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The competition tournament is divided into preliminary and main rounds by grade. Given the large number of cadets, the preliminary round is a battle royale where ten cadets enter a single arena, and the last three standing advance.

Once thirty cadets have advanced, the eliminated cadets are gathered and divided into two teams for another battle royale. Only one survivor from each team can advance to the main round through a losers’ bracket.

The main round, however, is a single-elimination tournament that continues until a winner emerges.

The 32 main round participants are randomly paired for one-on-one matches, and only the victorious cadets can advance to the next round. Thus, quickly analyzing opponents and devising tailored strategies is crucial.

In reality, participants who made it to the main round went to great lengths to gather information on their opponents by attending as many matches as possible. Even against opponents with exceptional piloting skills, a well-crafted strategy based on thorough analysis could lead to victory.

Through repeated duels, the last person standing becomes the grade-level competition champion.

Once the champions for each grade are determined, a friendly match is held before the awards ceremony.

This tradition stems from the idea of seniors imparting knowledge to juniors. Upperclassmen often have deeper learning and superior abilities, making it a customary practice.

Of course, it’s not impossible for lowerclassmen to defeat upperclassmen. For instance, Princess Seraphina, currently a second-year, achieved the feat of defeating all upperclassmen in a duel after winning the first-year competition last year.

Though Seraphina, who had already earned the title of knight and roamed battlefields at a young age, made this possible, it’s not uncommon for exceptional lowerclassmen to triumph over upperclassmen. Such cadets often gained widespread recognition after graduating from the academy.

After the friendly matches, the competition awards ceremony takes place. Grade-level champions receive medals and prizes, and those who also win the friendly matches are listed in the academy’s hall of fame.

While these honors are usually claimed by renowned noble families or the imperial family, there was once a commoner named Maximilian who led a major mercenary guild and won the final championship.

This year, the most anticipated group is Gilbert’s first-year class, which survived an unprecedented academy attack unscathed, sparking widespread curiosity.

How could mere freshmen repel a Resistance attack? This question has set the academy and beyond abuzz.

Naturally, Gilbert, the central figure in the defense, has become the focus of attention. Rumors of the infamous “Iron-Blooded Frontier Count’s heir” and “madman” repelling seven colossal mechs with just one have spread across the empire.

The madman who brilliantly thwarted the academy’s attack—such contrasting rumors have inevitably drawn attention to him.

Among those most intrigued are the people of the Lithuania Territory.

“Did you hear? That madman supposedly took down all the Resistance invaders at Demia Academy.”

“Nonsense! How could that scoundrel do such a thing?”

Dubbed “scoundrel” by the locals, Gilbert’s brutal nature has earned him this nickname. The territory’s residents, having suffered under his tyranny, always use euphemisms when discussing him, fearing repercussions.

“But it’s true. The imperial family even knighted him, causing quite a stir in the territory.”

“Really? The world’s gone mad. That scoundrel receiving such an honorable title.”

“Despite his wretchedness, blood will out. He even performed well in the academy’s entrance mock battle.”

Not just the locals, even Gilbert’s own family, the Lion Heart Count Family, found his achievements hard to believe. Those who had watched him closely couldn’t fathom it, but the imperial decree knighting him left no room for doubt.

This led to another question: How did he become a knight?

“How on earth did that madman brother of yours become a knight?”

“Miss! Be careful with your words. If the Count hears, he’ll scold you again.”

“I know, but I have to say it. Honestly, don’t you think so too, Anna?”

“Miss Dorothy!”

Dorothy Flamma Heart, Gilbert’s younger sister and an aspiring knight, couldn’t believe her scoundrel brother had been granted such an honorable title.

Frankly, Gilbert was trash. This wasn’t just her subjective opinion; objectively speaking, it was undeniable.

To be precise, he had little to no ability, filled only with arrogance and vanity. His only redeeming quality was his appearance, which he couldn’t even utilize properly.

To Dorothy, Gilbert was a brother who brought shame just by sharing the same blood.

Yet, after enrolling at Demia Academy, he began achieving the unimaginable.

First, he topped the entrance mock battle, then unexpectedly became the personal disciple of the renowned Swordmaster Briana Tepeo Malchirab.

As an aspiring knight and a fervent admirer of Briana, Dorothy was stunned that her incompetent brother had taken the position she dreamed of.

And now, he had brilliantly repelled the academy’s unprecedented attack and been knighted? It was beyond Dorothy’s comprehension.

“I can’t take it anymore. I need to see him.”

“Go? You mean to Demia Academy?”

“Yes. I need to see that madman brother of mine. I’m dying to know how he’s pulling off these impossible feats.”

“Are you going as the Count’s proxy?”

“Yes. Father won’t leave this place anyway.”

The Iron-Blooded Frontier Count never left the Lithuania Territory. Fearful of what might happen in his absence, he hadn’t stepped outside the territory since becoming Count.

Thus, the Count’s proxy always attended Demia Academy’s competitions. Usually, it was her second brother, but this time, Dorothy decided to go herself.

“Since we’re on the topic, I should go now. Is Father in his office?”

“Yes, as far as I know.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Dorothy, accompanied by her maid Anna, headed to the Count’s office. Upon requesting entry, she was promptly allowed in.

“Dorothy, what brings you here?”

Without looking up from his documents, the Count asked, and Dorothy got straight to the point.

“I wish to attend Demia Academy’s competition as your proxy, Father.”

The Count, still scribbling, glanced at his daughter. After a brief consideration, he understood.

“It’s about Gilbert, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I need to see him in person.”

The Count tapped his desk with his index finger, recalling the last time he saw Gilbert before he left for the academy.

There was something different about him. The usually timid boy stood confidently, unwavering in his gaze.

Though he had challenged Gilbert to prove himself, the Count had long given up on him. His eldest son’s behavior was no better than a local ruffian’s, and the disappointment was immense.

The challenge was more of a final chance and a way to sever his lingering hopes. The son he had known was hopeless.

But defying expectations, Gilbert began achieving remarkable feats, starting with the entrance mock battle. Initially dismissed as misinformation, it turned out to be true.

It was as if he had become a different person, achieving outstanding results. Becoming a knight as an academy cadet alone was more than enough proof.

“Very well. Go ahead. Your second brother will fill you in on the details.”

“Thank you, Father!”

“Alright. You may leave.”

Exiting the office, Dorothy shared the good news with Anna.

“Father gave his permission!”

“Congratulations, Miss.”

“Let’s go see my second brother first. He’ll brief me on the proxy duties.”

“Of course, Miss. Let’s go.”

“Thank you.”

Dorothy headed to the training grounds where her second brother spent most of his time.

Fortunately, he clearly outlined her duties and what to avoid, making it easy for her to grasp the proxy responsibilities.

Now, only one task remained: heading to Demia Academy to see Gilbert.

 

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