I Became the Teacher of the Imperial Family’s Bastard

071. Cadet (2)

Imperial Officer Academy.

It was a prestigious educational institution, renowned to the extent that it was said to gather the best talents of the empire.

Was it simply because the imperial family operated this training center?

Of course, that could be one reason… but more fundamentally, it could be seen as the result of the training center’s policy.

―The best support for the best talents.

That was the motto of the training center.

Thus, in the process of accepting cadets, it disregarded status and wealth, and judged solely based on ability.

Such was the environment of meritocracy.

Wouldn’t there be many talents worthy of being called gems?

Therefore, there were also some hyenas trying to pick up the gems lying around.

The reason nobles targeted the cadets of the Imperial Officer Academy was because of this.

“It’s already been four years. Did Sir Chermak win first place in the last tournament?”

“Ah, it was overwhelming. His subsequent achievements were even more astonishing.”

“I heard he became a knight of his homeland. To uphold loyalty with the skill to join the imperial knights, truly a steadfast character.”

“Isn’t that what we call a knight? And…”

“Yes, that’s why we are here.”

The day of the tournament, held every four years, had dawned.

Nobles gathered in small groups, reminiscing about the last tournament, smacking their lips.

All of them had eyes filled with anticipation.

Indeed, it was needless to say how much a well-trained knight contributed to their power.

Their intention to strengthen their territories’ power through these knights was blatantly obvious.

Though they laughed and chatted, they were in a relationship of mutual vigilance.

Beneath the lively and heated atmosphere, there was a tension like thin ice.

And, there was one they were most wary of.

The nobles seated in the VIP section of the tournament hall all glanced in one direction.

It was a seat belonging to the highest rank among the VIP seats.

“Sister, have you ever attended such an event?”

“This is my first time. Our family has no ties with knights, after all…”

“Hmm, I feel the same. I like fighting, but tournaments are just…”

The siblings, engaged in trivial conversation, shared the distinctive features of ashen hair and violet eyes.

However, the man had a rough appearance that made one think he would pick a fight at the slightest eye contact, while the woman was so exotic and elegant that she reminded one of a flower on a cliff.

The surprising thing was that despite their vastly different impressions, there was no doubt they were siblings.

What more could be said?

Yuren Pharos and Cecilia Pharos.

Direct descendants of the great Pharos family.

Whispers were inevitable.

“Why is Pharos here…?”

“The reason is obvious, isn’t it? His Highness has come of age. And Pharos is His Highness’s mentor…”

“…Is he selecting the royal guard?”

“If so, this year’s competition is…”

The nobles murmured.

Yuren had come to select the royal guard for Callios.

From the revealed cause and effect, it seemed to be the case.

At the Imperial Academy, the highest honor for cadets was to join the Imperial Knights.

Among them, being part of the next emperor’s royal guard was considered the highest of honors.

Thus, he was nothing short of a disastrous competitor.

The nobles felt a pang of anxiety.

Some even thought of using this opportunity to get acquainted with Yuren and pull a few cadets into their ranks…

“…Restrain yourself. Have you forgotten what happened at His Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

“Ugh…”

No one here was unaware of Yuren’s temperament.

At the last coming-of-age ceremony for Callios.

The incident where Yuren publicly humiliated a viscount and defended Aria was still a hot topic in social circles.

In the end, all the nobles could do was hope that Yuren wouldn’t target the knights they had their eyes on.

Whether he knew this or not, Yuren sat in a high, isolated seat, enjoying his outing with Cecilia.

“Oh, by the way, I made some snacks.”

“Young master… How can someone destined to be the head of the family enjoy the kitchen so much?”

“It’s a hobby. Please overlook it this much.”

“…….”

“Here, if you eat this, your thoughts will change. This is called Choco Pie. It’s a chocolate cake reduced to bite-size and frozen…….”

Yuren was in quite a good mood today.

* * *

Cadet waiting room.

Liam, who was meditating in the most secluded corner, opened his eyes to some commotion.

“Liam! Hey, man! Breaking news, breaking news!”

As Liam frowned and turned his head, he saw something.

“…Rubin.”

A man with straw-colored hair, a sly expression, and long limbs.

Among his peers, he was the most mischievous troublemaker, yet his swordsmanship was acknowledged enough for Liam to keep him nearby.

Rubin approached with an excited look and said,

“The young lord of Pharos is attending this year’s tournament! Do you know what that means? Huh? They’re recruiting for the Imperial Guard!!!”

His words echoed loudly.

At that moment, Liam felt the space around him stir.

Sure enough, even the senior fourth-year students, the main players of this year, were listening to Rubin’s words.

Liam sighed.

He was annoyed by Rubin’s recklessness in talking about such things in front of the seniors preparing for the tournament.

But aside from that feeling, well,

‘…Of all times.’

Why this tournament?

Liam gave a bitter smile.

Before attending the tournament, he had been secretly contacted by the royal family.

A noble from the faction of the second prince had proposed match-fixing to make a cadet, who would become the prince’s close aide, the protagonist of this year’s event.

He would stop at nothing to achieve his goal, and in Liam’s case, it was the same.

‘…Father.’

If he didn’t participate in the match-fixing, his father, whom he respected the most, might be dismissed.

Sir Corin, who had a good reputation within the knights and was trusted externally, might lose his life as a knight because of his son.

Would they really go that far?

His tone was too serious to hold onto hope.

Moreover, the 7th Knight Division, where his father served, was under the jurisdiction of the 2nd Prince.

Liam looked at his palm.

The calloused hand showed how much effort he had put in to get here.

But how could that effort be weighed on the same scale as his father’s lifetime?

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‘…It’s okay.’

Liam clenched his fist tightly.

He still had a chance to become a knight, even if not this time.

He was only in his second year, with two years left until graduation.

With a little more effort, he could make up for this mistake and become a royal knight.

So accepting this proposal was the most amicable solution and a plan for everyone.

He tried to think that way.

…The only obstacle was his conviction.

―Liam, keep your beliefs.

His father’s words echoed in his mind.

Liam’s expression grew darker.

However, Rubin, seemingly oblivious to his mood, just spoke excitedly.

“Hey, second-year top student! Win brilliantly and let’s join the royal guard! You’re the pride of our class!”

The laughing voice only added to the bitterness.

Liam couldn’t bring himself to smile at him.

“…Thanks for the support. I want to meditate now, so please leave.”

“Eh, boring guy. Then I’ll go to the spectator seats! Good luck!”

Rubin left.

Liam couldn’t respond and closed his eyes.

What remains for a knight who has lost his conviction?

Only such questions arose.

* * *

My sister spoke.

“Ah, it’s starting. I feel nervous too. Today must be a very important day for those cadets.”

I smiled faintly.

Perhaps because I had lived a life unrelated to knights or military groups, it was heartwarming to see my sister’s expectations breaking through her usual expressionlessness.

‘Hmm, maybe we should hold a martial arts tournament later.’

It might not be a bad idea to suggest it after the Crown Prince becomes the Emperor.

Isn’t she someone who doesn’t have any hobbies? If she enjoys today’s spectacle, I must push for it in the future.

Of course, that’s that.

For now, I need to focus on the tournament.

“There are a few cadets I’ve been keeping an eye on. They need to show a good performance.”

“Could you give me a hint as well?”

“Let’s keep it a secret. Isn’t it more fun to watch without knowing who will win?”

…I said, but it was because of the nobles that I couldn’t speak.

Anyway, why do those b*stards like to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations so much?

“Hmm, I understand.”

My sister nodded slightly, looking a bit disappointed.

Then she ate another Choco Pie, her third one already.

Even though it’s a high-calorie snack, seeing her eat it like that, it seemed to suit her taste, which was a relief.

‘Now she won’t nag me about going to the kitchen.’

Mission accomplished.

Thinking that this outing had many gains, I looked up at the tournament arena.

A total of 32 participants.

The tournament is conducted in a knockout format, and Liam’s turn is the fourth.

And,

‘Nathan. That guy is up against Liam.’

Two of the three people I must bring in are participating in this tournament, and those two are facing each other in the first match.

Personally, I was betting on Liam’s overwhelming victory.

It’s not that he has outstanding talent… It’s because he’s the one among my subordinates who has diligently trained with the sword.

His basics were solid, and they had been since his cadet days, so what would the result be at this point?

Nathan, who hasn’t learned to rely on luck, cannot defeat the steadfast Liam.

“The first match will begin!”

The wait was quite tedious.

My sister watched the duel with great interest, even covering her mouth with an “Ah,” but from my perspective, it wasn’t the same.

Having wrestled with the Crown Prince for years, the scuffles of these fledgling experts on the verge of becoming experts were quite dull.

‘Just throw sand in their eyes from there.’

The fun in a petty fight comes from the myriad of bizarre tactics that emerge…

Those guys are hopelessly stuck fighting by the book.

That was the assessment being made.

“We will now begin the fourth match! Second-year top student Liam! Fourth-year sixth student Nathan!”

The awaited match began.

At that moment, a feeling of delight was the first to arise.

A smirk appeared.

‘That guy was big even back then.’

With brown hair, a sturdy build, and a strong impression, Liam was the epitome of a knight, both then and now.

If you dig a little deeper, he was a guy who loved alcohol and people, a bit of a screw loose… but putting that aside, his level was quite satisfactory.

‘He’s almost at the Expert level. Solid and good.’

Next was Nathan.

With black hair streaked with gray and a lazy impression.

That guy’s prayer is really lacking.

In fact, that’s accurate.

That guy enjoyed trickery over direct confrontation even during the war.

“Begin!”

The referee announced the start.

I focused with my fingers interlocked.

Nathan charged quickly.

Liam would probably block head-on and then try to overpower him with strength.

The difference in physique and basic skills, etc.

As much as he thought, he would have immediately figured out the most ideal response.

So, I expected that,

Clang―!

“…!”

“…Ah, is it because he’s a fourth-year? He was overpowered.”

…Liam was pushed back.

My sister didn’t seem to sense the incongruity, but I did.

My expression rotted away.

Because Liam was pushed back?

No.

‘…What are you doing?’

That guy was deliberately being pushed back by Nathan.

As if he was pretending to struggle to win.

* * *

Chaaeng―!

Nathan’s sword flew through the air.

Liam sheathed his sword, pretending to be out of breath.

“Liam! Victory!”

“Waaa!!!”

The words announcing victory and the cheers didn’t bring much joy.

Though it was rude, Nathan was actually an opponent who could be crushed from the first move.

Nathan blinked blankly, then soon chuckled.

“Wow, as expected, the top student is different! I learned a lot!”

Nathan’s cheerful acknowledgment of defeat pricked Liam’s conscience.

Liam bowed deeply.

“I learned a lot too.”

“Oh, so humble.”

Nathan, who had dusted off his butt and stood up, extended his hand for a handshake.

Liam felt guilty even accepting it.

After that, he barely came down from the stage.

Then, he walked down the corridor, trying hard to ignore the pangs of conscience.

He had to show that he was struggling against his seniors.

Only then could he lose without creating a sense of incongruity at the moment of competition.

‘I must lose.’

I must lose. I must lose.

He repeatedly reminded himself of that fact in his head, harboring the shallow hope that even a humiliating task would become bearable if he thought about it enough.

But the more he did, the more his insides burned with anger.

Liam twisted his face, chewing on his anger.

It was at that moment.

“Hey.”

Suddenly—

Liam’s steps halted.

He lifted his head at the voice he heard.

Immediately, Liam’s breath stopped.

“Liam Anderson.”

Ashen hair, violet eyes.

An arrogant and irritable expression.

Liam knew him.

Yuren Pharos.

The Grand Duke of the Empire.

He was staring at him with his hands in his pockets.