Ch.33It’s About Time to Start Getting Ready

Hostile Entities.

This is a concept that collectively refers to non-human species hostile to humans, officially designated as enemies by the Empire.

While various entities exist, including magical beasts, werebeasts, merfolk, and monsters, they are essentially divided into two categories: magical beast species and Ein species.

The Ein species are non-human races that attack humans.

Originally, they were races that established their own nations and flourished on their respective continents, but they were destroyed and scattered by the swords of Carlos the Great and his Great’s Twelve Knights.

Most surviving Ein have scattered to remote regions and dungeons, degrading into barbaric monsters without proper civilization.

Hence, the Empire came to refer to these barbaric Ein species simply as monsters.

Goblins, kobolds, trolls, ogres.

They were typical creatures, if anything could be called typical.

Now, only the werebeasts of the north maintain their unique civilization.

Orcs were too aggressive and became extinct after resisting until the end.

Originally, the Ka’har were also Ein species, but they’ve recently been reclassified as humanoids, and since their characteristics aren’t much different from humans, they aren’t included in the lecture.

…They’re not just similar to humans—they are humans with different skin color.

The magical beast species, on the other hand, have more complex ecologies.

These grotesquely twisted hostile entities began appearing on the continent at some point.

They terrify people by their mere presence and contaminate their surroundings with dense dark mana, turning areas into wastelands.

Even theories about their origins are disputed, and it’s unknown whether they even reproduce.

“…Magical beast species are broadly classified into three types: undead, hybrid, and void species. Each has completely different characteristics and requires different countermeasures. First, regarding the undead species…”

The professor of Introduction to Hostile Entity Research continued his explanation while filling the blackboard with Imperial script.

Undead species.

Walking corpses, ghosts formed from concentrated dark mana.

These are entities that have died but move again after absorbing dark mana.

Being essentially dead already, they cannot be easily eliminated, and to exterminate them, one needs either a priest’s blessing or equipment capable of damaging the spirit itself.

Equipment that can damage spirits—I can think of several items.

For now, it would be more efficient to either recruit a priest as a companion or carry plenty of holy water.

…Would Imela’s sword be effective?

Hybrid species.

Flesh monsters formed by horrific mixtures of various living creatures.

They possess incredibly tough vitality, and only by cutting them into pieces can one finally end their lives.

Cutting things to pieces is my specialty.

Void species.

Alien beings presumed to have crossed over from beyond this world.

They are characterized by a translucent purple skin containing what looks like the night sky.

No extermination method has been discovered; one can only restrain them and wait for natural dissipation.

How did I defeat these again… I think they died when I cut them with a holy sword.

I might have to rely on Demian for this.

“The cause of magical beast species emergence remains unknown. Some scholars claim it’s the result of mages abusing mana, but the Magic Tower dismisses this as groundless slander…”

That’s actually correct.

They’re beings born from dark mana that seeps into the world to fill the gaps created when mages consume the world’s mana.

The evidence is that magical beasts haven’t yet appeared in the Eastern Plains.

The eastern mages, known as sorcerers, were all exterminated by the Ka’har long ago.

If I were to openly talk about this, I might find Magic Tower assassins at my door.

“They typically appear in places heavy with the energy of death, such as battlefields, graveyards, and dungeons. Also, minutes before they appear, a thick mist of dark mana forms as a precursor. Identifying and exterminating them will be your duty someday.”

This was quite an informative lecture for me.

In the game, I just had to kill suddenly appearing enemies with a holy sword, but now I can’t deal with them that way.

Though at this point in time, magical beasts don’t appear that frequently yet.

“In the next lecture, we’ll discuss barbaric Ein species, commonly known as monsters. In two weeks, there will be an off-campus practical learning session on this topic, so pay close attention. That concludes today’s lecture.”

Off-campus practical learning.

Are they taking us to a monster habitat?

Monster habitats are typically deep forests or dungeons.

Once you enter, it’s difficult for outsiders to know what’s happening inside.

And since it’s officially part of the curriculum, I can’t bring Nigel as an escort.

…It’s the perfect place to attack and eliminate someone.

Perhaps reaching the same conclusion, Knut glanced at me with killing intent that sent chills down my temples.

I was certain.

If he targets me, it will likely be then.

Fine. I don’t plan to avoid it either.

Thinking ahead, it would be wise to eliminate persistent obstacles as soon as possible.

Since I’ve resolved not to feel responsible for Hersella’s actions, Knut is merely an annoying enemy to me.

His blatant stares trying to assess my abilities and his clearly detectable killing intent were becoming tiresome.

I was getting tired of suppressing the heat whenever my instincts reacted to his hostility.

If he’s determined to kill me, fine. Let’s settle this.

You want to kill me, Knut?

I met Knut’s eyes and smiled coldly.

…It’ll be harder than you expect.

—-

“Off-campus learning? Indeed, I cannot accompany you then. I would also choose that moment if I were him.”

In my room, I discussed Knut with Nigel.

“If he attacks, I’ll have to kill him. I’ve tolerated his glares, but I can’t overlook someone charging at me with murderous intent.”

To someone familiar with Hersella’s infamy, this would sound incredibly brazen, but I didn’t want to die for Hersella’s actions.

I’ll try persuasion as a last resort, but I doubt it will work. I’ll have to kill him.

“Hmm… based on what I saw, his skills were below yours, Lord Haschal, so in a one-on-one duel, there shouldn’t be any concern… but I don’t think he’ll be so reckless.”

“Right. He probably has some plan.”

I thought the same.

The strength I showed Knut wasn’t even half of what I could actually exert.

I had significantly suppressed my physical abilities and fighting instincts, and I hadn’t properly used the Imperial swordsmanship I’d diligently learned.

I had only used a common steel longsword.

When fighting Kenneth at the end, I did put in a bit more effort.

So if Knut evaluates my combat ability based solely on what he saw, he might think I’m around Demian’s level.

No. If he underestimates me like that, things would be quite simple, but someone who knows my reputation won’t approach so optimistically.

He’ll at least prepare means to decisively overwhelm someone of Demian’s caliber.

“If he attacks in a monster habitat, he might lure monsters for an ambush, use a wheel formation… or perhaps infiltrate collaborators for a coordinated attack. In the worst case, he might have been concealing his true abilities all along.”

Nigel nodded repeatedly as he pointed out tactics Knut might employ.

“He seemed like the type who values warrior’s honor, so I don’t think he’d use monsters or resort to ambushes.”

“That’s uncertain. Hatred is a more passionate impulse than you might think. Enough to discard honor, beliefs, and pride without hesitation.”

Nigel advised me with a serious expression.

I suppose he’s right. Someone facing their sworn enemy probably wouldn’t be picky about methods.

Thinking back to when I first saw Knut, it makes sense.

Though I’ve grown somewhat accustomed to his gaze now, the hatred in his eyes was chilling.

“Fortunately, we have about two weeks left. We can prepare during that time.”

“Prepare? How?”

“No matter what approach he takes, with sufficient strength, we can handle anything. So for the next two weeks, we’ll conduct practical special training. Your strength is considerable, Lord Haschal, but it showed significant instability.”

Practical special training?

I shuddered at the ominous feeling those words conveyed.

Doesn’t this mean he’s going to reduce me to a critically injured state again?

“By practical special training, you don’t mean I have to fight with you again, do you? If so, I’d end up in the infirmary for the entire two weeks rather than improving my skills.”

I hope my voice didn’t tremble.

Despite everything, I don’t want to give the impression that I’m intimidated after just one fierce battle.

“No. While we’ll spar, we won’t fight with real swords. The practical training I mentioned relates to monster extermination.”

“Monsters? You’re right, we should prepare in case he uses them against me.”

“Yes. So for the time being, it would be good to visit the guild and gain experience with monster extermination requests.”

The guild.

Well, I was planning to experience it at some point anyway.

The academy also practices monster extermination, but since that practice is the issue now, let’s consider this an early preparation.

Plus, as I mentioned before, I need to check the underground waterways.

“This is a good opportunity. We’re also running low on living expenses. I do have money saved up, but the Lord Marquis ordered me not to use it…”

Lord Ludwig is thoroughly meticulous.

He’s telling me not to rely too much on Nigel and to earn my own spending money?

The great lord of the borderlands isn’t stingy about such small amounts; it’s more like teaching me to fish instead of giving me fish.

“Then you can’t fight alongside me in monster extermination requests? That would be no different from you directly earning money for me.”

“Correct. If there’s a truly dangerous situation, I’ll intervene, but otherwise, I should only offer advice.”

…So he’ll just give pointers from the sidelines.

That should be enough. At least he’ll help if things get really dangerous.

“Alright. Then let’s go to the Adventurer Guild tomorrow. Please prepare for the outing.”

Since it’s come to this, we might as well start tomorrow.

There don’t seem to be any important lectures coming up anyway.

This might actually be beneficial—my body, hungry for battle, will be satisfied and calm down.

—-

The next day, I left the academy in a carriage prepared by Nigel.