episode_0236

This duel, chaotic with armored suits, various firearms, and artifact equipment, was an unprecedented challenge for Aegis Academy.

A situation difficult to replicate even with virtual reality training or augmented reality.

However, Aegis Academy had a history of resolving minor disputes between students through duels, so they possessed ample know-how for conducting sparring matches and competitions.

Therefore, the victory conditions for this duel were relatively simple: surrender, or both sides inflicting a fatal blow that could lead to death.

Of course, the academy was very concerned about incidents like injury or death.

Restraid also did not want a student to lose their life due to the duel.

It wasn’t that chivalry or human rights awareness suddenly bloomed; from their perspective, Violet was still considered an excellent talent.

Restraid had prepared several ways to force a contract with her, using her defeat in the duel as justification.

Although the interests of the academy and the clan differed, they converged on a common goal: preventing the worst-case scenario of a student’s death in the duel.

So, they airlifted a modified training artifact device called a ‘Mutual Inhibition Synchronization Device’, or simply an ‘Inhibitor’, from an academy in the northern region.

The Inhibitor’s effect was simple.

When two people wearing Inhibitors struck each other’s vital points with a blow that could inflict a fatal injury, extreme pain and shock would be transmitted, but actual injury would be prevented.

Furthermore, the Inhibitor’s signal was directly connected to and displayed on the scoreboard.

‘So, one hit and it’s over!’

In a situation akin to real combat, Sebastian danced.

His Dominion-class lightweight armored suit moved swiftly, piercing through the groups of girls like a wolf preying on sheep.

The goal was to find the despicable main body hidden among the clones.

-Boom!

When the colossal two-handed sword, over two meters long, combined with the armored suit’s strength, its momentum was like a gale.

With every swing, a murderous aura imbued with red sword energy swept through the surroundings.

Like a scythe harvesting grain, the blade flew towards the girls.

-Swish swish! Swish!

Except for a few who were cut down by the first attack, the girls quickly scattered. Number 631, holding a shield, quickly ducked, and Number 1689 rolled on the floor to evade the blade.

“Run!”

Sebastian swung his sword again. But the girls’ movements were quite comical.

Sometimes they moved naturally, and other times they stumbled awkwardly like broken puppets.

‘There it is!’

Finding the main body wasn’t difficult. Unlike the clones, the main body was equipped with an Inhibitor.

“Stop! Violet! Don’t just run away, come out quickly!”

“Catch me if you can!”

-Swish swish!

Every time he charged, the Violets gathered and scattered as if just out of reach.

If he tried to kick, they retreated; if he swung his sword, they leaped or rolled on the floor to evade.

The spacious indoor dueling arena allowed for their escape.

‘These cowards!’

Sebastian was annoyed. He disliked how they slipped away like mosquitoes whenever he tried to catch them.

-Bang!

He leaped high to the ceiling and plunged into the middle of the group. Violet Number 125 quickly ducked to evade the attack.

“Roar!”

Instead, Numbers 1120, 61, and 982 charged. The swords and axes they held shattered instantly. Though desperate, their movements were simply dull.

-Rat-a-tat-tat!

Another group of Violets surrounded him. A barrage of fire poured from their crude rifles.

The nullification field within the armored suit activated immediately, deflecting the rifle bullets.

Though extremely crude compared to the original monster, this much was sufficient for defense.

“Get away! You dirty cheater!”

Violet Number 125, terrified, screamed. This time, the clones hurled fireballs.

‘Is that all you’ve got?’

He already knew about Violet.

There were rumors that she had fought well against the first-year professors, but to Sebastian, it sounded like an exaggeration.

Even if she had talent, she was ultimately just a rookie.

How could a foolish puppy possibly contend with a noble beast?

-Whoosh!

The magical barrier surrounding the armored suit weakened the fireballs.

Sebastian continued his charge, looking at Violet with pity.

-Clank!

Sheathing his sword, he drew out a cavalry spear.

He activated his boosters, pushing forward at extreme speed.

The main Violet desperately resisted, moving between the clones.

“No! Don’t come!”

“Just surrender!”

Crossbow bolts and bullets flew again. But they were insufficient to break Sebastian’s momentum.

-Crash!

The armored suit, flying in alone, shattered the clones’ formation.

No matter how quickly new clones were created, they vanished just as fast.

‘It’s pointless. Her magic can’t possibly keep up.’

The Armored Knight was invincible. In a head-on confrontation, no one could stand against him.

A legend was being re-enacted.

The tale of the Knight King of the ancient Kingdom of Arnor, who had overthrown foreign enemies and seized victory by braving a rain of arrows.

The armored shell, crafted with advanced science and ether engineering, allowed a distant descendant to embody that epic once more.

-Clang!

The two-handed sword was swung once more. The resisting clones’ formation collapsed. Seeing the main body trembling, Sebastian sneered.

“Violet. I’ll give you one last chance.”

“…?”

“The Mutual Inhibition Synchronizer will prevent death, but not pain. It will be quite agonizing. Why don’t you surrender now?”

The girl looked around nervously, then shrieked.

“No!”

Then she threw a can-shaped object in her hand onto the ground. A thick smoke screen enveloped the surroundings.

“Foolish!”

The multi-spectral vision device embedded in the armored suit’s helmet activated. The girl’s form was clearly visible, piercing through the smoke.

‘As expected, you’re not suited for this honorable duel. You’re just a cowardly commoner!’

Just as he was about to deliver the final blow, Violet twisted her lips and murmured.

“…lysis complete.”

Suddenly, the clones began charging with immense force.

Sebastian’s sword was blocked by their attacks. A sturdy wave pushed forward like a city wall.

“What’s going on?!”

Sebastian, caught in a forest of halberds, shouted.

Violet in the smoke moved her lips again.

「Attack pattern analysis complete.」

「Violet Command orders. Counterattack initiation, counterattack initiation. Counterattack initiation!」

**

What most vexed the Violets in this duel was none other than the duel rules.

「What? We have to attach a strange device to the main body?」

「Ugh! Then she’ll be caught too easily!」

In the public eye, Violet was just a girl with ordinary cloning abilities.

Everyone mistakenly believed that the main body controlled the clones like puppets.

There was no problem when hiding or disguising her abilities normally.

In fact, it was better to let them misunderstand.

But in the current situation, it was troublesome. For the outcome to depend on a “main body” that wasn’t even the true main body was highly annoying. And one hit would be the end.

「No!」

Of course, it was also unavoidable. We couldn’t reveal our true abilities too much.

So, in the early part of the duel, they deliberately played dumb. It was to make the opponent complacent.

「Haha! Main body, hurry and dodge!」

「They say she’s the main body!」

Of course, there was also the purpose of gathering information. They had fought Sebastian without his armored suit before, but this was the first time with him heavily armored.

Regarding his attack patterns, habits, and points of caution, Instructor Frederick, who watched the video provided by Adela Unnie, analyzed them superbly.

But that alone wasn’t enough. What was needed was physical experience.

Ultimately, countless Violets had to fall during the information gathering process.

「Ugh! My neck was cut off!」

「I was split in two!」

Through the sacrifices and trial-and-error of countless Violets, they finally perfectly analyzed his attack methods.

When the pre-acquired information combined with practical combat experience, Violet succeeded in adapting.

The result was this.

“H-how are they dodging!”

Number 1, who was looking at the Violet tactical map, extended a hand. As the red dot on the map rapidly approached, she immediately scattered the friendly dots.

The clones, receiving the scatter order, dispersed in an orderly fashion.

The instructed Violet then provides feedback to the instructing Violet.

「The timing was late! Next time, 3 seconds faster!」

「Command directive! 10 o’clock to the left! Cavalry spear attack expected! All evacuate, clones 242 and 885 block with shields!」

The Violet giving orders receives orders.

The Violet receiving orders gives orders again.

Dozens of feedback exchanges in the blink of an eye.

I controlled myself.

Cold sweat streamed down my body, but at the same time, I felt a strange thrill.

「Good, I’ve completely figured out his attack patterns now!」

Sebastian’s skill was indeed overwhelming. With the armored suit added, it was like giving wings to a tiger.

「As expected. Firearms won’t work!」

「Crossbows too! They don’t pierce!」

But if it doesn’t hit, it’s meaningless.

-Boom!

Sebastian’s red-glowing two-handed sword cleaved through the air. The surrounding atmosphere rippled with a powerful shockwave.

「Disperse and re-group! Equip halberds!」

But the clones scattered in all directions without a superfluous movement.

As if they knew his movements beforehand, they perfectly evaded where the blade would strike.

“What? What’s going on?!”

Sebastian, clearly flustered, shouted. Seeing his reaction, Command gained confidence. Victory seemed possible.

「Push him! Pressure him with polearms!」

A desperate close-quarters battle ensued, but the clones were unfazed. Instead, they launched a fierce assault, pressuring him.

“Damn it! Get out of the way!”

The armored suit’s shoulders unfolded. A barrage of small guided missiles spewed forth.

「Shield team! Protect 125!」

「Push him! Pressure him with polearms!」

Amidst explosions and smoke, the Violets resisted. But he ultimately broke through the formation and approached the ‘main body.’

“I’ll finish you!”

-Clang!

The sword he swung confidently was suddenly blocked. Two Violets were facing him.

“I-it can’t be. How can a clone…”

Presumably, his eyes inside the helmet must have been shaking as if in an earthquake.

「Simulation activated!」

Because that swordsmanship wasn’t mine!

“Instructor-nim! Please! Irene. Let’s go!”

“Alright! That silver-spoon brat. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

“Okay, Violet. Ready?”

The long-range proxy combat they had used when facing Professor Masus was resurrected.

This time, it was a staggering 2:1.

“Why?”

-Clang! Clang!

Two Violets, using different sword and spear techniques, charged one after another. Confused, Sebastian extended his left hand.

「Be careful! He’s using an artifact!」

A strange device on his wrist rotated, then poured out magical bullets.

While the Violets with shields rushed forward to take the bullets with their bodies, a new Violet, wielding a rapier, charged in.

“Adela Unnie! Please!”

“Alright! I’ll give it a try!”

-Whoosh!

“I-it can’t be. This rapier swordsmanship, surely not!”

The 2:1 battle had now become a 3:1 battle. Because Adela Unnie had intervened in the proxy combat.

“Impossible. Just a first-year!”

“Too much talk!”

The rapier-wielding Violet delivered a quick thrust.

As he was flustered by the elegant yet deadly movements, a sturdy thrust from a long spear approached from his right. Although there was no actual damage, he gradually began to hesitate.

「Artifact use initiated!」

And then, intense flames flared directly in front of him.

The armored figure flinched at the flames spewing from the blade of scorching light.

「Now! Formation. Charge!」

A company of Violets armed with polearms seized the moment and charged.

「Command orders. Team 1, target the knee joints! Team 2, target the shoulders and inner arms! Teams 3 and 4, target the boosters and artifacts!」

「Commence!」

-Clang! Clang!

A heavy barrage of halberds struck the armored suit.

The instant an opening appeared, Number 621 quickly thrust a glaive into the back of the armored suit’s knee.

Number 1372 slammed a warhammer into the shoulder joint.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Ugh!”

With successive blows, Sebastian’s movements began to dull. The armored suit wasn’t invincible.

He continued to resist, and Violets kept dying, but they didn’t stop.

No, they couldn’t stop.

Because the only way to defeat that wicked knight was with ultra-democratic Violet tactics.

-Bang! Bang!

The surrounding clones, positioned around him, simultaneously fired their large-caliber rifles.

Bullets, comparable to autocannon shells, rained down and embedded themselves into the armored suit.

“Broken Arrow!”

「Melt Beam activated!」

「Electric attack initiated!」

-Zzzzt!

In addition, various offensive magic poured down.

The training ground floor cracked. The walls were scorched.

Intense heat, flashing sparks, and thunderous explosions shook the battlefield.

“Ugh!”

「Boosters neutralized!」

As all sorts of attacks concentrated on him, Sebastian’s movements grew even slower.

Was it because the armored suit’s joints had been hit?

It was at that very moment.

「Now! Lightning Spear!」

Clone 2011, not missing the opportunity, plunged into the opening.

-Thud!

A spear, imbued with sharp magical energy, pierced his shoulder.

As the heavy spear, slightly piercing the armor, created friction with the ether shield, an explosion occurred.

-Boom!

Sebastian staggered from the shock that penetrated the armor.

Previous attacks had been blocked by the armor and shield, failing to inflict significant damage, but this was different.

The Lightning Spear, a fatal blow that pierced defenses and directly destroyed the interior.

“Aargh!”

「It hit!」

With the explosion, part of the armor fell off. White smoke was now rising from the armored suit.

「Lightning Spear works!」

Sebastian screamed, but he hadn’t fallen yet.

Since there was no special signal on the scoreboard, it didn’t seem to be a fatal injury.

“Not yet… Not yet! I, I’m not finished yet.”

He took off his helmet and staggered closer.

His distorted face, gritting his teeth as he approached me, was utterly sickening.

「How is he so durable?」

Over a hundred Violets densely surrounded him from all sides.

Now was the time to end this battle.

“Surrender!”

He shook his head.

“Violet. I acknowledge your skill. Perhaps I misjudged you.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“But there will be no surrender.”

Just as a hundred Violets were about to finish him off, a torrent of magic exploded from his body.

“A knight never turns his back on an enemy!”

Where did he get such strength? He broke through the Violets’ blockade and charged at main body 125.

「Keep scanning!」

Swords clashed. In a pure one-on-one confrontation. Sebastian’s two-handed sword came down vertically.

I dodge and counter. He’s noticeably slower than before, but still manageable to evade.

I see his attack. Much clearer than before.

-Screech!

Two red magical energies collided successively. Amidst the beautiful, blood-like flash, I admired it and swung my weapon.

Forgetting the remote simulation for a moment, I exchanged blows with him as if mesmerized.

「Swing, faster! Faster!」

I urged myself on, whipping myself forward. The sword I wielded grew faster. The knight before me became progressively slower.

“Not yet. I-!”

Sebastian retreated for a moment, caught his breath, then attempted a final charge.

Even higher sword energy surged from his sword than before.

I realized.

That was his last stand.

But the power was considerable. If I got hit, I’d die in one blow.

「Command orders. Main body retreat, finish him with Lightning Spear and a volley of fire!」

「Yes, no. That’s too late.」

His sword came down diagonally. From my left shoulder to my chest.

Should I dodge? No. We calculated.

Somewhere in the network, a better method flowed in.

Rough breaths stabbing my lungs. A fiercely pounding heart.

Each breath, each beat, gradually slowed.

「Huh?」

「The world stopped!」

Sebastian stood blankly, eyes wide open.

For some reason, we Violets realized. We had to run fast.

Faster, unassailable by anyone. Faster than the armored knight who had accelerated with boosters just now,

Someone seemed to whisper in my ear.

-This Haix, Type 1…

I burned magic as fuel.

My body accelerated. It felt like I had to.

The target was his neck, or his head.

-Thud!

The waves of the halted world returned to reality once more.

「Huh?」

Sebastian, who had been in front of me, vanished.

I turned my head, dumbfounded.

“Ugh…”

For some reason, he had collapsed behind me. I scratched my head and approached.

“Why? Huh…”

A signal announcing the end of the duel rang out. Short and sharp.

The scoreboard indicated my victory.

“Violet! Congratulations!”

The dueling arena doors opened, and my friends rushed in.

Only then did I come to my senses.

Ah, that’s right. I won.

“Yay! I won!”

I jumped up and down excitedly.