18 – Getting ready
After school.
A practice room at the gymnasium with few people left.
In this bleak place with no decorations, a pair of men and women were confronting each other with swords in their hands.
“Heo Eok. Heo-eok….”
“… ….”
However, the situation between the two was truly contrasting.
The black-haired man, while Bell was busy gasping for breath.
Seras, the woman with purple hair, was staring at him without breaking a sweat.
This proves that the difference between her, who belongs to the upper ranks among the instructors at her academy, and her freshman, who has just joined her academy, is that great.
‘It’s filthy strong.’
Belle, who was holding her breath, gritted her teeth and quietly stared at the opponent standing in front of her.
I knew there would be a gap.
Nevertheless, it was a sparring that started with the thought that it would be meaningless unless it was this strong outside the standard.
Because Barter, his target opponent, is currently on a par with Aden, or a bit above.
Then, he also needs to develop his skills to a similar position so that he can save Lone from the exploration of the Wizard’s Forest three days later.
But Amman, I thought I wouldn’t be able to get a single effective hit for nearly two weeks.
At this point, her pride is about to get scratched.
I came with the thought that I would be able to feed at least one shot.
Even though Seras doesn’t know the mindset, it’s just the most humiliating thing that he’s not doing his best in terms of power.
‘It’s quite right.’
Meanwhile, Seras stuck his tongue out as he faced Bell, who was still burning with fighting spirit.
Certainly, his stamina must have gone down a long time ago, but his eyes do not think about dying.
Rather, as her physical strength drops, her fighting spirit follows her movements.
Of course, it’s true that Seras doesn’t show her full potential, so it’s possible.
However, even taking that into account, this determination is astonishing.
No, at this point, it might not even be the realm of will.
Seras felt that the unknown inside of him seemed to constantly energize him.
Dig.
Bell’s new model disappeared before her eyes as she wanted to catch her breath for a moment.
Seras’ reaction was a bit slower than usual because of her tension, but it wasn’t too bad to catch up.
Chaeng!
A grotesque iron scream echoed as swords collided with each other.
Looking at his eyes peeking through the sword, Seras smiled faintly. She
I thought she would just declare surrender, but I don’t think she was looking for an opening.
‘Does he still have strength?’
Although she said she wasn’t using her full strength, her sword started to move little by little.
In response, Seras let out a soft exclamation and pushed her Vell’s sword back with her strength.
“Kuh… !”
A low moan escaped her bell’s mouth.
As she felt her body slowly slide back, she knew she couldn’t go on like this.
At least once.
Even if it’s just a little scratch on her, I hope I can feed her her blows.
With such a wish, she puts more power into her hand that holds her sword.
As if to reciprocate its will, the body began to push Seras’ sword away as it gradually increased its strength.
“Suck!”
“!?”
With a low spirit, Seras’ body leaned to one side as Bell swung his sword in front of her with all his strength.
Unable to keep up with his rapidly increasing physical strength, the balance of power collapsed.
Still keeping his cool, Seras corrected his stance even in that state to deal with the next attack.
‘It will be blocked at this rate.’
Looking at the scene, Bell intuitively recognized it.
If it went on like this, this attack would be helplessly invalidated.
Then you have to move faster than this.
If you are an example, it is right in front of you.
Hasn’t she shown it countless times over the past two weeks?
Recall that movement and embody it.
Each bone creaked and shouted as if it was impossible, but Bell ignored it and launched an attack.
“…… !”
Seras’ eyes widened at the strange sight.
Even though she was the first to correct her posture, Bell, who followed her later, caught up with her faster.
As if only one side of time had stopped.
At that moment, an alarm bell rang in Seras’ head.
This works.
I can’t avoid it at this rate.
Through decades of experience, I intuitively noticed it.
Shuuk.
At the same time, a sharpness in Seras’ eyes that hadn’t been there before.
She straightened her sword, which had been lowered to her right thigh, and she gave up her defense and lunged in front of her.
Cheeruk.
As it was, the swords on both sides crossed, and only silence lingered in the fighting room.
Again, the two of them turned to face each other.
I wonder if a confrontation ensued where a few seconds of silence fell.
Kung.
Eventually, with a heavy sound, the new model on one side collapsed as it was.
The main character is none other than Bell.
His body, which had dug into it with enthusiasm, let out a scream first.
“Good work, you did.”
Spreading out on his seat, Bell thanked Seras for his hard work.
As if someone who had been rescued from drowning exhaled the water that had entered his lungs.
However, despite the ridiculous sight, not even a faint smile formed on Seras’ lips.
“… Yes, good work.”
After retracting her sword, Seras looked down at the missing bell in silence, then spread his hand.
Her hand, which had held her sword in her hand a moment ago, trembled.
‘It was dangerous.’
At one point, I accidentally turned off her power.
Bell’s movement along with her speed was too sharp, so she did it instinctively.
If she hadn’t hastily come to her senses and twisted her trajectory along the way, she would have sent one of her poor students to the underworld.
It’s a feeling of déjà vu that I felt from the first day, but even if I think I’ve been able to shake it off for a while, I catch up quickly.
To Seras, it felt like he was changing by absorbing the opponent in front of him rather than growing up.
It will be a little different from the realm of talent.
You just have to win. The overwhelming fighting spirit of wanting to win seemed to make him take a step forward every moment.
In addition to that, there is even a vessel called the body that can’t even see its limits.
‘To be honest with the cadets. It’s the first time.’
Only then did he disqualify himself as a professor, and Seras gave a self-help smile.
At least it ended like this because the difference in her power was so great, if it wasn’t for that, she would be the one lying down now.
“I told her higher up what I asked for the other day. For now, go back and rest.”
“Yes…. Thank you.”
Bell was still sprawled out of his strength and couldn’t even get up.
Seras, who was staring at her, quietly raised one corner of her mouth.
Before long, as she casually turned her body and left her sparring room, her hand touched her cheek.
What came out was thin red blood.
Confirming this, her smile deepened a bit.
* * * *
The president of Delos Academy, Olberus Belfrik, is one of the heroes who are called veterans.
This is not a pun just because he has been living for over 100 years.
It’s just a title that came about because he’s one of the few heroes who survived the Great War that took place 30 years ago.
This man with a white beard and hair looks like a benevolent old man from the outside.
However, the intimidation felt as a warrior when approaching him proves that he is not a great man to be taken lightly.
From noble mtl dot com
“I have a lot of work today.”
The veteran was standing in front of his desk today, wrestling with a pile of papers.
Fortunately, despite his age, he did not come to the point where he needed a magnifying glass thanks to his strong body.
“After three days, it’s time for freshmen to start their activities in earnest.”
“I see. Well, it’s time to start exploring the outside soon.”
Olberus shook his head at the comment of Vanessa, who is a professor and his lieutenant.
March has come to an end.
Now, the first year students will also begin their activities as full-fledged academy students, taking off the title of freshman.
The starting point is an activity called external exploration.
Among them, Olberus looked through the list of Class C who were about to explore the Wizard’s Forest.
“Are all the people listed here participating?”
Sometimes, when going on an outside expedition for the first time, frightened cadets do not participate in the expedition, citing their health as an excuse.
Especially in a place that is rather notorious among freshmen, like the Wizard’s Forest.
Olberus knew this, so when I asked for confirmation, the answer was positive.
“Yes. Fortunately, there are no cadets who have expressed their intention not to attend this year.”
“It seems that a lot of brave children came in. That’s a good thing.”
For those who always take on new challenges, opportunities follow.
As Olberus silently read the list with a hearty smile, the name of a cadet written in blue came into his eyes.
“Who is this friend?”
“Ah, I am a cadet belonging to Class E. He took first place in a half-seat in a mock test, and he said he used that authority this time.”
“You must be an unusual friend.”
Olberus muttered quietly as he stroked his shaggy beard.
The cadets who spend their tour tickets for this kind of thing have never seen him in the 40 years he served as president.
To even participate in Class C’s outside exploration to the notorious Wizard’s Forest?
In the middle of continuing my reasoning, wondering if there was another intention.
Olberus’ eyes widened.
“Hmm? Come to think of it, the name sounds familiar. Bel Dinaur….”
Olberus looked back at his memories with the name of the male student written in blue on his lips.
Most of the names of freshmen are inevitably less memorable.
Nevertheless, this feeling of déjà vu must mean that he has recently become famous among professors for some reason.
A helping hand was extended to Olberus, who was digging through the fragments of his memories.
It was the aid of Vanessa, who was silently watching this from the sidelines.
“I was a cadet that Professor Seras passed at the entrance exam a while ago. Rumor has it that he even won a match against a class B cadet….”
“Ah, now I can remember. After all, I told Professor Seras that I was nice to him.”
Could it be that even the man who was in charge of the throne of heroes could not help that his memory was deteriorating with the passage of time?
Olberus smiled bitterly in regret and finally succeeded in remembering the name of the cadet Bell.
“From the first appearance, he was unusual, and his behavior is also unusual.”
“It’s like watching the old Schheiser ball.”
Olberus let out a hearty laugh when the impression he had inadvertently recalled coincided with Vanesha’s.
“Heh heh, I did. Even that immature guy had all sorts of incidents and accidents.”
His will to become stronger on such a subject was a unique breed that was unmatched by others.
In the world, he is portrayed as a perfectly perfect hero, but for Olberus, who remembers him as a student, it is only an exaggerated side of a heroic story.
‘A cadet with a body similar to that guy’s, and even a similar behavior. It will be fun to watch.’
Olberus shook his head slightly, signed the payment documents, and put the cover on him.
If, by any chance, the successor to the sword castle had actually appeared, as Seras had speculated.
I don’t think there will be such good news. Olberus sincerely thought so.