Chapter 103. Of Course I’m Going to Win (1)

Although Patrick’s very existence had become the eye of the storm in White Town, his own daily life was peaceful.

He half-listened to his classes, taught Matthew and Isabella in his spare time, and spent the rest of his time leisurely sipping from a cup—it was that kind of life…

“Schneider.”

“Huh? What is it, senior?”

When a 2nd-year senior whose name he didn’t know approached and spoke to him, Patrick asked back.

And that senior said…

“The president is calling for you. Go at once.”

“The president?”

“Yes. And he has called for the princess as well.”

Patrick and Isabella were summoned at the same time.

Patrick, who had an inkling of what it was about, said calmly.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Patrick headed to the president’s office with Isabella.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

When a voice from inside gave permission, Isabella opened the door and entered. Then…

“Isabella Black Atronia and one other have come at the president’s summons.”

At the disciplined greeting, the president smiled warmly.

“Make yourselves comfortable. You too, Schneider.”

“Understood.”

When Patrick entered, several people were already waiting inside the president’s office.

There were familiar faces and unfamiliar ones.

Professor Leyte and Alex.

And two seniors whom Patrick didn’t seem to know very well.

The president of the Academy, having gathered them, spoke.

“5th-year top student, Alex Rowensky.”

“Yes, President.”

“5th-year second top student, Gerard Teseira.”

“Yes.”

“4th-year top student, Kalin Trinaldo.”

“Yes.”

“3rd-year top student, Isabella Black Atronia.”

“Yes.”

“1st-year top student, Patrick Schneider.”

“What?”

“……”

The president’s expression briefly became complicated, but he continued speaking.

“The five of you will represent our country in Arcana this time.”

At those words, an undeniable tension appeared on the faces of the other four, excluding Patrick.

Although they had somewhat expected it, hearing the words directly from the president’s mouth made them realize it anew.

That they had become the representatives of their nation.

And the president’s words continued.

“As you all know, our country’s performance in the last Arcana was not very good.”

“I heard we just lost everything.”

“Ahem… hmm…”

The president showed a sign of discomfort, but Patrick paid it no mind.

What, am I some kind of sycophant?

Can’t even call a defeat a defeat?

The president sighed and said.

“To make up for the past slump, your responsibility as the representatives for this Arcana is great.”

“We are aware.”

“We will do our best to elevate the honor of our nation.”

“Please leave it to us.”

Seeing the brats called seniors, full of motivation, Patrick let out a deep sigh.

‘Can’t you just know your place?’

Brats who didn’t know their own skills and were only driven by motivation were the thirty-ninth thing Patrick disliked.

If such brats were enemies, he could just beat them up, but they were allies…

‘Well, I suppose I can solve it by beating them up properly.’

While Patrick was thinking about how to properly beat up his seniors, the president spoke to Professor Leyte.

“Professor Leyte.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“Lead and guide these individuals to perform well in Arcana.”

“I will do my best.”

The representatives and the supervising professor were decided.

The president personally pinned a gold insignia on each of the five chosen students.

Seven stars encircling the moon.

It was the crest of the Atronia royal family.

Normally, anyone other than royalty wearing it could be punished for treason, but those chosen as representatives for Arcana were an exception and could wear this crest.

That’s how glorious of a crest it was.

Kalin Trinaldo, one of the seniors, couldn’t contain his overwhelming emotions and even shed tears the moment the crest was pinned to his chest.

“Is this pure gold?”

Though Patrick shattered the mood right after.

* * *

That evening.

Patrick called Matthew and said.

“So, for that reason, I’ll be going to Arcana and won’t be at the Academy for a while.”

“This year’s Arcana is being held in the Magellan Kingdom, right? It’s not that far.”

“Really? Is it close?”

“It’s the country right to the west of ours, isn’t it?”

“Aah… I see.”

In this world, maps are quite rare items.

Even Patrick, born a noble, had never seen a map of the entire continent.

In contrast, Matthew, born as the son of the Elbador Merchant Guild, had seen many maps.

Since the main business of the Elbador Merchant Guild was foreign trade, he naturally had access to maps.

“It’s a country to the west of ours, in the center of the continent. It’ll be convenient for other countries to participate too.”

“I see. By the way, how many countries participate in Arcana?”

At Patrick’s question, Matthew sighed and said.

“First, the nine existing countries on the continent will each send five people. Atronia, Decator, Yusef, Flame, Magellan, Kaisar, Harbor, the Saint Louis Holy Theocracy, and the Venator Empire.”

“Five people from nine countries, so a total of 45?”

“Not quite. Even if they’re not affiliated with a country, magic swordsmen belonging to the Tower of Truth also have the right to participate in Arcana.”

“So 50 people?”

“In addition, representatives of human-friendly non-human races, the Elves and Dwarves, also have the right to participate.”

“So 60 people then.”

“Yes. But we don’t know if the Elves and Dwarves will show up. They’re quite reclusive…”

“Anyway, a maximum of 60 people. So let’s see… I just have to win about six times, right?”

“You say it as if you’re naturally going to win.”

“Of course I’m going to win.”

At Patrick’s words, Matthew smiled bitterly.

Perhaps this friend of his really could do it.

The next day.

Professor Leyte and the representatives he was leading gathered to depart from White Town to the Magellan Kingdom.

The supervising professor and five representatives.

In addition, it was a group that included 50 people who served as both escorts and attendants.

Before their departure, they headed to White Castle.

There was someone they had to report to before leaving.

“The arrival of His Majesty, King Fiesto Cloria Atronia, the just and sole ruler of the Kingdom of Atronia!”

At the royal chamberlain’s resonant voice, Professor Leyte and the five representatives all knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.

‘What a pain…’

Patrick grumbled inwardly but maintained his etiquette.

In fact, he was also curious.

Even Jin Cheon, the great Radiant Dragon Great Master, had never met the king of a nation.

Even after being reborn in this world as a noble, and being taught from a young age that it was a noble’s duty to be loyal to the royal family…

He had never actually met the king.

His father had said he only met him once when he inherited his title.

To pledge loyalty to a person you’ve never seen?

Frankly, Patrick couldn’t accept it.

So he wanted to see him at least once on this occasion.

To see whether the person above him was truly worthy of that position or not.

The sound of someone’s footsteps on the red carpet could be heard. After the sound stopped, a voice that was gentle yet imbued with a natural dignity was heard.

“All may raise your heads.”

At that command, Patrick raised his head and was able to see the king for the first time.

There stood a man in his mid-50s, wearing a thick cloak, a golden crown on his head, and holding a magnificent scepter in his hand.

‘He resembles Isabella a bit.’

His hair, mixed with some gray, looked golden-gray, and he had the same silver eyes as Isabella.

His features also resembled Isabella’s enough to tell they were father and daughter.

‘Like father, like daughter, they say.’

The king smiled benevolently and looked at each of the representatives one by one.

“Seeing the fine young people who will be responsible for the future of the kingdom makes my own heart feel young again.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

When Professor Leyte answered on their behalf, the king nodded with a gracious expression.

On the surface, he seems like a good person.

He just looks like a kind-hearted person. But is a person at the pinnacle of a nation really like that?

As expected.

The king slowly looked around at everyone and then spoke.

“Which one of you is Patrick Schneider?”

In that moment, Professor Leyte squeezed his eyes shut.

‘I knew he would ask.’

After the mid-term evaluation, Patrick’s fame had grown tremendously.

How could it not, when a 1st-year student had crushed not his seniors, but the professors?

The king, if he had ears, would have heard Patrick’s name.

So it wasn’t strange that he was looking for him. Not strange, but…

‘Please, please let this pass normally…’

Professor Leyte, who knew Patrick’s eccentric temper, couldn’t help but be anxious.

He felt like he was forced to watch a child play with fire next to a powder keg.

“I, Patrick Schneider, greet the just and sole ruler of the kingdom.”

‘Good, he greeted him normally.’

Even though it was just a proper greeting, Professor Leyte clenched his fists and cheered inwardly.

It seemed that even that maniac had no intention of acting out in front of the king of a nation.

Whether he knew of his immense relief or not, the king spoke.

“A fine talent has emerged from a noble family with a long tradition in the East. I am endlessly pleased.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

‘A noble family with a long tradition.’

In truth, it would be more accurate to say that the Baron Schneider family was a noble family with nothing to boast of but tradition.

A family whose only real achievement was migrating to the East under a royal decree to develop the Great Forest a long time ago and stubbornly enduring ever since.

‘He’s trying his best to flatter me.’

Patrick smirked inwardly, and the king said to him.

“As you know, our country has not achieved very good results in Arcana for some time.”

“I am aware.”

Not achieved very good results?

‘We suffered a complete defeat without a single win for three consecutive times, what does he mean…’

This was not just beautification; it should be called fabrication.

The king looked straight at Patrick and said.

“Can you go to this Arcana and elevate the honor of the kingdom?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed, just hearing that is reassuring.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The king smiled with a pleased expression, and their conversation seemed to end smoothly…

“However, Your Majesty. There is one thing I would like to ask.”

Of course it couldn’t.

“Cough… cough…”

Professor Leyte coughed as if something had gone down the wrong pipe, and the other representatives also stared at Patrick with wide eyes.

No matter how high and mighty he was, Patrick was just a 1st-year cadet at the Academy.

He had no title and had not yet received his knighthood.

And yet he was asking a question to the king of a nation?

‘What is that guy trying to do?’

‘What a psycho.’

‘Damn it, what if this gets us in trouble?’

Ignoring their gazes, Patrick stared intently at the king.

And the king, meeting Patrick’s gaze, said.

“If you have a question, speak.”

“Thank you. It is about nothing other than…”

Patrick looked straight at the king and continued.

“I have heard that if one wins Arcana, Your Majesty will grant the winner one wish.”

“I did say that.”

“I would like to know if that is true. Ah, of course, I am not doubting Your Majesty. But isn’t it always better to be certain of things?”

“Hahahaha…”

The king laughed.

He made a laughing sound with his mouth, and his expression also changed as if he were amused. But…

‘Look at his eyes. They could kill a man.’

Patrick could feel a strong sense of displeasure in the king’s eyes as he looked at him.

Is this what it means to be a king?

What Patrick just said could be taken as rude in many ways, depending on the interpretation.

It was, after all, questioning the word of a king and seeking additional confirmation.

The king looked at Patrick and thought.

‘Is he impudent? Greedy? Or just insane?’

Correct.

All three.

He was a king with better insight than expected.

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