Chapter 39
The Resistance interrupted, but the General Assessment was not restarted. The evaluation was based on the four-day period, and the assessment was determined based on contributions made during the Resistance incident.
Among them, Gilbert received the best evaluation. His survival knowledge over the four days earned high marks from the professors, but the biggest score came from his confrontation with the Resistance.
Taking on seven Colossal Mechs single-handedly was an achievement worthy of the highest score. Following him, Ian, who initially responded to the Resistance despite being knocked out, received high marks, and next were the cadets who used Magic Weapons to suppress the enemy.
The highest scores went to Angelina, who led the cadets, and Hans, who acted as the field commander. Both received scores just below Gilbert and Ian, maintaining their positions in the top ranks of the General Assessment.
Gilbert’s rewards were quickly announced.
First, he received the Proof of the Star, one of the highest honors a cadet can receive at the Demia Empire Academy.
Since the founding of the Demia Empire Academy, cadets who received the Proof of the Star were rarer than those who received the Commander’s Medal in the Entrance Mock Battle. Even Princess Seraphina had not received this honor.
Meanwhile, the reward from the Infractus Empire was as Gilbert expected. He was officially appointed as a 6th-grade Knight.
While some might say it was just the lowest rank, in reality, it was a great honor. The continent’s culture considered knighthood, regardless of rank, a highly prestigious achievement.
Given that, even a low-grade knighthood was granted with extreme caution, and many opposed giving Gilbert the 6th-grade Knight Title.
However, due to Princess Seraphina’s strong advocacy and Gilbert’s achievements in single-handedly defeating seven Colossal Mechs as a freshman, the decision was made to grant him the 6th-grade Knight Title.
Thus, the greatest reward Gilbert received from the Resistance incident was social honor. While some still viewed him as a troublemaker, no one could openly insult or disregard him now that he had been knighted as a cadet.
This was all as he had expected. In Tactical Combat, handling the Resistance as Professor Briana’s protégé would naturally lead to such rewards. While there were potions to enhance strength and mana, the greatest reward was the knighthood.
However, what Gilbert was most looking forward to now was not the Empire’s expected reward but the prototype Artificial Spirit before him. A byproduct of developing the next-generation Artificial Spirit, its value was unknown to most.
Due to this, the research team, having successfully developed the next-generation Artificial Spirit, planned to dispose of this prototype. However, a researcher exploited a loophole to steal and sell it at a high price.
After passing through the black market, it ended up in the hands of the Resistance leader, becoming a formidable enemy in the main story.
In Tactical Combat’s storyline, there was no way to steal this prototype, but reality was different.
Gilbert, taking a gamble, requested it from Professor Horizon, and thanks to the Resistance incident, he obtained it without much difficulty.
It could be seen as the Empire granting privileges to Gilbert, who had the potential to become a national hero. Alternatively, it might have been due to his background as the heir of the famous Iron-Blooded Frontier Count and the influence of Princess Seraphina, a strong candidate for the throne.
With the request from Horizon, the continent’s sage, the Empire had no choice but to hand over the prototype quickly.
With a solemn heart, Gilbert infused mana into the beautifully packaged prototype Artificial Spirit. Golden mana began to accumulate in the spirit’s core.
Soon, the dormant Artificial Spirit, now filled with sufficient mana, began to activate.
[Serial Number. CT-777 initiating activation. Requesting formal contract for perfect activation.]
This is it…!
Deeply moved by CT-777’s words, Gilbert proceeded with the formal contract.
“6th-grade Knight, Gilbert Lion Heart. Accepting the formal contract request from CT-777.”
[Formal contract in progress. Formal contract complete. 6th-grade Knight, Gilbert Lion Heart. Registration as CT-777’s Knight complete.]
CT-777’s core absorbed Gilbert’s mana pattern, glowing golden. Gilbert smiled broadly at finally obtaining the Artificial Spirit.
[Knight. Do we have any assigned missions?]
Perhaps fitting for a prototype, CT-777 asked Gilbert about immediate tasks, as no commands had been input.
“Not yet. But I have a question, CT.”
[Speak, Knight.]
“What was your previous mission?”
This sudden curiosity arose. CT-777 was a prototype Artificial Spirit. While it was known to have assisted in developing the next-generation Artificial Spirit before coming to Gilbert, even he, a veteran of Tactical Combat, didn’t know the details.
CT-777 had disappeared with the Resistance leader, leaving little information. Seizing this opportunity, Gilbert naturally asked.
[Assisting in the development of the next-generation Artificial Spirit was the previous mission.]
“Just that?”
[Correct. Before coming to the Knight, that mission was completed. From now on, only commands given to us take precedence.]
“Then, CT, what help did you provide in the Artificial Spirit development?”
[It was the analysis of data from the Artificial Spirit that served as CT-777’s motif.]
“The Artificial Spirit that served as your motif? What kind of Artificial Spirit was that?”
Gilbert was excited to hear about the MacGuffin tied to CT-777. Despite his complaints and struggles to adapt to this world, he was a die-hard fan of Tactical Combat. Hearing a story not revealed in the original work was thrilling.
[Classified. Confirming command priority change through formal contract.]
“Can’t you tell?”
Well, that’s disappointing. Anxiously waiting for CT-777’s response, he received an answer due to the command priority change.
[The Artificial Spirit that served as CT-777’s motif was the Artificial Spirit of the ancient Colossus.]
“The Colossus?”
This was unexpected. Gilbert felt as if he had been struck. Now he understood why CT-777 had such exceptional performance.
The ancient Colossus.
A Colossal Mech from the once-glorious civilization of Atlantica, boasting the highest performance in Tactical Combat.
CT-777 was likely created based on data from the Colossus found in ruins, explaining its outstanding capabilities.
“Was there data on the Colossus remaining?”
[Correct. However, due to data loss, restoration was difficult. The prototype was created by analyzing the discovered Colossus and its Artificial Spirit, resulting in CT-777. Since its first activation, my mission has been to restore the Colossus and its Artificial Spirit.]
“I see. So that’s how it was.”
Satisfied with unraveling one of Tactical Combat’s MacGuffins, Gilbert spent time building a bond with CT-777. This was essential for their future cooperation.
Thus, Gilbert spent the day exchanging questions and answers with CT-777.
***
“Damn it…!”
Ian threw the object in his hand against the wall with all his might. The sound of shattering glass echoed as shards scattered.
But the anger and shame boiling deep within him showed no signs of subsiding.
His room, usually neat, was now a complete mess. Anything within reach had been thrown and shattered, leaving fragments scattered everywhere.
The reason for Ian’s rage was simple.
“Gilbert… Lion… Heart…!”
It was because of Gilbert. He had just experienced the greatest humiliation of his life in the General Assessment.
Ian, underestimating the Resistance as a single individual, was ambushed and knocked out.
And in his place, Gilbert Lion Heart, whom he considered his rival, dealt with the Resistance.
This was the first time Ian had faced such humiliation and disgrace. How could he, in a moment of carelessness, be knocked out and have his rival take his place?
But Ian didn’t deny or reject this fact. He acknowledged his arrogance. Everything had gone so well for him until now that he had no sense of crisis.
Ian believed this was why he had been humiliated. He deeply reflected and vowed never to let such a thing happen again.
Finally calming down, he began to slowly clean up the mess he had made.
‘That aside, Gilbert Lion Heart. He is my greatest obstacle.’
As he swept up the fragments, his thoughts turned to Gilbert. Though he had been trembling with anger moments ago, now he could think objectively.
Ian, placing the fragments into the trash, recalled the events of the General Assessment. The Resistance’s skill wasn’t particularly impressive, but facing seven Colossal Mechs changed the story.
Even Ian would struggle against that many Colossal Mechs. After all, one hand can’t block ten.
But Gilbert single-handedly took down seven Colossal Mechs and was appointed a 6th-grade Knight. The glory that should have been Ian’s was entirely Gilbert’s.
Ian couldn’t shake the thought that Gilbert was not only his rival but also a trial he had to overcome. Gilbert’s existence seemed to make the protagonist shine brighter.
No, he was clearly there for that purpose. As a stepping stone for Ian’s growth.
‘Gilbert Lion Heart. I will accept you as my rival from now on. So enjoy your current success. Such luck won’t come again.’
Ian’s eyes flashed as he clenched his fist. The protagonist always blooms brilliantly in adversity.
And as always, the world’s protagonist was Ian.
