. Competing with those guys in the lead is probably out of the question…’

Mimicking the instructor’s swordsmanship was quick, so it wasn’t an issue.

Except for the muscle soreness that followed.

But this kind of endurance race was a different matter.

It was tied to stamina, something that couldn’t be achieved instantly.

Moreover, since he’d only recently started eating nutritious meals,

his stamina still couldn’t keep up with him.

‘The turnaround point… the sandbag…’

Lost in thought, Evan gave Jack a look and slowly pulled out of the group.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“Just steal it.”

“Steal what?”

“The sandbag.”

While they talked, the other cadets were already far ahead.

“Is that even possible?”

“Why not? The instructor clearly said to bring a sandbag to the finish line. He never said we had to go through the turnaround point.”

“I get that, but who’s just going to hand over their sandbag?”

“That’s why we take it. By force.”

Hearing Evan’s reckless plan, Jack cautiously offered a suggestion.

“Stealing’s fine, but making enemies could be trouble. Why not take it from someone we already don’t get along with?”

Jack was referring to the hostile cadets from the Noble Society.

“Good idea. But what if those guys are way behind?”

“Don’t worry about that. Those guys have crazy stamina. Even Jaina can’t keep up with them.”

***

Meanwhile, the competition for first place at the front was fierce.

“Huff, huff.”

No one knew how far the turnaround point was, but the frontrunners had no intention of slowing down.

Among them, Dale Barbrek, a noble cadet from the Noble Society, was leading the pack.

‘As expected, I’m taking first place again.’

Confident in his stamina, he kept sprinting at full speed without thinking twice.

As a result, others gradually fell behind,

and when he realized he was running alone, he finally spotted the sandbags ahead.

“Ha… there they are.”

From a distance, the sandbags looked like a small hill.

Spotting them, Dale picked up his pace to get closer.

“Ugh! Why is this so heavy?”

The sandbag, large enough to fill both arms, was incredibly heavy.

The thought of carrying it back made his head spin, but he gritted his teeth and started moving again.

‘I’m… I’m number one!’

Seeing Dale, the first to reach the turnaround point, the other frontrunners looked envious or anxious as they faded into the distance.

Among them was Jaina Vaberin, who had shone in the previous test.

Seeing their expressions, Dale felt a strange thrill.

‘Even Jaina can’t beat me at this!’

Passing others as he ran alone, he gazed at the approaching fortress.

“Huff… ha…”

First place.

The taste of blood filled his mouth, but who cared?

He was the undisputed number one, with no one behind him.

Just a little further now…

‘Evan? What’s that guy doing?’

He saw Evan and Jack standing in the middle of the road.

Jack was whispering something to Evan, who nodded.

‘What’s that about?’

Feeling uneasy, he passed by them.

That’s when it happened.

―Tat-tat!

A sound came from behind, and something grabbed Dale, wrapping around his neck and choking him.

“Guh… ugh…”

Already exhausted, Dale couldn’t resist and slowly lost consciousness.

“That crazy bastard… attacked me…”

He desperately tried to break free before passing out, but his eyes closed first.

―Thud.

Evan pulled the sandbag from Dale’s fallen body.

“This one’s mine. Now, Jack, let’s get yours. Like before, point out any Noble Society guy you see.”

“But shouldn’t we move this guy? Someone might see…”

“Hmm, you’re right. Let’s do it.”

Evan and Jack dragged Dale into the bushes beside the road.

They propped him against a tree so he wouldn’t fall—a small courtesy.

A courtesy for delivering the sandbag to them.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Of course, this courtesy meant Dale wouldn’t wake up easily.

None of the cadets who came after noticed him.

Not bothering with such details, Evan and Jack carried their sandbags and crossed the finish line.

“Evan Lafard, Jack Reed, 5th and 6th place.”

Evan didn’t take first because he was busy picking a sandbag victim for Jack.

Still, he placed in the top tier, so his overall ranking remained unchanged.

“Young master, are we really okay?”

“Why? You said the sandbags we took were from guys who were bullying us. It’s not like things could get worse.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

After that, more cadets crossed the finish line, with Jaina coming in around the 20s.

As the sandbags piled up, the test neared its end.

“Hmm… the last two are late.”

Finally, Dale and another cadet arrived at the finish line empty-handed.

“Dale, Branco, both disqualified. You’re joint last anyway.”

“Instructor! That’s unfair! That guy knocked me out and stole my sandbag!”

“Me too!”

With looks of utter injustice, they pointed at Evan.

The instructor’s expression turned serious.

“Is that true?”

“Yes! It’s cheating! I was clearly in first!”

“I would’ve been 6th!”

They looked ready to charge at Evan.

In contrast, Evan just shrugged.

“Evan, did you really do that?”

“Yes.”

His brazen attitude left Dale and Branco flustered.

The other cadets were equally shocked.

“Hmph.”

The instructor, however, only let out a dry laugh and said nothing.

“Instructor! You have to punish him! I’m not the one who should be disqualified, it’s him…”

“Well done.”

A single word of praise directed at Evan.

Ignoring Dale’s shocked expression, the instructor asked Evan a question.

“Let me ask one thing. Why did you do it?”

“Well… strictly speaking, the goal of this test wasn’t a race but to bring back a sandbag. Since I’m not confident in running, I chose to steal one.”

“Didn’t you think that would be a problem?”

“No. If stealing was against the rules, you would’ve said so before the test started. I operated strictly within the rules.”

As Evan explained, some cadets nodded in agreement.

“That’s allowed?”

“No way.”

But most still couldn’t comprehend.

“Silence, all of you!”

To them,

and to Dale, who was still fuming, the instructor began to elaborate.

“Evan is correct. The modified second test was about bringing a sandbag back quickly. That’s why you and your seniors focused only on retrieving it quickly, not on taking someone else’s. Except for the first class.”

The instructor brought up a very old story.

“Back then, it was a dangerous test where half the cadets got injured. But the core principle was the same then as it is now.”

“Then why did it turn out like that?”

Jaina’s question prompted the instructor to answer.

“Good question. In the first class, there was an additional phrase before the test began.”

“What was it?”

“‘By any means necessary.’”

“Oh…”

“From the second class onward, that part was omitted. But it wasn’t removed. So, Evan’s method isn’t wrong.”

Finishing his explanation, the instructor looked at Dale.

“In other words, protecting your sandbag is also part of the test.”

But Dale, unable to accept it, seethed.

“Grr… even so… even so…”

Seeing tears well up in his eyes, the instructor sighed.

“If those tears fall, you’ll be dead last in this monthly evaluation.”

“Ugh…”

“I hope today’s lesson stays with you.”

The stern instructor left Dale as is and addressed everyone.

“The next test will take place after lunch. Until then, return to your dorms and rest.”

“Yes!”

The cadets headed to their dorms one by one.

Only Dale and Branco stood still, swallowing their resentment.

‘I’ll get my revenge… Evan Lafard!’

***

After lunch, the final moment of the long monthly evaluation finally arrived.

Even Evan, who had been relaxed throughout, showed clear signs of tension at this moment.

‘I’ll pour everything I know into this.’

The final test that had Evan so focused.

It was a test of knowledge about the kingdom’s history—

in other words, a written exam.

“Now, let’s begin the test.”

Unlike Instructor Nell, this test was overseen by a soft-spoken female professor.

Inside the exam hall, all the cadets were diligently writing their answers.

‘Damn it, I don’t know any of this. How am I supposed to know about the four great kings?’

Evan, like the others, stared intently at the test paper, writing his own answers.

“Time’s up! I’ll collect the papers now.”

After the test ended, Evan’s graded paper had a big fat 0 written on it.