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Fressia was on the verge of a headache, even though she didn’t have a head, thanks to Ian’s unilateral decision on faction selection. She had repeatedly emphasized the need for careful consideration, but Ian went ahead and ignored all her advice.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. Seraphina had used Ian as a messenger to summon Gilbert, who could be considered his rival, and even created a special position for him as an Honorary Student Council Executive, which wasn’t originally planned. It was enough to make anyone upset.

But in times like these, it was crucial to think calmly. Especially since the faction would serve as the foundation for Ian’s future activities in the Empire, making an emotional decision was not the way to go.

From Fressia’s perspective, choosing Prince Richard’s side wasn’t a bad choice. As a war hero, gaining his trust could lead to opportunities to join him on the battlefield. Making a name for oneself in war was a shortcut to success, so if Ian could shine in battle, it might turn out to be a good choice.

However, the current sentiment in the Empire leaned heavily toward avoiding war. The Emperor, who had waged conquest wars in his youth, was now old and no longer had the same vigor. He simply wanted to maintain the stability of the Empire, and as long as he was in power, war wouldn’t be declared without a special reason.

In such a situation, aligning with Prince Richard, who was associated with Shinkyomyo Mountain, could be a risky move. His support base was limited to nobles who had fought alongside him in war, and their true value only emerged during wartime. In peacetime, Seraphina’s faction, which had gathered numerous talents, held a more advantageous position.

However, joining Seraphina’s faction meant standing out among a sea of talented individuals. To rise above those who had long supported her, Ian would have to achieve something extraordinary.

Even though Ian was gradually surpassing the level of an average cadet, earning Seraphina’s recognition was still a difficult task.

Especially with Gilbert being a thorn in his side. Gilbert had already far surpassed the level of a cadet and had firmly earned Seraphina’s favor. Not only that, but he also continued to increase his value by not aligning with either faction.

That was what Fressia had hoped for Ian. To not hastily choose a faction, but to maximize the benefits from both sides before making the most advantageous choice.

But it was already too late.

Fressia sighed inwardly but didn’t show it to Ian. His already fragile self-esteem might have taken a hit, and showing disappointment now could backfire.

“Ian. I’m sorry. But I couldn’t hold back.”

[It’s fine. Don’t regret what’s already been decided. And Prince Richard’s faction isn’t a bad choice. There will be more opportunities to prove yourself.]

“Thanks for saying that.”

[More importantly, we need to plan what to do next. The fact that you’ve joined Prince Richard’s faction could reach Princess Seraphina’s ears at any moment. If that happens, your position in the Student Council might become precarious.]

“I’m prepared. I thought I’d just be crushed under Gilbert’s shadow if I stayed as I was.”

[Better than being indecisive. You’re not wrong. Princess Seraphina favors that brat. Given how much he’s helped her so far, it’s understandable. And though I hate to admit it, his Colossal Mech Piloting Technique is really useful.]

In an era where Colossal Mechs were the backbone of national power, a skilled Colossal Mech Knight was a top-tier talent worth any price.

An Academy Cadet who had already been granted the title of 5th Grade Knight was someone worth going to hell and back for.

“Yeah. But I don’t think it’s insurmountable. There’s one big wall between me and him.”

He had a reason to be confident.

He had already mastered a Characteristic Skill that was considered genius-level just by manifesting it.

And it was a Characteristic Skill related to Colossal Mech Piloting.

While the exact details of the Characteristic Skill were known only to Fressia, the fact that it was related to Colossal Mechs was already widely known.

A genius born into the Line Barrel family, one of the wealthiest in the Empire.

A child born to pilot Colossal Mechs.

These were the titles that had followed Ian since he first piloted a Colossal Mech. From the moment he entered Demia Empire Academy, he was always called a genius, and it was the world’s expectation that the Academy would become his domain.

In reality, his skills were already among the best, second only to Gilbert. Being able to pilot a Colossal Mech faster than others meant he held a significant advantage.

Though he still couldn’t match Gilbert, Ian believed it wouldn’t be long before he surpassed him, especially with his training in Prussia.

[Right. But that’s also the problem, Ian.] Fressia, however, wasn’t so optimistic.

As Ian had said, there was an insurmountable wall between him and Gilbert—the Characteristic Skill.

Even though Ian was still inexperienced in handling his Characteristic Skill, it still gave him a 30% faster reaction time compared to other Colossal Mech Knights. Considering other factors, he might not be able to take on higher-grade Colossal Mech Knights, but the gap between him and Gilbert, who had similar conditions, shouldn’t be that wide.

But objectively, Gilbert’s Piloting Skill was superior to Ian’s. While it wasn’t confirmed whether Gilbert had a Characteristic Skill, from Fressia’s observation, he didn’t seem to be using one related to Colossal Mechs.

That left only one conclusion.

Gilbert Lion Heart was a once-in-a-generation genius with innate talent.

[That delinquent brat doesn’t even have a Characteristic Skill, yet he’s at that level. I said he was useful, but let me correct that. His Colossal Mech Piloting Technique is unparalleled. I’ve seen many skilled Colossal Mech Knights before, but he’s in a league of his own.]

“…That much?”

[Ian. I know it’s hard to accept. I feel the same way. But we need to face reality.]

Ian gritted his teeth.

If Fressia said it, it had to be true.

From what he had seen, Gilbert’s Piloting Skill could only be described as innate.

“Yeah. I guess so.”

[Of course, it’s not like you can’t beat him. He may have talent, but so do you. There’s a limit to everything, and your limit is much higher than his. It’s only a matter of half a year. It’s not like he’s been piloting Colossal Mechs for over a decade. You can do it. Just follow my lead!]

“Got it.”

Ian steeled his resolve at Fressia’s words.

He would acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged.

That was the attitude of a true hero.

***

Prince Richard’s inspection ended after a week. The only blemish was the Demia Empire Academy attack, which was resolved by Gilbert, an unstoppable force.

With a cadet who had single-handedly stopped dozens of Colossal Mechs being named an Honorary Student Council Executive, there was little room for criticism. If dozens of Colossal Mechs had invaded the Academy, it would have been less of an attack and more of a declaration of war against the Empire.

The inspection team knew this, so they couldn’t use the attack to drag down Seraphina’s Student Council. With everything else handled flawlessly, there was no real justification to continue the inspection.

A week was a relatively long time, but inspections often lasted over two weeks, so this one ended relatively quickly.

Gilbert was a bit concerned about being seen as joining Princess Seraphina’s faction, but he felt relieved after receiving a message from Prince Richard saying he would wait for his decision.

After all, no matter which side he chose, he would inevitably make enemies with the other. The power struggles among the heirs to the throne often led to bloodshed, and getting involved in such a dangerous political game was too risky for someone like him, who was better suited for piloting Colossal Mechs or physical combat than political maneuvering.

In any case, Prince Richard and the inspection team returned to the Imperial Palace after a week. The Academy staff, who had been on edge due to the inspection team’s probing, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Gilbert! Honorary Student Council Executive? What’s that about?”

“Hmm…”

Just as Gilbert was thinking he could finally relax and train, Camilla showed up. It seemed she found it amusing that Gilbert had been appointed to a position she had never heard of.

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? How is being an Honorary Student Council Executive nothing?”

Camilla placed her hands on her hips and blocked Gilbert’s path.

“It was a temporary position due to the inspection. That’s all.”

“Ah, I see! Now I get it!”

Clearly, after the Gehenna Operation, Camilla had been gloomy, but after having dinner with Gilbert, she had regained her smile. If it had ended there, Gilbert could have felt proud of comforting her. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Camilla, who had been comforted by Gilbert, had become overly energetic.

She would constantly seek him out, pestering him to go find something fun.

At first, Gilbert humored her, but as her visits became more frequent, he started avoiding her.

But Camilla always managed to find him, no matter where he hid.

Today was no exception.

She found him in a place he rarely visited.

“I’m curious. How did you know I was here?”

“Huh? That’s obvious. I can sense where interesting things are.”

Camilla smiled brightly, forming horns with her hands on her head.

It seemed like she was signaling that she was here to find something fun.

“Interesting things?”

“Of course, the most interesting thing to me right now!”

Camilla playfully wiggled her fingers, as if she had just picked up on something exciting.

Gilbert had a vague idea of why she was following him around. She seemed to have noticed that he was often involved in major incidents.

“Being around me won’t make interesting things happen.”

But he couldn’t keep her hanging around forever, so he feigned indifference.

If he showed any hesitation, she might cling to him even more.

“Even if you say that, I’ve already found something interesting.”

“What?”

“Hehe. It’s thrilling!”

Camilla laughed and spun around.

Her crimson hair fluttered as she twirled, and when she stopped, her black eyes sparkled with excitement.

Tall and well-built.

Golden hair like melted gold and ruby-red eyes.

Gilbert.

He was currently the most interesting thing to her.

After chattering to Gilbert for a while, satisfying her curiosity, she suddenly clapped her hands as if she had remembered something.

“Oh, right, Gilbert. It’s starting soon, right?”

“Starting?”

“Yeah. The monster subjugation. It’s starting soon!”

Gilbert’s expression turned微妙 at her words.

 

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