At the Orland Knights Academy, there were two main types of scholarships available to students.
The first was the academic grant scholarship, which was awarded to students with outstanding academic performance and approved by their tutors. This scholarship was extremely difficult to obtain, as it was fiercely contested every year, especially by civilian geniuses. However, it came with a substantial reward, often amounting to hundreds or even thousands of gold coins. The only downside was that this scholarship could only be applied for at the end of the academic year, and the process took quite a bit of time, making it a long-term option. Because of this, Luciel was excluded from considering it.
The second type of scholarship was the College Association Scholarship, which was a more immediate and accessible option for students looking for rewards based on practical achievements.
At Orland Academy, there were several student associations, including the Swordsmanship Association, the Spearmanship Association, the Equestrian Association, and the Royal Court Dance Association, among others. Founding an association could earn students credits and help them expand their social circles. The larger and stronger the association, the more generous the rewards the academy offered.
Many of these associations offered challenge projects where students could earn gold coins by completing certain tasks, thereby increasing the popularity of the association. This was particularly appealing to those who were skilled yet shy, as it allowed them to gain recognition without directly showcasing their talents in front of others.
Luciel decided to visit one of the largest and most prestigious student organizations—the Swordsmanship Association. Known for its strength and for hosting many talented students, the Swordsmanship Association was an excellent opportunity for him.
He arrived at a beautiful building with two crossed sword signs hanging outside. Inside, the atmosphere was filled with intensity, as several students trained and practiced their skills. Luciel made his way through the bustling academy to find a member of the association.
"Does the magic puppet challenge take place here?" Luciel asked.
The association member, glancing up from his task, pointed to a direction inside and replied, "Go inside, you'll see it soon."
"Thanks," Luciel said with a nod, walking away.
As he walked down the corridor, he overheard some conversations from the onlookers.
"Marris has been in for almost a minute! I wonder how long he can last this time?"
"At least a minute and a half! Last time, he stayed in there for a full minute and a half before exiting!"
"He's so strong! Only a monster like Maris would always use the magic puppet to train his swordsmanship. I don't want to go in and get beaten."
Luciel's curiosity was piqued by the mention of Maris. He looked around, searching for the source of all the chatter. In the crowd, he noticed a short, chubby teenager with freckles, holding a silver pocket watch and looking intently at it.
It seemed like the freckled boy was the one overseeing the magic puppet challenge.
Luciel approached him. "Excuse me, this is my first time here. Could you explain the rules of the magic puppet challenge?"
The freckled teenager didn't immediately acknowledge Luciel. He simply stared at the pocket watch in his hand before nonchalantly answering, "The rules are simple. You go in, and if you can last with the magic puppet for one minute, you earn thirty gold coins. You'll also become an elite member of our association."
Luciel's eyes widened. "One minute? The magic puppet is that strong?"
The freckled boy gave him a quick glance, then sneered. "The magic puppet in that room is a precious magical item. Our president, Byrne, borrowed it from Lord Giles, the vice-president of the Magic Academy. It's made of many rare magical metals and has... true knight-level strength!"
The emphasis on "knight-level" was unmistakable.
"Knight-level…" Luciel muttered under his breath. No wonder the challenge was so intense.
"It's an impressive feat just to last one minute against the knight-level magic puppet," Luciel said, acknowledging the challenge.
The freckled teenager, now grinning widely, leaned toward Luciel and asked, "Do you know how long our president can last?"
Luciel shook his head. "How long?"
"Ten minutes!" the freckled boy announced loudly. "That's the highest record in our magic puppet challenge! If you break that record, you'll win a thousand gold coins! But trust me, that's impossible."
Just then, a commotion arose from the crowd.
"Marris is out!" someone shouted.
The freckled boy immediately moved forward, grabbing his pocket watch and pushing Luciel aside. "Two minutes! Maris' score this time is two minutes!"
A round of astonished exclamations filled the air. Luciel turned to see a tall, firm-faced young man emerging from the room, his steps slightly wobbly. His face was pale, and sweat drenched his hair.
"So this is Maris," Luciel thought.
The crowd parted as the young man made his way out, exhausted yet proud. His name echoed as the students congratulated him.
Luciel quickly accessed his chip and ran an analysis on Maris' physical data:
[Analysis of Maris' Physical Fitness:
Strength: 4.0
Speed: 3.9
Physique: 2.8
Will: 1.7]
The data suggested that Maris was a seventh-level apprentice knight, with impressive attributes. His strength alone was close to the threshold for a true knight, making him a formidable opponent. "No wonder he's a little genius," Luciel thought. "With attributes like these, it's no surprise that he can push himself so hard."
Luciel then compared his own physical abilities:
My strength has reached the level of a sixth-level apprentice knight, but my speed and physique are too weak... I'd probably only be at the level of a five-level apprentice knight in terms of overall strength.
Luciel's reflection on his own abilities made him aware of the gap between himself and Maris. But instead of discouraging him, it only fueled his determination to improve further. The challenge had given him insight into what he needed to work on.
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End of Chapter 6
(Stay tuned for the next chapter, where Luciel continues his journey to become stronger!)