The Tale of Gerald Vader, the Heretic Knight’s Rampage Through Another World
As soon as the physical exam was over, it was time for the practical exam.
“I’m starving…”
It was already past noon.
Of course, I’d had a solid breakfast at the hotel, but I was still hungry because the written exam that morning had required so much concentration.
Seriously, what’s up with this schedule?
I get that the physical measurements, which include weighing in, have to be done before eating.
But why do I have to take the practical exam on an empty stomach too?
I’m a 15-year-old in the prime of my growth, for crying out loud!
No matter how you look at it, I’d perform way better with a stomach that’s at least somewhat full than on an empty one…
Harboring those grievances, I followed the signs inside the academy toward my next destination: the swordsmanship dojo.
The other freshmen walking around seemed to feel the same way; I could see them muttering complaints under their breath just like me.
Haa… I wonder how Twina and Nora are doing…
Since the physical exams are followed by practical tests that are also separated by gender, I won’t be able to meet up with them until the exams are completely over.
…No, it’s not like I’m feeling lonely or anything.
Nora aside, I’m just worried that Twina might have messed up during the physical exam.
“Um… is this the place?”
The swordsmanship dojo designated as the practical exam venue for the male freshmen was located deep within the academy, next to the drill ground.
The drill ground, unused today, was empty and desolate, but groups of freshmen who appeared to be from the same hometown were gathered here and there around the dojo. From inside, I could hear spirited shouts and the crisp, rhythmic sound of wooden swords clashing.
The crowd gathered there seemed to consist of both those who had already finished the exam and those about to take it.
Among them was a guy with a swollen face, looking like he’d been beaten up, on the verge of tears, being comforted by others.
…I see.
So that’s why they hold the practical exam before lunch.
This doesn’t look like the kind of exam you can take after stuffing your stomach full.
Just as I was thinking that…
“Ah, Gerald! Hey!”
Suddenly, someone called out to me from a distance.
I looked over and saw a blond boy running toward me, waving his arms wildly with a huge smile on his face.
……There’s no way I could mistake him. It’s Klaus, the protagonist of the original story.
Since he’s exactly the kind of person I want to avoid at all costs, I thought about looking away for a moment… but there’s no point now that he’s already spotted me.
Damn it. I’d let my guard down because we hadn’t crossed paths at all during the physical exams—probably because our order was different.
But since he’s come this far, there’s no point in being rude and creating a tense atmosphere on purpose.
Anyway, once the practical exams are over, I’m planning to split from Klaus and meet up with Twina and Nora, so I just have to grin and bear it until then.
Klaus came up close to me and spoke in a friendly tone.
“Ah, I’m so glad! I don’t have anyone from my hometown here at the academy. Everyone else is hanging out in groups with people they know, so I’m relieved to have someone to talk to.”
“Well, the nobles tend to stick with their knights, so there’s nothing we can do about that.”
“True… But I was lucky, though. I got to meet you at the main gate this morning!”
“Oh, yeah, that’s true.”
Just like the protagonist of a story.
He just casually spouts cheesy lines like that.
I mean, he’s probably saying this without even realizing it. That’s crazy.
Come to think of it, even though Klaus gets worn down as the story progresses in the ‘main story,’ his true personality was originally that of a cheerful, outgoing guy…
He doesn’t have that top-tier school caste aura like Nora, but for someone like me—who’s basically a total introvert—this is so blinding it’s making me feel like I’m turning to ash.
Claus, who has no idea what’s going on inside my head, continues talking with a beaming smile.
“So, have you checked in yet, Gerald?”
“No, not yet.”
“If not, you should go get it done quickly. I just finished mine a moment ago, but there were five people waiting ahead of me.”
“I see. I’ll go take care of it right away.”
Come to think of it, the practical exam tests each person’s overall combat ability as a knight in a real-battle format, one at a time, so I guess that’s why it takes so long.
Following Klaus’s advice, I headed to the reception desk set up at the entrance to the dojo.
“……Huh? Wait a minute… aren’t you Alissa senpai’s little brother?”
As I filled out the form handed to me by the receptionist, she suddenly let out a surprised gasp.
“Yes, my sister is indeed Alissa Vader… but why do you ask?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m Lucy Luric. Alissa senpai has been really helpful to me in the Student Council…”
“I see. Thank you for looking after my sister.”
“Hehe, just as I expected from Senpai’s younger brother—you’re quite the fine young man.”
When I bowed my head, Lucy nodded happily several times.
Then, with a gentle, beaming smile, she stared intently at me.
“Still, hehe… you really do take after your sister… you…”
“U-uh…”
…Lucy is a beautiful girl with soft, pale pink-blonde hair.
Her smile is adorable, and she gives off a gentle, warm impression.
She’s a little shorter than me and has a delicate build.
Maybe it’s because of the white uniform she’s wearing, but she has an overall air of a small animal about her—a delicate charm that makes you want to protect her, in stark contrast to my sister.
How should I put it? She’s the type of person who’s probably incredibly popular with guys…
In fact, when I looked around carefully, I noticed the freshmen waiting for their practical exam were stealing glances our way.
Some of them were even shooting jealous looks at me just because I was talking to Lucy so familiarly.
Seriously, Klaus, you’re not supposed to be sneaking glances at Lucy, too.
But my impression was the exact opposite of theirs.
For some reason, when she stares at me, I gradually feel like I’m being entangled in a spider’s web… a strange, uncomfortable feeling.
This feeling… I can’t quite put it into words, but it somehow reminds me of Nora.
Yeah.
My instincts are telling me.
I’d better stay as far away from this type of woman as possible!
Once I’d made that decision, the only thing to do was get out of there fast.
“Oh, my friends are waiting for me. Anyway, thank you very much!”
“Oh… Gerald, just a little longer~, let’s talk with me—”
I temporarily classified Klaus as a friend and tried to rush away from the reception desk… but the very next moment.
—BOOM!
Suddenly, with a loud crash, the dojo door blew off its hinges, and a burly man tumbled out.
“W-what the hell!?”
The event was so sudden that I instinctively froze in my tracks.
The man who had tumbled out of the dojo was a bloody mess.
His face was covered in black-and-blue bruises, and he lay sprawled out on his back, his eyes rolled completely back in his head.
This guy… I recognize him.
He had a bull-like, intimidating face and broad shoulders, plus a massive frame nearly two meters tall.
Ah, right, I remember now.
He’s the guy I passed by during the physical exam earlier.
“W-what the hell is going on!?”
“Did you see that? That giant just got blasted out of the dojo!”
“Come to think of it, the guy who went in a few people back had his face all swollen up too…”
“Hey, wait a minute—is this supposed to be the practical exam!?”
Voices rose one after another from the crowd.
Everyone’s gaze in the room focused on the fallen man.
Just then.
“Hey, next up! Lucy, hurry up and bring in the next guy.”
A man shuffled out from the broken dojo doorway.
He looked to be in his mid-40s.
He wore his training uniform loosely, with a wooden sword slung over his shoulder.
Despite his lackluster expression, his gaze was as sharp as a lion’s.
And that scar on his cheek…
There was no mistake.
It was that middle-aged instructor who had been conducting the physical measurements earlier.