160: Joint Martial Arts Practice [2]


    Next up is [ck de Chain of shes]. Now that it’s been upgraded to the advanced level. Naturally it’s quite different from when I spar with the head of the family, Theo.


    Swoosh—! Swoosh—! Swoosh! Swoosh—!


    The crossing ck sword slices not only through flesh but also cleanly cuts through the enemy’s bones. Before Eleanor’s eyes, the ck de dances gracefully. It was a beautiful sword, as if it stole people’s hearts, slowly leaving them in a daze. It was the scene where she figured out why the ck sword of the Reinhaver family was considered immense.


    “Beautiful….”


    Therefore, Eleanor unintentionally blurted it out. It was irresistible.


    With each step the sword cut lightly, it carved shallow, and sometimes deep, scars into the enemy.


    And who was wielding the sword?


    Second to none in bringing bad luck, but a man who lives off his own sense of superiority. Nox von Reinhaver. His appearance naturally fit the word beautiful. His snow-white hair and mysteriousvender eyes enchanted people, and his sharp nose seemed like it would slice through. Recently, his features had be even more striking. Even the sight of his breath turning white in the cold seemed like an art piece. Eleanor realized for the first time that swordsmanship could be so beautiful like this.


    “Finished watching? Then we should get out of here. If we stay, more dangerous foes wille.”


    “Huh… That…”


    Eleanor snapped out of her daze and quickly returned to her senses. She spoke curtly. Quickly assessing the situation and predicting the next move was one of her forte. Her title as [Genius of Acting] was well-earned.


    “This seems to be the north. Near Winter Bridge, I’d say.”


    “Fortunately you recognize it.”


    “What do you see me for”


    “More specifically [The Frozen Frostwood Forest].”


    “Yes?”


    “That’s the name of this ce.”


    When Eleanor asking back, Nox calmly exined as he finished off a troll still writhing on the ground.


    Squelch! Blood spurted up. And a drop trickled down his face. Nox wiped it off as if it were nothing and turned away.


    “Follow me. I’ll find the way.”


    As if bewitched by his words, Eleanor followed his back while stealing a sideways nce for a moment. Why is it?


    ‘What is the reason he’s not leaving me behind, even though I’m clearly much weaker than him?“


    Even in moments like this, Eleanor couldn’t break her habit and thought like that. In this ce, if we borrow Nox’s word [The Frozen Frostwood Forest]. She was nothing but a hindrance and couldn’t be any help. As a merchant who always pursued profit and never allowed losses, she found his actions puzzling.


    What was Nox’s intention?


    Eventually, she sorted her thoughts. There’s no doubt he’s going to get his share from meter. Eleanor kept repeating that to herself, just trying to hide the strange and difficult emotions within her. A white snowstorm engulfed the two of them.


    —————————————————


    Noah von Trinity and Astrid von Kaliud. Not many people knew that two of the four sages were in here at Eldain. If you had to count, perhaps just one when Lars found out by ident? Other than that, no one including the professors, knew that Astrid hade here and taken Nox as her disciple.


    Aleph was also the same.


    ‘Sure, Nox von Reinhaver has been involved in various incidents, from Paimon-nim, Jagan-nim, to Gremory-nim. That’s a fact. But if asked is it a big deal? Naturally not. He’s just a rookie who still reeks of her mother’s milk.’


    Basically, Aleph is arrogant. While he only served demons, if they weren’t Grand Duke ss, he considered them beneath him. That was Aleph von Dastein’s true nature.


    He didn’t acknowledge Nox’s existence. Though he did recognize Theo von Reinhaver’s strength, as for the family’s disgrace and youngest son? Aleph dismissed Nox von Reinhaver’s deeds until yesterday as nothing more than showmanship.


    ‘Maybe, the family head, Theo von Reinhaver thought that the position of the heir was shaken when Garen joined the demons. That’s why he’s pushing Nox out into the public, making him seem like a genius.’


    Theo’s actions likely had an ulterior motive, probably aiming at the elder’s councils, and his inws, the Aurel family, to whom Prisci belonged. It was no secret that the two didn’t get along, and rumors were rampant even in social circles.


    Still, no matter the reason, it was surprising.


    “Not the second son, Grain, but instead making the youngest, Nox von Reinhaver, a hero? It’s all just for show. I am surprised there are fools falling for such nonsense.”


    Aleph clicked his tongue.


    He believed that the reason Theo was raising Nox, the youngest, was to keep his wife, Prisci, in check. All of Theo’s other children were born from Prisci, but Nox was the only one born from a different wife. In some ways, it made sense.


    Even if the reality was different, Aleph was convinced that his deduction was spot-on.


    “Besides, Dean Noah von Trinity doesn’t care about trivial academy matters like this. There’s nothing here that really threatens us. Rick… that guy is just too much of a coward.”


    Wanted things to progress quickly, and to be handled firmly. This was all Rick’s deeds.


    Rick had quite a position among the demonic humans, so Aleph didn’t say anything, but inwardly, Alephpletely disregarded him. He was only noticed by the Grand Duke first.


    Hadn’t Aleph been with them from the beginning? Though born in a human body, the blood of demons flowed within him. He was a life that had been conceived and born with demon blood.


    He was on a different level from him, who had no origin.


    Crunch. Aleph realized a bitte that he had unknowingly clenched his fists. He was irritated.


    “Sigh. I got too worked up. Anyway, everything will go smoothly, and I’ll climb to a higher position. That won’t change.”


    Regardless, Aleph trusted his own intelligence. Not only he had infiltrated Eldain, taken the top spot as a demonic human, he even gained enough magical abilities to threaten a professor’s position was proof of that.


    As he opened the best-selling Introduction to Elemental Studies, he looked forward to the future. The day when the demon realm would manifest on earth, uniting the divided continents under the ArchDuke’s control. He believed that all his ambitions would be realized.


    —————————————————


    There is a ce called Winter Bridge in Inner Lunatic. Located in the north, it’s home to some of the worst monsters and uncontroble demons. Later, as the main scenario proceeds, this ce opens up as a new monster hunting ground. Because it’s always winter here, this ce is also called a hell where a lot of monsters and demons live. Almost no one lives here, aside from a stationed military force.


    ‘Even so, that military isn’t handled by Arkheim. it’s controlled by an alliance of nations…’


    The Arkheim Empire pays gold to the northern alliance, they form armies and put a bridge, preventing the monsters from crossing into the center. That is precisely the secret of Winter Bridge.


    However, the problem is that maintaining such a bridge itself is difficult in the long run. The biggest issue is that most of the northern small cities have already fallen. There is no hope for a strong, centralized monarchy, and even the small republics that existed have crumbled. Naturally, this led to the neglect of Winter Bridge’s management. Moreover, the monsters are growing stronger.


    Eventually, this bridge will copse, while meeting a somewhat rough situation.


    ‘And that beginning is exactly in this ce [The Frozen Frostwood Forest]’


    The name itself doesn’t sound particrly dangerous. But in reality, it’s different. In this ce, monsters that are rarely seen and stronger than Trolls, like Ents, or if you’re unlucky, even dragons might show up. Though dragons were said to be extinct at the beginning of Inner Lunatic, like in any game, they still exist. Astrid or The Ice Dragon rumored to be lurking here are cases of that. Of course, whether that’s true or not is uncertain, anyway, the fact it was still frightening. If you’re unlucky, you’ll die.


    Unfortunately, in most cases, I’m not lucky.


    With a luck stat of 10, it’s only useful when I enhance, otherwise, it’s usually quite useless.


    “Let’s rest in that cave over there for now.”


    “Yes? But it looks too small…”


    “Even if you don’t like being in the same space as me, there’s no choice. It’s an emergency. Besides, it’s not like we have any other options.”


    “…I get it.”


    Luckily, Eleanor was listening to me.


    She still seemed worried, but it was fortunate she hadn’t summoned Shane yet. Of course.


    [You’re following me, right?]


    [Of course.]


    [You really need to protect me properly. Then no matter what, I’ll figure out to reward…]


    [I already told you, I don’t need a reward.]


    [But…]


    It’s a bit annoying how she keeps sending telepathic messages like this. It’s like trying to text someone while fighting. You can imagine how bothersome and distracting that is.


    “We can’t even use our spatial pouch right now. It feels like someone intentionally dropped us here with hostile intent.”


    Eleanor shivered slightly as she spoke. As expected, she has sharp instincts.


    I stepped into the small cave, barely big enough for the two of us, only fit if we were glued closely, and used [Ignite]. The mes lit up the interior, illuminating the space. Next, after putting the sword with my opposite hand, I condensed my mana into a small orb, tossing it inside. It was a kind of small fireball, meant to check if there were any monsters inside the cave.


    Unless I’m really unlucky, it should only be small wild animals or little monsters…


    [What the…? You are…?]


    Crap. Crazy. I knew it. It’s obvious that I am unlucky.


    The questioning voice that echoed from inside the cave continued.


    [Human… yes, humans!]


    “Damn. This is the worst. Get ready.”


    I said, drawing my sword. I had already dispelled the fire magic. Then, with a rough roar, what appeared before us was none other than a monster with arge build.


    …it was still pitch ck, I wasn’t able to confirm what was right in front of me clearly.


    I had already sensed their size and identity through my magic though.


    “But I can’t see the front clearly…”


    “Feel it with your magic. Don’t say you can’t. Unless you want to die here with me.”


    Then, a giant with brown skin revealed itself. Each of them had patches of green here and there, giving it a somewhat grotesque appearance. I could exin easily what they are.


    Ents.


    People usually think they’re just big trees, but that’s not the case. Ents are actually giants who protect the trees, and over time, their appearance changes to resemble the trees. So, not only do they have the strength of giants.


    ‘They have regenerative abilities, like trolls.’


    On top of that, they have high intelligence and a long lifespan, they live for a long time. Therefore, they are mainly forming groups to fend off enemies.


    [There is a human who has invaded our home! Everyone listen! Eliminate the intruder who threatens the trees!]


    [Eliminate the intruder who threatens the trees!]


    Damn. Things just got a lot more serious.


    I sighed.


    Then as I blocked a massive fist headed for Eleanor with my sword, I shouted at her.


    “Focus”


    Eleanor quickly responded to my voice, nodding. She then started casting magic, creating a wall to keep the Ents away.


    It probably wouldn’t hold for long, but it would buy me enough time to think.


    Now then, I’ll have to think again.


    How to deal with these damn giants.