The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 70

A colossal coliseum that seemed capable of accommodating tens of thousands of attendees. Within the stadium, ten practice arenas were set up, but all of them were empty, and all magical screens were focused on just one.

“Phew.”

Raul checked his equipment and regulated his breathing before making his entrance.

“Are you sure you’re alright? If you wish, I can arrange for a replacement even now.”

The one offering these words to Raul with a slightly tense expression was an official from the Knight’s Association. Given his high position, his attire was considerably refined.

“I’m fine. The evaluation must be fair to everyone, after all. If the members were assessed fairly, it wouldn’t be right for me to receive special treatment, would it?”

At Raul’s calm response, the association official broke out in a cold sweat.

“The Chairman asked me to convey that the occurrences during this evaluation process were not his intention. Moreover, he has stated that all necessary measures for a fair assessment will be taken, so you shouldn’t think of it as a special favor…”

“Mr. Official.”

“Yes?”

Looking him straight in the eye, Raul spoke again.

“I have no complaints about this evaluation process. How could I doubt the honorable and fair evaluation of the Knight’s Association? Please, relay to the Chairman as well. The First Knight Order and the Count Ashton Household trust in the Knight’s Association and the Chairman, and will continue to do so.”

Overwhelmed by Raul’s upright gaze and confident demeanor, the official felt a sense of being overpowered.

‘Ah, the rumors do him no justice. Is this truly the presence that a fifteen-year-old boy can command?’

The official lamented the reality that he couldn’t meet Raul’s gaze squarely.

“Phew, I have nothing to say to you, Young master Raul. I will convey your words to the Chairman. And… should you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Although it may be meager, I wish to offer my help.”

Expressing his apology and shame as a member of the association, he spoke to Raul.

“I appreciate the thought, but I must prepare for the evaluation now…”

With a slight nod, Raul turned away, and the official looked after him with a worried expression.

‘Will he be alright? The assigned examiner is that person, after all… I sincerely hope he safely completes the evaluation.’

Contrary to the official’s concern, Raul was wearing a particularly relieved expression.

‘It seems there’s no problem. Everything is going according to plan.’

Frankly, he hadn’t expected a fair evaluation since the preparation of the ceremony.

No matter how much the Knight’s Association prided itself on honor and neutrality, it was impossible not to have entangled interests.

The Chairman was practically a figurehead to begin with.

Even as a former royal knight captain, he hadn’t overcome the barrier to become a Master. Therefore, it was inevitable that he couldn’t be free from the influence of the prestigious martial families that did have Masters.

The Chairman might mediate among various houses, but completely controlling the association was impossible.

Given the circumstances, how could Raul naively trust the association and participate in the ceremony?

Everything from setting up a support camp on the outskirts of the coliseum in the name of the Count Ashton Household and the First Knight Order, to arranging the evaluation order as desired for members like Jake and Pierce, and finally securing the last evaluation slot for Raul himself.

All of it had been the result of Raul’s intentions.

It was only natural that considerable influence, connections, and even significant costs were leveraged by the Count Ashton Household in the process. It was fortunate that the participation from other prestigious families was low.

“The Randal household is rather naive,” he mused.

They had only gone as far as to mobilize examiners associated with their family. Had he been in the Randal household’s position, he would have bribed even the neutral examiners and messed up the order of participation.

“Uniforming all the contestants’ armor and equipment as standard issue, changing the judging criteria… Oh, what am I thinking?”

If it had been Raul, he would have completely erased the competing families from the initiation ceremony.

The lack of strong opposition from the Randal household was probably due to their underestimation of Raul and the First Knight Order, but this half-hearted attempt ended up being beneficial, painting a better picture than expected. Incurring debts to the clerk and the guild president was also a significant achievement.

“All I have to do now is to wrap things up well.”

The examiner waiting for him at the duel arena was under the Randal household’s payroll. Not directly related by blood, but a corrupt individual who manipulated results for under-the-table payments annually at the ceremony.

Raul, having already acquired information about this contact, had his reasons for feigning ignorance.

“I can deal with that guy without any hesitation.”

A slight smirk appeared on Raul’s lips.

* * *

The colosseum filled with an enormous roar, a remarkable response just for Raul making an appearance.

“Wow, that’s incredible.”

“Is his popularity really this huge?”

The spectators, finally realizing Raul’s popularity, wore flabbergasted expressions. Some scowled and clicked their tongues in disdain.

“Tch, foolish people. To be played by the antics of a mere 15-year-old.”

“Don’t worry too much. Public interest is but a whim. It will cool down soon enough once they see him humiliated.”

Meanwhile, Sage Gray, watching the proceedings from the VIP seats, couldn’t help but smile affectionately.

“Ha. That cunning kid, Raul.”

It seemed he was using the association’s initiation ceremony as a promotional event for his own Knight Order.

Whether they were jeers or cheers, the First Knight Order remained the talk of the town. Moreover, watching the ever-changing expressions of the nobles as the ceremony progressed was an amusement in its own right.

It felt as though everyone visiting the colosseum today was playing into Raul’s hands. Especially pleasing was how Raul, unlike the other talents Gray kept an eye on, took initiative.

“Most would follow my advice, but this kid is definitely different.”

He admired Raul’s boldness in taking his advice but still following his own path, which even Gray found hard to predict.

Today, many would be surprised by the seemingly insignificant pebble that turns into a giant dam, altering the course of the river.

“And that’s exactly what I’m hoping for. Go on, run wild. I’ll support you from behind.”

Gray watched Raul, dominating the huge screen, with an expectant smile, wondering what plans laid hidden behind that dazzling appearance. And finally, the last guided duel of the second evaluation started.

* * *

“Argh!”

Examiner Langley couldn’t regain his composure.

He was certain that both the speed and power of his sword were superior, so why was he being pushed back?

Thunk! Crash!!

Although he managed to block the two-handed sword with his shield, his wrists and grip tingled with pain.

‘No, perhaps the power lies more with him…’

Honestly, the current situation didn’t feel real at all. The thought that he, aiming to become high-level expert , was being bested by a mere 15-year-old was inconceivable.

“You brat!”

Gritting his teeth, Langley thrust his longsword towards Raul’s chest.

Clang!

His sword was deflected effortlessly, but that was a feint. Langley immediately advanced with his shield in a shield charge.

Tatat! Thud!!

“Ugh.”

However, as if expecting this, Raul sidestepped the charge and slashed at his side as he passed by with his sword.

Wearing heavy armor meant the impact wasn’t severe, but the fact he allowed the hit remained unchanged.

Now, halfway through their sparring match, the duel was becoming increasingly one-sided.

Raul wielding a large two-handed sword and Langley, armed with a longsword and a buckler.

It was generally expected that Langley, with the relatively lighter sword and shield, would close the distance and take the offensive.

Yet, Langley hadn’t managed to close the distance with Raul at all.

The power behind the two-handed sword was one thing, but Raul’s sword was too aggressively exploiting his openings.

It was as if Raul had anticipated his movements, timing his thrusts impeccably.

Dominating the range combat, Raul began to take the offensive, leaving Langley astonished once more.

The series of attacks with the two-handed sword was so fast and erratic, it was hard to believe such swordplay was possible.

Despite his attempts to counter with the shield and longsword, Langley found himself vulnerable to attacks one in four times, testament to Raul’s unpredictable swordsmanship.

In essence, Raul’s skill in swordplay overwhelmingly surpassed Langley’s.

‘How, after 30 years of practicing the sword, can he…!’

Langley felt both misery and a surge of anger rising.

And as he remembered the task he had been given, a murderous intent began to glint in Langley’s eyes.

* * *

‘Hmm…?’

The examiner’s demeanor changed abruptly. It seemed he was finally showing his true colors after biding his time. Raul slightly adjusted his grip on the two-handed sword.

If the opponent was stepping up his game, then he just had to match it. He wasn’t particularly nervous, having anticipated this.

‘After all, he’s hardly an opponent worth my concern.’

The previous duel had solidified his confidence. Raul himself had already reached a considerable level as a swordsman.

Until now, whenever facing an enemy, I’ve always given it my all. Not just with swordsmanship but by utilizing psychokinesis, power armor, and other skills to eliminate variables.

However, today was different. I engaged in the duel relying solely on swordsmanship. The result, as you can see, was overwhelming.

Of course, this was a spar without the use of a mana blade, but even if I had used it, it wouldn’t have made a difference.

Both the examiner and Raul were at the intermediate-level expert; there was no reason for Raul to be at a disadvantage.

Furthermore, with 15 years of practical experience from his previous life, the excellent swordsmanship of the Ashton noble family, and the cheater-like trait of being a developer’s analyst, Raul had become a swordsman who could not be ignored.

Today’s venue was precisely to prove that fact. Raul pulled his two-handed sword back and lowered his stance.

‘Come at me!’

Raul’s eyes turned golden, signaling he intended to end it with the next strike.

* * *

Watching the two suddenly create distance and take their stances, the assistant examiner gulped. His hand had, without realizing, gripped the hilt of his sword.

‘Hopefully, there won’t be another incident this time.’

Examiner Langley had already been the talk of the town for his problematic history; those he tested ended up with an unusually high number of injuries.

It was a poorly kept secret that he was under someone’s influence. Yet, without concrete evidence, not only had he avoided punishment, but he continued to serve as a examiner, hinting at a powerful backing.

However, the opponent this time was not someone to be taken lightly. Not only was he a direct descendant of the prestigious Ashton noble family, but he was also currently the most popular figure in Thurium.

‘He must be aware of that much.’

Yet, a strange anxiety prevented the assistant examiner from easing his tension. After all, it was his duty to halt the duel if necessary.

When examiner Langley’s sword emitted a faint light, the assistant examiner’s tension intensified.

No matter how much he was outmatched in swordsmanship, it was unusually provocative for a examiner to draw his mana sword first. It seemed he was quite enraged.

‘This calls for a reprimand. But then, he never was one to concern himself with that.’

If a mana blade had been activated, he would have halted the match immediately, but for now, the situation was still manageable.

Raul’s sword also shimmered with a faint yellow light. It was clear he was contemplating a head-on confrontation.

‘Truly remarkable.’

Regardless of age, the proficiency in swordsmanship and sense in combat were far from ordinary. How many of his peers could withstand his sword if he reached the expertise of an expert as he aged further?

The assistant examiner couldn’t even begin to imagine that Raul had already reached the intermediate-level expert. Finally, the two began to move.

Examiner Langley concealed his longsword’s movement with a shield as he charged, and Raul, in kind, charged forward, firmly gripping his two-handed sword raised behind him.

Shwoosh.

‘This madman!’

The assistant examiner spotted a crimson mana blade spurting from examiner Langley’s longsword right before the collision, cursed, and leapt into the arena.

Boom! Thud!!

A figure tumbled across the training ground floor, scattering blood droplets. The assistant examiner, pale as death, yelled, “Medic! Get a medic, quick!!”

(To be continued)