Chapter 2

1. I didnt know then (2)

#1 Their Story: A Certain Trainee

This is crazy. Absolutely crazy. Maddening, almost.

Hohoho, they did mention that you were one of the best groups in history. I suppose they were right, seeing how well you kids are doing.

Magic was raining down from the skies. Only five days had passed since the start of the higher class training, and 30 people had survived.

On the midnight of the first day, the sudden magic bombing on our sleeping quarters knocked out half of the group. The length of time weve survived for during this five days was still quite long, Ive heard, but even then, we were reaching the limit.

Hmm, I have high expectations for this batch.

I could see instructor Naruan, who was talking to the communication wizard to direct the bombings every once in a while with an emotionless face.

I had heard that he was the one who shaped most of the powerhouses in the current organization by himself. I had heard that I might get the chance to become one of those people.

But whenever I heard those words, the other instructors all smirked and said this: [Even so, its usually about one in twenty who make it to the top. Sometimes, its one out of fifty.] Most of them come back next year to be trained again.

When I heard those words, I thought that Id become one of those succeeding people.

I had cast away my war-torn village to step into the path of darkness.

My resolve was different from the kids who had come here because they had no choice.

In fact, this resolve of mine allowed me to rank twenty-seven out of a thousand other children.

But still Isnt this really too much?

I went to sleep, excited about what I was to learn the very next day. And the moment I closed my eyes, a siren went off and our living quarters were destroyed within a minute. I come out confused and lost, and Im told that if I dont make it to a specific location within a set time, Im out.

The thing Ive heard when I arrived at that location was perhaps the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard.

Ooh. Ive heard forty nine had survived the first attack, but to think forty nine would be here as well As an instructor, I am exceedingly happy! I am so, so, soooo happy, in fact, it feels like I might as well be crying tears of joy right now!

His delighted voice didnt fit his cold expression at all. His chilly eyes and trembling lips almost suggested that he was restraining his laughter.

Ahh, it is said that the teachings of a teacher is akin to the heavens itself, but to think youd make me cry The gods above must be crying in joy with me as well.

Naruan looked up as if he was waiting for something, then looked down at us again.

Right. It seems that the tears of the heavens would be falling upon us soon, so prepare your umbrellas.

The first thing I had in my mind was: was he crazy?

There were not a single clouds in the sky. There didnt seem to be any sign of rain. Plus, the umbrella that was provided for us was more like a wooden branch. It was incapable of blocking a single drop of water.

Hold on, this is?

The one who rid me of my confusion was a high-pitched voice. When I turned around, I could see a girl ranked ten ranks higher than me, trainee number seventeen.

Oho. So theres already someone who can recognize the umbrella. Thisll be simple, then.

Snap.

The moment Naruan snapped his fingers, someone appeared next to him.

Make it rain.

At the same time, silver rain began to fall upon us.

From <https://ensjtrans.com/2017/05/07/rerath-chapter-1-part-2/&gt;

(TN: was mostly Ensjs translations back in the day, I just tweaked a few lines.)

***

Ahhh, its as nervewracking as ever. When a new semester starts, did my old principal feel like this when he made the same speech he always did?

But to think he could still continue with such boring words despite that, as I thought, the job of principal isnt something just anyone can do.

Youd probably need at least a mithril-grade thick face to be a principal.

Although all I did was walk up to the pedestal, a hundred pairs of eyes all came to focus on me.

There are some excited ones, nervous ones, and some completely emotionless ones.

Well, not that it matters.

Grow like weeds and become my incent