SWNOVELXO Chapter 110
Imperial Royal Academy.
The world’s top institution for training military elites, built with a massive budget poured in by the Empire.
Leon Clendor walked through the Academy’s grounds with a face that feigned surprise.
The grandeur and scale of the Academy were far beyond what he had heard in rumors.
Is the Empire truly an Empire?
‘But…’
However.
Clendor Kingdom had achieved victory against the Empire.
Because they could not contend with the Clendor Kingdom at sea.
No matter how exceptional the Empire’s military elites may be, if they can’t set foot on the ground, it’s utterly pointless.
In naval warfare, they would be helpless.
‘In underwater combat, we reign supreme.’
If the Empire is the strongest on land, Clendor Kingdom is the strongest at sea.
The elite soldiers he brought with him could engage in seamless combat even on the water.
This was due to the ‘Mana Breathing Technique’ that had been perfected over generations through tradition.
Those Cadets from the Empire who hadn’t learned this technique would surely struggle.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Leon Clendor, the First Prince of Grand-Clendor and Commander in charge of this expedition.”
Thus, Leon began his speech, gathering the 20 selected cadets for this “Sea Expedition.”
He was able to summon the cadets because he had received permission from the Academy’s Board President, who was none other than the Empire’s Princess.
“And you are the Empire’s finest talents. Among the talented hundreds of cadets, you are acknowledged as the top 20 elites. Therefore, it’s understandable that you might feel displeased receiving orders from a foreign prince. Your potential and power are that special.”
As Leon spoke, he surveyed the Academy cadets.
Isabella, Claire, Enya, Lucas, Charlotte. The other cadets were glaring at Leon with stiff faces.
Finally, Leon smiled slightly.
“Ah. It seems you’ve definitely grasped the situation. Your gazes indicate that you do not yet recognize your instructor. You have fallen into the illusion of your own potential and qualities—thinking you’re the greatest geniuses.”
Leon glanced over at the ‘recording personnel’.
He wanted to confirm that his imposing appearance was being well-captured on camera.
Soon he began to stroll confidently across the podium, chuckling softly.
“It seems your eyes are burning with even more fervor than before. Yet, you are certainly not the strongest. You may well be the strongest cadets on land, but the story changes at sea.”
Leon internally chuckled.
Gathering the Empire’s top talents and scolding them like this.
This scene would surely resonate with the many nobles and the public back home, becoming valuable material to solidify his standing.
Leon began to recite his rehearsed lines.
“History proves this. While the Empire was engaged in conquering wars and subjugating many nations, our Clendor Kingdom stood strong. Not a single citizen of the Empire has set foot on my land.”
As he spoke, Leon’s gaze landed on Enya.
A descendant of the line of the former Cruel Kingdom.
“Moreover, the Cruel royal family, which has always been our adversary, has submitted to the Empire and become the Duke family, yet we won the Great War seven years ago and emerged as an Empire. It’s because of this victorious history that I stand here as your commander.”
Leon, proud and with a smirk, continued his self-promotion.
However, the Academy cadets could not respond.
After all, Leon Clendor had come here as the overall commander.
“Thus, I wish to enlighten you on the terrors of the sea. Regardless of past history, we are now united in attempting to pass through the Sea Wall, and to achieve this, we must understand the terrors of the sea and cultivate the strength to respond.”
Leon pointedly glanced at his elite soldiers.
They were all exuding confidence.
With a smirk, Leon continued his speech.
“The method is simple. We will conduct 1:1 underwater battles in descending order. Although you are participating in this expedition for observational purposes, becoming stranded by sea monsters happens frequently. Unexpected underwater situations can arise at any time.”
Leon added a little embellishment to push this competition forward.
Since Clendor’s warships were reinforced, grounding incidents had become exceedingly rare.
But to humiliate the Academy cadets in underwater combat, a slight lie was necessary.
“Now, without further delay, let’s begin immediately. Follow me to the practice area.”
***
The practice area prepared by Leon.
It was none other than a gigantic water tank.
Having brought the best technical team to capture this match live, Leon had acquired permission from the princess to install this massive tank in the Academy’s open space.
What remained was to set up video transmission magic circles and lighting to ensure visibility underwater, and to use wave techniques to create an ocean-like environment.
Of course, mixing in salt for added authenticity was not forgotten.
“Your Highness, preparations are complete.”
After hours of filling the tank with water and reinforcing the outer walls, the underwater practice area was finally finished.
It was time for the best-trained talents selected from the Academy to face humiliation.
‘Hehehe… Perfect. Just excellent.’
Finally, Leon glanced around with a satisfied smile.
This super-sized water tank was set up in one of the widest open areas of the Academy, making it a location where all Academy cadets could gather.
In other words, the 20 cadets selected through the trials would be publicly humiliated in front of all the Academy students by his elite soldiers.
He had poured significant effort into ensuring it was broadcast live.
‘Despair…! Despair and drown in despair…!’
The 20 cadets selected for the Sea Wall expedition.
What a sight it would be to witness them being ruthlessly defeated by his elite soldiers, surely bringing great despair to all the viewers gathered here.
And their vivid expressions and reactions would be refreshing entertainment for the nobles and public back home.
Nothing feels more gratifying than watching the enemy nation weep and despair.
“Then, let the first match begin!”
Thus, Leon instructed the commencement of the first duel.
The first competitor was a Top.20 cadet from the Academy.
Soon, the host began to proceed.
“Both competitors, please ascend to the top.”
Climb to the top.
That order meant to step onto the stairs installed on either side of the tank and rise to the top.
Once at the top of the stairs, they would stand at the edge of the 10-meter high tank.
“Upon counting down, you will begin your dive. After diving, you are free to engage in a duel until your opponent is incapacitated.”
As they stood at the top of the stairs, the host began the countdown.
Finally, the countdown reached zero, and the elite soldier from Clendor on the left and the Academy cadet on the right simultaneously dove into the water.
Splash!
As soon as the two competitors entered the water, the video transmission magic circles followed them and began the live broadcast.
A multitude of cadets gathered near the tank watched the scene in awe.
“…What is this?”
“…This can’t be.”
“Peldor is losing this easily?”
However, the result was tragic.
No, it wasn’t even a contest.
To a seasoned veteran who had faced numerous sea monsters during countless sorties, the Academy cadet was merely a tiny fish.
It was a resounding victory for Clendor’s elite.
“Waaaahhh!!!”
The entourage brought by Leon began to cheer.
The Empire’s top elite training institution, the Imperial Royal Academy.
Their Top.20 was defeated without being able to do anything.
They had proven themselves to be the strongest only in underwater combat.
‘So petty.’
However, the one watching, Elena, curled her lips disdainfully.
It was ridiculous to send a veteran to face a first-year student from the Academy in underwater combat.
It was only logical that the duel itself couldn’t stand.
‘But when I think about it, Leon Clendor said he had only joined the military for a year.’
Yet Leon Clendor had just explained that the elite soldier who had just won had only enlisted for a year.
But to the Great Mage Elena, that soldier seemed like a veteran who had been trained for underwater battles for a long time.
What kind of gap was there?
‘If the prince’s words aren’t lies… then it’s mercenaries.’
The answer lay with mercenaries.
Though he’d only been part of the military for a year, prior to that, he was a veteran mercenary with years of underwater experience.
In Clendor Kingdom, there was a mercenary group dedicated to protecting civilian fishing vessels from sea monsters.
‘It’s all for show.’
That meant it was performative.
He wanted to create a narrative of “A newcomer who enlisted a year ago defeats the top 20 students of the Imperial Academy.”
“Clendor wins!”
Thus, the Academy had suffered a total of five consecutive defeats.
From Top.20 to Top.16.
They faced brutal losses without even landing a blow against the veteran underwater combatants.
The expressions of the Academy cadets watching started to turn to despair.
‘It’s alright.’
However, Elena did not raise any objections.
After all, she held no interest in national pride contests or political propaganda.
What mattered to her was only the growth of the talents.
She believed this defeat would be a great stimulus for the Academy cadets.
‘Most importantly…’
Only five had lost so far.
From Top.20 to Top.16 could not be deemed that outstanding.
Above them were more monsters.
‘Moreover…’
Edgar was coming.
The strongest cadet of the Academy, Edgar Fix, had sent word he would be returning to the Academy after finishing his work in the territory.
Now, only two days remained until Edgar’s return.
They decided to hold five matches a day, so he would arrive before all the matches concluded.
And by that time, the Clendor folks would realize.
That there exists an insane cadet far beyond standard definitions in the Empire.