Chapter 16: Blue

No sound could be heard from the audience stands, which had been filled with cheers just moments ago.

Everyone was focused solely on the duel unfolding in the arena.

Hestia’s holy sword and Elisha’s spear blade drew a splendid dance.

The faint magic they emitted also became weapons, flying at each other from various parts of the arena.

However, neither of them allowed even a single small attack to land.

‘They haven’t even touched the tip of transcendence yet, but to move like that…!’

Paeren, a Transcendent, who watched them move like two currents of wind, could hardly believe his eyes.

Unlike Arie, who had been chosen by the gods and became a Holy Maiden since childhood, the Hero was said to have only recently become the master of the holy sword.

Of course, given her incomparable talent, it was natural for her to show a growth rate on a different dimension, but even considering that, her skill displayed in the current duel was astonishing.

He had thought that among students, excluding the exceptionally strong Holy Maiden, there would be no one to match the Hero.

But what was this scene unfolding before his eyes?

The unknown student with sky-blue hair, who came out as the Hero’s opponent, completely overturned Paeren’s expectations.

While the Hero wielded her sword with instincts bordering on the realm of pure intuition, the student opposing her thrust her spear with meticulous combat skill.

‘Who exactly is she, to be on par with the Hero?’

He had not heard any talk of a student with such skill existing in the Academy.

If there was anyone who could rival the Hero’s talent, that news would have reached his ears long ago.

As a Transcendent, he had countless eyes in the world.

Even if the Academy had a barrier, it was strange that he hadn’t heard any hint.

Then there were two possibilities.

Either someone had hidden this student’s identity and fostered her growth, or she had grown at a faster rate than the Hero…

The latter was close to impossible, but the former was not entirely impossible.

‘It seems the Academy Head is raising a secret weapon.’

With such skill and talent, she would surely reach the realm of transcendence someday…

Paeren thought he must remember the name Elisha.

****

A storm of swords and spears raged at high speed.

Hestia and Elisha were moving so fast that students could barely see them.

The truly terrifying thing was that this wasn’t their full power.

If they had fought to the death, the arena and everything around it would have been utterly destroyed long ago.

Even if it was Hestia, Elisha seemed to have mastered martial arts better than expected.

Perhaps her power had settled properly in her body, as many of the hindering elements in her movements had disappeared compared to when she challenged before.

For a moment, I thought she might actually be able to defeat Hestia this time…

– Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Still, it’s not enough.

She must feel it herself, but it’s still not enough to catch up to Hestia with ‘incomplete martial arts’.

No matter how much Elisha is the Regressor and possesses outstanding combat sense, Hestia’s talent, which covers everything with pure instinct, already rivals hers.

Furthermore, even if Elisha explosively boosts her energy with martial arts, there’s a physical limitation in maintaining it.

“Haa, haa…”

“Hoo…”

Perhaps she was starting to tire, as Elisha’s movements noticeably slowed.

On the other hand, Hestia was breathing heavily, but she was relatively stable.

However, the duel was nearing its end.

If Elisha just held out like this, their duel would end in a draw.

“Phew, it’s still tough… But a draw would be an achievement.”

“Elisha is truly strong. This is the first time I’ve fought so fiercely… Oh?”

Elisha and Hestia’s conversation reached my ears.

Unless one of them revealed their full power, I also thought it was highly likely that this duel would end in a draw, just as Elisha said.

Hestia probably wouldn’t think much of it, but for Elisha, it was quite an impressive day.

Since they showed good performances, it would be good if this led to them becoming close friends in the future.

But…

Why is Hestia looking this way…?

“It’s the first time… but… I really want to win.”

“Huh?”

At the moment Elisha hesitated, confused by the inexplicable words…!

– Flash!

A powerful light erupted from the holy sword.

****

– BOOOM!!!

With an immense roar, the entire arena was engulfed in light.

Everyone squeezed their eyes shut at the sudden event.

“…!”

Paeren watched the center of the light with an even more astonished expression than before.

My expression was no different from his.

Soon, the dazzling light in the arena faded, and everyone could see the outcome of the duel.

Elisha was on one knee, her spear broken…

Opposite her, Hestia stood upright, holding her holy sword ablaze with golden flames.

She pointed her holy sword towards Elisha and spoke.

“Will you continue?”

“…My weapon is broken, what… Ugh, I surrender…”

Perhaps in great pain, Elisha winced and clutched her arm.

With her declaration of surrender, the duel ended…

“Th-the winner is Hestia-nim!!!”

” ” ” Waaahhhhhh!!! ” ” ”

As the referee, who had barely regained his composure, declared Hestia’s victory, a tremendous roar erupted from the audience stands.

“No matter how you look at it, that wasn’t a student-level duel?!”

“Who is that sky-blue haired person???”

“Did anyone see the last attack?”

The outcome was as everyone expected.

Everyone had predicted Hestia, the Hero, would win, and the result was no different.

However, the process was utterly shocking.

An opponent appeared who fought on equal terms with the Hero, whom they had believed would not have a proper fight with any student other than the Holy Maiden.

This was a considerably shocking event and the first step that would lead countless people to try and curry favor with Elisha in the future.

Hestia sheathed her holy sword, and Elisha also stood up, holding her broken spear.

Soon, medical staff came onto the arena to check her condition, but Elisha said she was fine, exchanged greetings with Hestia, and then left the arena.

Until then, everyone’s gaze, including Paeren’s, was directed at Elisha. After all, in this duel, not only Hestia but also Elisha was the protagonist.

I watched Hestia and Elisha, who refused treatment and were returning to the audience stands, and thought.

Hestia’s final attack…

She had clearly raised the power of her holy sword, intending to genuinely engage in the duel.

When I saw the holy sword blazing like fire, I briefly wondered if that woman had truly gone mad.

If Elisha hadn’t sacrificed her weapon to block the attack, she might have been severely injured.

Seriously, Hestia… Why did she suddenly get so enthusiastic…?

It seems even she, who appears indifferent to everything, dislikes losing.

The arena was somewhat cleared, and the referee called out the next turn.

“Next up is…”

It was finally my turn.

I ascended to the arena, carrying a reasonably priced sword I had bought from the blacksmith.

From the opposite side, a man with a somewhat gloomy impression, Kal Myers, was coming up.

Holding a dagger imbued with an ominous aura…

Indeed, nothing has changed from the previous regression.

The Myers family still seems intent on causing that trouble.

Well, Elisha will handle that anyway, and I just need to clean up the aftermath later.

For now, I should focus on the duel.

As I turned my head towards the audience stands, my eyes met Elisha’s, who was looking at me.

She smiled slightly and waved her hand.

I pretended not to see her and turned my head away.

Hestia and Arie were also sitting in the audience stands, looking at me.

Hmm, everyone is in place.

If Elisha had been dragged to the infirmary by Hestia’s attack, it would have been troublesome.

“I am Kal Myers.”

The owner of the deep voice from in front, Kal, took a stance with his dagger.

I didn’t reply and drew my sword.

“…Huh?”

Perhaps taking my silence as a provocation, Kal’s expression twisted slightly.

It wasn’t intentional, but it’s actually more convenient if he comes at me seriously.

“Are you ready?”

A tone utterly devoid of anticipation.

My thought of being dumbfounded was fleeting, as Kal nodded at the referee’s words, and I also casually took a stance and nodded.

“Begin!”

Simultaneously with the signal, an ominous magic surged from Kal’s dagger.

They claimed it was a family heirloom, so it’s certainly no ordinary dagger.

The aura flowing from the blade… it’s almost like a curse, or rather, malicious energy.

He’s also fated for a short life…

Soon, when the Myers family head causes major trouble at the Academy, this guy will be remembered by everyone as the one thoroughly used and discarded by the family head.

It’s regrettable, but what can be done…? He brought it upon himself, so it can’t be helped.

– Clang!

No sooner had I finished my thought than Kal moved.

Just before his blade touched me, I narrowly twisted my sword to deflect it.

It’s quite a fast attack, but it’s no match for Hestia or Elisha.

He’s superior to other ordinary students, but that’s about his level.

I blocked his every attack without much emotion.

Before long, the arena was filled only with the sound of blades clashing.

To find an opening, Kal threw kicks, tossed daggers, and even tried to engage me in a power struggle.

However, all his attacks were completely blocked by my single sword, and a growing frustration began to appear on Kal’s face.

He shouldn’t be struggling already.

I’m deliberately avoiding effective attacks, you know.

If this continues, the duel will end blandly, just like in previous regressions.

For me to show something, Kal needs to come at me more seriously.

Is there a good way?

After pondering for a moment, I decided to provoke him with a ‘whatever happens, happens’ attitude.

“Hey.”

“…?”

“You’re boring.”

“What…?”

“Fighting goblins would be more fun.”

“What are you…?”

“You’re boring, so just surrender quickly and get down.”

“…”

The effect was tremendous.

“Y-you damn bastard!!!”

Kal’s face turned red, apparently properly enraged.

He, who had only been using a dagger moments ago, began to pull out the weapons he had hidden in his clothes, one by one.

Small daggers, needles, strange explosives, and more. All of them were weapons that could be effectively used in actual combat.

I feigned a slightly flustered expression and moved around various parts of the arena.

– Boom!

Explosions echoed from all directions.

I subtly glanced towards the audience stands.

The Hero, Hestia, wore a somewhat worried expression.

The Holy Maiden, Arie, watched calmly with an expression of trust.

And the Regressor, Elisha, watched Kal with a blank expression.

‘……Why is she expressionless?’

In any case, a sufficiently splendid stage was set.

Well then, shall we begin?

I lowered the sword in my right hand and raised my left hand.

At my sudden action, Kal, sensing something suspicious, retreated.

It might have been his best judgment made out of caution towards me, but this only makes it easier.

– Thump!

The sky darkens.

The light vanishes, and a dark space like the night sky unfolds.

I extended my arm towards the sky.

[Five stars rise.]

The Academy sky is dyed in five beautiful colors.

As everyone watched in awe, I reached out my hand towards one of them.

A star containing blue light glowed intensely, warmly enveloping me.

The preparations are complete.

If one possesses exceptional talent and the right eyes, anyone will gain enlightenment.