30 Years Have Passed Since the Prologue

46 – 10. Stalker vs. Stalker (1)

*

As mentioned before, each of the United Kingdoms is diligently nurturing its own intelligence organization.

Among the four major powers that can be classified as strong among the 12 countries comprising the United Kingdoms—Droan, Kallion, Thiless, and Crasiloph—they are a bit more specialized than other kingdoms.

For example, Droan’s intelligence organization consists of worshippers of the four elements.

Always having the answer like water.

A magical fire that, when ignited, compels the truth.

A mysterious wind that, when attached to a pole, reveals the past.

The silent land that, when buried, conceals all truths.

Combine the love of the four elements, and Droan-style intelligence organization is complete. In fact, it just meant bringing them and handing them over.

On the other hand, the elves of the Kalion army preferred a very sophisticated approach.

As pioneers of Mind Sorcery (mental magic), their intelligence was incredibly refined and friendly.

Becoming close (brainwashing) and playing (memory manipulation) actively were their specialty in acquiring friendly information.

Tilres, the realm of knights. They ask questions openly when curious. A remarkably righteous act, except for the part where not answering is seen as an offense, leading to duels as trials.

On the other hand, the Eradication Unit to which Ivan belonged, its precursor, “Enrique’s Children,” and their descendants in the Kracilov Reconnaissance Headquarters prefer remarkably modern intelligence operations.

‘Observation’ and ‘evidence gathering,’ ‘signal intelligence collection,’ ‘technical intelligence acquisition,’ ‘geospatial intelligence,’ ‘establishment of human intelligence networks’…

So, it means conducting espionage activities in a traditionalist manner that other powers would term as “nostalgic.”

– Had a sandwich for lunch again today. Chicken breast seems to be the filling. Mustard sauce, I suspect. Concerns arise about nutritional imbalance. Lack of vegetables, except for tomatoes. Would recommend a more plant-based diet.

Ivan, responsible for the safety and health of the party members, paused his observation through the telescope, jotting down crucial collected information in his notebook.

ep10. Stalker vs. Stalker

The unprecedented event of all freshman knights being confined to the infirmary brought unexpected repercussions.

“This isn’t real at all!!”

The examination period extended by a week.

Had it been just a few test-takers missing, they might have faced failure or additional exams.

However, with almost all undergraduates turning into severely injured patients, the university declared a one-week closure.

Practical exams were fine, but written ones posed a slightly different issue. Physical education students, trying exam preparation for the first time, grumbled in frustration.

Mainly affected were students of theology, magic, fine arts, and performing arts…

Especially the students of performing arts.

“Why just you guuuyys!!”

“We’re in the same art school!! Are you the only ones this happy?!”

“I can’t believe this isn’t real, this can’t be real, why should knights study for a written exam?”

By the way, performing arts students also study for written exams. Music history, formal analysis, conducting, music theory. One might argue there are even more subjects based solely on written tests than in the knightly academic field.

Of course, such facts don’t matter to the sword-wielding department.

Those performing arts folks.

While honest citizens sweat and toil for their livelihood, these fellows simply sit on the market square singing songs and making money! (Busking is an incredibly tough job.)

“Ugh. The stench of sweat. When you come into the old man’s diner, you ought to take a shower. That involves wetting your body, lathering up enough foam with soap, scrubbing every nook and cranny, and rinsing off with water again.”

“These crazy brats…!!”

During this period, such scenes could easily be spotted throughout the university campus.

The enraged knightly students and the mocking looks from the performing arts students.

Whoever decided to bundle the knightly department and the music school into the same arts university is unknown, but there might be some sinister intentions behind it.

Ecidis was singing the song of sorrow in this chaotic era.

“Next.”

“Crazy… crazy….”

YeDae Correctional Institute’s outdoor gymnasium.

Ecidis, holding a baseball bat upside down, stared ominously at the twisted sign on the ground.

Behind her were fellow students from the music department.

In front of her were knights who had lost their horses.

Under her feet lay five bodies with their heads smashed (no, not really).

All of this was the result of the music department’s strongest vocal student rising up for justice.

The first Ecidis sacrificed herself for a friend,

The second Ecidis tragically succumbed to a scream,

And now, here in this place, the third Ecidis was being shackled for the sake of her honor.

As reflected upon before, instruments are the lifeblood of musicians.

With determination in her heart, Ecidis, wielding her life as a weapon, was punishing those ignorant ones who dared to step on the threshold of the music department.

“The knight from the music department already took down five from the knight department!”

“Ahahahahaha!”

“Did you see that, you ignorant fools? The highly developed ‘music’ is a law that cannot be distinguished from ‘force’….”

“Go back. And tell everyone… from now on, the music department will ‘rule’ over the entire YeDae….”

There was no room for senior students to join the freshmen in their play.

Senior knights from the knight department were watching first-year students being beaten up, munching on popcorn, and senior music students, knowing they couldn’t defeat the first-year knights in the knight department, didn’t bother participating.

Thus, naturally, this ‘duel’ turned into a festival for the first-year students of YeDae. (Note: The knight department is still in the exam period.)

Traitors from the senior ranks of departments like Yuri, Isabelle, and Oscar were shamelessly ignoring this commotion and focusing on their exam studies. So, only one option remained for the students.

A devil who made the entire department kneel with just one practical test… without even studying…!

“Summon him… bring our master!!”

“Master. Yes… if our master appears, you’re all finished!”

A new student shouted such third-rate villain lines and ran somewhere.

Soon, a shabby middle-aged man appeared from somewhere. It was Mord, the strongest first-year knight of the knight department.

“No, I need to prepare for the next exam….”

“Don’t lie, master!! And is that petty exam even worth mentioning when the honor of our department is lying on the ground!”

“What are these guys saying now?”

Certainly, weren’t they the ones getting angry during their exam period? However, now that they claim exams are no longer important, what was the reason for their anger in the first place?

The wise Dronan Huscull instantly grasped the truth. Ah, they just want to escape from exams and have some fun.

As he gathered his senses and faced them head-on, he saw Ecidis tightly gripping a half-broken violin.

“How many months did you spend on it this time, Eci?”

“Just a month, Uncle…”

“Impressive. Still, you’ve passed the three-week mark.”

Mord turned and nodded without hesitation.

“I concede. Ah, the music department is too strong. Truly the daughter of Sir Ainarr.”

“Unbelievable… Is blood more important than academic connections, sir? The honor of the Knightly Faculty!?”

“By the way, Eci and I are not related by blood. It’s Ziyon.”

“Dronan… I won’t forget this…!!”

“Don’t say foolish things and go study for your exams, you lot.”

“From today, you’re not my brother anymoreee!!”

After a Tilless noble ran to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, whimpering, the disturbance of the day finally ended.

Ivan quietly watched the scene from behind a tree and adjusted his notes with a pen.

– Ecidis. Percussion suits you better than string instruments.

*

‘Oh no, this is not the time for this!’

Ecidis was startled. She had forgotten her duty, too engrossed in the commotion.

Of course, her duty was to be a student. However, Ecidis Ainalstir, a 1st-year student of the Department of Public Administration, and ‘Isabel’s friend,’ should be a completely different person.

At this moment, it was not a normal music student that was needed, but a warrior armed with justice and cooperation.

Coincidentally, the troublemakers had received a fair share of bruises.

Ecidis steadied her resolve and moved forward, determined to find the cunning enemy hidden somewhere in the school grounds.

To understand their intentions and administer justice.

Her father would surely support her righteous prowess.

*

Once again, it is emphasized that Ivan is entirely harmless and an ordinary-looking staff member.

Originally, he was a master of concealment, infiltration, and special operations. If he wanted to appear ordinary, he could be more ordinary than anyone.

However, such advanced infiltration techniques were not necessary. Basically, he was easily forgettable, with no outstanding features that would catch one’s attention as he passed by.

“Heek…!”

A student from the Department of Magic caused a commotion and fled Ivan’s gaze.

Ivan, currently hanging from a tree with one hand, concealed behind a shadow, deserved commendation for escaping the notice of the student who had found him.

Of course, Ivan had memorized the profiles of all the students in this correctional facility. So, he recognized the fleeing youth who had once illicitly discarded a cigarette butt, leading to Ivan sponsoring him for a “smoking cessation clinic.”

Quite the embarrassed student.

Typical of a university student’s youthful exuberance. Ivan nodded expressionlessly and shifted his gaze.

Elphiera.

Daughter of Veolgreen.

Top of the first-year class in the Department of Magic, a prodigy who set the highest score in the entire department’s entrance practical exam.

He looked at Elphiera with narrowed eyes, holding a notebook.

– Except for a few followers, interpersonal relationships are not smooth. Resembles her father.

He sincerely wrote a profile with no ill intentions for quite a while.

“Hmm.”

Ivan sensed a gaze and turned his head.

*

“…It wasn’t just Bella….”

Isabel, and perhaps even Enrique, began to think that they might not be the only ‘prey’ of that man.

The fear of the predator observing someone from a distance, searching for ‘weaknesses,’ overwhelmed her.

Esydis, the protagonist of the rumor that sent all 50 freshman knights to the Theological Department’s intensive care room, the madman who collected cigarette butts, nightmares behind the trees, the bearded giant…. A well-built man (according to Isabel’s opinion) with a sinister aura.

As Esydis, who collected rumors about the ‘gardener,’ got closer to the horrifying truth, she observed Ivan from the bushes and took notes.

“Stalker….”

She became a stalker stalking the academy stalker.

*