The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 35

The plaza, where all the freshmen had gathered, was bustling with activity. Not only were there 600 new students from the Knight Academy, but also many current students and outside spectators who had come to watch. The students, dressed in their cadet uniforms, were clustered together, cheering for the new recruits from their own families or factions. Among them, three factions were particularly noticeable for their large numbers and loud voices.

The Templeton household, led by the kingdom’s premier knight and the Sword Duke, Marquis Templeton.

The McNeil household, with the intermediate-level Axe Young master, Duke Clifford McNeil.

The Randal household, an emerging martial family that was quickly gaining prominence.

These three families, true to their prestigious martial legacy, sent many to the academy each year and naturally held great influence within its walls.

– Celebrating the top-ranked entrance of Sir Dalton of the powerful Templeton House!

– First place is ours! Cheering for Sir Jamieson of McNeil, go, go, go!

– Believing in the rising star of Randal House, Sir Caleb!

A variety of cheering signs and slogans filled the stands. Raul, looking at the stands, let out a sigh without even realizing it.

‘The academy’s dynamics are quite clear without even having to see.’

The atmosphere was much as he had anticipated, but the intensity was more than he had imagined. Whether Jake, his escort knight, knew of Raul’s thoughts or not, he chattered away in an excited voice.

“Wow, the academy in the capital is really something else. It’s like a festival here! Even though this is the Knight’s Department, there are quite a lot of ladies, huh. Hahaha, now I understand why you were so eager to come here!”

Despite Philip’s nudging him to be discreet, Jake only spoke more boldly.

“Oh, why? The top rank is already secured by our lord. I can’t wait to see those guys, bragging about their prowess, be utterly surprised later. Huh? Are those our guys over there?”

Looking where Jake pointed, a group of about ten people, holding a small picket, were cautiously looking around.

– Go Sir Raul!

These were the cadets sponsored by the Count’s House, those who had sided with Raul just a while ago at his mansion. Apparently lacking a unifying figure, they were being pushed around by others.

“Ah, those pathetic ones. Don’t worry, my lord, I’ll take care of them. Do your best in the exam!”

It was time for the escorts and servants to take their leave. Jake led the way, with Philip and Pierce bowing before departing. Left alone, Raul calmly reviewed the documents in his hand. They contained instructions for the exam method and a hastily gathered list of the new students.

Looking through the list, Raul’s expression was far from pleased.

‘Ah, why are these guys even here?’

The list included names of promising young ones from various families, names that had been prominent in his past life. Particularly, Dalton from the Templeton House and Jamieson from the McNeil House were not to be underestimated.

‘Individuals who will reach the master level in ten years…’

As the storyline progresses, the growth of connected NPCs accelerates. Although masters are rare in the kingdom now, their numbers will increase over time. Nevertheless, mastering that level remains an extraordinary feat. Raul hadn’t directly checked their stats but he was sure none would be an easy opponent.

“Shortly, we’ll proceed with the first exam. All freshmen, please move to the auditorium!”

Following the announcement, the instructors guided the students. Raul, tagging along, readied his mind.

‘They’re just kids for now. Sorry, but I can’t let you have the top spot.’

Ironically, the first exam turned out to be a written test. As befits the Knight’s Department, it included basic military tactics and strategy questions, along with mundane ones regarding the kingdom’s history and the royal family’s genealogy. Raul was unprepared for a written test, but it didn’t matter. He had his own cheat codes: the system’s community and the Link Cafe. After breezing through the written exam, they moved in groups to a smaller indoor gymnasium. Upon entering the gym, a chilling sensation swept through my body.

‘Is this a mana suppression field?’

When I attempted to summon my mana, it remained unresponsive, as if caught in a snare.

“This place is for measuring basic physical abilities! Do not attempt to use mana. Follow the instructions as I call you out one by one!”

Several machines were set up in front of the instructor.

‘What? Is that a punch machine?’

It had only been listed as a ‘strength measuring device’ in the preliminary documents, so I hadn’t realized it was a punch machine.

Boom!!

A cadet put his weight into the machine and struck, and a score appeared on a display resembling a gymnasium scoreboard.

-1322

-1418

“Cadet number 202. 1418 points. Next!”

It seemed the protocol was to take the higher of the two attempts as the recorded score.

It was unclear what the top score was, but it didn’t seem particularly high.

Fortunately, it was a while before it was Raul’s turn, giving him ample opportunity to observe the other cadets.

Scores typically ranged between 1000 and 1500 points, until one cadet stepped up to the machine.

‘Hmm. Wonder how much he’ll score?’

This new student was among the top five in our group of a hundred, in terms of level.

With a level of 43 and a strength stat of 50, his measurements seemed similar to my cousin Dion, whom I met at the adult initiation tournament.

Kwang!!

“Wow!”

“As expected from the McNeil household!”

The stands buzzed with excitement.

2250 points.

This was the first time a score had surpassed 2000 points.

‘So that’s 2250 points. Then….’

Raul’s mind began to whirl with thoughts.

* * *

“Oh, those are impressive scores. As befitting the name of the Knight Kingdom, the overall scores are quite high.”

Contrasting the noisy examination hall, the quiet auditorium was a peaceful haven.

A magical image projector displayed the scenes from six examination halls, vividly broadcasting the events to the attendees seated on plush sofas, enjoying their tea. These observers were none other than the VIPs from the five prestigious martial families and influential noble houses.

The academy’s dean, vice dean, and professors also mingled among them, engaging in conversation.

“The buzz around Gray’s arrival must have inspired everyone to apply to the academy. The quality of incoming students this year is exceptionally high compared to previous years.”

A noble remarked, prompting Vice-Chancellor Gray to nod in agreement.

“Even then, it’s remarkable that most students under twenty are scoring over a thousand points. The students from the Leslie Kingdom Academy would be quite disheartened.”

“Ah, you flatter us.”

Given that Leslie Kingdom was a magic nation, it was inevitable that their knights would not measure up to those from Ruben, a knight’s nation. Vice-Chancellor Gray might have been quite disappointed with the magic department freshmen.

“But what really brings Vice-Chancellor Gray to our academy? Until a month ago, we heard no one from the Tower would be visiting.”

A professor from the magic department inquired, clearly curious.

“Ah, as I’ve mentioned before, I was eager to see how a newly developed magic circle would function in practice. Talking about it now, I feel slightly guilty as if we’re using the students as test subjects?”

“Oh no, not at all! We’re immensely grateful you’ve introduced such advanced magic circles to our Ruben Kingdom first. Moreover, providing a training magic circle personally funded for the top entering student!”

The professors and the nobility alike strived to gain Gray’s favor. Although he was not a noble with lands, his status as an 8th-circle archmage and a Tower Lord was not something the average noble could contend with lightly.

“Seeing these young students firsthand, I’m glad I came. I’ve heard we have quite a few children from famous martial families enrolling this year?”

“Indeed, and thanks to that, we have many distinguished guests here today. As introduced earlier…”

As the chancellor introduced the freshmen of each family with a smile, the guests began to murmur among themselves.

“At last, he’s made an appearance.”

“Is that boy the thirteenth son of the Randal household?”

The screen displayed the young man who had picked a fight with Raul countier at the entrance ceremony.

“Ah, that lad is Caleb indeed. Exceptionally talented, he was trained directly by the Lord himself. Insisted on enrolling in the academy,” Sir McGinny, an uncle of Count Randal, said proudly as he stroked his white beard.

Meanwhile, Caleb approached the measuring device, positioned himself, and then, twisting his body, punched with all his weight.

Boom!!

“Wow!”

The sound was different from before. The machine seemed to scream, trembling violently.

And finally, the displayed score was.

“3005 points!!”

“Indeed, outstanding! Count Randal has good reason to be proud.”

Caleb, seeing his score, smirked slightly and, dismissing the need for a second attempt with a flick of his hand, arrogantly returned to his seat.

Sir McGinny wore a continual beam of satisfaction, while some nobles sitting behind him looked crestfallen.

‘Is this what sets a noble family apart?’

‘We’re far from catching up, aren’t we?’

Despite the gathering of talents hailed from various regions, a noticeable difference in level was felt.

As Caleb from the Randal household became the talk among the attendees, attention once again converged on the screen.

“Next up is Jamieson from the Marquis McNeil’s Household. He is the direct grandson of Lord Clifford.”

“Jamieson… Isn’t he the one even the Royal Knights coveted?”

“Yes. His skills are said to be so remarkable that he need not have attended the academy, yet here he is. This batch indeed has many talents.”

Jamieson, now 19, was already a well-known promising talent in the capital.

Kwang!!

And the promising talent lived up to his reputation.

“My goodness!!”

“Over 3,500 points!?”

Boom!!

“3,612 points! Isn’t that a record?”

In his second attempt, Jamieson managed to surpass 3,600 points.

News of the new highest score for a freshman since the introduction of the device five years ago spread among the audience.

Clap, clap, clap.

“Truly remarkable. To think knights struggled to surpass 3,000 points when the device first came out….”

Vice-Chancellor Gray couldn’t hold back his admiration, applauding.

While the nobles around marveled, only Sir McGinny of the Randal household cleared his throat uncomfortably, soothing his upset stomach.

Following, a few freshmen nearly reached the 3,000-point mark, drawing the nobles’ attention, and then, the grandson of the kingdom’s greatest swordsman, Marquis de Templeton, made his appearance.

“Was his name Dalton?”

“The grandson of the Sword Saint, right? His first public appearance.”

A figure shrouded in mystery, kept hidden by the Templeton Household.

The audience’s interest peaked on whether he would surpass Jamieson’s record. And then…

Thump!

“2900 points??”

A noble who glanced away momentarily and then checked the score showed a puzzled expression at the lower-than-expected score.

However, the atmosphere among the audience was unusually tense.

Unable to bear the chilly silence, he quietly asked,

“What’s going on? What happened?”

“That guy, he punched with his hands behind his back, using just one arm.”

“……!!”

(To be continued)