Here is the translation of your text into English, with equivalent English sayings to match the original meanings:
CHAPTER 29 – Stand on Business
Erwin’s Point of View
“You’re kidding, right?”
The question echoed through the silent corridors of the academy, and for a few seconds, there was no answer. Following the class’s reaction when Professor Valentin spoke of this test, I had sensed that this so-called trial would be challenging, but I could never have imagined something like this.
For a moment, I thought it was a tasteless joke, an attempt to intimidate me. But Oscar’s nervous and sad look made me realize that he wasn't joking at all.
[Damn, another test in just over a week?!]
Irritation washed over me: I had been admitted to the academy by the skin of my teeth. Against all odds, I was there, and after so many hardships, I believed I deserved a moment to relax a bit. Instead, here was my stay threatened by yet another surprise exam.
In that moment, anger mixed with confusion. Claire, who had taken it upon herself to explain everything to us, should have warned me. Why didn’t she? I remembered her unusual agitation. Had she forgotten? Hard to say, but at that moment, I couldn’t afford to think about it too much in that moment.
[Focus, keep your cool…] I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I needed to stay calm and learn more about this test.
“Could you give me more details about this test, please? And first of all, could you explain this story of the sections to me?”
“S-Sure” - Oscar stammered - “As you know, we in Section C are seen as the least gifted of the academy, while Sections B and A house the talents and prodigies, respectively. The students of the higher sections receive the best instructions, while we are entitled to basic lessons to fill in our gaps..”
“In general, in the first year, 65% of freshmen end up in Section C, 25% in B, and the remaining 10% in A. But Veras Academy aims to be the best in Mykotos and the world. Therefore, they have devised a selection for us in C, with special tests. If you score at least 6 out of 10 on these tests, you’re safe; otherwise, you’re out.”
"For this reason, everyone tries to leave Section C as soon as possible, facing a monthly promotion test that offers the chance to advance. But few can actually pass the test, given the difficulty and variety of the test. Many, therefore, choose to remain in the turbulent ‘waters’ of Section C, which is a mistake; indeed, the courses for Section C students last three years, during which one must advance in rank; if at the end of the 3 years you fail to be promoted to a higher section, then you are expelled with immediate effect”
[...Diabolical.] That was my first thought. Now I understood why Claire had avoided the topic: explaining such a thing to a newcomer was like snuffing out their soul. And now I knew why Elaine, upon discovering I was in Section C, had laughed so ambiguously… I was sure we would never get along, with that girl with those big and ugly pointed ears!
At that moment, I wanted to scream, destroy everything, but at the same time, I knew that it would not lead to anything, since I was well aware that things would be difficult for me, given my “situation.” This obstacle, although annoying and worrisome, did not slow down my plans much.
“You seem calm…” - Oscar murmured, observing me with an ambiguous look - “Usually, those who discover all this go off the deep end… But you seem too calm…”
“Calm? No, I’m not…”
Perhaps I appeared serene, as I tried to mask my fears and not be overwhelmed by anxiety. But I had already faced extreme situations where my very life was at stake. So, although worried about the test, I was not terrified. And then, I had promised myself not to be disturbed by anything and to face every challenge with determination.
“Anyway, what kind of test awaits us?”
“It’s a practical test” - Oscar replied - “Being aspiring Meele class magicians, we face a 1-on-1 duel with precise rules that are chosen the day before the exam…”
“Did you say… 1 vs 1 combat?!” At that moment, my heart rejoiced, finally heaving a sigh of relief; if it was a 1 vs 1 fight, then I could be more than calm!
“Thank goodness… I thought it was something more complicated!” Oscar looked at me with a stunned expression, as if I had said something serious; then, his expression began to change, taking on a slightly annoyed and angry look.
“Something more complicated? Do you think it’s a game? Just because you’ve beaten up some idiot doesn’t mean this test is a walk in the park!” I didn’t know exactly what I had said that was so serious to change Oscar’s mood; the only thing I was sure of was that for Oscar, this test was indeed complex.
Although I wasn’t good with words, and sometimes I could seem rude, I was good at understanding what people thought, since for years I had dealt with Ron, whose facial expression and behavior is comparable to that of an amoeba.
[Maybe… I shouldn’t have speaked so carefree…]
After a few moments of silence, Oscar spoke again;
“S-sorry if I overreacted a bit… It’s just that during the last test, I risked expulsion. So, seeing you so relaxed… it bothered me, that’s all.”
In Oscar, I saw the same insecurity, and in a sense, that sense of inferiority that accompanied me for some time. I knew what it meant not to feel up to par, and I knew what it meant to have the anxiety of failing at any moment. I could have ignored him and left him to his fate, but if I had done so, I would probably have felt guilty. And then, it was also an opportunity to make a new friend!
“I understand… You know, I’m pretty good at fighting, so if you want, I can give you some tips. What do you say?”
*End of Erwin’s P.O.V*
----
*Meanwhile, in the academy’s training room*
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“Hello, my name is Brenin and my goal is to become the strongest aspiring magical knight in the academy. I hope to establish a good relationship with all of you.”
With these words, Brenin introduced himself to his classmates, expressing his thoughts frankly. His statement, as bold as it was genuine, left everyone, including the professor of that class, agape; no one had ever dared to make such a bold claim on their first day; not for lack of confidence in their abilities, but because they were aware of the “monsters” present in the academy.
Just standing out in the midst of all these talents was already something very difficult, let alone becoming the No. 1 student in a given category of mages.
When Brenin uttered those words, after an initial moment of surprise and disbelief, many students stared at him with disapproval, while others began to murmur against him, whispering the worst insinuations.
The professor, whose name was Dwiel Montrez, noticing the growing tension, tried to intervene before the situation escalated. - “H-Hahah, I see you have great ambitions, eh? But know that in this class there are many talented students with the same goal as you. I hope this leads to fair competition!”
Brenin stared at the professor for a moment, then began to slowly scan his classmates with a bored expression that did not betray his thoughts. After a silence in which he said not a word nor made a gesture, he sighed lightly and turned his gaze to the professor.
“Professor, I doubt anyone here can really compete with me… However, I believe they can be somewhat challenging to help me reach my goal. In a sense, I look forward to training with them.”
Again, silence. Dwiel was speechless; he understood that Brenin had not spoken with malice or arrogance, but his statement was too presumptuous to be ignored.
If at first the students were just annoyed by the "innocent" presentation of their new comrade, they were now furious, giving him threatening looks that would have intimidated anyone but Brenin, seemingly unconcerned.
[Why are they so angry?] Brenin asked himself, unaware that he was the cause of the discontent.
The professor was about to say something to calm the mood, but before he could speak, a boy with long black hair stepped forward, challenging Brenin with his gaze.
"You-you think you are so strong that you can afford to be so arrogant?"
Brenin looked at him surprised, as if he had asked him an obvious question.
"I am not lying. One only has to observe you to see that there is a gulf between you and me. Ask the professor if you don't believe me," Brenin replied confidently, pointing to the professor who would have liked to shush him.
"You stupid idiot-"
Before Dwiel could reprimand him, the class erupted in an angry uproar, demanding that the coordinator refute Brenin, convinced that he could not judge their level just by a glance.
[I wish I could say otherwise, but this idiot...] thought the professor, who, although he hated to admit it, sensed that Brenin was different from the others, even though he had not yet seen him at work and despite the fact that his mana was not exceptional.
His belief in superiority was irritating, but he was not entirely sure it was wrong, given the boy's confidence.
[...he's probably just bluffing.]
"Professor ... can you answer us, please? Why are you silent?" insisted the long-haired boy, frustrated by the professor's silence.
"M-Maybe not guys, he's exaggerating, I'm sure he didn't mean-"
"Then I'll face anyone in a sparring match" - interrupted Brenin, without much courtesy, irritating the coordinator - "I don't like to pass as a liar. I said I am the strongest not because I believe it, but because I am, and I only need to observe you to understand that. If you do not believe me, then I will convince you now, right away."
"You..."
The class stirred, and some students were ready to challenge him, while Brenin, unaware of the chaos he had unleashed, was ready to fight and prove his worth. The atmosphere in the gymnasium was electric, and not even the professor's intervention could have calmed tempers, except temporarily.
[This boy is a complete idiot!] thought the professor, who had never seen a student so arrogant but at the same time so sincere and confident.
He would have liked to reprimand him publicly, give him a note or punish him, but he felt that doing something like this Brenin would be useless.
Moreover, he was curious to find out why, after four months of starting classes, Brenin had been admitted to the academy; it was a rare occurrence, and in years of teaching he had never seen anything like it.
So, Dwiel decided to take advantage of the opportunity: the students were eager to give Brenin a lesson; Brenin wanted to prove himself right....
The class coordinator saw an opportunity to dispel any doubts, animosity, and selfishness that might have undermined class harmony: if Brenin was really that strong, everyone would try to outdo him, creating healthy competition; if he was just bluffing, being humiliated by his classmates would downsize his ego.
Moreover, seeing him in action would have satisfied his curiosity about the new student's abilities.
"Well, since you insist, I'm going to have you fight against five of the best in this class, so you can prove your point--of course, the use of one's element is prohibited. Is that okay?"
"...All right, that's fair to the others" Brenin replied, eager to prove his worth, further irritating his comrades, who were fed up with him. Without hesitation, he walked over to the cabinet full of weapons and picked up the first wooden sword that seemed adequate.
"mmh, not bad..." said Brenin, who in the next instant, made some quick sword movements; none of the pupils were surprised by such a gesture, except for the professor, who had noticed how clean and linear Brenin's sword movements were.
[...This could be interesting.] "Good! The first to face him will be...?"
Before the professor could choose the first challenger, the boy who had shown a particular animosity toward Brenin moments earlier stepped forward with a menacing manner and wielding a wooden sword similar to Brenin's, not even waiting for the class coordinator to designate the challenger.
"Long Hair..." said Brenin, who still did not know the name of the challenger in front of him.
"My name is not long hair..." - said the boy stymied, annoyed by Brenin's cheeky way of doing things - "My name is Kyle, you bastard."
"Kyle...okay, understood. So thank you, Kyle" said Brenin with a calm tone of voice, catching Brenin a little surprise Kyle.
"Why the hell should you thank me?"
"Because you're giving me a chance to show that I'm right."
Kyle at that moment blurted out, and without waiting for the go-ahead from the professor, he decided to attack Brenin, intending to do him uniquely evil.
[Damn it! I still haven't...What!]
The professor, who was in the process of to intervene to stop the sudden assault of Kyle, was shocked to seeing what happened the next instant: in fact, Brenin, from the moment moment he stood before his opponent, was already ready for the fight, and as a result,
he was alert to his opponent's every slightest movement.
[I see it clearly... the trajectory of his attack is...]
Using the outer part of his sword and with swift and surgical movement, Brenin swung with his wrist from the outside to the inside, and then went to strike Kyle's sword and deflecting its trajectory, leaving his opponent very stunned, convinced that his surprise attack would be successful.
The movement, in addition to being quick and precise, also encompassed much strength, to the point that, the moment the blow was deflected, Kyle did not have the strength to counter the inertia of the sword deflected, being disarmed in the next instant and thus finding himself with his body totally exposed.
Thus seizing the newly created opportunity, Brenin wasted no time, and before Kyle could even try to contrive, he struck swiftly and forcefully on his opponent's forearm; the blow was dry and precise, to the point that, although it seemed a trivial, Kyle fell to his knees holding his forearm and releasing a scream of pain that echoed through the room startling everyone, including the professor.
The professor was stunned by the ease and composure with which Erwin had simultaneously disarmed and counterattacked Kyle's surprise attack; it was not a complex technique to learn, but it was difficult to accomplish since it required the right timing and the right mastery to give to the blow the same effect given by Brenin.
And for the professor, a kid of that age was not supposed to have that kind of timing and right mastery, as it required an experience that he certainly could not mature at such a young age.
"Do you want to continue?" asked Brenin, who observed Kyle with a cold and bored look.
Kyle wanted to grab the sword, but then, he realized that, in addition to his arm was completely sore, that simple exchange of strikes was enough for him to realize the difference in skill between them.
Thus, Kyle lowered his gaze, making it clear to Brenin and the entire class, that he no longer had the intention to fight.
"Just as i though..." - said Brenin, who, after having destroyed on all fronts his enemy both physically and mental level, turned toward the class, pointing his wooden sword at them, confidently - "Next."
END OF CHAPTER 29 - Stand on Business.