30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 38

...In truth, Ihan didn’t have to accept that duel.

Why, you ask?

‘Because there’s nothing to gain from it.’

There was no advantage in accepting that proposal. More than anything, ƒгeewёbnovel.com

‘What am I supposed to do with beings who aren’t even fully human yet?’

Young masters, saplings, chicks.

To him, these cadets were as fragile as small animals, with a long way yet to go.

‘There are a few who are better than your average knight, though.’

The descendants of the Barbarian and the Sword Clan, the disciple of the Mercenary King, and even our regressor.

Those ones are on a different level. Only they stand out; the others are severely lacking. To make an extreme comparison, it’s like eagles versus mice.

‘Are they even people if they’re weaker than the drill instructor?’

Ironically, the strongest among them, aside from those four, was Damien Follett. Ihan’s cadet of three years (slave). If the others were mice, then that one was at least a cat.

As expected from a famous knight family’s scion, his foundation was solid, and his mastery of combat techniques was also impressive. He was consistently showing progress in Ihan’s “Jumping over Steel Bars” training. Ridiculous as it might be, if the previously mentioned four are top-tier talents, then Damien could be considered upper-tier.

His personality is rotten, but in every other way, he’s impressive.

All in all, given these circumstances, Ihan had no interest in engaging in some petty game like a proxy duel. If he were to put them out there now, they’d just make fools of themselves.

...Yet.

“Instructor! I’ll do it, the proxy duel.”

“Would a knight fear some wizard and back down?”

“To think a spellcaster would dare challenge us, ha! That’s an insult to knights!”

“I’ll take their heads myself.”

“Send me. I’ll make those spell-slingers soil themselves at the very mention of the Swordsmanship Department.”

“...These punks.”

Well, they are cadets, but they’re certainly acting like knight candidates.

‘That’s right, a knight shouldn’t just stand by while a spell-slinger challenges them.’

They understand something.

‘These kids, they’re growing up well.’

Ihan discreetly wiped his nose as he hid his emotion.

He was beginning to understand the pride a teacher feels when witnessing his students’ growth.

Having felt the fierce will of his cadets, Ihan was somewhat inclined to accept that guy’s proposal. But first, he decided to hear out whatever nonsense he might say. As expected,

“‘The winner of this proxy duel will be obliged to follow the orders of the opponent throughout their career.’ ...Did I read that right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Ridiculous. What kind of childish condition is that?”

As expected, he’d laid out conditions that were not only absurd but downright offensive.

“Just decide if you’ll do it or not!”

Perhaps he realized that even he thought the conditions were excessive. How crude. He’s still quite young.

‘I guess I misjudged him because of his looks and tone.’

Wizards are so rare that there are naturally few in the academy. That’s why he could land a professorship at such a young age.

...Though, I can’t rule out the possibility that it’s also due to his appearance.

Beyond being a wizard and looking like he’s eighty-two instead of twenty-eight, he’s a mess.

He lacks forethought and can’t control his fiery temperament. If he matures a bit, those flaws might improve...

‘Or maybe he’ll just become a sneaky bastard.’

If he’s this reckless now, imagine him in the future with power and authority behind him. Such people become sly. Truly the type I hate dealing with.

But for now, he’s easy to handle.

“I refuse. There’s no benefit to me; why should I follow some spell-slinger’s orders?”

“Benefit! Rather, it means I’ll...!”

“You’ll?”

“...Obey your commands, and you don’t know what a valuable opportunity that is?”

Odwal quickly corrected himself, perhaps unwilling to face a fist. He was quite proud, though. After all, it was a rare opportunity to command a wizard. From his perspective, it was a carefully considered condition that held clear value.

“...I’m curious, what is it exactly you want to order me to do?”

“First, I’ll free Lady Irene from your clutches.”

“Anything else?”

“I’ll make you kneel!”

“...And after that?”

“Beyond that, well... Not much else.”

“...”

...What a lunatic.

All that, just for this? Even after Ihan revealed his incredulity, Odwal snapped,

“For the honor of wizards, I’ll do anything!”

“...I see.”

He’s an awful guy, morally bankrupt, and a blatant elitist, but somehow, it all feels so childish.

This guy, a professor of wizardry? It’s so absurd it’s almost moving.

‘I thought he’d introduce me to some hidden backer, but this is it?’

It’s not like human experimentation, it’s just a few orders.