episode_0023

Cloe, the daughter of Duke Deminus.

The Barcan Principality ruled by the duke was the empire’s oldest ally and a country founded on the myths of heroes.

As time passed, stories about the heroes of the Great War became distorted or varied depending on who you asked. From who the leader was, to who the strongest figure was, to whether there were love triangles within the party, and so on…

However, one thing no one denied was the existence of the hero Deminus. The chosen one to defeat the demon king. A figure who gathered heroes including the Green Emperor. A legend of the academy. If it weren’t for him, the party would not have been formed. However, after the war, it was the magician Green who was crowned as king. In a typical hero’s tale, the hero would have become king…

Every time I read a novel, that point seemed strange to me. In the warrior party, the magician was usually a typical scholar. The king usually belonged to the warrior. Well, that’s that. Warrior Deminus did not leave the side of the Green Emperor. He led the empire together as a duke.

One day, he received a vast territory and became independent as a duke. I don’t know the details because they are not described. Warrior Deminus became the grand duke of Barkhan. In other words, Cloe was the descendant of the warrior.

That’s the story as far as I know. Information that can be obtained from the original work.

“Anyone would think you’ve fallen in love.”

“I doubt it.”

“It’s just something I said. A girl like you wouldn’t like another girl.”

“But I really like girls.”

But now, I can’t say that.

I was sitting in a corner of the training ground, observing Cloe. If the professor hadn’t spoken to me, I would have been observing her for hours.

“Yeah, it wasn’t just watching, it was observing. I had to understand her well.”

“Talent is really cruel.”

“For those who don’t have it?”

“No, even for those who have it… there’s a hierarchy in talent too.”

“How about the professor?”

At my words, the professor raised his prosthetic arm. He, who was in charge of the academy’s combat training class, had also felt the wall at some point.

“Before the fall, it feels like you can fly anywhere.”

“Until you encounter greater talent?”

“Yeah. That’s why ambiguous talent is tragic. Like most of the students here.”

He scanned the training ground and caught sight of the freshman knights of the Knight Department. This class was a mandatory course for first-year Knight Department students, so the only difference in class time was divided according to the number of people. Everyone had to take the class. And the students in this time slot were unlucky. Because of Cloe Deminus.

“If you’re a freshman at the academy, you’ve probably never been pushed by talent in your life.”

“….”

I’ve heard similar stories before. It’s not easy to adapt to a place where everyone is at the top, whether you look here or there, like at Seoul National University, where everyone is at the top. Of course, it was a world far removed from mine. I was only about average in my class.

“But even among those guys, there’s always someone who stands out.”

“Like Cloe?”

The professor nodded silently. He also looked at Cloe following my gaze. She was alone. She wasn’t introverted or easily discouraged, but because everyone avoided her, she had no choice but to be alone.

Thanks to her water-colored hair and the bright energy she exuded, there was an inexplicable desire to protect her. There were hardly any people with enough strength to protect her…

The reason why the freshmen avoided her was different from avoiding me. If I were to avoid or feel repulsed by her just because of her villainess image, for Chloe, it was because of an instinctive fear that emerged from the subconscious. It was because she was afraid of facing a relatively insignificant talent.

“Is there anyone who sees that child as a competitor? Someone who doesn’t give up despite feeling the difference in status.”

“It won’t be easy. Everyone will feel powerlessness for the first time.”

“It’s something that happens every year. Even when facing the ‘real’ at the academy, people are divided into those who can ignite their will without giving in and those who cannot.”

At least from the sight of the current class, only students thoroughly despairing and denying reality were visible. They treated Chloe as if she didn’t exist. Therefore, Chloe couldn’t even find a sparring partner. Even when she tried to approach others, after encountering several awkward expressions, it was easy to get discouraged.

It can’t be helped. Even a poor country like ours has to step up….

I have no choice but to reach out to the noble lady like a high and mighty star.

As I was about to leave, the professor called me.

“I thought you would do that.”

“What?”

“Going to see Cloé, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“You’re quite an unusual student.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Sort of. Go and give her a shock.”

The professor and I got along well from the beginning. From the first day of class, unlike other professors, he treated me without prejudice, as if my image had already been tarnished. It seemed like he preferred students with a bit of rebellious spirit.

“I’m in the second class. She’s not even a match for Cloé, is she?”

“I prefer the underdog.”

The professor smiled meaningfully. I nodded and walked towards Cloé. Professor Smith certainly seems abnormal. Just like the original.

“Hello, Cloé.”

Cloé, who had given up finding a sparring partner, was looking desolately at the ground.

“B-Be, Beatrice..?”

“It’s been a while.”

Cloé was surprised. She scratched her forehead as she saw her clear eyes shake. After the entrance ceremony, he didn’t bother to talk to her first. It might make her look bad because of my image. Everyone is already afraid of Cloé, so it would be a bit much for me to get involved…

“If you don’t have a sparring partner, let’s do it together.”

“Really..!?”

“Yeah.”

Cloé smiled widely. The fair color returned to her face. But that was only for a moment; she hesitated while stroking her hair. It was because of the things she had experienced. Students who confidently challenged her to a sparring match and ended up being defeated. There were also many first-class students among them.

“I… think it’ll be okay. I’ll just train alone today.”

Leaving the homeland, she must have come to the academy with the expectation of encountering many rivals. However, they were all so weak, and soon they were wary of her. They must have lived with pride in their talents that wouldn’t be surpassed anywhere. Chloe’s ruthless genius easily trampled on their pride… She didn’t mean to.

“Am I scared?”

“Yeah..?”

“Are you afraid of losing to a second-class like me?”

What she feared was not losing, but being abandoned after being miserably defeated like everyone else.

I was the first person she met when she arrived at the institute. Although we didn’t have much contact after enrollment, I was her first friend at the academy. She wouldn’t want to lose me. But I won’t choose to reassure her with sweet words. That’s too difficult a way.

“Did you hear? Even Daniella from the First Class of the School of Magic almost lost to me.”

“Oh..? Oh.. I heard.”

The argument between me and Daniella on the day of the entrance ceremony became known to all the students.

“So you’re avoiding me? Do you also think of me as a dirty troublemaker?”

“Oh, no! Beatrice… I don’t think that way.”

“Are you afraid of losing to a crazy girl like me?”

“W-what are you talking about!”

I had to dispel her hesitation. What I wanted to see was Cloe doing her best. The top student in the Knight Department, the successor of the Sword Saint, the descendant of a hero. I wanted to see her true worth. Not a description in a novel, but with my own eyes!

I threw one of the two wooden swords I had brought in front of Cloe’s feet. I shot at her with a cold voice.

“Lady, I didn’t see it that way. You shouldn’t disrespect people like that.”

“It’s a misunderstanding…! Beatrice, I’m just…”

“Stop whining. Just pick up the sword. You need a sparring partner, right?”

She looked like she was about to burst into tears if I poked her.

Sorry, it’s not my style to bother a pretty girl like you. But I can’t help it. I have to do this so that you can give it your all…

Clap clap clap-

At that moment, Professor Smith drew everyone’s attention by clapping his hands.

“Everyone pay attention! It’s great to witness direct confrontations, but watching high-level inspectors fight is also very helpful.”

He soon approached me and Cloe. The gazes of the students who followed him shifted with him.

“Cloe of the First Class, and Beatrice, who entered the student council in the shortest time. Today, let’s enjoy their confrontation!”

Smith raised the stage. He looked at me and smiled. Indeed, he’s not normal.

Since the professor set the stage, it seems like it’s my job to dance on it. I intend to show him a sword dance.

“Oh, there are more spectators than I expected? If you step back here, Lady Gongnyeo’s dignity will be at stake.”

“Beatrice… Why are you saying such things…”

Curious? If you are, then try to knock me down and find out. Be ruthless until you hear the word “sorry” from my mouth.

“… Even if you get hurt, I won’t take responsibility..?”

I grinned. It was the answer I had hoped for. Cloe was thoughtful, but she also had a competitive and aggressive side. Seeing such a personality described in the original work was quite moving.

“Don’t worry about a thing-!!”

Before Cloe could even get into position, I lunged at her. It might seem unfair, but it was the best way to provoke her, just as she was about to ignite.

Thwack!

Cloe effortlessly parried my attack, splitting the air with her sword as she brought it down over her head.

The students surrounding us, with Professor Smith at the center, seemed thoroughly astonished. First, at my unbelievably swift attack for a Second Class, and secondly, at Cloe’s graceful movement as she easily blocked it.

Between the swords blocking my view, I caught sight of Cloe’s two eyes.

The kind and gentle gaze disappeared. Only the fierce and intense look of a belligerent warrior remained. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

Yes, this is what I wanted. A fight where you can show off all your skills!

Show me everything you’ve got.

Cloé Deminus.