Ch.4343. Midterm Exams (2)

“How…”

A student from the Knight Department uttered these trembling words as he stared at the completely shattered giant kite shield.

It was a family heirloom. A treasure that had proven its worth on countless battlefields over generations, practically a symbol of his family.

His father had boasted with exaggeration that it could even block a falling meteorite, but even without such hyperbole, it was clearly reliable equipment.

And then.

“Hey.”

The person who had reduced it to scrap metal with his “bare fists” scratched his head and spoke.

His tone was filled with irritation.

“Is this really all? Seriously?”

These weren’t words one would expect from someone who had single-handedly, without any weapons, using just their bare body, eliminated dozens of students.

Most students at Elphante Academy were fairly confident in their abilities. Even professors would hesitate to guarantee victory against several dozen students.

Yet this person had done it.

Without taking much time.

And furthermore.

Even to the eyes of a Knight Department student well-versed in body enhancement, it was clear the opponent hadn’t used even a fraction of their abilities.

This meant the difference was purely in their “trained” physical specs.

Considering that physical enhancement abilities typically multiply one’s basic physical capabilities several times over, this person’s “true strength” was truly…

“What kind of monster are you…!”

Unfathomable.

“Bull crap.”

But the opponent merely snorted at such words and replied.

“The problem is that you’re all pathetically weak.”

Riru Garda snorted and lightly kicked the student’s head.

With an “oof,” the student’s body rolled backward.

It seemed excessive violence for a midterm exam that clearly only required taking necklaces, but Riru felt no emotion about such violence.

Isn’t it natural for the weak to be beaten by the strong?

So, before any pointless guilt, she was suffering from endless irritation.

‘How can there not be a single worthy opponent?’

The time since her asylum in the Empire after the “civil war” in the Tribal Union had been like imprisonment for her.

She was trying out various places to fight while experiencing student status for the first time in her life, but…

Battlefield. Combat. Life-or-death struggle.

For someone whose entire life could be summarized by such words, this academy was far too peaceful.

‘At this age, they should have killed at least three or four people by now.’

The Tribal Union’s harsh environment made it impossible to survive without growing into an excellent warrior.

In comparison, the Empire’s people were all fragile, indecisive, and weak.

It was impossible not to be irritated.

Just look at how helplessly they were overwhelmed even though she hadn’t used any magic at all.

“…”

Except for one person.

She recalled the only human who could match her speed.

His name was definitely…

‘Da… Da… What was it?’

Unfortunately, Riru’s memory wasn’t particularly good.

Anyway, that guy.

The one who immediately recognized that the power she wielded was legal power.

“…Ha.”

Legal power is a special force granted only to a select few within the Tribal Union.

Even within the Tribal Union, let alone the Empire, those who have directly witnessed its use could be counted on one hand.

The fact that he recognized it immediately meant one of two things.

Either he knew how to handle legal magic himself.

Or he had met someone who could handle legal magic.

And if either condition was met.

That more than qualified him as someone Riru would consider “worth fighting.”

Especially considering why she and her clan were “expelled” from the Tribal Union.

“Ah, I wonder where I can find that guy. I’d like to hit him once.”

“If you commit such acts without reason, you’ll be expelled from the academy, Riru Garda. If you’re in asylum, wouldn’t it be better to act less conspicuously?”

Startled by the voice casually calling her real name, she turned around.

It was someone she’d never seen before.

A perfectly worn uniform. A black sword. Silver hair and red eyes. A nameplate on his chest reading “Elnore.”

The student council president. According to what she’d heard beforehand, one of the people who already knew her identity.

And, above all.

‘…So there are some worthy ones after all.’

Riru smiled with satisfaction as she assessed the opponent’s approximate skill level.

They wouldn’t be representing Elphante students for nothing. This was an opponent worth fighting with one’s life on the line.

Though they seemed slightly weaker than her, they could probably chase her up to her chin.

“The outrages you’re already committing have largely crossed the line. As someone supervising the proceedings, I can’t just let it slide. I was called here because of you despite having other tasks to attend to.”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

Riru grinned as she raised her fist.

“Kick me out?”

She actually hoped they would.

Please, she thought, draw that sword and come at her with sincere intent to kill. That’s what she was thinking.

“I will have you removed. Though I won’t do it myself.”

With those words, Elnore pressed a switch taken from his pocket.

Simultaneously, white light burst from the necklace Riru was wearing.

Riru frowned at the energy that enveloped her entire body before she could react.

‘Holy power?’

It didn’t feel harmful. It just strongly felt like it was trying to “move” her from this plain.

And they put such a blessing on every student’s necklace?

‘…Did the Empire have such a powerful holy ability user?’

A blessing that teleports a designated target is quite an advanced technique.

To provide this to all students currently in the plain…

It almost makes one wonder if they brought in a saint from the Holy Empire.

Though even a saint probably couldn’t fully withstand this.

This is at least a level that would require a dozen or so archbishop-level individuals to stably supply.

Anything less would be…

Nothing short of torture for the user.

Especially considering what happens if “holy power depletion” occurs.

As she tilted her head at such thoughts, she received an answer from the other party.

“Anyway, go cool your head. While fair competition is one thing, fighting for barbaric reasons like yours is prohibited at Elphante.”

“…Are all Empire people such cowards? I suppose your father taught you to act this way too?”

For people of the Tribal Union, these were two of the worst insults one could utter.

The accusation of cowardice and disparaging one’s father.

But hearing this, Elnore merely snorted without any reaction.

“I agree that old man is a coward. You have quite a discerning eye, Riru Garda.”

“…”

He actually seemed oddly satisfied saying that.

His relationship with his father must be impressively bad. Empire people are strange indeed.

But it would be a shame to just back down now. She should at least create a reaction that would make him hostile to her when they meet again.

She thought of a few more words to provoke the opponent.

‘Ah, right.’

There was one more pattern that particularly worked well on Tribal Union warriors.

“Well, you can’t deny that you’re a coward yourself. Looking at that, I bet everyone around you is a loser too?”

“…”

Elnore’s eyes narrowed.

Oh, there’s a reaction.

Riru continued with a grin.

“Do you have a boyfriend? If you do, I’ll steal him right in front of you. Let’s see if you run away like a coward then—”

She closed her mouth mid-sentence.

“…”

Elnore hadn’t said anything.

But those eyes.

Those eyes glowing red.

They were absolutely…

The eyes of a “monster,” not a human.

“…”

Facing that, Riru unconsciously took a step back.

It was a shocking action even to herself.

‘…Am I scared? Me?’

She who had survived battlefields called the hell of the human world dozens of times.

She was intimidated by merely the look in someone’s eyes.

And from someone she had thought she could defeat if they fought, until just a moment ago.

〚Riru Garda.〛

And to her dazed self, Elnore’s frosty voice fell.

What dwelled in it was clearly different from the atmosphere just before.

As if…

Something “different” from usual had possessed the opponent’s body.

〚I’ll let it slide once. Given your position, and you clearly seem to be provoking without knowing better.〛

As Elnore approached with heavy steps, Riru retreated several more steps.

A pressure that could stop one’s breath came over Riru. Her legs were starting to disobey her.

〚So, there won’t be a second time.〛

And then.

〚No one. Can take. That man. From me. Understand?〛

With that sticky voice clinging to her ears as the last thing she heard…

Her body was “transported” outside the plain.

“…”

In the empty waiting room, she looked down at herself with a blank expression.

‘…What was that just now?’

What was certain was…

That student council president with the “foreign entity” dwelling within was someone she could never defeat in battle.

It wasn’t simply a matter of lacking skill.

It felt like they were different from her in their very “origin.”

The conviction that she couldn’t win even if she trained for a lifetime.

“…”

What a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

She smiled fiercely again.

Her body was drenched in cold sweat, but her spirit was more elevated than ever.

Even in this place, she had found an opponent. Someone she wanted to fight to the death.

In other words…

She could become stronger through struggle.

“…”

The opponent’s aura had completely changed after she mentioned something about a “boyfriend.”

It would be best to see it as a sore spot.

In other words, a means that would “definitely start a fight” if touched.

So what she needed to do was…

‘…The key is that man, huh.’

Somehow “target” him.

Her eyes flashed.

●

<System Message>

[ Target ‘Riru Garda’ has begun to take interest in you! ]

[ Target ‘Elnore’ has unlocked a skill under your influence! ]

[ ‘Divine Possession – Wrath’ has been added to the target’s skill set! ]

[ This function has been added to ‘Skill: Guidance’! ]

“…”

Sometimes I want to grab the system by the collar and ask.

I really didn’t do anything, so why are all these things being added?

And, to begin with.

‘Divine Possession?’

This is a technique that manifests a fragment of a demon in the body, albeit in a limited way. The “Wrath” attached to it means that emotion was maximized enough for this to unlock.

In other words, it doesn’t open from ordinary anger. It only opens when you truly want to kill someone.

‘…What on earth happened?’

I wondered, but now wasn’t the appropriate time to ponder such things.

I’m busy too.

“What an absolutely vicious bastard…!”

“How can someone wearing human skin do such a thing…!”

“…”

Hearing the abuse pouring out right in front of me, I also feel like making excuses.

I mean, like…

Dragging one woman around like a bundle of luggage with one hand, and putting an actual leash on the other one and pulling her along.

“Treating people like animals…! Miss! Hero! Just wait a moment! I’ll save you right away!”

“For the sake of our other friends who fell before…!”

“…You had that many friends?”

I retort with a voice full of disbelief.

I’ve been ambushed over 10 times just getting here.

Were all those your friends…?

“Anyone who attacks you is a friend!”

“See how you fought before you speak, you trash!”

“…”

Hmm. I have no rebuttal.

The ambushes were easily repelled by Elia and Yuria. With one Demonic Vessel and a hero candidate, what’s there to fear from freshmen?

Controlling Yuria by pulling her leash to keep her from getting within three steps was actually harder than fending off attacks.

The problem is that…

To others, it must have looked like I was suddenly pulling a leash, and Yuria was following along gagging in a grotesque manner.

‘…That was all me saving you guys.’

It’s definitely not something weird.

Definitely…!

[Why are they so angry? I’m fine with it.]

No. Even if the person involved says that now, it’s no defense at all.

The appearance is catastrophic.

I smile bitterly at Yuria, who tilts her head while displaying such text.

“Still, this time won’t be easy,” Elia said, narrowing her eyes.

Previous ambushes were relatively small-scale, but the people lined up in front of me now number almost 100.

It’s a strange feeling seeing all these people gathered here just to take me down.

‘…Are these all Elia’s fans?’

Stalker fans are this scary.

I expected this would happen from the moment I was paired with her, but still.

“We can’t break through this with combat. Why is it like this when the sanctuary is just past here…”

For Elia, who has easily handled ambushes until now, to directly say such things shows how formidable the opponents’ numbers are.

Not just numerous, but a perfectly balanced combination of Knight Department, Magic Department, and Holy Department students.

Breaking through this with just 3 people would be absurd, but…

“No. This is actually good.”

“…What?”

Oh.

Actually, I’ve been waiting for something like this.

Mainly in terms of developing characteristics.

Improving proficiency through actual combat is one method, but there are secret techniques that can only be used when you have “companions” and “large-scale enemies.”

“…”

Of course, that’s only possible when combat with the opponent is feasible, and the gap between us and them is currently heaven and earth.

But I have a “means” to narrow that gap.

If they have such good balance, there’s only one way to break it.

Overwhelming force.

“…”

I tap my amulet with a smirk.

Hey, old man. Wake up.

[…Huh? What? What is it?]

Calivan mumbles sleepily as he wakes up inside the amulet.

Thanks to my holy power not being fully accumulated yet, this person spends most of his time sleeping in here.

He’s always in this state unless I wake him when needed.

I whisper quietly to the amulet.

“I need a favor. Please come out.”

[…I don’t know what’s happening, but it seems like a rough situation?]

As Calivan mutters this, a white curtain unfolds around us.

[ Spirit body is summoned! ]

[ Skill: Mental World is activated! ]

[ Buffs are shared with ‘party members’ in the nearby space! ]

And here.

“Hey.”

“…Yes?”

I whisper to Elia, who is staring with wide eyes.

“I apologize in advance. If you’re really upset, you can hit me hard later. I’ll take anything.”

Even I think it’s a bit… extreme.

But it seems necessary right now.

And before he can answer, I pull him into a hug.

With one arm. Until he’s close to my body.

[…Look at this guy? Did you wake me up just to show me this?]

Just as Calivan lets out a hollow laugh with those words.

“…!”

While Elia’s body stiffens and Yuria’s eyes widen beside us.

I smile at the suddenly quiet crowd in front of us and say.

“You know what, you guys.”

Calmly, as if stating a simple fact.

“What do you mean by trying to take this person back?”

To those gaping in shock, I smile and say.

“I never said I’d give him up.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you get the ‘owner’s’ permission?”

Silence spreads around. A little more time passes. A little more.

Just as a flush rises to Elia’s face, ear-splitting screams spread around.

“Kill that bastard-!”

“I’ll chew you up, you son of a-!”

The curses and shouts that burst out are drowned by even louder screams. Students wielding various weapons pour down around us.

Oh my, how scary.

But the more fiercely they charge, the more advantageous it is for me.

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ Determining this as a situation where you may sustain serious injury. ]

[ Applying ‘Skill: Desperate Situation’ at A-grade. ]

Now then.

A “buff” generally refers to skills that “strengthen” the target.

Which means, in other words.

[ Confirming activation of ‘Skill: Mental World’. ]

[ Sharing ‘Skill: Desperate Situation (A-grade)’ with target ‘Elia’ and target ‘Yuria’. ]

That’s right.

●