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Chapter 49. The Ranking Greatly Improved

Lately, I've been caught up in inexplicable terrorist incidents and consultations from a princess with her head in the clouds, making it hard to enjoy a calm academy life... But it seems the results from the recent field training are going to be reflected in the rankings. Apparently, it took a lot of time to finalize the evaluations because a student managed to defeat a dragon during the training, and the terrorist incidents further delayed the process compared to previous years. But somehow, they managed to sort it out.

It was me who defeated the dragon, by the way.

"This is the result... Why am I suddenly in 10th place?"

That's too high.

"I'm dissatisfied that my rank hasn't changed much and that Theo has taken a spot above me, pushing me down one rank."

I don't know about that.

Nina Violet, who was complaining, has dropped to 12th place because the guy who was previously 10th moved to 11th when I took the 10th spot. Naturally, Princess Elissa, who was 12th, is now 13th.

"And I still can't stand that Jeremiah Frisberg remains at 1st place."

"Why don't you challenge him directly?"

"I fought him before and lost."

You've done that before?

"I'm now ranked 33rd."

"Th-Theodore! Look! My rank has shot up to 230th! Becoming a Magic Knight is now within reach!"

Wow... For someone who was considered a failure from the Bifrans family to rise this high, isn't there a risk of persecution? If people who looked down on you as a failure now see you as excellent, they might persecute you even more rather than just flipping their attitude. Well, considering the Bifrans family is a prestigious Magic Knight family, they might indeed change their stance.

"My rank hasn't changed either... Why is that?"

"Ivy, you're ranked 5th. Moving up from there would be quite a big deal, wouldn't it?"

Elixira's comment is spot on. For a commoner to be ranked 5th is already a big deal. If your rank went up even more, nobody would talk to you. You're already shunned because of your shady smile.

"But still, with Nina at 12th, me at 10th, and Ivy at 5th... aren't there a lot of commoners in the top ranks?"

"This year's first-years were said to be an exceptionally talented bunch, but I didn't expect so many commoners to rank this high. Congratulations on being 10th, Theodore."

"Wow, he's here."

We're gathered in our faction discussing the rankings, so why is he just casually joining in?

"Your rank hasn't changed from 1st, right?"

"Of course, I put in effort all the time."

This guy says it so nonchalantly, but if you think about it, it's crazy. I used a Grimoire to defeat a dragon, and Hilalda, ranked 2nd, always uses her Grimoire mercilessly in battle. But this guy's Grimoire only works against those he deems evil, so it's useless in rank-deciding duels. Yet he remains 1st purely through his swordsmanship and magic skills. It's insane.

"Have you ever dueled Hilalda?"

"Not since entering the academy... but we've sparred several times before in public matches."

Public matches... those held in front of the Marshal of the kingdom, right? Noble children showcasing their skills in Magic Knight duels. Considering the current Marshal's personality, you can imagine the atmosphere of those matches.

"Rising from the lowest rank to the top... I'd love to duel you—"

"No."

"—but you always refuse."

Why should I bother with that? Now that I'm 10th, I'll get a "good" grade for my first-year performance without doing anything extra. I don't want unnecessary fights.

Personally, I enjoy watching Jeremiah's almost artistic sword style, but dueling him is a different story.

"Then will you duel me, Jeremiah Frisberg?"

"Baron Ash Garndi? Sure... I never refuse a challenge."

Oh boy.

"Are you okay with this, Ash?"

"No problem... I never challenge expecting to win. I'll do my best, but my goal is to experience the Kingdom's one-handed Magic Sword style, perfected by Jeremiah Frisberg."

I see... For Ash's flexible swordsmanship, fighting a perfected style is invaluable both as an opponent and as a reference. Ash isn't aiming to win but to experience the style.

"I've been dueling Nina Violet relentlessly these past few weeks."

"Really?"

"Yeah... it's fun fighting Ash."

Battle maniac.

"Her freeform, unconventional style broadened my perspective... now I want to experience a perfected style."

"Alright. I promise to show you all I have, Ash Garndi."

"Thanks... this will make me stronger."

Why are they having a hot-blooded exchange like in a shounen manga?

"A pure-hearted duel unlike Theodore's!"

"Why am I being insulted? You're getting cheeky for someone ranked 230th."

"230th! Considering I was around 900th, that's incredible growth!"

I don't care about that.

"It's nice... I've never been challenged to a duel even once..."

"That's because you're too suspicious. Even Ash won't challenge you, so you should understand."

Ivy is the person I know who abuses her Grimoire the most. Why does she nonchalantly sneak into the royal castle for classified information... well, I'm the one who asked her to do it recently, but still.

"Jeremiah Frisberg is strong... Ash Gandy is exceptional, but the heir to the Frisberg family isn't just for show."

"Where did you come from?"

Suddenly, Hilalda is standing beside me.

Isn't it already decided that everyone will watch Ash and Jeremiah's duel? Do I have to watch too?