The attention of other professors was focused on Jesse Athlon.
Well, if I didn't know the background story, my interest would naturally have gone to Jesse too.
His posture was different from the start.
He knew his own talent and knew how to show it off.
Unlike Torres, who is stuck in the corner like a withered leaf over there.
But the real deal was 'Torres'.
Originally, he was a character I intended to raise well and attach to the protagonist's party, but sorry.
I forgot.
Anyway, since that setting is firm, such bright radiance is dazzling my vision like this.
"Did you say Torres? What is your motivation for applying to this Glasco?"
"I-I am, that is...."
As soon as Torres's mouth opened, disappointment appeared in the professors' eyes.
There was even a professor whose eyes were cursing, 'Hey, you really waited for a guy like this?'
"He is my friend. A friend I spent time with like a brother since we were young. I persuaded him because I thought it would be better if we were together at Glasco too. Right, Torres?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Ho-oh."
That, look at that.
Look at him lying without even applying saliva to his lips.
Friend like a brother?
Don't make me laugh.
To that pet guy, Torres is nothing but a sturdy sandbag.
But there is a trap right there.
Who is Jesse Athlon.
He is a genius among geniuses who grew up hearing he was a prodigy from a young age.
Such a genius beats him sincerely without controlling his strength, yet he is still breathing until now?
Leaving only bruises and small scars?
That is something beyond sturdy.
The guys who haven't noticed until now are retards and have brains for decoration.
"Then, I will ask Student Jesse. I understand that the expectations around you were high since you were young. But may I ask why you chose Glasco?"
My goodness, he speaks in such a dirty roundabout way.
Interpreting it, it's a question asking: Can you handle coming to Glasco after eating everything you could receive from Ermel and Cadein?
He's not a bastard who would consider such things though.
"I want to become strong. Enough to surpass my ancestor Trion Athlon, who was the strongest knight in history."
His eyes seem to be blazing with fire.
An overwhelming craving for strength.
That can be called the driving force of the life Jesse Athlon lives.
So that's why he became a pet.
"So I thought it was right to learn from the strongest person. That is the reason I chose Glasco."
Those eyes pour towards me burdensomely.
Other professors are purely admiring that enthusiasm, but they are blinded because of illusions like 'continent's greatest prodigy' or 'greatest talent since Trion'.
I wonder what kind of expression they will make after being hit hard in the back of the head like that.
"You guessed wrong."
To such a him, this was the only thing I could say.
Hey, the professors at Cadein teach much better.
***
It was the first time since he was born.
A person who felt stronger than his father.
It was the feeling Jesse Athlon had when he first faced Lucas.
As he was overwhelmed and captivated by him, the regret that slightly remained about this choice disappeared as if washed away.
Acceptance is a done deal anyway.
Who would drop the continent's greatest talent.
Jesse's goal is to leave a definite impression on Lucas.
As much as he left on him, he wanted to leave a deep impression.
However.
'Why is there no reaction?'
Unlike other professors who were delighted from his appearance, Lucas has no big change in expression.
Rather, he was placing his gaze more on Torres, not him.
'Why on that stuttering bastard?'
Ah, that's right.
Lucas still doesn't know Torres is a stuttering loser.
Since his physique is magnificent, it's possible his gaze went there.
There is still time.
It will change once Torres starts opening his mouth.
"I-I am, that is...."
As expected.
As soon as Torres opened his mouth, the atmosphere cooled down chilly.
'Still, that retard shouldn't fail.'
Jesse quickly took over Torres's words.
The moment he confirmed the professors' expressions softening, Jesse gained certainty.
However.
'His expression hardened more?'
It was faint enough that only someone with Jesse's level of observation could barely recognize, but his expression definitely hardened more.
As if looking at something unpleasant.
'I must redeem myself.'
He spoke containing his honest feelings.
I am the only existence qualified to receive teachings from you.
So look at me.
Did the sincerity reach?
Lucas's gaze reached him.
Clang-!
It felt like his heart was sinking.
"You guessed wrong."
Those cool eyes threw meaningful words, as if digging into his mind.
And then, until the interview ended, the event of Lucas's gaze reaching Jesse did not happen.
***
'Ho-oh.'
After the interview of the stormy Group K 8th team, the interview of the 9th team.
Here too, there was a person emitting unusual radiance.
His appearance also draws attention.
A skinny body, looking like movement would be difficult without a wheelchair.
'Ailon... Dusk?'
Crazy.
If it's Ailon Dusk, he is number one in magi-engineering in this worldview.
Age?
Such things don't matter.
Innate talent made him chew up everything.
Since the core technologies of Dust Industries, the most gigantic enterprise here, were all developed by that guy when he was elementary school age.
That dazzling radiance is fully understandable.
'If it's Ailon Dusk, that's undeniably acknowledged.'
However, the professors' gazes are not kind.
Since these guys are natural-born knights who make one wonder if their heads are filled with muscles.
With such a skinny body, they would doubt if he could even lift a twig let alone a sword, and would come to suspect his intention of applying to the Combat Department.
Furthermore, Glasco is a place where background or family assets are absolutely not considered.
Dust Industries' background will not be able to lessen that doubt.
"Umm... The Young Master of Dust Industries, you say."
"Yes, that's right! Is there any problem?"
...He is excessively bright.
He must have felt the hostility in the professors' voices, but whether the kid is pure or thoughtless, he answers brightly.
"No, well, that is, we are the Combat Department...."
As it came to this, now the professors are on the verge of being flustered.
"Yes, that's right, Combat Department!"
"So what we want to say is...."
Oh my, how frustrating.
"With that body, how did you think of entering the Combat Department?"
I took the lead instead of the hesitating professors.
At the somewhat direct speech, Ailon's expression hardened.
Uh?
He shouldn't get hurt.
Even looking like that, that kid is a tremendous weirdo.
That wheelchair isn't just a wheelchair.
That is a murder weapon containing the essence of that genius guy.
I must quickly patch things up before he loses it and activates that thing.
"...If that is the question you wanted to ask, the professors have not read the recruitment guidelines."
"Hmm?"
Look at that, everyone has stupid expressions.
I pointed out and showed the core sentence in the recruitment guidelines to the professors full of questions.
"Ailon has met the entrance age for Glasco. Other conditions cannot, and should not, influence acceptance or rejection."
"No, still, there is a limit...."
"Can a person with uncomfortable limbs even properly listen to lectures in the Combat Department?"
Right.
Due to Ailon's physical structure, he cannot listen to lectures that use the body like the Combat Department.
But it perfectly fits my original purpose.
"I am sorry but we also have matters to consider. Student Ailon Dusk, you cannot be with us...."
If it goes like this, the momentum is set to fail him, but I absolutely cannot see that sight.
"...He can listen."
I declared to the professors.
And I said to my mechanic shield, no, money line, no no, Ailon Dusk.
"Ailon Dusk, you are accepted. Prove that my choice was correct."
***
"Professor Lucas, no matter that you are opening an exclusive lecture, how can you notify acceptance on the spot like that!"
Brief break time.
One professor opened his mouth with displeased signs.
"No matter that it is an exclusive lecture, isn't it strictly under the affiliation of the Combat Department? If that friend goes around claiming to be Combat Department, it's dragging not only the Combat Department but also Glasco through the mud!"
The atmosphere of the professors was naturally in the mood of agreeing with this side.
Common sensically, it was so.
If someone with a skinny body with only bones left due to an incurable disease claims to be a Combat Department student, the returning reaction would be similar.
'But I'm saying I need him?'
I am not picking him to teach anyway.
I am picking him to protect me.
In that aspect, Ailon is a character who perfectly meets the conditions.
He has lots of money, and the magi-engineering version mechanic is powerful.
You guys tried to fail such an existence, you know?
If I get into danger because of you guys, will you take responsibility?
Ow, thinking about it makes me heated.
But since I couldn't really explain, I shut my mouth and watched that spectacle.
"...Ahem! So! Let's look broadly, please. Broadly. That... if my words were a bit harsh, please understand. Isn't this all because I was thinking of you and Glasco? If you felt bad, I will retract it."
Just keeping my mouth shut and staying still, the pressure exuding from this body and the Presence stat made them tuck their tails on their own.
Speaking so loudly when he was going to whimper right away like this.
"Ahem, shall we start again now?"
"Let's do so."
The atmosphere was refreshed, and the interview resumed.
In the meantime, I found and checked noticeable talents.
Time flows, and the interview that seemed like it wouldn't end is showing its end.
"Last, Group Z, 10th team, please enter."
To think it's the last team.
I am deeply moved.
'Let's see, who is in this team....'
There is no particularly noticeable name.
Well, just the personnel checked so far are enough.
Especially since I obtained the cream of the crop like Torres and Ailon.
'Well, shall I stop at this level.'
The moment I thought that, a radiance comparable to Torres shone on my vision.
'Huh? Is there someone else?'
Just in case, I flipped through the documents again, but as expected, there is no noticeable name.
'Then what is this light?'
Clack-
The door opens and the last team enters.
The light turned on more and more.
And his figure is seen.
'What is he? Why him?'
Whether I was astonished inside or not, the interview proceeded.
"Now, please introduce yourselves from the end."
"Deyan. No surname."
The strongest man of Aeroc.
He appeared at the student interview venue with the name Deyan.
The question 'Why are you coming out there?' rose up to the tip of my chin, but I held it back.
If judging only by skill, why is a human who should be a professor, not a student, here.
-However, take this friend to Glasco too.
You must make this guy stronger.
Suddenly, Romero's last words hit inside my head.
'No, so you mean for me to raise him?'
How?
It felt like the sky was collapsing.
However, even if the sky collapses, there is a hole to soar up.
[A new recommendation post has been registered.]
[Points increase by 50.]
[You have received a recommendation post for the first time. Will you receive the reward?]
But the problem is that I cannot gauge now whether it will be a hole or a Hell Gate leading to hell.