Ch.108Red Sea (2)

The news spread quickly.

The authority of the professors, which had never been shaken since the academy’s founding.

A student had boldly challenged that authority, and everyone who heard the news was equally shocked.

It was a situation no one could have imagined even in their dreams.

And the opponent was Cadel Evans.

Despite his young age, he stood at the center of the academy and was treated as the de facto leader among the faculty.

Except for the headmaster, he was essentially the number one figure at Gallimar.

And toward such an influential person…

“Besides, I don’t think there’s anything to learn from you.”

“Wouldn’t it be a waste of my potential to reach the stars if I remained under such mediocre guidance?”

Along with those articulate retorts.

“You are the challenger.”

He even delivered a line that would be remembered in academy history, leaving the watching students utterly shocked.

His characteristically playful tone made it sound almost mocking.

Of course, there was sufficient justification to rebuke him for insulting a teacher, but since the declaration of war was directed at a professor, it inevitably caused a stir.

The already heated atmosphere of the academy following the practical exam was being further fueled.

Heated discussions continued for a short period.

“Right after the practical exam ends, we get another good show.”

“The outcome is too obvious… but isn’t that what makes it interesting?”

“Let’s just grab some popcorn and watch.”

“This is our chance to see just how high the top student’s scores can go.”

“Even if he’s the top student, won’t he lose?”

“That’s stating the obvious. Realistically, can he match a professor?”

“Anyway, I’m looking forward to this showdown.”

The Faculty Challenge.

The attention of students who had finished their practical exams shifted in this direction.

Under the downpour of interest, heavier than summer monsoon rains, the date of the event was steadily approaching day by day.

With the event now just a day away, the atmosphere was intensifying, but the person in question…

“Hoho… what lovely weather.”

Was simply gazing up at the clear sky.

***

Over the past few days.

There had been many worried comments from those around me.

Was it because of my bold declaration of war?

While other students viewed the situation with excitement, those close to me were visibly anxious and restless.

Of course, those who knew my abilities seemed unconcerned, but…

“M-Master… w-what are we going to do…?”

“Miss Lezia.”

Our protagonist was not among them.

The girl with green eyes was on the verge of tears.

I had to comfort her as she grieved as if the world was ending.

She was so anxious about the possibility of me being humiliated that she clutched my sleeve tightly while shedding dewdrop-like tears.

Even in the midst of this, she clung to me as if trying to give me strength.

“Y-you’ll definitely w-win magnificently…!”

“Thank you for your faith.”

“You’ve always believed in me, Master. S-so I don’t want to worry, b-but I keep feeling anxious…”

“Everything will be fine.”

“I-I’ll be cheering for you…!”

Lezia sent me such fervent support.

Her eyes were filled with determination.

As I patted her head, feeling touched by her concern, the rose in the wheelchair casually asked a question.

It was closer to a direct inquiry than what our protagonist would make.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Your Highness.”

“I still don’t know much about the academy… but I roughly understand how formidable these professors are. My sister explained quite a bit.”

“I never expected Your Highness to worry about me.”

“There you go again with unnecessary comments.”

Her tone was prickly, but she seemed genuinely concerned.

After all, she too was unaware of my abilities.

She only knew that I wielded mysterious powers, but had never seen me engage in combat with them.

In that sense, Elise’s concern was natural.

I smiled gently and resumed pushing the wheelchair that had stopped.

At the same time, I answered.

“I’m actually quite strong, you know.”

“How strong?”

“You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

“You’re overflowing with confidence.”

“A knight who guards the stars must have skills worthy of the position, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You’re a physician, not a knight.”

“Hoho.”

“Anyway, I’ll look forward to it.”

The pilot and the rose.

Both showed signs of concern, but they still seemed to trust me.

Would it be foolish to say I was grateful for such trust?

Besides, it wasn’t really an event worth worrying about.

There were no disadvantages to losing, and we were scheduled to face each other in the challenge anyway.

It just attracted more attention than other matches.

‘It’s not that I dislike the concern.’

I simply didn’t want to see my dear ones looking distressed.

I just needed to show them clearly this time.

I thought about this as I waited for the approaching date.

Then, a day before the event, I received concern from an unexpected person.

None other than my master.

“About tomorrow’s challenge.”

While helping with paperwork as part of my assistant duties, the woman sitting across from me suddenly spoke.

Her crimson, lifeless pupils were looking at me.

As usual, the bottle in her hand was brimming with alcohol.

She spoke indifferently.

“You don’t have to push yourself.”

“I’ve already thrown down the gauntlet.”

“They won’t care much anyway. Their target is me, not you, Judas. If I persuade them, they’ll let it go without much fuss.”

“Persuade… I don’t think they’ll listen.”

“They will. I might have to kneel, but… I don’t particularly value honor anyway.”

“I must decline.”

Selena casually offering to kneel.

Was it because of her naturally indifferent personality?

It seemed that indifference extended to herself as well.

I declined her offer with an awkward smile.

“So you think I’ll lose.”

“I’m just being realistic.”

She didn’t seem to consider the possibility of victory at all.

Her attitude was like waiting for a predetermined future.

I didn’t feel particularly hurt.

Although they called it an event pitting assistants against professors, there was an enormous gap between the two in reality.

It would be strange to predict an assistant’s victory from the start.

The reason they established this was simply to demonstrate the overwhelming difference between students and professors.

They were all a group of exceptional individuals—heroes from the Great Purge era, former royal knights commanders, church cardinals, and more. How could mere budding students defeat them?

It was all an event to emphasize the academy’s prestige.

“Professor Cadel is strong.”

From what I’d heard, that man was also a monster.

He was appointed as the youngest tower master at the age of fifteen, but suddenly lost interest in academics and took a faculty position at the academy. The exact reason was never revealed even in the game’s lore.

Although ten years had passed and his career as a mage was relatively short…

He was still spoken of as a legendary talent in the industry.

Given this, it was inevitable to predict defeat.

‘I must have looked quite insane.’

This was, well, how should I put it?

Right.

It probably looked like a fight between an elephant and a snake.

Of course, a snake’s venom might kill an elephant, but it’s hard to accept in general perception.

The scene I was about to show would be a miracle that breaks that perception.

I calmly added.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Then I won’t interfere further.”

The drunkard withdrew obediently.

A brief silence descended.

The woman, who seemed about to close her lips, finally voiced one last question she had been holding.

Her purple hair, falling loosely, swayed precariously.

“This is a personal question.”

“Feel free to ask.”

“I’m curious why you went so far as to issue a challenge.”

The crimson pupils reflected the blond boy perfectly.

Eyes completely devoid of any vitality.

I paused slightly before answering.

“I was bothered by the situation where you were being insulted.”

“For me?”

“You’ve helped me a lot as my master. I think I got angry at the thought of someone I rely on being insulted.”

“Someone you rely on… We merely had aligned interests.”

That’s true.

We might just be a master-disciple relationship formed by contract.

But.

“Relationships… naturally begin with mutual interest.”

They can change in countless ways.

Taming is something that cannot be defined in human language, and at the same time, it’s an unpredictable inner pulsation.

I faced the woman with a vague emotion.

“We’ll be together for at least three years. Since I bear the title of your disciple, I don’t want to be false to that designation.”

“……”

A statement that took one step closer to the other person.

I smiled gently.

As if responding to that smile, the woman froze.

Some past memory seemed to flicker in her empty gaze.

She appeared lost in thought for a moment, then collected herself and changed the subject.

Subtly averting her gaze.

“Anyway, I wish you good luck.”

“I’ll do my best with that encouragement.”

An awkward atmosphere flowed between us.

The woman tilted her bottle and filled her mouth with alcohol for no particular reason.

As if overlapping something with the boy looking at her, her furrowed brow revealed complex emotions.

I pretended not to notice and looked away.

‘Reminds me of the old days.’

A fleeting monologue.

With a bitter smile I couldn’t swallow, I finished the paperwork.

***

After several noisy days.

The Faculty Challenge.

The day of the event everyone had been anticipating finally arrived.

The venue was the same public training ground surrounded by numerous spectator seats as the previous practical exam.

I stood with my feet on the wide circular arena.

“It’s been quite a while.”

I murmured, looking around.

My view was filled with spectator seats packed with numerous onlookers.

It was already a popular event, but due to the challenge I had issued to Professor Cadel spreading by word of mouth, seats that would normally be sparsely occupied were completely filled.

I remained calm, having experienced similar situations before.

Waaah-!

With the cheers behind me, my eyes met with the person standing opposite me.

My partner for today’s show.

The young man with folded arms spoke as if surprised.

“I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”

“I told you I would.”

“I wonder what you were thinking when you entered this match. Surely you don’t seriously believe you can defeat a professor?”

“Your words sound exactly like what I heard from Senior Ian back then.”

Like master, like disciple, I suppose.

I recalled the poor senior who had become a dance machine in front of the entire school.

“It was an enjoyable memory.”

“The person involved seems to consider it a nightmare.”

“How sad.”

“Since we’re having this match, I don’t intend to go easy on you. While I haven’t taken your previous provocation to heart, as a professor, I can’t afford to be careless.”

“The same goes for me. I’m not one to shy away from challenges.”

“Ha! Let’s see how long that arrogance lasts.”

Cadel sneered openly.

He pulled out a palm-sized wand from his waist, gathered mana at its tip, and took his stance.

In response, I concentrated shadows around me.

Then, drawing a sword, I aimed its pitch-black blade precisely at my opponent.

The announcer’s voice rang out through the cool breeze.

《Faculty members, please stand by at your positions.》

《The match format will be a duel. The match ends when one opponent is subdued or incapacitated.》

《Additionally, the match will end if one side surrenders.》

The rules were identical to the regular practical exam.

Shortly after, the center referee flipped a coin into the air.

The spinning image touched the ground.

Clang-!

The signal for the duel rang out.

Immediately.

Kwaaaang-!

Two spells shot rapidly collided in mid-air.

A spike of shadow shot sharply, and an arrow of concentrated water. Their destructive powers clashed, sending sparks and shockwaves in all directions.

The first clash announced the start with a bang.

And so.

A match that would go down in academy history began.