Maou no Ki Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Joint Lessons are Meaningless, You Say?
TL: Cnine
TLC: Cryarc & Krrizis
Editors: Puissansa
First published on Ainushi
In the centre of the throng, the red team kept dominating. No matter how one were
to look at it, their abilities were unmatched. Overwhelming their opponents in battle
one by one, it looked like it was only a matter of time before they broke through the
centre.
Although both teams came to that conclusion, the left flank of the white team thrust
itself into the middle of the fight. The left flank of the white team stormed through,
striking at the red team’s flank.

Due to this intervention, the white team’s centre, that was pressured, revived.
Somehow, with the strength of their numbers, they forced their opponents back.
「NOW! THRUST INTO THE RIGHT FLANK!」
Having a.s.sessed the situation, the rear guard of the red team issued a directive.
Obeying instructions while the left flank of the white team made their way to the
centre, the right flank of the red team abandoned the front altogether and ran past,
deliberately storming the white team’s stronghold.
「REAR GUARDS, CHARGE! DESTROY THEIR CENTRE IN ONE GO! LEFT
FLANK, COORDINATE WITH THEM!」
「YES!」
The entire red team burst forward continuously. They intended to end the battle
once and for all.
As the right flank of the red team that went ahead to reach the white team’s
stronghold, three people from the white team’s rear guard came rushing out. Their
leader was Theresa.

In the face of an unfavorable situation due to their numbers, they had to hold back
the advance of the red team’s right flank. As one might expect from the exalted sole
retainer of the Imperial Princess Claudia, Theresa appeared to be fairly capable.
「RIGHT FLANK! ENDURE! CENTRE, WAIT FOR THE LEFT FLANK TO RUSH
IN!」
The rear guard from the red team issued another command again. While his units
were moving, he didn’t forget to observe everything. You can say that this was as
expected of the son of the Empire’s knight captain.
The supreme commander of the red team is Oskar from Cla.s.s C, while the white
team was led by Claudia.
Seeing the individual ability of the students and the leadership of the supreme
commander, the victory of the red team was imminent from the very beginning. That
the white team was able to withstood it hitherto – one could say that they were
putting up a good fight.
「LEFT FLANK, BREAK IN!」
「OKAY! ATTACK THEIR STRONGHOLD! CENTRE, TAKE THEM DOWN AT
ONCE!」

Despite that both flanks broke through, Oskar didn’t loosen his grip anyway. Taking
the lead personally, he leaped towards the enemy students in the centre.
Having lost a number of their superiors, the white team’s centre had nothing left.
After easily taking the centre, the entire red team’s units moved towards the
stronghold where Claudia was.
「THAT’S ENOUGH!」
The teacher’s voice signalled the end of the battle. When they heard it, the students
from the red team, who were on the verge of reaching the stronghold, excitedly
stopped.
「THE WINNER! WHITE TEAM!」
「WHAT!?」
However, what followed were the words informing them of the white team’s victory.
The students on the red team thought that the teacher must have made a mistake,
but when they turned around, the red flag – that should have been raised above
the stronghold – was not in sight.

Instead of the two students who were defending the stronghold, there was a
student wearing a white string on his waist. Grasped in that person’s hand w
as the
handle of the red flag.
「WHEN DID HE!? 」
「Alright! Everyone, gather in the middle!」
Following the teacher’s command, the students from both sides stood in formation
in the middle of the field. In contrast to the delighted expressions from the students
of the white team, the students of the red team were still trying to wrap their heads
around what had happened.
「Bow!」
「「「Thank you!」」」
After they had bowed, Oskar immediately approached Claudia, who stood before
him.
「That was commendable, Claudiasama
」

「Eh?」
「Why, you attacked at the right opportunity. The one who took down our flag is
from the left flank, wasn’t he?」
「Yes. It seems so」
「Were they the ones who lured us to gather in the centre?」
「Uhhhm …」
「Because of that, our right flank was lured and was held back at the stronghold.
Once we saw that, our entire team rushed to the front, which resulted in a short of
hands and allowed your surprise attack to occur. It was our negligence.
Nevertheless, that was an excellent tactic」
Oscar was under the impression that, just like him, Claudia was commanding the
other students as the supreme commander of the white team. What Oskar didn’t
know was although Claudia had certainly attempted to command, the truth was that
she was unable to detect the differences in the abilities of her teammates, so she
could only watch, unable to give any directions.

「I see」
「But, what I don’t understand is, how was the left flank able to get behind us? Was
it when we pushed into the centre with our full numbers?」
「I’m not sure…」
「Oh … that’s it. We’ll still have more of these exercises. You don’t want to reveal
your plans, only to have it imitated, eh?」
「No, that wasn’t what I…」
Even though Claudia was honestly confessing to him, Oskar arbritarily
misunderstood. He appears to be the type that clings fervently to the slightest
a.s.sumptions.
「However, please excuse my indiscretion. For Claudiasama,
who is the Imperial
Princess, to have the apt.i.tude of a commander… it was unexpected. I look forward
to our next bout」

「No, that–」
「Well then, please excuse me」
In the end, Oskar left Claudia’s side while still misunderstanding her.
「What should I do? He completely misunderstood」
「Isn’t that good? Oskardono
looked like he really admires you. With someone
amongst the chivalric order paying Claudiasama
the highest respects, this may be
a good thing in the future」
「But I didn’t do anything」
「The victory of the battle is the achievement of the supreme commander. Since
Claudiasama
is the supreme commander of the white team, this victory is your
victory」
Though they were words spoken casually, there was nothing wrong with what
Theresa had said. The honor of a victory is bestowed upon the supreme
commander.
「But actually, the white team’s victory belongs to…」

「Well, how about this? As the supreme commander, how about praising those
who worked hard? It is the duty of a supreme commander to confer honours to his
officers. If you do something like that, there’ll be nothing strange about it」
「Eh? But–」
「Kamui Kreutz!」
Claudia was hesitating, but Theresa called out Kamui’s name without minding her.
Though Kamui was talking to his group of friends, he turned around as soon as he
heard his name being called.
「Come here! Claudiasama
has something to say! 」
When he heard that, Kamui slowly walked up to Claudia and Theresa. As soon as
he was before Claudia, he placed his right hand on his chest, kneeled down on one
knee and bowed. It was flawless etiquette, in accordance with a retainer’s position.
「Did you summon me?」

「Yes. As you performed admirably in the exercise earlier, Claudiasama
would like
to bestow her admiration」
Although Kamui had saluted completely out of spite, Theresa didn’t realize it. On
the contrary, she was delighted to see that Kamui was perfectly behaving himself.
「If it’s about that matter, then it’s unnecessary. What I had done just worked out by
chance」
「Was that so?」
「Yes. It seemed like they were going to break through our centre, so I moved
closer to it. Their centre made a mistake the moment they moved to the front,
leaving only two people in the enemy’s stronghold. That being the case, it was sink
or swim when I broke into their stronghold. That was all I did」
「I see. Even so, it is undeniable that your actions resulted in our victory. That is,
nonetheless, praiseworthy. Claudiasama
」
In a good mood, Theresa praised him – even though it was Kamui.
「… Um, please rise」
Claudia was not as simple minded as Theresa. She felt uneasy at Kamui’s

behavior.
「Wouldn’t that be rude?」
「No, not at all. We are at the Academy」
「… Then」
Though Kamui obediently stood up, he did not look directly at Claudia.
He was looking at her feet. This was also another form of courtesy towards royalty.
「Erm, thank you」
「I’m unworthy of such words」
「… Won’t you speak to me like how you used to?」
「The fact that Claudiasama
is royalty has been made public. Therefore the

people around us will view it differently. Being impolite to the imperial family will not
just be my problem alone but it will cause trouble for my family, allowing others to
talk about us behind our backs」
「But I don’t mind it」
「Even if you don’t, others do. Claudiasama,
it’d be best if you were a little bit
more aware of how it affects your situation if word gets around of my discourtesy
towards you. There is an appropriate demeanor towards royalty. If we were to
dispense of those, it is not Claudiasama,
but us as your retainers who will be in
trouble」
Literally, it meant “Even if we are only heeding your whims, if our rude behavior is
called into question, we are the only ones who will be punished“.
「… I see. I’ll make sure to pay more attention after this」
「May I be excused?」
「Yes. My apologies for summoning you」
Immediately, Kamui withdrew two steps backwards, turning completely to the right
before taking his leave.

「…That guy knows proper etiquette, huh?」
As ever, Theresa was only admiring his conduct.
「That is because Kamuisan
was originally raised in a marquis household. So
wouldn’t that be instilled in him?」
「The Hohenfrieds?」
「Yes, that’s right」
「But it seems like the entire Hohenfried family had committed suicide」
「Suicide?」
Claudia’s eyes opened wide in surprise when she was suddenly informed of that
unsettling news.

「Yes. It was decided that their peerage will be revoked. You can say that it was
because they felt ashamed by it. They seem like people who only take value in their
pride」
「…I see. Then, Kamuisan…
」
「When he was with them, he led a painful life. I feel a bit sympathetic towards
him」
「I see」
Though Claudia and Theresa were abritarily sympathizing with him, Kamui was
unaware of it as he returned to his friends, letting out a huge sigh.
「Haa~ I’m worn out」
「What was that all about just now?」
It was a first for Alto to see Kamui display those gestures. Naturally, for Alto who
was an orphan, even if he was a n.o.ble’s student, he only comprehended a fraction
of it.

「That’s the etiquette for when you’re being received by the imperial family」
「You’re wellversed
in it」
「More or less. I was also born a n.o.ble. Further, it even a household that cared
nothing but such courtesies」
Kamui was aware of such courtesies because he was brought up by the
Hohenfrieds, a marquis household. Although just being n.o.ble did not mean that
they had met all the requirements to be able to have an audience with royalty.
「So that’s what it was. I had completely forgotten that you were from a n.o.ble
family, Kamui」
「Am I not from one now, too?」
「Well, that’s true, but you don’t mind the Kreutz household. To be honest, he don’t
really feel like a n.o.ble」
「Well, he is a feudal lord」

Kamui’s foster father, Viscount Kreutz was halfhearted about etiquette.There was
also the consideration that it was Nordend, so it was not something to be fussed
over.
「And? Why did you especially go out of your way to do it?」
「Out of kindness. I thought I should show that I understood where I stand」
「HAH?」
「Her status is already in the open. If that’s the case, shouldn’t I act
appropriately?」
「How is that appropriate?」
「Like using her imperial status to subdue her surroundings. She isn’t resolved.
She wishes to make friends with others, despite having the status of Imperial
Princess. Aren’t her demands troublesome?」
「Well, no one’s going to say, “Let’s be friends with the Imperial Princess”」

「Yeah. For a small n.o.ble, it would be a huge burden on them. If she’s seeking a
friend, she’ll have to at least get the person she’s chosen to accept it. Well, as far
as I know, there’s no one here that I can consider would be a suitable companion
though」
When it came to having an audience with the imperial family, their rank must be no
less than an Earl. The exception would be the Captain of the Knights and leaders
from various organizations. In school, the people in her grade whose families were
of such statuses were – with the exception of Diefried and the others of the Golden
Generation – only one or two people.
「Ah, well! Nevertheless, even getting close to a suitable companion would be a
problem」
「Yeah. If handled poorly, they will probably be envied by the other princes and
princesses. If so, what was her purpose of coming to the Academy?」
「Isn’t it because she had made up her mind? Well, certainly there is that」
To gain something, sometimes you have to throw something away. Nothing can be
accomplished if one is worried about their reputation or what other people think.

「Aren’t you being somewhat harsh? Don’t you know how to be nice?」
Selene b.u.t.ted into Kamui and Alto’s conversation.
「If I have to say it, perhaps I’m harsh. If I wasn’t, then trouble will come knocking
on my door」
「Why would it?」
「The Imperial Princesssama
is using something like friendship as an excuse.
She’s only after a free attendant. That isn’t my duty, is it? That’s what she’s after, so
what would you do, Sele?」
「Even if you ask me what would I do…」
To begin with, Selene didn’t have any feelings of friendship towards her. She didn’t
care to do anything for her.
「There’s nothing I would do. Whatever she wants, I would cowardly feign
ignorance」

「Because if she wants something from people, it would be an order?」
「Exactly. As expected, you catch on fast」
「I’m not happy even if you praise me. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. Putting that
aside, there’s something that’s bothering me about the exercise earlier」
「Regarding?」
「Why did we win?」
Selene was aware that Kamui was concealing his abilities. She thought that it was
strange for them to behave conspicuously like this.
「That? I just wanted to confirm something. It’s just a coincidence that we won」
「What did you want to confirm?」
「I was wondering whether this exercise holds any meaning. Since the difference in
war potential was known from the very beginning. Won’t the result be a fixed

matter?」
「Even so, didn’t Kamui’s group reverse it?」
「That’s also strange. Being able to reverse the situation in that condition. It’s proof
that this exercise is meaningless」
「…What do you mean?」
Selene asked out of curiosity, but Kamui’s explanation didn’t have concrete basis,
so she was completely unable to comprehend the answer.
「The reason why we won, huh. What do you think the biggest reason is?」
「…Because we circled around our opponent」
「Wrong! You’re downright wrong. Not even close. NOT AT ALL」
「…Somehow this is irritating. Well, what’s the reason then?」

「It’s because we are fast runners」
「Excuse me?」
The correct answer was truly unexpected to Selene.
「Because we’re fast runners, we arrived first in their stronghold. Just that. That’s
all of it. What if they thought of defending from that?」
「They won’t move from the stronghold… Perhaps?」
「Correct! Since the red team’s individual strength is formidable, it would be okay if
they just waited normally in their stronghold. The way to win is by not moving.
Instead of doing that, they deliberately moved around in units as if it’s a war, so
they ended up with openings」
「But… then that means, the exercise… I see」
It was an excercise of making use of troops. If they were to just stay back in their
stronghold, it won’t be a proper exercise.. Moreover, since the valid strategy to win
was itself a method which prevents it from being a proper exercise, the exercise

became inconsistent.
「That’s why I thought that this exercise is probably meaningless. The red team
might be holding back. If they were being serious, with just their central vanguard,
they would have gotten our flag. For the sake of fulfilling the exercise, they
deliberately created some openings by moving their other units. Is there any
meaning in an exercise in which they have to hold back?」
As Kamui said, there are a lot of junior knights in Oscar’s cla.s.s, and originally, there
is a gap in actual competency. In addition to that, even if excluding Kamui’s group,
there is still a great number of students from Cla.s.s E who hid their true skills. The
way it was formed into an exercise was strange.
「Even so, Kamui brought us victory」
「It’s not a big deal. The opponent lacked manpower. We just broke through using
speed as our weapon. Moreover, we’re at bind if their response was to not move at
all. If the opponent doesn’t move, we wouldn’t have been able to move as well. In
that case, both sides wouldn’t have been able to make their move」
「In that case, both sides won’t do anything and just glare at each other, right」
「Actually the red team was strong. They might have been able to win if they
charged forward with all their power from the very beginning without giving us any
s.p.a.ce to make our move. In short, in this exercise, the stronger side can win

without scheming any tactics – by just using brute strength and everything will be
over. Well, what do we learn then?」
Kamui explained the contradictions in the lesson even further. After explaining that
much, even Selene had no choice but to accept it. But there’s still one doubt
remaining.
「…If that’s so, then why is there such meaningless training in the Academy?」
「Who knows?」
Kamui just lightly shrugged his shoulders. Training is just a trifling matter. Kamui
didn’t plan to ponder too deeply about such things.
「Well, is it finally my turn now?」
At this moment, a voice came from Diefried. It seems that he’d approaching
unnoticed, as usual.
「So you’re here again…」

「Well. I’m not alone this time. It’s not like I called for them, though」
「Mm?」
Aside from Diefried, another student approached Kamui’s group.Kamui couldn’t
recall who that person is, though.
「It’s been a while. I wonder if you still remember me?」
「Matthia.s.san…
」
Kamui’s face instantly clouded at the unexpected guest. Matthias’ face showed a
wry smile when he saw that.
「Please stop with that kind of unpleasant face. Well I’m okay with it, but…」
「It’s been a while」
「GEH!?」

Appearing from behind Matthias was Hildegard. At that unexpected situation,
Kamui unintentionally revealed his honest feelings.
「… Isn’t that expression a bit impolite towards a woman?」
「… Excuse me. I never expected that Hildegardsan
will come. May I ask what
business do you have with me?」
Even though he felt relieved after complaining lightly, Kamui replied Hildegard.
「You, didn’t notice me? You were speaking very loudly on the way here, you
know」
「Excuse me? …Uhm, how much have you heard, by the way? 」
「Starting from when you said “Wrong”」
「Ah, from then, huh」

Kamui showed a relieved face after hearing Hildegard’s reply. As could be
expected, it would be distasteful if their talk about Claudia was overheard by
someone. There’s a possibility of being accused of disrespect.
「It’s too early for you to feel relieved. It seems that the teachers also heard Kamuikun’
words」
「Uhhhm …」
After hearing Diefried’s words, Kamui slowly turned to look behind him. There, the
teacher in charge glared at Kamui with a stern face. Seeing that, Kamui quickly
turned his head back.
「He’s angry, right?」
「If you say that sensei taught useless lessons, they’ll be angry, right?」
「I’ve done it. … It’s because Sele’s asking needless things」
Kamui attempted to shift his responsibility to Selene. He was not serious it’s not like
he was actually handing over his responsibility to Selene. He was just trying to calm
his spirit by provoking, then quarrelling with Selene. It was a petty attempt to

escape from reality.
「You’re trying to put the blame on me again. You’re not manly at all」
「I don’t think that I want to be manly at all. I’d prefer a calm and peaceful Academy
life more than something like that」
「That kind of thinking is unreasonable. After all, Kamui has a const.i.tution that
drags in trouble」
「What do you mean by “const.i.tution that drags in trouble“?」
「Even when you did nothing, your surroundings will raised some kind of
disturbance. Or you’ll be dragged into something that has nothing to do with you,
before you are even aware of it」
「… Don’t say such an unpleasant thing」
It’s something Kamui knew too well. Today’s quarrel ended with Selene’s victory.
「As expected of Selene, you really know Kamuikun
the best right?」

「It’s nothing like that…」
Diefried asked Selene with admiration. Selene hung her head in embarra.s.sment.
「Somehow, your att.i.tude is completely different towards me」
Kamui complained when he saw Selene’s state.
「It’s natural isn’t it? There’s a wide GAP between Kamui and Diefriedsan’s
charm
as a man」
「Hee, so Sele’s preference in men is someone like Diefriedsan
huh? Well, he
certainly looks good.」
「We’re not talking about that, are we?」
「Puh, you’re being shy」

「Shut up!」
A new battle was raging, with Kamui having the upper hand.
「With that way of speaking, you will be hated by Diefriedsan
you know? Learn a
bit from Hildegardsan.
A woman like Hildegardsan
overflows with elegance. Nee,
don’t you think so, Hildegardsan?
」
「Eh, A~h, yes. No, that’s not it. I’m not that…」
Suddenly being praised by Kamui, Hildegard became fl.u.s.tered.
「No, no, Hildegardsan
is like that. The always dignified you is so lovely. It’s only
natural for you to be yearned for by everyone in the Academy」
「… That’s not true」
Hildegard’s face turned red from Kamui’s continued praise. A wry smile appeared
on Matthias’ face on seeing her like that.

「You’re being too humble, but that is also part of Hildegardsan’s
charm. I like the
wellbehaved
Hildegardsan
which is not extravagant」
「Like…」
Hildegard’s white skin dyed red to her neck due to her embara.s.sment.
「Kamui. What are you saying to Hildegardsan?
」
Selene interjected in place of of Hildegard, who went silent.
「… Hmm? Ah, just now I felt like it was Selene that I was talking to… Did I hurt
your feelings?」
After Selene pointed it out, Kamui finally noticed that he said something
outrageous.
「…No, I’m fine. It’s not unpleasant at all」
「That’s good then. But, your face is a bit red. It’s because I said strange things,
right? My apologies」

「I’m fine. I’m just a bit embarra.s.sed since I heard words that I’m not used to
hearing」
「Not used to hearing? Aah, since everyone considers Hildegardsan
as an
unattainable flower, no one would speak of their true feelings, right? Even so, if
they saw Hildegardsan’s
blushing face like right now, showing a different kind of
loveliness than the usual, they will probably act differently, won’t they? 」
「Lovely?」
Though Kamui’s planned to gloss over his blunder, the words that came out of his
mouth made the situation more awkward.
「Yes. I think Hildegardsan
is truly lovely」
「Thank you…」
With her entire face dyed red, Hildegard was unable to raise her face. In fact,
Hildegard never received such words, like what Kamui said right in front of her, from
the opposite s.e.x before.

Hildegard really was an unattainable flower, whether it’s her appearance, ability,
and pedigree. There were no male students who would say these kind of words in
such straightforward manner.
「Hmm? Did I say something strange again? Pardon me, let’s stop talking about
this. Uhm, what was the topic?」
「We were talking about the exercise」
Diefried replied while enjoying himself watching Kamui who made Hildegard blush.
The truth is, he wanted to tease Kamui for behaving like a womanizer, but as
expected, he couldn’t say that in front of Hildegard.
「So that’s it. And so?」
「For whatever reason, this exercise is still part of the Academy’s lessons, right?
Somehow, though it feels a little bit too late, but I do still want to hear the reason?」
「Yes, if there’s a reason for it at all」
「More or less, there’s a reason. Did you know that the lowest mobilized unit of the

Empire’s troops is composed of 5 people?」
「I didn’t know」
「Right. 5 people in one unit is the lowest mobilization unit of the troops. A 100
people group is formed by a collection of that unit, and a 1000 people group is by
collecting those units even more. As for the leaders of each group, they are
commanders called “100 people commander” or “1000 people commander“. By
gathering even more, it will become an army led by a general」
「I’ve heard about the 100 people commander and beyond that. But, with regards
to current topic, those who get mobilized in 5 people groups are common soldiers,
right? 」
「That’s right」
「The Academy is… In order to let us understand the common soldier’s feelings, is
that it?」
The students of the Academy are mostly composed of young n.o.bles. n.o.body would
be working as a common soldier.

「That’s about right. After graduation, no matter how low the status they’ve earned,
they will at least become commanders of 100 soldiers. Furthermore, in case of
knight or n.o.bles with high peerages, they will suddenly become commander of
1000 soldiers. There’s also those who own and command territory troops,
comprising of 10,000 soldiers. Even so, as someone standing above the others,
they have to understand the feelings of the people below them, without fail. That’s
why the mobilization of 5 people in one group became the basis of the Academy」
That seems to be the reason. But even after hearing Diefried’s explanation, Kamui
remained dissatisfied.
「As I expected, it really is meaningless. The purpose of mobilizing 5 people in one
group is to let common soldiers, who don’t have particular strengths, help each
other fight, right? If the Academy students, who sticks out individually, learns that
way – on the contrary, won’t they only learn how to fight in a group of five
instead?」
「Probably」
Even Diefried who explained it didn’t have full comprehension of it as well.
「Also, as a commander they will surely be in command though with that kind of
training, there won’t be any further attempt to find for new ideas」
「So, Kamuikun,
what would you think is the best exercise?」

Everybody could do it if it was just criticizing a problem. Diefried requested a
solution from Kamui.
「I want a war situation that’s bit more complex . For example…」
「For example?」
「One on one on one, one on one on one, that kind of exercise」
「…Can you explain it a bit more detail?」
「The battle of the whole cla.s.s, the last one standing is the winner. We’ll be free to
cooperate. Naturally, to betray, too. Bringing down the best team with three teams.
There’s also an option of crushing the weakest group first. Becoming a spectator
and waiting for a chance is also okay. Each and every team can make various
choices. There’s no discussions between the team beforehand… But even if there’s
discussions between the team in the beginning, it might be interesting too?
Promising for cooperation, but suddenly betraying. There’ll be complex strategies in
this kind of situation」
「…That’s interesting」

Kamui’s idea is, rather than training to mobilise troops, it’s strategy training. Diefried
thought that it’s interesting.
「Ah, but it might be no good. It’s a disadvantage to Hildegardsan
」
「Me?」
Hildegard was startled when her name suddenly came out.
「Yes. When using this style, the first who’ll be targeted is Hildegardsan’s
team.
Though it might become good for training, losing too often would be bad for their
morale. There’s also a possibility that it might be taken as training for mere
training’s sake」
「…You’re right. It’s probably turn out that way」
「Countermeasures for that… How about giving the right to the defeated cla.s.s to
extract one group from one of the other cla.s.ses as they wish for the next battle?」
「What does that mean?」

「In the end, number is power. Moreover, by omitting a competent group from the
other cla.s.s, it might be possible to have a nice battle. For example, if it’s from
Hildegardsan
cla.s.s, by removing out Matthia.s.san’s
group」
「My group, huh?」
Matthias seemed satisfied when his name was mentioned by Kamui. That’s
because by the flow of the conversation, he knew he was being considered as
strong.
「That’s right. From what we’ve seen earlier in Hildegardsan’s
cla.s.s – if we want to
remove Hildegardsan’s
main force, the best choice is to remove Mathia.s.san’s
group. If they are removed, cla.s.s A will suffer a substantial blow to their military
strength, while the cla.s.s who got the extracted group will get a boost instead. This
would be true for any other cla.s.s as well, right?」
「If we continue like that… The battle will become a freeforall
」
If the composition of the groups keep changing, the strength between cla.s.ses will
eventually be near equal.

「This is where strategy comes into play. One can’t be careless just because of
they are a bit more powerful. If the weak is willing to construct long term strategies,
there are a lot of ways to win. Even deliberately losing would also be a strategy」
「Isn’t that a wonderful idea?」
「I only said that in response to Diefriedsan.
Though I’m the one suggesting this,
there’s actually fatal flaw in this kind of training」
「Is that so?」
Diefried felt that the suggestion could be immediately adopted as a lesson.
「It’s about the group that got transferred to another cla.s.s. They can’t be forced to
fight seriously. Matthia.s.san,
even if it’s a training sword, would you turn your sword
on Hildegardsan?
」
「That’s…」
Matthias, who asked by Kamui, was speechless.

「Right? In short, it’s something like this. Though now it seems like I’m giving
excuses, by no means did I have any intention to criticize the Academy’s lessons.
It’s something that even I can think of; another person might have thought of the
same idea long time ago. Even so, it’s not implemented. That means that there’s
another fixed reason」
Diefried and Hildegard unintentionally exchanged glances upon Kamui’s
explanation.
If Kamui’s words were malicious, it would feel like he’s criticizing the great n.o.bles
for using the n.o.ble’s systemization to obstruct any alteration to the lesson. He
would certainly be referring to both their houses when he refer to the great n.o.bles.
When they sent a fleeting glance at the teacher, the teachers expressed
agreement. The Academy must have their own circ.u.mstances. It felt like that the
teacher conveyed this to them.
For the two – especially for Hildegard, who has complete faith in her own family’s
support of the Empire – this matter produced complicated feelings in her heart.