episode_0182

Chapter 182 – Explosion

A few more matches passed. Abel’s match was among them, and as expected, he easily seized victory.

And finally, it was Skadia’s turn.

[Now, this match features the unparalleled genius who has captivated the world since her admission! Skadia Maryland, against Metis Altress, who declares, ‘Even if she’s a genius, I won’t lose!’]

─Woooooah! ─Kyaaaaah!

The reaction was enthusiastic from both men and women. Men cheered for Skadia’s beautiful appearance, while women applauded her outstanding ability and unique charisma.

By the way, her opponent was given some modifiers, but the description was quite lackluster. It was perhaps natural, as she was no more than an extra, let alone a supporting character.

Just then, Roxana opened her mouth.

“So that’s the young lady of the Maryland family? I was curious because they said she was more outstanding than our Deborah, and she certainly is amazing. What do you think, Ruan?”

“…She is outstanding, yes. But I’m not interested.”

“Really? She’s so pretty and talented! Aish, you shouldn’t lie!”

She denied it, saying that couldn’t be true. As expected, Roxana seemed unaware of my relationship with Skadia.

In fact, it was understandable. She wasn’t interested in others to begin with and had simply become the Tower Master because she was a powerful mage, without even properly cultivating her own faction, so she was ignorant of information.

Deborah was startled by her master’s rudeness and quickly tried to stop her. But before Deborah could step in, I quickly blurted out the truth.

“I’m truly not interested. She was my fiancée, after all. Since the engagement was broken, there’s no reason for us to be involved again.”

“Huh…? Bro-broken engagement?”

“Yes, broken engagement. It was quite a commotion, didn’t you know?”

“I-I didn’t know…”

Roxana was visibly flustered. It was to the extent that I wondered if she could even make such an expression. The sight of the decadent beauty carefully gauging the situation was quite cute.

When I stared at her, she fiddled with her hands before bowing her head deeply.

“I’m sorry. I said something rude.”

“It’s alright. You didn’t know, after all. And your reaction was cute, so I’ll let it slide.”

“W-What!?”

Roxana’s head snapped back up. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.

“M-Me, cute? Are you crazy? Do you even know how big the age difference between us is…?”

“What does that matter? Age is just a number. More importantly, the match is about to begin. Let’s focus.”

Having thoroughly shaken Roxana’s composure, I fixed my gaze on the arena as if nothing had happened. Roxana, realizing it was a joke belatedly, trembled with a sullen expression, then pouted in a huff. Her reaction when she’s angry is a spitting image of Deborah’s.

While I was teasing Roxana like that, the match finally began.

[Both players, get ready─ Match start!]

CRAAAASH!

As soon as the start was announced, dozens of ice spears that had gathered around Skadia poured down on her opponent. That was the end of it. Her opponent tried her best to respond, but couldn’t even handle half of the ice spears before being knocked out.

After a moment of silence.

─Woooooah! ─That’s right! I knew it! ─Kyaaaah! You’re amazing, Unnie!

The people erupted in cheers and praise. Skadia, however, didn’t even glance at them and simply vanished into the passage. The announcer froze for a moment, then, realizing she was gone, became flustered.

[Th-the winner is Skadia Maryland! She’s truly incredible! Her magical prowess is unbelievable for a first-year student! Now, for the next match…]

The subsequent matches passed quickly. Only after two hours, when all the matches were over, did we exit the arena. Even then, Roxana was still sullen.

Having joined Abel and Yas’s group, we decided on our next destination.

“Where are you all going now?”

“Us? We’re going to rest a bit, then go see the talent show tonight. What about you, Roxana-nim?”

“I’ll be looking around a bit more with my disciple. I guess we’ll part ways here, then.”

“Yes. Have a good time. Deborah. See you tomorrow.”

“Y-Yes! See you… tomorrow.”

After a brief farewell, we split into two groups and dispersed. Now, all that was left was to kill time until evening.

*

[We will now begin the 782nd Solias Academy Talent Show. I’m Audrey, your host. Let’s go straight to our first performance!]

With the host’s introduction, the talent show began. Teams formed by various clubs or classmates presented their dances, songs, and other performances. The stage quickly heated up.

And finally, as the excitement reached its peak, the host introduced the guest performer.

[The performer who will grace the stage now is none other than the Emperor of Pop, whose fame spans the entire continent! It’s Cheon Michael Jackson’s performance!]

─Woooooahhh!! ─Cheon Michael Jackson! Cheon Michael Jackson! ─I love you!

As expected of the current top singer, the audience’s reaction was no joke.

‘By the way, Cheon Michael Jackson really exists.’

Honestly, on Earth, I thought he was just a minor character modeled after a real-life singer, but it seems that wasn’t the case. His dance moves were similar too, so could it be that he reincarnated into this world?

As I pondered, the stage finally began. In an instant, all the stage lights went out, and a spotlight shone on the center of the stage. There was nothing there.

Just as murmurs spread among the audience, the floor suddenly opened, and a man flew out from inside. The man, dressed in a harmonious blend of gold and black, took off his sunglasses and slowly surveyed his surroundings.

His movements and intense gaze! Women hit directly by his Cheonma Death Beam all clutched their hearts and collapsed. Priests of the church, who had been waiting, quickly carried away those who had fainted.

Simultaneously, a beat spread. With rhythmic and sophisticated sound, Cheon Michael Jackson began to move in earnest. Despite not being at a high cultivation stage, his footwork was precise, difficult to follow with the eyes, and yet his live performance was perfect, without a single tremor. It was a performance that naturally drew admiration.

But the true highlight was something else: his signature moonwalk. As if he had learned magic, he pulled a fedora from somewhere, pressing it down deeply, and began to walk backward, dragging his feet on the ground.

─Screeeech! ─Th-those moves! I can’t believe it! ─It’s unreal!

The spectators who witnessed it for the first time uniformly lost their minds and roared. People tore at their own hair, declaring it impossible, while others knelt and prayed as if they had encountered a god, appearing in droves. I later heard that there were even fatalities due to heart attacks.

In any case, with his perfect performance, the entire area became a cauldron of madness. A frenzy that wouldn’t easily subside! But when Cheon Michael Jackson brought his index finger to his lips, it became eerily silent. With a killer smile, he used the moonwalk to disappear beyond the stage.

Instead, the host appeared. He continuously wiped away his cold sweat as he proceeded with the next performance.

[Th-that was truly an incredible performance! His charisma certainly matches his reputation. Unfortunately, Cheon Michael Jackson’s performance ends here. He’s simply too busy touring the entire continent. But please don’t be too disappointed! Next up is the performance by the Bunny Girls, formed by the female dance club! Please welcome them with a round of applause!]

From the direction the host pointed, beautiful young ladies dressed in bunny girl outfits walked out. The reactions were contrasting.

─Woooooah! ─Those tits are amazing! ─Get those bitches off the stage! ─Bring back Cheon Michael Jackson Oppa!

The men cheered ecstatically at the incredibly hot boobs and asses, while the women’s eyes blazed. Of course, most of the women were indifferent, but it’s always those with no influence whatsoever who shout the loudest.

Amidst such contradictory reactions, the Bunny Girls’ performance began.

Swaying gently~ Jiggle jiggle~

Every time the black and white bunny girls softly swayed their bodies, their breasts bounced wildly. I didn’t know if the dance club just happened to have many big-breasted members, or if they intentionally gathered only them, but either way, it was very good. It was to the point where I felt my lifespan increasing just by watching.

The dance was so provocative that some male students, seemingly without resistance to sexual stimuli, were hunched over. Yas stroked his chin and nodded.

“Quite good, isn’t it? I’ll have Serlin try this later.”

Such outrageous nonsense! A mere student daring to order a professor to perform a bunny girl dance! I don’t know why Serlin is dating a guy like this.

Disgusted, I turned my head away, and there, Uni was covering Abel’s eyes with both hands, blocking his view.

“You can’t look!” “Ah, Uni…” “Do you want to see?” “N-No?” “Then it’s okay if I keep doing this?” “U-Uh, yeah.”

Poor guy. Since Abel is a man, he must want to freely feast his eyes on those incredibly hot boobs and asses. Uni is being too much. If she’s going to control him that much, she should at least ‘give in’ a little. From what I’ve heard, not only have they not had sex yet, but they don’t even seem to be dating. Well, this is also Abel’s fault for not confessing, so it’s his own doing.

I turned my head away from the group and fixed my gaze back on the bunny girls’ boobs and asses.

‘I want to put that on the Saintess.’

*

Inside the silent waiting room, Alisa sat on a chair, her eyes closed, continuously rehearsing in her mind. The time to go out was fast approaching. Judging by the faint cheers, the stage’s excitement was currently at its peak. If she made even a single mistake at a time like this, it could lead to irreversible trauma.

However, what Alisa feared most was the disappointment of a single person, more than the jeers of tens of thousands.

‘Will Eunrang be there?’

Before, she had desperately wished for him to come, but now she wasn’t so sure. She even harbored a slight wish that he wouldn’t come at all, rather than her showing an embarrassing side of herself.

Feeling her heart pounding, she opened her eyes. Alisa faced her reflection in the mirror and whispered as if making a vow.

“I can do this.”

She had practiced diligently. She had even cut down on sleep, swinging her sword more diligently than ever. While there were undoubtedly many people more skilled or experienced than her, she did not cower or shrink back. For her, the sword dance was a confession. It was nothing more than an expression of her feelings for Eunrang. And when it came to her feelings for Eunrang, she yielded to no one. If only she could fully convey these feelings, that would be enough.

Amidst her nervousness, her turn finally came.

“Alisa-nim. Please prepare for the stage.”

“Yes!”

As she moved below the stage, guided by a staff member, she completed her final check.

‘My outfit is fine, my makeup is okay, and my body is in perfect condition.’

Now, all that remained was to perform!

[This next performance! It’s the stage of Alisa Bretes, the sword genius shining as the 6th rank in her year! Please welcome her with applause!]

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

With thunderous applause, the stage ascended, and she finally faced the audience.

‘I can’t see.’

Perhaps due to the intense lighting, the audience seats were cast in deep shadow, and nothing was visible. Was that why? Instead, her tension eased.

“Huuuh…”

Exhaling slowly and taking a deep breath, she horizontally slashed her sword with a faint smile.

Swoosh─

A graceful yet soft, and at the same time, swift and light stroke. Her fluttering robes followed. She calmly savored the sensation of her sword, then nodded and began to perform her sword dance in earnest.