episode_0212

Paat—!

I stomped the ground, evenly scattering ether to deploy the [Ether Curtain].

The attribute was Search, its range the entire ‘exit zone.’

I left my Muyeong Sword planted in the ground, greeting the other cadets who’d started before me.

“You’re late, everyone.”

I’d already ascertained their faces and abilities. Nix’s data bank was more useful than I’d thought.

I hadn’t collected every party’s strategy, but using the information Nix gave me, I could roughly see who would be the observer.

Cadets began to gather around one by one.

Of course, I couldn’t cover the entire hemispherical exit zone, like the outer barrier of a mock dungeon, all by myself.

So I used the terrain.

Had the Academy intended to induce a clash at the exit zone? One side was completely covered by a high hill.

In other words, there was only one way to take the shortest route to leave.

And I was blocking that path.

Whether they fought me and won, or avoided battle and circled the hill to reach the other side, they would eventually come within range of my [Ether Curtain].

That’s why I’d leisurely enjoyed nature from the start.

They wouldn’t have imagined I’d act as an observer. Besides, if someone like me ran towards the exit zone, they’d inevitably trigger an observer’s search response.

I’d strike at the weakness as late as possible, when everyone was off guard, and as quickly as possible.

Tat- Taat—

The number of cadets gathered around had increased considerably.

Roughly twenty or so. All of them eyed each other nervously, casting troubled glances at me.

Kwadeuk—

I drew my Muyeong Sword and slung it over my shoulder.

I was also wearing my sturdy Muyeong Armor, impervious to the sharp blades of ether.

“What are you doing? Let’s finish this quickly. I don’t have the patience for dragging things out.”

My attire, the aura I exuded, my nonchalant yet flawless posture.

Above all, my seemingly oblivious attitude rubbed those seniors the wrong way, expressing my firm intention to engage in battle here.

“Shall we fight one-on-one? Or all at once? Whatever you prefer, Mallow senior.”

“…You know my name.”

“Did you expect me not to? I can see you gathering wind blades in your hands.”

My brain isn’t that extraordinary to store everyone’s information.

However, surprisingly, most of the cadets who seemed strong were people I knew.

I never imagined Akasto’s information would be useful here. The list I compiled when writing my strategy guide for the Academy’s regular exams matched reality to a significant extent.

It was time for ‘that guy who writes strategy guides’ to shine again.

“…You’re not foolish enough to request a duel under the guise of a group battle. Being complacent against a strong opponent is a stupid move.”

“Thank you, hoot.”

I smiled briefly and raised my sword, taking a fighting stance.

As I lowered my center of gravity and powerfully planted my legs, most of them channeled mana, preparing for battle.

“Given the situation, I won’t accept any objections! I trust there are no complete imbeciles here who don’t understand. We can’t leave without breaking through that person! Everyone, attack at once—!!”

Rick Mallow, a wind attribute magic user from 4-A.

He was skilled at increasing movement speed magic, so I figured he would participate in the exit zone clash. His role would be to protect the observer.

As someone on the verge of graduation, he was also rich in experience. His self-esteem and leadership, naturally emanating from years of combat experience, lent considerable strength to his voice.

Everyone around him clearly understood the problem and received the solution.

All that remained was to act.

But they couldn’t move.

“But… that person…”

“Is incredibly strong… The tournament winner…”

“I understand it logically, but my body…”

They wouldn’t move.

Even if they had backup for battle, they’d never expected the final boss to appear like this from the start.

Dragging things out here gave me the upper hand, and a prolonged battle benefited our party.

Those who lacked the courage to take on the enormous risk before them kept hesitating.

Soon, including Mallow, cadets who felt the need for the risk began to step forward.

“I never expected you to show up… but it seems we had similar ideas.”

“Oh, Raymond senior. What do you mean by similar ideas?”

Raymond, 3-B. A combat-type magician with a tall, well-built physique.

“I’ve always… disliked the unspoken rule of letting observers leave peacefully. A bit of a twist always makes things interesting, doesn’t it?”

“Nice to meet you, Hercules senior.”

Hercules, 3-C. A clean-cut, swift-looking rapier user.

Led by these two men, a large number of third-year cadets stepped forward.

They weren’t many in number, but their spirit and resolve made it strange that a battle hadn’t broken out yet.

“Shall we begin, immediately?”

“Ha-ha- That’s a funny joke. I came here to do the same thing, so why would I need to defeat you first?”

Burn—

Hercules’ narrowed eyes opened slightly, his intense gaze like a snake’s eyes blazing within.

Sccang—!

Simultaneously, he swung his sword, cleaving the body of a first-year cadet standing nearby, who was simply staring blankly.

“Ah—”

Before he could scream, the cadet, who had received a large wound in the center of his upper body, was enveloped in a pillar of light and instantly disappeared.

Ssiik—

“Didn’t you want to do this too?”

For a moment, silence fell.

Then the moderates, realizing the situation, began to panic and run.

Those with quick judgment acted first.

“Damn it, you bastards—!!”

“You’re quick to run away, Rick Mallow.”

The first to distance themselves from the other two were Rick and those he was protecting.

The first-year cadets who couldn’t escape were quickly cut down by Hercules’ sword.

Above the cadet who fell, his legs frozen in place, fell Raymond’s mana-empowered fist.

Sagak- Skung—! Kwadeudeuk—!!

“Uaaaaaaaack—!!”

“It’s alright, cute juniors. I’ll send you off painlessly, all at once.”

A bloody wind blew.

Of course, they wouldn’t actually die. Damage received inside the mock dungeon was absorbed by the barrier magic. And upon absorbing a certain amount, they instantly failed.

Even if an arm were severed, their body would be fine when they opened their eyes outside the barrier. With the Saintly tier and medical staff on standby, there would be no aftereffects.

However, the terror and pain of the damage would continue until failure. It’s not easy to remain unfazed when blood splatters and flesh flies before your eyes.

Unless they lacked the experience, that is.

Apart from the quick-witted parties that immediately changed their plans and left, those remaining around were the hardliners who wanted to eliminate their competitors here.

All the less perceptive moderates were eliminated.

“Whew… Even if they don’t actually die, cutting people isn’t a pleasant experience.”

“Yet you look quite excited.”

“…Kkk.”

Hercules displayed an unusual frenzy unbecoming of a Knight.

His nature was closer to an assassin. From the perspective of eliminating threats to his master, an assassin’s sword is only a guardian’s sword in the end.

Kwaang—!

Raymond clashed his heavy magical gauntlets. His excitement for battle increased, as he seemed to search for his next opponent.

“We’ve dealt with the obstacles, so let’s have a go at each other too?”

“Alright. To what extent shall I restrain my strength?”

“Nonsense—!!”

Paat—!

He planted his feet and quickly sped towards me. He wasn’t running; it was more accurate to say he shot like a bullet.

Matching his speed, I twisted my waist and delivered a weighty punch, pulled back from my side.

A battle of strength, or rather, magical power.

I decided to accept his challenge.

I tossed my Muyeong Sword high into the air. Anyone who thought the magical sword was my main weapon had their attention diverted upwards.

Simultaneously, I drew back my fist, gathering ether.

I didn’t concentrate it using breathing techniques. I didn’t judge it necessary to use that level of power yet.

Twisting my waist, I threw a fist brimming with ether.

My fist clashed with Raymond’s magical gauntlet in mid-air.

Kwaang—!!

A terrifying roar erupted. The shockwave swept through the surrounding area like a typhoon, tearing through the undergrowth.

“Keuk… What kind of power…”

“I’ll ask again. To what extent shall I restrain my strength?”

“Shut up—!!”

Burn—

Dozens of magic bullets flew from directly behind Raymond. Judging from the angle, they were precise attacks aimed at me, not him.

Paat—!

I thrust off the ground and leaped. Using the recoil, I spun around wildly and landed some distance away.

“Help me, Hercules—!! If you keep watching like a woman, I’ll deal with you first—!!”

“Yes, yes. I understand, so stop ordering me around.”

Ssaeaek—!

A sharp sword blade flew towards my eyes. I barely avoided it by arching my back like a limbo dancer.

Hwik- Hwirik- Hwihwik—!!

The sword blade danced rapidly around me. This wasn’t aimed at a decisive blow.

Its purpose was to restrict my movement.

As expected, dozens more magic bullets flew from the front.

“Get eliminated—!!”

From the left, Raymond’s magical gauntlet.

“I’ll sever your neck-!”

From the right, Hercules’ sword blade pierced.

Ssiik—

“It’s good, but I would have erased my killing intent before attacking.”

I strongly planted my right foot, using it as a pivot.

First, Hercules’ rapier, blocking my view. Since, as declared, it flew at my neck, I grabbed it, thus preventing the attack itself from being delivered.

Next, the rather threatening magic bullets.

I extended my remaining hand and infused it with ether.

[Dispel]—!

With a brief exertion of strength, the magic dissipated in mid-air like cotton candy melting in water.

Finally, Raymond’s magical gauntlet.

I stretched out my folded left leg, blocking the three attacks with a single maneuver, like a graceful acrobat.

Ppeok—!

“Damn it…!!”

“You…you…”

Raymond and Hercules’ expressions turned to shock.

I could have broken through the ether curtain to repel simultaneous attacks; However, that’s hardly intuitive. It was the perfect opportunity to display my honed physical abilities.

Even being in the magic department.

Pallak—

When I kicked Raymond’s fist with an upward kick in order to force him back, my skirt inevitably rose.

And for an awfully brief moment, my underwear was visible in his eyes.

Hwirik—!

I quickly returned to my stance, closing my legs.

“You…you…”

It seemed to be too late.

Raymond looked as though he’d seen something he shouldn’t have, his face more shocked than before.

“Did you see?”

Ppeok—!

I kicked his abdomen, sending him flying. He rolled across the grass, tumbling far away.

The situation returned to the beginning.

Cadets who had engaged in direct combat and grasped the difference in strength, regardless of their hardline stance, couldn’t act rashly.

“Why are you suddenly stopping? If you need to use the restroom, I’ll wait.”

“Damn it… A monster.”

Raymond who’s lying down, Hercules shivering, and other extras who’re acting indecisively.

While concentrating on them, so as not to miss even the slightest movement. I detected something in the ether curtain that enveloped the entire exit zone.

‘People… two, three?’

Ssiik—

I understood their intentions.They didn’t intend to risk it from the very beginning, was it?

I dispersed the ether in my hands and lightly brushed myself off.

“Seniors. So this is what you meant by ‘similar thinking’?”

“What… No way—!!”

The curtain’s reaction disappeared.

While my gaze was drawn to the front, they had circled the hill and exited from the opposite side.

They were probably the observers of 3-B and C. To safely allow them to pass, they chose to engage in combat with me.

“No, even if you noticed, nothing would change. Now, we’re leaving this place—”

“I would appreciate that.”

Tat- Tabak—

One step, another step. I began to back away.

As leisurely as when I entered and enjoyed nature.

“You… you’re…”

I slightly closed my eyes. Thanks to the magical barrier’s special effect, the total time elapsed was displayed before my eyes.

2 hours, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds.

19 seconds before the exit score was halved. Two more seconds passed while I was thinking.

“Hey, you wouldn’t…”

“Why? Are you having scary thoughts all of a sudden? You’re sweating a lot.”

“No, no way, there’s no way…”

My heel touched the outer line of the exit zone. One more step and I’d leave the dungeon.

“You—!! If you leave now, you can’t return—?! Why are you doing this, you at the peak of your strength…?”

“Hoot-”

“Why… why are you doing this—!!”

If you ask why, it’s because I had business to attend to outside, even while participating in this class competition.

But, I didn’t need to say that. That’s the business of the ‘Princess Narita’, not me.

I threw myself into the exit zone portal.

“It’s… because it’s fun—!!”