10
“Of course, it won’t be easy.”
After listening to the explanation from the duke, I learned that when appointing professors at the academy, they score in seven categories and then average them.
For your information, my scores were as follows:
Personality 0 points.
Achievements 0 points.
Career 0 points.
Reputation: 0 points.
Academic performance: 0 points.
Leadership: 0 points.
A whopping total of 0 points in all categories.
His character was the worst, achievements were nonexistent, there was no career history, reputation was not worth mentioning, and academy grades were at the bottom.
Even if it was a recommendation from a duke, I could understand being rejected at the academy.
To pass, I needed to score as much in the “ability” category as the total of all other categories combined.
In other words, I had to score nothing short of 700 points in the ability category alone.
It was absurd.
However.
“If it’s my greatness, it’s definitely possible.”
Of course, the duke’s reaction was not positive.
“I know you’ve changed, but it’s impossible. There are several reasons why you are unlikely to pass, not just your objective scores.”
“What are they?”
“Do you already forget how much trouble you caused at the Rubyneus Academy during your school days?”
“…”
The duke furrowed his brow with a grim expression.
“Do you know how many times I apologized to the dean to prevent your expulsion? I probably bought several mines with the funds I raised to cover your mistakes. All the professors remember your school days, so there’s no way they would approve of your appointment.”
It was the reason I couldn’t say anything.
Certainly, even if I were a professor, I would strongly oppose it.
“And there’s an even more critical obstacle. Perhaps this is the most fatal issue.”
The Duke sighed.
“Rapart Duke.”
I had a puzzled expression.
‘A noble lineage.’
In the empire that served as the backdrop for the game, there were four major dukes.
Each specialized in different fields, and the Rapart Duke belonged to the golden lineage that dominated the empire’s economy.
‘With that wealth, they also wield significant influence in the academic world.’
By the way, the Eclesia Duke was known as the ‘political lineage.’ The other two dukes were the ‘martial lineage’ and the ‘magic lineage.’
“I heard that the Rapart Duke opposed your appointment.”
“Why?”
“…Have you really not known since earlier?”
The Duke frowned at me.
“Didn’t you commit a grave mistake to the Rapart Duke’s fiancée, causing our two families to become enemies?”
“……”
Come to think of it, there was something like that in the setting of ‘Bahn.’
“Especially since the current Rubiness Academy relies on the Rapart Duke’s sponsorship for its finances. Your appointment there is almost impossible.”
The more I heard, the more it seemed like an extraordinary challenge.
All evaluation criteria scored at zero, professors from my past school days sharpening their knives, and on top of that, a massive sponsor considering me their enemy.
“What about other academies? Places like the Amethyst Academy would gladly accept me, given the favors I received.”
It was a reasonable suggestion.
Considering the circumstances, it would be wise to give up.
However, I shook my head.
“I’ve never given up on my business, no matter how tough the situation.”
If it’s to conquer a life of luxury.
No matter what obstacles lie ahead, I will never yield.
“You don’t need to worry. Whatever obstacles await, they will only be tools to shine my greatness.”
The duke, who realized the strength of my determination, sighed.
“Do you have a different plan?”
“If I refuse the recommended appointment, there’s only one way. I’ll take the official appointment exam through public recruitment.”
No matter how much the academy dislikes me, they can’t prevent me from challenging the public recruitment.
“…It might be a futile effort.”
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
I raised the corners of my mouth.
“What the outcome will be.”
The duke remained silent for a moment, then nodded as if he had no other choice.
“Understood. Do as you wish.”
I got up from my seat.
“I’ll head to the Rubinus Academy right away.”
“So soon? Isn’t there still time until the appointment exam period?”
The Academy’s professor appointment public recruitment takes place before the start of the new semester.
“There’s a place to listen.”
Business is, in a way, akin to hunting.
The more challenging the hunt, the thorough preparation it required.
Ensure they choose my product.
This appointment test was no different.
‘I must have perfect preparation.’
To the extent that no complaints arise.
So that no one at the Academy can deny my success.
It was possible.
* * *
In the center of the Reinhardt Empire, the backdrop of the Hero Academy, there was a free city.
Situated at the heart of imperial logistics, untouched by any lord’s rule, it attracted all sorts of merchants, making the capital a bustling and giant city.
The pinnacle of the empire’s delights.
Simultaneously, infamous for the highest crime rate in this city was a unique attraction.
The Rubines Academy.
A large area located amidst the boundaries where the impoverished and wealthy merchants gathered.
In one of the Academy’s meeting rooms, shouts of anger were echoing.
Bang!
The professors of the Academy shouted in fury.
“What is this nonsense? Ban, that trash Gongja is coming to take the civil service exam!!”
“Even if he’s a Duke of Eclesia, isn’t this too much?! Recommending Ban as a professor!!”
“And it’s in magical studies? Wasn’t Ban Gongja’s magical grades all failing points? Ignoring our Rubines like that is beyond acceptable!!”
At that moment, the sound of applause was heard.
“Now, professors, I understand your anger, but please calm down.”
“…Professor Valik.”
He was a young man.
Barely in his early twenties.
However, the older professors all closed their mouths as if watching their steps.
There was a reason.
Professor Valik was of the bloodline of the Rafat Duke, responsible for the finances of the Rubines Academy.
Although a mere viscount, he held a stronger influence in this place than anyone else.
“What’s there to worry about if Ban Gongja is applying? If he’s unqualified, he’ll naturally fail.”
“…That’s true.”
“If anything, I’m more concerned about Ban Gongja’s honor. Since the appointment exam is public.”
Professor Valik blurred the end of his words.
“Running wild without knowing the subject might bring more disgrace to his already lacking honor.”
It’s not a concern.
Valik’s pupils were coldly shining.
Eyes harboring some cunning intention.
“How about doing it this way? How about applying the ‘special examination format’ to Ban Gong-ja?”
Everyone looked surprised.
If there was someone among the applicants with outstanding qualifications, they would take a separate special exam.
It was favoritism, but in Ban’s case, it was different.
“It’s about thoroughly humiliating Ban Gong-ja.”
It was an exam filled with content to trample Ban.
The professors exchanged glances.
No matter how much of a trash Ban was, he was of noble descent.
It was a burden, but if Vallic took the lead, being the Marquis’s backer, the story would be different.
“Alright, I understand. I will leave Ban Gong-ja’s issue entirely to Professor Vallic.”
Alone afterwards, Vallic let out a sardonic laugh.
He looked at Ban’s employment exam application.
“Ban, has this guy gone mad? Has he forgotten all his school memories?”
An unexpected story unfolded.
Vallic and Ban were actually academy classmates.
He was quite close to Ban.
In a bad way.
“The most useless and pathetic guy in the world.”
There are different kinds of trash.
Trash that no one dares to touch.
These were the real bad guys.
Half of it wasn’t.
Half of it was trash, but it wasn’t a terrifying category.
Rather, they were pitiful and pathetic. The ‘elites’ of the academy, including Valic, ignored and exploited them from behind.
“The loser who couldn’t properly refute a single accusation even with a false charge.”
This is a fact that no one knows.
During their time at the academy, many of the crimes committed by the half were often not their own doing.
It was Valic and others who pinned it on the half.
Since no one trusted the half, it was simple.
“Still, I felt a little sorry even when it led to a breakup.”
After committing a grave mistake against the daughter of the Marquis Raupart, who was engaged to the half, Valic, fearing being held accountable for his wrongs, falsely accused the half of the crime.
“It’s all the half’s fault for being so stupid.”
Valic flicked through the half’s job application exam papers with his finger.
Just like in their school days, he was ignoring the half.
A common voice flowed out.
“This time, I should really trample them properly. Completely bury them so they can’t even make a peep in high society or anywhere else.”
* * *
I immediately stood up for the Marquis.
Was my unwavering determination visible on the surface?
Under the charisma of the Black Dragon, Hans, who followed, exclaimed in admiration.
“Oh! Indeed, Master Ban. It’s like a hero marching onto the battlefield. Just thinking about your greatness spreading in the magical community makes my heart flutter, Hans.”
“Noisy, isn’t it? Stop making a fuss. I’m actually worried. I’m afraid my great light might spread too dazzlingly across the world.”
…The middle-aged wizard felt increasingly noisy.
What’s even more chilling is that it was the cursed black flame dragon’s mouth that exchanged words with the chatter.
Transcendence translation stop.
For your information, what I originally wanted to say was, ‘Please don’t. I just want to stay quiet.’
“Master, by the way, where are you heading? Isn’t the portal to the RubyNess Academy over there?”
“I’m going to visit the Cave of Lamentations.”
“…What did you say?”
Hans blinked and shouted belatedly.
“The Cave of Lamentations is a dungeon with an ‘inaccessible’ rating, isn’t it?!”
That’s right.
The place I was heading to was a dungeon.
More precisely, a hidden piece.
‘I need to obtain the ultimate skill to pass the employment test.’
The problem was the difficulty.
It was a dungeon rated as ‘inaccessible.’
A dungeon explicitly designed not to be broken.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not! The Cave of Lamentations is a place I can’t even cross!!”
“You might find it impossible, but I don’t.”
“!!”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Have you already forgotten my greatness? I am Ban Eclesia.”
…Even as I spoke, my limbs seemed to tense up, but it seemed effective in persuading Hans.
“Oh, dare I doubt the sage who will become a star in the magical realm! I apologize. Instead, please! Promise me. If it seems too difficult, I will definitely give up.”
I nodded.
It won’t be dangerous.
However.
‘…I can’t be sure I’ll succeed this time.’
– Probability of clearing the Cave of Lamentation: 30%
It meant there was a greater chance of failure.
‘What if I challenge it with Hans?’
An additional message popped up.
– Challenge with the middle-aged wizard: 30%
It was the same.
It was a story of no help at all.
It wasn’t for nothing that it was not rated ‘inaccessible’.
‘I have to somehow clear it on my own.’
Still, it couldn’t be helped that there was a lingering sense of regret.
If only there were someone gullible enough, the clearance probability would significantly increase.
Not just anyone with a strong will can make a name for themselves in the cave of lamentation.
That was the thought as they arrived at the cave of lamentation.
“Heuk, kreuuk.”
A girl in a wizard’s robe, covering her mouth at the entrance of the dungeon, tears streaming down her face.
She tried to endure and hold back the sorrowful cries, but the heartbreaking tears couldn’t be suppressed.
The problem was recognizing the face.
“Why is she here?”
At that moment, the girl, as if sensing something, swiftly turned towards me.
“Who’s there?!”
The crying demeanor transformed into a sharply resonating voice.
The piercing gaze seemed to intensify, as if trying to conceal the vulnerability beneath.
Familiar to an overwhelming degree.
The expressions and face I had seen countless times.
I thought with a bewildered expression.
“Why is the protagonist here?”
One of the 16 playable protagonists.
The girl who would later become the hope of all humanity, the ‘Hero of Light.’
I unexpectedly came face to face with ‘Cathrine Del Elpaso,’ known as the ‘True Protagonist.’
what… didnt you say Jin or something was the “true protagonist”?