Chapter 26: Midnight Invitation: A Legion Commander’s Offer

“On page 394, second paragraph, third sentence, the exchange of mana and energy…”

‘Raven Pest. That is my name. Student Arthur.’

He didn’t call me “Arthur.”

But there’s no reason for her to lie.

Too much time has passed.

I’ve met the person I thought I’d never see again.

Perhaps because of that, I couldn’t think straight.

My thoughts spiraled, either too aggressive or too devoted.

“Sigh…”

“I think I should be the one sighing. If you’re not going to focus on the lesson, leave.”

The teacher lecturing on Imperial magic studies at the front spoke with an annoyed expression.

Darker skin and a much larger physique compared to the other students and teachers.

He’s a new teacher from the North.

I haven’t heard his name.

Hmm. Focus on the lesson…I don’t think I can, in this state.

Screech!

I pushed my chair back and walked towards the classroom door.

The teacher said with a dumbfounded expression,

“What a delinquent.”

“I apologize. I can’t focus right now.”

Bang!

Ah, I made a mistake.

I closed the door with the hand that was fiddling with the Holy Sword.

Due to my excessive strength enhancement, the door rattled precariously.

“…What should I do now?”

First, I need to sleep.

I didn’t sleep a wink last night.

After that…what should I do?

In a life always filled with responsibilities, I suddenly have nothing to do.

Should I train? Or…Teacher Raven…

“Ugh…Holy Sword.”

‘What is it, Arthur?’

Do you know where the other Holy Swords are?

 

***

 

“Was I too impulsive?”

Maintaining a ‘concept’ is so lonely.

Because I can’t show my true self to anyone.

In other words, I always have to act, hiding my true feelings.

I haven’t met Arthur since I told him the truth, but…

If Arthur’s reaction is strange, other students might get suspicious.

“Ugh, whatever. It’ll work out somehow.”

The infirmary is empty.

On a sunlit shelf, there’s a small note.

Written in yellow on black paper, a rather unique note.

To Raven Pest.

Look at the moon at midnight tonight.

I will give you a chance to shed your filthy blood.

I don’t even need to deduce who wrote this.

It must be one of the Demon King’s army.

No sexual innuendos, so it’s not Lerajie. One of the Legion Commanders I don’t know must have written it…

The problem is the phrase, “a chance to shed your filthy blood.”

These are words used when recruiting talent into the Demon King’s army.

Someone filled with resentment and anger towards the world, enough to want to join the Demon King’s army.

And someone powerful enough to be of use to the Demon King.

Filthy blood. The blood that flows in human bodies.

Not the bloodline of a specific race or family, but blood itself.

If you accept the offer, blood will no longer flow through your body.

Demons, through whom mana flows instead of blood, abhor blood.

But…

“Did I seem that resentful towards the world?”

That’s the biggest question.

Looking at my actions so far,

I almost killed the Headmaster and the Inquisitor.

Fought the Hero, broke a few limbs…

“…I must have seemed that way.”

Extremely so.

Hmm…midnight, huh.

Around that time, I’ll be finished showering and reading in my room.

Meeting them isn’t a bad idea.

If things go south, I’ll just kill a Legion Commander.

Click…

I took Durandal out of my bag and looked at it.

The black and white auras flowed faintly.

There’s no better weapon for killing a Legion Commander.

Creak!

“Teacher! This bastard’s arm is broken!!!”

“Aagh! Aaagh!!!”

“Lay him down there.”

First, I need to finish today’s work.

I tossed Durandal into my bag and approached the injured.

A male student’s arm was bent in the wrong direction.

“Was he kicked with physical enhancement?”

“What? Physical enhancement?!”

“Yes. This kind of injury is impossible without physical enhancement. This student seems to work out regularly.”

The student who brought the injured frowned and said.

A hint of anger laced his voice.

“It was a no-physical-enhancement soccer game.”

“Ah, a foul. I’ll acknowledge the forfeit.”

Academy students these days are scary.

My hotel room.

I glanced at the clock. 11:59 PM.

Soon.

Creak…

I opened the window and quietly said,

“Fly.”

A feeling of weightlessness washes over me.

Buttoning my coat, I jumped out the window.

I don’t accelerate downwards.

Slowly, my body rises, and I look up at the sky.

Before the full-fledged industrial revolution, the Empire’s night sky is dazzling.

The Milky Way flows serenely amidst countless stars.

Shooting stars streak across the darkness.

A beautiful sight I wouldn’t have been able to see even if I paid for it in my past life.

And shining brightest among them all,

the full moon.

I sense shadows lurking behind the soft moonlight.

Each one stronger than Lerajie.

Did they think it would be dangerous to send only one?

Smart, but it’ll just take longer.

“Raven Pest, wielder of plagues.”

The smallest of the shadows reveals itself beneath the moonlight.

A young girl, with a large horn protruding from her head.

Long, white hair, unlike my shimmering silver.

Her yellow eyes hold the unmistakable gaze of a predator.

Her voice resonates strangely.

“I am Valentina of Wrath. Second only to the Demon King.”

“I’m aware. The strongest magical power among the shadows.”

Can I win if I fight her now?

She’s the first opponent since my reincarnation to make me doubt myself.

Magic power? Of course, I’d win, with my EX rank. If we’re only considering magic power.

But her physical strength clearly surpasses mine.

Was she a dragon before becoming a demon? No, that doesn’t make sense.

Valentina smiled faintly and approached me gracefully.

Then, standing directly in front of me, she looked up.

Despite being a pretty little girl, I didn’t find her cute.

Perhaps because she’s not human. Like looking at a painting.

“I won’t bother asking. It’s the difference between the ocean and a puddle, isn’t it?”

“Then your body is beyond my reach.”

Valentina, seeing my non-hostile stance, gestured behind her.

Though weaker than Valentina, they were stronger than Despair, Lerajie’s knight.

“Kudos of Envy. Specializes in ability replication.”

She wears a blindfold.

Her ears are also covered, making me wonder if she can even hear.

“Kudos envies all. The beauty she sees, the purity she hears.”

Valentina gestured towards Kudos, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Her gesture is laced with a disgust so potent it’s impossible to miss.

So the Legion Commanders aren’t exactly friendly.

“If you join us, I can eliminate her and offer you her position.”

“Can Kudos not hear us?”

“She can. What of it? I don’t particularly care for those who thrive on inferiority.”

Kudos, despite the insult, hung her head.

Since they’re all trash anyway, I didn’t feel any sympathy.

Valentina looked at me with anticipation in her eyes.

Perhaps because of her childlike body, she can’t hide her emotions well.

“So, what do you say to our offer? For your information, if you join us, I can offer you any position except Wrath.”

“Are there that many vacancies?”

“No. Only ‘Arrogance’ is vacant. The rest are just trash I dislike. If you join us, I’ll dispose of them myself.”

Valentina quietly manipulated her mana.

Black mana, tinged with a faint yellow glow, coalesced into the form of a massive sword.

Three times the size of Valentina herself.

Slowly raising the sword, Valentina said, a hint of laughter in her voice,

“I’ve lived for over six thousand years, but I follow the Demon King only because of a contract, not because he is stronger than me.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. But you…you ignite a fire within me. Perhaps I was born to die by your hand.”

What a chilling thing to say.

But Valentina’s laughter is filled with pure joy.

She’s quite the madwoman.

Rumble…

Every movement of the greatsword sends tremors through the air.

A sword as if all the mass in the world was compressed into a single point.

It’s my beloved sword. I can eliminate her, that vulgar Lerajie, that frivolous Janinang… even Gargantua.

Even if it were the Demon King. If you join us. If only you join us. I can slaughter them all for you with this sword.

Valentina’s actions are a warning, a declaration.

She’s proclaiming herself the strongest among the Demon King’s army.

Asserting her dominance, her unmatched power.

Wait…is she stronger than the Demon King?

I haven’t finished the novel, so I don’t know the extent of her power, but

judging by this suffocating presence, it doesn’t seem like an empty boast.

Well.

I made up my mind while showering.

After pretending to consider for a moment, I extended my hand.

“It’s a pleasure. Raven of Arrogance.”

“The pleasure is all mine, my friend.”

I removed my glove and offered my left hand.