Chapter 25: Barrier Armament – 4

The duel ended in an instant.

The first volley of boundary armaments were narrowly avoided by Hermod, who managed to dodge them somehow, but he soon found himself surrounded by a variety of boundary armaments, like a beehive.

I’m not sure how Hermod felt about it, but for me, it was a satisfying duel.

From boundary threads to boundary armaments, it was the successful first test operation of my offensive techniques.

“With the declaration of Professor Roman, ‘Winner, Seong Yujin.’”

The duel system came to an end.

Hermod, who had been surrounded like a beehive, was now looking at me with a helpless gaze.

In the first strike, he couldn’t cut a single thread of faint magic, and in the second attack, the two daggers he swung boldly ended up as mere chunks of iron.

Moreover, swinging a huge sword and various weapons recklessly like a berserker, there would have been no way to deal with him.

“…Is Hermod weak? Or is the top-ranking student strong?”

“Maybe the top-ranking student is strong? Hermod, that lad, showed quite a bit of skill during the last major lecture.”

After the duel ended, speculations from the surrounding students began to spread.

According to their words, Hermod wasn’t weak.

Rather, he was quite strong.

The reason Hermod Beowulf shattered the mental fortitude of countless users is evident.

He may be reckless, but he’s remarkably skilled.

While he may not be among the top-tier, his skill undoubtedly ranks higher than the average Eden student.

“So, as expected…”

“Is Seong Yujin really the top-ranking student?”

As the students who knew this fact spread Hermod’s skills to the surrounding students, my overwhelming defeat of him naturally drew attention.

And of course, I anticipated such a situation.

That’s why I took out insurance.

“The top-ranking student is not Seong Yujin.”

The atmosphere momentarily quieted as I spoke.

The murmurs and loud voices that had been buzzing around fell silent as the owner of the voice that calmed the atmosphere stepped onto the duelling ground.

With her black hair cascading down to her back, her graceful appearance captivated the attention of all the students who had been chattering away.

Her sparkling eyes, like stars in the quiet night sky, drew everyone’s gaze.

“So, who is the top-ranking student then?”

One of the students who had been staring at Cheon Yuhwa in awe finally spoke up.

Cheon Yuhwa, who had been looking at me absentmindedly, let out a small laugh in response to the student’s question.

“It’s me.”

It was a short and concise answer.

Without any context or evidence, Cheon Yuhwa’s claim burst out of her mouth.

However, her attitude and voice were so confident that none of the students could argue against her.

Except for one.

“Surely not.”

The student who had nominated me as the top-ranking student, having been overwhelmed by Hermod, boldly objected.

He always finishes all his preliminary research and preparations before taking any action.

Surely, this time as well, rather than trying to expose my identity, he would have thoroughly prepared beforehand.

And I know his temperament better than anyone else at this point.

Thorough preparation ultimately takes place within the realm of what he considers ‘common sense.’

“Why?”

“Because you didn’t draw Gungnir.”

Hermod replied without a hint of hesitation, as if stating an obvious fact, causing Cheon Yuhwa to narrow her eyes.

“Why do you think that?”

“Vice-Chancellor Odd said it himself. While we were putting on a magic show in front of the gate, someone drew the replica of Gungnir.”

Cheon Yuhwa nodded as if to tell him to continue.

With narrowed eyes and a lowered voice, Hermod vaguely revealed the green glow hidden in his iris.

“That day, there was only one person who couldn’t be found in front of the gate, and that was Seong Yujin.”

Hermod Beowulf said as he turned his head towards me.

Although his flashing green eyes seemed to urge me for an answer, I maintained an indifferent expression, ignoring his gaze.

But it was not just indifference; I was actually surprised to hear Hermod’s words.

Despite actively utilizing perception-obstructing boundaries since drawing Gungnir, I had no idea that he might have seen me the moment I left the gate.

“I have definite evidence. I have a clear alibi to prove that Seong Yujin is indeed the top-ranking student.”

Hermod’s voice growled low.

He becomes like this when his reckless actions fail to yield meaningful results or when he is on the brink of being thwarted by someone’s interference.

Many students were bewildered by his atmosphere, and even the users seemed to be distracted by his bizarre behaviour.

“But there are people who won’t be swayed by that kind of approach.”

The world is vast, and there are many people. And as many people as there are, there are a variety of personalities and human figures. It’s only natural.

Hermod overlooked that fact.

“So?”

“…What?”

Some people don’t lose their momentum even if their eyes narrow slightly.

“And as far as I know, there is no one in Eden’s first-year students who is as skilled in that field as Cheon Yu-hwa.”

“How long did it take for the illusion magic to disappear? At least ten minutes, right?”

One step, Cheon Yuhwa began to walk towards Hermod Beowulf.

“It wasn’t necessary to capture the creatures created by illusion magic. You could have ignored them and walked past.”

Two steps.

The gap between Hermod and Cheon Yuhwa narrowed.

The atmosphere began to feel uneasy.

The students swallowed nervously, their lips trembling.

Even Professor Roman was watching Cheon Yuhwa as if he was enjoying an interesting drama.

“Listen carefully.”

Without realizing it, Cheon Yuhwa had reached Hermod’s front and lowered his voice like Hermod.

The intimidating aura emanating from Cheon Yuhwa’s sharp voice weighed heavily on the second instructor.

“After Seong Yujin left, I also headed to the square and drew out the Gungnir.”

The oppressive atmosphere grew even more intense.

As if a predator was closing in on its prey, Cheon Yuhwa’s gaze, flashing with a fierce light, was fixed on Hermod.

But Hermod was no easy opponent.

Though he might have been intimidated in most situations, he never wavered in his determination.

“…Hah, this year’s top-ranking freshman picked the Gungnir, which no one has been able to pick since the establishment of Eden.”

“It’s a spear that even geniuses and professors couldn’t pick for over a hundred years. It’s not something one could simply accept based on the word of a single student.”

Indeed, it was logical.

Hermod’s argument was solid, and he had indeed succeeded in guessing the correct answer.

However, as mentioned earlier, the thorough plan the lad had prepared was carried out within the bounds of common sense.

I anticipated this situation and warned Cheon Yuhwa in advance that his plan was beyond common sense.

“Yujin.”

Cheon Yuhwa’s gaze, which seemed as if it could pierce through Hermod’s body, turned towards me.

The heavy pressure and fierce gaze were no longer there.

“That thing earlier, try shooting it at me.”

“Sure thing.”

Seeing Cheon Yuhwa’s request with a slight smile, I raised my hand.

One greatsword, six straight swords, twelve arrows, seven spears, two whips.

The same quantity and type of armaments as the barrier armour that turned Hermod Beowulf into a beehive appeared behind me again.

“I’ll shoot.”

With that, the barrier armaments that had been floating in the air flew towards Cheon Yuhwa.

Professor Roman hastily raised his magical power, and the students screamed and closed their eyes, but none of their actions mattered.

There was no chance for Professor Roman’s magic to act, and the fear caused by the students’ screams did not spread through the training grounds.

“You see?”

The barrier armanents, which should have caused a noisy commotion and shattered the floor of the training ground, disappeared as if it was a lie.

Each and every one of the barrier armaments, boasting absolute strength, shattered into pieces and dispersed into the air.

[The barrier has been forcibly removed because of the Fantasy of Murder]

Along with a single notification displayed in the status window.

All of the barriers disappeared as if they were lies.

“Otinuus had set up barriers on the replica of Gungnir. I destroyed that with my abilities and obtained the the replica of Gungnir.”

Cheon Yuhwa mocked Hermod who had frozen stiff.

Was it an attempt at a final resistance in such a situation?

Hermod spoke with a trembling voice.

“T-There’s no evidence. Summon it here, summon the Gungnir to this place.”

With a faltering tone and a noticeably lowered voice.

Hermod Beowulf’s appearance was anything but dignified.

But perhaps due to the accumulation of nine rounds of missions, I didn’t feel a shred of pity for him.

And towards such a Hermod, Cheon Yuhwa rebutted mercilessly.

“I don’t want to. Why should I do you a favour?”

“If there’s no evidence, then it’s all just nonsense…!”

Hermod began to lose his composure and raise his voice.

“Then.”

Cheon Yuhwa’s expression changed.

The mocking smile and twisted eyes turned emotionless.

Her cold voice, combined with her sharp gaze, pierced through Hermod’s body.

“I won’t summon it, so what can you do?”

Even I felt a shiver, a killing intent that surpassed mere intimidation.

Hermod Beowulf, mentally cornered, couldn’t withstand Cheon Yuhwa’s unwavering killing intent.

Thud-.

And so, the top troublemaker of Eden lost consciousness.