《Conquering The Novel》
Chapter 1 Prologue.
English isn''t my firstnguage
Before I begin my novel, I would like to apologize in advance for my inadequate level of English proficiency. But I am getting better so please hang in there, Thanks for reading. ;)
*********************
A man with ck hair and dark empty eyes sat in what appeared to be a hospital bed, reading an untitled crimson book.
? Because he was so engrossed in it, he lost track of time.
He then put down the book and grumbled to himself while watching the sunrise.
He murmured as he closed his eyes, which seemed to be losing vitality.
"This book was rather interesting."
He took a brief break from reading and then noticed an envelope that appeared to have fallen from the book.
He decided to open the envelope and look inside,
Opening the envelope, he saw a ck piece of paper inside, and something appeared to be mentioned on that paper with a crimson-red tint.
He was so horrified by what he read on that ck piece of paper that he had to take a moment to catch his breath.
After reading it again, he tried to calm himself down by considering the significance of the information and where it hade from.
The book he was reading was once owned by histe girlfriend, she was an aplished S-Rank hunter.
During the gate outbreak, she lost her life defending him against an SS-Rank monster.
***
A gate is a chaotic world space that connects to the human world via these gates. They usually house a horde of monsters led by a leader, and the gate remains open until the leader is killed.
When the leader is killed, the gates remain open for about an hour before closing on their own.
It should be emphasized that to minimize the loss of human life, a monster gate must be cleared as soon as possible. If it is not, a gate outbreak will ur.
The monsters inside the gate will be able to cross over to the human world and destroy the surroundings, posing a threat to civilians.
And the ''HUNTERS'' were assigned to fight these monsters.
Hunters are humans who have magical abilities, they use them to fight and kill monsters and magical beasts.
They first appeared around the same time that humanity became aware of the existence of gates.
As hunters proved to be the only ones capable of killing these monsters and magical beasts and closing the gates, a multinational industry grew up around them.
Hunters are ranked from SS to E on an international scale to indicate their strength, with E being the weakest and SS being the strongest.
They have a diverse set of skills. There are also two types of hunters:bat and nonbat, as well as six different subtypes: warriors, assassins, mages, guardians, rangers, and healers.
SS-Rank Hunters are differentiated by the fact that their "Soul Force" levels are so high that they can''t be measured by Soul Force Level meter technology.
Because the vast majority of hunters never achieve that level of power, SS-Rank Hunters are extremely rare in the human poption, with only a few dozen per country and a few hundred worldwide.
SS-Ranks are extremely valuable wherever they go as a result of this and the increasing demand. Additionally, it should be noted that battles between SS-Ranks frequently leave the surrounding area in ruins and that because of their incredible strength, it can be difficult to hold them ountable when they enact crimes.
This also applies to the current battle between SS-Rank monsters and hunters, which is taking ce.
The monster they were fighting was a huge Magical Beast, it is a magical monster that resides inside dungeons.
Due to being controlled by the leaders, the vast majority of them are extremely hostile toward humans.
Much like the hunters who fight them, their power levels vary from individual to individual and thus their threat levels are categorized by the SS to E in the ranking system.
Despite their appearance as irrational monsters, magical beasts can forge their equipment and are as intelligent as humans, with some of them even speaking humannguages.
They also have their ownnguage, which humans refer to as beastnguage or monster vocabry.
The SS-Rank Magic Beast they were fighting was thetter, who understands humannguage.
***
Ares survived despite being only a B-Rank hunter thanks to his girlfriend''s selfless sacrifice of deflecting an SS-Rank Magic Beast''s attack that was headed straight for him.
She tried to protect him even though it was impossible for her topletely stop the onught.
As a result of the attack''s aftereffects, he became disabled, but his beloved, who tried to prevent it from happening to him, died in his arms.
An SS-Rank magical beast used its devastating power to destroy the area it attacked, leaving nothing but rubble in its wake. He was fortunate to have lived at all.
The monster had already sustained injuries from fighting so many S-Rank hunters, and the reinforcement that eventually showed up killed it.
However, for him, the price was too high.
He lost someone dear to him throughout that process, and the saddest part was that she passed away as a result of him getting in the way of her.
It''s unpleasant to witness the person you treasured beyond all else die before your very eyes.
Even though Ares survived, he now has to live with disabilities, and the anger, guilt, and hatred he had toward himself, as well as a host of other emotions, broke his mental health.
Ares would not have lived if it hadn''t been for his beloved, who had given up everything for him. So, he didn''t want her sacrifice to be in vain.
If it weren''t for that, he would have long before, put an end to his miserable life.
When he read the information on that ck piece of paper, the gasps of air that were making it difficult to breathe stopped.
On that piece of ck paper, he noticed his name, birthday, and the date of his death.
...Which appears to be today.
He quickly felt dizzy, his head ached, and his eyesight blurred. His eyes were closed because he was losing consciousness, yet a smile could be seen on his face.
He thought that the pain and suffering he had been through were finally ending, and he could now rest in peace, and soon he lost consciousness and ultimately he DIED.!!!
At least that''s what he thought...
Chapter 2 The New Beginning
Hmm...
Am I still alive?
Ares tried to stand up after opening his eyes and realizing what was happening to him, but a severe headache caused him to clench his fists in pain.
Soon after, a flood of the information entered his brain, causing him to lose consciousness once more.
After a few hours, he gradually opened his eyes and said,
"Ares Von Rothstaylor," which had be his new name thanks to the memories that had been imnted in his brain. He still has the same first name as in the previous world.
When he finally got out of bed and went to the bathroom to look in the mirror, he was taken aback to see a young person, perhaps 15 or 16 years old, with ck hair and ck eyes, with an extremely attractive face that appeared to be carved without ws or like a lovely painting that could mesmerize anyone who paid attention.
Ares Von Rothstaylor was the fourth prince of the Escratia Kingdom. His mother was a maid who became a concubine and was brutally murdered when he was only 13 years old, which is when he lost everything and the meaning of life.
He lived for vengeance ever since, but not long ago he learned that his stepmother was responsible for his mother''s murder, but he was powerless to go against her.
Despite having a manaless body from birth, he had an unmatched talent with a sword.
He learned this skill from his mother''s brother, an A-Rank mercenary who also perished while seeking revenge for his sister.
Even though he was physically fit for his age, hecked the strength necessary to carry out his n of revenge.
As a result, he decided to join the evil organization that had promised to aid him in carrying out his n of revenge.
The organization was called "SHADOWS."
"....''''
Ares was well-versed in the group, having read about them in the novel he had just finished.
He had his doubts after reading old Ares'' memories that this was the world inside the novel that he read just before dying, but despite knowing this, he decided to first gather his thoughts in a calm state of mind.
He tried to make connections between the novel, the information on that ck piece of paper, and transmigration.
He learned this from his girlfriend from the previous world, who always maintained an emotionless face even during her death, that it is preferable to think and attempt to analyze problems before panicking and making any decisions.
***
After pondering to himself for a few hours, he decided that the first thing he has to do is to stay as far away as he can from that evil organization that the previous Ares was about to join.
As he never heard the name Ares Von Rothstaylor before throughout the end of the novel which means he might have died even before the start of the novel, which would be 2 months from now.
Which he confirmed and checked by going through his phone and surfing the inte.
Yes, phones and the inte are also avable in this world but this world''s technology far surpassed his previous world by arge margin, the phone he held in his hand is transparent and ss which can even show holograms and you can transfer objects or anything you want to transfer just by scanning the object through the camera, and online shopping is also very convenient as you can just select and buy any necessities with one-tap delivery directly through phones.
This world is a mixture of the medieval and modern world with high-ss technology, not only that this world also has many races like Elves, Dwarfs, Demons, Angels, and many races.
The main story will start 2 months from now, where all the main characters will gather under one roof in "S''OREH ACADEMY", which is the pun and anagram of HERO''S.
And he decided to attend the Academy as well, in the hopes of finding some clues about his transmigration, as he already had an Academy invitation with him; only a select few are invited to the academy based on their talents, and the previous Ares was well known for his swordsmanship, which he inherited when their memories merged.
***
"In my previous world I wasn''t a swordsman but a magician, but I had some knowledge about it as my girlfriend was a swordswoman, she was known as sword maiden and I used to often watch her train."
"And in the world, that I was previously in, the main source of collecting mana was through soul, which is known as "SOUL FORCE".
That means I could still use my soul force in this world as well, as I tested using it, I realized that even though I could use my soul force, it isn''t as strong as it previously was, But the good thing is that I can at least still use it.
My Affinity was Electricity which would perfectlyplement my swordsmanship in this world, this world use mana with the body as its source, and Ares''s body was well known as the cursed manaless body, but that doesn''t matter to me much now, as I use soul as my source to collect my mana.
As I was pondering, my thoughts were interrupted when I noticed the sun rising, so I decided to stop here and freshen up and get something to eat; I am currently staying in a hotel on the floating ind where the academy is located.
And after getting myself outfitted, I ordered food using my phone, surprisingly I had quite a lot of money in my bank ount, the previous Ares doesn''t seem to be an extravagant money user.
After having my fill I decided to take a look around so I left the hotel and walked towards the streets.
While I was moving on the streets I decided to check my status screen, in my previous world there was a system, but in this world, there seems to be some sort of status screen.
As I muttered my status, I saw a huge hologram as the screen appeared in front of me, which is quite different from previous Ares memories, but after thinking for some time, I got the gist of why I think my status is the merge between system x status screen and it looked quite advanced.
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 12% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 1 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 67% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 1 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 3% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: Allow user to manipte the electricity near his body )
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. ....?????....
************
After checking his status he muttered to himself, ''The skills and abilities are not that badpared to other characters but it''s still not good enough for me,, Photographic memory will help me fasten my progress but the ...???... in affinity and ability doesn''t make sense...''
Then I thought I will know as time goes by, and left it as is...
***
Then I considered how this world operates; unlike my previous world, this world has adventurers rather than hunters.
Adventurers are individuals registered under the Adventurer''s Guild, regardless ofrace or nationality, who undertake quests offered by the Adventurer''s Guild andplete them in exchange for a mary reward.
These requests can range in nature and fatality, including but not limited to monster subjugation, escort, and investigation.
Despite its risks, gate exploration is a well-known andmon job.
To ensure that adventurers are fairlypensated, the poster of the said quest must offer a bare minimum sum, as specified in the Association''s rules and regtions.
And an adventurer doesn''t need to form a party, assome are well known to be able to fend for themselves and manage alone.
As I was pondering to myself, I heard screaming andmotion of peopleing from not far away from me, they were running left and right unsightly, so I decided to check what was happening.
After arriving at the ce of themotion, I saw a gate appear out of nowhere in the middle of the streets, it was a gate I was quite familiar with, Even though, I am in a different world this remained unchanged, I don''t know if I should be happy about it.
I took my sword out from my system storage, which was like an Inventory, where I can store any of my necessities, the sword was normal and somewhat sturdy, which was not that special. I found them from previous Ares belongings, but I should make it do for now...
I got into my fighting posture and waited for the monsters toe out of the gate. I was eager to try my strength, and know my standings in this world, as I wanted to surpass my previous self, who was weak and pathetic, and who couldn''t even protect the one I loved the most...
***************
Chapter 3 Mika Amami The SS-Rank Adventurer (1)
Good day, readers. Quite a few mentions were sent to me regarding the element, which is "ELECTRICITY" and not "LIGHTNING."
So here is my response: I intend to make "LIGHTNING" the development of "ELECTRICITY." Consequently, it will change in the future.
I appreciate you reading My Book.
*******************
As I was waiting for the monster toe out of the gate,
Soon I saw a silhouette of a monster, that was as huge as the building, it was only one, but I know how dangerous that bastard is...
It was an A-Rank monster....a huge one-eye cyclops carrying a huge hammer, even though it was huge its speed is not to be trifled with and it also has a monstrous strength which means a single hit from it will turn me into a meat paste.
"...."
But I wasn''t nning on running away because I am used to fighting monsters stronger than me and I just have to stall some time until reinforcements arrive because the floating ind''s security is quite goodpared to any other kingdoms.
As I was nning my next move I heard the monster''s huge roar.....
ROARRRRRRRR.....
Hearing the monster''s roar I found an opening in his defense so I decided to make my first move, I began rushing towards it by manipting electricity around my legs, and using my skill snake steps which increased my speed drastically, catching the monster off guard, I struck its ankles, but it wasn''t powerful enough,
"It is too shallow" I muttered to myself.
The monster was shocked to see me unaffected by the pressure it was emitting and cried out loud due to the pain in its ankle, it swung its hammer with full strength as if to crush me underneath it, but I already anticipated it and dodged his attack skillfully.
The pressure it was emitting was no joke, but due to me already being used to the pressure stronger than it, and as my soul force is already used to that much pressure, I wasn''t affected much. If it was anyone other than me, they would have been paralyzed and would have been trembling in fear.
The monster looked quite angry due to the stunt that I pulled, and it rushed toward me with its huge body, but its speed says otherwise, it mmed his huge hammer to crush me underneath it again, but I dodged the hammer with thins breath and rushed towards it by manipting electricity around my legs and climbed its hand at the fast pace and decked my sword into its only eye.
The Cyclope was terrified by my sudden attack and screamed in pain, the blood started oozing from its eye like a waterfall.
It started swinging its hammer left and right with its full strength due to its pain and destroyed all the surrounding buildings, the shockwaves of it threw me far away from it and I ended up hitting the building at high speed while throwing a mouthful of blood all over, I tried to reduce the impact by digging my sword underneath with all my strength but the sword ended up breaking.
"Is it too early for me to face an A-Rank monster", I muttered to myself.
Seeing the blood oozing all over my body and with a few broken bones, I was barely keeping my consciousness due to pain, though my body was well trained due to previous Ares being the swordsman, and him not neglecting his training, it still took quite a toll on this teenage body.
Using electricity maniption was still too much for my current body, and I need to get familiarize myself with using with snake steps technique as well, I thought to myself...
I tried to get up by using the broken sword as my support because the monster was still not dead, and was approaching me slowly by sensing my presence, the only thing that slowed him down was because its eye was now blinded.
The monster was not that far away from me and I was nning my next measure, as to deal with it,
But as the monster was not that far away from me, I saw its movement stoppletely,...
I squinted my eyes toward the monster, to know why it stopped so abruptly, but the scene in front of me made my eyes widen in shock...
"...."
I saw a huge red trail on the monster from the center of its head to its lower abdomen, which looked like a clean sword cut, and soon its body was separated into two pieces, each piece falling to either side...
And behind its corpse, I saw a silhouette of a person, which seems to be a woman, she was holding a katana in her hand, and it seems, she was the one behind ying that monster. And now, she was approaching me,
The woman was wearing a Japanese kimono, which was a ck and whitebination, and her ck hair was tied in a bun, while her ck sharp eyes with a beauty mark under her left eye, made her look even more attractive.
She was carrying two dark ck katanas, one in her right hand and another katana hanging around the left side of her waist, she approached me and stood, right in front of me, without speaking up any word.
*************
After seeing her up close, I got to know immediately who she was,
She was Mika Amami one of the Few SS-Rank Adventurers in this world...
She has a Crazy-Yandere-type personality, and in the novel, she was overly obsessed with her only disciple.
In the future, she would single-handedly ughter the whole branch of Adventurer Guild, due to her disciple getting slightly hurt during his mission because its difficulty was somewhat greater than what was mentioned by the guild.
''Yup, she is ''that'' crazy woman,'' I thought to myself...
She stared at me without saying a word. I stared back at her too, without uttering a word as well. While my whole body was now in pain and was covered in blood.
As we both red at each other, a sparkle could be seen in both of our eyes, and only silence befell between us.
And after a brief moment, Mika broke the silence and spoke, she didn''t even ask me about my name, nor did she ask me about my injuries...
She just said three words, with an emotionless and straight face,
"Be My Disciple",
And Just after hearing those words, I lost my consciousness, because of excessive blood loss...., and definitely not because of those words.
"....."
***************
Chapter 4 Mika Amami The SS-Rank Adventurer (2)
POV Mika Amami ~
I have been staying on the floating ind for the past few days and waiting for thepletion of my work, and on a normal day during my stay here I received news about the gate breakout but I didn''t care much about it because I found it quite bothersome,
But soon I got a call from one of my few friends requesting my assistance, I wanted to reject her but I have received quite a lot of favors from her in the past.
Nevertheless, I decided to take care of it as soon as possible andplete my pending work and leave the floating ind,
On my way near the gate I met quite a lot of low-rank adventures who were helping people evacuate, I didn''t bother with them and rushed where I can sense the presence of the monster.
Just by the pressure, the monster was emitting I knew it was an A-Rank monster, if left alone it could destroy the whole city and the low-rank adventures didn''t ever dare to stay there.
As soon as I arrived near the gate I saw a huge building size monsters silhouette and I decided to get this over with as soon as possible, but I stopped my steps when I sensed another presence,
To get a clear look at the person present I decided to wait just out of my sheer curiosity,
After moving to a ce from where I could get a clear sight of that person I halted my steps in shock, " "
There I saw a boy with dark ck hair around 15-16 years of age standing in front of a monster unaffected by its emitting pressure,
And when I saw his fearless eyes gazing at the monster,.... it sent shivers down my spines...
The boy was ring at the monster with his narrow sharp ck eyes which gave the scene the look of the hunter waiting to devour its prey...
The monster roared at him to scare him off or try to paralyze him but that doesn''t seem to bother the boy much, soon the boy disappeared from where he was and leaving just the blue trail behind and soon he attacked the monster on its ankles which took the monster by the surprise,
I was once again shocked by that speed and more importantly due to ''that'' affinity...
After that, I saw him try his best to defeat that monster but it was still too strong for the boy to defeat it as of now, and I saw him covered in his blood...
I came back to my senses,
And soon I killed the monster immediately not wanting the boy to get himself killed,
Because soon he will be my...disciple, I thought to myself.
If he trained under me he will soon be able to surpass me and I was also searching for someone that can inherit my techniques, it seems to be fate,
I thought to myself and nodded several times in confirmation,
I then approached him and said him my thoughts, but he lost consciousness due to excessive blood loss...
***************
Ares slowly opened his eyes and found himself engulfed in a room of endless darkness,
soon he saw the small form of light in the shape of a ball approaching him, he heard the whispers from it "Help me Ares"...."Help me Ares".., continuously,
He was confused, which Ares that light was asking for help, as his name was Ares in his previous world too.., he knew that it wasn''t any coincidence and there must be some purpose in himing to this world.
To throw him out of his thoughts, the light soon covered the whole dark room with its bright light and he has to close his eyes to not get blinded by it,
And as soon as Ares opened his eyes he found himselfying on the bed seeing the unfamiliar white roof which doesn''t seem to be the hospital, He soon checked the condition he was in...
And he found his whole injuries were healed and what was left was just a mild headache and sour throat,
As he was pondering to himself he soon saw a woman entering the room wearing a white doctor coat, Her unique long pink hair was left alone like a waterfall till her waist with her white beautiful face and green eyes, she had the hint of a mature woman with her perfect figure.
She approached Ares with a smile on her face which looked like blooming flowers that any man would want to protect,
She first checked Ares''s condition for a few seconds and then introduced herself and started exining how he ended up here,
After hearing her exnation he got to know that her name was Aegis Winston and she is one of the S-Rank Healers which is quite rare in this world to find. she also told him how she was dragged here by her best friend Mika Amami to treat him. and how he was carried here by her best friend when he was covered in blood and bruises.
Ignoring all the information Ares got from her, he thought about the most important and scariest info he got,
Ares was now staying in the personal mansion of Mika Amami....." "
Soon he realized what he heard before losing consciousness and that was enough for sending chills down his spines...
***
Aegis saw him lost in his thoughts and decided to break the silence, And spoke
''''I never thought Mika will find herself a disciple and quite handsome at that., I heard about how you fought an A-Rank monster fearlessly,
Even though she is older than you I hope you still take care of her''''.
she said while making an innocent smile, but her eyes says otherwise...
Ares just red at her without saying anything...and after a brief moment of silence he decided to speak
''''I never told her that I will be her disciple and als...''''
Before he could finish his sentence Aegis interrupted him...
''''It doesn''t matter if you want to be her disciple or not'''', she paused for a few moments and spoke again.
''''Because once she decided that you will be her disciple you didn''t have much choice, she will chase you to the end of the world even if she has to.
until you ept her as your master the easy way or she even has many other ways, trust me I have been through it before, she will get what she wants no matter the consequences".
''''And I think it will be quite helpful for you to be the disciple of an SS-Rank Adventurer. which alsoes with quite a lot of perks''''.
''''She may not look like it but she cherishes the one close to her and she is quite reliable too....maybe",
"Ohh and her swordsmanship is well known all around the world..''''
She''s well known as "SWORD EMPRESS"...
After saying all that she paused for a moment wanting to hear my response
I pondered to myself for a few minutes and thought about what I heard from her and weighed the pros and cons of bing a disciple of an SS-Rank Adventurer Mika Amami...
After a few moments of silence, I decided to respond to her about what my answer is,
while she was ring at me with stars in her eyes
".....".
Chapter 5 Becoming An Adventurer (1)
It''s been over a month since I became Mika Amami''s disciple, and only a month left for me to attend the academy.
Bing Mika Amami''s disciple wasn''t that bad of a choice, I thought to myself while checking my status screen,
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE SWORDSMANSHIP
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 92% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 1 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 97% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 1 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 57% ) ( Beginner Level )
( Info: Allow user to manipte the electricity near his body )
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. ....?????....
************************
''''My Mastery of skills improved drastically and they are almost at the level of intermediate,
I think I can improve my mastery to an intermediate level before joining the academy''''
I muttered to myself,
After observing my status, I thought about the training I went through with Mika.
Though it was brutal it was quite effective,
ording to Mika, my foundation was a mess, it''s like I know how to use a sword but my body wouldn''t know how to react to it and sometimes it just moves on Instinct.
After hearing her exnation I thought to myself,...that she hit the nail right on point,
Because the one who practiced the sword was previous Ares, even though I inherited his memories the fact that I never used the sword before never changed, and I can''t fight based on Instincts forever.
During the past month, I improved my foundation drastically and now I don''t need to just focus on Instincts during fights,
And the fact that I was worried about most was the obsessive nature of Mika Amami,
But after being with her for a month I don''t think it''s that bad, and I think it''s quite good to have someone worry and take care of you even though she goes overboard sometimes.
'''' ''''
But the best thing was that she is an excellent teacher, she pointed out my every little mistake without showing any disappointment...
Even After seeing my Awkward and rogue stance...
To get me out of my thoughts I heard my phone ringing., and it was Mika.
She told me to get myself dressed because as she want to take me somewhere, she didn''t clearly exin where we are going...." "
After ending my call with Mika, I got myself dressed in the clothes she brought for me...
She bought me clothes fitting the entire room, it has daily wear clothes, training clothes, clothes for outings, party clothes, etc...
Just seeing those clothes made me think of some young master being spoiled by his rich mother
By the way, I have been staying at Mika Amami''s mansion for the past month now...
Her mansion is quite huge with every necessity avable, from gym, training room, swimming pools, etc...
And I''m taking the second floor entirely for myself, while Mika stays on the third floor.
**************
As soon as I got out of the mansion I saw Mika waiting for me leaning on her sports car,
She was wearing different clothes than she usually wears,
She was wearing a ck shirt with tight ck jeans and ck boots, half of that shirt was tucked in, and her usually long tied hair was left alone to free fall, and her two katanas hanging left side of her waist...
I was again mesmerized by her beautiful white face with a beauty mark under her left eye which was highlighted due to her clothes.
And by pure coincidence, my clothing was all-ck as well, if weren''t for our height difference we would have looked like a couple wearing matching outfits...
I came out of my thoughts as we greeted each other and got in her car to leave for our destination...
**************
Third Person POV ~
While traveling, Ares was told by Mika that they will be visiting the Adventurer guild for Ares to be an Adventurer.
ording to Mika, it wouldn''t be that hard for Ares to be an Adventurer by having Mika as his sponsor...
Ares could skip all the required examinations and he just has to duel with a trainer to determine his rank.
They arrived at the Adventurer guild after around 30 minutes of travel.
As they were moving to the hall everyone was making a way for Mika and Ares, soon after the receptionist noticed Mika she ran towards her and took them to the VIP lounge...
Ares was observing the expressions of the people present in the hall, and in which most were fear and respect.
Ares was again reminded that how powerful of a figure Mika Amami was...
She was one of the few SS-RANK Adventurers with the title of "SWORD EMPRESS".
And how she was respected and feared by the whole world.
*****
As they arrived in the VIP lounge, soon the Guild master of the branch came running inside the lounge with his sweating forehead.
The Guild Master was a brown-haired guy with a well-built body, huge and his height seems to be around 195 cm.
Even before he began to introduce himself he was shut down and interrupted by Mika and she directly told him the purpose of her visit.
The Guild master could only smile Awkwardly as he couldn''t even introduce himself properly but he soon ordered the receptionist to get the preparations ready for the duel...
And after waiting for a few minutes the receptionist came back to inform them that everything was ready,
Ares and Mika went to the prepared training hall while following the Guild master and the receptionist.
As they arrived at the training hall they were met by a ck-haired guy with a scar on his left eye and a well-toned body, he seemed to be a trainer to determine the adventurer''s rank.
And soon after they all greeted each other, Mika and Guild''s master went to the corner of the training hall leaving Ares and the ck-haired guy at the center.
They both were given wooden swords by the receptionist for a duel,
Usually, real swords would have been used in this type of duel but Mika forced them to use wooden swords against Ares.
It''s not that she didn''t believe in him but she just doesn''t want to see him in any danger or see him getting hurt badly,
what if he got badly wounded "identally", she thought to herself.
Ares could only smile awkwardly by seeing how Mika was treating him,
Even the Guild master, trainer, and receptionist were shocked to see Mika''s behavior towards Ares.
Leaving his shocked expression behind soon the trainer took his sword stance indicating Ares to get ready,
Seeing the trainer Ares too took his sword stance, while Guild master and Mika too started focusing their attention on both of them,
Soon the receptionist blew a whistle indicating the start of the duel...
******
Chapter 6 Becoming An Adventurer (2)
POV Ares ~
As soon as I heard the blow of the whistle I rushed toward the trainer using my snake step technique which only left my After images on the left and right side like a snakes movements as I moved towards him,
And as soon as he was in my attack range I jumped in the air and used my sword skill fell crescent, the blue in color crescent fell towards where the trainer was,
I didn''t stop at that and continuously used my skill two-three times again, the blue crescents attacked the trainer from all directions.
The trainer looked quite shocked by the speed of my attacks that attacked him from all directions and parried the with his sword...
The smoke raised from where he was, and the ground was destroyed leaving only the sword marks on the ground,
The trainer came out of smoke seeming not that affected by my attacks but I knew better than my attack did him some damage,
If looked closely the wrist in which he was carrying his sword was slightly bleeding,
Seeing that, a small grin came on my face unknowingly to me..,
There was no change in expression on the trainer''s face, and he directly rushed towards me and swung his sword toward me,
I dodged his attack by just taking a step backward, Seeing me dodge his attack so easily he continued attacking me by swinging his sword left, right, and all over,
I dodged his every attack moving left and right by thins breath and parrying some attacks with my sword, and as our swords meet each other at a fast pace only sparks could be seen with the naked eyes of normal people like the receptionist...
We both attack each other for a few minutes at a fast pace and most of the time I was on defense due to the difference in our power...
But I still was able to dodge and parry his all attacks and I wasn''t at any disadvantage.
It''s not like his attacks were slow but I have faced attacks much faster than his while practicing with Mika,
A smile crept on my face while parrying and dodging his attacks because I was able to do that without using my element, I heard he was an A-Rank adventure, and keeping up with him without being at disadvantage was quite a good achievement for me..,
Seeing that his attacks isn''t working on me he then used his element wind and send an attack toward me,
It took me by surprise but I tried to dodge it but I was somewhatte, the attack gazed on my right cheek and blood started to drip from it.
As I was preparing for my next attack, I felt a sudden chill from my back,
I slowly turned my head to see its source, my eyes widened in shock and my mouth was wide open,
There I saw Mika''s hair floating mid-air her eyes turned red and the whole training hall was vibrating from her killing intent trying to destroy everything in its path...
The Guild master who was standing near her started vomiting blood, the receptionist who was not far from them lost her consciousness then I turned to where the trainer was,
The trainer was on his knees oozing blood from all over his body, his eyes bloodshot, and blood was dripping from his ears, nose, and mouth...he seemed to lose consciousness while sitting on his two knees.,
Only I seemed to be unaffected by it, " "
It''s not like I cane out unscathed from that much killing intent it is just that her killing intent didn''t even reach me...
This means she is controlling her killing intent by creating her domain...
Only a few people can make their domain which is when they reached and obtained a certain level of power that transcend humans...
And that people are known as transcended beings...
There are only a few of them in the whole world and we can count them on our fingers...
I never thought Mika was a transcended being...
"...."
********
I soon came back to my senses and rushed towards Mika and shook her left and right and screamed her name as loudly as I can to make her stop, but that doesn''t seem to work.
Then I pulled her by her arms with my full strength and kissed her on the cheeks and hugged her tightly while wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my head on her stomach...
It''s quite embarrassing but she sometimes force''s me into doing that...and that''s not the worst part she even wants me to sleep over with her and Aegis on weekends.."...."
I stayed there for a minute and soon I noticed her killing intent reducing by every second and after a few more seconds it dispersedpletely...
She came back to her senses and rubbed her hands on my hair and then on my right cheek where a small amount of blood was dripping and took out a high-level health potion and made me drink it.....
What a waste of a high-level potion, I thought to myself...
High-level health potions are like an extra life for adventurers which could help heal deep injuries, damaged organs, and even decapitated body parts.....
You can''t buy high-level health potions even if you have a huge amount of money, hence it''s sought after by every adventurer all across the world...
Aegis was the one who told me about potions, and she''s the one that makes and supplies these potions to Mika...
Aegis is not only a healer but also a potion maker, hence sought by every kingdom.
She regrly changes her identity while visiting other kingdoms because her presence would cause her to die by overworking.
Mika was the one who sponsored her when she was a newbie in her profession and hence from then on they became sisters...
That''s what Aegis told me, I got quite close to her too she always stays at home readingics or watching animes so I visit her regrly after my training to pass my time, and sometimes Mika joins too...
Aegis stays on the first floor of Mika Amami''s mansion...
*************
After all, that scene caused by Mika we returned to the VIP lounge and were sipping tea, like what happened a few minutes ago was just a dream...
After getting back to his senses and healing himself the Guild master came to the VIP lounge where I and Mika were enjoying tea together...
He had a fear and guilty expression on his face while Mika was ring at him as if boring a hole through him...
Mika exined to me why she lost herposure, she said trainers didn''t suppose to use these elements and skills while dueling with the adventurers with their swords...
They had to just use their swordsmanship to test and determine the adventurer''s rank...
And in the case of adventurers that use magic, they can just use basic level spells to attack and defend themselves,
In my case, the trainer fighting with me used his element wind during our fight which was against the rules.
That''s the reason why she was angry at them and not because I got hurt or I had a bleeding cheek.... definitely not,
I don''t know why but she repeated that words twice.." "
Then I moved my attention to the Guild master who was bowing countlessly and apologizing, he even promised topensate me...
Then Mika took him somewhere to talk somethings in private, they both returned after a few minutes and I noticed Mika smiling at me innocently,
Whereas Guild master''s face seemed pale and he was sweating all over and...trembling?
" "
Then the Guild master rushed out in a hurry leaving me and Mika alone in the VIP lounge..,
I saw Mika from the corner of my eyes and saw she was still smiling innocently with her eyes focused on me...
She didn''t say anything and sat beside me while hugging me from the side and putting the side of her head on mine.
I can hear her heartbeat.."thump" "thump"
And she was muttering something in low voice..." my precious" "my precious"?
My body suddenly shuddered all over...
*********
But soon the guild master returned carrying something in his hand and handed it to Mika with trembling hands...
Mika checked the card and observed it for a good few seconds and smiled softly while passing it to me.
I took the card given to me by Mika and then checked it and my eyes widened seeing its contents.." "
I looked at Mika for an exnation but she just smiled at me innocently.
It was a tinum card on which my info and adventurer rank was written.
A-RANK ADVENTURER
ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR
AGE ~ 15
TALENT ~ SWORDSMANSHIP
SPONSOR ~ MIKA AMAMI AKA "SWORD EMPRESS"
Mika''s name was inscribed with imbued diamonds or maybe something that looks like it....or is it real?
"Wait.!! A-RANK ADVENTURER???"
**********
Chapter 7 Raiding A Gate
Bing an A-Rank adventurer wasn''t that easy, Aegis will flip over if she saw this, it took her five years to be an A-Rank adventurer and another two-three years to be an S-Rank adventurer...
You need to clear arge number of gates and many other merits like helping during Gate breakouts, subjugation of criminals, orpleting any other missions and have umted enough fame to be an A-RANK adventure...
I can have ess to any gates below S-Level and there are many other perks too.
I came back from my thoughts when I heard Mika''s voice,
"Congrattions on bing the youngest A-Rank adventurer my disciple," she said with a huge grin on her face.
Seeing her grinning I now knew what private talk she had with the poor Guild master,
I pity the Guild master whose name I don''t know.....I thought to myself,
"It''s all thanks to you master" I replied smiling at her innocently,
*******
Soon we left the adventurer guild and got to where Mika''s car was parked, as we entered the car Mika spoke her mind,
"I have some work that I have to do so I will be leaving the floating ind tomorrow"
I just looked at her with widened eyes and kept quiet,
I didn''t show it on my face but I was quite happy, it''s not that I don''t like herpany but because I was nning on clearing gates to increase my skills proficiency, and in the process if I got hurt even slightly,
Then I don''t think there will be Adventurers Guild tomorrow on a floating ind, Mika will use them as a scapegoat to vent her anger,
I don''t want to repeat the scene that happened in the novel,
Now that I think about it, what will happen to the person that would have been her disciple?
I think I will meet him at the academy, poor bastard....or lucky bastard?
While I was pondering to myself, oblivious to my thoughts Mika spoke again
"Don''t worry my disciple I will finish my work as soon as I can ande back to you, I know you will miss me and I will miss you too so don''t be sad,"
"Your Master will bring souvenirs for you"
I just replied with, "hm!" And nodded my head,
But in my mind, I was thinking about the soon-to-be or not disciple, if my guess is right she would have met ''that'' guy during this trip of her''s...,
But I don''t know now if she will take him as her disciple or not.
"I will make it up to you by apanying you to an A-Level gate," Mika said making a bitter smile...
I don''t know why she was feeling guilty and making that kind of expression, but I epted her proposal by nodding my head.
Seeing me agreeing with her she gave me a huge bright smile and drove to where the A-Level gate was located, where she wasmissioned by the Adventurer Association.
Adventurer Association is quite different from Adventurer guild, we can find many branches of adventurer guild in every kingdom and the Guild masters of every branch are quite influential figures based on their power, money, and connections anyone can create their guild but they need the approval of Adventurer Association.
And, there is only one Adventurer Association that acts as the headquarters.
After traveling for about 20 minutes we soon arrived at the gate''s location...
''This will be my first gate raid in this world and I don''t know if it has any simrities to the gates from my previous world'', I thought to myself...
************
I got myself dressed in the battle suit which Mika prepared for me,
It was simr to the assassins outfit that assassins usually wear, if I wore a mask I would have looked like an assassin as well,
Sometimes I think Mika is just fulfilling her fetishes by making me wear whatever she wants to see me in, " "
"It''s an outfit customized to not restrict any of your movements and it is also enhanced by high-level enhancement magic" Mika spoke in her defense after I gave her a suspicious look...
And I was also equipped with ck Katana gifted by Mika with its scabbard hanging on the left side of my waist,
Mika was wearing her usual kimono with the ck-whitebination that she was wearing when we first met with two katanas hanging on her left waist.
As we got ourselves equipped we went inside the gate directly, many other adventures were guarding the gate but no one stopped us, of course, they know who Mika Amami was.
As soon as we entered the gate the whole scenery and the temperature changed,
Amid a snowfall, we can only see the forest and a huge old creepy-looking fortress covered in snow which was far away from us and we have to cross the forest to reach there...
The temperature didn''t bother me much because of my enhanced outfit and of course, Mika wouldn''t be affected by it.
We then decided to move forward inside the forest...
To clear a gate we have two choices, one is to destroy the source of the gate which is also known as the heart of the gate or our second choice is to kill every monster present in the gate...
The second option is not that practical because the monsters will respawn every next day, so you have to kill every monster before they re-spawn.
But Of course, it''s possible if you are Mika Amami or someone as strong as her...
Soon we reached the depth of the forest but we still hadn''t encountered any monsters, which is not a good sign because that means all of the monsters are gathered in one ce and must be preparing for a breakout or nning on summoning a high-rank general type monster, and it would be quiet difficult for any normal A-Rank adventurers to deal with them as the general type monsters are usually S-Rank, and also because of there numbers...
But for strong adventurers like Mika, it is a treat as they can deal with all of them at once...
As we were moving forward we finally reached the end of the forest and not that far away from us we saw a huge fortress covered in ice I think all the monsters were gathered there, the fortress could hold around 2-3 thousand monsters...
The gate breakout urs when the monster exceeds the number of monsters a Gate could hold,
If you left the gate uncleared for a long period as the poption of monsters increases and reached the gate''s source limit then the breakout urs,
And I don''t need to say what they are doing inside that fortress now to cause a breakout, they may be trying to summon a high-level monster..... or they may be increasing their poption by breeding?
I shook my head to get out of my thoughts and was nning how to attack the fortress...
I looked toward Mika and asked her opinion,
"Master how should we enter the fortress," I asked looking towards the fortress not far away from us...
Mika just tilted her head slightly as if questions marks appeared above her head,
"What do you mean my disciple, isn''t the answer obvious" she answered while making an expression of someone who heard something idiotic...
I turned towards her and squinted my eyes as if asking for her exnation...
"Ok, let me show you," Mika said and unsheathed both of her katana''s holding one in each hand,
She moved both her katana forward by keeping her arms straight and made a cross sign using both her katana''s and applied her element of fire,
Both katana were now covered in fire, then she forced her strength out of her swords and attacked towards the fortress...,
The fire ovepped with each other making a cross sign and moved forward at a fast pace while obliterating everything that came into its path and finally hit the fortress wiping its whole existence,
Even after destroying the fortress the attack didn''t stop and continued moving forward until it hit the huge mountain covered in snow which was far behind the fortress,
The attack destroyed that whole mountain leaving only fire all around and just debris and aftermath fire could be seen through the path of the attack...
Throughout this process, I just saw the fire that was destroying everything in its path, as if I was bewitched by it I couldn''t move my gaze even for a split second not wanting to miss any scene and destruction caused by the attack...
Soon the exit gate appeared behind us, signaling the clearing of the gate...
With my eyes still in a shocking state, I asked Mika in a dazed voice..,
"What type of monsters do you think we''re in this gate, Master"
Mika who was still looking at the beautiful scene caused by her attack answered, while still looking at the scene...,
"Who cares"
Saying those words she turned around and left the gate while signaling me to follow behind her.
I looked at her back while she was leaving then turned my head towards where the fortress was, where now the fire was still engulfing everything...
I stayed there alone watching the engulfing fire for a few minutes, and soon turned around and left the gate.
''i didn''t even have the chance to fight even after equipping myself with high-enhanced equipment, I was just like a mannequin for Mika to admire'', I thought to myself slightly shaking my head while leaving the gate...
***********
Chapter 8 Meeting With Helena Parker (1)
As we came out of the gate the adventurers who were guarding it were in shock and disbelief, because we cleared the A-Level Gate in less than an hour, As to be expected of Mika Amami...
Mika was waiting for me inside her car so I rushed towards the car and got in,
"What took you so long," Mika asked while staring at me,
"I was just mesmerized by your attack master, and it took me some time to get over it" I replied to her with a bitter smile.
"You don''t have to be that impressed my disciple soon you will also be able to have that kind of power I believe you can even surpass me"....Mika spoke while smiling,
I didn''t have any words for that so I just nodded to her,
"Let''s return to the mansion now I have some preparation to make with Aegis, I will be away for 20 to 25 days and will be back before the start of your academic year"
"You can stay with Aegis at the mansion and you should improve your swordsmanship until I return," Mika said and I nodded in confirmation.
As Mika was speaking her mind, we soon arrived at the mansion.,
After parking her car we went inside the mansion, and as soon as we entered the mansion we were met by a guest,
Seeing her Mika furrowed her eyebrows and spoke...
"What do you want bitch, I told you not to visit my mansion like it''s your backyard" Mika spat at her...
I was standing next to her while observing who the guest was,
She has long silver hair tied in a ponytail, ember red eyes with sharp eyebrows, and a beautiful face, she was wearing ck tight gym clothes and a ck jacket tied around her waist,
The tight exercise clothes entuated her excellent figure. Those beautiful and eye-catching curves were irresistibly attractive!
she was holding a cigarette between her lips and smiled teasingly at Mika who was cursing at her...
My eyes widened seeing her but soon I returned to keep my poker face.
Because I knew who she was, her name is Helena Parker and her element is electricity same as mine, and she is a member of the evil organization "SHADOWS"...
As I was pondering to myself, Helena ignored Mika and appeared in front of me and grabbed my shoulder, it was like she directly teleported as I can''t even get a glimpse at her movements...
Though I was shocked by her sudden approach I didn''t show it on my face and kept my poker face and just red at her.,
Helena grinned and removed a cigarette from her mouth with her right hand and spoke.,
"Aren''t you The fourth prince of Escratia Kingdom ''Ares Vos Rothstaylor'', what are you doing here?" she asked
Even before I can reply to her, she was sent flying towards the wall due to Mika''s kick and cracks like spider web could be seen as she hit the wall...
"Don''t touch my disciple, bitch" Mika grunted at her furiously.
Hearing Mika''s words Helena raised her eyebrows and muttered, "Disciple?" with a questioning face and got up and appeared in front of us again in a blink of an eye seemingly unharmed, and ignored Mika''s kick like she''s used to it...
"How do you know him?" Mika asked while squinting her eyes between me and Helena..,
************
Third Person POV ~
Even though Ares was a prince, no one could recognize him as his position in the kingdom wasn''t that good and he never appeared in any social events, Even though everyone might be heard of his name but not many has seen his face.
But of course, Mika and Ageis knew about him as Ares told them about his standings in the kingdom and also about his revenge too.
And knowing that Helena knew about who Ares was, Mika has doubts about Helena''s intentions.
Ignoring Mika''s furious gaze Helena answered,
"Of course, I know who he is as our organization was trying to recruit him knowing about his talent in swordsmanship, and it''s impossible to forget that handsome face easily" saying that Helena smiled mischievously..,
As soon as shepleted her words, the whole mansion was engulfed in strong killing intent of two people destroying all the ss windows and the whole mansion was trembling as if an eruption of an earthquake,
The source was of course Mika and Ageis,
Yes, normally yful Ageis was also emitting her killing intent towards Helena,
Facing both Mika''s and Ageis killing intent, Cold sweat appeared on Helena''s forehead and her hands were trembling as she dropped the cigarette from her hand on the floor and raised her both hands in the air and stepped backward signaling her surrender, and spoke while her voice trembling...
"W-Wait l-let me fin-finish what I was s-saying"
After a few seconds, both Mika and Ageis retracted their killing intent and shouted in unison,
"SPEAK!!"
As soon as she heard their ferocious voice she fell to the sofa as her legs went numb...
She breathed heavily for a few minutes and soon got herposure back and looked towards Mika and Ageis who were still ring at her furiously.., she sighed and answered them,
"It was three months ago that we got his information and I saw his picture at that time, but a month ago we lost contact with the one who was keeping an eye on him and lost his tracks"
"Now I know why we lost contact with the informer keeping his tracks, and why we couldn''t find where Ares was"..of course, he was killed by Mika, Helena thought inwardly...
Even after listening to her answer Mika and Ageis still didn''t stop there ring at her,
Seeing them behave like that Helena spoke again,
"Of course, we won''t do anything to him now as we don''t want to make an enemy of Mika Amami"
Hearing her words Mika retracted her gaze but there was still one more gaze on Helena,
Seeing that Helena sighed again outwardly and said.
"Of course, we don''t want to make an enemy of Aegis Winston too"
Hearing her words Ageis retracted her gaze as well and nodded in satisfaction...
*******************
Ares was in the corner leaning against the wall and was eating some potato chips, and watching the scenes unfold in front of him...
"I was quite hungry because I didn''t have my lunch and I only have some snacks with me, hence I had no choice but to eat potato chips... it''s not like I was enjoying the scene unfolding before me" Ares muttered to himself and nodded several times in confirmation.
*********************
Chapter 9 Meeting With Helena Parker (2)
Third Person POV ~
"State the purpose of your visit Bitch" Mika asked while squinting her eyes towards Helena.,
Ignoring Mika''s curses Helena replied,
"I heard you got yourself a disciple so I came here to check him out, who made The Great Mika Amami ept him as her disciple I was quite curious about that" Helena paused for a few seconds and continued again...
"And I also heard your disciple''s element is electricity, I can give him some pointers" Helena spoke while ring at Ares while stars could be seen in her eyes..,
" "
Mika was speechless after hearing her exnation, and after a few moments of silence, she furrowed her eyebrows and asked Helena.
"Where did you get that information from bitch, the information guilds got quite brazen I don''t think there is any need for them in this world"
Mika spoke making a distorted face...
Seeing Mika''s distorted face Helena chuckled and replied,
"I never said I got this information from the information guild, did i.? "
"Huh.?"
Mika furrowed her forehead asking for an exnation...
Helena didn''t want to exin anything so she just pointed her index finger toward Aegis.,
Ageis felt the gazes from Mika, Ares, and Helena, and she flinched by bing the sudden center of attention and made a cute sound.
"Haaahh"
Mika looked at her by squinting her eyes and spoke...
"What''s the meaning of this Aegis, exin why is this bitch here"
Hearing Mika''s furious voice Aegis decided to exin as she cleared her throat,
"Ahem, let me exin as you''ll be leaving tomorrow for your work, I thought Ares should also increase his Mastery in using his element, and as Helena is the fellow electric user as Ares don''t you think she''ll be the perfect teacher for him to improve, hmm?" Ageis exined.
Surprised by the Ageis''s exnation Mika shouted...
"WHAT!!"
Mika asked again for confirmation in a furious voice...
"YOU WANT," she said while pointing her index finger towards Helena
"THAT BITCH TO BECOME MY DISCIPLE''S TEACHER" She pointed towards herself with her thumb,
Aegis nodded several times in confirmation while making sounds.
"hmm" "hmm"
"" ""
Mika was speechless hearing Aegis''s words, she pressed her temples using her right hand as if she was getting a headache...
''You''re out of your mind, you want her to steal my precious disciple from me, yeah that bitch will steal my disciple, I should just kill her, yeah everything will be fine if I just kill her, yeah I should do that...'' Mika kept her head down, her face covered by her hair, and muttered at a fast pace in low voice repeatedly like a broken record...
******************************
POV Ares ~
Seeing the gloomy atmosphere near Mika I rushed towards her because if I didn''t do anything now I thought something bad will happen here...
I grabbed Mika''s right hand using both of my hands and called her repeatedly., she started leaking her Aura and crackling sounds could be heard from all across the mansion, Hearing the crackling sounds I called her out in a desperate voice...
"Master.., Master.., snap out of it" I shouted and pulled her hands towards me but she still didn''t move an inch,
"This is bad" I muttered to myself hurriedly and looked towards where Aegis and Helena were to ask them for help, but my face paled when I saw them, They were both paralyzed by the pressure that Mika was emitting and blood was dripping from there nose and mouth, fear and shock could be seen on there faces...
They couldn''t even wipe the blood as their body froze.
Ageis seems to be somewhat fine as she''s using her healing magic on herself not far away from her, Helena was gritting her teeth and was enduring the pain...
Even though Aegis and Helena are S-Rank adventurers there is still a huge gap between S-RANK and SS-RANK Adventurers...
As for why I am not affected was because Mika''s pressure doesn''t reach me, as if it''s ignoring me.
Even in her bad state of mind she still doesn''t want to see me get hurt, I don''t know if I shouldugh or cry at this predicament...
Her obsession for me is now to the point of no return, in the beginning, I thought I could deal with it somehow, but things will be quite troublesome in the future...I thought to myself and sighed,
I looked Mika in her eyes which now seemed like an abyss that can engulf everything if stared at it for too long.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and used my element, and covered my whole body with electricity jumped towards Mika''s neck and wrapped my hands around them and hugged her tightly while hugging her I screamed her name...
"MIKA STOP!!" and bite her cor bone as hard as I could while I was still covered in electricity I stayed there for a few seconds and then retracted my teeth leaving a bite mark on her cor bone and a small amount of blood dripping from it...
I should grow my height quickly I thought to myself inwardly while hugging Mika.
Mika shuddered and soon came out of her daze and in the split seconds the pressure dissipated and the atmosphere returned to how it was before...And only silence befell around the whole mansion for a few seconds...
I was still hugging Mika and soon she hugged me back with one hand and was stroking my hair with another...
To break the silence, Aegis came running toward us with watery eyes and apologized to Mika repeatedly, and started crying like a small girl which doesn''t seem to match her appearance...
"I am sorry miikaa, I''m sooo soouurry" wahhh
wahh because of me wahh...
Only Aegis''s crying could be heard all around the mansion, I never saw her behave like that, I thought to myself inwardly...
Mika stopped stroking my hair and hugged Aegis with that arm to make her stop crying...
We stayed there until Aegis stopped her sobbing ...and after a few seconds, Mika finally let go of me and Aegis.
she then turned towards Helena who was sitting on the floor while her knees folded on either side, she was wiping blood from her face using the sleeves of her jacket not paying us any attention, and lost in her world...
The beautiful and dignified appearance she had when she arrived was now nowhere to be seen...
But she still looked hot in that position...
I shook my head toe out of my thoughts as I heard Mika''s voice,
"Bitch" she shouted while ring at Helena, Helena replied to her stutteringly,
"Wh-What"
Mika spoke again while squinting her eyes...
"I will allow you to train my disciple, but you have to follow some of my conditions"
After hearing Mika''s words Helena red at her for a few seconds then stood up from the ground and answered...
"Alright"
Soon Mika and Helena left towards the training hall to discuss these matters and only me and Aegis were left alone surrounded by destroyed sses broken furniture, cracked floors, and Embarrassed Aegis with her flushed face averting her eyes from me...
And silence befell in the hall for a good few seconds as we both kept quiet without uttering a single word, I was embarrassed too but I didn''t show it on my face but soon Aegis broke the silence and spoke...
"Don''t mind them, they''re always like this"
"Huh," I unknowingly made that sound as I was quite confused by what she said.
Seeing my confused expression Aegis exined..,
"They may not show it but both Mika and Helena are childhood friends and they went through life and death together from a very young age"
"It may seem like they hate each other and either of them won''t care if the other is dead, but that isn''t the case if something bad happens to either one of them they will be there for each other"
"It might sound cringe but hear me out, a few years ago Mika was hurt quite badly during the subjugation of terrorist group and had quite a lot of broken bones and was getting treated by me, at that time Mika was not that strong as she is now, soon Helena came to visit her and after seeing her condition.., Helena became furious and gathered the information of there bases location and rushed towards where the terrorist base was and wiped them from the world"
"At that time Helena was stronger than Mika but soon Mika surpassed her and became a transcended being and she helped Helena many times too"
"Their friendship became somewhat sour as Helena joined ''that'' organization for some personal reasons and refused to ept Mika''s help"
"And from that day Mika call her ''bitch'' instead of her name"...after saying that she finally stopped.
That was too much of an info dump there...I shook my head and thought to myself
Once Aegis starts talking she wouldn''t stop at any rate until she finishes what she was saying.
After finishing her story about Mika''s and Helena''s friendship, Aegis escaped wanting to hide her embarrassment., and left me alone in the hallway...
? "" ""
I saw the sun going down from the broken windows and thought to myself,
Today was quite hectic I saw a lot of embarrassing moments of Mika, Aegis, and Helena, I thought to myself and chuckled inwardly while leaving the hall...
*************************
Chapter 10 My Second Teacher, Helena Parker
Ares was in the training hall of Mika Amami''s mansion and he had just finished his training with Helena.
Yeah, it''s been more than half a month since Helena became Ares''s teacher to help him in mastering his Element ''Electricity''..
*************
POV Ares ~
I was sipping a drink while sitting on a bench in the training hall and soon I heard the footsteps approaching me, I tilted my head slightly to look towards them but I soon found Helena standing in front of me,
Her speed is still as fast as ever, I thought to myself inwardly...
"What is it, Helena," I asked her while seeing into her eyes...
"I never thought I could meet someone else with the same element as me, when I read your information given to me by my organization it said you have mana less body but you had talent in swordsmanship"
"If I had known you could use Electricity at that time, I would have rushed towards you as fast as I could even before Mika could find you, Tsk" ...she clicked her tongue by making a regretful face,
"It''s good that the one who provided this information was killed by Mika or I would have killed him myself"..Helena said while putting a cigarette in her mouth and lighting it by snapping her fingers near the cigarettes head,
I saw her puffing her cigarette and then spoke,
"But that information is correct though, I do have a mana-less body"
Hearing me, Helena stopped puffing her cigarette and with furrowed eyebrows and questioned me...
"Huh, what did you just say?"
Seeing her expression I chuckled inwardly and exined to her about ''Soul Force'', of course, I left out the information about my previous world and how I ended up here...,
Hearing my exnation on Soul Force Helena was left speechless, after summarizing all the information she spoke again.
"So, in simple words, you use your soul as a source to collect mana instead of your body?"
I nodded in confirmation
Helena was lost in her thoughts for a good few minutes while puffing her cigarette, I didn''t disturb her and let her be...
After a few minutes, Helena came out of her thoughts and spoke...
"That makes sense, and only the ones with a mana-less body can use their soul as the source to collect mana"
"If anyone else uses that technique of yours they will die of excessive mana or get mana disease"
She nodded several times in agreement with her statement..,
p "You''re a genius toe up with that technique, you didn''t give up even though you have a mana-less body" saying that she looked at me with pure respect and admiration in her eyes.
I wanted to scream that everyone in my previous world is born with soul force same as how everyone in this world has a mana body...
But I let it be and didn''t break Helena''s delusions...
After a few seconds, I cleared my throat and asked Helena about her weapon to change the topic.
"I mostly use electricity during my fights I got a huge mana pool you see, but on rare asions, I use a dagger as my secondary weapon" Helena exined.
"I don''t think there is any device to check your mana pool though, as you know there are devices to check the amount of mana one body can hold which is also known as mana pool"
"Since your source of mana is different, we couldn''t know how much mana your source can hold" Helena shook her head regretfully and spoke again.
"But I think you at least have a mana to be a reputed Magician," Helena said while still puffing her cigarette.
''Yup, I was a B-Rank magician in my previous world though it isn''t strong enough I was quite decent if I say so myself. I thought inwardly and checked my status screen,
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 2% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 7% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 17% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allow user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. ....?????....
************************
Seeing my status screen a satisfied smile erupted on my face, many things have changed during the past two months.
The first noticeable change is my talent, which changed from Intermediate swordsman to Intermediate magic swordsman.,
The second change was my skills Mastery level, they all changed from Beginner to Intermediate level.
And my element Mastery also increased dramatically as I was already used to using it in my previous world, and I got a whole new perception of using my electricity while training with Helena,
Unlike Mika who doesn''t want to see me hurt even during our training, Helena was quite the opposite of her.., she trained me to the brink of my death and almost killed me many times.
She can train me to her heart''s content because Mika isn''t here, if Mika got to know about Helena''s training process god knows what will happen to Helena. I thought to myself and looked at Helena pitifully,
Feeling my pitiful gaze towards her, Helena squinted her eyes and asked,
"What?"
I cleared my thoughts and asked her about their organization as if to change the topic.
"Why did you join that evil organization Helena"
I asked while staring at them, I was quite curious about that, after spending most of my time with her for the past few days she didn''t seem to be that bad of a person.... except during her training but at least she would carry me to where Aegis is and ask her to heal me...
After hearing me Helena stopped puffing her cigarette and muttered in low voice,
"Evil?"
She removed her cigarette with her right hand and looked at me with a serious face and spoke resolutely..,
"Listen to me carefully Ares, there is no such thing as good and evil in this world. Good is a point of view that changes depending on the society and depending on the era. It is in itself determined by those who have the greatest means to determine it, the powerful. Those with power dictate what is good and bad. Unlike power, good cannot live without bad. They coexist like warring brothers...
Without a viin, there can be no hero"
"The most important thing is to maintain the bnce between the constantly moving good and evil. If you lean too much in either direction, it bes difficult to maintain actual morals."
After saying that philosopher Helena...no teacher Helena started puffing her cigarette again and looked at my dazed face for a few seconds then left the training hall.
"" ""
I was left speechless by Helena''s statement and strangely I feel like I was enlightened...
I shook my head toe out of my thoughts and soon decided to leave too, while I was leaving I got a message I checked my phone and saw it was Mika''s. I stopped in my steps and read its contents but it wasn''t something important, in simple terms, Mika wouldn''t be able toe back for quite a while now as something came up for her and she has to stay there, the message was quite long I just skimmed the miss you and other parts and just read the useful information,
I kept my phone back in my pocket and left the training hall,
There aren''t many days left for the entrance ceremony of the Academy. I thought to myself and chuckled inwardly...
"This will be fun" I muttered while walking toward my room.
*************
Chapter 11 Academys Entrance Ceremony
"Finally it''s starting" Ares muttered to himself as today is the day for Academy''s Entrance Ceremony...
He stood in front of a mirror and was styling his hair, after a few seconds he stopped and admired himself, he was wearing a ck loose T-shirt with ck pants and ck sneakers...
Though Academy has uniforms but they will be used after the ss allocations, there will be some exams and the highest scoring individuals will be allotted to a special ss, and other good and average students will be allotted to Alpha and Beta sses respectively, and different ss students will have different uniforms and dorms then other sses.
And of course, the treatment for Special ss students will be more luxurious and extravagant than in other sses...
As Academy follows the principle of "The strong deserve the best treatment" and "The survival of the fittest" rule...
It doesn''t matter if you are a prince or princess if you''re not strong enough then you won''t get the best treatment...
*****************
POV Ares ~
After I got dressed and styled my hair, I checked on the Quest that I received from the System a few days ago, I never knew System has this kind of feature as well even in my previous world I never heard of anything like that,
The System prompt was different from my usual status screen...
****** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) GET THE HIGHEST SCORE IN ACADEMY''S ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ( NOT COMPLETED )
2) GET RANK #1 IN THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION ( NOT COMPLETED )
3) GET INTO THE SPECIAL CLASS ( NOT COMPLETED )
QUEST REWARD ~ ABILITY: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
QUEST FAILURE ~ PENALTY
********************************
Bypleting the quest I will get involved in the main storyline, so the purpose of the quest is to get me involved in the storyline.
I wasn''t nning on avoiding it anyway...I thought to myself while checking the quest,
"If Iplete the first and second quest, the third will bepleted automatically" I muttered to myself and checked the reward section,
''The ability universalnguage, though its description is not given I knew exactly what that ability is, it will help the user to speak and understand everynguage avable,
it was in the form of blessing rather than ability though, it helped ''Lucas Eugene'' the main character of the novel to talk and understand thenguage of gods. One of the Goddesses gave this blessing to Lucas to help him understand andmunicate with her because not all the Gods and Goddesses speak the humannguage...
But it wasn''t supposed to appear this early in the story though, it''s like a major spoiler...''
I shook my head continuously and got out of my thoughts...
" I have toplete the quests first" I muttered to myself and left Mika Amami''s mansion soon in front of the mansion''s gate I was met with Helena who was waiting for me, we both greeted each other and got in Helena''s car, unlike Mika''s sports car Helena drives a muscle car...
As we both got in, Helena get the car started and we soon left towards the Academy,
I could have gone there by myself but Helena insisted on giving me a ride so I didn''t refuse, I know she just wanted to show off her custom-made muscle car so I just yed along...
"Where is your luggage, Ares?" Helena questioned while puffing her cigarette...
"Inventory" I replied
"Inventory?" she asked me with a questioning face,
"I mean Storage ring" I corrected myself as they don''t know about my inventory,
"Oh, I see" She epted my answer and spoke again,
"Will you be visiting Mika Amami''s mansion on weekends?"
"I don''t know if I got some free time I wille by" I answered nonchntly...
" Give me a call when you are visiting, I still have many things to teach you," Helena said
" Sure" I replied to her while watching the scenery from the car''s window
After a few minutes of traveling, we finally arrived in front of the Academy gate...
I got out of the car and said my farewell to Helena and showed my invitation to the guards that were guiding the gate,
After getting approval from the guards I was allowed to enter the gate...
As soon as I entered the gate I saw a small city-likendscape were at the center was a huge building where ''S''OREH ACADEMY'' The next generation of heroes, that cringing lines were written,
"I suppose that''s the academic building" I muttered to myself and looked around, the huge building was surrounded by many other buildings from luxurious to Average which seems to be the dorms, I tilted my head towards other ces where other necessities shops, restaurants, and many other shops could be seen,
I went towards the main building where the Entrance ceremony is being held and went towards the auditorium...
As I entered the auditorium, I was met with all types of students and I saw many students ring at me, some with fascination, some with curiosity, and some with.....jealousy?
I ignored their res and sat in the corner seat of the hall and leaned on my seat while observing others and I saw many familiar faces in the crowd, as I was observing them I saw a figure getting on an auditorium stage,
It was a middle age man wearing specs with a well-shaved beard and long ck hair and a well-built body wearing a ck suit, soon he introduced himself as a Vice Dean of the Academy and gave a huge ass speech about the academy''s history which I ignored and soon he came to the main point...
"The Examination will be a battle royal between all the 300 students present here which will be held in special magical space and top 40 students with the highest score will be allotted in the special ss and rest will be allotted ording to their ranks" he exined,
Soon a student raised his hand and asked a question,
"What should we do to eliminate other students"
The Vice Dean and other professors who were standing in the corner of the hall chuckled hearing the student''s question, but soon vice dean answered...
"Of course, you have to kill them"
As soon as hepleted those words murmurs can be heard all around, seeing them vice dean shook his head and rified...
"Of course, nothing will happen to you even if you got yourself killed in that magical space, you will just be thrown out of magical space to reality"
"There will be some bacsh if you died brutally though, but you will be alright after getting some rest"
He said and started to exin the examination again...
So in simple words, the magical space will get smaller as time went by and for every student, you kill you''ll get 1 point and the more you kill the more points you get,
You wouldn''t get any points by just surviving so hiding is not an option...
The magical space would be like a huge forest and as time went by it would start shrinking and push everyone remaining in the middle,
The duration of the examination is 3 hours, and your scores will be announced with every kill you get, and the examination will stop when only one candidate is left and scoring will be done after that...
The Examination will be held tomorrow in front of the audience which is 2nd and 3rd-year students and all the faculty professors will be present and some other guests as well.,
"It''s like giving them a break to enjoy themselves while watching the first-year students kill each other" I muttered to myself shaking my head in dissatisfaction
''This world is more brutal than I thought I reminded myself again,
Soon the speech came to an end and everyone left the auditorium..,
''There will be a ughter tomorrow'' i said to myself and also left to my temporary allotted room...
*******************
Chapter 12 Entrance Examination (1)
The day of the Entrance Ceremony went by without any major issues and now finally it was the day of the examination...
Ares and other candidates were in the huge white room where translucent crystals could be seen in every corner of the room, where many candidates were talking to each other and were nning on teaming up to increase their chances of entering the special ss.
Ares was standing alone in the corner of the room and was observing others,
Soon a professor wearing a whiteb coat with ck messy hair and ck eyes with dark circles underneath it entered the white room and exined to them about the room.
"Once everyone is present, the crystals will be activated and teleport you all into the magical space, and once you get eliminated you will be back in this white room," the professor exined with an uninterested tone.
"Candidates can''t carry anything with them inside the magical space including their weapons,
you can only use weapons that will be provided to you before entering the magical space", the professor exined and tapped on a red button he was carrying soon small door appeared in the corner of the room, and the professor beckoned the students to enter the door.
Once they entered the door arge space with all types of weapons and wands hanging on the walls or ced on the tables can be seen,
Soon professor''s voice could be heard in the space as he announced the students to choose their weapons in three minutes...
Hearing the professor''s voice every candidate chose their weapons and magicians chose the suitable magic staff or wand.....
Once the selection of weapons was done and every student returned to the white room, the professor tapped on the same red button and let the door disappear.
The professor soon signaled the candidates to get ready for their examination and activated the crystals.
All the crystals in the white room lit up brightly and soon everyone in the room was teleported into the magical space.
"Oh, I forgot to tell them, that they will be teleported to a random location, well that wasn''t important anyway." the professor muttered to himself...
**********************
After getting teleported inside the magical space, the candidates noticed that they were in a Forestndscape with huge trees, waterfalls,kes, and cliffs...
As soon as they entered the magical space, many students were on their move, some want to kill other students and increase their points as fast as possible, and some want to get to where their other teammates are, to get a clear advantage number...
*******
Outside the magical space, the huge circr stadium was fully upied by students, professors, and a special VIP room in which Dean, Vice Dean, chairman, and other guests were present...
In the center of the stadium, a huge holographic screen focusing on the movements of every candidate from different angles could be seen.
There were alsomentators and announcers to keep everyone updated on candidates'' points, there was also a huge scoreboard that will be showing the top 40 candidates...
Now the huge Holographic screen was focused on a single candidate who was fighting with three other candidates at once and still didn''t seem to be at any disadvantage.
The candidate was.....Lucas Eugene, the brown hair and brown-eyed youth carrying a spear that wasrger than his height, but that doesn''t seem to be bothering him, as he was overpowering the three candidates that teamed up against him without much of an issue.
p "His movements, technique, and skills are far superior to the candidates his age," said one of thementators.
And after a few minutes, he killed the three candidates without taking much damage..and soon the scoreboard updated his points,
"Lucas Eugene 3 points"
Seeing that the crowd started cheering and shouting his name,
In the VIP room, the Vice-dean spoke and asked the chairman who was an old man, bald with a long white beard and mustache a skinny body, and a crane in his hand for his opinion.
"What do you think about him chairman, his movements and techniques are far superior to his age, don''t you think so?"
Hearing Vice Dean''s question, the chairman replied,
"Lucas Eugene is it, that kid has a talent far superior to candidates his age, If we polish his talent properly he''ll be a big shot in the future."
After hearing Chairman''s evaluation everyone present in the room nodded their head in confirmation... but the Dean whose face was covered in a white mist hiding her face sat on her chair without showing any emotions and seemed to be focusing on the screen as if not interested in their conversation.
Soon shouts and cheers could be heard in the crowd again, Hearing themotion everyone in the VIP room focused their attention on the screen.
On the screen, they saw a beautiful girl aiming her bow, but the targets of her aim couldn''t be seen in sight.
The girl has Golden hair a beautiful face and sky blue eyes with pointy ears she was aiming her bow at someone with one of her eyes closed,
She looked so beautiful in that pose, it was like a scene straight out of a portrait.
She was ''Diana Eliora'' the only princess of the Elven kingdom...
After a few seconds of aiming she shot three arrows continuously without wasting any second...
Everyone was confused as they still couldn''t know where she was aiming...
But after traveling more than 100 meters away in a few seconds the arrows hit their targets,
When the screen focused on the arrows three students with their forehead, neck, and heart being pierced respectively could be seen and soon their bodies turned into particles as they were eliminated...
They died without even being able to react properly.
Soon scoreboard updated her points,
"Diana Eliora 3 points"
The crowd cheered loudly and most of the boys struck by her beauty shouted and chanted her name crazily...
Even professors and others present in the VIP room were shocked by her aim, uracy, and power,
One of the guests in the VIP room gave her information.
"Diana Eliora the only daughter of Empress Eliora, has five brothers and they are all very talented but not as much as Diana, and ording to Empress Eliora, Diana will transcend into a high elf in the future, thus her family dote on her very much" she exined...
Everyone was shocked about this revtion and was pondering to themselves because the High Elves are the strongest and most important beings for Elves, Even though Empress Eliora holds the power equal to other transcended beings but she isn''t a High elf and it has been more than thousand years since the Elven Kingdom had a High Elf...
After pondering for a few moments they again shifted their attention to the screens...and saw many other fights between students, but soon another fight caught their attention,
They saw a unique beast woman fighting with a sword, beastmans have their pride and reputation of not using any weapons, they mainly use their ws and teeth as a weapon and they find using weapons a dishonorable act,
Seeing a beast woman using a sword to decapitate other students came as a shock to them...
One of the guests in the VIP room gave the unique beastwomans introduction, she was the same guest that gave Diana Eliora''s information,
"Ziona Madlock, the disowned daughter of King Madlock of the beast Kingdom. she wasn''t born talented, instead was the weakest among King Madlock''s children butter she chose to walk the path of the sword after meeting a wandering Adventurer"
"Her swordsmanship techniques plus her beastly Instincts make her one of the strongest swordswomen of her age"
As shepleted her statement everyone was astonished by her knowledge about candidates...
As they were pondering to themselves they heard the announcer speak her score aloud and the scoreboard updated her points,
"Ziona Madlock 2 points"
Ziona Madlock the wild beauty with purple hair and long purple ears with ember eyes,
Just decapitated two candidates with her sword...
The cheering of crowds could be heard all around the stadium...
The Examination continued and was already halfway through but there was still no news from Ares...
************
POV Ares ~
"Ahh shit, this is killing me!" Ares screamed.
I thought it would be quite easy for me to kill this wannabe Heros, but who would have thought that my luck would be this bad...Ares thought to himself while climbing a cliff,
''Yeah ''Cliff'', I was teleported down the cliff where no living creatures could be seen as far as my eyesight could see, I could only see a waterfall and ake in my sight.''
''I checked all my surroundings but couldn''t find any way up the cliff so I had no choice but to climb it, so now, I am climbing the huge cliff with my bare hands, one misstep and I would fall and that would be the end of me...'' Ares thought to himself while climbing,
''If it was Helena she could have jumped or even flown by manipting electricity, my efficiency in using electricity is still not enough for me to be able to jump that high or even fly, I thought to myself as I could see the top of the cliff not that far away from me...
"Just a bit more" I muttered to myself...
*********************
Chapter 13 Entrance Examination (2)
Last one hour left before the end of the examination and more than half of the candidates got eliminated,
Candidates alive: 129
The forest which was huge at the beginning of the examination has now shrunk to half and is still shrinking, the fights became more regr and in one of the corners of the forest a candidate attracted the attention of the audience,
Blue haired beauty with blue eyes was sitting on a throne made of ice leisurely and her whole surroundings were covered in ice she killed every student that came into her attack radius.
She was like an ice queen guarding her fortress, many candidates tried to attack her, but were killed even before they can approach her...
She was ''Livia Frostine'' the third princess of the Kingdom of Demetria she was known as the ice princess by many...
The audience was in awe seeing her killing every candidate that came in her attack range without even moving from her throne, the people present in the VIP room had the same reaction...
Soon the camera focused on a boy fighting with two candidates at once using his dual daggers,
It was a blonde-haired boy with red eyes, his fighting techniques were simr to that of assassins, He disappeared and reappeared behind both candidates simultaneously and killed them instantly...
He was ''ude Valdemar'' the second prince of the Kingdom of Aloctona,
The fights were happening in every corner...
Soon the Screen was focused on the group of candidates that was fighting with another group of candidates, it was a 4vs4 fight where both sides were equally matched and their fight was quite intense as both of the groups were using all their strength to get the upper hand, and the surrounding trees were destroyed caught in the crossfire of there fight,
The audience was also engrossed in their fight wanting to know which group wille on top, some students were even betting on their favorite groups,
But something iprehensible happened as their fight was about toe to an end...
A blue trail passed through them while they were fighting and their head was separated from their body and flew in the air for a few seconds and soon turned into the particals, and both the groups were eliminated at the same time.
Simr scenes could be seen all around the forest and its like time slowed down, As all the candidates died in the same way their heads decapitated and thest thing they saw was a blue trail.
The Audience was bewildered and shocked at the same time and silence befell the whole stadium...
They can only see a blue trail moving all around the forest at a fast pace, even before one head fell on the ground another candidate''s head flew in the air...
But in the VIP room, Dean and others present there could see what that blue trail was and they were shocked too with their eyes and mouth wide open.
Soon everyone''s attention went to the scoreboard, As on the scoreboard, they saw a name climbing from bottom to top at the face pace without stopping and it was so fast it turned blurry and the students in the audience can''t even read that name and everyone''s attention was now on a scoreboard rather than screen...
In the VIP room, the informationdy who could read the name that was climbing to the top at a fast pace spoke in a dazed voice while stuttering,
"A-ARES V-VON RO-ROTHSTAYLOR"...
Everyone in the VIP room looked towards her as if asking for his information, but she was shocked and still dazed and couldn''t answer them...but soon they heard a voice from an unexpected person.
The Dean of the Academy ''Ivica Livingstone spoke with her melodic voice, everyone turned towards her while bewildered by her beautiful voice...
She ignored their res and expressions and introduced the candidate,
"Ares Von Rothstaylor the fourth prince of Escratia Kingdom, was born with the cursed constitution Manaless body, but to make up for it his talent in swordsmanship is unparalleled."
Everyone in the VIP room heard her exnation and was shocked, Manaless body? then what is that inhumane speed...they all had the same thoughts as they focused their attention on the scoreboard which was still changing at a fast pace...
And after a few seconds, the blue trail that could be seen all around the forest disappeared, and soon scoreboard too stopped updating the rankings.
The whole audience stopped breathing for a few seconds after seeing the points of that candidate.
"Ares Von Rothstaylor 52 Points"
The students shouted in disbelief from the audience,
"fi-fifty two points?" how is that possible...
"wait that blue trail was a candidate?"...
All types of non-sensible and other questions could be heard by the students.
Soon everyone''s attention was on the screen where the blue trail stopped, even everyone in the VIP room wanted to see the candidate, even Dean was curious...
Everyone squinted their eyes as the screen zoomed in towards that candidate whose only back could be seen, soon the screen showed the candidate from a different angle, it all happened in a matter of few seconds...
Gulping of saliva could be heard all around the stadium as the screen was focused on the candidate''s face...
They saw a boy with ck hair and ck eyes, with a picturesque face covered with some dirt, even that dirt couldn''t hide his handsomeness.
After a few seconds of silence, the whole stadium erupted in screams from girls.
Everyone in the VIP room just saw this whole scene with their eyes wide open,
The informationdy in the VIP room finally spoke aftering out of the daze, while screams of girls could still be heard in the background...
"Many people heard his name ''Ares Von Rothstaylor'' the fourth prince of Escratia Kingdom but very few knew him by face as he never attended any social events" she paused for few seconds and continued again,
"So this is the real debut of ''"ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR''" she exaggeratedly spoke his name...
*******************
Chapter 14 Slaughtering The Wannabe Heros
POV Ares ~
As soon as I climbed to the top of that cliff, I sighed in relief and my whole body was covered in dirt as Iy down on the ground.
I spent more than two hours climbing and there was not much time left before the end of the Entrance Examination, so after resting for a few moments I decided to make my move...
I manipted electricity all around my body to increase my speed andbined it with my movement technique, I believe my speed was second to none ifpared with the students my age...
I moved all around the forest in a matter of time and covered most of the forest, and at that moment I decapitated the heads of every candidate that I encountered, not even giving them a second nce and not caring about their headless bodies.
I lost count of candidates that got decapitated their heads by me...
After a few minutes of rampaging, I finally stopped as my soul force was now almostpletely depleted, and decided to take some rest and gather some mana in my depleted soul force...
The forest was now shrinking at a noticeably fast pace so I decided to find a spot from where I can observe all the remaining candidates, and not to my surprise I saw a huge tree in the center of the forest and decided to rest there until I gathered enough mana...
***************
Third Person POV ~
Time went by and the candidates were getting eliminated at an rming rate as fights were happening all around the forest, the huge forest was now turned into the size of a colosseum where many candidates were fighting desperately and the sounds of their fights echoed all around...
And a few minutester most of the candidates were eliminated and only the best of the best candidates survived...
"From now on the fights will get more intense as all the surviving candidates are strong in their ways" spoke one of thementators.
And soon proving his words true, the fights now turned into duels between the remaining candidates...Now the screen was focused on the two well-known candidates facing off against each other, they were the Elven princess ''Diana Eliora'' and the second prince of the Aloctona kingdom ''ude Valdemar''
***************
Diana Eliora VS ude Valdemar
It was a fight between a long-range dealer and the close range attacker, everyone knew who was at the advantage in this fight....and soon their fight started as Diana made her first move,
she shot her arrows at a fast rate not wanting to allow ude to close the gap, but even before the arrows could hit him ude disappeared from the ce he was standing and soon reappeared behind Diana wanting to cut off her throat and end the fight in an instant,
Sensing the opponent''s presence behind her, Diana reacted quickly and dodged his attack, but she was not quick enough as the dagger made a huge scar on her beautiful neck...
"Ohh, you''re quite fast for an elf" udemented
"Idiot, Elf''s agility is higher than that of humans" Diana retorted while rubbing the scar on her neck,
And soon she shot her arrows again while applying her wind element to them continuously, ude used his movements technique and dodged all her attacks skillfully, the arrows could only hit his afterimages.
As soon as Diana was in his attack range ude attacked her with his daggers continuously,
Diana moved backward at a fast rate while blocking ude''s attacks with her bow,
Soon ude disappeared and reappeared behind her and struck again,
But this time Diana rolled forward expecting his attack and turned towards ude and shot her arrows at a fast pace,
ude was taken back by her arrows and tried to dodge her attacks using his daggers but after deflecting a few arrows he missed one arrow which hit him on his left thigh...
"Ahk" ude groaned in shock, though they can''t experience much pain in the magical space the stronger the attack the more shock their body will take...
"Bitch, I will kill you" ude lost hisposure and shouted, leaving behind his dignity as a prince...
He was enraged and rushed towards Diana and struck repeatedly while his daggers were covered in his yellow aura,
Diana moved backward while blocking his strikes with her bow but she couldn''t block all of his attacks and scratches could be seen all around her body, Diana endured the shocks she received with a pained face and continued blocking ude''s attacks...
Their fight continued for a few minutes and they exchanged many attacks but most of the time Diana was on the defensive and seemed to be at disadvantage,
Soon their fight seems to being to an end as they both were tired...
ude was still attacking Diana more fiercely and Diana was having a hard time but suddenly a cracking sound could be heard during their exchange and finally, Diana''s bow was broken into two pieces...
Seeing that ude grinned and made his move, he disappeared from his ce reappeared behind Diana, and went for her throat,
Diana who epted her fate made a defeated face.... but her eyes widened in shock before she got eliminated,
Diana died not by the dagger cutting her throat but by the sword decapitating her head,
The moment ude''s dagger reached Diana''s neck, she saw a blue trailing towards her at a fast pace, and even before ude can cut her throat, both Diana''s and ude''s heads were separated from their bodies eliminating both of them at once.
It was ''Ares Von Rothstaylor''...
The students and professors and even the people in the VIP room who were engrossed in the duel between ''Diana Eliora'' and ''ude Valdemar'' were left speechless,
,m But soon the crowd went wild and cheers and shouts could be heard all around the stadium, mostly cheers from the female audience and shout or curses from the male audience as they saw Diana''s head getting decapitated...
Ares who was moving all around the colosseum size forest came to halt in his movements as he saw his path being blocked by an ice field,
Ares focused his attention on the center of the ice field and soon he found the owner of this ice field,
In the center of an ice field, he saw a beautiful girl with blue hair and blue eyes sitting on a throne made of ice with her head leaning on her right hand...
"Livia Frostine" Ares muttered to himself,
Hearing her name a small smile came to Livia''s face.....
Seeing Ares and Livia facing each other crowd went wild and cheers of excitement could be heard all around the stadium, even in the VIP room everyone had a face of expectation as they were also excited about this fight,
And soon the face-off between ''Ares Von Rothstaylor and ''Livia Frostine'' had begun...
********************
Chapter 15 Ares Von Rothstaylor VS Livia Frostine
Third Person POV ~
Ares red at Livia who was still sitting on her throne with a smile on her face, He knew how dangerous of a person she is...
In the novel, she will be the youngest transcended being and will be known by a title...
''"ICE QUEEN''"
She was born with a monstrous mana pool and showed her talent from a very young age, which led the people from the magic tower to go crazy for her talent and all the old freaks from the magic tower that doesn''t involve themselves in the worldly matters wanted to take her as their disciple...
Ares came out of his thoughts and made his first move, he covered himself with electricity and rushed towards Livia who was still smiling at him while sitting on her ice throne...
But his movements were stopped even before he can approach her, he looked towards the source and saw his toes were frozen by the ice and soon several spears made of ice rushed towards him...
Ares jumped backward after cutting the ice that was blocking his movements and soon several spears stuck where he previously was,
Seeing Ares dodge her attacks Livia''s smile widened and soon she send several swords made of ice toward Ares,
Ares saw several swords made of ice rushing towards him and using his skill fell crescent, the blue crescents-shaped attack collided with the ice swords, and both their attacks got canceled leaving only tiny sparkle blue particles in the air.
While this whole process Livia''s smile didn''t fade and her eyes sparkled as if she was enjoying this fight...
Ares used his sword skill again continuously and several blue crescent shape attacks rushed toward Livia while destroying the ground which was now turned into her ice field,
As the blue crescents arrived near Livia, she created a huge ice shield with severalyers in front of her which was covering her whole body while still sitting on her throne...
Ares''s attacks hit the shield and destroyed manyyers and hisst attack cracked thestyer of her shield, Seeing this as an opportunity Ares rushed towards her and tried to pierce Livia''s shield which was blocking her sight...
He pierced his sword through her shield and rushed his sword forward toward Livia''s throat... but it was stopped by some force,
Soon the huge shield that was separating and blocking the sights of both Ares and Livia from each other was broken into pieces...
Ares saw how his sword was stopped and his eyes widened in shock, he saw Livia holding the tip of his sword with her thumb and index finger...
He tried to pull his sword back but it was toote, his sword was turned into ice even covering one of Ares''s arms in which he was carrying his sword, soon Livia applied some force on the sword which was now turned into ice and shattered the sword into pieces...
Ares now lost his sword and his whole right arm was turned into a block of ice, he looked towards Livia who was right in front of him, and saw her smile only widen as time went by...
Ares was now enraged seeing Livia''s wide smile and covered his icy arm with electricity and punched Livia''s face, Livia didn''t expect him to be so ruthless and was taken aback by this sudden development and tried to block his punch by creating an ice shield in that short amount of time but the shield was not strong enough as it broke almost instantly and Ares punch connected her face...
As soon as the punch connected to Livia''s face who was still sitting on her throne she was pushed back and cracks appeared on the throne because of her impact, Ares didn''t stop at that and punched her continuously...
Livia tried to block his attacks by creating a shield repeatedly but it was not useful as all the shield got shattered by the power of Ares''s punches and connected her face repeatedly sending her shock all over her body and her body shuddering,
And soon after Ares''s repeated attacks the throne on which Livia was sitting broke and she was sent flying toward the tree which was out of her ice field and web-like cracks could be seen on the trunk of the tree by Livia''s impact...
Ares knew this wouldn''t kill her and rushed towards her again at his full speed, now that she was out of her ice field Ares''s movements weren''t restricted anymore,
Seeing a blue trail approaching her Livia sent many spears, swords, and crystals created with ice toward that blue trail and created a thin shield as fast as she could but nothing seemed to have worked...
Ares used his movement technique and dodged all her attacks skillfully and punched her stomach while breaking the thin shield she prepared in a hurry, and as soon as Ares''s punch hit Livia''s stomach she was sent flying while breaking all the trees in her path...
Ares went towards where Livia was sent flying and saw herying on the ground with her hands wide open and smile on her face and her body shivering.....
"'' ''"
Ares was speechless seeing her smile in her current state, he approached her and surprisingly she didn''t seem to resist anymore and spoke something in an inaudible voice before getting eliminated with the onest hit on her face...
''You''re so cool that''s what Ares couldprehend from her inaudible lip movements...
Soon he shook his head and thought it was just his imagination,
***************
Outside the magical space many students and professors were enraged by the result of the fight between Ares and Livia, At the beginning of their fight they all were quietly excited seeing them exchange their blows, but after a few minutes, their fight turned into a brutal one-sided beating...
No one could appreciate how Ares punched Livia and sent her flying all around and how he ended the fight by smashing Livia''s beautiful face to a pulp even though she wasn''t resisting...
Even the Girls that were cheering him a few minutes ago didn''t say much and seemed to be disappointed and the same was in the VIP room, Many didn''t like how Ares finished his fight but some liked the fight very much as when you''re fighting to death there is no such thing as gender equality...
Soon they heard the announcer announce the number of candidates remaining and the time remaining for the end of the examination...
There were only four remaining candidates including Ares, and only 10 minutes left before the end of the examination,
The forest was now shrunk to the size of medium size dual arena and there was already a fight happening not so far away from Ares...
And soon the screen was focused on where this fight was happening,
Ares too approached them with his icy right arm which he was now using as his weapon as he lost his sword and stood not so far away from the fight...
He saw two familiar faces fighting each other and not far away from them he saw a person supporting someone with her support magic...
The two familiar faces that were fighting were ''Ziona Madlock'' and ''Lucas Eugene''
And the one using support magic was...
''A Eugene'' the twin sister of ''Lucas Eugene''
She has short brown hair with brown eyes and a beautiful face, with a petite body...
she was the only support magic user in Lucas''s party and helped Lucas''s party not only by using support magic but also with her brain, she was one of the smartest characters in the novel.
Her survival till now with only her support magic is an achievement in itself, though she was been protected by Lucas, that doesn''t change anything, because she will be in a special ss regardless, due to how scarce the support magic users are...
***************
Chapter 16 End Of Entrance Examination
POV Ares ~
After my fight with Livia I sat on the ground with a tired face as most of my mana was depleted but soon I heard the sound of someone fighting not so far away from me and only metal sounds could be heard, so I decided to check it out...
As I arrived near the sounds of metal shing each other, I saw ''Lucas Eugene'' and ''Ziona Madlock fighting fiercely with each other and ''A Eugene'' using her support magic on Lucas as if to give Lucas an upper hand in his fight.
I stood far away from their fight as my condition was nowhere near fighting both of them at once and most importantly I didn''t have my sword with me which was destroyed by that Livia bitch, I shook my head and thought to myself...
After a few minutes of continuous fighting, I saw both ''Lucas'' and ''Ziona'' tired and covered in bruises all over their body,
"There didn''t seem to be much time left before the end of the examination" I muttered to myself and decided to make my move...
I saw both Lucas and Ziona rushing toward each other with their weapons and was about sh again.
Finding this as an opportunity I covered myself in the electricity and rushed towards them at high speed leaving only a blue trail behind me and attacked Lucas''s face with my icy arm,
They both were so engrossed in their fight that they couldn''t even see me sneaking on them nor sense my presence, even if they weren''t engrossed in their fight that wouldn''t make much of a difference...
As soon as my punch connected with Lucas''s face he was sent flying with a shocked and disbelieving expression, same was for Ziona who saw Lucas disappear from her attack range and attacked the empty air...
''Tsk'' i clicked my tongue seeing Lucas still alive and saw A rushing towards him shouting his name with a shocked expression,
,m "LUCAS!!!" her sound echoed all around the forest which was now shrunk to the size of a room, I then turned my head towards Ziona who was looking at me with an enraged expression for ruining her fight with Lucas or.....seeing my surprise attack?
I don''t know the correct reason for her sudden rage which made her beautiful face distorted, but I ignored her and rushed towards A who was approaching Lucas defenselessly, and attacked her with my icy arm, as my punchnded on the side of her ribcage I saw her petite body sent flying,
As my punch connected to her ribcage she was already eliminated without even knowing what hit her... while her flying body soon turned into particles...
Since A is the support magic user she needs someone to protect her constantly as she supports them from the back, and what happens when there is no one to protect her?
Death, that''s what happens...
Seeing A eliminate Lucas''s face distorted in shock and rage as he shouted,
''Aaaa'' in a melodramatic voice...
Dude, she didn''t die for real but was only eliminated I thought to myself inwardly seeing the familiar scene, but someone died that day and my reaction was much worse than his...
I shook my head toe out of my thoughts and saw my right arm which was covered in ice that I was using as a weapon, was nowpletely broken with shattered bones which made me unable to lift it, seeing that I sighed loudly and tilted my head towards the sky and closed my eyes and a small smile crept on my face...,
***************
Third Person POV ~
Seeing Ares ignoring them made Lucas and Ziona enraged and their faces distorted, they both rushed towards Ares pointing their weapons towards him from both sides, but as soon as their weapons were inches away from piercing him, they saw Ares grinning widely while just standing still with his eyes closed and his head tilted up,
They both were shocked and couldn''tprehend this situation but soon they heard a beep sound which made them realize something...
Even before their weapons touched Ares''s neck, they were all teleported back to the same white room from which they entered the magical space, which indicated the end of the entrance examination as the time given to them waspleted...
Ares, Lucas, and Ziona were thest surviving candidates, whole white room was empty as all the eliminated candidates already left somewhere except one who just came out of her deaths bacsh after getting eliminated and was waiting for Lucas,
The one who was waiting was A Eugene twin sister of Lucas Eugene...
Ziona, Lucas, and A was ring at Ares with enraged expression but the professor beckoned them to exit the white room from a door that appeared out of nowhere,
"Guess I am quite lucky, huh!" Ares muttered while smirking before leaving the white room, which made Ziona''s and Lucas''s faces ever more distorted but soon they followed behind him,
As soon as they exited the white room they were in front of the huge stadium with a fully upied audience, beside them were the candidates that were eliminated early and in the center, there was arge holographic screen in which the fight between Lucas and Ziona could be seen and everyone in the crowd was holding their breath while watching it as if engrossed in the fight...
"There was a dy in the broadcast huh? You all will be disappointed in the end" Ares muttered to himself with a mischievous smile on his face.
The door from which they entered the stadium disappeared behind them and loud and wild cheering could be heard all around the stadium as on the screen Ares had been attacked by Ziona and Lucas from both sides and he seemed to be given up on resisting while his head tilted towards the sky could be seen but to there disappointment before even Ziona''s sword and Lucas''s spear pierces his neck, they all disappeared as if teleported and soon the screen was focused on Ziona, Lucas, A, and Ares who just arrived...
The crowd shouted in disappointment,
"Nooooooooo...!!!" and boos could be heard all around the arena...
"They want to see me dead that badly?" Ares muttered with an awkward smile,
Soon the results can already be seen on the stadium''s scoreboard and all the other participants that were eliminated early were already checking them out,
As Ares was checking his score without any expression on his face, many participants were in shock and were in awe while some were ring at him in disdain, And Ares didn''t have to think much as he knew the ones who are ring at him disdainfully were the ones he decapitated...
Soon the announcer announced the end of the entrance examination and the Vice-dean announced the results verbally, which simply wasn''t needed as everyone could see the scoreboard,
The Results were as follows:-
Rank 1: Ares Von Rothstaylor 57 points
Rank 2: Livia Frostine 39 points
Rank 3: Ziona Madlock 32 points
Rank 4: Lucas Eugene 29 points
Rank 5: Diana Eliora 28 points
Rank 6: ude Valdemar 25 points
...
...
...
And so on
"This year''s entrance examination has broken the all-time high score one candidate could get, the previous highest score from a single candidate was 35 points and now that score was surpassed by not one but two candidates....."
And so on, the Vice-dean gave a huge ass speech again which wasn''t important to Ares so he ignored and soon round of apuse could be heard throughout the stadium,
There weren''t any other extravagant celebrations as soon as the Vice-dean announced the date of the written examination which will be held the day after tomorrow and ended his speech...
The written examination will only have 10 questions and each question will allow you to get 1 point which isn''t of much importance to the candidates with good scores in the entrance examination,
The score from the written examination will be added to the entrance examination and then the final scores will be announced after all the addition, and the top 40 high-scoring candidates will be allowed to enter the Special ss...
Ares can feel res from all around him but he ignored everyone and left the stadium as there was nothing much left to do there and returned to his temporary allotted room,
***************
Chapter 17 Preparing For Written Examination
Academy was quite hectic after the day of the Entrance examination, rumors and gossip between students along with professors could be heard everywhere and the hottest topics of discussion among them were ''Ares Von Rothstaylor'' and ''Livia Frostine'',
Ares was given many titles after his performance in the Entrance Examination and the most famous ones were, "Ares The Menace", "Ares The ughterer" and "Ares The Executioner", most of the students seems to be avoiding him like the gue,
On the other hand, Livia was turned into an idol of admiration, and she was also given many titles like "Ice beauty", "Ice Queen" and the most ridiculous one was "Beauty That Fought Devil",
and it''s obvious who the devil is in that phrase...
Many other students also gained some admiration, like Lucas as ''The Spearsman'', Diana as ''The Bow Empress'', Ziona as ''Beast that uses sword'', ude as ''The Assassin'', and so on...
***************
POV Ares ~
It''s already been a day since the entrance examination and it''s like I became the Viin for all the first years, Everyone seems to be avoiding my gaze and escaping just from my sight...
"They are treating me as a madman" Ares shook his head and muttered to himself,
I was on my way to the library as I have to prepare for tomorrow''s written examination, though it''s almost certain that I will be in a special ss and the written exam is just a formality for me I have to be ranked 1 forpleting my quest, I thought to myself and checked my quest again,
**** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) GET THE HIGHEST SCORE IN ACADEMY''S ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ( COMPLETED )
2) GET RANK #1 IN THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION ( NOT COMPLETED )
3) GET INTO THE SPECIAL CLASS ( NOT COMPLETED )
QUEST REWARD ~ ABILITY: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
QUEST FAILURE ~ PENALTY
********************************
The first quest was alreadypleted tomorrow as soon as the results of the entrance examination were announced, and as for the written examination it wouldn''t be that hard if I invest some time into it because of my Photographic memory, I thought to myself and soon I was in front of the Academy''s library,
As soon as I entered the library I saw all the corners of the library were upied,
"Tsk" I clicked my tongue and went towards the librarian and asked him about the section where the first-year books were kept,
The librarian was a thin and fragile looking middle age man with brown hair and brown eyes with not a well-shaved beard, he fronted me along with a sound and said with an amused smile,
"Ohh, aren''t you the famous ''Ares The Executioner'' that decapitated more than fifty students"
Hearing him all the students who were focused on their books looked toward me and as our eyes met they all hurriedly focused back in there a book,
I turned my head towards the librarian again and just stared at him, he flinched and replied stutteringly,
"O-oh t-the first year section" and pointed his index finger towards the corner of the library and said "all the first yearbooks are there" he muttered with an awkward smile,
I nodded my head to him and went to the corner he pointed,
I saw many first-year students reading there but I ignored them and took the book from the shelf,
I opened the book and was about to start reading but to my surprise, all the contents of the page were stored in my memory with just a single nce...
''" ''"
I was shocked by my genius...
Sometimes, my genius is.....its almost frightening
I thought to myself and continued flipping books at an rming rate,
students around me were giving an annoyed look and moved away from me, I just ignored them and continued my flipping.....no reading my book and in a few hours Ipleted reading most of the book, then I finally stopped and looked around for if any more books left and noticed that the library which was fully upied when I arrived.. now barely has anyone,
But soon my attention went towards a table where I saw a familiar face reading a book with mountains of other books piled next to her...
I ignored that familiar face and my attention went toward the book piles,
I went towards her and sat down next to her then took one of the books from the pile without even asking her permission and started flipping it,
she ignored me at first and didn''t react to me borrowing her books but as she saw me just flipping more than half of the books, she got annoyed and spoke in a low screaming voice,
"what do you want!!" she said while ring at me fiercely
seeing her expression I couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly,
She was A Eugene twin sister of Lucas Eugene...
I ignored her and continued my flipping of books, Seeing me ignoring her she got up from her chair and stood right next to me while puffing her cheeks like a squirrel with both her hands on her waist and started ring at me more fiercely,
I was speechless by her reaction so I finally looked toward this cute loli.....I mean cute girl with a petite body,
"What?" I asked
"What are you doing flipping the books for the past few hours while everyone is busy reading, we know that you will be in a special ss even if you fail this written examination, so why are you disturbing us and you know...."
she continued her h h for a few minutes as if taking all her piled-up frustration on me and after a few moments she finally stopped...
I was just staring at this cute girl without saying anything and ignored all herints or whatever she was talking about,
"hahhh, soo you know what I mean right" she finally concluded and waited for my answer,
Me who didn''t even bother listening to her, I can just say one word in this situation...
"Sure" I answered and flipped thest book then got up from my chair and left,
Throughout the whole process, her eyes were focused on me for who knows why.....was it for asking for some exnation? well, I left the library leaving her in a daze,
As soon as I stepped out of the library I heard the voice of someone eximing,
"huhhhhhhhh" could be heard throughout the library, that someone should thank god that no one was present in the library,
I shook my head and went towards the cafeteria and after finishing myte lunch I went back to my room, as tomorrow I have to take an exam and finallyplete the quests...
*****************
Chapter 18 Completing The Quest
There were 300 first-year students this year which was much more than any other year, and there were only 3 sses which divide the students as follows, There will be only 40 students in Special ss and 130 students each in Alpha and Beta ss respectively,
Each ss will have a professor in charge and abat instructor with two to three assistant teachers, students can choose other courses based on their preferences, including Alchemy, magic formations, Ruinnguage deciphering, and many other courses,
There are different training grounds allotted to different sses and of course, special ss students could enjoy high-quality training equipment as well as experienced trainers to train them which can help them improve their strengths more quickly aspared to Alpha and Beta ss students,
Not only that they will also be given many other special privileges as well,
So it was enough of a reason for everyone to desperately try entering the special ss,
***************
Ares and his other fellow freshman were in a huge ssroom waiting for the start of the written examination,
While waiting Ares was observing other candidates as he was bored, and he saw many types of candidates, nonchnt candidates like ude Valdemar, confident candidates like A Eugene, sleepy heads like Lucas Eugene, Nervous candidates like Ziona Madlock, and bored candidates like Livia Frostine and Ares himself...
As Ares was pondering to himself soon the professor entered the ssroom with a clock watch in his hand and as soon as the clock struck 10, he distributed the question papers to every student present in the examination hall by using his telekinesis and said,
"You have exactly 2 hours toplete your examination and if the candidates who finished their exam before the given time can give their answers sheet to me and leave, Now start!"
As soon as they heard him everyone started reading the question paper given to them including Ares,
Ares saw the question paper for a few seconds then soon he decided to start writing the answers which were already saved in his memory as a clicked picture, as soon as he nced at a question there was a search going on in his mind and soon the suitable answers automatically appeared in his mind and he continued writing his answers and only the loud scribbling voices could be heard all around the examination hall as he was writing at an extremely fast pace, All the students and even the professor nced at him and gulped loudly seeing Ares writing at a fast rate and filling papers by papers in an instant, soon they decided to focus on their exam and started reading their question papers again,
? Time went by soon, and after a few minutes a thud sound could be heard in the examination hall,
Arespleted his examination and broke his pen as if announcing to everyone,
He soon walked out of his seat and handed his answers sheet to the professor and left the examination hall,
The professor who took Ares''s paper in a daze muttered to himself"Not even 15 minutes has passed through?"
Everyone in the examination hall saw Ares''s back while he was leaving with a surprised look,
As many students were still reading their question papers and didn''t even start their exam, then soon they thought he might have just scribbled some words as it guaranteed that he will be in a special ss, Everyone has the same thoughts and they all nodded there head in understanding because no one couldplete their exam in such a short amount of time,
And suddenly a students voice made theme out of their thoughts,
"I''m so sorry that I''mte professor, My rm didn''t go off" a student came by rushing inside the ssroom while huffing and puffing
Everyone in the examination hall looked at him and red at him in disappointment,
seeing so many res at him he asked stutteringly with a confused look on his face,
"Wh-What?"
***************
POV Ares ~
Aftering out of the examination hall Ares muttered to himself,
"I always wanted to break my pen afterpleting my examination and exit the hall in a cool way leaving everyone speechless" it was on his to-do list...
As Ares was taking the tour of the Academy in the meantime he suddenly saw a kid with small cat ears and a tail running around in the hallways, she seemed to be one of the beastmen,
Eventually, he would have ignored her but the kid suddenly approached right in front of him and raised her both arms as if asking him to carry her...
Soon time went by and it was almost time for the end of the written examination, Ares was now sitting on the bench outside the academy while stroking the hair of a cat girl who seems to be sleeping on hisp,
"Okay, How did I end up like this" he muttered to himself,
As soon as she heard a bell ring, The cat girl woke up from her sleep and suddenly ran off to somewhere wearing her oversized jacket,
"'' ''"
Ares was left speechless seeing her running off so hurriedly with her tiny legs while wriggling her tail...
He came out of his thoughts and went towards his room so he can practice his electricity maniption as it will take a day for the results to be announced...
Soon the day went by and nothing interesting happened that day, So Ares decided to train more and improve his element mastery...
The Next Day ~
It was the long-awaited ss allocations day,
Students who received a notice that the results of the written examination had been posted on the central bulletin board gathered there and were shocked to see the name of the top scorer,
Ares Von Rothstaylor scored full 10 points in the written examination, everyone was in shock and disbelief as they all saw him leave early less than 15 minutes after the start of the examination...
The one who appeared the most thunderstruck was someone else who Ranked 2nd with 9 points,
The girl kept a dazed face and walked around the hallways with no destination in her mind while her brother was trying to cheer her up,
That girl was A Eugene, she couldn''t believe it no she don''t want to believe that she Ranked below someone who was just flipping books in the library a day before the examination,
She would have epted it, if it was someone else...no she could ept anyone but him,
She came out of her thought when a sudden realization came to her mind and her eyes widened threatening to pop out,
"wait, don''t tell me he was reading the books instead of flipping" she shouted madly...But soon they all saw a huge hologram appear out of nowhere in the middle of the Academy,
And on that huge hologram, the names of the students allocated to the Special ss were announced with Overall points for everyone to see extravagantly,
SPECIAL CLASS STUDENTS
RANK #1: Ares Von Rothstaylor 67 points
RANK #2: Livia Frostine 46 points
RANK #3: Ziona Madlock 38 points
RANK #4: Lucas Eugene 35 points
RANK #5: Diana Eliora 35 points
RANK #6: ude Valdemar 31 points
.....
.....
.....
.....
Ares who just woke up from his sleep as he practiced his electricity maniption tillte at night suddenly heard a Notification sound from his system,
Hearing the notification sound Ares opened his system screen,
**** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) GET THE HIGHEST SCORE IN ACADEMY''S ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ( COMPLETED )
2) GET RANK #1 IN THE THEORY EXAMINATION ( COMPLETED )
3) GET INTO THE SPECIAL CLASS ( COMPLETED )
QUEST REWARD ~ ABILITY: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE ( LEARN )
********************************
As soon as Ares opened his system screen he saw that all the Quests given to him were nowpleted and now he can get his new ability, seeing that a small smile erupted on his face...
Chapter 19 The Continent In Pandemonium
**** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) GET THE HIGHEST SCORE IN ACADEMY''S ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ( COMPLETED )
2) GET RANK #1 IN THE THEORY EXAMINATION ( COMPLETED )
3) GET INTO THE SPECIAL CLASS ( COMPLETED )
QUEST REWARD ~ ABILITY: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE ( LEARN )
********************************
As soon as I clicked on the prompt ''learn'' my brain was overloaded with lots ofnguages that I don''t even know existed and soon I felt like my eyes going hazy I tried toe back to my senses but to no avail, as soon I lost my consciousness,
***************
Third Person POV ~
Unknowingly to Ares who was now unconscious, the whole Academy was in an uproar including the Academy''s faculty as it was the first time in the academy''s history that someone not only ranked #1 in entrance examination but also in written examination and with flying colors at that with the whooping 67 points, He dominated the whole examination by beating most of the candidates one-sided not even allowing them to know what hit them, he not only used his power but also used his brain throughout the examination, his cunningness and calctive behavior made even the Vice Dean and other guests speechless,
Ares''s name will be written down in the academy''s history for future generations to know about his unprecedented Achievement of getting the Highest individual score a candidate could get, as this record doesn''t seem to break anytime soon.
Rumors and gossip between students along with professors about Ares''s Achievement reached even outside the academy campus and all around the continent like a wildfire in just a matter of time,
As many mediapanies came rushing towards the academy for knowing the authenticity of the rumors...
**********
Somewhere in the continent, a ck hair, ck-eyed beauty wearing a ck formal shirtless suit with two katanas hanging around her waist spoke while checking the news on her phone,
"Ahhh, I knew my disciple would achieve something great, I already want to go back and give him a big hug !" she said with an exciting smile,
Then she looked forward with a furious expression and muttered.
"Bastards, because of you guys I can''t be with my disciple to celebrate his aplishments"
The people in front of her were confused by her reaction and someone who seems to be their boss spoke seeing her furious expression,
"I thought we are here for negotiating, do you want to break the end of your deal?" he spoke while ring at her,
"FUCK YOU AND YOUR NEGOTIATIONS, I REALLY DON''T CARE ANYMORE," she said with a wrathful expression and took out both of her katanas that were hanging around her waist and ced one in each hand and was ready to attack,
The boss was confused by her words and actions so he shouted in desperation, while the people behind him were shocked in fear, and their faces turned pale as they saw the woman taking out her katana from its scabbards...
"W-Wait! l-lets ta-talk ok, yeah w-we can ne-negotiate more" the boss spoke stutteringly in a desperate voice as he was getting an ominous feeling of death from this woman in front of him,
But the woman seems to ignore his pleading and sent her attack while making a cross sign with her sword which was now covered in fire towards them,
As soon as she attacked, the fire burned all of them into ashes not even allowing them to scream, and soon the whole building that they were using as their base was now engulfed in the fire leaving nothing and no one behind...
Even after causing such a scene, the woman doesn''t seem to be affected as she saw the whole building burning around her as if she was used to it, she then turned around and walked out of the burning building while talking to someone on her phone,
"Yeah the mission failed, they didn''t want to negotiate so I took care of them,... don''t worry I didn''t cause much damage," she said
".... I see" someone replied from the other side of the phone with a certain pause,
Beep* she hung up and muttered to herself...
"Just wait for a little while my disciple, your master will visit you soon"
Of course, She was MIKA AMAMI.....
***************
Somewhere in the Escratia Kingdom, a man who seems to be in his mid-twenties with ck hair and ck eyes and a good-looking face which has some simrities to Ares spoke in an enraged voice while standing in the middle of a half-destroyed room with broken vases and furniture could be seen all around the room,
"That mana-less bastard, how can he achieve such a thing," he said in an enraged voice,
As in the Escratia Kingdom, the Achievement of the fourth prince ''Ares Von Rothstaylor'' is a hot topic between nobles as well asmoners...
"This won''t do, at this rate, my position will be threatened" he spoke with a distorted expression and called someone''s name,
"My lord" someone arrived out of nowhere and answered his call and after hearing his request he responded,
"I understand" and left the same way he arrived.,
"Just you wait, you mana less bastard" the ck-haired, ck-eyed man spoke with an evil smile on his face...
***************
Somewhere across the continent in a damp room, a middle-aged woman with ck hair and red eyes spoke in an amused voice,
"Ah~, isn''t he the same person we were trying to recruit, I heard he decapitated more than 50 students mercilessly in the Academy''s Entrance examination",
"Isn''t he more suitable for our organization?" she said while licking her lips and mischievous smile,
And everyone around her nodded their head in agreement....except one person whose face seemed to be distorted hearing that woman''s words,
The ck haired red-eyed woman spoke again while pping her hand,
"Should we just kidn-" But even before she canplete her words someone appeared in front of her in a blink of an eye and choked her against the wall leaving the web like cracks on the wall due to the impact,
"If you touch even a single strand of his hair, I will cut you into pieces and turn you into a meat paste," The silver-haired woman said with her eyes shining ferociously,
Everyone in the room was shocked seeing her abnormal reaction but soon someone shouted in a huge and authoritative voice to get everyone''s attention,
"STOP!!"
Hearing his voice the silver-haired woman clicked her tongue and released the woman from her choke,
"Ahkk seems like you found yourself an interesting toy HELENA!" the ck-haired woman spoke while gasping for breath...
Helena Parker just red at her ferociously as if seeing a dead woman...
***************
POV Ares ~
After staying unconscious for a few hours Ares finally woke,
"Ahgg, my head hurts" Ares muttered to himself while pressing his temples with one hand, and after a few seconds of rest the first thing he did was to check his status screen,
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 32% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 37% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 67% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
Seeing his updated status screen Ares smiled satisfyingly, he was also satisfied with his new skill as it will help him in dealing with many problems that wille in the future,
Ares had thought that he got this ability too easily as it was one of the important blessings Lucas got in the Novel, as it also has many other uses than justmunicating with other races,
A huge grin came on Ares''s mouth just thinking about the other hidden possibilities his new skill has...
***************
Chapter 20 Meeting With The Dean, Ivica Livingstone
POV Ares ~
After pondering about my new ability for a few moments I decided to get myself something to eat as I didn''t have my breakfast yet, so I picked up my phone and was about to ce my order but I was bombarded with so many messages on my phone, as soon as I checked them out I was left speechless,
I knew I would be popr but I didn''t know that it will be to this extent...
I became a hot topic all around the continent taking Livia''s spotlight, in the novel Livia was the one who topped the entrance examination and her overall score was also an all-time high than any other year so she became quite a well-known figure,
and A Eugene was the one who topped the written examination in the novel,
But now there was an anomaly that overshadowed their fame and took attention from all around the continent upon himself,
Of course, that anomaly is me, I don''t know if I should be happy about it as gathering too much attention isn''t a good thing,
I shook my head and came out of my thoughts and decided to finish my sandwiches which I ordered not too long ago whilst checking the messages on my phone, they were in simple terms the congrattory messages from Aegis, Mika, and Helena for my Achievement and there was more content in Mika''s message but I skimmed it, Soon I packed my belongings from my room which wasn''t much as I keep most of my necessities in my inventory, as I will be now moving in the Dorm provided to special ss students,
I checked my room for onest time and left as it was already evening other students must have eventually moved into their respective Dorms...
As I was walking in the hallways after leaving my temporary allotted room I saw someone approaching me wearing a maid uniform and soon halted in front of me and spoke,
"Ares Von Rothstaylor, the Dean has called upon you and is awaiting your visit so please tag along with me" she spoke authoritatively as if she wouldn''t ept no as an answer, of course, I have to visit her if she called me,
I followed behind her without saying anything and soon we arrived in front of the Dean''s office, the maid knocked on the doon and spoke,
"Mam, Ares Von Rothstaylor is here as per your instructions," she said
"Let him in and you can continue with your job" a melodious voice could be heard from across the door,
Hearing the answer the maid opened the door for me and beckoned me to enter, I nodded my head toward her and went in.
As soon as I entered the Dean''s office I was met with a calm and simple interior and not with some extravagant and luxurious office that I had in my mind, and not far away I saw a woman sitting on her chair across the table but her face was covered in a white mist acting like some sort of veil to hide her face,
She was the Dean of the s''oreh Academy, Ivica Livingstone...
Soon she beckoned me to sit on the other side of the table across from her, I nodded my head and sat on the chair across the table, and faced her,
We both kept our silence for a few seconds then Ivica spoke,
"So, what should I call you," she said in her beautiful voice but I knew better than her question isn''t simple...
Because she wasn''t asking me my current name but my name from the previous world, how did Ie up with that conclusion?
it''s simple because Ivica has some sort of skill that can see through the person''s soul to read the said person''s emotions, it just shows different colors to different emotions, for example, if someone had some bad intentions towards her she could see a red color hue near that person''s heart...
But in my situation, I don''t know what she saw, or am I just overreacting?
I came out of my thoughts and replied to her,
"Ares" I answered
"Hmm, your current name is the same as your previous name?" she questioned
Hearing her question I knew my suspicions came true, I was quite shocked and was thinking about my next course of action...
And after a brief moment of silence, I just nodded my head feeling Ivica''s gaze from under her veil made of mist...
"hmm, I presume you even know the future?"
I was surprised yet again and was left speechless, seeing her hitting the bullseye with her every question I doubted that she can read minds...
"No, I can''t read minds" she spoke with a chuckle,
" "
"It''s just that your face is too easy to read", she said,
I realized that I was so overwhelmed by her questions I forgot to keep my signature poker face...
"Before I answer, you, tell me one thing... how did you know that I came from another world", I asked her because I don''t think she knew about me by just using her skill,
"First, I had my doubts after seeing you use your element during the entrance examination as you were well known to have a mana-less body,
And second, have a skill that allows me to see a person''s hidden emotions through their soul, and when I used my skill on you, my skill was blocked as if something is restricting me to see through you or maybe your soul is too strong if its theter that means you are using your element by using soul as your source that is in itself is otherworldly,
And third, to confirm my deduction I got a revtion from my constetion, and my constetion even told me that you may know the possible future" she exined...
"'' "''
The first and second parts didn''t bother me but knowing that she got a revtion from a constetion I was confused and shocked as it is too early for her to get chosen by a constetionpared to the novel,
"So you''re already a chosen one?" I asked
She nodded her head in confirmation,
The Chosen ones are the beings that are selected by the constetions to be their avatar, and in return, they can borrow some of the powers of their constetions,
I pondered to myself for a good few minutes and Ivica didn''t disturb me as well,
Buting out of my thoughts I replied to her previous question,
"I don''t think I can say that I know the future, but do have some knowledge of future events"
Hearing my reply she spoke again,
"Yeah, the Future isn''t constant as it will change every second like how every small change can lead torge-scale and unpredictable variation in the future"
Hearing her I nodded my head in agreement and spoke,
"It''s called the butterfly effect ...."
She nodded her head in agreement,
After a brief moment of pause, I decided toe to the main point,
"So you called me to know about the future events?"
Hearing my question she shook her head and spoke,
"Though I wanted to know that too, you couldn''t answer me"
"Huh" I looked towards her in confusion,
"You couldn''t disclose the future to anyone nor can you say anything about your previous self to anyone, as you will receive severe bacsh from it or the worse you may even get a curse, not only that but the one who heard your words will also receive some bacsh"
"But you knew about my previous self and you even knew that I know the future, so why didn''t you get any bacsh?" I questioned
"I didn''t hear anything from you but figured it out myself, of course hearing your previous name was a gamble if your previous name was different from your current name we both would have gotten some severe bacsh"
I was left speechless hearing her talk about gambling with life
"'' ''"
"So then what''s the reason you called upon me" questioned her,
"Hmm, how should I say it, if you know about some future events then.....you also know about my real identity don''t you?" she asked with hesitation,
Hearing her a smirk appeared on my face because of course I knew her true identity, she yed quite a crucial role in the novel after all.
Seeing me smirk she said,
"So you know huh, how about we make a deal I will help you in dealing with some of your future problems as long as it''s within my capabilities and you do the same for me too, as I presume you already know about my problem and I also think you know the way of solving my problem, How about it?"
"You already nned it all out since the beginning didn''t you? but I don''t make deals with someone who doesn''t even show their face" I said to her as I was quite curious about her appearance, in the novel only a vague description was given about her appearance...
"Tch, it is not like I wanted to hide my appearance as you may already know why I cover my face since you know the future events" she sighed and removed the mist that was covering her face,
''" "''
As soon as my eyesid on her, I was astonished by her grandeur beauty...
''she has red hair with bewitching crystal green eyes and an extremely alluring face along with the desirable pillowy red lipsbined with her captivating Voluptuous body''
''.....Beauty that could start a war that was what her description was in the novel
***************
Chapter 21 Ivica Livingstones Circumstances
POV Ares ~
As Ivica removed the white mist that was acting like a veil to cover her face I was astonished by her elegance...
Beauty that could start a war, her description in the novel wasn''t an exaggeration,
Her beauty was a feast to the eyes, I thought to myself...
After admiring her beauty for a few seconds I came back from my thoughts,
"So you want me to help you in getting the Exacerbation Fruit," I asked,
She nodded her head and spoke,
"Yes, as you already know I don''t have much time left"
I nodded my head in agreement,
Ivica Livingstone''s true identity isn''tpletely human, she''s half human and...half Dragon,
It was an impossiblebination that defies logic, As it is impossible for a human woman to bear a child of a dragon because a dragon''s child would be too powerful for a human to handle, and the same goes For a human male, as human male can''t impregnate dragon female as humans are not powerful enough to do so and another reason is dragon women''s are quite prideful and they wouldn''t mate with anyone weaker than them,
So the question is how Ivica was born.....
The answer to that question is quite simple Ivica''s father was a legendary man he not only slept with a prideful dragon woman but he also impregnated her which led to the legendarybination of half human and half dragon,
And the proof was ''Ivica Livingstone'' she may be and will be the only half human and half-dragon in existence...
But the problem came after that, Ivica was born with a dragon heart and a human body which means her body couldn''t handle the power of a dragon heart as time went by the power will only increase with it, and soon when her human body reaches its limits she will die of excessive mana...
But there is a solution to it and that is the legendary Exacerbation Fruit which is basically a strengthing Fruit that will allow the one who eats it to strengthen their body beyond the human level,
And it is the exact thing Ivica needed now which will strengthen and transcend her body beyond limits and will allow her to adapt to her dragon heart...
"Ok, I ept your deal but it may take some time for you to get the Exacerbation Fruit as it isn''t avable at this time and I can''t say you when it will appear as we will receive a bacsh for me sharing a future event" I exined her after pondering for few minutes
Ivica nodded her head in agreement and spoke,
"It''s ok, then tell me when you needed my help," she said and got up from her seat and approached me, then we both shook hands to confirm our deal,
"I will be in your care Ivica" I spoke while we were shaking hands,
"Please take care of me as well Ares" she replied and continued with a smile,
"And Call me Dean, as no one calls me by my first name," she said,
"But you''re also a teenager ording to the dragon''s age though" I replied with an amused smile,
she was shocked with her eyes wide open hearing my justification, because of course I was right I don''t know her current age but by no means she is older than 300 years, as dragons reach their adulthood after they reach 300 years old,
After a few minutes of shock, she giggled while covering her mouth with one of her hands and continued till her eyes turned moist then she finally stopped and spoke,
"Yeah you are right but did you forget that I am a half-human?" she said,
I don''t know how to rebuke that as she is the only half human - half dragon, so I don''t know what age she will turn adult, 18 or 300.
I shook my head and got out of useless thoughts,
"...I guess, that''s right" I spoke
Then we continued our conversation for a few more minutes then I finally bid her farewell and left for dormitories,
While I was on my way to my dorm I muttered to myself,
"It''s nice to have an ally that knows about my predicament, and I can count on her if I ran into some problems in the future"
As I was pondering to myself I arrived in front of a huge extravagant building that seems to be a Special dormitory,
I entered the building and went towards the Special Dormitory building reception, and was immediately greeted by a brown short-haired middle-aged woman, The middle-aged woman before me had a beautiful face, a well-formed nose, and small lips, her light brown hair was carefully brushed to both sides to give her a cleaner look,
she immediately recognized me and greeted me as respectful as possible and spoke,
"Young master Ares your room is on the 4th floor and its the biggest room avable for a 1st-year student to have, as you ranked #1 it was specially allotted to you, and if you want to customize anything or need anything then you can call me anytime," she said with a smile on her face and gave me my room key or to be more precise it was a room card,
I nodded my head to her and took the room key from her and saw [ 21 ] written on it which seems to be the room number I thought to myself and walked away from her,
As I walked along the corridor of the building, I was impressed by the internal design of the building. Especially the lighting as the corridor I was walking on was illuminated with soft and weing light as if it were sunshine in a gentle pastel hue.
The floor was made out of marble and a long red carpet covered most of the pavement as it directly led toward the elevator area.
Thus, following the red carpets and arriving in front of the elevators, I entered the elevator and quickly pressed a button that led me to the 4th floor,
The Special Dormitory building had fifteen floors, and the current floor I was headed towards was the 4th floor, where my room, 21, was located.
-Ding!
Exiting the elevator I was greeted with a small corridor that split into two, left and right. Checking my phone, I turned right and after walking past a couple of doors, I was soon able to see a door with the number [ 21 ] disyed on the side.
Without hesitation, I swiped my card on the door. Shortly after, as the doorknob turned green, I opened the door to my room.
-Click!
Entering the room, I was immediately stunned by what I saw. The first thing I saw was arge window inside the living room that illuminated the whole ce. Thereafter, I noticed all of the decorations around the ce. From clean white sofas to a personal kitchen furnished with all sorts of utensils.
Compared to my previous temporary allotted room, it felt as if I was going from the slums to the main city.
...A huge difference.
Turning right of the living room, I soon spotted the bedroom that had arge white bed in the middle. There were a couple of other decorations in this ce, however, that wasn''t what attracted me...no, it was a door that was by the side of the bedroom.
Without hesitation, I immediately headed for the door and opened it. This was the only thing that interested me at the moment.
-Click!
Opening the door, I instantly felt cool air brush past my clothes. Thereafter, looking at the room, a look of amazement appeared on my face.
Arge spacious room that was twice the size of the living room appeared before me. On the right side of the room, multiple different types of equipment ranging from dumbells, squat racks, and all sorts of other gym equipment appeared before me and on the left side of the room, there was no equipment or anything of the sort. However, the pavement and the sides of the wall were made of a special material that was shock absorbent.
Essentially, that area was the area in which I could peacefully train my sword skills and other sword techniques without worrying about causing any damage, As I looked at the gym, a satisfied grin appeared on my face...
***************
Chapter 22 Next Door Neighbor, Livia Frostine
-Ding! -Dong!
Just as I was happily admiring my new training room, I suddenly heard the sound of my doorbell ring. Taken aback for a brief moment, a slight frown appeared on my face.
"Who?" I questioned, as I don''t recall being friends with anyone who could visit me at these hours...
-nk
Opening the door to my room, I was immediately greeted by a blue-haired individual standing in front of the door.
''" ''"
I was seriously taken aback by her sudden visit,
"Hello, Nice to meet you", she said
"Yes? How can I help you?" I asked her with a smile,
Extending her hand towards me, she introduced herself while putting a gentle smile on her face,
"Nice to meet you, I''m Livia Frostine from room [ 22 ] your neighbor as well as your ssmate",
Nodding my head, and smiling back at her I extended my hand toward her and introduced myself to her as well,
"Ares Von Rothstaylor, Pleased to meet you too"
Of course, we both knew each other very well, but this is our first formal introduction.
Shaking my hand, a couple of seconds after we let go, a rather awkward silence enveloped the corridor. I saw Livia ncing at my room with a sparkle in her eyes as if conveying something...
Noticing this, ncing back at my room, I suggested.
"...Do you want toe in?"
Hearing my suggestion, she immediately nodded her head as if she was waiting for me to ask,
" "
"That would be ideal" she replied with a gentle smile,
Seeing how friendly she was being, I decided to let her in. Although many students didn''t have a positive impression of me because of the scenes I caused in the entrance examination, that didn''t mean everyone was like that.
Even though I eliminated Livia in the most rogue-like way, she didn''t seem to hate me.
I thought to myself while letting her in,
"Alright, pleasee in"
I stepped to the side and let her in.
I saw her smiling even more brightly, while she was entering my room...
-nk!
Closing the door, I turned around a said
"Wee, although I just moved in here, the ce was already furnished before I came so just have a seat while I make some tea"
"Sure, Thank you"
Nodding her head she calmly walked towards the sofas and sat down.
From the side of my eyes, I managed to observe that she seemed to be rather familiar with theyout of the apartment. It seems like her room was simrly decorated.
"Huu..."
Seeing that Livia wasfortably sitting on the sofa, heading towards the kitchen, I quickly heated a teapot and exhaled lightly.
It was the first time a student is being friendly with me without any fear or hatred in their eyes after the entrance examination, so I don''t want to leave a bad impression. After all, being a loner wasn''t something I loved.
A couple of seconds after Livia sat down,ing back with a steaming pot of tea, I sat on one of the sofas and poured tea for her.
"Thank you"
Thanking me and taking the teacup in front of her, Livia carefully took a sip of it as if not to burn her tongue.
cing the teapot down and blowing on my teacup, I looked at her and asked.
"Aren''t you angry with the way I eliminated you?"
Taking a sip of the tea and savoring the taste for a couple of seconds, cing the teacup down, Livia looked at me and shook her head.
"I don''t think you did anything bad because it was me who was being arrogant and let my guard down and got beaten to death" she replied and continued
"But, you were brutal at that time," she said with a tint of blush on her face,
I can only smile wryly hearing her,
"..."
As soon as she finished speaking, silence enveloped the room. Thereafter, I saw Livia look at me with a trace of pity in her eyes.
"..I feel bad for you," Livia said,
Confused, I couldn''t help but tilt my head to the side and ask.
"Why''s that?"
"Because you gathered too much attention from our entrance examination, and now you can''t live your life freely as you used to, Every step you take from now on you will be noticed and judged by everyone" she sympathize and continued
"If you even make a small mistake you will be ridiculed in disappointment"
Listening to Livia speak, from time to time
I knew she was talking about her own life,
Livia was born talented and from a very young age everyone appreciated her talent including the Magic tower, Her parents also doted on her very much to be more precise they doted on her talent, and her freedom was restricted as she has to do everything within there expectations,
As we all know every good thinges with a price...
We then carried on an awkward and difficult conversation for several more minutes before she decided to bid me goodbye.
"Oh, sorry for taking so much time, I lost the track of time while having a conversation with you," she said and stood up from the sofa,
Then she walked towards the door and I followed behind to bid her farewell.
Before leaving, she stood in from of the door and turned toward me, and spoke
"Thank you for having me Ares, Please take care of me in the future as well"
"No prob- "Even before I can reply to her
It all happened so fast that it took me a couple of seconds to realize what she had done, and when I realized what she had done, it was already toote, Without looking back, she walked out of my room, leaving me standing with a nk expression.
"Is this how people say goodbye to each other in this world?"
Ares was justifying himself while cing his right hand on his lips, as he was just kissed by Livia while she bade him farewell...
***************
Chapter 23 First Day At The Academy
S''oreh Academy.
The name was created as a pun with an anagram of S''OREH, or HERO''S, which means hero in English, but at least the power of the name in this continent was unparalleled.
There were many world-renowned educational institutionsall around that specialized in nurturing only wizards, but all of them were a foldpared to the S''oreh Academy here.
Everything, including facilities, size, and technology, was all state-of-the-art, and it was a hero training institution that had nurtured numerous heroes.
And it was also the main background of the world at the beginning of the Novel.
"From now on, all of you will be taking the first step to bing a hero here at S''oreh Academy¡ "
The person standing on top of the podium giving a speech right now was a woman, a member of the student council, who was given a role and authority simr to that of vigntes here at the academy.
There were about 10 members of the student council per grade. And the academy had a total of 3 grades, so it''s calcted to be a little over 30 people.
"Next, I would like to call the first-year top students from the entrance examination and written examination, Pleasee forward."
When my name was called, murmurs quickly filled the air. Then the third-year student, who had taken on the role of host, quietly added, as if to say calm down.
"Since the top scorer of both entrance and written examination is the same student, rank 2nd student pleasee forward as well"
After hearing him I went to the podium followed by Livia,
The Third-year student moved away from the mic and beckoned me to take it and give my introduction,
I stood in front of the mic and introduced myself,
"I am Ares Von Rothstaylor, Nice to meet you,
I Once Heard A Saying, "If You Set Out On The Path To Revenge, First Dig Two Graves."
So anyone of you who''s trying to take their revenge against me because of entrance examination gets your graves ready before approaching me" Ipleted with a smile and walked down the podium,
"...."
"...."
The student council members as well as all the students present were speechless hearing my introduction which seems to be like a threat...
Soon hearing Livia''s voice everyone came out of a daze,
"Ahem, My name is Livia Frostine and I Like Ares...I mean I couldn''t agree with him more," she spoke and followed behind Ares.....
Loud gulps could be heard all around the hall, soon the third-year student came and concluded the entrance ceremony.
"Th-That concludes the entrance ceremony for new students. Pl-Please leave the auditorium in order and proceed to your notified ssrooms in an orderly fashion."
"Please be sure to check your number and ss on the main square."
Hearing him everyone left the hall ordingly,
I just don''t want to get bothered by some random mob characters that wanted to defeat me to gain some fame as it happened to Lucas in the novel so I had to take a rather harsh approach, that''s the only reason I threatened them not to bother me because I already have too much on my te.
But I don''t know what Livia was thinking, I thought to myself while ncing at her as she was walking beside me as if it was the most obvious thing to do.
And after what she did yesterday while leaving my room we had an awkward atmosphere all around us as I don''t want to talk about it and as for Livia she didn''t seem to care much,
"...."
Seeing her acting as if nothing happened, I doubted that kissing goodbyes to a person you just met is a normal thing to do...
I came out of my thoughts as we reached our ssroom,
''Is this the ssroom? It feelspletely different from what I thought and read in the novel.''
My first impression of entering the ssroom was that it was very spacious and sophisticated, and the ssroom was still almost half empty. As I pondered where to go and sit down, Livia pointed me towards a seat.
"Let''s sit there," she said while pointing her index finger towards the corner seat.
"...."
I looked at her with my emotionless face for a few seconds and spoke,
"You can go ahead and sit there, I will be sitting there," I said to her while walking towards thest seat of the opposite corner Livia rmended,
As I sat on my seat Livia followed me and sat right next to me, I just nced at her once and ignored her as I heard someone''s voice,
"Come on, everyone sit down!"
Just then, the front door opened with a loud ng and someone walked into the ssroom.
Her long blondehairhad been partly gathered up intoa high bun, though the rest fell free and her deep blue eyes were like a deep ocean that will drown you if you stare at it for too long, her beautiful faceplemented with her perfectly bnced figure.
..She looked like a model even in in clothes of a white shirt and long ck skirt. She had such a beautiful appearance that it made me wonder if she was a professor. The mysterious woman, who had all these, was smiling confidently, and the students who were still standing quickly took their seats.
"Nice to meet you, I''m Roselia Florence, your professor during this school year. I look forward to being with you for the next year!"
Apuse erupted from all over the ce at her loud and courageous introduction. I also casually apuded and looked around, and the faces of some male students were red.
she was introducing herself and exining in simple terms the story of her life here at S''oreh Academy.
"Oh, by the way. I teach runes deciphering as my main major. If there are any students here who are interested in runesnguage, They can meet me after my hours as the professor in charge."
With these words, she handed out the handouts she brought to us. Looking at it, simplemon sense, rules of the academy, name, location of the facility, etc. It contained detailed information that would be useful to freshmen in many ways.
"Originally, I had to spend hours exining everything, but isn''t it a bit strange to do so from the very first day? Therefore, I would like to end the ss today. You can all go back to your dorms to rest, or you can take a look around the academy with your new friends. In the meantime, please be sure to familiarize yourselves with the handouts I''ve just given you."
The students couldn''t hide their delight at her words. It was true that some professors gave hard lectures and warnings from the very first day, but we could say that Roselia wasn''t like that and she seems to be an easy-going professor.
"Oh, and before I finish, I''ll add one more thing."
She said while ncing at everyone in the ss with a frown on her face,
"I''d like to ask you to keep this in mind, that armed conflict between students without due cause or procedure is not allowed under any circumstances. If you want to see how good you are at fighting each other, do it during practice time."
Hearing her everyone turned around and red at me and Livia, it was mostly me as Livia was just in their line of sight,
Seeing all the ss ring at me a nonchnt smirk came across my face and Iid back in my seat,
"It''s over then. I want to congratte you all on your enrollment at S''oreh Academy and hope you enjoy your first day."
Saying that Roselia added while looking at me with the same smiling expression.
"Because a hellish schedule awaits you all soon."
***************
Chapter 24 Combat Training Class (1)
S''oreh Academy is an educational institution that nurtures the next generation of heroes.
And heroes handle a lot of things, and representative of them are Lifesaving, Raiding Monster Gate, Viin suppression, and Monster extermination. These are the four that were mentioned in the novel.
Of course, there are other things like maintaining public order and disaster support,
And unlike lifesaving and disaster support, the most basic requirement in viin suppression and monster extermination is the minimum necessary strength. Even in the case of heroes who specialize in lifesaving and disaster support, they have to be able to handle a certain amount of monsters so they can protect themselves, so the minimum conditions for being a hero can be said to be quite high.
In addition to the above, while lifesaving and disaster relief can be reced by ordinary people, there are very few people who can rece them for viin suppression and monster extermination. It is almost impossible for the police to subdue the viins, many of whom have abilities, without causing serious damage, and it is also unprofitable to dispatch an army to capture a single monster. In other words, it can be said that to be a hero, the minimum necessary strength is the first thing that is required.
''And, this is a world where fantasy is mixed in.''
As a result, cold weapons such as swords, spears, and bows are preferred over modern weapons such as guns, missiles, and bombs.
Modern weapons can be strengthened as well but they have to be created with powerful materials to withstand the magic.
As weapons can be strengthened through the concept of magic, the cold weapon has an advantage over modern ones.
This world also has weapons from mythology and legendary game-like weapons... Such as the Staff Of Homa, Vortex Vanisher, Leviathan, Durendal, Excalibur, Amos Bow, and even the Spear of Longinus exists, and possess great power.
,m Lucas will end up with the Legendary Spear of Longinus in the future,
I knew of several Monster Gates where such legendary items are and as well as one of the skill books that I want toy my hands on, but it was difficult to try at my current level, so I was just waiting to get stronger.
I also know about where the legacy of the Legendary Man lies...I mean Ivica''s father''s legacy, Though it will not be useful to her as his legacy is mostly for cultured men, was taken away by the SHADOWS organization member in the novel.
But I decided to take that legacy for myself, not because I want The Legendary Man''s legacy but because I don''t want it to end up with someone evil like a Shadow organization member.
"....." Ares justified himself,
After pondering to myself for a few minutes I decided to go to the training grounds as it was about time for thebat training ss to start,
***************
After arriving at the training grounds thebat instructor indicated every student to select their weapons,
After the weapon selection was finished, the actual training followed immediately. The training professor, who was our instructor, gathered the students randomly as it was the first day, Most of the students were gathered in the group of twos or threes
I chose a random long sword while Livia who was still sticking to me chose a mace-like staff,
The Groups that were selected will now spar with the professor for three minutes and in that three minutes the group should be able to at leastnd a single blow on the instructor to get his approval,
The Groups were as follows,
Ares Von Rothstaylor and Livia Frostine
...
Lucas Eugene, A Eugene, and Ziona Madlock
...
Diana Eliora and ude Valdemar
...
The instructor was an A-Rank Adventurer before joining the Academy so the difference in strength between the new-born brats and the veteran Adventurer is quite huge like a difference between sky and ground,
Then soon the sparring session between groups of students and thebat instructor began,
As time went by as expected no mob students could even touch the instructor''s hair and soon after the main event started as now it was Diana Eliora''s and ude Valdemar''s turn they fought each other in the entrance examination but now they have to fight together,
As soon as the spar began ude disappeared while Diana shot countless arrows to divert the instructor''s sight so ude couldnd an attack from his behind, but it was for naught as he blocked all the arrows as if were nothing and caught ude''s wrist with his right hand that came after his neck from behind him,
Diana again shot her arrows towards the instructor who was now holding ude''s wrist but as soon as the arrows were about to hit them he released some of his aura which sent them in different directions.....
As time went by their fight continued as Diana and ude attacked the instructor continuously the professor blocked easily at first but his hand got grazed by Diana''s arrow while he was dealing with ude''s attacks as he appeared in front of him and attacked continuously with his daggers, while he was focused on ude, Diana attacked while adjusting her attack as if not to cause friendly fire and made her every attack miss ude with the hair''s breadth towards the instructor,
The instructor was shocked seeing her uracy and got one arrow grazed his hand while he was trying to avoid it.
At that their sparring ended and both Diane and ude got his approval.
The students that were struggling before were shocked to their core knowing the difference in their strength,
Especially Diana''s uracy was unmatched, the other bow user students were speechless seeing her shoot arrows at such a fast rate while avoiding ude by hair''s breadth and only aiming at the professor.
If she missed her attack with even a millimeter then her arrow would have hit ude.
And ude who seemed to be unbothered by the arrows that were passing from right next to him fearlessly was remarkable as well if he had gotten startled by the arrows passing through him and made a huge movement he would have gotten hit by the arrows.
Coming out of their thoughts they saw three other students entering the stage after Diana and ude came down,
They were Lucas Eugene, A Eugene, and Ziona Madlock,
It was the deadly trio and everyone was looking forward to this sparring session.
Seeing Lucas and Ziona in front and A supporting them from behind they were in the pyramid formation, Instructor grabbed a dagger as his weapon to spar with them and signaled them to begin,
***************
Chapter 25 Combat Training Class (2)
Now it was Lucas, Ziona, and A''s Groups turn for a sparring session, they went to the arena and got in their position,
Lucas and Ziona were in front and A was supporting them from behind they were in the pyramid formation, and the Instructor took a dagger to use as his weapon and bolstered himself to spar against them, he then signaled them to initiate,
As soon as the instructor gave them an indication to begin, Ziona rushed towards the instructor with her sword and Lucas followed her lead with his spear, their attacks were so fast that many students couldn''t catch a glimpse of their attacks, but as for the instructor he repelled their attacks as if it was nothing, A provided both Lucas and Ziona with her speed buffs from behind, which boosted their speed and was now only second to Ares.
As the fight continued Lucas used his Spears Aura and his spearhead was now covered with the red hue of mana, His attacks after that became more vicious and gave the instructor a hard time, during all this Ziona didn''t abide and used her Sword Aura as well, now her sword was covered with the purple mana, she soon moved swiftly towards the instructor as well while getting the buffed from A, Both Lucas''s and Ziona''a speed increased at least by two-fold,
Facing both Lucas and Ziona''s fierce attacks as their weapons were now covered with their Aura''s which made the instructor impossible to evade their attacks by just using a single dagger, and soon as he blocked Lucas''s spear that attacked him from the front but he was met with Ziona''s sword from the side that was pointed on his neck with the inhumane speed due to A''s buff,
Hence that concludes their sparring session as the instructor recognized their victory.
Every student that saw their fight was dumbfounded, as they never anticipated that someone would even be able tond a blow on the instructor let alone defeat him.
They never even thought about winning against him, their only purpose was tond a single blow on the instructor.
Even though the instructor didn''t use his full strength it was still an achievement for the students their age to brag about.
After the end of their spar Lucas, A, and Ziona stepped down the stage, and thest group proceeded towards the stage,
Thest group was of course Ares Von Rothstaylor and Livia Frostine.
Soon Ares and Livia arrived on the stage and the instructor scrutinized them before taking out his long sword, he knew exactly who these two were, as they were in the top 2 ranks of the entrance examination everyone knew the infamous ''Ares The Executioner'' and ''Livia the Ice Queen'' so he don''t want to let his guard down.
After scrutinizing them he signaled them to initiate,
As soon as they got the signal, Livia froze all around the arena they were sparring in to decrease the tendency of the instructor except for a single line of the path for Ares to move around,
At the same time, Ares applied the electricity around his legs and moved quickly toward the instructor at a fast pace leaving only the blue trail behind, even though the instructor was expecting it he still couldn''t keep up with Ares''s speed as Ares suddenly appeared in front of him aiming his sword on his neck, the instructor was stupefied and blocked his attack with his sword at the explicit time and their sword met leaving a shing sound, Ares attacked continuously and was pushing the instructor back, the instructor''s movements were being restricted by the ice that was obstructing his feet and the huge ice wall that stood behind him which was created by Livia, he had no choice but to take on Ares attacks head on and their swords shed continuously at the rapid rate and only sounds of metal colliding with each other could be heard and the sparks that generated during the sh could be witnessed,
Cold sweat formed on the instructor''s forehead as he saw Ares''s speed increasing as the time went by and not only that Livia''s ice reached him continuously even though he shattered her ice from time to time,
As time went by the instructor was pushed into the corner and was attacked continuously by Ares''s sword and now even Livia was tossing ice spears and other spells toward him.
The instructor''s hand was bleeding from persisting with Ares''s fast attacks and he even had some scratches on his cheek and forehead that were induced by Livia''s magic, the spar should have been already stopped but Ares and Livia didn''t seem to be satisfied with this and continued bombarding him with their attacks with an evil grin on their face.
They both were so wlessly in sync as if they were fighting together for decades,
And soon as the given three minutes were over they finally halted, leaving the instructor who was now sweating all over with the measly scratches unaided.
They both then spoke in unison with a slight bow toward the instructor,
"Thank you for your tutge"
And soon they heard the bell ring indicating the end of the ss, so they both departed the training hall together as Ares left first and Livia walked behind him.
All the other students just scrutinized them with their bewildered faces as both of them were walking out of the training hall as if nothing happened, The instructor was also dumbfounded by their behavior as he was still sweating all over he muttered to himself,
"They are monsters" with his perplexedplexion.
Soon other students came out of their thoughts too and watched the instructor''splexation for onest time before leaving the training hall.
***************
After leaving the training hall Ares thought to himself that he still wasn''t strong enough and he needed a new weapon to use as his main weapon and he also require additional skills,
There were quite a lot of cases in which the performance of weapons determined the oue of the battle, and more importantly, Ares had felt it keenly during the spar, so he hoped there would be a sword that could be used as his main weapon.
"Let''s see, the first thing I need to do for a while is training and skill training. Search for a sword to be used as the main weapon. And likewise, the search for skills to use as the main force. There were approximately these three essential things." He muttered to himself,
''It feels like the work I have to do is only increasing, I suppose it can''t be helped.'' after pondering to himself he concluded,
"Let''s look for skills first."
Fortunately, I knew where to proceed and find those skills. At least it was fortunate that it wouldn''t be thatplicated, he thought to himself while moving toward the dorms.
Chapter 26 Learning New Skills (1)
There exist several ways to acquire skills in this world,
The first way of acquiring skills was by acquiring tools, and objects, or by fulfilling certain conditions,
However, the aforementioned two were very rare cases, and most people were taught by someone through known methods, such as skill books, or naturally obtained through repeated training and hard work.
And the academy here encouraged students to obtain such skills.
But skill books are exceptionally hard to find and even if someone got a hold of them they will trade them for quite an enormous sum of money, only if he doesn''t want to utilize it or it isn''t usable to him will he sell it or else, of course, he will use it for himself,
As in this world, every little power is an umtion of their survival.
But the skills I am trying to get can be found in the runes ss, There were many skills books in the runes ss which also has a library but to utilize them you have to decipher the book first. And to decipher it of course you have to know thenguage of the runes. which is only essible by the students who took the runenguage course,
Roselia Florence our homeroom teacher is in charge of deciphering the runenguage, and it is the perfect opportunity for me to try my new ability "UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE".
Just thinking about it a huge grin came on my face,
After pondering to myself I went straight to Roselia''s office.
Knock-knock. !
After reaching her office I knocked on the door,
"Yes,e in"
After hearing her reply I stepped in,
"Huh, Ares? How may I help you?"
she was shocked for a split second but soon got back herposure.
"I am interested in runenguage, so I decided toe by as you are in charge of that course" I answered.
Hearing my reply Roselia was astounded for a few seconds and silence befell the room, then she soon got her senses back and stars could be seen in her beautiful blue eyes,
"Really?" she said with an amazed tone as she stood up from her chair and grabbed my hand with both of her hands,
"Yes," I replied while nodding my head not bothering with her exaggerated reaction.
A beautiful smile could be seen on her face as she replied,
"I never thought I would get a first-year student in my course, you see runesnguage is quiteplicated and many first-years don''t want to waste their time learning a newnguage that they had never read before, instead they would take some other courses that could help them in increasing their strength"
"so my ss has very few students, thus my ss isbined between 2nd and 3rd years and you will be the first 1st-year student"
As she was exining to me about her course I already filled up my course form and returned it to her.
"Oh, you already filled it? Let''s get going then it''s already time for my ss"
She said as we walked out of her office and reached her course ss,
As soon as I entered the ss or whatever shit is this I was bewildered seeing whaty inside...
The ssroom or I don''t think we can call it a ssroom because half of the ss was covered in books only leaving minimum space for someone to sit and there were wrappers of snacks, empty coke cans, pillows, and many other things that shouldn''t belong in the ssroom.
Seeing this mess I looked toward Roselia who has a wry smile on her face.
"Now I know why there are exceptionally fewer students taking your course" I muttered to myself
"Ahem, Let me introduce....No I don''t think I have to introduce him as everyone in the academy knew who ''Ares The Executioner'' is, so he will be taking my course from today"
she introduced me with a proud smile on her face,
After hearing her there was no reaction from the ss as they just stared at her nkly as if asking her ''seriously?''
Seeing them I didn''t have any good impression of them, they just looked like some slothful students dazing off in the name of learning runenguage,
They were a total of around 10 students and in that only 1 person seems to care about learning she didn''t care much about me as she just nced at me when Roselia was introducing me then she went back to interpreting her book,
She has light silver short hair with grey eyes and a curvaceous body...
I know she is the student council vice president but I didn''t know her name because she doesn''t like to interact much, I don''t know how she became vice president with that kind of personality, or it may be the student council president was after her beauty.
"Ares, did you learn runenguage before?"
Roselia asked me ignoring other students'' stares at her,
"Yes, Iprehended the introductory alphabet" I lied to her, as I don''t want them to be suspicious of me as I decipher some skills, or they would be like ''oh, the newbie that never learned about runenguage was able to decrypt a skill book?''
"Wh-what you did?"
Roselia asked in a perplexed voice and I nodded my head in agreement.
"O-okay then, we don''t have to waste time teaching you about basics, there are many books here including skill books as well as information about ancient magic circles runes"
"If you can decipher a skill book you can have it without offering anything in return, but if you could decipher a magic circle rune you have to share it with the academy, if you can contribute by deciphering the whole magic circle you might even get awarded by the academy"
"Of course, that is impossible for you guys as of now, as there are many schrs that still couldn''t decipher a single magic circle rune"
"If the word you decipher is correct then it will automatically rece it in ournguage"
"There are many half-finished books in that corner, so you can start from there"
After exining to me the essentials that I should know she then indicated me toward one corner,
I nodded my head and went towards where she indicated.
Then I took one book and tried to read it and sure enough I was able to decipher it as if it was natural, knowing that a satisfied smile appeared on my face.
Then as I was flipping books for a few minutes I soon came across a skill book, and as soon as the skill book was deciphered a bright light came out of the book and soon the book disappeared and its contents entered my brain.
My eyes were closed throughout the process and after a few minutes, I slowly opened my eyes and checked my status screen to know about my new skill.
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 48% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 57% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 77% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 1% ) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
Chapter 27 Learning New Skills (2)
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 48% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 57% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 77% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 1% ) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows the user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
Noticing my status screen I found the skill that I just obtained from the skill book.
Hawk''s eye huh, it''s not that bad I guess. I think it will be worthwhile if I improve its Mastery, I thought to myself.
As I was pondering to myself about my new skill, I abruptly heard the eximing sound, and as I scrutinized my eyes towards it I was met with stares from all over the ss including the vice president girl who always minds her own business...
"huhhhh, y-you h-how"
One of the students eximed with a bewildered look on his face and everyone else has an identical expression on their faces as well...
After seeing their expressions I directly knew that it isn''t standard to get skills this easily...
"...."
I was speechless as well and didn''t answer him immediately and just stared at them with a nk expression.
"...."
"...."
And like that only silence could be noticed in the room for a few moments, and after a few seconds one of the students broke the silence and spoke,
"I-It might be a coincidence right, he might have found an almost deciphered skill book, right?"
A student questioned, and listening to her other students too nodded their heads in agreement, except Roselia.
"Yup, that''s right he is exceptionally fortunate to not only find a skill book but also almost deciphered at that."
Another student added and the rest just nodded their heads and gave me an envious look...
I just watched them exining themselves and didn''t interfere with their thoughts, then suddenly an unexpected voice was heard by everyone in the room,
"What type of skill did you get?" She questioned.
I scrutinized where the voice came from, and I saw the student council Vice President stare at me with her neutral face, and after listening to her other students too were ncing at me with curiosity,
"It''s quite rude to ask someone about their skills, don''t you think? " I replied to her with an exquisite smile on my face,
Hearing me everyone had a disappointed look on their faces, but I didn''t care much about them as it was an unwritten rule to never ask an individual about their skills.
"I apologize, I was just curious and asked something extremely rude" She apologized while making a sad face.
Seeing her apologize earnestly I decided to forgive her.
"It''s alright, but please abstain yourself from making the same mistake," I said with a soft forgiving smile.
"I understand" She replied with a soft smile.
Then everyone went back to whatever they were doing, but there was someone who was just staring at me throughout the interaction between us.
She was Roselia Florence...
Her gaze didn''t leave me from the time I acquired the skill, I didn''t meet her gaze and ignored her for now and got back to Flipping the books.
There were thousands of books in this room and finding a skill book is as hard as finding a needle in a haystack, I was quite lucky to find it so easily.
I continued flipping the books and I found most of them were just journals kept by somemon ancient people and weren''t valuable.
I also found some handwritten notes of some magicians and found them quite beneficial, It was about applying magic runes on their bodies and casting through them I was speechless reading its technique.
They used their magic by creating magic circles and they were ranked as a ss magician, in the notes that I was reading he appears to be an 8th-ss magician and seems to be quite strong,
"This will be useful," I thought to myself after flipping that book.
I can try applying the magic circle around my body as well but for now, I am not strong enough and if I had any bacsh from it my body couldn''t handle it, for now, I will have to research more about this.
I thought to myself and started flipping books again...
But merely after a few moments of flipping books, The book I just flipped started radiating bright light again, and soon disappeared from my hand and its information was ingrained in my mind.
It was a skill book again, is it so easy to get skills? I thought to myself while I closed my eyes till I wrapped up the whole information from the skill book then I slowly opened my eyes but didn''t inspect my new skill, for now, because I knew that I Fucked up big time.
I never anticipated that I would be able to find skill books this easily and two at that in just a matter of time, In the huge ssroom full of books I stumbled upon two skill books in just the significance of the moment.
Should I be happy? I thought to myself and raised my head to inspect other students'' reactions, and sure enough, their expressions were what I expected.
"...."
"...."
"...."
I don''t have any exnation for this juncture, yup I was like someone who was caught red-handed while doing something awry.
I just gave them a wry smile and silence befell in the ssroom yet again...
"Whyyyy, why god why I have been in this course for at least 2 years, and I didn''t even get a glimpse of any skill book, how can this newbie who is joining just today get 2 skill books and almost deciphered books at that" Some not-so-sharp student who seems to be a 3rd-year screamed and continued,
"This is unfair the world is unfair, the strong getting stronger and weak getting weaker, Ahhh"
He screamed in frustration and got other students'' attention towards him,
"Idiot that''s not the point here, the main point is why would anyone leave an almost deciphered skill book and not use it themselves?"
she hit the idiotic 3rd year at the back of his head and said it out loud.
Hearing her other students too nodded their heads in agreement,
"It must be because they aren''tpatible with these skills, and they can''t take these skill books outside of the ssroom, so basically they can''t sell them too. I think that''s the reason why they just left it at that "
Roselia Florence thought out loud allowing everyone to hear her.
"There are skills like that too?" a student questioned,
"Of course, there are many skills like that. For example, think that your element is water so, of course, you couldn''t learn skills rted to fire."
Roselia exined.
"If that''s the case then they could have submitted the skill book to the academy and gotten some reward, couldn''t they?" a student questioned.
"Hmm, that''s right so it means that the skill book mustn''t have much value even for the academy to give them rewards so they must have just left it"
Roselia still tried to defend me by saying whatever nonsense...
Everyone in the ssroom started giving me a suspicious look, So now I decided to go for the n B that came up in my mind while they were discussing among themselves.
"Yes that''s right, the skills I got aren''t much use for a student" I spoke as I decided to proceed with my n.
They don''t seem to believe me and were still staring at me as if asking for an exnation, so I exined.
"The skill I got is ''The Sex Art For Men'' and as for the other skill I don''t think I should say it out loud because I think it''s inappropriate" I answered.
Hearing me everyone in the ssroom has a shocked expression while the girls in the ssroom had blushes on their faces as boys kept their mouths wide open in amazement...
I had no other choice but to lie because it will be bad for me if anyone got to know that I can decipher runesnguage this easily,
"WOW! That''s an awesome skill, why wouldn''t anyone want that?" The idiotic 3rd-year student eximed loudly.
"The ones who were deciphering these skill books might be girls" I made an excuse.
"Hmm, that makes sense" He nodded his head in agreement.
The idiotic senior of mine seems to buy it and soon he started staring at the girls who were still blushing in embarrassment and spoke,
"If you girls by chance find anything like that in the future please leave it to me"
Hearing him made girls even more embarrassed and the student beside him hit his head again,
"Ow, what was that for"
They started bickering among themselves, and everyone seems to drop the topic of skill books,
Seeing that I sighed in relief and thought to myself while shaking my head, ''YOUTHS!''
It was easy to fool them but I can''t fool everyone, they might still have some doubts but they decided to let it go because of their embarrassment,
And I can''t fool Roselia Florence as well, I thought to myself and nced at her, and sure enough, she was frowning at me.
"...."
"This will be troublesome" I muttered to myself under my breath...
***************
Chapter 28 Making A Deal With Roselia Florence.
After acquiring my second skill I decided to halt for now and stopped flipping books as I don''t want to raise suspicions and attract any more attention than I already have.
As time went by the ringing bell could be heard indicating the end of ss, soon everyone left but I was stopped by Roselia. And I think I know why,
As everyone left only leaving me and Roselia alone, Roselia went towards the ssroom door and locked it as she don''t want anyone to eavesdrop or disturb ourmunication,
She then made a ce for the two of us to sit down facing each other and then beckoned me towards the seat.
I followed her indications and sat on the seat she prepared, then after a few seconds of silence, Roselia spoke.
"I don''t know from where you learned thenguage of the runes so fluently and I won''t ask you about it as well, Everyone might have thought that you were just flipping books, but I knew better that wasn''t the case."
"...What do you mean?" I questioned
"I heard rumors that you were just flipping through books a day before your written examination and still topped the exam, but seeing you now I know that wasn''t the case."
"It may look like you were just flipping through the books but in actuality, you were reading them, weren''t you? "
"...Yes, that''s correct my memory is good" I answered her nonchntly with a certain pause.
"Your memory is ''JUST'' good you say...," she made a shocked expression and then continued.
"...."
"Well, I will not ask you how you canprehend runenguage so fluently or about your Just good memory because I know everyone has their secrets that they don''t want anyone else to know"
"But I just want to warn you how dangerous it is for someone who can decipher runenguage as fluently as you, once the words got out about your existence everyone in the continent wille after you"
"Magic tower will want to imprison you so you can decipher ancient magic runes for them and that''s not the worse part, you will be targeted by demon cultists as well."
Hearing her I now know how reckless I was in using my ability,
''The Magic tower wants to decipher thenguage of the runes to revive the ancient magic, if they got to know about someone who can decipher the runenguage fluently, they will do whatever they can to get their hands on them and that''s not the good situation as they will imprison and make them decipher all the books they deem important without any rest.
''And that''s not the worst case, as much worse than magic tower is demon cultists as they are trying to unseal the seal that stops the demon lords from descending into the human world and if they found out about the existence of someone that can decipher thenguage of runes fluently it will be problematic as it will allow them to fasten their ns on unsealing the demon lords by deciphering the magic circles that were used to seal them in the ancient times.''
As I was pondering to myself, Roselia spoke again,
"So you should be careful from now on when you are deciphering runes and if possible keep it a secret to avoid unwanted trouble, and you don''t have to worry about me as my mouth is sealed"
"I will appreciate that" I replied to her with a thankful smile.
"Now that I said whatever you need to be careful about,..." she paused for a few moments then spoke again with an earnest face.
"Now, Let''s talk business"
Hearing her a smug came on my face as I knew where this conversation was going,
"Alright, so what do you want me to do," I raised a question.
Listening to me a huge smile came on her face as she spoke,
"I will authorize you to take the books out of the ss on weekends and you can decipher them in your dorm room without worrying about anyone, and I will furthermore not care about what skills you get by deciphering them too, ...but you have to help me in deciphering some of the books that I wanted to decrypt, of course only on weekends"
"And let me be clear, It''s not a threat, and you can even refuse me if you want to and I will still keep your secret,"
"I just wanted to make an offer with an equivalent exchange" she concluded as she intertwined her hands together.
I have no reason to refuse such a great deal as I will be able to decipher the books in my dorm room without worrying about anyone and I will even be able to get a nce at the books Roselia is researching.
It''s like a win-win situation for me, I thought to myself, and quickly epted her offer.
"Ok, it''s a deal then"
As I epted her offer we both shook hands as a gesture of making a deal, and we both had bright smiles on our faces.
"I will be in your care, Miss Roselia" I spoke while we were shaking hands.
"Please take care of me as well Prince Ares" she replied.
***************
After making a deal with Roselia I left the ssroom and came back to my dorm room without wasting any more time as I wanted to check the 2nd new skill that I acquired.
And as soon as I was in my room I made myselffortable on the sofa and summoned my status screen.
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT: INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 48% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 57% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 77% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 1% ) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows the user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
5. STATIC ELECTRICITY (Mastery 1%) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: This can cause a powerful electric current to flow through tools or equipment. Its power is so strong that it requires arge amount of mana)
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
After checking out my status screen I caught a glimpse of the 2nd skill that I obtained today, "Static electricity".
I was surprised to see that I acquired the skill of electricity element. But I don''t exactly know what this skill does even after reading its information as I could already manipte electricity around my weapons without even using this skill.
...But if it works as a sword aura then it will be extremely impressive even if it induces huge mana.
I pondered to myself with a satisfied grin on my face and decided to inquire about it in the training room...
***************
Chapter 29 Advisor Selection Class
"Hey, Ares. Did you decide which courses you''re going to join?"
I nodded at Livia''s question as she called my name in a friendly manner.
"Yeah. I roughly decided." I answered
"Oh? What are you going to join?" she inquired.
"Rune deciphering, Reading, and Archery."
Thest decision was made after a lot of consideration. After all, in the case of the additional ones, I could adequately substitute them with different ones, but I had a feeling that the opportunity to practice archery would be hard toe by.
''I used a bow as my secondary weapon in my previous World, so I think it would be a waste to give up on it straight away¡., And It will correspond pretty well with my new skills as well, ''Hawks eye'' and ''static electricity.
Hawks eye will Enhance my vision for a certain amount of time and allow me to see through the opponent''s weaknesses which is perfect for archery, and my static electricity skill was what I thought no It was more powerful than I thought, but It has huge mana consumption for me to continuously use It on the sword but I think I can apply it on a couple of arrows for more destructive power.
While I was pondering to myself, Livia made a surprised expression and spoke.
"What, you want to join three courses?"
"Well. There are so many things I am interested in." I answered her nonchntly but It''s going to be hard, Other courses are not included in the internal evaluation as they are known as extra courses.
Therefore, it was the academy''s policy to not let students worry about grades and to gain a broad perspective and experience. In addition, it was possible to join several courses if the circumstances allowed.
In the case of reading, I decided to gain as much knowledge as possible so it can be helpful to me in the future, For archery, it''s to create the talent for the bow.
As I was thinking over to myself Livia conversed again,
"I only joined Magic exploration and hunting... ."
"That''s too bad. There''s no ovep."
Even with my formal words, Livia nodded her head several times in agreement.
In any case, since I had a sword as my main weapon, for now, it was natural to have a decent sword. Most importantly, the educational weapons that were provided to the students in bulk were not badpared to normal products, but they were not at a level that could not be called a great weapon, but I will have to make do for now.
There was nothing I could do right now. I considered I should act a little more gradually and calmly for a while.
I need a huge sum of money to deal with my many problems, though Ares saving was enough, for now, my future allowances were cut off by my stepmother...but at least I will be able to survive by the allowance given by the academy,
Students attending the academy are given a certain amount of money every month in the name of fulfillment maintenance rather than tuition.
And the amount was not only enough for the maintenance of fulfillment, but could be used for living expenses if you preserved a little more. In addition, the special ss students get a decent amount of moneypared to other sses.
It was not for nothing that people without money struggled to be heroes or even academy students.
But it would be too short for my future goals.
Simply put, there were plenty of things that require money, such as expenses that would be required for future efforts, money to purchase various items, and scenarios that can only be progressed with huge sums of money.
"Should I ask Mika?" I muttered out loud.
***************
After slowly walking and pondering to myself, I and Livia managed to arrive at the Sparring room on time since it''s an outdoor ss from the first period.
It was the first ss in the Sparring room at S''oreh Academy, The ''Advisor Selection ss.''
As the name suggests it''s to select a suitable advisor to hone your skills.
It was divided into seven categories.
Vanguard, knights, Guardians, Sniper, Casters, Supporters, And specialists.
Vanguard, Knights, and Guardians. These three upational groups are responsible for the front row.
And snipers, casters, and supporters take up the rear row.
Finally, specialists, who have not been categorized anywhere in the previous six, meant people with unusual professions or roles. In a good way, it''s a Joker-like role, but in a bad way, it''s a perfect role to be in the middle.
''The vanguard takes the role of the spearhead, the knights are the core of the attack, and the Guardians protect the rear...''
It was mentioned in the novel, that these roles themselves were categorized to make them somewhat easier to understandbats. Once the story progressed a bit, these ssifications became meaningless.
''But at the academy, they teach you to specialize in one thing first.''
It was the approach of the Academy to find and refine one''s specialization first, and then develop one''s skills by focusing on it. For this reason, we would select sses for our advisors so that we could have a more adequate and in-depth education.
At some point, the students who were buzzing became quiet in an instant. As I veered around my eyes, a middle-aged professor was walking up to the podium with elegant steps.
"Good morning. Guys. Have you had a satisfactory breakfast?"
"Yes!"
He smiled in satisfaction at the vigorous reply. Then he instantly scrutinized us with a stern expression.
"Today will probably be the first realbat ss for all of you here at the S''oreh Academy. Yesterday you were only given a general briefing on the Academy and were evaluated to know about your suitable weapon by sparring with the Instructor, so this ss is practically the first of its kind."
"The reason why this ss is the first ss is that this ss is considered the most important here at S''oreh Academy. So I want you to keep that in mind and at least try to take this ss as earnestly as you can."
"Today is a ss to select advisors who will be in charge of the actual battle for you, who will be heroes of the future. Even though you will be sparring with safety gear on your weapons, one wrong move could lead to a serious ident, so I want you all to focus and work hard."
And he shouted in a voice that was louder than before.
"From now on, those who have chosen the main armament suitable for the front guards, gather to my right, and those who belong to the rear guards to my left!"
At his words, the students moved immensely, and there seemed to be slightly more people who chose to be the front guard.
"In the Sparring room here, there are twelve small Sparring areas in total. Six of them will be used. If you proceed in front of it, the names of the students who will enter the Sparring area will appear on the holographic disy. If there is a mistake, don''t hesitate to speak up immediately! And the students on the rear-guard side will be ssified in a little more detail, so wait!"
At his words, the group of students, including me, proceeded to where he said. Several professors were sitting on the bleachers overlooking the area where each of the Sparring areas was located, monitoring us.
We would each spar with a partner here, and the data observed from our entrance examination,bined with the opinions of the professors, would be used to select several candidates for the instructor who would be teaching the student. The range of the advisors varied depending on our performance and the skills we demonstrate during this spar.
When you engage in a spar, you will see the overall capability of the student, so you can evaluate their strengths. That''s what the instructor said...
"Oh. Ares. Your name came up."
At the words of Livia, who was standing next to me, I was about to look toward the holographic disy but I remembered something...
"Wait Livia why are standing beside me? you are in a rear guard position!" I suddenly realized and questioned her.
"Oh, I see" she spoke then took off towards where the rear guards were...
"....."
"Tsk¡ ."
Unlike me, who clicked my tongue in annoyance, I felt someone evilly smiling at me.
[Ares Von Rothstaylor VS Ziona Madlock]
That was definitely what showed up on the holographic disy.
***************
Chapter 30 Best Swordsman Vs Best Swordswoman
As Ares arrived at the sparring Arena he saw Ziona Madlock already waiting for him with a creepy-looking smile revealing how excited she is about this duel.
This duel was not just customary, as the Title of the Best Youngest Swordmaster was on the line here.
Previous Ares was known as the best swordsman of his age and the same goes for Ziona as well she was known as the best swordswoman of her age...
"...."
I was at a loss for words because I know how promising of a Swordswoman she is, She will get me run for my money...I thought to myself,
We stood in the Sparring arena confronting each other and I can see all the students getting excited about this sparring, especially Lucas Eugene.
Lucas and Ziona fought each other before... though their fight was interrupted by some crazy bastard, he knew exactly how strong Ziona is...
I pulled out my sword following Ziona and waited for the signal that indicates the start of the duel.
Ziona on the other hand was getting herself prepared without losing focus as she knew about my quickness.
-BEEP!!
Soon we both heard a signal indicating the start of the duel, and as soon as I heard it I rushed towards Ziona trying to catch her off guard as I know the longer the duel the more disadvantageous I will be, I didn''t dare to underestimate this crazy Beastwoman.
And soon I appeared before her and used my attack against her, but to my surprise, she blocked my attack with her sword as if she was anticipating it.
You''ll know that my speed is second to none among the students in the academy including the 3rd years, and which also caught the instructor off-guard in yesterday''s spar though it was somewhat because of Livia...
But she has seen through it, which shows how strong her beastly senses are.
As soon as she obstructed my attack, she attacked me without wasting any time. I stopped her attack with my sword as well but her monstrous strength was no joke and gave me a hard time.
We proceeded with our fight at a fast pace blocking and attacking each other leaving only the sounds of swords shing could be heard and sparks generated as the swords collided could be seen at the fast pace.
We fought without using any skills and only used our fighting techniques.
We shed our swords several times with each other while losing the sense of time, Throughout our exchange, a wild smile could be seen on both my and Ziona''s faces as if we were enjoying our fight. I knew Ziona was a battle maniac and she likes to fight strong opponents because she can go all out with them without stressing about anything.
To be honest, I was enjoying our fight too, this was my first official spar with someone as strong as me, every other time my spars were rather with someone stronger than me, or I was been supported or interrupted by someone.
shing our swords, when neither of them is been pushed back, leaving only sparks and sounds of metals...It was too addictive.
Now I know why everyone else liked to use swords so much.
And time went by as neither of us was seem to be exhausted and our attacks got even fiercer as if we were at to kill each other with a huge grins on our faces, but it was about time we conclude our fight as it had already been more than 30 minutes since our spar began, So we both agreed on ending our duel with one substantial final blow to decide the winner of our duel. Of course, we agreed nonverbally as we just read our sentiments and nodded to each other as if agreeing.
So been decided to finish the duel with onest strike, Ziona covered her sword with her purple Aura which seemed even stronger than before,
Seeing her going all out I too decided to use my trump card.
I used my skill ''static electricity'' on my sword, which seem like I was carrying a bolt of lightning as my whole sword was covered in blue electricity.
And soon we rushed towards each other at a fast pace and attacked each other, as our swords shed a massive shockwave that shook the whole sparring room could be noticed.
BOOOOOM!!!
My whole sword was covered in electricity which seems like Electric Aura and Ziona''s sword was covered in her Purple Aura which made her sword look ominous, as they collided a cracking sound could be heard after a few seconds of the powerful sh and soon Ziona''s sword shattered and Ziona was sent flying outside the sparring arena while demolishing the ground on her way out, I was driven back as well and dripping of blood could be seen on my hand in which I hold my sword.
- BEEP!!
Then I heard a sound indicating the end of the duel, and my name could be seen on the holographic screen.
"WINNER ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR"
Seeing that I turned my head towards Ziona who was now being treated by a healer, even though we wore safety gear to avoid idents she still seems to be injured and lost consciousness.
"...What a monstrous skill" I muttered out loud, I knew it was a powerful skill but the way it shattered Ziona''s Aura sword and the way Ziona was sent flying outside the arena made me amazed at its power.
As I was pondering, loud cheers made mee out of my thoughts. I looked towards the source and saw a bunch of excited students who appears to hate me before were now cheering at me loudly till my eardrum burst,
As I was scrutinizing them I was met with Lucas''s shocked gaze, and A, Diana, and ude''s faces had the same expression as Lucas''s.
I ignored them and came down the sparring arena, but I saw Livia ncing at Ziona with a distorted face.
"....."
''I can never figure her out.'' I thought to myself and shook my head.
And soon the spars continued but the results were what I expected with no suspense...
.
"Winner Lucas Eugene"
.
"Winner ude Valdemar"
.
"Winner Livia Frostine"
.
.
"Winner Diana Eliora"
.
.
...
And with that, all the spars were ended and we will know about our appointed advisors by tomorrow.
***
Today''s ss was filled only with morning sses, that is, the spar to select an advisor.
That didn''t mean that we were supposed to take it easy. In our case, we were given a guidebook by Roselia, but essentially, as we had been told on the first day, each student had to spend this afternoon upied.
"So, is that it for today''s ss?" Livia questioned
While I was pondering myself, Livia who was eating her sandwich next to me, started a conversation as usual.
The two of us were sitting on an outside terrace, which was used as a cafe and a lounge for students. Of course, I was eating alone before Livia joined me.
"Yes. But, I heard from a professor, that we have to visit the chosen extra courses room before this afternoon, so it would be better to go early" I answered her.
"Well, the magic exploration and hunting course''s rooms are almost next to each other, so it''ll be quick. How about you Ares?" Livia raised a question.
"The reading course is just reading in the library, so I can go there anytime, and I will only be attending Runes deciphering on weekends, so I''ll go to the Archery course today.
I answered Livia but she seems to hear only one part of my exnation, she stopped chewing her sandwich and questioned me while her mouth was half served,
"On weekends?" she spoke while swallowing her sandwich and continued
"I didn''t know we had sses on weekends as well"
"No we don''t, I just have private tutoring sessions on weekends with Miss Roselia" I answered her as if it was not a big deal.
"Pr-Private tutoring? o-on weekends? A-Alone with Miss Roselia!" Livia spoke stutteringly.
"Remove your mind out of that gutter" I spoke with a distorted face.
*Gulp she gulped soundly and spoke again,
"That''s how it works in romance novels, ''The Forbidden Teacher-Student Rtionship'' ".
"Why is it Forbidden though? As we live hundreds of years the age gap between the 20s and 30s didn''t matter, right?" I answered
"....."
She looked at me with a shocked expression and uttered,
"You''re into older women?"
I just turned my head away and ignored her as if I didn''t hear her question...
"...Ares?" Livia bombarded me with many questions but I didn''t give attention to any of them.
***************
Chapter 31 Diana Eliora, The Bow Empress.
Afterpleting my lunch at the cafeteria I walked out, leaving Livia behind who was giving me a suspicious look throughout the track till I left...I don''t know what''s with her,
I thought to myself while walking toward the Archery ss, which is one of the most chosen courses this year and it also has one of thergest training groundspared to other extra courses.
As I was pondering myself I arrived at the entrance of the Archery ss where a significant amount of people moving around can be seen.
They wereposed of different species, humans, elves, andDwarfs but majority were elves, as my eyes calmly analyzed the people, in return, they were doing the same, ever since I entered the room a weird atmosphere had been created, all of them feigned like nothing was wrong as they went on with their lesson but I could feel their keen curious gazes focusing on me,
"How May I help you?"
Hearing a voice behind me I turned around and came upon an elf, he seems to be in 3rd year. With dark brown and yellow hair, and pointy ears his vignt brown eyes scanned me up and down,
"Yes, I would like to join the Archery course, do you know where I can do that?" I asked
"You want to join?"
Hearing my words the man in front of me was surprised for a moment before a sarcastic smile came upon his face, nodding his head he spoke this time with a more unpleasing voice,
"If you want to join the procedure is quite easy but...."
"But?"
"But before that, you have to meet with our ss president, wait here for a moment."
Saying so he turned around as he stepped a bit far and taking out a phone he called someone, The talk went on for a minute before which he came back to me, nodding his head and spoke,
"Ares follow me, our vice president and the president would like to test you"
"Sure, lead the way" I replied
He then turned around as he started to lead me to a more restricted area, as we walked by many would turn their head towards me as they started gossiping around, I didn''t pay any heed to it as we kept walking, the more onward we went less the number of people could be seen,
As I followed him we soon arrived in an huge open area with several powerful people practicing their archery appeared in front of me, the whole area looked like a grove with several different set ups for archery, I could see shooting stations in the open area, there''s also obstacle shooting, people shooting at cascades and several other practices.
The ce in front of me was heaven to practice archery, I stood there looking at the scene in front of me with sparkling eyes, I assume only influential people can train in this area while scrutinizing careful I could notice that they had turned the arena into the elves hideout, not in a bad way though.
As I was pondering the elf that guided me spoke to someone,
"Vice president, there''s another student who wants to join the course!"
He quickly called out the person with whom he was conversing, but I could immediately tell who she was.
She was none other than Diana Eliora...
How did the she became a Vice President in one day I thought to myself, then soon I realized that she is the only elven princess and most of the people attending the course are elves.
"....."
Nepotism at its finest, Its only because of a rule that a first year cant be a ss president in thebined courses or else if it were up to them they would have already made her the president.
Not that I''mining as she will be their Empress in the future of course they can''t hold a position higher then her even if it''s just a mere academy course. And the most important part is that she has an incredible talent that far surpasses them and she is as well the future High Elf candidate,
As I was thinking to myself Diana approached me and spoke while clicking her tongue.
"Tsk, What do you want Ares?"
"Of course I am here to join the course or why else I be here" I answered while giving her a soft smile.
But my charms didn''t seem to work on her as she replied in an annoyed voice,
"Aren''t you a Swordsman...no", she shook her and continued as if saying scratch that,
"Aren''t you the Best Swordsmaster of our generation, so why do you want to join an Archery club."
"If you want to just pass time then please join another courses, don''t bite more then you can chew. I Acknowledge your talent in sword but...
Before she could continue I cut her off and spoke with a smile.
"Are you still holding a grudge against me for decapitating you during the entrance examination"
Hearing me her face went nk and emotionless and the students around us that overheard made an angry look and started emitting stronge killing intent towards me.
Seeing them react that way I just smirked at them as their killing intent was like an egg hitting a rock, Soon I ceased smiling and gave them a Death stare while releasing my intent as my eyes glowing crimson red.
As soon as released my intent the whole atmosphere around the arena and the not so stronge students started to suffocate and was gasping for breathe while the slightly stronger students had cold sweat on their forehead indicating they were suffering as well,
But soon a loud shout could be heard around the arena,
"STOP!!!"
It was Diana who seem not much affected by my intent as she started countering it with her own, though it wasn''t strong enough as she was trying her best, but after hearing her scream I decided to cease.
As soon as I stopped, Diana rxed herself too and with her sharp voice she ordered them in a authoritative way,
"Leave!!"
The students around us who was still standing started leaving while carrying the students that were still gasping for air with them.
But there were still two students that didn''t move as if acting as her bodyguard,
One seems to be a beautiful elf girl with blonde hair and brown eyes and other was male with the exact same features as the girl, it seems they were twins as well like Lucas and A. I thought to myself,
Seeing everyone other then her two bodyguards left, she red at me and spoke.
"You want to join the Archery course right? Follow me then."
She spoke and walked away indicating me to follow her, so I followed behind her but soon I could sense two sharp res at me from my back. I shook my head and muttered,
"They never learn " and ignored their res as I followed Diana.
Soon we arrived at the area with the high ground which looks like a huge cliff where wind kept rising from the bottom,
Then Diana took her bow and arrow out and she aimed the bow towards the target at the other side of the cliff,the distance was basically 40 to 50 meters between us.
Her gorgeous face was fearless and calctive as she aimed the bow ahead, her golden hairs fluttered with the wind but the bow she held didn''t flinched, with one swift movement she erged the bow string with her hands and steadily held the bow, and for a moment silence filled the surrounding as her beautiful blue eyes crystallized on its target.
SWISH.....
Finally, after the arrows left the Bow it seemed to have attained its own life as it proceeded along with the wind, using the wind''s speed to fuel its speed, it was a skillful move as the arrow moved with the wind, and soon it hit the center mark on the other side of the cliff!
she kept firing arrows after arrows with various angles and styles, each one hitting with pinpoint uracy, finally after her 10th shot she halted as she has already hit thest target.
it was a captivating disy of power, uracy, and control, an aplishment only possible by an expert in the field of archery.
After witnessing her beautiful disy of Archery I reminded myself again as why she is known as...
"The Bow Empress"
***************
Chapter 32 Diana Elioras Test
After her beautiful disy of Archery, she turned toward me and spoke,
"If you can hit half of the targets that I just did, I will wee you to the Archery course"
The two bodyguards were surprised to hear her words, after which both of them gave me a pitiful look towards me,
Both of them even started to look at me vigntly expecting me to get infuriated but unfortunate for them that wasn''t going to happen, A confident smile lit up my face as I spoke,
"Sure"
Hearing my answer their looks had turned to disdain and disbelief,
Ignoring them I moved towards the edge of the cliff standing there as the wind hit my face and my hair fluttered, then I borrowed the Bow from Diana that she was using.
"huff"
I exhaled as I rxed my mind, taking up an arrow I ced it on the bow and I tightened it back with my strength, my posture and movement were impable, with not a hint of struggle or loss, and both the bodyguards fluttered but Diana stayed calm but her eyes were glittering as she nced at my form,
"Yeah, this is bringing back some tough memories," I thought to myself.
My eyes became sharp as I gazed at my target, the mana in my body subtly flew into the bow, and the wind on the cliff picked up speed as it kept disrupting the atmosphere even my hair was flowing with the wind, I stayed there holding the bow as I started using my skill Hawks eye,
As soon as I used my skill, a golden hue could be seen in my eyes, and the targets that appeared to be far away were now could be seen just in front of my vision as if I was using some type of zooming Telescopic sight.
The speed of the wind, the amount of mana fluctuating, the different concerns that mighte to be, every scenario was being run in my mind.
Finally, after a minute of silence, my hand holding the string let go, everything seems in slow motion as the arrow left my bow traveling towards the target that was kept on the other side, Diana and her both bodyguards gazed at the arrow that was moving towards its target.
Just like Diana''s arrow mine was fast as it covered the massive distance but just as half the journey was over the wind blew from the bottom, seemingly trying to destroy the arrow but then the arrow started to move with the wind, a sense of brilliance filled the arrow as it used the wind to st forward!.
THUD!
Before they could even blink an eye the arrow had struck the center of the target breaking down Diana''s arrow and taking its ce.
Only silence filled the surroundings as they stared at the arrow stuck on the other side.
Both bodyguards have shock and disbelief expressions on their faces, while Diana kept her face emotionless.
The shot was precise, powerful, and most importantly more stunning, this proved that my talent in Archery was no less than any other!
This was a huge breakdown for them, If it''s known that my talent in Archery resembled Diana''s then the whole academy will be in turmoil...
Not too long ago, I seized the title of Youngest ''Swordmaster'' of the generation, and now I was Gearing toward Archery. My talents just kept frightening them,
I didn''t stop at that and imitated Diana, with one swift motion, I began again and kept firing arrows after arrows with different angles and approaches, each one hitting with pinpoint uracy by destroying the arrows that Diana shot previously and taking its ce in the middle, and after my 10th shot, I finally stopped.
They were all just watching in a daze, by the 5th shot I had already gained Diana''s recognition but Ipleted my 10 shots, Leaving them an indication that my talent in Archery is not inferior to Diana.
The two bodyguards'' faces turned awry as they never expected me to pass Diana''s test and were waiting for me to get offended as they deemed that I can''t use a bow.
Seeing their faces I just smirked at them.
p...p...p~
The pping sound made mee out of my thoughts, and I turned my head toward the sound. It was Diana, who was silent throughout the time I was taking her test and was now pping her hands with a beautiful smile on her gorgeous face that she kept cold-blooded until now.
"Good shot" She spoke.
I was taken aback by the sudden change in her behavior and more importantly seeing her smile, I was expecting her expression to be more like her bodyguards.
While I was in a daze by her beautiful smile Diana spoke,
"Why don''t you finish your Archery course signup form while having tea with me"
To her suggestion, I just nodded my head in confirmation. And soon we left the training arena and arrived at the president''s office...
***
"I never thought you even had a talent in Archery, and I apologize for my rude behavior earlier, I thought you were disrespecting the Archery by just trying to pass your time here"
"And please understand because I never thought...no, no one would have thought that the youngest swordmaster can be this good at using bow"
Seeing her apologize again and again I decided to ept her apology,
"It''s alright," I said with a bright smile on my face,
She returned my smile with her own and asked me as she took a sip of her tea,
"How are you so good at using a Bow Ares?
"I had great teachers" I replied honestly as the one who taught me how to use a Bow was an excellent teacher in my previous world and she was also an S-Rank hunter that uses a bow, furthermore she was likewise the one that made me choose Bow as my secondary weapon while I wanted to use daggers same as Helena.
"If I am not rude may I ask you who might that teacher of yours be? maybe I know them too"
I shook my head at her question and spoke,
"No, that''s not possible because the one who thought me Archery isn''t in this world"
Hearing my words she was shocked and spoke while making an apologetic face,
"I am sorry for that I shouldn''t have asked"
I thought she might be misinterpreting something but I decided not to correct her as I don''t know how to exin this and just made a wry smile.
Seeing the change in atmosphere Diana spoke again,
"After getting a title for your Swordsmanship are you trying to get a title for Archery as well? With the level of Archery you showed me I think you can already get the title of "Prince of Bow"
I made an awkward face after hearing that cringe title name,
"...."
"Isn''t it cool? And you will be my rival as well you may even get the title of youngest Bowmaster..."
"No, that isn''t possible as I have so much more to learn about Archery and I think you are much more skilled than me in archery"
Hearing me praise her she gave me a bright smile and spoke,
"You think so too?"
"...."
I knew she was a Narcissist...
***************
Chapter 33 Forming A Plan...
After registering for the Archery course and carrying some discussion with Diana, I retired for the day and returned to my Dorm room,
Then I proceeded with the daily training routine that I anyhow do in my training room for a few hours until the sun went down.
Once after freshening up after my training and having my dinner, I inspected my status screen as I constantly do after my training to figure out my progress,
*****STATUS*****
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT:1.INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN, ,2. BEGINNER ARCHERY
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 53% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 65% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users movement akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 79% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 21% ) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows the user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
5. STATIC ELECTRICITY (Mastery 19%) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: This can cause a powerful electric current to flow through tools or equipment. Its power is so strong that it requires arge amount of mana)
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
While observing my status screen I assumed to myself that, subsequentlypleting Diana''s test I got my previous talent, Archery.
As I already knew Archery from my previous life but it didn''t show up in my status screen before so I got to the conclusion that it was because I didn''t use it using this body.
I think the same goes for my magic talent as well, if I cast some high-level magic spells maybe I''ll get a magician talent as well.
After pondering to myself I let my thoughts go, as I have some crucial knowledge about an event that I have to utilize before it''s toote or seized by someone else and for that, I have to make some ns to aplish it as it may be beneficial for me in the future,
After thinking to myself I made a holographic call to Aegis Winston as I need her help in executing the first part of my n.
"Hello, Aegis" I spoke while smiling at her.
"Ahh, Ares? Did you call me because you missed me or do you want to know about the anime west watched?" Aegis Questioned.
"Non of the above" I replied
"So is it work rted then? Sorry but I''m quite busy these days" she said.
"Mika''s work again?" I questioned
"Nope, that''s not it, I am busy watching animes. The anime west saw together just released a new season"
"So you mean you''re free right" I uttered
"No, no, no didn''t you listen to what I have just said? I am busy, that bastards change the whole genre of that anime. You know what happened in the Latest episode?" she continued
"No, and I don''t want to know I jus-..."
"No listen to me, You know what that bastard of the protagonist did? When his party members asked him to choose between them for him to go out with? He said ''when I can have all of you then why should I choose only one" She spoke thest part trying to imitate the character.
I was speechless watching Aegis imitating that character as well as what I just heard...
"Yup, he chose the Harem route.." She continued"
"And he isn''t even a prince at that, but Ares you are a prince right,.. though just by name but... How many members did you include in your Haremprising Mika? "
I was umunicative for a few seconds but then suddenly I realized something and spoke in a furious voice,
"You bitch, So it was you who gave those stupid ideas to Mika!! "
"Language Ares, and what do you mean by stupid ideas? I just gave her some opinions based on the novel I read not long ago, as she asked me what she should do to make her disciple happy," she answered
"...What was the novel''s name from which you provided her your opinion? " I asked hesitantly.
"Oh, the novel''s name was ''Forbidden love between Teacher and Student''."
"...."
I was dumbfounded hearing that novel''s name again and conveyed,
"Never ever give your opinions to Mika on this topic again, You understand never! "
Hearing my serious voice she was confused as she spoke again,
"Huh, Why thou-..."
I didn''t allow her toplete her words and uttered again,
"If I heard from Mika that she got any other ideas from you, I will expose the book that you secreted under your bed. I never thought you were that kind of a woman Aegis''"
Hearing my words she was totally horrified and replied to me stutteringly,
"Y-You H-How? "
"It wasn''t that hard as you were so engrossed in watching anime that you forgot to hide it well"
"H-How much did you read? "
"...All of it"
"...."
"...."
Silence prevailed between us for a few seconds...
"So you called me because you want something right? What is it that you want."
Aegis spoke to change the topic and I decided topile as I don''t want to embarrass her anymore.
"I want the Advance healing potions" I answered
"How much do you want? "she questioned.
"The more the better" I replied,
"You know how hard it is to make an Advanced potion right? Why do you need so many Advance potions for anyway, ...Don''t tell me you got yourself crippled? If Mika found out then there will be no S''oreh Academy tomorrow and-..."
"Stop your chattering right there, first of all, I am not crippled or hurt anywhere, that healing portions are for someone I want to save... And second, even if it''s Mika she couldn''t do anything to the Academy, you know whose territory this is right? "
"Of course, I know ''Ivica Livingston'' reside there, it was just a metaphor, but the one you wanted to save isn''t a human right? " she uttered.
!!?
"...How did you know that? " I was confused as I asked her,
"I just guessed it, what kind of human will need so many Advanced Healing portions for? So I thought it must be someone other than human" she replied.
Sometimes she acts totally dumb and in other cases, she will be excessively smart, I thought to myself and spoke again.
"Yes, you are right the potions are for a ''Demon''."
"Demon?... Listen to me carefully Ares don''t ever get involved with any of these demons and especially beautiful ones at that, Demons can never be trusted even if you save their lives, they will bite the hand that fed them," she spoke in a serious voice and kept a stoic face.
"Yeah, I understand so don''t worry about it" I replied.
" I am not worried about you but for myself, Mika will kill me if she found out that I helped you save a demon"
"Don''t worry, she won''t find out" I assured her.
"That''s better be the case, I will contact you once I finished preparing the potions" she spoke out.
"Alright then, I will wait for you to contact me"
I nodded my head and was about to end our call but Aegis suddenly spoke hesitantly,
"Hmmm, Ares about that book you know-...."
"You don''t have to worry about it as my mouth is sealed and I know everyone has their own fantasies"
I spoke thest part with a huge smile, hearing me Aegis blushed in embarrassment and ended the call...
***
After ending my call with Aegis I muttered to myself,
"After the Advanced potions are prepared I will have to proceed with the next part of the n"
To be honest, I never wanted to get involved with these demons but the one I was trying to save is very different from its other afflictions and maybe It can be of some help to me in the future...
***************
Chapter 34 The New Advisor, Bianca Blue
Today is the day that we will be appointed to our respective Advisor, I thought to myself while getting dressed in my new Academy uniform.
It was a White shirt, ck pants with a ck tie, and a ck zer, while on the left side of the zer was a symbol of the S''oreh Academy which was a golden shield "Svalinn". The legendary shield represents that it stands before the sun to protect the Earth.
And beneath the shield, there was the Academy''s name embedded in gold on my uniform.
And the Irony is that the shield color for different sses differs from each other. The Alpha ss has a silver shield and the Beta ss has a Bronze shield...
We were also given our Academy badges, and for special ss students, it was made with gold in the shape of the Academy''s logo which had a small button at its center, pressing that button a small holographic screen materializes that shows our Rankings, achievements, and our other information like titles and rumors about us as well. As our Academy encourages rumors of the popr students building fame for themselves as well as for the Academy.
The information on the batches will automatically be updated by our performances throughout the semester.
These badges will be quite helpful outside the Academy as well, as it shows the prestige of the academy.
After dressing up, I left my room and went towards the Academy building, while on my way I thought to myself about my request to Aegis, the portions will not be ready until the next week and I just have to be patient for now and continue attending the Academy and improve my strength.
As I don''t know if that demon will help me, as it''s as Aegis said, never trust a demon, as they will bite the hands that fed them. Because it''s only natural for them. If the worstes to worst, I will have to kill it myself,
As I was pondering to myself, I was already in front of the academy. As I went ahead, I saw a huge hologram in the center that shows the information of the advisors appointed to each student.
After seeing my name and the ones that have the same advisor as me, I chuckled inwardly,
Advisors Name: Bianca ''ze'' Blue
Appointed students :
1) Ares Von Rothstaylor
2) Ziona Madlock
3) Kevin Cedric
Seeing Kevin''s name I don''t know if I shouldugh or cry as he was the one that was supposed to be Mika''s disciple.
He was like a delinquent at the start of the 1st year, and he was quite strong as well because he was Mika''s disciple.
And he used to bully many other students before he met Lucas who was good friends with Ziona, Kevin had a bad impression of him as he always liked Ziona, and seeing Lucas close to her made him envious and sore, hence their rivalry became well-known around the academy,ter he joined ude''s faction to win against Lucas but failed as they both were defeated.
Nevertheless, both ude and Kevin got a huge character development after 1st year and they even fought alongside Lucas to deal with the demons and eventually joined his party.
After pondering to myself for a few minutes I arrived at the training ground which was allocated to our advisor Bianca.
As soon as I arrived at the training ground I was met with two students, of course, they were Ziona and Kevin.
Kevin was a red-haired and ck-eyed guy with a handsome face and a well-trained body.
Actually, in the novel, Bianca only chose the two of them but now I am included.
Seeing me, Ziona greeted me with her huge evil smile and Kevin just nodded timidly towards me, what''s with him I thought to myself and greeted both of them with a nod.
As we all stood there with an awkward silence, soon we heard footsteps from the entrance of the training ground, as we all scrutinized it, Our eyes were met with a beautiful woman,
She had light blue hair and light blue eyes with a beautiful face and sharp eyebrows that gave her a mature look, she was wearing blue battle armor which covered her figure while a sword was hanging around her waist.
Her real name was Bianca Blue but she was given the title of ''ze'' for her unique element blue fire which holds more destructive power than a normal fire.
She was born in a witchmunity that specializes in witchcraft, Witches are quite hated as they are people suspected of practicing, either deliberately or unconsciously, socially prohibited forms of magic,
But Bianca uses a sword as her main weapon and didn''t indulge herself in witchcraft, her story is simr to that of Ziona''s as she was simrly disowned by her family, That''s also the reason why she liked Ziona very much.
And the most important part is that she is Mika''s rival, That doesn''t mean she is hostile towards Mika, as she respects Mika for her power and swordsmanship very much. Because Mika is more vigorous than her.
As I was pondering myself she introduced herself,
"My name is Bianca Blue and I will be your advisor from this day forth"
Hearing her introduction we spoke in unison,
"We look forward to training with you."
She carried a smile on her face after hearing our enthusiastic answer. Then she nced at each of us, but as her gaze met mine, suddenly her smile grewrge as she spoke,
"Ares Von Rothstaylor right? I have to fight a whole lot of professors to get you under me as every professor was interested in you, So you better not disappoint me"
Hearing her I answered back,
"You better not disappoint me as well, because I have huge expectations from my advisor as well"
Listening to me Bianca quelled her smiling, while Ziona and Kevin widened their eyes in shock as they began staring at my arrogant face,
But after a few seconds of silence, the whole training ground was engulfed withughter.
Of course, it was Bianca who wasughing out loud while holding her stomach after hearing my answer,
''That''s a score I guess,'' I thought to myself while seeing her reaction, I deliberately gave her an arrogant answer as I know her personality better than anyone in this room.
Finally, Bianca ceased herughing and spoke again while rubbing her tears ofughter,
"You are more interesting than I thought, I look forward to what you will be in the future."
After speaking out, she brought us to the arena in the center of the training ground and asked us to demonstrate to her our every sword skill and technique so she can assist us more precisely.
The first one to disy his skills and techniques was Kevin Cedric,
Seeing his disy of skills and techniques honestly, I was disappointed, his attitude was the opposite of that in the novel and hecked confidence as he was intimidated by me and Ziona and became quite anxious.
Was it because he isn''t Mika''s disciple now? I thought to myself,
Bianca''s expression didn''t change much after seeing his exposition as she just indicated to Kevin that he can now move down.
As soon as Kevin came down, Ziona went up to the arena and did the same, she improved quite a lot from the spar we had yesterday.
After disying her sword skills and techniques she came down as well and beckoned me towards the arena.
It was finally my turn, I went up the arena and showed my only sword skill fell crescent which improved quite a lot and became a lot more powerful as I increased its Mastery.
Seeing my skill Ziona was stunned as I didn''t use my sword skill in our spar.
But soon as I took my sword stance to perform my technique, Bianca who had a neutral face until now, widened her eyes in shock as she recognized my stance, and soon after I performed my sword techniques Bianca eximed in stupefaction,
"Y-You, you''re Mika''s pupil?
After hearing Mika''s name both Kevin and Ziona were shocked, especially Ziona... as the wandering Adventurer that helped Ziona to choose the path of the sword was no other than Mika Amami...
It could be said that she is a half disciple of Mika, as Mika helped her in building a sword foundation.
Butter Mika refused to take her in as herplete disciple, as she didn''t want a disciple at that time.
And if I an anomaly wasn''t here this would have been a perfect scene as this was supposed to be the meeting of people connected to Mika.
A Rival, a Disciple, and a rejected half Disciple...
"...."
What a good storyline it was supposed to be.
After pondering for a few seconds I replied to Bianca''s question,
"Yes, I am the only disciple of an SS-RANK Adventurer Mika Amami."
***************
Chapter 35 Kevin, Who?
"Yes, I am the only disciple of an SS-RANK Adventurer Mika Amami."
After hearing my answer, only silence prevailed in the training ground for a good minute,
Then soon Bianca spoke out her thoughts with a wry smile to break the silence.
"So she created another monster just like herself, huh!"
I didn''t respond to that as I got down from the arena and stood next to Kevin and Ziona,
Ziona, who was still in a daze, uttered with a shocked expression on her face,
"So Master decided to take you as her disciple?"
"Master?" I furrowed my eyebrows and questioned her as Mika never epted Ziona as her disciple,
"Yeah, she may not have acknowledged me as her disciple, but I learned everything about swords from her. So she will always be my Master."
She answered while making a sad face that doesn''t match her personality and continued,
"But seeing your talent I can''tin anymore, because I think I wasn''t that talented enough to be her disciple"
After hearing her, I was about to reply to her, but Bianca, who was hearing our conversation in a stupor, spoke out loud,
"W-wait, so the rumored wandering adventurer that made you abandon the pride of the beast and choose the sword was none other than Mika?...that Mika Amami?".
Hearing Bianca''s bewildered voice Ziona replied while nodding,
"Yes, it was Master Mika that made me choose the sword, and she also taught me the basic swordsmanship as well, She''s my role model, and I am inspired to be just like her in the future.!"
Ziona answered in a resolute voice,
Listening to her I shook my head and muttered to myself in a low voice,
"You shouldn''t have said thatst part in front of Bianca"
Hearing Ziona''s resolute answer, Bianca didn''t have anything to say and she just smiled awkwardly.
After a few seconds of silence, Bianca uttered.
"Mika has a good eye for searching for talented people."
Hearing her I nodded my head in agreement.
But soon her gaze turned towards me and she questioned,
"Don''t tell me the one who guided you in using your element is Helena Parker?"
I nodded my head in confirmation and spoke,
"Yes, Helena was the one that helped me improve my mastery in my electricity element"
Bianca nodded her head in understanding and spoke,
"I thought so, seeing your speed and your control over the element, I had my doubts, but I never thought Mika and Helena woulde together and teach you." she paused for a few seconds as if thinking about something, then continued,
"But I thought that they were on bad terms, weren''t they?" She questioned.
Listening to her, I don''t know how to answer her. Should I tell her how Mika almost killed Helena, when I first encountered Helena? And how Helena tumbled on the ground while covered in blood all over her?...
I answered after contemting myself with a small smile."
"Yup, they are best friends and get along very well"
"Are they now?" She said and scrutinized me.
As I, Ziona, and Bianca were conversing between ourselves, we forgot about a certain person who was now standing alone with an awkward look on his face, not knowing what he should do now.
Our conversation continued for a long time as they were curious about how I ended up bing Mika''s disciple...
As time passed, we heard a bell ring, indicating the end of ss. After hearing the bell we stopped our conversation, but I suddenly thought that we were forgetting something while Ziona and Bianca thought so too.
And after a sudden realization, we all nced at a certain location. There we saw a red-haired guy standing not so far away from us ncing back at us with an awkward smile.
"...."
"O-Oh what''s his name again?" Ziona questioned.
Bianca and I answered her in unison while still ncing at him,
"Kevin Cedric"...
Noticing our gazes, Kevin approached us and spoke while still keeping his awkward smile.
"Ahh, T-The ss ended"
!?
Listening to him, Bianca spoke while checking her phone with a wry smile,
"Today was just an introduction day. We will start our sses tomorrow."
After saying that, she hurriedly left the training hall, leaving me, Ziona, and Kevin alone.
Seeing her leave, I decided to depart too, but as I was walking out, Ziona came up to me and started a conversation, she seems to be curious about my Electric Aura that I used against her.
We both left together while conversing with each other, ignoring Kevin, who now stood alone on the training ground.
of course, it was unintentional as we had to attend our next ss...
***
Seeing me and Ziona walking side by side, everyone was shocked and confused, as it was only yesterday that I beat her unconscious and we didn''t have a good first impression during the entrance examination as well.
We both ignored their gazes and continued with our conversation. I decided to be Ziona''a spar partner from now on, upon her request, and also my mastery in skills and techniques is scaling up quite well while sparring than training alone, so it was a good thing for me as well to get a sparring partner. I thought to myself,
Soon we arrived at our ss. As soon as we entered the ssroom, everyone in the ss turned their attention toward us, even Lucas, A, Diana, and ude were ncing at us. As our spar from tomorrow became quite well known as I got the title of youngest Swordmaster of the generation and its information was all over the inte, and now seeing Ziona''s happy face they were all confused because they were expecting the opposite reaction from her...
While, Ziona was happy because I became her sparring partner, which would allow her to go all out without controlling her strength. She was a true battle maniac...
I ignored them and sat on the seat that I seated on yesterday. Surprisingly, Ziona followed behind me and sat next to me.....on Livia''s seat. While Livia still hasn''t arrived in the ss yet from her Advisor training ss.
"...."
I suddenly had a bad feeling about this, but then I just let it at that, I thought I may be just overthinking.
As I was pondering to myself, everyone including me heard the opening of the ssroom door,
nk-
Soon we saw a blue-haired student entering the ssroom with a big smile on her face as if she was excited about something, but as her gaze turned toward me and Ziona, her smile froze while the temperature in the entire ssroom dropped and everyone could feel the cold breeze.
Of course, She was ''Livia Frostine''...
Her stare then turned towards Ziona who was now sitting next to me on her seat.
She was slowly approaching us, and with every step she took, the temperature of the ssroom dropped even more, and the ice started to form in the corners of the ssroom.
Seeing her emotionless face and sharp gaze, everyone knew she was infuriated,
*Gulp
Loud gulps could be heard in the ssroom as the ranked 2nd on the entrance examination was furious and the pressure she was emitting, was sending chills down their spine, and now it seemed that she was about to face off against someone,
Is it Ares or...Ziona? Everyone had the same thoughts as she was approaching us.
Soon Livia stood in front of Ziona and they both stared at each other for a few seconds. Ziona''s purple aura shed with Livia''s blue Aura and their eyes seems to be zing, the atmosphere of the ssroom became frightening.
Everyone was expecting a fight anytime now, but soon Ziona gave a huge smile to Livia and spoke,
"Oh, it''s your seat, right? I just had something to discuss with Ares, so I borrowed it."
Livia was still ring at Ziona without a word, but suddenly Ziona did something beyond everyone''s expectations.
"Here, you can have it back," she said and got up from her seat and beckoned Livia towards the seat, then nced at Ares and spoke,
"I will wait for you after the sses are finished"
She said with a beautiful smile which was very different from her usual evil smile, and it was the first time they saw that smile of hers.
Everyone was surprised and was in a daze seeing her smile, and some were contemting her words which she just spoke and started to misunderstand the whole situation...
"...."
I was startled as well seeing her captivating smile.
How happy is she to have a sparring partner? I thought to myself,
As I was pondering myself, two students weren''t happy about this situation and their faces grew dark,
Not unexpectedly, it was Livia Frostine and...Kevin Cedric!
***************
Chapter 36 Stardom!
Ring-
The ring of a bell could be heard indicating the end of the ss, which seemed to be quick as I was being stared at by Livia during the entire ss time, She was sitting right next to me, and didn''t even utter a single word, while solely staring at me without a blink.
It made me quite ufortable and didn''t allow me to concentrate on the ss.
As soon as the ss ended, I questioned her.
"Do you have anything you want to say to me, Livia?"
Hearing my question, She replied after a certain pause with just one word,
"...No"
"Ok, I will be visiting my extra course sses now, so see you again tomorrow"
I said with a smile and got up from my seat, but as I was about to walk out, Livia questioned me with a stuttering voice,
"yo-your ns!"
"Huh," I eximed and turned toward her, asking her to continue,
Getting my attention, Livia continues her sentence hurriedly as if I was running away somewhere,
"W-What are your p-ns after the extra course sses"
"Oh, I''m having a sparring session with Ziona" I replied to her instantly,
Listening to my answer, her face lightened up and her previous demeanor just seemed to be a facade.
"Ah-h, I-Its just a sparring session? Where you will be beating Ziona up?
She questioned me with an excited voice,
"...."
I was speechless after hearing her question and kept a neutral face, as I didn''t know how to answer that.
After a few seconds of silence, Livia spoke while giggling, not waiting for my response.
"hehehe~, go for It Ares, I will be rooting for you, you can beat her up all you want-, I mean you can train with her with all of your strength."
"See you tomorrow Ares"
She hurriedly left the ssroom after waving her hand toward me as if saying bye, but her loud gigglings could be heard from the hallways.
!?
"What was that?" I questioned myself,
"...."
***
Ignoring what just transpired a moment ago, I went toward the reading course as I still hadn''t registered yet,
As I arrived at the library where the course was supposed to be held, I was met with lots of nerdy students all around the library engrossed in their books.
And, the thin librarian that I met on my first visit to the library during the written examination, seems to be in charge of this course.
I approached him, while he was standing near one of the bookshelves and appeared to be scouring for some books,
"Good evening, professor"
After hearing my greetings he turned toward me, and as soon as he saw me, he made a surprised face and spoke in a loud voice as if wanting everyone to hear,
"O-Oh, Aren''t you the youngest swordmaster of the generation"
Hearing him, the students that were engrossed in their books a few moments ago, turned their attention toward me,
"...."
This scene was rather familiar to me...
I kept a neutral face and stared at the thin-looking and brown-haired librarian,
Feeling my gaze, he cleared his throat and spoke again,
"Ahem, so what brings you here, the youngest-,... I mean Ares Von Rothstaylor"
Ignoring his previous words, I responded to him.
"I would like to register for the reading course"
"...."
Only silence prevailed in the whole library. After hearing my response, the librarian stood speechless for a few seconds.
''What is it now, did I say something wrong?'' I thought to myself.
"Huuh, The famous Ares wants to join the reading course?" he said exaggeratedly.
I nodded my head ignoring his ttery,
"Seriously?" He asked again, surprised
"Yes," I agreed.
"Everyone, the famous Ares ''The Youngest Swordsmaster'' will be joining our reading course ss from this day forth"
The librarian shouted out loud while making an excited face. And hearing him, everyone in the library started apuding and cheering for my name.
"...."
''What the fuck is wrong with these people? Are they some sort of cultists?''
I thought to myself while regretting my decision to join this course.
"...."
And soon after I regretfully registered for the course and began looking for useful books. As I was moving forward, I saw students all over the library peeking at me while reading their books. I don''t know why, so I just ignored them.
But soon I recognized someone from my ss who was sitting with piles of books beside her.
She was A Eugene...
I approached her and sat next to her, and started flipping the books from the pile.
The girl didn''t seem to care as she ignored mepletely, and treated me as if I didn''t exist, so I didn''t bother her as well and continued my skimming.
And after a few minutes, Ipleted flipping all the books that were piled up and looked toward the girl next to me and said,
"Are there any other books?"
I questioned her because the books she collected were quite knowledgeable and had a lot of useful information, It will save me time trying to search for useful books.
She didn''t respond to my question, so I scrutinized my eyes and continuously stared at her.
Feeling my continued gaze, she spoke in an annoying voice.
"Ahk, don''t talk to me, if you have already finished those books, go somewhere else.
She spoke while hiding her face in the book.
I was confused by her reaction and uttered,
"What''s wrong with you people, is everyone in the reading course ss some type of fanatic?"
Hearing my question, she finally put her book down and spoke with a loud sigh,
"Sigh, You don''t know anything, do you?"
!?
Seeing question marks appear on my face she sighed again and spoke,
"Sigh, It''s not like they are some sort of fanatics, but they are just your fans. You don''t know how popr you are, especially in the reading course ss. They all created quite a lot of fan clubs for you as well."
After a certain pause, she continued again,
"You became some sort of idol for them, and the worst part is there are some professors that joined your fan clubs as well. It''s a never seen before trending topic all around the academy"
"So, of course, they will show this kind of reaction seeing you"
She said and turned towards me, making a face saying ''now you understand?''
But after seeing my sober face, she clicked her tongue and spoke again,
"Tsk, what will you do when the celebrity you idolize is sitting in the same room as you?"
Hearing her I thought for a moment before answering,
"I will go towards them and ask for a fight."
!?
"...."
Hearing my answer, A was bewildered and shocked with her eyes wide open, she then spoke, after a brief moment of silence in a loud irritated voice,
"Y-You, you''re a lost cause"
Hearing her scream, everyone turned their attention toward her,
"Ahh, Whatever just stay away from me, you''re too radiant and a nuisance"
"What''s that supposed to mean?" I questioned her,
A took a deep breath and borated on her words,
"You''re too popr, wherever you go, you will gather attention, as you''re the strong and handsome ideal prince that every girl desires"
She said, then she pointed her finger towards a certain corner of the library,
"You see those girls over there, they are peeking at you and clicking your pictures from the moment you entered the library. And now because of you, I will be the most hated girl in the academy if they upload pictures of you talking to me."
She said and then pointed towards another corner,
"Can''t you see those envious stares that girls over there are giving me? "
"It doesn''t matter if it was Ziona or Livia as they are both strong and no one would dare to go against them. And I, on the other hand, am just a support type trainee who isn''t strong enough to protect herself and will need her brother''s protection"
"I will be their target of a heckler and I don''t want my brother to get himself in trouble as well,"
She finally concluded.
To be honest, I didn''t hear any of her bberings and only heard some parts, where she said I am quite famous and it would be troublesome for her to be seen with me...
p But I still have to reply to her or else I would appear rude, so I uttered,
"Don''t fret, I will shield you"
Hearing my words, A''s whole face turned red like a tomato, and her eyes became unfocused.
She slowly got up from her seat without any word and fled the library.
Seeing her departing figure, I doubted myself,
"My words sounded misleading, didn''t they?"
**************
Chapter 37 New Quest!
After finishing my extra course sses, I met Ziona in the special Dorm''s shared training ground and proceeded with the sparring session.
We trained, till the sun went down and stopped after we both were fully exhausted.
Afterpleting my training with Ziona, I finally came back to my room, As I was about to wash up, I suddenly heard an rm sound, It''s seems to be the Quest Notification from the system.
After freshening up and eating my dinner, I sat down on my bed and decided to check on the new Quest''s content, so I summoned my system screen.
****** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) SAVE THE DEMON IRETHIEL
TIME LIMIT: 4 DAYS
2) MAKE HER SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO YOU.
REWARD~ ABLE TO USE ONE OF IRTHIEL''S SKILLS.
MISSION FAILURE~ ???
***************
After checking out the Quests content, I was shocked and bewildered.
Because saving the demon is another thing, and making her swear allegiance is on a whole different level.
No one will swear their loyalty to anyone in such a short amount of time, and if it''s a demon, then it''s already close to impossible, even if I saved her life.
Demons are quite prideful and they will never work under any demon weaker than them, and they look down upon humans very much as well.
So, asking a demon to swear allegiance to a human? It''s just a pipe dream.
After saving her, I just decided to sign a contract of equal terms with her, while giving her great benefits and power that would help her get back to her peak. Of course, I would be using the information from the Novel.
Because that information is not useful for me and is only helpful to a demon.
And signing a contract of equal terms is already a great feat whenpared to who the demon I am contracting is,
But the quest reward is too optimistic for me to ignore it.
It will be a huge power boost for me, as being able to use one of the demons'' abilities is impossible until I became that demon''s pawn or... ve while binding with a ve contract.
So toplete this Quest, I have to change my ns ordingly, ...even if I had to make my hands dirty.
After pondering to myself for some time, I still can''t find any ideas on making a demon swear allegiance to me. So I decided to pause for now and texted Aegis to ask about the portions.
She replied as soon as I texted her, which was rather rare for her, as she was always busy watching animes or reading novels or some other works. It became convenient for me to talk with her after knowing her secret.
She texted back, that the portions would be ready in two days, which was rather quick. I think she is pulling all-nighters toplete the potions. However, Aegis was never a work enthusiast.
"...."
After thinking over it, I decided to rest for now and ponder a new n for the next two days.
***
The next morning, I went to our advisor training ground for mybat training and met with Ziona and Kevin who had already arrived before me.
As soon as Ziona saw me, she greeted me with a huge smile, and Kevin just timidly nodded his head with a wry smile.
I greeted both of them with a nod and stood beside Ziona. As we started conversing about our spar from yesterday, while Kevin was just staring at me before he finally tried to join our conversation,
"Oh, you guys are training together after academy hours?"
Hearing him we both turned our heads toward him and spoke in unison,
"Yes"
After responding to him we continued talking, while Kevin spoke,
"Can I train with you guys too?"
"Sure, we are training in thebined training ground of a special dorm. You''re free to join."
Ziona responded to him with a smile on her face, getting Ziona''s approval, Kevin''s face lit up, and a satisfied smile came on his face.
Seeing Kevin''s reaction I shook my head and thought to myself,
''Poor bastard, he dug his own grave.''
As I was thinking to myself, we heard a door opening sound and soon we saw Bianca enter the training ground.
"Good morning" Bianca greeted us.
"Good morning, Instructor Bianca", We greeted her in unison.
"Late as always, huh!" I muttered to myself.
Bianca, who seemed to hear my muttering, spoke after clearing her throat,
"Ahem, Let''s not waste any time, go get dressed in your training suit. We don''t want any broken bones in our first training ss, would we?"
She spoke thest part with an evil grin on her face,
"Gulp" Seeing her grinning, Kevin gulped out loud.
We soon came back after changing into our training suit which has a lot of protective magic cast on it and will save us from any critical injuries.
But that doesn''t mean we won''t get hurt. As an example, during my first spar with Ziona, she was hurt pretty badly due to my Electric Aura, even after wearing a training suit.
But at least it will keep us alive, right?
I thought to myself while shrugging.
As soon as we arrived, Bianca took us to the Arena which was present in the center of the training ground.
She then stood in one of the corners of the arena, while Ziona, Kevin, and I, stood in the opposite corner.
Bianca beckoned us to attack her,
"All three of you,e at me with all you got."
Hearing her I thought to myself,
''How arrogant of her,''
Shortly after, we took our sword stance and rushed toward her with our swords.
And in the blink of an eye, we were all sent flying in different directions, without even knowing what hit us.
I can''t even catch a glimpse of her movements.
"...."
I was dumbstruck by what had just transpired, and I finally realized how stupid and weak I still am.
I got arrogant after beating some bunch of teenagers and couldn''t even hold a candle in front of strong opponents.
Even while training with Helena, she kept her movements in control so I could counter her.
If Helena, who is known for her quickness, had used her entire strength, I would have died without even knowing how.
I shook my head and came back to my senses while trying to stand up. Even after wearing a battle suit, my body aches due to that impact.
But soon Ziona and I stood up while Kevin was still gasping for breath.
"That''s what I expect from Mika''s disciples. If you can''t even stand my one attack, I would have been disappointed in you guys."
Honestly, we didn''t hear what she was talking about due to our pain. I then turned towards Ziona who was coincidently looking towards me as well,
After our eyes met, we both nodded to each other as if agreeing, then I used my skill of static electricity. My sword was now covered in Electric Aura, while Ziona used her Aura sword as well.
Then we both rushed towards Bianca from different sides and attacked at the same time.
Bianca just stood there while putting her hand on the sword hilt which was still hanging around her waist. She didn''t even take her sword out from the sheath and watched us approach her.
When our swords were about to hit her, some force countered our attacks and pushed us back.
But this time I barely saw through it with the help of my skill hawkeye.
It''s not like she is not taking her sword out, but she is countering our attacks with her sword at a fast pace and cing her sword back into its sheath.
It all happened in the blink of an eye. Her speed was incapable of being seen with the naked eyes.
Soon Ziona and I rushed toward her and attacked continuously without a break. Even after knowing what she was doing, I didn''t have any way to counter her.
Aftering back to his senses, Kevin joined us too and we attacked Bianca from all sides. We used every skill and technique up our sleeves, but nothing seemed to work.
With naked eyes, it only appeared that Bianca just stood there without even doing anything, but our attacks were countered as soon as they drew near her.
Time went by and we still couldn''t be able tond a single hit on Bianca. In actuality, she didn''t even move a single step from where she stood, from the moment our fight started.
It was like a huge insurmountable wall standing in front of us.
After a few moments, we heard a bell ring indicating the end of our training ss.
"Let''s stop here for today. You guys will be continuing the same training tomorrow as well. And as long as you guys can''tnd a hit on me, we will be proceeding with the same training process"
After she said that, she left the training ground, while we were stillying down on the floor, with all our strength exhausted.
The difference in our power was...too huge, she didn''t go easy on us, as other instructors would do, so as not to get the student''s morale down.
After knowing the huge difference in power, Iughed out loud at my powerlessness.
"hahaha haha..."
Ziona and Kevin turned toward me and furrowed their eyebrows as if seeing a madman,
"Now the things will get more interesting," I muttered out loud.
Hearing me, Ziona had a huge smile on her face as if we were thinking about the same thing, while Kevin couldn''t even utter a word due to his exhaustion.
**************
Chapter 38 The Upcoming Events
After ourbat training ss, Ziona, Kevin, and I arrived at our ss, seeing all our beat-up appearances, all our ssmates were stunned, and Livia came running toward me with a worried face and asked me about my situation. I just waved my hand to her, as if telling her that it was not a big deal,
Meanwhile, A approached Ziona and used her healing magic. Though A is not a healer, she could still use some healing magic to treat some minor injuries.
A could only use Buff, debuff, and some minor healing as well.
After healing some of Ziona''s injuries, she approached me and started healing me. I was quite surprised about this situation as I was not on good terms with A, and she even refused me to approach her.
As I was pondering to myself, A spoke while still healing me,
"It''s not like I care about your injuries or anything, I am just healing you because Ziona asked me to, humpf," She said and turned her head away.
Hearing her, I looked toward Ziona while she just shrugged her shoulders with an awkward smile.
After healing me, she went back toward her seat with Ziona as Ziona''s seat is right next to her. It seems they became good friends, the same as in the novel. I thought to myself.
A left without even bothering to look toward Kevin.
Kevin on the other hand was waiting for A to heal him as well. As A left, he was just watching her departing figure in a daze...
I caught a glimpse of it, then turned my head away and ignored him as well, as if I didn''t see anything, and headed toward my seat with Livia.
"...."
Soon, a middle-aged professor with ck hair entered the ss and started his lecture. The lecture was all about the types of monsters and their weaknesses,
Time went by while I wasn''t concentrating much, as I was still thinking about mybat training ss and reviewed it again and again.
Soon I heard a bell ring indicating the ss had ended. While I was about to leave the ssroom, we all heard an announcement all around the academy, and the students were told to assemble in the Academy''s main Auditorium.
Hearing It, I already knew what announcement would be made, as it was the 2nd arc of the story in the novel, while the first arc was Lucas just fighting some bullies.
Soon all the students were assembled in the academy''s huge main Auditorium, and even 2nd and 3rd-year students were present.
After a few moments, Ivica came across the stage and stood in front of the mic, and greeted everyone while her face was still covered with a white mist as usual,
"Nice to meet you," she said, It was the first time for the 1st year students, to meet the Dean of the academy.
"I am Ivica Livingston, The Dean of the S''oreh academy"
Hearing her, all the first-year students were bewildered and shocked with their mouths wide open, as the position and power of the Dean of S''oreh academy were paramount, and not many would be able to get an audience from her, but not waiting for them to get back to their senses, Ivica spoke again.
"The purpose of this sudden assembly is to inform all the students of the Academy about the uing tournament that will be held between academics," she said and continued without even allowing students to wrap up the information,
"The prestige and dignity of our Academy will be on the line in this tournament, so I want everyone to work hard and take this matter seriously. The participating students will be listed in a few days and the tournament will be held in 2 months, while all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years will be participating."
She concluded and left the stage just like that, leaving all the students in a stupor and confusion.
"It''s so like her" I muttered to myself and left the Auditorium while all the students were still standing there asking for an exnation.
I already knew about the tournament, and I am not even interested in fighting some teenagers.
After today''sbat ss, I learned a valuable lesson, and I don''t want to y with these teenagers anymore. I should just focus on increasing my strength.
As I was pondering and walking out, Livia ran after me and started walking beside me, and soon she questioned me,
"Aren''t you interested in the tournament, Ares?"
I turned my head towards her and answered,
"Yeah, I am not interested in ying with kids"
Livia giggled after hearing my response and said,
"Yeah, me too, I won''t be participating as well"
I wasn''t surprised after hearing her, as I was expecting it, as Livia didn''t participate in this tournament even in the novel.
Now the whole 1st year will be divided into factions to appoint the leader that represents the first year, and the same goes for 2nd and 3rd years as well.
The Academy consists of all students from prestigious and powerful noble families, and even some princes and princesses attending the Academy. So it is impossible for them to follow anyone else''s lead, as their pride won''t allow it.
So the whole academy will be divided into factions of the most famous and powerful students taking the lead.
And of course, the first faction of the first-year students will be ''The elven princess Diana''s faction'',
Then there is ''ude Valdemar''s Faction'', and finally there is our main character ''Lucas Eugene''s faction''.
Ziona wasn''t interested in any of this, as she was just interested in fighting, so she will be joining Lucas''s faction as she is a friend of A, who will be in Lucas''s faction. While Livia stayed neutral, ude, Diana, and Lucas would do everything they could to make her join them, but to no avail.
Also, Kevin will join ude''s faction as well,
And I, on the other hand, will be staying neutral like Livia, as I am also not interested in making or joining any factions as well.
After thinking to myself, I turned toward Livia, who was walking beside me while staring at me with a smile.
"What?" I questioned her seeing her smiling happily,
"It''s nothing" she replied and averted her stare and looked forward while still smiling.
I don''t know what was going on in her mind, but I asked her about something I was quite curious about even while reading the novel.
"Why aren''t you participating in the tournament?"
Hearing my question, Livia answered me with a wry smile,
"It''s not like I don''t want to participate, but It''s just that I can''t."
"Why''s that?" I asked
"I restricted myself from using my powers against the students, as I am too powerful for them. Even 3rd-year students can''t be able to keep up with me" She said while turning her head toward me, and continuing with a smile
"of course, you are the special case, as I never thought I''d be defeated by someone the same age as me in the entrance examination"
Listening to her, I knew what she meant, as she will be the youngest transcended being on the whole continent. So I just gave her an awkward smile and spoke,
"It may be toote, but I''m sorry for beating you to a pulp-, ahem I mean defeating you like how I did. Of course, you would have been ranked #1 in the entrance examination if we fought fairly."
She shook her head hearing my apology and spoke,
"No, I am rather grateful to you, it was good to meet someone as strong as you, as now I don''t have to be lonely and finally have someone with the same circumstances as me"
Listening to her I don''t know what to say about that, as I already know, Livia never had real friends as most of them were afraid of her talent and some were jealous. They would approach her, just to gain her trust, so they could use her in the future, and they would call her a monster behind her back.
She is friendly toward me as I overshadowed her fame and am now on the same boat as her.
At least I think that''s the case...
"...."
While on the other hand, Livia''s thoughts were the opposite of what Ares was thinking,
***
POV LIVIA ~
''In the beginning, I just thought you were an interesting person. But as time went by, I don''t know when you became one of the most important people in my life. I experienced a feeling that I had never felt before,...My heart aches when I see you conversing with some other girls.''
''I don''t know what this feeling is...just seeing your face makes me happy. Every time I am away from you, I have a longing for you...''
"Is this what they call love?" I unknowingly muttered out loud
"...."
"Huh?" Ares eximed.
''D-Did he hear me?'' I thought to myself and slowly turned towards Ares...
**************
Chapter 39 Private Class With Roselia
Today is the weekend, and the day of my private Runes deciphering ss with Roselia. I got up early and did some morning exercises, as we had a rest day on the weekends and there would be no other sses. Most of the students would take a break from their training and enjoy their weekends.
There is an entertainment street avable around the campus, which consists of restaurants, a Theatre, a Gaming cafe, a sports arena, and a lot of other locales where everyone can enjoy their day.
In the novel, Lucas, A, and Ziona, who went to the entertainment street to enjoy their time, would be attacked by some gangsters, but they will deal with their whole gang till the end of the day.
At least that''s what is supposed to happen today ording to my knowledge from the novel. Not that I care about them, and I have no ns to interfere with whatever they are doing.
while I was pondering, I got a text from Roselia. She sent me a location where we will be conducting our ss.
Because the Academy will be closed today, it wasn''t possible to hold sses in the usual ssroom.
Also, I have to achieve another purpose in this ss as well. I want to find some concepts for contracting with the demons, so I can get a contract of better terms with Irethiel, or if I am lucky, I might even find something about gaining the demon''s faith.
As I was thinking to myself, I arrived at the location Roselia sent me.
''Did she send me the location of her mansion?'' I thought to myself, the mansion was half the size of Mika''s mansion ifpared, but it was still huge if not analogize with Mika''s abnormally enormous mansion.
When I was contemting, the maidservant greeted me and took me inside the mansion. She then brought me into a room, which seemed to be the study room as the whole room was surrounded by books.
She then beckoned me toward the sofa and poured in some tea for me, and left saying Roselia would be arriving soon, till then I could make myselffortable.
Now left alone inside the study room, I decided to flip some of the books present in this room. As I was flipping, I noticed most of the books were in runesnguages and were already half deciphered. After flipping books for a few moments, I heard the sound of the study room door opening,
nk-
I turned my gaze toward it, and I was met with a beautiful woman, her long blonde hair was left detached and she was wearing a loose white t-shirt and tight ck pants underneath, while her round reading sses were on her face which went quite well with her beautiful blue eyes. It was Roselia Florance...
She is as beautiful as ever, I thought to myself while admiring her beauty.
Roselia then approached me and greeted me with a smile on her face,
"Good evening, Student Ares. I hope it wasn''t much trouble for you to find my house, or was it?"
"No, I arrived at the location without much trouble" I responded with my charming smile.
"You might be thinking about why I decided to conduct our ss at my house. But please understand, as you already know, the books of runes weren''t allowed to be taken outside of the academy, but I used my authority as a teacher to carry the books for research purposes. And I can''t decipher them in public." Roselia exined,
"I understand". I replied with a smile and nodded.
"Thank you for your understanding," she said and continued.
"Did you finish deciphering all those books?" she pointed toward the books that I was flipping before she arrived.
"Yeah, I am halfway there" I replied.
"...."
She was left dumbfounded for a few seconds after hearing my reply, then she spoke with a wry smile,
"It took me quite a lot of years to decipher those books, and I didn''t even decipher them entirely."
Listening to her, I just kept my mouth shut and gave her an awkward smile. I know how much hard work she might have put into deciphering all those books, and how much time she might have spent in doing so.
And here I am, just deciphering the books that she spent her whole life aplishing, while just flipping them.
It seems quite... unfair to her and the hard work and time she spent deciphering those books seemed to be squandered...
As I was pondering to myself, Roselia spoke. "Well, you can continue, if you want to. The books I want you to help me decipher are in my room and my maid will be bringing them in a moment, you can go on and read them until then."
Hearing her, I nodded my head and continued my flipping of books. As I don''t have much time to feel sorry for her, I have to find something rted to the contracts, or anything useful, that will help me inpleting the quest.
While I was flipping through the books, Roselia was just watching me in a daze, she still couldn''t believe how I could decipher-... No, she couldn''t believe, how I could read books at such a fast pace.
After a few moments of flipping through the books, I finally stopped, as I finished deciphering every book present on the bookshelves.
I then turned towards Roselia, who was staring at me with an awkward smile, and the books she wanted me to decipher were already fetched by her maid, and it seemed she was waiting for me to finish...
"How much time was I at it?" I asked her with an awkward smile as well.
"You don''t have to worry, it''s only been half an hour, " she replied.
"Let''s start our ss then," I said.
"You don''t want to rest for a bit?" she questioned.
"No, I am good," I replied with a smile.
Listening to me, she then beckoned me towards a big sofa, where the books that she want me to help her in deciphering were, as I sat down on the sofa, she seated right beside me and took out one of the books from the pile.
Soon I deciphered most of the books and exined to her some of the contents that were tooplicated to understand even after deciphered.
Roselia started taking notes at a fast rate, even though she was writing so fast, her handwriting and the presentation of her notes were noteworthy,
''As expected from the teachers, I guess.'' I thought to myself.
And shortly after, I came upon a book that I was looking for, No, It was exactly what I needed. Seeing the content of the book, a huge grin appeared on my face unknowingly to me.
Roselia, who caught me grinning, questioned me.
"Why are you smiling so wickedly? what is the content of that book, for you to make such an expression." She gave me a suspicious look.
"Ahem, are you sure, you want to know what its contents are?" I asked her.
Hearing me, she made a confused face and eximed.
"Huh?"
"I don''t think its contents are useful to you, so let''s just skip this book," I exined.
Listening to me, It seems she got even more curious about the content of this book,
"No!, I want to know, what is in that book," she spoke in a determined voice...
''Well, I will have to use my n B again, I don''t know if she will believe me or not, but I at least have to try, right?'' I thought to myself.
"You sure about this?" I asked for her confirmation.
"Yes," She confirmed, making a determined face.
"So, this book is just a journal and its contents are, '' Today, I woke up early because I have a most important mission that I have to aplish...''"
I paused for a moment before continuing, meanwhile, Roselia became curious about the mission that was mentioned, and focused all her attention on me,
"I continued speaking, ''I rushed towards the mission''s location, not even bothering about my breakfast, as I don''t want to bete, or I might miss my chance. And sure enough, I was on time. I arrived at a hugeke near the waterfall and climbed up on a tree, I then examined toward my target. My target was my beautiful neighbor, who always bathe in ake early morning, and I have always been interested in her. Now seeing, her wet hair, her voluptuous body, and her beautiful big boo-...''
Thud-
I was stopped by the embarrassed Roselia who closed the book in a hurry, she was caught off guard, as she was too focused on the story and wasn''t expecting this development.
I then looked toward her, and saw her flushing red face, she was now behaving like a teenager in hormones.
I didn''t expect my n to work so well and was expecting her to see through my childish pranks.
But I guess age is just a number. My n B always works...
"You are a pervert, Miss Roselia, I already warned you, but you insisted on listening to it," Imented.
Hearing me she became even more embarrassed and shouted in a furious voice.
"S-SHUT IT!"
Hearing her furious voice, I closed my lips tightly. Only silence prevailed in the room, but that made it even worse, So I decided to take my leave.
I picked up the book which I wanted and was about to leave. But I was stopped by Roselia,
"W-Why are you taking that book with you?" She questioned, while her face was still red.
"Huh? Don''t tell me, you want to secretly read these types of books? Are you a pervert?" I spoke childishly, with a questioning face...
She became furious again, after listening to me and shouted,
"GET OUT."
"Alright, I am leaving, you don''t have to yell at me," I spoke while making a sad face, and walked out of the mansion in a hurry.
***
''Wait, so why did he take that book with him? Don''t tell me...
Chapter 40 Concerns...
Finally, today is the day when Aegis promised to deliver the advanced healing potions that I requested of her. And my other preparations areplete as well.
As I was waiting for Aegis to send me the potions, she texted me and asked me to meet her as Helena would be stopping by as well, as she has something to talk about,
It''s good Helena ising too, as I have some queries about my element training that I want to ask her.
After pondering, I left the special Dorm building and was about to leave for the location that Aegis sent me for our meeting, but I halted in my steps because I encountered the people I know very well. It was Lucas, A, and Ziona.
They were entering the special dorm building together, and they too halted as well, as they faced me. But soon Ziona spoke to me,
"Good evening Ares, are you taking a break from your training as well?" she asked and scrutinized me from top to bottom. I was dressed in my casual clothes for my appointment with Aegis and Helena. I think she assumed I was taking a break from my training and rxing.
"Yes, I am taking a break for today," I answered her with a smile on my face.
As I answered her, I felt a re at me from beside Ziona. As I moved my eyes towards that re, I was met with Lucas. His face was distorted seeing me and he was gritting his teeth so hard, that they were threatening to break any moment, he seemed so furious that he started leaking his Aura.
It seems he is still not over the incident, that transpired during the entrance examination.
I smirked seeing his angry face and shrouded my body with electricity and red back at him. The atmosphere around us changed abruptly as our Aura''s collided.
Seeing the sudden change in atmosphere, Ziona was in a predicament, and an awkward smile came on her face, as, on one hand, she had A and Lucas with whom she was getting along well, and on the other hand, she had me, who is also her training partner.
As she was contemting what she should do about this situation, A stood in front of Lucas with her hands wide open, as if she was shielding Lucas. She was staring at me as if asking me to stop, but as she was confronting me, her face turned pale and her forehead was covered in sweat.
Noticing A, I retracted my Aura to not hurt her, and Lucas did the same. Soon the atmosphere returned to normal and noticing that Ziona and A finally sighed in relief.
I then smiled at A and Ziona without saying a word, and walked past them, while Lucas was still staring at me, but I decided to ignore him.
Then I left the academy and went toward the warp gate to directly teleport to my destination.
Using a warp gate costs quite a lot of money, but I can use my special ss badge privilege to warp to the location I want to move, but it can only be used twice a month.
As I arrived at the location that was sent by Aegis, which was a five-star restaurant... I don''t know why she chose this location, but it didn''t bother me, so I texted her about my arrival.
Not after long, Aegis texted me back and told me toe inside the restaurant, as she was already waiting for me.
As I entered the restaurant, I saw the whole restaurant was empty...
"Did she reserve the whole restaurant? It''s good to have money, I guess." I muttered to myself.
As I was looking into the restaurant, Aegis yelled my name from the second floor and waved her hand at me.
I noticed her and went to the second floor to visit where she was. As I approached her, I saw her dressed in a very professional way, which was unlike her... She was wearing a long formal white coat and ck boots that went well with her outfit, while her pink hair was tied in a ponytail.
As I approached her, she pointed me to the seat in front of her, as if telling me to sit there.
As I sat on the seat that she pointed to, she called a waitress and ordered tworge coffees for both of us. As she knew my taste very well, she didn''t bother asking me and ordered for me as well. As we spent almost two months together, she got to know me well, and the same goes for me as well.
As the waitress brought us our coffee, I questioned her,
"You booked the whole restaurant?"
"No, I own this restaurant," she said as if it isn''t a big deal and continued,
"Here are the advanced healing potions you requested," she said and gave me a storage ring.
As I inspected the storage ring, I found five advanced healing potions in it, which was a lot more than I expected, as I think two-three potions might be enough to heal ''that'' demon.
As I was pondering, Aegis added,
"I made some changes in those potions, so it can even work on demons. The normal healing potions that we humans use might not work on the demons or it might take a lot of potions. If you didn''t mention to me that you need the potions for a demon, you couldn''t have saved that demon, you are trying to save," she concluded.
Listening to her, I just had an awkward smile on my face. As I didn''t know about that, I thought healing potions would work the same on anyone, including demons as well.
"Thanks, I owe you one," I said with an appreciative look, as I was grateful to her. If not for her, the ns that I made might have gone to waste.
Seeing me grateful, she had a smile on her face and spoke.
"You better be, I worked quite hard toplete those potions in such a short amount of time," she said and continued.
"I don''t know what demon you are trying to save and why, but I know you are a rational person, that wouldn''t do anything unnecessary, so I don''t want to ask any questions. But...you have to be careful about what I said to you before."
"Don''t worry, I will keep your words in my mind," I replied with a smile.
"Hmm, also I will be leaving the floating ind for some time, as I was called on the mission. So you won''t be able to contact me," she spoke after taking a sip of her coffee.
"Mission with Mika?" I questioned, as Aegis mostly only works with Mika.
"Yes," she said and nodded her head in confirmation.
As we were chatting, we both heard footsteps from the entrance of the restaurant, so we turned our heads toward it and we found no one, but suddenly someone spoke from the seat beside me.
!?
"Ahk, why is your coffee so bitter."
I was startled and turned my head toward the voice, but after seeing that person, I finally calmed down.
The person was a silver-haired woman, who was wearing gym clothes and a grey jacket over it. Of course, she was Helena parker. I was left amazed as usual, by not even being able to catch a glimpse of her speed.
"...."
"Who told you to drink my coffee then?" I question her.
She ignored my question and spoke,
"It seems you became quite popr these days Ares,"
"Yup, shit happened," I answered nonchntly while taking back my coffee.
"You bettery low for some time, as everyone in the continent has their eyes on you. And my reason for disturbing your date with Aegis was to warn you about something."
"It isn''t a date-" Aegis was about to say something, but I cut her off and asked Helena with a serious face.
"So, what is it that you want to warn me about." Seeing me serious, Aegis kept quiet and Helena replied in a serious voice.
"It''s about your brother," she paused for a moment before continuing,
"...He seems to be nning something against you. And that''s not the worst part..." she struggled to continue her sentence. I think I know the reason why, but I still asked her,
"Then, what''s the worst part?" After a brief moment of silence, she exhaled and continued.
"Your brother has connections with someone from my organization, and we were assigned a mission to...assassinate you."
"...."
"...I see," I answered, as I was expecting something to this extent, that my elder brother would make his move any time now. As my increasing fame might threaten his standings in the kingdom. But, what I didn''t think was that he has connections with the infamous "SHADOW" organization.
As I was pondering, Aegis was shocked with her eyes wide open, and questioned Helena stutteringly,
"W-What! What did you just say? W-We should let Mika know about this, y-yeah, we definitely-." she continued and started searching for her phone left and right hurriedly, while her hands trembling, she didn''t even notice, that her phone was right on the table in front of her.
"...."
"Calm down Aegis, I am trying my best to convince them in rejecting this mission. And they know Ares is Mika''s pupil, So, I don''t think they will ept this mission recklessly." Helena said and tried to appease Aegis, and it seemed to work pretty well.
"Y-Yeah, they won''t dare to go against the crazy bitch like Mika, right?" she said andforted herself.
"...."
"...."
Hearing innocent Aegis cursing Mika, Both Helena and I were left dumbfounded and didn''t answer her for a moment.
As Aegis didn''t get any reply from us, she stared at us and raised a question,
"W-What?"
"...It''s nothing." Both Helena and I uttered in unison.
Then we continued our conversation, and I asked my queries to Helena, about the element training,
After chatting for an hour or so, we finally separated and went on our ways...
**************
Chapter 41 The Mock Gate (1)
The weekend went by in a sh, and it was already Monday.
And I only have one day left, for me to settle my Quest. So, I summoned my system screen to check on my quest again.
******* SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) SAVE THE DEMON IRETHIEL.
TIME LIMIT: 1 DAY
2) MAKE HER SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO YOU.
REWARD~ ABLE TO USE ONE OF IRTHIEL''S ABILITIES.
MISSION FAILURE~ ???
***************
After observing the quest again, I decided to leave the Academy after finishing today''s sses toplete the quest. I can use the warp gate and go near the location where IRETHIEL is held.
I can still use a warp gate, by utilizing my special badge privilege for one more time this month.
As Aegis was the one who paid for my warp gate fee yesterday for my return to the academy, which preserved my special badge privilege.
Well, the warp gate fees aren''t much for her, as she is extremely rich.
After pondering to myself, I got dressed in my academy uniform and left the special dorm building, and headed toward the academic main building, where the sses will be held.
The first period today was thebinedbat training ss. In this ss, all the first-year students would gather for thebined training, which includes the Alpha and beta sses as well.
I pondered to myself and arrived in front of the training room where the ss would be held. As I was about to enter, someone called my name, recognizing the voice. I turned toward it and saw a blue-haired student approaching me in haste. Of course, she was Livia Frostine.
Livia rushed towards me and greeted me while avoiding my gaze,
"G-Good morning, Ares."
"Good morning to you as well, Livia." I greeted her back with a smile. But after seeing my smile, she turned her head away as if embarrassed.
"...."
I don''t know why, but the atmosphere between us turned quite awkward from thest time I met Livia, and she was behaving somewhat differently than she usually does.
If I had to put it in words, it was like a teenager having a conversation with his/her crush and being all embarrassed...
But I can''t say the same for Livia, as she never had any friends before, so I think she didn''t know how friends should treat each other. or did she think of me as someone more than her friend? Thetter must be impossible, right? I reassured myself.
Soon, I shook my head and stopped thinking about it, as we both entered thebined training room together.
***
We were all gathered in a white room surrounded by several translucent crystals. It was a simr room to the entrance examination that teleported us into a magical space. But at the center of the room, there was an electronic disy screen, on which all the first-year students'' names were disyed.
Soon a professor, wearing a whiteb coat with ck messy hair and ck eyes with dark circles underneath, entered the white room and greeted us. We very well knew who this professor was, as he was the same professor from the entrance examination.
"Good morning students, as you all already know about this room, I will skip the introduction of the room and tell you why you all are gathered here"
Everyone started paying attention to him, as he was about to exin to us about today''s training.
"Today, you all will be teleported inside a monster Gate. Of course, it''s just a mock Gate and not the real one. The more monsters you kill, the more points you will be allotted, your rankings and points will be evaluated and they will be added to your end-semester scores." He exinedzily without any boration.
Listening to him, a student raised his hand and asked a question,
"What do you mean by the points that will be added at the end of the semester scores?"
"Auhh, it means what you heard, it will help Alpha and beta ss students to improve their overall semester score and help them to advance in Special ss." He exined while yawning,
Listening to his exnation all the Alpha and Beta ss students were surprised and excited at the same time, and silence prevailed in the room, and after a few seconds, another student raised a question,
"So, what''s in for students that are already in the special ss?"
Everyone focused their attention on the professor as they were all curious about that, including special ss students as well.
"Stupid Brats, listen to me carefully. If a bus that can only seat 40 people exceeds its limit, it is obvious that someone has to leave that bus. And of course, the one who is the weakest will be kicked out of it." He said with a bored look on his face.
"So, that means if the special ss students can''t maintain their high scores, they will be demoted to Alpha or Beta sses respectively," A student concluded.
Aftering to the realization, the special ss students that were taking it easy until now were sweating in uneasiness.
"Yes, that''s what I said, don''t make me repeat it," the professor said in an annoyed tone.
"...."
Everyone was shocked to see the professor''s demeanor.
"So, now that you all know, I will be teleporting every one of you into the mock Gate," he said and was about to activate the crystals, but I raised my hand and questioned him.
"So what''s the use of that digital screen," I said while pointing toward the screen, though I already know what it does.
p Hearing me, everyone paid their attention to the screen as well and then turned toward the professor to ask for an exnation. We already had a huge holographic screen to know about our scores, so what does that digital screen do?
"Oh, I forgot about this, it isn''t a big deal, you will be entering the Gate in a team of four, and that digital screen will be allotting you, random team members, that''s all,"
!?
"...."
''How can he forget such an important thing and say it isn''t a big deal?'' Everyone screamed inwardly.
As they were swearing the professor inwardly, the digital screen started rearranging the names to allot a random four-member team.
As everyone was focusing their attention on the screen to know who their teammates will be, Thezy-ass forgetful professor spoke again,
"Oh, also there are many different types of monsters in this mock Gate that give you different points, The monsters are Ranked from E to A, and the E rank monsters will give you only 1 point while D rank monsters will give you 3 points and so on..., whereas the A-rank monster will give you 50 points, But there is only 1 A-rank boss-type monster, so the only team that kills the boss monster will be allotted 50 points, and after the boss monster dies, you will be teleported back to this room. And in two hours, if no one can kill the A-rank boss monster, then you will be teleported back as well," He concluded.
As every student was summarizing the information that they just heard, we all heard a sound from the digital screen.
BEEP ~
As we reviewed the screen, we saw the teams were already randomly allotted. But after noticing the teams everyone was shocked, and that includes me as well.
"...."
TEAM 1 ~
1)ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR
2)DIANA ELIORA
3)ERIC GUNNER
4)PENELOPE BENJAMIN
TEAM 2 ~
1)LUCAS EUGENE
2)AYLA EUGENE
3)ZIONA MADLOCK
4)****
TEAM 3 ~
1)LIVIA FROSTINE
2)CLAUDE VALDEMAR
3)KEVIN CEDRIC
4)****
...
...
**********
Seeing the allotted teams which were supposed to be random, I was quite surprised, as I do not know how this is random...
And I don''t know if other teams will even get a chance to umte any points. I thought inwardly.
Teams 2 and 3 are overpowering and of course, including my Team 1.
I don''t know my other teammates except for Diana, but with only Diana included aside from me, could be considered a strong team. And Team 2, which includes, Lucas, A, and Ziona, had a pretty good synergy as well, but I don''t recognize their fourth team member, well he doesn''t matter. I am not biased against him, but even without him, they can climb to the top easily.
Now about Team 3, I was speechless, because of the crazy trio, Livia, ude, and Kevin. They all are crazy people in their own way, as I don''t have to mention what Livia and ude are capable of, and though Kevin''s behavior and skills are somewhat different from the novel, But he is still strong enough to lift his weight. Of course, I don''t recognize their fourth member as well.
"The battle for the top will definitely,... be devastating," I muttered to myself.
The professor didn''t mention that we should only kill monsters and couldn''t kill any other students, the lesspetition you have, the more points you could get, and this loophole will lead to...,
A BLOODY MASSACRE!!!.
***************
Chapter 42 The Mock Gate (2)
? As I was pondering to myself, my teammates approached me, while Diana greeted me with a smile.
"Good Morning Ares, please take good care of me."
Following Diana, my other teammates decided to introduce themselves to me as well.
"My name is Eric Gunner, and I am a Guardian from Beta ss." He said with a stoic face.
Eric had ck hair with ck eyes, and he was huge, as he was a guardian, so of course, his weapon was a shield.
"My name is Penelope Benjamin, and I am a mage from Alpha ss. Please take care of me," she introduced herself with a smile on her face.
Penelope was a beautiful girl. She has pink hair with red eyes, and a well-developed body for a teenager, and she was using a high-quality staff that magic casters usually use, as her weapon.
"I will be in your care as well," I said to them with a smile on my face.
After introducing ourselves, we decided on the formation that we would be using in the Gate, and it was as follows.
Eric will take the front to protect us from any ambush or sudden attacks with his shield, and just behind him on his left-hand side will be Diana, who is our ranger, and will deal with the enemies that are far away from us. And I will be on the right side of Eric and deal with the enemies that approach us, atst, Penelope will be standing in the rear, and she will be dealing with enemies that are approaching us from behind, and she will also be supporting me and Diana.
Of course, we will only be using this formation while fightingrge groups of enemies.
As we finished our discussion, we heard the professor''s voice,
"Alright, I informed you everything you need to know. I will be teleporting everyone now, so don''t die early and disturb my sleep." He said and activated the crystals to teleport us.
Soon, all the crystals lightened up and we were all teleported inside the mock Gate.
**********
As we were inside the Gate, we noticed that the gate was a huge cave type. And we have enough leeway to move around. The best part was that every group was teleported together, so, we don''t have to run around to find our teammates.
After examining the gate for a few moments, we decided to move forward.
And not long after we started moving ahead, Diana, who had better sight and senses, noticed a presence and spoke,
"A monster?"
Hearing her, I used my Hawkeye skill to confirm her words, and after scrutinizing for a moment, I spoke.
"It''s a goblin, an E-rank monster, have you guys fought a goblin before?" I questioned.
Hearing me, Eric and Penelope shook their heads as if denying.
"I fought them, sometimes they swarm the forests in my kingdom," Diana uttered.
"I don''t know much about the goblins you meet in the forest, but we have to be careful of the goblins we meet here," I spoke and took the lead, and after walking for a few seconds I halted in my steps and signaled them to stop as well.
They were confused seeing me so cautious about mere goblins,
"It looks a bit makeshift, but it''s still a lethal trap," I said and withdrew my sword while pointing it towards the trap,
"Is it a goblin''s doing?" Penelope questioned.
"Yeah, as you can see, goblins are particrly clever with things like this," I answered and destroyed the trap with my sword, as soon as the trap was destroyed. A whole group of goblins attacked me at the same time.
But even before their attacks couldnd on me, all their heads flew at the same time in a mere second. The goblins didn''t even notice my attack speed and the same goes for my teammates as well, of course except for Diana, as rangers have better sight than normal people.
"If you don''t fall for their traps, they get pretty mad and will ambush you all at once, so keep in mind that goblins in gates are dangerous," I warned them, and we started moving ahead.
***
THIRD PERSON POV ~
"Our Team 21 is strong enough for us to be in the top 10, right?" A big guy with orange hair carrying a shield said to his other three teammates.
"That is true, as we are all from a special ss, and we don''t have any dead weights from alpha and beta sses in our team." A man with long ck hair answered his teammate as they moved forward.
As they were conversing, a girl with short brown hair that was in the lead, halted and warned them.
"Wait! Something is off here,"
"huh, what''s wrong?" Her other teammates questioned her.
"There are traps that have already been destroyed," she exined.
"Maybe another monster with intelligence destroyed it?" A girl with ck hair questioned, and the other two teammates nodded in agreement with her statement.
"No, they wouldn''t have been this meticulous." The short brown hair girl exined.
"So you think it''s the other students doing?" Her teammates questioned.
"T-There, l-look over there!" the ck-haired girl spoke stutteringly with a horrified look and pointed towards a certain direction.
As every team member turned their attention to the ce she pointed at, they were shocked as well.
"Goblin corpses?" A guy with a shield spoke, while still in shock seeing the mounds of goblin corpses.
"All the corpses'' heads are decapitated." Another guy beside him spoke.
But the short brown hair girl was terrified, not because she saw so many decapitated corpses of goblins, but because she realized that the person who can pull this off, was the only student that she can think of. And everyone in the academy knows about him.
"A-Ares, The Executioner." She muttered in a low voice. As soon as she muttered, she heard a girl''s voice from behind her.
"Oh, she is quite smart, isn''t she?" the girl spoke.
she turned around startled and noticed her teammates were already dead and were turning into particles, without even making any sound..., and the girl that just spoke was smiling at her, and beside her were her two team members doing the same.
She immediately recognized who this girl was, as she is quite popr among first years.
...It was Diana Eliora, and after seeing Diana, her face turned pale and she was even more terrified as she knew, Diana was a part of Ares''s team, then she started scrutinizing left and right around Diana as if searching for someone, and soon she heard the voice of the person she was searching for.
"Hello, Is it me you''re looking for?"
As she heard him, she felt a cold metal touching her neck.
*Gulp. She gulped out loud and uttered,
"SHIT-" Even before she could finish her sentence her head flew, separating from her body...
***
"You are quite ruthless, Ares," Diana spoke.
"Well, we don''t have much time to y around with them, do we?" I replied.
"Yeah, you are not wrong there." she agreed, while Eric and Penelope just nodded their heads.
The group of students we just killed happened to be in the wrong ce, as I was moving forward, Diana stopped me as she sensed their presence, so we decided to take care of them before moving forward.
As we don''t want to be attacked by some group of students while we are dealing with other monsters...
After killing those group of students, we finally moved onward, and while doing so we encountered a lot of E and D rank monsters which we dealt with pretty easily.
But when we entered deep inside the gate, we encountered a group of B-rank monsters.
The B-rank monsters were huge orcs, and they were in groups as well, they were fighting intelligently which was unusual for orcs.
I was able to deal with a few of them by myself, but Diana, Eric, and Penelope had to work together to deal with them.
The orcs were working together and were trying to surround us to restrict our movement, If this goes on, we will waste most of our energy even before dealing with the A-rank monster.
As I was pondering, I found an orc shaman not far away from us, It seems he was the one leading them. He was surrounded by the orc mages and the mages were protected by other orcs that are using shields and axes.
"Diana, Penelope cover me, I will be dealing with the orc shaman that is leading them, and Eric, block the attacks that are directed toward Diana and Penelope, while they are covering for me," Imanded.
"Roger." They all spoke in unison and nodded their head in agreement.
Hearing them, I encircled myself with electricity and directly rushed towards the orc shaman using my snake step technique. While I was moving forward, the orcs in the front tried to impede me but were attacked by Diana''s arrows and Penelope''s fire magic. Though they didn''t die with their attacks, at least they were distracted for a split second, and that was good enough, as it created a gap for me to move around.
I directly arrived in front of the orc shaman ignoring the mages that were surrounding him and pierced my sword into the orc shaman''s stomach.
But that didn''t kill him as his skin was quite tough, the orc shaman had a grin on his face seeing that my shallow attack didn''t work on him, and he was about to attack me with the staff he was carrying, as soon as he lifted his staff to attack me, I smirked at him, and muttered ''Static Electricity.''
***************
Chapter 43 The Mock Gate (3)
As soon as I used my skill of static electricity, my whole sword that was still stabbed into the orc''s stomach was covered in electricity.
"Akkhkkkkkk"
The orc shaman was horrified and screamed in sudden pain, and even before he could do anything, I applied force and curved my sword to the right, cutting the whole orc in half.
It all happened in a split second. And after hearing the scream of the orc shaman, the orc mages turned towards him, but they found his body cut in two.
As the orc mages were in a stupor, I caught them off guard and attacked them while my sword was still covered in electric Aura.
SWISH-
Even before they knew what was happening, their heads flew as they were decapitated.
The orc mages weren''t good at closebat, and their defense wasn''t capable enough to stop my attacks. Unless they could cast a defensive spell, but I didn''t give them much time to cast any spells and killed them instantly.
As I killed the orc shaman and orc mages, the only remaining left were armed orcs, who were carrying axes and shields. As I looked towards them, I found they were almost dealt with by Eric, Diana, and Penelope.
They began to work together quite well. As Eric was shielding the orcs'' attacks, Diana and Penelope were finishing them off together.
''They are good enough for amateurs,'' I thought to myself.
Because dealing with a bunch of B-rank monsters isn''t an easy task that many people their age can do. And in fact, they are all beginners that didn''t even fight a goblin before, excluding Diana, as she might have already fought them, but she didn''t fight against the other monsters that stay in the gates, keeping in mind that the monsters in the gates are more painstaking and clever.
I thought over to myself, as they killed thest remaining orc.
*****
THIRD PERSON POV~
After killing all the orcs, Eric, Diana and Penelope decided to proceed toward where Ares was, but as they were approaching him, Penelope stepped on a trap unknowingly...
nk-
Soon several arrows rushed towards them from both sides, and seeing the arrows approaching, Eric raised his shield and coated it with Aura to block them. His shield could block the arrows from both sides, as he created a shield made of Aura on one side, while he stood and blocked the arrows with his shield from the other side.
But he could only block the arrows that were approaching him and Diana as they were in the front, while Penelope, who was somewhat far from them in the rear, was left open.
She didn''t have much time to cast a defensive spell, and the arrows appeared close to her from both sides at a fast pace.
She epted her doom and closed her eyes, as she didn''t have any measures to block them.
But even after a few seconds, she didn''t feel any pain or shock due to getting eliminated. Instead, she felt the warmth of touch around her body, as if she was... being carried.
She slowly opened her eyes to know the reason, and she was surprised with her eyes wide open by what she saw...
Penelope saw a ck-haired boy with a handsome face carrying her like a princess. Suddenly, her face turned red and her eyes were hazy. It looked like a dream to her.
A handsome prince carrying her like a princess. It''s a dream of every girl on the, even though some may not admit it, they don''t dislike it either.
As she was in a reverie, dreaming her fantasies, she suddenly heard Diana''s worried voice,
"Ares! Are you all right?" Diana questioned with a worried expression.
Hearing her, Penelope finally came back to her senses and noticed Ares''s shoulder, which was pierced by several arrows.
Ares finally put Penelope down and replied,
"Yeah I am fine, it''s not a big deal," Ares spoke and removed the arrows from his shoulder without showing any pain in his face.
Seeing his expressionless face, Eric, Diana, and Penelope were left dumbfounded. Even though they won''t feel much pain in a magical space, they could still feel severe enough shocks, if they receive painful attacks.
"Let''s move forward," Ares said.
Hearing him they all came out from their daze and spoke in unison while nodding their heads,
"Understood."
And they started moving deep inside the gate.
As they were moving ahead, they came upon an enormous monster that looked like an octopus with several tentacles, shutting off their path.
"It''s an A-rank monster, the Colossus Octopus. it has eight tentacles that it uses to not only grapple its prey but could also restrain and attack enemies, and it has pretty good regeneration as well," Ares spoke and continued,
"They usually appear in the sea. I don''t know what thatzy-ass professor is thinking, keeping it in the cave-like gate," Ares concluded.
"E-Even so, how can we defeat something this enormous," Penelope spoke stutteringly with a horrified look.
"You have a n, don''t you Ares?" Diana spoke while staring at Ares with a smile.
Hearing her, Ares chuckled and spoke,
"Oh, I''ve got a n alright," Ares dered and a huge grin appeared on his face
***************
Pov Team 2 ~
"I wonder how many points Ares''s team has," Ziona spoke while stabbing the orc that was lying on the ground unconscious due to their recent fight.
"If it''s him alongside Diana, I think they might have quite a lot of points," A said.
"You think so too? I want to fight that elf princess to know how strong she is." Ziona uttered.
"Don''t underestimate her, Diana may look beautiful and innocent but she is quite strong and cunning, ... and I don''t know if I am right, but from what I noticed, she seems to be a narcissist," A spoke her thoughts.
"A narcissist cunning bitch, huh," Ziona said, and an evil smile erupted on her face.
"That''s just what I think, you can ignore my words if you want," A spoke out and moved onwards behind Lucas and their other team member who was in a lead.
Listening to her Ziona smiled and followed behind her.
And as they were moving ahead, they all halted in their steps, and they were shocked for a few moments, as they saw an enormous octopus-like monster, which was not that far away from them blocking their path.
"...."
"SHIT!" A cursed out loud upon noticing the monster with a terrified face.
Hearing her, they all had the same expression as A, ... except for Ziona, as she was excited to fight that strong monster, and a huge grin erupted on her face.
''Whenever Ziona is excited about something, she makes that face'' A thought to herself, noticing Ziona''s reaction.
"A crazy Battle maniac" A evaluated Ziona and muttered to herself.
***************
Pov Team 3~
Ahhhhhhkkk...
Hearing the students scream, Kevin and his other teammate that was sticking to him in fear, was horrified and muttered to themselves,
"They both are like demons, they butchered every student and monster that came in their path without mercy, one would freeze them to death and the other would slit their throats."
*Gulp
The team member beside him gulped out loud and spoke,
"They seem like non-identical demon twins. They are fighting together without evenmunicating, but they are in perfect sync. As the saying goes, Birds of a feather flock together." He said in a low voice.
The non-identical Demon twins he was talking about were, of course,... Livia Frostine and ude Valdemar.
"Nobody knows about this, but I presume ude Likes Livia. I caught him peeking at her, from time to time quite a lot during our sses." Kevin uttered.
"Again, Why do you keep focusing on ude?" His teammate spoke giving Kevin a suspicious look.
"...."
"B-Because his seat is right next to me," Kevin rified.
"That''s not a good enough excuse, ...but I will respect your preferences." His team member said and ran towards Livia and ude.
"Y-You, you''re misunderstanding, wait for me..." Kevin uttered and ran after him.
As they both moved forward, they saw Livia and ude halt in their steps and were observing something.
As they both shifted their eyes to where Livia and ude were scrutinizing, their faces were filled with horror. As they saw a massive octopus-like monster blocking their path, not far away from them.
"F-FUCK!" They both cursed out loud in unison with a terrified face, while Livia and ude, who were still scrutinizing the monster, didn''t have any change in their expression as they kept their faces neutral.
***************
Chapter 44 Fighting An A-Rank Monster
Diana hurriedly spoke as we were closely examining the A-rank monster.
"We havepany!"
Ares chuckled as he heard her and said,
"So, they''re finally here, huh."
"What? Do you have ns to coborate with other teams? Diana asked while furrowing her brow.
"Or do you think we can defeat that massive bastard alone?" Ares grinned at Diana and questioned her.
"B-But even so, didn''t you know that the group who defeats that A-rank monster would be ranked #1?" Diana spoke anxiously.
Ares added, still grinning,
"Yeah, I know that very well, alright. No matter how much damage you deal to it, getting the kill depends on which group cannd the final blow."
After realizing Ares''s intention, Diana said while giggling
"Ahh, as expected of you Ares, I always believed in you, though, I already intended the same thing,"
"...."
When Eric and Penelope heard our conversation, they weren''t sure what to do, and I just remained expressionless as I stared at Diana without saying a word.
After that, we headed in the opposite direction, toward the groups that were close by. We observed that the team was on guard as we approached the area Diana had indicated to us; they were prepared to attack us as soon as we came within range.
And as they caught a glimpse of my silhouette, they prepared their weapons. But when I got closer to them, they recognized me and uttered,
"Ares?" Ziona and A spoke simultaneously, as it was Team 2, which was Lucas''s team.
When I heard my name, I smiled at both of them, but Lucas gave me an unhappy look, followed by his other team member, who was on the lookout for me.
As I was about to speak, I heard my nameing from a different direction as well.
"Ares!" A blue-haired girl called my name and came over to me while smiling broadly. As she walked toward me, I immediately recognized that it was Livia.
The expressions on her other team members'' faces were the same as Lucas''s, and they didn''t appear overly pleased.
I couldn''t help but chuckle to myself when I saw the expressions on ude and Kevin''s faces. I don''t know how they are still alive despite having stayed close to a ticking time bomb like Livia.
In the novel, Livia even killed all of her teammates which annoyed her and insisted that it was unintentional. However, In the story, ude wasn''t part of her team.
''It appears that my interference altered some of the events that were nned. Not that I care about it, though.'' I thought to myself.
Hearing Diana''s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
"Hello, everybody. I suggest we work together to defeat the A rank monster because, as you are all aware, It is still too much for a single group to defeat it. Of course, the group that deals with the final blow will be awarded the kill." Diana spoke out.
"So you want us to coborate with you guys so you can score a knockout blow once we''re all worn out?" A said in a sarcastic tone.
"You are free to attempt tond a final blow if you so choose, and everyone is encouraged to give it their all. Yay! Let the most powerful team win!" Diana made a sweetment while cheering aloud.
I struggled not tough aloud, but I couldn''t help but smile when I saw A and Diana. The male students all agreed with Diana by nodding their heads as they were bewitched by her beauty, but A, who can spot a scheme, was giving Diana a skeptical look.
''These girls are scary.'' I internally pondered.
The other first-year students who were still alive arrived as Diana and A continued to stare at one another.
After a short period, the discussion came to an end with Diana''s suggestion.
To give everyone a fair opportunity, we agreed to have at least one main attacker from each group. To assist them in fending off the monster''s attack, each group''s main attacker will be apanied by a Guardian. They will be supported from behind by the Rangers and magicians.
Alternatively, if they are dissatisfied, they can create their formations.
The teams that already lost one or two members on the way here, however, will inevitably be at a disadvantage, but they didn''t dare to raise the issue. As they at least have a chance of achieving a final hit, even if just by coincidence.
Furthermore, they are unsure of what these ominous students will do to them if they choose not to participate.
***
It follows that I will be the team''s primary attacker, therefore I decided to let Eric guard Diana and Penelope rather than join me. He can''t possibly defend me from strikes and keep up with my speed.
After giving it some thought, I focused on Lucas and Ziona since they appeared to be their team''s primary attackers and their other team member was guarding A.
Then my attention was drawn to Livia, ude, and, Kevin as the three of them opted to be the main attackers, leaving their only teammate in the rear.
The other group of students also sent their primary dealers; some had one, while others had several.
However, I choose to ignore them because most of them will only serve as distractions and perish even before they have a chance tond a hit on a monster.
***
Ziona soon took the initiative and sprinted for the monster that was not very far from us.
When the monster saw Ziona, it attacked her with its tentacles, but Ziona was quick enough to avoid the blows.
She then turned to attack one of the tentacles that were getting closer to her, but her attack didn''t even scratch the creature and only pushed her backward.
When they observed Ziona battling by herself, Lucas, ude, Kevin, and other students moved in and engaged the tentacles that were approaching them.
I simply waited there for a brief period, observing for a chance to move beyond that bothersome tentacles and attack the creature''s head. But soon I caught Livia staring at me with a smirk as if she understood what I was contemting.
I grinned back at her and decided to make my move as well, When I saw how they were being pushed back, I didn''t think they could even make an opening for me.
The creature was swinging its tentacles at full speed, so I surrounded myself with electricity and ran in its direction while dodging its tentacles.
Numerous guardians attempted to stop the monster''s tentacles from reaching them, but they were all quickly killed by the power of the tentacles.
Diana and Penelope both beganunching their arrows and fireballs respectively in the direction of the attacks that were closing in on me.
For a short while, the fighting went on, but most of the students had already died, and some were worn out.
I didn''t use my full strength, because I wanted to kill him with a single, strong blow when I get the opportunity...
***
While everyone was engaged in a life-or-death struggle, they spotted a studentzily sitting on her throne and simply observing them, as if she were watching some sort of performance.
"...."
However, once they realized who the offending party was, they thought it would be best to just ignore her and allow her to get away with whatever she wanted to do.
It was Livia Frostine who fashioned an ice throne and reclined on it carelessly and casually. She was watching the students fight from a close-up seat as if she were in the front row of a movie theatre.
***
Soon, The tremendous Auras could be seen all across the battlefield, as they all eventually decided to go all out as not much time was left before the end of the training session.
They all assaulted the tentacles at the same moment and when the tentacles were all attacked at once, the majority of them were now cut into pieces by their powerful attacks but were rapidly regenerating.
However, they had ample time to move toward the monster''s head.
So, they all charged toward the monster, with their weapons wrapped in auras.
And it was exactly the moment I was waiting for;
I surrounded myself in electricity, turned to face Eric, and eximed,
"Eric, Now!"
When Eric heard me, he nodded his head and prepared his shield. I rushed over to it and hopped on it.
Eric then pushed me as high as he could in the air with his full strength, and I was sent flying high into the air like I was hopping on a jump pad.
I pulled a bow and arrow out of my inventory and, using my hawkeye skill, I aimed at the creature as I was still in the air.
All of the students who were obstructing my view of the creature were either shot or burned to death by lightning-fast arrows and fire spells.
Of course, Diana and Penelope were responsible for their deaths.
The other students were horrified to see them suffer, but they didn''t want to pass up the opportunity to kill the monster as well, so they chose to ignore them and assault the monster.
However, even before their strikes could reach the monster, The whole ground was frozen, along with half of the monster''s remaining tentacles, and this also restrained all the students who were going tounch their attacks against it.
...
Finally making a move,... it was Livia Frostine.
**************
Chapter 45 Yandere Issues...
The entire ground and the monster''s remaining tentacles were frozen as a result of Livia''s attack, which also restricted all of the students who were about tond their attacks on the monster, including Ziona, Lucas, Kevin, and ude.
Surprisingly, her attack either did not reach me, or... she did not attack me.
But, seeing this as an opportunity, I activated my static electricity skill, covered the entire arrow with the Electric Aura, and fired the arrow at the monster using all of my mana.
SWISH-
The arrow moved quickly toward the monster, and the entire area appeared to be in slow motion. While the bright blue Aura on the arrow drew everyone''s attention,...they all looked at it with puzzled expressions.
As the arrow struck the monster, a massive explosion with a luminous blue glow urred...
BOOOOOM -
As everyone heard the enormous booming sound, they saw the monsters'' various exploded body parts flying all around them, and it was raining in the monster''s blood...
Drip Drip-
The students who were near the monster were now all covered in the monster''s blood.
? The monster blood that was added to the magical space was supposed to get students used to blood, but when they saw this terrifying scene in front of them, they all felt nauseous.
***
When I saw the students'' terrified expressions, I just shook my head and turned towards Livia, as she was the one who had frozen everyone, including her teammates, ude and Kevin, and prevented them from attacking.
As I turned to face her, she was already staring at me with a huge smile on her face.
!?
She could have restrained me as she did with the other students, and killed the monster herself if she had wanted to. But she didn''t take that path and instead allowed me to take the final blow...
It was as if she was gifting me thest hit by preventing everyone.
"...."
''I should have given more thought to my rtionship with her.'' I thought to myself as I noticed her smiling beautifully at me, unaffected by the horrifying scene in front of her...
***
Soon, Everyone was quickly teleported back to the white room, signaling the end of the training ss, while many weak-hearted students remained terrified at what they had just witnessed.
The professor did not wait for them to regain theirposure before announcing the results of thebined training session.
Nheless, the results did not surprise me much.
RANK #1
TEAM 1 ~
ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR
DIANA ELIORA
PENELOPE BENJAMIN
ERIC GUNNER
....
RANK #2
TEAM 3 ~
LIVIA FROSTINE
CLAUDE VALDEMAR
KEVIN CEDRIC
****
....
RANK #3
TEAM 2 ~
LUCAS EUGENE
AYLA EUGENE
ZIONA MADLOCK
****
....
....
"Oh, I forgot to mention that the selection for the uing tournament will also be based on thesebined training results," thezy-ass professor said after announcing the results.
Everyone was stunned when they heard the professor''s deration, but the professor didn''t care and asked them to leave.
"The ss is now over. So you can all go now, shoo shoo." He said, before leaving the training room himself.
!?
I ignored his words and decided to leave while they were all in a daze because I had a lot to think about.
***
Third Person Pov ~
Many students were staring at Ares as he walked away, still amazed at how he pulled off that powerful arrow shot.
"We were all ying right into his hands from the beginning," A said with a bitter smile on her face as she watched Ares leave.
Ziona gave an awkward smile as well when she heard her. While Lucas''s face had be distorted.
***
''Oh, he was so cool while shooting that arrow.'' Livia thought to herself and smiled broadly.
When they saw Livia''s smile, ude and Kevin both frowned. Because they could have ranked first if Livia hadn''t restricted them and not opened the way for Ares'' attack.
They knew that if Livia had chosen to, they could have easily defeated Ares. They remained silent, however, in order not to offend her.
***
"He is attractive, strong, and cunning. We''re like a match made in heaven. Is this what they mean when they say soulmates?" Diana muttered to herself in a hushed tone while in a reverie, with both hands on her blushing cheeks.
While Penelope''s eyes were sparkling and remained centered on Ares''s departing figure.
Eric, who had been watching Diana and Penelope''s expressions, sighed and murmured to himself.
"Lucky Bastard."
***
Ares''s Pov ~
"So you just phoned me for that?" Aegis questioned me while maintaining a stoic expression.
"Yes," I replied, nodding my head in agreement.
"I told you I was leaving for a mission, didn''t I? And here I was thinking something important hade up for you to call me "Aegis expressed her disbelief.
"Well, to me, it''s an urgent matter," I replied.
"...."
"Seriously?" Aegis eximed.
I nodded my head and confirmed.
"Sigh, From what you told me, It''s obvious that she likes you." Aegis sighed before responding to me.
"Hmm, I thought so too, So, what should my next course of action be?" I inquired.
"You have two choices, first to ept her feelings, and second, is to y dense, like a dense protagonist," Aegis said and continued.
"And if you choose the first option, Congrattions! You''re on a Harem route."
"...."
I was speechless for a few moments after hearing herst statement, but I ignored it for now and questioned her.
"What if I choose a different path?"
"Hmm, it''ll do for the time being. But you''ll be in an awkward situationter, because she''ll be jealous if she sees you with another woman, and her obsession with you will only grow over time, and in the best-case scenario... She''ll turn into a Yandere like Mika."
''Best case scenario?'' Hearing her, I thought inwardly and gulped out loud, knowing how insane Livia already is...
"Can''t I just ignore her feelings and be friends?"
Aegis controlled herughter after hearing my question and answered.
"Pfff, you dense motherflocker. You have no idea how crazy girls like that Livia, and Mika can be; she will either kill the other girls who came into contact with you or, in the worst case scenario, she will kill you."
"If she likes me, why would she kill me?" I inquired with a sweating forehead.
"If I can''t get what I want, I won''t let anyone else get it either, that''s what they think," Aegis replied and continued.
"Not every girl is like that though, some girls are sane like me as well, It''s just your bad luck that you came upon two crazy women."
"You''re Sane?" I questioned.
"Ohh, I am the sanest person you will ever meet in this hectic world, alright" Aegis answered.
"Well, What do you think I should do now?" I ignored her previous statement and questioned.
"I rmend you go for a Harem route," Aegis suggested.
"Wait! What do you mean by harem route? It''s only Livia who has feelings for me."
Aegis spoke with an evil grin on her face,
"What! Are you abandoning Mika?"
"She is just an overly obsessed Master, isn''t she?"
Hearing me Aegisughed out loud, herugh continued for a few moments before she spoke.
"You''re clueless, aren''t you? Wow, I''ve met a dense guy in real life as well. I thought they were only found in novels and anime."
"...."
Aegis spoke again, seeing my expressionless face
"Your rtionship with Mika has already reached a point of no return; she is already crazy about you, and I don''t think it''s just because you are her disciple, though she may not realize it for the time being. But when she recognizes her feelings..." She paused after saying that and did not proceed.
I waited for her to continue, but she didn''t say anything else, so I inquired nervously.
"And, what will happen when she recognizes her feelings?"
"Oh, Even I don''t know what she will do." She answered with a puzzled expression.
"But if I choose the first option as you suggested, don''t you think it will be a problem when these two crazy women meet each other?" I said with aplicated expression.
"Yes, It will be a problem, But you have me," she replied.
"Huh?" I eximed.
"I will teach you, how to be a cultured man. And you won''t have any problems even if you add more girls to your harem in the future." Aegis responded.
!?
"I already have my hands full with two crazy women, so I don''t think I will have anyone else," I answered.
Aegis giggled and spoke,
"Yeaaah, right. Guess we will just have to wait and see what the future holds for you."
"You seem quite knowledgeable in this matter, what are you, a love guru?" I inquired.
"I''m just a woman who enjoys watching anime and reading novels; you''ll learn a lot from it. So you should give them a shot as well." Aegis uttered.
"Is that so?" I said this while maintaining a poker face.
"All right, let''s watch a bunch of animes together when I get back from my mission, okay?"
"Sure," I replied casually.
Hearing my response, Aegis smiled happily.
"So, when are you going to save that demon of yours?" Aegis inquired.
"I''ll do it tonight," I said.
"Hmm, be careful."
...
We talked for about an hour until someone summoned Aegis. As a result, we agreed to continue our discussionter.
And it was about time for me to get ready as well and save that demon.
***************
Chapter 46 Saving The Demoness Irethiel
After ending my call with Aegis, I checked my system Quest as it was almost time for me to finish it.
**** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) SAVE THE DEMON IRETHIEL
TIME LIMIT: 8 hours 9 minutes
2) MAKE HER SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO YOU.
REWARD~ ABLE TO USE ONE OF IRTHIEL''S SKILLS.
MISSION FAILURE~ ???
***************
"There are about 8 hours left, huh, well that''s plenty," I grumbled to myself.
The Demoness Irethiel, whom I am attempting to save, is imprisoned in one of the graveyards in the Kingdom of Aloctona.
I thought to myself, left the dorm, and went towards the warp gate which was not far away from the academy.
The sun had already gone down and there weren''t many people near the warp gate, so I showed the person at the reception my special ss badge.
You must disclose your reason for visiting that specific location to use the warp gate, and there are many other verification processes as well so as not to allow criminals or other viins to move around easily.
But S''oreh academy students have a special privilege that allows them to bypass all verification processes.
He respectfully guided me toward the warp gate and asked for the destination I wanted to warp to, as soon as he analyzed my badge.
"To the Kingdom of Aloctona," I said.
He just nodded his head and quickly warped me to my destination.
***
I then arrived in Aloctona''s Kingdom. And wasted no time putting on the assassin-style battle outfit Mika had brought for me. So, to avoid detection, I pulled up my hood, donned a ck mask, and proceeded to a nearby taxi.
There are numerous vehicles avable for quick transportation right in front of the warp gate, but I cannot afford them with my current savings, so I chose the cheapest option, a taxi.
"...."
"Let''s get started right away. There''s no reason to waste time." I grumbled to myself as I climbed into a taxi.
My clothing initially perplexed the taxi driver, but he eventually disregarded it and drove me to the cemetery, where I soon arrived.
After paying, I got out and started walking into the cemetery.
Fortunately, no one was there when I looked around because it was now dark and no one would want to stay out thiste in a cemetery.
I then proceeded to a broken statue deep within the cemetery, whose description I had read in the novel;
The statue appeared to be of a past hero and was located near his tomb, but it had many cracks on it due to poor maintenance.
That was what the novel indicated; I don''t know why a detailed description of it was given at the time I was reading it, but I guess I can''tin now.
I shook my head and emerged from my reverie. I then walked over to the nearby well, where I nced at my reflection and muttered out loud in a runguage.
"In the depths of thy copper well,
When the clock and the mountains collide,
Remove fate''s protective veneer.
By the copper rock''s side"
The well dried up and the underground stairs appeared as soon as I murmured that.
As the person who found out about this was some demon cultist, so, I had no idea what that nonsense I just muttered meant.
After a few seconds of thought and contemtion, I descended the stairs and came to a door.
The door had a double-sided wooden bolt, was made of brass, and had noticeable traces of being broken and shoddily fixed.
I observed a cave-like structure within the entrance when I pushed the door open.
The cave had a smoothly carved natural stone floor and there were streaks of blood beginning from the entryway and continuing across the room, and ending at the wall on my right.
As I moved ahead, I discovered a whole suit of rusted te armor that was nailed to the ceiling with a steel-shafted spear, and the roof was groin-vaulted (semi-circr in both main directions).
And Faded symbols were sketched upon the walls there. Upon inspection, it can be seen that there are symbols of good deities drawn with white paint while the symbols of several demon Lords are drawn in ck.
And the empty exoskeletons of several giant monsters and humans are piled up in a corner of this space.
The air in the room was smoky and the cave smells of Manure.
But a faint breathing sound could be heard if listened to carefully.
As I approached the source of the noise, I came across a demon with both hands bound to the wall by enormous chains, and it appeared like something had been inscribed on the chains.
The demon''s face appeared to be bloodless and her bones were apparent due to her extreme frailty. As soon as she noticed me, she carefully twisted to face me.
She struggled to speak in a demonic tongue, but I was able to understand her because due to my talent for'' Universal Language.''
"...H.u.m.a.n?" she said.
I was perplexed by her state. In the book, her predicament was just briefly acknowledged.
That chain is giving her the energy she desperately needs to survive. The person who tied her did not want her to die quickly.
I have no idea who did this to her, but I do know that she was betrayed by the people of her own kind.
The demon cultist who arrived here in the book also came here to kill her; he might have been following orders from his contracted demon.
I''m not sure what she did to merit this treatment from her kind.
The demon spoke once more as I was thinking.
"W.h.o ar. e y.ou?"
I stopped thinking when I heard her and said,
"I came here to save you," I said.
"Sa.v.e m.e?" she asked, her expression remaining unchanged.
I was annoyed by her slow speech, so I took an advanced healing potion from my inventory and helped her to drink it.
She didn''t seem to be struggling much and drank it without hesitation, as if she had already given up on life, didn''t care even if it was some kind of poison.
"What if it was poison?" I confronted her.
"... You can speak demonnguage?" she asked, pausing for at least a minute after gobbling the potion.
I answered her with a satisfied smile after hearing her somewhat clear voice.
"I believe I can."
"... What do you want from me, human?" she asked with her face solemn.
"I''ll save you, but I need you to sign a contract with me," I said.
"Even if you want to save me, you can''t because the chains that bind me are inscribed with dragonic runes. Only millennia-old dragons couldprehend them." She paused to catch her breath before continuing.
"And I don''t think they''ll ever want to save me; if they found out about me, they''d want to kill me instead."
? I''m not sure what dragons hold against her, but I don''t need them to decipher that rune.
"You don''t have to worry about that; if you make a deal with me, I''ll handle everything," I said and smirked.
"... How arrogant you are for a punny little human," she said, her face twisted.
Seeing her expression, I decided to show her a demonstration and began deciphering the rune, and as I deciphered, cracks appeared on the chain. But I came to a halt in the middle and looked at her.
She was so shocked that her eyes threatened to pop out of her pale face.
"Y-you, W-who are you?" she eximed.
"So, what''s it going to be?" If you refuse, I will simply abandon you, but you will die sooner orter."
I can only tell her this much because I cannot reveal future events.
She remained silent for a long time before speaking.
"How ironic, a human offering a contract to a demon."
After hearing her, my smile got even bigger because all she now needed was a push to ept my offer.
"I will also assist you in regaining your peak power, as well as with your vengeance, ''IRETHIEL''."
She just stared at me, perplexed, after hearing her name and my statement.
''I made her an enticing offer. ''And she''ll undoubtedly fall for it, hook, line, and sinker.'' I thought inwardly and grinned.
"If what you said is true, I''m willing to get into a contract with you. However..., we will enter into a contract with equal terms, and it will only be in effect while we are each receiving what we require from the other." Finally, she gave in.
As soon as I heard her, I grinned and deciphered the runes on the chains holding her, and soon the chains fell apart and crumbled to dust.
Irethiel copsed to her knees as she was stillcking in strength.
***************
Chapter 47 How The Tables Have Turned.
As soon as the chains fell apart and crumbled to dust. Irethiel, still weak fromck of strength, fell to her knees.
I bit my lips until they bled, moved towards her, raised her head from her chin, and bit her lip until it began to bleed as well, and soon we exchanged our blood through a kiss.
We went on for about a minute before I let her go.
"Y-You, w-what was that for?" she questioned.
"Huh? Aren''t this how demons usually sign contracts?" I said.
? "Y-Yeah right, but only subus do!" she said in an irritated voice while covering her mouth with one of her hands.
"Then, how do other demons sign contracts?" I inquired because the ritual I just performed was based on what I had learned while deciphering the ancient rune book back at Roselia''s house.
"We just give them a drop of our blood and cast a ve spell on them," she replied.
"So, why didn''t you stop me? Don''t tell me you enjoyed kissing me?" I smirked as I spoke.
"A-As you already know, I-I don''t have much strength, to even push a punny little human like you," she said in a weak voice.
As soon as I heard her, I took out other advanced healing potions from my inventory and gave them to her.
She quickly devoured them all up after taking them from me. I observed her downing the potions and thought,
"It''s fortunate they don''t consume human food."
*Huff Huff
She took a breather after drinking them, and herplexation began to alter, and her skinny body was no longer discernible.
''A gorgeous demon, she is.'' I thought to myself after seeing her stunning appearance.
Her hair was purple. She had a sinful body, bewitching red eyes, and two horns on the sides of her head.
While her ripped clothing was unable to conceal much of her figure.
After waking up from my trance, I tossed the clothes I had brought for her.
I was staring at her as she hurriedly dressed in front of me before questioning me.
"What?"
"What happened to your height?" I inquired, as she was significantly taller before drinking the potions, but now we were around the same height.
It would have been a problem if the clothing hadn''t had an automatic fitting. I find it to be pretty convenient since they may fit anyone, regardless of height or size.
"I can regain my height as well, but it takes more energy, so I shorten my height instead," she responded.
"Oh, I see-..." But even before I could finish my sentence, she approached me at full speed and attacked me...
***
But, Her hand came to a halt right in front of my throat, as if she was constrained by some power.
"Huh?" She eximed as her hand came to aplete stop and refused to move an inch.
When I saw her attempting to kill me, I burst outughing.
"pftt, Hahahahahhhhaaa...."
Iughed like a lunatic, and myughter echoed throughout the cave.
"What have you done to me?" With a shocked expression, Irethiel eximed.
"Did you seriously think I''d believe in a demon?" I finally stoppedughing and said,
"...."
".Congrattions! as of today, ...you are my ''SLAVE''," I said with a wicked grin on my face.
I already made this decision after much deliberation, because I can''t easily make her swear allegiance to me, and Demons can never be trusted.
Her life is now in my hands; she couldn''t evenmit suicide without my permission. And she had to follow all of mymands, so isn''t this close to or forced to swear allegiance, or is it not? But I still didn''t get any notification from the system about the questpletion...
As I was pondering I heard Irethiels voice,
"S-ve?" Irethiel expressed her disbelief.
"No, no, no it can''t be. I can''t be a human''s ve."
With unexpected insight, she murmured in a low voice.
''What spell, exactly, did he use during the contract?'' She reflected.
Her legs gave out and she copsed to her knees while her eyes became lifeless.
I left her alone for the time being, allowing her to gather her thoughts and ept her fate.
The contract with mutual terms had a significant w that a demon could easily exploit.
I was naive enough before, to believe that I could be on equal footing with a demon.
There was a warning in bold letters in the ancient rune book that I read, that there is NO such contract as equal terms with a demon.
You either be their ve or pawn or... you die.
As I was pondering, Irethiel returned to her senses and scowled at me with hatred.
"Don''t act as though I betrayed you, because you came for my neck as soon as you regained some of your energy. You were the one who attempted to kill me, the one who saved you." I eximed with a broad smile and continued.
"You don''t have a right to y a victim now."
"Y-You''re more of a demon than I am!" she eximed furiously.
"Well, I will take it as apliment," I replied
"You already had everything nned out from the beginning, right?" she asked.
"Yes, I did," I admitted.
"Then why did you bother pleading with me, as you could already force me into signing a contract?" she questioned.
"Because I needed your consent to make you into my ve," I replied.
"But I never gave you my consent, did I?" she inquired.
"No, You did. You epted my offer before I freed you and that kiss you enjoyed, was your consent." I replied with a beautiful smile.
"...."
"B-But I said a contract of equal terms, right?" she said hurriedly.
"Oh, did you? You should have inquired further about the details before epting it... After all, I never agreed to your terms, did I?" I said with a wicked smile and continued.
"It was the kind of wless contract swindle that ismon in the human world. Signing a contract without having read all of its terms and conditions. And as a result, they''ll end themself working as a ve for that guild."
"S-So t-the kiss was analogous to you signing a contract? And you already knew I couldn''t push you away due to myck of strength... So y-you took advantage of the situation andpleted the c-contract? "She inquired.
"A contractee will always be most vulnerable and unconcerned with the process at difficult times," I spoke while grinning at her.
"You are sneakier than a demon, haha. Are you certain that you are not a demon posing as a human?" She said with an uneasy expression and took a breath before resuming.
"I take it then, that everything you had previously promised me was part of your n as well."
"No, what I promised you before is not a lie. I will truly assist you in regaining your peak strength as well as your vengeance." I retorted while staring at her, and she returned my stare.
"You don''t have any reason to assist me right now, do you? Because you already got what you wish for, and I can''t even defy you. So why are you still willing to assist me?" she said, pausing for a moment before proceeding.
"What is your true purpose, human? You already knew where I was detained, and you even know my name, which ought to have been long since forgotten." She finished and awaited my response.
"I can''t say much to you right now,... but my goal in assisting you is to make you stronger so that you can be more useful to me. And as for your vengeance, we humans are already hostile to demons, and I''m going to have to confront them sooner orter."
I responded and proceeded.
"Isn''t that sufficient justification for me to assist you?"
"So, ...what are you going to do now? You can either embrace your fate and take my hand to exact your vengeance with my help, or you can be a resolute demon who spends the rest of her life in denial."
"...."
After I finished speaking, we were both silent for a considerable amount of time. And I didn''t interrupt her while she was thinking.
There was only one option left for her at this point: either she would ept her fate now or she would do it in the future.
After a few moments, she slowly approached me and stood right in front of me, staring into my eyes while I didn''t avert my gaze; her height was now roughly the same as mine.
She instantly went to her knees and said.
"Please, look after me...M-Master!"
Hearing her, and seeing how quickly she changed her attitude and epted her fate, brought a huge grin to my face.
And a sudden notification sound jolted me out of my reverie.
So, I summoned my system and checked the status of my quest.
****** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) SAVE THE DEMON IRETHIEL (COMPLETED)
2) MAKE HER SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO YOU. (COMPLETED)
REWARD~ ABLE TO USE ONE OF IRTHIEL''S SKILLS. (CHECK IRETHIEL SKILLS)
**********
Chapter 48 New Troubles
****** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION*******
QUEST:- COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) SAVE THE DEMON IRETHIEL (COMPLETED)
2) MAKE HER SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO YOU. (COMPLETED)
REWARD~ ABLE TO USE ONE OF IRTHIEL''S SKILLS. (CHECK IRETHIEL SKILLS)
**********
Seeing the system notification about questpletion, a satisfied smile came on my face and I decided to inquire about Irethiels skills after leaving the cave because it smelled like manure here, and I would rather not stay in this ce anymore.
"I will be in your care as well, Irethiel," I replied, and soon started walking away towards the exit, while Irethiel stood up and followed behind me.
As we were leaving, I asked Irethiel about the cave and the faded drawings on the walls.
"Those drawings are from a long time ago when deities and demon lords were at war," she responded.
"And what is that armor on the ceiling that has been pierced by the spear?" So I inquired.
"To be honest, I know nothing about this cave. As it was before I was brought here," she continued with an awkward smile.
I decided not to delve any further into this matter and left the cave through which I had entered.
And as soon as we got out of the cave, Irethiel transformed into... A crow?
And not just any crow, but a purple crow with red eyes.
"¡."
She spoke quickly when she noticed my gaze on her.
"If I stay in this form, it will take less energy."
"But why crow when you can change into a cat, dog, or any other animal?" I was curious.
"... Because I-I like crows," Irethiel admitted quietly.
I''m not sure what to say after hearing that, because everyone has their preferences.
"But don''t talk in your crow form; it looks creepy," I advised.
"How about right now?" she asked telepathically.
"Sure, it''s more convenient this way; can I do the same?" I asked.
"Yes, you can; all you have to do is think of the contents you want to convey to me." And then I can hear you." she informed.
"It''s quite useful." Imunicated telepathically.
"Yeah, it''s pretty useful, because the masters canmunicate with their servants efficiently."
"You''re pretty knowledgeable in this area, aren''t you?" I questioned.
"... Yes, I used to have a lot of human ves," she admitted with an awkward smile.
"Yet you fell for my ruse?" I said with a grin.
"¡."
"I never thought a human child could fool me as well, I just thought you were a naive little kid who didn''t understand how the world works," she answered.
''Who would have thought that you were even more cunning than a demon? '' she reflected inwardly.
"Pfft, you fell for my appearance?" I said sarcastically.
"However, your behavior is nothing like that of a child," she retorted.
Hearing that, I just smiled, and we were soon out of the cemetery. I don''t have enough money to use a warp gate, so I''ll have to find another way to get back to the academy.
It was 4 a.m. and still dark. I called a taxi and waited for it to arrive, but I soon heard Irethiel''s nervous voice.
"M-Master I believe one of the demon lords'' seals has already been released. And they may now pursue me."
"Huh? What makes you think that one of the demon lord''s seals has already been released, and why do you think they''lle after you?" I was shocked by the sudden revtions and confronted her.
As it is true, a demon lord would have sent someone to kill her, but there is still time left for that.
Because the seal of the first demon lord was supposed to be released during my academy''s second semester.
"I can sense their energy in this world and they can sense mine as well, so they wille after me because I know something about... THE SATAN, that I shouldn''t have known," she responded nervously.
"What about Satan?" I inquired.
"Without a doubt, the demon lords will obey Satan''smands to silence me. However, I can''t divulge too much about it because even hearing about it can put you in danger," she stated.
"...."
If the first demon lord has already been released, he may still be weak at the moment, and it may take him some time to regain his strength. I sighed and turned to face Irethiel.
''So she''s a live tracker of some kind, who attracts demon lords?'' I''ll be dragged into her mess, won''t I? Is this why I received a quest so that I could be involved with the demon lords?''
Irethiel spoke again while I was thinking to myself,
"M-master, you''re not that simple either. I''m picking up some unidentified energy from you as well, "she stated.
"Hmm?" I eximed.
"However, I have no idea what that energy is. I''ve never felt such powerful energy from a human before. It''s as if... Something inexplicable is keeping an eye on you," she stated.
Hearing her, I had many perplexed thoughts because I was feeling the same way.
That someone or something is always keeping an eye on me.
The quests I receive are the best evidence of that as I have no idea who is sending them to me. Likewise, the rewards I receive are also not something that can be distributed so easily.
And if I fail toplete the quest, I will be penalized in some way. I''m not sure what punishment I''ll receive, but I know it won''t be anything pleasant.
While I was thinking, the taxi I had called arrived, so I entered it with Irethiel on my shoulder and confirmed my destination.
"To the nearest transportation port."
The taxi driver nodded and began driving.
And I ignored my previous thoughts because I couldn''t do anything about them for now, as I am not strong enough.
So, I decided to inquire about Irethiel''s skills and summoned Irethiels status window.
********** STATUS**********
NAME: IRETHIEL
RACE: DEMONESS (ARCHDEMON)
AGE: ???
TALENT: OMNIARCH, DARK MAGICIAN, NECROMANCER
AFFINITY: DARKNESS
SKILLS: 1) FEAR INDUCEMENT: THE USER CAN INDUCE FEAR IN YOUR OPPONENT.
2) FORCE FIELD PROJECTION: THE USER CAN CREATE A FORCE FIELD AROUND ANYTHING, INCLUDING YOURSELF.
3) SIZE SHIFTING: THE ABILITY TO ALTER THE SIZE OF YOUR BODY.
4) LOCATION SWAPPING: THE USER CAN SWAP LOCATION WITH ANYTHING OR ANYONE AT ANY TIME.
5) PREDATOR INSTINCTS: THE USER CAN POSSESS THE INSTINCTS AKIN TO A PREDATOR.
6) EVIL EYE: THE USER CAN INFLICT HARM ON A PERSON WITH A GAZE.
7) ???
ABILITY: 1) DEMONIC MAGIC: THE ABILITY TO USE DEMONIC MAGIC
2) SUMMONING DEAD: THE ABILITY TO REANIMATE THE DECEASED.
3) ONE-MAN ARMY: THE ABILITY TO FIGHT AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS WITH EASE.
4)SELF-MULTIPLICATION: THE ABILITY TO CREATE MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF YOURSELF AT ONCE.
5)FEED ON LIFE ENERGY: SUSTAINING ONE''S LIFE FORCE OR POWERS BY FEEDING ON SOMEBODY ELSE''S.
6)???
***************
I was taken aback by her status screen, and there are still many skills and abilities that I am unable to view.
"Wait, you''re an Archdemon?" I questioned her through telepathy.
"Yes, I was an Archdemon once. But now I''m reduced to a regr demoness."She spoke up.
*Gulp. Hearing her confirmation, I gulped out loud.
An Archdemon is a high-ranking demon that is only a step away from being a demon lord and they are on par with transcended beings.
"How many skills do you have?" I inquired because, if she was truly an Archdemon, she should have a plethora of skills, but I only see six.
"I had 24 skills when I was an Archdemon, but I can''t use most of them now," she exined.
''So the reason I only see six skills is that she can only use those six skills right now?'' I thought to myself.
Now I get to pick one of her six skills, correct? Which skill should I pick? These descriptions are also rather vague. I''ll have to talk to her about them more before deciding.
When we arrived at the transportation port, I exited the taxi and went inside.
***
"I''m sorry, sir, but we don''t have any transportation to the floating ind right now because they''ve all been reserved in advance." The receptionist stated.
Even my special badge privilege didn''t help much outside of the floating ind. She also stated that the next mode of transportation that I can afford will be avable in 3 days.
The receptionist spoke again as I was deciding what to do.
"However, if you are at least a C-rank adventurer, you can ept a mission issued by a merchant association of protecting the transporting goods, they are being brought to the floating ind."
"The Airship that is transporting the goods will leave in an hour," the receptionist suggested.
Airships are simr to ships in structure, but they fly instead. However, they are slow, and it could take at least two days to reach the floating ind from here.
After some consideration, I epted the mission of protecting these transporting goods using my phone, as it allows me to travel to the floating ind while also earning some money.
It''s like killing two birds with one stone.
***************
Chapter 49 Wait! I Have A Fiancée?
I went toward the Airship after epting the mission, and I soon arrived near it.
As I examined the airship, I noticed how massive it was. It was my first time seeing an airship, and its design did not disappoint me.
The advancing Weatherproof wings were powered by a magical engine that generated explosions.
The force of the explosions is used for elerating. The flowing mana from mana stones is used to power the nar shifting.
Additionally, the ship is made to float by an anti-gravity field, and steering can be aplished automatically as well as manually.
After a brief moment of admiration, I approached the airship.
But one of the airship''s guards stopped me and furrowed his brow, and said,
"What are you looking for, kid? This is not the ce to mess around; go y somewhere else."
The guard appeared to be a typical bouncer who could be found outside any pub.
I kept a tolerant expression as I heard him, while Irethiel, who was sitting on my shoulder in her crow form uttered quietly,
"Don''t be fooled by his appearance."
After overhearing Iretheil, I grinned and showed the guard my adventurer card.
The guard furrowed his brow and carefully examined my adventurer card for a few moments before turning pale.
"A-Rank Adventurer Ares Von Rothstaylor? sponsored by SS-Rank Adventurer M-Mika Amami?" He gulped after speaking and looked at me with trepidation.
I smiled satisfyingly as I noticed his unease.
"P-Please pardon my rude behavior, Prince Ares. I was ignorant enough to not recognize you." He talked while his forehead was dripping with sweat.
"It''s all right," I said innocently.
"T-Thank you for your generosity," He thanked me anxiously, and respectfully guided me inside the airship.
Though my name became well known throughout the continent not long ago, his frightened expression was because he saw Mika''s name, at least I think that''s the case.
And everyone is aware of how violent Mika is; so if he even slightly upset me, she would kill him.
"...."
The other adventurers were perplexed and curious when they saw the guard treat me so respectfully.
I ignored them as the guard directed me to one of the guestrooms.
"You are wee to stay here while we travel to the floating ind, Prince Ares. This is one of the most luxurious rooms on the airship; I hope it suits your taste." The guard stated,
"But I''m on a mission here, shouldn''t I be guarding the goods instead?" I replied.
"I-I''m not brave enough to make you guard these goods, so Prince Ares, please rest here. I''ll go inform my master about your visit." He quickly left after saying that.
I''m not sure what to think about the guard''s behavior, because power is everything in this world. So, I think his trepidation was not exaggerated.
And I can''t say that I dislike this treatment though.
Now that I think about it, they might even let me use the warp gate freely if they saw Mika''s name on my adventurer card, aren''t they?
It might be an abuse of power, but it would save me time, which I could use to train instead.
Well, It''s toote to be upset about the spilled milk. I might as well give it a shot the next time I want to travel.
I came out of my thoughts when Irethiel asked me a question.
"Who exactly is this Mika Amami? The attitude of that guard flipped as soon as he saw her name," she asked.
"She is my Master," I replied.
!?
"Master?" Irethiel eximed.
"I meant to say, she is my teacher." I rified.
''I should change the way I address Mika from now on,'' I reflected inwardly.
"She could be quite strong, right?" she wondered.
"Yeah, she is," I confirmed.
"I want to fight her and see how powerful she is," Irethiel exined.
''Please don''t tell me she''s also a battle maniac.'' I reflected.
And a knock on the door interrupted my conversation with Irethiel.
Knock Knock -
"Hmm?" I turned toward the door and even before I could respond, the door was pushed open, and a girl rushed up to me and hugged me.
!?
"Ares! Ares!" she screamed in my arms.
''What the f*ck is this situation?'' I thought to myself as I pushed her away.
"You could have let me know if you wereing to see me," she said while pouting.
"...."
"Who are you again?" I inquired because I don''t recall her in previous Ares memories.
"H-Huh!" she eximed with a puzzled face.
I just stared at the girl in front of me,
She had a beautiful face, grey hair, grey eyes, and a not-so-well-developed figure which in anime terms we could call her a loli, and she appeared to be around my age.
"Did you truly not recognize me?" She questioned while awkwardly smiling.
"Sorry, but I don''t recognize you, "I admitted honestly.
''Who the hell are you kid,'' I silently wondered.
"W-well it''s been a long time since west met, so it''s understandable that you couldn''t recognize me." She said with a smile that concealed her mncholy.
When I saw her expression, I smiled awkwardly and tried to recall any memories I had of her.
But I couldn''t find any, even though I have a photographic memory.
If I couldn''t recall her, it meant I had never met her, or ...she had changed beyond my recognition.
She introduced herself after seeing my perplexed expression.
"Hello, my name is Silvia Urs, and I am your fiancee," she announced.
"Huh?" I eximed.
!?
As soon as I heard her name, I immediately recognized it from my novel''s knowledge as well as from previous Ares memories.
"Y-You''re Silvia?" I questioned her with suspicion, as I remember that name from previous Ares memories as well.
But the Silvia the previous Ares knew is nothing like the one in front of me.
"Yes, I am Silvia Urs, your fiancee," she answered cheerfully.
Ares''s precious memories of Silvia lead me to believe she had arge build, ck hair, and wasn''t in the best of mental health.
Because Ares possessed a manaless body. Ares'' father decided to marry him off to Silvia, the daughter of the Merchant Association leader, while Silvia was infamous for being a viiness with arge build.
The head of the merchant association happily epted the engagement even though Ares had a manaless body, as Ares was awfully attractive.
But Ares didn''t bother with Silvia, and they didn''t spend much time together either nor did they keep in contact with each other.
But Silvia was very fond of Ares and sees him as her charming prince.
''There is no way this beautiful girl in front of me is ''that'' Silvia, and I recognized her name very well from the novel,'' I reasoned as I examined her from head to toe.
"W-why are you staring at me like that?" she inquired shyly as she became aware of my attention on her.
"Whoa, Master! You even forgot about your fiancee? You are quite exceptional." Irethielmented and continued.
"And I believe you already know ''what'' she is, right?"
"...Yeah," I answered her after a certain pause using telepathy and kept quiet for a moment to gather my thoughts.
"...."
Silvia spoke again while I was speechless for a moment.
"Don''t say you didn''t recognize me. Even though I was somewhat healthy before, and we hadn''t spoken in a long time, you shouldn''t forget about your fiancee."
''Somewhat healthy? You were five times as fat as you are now.'' I reasoned inwardly because I didn''t want to embarrass her.
"I was nning to invite you to mying-of-age ceremony, and our engagement would be announced on the same day," she cheerfully stated.
* Gulp After hearing herst statement, I gulped loudly, knowing that hell would break loose if that happened. I have no idea what Livia will do... No, I have no idea what Livia and Mika will do.
Worst of all, I''m getting involved with this girl in front of me, who is nothing but huge trouble.
Why do I always run into troublesome girls?
Silvia didn''t stop talking and continued bbering while I was thinking to myself, but I didn''t hear her because I couldn''t focus on our conversation anymore...
"So, that''s why I resolved to be someone deserving of you." She finally came to a halt after saying that.
We soon heard an announcement about the takeoff, which jolted me awake.
***************
Chapter 50 My Fiancée Is A Vampire.
Silvia was called upon by one of the guards for some goods-rted problems as soon as we heard the take-off announcement, and she reluctantly went.
"I will be back in a jiffy, so wait a moment for me, Ares," she said and red at Irethiel, who was now in crow form, before leaving.
I let out a big sigh as she walked away.
There were numerous references to Silvia Urs throughout the novel. Precisely because she was a...VAMPIRE!.
"...."
Yes, She is a Vampire, and in the novel, she was one of the members of the organization "SHADOWS."
Along with Helena, she wreaked havoc on the Adventurer association in one of the scenarios. She also went up against Lucas several times and acted as an antagonist.
And that''s not even the worst part; getting involved with her will put me on the radar of churches.
Every Kingdom worships a different Goddess or God, and Churches were built in their honor.
They do not all worship the same God or Goddess. As a result, conflicts between the Churches were not umon.
However, they all have a natural foe that they despise even more than the demons.
And, of course, the one they despise the most is...'' VAMPIRES.''
Because vampires can easily convert humans into their kind and have unnaturally long lifespans.
Even after all of the demon lords had been sealed, the churches were uneasy because vampires roamed freely.
And, frighteningly, they became somewhat immune to their weaknesses over time.
If this continues, the Vampires will be at the top of the Hierarchy, leaving humans and demons in their wake.
However, the vampires have be scarce as a result of being hunted from generation to generation, and they are now keeping a low profile for the time being.
But vampires can turn humans into their kind at any time by luring them with the promise of immortality, but the converted vampires are not strong enough and are known as thin blood.
Most noble vampires, however, prefer not to convert humans, because they despise thin-blood vampires for being weaker.
So, if the Church suspects someone of being a vampire or working with them, they will annihte them mercilessly, whether they are a child or an adult.
She may have no choice but to join the organization because, sooner orter, the church will track her down, and they will pursue her all over the continent.
Irethiel spoke up while I was still thinking.
"She picked up on my presence."
"Yes, She did." I agreed.
Because I saw her ring at Irethiel before she left.
"What do you intend to do with her now? Isn''t she even more trouble than I am?" Irethiel remarked while giggling.
"At least you know you''re a bother," I said, staring at her.
But I couldn''t argue with her because it was true. On one hand, Irethiel is luring the demon lords toward me, and now Silvia is putting me on the Churches'' radar.
''Won''t I now be pursued by both demons and humans?'' I reflected.
"...."
"... Life is hard," I muttered inadvertently.
"It''s always been that way," Irethiel responded.
I have no idea what the future holds for me; as time passes, I seem to be attracting problems like a ma.
After reconsidering, I came to prefer the Yanderes''. At the very least, they will not abandon me in my hour of need, right?
"... I think I''ve lost my mind," I muttered while getting on the bed and closing my eyes.
"What a pitiful guy," Irethiel muttered to herself as she stared at Ares.
***
While I was sleeping, a sharp pain in my neck jolted me awake.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I noticed Silvia on top of me, sucking blood from my neck.
!?
When she noticed my movements, she came to a halt and looked at me, her mouth still stained with my blood.
"Did I wake you up?" she eximed.
I just stared at her with a stoic expression and pushed her away while one of my hands touched my teeth-marked and blood-sttered neck.
"Don''t worry, you won''t turn into a vampire," Silvia said as she felt my re on her.
"...."
I turned toward Irethiel, curious as to what she was doing while my blood was being sucked.
And I noticed her smiling at me. Don''t ask me how I knew the crow was smiling; I just knew she was.
"She''s right, you won''t turn into a Vampire, so don''t worry," she said telepathically.''
''...For now at least,'' she thought inwardly.
After hearing her confirmation, I returned my attention to Silvia, who was cleaning the strain of blood from her mouth with her sleeves when she spoke.
"To be honest, I was concerned about how I would reveal my identity to you. And I was also afraid of what you would do if you found out I was a vampire."
"What if you fear me and reveal my identity to the Church? I kept my distance from you because I had many reservations." She paused for a moment before turning to face Irethiel.
"But, even though I shouldn''t have been happy when I saw a demon next to you, I was. If you could keep a demon beside you, you wouldn''t be afraid of a vampire, would you?" She stated cheerfully.
"... So, what did you do to me just now?" I asked, ignoring herst statement.
"Oh, that? I was attempting to perform a ritual but failed. I believe I should make more preparations for the ritual." She said casually.
"...."
"What kind of ritual was she attempting to perform?" Using telepathy, I questioned Irethiel.
"She was trying to bond with you," Irethiel exined.
"Bond with me?" I inquired.
"How should I put it? It''s as if she was trying to connect with you, like tying a knot in humannguage." Irethiel exined.
Despite my understanding of demonguage, I was still unable to understand most of what she was saying.
"What do you mean by tying a knot, like marriage?" I inquired.
"Yeah, you can put it that way...I guess," she stated and turned her head away.
''She''s terrible at exining things.'' I thought to myself inwardly.
"Howe I didn''t turn into a Vampire after being bitten by one?" I inquired Irethiel.
"Vampires drain a regr human''s blood and rece it with some of their own Vitae or Venom. As a result, humans turn into vampires. If they do not transfer their Vitae or Venom into the humans, they will not be a Vampire." Irethiel exined.
"Yes, She''s right." Silvia nodded and agreed with Irethiel''s exnation.
"Huh?" I was perplexed to hear her because I was telepathically conversing with Irethiel. So she couldn''t possibly hear us.
"I can hear your telepathic conversation with that demon because of my skill." She rified when she noticed my puzzled expression.
"So, what was the point of whatever ritual you were performing?" I inquired.
"Because after bonding with you, only your blood could quench my thirst. But don''t worry, I''ll only be taking a tiny amount of your blood every day." She exined.
"Isn''t that a drawback for you, because you could satisfy your hunger with anyone''s blood if the ritual didn''t exist?" I inquired.
"You''re not exactly wrong, but if I''m bonded to you, I can be satisfied by just a small amount of your blood, otherwise it will take me around 10 blood bags to quench my thirst, and I don''t want to drink anyone else''s blood anymore except yours," she exined.
I turned to face Irethiel, who nodded in agreement.
"Do you believe that demons'' words are more important than mine? This makes me angry." Silvia expressed her dissatisfaction and pouted.
"It''s because she''s my servant, and if something bad happens to me, it will also affect her. So, we''re in the same boat right now." I exined.
"Wow, You made a demon your servant? As one would expect from my prince, "she stated proudly.
"Hey, demon servant, why don''t you show me your true form?" she asked Irethiel.
Hearing her, Irethiel turned to face me, as if seeking my approval, so I nodded.
Irethiel soon returned to her original form, and Silvia''s face distorted as she examined her andpared her body to Irethiel''s.
When Irethiel saw Silvia''s insecurities, a huge grin appeared on her face.
"A-Ares, Vampires be more beautiful as they age, and my body is still developing because I am young." She reasoned quickly.
"..."
''Why are you exining that to me?'' I wondered inwardly.
***************
Chapter 51 News Regarding Mikas Upcoming Battle!
As Silvia and Irethiel argued, I stood there bewildered, still reeling from what had just happened.
Silvia''s grey eyes had turned red, and her ears had be rather pointed, as I examined her again.
Silvia turned to face me when she noticed my stare and spoke quickly.
"D-Did this appearance makes you worried, Ares? When I consume blood, my eyes turn bright crimson." She rified quickly.
"No, I was simply thinking about something else," I exined before continuing.
"If the merchant association''s head is a Vampire, does that mean the entire merchant association is made up of Vampires?" I was curious because I hadn''t read anything about them in the novel.
"Of course, all the merchant association''s higher-ups are vampires," she exined.
''Hmm, they already dominate the economy of the majority of the Kingdoms,'' I reflected thoughtfully.
while I was pondering to myself, Silvia and I both received a notification on our phones at the same moment.
I promptly took out my phone and checked its contents, while Silvia did the same.
As soon as I opened the notification on my phone and read the text, I became baffled.
Silvia hurriedly switched on the television and tuned in to the news.
We were astonished to see a massive arena being constructed, as well as a plethora of protective spells being cast all around it.
While the main headline was...
"The Battle of Two Transcendent Beings,
Mika Amami vs. Tania Elizabeth,"
"...."
I was surprised to hear the news because I hadn''t read anything about their battle in the novel.
And Tania Elizabeth was an essential character in the story, as she would help Lucas'' party eradicate one of the demon lords.
She shouldn''t be taken lightly; instead of using weapons, she fights with her fists, which makes herbat style fairly distinct.
Most importantly, she will be Lucas''s instructor in the future is what matters most. And she''ll teach Lucas her martial arts.
And no matter who wins, none of the two transcendent beings will remain unharmed as a result of thisbat.
To be honest, I''m concerned about Mika as well. I''m not sure if she could win...
As I was thinking to myself, I got a holographic call from Aegis.
"Did you see the news?" she inquired as soon as I picked up her call.
"Of course, I did" I replied.
"Will you be there as well?" she inquired.
"When will it happen again?" I asked.
"It will take ce early tomorrow morning in The Solstice stadium, which is located in the Kingdom of Demetria. But, because we don''t know how much havoc their fight would do, there will be a separate stadium solely for the audience, where their fight will be live televised," She borated.
"Why don''t they just fight it out in a magical space?" I asked.
In addition to ensuring their safety, it will also lessen the harm to the surroundings, which piqued my curiosity, as to why they didn''t select this possibility.
"I don''t believe any magical space can hold theirbined prowess," she remarked.
''Well, she is not wrong there.'' I thought to myself.
"It will be quite dangerous, right?" So I inquired.
"They will undoubtedly suffer serious injuries, and one of them may even die," she said with an uneasy expression.
"How did things get to this point? Wasn''t she supposed to be on a mission?" I inquired.
"I''m not sure where to begin; it all happened on her mission, and even I don''t know much details either; you should ask her the next time you see her."
"... But they were at odds with one other for a long time," she continued with an uneasy smile after a brief pause.
"Everywhere Mika goes, she makes enemies," I sighed and expressed.
"...."
Aegis just kept her awkward smile on because she had nothing to say in response.
"... You''re in for a lot of work now, Aegis," I warned.
"I know, right?" She replied awkwardly.
"Between, how did things go with the demon? Did you save it? "She inquired curiously.
I directed the hologram at Irethiel, who stood beside Silvia and was staring at me.
"Damn, she''s gorgeous," Aegis grumbled as she saw Irethiel.
"...."
And I didn''t know how to respond to her words, for Irethiel''s beauty could enchant even girls.
"Ahem, I mean, did you sign a contract with her?" she inquired after faking her cough.
"Yes, I did," I said
"Of equal terms?" she inquired
"...ve contract," I answered and avoided her gaze.
"What!" she shouted.
"Did you be that demon''s ve? I know she is beautiful, but still-"
I didn''t let her finish and rified.
"It''s the other way around"
"Huh?" she looked puzzled.
"...."
"...."
She just stared at me for a moment, before speaking.
"So, you mean to say...that demon is your ve?"
She curiously inquired.
"Umu," I nodded in agreement.
"You''re quite bold for someone dense," she said.
"Wait, turn the camera again!" She suddenly spoke after realization.
"What is it?" I said and directed the hologram towards Irethiel again.
"Who is that loli beside her?" she inquired.
Silvia, who had been standing beside Irethiel and stared at me the entire time, introduced herself after hearing Aegis.
"Hello, my name is Silvia Urs. I''m Ares'' fiancee."
"...."
Aegis was left speechless for a moment before introducing herself,
"Ahh, I-I am Aegis Winston, Ares''s Sensei!" she said.
"...."
''Sensei? Really?'' I thought inwardly.
"Nice to meet you Aegis," Silvia said with a smile.
"Y-Yeah, nice to meet you as well, Silvia," she replied.
"Ares, might I have a moment with you...alone?" she demanded.
''I knew where this was headed.'' I shook my head and thought to myself.
"Ahem, I''ll be right back," I remarked to Silvia and Irethiel before departing.
And quickly left the room for somewhere deserted.
"Ares, how long has it been since ourst conversation?" When no one was around, Aegis inquired.
"Huh? I''d say about a day." I answered casually.
"No,... It hadn''t even been a day and you already have two new girls? You''re faster than any Harem protagonist I''ve read about in novels or seen in anime." She went on to say.
"And what were you saying before? ''I already have my hands full with two crazy women, I don''t think I will get involved with anyone else''." She tried to imitate me.
"...."
I was rendered dumbfounded because I have no answer to that.
"And how did you turn that demon into your ve?...No! Wait, from when do you have a fiancee?" She questioned curiously.
"...."
Getting hit by her repeated questions I sighed inwardly.
"I don''t know how it happened, but even I wasn''t aware that I was engaged. And I used some cunning methods to make that demon my ve. Is that sufficient justification?" I exined nonchntly.
"That''s obviously not enough information, but you can fill me in on thatter. Let''s get back to the main subject now." She took a brief pause before moving on.
"Do you think Mika has any chance of winning against Tania?" She asked in an anxious voice,
"To bepletely honest with you, even I can''t guarantee that she will win. After all, I''ve never seen Mika use all of her strength." I said honestly Since I''ve read about how resilient Tania is when she bes serious in the story.
However, I didn''t read or witness Mika exercising all of her strength.
"Well, we''ll find out soon enough, won''t we?" I told Aegis.
"Yeah, worrying won''t get us anywhere. And Mika isn''t going to back down now, so all I can do is prepare for whatever circumstance arises." Finally, Aegis calmed down and spoke.
"I''ll do my best to get to the stadium on time as well; though, I was on my way back to the floating ind. Silvia might be able to assist me with this." I said.
"Hmm, Ok. For the time being, I''ll need to make some arrangements, so let''s meet in the stadium." She exined.
"All good, I''ll see you soon," I said as we hung up.
***
I returned to the room Silvia and Irethiel were in after finishing my call with Aegis.
Silvia started speaking as soon as she saw me, even before I had a chance to inquire about my means of transportation to the stadium.
"I made all the necessary arrangements for our trip to the stadium so that we could be there in time before the match begin."
After hearing her, a satisfied smile came to my face.
"Do you intend to apany me?" I inquired.
"Yes, the merchant association is the one making the preparations for the game. I will therefore have to attend as well." she reasoned.
Hearing her, I simply nodded my head in agreement.
***************
Chapter 52 A Fake Prince And A Real Princess.
Silvia directed the pilot tond at the next port, which was still pretty far away, as we couldn''t advance to the Kingdom of Demetria on this airship due to its slow speed.
So, we decided tond at the nearest port and use the warp gate.
Silvia then went to deal with the delivery of goods and assigned one of her most trusted people to transfer the goods to the floating ind.
She''ll also be making some travel arrangements for us. As we will need to travel from the port of the Kingdom of Damatria to the Solstice stadium as well.
So in the meantime, I decided to inquire about Irethiel''s skills.
And time passed as I listened to her nonsensical exnation, and still couldn''t decide which skill to choose.
"...."
After hours of travel, we finally arrived at one of the ports. We arrived prettyte since we had only recently taken off, and of course, because the airship was also quite slow.
Many port executives hurried to greet Silvia as soon as we set anchor at the nearest port.
Silvia, on the other hand, simply ignored them as if they did not exist, and proceeded to the warp gate.
Even though many individuals were waiting in line to use the warp gate.
She simply walked past them and stood directly in front of the gate, while her guards stopped anyone from approaching her.
Silvia then beckoned me to enter the gate.
"...."
I was shocked when I saw her going around as if she own the ce, and no one tried to stop her.
She was treated as if she were a celebrity or a princess, even though she is not, and the irony is that they disregarded me, the true prince.
However, her handling of the situation was very much to my liking, so I overlooked their insolence.
"W-Which location would you like to warp to, Miss Silvia?" The warp gate gatekeeper inquired.
"To the Kingdom of Demetria." She stated.
The gatekeeper simply nodded his head as Silvia and I entered the warp gate, apanied by Irethiel, who was now sitting on my shoulder in her crow form.
***
We arrived at the harbor in the Kingdom of Demetria in no time, and Silvia''s secretary was already waiting for her.
She rushed up to Silvia and greeted her, while Silvia simply nodded.
She then directed us to the vehicle that would take us to the Solstice Stadium.
The Merchant Association owns and operates the Solstice Stadium, which is, one of the continent''srgest stadiums.
It has very substantial security, even whenpared to the Floating Inds, it hosts several games on regr days, and it also has many gambling dens.
The famous games include diator battles, chariot racing, and battle royales, among many others.
It is well-known among the nobility, who cerge wagers and love watching the gory life-and-death battles.
In the story, Lucas also took part in one of the coliseum games, to save one of the ves by fighting as her representative.
And subsequently, that ve joined his party.
As we approached the vehicle that was waiting for her, I came out of my thoughts and scrutinized the vehicle.
The vehicle was a luxurious ck limousine with a ss divider between the driver''s seat and the passengerpartment.
We both entered the limousine, and one of the security guards opened the door for us.
Silvia then indicated that they would follow them in another vehicle. Despite the secretary''s insistence that she had some urgent matters to discuss, she declined, leaving us alone in the car.
The driver, of course, couldn''t see us because of the ss partition.
So, Silvia approached me as the vehicle began to move, sat on myp, crossed her hands across my neck, and asked.
"May I?"
Her audacious approach left me stunned.
"..."
Well, she was upied the entire time and didn''t have time to relieve her thirst, and she was also a big help in getting me to the Kingdom of Demetria.
And since she is also my fiancee, I am not doing anything wrong.
I reasoned with myself and agreed, nodding.
Silvia''s face lit up with a broad smile, exposing her vampire teeth as soon as she got my permission, and she bit my neck.
"Ahk," I groaned in sharp pain.
"...."
While Irethiel who witnessed the whole scene gave me a skeptical look.
"He epted a vampire so easily?" Irethiel thought to herself, seeing how Ares didn''t seem to be bothered by a vampire. Which would make him an adversary of the church.
***
I let her have her fill, while I peered out the limousine window. The Kingdom of Demetria was as dreary as the hours before morning.
The fight might start in a few hours, and if we keep driving at this rate, we might make it to the stadium before it starts.
The fact that we made it here before the battle even began was truly incredible.
Because of how slowly the airship was traveling, I was concerned that we wouldn''t be able to arrive even after the fight ended.
After a few moments, I stopped pondering and checked my status screen to see how far I had progressed.
*****STATUS******
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN
AGE: 15
TALENT:1)INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN, 2)BEGINNER ARCHERY
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT ( Mastery 78% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec )
2. SNAKE STEPS ( Mastery 85% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: A technique helps the users move akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec )
3. ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION ( Mastery 79% ) ( Intermediate Level )
( Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body )
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 91% ) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows the user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
5. STATIC ELECTRICITY (Mastery 78%) ( Beginner Level )
(Info: This can cause a powerful electric current to flow through tools or equipment. Its power is so strong that it requires arge amount of mana)
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2. UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
''My skill masteries are rising quickly, but I still don''t have a good weapon to use.'' I was thinking to myself.
I know a dungeon where Diana could have obtained the legendary bow. But I''m not sure if I should keep it for myself.
But I''m still not strong enough to explore a dungeon with a legendary weapon.
Dungeons are distinct from monster gates, in that they are of two types:
The first type of dungeon is the one that, the great heroes of the past built to pass down their artifacts or their any other techniques. They devised numerous tests, to ensure that only the deserving individual could carry on their legacies.
Even Ivica''s father, The Legendary Man, had built a dungeon to carry down his legacy.
And the next type of dungeon holds the sealed demon lords, which are lost in space and will reappear when the seal is broken.
While I was pondering, the pain in my neck subsided. And When I nced at Silvia, I found that she had stopped sucking my blood and was sleeping.
"...."
I turned to face Irethiel and asked her a question telepathically.
"Do vampires need to sleep?"
"They must, of course, rest. Ancient vampires slept for hundreds of years "She borated.
I was speechless after hearing her vague exnation because I already knew that the ancient vampires sleep for that long merely to pass the time, but they don''t need sleep, because they are known as undead beings for a reason... At least, that''s what I''ve seen in anime and read in books.
''She doesn''t have a knack for exining,'' I thought to myself.
"We don''t need to sleep because we don''t get physically tired quickly, but we do it because we can feel intellectually bored, so the old vampires sleep to pass time. As It takes a lot of energy to stay awake for millennia" Silviamented while still sitting on myp.
"I thought you were sleeping," I said.
"Well, it was rather pleasant in your embrace, so I decided to rx a little," she responded with a smile.
"Do vampires spend their nights in coffins?" I inquired out of curiosity.
Silvia burst outughing when she heard me speak.
"Yeah sure, some ancient vampires go for a long slumber in the coffins, but that''s only because it''s their preference, but we don''t necessarily need to rest in coffins," she stated.
Well, I always wondered about that...
Time went by as we were conversing, and we soon arrived at the stadium.
The sun was rising, and we could see arge crowd gathered around the stadium. And there are also several reporters to be seen.
I looked toward Silvia, curious to see how she would move in the sun.
But I was astonished as I watched her walk nonchntly in the sun.
"...."
She then directly went towards the entrance to prepare our seats in the main arena, where the battle would take ce, rather than the audience arena.
''It must be great to be wealthy'' I thought to myself, glimpsing Silvia.
I shook my head, came out of my thoughts, and then called Aegis, but she didn''t pick up the phone.
So I just left her alone because she appeared to be extremely busy.
***
Silvia quickly arrived and led me to the main stadium, where only executives were permitted. And there was also an emergency team present, so I mighte across Aegis and Mika there. I thought to myself.
***************
Chapter 53 Mika Amami Vs Tania Elizabeth
As we approached the stadium, we were informed that Mika and Tania had yet to arrive. So, till then, Silvia decided to take me on a tour around the stadium.
I was amazed as I toured the stadium with Silvia. The stadium covers more than 50 acres ofnd and has three entryways.
More than 100,000 people can be amodated at the stadium. Its structure eliminates the need for pirs and allows spectators to see the full field from wherever in the stadium.
To protect the fans, many formations and spells could be observed surrounding the stadium.
For this specific match, multiple fire-resistant spells were installed, as well as emergency water spells.
As Mika and Tania are both Fire elemental users.
In fact, Many characters in the novel had the element of fire, including Lucas.
Yes, Lucas''s element is also fire, at least for the time being.
There are, however, several forms of fires, such as Dragon fire, Volcanic fire, Phoenix fire, Hellfire, Blue fire, Holy fire, and so on...
And as a result, their power differs.
Tania employs Phoenix Fire, while Lucas utilizes Holy Fire, which will aid him in effectivelybating demon lords.
Although Lucas stillcks the strength necessary to fully harness his holy fire.
In the future, he will receive training from Tania in her martial arts so that he can fight demon lords as well as receive instructions on how to utilize his holy fire effectively.
***
As I was pondering to myself, we got the information that both Mika and Tania had arrived, and the battle will be beginning soon.
I''d like to meet up with Mika before the match, but Irethiel says it will only distract her.
So I resolved to see her after the battle and headed to the main stadium''s audience section, where the battle would take ce, apanied by Silvia and Irethiel.
In the little time, we waited in the audience stands, we observed the opening of the two opposing entryways.
And we eventually saw Mika and Tania arrive at the stadium.
And as I scrutinized them both I saw,
Mika was dressed in a half-sleeve form-fitting white battle outfit with red stripes on the ends, her hair tied in a bun, and two katanas hung around her waist.
Mika was leaving up to her role as a Sword Empress, as she looked rather lovely in that outfit.
Then I focused my attention on Tania Elizabeth, whose description I had read many times in a story.
Tania was a stunning woman with a lovely face, her long silky sun-colored hair was left down to her waist, and she had glittering golden eyes.
She was dressed in a ck battle suit with grey stripes, which couldn''t hide her well-bnced curvy physique.
She had no weapons on her and was only wearing a thin ck glove on her hands.
***
They were both in the center of the arena, facing each other, a few hundred meters apart. They were too far away for any of the current executives to see with their own eyes, so they focused on a massive holographic screen that broadcasted theirbat.
But I decided to use my Hawkeye skill and watch theirbat with my naked eyes so that I didn''t miss a single bit of it.
The battle between two Transcended beings could be beneficial to me because I could learn something from them. It will also show me how insignificant I am inparison to them.
A beep sound jolted me out of my reverie as it signaled themencement of their battle.
BEEP -
Hearing the sound we focused our attention on Mika and Tania.
***
Mika quietly drew one of her katanas from its sheath, her simple movement emitting a tremendous solid-looking menacing aura that was directed at Tania.
Tania smiled and wrapped both her hands with her fire element, creating a dazzling golden aura pointed toward Mika, which resembled a me.
As their auras met, a tremendous energy was formed, and they both tried their hardest to make the other push back, but it didn''t appear to work because neither of them was intimidated by the auras of the other and were equally matched.
And an amusing sound of a shing aura resounded across the stadium.
They both smirked at each other and continued their aura battle, before their auras wiped each other out with a booming sound.
BOOOOM -
They both charged at each other as soon as their auras were neutralized.
As they got close enough tond an attack, Mika swung her sword horizontally at Tania, while Tania jabbed her fist toward the sword.
As their attacks collided, a massive ground-shaking shockwave was created, and the entire stadium was shaken into dust, with fissures appearing on the ground.
The shock waves even reached us and jolted our feet, as if a natural earthquake had urred.
I quickly regained my bnce and inspected the battle, noticing Mika and Tania pushed back some distance, but only for a moment before they lunged at one other again.
As they collided repeatedly, the energy and shockwave caused the entire stadium''s ground to copse, leaving only deafening booms to be heard.
BOOOOM -
CLASH -
BOOOOM -
No one could keep up with their speed, thus only continuous booming sounds could be heard as they fought at breakneck speed.
On the screen, only debris and smoke can be seen, with just the sparks of collision visible through the smoke.
And unexpectedly, the clouds darkened and rain began to fall.
Drip Drip -
But their battles thundering sounds still continued andsted for a long time before abruptly ceasing.
As I observed Mika and Tania with my skill, I noticed that they were both drenched in rain and covered in blood, with wounds and bruises all over their bodies.
But when Mika unsheathed her second katana, the atmosphere in the stadium immediately altered.
Tania''s eyes, on the other hand, were spewing fire, a fire tattoo emerged on her forehead, and two massive fire wings of a Phoenix materialized on her back.
When I saw them, I knew they''d decided to go all-in with their strength right now.
I read about Tania''s Phoenix wing form in the novel and knew how much havoc she could inflict in that form.
And I saw firsthand how lethal Mika''s two-sword technique is.
"The shit is about to go down" I muttered unknowingly
Silvia who was standing next to me tensed up at my sudden promation and yelled for everyone to evacuate the stadium.
''Oh, I was so concentrated on the fight that I forgot she was there next to me.'' I thought to myself.
''Wait! ''What happened to Irethiel?'' I abruptly realized.
Then I reasoned that she would return regardless, so I let her be.
"...."
Everyone was skeptical after hearing Silvia''s warning, but when they noticed the fluctuations in the surroundings, they decided to follow her advice and escape.
***
Mika crossed her swords on top of each other, both swords now covered in fire, and prepared to unleash her signature technique, which I had already seen her use once and knew how strong it was.
Tania, on the other hand, utilized her wings to fly through the air, raised one of her hands, and created a massive meteoriteposed of fire, which was also one of her signature techniques.
And the rain seemed to have had no effect on their fires.
"...."
"The defensive spells can''t retain so much force," I eximed, and decided to run for my life, but I noticed the executives had already been evacuated after listening to Silvia''s warning.
And only Silvia and I remained in the audience.
Silvia was just watching me in a daze.
So I sprinted as far as I could, dragging Silvia like a potato bag.
And soon, cracks appeared in the defensive spell that had been cast on the stadium.
I used my skill to examine them because I was far enough away from the attack range, and I saw an enormous cross-shaped fire sword sh and a massive meteorite of fire collide.
BOOOOOOOM-
Everyone heard a huge sonic boom and saw the whole stadium engulfed in fire. And smoke covers the stage where both Mika and Tania was.
The defense spells were destroyed.
It was already pouring, and the emergency water spells were automatically performed to put out the consuming fire.
But as I concentrated clearly, I was astounded by what I saw...
!?
Mika was covered in blood and burn marks, her eyes whitened, and she was left unconscious on the ground, whilst Tania, who was also covered in blood but her eyes were still lifting fire, remained conscious.
Their clothes were ragged, frayed, and damaged, barely covering their bodies.
But, when I observed them, I muttered unconsciously.
Mika...lost?
***
The emergency team was hurrying toward Mika and Tania as if to treat them, and I recognized Aegis among them.
When I was still dazed, I saw Tania, her bleeding body drenched in rain, standing in front of unconscious Mika, her fist covered in fire.
When I noticed her, I snapped out of my daze and hurried toward Mika, encircling myself with electricity.
"Something doesn''t feel right about this," I muttered to myself and rushed to them.
Even with my quick speed, it was toote because the distance between us was too vast.
Soon, Tania turned her attack on Mika''s face, and time seemed to halt as I watched the incident unfold in front of me.
And I could hear Aegis''s resounding cry throughout the stadium.
***************
Chapter 54 Skill Location Swap!
Even if I had been moving quickly, it would have been toote because the distance between us was too wide.
Time seemed to stand still as I saw the incident unfold in front of me as Tania turned her attack on Mika''s face.
I mumbled as I gazed at Tania.
"SWAP!"
And in an instant, my location was switched with Tania''s.
Tania''s strike, which was aimed toward Mika''s face, nownded on the ground, creating arge hole with a thud sound.
THUD! -
The skill I just utilized was, of course, Location Swap, which is one of Iretheil''s skills.
I was unsure about which skill to choose until I saw Tania standing right in front of Mika with her fists clenched engulfed with fire.
The system automatically selected the skill, and its details came to mind...
I was perplexed by what had just happened, but I didn''t have time to think about it, so I looked at Tania and used the skill right away.
I then heard Aegis scream, which echoed around the stadium.
As I turned to face her, I found her drenched in rain, closing her weeping eyes with both of her quivering hands; she was still crying, not wanting to watch the gruesome spectacle that would have urred directly in front of her eyes.
But the intense heat jolted me awake, and as I looked toward the source, I spotted Tania approaching me slowly, her fists engulfed in mes.
*Gulp, I gulped out loud, as I don''t know what to do next, as I have no chance of battling her, even in her battered state.
Tania came to a standstill in front of me and stared at me. Her gaze seemed to pierce my skin and see right through to my soul.
And I could feel a scorching sensation all over my body simply by being near her, as the rain evaporated as it approached us.
I clenched my teeth against the burning ache all throughout my body and returned Tania''s stare.
"So you''re that bitch''s pupil?" Tania spoke in amanding tone.
"...."
Hearing her figure of speech, I was taken aback, because the novel''s character Tania would never cuss at anyone.
"Yes!" I came out of my thoughts and answered her firmly, despite the fact that I was still in pain.
"So, you want to stop me from killing her?"
"...Yeah, I can''t let you kill her, not while I''m still alive," I expressed that, as no matter how insane Mika is, she is still my master, and she was also the one who looked after me from the moment I arrived in this world.
I would have been killed by the Shadow organization or someone else if it hadn''t been for her.
And I admit that I am still not strong enough to even protect myself...
"Do you believe you can stop me from killing her?" Tania inquired, smirking.
Tania has the ability to detect lies, therefore there is no use in me trying to bluff in this case.
"No, but I will strive to stop you even if it means losing my life." I dered.
She directed some of her aura onto me as soon as she heard my response, as if to intimidate me.
"Ahk!" I tried to fight back with my own aura, but it didn''tst a second, and I was on one of my knees, my hands on the ground for support.
If it had been an A-Rank adventurer... No, even an S-Rank adventurer, I might have been able to withstand their aura.
However, transcendent beings exist on apletely different level.
"Would you have done the same, if I was in her situation and she tried to kill me?" Tania enquired furiously.
''Of course not, Sherlock; why would I save someone who my master is fighting to death?'' I reasoned internally.
"Yes, even if the situations had been reversed, I would have tried to save you." I dered firmly while gritting my teeth.
Because that was true, I wouldn''t have tried to save them if it had been someone else, but if it had been Tania, I would have stopped Mika from killing her.
As she will be useful in future battles with demon lords.
I may sound spective, but to avoid future problems, you can either make friends with your opponent or kill them.
There is no reason to keep them alive so they cane after you and your loved ones in the future.
That''s what Mika told me... and I totally agree with that.
As I was thinking, I heard Tania''s voice.
"H-Huh?" Tania eximed since she wasn''t anticipating that response from me, which was true, as she didn''t detect any lies from it.
Her intimidating aura was gradually dispersing, so I sighed in relief.
"W-Why would you want to protect me? I''m Your master''s enemy"
Her former threatening manner had disappeared, and a soft aura surrounded her as she inquired.
This was how her real aura should be, as I know she was a very gentle character from the novel.
Mika might have done something evil for her to even ept this duel.
Because Tania''s character was like a goody-two-shoes hero, who would sacrifice herself to save others, and she always has a peaceful and easygoing atmosphere around her.
That''s what I read in the story, which was the pr opposite of the scary women from before.
I came out of my thoughts and answered her.
"Because we can fight the demons together, it will be a huge loss for humanity to lose a strong hero like you."
Tania''s eyes widened, and a small smile erupted on her face when she heard my noble answer, and of course, she didn''t detect any lies from it.
''My answer was to your liking, right?'' I thought to myself after seeing her smile.
''She might detect lies, but she couldn''t read minds. If she could, she would have been shocked by what was going on in my head,'' I thought to myself.
"You''re a fascinating young man. I''m not sure how Mika found a student with such noble beliefs." Tania smiled brightly, and...lost consciousness?
Shended right in my arms... Her injuries were severe, and she had lost a lot of blood, so it''s understandable, I reasoned.
While still holding Tania, I turned toward Mika and noticed that Aegis had already stopped Mika''s bleeding, and also the rest of the medical team was hurrying toward us.
"...."
"When did you stop your crying and reach here?" I confronted Aegis.
"... As soon as her aura vanished," she replied, giving Mika a high-ranking potion. While her eyes remained teary.
"... Did you hear what we were talking about?" I inquired, concerned.
"Oh, about your noble cause?" Aegis responded.
"..."
I''m not sure why, but I felt embarrassed, as Aegis overheard me saying those clich¨¦ anime lines.
Soon after, the other members arrived and pulled Tania from my arms to treat her.
And Tania and Mika were carried on stretchers by the emergency crew.
I closed my eyes and tilted my head toward the sky, while my fingers were fixing my soaked hair; and the rain had seemingly stopped.
Nheless, It was too much drama for me to bear.
I went into my thoughts, but then I heard Aegis, she doesn''t appear to be leaving with Mika.
"T-Thank you, Thank you so much for protecting Mika." She said while wiping her teary eyes.
"Don''t be such a crybaby, she is my master, so of course, I have to do, whatever I can to help her, and she would have done the same for me." I turned toward her and answered with a smile...
I might have said that, But my heart was still pounding heavily as if it were about to burst any moment,
''As I would rather not have someone dear to me die in front of me again, while I could do nothing except watch.''
"Y-Yeah, but still, thank you, Ares, for protecting my only family," she said with a lovely smile.
I was taken aback for a second after witnessing her smile.
"Oh, you''re going to be my brother-inw, right? So you''re also my family," she said with a sudden realization.
"...."
***************
Chapter 55 Looming Difficulties!
After a brief conversation with me, Aegis proceeded to check on Mika''s condition.
Aegis could have treated anyone other than a transcendental being with ease.
As shecks the capability to heal transcendent beings, but her potions can at least treat their minor injuries.
That was also the reason why Mika carried so many Advanced healing potions, which appeared to be a treasure for ordinary people.
After a brief moment of thought, I contacted Silvia to meet me outside the stadium in the cafe since I had something to ask of her.
As Silvia might be dealing with the aftermath of the fight right now, it might take her some time to arrive.
As I was exiting the stadium, Irethiel glided at me in her crow form and quickly questioned me.
"How did you use my skill?" I ignored her query and instead asked her.
"Where have you been all this time?"
"Oh, I was watching their battle from where I could see it clearly," she exined.
"So, what are your thoughts on their fight? Were you as powerful as them when you were at your peak?" I inquired, intrigued.
"Huh! If I had been in my prime, I could have defeated them both at the same time," she dered boldly.
"...."
When I heard her, I gave her a doubtful look. She exined stutteringly after noticing my skeptical expression.
"W-What? I''m not bragging here, but if I hadn''t been deceived, I could have stood on equal footing with the demon lords."
"Sure." As we exited the stadium, I responded casually.
When we arrived at a cafe, I decided to check my status screen to learn about my new skill.
I''m not sure why or how the system chose that skill for me, but I can''tin because it allowed me to save Mika.
"Was it because it detected the scenario and assigned me the appropriate skill?" I grumbled to myself as I looked at my status screen.
*****STATUS******
NAME: ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR (ARES)
RACE: HUMAN AGE: 15 TALENT:1)INTERMEDIATE MAGIC SWORDSMAN, 2)BEGINNER ARCHERY
AFFINITY: ELECTRICITY,....????....
-
SKILLS: 1. FELL CRESCENT (Mastery 78%) (Intermediate Level)
(Info: A high-ss sword charge-type sword skill that delivers a downward blow and covers a distance of 1 meter in 0.8 sec)
2. SNAKE STEPS (Mastery 85%) (Intermediate Level)
(Info: A technique helps the users move akin to a snake with helps to increase the user to cover the distance of 5 meters in 0.5 sec)
3.ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION (Mastery 79%) (Intermediate Level)
(Info: Allows the user to manipte electricity on or near his body)
4. HAWK''S EYE ( Mastery 91% ) (Beginner Level)
(Info: Enhances vision for a certain amount of time and allows the user to see through the opponent''s weaknesses)
5.STATIC ELECTRICITY (Mastery 78%) (Beginner Level)
(Info: This can cause a powerful electric current to flow through tools or equipment. Its power is so strong that it requires arge amount of mana)
6. LOCATION SWAP (Mastery 3%) (Beginner Level)
(Info: The user can distort space to swap one existing subject or object for another. At any time, the user can switch locations with anything or anyone.)
Cooldown: 3 minutes.
-
ABILITY: 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
( Info: Allow the user to recall an image or information with high precision after seeing it only once)
2.UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
( info: Allows the user to speak and understand all thenguages avable in his world and other worlds )
3. ..?????....
************************
"Oh, it has a cooldown as well?" I mumbled.
The skill description is as vague as it can be, with little specifics.
Irethiel inquired as she heard me mumbling to myself.
"Did something happen?"
"It''s about your skill Location Swap," I responded to her.
"Yes, what about it?" She inquired.
"What are its restrictions?" I asked, knowing full well that shecks the ability to exin.
"It''s restrictions?" she asked,
"Umu!" and I nodded in ord.
"It does, however, have various restrictions, such as the fact that you cannot swap with anything of enormous size, you must know the position of the target, and there is also a range limit," she borated.
''... Hmm, after hearing her, I got the gist of it.''
Irethiel spoke again as I was analyzing the facts in my thoughts.
"However, as you grow stronger, the restrictions will be lifted. When I was at my peak, I even swapped ces with a massive meteorite." She raised her head triumphantly and boasted.
"...."
Silvia entered the cafe, approached us, and sat at the table in front of me while I was giving Irethiel a doubtful look.
"Did I make you wait too long? Sorry, I had to cope with the aftermath, and there were reporters as well. Following the fight, the entire continent is in an uproar." Silvia stated.
"It''s fine, I didn''t have to wait long." I smiled at her and continued speaking.
"And what were you saying about the uproar?"
? "Oh, you should see this for yourself," Silvia eximed, pointing to the news on her phone.
I wasn''t surprised to hear the news because it was something I expected.
There were many negative remarks regarding Mika, such as, ''That bitch deserves it,'' ''Served her well,''...
And her global ranking dropped as well.
"But that''s not the most troubling issue," Silvia stated.
"Huh?" I eximed.
"Look at this," she said, pointing to an Inte video clip.
"...."
It was a video of Tania about to kill Mika, but her location was switched with mine in an instant, and she couldn''t hit Mika.
Even if the video was fuzzy and nobody could tell it was me, it would be annoying if someone were to recognize me.
Because technology in this world is so advanced, it''s only a matter of time before they discern it was me.
I wouldn''t have given it much thought before because Mika had my back, but now that she''s injured, it is time for my loving brother and the organization to make their move.
"Things will get more difficult now," I whispered to myself.
Silvia spoke out when she noticed my worried expression.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Ares? You simply need to name it, and I will do all in my power to assist you." She stated firmly.
I smiled when I saw her resolute expression.
''Yeah, I''m no longer alone.'' I was thinking to myself.
I need to prepare for the approaching problems, and it''s also time to take advantage of the protagonist, ''Lucas Eugen.''
His fire will be useful when fighting demon lords, therefore I''ll have to pull him along with me.
Unknowingly, a broad grin came on my face while I was thinking to myself.
''Oh boy! Irethiel swallowed loudly and thought to herself,
''Someone is in big peril, being targeted by this little devil.''
Silvia, on the other hand, had a wide smile on her face, as if she could perceive my scheming.
***
After a brief period of thought, I decided to get to the point of why I called Silvia.
"I need your assistance in rescuing someone from the diator arena." I indicated.
"Huh! You are aware that diators are mostly criminals and ves, correct?" She doubted.
"I know exactly what you mean," I replied with a smile.
Male diators or Female diatrix are professional fighters, who fought and died for the entertainment of their audience.
They were condemned criminals or prisoners of war, set to fight, often to the death, in the dual Arena, andter in the battle royal Arena.
Fallen diators are either put to death by making them fight Monsters above their level or sent to be ves for nobles.
diators, like most ves, were branded with a mark that indicated which noble family they belonged to and to whom they belonged.
Andrge bets are ced on their life-or-death fights.
***
And the diatrix I wished to save, is the same one Lucas rescued in the story.
I assumed I wouldn''t meddle with whatever Lucas did in the story, but now I''m thinking I should form my own squad to cope with any future problems.
She normally wouldn''t have needed Lucas'' assistance, but she was wounded from her previous fight, so the game''smander opted to discard her by sending her into a battle royal game, despite the fact that she was a well-known diatrix among aristocrats.
So Lucas fought as her proxy to save her, in exchange for her joining his party.
Silvia asked me a query as I was thinking to myself.
"So, who is the diator you wished to save?"
After a brief dy, I responded to her.
"...She is well known as ''The Colossal Assassin''."
***************
Chapter 56 Meira, The Dark Elf
"She goes by the nickname colossal Assassin..." I stated.
But her real name is Meira fina... And she''s a dark elf, a lesser-known elf race.
Even though she is far from huge. She was given the nickname "colossal Assassin" because she uses Assassin techniques that allow her to assassinate even gigantic individuals or monsters before they detect her.
As she had aplished it, in one of her earlier battles, which the diators found to be extremely entertaining.
Even worse, it was posted online, gaining her widespread renown and making her the target of bets from aristocrats.
She thus has to engage inbat more frequently as a result of the nobles challenging her with their ownbatants.
"What!" Silvia eximed as I was thinking to myself.
"Is there a problem?" I queried.
"Of course, there is, you know who she is, right? " she reacted.
"A dark elf?" I wondered.
"Yeah, even that, but why do you think she became a diatrix, are you aware of that?" she inquired.
"Is it because she betrayed and murdered her adopted and raising father?" I indicated.
"Of course, you are aware. Even if you save her, what if she betrays you as she did to her father who raised her? In fact, I believe she didn''t want to be saved at all." She inquired, her voice anxious.
What Silvia said was correct, for she did murder her father, who raised her, and she was well-known even among the diators as a result.
However I understand why she did it, as her past is pretty depressing, and even I became emotional while reading it in the novel.
Because the person who adopted her was a human assassin, and he was also the one who assassinated her parents when she was little and brought her in.
She stayed with him for around ten years, and they became quite close, almost like father and daughter, and she learned her assassin techniques from him as well.
As the saying goes, you may tell the greatest lies and wear a brilliant disguise, but you can''t escape the eyes of the one who sees right through you.
So, while investigating the event that urred when she was young, to exact revenge. She eventually discovered the perpetrator of her family''s death.
Her world was turned upside down when she discovered that the person who murdered her prior family was her father, who had adopted her.
She then confronted her adoptive father explicitly, expecting him to protest and tell her that she was wrong.
However, the human assassin admitted his faults and expressed guilt for what he had done.
He did however state that he considers Meira to be his daughter.
But what good is honesty, when everything has already gone wrong?
And as soon as Meira heard him, she took out her dagger and stabbed him in the heart.
And the human didn''t resist and died with a smile on his face, and hisst words to her were an apology for what he had done.
Meira did not flee after killing him, instead crying her heart out while sitting on her knees.
As a result, she was eventually detained by authorities.
***
But her adoptive father was only performing his job as an assassin; the actual perpetrator is the person who hired him to assassinate her family.
And she had no idea about them, although... I do.
I can take that as my opportunity and persuade her to join me.
But then I had another thought; what if I win against her and save her life? And then offer her the vengeance she desperately desires?
What will she do after she has exacted her vengeance and no longer has a goal in life?
The answer is that she will live her new life solely for me, her benefactor because I not only saved her life but also granted her the vengeance she sought.
As I was thinking this, arge grin emerged on my face.
"Are you sure you''re not nning something else?" Silvia inquired.
I ignored her query and spoke.
"Could you please verify it for me and tell me when her next game is?" I inquired.
"¡."
Silvia was silent for a minute as if she understood exactly what I was thinking.
"Don''t tell me you intend to participate in that game as well?" Silvia queried with an uneasy expression.
"Yes, I decided to participate in that game as well; you can make it happen, right?" I replied.
"Yeah, I can do that, but-"
Irethiel cut Silvia''s sentence off before she could finish.
"Don''t bother, he won''t change his mind on something he''s already decided."
"Oh, you''ve gotten to know me rather well in just a few days, haven''t you?" I inquired Irethiel telepathically.
"Yeah, I''ve seen many demons like you before." Irethiel made a remark.
"¡."
I disregarded Irethiel calling me a demon and spoke to Silvia.
"Yeah, she''s right; I''m not going back on this." I approved Irethiel''s statement.
*SIGH
Silvia sighed and responded after hearing me.
"OK, let me see what I can do." She stated it while calling someone on her phone.
After a little period, she hung up the phone and turned to face me.
"She will take part in today''s evening game." She went on to say.
"First and foremost, you are aware of the diatorial games, correct?" She inquired.
"... Yeah, I know, sort of... I guess." I gave a reluctant response and diverted my attention from her.
In regards, I read about it in the novel, but it wasn''t really detailed.
*SIGH
Silvia sighed once again and continued,
"Listen closely, I will exin to you everything you need to know about diatorial games," Silvia stated seriously.
When I saw how serious she was, Irethiel and I focused on her.
"Wait, Irethiel, why are you so interested in this?" I asked Irethiel a telepathic question.
"Oh, because it looks interesting." She responded.
"¡."
Silvia, who could hear our telepathic discussion, shook her head and began exining while I gave Irethiel a doubtful look.
"The diatorial games begin with an elegant parade that includes the participants and is escorted by the games'' sponsor, the chairman.; that is eventually my father, but if my father isn''t avable, it will be a high-rankingmander," Silvia exined before continuing.
"The parade and subsequent events are typically apanied by music, drumming, blowing of the curved horn, and dancers.
It is frequently done to increasebatants'' morale and battle spirit.
Today, however, is an exception, and no parades will be held.
And the morning''s events either begin with battles between famed diators or scheduled conflicts between famous adventurers like this one."
''You don''t have to go into such depth,'' I pondered for a second before shaking my head and deciding to focus on her exnation.
"These would be followed by Monster demonstrations, with trained Monsters performing stunts on some asions.
However, hunts in which increasingly infuriated Monsters were pitted against each other or chased and killed by a diator are moremonly conducted.
Moreover, during the lunch break, criminals who hadmitted particrly heinous crimes, such as murder, arson, treachery, or demon worshipers, are executed.
The public nature of the execution made it both humiliating and unpleasant, and it is designed to serve as a warning to others.
One type of arena execution is damnation with Monsters, in which the condemned were cast into the arena with vicious Monsters or forced to engage in "theatrical" reenactments of ancient tales such as being chained to a bull and ughtered, burned alive, or stoned to death... and whatever else."
Silvia paused for a while after saying that, realizing if the church discovers their vampire identity, they might be treated in the same manner or worse.
She continued aftering out of her thoughts.
"Criminals may also bepelled to fight in the arena with no prior preparation; in such fights, death is a foregone consequence because the victim had to face more opponents until they die, as such criminals are not professional diators."
She then looked me in the eyes, and now got straight to the important point.
"The main event game, a battle royale that is held in a maze, will take ce in the afternoon.
There will be roughly 50 criminals and ves together, and only one will be able toe out alive.
And Meira is also be participating in that game.
So, if you wish to get her, you must both be thest people standing and you will have to defeat her.
As the defeatedbatants'' lives are left to those who defeated them, you can either kill them or spare them." Silvia concluded.
After listening to her thorough exnation, which was the pr opposite of Irethiel, I grasped the gist of it.
"Wow, you humans are nothing short of demons," Irethiel remarked excitedly.
"But aren''t we vampires?" Silvia said to Irethiel with an innocent tone and a sideways inclination of her head.
"Irethiel is correct because diatorial games were invented by humans," I rified to Silvia.
"Huh?"
"...."
"...."
***************
Chapter 57 The Gladiators Battle Ground! (1)
Proceeding with our conversation, I followed Silvia to the arena, where the game would be staged, and she provided me with white assassin-type attire which has ck stripes around the borders, and an ebony color mask to conceal my identity.
She had even prepared a new name for me to use in this match.
The name Silvia chose was "The Prince"...
"...."
Yeah, she didn''t bothering up with a different name for me and just termed me "The Prince."
But I didn''t bother with the alias that she has chosen for me, and instead dressed swiftly in the attire she had brought for me.
However, because it was still time for my match to begin, she gave me a thorough rundown of the entire game.
To put it simply, the stadium will be transformed into a mazebyrinth.
The rectangr, open surface of a stadium was said to be ideal for diatorial battle royals that would morph into a maze.
The stadium has a length-to-width ratio of 3:2, which is not particrly enormous.
To create a mazebyrinth, huge walls were ced all around the stadium, separated by doorways.
The diators must advance through the maze by entering each door until they reach its center, battling each other along the way, and there are even some decoy doors, such doors may contain lethal traps.
As a result, the diators must be cautious of them as well.
The games'' organizers built moveable benches on the upper floors and balconies of the exterior walls, as well as barriers at the ground-level entry points.
As a result, viewers were positioned above the battlefield, andbatant exits were sealed.
And Three enormous holographic screens focusing on a battlefield could be seen in the center.
As a result, thousands of spectators can watch the fights from their seats while rxing.
***
The next point is that we can''t carry our weapons, but weapons can be found randomly throughout the maze.
Their quality will be low, and they may break easily, but there is another option:
Spectators can donate coins to their favoritebatants online with the voting tab which is provided to them, and once thebatants have enough coins, the weapon will be delivered to them with magical flying drones.
There are also square-shaped wooden crates scattered throughout the maze, and after smashing one of them, healing, stamina, or strengthening potions can be found within, although only one can be obtained at random.
***
"You must be cautious of trap doors as well as possible ambushes, Ares. Some diators frequently ambush behind the entrance and kill opponents who enter through it, catching them off guard." Silvia informed me and went on.
"You don''t have to worry about it because I''ll be employing a wallhack," I exined.
"Eh? What exactly is this wall hack?" Is it a skill?" Silvia queried, perplexed.
''Ah, I see, she isn''t quite as knowledgeable about games and anime as Aegis,'' I shook my head, thinking to myself.
"Iretheil will telepathically alert me of traps and ambushes ahead of time. As she will be observing me from the stadium''s roof." I exined and reassured her.
"Isn''t that cheating?" she wonders.
"What kind of cheating are you referring to?" When you''re battling for your life, everything seems fair." I replied to her.
Silvia''s face lit up with delight when she heard my remark. I just smiled at her when I saw her.
"That''s exactly what demons do. They will be unconcerned about anything or anyone and will just worry about their victory." Iretheil made a telepathic remark.
Well, I wouldn''t have used these cheap techniques either, but I''m a rookie to these diatorial games and will bepeting against veterans who know what they''re doing and have survived to this point.
To prevail against them, I must, of course, employ some deception.
What will you do if you know the answers to your exam ahead of time?
Will you reply, "No, that''s cheating; I''ll study and pass on my own," while the rest of the ss cheats?
If you answered yes, congrattions, Christopher Langan!
But I''m not as good as you, so I''m not going to be a jerk who can''t even capitalize on the things that will make his life easier to his advantage.
***
Silvia talked again as I was thinking to myself.
"I know you''re strong, but in this battle, you''re putting your life on the line; it''s not like a magical space where you''ll be fine with just a few shocks."
"You must be prepared to ughter them without hesitation, even if they are criminals and ves; can you kill them without hesitation?" Silvia spoke with trepidation.
"... Yeah, you don''t have to worry about anything," I said with a smile.
As this will be my first time killing someone in real life, rather than in a magical space... But, of course, I''m only referring to this life.
I was thinking to myself when I heard an announcement that jolted me out of my reverie.
"All diatorial battle royal participants, immediately report to the maze gate room."
"That''s my cue, I presume," I said to Silvia, as I heard the announcement.
The maze gate room is exactly what it sounds like. We shall be warped in the maze at random as we enter that gate.
Since the maze is notrge, we are likely to encounter our opponents as soon as we enter it.
Worst of all, we''ll have to fight barehanded as we won''t be able to get weapons as soon as we enter the maze, right?
Of course, if the goddess of luck is on your side, you may be able to obtain the weapon as soon as you enter the maze gate.
I pondered as Silvia and I moved toward the maze gate, while Irethiel went out to find a good ce from which she could see the stadium and my opponents.
Irethiel can be contacted telepathically if she is within 100-150 meters; I didn''t measure the actual distance because I didn''t have much time.
***
Silvia said her goodbyes and left as we approached the maze gate room.
When her Secretary called her since she was still coping with the aftermath from Mika and Tania''s battle.
When I entered the room, I discovered that all of the participants had already arrived.
They appeared doubtful when they saw I was wearing a mask, which they were not.
I ignored them and focused my attention on a girl standing alone in one of the room''s corners.
She was a tanned beauty with elven-like pointed ears, silver eyes, and short shoulder-length silky ck hair.
She was dressed in a ninja-style ck suit that fit her well-bnced physique well.
Indeed, she was the dark elf Meira fina...
Our gazes met as I examined her, and she scowled me down.
But I turned away from her as if nothing had happened.
While the entire room was silent, not a single voice could be heard.
There''s no need to be friendly or on good terms with anyone here because they''re all going to die regardless. So they all basically kept their distance from one another, assessing their strengths.
We immediately heard an exciting voice of amentator, and as we focused on the Screen in the room, we all observed someone with Afro hair wearing a...disco outfit?
Whatever he was wearing, he began grabbing the audience''s attention by creating a buzz while making a small dance move whilementating.
"¡."
"It''s about time, folkssss!!!"
"Who do you believe will win and survive?"
"Huhhhhh!!! Why don''t you guys speak louder so I can hear you?"
He remarked loudly into the microphone, and soon cheers erupted across the stadium.
"Ah-huh! As everyone knows, Miera, the Colossal Assassin, is also taking part in this game, as is Howkins the Warrior!"
"Don''t you want to see them sh?" "Huh, Huh?"
"MEIRA!"
"MEIRA!"
"MEIRA!"
...
"HOWKIN!"
"HOWKIN!"
"HOWKIN!"
¡
"Ohh! Don''t be so prejudiced, because there are many other famousbatantspeting as well!"
"I also heard that our Princess Silvia is having herbatant participate in this game for the first time!!"
"And the name of herbatant is "The Prince!!!"
As he said the alias I was using, there was a lot of apuse.
"SILVIA!"
"SILVIA!"
"SILVIA."
"Of course, they''re rooting for Silvia, not me." I thought to myself.
***
Soon, we were able to observe a countdown on the massive holographic screens.
And one of the guards who had been stationed in front of the mazebyrinth gate from the start spoke out.
"When the countdown reaches "0," you must all jump within the gate willingly, or we shall toss you."
"¡."
"Does it have an underground gate?" I muttered to myself.
As the guard opened the basement door, I noticed a gate simr to warp gates...
"5"
"4"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"0"
The countdown ended while I was thinking, so we all jumped inside the gate in line...
"Let''s fuckinngggggg gooooo" The Afro-hairedmentator screamed into the microphone, indicating the start of the diatorial battle royal!
***************
Chapter 58 The Gladiators Battle Ground! (2)
Gory Warning: This chapter contains scenes involving bloodshed and Violence.
***************
I entered the battlefieldbyrinth as soon as I jumped inside the gate.
And before I could even catch my breath, I heard two thuds,
¡ªThud!
¡ªThud!
As I turned to face the sounds, I discovered that two morebatants hadnded directly alongside me.
We three looked at one another, puzzled as to how the hell this had happened.
Luck didn''t seem to be on our side, as nobody wanted to start a fight as soon as they were on the battlefield, and without a weapon at that.
*Gulp One of the diators gulped loudly, his brow sweaty, while the other hurried in a certain way.
I assumed he was escaping, but when I looked in his direction, I noticed a weapon grounded not far from him.
And before he could grab the weapon, I rushed toward it, encircling myself with electricity, and seized it.
I examined the weapon and discovered it to be a spiked hammer.
Then I turned to confront the man who was ready to pick up the weapon, his body still bowed toward the ground since I had arrived in front of him too quickly for him to realize.
The man slowly raised his eyes, puzzled, and whispered something,
"HELL NO-"
I whacked his head with a spiky hammer before he could finish his sentence.
¡ª Ssh!
His head was smashed, and he died in an instant, his blood dripping from the hammer I was clutching.
¡ª Drip! Drip!
Then I carefully shifted my focus to the other diator, who was so stunned that he fell backward on his buttocks as everything happened in rapid session.
Because everything happened so quickly, he didn''t even have time to flee.
"Please spare me! Please spare me!"
The diator yelled as he noticed my focus on him, and as I moved closer, he dragged himself backward while still on the ground, a horrified expression on his face.
I came to a halt right in front of him, while he begged for his life.
"I-I will do anything, p-please, I-I will be your ve-"
¡ªSsh!
He died in the same manner as the other diator.
I killed them both, in just a few moments as the game begins, And I honestly don''t feel anything even after killing them.
''Does it have anything to do with the fact that they were criminals?'' I tried to excuse myself like I always do.
I''ll have to grow used to killing because I''m not sure what my future holds.
When the timees, I may even have to assassinate Previous Ares''s brother and stepmother, as they areing after my life.
To be honest, I''d rather not be bothered by them, but since they already made the first move, they must bear the consequences.
As I was thinking to myself, I heard the Afromentator''s scream.
"The day''s first kill goes to "The Prince!!!"
Whoah!!
The stadium was filled with loud cheers.
"Prince!"
"Prince!"
''Are you people delighted?'' Is it so entertaining to watch fellows ughter each other like monsters?''
Hearing their enthusiastic apuse for me, I thought to myself...
I then shook my head and proceeded to the door.
"There''s just one left in the door ahead of you," Irethiel informed.
I nodded after hearing her, opened the door, and walked forward.
As I passed through the doorway, I noticed a human...or was it a monster? I''m not sure what he was, but he was about the size of a small little goblin with a human face.
"Is he a hybrid?" I asked Irethiel.
"Yes, He appears to be one," Irethiel replied.
What I saw as I looked at him rendered me stunned.
The tiny creature was repeatedly stabbing the diator, who appeared to be already dead long ago whileughing frantically.
"Hehehehe - hehehe -"
Hisughter resonated in my ears; if an average person had witnessed this, he would have been terrified.
When the goblin-sized creature noticed my presence, he shifted his attention to me. His face was stained with the blood of the diator he just killed.
"Hehe - hehe, one more, one more!" He yelled and dashed away from his position.
¡ªSwish! Swish!
He began running in circles around me, yelling, "Catch me if you can, Catch me if you can."
I simply gave him a nk stare...
And soon he rushed at me at full speed, his speed was not too shabby, and I now understand how this tiny creature murdered that huge-built diator before I arrived here.
If it had been anyone else¡ª
I was interrupted in my thoughts as he charged in front of me with his bloodied dagger as if to attack me.
¡ªSsh!
I mmed the spiky hammer into his gut as he approached me at his quick speed as if convinced I couldn''t keep up with him.
His small corpse was thrown flying at the wall, painting the wall in his blood as he died instantaneously.
So, I was thinking that if it had been someone else, they would have been in big trouble because of his speed.
But that tiny creature was trying topete in speed with me? Seriously?
I may not be the fastest, but I am proud of my speed, and I do not believe that I will be defeated by a tiny creature.
"Whoah!" Cheers could be heard from the audience once more.
"May you rest in peace, little fe!!!" The Afro Commentator made a statement and proimed it.
"The Prince already has "3" kills on his head!!!"
***
"Irethiel, how is the situation around Meira?" I inquired telepathically to Irethiel.
"That dark elf is better than I anticipated; she already killed "2" people, and appears to be fine for the time being, as there isn''t anyone near her who appears to be as strong as her," Irethiel reported.
"Okay, which door should I go through next?" I wondered because there were several doors.
"You should go via the right door, since the left one has a trap with deadly arrows that wille at you as soon as you open it," Irethiel exined.
"Hmm," I responded while nodding and moving toward the right door.
I followed Irethiel''s advice and proceeded without encountering any traps, and ording to Irethiel, the many other diators were already fighting each other not far away from me.
So I decided to proceed toward them, but as I doing so, Irethiel cautioned me of the Archer in the distance who may have been aiming at me.
I utilized my Hawkeye skill to examine the spot Irethiel mentioned.
And sure enough, I found her, and she was waiting for me to get into her assault range.
"It appears that the quality of the arrows is poor, else she would have attacked me by now," I muttered to myself.
The truth is that an arrow bends when it is released, and how it flies is determined by the "stiffness" of the arrow shaft or spine.
An arrow that is too light will bend too much, whereas an arrow that is too heavy will not bend enough.
So, to hit the target urately, you must have well-bnced arrows.
After pondering to myself for a few moments,
I locked my gaze on the woman aiming at me from behind arge boulder three doorways away, the doors appearing to have been left open allowing her to clearly observe her targets.
"SWAP!"
I whispered as I watched her.
***
He couldn''t have spotted me from such a distance away, right? While still aiming at Ares with one eye closed, the woman with the bow rationalized her actions as she felt his gaze.
However, as she was aiming at him, Ares disappeared from her sight, and she soon heard a voiceing from behind her.
"Do you see anyone,dy?"
As she hurriedly turned toward the voice, she became bewildered when she discovered the person she was aiming for standing directly behind her.
"H-How?" She asked, terrified, as she stared at Ares as if seeing her doom.
"I guess you''ll never know," Ares remarked.
¡ªSsh!
She died with a horrified expression on her face, and the spiky mace Ares was clutching appeared to be shattered.
***************
Chapter 59 The Gladiators Battle Ground! (3)
After observing her with my skill Hawkeye, I switched my location with the smashed wooden box behind her.
Which she wasn''t anticipating and caught her off guard, so I was able to strike her effortlessly.
¡ªSsh!
As I struck the spiky hammer into her, her head shattered, leaving a blood smear on my clothes, and she died with a horrified expression on her face.
The spiky hammer I was grasping appeared to have broken in the process as well.
"Ohh, her head was shattered like a watermelon," said thementator.
Loud pping and cheering erupted around the arena.
I grabbed the dead female diator''s bow, ignoring the cheering and thementator''s remarks.
"She barely had three arrows remaining, and the bow''s quality was indeed ruined," I muttered to myself after examining the bow.
But I''ll have to make do for the time being because I believe I''ve already received enough coins to acquire a weapon, right?
''Or! Maybe I''ll have to kill a few more people before I can get a weapon?'' I pushed forward, thinking to myself inwardly.
"I have a free kill for you." Irethiel abruptly stated.
"Huh? "What exactly does that mean?" I was curious.
"Aim your arrow in the anti-clockwise direction from you," Irethiel instructed.
For the time being, I didn''t ask her much and decided to do what she asked of me.
"Here?" I targeted and inquired where she had directed me.
"No, to your left, go on, go on...stop!" I followed her instructions and came to a halt.
"Now shoot your arrow directly at it," Iretheiel instructed.
"¡."
But there was no one there except for the fence.
"Are you serious right now?" You realize this isn''t the time to be joking, right?" I was dissatisfied and rebuked her.
"Ahh, just shoot it, why ask so many questions, I know now isn''t the time for jokes. Why don''t you trust me without any reservations?" Irethiel stated in a frustrated tone.
¡ªSwish!
I fired the arrow she made me point toward, not wanting to hear her nag.
And the arrow struck the wall, but not before a pained voice could be heard.
Thud! ¡ª AHK!
I scrutinized the area after hearing a pained voice and was astounded to see a man with his throat punctured by my arrow nailed to the wall, while his blood was oozing like tap water from his throat.
"Ohhhhh! He was able to see right through the infamous Chameleon''s disguise!!!"
When I heard thementator yell, I snapped out of my concentration and understood that he must be skilled at disguise, and was ambushing and ying the approaching diators by catching them off guard.
"See, am I not correct?" Wasn''t he simply a free kill? Who was waiting for someone to kill him?" Iretheilughed as he stated this.
"¡."
''What exactly does she mean by "free kill?" His camouge was so good that even I couldn''t spot him. If it hadn''t been for her, I''d have fallen for it and be his target,'' I reasoned inwardly.
But, because I didn''t want her to think any higher of herself than she already does, I didn''t correct her.
Then I quickly approached his lifeless body and snatched the weapon he was carrying which was a dagger.
I then proceeded while hearing the cheers of Meira, Howkins, and possibly other diators who were involved in the battles.
After a few moments of continuing forward while ignoring all of the trap doors, Irethiel detected someone and stopped me yet again.
"There is a square-shaped wooden box ahead of you in a door, but-"
Irethiel paused in her speech and burst outughing.
"But then what?" "Complete your sentence before you chuckle," I urged impatiently with an annoyed smile since I didn''t enjoy how she kept me waiting.
"Pfft, but there''s a snake behind that wooden box." She sighed, held back herughter, and said.
A huge grin appeared on my face as I heard her.
"A camper, Eh?" I muttered, pushed forward, and came to a standstill not far from the wooden box.
Then I pulled out my dagger and stared at the square wooden box, as the camper waited for me to approach it.
"Swap!" I mumbled.
My position was quickly swapped with the wooden box, and I was now directly in front of the camper.
"Hmm?" Confounded, the Camper diator eximed.
If it had been an anime, there would have been question marks on top of his head.
"Peek A Boo!" I smiled at him and slit his throat before he could react.
sh! ¡ª
He died with his throat severed and a shocked expression on his face.
"Surprised Motherfu*cker?" Thementator cursed out loud, as he witnessed the scene.
After hearing thementator''s remark, the audience burst outughing and started cheering.
But, catching sight of the perplexed expression on the diator who had just died, Even Irethiel couldn''t stopughing.
"Pfft- hahaha, his face wasical as he gazed at you in surprise," Irethiel added.
I ignored her and took the weapon the camper diator was carrying, which appeared to be a dagger as well.
"It appears that daggers are the mostmon weapon in this game," I spoke to myself.
Then I destroyed the wooden box he was hiding behind and discovered a low-level mana potion within.
"Well, it''s better than nothing," I reasoned.
"Whoa!!!"
As the audience was still ecstatic after watching my swap skill once again.
"You have a really fine skill there, Prince!" Thementator remarked.
I''m making them notice my skill as much as possible so that their focus will be drawn to my alias "Prince" rather than me.
As Silvia stated, anyone would be hesitant to investigate abatant she has brought.
Furthermore, the person in the leaked online video will also be thought to be the Prince, Silvia''s diator.
Though it is not a long-term solution, it will suffice for the time being until I reach the academy, as no one would want to attack me in the academy because they are afraid of Ivica.
Irethiel eximed excitedly while I was considering.
"Yep, she''s got some skills!"
"Are you referring to Meira?" I was curious.
"Let''s goooooooooo!!!" That''s exactly what I was talking about baby!!"
Even before Irethiel could respond, the Afro guy remarked.
And excited chants erupted around the stadium.
"MEIRA!!!"
"MEIRA!!!"
¡ª
"HOWKINS!!!"
"HOWKINS!!!"
"That warrior guy is also not too shabby, neither of them is being pushed back," Irethiel exined.
"Oh, she''s going up against that warrior guy?" I asked Irethiel.
"That''s correct. They both appear to know what they''re doing, but there is a swarm of other diators surrounding them, waiting for one of them to die or be severely injured." Irethiel replied.
"Is that correct? And where are they shing again?" With a mischievous smile, I inquired.
"Hehe, they''re right in the middle," Irethiel eximed as if she understood what I was thinking.
"That appears to be the final main stage, as the walls are closing in on us as well," I muttered as I made my way toward the center.
"Yeah, and there aren''t many people alive," Iretheil said and continued.
"There is a high ground near the center wall''s boundary where you can obtain a good view of them."
"Humm," I nodded as I moved forward, but was abruptly stopped by a beep sound.
- Beep! - Beep!
As I confronted it, I noticed a magical drone materialize behind me out of nowhere, drop a weapon in front of me, and then vanish.
''It could be because I umted enough coins to acquire a weapon.'' I thought to myself and examined the weapon.
And when I saw the weapon provided to me, I couldn''t help but smile.
Though I already have weapons in my inventory that I may use at any point, I don''t want anyone to know about them because they are my biggest trump card.
As the strong enemy lowered his guard after seeing me barehanded and without weapons, suddenly a sword appeared in my hands out of nowhere and pierced his heart.
Though storage rings can perform the same thing, the opponent will be wary after observing them.
I shook my head, broke out of my thoughts, and hung the new weapon I received around my waist.
I was given a katana, which, while not as good as Mika''s but will suffice for the sake of this game.
After getting my weapon, I sprinted toward the center as it was thest stage of the game.
***************
Chapter 60 The Gladiators Battle Ground! (4)
"You can get a nice glimpse of them from a high point near the center wall''s boundary," Irethiel suggested.
I heeded her advice and came to a halt where Irethiel had directed me, and sure enough, I can see Meira and Howkins battling, as well as additionalbatants lurking about them.
As weapons, I still have two arrows, two daggers, and one katana at my disposal.
I took a few moments to scan the area for the remaining diators. And then made my move after a few minutes of observing and strategizing.
I utilized my Hawkeye skill to lock on the targets, andunched the two remaining arrows in two distinct directions while using static electricity continuously in an instant where I noticed the diators lurking around,
And the bow snapped as I feared, but it had already served its purpose.
--Swish! -- Swish!
The blue electric arrows moved toward my diators, who were lurking behind the rocks at a fast pace leaving only the blue electric aura behind.
When the arrows hit the rocks, they blew up generating enormous explosions.
And the diators hiding behind them were also sted into shreds, with their blood and body parts raining down!
They died without knowing what hit them, and they didn''t even have time to scream.
"The Prince is on a bloody rampage!!!"
Wohhhh!!
Woahh!!!
Following thementator''s statements, loud cries and cheers could be heard all around the stadium.
Meira and Howkins, who had been battling nonstop up until now, also came to a halt when they saw the explosion and turned their attention to me.
I sipped the low-rank mana potion while they were staring at me, then spoke with a grin.
"The ytime is over, I suppose."
I unsheathed the katana that was hanging around my waist as soon as I spoke out.
Then, while jumping in the air, I used my skill, static electricity, to generate an Electric Aura surrounding my katana and muttered,
"Fell Crescent."
As soon as I muttered, Several powerful electric auras in the shape of blue crescents surged aggressively toward the center.
--Swish! -- Swish! -- Swish!-- Swish!
The diators who were concentrating on me were shocked to death when they saw the massive attacksing at them; they tried to resist with whatever means they could but-,
Boom! -- Boom! -- Boom! -- Boom!
The attack came from all angles, causing explosions and demolishing the entire ground, leaving only debris and the aftermath electricity.
--Shriek! -- Shriek!
And the arena was now filled with electric sounds.
Many died as a result of their inability to withstand the attack, and those who survived were seriously injured.
"Oh, some are still alive," I said, knowing full well that Meira would not die from that attack alone.
What''s the point of having her on my side if she can''t even withstand these types of attacks?
As I was thinking this, I heard someone coughing due to the smoke caused by my attack.
-- Cough! -- Cough!
Then I noticed silhouettes of two people, and when I examined them, I realized Meira and Howkins were the only ones who could still stand after that attack.
Two other diators appear to be alive as well, but they were unable to stand and were screaming in agony due to their injured limbs and horrible burns.
Their agonizing screams echoed across the arena, so I pulled out two daggers that I got from the diators I had previously killed, and tossed those at them.
--Swish! -- Swish!
--Ahk!
Finally, their shouts were silenced as the daggers soared at them and pierced their throat.
They would have died eventually as a result of blood loss and untreated burns, so I just eased their pain by putting an end to their lives.
"...."
"I have no words! Are you really a youngster? Or were you possessed by the devil?" Irethiel remarked telepathically, observing Ares''ck of mercy for them.
"Oh, that''s not the kind of statement a demon would say," I answered with a grin, my gaze fixed on the two people in front of me.
''This will be fascinating because both of them appear to be formidable. I needed to use all of my strength to see how far I hade,'' I thought to myself.
The smoke in the arena faded quickly, and I noticed Meira and Howkins both ring at me at the same time.
When I saw them, I grinned and motioned for them toe at me; they both stared at each other for a second, then nodded before rushing at me at the same time.
Howkins appears to be wielding a short sword, while Meira wields dual daggers.
As they both arrived in front of me and attacked with their weapons repeatedly, I resisted their assaults with my sword at a rapid pace with a smile on my face.
Their strikes were extremely fast and powerful, but after training with Mika, Helena, and Bianca, it seemed like I was ying a game in easy mode after routinely ying it in hard mode.
-- Tink! -- Tink!
We could hear the sounds of weapons shing and could see sparkles as our weapons impacted at a rapid pace.
I kept repelling both of their strikes at the same time, not giving them the upper hand.
The Howkins guy wasn''t bad either, rushing and trying to find an opening while Meira kept me busy by appearing behind me with her assassin skill.
But, as I had predicted, I was able to deflect her assaults by focusing on her with Hawk''s eyes to ensure that I didn''t miss any of her movements.
If I miss even one of her moves, she will seize the opportunity and kill me instantaneously.
However, the Howkins guy looks to be terrified of cooperating with Meira appropriately, and he also didn''t let his guard down against her, because he is afraid Meira will suddenly point her sword at him.
Because, no matter how well they cooperate, they will eventually have to fight each other, and only one of them will survive this battlefield in the end.
I took advantage of the situation, and when Meira reappeared behind me and attacked me again, I exchanged ces with Howkins...
"Huh?" When Howkins spotted Meira''s de piercing near his heart, he was puzzled as to how he had ended up in this situation, and he began to bleed from the puncture, even throwing up blood from his mouth.
-- Drip! Drip!
Meira was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events as well and realized she had messed up.
As she slowly turned toward me in sudden realization, My knee mmed her face knocking her backward, while her nose started to bleed.
I could have killed her with my sword right then and there if I had wanted to. But I didn''t mean to kill her and only wanted to test how strong she was.
Her head was spinning as she covered her bleeding nose with one of her hands.
She looked at me, perplexed as to why I hadn''t killed her when I could.
As she was still confused, I dashed toward her at full speed and struck her again; she tried to resist my attack, but she couldn''t keep up with my pace.
As my kneended on her face again, she was sent flying and hit the wall.
I pushed towards her and attacked again, fissures appeared on the wall behind her that was blood-sttered, as I continued jabbing her.
I could hear excited cheers from the audience while I was brutally beating her.
As I eventually ceased my strikes, Meira was covered in blood all over her body andying on the ground.
Her eyes were losing consciousness, and she was convinced that I didn''t want to murder her easily, but rather torture her.
Meira clenched her teeth and eventually chose to use her other form, despite the risk that she might forfeit control and lose sight of herself.
But it''s better than dying, right?
"This is it, this is what I''ve been waiting for!" As I watched her transform into her other form, I thought to myself.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around us darkened and powerful breezes began to blow...
As I gazed at her, I noticed Meira giving me a cold re, as if I were a scumbag.
"Whistles ~Whistles ~"
And I could hear Irethiel''s whistling in the background
***************
Chapter 61 Meiras Transformation!
Meira possesses an unknown power, but she would never use it since she would lose control of herself in that form and go insane.
She may not understand what that power is or how she obtained it, but I know exactly where it originates from...
"This is it, this is what I''ve been waiting for!"
I was amused as I saw her transform into her other form.
Her left emotionless eye was covered in a silver aura that resembled fire, a snake like tattoo appeared near her right eye, a whirlpool of silver aura could be seen on her forehead, and a crown of aura arose on top of her head.
Heavy gusts began to blow around us and the surrounding atmosphere altered...
She gave me a cold stare, as if I were a peasant.
And tremendous silver aura rushed at me just from her gaze.
I anchored my katana in front of me and held its hilt with both of my hands, using my aura to make it work as a shield.
Her tremendous aura surged over me like a gust of wind, my hair flying, and I had an ecstatic smile on my face.
After a few seconds, her aura started to diminish, and recognizing this as an opportunity,
I charged at her, surrounding myself in electricity and struck her with my sword, but she effortlessly blocked my strike with her dagger;
she only had one dagger remaining because the other was still impaled into Howkins'' body.
She merely used some of her strength to drive me back, but I continued to rush and attack her continuously, but shefortably dodged every hit.
She can''t stay in that form for much longer, so I''ll just have to bide my time till then.
I didn''t want to give her time to attack, so I kept attacking, knowing that her single attack in that form could be fatal to me.
¡ªTink! ¡ªTink!
The sh between a sword and a dagger raged on for quite some time.
The collision between my sword and Meira''s daggersted quite a while though I was usually on the offensive and Meira was mostly repelling my blows with her dagger.
But Meira abruptly kicked toward me, catching me off guard, and I was hit in the guts while being pushed backward, and blood was spurting from my mouth.
Despite being pushed back by her blow, I used my skill to FellCrescent,and the blue crescent shape aura cruised at her.
¡ªSwish! ¡ª Swish!
But she simply twisted her body left and right as my attacks approach her, blocking all of the blows with a thins breadth.
*Gulp.
I gulped out loud seeing how effortlessly she dodged my attacks.
Her this strength was also one of the reasons I wanted her to join me.
Though she can''t maintain that form for much longer for now, but in the future, she will be able to fully control that power.
As I was pondering, I detected immense energying from Meira''s direction and noticed her dagger was covered in a silver aura, making it look like a sword.
The cracks emerged on the ground as a result of her tremendous aura.
¡ªChaaaa!!!
She shouted and sent a massive, powerful sh coated in her silver aura toward me.
As her sh approached me, it demolished the whole ground and everything in its path, and soon the attack quickly confronted me.
"Oh, sh*t!" I said aloud as I witnessed the strong strike.
***
When Meira finished Ares off with her strong attack, the crowd began to cheer.
They witnessed Ares'' body shattered when the attack hit him, and there was nothing left of him.
***
"That miserable soul can''t even die in peace," Irethiel remarked.
"Well, you got that right, her attack was damn powerful. Your skill is quite handy," Ares responded to Irethiel.
Of course, the one who turned into a dust was some diator who had already died, as I had switched ces with him at the appropriate time.
I sighed and focused on Meira, who had fallen consciousness as soon as she performed that attack; she still needs time to adjust to her new form.
I approached and stood in front of the unconscious Meira, while the crowd was bewildered by the unexpected change of events, believing I had perished.
But here I am, standing alone on the battlefield, still alive.
"Ohh!!! What a game changer, Prince swapped ces with another diator just as the attack approached him.
And Meira appears to have passed out after using that devastating attack!!!"
The scene was shown in slow motion on the massive screens after thementator exined it.
Yayyy!!!
After seeing the scenario on the massive holographic screen, the crowd erupted in loud cheers.
And as they saw me standing in front of Meira, they began chanting.
Kill-!!!
Kill-!!!
Kill-!!!
I pointed my sword at Meira for a split second while everyone concentrated their attention on her, as if they wanted to witness how I would finish her.
Sike!
But then I threw my weapon away, signifying that I would be sparing her.
For a few moments, the audience was perplexed, but then they began booing me since their good time had been ruined.
Boo!!
Boo!!
I just grinned at them when the announcer dered my victory.
"The winner of the diatorial Battle Royal is ''The Prince''!!!"
As soon as he dered me the winner, flowers began to pour down on me, and the guards arrived to remove the dead bodies.
If the guards discover someone still alive, they will kill them.
It was going to be the same for Meira, but Silvia arrived just as my triumph was announced and dered that she would take Meira as her ve.
Obviously, no one can refuse her request because her father owns this ce.
The medical professionals also arrived at Silvia''s request to treat me and Meira.
"Are you in any pain, Ares?" " Silvia inquired, concerned.
"Yeah, I''m alright, just some minor injuries," I reassured her while smiling.
"I was absolutely terrified when I saw that diator dissolving into dust from that Meira''sst attack; for a split second, I thought it was you who d-died," Silvia said, her eyes welling up.
"I''m fine, aren''t I? And I apologize for causing you to be concerned." I calmed her with a head pat.
Silvia eventually calmed down after a few moments.
I then made a remark while drinking the health potion given to me by the medical staff.
"Treat that bastard too," I added, pointing to one of the bodies.
!?
My statement baffled Silvia and other medical staff members, so I rified.
"You have the option of waking up right now, or I will change my mind and kill you myself."
Cough! - Cough!
After hearing my warning, the individual sat down and coughed.
"When did you realize?" the guy questioned.
To be honest, I assumed that guy had died a long time ago as well, until Irethiel informed me otherwise.
"Do you think you can deceive me?" I said shamelessly.
"S-So you''re going to spare me as well?" Howkins enquired.
Yes, it was that Howkins guy, who I assumed died when his heart was stabbed.
But guess what, he was still alive; I was so preupied with my confrontation with Meira that I failed to confirm his death.
The dagger appeared to missed his heart and his shoulder was stabbed instead, and he appears to have some expertise that enabled him to evade the blow striking his crucial ce.
And Irethiel also imed that while I was fighting Meira, he even drank a healing potion and stopped his bleeding while hiding between the dead diators.
"...."
The crafty bastard was pretending to be dead, and was having a good time watching me and Meira fight so fiercely.
I''m not sure how he believed he could trick the guards when they arrived to kill the ones who were still alive.
"Does he have a skill for pretending to be dead or something?" " I reasoned to myself.
"He was preparing to sneak attack the one who survived between Meira and you after your fight ended, but he was also injured by Meira''sst assault," Irethiel exined telepathically.
"I didn''t even notice when he moved away from where we were battling." I stated.
"He drenched himself in the blood of dead diators andy by them as though dead.
So, of course, you wouldn''t notice him." Irethiel respondend.
"With so many cameras here, how did he manage to avoid them?" I was curious.
Silvia, who was secretly listening in on our telepathic conversation, spoke out.
"Perhaps because the stadium was covered in rubble and smoke? And why would cameras focus on someone who is no longer alive? " Silvia borated.
''She is sneaking in on my conversation with Irethiel yet again.''
As I was pondering, Silvia spoke again.
"So, what do you want me to do with this cunning bastard who was intending on hurting you Ares?"
"Do you want me to kill him in the most cruel way possible?"
"Or maybe we can torture him in the stadium''s underground jail." Silvia stated with a wicked grin on her face.
"...."
''Oh boy, she is crazy as well.'' I though to myself.
"Oh, she''s insane just like you." Irethiel stated while giggling, after seeing Silvia''s expression.
**************
Chapter 62 Three Obedient Slaves!
Following the diatorial battleground, many reporters surrounded Silvia for the interview, but Silvia, who is used to dealing with such situations, made a way for us easily.
And soon after, we arrived at the hospital, which is also owned by the merchant association; the hospital was only a block away from the stadium, and Meira''s injuries were been healed there.
"I understand why you wanted to spare Meira, but what''s the deal with that guy?" Silvia asked me a question while pointing her index finger toward a person with a distorted expression.
"Well, I think he''ll be useful as well," I replied, looking at the person Silvia had pointed out.
The man has red hair, ck eyes, an unshaven beard, and a well-built body.
Yeah, It was that ''Warrior Howkins guy.
"Sure, go ahead and do whatever you want. I''ll go arrange the ve transfer scrolls until then" Silvia stated and phoned someone.
"Do we really have to make them ves¡ª" but even before I finish, Silvia cut my sentence short and spoke.
"That''s not going to happen! Because they are both people who have betrayed those who have fed them. And I won''t let them be near you unless they sign the ve contract "Silvia stated firmly, as if she didn''t want to hear the word "No."
"Huh? Has this scoundrel betrayed anyone else before?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on Howkins.
As Howkins felt my stare, he diverted his gaze, tilted his head sideways, and began whistling.
"This Bastard!" When I saw his demeanor, I cursed him inwardly, and veins on my forehead erupted in annoyance, I was already regretting sparing his life.
"Why don''t you question him about it yourself? I''ll have to go and prepare the ve scrolls myself until then," Silvia said as she hurriedly left.
Despite being overburdened by dealing with the aftermath of Mika and Tania''s battle, shewas still determined to assist me happily in any way she could.
Seeing her departing figure, a small smile erupted on my face.
I shook my head, got out of my thoughts, and inquired of Howkins.
"Why don''t you exin to me how you ended up bing a diator?"
"I have no regrets about anything I did, and I believe what I did was the only right thing to do." He said, before beginning his exnation...
And he went on for quite a bit with his tales...
To summarise what he told me, Howkins was previously a knight, was married, and had a two-year-old daughter.
However, when the Noble lord he served attempted to seduce his wife, he killed him by chopping him into pieces.
And that is how he ended up bing a diator. Of course, he said many more things, but I ignored the little details.
"What happened to your wife and daughter now?" I asked.
"I''m not sure what happened to them because they weren''t permitted to meet me since I had be a diator, and I don''t think they even know if I''m still alive or not," Howkins said dejectedly.
"Because you were a well-known diator, your family may have heard about you as well, or your wife may also have seen some of your battles on the inte." I attempted to reassure him.
But the fact is, if I were in his situation, I would have done the same... No, I would have wiped out that noble bastard''s entire family lineage.
I may appear ridiculous right now, but before I met "Her" I was a crazy bastard.
In my previous life, I was as well quite attractive and dated numerous women, but they all left me as soon as they discovered my true nature, except for one who stuck with me till the end and eventually died for me.
Simply put, I was not the strongest, but I was described as a cunning, maniptive, and possessive bastard.
...And I am not as stupid as Aegis portrays me; I knew Livia liked me from the moment she kissed me and by observing her behavior toward me.
But I couldn''t understand why she liked me, because no one in their right mind would love someone who had just beaten the crap out of them the day before, right? Or, Is she an M?
"...."
The day Aegis confirmed that she is nothing more than a Crazy Yandere girl... I didn''t know what to say, as I have never met a yandere girl before and only readabout them in the novels, so I still don''t know how to deal with them.
And I knew Mika was crazy, but I used to think Mika was merely a crazy overprotective master and not the way Aegis described her feelings.
But now that as well I''ve met Silvia, who is also insane in her own way...
I had a feeling that something is wrong with this world,...or am I the only one that encounters insane people just like me?
Ding!-
As I was pondering, a quick shback to my previous crazy self emerged in my head before abruptly fading away.
Ding!-
Because the unexpected notification sounds jolted me awake.
Ding!-
I exhaled and tried to rx.
Ding!-
But the constant notification noises irritated me, so I summoned the system to find out what was going on.
And then I observed something strange...
*****SYSTEM UPDATE AVAILABLE******
DO YOU WISH TO UPDATE THE SYSTEM: Y/N
of course, I chose yes.
And soon after that, it changed to,
SYSTEM UPDATING PLEASE WAIT PATIENTLY...
I''m not sure what this is because I''ve never heard of any system changes before.
Simrly, I''m not sure what new functionality will be avable after the update.
''Well, I guess I''ll just have to wait until it''s updated,'' I reasoned.
Silvia arrived in front of me as I was thinking to myself, I didn''t notice her presence since I was lost in my thoughts.
She then handed the ve scroll to Howkins, who signed it without a singleint, because Silvia didn''t give him much of a choice.
"You either sign the ve contract or I''m going to kill you, right here, right now," Silvia stated as much.
"It may not be so easy to get Meira to sign the ve contract, as she may want to die rather than be your ve,...as how you beat her to a pulp,"
Silvia abruptly ceased after saying much, but she was determined to finish off Meira if she declined my offer.
And I won''t be able to do anything as well if she chooses to die instead.
***
"I ept," Meira said instantly, even before I finished exining.
"...."
"...."
Howkins and Silvia were both taken aback by how effortlessly she epted my offer.
"If what you promised me is true, and since you already know about my past, which only I know, I am assuming what you stated is true."
"Of course, everything I said is urate," I said, smiling.
"Even if you''re a devil who enjoys torturing girls, I''ll take your offer," Meira said and epted my offer.
Although I''m not sure why, but I believe she misinterpreted something and believes that I have some strange fetishes.
"...."
"Pftt- hahaha" and Irethiel abruptly startedughing.
I ignored Irethiel''sughter, and Meira quickly signed the ve contract as well.
And with this, I obtained three devoted ves.Unbeknownst to me, I had arge grin on my face.
"I''m still curious, how she epted your offer so easily," Irethiel inquired telepathically once she had finally stoppedughing.
"Actually, it wasn''t a big deal. It is extremely simple to control a people''s emotions when they are unable to achieve something on their own, and ultimately when they find someone throwing them a rope, no matter how small the rope is, they will want to hold it and believe that it is theirst hope." I exined.
"Yep, another one bites the dust." Irethiel made a remark after hearing Ares''s cunning statement.
"You''ll have to work harder from now on, Irethiel; you''ve gotpany. If you don''t work hard, they might rece you as my top ve "I remarked sarcastically.
"...."
"Don''tpare me to those halfwits, they''re at least a thousand years younger to bepared to me, and I''ll always be your top ve-" she halted and spoke stutteringly at a startling realization.
"W-Wait! W-What makes you think I''d want to be your top ve?"
Hearing Irethiel''s perplexed voice, I suppressed my chuckle.
''Poor Irethiel, you''ll learn to embrace your new reality soon,'' I thought to myself inwardly.
***************
Chapter 63 The Chosen Ones!
After signing the contracts, we parted ways with Howkins and Meira to allow them to get healed and were on our way to see Mika.
"You still have to be careful with that Meira girl Ares, I sensed some unusual energy from her during yourbat with her," Silvia informed me, but she abruptly paused to attend to her secretary, who had just arrived to discuss some paperwork.
Irethiel spoke telepathically after hearing Silvia.
"I think I don''t need to exin where her other formes from, right?"
"Of course, I know what that form was and where it came from," I told Irethiel.
Meira''s transformation was simr to Tania''s Pheonix form, as they are both ''The Chosen Ones.''
The chosen ones are those who have been chosen by the constetions and can employ some of their powers.
However, employing constetion abilities is not as simple as it sounds, because the said person must firstpletelyprehend their constetion powers in order to use them appropriately.
Otherwise, they will lose control of themselves and, in the worst-case scenario, may even go insane.
But if they canprehend the power bestowed upon them, I won''t have to describe how powerful they will be.
For instance, Tania and Mika were evenly matched at the outset of their battle, but Tania was able to overpower Mika by activating her Pheonix Transformation, which she achieved by using her constetion power.
But even Tania, an SS-Rank adventurer, is unable topletelyprehend her powers.
It was also the cause of Tania''s losing control, which led to her almost killing Mika despite her seeming victory.
Nevertheless, she managed to quickly regain herposure while interacting with me.
But if Tania, who is already powerful, couldprehend and use her entire power...she might be powerful enough and even surpass the Ascended beings.
However, the chosen ones are scarce, and not many people are aware of them, at least for the time being.
Of course, I''ll be encountering many of them in the near future.
And the only chosen ones I''ve met so far are Ivica Livingstone, Tania Elizabeth, and Meira fina.
Hence despite being an Ascended being, Mika who is not ''The Chosen One'' was overwhelmed by Tania''sst attack.
And the power difference between her and Tania will only widen over time.
So, I don''t see Mika oveing Tania anytime soon in order to retaliate against her.
But it will be a different story if she bes the chosen one, as Tania is, which I''m not sure is feasible because I have never read about Mika bing a Chosen one in the novel.
And knowing Mika''s personality, I don''t think she will give up until she defeats Tania.
"...."
''What a dilemma!'' I really feel bad for Her.
But the future may alter as well, so I can only hope for the best for her.
Nevertheless, I secured a Chosen One to serve as my ve and I''m not sure what Meira''s constetion thinks of her current circumstances.
I grinned as I thought that, but I quickly shook my head and stopped thinking about it because I already have my hands full dealing with demon lords and churches, and I don''t want to end up being a constetion''s enemy-,
"Oh well, I suppose it''s already toote to worry about that, as I already challenged them by making their avatar, my ve," I muttered aloud.
"...."
"Huh? Are you thinking about that right now? knowing how cunning you are, I thought you already nned to bottle her Constetion into your schemes as well," Irethiel remarked telepathically.
"Well, I have some ns for that as well. Instead of squandering her life in the diatorial games, I offered Meira a chance to spend her life appropriately, and I am even assisting her in gaining her Vengeance," I said and paused my exnation.
"So, where are you getting with this? You assisting her is one thing; making her your ve is quite another." Irethiel questioned as she still couldn''t understand what Ares was thinking.
"Oh, I mistook you for an observant demon, guess I was incorrect Huh,"
"Hmm?" Irethiel expressed himself in a perplexed tone.
"Didn''t you notice the snake tattoo near her right eye that emerged during her transformation?" I added.
"Huh! what about it-
she paused in mid-sentence with a sh of insight,
Don''t tell me you want to perhaps be a serpent bearer," Irethiel stated.
"...."
I''m not sure what she meant, but I disregarded her as I can''t exin her in detail, and I don''t think Meira''s constetion can harm me for the time being because I already signed the ve contract with Meira.
Silvia concluded her talk with her secretary and approached me as I was thinking to myself.
And I told her about Howkins'' family situation and asked her to take care of it.
"All right, I''ll take care of it," she agreed, looking at her secretary, who nodded and began scanning her phone for the information.
"So, Ares, what are you going to do with him?" Silvia inquired.
"I intend to make him an adventurer, and he will form his own party of high-ranking adventurers; perhaps we can employ them in the future?" I replied.
"If that''s what you want, don''t worry, I''ll sponsor him and his future party," Silvia remarked with a smile.
"I appreciate it," I said, smiling back.
"So then, what are you going to do with that Meira?" Silvia was curious.
"She already has something to do for the time being, and after she finishes her job, I decided to make her into my personal maid," I stated and Silvia just nodded her head unbothered.
Because, as soon as Meira is released from the hospital, she will embark on a path of vengeance, and I have no intention of assisting her, nor do I believe she will appreciate my assistance as she will want to take care of it herself.
I''ll merely send her in the direction of where she can find the culprit of her family''s murder because I can''t provide her specific details due to my limitations.
So, I''ll just be pointing the way for her, and I don''t care even if she ends up massacring the entiremunity to get the murder suspect.
"You want to turn a chosen one into your maid?" Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"Don''t you think it''s preferable to be my maid instead of a ve? Would you also like to serve as my maid?" I spoke out excitedly.
"...."
"I''ll have to at least admit that you have a lot of courage, having connections to a vampire, a demon, and now a chosen person.
Do you have the balls of steel? Where are you getting your confidence from, anyway? You''re still not strong enough to handle all of these problems.
And don''t expect your schemes to always work; there are many people as cunning as you in this world, and when you fight them, your schemes won''t work as well, and only your strength will matter." Irethiel issued a warning hearing my arrogant response.
***
Having heard Irethiel and Ares''s telepathic conversation, Silvia had an awkward smile on her face as well, because she finds Irethiel''s words to be urate.
She couldn''t deny that Ares epting her despite knowing she was a vampire made her happy, but Ares is still not strong enough to deal with all of these challenges and hearing their conversation she just understood that Meira is a chosen one.
So she was anxious about how Ares would handle all of these challenges, But as she looked worriedly at Ares, she noticed his unfazed attitude, as if he could handle any crisis that arose.
''Ahh, as expected of my prince, he will stand bravely against them even if the entire world is against him.'' she thought to herself in reverie.
It''s as if he''s surrounded by adversaries and still continues to stand alone and fearlessly in between them...
she started to fantasize about Ares''s fearless gaze in this whole situation, but Ares next statement jolted her awake.
"Well, what''s the worst that could happen? I shall either die in the process or, if I survive, I will be even stronger than before, and by the way, I am not alone in this; you are also involved in this with me." Ares stated telepathically to Irethiel.
"...."
After hearing Ares, Irethiel was dumbfounded, while Silvia who sneakily heard their conversation firmly dered,
"No matter what the future brings for you, Ares, I will always be by your side."
A broad smile appeared on Ares'' face as he heard Silvia''s firm response.
"Yeah, I still have some insane people who will stand by me in any situation," he admits.
Ares snapped out of his thoughts, as they approached the facility where Mika is being healed.
***************
Chapter 64 Silvias Encounter With Helena.
I was greeted by Aegis and Helena as soon as I reached the room where Mika was being held.
Helena seemed to have just arrived as well, and as they both spotted my entrance, Helena said,
"Oh, you are here too? Did Mika know you were also present to witness her match?" Helena was curious.
"No, Mika had no idea Ares wasing to attend her battle; I didn''t inform her since I felt Ares wanted to surprise her," Aegis exined with an uneasy smile.
"Yeah, I was intending toe to visit her after her match, so as not to distract her before the match begins," I remarked as I sat on one of the sofas, Silvia following me and sitting alongside me.
As I sat down, I examined the room; the room was exceedingly luxurious, with every necessity avable, and it does not appear to be a hospital room, but rather a five-star hotel room, and there were two more rooms connected, so it appears Mika is resting in one of them.
"Oh, it''s a good thing she didn''t know you were here, or she would have died of humiliation instead of beingatose," Helena remarked.
"When you say ''instead ofatose,'' what do you imply?" I turned to face Aegis, ignoring Helena''s sarcastic remark.
"Well, as she mentioned, Mika is in a vegetative state and it may take some time for her to wake up; her injuries are fully healed, but her defeat seems to impact her psychologically," Aegis exined.
"It was her first defeat since bing an Ascended entity, so I imagine she wasn''t anticipating it?" Helena spoke out.
Aegis didn''t know how to respond because she believes the same thing.
"Well, if Mika didn''t think she could win, she would never have challenged Tania; there were some unexpected elements that contributed to her defeat; of course, I''m not making an excuse since a defeat is a defeat," Aegis stated with an uneasy smile on her face.
"Is it because Tania is a Chosen one that you''re mentioning the unexpected elements? But I believed Mika was already aware of it." Helena asked Aegis a question.
"Yeah, and Mika also challenged Tania for the same reason. She wanted to know how powerful she was inparison to the Chosen ones." Aegis reacted.
"As one would expect from her," Helena remarked.
"I doubt Tania would have epted this match so readily, as she wouldn''t want to fight anyone unnecessarily," I questioned, casting a skeptical nce at Aegis, who appeared to be hiding something.
"W-Well, Y-You''re correct. Tania refused Mika''s every challenge until Mika ughtered the entire negotiation team during her mission, which was crucial since it may have allowed humans to battle demons more efficiently." Aegis stated hesitantly.
"Allow humanity to fight demons more efficiently? Do you mean the custom-made holy weapons?" I wondered.
,m "Huh? H-How did you find out about that, because I only recently learned about it, and it isn''t something that anyone could have learned so readily." Aegis seemed surprised with her eyes wide open as she inquired.
"Oh, I wasn''t supposed to know that?" I said casually, knowing full well that I couldn''t exin to her that I was aware of it because I had previously read about it in the novel.
"Didn''t I tell you our Ares is a genius? He figured it all out just by hearing your description." Helena turned to face Aegis andughed.
She was misunderstanding things again, but I didn''t bother to correct her because it was also beneficial to me.
"W-What! D-Did he truly figured that out from my one sentence? But I don''t believe that is the case" Aegis was still perplexed as to how I had learned about that ssified information.
But when Iretheil and Silvia learned about the custom-made holy weapons, they gasped nervously, given that, it might be effective against both demons and vampires.
"You don''t have to worry too much about it, because it won''t affect you greatly," I reassured Irethiel telepathically, and Silvia, of course, eavesdropped.
Because, ording to the novel, the negotiations were supposed to bepleted and the opposing party likewise delivered the custom-made holy weaponry.
But the whole premise about custom-made holy weapons was a crock of shit.
These weapons were created by a corrupted priest with the ability to boost any weapon to give it a holy nature,...but it would onlyst for a few days or so and would only work on low-rank monsters.
As a result, many adventures were injured, and some even died, while fighting high-ranking monsters with wed holy weapons.
The Adventurer Association was reprimanded for this scenario and faced the wrath of many adventurers.
I''m not sure how the negotiations failed this time; was it because Mika was involved in the negotiations?
And I don''t know why the Adventurer association decided to give such an important mission to someone like Mika, but unknowingly, Mika ended up saving them...I guess.
"Wait! Now that I think about it, aren''t you Silvia a vampire? What exactly are you doing by Ares'' side?" Helena confronted Silvia with a serious inquiry.
Silvia swallowed uneasily, as she hadn''t expected anyone to recognize her identity so effortlessly.
"W-What! a vampire? Is Silvia a Vampire?" Aegis eximed, perplexedly.
Helena, on the other hand, did not respond to Aegis and abruptly appeared in front of Silvia, grabbing her by the neck.
"Why don''t you exin yourself before I snap this little neck of your Vamp?" Helena inquired Silvia.
All of this happened in a matter of seconds, and I was unable to catch a glimpse of Helena''s quickness and couldn''t respond on time.
Ahk!¡ª
Silvia strained to say anything, and something unexpected happened before I could stop Helena.
"Whoa! That was very close." Silviamented as she sat on one of the room''s windows while swinging her legs front and back.
"Huh?" I was perplexed by what had just urred, but Silvia, whom Helena was holding by the neck, suddenly turned into numerous bats and flew away, one of which reached Silvia and sat on her index finger.
"Clone huh?" Helena frowned as she spoke.
"Was that a clone? But how did she keep up with Helena''s speed?" I inquired of Irethiel, thinking she could have noticed something.
"No, that''s not a clone; she turned herself into a bat and fled, while Helena was merely holding the bat, which is currently perched on Silvia''s finger," Irethiel rified.
"Did Silvia has the ability to morph into a bat? But I didn''t notice her turning into a bat though?" I inquired, intrigued.
"Yeah, I''ve seen some royal vampires with such abilities in my time, and Silvia seems to have quite a powerful illusion skill that fooled your eyes, yet she is still not strong enough to fool my vision," snorted Iretheil.
After hearing Irethiel, I understood the essence of it; she seems to be bing better at exining things after meeting with Silvia.
"You''re not bad for a tiny vamp, and now I know, why the organization wanted to recruit you," Helena remarked.
"Recruit me?" Silvia uttered confused, and question marks seem to appear above her head.
''Well, they were partners in crimes in the novel, as Silvia eventually joined the Shadows Organization,'' I thought to myself.
"Wait! Why is everyone ignoring the fact that Ares'' fianc¨¦e is a vampire?" Aegis eximed, perplexed.
"Eh? Ares''s fiancee? Is Silvia Ares''s fiancee?" Helena inquired, shocked.
"Yeah, I''m Ares'' fiancee," Silvia said, nodding numerous times.
"Why didn''t my organization provide me with this information? And, maybe most importantly, Ares never mentioned her," Helena turned to face me as if waiting for an exnation.
"Well, even I didn''t know about that until recently," I exined, averting Helena''s gaze.
"Did you forget about your fiancee?" Helena appeared bewildered.
I didn''t know what to say, so I used my right to remain silent.
"Now that I''ve focused my attention on you, who is that demon next to you?" Helena pointed at Irethiel who was now in her crow form and questioned me.
***
It took a long time to exin everything to Helena, while Aegis remained motionless.
"So, you have a demon for a ve and a vampire for a fiancee, huh?" Helenaughed nervously.
I didn''t tell her about the chosen one, Meria, so as not toplicate matters further-.
"Oh Ares, I suppose you forgot to inform them about your other ve Meira," Silvia said casually as she ate a lollipop while still sitting on the window.
"...."
"Another ve?" Helena spoke out and looked toward Silvia for rification.
"Yeah, he has a chosen one as his ve as well," Silvia said casually, her gaze fixed on her lollipop.
"...."
''I''ll be damned, I had no idea Silvia was a whistleblower.'' I thought to myself before hearing loud exmations.
"HUH!!!" Helena and Aegis both eximed at the same time.
***************
Chapter 65 Helenas Fear.
Aegis and Helena finally calmed down after a few moments, and Aegis spoke after sighing loudly.
"Are you the type of protagonist who bringsplication with them wherever they go?"
"I agree with Aegis, and I''m not sure how you''re going to deal with all of these problems, especially since Mika is no longer in any shape to guard you.
I''m not saying I won''t be by your side, but as you well know, I''m neither an ascended being nor a chosen one.
So, there are only a few things I could do" Helena expressed her concern.
"Ares, what are your ns now? Now that Mika is injured, I''m sure the organization will move in on you as well" With a worried tone, Aegis inquired.
"Yeah, even I can''t stop them now, because your brother is paying too much for your assassination for them to now disregard his request," Helena stated helplessly.
"I''m leaving for the academy today, so I don''t have to worry about them for the time being," I exined.
"Hmm Certainly, they won''t dare to attack you recklessly if you stay in the academy, because ''that'' monstrous being dwells there,"
As Helena mentioned that, while contemting the vision of that disastrous entity whose furious eyes turned crimson red and she was encircled by immense fire capable of engulfing a small Kingdom in its whole, gave her chills and goosebumps all over.
"Isn''t the monstrous being you''re referring to Ivica Livingstone? I know she is strong, but what gives you such confidence in her when no one has ever seen her fight?" Aegis questioned Helena.
"If you think that''s the case, you''re still too naive Aegis, believe me, you don''t want to face her wrath," Helena paused for a moment before continuing.
"She is a monster I''ve never seen before in my entire life and I won''t want to see her furious ever again, Mika''s fury is like child''s y in front of her rage," Helena gasped as she remarked.
''I''ve never heard Helena speak in this way before, but one thing is certain: I will be safe staying at the academy since Ivica is not only an ascended being, but also a chosen one, and, more significantly, a dragon.
But there is one problem: I have no idea how long Ivica will survive, as her health deteriorates on a daily basis until I can obtain a strengthening fruit.
She was supposed to survive at least a year or so, but now that the timeline has been changed, I can''t say much about it, and she was also supposed to be a chosen one after obtaining the strengthening fruit.
But now she is already a chosen one, and I''m not sure how that happened, as I didn''t interfere with anything involving her.
However, there is nothing I can do about it now, and I don''t think the dungeon where the strengthening fruit will appear has emerged yet.
As I was pondering, I heard Aegis speak out.
"Is Ivica truly as strong as you say she is? I still don''t believe your previous assertion, but I don''t have any other options right now, so I''ll choose to believe you."
Helena simply gave Aegis a nk expression, knowing that Aegis was dismissing her statements.
"I''ve often wondered, Helena, why aren''t you still a transcended being? Are there any prerequisites that will help you Transcend?" Aegis questioned Helena.
"I don''t know much about that as well, but I heard that if you couldprehend all of your powers and achieve a certain level of strength, that is how we can transcend," Helena stated.
"Does this mean you still don''t understand something about your own abilities?" Aegis was perplexed.
"Yeah, I guess I''m stillcking a single key piece concerning my affinity and don''t seem to understand it; I attempted to read about them in many books, but there weren''t many electricity affinity users who transcended, so I couldn''t find anything beneficial," Helena said with an ufortable smile.
"Hmm, then why don''t you debate it with our so-called genius Ares, who also has electricity as his affinity? Perhaps geniuses view things differently than us peasants?" Aegis smirked and pointed to me, and I immediately became the focus of their attention.
I can''t believe they got over a vampire and a demon so quickly and are now back on me.
''Give me a break, will you?'' I shook my head and thought to myself.
But I''m really mystified as to why they didn''t condemn me and epted my decisions so easily, even after all this mess I''ve created.
Do they believe in me that much? or they just don''t give a damn about whatever I do?
"Oh, why hadn''t I thought of that before? Hearing from a genius who shares my interest could be beneficial in some ways, right?" Helena murmured, her eyes twinkling as she looked at me.
"Your words are misleading Helena, she simply meant to say that they share the same affinity Silvia, so rx," Aegis reassured Silvia.
"B-But I didn''t say anything though?" Silvia spoke quickly because she felt wronged.
"Yeah, you didn''t say anything out loud, but I could tell by the way you red at Helena after hearing her," Aegis stated with a smile.
"Eh?" Silvia felt embarrassed as if her mind had been read.
"No, I can''t read your mind; I have just seen a lot of girls like you in anime," Aegis exined.
"A-Anime?" Silvia was baffled.
"Oh, you''ve never heard of anime? There''s always a first time for everything, so let''s watch it with Ares and Mika when Mika recovers." As stated by Aegis.
Helena approached me, ignoring Aegis and Silvia''s chat.
"Why don''t we discuss our affinity with electricity and where it originates from, Ares?" Helena smirked as she spoke.
"...."
***
And I continued my brief conversation with Helena about our affinity for electricity; I''m not sure if it helped Helena in any way, but it was quite beneficial for me to understand about my affinity from the views of others.
"Lightning is simply a massive, intense explosion of static electricity. It is formed naturally by the umtion of static electricity within a thundercloud." Helena came up with that conclusion after glimpsing at my skill static electricity, her eyes shing with lightning as she repeated that statement again and again.
"...."
''Is this what they call enlightenment?'' I was thinking to myself as I kept my focus on Helena with a curious look.
Soon after, ...nothing happened as I still remained concentrated on Helena, but then Helena rose from the sofa we were sitting on and spoke up.
"Ahh, I am exhausted I think we should stop here; Aegis, I will return to visit Mika when she awakens; Ares, you too take care of yourself, and little vamp; someone from the organization will pay you a visit as well, so you may decide what you wanted to do until then,"
Helena vanished as soon as she finished her speech, leaving only the blue trail.
"...."
"What the heck, I assumed she''d be enlightened and be a transcendent person right now," I grumbled.
"Do you truly believe it''s that simple to be a transcended being?" Irethiel remarked while giggling.
"...."
''Well, whatever,'' I opted to dismiss the thought.
"How is Tania doing, Aegis?" Then asked Aegis, who was still talking to Silvia, acting oblivious to the fact that Silvia is a vampire.
"Oh, Tania is alright; she''s just tired and will wake up in a day or two," Aegis responded.
"Well, then, I''ll be returning to the academy now," I informed.
"All right, I''ll call you when Mika wakes up so you can cheer her up," Aegis said.
"I''ll make arrangements for your transportation to the academy then," Silvia stated.
"Thank you, I will appreciate it," I smiled back at Silvia.
"Get a room already," Aegis whispered, giggling seeing Silvia caring for me.
"...."
Silvia and I both heard her, and Silvia''s face flushed with embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Aegis seemed to be amused by Silvia''s reaction.
"It''s exactly how anime girls react," Aegis muttered and nodded continuously as if her research study had been a sess.
"...."
"There is no shortage of crazy people in this world," I shook my head and thought to myself.
***************
Chapter 66 The Assassination Plot!
After checking on Mika, who doesn''t appear to be waking up anytime soon,
I went to Meira, apanied by Silvia and Irethiel, to give her the promised information before leaving for the academy.
When I entered the room where Meira was being treated, I noticed she was dressed in ck body-fitting attire, with two daggers hanging on either side of her waist.
She was standing in front of the room''s window with her eyes closed and her hair fluttering due to the wind until she detected my appearance and turned to face me.
"Oh, she requested that outfit and daggers from me so I provided them to her, did I do anything wrong?" Silvia inquired, noticing my surprised expression.
"No, you did nothing wrong," I responded with a smile.
Meira just appears to be impatient and eager to get her hands on the prosecutor responsible for her family''s murder as soon as possible.
After noticing me, Meira approached me and got down on one of her knees.
"Master!" She greeted.
"You seem eager to embark on your retribution path, huh, you didn''t even get yourself treated properly," I eximed.
"I have been waiting for this moment my entire life, but I always felt it was just wishful thinking and I would never be able to achieve it," she clenched her teeth and paused for a moment before continuing.
"However, now that I have a road forward, I don''t want to waste any time idling, in fact, I am already mostly healed," Meira responded resolutely.
"Just don''t die, because you''re my property from now on, and I don''t want anything to happen to something I own," I said, lifting her head by her chin.
"I shall not die until I have exacted my revenge and returned the favor I owe you with my own life.," Meira said with passion in her eyes as our gazes met.
When I saw her resolute expression, arge grin emerged on my face.
"She''s now just like a broken doll with only one goal in life," Irethiel remarked telepathically witnessing Meira''s conviction.
"All right then, take this," I reacted, handing her the small piece of paper.
"T-this, no way," Meira''s expression became somber, and then distorted with hatred as she read what was written on that small piece of paper.
"I can''t say who it was exactly, but I think you got the essence of who it was, right?" I said.
"Yeah, this is more than enough; I''m going to make them pay for everything they''ve had me go through my entire life," Meira dered.
"Huh? Why isn''t she questioning the authenticity of the information? What if you gave her false information because you already had her as a ve?" Irethiel was perplexed and questioned telepathically.
"Pftt, you''re too naive for a demon; I don''t know how yousted all those thousand years," I controlled myughter and remarked, hearing Irethiel''s puzzled tone.
"Because it doesn''t matter if my information is true or not, because she will eventually find out when she pays them a visit, and what do you think she will do if she finds out that my information was incorrect?" I inquired of Irethiel.
"Of course, she''ll never believe you again, even though she''ll still have to follow your orders," Irethiel stated.
"She will still follow me, but when the opportunity arises, she will betray me, Because a rtionship that begins with falsehood is doomed to fail," I said and paused for a moment before continuing.
"And I want an obedient maid who would obey me without questioning my judgments, so, how do you think I can achieve it?" I inquired.
"Of course, if you honor yourmitment, there will be no reason for them to betray you-" Irethiel came to a halt in her remark, recognizing something.
"Aaah, I heard you were betrayed by one of your devoted subordinates as well, so do you now know why that subordinate betrayed you?" I remarked sarcastically.
"Tsk," Hearing me, Irethiel clicked her tongue in annoyance.
I turned toward Silvia, chuckling inwardly at Irethiel, but what I saw astonished me;
I saw Silvia, who had secretly overheard my conversation with Irethiel, writing my every word as notes in a little notebook.
"...."
"O-Oh, no, they''re only for reference!" Silvia stated, quickly putting the small notebook aside.
But when I read the book''s Title, I was even more surprised:
...The insightful guidebook, it states.
When I saw that, I directly knew it was Aegis'' doing.
"Did Aegis tell you to do that?" While smiling, I questioned Silvia.
"H-Huh, Y-Yes, she said everything the man you love does is profound," she murmured.
''Is this the so-called cultural teaching of hers?'' I was thinking to myself before I heard Meira''s voice,
"Master, I will be on my way then, and I will be returning to you as soon as everything is over," said Meira, after processing everything.
"Yeah sure, take care of yourself," I responded, smiling.
"T-thank you, master! you take care of yourself as well," Meira said as she walked away.
"It''s finally time to return to the academy," I mumbled as I watched Meira walk away.
Everything is now in order, as Silvia''s secretary has already arranged for Howkins to meet his family, whereas She will also support Howkins''s Adventurer application.
"Let''s get going, shall we?" I told Silvia, who had already arranged for a limousine for my travel to the warp gate.
Silvia nodded, and we headed in the direction of the vehicle before Silvia suddenly halted.
"I wille and visit you when the asion arises, Ares, and you can ask for my assistance anytime you need it," Silvia said.
"Yeah, thank you for all your help; I will be in contact with you," I responded, smiling.
"O-Ok, you can contact me anytime you''re free," Silvia said as she tugged me toward the deserted region.
"Can I?" She requested my consent.
As I nodded my head in approval, Silvia''s face brightened up with her vampire teeth showing.
***
As Silvia reached toward Ares'' neck to fulfill her thirst, something unexpected happened,...
Silvia''s head floated through the air after being decapitated by someone, and her headless body fell into Ares'' arms.
Silvia''s blood was spouting everywhere, and Ares'' face was covered in sputtering blood.
Ares was taken aback by what had just urred and was unable to respond to the sudden onught.
"Huh?" Ares eximed as he awoke from his stupor.
"S-Silvia?" He stuttered while clutching Silvia''s headless body.
"What the hell, I have no idea why they assigned me to assassinate some kid."
Ares''s attention was drawn to a sudden voice, his eyes appeared to be in shock, as he still couldn''t grasp what had just transpired and believed it was all in his imagination.
"Well, I guess I can''tin when I''m getting free money for assassinating some kid,"
In front of Ares, a figure dressed in ck ninja-style clothing with his face hidden behind a mask and holding a sword dered as much.
Ares, covered in Silvia''s blood, held her body tightly as his eyes welled up, then snarled angrily at the man who had just stepped in front of him.
The Assassin appears unconcerned by Ares'' re and approaches him slowly with a sword in his hand.
But then he came to an abrupt halt and shifted his sight to Silvia''s lifeless beheaded head.
With a broad grin on his face, he thrust his sword into Silvia''s skull and lifted it up by her hair toward himself.
"You Bastard, I''m going to kill you!!!" Ares screamed fiercely as he witness that, and soon his entire body began to radiate electricity, and he began to emit a menacing Aura.
***************
Chapter 67 Back To The Academy.
The assassin pierced Silvia''s skull with his sword and hauled her up by her hair toward himself.
"I''m going to kill you, Bastard!" Ares screamed angrily as he witnessed this, and soon his entire body began to exude electricity, emitting a frightening Aura.
When the assassin saw Ares''s look, a wide eager grin erupted on his face.
"How unsightly, I wouldn''t talk as much as some fool protagonist and would have killed him long ago."
"Huh?" The assassin, who had been beaming for a while, abruptly changed his expression when he heard a voice from behind him.
"I can''t really imagine you acting that way as well," Irethiel added.
"W-What? Was I wrong to think you''d react that way if someone killed me in front of you?" Silvia expressed her unhappiness.
"I wouldn''t let anyone touch you while I''m still close to you, so the circumstance you''ve implemented is inurate," Ares rified to Silvia.
"O-Oh, I see," Silvia''s face lit up with delight when she heard Ares''s response.
Soon after, Silvia''s head, which the assassin was holding, turned into bats and vanished, as did Ares, who was clutching Silvia''s decapitated body.
The entire scene instantly reversed, including blood, and just a single bat could be seen, which quickly approached Silvia and sat on her index finger.
Assassin, perplexed by the abrupt change in events, focused his attention on the talk he''d heard while sweating profusely from his forehead.
Gulp*
As soon as he turned his head, he felt three murderous res from a boy, a girl, and...a crow?
They were staring at him with evil grins on their faces as if they were looking at a dead man.
"Irethiel!" Ares spoke out.
Knowing what to do, Irethiel pped her wings and flew at the assassin in an instant, and as she approached him, she transformed into her actual form and used her skill ''Energy Absorption.''
Even before the assassin could emerge out of his trance and react, his energy was steadily draining and his body was darkening.
Ahhhhhh! ¡ª
He shouted in anguish until his voice abruptly ceased as he died being all of his energy drained.
"My, that''s a scary skill!" Silviamented upon seeing the assassin''s drained and ckened corpse.
"Huh? What exactly do you mean by scary? Isn''t this the same as your vampire''s blood drain ability?" Irethiel retorted.
Irethiel and Silvia began bickering after that, but I disregarded them since I was thinking about something else,
As the assassin did not appear to be from the Shadows organization, I believe there was something wrong with this entire assassination plot.
Because the Shadows organization will always move in groups to avoid failure.
''Does the fact that only one assassin has appeared for me now, imply that there is someone else out there who wants my life as well? Or did my brother perhaps hire someone else?''
"...."
I stopped thinking after a few moments since I couldn''t think of anyone else who woulde for my life right now.
***
I exited my thoughts and proceeded to the warp gate with Silvia and Irethiel in a limousine that Silvia had arranged.
After a few hours of travel, we arrived at the warp gate port, and Silvia had her thirst quenched in the meantime.
I hugged Silvia goodbye for a few moments before proceeding toward the warp gate, while Irethiel in her crow form perched on my shoulder.
We didn''t have to wait long because Silvia had already arranged everything.
''She was a huge help during my stay in the Kingdom of Demetria, and I am hoping to see her again sometime soon.''
I thought to myself as I crossed the warp gate, casting onest nce at Silvia, who was waving her hand with a sad smile.
***
I arrived at the floating Ind dock, which was not far from the academy in a matter of seconds.
And after a few minutes of walking, I arrived at the Academy; I''m not sure why, but it felt like a long time since I was here, despite the fact that I had only been gone for a few days.
"Is this where you''ll be staying?" Irethiel questioned curiously.
"Yeah, Wee to Soreh Academy, as you will be staying with me here from now on," I stated while looking at the academy.
"...."
Irethiel remained silent after hearing my statement.
The sun had already set, so I went straight to my dormitory room to rx for the day, as I hadn''t gotten any rest all day due to so much drama.
"Irethiel," I muttered as I entered my dorm room,
"You can rest anywhere you want today; I''ll get you a bird cage tomorrow," I teased Irethiel, then proceeded to refresh up, ignoring Irethiel''s grimace.
"..."
Irethiel was taken aback by my statement.
"Are you serious right now?" Irethiel yelled.
"Huh? "Why would I lie to you about such things?" I stated.
"Y-You! I may be in crow form, but I am not a crow that can be confined in a cage, I was once a great Archdemon," Irethiel expressed her displeasure loudly.
"So you want to share a bed with me? I was always aware that subus were horny demons." I said,ughing inwardly as I saw Irethiel''s deformed face.
"I''m not a subus, you understand!" Irethiel cried out.
"Is that true? So, why do you appear so horny? However, since I am your master, I will let you have your way with my body for the day." I said it in a helpless tone.
"...."
"Y-You pervert, what are you saying?" Irethiel eximed, her cheeks reddened.
"I-I may be your ve, but you''re not going to get your way with me," Irethiel stated.
Ding!
"...."
I was about to react to Irethiels statement, but then I heard a system notification sound, so I remained silent for the time being, stopped teasing her, and proceeded to check the notification that had just appeared.
*** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION***
QUEST: COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING,
1) FORM A FACTION.
2) BECOME THE ACADEMY''S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE UPCOMING TOURNAMENT.
3) WIN THE TOURNAMENT.
QUEST REWARD ~ UNLOCK A NEW ABILITY
MISSION FAILURE: ???
*********
"...."
I can''t say I wasn''t expecting something like this, because I knew the system was going to get me into all kinds of trouble, despite the fact that I''d already messed up a lot due to this system.
Moreover, since the Soreh Academy lost the tournament in the novel, assigning me a quest to win the entire tournament isn''t adequate, because I''ll have to coborate with other students as well, as I won''t be able to win the tournament alone.
In the story, they formed factions and were all too busy fighting with one another, ultimately losing the tournament.
Although, Lucas gave it his all to win thepetition, but this was not a tournament that could be won by a single individual performing well.
As it is different from just 1v1 duels.
The academies will have topete in a variety of different matches that will require different skills to win and cannot be won with brute strength alone.
And Soreh Academy was disjointed as if they werepeting individually rather than as a team.
Ziona was only interested in battling the strongest opponents, and no one could or wanted to stop her, therefore she was essentially solitary.
While A was only supportive and stayed with Lucas because she wasn''t much assistance in the fighting.
Diana refused to work for anyone and did whatever she pleased with her faction''s support.
Meanwhile, ude and Kevin were working hard to bring down Lucas.
And Obviously, Livia declined to participate in the tournament as well.
''So, Will I have to deal with these immature brats?''
"...."
And, forming a faction is one thing, but bing the academy''s representative? This also includes the second and third years.
It''ll be a huge pain in the ass...
The first thing I should do is to ask them to join me willingly... or there is a second option, which I prefer because it would be much easier, but some preparations would be required to pull that off.
Of course, I''m referring to beating the crap out of every first-year faction leader in order for them to coborate with me, which will be difficult because they are all powerful individuals, but I can do it if I n properly.
...A Eugene, I should bring her along first, because it will be difficult if she tries to disrupt my ns.
Because I believe she is capable of devising counters to my ns.
***
Chapter 68 Irethiel, The Dragon Slayer!
I left my dorm after waking up and changing into my academy outfit, joined by Irethiel, who seemed frustrated with me because of my teasing, but I ignored her and went toward the academy building.
I first nned to go to Ivica because I needed to chat with her about the demon lord issue, and I could also check on her condition.
As I soon arrived in front of her office, I was stopped by Ivica''s maid.
"What are you doing here, Student Ares?" She asked me a question with her brows furrowed.
"I need to speak with Ivica about something,-" "Huh?" After hearing me call Ivica by name, the maid eximed and her face contorted as she merely stared at me.
"Ahem, I mean I have something I want to discuss with the Dean; please notify her of my visit," I corrected myself, as she didn''t seem to appreciate me calling Ivica by her first name.
''Fair enough, I suppose.'' I thought to myself.
When the maid knocked on Ivica''s office door, we heard her voice.
"Come in."
The maid instructed me to wait outside before entering the office.
After a few seconds, she returned and spoke.
"Y-you may enter," she said, confused.
I nodded and walked in as she opened the door for me, ignoring her confused expression.
As I walked in, I was greeted by Ivica, whose face was still shrouded in white mist.
While she was making tea, she gestured for me to take a seat on the sofa across from her.
I sat on the sofa she had indicated, but before I could say anything, the entire atmosphere in the office altered as a tremendous murderous intent was directed towards Ivica.
Ivica, who was preparing tea, came to a halt and looked toward the person emanating this killing intent.
,m And her gaze was drawn to Irethiel, who was now in her crow form.
"...."
Yes, it was Irethiel who was releasing that tremendous murderous intent against Ivica; at first, I didn''t understand why she was acting this way, but I quickly remembered that Irethiel mentioned something about dragons while I was intending to save her.
"A demon?" Ivica stated calmly and she seemed unconcerned about the murderous intent directed at her.
She then shifted her gaze to me, waiting for me to exin.
"...."
''How many times did I tell the same story again?'' I thought to myself before exining to Ivica about Irethiel.
"Interesting, you say the demon''s name is Irethiel?" Ivica spoke after hearing my exnation and then stared at Irethiel with interest.
"How about you take on your actual form, Irethiel?" Ivica stated.
"Huh, why should I? I don''t wanna," Irethiel spoke and turned her face away.
"...."
I don''t need to think twice because it''s obvious that Irethiel dislikes Ivica; is it because Ivica is a half-dragon?
''She sounds like a whiny drama queen,'' I thought to myself.
Ivica removed the white mist that had been concealing her face after hearing Irethiel''s remark.
"Why don''t you do the same now that I''ve shown you my appearance? I''m quite interested in you because I seem to recall reading about you somewhere before" Ivica stated.
For a few moments, Irethiel examined Ivica from head to toe,
"A dying Half Dragon?" Irethiel remarked.
As Ivica appears to be running out of time based on her paleplexion.
"...."
But even after hearing Irethiel''s scathing remark, Ivica maintained a bright smile on her face.
I was taken away by her stunning smile.
''How can Helena be afraid of a person like her?'' I thought to myself as even in the novel I didn''t read about her scary side, but then I shook my head and came out of my thoughts, knowing full well that a book cannot be judged by its cover.
But, after a few moments of seeing their talk was going nowhere, I sighed and telepathically reached out to Irethiel.
"Irethiel."
She knew what I was going to say simply by hearing her name,
"Tsk," she clicked her tongue before reshaping into her actual form.
Ivica''s eyes widened as she saw Irethiel''s true form before returning to normal.
"No, she''s not the one; I think I mistook her for another demon," Ivica exined.
"Who was that other demon whose name you mistook for her?" I inquired.
"Hm, I don''t think she is that same demon because the Irethiel I read about was a demon that every dragon hated and feared at the same time," Ivica replied.
"Oh, I''m curious how a demon made mighty dragons fear her." I wondered aloud, amused.
"Hm, Yeah, even though she was a demon, I was curious about her, so I read many history books to find out what she had done to make dragons both detest and fear her," Ivica stated, pausing briefly to sip her tea before proceeding.
"I investigated many things about her past, and one of the most notable incidents she caused was... waging war against the entire dragon race," Ivica revealed.
"Huh? Is that true? Waging war on the entire dragon race? Even demon lords must think carefully before attacking dragons," In a shocked tone, I eximed.
"I know, right? And she wasn''t even a demon lord, to begin with," Ivica remarked.
"She is the insane one, that demon named Irethiel," I said, casting a sidelong nce at Irethiel, who turned her head sideways and began secreting as she felt my stare.
"Yeah, she was insane, but the most amazing thing about her was that... she fought independently and emerged victorious against the dragons, even without the assistance of any demon lords," Ivica stated.
"Did she triumph over the dragons despite fighting alone?" I inquired, surprised.
"Yeah, it was a brutal bloodbath, several dragons perished in the face of her fury, and they eventually retreated," Ivica paused for a moment and then continued.
"...After that, she became well known as, Irethiel ''The Dragon yer''."
Gulp*
I gulped aloud as I heard Ivica''s statements and questioned.
"What made her so angry that she not only waged war against dragons but also proceeded to fight them alone without any assistance?"
"I''m not sure about that either, but I heard one of the dragons killed her most trusted subordinate or something," Ivica expressed uncertainty.
"Wow, I never knew a demon would go to such lengths for their subordinates," I remarked.
"I''m not sure how much of it is true, because I heard it was all a plot against her, since for the subordinate she waged war against the dragons, didn''t actually die, and instead conspired against her.
After her victory, when she was at her most vulnerable, that same said subordinate stabbed her in the back, ...and nobody had seen or heard from her again. Ivica concluded.
"...."
I knew Ivica was talking about the same Irethiel who was standing next to me; I''m not sure why she didn''t recognize her, but the story matches Irethiel''s story of betrayal.
I slowly nced at Irethiel to see her reaction, even though she was facing the other side and hiding her face,...but I could tell that she was upset.
I admire her for going to such lengths for her subordinates, despite the fact that she is a demon.
But she was too blind to notice the betrayal.
And the pain of betrayal is something that only those who have experienced it can understand.
"But the demon in front of me cannot be her, because Irethiel was a powerful being who even dragons feared as much as demon lords." Ivica paused and nced at Irethiel before continuing.
"She doesn''t appear to be that powerful to me, and the real Irethiel would never have received orders from a human," Ivica exined.
"...."
''You''re just rubbing salt in her wounds, Ivica,'' I eximed inwardly.
I''m not sure why, but I can sense some of Irethiel''s emotions, and she doesn''t seem to be happy hearing that; is this because she is bound to me by a ve contract?
"Did youpel her to sign a ve contract?" Ivica inquired.
"...Yes," I replied.
"I''m not sure why you agreed to a contract with some weak demon, but I believe you know what you''re doing, right?" Ivica inquired.
"Yeah, I''ve got my reasons," I exined.
"All right, let''s get to the point: so what did you want to discuss with me?" Ivica inquired, setting down her teacup.
***
Chapter 69 The First Demon Lord Revealed.
"All right, so what did you want to talk about with me?" Ivica inquired.
I informed Ivica about the release of the demon lord that Irethiel had told me about earlier.
"This is going to be troublesome because we don''t know where that demon lord is or what he is nning right now," Ivica said.
"Do you know which demon lord has been released?" Ivica inquired, casting a nce at Irethiel.
"I believe it''s the demon lord Belphegor," Irethiel said.
"Belphegor?" Ivica furrowed.
"Yeah, Demon Lord Belphegor may not be an imposing and terrifying demon, but he''s known for his cunning and deception," Irethiel exined.
"Belphegor, ''The Demon Lord of Sloth'' is well suited for maniption and deception; he transforms into various forms, selecting whichever he believes will persuade his victims to do his bidding," I muttered.
"H-Huh, yes, you''re right, you know about him?" Irethiel was perplexed as she agreed with my statement.
This will be even more challenging, because I''ve read about him in the novel and am fully aware of the cunning ways in which he tricks people into creating brilliant inventions that will make them wealthy, eventually leading to them signing a contract with him and his puppet-like control over them.
Following that, he will manipte people and incite conflict so that he can watch as people ughter each other without getting involved.
"...."
"We shouldn''t go out of our way to find him because he''ll change forms frequently, but we''ll learn about him once he makes his moves.
We only need to keep an eye on people who have be famous and wealthy overnight" I stated.
"Yeah, I''ll do what I can, and I''ll also notify the Adventurer Association about it," Ivica said, pausing for a moment to face me.
"But you should concentrate on improving your strength, Ares, and avoid getting involved with the demon lords until you''re strong enough," she said solemnly.
"...."
''Should I tell her I''m already involved in this because of Irethiel?'' I turned to face Irethiel, thinking to myself.
"W-what now?" Irethiel eximed as she felt my gaze.
''If I abandon Irethiel, no demon lords wille after me, right?'' I had this idea before shaking my head anding out of my thoughts.
"I''ll keep that in mind," I replied to Ivica, with an awkward smile and averted my gaze.
Ivica simply stared at me because of my untrustworthy expression.
"Oh and I''ll send Irethiel to see if the strengthening fruit''s dungeon has appeared or not," I stated.
When Ivica heard me, a small smile appeared on her pale face.
"I will be grateful," she replied.
"Huh? Why are you sending me for such a thing? And strengthening fruit will be beneficial to you as well, so why give it to her?" Irethiel inquired.
"Well, the strengthening fruit might make me a little stronger, but it has the potential to save Ivica''s life, so of course, I''ll give it to her," I exined with a smile.
''Wow really? Saving her? He has been a saint since when? It''s possible that my bastard master is plotting something else against her as well,'' Irethiel thought to herself.
''Wait, why did I refer to him as my master again?'' Irethiel suddenly realized.
"...."
Ivica was very taken aback by Ares'' response because she knew how advantageous a strengthening fruit could be for him as well, but he is ignoring it for her.
"I will definitely return this favor one day, I will do everything in my power to help you, and I swear it on my dragon heart," Ivica promised.
When Ares heard Ivica, he simply smiled and stated,
"Oh, you don''t need to promise it on your dragon heart because I believe you, and I already know that you''ll help me as well if I''m in any trouble in the future,"
''What''s the point of saying it now, when she''s already promised?'' Irethiel thought to herself as she knew very well that Ares might be grinning evilly inwardly.
"Yeah, just call me and I''ll be there to help you," Ivica said with a bright smile on her pale face.
When I saw her smile, I smiled back as well.
In a world where strength is everything, passing up an opportunity that could help you gain even a small amount of strength was idiocy.
Even saints will have second thoughts about passing up an opportunity to gain strength in order to help someone else.
...And I''m far from a saint.
If I could, I would have used the strengthening fruit myself, leaving Ivica to kick the bucket after she had used her strength when I needed her.
However, one thing they don''t know, at least for now, is that not everyone can benefit from the strengthening fruit.
Strengthening fruit will raise your body above the human level, but you must also have enough mana to provide it.
It will work wonders for Ivica because she has an abundance of mana.
But if I used the strengthening fruit with my meager amount of mana, I wouldn''t even be able to sustain it.
It''s the same as purchasing an expensive item but having to pay for its maintenance on a regr basis.
Though it would not bother the wealthy, but it will be difficult for someone like me.
I was thinking to myself when I heard Ivica question me.
"Oh, Ares, are you going to participate in the uing tournament?"
"Yeah, I''ll be participating, and I also wanted to be the Academy''s representative as well," I exined.
"...I didn''t think you would be interested in participating in this tournament, You are free to do whatever you want to be the representative, but please don''t go overboard," Ivica responded.
"Yes, of course, I won''t go overboard...maybe I''ll just send a few students to the infirmary," I said, smiling.
"...."
*Sigh
"At the very least, don''t injure them seriously," Ivica sighed and spoke.
"Don''t worry, nothing serious will happen," I replied with a smile.
''Now that I have Ivica''s approval, I can begin the first part of my n, which is to form a faction.
And, of course, the first person who came to my mind was Livia Frostine.
I don''t think she''ll refuse my invitation...right?
Well, I''ll find out after I ask her about it, but even if she doesn''t join me, the best-case scenario is that she won''t participate in the tournament.''
I came out of my thoughts after a few moments of deliberation.
"I''ll be on my way then, as I have a ss to attend," I said, getting up from the sofa as Irethiel returned to her crow form.
"All right, you cane see me whenever you need anything," Ivica stated with a smile.
I simply smiled back hearing her and walked out of her office.
***
"How do you think he enved the infamous ''Dragon yer'' Irethiel?" Ivica spoke up as she sipped her tea.
"...."
"...He is not as innocent as he appears to be, but I have no idea how that demon signed a ve contract with him; he may have used some deception." Someone answered her.
"Though she is not as powerful as she once was, if she regains her strength, she will be his great strength in the future," Ivica said.
"...hm, Do you think he''ll give you that strengthening fruit?" The mysterious voice Inquired.
"Yeah, I don''t think he lied about that," Ivica said.
"Hm, if you say so," The mysterious voice replied.
"And what should we do about this demon lord thing?" Ivica stated.
"...I''m not concerned with that, so you take care of it yourself," The voice said and then faded away.
"...Seriously?" Ivica eximed.
***
"Are you scheming something against that Half Dragon as well," Irethiel inquired.
"She isn''t that naive for me to easily plot something against her, and she still doesn''tpletely trust me," Ares exined.
"She seems pretty dumb to me, as she didn''t recognize me, I know I''m not as strong as I used to be and my appearance did change somewhat, but if she was smart, she would have picked up on the minor details," Irethiel stated.
"Irethiel, you''re the gullible one. Did you honestly believe she didn''t recognize you?" Ares remarked.
"Huh?" Irethiel was perplexed.
"She recognized you the moment she saw your actual appearance. But I''m not sure why she was doing her best to appear ignorant.
And there was someone else out there as well;
she was nodding and pausing in her conversion as if she were telepathicallymunicating with someone else, simr to how wemunicate telepathically," Ares spoke out while moving toward the ssroom.
***
Chapter 70 Is Kevin A Simp?
After my conversation with Ivica, I proceeded to the training ground which was assigned to our advisor Bianca, as the first period today is a training session with her.
Meanwhile, Irethiel took off to somewhere because she didn''t want anyone else to know about her.
I''m not sure if she was thoughtful, but I agree with her because I, too, don''t want anyone to know that I have a demon as a ve.
Because if someone discovers she is a demon, it will be problematic for me.
As I was pondering, I soon arrived at the training ground and was greeted by two students, of course, they were Ziona and Kevin.
"Ares, you''ve returned? I had heard of our masters'' battle," Ziona remarked worriedly as she ran up to me.
"How is she doing, and how are her injuries healing?" Ziona continued to ask questions.
"Yeah, her injuries aren''t serious, so don''t worry about it; she just needs some rest before she can be back to her normal self," I replied.
As Aegis had told me not to discuss Mika''s unconscious state, I simply assured Ziona with little information.
"Thank goodness," Ziona eximed, relieved.
I simply smiled at her reaction before turning to face Kevin, whose face appears contorted as he watches me and Ziona converse.
We heard footsteps from the training grounds entrance as I was smirking and staring at Kevin''s contorted expression.
As we focused our attention on it, we noticed Bianca enter the training grounds.
She appeared tired, and I believe she had been training up until this point.
Because Bianca never skips a training session, and having lost to Mika multiple times, she has made it her goal to defeat her.
I''m not sure what she thinks now that the person she always wanted to defeat has been bested by someone else.
Will she abandon her goal of defeating Mika and aim for Tania now?
"Hello, let''s begin with our regr training practice, Oh, you''ve returned as well, Ares? I''d heard about Mika and Tania''s battle," Bianca stated and her eyes started beaming.
"Well, it''s quite unfortunate that she was defeated by Tania even before I could defeat her first, but we can''t do anything about that now, can we? but nothing has changed, as I will now just have to defeat both of them," Bianca dered confidently.
"...."
''Her mindset isn''t bad, and I''d apud her for her determination... if only I didn''t know what would happen to her in the future,'' I thought to myself.
"I wish you the best," I said, smiling.
"All right, let''s get started with our training, shall we?" Bianca spoke after firmly nodding.
We swiftly put on our protective gear and arrived at the center of the arena, and the training appears to be the same as it had been in our previous ss, except that Bianca would also be attacking us this time, of course, she wouldn''t be using her sword.
Kevin and Ziona took their positions and awaited Bianca''s start signal.
''They started working together, huh?'' I thought to myself as I saw them.
As soon as Bianca motioned us to begin, Kevin and Ziona both rushed toward her from opposing directions.
''Did they forget about me?'' I thought to myself, with an awkward smile as they didn''t let me in on their n and directly rushed toward Bianca.
But I came to a halt in my thoughts when I saw Kevin and Ziona sent flying in opposite directions.
"...."
"...Perhaps they don''t have a n," I muttered.
My thoughts were interrupted as Bianca suddenly appeared in front of me and punched me.
I reacted by blocking her attack with my sword, but I was pushed back due to her strength.
Bianca did not stop there, and she continued her assault.
I kept blocking her attacks while being pushed back by her strength,
"Ahk"
While I was struggling, Ziona emerged behind Bianca and struck her in midair with her sword.
As Ziona''s attack was about to strike Bianca, she simply tilted her body sideways and dodged the attack in an instant.
Kevin appeared and struck at Bianca as she was about to attack Ziona, but Bianca easily avoided his attack as well by simply tilting her body.
I then thrust my sword toward her as I noticed her upied with Ziona and Kevin.
But I was taken aback when she easily stopped my attack by holding my sword between her two fingers like it were a cigarette.
It was like something out of an anime.
"...."
She had a big smile on her face, and as her attention was still on me, she punched Ziona with her left hand as she approached.
And Ziona was sent flying once more, but this time she was thrown outside the arena, and I doubt she''ll be able to continue her training after that attack.
Kevin covered his sword in the aura after watching Ziona sent flying and attacked Bianca while jumping and gripping his sword with both hands while shouting.
Hahhhhh¡ª
Seeing this as an opportunity, I used my static electricity skill to encircle my sword in electricity.
Bianca deftly sidestepped Kevin''s attack and focused on my sword, which was now engulfed in electricity.
She then released grip of my sword andunched a punch in my direction.
"SWAP," I muttered.
My location was switched with Kevin''s in an instant, and Bianca''s punch connected Kevin''s face.
Kevin was also thrown flying outside the arena, with no idea what had transpired.
"Fell Crescent," I muttered, and a massive crescent of blue electricity was sent toward Bianca, who was already standing close to me.
"Huh?"
It caught Bianca off guard, and my attack hit her.
Boom!¡ª
Only smoke could be seen as a result of my attack, but soon I quickly heard Bianca''s voice through the smoke.
"Interesting," shemented.
As the smoke cleared, I saw Bianca with her sword unsheathed.
"You''ve improved a lot in just a few days, huh, and you''ve got quite an annoying skill as well," Bianca said with a big smile.
She then wrapped her sword in blue fire and said.
"Why don''t we put your Electric Aura to the test?"
"...."
"Oh, sh-"
Bianca struck her sword, which was now covered in her blue fire, toward me before I could finish my sentence.
I reflected it with my sword, which was surrounded by my electric aura.
Boom!¡ª
As our swords collided, I heard a great booming sound and was blinded by a dazzling white light.
***
When I opened my eyes again, I saw a white ceiling and what seemed to be an infirmary.
"...."
"What the Fuck?" I mumbled in confusion, then I suddenly heard a giggling sounding from beside me.
As I turned my gaze toward it, I noticed Ziona, who was sitting on the bed next to mine,ughing while gazing at someone.
As I turned my gaze to the person she wasughing at, I noticed it was none other than...Kevin.
His entire face was swelled as a result of Bianca''s blow properly connecting on his face.
"...."
"Pftt," I suppressed myughter upon seeing him.
"You got him good," Irethiel remarked, giggling.
"Oh, Ares, you''re awake?"
Ziona said after finally stopping herugh, while wiping her moist eyes due toughter.
"You went unconscious after thatst sh with Bianca," Ziona exined.
"...How long was I unconscious," I inquired.
"Oh, you''ve been unconscious for 30 minutes," Ziona mentioned.
"You decided to send some students to the infirmary in the morning and ended up in the infirmary instead," Irethiel remarked sarcastically and burst outughing.
"...."
I''m at a loss for words after hearing her because what she said is true.
It happens to me all the time: when I underestimate someone, I would get thrashed by someone else.
Lesson learned: I shouldn''t look down on other people.
As I was reflecting, I sensed Kevin ring at me with hatred.
"Sorry dude, but don''t you think it was all worth it? Bianca had to draw her sword to deflect my attack, didn''t she?" I said, innocently.
"...."
"Yeah, it was all worth it to be able to witness such destructive power," Ziona agreed, nodding several times.
"Woman, it wasn''t you who got punched in the face," Irethiel pointed out telepathically.
Kevin reluctantly agreed after hearing Ziona.
"Y-Yeah, it doesn''t hurt at all, so it was all worth it, haha,"
"Says the patient with a swollen face," Irethielmented.
"...."
''That guy is a true simp.'' I though to myself.
***
Chapter 71 Forming A Faction.
I left the infirmary after a few seconds of recuperation, followed by Ziona and Kevin.
We spent half of our ss time in the infirmary.
"...."
At the very least, we were able to walk as our injuries were not severe because we were wearing protective gear, but our bodies were still in some ache.
As we entered our ssroom, we once again became the focus of attention due to our injuries.
"Why are only we injured after every training session with our advisor?" Kevin grumbled.
,m But Ziona and I chose to disregard his whining because it was mostly true, especially since Bianca was training us more intensively.
However, we aren''tining because her training has been beneficial to us and we are growing substantially under her supervision.
While I was thinking, I noticed A run up to us...almost it''s was like a d¨¦j¨¤ vu.
"Why are you continuously getting hurt, Ziona?" A wondered as she began to treat some tiny scratches on Ziona''s body.
Despite the fact that we had just returned from the infirmary after our injuries had been treated, A was treating unnoticeable scrapes on Ziona''s body.
"...."
"You should take care of your skin, Ziona; tiny scratches will be hideous if left untreated."
Though it appeared to be a best friend''s concern, I knew long ago that A is a sneaky one, and I believe she is only trying to encourage Ziona to join Lucas'' faction.
"These minor scratches aren''t even noticeable," Ziona stated.
"Huh-Ah, no way, girls should take care of their skin, and the way you portray yourself, you need someone to look after you, someone like this big sis of yours," A said, pointing to herself.
"Big sister? She appears to have had her meals stolen on a frequent basis as she grew up," Irethielmented telepathically seeing A''s petite figure.
"...."
I''m not sure where she''s sitting and watching this all happen.
A came up to me after treating Ziona and was about to heal my minor scratches as well.
"I''m forming my own faction," I dered my gaze fixed on A.
The ssroom fell silent as soon as I said it, and A came to a halt and stopped treating,
Everything A does has a purpose, even the slightest detail, that''s what I learned about her in the story, don''t be misled by her innocent face.
A slowly raised her head till our gazes locked.
Everyone was staring at me with their eyes wide open, including Ziona, who was now smiling broadly.
They had apparently already joined another faction and were worried about having to face me now.
Faced with their stares, I merely kept a smile on my face.
I then turned my sight to Livia''s seat, ...but I couldn''t spot her;
''Had she not yet returned from her advisor training ss?'' I thought to myself.
"Are you looking for Livia? She hasn''t been to the academy since you left," Ziona stated.
"Hm? Did something happen to her?," I inquired Ziona with a raised eyebrow, ignoring A who was still staring at me as though someone had deduced her motives.
"I don''t think so; she just shows up whenever she wants to just check if you''re back, and if she doesn''t find you, she leaves without attending any sses," Ziona exined.
"So, you''re a womanizer, huh? How many girls did you fool with your looks?" Irethiel remarked telepathically.
"...."
Hearing Irethiel, veins popped out on my forehead as I was rather annoyed hearing her repeated remarks,
She seemed to be enjoying everything as if she were watching a drama and all she needed was popcorn and beverages.
While I was thinking, I heard a ssroom door open and saw the lecturer enter the ssroom.
Seeing him, everyone returned to their seats, including me, and he soon began his lecture.
"What am I even doing in this ss anyway?" I wondered, my expression bored and drowsy.
I don''t think I need to listen to his tedious lecture about monsters, because I already knew all he was teaching and could just flip through some books if I wanted to learn more.
But it was ratherpulsory to attend this ss for every student so I couldn''t do anything about it.
And soon the bell rang to mark the end of the lecture and the professor exited.
Consequently, I made the decision to grab a coffee at the cafe.
But as soon as I stood up, I heard the ssroom door open again.
As I concentrated my attention on it, I noticed a blue-haired girl with a gloomy expression enter the ssroom and looked unfocused at my seat, then exit the ssroom, closing the ssroom door.
"...."
''What in the world just happened?'' Still focused on the ssroom entrance, I thought to myself.
Thud¡ª
The ssroom door was rapidly opened again this time, and the blue-haired girl entered once again and gazed at me in joy and surprise.
"A-Ares!" She muttered and ran up to me, jumping into my arms and hugging me.
The entire ss was focused on us, as Livia hugged me,
And given that Livia hasn''t joined anyone yet, some students'' faces showed fear as they anticipated her joining my faction.
I didn''t pay attention to them and instead turned to look at A while gently consoling Livia.
A''s face was expressionless as she simply stared at us.
"What did you do to her to make her so obsessed with you?" Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"...Beat her to a pulp," I replied.
"...."
"Really?" Irethiel expressed dumbfounded.
***
In a cafe, I was sipping my coffee while Livia ate her favorite sandwich next to me.
"I''ve decided to take part in the uing tournament," I said as I sipped my coffee and waited for Livia''s response.
"hmm? What caused you to change your mind? But I don''t think it''s worth our time," Livia replied as she ate her sandwich.
"Yeah, but I have my circumstances, and I will also be forming my own faction as well to represent the Academy in this tournament," I exined.
"Faction? Why would you need that? aren''t we both enough to deal with some potato students?" Livia stated with her mouth filled with a sandwich.
"Huh? I had assumed you wouldn''t want to take part in this tournament." I inquired in wonder.
"Of course, I''ll participate as well; what am I gonna do if you show up with some potatoes, and lose the tournament? I never want to see you lose," Livia stated.
Hearing her, a bright smile formed on my face.
"...."
''...Wait, By potatoes, she meant students, right?'' As I watched Livia finish her sandwiches, I thought to myself.
She looked toward me and smiled as she caught my stare.
"Would you like some?" she asked, offering me her half-eaten sandwich.
"...No, I''m fine," I respectfully declined with a smile.
"She consumes more than her body can handle, How is she still so slender?" Irethielmented.
I decided to ignore Irethiel''s increasingly brazen remarks.
"The tournament won''t be something that we can win individually, so I want all the first-year students to join me," I stated to Livia.
"Let''s just beat them up and force them to join you," Livia suggested.
"Wow, Birds of a feather flock together," Irethiel said hearing Livia''s suggestion.
"Yeah, I had the same thought, but first let''s just appropriately ask them to join us before making our move, and if it doesn''t work, let''s proceed with my n...," I remarked, exining my n to Livia.
And after a few moments of my exnation,
"Yup, it''s easy peasy," Livia answered, nodding numerous times in agreement.
"Let''s begin the eradication of factions right away, Shall we?" I dered with a broad grin.
***
Chapter 72 Aylas Counter-Plan.
While Ares was nning with Livia, A was already plotting her next action.
***
"We have to revise our ns, Brother," A told Lucas.
"Huh? Is this because of Ares?" Lucas stated, his face contorted.
"Yeah, he would have been a tough opponent on his own, but now that Livia has joined him, there is nothing stopping him," A replied, pounding her nails.
"But Livia has already dered that she will not be participating in this tournament, correct?" Lucas inquired.
"She did say that before, but Ares wasn''t interested in the tournament at the time,"
"I''m not sure what changed Ares'' mind so abruptly to dere that he will participate in this tournament as soon as he returns from his absence," A muttered to herself.
"Well, I guess I just have to deal with him; I already had some scores to settle with him and was waiting for an opportunity," Lucas eximed, his eyes sparkling with delight.
After hearing Lucas, A shook her head repeatedly before speaking.
"Brother, I don''t doubt your strength, but dealing with both Ares and Livia together will be difficult even for you," A told Lucas.
''I''m sorry to disappoint you brother, but I don''t think you can even deal with Ares on your own; in fact, I don''t think any first-year student can ovee him; there was one, but she joined him as well.'' A reflected to herself biting her nails.
"Tsk, So, what do you think we should do?" Lucas clicked his tongue before inquiring A.
"Let''s contact the other first-year faction leaders, ude and Diana," A said, staring at Lucas.
"Don''t tell me you want to form an alliance with them to deal with Ares," Lucas queried, his face dissatisfied.
"...Yeah, we should coborate with them to bring Ares down," A agreed with Lucas.
*Sigh
"Do you believe they will readily ept this alliance? Because I doubt they would," Lucas sighed and stated.
"Yeah, I know they won''t ept it easily...but we should at least try, right?" A said.
''To be honest, I am almost certain that ude will join us because he, too, has a resentment against Ares.
Seeing his contorted look when Livia hugged Ares, I believe he has affection for Livia, which we can utilize to convince him to join the alliance.
But I have my doubts about that Narcissistic Diana, and I don''t think she''ll easily ept my suggestion,'' A was pondering to herself when she was interrupted by Lucas''s words.
"Alright, if you say so, you might have already thought it through, right sister?" Lucas asked, his gaze fixed on A.
"Yeah," she answered, smiling.
***
Meanwhile, ude who was seated in one of the ssrooms, surrounded by his faction members, had just received a Message.
...
"Prince ude, this is what the text we received from Lucas'' faction indicated," After reading the text aloud he had received, one of the guys standing behind ude stated.
"So they want to join forces, huh? What are your ns for this, ude?" Kevin, who was sitting across from ude, inquired.
"...."
"It''s true, that bastard needs to be taught a lesson," ude said angrily, mming his hand into the bench.
''Oh, he''s taking him seriously now after seeing the earlier scene, which works for me as well.'' ''I, too, want to make him pay for what he''s done to me all along,'' Kevin thought to himself with a smile of amusement on his face.
"Are you going to ept their offer and join the alliance?" Kevin asked ude a question.
"Yeah, we''ll join them, at least for now," ude remarked, an evil smirk on his lips.
"Do you intend to betray them when the timees?" Kevin inquired after noticing ude''s devious smile.
"Isn''t this self-evident? We''re allpeting here, and there is no alliance thatcanst long. They might be thinking the same thing; once Ares is out of the picture, they''lle after us" ude stated.
"You''re right, we can''t trust Lucas either," Kevin nodded and agreed with ude.
"But you''re only saying this because he''s good friends with Ziona, right? I''m not sure what you saw in that insane Beastwoman," One of the men standing behind udemented.
"...."
Kevin just stared at the person who made thement for a moment before speaking.
"It''s the same as what ude saw in that crazy woman Livia," Kevin remarked.
When they heard Kevin, everyone fell silent and turned their attention to him.
"Huh?" ude eximed.
"...."
***
Diana stood in the archery range, aiming her bow at an apple that was perched atop a person''s head.
¡ªSwish!
She shot an arrow and watched as it struck the apple in the middle,
¡ªThud!
Allowing the person who was holding the apple over his head to breathe in relief.
"So they intend to form an Alliance to oppose Ares?... and they want me to be a part of it too?" Diana questioned.
"Y-Yes, Princess, that was what indicated in the message we received from the Lucas faction, and ude appears to have consented to join him as well,"
The professor of the Archery course, atop whom Diana had ced the apple, answered Diana while wiping away his sweat.
The Archery course instructor was an elf with yellow hair and pointed ears who had previously worked for Diana''s father before being chosen to be a professor at the Soreh Academy.
He had no power in front of Diana, the princess and the next candidate for Empress of an Elven Kingdom, even if he is the professor who is supposed to instruct her.
The Academy would not appreciate this, but the professor can do nothing because the Elven Kingdom is his home, and he had to return there in the end to meet his wife.
If he does not behave appropriately in front of Diana the future Empress, his wife, and his life in the Elven Kingdom will turn pretty horrible.
"She''s treating the professor like a servant," Diana''s female bodyguard says awkwardly.
"But isn''t he really her servant? I expect nothing less from our future Empress," ording to the male bodyguard.
"...."
Hearing him, the female bodyguard simply sighed and turned to face Diana.
"Do they truly believe I''ll join their alliance? I know Ares is powerful, but I have my own ways of dealing with him; I will not lower my standards by ganging up on him when he is standing alone," Diana remarked.
"They believe Livia will also be joining his faction," the female bodyguard added.
"...."
"Hmm, it isn''t a bad idea to see what they have nned in this alliance; maybe I should pay them a visit as well," Diana mused.
"...."
"But we should keep our guard up because I don''t believe that sly A," Diana said.
"Roger!" Both bodyguards responded in unison.
***
As Ares finished exining his ns to Livia, he received a notification on his phone, and as he read its contents, a wide grin emerged on his face.
"I guess peace was never an option," Ares mumbled.
"Hmm, who sent you a text just now, and what was the content that caused you to make that expression?" Livia inquired after observing Ares'' expression.
"It seems A has already made her move; I knew she would react quickly, but I never expected her to form an alliance with other faction leaders to deal with me," Ares exined.
"How idiotic are they? They''re forming an alliance to deal with you, so why can''t they do the same to win that so-called tournament?" Irethiel remarked telepathically.
"...."
***
Chapter 73 A One-Move Checkmate!
"How stupid are they? They''re creating an alliance to deal with you, so why can''t they do the same to win that so-called tournament?" Irethielmented telepathically.
Irethiel''s words surprised me, and I mainly concur with them, however, ording to academy rules, only one person may represent the Academy in thepetition, and the others must follow their instructions.
I''m not sure why they came up with such a messed-up rule.
And for the conceited students, such as ude and Diana, it will tarnish their reputations if they follow someone else''s lead, as they may be the future King and Empress of their kingdoms.
And what will be of them when their kingdom''s popce sees their future king or empress obeying orders from someone else?
Of certainly, they will lose the favor of their kingdom''s people.
And it was for the same reason that in the novel, theypeted in the tournament separately and eventually lost, further tarnishing their reputation.
It had little effect on Diana, but ude was forced out of the crown race.
"Even if I want to be the representative, I will respect their dignity as princes and princesses. As I just want them to work with me, I don''t want to order them around as well;" I stated to Irethiel telepathically.
As in the novel, they didn''t work together because ude and Kevin wanted to bring Lucas down, and Diana, of course, preferred to y alone and not with anybody else.
And, to be honest, I don''t see how we can win the tournament with ude and Diana in charge, given their personalities and the way they operate their subordinates.
In my previous world, there was a popr saying that went, "I am not scared of an army of lions led by a sheep, but I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."
And I believe the same of ude and Diana, as they are still too immature to lead anyone, at least for the time being.
It will be a different story if it is A and Lucas, since A will serve as a brain and Lucas would use his might.
While I was thinking to myself, I was startled awake by iretheils words.
"Huh, Who are you kidding? I know you willpel them to follow you if they don''t already," Irethiel remarked.
"...."
"What do you take me for? Do you think of me as some sort of bad viin?" I inquired Irethiel.
"I think you are a cunning womanizer who ys dumb and takes advantage of everyone around him while appearing innocent," Irethiel dered.
"...."
***
Ares was stunned to hear Irethiel''s evaluation of him before Livia questioned him which brought him out of his daze.
"What do you n on doing about their alliance, Ares?" Livia inquired.
"Of course, we''re going to crash their alliance meeting," Ares said with a big grin.
"Hmm? Do you know when and where the alliance meeting is going to be held?" Livia asked curiously.
"Yeah, it will be held after Academy hours in one of the abandoned training grounds near the Dorm buildings," Ares exined.
"I''m genuinely intrigued by how you acquired that information so easily," Livia added.
"You''ll find out about that soon," Ares said and chuckled.
"Do you know how many students will be attending this alliance meeting?" Livia questioned.
"Hmm, of course, there may be many students from ude, Diana, and Lucas''s faction, but I also heard many students had already quit their factions so as not to go against us as well," I exined.
Livia nodded in agreement before speaking.
"So the n hasn''t changed much, correct? We just need to beat them all together," Expressed Livia.
"Yup, let''s just get this over with," Ares remarked, shrugging.
***
Meanwhile, The faction leaders already informed their members of the meeting''s location and the time they needed to gather after the Academy hours.
...
The bell soon sounded, signaling the end of today''s final ss.
Lucas, ude, Kevin, A, and Diana stayed in the ssroom after the Academy hours as everyone else left to discuss the alliance.
When Ares noticed them, he merely smiled and walked away, leaving them all staring at him.
"...."
After briefly deliberating, they all finally officially agreed on the establishment of an alliance and strategized their next move.
However, they didn''t appear to let their guard down when it came to one another as well, and each of them appeared to have their own intentions.
And After a few more minutes of discussion, they all proceeded together toward the meeting location, where their faction members had already gathered.
***
But as soon as they stepped into the expansive training area where the meeting was intended to take ce, they were bbergasted by what they saw.
"...."
"What...in the seven hells," Diana eximed, stunned by what she was witnessing in front of her.
Everyone around her experienced the same reaction as Diana had, and they were all left speechless by what they are seeing.
They witnessed all of their faction members being beaten to a pulp and thrown into various sections of the training ground.
And in the midst of the training area sat a ck-haired, ck-eyed guy with a handsome face that was now stained with blood drops, sitting on a pile of battered students.
And on his right side was a blue-haired girl seated on an ice throne nonchntly, while on his left stood a beast woman with a blood-sttered wooden sword.
They were, of course, Ares, Livia, and Ziona.
"...."
The moment Ares caught sight of them and their reactions, arge malicious grin broke out on his face.
"Wow, I''m so d you guys are finally here, I was growing bored as I waited for you guys," Dered Ares.
"Oh, Are there other opponents to contend with?" Ziona said as she directed her gaze toward the entrance to the training field.
"Potatoes are here, atst, let''s get this over with and have something to eat Ares," Livia sprang from her ice throne and stated.
"...."
"H-How did he know about this meeting and where it was going to be held?" Kevin stammered while sweating from his forehead.
They all abruptly realized what Kevin had said aftering out of their daze and began to nce at one another suspiciously.
As there was only one possibility in this circumstance,... that someone doubled cross them and leaked the information to Ares.
As there was no other exnation, as it appears that Ares already knew about this ce and their alliance all along.
They got shivers, wondering if that was his goal all along, with all the faction leaders and people opposing him gathered in one ce.
And the one who betrayed them delivered everything to him on a silver tter.
...He was consistently one step ahead of them.
*Gulp
They all gasped loudly and hurriedly pulled out their weapons, aiming them not at Ares... but rather at one another as the unidentified betrayer now posed a greater threat than Ares.
Of course, they were the academy-supplied sparring weapons, as carrying real weapons was prohibited in the Academy.
The weapons will eventually give a shock or only some minor injuries to anyone who is hit by it.
It was utilized to prevent any deadly injuries among students during their conflicts.
Aresughed out loud as he saw the sudden change of events, and hisughter rang around the training ground.
"Hahahaha..."
Ziona and Livia had huge grins on their faces as well, as they were also amused by the spectacle in front of them.
"I never thought it would be this easy to not only destroy their alliance but also make them mistrust their own faction members," Irethielmented telepathically, as she observed the current situation.
"I knew we could never trust this silly alliance all along," Diana said, awkwardly chuckling, as her two bodyguards stepped forward to protect her.
"It must be you, you might have leaked it to Ziona and it eventually got to Ares," ude snarled as he gazed aggressively at Kevin.
"Huh? I can say the same thing for you; you may have shared the information with Livia in order to impress her," Kevinshed back.
Everyone''s gaze was drawn to Kevin and ude, who were pointing fingers at each other.
A remained silent as she examined them and moved her gaze to Diana.
Diana furrowed and spoke up after sensing A''s attention.
"What! I could deal with you people myself if I wanted to; I don''t need to y these games," Diana eximed.
"You should determine if you want toe at me or fight each other first," Ares said, smiling.
"Ares, I''m hungry; should I mash these potatoes fast so we can go somewhere and eat something together?" Livia suggested.
"If you keep her waiting any longer, she''ll beat these students like mashed potatoes," Irethiel joked.
"...That''s not amusing at all; It will be a problem if she goes overboard," Ares conveyed to Irethiel telepathically.
"Oh, I can have some mashed potatoes too," Ziona abruptly stated.
"...."
''Yeah, I should wrap this up fast and get them something to eat,'' Ares thought to himself, turning his attention back to the individuals in front of him.
***
Chapter 74 The Real Mastermind!
"I''ll deal with Lucas, as myst fight with him was interrupted by a certain someone, and I''ve always been curious about his strength," Ziona said.
"I''ll take care of that Elf princess and her bodyguards," Livia stated.
"I guess I''ll just have to deal with Kevin and ude," Ares grinned as he gazed at them.
But before we could make our move, Kevin spoke up.
"I surrender," Kevin dered, lifting his hand.
"...."
When everyone heard Kevin, they immediately stared at him.
"What? Do you really think you can outperform this year''s Top 3? If you think you can aplish it, go ahead, since I don''t.
Either we ept it now, or we ept it after being battered to a pulp, much like the students who are dropping all over the training field.
I don''t want to get beaten up again." Kevin remarked.
Lucas, who had been silent and bewildered the entire time, had a distorted face as he saw the events y out in front of him.
He was going to speak up, but A stopped him since what Kevin said was true and she didn''t want Lucas to behave rashly.
"Even if you beat us, do you believe everyone else will easily follow you?" A stated.
"So, all we have to do is beat you until you agree topile," Livia said as she yawned.
"To be honest, I don''t want to use violence as well; I just want you guys to work with me; it''s more like a partnership than obeying mymands, and I will respect your status as princes and princesses and treat you appropriately, as you all know I detest violence," Ares added.
"What a bastard," A muttered
"...."
"If it''s a partnership, it''ll be beneficial to join hands and coborate with you.
As a magnificent Elven Princess, I am confident that if I assist you, we would easily win thispetition," Diana stated.
"Hmm? So you agree to join me?" Ares questioned.
"Yes, I agree with this coboration, and I have no objections to you folks working with a benevolent me," Diana remarked puffing her chest and pointing at herself with a smile.
"...."
"But, princess, we will be working for him, not the other way around-," Diana''s female bodyguard said, but herments were cut off by her twin.
"Oh, she''s still thinking of helping others, as one would expect from ourpassionate princess," With a courteous smile, the male bodyguard stated.
"...."
''You Dumbasses,''
The female bodyguard was left dumbfounded, and she didn''t know what to do in this scenario because everything here seemed wrong to her,...as if they were ying in someone''s hand the way they wanted and everything was premeditated.
"W-What? How does she fit in as the future Empress? You don''t have a brain, do you? What are you thinking? This is exactly what he desired from the beginning," ude eximed angrily.
"It''s better to work with a forthright lion with clear intents than a treacherous hyena," Diana said, ncing at ude.
"Y-You," ude was taken aback when he heard her, but he came to a standstill when he heard A.
"...Yeah, I agree that we should coborate with Ares if we truly want to win this tournament," A remarked abruptly.
"A?" Lucas was shocked to hear her, as he had believed A would also have a solution to this dilemma.
Because she always has solutions to any problems they face.
And He didn''t imagine she''d agree to cooperate with Ares as well.
"Do you trust me, Brother?" A addressed Lucas.
"...O-Of course, I trust you with my life, sister," Lucas replied.
"So, believe me just this once, okay?" A stated.
Lucas lowered his head and kept quiet hearing A.
"...."
"T-this is crazy," ude murmured, uneasilyughing at the current scenario.
"So? What are you going to do now, ude? Do you want to keep fighting?" Ares queried with a broad grin on his face.
"...This is so fucked up, I''ve been duped," ude grumbled.
"He doesn''t seem to understand the easy way, Should I take care of him?" Livia stated and began casting her ice magic.
"...."
"W-Wait, I ept," ude said quickly, looking at Livia since he didn''t want to be beaten by her.
"Tch, then there are no more opponents to contend with?" Ziona expressed her displeasure.
"...."
"Isn''t she still satisfied? She was enjoying beating up all those students earlier." Irethiel muttered to himself.
"Let''s work well together from now on, shall we?" Ares said while smiling brightly and removing the blood stains from his face.
''Why does it appear as though everything went so smoothly? as if it were pre-written.'' Irethiel was perplexed.
"Yeah, now that the show''s finished, let''s get going, Ares, I''m hungry," Livia said as she dragged Ares away from the training grounds.
Simrly, Ziona followed behind them, dissatisfied.
They all just gazed at them as they walked by the unconscious students as if they didn''t care about them and weren''t the ones to me.
"...."
"...Contact the infirmary," A said before leaving, followed by Lucas.
"Yeah, notify the infirmary," Diana said, looking at the unconscious students onest time before leaving with her bodyguards.
ude simply shook his head and walked away as well leaving Kevin alone.
"...."
"What the fuck is wrong with you people, and why am I the one to inform the infirmary and take care of them till they arrive?" Kevin yelled, but no one listened.
***
With the sun already setting, Ares was waiting for someone while he sat by himself in a cafe and drank his coffee.
After a short period of time, the person he was anticipating arrived and sat down next to him.
He saw the person was wearing a hooded jacket and sses.
"Did I make the great Ares wait too long for me?" the person sarcastically asked.
"No, I just arrived, but what''s up with you wearing a hood and sses?" Ares inquired as he sipped his coffee.
"Of course, it''s because I don''t want to be seen with you," the individual exined.
"But you seem much more suspicious in that," Ares responded.
"Agh, did you just call me formenting on my clothes? Why can''t you just shut up and speak business?" the individual said frustratedly as she removed her hood.
"...."
"...There''s no fucking way," Irethiel eximed as she saw the face of the person who orchestrated everything with Ares.
"This is much better, you look cute with those spectacles, A," Ares said, smiling.
Yes, A Eugene... The true mastermind behind everything that urred today.
It was all her n from the very beginning.
***
"I''m curious how you pulled everything off; I never believed they''d join an alliance given how prideful they are," Ares inquired.
A sipped her orange juice with a straw before replying.
"It was all because of Livia that everything became easy."
"Livia?" Ares queried, perplexed.
"Her hugging you in front of the entire ss yed a significant role in all of this," A replied, her gaze fixed on her drink.
"Do you mean ude''s feelings for Livia? But how did you persuade Diana? "Ares inquired.
"You are partially urate, it was also because ude wanted to beat the shit out of you, but Diana felt the same way toward Livia," A replied casually.
"...."
''I don''t like where this is going,'' Ares reflected inwardly.
When A saw Ares'' expression, sheughed before exining.
"Yeah, it''s what you think, she seems to like you as well," A stated and sipped her drink.
"Isn''t it quite easy for teenagers to fall in love? When someone is pleasant to them or they discover something inmon with someone, they believe they have discovered their soul mate," As she cast a nce towards Ares, A stated.
"...."
"So they joined the alliance only out of jealousy, is that what you''re saying?" Ares inquired,pletely disregarding her prior statement.
"No, that was just the first phase; it wouldn''t have persuaded my brother, so I have to show them how powerful you are now that Livia has joined you.
And show them how defeating you alone is impossible without teamwork.
So I turned you into a Final Boss that cannot be vanquished without cooperation." A stated.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, is this what she meant?" Irethiel muttered.
"So you even kept your ideas hidden from your brother? And I''m wondering as to why you didn''t help your brother and instead helped me," Ares was curious.
"Hmm, my brother can be foolish at times, and this would not have worked if it had been my brother;
it only worked because you are a prince,"
"No one would appreciate my brother, who isn''t even a prince, ordering around the royals, therefore I never wanted him to take the lead to keep him out of trouble."
"And Don''t you think the public will be d to see princes and princesses from other kingdoms working together? Who knows, it might even strengthen the rtionship between kingdoms." A stated in a mocking manner and chuckled.
"So she formed a phony alliance to assemble all of your adversaries and deal with them all at once?" Irethiel got shivers thinking about A''s n.
"She also dyed the faction leaders in the ssroom in the guise of strategizing the n and giving you guys time to deal with their poor faction members?"
"Are you really teenagers or a Devil Incarnate?" Irethiel wondered.
"They were merely the sacrifices required to frighten them and weaken their fighting spirit," Ares exined.
"...."
***
Chapter 75 As Cunning As A Fox
"And thest part was fairly simple; it was the same as how when one person ps, all the other pupils follow suit and begin pping as well," A exined.
"What does that mean?" Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"She is talking about the surrender part," Ares answered.
"I truly like how you concluded everything so quickly; it would have taken me a long time alone if it hadn''t been for you," Ares told A.
"Yeah, so you better be grateful, and don''t let my brother find out about all this, he still hold grudge against you for how you eliminated me in the entrance examination," A stated.
"...."
"...How stupid, it was apetition; how should I have eliminated you then? By kissing you goodbye?" Ares muttered as he sipped his coffee.
"Shut it you, I didn''t forget about it either, and I''m going toe back at you for it in the future, so you better watch your back," A said.
''...Now that''s concerning,'' Ares thought to himself.
"You know I truly like you for your brains," Ares said while smiling.
"Huh! Don''t mistake me for one of the other adolescent females you''ve enchanted with your good looks and sweet talks," A said.
"But it''s true, I genuinely like your intelligence," Ares said.
"Don''t even try to impress me with those meaninglesspliments since my intelligence pales inparison to yours, and I know precisely how you are," A responded.
"She doesn''t even want to hear aplement from you," Irethiel chuckled.
"...."
"You know how I am? Even I am unaware of this; could you please enlighten me?" Ares inquired, fascinated.
"Do you know why most Harem anime protagonists are dense?" A inquired.
"...No, I don''t," Ares replied.
"Having a harem protagonist who is clueless about the affections of their harem members removes any notion of drama, conflict, or, worse, realism from the interactions.
And What if the protagonist ignores everyone else and picks one female from among those that adored him? What do you believe will happen?"
A spoke, pausing to hear Ares respond, but when she noticed Ares'' expressionless face, she continued.
"Of course, if the girl isn''t nuts, she''ll try to move on; however, what if the girl has a crazy obsessive personality?
She will either try to kill the female you choose or, in the worst-case scenario,e for your life." A said and nced at Ares with a smile.
''Why does she remind me of Aegis?'' Ares reflected after hearing A.
"...And why are you describing this harem protagonist to me again?" Ares questioned.
"Because you''re "Acting" like one, but what makes you more dangerous than them is...you''re aware of their affection for you and are exploiting it."
"In short, You''re a crafty bastard who ys with the girl''s feelings," A remarked and started drinking her orange juice.
"...."
"...Wow, She''s good," Irethielmented.
"Do you even understand what anime is?" Ares questioned Irethiel.
"Hmm, I''m not sure what that is, but I agree with her assessment of you," Irethiel said.
Ares questioned A while ignoring Irethiel.
"What gives you that impression? Apart from Livia, who did you see me with?" Ares queried, his face amused.
"Your master Mika Amami and your fianc¨¦e Silvia Urs," A replied while her gaze fixed on her drink.
"...."
''...Fuck, she''s scary, I don''t know how she found out about them.'' Ares kept a nk look as he thought to himself.
"Oops, I wasn''t supposed to know that, was I?" A spoke while covering her lips with both hands.
"But don''t worry, I''m not criticizing you, since I appreciate your cleverness, and maybe I may fall for you as well, seeing as we''re simr in some ways,...after all, I''m a teenager too," A stated sarcastically and started giggling.
"What would happen to your fiancee if you fall for me?" Ares asked bluntly.
A stoppedughing as soon as she heard Ares and just gazed at him.
"Oops, I wasn''t supposed to know that, was I?" Ares eximed with a wide grin.
Yes, A had a fiancee, and when he was introduced in the novel, that was when the true personality of A was known.
It was a stark contrast to her innocent appearance, as was known to others.
As she devised a massive plot to deal with her fiancee, while even manipting Lucas.
She is not qualified to criticize me because she too uses people for her own gain, just like I do.
"...."
"We even?" Ares spoke out seeing A''s expression
"...Sure," A said shrugging.
"Shall we get to the main point now?" Ares stated.
***
"I don''t know why you want to represent the Academy in this tournament, but dealing with the second and third years wouldn''t be simple," A said.
"What makes you think that?" Ares questioned.
"Of course because, there are numerous royals in the second and third year as well, so it would be impossible to make them work for you easily,
And, we can''t just beat them all up as well since they have some powerful people, like Beastman''s Kingdom''s prince ''Zerix Madlock'', who is also Ziona''s brother,
Princess ''Erina Valdemar'' from the Kingdom of Aloctona who is also ude''s elder sister,
And from the Kingdom of Escratia your 2nd eldest brother ''Aretrus Von Rothstaylor'' as well," A exined.
"...."
When Ares heard about his second-eldest brother, he was rendered speechless.
Ares knew that he has two older brothers and one younger brother from previous Ares memories.
His younger brother is the offspring of a concubine, while his two older brothers are the sons of the queen.
And His eldest brother, who is also the crown prince, and the queen are the ones who want him dead.
However, he is also aware that his second older brother also did not think highly of him and might perhaps want to see him killed as well.
Ares was thinking to himself when A spoke up again.
"There are a lot of other strong Elves as well, but dealing with them won''t be a problem now that Diana is on our side," A stated.
"Yeah, it would have been difficult if Diana had yed clever and utilized her authority to go against us with all the Elves from the Academy," Ares remarked while smiling awkwardly.
"I know right, I see the Elven Kingdom''s future to be terribly grim with Diana as their future Empress," A stated andughed.
''I can''t agree with her on that, as Diana will get a huge character development in the future and she will be one of the strongest Elf ever lived, and she will also lead the Elven Kingdom to the most affluent times they''ve ever seen,''
Ares was pondering to himself before he heard A.
"So, The first thing we have to do is go after the second year''s representative, because they are unified under only one person,...which is your brother," A said, looking at Ares.
"So, my brother is already the second-year representative?" Ares questioned.
"Yes, and I know you''re not on good terms with your brothers, so you don''t mind dealing with him, right?" A inquired, intrigued.
"You''re right, I don''t care about them, so let''s just beat the shit out of him," Ares said casually.
"You are pretty bold, aren''t you afraid of upsetting the Queen and your eldest brother?" A said with arge smile on her face.
"...."
"I think she already knew they wanted you dead," Irethiel said telepathically.
"...Yeah, she is just enjoying this," Ares replied.
Ares ignored A''s previous statement and inquired.
"The faction leaders for the third year are only Zerix Madlock and Erina Valdemar?"
"Yeah, the fight between the two factions is still raging on a regr basis, and they still haven''t settled on the third-year representative.
which is a good thing because if they had, they would havee after the first and second year''s representatives," A exined.
"So we have to quickly deal with my brother, the 2nd year representative before the 3rd year representative is decided, right?" Ares spoke.
"Yes, that''s right," A agreed.
"Do you have a n?" Ares inquired A.
"Well, we simply have to wait a little longer because I believe your brother will soon ask you the first-year representative for a meeting," A replied.
"What if he doesn''t invite me as you said?" Ares questioned.
"No, I''m sure he will," A stated confidently.
"...."
I''m not sure why she''s so certain about this, but I''ve decided not to question her judgment since I believe she knows what she''s doing.
"So he''ll want to deal with me at that moment," Ares said.
"Yes, and of course, he''ll be well prepared," A stated.
"Do you mean it''ll be a trap?" Ares asked.
"Yes, but if we are already aware that it is a trap, it ceases to be a trap... and bes our yground instead, isn''t that right?" A said with a smirk.
"...."
"...I like her attitude," Irethiel added.
"I''m not sure from where you acquired all of this information that gives you such confidence in it," Ares wondered.
"I have my own ways," A remarked, smiling.
"...I must say, you have a good information source then," Ares stated with a smile.
***
Chapter 76 Moments Before The Fall...
The Next Morning ~
Ares got dressed in his academy uniform like usual and walked toward the academy''s main building.
And as he was proceeding, he began to reflect on what had transpired yesterday.
"Even though it was unexpected to have A join me, everything went smoothly and worked out well in the end," Ares muttered to himself.
***
Moments Before The Fall Of First-year Faction Leaders. ~
When Ares announced that he would be forming his own faction and the news spread, two students had already reached out to him and requested to join his side.
...And that two students were Eric Gunner and Penelope Benjamin, who previously participated in a mock gate with him.
However, Eric was already on ude''s side, and Penelope was a member of Diana''s faction.
So Ares has already devised a n to deal with ude and Diana one at a time by using Eric and Penelope as informants to alert him of their activities and wait for the right time to deal with them.
But his ns were swiftly derailed when he was contacted by A, and he was surprised when A volunteered to join him.
She then informed Ares about her n to deal with all of the faction leaders at once.
Yes, it was by creating that phony alliance.
Of course, Ares consented to A''s n, although he was skeptical that it would not work.
But, to his astonishment, everything went as nned and the alliance was created sessfully.
After seeing that everything is going ording to that of A''s plot, he approached Ziona and convinced her to join in as well.
It was rather simple to persuade her to join him since he simply promised Ziona that she could battle multiple students at once.
Knowing Ziona''s battle-crazed mentality, she consented to him without hesitation.
As the Academy hours came to a conclusion, he walked to the location A had given him, apanied by Livia and Ziona.
While A, under the pretense of strategic nning, halted the faction leaders in the ssroom.
And as soon as they stepped into the expansive training area where the meeting was meant to take ce, it was Penelope and Eric''s turn to y their parts.
"Whaaat! What exactly is Ares doing here? W-Wait T-There is even Livia and Ziona?" With a scared expression, Penelope yelled as her gaze fixed on Ares.
"Whoa! It''s Ares The Executioner, run for your pathetic existence or he''ll beat the snot out of you," Eric yelled, followed by Penelope, and began sprinting all around the training ground while screaming.
"Runnnnn!!!"
"Ahhhhh!!!"
"...."
"...You just had one job," Ares mumbled to himself as he observed Erics'' overacting.
Seeing a big guy like Eric running about afraid sparked a panic among the students, and they lost their desire to fight and began running scared as well, without so much as thinking about fighting back.
Eric and Penelope''s objective was to instill fear in the students, which worked very effectively because there was no one to lead or even calm them down.
As A can only stop other faction leaders for a brief period of time, Ares had used this strategy to deal with all the students quickly and effortlessly.
Consequently, Ares allowed Livia and Ziona to start the carnage because there was little resistance from the students and they were mostly just running around.
However, there were some tough kids who attempted to fight back.
But Knowing Ares, Livia, and Ziona''s prowess, all of the pupils gathered were beaten to a pulp and tossed all over the training area in a matter of minutes.
"...I just hope they don''t get traumatized by this," Ares said, looking around at the students who were now beaten up unconscious.
"Don''t worry; they''ll be OK ...of course after a few days of nightmares," Irethielmented.
"...."
After that, everything proceeded as A had predicted, and Ares was chosen as the first-year representative.
And Ares decided to let Eric and Penelope stay with ude and Diana respectively to keep an eye on them.
While A, on the other hand, will be keeping Lucas in control.
So he could focus on dealing with the 2nd and 3rd-year representatives without being concerned about them.
***
The Present moment ~
As I was contemting, I arrived at the advisor''s training area, where the first period of today''s sses was being held.
And as soon as I entered the training ground, Ziona weed me with her trademark wide smile, while Kevin just smiled awkwardly.
"Good Morning, Ares," Ziona greeted.
"She still wasn''t pleased even after beating all those students so I had to spar with her for a few hours yesterday," Ares murmured as he noticed Ziona''s menacing smirk.
"Why is every girl you encounter is as insane as you?" Irethiel inquired.
I actually don''t have an answer to that, as I believe what Irethiel said is true.
"I''m still looking for a girl who isn''t crazy in this ursed world," Ares replied telepathically to Irethiel.
"Good morning, Ziona. Did you get enough sleep after giving all of the students you beat yesterday nightmares?" Ares said sarcastically with a smile.
After yesterday, I became fairly close to Ziona, and I could now converse with her morefortably.
"...."
"... I-It''s their fault that they''re weak," Ziona responded abruptly.
Gulp*
Kevin broke out in cold sweat as he overheard our conversation, unable to forget the spectacle from yesterday of hundreds of students being thrashed and tossed around the training grounds.
"Did you know that the student council has already named you as the first-year representative?" Ziona inquired Ares.
"Huh? When did that happen?" I stated as I had no information about this.
"It happened this morning, they put it on the Academy forum, and it may have already been updated on your special badge," Ziona said.
"...I see, they are rather fast," I muttered because it all transpired after Academy hours and I wasn''t expecting them to obtain this information so soon.
"It could be what that A girl was talking about," Irethiel spected telepathically.
"Yeah, She may have released the information to the student council," Ares responded telepathically.
"So my brother might also be aware of it by now, doesn''t he?" Ares grinned as he murmured.
"Oh yeah, I heard the 2nd year representative is your brother, is it true?" Kevin said suddenly with a smile on his face.
''What''s the matter with this jerk? Why is he smiling so creepily?'' Ares wondered as he noticed Kevin.
"Oh, it''s true, right?" Curious, Ziona asked.
"Dumbasses, can''t they tell by his name?" Irethiel spoke telepathically.
"You can''t criticize them since you are the same as them; you''re simply getting a little smarter by sticking with me," Ares remarked telepathically.
"...."
"That''s correct, and I also heard your brother is fighting for the third-year representative position," I said.
"Oh, you mean Zerix? I am not on good terms with my family since the moment I was disowned, so I really don''t care about him; and you may beat him all you want," Ziona stated.
"Yeah, I''ll take you up on your offer, but first let me beat the shit out of my brother," Ares stated with a wide grin.
"Count me in as well," Ziona said, arge grin emerged on her face as well, and they both fist-bumped.
"...."
"...What the hell is wrong with them?" Kevin uttered, his face distorted when he saw Ares and Ziona grinning and fist-bumping.
***
And as we were conversing, Bianca soon arrived on the training ground.
"Good day, How are you all doing?" Bianca greeted us and looked between Ziona and me.
"I heard you guys sent hundreds of students to the infirmary yesterday," Bianca said.
"...."
"It wasn''t me," Kevin rified.
"I know you''re not capable of doing that Kevin," Bianca replied.
"I was talking about Ares and Ziona," Bianca continued, ncing at us as we both averted our gazes and looked sideways.
"You guys did a tremendous job, as to be expected from my students," Biancamented unexpectedly.
"Huh?" we all eximed in unison, bewildered by her statement.
"I was incredibly proud hearing the news that you guys fought more than a hundred students at once and came out victorious," Bianca added while smiling brightly.
"...."
"I''m not sure what she would have done if she had known how you handled those hundred students," Irethiel remarked.
When we heard Bianca''s statement, we both looked at each other and controlled ourughter before answering.
"Pfft, sure, we fought exactly as you taught us," we agreed in unison with an innocent smile.
"...."
"Okay, considering how hard you guys are working, I''m going to teach you one of my skills right now, but how much you can learn and grasp is entirely up to you.
And to truly harness its entire potential, you must train and work hard," Bianca emphasized.
"...."
We were startled when we heard her because no one wants to impart their skills to anyone other than their disciples.
"Are you serious, Miss Bianca?" Ziona asked.
"Yeah, I''m sure, so go get your protective gear on, because it won''t be as easy as you think," Bianca said with a grin.
Hearing her, we quickly changed into our protective gear and made our way to the Arena.
***
Chapter 77 Meeting Invitation.
Soon after wearing our safety gear, we made our way to the arena, where Bianca was waiting for us.
"Watch closely as I show the skill that I wanted to teach you, students," Bianca stated and held an apple in one hand.
She then hurled the apple into the air, and it split into several pieces in an instant.
The apple was split into pieces, yet all we saw of her was as she stood motionless in ce.
Not even her sword''s sheathing could be seen by us.
"...."
"This is the skill imparted to me by my teacher when I was a teenager, just like you, and it is the reason I chose to follow the path of the sword," Bianca exined.
"I realize it''s foolish to use a sword after watching just one skill, but I thought she was cool when she quickly sliced the apple into numerous pieces in a sh, and I wanted to do the same,"
Bianca began narrating her stories.
...
"...Miss Bianca, you are getting off-topic right now," Ziona said.
Although Bianca''s story was intriguing, but we were more eager to learn the skill that she just demonstrated to us.
"...."
"O-Oh, sorry about that, so where was I?" Bianca stated.
"You were exining the skill," I said.
"Oh, yeah, the skill I just disyed is called Atomic sh, It helps the user to perform numerous strikes with astonishing speed in an instant," Bianca exined.
When she finished speaking, she grabbed a wooden sword and grinned at us.
"As I use this skill on you, why don''t you guys try to block it," Bianca remarked.
As soon as we heard her, our faces turned grim, and even before we could respond, we were suddenly attacked by a barrage of sword strokes that shed all over our bodies in an instant, leaving us with no chance to react.
However, we only noticed Bianca just standing still without doing anything; and we were unable to see her attacksing at us with our unaided eyes.
Bianca didn''t stop at that and continued to use her skill aimed directly at us.
I, ordingly attempted to deflect the sword shesing my way, by observing them using my skill Hawk eye, but I was still unable to block every attack and continued to take damage.
...
Until the bell sounded to signal the end of ss, she persisted in attacking us.
"Oh, let''s stop here for now; I''ll continue your beating¡ªer, I mean teaching¡ªin our next session," Bianca said with a smile as she departed the training area, leaving us lying on the ground bruised and sore from her relentless onught on us.
While Kevin and Ziona were in worse shape than I was.
"In what way is this imparting a skill? This is just us getting beaten here," Kevin cried out.
"I knew there was something fishy when she stated she''d be teaching us one of her skills," Kevin continued with his whining.
Ziona and I remained silent since we, too, had no idea what Bianca was trying to achieve by constantly beating us up.
"...."
"This looks to be something personal," Irethielmented.
"Even you have no idea what that was?" Ares questioned Irethiel.
"Nope, I had no idea what she was up to either, maybe you humans learn that way, or ...maybe she simply likes bashing you up," Irethiel said whileughing.
"Fuck this skill, let''s get out of here," Kevin remarked as he began to make his way toward the infirmary.
"The infirmary has be our daily visit," Ziona sighed as she dragged herself to the infirmary as well.
''Perhaps there''s something we don''t know about her training?'' Or her previous master may have taught her in the same way,'' I reasoned as I followed Kevin and Ziona to the infirmary.
***
"I think it serves you right," Irethiel remarked as we walked back to our ssroom without being treated.
The Infirmary was already overcrowded with over a hundred students, and the healers were overworked.
Worse, the students began screaming in terror as soon as they saw Ziona.
Yes, they were absolutely terrified by Ziona, not me, since I was knocking them out quickly, whereas Ziona took her time beating them.
She was having a thrilling time, with a big grin that could scare anyone, just like a psychopath.
"I guess it''s karma, we beat them and sent them to the infirmary, and now there''s no room for us in there," I murmured as I stared at Ziona.
When Ziona realized I was staring at her, she began to giggle nervously and with a guilty expression.
"...."
"Ziona, could you perhaps ask A to treat me as well?" Kevin said.
"S-Sure, will do," Ziona replied.
We quickly arrived in the ssroom, which was now mostly vacant due to the previously mentioned reasons, and A approached and treated us, as she always did, but this time she even treated Kevin at Ziona''s request.
"Let''s talk about what your next n is, Ares," A said as soon as she finished treating us.
After hearing her statement, everyone''s gaze was drawn to A.
"...Now? What about the lecture?" Perplexed, I inquired.
"No, there will be no other sses today, thanks to you," A answered sarcastically, smiling.
As if to confirm A''s assertions, Roselia who is the teacher in charge of our ssroom quickly entered the ssroom and announced the cancetion of today''s lectures.
Then she stared at me for a few seconds before walking out.
"...."
"That''s fine, I don''t like attending these lectures, so we should just beat these potatoes more frequently so we can easily skip these lectures," Livia said abruptly.
As we turned our attention to her, we noticed Livia sitting nonchntly in her seat, staring at A.
A simply smiled at Livia''s stare before turning her gaze to me.
"You received a meeting invitation from the 2nd year representative," A exined.
"...Already?" Surprised, I inquired.
"Yes, it was delivered to the Student Council this morning, and since you may not know, I am also a member of the Student Council, so I am simply forwarding it to you," A exined.
"...."
"You are also a member of the student council? Since when?" I inquired confused.
"Oh, it happened when you were on leave," A replied.
Nothing interesting happens when I attend the academy regrly, and when I was gone for just a few days this happens.
"...."
"Is Diana a member of the student council as well?" I inquired.
As in the novel, A was not a member of the student council, but Diana was.
"Pfft! No, I am not. You should know that I do not work with anyone, but everyone works for me," Diana stated abruptly.
"...Yeah, how could I forget that our magnificent Diana would never work with anyone," I remarked, staring at Diana nkly.
"Oh, you know me well, don''t you?" Diana boasted with a bright smile.
Diana''s statements attracted everyone''s attention, including mine, because she had already forgotten that she''d be working with me during the tournament.
Diana spoke up, sensing everyone''s attention.
"What? Is there something wrong with my face?" She remarked this while pulling out her phone to examine her face.
"...."
"No judging anyone, this is the next Elven Empress," udemented.
Everyone simply nodded in ord as they heard ude''s words.
"Alright everyone, now let''s hear what our first-year representative''s next ns are," A said, prompting everyone to huddle around and take a closer seat in anticipation of hearing about Ares''s next strategy.
And soon everyone gathered around Ares, and he began to exin to them about his next move.
***
Chapter 78 Bringing The First-Years Together.
After a brief discussion of his n, Ares came to a conclusion.
"Sure, I can y whatever part you give me, Ares," Livia stated.
"Count me in as well; I''ve always wanted to fight some tough opponents," Ziona said.
"Yeah, I like my role, too, so I approve of this," Diana replied.
"I''m not sure why you''re incorporating us in your ns at all. Since you are the first-year representative, you should handle this on your own," ude stated.
"Yeah, I agree with ude," Kevin agreed.
After hearing ude and Kevin''s statements, Ares shifted his focus to A and Lucas to hear their opinions as well.
"...I don''t have any issues with your n either, so I''m in," A concurred.
"I understand involving everyone else, but why should we bring A to this meeting in the first ce? It will be risky for her because she is only a support," Lucas expressed his displeasure.
''You should ask your sister why she wanted toe along,'' I thought to myself because I devised this strategy with A, and A herself volunteered to tag along.
And I''m not sure why she wanted toe along since there would be no work for her there.
As things will be a shambles since we already know it''s a trap.
"...She''ll be a good addition to this meeting because she''s smart," I came out of my thoughts and replied casually to Lucas.
"So, at the very least, let me stay with her so I can protect her," Lucas replied.
"Alright," I answered readily.
"...."
"Thank you, brother," A responded brightly.
"I guess this is what she wanted all along," Irethiel remarked.
I didn''t object to Irethiel''s assertions, because during the first year, Lucas was nothing more than A''s pawn, whom she could deploy anytime she pleased.
But, of course, A would never do anything that may endanger Lucas as well.
"So you''ll all be attending the reported trap meeting as well?" ude inquired displeased.
"What exactly are you worried about? All of them can be dealt with by Ares and me on our own. Just so you might learn something that can benefit us in the tournament, we''re taking you guys as well," Diana boasted.
"...."
We just stared at Diana, wowed, without saying anything.
"...No one needs you, potato," Livia mocked.
"Oh, we also have Livia with us,...ah wait, I''m not a potato," Diana rified.
Livia disregarded Diana and moved her attention to ude and Kevin.
"And you two, we''re not asking if you wanted toe along or not; take that as amand from our first-year representative that you must obey, or you know what will happen to you, right?" With a cheeky grin, Livia stated.
"...."
Everyone was silent for a brief while after hearing Livia''s admonition.
''What happened to the words, ''I will respect your status as a prince and princess?'' ude thought to himself, but couldn''t speak it aloud for fear of offending Livia.
Kevin gulped as he saw ude keep his mouth shut in front of Livia.
Gulp*
"Can you tell me when that meeting is?" Kevin questioned.
"It''s on Sunday," A replied.
"So, we still have a day, don''t we?" Livia stated.
"...Yes," Ares answered.
"There''s still plenty of time, let''s go get something to eat," Livia abruptly said and got up from her seat.
"...."
"You''re surrounded by all kinds of peculiar characters, human," Irethiel said and giggled.
Ares couldn''t say anything and just sat there staring at Livia, who was fixated on wanting to eat and didn''t give a damn about anything else.
"I''m sure she didn''t even pay any attention to my n, since I observed her yawning with boredom at the moment," Ares muttered to himself.
"Yes, Livia is right, let''s go eat something, I''m hungry as well," Ziona answered as she stood up as well.
"...Well then, let''s conclude our meeting here," Ares sighed and affirmed.
"Oh, I''m hungry as well, let''s eat together," Diana suggested.
"OK, anyone else who is hungry cane along too," Ares stated and proceeded to leave the ssroom.
"Hey, A, what about you? Aren''t you hungry, too? Why don''t youe along with us?" Ziona invited A.
"Should we go too, brother?" A asked Lucas.
"...Sure," responded Lucas.
"Hey, Ares, why are you inviting everyone; I just wanted us two to eat together," Livia grumbled as she chased after Ares out of the ssroom.
"Who is paying for the meal?" Ziona inquired as we were leaving the ssroom, ignoring Livia''s statement.
"Of course, it''s on our Benevolent Elven Princess," Ares answered.
"H-Huh, Why me?... Okay, fine. After all, I have more money than anyone else here," Diana concurred.
***
We were seated in an extravagant caf¨¦ outside the Academy premises that Diana rmended and took us to.
"Aggh, why are you all here with us?" Livia expressed her frustration, as she chew her sandwich.
"Well, it''s good to get along with your peers, right?" Ziona responded while her gaze was fixed on her chicken.
"Oh Lucas, could you pass that sauce to me?" Kevin asked.
"...Here," Lucas said as he handed him the sauce, staring at him nkly.
"I had no idea you guys would join as well," A stated as she sipped her orange juice while ncing at ude and Kevin.
"Haha, who can say no to food?" Kevin said, his mouth full of spaghetti.
"Don''t get any ideas, I was dragged here by this jerk," ude said, pointing to Kevin.
"...."
Diana soon chimed in, unconcerned about the discussion going on around her.
"How is the food? I frequently order food from here because it is among the best on the entire floating ind," Diana said as she finished her steak.
"Well, I can eat anything as long as someone else is buying," Kevin said while still gobbling his spaghetti.
"Who said I was paying for your food?" Diana abruptly stated.
"Huh?" Kevin came to a halt in his chewing when he heard Diana.
"...."
He then turned to face us all, but we all ignored him.
"...seriously?" Kevin eximed.
"H-Hey, ude, could you lend me some money because I left my wallet in my dorm room?" Kevin asked.
"...Who are you again?" ude replied, his face puzzled as if he was viewing a stranger.
"...."
"E-Eh, don''t be like that, I was a member of your faction¡ª" Kevin said to ude.
"Pfft, Hahahahaha," We all burst outughing when we saw Kevin''s reaction.
"W-why are you guysughing?" Kevin asked, embarrassed.
"Idiot, Because Diana already paid for everyone''s food," ude rified.
"Hahaha, so it was a joke, huh, I''m not going to lie, you guys got me there," Kevin said whileughing awkwardly.
"Yeah, you were simply too busy devouring your food to notice," ude remarked.
***
Boooom!
As we were rxing, a loud explosion could be heard in the distance, drawing our attention.
Additionally, the explosion''s shockwave triggered an earthquake that also shook the cafe where we were sitting.
"What the fuck!" Kevin screamed.
"Don''t worry, it''s only a shockwave caused by an explosion," Livia said casually and added.
"I''d have a chocte milkshake," Livia remarked, turning to summon the waitress.
But she noticed that everyone was cowering under the tables, terrified by the earthquake.
"...."
We all stared at Livia after regaining ourposure, observing her unfazed demeanor in the face of the explosion.
"L-Livia you¡ª," Diana started, but Livia interrupted her.
"What?" Livia inquired her gaze fixed on Diana.
We were also watching Diana to see how she would respond to her.
"O-Oh, I think you should try the strawberry milkshake; it''s their specialty and they''re renowned for it," Diana suggested.
"...."
"They''ve got their priorities straight," Irethielmented.
"For Goodness sake," I eximed as I dashed toward the explosion.
Lucas, Ziona, and ude nodded and followed behind me.
"Is this Dine and dash? But I already paid though," Diana expressed her confusion.
"...."
"I wish you a prosperous future, Elven Kingdom," A remarked as she followed Ares.
"They''re heading toward an explosion," Livia said as she walked out of the cafe followed by Kevin.
"...Oh, I see... hold on! the explosion," Diana finally understood and hurried toward it as well.
***
Chapter 79 Dealing With The Demon Cultists [1]
We could hear people screaming and the sounds of something copsing as we moved closer to the loud explosion.
"Who the hell would perpetrate this in the broad daylight?" I muttered to myself.
''Shadow organization? No, it''s still the time when they''re holding their breath, and they wouldn''t act so aggressively on the floating Ind.
Above all, doing things so openly was not their style.
The insane act of carrying out terrorism in an area where civilians are congregating.
The ''Demon Cultists'' was the only term that sprang to mind.
They were a bunch of enthusiasts who were always the most insane.
''Is Belphegor, the demon lord, behind it?'' I thought to myself.
...
Ding!
As I was pondering, I heard a system notification Sound, so I summoned it to find out what was going on.
*** SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ***
[Sudden Quest] Be A True Hero.
[Exnation] A terrorist attack was carried out by someone concealed in the packed streets.
We don''t know what their objective or identity is, but as you''re an academy student aiming to be a hero, there''s only one thing you need to do in this case.
Save as many citizens as possible and subjugate the terrorists!
[Sess Condition]1) Inducing citizens to evacuate.
2) Suppression of the terrorist group.
[Quest Reward] 1) Contribution To The Society.
2) Increase in Fame.
***
''A sudden quest? Is it because the system is being updated? because I''d never seen anything like it before, but I can''t say I''m pleased with the rewards though,''
I thought to myself before exiting my thoughts because I didn''t have much time to think about it.
"Let''s help with the evacuation of the citizens first," I spoke while ncing at Ziona, who seemed to be waiting for my instructions.
Ziona gave her approval with a nod before hurriedly proceeding.
Then I turned to face Lucas, who too simply nodded in response to my words and moved toward the streets.
The first step was to get them to leave the explosion''s center.
Because the citizens were screaming on the streets without knowing what to do, and it was nothing short of anarchy.
"Please remainposed and move forward one at a time without hurting anyone!" Lucas ran out onto the street and shouted.
"Who are you to tell us what to do?" a terrified young woman yelled.
It was before Lucas could respond to the sharp retort, I took the lead and made eye contact with her, self-confident.
"Please evacuate in ordance with the instructions," I said while showing her our Academy badge.
"...O-Oh, ...y-yes," the woman responded.
Lucas was at a loss for words as he gazed at the woman, who responded with a flushed crimson face.
"You need to be confident to make the people believe that you know what you''re doing, otherwise no one will take youngsters like us seriously," I stated.
Lucas just stood there staring at me for a few moments.
''But I don''t think that was the case for that youngdy to heed to you,'' Lucas thought to himself.
"Hey, Ares!" Livia''s voice from the distance caught our attention.
We turned in its direction and saw Livia, A, ude, Kevin, and Diana arriving.
"What''s the situation?" A inquired as soon as she appeared in front of us.
"...Can''t you see it for yourself?" I said it naturally.
"It''s not the time for sarcasm," A grumbled.
"We were evacuating civilians while waiting for the active adventurers to arrive," Lucas exined.
***
"It''s him alright," Irethiel suddenly spoke telepathically.
"You mean, The demon lord?" I inquired.
Because with a little consideration, it was evident that this area was directly in front of the academy, andmon sense suggested that it was a ce where individuals would congregate, therefore security could not becking.
''However, to carry out a terrorist strike in such a ce...''
Even if he is a demon lord, It was a dangerous strategy that reminded me of moths diving into a fire, no matter how hard I thought about it.
"Was it for a cause, or was he just overconfident?" I muttered to myself.
"Yeah, he was close a moment ago, but he vanished swiftly; knowing his personality, he must have already aplished what he was looking for," Irethiel remarked.
"What do you suppose he was hoping to aplish with this?" I wondered.
"Who knows, but I assume he detected my presence as well," Irethiel stated.
"...."
"That''s troubling," I murmured.
"He won''te at us, as he is still not strong enough, but maybe he''ll employ other people to deal with us," Irethiel remarked.
"That''s..." I halted in my words as I saw a couple of individuals emerge from the alleyway wearing suspicious-looking attire.
"...."
They were disguised bizarrely in a full-body robes, and anyone could tell they were behind this just by looking at them.
I then nced at A, who simply nodded, knowing what to do.
"Come on, Kevin and Diana, let''s help Ziona with the evacuation, and the rest of you deal with those cultists," A stated, and everyone nodded in agreement, even Diana didn''t make a fuss this time.
"She is aware they are demon cultists?" Irethielmunicated telepathically.
Although I was astonished to hear her as well, as how she was able to discern them with just a nce, but now was not the right time for me to ponder about it.
We soon took out our weapons and stared at the suspicious people that just arrived.
When they caught our attention, they grinned broadly and immediately began firing their crossbows full of arrows at us.
When Livia saw the approaching arrows, she used her ice magic to construct a Shield.
But, in the meantime, I swapped ces with one of their cult members.
And soon I was standing next to the people who were shooting arrows.
"Huh?" They were perplexed and eximed.
But before they could respond, I ughtered them in an instant.
While the person with whom I swapped locations was knocked down by Lucas.
"Y-You, why did you kill them when you could have just knocked them out?" Lucas eximed angrily.
"...."
"Oh shit! I forgot I have a goody-two-shoes protagonist next to me," I murmured to myself as I heard Lucas.
But then I noticed Livia, who was standing next to Lucas, killing the person Lucas had just knocked down by piercing his throat with a sharp ice shred.
"Ahk," He died even before he could scream.
"...."
"She doesn''t give a flying fuck about anyone," Irethielughed as she remarked, seeing how Livia disregarded Lucas''s words and killed that person so casually.
Lucas'' face darkened as he witnessed this, but Livia ignored him and approached me.
Thud! ¡ª
Soon after, we saw another dead body of a terrorist tossed in front of Lucas by ude, who arrived from behind him.
"... What''s up with him?" ude wondered, noticing Lucas''s solemn demeanor.
"...."
However, we soon heard screams from our surroundings, so we decided to ignore Lucas and turned our attention toward it.
"Long live the Demons!"
"Hail, Demons!"
With ecstatic yells from here and there, robes soared into the air, and then, with the weapons hidden beneath the robes firmly in grasp, they quickly proceeded to attack the surrounding bystanders indiscriminately.
"Shit!" I muttered, wrapped myself with electricity, and approached them hastily.
And as I swiftly moved around the area, I shed every terrorist I came across; some had their heads severed, while others had their bodies cut off mercilessly.
And I continued to move without pausing to look at them, not caring.
I stopped my rampage after a short while since I had run out of mana.
However, as soon as I stopped, I heard a child crying off in the distance.
Wahhhhh¡ª
As I turned my focus to it, I noticed a man swinging a machete ferociously and aiming at the young child''s head.
But, before I could react, I watched a spear emerge from nowhere and puncture his stomach, sending the terrorist flying.
I turned to face the guy who had thrown the spear, and I was amazed to discover that it was none other than... our protagonist Lucas.
"...."
It was startling since he killed him rather than knocking him out, which vited his beliefs.
"Well, I guess he''d justify it by saying he did it to save a child," I said as I cast a nce toward Lucas, who was nowforting that kid.
***
Chapter 80 Dealing With The Demon Cultists [2]
"Everyone, get moving!"
"Units 1 and 2! Go to the incident scene, Units 3 and 4, check over the injured, and move them! The rest will prompt residents to evacuate!"
Finally, an immediate response team made up of active adventurers and heroes showed up and took care of the rest of the terrorists, and was evacuating the remaining citizens.
The Adventurer association and the Hero association have few significant differences.
But the foremost thing that distinguishes the Heros association from the Adventurers association is that the Hero association is unified, pays attention to orders from their superiors, and only acts when they believe something will have an impact on society.
While adventurers are independent individuals that work for pay and are avable for hiring by anyone.
So Naturally, the adventurers have the option to reject the job if they deem it too risky or underpaying.
And In times of need, such as this one, Hero Association will asionally hire adventurers.
Though, Heros earn more money on a regr basis and enjoy greater recognition and respect than Adventurers, but all of thates at the expense of their independence.
As a result of being bound to the Hero association, they are obligated toply with all orders without question.
While I was thinking to myself, I noticed one of the heroes, who was leading the group approached us quickly.
"Thank you so much. There was no severe damage as a result of your efforts." The hero thanked us.
"That''s a relief," Lucas responded.
"Are you students of Soreh Academy?" The Hero guy inquired.
"Yes, we are," Lucas replied, while I simply nodded.
"As to be expected from the Soreh Academy students, you students are the future heroes of humanity," the guy stated proudly.
"...."
"Wait! Where is A?" Lucas questioned upon his abrupt awareness.
"...She must be assisting with the evacuation," I stated.
"I apologize. I''m separated from my sister. Is it okay if I search for her on my own?" Lucas stated restlessly as he looked at the Hero in front of us.
For a brief moment, he appeared to consider Lucas''s response.
We initially should have now evacuated in ordance with their directions as we are only first-year students, and we already did more than expected from us.
But he nodded as he gazed about at the terrorists we''d just killed.
"¡ Okay, This isn''t intended to be eptable, but I think you''ll be fine. Instead, while searching for your sister could you go around and help evacuate the citizens as you did before?" The Hero guy said.
"All right, sir," Lucas replied.
The hero then turned to look at me.
"You''re apanying him too, right?" He questioned.
I had no intention of apanying Lucas, since I am confident in Livia''s ability to take care of herself and I couldn''t care less about anyone else.
But ...I still haven''t received a notification that the quest has beenpleted.
"...Of course, I''ll be apanying him because A is also a friend of mine," I stated firmly.
Lucas just gazed at me, taken aback by my statement.
After hearing my response, the hero guy nodded and moved toward hispanions who were already detaining the Demon Cultists'' unconscious members.
While Lucas and I turned straight to the explosion''s center, where smoke was still billowing.
"Can you contact A?" I questioned Lucas.
"No, she hasn''t answered her phone at all despite my repeated calls to her," Lucas answered.
I spected that she might have been preupied with the evacuation and not noticed her phone.
I nced at the quest window as I spoke with Lucas. The mission was still ongoing.
That indicates that the condition had not yet been achieved.
"There must still be an executive somewhere around here who has been leading these cultists," I muttered to myself.
"Oi, Ares," Lucas let out.
"What?" I inquired.
Lucas and I were quickly moving up against the crowd; there was personnel evacuating residents from various locations along the path, so there was no need for us to go out there to help them.
"You know who these guys are, right?" Lucas inquired.
"I don''t know the specifics, but they''re most likely Demon Cultists," I answered.
''I don''t need to pretend I didn''t know because it would be beneficial for me to involve Lucas in this, and it wouldn''t be too unusual if he already knew about it, just like A.
Since they were an emerging religious group that had been continuously producing issues on arge scale for a long time.
However, the demon lord''s seal being broken was the only reason they could have be this insane.'' I thought to myself.
"Demon Cultists?" Lucas was baffled.
Lucas seemed to be hearing about them for the first time.
"...."
"To put it simply, They are wild, feral bands of lunatics roaming the wastes, Their only objective is to unseal the demon lords and cause disaster to the society,...they are amoral and merciless beyond belief.
The Demon believers who assembled in this manner established branches throughout the kingdoms methodically developed and amplified their strength, and even dispersed their influence over the continent.
And they violentlymitted crimes against citizens like terrorism, and some of them killed people without thinking twice.
It''s the biggest violent criminal organization, nevertheless, with a lot of influence and connections to the political establishment, making a thorough investigation about them is impossible,"
I exined in a way he could understand.
"They''re bad guys, dude, let''s fight ''em together," That''s what I wanted to divulge to him at this moment since I needed him to help me fight the demon lords in the future.
"...."
"...How do you know so much about them?" Lucas puzzledly questioned.
"Because I researched them and made it my mission to prevent them from releasing the demon lords so that I could preserve humanity...yeah and other races as well," I responded passionately.
Following what I stated, there was just silence between us for a while, as Lucas remained silent, not saying a word.
"...."
"Such Bullcrap," Irethiel abruptly remarked telepathically.
"Shut up, how would you know what my sacred beliefs are?" I telepathically retorted to Irethiel.
"You just want to get him involved with the demon lords, don''t you?" Irethiel stated.
I noticed Lucas halting his steps while I was telepathicallymunicating with Irethiel.
"I guess we found the one who was directing these cultists," Lucas stated abruptly.
As he noticed a man standing in front of us wearing a robe that covered his entire body.
"Hehehehe..."
When he saw us, he burst outughing like a lunatic.
"I never imagined that my underlings would be ughtered by some kids," he said and resumed his statement in a drunken tone, with exaggerated gestures, as if he were an actor in a y.
"What do you think? Why don''t you kids join me as my servants right away so that we can all grow stronger with the aid of our Lord and change this unfair world so that only the powerful exist?" He stated while extending his hand toward us.
"Shut up, you''re just a terrorist who wields a weapon indiscriminately against innocent bystanders," Lucas yelled angrily.
"...."
I felt the urge to throw up, Upon viewing this cringe scene of a nobody mob who is now likely to die by a protagonist.
''Nah, maybe he will just knock him unconscious?'' I thought to myself.
Lucas then aimed his spear at the robed guy and prepared to strike.
"Hahaha! Do you really believe you can beat me?" While howling withughter, the robed man said.
"That''s what all the third-rate viins say before they die," I muttered to myself as I stood there still and enjoy the show.
I intended to let Lucas the protagonist perform his task so that I could evaluate his strength.
But...
"Oh Boy!" I expressed surprise as I witnessed the unexpected turn of events in front of me.
"...."
***
Chapter 81 Dealing With The Demon Cultists [3]
Lucas charged at the robed man with his spear in hand, jumping in midair tond his initial blow.
"Hehehe, boy,e at me¡ª" The robed man screamed whileughing seeing Lucas approaching him.
...And those were thest words he ever spoke...
¡ªSWISH!
"Aggh,"
...Because his words were cut short when an arrow appeared out of nowhere and punctured his neck, killing him instantly.
"...."
The robed man died with an astonished expression, while Lucas, who was still in midair about tond his first hit, was also startled to see the robed man die directly in front of him.
"...What the hell just happened?" Lucas was bewildered.
"Well, that''s what happens when you speak so much instead of starting the fight right away," I said as I turned toward the direction the arrow came from.
However, I was unable to locate anyone nearby, so I utilized my Hawk eye skill to observe in the distance.
I could now inly see the person behind it, but I wasn''t too surprised because I already knew who could pull this shot from that distance.
***
A woman standing on the building''s roof discreetly lowered the bow she was carrying, and she had a broad grin on her face as if she could sense my gaze toward her.
Befitting her title as a Bow empress, her eyesight was superior to anybody else''s, and she possessed the ability of irvoyance.
...It was none other than The Elven Princess, Diana Eliora.
"...."
Ding!
The sudden notification brought back my attention, so I summoned the system to know about the Quest process.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
[Sudden Quest] Be A True Hero. [COMPLETED]
[Exnation] A terrorist attack was carried out by someone concealed in the packed streets.
We don''t know what their objective or identity is, but as you''re an academy student aiming to be a hero, there''s only one thing you need to do in this case.
Save as many citizens as possible and subjugate the terrorists!
[Sess Condition] 1) Inducing citizens to evacuate.[COMPLETED]
2) Suppression of the terrorist group. [COMPLETED]
[REWARDS ISSUED]
***
Just as I was checking my system notifications for a few moments, I heard footsteps on the corner of the street and saw A and Ziona arrive, while Diana was rushing from behind them as well.
"Thank God, you''re fine..." Lucas exhaled with relief as he spotted A uninjured.
''You''re worried about her for naught; she''ll prioritize her life over anyone else''s if she discovers it''ll be risky,'' I thought to myself as I looked at A.
"You didn''t have to worry about me, brother; I''mpletely fine because I had Ziona alongside me," A reassured Lucas.
"What about me? I was at your side as well, but you then urged me to go for a high ground so I could easily deal with these terrorists," Diana added.
"...."
"Isn''t it the sniper''s responsibility to choose high terrain from which they may easily and quickly shoot at their enemies?" ude said as he appeared with Kevin.
"Yeah, and that''s what I did," Diana said, turning to face ude.
"But you needed someone to advise you about that before you did it," ude responded.
"Shut up, I was about to do the same thing even if she hadn''t told me," Diana justified.
"Yeah, I''m sure you would have thought about it as well...but only after everything had been dealt with," ude said sarcastically.
Ziona suddenly spoke up interrupting their argument.
"Tsk, It would have been more enjoyable if I could have killed them rather than merely knocked them down," Ziona remarked bluntly, clicking her tongue.
"...."
We all looked surprised when we heard Ziona''sment since we hadn''t expected her to just knock them unconscious because knowing her personality, it was her time to go on a rampage without worrying about anything.
"Wow really? Why were you simply knocking them down instead of killing them?" Diana queried, and we all turned our attention to Ziona to hear her response.
"What? You guys killed them instead of merely knocking them out?" Ziona inquired instead.
"Duh, they were Demon cultists, after all, they are simply parasites that need to be eradicated," Diana stated as ude, Kevin, and I agreed with a nod.
"...."
Ziona then turned to face A, as if she needed an exnation, it seems A was the one who instructed her to just knock them unconscious without killing them.
"W-Well, we can interrogate them and possibly find their main headquarters so we can deal with them all at once, isn''t that good?" A exined.
"Yeah, I agree with my sister," Lucas added while nodding repeated times.
"You can''t interrogate them because there are spells that prevent them from giving up any information about themselves," I added, smiling.
I know A already knew about that as well and was only pretending to be kind as to show everyone how good-natured she is, just like her brother, though she is not.
"...."
"Oh, I see...I didn''t know about that,...but as students, it''s not good for us to kill someone so casually," A replied innocently.
No one said anything after hearing her response, though I could have retorted to her, but I decided to let it go and let her seem kind and innocent in front of others, as it will assist me as well in the future if others believe she is innocent.
Also, I know what she is up to since when the timees, people will prefer to listen to an innocent and considerate A rather than someone aggressive like me.
And, of course, with this she''ll also be deceiving Lucas as well.
''What a crafty bitch,'' I mused to myself.
"Why does she remind me of you? You two seem to be very simr when ites to deceiving people," Irethiel made ament.
"...."
"Oh, now that I think about it, where is Livia?" Ziona wondered.
After realizing it, everyone turned toward me.
But before I could say anything, my phone began to ring.
¡ªRing!
I received a message on my phone, and when I opened it, ...coincidently it was from Livia and there were also several missed calls from her as well.
[I''m at the cafe where we were before;e here when you''re done dealing with them!]
"It''s what she texted," I read out loud.
"...."
"She truly wanted to drink that chocte milkshake no matter what huh," A stated.
"...I''d like to drink a Strawberry milkshake, too," Diana said quietly.
"...."
Hearing Diana, there was only a brief moment of stillness.
However, we soon noticed reportersing toward us to conduct our interview and inquire about the incident.
They intended to interview us, the students at Soreh Academy who are also princes and princesses of various kingdoms, about the incident rather than the actual adventurers and Heroes, but they were repelled by them as they approached us.
"I guess it''s time for us to leave," A uttered.
I didn''t answer to her and simply left, followed by Ziona, as we were doing our regr sparring session at the time.
"...Can''t we remain and conduct an interview? What''s the point of putting in so much effort if we don''t get recognized for it?" Diana stated dissatisfied as she followed behind us.
"You are free to do so, if you want to," A said with a smile.
But I ignored Diana''s statement and left with Ziona to meet Livia before we began our sparring practice.
Because, we will undoubtedly be featured in the news by tonight or tomorrow as all of our activities were captured on camera by drones, in addition to the numerous street cameras that were present.
***
Chapter 82 Tania Elizabeths Announcement.
The Next morning, I was sitting in the private room of the archery course grounds with other faction leaders to organize our ideas regarding tomorrow''s meeting.
The archery ground was less crowded as it was Saturday and there would be no lessons today.
Most importantly, the Archery ground is under Diana''s control; even the professor didn''t say anything when Diana used the professor''s private office as our meeting space.
"This is Fucking bullshit! Why am I not mentioned anywhere in the news? I even assisted in evacuating and dealing with some of that terrorist''s thugs," Kevin eximed.
As we were sitting on the sofas after our meeting discussion, watching the news on the massive hologram.
"Perhaps it''s because you''re not as handsome as Ares," Dianamented as she sipped her tea.
"What are youining about? There is only Ares, Lucas, A, Ziona, and Diana on the news everywhere, and even I am not mentioned despite I dealt with lots of them," ude replied.
"Nope, there''s mostly Ares everywhere in the news and on the inte, and his ughter of the majority of the terrorists in the vicinity in a sh went Viral on the inte," A added.
"Yeah, his fame has even surpassed that of several well-known celebrities," Ziona stated.
"...But I''m not on any social media," I replied.
"Literally? But, I do follow you on social media, and you are the only one that I am following as I don''t even follow my brothers," Diana spoke quickly.
"...Me too, I follow you as well," Ziona stated.
"...."
A brought out her phone and disyed to me, my social media ount, which I had never made,... and even I was startled by the huge number of followers on it.
But after seeing the posts on it, I didn''t have to think twice about who created that ount.
Because the majority of my posts were of me exercising and dressed up when I went out to rx with Mika and Aegis on weekends.
"Of course, it has to be Aegis'' doing," I muttered to myself.
"Is that the fake ount?" Diana questioned.
"...It must have been created by my master''s acquaintance," I said.
"It''s alright then, you can ask her for the ount information and use it yourself, right?" A stated.
"...Certainly," I responded, but I have no intention of doing that for the time being.
"What about you, Livia? Don''t you use social media?" Ziona asked, while Livia was busy enjoying her new favorite chocte milkshake.
"...I''m on social media as well," Livia replied nonchntly as she carried on sipping her milkshake.
"She is on social media, but it appears to be managed by her parents," A said.
"Yes," Livia agreed.
"How did you find out about that, A?" Ziona enquired.
"You can tell just by reading the captions on her posts,...that says ''My Beautiful Princess,'' and all," A said.
"And she was also the most followed youngster until Ares came along and now surpassed her by a huge margin," Diana added proudly.
"...."
"Why are you so proud of that?" Ziona asked.
"...Because she was and always will be second to Livia," udemented.
Hearing ude''s surprising remark, everyone fell silent and just stared at him.
"A-Ahem, now that the meeting is over, I''m leaving because I have other things to do," ude said as he hurriedly exited the room.
''His situation is even more embarrassing than mine because everyone knows about Livia''s feelings for Ares,'' Kevin pondered.
"I''ll be leaving as well," Kevin stated as he followed ude.
And just as I was about to get up from the sofa to depart as well, we noticed a hologram broadcast of a Conference with Tania Elizabeth.
[First and foremost, I want to congratte you on your victory over Mika Amami] One of the conference journalists said.
[...Thank You.] Tania replied with a straight expression.
[Everyone wants to know why the conflict started and this fight took ce, so could you kindly exin why?] The journalist inquired.
[Sorry, that information is confidential.] Tania stated.
...
Tania continued the conference for a few minutes, answering several of their questions without divulging much information.
[What do you think about the terrorist attack on the floating ind?] One of the journalists suddenly inquired.
[Yeah, I heard about it and saw a lot of videos about it online as well, and I believe the ones behind it are the demon cultists.
But I''m delighted with how the event was handled with minimal harm.] Tania answered.
[Are the Demon Cultists truly responsible for this?] The journalist queried, a little cautiously.
Tania nced at her assistant as if to inquire whether she was permitted to reveal the information.
But after seeing her assistant shake her head, she realized she couldn''t.
[You will learn more about this when the Hero Association holds a press conference.] Tania replied.
[The incident was brought under control by Soreh Academy students until the active heroes and adventurers were dispatched; what are your thoughts on the students who disyed bravery and came forward in times of emergency?] One of the journalists questioned.
[I was extremely impressed by how they handled everything, and there is no doubt that the Soreh Academy had never failed to produce great heroes, as many of the active heroes have also graduated from that academy.
And I knew a couple of students of the new generation from that Academy as well, I also intend to take them as my disciples to pass down my martial arts skills.] Tania dered.
Everyone was surprised to discover that Tania had chosen someone to be her disciple.
[Can you provide me the names of the students you''re intending to ept as disciples?] The journalist enquired.
[I believe it is time for me to make it public.
The students I will be taking on as disciples are ...Lucas Eugene and A Eugene, whom I have known since they were children as their parents are good friends of mine.
And I also believe that they are extremely talented for their age and have the potential to outperform previous generations.] Tania made an announcement.
[But, I''ve heard that A Eugene is merely a support type.] One of the journalists enquired.
[She is a support type, but is there any rule that states support types can''t learn martial arts? I considered it for a long time and believe she should be able to protect herself without always relying on others.] Tania responded firmly.
[How would you rate Ares Von Rosthstaylor? He was given the moniker "Ares The Executioner" and is extremely well-known online.
Do you believe that his fame is only an exaggeration?] One of the journalists inquired curiously.
Tania remained silent for a short while before responding.
[I don''t believe that his fame is simply an exaggeration...
And if he receives the right guidance, I have faith that he will forge a new route for seeding generations to follow, exceeding everyone¡ªincluding me¡ªin just a couple of years, and leaving his records in the history books.] Tania reacted.
The journalists went crazy and bombarded Tania with questions after hearing her exaggerated response.
Tania spoke forward after observing the journalists'' relentless questioning.
[I can only respond if you ask each question individually.]
The reporters eventually rxed after hearing her.
[Have you previously met him? And why don''t you ept him as your disciple as well, if that''s the case?] An interested Journalist asked.
[Yeah, I''ve met him before. It was after my battle with Mika, and that was also the time that I realized how formidable he was and can be in the future.
Have you ever seen a youngster who could endure the aura of an SS-Rank? No way, right? I can''t fathom someone as young as him withstanding even an S-Rank aura.
If only he weren''t Mika''s disciple, I would have done everything in my power to im him as one of my disciples.
As we all know, Mika ispletely insane with¡ª]
Tania''s statement was cut short when her assistant rushed in and smashed the table that was in front of her.
"What are you up to?" Tania confused, inquired of her assistant.
They heard the uproar from the press before her assistant could respond.
[Wait! Is Ares Von Rothstayler, Mika Amami''s pupil? Please respond, Miss Tania.]
[Miss Tania...]
...
Tania recognized what she had done wrong after hearing the journalists'' queries.
"...."
***
"Howe she didn''t reveal her disciple''s identity?" Tania asked her assistant with an embarrassed expression as she exited the Conference, leaving the journalists in a frenzy.
"I believe she kept his identity a secret because she didn''t want her many enemies to find out because they might go after him. So, not many people knew Ares was Mika''s pupil." While sighing, the assistant responded.
"...Yeah, she does have some enemies that fled alive from her," whispered Tania anxiously.
"...."
"So, I screwed up, didn''t I? Mika will believe I did it on purpose and will pursue me again, right?" Tania asked, a worried expression on her face.
"As the saying goes,
''The breath of a wounded monster is far more threatening than its roar''.
So you''d better be wary of her now that her disciple is involved because if anything happens to him, you''ll be up against apletely different Mika," Tania''s assistant had forewarned her.
"...."
Upon hearing her statement, Tania gasped aloud.
***
Chapter 83 A Cunning Twit, Ayla!
Back in the Archery ss private room after the unexpected end of Tania Elizabeth''s Conference.
"Whoa! Is that true, Ares? Are you really Mika Amami''s disciple?" A said with a surprised expression.
"...."
I was speechless as I saw A pretend surprised when she already knew about that.
But Having heard A. Livia, Lucas, and Diana all turned to face me, waiting for my response.
"...Yeah, it''s true," I agreed, smiling.
After hearing my confirmation, there was a brief silence between them.
And, in the midst of it all, I noticed A cheekily smirking.
"...Ziona, you didn''t appear surprised at all; did you already know about it?" A questioned Ziona.
"Yes, he revealed that in our first advisor''s training ss," Ziona replied.
"...I see, then Livia was probably aware of that as well, right? Given how close she is to Ares," A said, turning to face Livia.
Livia remained silent without responding, and seeing Livia''s expression, A spoke again.
"W-Well, he wasn''t under any obligation to tell us everything anyway.
What am I saying? I apologize for interfering in your affairs, Ares."
"...."
''I know exactly what this crafty bitch is up to,'' I thought to myself as I shifted my gaze to Livia, who remained silent after hearing A.
Ziona spoke out when she saw the uneasy silence as if to get me out of this predicament.
"I, too, am an unofficial disciple of Miss Mika Amami," Ziona stated quickly.
Hearing Ziona''s deration, everyone''s attention was drawn away from me and turned toward Ziona, and even A appears to be hearing about it for the first time.
"...Though she didn''t take me in as her pupil, she was the one who inspired me to use a sword, and she was also the one who helped me with my sword foundation, so even if she didn''t take me in as her disciple, I will always see her as my first teacher," Ziona exined with an awkward smile.
"...Wow, I never expected to see two disciples of the infamous Mika Amami in the same ss, one official and one unapproved," Diana remarked.
"Yeah, and I really like how you guys are still getting along well, rather than being wary of each other," A added and returned my gaze with an innocent smile as I continued to just stare at her.
Ring!¡ª
However, a sudden phone ring brought me out of my daze, and when I looked at the caller ID, I could see that it is from Aegis.
I decided to call her after I left this ce, so I didn''t pick up her phone and instead put it on mute for the time being.
"I''ll take my leave as well; let''s meet here again tomorrow before we go to that so-called meeting," I said as I walked away, while Livia stood up and followed behind me.
"It''s time for my training, so I''ll be leaving as well," Ziona exined before departing.
"Why don''t you leave as well, Brother? I have things to talk about with Diana," A said, smiling.
"...All right," Lucas replied as he walked away, leaving A and Diana alone.
"What do you want to talk about?" Diana asked, her brow furrowed as soon as Lucas left.
"I''ll get right to the point,...you like Ares, right?" A stated bluntly.
"...."
"...Why are you interested in that? And even if I do like him, it''s none of your concern," Diana responded sternly.
"Yeah, I know it''s none of my business, but I feel you and Ares would look great together, and I''d rather see Ares with you than Livia.
So I simply wished to assist you. But I guess you don''t need my assistance, do you?" A said with a regretful expression.
"You can''t deceive me with that innocent face of yours, and I know you just wanted to set me up against Livia," Diana said and smirked.
''Well, I guess she isn''t so stupid after all,'' A pondered.
"If you believe that''s the case, then disregard what I just said,...and I wish you luckpeting with Livia who is already a step ahead of you," A stated as she got up and exited the room.
Diana''s face twisted as she saw A''s departing figure since she didn''t appreciate her demeanor.
"This sly little bitch! What exactly is she up to?" Diana whispered angrily.
***
Ares and Livia were sitting in a cafe after leaving the Archery grounds.
"It''s like what you said, that A girl was up to no good," Irethiel exined telepathically as she arrived after spying on A and Diana''s conversation.
"I suppose it''s to be expected of A," Ares responded telepathically.
"...How did you find out she was nning something?" Irethiel queried, perplexed.
"There was nothingplicated, I knew it just by observing her behavior, only idiots like you wouldn''t have found anything odd about her behavior, And it''s too early for her to outwit me,"
Ares answered and began to eat the sandwich that Livia had been shoving in his mouth with her own hands.
''She seemed to be irritated,'' Ares thought to himself as he chewed the sandwich Livia had just fed him.
"...."
"Well, the Elven Princess didn''t fall for her tricks, so it didn''t work out very well for her anyway," Irethiel remarked.
"Nah, A already knew it wouldn''t work so easily either, she merely intended to sow a small seed of doubt that will eventually grow over time.
So I believe she seeded in achieving what she wanted," Ares replied.
"...So, what do you intend to do with her now?" Irethiel inquired, curiously.
"Nothing...," Ares stated.
"Huh? What exactly do you mean by ''Nothing''?" Perplexed, Irethiel inquired.
"Exactly what I said, I will do nothing and wait to see how circumstances unfold," Ares replied.
"...."
"Seriously?" Irethiel was taken aback when she heard Ares''s response.
"I''m interested to see how Livia handles them, If she wanted to stay by my side, she had to be able to at least deal with these petty schemes," Ares added.
"What if she isn''t prepared to deal with them?" Irethiel was curious.
"...Well, I think that will be an enriching lesson for her, and she will learn from it and be more decisive...I guess," Ares replied, smiling at Livia.
"Why are you smiling like that?" As she noticed Ares'' expression, Livia asked.
"Are you upset that Ziona knew about my master but you didn''t?" Ares inquired.
"...No, I am not," Livia said quietly.
"It was our adviser who recognized Mika being my teacher just by seeing my techniques that were identical to hers, and eventually Ziona and Kevin learned about it as well," Ares exined.
"I-I see," Livia replied.
Ares flicked Livia''s forehead and continued,
"And let me emphasize this, I trust you more than anyone else in this academy, so don''t let these minor things get to your tiny head."
"I-I''ll keep that in mind and I-I also want you to know that I have the utmost trust in you as well," Livia replied, her cheeks flushed, as she stroked her forehead.
"...."
"She''s so simple to persuade that all you have to do is beat her up...which is what you''re good at anyhow.
I now understand why you two get along so well," Irethiel remarked.
"Hmm, I guess it''s time for me to leave," Ares said ignoring Irethiel''s remark as he checked the time on his phone.
"Eh? Do you have any othermitment somewhere?" Livia was curious.
"Yeah, I have a ss with Miss Roselia now; first I''ll contact Aegis to find out why she phoned, then go for Miss Roselia''s mansion," Ares exined casually while remaining on the phone.
"...."
"...Forget what I said before about havingplete trust in you," Livia stated.
"Huh?" Ares gazed at her, puzzled.
***
Chapter 84 Tania Elizabeths Proposition.
After I parted ways with Livia and was on my way to Miss Roselia''s mansion, I called Aegis to find out why she had called me earlier.
Ring!¡ª Ring!¡ª
"So you''ve finally found the time to contact me back, huh?" Aegis said as soon as she picked up my phone.
"Yes, I was quite busy. As I was nning about the ways to beat the crap out of my brother," Ares answered.
"Whoa! Which of the brothers is it?" Aegis responded enthusiastically.
"Of course, the one who is my Academy senior," Ares responded.
"Oh, I was hoping to see you beat your older brother. I heard he nned an assassination on your way back to the academy," Aegis stated.
"I''m still not sure who was behind it...but have you been in contact with Silvia?" Ares was curious.
"Yeah, we chat on a regr basis; she doesn''t seem to be a vampire at all, as she appears to be no different than humans," Aegis replied.
"...."
"She''s saying that because she didn''t see her consume blood," Irethiel remarked.
"And why aren''t you calling her? She seemed to be waiting for your call every day," Aegis inquired.
"...She can call me if she wants to talk to me about something," Ares replied.
"She stated she doesn''t want to bother you and will wait for you to call her when you are free," Aegis said.
"...I''ll contact her when I''m free then," Ares said.
"...."
"...When are you going to be free again?" Aegis inquired, curious.
"Why did you call me earlier? Why don''t you state the purpose because I have a ss to attend?" Ares said, ignoring her previous question.
"...ss on Saturday?" Aegis questioned in a suspicious tone.
"Well, I''ll talk to youter," Ares said and he was about to hung up the phone, knowing what Aegis would say if she found out about his private ss with Miss Roselia.
"Wait! Wait! I received a phone call from Tania''s assistant," Aegis talked quickly.
"...."
"...Continue," Ares urged her.
"Did you watch Tania''s press conference?" Aegis questioned.
"Yes, I did," Ares replied.
"Well, I didn''t, but she said that Tania made a mistake and revealed you being Mika''s disciple," Aegis exined.
"That''s exactly what happened. So did she just call to tell you that?" Ares inquired.
"No, she apologized and stated that they are willing to ept any responsibility," Aegis replied.
"...What kind of responsibility was she referring to? Will Tania act as my personal bodyguard to keep anyone from approaching me?" Ares remarked casually.
"Not precisely, but she said she''d teach you her martial arts to help you protect yourself," Aegis said and giggled.
"...."
"Do they have a death wish?" Ares stated casually.
It was definitely a bold move on her part to volunteer to teach me even though she knew I was already Mika''s disciple.
Who would ultimately impart their special techniques to her rival''s disciples? What if I was getting ready to exact revenge on her for trying to kill Mika?...Because what if I am a petty person?
I was pondering to myself until I heard Aegis, which snapped me out of it.
"I know right, thank goodness Mika didn''t hear them or the hell would break out," Aegis stated while continuing to giggle.
"How is Mika doing these days? Did she awaken from her vegetative state?" Ares was curious.
Aegis paused in herughter and fell silent for a few seconds.
"...Yeah, it''s been two days since she awoke, but it''s best you don''te to visit her for the time being," Aegis said awkwardly.
"It''s been two days, and you''re only now telling me about it? And just because I asked?" Ares remarked.
"...W-Well, it''s not that I intended to hide it from you or anything...wait, let me turn on the Video so you can see it for yourself," Aegis exined as she connected the Video call.
"...What the freaking hell!" Ares eximed as he watched what Aegis was showing him in the video connection.
He saw a vast area filled with multiple fallen mountains that appeared to have transformed into erupted mes, and there was a woman dressed in training clothes standing in the middle.
...It was Mika dressed in her workout gear, and she appeared to be diligently training.
"...."
"Are you getting it now?" Aegis said.
"...Oh, and is that Helena with her?" Ares queried, perplexed.
"Yup, She came as soon as Mika woke up," Aegis exined.
"... That''s fine then, and let''s just hope Mika doesn''t find out about the Conference or Tania''s offer," Ares spoke.
"Don''t worry about it because she''s too busy to care about watching some conference.
But what will you do about Tania''s offer to teach you her martial arts?
That deal is too tempting to turn down," Aegis stated inquisitively.
"To be really honest, it is undoubtedly a fantastic offer, but Mika wouldn''t appreciate it, and learning from someone she lost doesn''t feel right.
It''s as though I''m jumping ship after witnessing her defeat," Ares expressed.
''Actually, I reckon that perfectly describes your personality,'' Irethiel thought to herself.
"...In my opinion, you should ept her offer to learn what she wanted to teach rather than giving it any thought," Aegis stated abruptly.
"Hmm?" Ares furrowed eximed.
"Not everyone has the chance to grasp Tania''s distinctive martial arts, and opportunities like this don''t arise frequently.
Additionally, although it may be true that Mika wouldn''t like it, but she wouldn''t be angry with you for learning Tania''s martial arts.
...As She is quite aware of the fact that in order to seed in this world, you must do anything and everything to gain power.
Even if it means turning your enemy into your mentor," Aegis exined.
"...."
"I can''t say that what you stated is incorrect because it is unquestionably precise, but I will wait and give it some more thought.
As I don''t want to make Mika sad as a result of my choice," I expressed.
That was my sincere belief, as I may be a scheming and maniptive bastard...but I would never bite a hand that fed me in my most difficult times.
Even though Mika allowed Helena to train me despite her high regard for me as her disciple, but given that they were childhood friends, it worked out nicely, but I doubt she will appreciate Tania.
"...."
Aegis seemed surprised by my reaction and remained silent for a few moments.
"...Okay, you can ask Mika''s approval before refusing Tania''s offer to get the training.
Mika isn''t ready to confront you yet, so I''ll let you know when you can talk to her about it.
As Helena revealed and insulted her, as how you were present when Tania beat the heck out of her.
So she appears embarrassed to disy her defeated self to her disciple," Aegis stated awkwardly.
"Alright, But don''t end up crying like you did after inviting Helena to train me," Ares teased her.
"S-Stop talking! I''m doing everything I can to help you be stronger, but instead of being grateful, you''re taunting me," Aegis was embarrassed when she remembered how she acted back then.
[Hey, Aegis,e here and treat me already. What are you doing on your phone? This b*tch will kill me while you''re still on your phone.]
Helena''s voice could be heard in the background.
"That''s what you get for mocking her," Aegis retorted while remaining on a video call with me.
[Ahhhh¡ªI''m going to die. Stop it, you bitch, are you actually trying to kill me?
I only said it to encourage you in your training.
Hey, Aegis! Help me out here will you? She is attempting to murder me.]
Helena''s screaming could be heard in the distance.
"...."
"...I think you should go help her out, or Mika will eventually kill her," Ares said.
"What are you on about? I didn''t hear anyone calling out to me," Aegis pretended to be unaware.
"...."
''Hang in there Helena, these difficult days shall pass as well,'' I could only console Helena''s poor soul.
And knowing Helena''s quickness, I think she will survive somehow.
***
Chapter 85 The Plot Twist!
After hanging up my phone with Aegis, I made my way to Roselia''s mansion for the rune deciphering lesson.
As I am preparing on inscribing my first magical circle, which I learned from one of the ancient rune books.
And what makes inscribing these magical circles on my body more advantageous is that, while using the magic from the magic circle, the mana used to activate it wille from my surroundings rather than my own mana pool.
As a result, it will fix my mana shortage concerns.
But, before I proceed with it, I need to look for some moreparable research.
After pondering for a few moments, I rang the doorbell of Roselia''s mansion.
Soon after, her maid appeared and escorted me into the same study room I had been shown the first time.
And as soon as I entered the study area, I noticed Roselia was already there.
"Oh, you finally decided to show up, didn''t you? I think It''s only natural that you forgot about our deal given how you''ve be a star these days," Roseliamented as she observed my entrance.
"...."
I didn''t answer immediately since I was once again captivated by her beauty.
Her blonde hair was pulled up, and she wore spectacles that still ented her bewitching ocean-blue eyes.
She was dressed casually in an oversized white jersey with ck tight trousers.
"...."
Roselia''s veins bulged in displeasure when she saw me keep a nk face and not respond to her.
"You know I still remember what you did in our previous ss, as how you tricked me and took that book with you," Roselia stated grumpily as she stared at me.
"...I''m not sure what you''re talking about," I decided to feign ignorance.
"I see. So you''d like to y it that way, huh?" Roselia said in annoyance.
"So, shall we begin? Because I have to train after this lesson," I ignored her statement and remarked as I sat on the sofa, and soon began scanning the books that were already on the table in front of it.
"...."
Roselia was dumbfounded as she watched me ignore her repeatedly, but she eventually shrugged it off, shook her head, grabbed her notebook, and sat down next to me.
She then pulled three books from the corner of the table and pushed them toward me, saying, "These are the books I wanted you to assist me in deciphering today."
I stopped skimming random books and concentrated on the ones Roselia wanted me to decipher.
As Roselia is already proficient in deciphering basic runes, and she only needs my assistance in deciphering some more sophisticated runes.
So I immediately flipped through the books Roselia had given me, and found them to be extremely intriguing.
However, one of the books truly caught my attention. As It wasn''t written in runesnguage but in some othernguage, whose name I don''t know, but thanks to my ability, I was eventually able to decipher it.
"To summarize the book,
The book was about a TITAN, who overthrew the rule of his cruel and ruthless father, with the help of his mother.
However, his father prophesied that one day he would be deposed by his sons as well.
So, that TITAN, fearful of losing the throne, repeated the same mistakes as his father and became a cruel, violent ruler whomitted several atrocities in order to stay in power.
He imprisoned his brothers and ate his children to prevent them from overthrowing him.
But outraged by that TITAN''s brutality, his wife was able to deceive him and save one of his children.
And to ensure that child''s safety, she hid the child away in a cave on the ind, and the child was brought up there hidden."
"And that concludes volume one; I believe there may be other volumes as well," I told Roselia after summarizing the book for her.
"...That''s quite a breathtaking story; I hope I can find the next volumes of that book as well since I''m curious if that child will also dispose of his father," Roselia whispered.
"...."
Irethiel interrupted me suddenly as I was going to speak.
"What did you say her name was again?" Irethiel asked hurriedly telepathically.
"...Roselia Florence," I replied, wondering as to why she was curious about her name.
Crack!¡ª
As soon as I spoke Roselia''s name, I heard the sound of window ss shattering, and Irethiel appeared in the study area in her crow form.
"...."
"What are you doing right now?" I asked Irethiel telepathically after seeing her grand entrance.
Roselia was startled by the abrupt sound of a broken window and the presence of a crow, so she reflexively pulled out a dagger and pointed it at Irethiel.
"Huh? A crow?" Roselia was perplexed.
And soon after, her maid barged into the study room, brandishing a sword.
"...Miss Roselia, are you okay?" she inquired, after scanning the room for any intruders and finding no one.
"Y-Yeah, I''m fine, it was just a crow," Roselia eximed as she sighed.
"...Oh I see, I''ll pick up the damaged ss," the maid said as she noticed the shattered window.
"No! You can clean it upter when I summon you, so please leave for now," Roselia calmly ordered her maid.
"...Yes," the maid replied, turning away after a brief nce at Irethiel and me.
"Why don''t you borate on this, Ares? What''s up with that demon on your shoulder," As soon as her maid left, Roselia questioned, cradling her head.
"...."
"So..., Irethiel, why did you show up? You must have some justifiable reasons, correct?" I questioned Irethiel aloud casually, without bothering to answer Roselia''s query.
Hearing me, Irethiel swiftly reverted to her original form.
And I saw Roselia''s reactions alter from shock to disbelief during Irethiel''s transition.
"Y-you, N-no way...it can''t be," Roselia stepped back, horrified seeing Irethiel''s original form.
"...."
I was surprised to see Roselia''s reaction.
''Did they know each other before?'' I thought to myself after seeing how Irethiel showed herself and Roselia''s reaction to her.
And if my theory is correct, then..., an incredible notion urred to me that should not be inconceivable.
***
Chapter 86 The Nine-Tailed Fox.
I was surprised to see Roselia''s reaction.
Since Roselia didn''t have a significant role in the novel, her backstory wasn''t thoroughly detailed.
Additionally, she only appeared up through the Academy arc and never again.
"It''s been a while, hasn''t it, brat?" Irethiel stated.
"M-Master? Is that really you?" Roselia eximed, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I see you grew up quite nicely, Rose," Irethiel remarked, smirking.
Roselia rushed over to Irethiel, still crying, and jumped into her arms, hugging her.
"...."
Meanwhile, I stood there speechless, staring puzzledly at their reunion.
''There are numerous elements that haven''t been covered in the novel, so I shouldn''t always rely on my novel''s knowledge.'' I pondered this as I waited for Roselia and Irethiel to finish their reunion and tell me what the fuck is going on here.
After a few moments, Roselia calmed down and turned her attention to me, wiping her teary eyes.
"What do you want to do with this human master?" Roselia wondered.
''Fuck, that implies she is a demon as well,'' I thought to myself as I heard Roselia''sment.
"...Ah w-well, he was the one who saved me," Irethiel exined, hesitantly.
"...I see, I appreciate you saving my master Ares, but as you know, humans and demons cannot coexist in this world.
And I can''t trust a human knowing a secret about my master''s existence, so please don''t hate me for this, my student," Roselia remarked, pointing her dagger at me.
"...."
''Bitch, the master you serve is my ve,'' I thought to myself as I heard her speak.
"But don''t worry, I''ll kill you painlessly for the sake of¡ª" Irethiel smacked Roselia on the back of the head, cutting her speech short.
Smack!¡ª
"Ouch, what was that for?" Roselia eximed, cradling the back of her head while questioning Irethiel.
"Do demons'' brains deteriorate as they age?"
Seeing the shift in Roselia''s behavior, I remarked and beganughing.
"Hahahah....!"
"What exactly are youughing at¡ª" Roselia was going to say something further when Irethiel shut her mouth with one of her hands.
"You''re digging your own grave the more you speak...don''t be fooled by his appearance," Irethiel added.
"Huh!" Roselia was perplexed after witnessing Irethiel''s behavior.
"Allow me to introduce you to her, Ares. Her real name is Rose, and she is one of my former subordinates.
And, as you may have guessed, she is not human," Irethiel said, pausing for a moment and ncing at Rose.
Rose sensed Irethiel''s gaze and realized she was being asked to show her true form.
"Tsh," she clicked her tongue and followed Irethiels''mand.
!?
And my eyes widened in amazement as I saw Roselia...no, Rose''s actual appearance.
She didn''t really alter much in terms of appearance, but she did get two fox ears and six tails.
"...She is the Mystical Nine-tailed Fox spirit?" I remarked.
"Yeah," Irethiel replied and confirmed with a nod.
"...."
As I stared at Rose, I recalled everything I knew about the Nine Tail Foxes.
After centuries of training, foxes were able to attain magical power, emotion, and the ability to morph into human form.
The longer they train, the more powerful they get, and as their power grows, so do their tails.
If the fox reaches an exceptional degree of power in addition to the nine tails, it turns white or gold and they are referred to as the Fox Deity.
They lived to an astonishing age, which leads to wisdom and knowledge of the universe.
...And one of the most well-known facts about them is that they are exceptionally attractive and have the ability to charm the opposite sex.
***
"So she already has six tails, Huh?" I muttered.
"Yeah, it appears so, even I''m astonished to see it because she only had two tails back then," Irethiel said as she looked at Rose.
"It''s been decades since youst saw me; were you still expecting me to have two tails?" Rose expressed her dissatisfaction.
"...What happened to the others?" Irethiel asked, ufortably.
Rose remained silent for a few moments before responding.
"...Almost every one of your subordinates was chased and killed by that treacherous bastard," Rose stated, her face contorted as she recalled the events.
"However, some were able to escape alongside me, and we were forced to hide among humans," Rose concluded.
Irethiel remained silent while Rose exined, as if she expected it.
"Wait! Did Ivica know you were a Nine-tailed fox?" I inquired as I was curious because she could have deceived everyone else but Ivica.
"Of course, she was aware of my existence. And she was the one who offered me to join the Academy while I was looking for a means to save Master from that dungeon," Rose responded.
"...So you knew where Irethiel was imprisoned and were looking for ways to free her in the rune books?" I inquired.
"Yeah, I''ve been studying the runenguage for decades in order to save her,...but now she''s being rescued by some adolescent who isn''t even 18 years old," Rose replied uneasily.
"Why did Ivica let you into the academy? Isn''t there a reason for this?" I questioned her with interest.
"Because she is a half-dragon, and I am assisting her in seeking a cure in rune¡ª" Rose came to a halt in her speech, realizing she had said something unnecessary.
"Don''t worry, he''s already aware of that dying half-dragon," Irethiel said.
"...No, I was concerned about how you would respond to seeing me cooperating with a dragon," Rose exined, awkwardly smiling.
"...."
So that''s how things stand; Roselia''s absence from the screen following the Academy arc was due to her learning of Irethiel''s death, whose life she had been attempting to save.
The rest of her story doesn''t need to be said once she lost her decades of objective.
she might have lost her sanity, and eventually, Ivica might have handled her.
However, all of these are merely my spections, but there is one thing that remains unchanged: ...that Ivica is dangerous and I have to be on guard against her.
The impression I had of her from the novel had now changed, as she would never have coborated with a demon because she despised them the most, and her reaction after meeting Irethiel was also different from what I had anticipated.
To even go to such extent as to conceal a Nine-tailed fox in the academy as a professor? I have no idea what else she could be concealing.
"Is she the same Ivica I had read about in the novel?"
***
Chapter 87 A New Subordinate.
Roselia asked abruptly as I was thinking to myself.
"How did you find out where my master was imprisoned, Ares? And, more importantly, how did you get into that prison?"
Irethiel turned her gaze to me, as she was curious as well.
"...I don''t think I''d be able to reveal that," I replied.
"A constraint?" Roselia said after hearing my response.
"Yes, do you have any knowledge of it?" she lived for many decades, so I was curious if she knew anything about it.
"...."
"It could be that someone must have cast a constraint spell on you or..., where you got the information from could be forbidden and shouldn''t have been known to any living," Roselia stated as she nced at me.
''Yeah, she knows her stuff,'' I thought to myself after hearing her.
But as I was contemting, I witnessed a scene thatpletely shocked me.
"...."
I saw Roselia suddenly stumbling to her knees and throwing up copious amounts of blood.
Roselia stared at me in horror as she covered her mouth with one of her hands to stop the flow of blood.
"So it''s thetter, isn''t it?" Irethiel uttered as she gazed at Roselia bleeding.
I just stood there in shock staring back at her as she was suffering a bacsh even without me uttering anything, but I soon came out of my daze and realized that her blood was showing no sign of stopping.
So I took out the advanced healing potion from my inventory and tried to give it to her.
However, as I approached her, she retreated out of fear.
"...."
I was surprised to see her fear of me, but I ignored it and turned toward Irethiel, handing her the healing potion so Roselia could use it.
Irethiel nodded, took the potion from me, and made Roselia drink it.
And Roselia eventually stopped spewing blood after a few moments of drinking the advanced healing potion.
"W-Who are you?" she asked, terrified while wiping the blood from her mouth.
"...Oh, Are you sure you want to know?" I said with a smile.
Rose had a nk expression on her face and remained silent without responding.
"...No, we don''t need to know what his secret self is," Irethiel said abruptly.
"B-but master¡ª," Rose was about to say something when Irethiel interrupted her.
"...Do you think you''ll be able to hear it without any repercussions?" Irethiel asked, her gaze drawn to Rose.
Rose was once again rendered speechless.
"No, right? So you don''t have to get involved in this," Irethiel stated.
"Wait! What do you mean when you say that I shouldn''t get involved? What about you?" Rose realized and wondered aloud.
"...."
Irethiel remained deafeningly silent.
"Don''t tell me you signed a contract with a human?" Roselia inquired as she furrowed her brow, but when Irethiel still remained silent, she then turned to face me.
"...."
"...P-Please tell me this isn''t the case," Roselia inquired, her voice trembling.
I simply smiled broadly at her instead of responding.
***
"Oh, my sweet lord! So you signed a ve contract with him." Roselia inquired, her gaze fixed on Irethiel.
"...Yes," Irethiel murmured, averting her gaze.
"... Could you please exin how that happened? As I know you would rather die than sign a ve contract with a human," Roselia asked, her face filled with disbelief.
"...I was trying to trick him into signing a deceptive contract but got tricked by him instead," Irethiel replied with unease.
"...You were duped by a kid?" Roselia inquired, an odd smile on her face.
"As you probably know, he''s not some ordinary youngster; did you already forget how you were coughing up blood just a few minutes ago?" Irethiel defended herself.
"...."
"...A-Ahem, That''s so typical of you, as you couldn''t do anything right without me even in the past," Roselia sighed as she stated.
"...Now, what should I do? And what about your other subordinates? As you are now with that human," Roselia asked Irethiel a question as she turned to face Ares.
Meanwhile, Ares was flipping through the books, leaving them both to discuss their next course of action.
"...."
"...As I''ve said before, you guys are under no obligation to obey me right now because I''m not the same Archdemon I used to be, and in fact, I can''t even defend myself in my current state.
So, I, therefore believe that Ick the strength necessary to lead anyone," Irethiel stated with an anguished smile.
"...If I kill Ares, you''ll be free of your ve contract, right? And we can figure out how to get your strength backter," Roselia remarked her eyes twinkling as she stared at Ares.
"No, if I die, she dies with me," Ares said abruptly, still focused on flipping the books.
"That is not possible! I''ve never heard of such a contract in my life; she might face some bacsh, but she won''t die even if you end up dead," Roselia reacted sternly.
"Oh! Do you remember the book I took from you by deceiving you?" Ares said this as he turned toward Roselia, pausing for a moment in his flipping of books.
Roselia''s brow furrowed as she heard Ares.
"Yes, that book; I learned about this contract from it, so you essentially assisted me in ving her by giving me ess to it.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate it," Ares said with a delightful smile.
"...."
Roselia was rendered speechless for a moment after hearing Ares'' statement, and she turned toward Irethiel, who was already staring at her.
"M-Master, you understand that this was unintentional, don''t you? I simply wanted his assistance in deciphering so that I could save you sooner.
I had no idea things would have turned out this way," Roselia rified quickly.
"...I know," Irethiel responded casually.
Roselia finally sighed in relief after hearing Irethiel''s response.
"So, what are your ns for the future, Miss Roselia...or should I say, Rose? Are you abandoning your previous master because she isn''t powerful enough? Or are you going to stick by her side during these trying times and help her regain her former strength?" Ares questioned as he sat on the sofa, his fingers intertwined, as he was staring at Rose with a huge grin.
When Rose heard Ares and looked at him, she noticed that he no longer resembled to be a teenager, but rather exuded the aura of a seasoned warrior who knows what he was doing.
He gave her the impression that he hadplete control over everything, and she believes Ares already knows what her response will be.
.. .She had never encountered this type of situation or seen another teenager like him in her many decades of existence.
"...."
Roselia let out a gasp and decided to speak up.
"...Of course, I would never give up on her because she was the one who protected and raised me when everyone else abandoned me during my hardships.
So I think now it''s my turn to protect her," Rose stated firmly as she looked at Irethiel.
"Then I wee you aboard, Rose. Let''s all get along well from now on, shall we?" Ares remarked while grinning widely.
"...Don''t get any ideas, because I never said I''d work for you," Rose exined.
"Yup, That''s correct. Because you will be working under Irethiel from now on," Ares stated as he was appointing her to a position in apany.
"It''s better that you understand¡ª," Rose said, but abruptly stopped.
"You better take good care of her, Irethiel," Ares said, smiling.
"You don''t need to remind me how to look after my subordinates¡ª" Irethiel spoke, but she, too, came to a halt as she realized something.
"All right, Rose, I''ll see you on Monday," Ares said as he exited the room casually.
Irethiel and Rose just stared at Ares as he walked out of the study room.
"...You idiot, isn''t it the same thing if you work under me and I work under him, so in the end, we both work for him?" Irethiel remarked as she smacked Rose on the back of the head.
"Ouch! It was you who realized it sote, master; I realized it right away," Rose borated as she stroked the back of her head where Irethiel had hit her.
"...Be quiet! Are you trying to teach me? Or do you think I''m an idiot?" Irethiel said as she smacked Rose again.
"...."
***
Chapter 88 The Day Of The Meeting.
Sunday Morning ~
I finished my morning workout and went to take a shower.
"Irethiel, how are things going with my new subordinate?" I inquired of Irethiel telepathically as I was taking a shower.
While Irethiel was sitting in my room, watching anime that Aegis had mailed me the day before.
After hearing me, she didn''t respond right away.
"...what are your ns for her? Rose expressed that she joined the Academy to gain easy ess to the rune books.
And now that she is no longer required to study runes, she intends to resign as a professor and apany me," Irethiel borated.
"...."
"Where would she like to apany you? In my bedroom?" I remarked sarcastically.
"Y-You¡ª," Irethiel eximed, but I cut her words off.
"You''ll be staying in the academy with me anyway, so tell her not to quit her job,...and I want someone to keep an eye on Ivica in the academy," I exined.
"...F-Fine, I''ll let her know," Irethiel replied casually, continuing to watch the anime.
"You know, you ought to learn how to use a phone so you can easily contact Roselia," I remarked abruptly.
"I don''t need anything of the sort, as I made her sign a contract with me yesterday so I could easily call her when I needed," Irethiel responded carefreely.
"...."
"...Fair enough, I guess," I said, shrugging.
"She said I should move in with her at her mansion starting now,... should I?" Irethiel hesitantly asked.
"You may if you wish, but you must be present when I summon you," I said, giving her approval.
"OK, I''ll let her know I''m moving in," Irethiel said, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"...And Rose wanted to take me to buy things and show me around today,...hmm, I''m not sure if I should go," Irethiel said aloud for me to hear.
"...."
"What exactly are you, my wife? Why are you requesting my permission for such trivial matters?" I remarked.
"W-Who is requesting your permission? I was simply thinking to myself," Irethiel replied quickly.
"I''m not sure how you treated your ves in the past, but I am an easygoing person, and if you obey my orders nicely and don''t irritate me, I won''t treat you badly either," I rified.
''And You old hag demon, behave your age,'' These words came to mind, but I decided not to say them.
''As I honestly don''t know if she is the same Archdemon who once waged war against the mighty dragons and emerged victorious,'' I thought to myself as I observed Irethiel''s childish behavior.
"Hey Irethiel, do you think the clothes that are on my bed are suitable for the meeting?" I inquired.
"What exactly am I, your wife? Why are you bothering me with such insignificant questions? Nobody cares what you''re wearing," Irethiel replied sarcastically.
"...."
"You are not my wife, but rather my servant. So taking care of me is also part of your job," I responded.
Irethiel remained silent for a brief moment after hearing my response.
"...Yeah, those clothes are fine," Irethiel replied quietly.
***
After messing around with Irethiel for a while, I changed into my regr casual clothes, which were a white T-shirt and ck jeans.
I know my fashion sense iscking, but because I am attractive, everything looks good on me.
"Perks of being handsome, huh?" I muttered to myself as I brushed my hair in front of the mirror.
"Narcissist bastard," Irethiel remarked, staring at me as I was muttering to myself.
"...."
"Did you say something?" I asked Irethiel.
"...no," Irethiel replied, turning her gaze away from me.
I shrugged and decided to ignore her, and exited my room to go to the Archery ground, where I will meet everyone else.
Irethiel is not apanying me as she has other ns with Rose.
***
Today is my scheduled meeting with my alleged brother, whom I have never met and only know about through Ares''s memories.
However, based on my memories, he is a total jerk.
But it appears that he is somewhat strong and influential, as he was elected as the second year''s representative with hardly anypetition.
And I assume the majority of second-year students will attend today''s meeting to show their support for my brother.
To be honest, even if the entire second year is present at today''s meeting, it doesn''t matter.
I think we can deal with them to some extent because I am backed by some formidable individuals who could even give some third-year students a run for their money.
Naturally, I''m referring to Livia, Diana, Ziona, Lucas, and ude.
It is evident that if these five work together, they can handle the majority of the second-year students.
I am not dismissing thepetency of the second-year students, but these five first-year students are on a whole different level than them.
And therefore, only a few second-year students are capable of fighting them on equal grounds.
Oh, and there is also Kevin...well, he''s better than many of the other students, and he''d be able to deal with some mob characters as well.
A, on the other hand, would never make a move if she suspected she couldn''t win.
So her approval of the ns, as well as her apanying us, indicate that she is confident in our ability to handle the second-year representative.
But, of course, I am aware that she''s apanying us with other intentions.
As I was pondering, I found myself in front of the Archery ground, so I went straight to the private room that we were using as our meeting room.
And as I entered the room, I noticed that everyone, including Livia, was already there, implying that I was thest one to arrive.
I walked into the room to their collective staring, but I didn''t pay attention and casually walked over to the sofa and sat next to Livia, as there was still time left for the meeting.
"Sandwich?" Livia said as she offered me her sandwich.
"...sure," I replied, taking one of her sandwiches.
But I could still feel the other people''s stares while eating the sandwich.
''Do my clothes look too casual for this meeting?'' I thought to myself as I noticed them all staring at me in their formal attire.
"It doesn''t really matter what I wear because we are only there for the purpose of beating the crap out of them, right?" I expressed my annoyance at their stares.
"...."
"...Perhaps did you not see the Hero Association''s Ranking Lists, which was released today?" A spoke as she smiled innocently.
!?
"...The Ranking lists?" I inquired perplexed.
***
Chapter 89 The Ranking List.
"...So you really didn''t see the Hero Association''s Ranking List, which was released today?" Diana inquired after noticing my perplexed expression.
"Are you referring to the seasonal ranking list that the Hero Association publishes every three months?" I questioned, intrigued.
"Yeah, that''s the one, did you see it?" Diana asked.
"Oh, it came out today?" Surprised, I inquired.
"Yes, it was released this morning, but it''s pretty much fucked up," Livia replied abruptly.
"...."
I was speechless when I saw Livia curse.
''How much fucked up is it that even made Livia curse?'' I wondered, having never seen her curse before.
"You should see it for yourself," Diana said as sheunched the hologram of the ranking list.
"This is the traditional ranking list for the older generation," Diana borated.
"...."
When I saw the rankings, I was left speechless because Mika wasn''t in the top 10.
"...Tania Elizabeth climbed from 6th to 3rd ce?" I said after a few moments of scrutinizing the Ranking List.
"Yes, it appears that they discovered Miss Tania''s prowess was stronger than they had previously believed after her fight with Mika Amami," Lucas stated.
"The top rankings remained static because battles between the top 10 were rare. After a decade, it seemed to finally change," A Exined.
"And since there is no technology avable to assess prowess that exceeds SS-Rank, the only way to determine who is powerful enough between the SS-Ranks is to engage in battle with one another," ude remarked.
"Where does Mika stand on the ranking list?" I disregarded their conversation and asked Diana.
Diana scrolled down the Ranking List after hearing me and made an awkward face.
"17th? Even lower than the S-Ranks, Huh," I chuckled as I spoke.
"...."
"I''m not sure what they were smoking when they made this ranking list," I said, stillughing.
"...Where did master rank previously?" Ziona questioned me.
"Oh, she was previously ranked 7th, just below Tania," I replied, finally stopping myughter.
"...So she fell 10 ranks because she lost once?" Ziona expressed her confusion.
"It seems so," I said.
"Oh, even your eldest brother, who is an S-Rank, is well above Mika Amami in the ranking list," A stated abruptly.
"...Where does he rank?" I inquired curiously.
"Here, see it for yourself," Diana said as she scrolled up.
"...."
"Sheesh, he''s ranked 12th?" I said andughed again as I found it intriguing.
As I believe Mika alone can defeat three of him.
"I know, right? I don''t even see my Mother Empress on this list," Diana expressed her displeasure.
We were all left speechless after hearing her and just stared at her.
"...Don''t tell me you''re unaware that Kings and Empresses are not included in the Ranking list?" A expressed her disbelief.
"Howe they''re not included?" Diana looked perplexed.
"Yes, this is so typical of an Elven Princess," ude remarked.
"I''m afraid she''ll start wars once she bes Empress," A worried.
"What? Did I say something incorrectly?" Diana inquired, still perplexed.
"...."
"Alright, Let me exin. Do you believe you can beat Kevin?" Ziona inquired of Diana.
"Huh? Why me¡ª" Kevin was about to say something, confused as to why his name was being mentioned, but Ziona cut him off.
"Quite! I''m exining something to her," Ziona stated.
We all restrained ourughter and concentrated on Ziona to see how a muscle-head battle maniac would exin things to an Obtuse Diana.
"Of course, I could easily defeat him," Diana answered firmly.
"Now, Imagine you were ranked lower than him on the Ranking list," Ziona asked.
"Hell no! I''m going to beat the crap out of him to prove them wrong," Diana spoke quickly.
"Right?" Ziona smiled before continuing.
"Now let''s start over, imagine you''re the Empress and Kevin is a...well, it''s not entirely feasible, but still imagine him being a King for once.
Now, what will you do if a king who you think is weaker than you is ranked higher than you?" Ziona inquired, intrigued.
"...We go to war," Diana uttered realizing abruptly.
Ziona smiled broadly when she saw that her exnation was effective.
"Do you now understand why Kings and Empresses are not included in the Ranking lists?" Ziona inquired.
Diana nodded several times before speaking again.
"If the Monarchs are ranked, it could cause conflicts between Kingdoms, and I don''t think even the Hero Association has enough power to rank them," Diana exined.
We were impressed by her response and began apuding her unknowingly.
p! ¡ª p!¡ª
***
"All right, now let''s move on to the younger generation''s ranking list.
If you think, the older generation''s ranking is messed up, you ought to see the ranking list of the younger generations, Ares," Diana stated abruptly.
Everyone fell silent upon hearing Diana, and Diana immediately opened the Ranking list of younger generations.
For a few moments, I scrutinized the rankings.
"Wow! Is this the real deal?" I said it aloud.
Everyone remained silent and had awkward expressions on their faces.
"...Seriously?" I remarked, surprised.
"...."
"So, the Ranking goes like this," I outlined as I began reading the names from the Ranking list.
RANK #1 HERCULES ***
RANK #2 LIVIA FROSTINE
RANK #3 ZERIX MADLOCK
RANK #4 ERINA VALDEMAR
RANK #5 DIANA ELIORA
RANK #6 LUCAS EUGENE
RANK #7 ZIONA MADLOCK
RANK #8 ARETRUS VON ROTHSTAYLOR
RANK #9 KEVIN CEDRIC
RANK #10 ARES VON ROTHSTAYLOR
...
I halted after my rank.
"Don''t worry about this stupid ranking list, Ares," Livia said, patting my shoulders.
Actually, I don''t give a fuck about these rankings, but what bothers me is that the Hero association is targeting Mika.
I had an idea after seeing Mika''s rank, but now that I''ve seen mine, I can confirm it.
Tania''s Conference yesterday informed everyone that I was Mika''s Disciple.
And now I''m ranked 10th, despite the fact that everyone was praising me as the strongest youngster or whatever until yesterday.
I reckon anyone can tell what''s going on.
They didn''t even try to conceal their intentions, ranking me below Kevin, seriously?
"...."
"Though I feel bad for you, Ares, but why hasn''t anyone noticed that I''m not even in the top ten?" ude stated abruptly.
!?
Hearing ude, everyone became aware and re-examined the ranks.
"Huh? So, what is your rank?" Diana asked.
"...It''s 15 or something," ude replied casually.
"It''s Rank 16th," Diana replied after checking it again.
"Pftt, hahaha, you guys see this, I am ranked higher than ude and Ares," Kevin eximed,ughing uncontrobly.
"...."
***
Chapter 90 Takedown Of Second Years [1]
"Pftt, hahaha, you guys see that, I am ranked 9 even higher than Ares and ude," Kevin burst outughing.
We were all just staring at him as heughed joyfully, seemingly having aplished something significant.
"Shut the fuck up! Before I break your mouth," Livia yelled as she red at Kevin.
"...."
Hearing Livia''s warning, Kevin abruptly stoppedughing and tightened his lips, and the room soon fell silent.
Seeing Livia''s reaction, I knew she was enraged as well because she had previously dered after our mock gate trial that she would never want to see me rank lower than her.
"With Kevin ranking above Ares, the ranking list no longer appears to be real," Diana asserted, While Ziona agreed with a nod.
"The same goes for you as well, what makes you rank 5th?" ude inquired of Diana.
"...Look at this jerk, Are you underestimating me solely because you outperformed me in close range during the entrance exam?" Diana said while giving ude a cold stare and continued.
"When ites to long range, I can strike out a dozen of you at once," Diana stated.
Hearing Diana, ude sat expressionless, unable to respond to her.
''Diana wouldn''t take anyone downgrading her archery abilities because she took pride in it,'' I thought to myself after hearing Diana''s sharp response.
And I agree that she is capable of doing what she has just stated.
***
"...So, it''s about time, shall we get going?" A suddenly said getting everyone''s attention.
"Yes, let''s get this party started," I said as I stood up from the sofa.
When they all heard me, they all nodded and got up from their seats as well.
We soon moved away from the archery grounds and toward the meeting location.
The meeting is being held in one of the private buildings owned by my brother outside of the Academy''s premises, and it appears that he is also using that building as a stronghold for his faction.
"I know I don''t have to say it, but please don''t beat them up too severely," A said innocently, as we were on our way.
"...."
I just stared at her, watching her act, before shifting my gaze to Ziona.
"W-What? Why do you have such a strange gaze on me? Of course, I''ll keep my strength under control. But aren''t they in their second year? I''m hoping to face some formidable opponents," Ziona remarked, After sensing my gaze.
"...well, I don''t mind if you beat them too hard and give them nightmares.
In fact, I believe you should beat them so severely that they flee in terror the next time they see you," I suggested.
"Really!" Ziona eximed, her face lit up with delight.
Everyone just shook their heads when they heard me and saw Ziona''s reaction.
"No, you can''t beat them too badly. They are still students at our academy and were dragged into this just as we are," Lucas, The protagonist stated.
However, no one responded and simply ignored him.
While I was ignoring Lucas''s bbering, A cast me a nce, and as I nced back at her, she quickly averted her gaze.
"...."
''What''s she up to?'' I wondered before turning my attention toward Livia, who had been silent the entire time.
To be honest, I''m afraid she''ll go overboard today.
Livia''smand of her magic is among the best in this generation, and she could easily knock any student out without injuring them severely by controlling her strength.
But, based on her mood, I''m afraid she''ll vent her rage on them.
''I already feel sorry for the second-year students who will now have to deal with her,'' I shook my head and thought to myself.
And as I was pondering, we soon arrived near the building where the meeting was being held.
As we got closer to the building...no, saying it was a vi will be more appropriate,
We saw two students guarding the vi gate, one of whom was an oversized guy and the other was a girl.
And as soon as they noticed us, the oversized guy student began speaking on a Bluetooth device he was wearing in one of his ears.
"They have arrived!" He spoke.
"How many are there in total?" The person on the Bluetooth enquired.
He gave us a quick nce, and while he was looking at us, we all simply smiled at him.
"...."
"...There are five of them," the oversized guy responded after a brief pause.
"What! Are you certain there are only five of them?" The person on the Bluetooth quickly eximed.
Certainly, he is correct. Only me, Livia, Ziona, Lucas, and A will be entering the vi while the others wait outside for our orders with their faction members.
"...Yeah, I''m pretty sure there isn''t anyone else besides these five," he replied.
"I can confirm his statement as well," the girl student beside him affirmed as well.
"...Alright, you can let them in, but first take their weapons," the person on the Bluetooth said.
"Roger!" He said as he turned to face us.
But when we overheard him, I, Ziona, and Lucas pulled the swords from our belts and handed them to him.
"Here," we handed them our swords readily while still smiling.
Both students were bewildered to see usplying so easily and without resistance as they took our swords.
"Can we go in now?" Ziona asked, but as she was about to proceed, she was stopped.
"Wait! Hey, bring the detector with you. They could be concealing storage rings somewhere," One of the students guarding the gate stated.
"...."
"Wow, can you believe it? The entire second-year ss is terrified of five unarmed first-year students," A said with a chuckle.
"Tch, they''re more weak and pathetic than I thought," Zionamented, clicking her tongue.
However, both students ignored theirments and continued inspecting, but they were still unable to find anything.
The guy student turned toward the girl student after inspecting me and Lucas and finding nothing.
"...No, they are not carrying anything," the female student shook her head and said, unable to find anything from A, Ziona, and Livia as well.
"...."
"All right, you can enter now," the guy student said as he opened the gate.
We entered quickly after he opened the gate for us and arrived in front of the Vi''s main entrance door.
I casually pushed open the door and proceeded in followed by others, and as soon as we entered, we noticed several students lounging around the tables, some of whom were ying cards and others who were ying video games, and were busyughing and chatting among themselves.
"...Well, this is an unexpected spectacle, as I expected them to be on guard against us, but they seem to be the regr foolish teenagers ying around," A eximed unexpectedly.
We all looked at her after hearing her remark.
"Oh, did I say that out loud?" A asked, awkwardly smiling as she felt our gazes.
"Yeah, but I agree with you, four of the generation''s top ten are standing in front of them, the least they could do is try to be on guard, Although nothing would change even if they were on guard," Ziona expressed her disappointment seeing them underestimate us.
"...."
But when the second-year students noticed us, everyone turned their attention toward us, stopped what they were doing, and kept staring at us.
And not long after, one of the students came up to us.
"The Second Year Representative is waiting for you upstairs; Please follow me," he said as he led us up the stairs.
While ignoring everyone''s stares we followed the student upstairs.
***
Chapter 91 Takedown Of Second Years [2]
We were led to a massive lounge, As soon as we arrived upstairs.
"It''s been a while, Hasn''t it? My good brother,"
And I was greeted by a voice as soon as I entered the lounge.
As I turned my gaze toward it, I noticed a guy with ck hair and ck eyes sitting on a sofa, apanied by two female students on either side of him.
And arge number of other students were standing behind him.
While the guy was puffing on a hookah that had been ced on the table in front of him.
And as he noticed my gaze on him, he had a huge grin on his face.
"...Aretrus," I uttered.
"So, he is your brother Aretrus Von Rothstaylor? He doesn''t appear to be as strong or as attractive as you, to be honest." Ziona remarked when she saw Aretrus.
Upon hearing Ziona''s remark, Aretrus'' smile abruptly froze.
"...."
And as I noticed Aretrus'' abrupt change in expression, a smile broke out across my face.
"Yes, my mother was a beautiful woman," I said to Ziona as I walked over to Aretrus and sat down on the sofa opposite him.
Likewise, Livia sat to my left, and A was seated to my right, While Ziona and Lucas stood behind us.
"Aretrus, how have you been? I heard your older brother is taking good care of you," I spoke up with a smile as soon as I sat down across from him.
The older brother I''m referring to is the same one who is after my life with his mother Queen, but despite the fact that Aretrus is his own younger brother, he sees him as a threat to his throne as well.
As a result, he usually tries to keep him in check, because he can''t simply kill him like how he can kill me without any consequences.
"Ya know, you fucking bastard, you''ve gotten quite cheeky over the past few months I notice.
Is it because you now have a teacher with an SS-Rank, did ya suddenly be so haughty?
And had you already forgotten your ce, as to how you and your mother used to beg for funds from us," Aretrus spoke while disying a distorted face, as it seems he didn''t like my greetings.
"...."
''Well, he is correct; from the recollections of previous Ares'' memories, I recall how he and his mother were treated and had to endure hardships in order to even receive a daily meal under the queen.
For him, the title of prince was merely a term; he was treated less than amoner who had to grovel to the queen for everything.
Naturally, his father¡ªno the king, as I don''t think he deserves to be called a father, had little regard for either his mother or him, as he deemed Ares useless due to his manaless body.
But his mother never gave up on him; before she passed away, she did everything in her power to help him, even making him learn swordsmanship from her mercenary brother, with whom she was not on good terms and had to beg for his assistance.''
"It was like a clich¨¦ tale of a guy who was turned into a viin,"
While I was still pondering, the temperature in the entire lounge suddenly dropped, and ice began to form on its corners.
!?
"I dare you to refer to him that way once more!" Livia screamed, a huge murderous intent coursing through her.
"I knew she was just looking for a way to vent her rage," A said quietly.
"...."
"H-Huh? How foolish of you to think that the five of you, by yourselves, could threaten me; you fell into a trap the moment you set foot in this vi," Aretrus made a remark, as he continued to struggle under Livia''s murderous intent.
Meanwhile, the two female students seated next to him have already passed out because they were unable to handle Livia''s murderous intent.
"What the hell are you fools doing, get this bitch already!" screamed Aretrus.
Upon hearing him, several students soon rushed in our direction.
Swish!¡ª Swish!¡ª
But even before they could get close to us, arrows appeared out of nowhere and struck them down.
Thud!¡ª Thud!¡ª
And the students approaching us copsed after being knocked out by the arrows.
The only reason they were rendered unconscious was that the arrows were not real and were supplied by the academy solely for sparring.
[Of course, they would have died if the arrows had been real.]
Diana''s voice could be heard over the Bluetooth device A was holding.
"Ahh, I still wanted to see the happy reunion of two brothers, but you guys are so impatient, didn''t even let them chat properly," Ained.
''This b*tch! ''Did she juste with us to watch our family drama?'' I thought to myself, hearing A''sint.
"...."
Meanwhile, Aretrus was bbergasted by witnessing the students'' abrupt copse as a result of an unexpected attack.
"Sigh! All right, leave my beloved brother to me; you guys can handle the rest," Ares dered as he sighed.
"That''s your cue, boys," A said over Bluetooth.
Crack!¡ª Boom!¡ª
As soon as A announced that, a suddenmotion could be heard from downstairs.
[Yahhhh! The younger generations'' rank 9 has arrived, so get out of the way, bitches...]
Kevin''s yells were so loud that they could be heard through Bluetooth as well as from downstairs.
[Shut up you moronic bastard, nobody cares if you''re ranked 9 or not.]
ude said in an irritated manner.
[Heh, I know you''re just jealous of my rank.] Kevin retorted while the sounds of weapon shes and student screams could be heard in the background via Bluetooth.
***
Meanwhile, upstairs on the second floor.
As soon as Ares gave them the go-ahead, Ziona and Lucas pulled out the sword that Ares had given them, and Ziona dashed in the direction of the second-year students to start her rampage.
While Lucas stood next to A, appearing to shield her from any potential attacks from the students.
The students looked perplexed and were preparing to cast their spells, but they didn''t have time to respond as even before they could a swarm of arrows mmed into them.
Naturally, it was Diana since she and her faction were given the task to eliminate the students who are long rangers.
The other second-year students immediately reached for their weapons, but Livia showed no mercy.
She began casting spells at a rapid pace, knocking them into walls left and right.
"W-What the hell is going on, this doesn''t make sense," Aretrus eximed, bewildered because he hadn''t expected anything like this.
It was his vi, and he never imagined that Ares would be brave enough to even consider fighting him.
After learning that Ares had been elected as the first-year representative, he invited him to a meeting in order to intimidate him and force him to work for him.
Like his mother, Ares had always been a naive fool, so with just a little provocation, he would be on his knees pleading for him to spare him.
''...That''s what''s supposed to happen,'' Aretrus thought to himself as he focused his attention on Ares.
***
Ares continued to sit on a sofa while he ignored the student fights and screams going on all around him.
His fingers intertwined as he fixed his gaze on Aretrus, his eyes glimmering and emitting a foreboding aura.
"My beloved brother, shall we have a word?" Ares said with a huge evil grin on his face.
***
Chapter 92 Takedown Of Second Years [3]
"You cretin¡ª" Aretrus screamed, but he couldn''t finish his sentence.
Smack!¡ª
As Ares suddenly appeared in front of him and struck him in the face.
The force of Ares'' punch pushed Aretrus back from the sofa he was sitting on, and his nose appears to be bleeding profusely.
"Ahkk!" Aretrus clutched his bleeding nose and red angrily at Ares.
"Did you really think I wouldn''t notice this was a trap, my beloved brother?" Ares spoke up, as he suddenly reappeared in front of Aretrus again and punched him in the guts.
Smack!¡ª
Aretrus attempted to make a shield out of his water affinity, but it did not appear to be strong enough to withstand Ares''s strike.
And as soon as Ares'' punch connected with his guts, Aretrus was thrown backward, gushing blood from his mouth.
"My master once shared a proverb with me that goes like this:
''You''re probably walking into a trap if you''re not setting one. But It is the mark of a conqueror to be able to do both at the same time''." Ares remarked.
"Shut up, you motherless bastard!" Aretrus screamed angrily as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
He then hurriedly cast several spells and directed them at Ares.
"Water Bullets!" "Water Spear!"
When they drew near, Ares effortlessly evaded them with his snake-step technique and arrived at Aretrus''s front again.
He then grabbed Aretrus'' face with one hand and mmed it against the ground.
Thud!¡ª
Its impact caused cracks to appear on the ground.
Crack!¡ª
"Did you really think you could intimidate me the way you used to before?" Ares asked as he delivered a punch to Aretrus face, while Aretrus was still lying on the ground.
Smash!¡ª
"Look at yourself¡ªdid you really believe you could threaten me when you can''t even defend yourself properly?" Ares said this as he punched Aretrus again.
Smash!¡ª
"He..hehe, you dug your own grave, did you assume my mother would let this go? You will be held ountable for what you did to me today," Aretrus stated, his mouth bloodied.
"...."
"...Is it?" Ares spoke before abruptly resuming his repeated punches to Aretrus.
Smash!¡ª Smash!¡ª
Then, lifting him by the neck, Ares threw him in the direction of the wall.
Thud!
¡ª
"Ahkk! Heheehe," Aretrusughed maniacally, while he was leaning up against the wall.
Ares, meanwhile, encircled himself in electricity and instantly appeared in front of Aretrus.
***
Aretrus slowly raised his head to look at Ares, but all he could make out was the blue trail. Then, out of nowhere, Ares suddenly appeared in front of him and kneed him in the face.
m!¡ª
As soon as Ares'' knee touched Aretrus'' face, the wall behind Aretrus started to crumble and began to fall apart.
"Tell your mother and the so-called older brother of yours, ...that Ares will being for them soon, until then, ask them to preserve their lives patiently," Ares dered.
Aretrus had a horrified expression when he heard Ares'' deration before losing consciousness.
***
Ares looked around the lounge while wiping his hand with a handkerchief, which was now stained with Aretrus''s blood.
He noticed that the lounge was not the same as it had been when they arrived, as now many of the walls had copsed, there were broken windows and furniture, and some of the walls had blood droplets painted on them.
"...What a mess," he muttered under his breath.
Soon after, A and Lucas approached him, and as A noticed Aretrus''s bloodied body she immediately went to check on his condition.
"Has everything been taken care of?" Ares inquired.
"Yes, most of them surrendered after seeing Aretrus knocked out cold," Ziona replied, as she approach Ares alongside Livia.
"...You still don''t seem satisfied," Ares observed.
"Well, after sparring with you and Miss Bianca on a regr basis, these students just seemed like me fighting with some little kids," Ziona responded.
"Yeah, these potatoes were all bark and no bite," Livia admitted.
"...."
"You see how I hit him? He came this way and I did a jab, and he was sent flying¡ª" Kevin''s words came to a halt as he arrived on the scene with ude and Diana.
"Yeah, Yeah, shut up you moron, I don''t want to hear how you beat them," ude said in an annoyed tone.
"What the hell? This floor is in worse condition than the one below," Kevin remarked as they approached us.
"Is he all right?" Lucas asked A, Ignoring the chatter going on next to him.
When everyone heard Lucas, their attention was drawn to Aretrus, who was now unconscious and covered in blood.
"...Yes, He''s fine; he only had a broken nose, a cracked skull, and a few broken ribs.
But I''m afraid I can''t say anything about his mental health!" A stated.
The moment she revealed her diagnosis, everyone became silent.
"...."
''How is that being fine?'' The same thought crossed everyone''s mind.
"Guess who is the new rank 8 now?" Diana spoke out of the blue, not paying attention to the awkward atmosphere around her.
!?
After hearing her statement, everyone just stared at her.
"What? Isn''t this the way things go? Ares will now climb up to rank 8 as be defeated him, while his unconscious brother who had previously held rank 8 will now fall to Ares''s rank 10?" Diana stated as it was a no-brainer.
"...."
"Ohhh, That makes sense! ude, go ahead and step on him to get ranked 10!" Kevin made an abrupt remark.
Hearing Kevin, we restrained ourselves fromughing.
"This bastard! Why don''t I step on you to get your rank 9?" With a twisted expression, ude said.
"How could you treat your own brother with such savagery?" With a solemn expression, Lucas spoke abruptly.
Everyone fell silent at Lucas'' unexpected remark.
Some of them shared their concern that if he could beat his own brother so severely, what about them?
Would he treat them the same way if they decided to oppose him over something he was doing that they didn''t like?
"...So you''re worried that if I can treat my brother this way, I''ll treat you guys even worse, right?" Ares inquired seeing everyone''s expression.
Everyone remained silent and didn''t respond to him.
"If you think that''s the case,...then you are probably right, I don''t give a fuck even if you are my family, so, if you decided to go against me, you should be prepared to face the consequences as well," Ares stated with a broad grin.
His audacious deration stunned everyone.
But Ares chose to ignore their expressions and walked out of the vi, leaving everyone stunned.
Livia quickly followed behind him, as if she didn''t care, while Ziona burst outughing after hearing Ares.
"Hehehe..."
"...Did you find anything funny in what he said?" Diana asked Ziona a question because she couldn''t understand why Ziona wasughing.
"Oh Gosh! No, I just find it amusing how simr our beliefs are," After stopping herughter, Ziona said while wiping away her tears ofughter.
She then shook her head and walked away as well.
"...."
When Diana and Kevin heard her statement, their expressions changed.
"Hmm, He''s more insane than I thought," A muttered to herself as she walked away.
"Ah yes, call the infirmary," she said before departing with Lucas.
Diana soon came out of her thoughts and followed behind them.
ude patted Kevin on the shoulder, seeming to console him.
"Man, thank you!" Kevin smiled as he looked at ude.
"Fuck off! Don''t look at me so strangely; I''m just reminding you to call the infirmary," ude stated and walked away, annoyed.
"...."
"Why the fuck is it always me to call and wait for the infirmary to arrive!" Kevin screamed.
***
Chapter 93 The Disowned Prince!
Next Day ~
"How was your day with Rose yesterday?" I asked Irethiel as I changed into my academy uniform.
"It was nice, humans had developed many incredible things in only a few centuries," Irethiel said as she watched the anime.
She appears to have be addicted to them.
"Hmm, did you tell Rose about what I requested for?" I asked.
"Yes, I did, but she says it wouldn''t be that simple to keep an eye on that half-dragon because someone seems to be around her all the time, as you suspected before," Irethiel responded.
"...I see," I uttered.
''My knowledge of Ivica from the novel does not appear to be exactly the same, so even I don''t know who that person is around her,'' I spected.
"... By the way, How much chaos did you cause yesterday? We learned that you made a scene, so Rose had to return quickly," Irethiel questioned.
"It was many times less than I prefer, but if I had the chance, I would¡ª" I came to a halt in my sentence.
"...Let''s just say I was settling someone else''s grudge," I exined.
!?
"So...is the grudge finally settled?" Irethiel inquired, intrigued.
"No, I haven''t even started yet, ...yesterday was just a teaser, and he won''t rest in peace until I make their lives more miserable," I replied.
"...."
Irethiel had many questions about who Ares was referring to, but she ultimately decided not to delve any further.
As she discovered that Ares holds many secrets, and knowing them could endanger her life.
[Curiosity is what killed the cat.]
Irethiel was startled awake from her daze when she suddenly heard a quote from the anime she was watching.
"...."
"Oh, you don''t know what a teaser is, do you?" I said.
"No, I understand what that means," Irethiel said quickly.
''She seems to be aware of it from the anime?'' I was thinking to myself.
"Good for you, I suppose," I said.
And soon after, I left the dorm and made my way to the advisor training ground.
And as soon as I stepped onto the training grounds, I was greeted by Ziona, Kevin, and Bianca.
Bianca appears to have arrived earlier than usual today.
"Speak of the devil, and here he appears," Bianca eximed as she saw me walk in.
!?
"...Good morning?" I eximed perplexed, as I noticed Ziona, Kevin, and Bianca staring at me.
"What have you done now?" After noticing them staring at me, Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"There''s nothing good about this morning after the scenes you caused yesterday," Bianca sighed.
"Oh, so that''s what this is all about," I said.
"...Yeah, you went overboard with Prince Aretrus yesterday; the Queen of Escratia kingdom, along with the parents of many other students, is critisizing the Academy because of you," Bianca exined.
"Isn''t it their fault they''re weak?" Bianca made a remark.
"Whether he is strong or weak, he is still the prince and, more importantly, the Queen''s son," Bianca stated.
"...You don''t mind if I beat up other students; the only reason it became a problem was because I beat up a prince?" With curiosity, I inquired.
"...I know it''s cruel, but it''s the way it is. Nobody cares if some regr students are beaten; they will simply say, "They were beaten because they are weak."
But it''s a different story when ites to the princes and princesses of kingdoms," Bianca borated.
"Am I not also the prince? Isn''t it eptable if one prince beats another?" I remarked casually.
"...."
"...Yes, if that were the case, it wouldn''t have been much of a problem,...but you have been disowned!" Bianca proimed.
!?
"Is that so? Well, I couldn''t care less anyway." I said, shrugging.
They do not provide me with funds or support, nor do I receive preferential treatment because I am the prince.
Keeping their surname was therefore pointless, and I doubt anything would change even if I were not the prince.
"Then I wee you to the disownedmunity," Ziona said, a huge grin on her face.
"I''ll be in your care then," I said, chuckling as we fist bumped.
"...."
When Bianca saw us, she just shook her head and smiled awkwardly.
"So, when exactly did this happen?" Curious, I enquired.
"The Queen of Escratia kingdom announced it this morning after your video went viral," Ziona replied.
"Which video?" Perplexed, I asked.
"You ought to do more inte browsing," Ziona remarked as she pulled out her phone and opened a video to show it to me.
And when I watched the video, I was left astonished.
"...."
"Who has that much of a free time to edit that, I wonder?" I said after seeing a video.
The video showed me seamlessly beating Aretrus, but the worst part was that it had been altered to appear more ruthless, with music ying in the background.
It highlights me punching Aretrus unmercifully repeatedly while he couldn''t even resist, and the slow-motion shot of me kneeing his face is wless.
And as soon as my knee struck his face.
[KO!] appeared written on the screen.
Furthermore, the video concludes with Aretrus'' name being scratched from rank 8 and reced with mine.
"...."
"That bitch," I muttered inadvertently.
As far as I recall, only one person was free enough to record these videos while everyone else was busy fighting.
...Yes, it''s certainly seems to be A''s doing.
And now I understand why she came with us to this meeting.
"...."
"After seeing that ranking list, the inte was already out of control and was criticizing the Hero Association.
But after watching this video, it got even crazier," Bianca spoke out of the blue.
"Yes, read thements on that list right now," Ziona suggested.
And as I continued reading thements, I realized how bizarre they were.
[Now who is the rank 10 bitch?]
[He''ll take rank 1 on his own if you can''t give it to him.]
And there were many otherments...
...
And the hashtag [Ares vs Hercules for Rank 1.] was trending.
"...."
"Now that I think about it, Miss Bianca, you''re ranked 10th, right?" Ziona suddenly questioned.
"...Yeah, I was previously ranked 15th, but now I''m ranked 10th.
However, given that Mika is currently ranked 17th, I don''t think it is fair to ce me above her.
I know I''ve grown stronger, but I still don''t believe I''m strong enough to defeat Mika right now," Bianca stated.
"...."
We decided to end our conversation after a brief period of continued discussion.
***
We then put on our safety gear and started practicing the same skill we had learned from Bianca in our previous ss.
The training was no different than us getting thrashed by Bianca.
And Bianca finally stopped her so-called training when the bell rang, signaling the end of the ss.
"Miss Bianca, could you at least tell us how being beaten is rted to us learning the skill you wanted to teach us?" Kevin inquired as hey on the ground after Bianca''s beating.
Hearing Kevin, Ziona and I turned our attention to Bianca because we were curious as well.
"Oh! The only requirement is that you must at least have a basic understanding of how the skill functions in order to learn the scroll that contains the skill.
Likewise, facing the skill regrly and getting used to it is the simplest way toprehend it; that''s how I learned it as well," Bianca exined.
"...."
"Haaa, at least the beatings I''m receiving don''t seem to be in vain now; all I need to do is understand the fundamentals of skill before I would be able to use the scroll, right?" Kevin said.
"Yes!" Bianca agreed, nodding.
"...Miss Bianca, could I please see that skill scroll for a moment?" I requested because I wanted to try something.
"Hmm? Sure," Bianca said as she took out the skill scroll from her storage ring and passed it to me.
I unrolled the skill scroll as I took it from Bianca and gave it a quick nce.
"It is not easy to learn skills; you must work hard to at least practice the fundamentals¡ª"
Bianca came to a halt in her sentence when she noticed the skill scroll glowing.
***
Chapter 94 The New System Interface!
"It is difficult to acquire new skills; you must put in a lot of effort to at least practice the fundamentals¡ª"
Bianca came to a halt in her utterance when she noticed the skill scroll glowing.
Ding!¡ª
[Aquired New Skill]
I called upon the system when I saw the notification to investigate my new skill.
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
PROFESSION : [Intermediate Swordsman¡ï¡ï¡ï][Beginner Archer¡ï¡ï]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver].
Adventurer Rank : A
Strength : A
Agility : A+
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : B
Luck : C-
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : [Universal Language]
[Photographic Memory]
¡ô
Skills: [Fell Crescent¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Snake Steps¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Hawkseye¡ï¡ï]
[Static Electricity¡ï¡ï]
[Atomic sh¡ï] ©\ [NEW]
***
I was taken aback by the new system interface.
!?
''Has the update beenpleted? But why didn''t I receive the notification that the system had been updated, though?'' I gave it some thought, but decided to ignore it for the time being and concentrate on the skills section.
And as I noticed the new skill I had just acquired, a smile spread across my face.
Consequently, I clicked on it to find out more about it.
[Atomic sh¡ï]
¡ªIt enables the user to execute numerous strikes with incredible speed in a single motion.
***
The ¡ï appears to represent my mastery of the skill; the greater my mastery, the more stars.
"That''s pretty convenient," I muttered, turning my gaze to Bianca, who was staring at me in disbelief.
"...."
"She is questioning her entire life, seeing how easily you were able to acquire that skill," Irethiel remarked after witnessing Bianca''s expression.
"I''m pretty used to this type of reaction by now," I telepathically replied to Irethiel.
"N-No, How is that even possible? Did you pick up that skill with a single nce?" Bianca inquired, puzzled.
Before I could respond to Bianca, Ziona quickly approached me and took the scroll from me.
"Give it to me, let me try it as well," Ziona said, taking the skill scroll from me.
For a few moments, she stared at the scroll from top to bottom.
"Huh? Why is the scroll empty? Was it a one-time use?" Ziona inquired confused.
"Let me see it," Kevin said as he asked Ziona for the scroll.
And as Ziona passed the scroll to him, Kevin examined it for a few moments and he couldn''t find anything on it as well.
They both turned to look at Bianca in a perplexed manner, requesting an exnation.
Bianca snapped out of her stupor when she felt their gazes.
"N-No, it is not a one-time use scroll. As I previously stated, you must understand the basic fundamentals of the skill in order to acquire it," Bianca rified.
She then looked at me and inquired.
"How did you learn that skill without even understanding its fundamentals?"
"...I''m not sure, I guess I just have a good memory," I lied as if it were natural.
"...."
''That''s not something you can achieve just because you have a good memory,'' Bianca thought to herself, but she decided not to probe any further.
"... Nevertheless, I congratte you on learning a new skill. I believe it willplement well with your affinity for electricity," Bianca said with a smile and exited the training hall because the ss time was already over.
"...It''s so unfair to be strong, handsome, and smart all at the same time," Kevin remarked.
Ziona just stood there, expressionless, for a few seconds after hearing Kevin''s remark.
"...Well, you''re not entirely wrong. However, nothing in this world was ever fair, "Ziona muttered as she walked out of the training ground with Ares.
"At least he''s no longer a prince," Kevin murmured as he followed them.
***
As we arrived at our next ss''s ssroom, we discovered that it was deserted.
"...."
"Ah, Ares, you''ve finally arrived; what took you so long?" Livia appeared unexpectedly behind us and greeted me as I entered the ssroom.
I think she''s been waiting for me to get back from my advisor training ss.
"Are there no sses today, too?" I inquired of Livia.
"Yes, today''s sses have also been canceled," Livia replied.
"...I see; where have the others gone?" I inquired.
"They''re waiting for us in the Archery practice area," Livia responded.
"OK, let''s get going there as well," I said as I walked away.
And while we were on our way to the Archery range, Livia suddenly spoke.
"...I heard what happened,"
"Oh, you''re talking about me being disowned?" I inquired.
"...Yes, and also about your fiancee," Livia responded.
"...."
"And what about my fianc¨¦e?" My brow furrowed as I inquired.
"The head of the merchant association just announced the termination of your engagement to his daughter," Livia responded.
!?
"...Is that true? " I enquired as I quickly pulled out my phone to call Silvia.
Her father might have announced it without getting her permission, and knowing Silvia''s personality, I know she wouldn''t be taking this well.
As I pondered to myself, I phoned her.
However, I was unable to reach her because her phone was reportedly off.
"...."
"A-And that''s not even the worst part," Livia eximed abruptly.
When I heard her, I came to a halt in my steps and turned to face her.
"...Can you exin what you mean?" I asked, my face expressionless since I have a bad feeling about what she was about to say.
"H-He then announced her engagement to your brother Aretrus," Livia remarked with apprehension.
"...."
"Ah, sh*t!" I eximed, as I hurriedly dialed Aegis
[Hello! What''s going on, Ares? I heard¡ª
When Aegis lifted her phone, she immediately began to speak, but her sentence was cut off.
[I don''t have time for this! When did youst speak with Silvia?] I asked.
[Huh? Y-Yes, we just spoke a few minutes ago following the announcement of the termination of your engagement] Aegis responded.
[I see, did she say anything?] I queried.
[Yeah, she said she would pay you a visit at the academy. She might be there soon if my assumption is correct.] Aegis replied.
Beep!¡ª
As soon as I heard her, I abruptly hung up the phone with Aegis and hurried over to the hospital where Aretrus was getting treatment.
Because if my suspicions are urate,...Aretrus'' life would be in danger.
Even though I couldn''t give a damn about his life, but if he passed away right now, it wouldn''t be good for me.
***
Chapter 95 Aretruss Death!
In a sh, I arrived at the hospital where Aretrus is being held.
Students who sustain serious injuries are treated in a separate hospital building on the academy grounds;
And Aretrus was also being treated there because of the severity of his injuries.
"In which room is Aretrus Von Rothstaylor being treated?" I inquired of the receptionist.
"Are you Ares? He is being treated in a room [402]," The receptionist replied.
Hearing her, I dashed toward the room receptionist told me.
Shortly as I approached the room, I slowly opened the door and entered.
And as soon as I walked into the room, a girl was standing in front of me with bloodied hands.
"...A-Ares?" She spoke anxiously.
I gave her a long look before shifting my gaze to Aretrus'' bed.
...And I waspletely stunned when I discovered Aretrusying lifeless on the bed, drenched in blood.
"...."
"A-Ares, P-Please believe me, it''s not me, I didn''t kill him," Silvia said as she approached me slowly.
"So what exactly are you doing here? Moreover, why are your hands stained with his blood if you didn''t kill him?" I asked Silvia, my face expressionless.
"T-This, N-No, he was already dead when I arrived, A-Ares, P-Please trust me, I didn''t do it," Silvia stutteringly stated.
I heard footsteps behind me before I could say anything, and the investigation heroes who deal with crimes soon entered the room.
And as soon as they saw me, they quickly drew their weapons and pointed them at us without even checking the crime scene.
"...."
"Stay put; we have the right to kill you if you make even the slightest movement," one of the officers warned.
I held my hands in the air after hearing him.
"I just got here too, and when I arrived, this girl was already here with her hands strained in my brother''s blood while she was standing in front of him," I exined.
"Shut up! We''ll find out for ourselves after the investigation," One of the officers said as he approached me.
? "A-Ares? P-Please W-Howe you don''t believe me?" Silvia was sobbing as she spoke.
"How dare you say I should trust you after you murdered my beloved brother," I snarled.
"Don''t kid yourself, we saw the video of you brutally beating your own brother," one of the officers said as he handcuffed my hands.
"That''s how we brothers are; we fight sometimes and get along other times, and if I wanted to kill him, I would have done it when I beat him, not just sent him to the hospital," I exined with teary eyes.
"...."
"You can exin that when we get to the Crime station," said the chief officer.
"Howe you handcuff me without any evidence, while the perpetrator is right in front of you?" I questioned as I turned to face Silvia with a cold stare.
!?
"Oh, I see... I saw your character firsthand back then, but I never imagined you would abandon me to save yourself," Silvia stated while awkwardlyughing as her hand was handcuffed.
"...I''m ashamed of myself for falling for a guy like you," Silviamented.
"If you truly loved me, you would ept your crimes," I remarked.
And as I was speaking, I heard the room door open again.
As I turned my gaze to it, I noticed the Dean of Soreh Academy, Ivica Livingstone, enter the room.
And as soon as she noticed me, she immediately destroyed the handcuffs that were holding my hands together.
"M-Miss Ivica?" The chief officer gasped in surprise before quickly bowing in greeting as other officers did the same.
Ivica, meanwhile, simply ignored them.
"Do you have any proof that he is guilty?" Ivica made a direct statement.
"No, but as we all know, he holds a grudge against his brother, and he was here when we got here, so he is the prime suspect!" the chief officer stated anxiously.
"I don''t care if you think he''s a suspect; if you can''t prove him guilty with concrete evidence, don''t even try to touch him¡ª or anyone of my academy students," Ivica borated.
"Miss Ivica, we are simply abiding by the rules, we have to take him with us for ¡ª" The chief officer was about to finish his sentence when Ivica interrupted him.
"I don''t give a fuck if you belong to a Hero association or some adventurer association, but when you enter my territory, ...you must abide by my damn rules.
"And if that old hag bitch has any issues with this, you could also ask her toe here by herself, so we could have a good talk," Ivica said, ring at the officer.
I was taken aback by Ivica''s choice of words.
"...."
The chief officer was visibly dripping with sweat heavily and having trouble breathing just from her gaze.
He would have already fallen unconscious by this point if she hadn''t been controlling her prowess.
"Do you understand?" Ivica enquired.
"Y-Yes!" The officer quickly responded anxiously.
She then asked as she turned to face Silvia.
"And who is she?"
"She is the daughter of the merchant association''s leader," I replied.
"Your Ex fianc¨¦e? Why is she in this ce?" Ivica questioned.
"She may be the person behind this murder, because she had no other reason to trespass here," I stated.
"...."
"...Yes, that makes sense; consequently, we now know who the perpetrator is. So she''s yours to take," Ivica said as she pointed at Silvia.
For a while, the officers just exchanged nk looks.
"Yeah, and take that unfortunate student''s body with you as well, and you can send it back to his kingdom so they can hold a funeral," Ivica added.
"Wow, what a vicious half-dragon!" Irethiel made an abruptment.
And throughout the process, Silvia''s face remained lifeless.
"What exactly are you waiting for? Take her and move," Ivica urged them.
They hurriedly nodded and proceeded to escort Silvia away, while the forensic team searched for any clues while removing Aretrus''s body.
"Can I leave now, then? I now have additional work toplete," As I turned to face Ivica, I uttered.
Ivica merely gave a head nod.
I left the hospital after receiving her approval and watched Silvia being led away.
"All right, Irethiel, it''s time for you to get to work," I said.
"...fine," Irethiel responded and left.
And as I stood outside the hospital, Livia and Ziona approached me.
"....What exactly happened here?" Ziona inquired as she noticed arge number of reporters gathered outside the academy gates.
"Aretrus was murdered," I said casually as I walked away.
While Livia and Ziona just stood there stunned after hearing me.
***
Chapter 96 Uncovering The Trap! [1]
Same Night ~
I was watching the news on my phone while seated on a bench outside the academy.
And, Naturally, Aretrus'' murder was all over the news, with Silvia being named as the prime suspect.
... Of course, I am aware that Silvia did not kill Aretrus.
It was clearly a trap, but was it set for her or for me,... or was it for both of us?
If thetter were the case, it would be like killing two birds with one stone.
And I have a theory about the people who might be behind this.
As I was pondering to myself Irethiel appeared flying toward me in her crow form.
"I got the location where they''re being held, and regarding your other spection,...what you said is correct," Irethiel reported.
When I heard Irethiel, a huge grin appeared on my face.
"All right, let''s get this party started, shall we?" I said as I stood up from the bench.
I was dressed in a ck assassin''s outfit and quickly wore a mask that Silvia had brought me for my disguise as a prince on the diators'' battleground.
I then encircled myself with electricity, leaving only a blue trail behind me as I sprinted in the direction Irethiel had directed.
***
"So he''s staying here, huh?" Ares muttered as he stood on the building''s roof.
"...Yes, but the warehouse is heavily fortified. How do you intend to proceed?" Irethiel was curious.
"I don''t have a n; we''ll just enter through the front door," Ares exined as he jumped down the building.
"...."
"Wow, are you serious? I assumed you always nned ahead of time before doing anything," Irethiel spoke as she followed behind Ares.
***
Ares walked straight to the warehouse entrance.
"Why is there a toddler here? And what''s with that strange outfit?" one of the security guards guarding the warehouse front said as he saw Ares approach.
"Fuck off, this isn''t a ce for kids to y," another individual beside him said, furrowing his brow.
"Shut up, you idiots, something doesn''t seem right about him¡ª" Another person guarding the warehouse with them said and raised his guard.
One of the individualsughed as he noticed his partner raising his guard.
"Hahaha, moron?" Are you afraid of some kid now? He remarked.
Ares ignored their babblings and approached them casually, then suddenly a sword materialized in his hand out of nowhere.
"Atomic sh!" Ares murmured as he executed his skill.
sh!¡ª sh!¡ª sh!¡ª
"Huh?"
Their body was shed into several pieces in an instant, with no time to react as they were preupied with taunting themselves.
And their body, which had now been cut into several pieces, gradually began to fall apart.
Meanwhile, Ares just walked right past them, not even giving them a second nce.
"They were killed even before they could scream or react," Irethiel murmured as she followed behind Ares.
"Fell crescent!"
Ares used his skill to break open the entrance door to a warehouse and proceed.
"Wait, who¡ª"
They came across someone while moving forward, but even before that person could say anything, his head was severed.
"Did you just apany me to watch some kind of a show? Get to work, Demon!" Ares said to Irethiel.
"...."
"...I thought you didn''t need my assistance," Irethiel spoke as she reverted to her original form, but her height was nowparable to that of Ares''.
"Normally, I wouldn''t have needed your assistance, but we have someone waiting for us now," Ares stated.
As they continued down the corridor, they came across arge room illuminated by numerousnterns.
As they entered the room, they noticed that tables and other wooden furniture were arranged haphazardly among the rows of barrels that lined the walls.
Groups of people, mostly men but also some women, were lounging around the tables while enjoying various activities like drinking, smoking, ying cards, and watching television.
However, as Ares entered the room first, all eyes turned to him, and shortly after, Irethiel appeared behind him.
"Who''s that?" one man inquired of the person sitting next to them.
In response, the person simply shrugged their shoulders.
"What''s up with that outfit?" A tall man with ruffled red hair and a scar on his cheek remarked.
"A-A D-Demon! Who are you?" In a startled tone of fear, a drunk woman looked at Irethiel and asked.
After hearing the drunk woman, everyone turned to look at Irethiel, and when they saw her, they were stunned.
Ares and Irethiel didn''t bother responding and simply ignored them.
While Ares took a quick nce around the room before returning his attention to Irethiel.
"It appears that the person we''re looking for isn''t here," Ares spoke and paused for a moment.
"...So none of them are of any use. You are free to do whatever you want," Ares informed Irethiel.
Everyone in the room was perplexed when they heard Ares, including the scarred man in the front, but before he could react, Irethiel emerged in front of him, pierced his chest with her bare hands, and then grabbed and wrenched his heart from his body.
!?
The others jumped to their feet and reached for their weapons, but suddenly, a dark mist enveloped the entire room, and Irethiel''s eyes were glowing red.
Swish!¡ª
And just as Ares was focusing on Irethiel, she vanished, leaving only the screams of the people to be heard through the mist.
So Ares decided to use his skill Hawkeye to observe what was happening in the mist, but all of a sudden, the mist vanished, revealing Irethiel standing in the middle of the room alone while everyone else had already been killed.
Some had their throats pierced, others had their guts extracted, and various other horrendous dead bodies could be seen.
"...."
Ares just stared at Irethiel, who was making an even more terrifying scene than he was.
"What?" Irethiel inquired as she felt Ares''s gaze on her while wiping the blood from her face.
"It''s nothing, just keep moving," Ares replied.
"Tsk," Irethiel clicked her tongue before proceeding forward.
We encountered numerous other people, but Irethiel handled them with ease.
And as they continued on, they encountered yet another door.
"Who are you guys? And how did you get in here? ...w-wait, a demon?" The person who appeared to be the room''s guard shouted.
"This appears to be thest room, ¡ª" Irethiel ignored that man''s shout and said, but her words were cut off as Ares suddenly swung his sword at her.
!?
"Swap!"
She quickly switched ces with a person guarding the door not far from them.
And Ares'' sword pierced that person''s stomach before swinging to the right and severing the person in half.
Gash! ¡ª
"Aghh!" The person died with a puzzled expression on his face.
"...F-For fucks sake! If you''re trying to pull something off, at least give me a heads-up; I would have been in big trouble if I hadn''t reacted quickly," Irethiel eximed annoyed.
"In any case, I think it went pretty well. I did this because Ipletely believed in your abilities," Ares stated.
"...Y-You now at least know what I''m capable of, I suppose," Irethiel said with a smirk.
"...."
"Now don''t get too far ahead of yourself and open that door already," Ares said.
***
Chapter 97 Uncovering The Trap! [2]
Hearing me, Irethiel broke open the door rather than using the keys from a guard''s bloody corpse.
Smash!¡ª
She demonstrated her physical prowess by breaking open a huge ass door in a single punch, which I must admit impressed me because that door wasn''t just any ordinary door, but one that had been reinforced by enhanced magic to deter break-ins.
I shook my head, came out of my thoughts, and walked in.
And as I entered the room, I was surprised by the spectacle I was seeing.
!?
A girl was eating a lollipop while sitting on a chair, and as soon as she saw the door destroyed, she turned her attention to us.
"Oh, Ares, you''ve arrived!" The girl eximed happily as she saw me.
''...Yup, it was Silvia all right!''
And as I looked around the room, I discovered the corpse of a chief officer who had arrested her.
He seemed to have been tortured to death.
"...."
"Oh, you''re looking for him?" Silvia said as she pointed to a bed hidden behind the curtains.
And when I walked over to the bed and pulled back the curtain, I observed the guy who everyone had assumed was dead.
...That''s right, Aretrus was still alive.
***
Moments Before Silvia Being Arrested ~
I rushed to the hospital where Aretrus was being held and asked the receptionist which room he was being treated in.
"Are you Ares? He is receiving treatment in a room [402] "The receptionist answered readily.
I hurried toward the room receptionist had informed me..., but I came to a halt as I sensed something was amiss.
"Why did you stop?" Perplexed, Irethiel inquired.
"... I think it''s a trap!" I muttered to Irethiel telepathically.
!?
"Hmm! What makes you think that?" Irethiel inquired, surprised.
"...."
"It''s notplicated; as everyone is aware, thanks to that video, that I severely beat Aretrus, which is how he wound up in the hospital.
...
But, despite knowing that I was behind his current state, that receptionist quickly informed me about his room," I stated telepathically.
"Can you just get to the main point?" Irethiel demanded impatiently.
"...well, the point is that she should have stopped me from visiting him rather than telling me about his room, so easily.
...She acted as if she was expecting my arrival," I exined.
"...."
"It does make sense now that you''ve put it that way! And also because of him, you were disowned by your family, so they should have forbidden you from meeting him out of fear that you would do him harm." Irethiel noted.
''...Wow, she''s getting smarter!'' I pondered, seeing Irethielprehend the situation.
"So, what now? You can just avoid it now that you know it''s a trap, right? But that Silvia girl already appears to be in trouble," Irethiel stated as she examined the situation in the room where Aretrus was being treated.
"Yeah, I could avoid it, but I doubt Silvia could, as she appears to have already fallen for the trap!" I replied as I entered Aretrus'' room.
Because it would be difficult for her to use her vampire abilities in the academy, and even if she could, it would only make matters worse.
***
And as I walked into the room, Silvia was already in an odd situation, just as I had anticipated.
"...."
"There are some humans approaching the room you''re in!" Irethiel informed me telepathically.
Silvia, who was trying to persuade me that she didn''t murder Aretrus, overheard my and Irethiel''s telepathic conversation, and her eyes widened in shock and she came to a halt.
"Did you hear her, Silvia?" I said telepathically to Irethiel, and Silvia nodded after overhearing me.
"Her stalking abilities will at leaste in handy today," Irethiel remarked,ughing.
"...."
And as soon as the officers arrived, our Actress Silvia had done a pretty good job in her acting fooling everyone, but of course, she wasn''t as good as me.
I advised Silvia to act in order to uncover the person who was responsible for setting this trap, and she was quick to ept even taking the me for the murder.
And I''m aware that there were numerous other approaches to uncovering the identity of the mastermind behind this trap... without Silvia being implicated.
However, I feltpelled to continue because I needed to learn something that involves Silvia.
But, of course, I had the means to prove her innocence.
Since Irethiel already informed me as soon as we walked into this room that Aretrus''s corpse was a fake.
It could have fooled anyone, including myself, due to its excellent camouge, but Irethiel obviously appears to be ustomed to this type of concealment.
But I wasn''t expecting Ivica to show up because Rose informed me beforehand that she wasn''t in an Academy, and it appears that even officers weren''t expecting her.
''Did shee here because she sensed the presence of a vampire?'' I pondered
And when she saw Aretrus''s corpse and realized something wasn''t right, as well as my behavior, she just went along and put on a show with me.
And after they took Silvia, I told Irethiel to follow them to find out where they were taking her.
And much to my surprise, they took us right to Aretrus'' lodging.
***
Present ~
"Oh, he woke up just a little while ago, but I just knocked him out again!" said Silvia as I was gazing at Aretrus.
"...."
"Did you figure out who was behind all of this?" I inquired, but I do have an idea about the person who was responsible for this.
"Yeah! I interrogated that chief officer by torturing him in different ways.
And I found out that your stepmother seems to be behind this.
Given your growing fame, she appears to have nned this by fabricating Aretrus'' death and ming you for it," Silvia exined.
"So she even bought up the members of the hero association, huh?" I remarked.
"Yes, it appears to be so," Silvia said.
"Seeing how the officers arrived in a sh as I entered the room, I already predicted much.
And they appear to have been given the task of arresting us both and removing Aretrus''s fake body from the academy," I exined.
"What do you mean by "us both" Ares? Wasn''t the trap set specifically for you?" Silvia inquired perplexed.
"Did you not hear the name of anyone else from that chief officer?" I asked.
"No, he died before I could ask him any further questions," Silvia replied.
"...Alright, before I exin, what were you doing in Aretrus'' room at the time?" I inquired of Silvia.
"I-It was, I-I just wanted to threaten him into canceling the engagement, I wasn''t nning on killing him or anything," Silvia exined as she averted her gaze from mine.
"...."
"...And who else knew you were paying him a visit?" I inquired.
"Hmm? It was just Aegis and my Secretary, as I was nning on killing¡ªer, threatening him¡ªwith no one else knowing," Silvia responded.
"...I think you should find yourself a new Secretary," I suggested.
!?
"Do you mean¡ª" Silvia said, but then paused due to a sudden realization.
"That''s exactly what I mean!" I replied.
"Why would she?" Silvia muttered.
"Can I ask you a question, if you don''t mind?" I inquired of Silvia.
"Yeah?" Silvia said as she turned her focus on me.
"...You aren''t the real daughter of the merchant association''s chairman, are you?" I inquired this because ording to the novel, Silvia joined the Shadows organization after killing the head of the merchant association.
And Irethiel ims that Silvia''s father is not a royal vampire, despite Silvia being one.
However, I thought at the time that her mother was a royal vampire and ignored it.
But ever since I first met Silvia, I''ve been baffled as to why she would murder her father.
"...."
"...Yes, you are correct. He isn''t my biological father," Silvia acknowledged.
"Are you asking this because you believe he and your stepmother nned this together?" Silvia questioned.
"...To be honest, I do think that''s the case," I said.
"Hmm, if you think so, then that could be the case," Silvia said casually.
!?
I just kept staring at her, observing her unconcerned expression as if it were nothing new.
"I''ll take care of it myself, so don''t worry. I don''t want to drag you into the world of vampires," As she felt my gaze, Silvia gave her exnation.
And after listening to her, I was now even more confused.
"She is right, human! It''s best if you stay out of the conflicts between vampire societies for the time being...at least until you''re strong enough," Irethiel remarked.
"...."
"What should we do with him then, Ares? Now that everyone believes he is already dead, should we simply kill him?" Silvia asked abruptly, her gaze fixed on Aretrus.
"...What are you saying? We need him alive to prove you''re not guilty" I responded.
"Oh right, ...but we don''t need his future generations do we?" Silvia stated as she smashed the lollipop she was holding on the ground.
"...."
*Gulp.
''The fuck! She is scary,'' I gulped aloud as I thought to myself and just stared at Silvia with a nk expression.
"Pftttt hahahaha!" Hearing Silvia, Irethiel burst outughing.
***
Chapter 98 Slandering The Hero Association.
Following a brief discussion with Silvia, Ares decided to call an ambnce to treat Aretrus, and as well as media personnel so that they could report Aretrus'' survival and prove Silvia''s innocence.
Soon after, an ambnce arrived outside the warehouse and began checking on Aretrus''s condition.
While reporters were covering the news that Aretrus was alive.
And after covering the news on Aretrus for a few moments, the reporters approached Ares and Silvia to learn more about the incident.
"Prince Ares, Who do you believe to be responsible for this scheme? And do you suspect they nned this to specifically target you?" One of the reporters inquired.
"First and foremost, I am no longer a Prince, and as everyone is aware that the Hero Association is targeting me for some unknown reasons, so when I saw some of their members appear as soon as I arrived at the hospital to visit my brother, I knew something wasn''t right.
They were so intent on arresting me that they failed to investigate the supposed corpse of my allegedly deceased brother.
And It was entirely due to the Dean of our academy that I avoided being arrested on false charges," Ares rified the situation.
"Does that mean you believe the Hero Association is behind this?" One of the reporters inquired with interest.
"I''m not totally sure they were to me for this. But I discovered this from the people who were behind it."
As he disyed the Hero Association''s chief officers badge to the camera, Ares said.
When the reporters noticed the Hero Associations badge, there was a fuss.
Naturally, they can determine the legitimacy of the badge Ares showed them.
This is because the Hero Associations badge is unique and made of materials that are only avable to them, making it impossible to forge.
"Could you please exin to us how you discovered that your brother was still alive?" One of the reporters suddenly inquired.
"To tell the truth, I had no idea my brother was still alive.
I suspected that the members of the Hero association had murdered him and wanted to me me for it.
However, because of some difficulties, they were unable to arrest me, so they chose to arrest Silvia instead and me her since she was also present there," Ares replied.
"Can you tell us what you were doing at the academy at the time, Miss Silvia?" One of the reporters inquired of Silvia.
"I was there to meet my new fiancee, but when I arrived, I found Aretrus covered in bloodying on the bed, so I rushed over to check on him.
And that''s also when the officers arrived and seeing my bloodied hands, they saw an opportunity to me his murder on me because they couldn''t arrest Ares at the time," Silvia borated.
"How did you find out that they weren''t going to take Miss Silvia to the association, Prince Ares¡ªI mean Sir Ares? And how did you find out where Miss Silvia is being retained?" The reporters were intrigued.
"Silvia requested my assistance and used her covert device to send me her SoS message, allowing me to track her down.
And, because I already suspected the Hero association was up to no good, I believed Silvia would notmit murder.
As a result, I chose to assist her after she requested my assistance and sent me her SoS message," Ares exined.
"So did you discover your brother was still alive when you got to the ce to save Miss Silvia?" A reporter made a query.
"...Yes, Silvia informed me that my brother was still alive after I dealt with everyone and saved her. However my brother is now¡ª," Ares stated but suddenly stopped in his sentence with a sad expression.
!?
"However? Did something happen to Prince Aretrus?" The reporters questioned Ares as they saw his sad expression.
And when the reporters noticed Ares remained silent, they turned to Silvia.
"Could you kindly exin, Miss Silvia, did something happen to prince Aretrus?" Silvia was questioned by the reporters.
"...Well, the hero association members who arrested me severely beat and tortured Aretrus as to know some information about Ares.
But Aretrus steadfastly declined to provide any information regarding Ares.
He was therefore severely beaten until he became permanently disabled, and as a result, he will never be able to engage in sexual activity with a woman," Silvia replied, her eyes filled with tears.
"...."
"M-Miss Silvia, What exactly do you mean by that?" puzzled reporters asked.
"That is what happened, and I''m not sure what you don''t understand.
But even though we can''t be together anymore, I''m nevertheless relieved that he''s still alive," While wiping away her tears, Silvia stated.
"...Yes, that''s right; fortunately, my dear brother is still with us.
Even though we didn''t always get along and frequently fought, fighting among brothers is normal, right? He''s still my brother, and that won''t change.
And I want to pursue justice for my brother and request that the hero association provides a suitable justification," Ares made a sad-looking remark.
The reporters were taken aback when they heard us and fell silent for a brief moment.
"...."
"...Y-Yeah, so all of this urred because the Hero Association had a grudge against Sir Ares," one of the reporters stated.
"Yes, and there''s something else I learned from one of the officers that surprised me," Ares said unexpectedly.
After hearing Ares, Silvia and the other reporters focused their attention on him.
"...He disclosed that one of the demon lords has already been unsealed.
But it appears that the hero association is keeping it a secret from everyone in an effort to prevent a public panic... or I''m not sure if they have any other motives.
Since the Hero Association, in my opinion, can no longer be trusted and I also believe that there may be some demon cultist in the association''s higher echelons who wanted to keep this information a secret," Ares dered.
"...."
Upon hearing Ares''s statement, the reporters were all in shock and disbelief.
But even before they could react, Ares left abruptly, and Silvia followed after him as soon as she saw him turn around and leave.
!?
"W-What do you mean, Sir Ares? Is this factual?¡ª" The reporters made an effort to speak with Ares and Silvia to learn more, but they were unable to do so.
***
"Fuck! I thought I was going to die from cringe there," Ares eximed.
"Ares, is what you said urate? Do you genuinely believe that Hero association was also responsible for this trap?" Silvia asked with interest.
"Who cares if the Hero Association was also involved in this or not? Someone has to be held responsible for it, and since it would be useless to hold my stepmother ountable in the absence of any evidence, I decided to ce the entire me on the hero association.
As I also have some nit to pick with them." Ares rified.
"...."
"I-I see. And what about the details regarding the demon lords? Was it also justpletely false information?" Silvia asked.
"No, it''s urate; one of the demon lords has already been released," Ares retorted.
"...So you publicly revealed the unsealed demon lord''s existence while the hero association was attempting to keep it a secret?
This implies that in addition to holding the Hero Association ountable for all of your usations, you are now openly contesting them," Dered Silvia.
"Hmm, you could put it that way as well," Ares replied casually.
"...Do you honestly think people will easily believe you and side with you instead of the well-known Hero association?" Silvia questioned perplexed.
"I know it wouldn''t be that simple; but to give my lies any credibility, I have to tack on a little bit of truth.
So once the public realizes that my information about the demon lords is genuine, the hero association will be in a difficult position because many will believe even my lies to be true," Ares remarked.
"...."
"Wow, so, in any case, the hero association has a lot of exining to do now," Silvia said as she giggled.
"...They''d made a huge mistake by messing with this devil incarnate, and I can now just hope for the best for that A girl," Irethiel remarked.
***
Chapter 99 Erina Valdemars First Appearance [1]
The Next Day ~
Ares was putting on his academy uniform as he watched the news on the television.
And as a result of his usations against the Hero Association, the entire continent was now in an uproar and condemning them.
So, In order to address the popce''s worries, the hero organization has decided to hold a press conferenceter today.
"I''m not sure how my stepmother feels now that her n to trap me has failed, and one of her sons has to live the rest of his life with impotency," Ares muttered to himself as he chuckled.
[Yes, she may now truly be going insane, but what happened to your father¡ªby which I mean the king of your kingdom? Has he allowed the Queen to act however she pleases?] Silvia, who was on the phone call with Ares, questioned.
"Hmm, That''s what I wanted to know as well; because I know he''s a power-hungry King who wouldn''t hesitate to abandon his own son if he deemed him useless.
So I''m not sure how he came to the decision to disown me when my fame as a result of my prowess is at an all-time high right now, and there''s also the fact that my master is an SS-Rank." Ares stated.
"If what you said is right, will he now abandon his impotent son as well?" Irethiel inquired,ughing.
"I know, right? But, as Aretrus is the current Queen''s son, I don''t think that''s possible, given how much power she wields.
I''m even skeptical that she could have bewitched or otherwise harmed the king and is now ruling on his behalf.
Because aside from that, I have no other exnation as to why the King does not appear in public and why the Queen appears to be in charge of all decisions." Ares exined as he left his dorm room and moved toward the Advisor''s training ground.
[Certainly, your assumption seems correct to me as well.] Silvia stated.
"Oh, I also saw something simr in that anime thing, where the queen would poison the king so that her son would inherit the throne," Irethiel remarked.
[I watched that anime as well. Isn''t it one of the anime Aegis sent?] Silvia inquired.
"...Perhaps, because I didn''t have time to watch them. However, Irethiel appears to have already seen the majority of the animes that Aegis had sent me," Ares responded.
[...I see.] Silvia uttered in a low voice.
"Also I''m now beginning to suspect that the Hero Association wasn''t targeting Mika, but rather me, and that my stepmother was behind the ranking lists incident, and Mika was simply targeted because of me," Ares assessed.
[Yes, that''s not entirely impossible.] Silvia replied.
"...."
For a brief moment, there was silence as they both remained silent, unsure of what to say next.
"Oh, did you deal with your Secretary yet?" Ares suddenly questioned Silvia.
[...I have, indeed. And your suspicions about her were correct; she appears to have been informing my fictitious father about everything I do on a daily basis.] Silvia replied.
"So she was keeping an eye on your every move huh," Ares exined.
[Yes, it seems to be so.] Silvia answered.
"What a bitch move, that is. I detest the kind of bastards that hang around by your side all the time, waiting for the right opportunity to backstab you," Irethiel abruptly remarked.
"...."
"...Okay Silvia, I''ll call youter because I have to go to ss right now. And if you ever need my assistance, feel free to contact me," Ares stated after a brief pause.
[O-Okay, I''ll get in touch with youter. Bye!] Silvia answered.
"Alright bye!" I hung up the phone after saying that.
***
After hanging up the phone with Silvia, I quickly arrived at the advisor training grounds.
"Hello there!"
And as soon as I stepped onto the training grounds, I was greeted by someone unexpected.
!?
I furrowed my brow as I looked at the person in front of me, then turned to Ziona to inquire as to why this person was here.
But when Ziona caught my gaze, she just shrugged and smiled awkwardly.
And before I could ask why she was here, she charged at me and attempted to punch me in the face.
But before her punch could reach my face, I casually deflected it with one hand.
Smack!¡ª
"...."
"...What are you doing?" I questioned her while staring at her nkly.
When she saw how easily I deflected her attack, she widened her eyes in surprise as she was taken aback.
"A-As one would expect from the generation''s number one. I can now see why even the Famous Miss Tania wanted you to be her disciple," The woman stated.
"...Erina, why are you here?" Bianca suddenly inquired as she entered the training field.
!?
"Erina? Are you Erina Valdemar?" I asked even though I already knew who she was.
"Haha, Nice to meet you, Ares, I am Erina Valdemar, the first princess of the kingdom of Aloctona," Erina introduced herself while awkwardlyughing.
"So, Erina, how can I help you?" As I stared at her, I inquired.
"I see you''re a small talker, which is fine; that personality suits you perfectly," Erina conveyed as she nodded repeatedly while smiling.
"Get out of here, brat, I have a ss to take," Bianca said as she lifted Erina by the back of her cor.
"Ahh, Miss Bianca, don''t be like that. I need to talk to Ares about something important," Erina said as she struggled to break Bianca''s grip on her cor.
"You can talk about whatever you want to with him after my ss," Bianca said as she literally threw Erina out of the training grounds.
Thud!¡ª
And it appears she hit her head on the wall.
"Ouch!" Erina''s scream could be heard.
"Fuck yeah! What difference does it make whether she is a princess of some Kingdom or not?" I muttered aloud andughed.
Hearing me, Ziona, and Kevin burst outughing, while Bianca smiled and shook her head.
"...You do realize I can still hear you right?" Erina screamed from outside the training grounds.
"...."
"She has excellent hearing abilities," Ziona stated as she continues tough.
I suddenly turned to face Bianca, as I felt her gaze on me.
"Ah? You want to know if the information from my interview is credible, correct?" I inquired of Bianca.
"...Yes, you are aware that if your allegations against the Hero Association are proven to be false, you will face a massive bacsh from the popce, right?
And retaliation from the hero association is already a foregone conclusion." Bianca stated.
"In any case, everything I said during my interview yesterday was genuine.
And as for the hero association''s retaliation, they''ve already held a grudge against me for unknown reasons, so they''re free toe after me at any time.
I''ve got nothing to lose anyway," I shrugged as I stated.
"...I wish I had the same confidence as you when I was young, as they refused to let me into the association just because my background is from a witchmunity," Bianca said with an uneasy smile.
"...."
She rendered me speechless as I didn''t know how to react to that, and after a brief ufortable silence in which nobody spoke, we eventually heard someone speaking from next to us.
"Wow, what confidence, hmm hmm," Erina eximed abruptly while nodding repeatedly.
!?
We were startled to see her standing next to us when we turned to look at her.
"O-Okay, I''ll wait for him outside the training grounds until this ss is over, then bye!" Erina said and rushed out of the training ground as she felt my and Bianca''s stares.
And after she left, we quickly put on our safety gear and began our skill training.
***
Chapter 100 Erina Valdemars First Appearance [2]
While Ziona and Kevin remained focused on learning the skill, I continued to work on honing my mastery of it, and we practiced it until the bell rang to signal the end of ss.
"Okay, let''s finish up here," Bianca said as she left the practice area.
"Fuck! I''m not interested in learning this skill anymore," Kevinined as he writhed on the ground, drenched in sweat.
!?
Kevin was making a fuss again, but Ziona and I just ignored him as we were ustomed to it by this point.
"Hey Ares, Do you intend to attend our training session today or will you skip it like you have been doing the past few days?" Ziona questioned while using a towel to wipe away her sweat.
"I can''t say for sure because, as you know, I already have a lot on my te these days," I replied as I started to leave the training grounds.
"Yeah, I know that, so why don''t you bring me along when you''re going to fight someone? Fighting people to death could be a good life experience for me," Ziona stated as she trailed behind me.
"...You''ve never killed anyone, have you?" I asked, turning to face Ziona who was now walking beside me.
"Yes, I didn''t kill anyone, but I did send a lot of people to the hospital," Ziona revealed.
"...Well, you''ll have to at some point, whether it''s to protect yourself or someone close to you," I conveyed.
"Although I don''t have anyone close to me who needs my protection,...but whatever, will you take me along with you when you''re going to fight someone?" Ziona inquired, her ambitious gaze fixed on me.
"Oh, of course, I''ll let you know when the timees," I replied, smiling.
And as I was speaking with Ziona and exiting the training ground, I noticed a girl waiting outside the training area, leaning against a wall.
She has enchanting crimson-red eyes, long blonde hair, and a curvy body.
...Of course, it was Erina Valdemar.
"Oh, you arrived atst. Let''s find a different location so we can speak," Erina said as she prepared to drag me away whilst holding my hand.
Though she tried to drag me, but I didn''t budge an inch, so she was unable to do so.
"...."
When she realized she couldn''t move me, she slowly turned to face me.
"Hmm, I don''t know how to properly ask this, but ...would you kindly apany me as I need to discuss some important matters with you? Does this sound okay?" Erina asked.
Hearing her Ziona smiled awkwardly, but I just stood there nkly staring at her.
"...P-Please?" Erina requested as she sensed my nk stare.
"All right, this is much better, let''s go Ziona, our senior seems to have some important matters to discuss with us," I said as I turned toward Ziona.
"...Are you nning on bringing her along?" Erina inquired, somewhat hesitantly.
"Is there a problem?" I questioned.
"...No, it''s okay," Erina replied while shaking her head.
"Eh? What about our following ss then?" Ziona inquired.
"I''m skipping it; what about you, do you wish to attend?" I asked as my gaze fixed on her.
Ziona pondered for a moment before replying.
"...Nah, screw it! Let''s go, I don''t even understand what he is teaching anyway," Ziona responded and shrugged.
I just shook my head and smiled when I saw her reaction because I knew she hated studying, just like other regr teenagers.
Then we soon left the academy premises, followed Erina, and arrived at a massive mansion a few minutes away from the Academy.
"Wee back, princess!" Many students who stood outside the mansion''s front door bowed slightly as they greeted Erina.
"I appreciate you always working so hard, boys!" Erina said, giving them a lovely smile as she walked toward the door.
Her smile was so enticing that any guy would fall head over heels for her.
And, sure enough, her smile worked wonders on the boys guarding the entrance, as they all appear to be in a trance after witnessing her smile.
"...."
"Wow, you guys don''t attend any sses, do you? I believe I now understand why so few second and third-year students are included on the ranking list," Ziona remarked aloud.
!?
Erina stumbled in her steps as soon as she heard Ziona''s remark, but quickly regained her bnce and coughed aloud.
¡ª Cough! ¡ª Cough!
This caused the boys guarding the entrance to snap back to reality and they started staring at Ziona and me.
"A-Ahem! T-The third year has only two days of sses per week, a fact that you''ll fully understand once you are in the third year," Erina rified.
"...I see, so on days when you don''t have sses, you guys hang out here ying princess and her knights," Zionamented.
"...."
The second time they heard Ziona''s remarks, the students'' res at her became even more ferocious.
And the manner in which Ziona responded caught me off guard as well.
"Did she wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or something?" I mumbled as I controlled myughter.
"She seems to have wanted to pick a fight with them, so she could enjoy beating them," Irethiel said,ughing.
"...But at least I''m still a princess!" Erina said abruptly turning around and staring at Ziona.
And Ziona returned her stare with a huge grin on her face.
"...."
Meanwhile, I just stood there watching their staring contest.
"Whoa! She irritated even the cool-headed Erina," I eximed inwardly as I noticed them staring at each other and their auras colliding.
"Why don''t we continue our conversation inside?"
After a few moments of staring, Erina shook her head, regained herposure, and suggested, turning toward the door, and soon one of the students opened the door and beckoned us in.
"All right, shall we go in?" I said as I patted Ziona on the shoulder and moved inside the mansion behind Erina.
While the third-year students continued to stare at her, Ziona chose to ignore them and follow behind me.
"I wee you to my faction''s main stronghold, Ares," Erina turned toward me and said with a smile as we entered the mansion.
As I walked into the mansion, I took a look around at the interior, which seemed rather opulent and it had a staircase in the middle leading to the upper floors.
But there were no students in sight, and the area appeared to be deserted as I peered around.
"Erm, Ares, It''s this way," Erina said.
When I heard her, I focused my attention on her.
She then moved toward one of the rooms, motioning for us to follow her.
!?
So we decided to stop admiring the mansion and followed her into the room she had just entered.
And as we entered the room, we noticed that it appears to be a huge meeting room.
While some students were already seated around the table in the room as if waiting for Erina to start the meeting.
"I apologize for being a littlete," Erina said as she sat in the leading seat.
She then motioned me across the table to the opposite seat.
"Please take a seat, Ares¡ªoh I mean The First Year Representative!" Erina stated.
***
Chapter 101 Erinas Request
"Ares¡ªI mean The First Year Representative, please take a seat!" Erina stated.
After hearing Erina''s statement, I now understand what important matters she wanted to discuss with me.
I quickly came out of my thoughts and sat on the seat Erina had indicated.
"Why don''t you take a seat as well, Ziona?" Erina turned to face Ziona and said, as Ziona stood behind my seat, instead of taking an empty seat beside me.
"No, I''m more at ease standing here; who knows what you''re up to by letting our guard down?
When you''re in enemy territory, it''s always a good idea to be on guard." Ziona stated with a solemn expression.
"...."
"...It is not a wise move tobel us as the enemy when we are merely attempting to establish friendly rtions, is it?" Erina said while gazing at Ziona.
"And do you really think that you alone being on guard against everyone here will make a difference?" One of the students seated around the table said, and the others just nodded in agreement.
"Pftt, hahaha¡ª"
Ziona burst outughing as soon as she heard him, but I could just shake my head and smile.
!?
"...Oh, did I say something funny?" the student scowled and said, When he noticed our reactions.
"No, you didn''t; it''s just that your words reminded us of my brother¡ªer, I mean the second-year representative," I rified while smiling.
Huuu!¡ª
After taking a deep breath, Ziona halted herughter and continued.
"...Yes, he said the same exact words, almost got himself killed, and also every member of his faction wound up in the hospital after that.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention how their factions'' stronghold is now nothing more than a pile of dust," Ziona said, her gaze fixed on Erina.
"...."
"You¡ª" One of the students seated around the table was about to speak up fiercely but Erina signaled him to stop.
"...I''ll get right to the point since you don''t seem to appreciate any more formalities," Erina spoke, pausing to look between Ziona and me before continuing.
"I will appreciate that," I replied with a smile.
"So...now that you''ve dealt with the second-year representative, I know you''re nning to target the third-year faction leaders, which are undoubtedly Zerix and me.
And, as you may already be aware, I am contending with Zerix Madlock for the position of representative," Erina said, looking at Ziona to see how she would respond.
!?
"...I am not on good terms with Zerix, so you can say whatever you want without worrying about anything," Ziona rified as she felt Erina''s gaze on her.
Erina simply nodded when she heard Ziona before continuing.
"So, in order to defeat Zerix and his faction, I''d like you to work with me," Erina stated.
"...."
"What! Is that it?" I gave a response with a disappointed expression.
"Hmmm? What does that actually imply?" Erina scratched her head in confusion at my response.
"I mean, why should I assist you in dealing with him? And consider this: what if I did assist you and Zerix is dealt with? Then what? Will you voluntarily give up on being the representative and appoint me as one?" I smiled at Erina and questioned while entwining my fingers.
"...."
"...Once Zerix is out of the race, we canpete against each other and the winner will be the representative, isn''t that impartial?" Erina borated.
"Be honest with me, Erina, did you really think I couldn''t figure out what you were up to?" I asked, staring at her nkly.
"W-what are you on about¡ª" Erina attempted to rify her intentions, but I interrupted her and began speaking.
"Let me exin your predicament to you: confronting Zerix''s faction members and having lost to them after being badly beaten up, most of your faction members have already left, and some have even abandoned you and joined Zerix.
And, if my analysis is correct, it will only be a matter of time before Zerix''s sidepletely destroys your faction.
Furthermore, half of your faction members are elves, and they may have already stated that they will not oppose Diana.
Therefore, if I were to pursue you right now, you wouldn''t have enough manpower to fight Zerix, and on the other hand, you have no means of countermeasures to defend against me.
So, having reached the end of your rope, you made onest desperate attempt... Which was to seek my cooperation rather than going against me," I exined and paused for a moment.
After I finished speaking, there wasplete silence in the room.
"Oh, do you also want me to tell you about your other ns once Zerix is defeated, Princess Erina?" I inquired, intrigued.
"...."
Erina finally spoke after a brief pause, but before I could speak again.
"...No, you don''t have to; everything you said is urate! You can decide whether to believe me or not, but I couldn''t give a damn if I wasn''t chosen as a representative for the tournament or even if I lost to Zerix.
...And I''m only going to such lengths because I just don''t want to betray the effort and faith my faction members have ced in me over the years during my conflicts with Zerix," Erina admitted with a mncholy smile.
!?
"P-Princess!" When Erina''s faction members heard her, they were taken aback and became sentimental.
"So you and Zerix have been at odds since your freshman year?" Ziona abruptly inquired.
"...Yes, and this battle for representative is equal to us settling our previous years'' disputes to see who will eventuallye out on top," Erina exined.
"I still don''t understand why you want to defeat him so badly. It''s okay to lose sometimes.
There are times when you just can''t win against someone no matter how hard you try, so you just have to ept your loss and keep working harder until you can defeat that person," Ziona remarked.
"I truly understand where you''reing from, but I can''t appreciate how Zerix treats people, and if I lose to him, it''ll be like¡ª well, you won''t understand anyway," Erina paused in her statement and said awkwardly before turning her attention toward me.
"...."
Ziona was left speechless when she heard her.
"...I''m even willing to work under you for this tournament if you can help me defeat Zerix," Erina announced.
!?
"B-But Princess!"
Other students in the room attempted to object to Erina''s decision, but she stopped them.
"Please stop! I''ve already made up my mind. Except for that scumbag Zerix, I can work with anyone," Erina stated.
When I heard Erina, a huge grin appeared on my face.
"All right then, if you''re willing to work with me voluntarily, I see no reason to decline your request," I said as I rose from my seat.
"Just let me know when you n to make your move on Zerix," I said, disappearing from my seat and instantly materializing right beside Erina.
!?
The other students in the room were taken aback by my quick movements and were shocked to see me standing beside Erina in an instant.
"...I''ll contact you when the timees," Erina said smiling, and extended her hand for a handshake as she got up from her seat.
I simply returned her smile and shook hands with her.
"...."
"Wow! She joined hands with a devil to deal with some dumbass dog," Irethiel remarked sarcastically.
***
Chapter 102 The Sketchy Quest
After reaching an agreement with Erina, I and Ziona left her faction''s stronghold and were on our way back to the academy.
"You can ask me about whatever''s on your mind," I said to Ziona, who was walking next to me and appeared to be contemting something since we had left Erina.
"Hmm! It''s nothing much. I was just wondering if she was just pretending to care about her faction members," Ziona expressed.
"No, I don''t think she was putting on a show. Despite being ude''s sister, her personality is the pr opposite of his.
But when it concerns her people, I believe she can be frightening at times," I spoke up.
"What makes you believe that? Have you met her before?" Ziona inquired, as she turned to face me.
"...No, I hadn''t met her before; you can just assume I''m good at judging people," I replied.
"...."
Despite what I told Ziona, I was very familiar with Erina''s character from the book.
She has a lot of personality traits inmon with Tania and Lucas, but she isn''t particrly driven by her own sense of heroism.
Because she can be brutal at times, unlike Lucas, and doesn''t mind killing criminals or people who try to harm her or those close to her.
She shows concern for those around her, which she considers to be an important trait of a sovereign.
And Later on, she will also be epted as Tania''s disciple, at which point she will grow closer to Lucas.
While Lucas has had a secret crush on Erina since they met before the tournament, which is around this time.
...So, we could say that Erina is our protagonist Lucas''s first love interest.
Ding!--
!?
As I was thinking to myself, I heard a notification sound from my system, which jolted me out of my contemtion.
So I summoned the system to inquire about its contents.
==SYSTEM NOTIFICATION==
Ongoing Quests:
Complete The Following.
1) Form A Faction. (Completed)
2) Be The Academy''s Representative For The Uing Tournament. (Iplete)
3) Win The Tournament. (Iplete)
Quest Reward ~ Unlock A New Ability
------
Quest: Visit the Abandoned Kingdom. [New]
Location: e?¡°?a¨C?
***
I rubbed my brow as I checked on the new quest because I don''t understand its contents and it seems so ambiguous to me.
There was no proper exnation of the quest, nor were any rewards or a time limit mentioned.
In addition, there was a map with a GPS-like indication of the precise location I needed to visit.
"What the actual fuck is this system up to now?" I muttered to myself, annoyed by how I had to work around the quests assigned to me by the system, and the worst part was that it always got me in trouble.
Despite the fact that it asionally offers rewarding benefits.
...But I despise things over which I have no control.
And, as the name implies, the abandoned Kingdom has been forsaken due to regr monster attacks.
Because numerous gates appeared at the same time, the civilization didn''t have much time to clear them, resulting in gate outbreaks.
So, the creationists regard it as impossible to regrly clear the numerous emerging gates and counter the monsters that surfaced from them every day.
Hence the kingdom was forced to abandon and is now overrun with monsters, against which civilization is still struggling.
And To keep the monsters inside and prevent them from running over other nearby kingdoms, enormous barriers were built surrounding the abandoned kingdom.
Additionally, adventurers are frequently hired to patrol the Kingdom''s borders and to regte the monster inhabitants.
''So if I want to travel there, I have to take a quest from the adventurers guild of clearing the monster inhabitants.
which I don''t think I have time to do right now...maybe I can after I deal with Zerix,'' I reasoned.
***
As I was ruminating to myself, Ziona abruptly spoke.
"There''s still time before the next ss begins; shall we go eat something until then?" Ziona asked as we got closer to the academy.
"Sure," I responded.
And then we headed in the direction of the restaurant that Diana had previously taken us to.
Everyone''s eyes were on us when we walked into the restaurant, but we both pretended they didn''t exist.
"Ares, how do you intend to deal with Zerix? I don''t see why you had to take Erina up on her offer.
We''d have to deal with Zerix eventually, and Erina was already at the end of her rope, as you mentioned," As we settled into one of the restaurant seats, Ziona inquired.
"...Yes, you are correct; I didn''t necessarily have to ept her offer because her faction would have been utterly defeated by Zerix''s side if we had waited a few more days.
And we could have simply dealt with Zerix at the time and that would have been the end, leaving Erina with no choice but to ept me as the representative," I responded and paused as the waitress brought our orders.
And when the waitress had finished putting our orders on the table and had left, Ziona asked confusedly.
"So why did you take her up on that offer?"
"Because I had nothing to lose in epting that offer, as Zerix would be taken care of eventually, and on top of that, I had Erina willingly follow me.
...And if I have to give another reason, I agree with Erina because I, too, dislike how Zerix treat others as if they are pawns, and how he is willing to go to any length to achieve his goals, even if it meant ying dirty by sacrificing some of his faction members," I stated, as I sipped my coffee.
"...."
"Look who''s talking!" Irethielmented andughed hysterically as if she had heard somethingical.
When I heard Irethiel''s remark, I simply smiled and ignored her.
!?
"Uh ...? I''m not sure I follow yourst statement. What do you mean when you say he uses his faction members as pawns?" Ziona questioned perplexed while chewing on her greasy chicken leg piece.
"Oh, you weren''t paying attention? We are being surrounded, and I think they are from Zerix''s faction," I casually replied and continued to sip my coffee.
"...."
"Oh, I see now. But how do you know they belong to Zerix''s faction?" Ziona questioned as she sat amiably devouring her chicken.
"They appear to be keeping an eye on Erina, and after spotting us leaving her faction''s stronghold, they have been following us ever since.
Other than Zerix, I don''t think anyone else has a reason to be monitoring Erina at this time," I replied and then continued after I had finished my coffee.
"I can''t believe you didn''t notice them with your senses,...they seem to be somewhat capable," I stated.
"Hmm, it appears they are beastman kin who are adept at concealing their presence.
I''m surprised as to how you were able to discover them; as I have to fully concentrate just to discern their presence," Ziona stated.
"I was the one who found them, you know!" Irethiel hurriedly said telepathically.
!?
"Yes, you were the first to notice their presence, but does that matter? I keep you by my side for the same reason, and you''re simply doing your job," I responded with a smirk.
"...I yed my demon ve card. Irethiel, I chose you!-- is that how it goes?" I remarked and imitated, chuckling.
"...."
"Y-You, don''t copy that anime thing," Irethiel retorted, offended.
***
Chapter 103 Zerix Making His Move!
I stopped making fun of Irethiel after Ziona had finished eating.
We had already paid the bill and were now getting ready to leave, but the students who had been circling us suddenly approached.
When the people in the restaurant noticed therge number of students entering, they got up and decided to leave because they were afraid a fight would break out and they would be injured in the crossfire.
"Ares, our faction leader wants to speak with you; kindly follow us," Once they got close to us, one of the students said in amanding manner.
However, Ares didn''t respond to him; instead, he simply sat and casually looked at Ziona before speaking.
"Did you notice this, Ziona? You can tell the differences between Erina and Zerix by the different approaches that they made.
On the one hand, Erina herself approached me and asked for my time, and on the other, herees Zerix, his faction members first hide their presence, then followed us around, and finally surrounding us.
It''s almost like as if they''re threatening me and telling me that I have no choice but to listen to them," Ares stated with a smirk.
"Yeah, but I''m d they were considerate enough to not interrupt our meal time, as they approached us after we had finished," Ziona replied, giggling.
"...seriously? If I were you, I wouldn''t have been able to finish my meal given how they were drooling while watching you eat," Ares remarked while chuckling.
When Ziona heard him, she was rendered speechless and her face twisted as she imagined them salivating over her food.
"...."
"...Y-You! Come with us already; we don''t have time for this," One of the beastman students spoke up after overhearing Ares''s conversation with Ziona and suddenly ced his hand on Ares''s shoulder.
"...."
"Uh oh, now he''s done it," Irethiel said abruptly as she observed the students'' conduct.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Stupid bastard," Zionamented, clicking her tongue.
!?
The student was perplexed upon hearing Ziona''s remark, but before he could respond, he was jolted by a sharp pain in his arm, which was holding Ares''s shoulder.
Ahhhhh!¡ª
He suddenly began screaming in agony and pain as he realized his arm had be strangely bent and appeared to be broken.
And after hearing the student''s agonizing sobs, the other students were startled and the hurriedly reached for their weapons.
Then one of the human student quickly drew a sword and pointed it at Ares.
"D-Don''t even think about doing anything stupid, I only got orders to invite you, so don''t force me in attacking you," the human student said.
"Do you understand why Zerix only advise you to invite me over pursuing or coercing me?" Ares inquired of the human student who was pointing his sword at him.
But the student was perplexed upon hearing him and didn''t know how to respond.
Seeing his perplexed reaction, Ares continued to speak while holding a fork that was kept on the table he was seated at.
"...It''s because he was well aware that you guys wouldn''t be able to do so," Ares made a grin-inducing remark, and then he vanished from everyone''s sight leaving just a blue trail behind, only to reappear beside the human student, holding a sword.
!?
The human student''s eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, his sword-wielding hand was repeatedly stabbed by a fork.
Stab!¡ª Stab¡ª Stab!¡ª
Ahhhhh!¡ª
He began yelping in pain and writhing on the floor, his hand gushing with blood.
Upon noticing this, a student who was a beastman ran over to Ares and attempted to sh him with his ws.
However, Ares easily evaded his attack and proceeded to repeatedly stab the beastman student''s arm with a fork at a fast pace before kicking him in the stomach and sending him flying into one of the tables, breaking it.
Thud!¡ª
And then, out of nowhere, another student crashed into the table next to that one, shattering it as well.
Thud!¡ª
Ares turned in the direction of the source that had suddenly sent the other student flying.
"You didn''t forget about me, did you?" Ziona said with her trademark battle grin on her face.
When Ares heard Ziona, he just smiled and then vanished from his spot, and began rampaging.
While Ziona was doing the same, and now only the students'' painful screams could be heard in the whole restaurant.
***
And in a matter of minutes, every student was dealt with, leaving the entire restaurant in a bloody mess.
There were numerous broken tables, bloodied walls, broken tes, sses, and windows, among other things.
Of course, the students were also in pretty bad shape and required immediate medical attention to prevent any fatal permanent injuries.
While obviously avoiding the vitals, numerous students had their bodies stabbed. In addition, some had their heads mmed against walls and floor, while others suffered fractures.
"...We don''t have to cover the cost of the restaurant''s damage, right?" Ziona abruptly questioned while realizing, her face uneasy.
"...."
After hearing Ziona, I simply and expressionlessly nced around the messed-up restaurant before spotting a waitress hiding beneath one of the tables.
She yelled as soon as she felt my gaze on her.
"I am legally blind! I didn''t see any of it. I have no idea who Ares the executioner is." She screamed and ran away.
"...."
"wow! She is witty," Irethiel made a remark and burst outughing.
"...Was she thinking of me as some psychopathic criminal? And did she really presume I''d attack her without a reason or something?" I muttered as I watched the terrified waitress flee.
"...Maybe this is the first time you''ve ever seen a woman flee from you in fear, is that right?" Ziona chuckled as she spoke.
"No, I''ve scared off a lot of women in the past," I replied with a straight face.
"Wait, are you serious?" Ziona was taken aback.
"...."
"You over there! Have you called the ambnce?" I suddenly questioned as I walked over to the restaurant''s counter.
!?
"Y-yes, sir Ares, I have already done that," Suddenly, the person hiding behind the counter stood up and responded.
"...As for the restaurant''s damages, you can send the bill to Prince Zerix Madlock.
He will pay for all of the damage done here," I advised.
"Hehe, I will do as you say," The guy rubbed his hands together and said.
I then turned to face Ziona and noticed that she was struggling to contain herughter.
"What? This is the best I can do because we are both disowned and don''t have a reliable source of ie," I smiled and nodded as I said.
"...Yes, that is correct. It is only fair that they pay for the damages since they were the ones who approached us," Ziona remarked with a straight face before breaking intoughter.
Pftt¡ªhahahah!¡ª
"Come on, what''s with theughter?" I inquired, still smiling.
"...Huu, I just find it amusing given how petty and poor we are," Ziona said, wiping away tears ofughter.
"...."
After hearing that unpleasant truth, I was momentarily rendered dumbstruck.
"Anyways, let''s get going. We have a ss to attend," I shook my head and said as I walked away.
"...Hey Ares! Wait for me," Ziona emerged from her thoughts and began trailing behind me.
***
Chapter 104 The Gathering.
I arrived at the academy with Ziona shortly after leaving the restaurant.
"...I just got a text from A saying they''re in the Archery grounds, waiting for us," Ziona said abruptly.
"Huh? what for? Are they not intending to attend the sses?" I asked.
"I have no idea either, she didn''t mention anything about it, but your next ss is usually Archery, so you''ll have to go there eventually," Ziona remarked.
"...Well, you''re not wrong," I said as I followed her to the archery grounds.
We soon arrived at the archery range and noticed that it was empty even though it was ss time.
"Why are there no students on the archery range? Did we miss something significant by skipping just one ss?" Ziona spoke as she focused her attention on me.
I shrugged in response, and we soon moved into the professor''s private room, which we are now using as our meeting space.
Clink!¡ª
As soon as we walked inside the room, I saw Lucas, A, Diana, ude, Kevin, and Livia lounging on the couches, calmly munching on snacks and enjoying beverages while gazing at the enormous hologram screen.
When they heard the door open, they all simultaneously turned to face us.
"...."
''When did they all be such good friends?'' I wondered as I watched them hang out and appear to be having a rxing time.
"Who did you guys beat up this time?" A eximed, as soon as she saw us.
!?
"...How can you tell?" Ziona asked, surprised.
"...Just because, we can clearly see the blood stains on your uniforms," A responded.
Ziona checked her uniform as soon as she heard her.
"Ah Fuck, I have to apply for a new uniform yet again, I already requested dozens of uniforms in just a matter of this month, it''s a good thing they don''t charge us for them," Zionamented.
"Why don''t you just wash them? And why do you need to request for so many uniforms again? Didn''t they already provide us with enough uniforms tost us a month?," A asked perplexed.
I ignored their conversation and sat beside Livia, who had been staring at me since I walked into the room, and I had previously found numerous missed calls from her on my phone.
"Chips?" Livia said, gesturing with her bag of chips in my direction.
"...Thank you," I said as I took a chip from it.
"I have to because Ares ripped the majority of my uniforms," Ziona exined to A.
Cough! Cough!- Cough!-
I choked on the chip I was eating when I heard Ziona.
"What the fuck!" I murmured silently.
And noticed everyone in the room was now staring at me ominously.
"Would you mind exining what she''s on about?" Livia inquired with a smile on her face.
However, I felt a chille over me as I observed her face.
"...Perhaps she''s talking about her uniform being ripped during our sparring," I quickly rified.
"I saw her wearing her safety gear during her sparring sessions with you, so that doesn''t exin why her uniform is torn," A inquired curiously.
"Yeah, what kind of spar is it that rips so many of her uniforms?" Diana wondered.
"Why don''t you spar with me and find out for yourself?" I sarcastically reacted.
"...S-Sparring with Ares? Where can I sign up for that?" Diana blushed and muttered.
"...."
"Wow! They twisted the sparring into something lewd," Irethiel chuckled and remarked telepathically.
As soon as Diana spoke, everyone turned to face her and simply stared.
"A-Ahem, Stop making unholy assumptions, you perverse beings. Naturally, I was referring to our actual archery sparring, as he is an aplished archer as well.
However, he is obviously inferior to me," Diana rified.
"Sure, but no one is buying your justification," ude remarked abruptly.
I ignored their illogical presumptions and turned to stare at Ziona, irritated that she wasn''t correcting her statement.
But I observed her enjoying the conversation that sparked because of her poor word choice.
And when she saw I was staring at her, she winked before giggling.
"....."
When I noticed her behavior, I was left speechless. But after a sudden realization, I turned toward Livia and saw her still staring at me.
"Who were the people you two fought with?" Livia asked out of nowhere, turning a blind eye to everything that everyone was discussing, as if she had already deduced what Ziona was intentionally trying.
!?
Everyone stopped talking when they heard Livia''s voice.
And Ziona approached the sofa, sat beside A, and spoke.
"I apologize for my misinterpreting utterances previously; what I meant was that my uniforms were ripped during our sparring sessions because I wore safety gear on top of my uniform.
And Ares'' attacks are so decisive that my safety gear could not always reflect them, and as a result of my uniforms were damaged," Ziona exined.
"...Haha, I knew that would be the case," Kevin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.
When we heard Kevin, there was only silence for a few moments.
I broke the awkward pause by responding to Livia,
"We fought the members of Zerix''s faction."
!?
"...So the third-year faction leaders have already made their move, huh?" A remarked.
"Should we go beat them up?" Livia asked as she continued eating her chips.
"We ought to choose which faction leader we will deal with first before proceeding, correct?" Diana wondered aloud.
"...ude, are you okay with them beating up Erina?" A inquired of ude.
And everyone turned to look at him to hear his response.
"...As long as she doesn''t sustain severe injuries like Aretrus, I''m okay with it," ude said as his gaze fixed on me.
"I can''t believe you''re okay with your sister getting beaten," Lucas said abruptly in a disappointed tone.
"Yeah, dude, why don''t you suggest that they talk this over? ...And, by the way, is your sister beautiful?" Kevin made a remark.
Ziona and I just sat back and watched them argue while munching on snacks, not bothering to tell them about our deal with Erina.
"Look who''s speaking, your sister was eliminated by being brutally punched in the guts, and what did you do afterward? Shamelessly joined forces with the same person who had beaten her," With a smirk, ude responded to Lucas.
"Yes, ude is correct. You did nothing to retaliate against the person who beat your sister, so you have no right to pass judgment on him," Kevin made a remark while repeatedly nodding.
"Shut the fuck up, you stupid twit! My sister is way out of your league," ude abruptly stated as he smacked Kevin across the face.
!?
"You fucker!" Kevin scowled, and they began arguing again.
"Hey Ziona, Pass me that popcorn will you?" Diana eximed.
"Here," Ziona said as she handed Diana the popcorn.
However, when they heard Ziona, ude, Lucas, and Kevin ceased their arguments.
"...Umm, don''t mind me, and please keep bickering," Diana said as she quickly popped a popcorn in her mouth.
"...."
Meanwhile, A simply shook her head as she observed them acting childishly before speaking.
"Brother, please stop making yourself look foolish. As I''ve already told you, not everyone shares your beliefs.
Whether or not ude cares about his sister shouldn''t matter to you, should it? And does it make a difference even if he cares about his sister?
...Because he still has no choice, as it alles down to Ares'' decision on how he wants to handle her," A made a statement.
There was only stillness in the room after hearing A''s words since everyone recognized that everything hinged on my decision and that they had no choice but toply.
"Don''t be concerned! I am not an unreasonable person.
If you guys want me to talk to Erina before making a move on her, I''ll do so and do my best to persuade her to join forces with me.
...And even if she refused to cooperate with me, I would leave her in ude''s hands and not bother with her," I proimed.
When they heard my statement, they were all surprised and just stared at me.
Even Ziona was staring at me in shock but for another reason, as she listened to my nonsense.
"...Didn''t Erina pay you a visit during our Advisor training ss?" Kevin asked abruptly.
"...."
''Ah fuck, how did I forget this bastard was also in the ss at the time,'' I pondered inwardly.
"...She wanted to talk about something, so she invited me to her faction''s stronghold.
Of course, I had no intention of wasting my time with pointless meetings.
So I chose to ignore her because it could be the same trap meeting as the second year.
...But now that you''ve asked me to speak with her, I believe I should pay her a visit," I borated.
"...."
"...Is that right? Should we apany you to the meeting with Erina?" A asked with skepticism.
"Oh, so you want to join me so you can record another video of me to upload online? I didn''t know you liked me so much," I replied to A with a smile.
!?
A was rendered speechless when she heard me, and everyone turned to stare bewilderedly at her.
***
Chapter 105 The Updates On The Tournament.
"...So A was the one who posted that video of Ares beating up his half-brother ¡ªI mean, the second-year representative Aretrus?" Ziona asked curiously.
And everyone''s attention was drawn to A, waiting to hear her response.
"What are you on about? It can''t be her, because I was by her side the entire time and didn''t notice her recording," Lucas abruptly stated.
"...Who knows, she might have used one of the concealing-spell-enhanced stalking cameras that are currently famous in the market," Diana spected with a smirk.
Lucas was speechless when he heard Diana''s remark and simply stared at her.
"What? obviously, we would suspect her since she was the only one who was unupied and free while we were busy fighting," As she felt Lucas''s stare, Diana gave an exnation while shrugging.
"...."
"...Yes, I did, in fact, record that video. But it was not me who edited and uploaded it to the inte," A immediately rified.
!?
"What! S-Are you sure you really recorded that video? Why would you do such a thing?" Lucas inquired, perplexed.
"...."
"...Although I filmed that video, but I had no intention of posting it on the inte; ...it was the Student Council President who edited and uploaded it," A exined uneasily.
"Why did you record that at all, to begin with? And without Ares''s approval at that? You know he had to deal with a lot of shit because of that right?
And he even was disowned because of that video as well," Diana questioned curiously.
"...I Honestly, didn''t mean any harm to Ares; I just recorded it in case it came in handy someday. What if Ares defeats him and Aretrus still refuses to cooperate?
As a result, I videotaped the entire incident in order to use it against him andpel him to cooperate," A exined.
Following A''s exnation, there was a brief silence.
"Yes, that makes perfect sense," Kevin suddenly spoke up and agreed with a nod.
"But you should have told us about it beforehand, and more importantly, you should have gotten Ares''s permission before you did it," Diana pointed out still not satisfied by her justification.
"...Yes, you are correct, and I am really sorry for having recorded you without your consent, Ares.
Please ept my deepest apologies, and the next time I want to do something, I''ll make sure to get your permission first," A spoke out, with a sorrowful expression.
"...."
"Wow! Her acting is on par with yours," Irethiel remarked telepathically as she heard A''s exnation.
"...."
"How did that video end up in the hands of the student council president?" Livia asked abruptly while fixating on A.
"I honestly have no idea about that either, but I am fairly certain that the video was uploaded from his ount," A responded.
"You don''t have to worry about it, A; As I don''t hold you responsible for anything; instead, I''ll just have to deal with the student council Presidentter.
Though It''s upsetting that the recording was leaked and uploaded to the inte, but I really don''t care much about it," Imented while smiling at her.
However, I already know, A must have leaked the video to him, and I also know what this bitch was attempting to aplish by doing so.
"Why are you letting her off so easily? You had to deal with a lot of issues as a result of that video, didn''t you?" Diana inquired with a dissatisfied expression.
"Because I know she didn''t mean any harm by recording that video, and it''s not her fault that the video was leaked and uploaded to the inte," I replied, smiling.
Lucas was surprised when he heard my response and just gazed at me speechless.
"...."
Hmph!¡ª
Diana scoffed and folded her hand in discontent, turning her head sideways.
"When did you be such a Saint? Do you have something nned for her?" Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"...You just have to remember that I never forget my grudges," I dered aloud.
A was taken aback by my statement and just stared at me, as was Livia, who was also staring at me nkly without uttering a word.
***
"...All right, now that this issue has been resolved. Can anyone exin why you guys have gathered here by skipping sses, and we didn''t see any students on the archery range either?
What''s going on with this?" Ziona questioned perplexed.
"It''s because the tournament''s date and a list of the Soreh academy students who will bepeting have been announced a while ago.
And for the same reason, the participating students are permitted to skip sses so they can focus on their training," Kevin quickly replied to Ziona.
"...."
"...Does this mean that everyone here has been selected to participate? And do I fall into that category as well?" Ziona asked interested.
"Yes, everyone in this room, including you, has obviously been selected to partake from the first-year students, along with a few others," Diana stated.
"...There will be thirty students participating from our academy, with ten students selected from each year to take part," Livia suddenly said.
"So.., when does the tournament start?" I inquired, intrigued.
"...The dates have been shifted earlier than expected for unspecified reasons, so it will now take ce three weeks from now," Livia said casually.
"...."
"Hmph! It''s also the reason I forbade non-participants from entering the Archery grounds because I didn''t want anyone interfering with my training, but here you guys are wasting my training time," Diana grumbled in frustration.
!?
"...So, that''s how it is, huh?" I muttered after a brief pause.
''The fact that the tournament is starting earlier than it was intended to in the novel, demonstrates how my existence has already had an impact on the novel''s events and will continue to do so on a number of uing asions.
So I can''t always rely on my understanding of the novel''s events,'' I reasoned to myself.
"If so, let''s quickly deal with the Third Year faction leaders so that we can focus on our training," Ziona said abruptly.
"Yes, I also had the same thought. Do you have a n in mind, Ares? So we can deal with them as quickly as possible?" Diana was wondering.
When everyone heard her, they all turned their attention to me to hear my response.
"...Yes, of course, I have a n, but first let me speak with Erina before we make our move," I responded.
Though I already have a n, but I need to talk to Erina about her preferred strategy for dealing with Zerix and his faction.
"...And you want to meet her by yourself? What if she tries something like Aretrus did?" Livia asked as she continued to stare at me.
"Don''t worry, that won''t happen," I reassured her while smiling.
***
While we were having a discussion, Diana abruptly turned on the news on the holographic screen.
[...The Hero Association has received a lot of criticism and is now mocked by everyone; they even lost millions of followers on their social media ounts in a matter of hours after one of the most well-known and popr youngsters on the tform imed they targeted him for no apparent reason.
In his most recent interview, he imed that he had saved his half-brother and ex-fiancee from the hero association members who had faked his half-brother Prince Aretrus''s death in order to frame him for the murder.]
Our attention was immediately drawn to the holographic screen as we abruptly heard the news.
[Of course, the youngster in question is Ares Von Rothstar, who is now known solely as Ares after recently losing his royal status and being disowned.] one of the news persons made a statement.
[Yes, but among the young, he has earned the nickname "Ares the Executioner" and the title "youngest swordmaster."
He also became the most talked-about individual recently after SS-Rank Tania Elizabeth identally revealed that he was the pupil of the infamous Mika Amami, who she had just defeated.
And on top of that, a video of him ruthlessly beating his brother also went viral and is currently trending online.] The other news person beside him stated and halted for the other news person to continue.
[ That is correct; However, it didn''t seem to have any impact on his fame; rather, it gave him a big boost because the general public seemed to really like it in contrast to how they felt about the hero association''s ranking list.
And even after using the Giant Conglomerate Like Hero Association, he started getting support from a lot of elites.
As many concur that the hero association''s ranking list is erratic because they too think that Ares and Mika Amami have been unfairly degraded by being ranked lower than they should have been.] The newsperson enunciated.
[And the information Ares provided regarding the release of the demon lord seal rmed the general popce as well as numerous Kingdoms.
And after it caused outrage across the entire continent, even the monarchs are now demanding a rification from the Hero association in order to verify the veracity of the information.
Therefore, In order to ay everyone''s worries, the hero association has decided to hold a press conferenceter today.] The news person remarked.
***
Chapter 106 The Debate Over Demon Lords
"Hey Ares, is it true that one of the demon lord seals has been released?" Lucas looked at me intently and immediately questioned.
When everyone heard Lucas, they all turned their attention to me, waiting to hear my response.
"...If you don''t believe me, why don''t you wait and hear it from the Hero Association themselves?" I replied with a smile.
"...."
"I don''t think Ares is the type to make light of serious issues like this, so what he said might be true," Ziona stated.
"...Yeah, I believe in his words as well; he has no reason to lie on this matter in the first ce," Diana added.
"...However, we have no reason to get involved with the demon lords for the time being because we are not strong enough.
So don''t even think about something silly, brother," As she squinted toward Lucas, A made a remark.
"W-What? I wasn''t thinking about anything ridiculous; I was just curious because the demon lords had been sealed for centuries.
...And if their seal is indeed broken, the world is in for a huge catastrophe," Lucas exined.
"...."
"...The world has been at peace for too long; it''s about time their tranquility was disturbed.
And we are now about to enter the Era of Cmities," Livia made a casual deration before abruptly resting her head on my shoulder.
!?
There was a brief silence following Livia''s deration because we were all surprised by her remark.
"The power levels of the humanity were much higher at the time the demon lords were sealed, yet they still had to endure a great deal of suffering.
And Inparison to this Age, even the average human at that time would have been as strong as you.
You understand what that means, don''t you?" Irethiel suddenly made a remark telepathically.
"...."
"...Yes, Ipletely understand what you''re trying to imply," I responded to Irethiel telepathically.
"No, I don''t think we''ll experience any of the disasters we have in the past, that Livia mentioned," Diana suddenly spoke up while shaking her head.
"Oh, is that so? And what makes you believe that?" I inquired Diana inquisitively.
"...Because I once read the record of the Elven Hero, who was also responsible for sealing the demon lords along with others, and in that record, it was mentioned that even if the demon lords were to be released someday, their powers would not be at their peak.
And If we fight alongside each other before they regain their former strength, we should be able to defeat them," Diana borated.
"Are you certain that the records you''ve read are trustworthy?" Ziona inquired, intrigued.
"...Yes, that seems about right. Because the same was also mentioned in the records left behind by one of the Human Heroes'' as well," A responded.
"...."
"Wow, you stupid shitheads. Why do you think the earlier heroes chose to seal the demon lords rather than kill them directly?
And how did you potatoes miss the fact that the ancient Heroes sealed the demon lords using thenguage of the runes?" Livia spoke while her head was still on my shoulder and her eyes were closed.
Upon hearing Livia''s choice of words, I couldn''t help but chuckle, and there was a moment of silence as everyone at once understood the facts of what she had just said.
"...I''m not sure I understand what you''re saying, Livia.
Even though I admit that the demon lords were much stronger at the time, making it difficult for the Heroes to kill them, but now that they have just been released from the seal, they will be vulnerable, allowing us to easily kill them.
And even if we are unable to defeat them or find them to be too powerful for us to handle, we can simply follow the example set by earlier heroes and seal them away," Diana borated hurriedly with a twisted expression.
She didn''t seem to like how Livia was speaking carelessly while her head was resting on my shoulder.
"...."
"Hey, cheeky A, why don''t you exin the mortals'' conundrum to this dumb potato?" Livia made ament.
"...H-Hey, I''m not a dumb potato or anything. Be mindful of who you are speaking to, Hmph, as I am the future empress of the Great Elven Kingdom," Diana replied in a frustrated tone.
"And if you think something I said was incorrect, why don''t you exin it to me yourself? Why do you want that bitch ¡ª I mean, A ¡ª to exin?" Diana expressed her dissatisfaction.
"...Because she believes she is the smartest person here," Livia said, lifting her head from my shoulder and staring at A with a smirk.
!?
"...I don''t believe I ever imed to be the smartest person here, but it doesn''t matter because I will have the honor of informing our Great Future Elven Empress about the challenges we are currently facing," A reacted with a smile.
And as Diana heard A, her face distorted.
"So, the first statement you made about how we can kill the demon lords easily because they won''t be at the height of their powers when their seal is just released is urate, however, if we continue to ignore them, they will regain their former powers over time.
And if you''ve read theplete records of the Heroes, you should have figured out why they couldn''t kill the demon lords but instead just decided to seal them." A stated and paused for a moment to hear Diana''s response, but when she saw Diana''s nk expression, she shook her head and resumed speaking.
"... Because Killing higher beings such as demon lords or constetions will always have repercussions.
And no mortal can handle that consequences, as it can lead to self-sacrifice, or they can be cursed even after death, affecting their family oring generations," A expressed while gazing at Diana.
"...Of course, no one wants to sacrifice themselves and even if they are brave enough and is driven by their heroism, they still don''t want their family to suffer the consequences because of them, after their death," Ziona abruptly remarked.
''Well, they are partially right. But the constetions had allied themselves with the mortals to fend off the bacsh they would face from ying the demon lords.
Therefore, the chosen ones don''t have to sacrifice their lives in order to kill the demon lords.
Though at the moment, not many people are aware of it,'' I thought to myself.
!?
"...So we''re stuck with the second option, which is to seal them again, huh?" Diana said abruptly.
"But why though? As the benevolent future elven empress, you shouldn''t mind if you have to kill the demon lord even if it means sacrificing yourself, right?" ude remarked sarcastically.
"...."
"S-Shut it you! It is for the same reason that I must live, because I am the future elven empress and must lead the elves.
Why don''t you sacrifice yourself then? As you are unlikely to be the ruler of your kingdom," Diana retorted sharply.
!?
We all held back ourughter when we heard Diana, while ude was rendered speechless.
"...And it is not possible to seal the demon lords again, as you stated.
As the runenguage has already been lost in time, and only a few people know it, but they are still not at the level required to seal demon lords," A borated.
!?
"...T-Then how are we supposed to deal with them now?" Diana inquired perplexed.
When everyone heard her, they fell silent because no one had any response.
"We will figure something out after the deaths of a few million," Livia suddenly stated.
"...."
"What if you are among the few millions who will perish?" Lucas expressed disappointment because it appears he did not agree with Livia''s previous statement.
"...No, that won''t happen," Livia stated emphatically.
"We know you''re strong, but don''t overestimate yourself because you''re not strong enough to deal with the demon lords," Lucas remarked.
"Yeah, I''m aware of that as well,... But I have Ares on my side, so I don''t have to worry.
And I believe he won''t let me die as long as I''m with him, isn''t that right Ares?" Livia said, as she smiled and fixed her gaze on me.
"...."
Her response caught me off guard, and I was surprised because I hadn''t expected her to have such confidence in me.
"...You are correct. I will not let anything happen to you as long as you are with me," I replied to her by smiling back at her.
As soon as they heard us, everyone just stared at Livia and me.
"...Oh, I heard Ares is good at deciphering runenguages, So perhaps that''s why Livia has such trust in him," Ziona eximed abruptly.
"...."
"No, you''re wrong; she has such faith in him because she loves him," A said quietly to herself.
"Wow, are you serious? Will you protect me as well, Ares, if I stay by your side?" Diana inquired, intrigued with a smile.
"...No, he''ll use you as cannon fodder and flee with Livia," A retorted jokingly.
Diana''s expression abruptly changed upon hearing A, while I simply smiled at her without responding.
"Well, she''s not wrong," Irethiel said telepathically and giggled.
***
Chapter 107 The Press Conference!
While we were discussing the difficulties we would face if the demon lord''s seals were released, we noticed that the conference organized by the Hero association was about to go live.
As we observed this, everyone fell silent and focused their attention on the holographic screen.
We soon noticed a middle aged woman wearing a ck formal suit entering the conference room, and the media started taking pictures of her.
The woman had blue eyes, one of which was covered by a patch, white hair that was pulled back into a ponytail,rge circr silver earrings on her ears, and a reaper hanging from her waist.
"... Jessica Spades, the Hero Association''s president," I muttered aloud.
!?
"So she''s the leader of the Hero organization?" Diana inquired, confused.
"Yes, she is," I replied casually, my gaze fixed on the screen.
"¡ How did you know about that? The hero association''s president is well-known for not making public appearances.
Have you met her before?" A inquired, intrigued.
"No, I hadn''t met her before, but my teacher had told me a lot about her," I replied.
"...Hmm, well that makes sense because even Miss Tania used to talk a lot about her," A said, returning her gaze to the screen.
While Jessica calmly walked onto the stage and took a seat in front of the microphone.
[Good evening to everyone in attendance, as well as to everyone else watching this broadcast in the convenience of their homes, offices, or wherever you are from¡ªFuck it!] Suddenly shouting into the microphone, Jessica tore the paper from which she appeared to be reading the speech.
!?
[Let''s get right to it and discuss the main issue, shall we? I would prefer not to waste any of my time, or anyone else''s who is watching this.] Jessica spoke into a microphone before pausing.
She then quickly began speaking even before the reporters could begin posing questions to her.
[Alright, I will start by addressing the concern with our ranking list, which was decried as uneptable by everyone and became the most disliked article online.
...So, when ites to ranking Ares Von Rothstaylor¡ªI mean Ares¡ªI still believe that ranking him on the Rank 10 is just about understandable.
I''d known him since he was a toddler, and I knew he had a manaless body, so he shouldn''t really be able to use mana.
And then, seemingly out of nowhere, he began to use mana and an element of electricity... Though that does not make sense but I don''t care how he is able to do so.
Before he made a dramatic entrance at his academy entrance exam, nobody knew who he was.
He then broke every record that previous Academy students had held, earning the moniker "Ares the Executioner" or whatever other childish name it was.
What I''m trying to say with this, is that it wasn''t a monthly ranking list; it was a seasonal ranking list.
He wouldn''t even have been in the top 10 if he hadn''t be somewhat notable in the past month.
When the following seasonal ranking list is published, perhaps he will be ranked higher.] Jessica made it clear and resumed in her speaking.
[And I think it''s just an overreaction from the crowd because I''ve seen plenty of students who are capable of doing what he did.
Take Rank 1 Hercules for instance, he eliminated most of the students at the entrance examination in his academy as well, but he didn''t get as much recognition, was it because he wasn''t as good-looking as Ares?] Jessica stated before pausing for a moment.
[So, Miss Jessica, you mean¡ª]
[Quiet! Do not speak unless I ask you to.] Jessica said as she stared nkly at the reporter.
''Aren''t we supposed to be able to ask questions at the conference? What kind of conference is this?'' The journalists pondered.
[And secondly, the allegations he made against the Hero Association regarding the kidnapping of his half-brother and the fabrication of his death in order to ce me on him?] She stated.
[Boy¡ª Does he really think that we need to do such a thing to handle some developing fetus who now doesn''t even have his own identity?] Added Jessica.
[Does that mean his usations were all unfounded and the Hero association wasn''t behind that?] Suddenly, one of the journalists inquired.
Jessica just kept staring at the reporter before speaking.
[Get that idiot out of here! You are not permitted to speak until I ask you to, as I''ve already said.] As she pointed at the reporter, Jessica eximed.
The security then quickly arrived and dragged that reporter outside.
"¡."
[What was I saying again? Oh, right, nothing is stopping us from dealing with him openly if that''s what we wanted to do.
Even his own kingdom has abandoned him, and one of our members already defeated Mika Amami, his Master, who is now the only one on his side.] Jessica stated and paused for a moment before continuing.
[...However, the investigation revealed that some of the association''s members were indeed responsible for his half-brother''s abduction but they were paid to do so by none other than...the Queen of the Kingdom Escratia.] Jessica made a deration.
After hearing her, there was a huge uproar in the conference room for a brief period of time before Jessica spoke again.
[I wasn''t supposed to mention the queen''s name, but screw that! If it pleases them, they are free to pursue me.
And I would have expressed regret to him for the corrupted association officials'' involvement and would have severely punished them myself, but after seeing the horrific scene he created while rescuing his alleged half-brother, I don''t think we owe him any sense of guilt.] As she projected images of the Hero association members'' bodies on a screen behind her, Jessica said.
When the reporters saw the photographs of the dead bodies with their body parts severed, some with their guts pulled out, and many others dying horribly, they were left horrified.
[He was disowned because, in my assertion, he is nothing but a little maniac who is incapable of showing mercy to anyone including his own brother.
And if anyone still feels that it is unfair to rank him lower for any reason¡ªespecially considering that he is stronger than many people on the top list¡ªthen I will make amends to him if he can defeat the Rank 1 Hercules in the uing tournament.] Jessicamented.
[Now, Let''s move on to the main subject, which is about the releasing of one of the demon lords'' seals.
¡Yes, It is urate to say that one of the demon lords'' seals has been broken.
We received this information just a few days ago as well, and when we dispatched a team of investigators to ascertain the information''s veracity, we discovered that it was urate.
And regarding the reason we chose to keep it a secret from the general public, ...obviously, it was not to incite fear among them not because we have some hidden agenda.
But Ares also made unfounded ims that some of our higher-ups worship demons, but we will still put the entire hero association to trial in front of everyone next week to prove his ims wrong.
....That''s all I wanted to say. ordingly, you are now free to ask whatever queries you want.] Jessica dered.
However, when the news of the demon lord seal''s release was announced, there was significant unrest.
[Miss Jessica, Would you mind stating which demon lord seal was released?] one of the journalists questioned.
[...Yeah sure, the released demon lord is
The "Demon Lord of Sloth" Belphegor.
Because of his reputation for cunning and deception, I want to warn the popce not to be duped if someone approaches them and offers them a significant sum of money or makes an imusible promise of fame because he could be the demon lord in the human form.] Jessica stated.
[How does the Hero Association intend to handle demon lord Belphegor? Do you intend to take any protective measures against him?] A different journalist asked.
"¡."
[Yes, we do have a n, but we won''t share it just yet. And don''t make silly inquiries like why we are keeping it a secret from the public.
Naturally, this is done in order to prevent disclosing our intentions to the demon lord''s followers.
...But soon a great summit with all the monarchies of the kingdoms will be held to discuss about the topic.] Jessica expressed.
[Could it be that other demon lord seals have been released that we are not aware of? And even if no additional demon lord seals have yet been released, do we have any safeguards in ce to prevent the future release of the demon lords?] The journalist enquired.
[...Even though it sounds painful, it is possible that the other demon lord seals could be released unknowingly to us.
But because weck a person who can restrengthen their seals, we currently have no way to prevent them from doing so.] Jessica answered.
...
...
The Conference continued for a short while beforeing to an end. Jessica was about to leave when one of the reporters suddenly began to question her.
[Miss Jessica, why did you leave out the reason Mika Amami was ranked even lower than the S-Ranks?]
Before responding, Jessica stopped moving and gave the reporter a long look.
[It''s just that she doesn''t understand the worth of other people''s lives, which is why I don''t think she should be ranked any higher than that.
Moreover, if it were up to me, neither her disciple nor I would have kept her on the ranking list.] Jessica remarked before stepping out.
***
Chapter 108 Aylas Fianceé
As I watched the press conference and listened to Jessica''s remarks, I couldn''t help but chuckle.
She has the same attitude as described in the novel.
And for the same reason, I left the corpses of the Hero Association members alone and did not dispose of them.
She had made some of my work easier by condemning my stepmother, or should I say the Queen of Escratia?
I couldn''t use her without any evidence, so I relied upon the investigation of this incident to the hero association.
As I figured Jessica wouldn''t get herself implicated in the minor incidents, so by leaving that horrific scene behind, I knew Jessica would be forced to get involved after witnessing it.
And now that Jessica has explicitly med my stepmother, she is on everyone''s radar and will refrain from acting recklessly for now.
Giving me time to finish up with this tournament, before I can visit my so-called Kingdom to address the rest of the issues with them.
And, as for Jessica''s remarks, I''ll have to deal with Hercules in the tournament anyway.
¡ But what makes it amusing, though, is to watch Jessica''s subsequent apology and plea for my assistance, since I am the only one who can help them strengthen the seal in order to keep the demon lords at bay for the time being.
Because no one else is as fluent in the runenguage as I am.
Though it won''t keep them sealed forever, I can at least postpone the inevitable, which will at the very least give us enough time to organize.
As I thought this a huge grin appeared on my face.
!?
"W-What''s with your eerie grin?" Irethiel queried anxiously telepathically.
"It''s nothing; have any other demon lords'' seals been released?" I inquired of Irethiel.
"...No, I don''t think any other demon lord has been released yet," Irethiel answered.
"Hmm," I said, nodding as I heard her.
"... S-See, didn''t I tell you that Ares isn''t one to make light of such matters?" Ziona abruptly stated.
"¡."
"... Yeah, he was right, but I think you really pissed off the President of the Hero Association for some reason, Ares," Diana said as she looked at me.
"What do you mean when you say he pissed her off for some reason? Obviously, she''ll be angry seeing the gruesome dead bodies of her fellow association members," A remarked while keeping a nk expression.
"She''s just a Nonsensical potato who is offended for no reason in particr," Livia casually remarked on Jessica.
"¡."
We all just stared at Livia after hearing her casual remark, as she didn''t seem bothered by Jessica''s identity as president of the hero association.
"... You do realize she''s the President of the massive Hero association, right?" A inquired, continuing to stare at Livia.
"Of course, I know who she is; I''ve even met her several times before. She used to pay me frequent visits because she wanted to take me in as her disciple," Livia exined.
!?
Everyone was shocked and was left speechless following her exnation.
"...."
"... So, did you refuse to be her disciple?" Diana inquired, puzzled, while everyone focused on Livia to hear her response.
"No, I couldn''t do that because my father said I should consider about it after I graduate from the Academy before rejecting her offer," Livia replied.
*Gulp
"... What rank was Jessica¡ª er, the President of the Hero Association on the ranking list again?" Kevin inquired, gulping loudly.
"She wasn''t on the ranking list, but Miss Tania once stated that she''s even stronger than her," Lucas suddenly said.
"E-Even more powerful than Tania Elizabeth? Which means, Livia''s future master will be¡ª" Kevin eximed, but his words were cut off by Livia.
"No, I don''t think she''spetent enough to teach me," Livia responded immediately.
"...."
"Huh?"
"Gosh, and they call me a narcissist!" Diana remarked while awkwardly smiling.
"¡."
''... So she knows she''s a narcissist?'' When we heard Diana, we all had the same thought.
"I''m not being a narcissist; I''m just stating the truth, and I don''t think I''ll ever select a teacher with such stupid beliefs as her," Livia remarked.
"... What exactly do you mean by stupid beliefs?" Kevin''s brow furrowed as he inquired.
"The fact that shebeled Ares a maniac simply because he defended himself is the stupidestment I could ever expect from anyone."
"And I doubt even this stupid elf princess wouldn''t think the same way she does," Livia stated.
!?
"W-Why are you dragging me into this?... Though you are correct, as a future empress, I do not think Ares did anything wrong by killing those Hero association members," Diana quickly responded.
"¡."
"¡ What part of it did you guys find it as self-defense? Based on what I saw in those photos, I deduced that their fight was nothing more than a one-sided massacre," A stated.
!?
"... I think they had iting to them, and they can''t me anyone for it; if they aren''t strong enough to handle him, they shouldn''t have messed with him in the first ce."
"As the saying goes, don''t bite off more than you can chew," Ziona evaluated.
"¡."
"You guys are stating this despite having seen the horrifying images of the dead bodies?" Lucas expressed his disappointment.
"Yeah, I don''t care, even if he med the entire Hero organization for trying to mess with him and had chopped off the heads of every single member," Livia stated.
!?
"Y-You!" When Lucas heard Livia''s remark, his face was distorted.
"You can''t be sympathetic to anyone who tries to hurt you in this world, and if you do, they''lle back and strike you in the back.
And the following time, they''ll bring along even more idiots who will see you as easy pickings.
So it''s better to set an example by killing those who try to harm you in the most brutal way possible as Ares did," Livia stated casually, while Ziona, ude, Diana, and I simply nodded in agreement.
"¡."
"Why does she sound like abat veteran who has experienced a lot in life?" I muttered inwardly.
"Wow, she is a menace to human society! Her beliefs are the same as mine," Irethiel expressed satisfaction with Livia''s response.
I merely watched them argue for a while, keeping quiet and munching on snacks.
"All right, cut out the arguing already. Brother, I''m talking to you too. There''s no use debating another person''s beliefs because everyone has their own viewpoints," A said as she fixed her gaze on Lucas.
Upon hearing A, Lucas eventually became moreposed.
***
"Now that I think about it, I''ve been curious to know for a while: Does anyone know who this Hercules guy is? And why is he ranked first, exactly?" Ziona asked with a curious expression.
Diana continued, "Yeah, he even received praise from the head of the hero association, and it seems he achieved the same feat as Ares did in the entrance exam of their Academy; in fact, it seems Jessica believes he is superior to Ares."
"... I''m curious about him as well; do you know who he is, Ares?" Livia asked as she looked at me.
"Why don''t you guys ask that of A, since that Hercules guy is assumed to be her fianc¨¦e?" I replied with a smile.
!?
!?
Everyone was taken aback by my unexpected deration, while Lucas and A''s faces twisted in disdain and A stared back at me in resentment.
They all looked at A with interest immediately after.
"... Ahmm, Y-Yes, he is correct, Hercules is my fianc¨¦e," A admitted hesitantly with an awkward smile as she felt everyone''s stares.
"¡."
And A apparently posted my video on the Inte for the same reason, as she wanted to use me to deal with Hercules.
In the novel, she did the same thing for Lucas, pitting him against Hercules.
"Whoa A, I had no idea you had a fianc¨¦e," Ziona eximed.
"Who''d have guessed that this swine already has a fianc¨¦e, and is ranked first on the ranking list, even higher than Ares?" Diana said in a hushed tone.
"...."
"Hey, A, is that Hercules guy¡ªI mean, your fianc¨¦e¡ªtruly as strong as the President of the Hero Association portrayed him to be?" Ziona inquired, intrigued.
!?
"... It''s been a while since Ist saw him, but he was indeed stronger than the average person thest time I met him," A replied, trying to keep a calm demeanor.
I couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly as I watched her reaction.
"Wait, really?" Do you believe he is equally as strong as Ares? Or even more powerful than him?" Diana inquired.
"¡."
"¡."
"... I don''t know how to respond to that because, as I previously stated, I haven''t met him in a while and don''t know how much stronger he is now or if he is stronger than Ares," A responded in an irritated tone.
"... No, I believe he is currently stronger than Ares." Lucas abruptly remarked.
"Hmm?"
"Because he was even stronger than me when we were young, and I never saw any youngster be as strong as him as he could even contend with the Adults," Lucas borated.
"...."
"Don''t take it personally, Lucas, but that still doesn''t exin how strong he is.
Because even Ares, who is stronger than you, can handle most adults or even professors," Ziona said while maintaining a neutral expression.
"¡."
***
Chapter 109 Who Is Hercules?
When he heard Ziona''s remark, Lucas was rendered speechless.
"... I don''t believe Ares is much stronger than I am," Lucas said after a brief pause.
"¡."
"Are you serious right now?" Diana inquired, giving Lucas a skeptical look.
!?
"What is that supposed to mean? We can''t tell who is stronger unless wepete, right? ...I don''t understand why you guys assumed he was stronger than me or anyone else here who has yet to face him," Lucas said indignantly.
"¡."
"Speak for yourself, dude, as I know he''s stronger than me," Kevin said abruptly.
"... Though I hate to admit it, but I too believe that he is stronger than anyone here," ude stated, as everyone nodded in agreement, even including the narcissistic Diana.
!?
"...Seriously?" Lucas said with a baffled expression, and he was about to retort but A interrupted him.
"... Wait, weren''t we talking about Hercules? Let''s not get off track here, shall we?" A immediately said when she noticed Lucas''s expression.
"Yes, why don''t you tell us more about your fianc¨¦e A? I''m curious about him as well.
Because I''ve heard he has a huge physique for a teenager, I wonder if his height is double that of yours," I inquired with a smile on my face and my gaze fixed on A.
!?
A just remained silent when she heard me and gave me a nk stare.
"W-Whao really?... His height is twice that of A?" Ziona eximed with a bitter smile.
"... I don''t think that''s a good match," Kevin said with an unpleasant expression, while visualizing something.
"¡."
And as soon as she heard Kevin''sment and saw his expression, A''s calm, innocent demeanor began to fade, and I could see how her face distorted as if she could tell what Kevin was thinking.
"... O-Oh, if he''s as strong as you guys im, then why didn''t he enroll in our Academy? Or did he not receive an invitation to our academy for some reason?" Kevin spoke quickly after emerging from his reverie as he felt A''s gaze.
"No, he was invited to enroll in our academy as well, but he chose to decline and go to the academy where his master is an instructor instead," Lucas exined.
"... Ah, I see. Because he would have had no other reason not to enroll in our academy; as many people aspire to be epted here, but not everyone gets the chance because theyck the necessary qualifications," Kevin remarked.
"...Hold on, I''ll look him up on the inte. If he''s well-known enough to be known by the Hero Association''s president, there should be some information about him on the inte, right?" Diana stated as she began searching the inte for information about Hercules.
[HERCULES: Hercules is renowned for having a massive physique, but his greatest attribute is strength.
He was given the title ''The Superhuman'' after his domineering performance in the academy''s entrance examination.]
[Family Background: Unknown]
"What the heck¡ªIs that it? Nothing else is mentioned besides this, not even a photo of him," Diana uttered as she scrolled down the screen, searching for more information about him, but could find nothing more than this.
"...One of his videos on YTube is fairly popr," Lucas stated abruptly.
!?
After hearing Lucas, Diana went on YTube to look up his name and quickly discovered the video at the top of the page with a few million views.
"Is this it?" Diana enquired while ying the video.
"... Yeah, that''s the one," Lucas said in a low voice.
Diana then began to show the video on a holographic screen...
***
"... What the fuck did I just watch?" Kevin eximed at the conclusion of the video.
"¡."
And there was a brief silence after the video ended, as we were shocked by what we saw.
Furthermore, It was my first time watching that video as well.
The video showed Hercules killing the B-Rank monsters with his bare hands, tearing them apart in two pieces using his strength alone, and his screams during the process were absolutely terrifying.
"...So, this barbarian is A''s fiancee?" Diana remarked, holding back herughter.
!?
"Hey Diana, don''t call him a barbarian and insult him.
As he will be A''s husband at some point, though his methods of using his strength are savage, but I believe he is worthy of being ranked first on the ranking list," I said with a straight face.
"... Y-Yeah, he seems strong; I''d like to fight him as well," Ziona added.
"¡."
"Alright, I apologize for calling your future husband a barbarian, A," Diana said with a grin on her face.
"... All I can say is that I hope you have a peaceful first night with him¡ª" Kevinmented, but his words were cut short when Lucas grabbed him by the cor.
!?
"If you utter one more word, ...I''ll kill you," Lucas threatened.
"Rx, dude, someone has to say it, and I know you''re aware of it as well, aren''t you? Look at A''s petite stature and that colossal creature named Hercules¡ª" Kevin stated, but then was suddenly punched in the face.
Punch!¡ª
"Didn''t I say you to shut up, you bastard," Lucas yelled and as he punched Kevin again.
Punch!¡ª
"Stop it, you two!" A shouted.
"Brother! "Let go of him," A said authoritatively.
Tsk!¡ª
When Lucas heard A, he clicked his tongue before letting go of Kevin''s cor.
"...If you''ll excuse me," A said as she walked out of the room before intently staring at me.
And Lucas, who had been staring at Kevin for a while, quickly followed A.
''Why was she staring at me like that before she left? I don''t think any of this is my fault,'' I thought inwardly as I watched A and Kevin leave the room.
"...It''s pretty entertaining to watch humans fight," Irethiel made a telepathic remark.
"¡."
"... You stupid bastard, there are some facts we aren''t supposed to say out loud," ude said and smacked Kevin on the back of the head.
Smack!¡ª
"You jerk!" Kevin eximed as he pushed ude.
"So, tell me, how does it feel to be thrashed for opening that gutter of a mouth of yours?" ude askedughing.
"Stop it guys, it''s no longer funny," Ziona stated while shaking her head displeased, before walking out of the room.
"Y-Yeah, it''s not funny, so shut up you two," Diana said trying to hold back her grin.
"¡."
"You should look at your own face before you say anything to us," ude remarked as he noticed Diana struggling to keep her grin from breaking out.
!?
"...H-Huh! W-What''s wrong with my face?" Diana asked quickly, pulling out her phone and opening a camera to examine her face.
"Hmmm? I don''t think there''s anything wrong with my face, though?" Diana said as she stared at herself in the camera.
"¡."
We were speechless after witnessing her ridiculous behavior.
"¡Can''t you see a dumb bitch disying in the camera?" Livia inquired sarcastically.
"... No, I don''t see anyone else in the camera except me," Diana replied confused.
!?
"... She''s a lost cause," ude said as he walked out of the room, followed by Kevin, who shrugged his shoulders and followed behind him.
"Wait! Were you calling me a dumb bitch?" Diana eximed as she came to a sudden realization.
"¡."
"... Ares, let''s go as well, I''m hungry," Livia stated, ignoring Diana.
"Didn''t she just finish up a sandwich? How much more food can she fit in her small stomach?" Irethiel wondered out loud.
"... Okay, let''s go," I said as I rose from the sofa.
But just as I was about to leave with Livia, I was stopped by Diana.
"Wait a minute, Ares! I have something to discuss with you," Diana conveyed.
!?
Livia furrowed her brow and stared at Diana as she heard her.
"What do you want to discuss with him?" Livia questioned.
"... It''s confidential," Diana said, smiling as she looked at Livia before turning her gaze to me.
"I think I know what you wanted to talk about," I said, returning my gaze to Diana.
"¡ You do?" Diana inquired, intrigued.
"It doesn''t matter, you can speak in front of Livia," I said, smiling.
"... Okay," Diana said as she sat on the sofa, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Would you like some?" Diana kindly offered us tea.
"... No, we''re fine. Don''t waste time, just get to the point because I''m hungry," Livia stated in an irritated tone.
"¡."
"Sure," Diana said, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"... I heard about your meeting with Erina, and it appears to have gone well," Diana said as she sipped her tea.
"I suppose you could say everything went well... So you heard about it from her faction''s elves, huh?" I asked, grinning.
Diana giggled and said, "Yeah, they keep me informed about this kind of information.
"...So you''ve already met with Erina?" Livia asked, her brow furrowed.
"Yes, he appears to have already attended the meeting along with Ziona, when Erina invited him, and I heard he also came to an agreement with Erina," Diana exined.
"¡."
Hearing her, Livia remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm, Is that so," Livia muttered in a hushed tone.
"... Alright, Diana, get to the point," I said.
"It''s nothing much actually; I just wanted to mention that there are elves in Zerix''s faction as well," Diana remarked with a broad smile.
***
Chapter 110 Embedding A Magic Circle.
Next Day ~
It was a Saturday morning, and I had just finished my usual morning training.
And now I was sitting on the sofa, eating my breakfast while Irethiel was watching anime, and across the sofa from me was Rose, her brow furrowed.
"Don''t stare at me like that; if you want something to eat, you can make it for yourself," I said, pointing her in the direction of the kitchen.
"¡."
"¡ Please don''t tell me that the reason you called me to your Dorm room and said there was an emergency was for this?" Rose inquired, her voice irritated.
"Yes, it is an emergency because I want to embed a magical circle on myself before the tournament begins," I replied as I finished eating breakfast, got up from the couch, and headed for the kitchen.
"¡ Huh?, S-So you want to engrave the magical circle on yourself? And you want my assistance in doing so?" Rose inquired, giving me a skeptical look.
"That''s correct; do you have any way of assisting me?" I asked.
"... Argg, I assumed something had happened to master because she wasn''t responding to me. So I dashed here as quickly as I could.
But as I get here, I notice that she''s engrossed in watching anime, while you, on the other hand, appear to have a death wish," Rosemented as she looked at Irethiel, who ignored her and continued to watch anime.
Irethiel retorted, "If I didn''t respond to you, that means I''m busy, and I don''t want to be bothered, you idiot fox."
"...."
"Hey Rose, I called you to consult about magic circles, not to listen to your tantrums," I said, staring at her nkly.
"This little bastard," Rose muttered inwardly.
"... Engraving a magic circle on oneself is not the simple task you believe it to be; that technique was lost centuries ago.
And the humans who tried to do so after that all ended up dead," Rose remarked.
"I understand what you''re saying, but don''tpare me to those idiots who had no idea what they were getting themselves into," I replied.
ording to one of the ancient books I read, the key to engraving magic circles is to be adept at deciphering the runguage.
''Of course, no one is better than me at interpreting thenguage of the runes, because my universalnguage ability is a total cheat,'' I thought to myself.
"... He is self-assured because he is skilled atprehending. Don''t ask any questions, and just let him do whatever he wanted to do," Irethiel said frustratedly, as she couldn''t concentrate on watching anime while Rose was yapping.
"¡."
"B-But, master, there''s a chance he''ll fail. And if he is unable to engrave aprehensive magic circle in one go, he will die, which means you die with him as well," Rose said in a concerned voice.
"... You fool! Do you seriously think that this Devil is a suicidal maniac? He is the type who would trade the lives of everyone on the to save his own. And I assume he understands what he is attempting," Irethielmented.
!?
"...I can''t say if what you said is true,...but I can say for certain that I will someday exchange your life to save mine," I said with a smile as I gazed at Irethiel.
Irethiel was rendered speechless when she realized I didn''t seem to be joking.
"¡."
"A-Alright, you can do whatever you want, I have some rune books about the magic circle in my mansion from when I was examining magic circles, but I found it suicidal and dropped them at the time.
But I believe it will be of some help to you now," Rose said quickly as she noticed Irethiel''s expression.
"What are we waiting for then let''s go," I said, and walked toward the television where Irethiel was watching anime.
"... You two go by yourselves, I am busy," Irethiel said, returning her attention to the anime.
"¡."
Tick!¡ª
I immediately turned off the television and turned toward Irethiel.
!?
"W-What the hell!" Irethiel eximed as soon as I switched off the television.
"Let''s go, demon; don''t make me say it twice, or it won''t be pleasant for you," I grinned as I looked at Irethiel.
"¡."
"Tsk, it was about to get to an interesting part," Irethiel grumbled as she clicked her tongue.
But she quickly stood up and transformed into a crow, following us out of my dorm room.
As Rose and I exited the dorm building together, many students were perplexedly staring at us.
"...Don''t ever call me to your dorm building again because I don''t think it''s appropriate to see a teacher leaving one of her students'' rooms," Rose said grumpily as she felt the eyes of the onlookers'' students on her.
But I couldn''t help butugh as I heard her.
"... Sure," I said, and we began walking toward her mansion.
***
We soon arrived at Rose''s residence and took our seats in the study room, while Rose herself brought the vast stack of magic circles books she had previously mentioned.
"... When was thest time you used these books?" I inquired after noticing that the books were dusty.
"I''m not sure, maybe a few decades ago or something," Rose shrugged.
I quickly grabbed one of the dusty books and motioned it toward Irethiel before speaking.
"Hey, Irethiel, clean this up for me," I said as I kept my face neutral.
"¡."
Meanwhile, Irethiel remained silent as she heard me and simply stared at me, her mouth partially open, as if she couldn''t believe what she was hearing.
"...Did I hear you correctly?" Irethiel asked in a perplexed voice.
"Yes, you just seem to have too much free time since all you do is watch anime andment on everyone every day.
So why not do some work now and then?" I nagged.
"...."
!?
"Y-You, Seriously? Give that book to me," Rose extended her hand toward me and asked as she noticed me nagging Irethiel like a mother.
As I handed the book to Rose, I remarked with a chuckle,
"Okay here, I don''t care if either one of you cleans that dust anyway."
"...."
Rose quickly summoned her maid and ordered her maid to clean the dust from all of the books.
"... You should have done that sooner," Irethiel said as she looked at Rose.
"T-There are some important research books in here as well, so I didn''t want anyone else to touch them, which is why I didn''t let the maid clean it before," Rose tried to exin herself.
"¡."
I ignored them and began flipping through one of the books; I''m not sure whatnguage it was written in, but it took me longer toprehend it than the other books.
"...So you can understand books written in anynguage, huh?" Roselia remarked and she began searching through the stack of books for something.
I decided not to respond to her and kept reading the books quickly because I couldn''t find anything useful in the earlier volumes.
All of the books discuss information about various magical circles, but I couldn''t find anything about how to implement it into oneself.
"Here¡ª perhaps this is what you''re looking for, as there appears to be a magic circle drawn in this scroll," Rose said, handing me a scroll.
"Hmm?"
And after taking the scroll from Rose, I just stood there and looked at it for a while.
A sizable magic circle can be seen on the scroll, but nothing was said about its purpose, so I wasn''t sure what it was for.
"¡."
"Is that actually it?" Irethiel and Rose both cast me a questioning look as they both focused on me.
"...Yes, this appears to be what I was looking for, but I''m unsure of the magic circle''s function or its element," I said.
"It''s like ying a gacha, huh?" Commented Rose.
"...What exactly is a gacha?" Irethiel enquired.
"It''s like a mystery box; You won''t know unless you open them," Rose borated.
"Oh, I get it now. So until you imprint that magic circle on yourself correctly, you won''t understand what it does, right?" Irethiel asked.
"...Yes, that is correct. But it''s a huge gamble because I can''t undo it if the element in the scroll turns out to be useless," I said.
"¡ So? Ares, are you going to take that risk?" Rose asked with intrigue.
"Ares, think carefully about this because you will have to use that magic circle for the rest of your life.
Which option do you like to prefer? you can exit safely if you decide not to engrave that magic circle. Alternatively, you can take a chance and engrave that magic circle in the hopes that, with any luck, you might gain ess to a great power," Irethiel said in a dramatic voice as if imitating some show host.
"¡."
As soon as I heard her, I had a thought, "I ought to stop letting her watch so much anime."
"... Screw it! I really have nothing to lose. So I''m going to go for it," I dered with positivity.
Chapter 111 The New Element!
Even though I had second thoughts about imprinting an unidentified magic circle on myself, I ultimately chose to do so since I had no choice but to take a chance.
Considering that I have a lot of problems to cope with, I need to get stronger as soon as possible.
And I can only handle these difficulties if I''m strong enough.
"So, you''re going to embed it immediately," Rose asked.
"Yes," I answered.
Irethiel inquired, "What part of your body are you intending on embedding the magic circle, have you made a decision yet?"
"Even though I have no trouble understanding the magic circle, I''m thinking about imprinting it on the back of my left palm, instead of my heart or another vital area to avoid any potential danger," I replied.
"...Yes it''s good to be cautious," Irethile muttered.
"Don''t bother me now because I''m about to begin embedding," I said as I sat cross-legged in a meditation posture.
"W-What? Do you not want to make any additional preparations? " Rose remarked puzzled.
"No, there are no additional preparations needed.
Since all I need to embed the magic circle is knowledge of it and enough mana," I responded.
"¡."
After hearing me, Irethiel and Rose chose to remain silent and let me proceed as I saw fit.
I then inhaled deeply and focused on the scroll that bears the drawn magic circle.
At first, it just seems like an alien description to me, but as I kept my attention on it, the pieces of the magic circle began disassembling, and I was now able to analyze each disassembled part step by step.
The exnation and calction of the amount of mana required for one part of a magic circle, as well as the flow of mana required for the next part, all came to mind at the same time.
So I closed my eyes for a few moments and began toprehend them in my head.
After understanding each section, I opened my eyes again, this time solely focused on the scroll.
As I visualized the magic circle, it, like the scroll, began embedding in my left palm, illuminating the bright blue light.
Curves and straight lines intertwined to form something resembling a talisman.
My mana flowed along them, making them appear blue and brilliant.
The process went on for a while until every part of the magic circle was imprinted.
Aggg!
¡ª
I quickly gripped my left hand tightly in agony as a burning sensation spread across my palm as soon as the magic circle waspleted.
"Wait, what happened? Is it a failure?" Rose asked in a worried voice, and Irethiel looked at me uneasily as I began to sweat profusely.
Ding!
But then, while I was still gritting my teeth and in pain, I heard a notification sound from the system.
Regardless of my suffering, I summoned the system to check the contents of the notification.
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis [New]]
PROFESSION : [Intermediate Swordsman¡ï¡ï¡ï][Beginner Archer¡ï¡ï]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver].
Adventurer Rank : A
Strength : A
Agility : A+
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : B
Luck : C-
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : [Universal Language]
[Photographic Memory]
¡ô
Skills: [Fell Crescent¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Snake Steps¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Hawkseye¡ï¡ï]
[Static Electricity¡ï¡ï]
[Atomic sh¡ï]
***
As I noticed the new element that had been added to my status screen, I squinted my eyes in confusion.
And after a few moments, the pain I was experiencing slowly began to subside.
"... Haaah," I exhaled deeply as now I felt nauseous from theck of mana, as I needed to use everyst bit of my mana toplete that magical circle.
I retrieved a mana potion from my inventory and chugged it quickly.
And because it was an advanced mana potion made by Aegis, my mana began to replenish in a matter of seconds.
Aegis sends me potions on a regr basis, along with some anime shows she wants me to watch.
"... Why aren''t you responding? Is it working, or are you about to die? " Rose inquired, as she and Irethiel gave me a questioning look.
"¡."
"It appears to have worked,...but there seems to be some problem with my magic circle," I replied, then went on to look up the definition of psychokinesis.
As I am not convinced that it belongs in the element section, I believe it should be ssified as a skill.
[ELEMENT : Psychokinesis (Non-mainstream)]
(Info: By Injecting mana into a magical circle, it allows the user''s will to control the said object.)
!?
"... Is there such a thing as a non-mainstream element?" I muttered.
"A non-mainstream element?" Irethiel inquired, having overheard my conversation.
"Yes, do you know anything about it?" I asked, turning my gaze to her.
"Yes, there was a time when if someone had a hybrid element, it was considered a non-mainstream element because it was rather rare to find," Irethiel stated.
"...what does this Hybrid element mean?" I inquired, perplexed.
"Clearly, it''s the fusion of twoponents. For instance, thebination of the elements fire and earth became ssed as a metal element.
... Don''t tell me it''s a non-mainstream element magic circle," Rose inquired, her face skeptical.
"Yes, it appears to be a non-mainstream element," I replied.
!?
"That is not conceivable! Magic circles involving non-mainstream elements cannot exist because they can only be attained by those who are born with them," Rose eximed.
"...Born with a magic circle?" I asked confused.
"Yes, That''s also why they were umon andbeled as non-mainstream elements," Rose exined.
"¡."
"...what is your magic circle''s non-mainstream element?" " Irethiel inquired, intrigued.
"It''s called Psychokinesis!" I responded.
"¡."
"¡."
Irethiel and Rose were speechless when they heard me and just stared at me nkly.
"... Why don''t you demonstrate it to us by using it?" Irethiel stated.
"All right," I said, looking at the pencil on the table across from me.
Then I reached out my left hand to the pencil and infused a small amount of mana in a magic circle.
Soon, the magic circle began to glow blue, and the pencil on the table began to shake for a second before floating in the air.
And with nothing but my willpower, I brought the pencil floating in my direction and caught it.
"¡."
After that, I couldn''t help but smile, because using it didn''t cost me much mana.
I only had to use my own mana to activate the magic circle, while everything else was done with mana from the surroundings.
"... That really is psychokinesis!" Rose wondered aloud.
When I heard her, I snapped out of my reverie and turned to face them, who was staring at me with their eyes wide open.
"Hmm? Is there an issue? " I inquired, seeing their stunned expression.
"... No, it''s nothing, but are you sure it''s not a skill but an element? As I met someone who had psychokinesis as a skill before," Rose inquired.
"¡."
"Furthermore, if you had looked for a skill book, I believe you could have found the psychokinesis skill there.
oh, and that''s also not at all a non-mainstream element," Rose remarked.
"...Is that true?" I said, turning to face Irethiel, who appeared to be thinking about something.
"W-What?" Iretheil awoke from her daze and asked me as she felt my gaze on her.
"What are your thoughts on this, demon?" I inquired, intrigued.
"¡."
"... I believe your psychokinesis differs from what Rose described," Irethiel said after a brief pause.
"In what ways, master?" Rose inquired quickly and confusedly.
"... Using skill requires mana, correct?" And massive objects will require a lot of mana to control.
And I noticed that he only needed a small amount of mana to activate the magic circle, and he could control the aimed object with his will by using the mana from the surroundings," Irethiel exined.
"Now that you mention it, I think it''s a little more advanced than a standard psychokinesis skill," Rose muttered.
"... However, there is a significant disadvantage to using psychokinesis, as it requires a significant amount of mental power to move the massive objects with just his will," Irethiel exined.
"So that''s how it is, huh? But I believe I have a significant amount of mental strength.
Shall we give it a try?" I said as I activated the magic circle.
And all of a sudden, the books began to float in the air. Later, when I focused on other items like vases and stools, they all began to float as well.
Next, I quickly caused them to float throughout the entire room.
"W-whao!¡ª" Irethiel and Rose shifted their hair away from their faces as they were hindered by the wind created by the floating objects circling the room at a rapid pace.
"...."
Shrieng!¡ª
But then the objects began to vibrate, and I lost control of them as a result of the sharp pain in my head.
All the objects ended up flying around the room, hitting the wall, and the window and some even moved in the direction of Irethiel and Rose, but they avoided them.
Crash! ¡ª Crash! ¡ª
...The entire room was now a shambles.
"Ahhhk," I quickly held my temples due to the pain in my head.
"...."
"That''s what happens when you overestimate yourself," Rose observed.
"...Though seeing you control so many objects at once was impressive," Irethiel said.
"Huuuu," "Huuuu,"
As my head ached, I took a few deep breaths and rested for a moment.
"...Every power has a cost, huh?" I grumbled.
"There is no power without any ws or setbacks, but you can minimize them by increasing your understanding of them," Irethiel pointed out.
***
Chapter 112 Visiting The Auction House!
Saturday evening at a warp gate''s exit~
In the kingdom of ctona, close to the warp station''s exit, a handsome boy caught the eye of nearly every woman passing by with his dashing appearance.
His toned physique was highlighted by the ck shirt, ck pants, and light gray Jean-Jacket he was wearing.
His attireplemented his incredible idol-like appearance. He was so attractive that it almost didn''t seem real.
And It looked like a scene from a television show to see him standing there while he was absorbed in his smartphone.
But due to the fact that he is now essentially a social media celebrity, everyone knew who that boy was.
It didn''t seem unusual to him that he had already been approached by a few girls in a short period of time.
But the handsome boy politely rejected each girl while treating them all with respect and firmness.
"Kyaaaaaa! He''s even more handsome in person!" Eximed the teenage girls as they stared at him, hearts appearing in their eyes.
The people around him are giving him side nces and seem genuinely curious about the person he was waiting for.
Swish!¡ª
Suddenly a ck Limousine stopped not far away from them and the door of the car was opened by the driver.
And soon a youngdy got out of her limousine and approached the boy.
Tap! tap!... The sound of her footsteps reverberated.
"I''m very sorry, did you have to wait long?" the girl asked, with an apologetic expression.
"So you finally arrived, huh?" muttered the boy.
All of the onlookers turned their heads, curious to find out who this girl was.
The sight of a girl with medium-length grey hair tied with a ck ribbon greeted them.
Her face was clear and lovely, her eyes were enchanting grey, and her pink lips arced delightfully upwards...
She wore ace one-piece miniskirt dress with a pitch-ck jacket over it. She was also paired in high heels and ck stockings.
The girl wasn''t overly dressed, nor did sheck the youthfulness of a teen girl.
Evaluating everything, she appeared pretty alluring.
People who were paying close attention could only sigh in their hearts as she walked up to the handsome boy with a smile on her face. "What a lovely match!" they thought.
''
...Of course, the couple in question was none other than Ares and Silvia.
"Yes, I''ve been waiting for an hour," Ares responded, putting his phone away with a smiling face that would make any girl''s heart skip a beat.
"...Seriously? B-But you''ll forgive me because today is our engagement anniversary, right?" Silvia chuckled before linking arms with Ares as if it were natural.
''What the heck is this engagement anniversary?'' I considered it for a moment before shrugging it off.
Together, we then left the station and made our way to the limousine Silvia had arrived in.
***
"How is it? Don''t you think it feels more like a date this way? Of course, if we didn''t have this third wheel with us, it would have been more fun," Silvia said while sitting on Ares''p with her hands around his neck and staring at Irethiel before returning her gaze to Ares.
"You have no idea how much I missed consuming your blood," Silvia said, clearing her lips, which were now stained with Ares'' blood.
!?
"Shut up vampire, I didn''t want to join you on this dating adventure, but this bastard master of mine dragged me along.
He even vowed to destroy every anime series I was watching if I disobeyed his orders," Irethiel grumbled.
"It serves you right, ve," Silvia grinned.
"...."
"Miss Silvia, we''re almost there,"
While Silvia and Irethiel were arguing, the driver informed us that we were about to arrive at our destination.
...which happened to be an auction house.
Yeah, that is right! We were heading to the Aloctona Kingdom''s auction house which is called The Quintessential Royal as it was renowned for its tasteful design and only invited individuals were permitted to attend.
And the reason for my sudden visit there was that I wanted to purchase something that wouldplement my new element of psychokinesis.
And I knew exactly what I needed because I heard that ''item'' is being auctioned off in the same auction house we were visiting.
We heard the driver''s voice again while I was pondering.
"Miss Silvia, we''ve arrived," the driver said.
As she heard him, Silvia stood up from myp and straightened her dress before getting out of the limousine while the driver held open the door for her.
As soon as Silvia stepped out of the car, a swarm of auction house employees rushed over to greet her.
Many young nobles looked at her with interest, as Silvia was now officially umitted, as her engagement with Aretrus had been canceled not long after that incident.
Silvia, on the other hand, simply ignored them and turned toward me.
"Shall we go, Ares?" Silvia asked, smiling.
"...Yeah," I said as I slowly exited the Limousine in front of all the gazes of the young aristocrats in attendance.
[ "A-Ares?"] Eximed one of the nobles.
[ "Isn''t their engagement already over?"]
["And wasn''t he recently disowned?"]
[ "Did he have enough cash to make a purchase here?"]
[Perhaps he''s here to swindle Miss Silvia''s money!]
...
...
As soon as their gazesnded on me, I could hear a variety of chatter from the nobles; many were envious, while others were dismissive.
But, in between all of their stares, I had a huge grin on my face.
Silvia was about to reassure me, "Don''t worry about them Ares, they are imbeciles¡ª" but she stopped when she saw my smile.
''Yeah, I should have known he wouldn''t be bothered by their childish remarks,'' Silvia said to herself, smiling as she looked at me.
"...Why are you smiling so shamelessly even after hearing their remarks on you?" Irethiel inquired abruptly telepathically.
"Because, I don''t give a flying fuck about what they say, but seeing me smile will definitely inme them even more," I conveyed to Irethiel.
"How typical of you!" Irethiel made ament.
"...."
"Shall we enter?" I asked Silvia, smiling as I turned to face her.
"Sure," Silvia responded with a bright smile, linking arms with me.
A staff member then led the two of us into the auction house and showed us to the VVIP room.
***
We were soon directed to a sizable, opulent room after some walking.
And I was impressed when I entered the room.
The room looked stunning with a huge golden chandelier lighting it up and was filled with delicate fragrances and melodies of aristocratic amusements.
It had a smooth red carpet covering the floor that was soft and supple, and there were multiple canvases at the side of the interior which enriched the pastel walls wlessly.
I noticed the auction tform most, which shone brilliantly as if made of pure gold, through therge see-through window in the front of the room, which looked out onto arge hall that I assumed was where the auction would take ce.
"...."
"wow, it''s luxurious!" Irethiel eximed.
"...It sure is," I said as I moved toward the sofa.
Its edges were crafted with the velvet and gold craftsmanship that the nobles marveled at.
As I sat down on the sofa, I nced at the auction catalog that was hung on the armrest.
[...Porcin pots, pendants, rings, artifacts, finding from the Gates..., and ck Onyx Magic Stone.]
Aside from thest item I noticed, many artifacts were useful to wizards.
When I looked into the price of the item that I needed, I discovered that it ranged from 1 to 5 million.
[¡ªI''d like to extend a warm wee to the distinguisheddies and gentlemen who have gathered here at the quintessential Royal Auction House for today''s grand Auctions.]
As the lights went out, the auctioneer''s voice echoed throughout the hall and the music began to fade.
As items were carried to the top of the tform, he went with his opening.
[¡ªAnd this will be the first item up for bidding to start our auction.] the auctioneer eximed as he unveiled the item.
As he unveiled the item, we were able to see a simple ring with red ruby imnted in it.
[¡ªThis Ring here is an artifact found in one of the C-Rank Gates.
And equipping this greatly enhances the flow of the wearer''s blood and mana.
Its price starts at 500,000 CB, and goes up in 50,000 CB increments!] The Auctioneer informed.
''If converted into gold coins, 500,000 CB is equal to 500 gold coins which were exorbitant formon people, but of course, it wouldn''t mean anything to the nobles.''
While I was thinking, I heard a beeping sound that indicated the start of the Auction.
Beep!¡ª
The bidding soon began...
[¡ªRoom Number 7 with 550,000 CB! Ah, Number 3. 600,000 CB!]
The first auction was fiercely contested, but I disregarded it because I was only interested in one item, the Magic stone.
[©¤Number 37 with 650,000 CB!, Number 3, our distinguished guest bid 700,000 CB!]
...
!?
[¡ª900,000 CB. 900,000 CB. 900,000 CB! SOLD to Number 7!]
p!¡ª p!¡ª p!¡ª
I was in agony while observing how the auction was proceeding.
"...."
***
Chapter 113 The Bidding War. [1]
I was taken aback as I witnessed the aggressive bidding of these aristocrats, who were willing to pay twice as much as the item''s going rate in order to appease their egos and avoid looking inferior to others.
"...."
And after noticing that, I''m not sure if I would be able to make a winning bid on the item I needed.
I figured I''d have more than enough for that magic stone with what I had on me.
As, thanks to the award that I recently received of around 10 million CB for aiding in the suppression of a demon cultist and the ie I derive from my social media ounts, I wasn''t as poor as I had been.
I currently have more than 25 million CB in my bank ount, to sum it all up.
When I learned that Aegis had posted pictures of me on social media without getting my consent, I called her to yell at her and demand that she delete all the social media ounts she had made in my name.
But after she sent me a mail with the amount I was earning from them, I made the decision to overlook her actions.
"...."
Well, who doesn''t like getting free money? As Aegis is the one who manages my ounts, and I don''t have to do anything while she regrly sends me money with no effort on my part.
"When did making money be so easy?" I muttered as I thought about how just a few days prior, I was filthy broke, but now, in a matter of days, I have a few million in my bank.
"...."
However, I have no idea how much money I will need to spend on this magical stone.
All I want is to avoid going broke once more.
[¡ªNow, let''s bring in our next item...]
While I was thinking, the auctioneer revealed the next item.
[¡ªDespite being a little rusted now, this dagger belonged to one of the former SS-Rank heroes and is still a part of his legacy.
The starting bid is 500,000 CB with a 50,000 increment.]
"Who would pay that much money for a rusted, useless dagger?" Irethiel said while giggling.
But to our surprise, some idiot nobles just seem to want to unt their wealth.
!?
[¡ª2.5 million CB. Is there a higher bid? For 2.5 million CB, the rusted dagger was sold to a guest from Room Number #7.]
"...."
We were rendered speechless after witnessing the price at which that useless dagger was purchased...
"Perhaps their only motivation is a hobby-rted desire to amass memorabilia from past heroes," Silvia remarked as she continued to browse the catalog she had been concentrating on.
"Yes, I do believe you are correct because if you are wealthy enough, you can achieve any desire you set for yourself," I said, smiling faintly at Silvia.
...
And over the course of the following hour, many different items came and went as everyone aggressively bid for them.
Also Silvia herself even purchased a few items for extremely high prices.
"What item are you nning to ce a bid on for Ares?" Silvia asked with interest.
"I''m going to make a bid on the ck onyx magic stone," I replied casually.
!?
"Eh, Ares. What purpose does that onyx stone serve? Because there are other even better materials than that onyx stone for crafting a weapon.
If you wanted to make a sword you could use other more durable materials to do so," Silvia asserted.
"I need that stone for something else, not to make a sword.
And rather than the stone itself, I am just more interested in the properties of that stone," I answered.
"Hmm, What are its properties?" Silvia enquired.
However, the item I had been waiting for has finally arrived before I could respond to her.
[¡ªOur next auction item is the ck onyx magic stone.]
And as the item was revealed by the auctioneer.
I squinted as I noticed the beautiful, gleaming ck magic stone which was the size of an adult''s palm.
And, as everyone observed the stone, the chatter could be heard all the way around the Auction house as many Noble seem to be interested in it as well.
[¡ªAfter much effort, we were able to obtain this enigmatic stone of unknown origin, though it is small in size but it''d exquisite and endowed with many beneficial healing qualities.] The auctioneer made a statement.
"...What healing qualities does that stone possess? Why didn''t he exin about it more clearly," Silviained in a dissatisfied tone.
"...."
Although he was not to me for that since not everyone at the time was aware of all of its benefits.
Furthermore, if they had known about all of its properties, they would havebeled that item as priceless.
I was pondering when I felt Silvia''s curious gaze on me, and as I turned to face her, she spoke.
"Would you mind telling me more about that stone, Ares? I''m curious what piques your interest in it," Silvia inquired, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"...."
"...The ck onyx magic stone/crystal is a potent protective magic stone that, by absorbing and transforming negative energies, aids in preventing personal energy drain.
Especially in stressful situations, apprehension, or sorrow, it helps in the development of stamina and endurance on the physical and mental levels," I gave a brief exnation to Silvia before pausing as its bidding was about to start.
"...."
When Silvia heard my exnation, she was rendered speechless.
"...Are you serious?" Irethiel asked doubtfully.
[¡ªThe starting bid for this item is 1 million CB, with an increment of 100,000 CB. Now let''s start the bidding.] The auctioneer made an announcement.
...
[¡ªNumber #37 with 1.1 million CB! Oh, Number #3! 1.2 million CB!]
As soon as the auctioneer announced the beginning of the bidding, many nobles began to bid aggressively, and the price skyrocketed at an rming rate.
[¡ªNumber #1, with 2.3 million CB.]
..
Beep!¡ª
I made a bid by pressing my finger on the tiny crystal ball that was resting on my seat''s armrest.
[©¤Ah! Our noble guest from Room Number #2, enters his bid with 2.4 million CB!] And my bid was acknowledged by the auctioneer as we were seated in room number 2.
[©¤Number 1, with 2.5 million CB!]
The person from Room Number 1, who had previously bid 2.3 million, countered my bid.
But I didn''t think twice before tapping the crystal ball and immediately raised a bid, but the person from room number 1 did the same.
Beep!¡ª
[©¤Number #2, with 2.6 million CB!]
Beep!¡ª
[©¤Number #1, with 2.7 million CB!]
...
...
...
We waged a protracted bidding war against each other during which no other bidders were able to take part, and they appeared to have given up as its price was raised far above its estimated price.
[¡ªNumber #1, with 14 million CB! The increment had now been raised to 1 million CB!] The auctioneer eximed amusedly.
[¡ªWould anyone else like to make a higher offer than 14 million CB?] Asked the auctioneer.
Beep!¡ª
[¡ªNumber #2, with 15 million CB!]
Our bidding war continued as neither of us was willing to back down.
***
Chapter 114 The Bidding War. [2]
[¡ªOh, there he is again¡ªthe distinguished guest from room number #2, with 15 million CB!]
Beep!¡ª
The person from room number #1 immediately ced a bid shortly after.
[¡ªNumber #1 with 16 million CB!]
''I think I know who this person from room number 1 is,'' I thought to myself because based on their apparent desperation, they seem to be the same person who, in the novel, owned the ck onyx stone.
[¡ª16 million CB Once! 16 million CB Twice!...]
Beep!¡ª
[¡ª Number #2 with 17 million CB!]
"Hey, Ares! Are you certain you want this item regardless of the cost?" Silvia inquired abruptly.
"...Yeah, I don''t care if I end up broke again; I really want that magic stone," I replied firmly.
"...."
"...If that''s what you want,...then don''t worry about the money anymore and ce as much as you need to get your hands on that stone," Silvia said, a huge grin on her face.
After hearing her, I simply smiled back at her, knowing that if I ran out of money, I would have no choice but to borrow it from her.
Even though I wished to avoid that oue.
...
[¡ªNumber #1 with 20 million CB!]
Beep!¡ª
I paused for a moment before cing another bid.
[¡ªNumber #2 with 21 million CB!]
And as soon as I ced my bid, the entire auction house fell silent, because the person in room number 1 abruptly stopped bidding and did not bid any further even after a few seconds.
"...Is this the end atst?" I murmured in a low voice.
[¡ªNumber #2 with 21 million CB! Is there anyone who wants to go higher?] After noticing the sudden halt in bids, the auctioneer inquired.
[¡ª21 million Once! 21 million Twice! 21 million Thrice! The Onyx magic stone has been SOLD to our noble guest in room number #2!]
p!¡ª p!¡ª p!¡ª
Phew!¡ª
I breathed a sigh of relief as I finally managed to obtain the magical stone without having to borrow money from Silvia.
...
[¡ªIn light of this excitement, let''s move on to the next item!] The auctioneer eximed.
And the auction continued as usual, but since I had already purchased what I required, I had no interest in any additional items, nor did I have enough money to take part in the second half.
..
And a short whileter, an employee of the auction house walked into the room while holding a silver tray.
She smiled and handed the item over, saying,
"Congrattions on getting the item, Sir!
"Thank you," I said with a smile before grabbing the box containing the onyx stone.
The employee bowed a little before leaving the room as I took the item.
"...Is that stone really that valuable?" Irethiel enquired while wearing a skeptical look.
"Even though it cost me a ton of money, it is worth the expense," I retorted.
***
Before The Start Of The Fierce Bid War ~
In the VVIP Room number #1.
A woman with long red-purple hair and deep orchid-purple eyes sat on the sofa by herself, having sneaked out of her residence just to attend this auction after hearing that the item she had been waiting to purchase for a long time was finally being auctioned off today.
Her eyes were fixed on the Auction tform, where the items were being disyed, with a determined expression.
And after a brief wait, the item for which she hade to this auction was eventually shown.
Despite having no prior experience with auctioneering, she enthusiastically entered the bidding and persevered.
But she found it difficult to get the thing she wanted because everyone was vying for it.
And the price skyrocketed quickly from 1 million to 2.5 million, 4 million, 5 million, 5.5 million¡
[©¤Room Number #1 with 5.6 million CB! Does anyone want to go higher?!]
Fortunately, most of them gave up when the price reached the estimated value of 5 million. She had a sudden surge of satisfaction and optimism that her expenses would be lower than she had anticipated.
[©¤Number #2 with 5.7 million CB!]
However, an unexpected rival appeared to contest her.
[¡ªNumber #1 with 5.8 million CB!]
She quietly bid with a cupped hand, not intending to back down, but her opponent did the same.
[¡ªNumber #2 bids yet again with 5.9 million CB!]
At that point, the bidding war was centered solely on them, with everyone else fleeing the mayhem.
Whenever she raised the price, the person in room number #2 immediately retaliated.
As their contest dragged on, the auction house was filled to the brim with excitement.
The hall reverberated with cheers and yells like the audience in diator games.
[¡ªNumber #2 with 17 million CB!]
That amount didn''t seem to bother the person in the next room.
But her hands, on the other hand, were beginning to shake, as her funds were rapidly depleting.
However, she despised losing.
[¡ªNumber #1 with 18 million CB!]
She frantically raised the price by another million.
But the person next door easily deflected her aggression without waiting even a second.
Beep!¡ª
[¡ªNumber #2 with 19 million CB!]
The hall fell silent for a moment as the item''s price had risen to the point where it was now worth the same as a mansion, giving her the desire to surrender.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Beep!¡ª
[¡ªNumber #1 with 20 million CB!]
"Huuu¡hoo."
Her thoughts were disorganized as she waited in anguish.
Her shoulders heaved incessantly, and she was still out of breath.
Even though she had only been waiting for a few seconds, it seemed like an eternity to her.
Beep!¡ª
[¡ªNumber #2 with 21 million CB!]
"Ahhhhh¡ª"
As soon as she heard the auctioneer, she became agitated and screamed, which was very uncharacteristic of her.
She hung her head low, closed her eyes, and gritted her teeth while her hands continued to shake and her lips twitched.
She didn''t want to concede defeat, but there was nothing she could do because she was out of money to fight on.
And after knowing that fact, she could feel a dreadful sense of helplessness in her very bones.
As the only item she had ever wished for was being taken away right in front of her eyes.
!?
[¡ªIf there are anyst-minute bidders, I''ll reiterate its current price three times! 21 million CB ONCE! 21 million CB TWICE! ...AND 21 million CB THRICE! The Onyx magic stone has been SOLD to our noble guest in room number #2.] The Auctioneer announced.
***
Chapter 115 The Unexpected Guest!
"Ares, what are you going to use that magic stone for?" Silvia asked with interest.
"I intend to make a weapon out of it," I replied casually, my gaze still fixed on the ck onyx magic stone.
"...."
"...And what kind of weapon are you talking about? You didn''t want to make a sword out of that, did you?" Silvia inquired, confused.
"Yeah, I want to make two-ded shurikens with this," I stated.
!?
"...You have got to be kidding me, right? Silvia inquired in a concerned tone.
Instead of responding to her, a huge grin spread across my face as I visualized my new weapon.
"...."
"Is he for real?" As she noticed Ares''s expression, Silvia muttered.
"Shurikens? Are you referring to the weapons used by ninjas in the anime? Irethiel inquired amused.
"It won''t be exactly the same, but something close," I replied.
"...The magic stone with the properties of enhancing mental strength and then turning them into shurikens, I think I understand what you''re trying to do here," Irethiel stated with a nod.
!?
"Howe I can''t understand what you''re saying? Am I the dumb one here or is there something that I don''t know of?" Silvia was perplexed.
"First and foremost, there can only be one dumb person in the room, and you are certainly not dumb," I said with a chuckle as we both turned our gazes to Irethiel.
!?
"H-Huh? Do you mean to say I''m the stupid one here? Without you having to exin, didn''t I already deduce your intentions regarding that magic stone?
...so why am I the stupid one in this situation while this vampire was the one who was unable to understand anything? "Irethiel strongly objected.
I held back myughter as I heard Irethiel''s justification and responded.
"It''s because she was unaware of my psychokinesis."
"...."
"...Eh? What psychokinesis?" Silvia inquired, perplexed.
Rather than responding, I decided to demonstrate it to her.
I then activated the magic circle by moving my mana around on my left hand, and soon the transparent magic circle started to glow blue.
After which, I focused my attention on the ck onyx stone, and it instantly began to float in the air under the power of my will.
I then moved the stone in a circle around Silvia.
¡ªFloat!
"W-What? Is that your newly acquired skill?" Astonished, Silvia asked while her eyes were glued on the floating magic stone.
"...Yes, it''s something of the sort," I responded.
"Wow, that looks really cool! I can see why you wanted to make shurikens out of it, though daggers would also be a good option as well.
However, I respect your choice," Silvia stated.
"...."
To bepletely honest, I did consider using it to create daggers, but after testing both with daggers and shurikens, I found that I had more control over thetter.
So, in the end, I went with shurikens.
Silvia spoke again while I was thinking.
"Do you want me to assist you in locating a skilled craftsman who can custom-make the shurikens of your choice? I am aware of a skilled dwarf craftsman who can do what you requested," Silvia said excitedly.
"...I appreciate your offer, but I already have someone in mind for crafting them, and if I''m not mistaken, she''ll be here any second now," I replied, smiling.
"Eh? What do you mean by that, Ares? Is there a renowned craftsman present in this auction hall?" Considering that no one can enter this auction house without an invitation, Silvia asked, confused.
However, as we were having a conversation, we suddenly heard a knock on the door.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Yes?" Silvia inquired, her brow furrowed.
"...."
There was a brief pause as the person who had knocked on the door did not immediately respond.
"Ah, A-Actually, I''m a guest from the room next door," We heard a woman''s voice.
''Yep, she''s finally arrived. The person who will craft me what I require,'' I muttered inwardly, a huge grin on my face.
"...From Room number 1?" Silvia inquired.
"Y-Yes!" eximed the woman.
"...So, what exactly do you want?" Without making an effort to invite her inside, Silvia asked her directly.
"...."
"Erm," the woman didn''t say anything for a moment as she didn''t expect that tone.
"...The door is open, you may enter," I said abruptly, and after hearing me Silvia stared at me nkly.
!?
"T-Then please excuse my intrusion!" The woman spoke before walking in.
And when she walked in, we noticed that the woman appears to be in her twenties, with long blonde hair, standard blue eyes, and average-looking features.
"...."
"...She is camouged," Irethiel told me as soon as the woman entered the room, but of course, I already knew that since I knew who this woman was.
"Hello!¡ª"
She greeted us and gave Silvia and me a quick nce as she entered the room. However, when she caught sight of me, her eyes widened in shock.
"A-Ares?" She muttered.
!?
"...Do you know who he is?" Silvia asked, her brow furrowed, as she overheard her.
"Of course I recognize him; who hasn''t heard of Ares the Executioner? As he is now regarded as nothing less than a celebrity," The woman responded by awkwardly giggling.
"...."
"...That makes sense," Silvia said quietly.
"So, what brings you here...miss?" With a smile on my face, I inquired.
"Oh, my name is...Lia, that''s right, my name is Lia," she pondered for a moment before answering as if making up a fictitious name on spot.
"...."
''How obvious can she be?'' I pondered.
"... And I just came to check on a person who purchased the onyx stone; if I''m not being impolite, could you please tell me why you were so interested in that stone that you bid more than five times its estimated price?" Lia inquired, her gaze drawn to Silvia.
!?
"...It wasn''t me who bought that stone," Silvia exined as she felt Lia''s curious gaze on her.
"Heh?" She made an awkward sound when she heard Silvia and then turned her attention to me.
"So...was it Ares¡ª er, Sir Ares who bought that stone?" Lia wondered.
"...Yes, that stone was purchased by me. Is there something wrong with that?" As I sat on the sofa, I inquired.
"...."
"...."
"...N-No, there''s no problem with that; I just wasn''t expecting you to be so interested in that stone," Lia quickly exined.
"Don''t worry, I understand what you mean; after all, these kinds of stones are mostly used to make jewelry for women, right?" I inquired as I sat on the sofa, my fingers intertwined.
"...Y-yes, that''s right," Lia agreed with a nod.
"And I believe you would have made a lovely ne and earrings with this magic stone if you had purchased it, correct?" I said with a smile on my face.
Lia''s eyes widened in surprise as she heard me, her mouth slightly open.
.
Silvia, on the other hand, simply stared at me in bemusement, unable toprehend the situation as she saw Lia''s expression.
"...."
''It could just be a coincidence, right?'' Yes, it''s just a coincidence!'' Lia shook her head and convinced herself toe out of her thoughts.
"May I inquire as to what you intend to do with that stone?" Lia questioned, with a serious expression.
"Hey, that''s impolite of you to inquire about such things; what does it matter to you, since he can do whatever he wants with that stone?"
That shouldn''t bother you! Even he wanted to use that stone as a paperweight!" Silvia remarked, her face displeased as she looked at Lia.
!?
"...S-Sorry for being rude, I didn''t realize and just asked away because I was curious what made him bid so much on that stone," Lia apologized quickly as she heard Silvia''s remark.
"Don''t worry, Silvia; it won''t matter even if I tell her what I intend to do with this stone," I said abruptly while smiling.
"Heh! Ares, Are you sure you''re serious? We don''t even know who she is, so you don''t have to answer her," Silvia stated dissatisfiedly as she looked at me.
"...."
But after observing my smile, she said, "Tsk, Alright, do whatever you want."
"I''m going to make throwing shurikens out of that," I replied, still smiling.
!?
"...Do you mean the novels'' ninja shurikens?" Lia inquired, perplexed.
"Yes, but it will only have two des and be the size of my palm," I replied.
"...."
"...Why not make it into simple rings that, when needed, can be transformed into throwing shurikens by forming two des from its sides?
As a result, it can be used as a secret weapon, and you will be able to make better use of the stone''s properties."
Lia abruptly stated and walked over to the sofa, where she sat across from me.
She quickly took a scrap of paper and a pen from her storage ring and began sketching a rough design of the shuriken she had just described.
"...."
"...."
On the other hand, Silvia and I didn''t bother her and let her carry on with what she was doing.
Meanwhile, Silvia just stared at Lia, realizing why I had declined her offer to introduce me to her craftsmen.
And what I mean by saying "I already have a person in mind,"
''So it was her he was referring to?'' Silvia thought to herself.
***
Chapter 116 The Mysterious Weapon Crafter!
After a few moments, Lia finally finished the design of the shurikens she mentioned earlier.
"Here! What are your thoughts on this?" She asked as she handed me the piece of paper on which she drew the outline of a shuriken.
And after taking the paper from her, I continued to study the design for a short while before a broad smile broke out on my face as It was exactly what I expected.
"Wait! Let me look into that as well" Silvia said as she stood beside me, peering at the design.
!?
"...Why is channeling a spell is required just to make a simple shuriken?" Silvia inquired, as she was perplexed when she noticed a spell mentioned in the design.
"That''s a binding spell, so the weapon will be bound to him, and even if he loses or misces it, he''ll be able to find it easily," Lia exined.
"...."
Silvia was speechless when she heard her.
"Can you tell me if you''re just going to use them as normal throwing shurikens or if you have any other ns for them?
...I know it''s not a relevant question, but the stone you''re using is far too valuable to be used as a throw-away weapon," Lia asked, her eyes fixed on me.
"You are correct, I am not going to throw away the weapon that cost me 21 million," I replied, smiling.
!?
"...So? Do you have any ability to control it?" Lia inquired curiously.
"Yes, I will be controlling them with my psychokinesis," I stated instantly, while Silvia and Irethiel were taken aback by how casually I told her about my ability.
As it is umon to reveal one''s abilities to anyone, especially a stranger whom we have just met.
"Psychokinesis, you say? That exins why you were so drawn to this stone.
But, while this stone will be useful for using psychokinesis,... I presume you have a vast mana pool to even deem using psychokinesis, as it takes up a lot of mana to control the objects for an extended period of time," Lia remarked.
I simply smiled instead of responding to her.
"...We need to go to the magic tower and look for the spell caster if we want to channel spells on the weapons.
And because there are so few of them, it will also be very expensive. In addition, we must schedule an appointment with the caster in advance, and because they have a ton of work on their hands, it is unclear how long it will take toplete the channeling.
Agh! That''s too much of a hassle," Silviained.
"...."
"...Y-Yes, what you said is indeed true. But although I don''t look like it, ...I am both a spell caster and a weapon maker, so I can help you with that.
And, I''ll do my best to create the ideal weapon of your choice if you trust me with it," Lia hurriedly and resolutely eximed.
"...."
"...."
After she had finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.
"So...you''re saying that in addition to channeling spells, you can also craft weapons?" Silvia questioned with a skeptical gaze.
"...Yes, That''s right!" Lia gave a firm reply.
"However, I''ve never heard of a famous person named Lia. You ought to be fairly well known if what you said is true, don''t you think?" Silvia stared at her and questioned.
"It''s because...I''ve never crafted a weapon for anyone before," Lia exined, averting her gaze.
"...."
"...So you''re just a novice crafter, then?" Silvia inquired.
"B-But I''ve made essories before! I''ve been making a lot of them since I was a kid!" Lia stated hurriedly.
"...I believe you should depart now, Miss Lia; let us not waste both of our time, shall we? Because I don''t want a novice crafter to ruin the weapon that my Ares so desperately desired," Silvia said as she motioned her toward the door.
!?
Lia was about to say something, but she paused and decided not to continue.
"A-Alright, I apologize for wasting your time," Lia said dejectedly as she moved slowly toward the door.
Meanwhile, I had been looking forward to this time for a while. simply because I wanted to fabricate a situation where the cliche "you were the only person who believed in me when no one else did" would apply.
I grinned internally as I thought to myself.
"Miss Lia, hold on a second!" Aftering out of my thoughts, I called her out.
Lia came to a halt as soon as she heard my voice.
"Y-Yes?" She asked, puzzled, as she turned to face me.
"The thing is, I really liked the design that you just made," I said as I stood up from the sofa, holding a piece of paper on which she had designed.
"W-wait, what? Lia inquired, still perplexed.
"Yeah, and I also believe that the person who can skillfully design this weapon from just hearing my description can also perfectly craft it," I said with a smile.
"B-But, as Miss Silvia mentioned, I''ve never made a weapon before! Are you sure you want to entrust me with creating that weapon with that precious stone?" Lia inquired, puzzled.
"Of course, I am certain, because everyone has to begin somewhere, don''t they? And I believe you are more than capable of crafting the weapon I want," I replied with a bright smile.
"...."
Lia was stunned when she heard me and was rendered speechless for a moment before tears welled up in her eyes.
"I-I will do everything in my power to live up to your trust in me and create an ideal weapon for you to the best of my abilities so that I do not disappoint you," Lia said as she wiped away her tears.
"...."
"...Howe it seems like I''ve seen this before?" Irethiel said telepathically after witnessing the scene unfold in front of her.
"We saw something simr happen with your junior ve Meira!" Silvia said quietly after hearing Irethiel''s telepathic remark.
"...I guess I remember now, though the approach was different this time, but his maniption technique was the same," Irethiel replied.
"...."
***
And, after further discussion with Lia about the design, I signed a work contract with her.
Instead of paying her, Lia requested that if she could keep whatever was left of the stone after she made three shurikens for me.
Though I doubt there will be much stone left after that, I dly agreed to that deal.
"Okay, Ares, I''m leaving now! I''ll send you the weapon after I finish crafting it in a few days," Lia eximed enthusiastically after we exchanged contact information.
"Sure, I''ll wait for your response," I said, smiling.
And when Lia saw my smile, her face turned red, and she hurriedly left.
"...."
As Silvia observed Lia''s expression just before she left, her face twisted.
"...I knew he was up to something when I saw that smile of his," Irethiel muttered.
"Here, this is for you, Ares," Silvia said,ing over to me right away and handing me a tiny box that appeared to be a jewelry box.
!?
"What is this?" I asked as I took the tiny box from her.
"Why don''t you see it for yourself?" Silvia suggested, smiling.
I opened that tiny box as soon as I heard her and found a blue gemstone pendant inside.
"...A pendant?" I mumbled.
"Yeah, but that''s not your average pendant! It can disguise a person''s appearance," Silvia rified.
"...oh, I see," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the blue pendant.
"Why don''t you try it on?" Silvia eximed excitedly.
"Should I?" I said in a stilted manner because I really dislike wearing pendants.
!?
"Y-You didn''t fancy that pendant? It''s an artifact that I actually bought for you at a hefty price," Silvia expressed her sadness as she noticed my unwilling expression.
"...."
"...All right, then, let me put it on," I said, quickly donning the ne.
And as soon as I put it on, I checked my appearance on my phone camera.
When I saw my own appearance, I was left speechless.
"...."
My hair had turned white, my eyes had turned blue, and my features had changed, taking on an innocent, slender childlike appearance that appears to be frequently bullied.
"Emm? Could you please exin why I resemble an innocent child who appears to be the target of bullying?" I asked, but even my voice seemed different, and when I heard myself, a vein bulged in annoyance on my forehead.
"W-What? But I don''t see anything wrong with this appearance.
Because with this appearance, no other girls will approach you while you''re alone on any warp station because they''ll mistake you for a girl!" Silvia stated with a straight face.
"So she bought you this camouge pendant because she noticed how the girls in that station were staring at you?" Irethiel remarked and burst outughing.
"...."
"...You know, if I put on this appearance, I won''t necessarily get approached by girls, but I will most definitely get approached by some pervert boys," I stated with a distorted expression.
"Ahh! You are correct! What should we do now that I''ve already set that appearance, we won''t be able to change it?" Silvia sighed.
"...."
"Well, that''s not a problem because you can keep this pendant for yourself; maybe it''lle in handy for you someday," I said as I quickly removed the pendant from around my neck and ced it back in the box.
"...B-but I bought it for you as a gift for our engagement anniversary," Silvia stated abruptly.
''What the fuck is this engagement anniversary thing again?'' I reflected inwardly.
***
Chapter 117 The Sudden Quest!
"Oh, don''t worry about it; I had nothing to offer you in exchange. So it''s best if I don''t ept this gift as well," I said while maintaining myposure.
"...No! However, I already received my present," Silvia remarked abruptly.
!?
I replied confused, "I don''t recall giving you any present though."
Silvia replied with a smile, "Ah, you simply allowing me to consume your blood is the greatest gift that I could get."
"...."
"Whack! That''s cringeworthy," Iretheil said abruptly.
"I have to concur with you on that," I muttered.
!?
"You demon, what do you mean by a cringeworthy? I''m just grateful to him for not being bothered by the fact that I''m a vampire, and he even agreed to letting me consume his blood.
I-I can''t thank you enough; staying by your side feels like a dream to me," Silvia continued in a sentimental tone.
"...."
***
After hearing Silvia''s emotional statement, I ultimately decided to keep the pendant she had purchased for me as a gift.
"Hey, Ares, who was that woman? that you even asked me to put on an act of rejecting her? Is she a famous crafter in disguise or something?" Silvia enquired while we were traveling to the nearby hotel in her limousine.
Since it was gettingte we decided to stay the night in the nearby hotel and I still had some work to do in the Kingdom of Aloctona for tomorrow.
"No, she is not a well-known weapon maker--at least not right now--but I think she will unquestionably rank among the best in the near future," I responded.
"What makes you so sure of her abilities? Wasn''t this your first meeting with her?" Silvia inquired, perplexed.
"...You just have to know that I am good at judging people," I replied, as Irethiel imitated me by repeating the same words as me, anticipating my response.
"You should know that I am good at judging people!" Irethiel mimicked.
"...."
"...Ares, I believe you should forbid her from watching any more anime. Her age appears to be regressing as she watches them," Silvia remarked, staring nkly at Irethiel.
"W-What exactly do you mean? I''ve just heard the same sentence from him so many times that I''ve be so ustomed to it that I can predict when he''ll use it.
"For instance, if he doesn''t want to tell us about how he knew someone, he''ll just say he''s good at judging people and ignore us," Irethiel exined.
"...."
I overlooked Irethiel''s remarks as what she said was indeed urate.
.
And as for Lia''s identity, she was a member of Lucas''s party and will one day be regarded as one of the legendary craftspeople.
However, she is not well known at this time because she is still tending with some difficulties and has not given her full attention to crafting weapons yet.
Because, her mother is a human and a current S-Rank hero, while her father was a dwarf.
And after her father died in an ident while crafting a weapon with some hazardous material, her mother pushed her to abandon crafting and focus on bing a magician, believing that there was no future in it due to technological advancements, whereby weapons are now made by automated systems.
Likewise, she would have struggled for a very long time before meeting Lucas, who was the only person to ever believe in her abilities.
The clich??d narrative keeps going, but in the end, Lia triumphs against all odds to establish herself as one of history''s most illustrious legendary weapon creators.
And after that, she''ll eventuallye along with Lucas''s crew as well.
At least, that''s how things should have been, but... will my involvement affect her fate favorably or unfavorably? I am not yet certain.
She would still have to go through a great deal of hardship before the world epts her work because no one was supposed to believe in her yet.
"Will my meddling hinder her development?"I muttered to myself before shrugging it off.
"Miss Silvia, we''ve arrived," the Driver informed.
While I was still pondering, we soon arrived at the hotel
Yawn!--
Silvia stepped out of the car and yawned as if she was tired.
"...What makes a vampire yawn? Did vampires be weak over time?" When Irethiel saw Silvia, she made a remark.
!?
"...Did demons be so weak that they now have to live as humans'' ves?" Silvia reacted strongly.
"...."
When I saw Silvia and Irethiel arguing again, I was speechless.
"...Alright, you two better be on time tomorrow since we need to pay a visit to the monster exhibition," I stated.
"Why are we going to an exhibition of monsters? Can''t we go on a date somewhere more interesting?" Silvia grumbled.
"We''re not going there for a date, but I have some work there," I said as I walked inside the hotel, Silvia followed behind.
"What? Was I mistaken to believe that you intended to take me out on a date?" Silvia remarked, but I disregarded her outbursts.
***
The Next day ~
I was waiting outside the hotel for Silvia and Irethiel while sporting a casual white T-shirt, ck jeans, and ck sneakers.
"Tsk, I thought I''d already told them to be on time. Why do women spend so much time getting ready?" I grumbled to myself.
"Good morning, Ares. Did you have to wait long," Silvia soon approached and greeted me, She was decked out in a white top, a ck skirt with ck women''s boots, and ck socks over them.
"... It''s Good evening, and yes, I have been waiting for thirty minutes now," I corrected her and stared at her iprehensibly.
"...."
"O-Oh, I''m so sorry for keeping you waiting, Ares; I was actuallyte because of Irethiel," Silvia exined.
"...Y-You, don''t drag me into this; it was you who spent so much time picking out a dress, saying you wanted to look good on your first date with him in a while or something," Irethiel rified.
"...."
I have chosen to maintain myposure despite being genuinely annoyed by how they are acting.
Huuuu--
"...Okay, let''s go already," I said and when they heard me, they stopped arguing.
Silvia then called her car, and we quickly departed in it towardthe monster exhibition.
The first reason I visited the Kingdom of Aloctona was undoubtedly the grand auction, and the second was to be present for an incident that was about to ur in the monster museum today.
And the incident I''m referring to is the appearance of a monster gate in the museum.
Though I am not particrly interested in the gate itself, I am interested in the item I would receive for clearing that gate, which will be useful to me in the future.
***
After a few moments of travel, we arrived at the monster exhibition.
"Whoa! It''s crowded; why do peoplee to this boring ce in the first ce? "Silvia said as we walked side by side through the museum.
"...Perhaps they like watching the imprisoned Monsters," Irethiel spected.
"...."
We were stunned when we heard Irethiel''s remark, but what she said does seem usible.
As we explored the exhibition, we became aware of the experiments and research being done on the various monsters here now.
To disy the findings of their experiments, the site was essible to both locals and visitors.
In addition to hybrid monsters made up of parts from various monsters, we saw goblins with various colorations.
"Wow, they must be experimenting on them by crossing various monster species," Irethiel expressed in shock.
Silvia remarked, seeing the spectacle before her, "Sometimes, humans are more twisted than any other race."
"...."
Despite the fact that this seems twisted, I have witnessed much worse, and some humans are even more twisted than one can imagine, so I wasn''t overly surprised by the spectacle in front of me.
"Hey, Ares. What work do you have in this pit of hell?" After seeing the more hybrid monsters, Silvia questioned in a disgusted manner as we continued to move forward.
Ding!
!?
The system made a notification sound before I could respond to Silvia.
So I summoned it to investigate its contents.
[System Alert!]
[Sudden Quest] Clear The Gate! (Optional)
[Exnation] The monster gate is about to appear in ctona Kingdom''s Monster exhibition. Clear the gate immediately before it affects the citizens.
[Sess Condition] Be the first person to clear the gate.
[Reward] a?¡ [New], Increase In Fame.
[Gate Emergence: 47 seconds]
Located in: e?¡°?
[Time Limit To Clear The Gate: 3 Hours]
***
"...."
''What exactly is that star in the reward section?'' I paused before clicking to learn more.
[a?¡: Improve your mastery of any skill by one level]
!?
"Huh! Is it possible to quickly improve one''s mastery of any skill?" Unknowingly, I muttered.
"Hmm? Ares, did you say anything?" Silvia inquired after overhearing me.
"...."
I didn''t respond to her and carried her in a princess-like manner as I rushed in the direction of the gate that the system had indicated, as there were only 15 seconds left after I finished checking the information.
"EH?" Silvia made a cute, startling noise, taken aback by my unusual behavior.
***
Chapter 118 Entering A Gate!
I quickly arrived near the location where the gate was about to appear, but the most troubling part was that the gate emerged inside the restricted area within the facilities building.
As I stood outside the building with Silvia and Irethiel, I could hear the panicked screams of those inside.
"W-What''s going on, Ares? What are we doing here?" Silvia inquired, perplexed.
"...Because a monster gate has emerged inside this building,...but don''t ask me how I know about that!" My gaze remained fixed on the building in front of me as I responded.
"Even if we asked you, it''s unlikely that you would divulge the information," Irethiel remarked.
After hearing Irethiel, I simply chose to ignore her.
!?
"...Ah, so the screams we''re hearing are caused by that?" Silvia asked puzzled.
"Yeah, but we can''t just break into the building, can we?" I inquired.
"...No, we shouldn''t! No matter how quick you are, you will at least be captured on one of the cameras because there seem to be numerous safety precautions in ce to deter trespassers," Silvia exined.
"...."
"I thought so too, ...then let''s just enter the building legally," I said, pulling my adventurer card from my inventory.
''Though I wanted to avoid drawing the attention of the Hero Association while clearing this gate, but I don''t think I have any other options now.''
I thought before making my way to the front of the building.
"...Hey! This isn''t the right ce for¡ª" One of the guards evacuating the building hurriedly said, but abruptly paused when he recognized me.
"S-Sir Ares? Due to the appearance of a monster gate, ess to this area is restricted," The guard began to speak, but I interrupted him by showing him my adventurer ID card.
" W-What? An ''A-Rank Adventurer''!" The guard eximed and his eyes widened in shock when he saw my rank, but he soon snapped out of it and nced between Silvia and me before directing us inside the building.
"P-Pleasee this way." He gestured and said as we entered the building, and we soon entered the elevating tform.
"The gate appears to have emerged on the terrace of this building," Irethiel informed telepathically.
!?
And when we eventually made it to the building''s terrace, we instantly noticed a peculiar ck gate.
"The ranking meter doesn''t seem to function on it, so we are unable to identify what rank gate it is," One of the guards who was guarding the gate hurriedly reported.
"...Has the Hero Association been notified about this gate?" The guard who guided us enquired to the gatekeeper as we got closer to the gate.
"Y-Yes, we have already done that," When he saw me, he was momentarily startled before speaking quickly.
Tud¡ª Tud¡ª Tud¡ªTud
"Tsk!" Hearing the sound of a helicoptering from behind us, I clicked my tongue.
Even though I was anticipating their arrival soon, it still happened too quickly.
And the first thing I noticed when I turned to face the helicopter was a man with blonde hair hanging from the door.
Jump!¡ª
Then, as soon as the helicopter was barely above the terrace, he immediately hopped.
"Amazing! Is that a helicopter?" Having never seen one before, Irethiel eximed amusedly.
Swish~ Swish ~
The wind generated by the helicopter''snding caused us to squint, and it also hindered our clothes.
"Yooo! What the fuck is wrong with this gate?" Upon noticing the unusual color of the gate, the man with blonde hair said.
"For the love of god! They are sending us in this ominous-looking gate?" As soon as the helicopter touched down on a helipad, a pink-haired woman wearing a long wizard hat grumbled and got out.
"However, I assume we will receive a sizable payment for clearing it. So I believe the risk is worthwhile," After exiting the helicopter, a muscr man with brown hair carrying a shield said.
"...Tsk, what''s the point of money if we die inside the gate? I am still opposed to entering this creepy-looking gate," A blue-haired woman with specs and a sword slung across her back stated dejectedly.
The four of them quickly walked up to the gate where Silvia and I were standing.
And the man with the blonde hair wrinkled his brows when he saw us.
"EHH?" The blue-haired woman abruptly made a startling noise before hurriedly approaching me.
"Not again!" I muttered as I saw the blue-haired woman charging at me, ready to deflect her attack...but then something unexpected happened.
!?
"Aren''t you Ares the Executioner? I admire you greatly! Can you sign me an autograph and take a picture with me? Oh, and I, too, am a swordswoman, though not as good as you!" The blue-haired woman began fangirling as she gripped my hand tightly with both of hers and had stars shing in her eyes.
"...."
"Huh?" As I was not anticipating this kind of response, I uttered a perplexed sound and disyed a confused expression.
"¡ª Ara! Ara! It really is the famous Ares! He is even more attractive in person," While giggling, the pink-haired woman stated.
"Tch, What are you doing in this ce?" In an irritated tone, the blond-haired man asked.
"Of course, I''m here to help clear the gate," I said, smiling.
"Wow, really? Perhaps we can fight together," While still holding my hand, the blue-haired girl eximed enthusiastically.
"...."
"No need, we''re fine by ourselves," Silvia said abruptly, pulling the blue-haired girl''s hands from mine.
"Oh, I see, you''re Silvia, his ex-fianc¨¦e, right?" The blue-haired girl inquired with interest.
!?
Silvia simply stared at her without responding when she heard her.
"...Even if you are strong among your peers, you must be at least a B-Rank adventurer to enter this gate," The muscr man abruptly stated, while the blonde-haired man nodded in agreement.
"Yes, this is not the academy grounds where you engage in student duels. You will only be a dead weight instead because this gate''s rank isn''t even quantifiable, and we won''t know how dangerous it is until we enter," The guy with blonde hairmented.
I couldn''t help but smile as I heard him; They didn''t even realize that they were being used as a scapegoat to assess the difficulty of this gate and its level of danger.
Because they can''t measure the difficulty of this gate with any devices, the hero association sends some guinea pigs inside by enticing them with arge sum of money.
And if they clear the gate, that''s fine and good; and even if they die, they won''t give a fuck about them and will simply send more adventurers inside.
...That is the dark side of the hero association, though not everyone in the association is the same, such as Jessica spades, who has hero syndrome like Tania who values people''s lives and wants to run the association without corruption, but there are many people in the higher-ups who disapprove of her actions and do whatever they deem necessary, including sacrificing a few pawns.
I was thinking when I heard the blue-haired girl speak again.
"Are you guys for real? You''re saying sir Ares will be a dead weight?" The blue-haired girl chuckled as she said this.
"Well, I don''t mind if he enters the gate with us, as I believe he is more than capable of taking care of himself," the pink-haired woman said, smiling.
"...."
I simply ignored them and turned away, and moved toward the gate because I didn''t need their permission to enter and I didn''t have much time to face-p them by proving I was stronger than all four of thembined.
Silvia cast a long nce at the four of them before trailing behind me.
!?
"...T-This cretin!" The blonde-haired guy''s face twisted as he saw me ignoring them, and he was about to stop me when the guard spoke up.
"S-Sir Ares is also an A-Rank adventurer, so he can legally enter the gate," the guard stated hurriedly.
!?
"What? Are you certain about that?" The blonde-haired man inquired, bewildered.
"Y-Yes! I have personally verified it," The guard stated.
"Ahh! As one would expect from my role model. Despite his youth, he is already an A-Rank adventurer," The blue-haired girl remarked, her hands on her flushed cheeks.
"OK, guys, stop being so immature and just enter the gate already; otherwise, I''m afraid he''ll clear that gate by himself," The pink-haired girl spoke as her gaze was drawn to Ares as he approached the gate.
"Yes, you are correct! Sir Ares, please wait for me!" The blue-haired girl eximed before following Ares, who had already entered the gate.
"...."
"...I thought she was the mostposed person of the group," the muscr guy said after observing the blue-haired woman''s unusual behavior.
"Ara, Ara! Don''t worry about her; she''s just a huge admirer of his," The pink-haired womanughed and quickly followed behind the blue-haired girl.
When the blonde hair guy heard her, his face distorted.
"...Let''s go as well," Before walking through the gate behind them, the muscr man patted him on the shoulder and said.
"Tch!" Soon after, the man with blonde hair entered the gate, while clicking his tongue in annoyance.
Chapter 119 Clearing A Gate. [1]
We were surrounded by bright white light when we entered the gate, which quickly faded, revealing our surroundings.
And soon the oppressive and muggy heat engulfed us, and we realized that we were in a jungle-likendscape that resembled the Tropical Rainforest.
The gate through which we entered vanished soon after.
"Ahk! I''m already sick of this Gate!" Silvia grumbled, noting that the dungeon''s atmosphere does not appear to be conducive to vampires.
[Clear The Gate In 2 hours 59 minutes]
[Phase 1: Kill 100 monsters in 59 minutes]
Everyone inside the gate eximed in surprise when the unusual Gate notification suddenly appeared at that precise moment.
!?
"W-wait, what the fuck? We only have less than 3 hours to get through this gate. And what''s the deal with killing 100 monsters in an hour?" The muscr guy eximed.
"Something doesn''t appear to be right! I''ve never heard of a Gate with a time limit," the blonde-haired man stated.
"...Y-yes, the same goes for me as well. As I''d never heard of anything like that before, and most importantly...w-what will happen to us if we don''t make it through the gate by the time limit? And what if we don''t get rid of 100 monsters in an hour?" The pink-haireddy inquired, her voice distressed.
"...Who knows, maybe there will be a gate outbreak and we will perish inside this gate," The blue-haired girl stated casually.
*Gulp
Her threepanions audibly gulped upon hearing her casual remark.
"...Alice, why are you acting so carefree? Do you have a strategy in mind?" Curious, the muscr man asked the blue-haired woman, whose name appeared to be Alice.
"Hmm? Actually, no. But as long as we stick with him, I don''t think we need to worry about anything," Alice said, pointing at Ares.
"...."
"Y-You! This is not the time for fangirling; regardless of how much you admire him, he is still a teenager with little to no experience in clearing gates," The blonde-haired man made an outraged remark, and the others simply avoided looking at her as if they agreed with him.
"...Well, even I don''t know what makes me feel this way toward him, but...I have absolute confidence in him, and my gut feeling says that if we stay with him we would be able to ovee any troubles we are about to face," Alice remarked.
"...."
The other members of the group were rendered speechless by Alice''s unexpected remark.
***
"Yup, that''s it."
''A Gate quest with a time limit, just like I read about in a novel,'' I reasoned inwardly.
Most likely, the trial gate is used to refer to it rather than as a gate quest.
"What should we do, Ares? Since we don''t know what will happen to us if we go over the allotted time, we are merely wasting our time by remaining still," Silvia stated.
"Alright, shall we begin the Gate speed run then?" With a huge grin on my face, I said.
!?
"Speedrun?" Irethiel spoke abruptly, but when she saw Ares''s grin, she got cold.
"...And what about them?" Silvia suddenly inquired, pointing to Alice and herpanions.
"...."
As I turned to face the group, I remarked, "Hmm, Maybe we can use them in some ways.
"Do you believe they will readilyply with yourmands?" Irethiel inquired.
"They really don''t have much of a choice, and if they don''t want to follow me then..." I spoke briefly before stopping.
"Then what?" Irethiel was perplexed.
"...Then they''re all yours to hunt! As what goes in a gate stays in a gate," I responded with a smile.
"...."
"Yeah, nobody''s going to know how they ended up dead in this gate anyway," Silvia said, her eyes glittering red as she stared at Alice and herpanions.
***
"Huh? Why should we listen to you? Naturally, we have more experience than you in clearing gates. How many gates have you cleared up to this point?" The blonde man remarked sarcastically.
When I heard his response, I just shook my head because there was nothing I could do if he wanted to die so badly.
"Tsk Tsk, because of him, his poor teammates will perish as well," Irethiel remarked as she heard the blond-haired guy''s sharp response.
"...Cut it out, Cole! We don''t have time for this," Alice eximed abruptly.
As soon as I heard her, I focused my attention on her with interest.
"Please forgive him, sir Ares, and allow me to introduce ourselves," Alice said with a smile, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"My name is Alice, and I am a swordswoman. That guy with blonde hair is Cole, and he is an archer.
Alice continued to exin about their profession for a few moments.
After hearing her, I understood that she is a swordswoman, the blonde-haired man is an archer, the pink-haired woman is an earth magician, and the muscr man brandishing a shield was fittingly a Tanker.
"And we are willing to assist you in clearing this Gate," Alice, who appeared to be the group''s leader, said on their behalf.
"Tch," Cole grunted indignantly.
"Let''s use them effectively, shall we?" I muttered to myself inwardly.
***
Swish!¡ª Swish!¡ª
Numerous arrows were fired repeatedly at the same time, striking a horde of goblins that had been moving through the underbrush and knocking them to the ground lifeless.
Thud!¡ª Thud!¡ª
Some of them had arrows protruding out of their backs, while others had been shot in the head and heart.
It was a fantastic demonstration of archery proficiency.
[Killed monsters: 97]
"Wait, what the fuck happened?"
After witnessing the sudden ughter of the goblin horde around them, Alice and her group struggled to keep their mouths close, when they saw Ares shooting arrows out of a bow at a distance.
"Is it really possible to hit a vital point from this far out in the dense forest?...because I''ve never seen Cole do the same," The muscr man inquired, finishing off thest goblin in the area around them with his shield.
[Killed Monsters: 98]
"...."
Although it wasn''t difficult to kill a single moving goblin with a single arrow, but it was difficult to believe he could simultaneously kill arge group of moving goblins in a forest from a distance of more than 100 meters.
"...Are you guys forgetting that he is assumed to be a swordsman rather than an archer?" Alice abruptly stated.
They were bbergasted by the sudden realization.
"...And he made it look so easy to kill 100 monsters in under an hour," The pink-haireddy made an abrupt remark.
"Yeah, Even though killing 100 monsters in an hour is not a daunting task, but we have to search for the monsters throughout this vast forest," Alice added.
"...."
"All right, let''s get going!" Ares immediately said as he walked past them.
"Y-Yes," they all unknowingly responded in unison, with the exception of the cole guy, and began following behind him.
!?
"Pfft, they got humbled pretty quickly," Irethiel remarked telepathically, giggling.
"...Yeah, I honestly wasn''t expecting them to follow Ares''mands so easily, I wonder how that happened," Silvia puzzledly asked.
"They are following me eagerly because I disyed my abilities and made them aware of the enormous gap in our skill, which made them instantly feel inferior to me and obey mymands as though it were natural to obey someone superior," I exined telepathically.
!?
"Oh, darn it! I forgot to write it down," Silvia eximed after hearing me.
"...."
I just shook my head and ignored Silvia''s statement and continued moving forward, the deeper we go into the forest, the stronger the monster bes.
And we soon came across three orcs, but instead of wasting time, I used my skill Atomic sh.
sh!¡ª
All three of them were killed instantly, without even allowing them to react, and only the pieces of their bodies were left to decay.
[Killed Monsters: 101]
[Phase 1 Complete!]
"...."
After watching Ares demonstrate his abilities, Alice and her group all shared the same thoughts "What other abilities is he concealing?"
Because they had already seen many depictions of what Ares is capable of today.
However, after seeing the notification of phase 1''spletion, we carried on moving forward but encountered no more monsters as if they have disappeared into thin air.
...
"All right, this ce is fine!" Ares abruptly halted his steps in a vast open field and said, which confused others, including Silvia and Irethiel.
!?
"Can you exin what you mean, Ares?" Silvia asked, perplexed, as the others looked at him with curiosity.
"We''re going to set a trap here!" I notified them.
"Huh!" they all eximed, confused.
[Clear The Gate In; 1 hour 59 minutes]
[Be ready, Phase 2 is about to begin!]
It had already been an hour since we entered the gate, which was only the first phase in which we only encountered low-level monsters, and it was about time for the second phase to begin.
"There is a monster wave approaching us!" I stated while smiling.
And as soon as I said that, we received a Gate notification indicating the start of phase 2.
[Phase 2: Survive The Monster Waves For 59 minutes 58 seconds]
!?
And suddenly the ground began to vibrate as a result of therge number of monsters approaching in our direction.
Shudder!¡ª Shudder!¡ª
"S-Sir Ares, what should we do now?" Alice inquired hastily in the midst of quakes caused by the movement of arge number of monsters.
***
Chapter 120 Clearing A Gate. [2]
[Phase 2: Survive The Monster Wave For 59 minutes 58 seconds.]
"The first wave of monsters will consist of weaker monsters such as kobolds, orcs, and trolls, as well as other low-level monsters," I informed them, as Irethiel had already reported the monsters to me, and they appeared to be only a few minutes away from us.
"...Aren''t these monsters going to fight each other?" Silvia inquired abruptly.
"No they won''t fight among themselves, because they are under the control of another high-ranking monster," I replied as I pulled out my other katana from my inventory.
"How did you find out about that? What if your information is incorrect? Won''t we all perish as a result?" The blonde-haired man expressed his skepticism.
"It''s up to you whether you believe me or not, and you''re free to walk away if you don''t, because I don''t really need an unskilled archer like you anyway," I said sarcastically.
And when he heard me, his face distorted, and his group made awkward faces.
"...Are we going to face them head-on?" Alice inquired, her voice concerned.
"No,...I''ll deal with the first wave myself, until then you guys prepare the trap along with that pink-haired girl using her earth magic," I exined.
"...."
"...Are you certain you want to face this monster wave by yourself, Ares?" Silvia inquired in a worried tone.
"Sir Ares! I may not be as strong as you, but I am willing to fight alongside you," Alice stated determinedly.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I''d like you to save your mana for the uing waves," I said.
¡ªShudder!
¡ªShudder!¡ª
We could now see the monster wave approaching in our direction.
"Tch, if he wants to die, let him! Let us get out of here before we are stampeded to death by these monsters," The guy with the blonde hair said.
"...Yeah, I agree with Cole; I believe we should leave from here and hide somewhere. Because it is only stated that we must survive for one hour," The muscr man stated.
"Are you guys really serious right now?" Alice was taken aback by their actions.
"...Yes, we''re serious, because we don''t want to sacrifice ourselves just because you admire him and have decided to follow him," the blonde-haired man replied.
"I believe we ought to leave now Cole," As the monsters approached closer, the muscr man spoke quickly.
"So what about you, Victoria? Do you want to stay here, or do you want to apany us?" The blonde-haired man inquired, his gaze fixed on the pick-haired woman whose name was Victoria.
"...o-oh, I''ll apany you guys as well," Victoria said with an awkward face.
"W-what, Victoria, you as well?" Alice was baffled after hearing Victoria''s response.
"...I''m sorry, Alice, but I believe what Cole said is true; we were only notified to survive, so I don''t think there''s any reason for us to risk our lives by confronting these monster waves head-on," Victoria stated.
"...."
When Alice heard her, she was rendered speechless for a brief moment.
"W-Why don''t we all leave together Alice? There''s no need to go head to head with this monster wave, is there?" Victoria spoke quickly as she held Alice''s hand.
***
Ignoring their conversation, Ares used his skill of Static electricity to engulf the electric aura around both of the katanas he was holding.
Then, imitating Mika''s signature move, he held his swords in the shape of a cross and used his skill Fell Crescent.
FELL CRESCENT!
Two crescent-shaped attacks covered in electricity moved quickly toward the approaching monster wave.
Boooom!¡ª
A huge boom was heard, followed by an immense cloud of smoke, as it struck the monsters up front wiping out more than half of the monsters instantly.
But Ares didn''t waste time waiting for the smoke to clear; instead, he took advantage of the opportunity to continue his attack while the monsters were dazzled by the smoke.
And he quickly encircled himself with electricity and dashed toward the monster wave, which was now only a short distance away, leaving only the blue trail in his wake.
Swish!¡ª
Ares moved through the monster wave like a ghost bybining his Speed with snake-like movements.
He killed every monster in his path who was still alive after his previous attack with just one blow; it was a swift, clean onught.
And only the dead bodies of the monsters could be seen wherever he passed.
...
...
It had been around five to six minutes, and Ares alone had killed several hundred monsters, while only the eerie screams of the monsters could be heard within the smoke, that was now constantly being generated by Irethiel.
He resembled a ughter machine that would never tire.
And simr to what he did before, Ares kept invading the monster horde and continued to eradicate them.
The monster''s fates weren''t all that different from one another. As he was able topletely outss all the monsters because of his skills.
Every monster was being killed with a single strike, and the intensity of his attacks did not change.
sh!¡ª
sh!¡ª sh!¡ª
"His uracy and mental focus are frightening..." Irethiel muttered and gave Ares an endearing look as she realized how consistent Ares''s attacks are.
When he came across a monster, it seemed as though he was ying with them like they were some dummies because the monsters couldn''t keep up with him and weren''t able to attack him even once.
She''d met a few of the geniuses before, and most of them were terrifying when their true power was unleashed.
However, Irethiel had never met anyone like Ares who was capable of sustaining such powerful skills on a consistent basis...He had a constant attack speed that never changed.
''He doesn''t appear to be a teenager, but rather an experienced warrior who has been fighting monsters for decades,'' Irethiel reflected inwardly witnessing Ares fight.
"...."
And Ares finished wiping out the entire monster wave by himself in just a matter of fifteen minutes.
Silvia squinted her eyes in the direction of the smoke that was gradually dissipating, along with Alice who had decided to stay.
"...Oh, my sweet Lord," Alice eximed in shock When she noticed the monsters'' dead bodies littering the ground and saw Ares standing in the middle of it carrying two katanas that were now stained with the blood of butchered monsters.
[End Of The First Monster Wave!]
[Prepare Yourself, The Next Monster Wave Is About To Approach!]
We quickly saw the Gate notification indicating the end of the first monster wave, and I believe we still have about 5 minutes before the second wave begins.
"You didn''t leave with your friends?" I asked Alice with curiosity as I walked over to where she and Silvia were.
"...No, because I believe there is something fishy about simply surviving these monster waves rather than eliminating them," Alice exined.
"Just as I had expected, you are indeed smart," I said, smiling.
As what Alice stated was indeed true, the option of simply surviving phase 2 is a delusion, as the monsters will simply pile up over time, making it impossible to hide anywhere.
Furthermore, we will have to fight all of the monsters together in the final phase, which will be defeating a Gate boss.
"What now, Ares? How should we handle the approaching monster waves now that the pink-haired woman has already left and we can''t set up the trap you mentioned?" Silvia hurriedly enquired.
***
Chapter 121 Clearing A Gate. [3]
To bepletely honest, I don''t really need any traps to deal with these low-ranking monster waves, so I just grinned as I heard Silvia''s worried question.
Because if I gave Irethiel the order, she could handle them herself.
And because I didn''t really want to share the Gate reward with them, I merely pretended that I was in need of their assistance to defeat these waves of monsters.
If it were up to me, I would have already killed everyone and put an end to the situation, but since I am already on Jessica''s radar, things wouldn''t go well if only Silvia and I made it through this Gate.
Nevertheless, since I now have Alice to speak for me and she also doesn''t seem overly interested in the gate reward, things won''t be tooplicated.
...So the remainder of her group is therefore unnecessary for me now, and I can deal with themter.
I shook my head and came out of my thoughts before speaking.
"We can trick them using your ability to create illusions, can''t we?" I said as I chugged the mana potion that I had just removed from my inventory.
!?
"...O-Oh! Why didn''t I consider that?" Silvia said with a startling realization.
"Ability to create illusions? Can she confront the numerous monsters with the help of her illusion Ability?" Alice asked with confusion.
"...Why don''t you see it for yourself?" I smiled and answered before turning to face Silvia, who was merely nodding in response.
"...."
Shudder!¡ªShudder!¡ª
And soon we could hear the sounds of the monster wave approaching us ¡ªand shortly after we noticed that a few hundred monsters,ing from two different directions and heading toward us.
Witnessing that, Silvia just took a few steps ahead of us and raised one of her hands in the air, revealing a bat sitting on it.
When she quickly brought her hand down after a brief interval, the entire scene in the forest changed.
As if it were nighttime, the entire forest had now turned dark.
"...W-What the hell is happening? Is it her doing?" Alice expressed her surprise.
"It''s too early for you to be surprised," I stated and chuckled as I prepared my katanas.
"...Irethiel, it''s your turn," I said telepathically.
Hearing me, Irethiel used her Necromancy Talent to resurrect the skeletons of the previous wave''s dead monsters.
"T-This! This is not possible. A dark magician?" Alice took a step backward, eximing in shock.
"...."
As I covered both of my katanas in electricity, which was even more visible in the dark, I said¡ªlied, "Don''t worry, It''s just an illusion. Don''t get distracted by that and let her deal with them as we deal with the monsters approaching us from the opposite side."
"...."
"...I-It''s an illusion you say," Alice uttered perplexed.
"Yes. That''s correct, Silvia simply created an illusion, and by doing so, she allowed the monsters to fight among themselves. We can leave her to handle that aspect.
So, are you ready to fight now, as I don''t think we have much time to chatter," I remarked before rushing toward the monster wave approaching from the opposite side.
"...."
Huuu!¡ª
"...Yes, I am ready now!" Alice exhaled and said as she pulled the sword from her back and dashed past me toward the monster wave.
sh!¡ª sh!¡ª
And we continued our carnage for the next fifteen minutes, eventually eradicating the entire monster wave.
[End of the second monster wave!]
[Prepare yourself, the final monster wave is about to approach!]
As soon as the second monster wave ended, we received a gate notification.
Huff, huff, huff
"...I-Is this the end atst?" Standing next to a pile of monsters'' dead bodies with her clothes covered in blood, Alice said while struggling to breathe.
"Hmm, she is not that bad!" I observed her fighting style and thought to myself.
Although she can''t be said to be the best, she also isn''t the worst. She probably just needed someone to mentor her and show her more effective techniques.
"The next wave will be even tougher, and you''ve already run out of strength?" Silvia remarked as she walked toward us after observing Alice''sbored breathing and apparent exhaustion.
"...."
Alice simply kept her head down as she heard Silvia''s remark because she couldn''t recall thest time she had fought so ferociously as if her life depended on it.
"Here, drink this!" With a smile, I offered her an advanced mana potion.
!?
"...A-A advanced potion? I''m sorry, but I can''t take something that valuable. Instead, I''ll take a low-rank mana potion that I have with me," Alice stated as she was about to take a potion from her storage ring.
"No, your life is much more important than that! Additionally, I anticipate that the uing wave will be much tougher, so you should be in top form." I said this as I took out another stamina potion and handed it to her.
!?
"...B-But¡ª" With a shocked expression, Alice was about to refuse Ares once more, but he forcefully ced both the potion in her hands.
''How can he give these Advanced potions as if it were nothing?'' Alice reflected with a baffled expression.
"Now get ready because the next wave will be approaching soon," I said as I chugged the potions myself.
But as I chugged a potion, I noticed Irethiel and Silvia staring at me.
''Why does it feel like he''s feeding a sheep before ughtering it?'' Irethiel pondered inwardly.
"...."
"Oh, do you need a potion as well, Silvia?" As I took out the mana potion and gestured it toward Silvia, I asked her.
"...No, I''m fine, I have my own potions with me," Silvia replied in a displeased tone, as she took her own potions from her storage ring and began consuming them.
''She didn''t seem to like Alice all that much, did she? And I almost forgot that vampires might need different potions than humans!'' I thought to myself while shaking my head.
"What about you Irethiel, you want a potion?" Telepathically, I inquired of Irethiel.
"...No, I''m fine for the time being," Irethiel replied hurriedly.
"OK, let me know when you need one," I shrugged.
As Aegis also sent me a custom-made potion that also works on demons.
Shudder!¡ª Shudder!¡ª
After a brief period of rest, the sounds of the monsters moving hurriedly toward us could be heard. We soon realized that the monsters were nowing from three different directions.
? "...."
And, without further ado, Irethiel resurrected more of the skeleton soldiers of the previous wave''s dead monsters.
''How many skeletons can she control at the same time?'' As I watched a few hundred skeleton soldiers rise, I pondered.
And I was surprised to see them carrying weapons simr to the dead monsters.
Keohung!¡ª keohung!¡ª
The monsters'' horrifying screams could now be heard all around us.
*Gulp.
When she heard their eerie scream, Alice gasped aloud.
"...Tch, I wish I could fight them with all my might," Silvia grumbled under her breath.
I simply smiled as I overheard her, because I had told her not to use any of her vampire abilities in front of Alice.
Silvia, however, has just suggested that we kill Alice so that we can fight without any limitations.
"...."
Nevertheless as Silvia, Alice, and I stood together in the middle, surrounded by the skeleton soldiers who were acting as our shield, something unexpected happened.
***
Chapter 122 Clearing A Gate. [4]
Irethiel surrounded the skeleton soldiers to serve as our shield, and Silvia, Alice, and I stood together in the middle, ready to face the approaching final monster wave. But then something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, a hail of arrows from the sky began to fall upon us.
¡ªSwish ¡ªSwish ¡ªSwish
!?
"Ah, shit¡ª" Alice eximed as she noticed the approaching arrows and as well as the nearing monster wave.
But because the arrows were shot unbiasedly in our direction, they would even hit the monsters that were approaching us.
"Hmm, Ares, what should we do now?" Silvia inquired as she turned toward him, but she noticed Ares standing there with his eyes closed.
"...."
However, Ares quickly opened his eyes, which were now glowing blue, and slowly lifted his left hand, which revealed a glowing blue tattoo.
And all the arrows abruptly stopped in midair as soon as they got close to them.
Kheoung!¡ª
Kheoung!¡ª
When the wave of monsters was not far away, Ares immediately changed the direction of the arrows from them to the approaching monsters.
Swish!¡ª
¡ª
Chieeek!¡ª
With agonizing screams, all of the nearby monsters copsed to the ground lifeless after being struck by the arrows.
And immediately afterward, the skeleton soldiers began to fight onrushing monsters as well.
A moment of shock briefly overcame Silvia and Alice, but they quickly snapped out of it as they needed to deal with the massive waves of monsters that were heading straight for them.
¡ª sh ¡ª sh
But as the monsters, like the kobolds, faced the skeleton soldiers, they smelled the bodies of their kin and slowed down, sensing something odd.
There were bones of their kind scattered around the battlefield.
Naturally, the discovery of bones was not unusual.
The strange thing was that the bones werepletely ck.
Keong! Chieek!
When one of the kobolds became suspicious of the anomaly, it approached the bone and sniffed it.
Slice!
The kobold''s throat was shed in an instant by something that suddenly materialized from the pile of recently killed monster corpses.
He was killed in an unexpected attack with no opportunity to retaliate, which stunned all the monsters who witnessed it.
And instantly more skeleton soldiers began to emerge from the dead monsters.
Chieek?
!?
The skeleton soldiers spread out and began to hunt them down.
sh! sh!
Naturally, the monsters decided to strike back.
Kerr!
They swung their clubs, crude swords, or maces, and some of their blows struck the bodies of the skeleton soldiers.
Cling!¡ª
...But they couldn''t even scratch the skeleton soldier, and the monster''s weapons, which struck him, produced a spark and sounded like they were striking coarse iron.
!?
''Was their attacks not powerful enough...or were the bones of the skeleton soldiers too strong?'' I pondered before we too decided to join in the battle as well.
...
...
We continued to fight the monster waves, and the hail of arrows was shot in our direction several times, but I used it to our advantage by redirecting it to the monsters, killing them instead.
And as we continued to kill the monsters in waves that seemed to never end, we lost track of the passing seconds.
But thanks to Silvia, who used her illusions to slow down the monsters, while Irethiel continued to build the skeleton army out of the corpses of the dead monsters we weren''t having much of a hard time.
Though Irethiel ran out of mana in between because she is still not at her peak and her mana only appears to be replenishing at a significant rate ording to her.
But, I reckon that amount of mana was already impressive.
Nevertheless, I gave her numerous mana potions because she appears to supply arge amount of mana into the skeleton army in order to effectively control them.
And we continued to ughter monsters for a brief moment before hearing the gate notification and the monster wave stopped...
[End Of The Final Wave!]
[Phase 2 has concluded!]
[Be prepared, the final phase is about to start!]
Hufff, Hufff, Hufff, Hufff
"I-I can''t take it anymore," Alice eximed as she copsed on the bloodied ground, no longer caring.
It was literally a bloodbath, and the entire area around us was stained red with monster blood, as well as hundreds of monster carcasses littering the ground.
"...Do you know what the final phase is, Ares?" Silvia asked, her face drained from exhaustion.
As if the atmosphere wasn''t bad enough for her, she also has to use a lot of mana to createrge-scale illusions and keep them going.
Huuuu¡ª
"Perhaps it''ll be a boss monster?" I replied casually while panting and standing with the help of my katana.
"...."
"...Are you all right, Ares? I believe you are overworking yourself!" Silvia approached me with trepidation.
"No, I''m fine; I just need to rest," I exined.
"Are your potions depleted?" Silvia inquired, concerned.
"...Yeah, that was thest one I drank," I replied.
"W-What! So, Sir Ares, how are we going to get through the final phase with you in that condition?" Alice immediately inquired.
"...."
But before I could respond, the ground beneath us began to move and quickly entrapped me and Silvia''s legs, rendering us immobile.
!?
"H-Huh? W-What the hell is happening?" Silvia muttered, taken aback.
"...Earth magic?" Startled, Alice eximed.
"You guys did a fantastic job battling the endless waves of monsters,"
"...."
We turned to look behind us when we heard a man''s voice, and as we did, we saw the blonde-haired man, the muscr man, and a pink-hair woman emerge from the forest.
"Yes, seeing him fight honestly caught me off guard¡ªwho would consider him to be a teenager? He was like a killing machine, mowing down monsters left and right.
I must admit that I''m quite impressed," The muscr man stated.
"...."
"What the heck are you guys up to? Hey Victoria, release them right this instant; this is no time for joking around," Alice said with brows furrowed.
When she heard her, the pink-haired woman turned her face sideways, averting her gaze with an awkward expression.
"Sorry, but no can do because they will have to die here for us to be promoted to rank A," the blonde hair guy said evilly.
!?
"...W-What! You can''t be serious, can you?" Alice was surprised by his response.
"You are already an A-Rank, so you have no idea how long we have struggled to get promoted, but now we finally have a chance," the muscr man exined.
"How typical of humans!" Irethiel remarked telepathically.
"...That''s how humans are, they won''t mind stepping on others to get ahead, ...and of course, I am no different from them," I told Irethiel telepathically.
"...."
"...How will killing them help you advance to A-Rank? Have you guys gone insane?" Alice retorted angrily.
"Hey Victoria, I knew these two were idiots, but I wasn''t expecting this from you," Alice said.
But the pink-haired woman didn''t respond and remained silent.
"...."
"...And how do you intend to clear this gate without his assistance, can you exin?" Alice expressed her disappointment while slowly moving toward them.
"We don''t need his help to clear this gate; we can do it the same way we''ve been doing all this time," The blonde-haired man muttered and drew an arrow toward Ares.
"Y-you seriously?" Alice eximed and dashed toward the blonde-haired man, but the muscr guy blocked her path, while the blonde-haired guy quickly shot an arrow at Ares.
¡ªSwish!
''What a moron!''
***
Chapter 123 Clearing A Gate. [5]
¡ªSwish
It was as if time slowed down as the blonde-haired guy shot his arrow toward Ares, while Alice slowly turned toward Ares with her eyes widened, while the muscr guy with a shield who was blocking Alice''s path had a huge grin on his face.
Meanwhile, Ares'' expression remained neutral, as if unaffected by the approaching arrow.
And as the arrow approached, he immediately used his skill Location swap!
Swap!
¡ª
In an instant, his location was switched with the blonde-haired guy, and the arrow pierced his throat instantly, killing the blonde-haired man on the spot.
Ahk!¡ª
!?
Alice and the muscr man were perplexed and had puzzled looks on their faces as they witnessed the sudden, unexpected death of the blonde-haired man.
"Huh?"
!?
The muscr man made a slow turn in the direction of the blonde-haired man''s previous position with a horrified expression.
However, even before he had a chance to react, Ares, who was now behind him, swung his sword and severed his head from his body, sending his blood spraying like rain.
And as Alice turned to face the muscr man, she was met by his headless body and his blood sprayed onto her face.
¡ªSpurt!
!?
Alice was still unable to process what had just happened because it all happened so quickly and also because she saw her two former teammates die in front of her.
"...."
"...Ahhhhhh! Stay away from me, please! It wasn''t my fault; they made me do it," the pink-haired woman, Victoria, suddenly screamed and hurriedly moved backward, terrified.
"Tch, what did they expect to get out of attempting to murder us? Of course, we don''t have to be merciful to them," Silvia remarked as she freed herself from the entanglement.
"...It''s hrious how they ignored the skeleton soldiers as if they were really an illusion," Irethiel said while giggling.
"...."
"I know right?" Silvia concurred as she shook her head with a grin.
Alice quickly uttered after waking up from her trance, "...S-Sir Ares, will you kindly forgive Victoria for me, s-she isn''t really a bad person, I think she might have been forced to cooperate with them.
!?
When I heard her, all I did was give Alice a nk stare.
I don''t really need the woman named Victoria because I only need one of them alive.
Kheooooooooong!¡ª
Suddenly, we heard a loud, monstrous roar as the ground beneath us started to shake and surface cracks started to appear.
And the horrifying roar of the monster left everyone in a state of shock.
!?
"So, it''s here atst!" Ares murmured inwardly.
And immediately after that, the ground cracks widened and water started to leak out of them.
"...."
"...Was that the roar of this gate''s boss monster?" Silvia questioned ufortably as their feet were now partially submerged in the water that was seeping through the cracks.
"It was, indeed, the boss monster! Be ready, it''s about to appear," Ares had forewarned them.
Kheoooooong!
¡ª
The massive roar could be heard once more.
"I don''t want to perish! I don''t want to die, please!" The pink-haired girl began crying aloud and came to a halt, her body shaking in fear.
.
"D-Don''t worry, Victoria, you''re not going to die. Come on here, Sir Ares is not irrational; together, we can y this monster and escape through this gate," Alice stated that as she extended her hand toward Victoria.
"...."
"I-Is that really true?" Victoria inquired as she turned toward me with her lifeless eyes, and I simply nodded, so she began to approach Alice slowly.
¡ªStep, Step, Step.
But just as she was about to take Alice''s hand in hers, abruptly the ground from her steps separated, causing her to fall.
"VICTORIA!" Alice eximed, rushing to grab her hand and keep her from falling.
Kheoooooong!
¡ª
...But then we saw a monster''s head emerge from underwater where Victoria had just fallen.
And we witnessed Victoria immediately torn apart by the monster, who then threw her upper body into the air before chewing and gobbling her whole.
"...."
While this was happening, Alice stood by helplessly as she saw the pink-haired woman being devoured by a monster in front of her.
"N-No, No, this cannot happen!" Alice muttered, her face still fixed on the monster in front of her in horror.
Kheooooong! Kheooooooong!
However, We immediately heard two more monster roars, but they weren''t from the monster in front of us.
¡ª
I rushed toward Alice and moved her away from the spot, bringing her to the ground where the water had not yet reached.
And as soon as I moved Alice from her previous location, we noticed two more monster heads emerge from the water.
Kheooooong!
"...."
"...What in the world is this monster?" Silvia eximed as she saw the three-headed monster in front of us.
"...It''s the Hydra!" I muttered as my gaze was fixed on the monster in front of us.
It was a serpent-like water beast with three heads, measuring 50-60 meters in length and covered in dragon scales.
The monster was on top of the water and appeared to have four legs.
''It won''t be easy because of its poisonous breath,'' I thought inwardly.
And defeating it was considered to be extremely difficult.
"...Beware of its poison breath," I warned Silvia as I turned toward her, to which she simply nodded.
Alice continued to be silent while she was still in shock.
''It would have been challenging to defeat this monster if it had been someone else, but... I have an advantage because my element is electricity, which would be effective against him.'' I thought to myself inwardly.
And without further ado, I took out my bow and used my static electricity to encircle my arrow with electricity before shooting it at the serpent-like monster in front of me.
Swish!
¡ª
The arrow sted one of the hydra''s entire head as soon as it struck the middle of its body, which was submerged in water and electrically charged.
Kheeeeong!
¡ª
Then, as if to confirm the power of the assault, the remaining heads simultaneously screamed in pain.
However, the regeneration of the head was visible, and two new heads sprouted up immediately in ce of the one he had just sted off.
"...."
"...It was exactly what I expected, their regeneration ability is no joke," I muttered.
"Yeah, it appears to be even stronger than vampire regeneration.
Ah wait! where did that fourth heade from?" Silvia remarked.
"...Yeah, that''s the tricky part; if we cut off one head, two new heads will grow in its ce," I exined.
"...."
"So, how are we supposed to kill it?" Silvia was perplexed.
"...Perhaps we should burn all of its heads at once?" I replied, uncertain.
"Well, I still think your previous attack was pretty effective; we just need to find its weakness," Irethiel stated.
The struggling hydra quickly exhaled poison and covered its immediate surroundings in a poisonous green fog.
But Ares wasn''t worried about what was happening. His expression and eyes didn''t change, almost as if he had anticipated it.
"Irethiel!" Ares called her out, while Irethiel nodded her head in response, as though she knew what she had to do.
And when the hydra slowly started to approach me to retaliate withplete assurance in its poison and without the slightest sense of threat.
It happened exactly then.
Tuk!
As something pierced into its flesh, and one of the heads screamed in agony once more.
Kyaaaa?
The other hydra heads turned toward the spike in shock. And they were met by an army of skeleton soldiers who stood there unaffected by the poisonous fog.
***
Chapter 124 Clearing A Gate. [6]
Even though the Hydra was able to easily defeat the enormous army of skeletons that stood in its way as it approached Ares, it ran into difficulties due to the skeletons'' sheer numbers, as they kept resurfacing.
Of course, the skeleton''s soldiers'' only purpose was to divert the hydra''s attention so they could n their next course of action to confront it.
And soon after, as the deadly poisonous fog began to clear, Ares covered himself in electricity and charged toward the four-headed hydra from its blind spot.
Swish!¡ª
¡ª
He dashed forward, leaving only a blue trail behind him, and jumped toward one of the Hydra''s heads, he then stabbed both of its eyes with his both katanas,pletely blinding one of the hydra''s heads.
shik!
Kheooooong!¡ª
Blood poured like rainfall from the blinded eyes of the hydra head that had been stabbed, causing it to scream in pain and draw the attention of the other heads to Ares.
Meanwhile, Ares instantly pulled out his katanas from the hydras'' eyes and leaped into the air, leaving himself vulnerable and easy prey for the other heads to chew off.
The second hydra head, as predicted, moved its head in the direction of Ares, who was hovering, and then opened his mouth wide to chew him off.
Ares just observed the Hydra head move in his direction with a huge grin on his face.
"Blood Maniption!" A loud chant was heard from the surroundings.
And as the second hydra-head with its mouth wide open approached Ares, who was still hovering in midair, massive spears made of blood appeared out of nowhere and pierced its mouth, leaving arge gaping hole.
Kheoooong!¡ª
It was without a doubt Livia''s blood maniption ability!
And Ares wasting no time, used his skill Location swap to quickly switch ces with a skeleton soldier who was moving toward the third head of the Hydra.
Swap!
!?
He then immediately used his skill, "Atomic sh," shing the third head repeatedly withoutpletely dismembering it.
¡ªsh¡ªsh¡ªsh
Kheoooong!¡ª
And after using his skill Aresnded on the ground and fixed his gaze on the Bloodied Hydra which was screaming in excruciating pain and rushed back, as if to regenerate.
Nheless, even as it retreated, the rapid regeneration of its wounds was observable.
Monsters fleeing battles was not umon. Even golems as hard as diamonds, otters the size of mountains, and creatures hundreds of meters long could retreat between battles to recover.
As a result, Ares was ready when the Hydra, with its three wounded heads, turned around and began to flee.
There were methods for stopping monsters from escaping.
"It will try to escape into the water," Ares said to Irethiel telepathically.
He had, of course, nned for this exact moment.
To prevent anyone from pursuing it as it fled, the Hydra released a poisonous fog in its trail.
"Alright, Irethiel, I''ll leave him in your capable hands," Ares dered.
"...."
"...How could he have anticipated this moment so urately?" Irethiel was puzzled as she watched the Hydra rush toward the water.
The army of Skeleton Soldiers blocked the Hydra''s route, but it sped through them, obliterating everything in its path without difficulty or even bothering to attack it.
The Hydra quickly moved until it encountered the enormous piles of corpses that were lying on the ground after trampling the Skeleton Soldiers.
!?
That was the moment it happened, even before he could react.
"Corpse Explosion!" Irethiel made a low, muttering sound.
Booooom!
And immediately after that, all the bodies surrounding the Hydra erupted in massive explosions.
Boooooom!
¡ª
When the Hydra was subjected to such a vicious attack, and all the corpses surrounding it began to blow up, the hydra''s extremely resilient skin began to bleed. However, that fatal wound was not the only factor; as some of its body was also engulfed in fire, which was now constantly burning it.
The Hydra, which had just been fleeing outrageously, was now writhing on the ground, its mouth opened in a menacing position.
It would have never thought that the bodies it had been moving through could detonate like mines.
Naturally, the Hydra didn''t find the skeletons to be threatening and decided to trample them on its way.
However, itcked the intelligence to recognize that the bodies on the ground were a trap.
The Hydra''s fourth head which was slightly less woundedpared to its other head growled menacingly at Ares as he approached it slowly, but it could be seen that its body was still slowly regenerating.
Nevertheless, Ares moved close to it and aimed his arrow at the Hydra.
He then used his "Static Electricity" skill topletely engulf the arrow in electricity.
Swish!
¡ª
Without saying a word or giving it any time to recover from the prior attack, he shot the electrically charged arrow at the immobile Hydra from a close range, which increased the attack''s potency.
Booooom!
¡ª
The Hydra''s entire body exploded into pieces including all of its heads as soon as the arrow struck it, causing an explosion.
¡ªShiiiiiiik¡ªShiiiiik
And as the smoke from the explosion dissipated, only the sound waves of electricity could be noticed, and the darkened scorched body parts of Hydra could be seen dropping from the sky.
[Phase 3 has beenpleted!]
[The Boss Monster Hydra has been in.]
[Congrattions On Finishing The Gate''s Trial!]
***
Outside The Gate At The Same Time
¡ªKnock¡ªKnock
[Come in!]
[Did you call me Ma''am?] As she entered the room, a woman in a ck suit inquired.
[Yes, What''s the update on that mysterious dark gates that have appeared all over the continent? Has anyone cleared it yet?] A white-haired woman with an eye patch sat in her office, holding her head as if she had a headache, and questioned a woman in a ck suit who appears to be her secretary.
[...A total of twelve mysterious dark gates have appeared across the continent, and only people with A-Rank or lower power levels have been able to enter them.
And the first mysterious dark gate that appeared in the kingdom of Aloctona near the monster exhibition three days ago which also vanished as soon as the adventures entered it has yet to reappear.
whereas the gates that appeared after that and were entered by other adventurers reappeared after a day but with no survivors, and there''s an unusual number 4 written on top of the gate.] The secretary read the report that she was carrying.
"...."
''...Hmm, does the number 4 represent the fact that we still have four chances to clear that gate?'' The white-haired woman thought to herself while repeatedly tapping her finger on the table in front of her.
[...I believe the adventurers who entered the gate that appeared in the Aloctona Kingdom are still alive.
That''s the only exnation for why the gate hasn''t reappeared yet!] As she stood up by pushing the table in front of her, the white-haired woman stated.
She then took up her coat, which was hanging on her seat, and began to walk away while wearing it.
[Madam Jessica, where do you want to go? You have an important meeting in a few hours.] The secretary hurriedly said and trailed after the white-haired woman who appears to be the Hero Association''s president Jessica.
But she was ignored, and Jessica instead raised a question.
[...Wasn''t Ares among those who entered the gate that appeared in the kingdom of Aloctona?] Jessica inquired.
!?
[Y-Yes, Ares and his ex-fiancee Silvia Urs have also entered the gate...
However, if he fails to clear that gate as well, given his current poprity, the entire continent will be in an uproar.] The secretary responded uneasily as she trailed behind Jessica.
"...."
''...Perhaps they''ll be able to clear that gate!'' Jessica thought to herself inwardly.
***
Chapter 125 The Rewards!
"Hmm, I wonder what he was doing in the kingdom of Aloctona instead of preparing for the uing tournament?" Jessica pondered as she walked out of the building.
And when her driver, who was waiting outside the Hero Association building, saw Jessica leaving the building, he quickly opened the car''s door and waited for her to get inside.
Jessica, however, suddenly stopped walking as the patch that covered her eye began to glow and she felt a powerful wave of energying from a distant location.
!?
She held her glowing eye with one of her hands while gazing in the direction of the strong wave of energy she was sensing.
She then quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys and as soon as she pressed a button on the key, a bike appeared in front of her, driving itself.
Vroom! Vroom!
She then put on a helmet that she had taken out of her storage ring and rode off on the bike at a high speed.
Vroooooooooom!¡ª
"...."
And while Jessica elerated away from them, the secretary and the driver¡ªwho had been waiting for her to get in the car¡ªstood there frozen in silence.
!?
"Oh no, not again! You idiot, get in the car already,"Jessica''s secretary yelled as she dashed into the car.
***
[Phase 3 has beenpleted!]
[The Boss Monster Hydra has been in.]
[Congrattions on sessfullypleting The Gate''s Trial!]
[Congrattions on being the first team to finish the trial!]
...
...
...
The notifications continued to arrive in waves.
However, in the face of the notifications, Ares did not dwell; rather, he moved closer to the corpse of the Hydra, whose entire body had been scorched and darkened, and was in pieces except for one head of hydra, which remained intact even in the face of his powerful attack.
Ares took a moment to examine the severed head before starting to cut into the flesh on its forehead with his katana.
!?
Irethiel and Silvia, in the meantime, were just staring at him bewildered.
"...What is he up to now?" Irethiel muttered to herself in confusion as she watched Ares'' actions.
"He wouldn''t do anything unnecessary, so let''s just wait until we figure out the significance of his actions," Silvia said.
"...."
"Anyway, what do you intend to do with that blue-haired woman? She may have witnessed your blood maniption technique," Irethiel asked with curiosity.
"...Tsh, I wanted to kill her right here, but Ares won''t let me for some reason," Silvia said, turning to face Alice, who was already staring at her with an horrified expression.
"...Perhaps he still has a use for her!" Irethiel remarked casually.
Ding!¡ª
[A ability stone has been acquired!]
As soon as Ares extracted a small green stone from the forehead of thest remaining Hydra''s head, he received a notification from his system.
And without further ado, he crushed the ability stone, which quickly radiated a green light before disappearing.
Ding!¡ª
[New Ability Attained!]
"...The Ability stone?" Irethiel and Silvia uttered in unison as they noticed the green light emanating from Ares.
Nheless, they saw the massive gate notification in front of them before Ares could summon his status screen to check on his new ability.
[Gate Clear Rankings ording to Contribution:
#1 Ares
#2 Silvia
#3 Alice]
[The Person With The Highest Contribution: Ares]
[Issuing The Rewards ording To The Contribution!]
And as soon as I saw the gate announcement, my system sent me another notification.
Ding!¡ª
[The Key To ___ Has Been Found!]
The moment Iid eyes on the obscure golden key that had been ced in my hands, a huge smile spread across my face, and after a brief examination, I quickly ced the key in my inventory.
As I turned to face Silvia, I noticed she was holding a simr ability stone, but it was red in color, in one of her hands which seems to be her reward, whereas Alice, who was still in fright, was holding a skill scroll.
!?
"How the hell does this ranking work? Why isn''t my name mentioned anywhere when it''s obvious that I should be at the top since I made the most contribution?" Commented Irethiel annoyed.
"Pfft, Maybe because you are Ares''s ve, so your contribution might have been counted as his as well," Silvia said with a giggle.
"...."
After the sudden realization, Irethiel who was now sitting on my shoulder just looked nkly at Silvia.
And as I heard Silvia''s response, I couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly before shaking my head and ignoring the fact that the gate notification had mentioned our names.
"Silvia, why don''t you use your ability stone?" I inquired of Silvia.
"Should I use it right away? What if the ability I gain is ipatible with vampires?" Silvia inquired, her gaze fixed on the red stone.
"You''ll never know unless you try, right?" I replied with a smile, knowing that the rewards received in these gates are determined by the person''spatibility.
"Don''t be a coward and use it already!" Irethiel eximed in a frustrated tone.
"...."
"...All right then," Silvia said as she crushed the stone and closed her eyes.
And the red glowing light surrounded her for a brief moment before dissipating.
Slowly opening her eyes, Silvia pulled a status scroll from her storage ring to check the status of her newly acquired ability.
Because unlike me, they have to check their skills and abilities using the status scroll.
"So, what ability did you acquire?" Curious, Irethiel enquired.
"...."
"...It says Hypnosis!" Silvia responded.
"Well, that''s a pretty useful ability," I said while grinning and then turned to face Alice.
!?
"Ah what a coincidence, I''ve found the ideal subject for testing out my new ability!" Silvia looked at Alice and eximed with excitement.
"N-No, don''te near me, d-don''t you daree near me," Alice screamed, pointing her sword at Silvia as she became aware of our intentions.
Ignoring her screams, Silvia vanished from where she was standing, leaving flying bats in her wake, and reappeared behind Alice in an instant.
As Alice turned her head in sheer terror, she was met by Silvia''s glowing red eyes.
"You will forget everything you have seen or heard since entering this gate!" Silvia said this while her eyes were still glowing red from the use of her new ability, hypnosis.
"I will forget everything I have seen and heard since entering this gate!" Alice repeated, her eyes also glowing red, before returning to their original blue color.
...
...
Silvia continued to brainwash Alice for a brief moment.
!?
"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that, Miss Silvia?" When Alice awoke from Silvia''s hypnosis, she uttered in confusion.
"...I suppose it worked just fine," Irethiel remarked.
"Ah, Sir Ares, please let me help you clear this gate as well," Alice said with enthusiasm as she turned to face Ares and rushed toward him.
"...."
"...Don''t worry, the gate has already been cleared," I replied, smiling.
!?
"...Eh, When did that happen?" Alice eximed, perplexed.
And we soon noticed that the gate that had vanished as we entered it reappeared behind us.
"Silvia, I believe you should give Alice the necessary information she needs to know before we exit the gate," I stated.
Because I have a feeling that someone important will be waiting for us outside.
"All right, leave it to me!" Silvia responded with a huge grin, while Alice was still staring at Ares, puzzled.
***
Chapter 126 Confronting Jessica Spades!
After Silvia dealt with hypnotizing Alice, we quickly exited the Gate.
Click!¡ª Click!¡ª Click!¡ª Click!
As soon as we reached the other side of the gate, the reporters began taking pictures of us while the adventurers served as security, keeping them away.
!?
"What the hell is going on with these people?" Faced with the constant light emanating from the cameras, Silvia yelled while covering her face with one of her hands.
However, soon after, we noticed that the gate behind us had vanished and enormous white light had extended all the way to the sky which seemed to be like a huge pir.
!?
"...What exactly is that?" The enormous light reaching the sky caused amotion as all the reporters present eximed in shock.
Step!¡ª Step!¡ª Step!¡ª Step!
We suddenly heard footstepsing from the entrance. While security moved aside to make room for the person toe closer, reporters continued to rush toward the person on the crowded rooftop.
And as I looked in the direction of the footsteps approaching us using my skill Hawkeye, I was met by a woman with white hair tied in a ponytail, amon blue right eye, and a patch covering her left eye.
She was dressed in a long grey coat with a white T-shirt underneath, fitted ck leather pants, and ck heels.
"...Jessica Spades!" I muttered to myself as I saw her but she immediately stared back at me as she felt my gaze even from such a distance.
"...."
It''s not that I wasn''t expecting her, but since it was our first encounter after her conference, I am not sure how she would respond when she saw me in person.
"What is the President of the Hero Association doing here?" Silvia frowned while speaking.
"...We just spent three hours inside the gate, but it''s been three days in our outside world because time inside the gate moves much more slower than it does outside," I mumbled to myself.
!?
"...Hmm? So she came to check on us?" Silvia spoke perplexed after overhearing me.
"It seems we are the only ones who have cleared this mysterious ck gate so far, so I believe she came here to get information about it from us," I replied with a smile.
"...."
"That patched eye of hers... it''s dangerous!" Irethiel abruptly said telepathically.
"...Yeah, it sure is," I agreed.
"I think you should leave before she approaches us, Silvia, as I believe she can¡ª" I said, turning to face her, but to my surprise, she had already left.
"...."
"...Should I also leave?" Irethiel inquired telepathically.
"No, it''s toote; she already sensed your presence," I replied.
Then, without warning, my surroundings began to shift and I suddenly found myself in an endless white room. Obviously, I know who was responsible for this change.
"Hasn''t it been a while, Ares? Or should I refer to you as Ares the Executioner?"
The voice came from behind me.
"...No, this is my first time meeting you," I replied as I slowly turned toward the voice and was greeted by Jessica, who was sitting on a white chair, rxed, with both of her legs on the table in front of her.
"Ah, fair enough, you were pretty young when we first met, so it''s understandable that you don''t remember me," Jessica shrugged.
"So, tell me, why did you bring me here," I inquired as I used my skill location swap.
Swap!
¡ª
Instantaneously, Jessica''s position and mine were switched, and I found myself sitting in Jessica''s seat.
!?
"You sly brat! You''re quite audacious to use that skill on me in my own domain," Jessica remarked, grinning, as she sat back down on another white chair that had appeared out of nowhere in my previous location.
"...."
"...You still haven''t answered my previous question, be quick as I am already tired after clearing that vexing gate," I said.
"The only one who asks questions here is me," Jessica said abruptly appearing in front of me and mming the table.
Thud!¡ª
"...."
"What is it that you want to know?" I questioned while returning Jessica''s re as she stood in front of me.
"Why don''t you exin this?" Jessica eximed, and out of nowhere, she was now grabbing Irethiel who was now in her original form by the neck and lifting her in the air.
"Ahk," Irethiel struggled to free herself from her clutches.
"Why are you being apanied by a demon?" Jessica inquired, her gaze fixed on me as she continued to choke Irethiel.
"...You already know the answer to that," I replied, returning her gaze.
"...."
"Oh, that''s intriguing!" As Jessica stopped strangling Irethiel, she said in a surprised tone, "...So you already knew about what my left eye is capable of huh, and you weren''t much surprised witnessing my domain either,"
Cough!¡ª Cough!
Irethiel copsed to the ground, clutching her neck and gasping for air.
"All right, let me rephrase my question: ...Why do you have a demon as your ve?" Jessica asked.
"I don''t see a problem with that. After all, it would have been problematic if I had been a demon''s ve, isn''t that right?" I spoke while still seated in the chair, my fingers entwined as I stared at Jessica.
!?
"...Huh? Do you think it will change anything¡ª"
"Miss Jessica, why don''t you hear me out before making any more assumptions?" I interrupted her sentence.
"...."
As Jessica heard me, she just gave me a nk stare.
"Firstly, who do you suppose notified the Hero association of the release of a demon lord seal?" I inquired her and in response, she just furrowed he eyebrows.
"Do you believe that someone by chance happened to stumble upon the demon lord''sir and discovered that one of the demon lords had been released from the seal?" I continued with a smile.
"...."
"...So you were the one who gave that information to Ivica? ...And you want me to believe that you obtained that information from your demon ve!" Jessica made a remark before turning her gaze to Irethiel.
"Yup, that''s right, I knew you were a smart woman, no wonder you''re the head of the huge hero association," I said while nodding.
"...Stop the nonsense! So you''re saying she can detect the presence of the demon lords when they are unsealed?" Jessica inquired, her gaze fixed on Irethiel, who was still on the ground, ring at her.
"She certainly can!" I replied.
!?
"... If what you''re saying is true, won''t we now be able to tell when the demon lord''s seal has been broken and easily deal with them while they''re still weak?" Jessica spoke hurriedly.
"...."
''Wow, what hypocrisy I say. Wasn''t she just about to suffocate Irethiel to death? How can she expect her help now?'' I reflected inwardly.
"I don''t give a damn if you think I''m a hypocrite; I''m willing to go to any length to prevent the catastrophe posed by the demon lords," Jessica replied.
"Of course, she can read our thoughts in her domain," I muttered to myself, shaking my head.
"...You are aware that demon lords cannot be killed nor do we have any ways of sealing them again, correct?" I asked curiously.
"Of course, I know that the ordinary people cannot kill demon lords, ...but the chosen ones can!" Jessica remarked.
!?
Thud!¡ª
We heard a loud thud and saw cracks appear on the white room''s surface, and Jessica''s domain began to crumble.
Crack! ¡ª Crack!¡ª
"Damn, she''s already here!" Jessica muttered.
Chapter 127 The Unexpected Reunion [1]
Crack! ¡ª Crack!
Jessica''s domain began to crumble suddenly, as if it had been hit by a series of powerful outside attacks, and we could hear loud thuds.
¡ªthud! thud! thud! thud!
!?
"Tsh, she''s here already!" Jessica''s brows furrowed as she spoke, her gaze fixed on her crumbling realm.
"...."
''Who is this person she is referring to, who has the strength to devastate her domain?'' Before the entire white room vanished and broke apart, I continued to think.
"How have you been...my disciple?" I heard a familiar voice as soon as Jessica''s domain was shattered.
!?
And when I turned to face it, I was greeted by a woman with long ck hair that was fluttering in the wind, jet-ck eyes, and she had a broad smile on her face.
She held a katana while donning a white suit and ck gloves.
Of course, It was none other than Mika Amami...
"Mika Amami!" When Jessica saw the surroundings, she eximed while giving Mika a ferocious re.
As the rooftop¡ªno, the entire structure that we were now standing on, was now nothing more than a heap of dust, as if it had just been torn down.
"...."
"...What are you doing here, Master?" I asked with a small smile on my face, as I was genuinely pleased to see her in good health.
"Of course, I''m here because I was worried about you," Mika replied with a smile, ignoring Jessica, and walked over to me before giving me a bear hug.
But all of a sudden, the atmosphere around us abruptly changed, and we sensed a massive killing intent directed at us.
!?
Mika released her grip on me and we turned toward the source of the killing intent.
There, we encountered Jessica, who had a distorted expression on her face and was brandishing a reaper and emitting a powerful aura. Jessica was poised to attack Mika at any moment.
"...Fuck, This is bad!" I muttered as I struggled to maintain my bnce in the face of Jessica''s powerful aura and killing intent.
"You better step back, my disciple, and let me handle this," Mika said abruptly as she stood in front of me.
She then immediately drew out a second katana, and before long, both of them were engulfed in mes.
Mika released her aura for a brief moment to counter Jessica''s aura, and the entire ground began to vibrate in response to the massive sh of their auras.
¡ª Shudder! ¡ª Shudder!
However, as they were about to attack each other, a massive wall of firended in the center, separating them and instantly canceling both of their Auras.
¡ªThudle
"Get yourself together, you old hag! Do you intend topletely destroy this area?" A woman with red hairnded between them and said as she stared at Jessica.
"...."
When Jessica heard her, she immediately retracted her murderous intent and came to her senses.
"You too Mika, at least be mindful when you use your strength," Ivica observed the mess Mika had made in the area and remarked.
Yes, that redheadeddy was Ivica Livingstone, whose face was unusually clear of mist right now.
"Huff! Huff!¡ªDon''t worry Ivica, no one was harmed while she performed that stunt of hers, and I will also cover the damages she caused to the surrounding area," Aegis said abruptly as she appeared behind Mika while huffing.
"...."
"What do you mean that nobody was hurt? What happened to those who were inside the building at the time?" Jessica scowled and questioned.
"Your secretary had already evacuated them!" Tania Elizabeth suddenly materialized next to Jessica and continued.
!?
"I promise that if you leave me again without informing me where you are going, I will quit this job, I am not getting paid enough to deal with this shit," Jessica''s secretary said tiredly as she stood far away from the demolished building.
Jessica sighed in relief after hearing her and looked around her, noticing many high-ranking individuals.
"...."
"What prompted you all to appear so unexpectedly? I assumed you weren''t interested in these unusual and mysterious gates," Jessica remarked as she regained herposure.
"...Well, we came here to investigate what was up with that unusual white light reaching the sky," A man with blonde hair and a mustache spoke up, pointing to the white light that appeared when the gate was cleared.
While the other high-ranking individuals nodded in agreement and interest.
"Was it him who cleared that mysterious gate?" As he stared at Ares, one of the adventurers inquired.
!?
"Oh, he''s that famous young man from the inte, isn''t he? What was his name once again?" One of the female adventurers inquired, her face puzzled.
"...Hmm Mom, he goes by the name Ares! I''m pretty sure I''ve already shown you his videos," A woman who looked to be in her twenties responded to the woman next to her, who appeared to be her mother given their simr facial features.
"Oh, you''re referring to Ares The Executioner, who is currently quite popr among young people?" She loudly eximed.
"...Yes, that is him,"
"He is quite attractive up front! Why don''t you go ask him for his phone number or something?"
"Mom, you are embarrassing me. Can''t you tone it down a little bit?"
...
...
Meanwhile, their conversation was audible to everyone nearby but they decided to ignore them.
"...."
"...."
"So...what reward did you get for clearing that gate?" While gazing at Ares, a muscr man with dark skin asked.
All of the surrounding chatter came to a halt when they heard the muscr man, and everyone focused their attention on Ares because they were also curious about the reward.
The muscr man ignored Mika''s re as he asked that question, but when he felt someone else''s eyes turn to him, he gulped loudly and began to perspire from his forehead.
The man received a death stare from none other than Ivica Livingstone.
"You don''t have to answer that Ares, they''re just greedy bastards trying to covert the reward," Mika smiled as she turned to face Ares.
"...."
When they heard Mika, everyone''s expressions were distorted.
''...Wow, she is so skilled at fomenting conflict! Mika, please restrain your tongue for the love of God.
She can''t even read the situation, can she? We are surrounded by high-ranking individuals; if a fight breaks out now, we will be dead meat! And, more importantly, Jessica is here too; you two are already feuding!''
With a worried expression, Aegis thought inwardly.
"Mika, watch what you say! We just wanted to know more about that mysterious gate because he is the only one who has cleared it!" The man with blonde hair and a mustache stated.
"...."
"Shut the fuck up, do you think I don''t know how you cretins got to the top? Don''t even think about doing anything funny with him while I''m still here," Mika dered while keeping a nk expression.
"Huh? Do you believe you can stop all of us here by yourself?" With a grin, the muscr man with dark skin said.
They immediately felt a sudden heat wave cover the surrounding area, and the temperature rose dramatically.
"...And Who said she was alone?" Ivica spoke up, her eyes glowing crimson red, and a massive dragon made of fire materialized behind her.
!?
"Ahkk"
Chapter 128 The Unexpected Reunion [2]
Ivica''s eyes were glowing crimson red, and a massive dragon made of fire materialized behind her.
Roooooar!
¡ª
The dragon made of fire roared fiercely and menacingly as it breathed fire into the sky, raising the temperature even higher.
"Ahk!¡ª"
Everyone covered themselves in mana to withstand the heat as the temperature continued to rise.
And some of the adventurers were visibly dripping with sweat because they already knew what Ivica was capable of and could tell she wasn''t kidding around.
Knowing if anyone tries to approach Ares, she will ''literally burn them to ashes.
"...I now understand what Helena meant about Ivica being scary," As Aegis watched the enormous fire dragon materialize behind Ivica, she muttered.
"...."
"I never knew she cared so much about her students," one of the adventurers who appeared unaffected by the rising temperature said.
He created a chilly environment around him using his ice element, which also had little impact on the people standing next to him.
"...Perhaps I graduated from the academy at the wrong time," The woman in her twenties muttered to herself.
"It doesn''t matter if it''s you, Ivica, because I need more information from him about the gate," Jessica, who was also unaffected by Ivica''s fire dragon, spoke up.
"You¡ª" Mika was about to respond, but I interrupted her and spoke quickly.
"If you want more information about the gate, you can get it from her," I said, pointing to Alice.
!?
Everyone''s attention was drawn to where I was pointing, and they were greeted by Alice.
"...Who exactly is she?" One of the adventurers, perplexed, inquired.
"...Haha, Hello everyone my name is Alice, and I, too, entered that ominous gate alongside Sir Ares¡ª oh, I mean we, as I entered with my group," Alice exined while smiling awkwardly.
"...."
"So...where are the rest of your group''s members?" The woman adventurer in her twenties inquired.
"Oh, they decided to act alone, and one of themter killed himself, another was killed by Sir Ares, and thest member was killed by the boss monster!
And I was only able to survive thanks to sir Ares," Alice exined.
!?
"Wait¡ªwait, you''re telling me that one of the members of your group was killed by Ares?" Jessica asked with a crooked look on her face.
"...."
''She didn''t inquire about the odd circumstances surrounding her teammate''s suicide or the manner in which herst member was killed by a boss monster; instead, she was more concerned with understanding why Ares killed one of her team members,''
Just another typical Jessica moment for you. Everyone had the same thought.
.
"...You silly bitch, why don''t you wait for her to exin further before you make any assumptions!" Mika made a remark after noticing Jessica''s distorted expression after learning that Ares had killed someone.
"...."
"Pfttt!¡ª"
Everyone held back theirughter when they heard Mika, knowing how twisted Jessica can be when it involves murder.
Meanwhile, Jessica ignored them and simply stared at Alice, as if she was seeking an exnation.
Gulp¡ª
Before speaking, Alice gulped audibly.
"T-The thing is, they abandoned us and fled when we were confronted with the monster waves, but when we cleared all the monsters by ourselves and were exhausted, they returned and attacked Sir Ares because they wanted all the credit and to be promoted to Rank-A.
And, sir Ares just defended himself..." After Alice finished her exnation, there was a brief moment of silence.
Meanwhile, Jessica simply turned to face her secretary, who nodded before speaking.
"...She''s telling the truth!"
Hearing her secretary, Jessica simply nodded her head, while others also believed her because they were all aware of her lie-detection ability.
And it was also why I told Silvia to give Alice urate information.
And no one enquired further as to why one of her team members hadmitted suicide or anything else, as if they didn''t care about him anymore.
"Oh, and this is my reward for clearing the gate!" Alice spoke up while holding her skill scroll, grabbing everyone''s attention.
!?
She then used her skill scroll immediately in front of everyone present.
"WAIT!¡ª" One of the adventurers dashed over to Alice to prevent her from using the skill scroll, but it was toote.
It was a one-time skill scroll, so the skill scroll began to emit light for a brief period before disappearing along with the skill scroll.
"Y-You! Why did you use that skill scroll, you idiot!" In a ferocious tone, the adventurer inquired.
"Isn''t that obvious? Who else will use it other than me? As it was my skill scroll!" Alice responded as she gradually opened her eyes.
"Y-Yeah, but it would have aided us in learning more about the gate," The adventurer retorted.
"...Tsh, stop embarrassing yourself, you goon! Everyone knows how you investigate things," Mika remarked, grinning.
When the adventurer heard Mika''s remark, his face distorted.
"Ares, do you see that? This is how people like him got to the top by stealing other people''s opportunities," Mika said to Ares, turning to face him as if sprinkling salt on the adventurer''s wound.
"...."
"...At the very least, could you tell us what skill you acquired from that scroll?" In a curious tone, the adventurer in her twenties inquired.
"Sure, why not?" Alice responded, pulling a status scroll from her storage ring.
"...Hmm, it says non," Alice said after a brief examination of the status scroll.
"Non what?" The woman inquired, intrigued, while everyone else also focused their attention on Alice, as they were also curious.
"It''s...none of your damn business!" With a smirk, Alice responded.
!?
"Eh?"
"Pfttt, Hahaha!¡ª" Aegis suddenly burst outughing.
''Did she acquire balls as a skill?'' As I heard her bold response, I chuckled and thought to myself.
"...."
Meanwhile, the woman was staring at Alice with a nk expression.
"I won''t lie, she got you there!" The adventurer beside her, who appears to be her mother, began giggling.
"...Are you really my mother? Why are you salting my wounds,"
...
...
"All right, it''s time for us to leave Ares, as you also need to prepare for the uing tournament," Ivica stated.
Ivica''s voice caught my attention, and I turned to look at Mika to see how she would respond. However, I was utterly unprepared for her reaction¡ª as she seemed to be rather at ease.
"...You should leave with her my disciple; I have some work to finish as well!...and, I''lle see you when I''m finished with it," Mika said with a hesitant smile.
"When she heard you entered this mysterious gate, she rushed here, leaving everything behind," Aegis added.
"...Alright!" I replied, smiling back at Mika.
"Wait a minute, I have something else to discuss with him!" Jessica spoke quickly.
"Fuck off, what else do you want to talk to him about?" Mika said, giving Jessica the middle finger.
"...."
''Mika is the only person brave enough to show the Hero Association''s leader the middle finger, I reflected inwardly.
"Ahem, you can get an appointment if you want to talk with him," Ivica said before disappearing with Ares, as if by teleportation.
"What else would you like to discuss with him? Isn''t he just a developing fetus in your opinion?" Aegis chuckled to herself as she walked past Jessica.
Meanwhile, Mika cast a brief nce at Tania before departing with Aegis, while Tania was busy investigating that enormous white light.
***
"...Hmm, why do I have the feeling that I''m forgetting something?" Ares murmured inwardly.
Chapter 129 One Last Talk With Ivica?
¡ªSwish
We were immediately teleported back to the academy in Ivica''s office.
!?
"I used an artifact to teleport us back here," Ivica exined, seeing my puzzled expression.
"...Oh, I see," I sighed audibly as I emerged from my thoughts.
"But the downside of this artifact is, it requires a significant amount of mana to activate it, however, that amount of mana isn''t much of a deal to me because I have an abundant supply of mana," Ivica exined as she walked over to the sofa.
And as she sat down, making herself a cup of tea, she motioned me toward the sofa across from her.
I walked over and sat on the sofa she had designated because it appeared she wanted to talk about something.
"Ah, and don''t worry about your demon ve; I''ve already teleported her to your dorm room, it would have been difficult for you to exin her existence in front of all those high-ranking individuals, right?" Ivica made a remark, as she poured another cup of tea and handed it to me.
"...."
I was wondering why I couldn''t hear Irethiel''s useless remarks and why there is peaceful silence around me!'' I reflected inwardly before speaking.
"I really appreciate that," I said with a smile.
As I was truely grateful because I don''t want anyone else to know about Irethiel for the time being, and it is already problematic that Jessica now knows about her existence.
"I won''t ask you why you entered that mysterious gate by yourself, because I believe you know what you''re doing and I also assume you know what problems you now have to face in the future," Ivica said solemnly.
"...Of course I know what I''m doing," I responded , seeing Ivica being serious.
"All right, then, before it''s toote, let me give you some advice...," Ivica halted for a moment before continuing.
"I suggest you should exercise caution around Jessica now that she knows you have a demon as your ve, because she can be very unreasonable and biased when ites to innocent lives.
Though she can go overboard at times, unfortunately, she is also the only person in the entire Hero organization you can trust.
You may be wondering why I am telling you this, but I just want to let you know that Jessica is not your enemy, but rather she can be a potential ally of yours in the future," Ivica exined and took a sip of her tea.
"...All right, I''ll keep that in mind," I replied calmly.
"Good, but watch out for her, because people driven by heroism are far too easy to manipte. Even I took advantage of her to be the Academy''s Dean," Ivica said with a chuckle.
"...."
''Well, if she''s easy to manipte, that''s good for me,'' I reasoned to myself before sipping the tea.
"Ahem, Alright, now let''s get to the next part," Ivica said, pausing for a moment to keep her teacup on the table in front of us.
"I''m not sure if you know this, but it is part of my duty as an academy Dean to keep an eye on the entire campus for safety reasons, so I obviously know the behaviors of the students who attend here."
There was a brief silence after she said that, but I already knew she was keeping an eye on every student here at the academy, especially those in our special ss.
"So... Why are you telling me that?" I inquired curiously.
"Well, I wasn''t supposed to show you this, but I think it''s important for you to know about it," Ivica said as she activated a hologram and yed a video that appeared to have been captured on a camera.
"...."
...
I was taken aback for a moment when I saw the video footage, but I quickly recovered because the scene I witnessed wasn''t all that surprising to me.
The video footage was of a blue-haired girl¡ªspecifically, it was Livia''s footage from her training grounds, in which she was repeatedly stabbing an ice sword at a dummy, and the dummy had the features of...Ziona Madlock!
[You bitch, stay away from him! He''s all mine! He''s all mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! ....]
While stabbing that dummy, she kept repeating the same sentence.
''It appears to be the video captured following the meeting I and Ziona had with Erina,'' I spected.
"...."
"You didn''t seem disturbed by that scene; if I were you, I would have been terrified seeing someone like Livia has that crazy obsession with me," Ivica said, smirking.
When I heard Ivica''s remark, I preferred to remain silent.
"I''m not sure if it''s a love obsession or something else, but I knew how her parents raised her like she was a robot, it was as if she was being programmed to be sessful in everything she did.
But then you appeared out of nowhere and broke that code by defeating her during the entrance examination, which was also new for her, and I believe that''s when she became obsessed with you," Ivica said and chuckled.
"...."
"...Could you please tell me if my training room has cameras as well?" I asked, ignoring her earlier statement because I already knew pretty much what she meant.
Cough!¡ª
"So what I wanted to say is that Livia is a good addition to your future team, and as she is obsessed with you, she will definitely join your squad," Ivica said, dismissing my previous question.
"...."
"Let''s move on to the next student you can add to your squad!" Ivica paused for a moment before continuing.
''.. Did she make a list of students who might join me in the future?'' I paused to think.
"The next student is Ziona Madlock aka ''The abandoned Princess''. Even after being abandoned by her family, she sparked new waves of change among the beast people, as many young beast people inspired by her began using weapons and ignoring their haughty fangs and teeth.
I heard King Madlock is pretty mad and is ming Ziona for this," Ivica said, and startedughing again.
!?
I remained silent because I was surprised by her unusual behavior.
Huuuu!¡ª
"Seeing as you two share some simrities and are supposedly good friends as you spar together, I think she''ll join you as well," Ivica said, pausing in herughter.
"...Don''t you think having Livia and Ziona on the same team will be a problem?" I asked as I was curious to hear how she would respond.
"Hmm, yes, I think you''re right, but I believe you can deal with it in some way or other," Ivica responded nonchntly as she leaned back on her sofafortably.
"...."
''Well, what exactly was I hoping for from her,'' I thought, shaking my head in disappointment.
"Ah and there is Diana as well, If nothing goes wrong and she is properly guided, I believe she will be one of the strongest elves to ever live.
Her only drawback is she constantlypares herself to Livia, though thepetition is good, but she can take it too far at times due to her personality; I just hope she doesn''t end up doing something regrettable...
And then there''s Lucas Eugene, whom everyone regards as humanity''s weapon due to his holy fire, which can be lethal to both demons and vampires.
The problem is that he has the same personality as Jessica and Tania, making him easy to manipte and, in the end, just a tool of someone else.
And I believe you are aware of the individual I am referring to, who hasplete control over Lucas," Ivica paused to await my response.
"...Are you talking about A Eugene?" I asked.
"That''s correct! A Eugene is a dangerous youngdy; I was astounded when I first saw what she did, and she was only 5 years old at the time.
Well, I won''t go into that story now, but you got the gist of what I wanted to say to you, right? She hasplete control of what people believe is the so-called humanities weapon," Ivica warned.
Of course, I knew what A was capable of, and the fact that she hasplete control over Lucas is also why I can''t make a direct move on her.
"Hmm, Who else is left? Ah Right there is ude and Kevin, they just act like normal teenagers, despite ude''s maturity, but I think they''ll be fine once they''ve matured enough.
And Erina Valdemar is the ideal example of a born monarch; depending on the circumstances, she can be both ruthless and benevolent.
While Zerix is .....
...
...
...
Ivica continued to give me her opinion on the student for another hour, while I sat there and listened, still not understanding why she was telling me all of this.
"This is all I could do to assist you, Ares..." Ivica eventually stopped speaking, and there was a brief silence among us.
"...Erm, Can I ask you why you told me about all this?" As I rubbed my brow, I inquired.
"...."
Ivica remained silent for a moment as if deliberating before speaking.
"...It''s because this is thest time we''ll see each other, Ares," Ivica informed, smiling wryly.
!?
Chapter 130 Ivicas Secret!
"What exactly do you mean by that?" I asked, perplexed.
"It is exactly like it sounds Ares,...I am at the end of life," Ivica stated as she took off the camouge, her beautiful face going pale and the clear ck circles under her eyes bing obvious.
!?
"T-This¡ª" As I watched her, I was left dumbfounded.
"Don''t you dare tell me you find me ugly now?" Ivica spoke with mncholy.
"...Of course not, you are still as stunning as ever," I hurriedly retorted.
Ivicaughed and added, "Pftt hehe, don''t worry, I was just teasing you, but I appreciate thepliment."
"...."
"How much time do you believe you have left?" I asked with seriousness.
Nheless, I''m unable to help her because the dungeon where the alleged strengthening fruit is hidden hasn''t yet materialised.
"Hmm, I''m not sure exactly, but I can tell you that I won''t be alive to see the uing tournament," Ivica replied, trying to smile.
"...."
When I heard her, I was at a loss for words since I wasn''t sure how to respond to that information.
''Where did everything go awry? Ivica was supposed to y an important role in the uing events, and I can''t believe my involvement would have changed Ivica''s entire fate. And besides I don''t believe she''s lying either.
There must be something I''m missing,...a missing puzzle piece.'' I took a time to think to myself.
"Ivica, I sincerely regret that I am unable to help you," I said with a stiff look.
"Haha, please don''t be, it''s not your fault I''m in this situation, in fact I''m grateful you agreed to help me," Ivica said hurriedly.
"...Do you need anything from me?" I spoke abruptly and swivelled to the left, using my hawk eye skill.
!?
"...Who are you speaking with?" Ivica said with her brows knitted together.
"Why don''t youe out and introduce yourself, Miss¡ª oh, what should I call her?" I asked, turning to face Ivica.
"...."
"Hehehe, Pftt!" Ivica burst outughing when she heard that.
...
¡ªFuuu!
"All right, I think you shoulde out and introduce yourself," Ivica said when she finally stoppedughing.
"Tsh! I don''t like him at all," I heard a woman''s melodic voice say.
And then, out of nowhere, a woman with dark blue hair and dark green eyes with the same facial features as Ivica appeared and stood behind her.
''Here she is, ''The missing puzzle piece!'' When I noticed that woman, I thought to myself.
"So... given our simr features, you might have guessed who she is, right?" Ivica inquired curious.
"...Is she your identical twin?" I replied.
"Ding, ding, ding! It is the correct answer!" Ivica eximed with delight.
"I understand you are nearing the end of your life, but that does not excuse your childish behaviour. What happened to that indifferent sister I know?" Ivica''s twin sistermented as she shook her head.
"Cut me some ck, will you? Let me just enjoy the moment while I still have the opportunity," Ivica responded.
Meanwhile, I just sat there and watched them argue.
I had my suspicions when I noticed Ivica telepathically conversing with someone at the time, as well as when she appeared at the hospital during the Aretrus incident, when Rose had already informed me that she had seen Ivica leave the academy.
"How did you pick up on my presence?" With a straight face, Ivica''s twin inquired.
"I used one of my skills," I replied, smiling.
I increased the mastery of the skill Hawk eye using the ¡ï, which was one of the quest rewards.
And it was well worth it because I can now detect camouges using it, which might be quite handy.
"...."
"Well, I was about to introduce her to you anyway because I still need your help getting that strengthening fruit," Ivica said, pausing for a moment to catch her breath before continuing.
"She is my twin sister, which you have already guessed, and you are the first person to have met both of us at the same time. As we are identically named Ivica, and we both share that identity.
She shares several characteristics with me, of course, including being a half dragon, but her situation differs from mine; in contrast to me, she has little to no mana," Ivica rified.
!?
''She says she has a limited quantity of mana? which means she isn''t as powerful as her,'' I wondered inwardly.
"...So how should I refer to her again?" I asked, turning my gaze to Ivica''s twin, who turned her head sideways when she noticed my gaze on her.
"Haha, you can just call her Ivica, because she''ll be theplete Ivica after I die," Ivica replied while chuckling.
"...."
"...I see; Having said that, may I ask why you still require that strengthning fruit?" I asked with curiosity.
"Oh, the thing is¡ª" Ivica was about to exin when she was interrupted by her twin.
"You don''t have to know that, my naive sister may believe you, but I still can''t trust a foreigner with unknown intentions," Ivica''s twin remarked.
"Don''t be like that, sis; now that we all know each other''s secrets, isn''t that reason enough for us to trust each other?" Ivica stated.
"...."
"No you are right; I don''t need to know why you still require that fruit; in any case, I will keep my promise and provide that fruit to you when the timees," I replied.
"...I will be grateful," Ivica''s twin said.
"All right, I suppose I should leave now," I remarked as I rose from the sofa.
"Ah Ares, hold on," Ivica immediately yelled, which caught my attention.
"Sis, could you please give us a moment, I have something I wanted to discuss with him alone," Ivica said, looking at her twin sister.
"...Seriously?"
Ivica refused to answer her twin''s question and instead continued to stare at her.
"Tsh, all right," she said, giving me a long look before leaving me and Ivica alone in the office.
After she left, there was a brief moment of silence.
"Please forgive her if you thought she was disrespectful Ares, she still doesn''t know how to behave around others," Ivica said.
"Don''t worry, I didn''t take it seriously, and even I would have been sceptical of trusting a foreigner from another world who didn''t know what his true purpose is," I replied.
"Haha, thank you for your understanding," Ivica responded and there was awkward silence between us for a moment.
"...You know, we didn''t have anyone else other than each other when we were young, and in a world where power is everything, she was born with very little mana, so I always took care of her as my little sister by sharing my identity with her.
We always acted as one, even though we were twins, because it would have been difficult for her to survive if the world knew about her powerless self.
''A beauty is nothing but a sin if itcks the ability to defend itself.''
And I already knew that I couldn''t always stand up for her," Ivica halted briefly, her eyes welling up with tears.
"...."
I didn''t know how tofort her, so I just stood there and watched her sob.
"I am sorry for showing you this terrible self of mine Ares, but she is the most precious thing to me," Ivica apologised and stated while wiping away her tears.
"May I make an unreasonable request of you, Ares? You can think of it as my final wish," Ivica said as she approached me.
"...I will do my best to fulfil it if it is within my power," I replied.
"Would you please look after my sister for me?" Ivica smiled and leaned in close to my ear, whispering.
"I¡ª" Ivica''s lips touched mine just as I was going to reply, so I had to stop.
!?
She kissed me gently before pulling away.
"...It was a pleasure meeting you, Ares!" Ivica stated with a gorgeous smile.
"...."
"Ah, and I don''t care if you wanted to do me that favour or not; I''d rather die in peace believing that you epted my request even if you didn''t," Ivica made a remark.
"...Don''t worry, I''ll be there for her if she ever needs me," I reassured her, returning her smile.
"Hehe, now I can finally die in peace, and it would be wonderful if you could also attend my funeral so my sister won''t feel lonely," Ivica said.
"...Okay, I''ll try to find time to make it to your funeral," I replied.
"...."
After that, there was once again an awkward pause between the two of us.
"Do you have anything else to say?" I inquired.
"...Hmm, no¡ª Oh wait, there is indeed something I wanted to warn you about," Ivica abruptly stated.
"Warn me?" Perplexed, I inquired.
"... Don''t put all your trust in Irethiel; I know she''s your ve now, but I still wanted to warn you about her.
A Demon can never be trusted! Consider it my final piece of advice to you," Ivica stated.
***
Chapter 131 The New Ability!
Ivica sat back on the sofa and closed her eyes after Ares had left her office.
"I can''t believe you kissed an adolescent!" Ivica''s twin eximed abruptly as she appeared behind her.
"...."
"...Y-You already know he''s not really a teenager; don''t make me look like some kind of weirdo!" Ivica immediately responded as she blinked open her eyes.
"What made you do that in the first ce? Is it bothering you that you''re going to die a virgin?" Ivica''s twin asked with a straight face.
Cough!¡ª
''Even I don''t know why I did that, so I''m not sure how to exin her,'' Ivica mused inwardly.
"...Why exactly were you snooping on me? I asked you to leave us alone for a bit, didn''t I?" Ivica asked instead, ignoring her sister''s prior query.
"Were you intending on going all the way with him if I wasn''t looking? Are you forgetting that you are three hundred years older than him, even if you count his prior age?" Ivica''s twin asked, her face displeased.
!?
"S-Stop talking! I wasn''t nning anything of the sort, a-and also did you forget what he said when we first met?" Ivica spoke quickly.
"You mean when he said that we are teenagers as well in terms of dragons'' age? ...But we are not full dragons though, but rather half-humans," she responded.
"...."
"Agg, just hearing you makes me think I will die sooner! Can''t you just support your sister without worrying about the specifics? With your attitude, I already worry about how you will survive in this society without me," Ivica replied in an irritated manner.
"...You don''t need to worry about me; I can look after myself," Her sister replied.
"...I honestly don''t know whether you truly can," Ivica mumbled to herself.
''As she is not ustomed to interacting with people, she can be blunt and say things that people won''t appreciate. It wasn''t a problem because I was able to handle the problems she caused, but now that she will be left alone, she will undoubtedly make a lot of enemies with that tongue of hers, and the worst part is that she is not strong enough to be able to defend herself,''
Ivica shook her head and wore a troubled look.
"Do you want me to apany you then?" Upon observing Ivica''s anxious demeanor, Ivica''s sister stated.
!?
"Apany me to where?" Ivica said, staring at her sister.
Meanwhile, her sister remained silent and unresponsive, with a nk expression.
"...."
"...For God''s sake! Didn''t we go over this several times? Don''t even consider it, you understand?" Ivica expressed her displeasure.
"I''m not sure why you''re so opposed to it; everyone has to die eventually, and I''m just¡ª" Ivica interrupted her answer.
"Please, shut the hell up, don''t use that stupid ideology on me, you already know I don''t like people who don''t value their own lives.
Do you think I''m an idiot for putting myself through all of this just to live another day?
Just because I''m acting peaceful doesn''t imply I''m okay with dying; like everyone else, I want to live, and I still haven''t reached the objective I set for myself.
I tried all I could for years in the hopes of finding something that would allow me to survive!
In the hopes of discovering a cure, I even teamed up with a nine-tailed fox who the demons are after.
In order to survive, I even struck a deal with a foreigner from another, putting aside whatever his objectives may be.
And now you''re talking about taking your own life so casually like you didn''t watch me fight all these years," Ivica yelled out as her eyes began to tear up.
"...."
"...So, you wish to live?" Her sister inquired with no change in her expression.
? "Is that not clear? Of course, I want to live," Ivica affirmed, blotting her tears away.
In an effort to calm her down, her sister approached and hugged her.
...
...
"Sis, I''m ...scared, I don''t want to die!...I don''t want to die, sis..." Ivica repeated the same statement as her eyes began to blur.
"Don''t worry, I''m not going to let you go so easily...Ivica!" She muttered to herself as she gave Ivica a stroke on the back softly.
***
"...So Ivica had a twin sister who wasn''t mentioned in the story, huh?" Ares muttered to himself as he approached the dorm building.
I had my doubts about something else, but I never imagined she''d have a twin sister. I assumed she had a doppelganger or something to rece her when she left the academy for whatever reason, simr to what I normally read in novels.
And the reality that hasn''t left me is that the Ivica I read about in the story was insanely strong, therefore Ivica dying and leaving her weak sister alone doesn''t make sense to me.
''Will Ivica, who is currently weak, suddenly be strong in the future for seemingly no reason? And I still don''t see why she needs that strengthening fruit.'' I thought to myself for a moment.
However, I quickly awoke from my reverie and dismissed it, figuring that I would learn about it when the time came.
I then summoned the system to check my newly acquired ability.
[System Interface]
[Sudden Quest] Clear The Gate! (COMPLETED)
[Exnation] The monster gate is about to appear in ctona Kingdom''s Monster exhibition. Clear the gate immediately before it affects the citizens.
[Sess Condition] Be the first person to clear the gate.
[Reward] ¡ï [New], Increase In Fame. (RECIEVED)
***
Well, when Jessica confronted me in her realm, I had already used my reward to improve my skill Hawkeye in the hopes that it would help me escape her domain.
It was simr to me taking a chance and hoping for the best, but my hawk eye wasn''t useful enough to help me escape, ...however it can at least see past camouge now.
Despite my assurance that Jessica wouldn''t hurt me, I wasn''t sure whether she would spare Irethiel, which also made me exin to her how useful Irethiel could be, so she won''t kill her immediately.
"Anyway, it''s fortunate that Irethiel survived," I mumbled as I moved to check my status panel.
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis]
PROFESSION : [Intermediate Swordsman¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î][Intermediate Archer¡ï¡ï¡ï]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver] [The Hydra yer].
Adventurer Rank : A
Strength : A
Agility : A+
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : B
Luck : C
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : [Universal Language]
[Photographic Memory]
[Regenration [New]]
¡ô
Skills: [Fell Crescent¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
[Snake Movements¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Hawkseye¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Static Electricity¡ï¡ï¡ï]
[Atomic sh¡ï¡î]
***
!?
When I noticed my new ability, I widened my eyes in surprise.
To inspect the information, I immediately clicked on it.
[Ability: Regeneration (Minor)]
(Information: The user''s body can mend quickly and return to its ideal state.
Note: The regeneration speed and efficacy are determined by the user''s mana.)
"...."
"So it all depends on how much mana I have,? I would need a lot of mana to cure the severe wounds, and the fact that it says minor next to it indicates that with the mana I now have, it appears that I can only treat the minor injuries,'' I reasoned to myself.
"That''s understandable, and I won''t quibble as it''s a rare ability. Who knows, perhaps I''ll discover a way to boost my mana supply in the future!" I murmured to myself.
***
Chapter 132 The Custom-Made Shuriken!
As I was pondering, I quickly made it to my dorm room.
I swiped my room card, and the doorknob turned green, unlocking my room, and as soon as I walked in, I was greeted by Irethiel.
She was sitting on the couch, watching anime on television.
"...."
I was reminded of Ivica''s words when I observed her.
"Don''t put all your trust in Irethiel; I know she''s your ve now, but I still wanted to warn you about her. A Demon can never be trusted! Consider it my final piece of advice to you,"
That was her supposedly final words to me...
"Oh, you''vee back? What are you doing standing there staring at me?" Irethiel asked, bewilder, as she noticed me staring at her.
"It''s nothing!" As I proceeded toward my room, I muttered and averted my nce from her.
!?
"What''s the matter with him now?" Irethiel shrugged it off and went back to watching her anime.
***
As I stepped out of the shower and sat back on my bed, I began to reflect on all that had transpired today.
"So she won''t be able to live until the tournament, huh? Which means now I have to cope with her thorny sister," As I rested my eyes, I murmured.
...
...
???
In and far beyond our own, Where dragons roam and magic is known,
A kingdom stood, proud and tall, protected by a mystical wall.
The king, a sorcerer of great power,
ruled with an iron hand, hour by hour, but his people lived in peace and prosperity, for he kept them safe from all adversity.
But one day, a dark force did rise, bringing chaos and destruction to the skies,
The king knew he must take a stand, and gather his army to defend thend.
With sword in hand and spell on the tongue, he led his men to face the young but powerful sorcerer who threatened all,
In a battle that would decide their fate, once and for all.
The battle was fierce, and many fell, but in the end, the king did prevail,
The dark sorcerer was defeated and the kingdom was saved,
And peace once again, thend embraced.
The king returned to his castle, his heart was heavy with memories of battles past,
But he knew that he had done what was right, and that his kingdom would endure, long into the night.
???
...
...
Buzz! ¡ª Buzz! ¡ª Buzz!¡ª
The vibration of my phone startled me to consciousness.
"...Was that a dream?" As I grabbed my throbbing head, I mumbled loudly.
I then picked up the phone, which was still vibrating from the iing video call.
"...Lia? What makes her call me now?" I mumbled prior to answering the phone, when I checked the caller ID.
[Hello?]
[Hello, Ah! Ares, did I wake you up?] When Lia saw my worn-out appearance, she questioned with an uneasy expression.
[Yes, you did awaken me. In any case, why did you call me now?] I questioned.
[Regarding that! I just finished making one of your Shurikens, and I was going to send it to you right now so you can test it and let me know if it works well or if there is anything I should change!] Lia said.
[...You''ve alreadypleted creating one of the shurikens?] I asked, astonished, but as I looked at her more closely, I saw that she had heavy circles under her eyes, suggesting that she had been working tirelessly and had been up all night.
[Eh? Y-Yeah, I worked on it nonstop for the past three days, but I''m sorry I could onlyplete one!] Lia made an anxious remark.
"...."
''It''s already astounding that she was able to create even one in such a short length of time, considering casting a spell on a weapon would take many days,'' I mused inwardly.
[Don''t worry about it; you finished even one far more quickly than I anticipated.
So, are you sending me thepleted shuriken right now?] I inquired.
[Yeah, hold on, I''ll send it to you immediately!] Lia responded by moving closer to the medium-sized white box, then scanning it with her camera.
Tring!¡ª
(Lia wants to send you a package; do you want to receive it?
|Recieve||Reject|)
I pressed the Receive button.
[Receiving a Package...]
The medium-sized white box then quickly appeared in front of me.
[There are also other prototypes in there, as I practiced crafting the ideal shuriken you want on different materials before using that valuable stone.
You can use it, discard it, or do whatever you wish with that prototypes.] While yawning, Lia made a remark.
Yawn~
I opened the box right away and discovered that it contained several prototype shurikens as well as a special palm-sized box, which I assume contains the shuriken constructed of Onyx stone.
The prototypes already made an impression on me.
''If prototypes are this good, how good will the real shuriken that I requested be?'' I thought to myself as I took out the special box and slowly opened it.
"...."
As soon as my eyes fell on the palm-size shuriken, I was mesmerized by its unique design.
The shuriken was midnight ck in color, with only two razor-sharp and lethal des. The des had gleaming silver edges that added to the weapon''s ominous aspect. The shuriken''s small size andpact shape made it easy to conceal, contributing to its utility in surprise strikes.
The silver edges also suggest that it isposed of high-quality premium metal, which makes it sturdy and reliable.
[...What do you think of it?] Lia inquired, her voice apprehensive.
[Oh, of course, I love it!] I gave my answer with a big smile.
[Pheww, that''s great to hear. Oh, and I also cast a spell on it, so you have to put a drop of your blood on it so it can be your familiar and you don''t misce it.] Lia remarked, sighing in relief.
And when she observed me acknowledging the first weapon she crafted for someone else, she smiled with delight.
[...So I have to add a drop of my blood to it for it to bind with me?] I spoke as I transferred a drop of my blood to the shuriken.
The shuriken started vibrating as soon as my blood touched it.
Shreing!
¡ª Shreeing ¡ª
[Bravo! It is now linked to you. You can use it and let me know if there are any improvements you would like me to make or if I should add more functionality to the other two shurikens.
Although I had previously made daggers for myself, this was my first time creating a weapon for someone else. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you have.] said Lia.
[Sure, I''ll let you know how it performs after a week or so of use.] I reacted while attempting to control the shuriken made of onyx stone.
And I could immediately tell the difference because, inparison to anything else I had ever used my telekinesis on, the shuriken felt far easier to handle.
Shrieng! Shrieng! Shrieng!¡ª
The shuriken began to flow quickly around me, and I was able to manipte it as if it were a part of my body.
As I continued to utilize it, I couldn''t help but smile.
[...A-Ahmm, I-I believe I should end the call now so you can practice with your new weapon.] When Lia saw my smile, she made an embarrassed face.
[Oh, right, I''ll get in touch with youter. love you, take care!] I quickly hung up the phone.
Beep!¡ª
And as soon as I hung off the phone with her, I stopped smiling and resumed my serious demeanor.
"You''re doing it again? ying with the emotions of women?" As Irethiel stood on the doorstep of the room, she said abruptly, her tone usatory.
Ares leaned back on his bed, a smirk shing across his lips.
"I had to do it because I want a high-skilled craftsperson on my team in the future, and before she meets Lucas, I have to make sure she falls for me so she doesn''t end up joining Lucas''s teamter," He responded casually.
"...."
''...So he believes that women in love are easy to manipte?'' Irethiel thought to herself.
"Of course, I recognize it''s an unconventional approach; messing with a woman''s emotions is not something a good person would do."
He paused for a moment before adding with a sly grin,
"...But I never said I was a good person!"
Ares could feel the disbelief in Irethiel''s eyes as she stared at him, but he didn''t let it bother him.
He was aware that his methods were questionable, yet they always resulted in sess. He would do whatever it took to get what he wanted, even if it meant ying with other people''s emotions.
As Irethiel stood there staring at Ares, the tension between them was evident. She finally shook her head in disdain and turned to leave, grumbling to herself.
!?
"...what''s the deal with her?" Ares mumbled as he watched her walk away.
***
"...."
"He said "love you," didn''t he? ...N-No, I must be exhausted since I am hearing things; Y-Yeah, I suppose I should go rest for the time being," Lia whispered to herself, her cheeks flushed red.
Chapter 133 Planning The Expedition.
Next Day ~
Driiing!¡ª (rm Sound)
As the rm clock red in my ears, I groggily reached over to push the snooze button.
Beep!¡ª
I dragged myself out of bed as soon as I heard the beep indicating that the rm had been turned off. I stretched my arms and legs, but I was experiencing the same headache I had the night before.
Regardless, I quickly changed into my workout clothes and went to the training room.
The familiar image of my training area weed me as I entered my training room. It was equipped with high-quality dummies that I used to practice my sword fighting skills and my element of electricity.
I grabbed my practice sword and warmed up by swiftly and precisely slicing through the air.
I could also feel the sword''sfortable weight in my hand and the surge of adrenaline as I swung it with the deadly intent. In addition, I worked on various methods andbos, pushing myself to be faster and more effective with each strike.
And after an hour of sword practice, I moved on to exercising my element of electricity. I concentrated my mana and conjured a small spark of electricity, which crackled and swirled along my fingertips.
I tried casting several spells I had used in a past life in an effort to regte electricity and harness its power.
"Electric Lumen" (Electric Light) I whispered a spell that produced a little spark of electricity that could only be utilized to cast a small light show or illuminate locations that were otherwise dark.
"...."
Despite the fact that I was a B-Rank magician in my past life, I am now only able to employ such weak spells that even the system won''t acknowledge them.
I know several other powerful spells as well, but I can''t use them now since I don''t have enough mana.
Regardless, these minor spells can at least assist me to enhance my control of the element.
"Electric Discharge," I whispered quietly.
The wave of electricity immediately traveled toward the dummy, striking near its heart.
Shriekk¡ª
It was a spell that generated a tremendous electrical discharge that could be used to stun opponents or disrupt electronic devices. In addition, the modest electrical flow can be used to power small electronic equipment.
...I can also charge my phone using this spell.
"Electric Tremor," I whispered another spell.
The spell caused a minor electrically charged disturbance in the ground, which can be utilized to shake loose objects or create small waves.
...
...
...
After another hour of training, I took a break and sat on a mat, drinking some water and catching my breath.
To assess my performance, I focused on the dummies.
The training dummies had sensors that could measure the potency and precision of my strikes and spells. So, I could notice the improvement I had made from my earlier workouts.
And a sensation of satisfaction came over me as I realized that the force of my blows had actually grown.
I was aware that I still had a long way to go, but I was determined to constantly develop my strength.
I could feel the sweat running down my face and the aching in my muscles as I finished up my training. So I went to the restroom to take a shower.
...
After drying off from my shower and getting dressed in my academy uniform, I grabbed my phone and called Silvia since I needed her assistance with something.
Ring, ring, ring! (Phone Ringing)
¡ªTic
[H-Hello, Ares?] As she answered the phone, Silvia eximed in a surprised voice.
[...Yes It''s me, why do you sound surprised?] I was curious.
[O-Oh, it''s nothing, I''m just surprised because I''m not used to getting a call from you.] Silvia responded.
"...."
When I heard her, I remained quiet for a brief period.
[Anyway, I apologize for leaving without informing you yesterday. When I saw Jessica, my vampire instincts began to tingle, almost as if they were begging me to flee.] Silvia went on speaking.
[Well, you did the right thing by fleeing there, because Jessica can detect vampires and demons when they are close to her.] I stated.
[That''s what I thought as well, but hold on¡ªwhat about Irethiel? Has she been able to detect her?] Silvia inquired in a perplexed manner.
[...Yeah, she did notice Irethiel''s presence.] I responded.
[Oh, poor demon, is she dead? If so, I''m familiar with a cemetery where you can bury her.
We ought to at least give her a respectable burial since she was your ve, don''t you think?] When Silvia spoke, her voice seemed ecstatic for some reason.
"...."
[...No, she is still alive!] I responded.
[Huh? Howe Jessica let her live?] Silvia inquired confused.
''Of course, she let Irethiel live simply because she thinks she''ll be valuable in detecting the demon lords once they''re unsealed,'' I reflected inwardly.
"Shut up, vampire, I am not the type to die so easily," Irethiel suddenly responded as she swooped down in her crow form.
[Ah shit¡ª sorry, I mean I''m d you''re still alive and kicking, Irethiel; if you had passed away, I would have missed you.] When Silvia heard Irethiel, she said.
"...Miss me? I know you''ll be the one who enjoys my death the most," Irethiel said in a neutral tone.
[Howe you''d say that? Given how much we''ve been through together recently, isn''t it obvious that if something were to happen to you, I''d be the most hurt?] Silvia stated, attempting to sound sentimental.
"...."
[...All right, enough of that; let me get to the point of why I called you!] I intervened before they began arguing.
[I thought you called because you miss me? Was that not the case?] Silvia asked in a dejected tone.
"Damn you, Aegis." When I heard Silvia''s tone, I mumbled internally as it seemed rather familiar to me.
[...I contacted you because I need you to create a fake identity and adventurer card for me.] I ignored her previous statement and rified why I had called her.
!?
[Eh? Why do you need a false identity?] Silvia asked with confusion.
[...I need to visit the abandoned kingdom, and the only way to do so is to ept the adventurer guild''s quest of subjugating the monsters and preventing them from crossing the barrier.
However, Ido not want anyone to know that I am there, especially now that Jessica is monitoring me.] I borated.
[What? Do you wish to go to the abandoned kingdom? You know it''s not a ce to go on a whim, right? Since it is now swarming with monsters, things might turn very dangerous there.
Didn''t we just get through that annoying gate yesterday? And you now already want to go somewhere even riskier.] Silvia expressed concern.
[...Thank you for your concern, but I have an important task toplete there.] I replied.
[D-Don''t you have a tournamenting up soon? Can''t you just go after that?] Silvia probed.
[No, I can''t; it will be toote by then, and I can return before the tournament begins.] I replied.
''What is that task that he wants toplete that haspelled him to visit the abandoned kingdom so urgently?'' Silvia thought to herself.
[So, can you create an identity for me?] Ares inquired.
[Y-Yes, You can use the identity of a diator prince and obtain an adventurers card endorsed by our sponsored adventurers party, which was formed by that Howkins guy.
However, I presume you must still take the adventurer exam before epting any quests.] Silvia borated.
[That''s fine with me; I don''t mind taking the adventurer exam.] I responded.
[...Okay, then I will make the other necessary arrangements!] Silvia made a remark.
[I appreciate your help, Silvia.] I said.
[Ah, do you want me to apany you?] Silvia sounded interested.
[No...this time I have to go alone.] I stated.
As I had no idea what was waiting for me there because I had only received vague information about this quest from the system.
[I-Is that so... please don''t overdo it and take care of yourself!] Silvia stated in a concerned tone.
[...Don''t worry, I''ll be fine. And I will be hanging up now, as I have to deal with someone before I leave for the abandoned Kingdom.] I remarked.
[Ah Ok, I will see youter then, bye!] Silvia said hurriedly.
[All right Bye!] I said before hanging up the phone.
Tic¡ª
"...When are you going to this ostensibly abandoned kingdom?" Irethiel questioned.
"It''s not me, but we''re going there," I corrected her as I exited my dormitory and made my way toward the academy''s main building.
"...."
As I walked through the hallways, I noticed students already hard at work. Some were honing their skills, while others were studying at the library in preparation for the uing tournament.
Even though there will be no sses until the tournament, I was curious about what had transpired in the previous three days while I was away.
And, more importantly, ...it was about time for me to deal with Zerix.
***
Chapter 134 The Accidental Kiss!
I made my way toward the archery grounds to get the information from Diana on what Zerix and Erina had been up to while I was gone.
As she appears to receive regr updates from the elves from both Zerix''s and Erina''s factions.
"It must be fairly convenient to have all elves loyal to her; she would have been the toughest contender for the post of a representative if she had been somewhat intelligent," I muttered to myself.
However, when I got to the training grounds, I discovered that the entire area was vacant, with not a single student there.
"...."
''...Is she actually using the entire archery range as a personal training ground?'' I paused to think for a moment before moving to the archery range where Diana usually do her training.
And as I arrived at the archery range, Diana''s incredible disy of skill and power immediately surprised me.
Instead of using a standard bow and arrow, she was using her mana to create the arrows, and was aiming at the targets from a distance of more than 500 meters away.
Swish!
¡ª
My ears were filled with the sound of arrows whipping through the air as I stared in awe as she expertly targeted andunched her arrows, each one hitting its target with precision and uracy.
The targets, which were ced at varying distances, were adorned with glowing bullseye, and as I observed, ten arrowsnded in quick session, each one hitting the center of its target.
Thud¡ªThud¡ªThud¡ªThud
But due to the sheer force of the strike, the entire target was obliterated the instant the arrows reached the bullseye, leaving nothing but wreckage and debris behind.
I had to use my Hawkeye skill to observe her since it was difficult to see her from my position with my unaided eyes.
Diana moved with fluid ease and uracy; her movements were deliberate and well-practiced, showing that she was a true expert in her field.
She was dressed in a fitted green tank top, tight ck cks, and a pair of sturdy brown boots.
The entire scene was stunning, and it was difficult to take my gaze away from her as she continued to increase the distance between her targets while still nailing bullseye after bullseye with ease.
Thud¡ªThud¡ªThud
The silence of the range sharpened her concentration and shot precision. Even with Hawkeye''s skill, it was now difficult to see her strikes from such a distance, but her arrows were so explicit that I could monitor the path of each arrow as it struck its target.
"...."
Diana, sensing my attention, turned and winked at me, since she could clearly see me from afar as well utilizing her ability "Elvish Sight."
The ability is unique to elves and allows them to see farther than humans or other species, making it easier to locate and hit targets at long distances.
''They would have a natural aptitude for archery as an Elf who utilizes a bow, and with their increased vision, they would be able to shoot with remarkable uracy from long distances.''
While I was thinking to myself, Diana quickly approached me, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel.
Her clothes were soaked with sweat and her hair was sticking to her forehead from the intense focus and exertion of her practice.
She held a small water bottle in her other hand and took a sip before turning to face me.
"So, Ares, what brought you here? I doubt you came here to train with me," Diana gave me a small smile and said.
"It appears you are working very hard," I said to Diana while smiling.
"Of course, I have to work hard! As a future elven empress, I would rather not disappoint the popce with my poor performance in the uing tournament," Diana replied with a determined look on her face.
"Keep up the good work?... I guess?" I responded, unsure what to say in front of her resolute expression.
"...."
"...I know why you''re here, so let''s go somewhere else since I have a lot of information I think you''ll like," She remarked with a nk expression after hearing me, and motioned for me to apany her to a private office at the edge of the archery range.
I couldn''t help but nce at the destroyed targets for a moment before shaking my head in amazement and following her into the office.
It was not the professor''s office where we generally do our meetings, but a different modest office assigned to the archery course''s president.
The office was well-lit and furnished with a desk, several seats, and a few shelves with books and papers.
"Archery isn''t the only thing she''s focused on, eh?" I whispered to myself as I noticed the stack of books on her desk.
"Hmm? Did you say anything?" Diana asked and offered me a seat and sat down opposite me.
"...It''s nothing. Anyway, what is the information you want to give me?" I inquired as soon as I sat down without wasting any time.
"Oh, I''m not sure where to begin, because a lot has happened in the past three days you''ve been gone," Diana said, pausing for a second, and when she noticed my curious expression she continued speaking.
"Let me begin with the information I believe will be of most interest to you, which is the situation between Erina and Zerix," she said, pulling out two cans of energy drinks from her storage ring.
She then abruptly threw one of the energy drink cans at me.
Catch!¡ª
!?
I instinctively grabbed the drink can, which was surprisingly still cold, and observed a cartoon of an elf woman with Diana''s features holding a chalice as a logo with the words "Elvish Ambrsia" imprinted on it.
"...."
When I saw the drink, veins bulged on my forehead, not because I disliked it; in fact, I had never tasted it. I was just irritated because I was waiting for her to tell me something, but she abruptly took out the drinks and hurled one at me.
Pop!¡ª
Diana opened the drink can and began drinking it.
Gulp!¡ª Gulp!¡ª
THahhhh!¡ª
She made a strange noise after taking a mouthful of gulps, and her face was beaming with delight.
"...."
"I-It''s an energizing and nutritious elven drink that will give you a surge of energy and vitality," Diana hurriedly remarked, as if advertising, when she noticed my irritated expression.
Nheless, I believe her advertising was effective since after seeing her enjoy the drink, I became curious about its taste as well.
I, therefore stared at the drink can that was in my hand for a moment, before opening it, and taking a sip.
Gulp!¡ª
!?
"So, how is it? Did you enjoy it?" As soon as I took a sip, Diana turned her curious attention to me and questioned.
"It''s ...not bad," I responded casually.
But it exceeded my expectations, as I felt revitalized and energized after just one sip.
I looked over itsponents and discovered that it has a high caffeine concentration as well as other unknown energy-boosting mystical elements that deliver a rapid burst of energy and vitality.
But as I looked across at Diana, I noticed her arms crossed in front of her and a disappointed expression on her face.
"What?" I inquired seeing her expression.
"That drink is just "not bad" in your opinion? You know, ...you are the first-ever human to have tasted that drink, not evenmon elves can get their hands on them.
And that is your reaction to such a highly coveted drink? Agg, It is my fault for offering it to you.
Give it back to me," she eximed in frustration and reached across the table to grab the drink from my hand.
I quickly realized her intentions and pulled the drink back out of her reach.
Diana, caught off guard, stumbled forward, and before we knew it, our lips met in an unintentional kiss.
"Hmm!"
The kiss was brief, but it was enough to make Diana''s eyes grow wide with surprise.
She quickly retracted her lips and moved back to her seat while holding them, her face flushing with embarrassment.
The drink, now forgotten, spilled on the table as we sat there in silence,
"...It has a clean and crisp taste!" I suddenly made a remark.
"W-What?" Diana blushed and eximed, embarrassed.
"I''m talking about the drink, it was actually quite refreshing," I rified, unbothered by the kiss.
!?
However, I immediately felt Irethiels piercing gaze on me.
"What? It happened identally!" I said to her telepathically.
"...This isn''t an anime or a novel, and there are no such things as fortuitous urrences in this world," Irethiel remarked.
"Are you sure? As I thought I was in a novel world!" With a sneaky grin, I responded.
When she heard me, Irethiel was left speechless.
"...."
Meanwhile, Diana quickly exited her thoughts, still blushing, and stammered, "O-Oh, that drink is associated with our ancient elven culture."
"...I see, that''s intriguing. Can we now discuss the information you intended to offer me concerning Erina and Zerix?" I inquired with a smile.
"S-Sure, Let me start with the big incident that happened shortly after you left," Diana said, regaining herposure.
***
Chapter 135 Faction War: Erina Vs Zerix [1]
ording to Diana''s intel, there appears to have been an incident between Erina and Zerix''s factions.
Zerix, irritated that the tournament date had been pushed ahead, suddenly stormed Erina''s factions stronghold with his entire faction to deal with her once and for all.
This sparked a huge faction war between the two groups.
Zerix''s faction had the upper hand because it outnumbered Erina''s faction and many members had already switched sides to join Zerix.
However, just when it appeared that Erina''s faction would be defeated, our protagonist Lucas Eugene, along with other first-year students, joined the fight and helped prevent Erina''s faction from beingpletely eradicated.
''...It was about time they met each other,'' I thought inwardly.
"Did everyone blindly follow Lucas'' orders and join the fight without a fuss?" I inquired of Diana as I was curious.
"Well, Livia and I were already aware of your arrangement with Erina, so we decided to assist her," Diana responded.
"As for the rest, they joined of their own volition. Lucas, inspired by his chivalry, is determined to assist Erina. ude joined because Erina is his sister, and Kevin most likely followed ude as he always does.
And I don''t think I need to exin why Ziona joined, do I?" Diana stated.
"Yeah, that''s true. Where there''s a battle, there''s Ziona," I said and chuckled.
Also, I was impressed by Diana''s precise assessment of them, despite her reputation for being dumb.
"Exactly! Oh, do you want to watch the video of their fight? Diana eximed enthusiastically.
!?
"...Wait! You have a video of the incident?" I asked, confused.
Diana puffed her breast with pride and said, "Duh, of course, I do, as I already obtained the information that Zerix was about to attack Erina''s stronghold, so I made arrangements to capture the footage for you to view."
"...."
I merely remained motionless when I heard her.
"So, let me ask you this... you already knew Zerix was going to attack Erina''s stronghold, right?" I asked.
Diana nodded her head proudly in agreement,
"Umu umu!" "As I''ve stated before, I already received that information from the elves," she ims.
"...And you merely utilized that information to set cameras and film the fight?" I asked with a serious expression.
Diana affirmed, "Yeah, the cameras are high quality with numerous spells like invisibility and camouge cast on it, and it can capture footage as if we are viewing a movie."
"...."
"...She can''t be serious right?" When Irethiel heard her, she was left bbergasted.
''I take back what I said earlier about being impressed by her intelligence,'' I thought to myself.
As she could have already alerted Erina to the impending attack, and armed with that knowledge, Erina could have devised a trap and dealt with Zerix for good.
"...All right, let''s see that movie footage of yours," I said as I shook my head in disbelief.
Hearing me, Diana hurriedly took out the crystal ball, set it on the table, andunched the recording.
Camera footage!~
The scene starts with a wide shot of a fortress-like building, with tall walls and guards standing watch.
Soon, the sound of an rm can be heard ring in the background, indicating that an attack is imminent.
The camera then moves inside the stronghold, where Erina''s faction members, dressed in matching yellow uniforms, were seen training and preparing for the uing tournament.
The serenity was abruptly broken when they heard an rm and saw the gates of the stronghold smashed open by Zerix''s faction members, who were d in the same set of uniforms but in red, charging in with their weapons drawn.
The camera moves to quick shots of intense hand-to-handbat and weapon shes between members of both factions.
Zerix, on the other hand, moved alone with a broad grin on his face.
Erina''s side seemed outnumbered and outmatched, with many of their members being overwhelmed by Zerix''s faction.
The camera moves to Erina, who appears determined but also worried as she attempts to organize her faction members.
Just as it appears that all hope is lost for her, a group of first-year students wearing ck uniforms arrives at the stronghold.
The camera focuses on a close-up of our main character, Lucas Eugene, charging into the conflict with a determined expression on his face. The camera pans to fast glimpses of Lucas, ude, Kevin, and Ziona battling skillfully and passionately, taking down several members of Zerix''s faction instantly.
The appearance of Lucas and others changed the tide of the battle. Erina''s faction was now seen to hold its own and even push Zerix''s faction back.
As the tide of the battle swings against him, Zerix can be seen in the backdrop of the scene, looking enraged and desperate.
And when he spotted a blue-haired girl sitting casually on the bench outside eating a sandwich and yet to make her move, he realized that his n to eradicate Erina''s faction today has failed and that he needs to make a quick escape.
His beastly instincts screaming him to flee before she finishes her sandwich.
"Retreat!!"
He shouts out to the remaining members of his faction before fleeing.
The camera changes to a shot of Lucas and Erina, both looking relieved as Zerix and his remaining faction members flee the stronghold.
"Thank you so much; you arrived just in time. We couldn''t have held our grounds without you," Erina turns to Lucas and said with a captivating smile.
"I-It was nothing, Erina. We''re all in this together. W-We have to stick together if we want to win the tournament," Lucas replied quickly while blushing.
It was noticeable that his heart skipped a beat when he saw Erina''s smile.
Erina nods in agreement and turns to address her own faction members, "All right, everyone. Let us tend to the injured."
As the camera pans out, we see the members of Erina''s faction tending to the wounded.
...
...
Screech!¡ª (Footage ends)
"What are your thoughts? Wasn''t it like we were seeing a movie scene?" Diana inquired.
"...Yeah, that was definitely movie-like, alright!" I responded, a grin on my face.
Not because I enjoyed the high-quality footage, but because I witnessed something more interesting than the entire battle sequence.
...Which was Lucas'' demeanor while conversing with Erina, it revealed that he is already attracted to her, which gave me an idea for finally breaking A''s grip on him.
"...By the way, I can see every single person in the video except for you. What were you doing?" I shook my head and asked after getting my thoughts together.
"Oh, I was controlling the cameras; they can be set to automatic as well, but I enjoy doing it personally since it allows me to record scenes that interest me," Diana exined.
"...."
"She''s a lost cause," Irethiel remarked.
''Why does she want such perfect shots? Is she nning on bing a video maker or something?'' I leaned back in my seat as I thought to myself, unsure of what to say to her.
On the one hand, her quest for perfection was annoying, yet I couldn''t deny that her video had been beneficial to me in some way.
So I made the decision to keep my thoughts to myself and not criticize her.
"And after thates the serious part," I heard Diana''s voice interrupt my thoughts.
!?
"What? Are you still not finished?" I asked, confused.
"No, this is when things start to get interesting!" Diana said, catching my attention.
"It''s now time for Erina''s counterattack and the involvement of that sly bitch- I mean A Eugene," Diana stated.
"...."
Chapter 136 Faction War: Erina Vs Zerix [2]
When Diana began speaking, I focused my attention on her since I was curious about what games A had been ying while I was away.
"After Zerix''s attack on Erina''s stronghold, many students were severely injured from both factions and were unable to participate in any further fights for the time being," Diana exined.
"This left Erina outnumbered and vulnerable to another attack from Zerix. Despite the fact that many of Zerix''s faction members were also injured during his raid, but as the leader of thergest faction in the academy, he still had more non-injured members than Erina.
Feeling stressed and unsure of what to do, Erina decided to reach out to you for assistance, but she saw the news that you had entered some mysterious gate and worried it would be toote if she waited for you.
So the following day, she went to the person she had fought alongside in the battle against Zerix''s faction the day before to seek his assistance.
...Do you know what that person is?" Diana inquired.
"Of course, it''s Lucas. Who else could it be?" I made a remark.
"Exactly, I''m not sure why she didn''t go to his brother, ude, for help, but instead went to Lucas," Diana replied, pausing her exnation for a moment before shaking her head and continuing.
"Anyways, When Erina went to Lucas and shared her worries, he immediately agreed to help her.
However, Zerix was already prepared for this and instead went to recruit the first-year students from Alpha and Beta sses.
Although he was aware that these students were weaker than those in special sses, but his main goal was to expand his faction and fight in greater numbers.
At first, nobody joined him and remained neutral, without supporting either group.
However, Zerix devised a strategy in which he offered 50 gold coins to each student who joined his faction.
As he knew that many students in the Alpha and Beta sses needed more money for their training and were underpaid inparison to those in the special sses.
As a result, Zerix''s faction began to rapidly expand. This meant that, even with the assistance of Lucas and our other ssmates, Erina''s faction would have to fight against such arge number of opponents, with no certainty of victory.
In the worst-case scenario, if they were seriously injured, they would be unable topete in the tournament.
Faced with this misery, many of our ssmates opted not to participate in any future battles, leaving Erina with only a few people in her faction.
However, ...that''s when that sly bitch A devised a plot to raid Zerix''s faction strongholds before he could attack Erina again.
As she knew that, being the biggest faction in the academy, Zerix possessed three bases that split his faction.
One was led by Zerix himself andprised his most powerful and loyal followers.
The remaining two were managed by the appointed members who he deem trustworthy.
One of these bases was made up of recently recruited individuals, while the other was made up of students of average strength.
The issue was that Zerix was frequently relocating these bases to thwart attacks, so they were impossible to pinpoint.
However, A solved this issue by already having one of the students infiltrate the base of newly joined members while Zerix was recruiting them with money.
This provided them with the location of that base, but they still didn''t know where the other two bases were.
Zerix was wise enough not to share this information with the new members or to reveal when he nned his next attack.
However, A approached me; I''m not sure how she learned that the member in charge of the base with students of average strength was an elf, but she asked me to retrieve the location of that base from that elf," Diana came to a halt in her exnation while looking at me.
"...Is that so? Did you give her the location then?" I asked Diana, curious about what her response was.
"No, I merely told her that, I have no idea about any base managed by an elf, and I don''t know if it is located on the outskirts of the academy besides the abandoned factory," Diana stated, shaking her head.
"As I didn''t want that sly bitch to get any more credit, I wanted to share that information with you instead," she added.
"...."
Irethiel muttered to herself in disbelief when she heard what Diana just said, "Didn''t she realize what she just said? She just gave away the location by saying that,"
"But I still don''t know from where she received the information about the location of that base though," Diana added tilting her head sideways, seemingly confused.
"...Oh, I wonder where she got that information from," I remarked sarcastically, staring nkly at Diana, knowing that she herself have foolishly given away the location of that base.
"I know right? In any case, they now knew where two of the three bases were.
This was enough, as this allows them to significantly weaken Zerix''s faction.
So, the following day, when Zerix was not expecting it, they decided to attack both bases at the same time by forming two separate teams.
One team,prised of ude, Kevin, Ziona, and me, as well as a few others.
we were in charge of destroying the base with newly joined members.
The next team, consisting of Livia, Lucas, Erina, and others, was in charge of destroying the base with average-strength students,"
Diana stated and paused in her exnation, pulling two crystal balls from her storage ring and cing them on the table.
"...."
"...Don''t tell me you also filmed the incidents when they raided Zerix''s bases?" With a straight face, I inquired.
"Yeah, but the camera was set to automatic this time because I had to engage in the fighting as well," Diana stated as sheunched the recordings from one of the crystal balls.
***
Camera Footage [1]!~
The screen opens on a group of students, led by ude, as they march towards a heavily guarded base.
The camera follows closely behind them.
As they approach the base, ude signals to everyone to be ready for battle, and the sound of weapons being drawn fills the air.
When the guards saw them, they immediately stood ready with swords and shields, but they were no match for ude and the others.
The camera cuts to a close-up of ude as he charges forward with quick speed, his dagger in hand. We see a montage of swift and precise strikes as ude takes down the guards one by one.
The camera then cuts to Kevin, Ziona, and Diana who are also taking down the guards with ease.
As they enter the base, they find more of Zerix''s followers inside, caught off guard by the sudden attack.
The camera cuts back and forth between the team members as they fight their way through the base, taking down the members of Zerix''s faction.
Diana uses her bow and arrows to attack the guards from a distance, Kevin strike at them from behind, while Ziona uses her agility and speed to dodge the students'' attacks and strike them brutally upfront.
As they reach the center of the base, they find themselves face-to-face with the leader of the base, a human student with a huge physique who is one of the loyal members of Zerix''s faction.
The student was armed with a huge two-handed sword and is seen ready to defend the base at all costs.
Ziona, with a huge grin on her face, steps forward.
"Leave him to me," she says confidently.
The camera focuses on Ziona and the leader as they sh swords in an intense fight, the sound of metal colliding filling the air.
sh!
ng! (swords collide)
We see Ziona''s agility and speed as she dodges the student warrior''s strikes, always one step ahead.
Finally, Ziona sees her opportunity. She fakes a dodge to the left and then quickly darts to the right, catching the leader off guard.
And with a swift strike, she knocks the sword out of his hand.
The camera cuts to a close-up of the leader''s horrified face as he realizes he''s been defeated.
Ziona suddenly kicked him in the gut, sending the student flying and copsing against the wall.
Thud!¡ª
"...."
Before the clip ends, the camera sweeps in to show the knocked-down leader with his eyes turning white and mouth gaping.
Screech!¡ª (Footage End)
***
Chapter 137 Faction War: Erina Vs Zerix [3]
After seeing the footage, I realized how easily they were able to eradicate that base.
Despite the base was beingposed of recently recruited individuals, the power disparity was obvious, as no one from the first-year special ss students was seen struggling against the Zerix''s faction members.
And I don''t think I need to watch the second footage to figure out how their attack went, as the second team is made up of huge powerhouses like Livia, Erina, and ude, along with some other strong individuals.
However, in my opinion, the three of them alone would have been sufficient to thoroughly destroy that base, which isprised of students with average strength.
"I''m curious how long it took them to clear that base, as even I haven''t watched the next team''s attack footage yet," Diana said before starting the footage.
And as Diana began to y the next footage, I came out of my thoughts and focused my attention on the screen.
***
Camera Footage [2]!~
The screen opens with a team of Livia, Lucas, Erina, and others approaching the base that was somewhere on the outskirts, seeming ready for battle.
The camera follows Livia as she walks alone and casually toward the entrance, her eyes examining the students guarding it.
The guards appear frightened, as they immediately recognised her.
But before they could even react, Livia without uttering a word, raises her hand and the camera focuses on a huge orb of ice forming in her palm.
As she flings the massive ice orb forward, the entrance door was destroyed, and the guards who were standing in front of the entrance to guard it were all sent flying and are seen being knocked unconscious by her single attack.
Thudle!¨C (Door destroyed)
!?
The noise alerted the members inside and they were seen rushing outside to stop the intruders.
The camera cuts to Lucas, who instantly charges forward with his spear, taking out multiple enemies with swift and precise strikes.
The camera then shifts to Erina as she moves quickly and stealthily through the base, her dagger shing in the dim light as she takes out enemies one by one.
As they fight their way deeper into the base, the team encounters stronger enemies, but they work together to take them down.
Livia uses her ice magic to slow them down, making it easier for Lucas and Erina to strike. Lucas uses his spear to keep the enemies at bay, while Erina uses her dagger to knock them off.
However, it was evident that Livia was trying to suppress her strength.
The camera pans to the base''s leader, a male elf with a bow who is spotted hiding. He unleashes a rain of arrows upon the team, but Livia steps forward, her hand raised.
The camera again focuses on a small orb of ice forming in her palm, growingrger andrger until it bes a massive st of ice, engulfing the entire area and even freezing the elf in ce.
"...."
The camera shifts to focus on Livia, who is approaching the frozen elf who was hiding behind the pir.
She extends her hand and casts the spell, which was needless given that the elf was already frozen.
"Frostbite." She muttered.
A blue light surrounds the frozen elf, and his body starts to freeze even more, bing stiff and immobile. And the frozen elf falls to the ground, unconscious.
The camera then pans out to show the reactions of Erina, Lucas, and other team members, who appear shocked.
The defeated elf is shown lying on the ground, his eyes turned white and body still encased in ice from the effects of the spell.
However, Livia abruptly turned toward the camera and tossed an ice crystal at it.
Scheeeeee!¡ª (Camera lost connection)
***
Diana muttered under her breath, disregarding the fact that her camera had been destroyed by Livia. "They cleared the base in less than 10 minutes?"
That did not surprise me, as Livia was seen controlling her strength and trying to work with others, otherwise, the base would have been cleared much sooner.
"It seems she is practicing to work with others, for the uing tournament," I stated.
Diana, however, was displeased. "It was evident she was doing her hardest to hold back, but don''t you think casting that spell on an already frozen elf was a bit too much?"
I shook my head. "...Nope, that elf should be d that he is not seriously injured, because based on what I knew about Livia, she would have shattered several bones and hospitalized him for not putting up a fight and wasting her time," I said with a chuckle.
Diana remained silent for a brief period before scoffing. "If she is that confident in her prowess, she could have gone directly to Zerix''s base and dealt with him and his faction members on her own."
I leaned back in my chair. "I''m sure she would have done that if you had told her the location of Zerix''s base," I remarked.
Diana''s expression shifted to a grin. "Well, she can''t do that anymore because she''s no longer at the academy," she informed.
I raised my eyebrows in perplexity before asking. "Hmm, Why? Where did she go?"
"She was summoned by the king of Demetria kingdom, her father, for I don''t know what reason, ...but there is a rumor going around that she was summoned because her father fixed her engagement with someone," Diana exined, still grinning.
"...Oh, her engagement is already arranged?" I let out a nonchnt sigh and spoke.
I was well aware of the person she would be engaged with.
''If the plot would have progressed naturally, their rtionship would have somewhat worked out in the end, but now I can just pity that poor guy as I don''t know what Livia will do to get rid of him.
...Because she is already obsessed with me.'' As I was thinking this, arge grin emerged on my face.
"...."
Diana was taken aback by myck of concern.
"You don''t seem bothered by that, aren''t you curious about who that guy is with whom Livia will be engaged?" Diana asked.
"Oh, do you know who that guy is?" I pretended to be interested.
"No, but-" Diana was about to say something, but when she heard me, she halted in her sentence.
"Well, I am just happy for her," I remarked as I yawned.
Diana was left speechless when she heard me, as it was now well-known all around the academy that Livia likes me.
And here I am, behaving as if I didn''t know anything about it.
It''s not that I want to, but for my future goals, I had no choice but to act in this manner.
''...S-So he''s like the novel''s dense protagonists, huh? I had no idea boys like that existed in real life as well,'' Diana thought inwardly, yet she had arge smile on her face as if she hade up with an idea.
''She''s so predictable,'' I wondered as I noticed her smile.
Meanwhile, Iretheil stared at me for a moment but didn''t say anything, as if she was now used to it.
"Anyway, how did Zerix react to the destruction of his two bases?" I inquired abruptly.
"O-Oh, he was beyond outraged after hearing the news of his bases being raided, and is nning on ambushing Erina today," Diana answered quickly, her cheerful smile still obvious.
"...Is that so? Could you be more specific about his ambush?" With a smile, I asked, my fingers intertwined.
"S-Sure!"
Chapter 138 Faction War: Conclusion
Erina had grown ustomed to staying at her strongholdte into the evening for her training, while the majority of her faction members returned to their dorm rooms early, leaving only a few of her closest confidants with her.
And Zerix, saw this as an opportunity and nned an ambush as she and her confidants were returning to the dorm building after training.
As they walked the dark streets, a loud roar shattered the silence.
Awooooooo!¨C
Erina immediately reached for her daggers, her brow furrowing in suspicion. Her confidants followed suit, pulling out their weapons.
But before she could react further, a sharp painnced through her stomach, as if she had been stabbed.
!?
Ahk!¡ª
She looked down to find blood seeping from a wound, and when she turned to see who was to me, she was faced by her confidant''s face twisted in a vicious grin, brandishing a knife smeared in her blood.
"W-Why?" she muttered in disbelief, trying to stem the flow of blood with one hand as she nced at the rest of her confidants.
She noticed two of her confidants were unconscious on the ground, while the other two had the same nasty grins.
And then she heard footsteps approaching from behind her, and as she turned to face them, she was greeted by Zerix, who had a wicked grin on his face.
"They were my people from the start," Zerix said, as if that exined everything.
Erina''s mind reeled. She had been betrayed, which means...Zerix had been aware of their ns all along.
"Y-You let your bases to be destroyed?" she snarled, her fury oveing her pain.
Zerix shrugged, "Do you think I care about those weak and pathetic bastards? How naive."
Erina''s anger turned to disgust as she realized the extent of the betrayal.
"...D-Did you just use them as a meat shield?" she snarled.
"Used them? They should be honored to be used by me for a greater cause," Zerix sneered, as he slowly began to approach her.
Erina was wounded and outnumbered, but she would not go down without a fight. She took her two-dagger stance, ready for the inevitable sh.
Zerix licked his lips, a cruel grin on his face, as he readied his ws.
Without hesitation, heunched the first attack, his ws tearing through the air toward Erina.
Erina tried to dodge, but her injury slowed her down, and she was struck. She stumbled back, her face contorting in pain.
But she would not be defeated so easily. She channeled her mana, empowering her strikes, and charged at Zerix, her daggers glowing yellow.
The battle was intense and fierce, as they both used their mana to enhance their attacks and defenses.
Erina''s daggers shed with Zerix''s ws, sending sparks flying, the streets echoing with the sound of their battle cries and the sh of their weapons.
ng!¡ª ng!¡ª
Erina''s wound hindered her movements, but her empowered strikes kept Zerix at bay for a while.
But as the battle raged on, Erina''s energy started to drain and her movements became slower.
Zerix, sensing her weakening state,unched a powerful attack that Erina could not defend.
And after being hit by the attack she was sent crashing to the ground, her breath ragged and her body trembling.
Thud!¡ª
"Aghhh"
***
At The Same Time, Somewhere On A Distant Buildings Rooftop ~
When Erina and Zerix were locked in a fierce battle, on the rooftop of a distant building, stood a handsome boy with ck hair, his eyes glowing golden as he watched with focus.
Beside him, an elf with blonde hair sat, munching on popcorn and sipping from a drinkbeled "Elvish Ambrosia."
"Wow, Erina never suspected till now that her closest confidants were actually working for Zerix?" Aresmented, using his skill "Hawkeye" to observe the battle.
"That betrayal is the worst kind of feeling," Irethiel made a remark telepathically as if she were reminded of her own past betrayal.
"Poor Erina, she would have never imagined that Zerix was just using the newly joined members and the average-strength students as sacrificialmbs," Diana added, popping another kernel of popcorn into her mouth as she too watched the battle using her ability "Elvish Sight".
Thud!¡ª
"Ouch, that had to hurt," Diana eximed as Erina was sent crashing to the ground by Zerix''s final attack.
"Don''t you think we should go help her?" Diana asked Ares as she turned to face him.
"...No, let''s wait a bit longer," Ares replied.
"Let''s deal with the rats hiding in the dark first," he added, taking out his new custom-made shuriken.
And with a flick of his wrist, he covered the shuriken in electricity and sent it flying toward the individuals lurking in the shadows near Erina and Zerix''s battle.
Swish!¡ª
The shuriken moved at lightning speed, its blue glow illuminating the darkness as it struck its targets, knocking them unconscious.
Aghhhhhh!¡ª (Screams of the people after being hit by the shuriken)
Diana was surprised when she saw the shuriken and its striking power, "That weapon looks interesting," she muttered, ncing at Ares whose eyes now glowed blue as he concentrated on controlling the shuriken.
When all the individuals lurking in the shadows were dealt with, the shuriken returned to Ares'' hand.
"They were Zerix''s faction members, as he prepared for unforeseen events," Diana remarked.
"...I don''t think he was prepared enough," Ares replied with a smirk.
Ares had already known about Zerix''s ambush n from Diana, but decided to do nothing to stop it, wanting to create the perfect scenario where Erina, betrayed and injured, would beg and pray for help, and as if to answer her prayer, he would arrive just in time to save her, like a prince in shining armor on a white horse.
Even though he was no longer a prince and had no horse,...well, he would still save her, arriving at the right moment.
"Now then, shall we save the damsel in distress?" Ares said with a grin, as he descended from the rooftop toe to Erina''s aid.
***
Zerix approached Erina, a victorious smirk on his face.
"You put up a good fight, Erina," Zerix said in a dramatic tone, "But in the end, I was always one step ahead of you. I knew your every move, your every strategy. And now look, I''ve finally won."
Erina red up at Zerix, her eyes filled with anger.
"You may have won this battle, Zerix," she spat, "But the war is far from over. You should be worried, because now he wille for you."
!?
Zerix''s smirk faltered when he heard Erina''s words.
"You mean Ares? Don''t worry, I''ll deal with him sooner orter," Zerix said with a grin, trying to hide the unease in his voice.
"Hehehe, we will have to wait and see about that," Erina suddenly startedughing.
Hearing herughter Zerix''s face distorted, he raised his ws, prepared to deliver the final blow to Erina.
Erina closed her eyes, epting her fate.
She knew that Zerix was trying to severely injure her so she could no longer participate in the uing tournament.
shbacks of her training hard with her faction members, and the betrayal of her closest confidants, flooded her mind.
She couldn''t help but think, "Fufu, How I wish he was here." She muttered under her breath, thinking of someone who could have possibly saved her.
Swish!¡ª
And just as Zerix was about to strike, ...his hand was suddenly severed by a shuriken that appeared out of nowhere.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Zerix screamed in pain as his hand was now severed.
!?
Chapter 139 Damsels In Distress!
Ahhhhhhhh!¡ª
Zerix let out a scream of agony as his hand was severed by the mysterious shuriken.
!?
Hearing Zerix''s painful scream, Erina opened her eyes, her mind confused, to see Zerix writhing on the ground, his blood flowing freely.
She couldn''t believe that she had been saved at thest moment.
As she looked around, she saw Ares approaching, the shuriken returning to his hand.
Erina felt a sense of relief wash over her as she recognized Ares.
"You''re finally here," she said, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice.
"What are you morons waiting for? Attack him now!" Zerix screamed in desperation, unaware that his faction members had already been taken down by Ares.
The three students who had betrayed Erina stood frozen, their expressions terrified. They knew they were no match for Ares.
Swish!¡ª Swish!¡ª Swish!¡ª
Suddenly, three arrows came out of nowhere, striking the three betrayers and knocking them down.
Erina was taken aback by the dramatic development, but she quickly noticed Diana approaching with her bow in hand.
Ares threw a healing potion at Diana, who caught it deftly. "Make her drink this," he said, gesturing towards Erina.
Diana nodded before discovering that it was an advanced healing potion; she was surprised for a moment but quickly came out of her daze and moved towards Erina and helped her drink the potion.
As soon as Erina drank the advanced healing potion, she felt the wound on her stomach close and her strength return.
Meanwhile, Zerix was bewildered as to why none of his faction members were attacking Ares, until he heard him speak.
"Oh, you''re not waiting for your little minions hiding in the shadows, are you?" Ares said with a hint of sarcasm. "Don''t count on them, the next time they wake up, they''ll be in a hospital bed," Ares said with a chuckle.
Zerix''s expression twisted in anger as he realized that Ares had already taken care of his hidden faction members.
And with a growl, he suddenly began to change, his body growingrger and his features shifting into those of a wolf. His fur started to sprout as his body was enveloped in a dangerous purple aura.
It was the ability unique to beast people, "The Beastman Transformation," an ability that not all beast people possessed. Zerix''s transformation was proof that he was one of the elite few who possessed this ability.
He let out a fierce roar, baring his sharp and salivating teeth, before charging towards Ares with his one remaining hand, ws outstretched and ready to strike.
But Ares stood calmly, watching as Zerix charged towards him with all his might.
Zerix swung his w wildly, but Ares easily dodged each strike with fluid movements.
"Is that all you''ve got?" Ares taunted, "I expected more from a beastman of your caliber."
Enraged by the insult, Zerix increased the ferocity of his attacks, but Ares continued to effortlessly dodge them.
With a swift motion, Ares suddenly threw the shuriken covered in electricity at Zerix.
Zerix, not realizing the danger, continued to charge toward Ares with all his might and the shuriken struck his shoulder.
Though the damage from that attack was not severe or caused a deep wound, however, Zerix''s body abruptly jolted noticeably as a result of the electric shock.
Aghhhh!¡ª
Zerix shrieked as he stumbled to the ground, supporting himself with his remaining arm.
He realized the electric shock he had just felt was caused by the shuriken, and since he now only had one arm that''s been utilized to bnce himself, he chose to use his teeth to remove the shuriken that had struck his shoulder.
But he didn''t think Ares could control the shuriken with his telekinesis, and as Zerix''s mouth approached the shuriken, it whirled towards his teeth, shattering all of his sharp teeth in an instant.
Ahhhhhhh!¡ª
Zerix screamed and cried as he rolled on the ground like a dog, due to pain.
Erina, slowly sitting up with the help of Diana, watched Zerix with a hint of satisfaction on her face.
She was astonished by how quickly Ares defeated Zerix, who was obviously no match for him.
Ares approached Zerix, who was still rolling on the ground in pain.
"How disappointing," he said, looking down at him with disgust before kicking him in his face.
Ahhhh!¡ª
Ignoring his screams, Ares continued to stomp Zerix''s half-destroyed teeth again and again until the remaining half began to fall off.
Stomp!¡ª Stomp!¡ª
Aghh!¡ª Aghh!¡ª
He continued his stomping until Zerix lost consciousness, with all teeth shattered, and his whole face was now a bloody mess.
"...."
As she observed the situation in front of her, Erina was horrified.
Even though she detested Zerix, she was left feeling conflicted about Ares after seeing him treat Zerix with such savagery as though he were his greatest enemy.
Erina sighed and wondered aloud, "...Why would he go that far and beat him that ruthlessly?"
"...."
"Of course, he''d be outraged if someone tried to hurt his friends," Diana responded after overhearing Erina.
!?
"F-Friends? Do you mean Ares regards me as a friend?" Erina inquired, confused.
"If not, why would he beat him so brutally? I don''t think he has any reason to go that far," Diana remarked while struggling to keep a straight face.
After hearing Diana''s spections, Erina was rendered speechless.
"...."
''Ag, why does he want me to repeat these foolish lines, what if she falls for him as well, I already have Livia to deal with and don''t want any morepetition,'' Diana thought uneasily.
And when Irethiel saw Erina''s reaction, she was shocked, as it was as Ares had predicted.
"...His knack for reading people''s emotions is terrifying," Irethiel mumbled to herself, as this was not the first time she had seen Ares read people''s emotions and use them against them.
...
? ...
"...Looks like I was right, there was indeed someone else who nned this entire situation,"
Ares whispered with a sneer as he felt a re on him; he had a sensation that someone was observing him from the minute he arrived on the scene to save Erina.
He swiftly scanned the surroundings using his skill Hawkeye and was able to spot a mysterious figure in a ck hooded cloak, attentively watching him from a distance.
But as soon as the individual felt Ares''s gaze upon them, they vanished into thin air.
Ares shrugged it off, knowing he would deal with that personter. His attention turned to Erina, who was still recovering from her injuries and looked shocked and dazed.
"You okay?" Ares asked as he moved toward her.
"Y-Yeah, it is all thanks to you," Erina replied, still in shock from everything that had just transpired.
"No problem, that''s what friends are for," Ares said with a warm smile, offering her his hand to help her stand.
Hearing him, Erina took his hand without thinking, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
"Are you able to walk on your own or do you need me to carry you to the special dorm building?" Ares asked Erina.
Erina faltered in embarrassment,
"C-Carry me? N-No, I think I can walk now that my wound is fully healed due to the healing potion you gave me."
"Alright, let me know if you need any help. I''m just d you''re feeling better," Ares replied with a pleasant smile.
"Why does he seem to have a natural affinity with women?" Diana muttered to herself, watching the scene unfold.
"Ah, I need to attend to my injuredpanions," Erina abruptly eximed as she hurriedly made her way to her fallen faction members.
Ares followed her and asked, "Do they need any healing potions? I have some with me."
Erina double-checked herpanions "No, they''re only unconscious and haven''t sustained any significant injuries. They should be fine when they wake up. However, I appreciate the offer.
And I want to repay you for that advanced healing potion, I know they''re worth a lot, but I''ll do my best to repay this debt." Erina said with a strange expression.
"Don''t worry about it; consider it a favor between friends, but if you want, you may do me a favor when I need it," Ares added with a smile.
"I''m fine with anything, as long as it''s not something like repay me with your body," Erina remarked jokingly.
"Oh, that''s the second option; I don''t mind if you take that," Ares said innocently.
"Eh?"
Erina was dumbstruck when she heard me and there was a moment of silence.
"Pfftt, Hahaha, don''t worry, I was just messing with you, you should have seen the look on your face," Aresughed, breaking the tension.
"Ha-Haha, y-yeah, I guess it was a joke," Erina nervously chuckled.
***
"...."
As Ares and Erinaughed and joked, Diana couldn''t help but feel left out, standing there in silence as they seemed to ignore her presence.
"That poor girl, she doesn''t realize he''s simply using her," Irethiel sighed as she observed Diana standing alone.
Chapter 140 Exposing True Colors!
Click!¡ª
A stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a white towel and using another to dry her hair. And when she was drying her hair, she suddenly heard strange noises in her ear.
Tic-Tac-Tic-Tic-Tac.
She slowly looked up and was surprised to discover a handsome ck-haired boy seated at a table, solving her favorite puzzle cube.
"What are you doing in my room?" A eximed, wrapping the towel around her body tightly.
Tac!¡ª
The boy¡ª Ares finished solving the puzzle cube and looked at A.
"I don''t see what you''re attempting to cover because there''s nothing fascinating to view there," Ares said straightforwardly with a sly grin.
A red at him unpleased by hisment on her body.
"T-Tell me what are you doing here? Why are you in my room?" She demanded.
"That''s what I wanted to ask you," Ares said,ughing. "Why don''t you exin what you were trying to achieve before I show your brother this footage of you?" He held up a recording crystal ball that had arrived in his hand out of nowhere.
"What footage are you talking about?" A regained herposure and inquired, her brow furrowed and her gaze fixed on the crystal ball.
"So you don''t want toe clean?" Ares mumbled as he stepped down from the table.
He approached A and bent down to whisper in her ear, "It''s the footage of you coborating with Zerix."
!?
"What are you on about? I''ve never worked with him," A answered, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"It doesn''t matter whether you acknowledge it or not because I already know you were behind that plot; I''m just interested in why you chose to help Zerix while your brother was doing everything he could to support Erina," Ares asked as he yed with the crystal ball.
Catch!¡ª Catch! ¡ª
A remained silent, staring at the crystal ball as if she intended to snatch it from him.
Ares looked at A with a grin and stated, "Hmm, frankly speaking, I think I already know why you nned all this and chose to back Zerix, instead of Erina."
"...."
"...If you already know that, did you merelye here to ckmail me with that so-called footage? Which might be your made-up falsehood?" A spoke while folding her hands.
"I don''t really care, even if you think it''s fake," Ares simply shrugged.
"Even if I chose to help Zerix rather than Erina, it shouldn''t upset you because you don''t care about any of them, right?" A made a remark.
"So you''re finally confessing you were behind Zerix''s plot, huh?" Ares continued to smile as he spoke.
"...Yes, since there''s no use in hiding it from you now if the tape in your hand is genuine," A exined.
"What if it''s a forgery?" Ares expressed his curiosity.
"That''s irrelevant now because you already knew it was me, and that''s also why you''re here sote at night, right?" A borated.
***
During The Faction War: Erina Vs Zerix ~
A''s Pov ~
I was not really interested to be involved in the rivalries and power struggles of the Zerix and Erina''s factions, or anyone else''s within the academy.
As I believed that in due time, all would fall before the formidable might of Ares, and that monstrousss that is obsessed with him.
And in fact, it was me who alerted everyone in the first year, now part of Ares'' faction, about Zerix''s attack on Erina''s stronghold that day.
I learned about the attack coincidentally by following Diana, who was wandering foolishly while recording herself with an autonomous flying camera.
I was intrigued by what this idiot Diana was doing when everyone else was preparing for the uing tournament, so I decided to follow her.
And while following her, I overheard dumbo Diana talking to herself about Zerix''s n while recording on a camera.
"...."
After confirming the veracity of the information, I alerted the members of Ares'' faction of the impending attack by posting it on an inte group I had created, with only me and Ares as administrators.
Though this little detail would not typically be significant, Ares''sck of inte activity leaves me in the leadership of the group.
Regardless, upon receiving my message that Ares is in support of Erina, something he had already expressed in our previous meeting, the members of Ares'' side rushed to Erina''s aid, as no one wanted to incur Ares'' wrath.
I would not have gotten engaged in the matter if it hadn''t been for the information I received from Kevin during our meeting that Erina came to meet Ares in their advisor''s training ground.
knowing Ares'' personality, and, based on the way Ares had talked of her and the ease with which he had left ude to persuade Erina to join him, I knew he had already formed an agreement with her.
And I also realized that I was already on Ares'' radar and that I could fool everyone with my naive act but not him, so I made the decision to assist Erina in an effort to appease him.
And all went well; Erina''s side was saved from annihtion thanks to my intel, and as the fight came to a conclusion, it appeared that my efforts had been fruitful...until I witnessed something unpleasant.
When I watched my brother Lucas, I could tell from the way he behaved during their chat that he is drawn to Erina.
I had nothing against my brother finding happiness withdies, but now was not the time for such distractions, as involving women in his life now would hinder our future ambitions.
So, with a calcted mind, I devised a new n to eliminate Erina before Lucas'' feelings for her grew stronger.
I approached Zerix, offering him a strategy to defeat Erina once and for all.
The n was to his liking, for it would not only rid him of his weakest members but also give him the opportunity to defeat Erina.
And he did not care about the small amount of money he have to spend in order to recruit those useless sacrificial students from Alpha and Beta sses.
With my guidance, Zerix set about creating three different bases, using two as a diversion while he prepared to ambush Erina at her most vulnerable moment.
I then went to Erina, pretending to aid her while secretly leaking information about the two bases to her that I got from Zerix himself.
I also approached Diana as I already knew that she gets all the information from the elves, just so I could exin that I got Zerix''s bases information from her so no one could suspect my involvement with Zerix.
..
And as the battle began, it seemed that all was going ording to my n as I got Erina where I wanted.
...But then, Suddenly, Ares appeared out of nowhere, having cleared a mysterious gate, and in an instant, my ns wereid to ruin as he saved Erina effortlessly.
I had even warned Zerix to prepare for the unforeseen, as I already anticipated something like this would happen, but nothing could have prepared us for the might of Ares as he singlehandedly defeated each and every one of Zerix''s faction members, including that useless bastard Zerix.
And so, in the end, I could only watch as my schemes wereid to waste by Ares.
***
Presently ~
"I had nned on disposing of that useless beastman after dealing with Erina, by giving you the location of his stronghold when you returned to the academy," A stated coolly.
"You''re finally showing your true colors, huh?" Ares remarked with a smirk.
A moved towards her bed and sat down, crossing her leg.
"You have no right to say something like that to me. If someone were to see your true self, they would wonder if you were some kind of devil incarnate," A said with a sly grin, her innocent facade now gone.
"The same goes for you. I wonder how your brother would react if he saw this side of you," Ares replied, matching her grin.
When Irethiel saw their identical evil grins, she pondered, "Are they, long-lost siblings?"
"So, what do you want from me? If you wanted to expose me, you would have gone directly to my brother with that footage or posted it online already," A questioned.
"You''re right. I do want something from you," Ares said as he slowly approached her and held her chin.
A looked into Ares'' eyes, her expression unchanging. "What is it that you want?"
Ares leaned in closer,. "I want you to work with me. Together, we can aplish great things. We have a simr mindset and simr goals. Imagine what we could achieve if we joined forces."
A looked into Ares'' eyes, her expression unimpressed. "What''s in it for me? Cut to the chase, I don''t have time for vague offers."
Ares smiled, and quickly got to the point.
"Power and influence, financial benefit, and the ability to achieve your goals faster and more efficiently."
"...You are talking like you know what my goal is," A asked with a straight face.
Ares gave a small smirk and said, "I may have an idea of what your goals are."
***
Chapter 141 The Representatives Role!
Thud!¡ª Thud!¡ª
Ares was punching the heavy bag in his dorm room''s training area, mimicking Tania''s martial arts techniques while watching her tutorial on YTube.
Tania, in her video, was demonstrating the use of mana inbat. She showed how to channel mana into physical attacks, enhancing the power of punches and kicks.
And also demonstrated defensive techniques, such as creating a shield of mana to protect against enemy attacks.
Ares watched intently as Tania exined the different ways to manipte mana and how to control the flow of energy within one''s body.
He was particrly interested in the techniques of channeling mana into physical attacks, which he had never trained before.
He paused the video and practiced the movements, focusing on channeling his own mana into his punches and kicks. And while doing so, he was able to feel the energy flowing through his body, increasing the strength of his strikes.
Crackling!¡ª Cracking!¡ª
He continued to watch the tutorial, taking notes on the various techniques Tania demonstrated, and practicing them on the heavy bag.
As he trained, he imagined himself in a real fight, using his mana to strike with precision and power, and defend himself from enemy attacks.
He knew that mastering the use of mana inbat would make him even more formidable.
Thud¡ªthud¡ªthud
He was training with intensity, striking the heavy bag with powerful punches. The bag was enchanted for added durability, but couldn''t withstand the force of his strikes for long.
With one final punch, the bag burst open, sending pieces of leather and filling flying everywhere.
Thudding!¡ª
"Fuuuu!"
Ares let out a deep breath as he took a break from his training. He wiped the sweat from his face and took a sip from his water bottle.
"I didn''t know you had a recording of that A girl coborating with that beastman," Irethiel, who had been watching Ares train while eating snacks spoke up.
She didn''t really want to watch him train, rather wanted to watch animes, but Ares won''t let her.
Ares looked over at the trash can that was beside the bench Irethiel was sitting on and pointed to it. "You mean that crystal ball in the trash?"
!?
Irethiel''s eyes followed his gesture, and when she saw the crystal ball that Ares had used to ckmail A, now discarded in the trash, she was dumbfounded.
"I didn''t have any recording. I just had a hunch that it was her, as Zerix is not capable of such plots.
I confronted A with a fake crystal ball recording just to see her reaction. But she eventually confessed to being behind everything," Ares exined as he sat on a bench, holding his water bottle.
"I see. And what about working with her in the future? I thought you hated her," Irethiel asked.
Ares let out a chuckle. "Working with her? Hell no. Do you think I can trust someone who maniptes her own brother? I admire her intelligence, but she''s not trustworthy enough to work with.
We''ll only be operating together in the uing tournament. I don''t trust her, and I''m sure she feels the same way about me," he said, getting up from the bench and leaving the training area.
"It''s like two devils working together with no trust in each other," Irethiel muttered to herself.
***
Next Day ~
The news of the end of a long-running faction war between the third-year faction leaders, Erina and Zerix, had spread throughout the Soreh Academy.
Everyone had seen the images of Zerix''s brutally beaten face online, which was uploaded by Diana at Ares''s request. And hade to the conclusion that Erina and her faction were the victors.
They were now excited to see her face off against Ares in the representative selection.
However, Erina''s post on her social media ount caused a stir, as she announced that she would not be fighting Ares for the representative position and instead, would be working with him. She also thanked Ares for his help, referring to him as a friend.
Erina''s post:
[To all my friends and followers, I have an important announcement to make. After much thought and consideration, I have decided not to fight Ares for the representative position for the uing tournament.
Instead, I will be working with him to represent Soreh Academy.
I havee to know Ares as a friend and I have faith in his abilities. I believe that we will make a great team and I am excited to see what we can aplish together.
I would also like to thank Ares for his help and support during the faction war. #Teamwork #RepresentativeSelection #SorehAcademy.]
...
The post created a frenzy all over the continent, as it confirmed that Ares would be the representative for Soreh Academy in the uing tournament.
This also meant that Prince ude, Princess Erina, Princess Diana, and Princess Livia would be working under him.
Later, the official Soreh Academy social media ount officially affirmed Ares being the academy''s representative for the uing tournament, and also announced that Prince Aretrus and Prince Zerix would not be able to participate in the tournament due to their injuries.
The Official Soreh Academy''s social media post:
[Dear students and followers, we are proud to announce that Ares has been selected as the representative for Soreh Academy in the uing tournament.
We believe that he has the skills, determination, and leadership to lead us to victory. We would also like to inform you that Prince Aretrus and Prince Zerix will not be able to participate in the tournament due to their injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery.
Let''s support our representative and show the world the true strength of Soreh Academy. #RepresentativeSelection #SorehAcademy #Victory.]
This caused a huge buzz on the inte, as it was only the second time ever that a first-year student was selected as a representative.
Ares'' name was already trending due to his mysterious gate incident and now, his selection as the representative added to it.
His name was now well-known even among famous and powerful individuals, who were curious about his strength and what he was truly capable of.
Now, his social media ount was growing rapidly and had surpassed Mika and Tania''s ount, nearly tied with the person who holds the record of being the youngest transcended being and one of the most followed individuals.
***
Ares'' Representative Speech ~
Ares stood on a stage in front of a microphone, facing the students from the first, second, and third years who were participating in the uing tournament.
He began by addressing the crowd,
"As you all have heard, I will be representing Soreh Academy in the uing tournament.
As the leader of our team, it is important for me to ensure that we all work together cohesively.
I understand that some of you may not like me personally, but during the tournament, I expect all of you to listen to mymands and follow them closely.
I hate losing, and anyone who fails toply with my orders will face the consequences."
There was a murmur of chatter throughout the auditorium as the students listened to Ares. He then continued,
"I will be away from the academy for a period of time, focusing on my own training, and while I am away, I will be appointing student leaders to manage each year''s students.
Starting with the third years, I am appointing my dear friend Erina as the leader for the entire third-year ss."
!?
Erina was surprised by this development and was not expecting this responsibility.
Ares then announced, "Furthermore, I appoint Diana as the leader for the second-year students and A as the leader for the first-year students."
The crowd was not against Diana being the second-year student''s leader but was surprised when Ares named A as the leader for the first-year students, as they were expecting Livia to be chosen.
But since Livia is temporarily absent from the academy, the students assumed Ares would select another strong candidate, such as ude or Lucas.
Ares then firmly stated, "My decisions are final, and I would rather not hear any objections. If someone does not understand my instructions or has any concerns, pleasee and speak to me directly.
I want to make sure that we are all on the same page and working towards amon goal."
The whole auditorium went silent as no one wanted to object or go against Ares.
They knew Ares is not the type to listen to their concerns and just said it for a show.
''If you lot can''t understand it the simple way, I''mma make you understand it the hard way,'' that''s what they deduced from his remarks.
Gulp¡ª
They all nervously swallowed, imagining the anger he would disy.
Ares nodded in satisfaction as he observed the students'' faces before concluding his speech by saying,
"Good. I hope the respective leaders y their roles properly, and we can all work together effectively to achieve our goal of winning the tournament."
With that, Ares stepped down from the microphone and exited the auditorium, and the crowd quickly dispersed.
***
Chapter 142 The Last Goodbye!
After appointing leaders for the respective years, I returned to my dorm room to change into something more casual before leaving the academy.
Ring! Ring! (Phone ringing)
when I read the caller''s name, I was surprised for a moment before lifting up the phone.
[Hello?]
[Don''t you think it was a bad idea to appoint her as the first-year student leader?] Ivica immediately questioned as soon as I lifted the phone.
"...."
[Which Ivica am I speaking to?] I inquired since even their voices are identical.
[...The one who is dying!] She responded subtly.
[O-Oh. How are you feeling Ivica?] With trepidation, I inquired about her condition.
[Well, My condition is the same as it has always been. But forget about me and answer my earlier question, because I am concerned that you are being exploited in her machinations as well. Which will cost us the tournament.] Ivica stated, her voice wavering.
Cough! Cough!
Her coughing could be heard.
[Don''t worry, she won''t be doing anything inappropriate for now. After careful thought and discussion with her yesterday, I decided to appoint her as the first-year student leader. And I''m holding something she doesn''t want Lucas to see.] Iresponded.
''At the very least, she believes I have a recording of her and will not behave carelessly,'' I reasoned myself.
[...I see. I''m puzzled as to why you didn''t go with Livia. She should be returning to the academy soon.] Ivica stated.
[My initial choice was indeed Livia, but when I called her, she informed me that she would not be able to fulfill the role at the moment as she is dealing with personal matters and won''t be at the academy until the tournament.] I stated.
[This implies you''ll be meeting Livia directly during the tournament''s opening ceremony now. Huh!] Ivica muttered.
[I believe so as well. In any case, given the circumstances, A was the most suitable candidate for the position. Her appointment as a leader has been met with little to no objection, which saved me some headache, as her brother Lucas, as well as ude, acknowledged her contributions in saving Erina''s faction.] I stated.
Ivica took a breather before speaking.
[Hmm, picking Lucas is the same as selecting A. And ude would have protested if you had chosen Lucas over him. If you selected ude over Lucas, you would face hostility from both Lucas and A.
...Everything now makes sense!] Ivicamented.
''She is not entirely wrong, but the primary reason A wanted to be the leader was that she was concerned about what would happen if Lucas was chosen as the first-year student leader.
Because the obligations of a leader would necessitate regr coboration between the respective leaders, which would result in more time spent together between Lucas and Erina, which A wanted to avoid.
[Yeah, and I''m guessing you already know why I didn''t go with Ziona.] I inquired once I had gathered my thoughts.
Ivica replied with a chuckle.
[There would be no first-year students in the tournament if Ziona was the leader because she would have beaten them to a pulp in the name of training.]
Cough! Cough!
"Oh, she''s still alive?" Irethiel remarked when she heard Ivica coughing, having just returned from Rose''s mansion, carrying some sort of shopping bags.
"...."
I was left speechless when I heard her, as she sometimes has no filter with her words.
[Was that Irethiel?] Ivica inquired.
[...Yeah.] I replied.
[Hehe, she''s as blunt as my sister.] While ufortably chuckling, Ivica stated.
[No, I am not a ve. So we''ll never be the same!] In the background, Ivica''s sister''s voice could be heard.
''Yup, they are indeed simr in some aspects,'' I thought to myself when I heard thatment.
"...."
Irethiel remained frozen as she heard her, unable to react.
[T-That was my sister! A-Anyway, I heard you''re leaving the academy for training again. When are you nning on departing?] Ivica was curious.
[I''ll be leaving when we finish our call.] I responded.
[Oh, am I wasting your time?] Ivica mumbled ufortably.
[Irethiel just arrived, so I still have time.] I answered.
[Can''t you just tell him that you wanted to talk to someone other than me, so you called him after you found an excuse to do so?] Her sister''s voice could be heard again in the background, but I decided to disregard it.
"...."
...
...
And we continued talking for a few minutes longer.
[Goodbye, and ...take care, Ares!] Ivica said, sounding as if she is certain that this is our final farewell.
[...Yeah, you take care of yourself as well, Ivica.] I said before we hung up the phone.
Tic!¡ª (Call ends)
"What was that all about?" As soon as I hung up the phone, Irethiel asked with a perplexed expression.
"Oh, you mean her sister? I forgot to tell you that she has an identical twin," I said casually.
!?
"WHAT!" Irethiel eximed
***
"It''s about time we leave. Aren''t you ready yet, demon?" I inquired, irritated by Irethiel''s deliberate selection of objects to bring with us.
"Snacks? Check. Video game? Check. Novel books? Check...," Irethiel said as she continued to stuff goods into her little backpack.
"Where did you even get all of this from? Do you think we''re going on vacation?" I inquired, staring at her nkly.
"Oh, I went shopping with Rose yesterday to be ready for our trip to the abandoned kingdom," Irethiel answered, packing more items into her backpack.
"...."
''Why is she preparing things as if we''re going on a holiday?'' I pondered confused seeing her behavior.
"...How are you nning on carrying that backpack anyway?" I asked, curious.
"Carry it? No, I''m going to ce it in my new storage ring," Irethiel exined.
"Where are you going to wear that storage ring in your crow form? Around your neck like a pet you are?" I made a sarcastic remark.
"...."
Irethiel came to a halt in her packing and turned to face me, staring at me without saying anything.
"What?" I inquired, perplexed by her reaction.
"T-The thing is, I-I forgot that my human form can only be used for an hour or two due to myck of mana," Irethiel admitted, disheartened.
"How could you have forgotten something so important to you?" I asked keeping a nk face.
"Can you... can you carry this for me?" Irethiel asked, hesitantly.
"I can''t hear you, and I''m leaving; if you''re not out of the academy building in a minute, you''ll be disciplined," I said, turning away and beginning to walk away.
"P-Please?" Iretheil yelled.
"Hmm? Have you said anything? "I didn''t hear you correctly," I smugly questioned.
"P-Please, C-Can you help me carry this?" Irethiel said again.
I smiled at her and used telekinesis to get her backpack near to me before putting it in my inventory.
Swish!¡ª
"If one of my ves requests something, I will do my best to amodate them. Don''t you think I''d make a good master?" With a smile, I said.
"...."
When Irethiel heard me, she just stood there dumbfounded.
"All right, let''s get out of here," I remarked as I stepped out of our dorm room. Irethiel stood there for a while, frowning, before shaking her head and following me out.
We left the dorm and went straight to the warp gate.
I was dressed in a full white t-shirt and jeans, white sneakers, and a white facemask to cover my face.
As I''ve gotten too renowned to move around without covering my face.
I entered the warp station quickly and made my way to the VIP area, having paid a considerable sum of money to avoid waiting in line.
If I had used the public warp gate, it would have taken several hours for my turn to arrive.
Money was no longer an issue for me; in fact, I had lost track of how much I had in my bank ount.
When one of the workers noticed me, he promptly appeared, and as soon as I showed him my badge-like ticket, he escorted me to the private warp gate.
"It''s good to be rich!" I muttered as I followed behind him.
"Sir, you''re ready to enter," the gatekeeper said after making arrangements, and without wasting any time, I entered the warp gate.
My destination was already recorded on my ticket, so I didn''t have to mention it to him.
Swish!
And I was instantly teleported to the warp station of the Kingdom of Kaldor, which was nearby the abandoned kingdom.
Swish!
As soon as I arrived in the Kingdom of Kaldor, I could hear announcements in the background.
[Wee to the Kingdom Of Kaldor! We hope you have a pleasant stay!]
"Aghh, I hate these warp gates!" Irethiel grumbled.
"You should be grateful that you can travel for free,"
I remarked, ignoring her whining. And exited the warp station, as I needed to proceed to the Kingdom of Kaldor''s Adventurer Guild, where Silvia had already made the necessary arrangements for me, in order to ept the quest and obtain my new adventurer''s license.
***
Chapter 143 The Adventurers Guild: A Visit
As I stepped out of the warp station in the Kingdom of Kaldor, I was greeted by one of my ves, Howkins.
He was holding a sign that said "Prince" and seemed to be waiting for me.
"Where is Silvia? I thought she was going to pick me up," I said as I approached him.
"Boss! You''re finally here," Howkins eximed, moving to hug me, but I moved in time, and he clutched just the air.
"Tell me what I asked you before I kick your ass," I stated with a nk expression.
"A-Ahem, her maid informed me that she is visiting her grandparents and will not be able to pick you up.
However, the maid ordered me to take her ce and bring you to the adventurer''s guild, assist you in obtaining your new adventurer''s license, and ept the quest," Howkins borated.
"She went to see her grandparents?" I murmured to myself.
"She could''ve gone to a vampire continent to visit some ancient vampires," Irethiel spected telepathically.
"...I see, I wonder why she didn''t text me about this," I muttered.
"There was an emergency, and she had to flee, leaving behind everything, including her phone. That exins why she did not text you about it," The driver, who was a woman, stated as she lowered her window ss.
!?
"She''s also a vampire," Irethiel revealed.
I turned my attention to the woman seated behind the wheel of the car as I heard Irethiel.
"Can you tell me who you are again?" I inquired, noting that she shared Silvia''s hair color and appeared to be in her 30s.
"I am Miss Silvia''s maid that guy was talking about, sir Ares," she replied, showing no emotions on her face.
"...."
"She is putting her new ability to good use, huh," Irethiel remarked as the woman seemed to bepletely hypnotized, like a doll with no emotions.
"...Alright, let''s head to the adventurer''s guild now," I said while shaking my head, entering the car as Howkins opened the door for me.
"Here is your new identity, Sir Ares," the woman stated as she handed me a new ID.
When I looked at the picture on the ID, I was taken aback. It was of the same frail figure with white hair and blue eyes that Silvia had given me, set on a camouge pendant.
"...."
"She can''t be serious, right?" I asked the woman next to me with an irritated smile.
"Even if you stare at me all day, I have no answer to that. I was just instructed to hand over that ID to you by Miss Livia," the woman replied.
"Tsh," I clicked my tongue and shifted my gaze away from the maid driving the car.
"Boss, I heard you wish to go on a quest to the abandoned kingdom. I''m not sure why you''d want to go to that hellhole." Said Howkins, who was sitting in the backseat.
"...Do you have any information on the abandoned kingdom?" I inquired.
"I don''t know much, but I knew a diator who once entered that abandoned kingdom and barely lived. He was horrified as he told his narrative, so I''m simply curious why you want to go there," Howkins exined.
"That is none of your concern. And it would be fantastic for you if I died or didn''t return from there, right? You can be free again," I remarked as I gazed out the window at thendscape.
"What are you talking about, boss? You gave me a new life by reuniting me with my wife and daughter and even providing a new home, money, and work. I sincerely appreciate everything you''ve done for me.
Of course, I don''t want anything bad to happen to you," Howkins replied.
"...It''s a good thing your wife remained single all these years while waiting for you. I suppose you''re a lucky guy, huh?" With a chuckle, I said.
"She wasn''t single. He killed her new husband and then remarried her," the maid rified.
"...."
Upon hearing this, I turned to face Howkins to ask for the authenticity of that information.
Cough!¡ª
"Ha-haha, I was grateful that he looked after my wife and daughter while I was gone. However, now that I''m back, I can take care of them myself," Howkins remarked.
Hearing his exnation, I just stared at him nkly.
"He can''t be serious, right?" Irethiel whispered in shock.
"Oh, but I gave him the most painless death possible. I added some painless poison that would kill individuals while they were sleeping," he continued.
"You crazy bastard!" I murmured and shook my head.
"You could have married someone else. There is a lot of fish in the sea," I said.
"No! I''m not going to let that happen. I can''t envision her with anyone else, and I''d rather die than be parted from her," he answered resolutely.
"...Irethiel, your junior ve is a crazy bastard," Iughed, not knowing what to say to him.
I wonder what his wife''s reaction to that was. Did she get back together with him so easily after he killed her husband?...or did this bastard force her to stay with him?
As he seems to be like a male yandere type of a guy.
"...."
"Thates as no surprise. Like a master, like a ve," Irethiel remarked.
"Ahhh, This fucked up world," I muttered leaning back on my seat and closing my eyes, while smiling.
...
...
We soon arrived at the Adventurer''s Guild. And before getting out of the car, I disguised myself by wearing a camouge pendant.
And as I got out of the car, I observed a massive structure in front of me with the words ''Kaldor''s Adventurer''s Guild'' written on it.
"I will be leaving now, sir Ares. Because I have other tasks toplete. When you finish your quest, I''lle to pick you up.
my phone number is in the new phone that I gave you, so you can call me when you''re finished or if you need anything from me," The maid stated, to which I simply nodded. She returned her nod before driving away.
"Let''s move inside, shall we?" I said stretching my arms before moving inside, followed by Howkins.
***
The guild was bustling with activity as adventurers of all races and backgrounds came and went, some discussing their recent quests, others nning their next ones.
There were separate chambers selling weapons, armor, potions, and other supplies, as well as trainers offering instruction in various skills and techniques.
A huge hologram disyed hundreds of quests, ranging from simple fetch quests to dangerous monster hunts and ancient ruins exploration.
There were ss keyboards ced around the hologram, allowing adventurers to browse through the quests and pick the ones that best suited their skills and interests.
There was also a separate space set aside for those searching for a party.
After a brief examination of the adventurer hall, I approached the receptionist and presented my ID. She checked it briefly by inserting my ID into a machine.
"Wee, sir Marz. How may I assist you today?" With a smile, the receptionist greeted me.
That was my new ID''s name.
"...I am here to get an Adventurer''s License," I replied.
The receptionist''s smile dimmed as she heard my request and I knew what wasing next.
"Haha, Y-You''re aware that being an adventurer is a dangerous upation, right?" She forced a smile and looked at Howkins, who was standing next to me.
"...."
"He is¡ª" Howkins was ready to say something, but I cut him off.
"Bitch, shut the fuck up and do your work! I don''t need you to tell me about the risks of bing an adventurer," I eximed, my face expressionless.
As soon as I said that, the entire adventurer hall fell silent, and everyone turned to look at me with surprised emotions on their faces.
Some people''s mouths were open in amazement, while others furrowed their eyebrows in perplexity. The air was filled with whispers and murmurs as people tried to figure out who I was and why I was speaking so fiercely.
The receptionist''s expression was a mix of panic and uncertainty. She had no idea who I was or what to make of my actions.
"...Haha, he''s going to be our new adventurer party member. And I don''t think you recognized him. "He''s ''The Prince'' from the diator arena, he''s just not wearing a mask now," Howkins said hastily, attempting to ease the situation.
"I-I see. Though I''m not sure who the prince from the diator arena is, given that he''ll be joining your adventurer party, ''Aria'', he should be someone exceptional.
I apologize if my words offended you, sir Marz," the receptionist bowed slightly and said.
I just stared at her without uttering a word.
Actually, I had nothing against this poor receptionist and I know she was doing her job by warning me, seeing my appearance.
However, I''ve adopted a new personality as a defense mechanism to prevent myself from being an easy target and to keep people from underestimating me.
As I don''t want to be bothered by low-level viin characters approaching me, seeing my frail appearance, and me wasting time beating the shit out of them.
They should just infer from my personality that, ''He''s a crazy bastard, let''s just avoid him.'' kind of thing.
This strategy was taught to me by a famous book I read in my previous world, and I''ve found it to be extremely helpful in avoiding the bothersome mob characters.
"It has the famous quote that goes: ''Sometimes, It''s not the size of the warrior, but the strength of the battle cry that scares the opponent,''
***
Chapter 144 The Rank Assessment [1]
"Oh, it appears you have an assessment slot reserved in your name by... wait¡ª M-Miss Silvia?" the receptionist said, stutteringly.
"You are new to this work, aren''t you?" I inquired, noticing her demeanor.
"Huh, Y-Yes, how did you know that?" the receptionist asked, puzzled.
"I can tell by the way you act and the amateurish aura you exude. You will be fired if you don''t get your shit together soon.
As there seems to be someone waiting for that exact moment," I exined as I looked beside her.
!?
"W-What do you mean by¡ª"
The receptionist was about toplete her sentence but was interrupted by a middle-aged woman who suddenly appeared beside her.
"Josephine, it''s you again! I just left for a second, and you''re screwing up again? I''ve urged you many times to keep your opinions to yourself and focus on doing your job properly!" The woman, who appeared to be a senior employee, scolded the receptionist, whose name appeared to be Josephine.
"I-I''m sorry, I won''t make the same mistake again," Josephine said, bowing slightly.
From her bodynguage, I could tell that she was used to being scolded.
"This is what happens when you look too weak and frail in this world!" I muttered as I witnessed the receptionist being scolded.
"Why are you apologizing to me? Apologize to Sir Marz," the woman said, pointing at me.
But I could tell by her expression that she was secretly enjoying it, as if she had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Sir Marz, I-" Josephine turned toward me and was about to apologize with a tearful expression on her face, but I cut her off.
"Get the hell out of here, you old hag. I didn''t ask for your assistance, did I? Are you underestimating me because of my appearance?" As I spoke, I frowned at a woman who had just appeared.
That''s right, I''m using the infamous young master lines from those wuxia novels.
"W-What? Old hag? I, Sir Marz ¡ª" the woman had a contorted expression after hearing me, and she was about to respond but halted in her sentence when she noticed a man rushing toward us.
"Ah, Sir Marz, you''re here? Miss Silvia has already informed me of your visit; please excuse my tardiness in attending to you," A short, healthy man who appeared to be someone influential in this adventurer guild hurried toward us, sweating profusely.
"M-Manager Hong? What''s going on? What brings you here?" The old hag inquired, her face worried.
"You idiots, didn''t you recognize who the person standing in front of you is? Have I not already told you about him?" The manager started yelling at his staff.
''Eh? Who exactly is he?'' They all thought inwardly.
"He''s Miss Silvia''s boyfriend! So be careful what you say to him," The manager stated, capturing everyone''s attention.
"...."
Even I was taken aback when I heard him.
And Seeing my surprised expression, Howkins remarked in a hushed tone.
"I assumed you were already aware of this arrangement, and if you hadn''t noticed, she even titled our adventurer party after your and her namesbined.
Ares'' - Ar and Silvia'' - ia. That''s where our party''s name ''Aria'' originates from."
When I heard his exnation, I didn''t have to think twice about who suggested that name to Silvia, as my mind directly pointed me toward Aegis. I imagined Aegis winking and saying, "Isn''t it a cool name?" to me.
"S-So he is Miss Silvia''s boyfriend?" Josephine eximed, which brought me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, Manager Hong, Josephine was the one that angered Sir Marz!" The old hag said hurriedly in a sheepishly tone.
I can already assume from her acting that this wicked hag already knew about my identity and was waiting for the receptionist to make a blunder.
The manager red at Josephine with a distorted expression.
"No, she was the one that offended me!" I said, pointing at the old hag.
"Did you really think I''d let it slide if you tried to use me in your petty plots, you old hag?" I said with a grin on my face.
"...."
"Eh?" Josephine and the old hag both were surprised, hearing me.
"Me? B-But I just came to assist you?" said the old hag.
"You were just standing there staring at us, waiting for the appropriate opportunity to arrive here and scold her, weren''t you? Because you wanted to fire her using me, for who knows what reason. And you also called me tiny and fragile!" I stated.
"...."
Howkins and Josephine were stunned, their mouths agape, for they had never heard the old hag say those words to me.
"Tsh, see who she sought to use in her petty schemes: the Devil himself," Irethiel remarked.
"W-What? I never said anything like that," the old hag responded.
"You! Stop talking and get back to work; I''ll deal with youter." The manager yelled and shooed her away.
"Sir Marz! I apologize on her behalf, and I will take care of herter.
I''ve already started preparing for your evaluation; if you please follow me," The manager said while smiling and rubbing his hands.
I nodded my head and turned to Josephine, who smiled and bowed thankfully for helping her out. However, I disregarded her and followed the manager.
"...What is that woman even thankful to you about? Ultimately, it was because of you, she was in trouble," Irethiel remarked telepathically.
"That''s the tactic called ''Create Problems And Sell Solutions''. You won''t get it, demon," While following the manager, I stated with a smirk.
I achieved what I wanted by making a scene and even assisted the receptionist who I took advantage of.
"Wow, boss, you are a genius! I now understand why you scolded her in the beginning; you wanted to protect her from the schemes of that old hag, right?" Howkins eximed.
"Shut the fuck up, you dumbass Howkins," I said, as he had misinterpreted the situation.
However, everyone who had been focusing on us during themotion seemed to have believed Howkins'' words and were now seeing me in a new light with respect.
And the people began to chatter amongst themselves.
[I heard the olddy wanted her nephew to have the receptionist job, so she''s been bullying that poor receptionist for a long time now, attempting to get her to quit or be removed so her nephew could take her ce.]
[Yeah, I''ve heard that too. She appears to be a bully and has caused many people to quit their positions here.]
[I also heard that she has a close rtionship with her nephew...]
..
..
..
***
The manager led me through the halls of the Adventurer''s Guild, pointing out various facilities and amenities avable to adventurers.
And we finally arrived at the assessment room, a spacious and well-equipped facility.
The manager exined that this was where adventurers'' physical and magical abilities, as well as theirbat skills, were assessed.
He pointed out the various regions of the chamber and described what they were for, such as stations for testing strength, agility, and endurance, as well as spots for testing magical powers andbat capabilities.
There was also a device for measuring mana.
But I don''t suppose these devices can evaluate my mana because I acquire my mana from a different source than these people do.
The manager then went on to detail the requirements for passing the test and acquiring an Adventurer''s License, which would allow me to take on tasks and earn rewards.
"I am Aiming to be an A-Rank adventurer!" I abruptly informed him.
!?
"A-Are you certain, S-Sir Marz?" While sweating heavily, the manager inquired worriedly.
"Why? Are you doubting my abilities?" My brow furrowed as I questioned him.
"No, that''s not the case!" I will arrange it right away," The manager said before rushing somewhere.
"His expression exins how influential the merchant association and Silvia are in this continent," I muttered.
"Hmm, I believe you have what it takes to be an A-Rank adventurer!" While stroking his chin, Howkins said.
There was a new assessment system introduced for bing an A-Rank adventurer, which was not the same as what I had gone through previously when I arrived here with Mika.
The manager soon returned, huffing, and spoke.
"I-I got the permission to allow you to take the new assessing program.
Sir Marz, let me rify this assessment to you before we begin." Before beginning his exnation, the manager stated.
"The assessment will take ce in the virtual world to avoid any tragic injuries, as the program is still new to the public.
It is ssified into several ranks, beginning with Rank F and moving up to Rank A. Each rank puts an adventurer''sbat skills to the test, and the difficulty increases as the rank goes up.
The monsters that are included in each rank are:
Rank F: This is the lowest rank and is considered to be of low difficulty. It includes fighting low-level monsters such as Slimes, Goblins, and other weak creatures.
Rank E: This rank is slightly more challenging than Rank F. It includes fighting low-mid-level monsters such as Kobolds, Orcs, and other low-mid-level creatures.
Rank D: This rank is considered to be of moderate difficulty. It includes fighting mid-level monsters such as Trolls.
Rank C: This rank is considered to be of high difficulty. It includes fighting high-level monster Giant Spiders.
Rank B: This rank is considered to be of very high difficulty. It includes fighting high-level boss-type monsters like Ogres or other powerful creatures.
Rank A: This is the highest rank and is believed to be extremely difficult since the monsters that arrive will be the most formidable and dangerous monsters and bosses in thend, and it will be unknown what monster you will be facing until you confront him as it is based on your earlier fights.
Passing these assessments will get the adventurer the license, and your adventurer rank is also determined by which Rank monsters you can defeat," the manager exined.
***
Chapter 145 The Rank Assessment [2]
After exining the assessment, the manager instructed me to put on safety gear and select the weapons I desired to carry.
Hearing him, I quickly changed into attire simr to what I wore during the diator battleground - a white assassin-type attire as it has many safety spells enchanted on it.
And I chose to carry a sword instead of a katana. Furthermore, I already had shurikens in my inventory.
"Are you ready, Sir Marz?" The manager enquired, and I merely nodded.
He then led me to a white door and pressed the small red button on the wall next to it.
¡ªTic
¡ªShhhh! The door opened vertically, producing a cloud of white smoke, and I was soon able to glimpse the interior of the room.
"I''ll wait outside for you, sir Marz, but I''ll be able to keep an eye on you thanks to the cameras. Please keep in mind that your battles will be recorded for the sake of the higher-ups¡ª" The manager continued to exin, but I disregarded him and entered the room.
As I entered the white room, I realized that it was surrounded by numerous translucent crystals, just like the mystical space where our entrance exam was held.
¡ªTic
The door behind me closed, and the crystals began to glow for a brief time before transporting me into an arena simr to a diator''s arena.
"So, I''ll be facing the monsters here?" I murmured since the arena was not particrlyrge, roughly the size of a medium football field.
Beep!
When I heard the beep signaling the start of the assessment, I took a deep breath and braced myself for the trials ahead.
The first rank was F, and I knew that defeating low-level enemies like Slimes and Goblins would be easy.
And as a horde of low-level monsters materialized in front of me, I promptly lifted my palm and summoned a barrage of shuriken prototypes sent by Lia, along with the one made of onyx stone.
The shurikens hovered in the air as if waiting for my signal to attack.
¡ªShriiieng
With a quick gesture, I sent the shurikens hurtling toward the monsters, slicing through them with deadly uracy.
¡ªSwish
The shurikens moved at breakneck speed, effortlessly slicing through the slimes and goblins'' bodies like vegetables.
"Urgg!¡ª"
The monsters had no chance of defending themselves against the onught of shurikens, and they died screaming in pain one by one as the shurikens continued to strike.
The first round ended in less than 5 seconds when thest of the goblins copsed and dissipated into particles.
The shurikens then returned to me, circling around me acting like a shield, as I waited for the following wave of monsters to approach.
Beep!¡ª
[Round 1 Ended: All F-Rank Monsters have been Defeated!]
[Get Ready For The Next Battle!]
A robotic voice could be heard as soon as the F-Rank monsters were killed.
And in the next moment E-Rank monsters, Kobolds, and Orcs materialized.
However, their demise was the same as that of the previous monsters.
I used telekinesis to manipte the shurikens and immediatelyunched them in the direction of the Kobolds and Orcs as soon as they appeared, without giving them a chance to retaliate.
Each shuriken delivered a lethal blow to its intended target, effortlessly slicing through the bodies of the creatures.
The Kobolds and Orcs were unable to defend themselves and were swiftly ughtered by the shurikens circling around, their bodies severed in multiple pieces as if they had entered a grinding machine.
¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
As thest of the E-rank monsters fell, they disintegrated into tiny particles, signaling the end of the second round, and it was over in around 3 seconds this time.
Beep!
[Round 2 Ended: All E-Rank Monsters Have Been Defeated!]
[Get Ready For The Next Battle!]
As I progressed to the next round, Rank D, the difficulty rose as I was now faced with ten mid-level monsters, Trolls.
The trolls in groups were known to be strong opponents, but of course, they were no match for me.
As the D-Rank monsters, Trolls rushed at me, I braced myself for the confrontation ahead and summoned my sword along with shurikens, both of which were controlled by my telekinesis, andunched a simultaneous attack on the Trolls.
The sword glinted in the virtual light as it shed deep into the trolls'' flesh and it sliced through their thick skin.
Simultaneously, the shurikens soared with pinpoint uracy, striking the trolls'' areas of weakness.
Urggg!¨C
Despite their best efforts, the trolls were unable tond a single attack on me since I was quicker and more skillful than them.
I moved with elegance and quickness, evading their blows, and while doing so striking them down with lethal hits.
The parts of the trolls'' bodies were severed with each hit until thest of them copsed.
And I triumphed once more as the final troll disintegrated into tiny particles, signaling the end of the round.
Beep!
[Round 3 Ended: All D-Rank monsters have been Defeated!]
[Get Ready For The Next Battle!]
I was now faced with a new obstacle in the fourth round, facing up against five high-level enormous spiders.
"Hmm, the enormous spiders are known for their quickness and venomous assaults, but with my agility, I would be able to overpower them," I whispered to myself before charging toward them with my sword.
The spiders spit out poison and webs as they saw me approaching, but I quickly dodged them using my skill Snake Movement and was able to make rapid and precise hits on the spiders'' exoskeletons with my sword, weakening their defenses.
¡ªSlice
I then used my telekinesis to hurl shurikens at the spiders, striking them on the wounds I had just caused with my sword, resulting in a fatal impact.
Despite the spiders'' tenacity, I was able to defeat them one by one, triumphing once more. The final spider to fall turned into tiny particles before disappearing, signifying the end of the round.
Beep!
[Round 4 Ended: All C-Rank Monsters Have Been Defeated!]
[Get Ready For The Next Battle!]
[Injuries And Mana Have Been Regenerated To Their Original State!]
!?
My mana recovered on its own as soon as I heard that, and it was now restored to its original level.
The fifth round was soon underway, and I found myself up against three formidable B-Rank monsters, Ogres.
The ogres were enormous monsters that roared ferociously while carrying massive clubs trying to intimidate me.
However, Despite its deadly killing intent and frightening aura, I was neither intimidated nor affected.
"...."
My shurikens flew through the air, striking the ogres'' knees and causing one of them to stumble. Seeing this as an opportunity, I charged at it, striking the ogre''s weak points with rapid and urate strokes before leaping on top of it and killing it off by sinking my sword into its head.
¡ªArggggg
The Ogre screamed in agony before dissolving into tiny fragments.
Everything happened at lightning speed, in a matter of seconds.
!?
Surprised to see their kind perish in such a short period of time, the other two ogres used their massive clubs to crush me, but I was able to dodge and weave easily amid their blows since their attacks were too slow for me as if they were in slow motion.
And I wasn''t merely dodging their blows; I was also attacking them with my sword and shurikens at every opportunity.
The shurikens were like a bothersome fly to them, which they couldn''t easily get rid of because several shurikens surrounded them while slicing their flesh from time to time.
¡ªAhnnnnnnggg
When they were distracted by the shurikens, I was able to simply finish them off with my sword.
As thest of Ogres fell, it fragmented into particles, indicating the end of the round.
"Ahk" I bit my lower lip to relieve the tremendous headache I was experiencing as a result of constantly manipting the shurikens and utilizing my sword at the same time, both of which required a significant amount of focus and mental strength.
Beep!
[Round 5 Ended: All B-Rank Monsters Have Been Defeated!]
[Injuries and Mana Have Been Regenerated To Their Original State!]
[Prepare For The Final Battle!]
But as soon as I heard the notification, my headache went away, and I could feel my mana returning to its original state.
Fuuu!" I exhaled a sigh of relief and prepared to face an A-Rank monster.
''I believe it will be my first time going up against an A-Rank monster without any interruption, as I have never defeated one by myself and have always had someone to help me deal with them,'' I mused.
"I wonder what kind of A-Rank monster I''ll be up against!" I murmured to myself.
ording to that manager, I won''t be able to know what kind of monster I''ll be fighting until I encounter it because it will be determined by my earlier fights.
As I was thinking to myself, abruptly the virtual world morphed and transformed into a dark and gloomy wilderness.
And I could feel something powerful approaching.
Swish!
And suddenly... a massive dragon materialized in front of me, its scales gleaming in the virtual moonlight.
"You...have got to be kidding me!" With a shocked expression, I wondered aloud unknowingly.
***
Chapter 146 The Rank Assessment [3]
"You had to be kidding me!" Unknowingly, I wondered aloud as I saw a massive dragon materialize in front of me.
As who in their right mind would consider a dragon to be an A-Rank creature? For God''s sake, it''s the motherfucking dragon, and only a dragon''s infant may be measured as an A-Rank in the power level.
And I don''t think the huge ass dragon in front of me is an infant in any way.
Raawwaarrrgghh!¡ª
It burst forth a loud booming roar, jolting me awake from my stupor.
Ding!¡ª
However, I was interrupted by a sudden system notification sound.
"What is it at such a time?" In an annoyed tone, I summoned it to see what the fuck it wanted now.
[System Alert!]
[Conditions For Using A ve''s Title Effects Have Been Met!]
!?
[Title: The Dragon yer!] [Active]
[Belongs to Demoness Irethiel]
(Info: The "Dragon yer" Title grants the following benefits:
-Increased damage dealt to dragons.
-Increased resistance to dragon''s fire breath.
-Ability to use powerful dragon-ying spells or abilities.
Abilities able to use currently:
1."Dragon''s Fury": A powerful strike that deals extra damage to dragons and has a chance to stun the dragon for a short period of time.
2."Dragon''s Bane": A powerful strike that causes the sword to glow with a fiery aura, dealing extra fire damage to the dragon and reducing its resistance to fire, sometimes breaking the dragon''s scales.)
***
While Ares was checking the system''s notification, the dragon suddenlyunched an attack.
¡ªSwish
With a swift swing of its tail, the dragon hit Ares in his gut, sending him flying into the wall and leaving a gaping hole in it.
¡ªTHUD
"Urgg"
Blood spilled from his mouth and a wound on his stomach, staining his white clothing and the surrounding ground.
¡ªSplurttt
¡ªCough¡ª Cough
Ares coughed up blood as he tumbled to the ground, but he grinned smugly as he leaped up to his feet.
"Ha-haha, you Dragon bastard, you''re so fucked now!" He said with a grin, wiping the blood from his lips, while his other injuries were slowly healing due to his regeneration ability.
The dragon disregarded his remarks and spat fire at him, but this time Ares reacted quickly.
He held his sword in front of him, creating a mana barrier around himself which he learned watching Tania''s tutorials, and intercepted the dragon''s fire breath.
Seeing that, the dragon let out a deafening roar as it swung its tail again at him.
But Ares with a swift dodge avoided the attack and retaliated with a torrent of shurikensunched using his telekinesis at the dragon while still erecting a mana barrier around himself to deflect the dragon''s fire breath.
He was able to sense the effects of the Dragon yer title as he appeared almost resistant to the dragon''s fire breath.
He used the shurikens to inflict critical damage on the dragon''s weak points, notably its wings.
However, the dragon was a tough foe. It retaliated by pping its massive wings, causing huge gusts of wind in an attempt to blow Ares off bnce.
¡ªp¡ªp
Ares kept his footing by digging his sword into the ground and using telekinesis to briefly dy the dragon.
¡ªWhoosh
Unfortunately, the dragon rapidly escaped Ares'' telekinesis and attempted to crush him with its massive weight.
But Ares instantly utilized his "Location Swap" skill to evade the attack and swapped ces with one of his shurikens floating above the dragon''s head, preparing to strike from behind.
With the dragon momentarily surprised, Ares struck the dragon with all his might using the skill "Dragon''s Fury", his sword engulfed in a fire-like aura.
¡ªSHINK
Though the wound was not severe enough to kill the dragon, but the effects of the skill came into y as the dragon appeared to be stunned as a result of the skill.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ares used the other skill "Dragon''s Bane," his sword now engulfed in a more fierce zing aura, striking the dragon with a devastating blow.
"Yahhhh!"
¡ªSWHICK
The sword immediately thrust deep, breaking the dragon''s scales and causing the dragon to roar in agony as it fell to the ground.
¡ªRaaawwrrrrghhhh
Without wasting any more time, Ares then used his ultimate skill "Atomic sh".
¡ªSwoosh¡ªSwoosh¡ªSwoosh
Several orange sh lines could be seen on the dragon''s neck before its whole head was chopped into several pieces and disintegrated into particles, indicating the end of the final round.
With the dragon defeated, Ares knelt on one knee, panting and supporting himself with a half-shattered sword.
The ground around him was littered with debris, and the smell of burnt scales filled the air.
He had emerged victorious, but the battle had been intense and grueling, leaving him with wounds that would have taken time to heal without advanced potions, outside this virtual world.
Beep!
[Round 6 Ended: The A-Rank Monster Have Been Defeated!]
[Verifying the Assessment Results. Please Wait!]
I once again heard the robotic voice before I was instantly teleported back to the white room.
Tic¡ª
"Fuuu" I took a moment to take a breather before leaving the room shortly after the door opened.
...
...
As I walked out of the room, I was met with the manager and Howkins'' shocked expressions.
"Of course, they''d be shocked; even I would have been surprised to see someone my age y a dragon," I muttered to myself.
Even though the assessment''s difficulty was lessened, I wouldn''t have been able to defeat it without the buffs provided by Irethiel''s Dragon yer Title.
I didn''t want to use my element, electricity, to hide my identity, but unfortunately, I was forced to use my skills Location Swap and Atomic sh.
Although I also used my skill Location Swap in the diator battleground, but there will be people with the same skills as me, so no one can deduce my identity with that skill alone.
However, now that I am on Jessica''s radar, if she has any doubts, she will be able to figure out that it was me when she sees the evaluation and investigates the Prince''s identity.
''Well, there is no point thinking about it now, and it will be toote by the time she figures it out, as I will have returned from the abandoned kingdom by then,'' I reasoned.
"Why the fuck are you still staring at me as if I am a celebrity? Just give me my fucking adventurer license already," I said in an irritated tone.
"O-Oh, I-I''m really sorry to inform you, sir Marz, b-but there will be a slight dy for you to get your adventurer license," The manager said, sweating.
"Huh, The fuck you said? You want to die is that it?" I asked, furrowing my brows and speaking in Mika''s customary t tone with a nk expression.
"Ermn Boss, I think you should check your assessment results first," The dumbass Howkins said, quickly pointing me toward the screen where my name and rank were mentioned.
As I looked at the screen for a moment, I was left dumbfounded.
!?
[Name: Marz.
Assessment Results: S-Rank]
"...How did that happen?" I asked the manager perplexed, while still staring at the assessment screen.
"...."
"T-The dragon you fought was supposed to be defeated by a group. But seeing how you easily defeated all the previous rank monsters, the program seems to have given you a dragon as an A-Rank test to properly estimate your full extent of strength.
And even if you hadn''t defeated the dragon, your assessment would still have been based on your performance and you would have still gotten an A-Rank.
But to its surprise, you were able to solo the dragon, which led to it giving you an S-Rank evaluation," the manager exined.
"...."
Upon hearing his exnation, I was left speechless.
The manager continued to exin that my performance was exceptional and that it was a rare urrence for someone to achieve an S-Rank in the assessment and h h... but I wasn''t in the mood to hear him.
''...Fuck, now this is bad. This defeats the purpose of me concealing my identity,'' I reasoned.
I was concerned about the attention this might attract. My n to keep my identity hidden while visiting the abandoned kingdom will be ruined and I didn''t want to be discovered by Jessica just yet.
"I-I know you''re afraid about grabbing everyone''s attention, Sir Marz. But don''t worry, Miss Silvia already informed me that you dislike attracting attention and like to keep your skills hidden, so we will do our best to keep your fight recording confidential so that no one knows about your abilities.
However, your rank will be revealed since weck the authority to conceal it," The manager stated.
"...."
"Hmm?"
I was taken aback when I heard him, and much more so by Silvia''s arrangements. As if she were expecting something like this.
Furthermore, the manager assured me that the results would be considered secret and that only a selected few would have ess to them.
He also added that the dy in receiving my adventurer license was due to higher-ups from the Adventurer Association reviewing the results and ensuring that everything was in line.
"All''s Well That Ends Well, I think," I mumbled.
''While Jessica will be one of the few people who have ess to my profile, I doubt she''ll be able to read it all the way through because Adventurer and Hero''s associations are normally at odds...,'' I presumed.
***
Chapter 147 Uncovering Truths: Deception [1]
After finishing my assessment and speaking with the manager, I departed the Adventurer guild with Howkins.
ording to that manager, my Adventurer License will be provided by tomorrow after being reviewed by the Adventurer association''s higher-ups.
So In the meantime, I decided to wander around the Kingdom and gather information on the abandoned Kingdom.
"Boss, where are we headed now? Should we contact that maid to make arrangements for your stay in this Kingdom?" Howkins asked as he trailed behind me.
"...."
"What use do you have? Go make preparations for my stay here till I return; I''m going to a tavern," I told him as I searched for a nearby tavern on my phone.
!?
"What? Do you want to drink in broad daylight? Don''t you think you''re too young to drink alcohol?" The dumbass Howkins said.
"Shut the fuck up and do what I told you before I get furious and beat the shit out of you," I stated.
"E-Eh? A-All right I will see what I can do, but please don''t overdrink or I''ll be bothered if I have to carry you," Howkins stated before departing.
"This bastard," When I heard him, a vein bulged on my forehead and I muttered in an annoyed tone.
I''m not visiting the tavern to consume alcohol or anything else, but rather to gather information.
As I''ve read in many novels, that tavern staff are like NPCs who supply information, while the people drinking there, gossip and share news about what''s going on in the world.
''Well, it''s worth a shot to see whether it''s true,'' I reasoned as I stood in front of a tavern.
The tavern was situated in arge stone building with a thatched roof, and a wooden sign hanging outside with a dragon carved into it.
''In my prior world, this would seem like a Chinese restaurant or something simr.'' I thought before looking up the Tavern''s information on my phone to see if I am in a right ce.
[The Drunken Dragon: A lively tavern located in the bustling city of Kaldor Kingdom, known for its wide selection of exotic drinks and lively atmosphere.
The tavern also features arge firece andfortable seating, making it a popr spot for adventurers and locals alike.
Review: ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
"All right, let''s go inside," I mumbled, wearing a ck hooded cloak before entering.
As I don''t want to draw attention to myself by looking like a kid visiting a tavern.
"There''s no need for you to wear that cloak; it would draw more attention; instead, just enter as you are and pretend you''re a dwarf if anyone asks," Irethiel said and chuckled.
"...."
I ignored Irethiel''sments and entered the Drunken Dragon tavern.
The tavern was bustling with activity, as adventurers and normal folks from different races alike gathered to enjoy a drink and share stories of their exploits.
But as I walked in, the tavern''s chatter andughter came to a halt, and all eyes were drawn to me.
"...."
I disregarded them because my attention was focused on the task at hand - gathering information about the abandoned kingdom.
The bartenders, a burly man with a thick beard and a young woman with a cheerful smile, looked up from their duties and their expressions became curious as they saw me.
As I approached the bar counter, the burly bartender spoke up.
"Wee to the Drunken Dragon tavern, traveler. What can I get you?"
"A pint of your finest Ale and...any information you have about the ancient kingdom, lost to time and overrun by monsters," I asked, my voice grabbing the attention of everyone around me.
When the bartender heard me he just remained silent, while staring at me with a nk face.
''Hmm? Is it not how it works?'' I thought inwardly when I saw the bartender''s nk expression.
"...I am looking for information on that kingdom and am willing to pay a handsome price for it," I added.
The burly bartender leaned forward, his weathered face wrinkled in thought.
"You speak of Valtora, a once-great kingdom that flourished for centuries. But s, it fell to a great curse that brought forth hordes of monsters from the gates as if they were connected to the depths of hell.
The king, a mighty warrior, fought to thest breath to protect his people, but in the end, the curse consumed them all," The bartender came to a halt after saying that.
"...I see. And what of the curse? Is it possible to lift it and reim the kingdom?" I inquired, intrigued.
The daughter, a young woman with a sharp wit and a sharp tongue, chimed in.
"The curse can only be lifted by a true hero, one who is brave enough to face the monsters that guard the kingdom and strong enough to vanquish the curse-bringer, a powerful sorcerer who seeks to keep the kingdom for himself."
"...A powerful sorcerer?" I muttered as I was reminded of a dream I had a few days ago.
''So the countless gates that formed in that kingdom were not natural, but were the result of a curse? ...Which means there''s someone out there who can summon the gates using some kind of sorcery?'' I pondered.
"Do you know the identity of that sorcerer?" I inquired, my voice interested.
"No, it is only known that the sorcerer was someone young, but no one has ever seen their face," the burly bartender exined.
"...I see," I mumbled, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small pouch stuffed full of gold coins.
"Thank you for providing this information. This should take care of your troubles," I said as I set the gold pouch on the table and stood up, prepared to leave the Tavern leaving the drink I ordered alone because I don''t really drink and also I don''t think I can obtain any more information from here.
The bartenders nodded, their eyes gleaming as they pocketed the pouch.
"Sir, best wishes on your journey. May you be the Hero Valtora is looking for," said the elderly bartender.
"Haha, A Hero you say? He will indeede someday to reim that Kingdom, but I am not that Hero," I said as I strolled out of the tavern, a grin on my face.
"...I''m assuming you observed what was wrong with that Tavern?" Irethiel inquired as soon as I exited the tavern.
"Yeah, I was really astonished when I saw that, since I never expected I''d ever witness something like that in my life," I said, my eyes shining gold due to my Hawkeye skill.
"...."
"...You are being followed," Irethiel said.
"I know," I answered as I pulled a small pouch of gold from my inventory and carefully ced it in the pocket of my cloak.
Swish!¡ª
And then, as if a gust of wind rushed through me, someone stole the gold pouch from my pocket.
I just remained there watching that person flee as if in slow motion.
***
"Urgg Stop it! Return it to me; it is mine," A boy with rusty brown hair and torn-out clothes was struggling to get his gold pouch from three adult men.
"Hahaha, this money is ours now, boy, get lost before we beat the snot out of you," One of the muscr men stated with an ugly grin, while his two buddies wore identical grins.
"P-Please, please, please return it to me! I don''t have much time left, and I need to get the potion before it''s toote." The boy sobbed as he sought to retrieve his gold pouch.
"Fuck off!" One of the men said and pushed the boy aside.
"Y-You bastards!" The boy yelled and punched the person who held the gold pouch in his hands in the private parts.
"ARGHH," the man groaned as he knelt down on the ground.
"H-How dare you, you brat!" When the other two men saw theirrade groaning in pain, they eximed before mming the child to the ground.
Thud¨CThud¨CThud
They continued to bash the boy, and the guy who had his balls punched ultimately got up and began kicking the boy repeatedly, leaving him bleeding from bruises and injuries.
"Take this, you cretin! We did you a favor by letting you live, and you dared to hit me?" As he proceeded to kick the boy, the thug said.
Urgg¨CUrggg
To avoid being hit anywhere critical, the boy rolled like a caterpir.
"Alright, that''s enough screen time for third-rate viins like you,"
They were startled to hear a voice from the wall''s highest point and as they turned to look, they were met by a frail boy with white hair and blue eyes sitting on the top of the small ceiling, smiling at them.
"Who the fuck are you? Do you have a death wish, you brat?" One of the thugs stated.
"Isn''t this like a real cliche novel scene, Irethiel? Well, what did I expect I am indeed in a novel," I spoke up whileughing.
Swash!¡ª
"Get down here, you brat¡ª" One of the guys was ready to say something, but he couldn''t finish because his head was severed by a shuriken that appeared out of nowhere.
Splurtt¡ª
His blood was gushing like a waterfall.
"H-Huh?" His other twopanions were horrified to witness their friend''s head flying in the air after being beheaded in slow motion, but their responses were short-lived because their fate was the same as his as their heads were detached at the same time.
¡ªSwash
"Argghh"
Everything happened in a fraction of seconds, and the boy who was recently getting beaten by the thugs, had his eyes widened in amazement when he witnessed their heads fall to the ground with a thud after being decapitated, and there was blood all around him, including some drops on his face.
¡ªThud¡ªThud¨CThud
"Eh?"
Chapter 148 Uncovering Truths: Deception [2]
"Eh?" The boy watched the whole scene transpire with his eyes wide open.
"Hehehe, Serves you right you, bastards!" The boy abruptly said and burst outughing menacingly.
"...."
¡ªThud
I jumped down the wall and used telekinesis to pick up the gold pouch that was now beside one of the guys'' corpses.
¡ªCling¡ªCling
And began ying catch with that gold pouch while smirking at the boy.
But the boy ignored my attention since his focus was still fixed on the corpses.
"Hehehehehe, this idiot died before me!" The boy continued to chuckle while talking to himself.
"What potion were you referring to exactly when you spoke earlier?" I inquired, dismissing his demonic chuckle, which is unlike any regr human child''sugh.
!?
"O-Oh? Are you nning to kill me as well? I simply stole your money out of desperation!" He turned away from the corpses and looked toward me, speaking in a neutral, unafraid tone.
If it had been someone else in his position, they would have already begged me to spare their lives.
More importantly, he realized that he had stolen the gold purse from me despite the fact that I was wearing a cloak at the time.
"How intriguing!" With a grin, I remarked.
"Here, you can have it!" I said as I tossed the gold purse in front of the boy.
¡ªcling
!?
"...Why would you just hand it over to me? My mother always said that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world," As he took up the gold pouch, the boy remarked.
"I''m just interested in what potion you wanted to buy," I replied with a smile.
"So you mean to say that, you want to follow me and see what potion this little demon bastard wanted to buy with money?" The boy stated with a nk expression on his face.
!?
I was taken aback when I heard his statement because it was exactly what I was thinking.
And indeed, the boy in front of me is a...demon, as are the three men I just killed.
When I went to that Tavern, I was surprised to see demons conversing and drinking with humans and other races while disguised as them.
I''m not sure if the bartenders in that tavern were aware that they were serving drinks to demons...or if they were aware but didn''t care?
"No, the bartenders had no idea there''d be demons drinking in their tavern," the boy stated.
"...So you can read people''s thoughts, huh?" When I heard him respond to my thoughts, I inquired.
"Yes," the demon boy said as he rose from the ground, clutching the gold pouch.
He went on to say, "And, in response to your earlier query, I intended to use this money to purchase a disguise potion because I only have a few hours before my disguise fades.
And when that happens, the adventurers will either kill me or worse they will capture and torture me for interrogation," The boy remarked.
"...."
"Where do you get your disguise potions from?" I inquired, interested.
"I''m afraid I can''t tell you that," The boy paused for a time, but when he felt my stare on him, he continued.
"...It''s not because I don''t want to tell you about it, but I can''t." After saying that, he held out his tongue to reveal a tattoo on it.
"...."
"Hmm, so they performed a spell to prevent anyone from leaking that information, eh?" I mumbled.
"Yes, we can only share it among demons, and if a new demones to them to buy the potion, they will only provide it to them after casting this same spell on them," the boy rified.
"Oh, so sharing that information among demons is eptable?" I asked, a big grin on my face.
"Y-Yes, but why are you grinning so scarily? Don''t tell me you''re also a demon. N-No, it can''t be because I don''t detect any demonic energy from you," The boy made a remark with an uneasy expression.
"No, I am not a demon! But I am apanied by one," I responded, as Irethiel emerged in her crow form before turning to her original form.
!?
The boy stumbled backward in shock as he watched Irethiel slowly transform into her original form.
"N-NO WAY! W-Who the hell are you?" The boy asked in a terrified voice.
"Do you mean her? Mypanion''s name is Irethiel," I answered with a smile.
"Companion or more like a ve? How can a demon be a ve of a human?" The boy eximed as if he had read my thoughts again.
"Your ability to read what others are thinking is rather bothersome, I must say; nevertheless I regard her more as arade than a ve, isn''t that correct Irethiel?" I said with a smile and turned toward Irethiel.
"...."
Irethiel merely stared at me nkly for a moment before responding.
"...Yeah, we are more like friends," Irethiel replied in an unconvincing tone.
"Wow seriously?" eximed the boy, astonished.
''From his reaction, I can tell he can''t read Irethiel''s thoughts,'' I reasoned.
"Y-Yeah, I can''t read powerful people''s thoughts with my current strength," the boy spoke up after reading my thoughts again.
"Yeah, if he could read my mind, he would have heard me cursing you and had apletely different reaction than this," Irethiel remarked telepathically, with a smile on her face.
"...."
I ignored Irethiel''s remark and made an annoyed face when I realized what that boy''s word meant.
''Does this brat mean I''m weak, and that''s why he can read my thoughts?''
"Tell her all you know about those potions and how you all got here before I kill you," I asked him, smiling.
¡ªGulp
"S-Sure, I''ll tell her everything I know!" The boy responded quickly.
...
...
A Few Moments Later
"Did you get all the necessary information needed from him?" I inquired of Irethiel.
"...Yeah, I did, so what are your intentions for him now that you don''t need him?" Irethiel asked, her voice inquisitive.
"Hmm, I''d like to see what else that kid is capable of, as I''m really interested in his mind reading skill," I responded as I nced at the boy standing in the distance.
"I-I am only 7 years old and will be stronger as I grow older. And if you make me one of yourpanions, I-I can be of great assistance to you," The boy was sweating as he eximed hurriedly.
"...."
I couldn''t help but chuckle when I heard the boy, while Irethiel was left speechless.
''You''re digging your own grave, boy,'' Irethiel murmured, shaking her head.
"Alright, Irethiel, tell me more about these potions and where these demons came from," I asked, ignoring the boy.
"...The disguise potion is sold in the alleyways across the tavern, but ording to him, only demons can get ess to visit there and they have pretty strong restrictions," Irethiel said, pausing for a while.
"Why do demons need money in the first ce?" I asked intrigued.
"They require money in order to survive among humans and other races. Also, they appear to have a limited supply of disguise potions, so they decided to sell them for money," Irethiel responded.
"Like other races, they adopted trading methods simr to humans, huh? And the demons who cannot provide them with money will be thrown away andter killed by the adventurers or heroes when their disguise fades, is that it?" In a curious tone, I inquired.
"...Yeah," Irethiel said, nodding.
"That''s to be expected from demons I guess; Anyway, I''m curious how these aggressive demons are so forbearing to live among other races without killing them ormitting other crimes?" I remarked.
"He indicated that they were told by some sorcerer to live in peace among humans until he released the seal of the demon lord," Irethiel added.
''Who the heck is this sorcerer again? Howe I haven''t read anything about him?'' I pondered.
"...So they areying in wait for that exact moment when the demon lord seal is freed to bring chaos?
In truth, they serve simply as a diversion so that the demon lord can retreat and find a safe ce to regain his strength while the heroes and adventurers are upied battling the mob demons.
I must say, that sorcerer bastard is quite cunning; no wonder no one has ever seen his face," Imented.
"...."
"S-So we are just the sacrificial pawns?" As he overheard us, the boy eximed.
"It appears so," I replied, before asking, "Do you know anything about that sorcerer?"
The boy shook his head, as if to say he had no idea.
"...He mentioned, just a few demons in charge of potion delivery appear to havemunication with him, as the potions are also supplied to them by that sorcerer," Irethiel replied.
"Is that so?" I mumbled and smiled.
"...."
"...Don''t tell me you''re nning on raiding that potion ce?" Irethiel inquired when she noticed my expression.
"Aren''t you intrigued about how those potions work? And don''t you think it''ll be quite useful to you, given that none of the high-ranking adventurers were able to detect their disguise till now?" I asked, smiling.
"...How do you intend to enter that alley?" Irethiel inquired instantly since she was likewise fascinated by the potions.
"Don''t worry, I''ve got a n!" With a grin, I said.
***
"They are, indeed,rades! I never imagined a demon and a human could be friends."
The boy''s eyes sparkled as he observed Ares'' intention to break into the potion ce without regard for the consequences just so he can obtain disguise potions for hispanion Irethiel so she might travel unrestrained.
Chapter 149 RAID [1]
Three demons, disguised as humans, stood guard at the entrance of an alleyway. A camouge barrier had been cast around the alley, making it look like a slum area, to deter unwanted visitors.
As they saw a young boy approach, one of the demons sneered, "Oh, so the brat managed to get money for the potion again?"
"Ha, it seems he just got lucky and stole the money from some weakling," another guard chuckled.
"Don''t worry, he''ll eventually die. I don''t think he can get lucky every day and¡ª," The third demon was about to add a sarcasticment, but he stopped mid-sentence at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Tic¡ªTap¡ªTic¡ªTap
? The demons turned toward the source of the noise, and their eyes widened in awe.
Approaching them was a stunning purple-haired demon with two ck horns, and sharp eyes, exuding a powerful aura.
She was wearing a long, flowing, ck dress that was tight at the waist and red out at the hips, giving the illusion of an hourss figure.
The neckline was plunging, revealing her ample cleavage, and the sleeves were puffed at the shoulders, adding a touch of elegance to the dress.
Her ck boots reached her knees, and the boots were studded with diamonds, reflecting the light.
She walked with a grace that made her seem regal, as if she were royalty amongmoners.
Beside her was a white-haired, frail boy in ragged clothes, who appeared to be her servant.
The three guards were so taken with the beauty before them that they barely paid any attention to the white-haired human.
Their gaze was fixed on the purple-haired demon, and they drooled, their eyes filled with hearts.
"What are you fools staring at? Get out of my way, you lowly disgusting peasants!" The purple-haired demon, Irethiel, scowled at the guards, disgust written all over her face.
!?
The guards were jolted awake from their fantasies by Irethiel''s sharp response.
"P-Pardon me, but may I know who this beautifuldy is?" one guard respectfully asked, thinking of Irethiel as some sort of higher-ranked demon due to her conduct.
The young boy whispered to the guards, "S-She''s the royalty from our demon world. My mother was her maid.
She arrived yesterday in the human world to make preparations for the demon lord''s arrival.
As her family serves Demon Lord Pazuzu,"
!?
One of the guards muttered in surprise, "W-What but we never heard anything about her arrival." The three demons looked at each other in confusion.
"You dare to stop this princess?" Irethiel said in an annoyed tone, gesturing dramatically with her hand. "Servant, take care of them." She added
¡ªSwash
As soon as Irethiel stated that, two gleaming blue shurikens emerged out of nowhere and pierced the two demons from their necks.
"Ahkk"
The two demons perished instantaneously and their corpses fell backward on the ground, blood sputtering from their necks like a stream.
¡ªSplurttt
With no time to react, two demon guards were killed instantly, while the third stumbled backward with a shocked expression.
"PEASANT! TAKE ME TO THE ONE WHO CONTROLS THIS PLACE IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!" Irethielmanded in a fierce tone, her eyes glowing crimson and a menacingly dark aura surrounding her.
"Y-Yes, I will do as thedy wishes," the demon guard stammered and began to guide us into the alleyway with a horrified expression.
...
...
As we entered the alleyway, it was like stepping into a small demon colony.
There were arge number of demons inhabiting the area, and all eyes were drawn to Irethiel as she confidently walked as if she owned the ce.
Some demons were mesmerized by her beauty, while others were curious about her identity. But when Irethiel turned towards them, they all hastily averted their gazes.
"...."
I pondered at how natural Irethiel was in this role, facing everyone with confidence as if she truly was royalty.
"Hey human, is she really royalty from the demon world?" the boy beside me asked curiously.
"... Yeah, maybe she''s a demon queen!" I replied jokingly.
"W-What? Really?" the boy eximed.
At the sound of his voice, Irethiel shot him a nce that made him promptly close his mouth and cover it with both hands.
"Well, he''s too young and doesn''t really know how to use his abilities properly," I said, observing his reaction.
What actually surprises me is what the Hero Association is doing while demons have already established a colony in this kingdom.
Who knows how many other simr colonies exist in other kingdoms as well?
That Bitch Jessica was wasting her time arguing with me about irrelevant things and is participating in the preparation of that pointless tournament.
By the time she decides to react, the demons will have already taken over this kingdom and turned it into another Valtora - an abandoned kingdom." I thought to myself, shaking my head.
We soon approached the huge mansion, the imposing structure loomed over us. Its walls were made of dark stone and adorned with demonic symbols, making it clear this was a stronghold for demons.
The mansion was foreboding and exuded a gloomy and ominous aura.
And more importantly, It was surrounded by hundreds of guards, all with the strength of B or A-Rank monsters.
"W-What should we do? Can you defeat all these demons by yourself?" The boy asked me in a hushed tone seeing an army of demons standing in front of us.
"Hmm, I am not sure if we can defeat them all," I admitted.
The demons in front of us seemed to be at least B-Rank, if not higher. Even if we defeated these guards, we''d still have to face the leader, whose strength was unknown.
"I don''t have a signature move that would allow me to take on so many demons at once," I said, still thinking.
"We''re counting on you, Demon Queen!" The boy whispered to Irethiel.
"Hey, you lowlives, what are you waiting for? Make way for this princess!" Irethiel eximed confidently.
"...."
"...Don''t mess around and stick to the n, demon," I said to her telepathically, my attention shifting to her. But as I looked at her expression, I was taken aback.
When the guards turned their attention to Irethiel, she raised her hand and summoned a dark energy, which slowly started to swirl around her.
The dark aura grew more intense, and the guards could feel an aura of fear enveloping them.
" FEAR TEMPEST!" Irethiel eximed as she unleashed her skill, and a burst of dark energy shot out from the vortex and enveloped the entire area. And it looked like the whole world turned ck and white for a second.
The demons were thrown off their feet as the energy coursed through their bodies, filling them with fear and dread.
Amidst the chaos, Irethiel stood tall andmanding, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.
The demons cowered in terror, unable to move or even speak as the fear tempest raged on.
With a flick of her wrist, the vortex dissipated, leaving the demons stunned and powerless. Irethiel strode forward, her footsteps echoing in the now silent alleyway.
The demons cringed away as she passed, their fear of her growing with every step.
With a smirk, Irethiel reached the entrance to the huge mansion and pushed the doors open, revealing the dark, twisted interior of a typical demonir.
¡ªCreeek
The walls were adorned with symbols of death and decay, and the air was thick with the stench of rot and decay.
With a confident swagger, Irethiel stepped into the mansion, ready to take on whatevery ahead.
***
"This was not part of our n, you foolish demon!" Ares shook his head, thinking inwardly.
Chapter 150 RAID [2]
Irethiel then motioned for us to follow her into the mansion. We easily made our way inside since the guards were too terrified to resist.
"Erm, Human, could you please give me a mana potion real quick?" Irethiel immediately says as soon as we entered the mansion.
When I turned to look at her, I was greeted by her pale face and her previous confidence was now gone.
"...."
"...Who asked you to show off? If you had followed my n, things would have gone more smoothly," As I handed her an advanced mana potion, I remarked.
Irethiel hastily grabbed it out of my grasp and began downing the potion all at once.
¡ªGulp¡ªGulp
"Fuuu¡ª" She took a breather after finishing the potion and her face returned to her prior self.
As we proceeded forward, we noticed that the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were made of gemstones and provided a warm radiance to the ce. There were servants everywhere, scurrying around as if to carry out their master''s orders.
As we strode through the halls, Irethiels aura of power and confidence underlying her again.
Demons hurried out of her way, intimidated by her mere presence. Her dark eyes swept the room, taking in the mansion''s details.
Suddenly, a huge demon appeared to confront her. "Who are you and what is your business here?" he growled, his eyes narrowing as he felt the aura of fear emanating from Irethiel.
"Move out of the way you lowly being, I havee to meet with the one who rules this ce," she replied, her voice ringing with authority.
The demon hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and gestured for her to follow. "Very well, follow me. The master is waiting for you."
Irethiel followed the demon through the winding halls, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Don''t you think I''m doing well? We can meet the leader so effortlessly," Irethiel said, clearly pleased with her acting skills.
"...Yeah, yeah, you look like an actress from a drama," I remarked casually as we trailed the demon.
Meanwhile, the 7-year-old boy walking alongside us was filled with admiration.
We came across many other rooms while following that demon, but the one that piqued my interest was one with a peculiar Gate in it.
''Did theye in through that gate?'' I pondered.
"Yes, we were carried here by force through that gate. A sorcerer opened the gate in our demon world, and we were unquestioningly tossed in by the royalty who serves the demon lords and awaits their arrival," The boy spoke to me in hushed tones.
"...I see," I murmured.
But I was now even more curious about the identity of that sorcerer.
The demon we were following came to a halt in front of a door and knocked.
¡ªKnock¡ªKnock
"Master, she has arrived," the demon announced as we stood outside the room.
"Very well let her in," We heard a man''s voice from inside the room.
Hearing him, the demon pushed open the door and motioned Irethiel inside.
"You two are not permitted to enter," The demon spoke up and barred me and the boy from entering.
"Stay away from them, they''re with me," Irethiel stated to the demon stopping us, by only giving him a nce, which frightened the demon and caused him to withdraw away from us.
I grinned after witnessing how easily the demons are frightened of her. And as we entered the room, we were met by a giant demon with ck wings and horns seated on a throne in the center of the room.
The demon was surrounded by female demons who all bowed in respect to him, and two demons stood on either side of him, serving him fruits.
"Ah, I see we have a visitor, and such a beautiful one at that," the demon leader remarked, smirking. "Who might you be?" he inquired.
Irethiel ignored his query and instead questioned him.
"Are you inmand of this ce?" she asked, her voice firm and steady.
"Yes, I am the leader of this colony, the mighty Zargoth. What business do you have with me, Princess?" Zargoth said, his eyes narrowing.
!?
"Hehe¡ª The mighty Zargoth, you say? Were you not the discarded human ve of the Demon Lord Asmodeus?" Irethiel remarked, grinning.
Zargoth''s eyes widened as he heard Irethiel and his smirk from before vanished.
"...EVERYONE LEAVE!" In an authoritative and violent tone, he instantlymanded everyone.
Hearing him, every demon in the room fled outside, panicked.
As soon as everyone left, Zargoth, who was sitting on the throne, vanished and reappeared in front of Irethiel in an instant, kneeling on one knee.
"M-Master! I''m relieved to see you''re still alive!" Zargoth eximed, sweating.
"...."
"...Well, this is certainly unexpected!" I murmured as I stowed my shurikens away in my inventory, as I was prepared for the fight with this idiot.
Meanwhile, Irethiel ignored Zargoth and strode past him to the throne he had previously upied.
"...The discarded human ve of Demon Lord Asmodeus,...who waster taken in by ArchDemon Irethiel due to his beseeching..."
Irethiel paused for a moment as she sat on the throne, "I wonder how he rose to be a high-ranked demon," She questioned.
!?
I was awaiting some drama when Irethiel disclosed that this Zargoth was one of her previous servants.
..
"O-Oh! A-After you were captured, everyone who was rted to you was tracked down and executed by the demon lord''s servants.
A-and I, too, was abducted by the demon lord Asmodeus''s servants," Zargoth stammered, pausing to consider his next words.
"Oh, is that it? And were you tortured to join him again?" Irethiel asked, her face expressionless.
"...Yeah, but I-I was just putting on a show! I didn''t really join him; I was looking for you everywhere since I knew you were still alive," Zargoth said hastily.
"He''s lying!" The boy standing next to me abruptly shouted.
And as soon as he had our attention, he continued to say, "How did she manage to escape that dungeon? I must quickly notify that sorcerer about this! is what he is contemting."
"...."
"I suppose he isn''t all that powerful, huh? Or this brat wouldn''t have been able to read his thoughts," I wondered.
"W-What nonsense? W-Who are you? M-Master you don''t believe his words, do you? In fact, I believe he is the one coborating with that sorcerer," Zargoth remarked, staring at the boy standing next to me.
"...."
"Wow are all demons idiots?" I muttered hearing him.
"Is she still as strong as she used to be? Can I possibly have an opportunity to get away? No, let''s try to talk this through; she was always gullible and easy to persuade. Perhaps I can fool her once again so I canter tell that sorcerer about her.
That''s exactly what he''s thinking," The boy added once more.
"H-Huh? T-This jerk, don''t pretend like you can read my mind," Zargoth eximed and dashed in front of the boy, grabbing him by the neck.
nk¡ª
But it was only for a second, as I immediately chopped his hand into multiple parts using my skill "Atomic sh", causing the boy to tumble to the ground.
¡ª Cough
The boy coughed and gripped his neck as he attempted to catch his breath.
"Aghhh¡ª" Zargoth groaned loudly in agony as he clutched his bleeding arm.
"You wretched lowly human!" Zargoth screamed. "How dare you attack me!"
Ares, meanwhile, didn''t care about what he said and merely red at him in disgust.
The atmosphere in the room, however, abruptly altered, and Zargoth felt a cold shudder run down his spine.
When he turned around, he was met with Irethiel''s piercing gaze.
Her eyes were scarlet with the deepest fury, and her expression was fierce.
"Zargoth," she spoke in a quiet, deadly voice, "your time is up."
Zargoth felt a wave of dread rush over him as he realized he was no match for Irethiel.
"Please, M-Master," he stammered, "I was just trying to-"
He was about to exin something when two massive eyes loomed out of nowhere, as if devouring Zargoth''s entire soul with her gaze. He stumbled back, gasping for air.
Zargoth tried to gather hisposure, but he was paralyzed by the sheer terror that Irethiel''s skill induced. He felt himself being suffocated, his vision fading to ck.
"Aghh, H-Help¡ª"
Zargoth yelled for his servants toe to his help in desperation.
¡ªCreek
The door to the room mmed open, and his servants who were waiting outside stormed in, weapons drawn.
I was about to tackle them, but that seems to be unnecessary as they were no match for Irethiel''s might. As she turned her gaze on them, they were all frozen in ce in fear, unable to move or even speak.
Zargoth was paralyzed in fear, unable to defend himself against Irethiel''s skill. He fell to his knees, trembling.
When I saw the entire scenario in front of me, I was reminded once more that she was once a mighty Archdemon whom even the dragons feared.
Moreover, I''ve never seen her so enraged since I met her.
***
Chapter 151 The Execution Of The Betrayer!
Irethiel approached Zargoth, who was now trembling on his knees.
"...So you were also one of them that betrayed me, huh? I''m guessing you were never discarded by that Asmodeus bastard, but were instead operating as a spy for him all along," Irethiel remarked keeping a nk expression.
''What secret does she know that haspelled every demon lord to pursue her?'' I pondered.
"Aghh¡ª N-No, master, Y-You got everything wrong!" Zargoth said while still struggling to breathe under Irethiel''s skill.
"You know what, If it was previous me, I would have naively believed what you said unknowing of your petty schemes, unfortunately for you that I have met a little devil that utilizes these types of ploys on the regr basis.
I hate to admit it, but I am learning a lot from him," Irethiel said as she smiled at me.
"...Should I consider that as apliment?" I inquired as I handed her my sword.
Irethiel took my weapon after a brief moment of hesitation.
"If you believe it''s apliment, then suit yourself," she said, returning her gaze to Zargoth.
"...M-Master...p-please don''t do something you''ll regretter. I am still your loyal servant!" Zargoth kept pleading.
"This reminds me of when you begged me to take you in, Zargoth. I recall you were still a human ve back then!" Irethielmented, casually smiling.
"M-Master, I-" Zargoth was going to say something but couldn''tplete his sentence.
Swash!¡ª
In one swing of a sword, Irethiel decapitated Zargoth, who was on his knees pleading.
¡ªSplurtttt
His decapitated body tumbled backward, his head rolling on the ground, as blood sttered like a waterfall.
"...."
"...And don''t worry, I am not mad at you for betraying me, I am just disappointed in my naive self to easily trust everyone," She muttered and merely stood there motionless after that, and when I approached her, she handed back my sword.
"Here it is...thank you for lending it to me. It felt better to behead him with a sword. Now I see why you go around beheading people. Haha, it''s quite addictive, isn''t it?" She remarked, weirdlyughing.
"...Yeah, and using this to finish off betrayer is much more satisfying," I replied.
Irethiel simply nodded her head in response to my statement.
"...Are you okay?" I inquired.
"Yeah, I am good... I just don''t really know who to trust anymore, and more significantly, now I have no idea how many of my former servants were faithful to me and who was merely by my side waiting for a perfect opportunity to betray me.
Hahaha¡ªI''m beginning to wonder if you were correct about not trusting a demon!" Irethiel said,ughing, but I could see that she was trying to hide her sorrow.
"...."
And when I heard her, I was left speechless for a moment, not because I saw her sorrowful expression, and I still stand by my words of not trusting a demon,...but because she had already forgotten that Zargoth was a human when he betrayed her.
"...You do realize you''re also a demon, don''t you? And, of course, I am always right," I said,ing out of my thoughts, and I didn''t bother to correct her, instead handing her a mana portion without her requesting.
Without saying anything, she took the potion from me and began chugging it like an alcoholic.
...
...
After a moment she spoke calming herself, "Oh, what happened to that mind-reading brat?" She asked.
"...He lost consciousness, as did every other demon in this room, as a result of your skill," I exined, before continuing, "What were those skills anyway?" I was curious.
"Hmm? Oh, The one I used on the guards outside was my Fear tempest skill, and what I just used was my Eye of Terror skill," she described.
"...Do you mean your Fear inducing and Evil eye skills?" I inquired since I remembered seeing those skills while I was choosing one of her skills.
"...."
"I didn''t like their boring names, so I gave them a new one," Irethiel informed.
"...What anime did you get those names from?" I inquired, intrigued.
"Ahem, How do we deal with the remaining demons here?" She questioned, changing the topic.
"First, let us go check out those potions," I said.
"Of course, but I want to know what are your ns for the remaining demons. Do we just depart after taking those potions and not bothering with them?" Irethiel inquired, her voice interested.
"No, we shall inform the demons that you will be in control of this area from now on.
And after that, you will assemble all the demons in one area so that we may deal with them all at once," I stated.
!?
"...There are hundreds of demons here; how are we going to deal with them all at once? As I don''t think I can use my skills again for the time being," She remarked.
"Don''t worry, I already have a strategy for dealing with them, but first let us go check out those potions because we don''t have much time until the sun rises," I answered.
Hearing me, Irethiel nodded and proceeded toward one of the unconscious demons.
"Hey you, Wake up before I put you to sleep for the rest of your life," Irethiel said, while kicking the demon who guided us here.
"Ahk¡ª where am I?" The demon grumbled as he got up, holding his head, but when he sensed a re on him, he gently lifted his head and was greeted by Irethiel, who grinned broadly.
He cautiously examined his surroundings to discover where his previous master was, but when he saw Zargoth''s decapitated body withering away, he gulped aloud while sweating profusely.
¡ªGulp
"If you want to live, do as I say!" Irethiel stated with a huge evil grin.
***
[Attention all Demons! This is amand to immediately assemble outside the Leader''s mansion. Our new colony leader has been selected, and it is essential that we alle together to show our support and hear directly from Her Majesty.
Failure toply will result in repercussions. Let us get together and make this a historic event for ourmunity.]
Beep!¡ª
"W-Will this be enough?" After making an announcement with an antique phone-like speaker, the demon turned to Irethiel and inquired.
When Irethiel heard him, she looked to me as if to ask whether that worked.
''Yup, it will be the most historic time for your colony, all right,'' I thought with a smirk and gently nodded at Irethiel, and seeing me she nodded back before speaking.
"That will suffice for the time being; now direct me to where Zargoth keeps the disguise potions," Irethiel said.
!?
"W-What? W-Why do you want to know where the disguise potions are kept?" With a worried expression, the demon inquired.
Swish!¡ª
But then, as soon as he finished speaking, a shuriken appeared from nowhere and struck him in the right shoulder.
"Aghhh"
"Who permitted you to ask me anything? Keep your mouth shut and just do as you were told, so you can make your life easy, OK?" Irethiel remarked, smirking.
"...."
"Y-Yes!" The demon responded quickly, recognizing Irethiel''s sinister smirk, and began guiding us.
And as we moved down the corridors toward the potion room, a few old demons approached the demon who was directing us and began questioning him.
"Sir Samael, what does that announcement mean? Who is the newly appointed leader?" While rushing toward him, one of the older demons inquired.
"Yes, but why weren''t we informed?" Another demon asked.
"What happened to Master Zargoth?"
...
But as they moved closer to him and observed Irethiel slowly approaching behind him, apanied by a human, they came to a halt.
"T-That is our new leader. She is very nice and easygoing, so I believe you should all inform her of your previous positions in this colony," The demon who was guiding us and whose name seems to be Samael spoke to them in a hushed tone.
"Oh, Is that her?" One of the devils inquired eagerly.
"She is also very attractive and exudes a royal aura," the old demon next to him muttered as he stroked his beard.
''Hehe, why should only I get a thrashing? Get wrecked, you old bastards,'' the demon Samael thought inwardly with an evil grin.
"...But what happened to Master Zargoth, and why are you bleeding from your shoulder?" The third demon was curious.
"...."
"...D-Don''t worry about my wounds; I was injured during my training, and M-Master Zargoth is no longer in this world," The demon Samael stated.
"Oh, so he returned to the demon world?" They assumed.
"Hey you, why did youe to a halt? And who are these old geezers?" As she neared him, Irethiel inquired, furrowing her brows.
"They are-" the demon Samael was about to exin but one of the geezer demons interrupted him.
"I am in charge of selling the potions to demons for money," the geezer remarked, caressing his beard.
"Wow, really?" Irethiel asked, her face radiant.
When another demon saw Irethiels smile, he stepped up and said, "I am in charge of managing the money."
"I am in charge of security," the third demon said, following suit.
Hearing them Irethiel just maintained her smile.
¡ªSwash¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
"Eh?"
However, Ares'' Atomic sh skill, chopped the three of them into many pieces all at once.
"...."
As their flesh pieces dropped to the ground, Irethiel questioned, "And what should I do with that information again?"
Gulp¡ª
"What are you waiting for? Let''s get a move on," Irethiel said to the demon Samael.
"Y-Yes, I will do what thedy wishes!" He responded swiftly and resumed directing us.
***
Chapter 152 The Potions Vault
The Demon Samael led us into the underground hallway, which was lit up by countlessmps set on the walls.
After a few seconds, we noticed arge Vault door in front of us, as well as two demons guarding it.
!?
"Sir Samael? What exactly are you doing here? And who is that demon behind you?" One of the security guards inquired, furrowing his brows.
"You''re already aware that you can''t bring anyone here, right?" The other guard said.
''Pftt, Hahaha¡ªdie, you bastards, those were your final words,'' Samael thought inwardly, grinning evilly.
!?
And to back up his im, two shurikens appeared out of nowhere and punctured both the guard''s necks.
"Ahkk" They were dead in an instant.
Samael then advanced and unlocked the vault door by entering a passcode.
Creek¡ª
"Is this it? Are the potions kept here?" Irethiel interrogated him.
"Yes, this is where the potions and money are kept," Samael replied quickly.
"OK, you stay outside," Irethiel remarked as she walked past him, and Ares followed close behind.
!?
''Why is she allowing her human ve to follow her and instructing me to wait outside?'' Samael pondered inwardly.
"...But that human bastard is terrifying, no wonder she drags him around," he said to himself, shrugging it off.
***
As we entered the room, we were greeted by a significant number of potion bottles housed in boxes.
The potions were blue and came in little ss bottles.
"Whao, there are a lot of boxes of potions here, how are we going to move them? Will it fit in your storage ring?" Irethiel asked as she turned toward me, both fists on her hips.
"Well, let me see how much I can store in my inventory," I mumbled, controlling the potion bottles with telekinesis.
Tud¡ªTud¡ªTud
The potion bottles began to shake before rushing toward me, and as they got closer, I began cing them in my inventory.
But, to Irethiel, they appeared to vanish into thin air as they approached me.
"....."
I kept storing them until the entire room was empty in a matter of minutes.
Surprisingly, my inventory wasrge enough to hold all of the potions.
''I still don''t know what my storage limit is.'' I pondered as I drank a mana potion.
"...Your inventory stuff never ceases to amaze me!" Irethiel stated and continued to speak after a brief pause, "There is another door ahead, do you want to examine what''s in it?" She asked.
"Sure, let''s go. But I already know there''ll be money in there," I replied as I reached the door.
I then entered the same passcode that Demon had previously used, and the passcode appears to be the same as the door unlocked.
Creek!¡ª
As I pushed open the door, we were greeted by an enormous mound of gleaming gold coins that filled the entire room.
"...."
"...I''m curious how these savage demons managed to amass such arge sum of money!" Irethiel remarked with a surprised expression.
"This is not the amount of money that can be umted in a few days, implying that they have been amassed here for years," I stated.
"Do you want to keep it?" Irethiel inquired.
"Though I am already wealthy to the point where I don''t know where to spend my money...but there is no such thing as enough money," I responded with a smile.
"Agh, how long will it take to store this all?" Irethiel grumbled.
"That depends¡ª" I was about to respond when the system''s notification sound interrupted me.
Ding!¡ª
!?
[Would you like to add the gold coins in this room to your inventory?
YESNO.]
"...."
Of course, I chose YES!
And then, as if by magic, every single gold coin in the room vanished into thin air and was ced in my inventory.
Irethiel was left dumbfounded by this and was now staring at me with her mouth wide open.
I disregarded her expression, my gaze drawn to a gleaming ck crystal lying alone in the now-empty room.
"...What exactly is that?" I mumbled and took it up.
Ding!¡ª
[Crystal of sacrifice obtained!]
As soon as I picked it up, I heard the system notification again.
"Crystal of sacrifice?" I said as I examined the ck hexagonal crystal in my palm for a bit before looking up its description.
[CRYSTAL OF SACRIFICE:
Info: The Crystal of Sacrifice is a powerful and ancient artifact that is supposed to contain the essence of all that has been sacrificed or lost.
The crystal is said to be able to magnify the power of sacrifices made to it, bestowing enormous magical power on its bearer in return.
To use the crystal, a ritual must be performed in which blood, magic, or life force is sacrificed to it.
Some say that the sacrifice must be made willingly and with a pure heart, while others im that any sacrifice, no matter how dark or wicked, will be epted.
Despite its power, the Crystal of Sacrifice is also said to be cursed, as those who use it risk being consumed by the darkness within.]
....
....
"...I discovered something unexpected and intriguing," I remarked with a grin.
"Hmm? What is that crystal you''re holding?" As she neared me, Irethiel inquired.
"It''s just a regr crystal," I said, immediately cing it in my inventory and continued, "oh, and take this!" I said as I tossed a red crystal ball toward her.
Catch!¡ª
She quickly grabbed it and inquired, "What is this?"
"I found it in that Zorgoth''s corpse," I exined.
Irethiel looked at the red crystal ball for a moment before it turned to a translucent white.
!?
"It was his residual life energy," Irethiel exined, sensing my confusion.
"It resides in high-ranking demons that acquired powers from the demon lords using their blood," she added.
"...I see, so the red crystal ball has turned white because you drained its energy?" I inquired.
"Yeah," Irethiel agreed with a nod.
"Will it assist you in regaining your previous strength?" I inquired, fascinated.
"...This small amount of energy makes no difference," she replied.
"Isn''t something better than nothing?" I said with a smile and made my way to the exit.
"...."
"...well, if you put it that way, you''re not wrong," she murmured to herself before adding, "Anyway, could you please give me one of those disguise potions? I''d like to try it to see how well it works," she said as she trailed behind me.
"Didn''t you learn your lesson about not trusting a demon? Who knows, there might be some side effects from consuming it," I remarked.
"...."
"...Then why are you bringing all those potions with you if you didn''t want me to use them in the first ce?" She inquired, irritably.
"I never said I wouldn''t let you use them, did I?" I answered.
"Eh? So what are you nning? why don''t you get to the point and say it directly?" Irethiel asked frustrated.
"...I''ll send a sample of this potion to Aegis so she can verify if there''s anything suspicious about it, and you know I''m doing this for your own good, right?" I said.
"Tsh, I guess there''s no ce for selfless people anymore in this cruel world," Imented while shaking my head in disappointment...
"...."
Irethiel merely remained silent when she heard me and gave me a nk face.
''Is he referring to himself as a selfless person? His shamelessness knows no bounds!'' Irethiel reflected inwardly.
***
Chapter 153 A Plan In Motion!
We were now in Zargoth''s room, with Irethiel seated on the Throne and me standing beside her.
"Have all the demons gathered yet?" As she reclined casually on the throne, Irethiel enquired of the demon Samael.
"N-No, they''re still arriving, but I suppose everyone will be here in a few minutes," said the demon Samael, gently bowing.
"All right, you may leave now and notify me when everyone has gathered," she said, shooing him away with a hand gesture.
"I''ll do as thedy wishes!" The demon answered this while bowing and departing the room with his head down.
"...It appears they will be assembled in a few minutes; can you now tell me how you want to deal with them?" Irethiel inquired.
"Hmm, let me make a call to Aegis first!" I remarked as I walked over to the chair next to Irethiel and sat on it.
"...."
Ring! Ring! (Phone Ringing!)
Tic!¡ª
[Hey Aegis, how are you doing?] As soon as she picked up the phone, I greeted her.
[I''m doing fine. What made you call me so early in the morning?] she asked.
[Oh, were you sleeping? Did I wake you up?] I asked in a tone as if I was feeling guilty.
[...No, I was awake watching over Mika''s training. Her training is getting more intense every day, so I have to be there to treat her when she needs it.] Aegis exined.
She paused for a moment before asking, [Anyway, why did you call? I know it''s not just to say thank you or anything. It must be rted to potions, right? Do you need more potions?]
"...."
[How delusional can you get? Do you think I''ll be grateful to you for giving Silvia some stupid advice? And do you think I''ll only contact you whenever I need potions?] In an irritated tone, I inquired.
Cough!¡ª
Aegis ignored my question and asked, [A-Ahem, so was that not the case, huh?
A-And are you in contact with Silvia? I haven''t talked to her in a few days. Is she okay? She''s not responding to my texts either.]
I knew she was trying to divert the topic, but I chose to give in because I needed her assistance right now.
[...Well, her maid told me that she had to leave in a hurry for an emergency to visit her grandparents and even left her phone behind. That''s probably why she''s not responding to you.] I responded.
[...Is that so? She mentioned something about her father being after her life, and when I asked if she needed my help, she refused and said she wanted to deal with her problems herself.] Aegis said.
[I did tell her to contact me if she needs any help from me, but I guess she doesn''t want to get me involved with the vampires.] I added
After a moment of silence, I continued, [...I think she''ll be fine. And by the way, I''m sending you a potion. Can you check if there''s anything strange about it?]
[So you indeed called me for work-rted reasons, huh? What potion are you referring to?] Aegis asked.
[It''s a disguise potion. I just sent it to you.] I said.
Triiing!
[Yeah, it arrived! I''ll get back to you after I check it out.] Aegis replied.
[And you should contact Mika. She just finished her training and is free right now. She''s always checking her phone waiting for your message or call.] Aegis added with a click of her tongue. [What are you doing not contacting her?]
[...Were you not the one who told me not to contact and disturb her? You said it would distract her, didn''t you?] I asked, annoyed.
[O-Oh, do you want to see what she''s doing? Haha, it''s so amusing.] Aegis said, turning on the video call and showing Mika.
In the video, Mika was walking around in the living area, checking her phone with one hand and biting the nails of her other hand, talking to herself.
"Ahh, why isn''t he calling me? Is he disappointed in me because I lost to that bitch? No way, right? He''s not like that. Maybe he''s too busy preparing for the uing tournament! Yeah, that must be it!" she muttered, nodding to herself.
"Should I call him now? No, it''s too early in the morning. He might be sleeping..."
[Haha, isn''t she acting like a teenager in love?] Aegis said in a hushed tone.
[Why is she thinking so much about giving me a call? She can call me anytime.] I said with a smile.
[I know, right?] Aegis replied, chuckling.
!?
"Hey, Aegis, who are you talking to so early in the morning?" Mika asked as she approached her.
"W-What? N-Nobody. I was just recording a video of myself," Aegis replied, holding her phone down.
"Don''t lie to me. I''m pretty sure I heard Ares''s voice," Mika said with a suspicious smile.
"No, you''re mistaken. It was just some other youngsters'' voice from a YTube video," Aegis lied, trying to cover up.
"I don''t believe you. That was definitely Ares''s voice. Don''t you think I''d recognize it?" Mika asked, smiling yfully.
"...."
Meanwhile, I watched the whole scene with an amused smile.
[Hello, Master! How are you doing?] I said, as soon as Mika snatched Aegis''s phone.
!?
[Ha! I knew it was your voice, Ares], Mika said, now smiling brightly.
[Ahem, I''m doing well, my disciple. And what about you? Were you training this early in the morning as well?] she asked regaining herposure.
[No, I''m in the kingdom of Kaldor, dealing with some demons,] I replied nonchntly.
[What? Why are you there? What demons? Are you alone?] Mika asked, firing off a series of questions.
"...."
[Well, technically I am alone. I came here for another reason, but I stumbled upon a demon colony, so I decided to deal with them before continuing with my original mission.] I exined.
[...If you''ve stumbled upon a demon colony, you should have just notified the Hero Association and let them handle it.
They seem to have nothing better to do these days, so why are you going out of your way to confront them?] Mika asked.
"...Do you really think Ares is the type to interfere in other people''s business? I think there was something he needed from them," Aegis interjected in the background.
"...."
[Yes, Aegis is right. I needed something from them, so that''s the only reason I decided to confront them.
But now that I have what I need, I''ll notify Jessica so she cane and deal with them.] I replied.
[Phew. I was worried for a moment that my disciple wanted to be a hero like those foolish people who put others'' lives above their own,] Mika said with a sigh of relief.
[Of course not, I am not like those idiots! You taught me better than that!] I chuckled.
Hearing my response, Mika smiled widely.
[You don''t need to contact Jessica. Just send me your location and I''ll be there in a few minutes to deal with those damned demons myself.] Mika said firmly.
"...Didn''t you just say to let the members of the Hero Association handle it because they seem to have nothing better to do? Why did you change your mind?" Aegis asked with a smirk.
"....."
[Well, I have some free time right now, and...]
"And it''s not because you wanted to meet Ares or anything, nor is it because you don''t want him to contact Jessica, right?" Aegis added with a smile.
Mika just stared at Aegis with a nk expression.
"W-What? I didn''t say anything about you acting like a tsundere from anime," Aegis said quickly.
"...Shut up!" Mika''s two words made Aegis close her mouth tightly.
[Did you send me your location?] Mika turned her attention back to the phone and asked with a serious expression.
[...Yeah, I already sent it.] I replied.
Tringg!¡ª
[Why are you sending it to Aegis'' phone? Send it to mine. And why are you contacting Aegis most of the time instead of me?] Mika asked with a neutral expression.
[I wanted to contact you, but Aegis told me not to. She said you would be distracted if I did.] I replied.
[So it''s Aegis'' fault, huh?] Mika asked with a sly smile.
[Yeah, it''s all Aegis''s fault,] I said while nodding.
"Ehhhhhh?" Aegis eximed upon hearing me.
''Sorry Aegis, but I have to sacrifice you for your own good. And there was no lie in what I said, anyway.'' I pondered inwardly.
[Okay, Master. You can deal with Aegis. I''m hanging up the phone now and will be waiting for you at the location. Bye.] I stated.
[Okay, I''ll be there in a minute after dealing with a certain someone.] Mika said with a smile.
"...."
[...Take care, Aegis.] I said and hung up the phone.
Tic¡ª
"Phew, that would have been scary," I sighed.
"...So this is your n for dealing with all these demons?" Irethiel asked.
"I was going to notify Jessica if this didn''t work, but now that Mika will be here, I have other ns for Jessica," I said as I leaned back in my chair, a grin on my face.
***
Chapter 154 Mikas Arrival!
¡ªChatter¡ªChatter
"Everyone, let''s calm down and wait patiently without creating any disorder. We don''t want to give a bad impression to our new leader, showing that we can''t even wait in a line without causing a disturbance, right?" The 7-year-old youngster spoke as he stood in front of the demons who had already arrived and were waiting for their new leader''s arrival.
"This brat! Who gave him the permission to act so mighty and say those things to us?" One of the demons in the crowd eximed.
"Yeah! I think we should teach him a lesson!" Another demon shouted.
"Don''t even think about it! If you want to die, then go ahead and die alone. Didn''t you hear he is one of the most trusted servants of our new leader? Of course, only after Sir Samael," one of the demons stated.
"....."
"W-What? How did this little bastard managed to gain the favor of our new leader?" one of the demons reacted.
And they started gossiping among themselves.
...
...
''Hehehe, this is it! I always wanted to be someone in charge of important things!'' The boy thought inwardly while giggling.
"H-Hey brat - Ah, I mean, what is your name again?" One of the demons in the front inquired.
"Ahem, my name is Demon Ark, and I am one of the loyal servants of the Demon Queen, our new leader!" He said aloud so everyone could hear him.
And as soon as they heard him, there was a brief silence.
"....."
"W-Wait! Y-You mean to say that our new leader is a Demon Queen?" one of the demons broke the silence as he inquired in a surprised tone.
"Hmm, Hmm!" The boy nodded repeatedly before speaking. "That''s right! Our new leader is a Demon Queen, so you all better behave yourselves in her presence!" He stated.
Gulp!¡ª
"D-Do you know why is she assembling all of us outside the leader''s mansion? Did she want to make some announcement or something?" one of the demons in the crowd questioned.
"....."
"O-Oh about that!" The boy said and paused for a moment, as even he didn''t know why Irethiel was gathering everyone here.
''Ahhh, I should have asked that human about this! What should I say to them now? If I say I don''t know the details, then they will think I am not that close of a servant of the demon queen!'' The boy pondered for a moment.
"...H-Her majesty wanted to announce new rules that every one of us should follow from now on. And more importantly, she is very generous so maybe she is even nning a surprise for all of us!" The boy stated.
''Yup, this should do it,'' he reflected.
"Surprise? What kind of surprise are we talking about here?" one of the demons asked.
"...Maybe she is nning on increasing the distribution of the disguise potions? Or lowering its price?" one of the demons said in an excited tone.
"Wow, if that really is the case then it would really be good! I am tired of doing useless human tasks to earn money!" one of the demons remarked.
"Yeah, I know right? Their work is no less than very!" another demon beside himmented.
...
...
The demons began to chatter and started specting the reason for this gathering. However, no one was even close to the reason why they were gathered here.
***
Knock!¡ª Knock!¡ª
!?
"What is it?" Irethiel questioned when she heard the knocking on the door of her room.
"M-My Lady! Every demon in the area has arrived and is waiting for you outside the mansion building, as per your wishes!" The demon Samael stated.
"...Alright, inform them to wait for me. I will be there soon," Irethiel responded.
"As you wish, my Lady," the demon Samael said before leaving.
"Woah, there were this many demons present in just the Kaldor Kingdom? They could cause chaos if they were let loose," Ares muttered as he saw hundreds of demons waiting outside the mansion.
''Well, their only purpose is to cause unrest among the citizens so the demon lord can escape easily,''
"...When is your mastering? And do you think she is still strong enough to defeat all of them alone?" Irethiel inquired, unsure.
"Don''t degrade her abilities just because she lost to Tania. I myself experienced firsthand how monstrous her abilities can be," Ares replied. "...It will only take her one attack to ughter this number of demons," he added.
"I saw what she is truly capable of during her fight with that orange-haired woman, but wasn''t she injured pretty badly after that? I''m just not sure if she can still fight as she used to before, after that defeat¡ª"
Irethiel was interrupted by a massive booming sound.
Booooooom!¡ª
!?
"...She''s already here, huh? That was quick!" Ares mumbled.
"It''s time we make our exit from this mansion before it bes a dangerous ce to be in," Ares dered and made a move toward the exit.
"...."
***
Boooom!¡ª
As soon as the massive booming sound was heard, every demon gathered outside the mansion was startled and quickly turned toward it.
!?
They were faced with a ck-haired female wielding two katanas, exuding a menacing aura, and having a sinister grin.
The woman¡ª Mika was sporting a sleek, ck bodysuit that hugs her curves in all the right ces.
The fabric was lightweight, allowing for maximum mobility, and made from a special blend of materials that provide both durability andfort.
Her long, dark hair is styled in a tight braid that falls down her back, and a pair of ck, knee-high bootsplete the look.
On her left hip was a ck leather holster, designed to hold one of her katanas, while the other is securely fastened to her back.
Despite the early hour, Mika exudes an aura of confidence and readiness, as if she were born to wield her katanas in battle.
...
"A-A human? W-What is a human doing here?" one of the demons shouted.
"D-Don''t worry, it appears she is alone. We will deal with her," another demon stated.
They all readied themselves for a fight, which made Mika even more excited.
"You demons better not die from my single attack, or I will be pretty disappointed!" Mika said with an amusing smile.
***
As Mika stood in front of the horde of demons, she readied her two katanas which were now aze with a fiery aura.
The demons seemed unfazed, thinking they could easily handle her, but Mika had other ns. With a fierce grin on her face, she assumed a cross shape stance with her katanas and shouted her signature move,
"Cross-Sword Inferno Blitz!"
The air around her began to heat up, as if it was about to boil, and suddenly a massive cross-shaped inferno erupted from Mika''s katanas, rushing forward to engulf the horde of demons in its path.
The demons, caught off guard, tried to flee but it was toote, the fire was already upon them, consuming everything in its path.
AAAHHHHHH!¡ª
They let out pained screams as the mes consumed them, reducing them to ashes in an instant.
The sheer force of the fire sent shockwaves throughout the area, shaking the very foundations of the mansion behind them its walls copsing as the fire devoured everything in its wake.
The infernosted only a few seconds, but when it was done, nothing remained of the demons, not even ashes.
The destruction caused by the skill was massive, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a smoldering crater where the demons and the mansion once stood.
Mika stood amidst the destruction, her katanas still aze with a fiery aura.
"Oh, did I go overboard?" She said with a smirk, as she sheathed her katanas.
...Just like that, she had defeated the entire horde/colony of demons with just one move.
***
"...We would have been reduced to ashes if we had stayed in that mansion," Irethiel grumbled. "She didn''t think about what if you had been in that mansion as well, did she?" She further said.
"If you believe that to be the case, you arepletely mistaken. She even gave me a wink before using her skill, indicating that she already knew I wasn''t at that mansion or anywhere in her attack range at the time," I answered.
"Hmm? How did she figure out where you were? Did she cast a tracking spell on you or something?" Irethiel remarked jokingly.
"....."
"...I understand that you''re joking, but I hope the oue isn''t as such," I stated calmly as I approached Mika''s side.
"Are you alright, my disciple? Did my attack cause you any harm?" Mika asked as she approached me with concern.
She swiftly began to inspect me for any signs of injury.
"Uh, Mika, I believe you may have mistaken the person. This isn''t Ares," Aegis spoke, stepping forward with a sheepish grin.
Aegis seemed unsure, not realizing it was me due to my camouge pendant. But surprisingly, Mika was able to somehow identify me despite my disguise.
''Did she also have the ability to see through disguises?'' I reflected.
And wondered if I should feel relieved or concerned that Mika could easily see through my disguise despite my camouge pendant.
"....."
***
[Mika''s Skill Description!]
[Cross-Sword Inferno Blitz: It is a powerful sword skill that utilizes dual swords to create a massive cross-shaped st of fire.
The user first covers their swords in mes, then crosses them in front of their body.
By unleashing a concentrated burst of energy, they can send a zing inferno hurtling forward, destroying anything in its path.
The skill is especially effective againstrge groups of enemies, as the cross shape ensures that no one can escape its wrath.
The power of the skill is matched only by its beauty, as the fiery cross illuminates the battlefield with its intense heat and light.]
Chapter 155 A Rematch?
"It''s good that the sounds were suppressed by the formations ced in the alley before they were destroyed," I pondered as I surveyed the destruction caused by Mika''s attack.
The whole demon colony was now eradicated, and even the camouge formation ced in the alley was destroyed, making the destruction clearly visible.
However, it was still early in the morning and not many people were present to witness it.
"I think we should leave this ce before people start gathering," Aegis stated, noticing the rising sun.
"Yeah, you''re right. But before that, Aegis, did you bring the artifact that can hide the tracks?" I asked, turning toward her.
"Yes, I have it with me. I always carry it with me when I''m out with Mika, in case she causes any chaos," she replied with a sigh.
"I''m d to hear that, so you know what to handle now then, right?" I said with a smile.
"....."
"...Tsh, You both are simr in that aspect, making my life harder by increasing my workload," she said, clicking her tongue and puffing her cheeks in annoyance before heading off to clean up the mess.
"Pftt, hahaha¡ª"
Mika and I chuckled at Aegis''sment and saw her tapping her foot in frustration before leaving.
...
...
"So, shall we go somewhere else and chat, my disciple?" Mika said abruptly with a scary smile.
"...Shouldn''t we wait for Aegis to arrive as well? She''ll be really upset if we leave her alone here, don''t you think?" I replied, uneasily.
"Don''t worry about her, she can take care of herself. Or are you saying you want to avoid being alone with me?" Mika asked, maintaining her smile.
"...No, I''d love to spend more time with you alone. In fact, I was wondering why you brought Aegis with you here," I replied, smiling.
"I didn''t want to bring her either, but she insisted on tagging along so she could deal with the aftermath.
Though I''m not really concerned with these things, she wanted me to avoid attracting the attention of that unreasonable Bitch Jessica before my fight with Tania is scheduled," Mika said, as she began to exit the alley, motioning for me to follow.
As I trailed behind Mika, I thought to myself, '' So, Mika and Tania''s rematch is now inevitable, huh!''
***
We were seated at a small, cozy restaurant in a quiet corner of a bustling town.
The morning sun was shining through the windows, illuminating our table and filling the air with warmth.
I was sipping a steaming cup of tea, while Mika was enjoying her own breakfast of scrambled eggs, mushrooms, and roasted tomatoes, apanied by crispy bacon and a freshly baked croissant.
We ate in silence, enjoying the sounds of clinking silverware and soft conversation around us as the restaurant came to life.
"So, how''s your training for the tournament going?" Mika asked, breaking the silence.
"It''s going well. I''m practicing the techniques you taught me every day," I replied.
"I see. I believe you''ll be able to master them before the tournament," Mika said, keeping a straight face.
"Yes, I believe I have a good understanding of it now," I replied.
''What should I ask him now? Should I inquire about his studies or his friends? Or should I ask if he has a special someone in his life other than me?'' Mika thought, her mind racing with possibilities.
But, Despite her internal turmoil, she kept aposed expression on her face.
!?
I noticed Mika''s expression change slightly as if she was deep in thought.
"...Did Aegis tell you about Tania''s proposition?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation.
There was a brief pause as Mika stopped eating.
"...Yeah, I heard she wants to teach you her martial arts," she replied.
"So, what do you think I should say to her?" I asked, still focused on my breakfast. However, I was curious as to how she will respond.
"It''s a great opportunity for you to learn her renowned martial arts.
In the end, it''s up to you to decide if you would like to learn from her or not.
If you do, I won''t stop you. My animosity towards her doesn''t involve you," Mika said, taking a moment to pause.
"¡I understand, I''ll think about it," I said.
However, Mika''s reaction was less extreme than I expected. I thought she would cause a big scene, like what happened with Helena.
As I was thinking, the table we were sitting at started shaking violently.
Shudder¡ªShudder¡ª
"What the...?" I muttered, raising my head to look at Mika. But I was met with her head down, emitting an ominous aura, and I couldn''t understand the expression she was making. Her dark eyes were like a deep abyss, emotionless.
"Arghh"
Everyone in the restaurant started to exit panicked, noticing the scary aura Mika was emitting.
"...But could you wait until my fight with her, Ares?" Mika suddenly asked, raising her head with a smile on her face. The ominous aura had disappeared. And more importantly, she called me by my name which was unusual of her.
"...."
"...I haven''t made a decision on whether I should learn from Tania or not, so there''s no need to worry, Master.
And even If I ever decide to learn from her, I will always see you as my only Master," I replied with a smile.
This was true, as I didn''t consider learning directly from Tania as of now, as I am stillprehending the techniques she uploaded on the Ytube.
"...Thank you for saying that, Ares!" Mika said, smiling brightly.
But I still didn''t know why she wanted me to wait before deciding to learn from Tania until after her fight with her.
Given Mika''s personality, I had a scary thought.
Gulp¡ª
''What if she''s nning to finish Tania off in that battle...''
"...."
Suddenly, I heard the door to the entrance open, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Why did you guys leave me alone there? Couldn''t you have waited for me a little longer?" Aegis asked, approaching us and sitting down next to Mika.
"What''s with the atmosphere? Did Ie at the wrong time or something? Or do you guys now see me as a third wheel?" Aegis asked with a sly grin.
"Did you manage to cover the tracks?" Mika asked, her expression neutral.
"Of course, I took care of that beforeing here," Aegis replied and ordered a coffee.
"You know, I really couldn''t recognize you, Ares. Are you using a disguise artifact or that potion I received from you?" Aegis asked, turning to me with a curious expression.
"...I''m using an artifact," I replied.
"Wow, I''m impressed by its capabilities. But more importantly, I''m curious to know how Mika was able to recognize you even though you were wearing that artifact?" Aegis asked, turning to Mika.
"...I will always be able to recognize what''s mine," Mika said with a straight face.
"...."
Aegis''s eyes widened in surprise at Mika''s statement. I, on the other hand, remained still.
We both were caught off guard by her response.
"...I mean, I will always be able to recognize people close to me, even if they''re in disguise," Mika rified with a smile after a brief pause.
"O-Oh, I see what you mean," Aegis said, quickly recovering and taking a sip of her coffee.
"...I heard from the master that the fight between her and Tania is being discussed again," I asked Aegis with an annoyed smile since she hadn''t mentioned it to me during our conversation.
She used to contact me to discuss some absurd plot from the anime, but she tends to forget to tell me about vital stuff.
"Oh, did I not mention it to you? Well, It hasn''t been scheduled yet. I talked to Tania''s secretary, but their terms are too outrageous for us to ept. The fight will only happen if both parties agree to equal terms," Aegis exined.
"Don''t you think it''s too soon for this battle? It hasn''t been that long since theirst fight, right?" I asked, ncing at Mika who was now upied with her phone.
''Because I still can''t imagine Mika defeating Tania right now,''
"Why don''t you ask her directly about her confidence in the fight? I tried to reason with her and find a solution, but I don''t understand why she is so eager," Aegis also turned to look at Mika, showing her concern.
Sensing our gazes, she looked up from her phone.
"It''s because if I wait even a year, Tania will have reached a level of strength where I won''t even be able to touch a strand of her hair.
You know she''s a chosen one, but for now, she''s not in full control of her power. That''s also why I was able to fight her on equal terms during ourst fight.
But she''s slowly getting a grasp of her power and improving every day," Mika exined, her expression serious.
''Well, Mika is right, Tania will continue to grow stronger with no rival, and eventually, she''ll be fighting demon lords alongside Lucas. But...''
"...Are you confident that you''ll be able to defeat her this time, Master?" I asked, looking directly into Mika''s eyes.
***
Chapter 156 Maids Vindictive News!
"...Are you sure that you''ll be able to defeat her this time, Master?" I inquired, looking directly into Mika''s eyes.
"I believe I can fight Tania on equal terms until she uses her transformation," Mika said, pausing for a moment.
''Now, even my most precious disciple is doubting my strength?
...No, it''s not his fault. It''s my weakness that has made him worried about me,'' Mika thought to herself, with a pained expression.
When I saw Mika''s expression, I knew what was going through her mind. But I had to show her that she wasn''t strong enough to fight Tania yet, before it was toote.
If Mika won, it would be great, but if she lost again, I didn''t even want to imagine what she might do to herself. I''ve seen many prideful people like Mika get destroyed after they couldn''t ovee their loss.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by Aegis.
"...So, how are you going to deal with Tania when she transforms?" Aegis asked anxiously.
"I''m searching for a strong skill or ability stone to counter her transformation," Mika replied.
"Isn''t it hard to find a skill or ability stone suitable for someone of your strength, Master?" I asked.
"You''re right, it''s not easy to get my hands on a skill or ability stone just by spending some money," Mika acknowledged. "But I''m nning on entering a recently discovered S-Rank inheritance dungeon."
"WHAT? Why didn''t I know about this?" Aegis eximed.
"Oh, I just received news about that from that bitch," Mika responded with a nonchnt tone.
Triiing!¡ª
The sound of a ringing phone interrupted the conversation.
"Excuse me for a moment, I need to take this call," Mika said before stepping away from the table to answer the phone.
"...From that Bitch? Is she talking about Jessica or Helena?" I queried, my gaze fixed on Aegis.
Because Mika frequently refers to every other woman as a bitch and every other guy as a bastard.
"....."
"Of course, it''s Helena," said Aegis. "Why would Jessica let someone like Mika to enter an S-Rank dungeon?"
"Can you tell me which dungeon she''s referring to?" I asked, curious.
"I don''t know the details, but it seems the dungeon was discovered by the organization Helena is in. They already sent five high-ranking individuals to clear it, but only two of them returned alive," Aegis exined.
"So, Helena wants Mika''s help to clear the dungeon? But you know that even if they seed, the organization won''t just let Mika keep whatever they find, right?" I stated.
"Right. And I don''t think Mika is unaware of this. In fact, both Mika and Helena know the risks. I don''t understand why they''re still nning to enter the dungeon," Aegisined, rubbing her head.
"Well, if they''re going together, I think we don''t have to worry about them. They''ve probably thought it through. They wouldn''t risk their lives unnecessarily," I stated.
"...And who said I was worried about them?" Aegis looked at me with a nk expression.
"Uh...?" I was puzzled.
"Of course, nothing will happen to them. I''m worried about myself. They''re nning to drag me in with them," Aegis said in a frustrated tone.
"And to make matters worse, they want to enter the dungeon on the premier day of my favorite anime," she eximed.
"....."
"...I think you should go with them. Why waste time watching anime? You could at least be useful to them in the dungeon," I said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Ugh. You don''t understand. What''s the point of me earning so much money if I can''t even enjoy my favorite things?" Aegis retorted.
"How did you get rich, anyway, with that kind of attitude? You''re toozy. You''re exhausted just making potions for Mika, while other famous potion makers serve entire kingdoms," I made a nonchnt remark.
"Okay, let me rify a few things. Firstly, the potion makers you mentioned are forced to make potions for the Kingdom, so they don''t have much of a choice.
Secondly, there are also potion makers who make potions for the sole purpose of making money, but I don''t understand their motive. They can''t take their huge amount of money to the grave, can they?
And thirdly, and most importantly," Aegis paused for emphasis, "I make potions not only for Mika but also for Helena and an ungrateful bastard named Ares." She shot me a nk expression, triggered.
"Haha, why so serious? I was just kidding," I chuckled.
"Hmph," Aegis pouted, "it''s a good thing you were just joking, or else I would''ve stopped making potions for one less person." She added, averting her gaze and folding her hands.
"By the way, when are you going to let me know the details about that disguise potion I asked you about?" I asked shamelessly.
"I''ll check on it when I get back to the mansion and let that ungrateful Ares know," she said, still pouting.
"You''re acting like an anime character who''s angry with her boyfriend," I said with a smile.
"W-What? What do you mean by that? Boyfriend?" Aegis stammered, her cheeks turning red.
''C-Cute? Boyfriend? What is he saying? Why am I blushing?''
Fuuuu~
''Poor girls, having to deal with him on a regr basis without being charmed by his smile,'' Aegis thought to herself, trying to calm down.
"Ahem, where''s your demon ve? I don''t see her around," Aegis asked, trying to change the subject.
"I sent her away to handle something. I don''t want Mika to find out about her just yet," I replied.
"Oh right, I forgot that Mika still doesn''t know about Irethiel," Aegis said, realizing her mistake.
"When do you n on telling Mika about her? You can''t keep it from her forever," she added.
"I haven''t decided when to tell Mika about it yet," I said, shifting in my seat.
"Tell me what?" Mika asked, her brows furrowed as she approached our table.
Both Aegis and I were caught off guard, as we hadn''t noticed Mika''s approach.
"Are you guys keeping something from me?" Mika asked, taking a seat at the table.
"No, no, we''re not hiding anything from you, Mika. It was just a minor thing," Aegis said, trying to dismiss the situation calmly.
"Oh, okay then," Mika said, looking suspiciously at both of us.
Just then, the sound from the news on the screen in the center of the restaurant caught our attention.
***
[Breaking News: Tragedy Strikes The Elven Kingdom!]
[The Elven kingdom was shocked to hear the news of the destruction of the famous Althaeon Pharmacy.
The pharmacy, located in the town of Lunaris, was renowned for its unique blend of traditional Elven remedies and cutting-edge magical remedies.
It was managed by a group of skilled Dark Elves who were known for their expertise in the field of potion-making.
However, the once-thriving Althaeon Pharmacy was now nothing but a pile of rubble after a mysterious and devastating attack.
Eyewitnesses reported that a powerful st had rocked the pharmacy,pletely destroying the building and leaving no survivors.
The exact cause of the st remains unknown, but rumors suggest that it might have been an act of sabotage by rival factions who were envious of Althaeon''s sess.
The loss of such a valuable resource in the town of Lunaris has sent shockwaves through the Elvenmunity, and many are worried about the future of the kingdom''s health and well-being.
The authorities are investigating the incident, and the kingdom has dered a state of emergency in response to this tragedy.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.]
***
!?
When I saw the news, a wide smile spread across my face.
I couldn''t help but think, ''She didn''t take long to get her revenge, did she?'' My gaze was fixed on the screen, showing the burning building.
Of course, I knew who was behind it. It was me who had directed her to that pharmacy.
"I''ll be waiting for your return, my maid...Meira!" I whispered to myself.
Chapter 157 Mikas Predicament!
"Wow, this is very tragic news for the Elven Empire," Aegis began. "The Althaeon Pharmacy was well-known not only among elves but also among various races, thanks to their unique remedies.
The Hero Association was even nning to coborate with them and open branches in other kingdoms." Aegis stated.
Mika shrugged. "Who cares, it doesn''t concern us. There''s no need to waste time watching the news."
"Well, I was friends with the wife of the previous owner," Aegis said.
"But they died in an ident. Of course, that''s only what is told to the public. It''s not hard to guess that they were assassinated by higher-ups in thepany. They even had a young daughter who also died at the time.
This must be their retribution," Aegis spoke in a dramatic tone.
"...Theck of evidence allowed the killer to walk free without consequence, and people quickly moved on from the incident," She added with a shake of her head.
''I''m not sure how Aegis knows so much about the assassination, but what she says is true.
The former owner of the Althaeon Pharmacy was Meira''s father, who was murdered along with his wife by an assassin hired by his own brother, who subsequently took over thepany.
But they were unaware that the assassin spared the life of their daughter, Meira, and instead chose to adopt her for unknown reasons.
And now, Meira has taken her revenge, all the while remaining unknown to them.''
"People have short memories, they easily forget about things like this. So what if a pharmacy owner was killed? As long as they can still get their potions, that''s all that matters to them," Mikamented," But I can''t judge them, I''m just like them." she added.
"The only ones that really suffer are those who were close to the victims," Aegis muttered.
"Now that the leading potion-makingpany in the elven kingdom is gone, there will be high demand for potions. This could be your chance to get rich, Aegis," I said jokingly.
"The downfall of one can often bring opportunities for others, is that what you''re saying?" She asked.
"Yeah," I replied while nodding.
"But, I already have enough money to lead afortable life and I don''t want to deal with the hassle of makingrge quantities of potions," Aegis replied.
"So you''d rather watch anime than make potions, huh?" I asked with a grin.
"Exactly!" Aegis eximed.
"..."
"Even if you wanted to sell your potions in the elven kingdom, you wouldn''t be able to," Mika interjected. "Because you''ll be joining us in the dungeon." She spoke nonchntly as if it was a given.
"...Ahhh no! I never agreed to that," Aegis cried out.
"I''m not asking for your consent, I''m informing you that you''reing with us," Mika dered, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"What about my right to refuse?" Aegis asked, her voice rising as she grabbed onto her hair in frustration.
I couldn''t help but think to myself that when ites to Mika, there really is no such thing as the freedom to refuse. I remembered Aegis telling me that herself when I first met Mika.
"So, when are you entering the dungeon, Master?" I asked, snapping out of my thoughts.
"Our departure is imminent, within the next day or two, depending on how quickly Aegis can gather the necessary supplies," Mika informed us.
Aegis sighed heavily at the thought of the added workload she was about to face.
''The more she tries to avoid work, the more work she ends up with,'' I thought to myself with a shake of my head.
"And what about you, my disciple? Are you nning on returning to the Academy?" Mika asked, turning to me.
"Not just yet," I replied with a smile. "I have some errands to run nearby. I''ll leave after I''ve finished."
I had been considering asking Mika if she wants to apany me to the abandoned Kingdom, but with her schedule for entering the dungeon, it wouldn''t be the best idea.
Telling her about my ns to visit the abandoned kingdom might result in her either trying to stop me or postponing her own schedule toe along.
***
After chatting with Mika for a few more moments, we exited the restaurant.
However, Throughout our conversation, Aegis remained quiet, her mood still surrounded by a sense of gloominess.
As we were about to part ways, Mika hugged me and spoke with a smile on her face, "I will do my best to clear that dungeon before the start of your tournament, so I can be there to witness your victory, my beloved student." She held me in a tight embrace for a moment before letting go.
I then gestured for her toe closer, as if I wanted to whisper something in her ear. She bent down to meet my height and I gave her a tender kiss on the lips.
!?
Though I had grown taller, the height difference between Mika and me was still quite noticeable, and I still couldn''t reach her lips.
"I hope you find what you''re looking for in that dungeon, Master," I said, smiling after giving her a kiss.
"...."
Mika stood there, stunned and motionless, while Aegis, who had been looking downcast just moments before, now had her eyes and mouth wide open in surprise.
My unexpected kiss had caught both of them off guard.
"Okay, I''ll see youter, Master," I said, still smiling as I turned to leave.
As I walked away from Mika and Aegis, I couldn''t help but feel anxious as I think about their reactions. Mika had stood motionless with a straight face, but I could tell that her mind was in turmoil.
Meanwhile, Aegis was still in shock, her eyes and mouth wide open in disbelief. I couldn''t help but smile at the sight.
''Maybe I acted too soon,'' I thought to myself. ''But Mika is a grown woman, she can handle it.'' I shrugged it off.
***
Mika and Aegis remained silent, their eyes fixed on Ares''s departing figure.
Though Mika appeared calm andposed on the outside, her mind was racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions.
''What does this mean?'' she thought to herself. ''Did he kiss me because he loves me? I love him too, but...wait a minute. Is this just a new trend among young people to kiss goodbye like that? Does he kiss every woman he meets?''
Mika continued to ponder these thoughts for a few moments before finally turning to look at Aegis, who was still in a state of shock.
"...Did he kiss you goodbye too?" Mika asked Aegis, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"What? Are you crazy? Why would he kiss me?" Aegis replied quickly, her face reddening with embarrassment.
"Really? He didn''t kiss you?" Mika pressed, still looking at Aegis skeptically.
"O-Of course not! Why would he kiss me?" Aegis eximed while making exaggerated hand gestures, denying it.
"That''s a relief," Mika said, her tone neutral. She then turned away from Aegis.
"Wait a minute, did you kiss him?" Mika suddenly turned back to Aegis and asked again.
"W-What? N-No! Why would I do that?" Aegis replied, flustered.
''Ahhh, Why is she asking such questions to me?'' Aegis screamed inwardly.
"Good. You better not. What if he''s kissed other girls too? Should I go kill them?" Mika muttered to herself, her eyes darkening as if under a spell.
"....."
Aegis was left speechless when she heard Mika''s words.
"I-I don''t think that''s a good idea. Ares wouldn''t be happy if you did that," Aegis said cautiously.
"Yeah, you''re right. I don''t want to make my precious disciple unhappy or angry with me," Mika said, shaking her head.
"Then...What should I do if someone tries to steal him from me?" Mika asked in a serious tone, her eyes now locked onto Aegis.
Aegis sighed inwardly, thinking, ''It''s like that bastard has flipped her Yandere switch and left me to deal with it. She''s already crazy enough for me to handle.''
"Don''t worry, you''re asking the right person. I have experience with this kind of thing," Aegis dered, puffing out her breast.
"But you don''t have any experience with love, same as me though?" Mika asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"...."
"Ha¡ªHaha, Y-Yeah, I guess you''re right. We''re both inexperienced with love, B-But I love men from anime series, if that counts?" Aegis said as she chuckled nervously.
But suddenly, Mika''s expression grew darker as she repeated, "I wonder if he kisses every girl he meets goodbye like that."
"...."
Aegis raised an eyebrow at Mika''s tone, sensing her jealousy.
"I-I don''t think you should worry about that," she said carefully. "I''m sure he only kissed you because he cares about you."
"You think so?" Mika asked, her eyes brightening a little.
"Y-Yes, I''m sure of it," Aegis said with a nod, trying to calm Mika down. "J-Just don''t overthink things, okay?" Aegis added with a nervous expression.
Mika nodded, still looking a little uncertain. "Okay, I''ll try not to. Thanks, Aegis."
"Haha, Don''t worry about it," Aegis said, relieved that the conversation was shifting away from the previous topic.
"S-So, shall we start formting a strategy for our next foray into the dungeon?" Ageis remarked to which Mika merely nodded.
***
"Ares, you jerk! I''m going to give you a piece of my mind next time I see you for putting me through that terrifying experience," Aegis thought to herself, fuming with anger towards Ares.
...
...
Meanwhile Ares~
Achoo!
"Wow, that was a weird sneeze. I wonder if someone''s talking about me?" Ares muttered to himself as he rubbed his nose.
However, he shrugged and continued on his way. Little did he know, Aegis was cursing him in her mind.
Chapter 158 Marz Makes Headlines!
After parting ways with Mika, I was now on my way to the Adventurers Guild to get my adventurer license.
"So, what are you nning on doing with that demon kid?" Irethiel asked telepathically as she approached me.
"I''ll let him live for now. Maybe he''ll be useful to me in the future," I replied.
I had told Irethiel to save that mind-reading demon brat, whose name was apparently Ark, before Mika used her attack and eradicated the whole demon colony.
"...Don''t be fooled by his harmless attitude. No matter how innocent or harmless he may seem, he is still a demon," Irethiel stated.
"A demon warning me about other demons? That''s new," I said with a grin.
"Listen, I''m just giving you a heads up. I''ve been burned in the past by seemingly innocent demons, but the choice is ultimately yours on how to handle this one," she warned.
Hearing Irethiel, I couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly. ''The fact that she''s warning me about demons is hrious in itself,'' I thought.
"Where is he now?" I asked snapping out of my thoughts.
"...I knocked him unconscious and brought him away from the destroyed demon colony as people started to gather there," she responded.
"Good. Let him drink this disguise potion and bring him outside the Adventurers Guild. I''ll be collecting my adventurer license by then," I stated.
With a swish, Irethiel flew past me in her crow form, took the potion bottle from my hand, and disappeared into the sky.
...
As I made my way to the Adventurers Guild, I was met by Howkins, who was standing outside the guild.
"Boss, you''re here!" he eximed as he saw me and rushed toward me.
"Where were you all night? I arranged a ce for you to stay in a renowned hotel, but you were nowhere to be found," he asked.
"Something came up, and I was busy dealing with it," I replied nonchntly.
"...."
"...You should have informed me beforehand, maybe by texting me, if that was the case. I paid a good amount of money to arrange a VIP room in the most famous hotel in the kingdom," Howkins said, sounding disappointed.
"Here, take this first!" I said as I handed him an envelope and a recording crystal ball.
"Hmm, what''s this? I thought you were going to pay me back for the money I used for your arrangements or something?" Howkins said as he examined the envelope and the recording ball.
"Tsh, Here, this should cover the expenses, right?" I said as I threw a gold pouch in his direction.
Clink!¡ª
He grabbed the pouch andughed. "Haha, this is more than enough, boss. I always knew you were a very generous person," he said, praising me as he saw the huge amount of money I gave him.
"Cut the crap and listen to what I want you to do now," I said in a serious tone.
Hearing me, Howkins became serious as well and listened attentively.
...
...
"So, you want me to deliver this envelope and recording crystal to the President of the Hero Association?" Howkins asked, looking perplexed.
"Yes, deliver it to Jessica herself. Don''t hand it to anyone else, even if they im they will deliver it to her. Your job is to deliver it to Jessica directly, by any means," I exined to him again.
"...Why not just send this directly to her through your phone, instead of asking me to deliver it by hand?" Howkins asked, still confused.
"Stop questioning me and just follow my instructions, you crazy bastard? Another inquiry and I can guarantee you won''t be going back to your wife in one piece," I snapped, the frustration evident in my voice and on my forehead as a vein throbbed.
Gulp¡ª
"I-I will do as you say, boss!" He eximed, giving me a salute like a soldier.
"...Now get the fuck out of here before I kick your ass," I said with an annoyed smile.
"Roger!" He eximed before departing.
Fuuuu¡ª
I exhaled and rxed my nerves.
"The table is set, and the pieces are in ce. Now it''s time to start the game with Jessica," I muttered to myself with a grin as I entered the Adventurer''s Guild.
I could feel the weight of all eyes on me as I stepped into the Adventurer''s Guild.
The chatter and noise that filled the room came to an abrupt halt as all attention was drawn to me.
"Ah shit, not again," I muttered to myself as I saw my picture and rank disyed on therge screen in front of me.
"...."
---
[Breaking News!
In andmark achievement, a mysterious 16-year-old boy named Marz has be the youngest S-Rank adventurer in thend, breaking the previous record held by the renowned prodigy, Ares.
The recently announced evaluation program has ignited a wave of excitement among adventurers, and Marz has be the first to receive an S-Rank under this program.
The adventurermunity is buzzing withparisons between Marz and Ares, with Marz''s abilities seen as surpassing even the exceptional skills and mastery of weapons of Ares.
Some specte that Marz may soon surpass Ares in terms of power and fame.
Marz''s sudden rise to fame and mysterious background has only added to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this young prodigy, who many believe has the potential to achieve even greater things in the world of adventuring.
As discussions and debates continue on who will emerge as the ultimate champion between Marz and Ares, one thing is for sure - both will be remembered as two of the greatest adventurers in human history.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.]
***
"Interesting how they''re portraying Marz as a mysterious figure," I mused, ncing at the news broadcast. "But little do they know, they''reparing me to myself." I had smirk as I thought that.
''I''m sure the news of the Althaeon Pharmacy''s destruction will die down soon, especially with the recent buzz surrounding my ranking as the youngest S-Rank adventurer.
This news should help distract from any negative attention on Meira and the pharmacy.'' I pondered.
Chapter 159 The Adventurers License!
''Well, I am no longer concerned about Jessica being interested in this news and discovering my identity because she will be fairly busy with her work for at least a few months now,'' I reasoned as I saw the news about me being broadcast.
"You''ve arrived, Sir Marz," The manager, Hong, eximed as he rushed towards me as soon as he spotted me.
"What''s with all themotion? I believe you understood how much I despise attention," I muttered, furrowing my brows. "Why am I in the news even before I''ve gotten my adventurer''s license?" In a dissatisfied tone, I inquired.
"Haha, I''ll exin everything. Please follow me to the VVIP room, there''s someone waiting for you there," the manager said, sweating profusely.
"Hmm? Who is the person that is expecting me?" I inquired, perplexed.
"I-I think you''ll understand when you see her," The manager responded by directing me to the VVIP room.
When we got to the VVIP area, the manager slowly opened the door and motioned for me to enter.
And as soon as I entered the room, I was greeted by a serious-looking brown-haired, blue-eyed woman seated on the sofa.
Her hair was styled in a neat bob and her blue eyes were piercing. Her outfit consisted of a navy blue suit jacket, matching cks, and a white top.
She was carrying a teacup and saucer, which she quickly set down when she noticed me entering the room.
Her expression became distorted as she spoke, "So... he''s the so-called youngest S-Rank adventurer?" she said in a displeased voice.
''Who the fuck is this bitch?" I pondered, disregarding her disapproving gaze and tone.
Maybe she''s just a minor character with no importance in the plot,'' I shrugged.
"Y-Yes, he is the youngest S-Rank adventurer, Marz," the manager said, turning to me and introducing the woman. "And Sir Marz, this is Miss Astrid, the third daughter of the Adventurer Association''s president."
"Third daughter of the Adventurer Association''s president, huh?" I paused, trying to recall if I had read anything about her.
"Nope, doesn''t ring any bells," I responded, shaking my head.
The manager and a woman named Astrid were taken aback by myck of recognition. The manager began to sweat again, while Astrid stopped sipping her tea and red at me.
I ignored their reactions and took a seat on the sofa across from her, nonchntly. Despite her intense gaze, I was unfazed and ready to find out what she wanted from me.
***
"So what do you need from me Miss...Astrid, is it?" I asked, trying to get straight to the point.
Astrid ignored me and turned towards the manager, her eyes narrowed as she spoke in a stern tone, "Are you absolutely certain that this young man is the youngest S-Rank adventurer? Or did he bribe you to receive this rank?"
!?
The manager stammered, clearly taken aback by the usation, "I-I would never do such a thing, Miss Astrid! His rank has also been acknowledged by the president and higher-ups."
Astrid looked me up and down, a look of skepticism on her face. "I don''t see anything special about him. I wonder if he can even lift a sword with those frail-looking arms of his. Even girls have stronger arms than he does."
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a bit annoyed about Astrid''s remarks. I didn''t want to get into any confrontations with her, and I didn''t have time to teach her a lesson by beating the crap out of her.
But Astrid was not deterred, a smirk appearing on her face as she challenged me, "I heard that you use a sword proficiently. How about a duel? I am quite skilled with a sword myself, second only to Sir Ares in the younger generation."
"...I appreciate the offer of a duel, but I must refuse," I responded nicely.
"And regarding your previousment about being the only one next to Ares in swordsmanship among the younger generation, I have to disagree. I''ve seen Ziona''s mastery of the sword and I truly believe she is at least on equal footing with Ares, if not surpassing him," I remarked.
"...."
"H-Huh, this bastard, how dare you question my sword proficiency without even witnessing it firsthand?" Astrid retorted, unsheathing her sword and pointing it toward me.
"I don''t need to see you use your sword to judge your abilities," I replied calmly. "One look at your delicate hands and I can tell that you don''t put in the same level of training as Ziona does," I added.
Astrid''s expression grew even more severe at my words, and it seemed like she was about to attack me at any moment.
"Miss Astrid, please calm down! The president sent you here to recruit him, not make him an enemy," the manager interjected frantically.
? "We don''t need someone like him in our family, and I doubt my father would want him either. In fact, he''d probably thank me for disposing of him," Astrid said with a sneer.
"B-But he''s Miss Silvia''s boyfriend! If anything happened to him, it could ignite a war between the Adventurer''s Association and the Merchant''s Association.
After all, we rely entirely on the Merchant''s Association for all of our supplies," The manager reminded her of this.
"Tsk, Silvia was once engaged to Sir Ares. How could she have fallen so low as to date someone like him?" Astrid hissed and looked at me with contempt.
"Pftt, hahaha, this dumb bitch really doesn''t know who she is messing with, huh?" I busted outughing when I heard her remark.
"What? Did you go insane or¡ª" Astrid was about to say something but her words were cut shot.
!?
As I vanished from where I was sitting and materialized beside her, holding her by the face with my hand before mming it into the ground. Without even giving her any chance to react.
¡ªThud
"Arghh"
Where I pounded her skull, weblike cracks emerged on the ground.
I then released my grip on Astrid''s face and took a step back, noticing she had lost consciousness and her eyes had turned white.
"...."
"Ha! She was speaking so confidently, yet she can''t even take a single strike from me," I said, shaking my head in amusement, before turning to face the manager, who was staring at me in disbelief, mouth open.
"I''m not one for violence, especially when there''s no need for it," I exined calmly. "Before things escte, would you mind giving me my adventurer''s license? I''d like to be on my way." With an innocent look, I said to the manager.
"...."
The manager was at a loss for words, evidently taken aback by my abrupt change in tone.
"Yeah, H-here take it!" He said after regaining hisposure and passing me my adventurer license, which he took from his storage ring.
"Thanks!" As I grabbed the adventurer''s license from his grasp, I remarked.
"You''ll regret doing that to her!" he spat out and rushed towards Astrid.
"Oh, I highly doubt that," I replied calmly. "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have a business to attend to elsewhere," I said as I turned around and walked towards the door, leaving Astrid and the manager behind.
***
Chapter 160 Mastering The Spotlight!
As I left the VIP room, I made my way over to therge holographic screen where adventurers could select the quests they wanted to undertake.
However, I was disappointed to find that there were no quests rted to the Abandoned Kingdom.
"What the fuck?" I muttered, double-checking to make sure I wasn''t missing anything.
"Sir Marz, you seem troubled. May I help you?" A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Josephine, the receptionist who I had encountered before.
"Oh, it''s you. Josephine, right?" I asked, trying to recall her name.
"Yes! I''m d you remember me. And I''m still grateful for your help yesterday," Josephine said with a smile and a slight bow.
"I wasn''t trying to help you. I just didn''t like being used in that old woman''s cheap ploy," I said, turning my attention back to the quest screen.
"Haha, but I''m still grateful to you. Is there any particr quest you''re looking for?" Josephine asked, as she joined me at the screen.
"Yeah, I''m specifically looking for quests rted to the Abandoned Kingdom," I said.
"Eh?" Josephine looked at me with surprise. "A-Are you sure you want to take on quests rted to the Abandoned Kingdom? It''s a very dangerous ce," she said in a concerned voice.
"Yes, I am sure about it," I confirmed with a neutral expression.
"I-I see. The quests rted to the abandoned kingdom are ssified as the highest level of difficulty. Only Adventurers with an A-Rank or above can ess them," the receptionist, Josephine, exined.
"I''m an S-Rank adventurer. You do know that, right?" I asked her.
"O-Of course! Everyone in the continent now knows that you are the youngest S-Rank adventurer, and I''m not trying to underestimate or stop you from taking that quest," Josephine said hastily.
"I-I just want to inform you that, In order to ess the high-level quests, you need to put your Adventurer License in this slot," she added and pressed a button. A disc-like tray appeared from the keyboard.
"Please ce your Adventurer License in there," she instructed.
I followed her instructions and ced my Adventurer License in the tray and waited for the next step.
Processing...
The screen lit up for a moment, showing the words "Processing...", before revealing all the previously hidden high-level quests.
S-Rank Adventurer Quests:
1.Clearing the Cursed Ruins: An ancient ruin is believed to be cursed, and several S-Rank adventurers have gone missing while exploring it. The task is to clear the ruin of any potential dangers and find out what happened to the missing adventurers.
...
...
A-Rank Adventurer Quests:
1.Rescuing the Lost Vige: A vige in the countryside has been attacked by a horde of monsters and their residents have gone missing. The task is to find the missing vigers and drive the monsters away.
2.Retrieval of the Lost Artifact: A valuable artifact has been stolen from a local museum and the adventurer''s job is to find and retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands.
...
...
As I scanned through the avable quests, I finally found the one I was searching for.
[Quest: Eliminate the Threat at the Border of the Abandoned Kingdom]
[Description: The Abandoned Kingdom is facing a serious threat as numerous powerful monsters have been attempting to break free from the borders of the barrier, posing a danger to the nearby Kingdoms.
As an adventurer, your mission is to venture into the Abandoned Kingdom and eliminate as many of these monsters as possible to protect the surrounding areas.
Requirements: This quest is for A-Rank adventurers and above. A strong sense of self-preservation and quick reflexes are necessary, as well as a well-rounded skill set including proficiency inbat and magic.
Rewards:
? The reward amount will be determined based on the number of monsters eradicated.
? An additional 1000 gold coins for each monster that is deemed to be particrly dangerous by the Adventurer''s Guild.
? A special emblem that can be traded for rare items and equipment in the Adventurer''s Guild shops
? A substantial increase in reputation and recognition among the citizens and adventurers in the surrounding Kingdoms.
Note: An tracking wristband will be provided to monitor the number of monsters eliminated by the adventurer.]
I clicked on the quest and was prompted with a question.
Do you want to choose this quest?
[Yes/No]
Without hesitation, I clicked "Yes."
Tring!
A notification chimed, confirming that the quest to eradicate the monsters in the Abandoned Kingdom had been sessfully chosen by S-Rank Adventurer Marz.
After the message was processed on the screen the tray opened up again indicating that my adventurer license was now ready for pickup.
"Congrattions, Sir Marz. You have sessfully chosen the quest. There is no time limit, so you can earn as much as you can based on the number of monsters you kill," Josephine exined.
"And Of course, the amount you earn will depend on the rank of the monsters. The higher the rank, the more money you''ll earn.
But keep in mind, you can earn even more money by selling the monster crystals you obtain," she added.
"What about the wristband mentioned in the quest details?" I asked, intrigued.
"Ah, here it is," Josephine replied as she retrieved a ck wristband from her storage ring and handed it to me.
"Please present your adventurer license in front of the wristband so it can confirm the quest you''ve epted," she said with a smile.
!?
I took out my adventurer license and ced it in front of the wristband as instructed. The wristband emitted a green light, scanning my license and verifying my identity as an adventurer.
Beep!¡ª
[S-Rank Adventurer Marz
Quest In Progress: Eliminate the Threat at the Border of the Abandoned Kingdom!
Monsters Killed: 0]
The details appeared on my wristband, which now served as a digital watch.
"...Am I ready to go now?" I asked the receptionist as I secured the wristband on my wrist.
"Yes, you can depart anytime you want. But for high-level difficulty quests like this one, it''s rmended that you form a party for better chances of sess," she replied in a nervous tone.
"No need, I''ll take care of it on my own," I stated as I turned to leave.
"...."
"T-Then, good luck Sir Marz! May youplete the quest without any hindrances.
A-And once you''vepleted your quest, be sure toe back here so you can collect your well-deserved rewards.
I''ll be here, eagerly awaiting your return," Josaphine eximed, waving goodbye.
I simply nodded, not bothering to reply, and made my way to the exit of the Adventurer''s Building.
However, as I was about to exit, I was met with a crowd of reporters waiting outside the building.
And of course, I knew they are here for me.
"....."
"...This is why I hate gathering too much attention," I muttered as I stepped forward.
"He''s here! He''s here!" the reporters eximed, rushing toward me for an interview.
[Sir Marz! How does it feel to be the youngest S-Rank adventurer?] One of the reporters called out, eager to get my attention.
[We heard that you use a sword as well. Can you tell us the name of your mentor?] Another reporter chimed in.
[Is it true that you''re Miss Silvia''s boyfriend?] Yet another reporter asked, their questionsing at me in a rapid-fire manner.
...
I ignored their questions and pushed my way forward, the guards from the Adventurer''s Guild making way for me to move. But then, one question caught my ear.
[What are your thoughts on Sir Ares? You''re beingpared to him in many aspects, and seeing that you both use swords as your main weapon, who do you think is more superior?]
I came to a sudden stop and turned towards the reporter who had asked the question, a smirk ying on my lips. The other reporters were taken aback by my sudden reaction, their questionsing to a halt.
"Who''s superior, you ask? It''s clear that I possess a higher level of talent than Ares or anyone else my age," I said, speaking with an air of confidence. I then took a momentary pause, allowing the reporters to jot down my words before continuing to speak.
"I was sent to the diator arena to hone my skills in life-and-death situations where one mistake could lead to my death.
Ares, on the other hand, was born and raised as a prince and, even though he''s now disowned, that doesn''t change the fact that he''s never been in a life-and-death situation.
So, there''s no point inparing us, as I''m far more superior to him,... I could easily defeat him any day of the week," I concluded with a smirk, causing the reporters to stand in disbelief at my bold statement as I departed the scene.
"...."
***
"The media can be a double-edged sword," I thought to myself as I made my way through the crowd. "While they can be pesky at times, but if utilized correctly, they can greatly benefit you," I muttered with a small smile on my face.
Chapter 161 The Failed Contract
After distancing myself from the reporters, I called Silvia''s Maid to arrange for my departure to the abandoned kingdom.
[Sure, I''ll take care of it, Sir Ares. I''ll be there in a few minutes.] said Silvia''s Maid before ending the call.
Tic¡ª
I wasn''t nning on contacting her until I returned from the abandoned kingdom, but I had someone I needed her to take care of while I was away.
As I hung up the phone, I walked towards a nearby caf¨¦ which I had reserved for us. I took a seat at a table and waited for Irethiel''s arrival.
After a brief wait, the door of the cafe creaked open, and a young boy stepped inside.
"H-Hello, Sir Ares," greeted Ark, the 7-year old demon, as soon as he entered the cafe with Irethiel.
"Oh, you''re here. I heard you were knocked out by Irethiel," I said with a smile, motioning for him to sit across from me.
But the boy shuddered in fear at the mention of Irethiel''s name.
"N-No, the demon queen just did it to keep me alive, so I don''t me her," the boy said quickly, trying to hide his nervousness.
"It''s good that you understand," said Irethiel, sitting on my shoulder in her crow form. "You should be grateful I saved you before you turned to ashes like the rest of the demons from that colony."
"Y-Yes, I am forever grateful for you saving my life," the boy said, sitting down across from me.
I noticed that Irethiel seemed to have developed a distrust towards demons, as evidenced by her difort and distance around Ark.
...But I can''t say that I don''t like it.
"Don''t be too hard on him, Irethiel," I said with a smile. "He''s still a kid."
I then turned to Ark and asked, "You said you wanted to be mypanion, right?"
Ark wavered. "I-I don''t think I''m capable of being apanion to a demon queen or herrade."
"Don''t worry about it," I replied with a reassuring smile. "You''re still young and have a lot of potential. You''ll get stronger as you grow up."
"O-Oh? I don''t think I''m cut out to be apanion or a servant. I''m just a weak and pathetic demon," the boy said with fear in his eyes. From his expression, it was clear that he no longer wanted to join me.
And I could tell he was still shaken up from seeing Irethiel''s power, and the destruction of the demon colony.
"If that''s what you believe, then I''m afraid I''ll have to... dispose of you, like the other demons," I said regretfully.
"W-What? Why?" The boy asked, horrified.
"You have two options. Either you be my servant or I''ll have no choice but to eliminate you so that the rtionship between Irethiel and I remains unknown," I exined.
"I-I won''t tell anyone about any of this, I promise! Even if I did, no one would believe me. They''d just think I''m crazy," the demon Ark eximed frantically.
"...."
"...I don''t understand the point in trying to negotiate with him. Just have him sign the contract or I''ll happily send him back to Hell," Irethiel threatened, emitting an aura that made the boy struggle to breathe.
"Arghhh," he gasped for air.
"So, what will it be? Have you made your decision?" I asked, intertwining my fingers.
"...Y-Yes, I''ll sign the contract," the demon Ark said quickly, still feeling the effects of Irethiel''s aura
"Wise decision, considering your age," Irethielmented retracting her aura.
"Fuuuu," The boy let out a sigh of relief.
"Here, sign this contract," I said as I handed the demon Ark a piece of parchment with an inkwell on the side.
"I-Is this the ve contract?" The boy asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Yes, I always carry one with me. You never know when it wille in handy," I exined with a shrug.
"...I-I see!" The demon Ark said as he stared at the contract for a brief moment.
"You just have to put a drop of your blood on it to seal the deal," I exined seeing his puzzled expression.
The boy hesitated for a moment, before finally biting his finger to draw blood and applying it to the contract.
The parchment lit up with a bright light for a brief moment, signifying themencement of the contract.
Ding!¡ª
I suddenly heard the familiar sound of the system''s notification and I decided to bring up the message to see its contents.
[Conditions Have Been Met To Use The Title : Demon ver!
Description: The bearer of this title has formed a contract with a demon, bound by blood and bound by loyalty.
The demon is bound to obey their master and cannot betray them.
The strength and abilities of the demon will enhance the bearer''s power, making them a formidable force to be reckoned with.
The demon''s loyalty to their master is unbreakable, and they will protect their master until the contract is fulfilled or until their death.]
---
"It is a pretty useful title that will prevent them from betraying me," I said with a grin and a nod of approval.
"Wee aboard," I said to the demon Ark with a smile when I saw the light diminish.
Ark looked relieved hearing me. "I-Is it done now?" He inquired.
"Yes, it''s done," I confirmed, taking the contract and ncing over it. "From now on, you are officially my servant. We will work together to achieve our goals."
The boy nodded, looking a little nervous.
"I-I won''t let you down, Sir Ares."
!?
''Wait! Why isn''t the contract disappearing?'' I wondered as I stared at the paper in my hand, my brow furrowed.
The contract should have dissolved into particles and form a connection between myself and the demon. But that wasn''t happening.
Just then, I heard the familiar chime of the system''s notification sound again.
Ding! ¨C
[Failed to Sign Contract!
Reason: Target Demon''s Power Level Exceeds User''s Capabilities.]
I stared in disbelief at the notification that had just popped up in front of me.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? This demon is too strong to be made into my servant?" I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of the situation.
I had never encountered this problem before, not even when I had signed contracts with Irethiel or the Chosen One Meira.
Their powers were significantly higherpared to this brat, yet the contract had been sessfully signed without any issue.
"Who the fuck is this bastard to be considered even stronger than both of them?" I whispered to myself.
Was this brat''s potential too strong for me to handle? Or was there some other reason behind this failure? I needed to find out.
At that moment, The demon in front of me began to tremble with fear, causing me to turn my attention toward him. He appeared to have perceived my thoughts and detected my frustration and bewilderment.
"P-Please, I will do anything you want, just don''t hurt me!" Ark begged, his voice shaking with fear.
I sighed, feeling a twinge of regret in my heart. I didn''t want to harm him, but it seemed like I had no other choice.
***
Chapter 162 To The Abandoned Kingdom...
"...I can''t see the adventurer, that I tasked with overseeing your arrangements?" Silvia''s Maid, whose name seems to be Verena, asked as she drove the car and I sat on the seat beside her.
"You mean Howkins? I sent him to handle some other tasks," I replied.
"I see...and If I may ask, who is that demon child in the back seat?" Verena asked, ncing at Ark in the rear-view mirror, who was now asleep.
!?
"Hmm...? You can see through his disguise?" I inquired, intrigued.
As not even high-ranking adventurers from the kaldor Kingdom were able to see through the demons hiding among them using a disguise potion.
"No, I can''t see through his disguise. I have a skill called ''Vampire Instinct'' that alerts me to anything dangerous. My sense of smell is heightened and he has a demonic odor," she exined.
"So, what you''re saying is that this demon kid could be potentially dangerous?" I asked, seeking rification.
"I don''t really know how to exin it, but I sense something ominous from him," she replied with a straight face and emotionless eyes.
Seems like Silvia had apparently hypnotized her into being a loyal servant without making her a mindless doll that couldn''t interact with anyone. ''Though thetter method was much more efficientpared to trying to manipte someone''s thoughts through partial hypnosis and brainwashing.'' I pondered.
"...I am now even more curious about that Demon kid''s identity," I muttered,ing out of my thoughts.
I let him live because I wanted to know what made him special and powerful enough to make the ve Contract fail.
I wondered if there was a character named Ark in the novel I had read. However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t recall anyone by that name.
''Maybe I''ve mixed things up and Ark is just an average demon with a lot of potential. Or... could it be that he''s some dangerous character I''ve read about and "Ark" isn''t his real name?'' I considered the possibilities.
"You''re nning to bring him into the abandoned kingdom?" the vampire Verena asked abruptly.
"No, I just need you to watch over him while I''m gone," I exined.
"So,... you want me to babysit?" she asked with a nk expression.
"Yes, can you do that?" I asked.
"I was instructed not to disobey your orders or displease you," she said hesitantly.
"That''s good to hear. It seems like Silvia has already programmed you toply with my requests. It almost seems as though you would have refused my request if not for her programming," I said with a hint of amusement in my tone.
"...Yes I would have declined your request, because I hate demons," she said tly.
"I see. Is there a reason for that?" I asked, intrigued.
"They killed my parents and little brother when I was young," she said, revealing the source of her hatred.
But her emotionless delivery made the conversation feel awkward.
And I didn''t try to preach anymore because I figured it was the same cliche backstory.
"...."
"...You appear to be an ancient vampire. Do you have any information about what I can expect in the abandoned kingdom?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, I can offer you a piece of advice," she said, pausing briefly. "When you enter the Abandoned Kingdom, don''t be too ambitious and try to avoid venturing too deep inside."
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at her with curiosity.
"If you go too deep, you will encounter fearsome monsters. And even if you manage to defeat them, it would be in vain as they will simply reappear from the gates," she exined.
"The Abandoned Kingdom earned its name for a reason. There was once a formidable alliance made up of heroes from various races who came together to reim the kingdom.
They cleared every gate in the kingdom in just a few months, but with many sacrifices," she continued.
"When they finally seeded, a massive festival was held across the continent to celebrate their victory. It was called the Festival of Triumph.
Everyone was overjoyed... until the day after the festival, when the news broke that the gates had re-emerged, but this time with twice as many monsters as before," she added.
"...."
"So...not only their efforts were wasted, but the Abandoned Kingdom became even more dangerous than before huh?" I muttered, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Yes. That''s why I advise you not to waste your time and efforts trying to clear the gates," she concluded.
"Yawn! That sounds like a pain in the ass," I said as I stretched my arms and let out a yawn.
"...You seem exhausted! Why don''t you take a nap? I''ll wake you up when we arrive at the border of the kingdom," she offered.
"Alright, thank you. I think I will take you up on that offer," I replied with a grateful smile.
I was feeling quite tired after a long and restless night dealing with the demon colony.
...
...
After several hours of traveling, we finally reached the borders of the abandoned kingdom.
"Wake up, Sir Ares," she said, nudging me gently. "We''re here."
I rubbed my eyes and stretched, feeling the kinks in my muscles from the long journey. "Finally, huh?" I said with a yawn. "It would have been more convenient if they had at least one warp gate near the Abandon Kingdom."
"Unfortunately, there are no warp gates near the kingdom due to safety reasons," she exined.
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean in case the monsters break out of the barrier and start using the warp gate?" I asked jokingly.
She simply nodded in agreement.
"...."
"That''s a bit of a concern, don''t you think?" I asked. "If the demons do break out, it would also take a lot longer for the reinforcements to arrive using regr transportation methods as there are no warp gates nearby.
It''s like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted." I added.
She nodded, acknowledging my point. "The benefits and drawbacks of having a warp gate near the kingdom was always a topic of debate."
I shrugged. "Well, I guess there''s no point in talking about it. I''ll make Jessica create one here when I haveplete control over her," I said with a wicked grin as I stroked my chin.
***
Chapter 163 Abandoned Kingdoms Horrors
"Finally, I have arrived at the entrance to the Abandoned Kingdom," I spoke to myself as I stepped out of my car.
Verena, the Vampire maid, followed close behind and confirmed, "Yes, this is it. But before you can enter, the guards at the tower will need to check your adventurer''s license." She pointed in the direction of one of the many towers nearby.
I nodded, "Thanks for the reminder, Verena. You may return now and keep a watchful eye on that demon brat. I''ll call for you if I need anything." I said.
Hearing me Verena just gave a small bow and retreated back to the car, before driving off.
As I walked towards the towering walls that surrounded the Abandoned Kingdom, I couldn''t help but be in awe of their grandeur.
The walls were intricately designed with powerful spells and symbols that glimmered in the sunlight, serving as a barrier between the Kaldor Kingdom and the dangers within the Abandoned Kingdom.
At regr intervals, I noticed towers along the walls, each manned by a group of highly trained adventurers. These adventurers were responsible for keeping watch and ensuring the integrity of the spell formations.
They stood alert and ready, their eyes constantly scanning the surrounding area for any potential threats.
As I approached one of the towers that Verena indicated to me, I was greeted by a guard in charge.
"Hello...how can I help you?" he said, sizing me up from head to toe.
I could see the surprise in his eyes at my appearance, but I knew that news of me being the youngest S-Rank adventurer had yet to reach this ce.
"Here," I said, handing him my adventurer''s license without bothering to exin.
!?
"W-What? An S-Rank adventurer?" he eximed in shock, bowing his head. "I apologize for not greeting you properly before."
I sighed, thinking to myself that in this world, a person''s rank and strength determined their ce in society.
"I don''t need your apologies," I said curtly. "I''ve taken on a quest to enter the Abandoned Kingdom and deal with the monsters trying to break free from the barriers," I stated.
The guard looked at me nervously. "Uh, Sir, the thing is... there haven''t been many monsters around the entrancetely. Some adventurers have already taken care of the few that were here, and everyone else is waiting for more to appear so they can earn some money."
I looked around and noticed that every adventurer present was staring at me curiously, due to the guard''s behavior towards me.
''It appears that they''ve been waiting here for quite some time,'' I thought to myself.
"How long has it been since the monsters haven''t appeared near the entrance?" I inquired of the guard.
"It''s been about ten days," the guard replied immediately.
"They should all be at least A-Rank adventurers to be able to select this quest, right? So why don''t they just team up and go deeper and hunt down the monsters together?" I asked, curious.
"Well, a few of them formed a team and ventured deep. But it''s been a few days and we''ve lost contact with them," the guard informed me.
"That means they''re most likely dead and the other adventurers are scared they''ll meet the same fate if they venture too deep into the abandoned kingdom, is that it?" I asked.
"Yes, the risk just isn''t worth the reward," the guard replied.
"I guess that''s fair enough," I muttered. "And are you done verifying my adventurer license yet? I want to leave right away."
"So you n on leaving¡ª" the guard started to say, but I interrupted him.
"I think you misunderstood my words. I mean to say that I''ll be entering the abandoned kingdom," I corrected him.
"W-Wait! Are you nning to venture into the kingdom alone?" the guard asked for rification, a look of surprise on his face.
"Yes, that''s right, I''d like to get going as soon as possible. The sun is about to set and I want to make my way inside before it gets dark," I said, my tone firm.
"W-Whoa! Hold on a moment! Are you sure you want to enter the abandoned kingdom alone, and at a time like this when the monsters have a clear advantage at night?" The guard asked, clearly taken aback by my boldness. "Don''t you think it would be better to wait until tomorrow morning when there''s more daylight and a higher chance of sess?"
"No, I''d like to head in without any dy," I stated with a nk expression.
"...."
The guard couldn''t help but wonder, ''Who the hell is this person? Not only does he n to venture into the abandoned kingdom alone, but he also wants to do so at a time when the monsters have the upper hand during the night.''
...
Beep!¡ª
[S-Rank Adventurer Marz
Quest In Progress: Eliminate the Threat at the Border of the Abandoned Kingdom!
Monsters Killed: 0]
"Your adventurer''s license has been verified, Sir Marz," the guard said as he scanned my license by cing it on top of a machine. He then checked my details and handed me my license back.
"Here you go. I hope you have a sessful hunt," the guard said.
I took my license and gave a nod in response before making my way toward the entrance. The guards made way for me, not stopping me as I passed by.
''I''m guessing the guard in charge must have informed the others not to stop me using the Bluetooth device they''re all wearing,'' I thought to myself as I walked towards the entrance.
"Hey, is he really going to enter alone at a time like this?" one of the guards whispered to another.
"Shh, didn''t you hear? He''s an S-Rank adventurer. I don''t think we have to worry about him, he can take care of himself," the other guard replied.
"But doesn''t he just look like a kid who doesn''t know what he''s doing?"
"It seems like he just wants to prove himself and showcase his skills to the world. Being an S-Rank adventurer isn''t just based on luck, there must be something special about him," one of the adventurersmented.
...
...
The guards and adventurers continued to whisper among themselves as I made my way toward the entrance. The sun was about to set and I wanted to enter the abandoned kingdom before nightfall.
"Greetings, Sir Marz, we have been informed of your arrival. Are you ready to proceed?" One of the guards, donned in a knight''s armor, asked.
"Yes, I am ready. Let''s get started," I replied.
The guard nodded and gave a signal to the other guards to open the gate. The sound of heavy chains and gears turning echoed through the air as the massive steel gate slowly creaked open.
CREAK!¡ª
"You can now enter, Sir Marz," the guard said, gesturing for me to enter.
Without any hesitation, I stepped forward and entered the abandoned kingdom. The gate behind me closed with a loud ng.
CLANG!¡ª
As I entered the abandoned kingdom, I was immediately struck by the destendscape thaty before me.
The once grand and magnificent buildings were now nothing but rubble, scattered amongst the overgrown weeds and grass.
Corpses of both humans and monsters littered the ground, adding a sense of dread to the already eerie atmosphere.
The air was thick with the putrid stench of decay, and it seemed to hang heavily over the kingdom like a shroud.
The mists that had settled over the kingdom added to the eerie feeling, making it seem as though the ce was consumed by some sort of magic.
Everywhere I looked, I could see the evidence of the kingdom''s fall and the horrors that had transpired within its walls. The scene was a far cry from the grandeur and wealth that this kingdom must have once possessed.
"So...this is the so-called abandoned Kingdom, huh?" I muttered to myself.
Chapter 164 Irethiels Embarrassment!
Zziiiinng...
The arrow which was covered with mana started to glow.
With precise aim, I quickly drew back the bowstring and released the arrow toward the enemy.
Thwack!
A goblin at the head of the group that had been attacking me was struck by the arrow.
--You Have Killed A Goblin!
I quickly nocked another arrow and shot it toward another goblin.
Thwack!
Another goblin fell to the ground.
I continued to shoot arrows with deadly precision, taking down goblin after goblin.
Zzzoooomm!
With precision and skill, I now aimed for the leader of the group of goblins that had been closing in on me.
The arrow, imbued with mana, shot forward from my bow with lightning speed.
Thwack!
The arrow struck true, piercing the heart of the goblin chieftain.
--You Have Killed A Goblin Chieftain!
An alert from the wristwatch announcing the death of a goblin chieftain rang.
"That was the final one from my end," I dered, turning to face Irethiel. "How''s it looking on your end?" I inquired.
"I''ve taken care of all of them on my end as well," Irethiel replied with a nod as she removed the head of thest goblin with her bare hands.
She was now in her true demon form as it was now dark and we were surrounded by no one except some low-level creatures.
"I can''t understand why there are only weak monsters around here," I said. "We''ve ventured deep enough into the Kingdom that I expected to encounter some high-ranking monster."
"...They didn''t even put up a fight and seemed scared," Irethiel added.
"Do you think there might be a powerful monster nearby, scaring them all like this?" I asked.
"Could be," Irethiel said with a frown. "Even if there was a high-ranking monster around, I would expect them to defend themselves from our attacks and fight back properly."
"Yeah, most of these creatures were just running around mindlessly," I agreed.
"Anyway, do you have any specific ce in mind you want to go to, or should we just keep wandering around, killing any monsters wee across?" Irethiel asked.
"No, we''re close to the location I wanted to visit," I answered, summoning the system to check on my quests.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Ongoing Quests:
QUEST 1: Complete The Following.
1) Form A Faction. (Completed)
2) Be The Academy''s Representative For The Uing Tournament. (Complete)
3) Win The Tournament. (Iplete)
Quest Reward ~ Unlock A New Ability
a¡ª?a¡ª?a¡ª?
QUEST 2: Visit the Abandoned Kingdom. [New]
Location: ??"?a¨C?
***
"At this rate, we should arrive at our destination in about an hour or two, unless we run into any high-ranking monsters," I said, checking the location on my quest map.
"I still have no idea what we''re going to face when we get there," I muttered to myself before dismissing the system window.
"Okay, let''s keep moving," I said to Irethiel and started forward. She nodded in agreement and followed me.
As we journeyed towards the destination, we encountered several low-level monsters, but we easily dispatched them and continued on without wasting much time.
After a few more hours of walking, we finally arrived at the location indicated on my quest.
"So, this is it?" Irethiel said as we stood in front of a peculiar, dark gate simr to one we had cleared before.
''Well, this is the exact location listed on the quest, so it must just be a gate,'' I thought to myself.
"Are we going in right now, or do you want to take a break so you can be in top form?" Irethiel asked.
"Hmm, what do you mean? I''m already in top form. We have only fought some low-level monsters on our way here so I didn''t even have to use much of my mana," I replied.
"Aren''t you tired? We''ve been walking for hours to get here," Irethiel said, giving me a quizzical look.
"...."
"Can''t you juste out and say that you need a rest before we enter the gate?" I asked with a smile.
"W-What? I never said I need rest. I am still in perfect condition," Irethiel hurried to correct me.
"Yeah, yeah, no need to be embarrassed. You can just say so if you want to rest," I said as I stood in front of the gate. I reached out to touch it, but my hand went straight through.
"...Maybe the monsters were scared of something inside this gate," I muttered.
"That''s a possibility. I can sense strong demonic energy seeping from it," Irethiel said as she approached me and attempted to touch the gate.
However, to our surprise, her hand was bounced back as if something was preventing her from touching it.
"What the hell?" she muttered and tried again, but with the same result. Her hand couldn''t pass through the gate.
"...It looks like you won''t be able to enter this gate with me," I remarked.
"Yeah, and I don''t think you should enter either. Whatever is inside could be very dangerous. I have a bad feeling about this," Irethiel said with a worried tone.
"Oh, what''s this? Are you worried about your master, my beloved servant?" I asked with a sly grin.
"...W-Who said I was worried about you? I''m just afraid that if something happens to you, my life will be in danger as well. I won''t be able to save you if I''m not by your side," Irethiel rified hastily.
"Ha! Do you really think I need someone to save me?" I asked, staring at her with a nk expression.
"I-I didn''t mean it that way," Irethiel stammered, averting her gaze under my stare.
"Know your ce, Demon! You''re just a servant, so behave like one!" I scolded her.
"...."
Hearing me, Irethiel remained silent and looked at me with a nervous expression.
"Pfttt hahaha, I was just messing with you. You should have seen your face," I said, bursting intoughter.
!?
"Arghh, J-Just go inside and die. I don''t care anymore," Irethiel looked away, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and tears welling up on the side of her eyes.
"Don''t say such things, you realize that if something happens to me, you''ll die as well, right?" I replied as I approached her and cupped her cheeks to look at me.
"...What are you doing--" She stated it irritably, but I silenced her with a kiss.
!?
"Erm!!?" Her eyes widened in surprise, and she rushed to push me away, but she couldn''t since I was holding one of her hands behind her back.
She ultimately stopped struggling when she realized she couldn''t push me away...and soon gave in to the moment and eagerly responded.
Our lips met in a passionate and intense kiss, our tongues exploring each other''s mouths as our bodies pressed against each other.
The kiss was long and deep, and after a brief moment when we finally broke apart, we were both breathless.
Irethiel''s eyes were still closed as she tried to catch her breath, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing her in such a state.
I gently let go of her hand, which I had been holding behind her back, and watched as she slowly opened her eyes, still looking a bit dazed.
"Are you okay?" I asked with a smile, unable to resist teasing her just a bit.
Huff huff~
"Y-You bastard!" Iretheil cried, her face flushed red, still trying to catch her breath.
I couldn''t help but chuckle at her reaction. ''Wasn''t she enjoying herself a moment ago?'' I pondered.
"I simply wanted to apologize for making you cry," I smiled mischievously, licking my lips.
"S-Shut up, who said I cried, you perverted bastard," she snapped back.
"Oh, I believe I was mistaken. Let me apologize to you again," I said as I tried to approach her once more.
"...S-Stay away from me, you perverted bastard," Irethiel shouted as she took a step back.
"OK, I was just kidding," I said, chuckling and raising my hands.
"I think it''s time for me to enter the gate," I said, turning to face it. "But before that, here, take this storage ring. It holds all the items you brought with you. You can rx until my return," I said with a smile as I tossed the storage ring to Irethiel. She caught it reflexively and looked at it with confusion.
"...."
"All right, let''s see what''s waiting for me behind this gate," I smirked as I proceeded closer to the gate before entering it.
***
"Be Safe, you perverted master!" Irethiel whispered to herself as she stroked her lips, then blushed as she remembered the kiss.
''Arg, what''s wrong with me?'' she wondered, her heart pounding heavily.
Chapter 165 Temple Of Pazuzu [1]
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Entered The Dungeon Where The Demon Lord Pazuzu Resides!]
!?
"...What the fuck? Is this where the demon lord Pazuzu is sealed? Do I have to face a demon lord now?" I muttered, reading the system notification that appeared as soon as I entered the gate with a look of unease.
''Irethiel didn''t mention anything about any demon lord being unsealed, so there''s a possibility that he is still sealed,'' I thought to myself. "Even if the Pazuzu''s seal were to be broken, I wouldn''t be able to defeat him as I am not the Chosen One."
"...."
I came out of my thoughts and looked ahead, and was met with a massive temple-like building, the wooden door to the temple was towering, easily over 50 feet tall, and adorned with intricate carvings of demons and other foul creatures.
Two massive lifelike and imposing statues of demons wearing armor stood on either side of the entrance door, each holding a huge axe lifted high above their heads.
The axes they held were covered in rust, but I could tell that they were still sharp enough to cleave a man in two.
''...Why do I feel like they''ll attack me if I try to walk past them?'' I thought to myself.
Despite my concerns, I cautiously moved forward, keeping my guard up. The only thing I could see all around was an endless desert, and I had no other choice but to enter the temple in front of me.
As I walked past the statues, I suddenly realized my worries were well-founded. The eyes of the statues began to glow a deep red and they smashed their axes toward me.
But I was ready. I quickly jumped backward, easily dodging the iing blows.
THUDD¡ª
The sound of the axes hitting the ground echoed through the surroundings as I narrowly avoided the attack.
Without hesitation, I reached into my inventory and pulled out a bow. I focused my mana and used my skill "Static Electricity" to create an arrow, before firing it toward one of the statues.
Swoooosh¡ª
The arrow flew through the air and struck the statue in the head, sting it into pieces.
Boooom¡ª
I didn''t stop there. I created another arrow and shot at the head of the other statue, sting it as well.
Boooom¡ª
The statues were massive and slow to react, and as their heads were destroyed, their huge, headless bodies fell to the ground with a thunderous crash, shattering into pieces.
THUD¡ª
I approached the two statues cautiously, noticing the two circr, red cores within the remains of their shattered bodies. With my telekinesis, I picked up the cores and heard another system notification.
Ding!¡ª
[You have Obtained 2 High-Level Mana Cores!]
"So these statues were powered by mana cores," I muttered to myself as I examined the heart-sized cores in my hand.
I was familiar with what mana cores were because there was a character in Lucas''s party who created puppets using them.
But those mana cores needed to be regrly refilled to maintain the puppets'' movements.
"These cores must be of high quality since the statues were still moving despite being here for an unknown amount of time," I thought to myself before storing the cores in my inventory. ''These could prove to be useful in the future,'' I concluded.
I then walked towards the massive entrance door and as I was about to push it open, the door creaked open on its own, making a rusty sound as it did so.
CREAK¡ª
I didn''t give it much thought and stepped inside the temple. The interior was dark and devoid of any light, so I cast the spell "Electric Lumen" to create some light and survey my surroundings.
"....."
As I looked around, I saw the church-like interior with its walls and benches spattered with blood, and skeletons of armored people scattered in every corner of therge hallway. It was a gruesome sight that could send a chill down the spine.
"...Haha, what did I expect from the temple of the demon lord?" I said, forcing a nervousugh as a bad feeling washed over me.
Creeeek¡ª
Creeeek¡ª
And my unpleasant hunch was confirmed as suddenly, the entrance door mmed shut behind me, and the skeletons scattered throughout the hallway came to life.
CLANK¡ª
"...Well, no matter the numbers, they''re still just low-level skeleton soldiers," I said to myself, trying to calm my nerves.
I reached into my inventory and retrieved a handful of shurikens. Using my telekinesis, I lifted the shurikens into the air, causing them to circle around me.
With a gesture of my hand, I sent the shurikens flying toward the group of skeletons that were advancing toward me.
The shurikens hit their targets with deadly precision, breaking the skeletons with each strike.
The shurikens didn''t stop there; they continued to roam around, destroying any skeleton that came near me.
Crack¡ª Crack¡ª
The group of skeletons continued to approach me recklessly, as if they were moths drawn to a me. However, their mindless movements were no match for the shurikens that continued to circle and strike them down, leaving nothing but scattered bones in their wake.
In a matter of time, all of the skeleton soldiers were defeated, their bones scattered across the floor.
"Was that all?" I muttered to myself as I retrieved the shurikens with a flick of my wrist.
The entrance door behind me remained shut and there appeared to be a dead end in front of me, with just a curious painting of a lion''s head adorning the wall.
I approached the painting to take a closer look, intrigued by its intricate details. As the blood-stained walls and scattered corpses were now the only things that surrounded me, and the painting seemed to be the only noteworthy feature in the otherwise dreary hallway.
The lion painting on the wall suddenly came to life and spoke with a deep, rumbling voice as soon as I got near it:
"Greetings, mortal. I am a humble servant of Lord Pazuzu, and I have been charged with testing your wit and intelligence. If you can solve my riddle in 10 seconds, you may proceed further into their. Fail, and face the wrath of the demon lord himself."
The lion cleared its throat and began:
"I am the master of the winds, the bringer of gues, the conqueror of kingdoms. My roar can shatter mountains, and my breath can reduce the mightiest armies to dust. But what am I?"
!?
''...This bastard can''t be serious right?'' I mused as I just stared at a painting for a second and then replied, "Why, you must be Lord Pazuzu himself!"
The lion let out a mighty roar ofughter. "Well done, mortal! You have proven your intelligence and bravery. You may proceed deeper into their. But be warned, the challenges ahead will be even greater and only the most loyal followers of Lord Pazuzu can pass them."
With that, the painting of the lion''s head returned to its still form on the wall. Suddenly, the wall descended, revealing a hidden pathway.
"Proving the intelligence, my ass," I muttered to myself. "That same phrase is repeated countless times in the novel every time Pazuzu orders his minions. I can''t believe he used it as the password to this pathway, bragging about himself."
Despite my initial thoughts, I had to admit that only his loyal followers would be able to quickly solve the riddle in 10 seconds, making the password not so bad after all.
I made my way down the long and dark pathway, ready for whaty ahead.
Chapter 166 Temple Of Pazuzu [2]
As I walked down the dimly lit, narrow passageway, I suddenly found myself in a circr arena-like stage.
The entrance behind me had vanished into thin air, leaving me stranded on the circr tform with no way to escape.
!?
The tform was made of metal grating that offered a glimpse of the fieryva below. The pirs supporting the tform disappeared into theva, giving the arena an ominous and dangerous feel.
The heat from theva was intense, and I could feel sweat beginning to bead on my forehead.
"...Haha, this is the most unpleasant arena I have ever been in," I muttered as I wiped the sweat from my forehead due to the intense heat.
I now stood at the center of the arena, ready for whatever was about toe my way.
Suddenly, a cloud of ck smoke materialized, and from it emerged a huge minotaur, armed with a spiked maul.
"A minotaur huh?" I muttered as Iquickly unsheathed my two katanas, taking them out of my inventory, and prepared for the fight.
The minotaur was arge, hulking beast with horns protruding from its head. It wielded a massive spiked maul that looked capable of delivering a fatal blow.
RAAAWWRRRRR!¡ª
The Minotaur roared and charged towards me, I sprang into action, my two katanas glinting menacingly in the dim light.
I dodged its massive, spiked maul with a quick sidestep and retaliated with a swift upward strike, my de cutting deep into its side.
"You are too slow!" I said with a grin.
It roared in anger, its hot, green blood spilling out onto the ground. I circled around the Minatour, searching for an opening.
It swung its maul wildly, but I was too quick, deftly darting in and out of its range, my des made a swishing sound as they sliced through the air.
Suddenly, the Minatour lunged forward, aiming a powerful blow at my head. I leaped into the air, somersaulting over its attack, and as I descended I drove both of my katanas down into its back with all my might.
SHINK¡ª
The Minotaur staggered, its legs giving out beneath it, and with a final burst of energy, I plunged my des into its heart.
ROAAWRRR!¡ª
It let out a final, pitiful roar before copsing to the ground, its massive body quivering as it slowly turned still, indicating that it is finally dead.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Minotaur!
An alert from my wristwatch can be heard.
I stood there for a moment, catching my breath, my katanas still embedded in Minatour''s body.
And then, as the adrenaline faded and the fight left me, I yanked my katanas free and was about to sheath them.
However, I suddenly noticed, ck smoke appearing again and this time there were two Minotaurs that arose from it, holding their massive spiked maul.
"...."
"...I knew things wouldn''t be that easy," I said with a smirk.
''I was trying to conserve as much mana as possible by not utilizing any of my skills because I didn''t know what additional deadly monsters awaited me,'' As I was pondering, the Minotaur''s roar jolted me out of my thoughts.
ROAWRRRR!¡ª
I unsheathed my both katanas again and prepared myself.
ROAWRRRRR¡ª
Both Minotaurs roared at the same time, their deep voices echoing off the metal walls. I stood in a fighting stance, ready for their attack.
The first Minotaur charged at me, swinging its maul down in a powerful arc.
THUNGG¡ª
I sidestepped, avoiding the strike, and counterattacked with a swift slice.
SWISHH¡ª
The katana sliced through the Minotaur''s thick hide, green liquid oozing out of the wound.
The second Minotaur swung its maul from the side, trying to take me off guard. I backflipped to avoid the strike, and as Inded, I sliced through the Minotaur''s legs, making it stumble.
I quickly finished it off with a swift slice to its neck.
SWISHH¡ª
¡ªYou Have Killed A Minotaur!
I spun around, ready to face the first Minotaur as it recovered from my counterattack.
It let out a roar, its eyes filled with rage, and charged at me once again. I stood my ground, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The Minotaur swung its maul down, and I leaped forward, dodging the strike and plunging my katana deep into its chest.
SHINK¡ª
ROAWRRR¡ª
The Minotaur let out a final roar as it fell to the ground, dead.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Minotaur!
I could hear the alert from my wristwatch again.
The arena was now quiet once again, the only sounds being the crackling of theva below and my own breathing.
And after a moment that I killed the minotaurs, a small, circr opening appeared in the center of the stage. And a pedestal rose from the ground, on which a shiny, crystal ball was ced.
"...Do I have to ce my hand on it or something?" I spoke as I sheathed my katanas and approached the pedestal, cing my right hand on the crystal ball.
It was simr to the crystal devices used to check a person''s mana level.
The crystal ball started to radiate with a bright light and a holographic image of an eagle appeared above it.
The eagle was so life-like that it seemed as if it was about to take flight at any moment.
The crystal ball continued to shine, casting an eerie light on the surrounding arena for a moment before the holographic eagle let out a screech and began to speak:
"Listen to me carefully Mortal, for I have a test for you. If you wish to move forward and meet the Demon Lord Pazuzu, you must first prove your worth by solving this riddle. Fail, and that will be your demise.
The eagle took a deep breath and began:
"I am a power that can be both a curse and a blessing. I bring destruction and chaos, but also have the power to create and bring new life. What am I?"
The eagle looked down at me, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.
"You only have 10 seconds to answer¡ª" He began to speak again but I interrupted him.
"The answer to that riddle is Fire," I answered as I yawned.
!?
The eagle let out a triumphant screech.
"Correct. Fire is indeed a double-edged sword, capable of both destruction and creation.
The only one who truly understands the nature of the demon lords and their powers could have answered correctly.
You may proceed deeper into their. But be warned, the challenges ahead will be even greater and only the most loyal followers of Lord Pazuzu can pass them."
With that, the holographic eagle disappeared, and the crystal ball faded back to its normal state.
"...."
"Ha! The only one who truly understands the nature of the demon lord''s power can answer that, he says.
Does he truly believe that only demon lords can wield the power of fire? How conceited," I scoffed.
"Well, what did I expect from that birdbrain demon lord?" I said with a shake of my head.
However, as I was muttering to myself, my body was enveloped in a blue glow, and in the next moment, I found myself teleported to another location from the arena.
Chapter 167 Temple Of Pazuzu [3]
As I materialized in the new location, I found myself in a grand hall filled with columns and intricate carvings on the walls.
The air was musty, and there was a sense of foreboding that hung heavily in the hall.
I quickly assessed the situation and realized that the ceiling was slowly lowering, reducing the height of the hall with every passing moment.
!?
I noticed arge stone door at the end of the hall, which seemed to be the only way out. However, it was sealed tight and wouldn''t budge no matter how hard I tried.
Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head, a voice that seemed to being from the ancient carvings on the walls.
"Wee, Mortal," the voice said. "You have been chosen to participate in a test of your skills and cunning. To pass, you must solve the puzzles that lie ahead and defeat the guardians that stand in your way. Seed and you will earn the right to meet Lord Pazuzu."
"...."
"...This is like a scene straight out of a video game," I muttered to myself as I took in my surroundings.
I was well aware that I had to use all my intelligence and skills to solve the puzzles and escape the hall before I became crushed like a bug.
Creeeek¡ª
!?
I suddenly heard a loud growl of a monster, and as I hurriedly looked around the room, in the dim light, I could see three humanoid creatures emerging from the shadows.
They had rough, scaly skin and razor-sharp teeth. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and they snarled as they approached me.
"...."
"...This is fucking great, now I have to not only solve these puzzles but also defeat these monsters," I said with a hint of frustration in my voice.
As the monsters approached, I reached into my inventory and telekically lifted my shurikens into the air, ready for battle as I have no time to waste here.
The first monster, a massive hulking creature with razor-sharp ws, swung its arm at me but I dodged to the side, controlling the shurikens I slice through its limb.
Grrrreeeee¡ª
The creature roared in pain as it stumbled back.
At the same time, I summoned my katana andunched a series of swift and powerful strikes, to kill the creature.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Humanoid Beast Krallen!
I then used my skill "Fell Crescent" to slice through the second monster, a shadowy beast with eyes that glowed an eerie red.
The monster''s body was cut into two pieces as soon as hit by blue Crescent.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Shadowfiend!
The final monster, a gnarled and twisted abomination, barreled toward me.
I sprang into action, using my skill "Atomic sh" to unleash a barrage of devastating blows.
The monster tried to counterattack, but I was too quick, as before even it could react its whole body was cut into pieces.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Humanoid Beast Krallen!
With thest monster defeated, I didn''t have time to catch my breath. The shurikens and my katana disappeared as quickly as they had appeared as I stored them in my inventory, for there were puzzles waiting for me to solve.
I immediately turned my attention to the puzzles thaty ahead.
The first was a series of levers and buttons that controlled the movement of tforms and gates in the room.
I had to use my agility to jump from tform to tform, avoiding traps and solving puzzles.
The next challenge was a set of rotating gears and pulleys that needed to be aligned in the correct sequence to open the door.
Without wasting any time, I approached the first puzzle, I took a moment to examine the mechanism closely.
The levers and buttons were scattered across the room, connected to aplexwork of gears and pulleys. I had to be careful, as each wrong move could trigger a trap or block my path.
I started by pulling the first lever, and the sound of nging metal filled the room as the tform I was standing on began to move.
I leaped to the next tform, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.
As I continued solving the puzzles, I had to be quick and precise, using my agility to dodge traps and navigate the moving tforms.
At one point, I found myself standing on a tform suspended over a pit of spikes. I had to time my jumps perfectly, using my momentum to propel myself from one tform to the next, while avoiding the traps and solving the puzzles along the way.
I finally discovered the right sequence and the tforms moved, enabling me to leap to the other side where I was faced with the next puzzle to solve.
As I approached the gears and pulleys, I focused my mind. The gears were massive, each one several feet in diameter, and they were interlocked in aplex pattern.
I had to figure out the correct sequence to align the gears so that they all moved together, turning the pulleys and unlocking the door.
I reached out with my mind, feeling the gears and their movement, trying to understand the pattern.
It was like a delicate dance, each gear influencing the others, and I had to find the right rhythm to unlock the door.
At first, I hesitated, not wanting to make a mistake and trigger a trap. But as I felt the gears turning under my mental touch, I grew bolder and more confident.
I moved the gears one by one, adjusting the sequence until I found the rightbination.
Click¡ª
And then, suddenly, everything clicked into ce. The gears began to turn in perfect harmony, their movement flowing together like a well-oiled machine. The pulleys turned, and the door creaked open.
!?
"You''ve got to be fucking kidding me," I muttered, frustration etched on my face.
Because the door that had just unlocked...was not the one I had been hoping for.
Tick-tock. The sound of the roof closing in on me filled the air, reminding me that time was running out.
I encircled electricity around me and quickly made my way toward the newly unlocked room. But as I approached, I saw that it was filled with a thick green poisonous gas, seeping out from every corner.
I knew that I had to be careful, as one wrong step could mean certain death.
I took a deep breath, focusing my mana and creating a blue energy shield around me.
As I stepped into the room, I could feel the toxic gas start to press against my shield. I started to move cautiously, using my mana to keep the shield intact.
The room was filled with all sorts of obstacles, including pools of toxic gas, sharp spikes, and even automated turrets.
I had to be quick and precise in my movements, using my agility and quick thinking to navigate the obstacles and avoid the hazards.
After a few moments of intense concentration using my Hawkeye skill, I finally spotted the key hanging on the other side of the room.
I sprinted towards it, dodging the spikes and leaping over the pools of toxic gas.
With a deep sigh of relief, I grabbed the key and quickly made my way back to the entrance door, having already memorized the path and assured that there were no traps along the way.
Tic¡ª Tok¡ª Tic
I quickly made my way toward the stone door and, upon spotting the keyhole, swiftly inserted the key and turned it until I heard the reassuring sound of the lock unlocking.
The door slowly creaked open, its stone hinges groaning, and as I stepped inside, it mmed shut behind me with a resounding thud.
THUD!¡ª
With a sigh of relief, I let out a long breath. "Fuuuu..."
Chapter 168 Fighting The Guardians [1]
As I entered the chamber, the door behind me was firmly closed, sealing me inside the dark and eerie environment.
The room was cave-like and dimly lit, with glowing green moss growing on the walls and ceilings.
The air was thick with the musty scent of the old earth and the sound of dripping water echoed through the chamber.
The ground was littered with bones, some of them human, others belonging to beasts that must have been farrger than any I''d encountered in this gate.
The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, giving the impression that the room had once served as a ritual ce for some ancient, forgotten demon.
And on the far end of the room, I could see the entrance to another chamber, guarded by a massive stone door.
After surveying the surroundings for a moment, I reached into my inventory, pulling out an advanced mana potion.
I quickly drank it, the sweet, tangy liquid ran down my throat, and I could feel my mana instantly recover to its original state.
''That was close,'' I thought to myself. "If I didn''t have advanced mana potions with me, I would have been in huge trouble," I muttered.
As in this dungeon, I had to fight continuously and if it were any low-level mana potions, it would have taken quite a bit of time for my mana to recover.
And ording to the voice I had heard before entering this chamber, I was to face Demon Lord Pazuzu''s guardians. So, I knew that I needed to be at the top of my game in order to make it through this dangerous dungeon.
As I was pondering, a sudden screech echoed through the chamber, and I turned to see a massive bird-like monster emerging from the shadows.
Its leathery ck wings were spread wide, and its razor-sharp talons gleamed in the dim light. I didn''t need to see the message that appeared in front of me to know what this beast was - a Vrock, one of Demon Lord Pazuzu''s guardians.
Ding!¡ª
A system notification appeared before me:
[You Have Encountered A Vrock, One Of Demon Lord Pazuzu''s Guardians!]
"...So it is here huh, one of the guardians guarding the path to Pazuzu," I mumbled as I drew my dual katanas from my inventory, feeling the familiar weight of the weapons in my hands.
Without wasting a moment, the Vrockunched itself at me, beak open and ready to attack.
I dodged to the side, using my lightning-fast reflexes to avoid the beast''s strike. I countered with a swift slice of my katanas, causing the Vrock to roar in anger, but I remained unfazed.
The Vrock began diving and wing at me from the air. I used my telekinesis tounch shurikens at the beast, keeping it off-bnce and preventing it fromnding a deadly blow as I continued to press the attack with my katanas.
Suddenly, the Vrockunched a powerful dive-bomb attack from the air, trying to tear me apart with its ws.
But I was quick, using my "Location Swap" skill to switch ces with one of my shurikens and avoid the beast''s attacks. I then got in close for the kill.
With a roar of my own, I used my "Fell Crescent" skill to slice through one of the Vrock''s wings, sending the beast tumbling to the ground.
I seized the opportunity to strike, plunging my katanas into the Vrock''s neck and putting an end to the battle.
SHINK!¡ª
I moved both katanas plunged into its neck to the sides at once, separating its head from its body.
Greeeee¡ª
The blood from its body gushed like a waterfall, covering my katanas in red.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Vrock!
I heard an alert from my wristwatch.
However, as soon as I killed the Vrock, a cloud of ck smoke appeared and this time I was faced with not one, but three Vrocks at once.
They cawed and screeched, spreading their leathery wings as they took flight.
"Tch, I don''t think I should hold back here and end this as quickly as possible," I said as I controlled the shurikens using my telekinesis.
I immediatelyunched them at the Vrocks, watching as they flew through the air and struck the demons with deadly uracy.
One of the Vrocks swooped down, its razor-sharp talons aimed at my face.
I jumped backward, then using my skill "Location Swap," I suddenly appeared behind it.
"Atomic sh!" I yelled, slicing through the demon''s body with rapid katana cuts, sending its body dismembered and plummeting to the ground, raining blood.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Vrock!
Another Vrock swooped in from my right, its beak open wide.
I used my skill "Static Electricity," encircling my katanas with a powerful electric aura and then used "Atomic sh" again.
The katanas shed through the air, cleaving through the demon''s body with a shower of sparks before the pieces of its cut body came crashing down.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Vrock!
The final Vrock was the toughest of all. It swooped and swerved through the air, trying to dodge my attacks.
Iunched shurikens with deadly precision, striking it in the eyes and forcing it to the ground.
I closed in, ready to deliver the final blow, but the Vrock was not yet defeated. It rose to its feet, screeching in rage, andunched a barrage of sharp feathers at me.
I quickly summoned my shurikens to act as a shield, the shurikens collided with the feathers making a ting sound upon impact, bringing the feathers down before they could reach me.
¡ªTing¡ª Ting¡ªTing
At the same time, as I leaped forward, I brandished my katanas, their des shing as I activated my skill "Fell Crescent."
I formed an "X" pattern with the katanas, and the blue crescent sliced through the air, cleaving through the demon''s flesh in a deadly cross.
SWASH!¡ª
With a final piercing screech, the Vrock''s body vanished without a trace, leaving nothing behind after being struck by the blue crescents.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Vrock!
I once again heard the alert from my wristwatch.
Breathing heavily, I pushed aside the alerts on my wristwatch and took a moment to survey the chamber.
The sound of a massive stone door grinding open caught my attention, and I saw the entrance to another chamber looming at the far end of the room.
''...This must be the end of the first set of guardians,'' I thought to myself as I took a swig of a mana potion, preparing myself for the challenges thaty ahead.
I was aware that there could be more guardians waiting for me in the next room.
Chapter 169 Fighting The Guardians [2]
As I entered the room, the massive stone door behind me slowly creaked shut, sealing me inside.
"Well, here we go again," I muttered to myself, now bing used to these dramatic entrances.
As I examined the room, I noticed it was filled with towering stone columns, each intricately carved with designs of snakes and other creatures.
The smooth marble floor reflected the dim light in the room, creating an eerie ambiance.
In the center of the chamber stood arge statue, its stone eyes fixed upon me, seeming to dare me to take another step forward.
"Why do I get the feeling that statue wille to life as soon as I approach it," I mumbled to myself, having experienced simr scenarios in the past.
I readied my katanas, the blue aura around them brightening, and started moving toward the statue, keeping a vignt eye for any signs of movement.
Suddenly, the statue began to stir, its eyes opening and revealing a cold, stony gaze.
Crack! Crack!
The statue shattered into pieces as it came to life, revealing the true form of the enemy I was about to face.
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Encountered A Gorgon, One Of Demon Lord Pazuzu''s Guardians!]
SKREEEEE¡ª
The Gorgon let out a blood-curdling battle cry, echoing through the chamber.
I tensed, ready for the fight toe. The creature before me was massive, easily three times my height. Her skin was a sickly green color, and her hair was made of writhing snakes, each one coiling and striking as if they were alive.
Her eyes were piercing red, and she had a powerful tail that whipped back and forth, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
To my surprise, the Gorgon was wielding a bow made of gold, and she had her piercing eyes fixed directly on me.
I didn''t waste any time and summoned a hail of shurikens,unching them toward the Gorgon with telekinesis. However, the creature simply shrugged off my attack, unaffected by my efforts.
SKREEEEE¡ª
The Gorgon let out a fierce battle cry again as she unleashed a barrage of arrows at me with her bow.
I quickly dodged and weaved, relying on my agility to avoid her shots and close in.
With a swift sh of my katanas, I cut the strings of her bow, leaving her momentarily defenseless.
But before I could capitalize on the opportunity, the Gorgon transformed into stone, causing the ground to shake with her powerful petrification attack.
I quickly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being turned to stone myself.
Knowing that I needed to end the fight quickly, I took a deep breath and focused my mana on my katanas.
With a fierce battle cry, I unleashed my "Fell Crescent" attack, sending blue crescent energy slicing through the air in a deadly "X" pattern, destroying the Gorgon''s stone form.
SHINKK¡ª
But she was far from defeated. The Gorgon roared as her stone form shattered and she transformed back into her snake-haired form.
She summoned a massive snake from the shadows, which slithered towards me, its mouth agape.
I leaped into action, my katanas shing as I sliced through the snake, avoiding its venomous bites.
The Gorgon summoned more snakes, but I was prepared. I used my agility to dodge their attacks and get in close, unleashing a rapid series of shes that shredded the snakes and left the Gorgon exposed.
She roared in anger, firing a powerful energy st at me. I leaped over it, using my momentum to deliver a powerful kick to her chest that sent her hurtling across the room. She hit the wall with a thud.
THUDD¡ª
As the Gorgon hit the wall, I could see her struggle to regain her footing. I took a moment to catch my breath and ready my katanas once again. I knew this was far from over.
SKREEEE¡ª
The Gorgon let out a ferocious roar as she rose back up, her snakes hissing and writhing in anger.
As I advanced towards her, she was quick to respond, employing her formidable tail to attack me with lightning speed. I sprang back, my katanas deflecting her blows while I sought an opening.
She was relentless, attacking me from all sides with her tail and sharp ws, and I was forced to give ground, dodging and parrying her attacks.
She swiped her ws at me continuously, but I was quick to dodge and slice back with my katanas.
CLINK¡ªCLINK¡ª
My katanas and her ws shed in a shower of sparks, and we began to engage in a deadly battle.
I could see the Gorgon''s eyes widen as I suddenly unleashed my skill "Atomic sh," a rapid session of powerful shes that bombarded her relentlessly.
SWASH¡ª SWASH¡ª SWASH
She tried to defend herself, but I was too fast and the attack was too strong. I could feel my katanas cutting deep into her flesh, but still, she refused to give up.
SKREEEEE¡ª
The Gorgon let out a bloodcurdling scream as she summoned the power of her gaze, attempting to turn me to stone.
I knew I had to be cautious; a single gaze could spell my doom. I dodged and weaved, ducking and rolling.
I kept moving, my heart pounding as I tried to get close to the Gorgon, as Iknew that I needed to finish her off quickly before she had the chance to use her powerful gaze again.
I made a sudden dash, my katanas in hand, and swung at her with all my might. She was caught off guard and stumbled back, her snakes hissing as she tried to regain her bnce.
I seized the opportunity and pressed my advantage, my katanas slicing through the air with deadly uracy.
The Gorgon was forced to defend herself, her snakesshing out to block my attacks. I continued to fight, my movements fluid and graceful as I circled her, striking from every angle.
However, despite my efforts, the Gorgon was proving to be a tough opponent. Her snakes were quick, and she managed to dodge many of my strikes.
I could sense my mana starting to run low, and I realized that I had to change my approach if I wanted to ovee her.
I quickly drew my bow from my inventory and summoned an arrow infused with Static Electricity, taking aim at the Gorgon.
She noticed my actions and hissed, her snakes tensing and ready to attack.
But I was faster, and I let the arrow fly, watching as it hurtled toward the Gorgon and struck her in the chest.
SWISH¡ª
She staggered, her hiss turning into a scream as she clutched at the arrow.
SKREEEEE¡ª
But I was already moving, rushing forward with my katanas at the ready. I swung with all my might, and the gorgon''s head was cleaved from her body.
SWASH¡ª
Her head rolled to the ground, and her body crumpled beside it. I stood there, panting and sweating, as I surveyed the aftermath of the fierce battle.
And noticed Gorgon''s headless body gradually turning to stone.
SKREEEE¡ª
However, the gorgon''s head screamed loudly for a moment before exploding into numerous pieces.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Gorgon!
I heard an alert from my wristwatch, confirming the end of this fierce battle.
"...."
"...What a gruesome scene," I observed as the Gorgon''s head exploded and blood sttered over my face.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts, wiping the blood from my face.
Just then, I heard the sound of a door opening in the distance, signaling the path I needed to take next.
Before leaving the room, I approached the golden bow that the Gorgon had been using and picked it up.
And suddenly a message from the system appeared.
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Obtained A Gorgon''s Fury Bow!]
As I looked at the bow''s description, I was astounded by its power.
[Name: Gorgon''s Fury Bow
Description: A bow crafted by the powerful Gorgon, capable of unleashing devastating attacks on her enemies. This bow imbues its arrows with the power of the Gorgon''s gaze, capable of petrifying its targets with a single shot
Effects:
?Increased damage dealt by arrows.
?Poison effect added to arrows, dealing additional damage over time to enemies hit.
?Petrifying Arrow: An arrow that can turn its target to stone, depending on the user''s powers. (It is only effective against enemies with a lower strength than the user. If the enemy is deemed strong, the arrow will only act as a normal arrow.)
***
[The Appearance Of The Gorgon''s Fury Bow!]
The Gorgon''s Fury Bow, crafted from the finest materials and imbued with powerful magic, is a truly magnificent weapon.
Its body was adorned with intricate snake-like patterns, intricately carved into the golden surface.
The curves of the bow formed the shape of two snakes, wrapping around each other in a never-ending dance.
The bowstring was made of the strongest spider silk, ensuring that each shot would be precise and deadly.
Its golden sheen was entuated by the emerald eyes of the snakes, which glimmered in the dim light of the room, adding an ominous aura to the bow.
Chapter 170 Fighting The Guardians [3]
After examining the bow''s description for a moment, I ced it in my inventory as it was not currently usable due to its broken string.
"...I think Lia can repair it for me," I muttered, taking out an advanced mana potion from my inventory and drinking it.
I also drank an advanced stamina potion and took a moment to rest, as I noticed that the katanas I was using had visible cracks and could break at any moment.
I discarded them as they were not particrly valuable and I had some spare katanas with me.
''There is also a katana that Mika gifted me stored in my inventory, but I don''t know if it is any different from the usual katanas,'' I pondered for a moment.
Then, I shook my head and dismissed these thoughts, as it was a gift from Mika and must have something special about it.
After taking a few moments to rest, I moved towards the door of the room across the cave, which had opened after I defeated the Gorgon.
With my mana and stamina fully recovered, I entered the room, feeling in top condition.
And like usual, the door behind me creaked shut as soon as I stepped into the room.
Ding!¡ª
However, I was immediately interrupted by a system notification.
[You Have Encountered A Balor, One Of Demon Lord Pazuzu''s Guardians!]
As I read the message, I found myself facing the imposing figure of Balor, a powerful being of darkness and me. The room was filled with pulsating energy that reflected the immense power of the beast before me.
Balor was a massive figure, standing at least 12 feet tall. His deep red skin was wrapped in zing mes, and his powerful aura of darkness surrounded his grotesque form. His massive bat-like wings allowed him to soar through the air with an unnatural agility.
Balor spoke in a voice that was a low growl, filled with malice and power.
"So, you havee to challenge me, mortal? You are foolish to think that you can defeat me." It took a step forward, its massive form looming over me as it prepared to attack.
"...Haha, would you believe me if I said that I just came to say hi to Demon Lord Pazuzu?" I said as Iughed nervously.
I specte that he is an A-Rank just a step away from reaching an S-Rank power level based on the energy he is emitting.
"How foolish! I can''t feel Lord Pazuzu''s energy from you, which means you are not his servant. What is your purpose for being here?" The Balor asked in a fierce tone.
"...To be honest, I don''t even know why I am here," I responded with a nk expression.
And it was the truth, and I also knew that I couldn''t defeat a demon lord in my current state.
Nheless, there was a possibility that I could strengthen the seal and prevent it from breaking free.
"...."
"Very well, so you don''t want to speak?" The Balor said as it readied its weapons, a massive sword covered in lightning and a whip covered in fire, and prepared to attack me.
"...You have got some pretty impressive weapons there, mind if I have a quick look?" I said with a grin.
I knew that this fight wouldn''t be easy, so I pulled out my katanas and took a ready stance, waiting for the beast to make the first move.
Balor did not disappoint, it charged forward brandishing his massive sword of lightning and ready to strike. I quickly dodged and weaved, trying to find an opening.
I seized the opportunity, rushing towards Balor and swinging my katanas with all my strength.
Balor was quick to respond, bringing down his massive whip of mes in an attempt to trap me.
I leaped back, my katanas deflecting the whip, and summoned my shurikens, using telekinesis to send them flying toward Balor.
SWISH¡ªSWISH¡ªSWISH
However, Balor effortlessly dodged each one.
He let out a fierce, guttural roar, the sound was powerful, vibrating through the air like a shockwave.
RRRRRROOOOAAARRRRR!
His eyes zing, as he summoned a horde of Dretches.
Dretches were short, stocky monsters with green, pale, rubbery skin covered in bristly hairs and veins. They have nted downward eyes, squashed noses, and pointed lop-eared ears. Their mouths contain many small fangs and they have ws on their hands.
Creeeee¡ª
As they rushed at me, I immediately took out a bow from my inventory, creating arrows using my mana, and took aim.
SWOOSH¡ªSWOOSH¡ªSWOOSH
I released shot after shot, each one striking the dretches with deadly precision, killing them instantly.
Balor was relentless, his massive sword of lightning shing as he swung it with all his might.
I was able to dodge his attacks, my katanas whirling in a deadly dance as I sought an opening.
I changed tactics, using my location swap skill to teleport behind Balor.
I swung my katanas with all my might, using my "Atomic sh" skill to deliver a series of devastating blows.
Balor staggered, his roar turning into a scream as he stumbled forward.
But he quickly regained his bnce, not defeated just yet.
I then used my "Fell Crescent" skill, the electric energy around my katanas intensifying as I sliced through the air in a wide arc.
Balor evaded using its agility and countered with his whip of mes, and its tailsshing out to ensnare me.
I jumped back, dodging the whip, and focused my telekinesis, using it to fling a barrage of shurikens at the beast again.
However, Balor was quick, using his wings to propel himself into the air and dodge my attack.
As he descended back to the ground, I encircled my katanas with an electric aura using my skill "Static Electricity" and charged forward, bringing my weapons down upon Balor with all my might.
The katanas shed with his sword of lightning with a resounding ng, sparks flying as our weapons collided.
CLANG¡ª
CRACKLE¡ª
Our weapons shed again with a deafening impact, sending waves of energy throughout the room.
The fight continued, neither of us gaining a decisive advantage.
Chapter 171 Unexpected Gains!
RRRRRROOOOAAARRRRR!
As I faced off against Balor, the giant demon let out a deafening roar that sent shivers down my spine.
With eyes zing with anger, he brought his whip of mes down upon me, but I was quick to react and ducked just in time.
I could feel my mana levels running low, and my arms were growing tired from the previous intense exchange of blows.
Despite this, I couldn''t afford to take a moment to consume a mana potion as Balor was relentless in his attack.
However, I reminded myself that I had managed to inflict some significant damage on Balor in our previous exchanges, giving me some hope for the oue of this battle.
I charged forward, my katanas and shurikens crackling with electricity as I swung with all my might. Balor was ready for me, his massive sword of lightning shing as he swung it with equal force.
CLANG¡ª
Our weapons shed in a final showdown, creating resounding ngs that echoed through the chamber and shook the room to its foundations.
CLANG¡ª CLANG¡ª
We continued to exchange blows with a ferocious intensity, each of us determined toe out on top.
I used my telekinesis to direct my shurikens toward Balor, raining them down upon him in an attempt to distract his attention.
However, Balor was quick to react and deflected the shurikens effortlessly with his powerful sword of lightning.
He then retaliated with a series of powerful strikes, but I managed to block the first few, however, I soon found myself on the defensive, dodging and weaving as I searched for an opening.
Finally, I saw my chance. Summoning all the mana I had left, I channeled it into my katanas, preparing tounch a final, deadly blow.
I knew that if this attack failed, ...It would be the end of me.
Balor, sensing the attack, raised his sword to deflect it.
SWAP¡ª
However, at thest moment, I switched my location with a shuriken and teleported behind him.
The electric shuriken met his sword instead, creating sparks upon impact.
CRACKLE¡ª
With a fierce shout, I plunged both my katanas into Balor''s chest, putting all my weight into the strike and a massive surge of electricity that surged through my Katanas, now into Balor''s body.
SWASH¡ª
The beast bellowed in pain, his sword of lightning falling from his grasp as he staggered backward.
SWASH¡ªSWASH¡ª
I was quick to follow, driving my katanas into his sides over and over again, each strike leaving a deep gash.
RRRROOOOAAARRR!¡ª
With a final roar, Balor crumpled to the ground, his body writhing in its final moments.
SWASH¡ª
My both katanas plunged into Balor''s body, and his blood gushed like a river, turning the ground blood scarlet. And even my clothes are now sttered with blood.
!?
Suddenly, the room was filled with a blinding sh of light emanating from his corpse, and everything seemed to slow down for a moment.
And then, in a blinding sh, Balor''s corpse exploded into a shower of cinders, his bodypletely consumed by the raging inferno that was his essence.
I stumbled back, quickly bringing up my katanas to block the impact of the explosion. Despite the intense heat, one of my katanas held firm, absorbing the force of the st and emerging unscathed.
However, the other katana was not so lucky, the metal began to corrode under intense heat and pressure.
"...Phew, that was close," I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked down at my katana, the gift from Mika that had saved me from the explosion.
The de was unscathed, and I couldn''t help but feel grateful for the protection it provided.
¡ªYou Have Killed A Balor!
I heard the alert from my wristwatch confirming the death of Balor.
I looked around at the destruction that the battle had wrought.
The room was in ruins, the stone walls cracked and the floor a mass of charred debris.
I stood there, panting heavily, the room was silent, except for the sound of my ragged breathing.
I had defeated the monster Balor, but at what cost? My body was badly wounded, and my strength waning.
"So...this is my limit, huh!" I panted as I fell to my knees, supported by my only Katana at hand.
My body was exhausted from the intense battle with Balor. The adrenaline from the fight slowly started to fade away, leaving me feeling drained both physically and mentally.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather enough energy to stand back up.
That''s when I noticed it. An extravagant door, unlike any I''d seen before, appeared out of thin air in front of me. Its gleaming golden handles and intricate carvings made it clear that this was no ordinary door.
"Is this where Pazuzu resides?" I muttered, examining the door closely.
The thought of facing yet another guardian made my heart race, but I pushed aside my fear and started to drink the mana, stamina, and healing potions I had on hand.
I knew that consuming so many potions at once would make my body gradually grow resistant to their effects, but I had no choice.
The unknowny beyond that door, and I needed to be at my best to face it. With a deep breath, I stood up and approached the door, ready for whatevery ahead.
However, just as I was about to enter the door, I heard the crackling sound of electricity.
I turned my gaze toward the source and saw the sword of lightning that Balor had previously wielded lying on the ground, its surface still crackling with energy.
I approached the weapon and reached down to pick it up, feeling its weight and power in my hands. The sword seemed to be in good condition, despite the intense battle I had just faced.
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Obtained The Star-Forged Fulgur de, The Legendary Sword Of Lightning!]
Description: A powerful weapon forged from the stolen essence of a mighty constetion.
With each strike, the de crackles with electricity, capable of electrifying anything it touches and leaving a trail of lightning in its wake.
(Note: Only those with the strength and willpower to control lightning are capable of wielding its raw energy and channeling it into devastating attacks.)
Effects:
?Increased damage output.
?Electrifies enemies on hit.
?Increases user''s agility.
---
"Well...this is quite the unexpected reward!" I said with a small smile as I read the description of the sword.
Of course, I had heard of it before, but I didn''t know where it could be obtained from.
"I didn''t expect to actuallye across it, so Balor had this sword all along," I muttered to myself, remembering reading about it in the novel.
The sword belonged to one of the important characters in the story, who wielded the power of lightning.
I quickly put the sword back in my inventory, a nagging worry creeping into my mind.
"I just hope that old man doesn''te after me for this," I said with a nervous chuckle, imagining the consequences of converting the weapon that old man was after.
''Well the first one to find it, keeps it,'' I shrugged as I thought.
My gaze then fell upon the whip lying beside it, and with a thought, I lifted it using telekinesis.
Ding!
[You Have Obtained An Attributed Whip, The ming Lash!]
Description: A whip of me, that was said to have been crafted from the fiery essence of a demon. It is a deadly weapon for those who have mastered the art of pyromancy.
Its fiery tails can ensnare and incinerate even the toughest of foes, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.
(Only those with the strength and willpower to control the mes can wield it to its fullest potential.)
Effects:
?Deals heavy fire damage to enemies on hit.
?Ignites targets, dealing extra fire damage over time.
?Ability to deflect physical attacks and spells with the whip''s fiery tails.
?Grants the wielder increased resistance to fire damage and a boost in mobility and agility.
---
***
Chapter 172 The Mysterious Figure
I checked on the description of the whip and then stored it in my inventory, even though it had no use for me at the moment. I figured I could lend it to someone skilled in pyromancy.
Turning my attention back to the door that appeared after defeating Balor, I approached it slowly. The door opened on its own and I stepped inside, only to be met with a bright white light.
And I was suddenly transported to a grandeur and eerie throne hall.
Despite the ornate surroundings, my attention was quickly drawn to a powerful demonic energy that seemed to emanate from my left.
Struggling to maintain my footing, I turned toward the source of the energy, and... what I saw made my eyes widen in shock.
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Come Across A Sealed Demon Lord...!]
I didn''t have to see the system notification to tell what it was.
A huge, translucent crystal was suspended in mid-air, surrounded by massive, transparent chains and shining runes.
I could clearly see the figure of a demon lord sealed inside the crystal.
It was Pazuzu, the demon lord from ancient myths, his eyes were shut and his appearance was unmistakable.
The intricate design of the crystal and chains,bined with the aura of Pazuzu''s powerful energy, creates an eerie and foreboding atmosphere.
The cracks on the chains inscribed with runes only serve to heighten the sense of danger, as it seems as though the demon lord''s power is about to break free from its confines.
"If a sealed demon lord is this powerful, then how much more powerful will it be if it were to break free from its seal?" I muttered to myself.
As I approached the crystal, I could see the figure inside bing clearer.
His form was imposing, standing tall and proud even in his sealed state. His skin was a dark, scaly ck, contrasting sharply with the bright, shining runes inscribed on the chains that bound him.
His eyes were closed, and his sharp, jagged teeth were bared in a snarl that hinted at the anger and rage that must have been bubbling just beneath the surface.
His wings were the most striking feature, stretching out from his back and nearly reaching the edges of the crystal.
They were huge and leathery, tipped with razor-sharp ws that would have easily been able to rip apart anything that got too close.
I reached out to touch the crystal and understand the runes on its chains. As I noticed cracks in the seals and wondered if I could strengthen them.
But just as my hand was about to make contact, I heard a voice behind me.
"Oh, so you''re nning on reinforcing the seal byprehending the runes?"
!?
The voice caught me off guard and I spun around startled, my katana appearing in my hand in an instant. I was on high alert, ready for any threat.
In front of me, I saw a figure nonchntly seated on the throne, their entire body enveloped in a bright, white light, making it impossible to determine their appearance.
"Who are you?" I asked, my katana still in hand and shurikens now orbiting me.
"I never would have thought you''d make it this far," Instead of answering me, the figure said, a grin spreading across its face.
"...."
When I heard that, my mind raced with questions. ''Who is this person? I don''t sense any malicious intent from them. And what did they mean when they said they didn''t think I''d make it here?''
But most of all, I couldn''t even determine the figure''s gender despite hearing their voice.
"No, I wasn''t doubting your ability to defeat those mere guardians. I was talking about the time when you arrived in this world," the figure exined, continuing to grin as if he could read my thoughts.
"...."
"...This world has no such thing as privacy, huh?" I said with a chuckle when I heard him, but I couldn''t help but feel a twinge of unease.
"You were acting a bit too impulsively, why would you take on an A-Rank monster on the very day you arrived in this world? Did you want to meet your girlfriend that badly?" The figure said, still wearing a mysterious grin.
"....."
I tried to keep my emotions in check and not show any reaction to the figure''s words.
As I still did not know his identity, and couldn''t understand how this figure knew about my arrival in this world, and about my deceased girlfriend.
"If that woman hadn''t arrived on time, you would have been done for. All the efforts in bringing you here would have gone to waste," the figure added, shaking its head.
!?
"...Was it you who brought me to this world?" I asked, trying to piece together the puzzle in my mind.
"Pftt, Me? I wonder," the figure replied, as if deep in thought.
"Well, who cares about such trivial details. And don''t ask me anything else rted to that, I won''t be able to tell you anything," the figure added, with a yawn.
"What¡ª " I started to speak, but the figure cut me off.
"I already told you that I can''t answer any questions about how you ended up in this world. I''m just a fragment," the figure stated, reading my mind.
"...."
"Alright...let me ask you this then. What happened to the real Ares, the owner of this body?" I asked, staring at the figure intently.
"You''re quite the curious one, aren''t you? I don''t think it''ll hurt to tell you this much. It''s just as you''ve suspected, his soul merged with yours, allowing you to ess his memories and take on his identity. And it is also why it didn''t take you much time to get used to that body," the figure exined.
"...."
I continued to stare at the figure, still not fully satisfied with its answer.
Seeing my unfulfilled gaze, the figure spoke again.
"Tch, how bothersome. I hope I don''t run into any trouble after this," the figure muttered.
"That body always belonged to you!" the figure eximed, his voice ringing out through the chamber. "...And that body just had always been a vessel, waiting to be imed by the missing piece of its soul," the figure stated, his voice echoing in the room.
"It was an empty shell, devoid of mana, until your soul came along and merged with it. And that, my dear friend, was how you came to possess the memories and identity of Ares, the real owner of that body."
As he spoke, the figure leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. The aura of white light around him seemed to shimmer and dance, almost as if it was a living entity of its own.
"You see, you humans can only possess a single source of mana," the figure continued. "And since you had already been using your soul force to gather mana, it made that body incapable of sustaining any of its own. It was simply waiting for you to im it as your own."
I remained silent, my mind racing as I tried to piece together the information that had just been revealed to me.
"And¡ª" As the figure was about to speak again, suddenly, cracks appeared in the thin air, as if the whole space was about to be torn apart.
Crack¡ªCrack¡ª
Chapter 173 New Power?
Crack¡ª Crack¡ª
The figure stood up, his aura zing brighter than ever before.
"Alright! That seems to be the limit of how much I can reveal to you," they said, raising a hand and causing the cracks in the space to disappear.
I had many questions for the mysterious figure that stood before me, but I doubted I would receive any answers as the surrounding space began to fracture and contort with their every word.
"So...What''s the purpose of bringing me into this world?" I asked nheless.
"The reason for your arrival in this world, ...you will soon be able to discover for yourself," the figure replied, their voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "But for now, I must fulfill the purpose of my presence."
With a quick flick of their wrist, they threw a storage ring toward me, which I caught without thinking.
"...."
As I examined the contents of the ring, I was surprised by what I found within. A wealth of strengthening fruits and a coveted mana fruit were stored inside.
"What is the meaning of this?" I queried, my confusion evident. "Why bring me to this treacherous demon lord''s dungeon, of all ces, merely to present me with these fruits?"
I was grateful for the coveted fruits, but I couldn''tprehend the significance of being given them in this particr location.
Despite their worth, I could not shake the feeling that there was a deeper purpose at y.
The figure chuckled. "Think of these fruits as just a small gift. The true reason for my presence here is to impart upon you something of far greater worth."
"...Something even more valuable than these fruits?" I asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Exactly," the figure replied, a hint of excitement in their voice. "I am here to bestow upon you ...the power to defeat even the mightiest of Demon Lords."
"However, how you choose to utilize it will be entirely up to you." The figure added.
!!!?
My eyes widened in surprise as I heard the figure''s bold im. However, before I could react, the figure closed the distance between us in an instant and I felt a sharp pain in my left eye.
The figure now stood behind me, the aura of their power permeating the air.
!?
"Arghhh!"
I fell to my knees, clutching my bleeding eye in agony as the world around me spun and blurred.
"What have you done to me?" I cried out, my voice filled with anger and confusion.
Iunched my shurikens towards the figure using my telekinesis. But, to my surprise, the weapons went straight through their intangible body, leaving no mark.
"Don''t worry, I haven''t harmed you. In fact, I have just given you a gift." The figure said with a smirk. "If I wanted to harm you, you wouldn''t be standing here, alive."
Despite the figure''s words, the pain in my left eye persisted, only growing stronger with each passing moment.
I found myself struggling to focus and keep standing as the pain continued to wrack my body.
"Argghhh"
Despite the pain, a system notification echoed in my mind.
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Obtained ¡ó¡ó¡ó]"
However, I was unable to see the contents properly as the searing pain in my eye made it difficult to focus.
Ding!¡ª
[The Power Of The Skill Far Exceeds The Limit A Human Body Can Handle!]
Ding!¡ª
[Warning: The User''s Body Will Explode If The Power Is Not Controlled!]
I screamed in agony as I clutched my head, as the pain became unbearable.
The system notifications continued to ring, but I was in no shape to check them.
Ding!¡ª
[Strengthening Fruit Found In User''s Possession! Using Strengthening Fruit To Enhance Physical Ability...]
Crack! Crack!
I heard the sound of my bones cracking and reshaping, and I could feel my body undergoing a transformation.
"AHHHH!" I continued to scream, but I couldn''t lose consciousness as if something was preventing me from doing so.
Ding!¡ª
[Mana Fruit Found In User''s Possession!
Using Mana Fruit To Enhance Magic Ability...]
As the transformation continued, I felt my body being filled with immense power and energy.
But, I knew that I needed to control this power or risk being destroyed.
I gritted my teeth, focusing on the power coursing through my veins, and attempted to harness it.
"The power I have given you will serve you well, but remember, the truth of why you were brought to this world will reveal itself in due time," said the mysterious figure as its body began to fade away.
"But for now, my purpose here has been fulfilled and I must take my leave."
As the mysterious figure vanished into thin air, I was left alone in the demon lord''s dungeon, still in immense pain.
The world around me seemed to blur, and the only sound I could hear was the constant beeping of the system''s notifications.
Ding!¡ª
[Searching For More Mana Fruits To Increase The User''s Mana Pool...]
[No More Mana Fruits Found...]
[Alert! The User''s Body Is In Danger Due To The Excessive Power.
Rmended: Use The Skill ¡ó¡ó¡ó To Discharge The Excess Mana.]
[Use Skill ¡ó¡ó¡ó? Yes/No]
Grimacing in pain, I managed to nod my head, muttering a barely audible "Yes". The girly robotic voice of the system confirmed my request.
Ding!¡ª
[Got User''s Permission To Use The Skill.] [Initiating Command...]
The pain was almost unbearable, and I felt as though my body was about to explode. But just then, I felt a surge of power coursing through me.
***
Third Person POV~
As Ares knelt on the ground, writhing in pain, a sudden glow erupted from his left eye, casting a menacing aura upon the surroundings.
The world around him seemed to slow to a crawl as the sound of chains shattering echoed through the air.
Shatter¡ªShatter¡ª
And immediately after that, he felt a powerful presence rapidly approaching him, its demonic energy growing with each step it took.
Despite the world around him slowing, the figure still moved with an unmatched speed, even surpassing the agility of Helena, who was known to be the fastest individual.
Ares struggled to breathe in the presence of such raw power, and now the demonic being stood just a step away from him, ready to strike at any moment.
However, just as the attack was about tond, Ares''s left eye unleashed a bright sh of light and the sound of a robotic female voice echoed in his mind.
Ding!¡ª
[Using The Skill...."EYE OF CHAOS!!!"]
Chapter 174 Skill: Eye Of Chaos!!!
Ding!¡ª
[Received User''s Permission To Use The Skill.]
[Initiating Command...]
The world around Ares seemed to slow down as he knelt on the ground, writhing in pain. Suddenly, a menacing aura emanated from his left eye, casting an eerie glow upon the surroundings.
At the same time, Ares heard the sound of chains shattering, their echoes reverberating through the air.
Shatter¡ªShatter¡ª
Ding!¡ª
[You Have Encountered The Demon Lord Pazuzu!]
[New Quest: Defeat Or Escape The Demon Lord Pazuzu!
Description: You have stumbled upon the breaking of the seal of the Demon Lord Pazuzu. The Demon lord, sensing your presence, has deemed you as a threat and is now advancing towards you with full force.
You are given two options:
[Option 1: Flee] Escape from the wrath of the Demon Lord and preserve your life.
Rewards for this option are yet to be determined.
[Option 2: Battle] Defend yourself and defeat the Demon Lord Pazuzu.
Rewards for this option are yet to be determined.
[Note: This is not a decision to be taken lightly. The Demon Lord Pazuzu is known to be one of the most powerful demons in the realm. Proceed with caution.]
---
Ares heard the sound of a quest notification from the system, which was different from other notification sounds. Nevertheless, he was not in a shape to focus on its contents.
However, even without seeing the content of the quest, Ares had an idea what it must be about as he felt a powerful presence rapidly approaching him, its demonic energy growing with each step it took.
He exactly knew whose presence that was. Hearing the shattering sounds of chains and sensing the sudden surge of demonic energy, Ares already realized that the seal of the demon lord Pazuzu has been broken and the demon was advancing towards him with full force.
Despite the unbearable pain threatening to consume him, Ares'' mind didn''t stop working.
Swish¡ª
Just when Ares felt the demon lord nearing him and was about to strike.
"Use it now!" Ares eximed, indicating the system to use the skill right away.
Despite being unable to read the name of the skill or its description due to the intense pain blurring his vision, Ares heard the mysterious figure boasting about its power. He hoped that the skill would at least inflict some damage on the newly-released demon lord, who was not yet at full strength.
Ding!¡ª
[Using The Skill...."EYE OF CHAOS!!!"]
***
As the skill Eye of Chaos was unleashed, a bright, pulsing energy shot out from Ares''s left eye, enveloping the entire throne room.
The air around him began to crackle with intense energy. His eyes glowed with a fiery intensity as he unleashed the full force of the skill.
The energy from the skill was so potent that it caused the walls of the room to shake and crumble.
The floor began to crack and shatter, chunks of stone and rubble rained down from the walls and ceiling as the room''s structure was unable to withstand the sheer force of the skill "Eye of chaos", that was destroying everything in its path.
Pazuzu''s advance halted for a moment as he was caught off guard by the sudden release of powering from Ares.
HAAAAA!!!¡ª
With a resounding roar, the Demon Lord Pazuzu attempted to retaliate with his own dark demonic ability.
He called forth dark energy from the depths of his being, channeling it into a powerful beam of destructive force.
"STORMWIND¨CBLAST!"
The demon lord Pazuzu shouted as he unleashes his skill.
WHOOSH¡ª
As the Eye of Chaos and Storm Wind st collided, the resulting explosion created a blinding sh of light that filled the room with bright hues of blue and purple.
CRACKLE¡ª CRACKLE¡ª
The sh of these two powers also created shockwaves that rippled through the air, producing a swirling vortex of dark and light energies, apanied by the sound of thunderous explosions and the crackling of raw energy.
The sound was so intense that it was felt as much as it was heard, a visceral and overwhelming force that would leave those who heard it reeling.
RUMBLE¡ª RUMBLE¡ª
The throne room began to crumble and copse around them, as the energy surged back and forth between thebatants.
For a moment, it seemed as though the Demon Lord might gain the upper hand, as his beam pushed back the force of the skill Eye of Chaos.
But it was just for a second... as in the next moment the power of the Eye intensified, surging forward with renewed force and overwhelming the Demon Lord''s attack.
The Dark Lord Pazuzu''s beam shattered under the onught, the energy dissipating in all directions.
SPLINTER¡ª SPLINTER¡ª
Now the power of the skill Eye of Chaos roared forward, mming into the Demon Lord.
Despite the demon lord''s valiant efforts to resist, the overwhelming power of the skill proved to be too much for him.
Having been unsealed only recently, he was still weakened and unable to fully withstand the force of the attack.
"FUCK¡ª"
Those were thest words of the once-powerful demon lord Pazuzu.
As the bright, pulsing energy from Ares'' eye consumed the demon lord, reducing him to ashes and obliterating him from existence.
"AHHHHHHHH¡ª"
Pazuzu''s pained scream echoed through the surrounding as he was consumed by the chaotic power.
...
...
However even after consuming the demon lord Pazuzu, the force of the skill Eye of Chaos continued to surge forward, and its power continued to wreak havoc on everything in its path.
The whole throne room was now demolished and now the entire temple trembled and groaned, the very foundations of the ancient structure unable to withstand the immense force.
Pirs toppled and shattered like brittle twigs, sending clouds of dust and debris swirling through the air.
A deafening roar filled the air as the skill''s energy coursed through the temple, threatening to tear everything apart.
As the power continued to surge forward, Ares could feel his consciousness slipping away. The overwhelming force of the Eye of Chaos was too much for him to handle, and he struggled to keep his grip on reality.
The air around him shimmered and warped, the very fabric of existence threatened by the chaotic power that surrounded him.
For a moment, it seemed as though the entire universe would be ripped apart by the sheer force of the skill.
But just as suddenly as it had begun, the Eye of Chaos began to dissipate, the skill''s immense power ebbing away as quickly as it hade.
Ares slumped to the ground, gasping for air as he struggled to regain his senses.
Around him, the destruction caused by the sh was evident - broken ground, shattered walls, and debris scattered in all directions.
As the energy dissipated, the silence in the now demolished throne room was deafening.
It was a scene of devastation and destruction, the aftermath of an epic battle that had raged within its walls.
The templey in ruins, reduced to rubble that exposed the endless desert outside clearly visible under the light of the moon.
Amidst the wreckage, Aresy motionless. His body was the only thing left standing in the location of the battle, with no ceiling left to block the moon''s light.
However, upon closer inspection, it could be noticed that his eyes had gone white, a sign that he had lost consciousness.
With a thud, his body fell to the ground, and he remained still,pletely unaware of his surroundings.
THUD¡ª
Ding!¡ª
***
Chapter 175 A Chosen One?
As the dust began to settle, the once grand templey in ruins, with rubble and debris scattered across the ground.
Ares was lying on the ground, unconscious and breathing heavily.
The power of the skill Eye of Chaos had taken its toll on him, and he had exhausted all his energy in the battle.
In his mind, he felt as if he were falling into an endless abyss, darkness swallowing him whole.
He was aware of a faint voice calling out to him, but it was distant and muffled, barely audible.
As he drifted deeper into the darkness, he felt a sudden jolt, and the world around him shifted.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a soft, warm bed, covered by a thick nket. Looking around, he saw that he was in a small room, lit by a dim, flickering light.
Slowly, he sat up, his head and left eye throbbing with pain. He looked around the room, trying to make sense of what had happened.
He remembered the battle with the demon lord Pazuzu and the skill he used, but the rest was a blur.
As he tried to stand up, his legs gave way, and he fell back onto the bed. He felt weak and disoriented, his body still recovering from the effects of the battle.
***
"Arghh! What happened to Demon Lord Pazuzu?" I held my throbbing head and struggled to see clearly through my left eye, which was still blurry from the battle.
Despite my pain, I was grateful to have survived the fight with the demon lord. I had unleashed a power I could barely control, but it had done the job.
As Iy there, my body slowly healing thanks to my regeneration ability, a notification from the system brought me back to reality.
I knew there was much to catch up on, including the skill I had acquired from the mysterious figure.
Ding!--
I called up the system to check the notifications and see what new skill I had gained.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Ongoing Quests:
QUEST 1: Complete The Following.
1) Form A Faction. (Completed)
2) Be The Academy''s Representative For The Uing Tournament. (Complete)
3) Win The Tournament. (Iplete)
Quest Reward ~ Unlock A New Ability
a¡ª?a¡ª?a¡ª?
QUEST 2: Visit the Abandoned Kingdom. (Completed)
a¡ª?a¡ª?a¡ª?
QUEST 3: Defeat Or Escape The Demon Lord Pazuzu! (Completed)
Description: You have stumbled upon the breaking of the seal of the Demon Lord Pazuzu. The Demon lord, sensing your presence, has deemed you as a threat and is now advancing towards you with full force.
[Option 1: Flee] Escape from the wrath of the Demon Lord and preserve your life.
Reward: ???
[Chosen Option 2: Reward Issued]
[Option 2: Battle] Defend yourself and defeat the Demon Lord Pazuzu. (Completed)
Reward: Wings Of Pazuzu (Acquired)
***
!?
As I nced at the notification for QUEST 3, which seem to have appeared after my encounter with the demon lord Pazuzu following the breaking of his seal, my eyes widened in surprise.
Option 2, which had asked me to defeat the demon lord, now showed aspleted.
"...."
"...Haha, did I really kill a demon lord?" I muttered, a nervous chuckle escaping my lips.
As I knew that it was nearly impossible for anyone to kill a demon lord unless they were the chosen ones.
"The fact that I''m still alive even after killing a demon lord means...am I a chosen one now?" I wondered about the possibility, quickly swiping to my status window to see if that truly is the case.
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis]
PROFESSION : [Intermediate MagicSwordsmana?¡a?¡a?¡a??] [Intermediate Archera?¡a?¡a?¡]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver] [The Hydra yer] [The Demon Lord Killer [New]] [A Chosen One [New]]
Adventurer Rank : S
Strength : A+??"?
Agility : A+
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : B+ ??"?
Luck : C
Charm : A+
a¡ª?
Abilities : 1. [Universal Language]
2. [Photographic Memory]
3. [Regeneration]
a¡ª?
Stolen Ability: [Wings Of Pazuzu [New]]
a¡ª?
Skills: 1.[Fell Crescenta?¡a?¡a?¡a?¡a??]
2. [Snake Movementsa?¡a?¡a?¡a??]
3. [Hawkseyea?¡a?¡a?¡a??]
4. [Static Electricitya?¡a?¡a?¡a??]
5. [Location Swapa?¡a?¡a?¡a??]
6. [Atomic sha?¡a?¡a??]
a¡ª?
Gift: [Eye Of Chaosa?¡] [New]]
***
I checked my status window and noticed several changes in it, but my eyes were immediately drawn to a new title that appeared: [A Chosen One].
I eagerly clicked on it to learn more about the constetion that had selected me as their avatar.
Title: [A Chosen One]
Description: "A Chosen One" is a title given to an individual who has been selected by a constetion to serve as their avatar.
This chosen individual has unique abilities and is tasked with carrying out important missions and quests in order to fulfill the constetion''s objectives.
They may be granted special powers, knowledge, and guidance from the constetion, and are seen as the only ones capable of fulfilling their divine mission.
The role of the chosen one is of great importance, as they hold the fate of the world in their hands.
---
"...."
"I already know what it means to be a chosen one. I want to know the name of the constetion that has chosen me as their avatar, and how I became their avatar when I never agreed to it.
Don''t both parties have to agree for it to be considered valid?" I said, annoyancecing my tone.
As I didn''t get to choose whether or not I wanted to be their avatar, I was left wondering. Usually, the choice is given to the chosen person to ept or reject the offer of bing an avatar of the said constetion, or they can wait to get the attention of another constetion that they desire.
Because a person can only be an avatar of one constetion throughout their life.
"...Yup, they have to stick with the same constetion until their death.
Well, there is an option to cancel the contract with the constetion, but there are some special events that need to be fulfilled for that," I mused to myself.
"...."
"Huuuu"
With a deep exhale, I calmed my nerves and decided to focus on checking the other changes in my status window.
It was pointless to worry about things I couldn''t control now.
"I will eventually find out about their identity sooner orter anyway," I murmured as I continued to examine my status window.
And I noticed that both my strength and mana had increased by one level.
''I remember consuming both Strengthening and Mana fruits, but it''s strange how the system managed to make me consume them when I didn''t physically eat them,'' I pondered, feeling a little confused.
"Nheless, my mana only increased by one level even after consuming a mana fruit. That''s a bit disappointing," I grumbled to myself as that increase wouldn''t make much of a difference in my mana reserves.
Then I reminded myself that I should be grateful that it at least increased by a level.
Putting that thought aside, I shifted my attention to the new sectionbeled "Stolen Ability," which contained the ability [Wings of Pazuzu].
"...."
"Stolen ability, huh? Well, it was indeed one of Demon Lord Pazuzu''s abilities. But referring to it as a stolen ability might imply that I am a thief, which is not urate, right?
Anyway..." I muttered and shrugged it off, not dwelling too much on the phrasing.
Curious about it, I clicked on the ability to read its description.
---
Chapter 176 Ability: Wings Of Pazuzu!
I clicked on the ability to read its description.
Ability Name: [Wings of Pazuzu]
Description: This ability is obtained after defeating the Demon Lord Pazuzu.
With Wings of Pazuzu, the user gains massive demonic wings that grant them incredible speed and agility inbat.
When the wings are infused with mana, they grant the user ability to fly, allowing the user to take to the skies and survey their surroundings.
The user can also unleash a flurry of razor-sharp feathers that shred their enemies apart or create a shockwave that sends foes flying.
The more the user trains with Wings of Pazuzu, the more powerful and versatile the ability bes and the amount of mana requires decreases upon the user''s proficiency.
Soar through the skies and strike fear into your enemies with the formidable Wings of Pazuzu.
---
"I wonder how these Wings of Pazuzu work," I muttered to myself, curious to try them out. Almost as soon as I thought it, the wings appeared from my back and unfurled gloriously, revealing a wingspan of at least three meters. The feathers were sleek and shiny like polished obsidian but faintly glimmered with a red sheen, and the tips ended in sharp points.
I examined the wings in awe, admiring the intricate patterns etched onto their surface.
"Whoa, this looks cool! With these wings, I can fly anywhere I want without needing a vehicle," I eximed in delight, eagerly testing them out.
I pped my wings and soared upwards, but immediately fell back onto my bed due to the lingering pain from the aftermath of the battle with the demon lord.
"Argg! I-I guess I''ll have to try that againter," I said with an awkward smile, deciding to move on to the next thing and check out the skill that the mysterious figure had bestowed upon me.
''So the skills name is Eye Of Chaos? What an ominous name. And ites in a category of the Gifts means it must be one of the skills given to me by my constetion,'' I thought to myself as I clicked on it to check its description.
[Skill: Eye of Chaos!]
Description: Eye of Chaos is a high-level skill that harnesses the chaotic energy of the universe. With this skill, the user gains the ability to manipte chaos energy and release devastating sts of pure destructive power.
Using the Eye of Chaos, the user can summon a powerful beam of energy that tears through everything in its path, leaving behind nothing but destruction and chaos. This skill is not only powerful but also versatile, allowing the user to control the direction and intensity of the beam.
However, the Eye of Chaos is not without its drawbacks. The chaotic energy it channels is extremely unstable and difficult to control, and using the skill requires a massive amount of mana.
Additionally, the user may be overwhelmed by the sheer force of the energy they channel, making it risky to use in closebat.
Use the Eye of Chaos with caution, and only when you''re willing to risk everything for the chance at total annihtion.
---
''It requires a lot of mana, it says? Another skill that''s totally. dependent on my mana. Which means I can''t use it regrly,'' I thought to myself.
More importantly, I should first try to measure how powerful it is and learn how to properly control it before using it next time.
As I don''t want to lose consciousness just after using that skill,'' I continued to think.
"If the opponent is somehow able to dodge that attack and I end up losing consciousness, then it will be the end of me," I concluded.
Tap-tap-tap.
!?
The abrupt sound of footsteps interrupted my thoughts, I realized I had been so preupied with my new abilities and status that I forgot to address the most pressing matter: how did I get out of the Demon Lord''s dungeon and where was I now? And more importantly, who had brought me here?
"I guess it''s toote to ponder on it now," I muttered to myself. "Might as well find out from whoever just walked into the room," I said as I heard the door creak open.
Click¡ª
Opening the door, a beautiful mature woman with long purple hair and purple eyes entered the room.
She was wearing a ck, form-fitting outfit that entuated her curves, and a long, flowing cape draped over her shoulders.
"Fuuu, so you''re finally awake, huh?" the woman said, exhaling a sigh of relief.
"Irethiel?" I called out.
Although her appearance had changed and looked more human-like, I could still tell it was her... maybe because we were bound by a contract?
"Hmm, what?" Irethiel asked as she walked over to the bed I was on and began to remove the bandages that covered my upper body.
"...So you used a disguise potion?" I asked as I let her change the bandages.
"Yes, I found it in the storage ring you gave me before entering the Gate," she responded.
"Well, I put a few of them in that storage ring just in case," I said. "So, how did you bring me out of that Gate? I thought you weren''t able to enter it," I inquired, gazing at her curiously while she was busy changing the bandages.
"It was not me, but someone else who brought you out of that Pazuzu''s dungeon. She''s away making preparations for your departure, as it seems you don''t have much time to rest, with only a few days left until the tournament you''re taking part in," Irethiel exined.
"Who is this ''she'' you''re referring to¨C" I asked, but then paused before continuing. "Wait! So you already knew that the gate I entered was where the Demon Lord Pazuzu was sealed?" I asked, staring at her with a nk expression.
"...No, I didn''t know about that when you entered the gate. But after a few days of you entering, I felt the demon lord Pazuzu''s energy emitting from the gate, and sensed that his seal had been broken," Irethiel rified.
As I heard her, I stayed silent, lost in thoughts.
"However, it seems you were somewhat able to defeat Pazuzu. I''m curious about how you pulled that off, as from the condition you are in, it would still be impossible for you to defeat a demon lord even if he was just released and in a weakened state," Irethiel finished changing my bandages and looked at me curiously, waiting for an exnation.
"...What did you mean by ''after a few days''? How many days was I in that dungeon?" I dismissed her query and asked urgently.
Irethiel paused to count for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm, let me count. You were in that dungeon for around 8 days, and you''ve been unconscious for the past 2 days since you were brought out."
"...So it has been a total of 10 days, huh? That means there''s no time left for the tournament to begin," I muttered to myself.
"Yes, and for the past 2 days, after they found out that the demon lord was defeated, the whole continent is in pandemonium and they have been searching for you everywhere," Irethiel stated.
"...."
"Firstly, about what you said regarding them searching for me, is it Marz or Ares?" I asked, seeking rification.
"It''s your identity as Marz that they''re searching for," Irethiel confirmed.
"So, they''re looking for Marz because they believe he was the one who defeated the demon lord?" I spected. "But how are they so certain it was Marz?"
"ording to what I heard from that woman, the wristwatch is a special device used by adventurers to record information about the monsters they defeat.
It can also be used to transmit that information to the adventurer guild for rewards and ranking purposes," Irethiel exined.
"Ah, I see. That makes sense," Isaid as I searched for the wristwatch, which was not in my hand anymore.
"That woman who brought you here took the wristwatch from you, saying it might have something to track you down," Irethiel informed, noticing me searching for it.
"Well, she did the right thing by removing it," I replied, relieved that it was no longer in my possession or else it would have given away my location and things would have be much more troublesome.
"...What signs or phenomenon does the surrounding area exhibit after Demon Lord Pazuzu was killed?" I asked, recalling what I had read in a novel about simr urrences.
The book had described how after the defeat of a demon lord, the surrounding environment would undergo drastic changes, from sudden weather changes to shifts in the very fabric of reality.
I was intrigued as to what happened when the demon lord Pazuzu was killed.
Because, when the demon lord Pazuzu was killed in the story, his servants all throughout the continent died on the same day.
''Did the same thing happen now? Or maybe things were different since he was dead much earlier than in the novel.'' I reflected.
***
Chapter 177 The Demon Lords Death: Aftermath!
When the Demon Lord Pazuzu met his end at the hands of Ares, the world went through an abrupt change.
The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and twist as if the universe itself was recoiling from the death of such a powerful being.
As Pazuzu fell, the sky above the surrounding kingdoms turned a deep shade of red, as if the blood of countless demons had stained the heavens.
The temperature became unstable, and the very ground itself shook with violent tremors.
The most severe damage was done to the Abandoned Kingdom, which was known to house Pazuzu''s dungeon.
The ground shook so violently that a massive wave swept through the kingdom, wiping out the entire demon race that resided there.
The gates that were used to keep the demons contained ceased to exist, and the kingdom was left a barren wastnd with not even the bones of dead monsters visible.
The destruction was soplete that it was as if thend had been cursed, and no one would ever be able to live there again.
And the Great Wall that acted as the border between Kaldor and the Abandoned Kingdom, which had been built to protect nearby kingdoms from the demons, was destroyed, leaving the entire Kingdom of Kaldore in a state of shock.
The impact of the destruction was felt for miles, as nearby structures shook and crumbled under the force of the earthquakes.
As the red sky persisted, even at night, the people of the surrounding kingdoms were left in a state of awe and disbelief.
Many believed it was a sign of the end of the world, while others believed it was the beginning of a new era.
The suddenness of the destruction left the popce stunned, unable toprehend the true extent of the devastation.
The followers of Pazuzu, who had been hiding in the shadows, all died at once with their entire bodies sted into pieces, their souls ripped from their bodies, and dragged down into the depths of the underworld.
The people who did not know who they were or their affiliation was confused by their sudden death.
The public looked on in horror at the devastation. Some wept for the loss of life, while others were struck with fear at the power that had been unleashed.
The skies above remained a deep, foreboding shade of red, and the air was thick with the stench of death and decay.
Regardless of the interpretation, the event was one that would be remembered for generations toe.
***
Before The Fall Of Pazuzu At Hero Association Building ~
In a Hero''s Association meeting room, Jessica sat at a round table with other high-ranking officials and heroes.
She had received a piece of information from an unknown source and determined to root out the demon colonies hidden across the continent.
SLAM¡ª
"I will be leading this operation myself, so I don''t need any of you geezers'' permission to pass this bill," Jessica mmed the table, announcing her decision.
However, one of the high-ranking individuals, wearing a ck suit, protested. "Gathering this many heroes and entering the kingdoms, no kingdom will appreciate this behavior. They will think the Hero Association is dering war against them."
Jessica dismissed his concern. "I will speak with them myself. MINA, organize a meeting and send letters to all the kingdoms inviting the monarchs to attend. Those who fail to attend will be seen as opposing the Hero Association."
Mina, Jessica''s secretary, bowed and left the conference room, wondering about the content of the letter that made Jessica so riled up, and the identity of the person who sent it.
"Are you serious about this, Jessica? Why don''t you at least tell us the name of the informant who provided you with this information?" A woman, one of the high-ranking heroes in the room, asked.
"I can''t reveal their identity," Jessica replied, as even she didn''t know who the person sent her that information was.
"I just want to know if the information is reliable," Tania asked. "I''m already busy investigating the peculiar lights that emerged after clearing that mysterious ck gate," she added.
Jessica replied, "Do you think I will just act on impulse? I confirmed the authenticity of the information myself."
Hearing that Jessica had confirmed the authenticity of the information herself, no one in the room had any more objections, and there was a brief silence.
!?
SWOOSH¡ª
However, just then, with a swoosh, an invisible wave passed through the building, and suddenly, some of the high-ranking officials and heroes were sted into pieces. Blood sttered and rained, dying the whole table and ground red.
SPLATTER¡ª SPLATTER¡ª
"W-What is going on here?" Tania eximed, hurriedly standing from her chair, terrified. The remaining people stumbled backward in horror.
However, Jessica remained seated on her chair, drops of blood sttered on her face. Her eyes were still wide as if she was processing the situation.
Creak¡ª
Jessica''s secretary hastily pushed open the door and entered the conference room. "M-Ma''am, you have to see this," she shouted.
However, her shouting halted when she witnessed that the conference room was in the same situation.
Jessica slowly turned toward the see-through window in the conference room and noticed the deep red sky as if it would rain blood anytime now.
Her patched eye began to glow golden, and a magic circle appeared in front of it as she muttered in a low voice.
"...Someone has managed to kill a demon lord?"
!?
Everyone in the room present was a high-ranking individual and had obviously heard her muttering.
"W-What?" they all eximed at the same time.
Jessica hurriedly got up from her seat and took her coat, which was hanging on the seat.
"Yeah, you heard it right. Someone managed to kill a demon lord, and these bastards that sted just now seem to be that demon lord''s followers," Jessica exined as she wore her coat and wiped the blood from her face.
No one questioned her any further as they knew what Jessica was capable of, and wouldn''t dare to doubt her words.
There was a reason why she was the president of the massive Hero Association.
"...."
"...So what Ares said was true. There were indeed demon lord followers in the Hero Association''s higher-ups," Tania said in a low voice.
Jessica was about to exit the room, but when she heard Tania, she halted in her steps.
She began to remember Ares''s interview from that time. However, even after hearing his warning, she disregarded it and made many negative remarks about him.
She didn''t think much of what Ares stated at the time and found his criticism of the Hero Association to be unwarranted and immature, causing her pride to be wounded.
Jessica regretted her past dismissal of Ares''s concerns and felt guilty for her previous harsh remarks.
"I am ...such an idiot," Jessica muttered with a grim expression, her head lowered.
"If the people who just died were followers of one demon lord, then there might be many others who follow other demon lords, but we are still unaware of them, how can we trust each other in this kind of situation?" one of the heroes eximed.
Jessica came out of her daze and replied, "Don''t worry, there is a person who might be able to help us in this situation," she said and left the room.
"So, are we still holding a meeting?" Jessica''s secretary asked as she began following her.
"Yes, and search for the person responsible for killing that demon lord. I want to know if that person is still alive. Give orders to our spies that they are free to use any means necessary," Jessica said.
"Understood!" Her secretary Mina replied.
As she pondered the situation, Jessica couldn''t help but wonder, "Could this demon lord who perished be indeed Belphagor or perhaps another that we were previously unaware of?"
"Things will get dangerous from now on," Jessica said, shaking her head.
***
The situation in other kingdoms was simr to that in the Hero Association.
Many important figures died abruptly, including some princes and princesses, leaving the whole continent in horror.
Some people who recognized the phenomenon ordered their people to search for the person responsible for killing the demon lord for their own reasons, among which was the current Elven Empress.
---
The Elven Empress sat on her throne, listening to reports of the sudden deaths of many influential individuals across thend.
The news was grim, and she knew it was only a matter of time before panic would set in among her people.
"Your Majesty," one of her advisers said, bowing low. "We have been informed that these deaths may be rted to the recent defeat of a demon lord."
The Empress frowned, deep in thought. "What do we know about this demon lord and their followers?" she asked.
"Among the people who died, many were incredibly powerful and influential," another adviser chimed in. "But with the demon lord''s defeat, we have heard rumors of a sudden and violent death for the demon lord''s followers, as if they were sted into nothingness."
The Empress gasped. "Could it be that this phenomenon urs every time a demon lord is defeated? That their followers are tied to them in such a way that they too perish when their leader falls?"
"It''s possible," the adviser replied. "We have heard reports of simr events happening in other kingdoms as well. It seems to be a universal phenomenon."
The Empress nodded grimly. "We must find out everything we can about this Marz and the demon lord he supposedly defeated.
If he is as powerful as they say, then he may be a valuable ally.
I want our scouts to gather information about him and report back to me immediately," She ordered.
Chapter 178 The Trouble With Unread Texts
"That''s pretty horrifying to hear," I said as I leaned back on the bed after hearing about the destruction that Pazuzu''s Death had brought from Irethiel.
In the novel, there was no mention of the Abandoned Kingdom being eradicated when Pazuzu died.
Instead, they were supposed to be a huge demon lord''s army emerging from the Abandoned Kingdom during the War Arc in the story.
''Well, I''ve already gotten to the point where I can''t imagine everything I read in the novel happening exactly the same way. For instance, Ivica''s twin sister was never mentioned in the novel,'' I reflected.
As I pondered about Ivica, I was immediately reminded of the Strengthening Fruits that the mysterious figure had given me.
I checked my inventory and took out the storage ring that the figure had given me.
"...She was searching for one of these fruits for who knows how many decades, and now I have an abundant amount of fruits with me," I muttered as I shook my head, observing the dozens of Strengthening Fruitsying in the storage ring.
"A-Argg, what is that ring?" Irethiel asked, covering her eyes with one of her hands.
"!?"
"It''s a storage ring. Why, what''s wrong?" I asked, confused by her exaggerated reaction.
"Storage ring? Why is it emitting such a Divine Aura?" Irethiel questioned.
"...."
"...Divine Aura?" I muttered.
''...Of course, it wouldn''t be a normal storage ring. It was given to me by that unknown figure who is capable of giving out terrifying skills,'' I thought as I put the ring back in my inventory.
"...Where did you get that storage ring from?" Irethiel inquired.
"From Pazuzu''s Dungeon," I replied half-heartedly.
"Did you find anything good in it?" She asked, interested.
"...Yeah, it has many Strengthening Fruits. Do you want one?" I offered.
"!?"
"Strengthening fruits?" She eximed, surprised.
"Yes," I nodded.
"...I don''t think it will work on demons though," Irethiel replied. "However, with that fruit, you can save that half-dragon, right? So what are your ns? Are you going to give it to her?" She inquired.
"Yeah, I am nning to," I replied. "But you don''t seem happy about that."
"...."
"Why should I be happy about that? I don''t really care if she lives or dies, anyway," Irethiel responded nonchntly.
"...That makes sense. Why would a dragon yer like Irethiel care about some half-dragon?" I remarked as I took out my phone from my inventory to call Lia and check if my other shurikens are ready.
However, to my surprise, I found a fucking long list of unread messages.
I scrolled through the notifications on my phone and decided to start with Aegis''s message, which I noticed was a voice message.
"Ares, you jerk! I''m going to smack you when we meet next time for making me go through such a scary thing!" She shouted in the voice message.
"...."
"Hmm, that''s not a good start," I mumbled.
And I think her anger was most likely about the kiss incident with Mika, but I didn''t know what Mika''s reaction was.
Nevertheless, based on Aegis''s shouting, it sounded like it was quite intense.
There was another voice message from Aegis, but I hesitated for a moment before ultimately deciding to listen to it.
"Ahem, anyway I just wanted to let you know that I tested out the disguise potion you gave me, and it''s got some pretty wild effects.
First of all, it can suppress emotions, but only temporarily. All those pent-up feelings wille flooding back all at once, which isn''t great.
And it''s addictive too, so demons who use it too much can be mindless beasts.
But don''t worry, I''ve got an antidote in the works. I can''t make it right now because I''m heading into that S-Rank dungeon with Mika and Helena, but as soon as I''m back, I''ll get to work on it.
Just make sure Irethiel doesn''t get her hands on any of that stuff. The stronger the demon, the worse the addiction and side effects.
Anyway, that''s all for now. Catch youter!"
Tic¡ª
With that Aegis''s voice message ended.
"...You heard her, right?" I asked as I turned towards Irethiel.
"D-Don''tpare me with those lowly demons. Do you think just a single potion will affect me?" Irethiel scoffed.
"...I see. It''s good to hear that you''re fine even after using that potion," I said and focused back on reading the messages.
!?
I then noticed that there were several messages from Livia, which left me surprised by the sheer number. Curiosity getting the better of me, I clicked on them to see what was happening.
Message 1: "Hey, just wanted to check in and make sure everything''s okay. I''ve been trying to call you but your phone''s not connecting.
...
Message 9: "It''s been 3 days now and I still haven''t heard from you. Please let me know that you''re safe, I''m getting worried."
...
Message 13: "Why aren''t you answering my calls or texts? Did something happen? Please just let me know you''re okay, I''m starting to panic."
...
Message 26: "I can''t stop thinking about what could have happened to you. Please just send me a message or call me back, anything to let me know that you''re safe."
...
Message 35: "It''s been a week now and I still haven''t heard from you. Please just give me some kind of sign that you''re okay. I miss you so much."
...
Message 56: "I''m sorry if I''m being too overbearing, I just miss you so much and I''m so worried about you. Please, please let me know that you''re okay."
...
Message 87: "It''s been 10 days now and I still haven''t heard from you. Please just let me know that you''re alive, I''m begging you."
...
...
"...."
"...What''s going on with her? Why is she so worried about my safety all of a sudden? It''s like she''s bing some kind of possessive girlfriend," I muttered to myself, feeling slightly uneasy about the situation.
As I read through her messages, I couldn''t help but feel like Livia''s obsession with me was growing stronger with each passing day.
I quickly typed out a message in response to Livia''s flood of messages.
"Hey, Livia! Sorry, my phone was broken and I couldn''t get it fixed for a while. I''m okay, don''t worry. How are you doing?" I came up with a lie and hit send.
She immediately responded within seconds.
"Oh my god, you''re finally back! Are you okay? I was so worried about you. I tried to call you so many times, but your phone was unreachable. Where are you?"
"...."
"I''m on my way to the academy now, so I should be reachable soon. Iappreciate your concern, but no need to worry too much. I''m doing well and looking forward to seeing you soon.
See youter!" I texted back and scroll through other messages.
"Okay, thank you for letting me know," Livia responded. "I''ve been worried sick about you. Please call me as soon as you arrive, I just need to hear your voice to know you''re okay."
As I scrolled through my messages, Livia''s message popped up on the screen.
"Ok," I gave a short reply.
Then I clicked to check Lia''s message, as I also wanted to send her the bow for repair and make some adjustments to the lightning de.
"Hey, Ares! It''s Lia. I''vepleted your other shurikens as well. Text me when you''re free, so I can send them to you immediately."
That was Lia''s text message.
"I appreciate it, Lia. Please send them over when you have a chance. Also, I have a few weapons that need repairing. Let me know when you''re avable to help out. Thank you!" I texted Lia.
Till I get a response from her I went to check Erina''s message.
"My Friend Ares! The tournament is just around the corner and everyone is excited to see you represent us. If you''re done with your training, pleasee back as soon as possible so we can n our strategies together.
Let''s make sure we win this thing! Looking forward to seeing you soon."
With that Erina''s text ended.
"Hey, Erina! Thanks for the update. I''m d to hear that everyone''s excited about the tournament. I just finished up my training and I''m actually on my way back to the academy now. Keep me posted on anything else thates up." I replied and scrolled down to see if I am missing any other important messages.
"Why are there so many messages from only women?" Irethiel asked as she tried to peek at my phone, noticing the frequent notifications from female contacts.
"Didn''t Rose teach you that it''s bad manners to peek at someone''s phone?" I asked, pushing her away with my palm on her face.
"What are you trying to hide from me? It''s not like I don''t know what your personality is," Irethiel said, trying to move my hand away.
"...."
''Well she is not wrong,'' I thought. However, I suddenly had an iing video call from Lia.
"Move away, I have to take this call. And don''t let her see you or it will be bothersome to exin things to her," I said to Irethiel as I removed my camouge pendant, which was surprisingly still intact even after everything it had gone through.
"Eh?"
Chapter 179 The Weapon Crafters Call
Ring¡ª
As Lia''s video call came in, I pushed away Irethiel and lifted the phone to answer.
[Hello, Ares, are you free--] As soon as I picked up the phone Lia started to speak but stopped mid-sentence as she saw my bandaged body.
[Hey, Lia, how are you doing?] I asked, trying to sound upbeat.
[I-I''m fine, but it doesn''t look like you''re doing well, though!] Lia stammered, looking concerned.
I could see that she was in her father''s workshop from the background.
[Yeah, things happened.] I replied. However, I noticed Irethiel began peeking from beside me as she hugged me from the side.
"...."
[Um, w-who is that woman beside you?] Lia asked with an awkward expression as she noticed Irethiel.
Hearing her, I turned to Irethiel and saw her smiling pleasantly. I realized that her behavior was unusual, and I immediately suspected that it might be the side effects of the disguise potion she had used.
"I think it''s the potion affecting you, demon. Didn''t you just brag that a single potion couldn''t affect you?" I said to Irethiel telepathically. Her behavior seemed out of character, and moreover, I had never seen her smile so pleasantly.
[...Don''t mind her, she''s just a nurse taking care of me.] I said to Lia, indicating Irethiel.
[Ah, I see. Sorry for the misunderstanding.] Lia replied, but I could tell she was still skeptical.
[I''m a nurse?] Irethiel asked, pointing to herself.
[...Yes, you are.] I said in a low voice, smiling.
[Not your ve?] Irethiel asked, confused as if question marks appeared on top of her head.
"...."
I pushed Irethiel away from me with my palm on her face and changed the subject.
[...Anyway, you mentioned that my other two shurikens were ready, right?] I asked.
''Didn''t she just say ve? And what is she doing so close to you if she is just a nurse taking care of you?'' Lia felt a surge of jealousy and suspicion, but she kept herposure and didn''t say anything. She knew that she wasn''t close enough to Ares to question him about his personal matters.
She hesitated for a moment, looking as though she had something else to say, but then replied, "Y-Yes, wait, I''ll be sending your shurikens to you right away." And began scanning a small white box.
A notification popped up on my screen:
"Lia wants to send you a package.
ept: Y/N."
I clicked "Yes," and the box arrived in front of me in no time.
I opened the box and found two simr-looking shurikens but of different colors: one was golden, and the other was purple.
[I added a clone spell to that golden shuriken; it creates multiple fake clones of itself. Which can be used to confuse the enemy about which shuriken is real and catch them off guard.
And I cast the purple shuriken with a resize spell; you can adjust the size of the shuriken ording to the monster you are facing.
For example, if you are facing a giant monster, the small shurikens would just feel like ants biting them, right? But now you can increase the size of the shuriken by infusing more mana into it, thus increasing its damage to the giant monsters as well.] Lia borated.
As Lia exined the spells she added to the shurikens, I added a drop of my blood to both of them, causing them to vibrate for a moment before settling down.
Shiiing¡ª
They made a metallic sound as I made them float around me. They were easy to use and looked just like my previous shuriken, but with added functionality.
"This is...impressive," I uttered, impressed with Lia''s work.
[It must have cost you a lot to add these spells to them, right?] I then asked, bringing my attention back to Lia.
As far as I know, it would require a lot of money to have someone cast these spells. It looked like high-level spells were cast on these shurikens, which I believe is too soon for Lia to cast them on her own.
[Haha...well, I got help from my father''s acquaintance.] Lia said with a nervous chuckle.
I knew Lia''s father was a famous weapon maker, so it made sense that she had connections with high-level spellcasters as well.
[I see, I really liked them! Send me your ount details so I can send you your money!] I said.
[Oh, you don''t need to. I already received the remainder of the Onyx stone as my payment.] Lia replied while making a "no" sign with her hands.
[...I want to send a payment for the other weapons I need repairing and for which I need your help.] I rified.
[Ah, I see. You mentioned you have some other weapons that need repairing and that you need my help with, right? You can send them to me now, and I will take a look.] She said.
[Okay, I will send them right away.] I said and took out the bow and lightning de, then sent them to her immediately.
Tring¡ª
[Alright, I have received them. A bow and a sword, huh? The bow needs a good bowstring to match its petrification prowess. And the lightning de seems to be too big for your fighting style.] She stated, giving the weapons a quick nce.
"...."
''Yup, her talent is scary. No doubt she will be one of the best weapon crafters in the world.'' I thought to myself, impressed by her urate assessment.
Tring¡ª
Lia''s phone beeped, indicating a new message. She nced at her phone, and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion when she saw the amount of money transferred to her ount.
[W-Wait, what? Why did you send me such a huge amount of money?] Lia eximed in shock.
[Not even high-ranking weapon crafters take that amount of money to make a high-level weapon.] she added.
[Don''t worry, I think you deserve it for your excellent work, and I also believe in investing in talented individuals like you.
You have the potential to be one of the best weapon crafters in the world, and I want to support you on that journey.] I replied with a smile.
I knew Lia wouldn''t receive financial support from her disapproving mother who didn''t support her daughter''s desire to be a weapon crafter. However, I also knew that by helping her, she might be grateful to me and would prioritize my orders over others when she became sessful.
Suddenly, Lia''s body began to shake, and tears started rolling down her cheeks. She lowered her head, trying to hide her tears from me.
[Why...why do you have so much faith in me?] Lia asked, her voice choked with emotion.
[I would be an idiot if I didn''t believe in you even after recognizing your talent.] I responded with a smile.
Lia looked up, her eyes still glistening with tears, and smiled gratefully at me.
[T-Thank you so much for believing in me. It means a loting from someone like you.] she said, her voice still a bit shaky.
[And I promise that I won''t let you down, and I will work hard to be the best weapon crafter I can be.] Lia stated.
[Good, I have faith in you, Lia," I replied with a smile. [I''m sure you''ll be an excellent weapon crafter. Just remember to stay focused and work hard towards your goals.]
We talked for a few moments after that, with Lia asking about the precise adjustments and materials I preferred for my Bow and Lightning de. I told her to use her own creativity and preferences to make something that suited me best.
Which made Lia realize how much faith I had in her craftsmanship.
[Alright, I will let you know when I am done repairing the weapons you gave me. But I can''t guarantee that I will be able toplete them before the start of the tournament though because I will be participating in it as well.] Lia stated.
[Take all the time you need. And don''t worry, I won''t hold you back from the tournament.] I reassured her.
[Thank you for being so understanding.]Lia said gratefully.
[I''ll keep you updated on the progress of the repairs.] She added.
[Sounds good.] I replied, smiling before adding [I''ll see you at the tournament''s opening ceremony then. Good luck!]
[Thank you Ares!] Lia eximed with gratitude before we hung up the call.
Tic¡ª
I set my phone down, feeling a sense of relief that my weapons were in good hands. Now, all that was left to do was wait and see how Lia''s craftsmanship would enhance their power.
Click¡ª
!?
Suddenly, we heard the sound of the door opening, which made me furrow my brow because I couldn''t hear the person''s footsteps nor did I feel their presence.
"I think that woman is here," Irethiel said and turned towards the door.
And my eyes widened in surprise as I saw the woman who entered the room.
***
As soon as Lia ended the call with Ares, she couldn''t help but smile. Not only was it her first big sale, but the amount she earned would solve many of her financial problems.
Ever since her mother stopped giving her pocket money, Lia had been struggling to afford the materials necessary for her weapon crafting. But now, with the money Ares had given her, that problem was solved.
Excitement bubbled within her as she looked forward to seeing Ares at the tournament''s opening ceremony.
But suddenly, her face fell as she realized something.
"O-Oh no...he won''t be able to recognize me without my disguise," Lia muttered anxiously.
From the time they met at the auction house, to their video calls, Lia had always been in disguise. She panicked at the thought of Ares not knowing who she was.
"W-What should I do now?"
Chapter 180 The Faithful Servant
Click¡ª
As the woman entered the room, my eyes were drawn to her striking appearance. She had a sun-kissedplexion, whichplemented her silver swirl eyes and short, silky ck hair that fell in loose waves around her face.
Her pointed ears were a clear indication that she was not human.
She was dressed in an assassin-style ck suit that fit her toned and well-bnced physique perfectly. The sleek fabric hugged her curves and entuated her athletic build, giving her an air of confidence and poise.
Two deadly-looking daggers hung on either side of her hips, adding to her dangerous aura.
And of course, I immediately recognized who she was.
She slowly approached me and knelt before me with an emotionless expression and greeted me respectfully, "Master, Meira greets you."
I couldn''t help but notice a change in her demeanor, and it piqued my interest.
"I see you''ve finally arrived, Meira," I said, a grin on my face.
Meira nodded in acknowledgment but remained silent for a few moments before speaking again.
"As promised, I havepleted my revenge and returned to you, my master," she stated.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words.
"So, what are your ns from now on?" I asked, curious about her response.
"I have no other wish to fulfill; now I have only one goal," she said, pausing for a moment.
"And that is?"
"My only goal now is... to be by your side and protect you until the end of my life," Meira said, her voice resolute.
I couldn''t help but smile at her words.
"You know... being by my side won''t be easy. My cause is not a heroic one, and there will be times when my actions may seem cruel."
As I spoke, I held her chin and made her meet my gaze.
"I knew what I was getting into when I signed that contract, and as I have previously stated, I don''t care even if you are a devil yourself," Meira said determinedly, her eyes locked on me.
I moved closer to her and gently pressed my lips against hers. She responded without hesitation, returning the kiss with equal tenderness.
"That was very pleasant to hear!" I said after I pulled back.
***
When Irethiel heard Meira''s response, she was reminded of the demon lords. What made the demon lords more terrifying was their loyal followers who didn''t care about their demonic nature as long as their wishes were fulfilled. And the followers showed absolute loyalty in return.
The scene in front of her was no different, and as she stared at Ares, she was reminded of "her," an unpleasant memory of one of the demon lords she had encountered.
Seeing Ares''s wicked grin, she began to imagine the other half of Ares''s face as that of the demon lord she hated the most.
The mere thought of the two of them facing off against each other made her shudder in terror and excitement.
''If it''s him...perhaps he can contend against her!'' she thought. However, when she saw Ares kiss Meira, her face contorted for some unknown reason to her.
***
"Tell me, where is this ce?" Ares asked Meira, surveying the unfamiliar surroundings.
"This is the ce I recently bought in the countryside of Khaldor Kingdom after I escaped from the Elven Empire with the money I got from that destroyed pharmacy," Meira exined, her eyes shifting uneasily.
"Why didn''t you immediately return to me?" Ares questioned.
"...I was being followed. I tried my best to not leave any traces, but they were using some type of tracking artifact to chase me," Meira replied.
As Ares listened to Meira, he walked toward the window and peered outside. He saw arge crop field surrounding the mansion with no other residents in sight.
"And how did you know I was in that dungeon?" Ares asked, turning back to Meira.
"I... don''t really know how. There was suddenly some type of emotion that filled me, indicating you were in danger, and I just followed my instincts, which brought me to that dungeon," Meira said, her voice uncertain.
Ares looked over at Irethiel, wondering if she had any insight, but he noticed that she was staring at Meira with a peculiar expression.
"...."
However, as soon as Irethiel felt Ares''s gaze on her, her expression instantly returned to normal as she replied to his question.
"Our lives are now connected to you, and if something happens to you, it will affect all of us. The contract binds us together, and it sent Meira a signal about you being in danger, guiding her to your location." Irethiel replied with a straight expression.
"...I see," Ares muttered, processing the information.
Suddenly, Meira''s expression became one of confusion when she heard Irethiel mention "us" instead of her name. She quickly came to the conclusion that Irethiel is also one of Ares''s servants.
If her conclusion is correct, then Meira couldn''tprehend Irethiel''s demeanor in front of their master.
***
I had a smile on my face when I noticed Meira''s confused expression as she remained on one knee, seemingly awaiting my orders to get up.
"So you are confused about who she is?" I asked, to which Meira nodded in reply.
"Her name is Irethiel. She is my first servant," I exined, turning to look at Irethiel.
"Why don''t you show your true form to her, Irethiel? She will also be by my side from now on, so there is no need to hide it from her," I suggested.
Irethiel hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Tch, I don''t want to," she said, folding her hands and turning her head away from me.
Swish¡ª
However, as soon as Irethiel said that, Meira suddenly disappeared into a ck shadow at her feet, which slithered like a snake toward Irethiel.
In the blink of an eye, Meira emerged from the shadow in front of Irethiel, her dagger aimed at Irethiel''s neck.
SHINK¡ª
As Meira attacked Irethiel with her dagger, Irethiel blocked her blow with her nails that grewrge w-like and made a metallic sound on impact.
"Do you have a death wish, brat?" Her eyes glowed furiously as she asked, confused by the sudden attack.
Despite Irethiel''s intimidating gaze, Meira remained unaffected, disying an emotionless face. As a former diatrix, she was used to facing death every day which made her very much immune to the killing intents.
Without a word, Meira pulled out her second dagger and attacked again with more force, her face still devoid of any emotion.
I wasn''t sure why Meira was suddenly attacking Irethiel, but I chose not to intervene and instead sat on a chair, watching them closely.
"Is she insane?" Irethiel asked, annoyed, as she blocked Meira''s attack again.
SHINK¡ª
"Why are you disobeying master''s orders?" Meira asked seriously, as shetook a two-daggered stance, simr to that of ude and Erina''s, but with a rogue-like ir.
!?
"What?" Irethiel uttered perplexed hearing her.
When I heard Meira, I couldn''t help but inwardly chuckle at the situation. While I was used to Irethiel''s disobedient behavior, knowing her past as a mighty demoness, I also knew that it wouldn''t be easy for her to adapt to her new role as my servant.
I didn''t push her too hard, knowing that she would eventuallye to acknowledge her new position.
Meira, on the other hand, had a different background. She was ustomed to hearing orders as a former announcer of the diator games and had direct experience with the master-servant rtionship, although from a different perspective than Irethiel.
While Irethiel was not a servant to any demon lords, she still stood out due to her strength and independence, distinguishing herself from those who were bound to serve.
As the two continued to sh, Irethiel asked, "Why don''t you just mind your own fucking business, brat?" in an irritated tone when she heard the reason for Meira''s attack.
"If you are a servant, then behave like one," Meira responded seriously as the intensity of her attacks increased.
Despite themotion, I remained calm and didn''t intervene.
"Huh? You''ve really pissed me off now!" Irethiel eximed, her voiceced with anger and her aura bing more threatening.
Meira, however, remained unfazed and calmly countered the aura with her own.
"Is that all you''ve got?" Meira asked with a smirk.
Irethiel red at Meira, impressed by her calm demeanor in the face of such power.
"You''re strong," Irethiel admitted. "But you won''t be able to take me down so easily."
Meira''s smirk grew wider as she readied herself for a fight.
"We''ll see about that," she replied, her eyes glittering with excitement.
As I watched Meira, I couldn''t help but feel impressed by how far she hade in just a few short months.
Her growth was incredible, far surpassing what I had read in the novel. It was only after she had joined Lucas''s party that she truly began to flourish and reach her full potential.
While journeying with Ziona, a fellow member of Lucas''s party, Meira had numerous sparring sessions that helped her grow stronger. Their mutual love for battle and friendlypetitiveness made them fast friends.
"Alright, that''s enough from both of you," I intervened, my aura ring up to its fullest potential. Meira quickly retracted her aura and sheathed her daggers, but Irethiel seemed reluctant to back down.
"Why are you getting in the way? She attacked me first, and I can''t let her get away with it," Irethiel said irritably, also retracting her aura.
"I''m not stopping your fight, just asking you not to fight inside the mansion. We don''t want it to be destroyed, do we?" I suggested with a smile.
They both gazed at me with wide eyes.
"Why don''t you two take it outside and fight it out in the open field?" I continued.
My curiosity was piqued to see just how much Meira had grown and whether she was now able to harness her constetion powers. By engaging inbat with a formidable opponent such as Irethiel, Meira would have the opportunity to unleash her full potential.
***
Chapter 181 Irethiel Vs Meira [1]
Tension filled the air as Meira and Irethiel stood across from each other in the open field.Meira held two gleaming daggers at the ready, her body tense and poised to strike.
Irethiel cracked her knuckles, and her nails grew into razor-sharp ws. She grinned wickedly, her eyes glowing with excitement.
"Alright, you two, you can spar to your heart''s content, but please, let''s keep it friendly and avoid any serious injuries as I wanted to leave for the academy soon. Is that clear?" I stated as I stepped in between Meira and Irethiel.
Meira looked at me and nodded, a look of understanding in her eyes. Irethiel, on the other hand, had a mischievous grin on her face.
"Don''t worry, I won''t hurt her too badly," Irethiel said with a yful tone.
"...."
I couldn''t help but roll my eyes at herment, but I still made sure to step away from the field, keeping a watchful eye on the two of them.
As a precaution, I scattered my shurikens around the field, just in case things got out of control. I didn''t want to intervene unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Come at me, little assassin. Show me what you''re made of," Irethiel immediately challenged Meira with a taunt.
Meira didn''t bother to reply, but instead lunged forward with her daggers charged with an aura. She faked to the left before quickly shifting to the right, hoping to catch Irethiel off guard.
Despite Meira''s attempt to surprise her, Irethiel''s movements were incredibly fluid as she easily dodged Meira''s attack and countered with a powerful kick.
Meira quickly jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike. Although she was taken aback by Irethiel''s speed and power, she knew she had to keep her focus and stay on guard.
!?
Irethiel suddenly lunged forward, aiming her ws at Meira''s face. Meira swiftly twisted to the side, managing to avoid a direct hit, but not before Irethiel''s ws left a deep scratch on her cheek, causing blood to trickle from the wound. Despite the sharp pain, Meira quickly regained herposure and prepared herself for the next attack.
"You''re better than I thought," Irethiel sneered, impressed that Meira had avoided her attack. "But you''re still no match for me," she added, tauntingly.
Meira with an expressionless face charged forward again. She realized that she had underestimated Irethiel''s strength and knew she needed to be more careful in her approach if she wanted to win.
As she lunged towards Irethiel, her daggers gleamed with her aura, but Irethiel moved with incredibly fast speed, effortlessly dodging Meira''s attack. Without missing a beat, Irethiel delivered a powerful blow that sent Meira flying back, crashing to the ground.
SMACK¡ª
Meira smashed onto the ground with a loud thud from the intensity of the attack.
THUD¡ª
She groaned as she tried to get back up, but Irethiel was already on her, her ws poised to strike.
Meira managed to roll out of the way just in time, narrowly avoiding the attack.
SHICK¡ª
"Arhg" Meira winced in pain as she pushed herself back up and moved forward again, by feinting and aiming for Irethiel''s heart.
However, Irethiel was too experienced to fall for such a simple trick. With a quick sidestep, she easily dodged Meira''s attack and retaliated with a powerful punch to Meira''s face.
THWACK¡ª
The impact sent Meira stumbling backward blood seeping from her nose and her head reeling from the force of the blow. She struggled to regain her bnce and get back into a fighting stance.
Irethiel was too strong, too fast, and too skilled for her.
"What good is a servant who is weaker than her master and can''t even lift her own weight? You''ll be nothing but a liability to him.
Maybe I should dispose of you now so you won''t drag us down in the future," Irethiel rushed towards Meira, not giving her a moment to catch her breath.
She taunted Meira as she approached, her ws shing through the air and causing the ground to tremble beneath her.
Meira gritted her teeth and braced herself for the attack, determined not to let Irethiel get the upper hand. She watched as Irethiel closed in, her movements fluid and graceful, like that of a predator on the hunt.
As Irethiel''s ws descended toward her, Meira leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Shended in a crouch and sprang back up, ready to face Irethiel head-on.
SWISH¡ªSWISH
She did her best to evade Irethiel''s continuous attacks, her daggers moving with incredible speed as she searched for an opening in Irethiel''s defense.
As the fight wore on, Meira''s desperation grew. Her once precise movements became erratic, and her once-confident expression twisted into a grimace of pain and frustration.
Irethiel''s monstrous strength was proving to be too much for her to handle.
However, just when it seemed like the battle was over, a strange aura began to emit from Meira''s body, starting from her feet and spreading throughout her being.
Her eyes turned a bright shade of green as she underwent a powerful transformation.
Suddenly, it happened. A snake tattoo materialized near her right eye, and her aura erupted in a burst of energy, unleashing a massive gust of wind that sent debris flying in all directions.
Meira felt a surge of power coursing through her body, as if a hidden reserve of strength had been unlocked. She could feel her senses sharpening, her reflexes quickening, and her movements bing more fluid and precise.
"Ah, this is what I''ve been waiting for!" Ares eximed with an excited grin, watching Meira''s transformation with satisfaction. He was eager to see how much Meira had improved and how she would fare in battle against Irethiel.
Ares knew that Meira has no chance to go against Irethiel and had already advised Irethiel to hold back her strength and taunt Meira to provoke her into using her constetion powers.
He wanted to see if Meira could control her power or if she would be consumed by it as she had been in the past.
When Irethiel sensed a change in Meira''s aura, a grin spread across her face. She relished the opportunity to fight with a chosen one.
With a green aura emanating from her daggers, Meira charged forward with newfound speed and grace.
The two of them shed, their movements blurring together as they exchanged blows.
CLINK¡ª CLINK¡ª
Meira lunged with her daggers, aiming to strike Irethiel''s neck. But Irethiel was not caught off guard so easily.
With reflexes honed from countless battles, she dodged Meira''s attack and countered with a swift punch to Meira''s gut.
SMACK¡ª
Meira gasped for breath as she flipped backward, just barely avoiding another one of Irethiel''s powerful strikes.
Shended nimbly a few feet away, her mind racing as she scanned Irethiel''s form for an opening. She quickly calcted the best angle of attack.
With a burst of speed, Meira charged forward, aiming for Irethiel''s heart. Irethiel easily parried her attack with a flick of her wrist, but Meira spun around, using her momentum tounch a rapid series of strikes aimed at Irethiel''s legs.
SWISH¡ªSWISH¡ªSWISH
Irethiel''s fluid movements allowed her to easily evade Meira''s blows and with a wicked grin, she lunged forward, her ws shing through the air as she aimed for Meira''s throat.
Meira''s body twisted with impressive agility, allowing her to narrowly avoid Irethiel''s deadly ws.
SWISH¡ª
With a snarl of fury, Meira immediately retaliated with a swift and powerful swipe of her dagger, slicing through Irethiel''s arm and drawing blood.
SLICE¡ª
!?
As Irethiel stumbled back in pain, Meira took advantage of the opening and delivered a powerful kick to Irethiel''s chest, sending her flying backward.
THUD¡ª
Irethielnded heavily on the ground, but quickly sprang back up to her feet.
Meira felt a surge of satisfaction as she finallynded a hit on Irethiel.
Chapter 182 Irethiel Vs Meira [2]
Meira delivered a powerful kick to Irethiel''s chest, sending her flying backward.
THUD¡ª
Irethielnded on the ground but quickly sprang back up to her feet.
She let out a hiss of pain as the blood continued to flow from her arm, but her eyes also shone with a hint of excitement at the sudden increase in Meira''s strength.
"You''ve finally shown a little bit of fight," she remarked, getting ready for the next attack.
Meira, however, was acutely aware that she couldn''t afford to make any mistakes. She knew that one misstep could mean the end of the fight, so she remained focused and cautious.
Thankfully, she had gained better control over her powers of the constetion, in contrast to the fight she had in the diator''s arena where she had lost control.
Meira''s movements were swift and agile as she closed in on Irethiel, her daggers glinting in the sunlight. She feinted to the left and then to the right before lunging low, aiming for Irethiel''s ankles.
As Meira''s speed and agility increased, leaving afterimages behind her, Irethiel was caught off guard and stumbled back, narrowly avoiding Meira''s des.
But she didn''t have time to catch her breath as Meira''s relentless attacks continued, striking at her from all angles with blinding speed and uracy.
Despite her efforts to defend herself, Meira''s des still managed to slice through her flesh, drawing blood and leaving deep gashes.
SLICE¡ª
The momentary imbnce of Irethiel was an opportunity for Meira, who quickly sprang into action, charging at Irethiel and easily dodging her counterattacks.
She performed a swift double jump, vaulting over Irethiel''s head andnding behind her in a crouch.
From there, Meiraunched into a flurry of quick strikes, her daggers moving in a blur as she aimed for Irethiel''s exposed back.
SWISH¡ªSWISH
Irethiel found it challenging to block the flurry of rapid strikesing at her back from Meira''s fluid and agile movements, and Meira took advantage of her confusion to abruptly execute a spinning hook kick andnded a solid blow to the side of Irethiel''s head.
THWACK¡ª
Irethiel staggered, but she quickly regained her bnce and countered with a vicious backhand strike followed by a devastating uppercut that sent Meira flying up into the air.
But as Meira twisted her body midair, she vanished in a dark cloud of smoke, leaving behind only a trail of shadows on the ground. Irethiel looked around, searching for any sign of her opponent, but Meira had already disappeared without a trace.
SWOOSH¡ª
!?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of daggers slicing through the air. She barely had time to react before Meira appeared behind her stealthily, her daggers glowing with a dark aura.
Meira''s powers of the constetion had given her the ability to be a shadow assassin, enabling her to merge with the shadows and strike her enemies from unexpected angles.
Irethiel was able to evade the initial attacks, but Meira''s unyielding assaults as she disappeared and reappeared from the shadows left her no time to rest. Meira was striking quickly and urately, targeting vital areas.
CLANG¡ªCLANG
The sound of shing metal filled the air as the two of them continued to exchange blows. Their movements were so fast that it became almost impossible to keep up with their speed with the naked eye.
Meira''s shadow assassin skills gave her the upper hand, allowing her to strike with deadly uracy. However, Irethiel was still fighting with restrictions, preventing her from unleashing the full extent of her power.
Finally, after a flurry of strikes, Meiranded a devastating blow to Irethiel''s abdomen.
SLICE¡ª
ARGG¡ª
Irethiel growled in frustration and anger, blood pouring from her wound as she was taken by surprise.
Finally, summoning her demonic powers, Irethiel''s eyes began to glow a bright red. Her aura began to change, and her disguise faded, revealing her true demon form.
!?
Meira was shocked by Irethiel''s sudden transformation; she didn''t expect that the woman she was struggling against was actually a demon.
''...What is a demon doing by my master''s side?'' Meira was filled with conflicting thoughts as she faced Irethiel.
However, she pushed aside her musings as Irethiel''s aura red up, growing fiercer by the second. Meira took a deep breath and focused her constetion powers, tapping into her inner assassin.
In an instant, Meira was cloaked in shadows, still making it difficult for Irethiel to track her stealthy movements. Meira capitalized on this advantage, attacking from different angles and striking at Irethiel''s blind spots with lightning-fast speed.
Irethiel found it difficult to match Meira''s new fighting style, and Meira appeared to be in control for a brief moment.
The two of them were moving quickly and aggressively, trying to gain the upper hand in the fight.
But just when Meira thought she had the upper hand, Irethiel suddenly shifted her fighting style, calling upon her dark aura to imbue her ws with sinister energy.
CLANG¡ªCLANG¡ª
Now Irethiel''s attacks were violent and unrelenting, her ws enhanced by the demonic aura pulsing through her body. Each blownded with bone-shattering force, and Meira''s arms grew heavy with fatigue as she struggled to defend herself, and her breathing grewbored.
She knew she had to find a way to turn the tide of the battle, or else she would surely be beaten to pulp if this continues.
Desperately, Meira retreated a few steps away from Irethiel, somersaulting repeatedly. Her body seemed to merge with the shadows, and she disappeared from sight.
The shadows moved like a snake, and suddenly Meira reappeared behind Irethiel, her daggers slicing at her.
However, Irethiel had learned from her past mistake and was prepared for Meira''s next move. As Meira appeared behind her, Irethiel spun around and countered her dagger with her ws, creating a shower of sparks as the two weapons shed.
Their struggle sent shockwaves through the ground, destroying the area around them and sending debris flying in all directions.
The ear-splitting sound echoed across thendscape as the two of them continued to sh, neither gaining the upper hand.
CLINK¡ª CLINK
However, as the intensity of their fight had grown, Meira could feel her energy draining and her transformation slowly fading.
She fought with every ounce of her strength, but it seemed like it wasn''t enough. She was tired, and her movements were bing slower and weaker with each passing second.
As the fight wore on, she began to realize that she was outmatched and her strength was not enough to ovee Irethiel''s demonic power.
She gritted her teeth, refusing to give up, and tried to push forward with all her strength.
SWITCH¡ª
However, as she readied to sh again, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her ribs as Irethiel appeared in front of her out of nowhere.
!?
Using her location swap skill to rece her previous location with debris flying around, Irethiel connected a powerful punch to Meira''s ribs.
CRACK¡ª
UGH¡ª
The sound of Meira''s ribs cracking was audible as she was sent flying through the air, vomiting blood before crashing onto the ground.
THUD¡ª
The impact was so powerful that it left a small crater in the ground where Meiranded making a deafening THUD sound. Shey there, gasping for breath, her body wracked with pain.
Irethiel towered over her, a malevolent grin on her face. She could sense that Meira was on the brink of unconsciousness, she raised her hand to deliver the final blow her ws crackling with dark energy.
"You fought well," Irethiel said, she was genuinely impressed by Meira''s fighting style, "But you still have much to learn." She added.
However, just as she was about to strike, Meira''s aura suddenly red up once again, her snake tattoo glowing with intense blue light.
!?
Irethiel was surprised for a moment, unsure of what was happening.
Meira seized this opportunity and instantly lunged forward with a powerful strike. Irethiel tried to dodge, but it seemed toote.
URG¡ª
Chapter 183 Meiras Determination
Just as Irethiel was about tond a final blow on Meira, Meira''s aura suddenly red up once again, her snake tattoo glowing with intense blue light.
Startled, I watched as Meira seized the opportunity and lunged forward with a powerful strike.
SWAP¡ª
Irethiel tried to counter, but in that split second, I acted on instinct and swapped my location with Irethiel''s, causing Meira''s body to jolt and stop in her attack from just an inch away from my neck.
I held my breath as her dagger trembled for a moment before she fell unconscious in my arms.
In the end, it appeared that Meira had lost control over her powers, simr to Tania when she lost control at the end of her fight with Mika.
And Meira''s attack stopped when it neared me because she couldn''t harm me, her master. As she is my servant bound by a contract which prohibits her from harming me.
I turned toward Irethiel, holding Meira in my arms, and saw the trail of destruction caused by Irethiel''sst attack.
"...."
"...Were you nning on killing her?" I asked Irethiel with a nk expression.
I had swapped my location with her not because I was afraid of Meira''s attack harming Irethiel, but because I had seen the immense strength with which Irethiel had retaliated.
!?
"...What am I doing here?" Irethiel asked abruptly, holding her throbbing head.
"Huh?" I looked at her in confusion.
"And... why the hell am I bruised?" she asked, examining her body, she had a few scratches and bruises from her fight with Meira.
"Are you serious right now?" I asked, perplexed.
''I wonder if the side effects of the potion were affecting her. How many potions did she take anyway? Aegis mentioned that the stronger the demon, the more excessive the side effects, but this seemed to be going too far.'' I pondered
"...And what is that Dark Elf doing in your arms?" Irethiel asked suspiciously.
"...."
"It was you who beat her unconscious just now, don''t you remember?" I asked as I carried Meira in a princess style and moved toward the mansion.
"What? You mean to say that I just fought that elf?" Irethiel asked as she followed behind me.
"Yes, that''s right," I responded.
"That doesn''t make sense. Why can''t I remember that and also...does that mean I was injured while fighting with her?" Irethiel inquired.
"Yes," I replied as I pushed open the room''s door and moved toward the bed beforeying Meira on it.
"That''s impossible! I don''t believe that little assassin can evennd a scratch on me," Irethiel eximed.
"It''s not about what you believe or not, it''s what happened," I said, sighing. "But I have a feeling that the potion you took might have affected your memory and perception of the fight."
Irethiel crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at Meira with a skeptical expression. "She doesn''t look that powerful to me, no way in hell she could even put a scratch on me if I used my demonic form," she said as she noticed that she was now in her demon form rather than her human disguise.
"Yeah, that would have been the case normally, but I ordered you to hold back against her," I replied as I fed Meira the Advanced healing potion.
Irethiel uncrossed her arms and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Hold back? Why would you order me to do that?" she asked, her confusion evident.
"Let''s just say that I needed to see what Meira was capable of," I exined and threw a Healing potion toward Irethiel, which she caught reflexively.
"...."
But hearing my exnation, Irethiel was still confused as she didn''t know what was going on.
There were times when she would obey my orders, but she would mostly decline them if it meant putting herself in danger. So she didn''t understand why she held back and let Meira injure her.
"Never let down your guard, even when facing the weakest foe, for a sword''s point can still draw blood." This is what Irethiel believes in.
***
I disregarded Irethiel''s confusion and memory loss and proceeded to change my clothes since I was nning on leaving for the academy as soon as Meira woke up.
Given that she was fed an advanced healing potion, it wouldn''t take long for her to recover.
While changing, I noticed many changes in my body that I hadn''t noticed before since I was wearing a camouge pendant.
My body had be more toned, and I had grown a few centimeters taller. But the most notable change was in my left eye, whose pupil had turned a chaotic blue, with lightning crackling faintly within it.
My body felt stronger and more attuned to the magical forces of the world.
As I touched my left eye, I felt a strange energy coursing through my body. The vision from it was still somewhat blurry, but the auras around me seemed more vivid than ever as if the world itself had be infused with vibrant energy.
After examining my left eye for a moment, I left it at that and got fully dressed in a casual outfit.
I wore a white t-shirt with a simple design, paired withfortable ck pants and ck sneakers. My clothes were loose-fitting and easy to move in.
"Akh!" I heard Meira''s voice as she woke up.
I turned towards her and saw that she was trying to sit while groaning in pain and holding her cracked ribs.
Although her ribs were healed now, it seemed that there was still some residual pain.
"Are you okay now?" I asked Meira, seeing her pained expression.
Meira nodded weakly, her breathing still ragged. "I''ll be fine," she said through gritted teeth.
I walked over to her and offered her a hand. "Take it easy," I said, helping her to sitfortably. "You took a pretty hard hit there."
Meira grimaced but managed a small smile. "...Y-Yeah,"
As she caught her breath, I was able to notice the colorful aura that surrounded her with my left eye. It was as if the energy of the healing potion was still working its way through her body, emanating a warm glow.
"So, I lost, huh?" Meira murmured to herself, remembering Irethiel''s punch connecting to her ribs, but the rest was a blur to her.
"Don''t worry about losing to Irethiel," I said with a reassuring smile. "She''s a former demoness with a lot of experience. I was impressed to see that you made her transform into her demon form."
Meira still looked dejected. "But that doesn''t change the fact that I lost. If it had been a real battle, I would have been dead."
I nodded in agreement. "Well, The world isn''t reasonable. You won''t always face opponents who are on an equal power level as you.
Sometimes you''ll fight weaker opponents, and other times you''ll face someone much stronger. But you can''t do anything about that.
All you can do is get as strong as you can so you can tackle any situation." I stated.
Meira gave a small nod of understanding. "I promise that I''ll get stronger, so I can be of help to you, Master," she said with determination.
"Good," I replied with a smile as Meira''s gaze turned to Irethiel, who was staring at her with a perplexed expression.
''How was this weak dark elf able to injure me and force me to use my demon form?'' Irethiel thought as she folded her arms and studied Meira.
"I...will defeat you someday," Meira dered as she locked eyes with Irethiel.
"Huh? In your dreams! I don''t know how you were able tond hits on me, but things won''t be the same next time. I will make you pay for every drop of my bloodshed," Irethiel responded with a cold tone.
Meira''s face turned resolute, and she didn''t back down from Irethiel''s fierce gaze. I could see the determination in her eyes.
"Very well," I said, cutting through the tension. "You two can get some rest for an hour before we leave for the academy."
"Oh and I heard you were making preparations for my departure to the academy while I was unconscious," I asked Meira.
Meira nodded. "Yes, I had prepared the vehicle for us. It''s parked in the garage of the mansion," she said, passing me a key.
As I took the key from her, she spoke again as if she had just realized something. "And Master, this is your wristwatch that I removed from you. It had a tracker, but I was able to remove it," she said, passing me the wristwatch.
"...."
"...You should have just thrown it away," I said as I took the wristwatch.
But after examining it for a moment, I found it was still in good condition.
"I didn''t dispose of it as I thought you would need it to im your rewards," Meira exined.
"Well, I won''t be able to im the rewards anytime soon," I said.
As visiting the adventurer guild would only add to my troubles as Marz was being searched by many influential figures.
Besides, I already had enough money, and the reward money would be just like a drop in the ocean.
I used my adventurer ID to log into my ount and check my Quest log.
"Hmm, let''s see," I muttered as I checked the list of Quests. But then I noticed something strange.
"Is it broken?" I asked as I saw the unusual numbers written on the watch.
Beep!¡ª
[S-Rank Adventurer Marz
Quest In Progress: Eliminate the Threat at the Border of the Abandoned Kingdom!
Monsters Killed: 99760]
Chapter 184 The Machiavellian
Beep!--
[S-Rank Adventurer Marz
Quest In Progress: Eliminate the Threat at the Border of the Abandoned Kingdom!
Monsters Killed: 99760]
"...."
"...The fuck? I don''t remember killing that many monsters," I muttered, confused as I looked at the count on my wristwatch.
Irethiel peeked at my watch, hearing my muttering, and was left dumbstruck for a moment.
"Hmm, I think it also included the monsters killed in the aftermath of the demon lord''s death as my kills," I spected.
"...Yeah that makes sense, as there''s no way that there could be that many monsters in the pazuzu''s dungeon," Irethiel remarked as she sighed.
"I wonder what the adventurer association headquarters'' reaction will be when they see the data on the number of monsters I''ve killed," I said with a grin.
"...I think they''ll go broke trying to pay your reward, Master," Meria said abruptly.
"Even I was shocked when I saw the number of monsters you''ve killed disyed on your wristwatch while I was removing it," she added.
''As expected from my master,'' Meira thought, her eyes sparkling with admiration for Ares.
"...."
"Just by looking at your face, I can tell what you''re thinking," I said to Meira.
"A-Ahem, it''s just that I''ve never met someone like you, Master. You seem even younger than me, but to aplish such a great feat at your age... it''s worthy of my admiration," Meira said in a low voice shyly, as she coughed and averted her gaze.
"....."
I was taken aback by her reaction. In the novel, she was described as having a cold personality and being a woman of few words. This friendly and talkative behavior was unexpected, but I didn''t mind it.
"You''re admiring him too soon. You''ll know what kind of person he is now that you''ll also be staying by his side," Irethiel remarked abruptly, bringing Meira back from her reverie.
"...But I still don''t understand how you were able to make such a strong demon your servant, and more importantly, why doesn''t she behave like a servant?" Meira asked as she gazed at Irethiel.
"Tch, he tricked me into signing a contract. That''s how," Irethiel stated, remembering the incident.
"...My master tricked a demon? Isn''t it usually the other way around?" Meira asked, perplexed.
"Well, let''s just say she was trying to trick me, but in the end, I tricked her instead," I said with a chuckle.
"Impressive! As expected of my master," Meira said, nodding repeatedly.
"...."
"Arggh, can you stop bootlicking him?" Irethiel said in a frustrated tone.
"Bootlicking? This is how a servant should behave, though. It''s you who''s being ungrateful. If it were someone else other than my master, you would have already been like a broken doll," Meira stated.
"Hmph, I don''t need anyone to tell me how a servant should behave," Irethiel replied, crossing her arms. "And don''t think that just because you''re his new servant, you can speak to me like that. I''ve been with him for a long time, and I know him better than anyone else." Irethiel stated.
Observing Irethiel''s behavior toward Ares, which was more akin to that of arade than a servant, Meira was reminded of her own experiences as a diator''s servant - a disposable tool for her master''s entertainment.
Though she had agreed to serve Ares in gratitude for his help with her revenge, she never expected to feel anything more than emptiness in return.
But seeing Ares treat her with kindness and care, even going so far as to offer her an advanced healing potion, stirred something in Meira''s heart.
It had been so long since anyone had treated her with anything resembling kindness or concern. In the diator arena, emotions had no value - it was every man for himself, and anyone who got close to you was as good as dead.
You would have to kill them with your own hands the next day, and only one of you woulde out alive
But Ares was different. Hearing the warmth and concern in his voice stirred something in Meira that she had long thought dead. She couldn''t exin the feeling, but she knew she never wanted it to end.
"I''ll protect my beloved master at all cost!" the words echoed in her mind, a mantra that she couldn''t shake. She would do anything to hear his concerned voice toward her again, to feel that warmth in her heart.
''Whatever it takes, I''ll do it. For him.'' She made a vow to herself, her expression was resolute.
"...Even if it meant going against the whole world for him," She muttered aloud unknowingly her eyes gleaming in a strange aura.
!?
Irethiel and Ares turned their attention to Meira when they heard her muttering. "What did you just say?" Irethiel inquired as she furrowed her brows.
Meira jolted out of her trance again when she heard Irethiel.
"It is nothing," Meira said. "Oh, and I am all healed now. Shall we depart right away, master?" she asked with a smile as she got on her feet.
"Hmm? Are you sure? You were just grimacing in pain a few minutes ago, though?" Ares asked.
"Thanks to your advanced healing potion, I am all healed up now, and the residual pain also subsided as well," Meira replied with a smile.
"Alright, if you are fine, we can leave after you get changed then," Ares stated.
But there was something that he couldn''t understand when he heard her. And that was... how did she know that he gave her an advanced healing potion? Wasn''t she unconscious?
''Maybe she deduced it, sensing how fast she was healed?'' He thought.
''...But her cracked ribs could also be healed by an intermediate-level healing potion, so how could she tell that I used an advanced healing potion and not the intermediate one?'' Ares continued to think as he nced at Meira, who was standing there smiling brightly at him.
"I will get changed right away and will be right back," Meira said as she disappeared into the shadows.
Hearing her, Ares came out of his thoughts. "You should get changed as well, Irethiel," he said as he turned toward her, but saw she was lost in thought as well.
Irethiel came out of her daze and nodded as she exited the room.
''However, she couldn''t stop thinking about Meira''s words, "Even if it meant going against everyone in the world for him." What did she mean by that?'' Then she shook her head, thinking that she might just be overthinking things.
As they both left, Ares was left alone in the room. His mind raced as he reyed Meira''s muttering and the intense expression on her face.
He sensed a strange aura emanating from her with his left eye, though he didn''t exactly know how to interpret that aura since he was still new to seeing them, but her eyes reminded him of Livia''s possessiveness as seen in the footage from Ivica''s office.
"Hmm, it seems my little n worked perfectly. I didn''t expect it to be so easy to manipte her with just a few sweet words," he muttered to himself, a sly grin forming on his lips.
''Even if it meant going against the whole world,'' she says.
It''s always useful to have a loyal and possessive servant, especially one who is willing to go against the whole world for me,'' he thought with a smirk.
He knew that Meira''s possessiveness could be dangerous, but he also knew that it could be a powerful tool if he could control it.
As he left the room, his mind continued to race with possibilities of how he could use Meira''s loyalty to his advantage.
***
After changing their clothes, Irethiel and Meira met me in the hallway.
Meira emerged from the shadows dressed in a simple, fitted ck tunic with trousers that hugged her toned figure. Her outfit waspleted with a pair of ck leather boots that reached just below her knees.
Irethiel had changed into a fitted white blouse tucked into a pair of high-waisted ck pants. She wore a ck zer and a pair of pointed-toe heels, her hair pulled back into a neat bun.
"Are you guys ready to go?" I asked as we met in the hallway.
"Yes, Master! I am at your service," Meira replied, giving a slight bow. Irethiel just nodded in agreement.
"Why not transform into your crow form?" I asked Irethiel as we exited the mansion.
She was currently in her human form, which she could only maintain for a few hours at most.
"I will transform when my skill wears off," Irethiel replied. It seemed like she wanted to show off the new clothes that she had bought while shopping with Rose before we arrived at the Abandoned Kingdom.
I ignored her casual response and we headed toward the garage where Meira had parked the vehicle.
We seemed to be in the countryside, pretty far away from the warp station, so we had to travel there in a vehicle.
I wanted to use my new wings and fly there directly, but I was not used to them and needed some practice before I could fly to far ces.
CLANG--
As we arrived at the garage, the door opened upwards, revealing the sleek and stylish sports car, with a low-slung body and sharp, angr lines.
The exterior was a glossy, midnight ck, with gleaming silver ents and a hood that sloped down to a pointed front. The windows were tinted dark, providing privacy and adding to the car''s air of mystery.
Meira walked over to the driver''s seat and pressed a button on her wristband, causing the car to start up with a low hum.
"Please get in, Master," she said, opening the back door for me.
I got in and sat down, followed by Irethiel who sat on the other side. Meira took her ce in the driver''s seat, her hands steady on the wheel.
She started the car, and the engine roared to life with a loud vroom.
VROOM--
***
Chapter 185 Rumors Of The Monarchs Treaty
As we made our way to the warp station, I gazed out of the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis around us. The city was adorned with towering skyscrapers and shing neon lights that added to its charm.
Suddenly, my phone rang, interrupting my view. I fished it out of my pocket and saw that it was Silvia''s maid calling.
[Hello.] I answered.
[Good day, Sir Ares. This is Verena, Miss Silvia''s maid. Have youpleted your work in the abandoned kingdom? Would you like me to arrange a pick-up for you?] she asked immediately.
[Yes, I am done with my work. But you don''t need to make any arrangements. I''m already on my way back to the academy.] I replied, politely declining her offer.
[I see. Your exploits have been all over the news, so I thought you might need my assistance with your travel arrangements.] she exined.
[No need to worry. My travel arrangements have already been taken care of.] I assured her before asking, [How is that demon brat doing? Did you notice anything peculiar about him?]
[About that...I have a slight problem to report.] she said, hesitating for a moment.
!?
[What kind of problem?] I asked, curious to know what had happened.
[It''s about that demon child you tasked me to look after... he''s disappeared.] she admitted reluctantly.
[What? How is that possible?] I muttered in disbelief.
[Y-Yes, he vanished suddenly after that massive energy wave that was most likely caused by the demon lord''s death.] she exined.
[And you think he was also caught in that and obliterated?] I asked, seeking confirmation.
[I''m...not entirely sure, but it''s a possibility.] she replied.
[Please forgive me for not being able toplete the task you assigned to me properly. I''m willing to ept any punishment you give me.] Verena apologized.
I already sensed that something was not quite right with that demon brat.
And I couldn''t help but wonder if he had read Verena''s mind and fled after sensing her hostility towards demons, or if he too was one of Pazuzu''s followers and had been caught in the wave and eliminated in the aftermath of the demon lord''s demise.
I weighed the possibilities for a moment before dismissing those thoughts for now and asked.
[What about Silvia? Has she not returned from her grandparents'' ce yet?]
[Well, things areplicated for Lady Silvia as well. Someone from the church has been investigating her, suspecting that she may be a vampire.] Verena replied.
''This seemed like the beginning of the end for the merchant association. The church was finally catching on, and it wouldn''t be long before they discovered that the association was being run by vampires.'' I thought.
[It''s fortunate that Silvia is not here at the moment.] I said aloud with a sigh.
I was also curious about Silvia''s meeting with the Shadow organization. She must have had a meeting with them by now. In the novel, she bes a member, but I''m not sure if she will choose to do so now. I wonder what decision Silvia will make.
[...I also heard a rumor that a major conference is being organized by the Hero Association soon, and the Vampire Lord has been invited to attend along with other monarchs of different races.
Though it is still unclear whether it''s a trap or not, but it seems that they want to join forces with the Vampire Lord to prepare for the uing battles against the demon race and demon lords.] Verena informed me.
"Huh?"
I was taken aback by Verena''s news. While vampires might not be as strong as they once were, they were still a formidable force.
So, I doubted that Jessica would be foolish enough to n anything against the Vampire Lord after inviting him to a conference.
Moreover, with the looming threat of the demon lords, it is imperative for all races to coborate. We all share amon enemy, as the demons pose a threat not only to humans but also to other races, it would be wise to set aside our differences and work together to defeat thismon foe.
However, like every other race, there are a few vampires who may choose to side with the demon lords.
''I recalled reading about a conference where monarchs from different races would gather to discuss countermeasures against the demon lords and sign a treaty.
The goal was to form a powerful team consisting of individuals from every race to protect the frontier against the demons.
But...that was in the distant future when more demon lords were unsealed and began wreaking havoc in every kingdom.
And as far as I knew, there was no mention of the Vampire Lord being invited to the conference or joining forces with the other races as well,'' I continued to ponder.
[The Churches won''t take kindly to it. Does Jessica really want to go against them?] I asked Verena.
[Yes, I think so too. I don''t believe the churches will be pleased with her decision to coborate with the vampires. I heard that the president of the Hero Association, Jessica, also invited representatives from the churches to attend the meeting.]
"...."
I paused for a moment, considering the implications of Jessica''s actions.
She was being incredibly bold by openly opposing the powerful Churches, especially when they would undoubtedly y a significant role in the fight against the demon lords.
Each church served a specific constetion, and the person chosen by the constetion would y a crucial role in the battle.
"Everyone in the churches will obey the orders of the person their constetion has chosen," I mused aloud. "But the churches were created only for the most powerful constetions."
It was a delicate bnce, and I wondered how Jessica nned to navigate it.
Although some constetions have already started to make their move and choose their desired avatar, it is still too early for other powerful constetions to do the same. Choosing an avatar is a crucial decision for them, as having a weak avatar who ends up dead would affect them as well.
''I exactly knew how the world will change when the chosen ones start appearing,'' I thought to myself.
However, not every chosen one is supportive of their race. Some may even join forces with the demons, and there will be those who only care about their own benefits, without considering whether their actions are good or bad.
"I can see how fast things are progressing, and it''s bing more dangerous," I murmured to myself.
I need to master my new skills quickly andprehend the extent of my constetion''s powers before the chosen ones start swarming up and shifting the power dynamics of the entire world.
Plus, I still have no clue what kind of transformation I''ll go through when using the constetion''s power. And the most critical thing is that I don''t even know who my constetion is.
[There''s no time to rest now.] I said with determination.
[I agree, I''ll try to get stronger as well.] Verena responded promptly.
"...."
[...Don''t mind me, I was just lost in thought. But, it''s good for you to get stronger and be of more help to Silvia.] I replied nonchntly.
Verena responded resolutely, [I''ll do my best to serve Lady Silvia.]
[Great, do your best.] I said, intending to end the call. But before I could, Verena spoke up again.
[Oh, are you nning on ending the call now? But what about my punishment though?] she asked.
''Silvia may have programmed her to be punished if she failed toplete my tasks,'' I pondered when I heard her.
[...Don''t worry about the punishment. Just try to find that demon brat and keep me updated if you find anything about him.] I instructed.
[Understood, I''ll start my search immediately.] Verena replied confidently.
[Good. And one more thing, be careful not to reveal your identity as a vampire to anyone and try to keep a low profile for now.] I warned, knowing that the church might already be after her.
[Don''t worry, Sir Ares. I know how to keep my identity a secret.] Verena assured me.
[Fine, and let me know if you hear anything from Silvia as well.] I added.
[Sure, I''ll inform you immediately if I hear anything from Lady Silvia.] she replied.
[Alright then, I''ll talk to youter.] I said before ending the call.
Tic¡ª
As the line went silent, I let out a deep sigh and leaned back in my seat. The situation was bing moreplicated with each passing day.
The demon lords were being unsealed, the chosen ones were starting to emerge, vampires were making their presence known, and the churches were making their moves.
It was clear that a great battle was on the horizon, and I needed to be prepared for it.
Moreover, unknown to anyone, the demons were already hiding among them, disguised, waiting for the right opportunity to wreak havoc when the demon lords were unsealed to give them time to recuperate.
I closed my eyes as I continued to ponder.
...
...
...
"Master, we have arrived," Meira informed me as I rested my eyes on the journey.
We had finally arrived at the warp station, arge circr structure surrounded by a high-tech barrier. Meira skillfully guided the car through the barrier and parked in a designated spot.
I slowly opened my eyes hearing Meria and noticed that Irethiel had already transformed into her crow form, and Meira was ncing back at me from her seat.
!?
"Is there something on my face?" I asked, confused by her expression.
"No, that''s not it. Your face is as handsome as ever," Meira said, gesturing towards Irethiel, who was perched on myp. "I was just wondering if that crow is Irethiel?" she asked.
"...."
Chapter 186 A Sudden Loss
"Master, I will join you after teleporting the vehicle first," Meira said, to which I nodded.
There was a separate warp gate for transporting vehicles and other heavy packages, so Meira went to take care of that while Irethiel and I headed inside the warp station.
"Wee, Sir Ares," the receptionist immediately rushed toward me as she recognized me.
I nodded and showed her my academy badge to prove my identity, as well as the return ticket I had purchased earlier.
After verifying my identity, the receptionist returned my academy badge and kept the ticket with her. With a warm smile, she led me to the private warp gate.
As we made our way through the bustling station, I couldn''t help but notice the stares and whispers from those who recognized me.
A few eager young fans rushed toward me, hoping to take pictures, but they were abruptly stopped by some unseen force that prevented them from getting too close.
Of course, It was Irethiel''s doing. She was using her force projection skill to create an invisible shield around us, preventing anyone from getting too close to me.
!?
"Huh? W-Why can''t we get any closer?" The eager fans eximed in surprise, baffled by the invisible barrier preventing them from approaching me.
I simply raised my hand and smiled at them as I continued walking, causing some of the girls to blush and the men to look on enviously.
Even the receptionist''s face turned red when she caught sight of my smile as she guided me to the private warp gate.
When I soon arrived at the private warp room, a massive guard in ck armor greeted me. He stood by the warp gate, sword at the ready, with a stern expression on his face.
"May I ask where you wish to warp to, Sir Ares?" he asked.
"...To the floating ind," I replied.
The receptionist handed him my ticket, and the guard examined it for a moment.
"Very well," he grunted, nodding his head, and started to make arrangements to activate the warp gate.
He located my destination by activating a certain crystal responsible for warping.
"Sir Ares, you may enter now," the guard finally said.
I nodded and stepped through the shimmering gateway.
With a loud whooshing sound, I was enveloped in a swirl of colors and light, my senses assailed by a cacophony of sights and sounds. I felt myself hurtling through space and time, heading towards my destination with breakneck speed.
WHOOOSH¡ª
In an instant, I arrived at the warp station of the Floating Ind.
[Wee to the Floating Ind.]
A cheery voice boomed from a nearby speaker.
[We hope you enjoy your stay!]
As soon as I arrived at the Floating Ind, I wasted no time and stepped out of the warp station onto the bustling streets. The curious stares of the people around me were familiar, but I paid them no mind as I had grown used to this kind of attention.
As I made my way toward the academy, my phone suddenly buzzed with an iing message.
Buzz!¡ª
I pulled it out and saw that I had received a message from Ivica.
''It is good that she contacted me, as I was about to contact her anyway,'' I thought as I opened her message.
However, when I read the text message, my eyes widened in shock.
!?
"What the...fuck is this message?" I muttered in disbelief as I furrowed my brows, reading the text message that hade from Ivica''s number.
[Message: Ivica is dead. Her funeral will be held near the waterfall. You are the only one she trusted. Come alone.]
That was the context of the message.
"...."
Judging by the tone of the message, I assumed it was from Ivica''s twin sister, who was known for her distant and cold attitude. Although I wasn''t close to her, I knew that Ivica trusted her sister more than anyone else.
In a state of disbelief, I whispered to myself, "...Is this for real?" My gaze was fixed on the message, and I couldn''t quiteprehend the news of Ivica''s passing. I wondered about the authenticity of the message and whether it was really true.
But then the reality set in, and the thought of attending Ivica''s funeral with only her sister for thepany left me feeling uneasy. The atmosphere wouldn''t be the best around us, as I don''t think she likes me very much.
I don''t know if the news is true, but if it is, I knew I had to keep my promise to Ivica and pay my final respects.
The text message also provided me with the location of the funeral, which was near a waterfall in the forest behind the academy.
I enveloped myself with electricity and in a sh, I zoomed toward my destination, leaving a trail of blue light behind.
As I dashed through the dense forest, my mind was consumed by thoughts of Ivica. It was difficult toe to terms with the fact that she was gone, especially when I had the strengthening fruits in my possession, which could have potentially saved her life.
The bitterness of the thought left a sour taste in my mouth, and I couldn''t help but wonder if it was fate or some cruel twist of destiny that prevented me from using the cure in time.
As I hastened my steps toward the waterfall, the sound of rushing water grew louder.
RUSHHH!¡ª
Upon reaching the spot, my gazended on a solemn sight: a wooden boat, adorned with flowers, was floating in the water. And there, standing half-submerged in the water beside it, was a woman with striking blue hair and emerald-green eyes.
She wore a thin, green outfit that clung to her form, but her expression was lifeless, and her eyes seemed empty.
It was clear to me that this was the funeral pyre for Ivica. And of course, the woman tending to the boat was her twin sister.
Despite the solemnity of the asion, I marveled at the beauty of the scene.
The waterfall, the boat, and the woman with the striking appearance seemed to be in perfect harmony. It was as if nature was paying its final respects to Ivica.
Step¡ª Step¡ª
As I closed in on the boat, I could see Ivica''s lifeless body lying on it, surrounded by colorful flowers.
She was wearing a simple white dress that flowed gently with the wind. Her long red hair was scattered around her, framing her face that was now pale and lifeless.
Her closed eyes seemed to hide a deep sense of peace, as if she was finally able to rest from the turmoil of life. Despite the stillness of her body, she still looked as beautiful as ever.
Chapter 187 A Serene Send-Off
As I approached the boat, Ivica''s body came into view. Shey there peacefully, surrounded by an array of colorful flowers. Her simple white dress flowed gently in the breeze, while her long red hair fell delicately around her face, now pale and unmoving.
Though her eyes were closed, she seemed to exude a sense of calm and serenity, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. Even in death, she remained as stunning as ever.
Ivica''s sister stood silently beside the boat, her hand caressing Ivica''s forehead. She appeared lost in thought, her empty eyes fixed on the still figure lying in front of her.
However, upon sensing my presence, she gave me a single, lifeless nce before turning back to her task. She appeared indifferent to my arrival, her face devoid of any emotion.
As I moved toward her, I noticed that she was arranging arge bouquet of colorful flowers, which seemed to be for Ivica''s final farewell. Her movements were slow and deliberate as if each flower was being ced with great care and attention.
I didn''t want to intrude on her private moment of mourning, so I silently stood there, watching her gentle movements as she carefully ced each flower into the arrangement. The scent of the flowers filled the air, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
After a few moments, Ivica''s sister spoke softly.
"She loved these flowers. She always said they reminded her of the beauty of life."
Her voice was low and filled with emotion, and I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes. I nodded in understanding, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts.
After she was satisfied with the flower arrangement, she took a final, lingering look at Ivica''s lifeless body. It was apparent that she was struggling with the thought of parting ways with her sister.
But eventually, with great reluctance, She began pushing the boat away from the shore, her thin frame trembling with the effort. It was clear she didn''t have the strength left to do it alone.
Seeing her struggle, I stepped into the water to help her. The water was colder than I had anticipated, and I felt the chill seep into my bones.
As I got closer to her, she looked up and met my eyes. I could see the surprise and confusion etched on her face, even though her expression remained emotionless.
Without a word, I ced my hands on the boat and started pushing with her. Thebined effort made a difference, and the boat started to move toward the center of the waterfall.
The sound of the rushing water grew louder as we got closer, and the mist from the waterfall soaked us to the bone.
Together, we pushed the boat until it was floating peacefully on the calm surface of the water.
And as the boat carrying Ivica''s deceased body floated further away from us, I couldn''t help but feel a heavy sense of regret wash over me.
I looked upon her pale, lifeless form and wondered if there was anything I could have done differently to save her. But now, it was toote.
The soft murmur of the waterfall provided a soothing background melody to the scene, while the boat gently rocked to the rhythm of the waves as it moved further.
(*Note: From now on, Ivica''s twin sister will be referred to as Evica.)
And as the boat drifted away, Evica drew out a bow and a red arrow with a ming attribute from her storage ring.
Without looking back, she aimed the arrow at the boat, her hands trembling as she struggled to steady her aim. I could see the pain and grief on her face, as I stood a short distance from her.
Feeling a sense of empathy, I waded over to her and gently ced a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me help you," I said quietly.
She didn''t acknowledge my presence, but her body seemed to rx slightly. Together, we steadied the arrow and aimed at the boat, my arms supporting hers.
After taking a deep breath, she released the arrow.
SWISH¡ª
The arrow flew through the air with a hiss, striking the boat with a resounding thud.
THUD¡ª
mes erupted from the arrow''s impact and quickly spread across the flowers and wood spreading to engulf the boat in a fiery ze.
The sound of the crackling mes mingled with the roar of the waterfall, creating a mournful symphony that echoed through the forest.
As the boat floated away, we stood in silence, watching as the mes consumed it.
Evica remained stoic, her face betraying no emotion. But I could see the tears glistening in her eyes as she watched her sister''s body disappear into the mes.
I stood beside her, offering her silent support as the boat burned, carried away by the current and we both paid our final respects to Ivica.
***
The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sky. We stood in silence, watching as the boat floated away, mes dancing on the water''s surface. The orange glow illuminated our faces, but eventually, the boat was out of our sight and only the smoke from the fire was visible, a dark smudge against the darkening sky.
The silence between us was heavy, and I wasn''t sure what to say. I could sense that Evica was lost in her own thoughts, so I decided to break the silence.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly, turning towards her.
She gave a small nod, but didn''t say anything. I could tell that she was still struggling with the loss of her sister. I reached out and ced a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer somefort.
"If you ever need someone to talk to, I''m here for you," I said gently.
Again, she gave a small nod, but didn''t say anything. We stood there in silence for a few more moments, before I finally turned to leave, my clothes drenched from the water, Evica spoke in a low voice, "Thank you," she said, finally breaking her silence. "I couldn''t have done it without your help."
I nodded in response, sensing a strange aura emanating from her with my left eye, making me feel the weight of the emotional moment.
"Of course. And I''m sorry for your loss," I replied softly.
Her expression remained distant, her eyes fixed on something in the distance. It was clear that the grief weighed heavily on her, and I knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss of her sister.
I was about to leave, giving her some space to mourn in peace when I heard her call out my name.
"Ares," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face her. That was when I noticed that she had retrieved an envelope from her storage ring and was holding it out to me.
"...This is a letter from Ivica," she said, her voice low and unsteady. Her face looked pained as she spoke. "She wrote it in her final moments. I''m not sure what it contains, but she trusted you enough to entrust it to you."
Despite her efforts to hold back her emotions, a single tear managed to escape from her eye and trickle down her cheek. She looked away from me, wiping the tear away with the back of her hand.
As I observed her, a pang of sympathy ran through me. I wished I could do something to console her, but I knew that words wouldn''t be enough. So, I just took the letter from her, sensing her gratitude in the way she held it out to me.
A mix of confusion and curiosity stirred inside me as I held the envelope in my hand. I wasn''t sure what Ivica had written in her final moments, but I couldn''t help but wonder what it was that she wanted to tell me.
"...Thank you," I said, my eyes fixed on the letter.
She remained silent, her eyes now closed as if seekingfort from the sky above. Her wet hair clung to her face, and water dripped down her cheeks, mingling with her tears. I could sense the heaviness of her sorrow, and I didn''t want to intrude on her solitude any longer.
With a final nod of farewell, I turned and got out of the water. My clothes were drenched, but I didn''t mind as I was lost in my own thoughts.
As I made my way back to the academy, my mind couldn''t help but wander to the letter Ivica had left me. What could it contain? Was it a final goodbye or a message of some sort? My curiosity gnawed at me, and I couldn''t wait to read it.
Chapter 188 Ivicas Letter [1] [Bonus !]
As I approached the gates of the academy in my drenched clothes, the guards looked confused but immediately swung the gates open when they recognized me.
I made my way inside, but the campus was eerily quiet with no students in sight.
When I arrived at the Special dormitory, the receptionist was surprised to see me still on campus.
"S-Sir Ares, I didn''t expect to see you here. All the students have already left for the tournament at ''The Golden Colosseum''," she said in disbelief.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her.
"When did they leave?" I asked, drenched clothes clinging to my skin.
As Ares turned to face her, the receptionist couldn''t help but notice the way his drenched clothes clung to his toned body, causing her cheeks to flush slightly.
However, she quicklyposed herself and spoke with urgency in her voice.
"T-They left a few hours ago, and the opening ceremony is tomorrow. I''ve been asked to inform you that as you''re the representative of the Soreh Academy, you need to be at the Colosseum earlier than anyone else because they''ll be conducting interviews with the representatives of every academy," she stated.
I nodded, acknowledging the information, and said, "I''ll head out to the tournament location early morning tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know." With that, I made my way to my room.
"W-What? By tomorrow? But everyone has already left though. How can the representative of our academy bete?" the receptionist muttered to herself in surprise.
...
...
As I walked towards the lift, I heard the receptionist muttering under her breath about me still being on the academy premises. Ignoring herments, I continued on to my room.
Once inside, I sat on the bed with Ivica''s letter in my hand, eager to read her final words to me.
"Poor half dragon, I thought she was lucky enough that you got that strengthening fruit, and her life would have been saved," Irethiel remarked.
"...."
I didn''t know how to respond to that, as I too believed I could have saved Ivica if only I had arrived sooner.
But as I looked at her body, it became clear that she had been dead for at least three days.
Despite the gruesome scene, something caught my attention, and I began to piece together what had happened.
It finally clicked in my mind why Evica still needed that strengthening fruit, even though it wouldn''t typically have an effect on her body.
With each new realization, the pieces of the puzzle started toe together, and I finally had a clear picture of how the currently weakened Evica would be stronger in the future to aid Lucas in the battle against the demon lords.
As I sat on my bed, holding Evica''s letter in my hand and lost in thought, Irethiel spoke up.
"I''m curious, why didn''t you give her sister that strengthening fruit now that you have it with you?" she asked.
I looked up at her and paused, considering my response.
"...Things would have only gotten worse if I had given her the fruit right after the funeral. She might have regretted that if I had arrived just a bit earlier, her sister might still be alive.
In fact, She may have even med me for everything as she was still grieving," I exined.
!?
"Why would she me you for her sister''s death? You brought the fruit for her, it wasn''t your fault that half-dragon died before you arrived, right?" Irethiel questioned.
"That''s ...just how the world works. People often need someone to me for their loss," I replied with a weary sigh, thinking back on the many times I had encountered this type of situation.
"...."
Nheless, I shook my head and came out of my thoughts as I opened the envelope and saw that there was a letter consisting of two pages pinned together which Ivica had left me. I began reading the first page.
***
Ivica''s Letter Page 1~
Dear Ares,
If you are reading this letter, then it means that I am no longer in this world. It brings me great sadness to know that I won''t be able to witness your future achievements.
But I am confident that with your growing strength, you will be able to face the demon lords without much difficulty in the future.
I hope that my sister can be of help to you in your quest, but please be patient with her as she can be stubborn at times. She tends to avoid worldly matters and thinks that everything is a drag.
There is so much I want to share with you about her, but I''m afraid I don''t have much time. So, let me get straight to the point of this letter.
You may wonder why I''m writing this letter to you. The truth is, there are a few things I need to tell you, but before I do that, I request that you take care of my sister and help her if she ever needed you. She may not want your help, but she needs someone to guide her.
And please give her that strengthening fruit when you get your hands on it in the future. I understand that our previous deal may not hold much value now that I am gone, as my sister is not strong enough to offer any help at the moment and she herself needs protection.
However, I assure you that when she bes stronger in the future, she will definitely repay your kindness.
...
But, seeing your growth, now I also got to know that you wouldn''t need her help in the future.
So, I just ask you to consider the information in this letter as part of the payment until Evica bes stronger.
Now that I''ve made my unreasonable request and hope you''ll ept it, let''s move on to the crucial part that I couldn''t speak to you about while I was alive due to the restrictions.
Let''s start with the day you arrived in this world. Although we met for the first time during the entrance examination, I already knew the exact day your residual soul arrived in this world.
My sister and I were already aware of your arrival date through our constetion. We share the same constetion, which might surprise you as it''s notmon for two avatars to be chosen by the same constetion. However, we are an exception.
And although it''s forbidden to mention the name of our constetion, I assume that you already know its identity and abilities due to your knowledge of the future.
Our constetion also warned us that an A-Rank monster would appear from a gate breakout on the Floating Ind that day and that you would be killed by it.
However, your master Mika, who usually only involves herself in matters concerning her, miraculously happened to be near that gate at the time.
You might have wondered how someone like Mika would bother to show up at the gate breakout, or how she even knew about the breakout, right?
But... the truth is she owed me a favor and upon my request, she arrived just in time to save you from the monster and ensure your survival.
"Well, I don''t want to take credit for SAVING YOU or anything like that. I just helped because I knew you were the ''One Who Knows The Future'' and I needed your help in finding the strengthening fruit."
And before you start thinking about why I didn''t arrive there and take care of that monster myself, let me just say in my defense that everything involving you isplicated in this world.
I didn''t want to draw attention to my weak sister, as we share the same identity. Moreover, our constetion warned me not to make a move myself. I knew that if I got involved with you, ''they'' woulde after my sister once I was gone, and she is not strong enough to defend against them. I hope you can understand my intentions.
And now that I think about it, I understand why you were so suicidal and fought that monster, even knowing you couldn''t defeat it. But perhaps it''s not my ce toment on that. Let''s just move on from that part.
PAGE 1 END¡ª
***
"...."
As I read through the first page, I paused to reflect on what I had just learned.
Firstly, the revtion of a constetion having two avatars was something new to me, as I had always thought that each constetion could only choose one person as its avatar.
"I never knew that was possible," I murmured to myself, surprised by this newfound knowledge.
Although Evica had mentioned that they were an exception, I couldn''t help but wonder if there were others out there in a simr situation. ''Maybe it was because they were twins?'' I thought.
As having two avatars could potentially provide an extrayer of protection, especially since not all constetions got along well together.
If a particr constetion was targeted, the avatars would likely be the first toe under attack. Killing the avatar would weaken the constetion, making them vulnerable to further attacks.
''What if a constetion has two avatars? Would the constetion''s power weaken after the death of one of their avatars, or would they still remain rtively unaffected?''
As I pondered this, a thought urred to me.
"...I wonder if Evica''s constetion''s power has been weakened now that one of their chosen avatars, Ivica, is dead," I muttered to myself.
However, after a moment of pondering, I decided to push aside my questions about the constetion''s avatars and moved on to the second matter mentioned in the letter - Mika''s unexpected presence at the gate outbreak.
Knowing Mika''s "Couldn''t care less" personality well, I always wondered what had motivated her to be there.
"So, she was there because of Ivica''s request huh?" I muttered to myself, feeling a sense of understanding wash over me. It all made sense now.
"...."
Chapter 189 Ivicas Letter [2] {FINALE}
I turned to the next page, curious to see what else Ivica had to say.
***
Ivica''s Letter Page 2 ~
Phew, I was able to live one more day...
I am currently speaking and writing this letter using an enchanted pen because Ick the energy to do so with my own hands. Please excuse any unnecessary babbling that may have urred as a result of my dictation.
To get right to the point, I used my constetion ability to ascertain that you were brought to this world for a specific reason. However, there is always a cost to exercising this power, and I am currently paying the price. Yet, I have no regrets about trying to assist you.
I discovered that there are two factions in this world that are closely monitoring your actions. The first is supportive of you because they feel you will help them achieve their goals. But, they will only assist you until you are helpful to them.
The second is working against you because they see you as a threat to their own objectives, and they will go to any length to eliminate you before you be too powerful.
In my opinion, both groups view you as a pawn in their schemes. I have managed to uncover their identities after facing several challenges. I understand I should not have gotten involved, but it is toote for me to turn back now.
They are a¡ª?a¡ª?a¡ª????...
I know this may sound unbelievable, but I assure you that it is true. You will eventuallye across them in the future.
Regardless of which side you choose, I have one piece of advice for you: do not be their tool. The entire world is like a chessboard, and you and Lucas are mere pawns being manipted by those in power. Your every move is being scrutinized and calcted.
I regret to say that even your encounter with the demoness Irethiel may have been part of their n. By saving her and signing a contract, you have made enemies of the demon lords, and that was their objective all along.
However, I am curious as to why all the demon lords areing after one demoness. Although she was once formidable, I wonder what she did to provoke such a reaction. If they wanted her dead, why did they imprison her in that dungeon in the first ce?
Regardless, I believe that Irethiel may provide you with the answers you seek.
I feel sorry that you have been dragged into their game. I hope that one day you will be strong enough to break free from their grasp and forge your own path.
Please do not let my words discourage you from pursuing your ambitions, Ares. It is important to be aware of the dangers that surround you, but that does not mean you should abandon your goals.
You possess great potential and are destined for greatness. I believe that you can ovee any obstacle thates your way. However, do not let your ambition blind you. Even the strongest warriors have weaknesses.
I know that you have already faced many challenges in this world. Unfortunately, the worst is yet toe. You will encounter enemies that will push you to your limits and test your resolve. However, remember that every defeat is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
Although I may not be there to witness your future, I have faith that you will aplish great things.
Wherever I may be, I will always be rooting for you.
Please remember that you are not alone in this world. You have allies and friends who will support you. You have the power to make a difference and create a better world.
It is up to you to decide whether you want to be a hero and rebuild the world, or ...a viin and destroy it. Whatever path you choose, remember that your actions will have consequences. Choose wisely.
Take care of yourself, Ares. Even in death, I will always be watching over you.
May your journey be filled with love,ughter, and triumphs. And may you never lose sight of your dreams, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.
Farewell, Ares.
With love,
Ivica
***
As soon as I finished reading the letter, I watched in astonishment as it started to smolder and crumble into ash before being carried away by a gentle breeze.
My mind raced as I tried to process the wealth of information I had just received. Questions flooded my thoughts.
''Who or what are these two forces she mentioned? Could they be demon lords and constetions?'' I pondered, unable to think of any other entity powerful enough to control people''s destinies.
"Since their identities were censored, maybe the enchanted pen was restricted from writing about them," I continued to specte.
"...."
The letter''s main point was the identities of the forces behind, but unfortunately, they were censored, rendering Ivica''s efforts to use her constetion''s ability futile.
It was apparent that using her ability came at a cost, and the consequences of doing so were already taking a toll on her body, which was already in a fragile state.
The fact that Ivica had used her prophetic foresight to try to help me, only added to the weight on my shoulders. I couldn''t help but wonder what might have happened if she hadn''t used her ability.
''Would she still be alive when I returned to the academy with the strengthening fruit?'' The thought alone was enough to make my heart heavy.
Oraculum, the constetion shared by Ivica and Evica, granted them the ability of prophetic foresight, allowing them to glimpse into the future and gain insights into events that were yet to unfold.However, they cannot use their abilities on themselves, nor can they see their own future.
"...."
In short, they cannot use their ability to gain future knowledge that could help them, but only to help someone else.
This ability perfectly suits selfless protagonists who do not care about their own well-being and are willing to face consequences in order to help others.
Because, the consequences of using such a powerful ability are immense, and it also appears that Ivica paid a heavy price for using it.
I shook my head in disbelief, muttering to myself, "What good is that ability if it can''t even help you find what you need to save your own life?"
While powerful, it''s just a bullshit ability with lots of drawbacks and consequences.
It was also the reason Ivica made a deal with me because her constetion realized I knew about some future events that she didn''t or couldn''t, such as the location of the strengthening fruit. This exins her eagerness to make a deal with me.
***
I shook my head and moved on from her constetion''s abilities to the section where she imed that every action I make is being calcted by these mysterious forces...which came as no surprise to me.
I''ve known this ever since I beganpleting my quests in this strange world, guided by the system.
I also understood that rescuing Irethiel would undoubtedly attract the attention of demon lords and probably other powerful entities. However, even with that knowledge, I realized I was helpless against them.
Therefore, for the time being, I''m stuck ying the role of their pawn. I may not enjoy all of the tasks that the system assigns me, but I must fulfill them nevertheless.
Each quest brings me one step closer to earning the strength and knowledge I require to be a true yer in this game.
Until that dayes, I''ll bide my time and work on bing a formidable opponent to those who seek to control me.
"I''ll move from being a mere pawn to a yer, and make my own moves to control this game board."
-- END OF VOLUME 1 --
Reference Pics~
Marz:
Evica:
Mika:
****
[Constetion Oraculum''s Description.]
Constetion Oraculum possesses the ability of prophetic foresight. She can see glimpses of the future and gain insights into events that have yet to unfold. These visions cane to her in the form of vivid dreams or shes of insight, and she uses them to guide her decisions and actions.
Oraculum''s foresight is not limited to a specific area or time frame. She can see events urring in distantnds or even in the distant future or has already ured in the past. However, the visions are often cryptic and symbolic, requiring her to interpret them to understand their true meaning.
Her ability allows her to sense potential threats and opportunities and help guide her allies toward their goals.
However, Oraculum''s ability of prophetic foresight may be powerful, but it also has its drawbacks.
For one, Oraculum''s avatars can''t use the ability on themselves, meaning they can''t see their own future or gain insights into events that may affect them directly.
Additionally, using the ability cane with significant consequences, taking a toll on the avatar''s body and possibly shortening their lifespan.
Despite these limitations, Oraculum''s ability has proven to be a valuable asset in certain situations, allowing the avatar to gain glimpses of the future and make informed decisions based on that knowledge.
It was this ability that led Ivica to make a deal with Ares, as her constetion was able to tell that Ares had knowledge of future events that could be of use in saving her life.
Chapter 190 Ivicas Death: The Flashbacks [1]
As soon as Ivica finished writing the letter, shey on the sofa, her body racked with pain and her face streaked with blood and tears.
She heard her sister''s panicked voice calling out to her, and struggled to sit up and face her.
"S-Sister?" Ivica managed to whisper, her voice barely audible over the sound of her ragged breathing.
"W-Why did you use your ability when you''re already so weakened?" Evica''s voice was thick with worry as she rushed to Ivica''s side, pulling out advanced healing potions from her storage ring.
But Ivica knew it was toote. She held Evica''s hand to stop her from wasting the precious potions and the little time she had left.
"I...will be leaving first, sister. I''m sorry I won''t be able to be with you any longer," Ivica said, her voice barely above a whisper. She moved her bloodied hand toward Evica''s cheek, a small, sorrowful smile on her lips and tears welling in her eyes.
"N-No, please don''t leave me alone, sister," Evica pleaded, holding Ivica''s hand tightly and feeling the tears streaming down her face. "What am I supposed to do without you in this world?"
As Ivica took her final breaths, Evica felt a sense of crushing loss and desperation. Ivica had always been the strong one, the one who protected her and kept her safe, she was her only family, and now she was fading away before her very eyes. Evica didn''t know how she was going to go on without her sister by her side.
***
Ivica''s vision began to blur, and she knew that this was the end for her.
As her life shed before her eyes, Ivica found herself caught in a vivid shback of her past. She was transported to a bustling city where she saw two young girls who looked to be around seven or eight years old, dressed in tattered clothes.
One of the girls had striking red hair and sharp emerald green eyes that belied a sense of maturity and resilience notmonly seen in children so young.
The other girl had blue hair and eyes that betrayed a timid and vulnerable personality. She held tightly onto her sister''s ragged clothing, looking up at her with a scared expression.
Ivica smiled as she watched the scene y out before her, immediately recognizing the two girls as herself and her sister, Evica. The memory was so vivid, it was as if she were reliving it again.
"Sister, I''m hungry," the blue-haired girl, Evica, said in a low voice.
"Don''t worry, I''ll buy you something to eat after I sell this," Ivica replied, her voice assuring and calm. Her sister nodded timidly,forted by her sister''s words.
Ivica had found a small trinket on the street and decided to sell it so they could buy some food. She had hoped that they would have a decent meal that day.
But when Ivica reached the marketce, she was met with hostility and cruelty from the vendors. They made fun of her and her sister for their ragged clothes and used them of stealing the trinket they were trying to sell.
Ivica was enraged. She knew that she had found the trinket on the street and had not stolen it. Yet, she couldn''t convince the vendors to buy it.
It was a tragic scene, one that left asting impression on Ivica. Because as she left the marketce to sell the trinket to some other vendors, she found herself and her sister suddenly surrounded by some thugs who wanted to steal the trinket and kidnap them.
"How adorable you both are. Why don''t youe with me? I''ll give you a job and some good food to eat. You both look hungry, don''t you?" A thin, frail-looking man disguised as a woman spoke as she held a small fan in front of her mouth.
Despite her youth, Ivica was no fool. She knew that the man in front of her had no good intentions toward her and her sister. So, she refused his offer and turned to leave. But as they tried to leave, the thugs surrounded them and refused to let them go.
It was broad daylight in the middle of the bustling city, yet no one bothered to try to help them.
"Tch, she''s trying to put her hands on those young girls again, huh?" one of the onlookers said.
"Who cares? They''re just beggars. At least they''ll get some food to eat," another onlooker stated.
"S-Sister, what should we do?" Evica asked her sister telepathically in a scared voice as she saw their evil grins.
"Don''t worry, just close your eyes for me, okay? It will be over in a minute," Ivica replied with a smile.
Although confused by her sister''s unusual request, Evica neverthelessplied with it, trusting her more than anything else in this world.
As the thugs advanced to grab them, Ivica took a deep breath and began to concentrate. Suddenly, she unleashed her magical power in the form of fire, and mes shot out from her hands like a methrower, engulfing the thugs in a sea of fire.
!?
AHHHHH¡ª
The thugs screamed in agony, writhing in pain. Ivica could feel the heat of the mes and the power that flowed through her body.
And all the onlookers who were just watching the girls being about to be kidnapped had their eyes widen in shock for a moment before they began to leave the ce in a hurry, worried that Ivica would attack them as well.
When thest of the thugs, the thin, frail man, tried to escape but fell to the ground engulfed in mes screaming, Evica opened her eyes and looked at her sister with a mix of shock and confusion. Ivica smiled at her reassuringly, letting her know that everything was going to be okay.
It was the first time Ivica had taken someone''s life, but she didn''t feel any remorse. It was a harsh reminder of the cruelty of the world they lived in, but also a testament to her determination to survive and protect her sister.
No one cared about the fate of the thugs who had attacked the girls, but news of Ivica''s impressive disy of magical prowess quickly spread throughout the city after the incident. It wasn''t long before the dean of the prestigious Soreh Academy, who happened to be in the city at the time, heard about her and sought to meet her in person.
Impressed by Ivica''s abilities, the dean offered to take her and her sister under her wing and train them. It was an opportunity that Ivica couldn''t pass up, especially considering the dangers that still lurked in the city. She knew that she wouldn''t be able to save her sister every time, so the chance to gain more knowledge and skills to protect themselves was too valuable to ignore.
A few dayster, Ivica found herself sitting in the dean''s luxurious mansion, surrounded by opulence that felt foreign and overwhelming to her. Lady Isadora Livingstone, the dean herself, had taken a personal interest in Ivica and her sister.
Isadora was a tall, regal woman with jet-ck hair and piercing blue eyes. Despite her intimidating presence, she weed them with open arms, treating them as her own children.
During one of their magic lessons, Isadora revealed to them that they were actually half-dragons. Ivica and her sister were surprised and a little frightened, but Isadora exined that their dragon blood was what gave them their unique abilities. She also warned them of the dangers that came with their lineage, urging them to keep it a secret to protect themselves from those who would seek to harm them.
***
Isadora also exined to them that, due to Evica''s weaker magical abilities, they would need to share the same identity to protect her. She presented them with a magical item that would disguise their true identities and make them appear as one person.
From that day forward, Ivica and her sister were known as a single person named "Ivica".
Isadora''s guidance and protection proved invaluable for them as despite Ivica''s young age she was able to continue to train at the Soreh Academy.
And while Ivica excelled in her magical abilities, her sister focused more on gaining bookish knowledge and was home-tutored by Isadora.
Their bond with their adoptive mother grew stronger with each passing day, but their happiness was short-lived.
One day, Isadora suddenly passed away, leaving Ivica and her sister alone once again at the age of fifteen.
Isadora''s passing was a devastating blow to both sisters. They had lost the only family they had known and trusted since their parents'' deaths.
The sisters were left to mourn their loss and continue their studies on their own and struggled toe to terms with the fact that their only source of safety and guidance was now gone.
Despite the pain, Ivica was determined to carry on her legacy and make her adoptive mother proud.
Chapter 191 Ivicas Death: The Flashbacks [2]
As she continued her studies at the academy, Ivica became more focused and driven than ever before. She poured herself into her magical studies, determined to be a powerful sorceress like Isadora had been.
In the years that followed, Ivica and her sister faced many challenges and dangers, but it only made Ivica a force to be reckoned with, as her strength increased with each passing day.
However, After Isadora''s passing, Ivica stumbled upon her adoptive mother''s diary, which unveiled the true nature of her condition and the fact that Isadora had been relentlessly seeking a cure for her.
Ivica had always known she was different from other humans due to her powerful dragon heart and magical abilities.
But Isadora''s diary exined that her human body couldn''t handle the immense power that coursed through her veins, and that she needed a special fruit called the Body StrengtheningFruit to strengthen her body and extend her lifespan.
Ever since then, Ivica had been searching for that fruit, never knowing when her time might run out.
They searched for the fruit''s location in every book possible, including a few ancient rune books, with the help of Roselia, the nine-tailed fox spirit who was somewhat proficient in the basics of the runenguage, but their efforts never came to bear fruit.
Ivica treasured each day as a gift, but the fear of leaving her sister alone weighed heavily on her, so there was never a day that she rested with her mind at peace.
She often wished she could find a way to ensure her sister''s safety even after she was gone.
As she had no friends whom she could trust with her sister''s safety, Ivica was always cautious of revealing her true identity as a half-dragon. However, after years of effort, she finally found an alternative that would allow her sister to gain the immense power needed to protect herself after her death, but even that solution would require the strengthening fruit.
Their never-ending search for the strengthening fruit continued, and one day, they caught the interest of a constetion. After learning about the constetion''s abilities, they became excited and immediately epted the offer to be her avatars.
However, only after bing her avatars, they discovered that they couldn''t use her abilities for their own benefit. They were back to square one, and the constetion''s ability proved to be useless in their search for the strengthening fruit.
Finally, their constetion became somewhat useful to them when she informed them of an otherworldly soul arriving in their world with knowledge of the future. This soul might also possibly know the location of the fruit they were looking for.
They didn''t care about the stranger''s origins or intentions. The only thing they cared about was that this person was their only hope.
However, the person who was supposed to be their final hope turned out to be a suicidal maniac who was tired of his life and didn''t care if he ended up dead.
Ivica already had a poor impression of Ares due to his behavior on the very first day of his arrival, but she didn''t know what he had gone through to give up on his newfound life so easily, while she struggled to live every day.
Seeing his suicidal tendencies, she knew he wouldn''t care about anyone else''s life if he couldn''t even care about his own.
Despite her initial reservations about the suicidal man, Ivica couldn''t help but feel curious about his past and what led him to this state. Using her constetion''s powers for the first time, she delved into his past, Although she wasn''t able to glean much information from what she saw, but could only piece together a rough idea of his situation.
With this knowledge, Ivica decided to try and give Ares a reason to live. Using her constetion''s ability again to show him a vision of the future, she crafted a dream that featured a woman''s voice calling out for his help.
Though he couldn''t see the woman''s appearance, he could sense a small ball of light approaching him, whispering for his help, "Help me Ares... Help me Ares..."
Though Ivica wasn''t sure how Ares interpreted the dream, it seemed to have worked - he was no longer as suicidal as before. They eventually met on the day of the entrance examination, though Ivica had to pay a price for using her constetion''s powers without caution.
Nevertheless, Ivica''s efforts had not gone to waste, as during her meeting with Ares, she discovered that he was aware of her being a half-dragon and in need of a strengthening fruit to survive.
Moreover, he seemed to know the location from where they could find it. Ivica was also surprised by how easily he epted her deal and was willing to help her.
However, during her conversation with him, she also noticed that Ares had no idea about her twin sister Evica. This raised many spections in her mind, such as "Why did he not know about Evica? Is it because we were still sharing the same identity even in the future he knows? Or...is she already dead in the future he knows, and so he only knows about her sister Evica?"
As time went by and Ivica''s body began to weaken, the gate Ares had mentioned was still yet to appear. This only confirmed her fear that Ares only knows about Evica, her sister because she might have already died in the future he knows.
Therefore, Ivica had already prepared a n to make her sister stronger with the help of the fruit after she had gone.
Unknowingly, she also began to trust Ares. "Was it because we both knew each other''s secrets?" Ivica thought.
He was only the third person she had begun to trust, the first being her sister and the second being her adoptive mother, Isadora.
***
As Ivicay on the sofa, her vision began to fade, and she thought to herself, ''I wonder if he will attend my funeral?''
She could hear the sound of her sister''s sobs in the distance, and it pained her to know that she would be leaving Evica alone.
But then, in the darkness, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Ivica, my dear child, do not be afraid."
Ivica''s eyes widened in recognition as the figure of Lady Isadora appeared before her. She looked just as regal as Ivica remembered her, with her jet-ck hair and piercing blue eyes.
Isadora approached Ivica and took her hand, her touch warm andforting.
"You have done well, my child," she said softly. "You have lived a good life and did everything you could to help your sister."
Ivica felt a surge of emotion well up within her. It was strange to see Isadora again after all these years, but it also brought her a sense of peace.
"I''m scared," Ivica whispered, her voice barely audible.
Isadora squeezed her hand gently. "There is nothing to be afraid of. You will always be with me, and we will watch over your sister together."
Ivica felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew that her time hade, but she was ready to face whatevery beyond.
As her vision faded to ck, she could hear Isadora''s voice whispering soothing words in her ear.
And then, finally, there was only silence as Ivica''s hand fell lifelessly downwards, signaling that she was now no longer in this world...
Chapter 192 To The Golden Colosseum...
Next Morning ~
The next morning, Ares woke up feeling exhausted after a long and eventful night. His thoughts were still fixed on the contents of the letter that Ivica had left for him, but he decided to push it aside and focus on the day ahead.
Today was the opening ceremony of the tournament, and Ares had to leave for the Golden Colosseum immediately. He took a quick shower and got dressed in his academy uniform.
As he stepped out of his room, he was surprised to see Livia standing outside his door.
"Ares?" Livia said, jumping into his arms for a hug.
Ares hugged her back, happy to see her. "Livia, you didn''t leave for the Golden Colosseum with the others?" Ares asked, slightly confused.
"No, I didn''t," Livia said, puffing out her cheeks slightly. "I was waiting for your call. You said you''d let me know when you got back to the academy, but you didn''t. Why?" she asked, looking at Ares with a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
"Sorry, some things came up and it was already prettyte when I arrived at the academy," Ares apologized with a smile.
Livia looked slightly disappointed, but then her expression brightened. "I see... Did you have breakfast?" she asked, her stomach rumbling audibly.
Ares hesitated, knowing they were already runningte for the opening ceremony.
"...."
"No, we don''t really have time for that. We''re alreadyte," he said, as he grabbed Livia''s hand and hurriedly moved outside the dorm building.
However, Livia didn''t seem to be deterred.
"Eh? I''m hungry though. And I also bought breakfast for both of us so we can eat together," she said, trying to keep up with Ares''s quick pace.
"Since we don''t have much time, you can enjoy your breakfast in the car. The Golden Colosseum is about an hour away from our academy," Ares said as they quickly left the academy premises.
When they arrived at the academy gate, Meira was already waiting in front of her car. She looked confused when she saw Livia, but she quickly held open the back door for Ares.
"Good morning, Master. I see you have a guest," Meira said with a smile, ncing at Livia.
"Good morning, Meira. Yes, this is Livia. She''s a friend of mine," Ares exined as they both got into the car.
Meira greeted Livia with a nod and a smile before starting the car engine with a soft hum and getting into the driver''s seat. She adjusted the mirrors and fastened her seatbelt before smoothly pulling out onto the road toward Golden Colosseum.
"So, who is she?" Livia asked as soon as the car began to move, pointing at Meira.
Meira focused her gaze on Ares from her rearview mirror, curious to hear his response.
"She''s my personal maid, Meira," Ares introduced.
Hearing Ares call her "my," Meira disregarded the next part and had a bright smile on her face as she now began to focus on the road ahead.
"Personal maid? She seems to be an assassin from how much bloodlust is oozing from her," Livia muttered nonchntly.
Ares was surprised to hear her statement and how quickly she was able to recognize Meira as an assassin.
"Anyway, I understand she is your maid, but why is Miss Roselia apanying us?" Livia spoke again, her gaze now fixed on Rose, who was sitting in the front seat beside Meira.
"...."
Ares paused, caught off guard by the question. "Well, even I don''t know why miss Roselia is here," he admitted.
He asked Irethiel to let Meira stay at Rose''s mansion as well with her when she arrived after transporting the vehicle yesterday.
"Rose also has to be there at the tournament, but she was waiting for my return," Irethiel''s voice echoed telepathically in Ares''s mind.
"I see," Ares replied as he nodded understandingly.
"Haha, please don''t mind me, if you want, you two can act lovey-dovey in the back seats. Treat me like I am invisible," Rose said with a chuckle from the front seat.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Meira gave her a deadly re that silenced herughter.
"...."
"Then, don''t mind if we do," Livia said as she abruptly took out a sandwich from her storage ring and unwrapped it.
She gestured it toward Ares''s mouth and said, "Say, Ahhh."
!?
Ares looked at her in surprise, but he couldn''t help but chuckle. "I can eat with my own hands, thank you," he said.
"Are you getting shy because of Miss Roselia? Don''t worry, just treat her as if she isn''t there," Livia said with a smile.
Ares took the sandwich from Livia''s hand and instead moved it toward her mouth. "Here, you seem more hungry than me, so you can have it," he said.
Livia didn''t hesitate to take a bite of the sandwich and began munching. She then took out another sandwich from her storage ring and passed it to Ares. "I had another one for you," she said with a grin.
Rose tried to stifle augh as she watched the exchange between Ares and Livia.
As they both munched on their sandwiches, Ares asked, "So, why were you so worried about me all of a sudden? I was surprised to see so many messages from you."
Livia hesitated for a moment before answering, "I-It''s nothing serious, forget about it," and began eating faster.
Sensing her difort, Ares had a feeling he knew what might be bothering her.
"So, did you beat your fianc¨¦?" he asked bluntly.
Livia''s eyes widened and she began to choke on her food.
Cough¡ªCough¡ª
Ares quickly retrieved a water bottle from his inventory and handed it to her.
After she had finished drinking, she asked him, "H-How did you know about that? Did my father or mother contact you? Or maybe his family? Or¡ª" She continued to ask questions.
"No one contacted me," Ares cut her off and replied. "It was just a guess."
"Y-You guessed?" Livia repeated incredulously. "H-How could you just guess something like that?"
"It''s just that I know you too well, and seeing your reaction, it seems like you mentioned me to them," Ares said, observing Livia''s demeanor closely.
"I-I''m sorry for involving you in this," Livia apologized, her head hung low.
"What did you tell them exactly? That you were worried they''de after me?" Ares asked, his curiosity piqued.
Livia hesitated for a moment before responding, "...I told them that I already have someone I like," she admitted, leaving out Ares'' name and other details.
Ares paused, taking a moment to process her words. "So you told them that you liked me, and when they didn''t agree with your wishes, you beat the shit out of your fianc¨¦," he summarized, his tone was that of amazement.
Once again, Livia was taken aback by Ares'' urate spection.
"I-I just beat him slightly," she protested.
"By slightly, do you mean you beat him to within an inch of his life?" Ares probed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
''There is no such thing as beating up slightly in Livia''s dictionary, I can only imagine her sudden concern means her father is trying toe after me.
As before we met, Livia never went against her father''s wishes, so he might be assuming I''ve brainwashed and spoiled her,'' Ares thought to himself, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Chapter 193 Livias Insecurities
"...I thought you were still going to act like you didn''t know about my feelings toward you," Livia said abruptly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
It was about time for me to confront her feelings as there was no point in pretending dense anymore.
"Well, Livia, I-"
But before I could say anything more, I felt the weight of Rose and Meira''s stares through the rearview mirror.
!?
"A-Ahem, though I told you to treat me as if I am invisible, I didn''t really mean it. I am getting embarrassed and jealous at the same time seeing my students confessing to each other in front of me," Roselia interrupted, putting a stop to my words.
"Ugh, you ruined the moment, Miss Roselia! I thought he was finally going toe clean about what he thinks of me," Livia eximed, turning her attention to the passing scenery outside the car window.
Despite the motion of the car, she watched the passing cars with a hint of disappointment, but deep down she felt relieved that Ares didn''t respond. Still, she couldn''t help but wonder if her confession would have been reciprocated.
''What if I had told him I love him? Would he have said it back?'' she mused to herself.
As she knew that Ares was a catch and that many other girls in their special ss were attracted to him. In fact, she could easily name more than half of the girls who had feelings for him, including that silly potato elf princess.
Livia didn''t even want to think about the girls from other sses and outside the academy who might also be vying for Ares'' attention, including his ex-fianc¨¦e Silvia.
It was only natural for everyone to like him, after all. Ares had everything a woman could want in a man - he was handsome, smart, strong, and rich.
Sometimes, Livia wished that Ares wasn''t the way he is. If he were just a little less perfect, maybe not everyone would have fallen for him and she would have had a better chance to win his heart. But s, Ares was too perfect, and Livia couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy and resignation.
Despite her confidence in her beauty, Livia couldn''t help but feel insecure about Ares'' feelings towards her. She knew that he had encountered many other women who were just as beautiful, if not more so than she was. In addition, she felt like she had nothing special to offer him. While she was among the strongest youngbatants, she was aware that Ares had already surpassed her in strength.
Livia realized that if she were to confess her feelings to him now, he would likely reject her and possibly even put her in the friend zone. She didn''t want to risk ruining their current dynamic, so she would rather not hear what Ares felt about her at all.
Livia''s eyes glowed with determination as she thought, ''Until I''m confident that I''m worthy of you and can im you only for myself, let''s just stay as we currently are, Ares.''
She was willing to let Ares be with other girls for the time being, as long as she could be strong enough to win him back eventually. She knew that with enough hard work and determination, she could prove herself to be the only one who truly deserved Ares''s heart.
"S-So, are you guys confident about winning the tournament?" Rose asked, Breaking the awkward silence.
!!
Livia snapped out of her thoughts and responded nonchntly, "...I don''t even see the point of this stupid tournament. Between Ares and me, we could beat every student into mashed potatoes." She yawned and rested her head on Ares''s shoulder.
"Huh?" Rose turned to face Ares and Livia. "D-Don''t tell me you guys didn''t read the tournament rules and information?"
!?
"What information?" Ares and Livia asked in unison.
Although Ares had read about the tournament rules in the novel, he wondered if they had changed.
"...."
"Didn''t you guys check your DMs?" Rose asked incredulously.
"DMs? I get thousands of those. Which DM are you talking about?" Ares asked.
"Same here. And I''m not really interested in chatting with anyone except Ares," Livia stated.
"I sent the details of the tournament in our ss group as well as personally DM''ed every student individually. You two, don''t tell me you left it unread," Rose inquired in an annoyed tone, staring at Ares and Livia.
Ares and Livia averted their gazes, feeling guilty for not checking their messages.
"Wow, the sky is red. It looks like a painting," Livia said suddenly, trying to change the topic.
Ares, understanding what Livia was trying to do, quickly chimed in, "Yeah, it''s beautiful, right?"
Both Ares and Livia admired the red sky, ignoring Rose''s frustrated stare.
"...."
Sigh¡ª
"Alright, it''s good that we can still catch up. Let me summarize the tournament instructions for you both," Rose said with a sigh of relief.
Ares and Livia turned their attention to Rose as she exined the rules.
"The tournament will take ce in the VR world," Rose began.
¡ªAll fighters must wear a special VR suit, which will be provided to them before the tournament. The suit will track their movements and provide an immersive experience to the fighters.
¡ªEvery student''s strength and mana will be adjusted equally, so it will be a fairpetition.
¡ªThe content of each match will be chosen randomly, so you won''t know what you''re up against until the day of the tournament.
¡ªAny use of forbidden techniques, spells, or items will result in immediate disqualification from the tournament.
¡ªAlso, there are restrictions on how many matches a single student can take part in, to avoid overexertion and ensure that everyone gets a fair chance.
...
...
¡ªThe winning academy will be determined by a points system, with points awarded for winning matches and performing well in each match.
She paused for a moment before continuing, "Oh, and one more thing. The winner of the tournament will receive a special prize, which will be announced at the end of the tournament."
As Ares listened to Rose, he realized that the instructions differed from what he had read in the novel. While there was a mention of the tournament taking ce in the VR world, there was no mention of all students starting on equal footing, with their strength and mana levels adjusted ordingly.
"So It is reminiscent of a video game, where every yer begins at Level 1 with the same stats," He muttered.
''However, despite the initial equalization, some students would inevitably rise above the rest due to their natural talent and experience. This would create a significant gap between those who knew how to wield their powers effectively and those who did not.
Ultimately, it would be the individuals who understood how to utilize their strengths to their fullest potential that would emerge victorious.'' Ares mused to himself.
!?
Livia furrowed her brow as she nced over the instructions on her phone.
"What''s the point of adjusting everyone''s strength and mana?" she asked, her voiceced with skepticism. "Won''t the person who knows how to control their powers properly alwayse out on top anyway?"
Ares was surprised to hear Livia''s question as it was simr to what he was thinking.
Rose smiled, sensing Livia''s confusion. "I understand your concern, But the reason they''re adjusting everyone''s strength and mana levels is to create a level ying field. In this way, every student starts with the same basic abilities, regardless of their natural talent or prior experience," she replied in a soothing tone.
"...But won''t talent and experience still make a difference?" she asked, her voice now tinged with curiosity.
"Of course, they will," Rose replied, chuckling softly. "But by equalizing everyone''s initial strengths, they''re giving all students a fair chance to learn and grow. And it''s not just about individual abilities. It''s also about how well students can work together as a team and make the most of the resources avable to them."
Livia nodded in understanding. "That makes sense," she murmured, her mind racing with new possibilities. "But what if some students still have an advantage due to ess to better equipment?"
"That''s a valid concern, Livia," she replied, her voice now tinged with empathy. "That''s why we''remitted to ensuring that all students have equal ess to resources. We want to create an environment where every student can seed based on their own merits, not just because of external factors beyond their control."
"I see," she whispered, "So it''s not just about winning, but about personal growth and development as well?"
"Exactly!" Rose eximed, "Ultimately, sess is not just about winning oring out on top. It''s about learning, growing, and pursuing your passions in a way that''s meaningful to you.
And that''s something that every student can achieve, regardless of their starting point or natural abilities."
"...."
As Ares overheard Livia and Rose''s conversation, he couldn''t help but shake his head in disbelief.
While he could appreciate some of the sentiment behind Rose''s words, he knew all too well that real life didn''t always work that way.
''There is no such thing as a level ying field in real life,'' he thought bitterly.
Some people had more advantages than others, whether it was due to their natural abilities, their family connections, or just in luck.
He watched as Livia nodded along eagerly, seemingly taken in by Rose''s message of hope and possibility.
Ares couldn''t help but feel sorry for her naivety and innocence.
"...She had yet to experience the harsh realities of the world, the disappointment and heartbreak that came with trying your hardest and still falling short," he whispered as he leaned back in his seat.
***
Chapter 194 The Golden Colosseum!
As Rose and Livia continued discussing the tournament instructions, their car approached the Golden Colosseum which is situated on a floating ind.
"We have arrived at the Golden Colosseum, Master," Meira announced as she parked the car outside the colosseum gate.
Before leaving the car, Rose handed Ares and Livia caps from her storage ring.
"Wear these," she instructed. The two put them on gratefully, knowing that a huge crowd of reporters awaited them outside.
''It would be bothersome if they recognized us and started rushing us for pictures and interviews,'' Ares and Livia had the same thought.
And as Meira opened the car door, Ares stepped out first and extended his hand to help Livia out. She smiled and took his hand, gracefully stepping out of the car.
"Meira, you can stay with Miss Roselia. I don''t think you will be allowed to enter the students'' amodations with me," Ares said to Meira.
Meira bowed slightly. "I will do as you say, Master."
Rose overheard their conversation and muttered to herself, "...Why does it look like he''s giving me the order to let Meira stay with me? He didn''t even ask for my permission."
"It does not look like he is giving you an order, in fact, he is really giving you an order," Irethiel replied when she overheard Rose.
Rose held her hair in frustration. "Argh, it makes me annoyed for some reason just thinking about it."
"...Don''t worry, you''ll get used to it," Irethiel remarked.
!?
Rose made a disbelieving expression when she heard Irethiel. As she never expected to hear those words from her prideful master.
''Is she really epting him as her master now?'' She thought.
As Meira stayed back with Rose, Ares and Livia walked towards the Golden Colosseum, the excitement of the crowds outside echoing in their ears. They had put on the caps given by Rose, hoping to remain unnoticed among the bustling crowds of people.
As they approached the massive structure, Livia couldn''t help but murmur, "It''s...marvelous!"
Ares nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it''s my first time here too."
The Golden Colosseum was an imposing structure unlike anything Ares had ever seen before.
The stadium was made of pure gold, with intricate carvings and designs etched into its walls.
As they approached the entrance, two burly guards stepped forward to block their path. One of them red at Ares and Livia before gruffly asking, "What''s your business here?"
"We''re here for the academy tournament," Ares replied, holding up his academy identity badge.
The guard''s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the badge. "Oh, a student from Soreh Academy! My apologies, I didn''t recognize you at first. Please proceed," he said, quickly signaling to hispanion to open the gate.
The gate slowly creaked open, revealing the grandeur of the Golden Colosseum in all its splendor.
As Ares and Livia walked through the gate, they were greeted by a bustling courtyard filled with people from all over the world. The air was thick with the sounds of music,ughter, and excitement.
The interior of the colosseum was just as impressive as the outside. The stadium was massive, with rows upon rows of seats towering over the field in the center.
The seats were arranged in a circr fashion, with each section of seats representing a different academy.
The field was constructed with a unique material that could transform into any terrain required for the match. However, it wouldn''t be utilized during the tournament as it was taking ce in the VR world. Instead, there were massive screens situated in the center that would provide the audience with a live experience.
The colosseum was more than just a stadium, it was aplete ecosystem. There were amodations for students and professors from different academies, as well as for spectators who hade to stay and watch the tournament until it ended.
The amodations were built to cater to the needs of different species, with everything from luxurious suites to dormitory-style rooms.
The food court was another highlight of the Colosseum. It was a massive area with hundreds of food stalls, each offering a different type of cuisine from around the world.
The smells of various dishes wafted through the air, making Livia''s stomachs rumble with hunger.
"I''m hungry, Ares," Livia said, tugging at his sleeve.
Ares nced at his phone for time. It had only been a few hours since they had breakfast, but Livia''s stomach seemed to have a mind of its own.
"...We can grab something to eat after we meet up with the other academy students," Ares suggested. "Remember, I''m the representative for our academy, and I need to check on how our team is doing."
"Okay, we cane back to eatter," Livia agreed andnodded, her gaze still fixed on the spread of delicaciesid out before them.
Ares sighed in relief as they walked further into the stadium. He noticed that there were other facilities on the way, such as training grounds for participating academies to hone their skills before the matches. There were also areas for vendors to sell their wares, and even a small amusement park to keep the younger visitors entertained.
Overall, the Golden Colosseum was not just a stadium, but aplete city in itself, with everything one could need for afortable stay while enjoying the tournament.
***
As Ares and Livia approached the amodations for Soreh Academy students, they were greeted by a woman with sleek ck hair wearing a white and gold uniform with a Bluetooth earpiece in her ear. She looked like she was part of the academy''s management team.
"Ah, Student Ares, you''re finally here! We''ve been waiting for you. The opening ceremony is about to begin, and all the representatives and vice representatives of the academies should be present on the main stage. There''s no time left," she spoke hurriedly.
Before Ares could respond, the woman took out a small device that had a design of a gun and pressed it against his chest.
Beep!¡ª
!?
"Sorry about that, I just needed to scan you for your measurements. I''ll send your new uniform to your room shortly. In the meantime, you can meet up with your team and vice representative. They''re waiting for you in the meeting room over there," she said, pointing to a nearby door.
And with that, the woman quickly scurried off, presumably to attend to other tasks.
"....."
"...She didn''t take my measurements though?" Livia asked, confusion etched on her face.
"There are different uniforms for Representatives and vice Representatives," Ares exined as he made his way toward the meeting room.
Livia followed him closely, "So... who is the vice representative then?" She asked.
"It''s Erina," Ares replied.
As they walked towards the meeting room, Livia couldn''t help but feel disappointed that she wasn''t chosen to be the vice representative.
She tugged on Ares'' sleeve again and asked, "W-Why wasn''t I chosen as the vice representative?"
"...Because you weren''t present at the academy when the decision was made," Ares exined.
"...."
Livia nodded, trying to understand. "I-I see. So that''s the only reason?"
Ares stopped in front of the meeting room door and turned to face her. "What other reason do you think I have? Erina was the most suitable choice in your absence."
"Y-Yeah, that makes sense," Livia nodded understandingly. However, a hint of disappointment lingered in her voice.
Despite this, she would also rather prefer Erina to be by Ares'' side as the vice representative over A and Diana.
***
Chapter 195 The Representative Arrives!
Click--
Ares pushed open the door to the meeting room, and all eyes of the student present instantly turned to him. And Erina who seemed to have been exining something to everyone halted in her sentence and turned toward the door that was just pushed open.
!?
"A-Ares?" Erina said followed by Diana, A, and Ziona, their jaws dropped in unison as they took in Ares'' imposing figure. The other students in the room also looked shocked at his transformation in just a few days.
He seems somewhat taller, more handsome, and even stronger than before.
"Sorry, I''mte," Ares said with a small smile as he removed the cap he was wearing.
Lucas, ude, and Kevin exchanged uneasy nces, feeling somewhat intimidated by Ares'' presence. It was as if they were standing before a high-ranking hero or adventurer.
As Ares walked to the center seat, the room fell silent. Everyone present couldn''t help but wonder, ''How he had grown so much stronger in such a short time?''
"Ha--haha, our representative is here! We''re going to win this tournament for sure!" one of the students eximed excitedly as Ares entered the meeting room.
The other students nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Ares''s imposing figure. He looked even more powerful and as confident as before.
Just from his mere appearance, they felt relieved and their anxiety and fear about not being able to perform well faded. As students of the famous Soreh Academy, everyone has high expectations of them.
Ares just gave them a reassuring smile, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Anyway, is Livia not with you?" A suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "She didn''t arrive with us, saying she would wait for your return."
Ares was just about to respond when they all heard Livia''s voice from the chair in the corner of the room.
"What do you need from me, fragile potato?" Livia asked, and began munching on the chips.
!?
A jumped, startled by the sudden sound. "Ah, Livia, you surprised me," she said, also annoyed by Livia''sment.
Most of the students were taken aback by Livia''s sudden appearance, and they looked at her with a mix of surprise and confusion. But Lucas, ude, Erina, and Ziona weren''t surprised at all. They had sensed her presence from the moment she arrived.
"...."
However, as ude caught sight of Livia, an unusual small smile appeared on his face.
Kevin, who noticed ude''s expression, decided to tease him. "I never knew you were interested in those chips, ude. Here, I have the same one that Livia''s eating," Kevin spoke aloud, grabbing everyone''s attention as he took out a bag of chips from his storage ring and passed it toward ude.
!!
ude''s smile immediately disappeared upon hearing Kevin''s words, and he stared at Kevin with a nk expression for a moment before shifting his gaze to the packet of chips.
"...Thank you," he said hesitantly as he took the chips, aware of everyone''s gazes upon him.
p-- p--
"Alright everyone, now that we have already finished discussing the tournament rules and our representative is also finally here, let''s begin strategizing on how we can win the tournament," Erina said, pping her hands to gather everyone''s attention.
"Right, we need to n our teams and coordinate our efforts," A added.
Everyone nodded in agreement as they prepared to discuss their strategies.
"I''m assuming you''ve already read the instructions too, Ares," Erina said, turning towards him.
"Don''t worry, I have," Ares replied with a smile.
"Then, as you already know, we can''t win this tournament with you alone being strong. So, we''ll need to split up into teams for each match. Here''s what I''m thinking," Erina continued, but was interrupted by Livia.
"I''m not worried about winning," Livia said, still munching on her chips, "With Ares and me, we can take on anyone." Her expression was that of irritation.
Erina interjected, "Actually, there are restrictions on how many matches a single student can participate in, so we can''t rely on just one or two people to win."
Livia didn''t respond and turned her head away, creating a brief moment of silence in the room. It was apparent to everyone that she was acting out of jealousy since she wasn''t the Vice representative and couldn''t be by Ares'' side.
As Livia''s feelings towards Ares were already a well-known topic throughout the academy.
"...."
"...We''ll have to wait and see what kind of matches we''ll be facing, as they are randomly allotted. Once we know more information, we can decide on our strategy," Ares spoke up breaking the silence and getting back everyone''s attention.
"Yes, that''s ...a good idea. Let''s focus on gathering information about the matches, and then we can decide on our teams," Erina nodded in agreement, with an awkward smile. She had hoped Ares might have more information about the types of matches they would be facing, but it seemed that wasn''t the case.
"I thought they sent the details about the different matches to the representative," she pondered.
"Erina, is that the new uniform you''re wearing? It looks great on you," Ares suddenlyplimented her with a warm smile, drawing the attention of every student in the room.
!!
As they never heard Arespliment a girl before, they all began to specte: "Don''t tell me he''s interested in Erina?" Everyone seemed to be interested in Ares'' love life, and there were even many famous social media pages shipping him with many female students, including Livia, Diana, and Silvia, among others.
"T-Thanks, Ares. I just got it an hour ago. Have you not received your representative uniform yet?" Erina asked, even though she was surprised to hear a suddenpliment from him.
"No, not yet. The management woman took my measurements earlier and said she would send it soon," Ares replied.
However, he could feel a sudden chill in the room, knowing the source of it. He eventually decided to ignore it, for now, shaking his head inwardly.
''I just hope Livia won''t ruin my ns,'' He mused.
Erina checked her pocket watch and muttered under her breath as she saw the time. "The ceremony starts in fifteen minutes. I hope your uniform arrives in time," she said with a hint of concern in her voice.
...
As they waited for the ceremony to begin, Diana brought up a new topic of discussion. "Hey, have you guys prepared for the interviews? I heard they will be broadcasted all around the world," she asked with excitement.
Ziona responded nonchntly, "I don''t think it''s that big of a deal. They''ll probably just ask some dumb questions to stir up drama with the other academies."
A chimed in, "That may be true, but it''s still important to be careful not to offend anyone in your interviews. We don''t want to make unnecessary enemies and make them team up against us, do we?"
Erina nodded in agreement, "Don''t worry, I''ve prepared for my interview and I''ll keep your advice in mind. Thanks for the heads up, A." She smiled, feeling confident about the uing interview.
''It seems like they''ve gotten close while I was away,'' Ares thought to himself, observing Erina''s reaction toward A. ''Perhaps she was swayed by A''s appearance as well,'' he continued to ponder.
"You''re prepared for the interview as well, right Ares?" Erina asked.
"Prepared? Ah, yeah I''m fully prepared," Ares replied with a smile, but he couldn''t help but inwardly chuckle at Erina taking A''s words so seriously.
A was probably just trying to make a good impression, but she knew as well as Ares did that no matter how hard they tried not to offend anyone, every academy would inevitably try to team up against them anyway.
As the saying goes, "The strongest bonds are formed against amon enemy."
And for the other academies, the Soreh academy was the ultimate enemy, with its reputation as the top academy in the world. They would stop at nothing to eliminate us from thepetition, even if it meant teaming up against us.
Ares had seen it happen before, in the novel that chronicled the fall and rise of the Soreh academy during the academy arc.
Despite Lucas''s hard work and dedication, the other academies had sessfully worked together to bring down the Soreh academy, which was eventually dethroned from its position as the number one academy in the world. Ack of teamwork among the students of Soreh academy had also yed a part in their defeat in the deciding match.
Ares couldn''t let that happen again. He knew that the other academies will be gunning for them, and he had to make sure that he was prepared for whatever they had in store.
He was determined to do everything in his power to ensure that the Soreh academy emerged victorious, even if it meant being strategic and maniptive.
Knock-- knock--
Everyone suddenly heard a knock on the door gathering their attention.
"Student Ares, your uniform is here."
They heard a female voice from outside the door.
Chapter 196 The Opening Ceremony!
After wearing his new Soreh Academy''s representative uniform, Ares exited his room as everyone was already waiting for him outside. There was no time left before the start of the opening ceremony, and it appeared that Soreh Academy students would be the first ones to enter the arena. He quickly headed towards the arena entrance where everyone was already present.
However, as soon as he arrived at the entrance, he once again caught the attention of all the girls. They were now openly staring at him with hearts appearing in their eyes as they scrutinized him from top to bottom in his new representative uniform.
''...A real-life prince charming,'' A thought to herself. Even though she knew Ares''s maniptive character and that everything he did had a reason, it was still hard for her to resist his charms.
"...."
Ares had an imposing presence as he stood tall and confident, with piercing ck eyes that seemed to look right through you. His ck hair was styled in a way that made it look effortlessly cool, and it framed his chiseled jawline perfectly.
He was dressed in a sleek and stylish ck and red uniform, with golden ents that caught the light and drew the eye. The shirt fit him perfectly, highlighting his muscr physique, and the ck pants hugged his legs in all the right ces.
The ck zer he wore over the shirt was tailored to fit him like a glove, with red trim and golden buttons that added a touch of elegance.
His footwear consisted of sturdy ck boots, designed for bothfort andbat. The boots had redces and golden buckles that matched the ents on the rest of his uniform.
A small shield bearing the Soreh Academy shield ''Svalinn'' was attached to his arm, secured with leather straps. His sword, a gleaming steel de with a golden hilt, hung at his side in a scabbard.
Thebination of his dashing appearance and his confident demeanor made him a force to be reckoned with, and it was no surprise that every girl was drooling over him.
THUT¡ª
Livia in irritation, suddenly burst the empty bag of chips, causing a loud noise that snapped every girl back to reality. They all became embarrassed and averted their gazes from Ares immediately.
"...."
Ares just smiled and moved to the front, standing beside Erina as they waited for their academy''s name to be announced before entering the arena.
"...Y-You look handsome in that uniform, Ares," Erina said in a low voice with a slight blush.
"Thanks," Ares said with a smile.
The other students, who had been standing behind them, couldn''t help but feel envious as they watched the two of them chatting and smiling. It was like they were a couple wearing matching uniforms, while the rest who stood behind them were mere background characters.
Livia gritted her teeth, frustrated that she wasn''t the one standing beside Ares. But she wasn''t the only one feeling this way.
Diana, who had always been concerned with Livia''s position next to Ares, was now ring at Erina with a distorted expression.
"It ...should have been me standing beside him," she muttered her nails digging into her palms.
As Diana watched Ares, she imagined herself standing beside him in their matching uniforms, she felt her heart flutter with excitement. Theyughed and chatted together, their voices like music to her ears, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was like a scene straight out of a romance novel.
...However, the announcement of their academy''s name brought her back to reality.
!!
Anticipation hung heavy in the air as the announcer called out the name of their academy. Ares and Erina stepped forward, their confidence and leadership palpable, as they led the team onto the brightly-lit arena.
The other students followed in nervous silence, their apprehension visible in every tense muscle and furrowed brow.
***
As the crowd gathered in the grand arena, the sound of trumpets signaled the start of the opening ceremony for the inter-academy tournament.
A hush fell over the crowd as the announcer stepped onto the center stage, a microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the opening ceremony of the 42nd annual inter-academy tournament!" he dered, his voice echoing across the arena. "Today, we have the honor of introducing the participating academies, who will bepeting for the prestigious championship title."
The announcer continued, "First, let''s wee the reigning champions, SOREH ACADEMY!!!" The crowd erupted in cheers as the team from Soreh Academy entered the arena, wearing their trademark red and gold tournament uniforms. The announcer described the academy''s rich history, their reputation for producing skilled Heroes, and their impressive record in past tournaments.
"Next up, we have the formidable fighters from the Martial Star Academy!" The team from Martial Star entered the arena to apuse, their green and ck uniforms reflecting their fierce reputation. The announcer described their focus on martial arts and hand-to-handbat, and their reputation for producing the strongest fighters in the tournament.
"Joining us from the distant shores of the east, we have the elegant warriors of the Cherry Blossom Academy!" The team from Cherry Blossom Academy entered the arena, their pink and white uniforms adorned with delicate floral designs. The announcer described their focus on grace and agility, and their use of unique weapons such as fans and ribbons.
"Next, we have the mysterious Shadow Academy, whose students are said to be experts in stealth and deception." The team from Shadow Academy entered the arena, their ck and gray uniforms blending into the shadows. The announcer described their reputation for secrecy and their focus on intelligence and strategy.
"Introducing the team from the Iron Fortress Academy, whose students are known for their formidable armor and heavy weapons." The team from Iron Fortress Academy entered the arena, their dark blue and silver uniforms reflecting their strength and durability. The announcer described their focus on defense and their use of shields, axes, and hammers.
"Joining us from thend of ice and snow, we have the cier Peak Academy, whose students are experts in survival and endurance." The team from cier Peak Academy entered the arena, their white and blue fur-lined uniforms reflecting their harsh environment. The announcer described their focus on adaptation and their use of unique weapons such as ice des and ice magic.
"Next, we have the Blitzkrieg Academy, whose students are masters of speed and agility." The team from Blitzkrieg Academy entered the arena, their yellow and ck uniforms reflecting their quick movements. The announcer described their focus on lightning-fast strikes and their use of weapons such as whips and daggers.
"Finally, we have the Royal Knight Academy, whose students are trained in chivalry and honor, and who serve as protectors of the realm." The team from Royal Knight Academy entered the arena, their silver and blue uniforms reflecting their noble and dignified presence. The announcer described their focus on the defense of the realm and their use of weapons such as spears and swords.
As each academy was introduced, the crowd cheered and the announcer highlighted their strengths and unique qualities, building anticipation and excitement for the uing tournament.
"Let''s give a big round of apuse to all our eight participating academies and their teams!" the announcer dered, his voice booming across the arena.
The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse, as each academy marched forward, disying its colors and banners proudly.
The Soreh Academy''s banner, featuring the golden shield "Svalinn," waved high above the heads of their team, who walked in a single file.
The sound of trumpets filled the air, apanied by the beating of drums, as each academy''s band marched alongside their team, ying upbeat and energetic music that set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
As each team passed by, the crowd''s cheers grew louder, admiring the different uniforms, each with its own unique design, that the teams wore with pride.
A young girl in the crowd caught sight of Ares and couldn''t contain her excitement. "Ares! I love youuu!" she shouted, jumping and waving her hand wildly.
Ares turned towards the girl and smiled, waving back. The girl''s friends were also taken aback, watching in awe as Ares acknowledged their presence.
"Kyaaaa! H-He smiled at me!" the girl jumped even more excitedly, unable to contain her excitement.
Erina couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she watched Ares effortlessly charm his adoring fans.
''He''s a natural with girls,'' she thought, giving him an uneasy side nce while he continued to smile and wave toward his fans.
She didn''t know why, but she couldn''t say that she liked what she was seeing. Even though she knew that these girls were just Ares''s fans and that they might never even have a chance to talk to him properly, she still felt uneasy hearing their confessions to him.
Ares, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by it all, as if he was already used to hearing confessions from girls every day.
...
...
As the parade of teams reached the center of the arena, they all came to a halt and faced the audience, creating a sea of colors and banners that stretched out as far as the eye could see.
The announcer stepped forward, "Before we begin the tournament, we will have a few brief interviews with the representatives and vice-representatives from each academy. Please wee them to the stage!"
Each academy''s representative and vice-representative stepped forward, greeted by apuse and cheers from the audience.
Chapter 197 Ares Arrogance
The announcer called out the representatives and vice representatives from each academy toe forward for a short interview before the start of the tournament. The students lined up in front of him, looking nervous yet excited.
The announcer began, "First up, we have the representative of the Royal Academy of Knights. Please introduce yourself."
A tall young man with brown hair stepped forward and said, "Greetings, everyone. I am Alexander, the representative of the Royal Academy of Knights."
The camera zoomed in on him, showing his confident smile and the emblem of the Royal Academy on his uniform.
"Can you tell us who you think is the most talented student in your academy? And who do you think will be your toughestpetition?" the announcer asked.
Alexander looked thoughtful for a moment before answering, "I believe all our students are talented in their own way. But there is one student who stands out, and that is the Vice-Representative of our academy, Princess Isabe. She has exceptional swordsmanship and strategic thinking skills.
As for our toughestpetition, I believe it will be Ares and Livia from the Soreh Academy. I have heard a lot about their talent."
The announcer turned to Isabe and asked, "Do you agree with your representative, Princess Isabe?"
Isabe, a tall and beautifuldy with grey hair and piercing eyes, nodded. "Yes, I agree with Alex. Ares and Livia are definitely formidable opponents.
But he missed out on another student who made his name due to his exceptional strength, and I am eager to fight him as well," she said confidently.
"Oh, and who might that student be?" the announcer asked, intrigued.
"It''s Hercules from the Martial Star Academy," she replied with a hint of challenge in her voice.
The camera panned over to a tall, muscr young man with jet-ck hair, who shed a cocky smirk in response to Isabe''sment. It was none other than Hercules, the vice-representative of the renowned Martial Star Academy and a feared fighter known for his brutalbat style.
The announcer moved to introduce the next academy, "Next up, we have the representatives and vice representatives of the magnificent Blitzkrieg Academy. Can you introduce yourselves please?"
A student with spiky blonde hair stepped forward and introduced himself as the representative, "Greetings everyone, I am Tyler, the representative of the Blitzkrieg Academy."
"And who do you think is the student from another academy that you need to be careful about?" the announcer asked.
Tyler smiled confidently, "As the representative of the Blitzkrieg Academy, I have no doubt that our students are the strongestpetitors in this tournament. However, I must acknowledge that Hercules from the Martial Star Academy is a formidable foe, with his massive size and fierce fighting style."
The announcer nodded in agreement before turning to the vice representative of the academy, a petite girl with short pink hair, "And what do you think, Freya?"
Freya grinned mischievously, "I agree with Tyler, but I also have my eyes on Ares. He''s known for his agility and strength and I''m excited to see how I match up against him."
...
As the interviews continued, some representatives named Ares as their toughestpetitor while others named Hercules, Livia, and others, causing a murmur of amazement from the crowd.
The announcer approached thest two academies in line, the Soreh Academy and Martial Star Academy. He turned to the representative of the Martial Star Academy, a slender girl with long auburn hair, and asked, "Can you please introduce yourself?"
"Of course, my name is Sakura, and I am the Representative of the Martial Star Academy," she replied, adjusting her sses.
"Great. So, who do you think is the student from another academy that you need to be careful about?" the announcer asked, holding the microphone toward her.
Sakura took a moment to ponder before answering, "In my opinion, we should keep an eye on Ares and Ziona from the Soreh Academy. Their intensive training regime and impressive swordsmanship make them worthy opponents."
"Interesting," the announcer responded, nodding. "And why do you think that?"
"Well, I''ve had the opportunity to observe them inbat before, when they were battling the demon cultists. Their skills were truly remarkable," Sakura replied, a faint smile gracing her lips.
The announcer turned to Hercules, the vice representative of the Martial Star Academy, who stood tall and muscr with jet-ck hair. "And how about you, Hercules? Who do you think you should watch out for?"
Hercules grinned arrogantly. "There''s no need to worry about anyone else when I''m around. I''ll be the one to win this tournament."
The announcer chuckled. "Confident as always, I see. And how do you n to achieve that?"
Hercules crossed his arms over his broad chest. "With my strength and skill, of course. No one can match me inbat."
The announcer then asked Hercules about Ares, who had broken many records and was considered a tough opponent by most of the other academy representatives.
"What are your thoughts on Ares, Hercules? He''s been getting a lot of attentiontely, and many of the other representatives think they should be careful of him," the announcer said with a small grin.
"Huh? Isn''t he just overrated? Just because he''s somewhat more handsome than me, everyone thinks he''s stronger than me. In fact, I can defeat him with just one punch," Hercules taunted, grinning arrogantly and openly challenging Ares.
The announcer chuckled, clearly pleased with the reaction he had elicited from Hercules. The other representatives looked on curiously, eager to hear how Ares would respond to Hercules'' challenge.
"I see, so you think you can defeat Ares with just one punch, huh?" the announcer repeated before turning towards the Soreh Academy representatives.
"Andst but not least, we have the representative from the Soreh Academy. You are a well-known figure now, Ares. But how do you feel about Hercules'' open challenge to you?" the announcer asked with a grin.
Ares replied with a condescending smile, his calm demeanor implying that he was simply stating facts. "He''s nothing but a brute who relies solely on his strength. Frankly, I don''t even consider him worthy of challenging me," he dered confidently, his arrogance palpable.
!?
Erina stared at Ares with wide eyes, and so did the other students.
Hercules'' expression twisted in anger, and he took a step forward, but he was stopped by his representative.
"I-I see. Then, is there someone else you think you should look out for?" the announcer probed, trying to steer the conversation.
"To be honest, if the tournament were taking ce in the real world with no restrictions, I am confident that I alone could beat the hell out of all of them myself," Ares said with a smile, causing gasps from the audience.
"However, Since we are lowering the power levels to prevent an oue of a one-sided battle and give them a proper chance, I think the twins, Ava and Eva, who are the representative and vice-representative of the Cherry Blossom Academy possess a unique fighting style that could pose a challenge even to me - especially their Blossoming Duet technique," Aresmented.
The audience murmured in surprise at Ares'' confidence, and some even looked fearful at the mention of the Cherry Blossom Academy''s twins.
Even the twins exchanged a surprised nce when they heard Ares mention their duet technique, which they had been secretly practicing with their father.
"How did he know about that technique?" they both wondered, confused as to how anyone else could have found out.
The announcer cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the conversation.
However, as Ares finished speaking, Hercules stepped forward again, looking angrier than before. "You''re just a cocky little brat," he growled. "I''ll make sure you regret saying that when we face off in the tournament."
Ares simply raised an eyebrow in response. "I''ll be looking forward to it," he said calmly. "But don''t expect an easy victory."
The crowd fell silent, their eyes widening as they watched the tense exchange between the twopetitors.
Erina, who was standing next to Ares, rolled her eyes. "Can we please focus on the interview now?" she said impatiently.
The announcer nodded, sensing the tension in the air. "Y-Yes, of course. So, any final words before we begin the tournament?"
Ares smiled wryly. "Just that I''m ready for whateveres my way," he said confidently. "And ...I hope everyone else is too." With that, he turned and walked back to his academy''s group.
"...."
"...Do you have anything else to add, Princess Erina?" the announcer asked, seeing Ares already leaving.
"Let the best academy win!" Erina simply said that and followed behind Ares.
She had eagerly prepared for this interview and nned to not make enemies of any academies, but it seemed that Ares had other ns.
She was not angry at Ares for taking shots at all the academies at once, as she knew Ares was not the type to do things without a n.
However, she was disappointed that Ares didn''t give her a heads-up about his ns beforehand.
The interviews finally came to an end and the representatives and vice representatives from each academy went back to their respective teams to prepare for the tournament.
The audience was buzzing with excitement as they eagerly awaited the start of thepetition.
As the interviews came to a close, the announcer''s voice filled the air once again, "Ladies and gentlemen, let the tournament begin!"
Tick-Tick-Tick-Tick
And with that, the Roulette began to spin on the huge holographic screen, visible to everyone in the arena. The crowd erupted with excitement as they watched the wheel select the content of the first match, marking the beginning of a thrilling andpetitive tournament that would determine which academy would emerge victorious.
Chapter 198 The Guests In The VIP Box
The group of friends of High ranking Heroes and Adventurers sat in avishly decorated VIP box overlooking the crowded arena below.
The atmosphere was rxed, with sses of wine and tes of food scattered around the room.
As they watched the interviews live on the holographic screen from the VIP box of the Arena, Joseph, a tall man with grey hair and a beard,mented on Ares'' challenge to all the academies.
"How arrogant of him," he said, folding his arms.
ine, the blonde-haired woman seated next to him, chuckled and took a sip of her wine.
Before she could respond, a thin man with ck hair and dark circles under his eyes leaned forward on the sofa and spoke, "It was a calcted move on his part. He knew that his academy, which has been the reigning champion for decades, would eventually be targeted by every other academy."
"...What does that even mean? If he knew that all the academies were already targeting his academy, he should have been more careful with his arrogant mouth, right? Why would he provoke them even further?" A muscr beastman asked, looking confused.
"He is ying mind games with his opponents," a soft and alluring voice interjected from behind Joseph and ine, catching their attention.
The trio turned around to see a tall and striking red-haired woman, dressed in a ck dress and sporting a pair of sleek sses that hid her eyes.
"What do you mean, Sarah?" Joseph asked, intrigued.
"Allow me to rify," Sarah said, her voice calm and measured. "Our cunning friend here is using a ssic tactic to sow seeds of doubt and confusion among his opponents. By boasting about his academy and proiming that he fears no one, he''s forcing the other academies to take notice and prepare for a potential challenge.
However, by mentioning a specific academy to watch out for, he''s subtly directing attention away from his own academy and towards a potential rival that may not even pose a threat.
The beastman man still seemed confused, prompting thezy-eyed man to speak up.
"Why are all beastmen muscleheads? Sigh." Thezy-eyed man sighed before speaking, "It''s a ssic misdirection technique. He''s making everyone think that the real threat is somewhere else.
Just think about it this way: Suppose there is a person whom everyone believes is the strongest, and they all want to defeat him to prove themselves. But suddenly, that same person acknowledges someone else as their strongestpetitor. What do you think everyone''s reaction to that would be?" he asked, pausing for a moment.
"They would be curious about that someone whom the strongest person thinks is theirpetitor. They would want to find out if that person really is strong¡ª" The beastman said, halting in his sentence as the realization began to dawn on him.
"D-Don''t tell me he just mentioned some underdog academy''s name to divert attention away from his academy," he eximed.
"That''s exactly what he did," Sarah confirmed with a smile, her spectacles sparkling.
The beastman scratched his head in confusion. "But wouldn''t the other academies eventually realize that he''s just diverting their attention?"
Sarah smirked. "Yeah, some smart students can easily see through his game. And those are the people he''s most worried about. The rest prideful teenagers who are eager to prove themselves will be too busy chasing their own tails to notice what''s really going on."
She raised a ss of wine in admiration. "I must say, he''s more cunning than I thought. I''m excited to see how this ys out."
"What a cunning brat!" Joseph muttered.
"Hehehe, he really is my type. Maybe I should get in touch with him after the tournament," ineughed while twirling her wine ss.
"...Don''t you already have a boyfriend, ine?" the beastman asked.
"...She already broke up with him. She can''t stick with a single man for more than a week," Sarahmented.
"Tch, it''s not my fault that they just run away from me for no reason," ine spoke, clicking her tongue.
"No reason? Your crazy fetish about getting defeated by a man but instead you beat them to half death, don''t you think that''s enough reason for them to run away?" Sarah remarked.
"Well, isn''t it natural for a woman to want to find a man stronger than her?" ine shrugged.
"...You ranked in the top 10 on the recent ranking list, didn''t you? How do you expect to find someone stronger than you? The ones above you are old geezers who are alreadymitted or married," Sarah added.
"There''s just a shortage of strong men in this world, so I am thinking of making a man strong myself," ine said before starting to chug her wine.
"...Then we will have another Duel, ine Vs Mika!" Thezy-eyed man said in a low voice.
"Yeah, Mika will definitelye after you if you try to steal her disciple," Sarah added, nodding.
"Nah, Wouldn''t she be happy for her disciple to have a beautiful and strong woman like myself by his side?" ine smirked.
"This reminds me of my ''date'' with Jessica," Joseph abruptly spoke, grabbing everyone''s attention.
"...."
"Pfft, hahaha," ine, Sarah, and the rest suddenly beganughing when they heard Joseph.
As the groupughed, Joseph couldn''t help but feel embarrassed. "What''s so funny?" he asked, trying to join in on the fun.
"Your obliviousness is what''s funny," ine said in betweenughs. "You still think Jessica was interested in you after all these years?"
Joseph''s face turned red with embarrassment as he realized why they wereughing.
"Oh...I see," he muttered, feeling foolish.
"Wait, you mean the A-Rank gate incident?" the beastman asked with a curious expression.
Joseph nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, I remember that," the beastman said with a chuckle. "You really thought it was a date, huh?"
"I mean, I did agree to go with her, and we had a good time," Joseph defended himself.
"Sure, but that doesn''t mean it was a date; it was just a gate you both cleared," ine said with a chuckle.
"Now that we are on the topic of Jessica, do you think she''ll be able to attend the tournament?" Sarah asked, taking a sip of her wine.
"No, unfortunately. She is preparing for the uing conference, and things will get troublesome after that. So till then, we are given a vacation," Joseph, who is also part of the Hero Association, replied, leaning back in his chair.
"And the main host, Ivica, is absent as well," thezy-eyed man whose name is David added.
"Rumor has it that she''s on the verge of breaking through to surpass a transcendent being," Sarah exined, prompting gasps from the group.
"...."
''Is there really a power beyond that of transcendent beings?'' they wondered inwardly.
The group fell into stunned silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"...Why is Marshal quiet today?" The beastman asked, breaking the silence and pointing at the blue-haired man sitting alone in the corner of the room lost in thought.
"Don''t mind him. His sister seems to have offended the guy who supposedly killed the demon lord," Sarah stated, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"You mean to say his sister offended that Marz boy?" Joseph inquired, intrigued.
"Yes," Sarah nodded, taking another sip of wine.
"...Do you guys really think that fragile-looking guy really killed a demon lord? I think it''s just a made-up story from Jessica," ine stated skeptically.
"No, it is not made up. Jessica would never do something like that," Joseph retorted. "Then how do you exin the red sky and the sudden deaths of the demon lords followers?" he added, raising a challenging eyebrow.
ine was trying toe up with an answer before David spoke up. "There was only one person who really managed to kill a demon lord in the past, but he ended up dead due to the bacsh. That''s the reason why the demon lords were sealed instead of killed back then. At least that''s what we read in the history books," he exined.
"So you mean to say that even if that Marz guy somehow managed to kill the demon lord, he might already be dead?" Sarah questioned.
"...No, he is not dead," Marshal, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly spoke up.
Everyone turned to him, their attention caught.
"That boy really killed a demon lord. Not only that, he also managed to kill around 1,00,000 monsters all by himself," he dered.
"Pftt¡ª Cough¡ªCough!"
ine''s wine sprayed out of her mouth in shock as she struggled to catch her breath.
"A-Are you serious?" she managed to gasp out.
Marshal nodded solemnly. "I was present when the data from his wristwatch was retrieved. His watch was fine and working, but he removed the trackers after a day, and we don''t even know how many more monsters he killed after that."
Silence descended upon the group as they all tried to process this new information. The idea that this boy had aplished such a feat was incredible, but the fact that he was still alive made it even more unbelievable.
Chapter 199 Misunderstandings At Their Finest!
"...What kind of skill did he use to wipe out the entire abandoned kingdom at once? Seeing the destruction, doesn''t it seem that his power has already surpassed that of an SS-Level?" Sarah''s voice trembled as she spoke.
The room fell silent for a moment when they heard her.
"...."
"...Good luck to the Adventurer Association, mate. You can only hope he isn''t a petty person who would wipe out the entire association just because of your sister.
Because, even if you offer them a fortune, adventurers won''t risk their lives fighting a losing battle. And as the Hero Association is already on bad terms with the Adventurer Association, they wouldn''t want to offend their valuable ally who could help them defeat demon lords," Rick, the beastman, looked apologetically at Marshal as he exined,
"...."
Marshal just stared at the beastman with a nk expression, wondering how his brain worked so well in this kind of situation. But hearing his words made him even more anxious.
Clink¡ª
!?
The sound of a shattering wine ss abruptly drew their attention, causing them to pivot toward its source. There, they beheld ine with her eyes aglow, a wide and ominous grin spread across her face.
''Ah, shit, this crazy woman is up to something again,'' they all thought at the same time.
ine suddenly got up from the sofa and took her jacket, which was hanging on the back of the sofa, before beginning to leave.
"W-Where are you going, ine?" Sarah asked hesitantly, but she already knew ine''s intentions.
"I''m going to find that Marz, of course. I''m curious how strong he is," ine replied.
"What about Ares? Weren''t you interested in him a moment ago?" Joseph inquired.
"Well, it seems I have found someone who is already stronger than me. I don''t need anyone else now," ine said, donning her jacket and smoothing down her hair.
The whole group just gave her a silent stare for a moment as she began to leave.
But the sound of ine''s footsteps faltered as Marshal''s words reached her ears. "He already has a girlfriend," he stated, causing her to stop in her tracks.
She turned to face him, her expression curious. "Who is she?" she asked, a hint of intrigue in her voice.
"It''s Silvia Urs, daughter of the president of the Merchant Association," Marshal replied, watching ine''s expression closely.
ine''s face contorted slightly, but she quicklyposed herself. "I... see. Don''t worry, I will deal with it. Do you have thest location where he was seen?" she inquired, her tone steady.
"Hisst known location was in the Khaldor Kingdom. After news of his search spread throughout the monarchies, he likely went into hiding to recuperate from his use of such immense power," Marshal exined.
"Did you try to reach out to his girlfriend for assistance?" ine inquired.
"We did, but unfortunately, she''s also missing," Marshal responded with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
He had hoped to convince Silvia to assist them and to persuade Marz not to take her sister''s words to heart. He was even willing to pay a significant sum to the merchant association for her help, but he had been unable to meet with her.
"...Maybe they went on a vacation together to help him recuperate," David spected.
"Hmm, that does seem like a usible exnation," ine agreed, and the rest of the group nodded in unison.
As they conversed amongst themselves, they were suddenly interrupted by the booming voice of the announcer.
Ting!¡ª
"Attention,dies, and gentlemen! The first match of the tournament has been determined, and it''s none other than...the Dungeon Crawl!" The announcer''s voice reverberated through the microphone as he pointed to the roulette on the screen.
"The Dungeon Crawl as the first match, huh? Looks like things are going to get bloody right from the start," Sarah muttered to herself.
***
During the team meeting to decide who would participate in the first match, Lucas spoke up with a displeased expression, questioning Ares'' decision to challenge all the academies at once.
"Why did you have to be so arrogant? Aren''t you afraid that now all the academies wille after us? It wouldn''t hurt to be nice sometimes," he said, voicing the concerns that many of the other students shared.
Kevin chimed in, adding, "We all know you''re strong and can deal with them, but what about the rest of us if they gang up on us when you''re not in the match?"
"Tch, weaklings!" Ziona clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"What are you all worried about? The matches are in the VR world, so you won''t actually get hurt. Are you afraid of losing?" she added.
ude nodded in agreement. "Now that everyone''s power levels will be equal, it will be a good opportunity to learn how to fight multiple enemies at once and improve ourselves."
Erina spoke up. "...Ares, we know you must have had a reason for challenging all the academies at once. Can you at least tell us your ns so we can understand?"
Ares replied with a smile, "Because ...I just felt like it."
His response left the group speechless, unsure of how to react.
"...."
"I am the representative of this Academy, and as such, you are all under mymand. So, just shut the fuck up and don''t question my authority or disobey my orders. If anyone has a problem with that, there are plenty of other students who would dly take your ce on the team," Ares dered in amanding tone, sending chills down everyone''s spines.
The room fell silent, and even Erina looked taken aback by Ares''s demeanor.
Ziona and Livia, on the other hand, grinned and nodded in approval of Ares''s words.
"Actually... I think our Representative is right," A spoke up suddenly.
!?
Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.
"Sister? What do you mean?" Lucas asked.
"Let me exin," A said. "Our academy has been one of the reigning champions for the past decade, so it''s only natural for all the other academies to firste after the toughestpetitor, which is our academy."
"In fact," A continued, "he helped protect the rest of us from being targeted and drew everyone''s attention to himself instead."
"...."
"W-Wait... so he provoked everyone for our sake?" one of the students eximed in realization.
Erina felt a wave of regret wash over her hearing A. ''Was that really the case?'' she mused inwardly, ''He was willing to go against every academy for our sake?''
"I''m such an idiot for not realizing his intentions," she scolded herself silently. Despite her previous doubts, Erina couldn''t help but feel a newfound respect for Ares, knowing the extent of his loyalty to their cause.
As the others began to see Ares in a new light, he couldn''t help but wonder, ''What the fuck is wrong with them? How could they so easily buy such a ridiculous lie?''
It surprised him that everyone seemed to take A''s words at face value without questioning her or considering other possibilities. It was as if they were all under some sort of hypnotic trance.
Ares observed with a mix of irritation and admiration as the others around him seemed to hang on to A''s every word. It was clear to him that she now held a great deal of influence over them.
''It only shows how much control she now has over them,'' Ares thought as he nced at A, who beamed at him in response.
"Did I do right, Ares? You want to praise me, don''t you?" she murmured to herself.
When Ares offered his hand to A, she felt conflicted. On one hand, she knew that two strong personalities like theirs couldn''t coexist in the same space. On the other hand, she couldn''t help but feel drawn to his charisma and conviction. As she took his hand, she felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for what they could aplish together.
And upon learning of Ares''s n to go against Hercules, A felt a sense of validation.Finally, someone who had the courage and strength to challenge the unbeatable Hercules, and perhaps even defeat him.
A''s own ambitions aligned perfectly with Ares''s goals, and she was determined to work alongside him to achieve their shared desires.
His determination and fearlessness only strengthened her resolve to join forces with him and use him to aplish her goals.
''Oh Ares, thou be the king and I be the queen. Let us use the pawns to our hearts'' content,'' A sinister smirk crept across A''s face as she thought to herself.
Chapter 200 The Dungeon Crawl Instructions
As Ares and Erina were discussing the team''s strategy for the uing match, they heard a knock on the door.
Knock¡ªknock¡ª
Ares nced at A, who nodded and went to open the door. A bald man in a management uniform stood outside, holding an envelope.
"Team Soreh Academy, I''m here to give you the match instructions for the uing Dungeon Crawl," he announced.
A took the envelope from him and handed it to Ares. He opened it and nced through the instructions briefly before passing it to Erina.
"...You want me to read it?" Erina asked, looking puzzled.
"Yes, I think you''re more suitable for this task," Ares said that with a smile, but he just didn''t want to be bothered exining it to them.
Erina looked a bit surprised, but she took the envelope from Ares and began to read the instructions aloud. As she went through it, she highlighted the key points and exined any confusing terminology.
[Wee to the ultimate test of skill, intelligence, and teamwork - the Dungeon Crawl match! In this virtual world, teams of five members each are transported to a perilous dungeon filled with monsters, traps, and puzzles.
The objective is simple - navigate through the dungeon, defeat monsters, and im the final crystal at the end of the dungeon.
The dungeon is designed to test the team''s skills, intelligence, and teamwork. Teams must work together to solve puzzles, ovee obstacles and strategize to progress through different paths, each of which is of varying difficulty but leads to a crystal.
The monsters encountered in the dungeon range in difficulty and strength, with some being easy to defeat, and others being formidable opponents that require careful nning and execution to ovee.
To win the match, teams must not only im the crystal, but also safely exit the dungeon with it in their possession.
However, iming the crystal is no easy feat, as the final chamber is guarded by a powerful boss monster that requires the full strength of the team to defeat.
Points are awarded based on the following criteria:
?First ce: 8 points
?Second ce: 5 points
?Third ce: 3 points
?Fourth ce: 1 point
Bonus points for achieving certain milestones or objectives within the match, such as being the first team to reach a milestone, having the most kills, and iming the most crystals.
Point system for defeating monsters based on their grade:
?E-grade monster: 20 kills = 1 point
?D-grade monster: 17 kills = 1 point
?C-grade monster: 15 kills = 1 point
?B-grade monster: 1 kill = 1 point
?A-grade monster: 1 kill = 5 points
Note that each crystal imed adds one additional point to the team''s score. However, only the team that exits the dungeon first with a crystal will receive time points, giving them an advantage in the final rankings.
With eight teamspeting and only four crystals to im, you''ll need to use all your skills, intelligence, and teamwork to emerge victorious. Good luck, and may the best team win!]
After Erina finished reading the instructions, there was a moment of silence as the team members processed the information.
Suddenly, a student raised their hand and posed a question, "I''m still unclear about the concept of time points. Doesn''t the team thates in first ce naturally have the shortest time? Can you rify how the time pointse into y?"
Erina acknowledged the question and began exining, "Yes, You''re correct. The team in first ce will have the shortest time, but there are other factors that can affect their overall score. For instance, the team that exits the dungeon first may not have collected as many crystals or defeated as many monsters as the team thates in second. This is where the time points can make a difference."
Despite Erina''s exnation, some students still appeared perplexed. To illustrate the point further, Diana stepped in and offered a clearer scenario.
"...Consider it this way," she began. "Suppose the first-ce teampleted the dungeon in 30 minutes, while the second-ce team finished in 25 minutes.
The first-ce team would still get 8 points for exiting the dungeon first, plus additional time points.
However, if the second-ce team managed to aplish other objectives, such as collecting more crystals or defeating more monsters than the first-ce team, their overall score could be higher.
They would get 5 points for second ce, plus points for monsters killed and total crystals collected, but no time points.
Only the first-ce team, which finished the dungeon in the shortest time, would receive time points as part of their overall score."
She paused briefly before adding, "In the end, the final winner of the match will be determined by tallying up all the points, not just by which team exited the dungeon with a crystal first.
The time point system provides an additional incentive for teams toplete the dungeon as quickly as possible, even if they know they cannot collect more crystals or kill more monsters," Diana concluded.
"...."
As Diana finished her exnation, which was even better and clearer than Erina''s, everyone stared at her with widened eyes in shock. They never expected that Diana, who was known for being obtuse,to exin something so clearly and concisely.
Even Ares and A, who thought they knew everyone in the academy like the back of their hand, were stunned. They couldn''t help but wonder if they had misjudged Diana all along.
Suddenly, under the weight of everyone''s gaze, Diana jumped in surprise.
!?
"I-I yed a video game with the same settings once. Was my exnation wrong?" she asked, tilting her head to the side with a confused expression, as if question marks were hovering above her head.
Erina shook her head and smiled. "No, you exined it even better than me. As expected of the future Elven Empress, I am impressed," she praised.
Diana puffed out her chest, a smug grin on her face as if waiting for more praise.
"...."
A raised an eyebrow, wondering if Diana had just lucked out with her exnation. ''I''ll reserve my judgment until I see more,'' she thought silently.
Chapter 201 Match 1: The Dungeon Crawl [1]
The first match of the tournament was about tomence, and each academy was determined to send in their strongest team to explore the virtual dungeon and im the crystal at the end.
It was a chance to show their dominance from the very first match and set the tone for the rest of thepetition.
Leading the team from Soreh Academy was Ares, apanied by ude, Diana, Eric, and Livia - all of whom were first-year students.
It was an unexpected lineup, as inexperienced students were rarely chosen for such events, let alone make up the entire team.
Erina, who was hesitant about the decision, voiced her concerns to Ares when they were left alone in the meeting room.
"Are you sure about this, Ares? We could add some more experienced students from the second or third year."
Although she knew that they were strong students, she was aware of the challenges that they would face due to theirck of experience.
Ares turned to Erina, sensing her hesitation. "I understand your concerns, Erina, but trust me, our team is more than capable of handling this. By showcasing our superior capabilities at the onset, we can set the tone for the entire tournament."
Erina nodded, reassured by Ares'' confidence. "I trust your discernment," she said, a small smile appearing on her face.
"I appreciate your trust," Ares responded with a smile before exiting the room.
His teammates, who were participating, eagerly awaited his arrival outside. "Are you all prepared?" inquired Ares, to which they all replied in unison with a nod.
...
As they entered the virtual reality room, they were met with students from other academies. Most of the students were from the second or third year, with only a few first-year students from each academy.
"So, Hercules isn''t participating in this match, huh?" Ares muttered as he surveyed the students gathered in the room. He noticed the twins, Eva and Ava from Cherry Blossom Academy, taking part in the first match as well. They gave him a skeptical look, likely still wondering how he knew about their unique duet technique. Ares just grinned in response.
"Is everyone ready for the first match?" a cheerful white-haired woman asked with a smile as she entered the room.
But no one replied to her. The anxiety ofpeting against the best students from other academies had already taken hold of them.
"I see. You''re all nervous about your first match, huh? It''s understandable," she said, nodding repeatedly.
"Are you students worried about the issue of eight teams and only four crystals to be imed?" She asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Can''t you just steal it from the other teams? Why not just hunt the teams instead of the monsters? If there are no teams, all the crystals will be yours," She said with a devious sparkle in her gaze, stretching her arms out wide with a sly grin.
"...."
''...She is not right in the head.'' thepetitors thought inwardly, unsure of what to make of her suggestion.
The woman shifted gears, her eyes glinting mischievously as she revealed an unexpected twist to the tournament rules.
"Ah, but there''s something they didn''t tell you in the instructions," she said, drawing their attention back to her. "Yes, it''s true that only the first four teams to im a crystal and exit the dungeon will earn points for it. But what they didn''t mention is that eventually, all teams will cross paths and be forced to fight both monsters and each other for the crystals.
It''s a battle royale, so to speak, and the only way to win is to not only im the crystal, but also keep it safe from your rivals as you make your escape through the ONE AND ONLY exit."
!?
The shock on the students'' faces was palpable, and their hearts raced at the thought of the chaos that was sure to ensue. With multiple paths to choose from, they hoped there would be enough exits for everyone.
The woman''s smile only widened in response, clearly enjoying the chaos she had stirred up with her revtion.
She then sped her hands and let out a small sigh, her eyes scanning the group before her. "Now, it''s time for you to enter the VR rooms designated to your academy," she announced.
With a press of a button on a remote she was holding, eight doors sprang open, each one marked with the name of a different academy. The students hesitated for a moment, casting wary nces at their opponents before them.
As they made their way toward their assigned rooms, the woman''s voice rang out once more. "Remember, your mana and strength levels will be automatically adjusted equally to match the dungeon''s difficulty. And after you teleport, you''ll have the option to select a single weapon to aid you in your quest."
The students nodded, trying to steady their nerves as they stepped inside their respective virtual rooms, knowing that the dungeon would be treacherous and filled with danger.
***
Ares and his team stepped into their designated pod, the door sliding shut behind them. They quickly strapped on their VR gear, adjusting it until it fitsfortably.
A sense of excitement mixed with apprehension hung in the air as they prepared for the challenge ahead.
Diana spoke up, "Remember, we''re a team, and we stick together. We''ll have each other''s backs and make it through this together."
"...Right," Eric said, nodding in agreement. "We need to stay focused and be aware of our surroundings. We can''t let our guard down for a second."
The screen in front of them flickered to life, and they felt themselves being transported into the virtual world of the dungeon.
...
...
Beep!--
[Preparation Phase: 2 minutes]
The team materialized in the dungeon, and a timer for the preparation phase appeared on a floating screen in front of them.
And they were presented with a range of weapons to choose from, and without hesitation, Ares selected his trusted katana.
Simrly, Diana, Livia, ude, and Eric selected their respective weapons. Once they had made their choices, the screen vanished.
They essed another screen that disyed their HP and Mana, along with a voice chat option.
As Ares turned to face his teammates, he noticed their HP disyed above their heads. Each teammate could also see the HP of the others.
"Hello, hello, mic testing!" Diana''s voice echoed in the voice chat.
"Shut up!" Livia said immediately after hearing Diana''s voice that echoed in her ear.
"...."
"Considering our mana levels, I don''t think we can afford to use our skills recklessly," ude said.
The team nodded in agreement, unsure if their mana would regenerate or if they would have toplete the entire match with their current levels.
Ares, however, was not concerned, as he knew that all the other teams would be facing simr limitations.
Beep!--
[Preparation Phase Ended: Let The Dungeon Crawl Match Begin!]
Their thoughts were interrupted by the robotic voice as it announced the end of the Preparation Phase.
Ares wasted no time in taking charge. "Listen up," he said. "Time is against us. We need to stick together and conserve our mana. Let''s move ahead without dy."
"ude, scout ahead and report back. Diana, cover our nks. Eric, take point. Livia, keep us protected with your ice spells," he ordered.
The team nodded in unison and began to advance, their footsteps echoing through the dark corridor.
ude moved ahead silently, like a stealthy assassin, his keen senses on high alert. Suddenly, he signaled to the others to stop, a warning in his eyes.
"I can hear movement," he whispered.
Ares nodded in agreement. "Eric, take point. Diana, get ready to shoot. ude, stay hidden. Livia, be prepared to shield us."
With their limited mana, Ares knew it would be foolish to recklessly engage with the enemies. Additionally, since they would be facing other teams at the end, he knew they had to conserve as much mana as possible.
Eric, a towering tank, advanced with his shield at the ready. Diana drew her bow, nocking an arrow in preparation for battle, while Livia conjured a shimmering ice barrier to protect them.
Suddenly, the team was ambushed from all directions by a pack of snarling werewolves. Ares reacted quickly, dashing forward and shing through their thick hides with deadly precision. Meanwhile, ude slipped into the shadows, his agile form darting in and out of the fray, dealing quick and fatal stabs with his twin daggers.
SWASH-- SWASH--
Diana stood back, unleashing a barrage of arrows that whizzed past Ares and ude by a hair''s breadth before finding their mark.
SWOOSH--SWOOSH--
Her arrows pierced through the werewolves'' armor, exploiting their weak spots.
Eric, the team''s shield-bearer, stood his ground with his shield raised high as the werewolves charged at him. He braced himself, mming his shield into them with a resounding ng, knocking them off bnce and allowing the rest of the team to strike with deadly precision.
CLANG--
Meanwhile, Livia channeled her icy magic, causing the ground to freeze beneath the Werewolves'' feet, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from the rest of the team.
As the battle raged on, the team worked together wlessly, covering each other''s backs and taking down the monstrous beasts with relentless ferocity.
Finally, with a final roar, thest Werewolf fell, and the team breathed a collective sigh of relief. Ares nodded in approval, scanning the area for any further threats.
"Good job, everyone," he said, his voice low and steady. "But we can''t afford to let our guard down. Let''s move ahead, but remain vignt."
To be continued...
Chapter 202 Match 1: The Dungeon Crawl [2]
As the team made their way through the winding passages of the dungeon, they encountered several rooms, each presenting its own set of obstacles and dangers. In one room, they found hidden spiked traps on the floor that could impale anyone who stepped on them. Additionally, rotating des threatened to slice through anything in their path.
In another room, the air was thick with poisonous gas, andva pits bubbled menacingly into the ground.
After deliberating for a moment, Ares asked the team, "Which room should we choose?"
And after a brief discussion, they decided to enter the room with the spiked traps and rotating des.
As they cautiously entered the room filled with spiked traps and rotating des, they were met with a dizzying array of dangers.
Ares took the lead and began to analyze the room for any hidden dangers. His Hawk''s eyes scanned every corner, looking for anything that might put them in harm''s way.
After a moment of studying the room, he turned to his teammates and spoke with authority, "Stay close and watch your step."
"ude, I need you to keep an eye out for any hidden traps or mechanisms. Diana, use your arrows to trigger any traps from a safe distance. Eric, you''re on the front again. Use your shield to block any iing attacks, and take the lead. Livia, I need you to create a barrier around us to protect us from any surprise attacks."
The team nodded, and Eric took the lead, his shield raised high to protect them. As they moved forward, a sudden barrage of arrows shot out from the walls, aimed directly at them.
Swish¡ªSwish¡ªSwish
"Arrows iing! Diana, take them out!" Ares instructed.
Diana quickly pulled out her bow and took aim, firing a series of arrows at the iing projectiles.
Tink¡ªTink¡ªTink
With precision and skill, she managed to knock each one out of the air before it could hit any of her teammates.
"Nice work, Diana!" Ares said in a voice chat, to which Diana nodded with a satisfied smile.
As the team moved through the trap-filled room, they were suddenly set upon by a group of Hobgoblins armed with swords. One of the Hobgoblins spotted them and let out a loud screech, signaling to the others to attack.
The group of Hobgoblins sprang into action, swinging their crude weapons at the team.
Eric charged forward with his shield raised high, blocking each attack with deft movements. Meanwhile, Ares darted forward with his katana, taking down one Hobgoblin after another with deadly precision.
ude moved in from the shadows, his daggers glinting in his yellow aura. He moved with a grace that belied his deadly intent, slipping between the Hobgoblins and taking them out one by one. The Hobgoblins barely had time to react before they were falling to the ground, lifeless.
Diana provided cover fire for her teammates, scanning the room for any new threats that might emerge. When she spotted a Hobgoblin sneaking up on Eric from behind, she let loose an arrow that struck it down before it could strike.
Despite the intense battle, Livia conserved her mana, following Ares''mand to save their resources for more challenging foes.
As thest of the Hobgoblins fell, the team members took a moment to catch their breath and survey their surroundings.
Suddenly, they heard a low growling noise, like that of a wild animal, and Diana''s voice rang out in the tense silence. "...It seems to be a B-Rank monster," she informed the group, her tone serious.
And as they rounded the corner, they saw - a massive troll, twice the size of a man, with a jagged club in its hand. The troll roared and charged at them, its club raised high.
"Get behind me," Eric roared, stepping forward to block the troll''s attack. The troll swung its club with incredible force, but Eric''s shield deflected the blow.
CLINK¡ª
ude darted around the troll, with his daggers coated in an aura. He stabbed the troll in the back, but his attacks barely seemed to faze it.
The troll turned and swatted ude aside, sending him crashing into the wall with a resounding thud. His HP dropped by half from just that one attack, and as he tried to get back on his feet, he realized that the restrictions on his strength were the reason his daggers weren''t able to deal any damage to the troll.
Noticing ude sent flying, Ares rushed in to take his ce, shing at the troll''s legs with his katana.
Diana fired arrow after arrow at the troll, but they seemed to bounce off its thick hide. Livia conjured a st of ice, hoping to slow the troll down.
? As the battle raged on, it became clear that the troll was no ordinary foe to deal with their current strength. With each swing of its club, the ground shook beneath their feet, and its thick hide seemed impervious to their attacks.
Eric stood firm, blocking blow after blow with his shield, while the rest of the team worked to whittle down the troll''s massive health bar. ude, undeterred by his earlier setback, slipped back into the fray, his daggers glowing with a fierce aura.
But even with theirbined efforts, it seemed like they were barely making a dent in the troll''s health. Ares gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a solution.
"We need a new n," Ares said, dodging a blow from the troll''s club. "Eric, can you lure it into the trap we saw earlier?"
Eric nodded and charged forward, taunting the troll to follow him by using his Crowd Control skill to get the troll''s attention.
And his skill seems to have worked well as the troll roared and charged after Eric, blindly following him toward the trap.
The team watched with bated breath as the trap was sprung, a pit opening up beneath the troll''s feet. And as the troll fell into the pit trap with a loud thud, it roared in anger and thrashed about, trying to climb out.
Ares quickly charged toward the trapped troll and used his skill Atomic sh, gathering all of his strength and focus.
His Katana glowed with a bright, blue light the air crackled with energy as he swung his Katana in a series of lightning-fast strikes, leaving behind trails of light that illuminated the pit.
Swash¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
As the attack was finished, Ares stood with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that he had dealt the final blow to the troll. The creature let out one final, pitiful roar before his sliced body copsed to the ground.
Fuuu¡ª
Everyone let out a sigh of relief as the troll fell defeated. It was clear they had used a significant amount of mana in dealing with the powerful creature.
"...We struggled so much against a single troll, how are we supposed to handle the boss monster guarding the crystals?" Eric voiced his concern.
The team turned to Ares, hoping he might have some n on how to defeat the powerful Boss monster that will be guarding the crystal. But Ares was lost in thought.
"...The boss monster is not meant to be tackled by a single team," he finally spoke up.
!?
Chapter 203 Match 1: The Dungeon Crawl [3]
[Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and bloodshed. Reader discretion is advised.]
***
Ares realized that defeating the troll had been a struggle akin to level 1 yers battling a level 10 monster. If there were no strength restrictions, he could have easily handled the troll on his own. However, he now understood that they needed more help to take down the boss monster which will most likely be an A-Rank.
"...What do you mean by that Ares? Does that mean we have to team up with other academies to fight a boss monster?" Diana inquired, looking confused. The rest of the team shared her sentiment.
''Team up?'' Ares chuckled inwardly at her question.
"Think about it," Ares said, his voice ringing with conviction. "Even if we team up with other academies to defeat a boss monster, there''s only one crystal in one path. What happens if they turn on us immediately afterward? Not to mention, the academy thatnds the final blow on the monster gets a whopping 5 points, equivalent to second ce.
With our limited mana and strength, we have no idea who wille out on top if we have to fight multiple academies at once."
He paused, contemting the situation. ''We need toe up with a different approach. Something that doesn''t rely on brute force and won''t put us in such a vulnerable position.''
As Ares pondered a n, ude''s interruption cut through his thoughts.
"...We''ve gotpany," ude said, already brandishing his daggers.
Diana quickly confirmed ude''s observation. "It seems the sound of our fight has gathered the attention of other teams," she said.
Without hesitation, Ares gave his order. "Diana, ude, Hide!" hemanded as there was no need to fight them head-on.
The two of them looked at each other with confusion but followed Ares'' orders nheless.
As they hid, the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. Finally, a group of students led by a red-haired boy wielding a dagger appeared before them.
"Oh, look what we have here," the red-haired boy sneered. "Students from the infamous Soreh Academy and their arrogant representative, Ares."
"It seems they managed to defeat a B-Rank monster troll," an elf with a bow said as he noticed the monster''s body parts slowly turning into particles.
"At what cost, though? Can''t you see they only have three members left? The other two most likely died during the fight," the red-haired leader added.
"Don''t let your guard down. The other two might be hiding somewhere. We''re talking about Soreh Academy and Ares here," a female mage warned.
"What does it matter if they''re from Soreh Academy? And what about Ares? In the VR world, we all have equal strength. Our Iron Fortress Academy is not to be underestimated either!" a hulking man carrying a shield boasted with a smirk.
As Ares caught his breath, one of the students charged towards him, looking at him as an easy kill. He was breathing heavily and leaning on his katana as if exhausted from the previous battle with the monster. "Stop talking and let''s deal with them quickly," he said, brandishing his sword.
"Diana, now!" Ares quickly ordered in a voice chat.
As Ares gave the order, Diana emerged from her hiding spot and unleashed a flurry of arrows at the charging student and the other students behind him, catching them off guard.
"...Hey watch out for--"
The mage tried to warn him, but her words were cut short as one of Diana''s arrows suddenly curved and pierced her throat killing her instantly.
"Arghh"
She fell backward, lifeless, before disappearing into particles.
A guy who was approaching Ares was able to dodge Diana''s arrow, and he quickly swung his sword at him. However, Eric moved forward and blocked the attack with his shield, causing the attacker to stumble backward.
And suddenly, a towering ice spike appeared behind him, piercing his heart and finishing him off before his body disintegrated into particles and disappeared.
"I-It''s an ambush!" The elf shouted as he readied his bow.
"It''s toote!" ude, who had suddenly appeared behind him, said in a low voice before slicing the Elf''s throat with his dagger.
Arghh--
The Elf held his throat in pain and tried to stop the oozing blood which was like a waterfall, his HP depleted at an rming rate, he fell to the ground lifeless, and soon his body turned into particles.
"T-This?" Stammered the red-haired leader in disbelief as he deflected Diana''s arrows with his daggers.
Swish--swish--
The arrows continued to rain down, but the shield-bearer of their team hurriedly took the front to block them. However, the arrows were just a distraction as ude appeared behind the leader and tried to strike.
Clink--
The leader swiftly retaliated, their daggers shing as they exchanged strikes in a blur of movement.
Diana ceased firing her arrows, sensing the need to conserve her energy for the imminent fights.
As the arrows ceased, the shield bearer lowered his shield and was about to move to aid his leader, sensing his need for support.
However, as soon as the shield bearer lowered his shield, Ares seized the opportunity and lunged forward, leaving a blue trail as he moved. With lightning-fast reflexes, he brought his knee up to meet the shield bearer''s face with a sickening crack.
Crack--
The sound of his bone-breaking could be heard, and the shield bearer''s HP decreased by 10 percent from that attack.
The muscr shield bearer staggered backward, blood pouring from his broken nose, the force of the blow almost feeling real.
Ares was not done yet, he closed in instantly, his fists clenched and his muscles bulging with power as he began to beat the student mercilessly, his punchesnding with brutal force at a fast pace. He was using Tania''s fighting technique, making his blowsnd at a lightning fast rate, leaving afterimages.
Thud--Thud--Thud
He then grabbed him by the hair, pulling him close and mming his knee into his opponent''s face repeatedly each blow echoing throughout the dungeon.
Thud--Thud--Thud
The student''s attempts to fight back were feeble, his attackscking in power and precision as his HP dwindled and his body grew weaker by the second.
He was being treated like a live sandbag by Ares.
His HP was almost gone, and he could barely see through the haze of sharp pain and blood.
Ares paused for a moment, taking in the sight of his fallen opponent. And then, with a sudden, vicious movement, he tore the shield bearer''s head clean off his body using Irethiels technique.
The student''s head bounced on the ground, his lifeless eyes staring nkly ahead before turning into particles and disappearing.
Ares''s hand was soaked in the student''s blood, and droplets of it sttered on his face.
"...."
However, as soon as the one-sided fight ended, Ares sensed the stares from his teammates. He nced over to see that ude''s battle with their leader had alsoe to an end, with the red-haired student''s body dissolving into particles and disappearing.
''...Was that really necessary? He could have finished him off easily with his sword, right? Why would he choose to be so brutal when the whole world will be watching this?'' Witnessing the gruesome scene, they all had the same thought, with their eyes widened in shock.
They felt chills down their spine as they tried to process what they had just seen.
But of course, except for Livia, who seemed unfazed by the incident and had a neutral expression.
Chapter 204 Match 1: The Dungeon Crawl [4]
[Team Iron Fortress Eliminated!]
The deafening cheers of the crowd in the Arena rang out as soon as the Iron Fortress team was eliminated by Ares. While some spectators were stunned by the merciless beatdown that thest student received, others reveled in the bloodlust of the moment.
However, the other academies who were present at the event felt a mixture of fear and anger at the disy of Ares'' power. The thought of facing him in thepetition was daunting, and some even considered the possibility of dropping out.
Hercules sat in silence, his eyes fixed on the screen, the tension around him palpable. As the footage of Ares'' merciless beating of the opposing student yed out, one of the other students couldn''t help but chuckle.
"Hey Hercules, I think he had you in mind when he was handing out that beating," they said, eliciting nervousughter from the others.
However, Hercules didn''t reply, and his focus remained on the screen.
The VIP box guests were left in shock as Ares unleashed his savage fighting style. The beastman turned to Sarah, his expression incredulous. "Did you see that? Wasn''t that one of Tania''s techniques?"
Sarah nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the screen. "Yes, but he''s using it in a rogue way. Tania had been interested in taking him as her disciple, but with their current strained rtionship, I don''t think Mika would allow it."
Joseph''s voice cut through the tense silence. "But let''s not forget what he did to thest student. That was brutal." He shuddered as the memory of Ares pounding the helpless shield bearer and removing his head clean off his body yed in his mind.
David cut in, "I''m not surprised by his fighting style. After all, he is Mika''s disciple."
Sarah sighed and added, "I''m just d ine isn''t here to witness that. She would have found it entertaining."
The atmosphere in the room was tense, and Joseph couldn''t help but feel disturbed by Ares'' brutal treatment of thest student. "Bute on, that was too much," he said, shaking his head.
The beastman spoke up again, "I don''t think I want to cross paths with him in the future. He seems to be a dangerous one."
The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts about Ares and his ruthless disy of power in the Arena.
***
Back inside the VR world, one of the students from the Cherry Blossom Academy expressed their shock, "This is unbelievable," one of them gasped. "How can he be so ruthless? It''s like the restriction doesn''t even affect him!"
They had arrived just as Ares was pounding the shield bearer and were nning a sneak attack on one of the academies when they got eliminated. However, witnessing Ares'' ruthlessness, they were too intimidated to take any action. They also sensed the presence of another academy near them, which seemed to be thinking the same way.
"He was aware of our presence, right, sister?" Eva turned to her sister and asked .
"Yeah, I believe so, sister" Ava replied.
...
And not far away from Cherry Blossom Academy were the students from The Royal Knights Academy.
"Unbelievable. He snuck up on the poor guy carrying a shield. If he hadn''t done that, he wouldn''t have won so easily," one of the students stated, disapprovingly.
Another student chimed in, "Shouldn''t we teach him a lesson on how to fight with honor, Lady Isabe?"
Isabe, the Vice Representative leading the team, sighed inwardly. ''These idiots don''t understand that he didn''t need to sneak up on him. He could have won even without that. He already sensed the other academies around him, and it was a warning to everyone that if they tried to interfere, he would show no mercy.''
"Princess Isabe?" a student called her, noticing her lost in thought.
Clearing her throat, Isabe refocused on the present. "A-Ahem, No need. We need to focus on getting our hands on the Crystal, so there''s no need for us to waste our energy fighting other academies."
"Right, of course," the students replied in agreement.
Her words were met with relief from the rest of the team, including the student who had suggested teaching Ares a lesson. He had only wanted to impress Isadora with his bravery and had no desire to face monsters like Ares and Livia.
As an archer, he knew that Diana and Livia were watching his back while Ares was beating the shield bearer to a pulp. Even with the element of surprise, there was no way they could have seeded in a sneak attack when other teams were also waiting in ambush.
***
As Ares and the team descended deeper into the dungeon, they encountered a fork in the path. Eric, who was leading the front, stopped the team and gestured towards the four paths. The team halted and gathered around him.
"We have to make a decision here, what path should we take?" Eric asked, turning to Ares while everyone else did as well.
"I think we should take the corner left path," Diana suggested. "It looks less heavily guarded."
ude turned towards Livia, waiting for her opinion.
"...We already know what''s waiting for us down these paths anyway," Livia said nonchntly.
Ares stood silent for a moment, surveying the four possible routes, before turning to Livia. "Livia, can you create an ice wall to block off the right paths, leaving only the left path for us to take?" he asked.
"Yes, I can do that," Livia nodded and began to conjure a barrier of ice, which quickly formed a solid wall, blocking off the other paths.
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Eh? W-Why though? Isn''t it just a waste of her mana? Other academies can just destroy the ice wall, right?" Diana asked, confused.
Ares'' smile widened, revealing a hint of cunning behind his gaze. "As you may have already realized, we cannot defeat an A-Rank monster alone. By blocking off other routes, we leave the other academies with no choice but to take the same path as us. We can then use them to fight the boss monster guarding the crystal."
He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "And some academies may try to break through Livia''s ice wall and enter the other routes, but it would be a waste of precious mana and time. Even if they manage to destroy the wall, they cannot defeat the boss monster on their own with their limited resources. So we need not worry about them," he exined.
Diana''s expression grew rmed as sheprehended the full implications of Ares'' n. "If all the other academies follow us, won''t we all be caught in the same chaos? We''ll have to fight not just the boss monster, but also the students from the other academies," she said with concern.
Ares'' grin widened. "That''s precisely the chaos we''re aiming for. The other academies will be too busy fighting the monster to fight each other. We can use that to our advantage and secure the crystal."
"...."
The group fell silent, contemting Ares'' n. It was a bold move, but if it worked, it would give them a significant advantage over the other academies in the race to obtain the crystal.
...
Ares'' n was a stroke of genius, relying heavily on Livia''s skills in creating an imprable ice wall. The other teams were sure to face great difficulty breaking through it due to the restrictions imposed on them.
Only the strongest fire mages and warriors would be able to do so, but even they would have to waste a good amount of their mana and time to aplish the feat.
In this Dungeon crawl match, time was of the essence, so the other academies would have no choice but to choose the open route, ying right into Ares'' hands. This would lead to a final showdown between the academies in the battle against the A-rank monster guarding the crystal.
Ares'' confidence in his n was infectious, and the team members were all eager to see it through. They knew that they were up against some of the best students from other academies, but with Ares'' strategy, they were sure toe out on top.
To be continued...
Chapter 205 Match 1: Conclusion
Ares and his team walked down the twisted path toward the chamber where the crystal was kept. The air grew thick with tension as they got closer, and the walls dripped with an eerie green substance.
Finally, they arrived at the chamber. The pedestal stood tall in the center of the small room, holding an egg-shaped crystal the size of a head. But their attention was quickly diverted as the ground shook, and the monster guarding the crystal appeared before them.
The A-Rank monster was a colossal creature with sharp fangs and crimson eyes that glinted in the dimly lit chamber. Its roar shook the ground, causing the group to lose its footing.
ROAAAR¡ª
Ares quickly scanned the monster''s HP bar and his heart sank. They were up against a formidable opponent. "Get ready, everyone!" he shouted, readying his katana.
As the monster charged towards them, its crimson eyes glowing with fury, Ares and his team scattered to avoid the initial attack. But the creature was relentless in its pursuit.
Diana, positioned behind a pir, took aim with her bow and fired an arrow created with her aura that struck the monster''s leg, causing it to stumble.
Swoosh¡ª
Eric rushed towards the monster and struck it with his shield, but the monster retaliated by swiping its ws at him.
Thud¡ª
Despite Eric''s attempt to block with his shield, the impact sent him flying and depleted 50% of his HP. He narrowly avoided instant elimination, thanks to the shield.
Meanwhile, ude disappeared from sight and reappeared behind the monster. He plunged his dagger into the creature''s back, causing it to roar in pain. Livia, who had been charging her spell the entire time, unleashed a st of ice that encased the monster''s legs, slowing its movements.
Ares saw an opening and rushed towards the monster, sword raised high. He struck the creature with a powerful blow, causing it to stagger backward. The monster, enraged, unleashed a barrage of attacks toward Ares, who expertly dodged and blocked each one.
The battle continued, with the monster and Ares'' team exchanging attacks and blows. The ground shook with each of the monster''s roars, and the air was filled with the sounds of swords shing and spells being cast.
Diana''s arrows hit the monster''s eyes, blinding it momentarily, giving Ares and Eric the opportunity tond a powerful blow. ude continued appearing from the shadows, striking the monster''s back with a swift and precise attack.
They were slowly chipping away at the monster''s massive HP, but it was still standing strong, its icy legs slowly beginning to thaw.
As Ares and his team battled fiercely against the monster guarding the crystal, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears.
"Looks like they''re finally here," Ares muttered with a grin.
Suddenly, a group of students from the Martial Star Academy burst into the room, armed with swords and their bare fists.
However, their arrival was met with chaos as the boss monster rushed toward them.
!?
"W-What the hell?" they eximed, barely dodging the monster''s swinging ws that destroyed the ground beneath them.
Ares and his team used this opportunity to catch their breath and regroup. When Ares heard the approaching footsteps he quickly gave orders through their voice chat for his team to stop their attacks and for Eric to use his skill.
Eric followed Ares''mand and immediately used his skill, "Taunt!" He positioned himself between the monster and the approaching neers, using his shield to deflect the monster''s attacks and draw its attention away from his allies.
Distracted by the sudden appearance of new foes, the monster turned its attention away from them and charged toward the Martial Star Academy students.
As the battle continued, more students from various academies arrived, including the Cherry Blossom, cier Peak, and Royal Knight academies.
Ares saw this as an opportunity to rally the troops, and he shouted, "Everyone, concentrate your attacks on the monster! We can''t let anyone else get the crystal before us! The crystal is protected by a spell, and only after the death of the Boss monster can we im it!"
His voice rang out clearly and strongly, catching the attention of all the arriving academies.
A collective sigh of relief echoed through the room, as everyone knew that now they could focus on the monster without having to worry about anyone else snatching the crystal away while they were busy fighting the Boss monster.
The students did not doubt Ares''s words because they knew that he could have easily stolen the crystal by now if he could when the monster was distracted away from his team.
With renewed determination, the academies joined forces, pouring all their strength into the battle. The monster''s attacks were unrelenting, but the students fought back with every weapon at their disposal.
Some of the Martial Star academy students used their hand-to-handbat skills to strike the monster with lightning-fast punches and kicks covered in the aura, while the Cherry Blossom academy students relied on their agility and grace to dodge the monster''s attacks and strike with their own weapons.
The cier Peak academy students called upon the power of ice, creating sharp des and icicles to pierce the monster''s thick hide. And the Royal Knight academy students held the monster back with their spears and swords, protecting the other students from harm.
Ares and his team focused on weakening the monster''s defenses, with Livia''s magic weakening the monster''s resistance to attacks and Diana''s arrows striking true, hitting the monster''s weak spots with deadly precision.
Eric used his shield to protect the other students from the monster''s devastating attacks, while ude''s stealth and speed allowed him to strike the monster from the shadows, delivering swift, deadly blows.
Together, the students fought fiercely, pushing themselves to their limits. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the monster''s health dropped to 5%, and it fell to its knees.
Seizing the opportunity, the students rushed forward to deliver the final blow. Arrows and spells rained down on the monster from the ranged attackers, while the melee fighters jostled and blocked each other to get closer.
But Diana and Livia had a n. They used their arrows and spells to intercept and cancel out the attacks of other academies, allowing Ares, ude, and Eric to make their way to the monster.
Diana poured thest of her mana into her body, feeling it draining away as she reached deep within for the final surge of strength. With a resolute determination, she invoked the power of herst skill.
"Shield of Artemis!" She uttered.
And immediately, a blinding light erupted from her, radiating outwards to create an imprable barrier that deflected all iing attacks.
Arrows and spells crackled against the shield, but Diana stood her ground, unwavering.
Meanwhile, Livia created an ice domain that covered half the room, freezing any students caught within range.
Livia''s mana had also been depleted, leaving her unable to continue fighting as well.
"It''s up to you now, Ares," Livia and Diana muttered to themselves.
...
...
With only a handful of students left standing, it was up to Ares, ude, and Eric to finish the job. They charged forward, ready to take down the monster once and for all.
Among the students approaching the monster were two from Martial Star Academy, one from Royal Knights Academy, and one from cier Peak Academy.
However, the twins from Cherry Blossom Academy, Ava, and Eva, were not interested in the monster; they were headed for the crystal. They n to seize the crystal as soon as the monster was killed by them.
Meanwhile, as Ares, ude, and Eric charged toward the monster, the other students were about tond their attacks when an unknown force abruptly stopped them in their tracks.
"Huh?"
The students were suddenly encircled by bright blue lines, freezing them in ce as if held by an invisible force.
Suddenly, a voice boomed,
"ATOMIC...SLASH!"
Before they could react, a series of powerful shes came at them, striking each student with incredible force.
Swash¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
Their bodies were shed into pieces before disintegrating into particles, leaving no trace behind.
As this was happening, ude darted behind the monster, his dagger glowing with a yellow aura.
"Shadow Strike!" He shouted.
And with a deft movement, he unleashed a skillful sh that ended the creature''s life.
SCREECH¡ª
The monster let out a final pitiful roar before copsing to the ground, defeated.
But Ares was not done yet. He turned toward the crystal and ordered Eric, who was next to him, "Hold it and rush toward the exit!"
!?
Confused, Eric wondered what Ares meant by "hold it."
''Did he want me to hold him?'' But before he could ponder further, Ares muttered something and vanished from his spot.
SWAP¡ª
In his ce stood the crystal that had been on the pedestal.
"Huh?" Eric hurriedly grabbed the crystal, bewildered. But he quickly regained hisposure and rushed towards the exit, his team already ahead of him.
They had heard Ares''smand through their voice chat and had already started making their way out of the dungeon.
Meanwhile, Ava and Eva, whose hands were just about to grab the crystal, saw it disappearing from their sight, and in its ce, Ares now stood with his sword ready.
They didn''t have enough time to react and knew that it was toote to block.
...However, Ares didn''t finish them off. Instead, they both fell into Ares'' arms, both on either side.
"EH?" they both gasped in confusion as they looked at Ares.
Ares merely smiled at them before disappearing leaving only a blue trail behind him.
"What just happened, sister?" Eva asked, bewildered.
"I have no idea, sister," Ava replied, equally puzzled as they both stared at the exit where Ares had vanished.
"...."
Disappointed that they missed out on both the monster kill and the crystal, the twins were left to ponder the events of the day as they made their way toward the exit.
Chapter 206 Mactch 1: Points Table
Yayyyyy!!!
As soon as the first team emerged from the dungeon with the crystal in hand, the entire crowd erupted into ecstatic cheers, their excitement, and anticipation apparent.
The final showdown, where academies joined forces in a ferocious battle against the Boss monster, was riveting to watch.
But what truly set it apart was the awe-inspiring teamwork disyed by the Soreh Academy team in the end of the match.
The way Diana and Livia banded together to protect their teammates and prevent others fromnding the final blow on the boss monster left the audience in awe.
Ares'' wless execution in clearing out the group of students just before their attacksnd on the Boss monster, giving ude the perfect opportunity to deal the final blow, was nothing short of genius.
And to cap it off, the way the crystal was stolen right under Cherry Blossom Academy''s nose left the audience roaring with excitement and disbelief.
The emotions in the air were electric, as the audience jumped up and down, cheering and apuding the victorious Soreh Academy team.
***
As soon as Ares and his team emerged from the dungeon''s portal, they were instantly transported back to the real world. With a flicker, the VR simtion ended, and they began to remove their gear, feeling the weight of the experience lifting off of them.
Ares and the team stretched their arms and legs, trying to shake off the stiffness that came with sitting in one ce for so long.
"That was intense," Ares said with a grin.
Livia''s face was filled with satisfaction. "We really came together as a team and got the job done."
Eric chimed in, "And we did it without any casualties."
Diana grinned widely and raised her hand in the air. "That''s what I''m talking about! Great job, everyone! We killed the boss monster and secured the crystal, making us the victors of the dungeon crawl match! This is just the beginning, we''re gonna crush thepetition in the next matches too!" She eximed with enthusiasm and moved her right hand for a high-five with Ares.
But before Ares could react, Livia stepped in and mmed her hand hard against hers, giving her a high-five instead. They both stared at each other, a spark appearing in their eyes.
The sound of their so-called high five reverberated in the room.
Ares, Eric, and ude exchanged nk expressions as they wondered, ''Was that really a high five?''
"...."
"Yeah...good job," Ares decided to ignore their staring contest and exited the room.
...
As they exited the VR room, the white-haired professor was waiting for them, pping with a sadistic smile. Her apuse echoed through the hallway.
p¡ªp¡ªp
"That is how a Dungeon Crawl match should be yed! You have to be bold and brave to get a victory," she said, disappearing from her original spot and reappearing beside Ares.
She reached out to touch his face, but he quickly held her hand, giving her a stern look. Diana and Livia watched on, confused by the professor''s demeanor.
The professor''s eyes glowed with excitement, and her grin grew even wider as she noticed Ares keeping up with her speed.
Suddenly, dejected students from other academies began emerging from their respective VR rooms, having failed to secure a crystal or defeat the boss monster.
The professor moved away from Ares and he let go of her hand, his team exchanging confused nces as her expression returned to normal.
"I am impressed," the professor spoke up, capturing the attention of all the students. "You could have exited the dungeon with a crystal without defeating the boss monster, but you chose not to."
A collective gasp went up from the students, and one from the Royal Knight Academy spoke up, "W-What does that mean? Wasn''t there a spell cast on the crystal that prevented anyone from taking it until the boss monster was killed?"
"Pfttt, heheheheh¡ª"
The professor burst outughing, causing the students to stare at her in confusion.
"Spell? Is that what he told you?" she said, still chuckling. Ares gave her a nk stare, his team looking equally perplexed.
The professor finally stoppedughing and exined as she rubbed herughter tears from her eyes, "There was no such thing as a spell cast on the Crystal," she said and paused for a moment before continuing.
"The A-Rank monster with that massive health bar was never meant to be defeated. The whopping 5 points were also because it was impossible to kill the boss monster by students with restricted strength.
The teams were just supposed to distract the monster away from the pedestal and steal the crystal away, and with that, they could have exited the dungeon, getting a victory," the professor exined.
"So in conclusion, you all have been had by him!" she eximed, unable to contain her amusement.
As soon as the professor revealed the truth, the student''s expressions turned grim. They had believed Ares''s earlier im that the crystal was protected by a spell, since Ares was standing right beside the crystal and could have easily taken it if he wanted to.
They didn''t have enough time to verify the truth of his ims and ended up rushing to fight the boss monster, only to realizeter that it was a trap, and they had fallen right into it.
''So, he used us all to defeat a boss monster that wasn''t even meant to be defeated, just to score those 5 points?'' they thought, feeling both foolish and angry.
All eyes turned to Ares, including his own team who had been kept in the dark about the situation.
Under the scrutiny of everyone''s disbelieving gazes, Ares'' smirk widened as he spoke, "I''m grateful for your support in helping us get those 5 points!" he stated .
The students couldn''t believe what they were hearing.
As the truth sank in, the expressions on the students'' faces ranged from anger to frustration to disappointment.
They had been duped into fighting a boss monster that was not supposed to be defeated, all for the sake of helping Ares and his team get the 5 points for the crystal.
Questions flooded their minds as they struggled to process what had happened.
''Why had Ares risked losing the crystal just to score points that were not guaranteed, as anyone could havended the final blow on the monster? Did he have that much confidence in his team tond the final blow? And what if they hadn''t believed his lies about a spell cast on the crystal and had managed to steal it away while they were battling the boss monster? Wouldn''t the other academies have also abandoned the fight leaving Ares'' team alone to deal with the monster, and began rushing to the other paths to secure the remaining crystals?''
The realization of their situation left the students feeling disappointed and dejected. It was a hard pill to swallow, knowing they had been yed for fools.
As they were lost in thought, they heard the loud beep of a Shadow Academy''s team exiting their allocated VR room, breaking their trance.
!?
And they heard the announcement:
[MATCH 1: THE DUNGEON CRAWL HAS NOW OFFICIALLY ENDED!]
[YOU CAN NOW CHECK THE POINT TABLE!]
And immediately following the announcement, the points table for the match appeared on the screen in the VR room.
[MATCH 1: POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY¡ª 17 POINTS
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY¡ª 7POINTS
#3 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 4 POINTS
#4 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY¡ª 4 POINTS
#5 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 3 POINTS
#6 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 3 POINTS
#7 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 2 POINTS
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 1 POINT
***
A hush fell over the room as the points table appeared on the screen in front of them. Soreh Academy had secured the top spot with a staggering 17 points, followed by Shadow Academy with 7 points. Martial Star Academy and cier Peak Academy were tied for third ce with 4 points each.
Cherry Blossom Academy and The Royal Knight Academy shared the fourth spot with 3 points each, while The Blitzierg Academy trailed behind with 2 points. The Iron Fortress Academy had managed to secure just one point.
...
...
As the points table appeared on the screen, the students were in shock at the massive 10-point difference between the first and second ce. One student couldn''t help but exim, "W-What? How can the difference be so huge?"
Another student from the Martial Star Academy furrowed his brows and asked, "And how did the Shadow Academy ce second?"
The professor exined, "Because they managed to seize the crystal."
Confused murmurs erupted from the students.
"There were only two teams that were able to secure the crystal and exit the dungeon. You know of the Soreh Academy, but the team from the Shadow Academy that just arrived a few moments ago, after taking some time, was also able to steal the crystal from the boss monster of another path and exit the dungeon," the professor borated.
All eyes turned to the students from the Shadow Academy, who was thest to exit the dungeon but had managed to grab the crystal and earn second-ce points.
The leader of the Shadow Academy''s team muttered, "Idiots," before leaving with his teammates.
Silence filled the room as everyone stared at them, realizing that they have no words to retort, as they had yed right into Ares''s hands like idiots.
Yawn~
Ares yawned and began to exit the room, followed by his team, leaving everyone standing there in silent contemtion.
The students exchanged looks of disappointment, depending on how their own academy had fared.
It was clear that thepetition was fierce, and each academy would need to bring their A-game toe out on top in the next match.
Chapter 207 Unexpected Visit
3.2.1 For Soreh Academy!
Cheers!¡ª
With that, everyone began to drink the rare Elvish Ambrosia that Diana brought with her to celebrate our victory in the first match.
We were back in the hotel allocated for our Soreh Academy. As it was the opening ceremony, there was only one match scheduled for the day, but there would be two matches each day from the following day onwards.
And the students who had already participated in the first match wouldn''t be able to participate in tomorrow''s matches.
Everyone was celebrating our victory which created a huge 10 points difference between other academies. The atmosphere was light and good. I was seated alone on the couch while Livia was going around munching on whatever food was avable.
"...."
"...So this is what your n was, huh?" A spoke up as she sat beside me.
"What do you mean?" I asked as I leaned back and took a sip of the Elvish Ambrosia.
"You participated in the first match to create a huge point difference and relieve the pressure from the other students in the uing matches," A said.
"Well, you are not entirely wrong," I replied.
Yeah, she was right! I even risked the crystal being stolen just to get that extra five points from killing that boss monster.
It was a bold move, and if things hadn''t gone as I nned, then it would have left us with only some meager points. It was like all or nothing...
A asked, "Who do you n on sending in for tomorrow''s matches?"
"Let''s wait and see what the matches entail before we make any decisions," I replied as I got up from the couch to leave.
Before I left, A added, "You did a good job not killing the Cherry Blossom twins."
"...."
I just nodded my head and moved toward my room. It was no surprise that A knew about my intentions. In fact, I liked the type of people to whom I didn''t have to exin my moves to, and they could get my intentions right away without me even having to exin them.
''If only I could find some way that would help me control A,'' I pondered as I walked toward the corridor of the hotel and made my way toward my room.
...
However, as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a girl with long red-purple hair and deep orchid-purple eyes in Cherry Blossom Academy''s uniform moving around outside my room biting her nails nervously.
Seeing her, I couldn''t help but smile inwardly as I immediately recognized who she was.
"Do you want something from me?" I asked her, but she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn''t even notice me approaching her.
She jumped startled as she bumped into me, "A-Ah! A-Ares?" She muttered surprised as she held her head and backed away.
"Yes, it''s me. Is everything okay?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"O-Oh, um, i-its nothing. S-Sorry, I was just passing by," she stammered, trying to hide her nervousness as she began to leave hurriedly.
"About the weapons I gave you, LIA," I said, drawing her attention. "When do you think you''ll be able to finish repairing them?"
Lia''s eyes widened in surprise, her long red-purple hair swaying as she slowly turned towards me, her whole body trembling. "H-How did you know it was me?" she asked, her eyes filled with confusion.
"I have a skill that can see through disguises," I exined, pointing to my right eye which began to glow gold as I activated my Hawkeye skill.
However, I already knew who she was from the moment we first met, without even relying on any skills.
Lia was left speechless, staring at me nkly as she processed the revtion.
"Oh," was all she managed to say, the shock still evident in her voice.
"Would you like toe in? We can continue our conversation inside," I suggested, gesturing towards my room and unlocking the door.
Lia''s face turned red as she thought to herself, ''What? Is it normal for him to just invite girls to his room like this?'' but she quickly shook off her inappropriate thoughts and cleared her throat.
"S-Sure, don''t mind my intrusion," she said, hurrying past me into the room.
As Lia walked into the room, I turned my head towards the end of the corridor, furrowed my brow before shaking my head and following her inside.
Click¡ª
As Ares and Lia entered the room, there was someone looming in the shadows, keeping an eye on them. However, as soon as they entered the room, the person disappeared.
***
As I sat on the sofa opposite Lia, she began to stammer out an apology. "Ares, I... I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to deceive you. I just... I didn''t know how to approach you."
I reached for the can of Elvish Ambrosia from my inventory and offered it to her, trying to reassure her. "Don''t worry about it," I said. "Here, have a drink."
As Lia took the can, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "W-Whoa! Isn''t this the famous Elvish Ambrosia drink? How did you get your hands on those?"
I smiled. "I have a future Elven Empress as my friend."
Lia stared at me in disbelief. ''Elven Empress as just a friend? There''s no way she''d give these famous Elven drinks away to her friends, it''s even coveted by their own race due to the ingredients...'' She pondered inwardly.
I chuckled seeing her expression. "Diana is a generous future Elven Empress. She brought them to celebrate our first match victory." I exined.
However, I remembered what Diana had told me when I asked to buy more of the Elvish Ambrosia from her.
[You know it''s not a drink that you can buy with money! But ...you''re in luck that I, the future Elven Empress, am a generous person and couldn''t ignore the request of someone I love--A-Ahem, someone I found to be a worthypetitor. So you can have them.] Is what she said.
And I was surprised when she took out a mana fridge full of drink cans from her storage ring and handed it over to me without even taking any money.
As Lia sipped the Elvish Ambrosia, her eyes widened in ecstasy.
"Tahh--" she made a sound of pure satisfaction, and muttered, "This...is amazing!"
"O-Oh, I see. Now that I think about it, I forgot to congratte you on your victory, right? Congrats! I really enjoyed watching the match, and the end of the match the most where your whole team coborated," she said, her attention now divided between the drink and our conversation.
"Thanks, your academy was not bad as well!" I replied, bringing her back to the topic at hand.
Suddenly, Lia inquired, "Ah, right. Why did you not eliminate the twins when you had the chance? Everyone on our team was confused and thinks that something fishy is going on between the twins and you."
I smiled upon hearing her words, but quickly regained myposure as I responded, "Because they are from your academy."
"E-Eh?" Lia looked at me, her expression betraying her confusion.
"You didn''t eliminate them because of me?" she asked, stuttering slightly.
"Yes, it would have made you sad seeing your fellow students getting eliminated by your friend, right?" I said with a smile.
Lia turned her head away, embarrassed, "What are you on about, hmph! Y-You should have said so sooner that you saw through my disguise. I now feel like an idiot wearing disguise every time while talking to you."
"...."
"I just thought you were a shy type of person, so I decided not to point it out," I said.
"I-I see, but we are in apetition so you should not think about hurting any of your friend''s feelings and give your all to win. I won''t be sad or mad at you because, as the saying goes, everything is fair in family and friends," Lia said.
''Did she mean, everything is fair in love and war?'' I mused to myself, but I decided not to correct her.
"...Yeah, everything is fair in family and friends. I will keep that in mind and won''t repeat the same mistake again," I replied, shaking my head.
Her tendency to get easily distracted in conversations was just as I had read in the novel. Lia was proving to be a difficult woman to talk with. While she was able tomunicate well on the phone, she struggled to express herself properly in real life, especially when she was feeling nervous.
"...."
Lia''s eyes widened in surprise. "W-Well, I won''t mind if you go easy on me when we meet against each other in the tournament," she said hurriedly.
''Did I just say something stupid again? What if he takes my words seriously and beats me like that shield guy when we met because of what I said!'' Lia thought to herself in panic.
"Don''t worry, I''ll take it easy on you," I assured her. "Anyway, did you start repairing the weapons that I gave you?"
"No, didn''t I tell you that I can only finish them after the tournament?" Lia asked, a little confused.
"Ah, yes, you did remind me. Sorry, I had forgotten about that. I''m just really eager to start using them. And don''t worry about the money, use whatever materials will make them more durable," I said, making a tired face and yawning.
I let out a yawn and stretched my arms.
"Don''t worry, I''ll use the best materials avable to repair them. And if I need more money, I''ll contact you again," Lia said, before getting up from the sofa.
"You seem tired, Ares. I think I should excuse myself now and give you time to rest," she added.
I nodded, grateful, "Yeah, sorry about that. I''m really tired due to the intense match," I said, also getting up.
"Don''t worry, I understand," Lia said with a smile.
"Thanks for understanding," I replied, before guiding her outside.
"Alright, bye Ares! See you tomorrow," Lia said as she exited the room.
"Bye," I waved my hand at her, smiling.
As soon as the door closed, I let out a deep sigh. "She is quite difficult to talk to, huh?" I said to myself.
"I couldn''t agree more," Irethiel chimed in.
I nodded in agreement before calling out for Meira. She appeared from the shadows, bowing down on one knee.
"How may I help you, master?" she asked.
"Did you find out who was that person keeping an eye on me?" I inquired.
"Yes, it was a student from the Shadow Academy," Meira stated.
"I see, just as I expected," I muttered with a small grin.
Although Lia''s presence outside my room was unexpected, everything worked out well in the end. I invited her in, partly to let the stalker see a student from a cherry blossom academy entering my room.
"The news will likely spread by tomorrow, which should make my work somewhat easier," I muttered to myself.
Chapter 208 Match 2: Instructions
"Ladies and gentlemen, wee to day two of the inter-academypetition!" The announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, eliciting cheers from the excited crowd.
"Yesterday''s first match was nothing short of thrilling, and it saw the Soreh Academy take amanding lead over the other academies. Let''s hope the uing matches will be just as exhrating, if not better!"
He paused to let the crowd''s cheers die down before continuing, "But before we roll the roulette to determine the contents of the second match, let''s take a look at the current point table." The announcer gestured towards the massive screen in the center of the stadium.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY¡ª 17 POINTS
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY¡ª 7POINTS
#3 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 4 POINTS
#4 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY¡ª 4 POINTS
#5 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 3 POINTS
#6 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 3 POINTS
#7 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 2 POINTS
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 1 POINT
***
The screen disyed the points table, and the announcer pointed to the Soreh Academy''s significant lead, "It''s evident that the other academies will have to bring their A-game if they don''t want the Soreh Academy to increase their lead even further."
The audience held their breath as the announcer spoke again, "Can the reigning champions, Soreh Academy, be stopped, or will the gap continue to widen? Let''s find out in the next match!"
The announcer then turned to the giant roulette on the screen, "Let the roulette spin!"
The sound of the spinning roulette echoed through the stadium, causing the audience to lean forward in anticipation.
Tick¡ªTick¡ªTick¡ªTick.
Finally, the roulette came to a halt, and there was a loud trinng, as the contents of Match 2 were revealed for all to see.
Triing¡ª
Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge!
***
The Soreh Academy team was gathered in their meeting room, all eyes glued to the TV screen as they anxiously waited for the next match announcement. The tension was palpable as the roulette wheel spun before finallying to a stop with a resounding tring!
"So the match 2 will be ''The Brain Brawl Challenge'' huh?" Ares muttered, looking at the screen.
Erina turned to him and asked, "Do you have any students in mind that you think will be good to participate in this challenge, Ares?" The rest of the team leaned in, eager to hear his response.
As expected, everyone was eager and willing to participate in this match as it didn''t require any physicalbat.
"Of course, I have a few students in mind that are perfect for this match," Ares replied, a smile ying at the corner of his mouth.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. They knew it could only mean one thing - the match instructions had arrived.
A got up and went to open the door, and there he was - the same guy who had brought the instructions for the first match. He was carrying a simr envelope, and A took the envelope from him and closed the door on him before bringing it over to Ares.
Ares opened the envelope and took a quick nce at the instructions before passing it over to Erina. She let out a sigh and muttered, "Again?" Ares just smiled in response, as it was like deja vu all over again.
Erina nheless took the instructions sheet from Ares and began to read it aloud, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
[Attention All Students! Are you ready to put your magical knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test? The Brain Brawl Challenge is here, and we want to see what you''re made of!
Gather your brightest and most skilled teammates and get ready for five rounds of challenging puzzles and mysteries rted to magic and spells. Each round will test your intellectual abilities and teamwork, with points awarded for correct answers andpletion of challenges.
In the first round, answer a quiz question rted to magic and spells to earn 1 point. Then, put your riddle-solving skills to the test in the second round, and giving a correct answer will earn you 2 more points.
The third round is all about solving a puzzle rted to magic, with giving a correct answer will earn you 3 points! In the fourth round, your teamwork and creativity will be put to the test as you work together to solve aplex magical puzzle and earn a whopping 4 points.
But that''s not all - the fifth and final round is the mystery round, where you will be presented with a mysterious magical artifact. Use your intuition and problem-solving skills to figure out its purpose and earn a whopping 7 points!
The team with the highest number of points at the end of thepetition will be dered the winner of the Brain Brawl Challenge. And in case of a tie, get ready for a nail-biting tiebreaker round where you''ll need to use your magical skills to solve a challenging problem in a limited amount of time.
So, what are you waiting for? Gather your team, flex your magical muscles, and show us what you''re made of in the Brain Brawl Challenge!
Points System for the Brain''s Brawl Challenge: Quiz Round: Correct answer earns the team 1 point.
Riddle Round: Correct answer earns the team 2 points.
Puzzle Round: Correct answer earns the team 3 points.
Team Challenge: Completion of the challenge earns the team 4 points.
Mystery Round: Solving the mystery earns the team 7 points.
Note:
?Each team can have up to five participants.
?Cheating or any form of unfair y will result in immediate disqualification.
?The use of any outside materials or devices is strictly prohibited.]
With that Erina finished reading the instructions.
"...W-What the hell is wrong with this pointing system? Why are they giving away so many points in this match? Doesn''t it waste the whole point of having the huge point difference in our first match?" Kevin eximed confused, while other students shared the same confusion.
Everyone was quiet as if pondering the reason behind this unreasonable points table, including Erina and A.
However, Ares was just ncing at someone else, who seemed to be hesitating if she should speak or not.
But after a few moments, she finally decided to speak, "Actually, if you guys haven''t noticed it, the total points for the Match 2 is 17 points, which is the same as our score in the first match. This means that the lower-ranked teams have a chance to catch up, but of course, only if we don''t perform well."
And while the instructions don''t mention a time limit, it''s possible the professor will rify that the entirety of Match 2 has a time constraint. And within that time, only the teams thatplete all the challenges and make it to the final round will receive the full amount of points."
She paused, then continued, "The point system may seem unfair, but not every academy will make it to the final round. And even for those that do, the points are distributed equally among the qualifying teams, so it''s still an equal ying field."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, trying to process what Diana had said.
"I...See, that makes perfect sense. The points system is only disadvantageous to us if we don''t perform well, but it is also our chance to increase our lead if we perform well," Erina nodded in understanding.
"...So does that mean that the total points for every match will depend on the first-ce team''s total points in the previous match?" A questioned as she nced at Diana curiously.
Diana shook her head. "I don''t think that would be the case. It would discourage teams from performing well in every match if they knew that the point system would remain the same. Additionally, the organizers would want to start eliminating the bottom-performing teams, wouldn''t they? After all, only two teams can make it to the finals."
"Alright, Let''s skip the discussion on this. We will know more about the points system in the uing matches, so let''s focus on the match at hand," Ares interrupted their conversation.
"Wait! I have onest question!" Kevin raised his hand.
"...What is it?" Ares inquired.
"What happens if more than one team was able toplete all five rounds and will have equal points in the end?" He asked.
"The time ofpletion will y the role, and if the teams have the same time, which is very much unlikely, there will be a tiebreaker to determine the winner.
If you''re wondering about the benefits of winning, the winning team will receive bonus points simr to the time points we earned in our previous match," Diana exined.
"Thank you for rifying that for us, Diana. Your insight is always appreciated," Erina expressed her gratitude with a smile, while A was at a loss for words.
"Don''t worry about it! These matches remind me of simr games I''ve yed before, so that''s probably where the inspirationes from!" Diana rified, under the gaze of the others.
"That''s understandable," Kevin said nodding, while A was still giving Diana a skeptical look.
"Well, in any case, we should start deciding on the team that will be participating in this match," Erina suggested.
"Right, let''s do that," Diana agreed.
Chapter 209 Match 2: Lineup
"Regarding Match 2, the team members who will be participating are A, Marcus, Alex, Emma, and James," Ares announced, looking at each of the students as he spoke their names.
A was the only first-year student on the team, while Marcus, Alex, and Emma were second-year students, and James was in his third year.
Ares was familiar with Emma and James, who took the same Rune deciphering ss as him. Emma was also the Vice President of the student council and James was renowned as a perverted third-year in the rune course.
While Ares didn''t know Marcus and Alex personally, he chose them based on their performance in the Brain Brawl Challenge from the novel.
They performed well in the novel, so Ares decided to go with the exact same lineup as in the novel.
''If things go ording to how they''re supposed to, then we should be able to win without any hindrance,'' Ares pondered, however, he knew that he couldn''t expect the same oue as in the novel.
"I too believe that the participants Ares has chosen are well-suited for this match,"Erina said with a smile, having done her research on the participating students beforehand to carefully choose based on their abilities.
Some students looked disappointed at not being selected, but they kept their thoughts to themselves, not wanting to upset Ares.
"Those of you who were called, please step forward and introduce yourselves to us properly," Erina suggested.
One by one, the selected students stepped forward. A was already at the front, followed by Marcus, Alex, James, and finally Emma, who seemed a bit hesitant.
"My name is A, and I''m a first-year student with support and healing magic. I''m particrly good at analyzingplex patterns, which I believe wille in handy during the Puzzle Round." A introduced herself with a smile, looking toward the 2nd and 3rd-year students.
"My name is Marcus, a 2nd-year student," he said confidently. "I specialize in logic puzzles and strategy games. My keen analytical skills and ability to think outside the box make me an excellent asset for the team." He has short ck hair and was wearing sses.
"I''m Alex, a second-year student and I specialize in strategic thinking and memory recall. Being an elf, I have excellent hearing and can pick up on details that others might miss," said Alex. He has long blond hair tied in a ponytail, sharp features, and pointed ears.
"My name is James, a 3rd-year student," he said with a smirk. "I may not look like much, but don''t let appearances fool you. I specialize in riddles andteral thinking puzzles, and I''m confident I can outsmart anyone on the opposing team." James had messy brown hair and dark eyes that glinted mischievously.
"H-Hello, I''m Emma," she introduced herself, her voice a bit shaky. "I''m a second-year student, and I specialize in Rune deciphering. I-I''ve had a lot of experience solving puzzles and brain teasers, so I think I could be helpful in the Puzzle Round." Emma''s short silver hair framed her delicate face, and her grey eyes seemed to sparkle behind herrge round sses.
Her body was slender with curves in all the right ces, but Emma was a bit self-conscious about it, especially around the confident and outgoing A.
"I don''t have a problem with the rest of them, but are you sure about this Emma girl, Ares?" Ziona voiced her concern. "Seeing her personality, I don''t think she is the right person for this match."
When Ares heard her, he couldn''t help but grin. There was more to Emma than meets the eye.
"Don''t worry, Emma may seem timid, but she''s a genius when ites to puzzles and riddles. She''s aced the written examination for two years in a row," he informed the group.
This surprised some of the students who were not familiar with Emma''s academic achievements, but Erina was impressed by Ares'' knowledge of the participating students.
''He really was the right choice for being the representative,'' she thought to herself.
...
...
After a brief discussion, it was decided that A would lead the team for the uing match, and Ares emphasized the importance of following her orders with obedience. The team then left the meeting room and headed to the VR room.
***
As A and the team arrived at the VR room, they noticed that the students from Cherry Blossom Academy were being isted by the other academies. The students gave them skeptical looks, but their attention was soon drawn to A''s team.
A couldn''t help but think to herself, "I didn''t expect this little game of Ares to work so perfectly." As she observed the divided gazes of the other academies between the Cherry Blossom Academy and their team.
Approaching the Cherry Blossom team, she introduced herself cheerfully, "Hi, I''m A, and I''m leading our team in this match!" She extended her hand for a handshake towards the woman in front, whom she assumed was leading their team.
In response, the girl with long red-purple hair and deep orchid-purple eyes, also a first-year student and the leader of the Cherry Blossom team - spoke awkwardly with a smile, "Hello, I''m Alia, and I''m leading our team in this match." The exchange took ce under the wary gazes of everyone else present.
''It probably wasn''t a good idea to shake hands with her in front of everyone else, especially when they''re already skeptical of our partnership with the Soreh Academy.'' Alia couldn''t help but think to herself.
p¡ªp
The chamber echoed with the sound of pping as the white-haired professor entered the VR room, prompting everyone to turn their attention toward her.
After a moment of silence, the professor greeted the students with a wide grin. "Hello, everyone. How are you doing today?"
The students didn''t reply, but the professor nodded understandingly. Just when she was about to speak again, she heard a cheerful voice.
"We are doing great! And I''m confident that we can perform well in this match too," Emma eximed excitedly as she raised both of her hands in the air, grabbing everyone''s attention.
!?
The Soreh Academy team couldn''t believe Emma''s sudden confidence, and they wondered if she was the same timid girl from the moment ago.
"...."
But the professor''s grin widened at Emma''s words, and she appeared in front of her in an instant, sping her hands.
"Of course, your team is doing great after ying every other academy as fools the other day! Will you show me a simr match as yesterday?" the professor asked with a slight blush on her cheeks, reminiscing about the previous day''s match.
Emma replied with the same energy, "You can count on me! These fools won''t even know what hit them!"
The other students'' faces contorted with disbelief as they heard Emma''s confident reply as if she already knew they were going to win. Even A was surprised by Emma''s demeanor, but she quickly realized the reason behind her statement.
''I never knew she was this crafty!'' A thought to herself.
The professor seemed pleased by her answer and said, "Hehe, I will keep my expectations up then!"
She quickly regained herposure and moved on with the instructions for the uing match.
...
"A-Ahem, as you are aware, this match consists of five challenges, but what you don''t know is that it has a time limit of one hour," she stated, straightening her sses.
"The team thatpletes all the challenges in the shortest time will be dered the winner and will receive an additional three points, bringing their total score to 20 points, which is higher than what the first match offered."
The professor paused, giving the students a moment to process the information before continuing. "And in my opinion, this match is one of the easiest ones to earn points without engaging in physicalbat," she said with a grin.
Click¡ª
As she spoke, the professor clicked on a button, and eight VR rooms appeared, each with the name of a participating academy inscribed above it.
"Ah, I almost forgot," she added with a mischievous smile. "Although you students can enter your respective pods, you will be meeting in the VR world anyway, as the first quiz will start with everyone present in the same room, and you only have one chance! One wrong answer and you will be eliminated immediately!" The professor revealed the unexpected twist.
The students eximed in unison, "W-What?"
The professor nodded in satisfaction seeing their reactions.
"Hehehe, yes, you don''t have all the time in the world, and you cannot afford to make mistakes. Did you really believe they were awarding you all these points just because they took pity on the useless Iron Fortress Academy?" she teased, a hint of malice in her voice.
!?
Everyone was left speechless hearing her call the Iron Fortress Academy useless. Though they rankedst in thest match, that did not mean they were to be underestimated.
"You¡ª"
As one of the Iron Fortress Academy students was about to speak up, the professor interrupted him with a sharp gaze.
"What? Do you have a problem?" she challenged him. "If you''re upset about being at the bottom, then prove yourself and rise to the top. That''s just how things work in this world. Those at the bottom will always be looked down upon." Her eyes shed with intensity as she spoke, her disdain for the weaker team evident in her expression.
"Now shoo, let''s not waste any more time. We have match 2 to begin." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she signaled for everyone to proceed to their designated VR rooms.
"...."
The students exchanged uneasy nces, wondering why such an unpredictable and unsettling person was put in charge of the VR room. Nheless, they made their way to their respective pods, ready to face the challenge.
Chapter 210 Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge [1]
As soon as the students settled into their VR pods and donned their suits, they were suddenly transported into a digital world.
And they found themselves sitting on a circr tform with their academy name inscribed on it.
In the center of the tform stood a statue of a wise old wizard, holding a glowing crystal in his hand.
"Huhuhuhu," the statue cackled. "So, the time has finallye, has it not?"
The students listened intently, unsure of what was toe.
[Greetings, young minds.] the statue spoke in a booming voice.
[I am the Guardian of Knowledge and I shall be your host for this challenge.
Before we begin, do you see the red buzzer in front of you?] the Statue asked.
[If you know the answer, press the buzzer before answering. The first team to answer can proceed to the next round, while the other teams will be dyed until they answer.]
The statue paused, letting the information sink in. [There is no time limit in this round. However, keep in mind that you will have less time for your next challenges if you take too long. You can discuss and deliberate with your team before answering, but be warned - one wrong answer could spell the end of your journey in this challenge.]
The students nervously nced at each other.
[The questions will only be more challenging with each round.] the statue continued. [Now then, let the first challenge of the Brain Brawl Challenge begin!]
The statue held out the crystal in his hand and it emitted a bright light, which enveloped the entire tform. When the light faded, each team was presented with arge screen in front of them, which disyed the first question.
[First Question: In the ancientnd of Arianthia, there is a rare flower that blooms once every hundred years. It is said that whoever consumes its nectar will gain eternal youth. What is the name of this flower?]
!?
The question hung in the air as the teams furiously whispered amongst themselves, trying to recall any information that could help them.
"I-I''ve heard of this flower before," Emma spoke up, her voice uncertain. "I think it''s called the Everbloom."
A turned to her. "Are you confident in your answer?"
Emma hesitated, "I''m...not too sure, but it''s the only thing that''sing to mind." Emma admitted, biting her lip.
"We can''t afford to guess here," A said, scanning her teammates'' faces. "Anyone has any clue?"
Silence greeted her question.
"Okay, let''s skip this one," A said with a sigh. "No point in risking it."
As they were about to move on, a loud buzz echoed across the room. One of the teams had pressed their buzzer.
BUZZ¡ª
"We believe the flower is called the Everbloom," the team leader of the Shadow Academy said confidently.
[Correct! Well done, Team Shadow Academy. You have earned the right to proceed to the next round. As for the other teams, better luck next time.] The wizard congratted them.
The other teams groaned in disappointment as the Shadow Academy Team was teleported away from the tform, leaving only seven teams remaining.
Emma couldn''t help but feel a sense of validation. "See, my guess was right, right?" she said excitedly.
A didn''t answer right away, but instead shook her head slowly. "You should be more confident in yourself, Emma," she said. "If you''re not sure about an answer, then naturally we would also have doubts about its uracy, right?"
Emma nodded, looking contrite. "I''m sorry, I''ll do better in the next round," she said, sping her fists.
With a deep breath, A put her hand on Emma''s shoulder. "Don''t worry about it. We''re a team, and we''ll get through this together."
The team stared at the screen in disbelief as the next question appeared:
[Now, onto the next Question: ording to legend, in the ancient kingdom of Draconia there exists a powerful artifact that will allow a mortal to use the power of the Heart of the Dragon.
It is said that whoever possesses this Dragon Heart will gain immense power and control over the elements. However, it is guarded by a fearsome dragon that cannot be defeated by conventional means. How does one defeat this dragon and can im the Dragon Heart?]
Silence filled the room as the team tried to process the question.
"So... does anyone have any idea about this¡ª" A started to ask, but she was interrupted by a sudden buzz.
BUZZ¡ª
Everyone turned to look at Emma, who was pressing the buzzer on her own.
"Emma, You¡ª" A began to say, but Emma spoke up confidently.
"To defeat the dragon and im the Dragon Heart, one must use a special artifact known as the Heartbreaker.
This artifact is said to be able to break through the dragon''s imprable scales and shatter the shell that protects the heart, thus killing it. However, the Heartbreaker can only be used by someone who has pure intentions and a heart free of darkness.
Once the dragon is defeated, the Dragon Heart can be imed by the person who possesses the Heartbreaker!" Emma concluded.
"...."
A looked at Emma in surprise, but the answer proved to be correct.
[Hohoho, Correct! Well done, Team Soreh Academy. You have earned the right to proceed to the next round.]
As they were being teleported to the next challenge, Emma couldn''t resist taunting the other teams. "Heheh, hhh. Sucks to be you guys!" She made childish hand gestures while taunting them.
"...."
Her triumph was short-lived, however, as she felt the entire team''s gaze on her as soon as they were teleported to the next round.
"E-Eh? I-I read about it in the rune book that Miss Roselia and I were deciphering," Emma exined quickly, sensing their scrutiny.
"I''m not asking how you knew the answer," A said calmly, "but in the future, it would be better if we could discuss the answer together before someone buzzes in."
"I''m sorry, I thought if I took too long, another team might get the chance to answer," Emma replied sheepishly.
"Let''s forget about it and focus on the next challenge," A said, as she led the way to the next challenge, but they found the door locked with a pattern they needed to solve.
"Is this the second challenge?" Emma asked, confused. "I thought it was supposed to be a riddle round."
"The pattern doesn''t seem too difficult to decipher, so I don''t think this is the challenge itself," A replied, working to arrange the pattern in the correct order.
As A worked, James couldn''t help but voice his curiosity. "I still can''t figure you out, Emma. Which version of you is real? The confident one who challenged every academy, or this your timid and uncertain self?"James questioned, while Alex and Marcus nodded in agreement.
A spoke up before Emma could reply, "Don''t worry about her. She''s just trying to get into our opponents'' heads. Let''s focus on the challenge."
Click¡ª
With a satisfying click, Apleted the intricate pattern etched on the door, and to their surprise, it began to glow with a bright, pulsing light. Suddenly, an ethereal voice echoed through the chamber, causing A to freeze in their tracks.
[Pass through me, seeker, but first, you must prove your wit," the voice challenged. "Answer me this: I am a treasure of the mermaid''s realm, a jewel that can dazzle and overwhelm. I am buried deep beneath the waves and fiercely guarded by creatures with razor-sharp des. What am I?]
A, Emma, Alex, Marcus, and James gathered in a huddle, discussing the riddle posed to them by the unknown voice.
"I think it''s a pearl," A said confidently. "Mermaids are often associated with pearls, and they are definitely considered treasures."
Emma nodded in agreement. "And pearls are definitely something that can dazzle and overwhelm with their beauty."
"But how do we know for sure it''s buried beneath the waves?" James asked, looking a bit uncertain.
"Mermaids are known for living in the ocean," Marcus pointed out. "It''s not a stretch to assume that they would keep their most valuable treasures there as well."
Alex added, "And the mention of creatures with razor-sharp des is likely referring to the dangers of the ocean. It makes sense that a valuable treasure would be well-guarded."
The group nodded in agreement, feeling confident in their answer. A stepped forward and confidently replied, "We believe the answer is a pearl."
There was a moment of silence before the voice spoke again.
[Correct. You have proven yourselves worthy to pass. Enter if you dare.]
The door began to open, and the team took a deep breath before stepping through, ready for the next challenge.
As they stepped through the doorway, the team found themselves in arge hall, as they looked around the room, they noticed arge table in the center with several objects on it. In front of the table, there was a locked chest, and beside it was a pedestal with a glowing orb resting on top.
As they approached the pedestal, a hologram of the same old wizard from the first round appeared before them.
[Wee, adventurers. I am the keeper of this chamber and I present to you Challenge 3 - the Puzzle Round.
To unlock the chest in front of you, you must correctly ce the objects on the table in their corresponding slots. But be warned, there are decoys that will lead you astray. Work together and choose wisely, and you will unlock the chest and earn your next clue. Good luck.]
With that, the figure disappeared into thin air, leaving the team to begin their challenge.
Chapter 211 Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge [2]
As the team stepped through the doorway, they found themselves in a vast hall. In the center of the roomy a long table, cluttered with various objects. In front of the table, arge chest with an ancient appearance stood, and beside it rested a pedestal with a glowing orb on top.
As they approached the pedestal, a hologram of the old wizard from the previous round materialized before them.
[Wee, students. I am the keeper of this chamber, and I present to you Challenge 3 - the Puzzle Round.] the hologram dered.
[To unlock the chest in front of you, you must correctly ce the objects on the table into their corresponding slots. However, be cautious. There are decoys that will lead you astray. Work together and choose wisely, and you will unlock the chest and earn your next clue. Good luck.]
With those words, the figure vanished, leaving the team to begin their challenge.
The team approached the long table and observed the jumbled mess of objects. The items included a miniature griffin statue, a golden goblet, a vial of purple liquid, a silver key, a leather-bound tome, and a crystal prism among many others.
"...The chest has three keyholes-- well, they are not exactly keyholes as they have different shapes," Emma exined hesitantly as she examined the chest.
!?
"What shapes are the keyholes?" A inquired, her interest piqued.
"They resemble three different mouths with razor-sharp teeth," Emma responded.
"I believe we must feed the right object to the correct mouth for it to unlock," A suggested as she scrutinized the chest.
"How are we supposed to determine which object goes where? They are numerous and scattered on the table," Marcus pointed out as he surveyed the objects.
"I suggest we begin by identifying the decoys," James suggested.
"I concur," A agreed. "Let us search for any clues around the table."
After scouring the table for clues, Marcus found a scrap of parchment hidden in one of the objects, containing a riddle:
"I am not a book, but you can read me. I am not a drink, but you can taste me. I am not a key, but you can unlock me. What am I?"
Marcus read the riddle aloud for everyone to hear.
"This seems like a clue," Alex noted. "Any ideas what it means?"
"It could be referring to the leather-bound tome," Emma said immediately.
And as she saw the others'' faces, which seemed to be asking why she thought that, she began to exin.
"...Based on the clues, ''I am not a book, but you can read me'' suggests that the answer is something that can be read like a book, but it''s not actually a book. The ''leather-bound tome'' is the only object on the table that fits that description," Emma exined, pointing at the object.
"And ''I am not a drink, but you can taste me'' suggests that the answer is something that can be tasted but it''s not a drink. I don''t see any other object on the table that fits that description except for maybe the fruit, but it''s not something you ''unlock''," she continued, looking at the fruit and the other objects.
"Finally, ''I am not a key, but you can unlock me'' suggests that the answer is something that can be unlocked but it''s not a key. The only object that fits that description is the leather-bound tome because it has a lock on it," she concluded, confident that her answer was correct.
"Let us try cing it into one of the slots on the chest then," A suggested, impressed by Emma''s quick thinking.
Noticing Emma''s hesitation, A remembered her from the previous rounds. Though Emma was knowledgeable, she feared that if her answer was incorrect, the team would me her for it.
"Here, James. Please feed it into one of its mouth-like slots," A instructed, passing him the tome.
? Though James was confused as to why A did not do it herself, he decided to shrug it off and carefully ced the book into one of the mouth-like slots. To their surprise, they heard a click, and one of their mouths closed.
Suddenly, the voice of the old wizard echoed through the chamber, congratting the team on their sess.
[Congrattions, students. You have correctly identified the first object. But your journey is far from over. Continue on to the next object.]
"Good job, Emma," A said with a smile, to which Emma nodded, embarrassed.
Encouraged by their sess, the team turned their attention back to the table. After some searching, they found another scrap of parchment hidden within the vial of purple liquid with a riddle written on it:
"I am born in fire and die in ice. I am not a living creature, but I have a heart. What am I?"
After reading the riddle aloud, the team fell silent, each lost in thought. A was the first to break the silence.
"Born in fire and die in ice. It''s not a living creature, but it has a heart," she repeated, furrowing her brow in concentration. "What could that be?"
Emma spoke up. "Well, it''s obviously not a literal heart. It must be some kind of object."
"But what object could fit all those criteria?" Marcus asked.
Alex leaned in, examining the riddle more closely. "It says it''s born in fire. Maybe that means it''s made of something that''s formed in extreme heat?"
"Like what?" A asked.
"Like...a crystal?" Alex suggested tentatively.
The group considered this for a moment before Emma''s eyes widened. "Yes! A crystal prism! It''s not alive, but it has a geometric heart, and it refracts light like fire and ice."
A nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. And there''s a crystal prism right here on the table."
"Good catch, Emma," Marcus said, impressed.
"Here, Alex. You can feed it to its other mouth," A said as she passed it to Alex.
Alex took the prism from A and ced it into the chest''s open mouth. As another mouth closed and clicked shut, the old wizard''s voice could be heard once more.
[Excellent work, students. You are on the right track. But beware, the final object will be the most difficult yet.]
"Nice one, guys. Let''s quickly move on to find the next object," A suggested.
Suddenly, Marcus had a curious question, "I wonder what happens if we ce the wrong object into its mouth?"
"Oh, the chest will just growrger and eat you alive," Emma replied nonchntly, causing everyone to stare at her in shock.
!!
"What?!" they all eximed.
Emma quickly pointed towards the pedestal and said, "It''s pictured on the side of the pedestal, look."
They all turned to see the small engravings on the pedestal, depicting a chest chewing the half body of someone.
"W-Why didn''t you mention this to us sooner?" they all asked, except for A, who seemed to have noticed the engravings long before.
"Eh? I-I thought you all had noticed it too," Emma said, feeling a bit flustered.
"No, we didn''t," they all replied in unison
"What are you all making a fuss about? Let''s not waste any time with this useless discussion and move on to find the final riddle, okay? We don''t want Ares to be disappointed in us, do we? He gets really scary when he''s angry, you all know that, right?" A said with a smile, trying to diffuse the tension.
"...."
Feeling the pressure, the team turned their attention to the remaining objects. After a few minutes of searching, James finally found a final scrap of parchment hidden under a pile of books.
"I''m found in the deep and the dark, and I''m sought by those with a spark. I can guide you on your way, but also lead you astray. What am I?" the riddle read.
The team pondered the riddle for a moment until A suggested, "I think the answer might be apass. It can guide us in the right direction, but if it''s not calibrated correctly, it can lead us astray."
"Yeah, that''s what I was thinking too," James agreed, and they began searching for thepass on the table of objects, but to no avail.
"W-What? Is our answer to that riddle not correct?" Emma questioned, confused.
Suddenly, James spoke up in realization. "W-Wait a minute, I think I know what the answer is!" he eximed, holding up a small, intricately carved statuette of a griffin.
"Um, James, I don''t think that''s apass," Emma said skeptically, eyeing the statuette warily.
"I know, but hear me out," James replied, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "I read in an ancient book that griffins were known to have exceptional senses of direction and an innate ability to navigate even the most treacherous terrain. I think this statuette could be a representation of a griffin and its remarkable navigational abilities."
The team exchanged skeptical nces but was intrigued by James'' theory.
"...I suppose it''s worth a try," A said thoughtfully. "At the very least, it''s something we haven''t considered before. James, why don''t you try cing the statuette in the final slot?"
"O-Oh, I think Marcus should do it. Alex and I were the ones who ced the previous object, right?" James said nervously, passing the statue to Marcus.
!?
"Huh?" Marcus was about to protest, but the intense gaze of his teammates made him feel the pressure to take action. He reluctantly took the statue from James and made his way to the chest, hoping that James'' theory was right.
He took a deep breath and ced the statue in the final slot.
Click--
With a satisfying click, thest mouth closed, and the chest in front of them unlocked with a loud creak, revealing the scroll inside.
"Congrattions, students. You have proven yourselves worthy and have passed this round. Take this scroll and continue on your next challenge" the wizard hologram said.
Chapter 212 Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge [3]
Afterpleting the third round, A and her team were teleported to avishly decorated room. The room featured a massive screen in the center, with plush sofas arranged around it.
"Wow, this is so out of ce," Marcus muttered, observing the royal-looking room.
However, As soon as they arrived, A took out the scroll they had obtained from the chest in the previous Round and began to examine its contents.
Once the team had settled down, A began to read its content.
[Wee to the Round 4 Puzzle Ry! This challenge is designed for a team of 5 Students who will work together to solve a series of 5 puzzles.]
The instructions continue by stating that the team must select one member to solve the first puzzle and agree upon the order in which they will participate.
Once the order is established, the first student will be transported to a separate room where they will work on solving the puzzle alone while the rest of the team watches via a screen but they can provide guidance through a voice chat feature.
A paused, looking up from the scroll to meet her teammates'' gazes. "Let''s quickly decide on the order. I don''t think we have much time left," she said urgently, knowing that the clock was ticking.
There was a brief moment of silence as each of the students averted their gazes, none of them eager to go first without knowing what awaited them.
Sigh!¡ª
Finally, A let out a sigh. "Alright, I''ll go first," she said, keeping the scroll on the table.
She had a n, having deduced from the previous rounds that the first puzzle was typically the easiest and didn''t feature any dangerous elements. Afterpleting it quickly, she could just help the others through the voice chat option.
Without further ado, A stepped forward and ced her hand on the red button that was positioned on the table, triggering the teleportation to the puzzle room.
Buzz¡ª
With a sudden burst of light, A materialized in the white puzzle room. As she took a moment to catch her breath, she quickly assessed her surroundings, her sharp eyes scanning the space for any clues that might help her.
Her gaze soon fell upon a pristine white pedestal standing at the center of the room. She strode forward to examine it more closely, and that was when she noticed the jigsaw puzzle sitting atop it.
"A jigsaw puzzle?" she muttered with a smile, confident that this type of puzzle would be a breeze for her to solve.
As the team watched with bated breath, A carefully picked up the first jigsaw piece, examining it before fitting it in its ce.
Her nimble fingers worked quickly as she scanned the pieces, her mind fully focused on the task at hand. She could hear her teammates on the voice chat, but they were mere background noise, her attention solely on the puzzle.
"Do you need any help, A?" Emma''s voice broke through her concentration.
"No, I''ve got it. But thanks anyway," A replied, a small smile on her lips as she continued with the puzzle.
As she pieced together the edges, the shape of an ancient being started to take form. It had fierce eyes and white, angelic wings. A''s heart raced with excitement as she progressed, the puzzle taking shape under her expert hands.
The rest of the team watched in awe, asionally offering words of encouragement or pointing out pieces that might fit together. A appreciated their support, but she was so focused on the puzzle that she barely registered their presence.
After a few minutes of intense concentration, Apleted the border and began to work on the interior. She scanned the remaining pieces, looking for ones with specific colors or patterns that would match up with the ones she had already ced.
Tick¡ª
Finally, after a few more minutes, A ced the final piece in its spot.
The puzzle began to glow and the room was filled with a bright light. A let out a sigh of satisfaction as she was teleported back to thevish room where the rest of her team was waiting.
[Congrattions! You havepleted the 1/5 puzzle of the Puzzle Ry Round, the Jigsaw puzzle!] a voice announced.
A turned to Emma, who appears to be eagerly waiting for her turn to solve the next puzzle.
"...Do you want to go next, Emma?" A asked.
Emma''s eyes lit up at the question, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!" she eximed, a smile spreading across her face.
"Good, the buzzer is all yours," A said, handing over the buzzer with a smile.
Without wasting a moment, Emma hit the buzzer with a swift motion.
Buzz¡ª
In an instant, she was teleported to a white room simr to the one A had justpleted.
She quickly made her way toward the center of the room and saw a crossword puzzle ced on a pedestal.
"It''s a crossword puzzle!" she eximed, her voice filled with excitement. "This is my favorite kind of puzzle!" She added.
The rest of the team watched as Emma carefully read through the riddles about magical spells and started filling in the nks.
"I don''t think she''ll need our help with that," James said, seeing the determined expression on Emma''s face to which they all nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, a spell that turns you invisible... that''s the cloak of invisibility," Emma muttered to herself as she scribbled in the answer. "And a spell that makes you fly... that''s the levitation spell."
As she continued to work on the puzzle, Emma''s knowledge of literature came in handy. She remembered the spells she had read about in her rune books and used them to fill in the missing words.
"Let''s see... a spell to locate a specific object or person, we could use the Seeker''s Sight spell - a divination spell that allows the caster to see through obstacles and barriers to locate the target," she said as she wrote down the answer.
The rest of the team watched in awe as Emma worked quickly and efficiently, filling in the nks with ease.
"Great job, Emma! You''re killing it!" James cheered in the voice chat.
With the final clue solved, Emma triumphantly filled in thest nk space on the crossword puzzle.
"Done!" she yelled triumphantly, pumping her fist in the air.
As she did, the puzzle began to glow and a voice congratted her.
[Congrattions! You havepleted 2/5 puzzles of the Puzzle Ry Round, The Crossword Puzzle!]
And Emma was teleported back to the room.
Swish¡ª
A''s smile widened as Emma sessfullypleted the puzzle in no time.
"Well done, Emma! You did an excellent job," A said, patting Emma on the back.
"T-Thanks, A! That was a fun challenge," Emma blushed and nodded in response, still a little embarrassed from all the attention.
A turned toward the rest of the team and asked, "Who wants to go next?"
"I''m up for it! I think I should go next," Alex said, raising his hand with a determined look on his face.
A looked around the room to gauge the team''s reaction. No one seemed to have any objections, so she nodded in agreement.
"Alright, sounds good to me. Alex, you''re up next," A said, passing him the buzzer with a supportive smile. "Good luck!"
Alex nodded and without a moment''s hesitation, he hit the buzzer and was instantly transported to the challenge room.
Buzz¡ª
Chapter 213 Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge [4]
Alex hit the buzzer and was instantly transported to the challenge room.
As he approached the pedestal in the center, he found himself facing an unexpected challenge ¨C a tablet screen with a maze puzzle game on it.
"Uh... do I have to y this game?" Alex muttered to himself, feeling uneasy. He had never been particrly good at games, and the pressure was mounting.
"Good luck, Alex! We know you can do it," Marcus offered, trying to boost Alex''s morale.
Alex took a deep breath and began the game. His task was to help a character find his way out of a dungeon by solving a maze puzzle.
As he studied the intricate walls of the dungeon, he noticed that it was filled with traps and obstacles. Each brick was carefully drawn in detail, making the maze a challenging task to solve.
Alex started to trace his finger along the lines of the maze by zooming in and out of the screen, trying to figure out the most efficient path. The maze seemed to stretch on forever, and Alex felt his heart rate increase.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to clear his mind. When he opened them again, his eyes focused as he used one of his skills. He was then able to notice that there were certain patterns in the maze that he could use to his advantage.
He started to trace a path through the maze, keeping track of which turns he had taken and which ones he still had to try.
Tap¡ª Tap
His heart pounded as he dodged obstacles and worked his way toward the exit.
At one point, Alex thought he had hit a dead end. But then he spotted a tiny gap in the wall that he could squeeze through. It was a close call, but he made it through unscathed.
"Okay, I think I''m getting somewhere," Alex muttered to himself as he continued navigating the maze.
His eyes darted back and forth as he tried to navigate through the maze. His teammates watched with bated breath, silently urging him on.
A leaned in on the sofa, her eyes glued to the maze. "Go left, Alex! No, no, wait, go right!" she shouted.
But Alex''s attempts to follow her advice only led him to more dead ends. Frustration began to set in, but he refused to give up. He was determined to see it through to the end.
"I think I got it!" Alex eximed, as he finally found the correct path.
The rest of the team erupted in cheers as Alex finally reached the end of the maze. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well done, Alex! That was amazing," James said.
[Congrattion! You havepleted the 3/5 puzzles of the Puzzle Ry Round, the Maze Puzzle!] the disembodied voice announced.
Alex was teleported back to the room, still catching his breath. "Sorry I took quite a lot of timepleting it," he said, his voice filled with disappointment.
"Don''t be sorry, Alex. You did great," Marcus reassured him, cing aforting hand on his shoulder.
However, inwardly, A was biting her nails with anxiety. As team captain, she had been keeping track of the time, and she knew that this Puzzle Ry Round was just a time-waster. Although the puzzles were rtively easy, it would still take a considerable amount of time toplete them.
"Marcus! It''s your turn. Press that buzzer now!" Amanded, her calm demeanor fading.
!?
Startled, Marcus instinctively pressed the buzzer without questioning her urgency.
Buzz¡ª
"What the hell?" Marcus muttered, confused by A''s change in mood as he was teleported to the white room. However, he shrugged off his confusion and approached the center.
And he found a tablet screen with a Sudoku puzzle already turned on.
"It''s a Sudoku puzzle!" he informed the rest of the team.
As he picked up the puzzle, he felt a rush of excitement. He loved Sudoku, and he was determined toplete it as quickly as possible.
"Do you need any help?" A asked.
"Don''t worry, I got this," Marcus replied confidently.
"Okay, let''s start with this column. If there''s a two here, then that means there can''t be a two in this row," Marcus muttered to himself, his fingers moving quickly across the screen.
The rest of the team watched in amazement as he filled in square after square with ease.
"You''re incredible, Marcus! I can barely even understand this puzzle," James said, admiringly.
Marcus smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction as hepleted each row and column.
"Almost done..." he said, as he reached the final few squares.
The pressure was on, but Marcus remained calm and focused. He took a deep breath and fill in thest few numbers with precision.
"Done!" Marcus eximed, holding up thepleted screen with a grin.
[Congrattions! You havepleted 4/5 puzzles of the Puzzle Ry Round, the Sudoku puzzle!] the voice announced.
Marcus felt a sense of pride as he was teleported back to the room. He knew that he had done well.
Swish¡ª
A nced at the timer on her wrist and sighed inwardly. Time was running out, and they still had one more puzzle to solve. She turned to James and said, "It''s your turn, James. Let''s move quickly."
James nodded and immediately pressed the buzzer.
Buzz¡ª
In a sh of light, he was transported to the white room. He rushed towards the pedestal, his mind already racing with the possibilities of the puzzle he would have to solve.
As he approached the pedestal, James took a deep breath and focused his attention on the task at hand.
The puzzle in front of him was a logic problem that involved a group of adventurers searching for a hidden treasure. There were various clues and pieces of information provided, but it was up to James to put it all together.
He stared intently at the logic puzzle, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He knew that this puzzle was going to be tricky, and he needed to focus if he wanted to solve it. The puzzle wasid out like a chart, with different columns representing different pieces of information. James scanned the clues, looking for patterns and connections.
"Okay, let''s see here... We know the treasure is hidden in a cave, and there are three caves to choose from," James murmured as he scanned the puzzle.
He looked over the clues and began to make notes, trying to eliminate possibilities and narrow down his choices. "Hmm, this clue says that the cave with the treasure is near a river. That narrows it down to two caves," James said, pointing to a specific part of the puzzle.
He started filling in the chart, trying to match the clues with the correct columns. But the more he worked on the puzzle, the moreplicated it seemed to get.
As James continued to work through the puzzle, he could hear the rest of his team trying to offer their own ideas and suggestions to help him.
"What about this clue about the red flowers? That could be important," Emma offered, pointing to a different section of the puzzle.
James thought about it for a moment, considering how the clue could fit into his deductions. "Good point, Emma. The flowers could be a marker for the cave with the treasure," he said, quickly filling in a few more boxes.
"Wait a minute, if the treasure is in the cave with the red flower, then that means..." James trailed off, his brow furrowed in concentration.
The rest of the team began to, offer suggestions and try to help him make sense of the clues. The puzzle wasplex, but James was starting to make headway. He crossed out incorrect possibilities and honed in on the most likely solution.
James also listened to the team''s arguments, taking everything into consideration as he tried to solve the puzzle. Finally, he had a breakthrough.
"Okay, I think I have it. The treasure is hidden in the cave with the red flowers near the river," James announced, as he quickly filled in the final squares.
The rest of the team cheered and pped as James held up thepleted puzzle, a wide smile spreading across his face.
[Congrattions, Team Soreh Academy! You have proven yourselves worthy and have sessfullypleted Round 4: Puzzle Ry!] the voice boomed.
"We did it! Great job, James!" the team eximed, giving him a high-five. James beamed with pride and a sense of aplishment as their team began to teleport to the location of the final round.
To be continued...
Chapter 214 Match 2: Conclusion
As soon as A and her teampleted Round 4, the Puzzle Ry, they were teleported to a cave-like room adorned with ancient drawings.
"So, this is where the final round will be taking ce?" James mused.
As they examined the cave room, they noticed invisible partitions dividing it into eight areas, each allocated for different teams.
And to their surprise, they saw that the team from Shadow Academy had already arrived and was busy with their tasks.
"T-They have already arrived before us?" Alex stuttered in disbelief.
"We don''t have time to waste. Let''s hurry up," A said, quickly making her way towards the area where the Soreh Academy''s g was located, which was next to the Shadow Academy team. The rest of the team followed her lead.
There, on a pedestal, they saw a scroll and a red button. A took the scroll first, unrolling it to read its contents aloud to her team.
[Wee to the thrilling final round: The Mystery Challenge! In this ultimate test of knowledge and skill, teams must use their wits and expertise to examine mysterious artifacts and uncover their true purpose.
But that''s not all. The teams must also unlock the full potential of these ancient relics by discovering the secret to activating them. The stakes have never been higher, so prepare yourselves for an intense battle of the minds. May the most cunning and resourceful team emerge victorious. Good luck!]
As soon as A finished reading the scroll''s content, she pressed the red button without hesitation.
The ground beneath them rumbled as the pedestal moved forward, revealing a tomb that emerged with a loud stone sound.
The team was momentarily stunned by the sudden appearance of the tomb, but A quickly regained her focus and took charge, barking out orders.
"Marcus, Alex! Get over here and help me open this tomb. There must be an artifact inside, and we need to find it quickly!" Her urgency was palpable, and the rest of the team sprang into action.
As they pried open the top of the tomb, the creaking sound seemed to echo through the cave.
Inside, they beheld a weapon unlike any they had ever seen before - its intricate design and glowing gems left them in awe.
Emma gasped, "This is incredible! Do you see those gems? They''re positively radiant!"
A nodded, her eyes never leaving the weapon as she quickly stepped forward, reaching out to touch the weapon. "This is definitely enchanted," she whispered. "But what kind of weapon is it?"
Emma nodded, her mind already at work. She examined the weapon, taking note of its shape, the type of metal used, and the various gems embedded in it.
"It looks like it could be a magical staff or wand, but the type of magic it possesses is different from anything we''ve seen before," Emma observed.
Marcus walked around the weapon, studying it from all angles. "Maybe it''s a weapon designed for use against dark magic," he suggested. "Look at the way it''s been designed to emit a holy aura."
Alex leaned in for a closer look, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. "I''m getting a feeling that activating this weapon won''t be easy," he said thoughtfully.
"There might be a certain spell or incantation we need to recite from that book." Alex pointed towards the book ced beside the artifact.
James picked up the book and flipped through the pages. "It seems to be a spell book," he confirmed, checking the contents carefully.
"Let''s start by examining the gems on the weapon. We might be able to infer its function from that," A ordered. They all nodded and got to work, each member of the team focusing on a different aspect of the weapon.
A examined the gems, using her knowledge of magic to determine their properties. Marcus looked for clues in the design and materials used. Alex studied the way the weapon glowed, trying to decipher its purpose. Emma analyzed the various runes etched into the surface of the weapon. James recited different spells and incantations from the spellbook, attempting to activate the weapon with magic.
As the team worked together, time passed in a blur. They debated theories and tested different ideas, making careful observations and analyzing every detail of the weapon.
Emma had been scrutinizing the runes on the weapon, trying to find any clue as to their purpose. Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to a tapestry on the wall, depicting an ancient battle between two powerful sorceresses.
Her eyes widened as she studied the tapestry, "Look at this! The symbols on the weapon are the same as those on the sorceresses'' robes."
A leaned in closer to examine the tapestry, "You''re right. These symbols represent celestial magic, and they are arranged in a very specific pattern."
Marcus joined in, "Perhaps the weapon was created specifically for use against dark magic. The celestial magic infused in it could neutralize dark spells and curses."
James nodded in agreement, "And that''s why the weapon emits a holy aura. It''s designed to protect the wielder from dark magic."
As the team continued to discuss and analyze their findings, a realization struck them.
"It''s a ...Celestial de!" A eximed, her excitement evident.
"...."
They all knew about the Celestial weapons, which were used to weaken the demon lord before sealing them. The thought of witnessing such a powerful weapon in front of them was both exhrating and terrifying.
"...How does the Celestial de work?" A asked, still curious about the weapon''s activation.
Emma replied, "The Celestial de is designed tobat the dark magic of the Demon lords with the power of the constetions."
As Emma exined the alignment of the gems with different constetions and their magical properties, Marcus listened carefully, noting the information that would help him activate the weapon.
"Each gem has a different alignment and magical property. For example, this one aligns with the constetion of Orion, which represents strength and courage," Emma said, pointing to one of the gems on the weapon.
"And this gem aligns with the constetion of Lyra, representing music and harmony. It likely enhances the weapon''s ability to create a peaceful environment," she continued.
Marcus observed the weapon concentrated, studying the way the gems aligned with the constetions. He began to piece together a series of movements that might activate the weapon based on their positions in the sky.
"I have an idea," Marcus said. "If we align the weapon with the constetion of the Divine de, and then perform these gestures..." He demonstrated a series of intricate movements, tracing the shape of the constetion in the air. "This might just work."
James listened intently as Marcus exined his theory, searching for incantations in his spellbook that wouldplement Marcus''s movements. He found specific lines that he believed wouldplete the process of activating the Artifact.
"By the power of the celestial heavens, I call forth the might of the divine de," James recited each line of the incantation, his voice growing stronger with each word.
''This is so cringeworthy to read!'' James eximed inwardly, feeling embarrassed at the ancient spells he was reading. ''Why did the ancient people have to mutter these incantations that look like something out of an anime?'' he thought to himself.
However, he shook his head and refocused on the task at hand.
"With this spell, I bind the weapon to the will of the user. Let the celestial de awaken!"
!?
The team was in the middle of their attempts to activate the artifact when they heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
Tap¡ªTap¡ªTap
Turning around, they saw the team from Cherry Blossom Academy rushing into the cave room.
A quickly regained their focus, "We don''t have much time, let''s focus on our task!" she said firmly. With only five minutes left before the end of the challenge, she knew that time was of the essence.
The Cherry Blossom team scrambled to their designated spot, hoping to quickly figure out the artifact''s purpose and activate it. A wasn''t too worried about them, knowing they had arrived toote to have a chance at winning.
But what concerned her more was the Shadow Academy team, who had arrived before them and could be close to unlocking the artifact''s true power.
A shook her head and concentrated harder on the artifact as they continued to experiment with different movements and spells. Finally, after numerous attempts, the weapon began to hum with energy, and the gems on the weapon shone brighter.
"Look, it''s working!" Emma eximed, noticing the holy aura getting stronger.
The team''s excitement grew as they realized they were getting closer to unlocking the weapon''s full potential.
"Great job, Marcus! James, recite the incantations with more power," Alex encouraged, observing the weapon closely.
Atst, they discovered the correctbination, and the Celestial de burst to life, glowing with a holy aura that left the team in awe.
"We did it!" Marcus cheered, beaming with pride.
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep¡ª
...However, the team heard two more beeps simultaneously, indicating that three teams hadpleted the Brain Brawl Challenge at almost the same time.
A''s heart sank as the beeps echoed in the cave, signaling that time was up. She knew they weren''t the only ones to figure out the artifact''s purpose and activate it.
"...Looks like we have some toughpetition," A said, her disappointment evident. She turned to see the Shadow Academy and Cherry Blossom Academy teams, who had alsopleted the challenge.
As the teams were teleported back to the VR rooms, A couldn''t help but wonder how they had fared against the other teams.
Chapter 215 Match 2: Points Table
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep
The audience held their breath as the three beeps sounded, indicating that three teams hadpleted Match 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge with only a matter of seconds difference.
They eagerly spected which team had finished first, some arguing for Soreh Academy, others for Shadow Academy. But before they could reach a consensus, a voice cut through the chatter.
"You''re all wrong," a bespectacled man interjected, raising his sses for emphasis. "There is no doubt that the winner of Match 2 is none other than Team Cherry Blossom."
The crowd erupted into surprised murmurs as they processed the unexpected news. The Cherry Blossom team had flown under the radar throughout the challenge, with many dismissing them as unlikely contenders.
As the anticipation mounted, the judges took the stage to officially announce the results. The audience held their breath once again, waiting for the verdict.
"And the Winner of the Round 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge is..."
***
Afterpleting the final round, A and her team were instantly teleported back to the real world. With a flicker, the VR simtion ended, and they began to remove their gear.
"...It was us who hadpleted the final round first, right?" Marcus asked, unsure.
While everyone else had an unsure expression as well because they had no idea which team was the one who hadpleted round 5 first.
"We''ll find out soon enough," A shrugged and said as she exited their VR room while Emma shook her head and quickly followed behind her.
As they exited their VR room, they were greeted by the students from Shadow and Cherry Blossom Academy. They all wore anxious expressions, clearly waiting for the results of the match.
However, A''s gaze turned to the leader of the team Cherry Blossom Academy who had led this Match 2.
"Did she say her name was Alia? I wonder how she pulled that off," A muttered.
She couldn''t help but wonder how Alia managed to pull off the final round in just five minutes.
Their team arrived at Round 5 when there were only 5 minutes left, and figuring out what artifact it was, its purpose, and activating it in less than 5 minutes was impossible...at least for them.
Swish!
Suddenly, the door of the remaining VR rooms opened, and the other teams stepped out with looks of disappointment. They saw the three teams already standing in the hall before them, and the envy in their gazes was discernible.
p¡ªp¡ª
The sound of pping drew everyone''s attention, and they turned to see the white-haired, crazy professor with a huge grin on her face, clearly excited to announce the results of the match.
"Wee, wee, my dear students! I must say that I am absolutely thrilled with how well you all performed in Match 2!" the professor eximed.
"But who won?!" a student from Shadow Academy asked impatiently.
"Oh, yes, that is the question, isn''t it? The team that won Match 2 is..." the professor paused for dramatic effect.
"Ahhh! What an exciting match that was. Not one, but three teams were able toplete the Brain Brawl Challenge!" Professor eximed suddenly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"...."
The students in the hall eagerly awaited the results, but this crazy professor seemed to be more focused on her own enjoyment.
"Maya enjoyed it a lot!" she dered, pointing to herself.
The students exchanged nces and remained silent, waiting for her to announce the winner of the match.
"Come on, guys! Don''t be so boring," Professor Maya huffed, clicking her tongue and puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
Suddenly, she turned to Emma, who had been a standout performer in the match, and appeared in front of her in an instant.
"I knew I could count on you, Emma! You were great out there," Maya said, sping her hands together.
Emma blushed, feeling ttered by thepliment. "T-Thank you, Professor Maya. B-But I couldn''t have done it without my teammates," she replied humbly.
Maya''s smile slowly faded, and she released Emma''s hands. She was clearly displeased by the response and the timid behavior that followed.
"I ...see," Maya said coolly, regaining herposure. "Let''s get back to the task at hand. As you all know, three teams havepleted all five rounds of Match 2.
However, to my disappointment, the match was not a tie, and there is a minimal time difference between all three teams," Maya announced, her voice carrying a tinge of disappointment.
[MATCH 2: THE BRAIN BRAWL CHALLENGE HAS NOW OFFICIALLY ENDED!]
[YOU CAN NOW CHECK THE POINTS TABLE!]
As the announcement of the end of the match was made, the points table for the match appeared on the screen in the VR room. The students looked at the points table, and there was a brief moment of silence as they examined the results.
[MATCH 2: POINTS TABLE!]
#1 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 21 POINTS
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 18 POINTS
#3 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 18 POINTS
#4 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 10 POINTS
#5 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 10 POINTS
#6 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 10 POINTS
#7 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 10 POINTS
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 6 POINTS
---
The top three teams were the only ones who hadpleted all five rounds, with Cherry Blossom Academy securing the first ce, followed by Shadow Academy and Soreh Academy sharing the second ce.
The rest of the academies had onlypleted four rounds, giving them ten points, except for the Iron Fortress Academy, whose team seemed to havepleted only three rounds, hence their six points.
"Can we see the time difference between the top three teams?" the student leading the Shadow Academy asked.
"Sure, why not?" Maya said, clicking a button to reveal the time taken by each team toplete the challenge.
[TIME TAKEN BY THE TEAMS THAT COMPLETED THE MATCH: 2!]
#1 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY - 59:00.0
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY - 59:00.3
#3 SOREH ACADEMY - 59:00.4
***
!?
The top three teamspleted the match in exactly the same time of 59 minutes, with only a 0.4-second difference separating Soreh Academy from Cherry Blossom Academy.
It was a close call, but Cherry Blossom Academy emerged victorious due to their slightly faster time.
The students in the room let out a collective gasp as they saw the points table.
"Well, it seems like we have a clear winner for Match 2 - Cherry Blossom Academy with a huge 0.3 seconds difference from the 2nd team!" Maya announced, her voice filled with excitement.
The Cherry Blossom team erupted in cheers while the other teams watched with bitter expressions.
"Congrattions to all the team members of the Cherry Blossom Team, and a special shoutout to our top three teams forpleting all the rounds. You all were not that bad as well!" Maya congratted the winning team with a smile, but her tone was cold towards the others.
"...."
One of the students from Iron Fortress Academy raised his hand. "I thought the team who wins the match will get 20 points, but I can see they have 21 points. Can I ask why?" he inquired.
Maya''s expression turned disdainful. "That single point won''t affect your team''s position, which is bottom of the table. So don''t worry about it, Okay? Shoo!" She waved the students off dismissively, as if asking them to leave the VR room.
"...I am curious about that as well," Alia spoke up suddenly.
Maya turned her attention towards Alia, her expression softening. "Oh, the extra point was given to the top three teams because theypleted the challenge in less than an hour," she exined with a smile.
"I see," Alia nodded understandingly.
While the rest of the students just stared at Maya, seeing her change in demeanor toward the winning team.
"...."
Meanwhile, A just shook her head in disappointment and began to leave the VR Hall, followed by her teammates.
"...Ares won''t be happy with this," A muttered to herself, and when the team overheard her, they became anxious.
They knew that they had done everything they could to get the top spot, but they were still afraid that Ares would be angry and disappointed in them. The thought weighed heavily on their minds as they made their way back to the meeting room where the rest of their team is waiting for them.
***
[And the Winner of the Round 2: The Brain Brawl Challenge is...TEAM CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY!]
The cheers of Cherry Blossom Academy''s supporters echoed throughout the arena as the announcer dered them as the winners of Match 2. The other teams looked disappointed, but they still had a chance to catch up in the overall points table.
"Let''s take a look at thebined points table after Match 2," the announcer said as he gestured toward the screen. The audience turned their attention to the giant scoreboard as the numbers updated.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 35 Points: Wins¡Á1
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 25 Points
#3 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 24 Points: Wins¡Á1
#4 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 14 Points
#5 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 14 Points
#6 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 13 Points
#7 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 12 Points
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 7 Points
***
"Congrattions, Soreh Academy, for maintaining your lead with a total of 35 points," the announcer boomed as the audience cheered in approval. "But don''t get toofortable just yet, as there are still several matches left toe, and any team can turn the tables on the points table. It''s important for all teams to stay focused and work hard in the uing matches."
"Moving on, we have one more match left for today after lunch. But before we break for food, let''s find out what''s in store for Match 3," he announced, pausing for a dramatic effect. "Let''s spin the roulette!"
Tick, tick, tick, tick... the sound of the spinning roulette filled the air, as the crowd watched in anticipation, wondering what the next challenge would be.
Chapter 216 Uncovering Marzs Identity? [1]
At The Same Time In The Adventurer Association Building~
In the Hero Association building, Mina, Jessica''s secretary, was seated with her friends in the cafeteria, watching the Interacademy tournament live on the small holographic screen ced at the center of the table.
"See I was right, wasn''t I? I told you it was the Team Cherry Blossom who hadpleted the final round first!" Mina eximed with a grin.
"Yeah, but does that matter though? Because team Soreh academy is still in 10 points lead and the gap will only growrger with every match," a ck-haired woman said before taking a bite of a cookie.
"That''s where you are wrong," Mina said before adding. "They just need one bad match. One bad match and the whole points table will shuffle noticeably."
"Yup, but other than these matches, I am more interested in the face-off between Ares and Hercules," a pink-haired woman chimed in.
"Same! Even our President might be eager about that match, right? Didn''t she say she will apologize to Ares if he wins against Hercules?" the ck-haired woman added.
Mina had an uneasy smile when she heard them. After doing some investigation, she knew that Ares was not what everyone thought he was. Also, the President had even admitted that it was a mistake on her part for not believing his words at the time.
''And also, I have an unsettling theory that connects The Demon Lord Killer Marz and Ares. If they are connected, then things will get difficult for the President,'' Mina pondered, shaking her head.
"Hey, Mina! I am talking to you? What are you daydreaming about?" one of her friends brought her out of her daze.
"Ah, sorry. Did you say something?" Mina asked.
"Tsh, it''s nothing! It seems the president is already here and calling you," the pick-haired woman said, pointing at Mina''s phone that was ced on the table.
Riing¡ªRiing
!!
[H-Hello?] Mina answered.
[Mina,e to my office, now!] Jessica''s voice could be heard from the other side of the phone.
[...Yeah, I will be right there!] Mina replied before hanging up.
Tic!¡ª
Fuuu~
Mina exhaled heavily.
"She is already here, huh?" the ck-haired woman asked.
"Yes," Mina replied as she got up and picked up her belongings.
"More work?" the pink-haired woman questioned.
"Sigh, I think so," she sighed before beginning to leave.
From the day that letter from some unknown person arrived, her workload increased, and the recent death of a demon lord only added to her workload.
"...Should I quit my job?" she muttered under her breath and made her way toward Jessica''s office.
"Oh, hello, Mina. Can you help me get a sign of the president on these Gate-rted documents?" one of her colleagues said, rushing toward her with the documents.
"Yeah, sure, why not!" Mina said with a smile.
''Why don''t you get the sign yourself? If you are that afraid to enter her office, you should just quit!'' Mina thought inwardly.
"Mina, while you are at it, can you help us pass these files as well? Thanks!" Other colleagues began to pass her their files as well.
"Thanks."
"Thanks."
...
In no time, she was now carrying a pile of files in her hand.
"....."
''...This is straight-up bullying¡ª'' Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
"Ah, Mina, do you need any help?" A man''s voice could be heard, and she immediately recognized whose voice it was.
"Oh, A-Arman. Don''t worry, I can carry this much by myself, but if you want, you can¡ª" she said, turning toward him with an appreciative smile, happy that there was at least someone who finally wanted to offer her some help.
"Great, then can you pass my file to the president as well? Thank you so much!" He said, cing the file on top of the pile of files she was carrying with a smile and began to walk past her.
"...."
"...What was I even expecting?" Mina muttered to herself with a bitter smile as she continued to make her way toward Jessica''s office, buried under piles of files in her hand.
Knock¡ªKnock
She knocked on Jessica''s office door.
"Enter!" Jessica gave permission.
Click¡ª
"What the...? Why are you always carrying so many files with you? Are you the only person working in the hero association now?" Jessica asked. Her face was pale, and tiredness was clearly visible on her face.
"...They are just too afraid to enter your office," Mina said as she ced the files on Jessica''s table.
"Sigh, Am I really that scary?" Jessica muttered, getting back to check the file.
"Yes, you are scary!" Mina whispered to herself.
"...."
"...You know I could hear you right?" Jessica said, still busy checking the file.
"Oh, sorry about that," Mina said with a sheepish smile.
"Did you get what I asked you?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, as per your request, the Adventurer association sent us the footage of that Marz''s ranking assessment. In return, they are asking for your help if he tries toe after them for sharing his confidential footage," Mina informed.
"Why would they send the footage so easily? What''s the catch?" Jessica asked, suspicioncing her voice.
"As I investigated, I found out that one of the adventurer association president''s daughters has offended this Marz guy after his assessment," Mina revealed.
"Pfft, hahaha! How amusing," Jessica chuckled.
"...."
''...I think you are being happy too soon, President! Because you have offended an equally dangerous guy,'' Mina thought to herself but didn''t voice it out loud.
"Haaa, show me the footage," Jessica said, finally stopping herughter.
"...Here," Mina said as she passed her a tablet screen from her storage ring.
Jessica began to watch the footage, skipping through the parts in between as she had no time to watch the whole video, which was more than 30 minutes long. Her expression was like a rollercoaster, changing continuously as she watched the few parts while skipping.
And her eyebrows furrowed at the end of the clip where the dragon was defeated.
"This...?" Jessica said, halting in her words as she began to rey the final attack again where Marz''s sword was able to prate the dragon''s scales with ease.
Swish¡ª
"...Firstly, he is using Telekinesis as if he has an abundant amount of mana," Jessica said, pausing for a moment. "As everyone knows, Telekinesis is a low-rank skill, and due to its excessive use of mana people tend to ignore that skill, and those who possess it will avoid using it in battle so as not to burn out their mana quickly."
Watching Marz use Telekinesis throughout the assessment examination gave Jessica the impression that he had a huge mana pool, at least equal to that of SS-Rank adventurers if not higher.
"And if observed carefully," she added, "his fighting stance is simr to that of Mika!"
!?
''So, I was not imagining things. That was indeed Mika''s fighting style!'' Mina reflected.
"You noticed that too, right?" Jessica asked, seeing Mina''s expression.
"...Yes, I noticed that as well. But please don''t get me wrong, I just watched that footage to investigate more about his identity," Mina quickly rified.
"Don''t worry, I am not going to me you for watching the footage sent to me unauthorized without my permission," Jessica said with a smile before turning her attention back to the screen.
"...."
''That reassuring smile of yours is even scarier,'' Mina reflected.
"And the skill he used to end the dragon atst, isn''t that ''Bianca''s'' signature Atomic sh skill?" Jessica wondered.
"...Yes, it is," Mina replied.
"Hmm, first using Telekinesis, then Mika''s fighting style, andstly Bianca''s skill. What a weirdbination," Jessica said, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"I don''t mind if he uses Bianca''s skill or someone else. What bothers me is that he is using Mika''s unorthodox fighting style, which is widely known for its brutality and cannot be learned easily unless Mika taught it herself," Jessica pondered aloud.
"...Did she have another disciple other than Ares?" Jessica muttered.
"Uhm President," Mina called out, bringing Jessica back from her thoughts.
"What? Do you have something you want to say?" Jessica asked, ncing at Mina.
"O-Oh, did you watch the first match of the inter-academy tournament?" Mina asked abruptly.
"....."
"...Are you being serious right now, Mina?" Jessica asked with an annoyed expression. She thought Mina had something to say about Marz''s identity, but it turned out she was just curious if Jessica had watched the tournament or not.
"N-No actually, It is rted to Marz''s identity!" Mina hurriedly exined after getting a judgmental look from Jessica.
"Hmm? Rted to Marz''s identity?" Jessica asked, confused.
"...Yes," Mina nodded.
"I...just saw the points table! And also heard that Ares yed the other academies for fools and secured first ce with a huge margin of 10 points. So what about it?" Jessica asked.
"I-I see that you didn''t watch the match. At the end of the match, Ares used the same skills that Marz used during the assessment to defeat the students from the other academy," Mina exined.
!?
"You mean, Bianca''s Atomic sh skill?" Jessica asked, curious.
Mina nodded and turned on the highlights of the first match. She skipped to the final part where Ares took out the students from other academies using the skill Atomic sh.
["Atomic...sh!" Ares''s voice boomed and in the next second, all the students approaching the monster were shed into numerous pieces.
Swash¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
"Shadow Strike!" ude''s voice could be heard and hended a final blow on the monster.
SCREECH¡ª
...
...
SWAP¡ª
...]
Match Highlights ended.
After watching the match highlights, Jessica was quiet for a moment as if thinking about something.
"...."
Chapter 217 Uncovering Marzs Identity? [2]
After watching the highlights of the match, Jessica fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"...Both of them have the same fighting style as Mika, and they even possess Bianca''s signature skill, Atomic sh," she finally muttered, clearly taken aback.
"But you missed the part where they switch ces, President," Mina pointed out.
!?
"What do you mean? Does Marz also use that location switch skill?" Jessica asked, looking puzzled.
"Did you not watch the assessment video in its entirety, President?" Mina asked, a nk expression on her face.
"...."
Jessica suddenly realized that she had missed several crucial parts of the video, including the section where Marz used his location swap skill. Worried that she might have overlooked other important details, she quickly rewound the video and began watching it from the beginning once again, paying closer attention this time around.
...
After watching the entire footage again, Jessica let out a breath of surprise. "How intriguing!"
"Do you think there''s a chance they''re the same person, President?" Mina asked with a concerned look.
Jessica took a moment to consider before responding, "...No, I don''t think so," she said, shaking her head.
"...."
"But with all the simrities in their skills and fighting style, don''t you think it''s possible?" Mina pressed.
Although Marz and Ares'' skills and fighting styles were strikingly simr, Jessica''s confidence in her own ability led her to remain unconvinced that they were the same person.
"As you may recall, I first encountered Ares when he sessfully cleared that mysterious ck gate. However, I can say with confidence that he wasn''t nearly that strong back then.
At the time, it seemed like he had only just reached the level of an A-Rank," Jessica rified, her expression serious. "While that is certainly impressive for someone his age, I don''t believe it''s enough to take down a Demon Lord," she continued, deep in thought.
Mina raised a possibility, "Maybe he was concealing his strength at the time, and we simply couldn''t discern his true abilities?"
"Are you suggesting that he was able to hide his strength from me?" Jessica asked, pointing to her patched eye with a neutral expression.
"...."
Mina quickly apologized after a sudden realization. "Ah, sorry. I forgot about your ability for a moment."
''Yeah, It''s impossible for him to hide his strength from her all-seeing eye,'' Mina reflected on Jessica''s powerful skill, the All-Seeing Eye, which granted her the ability to see through almost anything.
The skill allowed her to prate solid objects, barriers, and illusions, and detect hidden objects, traps, and enemies. Jessica could even see faraway locations and also identify the strengths and weaknesses of people and objects, making her a formidable opponent inbat.
Despite its many benefits, there was one limitation to the skill - it couldn''t prate the powers of demon lord contractees, as their powers are shrouded in a strong demonic aura that blocked Jessica''s vision.
As Mina thought about it, she realized there were probably many other uses and applications for Jessica''s All-Seeing Eye that she wasn''t even aware of yet.
Mina''s train of thought was interrupted by the sound of Jessica''s voice. She seemed unfazed by Mina''s mistake and quickly reassured her not to worry.
"Don''t worry about it. I don''t believe he could have be that powerful in such a short amount of time to defeat a Demon Lord and wreak havoc on the Abandoned Kingdom," Jessica said, interweaving her fingers as she began to contemte. "But the question that''s really puzzling me is how both Marz and Ares can possess such strikingly simr skills?" she wondered aloud, her mind racing with possibilities.
''Could it be a coincidence? Was it possible for two people to develop such simr fighting styles and abilities independently of each other? Or was there something more at y?''
"...Have you done a background search on that Marz?" Jessica suddenly asked, looking at Mina.
"Actually, I did. But the results are not satisfying," Mina said.
"What do you mean?" Jessica asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mina hesitated for a moment before replying, "There''s not much information avable about Marz. It''s almost like someone is intentionally hiding his background."
Jessica''s expression turned serious at Mina''s words. "That''s concerning. What did you manage to find out?" she asked.
"Well, I dide across something interesting. It seems when Marz was just 10 years old, his master left him in the diator arena as part of his training, but never came back to check on him. Witnesses say that there was a handsome eye-catching ck-haired boy who frequently visited him during his time in the arena, and it matches Ares'' description," Mina revealed.
Jessica''s eyes widened. "So Marz and Ares have a connection that goes back years?"
"Yes, and ording to my sources, Ares helped Marz a lot during his time in the arena, with the help of his ex-fianc??e Silvia," Mina added.
"I see. Do you have any footage from his time in the diator games?"
"No, I couldn''t get my hands on any of them. It seems that Silvia had cleared all of his records," Mina replied, sounding frustrated.
Jessica paused for a moment before asking, "Anything else you found out about him?"
Mina hesitated before adding, "Well, I have a theory based on my investigation."
Jessica leaned in, intrigued. "Let''s hear it."
Mina took a deep breath before exining, "From what I''ve gathered, I assume Mika has two disciples. One is Marz, who she abandoned in the diator arena for some reason, and the other is Ares, who she adores. Despite Mika''s abandonment, Ares remained close to Marz and even visited him secretly with the help of his ex-fianc??e, Silvia."
Jessica nodded, following Mina''s train of thought.
"After Mika''s loss against Tania, Marz decided to leave the diator arena for some reason, maybe due to a falling out between them, or maybe Marz discovered something about Mika that made him leave. Either way, with the help of Ares and Silvia, he was able to exit the diator arena without much issue, and then decided to be an adventurer with Silvia as his sponsor.
Also, the eradication of the demon colony in the Khaldor kingdom seems to be Marz''s doing, as his adventurer assessment was on the same day in the Khaldor kingdom, and the letter and video clip you received also came from there.
Though someone tried to hide the traces, we were able to deduce that the whole demon colony was eradicated in a single sword strike simr to that of Mika''s signature move."
Jessica''s eyes widened as she realized the implications of Mina''s theory. "Where was Ares while the attack on the demon colony happened?" she asked.
"He was also seen in the Khaldor Kingdom''s warp port on the same day of Marz''s ranking assessment," Mina informed her.
!?
"It ...all makes sense now!" Jessica muttered thoughtfully, nodding her head in agreement.
''It seems Ares was the one who informed Marz about the location of the Demon Lord''s dungeon with the help of his Demon servant.
And seeing Marz going out of his way to clear demon colonies and Demon Lords, his personality contradicts that of Mika''s ''don''t give a damn'' personality, which is actually a relief.'' Jessica mused.
Chapter 218 Uncovering Marzs Identity? [3]
"Nevertheless, it''s unexinable how they both possess such simr skills and abilities, and why Mika chose to abandon Marz despite his evident strength," Jessica pondered out loud.
"...Actually, I have a theory about that as well," Mina said abruptly.
!?
"Speak," Jessica asked.
"We know that Mika refused to take in King Madlock''s daughter, Ziona, right?" Mina said.
"Yeah, and what about that?" Jessica asked curiously.
"...Though we know Ziona is a strong and capable swordswoman, what if Mika didn''t take her in because Ziona doesn''t have the skill that she was looking for in her disciple," Mina said.
"You mean...?" Jessica''s eyes widened in surprise as she suddenly realized something.
"Yes, you saw that Ares was able to copy Tania''s fighting style, despite Tania not teaching him, after watching the highlights of their match, right?" Mina exined.
"...."
''No wonder they''re both so strong at their age. Was it because of their natural talent for easily learning and mastering the skills of others?'' Jessica mused, her mind racing with the possibilities.
She held her head with one hand and examined the letter from the unknown person, who she now thinks is most likely Marz, she began to speak.
"So Ares and Marz are indeed rted, huh?" Jessica mused.
The letter read:
[Dear Jessica,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am an anonymous person who has been keeping an eye on your work as the Hero Association president. I must say, I have always admired the way you handle things.
Recently, I came across a demon colony by ident, and I couldn''t help but think of you. With your reputation for eliminating demon threats, I felt obligated to take matters into my own hands and wipe out the colony myself. It wasn''t an easy task, but I managed to seed.
But while doing so, I stumbled upon a recording crystal that contained some valuable information that I believe might interest you.
The crystal has the locations of several other demon colonies spread across many kingdoms. And I am also sending you a sample of a unique potion that I found in the demon colony that can disguise demons among humans and other races. I believe this information can be useful to you and your association in your ongoing fight against evil.
I know we have never met, but I feel a strong admiration for you and your work. Your dedication to protecting humanity is truly inspiring. I hope this information can be of some use to you, and I look forward to hearing about your future aplishments.
Sincerely,
Your admirer.]
Jessica felt a warm feeling in her chest as she read the letter once again. Despite being the president of the Hero Association and having many people show admiration towards her, she could easily discern those who were only seeking to impress her with false ttery.
But there was something about this letter that made her believe the admiration was genuine.
As a firm believer in the saying, "actions speak louder than words," Marz''s actions spoke volumes. The way he single-handedly cleared the demon colony and went out of his way to fight a demon lord made Jessica believe everything he mentioned in the letter.
As she read through the contents again, a smile spread across her face. The fact that this anonymous person had gone out of their way to wipe out a demon colony just to help her was a true testament to their admiration. She felt grateful and touched by the gesture.
This person had piqued her curiosity, and she was determined to uncover their identity and express her gratitude for their help in person.
Mina watched as Jessica read the letter with a smile on her face. She couldn''t help but feel a bit annoyed as she thought to herself, "Why is she smiling like she''s reading a love letter? Doesn''t she see that this person is just trying to tter her to gain favor?"
"I don''t know who wrote that letter, but they certainly know how to get on the president''s good side," Mina muttered to herself.
As Jessica was lost in her thoughts, Mina''s voice brought her out of her daze.
"...What should we do now, President? You have offended Ares, who seemed to be close to Marz like a brother. What if he decides toe after you as well? And more importantly, what if he goes after Tania to get Mika''s revenge?" Mina asked, her voice full of concern.
Jessica sighed. "No, people like Marz can''t be that petty! Otherwise, he wouldn''t have sent this letter to me."
"But what if we''re wrong? What if Marz really doese after us?" Mina persisted. "We can''t just sit here and do nothing. We need to be proactive."
"...I think we should invite Marz to the uing conference. He has experience fighting a demon lord, and it could be quite helpful to us if he''s willing to share his knowledge," Jessica said abruptly.
"H-Huh? But aren''t all the people attending the conference monarchs and other important individuals? Will they appreciate his presence?" Mina hesitated.
"What are you talking about? If he epts the invite, he will be our most important guest at the conference," Jessica retorted.
Mina nodded, but then raised another concern. "But how are we going to invite him? We have no information about where he is."
"We know where his brother is, right? Why don''t you go and start asking for his help to get in contact with Marz?" Jessica suggested with a smile.
"But... but wasn''t it you who offended Ares? Will he help us now?" Mina asked, her eyes wide with apprehension.
"That''s up to you. Do whatever it takes to get Marz''s contact information. I''m counting on you, Mina!" Jessica said as she vanished from the room, leaving Mina standing alone.
Mina groaned in frustration. "Why me? Why do I always get stuck with the hard jobs?"
Sigh!¡ª
"...Did she leave?" Mina muttered with a grin, looking around the empty room. She took out her phone and began to text someone.
...
...
Jessica was so wiped out, she didn''t even notice her secretary ying puppet master with the whole conversation, pulling strings left and right tond on the desired oue. It was like a game of chess, and her secretary Mina had been checkmating Jessica all along!
However, who was the real hand controlling the game?
Chapter End...
***
As the famous saying goes:
[Never turn your back on your enemies, but also don''t let your best friend have the password to your phone. They might use it to tweet something embarrassing from your ount.]
(A-Ahem* wrong idiom.)
"Just don''t trust anyone!"
:)
Chapter 219 Match 3: Instructions
Ares was buried in his phone as A and the team sauntered into the meeting room, with disappointed looks.
The third-ce finish was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since they had missed out on a first ce by a mere 0.4 seconds.
"I''m sorry we couldn''te in first," A mumbled, her dejected face drooping even lower.
"Don''t worry about it, A. You all gave it your best shot," Erina reassured her with a warm smile.
Lucas chimed in, "You did amazing, sis! No one else could have done better than your team from our academy."
The other students nodded in agreement, but Ares remained silent.
"...."
Ares was deep in thought about the team''s performance in the final round. ''Of course, they lost in the final round because that round was basically Lia''s, or should I say Alia''s, territory,'' he pondered.
He realized that although the result was different from what he had read in the novel, it was still because of him. In the original story, Lia didn''t participate in this match, as she was still not confident in her abilities.
However, meeting with Ares seemed to have boosted her confidence to the level that she took upon herself to lead the team.
"It''s not bad, I guess," Ares muttered, acknowledging that her boost in confidence will improve her abilities and be useful to him.
However, Diana misunderstood Ares'' words and boasted, "Y-Yeah, it was not bad! Though you guys did a good job. But, If it were me, I would have definitely gotten first ce!"
Ares remained silent, choosing not to respond to Diana''s boastfulment.
"...."
A rolled her eyes, not impressed by Diana''sck of tact, but Erina''s next words snapped everyone back to reality.
"Cheer up everyone! We''re still ranked first in the total ranking with a 10-point lead. Let''s give it our all in the next match!" she eximed, pping her hands together.
Suddenly, the announcement of the next match''s content echoed through the room, and the students perked up in anticipation.
Click¡ªClick¡ªClick.
Ting¡ª
[Ooooh, it''s time for Match: 3, folks! And the chosen match is...The Siege Castle!] the announcer dered, causing a buzz of excitement among the Crowd.
"Hmm, I''ve yed that game before, but who knows if the rules will be the same here," Diana mused, tapping her chin.
"What''s the game about?" A asked, curious.
"In the game, there are ten yers on each team, and it''s all about capturing each other''s castles," Diana exined.
"Wait, does that mean ten students will get to participate in this match?" Kevin''s eyes widened with excitement.
The rest of the team exchanged hopeful nces. With the toughpetition among their own team, they thought they wouldn''t have a chance to prove themselves in the tournament. But with ten spots avable, things were looking up.
"Erina will be leading us in this match, right?" Lucas asked, and they all nodded in agreement. They trusted Erina''s leadership skills and knew they could achieve great things under her guidance.
Just then, there was a loud knock at the door, interrupting their discussion.
Knock¡ªKnock¡ª
The sound reverberated through the room, A went to open the door, hoping to receive instructions for the third match. To her relief, she was met with the same bald man from before, holding another envelope. She snatched it from him and closed the door in his face, returning to the group with the envelope in hand.
A handed the envelope to Ares, who opened it and quickly scanned through the contents before passing it on to Erina, who had taken up the responsibility of reading the instructions for the team.
She took a deep breath before beginning, her voice ringing out confidently in the room.
[Greetings fellow students!
Are you ready to unleash your inner warrior and conquer the battlefield? Because we have an epic new match for you called Siege Castle!
In Siege Castle, each of the 8 teams will have their own castle which they must defend while trying to capture other teams'' castles. Each team will have 10 members with different roles like fighters, archers, builders, and strategists.
The objective of the match is simple - capture the crowns of other teams'' castles and bring them back to your own castle. The more crowns your team has, the higher your score.
To capture a crown, the students must take it from the crown room of another team''s castle and bring it back to their own castle.
But beware, because the defenders will be doing everything they can to stop you! And you''ll need to protect your own castle from enemy attacks, too.
If you''re carrying a crown and you get killed, the crown will drop and someone else can pick it up. So, it''s important to work together and protect each other.
The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins! And there will be other ways to earn points, too - like defeating enemy students. But remember, there''s a time limit, so you''ve got to act fast and make every move count. Good luck, and have fun!
Points System:
?Each crown captured by an academy team is worth 10 points.
?Defending your own crown till the end of the game is worth 15 points.
?The team with the most crowns at the end of the game will earn a bonus of 5 points.
?Other points can be earned bypleting objectives such as defeating enemy academy''s students.
Rules:
?Each team will have its own castle, which they must defend and try to capture other teams'' castles.
?The teams will start on opposite sides of the map, with their castles in strategic positions.
?Each team will have 10 members, who will be divided into different roles such as fighters, archers, builders, and strategists.
?The students can choose which role they want to y and work together toe up with a game n.
?The match will have a time limit, and the team with the highest score at the end of the match will win.]
As Erina finished reading the instructions, the room fell silent. Everyone seemed deep in thought, trying to wrap their heads around the rules of the match. That is, until Ziona spoke up with a grin on her face.
"So, we can just rush in and steal other teams'' crowns, right?" she eximed.
Erina let out a sigh and replied, "Well, yes, but don''t forget that we also need to defend our own castle. We can''t just go charging into every enemy castle like a bunch of crazy people."
A chimed in, her voice filled with worry, "This is going to be a tough match, guys. I have a feeling the other academies might team up against us."
The tension in the air was observable as everyone took in A''s words. But then Diana spoke up, trying to lift everyone''s spirits.
"Hey, let''s not forget about the points system! Each crown we capture is worth a whopping 10 points, and every defeated opponent earns us an extra point. If we can manage to destroy just one enemy castle and take out their defenders, that''s 20 points right there!" she exined.
Diana''s exnation made everyone''s heads spin, as they realized the stakes were higher than they thought. Even a bottom-ranking academy could climb to the top with just one sessful attack.
Chapter 220 Match 3: Lineup
Diana''s exnation hit the team hard, causing their minds to whirl as they realized the stakes were much higher than they had previously thought. They came to understand that even a low-ranked academy could quickly rise to the top byunching a sessful Castle Siege attack.
Lucas let out a heavy sigh, feeling the pressure of the uing match. "Looks like that 10-point lead isn''t much after all," he said.
A nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "We need to be strategic with our team selection. We already know we''ll be targeted, so we have to choose carefully," she said.
All eyes turned to Ares, waiting for his decision on the matter. The tension was evident as he spoke.
"This battle will be no easy feat," Ares muttered, his brow furrowed in deep contemtion. "Our castle cannot be left undefended, and after defeating the academy, we must not only seize their crown but also carry it back to our castle to im the ten points, which will be challenging."
"And to top it off, we cannot take our own crown with us while we are moving, which means we must divide our team into two groups: one to attack the other academies, and the other to defend our own castle."
Pausing for a moment, Ares'' expression changed. A sly grin formed on his lips, and his eyes glimmered with a mischievous light. "But there is another easy way to gain points," he continued. "...If our students are brave enough to hunt down the other academy students, we can im the killing points."
!?
Ares'' words elicited widened eyes from everyone. It was a risky move, but it just might be crazy enough to work.
Because, as if capturing castles wasn''t difficult enough, they also had to weaken the defense before breaking in to grab the crown. It was going to be a tough nut to crack, and it would require a lot of nning and strategy.
But then, Ares''s words made everyone have an epiphany. "Why bother with all the hassle of raiding castles when we can just hunt down the students who are already carrying the crowns?"
They could ambush those in the middle of a castle raid or hunt down the students exiting the castle with the crown. It was risky, but they knew that they needed to be bold if they wanted to win.
But as Ares pondered the situation, he realized that he didn''t have the right students for the job. ''I know that the protagonist Lucas, who has a heart of gold, would struggle with such a cunning game n,'' he mused.
"This bastard is giving me a headache," Ares continued. "But I suppose we''ll just have to trust in him and see how he fares against all the other academies gunning for them together."
Despite Lucas not being the type to engage in underhanded tactics, Ares had faith in his protagonist halo. With Lucas on their side, they just might be able toe out on top, even with all the other academies targeting them.
''Who knows,'' Ares pondered, ''maybe Lucas has some tricks up his sleeve that even I wasn''t aware of.''
"Alright everyone, listen up! We don''t have much time, so let''s get this over with quickly," Ares said, taking charge of the situation.
"For match 3, Erina will be leading the charge and serving as the team''s strategist," he dered, his tone firm yet encouraging.
"Lucas will be our frontline spearman, while Ziona and Kevin will provide support with their swords.
Penelope and Mia will be our mage duo, using their magic to disrupt the enemy and provide cover for our team.
Nate, Lio, and Sofia will serve as our archers, picking off targets from a distance.
Andst but not least, Evan will be our shield bearer, protecting the team from enemy attacks."
At the mention of their names and roles, the students stepped forward with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
[Here''s the team:
?Erina: team leader, strategist, and dagger wielder.
?Lucas: spearman.
?Ziona & Kevin: sword wielders.
?Penelope & Mia: mages.
?Nate, Lio, & Sofia: archers.
?Evan: shield bearer.]
***
Erina epted the leadership role with confidence, "Don''t worry, I''ll do everything it takes to secure this victory."
Ares nodded in approval, "I''m counting on you, Erina."
A turned to Lucas, "Brother! Be careful and don''t hesitate to take down your opponents. This is just a VR match, so you''re not hurting anyone in real life." She expressed.
"H-Huh, But¡ª"
Lucas tried to respond, but A interrupted him, "No buts! You have to win this match for me or I won''t talk to you anymore!" she pouted, trying to sound cute.
Ares watched A''s antics with a nk expression, wondering if her childish approach would actually work.But A winked at him confidently, as if to say "I''ve got this."
"...."
Only time would tell if A''s method would motivate Lucas to win the match.
"Alright then, let''s get ready for the match!" Ares dered, as the students cheered and got into position. The match was about to begin, and everyone was determined to win at all costs.
After a team discussion thatsted a few more minutes, Erina led the team toward the VR room. As they entered, they noticed that the room was packed with students. They were chattering among themselves until their team arrived, at which point they all fell silent and gave them a once-over.
"...."
Erina couldn''t help but think inwardly, ''I have a bad feeling about this.''
From the expressions of the other students, she didn''t have to think twice about what they were thinking. And as she looked around the room, she saw that the team from Cherry Blossom Academy was also getting the same treatment as them.
"At least our team isn''t the only one that will be targeted," she muttered with an awkward smile.
"Hercules!" Lucas suddenly gritted his teeth.
!?
Erina followed Lucas''s gaze and saw that the infamous Hercules was also participating in this match. Not only him, but she also noticed many other powerful students that made their names, like Sakura from Martial Star Academy, Alexander from Royal Knights Academy, Tyler, and many other recognizable individuals.
"Hmm, with so many representatives and vice representatives from other academies participating, this match won''t be an easy one," Penelope spoke up, catching the attention of her teammates. "I can''t help but wish Ares was here with us in this match as well."
"....."
Her teammates went silent, unsure of how to respond to her statement. They couldn''t deny that having Ares with them would make things easier, but they also knew that the tournament was about their growth and not just about one individual''s strength.
"Even though Ares is a strong ally to have, we shouldn''t rely solely on him. This tournament is an opportunity for all of us to improve our skills and abilities, not just for one individual to showcase their power," Lucas spoke, highlighting the significance of personal growth and development.
"Indeed, the tournament is an opportunity for all of us to push ourselves to our limits and grow as individuals," Erina said, her voice firm and confident. "Let''s give it our best effort, and regardless of the oue, we''lle out of this stronger and better than before." She added, her reassuring smile giving her team the confidence they needed.
p¡ªp
As the teams were murmuring amongst themselves, their chatter was suddenly interrupted by a round of apuse. They turned to see the professor in charge of the VR room making her entrance.
The professor was a tall, striking woman with an athletic figure, her flowing white hair cascading down her back in gentle waves. Her piercing red eyes seemed to take in everything around her, as she stood there in a long whiteb coat over a ck blouse and pants, giving her a professional yet approachable appearance.
"Hello, students. My name is Maya. Nice to meet you all!"
As she introduced herself, she pulled a pair of spectacles from her pocket and began to wipe them clean with the hem of herb coat. With a quick exhale, she ced the sses on her nose, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear in the process.
This simple gesture was enough to make the hearts of the male students skip a beat.
"Before we begin, let''s go over some of the finer details of this match, shall we?" Maya said, a huge grin forming on her face.
!?
Chapter 221 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [1]
Maya''s sudden change in aura and wicked grin caught everyone off guard. "Before we begin, let me fill you in on some crucial details about this match," she announced.
!?
Although the students had read the instructions and felt prepared for the challenge, they listened intently as Maya continued. "Firstly, the match has a 50-minute time limit. You''ll need to be strategic and efficient if you want to win."
The students nodded, their expressions serious as they considered the time constraint.
"Secondly," Maya continued, "as you know, you can earn points by seizing other academies'' crowns. However, what the instructions fail to mention is that you won''t earn those points unless you have your own crown with you at the end of the match."
The students murmured among themselves as they processed the new information.
"That means that even if you manage to seize another academy''s crown, you won''t earn the points if your own crown has been stolen," Maya exined. "So, make sure you keep a close eye on your own castle while you''re attacking others."
"...."
Everyone''s previous strategy of attacking other academies'' castles to seize their crowns had suddenly be much riskier. The possibility of losing their own crown in the process made them question the value of their efforts.
Alexandre, the representative of the Royal Knight academy, spoke up with a question that was on everyone''s mind. "Is there any way for us to hide or take our own crown with us while we''re on the move?" he asked.
Maya''s smile faded as she shook her head. "Nope, unfortunately, each academy''s crown is ced in its respective crown room and cannot be moved by their own team. It can only be moved or stolen by the opposing team."
Hearing her they began to wonder how they could protect their own crown while trying to seize others. Maya''s response only made their concerns greater.
"Attacking other academies'' castles will require a lot of power and effort, and there''s a risk of losing your own crown in the process," Maya continued. "Even if you manage to seize another academy''s crown, it''ll be pointless if your crown was stolen, unless you can retrieve your own crown back, which won''t be an easy task."
Everyone exchanged worried nces, realizing that their initial strategy would need to be revised. They needed toe up with a new n that would bnce offense and defense, while ensuring the safety of their own crown.
As the students were lost in thought, Maya spoke up again with a mischievous smirk on her face. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention that defeating each student will add a point to your score immediately. With 80 students in total, even if you ignore attacking the castles to seize the crowns, you can still earn enough points to secure a win just by hunting down other students," she said, her voice trailing off with a sly chuckle.
"...."
The students stared at her in disbelief. While it was an obvious point, the fact that their professor was suggesting it so casually left them shocked.
Maya nodded in satisfaction at their reactions and pressed a button that opened eight VR rooms, each allocated for one academy.
Click¡ª
"Break time is over. Let''s start the match, shall we? We wouldn''t want to keep the audience waiting," Maya said with a warm smile as she gestured for the teams to head to their respective rooms.
The teams nced at each other onest time before starting to move toward their designated VR rooms. However, they halted in their steps as Maya spoke up again.
"Now that I think about it, there are no restrictions that say teams can''t team up against each other to siege the castles, right?" Maya mused aloud. "But then again, they wouldn''t know where their allies or opponents are since every academy''s castle will be scattered randomly on the map, so it wouldn''t matter, I guess."
Hearing her, the teams exchanged wary nces before entering their respective VR rooms.
***
Sigh!¡ª
Penelope let out a deep sigh of relief as she spoke, "Well, that''s good news for us, isn''t it? We''ll have some time to catch our breath at the beginning of the match while the teams that n to team up search for their ally''s castles," she remarked.
The rest of the team nodded in agreement, grateful for the moment of respite.
However, Erina couldn''t shake off her concerns about the size of the map, but she decided to push those worries aside and focused on getting equipped with their VR gear before entering their respective pods.
In an instant, they were teleported into the VR world.
Swish¡ª
[Preparation Phase: 2 minutes!]
With a sudden swish, the team found themselves standing in the lobby of the virtual reality World, each member dressed in matching red attire, each bearing the insignia of the Soreh Academy, and equipped with their carefully chosen weapons.
Erina, the team leader, wore a sleek red bodysuit with golden stripes that hugged her curves and allowed for maximum mobility. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and two small daggers hung at her waist.
Lucas, wore a suit of lightweight chainmail over a red tunic, with a leather belt holding his spear at his side.
Ziona and Kevin, the sword wielders, both wore suits of red leather armor. While Ziona was carrying a katana, Kevin carried a long sword at his side.
Penelope and Mia, the mages, wore flowing red robes made of shimmering fabric. Each carried a staff made of dark wood and topped with a glowing crystal.
Nate, Lio, and Sofia, the archers, wore lightweight red leather armor that allowed for maximum flexibility. Each carried a longbow and a quiver of arrows.
Evan, the shield bearer, wore a suit of heavy red te armor that covered his entire body, including his head. He carried arge shield made of reinforced steel that he could use to protect his teammates in battle.
***
As Mia checked the screen that appeared before her, she couldn''t help but gasp in amazement at the sheer size of the mana pool in front of her, and the others seemed equally impressed.
"I can''t believe how much mana we have!" Mia eximed, her eyes wide with excitement.
Erina nodded in agreement. "It makes sense, though. We not only have to defend our own castle, but also breach those of other academies."
Mia''s mind raced with the possibility that having this level of mana would bring her into the real world. "I can''t imagine how much easier it would be if I had this level of mana in real life," she said with a wistful sigh.
Penelope turned to her with a small smile. "Unfortunately, such power is impossible to attain outside the virtual world for us, Mia. But don''t worry, with your skills and determination, you''ll be just as formidable in the real world."
Mia nodded, reassured by Penelope''s words. With a smile, she refocused her attention on the task at hand, ready to give it her all in the uing battles.
"There''s a voice chat option as well, and we can even see our teammates'' health bars on this screen," Lucas said, examining the game-like screen hovering in front of him.
"Wow, that''s pretty convenient," Sofia chimed in. "And if we swipe the screen, we can even see our castle''syout and its health."
As they continued to discuss the features of the game screen, they heard a robotic voice that immediately grabbed their attention.
[The preparation phase has ended.] The voice announced.
Beep!¡ª
With a bright sh of light, the team found themselves teleported to the castle allocated to their academy.
As they looked around, they were greeted by a grandiose sight, with towering walls and fortified gates surrounding them. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and adventure, as they anticipated the challenges thaty ahead.
!?
Their excitement was short-lived, however, when they noticed another castle just opposite their own. It belonged to the Iron Fortress Academy, and both teams were surprised to find themselves so close to each other.
"...."
Erina pondered inwardly, ''I could have sworn that the professor said that all the academy''s castles would be scattered across the map.'' The rest of the team shared her thoughts, but they didn''t dwell on it for too long.
Suddenly, the representative of the Iron Fortress Academy muttered with a distorted expression, "Arghh, it''s the Soreh Academy team again!"
The memory of their previous loss to the Soreh Academy team was still fresh in their minds. Since that defeat, nothing seemed to go their way.
But now, they had a chance for revenge. The Iron Fortress Academy representative dered pumping his fist, "This is it, guys. Our chance for revenge. Let''s get ''em!" His voice was filled with excitement and determination as he urged his team to give their all.
...However, despite his enthusiasm, the team seemed to have reservations. Groans and anxious looks filled the air as they muttered to themselves, "Not these guys again. We''re going to get our ass kicked." It was clear that they were less thrilled about facing the monsters from Soreh Academy.
"...."
[Team Soreh Academy Vs Team Iron Fortress!]
Nevertheless, it wasn''t just their own castles that the teams saw before them. To their surprise, they found other academies facing off against each other right from the start as well.
In one corner, it was the Shadow Academy versus the Blitzeirg Academy, ready to sh in a battle of wits and strength.
In another corner, the Cherry Blossom Academy was set to face off against the formidable Royal Knight Academy, determined to prove their worth.
Elsewhere, the Martial Star Academy and the cier Peak Academy were preparing to go head to head in a fierce battle for supremacy.
And in the next second, the sound of shing swords and battle cries echoed throughout the castle grounds, as the teams fought tooth and nail toe out on top.
Chapter 222 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [2]
Erina stood at the top of the castle, her eyes scanning the Iron Fortress Academy''s stronghold ahead. The distance between their castle and the opponent''s seemed to be around 60-70 meters. She knew that they needed to move fast before the other academies started attacking them.
"Alright, everyone," Erina called out to her team. "We need to split into two groups. One group will stay here and defend our castle, while the other will go on the offensive and capture other teams'' crowns.
Mia, Penelope, and Evan, you''ll be on defense duty. The rest of us will go on the offensive." Erina informed.
Mia, Penelope, and Evan immediately moved toward their assigned position, ready to defend their castle at any cost. The rest of the team gathered around Erina, waiting for their instructions.
"Lucas, you''ll take the lead," Erina said, looking at him firmly. "We need to move fast and take down the opponents. We cannot let them get ahead of us."
Lucas gripped his spear tightly, his eyes shining with determination. "Got it. Let''s do this, guys!"
The rest of the team nodded in agreement, ready to take on the challenge ahead. They split into two groups and started their mission, one to defend their castle and the other to attack their opponents.
Lucas charged forward with his spear in hand, the rest of his team following closely behind. The Iron Fortress Academy''s castle loomed in front of them, with the enemy already prepared for their attack.
Nate''s sharp eyes scanned the Iron Fortress Teams castle, spotting a group of archers preparing to fire a barrage of arrows toward their team. "Arrows iing!" he shouted, alerting his fellow archers.
With practiced ease, they responded quickly, drawing their bows and unleashing a hail of arrows toward the enemy. The air was filled with the sound of metal shing against metal and arrows whizzing through the air.
Suddenly, a barrage of fireballs, the size of meteors, fell from the sky toward Lucas and his team.
"Haha, this is what happens when they give us so much mana to spare," Sofia said with a nervous chuckle as she readied her bow to counter the iing fireballs while the rest of the team did the same.
However, Lucas had a different n in mind.
He gathered his mana into his spear, and it ignited into mes that flickered like stars. The rest of the team stared in awe as Lucas yelled out his attack name.
"ming Spear!"
The spear shot forward like a bolt of lightning, leaving a trail of smoke behind it. It weaved past the iing fireballs, which dissipated into thin air at the spear''s touch.
Swoosh¡ª
The ming spear was now moving toward the Iron Fortress Academy''s castle at lightning speed. The enemy was caught off guard, and they scrambled to react.
"Ah, shit...!" The Iron Fortress team representative yelled, realizing the danger.
But it was toote. The spear hit him with a fierce impact, and encircled him in mes, eliminating him instantly.
"ARGG!"
However, the spear didn''t stop there and continued on its path, slicing through the air until it hit one of the castle''s pirs with a resounding boom.
BOOM!¡ª
The ground shook as the pir crumbled, and debris rained down on the enemy team, scattering them in all directions. For a moment, there was stunned silence on both sides.
The team led by Lucas watched in shock as the spear hit the Iron Fortress Academy''s castle with tremendous force. They couldn''t believe the power of Lucas''s attack, and they wondered if the restrictions had failed to work on him.
Meanwhile, Erina had a smirk on her face as she assessed the situation and came up with a new n. She saw that the Iron Fortress Academy''s team was in a state of panic, and their defenses were weakening.
"Lucas, fall back! We''ll try to nk them from the side!" Erina ordered through the team''s voice chat.
Lucas nodded in agreement. Blindly rushing the enemy now would only result in casualties. As the saying goes, discretion is the better part of valor, and he didn''t have his spear to defend himself either. He signaled to the team to retreat. They regrouped at their own castle and decided to take a different path toward the Iron Fortress Academy''s castle.
As they approached, Erina observed that the enemy team was huddling on the castle''s front side in a defensive formation, leaving the other sides less protected. They appeared uneasy about the potential for a counterattack now that their representative had been eliminated.
However, Erina swiftly devised a n to take advantage of the enemy''s defensive formation.
"Listen up," she said, turning to address the team. "We''ll divide into two groups: Mia, Penelope, Ziona, and Kevin, you''ll take the right side and create a diversion. Meanwhile, archers Nate and Lio will stand by for support. Lucas, Evan, Sofia, and I will nk the enemy on the left side andunch a surprise attack. Let''s make it quick and coordinated."
The team nodded, and they split up into two groups. Mia, Penelope, Ziona, and Kevin ran toward the right side of the castle, drawing the enemy team''s attention away from the left side.
Meanwhile, Erina and the rest of the team moved swiftly toward the left side of the castle, where the defenses were weaker.
With a quick boost from Evan''s shield, Erina managed to climb up to the top of the wall. She signaled Sofia to follow her, and they jumped down into the castle courtyard.
While Lucas and Evan moved to grab Lucas''s spear back, Erina and Sofia quickly made their way to the unprotected crown room.
Without many hindrances, they found the Iron Fortress team''s crown.
"Got it!" Erina said triumphantly as she held the crown in her hand.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Evan quickly retrieved Lucas''s spear and were making their way to Erina''s position.
[We have the Crown, let''s take them down stealthily.] Erina ordered through the voice chat.
"Roger that!" Lucas and Evan replied, but before they could make a move, they were spotted by a member of the Iron Fortress team.
"T-They have infiltrated the castle! The students in the front are just distractions!" he shouted, alerting his team.
Lucas shook his head. "Of course, things couldn''t be that easy," he muttered.
The Iron Fortress team''s attention turned to Lucas and Evan as they prepared to engage in battle.
"Erina, we havepany," Lucas said through the voice chat, twirling his spear in his hand as he readied himself for the fight. Meanwhile, Evan stood at the ready with his shield, prepared to block any iing attacks.
[...Get out of there!] Erina''s voice crackled through the team''smunication channel.
"Huh?" Lucas and Evan looked at each other, puzzled.
[Now!] Erina shouted urgently.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
Suddenly, the sky was filled with arrows and spells raining down from the Soreh Academy team, catching the Iron Fortress team off guard.
"...."
"What the-!?" Lucas eximed, twirling his spear in hand.
"Aiyo, Lucas, we gotta scram before we get friendly fired!" Evan panicked, holding up his shield.
Lucas nodded in agreement, a sheepish grin on his face as they scrambled to retreat.
Just in the nick of time, they leaped out of the Iron Fortress team''s castle, narrowly avoiding the barrage of arrows and spells that struck the structure, sending it shaking and quaking.
BOOM¡ª BOOM¡ª
"Wow, talk about a close call!" Evan eximed, catching his breath.
Lucas let out a nervousugh, "Yeah, let''s not make a habit of that."
Chapter 223 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [3]
Ziona, with a huge grin on her face, looked like a predator ready to pounce on its prey as she slowly walked into the broken gate of the Iron Fortress team''s castle, with Kevin following closely behind her.
"Looks like it''s finally my turn, huh?" Ziona said, excitement evident in her voice as she unsheathed her katana, which was now covered in a purple aura.
"YAHHH!"
Without warning, one of the remaining members of the Iron Fortress team lunged toward her, but Ziona''s grin only widened.
Swash¡ªSwash¡ªSwash
In a blur of movement, she was past him, and in the next moment, he was sliced into pieces and disappeared in particles, eliminated from the match.
"...."
!?
The team members looked on in shock.
"Did she finally manage to learn Miss Bianca''s Atomic sh skill?" Kevin wondered to himself.
Although Kevin, Ziona, and Ares had all started practicing the skill together, Ares was the only one who had managed to learn it on the same day.
Ziona and Kevin had continued to train and get beaten by Miss Bianca every day, but Kevin had given up eventually.
Ziona, however, had persisted, training diligently every day without fail. Even after sses, she would rush back to the training room in her dorm to practice.
All of her hard work had finally paid off as she had mastered the skill: Atomic sh.
...
[Ziona, be careful! There might be more survivors.] Erina warned through the voice chat.
"Haaa, I wish!" Ziona replied with augh. She moved around the half-destroyed castle, using her beastly senses to locate any remaining students.
As she walked around the castle, Kevin looked at her in awe. "Wow, she''s like a ninja!" he thought to himself.
Suddenly, Ziona stopped in her tracks and sniffed the air. "I smell something," she said, narrowing her eyes.
!?
"W-What is it?" Kevin asked nervously.
"It''s the smell of victory!" Ziona eximed triumphantly, swinging her katana with excitement.
"...."
Erina shook her head at Ziona''s antics but couldn''t help but smile. ''Well, she''s certainly confident,'' she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Ziona continued to move around the castle, searching for any survivors. Her purple aura grew stronger as she sensed the presence of enemies nearby.
"Come out,e out, wherever you are!" she called out, taunting any remaining Iron Fortress team members.
As she circled the castle alone, the smoke cleared, and the destruction caused by team Soreh Academy''s attack became more apparent. The health bar of the Iron Fortress team''s castle had dropped significantly, and it was clear that they were on the brink of defeat.
But with Ziona on the prowl, victory for team Soreh Academy was all but assured.
As Ziona moved deeper into the castle, she could hear the sound of footstepsing from one of the inner rooms. She quickly dashed towards the source of the noise and burst through the door, only to find herself face to face with a group of Iron Fortress team members.
"Hehehe, looks like our n worked. She''s alone!" one of them sneered as they drew their weapons.
Ziona didn''t flinch. In fact, she grinned even wider.
"Is this supposed to be a trap? Oh, you have no idea," she said as she readied her katana.
The Iron Fortress team members charged toward her, but Ziona was quick. With a flick of her wrist, she sliced through their weapons andnded a few quick strikes.
AHHHH¡ª
"Is that all you''ve got?" she taunted as she continued to dance around her opponents, striking them down with ease.
"Argh, m-monster! How are you so strong even though we all have the same strength?" Thest one of them shouted while on the ground.
Ziona shook her head. "That''s not how it works. Power alone won''t make you strong. It''s the effort you put into mastering it that counts."
!?
"...I see¡ª"
And before he could finish his words, with a swing of her sword, Ziona eliminated the final student in the room.
"Hmph, too easy," Ziona muttered under her breath, feeling disappointed.
When she first heard about the power restrictions, she was excited at the prospect of fighting opponents on equal terms. But now, having defeated them so easily, she couldn''t help but feel let down.
''Hmm, maybe I should ask Ares to continue with our sparring again,'' she pondered.
***
Meanwhile, Kevin had been busy securing the perimeter and looking out for any stragglers who tried to escape. He was about to head back to the castle to join Ziona when he heard a faint noiseing from behind a nearby boulder.
"Hmm, What was that? Is someone there?" He muttered as he cautiously approached, hand on his sword hilt, and peeked around the corner.
What he saw surprised him - it was one of the Iron fortress team members, badly injured and struggling to crawl away.
Kevin hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was a trap. "What are you doing here? Are there more of you?" he demanded in a low voice.
The team member looked up at him weakly and shook her head. "No, it''s just me," she groaned in pain. "Please, help me. I don''t want to die here."
Kevin was torn. He knew he was supposed to take out any remaining members, but seeing this beautiful elven woman in such a vulnerable state made him pause. "I shouldn''t be doing this," he muttered to himself.
But in the end, he decided to help. He pulled the injured team member out from behind the boulder and offered her his hand with a smile. "Come on, let''s get you out of here," he said kindly.
"Th-thank you," the team member stuttered, clearly surprised by Kevin''s kindness.
"Don''t mention it," Kevin replied with a shrug. "We''re not all bad, you know¡ª"
But before Kevin could finish his sentence, he felt a sharp pain in his side. He looked down to see a dagger sticking out of him and saw the injured elf woman with a twisted grin on her face.
"H-Huh? You¨C" Kevin gasped in shock as he stumbled back, clutching his wound.
"You''re so gullible," the student hissed as she revealed herself to be a skilled assassin from the Iron Fortress team. "Did you really think I would be grateful for your mercy? You''re just another victim in our n to take you all down."
Kevin gritted his teeth as he struggled to stay conscious, his vision starting to blur as his HP dropped significantly. And he knew that he fucked up.
"...Man, I was such a fool," Kevin sighed, shaking his head while holding his wound. "I thought I could y the hero and save this woman."
!?
The assassin gave a sarcasticugh and rolled her eyes. "Looks like someone needs a reality check," she remarked. "This isn''t a fairytale, and there''s no damsel in distress for you to rescue."
"Haa, at least can I have your number¡ª"
Before Kevin could evenplete his sentence, the assassin made quick work of him with a swift move.
Slice¡ª
And just like that, Captain Save-a-Damsel was no more!
"...."
***
Ting! ¡ª
[Your teammate Kevin has been eliminated!]
A notification appeared on everyone''s screens from the Soreh Academy team.
"W-What? But how? I thought we had everything under control!" Erina gritted her teeth and eximed.
!?
Chapter 224 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [4]
Kevin''s abrupt elimination caused a stir among the entire Soreh Academy Team. The assault on Team Iron Fortress Academy''s castle had proceeded smoothly as nned, with most of the members taken care of in the attack, leaving only a handful of them to handle. They had not anticipated any unexpected elements that could catch Kevin off guard, eliminating him.
"...It appears that he was eliminated by thest remaining member of the Iron Fortress team," Penelope reported through the voice chat, watching the disyed total kills of their team on the holographic screen.
"Imbecile! He couldn''t even take out thest remaining member?" Ziona muttered as she hurried towards Kevin''sst known location.
Upon arriving, she found nothing but the remnants of shattered walls and a dead end.
''...What was he even doing in a ce like this? Was he pursuing thest remaining member, only to be eliminated after being led here?'' Ziona wondered as she remained vignt, brandishing her katana to defend herself against any surprise attacks.
Suddenly, she heard the sound ofbored breathing emanating from behind a boulder in front of her.
!?
Swash¡ª
With a swift stroke of her sword, she shattered the boulder into pieces, revealing an injured elven woman groaning in pain.
"Arghh, P-please don''t hurt me," she pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes as she began to crawl backward with a terrified expression.
"...."
"Haaa, only a fool like Kevin could have fallen for such a trap," Ziona remarked, shaking her head in disbelief as she advanced towards the elven woman, her katana dragging on the ground as she wore a wicked grin on her face.
"W-Wait, please don''te any closer!" the elven woman pleaded.
"Yeah, yeah, your cheap theatrics won''t work on me. Try as hard as you may, your time ends here. Just be happy that you were at least able to eliminate one of our team''s idiotic members," Zionamented, before moving her hand to strike her down.
The elven woman gritted her teeth and slowly readied her dagger to retaliate. She knew that her n, which had seeded in eliminating Kevin, would not work on everyone, but with her HP already below 5, any direct attack would result in a game over for her.
So, she had devised another n - to draw as many members from the opposing team near her and take them all down together with her.
Just as the elven woman was about to lunge forward to attack Ziona, realizing that her n had failed, she suddenly heard the voice of another self-proimed hero who seemed eager to rescue a damsel in distress.
"Ziona, stop!" Lucas eximed, seeing that Ziona was about to eliminate the unarmed woman.
"...."
Ziona turned towards him, irritated by the interruption. "What is it?" she asked curtly, fully aware of Lucas''s character and where this was headed.
Lucas and Evan approached her slowly, and Lucas spoke with a smile, "It isn''t appropriate to attack someone who is unarmed, is it?"
"You...have got to be kidding me, right?"
Upon hearing Lucas, Ziona''s face twisted in anger. Her instincts screamed to teach this wannabe hero a lesson for his obliviousness to how the world works. He was so blinded by his heroism that he couldn''t even see the obvious trap.
Ziona took a deep breath before speaking. "...Can''t you see the tant trap here, Lucas? She is thest remaining member, which means she must have eliminated Kevin."
''Even those beastman known as muscleheads would also be able to recognize this,'' she pondered inwardly.
Seeing Lucas''s hesitation, the elven woman inwardly grinned as she spoke quickly, "I didn''t eliminate anyone. I can barely move due to my injuries," tears streaming down her face.
"...."
"This melodramatic Bitch!" Ziona muttered, taken aback by her award-worthy acting.
"Why don''t you surrender? We won''t eliminate you, but we will have to imprison you in our castle until this match is over, ok?" Lucas said as he approached the injured elf and offered his hand with a smile.
"O-Okay¡ª" the elven woman replied and was about to take his hand, but Ziona snapped.
"I''ve had enough of this bullshit!" she eximed and swung her sword at the woman, decapitating her immediately.
!?
Ssh¡ª
Her blood sshed on Lucas''s face and before her hand could reach his, it began to disperse into particles indicating her elimination.
"H-Huh?" Lucas''s eyes widened in shock as he saw her head rolling on the ground.
But suddenly, the elf''s decapitated head glowed and emitted a blinding light for a moment before causing a deafening explosion.
Kaboom!¡ª
"Ah, fuck...!" Evan eximed as he shielded himself and Lucas from the st.
Beep¡ª
!?
[H-Hey, Lucas, Ziona, Evan, you guys okay? What was that explosion sound?] Erina''s concerned voice came through the voice chat.
Erina had already left to return to their castle with the rest of the team, carrying the Iron Fortress Academy''s crown to prevent any other academies from attacking their Castle while they were away.
Cough¡ªCough
"...So, this was her n all along. She wanted to eliminate as many of our team members with her to at least be able to get those few killing points," Ziona muttered as she emerged from the smoke, with burning wounds on her body.
Although Ziona''s agility had allowed her to avoid the instant elimination, her health bar had dropped more than 50 percent from the explosion.
[W-We''re okay.] Lucas replied to Erina, coughing from the smoke.
Thanks to Evan using his shield to guard them, Lucas and Evan were still alive, but their health bars had also taken a significant hit.
[...I see, but what happened to all of your health bars?] Erina asked as she checked their health bars on the screen.
[...Her head exploded after her elimination.] Evan replied.
[Huh?]
"...."
Meanwhile, Ziona ignored their chatter and walked past Lucas and Evan with a twisted expression. She was in no mood for any talk now.
[Alright... Return to our castle.] Erina ordered.
p¨¤§ád¨¢-¨¾?¦Í¨º¦É.§ã¨®§® Lucas and Evan nodded and followed Ziona who was leading the way. They were all silent as they made their way back to their castle, still processing what had just happened.
The explosion was unexpected and had caught them off guard, but they were lucky to have survived it. As they approached their castle, they could see their team members waiting for them at the entrance.
Erina was the first one to approach them. "Are... you all really okay?" she asked, her eyes scanning their battered clothes and minor wounds.
"We''re fine, just a bit shaken," Lucas replied with an awkward smile.
Erina nodded in relief. "Good, we have to make sure we''re all in top condition for the next attack," she said, leading them inside the castle.
---
Ziona remained silent, lost in thought as they walked through the corridors, she couldn''t help but think that the suicidal Elven woman was more dangerous than a toddler with a loaded gun.
"I mean,e on," Ziona muttered to herself, "she''s a walking, talking bomb ready to blow us all to smithereens!"
She thought back to Lucas'' suggestion of bringing the woman back to their castle. "Oh, sure, let''s just invite a ticking time bomb into our home," she muttered sarcastically to herself. "What could possibly go wrong?"
She imagined the scene ying out like a cartoon - the woman would saunter in, smile sweetly, and then BOOM! The entire castle would explode, leaving nothing but rubble and a bewildered group of survivors. Ziona shook her head at the thought.
"Talk about catching us off guard," she said aloud, trying to make light of the situation. "I mean, I''m all for a good surprise party, but this is just ridiculous."
Evan and Lucas chuckled nervously when they overheard Ziona''s muttering, unsure of how else to respond. They knew Ziona was right - bringing the Elven woman back to their castle would have been a disaster.
As Lucas watched Ziona and Evan being tended to by Mia, his heart was heavy with guilt. He knew he had made a grave mistake by suggesting they bring the suicidal elf back to their castle, and now he was paying the price for hisck of foresight.
"I should have listened to Ziona," he thought to himself, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I had no idea that the elf was going to be such a danger to us. I could have put the whole team in harm''s way."
As he watched Mia apply bandages to Ziona and Evan''s minor wounds, Lucas couldn''t help but feel a sense of shame wash over him. He had always thought of himself as the smartest one in the room, the one with all the answers. But now he realized that his intelligence had been nothing but a hindrance.
[Team Iron Fortress Has Been Eliminated!]
[Team Cherry Blossom Has Been Eliminated!]
Suddenly, the robotic voice echoed in the Soreh Academy''s castle, announcing the elimination of two teams.
"Is the fight between other academies still going on?" Penelope asked, feeling uneasy about the situation.
Erina shared the same feeling. With only thirty minutes left in the match, it was strange that only two teams had been eliminated so far.
"Everyone, disperse to your designated locations and be on high alert. I have a bad feeling about this," Erina ordered, her voice urgent.
The team members nodded in agreement and quickly moved to their respective positions in the castle, keeping a lookout for any potential threats. They knew that they had to protect their own crown as well as the Iron Fortress crown they had secured to earn points until the end of the match.
Chapter 225 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [5]
Ting¡ªTing¡ªTing¡ªTing
The sound of warning bells echoed throughout the castle, startling Erina and the team. Erina knew this could only mean one thing - an impending attack.
With urgency, Erina hurried towards the ramparts with her team following her, scanning the horizon for signs of the approaching enemy.
"T-Two teams are approaching from the distance," Sofia alerted them, her voice tense with worry.
Erina''s heart sank as she spotted the approaching teams. One was from Shadow Academy, known for their stealth and deception, and the other was from Blitzeirg Academy, renowned for their lightning-fast attacks.
"What in the world? Did they not leave anyone behind to defend their own castle?" Erina eximed incredulously, watching as the entire teams of 10 members from both academies rushed towards them.
"Are they not worried about leaving their own castle undefended? What if some other academy seizes their crown?" Penelope added, echoing Erina''s thoughts.
Erina surveyed the situation with a sinking feeling in her stomach, recognizing that their team was outnumbered and outmatched. "They''reing at us from two sides, trying to divide our forces," she muttered to herself, her mind racing topose a strategy to defend their castle.
Despite facing overwhelming odds, Erina remained focused and determined. She knew that defending their castle would be easier than attacking the enemy''s castle, but she also knew they had to be strategic and work together as a team to survive the onught.
Erina began to formte a n in her mind, considering every possible scenario and weighing the strengths and weaknesses of her team against those of the enemy.
"Fuuu, Listen up, everyone!" Erinamanded, her voice ringing out over the noise of the bells. "Mages, take your positions on the walls and be ready to cast spells. Archers, head to the towers and be ready to rain down arrows on the enemy.
Lucas, and Ziona, prepare to meet them head-on. Oh, And Penelope, Mia, we need those magical barriers up now to protect our walls. Evan, you''re on gate duty. Don''t let anyone through!"
She paused for a moment, scanning the approaching students and assessing their options.
"Remember, we''re outnumbered and outmatched, but we have something they don''t have: teamwork. We work together, we fight together, and we win together. Let''s defend our castle with everything we''ve got!"
!!
Erina pumped herself up with her motivational speech, but the response she got from her team wasckluster at best. They all just stood there, nodding their heads like a bunch of bobbleheads.
"...."
Erina thought inwardly, ''Okay, maybe I need to work on my pep talk skills. Note to self: watch more sports movies for inspiration.''
And Without a word, the team quickly dispersed to their positions, each one knowing exactly what to do.
Erina sighed to herself, realizing that maybe her teammates were just more action-oriented than speech-oriented. As long as they fought well, that was all that mattered.
As they moved to their assigned positions, Mia and Penelope quickly got to work, channeling their magical energy to create a shimmering barrier around the castle walls. The barrier pulsed with a vibrant energy, its power evident to all who stood within its protective confines.
The skill was not one that either of them possessed naturally, but in this virtual reality world, all mages were given ess to it for this particr match. Mia and Penelope knew that this barrier would be crucial in keeping their enemies at bay and protecting the castle from any potential breaches.
However, it became noticeable that the barrier had limitations, as it left the main gate of their castle unprotected.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Ziona charged toward the enemy, their weapons shining in the sunlight. "We''ll hold them off!" Lucas shouted back to Erina.
Erina nodded, her face showing a determined expression. "Sofia, we need you to provide cover fire for Lucas and Ziona from the archer tower," she ordered through the voice chat.
"Got it, Erina. You can count on me," Sofia replied confidently, ready for the task at hand.
The first wave of attackers charged toward the castle walls, their weapons glinting menacingly. Lucas met them head-on, his spear thrusting with deadly precision. He spun around, his fiery weapon leaving a trail of mes in its wake as he deflected enemy strikes and pushed forward.
Clink¡ªClink¡ªClink
Meanwhile, Ziona moved swiftly and gracefully around the attackers, her katana shing as she took them by surprise from behind. She weaved in and out of their formations, using her agility to avoid the enemy''s attacks.
Sofia stood firmly on the archer tower, alert. With her bow and arrow at the ready, she scanned the battlefield, covering Lucas and Ziona from any possible surprise attacks. Her sharp eyes darted around, searching for any sign of a sneaky assault from the enemy.
However, Despite Lucas and Ziona''s valiant efforts, the Shadow Academy team proved to be a challenging opponent. Their members disyed impressive coordination and skill, making it difficult for Lucas and Ziona to gain any ground.
The two of them were forced to constantly dodge and deflect iing attacks, unable to find an opening to strike back.
At the same time, as the attackers from Blitzeirg Academy approached from the other side, Penelope and Mia stood at the forefront of the defense.
They unleashed a barrage of spells at the enemy, their elemental powers sting toward them with deadly uracy. The archers on the towers covered them, picking off anyone who dared toe too close.
The students struggled to advance as they faced fierce resistance, and their attempts to breach the castle walls were thwarted by thebined efforts of Penelope, Mia, and the archers Nate and Lio.
On the other hand, Evan held his position at the gate, determined to keep the enemy at bay. With his shield raised, he expertly deflected each iing attack on the gate with practiced ease. Despite the chaos and danger around him, he remained focused, his mind calcting every move.
Then, with a sudden burst of mana, Evan summoned a massive transparent barrier using one of his skills, shielding the gate from the hail of arrows and spells. The barrier held strong, but Evan could feel his mana rapidly depleting. He knew he couldn''t sustain the barrier for much longer without risking exhaustion.
The fight was intense and both sides were giving it their all. Despite the Blitzerig Academy attackers'' best efforts to breach the walls, the archers stationed on the towers proved to be a formidable obstacle, swiftly taking out any who attempted to scale the walls.
The sound of metal shing against metal, the shouts of the fighters, and the crackling of spells filled the air as the battle raged on.
Meanwhile, Erina watched from the ramparts, issuingmands to her team and scanning for any sign of the enemy''s next move.
She remained vignt for any sign of infiltration or sabotage, knowing that the Shadow Academy team was renowned for their stealth and cunning tactics. She understood that if they couldn''t prate the walls, they might try to sneak in and steal their Crown.
The team knew that they had to remain focused and alert if they hoped to emerge victorious from this battle.
***
Chapter 226 Match 3: The Siege Castle! [6]
[Team Royal Knight Academy Has Been Eliminated!]
Suddenly, the robotic voice echoed through the castle, announcing the elimination of the Royal Knight Academy. But team Soreh academy was too busy fighting to pay attention to the announcement.
They fought with all their might to defend their castle from the relentless attacks of the Shadow and Blitzerig Academies, determined to protect their stronghold at all costs. The battle raged on, with neither side giving an inch.
"Stay alert, team! They won''t give up that easily!"Erina shouted, her voice clear andmanding amidst the chaos of battle.
Despite Lucas'' impressive skills, the enemy continued to press forward with coordinated attacks. It was evident that the students from Shadow Academy were not amateurs; they fought with a level of skill and strategy that made it challenging for Lucas and the rest of the team to make any progress.
However, Lucas remained persistent to hold the enemy at bay with his zing spear, moving with agility and precision to fend off their attacks. "We won''t let them break through our defenses!" he eximed, his eyes focused on the task at hand.
Swish¡ªSwish
Sofia expertly fired arrows at the enemy, using her sharpshooting skills preventing them from aiming at Lucas and Ziona. "Take that, you cowards!" she yells, a fierce look on her face.
"Hehehe, this is it! It''s a good thing you all showed up," Ziona eximed with a wicked grin, twirling her katana in a show of skill.
As the attackers rushed at her, she effortlessly blocked their attacks and struck back with lightning-fast strikes, taking them down one by one. "Looks like they''re no match for us!" she chuckled, enjoying the thrill of battle.
Despite the relentless attacks from the enemy teams, team Soreh Academy fought with all their might, holding the line and protecting their castle from the invaders.
After a fierce battle, both the Shadow and Blitzkrieg Academy teams suddenly began to retreat as if they had some unspoken agreement. The Soreh Academy team, however, remained on high alert, fully aware that this could be a trick.
"What the...?" Ziona muttered in disbelief, her adrenaline still pumping from the intense fight. She had finally been able to eliminate multiple students from the Shadow Academy and was thrilled with her sess. But seeing them suddenly retreat from the battlefield made her feel both confused and irritated.
Erina quickly snapped into action, her sharp mind immediately suspicious of the retreat. "Keep your guard up, everyone. They might be nning something," she warned the team, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. ''Why would they suddenly retreat?''
However, Evan abruptly voiced his concern about the team''s depleted mana, "Uh, guys? I have used quite a lot of my mana to defend from thatst attack," he said through the voice chat.
Penelope and Mia chimed in, "Yeah, we had to use more than half of our mana to counter them as well."
"...."
Erina came out of her thoughts and quickly formted a n to conserve their resources, "Alright, let''s rotate our positions and take short breaks to save our mana. We need to stay alert and be ready for any surprise attacks."
BOOM¡ª
But before they could regroup fully, Erina''s suspicion proved to be right, as explosions rocked the castle walls, signaling the arrival of a new enemy team: cier Peak Academy.
Spells and arrows rained down on them from all sides, cracking the barrier and making it difficult for the Soreh Academy team to regroup.
"Quick, take cover!" Erina yelled as she sprinted towards the ramparts to get a better view of the situation.
Evan, Penelope, and Mia, who were able to regroup quickly, followed her, taking refuge behind the stone walls and pirs, avoiding the spells and arrows.
"We need toe up with a n fast. We can''t keep defending like this forever," Evan said, his voice strained from the constant barrage of attacks.
Erina nodded, "Agreed. We need to conserve our mana and take out their strongest attackers first. Ziona, Lucas, and Sofia, I want you to take out the enemy''s ranged attackers first. Evan, Penelope, Mia, Nate and Lio focus on their mages. I''ll take care of their front liners."
The team quickly sprang into action, moving with purpose and efficiency. Lucas charged towards the cier Peak Academy''s rangers, his spear igniting with mes, while Sofia provided cover with a steady barrage of arrows. Ziona weaved in and out of the enemy lines, taking down the attackers with swift and deadly strikes.
Meanwhile, under Evan''s protection, Penelope and Mia focused their attacks on the spellcasters, using their skills to disrupt their spells.
Erina moved quickly, her daggers glinting in aura as she engaged the two cier Peak Academy front liners. The two opponents were wielding weapons made of ice, and were using them with great skill.
Erina dodged and weaved around their attacks, her daggers shing in the air as she struck at their vulnerable spots. They both were quick and agile, but Erina was faster, and her strikes were more precise.
Clink¡ª Clink
As she continued to dance around them, she noticed that their ice weapons were starting to crack and shatter under the pressure of her attacks. She pressed her advantage, striking harder and faster until finally, with a loud crack, the ice weapons shatteredpletely.
Crack¡ª
With their weapons gone, they were at a disadvantage, but they still had their magic. They began to cast a spell, and a st of ice shot toward Erina. She quickly dodged to the side, but the st caught her arm, causing her to wince in pain.
Undeterred, Erina continued her assault, striking at the two of them at the same time with renewed vigor. She managed to disarm one of them, and with a swift motion, plunged her dagger into his chest, sending him to the ground and eliminating him.
"Ahhh"
The other front liner continued to fight, using his ice magic to conjure up a shield to protect himself. But Erina was resolved, and she continued to strike at the shield with all her might until finally, it shattered into a million pieces.
Shatter¡ª
With the shield gone, Erina saw her opportunity and lunged forward, plunging her dagger into the front liner''s neck, before decapitating him. His headless body fell to the ground, before turning into particles.
Erina took a moment to catch her breath, looking around at the chaos that surrounded her. The battle was far from over, but at least for now, she had taken care of the enemy''s front liners.
"I have taken care of the front liners on my side. What''s the situation on your end?" she asked over the voice chat, scanning the battlefield for any signs of new enemies.
Evan''s voice crackled through the voice chat, "We''ve managed to disrupt most of their spells, but they still have some strong mages left. We need Archers to take them out fast."
Penelope added, "I''m low on mana, but I can keep them busy for a little while longer."
Erina nodded to herself, taking in the information from her team as they updated her on their respective situations. As the battle raged on, they fought with all their might, using their skills and mana sparingly to keep their defenses up. For a brief moment, it seemed as though they were starting to gain the upper hand.
But suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed across the battlefield, shaking the castle walls and causing the ground to tremble.
BOOM¡ª
As the Shadow and Blitzerig Academy teams appeared on the battlefield once again, their arrival was marked by a loud explosion that shook the castle walls.
Mia''s voice trembled as she informed the team, "T-The Shadow Academy and Blitzerig Academy are back as well!"
BOOM¡ª
Another explosion erupted from the other side of the castle, and Nate''s panicked voice filled the air, "I-It''s the Martial Star Academy! They''re here too!"
Erina watched in horror as their castle walls crumbled under the relentless attacks from all sides. Her heart sank as she realized the gravity of their situation, knowing that they were now surrounded by opponents from all directions.
The sound of spells and arrows raining down on them was deafening, and the team''s stamina and mana were running dangerously low.
As the enemy teams continued their advance, Erina watched as the health bar of their castle rapidly decreased, and the main gate was breached. She knew that if they couldn''te up with a n, they might not make it through the battle.
Swish¡ª
"T-This is bad we need to¡ª" Erina''s words were cut short as she was suddenly hit by an enemy''s arrow.
"Ughh!"
The oue was uncertain, and the fate of their castle hung in the bnce. Would they be able to hold off the enemy teams and protect their castle, or would they fall to their opponents'' overwhelming forces? Only time will tell.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 227 Match 3: Conclusion [1]
[Your Teammate Nate Has Been Eliminated!]
[Your Teammate Lio Has Been Eliminated!]
[Your Teammate Sofia Has Been Eliminated!]
The team from Soreh Academy heard the notifications of their archers being eliminated, one after the other. It was an obvious result under the onught of spells and arrows raining down from all directions, bombarding the archer towers and destroying thempletely.
Even their castle gates were destroyed, and members from all the remaining academies swarmed in to seize their Crown.
Meanwhile, inside their crumbled castle, Evan, Penelope, Mia, and Erina stood their ground, with the smoke from the enemies'' previous attacks still lingering in the air.
Under the cover of smoke, Evan readied his shield and stood in front, while Penelope, Mia, and Erina stood behind him with their weapons at the ready.
Erina had previously been hit by an arrow with a bleeding effect, causing her health to rapidly decrease every passing second. She knew that it was only a matter of time before she would be eliminated from the match.
Erina gritted her teeth as she felt the blood seeping from her wound. She was also well aware that their chances of winning were slim, with all the enemy academies aiming for their crown.
Realistically, the best option was to take as many kills as possible before getting eliminated themselves.
"...Let''s take as many kills as we can before getting eliminated," she said in a pained voice.
Her teammates nodded in agreement, their eyes shing with determination. They were prepared to use everything at their disposal to take down as many enemy members as possible.
"I found them, they''re hiding in the smoke," one of the enemy students yelled, alerting his team.
!?
Erina and the team braced themselves for the fight as the enemy rushed toward them from both sides.
"Mia, Evan, take the left. Penelope, you''re with me. Protect my back!" Erina ordered, her voice ringing out over the chaos of battle.
As the enemy team charged at them, Mia summoned a wall of earth to block their path. The opponents quickly cast fire spells to break through the wall, but Penelope countered with a wave of mes, pushing them back.
Meanwhile, Evan held his shield steady, blocking the enemy''s attacks, and Erina darted in and out of the fray with her daggers, striking from behind and dealing heavy damage.
One of the enemies charged at Erina, but she was quick to react and activated her skill.
"Shadow Step!" she shouted, disappearing from sight and reappearing behind her opponent. With a swift strike, shended a critical hit, eliminating the enemy instantly.
As she turned around, she saw two more enemies closing in on her from behind. Without hesitation, she unleashed her "Dagger Dance" skill, spinning around and striking multiple enemies at once. However, the opponents were able to block her attacks and regroup, targeting her at once with abined technique.
Clink¡ª Clink
Their attacks were relentless, and Erina was starting to feel the effects of the arrow wound from earlier. Her movements slowed, and she began to feel faint.
Just as it seemed like Erina was about to be eliminated, Penelope came to her rescue, unleashing a powerful spell.
"me Burst!" Penelope shouted, and a burst of mes shot out from her staff, engulfing their enemies and allowing Erina to catch her breath.
"Ahhhh"
The sounds of screams echoed throughout the surroundings before their HP finally dropped to Zero and they turned into particles and disappeared, eliminated.
The three remaining mages continued to barrage them with spells, but Evan, the shield bearer, quickly moved to protect his teammates as their attacks approached.
"Turtle Stance!" he called out, his shield glowing with a protective aura as he braced himself for the enemy''s attacks.
Thudle¡ª Crackle¡ª
Evan winced from the impact of the relentless barrage of spells. He had managed to block their attacks using his shield, but he could feel his HP slowly draining away.
"Guys, I don''t know how much longer I can hold them off," he said through gritted teeth.
Erina, their main damage dealer, was now critically injured and unable to move. Her HP was rapidly dropping every second, and any movement would only exacerbate her condition.
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Mia stepped forward and spoke urgently, "I can create a distraction and halt their attacks for a moment, but we need someone to finish them off quickly."
"I can help with that," Penelope replied, "but I only have enough mana for one spell. If you can create an opening, I can deal with them."
Mia''s eyes glinted with determination as she nodded in agreement. She raised her staff high in the air and channeled all her remaining mana into her spell.
"Seismic m!" she shouted, mming her staff onto the ground with all her might. The impact sent a powerful shockwave rippling through the earth, hurtling toward their enemies.
The ground shook violently, and rocks and debris were sent flying in all directions, causing the opponent mages to lose their bnce and fall to the ground, momentarily stunned.
Penelope quickly took advantage of the situation and unleashed her skill.
"FIREBALL!" She eximed.
And as the huge fireball crashed down on the mages, the team stood back and watched as their enemies were incinerated into particles eliminated.
Fuuu¡ª
They were able to defeat the enemy team and stood victorious, albeit with injuries and low health.
Erina, struggling to stay on her feet, spoke through the voice chat, "...I''m out of mana, and my HP is dangerously low. This is it for me. You guys need to stay strong and survive as much as you can."
"Sorry, Erina, but I don''t think we can continue any longer," Mia spoke up with an awkward smile. "We''re out of mana as well, and we only made it this far thanks to your orders and coordination. We can''t fight like this without you."
Erina''s heart sank. She knew the situation was dire, and there was no shame in admitting defeat. She couldn''t ask her team to risk their lives with no mana left.
"I see," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The team stood in silence for a moment, taking in the gravity of the situation. They had fought bravely, but it wasn''t enough.
Swoosh¡ªSwoosh¡ªSwoosh
And suddenly a barrage of arrows filled the air, heading straight for them.
"...I guess, this is it then," Erina said with a heavy heart, her gaze fixed on the iing arrows.
"....."
"Evan, can you block those?" Penelope asked, her eyes scanning the iing threat.
Evan shook his head, "My shield is cracked and the iing arrows are coated in mana. They will shatter my shield instantly," he stated.
"Is that so," Penelope muttered to herself, thinking about the situation at hand.
"Sorry guys!" She said abruptly, interrupting their thoughts.
!?
"You don''t have to¡ª" The team turned to her, trying to reassure her that it wasn''t her fault, but their words died on their lips and their eyes widened in shock as they noticed something strange happening.
Penelope closed her eyes and began to chant a spell. Suddenly, a bright light enveloped her, and she spread her arms wide.
"What''s happening?" Evan asked, worried.
"P-Penelope you¡ª" Erina stuttered, at a loss for words.
"Phoenix''s Embrace!" Penelope shouted, and a massive explosion of fire erupted from her, engulfing the team and the iing arrows.
Kaboom!¡ª
---
To Be Continued...
Chapter 228 Match 3: Conclusion [2]
[Your Teammate Penelope Has Been Eliminated!]
[Your Teammate Erina Has Been Eliminated!]
[Your Teammate Mia Has Been Eliminated!]
[Your Teammate Evan Has Been Eliminated!]
Lucas and Ziona, thest remaining members of Soreh academy, heard the notifications. They also heard Erina and others'' voices through the voice chat and knew their situation well, but they were too upied to even respond or help them.
"Lucas, you idiot! I''ll kill you myself if you hold back any longer!" Ziona eximed in frustration.
Up until now, it seemed manageable, but Ziona was out of mana and was exhausted from fighting so many students by herself.
And the worst part was that Lucas was not being any help. Even though he had the strength to take the students down, he was not attacking with the intent to eliminate them. He was just dodging and blocking their attacks, trying to keep them at bay, the task given to him by Erina.
"Argh, what are you even trying to protect now? Our castle is already breached!" Ziona shouted as she struggled to block the attacksing from all directions.
Clink¡ª Clink
"Just five minutes. We only need to defend ourselves for five more minutes before the match ends," Lucas informed.
!?
Ziona couldn''t believe what she had just heard.
''What is this vegan doing in a butcher shop? What was Ares even thinking sending someone like him to a match like this?'' She screamed inwardly.
Though she already knew Lucas''s personality well, but when she saw him get the first kill for their team in this match, she thought his attitude might change because this is just a VR world. However, she couldn''t be more wrong.
"What''s the point of just nning on surviving? We don''t get any points for that, you know," Ziona asked, clearly irritated.
"Of course, I know that. But our crown is still safe, as we haven''t received any notification of it being stolen yet. If we can survive the next four minutes, we might be able to secure our crown points as well," Lucas replied.
Ziona was taken aback. ''Now that I think about it, he''s not wrong. But...'' She paused in her thoughts and then spoke, "But it still doesn''t make sense why you''re not eliminating them?"
Lucas didn''t answer immediately, and instead asked a question, "Do you know why our crown is still intact even after our castle was destroyed?"
"...."
Ziona paused, unsure of how to answer.
"W-Why?" she finally asked as she used her skill for the final time, knowing that she would have no mana left after this.
"Atomic sh!" Ziona shouted, as she sliced through several opponents with her katana.
Swash¡ªSwash
"Consider this: our castle has been reduced to ruins, yet our crown remains untouched. This can only mean that the enemy teams are battling amongst themselves to decide who ims our crown. Although they have temporarily joined forces, they are still rivaling against one another in the tournament," Lucas borated.
"...."
Ziona''s expression tightened. "...So you''re saying we just need to hold out for a few more minutes, and we might actually win this?" she asked.
"Exactly," Lucas said, grinning. "Now let''s hold out for just a little while longer."
Swash¡ª
With a swift motion, he unleashed a massive line of fire from his spear, separating himself from his opponents.
Ziona listened to his exnation with a skeptical expression. "Your reasoning makes sense, but Argg, why are you still holding back?" she pressed.
"If I defeat them now, their teammates will immediatelye after us again. It will take us time to get used to their attack patterns, which is something we cannot afford," Lucas exined calmly.
Ziona continued to believe his nonsensical reasoning until her worst fear came true.
[Your Crown Has Been Stolen By The Martial Star Academy!]
Ziona was stunned into silence, realizing that their team had lost.
"I ...was an idiot to believe everything he said," she muttered under her breath. But before she could fully process the situation, she was struck by a surprise attack on her guts.
Crack¡ª
A resounding Crack was heard before she was sent flying across the battlefield, rolling around several times before finallying to a stop.
[Warning: Your HP is Low!]
Ziona heard the warning notification, but she was in no shape to respond. She struggled to breathe, with several broken bones.
"What? I thought she was the strongest in the team?" Hercules said with a huge grin as he smashed his fists against each other. He wore a gauntlet, and the ting-ting sound echoed through the battlefield.
"And you all were struggling just to deal with her?" Hechuckled as he advanced towards Ziona.
"Hercules!" Lucas gritted his teeth and muttered as he saw Herculesunch a surprise attack on Ziona.
Before he could go to help Ziona, a barrage of arrows fell toward him. He quickly used his spear to block the arrows, rotating it at a fast pace.
Clink¡ªClink¡ªClink
Meanwhile, Hercules just ignored him and moved toward Ziona with a smirk on his face.
Cough¡ªCough
Ziona struggled to stand up, coughing blood in the process.
"There are still three minutes remaining, so I thought I could have some fun fighting one of the strongest fighters from the Soreh Academy. But what''s this? Why is your HP already so low? Don''t tell me these useless weak bastards were able to lower your HP by that much?" Hercules chuckled.
Ziona didn''t bother to reply. With great struggle, she just managed to stand up with the support of her katana.
"So, you''re the infamous Hercules, huh?" Ziona said, grinning despite her bloodied teeth. "How... scared were you to resort to a surprise attack on me?" she added, her voiceced with sarcasm.
"...."
Hearing this, Hercules'' smile faded. Sensing an opportunity, Ziona lunged forward with her katana in hand, putting all of her remaining strength into the attack.
"Yahhh!"
But Hercules easily dodged Ziona''s slowed attack and grabbed her right arm in which she was holding her katana, disarming her with a single crack. Her sword fell to the ground.
"Arhhh" Ziona screamed in pain.
"Did you really think this weak attack could even scratch me?" Hercules taunted.
And using his other hand, he grabbed Ziona by her neck and lifted it effortlessly into the air.
"H-Hercules! Leave her alone ande at me if you dare!" Lucas screamed, now surrounded by the Martial Star Academy team.
"Oh, my dear brother-inw, how are you doing? I didn''t see you there," Hercules replied with a grin.
Lucas'' face distorted at the sound of Hercules'' voice.
"Don''t worry, I''ll end this quickly and painlessly," Hercules said, then turned back toward Ziona. She was hitting his hand, struggling to loosen his grip, but s, had no strength left.
"Argg!"
Hercules tightened his grip on Ziona''s neck, exerting enough pressure to snap it with a loud crack.
Snap¡ª
Ziona''s hands stopped struggling and fell lifelessly, indicatingshe was eliminated.
Squash¡ª
But before she could disintegrate into particles, With brute strength, Hercules tore off Ziona''s head and flung it towards Lucas like a ball.
Thud¡ª Thud
Roll¡ª Roll
The head rolled towards Lucas'' feet before disappearing into thin air, leaving him stunned and speechless.
The Martial Star Academy team watched in amusement as Lucas stared at the spot where Ziona''s head had been.
Lucas''s spear suddenly burst into mes, fierce and threatening, capable of scorching everything in its path.
"I ...will kill you --" Lucas began to say, but it was already toote.
Beep--
A sudden beeping sound echoed, signaling the end of Match 3.
Chapter 229 Match 3: Points Table [1]
Beep!
The sound marked the end of the intense Match 3, leaving the audience divided between cheers and shock. The face-off between Iron Fortress Academy and Soreh Academy was immediate and fierce, resulting in Soreh Academy''s victory and the early elimination of Iron Fortress Academy.
Next, Cherry Blossom Academy and Royal Knight Academy fought with all their might on equal terms, until Cherry Blossom Academy was ambushed by a pincer attack from Martial Star Academy, resulting in their instant elimination. Meanwhile, Royal Knight Academy put up a struggle against the sudden attack from cier Peak Academy but eventually fell due to exhaustion from their previous fight.
Later, Shadow Academy and Blitzreig Academy teamed up against Soreh Academy, joined by Martial Star and cier Peak Academy. They finally managed to take down the academy that was sitting on top of the points table.
The entire match was a thrilling roller coaster ride, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats wondering if the Soreh Academy team would be able to hold their ground against the teamed-up opponents. Unfortunately, they fell, but the audience was excited to see how they would respond in the uing matches, eagerly anticipating their rivalry with the other teams.
Meanwhile, in the VIP box, the guests had their own opinions on the match.
"Looks like the points table is going to shuffle drastically after this match," Josephmented.
"Why aren''t you talking about the savage attack by that Hercules, Joseph? Weren''t youining about the way Ares defeated that shield bearer?" Sarah asked, giving Joseph a nk stare.
"What? This much is eptable. Ares started it, and now his team has paid for it," Joseph scoffed.
Sarah could tell from Joseph''s biased opinion that he didn''t like Ares, likely due to Jessica''s involvement.
In any case, if Ares and Hercules were to face off in the tournament, which seemed inevitable, and Ares managed to defeat the previously unbeatable Hercules, Jessica had promised to apologize to Ares for badmouthing him.
Joseph likely didn''t want to see his friend, or potential love interest, apologize to Ares in front of the whole world.
Sarah was lost in thought about Joseph''s possible motives when ine''s voice interrupted her.
"Who cares about that? I just want to watch them fight each other already. By eliminating Ziona in a simr brutal way as Ares, Hercules clearly dered war against him. And I can say for sure that no matter who wins between them, the result will be unsightly and bloodied for the audience to see," ine spoke with a grin on her face.
Sarah was about to reply when she remembered ine''s mission to find Marz. "Didn''t you go to look out for that Marz guy? Why did youe back?" she asked ine.
ine''s grin grew wider as she responded, "That Marz is already pulling a disappearing act right in front of your noses, but you''re all blind to it!" she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
!?
Everyone in the VIP box turned towards ine, their eyes widened in surprise. Marshal, the eldest son of the adventurer association president, was about to question ine when her reaction stopped him in his tracks.
Pftt, Ahahahahahaha~
"He really is an interesting one," ineughed wickedly, herughter echoing in the VIP box.
The rest of them stared at her in surprise, curious about what she knew about the demon lord killer, Marz.
"...."
***
Swish¡ª
The match had ended and everyone was instantly teleported back to the real world.
With a flicker, the VR simtion ended, and Lucas began to remove his gear, only to find his teammates staring at him.
p¦Á§ád¦Á-¨¾?¦Í¨º|¡¤§ã¨®§® "Lucas, what the hell was that?!" Erina eximed, her eyes zing with anger.
But Lucas immediately turned to Ziona, who had lifeless eyes, as if she was disappointed in herself. "Ziona, I¡ª" Lucas was about to apologize to her, but she cut him off.
"Don''t ever talk to me ever again," Ziona said with a distorted expression before storming out of the VR room.
Erina and the rest of the team gave Lucas a pitying look before shaking their heads and following behind Ziona.
"I''m ...such a loser!" Lucas muttered to himself, his head hung low.
''What if the same situation happened in the real world? Would I still hesitate to kill my enemies? What if A was in that position¡ª''
He didn''t even want to think of that possibility, and just thinking about it made him shudder.
"...I have to get stronger," Lucas muttered as he exited the VR room and was met with students from all the remaining academies waiting to see the points table. He was thest one to arrive.
p¡ªp¡ªp
As soon as Lucas arrived, Professor Maya began to sarcastically p her hands.
"Wow, the people like you still exist huh? I guess it''s expected from Tania Elizabeth''s disciple. She might be proud of your performance today," Maya taunted.
"Well, even if you had fought with all your might to eliminate them, I don''t think it would have made any difference. This oue was bound to happen," she continued, her taunts bing more direct.
The Martial Star Academy team couldn''t help but grin when they heard her, but Maya''s next words wiped the smiles off their faces.
"What are you all grinning about? Idiots!" she eximed, her expression turning sour.
!?
Confused, the team from Martial Star Academy wondered why the professor was suddenly disrespecting them.
''Huh? But we heard she is the type to respect winners. Why this attitude toward our team then?'' they all pondered, confused.
"Although teaming up to take down your strongestpetitor is cool and all, why was betrayal not part of your n? I was expecting you guys to betray the rest of the academies and steal their Crowns in the end," Maya said, clicking her tongue in disappointment.
Tch¡ª
"...."
The Martial Star Academy team was stunned into silence, unsure of how to respond to her.
It wasn''t that they didn''t want to betray the other teams and steal their crowns, but the risks were too high. If they did, then they would end up like Soreh Academy in the uing matches, and they couldn''t afford that.
So, they kept their urges to themselves and didn''t act funny, trying not to betray each other.
[MATCH 3: THE SIEGE CASTLE HAS NOW OFFICIALLY ENDED!]
[YOU CAN NOW CHECK THE POINTS TABLE!]
Suddenly, the announcement of the end of the match was made, and the points table for the match appeared on the screen in the VR room.
The students looked at the points table curiously, and there was a brief moment of silence as all the teams examined the results.
[MATCH 3: POINTS TABLE!]
#1 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 36 POINTS ¡Á 1 Crown
#2 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 30 POINTS ¡Á 1 Crown
#3 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 26 POINTS ¡Á 1 Crown
#4 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 25 POINTS ¡Á 1 Crown
#5 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 21 POINTS
#6 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 5 POINTS
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 3 POINTS
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 1 POINT
¡ó
[MOST KILLS!]
#1 TEAM SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 21 KILLS
#2 TEAM MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 11 KILLS
#3 TEAM CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 5 KILLS
#4 TEAM GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 5 KILLS
#5 TEAM ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 3 KILLS
#6 TEAM SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 1 KILL
#7 TEAM BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 1 KILL
#8 TEAM IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 1 KILL
¡ó
[STAR STUDENT OF THE MATCH: 3!]
¡ï ZIONA MADLOCK ¡ª 8 KILLS!
***
Chapter 230 Match 3: Points Table [2]
As they examined the points table, their eyes widened in shock and their mouths hung open. They had never thought that Team Soreh Academy had managed to get so many kills.
"How is this possible?!" one of the students from Martial Star Academy eximed in disbelief.
The four teams had teamed up against Soreh Academy to prevent them from scoring more points in this match, but it seemed to have backfired. Even though they were able to seize Soreh Academy''s crown, they had unwittingly given them the opportunity to rack up arge number of kill points.
As the saying goes, a cornered rat will bite.
In this case, the cornered Team Soreh Academy had managed to get as many kills as they could before getting eliminated.
"W-Wait! The kill count doesn''t make sense here," one of the Shadow Academy students suddenly protested.
"What are you talking about?" Maya asked, giving the student a disdainful look.
"Team Martial Star, tell me how many Soreh academy students you have eliminated?" the Shadow Academy student turned to them and asked.
"We eliminated 9 students from Team Cherry Blossom and 2 from Soreh Academy," one of the Martial Star Academy team members replied.
"Ok, so you guys got 2 kills from Team Soreh Academy, and we got 1 kill from them," he said and paused for a moment, turning towards cier Peak Academy and Blitzeirg Academy. "And what about you guys?" he inquired.
"The single kill we have is from the Soreh Academy," one of the team members of Blitzeirg Academy said.
"We didn''t get any kills from Team Soreh Academy. Our 5 kills came from The Royal Knight Academy," one of the students from cier Peak Academy responded.
"See? Then what happened to the remaining 6 kills?" the Shadow Academy student turned and asked Maya.
Maya struggled to control herughter but eventually burst outughing, leaving everyone else confused by her reaction.
Pftt, heheheh~
"Let me tell you where those 6 kills went," she finally said, managing to stifle her giggles.
"One of the Soreh Academy''s stupid teammates fell for an obvious trap set by a student from Iron Fortress Academy and got eliminated. The muscleheads from Martial Star Academy decided to spare that Hero guy for who knows what stupid reason.
As for the remaining four students, student Penelope sted herself along with her team members to prevent others from getting their kill points. It was a smart move, if I say so myself," Maya exined, turning towards Penelope and giving her a thumbs-up.
Penelope smiled awkwardly as the other teams'' gaze fell on her.
"...."
''What? Something like that was possible as well?''
The students were all shocked by the revtion, except for the elven woman who had previously attempted a simr strategy but to eliminate her opponents not her own teammates.
"Interesting tactic," she muttered to herself with a small smile.
"Let''s not dwell on that now. We should focus on the overall points table after match 3," Maya announced, diverting their attention to the screen where the updated points table was disyed.
The students eagerly examined the table, their eyes darting back and forth as they tried to calcte their current standings. It was clear that the results of this match had significantly affected the rankings, and tensions were running high as the teams realized the stakes were getting higher with each passing match.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 56 Points: Wins¡Á1??
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 51 Points ??
#3 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 50 Points: Wins¡Á1 ??
#4 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 44 Points ??
#5 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 37 Points ??
#6 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 29 Points: Wins¡Á1 ??
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 16 Points ??
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 8 Points??
***
"Tsk, it looks like even after teaming up, you guys still weren''t able to knock them down from the top spot," Maya chuckled, noticing the disappointment on the faces of the other teams.
Silence followed as everyone examined the updated points table. Soreh Academy still held the top spot with 56 points, and the other teams had only managed to reduce the gap to five points between them and the second-ce Shadow Academy, which now had 51 points.
Despite this, they had sessfully brought down Soreh Academy''s assumed ally, Cherry Blossom Academy, from third to sixth ce, with a gap of eight points between them and fifth-ce Blitzeirg Academy, which had climbed from seventh to fifth ce after this match.
Iron Fortress Academy remained at the bottom of the table at eighth ce, and the next match would likely be do or die for them.
"Anyway, congrattions to Team Soreh Academy for still maintaining the top spot. And also, congrattions to the star yer of match 3: Ziona Madlock," Maya announced, appearing immediately in front of Ziona.
She lifted Ziona''s face by the chin and held it, "Don''t be disappointed, you did great! If it weren''t for your HP being dropped by that suicidal explosion attack of that elf, you would have given that barbarian a run for his money," Maya remarked with an unusually warm smile.
Hercules''s face twisted when he heard Maya call him a barbarian, and Ziona''s next words were like salt in his wounds.
"No," Ziona shook her head, moving Maya''s hand from her face.
!?
Suddenly, a huge grin crept on her face, showing her beastly teeth, "...I would have been able to destroy himpletely even with half of my HP if that coward bastard didn''t resort to a surprise attack," Ziona dered, showing Hercules middle finger.
"...."
Ziona firmly believes in the saying, "everything is fair in love and war." She also realizes that she cannot me Hercules forunching a surprise attack on her, in fact, she would have done the same if she were in his shoes.
She would have epted her defeat with a warrior''s heart, but she couldn''t let it slide if some bastard on steroids was showing off after defeating her by flinging her head like a ball.
To her, this was a deration of war, she was ready to face any challenge that came her way, even if it meant fighting the whole academy.
"You Bitch!" Hercules'' face contorted in anger as he lunged at her, ready to attack.
"Bring it on, you barbarian bastard!" Ziona grinned as she charged at him in response.
But before they could exchange blows, Maya appeared in between them in an instant, stopping both of them by holding their hands with hers.
Thump¡ª
"Hmm? Are you guys taking me as a joke¡ª" Maya said in an irritated tone. However, before she couldplete her sentence, with a swish, someone appeared in an instant from the side and hit Hercules in his guts, sending him flying and crashing into the wall with a resounding thud.
Thud¡ª
Weblike cracks appeared from the impact, and Hercules groaned in pain as he lifted his head to see who the attacker was.
!?
"I was wondering why you guys still haven''t arrived back. I was waiting for you in our meeting room, you know?" Ares said with a grin.
"Your surprise attack was not cool, Ares! You should have hit him on his face instead, like swoosh, and he would go like a boom or something," Diana said as she arrived behind him, adding sound effects.
"...No, he should beat him repeatedly until he''s mashed potato," Livia added shaking her head continually.
"...."
"Ares?"
***
Chapter 231 Unexpected Confessions!
"Student Ares, what are you doing here? Fights between students are not allowed outside the VR world," Maya furrowed her brows in disapproval.
"Oh, my bad. We just came by to get our team members," Ares replied with a smile.
"Yeah, you see, we''ve been waiting for them for quite a while now, but they still haven''t arrived. So we thought something happened to them, and we dropped by," Diana added nodding repeatedly.
Maya just gave them a nk stare while the Martial Star Academy students rushed toward Hercules to check on him.
"You bastard, how dare you-" Hercules stood back up with a ferocious expression with the help of his teammates, but Maya cut him off.
"SHUT IT!" she eximed, stopping Hercules mid-sentence.
"Show your rivalry when you guys meet each other in the match, and not in front of me," she added firmly, though inwardly she was excited at the prospect of a potential fight.
''Come on, I''m just saying, but I won''t stop you if you guys want to fight that badly. Fight! Fight!'' Maya''s thoughts raced with anticipation.
However, As Aresnded his gaze on the teams in front of him, his left eye began to crackle with electricity, and he spoke with a grin, "You all may have teamed up against us in this match, but let me warn you, the uing matches will be a different story. I''m curious to see if you''re up for the challenge," Ares said with a grin and a dangerous glint in his eye.
As Ares'' gaze fell upon the teams, they suddenly fell to the ground, gasping for breath and clutching their chests in pain.
"Argh!"
!?
"What''s happening?" Maya eximed, immediately sprang into action, trying to help her struggling students.
A dark, ominous presence seemed to fly above Ares, its dark wings spreading wide, but he couldn''t see it. Confused by this reaction, Ares retracted his gaze and his left eye returned back to normal. Slowly but surely, the teams regained their breath and started to get up from the ground.
However, only the teams from Martial Star, Blitzeirg, cier Peak, and Shadow academies were affected by Ares'' gaze. The rest of the teams stared at Ares in shock and disbelief, including his own teammates.
''What the...? Is this also due to my left eye?'' Ares pondered, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Ares, I am hungry. Let''s go eat," Livia unbothered, spoke abruptly as she tucked his sleeve, which brought him out of his daze.
"...."
"...Yeah sure, let''s go," Ares said and turned to leave with Livia, but soon Diana shook her head and came out of her thoughts before following behind them as well.
While everyone else stood there confused, including Maya who was still trying to figure out what happened.
Erina, in particr, was left with many thoughts swirling in her head. ''Didn''t he say he came here for us? Then why is he leaving with only Livia and Diana? And what about the rest of our team? And the meeting we were supposed to have?''
***
They exited the premises and were on their way to a fancy food stand that Livia had rmended.
As they walked, they saw the excited crowds, various food stands, and game stalls. It felt like a festival, and people were staring at them as they moved.
"Look, it''s Ares, Livia, and Diana from Soreh Academy!" one excited teenager eximed.
"Kyaaa! Ares is so handsome up close!"
"Let''s go get a picture with him," the girls said and were about to approach Ares but stopped in their tracks when they felt the res from Livia and Diana.
"....."
"Hey Ares, aren''t we going to teach Lucas and Kevin a lesson for their stupid behavior during the match?" Diana asked suddenly, ignoring the crowd.
"If we''re going to teach them a lesson, we have to start with you, you dumb potato," Livia retorted.
"L-Livia, y-you don''t call me that!"
They began to bicker among themselves while Ares ignored them and was lost in thought.
''I didn''t have much hope for Kevin anyway, but what''s bothering me is Lucas''s performance in this match,'' Ares pondered.
Despite Lucas'' goody-two-shoes character, he had performed exceptionally well in the novel and had not hesitated to eliminate other participants. Despite the divided state of the Soreh Academy team, Lucas had been the driving force behind their sess in every match he participated in.
It suddenly dawned on Ares that A had been present beside Lucas in every match he participated in.
''Even during our entrance examination, A was by his side, and Lucas managed to eliminate a good number of students, which is why he was ced in a special ss.''
"That means only one thing! Lucas wouldn''t hesitate to kill anyone as long as it is to protect A," Ares muttered.
Overhearing Ares, Diana nodded in agreement, "You''re right. Sometimes it seems like Lucas is just a remote-controlled robot with A holding the remote. She can control him however she wants," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"...."
As they walked, Ares nced at Diana who was walking beside him on his right with a skeptical expression. ''And then there''s Diana. She can be incredibly dumb most of the time, but then she surprises me with her sharp wit. Is she hiding a side of herself that wasn''t mentioned in the novel?'' Ares wondered.
"Hmm? Do I have something on my face, Ares? Why are you looking at me like that? You''re making me blush," Diana said putting both hands on her cheeks.
"...It''s nothing," Ares replied, shaking his head and redirecting his attention elsewhere.
"So, you were also surprised when Dumb potato spoke sensibly for once?" Livia asked, tugging on Ares'' arm.
"Yeah, she can be unpredictable," Ares replied with a smile, shaking his head.please visit
"What? I''m not unpredictable. And Livia, don''t call me that," Diana protested as she suddenly grabbed onto Ares'' other arm.
"..."
"You, why are youing with us?" Livia suddenly asked, giving Diana a sour expression as she saw her clinging to Ares.
"Duh, because I''m hungry too," Diana replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Go eat by yourself and leave us alone!" Livia scowled.
"W-What? You both are not nning on going on a date without me, are you?" Diana asked with puppy eyes as she looked at Ares.
"...."
''Their feelings towards me had be increasingly evident, and I could no longer y the role of the oblivious protagonist who remained unaware of their affection,'' Ares pondered, shaking his head.
It was also clear to him that both Livia and Diana were aware that he knew about their feelings.
"Yes, it''s a date! So now get lost and leave us alone," Livia said, grabbing Ares'' hand tightly.
"H-Huh? T-Then what about me?" Diana asked, her gaze still fixed on Ares.
Sighing, Ares replied, "You cane with us as well."
"W-What, Ares?" Livia eximed surprised.
"Wow, really? Hehehe, thank you Ares! I love¡ª" Diana said excitedly, but halted mid-sentence when she saw Livia ring at her.
!!
"What ...were you going to say to him?" Livia demanded, her eyes glowing fiercely. "I dare you to say it!"
Diana met Livia''s unwavering gaze and said, "Actually, Livia... I love Ares as well."
''Ah shit.''
Ares was taken aback by Diana''s sudden confession. He had never expected her to reveal her feelings so openly, in front of Livia at that.
Livia, on the other hand, was furious. Her aura changed in an instant, and the ground beneath their feet started to freeze.
"What... did you just say?" Livia asked again, her voiceced with anger.
Diana took a deep breath and repeated, "I said that I love Ares. I''m sorry, Livia. I didn''t want to hurt you."
"You''re sorry?" Livia scoffed, her eyes shing with rage. "You''re sorry for trying to steal the man I love?"
"Livia, please calm down," Ares interjected, trying to diffuse the tension. "Diana and I have been friends for a long time, and I didn''t expect her to reveal her feelings like this."
Livia ignored Ares and turned to Diana. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal Ares away from me?" she spat. "Ares is mine, and I won''t let you or anyone else take him from me."
"Livia, that''s not fair," Diana protested. "I have feelings for Ares as well. We can talk this out like adults."
"I don''t want to talk this out!" Livia yelled. "I want you to stay away from Ares. He''s mine, and I won''t share him with anyone."
"He is yours? Did you ever confess to him? Or did he ever say he loved you? How can you say he is yours when he never agreed to be with you?" Diana remarked, her voice firm and challenging.
Livia''s eyes narrowed at Diana''s words. "I-I don''t need his confession to know that he belongs to me. A-Ares is mine, and I will not let anyone take him away from me," Livia repeated the same thing again.
"You think just because you have feelings for him, he automatically belongs to you? You can''t just im someone as yours without their consent," Diana retorted.
Hearing Diana, Livia''s anger continued to simmer, and the atmosphere around them turned increasingly chilly.
Some people from the crowd began to run away, fearing a possible fight, while others stood far away with their phones in hand, recording the spectacle of the two princesses fighting over Ares.
Ares sighed inwardly. He knew he had to act fast to defuse the situation before it escted any further.
"I knew this day woulde, but not like this," Ares muttered to himself, shaking his head in disappointment.
He quickly stepped in between Diana and Livia, feeling their intense gazes on him. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around their waists, lifting them up effortlessly.
As Ares was taller than both of them, he was able to support their smaller frames with ease.
!?
Diana and Livia were taken aback by the suddenness of his action.
Swish¡ª
With a swish, he disappeared, leaving a bright blue trail behind them as they zoomed through the streets.
Diana and Livia could feel the wind whipping around them, their hair streaming behind them like ribbons.
***
Chapter 232 Dianas True Colors! [1]
The three of them were now seated in an empty restaurant, the tension thick in the air.
"Okay, we need to talk," Ares said firmly, interlocking his fingers on the table.
Diana and Livia both looked up at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension as they straightened their disheveled hair, caused by the speed of their transport to the restaurant.
Ares paused, his eyes darting back and forth between Diana and Livia. His expression was serious and contemtive, as if he were weighing his words carefully.
"I know you both have feelings for me," he said, his eyes meeting each of their gazes in turn, "...and I have feelings for both of you as well."
With a single sentence, Ares had changed the dynamics of their rtionship. His revtion marked a pivotal moment, as he made the decision to embrace the role of a harem protagonist, and pursue rtionships with both Livia and Diana.
!?
Livia''s face twisted sourly as soon as she heard him, while Diana''s reaction waspletely different.
"W-What? You have feelings for me too, Ares?" Diana asked, her face reddening with a blush as she put her hands over her cheeks in embarrassment.
!!
Livia''s voice was tinged with anger as she spoke up. "What are you saying, Ares?" she demanded.
As she heard his response, her heart sank. ''No, it can''t be! You''re supposed to be mine and mine alone!'' she thought inwardly, her fear and jealousy beginning to show.
"....."
"I''m trying to keep the peace, Livia," Ares replied calmly, his voice soothing. "There''s no need to fight over me."
"B-But she said she loves you¡ª!" Livia protested.
"I know, and I''m grateful to have both of you in my life," Ares said with a sincere tone. "But I can''t choose between you two. I don''t want to hurt either of you. We need to find a solution that works for all of us."
Livia''s mind raced as she thought, ''No, he doesn''t need to choose between us. He just needs to choose me!
Her expression betrayed her thoughts, and Diana spoke up, "Livia if you think you can have Ares all to yourself, it''s merely your pipedream."
Diana''s words brought Livia out of her daze, and she shot the elf a withering re. "What do you know about my love toward Ares, you pointy-eared freak?" she spat.
Diana raised an eyebrow. "More than you, apparently. True love is about wanting the best for the person you care about, even if it means sharing them with others."
Livia scoffed, but Ares spoke up before she could respond. "Diana is right, Livia. We need to find a way to make this work without anyone getting hurt. I don''t want to lose either of you."
Livia bit her lip, feeling the anger boiling inside her. She couldn''t stand the thought of sharing Ares with anyone, especially not with Diana.
Her mind still racing with thoughts of killing Diana. But for now, she kept her thoughts to herself, knowing that she needed to y her cards right and wait for the right moment to strike.
Her eyes flickered toward Diana, and she gave the elf a twisted smile. "You''re the reason for all of this, it''s all because of you," she snarled, her voice dripping with malice.
"...No, it''s not because of me. If you think I''m your onlypetition, then you''re in for a rude awakening," Diana remarked with a smirk.
!?please visit
As soon as Diana said that, Ares looked at her in surprise, while Livia asked in a rage, "What do you mean by that? Exin!"
"Huh? Don''t act like you don''t know, Livia." Diana scoffed before adding, "I think you already understand how many other girls are after him. You also saw how he rushed to save his ex-fiancee from that Hero association members, right?" She asked.
"....."
Livia stayed quiet, clenching her fists. She knew very well that many other girls wanted to keep Ares for themselves, just like she did.
"So, you already know, huh? You''re just in denial, I guess," Diana taunted, her demeanor of a "dumb potato" now nowhere to be seen.
As Ares observed Diana, he began to notice subtle changes in her demeanor that hinted at a side of her he hadn''t seen before.
The more he watched, the more he began to realize that Diana had been hiding her true personality all along, sessfully fooling everyone, including him. He felt a sense of unease at the thought of someone being able to deceive him so easily.
''So, this is her real personality?'' Ares thought to himself, his mind racing with questions.
The fact that she was able to conceal it for so long, despite the taunts and criticism from others, made her dangerous, regardless of her motives.
''Even more dangerous than A,'' Ares reflected.
With A, her intentions were clear, but with Diana, Ares wasn''t sure what her true motives were, which made her unpredictable and all the more dangerous.
As he continued to observe Diana, Ares couldn''t help but wonder, ''what else she''s hiding behind her facade?''
Diana''s grin widened as she watched Ares, enjoying the difort and surprise that shed across his face.
''Oh, my love Ares, I can''t take it anymore,'' she thought, her eyes starting to swirl with a perilous dazzle as she imagined the scenes she had witnessed while stalking him. ''It hurts to see you with someone else and pretend like I don''t care. I hated it when you used me to get on Erina''s good side. I hate it when Livia is always hanging around you. I hate it when that vampire is sucking on your blood. I hate it when you kissed your master! And I also hate it when you ignore me and act like you don''t know about my feelings.''
Her thoughts spiraled out of control as she recalled all the times she had seen him with other women, pretending not to care while the jealousy burned inside her.
"...."
However, unbeknownst to Diana, Ares could actually discern the swirling emotions in her eyes, thanks to his left eye. He was able to realize that Diana''s obsession with him went far beyond what he had initially imagined.
''Interesting,'' he mused to himself, his eyes still fixed on Diana. ''I never would have guessed she had the potential to be a Yandere all along.''
Little did he know that Diana had been secretly stalking him for quite some time, and he waspletely oblivious to it.
Livia''s expression softened as she suddenly spoke, catching Ares''s attention and bringing Diana out of her reverie.
"...I know that I''m not the only onepeting for your heart, Ares," she said, her voice gentle.
Livia was well aware that Ares had many admirers, and thepetition to be with him would be fierce. But at least Ares had acknowledged her feelings, and for the moment, that was good enough for her.
''I should be happy that he didn''t reject my feeling leaving me for worst possible choice to take. But I can''t let my guard down,'' Livia thought to herself. ''I need to be stronger so that I can im him for myself when the timees. I know that there will be many other women vying for his attention, but only the strong and capable can truly deserve him.''
She smiled softly at Ares, hoping that he could sense her determination and resolve. She would do whatever it takes to be the woman who can stand by his side and support him, no matter what challenges they may face.
Chapter 233 Dianas True Colors! [2]
p¡ª
"So, how do you think we should handle this, Livia? As you have heard, Ares has feelings for both of us, right? I know his feelings toward us are not that of love. So, I propose we both get equal time with him and see who can make him fall in love with them first before the otherpetition arrives, ok?" Diana suggested excitedly.
!!
Hearing her, Livia kept quiet for a moment, her mind raced with questions and doubts about her chances with Ares. ''How many other women did he have feelings for? Is there someone he is already in love with? Could I reallypete with them to make him mine and mine alone?'' She lost herself in thought, wondering if she can be strong and capable enough to win his heart.
But then she shook her head, as if clearing away the doubts that gued her. "I won''t know until I try," Livia whispered to herself, determination filling her voice. She turned to face Diana, who was waiting for her response.
"...Alright," Livia said, her eyes meeting Diana''s with a dangerous glint. "If that''s the game we''re ying, then it''s fine. But let me warn you, you foolish potato. If anyone dares to get in my way, I won''t hesitate to take drastic measures. Ares is mine, and I''ll do whatever it takes to keep him by my side."
Livia''s voice was firm and menacing, her words dripping with a clear threat. She wasn''t going to let anyone, especially not Diana,e between her and Ares. The mere thought of losing him to another woman was unbearable, and she was willing to take extreme measures to keep him by her side.
''Ares is mine...and mine alone! I deserve him, and I''ll do whatever it takes to prove it,'' she repeated the same thing again inwardly, her expression hardening even further.
"....."
"Good!" Diana said with a grin unfazed, nodding. "What are your thoughts, Ares? And if you don''t mind me asking, can you tell us if there are other women you have feelings for?" Diana asked with a smile, and Livia turned to him as well with a curious expression. She wants to know how many others are vying for his affection and whom she needs to worry about.
Ares, meanwhile, looked between the two women, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Well, this is unexpected," Ares chuckled. "I never knew Diana was this quick-witted." He paused and turned his gaze to Diana. "If you really want to be by my side Diana, why don''t you start by telling us the truth about why you acted like a dumb potato all this time," he asked with a grin as he was genuinely curious about her situation.
Diana''s smile faltered as she heard his words.
Livia nodded with a simr grin. "Yes, please enlighten us, not-so-dumb-potato."
Diana''s expression suddenly turned uneasy under Ares and Livia''s gazes. "The truth is, I can''t say much," she started, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "However, one of the reasons was because... I''m actually a chosen one and I have to keep a low profile due to my constetion''s identity. It''s aplicated situation, and I wish I could tell you more, but I''m bound by certain restrictions," Diana said, pausing for a moment as she looked at both Ares and Livia.
However, as she saw Ares'' nk expression, Diana''s heart sank, realizing that the truth was far moreplicated than what she could convey in just a few words. "I-I know this must sound like an excuse. But please trust me, It''s not that I don''t want to tell you, Ares, but I just can''t. All I can say is that it was to protect myself from my brother," she said, looking directly at Ares with a pleading expression.
"...."
And there was a brief pause after that as no one spoke for a moment.
''W-What should I do now? What if my love thinks I am lying to him? Should I tell him the truth? B-But if I do, his life will be in danger too,'' Diana''s mind raced anxiously as she bit her nails.
Diana knew that her situation wasplicated, more akin to a backstory from an anime than real life, and that it would be difficult to convince Ares to trust her. She wanted nothing more than to confide in Ares, but the consequences could be dire. She hoped he would understand her situation and not push her to reveal more than she could.
!?
Livia raised an eyebrow, skeptical of Diana''s exnation. "That''s it? You were pretending to be Dumb because you''re a chosen one and because of some power struggle with your brother? I''m not buying it," Livia scoffed, clearly unconvinced by Diana''s two different answers. ''Only a stupid potato will buy that!'' She thought.
"I understand," Ares said, taking Diana''s hand in his, fullyprehending her situation just from her mention of being a chosen one. "Whatever happens, I''ll be here for you," he added with a gentle smile, reassuring her of his unwavering support.
!?
In the novel, Diana''s sudden character development urred after the academy arc. It was only after she revealed her true strength using her constetion''s ability and defeated her imposter brother, who turned out to be a demon in disguise.
Ares mused, ''It seems that her behavior wasn''t the result of character development, but rather her decision to stop pretending?''
As he connected the dots, Ares also recalled the challenges that often apanied Diana''s connection to the constetion Artemis. He was also well aware of the enmity between her constetion and a demon disguised as her brother, which made him understand the gravity of her situation.
Livia, on the other hand, looked confused. "W-Wait, you believe her just like that? Aren''t you going to ask for more exnation?"
Ares gave her a small smile. "I don''t think I need to. The fact that Diana revealed that she is a chosen one shows that she trusts us, and that''s enough for me. I''m going to trust her and believe that she has her own reasons," Ares said, giving Diana a warm smile.
Diana felt a flutter in her chest as she heard Ares'' voice, her heart racing as she took in his words. Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to appear weak in front of him.
''I don''t care whether his words are genuine or not. Just hearing him trust me is enough.'' She thought to herself.
In truth, Diana had been keeping a close eye on Ares and knew his character very well, including hisplicated rtionships with his ex-fiancee, a vampire, and his demon servant, as well as his loyalty to his master, nothing had escaped Diana''s notice. Despite all of this, she was not bothered by any of it.
Suddenly Ares'' voice broke through her reverie, and Diana refocused her attention on the present.
"I heard that the Elven empress has banned interracial rtionships," he said curiously. "How do you n to make this work, Diana?"
The ban on interracial rtionships among the Elves had not been fully exined in the novel, but Ares had heard the story from Aegis.
ording to the legend, it all began when the Elven empress fell deeply in love with her childhood friend, an elf named Lirien. However, Lirien''s heart belonged to someone else: a human woman.
As humans have a much shorter lifespan than elves, the human woman passed away due to old age. Lirien was devastated by the loss, but the Elven empress waited patiently for her love to return to her.
After 250 years, which was a rtively short time for an elf, the two finally married. However, Lirien could not forget his human love, which enraged the empress and led her to ban interracial rtionships among the Elves.
And as the saying goes, "The apple doesn''t fall far from the tree."
In Diana''s case, she didn''t mind Ares having other women beside her because she believed that their time with him would be temporary, and eventually, they would all die before her.
Diana had a way to lengthen Ares''s lifespan, which gave her hope that they could be together for a very long time and that no other woman could rece her in his heart.
"...Don''t worry, my love. When I be the Elven Empress, I can create my own rules," Diana said with a confident smile as she wiped her tears.
"...."
''This bitch!''
Livia''s expression twisted with annoyance as she heard Diana call Ares ''my love.'' While she had reluctantly allowed Diana to spend time with Ares to avoid hurting his feelings, the possessive tone in Diana''s words grated on her. Livia couldn''t stand the idea of someone iming Ares as their own.
!!
"Master, The Representative of Cherry Blossom Academy has arrived as per your request," Meira suddenly emerged from the shadows and informed.
"...."
!?
Diana and Livia looked at him in confusion.
''So, they are finally here huh?'' Ares pondered, a huge grin forming on his face.
"Let them in."
Chapter 234 Match 4: Instructions
"Ladies and gentlemen, wee to day three of the Inter-Academy Competition!" The announcer''s voice echoed across the stadium, igniting a wave of cheers and excitement among the spectators.
"After an action-packed Seige Castle match yesterday, we witnessed thebined efforts of the other academies to dethrone the reigning champions, Soreh Academy. However, their attempts were futile as Soreh Academy maintains their lead, with amanding position at the top of the scoreboard. Let''s hope today''s matches will be just as thrilling, if not better!"
The announcer paused, allowing the crowd''s cheers to subside before proceeding, "Before we spin the roulette to determine the contents of the fourth match, let''s take a look at the current point table." He gestured towards the colossal screen in the center of the stadium.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY -- 56 Points: Wins?¡ª1
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY -- 51 Points
#3 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY -- 50 Points: Wins?¡ª1
#4 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY -- 44 Points
#5 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY -- 37 Points
#6 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY -- 29 Points: Wins?¡ª1
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY -- 16 Points
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY -- 8 Points
***
As you can see on the screen, the points table disys Soreh Academy leading the pack with 56 points, followed closely by Shadow Academy with 51 points and Martial Star Academy with 50 points and a win under their belt."
"However, it''s evident that Team Iron Fortress, Team Royal Knight, and Cherry Blossom Academy must deliver a strong performance in today''s match to remain in thepetition and avoid elimination. As we gear up for today''s matches, the stakes are high, and the pressure is on, as only four teams will advance to the semifinals tomorrow."
The crowd waited with bated breath as the announcer continued, "Who will secure a spot in the top four and move on to the semifinals? The answer lies in the uing matches, so sit back, rx, and get ready for some exhrating battles."
The announcer turned towards the colossal roulette on the screen and dered, "It''s time to determine the contents of Match 4. Are you ready?" The crowd roared in response, eagerly waiting for the oue.
Yayyyy!
Tick--Tick--Tick--Tick
The roulette spun with a resounding sound, and the audience leaned forward in anticipation. The suspenseful ticking of the roulette filled the air until it finally came to a stop with a loud clink, revealing the contents of Match 4.
"And the fourth match is..." The announcer paused for effect, building the suspense, "The Battle Royal!" The stadium erupted with cheers and apuse as thepetitors prepared themselves for the ultimate showdown.
Match 4: The Battle Royal!
***
The atmosphere inside the meeting room of the Soreh Academy team was tense as the team''s star yers, Lucas and Kevin, sat with swollen faces. It was evident that they had suffered a brutal beating, and the team knew exactly why.
Their poor performance in the previous match had disappointed Ares, and despite his absence during the post-match meeting, he had not let their blunder slide. The team members could sense the intensity of Ares'' anger, and they feared the worst.
As they sat in silence, their minds wandered back to the scene that had unfolded the day before.
shback~
As soon as Ares returned, they were all summoned to an emergency meetingte at night. Before anyone could question the reason for this sudden meeting, Kevin and Lucas were sent flying across the room as Ares'' punch connected with their faces, causing a loud thud.
Thud-- Thud
"You two didn''t think that I would let your stupidity slide, did you?" Ares spoke with an annoyed tone that sent shivers down the team''s spine.
"W-Wait Ares, it was not my fault. That woman was just too beautiful for me to ignore," Kevin, who was on the ground due to Ares'' previous punch, said hurriedly, holding his hand forward to gesture him to stop.
"Yeah, and I am not like you. I couldn''t bring myself to see an unarmed woman get attacked," Lucas said as he stood back up.
''Look at this fucking bastards!''
Hearing their exnation, Ares'' expression darkened, and a vein bulged on his forehead.
"...."
"Idiots, they dug their own grave," A muttered, shaking her head as she saw Ares'' expression.
And she was no fool to stand in his way to protect these two idiots who were being outrageous even in the VR world.
Knowing Ares'' personality well, she knew that he wouldn''t stop at anything now. Even if she tried to protect her brother, it was more likely that she would also get beaten alongside him.
''You know Ares can get real scary at times, right, brother? Please don''t me me for not standing up for you this time, okay? I have a low-rank healing potion prepared for you,'' A thought as she gave Lucas a pitying look, knowing what was about toe his way.
Gulp--
The team gulped in unison as they saw the expression on Ares'' face.
"I-I surrender!" Kevin held up his hands in surrender seeing Ares'' scary smile, and realizing that he couldn''t talk his way out of this one.
Lucas stood his ground, though he knew that he was about to face Ares'' wrath.
As Ares stepped forward, A stepped back, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. She knew that there was nothing she could do to stop him, so she could only watch as he delivered a powerful punch to Lucas'' face.
"Um, Ares, maybe we should let it slide for this time--" Erina started to speak, but Ares cut her off with a sharp nce.
"Shut it! Did I ask for your opinion?" Ares'' words were like a sharp knife, and Erina immediately closed her mouth, remembering how the academies that had teamed up against them had fallen just from his gaze.
"Impudent fools," Ares muttered under his breath as he took a step forward.
Punch-- Thwack-- Thudle--
"Argh, s-show mercy, you monster! We still have matches yet toe!" Kevin''s screams echoed through the room as he was sent flying once again, his face already swollen from the previous punches.
"How Dare--"
Lucas tried to protest, but before he could finish his sentence, he received a punch from Ares.
Thwack--
"N-No, someone help!" Kevin''s screams became louder.
The rest of the team averted their gazes, knowing that Ares was teaching them a lesson in a way that they would recover before their next match. If they were allowed to participate, that is.
Erina watched as Ares continued to deliver punches to Lucas and Kevin, feeling powerless to do anything to stop him. She knew that Ares was strict, but this was on another level. She silently prayed that her teammates would be able to recover quickly from the beating.
...
...
...
***
The team was brought back from their shbacks when they heard the announcer''s voice through the television.
Ting--
"Attention,dies, and gentlemen! The fourth match of the tournament has been determined, and it''s none other than...the Battle Royal!" The announcer''s voice reverberated through the microphone.
"A Battle Royal, huh? It''s a big match indeed!" A said thoughtfully.
Diana nodded in agreement, "If we perform well, we will qualify for the semifinals regardless of our results in Match 5."
Erina chimed in, "We should choose our team carefully this time, because the bottom teams will definitely team up against us in this match."
A added, "I wonder how many members will be able to participate in this match."
Ziona chuckled, "I wish I could participate in this match alongside Ares. We would make a good ughtering duo. Don''t you think so too, Ares?" She asked turning to him.
!?
''...Good Duo?'' Diana and Livia gave Ziona a skeptical look, but Ares smiled and replied, "Yeah, it would have been nice to have someone like you with me in this match."
Staareee~
Diana and Livia stared at him with nk expressions, but before they could say anything, they heard a knock on the door.
Knock--Knock
They knew that the instructions for Match 4 might have arrived.
A went to open the door and was met with the same bald man holding an envelope. She snatched it from him and closed the door in his face. Returning to the group, she handed the envelope to Ares who quickly scanned through the contents before passing it on to Erina.
Erina nodded and took the envelope from him. Before she began, she took a deep breath topose herself, her voice ringing out confidently in the room.
[Wee, students! Get ready to enter the ultimate battle arena where only the strongest, bravest, and smartest team will emerge victorious!
This is no ordinary battle, it''s a Battle Royal! You''ll be battling against other teams in a massive arena filled with obstacles, weapons, and potions. Are you excited? You should be!
Here''s how it works: Each team of 5 members will be randomly ced in the arena at the beginning of the match. You''ll have 80 minutes to showcase your skills, defeat your opponents and gain points. Yes, you heard that right! Points will be awarded for both surviving and taking down your opponents. So, n your strategy ordingly and aim to be the most dominant team in the arena.
But that''s not all! There will be special items scattered throughout the arena, such as the de of the Champion, Shield of the Defender, Potion of Invisibility, and Potion of Healing among a few others.
These items will give you a significant advantage over your opponents. The first team to get their hands on them will have a better chance of dominating the game. But be careful, these items are highly coveted, and other teams will be fighting to get them too.
Now, get ready to rumble! Good luck to all the teams, and may the best team win the Battle Royal!]
Erina finished reading the instructions, and the room was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation.
Chapter 235 Match 4: Lineup
Erina finished reading the instructions, and the room was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation.
"So, only 5 members can participate in this match," A spoke thoughtfully.
"That''s correct," Erina replied.
A turned to Ares, "Who are the other 4 members that will be participating in this match alongside you, Ares? Should we go with the same lineup as match 1?"
"...I don''t think it''s a good idea to go with the same lineup as the first match," ude spoke up abruptly.
A raised an eyebrow, "And why is that?"
"Because we need some capablebat members for match 5 as well. Of course, if we perform well in this match, we will qualify for the semifinals and the results of the 5th match won''t matter, but¡ª" ude said and paused for a moment. "But if, due to some unexpected event, we don''t perform well in this match, then we should have at least one strong member capable of leading the team as a backup for the 5th match," he concluded.
!!
A asked with an annoyed smile, "Are you saying I''m not capable of leading a team in abat-rted match, ude?"
ude nodded wasting no time, "Yes, I don''t think you are capable enough."
"...."
There was a brief silence after that.
Ares spoke up, "ude''s concerns are indeed reasonable. Although I am confident about this match, we should still be prepared for unforeseen events. We need to make sure we have the right people in ce for all matches."
A just gave the both of them a nk stare. She couldn''t believe that they were underestimating her capabilities.
"Who else will be participating in this match besides the two of us, Ares?" Livia asked firmly, indicating her intention to take part and leaving no room for objections.
Diana jumped in before Ares could respond, "I definitely want in on this match! Archers can be so effective. I can take out opponents from a distance like a swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, before they even know what hit them!" She mimed holding a bow and made sound effects, emphasizing her point.
"...."
Livia rolled her eyes and muttered, "Ares can use a bow as well, and there are other archers on the team who need to showcase their skills."
Diana frowned, "Well, the same goes for mages, Livia. Why don''t you sit out this match and let others have a chance to prove themselves?"
Their argument was starting to build tension in the room, and the other team members were looking at each other nervously, not wanting to take sides.
"Okay, that''s enough, you two," Ares interjected, shooting them a stern look.
!?
Tch¡ª
Clicking their tongues, they turned away from each other, still annoyed.
After taking a moment to ponder, Ares finally spoke up. "Let me rify the team lineup for this match," he said, drawing everyone''s attention. "I''ll be leading the team, and Diana, Livia, Emi, and Hiro will be participating with me."
The other members of Soreh Academy nodded in agreement, epting Ares'' decision without any further discussion.
However, Livia''s dissatisfaction was apparent, "Dumb potato too?"
Ares nodded, "Yes, in fact, she is our most valuable asset in this match. Other teams will likely team up against us, and Diana''s Archery skills cane in handy to take out opponents from a distance and secure some kill points."
The rest of the team nodded in agreement, while Emi and Hiro stepped forward nervously.
"Hehe, I knew you wouldn''t overlook me," Diana giggled and moved to stand beside Ares, taking his arm. Livia, feeling a pang of jealousy, stepped forward to stand on the other side, taking Ares'' other arm.
Their excessive disy of affection towards Ares didn''t go unnoticed by the other team members, and some of them had sour expressions on their faces. ude, Erina, and A were among them, clearly unimpressed by the disy.
Despite the tension in the air, Ares remained unbothered by the girls'' actions and just smiled at them both. The rest of the team just watched as Diana and Livia held onto Ares'' arms.
"Alright, everyone, let''s focus," Ares said, While Diana and Livia still clinging to his arms.
"Here''s the team:
The team will be led by me, who will be the swordsman. Diana will serve as the archer, Livia as the mage, Emi as the defense mage, and Hiro as the shield bearer."
The team nodded in agreement, and Ares continued, "Let''s all work together and do our best to win this match."
***
After a brief team discussion, Ares led his team into the VR room. As they entered, they saw that the five teams from Martial Star, Shadow Academy, cier Peak, Blitzerg, and Iron Fortress Academy had already gathered together and were deep in conversation. When Ares''s team arrived, the others fell silent and appraised them with a critical gaze.
"I expected as much," Ares muttered under his breath.
Ares was aware of the high stakes involved in this match, and he knew that Iron Fortress Academy had no choice but to coborate with the other four teams.
While Iron Fortress Academy had to prevent Royal Academy and Cherry Blossom Academy from performing well to avoid elimination, the other four teams were determined to stop Soreh Academy from qualifying for the semifinals.
But Ares didn''t let their scrutiny faze him. He calmly scanned the room, making eye contact with the Cherry Blossom Academy twins, Ava and Eva, who acknowledged him with a nod. Ares returned the gesture with a friendly smile.
p¡ªp
Suddenly, the sound of pping filled the room as Professor Maya made her entrance with a huge grin on her face.
"Hello there, my dear students! Are you all ready to rumble?" Maya''s voice was filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
No one replied, as usual. Maya shrugged it off and continued, "This match is crucial for every academy. For some, it''s about preventing elimination, while for others, it''s a chance to qualify for the semi-finals." She paused for a moment before grinning again.
"But enough with the boring stuff, let''s get to the good part!" Maya eximed. "The rules are simple, really. You''ll be teleported to a random location across the battlefield and will have to find your suitable weapons. Keep in mind that there''s no option of selecting the weapons before teleportation, so you''ll have to search for them across the battlefield.
And be warned, there are some special weapons scattered around that you''ll be able to recognize easily. But getting attacked by them can cause a huge hit to your HP.
The battlefield will shrink every ten minutes, and the remaining teams will eventually meet in the end. Thest surviving team gets the victory, securing 10 points," Maya exined.
She paused for a moment before grinning again, "But here''s the fun part." Her tone shifted.
"As you all know, there are also points for killing your opponent members. However, there are some students who have a huge bounty on their heads, and killing them will get you a fruitful bounty of points." Maya''s eyes sparkled with mischievous glee as she spoke.
As Professor Maya announced the bounty list, the room fell silent processing the new information. The bottom-ranked teams were excited at the prospect of earning extra points, while the top-ranking teams looked anxious.
The teams from Martial Star and Shadow Academy feared that if there was a high bounty on someone from their team, it was possible that the teams they were teaming up with would decide to backstab them to secure those easy points.
Maya spoke, her tone was that of a crazed excitement. "Hehehe~ And here''s the bounty list!" She gestured towards the screen with a maniacal grin on her face.
[Bounty List!]
#1: ARES ¨C 10 POINTS [SOREH ACADEMY]
#2: SMITH ¨C 8 POINTS [SHADOW ACADEMY]
#3: LIVIA ¨C 5 POINTS [SOREH ACADEMY]
#4: DIANA ¨C 5 POINTS [SOREH ACADEMY]
#5: AVA ¨C 5 POINTS [CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY]
#6: AKIO ¨C 5 POINTS [MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY]
#7: EVA ¨C 5 POINTS [CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY]
...
...
...
----
"Keep in mind, these points are based on your previous performance, and any student participating for the first time has a default of 1 point over their head," Maya rified.
The room remained silent as the students contemted the implications of the bounty list. The possibility of eliminating just three members from Soreh Academy for a whopping 20 points was a tempting prize for any team.
''If any team managed to eliminate them, they would quickly climb up the rankings like a rocket.'' Everyone had the same thought
"...It''s good we aren''t participating in this match with the exact same lineup as the first match. If we were, I assume just eliminating our team would have given them around 30 points," Diana spoke, voicing her relief.
The others nodded in agreement.
Maya, on the other hand, was bubbling with excitement. "Isn''t it nice? Aren''t you all excited by this twist? Even the bottom teams who were just trying to prevent themselves from getting eliminated can climb to the top or even get directly qualified if they put up an impressive match. For like, they can just be bounty hunters!" Maya said, pping her hands in enthusiasm.
The teams stared at her, knowing that while the prospect of winning extra points was exciting, the risks were equally high. One wrong move, and they could lose everything.
"Alright, let''s not waste any more time and start the match immediately. We don''t want to keep the audience waiting, do we?" Maya said, clicking a button she was carrying.
The eight VR rooms opened, each allocated for one academy, and the teams made their way to their respective rooms.
To be continued...
Chapter 236 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [1]
After examining the bounty list, the teams made their way to their allocated VR rooms.
"Hey Livia, do you want to make a bet?" Diana whispered excitedly to Livia, her eyes sparkling.
Livia looked at her with a sour expression, "What kind of bet?"
"The one between us who performs better in this match gets a chance to go on a date with Ares," Diana replied with a bright smile.
Livia''s eyes widened and she immediately turned to look at Ares, who was gearing up in his VR set.
"What do you say, Livia?" Diana asked for confirmation.
Livia nodded, a huge grin spreading across her face. "Alright, but you won''t be there to bother us, right?" she asked, furrowing her brow.
Dianaughed, "Of course not! If you win, I won''t disturb your date with him, and you can have him all to yourself. But, if I win, you have to do the same for me."
Livia hesitated for a moment, imagining the possibility of Diana going on a date with Ares, but eventually shook her head and epted the challenge.
"Deal!" she agreed.
Ares looked at the two of them, shaking their hands with huge grins on their faces, and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What are you two doing? Put on your gear already, we don''t have much time left," he reminded them.
"A-Ah Ok, We will gear up quickly," Diana said, and they all put on their VR headsets.
However, seeing the excited expressions on Diana and Livia''s faces Ares already got a gist of what was going on in their minds. ''They seem to be making a bet to spend time with me, I presume.'' He thought inwardly but shrugged it off, not bothered by their antics.
And after getting equipped with their VR gear, they all entered their respective pods.
Beep¡ª
They were instantly transported into the virtual reality world with a beep.
Swish¡ª
[Preparation phase: 2 minutes!] a voice announced.
The team found themselves standing in the lobby of the virtual reality world, all dressed in matching red attire with the insignia of the Soreh Academy.
Ares wore a crimson tunic with ck pants, gloves, and leather boots. Diana wore a red leather tunic and leggings.
while Livia was dressed in a red and white flowing robe with a fur-trimmed hood. Emi wore a simr robe but in a red and gold color scheme, marking her as a defense mage.
Hiro wore a red and gold armor set with intricate designs.
Diana checked her status screen andmented, "Our mana for this match is just above average, but it''s manageable."
Emi, on the other hand, seemed anxious. "This amount of mana won''tst for much longer for me, and I can only cast a few defensive spells at best without a staff," she said.
While mages don''t necessarily need staff to cast spells, using them helps them manage their mana usage and improve their control over their element.
Livia spoke up, "I don''t see any problem with the amount of mana to deal with these potatoes."
Emi looked at her in surprise.
"What?" Livia asked.
Emi hesitated before replying, "It''s just that I assumed you used a staff to cast spells."
Livia shook her head, "I don''t need one. I have arge mana pool and better control over my element, so I''m used to using magic without a staff."
With one minute left in the preparation phase, the team took a final moment to strategize and prepare themselves for the uing match.
"T-This is not fair! We have to move around and search for our weapons while she can use her magic without any weapons," Diana suddenly protested, pointing at Livia.
Livia simply smiled in response, revealing her teeth.
"Can''t you create a bow out of your mana as well?" Ares asked Diana.
"I can, but that will quickly deplete my mana," Diana replied, sounding hesitant.
As they continued to discuss, a robotic voice suddenly interrupted them.
[The preparation phase has ended.] the voice announced.
Beep¡ª
The beep signaled the start of the match, and the teams were teleported randomly inside the battlefield.
Soreh Academy''s team found themselves in a broken and abandoned building. Its walls were shattered revealing the surroundings outside.
"...."
"...What a way to start the match," Aresmented as he looked around.
And Suddenly, the roof above them copsed and a student fell right in front of them.
!?
"Ugh, why did they have to teleport us randomly like this?" the student groaned before realizing he was surrounded. As he slowly turned to look at them, he noticed the team from Soreh Academy staring at him
"...."
''Just my luck of all the teams, I have to fall right in front of these monsters,'' he pondered as his team was teleported to the rooftop of this building but the floor crumbled under his feet and he fell right into the tiger''s den.
"Uh, hi there," he said awkwardly, unsure of what to do next.
Swish¡ª
"Bye!" said Livia as she gestured her hand toward him and released an ice shard flying toward him, piercing his throat.
"Arghh"
In an instant, his HP reached zero and he was eliminated and turned into particles before disappearing.
[Your teammate Livia had eliminated a member of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
They heard the notification echoing in their minds.
"It was a free potato!" Livia said, nodding to herself.
"...."
"We need to move fast and find weapons before the other team does. They could be close, and if they get their hands on weapons before us, they''lle after us," Ares dered.
Everyone nodded, and they quickly spread out to search the building for any sign of weapons. The building they were teleported to had two floors, and Ares could already hear footsteps from the floor above them.
''The other team must have received notification of their teammates'' elimination, and they know they''re up against us now,'' Ares thought as he searched the different rooms for any weapons.
In a regr match, any academy would have fled upon realizing they were facing Soreh Academy, but with the huge bounty on their heads, their opponents would see this as an opportunity to eliminate them and gain massive 22 points - more than double the victory points.
Ares searched the different rooms on the ground floor, hoping to find a weapon. As he walked through the kitchen, he spotted a glimmer of metal behind the shattered silverware.
He cautiously picked up the object and found a rusty knife."It''s not ideal, but it''s better than nothing," he thought to himself.
Quickly tucking the knife into his belt, Ares rushed out of the kitchen to continue searching for better weapons.
While Diana assessed the situation and realized that finding a bow in the abandoned building was unlikely. She knew that the match was designed to make it difficult for the yers to find their desired weapons easily.
Her best bet was to venture into the nearby forest to search for a bow and arrows, which were more likely to be found in such an environment. As She remembered from the games that the organizers of these matches always scattered weapons that could be found in the forest or open areas.
With that in mind, Diana sprinted towards the forest nearby, keeping a sharp lookout for any signs of her opponents. As she reached the edge of the forest, she slowed down to avoid making any noise that could give away her position.
She scanned the trees and foliage, hoping to spot something useful.
Finally, after several minutes of searching, she saw a sturdy bow hidden among the branches of a tree. She quickly climbed up the tree and retrieved the bow, relieved to have found it.
However, she still needed arrows. Diana knew that arrows could be easily misced or lost, so she started scouring the area around the tree for any sign of arrows or something that could serve as an arrow.
To be continued...
Chapter 237 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [2]
Meanwhile, Livia sprinted out of the building, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for any sign of opponents. As she had no need to search for weapons, she decided to deal with the rest of the students from Team Blitzeirg who were lurking around this area somewhere.
She knew she had the strength and skill to take them on, and her confidence was well-deserved. As she moved around, she spotted a small shed in the distance and decided to investigate.
As Livia approached the shed, she could hear the sound of footsteps and whispersing from inside and finally noticed a group of yers from Team Blitzierg frantically searching for weapons.
Livia quickly gathered mana in her hand, emitting a bright light as she charged her spell.
"Frost Spearstorm," she muttered, and multiple sharp, icy projectiles rained down on the opponents.
Confused and taken by surprise, the group of three students turned toward the source of the light and were met with a barrage of ice spears raining down on them.
!?
Shwack¡ªShwack¡ªShwack
Hit by a spear, one of the students was eliminated immediately. However, the other two students were able to prevent their instant elimination as one of them was able to cast a defensive spell, creating a barrier right on time, saving himself and the student beside him.
[You Have Eliminated A Member Of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
"Arghh, this monstrous woman!" One of the students groaned as even after using his skill to create a protective barrier, their HP still dropped because of the impact from the raining spears.
"Don''t worry, she might run out of mana soon," the student next to him said, holding a machete at the ready.
"...Run out of mana? But it didn''t go down by much though?" Livia muttered as she checked her status screen.
"W-What? How is that possible?" one of the students eximed in shock.
"D-Don''t believe her. She might just be bluffing! Using that much power, she definitely had to have used at least half of her mana," the other student said, trying to reassure his teammates.
However, Livia wasn''t bluffing. Her mana usage was precise, with no wastage, and she had a natural talent for controlling it.
Even high-ranking mages couldn''t match her level of control, which was why the whole Magic Tower was crazy for her talent and wanted to take her in as their disciple.
"Think what you may, as I don''t care about the potatoes that I will be slicing into pieces," Livia dered as a sword made of ice materialized in her hand.
"Hehe, it''s good that you two weren''t eliminated," she continued, "as I can test my swordsmanship skills on you."
She had picked up using a sword and had been training swordsmanship skills with unfazed determination ever since she learned that Ziona and Ares were having sparring sessions and sharing the same advisor for their sword training.
Livia wanted to train with Ares and share the same advisor in the ss just so she wouldn''t have to see him alone with Ziona.
Her training had been rigorous, and she had put in hours of practice every day, with her hands bleeding from the unfazed determination fueled by her desire to improve her sword skills and train with Ares.
Now, she could finally put her hard work to the test.
Livia charged forward, her sword of ice gleaming in the light. The two remaining opponents looked at each other, knowing that they were in for a tough fight as their HP was not at full capacity and they did not have their desired weapons with them.
However, to counter Livia, the student with the machete hurriedly rushed towards her, swinging his weapon with all his might. Livia deftly sidestepped and blocked his attack with her ice sword, causing a loud ng to echo across the area.
ng¡ª
She followed up with a quick strike of her own, aiming for his arm. The student managed to dodge the attack, but Livia anticipated his move and spun around, aiming tond a solid hit on his back.
However, the defensive mage student cast a spell just in time, creating a barrier around the machete-wielding student and protecting him from Livia''s attack.
!?
"Tch!" Livia stepped back, analyzing the situation. She realized that she had to take down the defensive mage first.
Meanwhile, the defensive mage student stood back and started charging a spell, preparing to create a magical barrier to protect himself and his teammate.
Livia was not one to wait around. She concentrated, channeling her mana into her sword, causing it to glow with an icy blue light.
She swung it towards the defensive mage, unleashing a barrage of ice spikes that rained down upon his barrier, chipping away at it until it shattered.
Shatter¡ª
Seizing the opportunity, Livia charged toward the mage, her sword raised high. The defensive mage quickly created another barrier, but Livia struck it with all her might.
Thudle¡ª
The barrier trembled under the impact, but did not break.
The mage breathed a sigh of relief and started to reinforce the barrier, but Livia was quick to act. She used her ice magic to create a slippery patch on the ground, causing the mage to lose his footing and fall.
!?
"W-What?" That were hisst words with a confused expression.
As Livia took advantage of the opening and delivered a powerful strike on his chest, shattering his barrier and piercing his heart.
[You Have Eliminated A Member Of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
The student with the machete was surprised as his teammate was eliminated in just a matter of seconds before he could even react.
However, he swung his machete towards Livia once again, but she easily blocked the attack with her sword. She countered with a swift strike toward the student''s midsection, but he was able to jump back in time, avoiding the hit.
Livia pressed her attack, moving quickly and fluidly as she continued to exchange blows with the machete-wielding opponent. He was quick and agile, but Livia was able to anticipate his moves and block his strikes with her ice sword.
ng¡ªng
Sparks flew as their weapons shed, and Livia''s arms ached from the impact of each strike.
The student tried to deliver a powerful overhead strike, but Livia dodged it and delivered a swift kick to his stomach, causing him to back off.
"Arghh."
Livia seized the moment and lunged forward with a powerful thrust, aiming for the student''s chest. The student tried to dodge, but Livia''s sword grazed his side, causing him to lose some HP.
The student responded by spinning around and delivering a fierce strike, but Livia was able to parry the attack with ease. She followed up with a series of quick shes, testing the student''s defenses.
The student tried to counterattack, but Livia was too fast. She parried his strikes and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, causing him to stumble back. She lunged forward again, her sword glinting in the mana as she aimed for the student''s head.
The student tried to dodge, but Livia anticipated his move and feinted to one side, causing the student to expose his nk.
!?
Swash¡ª
Livia seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful slice to his throat, causing the student to scream in pain blood flowing like a waterfall from his neck.
He tried to stop the blood with his hand, but it was no use as his HP was quickly depleted and he was eliminated from the match before turning into particles.
[You Have Eliminated A Member Of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
Fuuu~
"...So, this is how it feels to use a sword?" Livia muttered to herself with a smile imagining herself practicing sword with Ares.
"Hehe!"
Chapter 238 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [3]
[Your teammate Livia had eliminated a member of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
[Your teammate Livia had eliminated a member of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
[Your teammate Livia had eliminated a member of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
The notifications kepting, indicating Livia''s continuous elimination of the members of Team Blitzeirg Academy.
!?
[...Livia, I am near you. Do you need any of my assistance?]" Emi suddenly asked through the voice chat, concerned.
However, Ares didn''t say anything as he was not worried about Livia''s safety and knew she was more than capable of dealing with anyone in this match - no, in this entire tournament.
In fact, he believed that Livia could even defeat Hercules easily if she put her mind to it.
In the novel, Livia became the youngest transcendent being to ever exist, sitting at the top of the ranking list of this new era.
She sat alone at the top with no one as herpetition, as even Lucas was no match for her at one time, thoughter he would surpass her.
Knowing all of this and witnessing Livia''s incredible abilities firsthand, Ares hadplete trust in her strength and would not have stopped her even if she wanted to go solo in this match. This only served to demonstrate the amount of confidence and trust he had in her abilities.
"I''ve dealt with them already, but I can''t find thest of these potatoes here," Livia muttered as she picked up the machete of the student she had just eliminated, thinking it might be useful to Ares if he couldn''t find any weapon.
"Don''t worry, I''ll take down thest one," Diana dered with confidence, reaching for a quiver of arrows she had found after a thorough search of the forest. She deftly nocked an arrow onto her bowstring and took a deep breath to steady her aim. With practiced ease, she let the arrow fly.
Swish¡ª
The arrow cut through the air like a streak of lightning, propelled by the force of her skilled hand. It sailed straight and true, hitting its mark with a satisfying thud.
Thest member of Team Blitzeirg, who was attempting to flee the area after realizing all of their teammates had been eliminated, stumbled and let out a heart-piercing cry before falling to the ground, defeated. In a sh of light, their body turned into particles and disappeared.
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Blitzeirg Academy!]
[Team Blitzeirg Academy has been eliminated!]
With that, the whole team Blitzeirg Academy was eliminated in just a matter of minutes.
However, even after taking down thest member of the opponent team, Diana was not satisfied.
She had made a bet with Livia at the beginning of the match, since this particr battlefield was advantageous for archers to snipe and score kills from a distance.
However, Livia had managed to take down four opponents while Diana had only eliminated one. She began to wonder if her suggestion for the bet had been a mistake.
"Great work, Livia and Diana. Let''s regroup before we proceed further," Ares instructed the team.
The group converged at the edge of the forest where Diana was already waiting for them. They exchanged the weapons they had collected with each other.
Diana handed over a broken staff made from a sturdy branch to Emi. She could use it as a temporary staff to channel her defensive spells. Emi and Ares gave the arrows they found to Diana. Livia gave the machete she had acquired to Ares.
"Well, we''ll have to make do with what we have," Ares muttered.
Diana armed herself with a bow and a quiver of arrows, and Emi was satisfied with the makeshift staff. Hiro had discovered a broken door that he intended to use as a shield. Ares, on the other hand, was carrying a knife and a machete.
"Did no one find a sword for Ares?" Diana asked, looking concerned.
The team shook their heads, but Ares didn''t seem bothered. He believed that he could make do with the weapons he had, despite their ws, by coating them with mana to deal enough damage.
However, Livia quickly crafted a katana made of ice and offered it to Ares.
"Can you use this, Ares?" Livia asked, holding out an ice katana for him.
Ares took the weapon and was pleasantly surprised to find that it had the perfect weight and size for him. Despite itsck of durability and has cold grip, the katana felt as if it was made specifically for him. It was a definite upgrade from the broken machete and rusty knife he had been carrying.
"This is impressive! Thanks, Livia, you''re a lifesaver," Ares said, smiling gratefully at her as he swung the ice katana with ease, impressed by the weapon''s performance in his hands. "This is much better than what I was carrying before. I can fight much more efficiently with this," he added, twirling the katana in his hand to test its bnce.
"I can create as many as you want!" Livia replied enthusiastically, beaming at thepliment.
Meanwhile, Diana gave Livia a twisted look as she offered to create more weapons for Ares. But before anyone could say anything else, they heard a notification that the battlefield would be shrinking in the next two minutes, urging them to move to the center.
[The battlefield will be shrinking in the next 2 minutes, please make it to the center!] The announcement was made across the battlefield.
"Considering no other teams have been eliminated yet, they''re probably all waiting for us in the center," Diana analyzed as they made their way through the forest.
Hiro voiced his concern, "What if they have special weapons, outnumbering and outmatching us? How are we supposed to deal with them?"
There was a brief silence as the team considered Hiro''s concern. Ares broke the silence, "Diana, keep an eye on the surroundings for any ambushes."
As they continued to move forward, the sound of battle began to grow louder. Diana suddenly spoke up again, "I see movement up ahead."
The team slowed their pace and approached cautiously, eventually seeing the Cherry Blossom Academy and Royal Knight Academy engaged in a fierce battle. The Cherry Blossom Academy appeared to be trying to convince the Royal Knight Academy to join forces.
"...."
***
Ava and Eva were fighting off a group of students from the Royal knight academy while trying to convince them to team up.
"Why are you alwaysing after us? Can''t you see that the other five teams are already teaming up against us? We should team up too," Ava said as she dodged an attack.
"Yeah, let''s team up, team up!" Her sister Eva''s voice echoed as she blocked another attack.
"Teaming up is not an option for us. We from the Royal Knight Academy fight with honor and integrity. What will be the difference between us and them if we do the same thing as they did?" the student replied firmly.
"But your so-called honor and integrity will get you eliminated from this match, you idiots!" Ava retorted.
"Yeah, idiots, idiots!" Eva added, jumping around the battlefield to dodge the iing attacks at her.
"We won''t get eliminated if we eliminate your team first," the Royal Knight Academy student insisted.
Ava scoffed at that student''s words. "What kind of shitty logic is that? Your team will eventually end up eliminated by the other teamed-up teams even if you managed to somehow defeat us."
"Yeah, shitty logic, shitty logic!" Eva repeated.
"...."
As they observed the fight from a distance, Diana turned to Ares. "...So what should we do about this situation? I thought we could team up with these two teams that are fighting against each other to deal with the rest of the five teams teaming up against us, but it seems like the Royal Knight Academy won''t budge on their principles."
"We don''t need these idiots from the Royal Knight Academy. They''ll only be a liability to us with their stupid beliefs," Ares replied.
Emi looked up from her makeshift staff, concern etched on her face. "But what about the other teams? They''re teaming up against us. We shouldn''t resort to violence just yet. Maybe there''s still a way to convince both of them to join forces with us."
Hiro tightened his grip on the broken door he was using as a shield. "Yeah, and we''re outnumbered. We need all the help we can get."
Ares shook his head in frustration. "We''ll have toe up with a n, but we don''t necessarily need to team up with those fools from the Royal Knight Academy to do it."
Just thinking about having members with such beliefs working with him made his expression twisted. He already had his hands full with that stupid protagonist.
He had also given up on his idea of befriending Lucas to use him to fight demon lords and decided to focus on remote controlling him instead.
As they discussed their options, Livia began to ready her spells. Suddenly, she spoke up. "Can I take them down, Ares?" she asked, her fingers twitching as she readied her spells.
Ares looked at her, then nodded. "Sure, go for it."
Swish¡ªSwish.
Chapter 239 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [4]
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
As soon as Ares gave Livia his approval to attack the Royal Knight Academy team, she immediately sent a barrage of ice shards at them. However, At the same time, Diana didn''t waste any time andunched a flurry of arrows as well.
The arrows and ice shards moved at the same speed toward their targets.
Whistlee~
Suddenly, the arrows seemed toe to life, making a whistling sound before elerating even further toward their marks. With their newfound speed, the arrows hit their targets before the ice shards could reach them.
"Argh!"
Both the Cherry Blossom and Royal Knight Academy teams were caught off guard. The arrows barely missed the Cherry Blossom team members, but one by one, the members of the Royal Knight Academy were hit by arrows in their vitals, reducing their HP to zero in an instant.
Thud¡ªThud¡ªThud¡ªThud
Four members fell to the ground, their lifeless bodies hitting the ground with a dull thud. The remaining member was taken down by Livia''s ice shards which hit him, like bullets, leaving the entire Royal Knight Academy team eliminated without putting up any resistance.
The notifications rang out to the team Soreh Academy:
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Royal Knight Academy!]
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Royal Knight Academy!]
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Royal Knight Academy!]
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Royal Knight Academy!]
[Your teammate Livia has eliminated a member of Team Royal Knight Academy!]
Livia was taken aback and shot a surprised nce at Diana. ''I have underestimated dumb potato,'' she thought.
Diana, noticing the look, sighed before grinning at Livia.
The announcement of Team Royal Knight Academy''s elimination was broadcasted loud and clear and echoed across the battlefield.
[Team Royal Knight Academy has been eliminated!]
The members of Team Cherry Blossom were left dumbstruck as they witnessed the quick elimination of the Royal Knight Academy. They turned to the source of the attack, their eyes widened, and their weapons at the ready, only to see Team Soreh Academy approaching them.
"It''s... Ares," Ava muttered, recognizing him and other members of the Soreh Academy.
Her sister, Eva, on the other hand, was visibly excited at the sight of Ares. "Yeah, it''s Ares!" she eximed.
Ava gave her sister a nk look, questioning her excitement, "Why are you so excited seeing him, sister?" she questioned.
Eva shuddered and corrected herself, "Oh no, it''s Aresss," in a dejected tone, shaking her head.
"...."
Ava didn''t know how to react to her sister''s behavior and decided to shrug it off and focus on the present. Her eyes turned to Diana, who was carrying a bow. She couldn''t help but wonder if anyone from their team could have pulled off what Diana did, remembering how close the arrow came to hitting her before it hit its intended target.
She realized that if they hadn''t teamed up with Ares, their whole team could have been eliminated, just like the Royal Knight Academy, not knowing what hit them.
"It''s good that we decided to team up with Ares, right sister?" Eva voiced her thoughts.
Ava agreed, "Yeah, sister, you''re right."
The sisters agreed that it was fortunate for them to have teamed up with Ares. The false rumors about their partnership had been circting for a while, but they had made it official after a meeting the previous day.
As the other teams were afraid to go after the Team Soreh Academy, they were alling after them because of those rumors, thinking of them as the easier targets and believing they were weakening the Soreh Academy''s team by eliminating them.
"And this match is very important for us. We not only want to prevent ourselves from being eliminated but also want to move to the top 4," Ava added.
As only the top 4 teams after the next match will proceed to the semifinals.
"Right sister, we have to win this," Eva agreed, nodding.
The Soreh Academy was already a top-performing team and didn''t need a partnership to secure a spot in the semifinals. Ares, Diana, and Livia were all powerhouses in their own right, and theirbined talents made them nearly unbeatable.
Ava couldn''t shake off the feeling that Ares had other motives for agreeing to the partnership, despite their team not needing it. As she pondered this, one of their team members, Alia, approached Ares to greet him.
"Hi Ares, it''s nice to see you again," Alia greeted him warmly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"A pleasure to see you as well, Alia," Ares responded with a charming smile, his gaze fixed on her.
!?
Livia and Diana exchanged a curious nce as they noticed Alia and Ares'' friendly exchange.
"Competition?" They both said in unison, furrowing their brows.
Lia suddenly leaned towards Ares'' katana and examined it closely. "Hmm? You''re using an Ice katana? I didn''t think such weapons were avable on this battlefield. And the measurements, size, weight... everything matches your preferences," Lia observed thoughtfully.
!!
A sudden realization hit her and she turned to Livia. "...So it was made by you?" Lia asked, knowing that Livia was the only Ice mage capable of crafting such a weapon for someone else.
The ice mages possessed the unique ability to craft weapons like arrows, spears, swords, and more out of their element. However, the weapons created could only match their personal preferences, and crafting a weapon for someone else required a great deal of practice, time, effort, and control over their element.
Ares'' katana was a perfect match for his preferences, needing only minor adjustments to make it wless. This was not a result that could be achieved overnight, and knowing that Lia felt a pang of pain in her heart, though she couldn''t understand why.
"Yes, it is me who crafted that katana. Is there a problem with that weapon?" Livia asked curiously, her jealousy from before forgotten. She genuinely wanted to hear Lia''s feedback to know if there were any problems with the katana she had crafted and if there was any way to improve herself.
Livia was also experimenting with crafting a bow using her ice magic, but she wasn''t satisfied with the results and needed more practice. She saw Lia''s skill in the previous match and believed that she was the right person to help her craft the perfect weapons for Ares.
Crafting had be Livia''s hobby, and she wanted to be able to create weapons for Ares in emergency situations like today''s.
"...No, there''s no problem with the weapon," Lia replied, pushing her jealousy aside. "It might have taken you a lot of effort and failures to be able to create this almost perfect katana for him," Lia spoke up, impressed by Livia''s craftsmanship, and recognized the effort it must have taken to make such a perfect weapon for Ares.
"Yes, but it was worth it," Livia replied, looking at Ares with a fond smile.
"You... seem to have a lot of affection for him," Lia observed with a slight awkwardness in her tone.
It was clear to Lia that Livia had put in a lot of determination and hard work to craft a weapon for Ares, and the fond look she was giving him was a dead giveaway of her feelings.
"H-Huh?"
Chapter 240 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [5]
Lia realized that her question had made both teams ufortable when she heard exmations from them.
"I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to intrude¡ª" Lia apologized for her indiscretion, but Livia cut her off.
"Yes, you''re right. I really, really like him very much," Livia confessed with a beaming smile, not hesitating to share her feelings for Ares.
!!
Both teams were taken aback by Livia''s straightforwardness, and there was a brief silence.
To everyone''s surprise, Ares smiled at her and affectionately patted her head, "I like you too, Livia," he replied with a warm smile.
"Eh?" Livia was taken aback by the gesture, her eyes widening in surprise. She never expected Ares to reciprocate his feelings in public. Her face turned red as she became embarrassed, not knowing what to do next. She didn''t expect such a reaction from Ares.
Her mind began to race with thoughts of her future with Ares, she couldn''t help but wonder about their rtionship status. ''Ahh, what should I do now? Are we a couple now? When should we get married? What should we name our children?'' Livia''s thoughts were consumed with her new romantic prospects
However, the other girls couldn''t help but feel their hearts break when they realized they never stood a chance against Livia''s unwavering devotion to Ares.
Even Lia, who had finally be confident in her own abilities, felt a twinge of jealousy at the sight of Ares and Livia''s affection.
''This...was to be expected. I always knew that a man like Ares would have someone he likes. But...why is my heart aching? It''s not like we were that close, right? We were just supposed to be business partners, so why?'' Alia was lost in her thoughts.
Diana, on the other hand, looked at Livia in surprise, realizing the extent of her feelings for Ares. She had no idea that Livia was putting in so much effort to be with him.
''Well, if it''s Livia... Maybe it''s fine¡ª'' Diana thought to herself, but quickly pushed the thought aside. Though she didn''t mind Ares having other girls around him, she wanted him to fall for her first. She didn''t want to end up like her mother.
Before she could interject, an announcement on the battlefield interrupted their thoughts.
[The battlefield will be shrinking in the next 5 minutes, please make it to the center!]
"The center, let''s move to the center," Diana said, prompting everyone to start moving.
"A-Alright, we know where the rest of the teams are gathered waiting for us, so we can move there directly," Ava suggested, to which Ares and the team nodded in agreement. They began to move forward, led by a member of Team Cherry Blossom Academy who had a tracking skill.
However, Eva remained quiet throughout the journey, and Ava sensed that something was wrong. "Is everything okay, sis?" Ava asked Eva telepathically, noticing her sister''s solemn expression.
Eva hesitated for a moment before nodding timidly as if to say she is fine, but Ava wasn''t convinced. "You ...have a crush on him as well, don''t you?" she asked, knowing her sister too well.
!!
Eva''s eyes widened in surprise, but she eventually nodded, confirming Ava''s suspicions.
"I...I think I might have a little bit of admiration for him that''s all," Eva responded telepathically, her cheeks turning pink.
Ava''s heart sank. She had known about Eva''s crush on Ares even before the tournament began. She had noticed the way her sister''s eyes lit up whenever Ares appeared on their social media feed, but she had dismissed it as a harmless celebrity crush.
However, seeing Ares'' smile when he spared them in the first match seemed to have triggered something in Eva''s heart. She had begun to believe that she might have a chance with him.
But the reality was harsh. Livia''s straightforward confession had shown that there were too many girls vying for Ares''s attention, including Alia and even Diana, who had her own ns for Ares.
"I understand how you feel, Sister, but you have to remember that there are many other girls who like him too," Ava said gently, hoping to ease her sister''s heartache.
Eva nodded, but Ava could see the disappointment in her eyes. She couldn''t bear to see her sister hurt, but she also knew that she couldn''t do anything to change the situation.
As they finally neared the center, the team found themselves standing at the edge of a dense forest, with a towering, half-broken mansion visible in the distance.
The guide leading them pointed toward the mansion, saying, "This is it, the remaining teams are located inside."
The tension was palpable as everyone''s eyes darted around, searching for any signs of opponents lying in wait. They all knew they were outnumbered and outmatched, and nerves were running high as they prepared for the uing battle.
The knowledge that the battlefield would soon shrink, forcing everyone closer together, only added to the already present sense of danger.
"...So how should we begin our attack, Ares?" Ava asked curiously.
Ares grinned, knowing exactly how to make their attack stand out. He had someone on his team who could start their raid with a bang.
"In fact, it''s advantageous that they''re all gathered in a single ce. We don''t have to waste time searching for them," Ares said, realizing the strategic advantage of having all the remaining teams in one ce.
As Ares grinned, Diana and Livia exchanged knowing looks, realizing what he was about to suggest.
""Let''s make a grand entrance, shall we?" Ares announced confidently.
He proceeded to outline his n, delegating specific tasks to each member of the team. "Diana, I want you to stay up high and take out enemies from a distance. Emi, focus on defense magic to protect our team from sneak attacks. Hiro, use your shield to push their front line back and create an opening for us to attack." Ares concluded, his voice steady and assertive.
!?
Ava and Eva looked at Ares, confused. "What about our team? Are you saying you don''t need us and that you can deal with all the remaining four teams by yourself?" Ava asked, furrowing her brow.
"...Yes, we can help too!" Eva added in a low voice.
"Of course not. I know you guys can be of help too. However, even though we are working together for now, every team is ultimately for themselves. The more kill points you get, the higher the chance of your team moving up the rankings. So, you have to earn your points for yourselves while our team creates an opening," Ares exined with a smile.
"...."
Ava and Eva kept quiet, realizing he was right. "...Yeah, you''re right. Our teams have to earn our points ourselves by eliminating as many students as possible. However, how are you nning on breaching their defenses? They won''t even allow your team to get close to the mansion, and there seems to be a barrier cast around it as well," Ava asked curiously.
"You''ll find out soon enough," Ares said with a mysterious smile, his eyes fixed on Livia, who nodded in understanding. With a confident stride, she stepped forward and raised her right hand in the air.
The air around the battlefield suddenly grew heavy, and a cold breeze swept through, causing everyone''s hair to flutter and goosebumps to rise on their skin.
Whoosh¡ª Whoosh¡ª
Ava gasped as she saw countless blue magic circles appear in the sky above the mansion. "What the...?" she muttered under her breath, wondering what kind of magic was being used.
Livia''s voice boomed across the battlefield as she called out the name of her spell.
"ABSOLUTE¡ªZERO!"
To Be Continued...
Chapter 241 Match 4: The Battle Royal! [6]
Livia''s voice echoed across the battlefield like thunder as she shouted, "Absolute Zero!" Her hand came down with a force that could shake the very foundation of the earth.
The blue magic circles in the sky above the mansion glowed with an intensity that made the students gasp. The air around them grew heavy as if something massive was about to happen.
Suddenly, the magic circles erupted with blinding light, causing everyone to shield their eyes.
Boom--
A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield as powerful sts of icy energy tore through the air, obliterating everything in its path. The mansion''s roof was hit with the force of a thousand storms, sending debris flying in every direction.
The st tore through the barriers around the mansion, shattering them into a million pieces. Shockwaves rippled through the ground, causing the teams inside to lose their footing and stumble.
The temperature plummeted instantly as a massive wave of cold energy sted outwards. A blizzard engulfed the entire area, and frost began to spread across the ground, freezing everything in its path.
Ava''s eyes widened as she watched in amazement as the spell''s power unfolded before her. The entire mansion was now covered in a thickyer of ice, and she could see several frozen bodies of opponents trapped in the ice.
"Amazing," Eva whispered in disbelief.
Livia took a step back, panting heavily as her mana visibly depleted. "I did it, Ares," she gasped, looking over at him with a sense of aplishment. Ares grinned proudly at her.
"Well done, Livia," he said, patting her on the back. "You can rest now and leave everything to us!" he added, giving her a reassuring smile.
Livia smiled and nodded slightly, feeling a sense of satisfaction that she had helped her team gain an upper hand. But at the same time, she knew she would lose her bet with Diana.
Her mana was depleted, and she had no energy left to continue the battle. If this were the real world, she would have pushed herself harder and rushed to fight with her sword, but in the VR world, as soon as her MP reached zero, her movements were restricted, just like in a game.
Despite her disappointment about losing the bet, Livia knew that following Ares'' lead was more important than her pride. "You''re right, Ares. I''ll leave everything to you," she said, giving him a small smile before retreating to the backlines.
"...."
Diana''s eyes widened in shock as she watched Livia sacrifice their bet and obediently follow Ares''mand. It was clear to her that Livia valued Ares'' words more than anything else. ''Would I have done the same?'' she wondered.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Ares'' voiceing through their team''s voice chat.
Now, with the barriers destroyed, Ares signaled the team to move forward. The n was in motion, and they were ready to take on whatever the other teams had in store for them.
"Now that we have their attention, we move in!" Ares said, his voice barely audible over the still howling winds. "Let''s go!"
He said and turned to Diana, who nodded and fired an arrow high in the air toward the mansion.
Swish--
And when the arrow was on its way toward the mansion, Ares muttered.
Swap--
In a sh, he switched ces with Diana''s arrow mid-air, his Ice katana crackling with electric aura from his Static Electricity skill.
Shreeeik-- Shreeik
"FELL-CRESCENT!" he then shouted, unleashing a massive blue electric crescent that tore through the already frozen mansion.
Boom--
The mansion was ripped in half with a deafening boom, leaving the opposing teams vulnerable to attacks.
And the impact of Ares'' attack was devastating as some students were caught off guard and immediately eliminated.
[Your teammate Ares had eliminated a member of Team Iron Fortress Academy!]
[Your teammate Ares had eliminated a member of Team Shadow Academy!]
However, the Cherry Blossom Academy team didn''t waste any time and seized the opportunity presented to them. With shields raised and spells at the ready, they charged forward into the icy tempest.
As the teams continued through the blizzard, Diana''s sharp eyesight spotted some opponents struggling to move through the snow and ice in the distance. Her focus sharpened as she reached for an arrow from her quiver, carefully notching it onto her bowstring with precision.
The wind howled and snow swirled around her, but Diana stood firm, her eyes fixed on her targets. With practiced ease, she pulled back the string, and released it in a smooth, fluid motion.
Swish--
The arrow sailed through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering silver light behind it. It found its mark with deadly uracy, piercing through the armor of an opponent and sending them tumbling to the ground.
Thwack!
[Your teammate Diana had eliminated a member of Team Iron Fortress Academy!]
One opponent went down, and Diana quickly notched another arrow onto her bowstring, pulling back and aiming at her next target. She let the arrow fly, and it too found its mark.
Thwack!
[Your teammate Diana had eliminated a member of Team Iron Fortress Academy!]
Another opponent fell to the ground, taken down by Diana''s precise aim.
As the team pushed forward, Emi''s hands moved in intricate patterns, casting powerful defensive spells to protect the team from the enemy''s iing attacks. Her magic glowed bright, illuminating the surrounding area as she weaved her protective enchantments.
And with Hiro''s shield leading the charge, he charged toward the enemy''s front line with great force. He held it steady in front of him, deflecting arrows and spells alike as they carved a path through the enemy''s front line. His muscles bulged as he pushed forward, his feet stomping through the snow and ice as he led the charge.
In the end, it was Livia''s spell that gave them the advantage they needed to gain the upper hand in the battle. The frozen bodies of their opponents trapped in ice were a testament to her spell''s destructive power.
Most of the students were struggling to move through the snow and ice, making it impossible to dodge the iing spells and arrows from Soreh and Cherry Blossom Academy. The already-destroyed mansion left them with no cover, and they were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.
But the team cier Peak remained unaffected by the Ice as they were used to this type of environment, and they quickly realized that their current alliance was no longer useful. Soreh and Cherry Blossom Academy were sure toe out on top, and the other teams would only serve as free points for them.
And so, without warning, cier Peak Academy switched sides and began attacking the team Shadow Academy, who was in the second spot of the table.
sh-- sh --
!?
With a special sword, de Of Champion in their possession, the cier Peak student easily eliminated members of the Shadow Academy with one swift swing.
"W-What are you doing? We have to work together and take down Soreh Academy first!" The student leading the team Shadow Academy eximed in rage.
"We were ying along because our goals aligned, but it''s clear that your team is just using us to eliminate Soreh Academy and climb to the top," the cier Peak representative retorted. "We knew all along that you nned to do the same to us once Soreh Academy was eliminated. But don''t worry, we were thinking the same thing."
The truth hit the Shadow Academy hard, and they were left stunned as the cier Peak student continued their onught.
"We''ve realized that Soreh Academy will likely qualify no matter what we do now, so our best option now is to stop your team from qualifying," the cier Peak student dered.
The Shadow Academy students tried to defend themselves with their own weapons, but the special sword was too powerful. It cut through their defenses like a hot knife through butter.
Ssh--
[Team Shadow Academy Has Been Eliminated!]
The announcement echoed throughout the battlefield, leaving the remaining teams in shock and disbelief.
!?
[Team Iron Fortress Academy Has Been Eliminated!]
However, as another notification for the elimination of the Iron Fortress team echoed through the battlefield, the situation only grew more intense.
The cier Peak Academy had revealed their true intentions and turned against their former allies, the Shadow Academy. However, they weren''t the only ones to do so, as the Martial Star Academy had also decided to betray their partnership and took down the remaining frozen members of Iron Fortress Academy before some other teams could.
With a special shield, The Shield Of Defender in their possession, they were able to effortlessly move through the battlefield, protected from Ares'' attacks and the icy terrain. The shield had the ability to protect the user and their teammates from elemental attacks, such as ice, fire, and electricity.
***
The frigid wind howled through the icy wastnd as the remaining four teams in the match - Soreh Academy, Cherry Blossom, cier Peak, and Martial Star Academy - faced off against each other. The tension between them was real, with each student''s heart pounding with adrenaline as they prepared for the final battle.
The students tightened their grip on their weapons, determined to emerge victorious. As the sky darkened, they steeled themselves for the ultimate showdown.
With only one team able to im the title of winner, the battle was sure to be fierce and unforgiving.
The fate of the tournament now rested on their shoulders, and the anticipation was almost unbearable. Who would emerge as the victor and move directly to the semifinals? The answery just ahead, shrouded in the blinding snow and piercing winds.
The stage was set for an epic sh of wills and skills, and the students knew that only their best efforts would suffice. The final battle had begun.
To be continued...
Chapter 242 Match 4: Conclusion [1]
[Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and bloodshed. Reader discretion is advised.]
***
The wind had picked up, causing the ice from Livia''s spell to swirl even harder.
"Shit!" Ares cursed his luck as he looked down at his weapons. His ice katana had shattered in thest attack, leaving him with a rusty kitchen knife and a half-broken machete again.
Diana, on the other hand, had managed to acquire a good bow and a few arrows from the defeated Royal Knight academy, while Hiro had obtained a sturdy shield. However, with the remaining teams having special weapons in their possession, it was clear that they needed better weapons to stand a chance.
"Maybe I can find a good weapon from the eliminated students here?" Ares muttered, twirling the kitchen knife in his hand as he approached the broken mansion.
After receiving the notification of Shadow and Iron Fortress Academy teams'' elimination, Ares realized that the teams must have turned on each other due to their dire situation. Their alliance proved to be a weakness as they had gathered in one ce to deal with Soreh Academy, not expecting such a powerful attack from Livia.
Their n was to create a barrier using thebined strength of all four academies, believing that it would be strong enough to restrict any iing attacks. However, Livia''s spell shattered their barrier and immobilized many of their members, making them easy kills.
As he reached the mansion, Ares noticed the conspicuous absence of any sounds of fighting. He spotted Emi and Hiro waiting for him, but Diana was perched on higher ground, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for potential threats.
!?
"Where are the other teams?" Ares asked his teammates, perplexed by the silence.
"After the elimination of Shadow and Iron Fortress teams, the other two teams disappeared suddenly out of nowhere and we can''t locate them," Hiro informed, his face creased with worry.
Ares fell silent, lost in thought. "How is that even possible?" he muttered. "Diana, do you spot anyone?" he inquired, switching to voice chat.
"The cier Peak Academy is lurking in ambush just ahead of you, exploiting the terrain to their advantage, and The Martial Star Academy is doing the same with Cherry Blossom on the other side of you," Diana responded, her voice steady and controlled. "However, I have limited arrows, so I''ll refrain from shooting until I''m confident that I can take them down."
Ares nodded in agreement. "Okay, you can provide us with cover fire when necessary," he said, turning to Emi and Hiro. "Did either of you spot any usable weapons on your way here?" he inquired.
They both shook their heads, a look of dismay on their faces. "I saw a few weapons, but they were all cut in a smooth half as if something sliced them with no resistance," Emi stated.
Ares sighed, his gaze shifting to the rusty knife in his hand. "So, it''s the doing of the special weapon, The de of Champion, I guess," he muttered.
"Alright, Let''s get ready. We need to move--" Ares was about to speak but his words were cut off by the sudden whizzing of an arrow that came hurtling toward him.
Swish--
Without a moment''s hesitation, Ares reacted quickly, slicing the arrow in half with his rusty knife, which was imbued with his mana.
Clink--
Swish--
Another arrow came in their direction, but Diana acted swiftly, shooting her own arrow toward the attacker.
Thwack!
A satisfying thwack filled the air as the arrow found its mark, and the notification popped up on the screen.
[Your teammate Diana had eliminated a member of Team cier Peak Academy!]
[Take that, you lil bitch! How dare you sneak attack him.] Diana''s enraged voice could be heard through the voice chat as she eliminated the student who had fired the arrow at Ares.
"...."
"Um, Diana, your voice chat is on," Emi informed her awkwardly, noticing the colorfulnguage Diana had used. She never expected suchnguage from the usually graceful princess.
[O-Oh, was it? I''m sorry.] Diana replied, feeling slightly embarrassed before turning off her voice chat.
Ares thought to himself, ''Well, it seems like Diana is still hiding her true personality from everyone. But it''s only a matter of time before her brother finds out andes after her.''
Diana had revealed to Ares that she had already used her constetion ability in their previous match 1: to protect both him and the others from opponent teams attacks, which might have given away her Constetion''s identity.
That was also one of the reasons why she had decided to let go of her facade and reveal her true feelings to Ares, as there was no point in hiding her personality any longer.
"Good job, Diana," Ares said, acknowledging her sessful kill and turning his attention back to the present. "Emi, get ready to use your defensive spells. We''re moving forward." He then turned to Hiro. "Hiro, you''ll be leading us from the front as usual," Ares instructed, and both Emi and Hiro nodded in response.
As Hiro bravely moved forward through the rubble with his shield raised, Ares scanned the surroundings with his skill Hawkeye, holding his rusty knife and a broken machete at the ready.
"Yahhh!"
Suddenly, a massive student jumped at them, wielding a sword high in the air.
"Atomic sh!" Ares swiftly used his skill with the machete, hoping to stop the attacker in his tracks.
Swash-- Swash -- Swash
Ares'' attacknded on the opponent, but only dealt 25% damage. He quickly realized that the student was heavily equipped with defense gear, and his rusty knife and broken machete were not enough to inflict serious damage.
Despite Ares'' attack, the student continued charging toward them, undeterred. As Ares was now out of attack range due to his use of the skill Atomic sh, he was unable to intercept the student''s attack. The opponent''s sword was now aimed directly at Hiro, leaving him exposed.
"Hiro, to your left!" Emi shouted a warning, quickly casting an additional barrier on Hiro to protect him from the iing attack.
sh--
Hiro raised his shield to block the iing attack, but to his surprise, the student''s sword sliced through Emi''s barrier with ease and then cut through Hiro''s shield as if it was made of paper. The opponent''s sword then made contact with Hiro''s body, slicing him in half. The impact was so severe that he was eliminated instantly, and his body turned into particles.
[Your Teammate Hiro Has Been Eliminated!]
"Huh?" Emi eximed, shocked at the sudden turn of events. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Hiro being cut in half and eliminated before her very eyes.
Reacting quickly, Emi immediately began to cast defensive spells to protect herself from the iing attack. As the student didn''t stop after eliminating Hiro. With a fierce battle cry, he swung his sword with all his might at Emi.
"DIE!!!" he yelled.
Ares saw the attack and was about to intervene to help Emi, but suddenly two students from the cier Peak team came at him with their weapons raised. Thest remaining student used his spell to conjure a thickyer of ice that wrapped around Ares'' feet and immobilized himpletely, preventing him from moving.
***
Time seemed to slow down as the guy wielding the special sword swung his de to the right with immense force to cut Emi in half. A wave of fear washed over her as she realized she might be the next to fall.
On Ares'' side, the two cier Peak students came at him with their swords made of ice while he was immobile. But Ares was quick to react and used his wit to turn the tables on his attackers.
"Swap!" he shouted, and in a split second, he switched ces with the guy using the de of Champion. As the guy was in the middle of his swing, his sword cut through his own two teammates who were about to attack Ares before he switched ces.
Ssh--
With a sickening ssh, blood flew everywhere like a fountain as the two cier Peak students were killed, their bodies cut in half. Their weapons were left flying in the air as their bodies turned into particles.
Ares wasted no time and moved to catch both swords before they could hit the ground.
Catch--
With the swords in hand, he brought them towards the guy wielding the de of Champion, who was now immobilized by his own teammate''s spell, and decapitated him like a pair of scissors on his head, sending his head flying in the air.
Blood gushed out of his decapitated body, drenching the surrounding area.
[Your teammate Ares had eliminated a member of Team cier Peak Academy!]
The scene unfolded in a sh, and thest remaining member of Team cier Peak stood frozen in shock, watching as his teammates were eliminated one by one in a pool of blood.
Swish--
As he struggled to regain hisposure, a sudden whizzing sound caught his attention. Before he could react, an arrow pierced through his open mouth, silencing his gasp of surprise.
"Thwack!"
The force of the impact knocked him off his feet, and he crumpled to the ground, writhing in pain before being eliminated from the battle.
[Your teammate Diana had eliminated a member of Team cier Peak Academy!]
[Team cier Peak Academy Has Been Eliminated!]
The sound of the announcement echoed through the battlefield, punctuating the end of yet another fierce battle.
Emi stood there, stunned by the events that had just unfolded before her. She felt grateful for Ares'' quick thinking and bravery, but also couldn''t shake off the horrific sight before her.
Chapter 243 Match 4: Conclusion [2]
[The battlefield will be shrinking in the next 5 minutes, please make it to the center!]
The announcement reverberated across the battlefield, reminding the remaining participants that the area was about to shrink in the next five minutes, and they had to make it to the center.
Meanwhile, Ares picked up the special weapon de of Champion. As he held it in his hand, he could feel the power coursing through the de, and he marveled at its design. Suddenly, the weapon transformed, shifting and changing until it took on the form of a sleek and deadly katana.
!?
"Interesting," Ares muttered, admiring the de in his hand as it transformed into a sleek katana. He spun the weapon around experimentally, feeling the weight and bnce of it in his grip. ''Maybe I should ask Lia to make something simr for me,'' he pondered to himself.
However, Ares had expended most of his MP during thest battle, and he could feel his movements and attacks slowing down as a result.
"It''s toote to acquire this weapon," he muttered, shaking his head. Emi, still in shock from the gruesome scene she had witnessed earlier, stood beside him.
"Diana, how is the fight between Martial Star Academy and Cherry Blossom Academy going?" Ares inquired through the voice chat.
"The twins are not too bad; they are putting up a tough fight against Martial Star Academy, who possess the special shield, The Shield of Defender," Diana replied.
Most of the Cherry Blossom team had been eliminated in an ambush by the Martial Star team at the beginning including Lia, leaving only Ava and Eva alive. However, the twins were still holding their ground and had eliminated a few members of the Martial Star Academy team.
"Their battle is still ongoing, with neither side gaining the upper hand. However, it''s only a matter of time before the twins get eliminated since they are finding it challenging tond a proper hit due to the special shield," Diana updated them.
"Alright, Emi. Let''s go to where their battle is taking ce," Ares said, bringing Emi out of her daze.
"Y-Yes," Emi replied, quickly regaining herposure.
As Ares and Emi hurried towards the location that Diana had pointed out, Ares inquired, "Diana, how many arrows do you have left?"
Swish¡ª
The sound of Diana shooting an arrow interrupted Ares mid-sentence.
Thwack¡ª
However, there was no notification this time about any elimination.
"Arg! I only have one arrow left now, and I''m low on MP as well. That shield is quite bothersome, it''s blocked many of my arrows by now as if it has an automatic function to detect iing attacks or something," Diana said in a frustrated tone.
Ares and Emi just smiled at her outburst and soon arrived at the location where Cherry Blossom and Martial Star Academy were battling each other.
They stood at a distance and saw that the fight had turned into a 2v2. Ava and Eva looked tired while the two students from Martial Star Academy seemed rtively unaffected.
The tense battle continued as Ares and Emi watched from a distance. Ava and Eva were clearly struggling against the two students from Martial Star Academy due to the special shield, and it was only a matter of time before they would be eliminated.
"Hey, Eva! Use this," Ares suddenly called out as he threw the de of champion toward them.
Caught off guard, Eva was confused but quickly caught the sword.
!?
"T-This? It''s the special weapon?" Eva muttered in confusion as the de of champion transformed into her preferred short sword in her hand.
Eva was lost in her thoughts, wondering why Ares would give her the special weapon instead of using it himself since they were still opponents in the match. ''Wow, Is it a gift? Does this mean he trusts me?'' she thought.
Meanwhile, Ava was fighting for her life against their two opponents and shouted,
"Argh! Sister, we don''t have time for that. Come here and help me, will you?" She already knew what was going on in her sister''s mind.
!!
Ava''s shout snapped Eva out of her thoughts, and she quickly rushed to her sister''s side, ready to fight alongside her.
"....."
Emi stared at Ares in shock as she saw him give away the special weapon so easily.
"Emi, help them with your spells to eliminate the Martial Star Academy," Ares suddenly ordered.
Emi was confused, ''But why? And why would he give that sword to her? He knows that we will have to fight them after they eliminate the Martial Star Academy, right?'' she pondered inwardly.
However, she shook her head and decided to follow Ares'' orders. She was too scared to question his decision.
Diana and Livia remained silent, seeming to understand Ares'' n without needing to question it.
Emi quickly assessed the situation and knew what she had to do. She began casting defensive spells to protect Eva and Ava, who were now in possession of the de of champion. The twins were surprised by the sudden help but decided to focus on the fight before them.
Eva dodged and weaved around the Martial Star Academy students, narrowly avoiding their attacks. With a burst of speed, she lunged forward with her short sword, her pink aura pulsing around the sword.
The de glowed brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding, and then it sliced through the air, striking the shield of the defender held by one of the students.
Clink¡ª
To everyone''s shock, the shield shattered into a thousand pieces from just that single attack, leaving the student exposed and vulnerable.
Shatter¡ª Shatter
!!??
The Martial Star Academy student holding the shield of the defender was stunned, not expecting his special shield to shatter with a single attack from the de of champion. His fellow student was equally surprised, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.
But before they could recover, Ava sprang into action, taking advantage of the situation and eliminating the exposed student with a swift movement. She darted forward and pierced his throat with her short sword., ending his life with a single strike.
"Arghh"
Eva meanwhile had her attention focused on the remaining student, who was now casting a spell and sending a barrage of fireballs toward them.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
Emi noticed the student''s movements and quickly cast her own spell to create a shield that enveloped Eva and Ava, protecting them from the iing spell. The spell hit the shield with a loud bang and dissipated harmlessly.
Bang¡ª
With Emi''s shield spell still active, Eva swiftly closed in on thest remaining student, who was now frantically trying to cast another spell.
Eva''s movements were so fast that the student had little time to react. As she neared him, Eva unleashed a swift strike with her short sword, and the de erupted with a bright pink aura, slicing through the iing spell with ease.
sh¡ª
The student was taken aback by the sudden attack, and before he could even react, Eva''s sword connected with his body, slicing him in a clean cut from his head downwards.
A spray of blood erupted from the student''s body as he fell to the ground, eliminated.
Ssh¡ª
[Team Martial Star Academy has been Eliminated!]
Fuuu~
As Eva and Ava let out a sigh of relief as they were finally able to eliminate the Martial Star Academy, and they turned to see Ares approaching them.
Eva''s smile widened as she ran towards him, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you for your help, Ares¡ª"
But before she could finish her sentence, an arrow caught her off guard, piercing her forehead with a thud.
Thwack¡ª
Eva''s lifeless body fell to the ground in slow motion, eliminating her in an instant.
[Your teammate Diana has eliminated a member of Team Cherry Blossom Academy!]
Diana muttered, "Don''t try to seduce him, you bitch! I already have my hands full with so many other women around him."
And at the same time, Ava was on her knees, battered and wounded, struggling to catch her breath from her previous battle. And before she could even react or speak, she was struck down by an unseen force her head was severed from her body, and a spray of blood showered the ground around her.
Her lifeless body fell to the ground as her eliminated status appeared on the screen.
[Your teammate Livia has eliminated a member of Team Cherry Blossom Academy!]
Livia''s excitement couldn''t be contained as she spoke running toward Ares, "This potion of invisibility is nice! Can you see me, Ares?"
"No, I can''t see you, but I can hear your movements," Ares replied.
Livia suddenly jumped into Ares'' arms, her petite form fitting perfectly in his embrace.
!?
"Can you feel me now?" she whispered yfully.
As she wrapped her arms around his neck, she felt his firm grip on her waist.
Ares was initially taken aback by Livia''s sudden embrace, but as she leaned into him, he found himself embracing her back with equal fervor. With their bodies pressed tightly together, Livia''s invisible form moved towards Ares'' lips, and they shared a passionate kiss that seemed tost forever.
Livia felt her heart flutter as Ares deepened the kiss, his hands caressing her back as he pulled her closer to him. She was lost in the moment,pletely swept away by the intensity of their connection.
[Team Cherry Blossom Academy has been eliminated!]
Beep!¡ª
The familiar beep sound was heard signaling the end of the match, which broke the moment, and Ares felt Livia pull away from him as they began to teleport back outside the VR world.
Swish¡ª
***
Chapter 244 Match 4: Points Table
Beep!
The loud sound of the horn signaled the end of the intense Match 4, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and apuse. The tournament was in full swing, and the matches were getting more intense with each passing round, as the students became more ruthless in their efforts to eliminate the opposing academies.
From the very beginning, the Battle Royal match was exhrating, with Blitzeirg Academy being quickly eliminated, most of their members taken out single-handedly by the impressive Livia, who wowed the audience with her sword skills.
The match continued with Soreh Academy intervening in the fight between Cherry Blossom and Royal Knight Academy, catching them off guard and quickly eliminating Royal Knight Academy without giving them any chance to resist.
The audience was on the edge of their seats as the match progressed, with Livia''s spell turning the tides of the fight and making it easier for the Soreh Academy team to take down their opponents, despite the other teams wielding special weapons.
The match then quickly escted into a blood pool, with the remaining teams fighting with all their might to emerge victorious, the tension in the arena was palpable, with the audience cheering loudly for their favorite teams and yers.
And when the final horn sounded, there was no need to check the points table to know that Soreh Academy had already secured their spot in the semifinals, much to the delight of their fans,as their dominance over their opponents was evident throughout the match.
As the audience eagerly awaited the next round of the tournament, they knew that the intensity of the battles would only continue to rise, leaving them on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
As Match 4 ended, the VIP Box was filled with mixed emotions. ine was elegantly dressed in a red evening gown, her long blonde hair tied up in a bun. Her face was a mask of disappointment as she saw Ares holding back throughout the match, giving his teammates the spotlight.
"Why the long face, ine? I thought the match was to your liking, with all the blood and gore," Sarah asked curiously.
ine remained silent, her eyes fixed on the wine ss she held tightly in her hand.
"I agree. These students should focus more on showcasing their skills instead of turning the arena into a bloodbath," Joseph added with a disapproving shake of his head.
"In this world, they must get used to it sooner orter," David added.
"Speaking of skills, that Livia girl is impressive. Her spell held immense power even with the restrictions. She will definitely be the star yer of this match," the beastman chimed in.
"Don''t forget about Diana. She had the most kills, so she''ll be the star yer," Sarah added with a smile.
As the group continued to discuss the match, ine suddenly stood up and announced her departure.
"Leaving so soon, ine? Are you heading out on a date or something?" Sarah asked with a hint of amusement, noticing ine''s elegant attire.
"No date. I''m going to meet Ares," ine replied, her voice devoid of emotion, before exiting the room.
!?
The others were left speechless once again. Sarah couldn''t help but wonder what ine had nned. ''Why is she dressed up sovishly just to meet him?'' she thought to herself.
***
As soon as the beep indicating the end of match 4 was heard, Ares and his team were instantly teleported back to the real world. The virtual reality simtion ended with a flicker, and they began to remove their gear.
Livia stood beside Ares, her heart fluttering from his kiss. It was a new feeling for her that she had never experienced before, and it made her believe that she was now officially dating the man she loved the most. Lost in her thoughts, she muttered to herself, "Maybe I should buy a few invisibility potions?"
Diana''s excited voice brought her back to reality. "Hehe! There is no doubt that I won the bet," Diana eximed, looking at Livia. "You have to keep your promise!"
Livia''s smile faded, and irritation showed on her face. Ares, Emi, and Hiro looked between Diana and Livia, curious to know what their bet was.
"Tch, shut up. You dumb potato!" Livia clicked her tongue and began to exit the VR room, with the rest of the team following behind.
Diana whispered to Ares with a pout, "You kissed her, didn''t you?"
"Yup, I did," Ares replied with a mischievous smile.
"....."
As they exited the VR room, they were greeted by a crowd of students from the remaining academies with dejected faces waiting to see the points table.
While Ava had a twisted expression and Eva was smiling awkwardly. They both knew that they would have to fight the Soreh Academy next after eliminating the Martial Star Academy, but they were not expecting the sudden attacks from them as soon as they eliminated their opponent. It was as if they had been waiting for them to be vulnerable.
Realizing that Ares had just used them to eliminate the Martial Star Academy left a sour taste in Ava''s mouth. She couldn''t help but feel that they were mere pawns in Ares''s game.
p¡ª p¡ª p
The sound of familiar apuse filled the air as Professor Maya stepped forward with a huge grin.
"I don''t think there is any need to see the points table to know that Team Soreh Academy will be moving directly to the semi-finals. As they dominated the whole match from beginning to end," Maya said, appearing in front of them with a swish.
Swish¡ª
Ares felt like a deja vu, as Maya appeared before him again.
"....."
"I knew this match would be interesting, especially with my favorite student participating," Maya added with a grin, reaching out to sp Ares'' hand.
However, before she could do so, Diana and Livia, who were standing on either side of Ares, grabbed Maya''s arm at the same time and red at her with twisted expressions.
''Why is every woman trying to seduce my Ares?'' they both thought simultaneously.
"Hmm?"
Maya was taken aback and chuckled before quickly moving away from them in a sh and returning to her previous position.
"Well, that was unexpected," Maya grinned before the announcement of the points table caught their attention.
[MATCH 4: THE BATTLE ROYAL HAS NOW OFFICIALLY ENDED!]
[YOU CAN NOW CHECK THE POINTS TABLE!]
[MATCH 4: POINTS TABLE!]
#1 S''OREH ACADEMY ¡ª 62 POINTS
#2 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 27 POINTS
#3 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 18 POINTS
#4MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 10 POINTS
#5 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 0 POINTS
#6 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 0 POINT
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 0 POINTS
#8 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 0 POINTS
[MOST KILLS!]
#1 TEAM SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 19 KILLS
#2 TEAM CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 5 KILLS
#3 TEAM GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 5 KILLS
#4 TEAM MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 5 KILLS
#5 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 0 KILL
#6 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 0 KILLS
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 0 KILL
#8 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 0 KILL
¡ó
[STAR STUDENT OF THE MATCH: 4!]
¡ï DIANA ELIORA ¡ª 9 KILLS!
**
Maya quickly scanned the list and let out a scoff. "Pftt, Look at the points table. It''s a joke! The difference between the first and second ce is staggering," she remarked sarcastically.
The team members of S''oreh Academy, including Ares, couldn''t help but grin seeing the points table. They had performed exceptionally well in the battle royal, and their hard work had paid off.
Diana, in particr, was beaming with pride as she was named the star student of the match with the most kills. "Nine kills! I knew I had it in me," she said, pumping her fist in the air.
Livia, on the other hand, was not particrly happy about their win. Rather, she was feeling a bit disappointed that she couldn''t win the bet with Diana.
"Alright, now let''s focus on the overall points table to see which teams will be eliminated. Only one team was supposed to get eliminated in this match, but with your wasteful performance, an additional team will be eliminated as well because they also don''t have enough points to qualify," Maya rified as she pointed at the screen where the overall points table was disyed.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 118 Points: Wins¡Á2 [QUALIFIED] ?
_____
#2 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 62 Points ??
#3 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 60 Points: Wins¡Á1 ??
#4 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 56 Points: Wins¡Á1 ??
#5 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 51 Points ??
#6 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 37 Points ??
_____
[ELIMINATED]
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 16 Points ?
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 8 Points ?
***
The points table was as expected, with Soreh Academy qualifying directly for the semi-finals, and the two eliminated teams being the Royal Knight Academy and the Iron Fortress Academy.
"Congrattions to Team Soreh Academy for being the first team to qualify for the semifinals," Maya said, pping her hands. "And also, a round of apuse to Diana, the star yer of Match 4." She added.
p¡ª p¡ª p
Diana puffed up her chest, taking in all the attention she was getting, with a smug look on her face.
"Stop the act, you silly potato!" Livia said, using her ice magic to make Diana stumble.
Slip¡ª
"E-Eh?" But before she could fall, Ares grabbed her.
"T-Thanks Ares," Diana said with a blush, still in Ares'' arms.
Ares just smiled and brought her back to her feet.
"....."
"Thank you for that, Livia," Diana said and winked, which made Livia''s face distort.
"Alright, the eliminated teams, the Royal Knight Academy, and Iron Fortress can leave," Maya suddenly said, gesturing for them to go.
They gave the remaining academies onest nce before leaving.
"Now that those losers are gone, let me inform you. As Soreh Academy is already qualified, participating in Match 5 ispletely optional for them," Maya informed and paused for a moment. "This means they can either skip the next match and directly participate in the semifinals with the remaining qualified teams, or they could participate and ruin the match for the rest of the teams to prevent their enemy teams from qualifying. It''s all up to you guys!" Maya said with a grin.
Chapter 245 A Date? [1]
The whole team of Soreh Academy was gathered in the meeting room, with a lively and cheerful atmosphere as they had qualified for the semifinals of the tournament. Ares and Erina were discussing the lineup for the uing match, while the rest of the team chattered and cheered in the background.
Even though they had already secured their spot in the semifinals, Ares decided to let the students who had yet to participate in a match have a chance topete in the uing Match.
Tringg¡ª
Suddenly, a loud ringing sound echoed throughout the room, signaling an important announcement. "Attention,dies, and gentlemen! The fifth match of the tournament, which will also be the knockout round, has been determined, and it''s none other than...The Survival Match!" The announcer''s voice boomed through the speakers in the meeting room.
Erina turned to Ares, "So who will be the students participating in this match, Ares?" She asked.
A brief silence filled the room as many students who had not yet had a chance to participate eagerly awaited their turn.
Ares smiled and replied, "I will leave this decision to you, Erina. You can select the students that you deem suitable for this match."
Erina smiled and nodded, taking a moment to consider, "I have a few students in mind, but before I make any final decisions, I wanted to know how many students can participate in this match."
Knock¡ª Knock
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Before A could react, Diana quickly jumped up to retrieve the envelope containing the match instructions and handed it to Ares, causing confusion among the others in the room.
!?
Not bothered by Diana''s act, Ares took the envelope from her and gave the instructions a brief nce before passing it on to Erina to read. "I trust you can handle it," he said with a smile.
Erina nodded and opened the envelope to read the instructions, her eyes scanning the contents quickly.
[Greetings, contestants! Wee to the Survival Match, where only the strongest will survive!
This match works on 5 rules that are as follows:
Rule number one: Each team of 6 will be dropped into a designated arena within the forest of the trial. This arena will be filled with various obstacles and creatures, both benign and malevolent. Be warned, some of these creatures may prove to be powerful foes, so be sure to stay on your guard.
Rule number two: The goal of this match is simple - survive. You must remain in the arena for as long as possible, as only the team with at least one member still standing at the end of the match will be dered a winner and can secure the whooping 30 points.
Rule number three: In order to level the ying field, each team will be given a limited number of items that they can bring into the arena. You may choose from a variety of weapons, potions, and other magical items to aid you in your survival. But choose wisely, as your resources will be limited.
Rule number four: Be creative! You never know what mighte in handy during the match. Use your environment and resources to your advantage, and don''t be afraid to think outside the box.
And finally, rule number five: This match will not have a time limit. It will continue until there is only one team left standing, or until all teams are eliminated. So stay sharp, stay alive, and may the odds be ever in your favor!]
"Interesting," Erina muttered to herself before turning back to the group, "It seems that we can have up to six students participate in this match."
Excitement and anticipation filled the room as the members of the team discussed who would be participating in the uing match.
Yawnn~
Ziona suddenly stood up and announced, "I''m out!" She began to exit the room but turned back to Ares with a huge grin. "Hey Ares, are you in for a spar? There''s no point in wasting time watching this match. Let''s go train instead." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Diana quickly spoke up, "No!" before Ares could reply, knowing that he wouldn''t turn down a spar.
Livia was about to say something, but she stopped herself when she saw Diana''s reaction.
!?
Confused, Ziona furrowed her brows and asked, "Hm? What''s the matter?"
"H-He already has ns with me," Diana said with a smile as she grabbed Ares'' arm possessively.
Ares gave Diana a questioning look, to which she responded with a pleading look. Ares sighed and then turned to Ziona, "...Sorry Ziona, Diana and I made ns beforehand. But I''ll call you once I''m done and we can continue our sparring tonight."
"O-Oh, okay. I''ll wait for your call then," Ziona nodded understandingly and gave Diana a quick nce, noticing how she was holding onto Ares'' arm as if it were second nature, before turning to leave.
"...I''ll be leaving as well, Ares. But don''t forget to text me while training with Crazy Potato, I need some pointers from you about my swordsmanship," Livia said in a low voice with a sad expression.
"I''ll be d to give you some pointers, Livia. Just let me know when you want to train," Ares replied with a friendly smile.
Livia nodded with a soft smile before giving Diana a brief re and leaving the room.
The room fell silent as the others began to depart as well, including A, Lucas, ude, and Kevin, who all wanted to prepare for the semifinals the next day.
Ares and Diana patiently waited for Erina to finalize the team lineup. "Considering our team''s strength for this match, it''s not possible for you guys to go after Martial Star and Cherry Blossom Academy. You would just be giving them free points if you do go for them," Erina exined.
"However, it''s a different story for the rest of the teams. Team Shadow Academy can easily be dealt with even if they proceed to the semifinals since they will lose their advantage fighting 1v1, so lets just ignore them.
All I want for you guys is to go for the other two teams that could be troublesome dealing with in a 1v1 team battle in the semifinals: cier Peak Academy, who can change the terrain to their advantage, and Blitzerg Academy, known for their speed." Erina concluded.
The team nodded, determined. They were on a mission in this match, which was to eliminate cier Peak and Blitzerg Academy first. If they managed toe out on top, then they could go for other academies.
Ares smiled, impressed by Erina''s n, which was precise and effective.
After a few more moments of strategic discussion with Erina, all the chosen students left for the VR Area.
As they left, Erina turned to Ares. "Alright, Ares. I need to go train too. You can text me the details of our meeting," Erina said, giving Diana an awkward smile and nodding before leaving the room.
"Sure thing, Erina. I''ll text you the details," Ares replied, nodding at her as she exited the room.
As the team dispersed, Ares and Diana stayed behind for a moment. "Now, Is there something you wanted to say?" Ares asked, his expression curious.
Diana hesitated, taking a deep breath before finally blurting out, "A-Actually, I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me?" Her cheeks flushed as she waited for his response, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
There was a brief moment of silence as Ares seemed to be lost in thought, making Diana''s heart beat faster with anticipation.
Although she had won the bet with Livia to go on a date with Ares, she knew that it still ultimately depended on Ares'' decision whether he wanted to go out with her or not.
She didn''t believe that she could force him to go against his will, knowing all too well about Ares'' strength.
''So, this was what their bet was about, huh?'' Ares thought to himself, amused by Livia''s easy eptance of her defeat. He had expected some drama and argument between the two of them.
However, Ares couldn''t say he wasn''t pleased with the situation. This would allow Livia to ept other women around him as well.
''It won''t happen overnight, but she will eventually learn to ept the situation,'' Ares mused.
He smiled, turning his attention back to Diana. "Sure, why not? The Golden Colosseum is a lively ce, with a festival atmosphere and plenty of food stalls, games, and shopping centers. I''m sure we''ll be able to find something fun to do together."
Diana''s face lit up with a grin of excitement. "That sounds perfect," she replied, feeling grateful and happy that Ares had epted her invitation.
***
Diana and Ares strolled through the bustling golden Colosseum, taking in the festive atmosphere around them. The sweet scent of cotton candy and popcorn filled the air as they passed by various food stalls. Colorful lights hung from the ceilings, illuminating the surrounding area with a warm glow.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Ares asked with a smile.
Diana looked around excitedly, taking in all the sights and sounds around her. "Hmm, let''s check out the games first!" she eximed, pointing towards a section of the colosseum where various carnival games were set up.
As they walked around, Diana noticed a game where you had to shoot targets with a bow and arrow. Archery being her forte, she suggested they try it out.
"Hehe, let''s try this game first and see who can score higher, my love?" Diana said with a beautiful smile that Ares had never seen before from her.
Despite the crowd gathering around them, recognizing them, Diana didn''t care. She wanted to be her real self today and didn''t want to hide behind a facade.
Her identity as a chosen one was already revealed to the world after experts deciphered her constetion''s identity as Artemis after match 1 when she created a shield using her constetion''s ability.
It wasn''t a crime to be a chosen one, but the problem was her constetion and the enemies that wille after her sooner orter including a demon disguised as her brother.
Ares chuckled and followed her toward the games section.
"Ok, let''s see how I fare in archery against the best archer," Ares said.
"Umu, Umu! It''s good that you know I am the best, but you are not that bad as well, my Ares," Diana nodded while beaming as she picked up the bow. "So shall we begin?" She said with apetitive grin.
"Sure," Ares replied and picked up the bow as well.
"Let''s start with hard difficulty, and you can''t use mana, okay?" Diana informed.
Ares nodded, "Alright."
With that, Diana set the difficulty to hard on a screen in front of them, and the targets surrounding them changed instantly as they found themselves in an open green field.
[Get ready!] they heard the game-like voice.
[Three, two, one, start!] As soon as the countdown ended, the targets began to appear out of thin air.
To be continued...
Chapter 246 A Date? [2]
"Let''s start with hard difficulty, and you can''t use mana, okay?" Diana informed.
Ares nodded, "Alright."
With that, Diana set the difficulty to hard on a screen in front of them, and the targets surrounding them changed instantly as they found themselves in an open green field. The targets were set at varying distances and heights, some of them moving and some of them stationary.
[Get ready!] they heard the game-like voice.
[Three, two, one, start!]
As soon as the countdown ended, the targets began to appear out of thin air. The first target was set at 25 meters, and both Ares and Diana aimed carefully before releasing their arrows simultaneously.
Swish¡ª Swish
And their arrows hit the bullseye.
Thwack¡ª Thwack
The game continued with targets appearing at varying distances and speeds, each one more challenging than thest. Ares and Diana were evenly matched, with their arrows hitting the targets with impressive uracy.
As the game progressed, Diana''s shots were still precise, hitting the bullseye every time, while Ares struggled to keep up as the difficulty increased.
Ares couldn''t help but admire Diana''s skills. She was indeed the best archer he had ever seen. And he also knew that even if he was allowed to use his mana and Hawkeye skill, it would still be difficult for him to defeat her.
Finally, the game ended, and Diana jumped with excitement. "Yay! I won!" she eximed, raising the bow in the air.
Ares just smiled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You are amazing," he said.
"Here''s your prize, Sir Ares!" The stallkeeper handed Ares a small, cute stuffed figure of himself as a prize.
Surprised, Ares looked at the stuffed figure for a moment before epting it, "Thank you," he couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight of it.
"And here''s your prize, Princess!" The stallkeeper turned to Diana and presented her with a small jewelry box.
Diana wasted no time and opened the jewelry box, her eyes sparkling as she found a sword charm inside. It was a small, intricately detailed charm with two tiny katanas hanging from it that could be attached to a sword or katana''s hilt.
"Oh, it''s a sword charm! What should I do with it? I don''t really use swords," Diana eximed in an exaggerated manner, giving Ares a yful pout.
Ares just smiled at her antics, knowing full well that these prizes were no coincidence.
"Wanna trade?" He asked with a grin.
Diana''s eyes lit up at the idea. "Aww, my love, really? You''ll trade this with me? I already loved your prize. Here," Diana said as she passed Ares the jewelry box and hurriedly snatched the cute stuffed figure from him.
"Thanks, I''ll cherish it," Diana said, holding the stuffed figure close to her heart.
"I appreciate this as well. I''ll put it on my katana''s hilt," Ares said, his gaze fixed on the sword charm.
"You promise?" Diana asked yfully.
"Yeah, I promise," Ares replied with a smile before carefully cing the charm in his inventory.
"Hehe," Diana continued to giggle excitedly, thrilled with the trade.
She took Ares'' hand and led him through the bustling festival, eager to explore everything it had to offer. They meandered through the colorful stalls, taking in the sights and sounds and sampling various foods along the way.
"Would you like to try this fried squid?" Ares asked, holding out a skewer of crispy golden-brown squid tentacles to Diana, who was just staring at him with a smile while he eat.
Diana''s eyes lit up as she eagerly took a bite while Ares held it for her. "Mmm, this is so good! Oh, have you tried the grilled corn over there? It''s amazing," she said, pointing to a nearby stall.
They continued to try new foods and explore the festival until they stumbled upon a small stage where a local band was performing. The crowd was dancing and swaying to the music, and Diana couldn''t resist the urge to join in.
"Come on, Ares! Let''s dance!" she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the crowd.
Ares hesitated at first, but seeing Diana''s infectious enthusiasm, he finally gave in and started dancing along with her. They moved together in perfect sync, twirling and swaying to the beat, Diana''sughter mingling with the music.
As they danced, Ares felt a sudden pang of longing, as if he was reliving a distant memory. He tried to shake it off and focus on the present moment with Diana, but his mind kept wandering.
When the song ended, the crowd erupted into apuse, and Diana beamed up at Ares. "Fuu~ I didn''t know you could dance so well, Ares," she said, breaking him out of his reverie.
He smiled at her but remained silent, lost in thought. Diana noticed the change in his expression and quickly suggested, "Oh, look, there''s a fortune teller over there. Let''s go try it."
They walked hand in hand towards the small tent at the edge of the festival, where a wizened old woman sat with a deck of tarot cards.
Ares had a bad feeling just from seeing her; the old hag fortune teller before him reminded him of fortune tellers from anime who would never give any good news.
Diana''s heart raced with excitement as they sat down, their hands still intertwined. The old woman shuffled the deck and startedying out the cards. Ares was skeptical, but Diana was intrigued.
The fortune teller began toy out Diana''s cards, and as she did, she started to speak in a melodious tone. "My child, you have a heart of gold. You are destined to be a great leader, a champion of justice and truth. Your passion and courage will inspire many to follow in your footsteps, and you will leave asting impact on this world."
Diana listened intently, her eyes bright with wonder. The fortune teller''s words seemed to resonate deep within her, affirming her purpose and giving her a sense of fulfillment.
The old woman then turned her attention to Ares and started to shuffle his cards. Ares looked hesitant, but Diana gave him a gentle smile, urging him to give it a try.
As the fortune tellerid out Ares'' cards, her expression grew serious. "My son, you have aplex past, filled with pain and suffering," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "But you also possess immense strength and resilience. The cards suggest that you will find sce and redemption in the embrace of the one you love."
Diana''s heart skipped a beat as she heard the words, and she saw a flicker of emotion in Ares'' eyes. She wished she could be that person, the one to bring him the peace he deserved.
Suddenly, the fortune teller spoke again, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Ah, young love. It is written in the stars," she said, looking at Diana and Ares with a knowing smile. "Your paths are intertwined, and your bond will only grow stronger with time."
Diana couldn''t help but giggle at the fortune teller''s words, her cheeks turning pink with a mix of amusement and affection.
As they left the fortune teller''s tent, Diana took Ares'' hand once again, a smile spreading across her face. The warmth of his hand in hers wasforting, and she couldn''t help but feel grateful to be here with him.The festival had turned out to be much more enjoyable than she had expected, especially with Ares by her side.
"What do you say we forget about the tournament and just enjoy the festival?" she asked, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.
Ares looked at her and smiled, his heart feeling light and content. "I couldn''t agree more," he said, squeezing her hand gently.
They spent the rest of the day exploring the festival, trying different foods, and ying games, but it was their time spent together that made the day truly memorable.
As the sun began to set, they found themselves drawn to the Colosseum, where the names of the teams qualified for the semifinals were announced. The atmosphere was electric, with music and fireworks lighting up the sky.
As the dazzling fireworks disy began, they found a quiet spot to sit and watch. Diana leaned into Ares, feeling his arm wrap around her. She felt safe and loved, her heart swelling with happiness, she knew at that moment that she wanted to be with him forever.
"It''s been a perfect day," Diana whispered, gazing up at the sparkling sky. "I never thought I''d get to have a day off from training and fighting."
"I''m d you''re enjoying it," Ares replied, looking at her with a gentle smile.
Diana took a deep breath and met his gaze, her eyes full of sincerity. "Ares, there''s something I need to tell you," she said, taking his hand in hers.
Ares looked at her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What is it, Diana?"
"I don''t know what you think of me, a mere pawn or just a girl sticking around you like everyone else," she said, her voice soft and vulnerable. "But I want you to know that my love for you is real, and I hope that one day, you''ll feel the same way about me. I''m not asking for much, I just want you to be a part of my life."
!?
Ares was taken aback by Diana''s words, but he smiled and took her hand. "I already am a part of your life, Diana. And as for your love, I will wait for that day toe," he said, meeting her gaze.
''Falling in love again? It doesn''t sound so bad,'' Ares thought with a smile as he moved his hand to brush Diana''s hair away from her pointy ears.
Diana looked at him quizzically as Ares tenderly caressed her ears and leaned in closer to her.
As thest firework faded away, they shared a sweet kiss, their lips meeting in a gentle embrace. It was a moment Diana would never forget, a moment of pure bliss and happiness amidst the chaos of their lives.
Diana felt like her heart was about to burst with joy as she deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in Ares'' hair. Ares'' hand moved from her ears to her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Chapter 247 Elaine Hartnell!
Under the moonlight, Diana and Ares were lost in their romantic moment, unaware of the two figures watching them from afar.
ine stood on top of a nearby skyscraper, her usual blonde hair now transformed into a dazzling shade of gold, flowing in the wind along with her elegant dress. Her piercing golden eyes shone with intensity as she fixed her unwavering gaze on Ares, seemingly studying him from a distance.
"So, he''s now dating a future elven empress?" ine muttered to herself, her gaze then turning towards the blue-haired girl who was also keeping an eye on Diana and Ares sneakily.
"And isn''t that Livia, Princess Of Demetria kingdom? Is this some type of love triangle or something?"
Suddenly, a message appeared in front of ine, written in the air.
[You forgot about that Silvia girl.]
"Hmm," ine muttered, "I still can''t believe he''s the same guy who killed a demon lord and 100,000 demons at the same time. Though he''s strong, he''s not strong enough to kill a demon lord, even if the demon lord was just unsealed."
ine wondered if Ares had used some trickery to defeat the demon lord or if someone else had killed the demon lord and he was just taking the credit for it.
[Maybe he''s just good at hiding his strength?] Another message appeared.
"Tch, aren''t you a constetion? What use do you have if a mortal can fool your eyes?" ine clicked her tongue in frustration.
She also believed that Ares was hiding his real strength, and meeting him up close might allow her to discern his true strength. But things didn''t go as she expected, as she couldn''t sense whether he was really strong or not.
''I can only discern that he has the strength of someone who has just entered the S-Rank,'' ine reflected.
[That''s not my specialty, and you know that all too well.] The message appeared again in the air.
"I know, I know," ine said as she dismissed the message. "I''m just disappointed. I thought I finally found a man strong enough for me," ine spoke, shaking her head.
[Though I can''t sense his real strength, I can still tell that he''s strong. And more importantly...he''s also someone''s avatar!] the message appeared.
ine was taken aback for a moment, reading her constetion''s message, and suddenly a huge grin formed on her face.
"You should have told me about his avatar status sooner! No wonder he can hide his strength from us," ine said with a smile.
[...!?]
[Isn''t it a given that he was able to kill a demon lord because he was a chosen one?]
ine brushed off the message, "If he really is that strong, then it''s eptable for him to get attention from all thesesses," ine said, nodding to herself.
"Anyway, do you have any idea about his constetion''s identity?" She asked, interested.
[...No, I don''t know their identity. However, they seem to be some higher-rank entity, judging by how fast the boy''s strength is progressing.]
"That makes sense. But if he really is the avatar of some higher entity, how is hemunicating with them? You said that higher entities are prideful and wouldn''t use inferior mortalnguage tomunicate, right?" ine asked, genuinely curious.
[I don''t think all constetions would like tomunicate with their avatar as I do. It takes quite a lot of energy tomunicate with you, even for me.]
"Oh, right. I forgot you were a loner and don''t have anyone other than me. And others might be busy with their own problems," ine said with a chuckle.
"....."
[...Why don''t you go and confront him now? You can ask him yourself why he is hiding his identity and other stuff.]
"No, I will wait a little longer and keep an eye on him. Only seeing his strength with my own eyes will make me decide to make my move now," ine said.
[Ok, But how will you deal with the other women around him? From what I can see, he is already entangled with three women, and who knows how many others there may be?]
"Like I said before, if he really is strong, he deserves to have his own harem of beautiful women. And if he can defeat me, then I am even willing to help him conquer the most beautiful women all around the world," ine said, her face ecstatic just imagining being defeated by a man.
!?
[You... are certainly different. I have never heard of a woman helping her man to build a harem of beautiful women around the world. Even in our realm, most women would want to keep their men for themselves, facing many struggles just to make them loyal to them.]
Despite the message from her constetion, ine was lost in her own reverie, imagining scenarios that had not yete to pass. Her cheeks flushed red as she held her face with both hands, caught up in her daydream.
"....."
The constetion sighed, [You truly are a lost cause! Where did my cute, innocent avatar from her childhood go?]
***
Diana and Ares had finished their date and returned to the hotel where their teams were staying. The Vice dean of Soreh Academy called a meeting and gave a pep talk to the team in preparation for the uing semifinals. The other qualified teams were Martial Star Academy, Cherry Blossom Academy, and Shadow Academy.
Soreh Academy''s Team Mob Character had secured third ce in Match 5 and was able to eliminate cier Peak Academy in the process, but was ultimately eliminated by Martial Star Academy, who won the match. Ares wasn''t surprised by the teams that had qualified.
After the meeting, Ares went back to his room to change into his sparring clothes for his n with Ziona. He realized that Livia wasn''t present at the meeting.
"I didn''t see Livia in the meeting," he muttered.
"...I saw her sneaking on your date with Princess Diana, Master," Meira arrived from the shadows and informed Ares.
"I see. It''s not particrly a bad thing. She should get used to seeing me with other women eventually, just like you, Meira," Ares said with a smile.
"I-I am just grateful to you for considering me as one of your women, Master," Meira said with a slight blush.
Irethiel just stared at her with a nk expression.
"Don''t worry, I am not excluding you, Irethiel," Ares said with a chuckle as he saw her gaze, which he could sense was filled with jealousy.
Surprisingly, Irethiel didn''t act like a Tsundere and retort, instead, she turned her head sideways, which made Ares''s grin only grow wider.
''She is finally out of her denial state now, I guess,'' he pondered inwardly.
"...There was also someone else who was spying on you," Irethiel informed, still not meeting Ares'' gaze.
"...And who was that?" Ares asked curiously.
"I don''t know her name, but she has shiny golden hair and eyes. She was observing you from the very beginning, and...she gave me a creepy vibe," Irethiel reported.
Hearing Irethiel''s description of a woman, Ares immediately recognized who the woman in question was.
"...ine Hartnell?" Ares muttered to himself, recognizing the woman who was spying on him.
Meira gritted her teeth at the thought of someone spying on her master. She didn''t have the same reaction with Livia because Livia was now one of her master''s women, but if it was someone else with bad intentions toward Ares, she wouldn''t let it slide.
"Do you know who she is, Master?" Meira asked.
"Yeah, sort of," Ares replied. "She''s currently the youngest transcendent being and sits on the round table of the strongest top 12 beings in the world."
Meira''s eyes widened at the mention of ine Hartnell''s impressive status, but she didn''t falter.
"Do you want me to deal with her, Master?" she asked again, her expression hardening even more. "How dare she spy on my master? If she has bad intentions, I will kill her this instant."
Ares chuckled inwardly at Meira''s words, knowing it was still too early for her to deal with someone as monstrous as ine Hartnell.
"It''s still too early for you to deal with that woman," he said, as he began to recall what he knew about ine Hartnell from the novel.
ine was one of the main antagonists in the story who had betrayed humanity and joined the Demon Lords.
She had a backstory that was simr to Livia''s, as she was also born with a tremendous talent that isted her from those around her. One of the constetions took notice of her due to their few simrities, and she became the constetion''s avatar.
Currently, ine held the title of the youngest transcendent being, but that title would soon be taken over by Livia. She remained undefeated and currently sits on the round table of the twelve strongest beings in the world.
The most striking simrity between Livia and ine was their masochistic tendencies. Both women desired to be defeated by a man, which led ine to join the Demons. She had attempted to kill one of the Demon Lords but was instead defeated by him and so she willingly joined him.
"She is keeping an eye on me because she knows that Marz and I are the same person," Ares muttered, realizing the reason for ine''s interest in him.
Ares knew that ine was likelying for him because she believed he was stronger than her and could defeat her, just as he had defeated the Demon Lord. However, he understood that there was no way he could defeat her in his current state.
"This will be troublesome, as she is even crazier than Mika and Livia," Ares said, shaking his head.
''She is a dangerous woman who couldn''t care less about the whole world and joined the demons without hesitation. And now, she''s keeping her eye on me,'' Ares contemted for a moment.
He knew that ine was not someone to be taken lightly, and he would need to be careful around her.
''If I y my cards right, maybe I can use her?''
Chapter 248 Zionas Resolve!
After their sparring session, Ares and Ziona took a break, hydrating themselves and wiping off their sweat. They were alone in a training room allocated for their academy, as the rest of the team had already left after their regr training.
Surprisingly, Livia did not show up for training either. Although Ares had texted and called her, she did not respond as her phone was turned off.
"I think she needs time to contemte what she should do in this situation. She could either ept that there will inevitably be other women around me and get used to it for my sake, or, worse, she will try to go after them in her own unknown ways," Ares muttered to himself shaking his head, before taking a sip of water from his bottle.
Meanwhile, Ziona sat next to Ares, watching him with a quizzical expression as he effortlessly demonstrated his strength. She had always known Ares to be powerful, but in just a few days, he had grown even stronger. It was both impressive and unsettling, and she wondered what other secrets he might be hiding.
"...How is that even possible?" Ziona gasped, still catching her breath from the intense training session.
Ares turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "How is what possible?"
Ziona looked up at him with admiration and a hint of envy in her eyes. "How can you be so strong in just a few days?" she asked.
As she thought about it, she wondered if Ares could now fight on equal terms with Bianca, with whom he had always struggled before.
Ares chuckled. "Don''tpare yourself to me, Ziona. You are already strong enough, and your progress is impressive. You''ll be surprised at how far you''ll go with consistent training."
Ares genuinely meant what he said, as Ziona was now a lot stronger than she had been in a novel at this point in time.
Ziona remained quiet, hanging her head low. She couldn''t help but feel inadequate after her defeat by Hercules in her previous match. It was the first time she had feltpletely helpless since she had picked up a sword.
Tring¡ª
Ares'' phone notification interrupted her daze. As she turned toward Ares, she saw him smiling as he was texting someone.
"...Who got you smiling like that?" Ziona asked, speaking her mind without realizing it because it was her first time seeing him smile differently from his usual smile. This one looked more genuine to her.
"It''s Diana," Ares replied, putting his phone back in his inventory after sending a text to Diana.
"...Are you guys dating now?" Ziona asked in a hushed tone.
"Well, yeah, you can say we are in some sort ofplicated rtionship as I am currently dating both Livia and Diana," Ares said nonchntly.
After Ares mentioned hisplicated rtionships with Livia and Diana, Ziona looked at him with surprise and disbelief. She didn''t say anything, wondering how he could handle being in a rtionship with two women at the same time.
Ziona and Ares were now close enough for him to share his rtionship, and Ziona was also one of the people who knew Ares'' real personality. But she wasn''t much bothered by it since she was born into a family that had it worse.
However, she couldn''t help but stare at Ares with a nk expression and question, "Are you being serious?"
Ares chuckled as he got up from the bench and replied, "Yes, I''m serious." He then began to exit the training room, leaving Ziona still staring at him in disbelief.
Ziona was left to ponder about the situation. ''How will this work out? Aren''t they both princesses?'' she thought to herself.
As Ares was about to leave, Ziona suddenly called out to him, making him halt in his steps. "Ares!"
He turned to look at her and asked, confused, "What?"
"What...really is love?" Ziona abruptly questioned with a straight face.
!?
Surprised by her question, Ares suddenly appeared and sat beside her in an instant once again. "Don''t tell me you''re in love with someone?" he asked.
Ziona didn''t know how to answer, and Ares noticed her hesitation. He ced a friendly hand on her shoulder and waited for her response.
After a moment, he spoke. "Is it Lucas?" Ares asked with a smile, recalling that Ziona had a crush on him in the novelwhile Kevin was chasing after her. This was what made Kevin confront Lucas, and of course, in the end, it was Lucas who came out on top after many fights.
However, Ziona''s face twisted in disgust at the mention of his name.
"...I wouldn''t date him even if he was thest man left in the world," she replied with a sour expression.
"...."
Hearing her sharp response, Ares wondered if he had inadvertently influenced Ziona''s opinion of Lucas.
"...I don''t think it''s Kevin, then is it me who you''re in love with?" Ares inquired, pointing to himself.
Ziona was taken aback by the question. She didn''t know if it was love, but she enjoyed spending time with Ares and felt jealous when she heard about his dates with other women.
"Hmm, it''s hard for me to say if it''s love or not," Ziona replied, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "But I do know that I enjoy spending time with you, and it bothers me when I see other women vying for your attention or going on dates with you."
Ares raised an eyebrow, looking at her skeptically. "Are you sure you''re not just feeling possessive because I''m your best friend?" he asked.
Ziona shook her head, her expression serious. "No, it''s not just that," she said. "I mean, I do value our friendship, but there''s something more there too. I just can''t quite put my finger on it."
Ares sighed, "I''m sorry, Ziona, but I already have my hands full with many other women," Ares said, giving Ziona an uncertain gaze as he removed his hand from her shoulder.
"...."
Ziona''s expression turned sour. "You''re such a bastard," she muttered. "You go around picking up women like they''re clothes, and you don''t even consider when ites to me?" Ziona said, with a twisted smile. "Or is it because I''m no longer a princess? Would you have tried to court me if I were still a princess?" she added, giving Ares an ominous stare.
Ares chuckled at Ziona''s usation. "Yeah, you''re right. You''re neither a princess nor are you stronger than me. And I already have my master, who is a skilled swordswoman. So, I don''t need you," he said with a smile.
!!
Ziona was taken aback by Ares'' blunt response, but she knew he was being honest with her.
"...You''re not even trying to hide it from me anymore, huh? You could have just lied to me, saying something that would make my heart flutter, you bastard," she said, pushing him away from her and getting up from the bench.
"Well, I don''t want to lie to you. You know that you''re the only one I can talk to so openly without hiding my true self, right?" Ares shrugged, looking up at her.
Ziona sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and appreciation for Ares'' straightforwardness. ''I guess that''s why I like spending time with you, even though it can be infuriating sometimes,'' she thought to herself, looking down at him with a small smile.
Ziona reminded Ares of his only friend from his previous world, and they both shared simr personalities. They epted him for who he was, not bothered by his personality and nature. In fact, Ares had even dated her, but things didn''t work out for them.
Ares didn''t want to make the same mistake again and lose his valuable and real friendship with Ziona, with whom he could share anything he wanted without keeping to himself.
"Tch, so you''re probably friend-zoning me, huh?" Ziona asked, turning her face away from Ares while her fluffy tail moved rapidly from side to side.
"...If you''re being serious about this, then I don''t mind you being one of my women. However, it will happen only when you manage to defeat me," Ares replied with a grin.
Hearing him, Ziona turned to face him with a huge grin forming on her face.
"You just gave me another reason to be as strong as possible quickly," Ziona said.
Ares smiled and appeared in front of her, leaving a blue trail behind.
He held her chin up to meet his gaze. "You know how I really am, right? Do you still want to be with me, knowing all that?" Ares asked as he began to caress her tail.
Ziona''s eyes locked with Ares'' as she spoke, her fluffy tail moving left and right as Ares caressed it. "Everyone in this world has two faces," she said. "They hide their true selves, the parts that may be considered dark or evil, and present a facade of goodness to gain the approval of others. And I know that you''re no different from the rest of us, Ares. But I don''t find that to be a bad thing. In fact, I''m happy that I know both of your faces," she finished with a warm smile.
Ares felt a sense offort and relief wash over him at Ziona''s words. He had always felt like he had to hide a part of himself from others, even his closest allies. But with Ziona, he felt like he could be himself without judgment.
''...She even thinks the same as her,'' Ares thought as he let go of Ziona''s tail.
"We will talk about that when you can defeat me," Ares left the training hall, giving her a wave.
Ziona just stared at Ares as he left, lost in her thoughts.
Chapter 249 Semifinals: Instructions!
The stadium was buzzing with excitement as the announcer''s voice boomed through the speakers, signaling the start of the Inter-Academy Competition semifinals.
"Good evening, everyone, and wee to the most awaited semifinals of the Inter-Academy Competition!" The announcer''s voice boomed across the stadium, igniting a wave of cheers and excitement among the spectators.
"As you all know, after several action-packed matches, we are now down to the final four teams in thispetition. And today, these teams willpete in a series of matches that will test their skills, endurance, and teamwork."
The announcer gestured towards the arena, where the four teams were seated in their respective sections.
"Let''s hear it for our semi-finalist teams!" he eximed, his voice ringing loud and clear across the stadium. "First up, we have Team Soreh Academy - the undisputed leaders of the tournament so far, with two wins out of five matches. They have been dominating thepetition since the beginning with their consistency, and are the clear fan favorites."
The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse as a few members of Team Soreh Academy stood up, waving at the audience and soaking up the adtion.
"Next, we have Team Martial Star Academy - they may have finished second on the points table, but their performance in the tournament so far has been nothing short of outstanding. Also with two wins under their belt, they are definitely a team to watch out for!" The announcer''s voice rose as he pointed towards the Martial Star Academy section, and the crowd responded with even louder cheers and apuse.
"Moving on, we have Team Cherry Blossom Academy - the underdogs of thepetition who have defied all odds to make it to the semi-finals. With one win in their bag and a spectacreback, they have truly earned their ce here today."
The announcer paused, letting the cheers of the crowd die down before continuing. "Andst but not least, we have Team Shadow Academy - while they may not have any wins to their name, their consistent performance throughout the tournament has earned them a ce in the semi-finals. Let''s give them a round of apuse for their grit and determination!"
p¡ª p¡ª p
The audience obliged with a few rounds of polite pping. Before the final points table was disyed on the screen onest time.
[POINTS TABLE!]
#1 SOREH ACADEMY ¡ª 130 Points: Wins¡Á2 [QUALIFIED] ?
#2 MARTIAL STAR ACADEMY ¡ª 98 Points: Wins¡Á2 ?
#3 CHERRY BLOSSOM ACADEMY ¡ª 76 Points: Wins¡Á1 ?
#4 SHADOW ACADEMY ¡ª 69 Points ?
______
#5 GLACIER PEAK ACADEMY ¡ª 62 Points ?
#6 THE BLITZEIRG ACADEMY ¡ª 37 Points ?
#7 THE ROYAL KNIGHT ACADEMY ¡ª 16 Points ?
#8 THE IRON FORTRESS ACADEMY ¡ª 8 Points ?
***
The announcer paused briefly to allow the audience to review the final points table before continuing. "Without further ado, let me introduce you to the details of the semifinals."
The announcer cleared his throat and resumed speaking. "The semifinals will consist of a series of 5v5 team matches, where two teams will face off against one another in a team 5v5 match. They will have to utilize theirbat skills, defensive abilities, and strategic thinking to outy their opponents. The match will consist of three rounds, and the team that wins two out of three rounds will advance to the finals."
"The first round will be a test ofbat skills, where the teams will have to engage in a full-on battle with their opponents. The second round will test their defensive capabilities, where they will have to defend a specific object from the opposing team. And finally, the third round will test their Strategy and teamwork, where they will have to work together to solve a puzzle andplete a task within a given time limit."
The announcer waited for the excitement to settle down before continuing, "The matches will not take ce in a virtual world, but right here in this very arena. However, to ensure the safety of our contestants, the arena will be covered in protective crystals, and any eliminated team members will only receive minor shocks based on how badly got themselves killed of course.
And teams are allowed to choose any weapons or equipment, but no outside help will be allowed. Any team caught cheating or breaking the rules will be immediately disqualified."
The crowd cheered again, eager for thepetition to begin. The announcer continued, "And with that, let''s see which two teams will be facing off first!" He gestured towards therge screen disying the names of thepeting academies. The screen started to shuffle, generating anticipation among the audience.
Ting¡ª Ting¡ª Ting¡ª Ting
A beep signaled thepletion of the shuffle and the screen disyed the matchups for the semifinals.
[Match 1: Team Soreh Academy Vs Team Shadow Academy]
[Match 2: Team Martial Star Academy Vs Team Cherry Blossom Academy]
"Ohhh, In the first match, we have the dominant Team Soreh Academy facing off against the resilient Team Shadow Academy," the announcer dered, as the respective teams'' names appeared on the screen. "And in the second match, we have the Powerhouse Team Martial Star Academy battling it out against the underdog Team Cherry Blossom Academy."
The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse at the exciting matchups. "Let the games begin!" the announcer proimed, and just when thepetitors were about to retreat to prepare for the fierce battles that awaited them, they suddenly heard Maya''s voice.
"Wait just a moment!" Her voice echoed in the microphone.
All eyes turned towards the stage as Maya slowly appeared in her elegant attire. She was dressed in a ck and gold jumpsuit that hugged her curves in all the right ces, and her white hair was tied in a sleek ponytail that reached down to her waist. Her high heels cked against the stage as she strode confidently toward the announcer.
As Maya walked confidently up to the stage, many men were mesmerized by her beauty and perfect hourss figure. But then, she spoke in a tone that didn''t match her appearance, and it brought everyone out of their daze.
"This baldy has missed out on a lot of important details for this match. How can the semifinals be this boring, right?" Maya eximed with a huge smile.
The crowd erupted intoughter, impressed by Maya''s boldness and charisma. The announcer was taken aback, asking, "Excuse me, but who are you?"
Maya flipped her hair and smiled, "I am Maya, a strategist, and consultant of this Inter-Academy tournament."
!?
The announcer recognized her name and nodded in understanding. "Ah, of course. What is it that you think I didn''t add, Miss Maya?"
Maya raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? You forgot the most crucial information. As this match has 3 rounds, so each round should be participated by a different set of students. For example, there should be 3 separate groups created to participate in each round: a group of 5 for thebat round, a group of 5 for the defense round, and another group of 5 for the strategy round. Which means that from each academy, 15 students will be participating." Maya exined and paused for a moment.
The crowd went wild hearing the new information, and the participants were left speechless, including the announcer.
''What? But I didn''t get any information about these rules,'' the announcer pondered. Suddenly, he heard a voice from his Bluetooth earpiece.
[Let her do what she wants.]
"...."
"...Who really is she?" The announcer whispered to himself.
The announcer was left stunned as Maya continued.
"Oh, I also forgot to add something. The 15 students participating today won''t be able to participate in the finals if their team qualifies. Isn''t that interesting? All the students get to show their abilities. Aren''t I generous?" Maya asked, her gaze sweeping over the students from each academy.
"And that''s not all, I am also generous enough to also provide an ample amount of mana for all the participants so they won''t be restrained by ack of mana. Use all the high-level spells and techniques you want and give us a good show, okay?"
The cheers from the crowd could be heard all around.
"That is all I wanted to say, now let''s not waste any more time and begin the first match. Team Soreh Academy and Shadow Academy, you have 15 minutes to discuss the participants you want to send now in the semifinals and save other strong candidates for the finals. If you''re confident that you''ll qualify, that is," Maya said with a smile, her gaze meeting Ares'' when she spoke thest sentence.
As Ares listened to Maya''s announcements, he felt skeptical. All the previous matches in this tournament had been quite different from what he had read in the novel. For example, there was no such thing as a bounty list in the Battle Royale match. The same went for this semifinal match, which was supposed to involve only teams of five ying all three rounds.
Ares didn''t bother too much with the minor changes from previous matches because he believed that his and Livia''s involvement in this tournament might have influenced the changes since they were both much stronger than the regr students.
"What''s she up to?" Ares muttered, unsure of Maya''s intentions. He remembered reading about a character named Maya but she was only supposed to manage the VR room and didn''t have enough status to change the rules of the match at thest moment.
"She''s suspicious, master!" Meira informed him telepathically.
"Hmm... And she''s strong too. To put it in human power terms, she is at least an SS-Rank, the same level as that teacher of yours, Mika!" Irethiel added.
Chapter 250 Semifinals: Lineup
Team Soreh Academy had gathered in their designated area, with the Vice Dean standing at the center. The atmosphere was tense, as they all knew that the semifinals were crucial for their academy''s reputation.
"We need our best Students for this match. Underestimating Shadow Academy is not a wise strategy. They may have a different approach tobat, but that doesn''t mean they can''t outsmart us," the Vice Dean stated with a serious expression.
Erina raised her hand, "But sir, with all due respect, we should save our strongest students for the finals. Shadow Academy specializes in stealth and sneak attacks, so we can easily overpower them head-on."
The Vice Dean raised an eyebrow, "Underestimating our opponents is never a good idea , Erina. We need to be prepared for anything. They may have some tricks up their sleeves."
Ares, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke up, "I agree with Erina to some extent. We should save our strongest students for the finals. But we also need to be careful and not take our opponents lightly."
The Vice Dean nodded in agreement, "Alright, let''s make a n. For round one, a 5v5bat match, we will send Livia, Kevin, Nate, Lio, and Evan. This lineup should be enough to get us that point," he said, looking at Livia. But Livia remained silent and didn''t respond.
Ignoring Livia''sck of response, he continued, "For round two, where we must defend our crystal, we will send Diana, Lucas, Sofia, Mia, and Eric. And for round three, we will send A, Marcus, Alex, Emma, and James."
The Vice Dean paused and gestured for the named students to step forward. "With this lineup, we are guaranteed to move to the finals. And in the finals, we will still have strong candidates like Ares, Ziona, Erina, and ude, no matter the content." A satisfied grin spread across his face.
''Haha, with this lineup we are sure to win this tournament and when Miss Ivica returns, she will surely praise me for leading the team to victory and waiting with the champion trophy for her arrival, right?'' The Vice Dean pondered, his grin growingrger as he imagined Ivica praising him.
Ares nodded in agreement, having no objection to the chosen lineup. However, he could easily discern what was going on in the vice dean''s head when he saw his creepy smile.
''The man was infatuated with Ivica, having been one of the lucky few to have witnessed her hidden beauty through the veil of fog and had been trying to court her ever since.''
Ares also knew all too well what would be of the Vice Dean''s unrequited love. He would turn into a desperate, third-rate viin who would join the demons to gain power in his quest to win Ivica''s heart.
He would stalk her relentlessly,ing after her whenever he saw fit, and always running away whenever he was at a disadvantage and had managed to survive for quite a long time in the novel, but in the end, Evica would ultimately be the one to take him down.
Ares shook his head at the Vice Dean''s foolishness. He knew that Evica was not one to be swayed by ttery or courtship. Even Lucas, who had a harem of women at his beck and call, couldn''t win Evica''s heart. She was simply too independent and strong-willed to fall for such tactics.
Ziona''s excited voice brought Ares out of his thoughts. "It seems we will finally get to participate together on the big stage, Ares."
Ares nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I''m looking forward to it."
But his attention was quickly drawn to Livia, who was standing apart from the others andseemed upset and withdrawn.
Diana, noticing Ares'' gaze on Livia, whispered, "Don''t worry about her, my love. She was spying on our date yesterday, and it seems she didn''t like seeing you spending time with me instead of her. I will try talking to her after this match and make the situation better for you." She grabbed Ares'' arm and smiled.
!?
Diana felt a warmth spread in her chest when Ares dered that she was important to him. She knew it wasn''t a deration of love, but it was enough for her, for now. She wanted to take things slow and make him fall for her gradually. But, she also knew that being with Ares meant beingfortable around his other women and building positive rtionships with them for the future.
However, Ares suddenly interrupted her thoughts with a skeptical look, "And ...how did you know Livia was spying on us again?" he asked.
Diana''s smile faltered for a moment before she quickly changed the subject. "Oh, look at the time. I think we should get ready for our match now!" she eximed, trying to distract him.
And the announcement of the first-round participants entering the stage provided a convenient escape from the discussion.
[The participating candidates of the first round, please enter the stage!]
Diana added, "Let''s give it our all and show everyone what Soreh Academy is capable of."
The Vice Dean smiled, "That''s the spirit. Now, let''s go out there and make our academy proud! Miss Ivica is the most important person in this academy, and we should do everything we can to impress her!"
The team nodded with determination, ready to represent Soreh Academy. The vice dean encouraged them with a rousing speech before they headed towards the stage.
Livia paused to nce at Ares, sadness etched on her features. However, seeing him smile at her brought a small smile to her face. She nodded at him before moving onto the stage with the rest of the team.
As the team moved onto the stage, their determination was palpable in the air. Ares watched them go, his mind still preupied. "Did either of you notice anyone else keeping an eye on me or Livia during my date with Diana yesterday?" he asked Meira and Irethiel telepathically.
Meira replied promptly, "No, Master, I didn''t see anyone else."
Ireithiel shook her head in agreement. "Neither did I."
Ares fell silent, his mind racing. "Then how did Diana know that Livia was spying on us yesterday? I wouldn''t have known about it if it weren''t for you two," he pondered aloud.
The mystery left him feeling uneasy. As the match began, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something wasn''t quite right.
Chapter 251 Semifinals: Round 1!
Both teams from Soreh Academy and Shadow Academy stood on a circr stage opposite each other, waiting for the match to begin.
The stage was massive, spanning nearly 50 meters in diameter, with a towering ss dome overhead, giving a clear view of the sky above. Maya stood in the center of the stage with a microphone in hand and a huge grin on her face.
"As you can see, there is nowhere to hide on this stage, which means both teams will have to engage in a fierce 5v5 match as soon as the match starts," Maya said, her voice echoing through the arena. "Thest team or at least their member left standing will be dered as the winner, and the team will be given a point for that round."
The crowd cheered with excitement, waiting eagerly for the match to start.
"Alright, alright, I know. Let''s get this match started now," Maya spoke, hearing the eager crowd, and stepped off the stage.
Cling¡ª
And the crystals surrounding the arena began to glow up, creating an invisible safety barrier on the stage.
[You have 30 seconds to choose your desired weapon!] The robotic voice was heard by the participating students, and an underground weapon vault appeared before both teams.
The vault was arge metal structure with intricate carvings and engravings, giving it an ancient and mystical feel. It contained a range of weapons, including swords, staffs, and bows, among many others.
Without wasting any moment, the students picked up their desired weapon from the vault, and as soon as the 30 seconds were up, the vault disappeared underground with a soft humming sound.
ng¡ª
The stage was now set, and the teams readied themselves for the match. The air was charged with anticipation as the audience waited for the semifinals to begin.
A voice boomed over the speakers, [Get ready! The Round 1 of the Semifinals will begin in 10 seconds!]
The teams heard the announcement, and the stage came to life. The ground beneath their feet rumbled, and the energy in the arena intensified. Suddenly, neon lights illuminated the stage, lighting up the entire arena, and the ss dome overhead transformed into a giant disy screen showing the team names and scores.
The countdown began, and the crowd joined in.
[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]
Beep!¡ª
The sound of the beep echoed through the arena, and the match was underway.
In an instant, the archers drew their bows, mages began casting spells, and front liners charged toward their opponents with a fierce battle cry. The stage was filled with the vibrant colors of their auras as the two teams prepared to sh.
However, just as the teams were about to meet, Livia muttered under her breath.
"DOMAIN!"
Before the arrows left the bows or spells left the staffs, the whole stage was covered in a thickyer of ice, immobilizing both teams in their tracks.
!!
The gasps from the crowd echoed throughout the arena as they watched the sudden change in the match. The stage glinted under the bright lights, and the teams were left stunned, unsure of what to do next.
"What the-!?" The students from both teams eximed in shock, their eyes moving towards Livia as they knew she was the source of the spell.
The unexpected turn of events left everyone in the crowd on edge, wondering what would happen next.
Livia raised her hand, and a series of magic circles appeared in the air, glowing with an icy blue light.
"Frostburst!" she eximed, and the circles suddenly burst forth with a piercing sound of cracking ice.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
A barrage of sharp icicles shot out from the circles, hurtling towards the Shadow Academy team with incredible speed and force like bullets. The sound of the icicles cutting through the air was like a chorus of sharp whistles.
"S-Shield!" One of the members from the Shadow Academy shouted, using their skill to create a huge shield before them, shielding their team.
Tud¡ª Tud¡ª Tud¡ª Tud
As the sharp icicles pummeled the Shadow Academy''s shield, cracks began to spiderweb across its surface. The student struggling to hold the shield gritted his teeth and shouted to his teammates, "This won''t hold much longer! We need to act fast!"
As the shield-wielding member of Shadow Academy struggled to keep Livia''s relentless barrage of icicles at bay, his teammate urged him to hold on.
"P-Please, hold on for a moment longer! My spell is almost ready¡ª" his teammate spoke but halted in her words as she saw something incredible, "W-Wait, is that...?" She trailed off, watching Livia in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Livia wasn''t content to wait for her previous attack to finish the job. With a swift motion, she materialized an ice sword in one hand and a pair of ice wings on her back. She soared into the air, the ice sword glowing with an eerie blue light.
p¡ª
With a powerful p of her wings, Liviaunched herself toward the Shadow Academy team, her ice sword at the ready.
!?
Her opponents were caught off guard by her sudden change in strategy, but they quickly regained theirposure and prepared to defend themselves.
"G-Get ready, she''sing!" the shield bearer shouted, as the rest of the team readied their weapons.
As Livia descended upon them, the Shadow Academy team braced themselves for impact, but just as she was about to strike, Livia vanished in a puff of icy mist.
Whoosh¡ª
!?
The team looked around frantically, trying to locate their opponent, but Livia was nowhere to be seen.
"W-Where did she go?" one of the archers who was aiming at her asked, bewildered.
Suddenly, a cold breeze swept over them, and they shivered involuntarily.
"Frost Crescent!" Livia''s voice echoed through the arena as she reappeared behind the Shadow Academy team and swung her sword, unleashing a massive, crescent-shaped wave of ice toward them.
The team whirled around just in time to see Livia''s ice swording down on them, glinting in the bright lights of the arena.
"S-Shit¡ª!" The shield bearer tried to react and quickly raised his shield in a desperate attempt to protect his teammates, but it was not enough. The force of the Frost Crescent shattered it instantly.
And the wave of ice continued its path, obliterating the entire team with a thunderous boom and leaving behind a massive crater in the ground.
Boom!¡ª
The sparkling ice and Livia''s majestic figure, with wings and fluttering hair, exuded a deadly yet beautiful aura, as if she were an ice goddess descended from the heavens.
"....."
Silence hung heavy in the aftermath, broken only by the announcement that echoed through the arena:
[Livia Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Livia Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Livia Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Livia Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Livia Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
Beep!¡ª
A beep signaled the end of the match, dering the victor of round one.
[Round 1 Has Ended, And The Winners Are Team Soreh Academy!]
The announcement of the end of the match brought everyone out of their daze, and the crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer, chanting Livia''s name.
The members of Team Soreh Academy, still immobilized in Livia''s Domain, were left stunned. They hadn''t even had a chance to free themselves before the match came to an abrupt end.
"....."
Kevin muttered to himself, "She didn''t really need us in this match, did she?" as he watched Livia descend gracefully back to the ground, her wings disappearing as she sheathed her sword.
"...ude is a lucky man," he said but after a sudden realization, he shook his head and corrected himself. "No, scratch that. Ares is the lucky bastard. Poor ude."
His teammates gave him quizzical looks.
!?
"...Oh, did I say that out loud? Well, who cares? It''s not a secret that Livia has a thing for Ares," Kevin shrugged and turned his attention to Livia''s departing figure, who was leaving the stage alone.
He then nced over at the eliminated team, who had been teleported outside the stage as soon as they were Killed. They were all on their knees, gasping for breath, and the medical team was attending to them.
''The shock seemed to be severe. They were eliminated brutally with nothing left of their bodies,'' the team pondered inwardly.
"...Thank goodness she was on our team!" Evan muttered, sighing in relief. The rest of the team nodded in agreement, understandingly.
Chapter 252 Elaines Convictions
ine watched Livia''s departing figure with a small grin on her lips, her gaze fixed on the powerful young mage who had just demonstrated her strength on the stage. She was intrigued by the younger girl''s talent and couldn''t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as she remembered her own time as a student.
As she was lost in her thoughts, a message appeared before her from her constetion.
[...She reminds me of you.]
ine chuckled softly. "Yeah, I can see the resemnce. She''s got the same spark in her eyes that I did."
[And the same level of craziness, I assume.] Her constetion teased.
ineughed. "Perhaps. But I wonder if her personality is simr to mine too. It would be interesting to find out."
[You mean if she''s as crazy as you?] The message appeared again.
ine smirked. "...Yes, that''s what I meant. But I think she is already crazy enough, as I saw her holding herself back from attacking that Elven princess the other day just because she saw her and Ares kissing."
[Aren''t you afraid she''lle after you too if you try to steal her man?]
ine let out a small chuckle. "She''s definitely talented, but she has a long way to go before she can even think about challenging me," she said with confidence. "But I have a feeling that she''ll eventuallye to realize that the only thing that truly matters is the love between her and the man she cares about. The rest of his harem can be like supporting characters to their love story."
"....."
[...You sound like a protagonist in a harem anime, ine.] Her constetion teased again, amused by her avatar''s beliefs.
ine smiled at the message. "Well, I just believe that the man I love will be lucky to have someone like me by his side," she replied.
[Confidence suits you.]
Thud¡ª
As she spoke, the door to the rooftop where ine was sitting alone suddenly pushed open, and a guy with simr features and blonde hair to hers burst in, looking flustered.
!?
"ine, there you are! I''ve been looking all over for you!" he eximed.
ine raised an eyebrow at the sight of her younger brother Sean, who was practically bouncing with excitement.
Despite not being particrly close, she knew him well enough to recognize the signs of his infatuation.
"What''s got you so riled up, Sean?" she asked, trying to conceal her annoyance.
"ine, I think I''ve fallen in love!" he gushed, his face glowing with energy.
ine let out a deep sigh. "You fall in love with someone new every other week. Can''t you just focus on your studies for once?" she said, sounding exasperated.
She was familiar with her brother''s tendency to be infatuated easily and recognized the signs of his masochistic personality simr to hers, which seemed to be a trait that ran in their family.
"But this time it''s different!" Sean protested. "She''s amazing, sis. You should see her in action. Her magic is so powerful and elegant...and her eyes...they''re like the stars themselves!"
ine sighed again, knowing exactly where this was going. "Let me guess, the girl you''re in love with is Livia Frostine?" she asked, her voiceced with annoyance.
She knew that Livia''s breathtaking magical disy during herst match would have left asting impression on anyone who witnessed it, especially someone as susceptible to infatuation as her brother.
ine couldn''t deny that Livia was an impressive mage, with the power and grace of her magic leaving most onlookers awestruck. It was no wonder that many men would fall for her after such a majestic disy that seemed toe right out of a movie.
ine had experienced the same attention herself, facing a swarm of men proposing to her during her time as a mage in training.
Sean''s smile faltered for a moment before returning in full force. "How did you know I was talking about Livia, sister? Do you know her too?" he asked eagerly.
ine shook her head in disbelief. "Yes, I know her. And I''m telling you, you need to stay away from her," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
!?
Sean''s expression turned to confusion. "What? Why?" he asked, his voice rising in protest.
ine''s gaze hardened as she spoke, "Because... she is the woman of a man I have my eyes on. You need to back off," she said with conviction, making it clear that she meant business.
!!
Sean began to sweat profusely from his forehead, realizing the gravity of the situation. "...Another man? ine, can''t you just find someone else this time, please? I know he will run away from you scared after just a few days. Why don''t we deal with him, huh? Can''t we? I will owe you one if you help me out this time, okay?" he pleaded, his desperation showing.
"....."
ine knew he wouldn''t back out so easily. "...We have the same blood running in our veins after all," she muttered.
"Sorry, but I can''t help you this time around Sean. I am serious about this man. Why don''t you find some other girl? I can help you with that if you want," ine said, trying to control her urges and resolve the situation without violence.
But Sean was not convinced. "No, I want Livia! I love her so much. Can''t you be a good elder sister and just back off this time? You always say the same thing about every man," Sean pleaded, trying to sway her with his words.
But his response only fueled ine''s anger. Suddenly, she appeared in front of him, her hand gripping tightly around his neck, lifting him up into the air. Sean gasped for breath, feeling like he was being strangled.
"ARGHH!¡ª"
"Now listen to me, you little twit," ine hissed, her eyes glowing fiercely. "That woman belongs to my future hubby, and if you or anyone else tries to steal her from my husband, I won''t hesitate to eliminate you. You may be family, but I won''t show mercy to anyone who disrespects what belongs to me." ine warned.
Arghh¡ª
Sean began to gasp for breath under her threatening aura and trembled. Her constetion then appeared with a message, [Leave him, or else he will die!], reminding ine to release him.
ine regaining herposure, loosened her grip, and Sean fell to the ground, rubbing his neck and trying to catch his breath. His eyes and face turned red, the mark of ine''s choke visible on his neck. ine''s warning had shaken him to the core.
Thud!¡ª
Cough¡ª Cough
"Tsh, You better heed my warning, or you will die at the hands of that man, if not from me! You can find many other women stronger than you, so don''t waste your life on something you can''t have, little bro," ine said, exiting the rooftop and mming the door behind her.
m!¡ª
As ine left the rooftop, she couldn''t help but think about her future husband. The idea of finding someone to spend the rest of her life with excited her. "I''m already charmed by his handsome features," she muttered to herself. "I just hope he lives up to my expectations."
As she walked away, her constetion appeared with a message again.
[Husband? Don''t you think you''re thinking too far ahead of yourself? What if he doesn''t meet your standardster?]
ine grinned confidently. "I have faith in him," she replied. "And if he doesn''t meet my standards, then I''ll just have to train him until he does."
***
Cough¡ª Cough
As Sean struggled to breathe on the rooftop even after ine left, his mind was filled with thoughts of Livia. He couldn''t get her out of his head, no matter how hard he tried.
A creepy smile spread across his face as he muttered to himself, "You ...think I will give up on her that easily? I don''t care if she''s with another man, I''ll still pursue her. I''ll make her see that I''m the one she''s meant to be with."
But as he stood up and dusted himself off, he couldn''t shake off the feeling of dread that lingered in his gut. He knew ine was not someone to be trifled with, and he had already seen a glimpse of her terrifying power.
"Maybe... maybe I should find someone else," Sean muttered to himself, uncertain of his own conviction.
But the thought of Livia''s radiant smile and captivating eyes pulled him back to his obsession. He couldn''t let go of her, not yet.
"I''ll be more careful," Sean promised himself. "I''ll make sure to avoid ine and her new toy. And I''ll do whatever it takes to win Livia''s heart."
---
ine''s Reference Pic:
Chapter 253 Semifinals: Round 2!
?
The air was thick with excitement as the crowd roared their approval. Livia had just ended the first round of the Semifinals with a stunning disy of power, and the energy in the arena was electric.
The crowd had been on the edge of their seats, caught up in the intense excitement of the battle.
Maya strutted onto the stage, her heels clicking against the icy surface, and the crowd''s enthusiasm only grew louder. "Whoo-hoo! That was a hell of a 30-second show!" Maya eximed into the microphone, her voice echoing throughout the arena.
The crowd cheered in response, energized by the electrifying disy of magic they had just witnessed.
Stomp¡ª
Maya suddenly stomped her foot, causing the entire stage to shake and sending cracks snaking through theyer of ice that covered the floor from Livia''s Domain.
Snap¡ª
She then snapped her fingers and the ice shattered into a million tiny fragments, disappearing into the air, leaving the stage clean and clear.
"...."
"Looks like we''re gonna need a bigger stage for the next round," Maya said with a shrug, her eyes fixed on the gaping crater where Livia''sst attack had hit. "But let''s move on to round two with this same momentum, and hope that the second round will be just as exciting as the first."
Maya paused for a moment before continuing, her tone bing more serious. "Team Shadow Academy needs to win this round if they want to stay in the tournament and have a shot at the finals."
"The objective of this round is simple," she exined. "Participants must destroy their opponent''s crystal while protecting their own. There are no elimination points; the team that shatters the other team''s crystal first wins the round and earns the point."
"Now, without further ado, let''s get this show on the road! Participants of round 2, get your butts up here, and let''s make some magic happen!" Maya said with a wicked grin, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
She stepped off the stage and sauntered towards the edge of the stage and twirled her finger in the air, causing the entire stage to transform.
ng¡ª
The stage began to shift and change, revealing a new terrain. The ground became rocky, with jagged boulders and sharp cliffs jutting out of the earth. The sky darkened, and a fierce wind began to blow, making it hard to stand still.
The two teams entered the stage, and as they stepped onto the rocky ground, the safety crystal glowed once more, casting a protective shield over the entire stage.
[You have 30 seconds to choose your desired weapon!] A robotic voice announced again, and arge underground weapon vault appeared before both teams. The students rushed to make their selection, their eyes scanning over the array of swords, shields, and other assorted armaments.
As the timer counted down, the students grabbed their chosen weapons, and the vault disappeared back underground with a soft hiss.
ng¡ª
The stage was now set, and the teams prepared themselves for the match ahead. A huge ss-like crystal appeared on pedestals behind each team, each emzoned with their academy''s symbol.
These crystals were the key to victory in this round, and the teams knew that they had to protect their own while trying to destroy their opponents.
The voice boomed over the speakers, echoing throughout the arena, [Get ready! The Round 2 of the Semifinals will begin in 10 seconds!]
The teams heard the announcement, and the stage came to life. The previously still crystals behind the teams began to emit a soft glow, and the audience held their breath in anticipation.
The countdown began, and the crowd joined in with excited cheers.
[10, 9...]
"Hey, Lucas!" Diana called, pulling his attention away from the crowd as the countdown began.
!?
"What?" Lucas turned to her, confused.
"You don''t like the idea of them getting eliminated brutally, do you?" Diana spoke with a mischievous grin on her face, hinting at a secret n.
Lucas furrowed his brows, "...What do you mean?"
"Hmm, I believe the shock they will receive will be even more severe than what they got from Livia''s attack," Diana spoke to herself, as she readied her bow, her fingers gripping the string tightly.
!?
The rest of the team looked at her, puzzled.
[3, 2, 1!]
Beep!¡ª The beep signaled the start of the match.
"W-Wait! What are you up to, Diana?" Lucas asked, but his words stopped abruptly as Diana, with a flick of her wrist, shot an arrow made of pure mana into the air with incredible speed.
Swish¡ª
Lucas''s gaze immediately turned to the arrow that soared into the air, his eyes widening at the spectacle.
"Arcane Volley!"
Diana muttered with a smirk on her face, activating her unique skill. The arrow she shot up into the sky transformed into hundreds of arrows with a blinding light, covering the entire sky. Each arrow was locked onto a target and glowed with deadly energy as they began to descend upon the Shadow Academy.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
The spectators gasped in awe as they watched the impressive disy of Diana''s skill, while the Shadow Academy team was left paralyzed with fear at the sight of the iing barrage.
"You''re in for a treat, Lucas. I hope you enjoy the fireworks!" Diana taunted with a wink, enjoying every moment of the chaos she had unleashed.
!?
"A-Ah Shit! T-These monsters are making all our efforts to enter the semifinals go to waste," one of the Shadow Academy members spoke, witnessing the sky suddenly filled with arrows approaching them.
The shield-bearer kept his shield in the air to protect himself and his teammates while defense mages began to cast a semi-circr barrier before them.
"C-Crystal! The Crystal is important, cast a barrier on it too!" The shield-bearer ordered.
The defense mage nodded and quickly began to cast a barrier surrounding the crystal. The Shadow Academy was not going to let the Soreh Academy get the upper hand easily.
Meanwhile, the team Soreh Academy stood in their position, their eyes widened in awe, witnessing Diana''s attack.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that arrows also contain potent poison. So, they will eliminate slowly and painfully," Diana suddenly said with a sly grin, her eyes fixed on the arrows gleaming with mischief.
!?
The whole Soreh Academy team looked at her in shock. They couldn''t believe that Diana would go to such lengths just to win the match. Lucas, in particr, was notfortable with the idea of eliminating their opponents brutally.
Tud¡ª Tud¡ª Tud¡ª Tud
The hundreds of arrows began to hit the ground and met the shields and barriers cast by the mages continuously. The Shadow Academy was holding up well, but the pressure was beginning to show as their shields and barriers started to crack from the continuous onught.
Crack¡ª Crack
Lucas gritted his teeth, seeing his opponents in such distress. He couldn''t let this go on any longer. He reflexively stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the crystal. He knew that it was the key to victory in this round.
"zing Spear." He muttered and suddenly, his whole spear was now covered in mes, thanks to his unique skill. The heat from the mes radiated around him as he readied himself to attack.
"Fire st." He shouted as he charged his spear and ran forward before hurling his spear toward the crystal with all his might.
The spear flew through the air like a minget, leaving a trail of fire behind it. Lucas''s eyes were fixed on his target as he poured all his strength and mana into the attack
Swoosh¡ª
Time seemed to slow down as the zing Spear hurtled towards their opponent Crystal at breakneck speed while the team Shadow Academy was still grappling with the hail of arrows descending upon them.
Swoosh¡ª
The spear hit the barrier protecting the crystal, but it pierced it easily and hit the crystal with a thunderous boom.
BOOM¡ª
The crystal shattered into countless pieces, each one radiating a bright light that engulfed the stage. But the st didn''t stop there. The shockwave from the explosion sent the Shadow Academy team flying forward.
And the once imprable shields and barriers they had cast shattered immediately, leaving them vulnerable to Diana''s attack.
Swish¡ªSwish¡ªSwish¡ªSwish
As the Shadow Academy members stumbled forward, they were met with another deadly attack from Diana''s arrows.
The sound of the mana arrows raining down on the helpless Shadow Academy team was deafening. The projectiles made contact with their targets, creating holes in their bodies and covering the stage with pools of blood.
"AHHH!"
The agonizing screams of the Shadow Academy students echoed throughout the arena, and soon they were teleported outside the stage, eliminated from the match.
"...."
Beep!¡ª
A beep signaled the end of the match, dering the victor of round 2.
[Team Shadow Academy''s crystal has been destroyed! Round 2 Has Ended, And The Winners Are Team Soreh Academy!]
[Diana Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Diana Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Diana Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Diana Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
[Diana Has Eliminated A Member Of Team Shadow Academy!]
Silence filled the air as the spectators watched in awe and disbelief as the Soreh Academy team pulled off a merciless move that not only destroyed the crystal but also eliminated their opponents.
Lucas stood in disbelief, watching the chaos unfold before him. His n to destroy the crystal and spare the lives of the opposing team had failed miserably, and he couldn''t help but feel responsible for their gruesome fate.
"...Well, this was unexpected!" Diana muttered, her eyes glittering with amusement. "But don''t worry, I''m not that cruel. The arrows were not coated with any poison or anything like that. They were just regr mana arrows!I hope my little prank didn''t cause too much panic," she added with a yful smirk, ncing over at Lucas to gauge his reaction.
!!
Lucas''s face twisted with anger at her callous attitude, but he quicklyposed himself and went to check on the eliminated Shadow Academy members. They were already being tended to by the medical staff.
"Hehe, maybe Ares will reward me for my excellent performance, right?" Diana giggled with glee as she left the stage, leaving the rest of her team standing there in stunned silence as they hadn''t even taken a step forward before the match ended.
Chapter 254 Crises
?
The audience was split between cheers and disbelief as the second round of the semifinals came to an abrupt end, just like the first.
Maya strode confidently onto the stage, her trademark grin lighting up her face as she addressed the mic.
"What a one-sided match that was," she eximed, pausing for dramatic effect. "I thought the teams making it to the semifinals were supposed to be strong and capable. What a disappointing performance from Shadow Academy. Both rounds ended in less than ten minutes, leaving no chance for Team Shadow Academy to even counterattack properly."
Maya shook her head in disappointment, her eyes scanning the audience. Though she was thrilled with how well team Soreh Academy had performed, she couldn''t help but wish that their opponents had put up more of a fight. It would have made for a more interesting match, after all.
"Anyway, congrattions to Soreh Academy for bing the first finalist of this 42nd annual inter-academy tournament! Let''s give them a round of apuse," Maya added, gesturing to the victorious team. The crowd followed her lead, apuding energetically as the fans of Soreh Academy cheered.
p¡ª p¡ª p
"Now, let''s move on to match 2 of the semifinals, where the Powerhouse Martial Star Academy will be taking on the underdogs of the tournament, Team Cherry Blossom Academy. Who will be the next finalist to face Team Soreh Academy in the finals? Let''s find out!" Maya spoke with enthusiasm.
[Semifinals Match 2: Team Martial Star Academy Vs Team Cherry Blossom Academy!]
"We''ll be back after a short break, so don''t go anywhere! Match 2 will start soon!" The announcer''s voice echoed through the stadium, signaling to Maya that it was time for a brief intermission.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as they waited for the next match to begin, wondering who would emerge victorious and earn their ce in the tournament finals.
***
Team Soreh Academy was in high spirits cheering and high-fiving each other in their allocated section of the arena after their victory over Shadow Academy and making it to the finals.
Ares, however, was ignoring their celebrations and was seated in the front row, his gaze fixed on the stage where the teams from Martial Star Academy and Cherry Blossom Academy were preparing for their match. Livia sat on his right, her head leaned on his shoulder, and she appeared to be dozing off.
She had been awake all night, her mind preupied with Ares and Diana''s date. But now, with Ares by her side, she finally felt at peace, and her exhaustion got the better of her.
Ares let her nap, knowing that she needed the rest. Meanwhile, Diana approached them, her face beaming with pride. "Hehe, Ares, did you see my performance? I did good, right?" she eximed.
"Shh!" Ares gestured for her to keep quiet and pointed at the sleeping Livia.
!?
Diana lowered her voice. "Oh, sorry," she said in a hushed tone and moved to his other side, where she held his arm and leaned on it.
"So... how is she doing now?" Diana whispered, referring to Livia.
"...She''s better," Ares replied shortly.
Diana nodded, understanding the situation. "I see. She seemed to have a breakdown. Her eyes were swollen as if she had cried all night. It''s good to see that she''s feeling better now," she said softly.
Ares turned to look at her, surprised by her calm demeanor. "You didn''t seem to be bothered by the situation," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"...It''s not that I''m not bothered," Diana replied. "But I''m trying to let go of my jealousy for your sake. I don''t want you to be in a difficult situation, and I think Livia wille around eventually, for your sake."
"I hope so," Ares said with a small smile. "My master will be arriving soon, and I don''t want any unnecessary drama."
Diana looked worried. "How are you going to convince her? She''s even more dangerous than Livia. She wouldn''t care about us being princesses or whatever, and might attack us right away when she hears we''re dating."
Ares chuckled at Diana''s concern. "I''m surprised you know her that well," he said. "You''re right, things could get messy when she finds out, but I''m hoping Aegis cane up with something to diffuse the situation. Mika listens to her...somewhat," Ares said, shuddering at the thought of Mika''s potential reaction.
"You both love and fear her at the same time, don''t you?" Diana teased, seeing Ares''s expression change. "It''s my first time seeing you afraid of someone."
"...."
Ares didn''t reply, but the look on his face spoke volumes.
"Mika can be really scary sometimes. Though she wouldn''t hurt me, I''m afraid of what she would do to you two. As you said before, she wouldn''t care about you two being princesses and wouldn''t mind going to war against both of your kingdoms at the same time," Ares said, his mind racing with possible scenarios.
"...."
Gulp¡ª
Diana gulped loudly. She already knew how unpredictable and dangerous Mika could be. "I...have to get stronger soon," she muttered to herself.
Ares noticed her reaction and smiled. "Don''t worry, we''ll figure something out. I''ll introduce you both to Aegis. She can teach you how to get on Mika''s good side. She''s already teaching Silvia, so I''m sure it''ll be fine," he reassured Diana.
Diana nodded, relieved to hear that there was a n in ce. "That''s a relief. I really don''t want to be on Mika''s bad side."
Ares replied with a smile. "None of us do."
Diana turned to him, curiosity in her eyes. "Is Aegis also someone you''re interested in... romantically?"
Ares raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?" he asked.
"You two seem quite close," Diana said.
Ares shook his head. "No, I see her as a friend and mentor. She''s my love guru or something simr," he replied with a grin. "We''ve been through a lot together, and she''s always had my back."
Diana looked a little disappointed. "That''s too bad. It would have been nice to have an S-Rank healer as one of my sisters. At least I wouldn''t have to worry about your health." she said, leaning back against Ares. "But I guess there''s still a chance as rtionships start first from friendships," Diana spoke optimistically.
Ares chuckled, "That''s not going to happen. Aegis would never betray Mika, who she sees as her benefactor and sister. But it would be a different story if Mika allows it herself, which is very much unlikely."
"I see," Diana nodded understandingly.
Suddenly, Ares heard Irethiel''s voice in his mind, filled with panic and urgency. "A-Ares! We are in huge trouble!"
!?
Ares quickly focused his attention on Irethiel, "What got you so riled up?" he asked telepathically.
"T-The seal! It''s broken! Not one, but two at the same time," Irethiel informed him, her voice trembling.
Ares'' mind raced as he tried to process what Irethiel was saying. "...You mean two more Demon Lords have been released at the same time?" he asked for rification, his expression turning grim.
"Y-Yes! And they are not some small-time Demon Lords like Pazuzu and Belphegor!" Irethiel said, her voice shaking.
"It''s ...Lilith and Asmodeus!" Irethiel added, her voice filled with disbelief and anger.
!!
Ares'' heart sank as he heard the names of the newly unsealed Demon Lords. He knew that Asmodeus and Irethiel were enemies, and it was also one of Asmodeus'' servants who had entered the dungeon where Irethiel was trapped in order to kill her under his orders.
But he had no idea that even Lilith was on her tail. He knew that Lilith was a particrly powerful and cunning Demon Lord, and her release could mean trouble for everyone.
"Tsh, you are such a troublesome demon, Irethiel!" Ares muttered under his breath, shaking his head in frustration. He knew that they needed to act fast before the Demon Lordse after them.
Diana noticed the change in his demeanor and asked, concerned, "A-Ares, is everything okay?"
"Don''t worry about it," Ares replied, his mind already racing with ns and strategies. "Here, take care of Livia for me. I have somewhere to go."
Swap¡ª
Using his location swap skill, he swapped his ce with Diana and then disappeared, leaving behind only a blue trail.
!?
Diana watched him disappear, a feeling of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. She turned her attention to Livia, who was still sleeping soundly.
"I hope everything''s okay," Diana muttered to herself, then turned to look at Ziona, who had been silently watching them the whole time without even blinking.
Their eyes locked, and they continued to stare at each other without speaking.
After a moment, Ziona stopped staring and turned to leave without a word.
Diana watched her go, then turned her attention to Livia once again, but her mind was already racing with thoughts.
''I have to keep an eye on that beast-woman,'' she thought to herself. ''She''s one of the women who knows my Ares'' true self, like that cunning bitch A and me.''
Chapter 255 The Heart Of The Matter!
?
Ares returned to his room, his mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the Demon lords issue. Irethiel and Meira waited patiently, sensing his need for space and time to think.
Meanwhile, Irethiel confided in Meira about the Demon lords issue that had entangled Ares and herself with them.
"...I am sorry to voice this out, but the best option here is that we dispose of her, Master," Meira suddenly said with a serious expression, her gaze fixed on Irethiel.
But before Ares or Irethiel could respond, a projectile came flying toward Meira. But she reacted quickly, countering the attack with her dagger.
Clink¡ª
Rose appeared out of nowhere, her ws at the ready. "Why not I dispose of you first?" she sneered.
Meira stood with a resolute expression, not flinching under the weight of Rose and Irethiel''s gazes. "Do you have any other viable option? You know we''re not strong enough to take on those demon lords at this point. And Irethiel''s abilities as a tracker would onlypromise my master''s location and endanger his life."
Rose and Irethiel had nothing to say, knowing that Meira was right.
"If my master dies, so will she. Sacrificing her to ensure masters survival and allow him to gather his strength is the more logical choice than risking all of our lives," Meira stated firmly, unwavering in her conviction.
Rose gritted her teeth and turned to Ares, her body tense with anticipation. She waited anxiously to hear his decision, her ws at the ready, prepared to fight him if he chose to abandon her master.
She knew that she couldn''t kill him, for her master''s life was tied to his, but she could at least injure him and escape with her master.
Meira stood opposite her, her own weapons at the ready, ready to fight if needed and protect Ares.
Meanwhile, Irethiel remained silent, her eyes fixed on Ares. ''What will his decision be? Will he abandon me now to save his own life?'' She thought inwardly.
The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for his response.
Ares, however, remained calm despite themotion in the room. He let out a sigh before meeting their gazes, causing Meira and Rose to lower their weapons slightly.
"What are you two doing? Lower your weapons!" Ares spoke firmly, shaking his head. "Did you really think I would abandon what''s mine in the face of difficulties?" He said with a grin, his possessiveness over Irethiel bing apparent.
"I knew what I was signing up for when I saved you. No matter if I have to face the whole world, I would never abandon someone that belongs to me," Ares added, his grin growing wider and his left eye began to glow as he spoke.
Just then, a dark figure with wings suddenly materialized above him, and the atmosphere in the room changed drastically.
!?
Shatter¡ª Shatter!
The windows began to shatter, and the furniture vibrated as the aura emanating from Ares intensified.
"Argghh!"
Rose and Meira held their hands forward to block the intense aura, their hair fluttering in the breeze.
But Irethiel remained unfazed, her hair also fluttering, but her eyes still fixed on Ares. She felt a strange sense of recognition towards the figure. It was as if she had seen it before, but she couldn''t quite remember where.
"...I see, so that''s how it is, huh?" Irethiel spoke, a small smile forming on her face as she stepped closer to Ares.
As she slowly approached him, the intense aura grew even stronger, causing Rose and Meira to take a step back. But Irethiel remained unfazed, her eyes locked on Ares as she stepped closer to him. Suddenly, she hugged him tightly, and the aura around him began to dissipate.
"Thank you for saying that. I am d that you think that way about me, Ares," Irethiel said, tears forming in her eyes. "And I am also grateful that I have someone like you to rely on. I don''t have to face this alone anymore," she added, her voice cracking slightly.
Ares wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as he buried his face in her hair. "No need to thank me. I''ll throw you away if things get more dangerous," he whispered with a grin.
Irethiel let out a soft chuckle, "Haha, I understand."
She knew that Ares was serious about what he had just said. He was a person who prioritized his own interests above all else, and if it came down to it, he would not hesitate to dispose of her.
Despite this, Irethiel felt a sense offort in his embrace. She had made her choice to trust him, and she was prepared to face the consequences of that choice, whatever they may be.
''But I do hope we can continue to be together for a while longer. It''s been centuries since I felt like I belong somewhere and found someone I could truly rely on,'' Irethiel thought inwardly, hugging him tightly, fearing she wouldn''t have a chanceter due to his other women.
"...."
"A-Ahem," Rose cleared her throat, getting their attention. Irethiel finally let go of Ares and wiped her tears.
"...Don''t tell me you fell for it? You know I was just kidding, right?" Ares said to Irethiel telepathically.
"Yeah, Yeah! I know that very well," Irethiel replied telepathically with a smile.
"So, what''s the n, Ares? Your words were indeed impressive and could sway any woman''s heart, and my master was no exception. But we need more than just words to deal with the Demon lords. Time is not on our side, but well, even they will need to gather their strength before theye after us since they were just released," Rose asked, her tone serious.
"...I think it''s finally time for me to use the cards that I''ve been gathering all this time," Ares said with a smile.
"What does that mean?" Rose asked curiously.
Ares smiled mysteriously, "I''m not some protagonist from a novel who has taken an oath to defeat all the demon lords by myself. There are many others who also want to deal with the demon lords, just like me. It''s time for me to use them to deal with those demon lords or to at least keep them busy for the time being," Ares replied with a grin.
Irethiel''s eyes widened as she realized his intentions. "So you want to use Jessica to buy time?"
Ares grinned cunningly as he took out a small fruit from his inventory. "Not just Jessica, but it''s also about time I get my favor from Evica as well," he said, twirling the fruit between his fingers.
!?
Irethiel furrowed her brows in confusion. "But isn''t Evica useless now? Her sister was the stronger one, and she''s dead."
Ares chuckled. "You really think that''s the end of it? Why do you think Evica still needs this strengthening fruit?"
Irethiel shook her head, still perplexed.
Rose''s eyes widened as a sudden realization dawned on her. "Wait...don''t tell me she is nning on imnting her sister''s dragon heart into her own body?"
"Bingo!" Ares eximed, pleased at Rose''s deduction.
!!
"...That exins why she still needs the strengthening fruit," muttered Irethiel, as she processed the information.
"If she can sessfully transnt that dragon heart, then with the help of this strengthening fruit, she will be even stronger than her sister," added Rose thoughtfully.
Ares nodded in agreement. "That''s exactly what Ivica had nned all along. She didn''t want to leave her sister powerless after her death, and I think they already had an artifact needed for making this happen," he said with a knowing grin.
As Ares''s eyes fell upon Ivica''s lifeless body during her funeral, he immediately deduced that she had been dead for more than three days. What was even more concerning to him was the fact that her sister had not held a funeral yet. Ares couldn''t sense any mana from Ivica''s body, which he knew was abnormal.
Normally, a person''s body held their mana for a few days after death, unless they used their soul to store mana, like Ares did. But he knew that wasn''t the case for Ivica.
As a half-dragon, Ivica''s mana should have leaked out from her heart for at least a month, if not more. But Ares couldn''t sense any mana from her, which was odd. He knew that dragons used their hearts to store their mana, and since Ivica had a dragon heart, the same would be true for her.
That could only mean one thing: Evica had removed her sister''s dragon heart before holding the funeral. It must have taken her some time to find a suitable ce to remove it, which was why it had taken her time to hold the funeral.
"Everything fits perfectly," Ares murmured to himself.
Every piece was falling into ce for Ares, as an avid reader of the novel, he knew that Ivica was one of the strongest women who fought against the demon lords.
"If it really is like you said, then she will be a huge help to us, and we might even be able to deal with those demon lords all at once," Rose''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "That would be amazing!"
Ares tossed the strengthening fruit to Meira. "Indeed, but it will take some time for her to fully harness the power of the dragon heart," he exined. "Meira, your task is to find Evica and deliver this fruit to her. Assist her with anything she needs during the process of transnting the dragon heart."
Meira caught the fruit deftly. "Consider it done, master. I''ll follow your orders to the letter," she said before disappearing into the shadows toplete her given task.
Swish¡ª
Chapter 256 Irethiels Power-Up!
?
As Meira disappeared into the shadows, Ares turned his attention to Irethiel. "Irethiel, I need you to go to Jessica and deliver this information about the Demon Lords. Make sure she is adequately prepared for the dangers they pose," Ares instructed.
!?
Rose''s voice chimed in, hesitant and worried. "Wait, what? Are you sure it''s wise to send Master to Jessica? It''s the same as sending her into the Demon lord''sir to get captured and killed."
"Don''t worry, Rose. Jessica won''t kill her. She still has use for Irethiel. And I have faith in her abilities to escape if things get dangerous," Ares reassured.
Before Rose could argue further, Irethiel spoke up. "Alright, I will go," she said, her determination shining through.
"Good. But before you leave, take this," Ares said, taking out a wristwatch from his pocket. "I think it may be of some help to you."
He pressed a button on the watch, and a smallpartment appeared through a holographic light, revealing a heart-sized, orange-colored core.
Irethiel''s eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed at the core.
"T-This is...?" she trailed off, her voice filled with awe.
"Yes, It''s the core of Demon Lord Pazuzu," Ares confirmed, passing it to her with a grin spreading across his face.
!!
"W-Wait What?" Rose eximed in shock, her expression mirroring Irethiel''s.
"I only recently learned of its existence from Meira, who discovered it while rescuing me from Pazuzu''s dungeon. Meira believed that the core had value and concealed it in my watch, but she neglected to inform me of its presence until today," Ares exined.
"...."
Irethiel was speechless as she took the demon lord Pazuzu''s core from Ares, her eyes remained fixated on the orange gem. She knew how powerful and invaluable Demon Lord''s cores could be.
During her peak time centuries ago, there was only one Demon Lord that was killed, and all the other Demon Lords had waged wars against each other just to obtain the dead Demon Lord''s core.
Because the core not only contains the dead Demon lord''s remaining energy, but also one of their special abilities, making it invaluable to any demon seeking to enhance their strength and gain new powers.
''Unfortunately, due to Pazuzu''s recent unsealing, his core no longer holds sufficient energy. Nheless, with the acquisition of several more demon lord cores, not only can I regain my prior strength, but also surpass it and elevate myself to the status of a demon lord.
By utilizing the abilities of the various demon lords whose cores I have obtained, I can achieve unparalleled power,'' Irethiel contemted silently her grin grew wider as she clutched the core tightly in her hand, feeling the immense power coursing through it.
Her dream of bing a Demon Lord no longer seemed like a distant fantasy. Irethielcould now see a clear path to making her dreame true.
Without wasting any more time, she closed her eyes in concentration and began to siphon the energy from the core. The room was filled with a bright light that quickly faded as the core changed color into a transparent white and shattered into pieces, turning into particles that dissipated into the air.
And immediately after siphoning the Demon Lord''s core energy, Irethiel''s appearance underwent a transformation. Her hair, which was previously purple, now shimmered in various shades of violet and silver, cascading down her back in voluminous waves. Her curvaceous body became even more seductive, enhancing her natural charm and captivating allure.
As she opened her eyes, her once bewitching red eyes had be even more intense and piercing, resembling a zing inferno. The two horns on the sides of her head had grown longer and sharper, giving her an even more ferocious appearance.
!!
Rose felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of Irethiel''s transformed appearance. She had never seen her master look like this, even during her prime.
Ares nodded with a grin as he witnessed the overwhelming power emanating from Irethiel. He knew that she was now even stronger than before.
"...This power! I''ve missed it so much," Irethiel murmured with satisfaction, admiring her new appearance.
Rose, sensing a change in her master''s aura, asked excitedly, "M-Master, have you regained your strength?"
"Not yet, but it will suffice for the time being to protect myself," Irethiel replied, shaking her head. She turned to Ares and expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, Ares. With this power, I am confident that I can handle anything thates my way, even that woman Jessica."
Irethiel''s expression grew fierce as she remembered the encounter when she first met Jessica and how she attempted to strangle her to death. "I also have a score to settle with that woman," she added with a grin.
Ares nodded in response, pleased with Irethiel''s newfound strength, "I am d the core was helpful to you. However, I believe it would be wise to hold off on settling any scores with Jessica for the time being. She is the President of the Hero Association for a reason, and we still don''t know what that woman is capable of." he advised.
Irethiel considered Ares''s words before reluctantly agreeing to prioritize their mission over her desire for revenge. "I guess you''re right. For now, we need to focus on Lilith and Asmodeus," she said with a sigh.
With their n of action set in motion, Ares advised Irethiel to leave and meet with Jessica. Time was of the essence, and they couldn''t afford any dys. "You should leave right away and meet with her," he suggested.
Irethiel nodded in agreement. "Understood. I''ll depart immediately." She then turned to Rose. "Take care of our master while I am away."
With that, Irethiel turned towards Ares, gave him a warm smile, and transformed into her crow form. In a swift motion, she flew out of the window and disappeared into the sky.
Swish¡ª
!?
Rose was in a state of disbelief as she stared at the window where Irethiel had just flown out of. "...Did she just say our master?" She muttered to herself.
Rose couldn''t believe that her master, who had always been so prideful, was now acknowledging a human as her master and listening to hismands without any objections.
"You heard her right? I will be in your care Rose," Ares''s voice brought her back to reality.
"....."
Rose still wore a look of disbelief as she processed what had just happened. She remained silent and turned to Ares with a nk expression, still trying toprehend her new situation.
''...So, does that mean Ares is also my master now?'' she wondered. ''How will I manage serving two masters? And what kind of tasks will this human ask me to do?'' Rose''s mind raced with questions as she struggled to make sense of the situation.
Ares seemed to notice her confusion and chuckled before exiting his room, leaving Rose standing there in a state of bewilderment.
***
As Ares strode down the hall, his mind buzzed with thoughts. The novel''s storyline had taken an unexpected turn, and it was clear that someone was manipting events behind the scenes.
"That bastard," Ares muttered under his breath, realizing that an unknown figure was responsible for releasing the demon lords.
Despite being only in the tournament arc, four demon lords had already been revealed, and Pazuzu had met his demise at his hands.
But Ares knew very well that he had to be on guard for the remaining three demon lords and find the mysterious figure behind their release.
''How is he unsealing them? Does he also have knowledge of runguages?'' Ares wondered, contemting the identity and capabilities of the mysterious figure.
"I must prepare myself for the unexpected," he concluded.
The unsealing of the demon lords had disrupted the bnce of the story, and Ares felt a sense of frustration and urgency. The tournament arc was meant to be a time of growth for the protagonist, Lucas, but now it seemed that Lucas was a mere side character in this grand scheme of things.
"The situation we''re facing is far direr than what was depicted in the novel," Ares muttered, realizing that Lucas was nowhere near strong enough to take on even a single demon lord, let alone three.
They were supposed to be released muchter in the story after Lucas had gained enough strength through multiple arcs of character development.
''...It''s as if I am the protagonist now and he''s just a mere side character. The world no longer revolves around him,'' Ares thought to himself, feeling frustrated with the unexpected turn of events.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, they had to act fast. Waiting for Lucas to gain enough strength could lead to disaster, as the Demons might have already taken over the world by then.
"I cannot afford to wait for that ipetent protagonist to catch up with the rapidly evolving situation," Ares dered firmly, a n already forming in his mind.
Chapter 257 In The Eyes Of A Spy
?
The second semifinal match had just concluded, and Maya announced the winners who would be facing off against Soreh Academy in the finals.
"Congrattions to Team Martial Star Academy for securing a spot in the finals!" Maya announced, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
Despite the absence of top students like Ava, Eva, Hercules, and many others in the semifinals, Martial Star Academy''s match against Cherry Blossom Academy was still more thrilling and intense than the audience had anticipated. The winner was decided in Round 3, and Martial Academy emerged victorious by a mere second.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the finalists were announced.
[FINALS: Team Soreh Academy vs Team Martial Star Academy!]
"And now in the finals, we will witness the moment we''ve all been waiting for. Ares will finally take down Hercules, silencing those from the Hero Association who still believe he''s the strongest and unbeatable among the younger generation," Maya eximed with a broad smile.
!!
Her words stunned the audience, and even some of the high-ranking officials seemed taken aback. Maya''smentary was quite unexpected, especially since she spoke about the Hero Association and indirectly referenced Jessica''s challenge to Ares.
After a brief moment of silence, the crowd erupted once again with excitement.
"She''s got some nerve, I''ll give her that," Sarahmented, sitting with her friends in the VIP box.
"Who is this woman, anyway?" Joseph asked with a perplexed expression.
"...I don''t know. I''ve never heard of her before," replied one of his friends.
The others shook their heads in agreement, as Joseph turned to them, seeking any information they might have about Maya.
"...."
***
The evening of the semifinals was electric with fireworks illuminating the sky and screens showing posters of Ares and Hercules facing each other, visible throughout the bustling streets around the Colosseum.
Ares stood atop one of the buildings, lost in thought as he gazed down at the decorated streets.
Suddenly, a woman wearing a ck suit appeared behind him and asked, "So what do you want me to do, Ares?"
Ares turned to her with a grin. "You will stay with me until Irethiel returns. If Jessica tries something with her, I should at least have someone close to her to prevent giving her the upper hand, right?"
"...."
Rose, who was standing close by, was surprised by this turn of events. She had assumed that Ares sent her master to Jessica with no n in mind. She was worried that Jessica might take her master hostage or worse, but she never expected Ares to already have a n in ce for such an event.
"I understand. I will stay by your side until that demoness returns. However, about my sister..." the woman hesitated.
Ares smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry, your sister will still be safe even after that Demon Lord died," he replied.
The woman looked relieved but still anxious. "...Are you hundred percent sure about this? She won''t be eradicated like how that dead demon lord''s followers were, right?"
Ares nodded. "I have terminated her contract with the Demon Lord and transferred her contract to Irethiel, so she won''t die with the other Demon lords being killed. However, she will if something happens to Irethiel, her new master."
"....."
She let out a heavy sigh, "My sister managed to escape the wolves, only to find herself in the midst of a tiger''sir."
Ares turned to her, a sly smile spreading across his face, "But you know, wolves have been known to eat their own kind when they''re desperate. Tigers, on the other hand, protect their followers when needed. It''s much safer for your sister to be tied to me than to those fickle demons who could dispose of her at any moment, don''t you agree?"
The woman, who was Jessica''s secretary, Mia, remained unconvinced. "I can only hope that you keep your promise. I don''t know how Miss Jessica will react when she finds out about this. She''s not one to take kindly to demon lord followers, even those who were tricked into signing a contract."
Ares waved his hand dismissively. "You don''t need to worry about her. She''s far too gullible. Even if she does find out, just say that you did it for your sister, and she''ll forgive you."
Mia shook her head. "You underestimate her. Jessica is ruthless when ites to dealing with demon lords and their followers. I''ve seen it firsthand."
Mia had agreed to be Ares''s informant to save her sister, who had been deceived into signing a contract with a demon lord. But she also knew the risks that came with it and the potential consequences for her family.
She muttered with a solemn expression, "I don''t know how you found out about my sister''s situation, Ares, but if Jessica were to discover her allegiance to the demon lords, she wouldn''t hesitate to kill her. And if she suspects my family''s involvement, we''ll be in danger too."
Ares was well aware of Mia''s predicament: her sister was tricked into signing a contract with demon lord Belphegor, who then used Mia, Jessica''s secretary, to keep tabs on the Hero Association''s actions.
Despite Mia''s reluctance to betray her employer, her love for her family was stronger. However, as she delved deeper into the world of demon lords, she soon realized that she had crossed the point of no return and became a follower herself.
''It was only found outter in the novel that the demon lords were privy to their every move, and eventually, it was discovered that Mia was the betrayer,'' Ares mused.
Mia''s backstory came to light when Jessica finally killed her, and Mia revealed her story in herst breath.
Ares took advantage of Mia''s desperate situation and turned her into his spy, transferring her sister''s contract from Belphegor to Irethiel.
Though terminating contracts with demon lords was no easy task, Ares had the knowledge from one of the rune books he had deciphered before signing a contract with Irethiel.
As he was lost in thought, Mia''s voice brought him back to the present. "And what about the conference? I did as you said, but don''t you think Jessica can easily recognize your identity if you attend the conference? Her eye can see through your disguise easily," Mia warned.
"It''s ok if Jessica finds out my identity. In fact, I won''t be needing any disguise once this tournament is over," Ares replied to Mia''s concerns about attending the conference.
Mia was still confused, "...I still don''t understand why you''re participating in this tournament when you''re already too strong for this," she said.
Even Rose, who had been silent all this time, looked at him curiously, wondering about his motives.
"Is it just because you want to defeat Hercules and prove Jessica wrong? Or is it because you are interested in the skills they will be providing to the winning team?" Rose chimed in.
"Hmm, What skills?" Mia asked, perplexed. She and even the Hero Association had no idea about this.
"Yes, it''s supposed to be confidential. All the academies have wagered many of the special skills they possess as rewards to be given to the entire winning team, along with other valuable rewards," Rose exined.
"...I see," Mia muttered in shock. It was the first time she had heard of something like this. Even low-ranked skill books were highly sought-after and wouldn''t be given away so easily, even for money.
"But if it wasn''t you who leaked the information and it was supposed to be confidential, then how did he find out about it?" Mia asked, curiously as she turned to Rose for an answer, but Rose could only shrug in response.
Ares chuckled. "I knew it the same way I knew your sister was a follower of the Demon Lord," he replied. "...And I also know that Belphegor is keeping an eye on you," he added with a grin, his gaze drifting to the rooftop of a distant building. There, he locked eyes with a boy he knew well, who was also staring back at them.
As their eyes locked, the boy jumped down the building and immediately disappeared from sight.
Ares seemed unfazed by the encounter, but Mia couldn''t help but feel uneasy.
!?
"W-Wait, what do you mean I''m being watched by a demon lord?" Mia stuttered, and Rose was on guard.
"Don''t worry. I think he just wanted to have a look at the person responsible for taking his pawn away from him," Ares said with a grin.
The distant figure staring back at Ares was none other than Ark, the demon kid whom Ares had attempted to sign a contract with before. With the help of his left eye and his upgraded Hawkeye, Ares realized now that it was actually Demon Lord Belphegor in disguise.
''So that''s why the contract failed,'' Ares thought to himself. ''But why wasn''t Irethiel able to detect Belphegor''s true identity despite him being in such close proximity?''
Although Belphegor was considered the weakest of the Demon Lords, even weaker than Pazuzu, his cunning and ability to manipte others made him a formidable opponent. And, Ares had nned to take him down first before going for Lillith or Asmodeus.
''The longer he lives, the more trouble he will be,'' Ares pondered inwardly. He knew that Belphegor could even manipte other Demon Lords into joining forces if needed to deal with him and Irethiel. The worst part was their goals this time aligned, as they all wanted Irethiel dead.
He turned to Rose and spoke, "Rose, you know what to do, right?"
"...."
Rose nodded reluctantly, knowing that she had been tasked with monitoring the Demon Lord''s movements.
"...I''ll do my best, but don''t expect too much from me," she said before leaping down the building to trail Belphegor.
***
[AUTHOR''S NOTE!]
Dear readers,
I''m happy to announce that Volume 2 of our novel hase to an end with Chapter 270. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
However, I''m also here to inform you that the novel will be on hiatus for a week and will return on May 20th. During this time, I encourage you to check out my new novel, "Unwilling Protagonist: Trapped In A Game As A Male Lead."
I think you''ll enjoy it as much as you have been enjoying this one.
Thank you for your support and I''ll see you all soon!
:)
Chapter 258 Finals: Instructions!
?
The arena was abuzz with excitement as the announcer''s voice boomed across the stadium. "Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the most anticipated event of the year, the finals of the Interacademy tournament!!"
The crowd erupted in a sea of cheers, each section divided by the twopeting academies - Soreh Academy in Red and Martial Star Academy in Green. The energy was electric, and all eyes were glued to the center of the arena.
"After a week of intense battles, we have finally reached the pinnacle of the tournament. Will Martial Star Academy finally dethrone the reigning champions, Soreh Academy, and im the top spot for themselves? Or will Soreh Academy continue its streak of dominance and solidify its position as the best academy of the year?"
The announcer''s words were met with thunderous apuse and cheers from the crowd, each side showing unwavering support for their chosen team.
As the anticipation built to a crescendo, the stage was set for an epic showdown between two of the most prestigious academies in the region.
***
The Soreh Academy team stood nervously in their meeting room as the Vice Dean addressed them, trying to boost their morale for the uing finals.
"My dear students, this is the moment we have all been waiting for. The final match of the tournament is upon us, and we are just one step away from bringing that championship trophy home where it rightfully belongs," he said with determination.
Addressing Ares and Erina directly, he continued, "I am counting on both of you to guide our team to victory. Whatever challenges we may face in the final match, I trust in your abilities to lead us to sess."
Erina responded with enthusiasm, turning to Ares for support. "We will do everything in our power to lead our team to victory, won''t we, Ares?"
Ares smiled back confidently, "Absolutely, we''ll win this together."
The Vice Dean nodded in satisfaction, but their conversation was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.
Knock¡ª Knock
"Team Soreh Academy, the instructions for the final match have arrived," a man''s voice called out.
A hurried to the door and returned with a white scroll, which was noticeably different from the regr envelopes that usually contained the instructions.
The Vice Dean epted the scroll with a nod, breaking the seal to reveal the contents of the final match and reading it out loud for them.
[Dear Final Match Participants,
The moment you''ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! The ultimate battle for glory is upon us, and it''s going to be a challenge like no other.
The final match will take ce in a specially designed maze where each team will send their top 20 students topete against each other. (Note: The students who have already participated in the semi-finals or were on the list of participants will not be eligible to participate in this match.)
The rules for this match are simple, but the challenge will be intense. There is no time limit, and thest team or individual standing will help their academy to be dered as the ultimate champion.
However, you won''t be allowed to bring any weapons with you. But fear not, there will be plenty of weapons scattered around the arena for you to find and use to your advantage.
Furthermore, the maze is teeming with dangerous monsters and creatures that you can vanquish to acquire some special weapons. And be on guard for the traps that are concealed throughout the maze; they''ll push your skills and techniques to the extreme.
Remember, the only way to score points is by eliminating the opponent students. So focus on taking them down and showcase your skills and strength in this ultimate battle.
You''ll be teleported separately inside the maze, which means that you''ll have to rely on your instincts and skills to survive ande out on top.
But there''s a twist that will make this match even more challenging and exciting! Each participant will only be provided with limited mana, which will allow them to use only one skill of their choice only once during the whole match.
So, you''ll have to choose wisely when to use your skill and make the most out of it to gain the upper hand in this intense battle.
Are you ready to take on this challenge? Are you ready to be the ultimate champion and bring glory to your academy? The fate of your Academy rests in your hands, so gear up, focus, and get ready to show the world what you''re made of!
Good luck, and may the best team emerge victorious!]
The vice dean''s face twisted in anger as he read the instructions for the final match. It was clear that the match favored Martial Star Academy, with its well-known reputation for martial arts and brute strength.
Attacks without mana would be useless against their steel-like bodies, which they had developed through their unique body training method.
"They want us to fail so badly that they openly favor Martial Star Academy with a match like this!" the vice dean growled, crumpling the scroll in his hand.
A chimed in, her voiceced with worry. "And I doubt that the weapons scattered throughout the maze will be strong enough to even scratch them."
Silence hung heavily in the room as everyone processed the information. The situation was dire; they couldn''t find a single advantage in the uing match.
"They use their bodies as their primary weapon," A continued thoughtfully. "Other weapons are merely secondary. They won''t waste any time searching for weapons; they''lle after us as soon as the match begins."
The weight of her words sank in, and everyone felt a sense of unease settle over them.
"Shit!" one of them cursed.
The team felt a sense of despair wash over them as they listened to A''s analysis. Despite having strong team members like Ares, Ziona, Erina, and ude, they knew that they couldn''t rely on each other in the maze. Each of them would be teleported separately and face the Martial Star Academy students alone. With their limited mana, they knew they would struggle to fight against the Martial Star Academy students. The odds were definitely against them.
"Bastards, all of them! They''ve banded together and are taking advantage of Miss Ivica''s absence to manipte the match and ensure our defeat," the vice dean eximed, his face twisted in anger.
It was evident that the organizers were favoring Martial Star Academy by designing a match that yed to their strengths and coborated with other academies to create an unfair advantage.
The team exchanged nervous nces, uncertain of how they could possibly win when the odds were stacked so heavily against them. Even Ares, with all his strength, would struggle in this match.
Ziona suddenly let out a chuckle with a huge grin, catching everyone''s attention. "Hehe, This match will be even more exciting than I anticipated!" she said, turning to Ares. "Hey, Ares, let''s see who can take down more of these bastards, okay?" she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Ares replied with an equally broad grin, "You''re on! But don''te crying to me when you get eliminated by that Hercules again."
Ziona''s face contorted in anger. "Y-You! I''ll show you what I''m capable of today. And as for that barbarian, I''ll be the one taking his head off, so stay away from him," she dered fiercely.
"No way. I have a personal score to settle with that bastard too. I''ll take revenge for you, so don''t worry," Ares replied with a smile.
"...."
As they discussed and showed their confidence, the tension in the room began to ease.
''...Maybe we can still win with these two monsters on our side,'' Erina thought to herself, a small smile forming on her face.
"Count me in as well. I don''t want you two to have all the fun yourselves now," she added, joining in the conversation.
ude, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms folded, spoke up. "....I''ll be the one to take down that Hercules," he said with determination.
Suddenly, an announcement echoed through the speakers, interrupting their discussion.
[Attention all participating members from the finalist teams, please proceed to the stage. The final match is about to begin!]
The vice dean''s expression softened as he noticed the newfound confidence and determination in the students. "Alright, students, listen up. This is our moment. The culmination of all our training and hard work. Let''s show everyone what Soreh Academy is made of!" he eximed, rallying the team.
"For Soreh Academy!" they all shouted in unison, their voices ringing with determination as they made their way toward the stage.
Chapter 259 Dianas Departure
?
As the vice dean left the room, Ares led the remaining members of the team towards the stage. However, Diana called out to him just as they were about to leave.
"Ares, can I speak with you for a moment?" she asked.
Ares turned to her, slightly confused. "Sure," he said, and then nced at Erina who nodded in understanding.
"...We''ll wait for you near the stage," she said, leading the rest of the team ahead.
Ziona gave them a long look before following behind Erina.
Diana then looked at the remaining non-participating member, silently indicating for them to leave as well.
"...."
They all nodded understandingly respecting Diana''s request for privacy and began to exit.
"Tsk," A clicked her tongue in annoyance before giving Diana a scathing stare and exiting the room as well. Soon, the whole room was empty except for Livia, who hurriedly grabbed Ares''s arm possessively. Diana seemed unfazed by this.
"Is everything okay, Diana?" Ares asked curiously.
"...The thing is, I''m leaving for my kingdom right away. There seems to be an emergency as my brother has abruptly begun to make his moves," Diana informed them.
Ares knew exactly what she meant. ''Of course, he''ll make his move now, as the master he serves has been unsealed,'' he thought to himself. He knew that the demon disguised as Diana''s brother was one of Demon Lord Asmodeus''s servants.
Ares contemted, ''His first move would be to eliminate the Elven Empress, who happens to be Diana''s mother, and then he wille after Diana to take control of the entire kingdom,'' he mused.
"I''m sorry that I won''t be able to watch you in the final," Diana apologized. "But I have faith that you will win for sure," she added with a smile.
Livia interjected irritably, "Just leave already. He doesn''t need you because I''ll always be here to cheer him up," she said with a grin.
Diana chuckled and responded, "Yes, I know that you''ll always be there for him, so I won''t worry too much about him. Please cheer for him on my behalf as well." She smiled at Livia before turning to Ares, who seemed lost in thought.
"...."
"Is something bothering you, my love?" Diana asked with a blush, cing her hands on her face. "Are you perhaps sad to part ways with me? If so, I can spend some time with you before leaving."
Livia''s face twisted in displeasure when she heard Diana''s offer to spend more time with Ares.
"There is indeed something that''s been bothering me, Diana," Ares spoke up atst. "It has to do with your brother," he added.
Diana looked puzzled. "Oh, are you worried that he will harm me? Don''t worry, I can handle him. I will make sure hees to his senses soon," she replied with a reassuring smile.
"No, it''s not about that," Ares spoke, pausing for a moment as he considered how much information he could reveal without causing any potential bacsh.
Diana looked at him with curiosity, waiting for him to continue.
"...This information is confidential, but I believe it could be helpful for you to know. Recently, two more Demon Lords have been unsealed simultaneously," he added, making eye contact with Diana.
Diana and Livia were both shocked at Ares'' sudden revtion. However, Diana had already been aware of this information, and her mind raced as she tried to understand why Ares was bringing it up now.
"Are you suggesting that my brother''s recent behavior is rted to the release of these demon lords?" she asked, hoping for more rity.
Ares just smiled, but his expression held a seriousness that made Diana uneasy. "It''s possible," he said. "I urge you to deal with him quickly and ensure the safety of your family."
Diana couldn''t shake off the uneasy feeling that Ares'' cryptic message left her with. She knew he wasn''t the type to joke about matters like this.
As she tried to make sense of the situation, a sudden realization dawned on her. ''Could my brother be one of the followers of these newly released demon lords?'' she wondered. ''Or worse, could he be possessed by one of their servants?'' She couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest.
As she thought back on her brother''s recent behavior, she realized that he had distanced himself from their family and be increasingly rebellious, which was unlike him.
Gulp¡ª
Diana''s mind raced with possibilities and she couldn''t help but gulp nervously. "...I-If that''s the case, how was the demon able to hide amongst us for so long without being detected by my mother, the empress?" Diana wondered aloud.
The pieces were starting to fall into ce, and Diana knew she had to act quickly before it was toote.
Ares looked at Diana''s changed expression with a satisfied grin. ''She''s smarter than I thought,'' he thought to himself.
However, Livia interrupted the moment with her crude remark. "Your brother is a rotten potato, that''s what my Ares meant. Just get lost already and deal with him," Livia spoke up suddenly, shooing Diana to go.
Diana quickly snapped out of her thoughts at Livia''s remark. "Y-Yes, I should leave now before something bad happens," she replied with worry etched on her face.
She was aware of her mother''s strength, but with the newly released demon lords, her safety was now at risk. If her assumptions were correct and there was indeed a demon impersonating her brother, then he could already be scheming to seize the throne.
Diana leaned in and nted a quick kiss on Ares'' lips before embracing him tightly. "Thank you so much for this information. It means a lot to me, my love. Please take care of yourself while I''m away."
Ares hugged her back with his left hand while Livia clung to his right. "Don''t hesitate to deal with him and keep me informed of the situation. I''ll be here if you need me," he said reassuringly.
Diana smiled as she heard his words, feeling grateful that she had someone like Ares to rely on in times of crisis. She broke the hug but kept her hands around his neck, gazing affectionately into his eyes, "I''ll keep you updated, my love," she said before leaning in for another kiss.
However, a sudden pain shot through Diana''s palm, causing her to release her grip on Ares.
!?
"O-Ouch! What the hell?" Diana cried out in agony, clutching her hand, which had been impaled by a sharp shard of ice.
Livia, who had been standing next to them, sneered, "Don''t you dare ignore me! How dare you kiss him in front of me?"
Diana pulled the ice shard from her palm and quickly downed a low-level healing potion to alleviate the pain.
"Oops, I''m sorry. I forgot you were here. It was in the heat of the moment. But let''s not forget, you were the one who kissed him first in front of me after that match, acting as if I wouldn''t notice because of that invisible potion you were using.
You''re lucky no cameras caught you because the match had already ended, or the entire world would have seen the shameful behavior of a princess from the Kingdom of Demetria," Diana retorted, her voiceced with annoyance.
Livia''s face contorted with anger. "I don''t care what others think, and don''t think I don''t know that you also kissed him on that... date," Livia added.
"Oh, so you were spying on us? You see, Ares, she''s a stalker who keeps her eyes on you all the time, no matter what you do. How creepy," Diana spoke shamelessly in a sarcastic tone, adding a touch of drama to her words.
!!
Livia was left speechless, realizing that she had been outmaneuvered by Diana. She slowly turned to Ares, "It''s not what it sounds like, Ares. I-I was just concerned about your safety," Livia stammered, trying to exin herself.
Ares just smiled at her exnation before turning to Diana, who had a satisfied grin on her face as she observed Livia''s reaction. "Don''t you think it''s time for you to leave, Diana?" Ares asked.
Diana shed a grin. "Yup, I''m going to leave now. My transport has arrived," she checked her phone briefly. "Bye, my love. I''ll see you soon."
Just as she was about to turn and leave, Diana suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Hey, Livia," she said, turning back to face her. "...Please don''t trouble him too much and take good care of him while I''m away."
Livia''s expression turned into a scowl. "Shut it, you dumb potato! You don''t have to tell me that. I am perfectly capable of taking care of my Ares and will never cause him any trouble," she replied, her tone sharp with annoyance.
Diana smiled and nodded before leaving the meeting room, leaving Ares and Livia alone.
"...."
Ares broke the silence, "...Livia, there''s no need to stalk me. You don''t have to worry about spending time with me because I''ll take you out on a date when the situation with these Demon Lords has settled," he said, offering a smile.
Livia''s face turned red with embarrassment. "I-I''m sorry for stalking you, Ares. I promise I won''t do it again," she apologized.
"I don''t know why you took it upon yourself to take down the Demon Lords, but I will help too," she added, her determination showing in her voice.
Ares smiled warmly at Livia. "I would really appreciate your help, but for now, my beautiful Livia, I think you should focus on getting stronger," he said, gently holding her chin and drawing her gaze to his.
Livia''s heart raced as she looked into his eyes. "Y-yes, I will do my best!" she replied, blushing at the attention he was giving her.
"I know you will," Ares said, leaning forward to kiss her. Their lips met in a soft, tender embrace, and Livia''s heart skipped a beat. She wrapped her arms around Ares, feeling safe and loved in his embrace.
Chapter 260 Finals [1]
?
"Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the final match of the Interacademy Tournament!" The announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, sparking thunderous apuse from the audience.
The curtains slowly parted, revealing a grand circr tform surrounded by a high fence adorned with translucent crystals.
"Today, we witness the climax of the tournament, the ultimate showdown between two of the region''s most prestigious academies: Soreh Academy and Martial Star Academy. They willpete in a grueling test of strength, endurance, and skill to determine the ultimate victor."
The crowd cheered louder as the announcer continued to hype up the match.
"Each academy has sent their top 20 students to face off in this epic battle. Who will emerge victorious? Will it be the pride of Soreh Academy, or the honor and glory of Martial Star Academy? Only time will tell."
The audience erupted in thunderous cheers as the announcer turned to the students standing behind him.
"Now, let''s meet the team leaders representing their respective academies in this historic match."
Ares stepped forward onto the tform, exuding confidence and determination. He addressed the audience with a clear voice that resonated throughout the stadium, "Greetings, everyone. My name is Ares, and I will be representing the Soreh Academy in this final match of the Interacademy Tournament. I hope that you enjoy the spectacle that is about to unfold before your very eyes." He spoke with a smile.
The crowd erupted in apuse, impressed by Ares'' impable delivery and charisma.
Hercules, representing Martial Star Academy, followed suit with a wide, self-assured grin. "Greetings, my name is Hercules, and I am proud to represent Martial Star Academy for this match. I look forward to showcasing our academy''s skills and abilities."
As the two faced each other, the tension in the arena grew more palpable. All eyes were fixed on the tform, waiting for the ultimate battle between these two powerhouses of the Interacademy Tournament tomence.
Hercules couldn''t resist taunting Ares, "Looks like I finally get to crush a little bug and show the world who''s truly the strongest."
Unfazed, Ares merely smirked at Hercules and replied calmly, "We''ll see about that."
The two men red at each other, their tension-filled confrontation was a sight to behold, as the announcer continued to speak, heightening the suspense and anticipation of the crowd.
"And now, it''s time to announce the team members participating in this match," the announcer dered, his voice booming over the stadium''s speakers.
"Leading the Soreh Academy team is the formidable Ares, while the Martial Star Academy team is led by the legendary Hercules. All remaining students, please step forward and present yourselves," the announcer called out above the thunderous roar of the crowd.
One by one, the students from each academy stepped forward and introduced themselves. The atmosphere was electric, with both sides eager to showcase their skills and bring glory to their academy.
As each student spoke, the audience erupted into cheers, with some supporters waving banners and chanting for their favorite team.
Finally, all the students had introduced themselves, and the announcer raised his hand for silence.
The two teams stepped forward, facing each other in the center of the circr tform. The Soreh Academy students were dressed in their signature red and ck uniforms, while the Martial Star Academy students wore the distinctive green and ck attire of their academy.
The cheers of the spectators died down, reced by a hushed silence that filled the arena. The students stood at attention, their eyes fixed on their opponents, waiting for the signal to start and be teleported into the maze. The anticipation was almost palpable, as they knew that their fate and the honor of their academy rested on their shoulders.
The staff members quickly made their way onto the stage, each one holding a wristwatch in their hand. Thepetitors looked on with confusion, wondering what the watches were for.
"This wristwatch will help you keep track of what''s going on in the maze, including the location of your teammates and the number of eliminations that take ce during the match," the announcer exined as they handed out the watches.
This final match was unlike any of the previous ones, as it was taking ce in a magical space instead of a virtual reality world. Thepetitors would feel every blow and the pain of defeat would be a real and brutal experience, far different from the safety of aputer simtion.
The grand stage was set for the final battle, the culmination of the Interacademy Tournament.
"...Where is that woman?" Ares muttered, as he surveyed the arena in search of Maya, notorious for her penchant for adding unexpected twists to the matches. However, she was nowhere to be found.
"I hope she doesn''t show up, I''m not sure I could handle any more surprises," one student murmured to another.
The other students, also searching for her, soon realized that they would have to follow the rules outlined in the instructions, with no uncertain twists.
They let out a collective sigh of relief, as the limited mana would allow them to use only a single skill throughout the whole match. In addition, they would not only face their opponents but also various monsters. Moreover, they had to search for weapons, making the match already tough enough for many of them.
"Alright! Good luck to both of the teams. And let the best team win!" The announcer''s voice boomed through the arena as he stepped off the tform.
The fences surrounding the circr tform began to light up with translucent crystals, and a robotic female voice announced.
[Be prepared! You will be teleported into a magical space in 30 seconds!]
Erina turned to her teammates, her face determined. "Listen up, team," she said. "We''ve trained hard for this, and we know what we''re capable of. This is going to be a tough match, but we''re going to give it everything we''ve got."
The team Soreh Academy nodded in agreement, their eyes focused and determined.
"We need to quickly find our teammates and stick together," Erina continued. "Remember, the only way we can win is by taking down their students. Keep your eyes peeled for weapons or special items that could give us an advantage, and be careful of traps and monsters. We need to watch each other''s backs and stay alive until the end."
With that, Erina gave them a confident nod, and the team''s determination zed in their eyes.
Ares, Ziona, and ude exchanged skeptical nces as Erina delivered her speech. They knew that the reality of the match was far harsher than Erina''s optimistic words.
"This match favors strength," Ziona murmured. "And every member of the Martial Star Academy team specializes in that."
Ares nodded in agreement. "Most of them will be eliminated as soon as the match begins, either by the Martial Star Academy students or by the monsters."
''...It would be a miracle if at least four of our team members could survive till the end.'' Ares thought.
He had faith in Ziona and his own abilities, as they were both strong enough to face the students from Martial Star Academy with rtive ease. While Erina and ude''s fighting styles would also give them an advantage in the match, as they could use sneak attacks on their opponents.
However, he couldn''t say the same for the rest of their team. Apart from a few other students who also focused on strength, Ares had little hope for their chances of survival.
Even Erina was aware of the odds, but she still hoped that luck would be on their side and their team could unite and fight on equal terms with their opponents despite the challenges they faced.
[...3, 2, 1!]
BEEP!¡ª
As the countdown reached its end, the students tensed up, preparing themselves for the battle toe. The crystal fence surrounding the tform lit up in a bright glow, signaling the start of the teleportation process that would take them to the magical space.
As the beeping sound started, one by one, the students disappeared from the tform and reappeared inside the maze. The teleportation process was quick, and within moments, everyone had arrived at their designated spot.
Before teleporting, Ziona turned to Ares and gave him a wink. "Let''s meet inside," she said before vanishing.
Ares nodded in response, his mind focused on the task at hand. As soon as he was teleported, he found himself inside the maze, surrounded by towering walls that seemed to go on forever.
"...Alright, let''s wrap this up quickly," Ares muttered, stretching his body and preparing for what was toe.
***
Both teams were transported into the maze, each member appearing in a different location. The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors as they made their way through the twisting paths, searching for their teammates and trying to avoid the monsters that lurked around every corner.
As they began to navigate their way through the maze, they all knew that this would be a battle unlike any other. The fate of their academy rested on their shoulders, and they were ready to give it their all.
With themencement of the final match of the tournament, the stage was set for an epic showdown.
But who would emerge victorious in the end? Only time would tell.
To be continued...
***
Reference Pics for Meira, Jessica, and Helena have been released! Check out the auxiliary chapter.
Chapter 261 Finals [2]
?
As soon as Ares was teleported into the maze, he found himself surrounded by towering walls that seemed to go on forever. He looked around but couldn''t see any of his teammates. "I guess I''m on my own," he muttered as he began to navigate his way through the maze.
Suddenly, the ominous silence was broken by the distant howls of werewolves, making him realize that he was not alone.
As he made his way through the twisting paths, he caught sight of a horde of werewolves feasting on their own kind.
Sensing Ares'' presence, they turned to him with their bloodied mouths, and a fierce growl escaped their throats.
Grrreeee¡ª
AWOOO¡ª
One of the werewolves let out a fierce roar, and Ares could hear the sound of more of them approaching. In a matter of seconds, he found himself surrounded by the pack of werewolves, their menacing growls filling the air.
"....."
"...Things couldn''t get any worse, could they?" Ares muttered, trying to keep his cool. He didn''t have any weapons with him, but he took a fighting stance simr to the martial arts techniques he had learned from Tania''s online videos.
"Come at me, you little shits," he taunted with a grin.
The werewolves began to rush at him from all sides at once, their sharp ws and teeth glinting in the dim light of the maze. Ares was quick on his feet, darting and dodging their attacks with expert precision.
"These things are strong, but they''re slow and stupid," he mumbled to himself. "If I can take care of the first few, then I should be able to finish them off without too much trouble."
With lightning-fast reflexes, Aresnded a powerful punch on the jaw of the first werewolf, sending it crashing into the wall. The sound of its neck-snapping echoed through the maze as it slumped to the ground, lifeless.
Thud¡ª
As the rest of the werewolves lunged at him, Ares grabbed the closest one by the throat and twisted it, breaking its neck with a snap. He then hurled the dead werewolf''s body at the pack that was rushing at him, effectively slowing them down.
In one fluid motion, Ares quickly turned around and kicked another werewolf in the stomach that wasing at him from behind, sending it flying across the maze. As the remaining werewolves lunged at him, Ares expertly maneuvered his way around their attacks.
He ducked under one''s swipe and delivered a swift uppercut that sent it flying. Another werewolf charged at him, but Ares sidestepped and tripped it, causing it to fall face-first into the ground. As it tried to get up, Ares stomped on its spine, finishing it off with a sickening crunch.
Grrrr¡ª
As thest werewolf, the strongest of the pack, lunged at him, Ares dodged to the side and swiftly countered with a roundhouse kick, hitting the werewolf square in the jaw. However, the werewolf''s thick hide protected it from most of the impact, and it retaliated with a swipe of its massive paw.
Ares'' instincts kicked in, and he ducked under the werewolf''s attack, quickly springing back up with a powerful uppercut that sent the werewolf flying backward. Ares wasn''t done yet, though. He sprinted towards the airborne werewolf and used it as a stepping stone,unching himself even higher into the air.
As he soared above the maze, Ares brought his leg down in a devastating axe kick,nding squarely on the werewolf''s head with a thunderous crack. The blow was so strong that the werewolf''s head snapped back and exploded in a cloud of blood, brains, and gore.
Aresnded gracefully on the ground and, took a moment to survey his surroundings, making sure there were no more surprises lurking in the shadows. The maze was quiet once again, and Ares let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew, that was intense," Ares muttered as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Time to find some weapons."
As he caught his breath, he noticed a glimmer of light in the corner of his eye. Walking towards it, he found a weapon lying on the ground - a sleek and powerful sword.
Picking it up, Ares smiled to himself. "This will definitelye in handy." And with that, he continued deeper into the maze.
Suddenly, a series of notifications shed across his wristwatch, each one more rming than thest.
[One of your teammates has been eliminated by a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[One of your teammates has been eliminated by a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[One of your teammates has been eliminated by an Orc Lord!]
[One of your teammates has been eliminated by a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
!?
Ares watched as the notifications shed before him from his wristwatch, indicating the elimination of his teammates one after another.
"...."
"...Already? We''re dropping like flies," he muttered to himself, already anticipating more bad news.
As he turned a corner, Ares stumbled upon a group of five members from the Martial Star Academy. They were attempting to climb a wall to reach a red treasure chest perched on a high tform. Two students kept watch for any iing threats.
Ares silently observed them from behind cover, his keen eyes scanning the area.
"Hmm...there seems to be a special weapon in that chest," he muttered to himself, his mind racing with possibilities.
He decided to bide his time and wait for them to retrieve the chest before making his move. He knew that nothing of value would be left unguarded in the dangerous maze.
''There might be a monster guarding it,'' he mused.
After a minute, one of the students seeded in reaching the top of the wall. But before the Martial Star Academy students could reach their prize, a colossal monster emerged from the shadows. Its tentacles whipped out, snatching up one student and mming him mercilessly onto the ground.
The student was squashed like a tomato and was eliminated instantly.
The monster was a giant octopus-like creature with eight long arms and two legs. Its body was covered in thick, dark blue scales, and its eyes glowed with a deep purple color.
The monster swung its tentacles at the other students, giving them no chance to react and killing three of them instantly with its sharp ws emerging from its tentacles and grabbed thest one and was about to devour him whole.
"Shit!" Ares cursed as he jumped out from his hiding spot, charging at the monster, his sword at the ready. He dodged the tentacles as he ran, finally lunging at the monster and slicing off one of its tentacles, freeing the captive student.
ROAARRR¡ª
The beast roared in fury and turned to face Ares, its eyes zing with murderous intent.
"You won''t get away so easily," Ares growled as he charged forward, readying his sword for a decisive strike.
The monstershed out with its remaining tentacles, but Ares deftly dodged and sliced through them with ease.
He then leaped and plunged his sword deep into the monster''s chest, aiming for its heart. The creature howled in agony as it copsed onto the ground, its lifeblood oozing out onto the stone floor.
Thud¡ª
Ares was not done yet, he pulled his sword back and stabbed the monster again.
Swash¡ª
ROOARRR¡ª
The monster howled in pain, its life draining from its body. Ares stood over the corpse with a grin on his face.
The opponent student breathed a sigh of relief as Ares approached him, thanking him for saving his life.
"T-Thank you so much for saving me!" the student from Martial Star Academy said gratefully.
"....."
However, the expression on Ares'' face quickly turned cold as he swung his sword and ended the student''s life in one swift motion.
sh¡ª
The sound of the student''s head being sliced and blood spluttering echoed through the maze as Ares turned his attention toward the red treasure chest on the high ground.
[You have eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
"Don''t mistake my actions for kindness," Ares sneered, "I only wanted that special weapon."
He then climbed to the top and wasting no time, Ares opened the lock on the chest with a loud ng, revealing a gleaming katana inside.
He admired the weapon for a moment before sheathing it at his side. "Time to put this thing to good use," he said with a grin.
Chapter 262 Finals [3]
?
[Your Teammate Ziona has eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[Your Teammate Ziona has eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[Your Teammate Erina has eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[Your Teammate ude has eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
[Your Teammate Penelope has eliminated a member of Team Martial Star Academy!]
It''s been more than 30 minutes into the match, and as Ares pressed deeper into the maze, he battled and defeated any monsters and students from the opponent''s academy. He heard numerous notifications from his watch, announcing the eliminations made by his teammates.
"...Looks like the match will end sooner than expected," he muttered to himself as he wiped the blood off his sword and katana after retrieving them from the Orc lord''s corpse.
Standing amidst the corpses of the in monsters and opponent students, Ares turned his gaze into the distance, sensing a presence of a group of people engaged in a battle.
***
"Arghhh, N-No!"
The student from Team Soreh Academy pleaded for mercy, his hands sping at Hercules'' grip around his neck, his eyes wide with fear. The atmosphere was thick with tension as the other members of Team Martial Star Academy stood in a semi-circle around him, their weapons at the ready.
"P-Please, don''t kill me!" he gasped, his voice barely audible.
"You''re not going anywhere," Hercules replied with a tightened grip, making it difficult for the boy to breathe. "I will make sure that you all die here today by my hands, including..." He turned to his teammates, who were all left injured and were covered in blood after facing Hercules. "Including that bastard Ares." He added.
"H-Help¡ª" The boy struggled to speak, but Hercules'' hand was too tight around his throat, cutting off his air supply. The other injured members of Team Soreh Academy watched in horror, powerless to help theirrade. They knew they were outmatched, and outnumbered.
Hercules motioned to the other member of Team Martial Star Academy. "Kiara, kill them!" he ordered, before snapping the student''s neck and throwing him in front of his teammates.
Thud!¡ª
One of the members of Team Martial Star Academy whose name was Kiara hurriedly nodded at Hercules''mand, unsheathed her sword and swung it at the already injured student of Soreh Academy who was unarmed and surrounded.
Swash¡ª
The de hit his shoulder with a sickening thud, causing him to fall to his knees and gasp for air, tears filling his eyes as he clutched at his wound in agony.
Ignoring his pleas for mercy, the girl swung her sword again, this time hitting his abdomen. Blood spilled from the wound as the boy fell to his side, gasping for air before finally being eliminated.
Swash¡ª
After killing him, Kiara turned around, only to see Hercules ring at her with the intensity of a predator eyeing its prey.
Gulp¡ª
She felt a chill run down her spine, realizing that he would spare no one if given the chance. As he stared at her with an unreadable expression, she closed her eyes tightly frightened, and then opened them again, relieved to see that he had turned his attention elsewhere.
"What are you all waiting for? Kill them as well, and make it more painful this time," Hercules ordered other of his teammates coldly.
The members of Team Martial Star Academy quickly nodded in agreement and advanced toward the wounded members of Team Soreh Academy who were lying helpless on the ground.
Hercules then slowly walked towards the pink-haired girl, who was still kneeling wounded, and covered in blood.
"What is your name, little girl?" he smirked.
The pink-haired girl, Penelope, let out a mockingugh. "Pftt, you will die from him soon anyway. I wonder how brutally he will eliminate you," she taunted.
Hercules'' expression twisted in anger. "...Do you have anyst words before dying?" he asked with a sadistic grin.
"Fuck Off!" she spat back.
Hercules sneered in Penelope''s direction, his eyes shing with malice. "I''ll enjoy ending your life," he hissed, reaching out for her throat.
Swish¡ª
Suddenly, a small knife whizzed past and embedded itself into Hercules'' hand, causing him to scream in agony and reel back in pain.
"Argg!"
He turned to face the source of the attack, only to see a familiar face emerging from the shadows.
!?
"You!" He sneered, still holding his injured hand.
Ziona stepped forward, her hair framing her face as a twisted smile yed across her lips. "Surprised to see me, Barbarian? Let''s settle our scores, shall we?" she taunted, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
Penelope looked up in surprise as she recognized Ziona.
"Z-Ziona?" she breathed, her expression shifting from fear to relief.
!?
Ziona turned towards her with a raised eyebrow. "You''re Penelope, the fire mage, right?" she said. "I''m impressed that you''re still alive with that little bit of mana, which is useless for a mage. And I see you''ve defeated a few bastards from the Martial Star Academy as well."
"Haha, I just got lucky," Penelope replied as she struggled to stand up, her body aching from the previous fight. She clutched her side, where a deep cut had been inflicted by one of the Martial Star Academy students. "...I''m sorry," she said, feeling guilty for being so weak.
Ziona shook her head. "Don''t worry about it. You did your best," she said reassuringly. "Now, let me handle things from here."
She turned her attention back to Hercules, who had removed the dagger from his injured Arm and was now ring at her in fury.
Ziona shed her ws at him, daring him to make a move. "Let''s end this quickly before Ares steals my kills," she taunted him, her grin widening. She still hadn''t found a suitable sword, but her ws would have to do for now.
As she approached him, two students from the Martial Star Academy tried to attack her, but she easily dodged their blows and kept moving toward her target.
"I don''t have time for small fries," she said dismissively, her focus solely on Hercules.
Just as the opponents'' attacks were about to hit her again from behind, Erina and ude suddenly appeared beside them, each wielding a dagger.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª
With impressive speed and uracy, the two swiftly stabbed the two attackers, causing them to fall to the ground in a pool of blood, their screams of agony echoing through the maze.
Ziona didn''t even spare a nce at the fallen foes. She kept moving forward, her attention fixed on thest three remaining members of Martial Star Academy.
"Now then, let''s finish this," she said with a low growl as she charged toward Hercules, her sharp ws gleaming in the dim light.
She left the remaining two Martial Star Academy students to Erina and ude to deal with, trusting in their skills as she focused on her own opponent.
With every step she took, the ground shook slightly, her aura radiating off of her in waves. Hercules red at her, his own weapon at the ready, and the two shed in a fierce battle, sparks flying with every strike.
***
The sound of the scuffle between Hercules and Ziona echoed throughout the field, causing the ground to tremble under their feet.
As the intense battle raged on, Ares watched from a distance, perched atop a nearby wall with his arms folded. "Let''s see how strong you''ve be, Ziona," he muttered with a sly grin, his gaze fixed on the 3v3 fight unfolding below.
Hercules was fiercely battling Ziona, Erina was holding her own against the agile Kiara, and ude was facing off against a burly opponent with a shield.
Having already eliminated all the members of the Martial Star Academy, Ares keenly observed as thest three opponents stood in front of Ziona, ude, and Erina.
The trio fought with remarkable coordination and strategy, evading their opponents'' attacks while delivering swift and decisive blows.
Ares leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he observed the fight. He could see that Ziona had grown much stronger since thest time he saw her in a real fight, and he was eager to see how much further she could go.
Chapter 263 Hercules Vs Ziona
?
The atmosphere was electric as Hercules prepared himself, his massive gauntlets nging together in a deafening rhythm. In contrast, Ziona moved with lightning speed, her sharp ws glinting in the dim light.
CLANK¡ª CLANK
Their sh was a symphony of sound and sparks as they exchanged blows, each one trying to gain the upper hand. Hercules relied on his brute strength to overpower his opponent, while Ziona used her agility and quickness to avoid his attacks and strike from unexpected angles.
Hercules bellowed with fury, his eyes zing as he charged toward Ziona with all his might.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
The sound of their weapons meeting was like a chorus of swishes and ngs, and Ziona remained calm and focused, analyzing Hercules'' movements and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Despite the overwhelming force of Hercules, Ziona held her ground. She had spent years perfecting her fighting style, and it showed in her fluid movements and precise strikes.
The battle between them was intense, their movements so quick and precise that it was difficult to keep up. Ziona moved around Hercules like a blur, striking with lightning-fast w shes and powerful kicks. Despite his enormous strength, Hercules struggled tond a hit on her.
Ziona was constantly analyzing Hercules'' movements, searching for a weakness to exploit. She studied the way he moved, the way he breathed, the way he attacked. And as the battle continued, she began to find her opening.
"You''re too slow for a mongrel," she taunted with a smirk, dodging yet another punch from Hercules.
"Shut it, you slippery bitch!" Enraged, Hercules shouted as he charged toward her with reckless abandon, swinging his fists like a madman.
Ziona remained calm and focused, sidestepping his attacks with ease and countering with precision strikes.
CLANG¡ª CLANG
Her sharp ws shed with Hercules'' heavy gauntlets, their battle creating a deafening noise that reverberated through the maze.
Swash¡ª Swash
Despite Hercules'' enormous strength, Ziona held her ground, blocking his attacks and counterattacking with her own. Their movements were a blur, each one calcting and precise, making it difficult for the other to gain an advantage.
''...How is this bitch so fast?''
Hercules was taken aback by Ziona''s speed and agility. He had expected her to be an easy target, but she was anything but.
He gritted his teeth, his muscles bulging as he tried to overpower her with his brute strength.
As they continued their fierce assault, Hercules began to tire, his movements bing less coordinated and his attacks losing their power.
Ziona seized the opportunity andunched a swift and calcted barrage of strikes, each one finding its mark with incredible uracy.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª
With a pained grunt, Hercules stumbled backward, his armor torn apart by Ziona''s razor-sharp ws. Blood seeped from his wounds, staining the ground red.
"Arghh!"
Ziona''s grin widened and her eyes shone with determination. She gathered all her strength and sprang into the air, delivering a devastating kick to Hercules'' head that sent him crashing to the ground, gasping for breath.
Thwack¡ª
With her opponent down, Ziona didn''t hold back. She unleashed a flurry of blows, each onending with lethal precision.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash
Finally, with a cry of pain and frustration, Herculesy still on the ground, his massive body writhing in agony as he struggled to breathe through the wounds caused by Ziona''s ws.
Ziona smirked as Hercules fell to the ground. "Ha! What a disappointment. You''re nothing but a brute," she taunted, ready to finish the fight by delivering the final blow to his head.
However, a sudden and strange transformation overcame Hercules. His eyes turned white and narrowed into slits, his muscles flexed, and heunched himself toward Ziona. In a sh, he grasped her shoulders with one hand and reached for her throat with the other.
His aura had changedpletely, and his speed had increased at least tenfold. The surrounding atmosphere began to change as well, with heavy winds blowing as if heralding the arrival of a mighty presence.
!?
Ziona was caught off guard by this sudden surge of power and instantly held up both hands to stop Hercules'' forward motion by pushing him away. The strain on her arms was intense, but she managed to hold him back, struggling toprehend the magnitude of his newfound strength.
It was clear that Hercules was now apletely different opponent from the one she had fought only moments ago.
"Arggh, what is this all of a sudden? Where did this abrupt power-upe from?" Ziona muttered as she tried to dodge Hercules'' continued assaults.
He was now swinging his fists with increased speed and brute strength to overpower her, mming his gauntlets into the ground with tremendous force, leaving deep dents in the ground, evidence of the immense power behind them.
Ziona gritted her teeth as she continued to dodge Hercules'' relentless attacks. His newfound power was overwhelming, and she struggled to keep up with his lightning-fast movements.
Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what had caused this sudden change. ''Had he been holding back earlier, or was there something else at y?''
As she evaded another one of his strikes, she caught a glimpse of something strange in his eyes. There was a glint of something unfamiliar, a power that seemed to be taking over his body.
She recognized that Hercules was no longer in charge of his actions as if an unknown power was now controlling him. Unless she acted promptly, she might be in grave danger.
Ziona mustered all her strength and executed a powerful counter-attack, striking Hercules'' weak spots with lethal uracy. She realized that she needed to put an end to this battle as quickly as possible before the external force controlling Hercules could dominate him entirely.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash
Hercules groaned in agony as her ws ripped through his armor once more. Despite stumbling backward, he continued to swing his gauntlets with renewed aggression.
With a sudden burst of speed, Hercules closed the gap between them and delivered a devastating blow to Ziona''s gut, causing her to lose her breath.
He then grabbed her neck, squeezing it tightly. Ziona gasped for air as she felt blood oozing out of her nostrils. She coughed uncontrobly, struggling to breathe, as she tried to free herself from his grasp.
Cough¡ª Cough
Hercules, consumed with rage, swung his fist once again, striking Ziona and sending her crashing into the wall.
Thud¡ª
The impact shattered her bones and crushed her organs, leaving her barely conscious and struggling to breathe.
Shey there, gasping for air, her body writhing in agony. Hercules slowly walked towards her, his aura growing stronger and more ominous with every step.
Ziona felt an overwhelming sense of dread and helplessness as she realized that she was facing a force beyond herprehension.
The presence behind Hercules was massive and menacing, and it felt like the air around her was being sucked out by its power. Ziona knew that her life was in grave danger, and she tried to muster her remaining strength to defend herself, but her body felt like it was failing her.
She could sense that this was no mere human, but something far more powerful and dangerous. The weight of the presence was suffocating, and her mind raced as she tried to think of a way to survive. But as Hercules loomed over her, she knew that it was toote to escape.
***
Ares sat atop the high wall, silently observing the intense battle unfolding before him. As he watched Ziona and Hercules sh, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of disappointment as thetter''s aura suddenly changed, granting him an unexpected power boost.
"...She fought well," Ares muttered to himself, watching Ziona fly across the maze after taking the full brunt of Hercules''st strike. "But it seems the odds were never in her favor. Not against a chosen one like him."
He watched as Ziona struggled to get back on her feet, frozen in fear at the overwhelming power emanating from Hercules. Ares could tell that this was her first time facing a chosen one, and it was clear she was struggling to keep up with him.
Ding!¡ª
!?
Ares was surprised as he heard a sudden notification sound from his system. It had been a long time since he had received a new quest, and he was curious about what it could be.
"I haven''t received a new quest in ages," he muttered as he summoned the system to check the notification.
[System Notification!]
[Sudden Quest]
Title: Defeat the Chosen One, Hercules!
Description: A constetion has interfered with the natural course of events and taken control of Hercules, imbuing him with overwhelming power. Your mission is to take him down and restore bnce to the universe.
Reward: ???
***
"...."
"...So let me get this straight, I have to take down a constetion that possessed Hercules?" Ares muttered as he read the quest''s description.
Without wasting any more time, Ares sprang into action as he saw Hercules standing before Ziona, ready to strike.
"I hope the reward is worth it," he muttered under his breath and leaped off the wall, hurtling towards the battlefield.
Swish¡ª
He moved with lightning speed, leaving a trail of blue light behind him, and arrived just in the nick of time as Hercules was about to strike Ziona.
With a swift movement, Ares intercepted Hercules'' strike and dismembered his hand in a single fluid motion. The severed limb fell to the ground with a sickening thud, and Hercules howled in agony, blood pouring from the stump like a waterfall.
Thud¡ª
!!
Ziona''s eyes widened in disbelief as she watched Ares suddenly appear before her and effortlessly save her from certain death.
Chapter 264 Defeating Hercules [1]
?
Ares intercepted Hercules'' strike with a swift movement and, in a single fluid motion, dismembered his hand.
The severed limb fell to the ground with a sickening thud, and Hercules howled in agony as blood poured from the stump.
Stter¡ª Stter
Ziona watched in disbelief as Ares suddenly appeared before her, saving her from certain death.
Ares ignored Hercules''s screams and turned to Ziona, extending his hand to help her stand up. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.
Ziona grimaced, struggling to stand up properly due to the intense pain. Her clothes were soaked in blood, a testament to the severity of her injuries.
"...I will live," she responded weakly, taking his hand to steady herself.
"Here, use this," Ares said, handing Ziona an Intermediate Healing potion he had found in one of the treasure chests.
"T-Thank you," Ziona replied, gulping down the potion in one go.
"AHHH!"
Suddenly, the escting screams of Hercules drew their attention. Erina had just finished her opponent and turned towards themotion, while ude was still in the midst of his fight with a formidable opponent.
As Hercules howled in agony, his wound began to emit a bright red light. The light grew brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding.
The ground shook, and Hercules started to grow in size, his muscles bulging, and his skin stretching and expanding, transforming him into a towering giant that easily dwarfed Ares and Ziona.
Ziona stared at the transformation in shock. "What...the fuck is that thing? Is this even something possible?" she muttered in disbelief.
Ares gazed up at the monstrous giant, his expression calm and focused. "...It''s his constetion''s doing," he muttered, before quickly turning to Erina.
"Erina, take Penelope and move as far away from here as possible," he ordered.
Erina came out of her shock and quickly nodded and helped Penelope move away from the danger.
"ude, you may need to finish your fight quickly," Ares added, his gaze fixed on Massive Hercules.
"...I''m trying, but this bastard is annoyingly tough," ude replied, still locked in the battle with his opponent.
The Martial Star Academy member he was fighting didn''t seem fazed by Hercules''s transformation and was solely focused on defeating ude.
"He''s not using his constetion''s power; he''s being controlled by it," Ares muttered to himself, his mind racing.
''But why would a mere tournament match between youngsters attract the interference of a constetion?'' He wondered.
Ares was lost in thought when Ziona interrupted him. "...What do you mean by his constetion''s doing?" she asked, puzzled.
Ares noticed Ziona''s confusion but didn''t have time to exin further. "I don''t have a lot of time to exin this, but just assume that he is an avatar of some constetion and that constetion has taken over his body now and is after us," Ares exined as he readied his swords.
!?
Ziona was still struggling to make sense of the situation. She had never heard of or experienced anything like this before. ''A constetion? His Avatar, what? What the flipping hell is he talking about? Since when did constetions begin to involve themselves with mortals?'' she thought to herself, trying to wrap her head around the concept.
"Stop using your small brain and take this before you get yourself killed," Ares said as he passed Ziona one of his swords.
Ziona quickly took the sword, grateful for the weapon in her hands. She braced herself for the impending fight, thankful that Hercules was now only one-handed.
Without warning, Hercules charged forward, his massive fists mming into the ground with enough force to shake the entire maze.
Boom¡ª
Ares and Ziona leaped out of the way just in time, narrowly avoiding the attack. The resulting shockwave knocked Ziona off bnce, but she quickly regained her footing.
Ares saw an opening and moved in, swinging his katana at Hercules'' leg with all his might.
sh¡ª
However, the de only managed to leave a shallow scratch on Hercules'' thick skin. He countered by swinging his fist at Ares, sending him flying through the air.
Thud¡ª
Ziona watched in horror as Ares crashed into a wall, his body creating a crater on impact. She knew she had to act fast if she wanted to help him.
"...Tsh, I don''t like transforming like this, but I don''t have any other choice," Ziona muttered as she focused her mana, transforming into her beast form.
Ziona''s transformed appearance was that of arge, ferocious wolf with sharp, gleaming teeth and fierce ember eyes. Her fur was thick and glossy, and her muscles rippled under her skin as she moved. She was agile and fast, and her ws were sharp enough to cut through steel.
As she leaped towards Hercules, her jaws opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. In her massive paws, she held Ares'' sword and swung it towards Hercules with deadly force.
Hercules was quick to react, dodging the attack and countering with a punch that Ziona narrowly avoided.
Swish¡ª
Ziona realized that her sword might not be enough to defeat Hercules, so she decided to rely on her natural weapons instead. She lunged forward, ws extended, and shed at Hercules with all her might.
sh¡ª
Hercules blocked her attack with his one hand, but the force of the impact caused him to stumble backward. Taking advantage of his momentary imbnce, Ziona attacked again, aiming for his wounded arm.
Hercules growled in pain as Ziona''s ws and sword sliced through his skin, reopening the wound. But he refused to be defeated so easily. With a fierce roar, he mmed his good fist into the ground, causing a shockwave that sent Ziona flying backward.
Crash¡ª
Ziona crashed into a wall, causing a shower of debris to rain down on her. She struggled to get back on her feet, but she could feel her strength waning.
Her wounds were starting to take a toll on her body, and she knew she couldn''t keep fighting for much longer.
Ares groaned as he struggled to his feet, his body battered and bruised from the blow dealt by Hercules. He knew he had to act quickly to protect Ziona.
"You better not die on me. I don''t have any more healing potions," he said as he tossed hisst potion toward Ziona.
Ziona caught the potion and drank it swiftly, feeling a surge of energy as the potion worked its magic. Even though the pain was still excruciating, she managed to get back on her feet, determined to keep fighting no matter what.
!?
"Ares, focus," Ziona said, her voice tight with pain. "Just staring at me won''t help us take down this Barbarian, will it?"
Ares grinned sheepishly, "My bad. But seriously, you look pretty badass in that form."
!!
Ziona rolled her eyes, but a slight blush crept up on her cheeks. "B-Bastard, don''t flirt with me at a time like this. I am dying here."
"Right, right. Anyways, I have a n. Let''s attack him from different angles and distract him," Ares said, his attention back on Hercules.
"...Okay, let''s do it," Ziona replied, her determination renewed.
Together, Ares and Ziona charged toward Hercules, attacking him from different angles. The battle raged on, with each side giving it their all.
Despite the intense pain and injuries, Ziona''s determination and Ares'' strategic nning helped them hold their ground against the powerful Constetion. However, as the fight continued, the oue was still uncertain.
The air crackled with energy as they shed, and the ground shook with each blow. But the question remained, could they defeat the powerful Constetion?
To Be Continued...
Chapter 265 Defeating Hercules [2]
?
[Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and bloodshed. Reader discretion is advised.]
***
The ground trembled as the colossal footsteps of one-armed Hercules reverberated through the air, his hulking frame towering over Ares and Ziona. His bulging muscles rippled with each movement as he gripped a massive tree trunk as his weapon, poised to strike.
On the opposite side, Ares unsheathed his deadly katana, ready for battle. Beside him, Ziona was in her beast form, her razor-sharp ws and fangs glistening in the light, ready for the fight.
Swish¡ª
Without warning, Ares made the first move, dashing towards Hercules with lightning speed, his katana shing in the light. He employed his snake-like movement technique, weaving left and right, attempting to catch the giant off guard.
But Hercules was no slouch, and he retaliated with a devastating swing of his tree trunk. The ground shook as the blow struck, sending shockwaves rippling through the maze.
Boom¡ª
Ares managed to evade the attack but was forced to retreat due to the sheer force of the impact, causing the walls of the maze to crumble and fall, making him realize that even one hit from Hercules could prove fatal.
Grimacing, Ares muttered to himself with a wry smile, "One hit, and we''re done for."
Meanwhile, Ziona seized the opportunity to leap into action, her ws bared and shing in the dim light. With lightning-fast reflexes, she darted toward Hercules, her fangs gnashing in fury.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª
"Ahhhhh!"
Hercules roared in pain and anger as her sharp ws ripped through his ankles, leaving deep gashes in their wake.
In a fit of rage, Hercules attempted to swat her away with his massive legs, but Ziona was too quick. She darted in and out of his range, leaving a trail of blood and destruction in her wake.
Swash¡ª Swash
Her ferocity was matched only by her speed, and Hercules struggled to fend her off.
But Ares saw an opening and used his telekinesis to hurl chunks of debris at Hercules. The boulders and rocks rained down upon the giant, pummeling him relentlessly. Though he swatted them away like they were mere pebbles, Ares had aplished his goal of keeping Hercules upied.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Ziona climbed up to Hercules'' shoulder and sliced at him with her sword. But Hercules shook her off like a pesky fly, sending her crashing into a nearby wall.
Thud¡ª
Undeterred, Hercules swung his tree trunk again, this time aiming for Ares. Reacting quickly, Ares used his telekinesis to lift a nearby crumbled wall, shielding himself from the iing attack.
Thudle¡ª
The tree trunk crashed into the wall, causing debris to fly in all directions.
With Ares distracted, Hercules charged toward him, his massive tree trunk sweeping toward Ares with deadly intent. Ares dodged the attack and lifted a boulder with his telekinesis, hurling it at Hercules. The boulder shattered against Hercules'' body, and he kept rushing at him.
With each passing moment, Ares used his telekinesis to lift uprger and heavier boulders, rocks, and debris. He hurled them with increasing force toward the towering Hercules.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
Despite the onught, Hercules refused to go down, stumbling and faltering but still standing tall. However, his movements grew slower and morebored with each hit.
"Ziona!" Ares saw an opportunity and called out to her.
Ziona got back to her feet and with a nod, sprang into action with impressive agility.
She charged straight at Hercules, dodging his tree trunk as she soared through the air.
In mid-flight, Ares took advantage of the opportunity and used his telekic powers to propel Ziona even higher, hurling her at Hercules like a deadly missile.
Swoosh¡ª
Ziona then unleashed her full power, coating her sword in a vibrant purple aura as she aimed for Hercules'' face.
Despite sensing the danger, Hercules was unable to react quickly enough. As he swung his tree trunk to block Ziona''s attack, Ares intervened and used his telekic powers to halt Hercules momentarily.
Which was enough for Ziona as she seized the moment, her sword coated in a menacing purple aura, colliding with Hercules''s eye with a thunderous impact.
SWASH¡ª
The force of the blow sent Hercules stumbling backward, his tree trunk slipping from his grasp. He screamed in pain, his right eye now blinded, blood sttering like rain.
"N-Noooo!" Hercules bellowed in agony, his massive frame now vulnerable to Ares and Ziona''s continued attacks.
As Hercules howled in pain, Ares seized the chance to strike, darting forward with his katana and delivering a precise blow to the giant''s Achilles'' heel.
sh¡ª
Hercules roared in agony as he fell to one knee, his massive body shaking the ground beneath them.
Ziona then sprang into action, leaping onto Hercules'' back and sinking her fangs into his neck. Blood sprayed as she tore into his flesh, her beast form giving her incredible strength and ferocity.
Hercules tried to shake off Ziona with a mighty roar, but Ares intervened once again, using his telekinesis to lift Hercules''s tree trunk and deliver a crushing blowon his head with all his might.
Crack¡ª
The sound of bones cracking echoed through the arena, leaving Hercules stunned for a moment.
Ziona took advantage of the moment and plunged her sword into his throat, delivering the final blow.
Swash¡ª
Hercules gasped and convulsed as Ziona repeatedly drove her sword into his throat, causing blood to spray everywhere.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash
Finally, Hercules''s body went limp, lifeless, and copsed to the ground, causing the maze to shake onest time.
Boom¡ª
Hercules'' eyes remained open as his body trembled and began to shrink back to its original size.
The fight was over, and the mighty Hercules was no more.
"Huff, Huff!"
Ziona''s chest heaved as she caught her breath, her sword still lodged in the throat of the now-lifeless Hercules.
She mustered her strength and pulled the de out with a swift, practiced motion before decapitating the fallen Hercules.
There was a blood pool as his head rolled on the ground...
SIGH¡ª
A heavy sigh escaped Ziona''s lips as she stood amidst the carnage, her body covered in the blood of her opponent and her own wounds.
As she reverted to her real form, her injuries took their toll and she stumbled back, her strength waning. But Ares was there in an instant, his strong arms catching her and supporting her weight.
"You did great," he said, a small smile on his face as he looked down at her.
"....."
Ziona looked up at Ares, her eyes heavy with fatigue and pain, but a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She knew it was true, they had fought valiantly and emerged victorious.
"...Thank you," she replied softly.
p¡ª p¡ª p
Suddenly, they heard apuse, which caught their attention. As they turned toward the source, they saw Maya arriving at the scene with a huge grin.
!!
"Wow, what a match that was," she said, still apuding. "Congrattions, Team Soreh Academy. You are the champions of this year''s Inter-Academy Tournament! Yoohoo!" Maya said excitedly.
ude, who had just finished his fight, arrived soon after, followed by Erina, who was supporting the injured Penelope.
"...Why aren''t we being teleported back to the arena, Professor Maya?" Erina asked, looking confused.
Maya smiled in response and turned her gaze back to Ares.
"You are always so quick to assess the situation, Ares. It''s no wonder you and your team are the champions," she said, her mischievous grin widening as she saw Ares stand ready with his katana, scanning the surroundings.
"A-Ares, what''s wrong?" Ziona asked in a pained voice, and everyone turned to him for answers.
"This...this is not a magical space," Ares responded, his brow furrowed in concern. "We are already in the real world," he informed them.
!?
"What?" The others eximed in confusion and disbelief.
The weight of realization hit them like a ton of bricks. They were already in the real world, which meant the students they had killed were not in a magical space but in ...real life.
And now with their mana restrictions, they were vulnerable and defenseless.
A chill ran down their spines as they looked around, searching for any signs of danger or threats. However, the eerie silence around them only amplified their fear.
As they stood in the middle of the deserted maze, a sense of foreboding descended upon them like a dark cloud.
What awaited them now? Were they in danger? And if so, from whom?
These questions buzzed in their minds as they stood there, frozen in fear and uncertainty.
Suddenly, Maya''s expression changed from excitement to something more sinister. She looked at the group with a calcting gaze, her mind working in mysterious ways.
What was she doing in the maze? What were her intentions? Only time would reveal the answers to these unsettling questions.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 266 Betrayal And Sacrifice!
?
Erina''s eyes widened in shock at Ares'' words. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"A-Ares, what do you mean? How can this not be a magical space?" she asked in a puzzled voice.
Ares looked around with a furrowed brow, scanning the surroundings intently. "...Look around you, you can still see the bodies of the eliminated students," he said gravely. "This is not a magical space. We are already in the real world."
!?
There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone tried toprehend what Ares was saying. The bodies of the eliminated studentsy around them, lifeless and still, a stark reminder of the reality of their situation.
If what Ares was saying was true, then it meant that they had just killed the students from the Martial Star Academy in real life, rather than in a magical space.
The thought sent shivers down Erina''s spine. She had never taken another person''s life before, and the idea of having done so in a tournament match was almost too much to bear.
Just Imagining the screams of the students before they were killed by her, her heart sank.
The tournament was supposed to be a test of strength for the academies and their students, but it had turned into a deadly game with unimaginable consequences.
The participating students were young and innocent, with dreams and aspirations they wanted to fulfill. They never would have guessed that the tournament match would take their lives.
Erina felt tears welling up in her eyes as the weight of the situation hit her. "T-Tell me it''s a lie, please!" she pleaded, her mind racing with the faces of her eliminated teammates.
Except for Ares, Ziona, Penelope, ude, and herself, all of their remaining teammates had also been eliminated during the match. The reality of their victory now felt hollow and meaningless in the face of the lives they had taken.
Erina turned to Maya, desperately hoping that what Ares had said was just a cruel joke. "P-Professor Maya, please tell me this is just a prank. We were definitely teleported to a magical space from the arena, right?" she pleaded.
There was a moment of tense silence as Maya didn''t reply. Instead, her grin only grew wider, sending a chill down Erina''s spine.
Suddenly, the space around them began to warp and small portals appeared out of nowhere, making a swishing sound.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
ude and Ares immediately readied themselves, aware that they were the only ones in any shape to fight. Ziona and Penelope were already injured, while Erina was on the verge of a breakdown.
"Stop ying around and finish the job, Maya. We don''t have much time. They may have already figured it out and could be after us," a man''s voice echoed from one of the portals.
In an instant, figures d in ck attire and half-white skeleton masks began to emerge from the portals, surrounding the group. Their menacing presence filled the air, sending a wave of fear through the already-shaken group.
"Shit!" Ares cursed under his breath as he immediately recognized the group of people that had surrounded them.
Maya''s grin faded as she spoke up. "I still don''t understand why you''re all here. You know I''m more than enough to deal with some youngsters," she said in a dissatisfied tone. "Though he is stronger than your average Joe, he is still no match for me."
The male responded with a reminder, "You know the boss doesn''t tolerate failures. And he is well aware of your yful character. You already wasted a lot of time waiting for the match to end."
"Well, you can''t me me, can you?" Maya retorted yfully. "You saw how that barbarian grew in size, right? And it was exciting to watch how these two youngsters were able to kill him despite their mana restrictions."
A tense silence followed before the group, Ziona, who had regained her footing with Ares'' support, asked in confusion, "...Ares, who are these clowns?"
"They''re ...from the organization that calls themselves the Shadows," Ares replied wryly, his mind already racing on how to escape this situation.
Hearing their conversation, he already deduced that they were there for him.
Suddenly, one of the members spoke up. "Alright, so we still have five students that are alive? We''re only here for Ares, so I will be nice and give the other four students a chance to get out of here alive," he said in a thick voice.
Erina, ude, Ziona, and Penelope were shocked at the revtion that the Shadows were here for Ares. Maya, too, was taken aback by the suggestion that the other students could be spared.
"What are you talking about? We can''t just let them go. It coulde back to haunt us," Maya protested.
The man replied authoritatively, "We can''t risk killing any royalties. After this incident, we will already have Ivica and the Martial Star Academy after us. And let''s not forget, if Mika and Helena were to return alive, they will also want to avenge their disciples'' death. We don''t want to attract the attention of the Kingdom of Aloctona as well."
Maya was unimpressed. "Don''t worry about Mika and Helena. The dungeon they entered requires a sacrifice to clear it, so I believe they will both perish inside. And if not, only one of them cane out alive," she said with a mischievous smile, her gaze fixed on Ares.
"You know how humans are, Ares," Maya continued her voice still full of excitement. "We won''t think twice to sacrifice someone to save our own lives. And those two so-called sisters, Mika and Helena, are not even rted by blood," Maya said with an ecstatic face as if she was imagining the scene unfolding before her eyes.
"Haaa, How I wish I could see the two so-called sisters fight to the death just to save their own lives," she muttered, her hands sped together in glee.
!!
A huge boulder suddenly came hurtling towards Maya, but she casually smashed it to pieces with a single punch.
Shatter¡ª
"Oh boy, looks like we made someone angry," Maya remarked with a grin, enjoying the chaos she had caused.
"Bitch!" Ares scowled in anger as he red at Maya with a twisted expression, his normally stoic demeanor cracking under the weight of concern for his master''s safety.
Despite his efforts to maintain hisposure, the thought of his mentor''s being in danger had stirred an unexpected emotional response within him, one he was unustomed to experiencing.
It was unusual for Ares to lose hisposure, as he was typicallyposed and detached, viewing others solely as tools to be used for his own purposes. However, he hade to realize that he had grown attached to these women without even noticing it.
"Enough with the chit-chat. It''s time for you to die, Ares," Maya dered as she took a step forward, her imposing presence sending a wave of oppressive energy through the air. "I would have liked to recruit you into our organization, but it seems that your brother is more valuable to us than you are."
Her every movement released a tremendous aura that made it difficult for Erina, ude, Penelope, and Ziona to breathe, leaving them struggling for air. However, Ares remained unaffected by Maya''s overwhelming presence.
"Argg!" The others clutched at their throats as they gasped for air.
"Stop struggling and make it easier for us, will you? Your mana is restricted, but even if it weren''t, it wouldn''t make a difference," Maya taunted as she picked up Ziona''s sword from the ground.
Ares readied his katana, but he knew he had no chance of winning with his mana restricted. Even if he somehow managed to defeat Maya, he still had to contend with the rest of the Shadow Organization members to make it out of the maze alive.
The only silver lining was that the mana restriction seemed to be specific to this maze, so this meant that even his opponents were facing the same limitations.
"Don''t expect Mika or Helena toe to save you, Ares. I''d be surprised if either one of them makes it out alive of that vile dungeon," Maya spoke, her tone filled with sadistic pleasure. "And you know what makes me even sadder? The fact that we had to sacrifice one of our own members, my fav Helena, just so she couldn''t ruin our ns."
"....."
The atmosphere was charged with an electric tension as Ares and Maya locked eyes, each poised to fight for their own motivations.
With Ares''s mana restricted and the rest of the Shadow Organization lurking in the shadows, the odds were undeniably stacked against him. However, Ares refused to back down, his katana at the ready.
The true measure of Ares'' strength was about to be put to the ultimate test. The oue of this battle would have far-reaching consequences, both for himself and the world atrge.
Ding!¡ª
To be continued...
Chapter 267 The Bitter Taste Of Defeat
?
[Ding!]
With a satisfying chime, a system notification popped up in front of Ares, announcing the sessfulpletion of his quest:
[System Notification!]
[Sudden Quest] Title: Defeat the Chosen One, Hercules! [Completed]
Reward: [Blessing - Gigantomania] [Acquired]
|Blessing: Gigantomania
Description: Gigantomania is a powerful blessing bestowed upon the user by a constetion of strength, allowing them to increase their physical strength tenfold.
It amplifies the user''s muscle power, enabling them to perform extraordinary feats of strength.
This blessing can be activated at will, and its effectsts for a limited duration before requiring a cooldown period.
With proper training and mastery, the user can learn to control and maximize the full potential of Gigantomania, allowing them to reach new levels of strength and power.
Note: The immense power of Gigantomania can cause severe strain and fatigue on the user''s body. Use with caution.
Currently at ¡ï: The blessing can onlyst for 30 seconds before the cooldown period begins.]
!?
Ares was taken aback by the blessing he had received. ''Isn''t this blessing from Hercules'' constetion? How can a blessing from another constetion be bestowed upon me?'' he pondered.
It was an unprecedented event, as it was a widely acknowledged fact that a constetion could only bestow their blessings upon only their avatars and no one else.
As he pondered the origin of the blessing, he was suddenly attacked by Maya, who wielded her sword with deadly precision.
ng¡ª
Ares barely managed to block her initial strike, but the force of the blow sent him staggering backward.
She relentlessly continued her assault, striking at him with relentless ferocity.
Cling...Cling...Cling...
Ares was struggling to keep up with her onught, his sword barely managing to fend off her blows.
Swish¡ª
Just as Maya seemed poised to deliver the finishing blow, a shuriken came hurtling toward her throat, barely missing and leaving a scratch on her neck.
Scratch¡ª
"...Well, this is interesting," she muttered as she dodged the next one with ease, a grin on her face as she continued to attack Ares even more fiercely.
Cling...Cling...Cling...
Their swords shed repeatedly, producing a metallic ring with each strike.
"S-Shit!" Ares cursed under his breath as he desperately blocked her relentless barrage of strikes, the sparks from their shing swords flying everywhere.
Maya moved with surprising agility, dodging the shurikens with ease while continuing her assault on Ares.
Ares desperately searched for a way to turn the tide of the battle against Maya and the Shadow Organization, but his newly acquired blessing, Gigantomania, would not be of much use in this fight.
Although it could increase his strength tenfold, the effect onlysted for thirty seconds and would leave him drained and unable to recover due to ack of mana.
His attempts to fend off Maya''s relentless onught with his katana proved futile as cracks began to form on the de before it ultimately shattered in two.
Shatter¡ª
Ares quickly resorted to using telekinesis to block her attacks with his shurikens, but it was toote.
Swash¡ª
With a swift motion, Maya''s sword pierced through his stomach, causing Ares to spew blood from his mouth as he lost control of his shurikens.
"Urgh!"
Maya smiled cruelly as she withdrew her sword and dealt a powerful roundhouse kick to Ares'' gut.
Thwack¡ª
Ares was sent hurtling through the maze before crashing into a wall, which crumbled from the impact.
Thud¡ª
As hey there bleeding from his stomach wound, debris rained down upon him, leaving him in a dire situation.
"A-Ares!" Ziona screamed, her voiceced with worry as she tried to rush towards him despite the wound on her own stomach.
However, she was stopped midway by a member of the Shadow Organization, who stood in her way with a mocking expression.
"You better stay here if you value your life," he said, sneering at her. "I am informed not to kill any royalties, but you''re just an abandoned princess. I don''t think your father will mind if you end up dead."
Ziona''s face twisted with rage and disgust upon hearing his words. "Move out of my way, you clown bastard!" she growled, unsheathing her ws and lunging towards him in an attempt to attack.
However, he effortlessly dodged her attack and punched her in the wound on her stomach with a sickening smack.
"Urgh!"
The impact made Ziona vomit blood, and she fell to her knees, holding her stomach in agony as her wound opened up again, causing her to bleed profusely.
"Z-Ziona, are you alright?" Erina shouted in concern, rushing to her side.
ude remained in his position, seemingly unfazed, while Penelope had managed to regain enough strength to stand on her own.
Suddenly, ude called out to his sister, "Erina, let''s leave. They are here for Ares. We don''t need to risk our lives by staying here."
Erina''s eyes widened in disbelief, "C-ude, how can you say that? We can''t abandon Ares when he needs us the most."
"What do you n to do by staying here?" ude replied. "You can''t help him in any way, and you''ll only watch him die in front of your eyes."
Erina gritted her teeth, knowing that as harsh as ude''s words were, he was right. She couldn''t help Ares by just staying there, and she would only witness his death.
"You don''t have to feel guilty for leaving him. They are here for Ares, which means that all the students who died here also did so because of him. Ares offended someone far above his level, and all the students paid the price," ude continued.
Erina was left speechless, unable to find the words to respond. She knew that the Shadow Organization had brought them to this maze in the real world solely to kill Ares.
They couldn''t touch him in the Colosseum in front of high-ranking individuals, so Maya had nned this from the beginning.
Unlike the previous matches, only the finals were held in the magical space, and Maya took advantage of that to bring Ares out of the Colosseum, dragging the rest of the students here for no reason or fault of their own.
Ziona, on the other hand, refused to ept ude''s reasoning. Despite her injuries, she managed to muster the strength to speak up.
"...E-Erina, you can''t seriously consider leaving Ares here to die," she said, her voice weak but determined. "He''s not to me for any of this; he didn''t know any more than we did. It''s all his brother''s fault who nned this assassination. You heard what they said, didn''t you?"
Ziona, barely conscious, tried to convince Erina, who seemed to be believing ude''s statement.
"Even if what you said is true, there is nothing we can do here. Think realistically. Ares wouldn''t want you to waste your lives here, staying and just witnessing his death," ude said, his gaze fixed on Erina.
Erina closed her eyes for a moment, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She knew ude was right, but the thought of leaving Ares behind, helpless and alone, made her heartache.
Finally, she made her decision and opened her eyes. "Okay," she said, her voice filled with pain and sadness. She helped Ziona to her feet, who was barely conscious due to her injuries.
"N-No, please, Erina! W-We need to help him!" Ziona protested weakly her voice was barely audible, and she was losing consciousness due to blood loss.
Erina''s eyes welled up with tears as she realized that she was powerless to help Ares. She apologized to Ziona with guilt and regret, "I''m sorry, Ziona, I can''t do anything here. I''m powerless."
She gave onest look to Ares, who was buried under the debris and struggling to stand up. "Forgive me, Ares. I''m not strong enough to help you," she whispered to herself, her heart aching with sorrow and regret for leaving him behind.
Erina then turned to ude and nodded, and together they carried Ziona, who had lost consciousness. They began to exit the maze, ignoring the Shadow Organization members whoughed at them in amusement.
Erina made an oath to herself as they left, ''I promise that I will make you all pay for what you have done today.'' She clenched her fists, controlling her anger, and vowed to seek justice for Ares and all the innocent students who had been dragged into this deadly game.
***
As Erina and ude made their way out of the maze, leaving Ares behind, the Shadow Organization members began to close in on him, their faces twisted in cruel delight.
Ares was left alone, struggling to stand amidst the debris and destruction. Blood was pooling around him as his wounds continued to bleed. He looked up, his eyes filled with pain and desperation, but there was no one left to help him.
The members of the Shadow Organization loomed over him, their weapons drawn. Ares took onest ragged breath, his body giving out as he copsed onto the ground. The Shadow Organization closed in, theirughter ringing in his ears as darkness consumed him.
What fate awaited Ares at the hands of his enemies? Only time would tell.
Chapter 268 Penelopes Sacrifice
?
As Erina and ude made their way out of the maze with the unconscious Ziona, they suddenly realized that Penelope wasn''t by their side.
"P-Penelope?" Erina called out, turning back to see Penelope standing still with a warm smile on her face.
!?
"Come on, we have to leave now," Erina said urgently.
Penelope''s smile only grew wider. "Hey Erina, have you ever believed in love at first sight?" she asked.
Erina was confused and taken aback by the strange question. "W-What? Why are you asking that now?" she responded.
"I do believe in it!" Penelope replied, still smiling. Suddenly, her whole body was engulfed in mes.
!!
Erina and ude watched in shock as Penelope''s body transformed into a magnificent ming phoenix. Without hesitation, she flew towards Maya, who was about to deliver a final blow to Ares.
Swooosh¡ª
"What is she doing? Stop her!" one of the Shadow Organization members shouted, realizing that Penelope was burning her life energy.
Penelope''s path left mes in her wake, and the Shadow Organization members who tried to stop her were burned instantly by her phoenix form.
"Ahhhhh!" They screamed in agony as their bodies burned.
"STAY...AWAY FROM HIM!" Penelope''s voice echoed across the maze as she crashed into Maya like a missile.
Maya reacted quickly, but it wasn''t enough to stop the Phoenix''s momentum.
Boom¡ª
The impact was devastating, and Penelope exploded upon impact, sending Maya flying across the maze.
Thud¡ª
The resulting explosion created a cloud of smoke that filled the area, and there was a moment of stunned silence as everyone processed what had just happened.
Erina and ude were equally stunned, watching in horror as Penelope gave her life to protect Ares.
"....."
But as the smoke cleared, they saw Maya emerge, coughing and sputtering, but otherwise unscathed. Not even a scratch could be seen on her body, despite the full force of Penelope''s attack.
Cough¡ª Cough
"...That crazy bitch got me good," Maya muttered, coughing and wiping ash from her singed clothes.
ude shook his head, muttering under his breath about Penelope''s sacrifice being in vain. "...She sacrificed her life for nothing."
Erina was in a state of shock and disbelief after witnessing Penelope''s selfless act of sacrificing herself to save Ares.
Her mind was reeling with questions, unable toprehend how Maya had survived the powerful attack unscathed while Penelope had been reduced to nothing.
With her eyes turned lifeless, she gazed at the location of the explosion lost in thought.
ude''s voice broke through the silence, bringing Erina back to reality. "Let''s go," he said, his tone grave and somber as he began to walk away.
Erina lowered her head and followed in silence, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded.Tears welled up in her eyes as she walked away, mourning the loss of Penelope and other students, and grappling with the harsh reality of their situation.
***
Ares was baffled by Penelope''s selfless act, wondering why she would give up her life to save him when they barely knew each other.
''Why? We weren''t even that close,'' he thought.
They weren''t close friends, Although they had been on the same team during their mock gate test, where he had helped her escape a trap of arrows, and when she had supported him during his campaign for the representative position, they had never spoken beyond that.
Despite Penelope''s asional smiles and nces in his direction, Ares had dismissed them, considering them to be nothing out of the ordinary as there were many women who acted simrly.
"So why? Why did she sacrifice herself for me?" Ares muttered, with a pained expression.
Her sacrifice opened old wounds for Ares, reminding him of a woman he had loved deeply in his past life, who had also sacrificed herself to save him.
As the Shadow Organization members approached him, Ares closed his eyes and was transported back to a painful memory of the woman he had once loved.
She had been a stunning blonde, her body soaked in blood as shey in his arms, smiling despite the injuries she had suffered while shielding him from an attack.
Weakly wiping his tears with her bloodied hand, she had whispered her final words to him: "...I will meet you on the other side, Ares."
Lost in his memories, Ares''s mind reyed the image of the woman he had loved and lost. Tears streamed down his face as he muttered her name under his ragged breath.
"...ERIS!" His plea hung in the air, and time seemed to freeze around him.
Then, as if in response to his desperation, a thin voice suddenly echoed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts.
"...It seems you are in trouble, Ares," the voice said.
!?
Ares was startled by the intrusion. "Who...are you?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"I am someone who has always been close to you," the voice replied cryptically.
"...."
Ares was confused and a little unnerved. "What... do you want from me?" he demanded
"I can give you the power you need to ovee this situation," the voice offered. "But you must be aware that there will be consequences."
!!
Ares weighed his options. The thought of facing the consequencester paled inparison to the possibility of dying now. "I am ready to face the consequencester. I need to survive now," he dered.
"Very well," the voice said simply. "I wish you luck in your journey ahead, Ares."
A deafening silence followed the mysterious voice''s farewell. Ares was left alone with his thoughts, wondering if it was all just a hallucination.
Suddenly, time resumed with a rush of sound. Ares could hear the footsteps of the Shadow Organization closing in on him once again.
As if in response to the danger, the clouds overhead turned dark and thunder rumbled through the air. The wind picked up, bing heavy and fierce.
RUMBLE¡ª RUMBLE
The members of the Shadow Organization were taken aback by the sudden change in climate, their confusion evident in their muttered remarks.
"What''s going on? Why did the weather suddenly change?" one of them muttered, as they tried to maintain their footing amidst the gusts of wind.
RUMBLE¡ª
The thunder grew louder and the lightning shes became more frequent, until a bolt struck the ground where Ares stood.
BOOM¡ª
The impact caused by the lightning strike was so powerful that it sent debris and smoke flying in every direction, causing chaos among the members of the Shadow Organization. They quickly shielded their eyes from the blinding dust and rubble, which was whipped around by the heavy winds.
As the debris began to settle, they saw something stirring in the smoke. Through the haze, they caught a glimpse of a mysterious figure with piercing blue eyes that glinted like lightning in the darkness.
!?
"W-What in the world is that?" one of the members gasped, pointing at the figure emerging from the smoke.
As everyone''s attention turned to the pair of piercing blue eyes, they vanished in an instant.
Swish¡ª
And before they couldprehend what was happening, screams echoed through the air, sending chills down their spines.
"Ahh!"
"Ahh!"
Maya''s heart raced as she watched her fellow members fall one by one, their bodies now lifeless and headless.
Panic set in as she readied her sword, searching frantically for the unknown attacker.
"What is happening?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes darting around in search of any sign of the culprit.
To be continued...
Chapter 269 Ares Awakening
?
Maya''s heart pounded in her chest as she watched herrades fall one by one, their headless bodies now lying lifeless on the ground.
With panic setting in, she readied her sword, her eyes darting frantically around in search of any sign of the unknown attacker responsible for the massacre.
"What is happening?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes darting around in search of any sign of the culprit.
With each passing moment, their numbers dwindled, until the smoke cleared and Maya caught sight of the person behind the ughter.
!?
Her heart skipped a beat as she stumbled backward in disbelief. "T-There''s no way... how can he still move?" she stuttered, her eyes wide with fear. It was the first time in a very long time that she felt such intense fear.
In front of her stood Ares, suspended in the air with white wings extending from his back. His hair shone white, and his eyes glimmered like fierce blue lightning in the darkness, and Maya felt a chill run down her spine from the intense aura he was emitting.
Her instincts screamed at her to run for her life, to get as far away from this dangerous and unpredictable being as possible. She knew that if she didn''t, she too would be one of the fallen.
Suddenly, Ares raised his right hand and a bolt of lightning crackled to life in his palm.
Shrieeek¡ª Shrieeek
Without warning, he hurled the lightning bolt toward Maya''s remainingrades, and a deafening explosion followed, wiping them all out in an instant.
BOOM!¡ª
The ground shook as the lightning struck, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. Maya stumbled backward, barely managing to keep her footing, as a huge crater was left in the aftermath.
Ares raised his hand again and moved it forward, and in an instant, lightning began to fall from the sky all around the maze, causing explosions that reduced it to nothing but smoke and debris.
BOOM!¡ª BOOM!¡ª BOOM!¡ª
Ares descended slowly, his eyes never leaving Maya''s trembling form. She brandished her sword in a futile attempt to protect herself, but she knew deep down that she was no match for this powerful being.
"This monster, what happened to him? Did he get possessed or something?" Maya muttered.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she desperately tried toe up with a n to save herself.
As Ares approached her, a sword made of lightning materialized in his hand, emitting a high-pitched screech.
"W-Wait! I was just following orders," she pleaded, desperate to save her own life. "It was your brother whomissioned your assassination. He promised to join our Organization and help us gain influence in your kingdom. He is the real bastard who nned all this."
Her words fell on deaf ears as Ares continued to advance towards her, his gaze cold and unyielding.
"I-If you give me a chance," she continued, "I will bring his head to you."
As Maya pleaded for her life, Ares'' sword crackled with lightning.
Swish¡ª
In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of her, his movements too fast for Maya to react. With one swift movement, his lightning sword pierced her heart, sending searing pain throughout her body.
SWASH!¡ª
!!
"URGH!" Maya gasped in pain, blood spilling out of her mouth as she struggled to stay upright. But Ares pushed his sword in deeper, his eyes filled with a cold fury.
Swash¡ª
"Just die, bitch!" he hissed in her ear, the electricity in his sword intensifying. "I don''t need someone like you to deal with him."
As suddenly as the attack began, it ended. Ares let go of Maya''s lifeless body, watching as it fell to the ground with a thud.
Thud!¡ª
He stood alone in the center of the wreckage, surrounded by the carnage he had wrought.
Looking up at the dark clouds, Ares closed his eyes, feeling his hair and wings return to their natural ck color. The wings soon disappeared altogether, leaving Ares standing alone in the aftermath of the devastation he had caused.
The strain on his body suddenly became too much, and he lost consciousness.
Just as he was about to hit the ground, someone appeared and caught him. "You can rest now, Ares," ine murmured, cradling Ares in her arms.
ine took a moment to survey the destruction Ares had caused. The entire area had been reduced to a wastnd. She had been lucky enough to arrive in time to witness Ares''s transformation and his defeat of all the Shadow Organization members in an instant.
ine was surprised by what she was seeing as she had never seen anyone control lightning like that, not even Helena.
[One of them got away.] her constetion''s message appeared before her.
"...Yes, I know. I saw him create a portal and flee," ine replied, still holding Ares close to her.
She noticed that Ares''s wounds were already starting to regenerate on their own.
"Regeneration, huh?" ine muttered to herself with a grin, before picking up the unconscious Ares and moving towards Maya''s body.
She looked down at her with disdain before stepping on her hand with her high heels.
"You''re still alive, huh?" she said with a cold smirk. "Get up before I kill you myself."
Maya made no response at first, but as ine added more pressure, she suddenly screamed in agony.
"Ahhhhh!"
"Shut it, you bitch!" ine snapped, kicking her in the face.
Thwack¡ª
Maya groaned in pain, holding her bleeding nose. "H-How did you know I was still alive?" she asked.
"I saw you redirect the attack inflicted on you toward someone else," ine spoke, her voice cold and unyielding. "That''s quite a useful ability - using others as your meat shield."
"....."
Maya fell silent, acknowledging ine''s sharp observation.
"...As expected from someone in the top 12 strongest," she said with a wry smile as she tried to get back on her feet.
But before she could even stand, with a sudden, swift kick to the face, ine sent Maya tumbling to the ground once more.
Thwack¡ª
"Urgh! What was that for?" Maya screamed in pain, holding her mouth. "We don''t have any grudges against each other. Why don''t you let me go, and I''ll owe you a favor in the future?"
ine chuckled coldly. "No grudges, you say? How funny," she said, ring at Maya with ferocious eyes. "You dared to try to kill my man, and you have the audacity to say we don''t have any grudges?"
As she spoke, a yellow beam shot out of nowhere and pierced Maya''s palm, restricting her to the ground.
Swash¡ª
!?
"Ahhh!" Maya''s screams echoed through the deste wastnd.
"Y-Your man?" Maya cried, tears streaming down her face as she writhed in pain. "W-Wait, we had no idea about that. If we had known he was with you, we would never have tried to kill him."
Maya screamed in agony as the yellow beam pierced her palm, and her bones became visible through the charred flesh.
She cursed the Shadow Organization for lying to her about Ares''s supposedck of any connections, and silently swore revenge against the informant who had misled her.
''Those bastards!'' Maya screamed inwardly, tears streaming down her face as she gritted her teeth in pain. ''They said he had no one except Mika. If I make it out of here alive, I''ll kill that damn informant.''
She knew that if the Shadow Organization had known about Ares'' rtionship with ine beforehand, they would have never taken this mission. And if she had known, she never would have epted it herself.
ine ignored Maya''s pleading and demanded to see her ability in action. "Why don''t you use that ability of yours? I''m curious to see how it works," she said with a wicked grin.
Maya recoiled in fear and desperation, "I-I have already used it twice today. I don''t have any mana left to activate it again, Argh." she gasped, her hand still impaled by the yellow beam.
Maya winced as the pain in her hand intensified."P-Please," she begged, her voice shaking. "I''ll do anything. I''ll be your servant for life. Just don''t kill me."
ine''s face twisted with disgust. "You deserve to die forying a finger on my Ares," she spat.
And suddenly several swords made of yellow energy materialized behind ine, pointing menacingly at Maya.
!?
The defeated woman tried to inch away from the deadly des, "I-I''m sorry! Please, I didn''t know."
With a swift motion, ine sliced through the air, and the swords followed suit, cleaving through Maya''s body.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
"N-Nooo! Urghh!" Maya screamed, her body wracked with agony as she sumbed to her wounds.
***
Chapter 270 The Unseen Threat! {FINALE}
?
At the same time, when Ares battled the Shadow Organization, Irethiel, and Jessica sat in the meeting room of a Hero Association building alongside high-ranking officials from the Hero Association.
Irethiel was in her human form, dressed in a crisp ck pantsuit, tailored to fit her form perfectly. Her blouse was white-colored silk, tucked neatly into the waistband of her pants. The suit was simple yet elegant, with no unnecessary embellishments, and her ck pumps added a touch of sophistication to her attire.
She stood before a white screen, presenting her analysis on the recently unsealed Demon Lords to a group of high-ranking individuals. She spoke with confidence and authority, her voice clear andmanding.
"As you all know, the release of the Demon Lords is a serious threat to our world. We must be prepared for their next move," she began.
"Based on what we know, their first move will be to gather their forces. Asmodeus and Lilith have a history of animosity, but that was centuries ago. If they decide to join forces, we''ll be in deep trouble."
One of the officials, Joseph, interjected with a question about Belphagor, the first Demon Lord to be unsealed. "What about Belphagor? He was the first Demon Lord to be unsealed. Don''t you think he has already recovered most of his strength by now?"
Irethiel acknowledged the concern, stating, "It''s true that Belphagor has been unsealed for some time now, but he''s known for his deceit and trickery. He''s not strong enough to pose a direct threat to us."
"However," she continued, "we must be cautious of his tactics. It''s possible that he has already ensnared someone from the Hero Association in his trap and is using them to keep tabs on your movements, waiting for the right time to strike."
!?
The room fell into a tense silence as everyone tried to process Irethiel''s warning about the demon lords and their potential followers within their own Association. Suspicion began to grow among the attendees as they eyed each other warily.
But then, Jessica broke the silence with a confident smile. "But don''t worry, we have a way to find out the demon lord''s followers among us!"
!!
The room erupted into a mix of relieved and panicked murmurs at her statement.
"...How are we going to do that, Jessica?" Tania asked, voicing the question that was on everyone''s minds.
"Ah, that''s a good question," Jessica replied with a mysterious smile. she suddenly picked up the phone and made a call, "Please send her in."
Everyone was confused and curious at the same time, wondering who Jessica was referring to and how she nned to uncover the demon lord worshippers among them.
Click¡ª
Suddenly, the door to the meeting room opened, and a young woman entered. Her cream-colored hair cascaded down her back, and she was dressed in a ck and gold uniform, exuding a divine aura.
But what drew everyone''s attention was the cloth covering her eyes, giving her a mysterious and otherworldly appearance.
"Who is she?" someone whispered.
When she reached the front, she stood next to Jessica and Irethiel. Despite the cloth covering her eyes, her head was turned towards Irethiel the whole time, as if she could perceive her true form.
As Irethiel felt the girl''s piercing gaze on her, she couldn''t help but feel uneasy. It was as if the girl could see through her very being, and no secrets could be kept from her.
''Tsh Annoying,'' Irethiel thought to herself, trying to hide her difort.
Finally, Catherine spoke, her eyes still locked on Irethiel. "...Demon," she uttered, sending shivers down Irethiel''s spine.
!?
Jessica cleared her throat and hurriedly introduced the girl, "A-Ahem! This is Catherine. She is the priestess candidate for the temple that serves Constetion Athena. And Catherine, this is Idril the researcher and the scientist that I have told you about," Jessica said, pointing at Irethiel.
Catherine simply nodded in response and finally moved her attention away from Irethiel. Irethiel let out a sigh of relief as she felt the weight lifted off her shoulders.
"Hmm, Jessica. Can you exin to us how this girl will be of help to us in finding out the demon lord worshippers among us?" Tania inquired.
"...You will find out soon enough," Jessica said with a grin.
Her cryptic response only deepened the tension in the room. Meanwhile, Catherine scanned the faces of those present before extending her hand and pointing at a middle-aged man.
Silence fell over the room as everyone turned to look at the man, who was sweating profusely and stammering in confusion.
!?
"W-Why are you all looking at me?" The middle-aged man stammered, wiping sweat from his forehead.
But Catherine didn''t stop there. She continued to point at other individuals, causing more and more of them to speak up in protest, insisting that they were being unfairly targeted.
"Jessica, what is the meaning of this? You cannot simply bring in a stranger and use us without any evidence!" one man eximed, mming his hand on the table in frustration.
m¡ª
"Indeed, this is preposterous. You cannot simply frame us as demon lord worshippers without proof," another person added.
Catherine remained silent, her eyes fixed on each person she had pointed to as if studying them carefully. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone waited for an exnation from Jessica.
"...You are not who you say you are," Catherine spoke calmly. "Your aura is tainted with the stench of demons."
The group''s eyes widened, "W-What is this? Are you trying to insult us?" One person mmed their hand on the table again with a twisted expression. "You know how long I''ve served the Hero Association."
Catherine tilted her head slightly as if studying him. "Your words may be true, but your aura betrays you," she said softly.
As the group protested their innocence, Jessica suddenly beganughing. "Pfttt, Hahaha," she chuckled, clearly amused. "You really are a treasure, Catherine," she added, wiping tears from her eyes.
"D-Don''t tell me you believe this girl, Jessica?" the group continued to protest.
Jessica''s grin widened. "You all should look at yourselves before trying to convince me anymore," she said.
!?
Confused, the group looked at each other and suddenly noticed their skin had turned green, and demonic energy was emanating from their bodies.
"H-How...?" they all staggered, looking at each other in shock. Before they could even process what was happening, their heads were decapitated by an unknown force.
Swash¡ª
Their headless bodies crumpled to the ground, green blood oozing from their wounds.
Thud¡ª
Jessica stepped forward, cing a hand on the girl''s shoulder. "Catherine has the ability to detect demonic auras, which makes her the perfect candidate to help us root out any demon lord followers among us," she exined to the remaining members who were still in shock and trying toprehend what had just happened.
"....."
Irethiel watched in stunned silence as Jessica dispatched the group without even lifting a finger.
''She...is strong,'' Irethiel thought, her mind racing to process what had just happened.
But her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden feeling of unease in the pit of her stomach.
"A-Ares?" Panic-stricken, Irethiel muttered aloud as she felt his life was in danger.
!?
Overhearing Irethiel, Jessica turned to her and asked, "...Is everything okay?"
Without replying, Irethiel hurriedly rushed out of the meeting room, leaving everyone present baffled.
"...What''s wrong with her?" Tania asked, confused.
"....."
***
Simr to Irethiel, Meira also felt that Ares'' life was in danger. She stood guard outside the cave behind the Soreh Academy where Evica was undergoing her dragon heart transntation. Meira sensed danger looming and her worries for Ares grew.
Despite her concern, she knew she couldn''t leave her post and rush to Ares'' side. She had to remain vignt and protect the cave from the demon lord followers who were trying to assassinate Evica.
The demon worshippers had learned about Evica''s breakthrough and were desperate to kill her before she could achieve her full potential. Meira had already disposed of several who had attempted to sneak near the cave.
"...Master, please be safe," Meira muttered anxiously, her eyes darting back and forth as she surveyed her surroundings for any sign of danger.
Suddenly, Meira''s heightened senses alerted her to the sound of movement. ''These persistent bastards are here again,'' she thought inwardly and immediately readied herself for battle as she noticed arge group of enemies closing in on her position.
"Shadow Clone!" She used her skill, creating two more clones of herself preparing to engage with the approaching enemies.
Clink¡ª Clink¡ª Clink¡ª
The sound of weapons shing filled the air as Meira and the demon worshippers engaged in a fierce battle.
Despite the overwhelming odds against her, Meira remained focused on protecting Evica no matter what it takes.
***
Swoosh¡ª
The whole cave was suddenly bathed in brilliant light as Evicapleted the dragon heart transntation.
She slowly opened her eyes, and her hair shimmered in the light, transforming from its original color to a vibrant shade of red.
!?
"...Afterlife?"
¡ª END OF VOLUME 2 ¡ª
***
[AUTHOR''S NOTE!]
Dear readers,
I hope you have been enjoying the story thus far. I wanted to provide you with an update regarding the release schedule of future chapters. As I am currently in the midst of my exams, I am unable tomit to a specific timetable for publishing new chapters.
However, rest assured that I will release them whenever I have free time, even if it means the timing may vary from day to day. Once my exams are concluded, I will resume daily updates and establish a more consistent release schedule.
I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and kindly request your understanding during this period. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated.
In the meantime, I also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to my new novel, "Unwilling Protagonist: Trapped In A Game As A Male Lead." If you have been enjoying this story, I believe you will find that one equally captivating.
Thank you so much for your continued support!
:)
Chapter 271 The Road To Redemption
?
Chirp¡ª Chirp
The morning was warm and peaceful, with the sweet chirping of birds filling the air.
In an istednd stood a grand castle, which seemed to belong to one of the nobles. The castle stood alone, with no other dwellings in sight, indicating that it was cut off from the outside world.
Inside the grand chamber of the castle, Aresy unconscious on a luxurious bed, lost in a deep slumber. Suddenly, he jolted awake, his eyes wide with rm as he cried out a name that reverberated throughout the room.
"ERIS!"
His heart was racing, and he could feel his breathing in ragged gasps. He looked around, disoriented, and took in his surroundings. He was lying in arge, opulent bedroom, decorated in the ornate style of the castle.
!!
Ares rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind. He was certain that he had been in the middle of a battle, but the details were hazy.
As he tried to focus, he winced in pain, as the memories of his battle with the Shadow Organization flooded his mind.
"Argh!"
Exhaling heavily, he epted the truth and the weight it carried. ''...So it was real.''
He remembered the voice of the mysterious figure that had warned him of "consequences," leaving him to wonder what that might entail.
As he pondered, a woman''s voice stirred him from his thoughts. "Ah, you''re finally awake," she said groggily.
!?
Startled, Ares spun around, only to find a blonde-haired woman lying beside him under the nket in a nightgown, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
He acted on instinct, using his telekinesis to retrieve a knife from a fruit te beside the bed.
Swish¡ª
With the knife in hand, he advanced on the woman, pointing it at her neck. "What are you doing here, ...ine Hartnell?" he demanded, his brows furrowed in suspicion.
"...."
ine, undaunted by Ares'' threatening stance, regarded him with a nk expression and a yawn. She brushed the knife away with her hand, showing no fear or rm.
"...Actually, it''s you who''s staying in my house," she calmly retorted.
"...."
Ares paused, contemting the situation. He considered the possibility that ine had utilized her constetion''s abilities to locate him and provide care while hey unconscious. Taking a deep breath, he let go of his initial suspicion and regained hisposure before responding.
"...I apologize for my actions. Thank you for taking care of me," he said, rising from the bed and carefully cing the knife back on the table. He realized that he was shirtless, wearing only trousers.
Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he noticed the lingering scar on his stomach inflicted by Maya''s sword, its mark still visible and unhealed.
"Don''t worry about it," ine replied with a grin, her gaze fixed on Ares''s body.
Ares noticed her staring at him from the mirror as he tied his long hair into a bun.
"...So where are we?" he asked her, trying to change the subject.
"We''re in your hometown, the Kingdom of Escratia. This is one of my family''s castles," ine replied, her lips curving into a smile.
Ares remained puzzled, his brow furrowing. "...Why did you bring me here?" he questioned, unable toprehend why ine would go out of her way to bring him to her residence instead of a hospital or infirmary.
ine gracefully rose from the bed and stretched her arms, her gaze fixated on the world outside the window. "I sensed that you were in trouble, and I feltpelled to offer my assistance. Besides, I''ve always been intrigued by you," she exined, turning her attention back to Ares.
"...What do you mean, intrigued by me?" Ares inquired, raising an eyebrow with a hint of skepticism.
''I hope she doesn''t ask me for a duel,'' he silently hoped, well aware of ine''s intentions.
ine''s mischievous grin widened. "Oh, I''ve heard tales of your prowess. Your reputation as a formidable warrior precedes you," she remarked, her eyes twinkling.
"....."
Though unsettled by ine''s mischievous expression, Ares attempted to refocus his attention on the pressing matter. Memories of Maya''s ominous words echoed in his mind, reying her warning about Mika and Helena:
[Don''t worry about Mika and Helena. The dungeon they entered requires a sacrifice to clear it, so I believe they will both perish inside. And if not, only one of them cane out alive.]
Gritting his teeth, Ares seethed with anger at the thought. "Those bastards! I should have dealt with them long ago," he growled through clenched teeth.
Overhearing his words, ine spoke up. "If you want to seek revenge against your brother, you don''t have much time left."
!!
Confused, Ares turned his gaze towards ine. "What do you mean?" he questioned, his brows furrowing.
ine let out a sigh and approached him. "Tomorrow is your brother''s coronation. He will ascend to the throne as the new king of the Kingdom of Escratia," she exined, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
!?
Ares''s eyes widened in surprise. He understood that his brother''s rise to the throne would significantlyplicate matters, making his revenge mission even more challenging.
Not only would his brother be surrounded by heightened security, but Ares also realized that assassinating him after his official coronation would make him a wanted criminal. The interference of the hero association would furtherplicate the situation.
It was a headache he could do without, especially with the looming threat of demon lords. Ares rubbed his temples, feeling the onset of a headache.
"This is troublesome," he muttered, shaking his head in annoyance. "I never wanted to involve myself in politics, especially when I have enough demon lords to worry about. However, it seems I have no choice but to deal with my imbecile of a brother first."
ine suddenly stood close to him, causing his gaze to shift toward her.
"How long was I unconscious for?" he asked, locking eyes with her.
ine took a moment to consider her answer before responding. "...You were unconscious for about five days," she replied, her hand gently resting on his chest. Her fingers trailed down his abdomen, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"But as far as the world is concerned, you are presumed dead," she added.
Ares quickly grabbed her hand and moved it away from his body. "Enough of that," he said sternly. "What about Mika? Did she return from the dungeon?"
ine''s expression turned serious. "No, she didn''t," she replied. "But I think you should prepare for the worst. After conducting some research, I discovered that the dungeon Mika and Helena ventured into is known as the Dungeon of Sacrifice. It bestows immense strength upon the individual only if they are willing to sacrifice someone dear to them."
Ares felt his heart sink as he listened to ine''s words. "So, only one of them can make it out alive," she continued. "But the survivor wille out of that dungeon transformed, possessing incredible power."
The weight of the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. If what she said was true, it meant that Mika, Aegis, and Helena were pitted against each other in a battle for survival within the Dungeon of Sacrifice.
The mere thought of losing any of them filled him with a mix of dread and rage, causing his aura to pulsate uncontrobly.
Shatter¡ª Shatter
The windows shattered, the furniture shook, and the room was filled with a deafening noise.
ine remained calm in the midst of the chaos, having anticipated his reaction.
[It seems he cares about the women he loves, at least.] Her constetion''s message appeared before her.
ine couldn''t help but smile, satisfied that Ares still had emotions towards his women and wasn''t a heartless scumbag.
She approached him and suddenly punched him in the gut.
"Smack¡ª"
"Argh!" Ares doubled over in pain, the blow jolting him back to his senses.
Surprised and gasping for breath, he looked at her with wide eyes.
"Pull yourself together," she scolded, abruptly embracing him. "You''re wreaking havoc in my room."
Ares winced, still clutching his stomach.
"If you seek revenge, you need to prepare yourself," ine whispered into his ear, her smile unwavering. "Time is of the essence. We must leave immediately."
!?
Ares was taken aback, "We...?" He asked, confused.
"Yes," ine replied. "I have a score to settle with your brother as well. I will help you take care of him."
"....."
Chapter 272 The Lure Of The Yandere [1]
?
Ares freshened up and changed into casual attire, donning a white shirt and ck trousers. He settled at the dining table, his hunger driving him to voraciously empty te after te of food. The stack of dishes beside him grew steadily.
Across the table, ine leaned in, resting her chin on her hands, her fingers inteced. She observed Ares with amusement, a smile ying on her lips as she watched him indulge his ravenous appetite.
ine was dressed in a stylish ck dress, entuating her elegant figure. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders, adding to her captivating presence in the room.
"You certainly have quite the appetite," ine finally spoke, amusementcing her voice.
Ares paused momentarily, a mouthful of food halfway to his mouth. He looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What did you expect? I haven''t eaten anything for the past five days," he replied, his focus still on the food.
A mischievous smile curved ine''s lips as she leaned back in her chair, her finger grazing her lips yfully. "And who said you haven''t eaten anything?" she asked, her tone teasing.
"...."
Ares gave her a nk stare for a moment, his mind briefly pondering the implications of her words. Deciding not to dwell on it, he shrugged it off and returned his attention to the food in front of him.
ine couldn''t help but chuckle at his reaction, finding it endearing. ''Haha, how adorable,'' she thought to herself, her grin widening.
Just as she was enjoying the lighthearted moment, her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone.
Riiing¡ª Riiing
ine retrieved her phone from her pocket and nced at the caller ID, her expression quickly shifting to annoyance.
"Your girlfriends can be quite a nuisance," she remarked, her gaze still fixed on the screen.
!?
Ares looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
ine sighed, irritation evident in her voice.
"I don''t know how that Elven princess manages to keep tabs on you, but she immediately discovered that you''re alive and staying at my ce. And it seems she couldn''t resist sharing the news with that annoying brat, Livia," ine responded, her tone filled with irritation.
Ares remained silent, absorbing the information.
ine continued, her irritation growing apparent. "And I''m not sure how that Livia managed to get my number, but she''s been pestering me with calls every 10 minutes to inquire about your condition. And it''s not just during the day; she even calls mete at night!"
"...."
''...Well, at least they know I''m still alive. Otherwise, who knows what chaos they might have caused,'' Ares mused to himself.
"However," Ares muttered, his brow furrowing, "I''m still puzzled as to how Diana is keeping tabs on me." Confusion clouded his mind as he contemted the situation. ''It''s concerning that even someone as formidable as ine, one of the top 12 in the world, is unable to detect or decipher Diana''s methods.'' He found himself grappling with unanswered questions.
''Could there be some unknown magic or a hidden artifact that grants Diana the ability to track my location?'' The thought troubled Ares as he delved into the enigma surrounding Diana''s surveince.
ine''s words broke Ares out of his contemtion, piquing his curiosity.
"Oh, and there''s one more person who showed up at my doorstep while you were unconscious," ine revealed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Ares raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And who might that be?" he inquired.
"I had my doubts about her, so I didn''t allow her to approach you. Instead, I locked her up in the dungeon," ine replied with a smile, setting her phone aside.
Ares stared at her nkly, trying to process the information.
"...."
***
Having finished his breakfast, Ares followed ine as she guided him toward the underground dungeon where the mysterious visitor was being held captive.
"She ims to be one of your servants and insisted on seeing you," ine exined as they walked through the dimly lit corridor.
"She tried to force her way in, but I had no choice but to detain her. Don''t worry, I didn''t harm her too much," she assured him.
Ares had already guessed the identity of the woman ine was referring to, so he remained silent and continued to follow her.
"Frankly, the notion of a demon serving a human is rather unheard of," ine remarked, her voiceced with doubt. "I trust in your abilities, but I wanted to confirm the truth directly from you." She spoke while giving him a side nce.
They reached the cell where Irethiel was confined, and upon spotting Ares, she hurriedly approached the bars, her hands restrained by handcuffs.
"A-Ares?" Irethiel eximed, her voice filled with relief. "Thank goodness you''re okay!"
Ares shed a reassuring smile, summoning a sword into his hand. With a swift and precise motion, he effortlessly cleaved through the prison bars, reducing them to shattered remnants.
sh¡ª sh¡ª sh
ine''s eyes widened in astonishment as she witnessed Ares'' disy of power, cutting the enchanted cell as if they were nothing.
Then, with a single decisive swing, Ares cut through the handcuffs, freeing Irethiel from their restraint.
Cling¡ª
Without hesitation, Irethiel leaped into his arms, embracing him tightly, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"I was so worried about you," she whispered, her voice filled with both relief and emotion.
Ares held her close, returning the embrace, a gentle smile ying on his lips.
"How was your stay in the dungeon this time?" he teased, his voice lightening the mood.
A mix of emotions washed over Irethiel''s face. "...It brought back painful memories I had hoped to forget," she murmured. Yet, in his embrace, she found sce, and her worries began to fade away.
"...."
ine''s constetion message materialized before her, causing her to raise an intrigued eyebrow. [This guy is quite fascinating. I wonder if he has also ensnared this demoness with his charm?]
ine read the message silently, her lips curling into a knowing smile. She found herself equally captivated by the connection between Ares and Irethiel.
"Indeed, the man who caught my attention would be exceptional," ine mused inwardly, amused by the unfolding dynamics. The rtionship between Ares and Irethiel intrigued her, defying the norms she had observed in the past.
"Ahem!" ine cleared her throat, drawing their attention. Ares and Irethiel reluctantly moved away from each other''s embrace, their expressions shifting from tenderness to focus.
"I apologize for detaining you, demon," ine began, her tone sincere. "I simply didn''t expect such a connection to be possible."
"There''s no need for an apology," Irethiel replied, her voice was calm and understanding. "You did what was necessary for his safety."
However, Irethiel couldn''t help but feel perplexed by ine''s reaction. She had encountered countless humans who harbored fear and distrust toward demons, never epting a bond like the one she shared with Ares. She knew that if she hadn''t been useful to Jessica, the oue might have been very different.
However, observing ine''s nonchnt demeanor, Irethiel realized that this human was different. ine seemed to view beings without discrimination, be they humans or demons. It was a refreshing change from the prejudices she had experienced in the past.
Ares, too, recognized ine''s unique perspective. He recalled her personality from the novel¡ªa woman who held little regard for the plight of humanity and readily allied herself with demons, finding sce in a powerful demon lord and obeying his everymand.
Her unwavering dedication to him had made her one of the most formidable antagonists in the novel.
''She''s on a whole different level¡ªa yandere, possessive yet fiercely devoted to the man she loves,'' Ares pondered, his gaze fixated on ine''s intense demeanor.
In the story, she would conquer and subdue formidable female rivals,pelling them to join the harem of the demon lord she loved, whether willingly or by force.
ine, sensing Ares'' eyes upon her, couldn''t resist but speak up, her voiceced with curiosity and a touch of yful defensiveness. "What''s with that look? Don''t tell me you''re considering hitting me. I already apologized for detaining your woman," she remarked, a hint of jest coloring her words.
Internally, ine''s thoughts raced with a mixture of anticipation and a craving for punishment from Ares. ''I made a mistake, so... please, let me receive your retribution, my Ares! I''m prepared to face any consequences,'' she mused, her mind enticed by the exhrating prospects. Externally, however, she maintained aposed and collected demeanor.
"...."
Aware of ine''s tendencies all too well, Ares effortlessly deciphered her thoughts, much like the back of his hand. He could also sense the emotions stirring within her, thanks to his left eye''s unique abilities.
''Is this truly a favorable situation?'' Ares contemted, his mind filled with uncertainty. ''I don''t wish to witness a sh between Mika and ine.''
He understood the dangers of her affections, but he also knew that her loyalty could be an asset in the battles toe.
Chapter 273 The Lure Of The Yandere [2]
?
ine''s voice brought Ares back from his thoughts, reminding him of the task at hand.
"If you''re ready, we should leave. Your brother may already be crowned king if we dy any further," ine stated.
Ares nodded in agreement, fully aware of the urgency. He wanted to swiftly confront his brother and stepmother, preventing them from bing further obstacles as he embarked on his mission to confront the demon lords.
If his brother were to ascend the throne and realize that Ares was still alive, it would give him more leverage as a king to pursue his vendetta.
So, Ares aimed to confront his brother before the coronation, thereby avoiding any potential criminal charges. Their conflict could be interpreted as a struggle for the throne, and even the Hero Association wouldn''t intervene in the internal affairs of the kingdom.
"Meira," Ares called out, emerging from his thoughts.
In a swift and graceful motion, Meira materialized from the shadows and knelt before him. "Master," she dered respectfully, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty.
ine arched an eyebrow, observing Meira''s sudden appearance with a mixture of intrigue and curiosity. She had already sensed Meira''s presence and had been waiting for the opportune moment to confront her. To her surprise, Meira turned out to be one of Ares''s trusted and formidable servants.
[...She is also one of the Chosen Ones.] ine''s constetion message appeared before her, confirming her suspicions.
''I see you have another intriguing ally, Ares,'' ine thought with a widening grin, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed Meira''s demeanor. ''What more surprises do you have in store for me?''
The revtion intrigued ine even further, as she knew that the Chosen Ones possessed extraordinary abilities and yed a pivotal role in shaping the fate of the world.
Ares suddenly inquired about the task he had assigned to Meira. "Have youpleted the task I entrusted to you?"
Meira nodded, her voice filled with conviction. "Yes, Master. I have sessfully carried out your instructions," she affirmed. "I also bear a message from her." She paused momentarily, her gaze shifting towards ine.
!?
ine, catching the unspoken meaning in Meira''s eyes, responded yfully, covering her ears with both hands. "Oh, by all means, go ahead and speak. I won''t eavesdrop," she quipped, disying a hint of childlike mischief.
"...."
''Is she truly one of the strongest individuals in the world?'' Meira pondered silently, observing ine''s yful and childlike demeanor.
Ares, sensing Meira''s thoughts, responded with understanding. "Don''t concern yourself with her. Loneliness often breeds a touch of immaturity," he assured, exchanging a knowing look with ine.
With Ares''s permission, Meira delivered Ivica''s message with precision, rying her words faithfully.
"Ares, I have received the fruit, and I am sincerely grateful for it. Time is of the essence, so I will consume the fruit immediately. As promised, I ammitted to being there for you whenever you need me. Thank you once again!"
Meira paused briefly before adding, "That was her exact message, master. She swiftly took the fruit from me and departed."
"...."
Ares maintained a contemtive silence, his mind wandering as he wondered, ''Couldn''t she have left me a text or a voice message? Was it really necessary to have Meira deliver the message in person?''
Curiosity twinkling in her eyes, ine interjected, "What fruit was this woman talking about? Is it delicious? Can I have one too?"
Without hesitation, Ares outright denied her request. "No, you can''t."
ine''s face fell into a pout upon hearing his response, but Ares paid her no mind and continued walking, leaving the dungeon behind.
"Let''s go now," he dered, determined to press on with their mission.
However, just as he was about to depart, ine called out to him, causing him to halt in his tracks. "Wait, Ares!"
!?
He turned to face her and asked. "What is it now? I''ve already denied your request for the fruit."
ine hesitated for a moment before speaking, "...It''s not about that. There''s another person I believe will be useful to us," she revealed.
Ares grew curious and inquired, "And who might that be?"
A mischievous grin spread across ine''s face as she answered, her eyes shining with excitement. "Follow me, and you''ll find out."
Intrigued by her words, Ares nodded, deciding to trust ine''s instincts. He followed her deeper into the dungeon, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridors, heightening the suspense in the air.
Eventually, they arrived at a cell, its iron bars enclosing a figure within. A woman with flowing white hair, bruised and wearing tattered garments, was chained within the confines of the cell.
Ares recognized her immediately, despite her beaten state.
"...Maya?" he gritted his teeth, disbelief etched on his face. "How is she still alive?" he questioned ine, his expression contorted with a mix of anger and confusion.
ine took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Okay, first, hear me out," she began. "This woman possesses a unique skill that allows her to redirect the attacks inflicted on her toward another target. However, there are certain conditions that must be met for her to utilize this skill," ine exined.
Ares found himself taken aback by this revtion. "So, she managed to survive by transferring the attacks aimed at her onto someone else?" he muttered, trying to grasp the implications of Maya''s skill.
ine nodded. "That''s right. It''s quite an overpowered skill, isn''t it?" she remarked. "She''s like a cat with nine lives."
Ares let out a weary sigh, acknowledging the troublesome nature of Maya''s ability. However, a question lingered in his mind. "If she possesses such a dangerous skill, why didn''t you dispose of her? Why keep her imprisoned instead?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
ine maintained her smile, responding confidently. "Because she could be of use to us," she exined.
Ares fell silent, conflicted. While he recognized Maya''s potential usefulness, he also knew that keeping her alive would render Penelope''s sacrifice in vain. Though he wasn''t particrly close to Penelope, he hade to respect her.
There were few people in the world willing to give their lives for others, and Penelope was one of them¡ªa person who had died trying to save him.
"I don''t need her," Ares dered, his gaze fixed on Maya, his toneced with a hint of hostility.
Maya mustered the strength to lift her head, locking eyes with Ares in a moment of recognition and fear.
"No... not this monster again," she managed to utter, her voice quivering.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash
Swiftly and ruthlessly, Ares drew his weapon, shing through Maya''s body with precision. The sickening sound of flesh being torn apart echoed through the dungeon as her severed body parts hit the ground with heavy thuds.
Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Thud
ine, witnessing the gruesome scene, couldn''t help butment, her focus fixed on Maya''s dismembered remains. "Oh, dear... I thought you would appreciate my gift. I suppose I was mistaken," she remarked casually.
Ares paid no attention to ine''s words, his eyes hardened with resolve as he turned away from the gory sight and made his way towards the exit of the dungeon.
"Handle her remains," ine suddenlymanded, her voice carrying a blend of authority and detachment.
Swish¡ª Swish
In an instant, a group of individuals dressed in ck attire appeared before her, their purpose evident as they swiftly began attending to Maya''s dismembered body.
Leaving the cleanup to those well-ustomed to such macabre duties, ine followed Ares out of the dungeon, trailing behind him.
It was time for them to depart to the capital where the Coronation ceremony was being held.
***
Reference Pics for Meira, Jessica, and Helena have been released! Check out the auxiliary chapter.
Chapter 274 Quest Completion!
?
After dealing with Maya, Ares exited the mansion apanied by Irethiel and Meira. Soon after, ine emerged from the castle and joined them.
As they stepped outside, Ares couldn''t help but ask, "How are we going to reach the capital?"
ine, with a hint of admiration in her voice, suggested, "Why don''t you just fly there with those magnificent wings of yours? You looked like a devil¡ª I mean, an angel. It truly impressed me. I wish I had wings like that."
''So she saw me using Pazuzu''s wings?''
Ares gave her a nk stare for a moment before responding, "...I don''t know how to fly well yet."
!!
ine muttered in disbelief, "...You can''t be serious, right?"
"I''m not joking. In all honesty, I never had the opportunity to learn how to fly properly, so please leave me alone," Ares replied, his tone slightly defensive.
"Tsk, what a waste of such cool wings," ine said, shaking her head in disappointment.
"...It''s actually quite easy. I can teach you how to fly," Irethiel spoke up, transforming into her crow form.
"We can discuss that when we have more time," Ares replied to her, his attention shifting to Meira.
"Meira, where is your car?" he asked, turning to her.
"I-I apologize, master. I left it on the floating Ind at Rose Mansion," Meira responded apologetically.
Ares let out a sigh, realizing their transportation predicament. Meanwhile, ine''s mischievous grin hinted at a solution.
"Let me show you my collection of cars!" she eximed, her excitement evident. Gesturing for them to follow, she guided them toward the garage located behind her castle.
As they approached the garage, an advanced sensor scanned ine, causing the doors toopen automatically with a resounding ng.
CLANG¡ª
ine, brimming with enthusiasm, proimed, "Prepare yourself, for you are about to witness the heaven of cars!" Her exaggerated tone added a touch of theatricality to her words.
As the garage door ascended, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before Ares. Stretching out as far as his eyes could see, there was an endless lineup of meticulously parked cars, representing a vast assortment of styles and models. The collection boasted sports cars, muscle cars, vintage ssics, and more.
Impressed, Ares raised an eyebrow and remarked, "You do have an impressive collection of cars." His gaze lingered on the array before him, appreciating the variety and craftsmanship. "Although," he continued, "it would have been even better if you had a private jet or something."
ine responded with a yful smirk. "Are you teasing me?" she quipped, stepping into the garage. "Private nes are usually reserved for royalty, you know."
''Of course, I will be able to own them once we are married and you ascend the throne after dealing with your brother,'' ine''s thoughts momentarily drifted to the future, where she envisioned herself as Ares''s queen, with all the privileges and luxuries that came with it.
Breaking her reverie, Ares posed a sudden question, "...Which one is the fastest?"
ine''s grin widened as she confidently strode towards a striking yellow sports car. It''s aerodynamic curves and vibrant color exuded a sense of power and speed.
The gull-wing doors added a touch of sophistication to its already striking appearance. The car''s polished exterior shimmered under the garage lights, reflecting a hint of anticipation in ine''s eyes.
She opened the door, revealing a luxurious interior adorned with ck leather seats that hugged the contours of the body, providing bothfort and support.
The dashboard boasted an array of high-tech disys and controls, hinting at the advanced performance capabilities of the vehicle.
ine slid into the driver''s seat and gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel, its firmness reassuring in her hands.
"This beauty right here holds the title of the fastest in my collection," she dered, a glimmer of excitement in her voice.
"...."
Ares furrowed his brow slightly as he observed the two-seater configuration. "A two-seater?" he questioned.
ine shrugged, undeterred by the minor setback. "You did ask for the fastest car, and this is it," she exined, a touch of mischief in her tone. "And fear not, yourpanions can select their rides from the other cars in the garage," she added, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"R-Really?" Meira suddenly eximed with genuine excitement, her love for cars shining through her expression.
!?
Ares looked at her, surprised by her enthusiastic response.
Sensing his gaze, Meira quickly apologized, her head lowering in deference. "I-I''m sorry, Master. I didn''t mean to be presumptuous," she stammered.
Ares smiled and reached out, gently patting Meira''s head. "You don''t have to apologize," he reassured her. "Feel free to choose any car that catches your eye."
!?
A spark of gratitude lit up Meira''s eyes as she absorbed his words. "Thank you so much, master," she expressed sincerely and then nodded at ine, her appreciation evident. With newfound excitement, she eagerly headed towards a captivating red sports car, her anticipation palpable.
"Not a bad choice," inemented, acknowledging Meira''s taste.
Ares shook his head, realizing that ine was already strategizing to win over both Irethiel and Meira.
ine had keenly observed Meira''s reaction to her car collection, deducing her love for cars, and intentionally allowed her to select a car of her preference.
"Shall we begin our journey, Ares?" ine asked with a mischievous grin. She pressed a button, igniting the engine, which roared to life, exuding a symphony of untamed power.
Vroom¡ª Vroom¡ª
The car''s exhaust emitted a deep growl, signaling its eagerness to conquer the open road.
"By the way, demon, it would be considerate of you to apany Meira. Driving alone might not be the best option for her," ine suggested, her gaze shifting to Irethiel, perched on Ares''s shoulder in her crow form.
"....."
Irethiel remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ares. He nodded in agreement, prompting Irethiel to reluctantly fly towards Meira''s car.
ine nodded, her grin widening with satisfaction. As the other side of the garage door opened, revealing the world beyond, Ares slid into the passenger seat, settling in beside ine.
Thud¡ª
"Buckle up, because we''re in for a thrilling ride!"
ine pressed her foot on the elerator, feeling the raw power surge through the car.
Vroooom¡ª
With a surge of speed, the yellow sports car catapulted forward, leaving the garage in a blur of motion. The wind rushed past them, heightening the exhration of the moment.
***
As the car elerated at high speed, Ares gazed out of the window, taking in the picturesque scenery. Windmills spun gracefully in the distance, vast fields stretched out with crops swaying in the breeze, and diligent workers went about their daily tasks.
In the midst of the exhrating drive, a thought struck him. "System!" Ares called inwardly, summoning his system screen. He wanted to check the status of the quest ¡ªthe quest to win the tournament.
Unforeseen circumstances had disrupted the tournament''s finals, leaving no dered winner. Ares realized that he had already invested a significant amount of time and effort into this quest, enticed by the promised reward. He didn''t want to see his efforts go to waste.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Quest:
Complete the Following:
1. Form a Faction (Completed)
2. Be the Academy''s Representative for the Uing Tournament (Completed)
3. Win the Tournament (Completed)
Quest Reward: New Ability - Ruler''s Authority! [Acquire now? Yes/No]
***
!!
Ares chuckled wryly as he read the system notification. "So it counted as us winning the tournament?" he muttered, his eyes drawn to the tantalizing reward disyed on the screen.
''Ruler''s Authority?'' Ares''s curiosity was piqued as he contemted the new ability bestowed upon him. Intrigued, he tapped on the reward to unveil its description, eager to uncover its potential and significance.
Chapter 275 Ability: Rulers Authority!
?
''Ruler''s Authority?'' Ares''s curiosity was piqued as he contemted the new ability bestowed upon him. With anticipation in his eyes, he tapped on the reward, eager to unveil its description and unravel its potential and significance.
The description of the ability appeared before him, illuminating his screen with its essence:
[Ruler''s Authority: Level 1]
Description: Ruler''s Authority is a formidable ability that bestows upon the user amanding presence and control over their surroundings.
With this ability, the user gains the ability to exert their will and influence over people, objects, and even events within their domain. It grants the user a sense of leadership and dominance, enabling them to make decisions and have them carried out with utmost efficiency.
Key Features:
1. Charismatic Aura: The user exudes apelling aura of authority and charisma, captivating those around them and gaining their respect and loyalty. This aura can sway opinions, inspire others, andmand obedience.
2. Domain Maniption: Ruler''s Authority allows you to manipte and shape the environment within your domain. You gain the power to mold and influence the structures, resources, and even the inhabitants of the areas under your rule.
3. Sovereign Presence: Your mere presence exudes an aura ofmand, instilling respect and obedience in those who encounter you. This presence can be particrly potent when addressingrge groups or engaging in diplomatic negotiations, giving you an advantage in asserting your influence and achieving desired oues.
As the bearer of the Ruler''s Authority, you will no longer bend under the influence of others'' auras, maintaining your unwavering strength and autonomy in the face of external powers.
4. Tactical Insight: Ruler''s Authority enhances the user''s strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities. They possess an innate understanding of their environment, allowing them to assess situations quickly and formte effective ns.
5. Reinforcement of Followers: With Ruler''s Authority, the user can enhance the abilities and strengths of their allies and followers, boosting their morale and enabling them to perform at their peak potential.
Usage Limitations:
? The effectiveness of a Ruler''s Authority is dependent on the user''s charisma, leadership skills, and ability to inspire confidence in others. It may not work equally well on every individual, especially those resistant to authority or with strong willpower.
? The ability to dominate or control opponents is limited by their own willpower and resistance. Strong-willed individuals may prove more challenging to subjugate.
? The reinforcement of followers is based on their willingness to align with the user and the user''s ability to inspire loyalty and cooperation.
(Note: The Ruler''s Authority ability is currently at its initial stage. As you gain proficiency and mastery in using the ability, its level will increase.)
Please confirm if you wish to acquire the Ruler''s Authority ability now.
[Acquire Now
Yes/ No]
***
!?
As Ares delved into the description of the Ruler''s Authority ability, his astonishment grew with each passing word. It epassed a multitude of skills and attributes that perfectly aligned with his current needs.
Despite his recent promotion to S-Rank, Ares felt a certain void, ack of distinctive abilities that set him apart from ordinary A-Rank individuals. The Ruler''s Authority seemed to fill that void with itsprehensive features and capabilities.
The ability to create a domain, a hallmark of transcendent beings, was an exceptional power that only a few possessed. Ares recognized its significance as it would elevate his prowess to new heights, granting him the authority and dominion he desired.
''It''s a perfect addition to my Arsenal,'' Ares mused quietly to himself, contemting the advantages that Ruler''s Authority would bring. Without hesitation, he made the decision to acquire the ability immediately, recognizing the value it held in enhancing his capabilities.
[Acquire Now Yes/ No]
He clicked "Yes," eagerly epting the acquisition of the Ruler''s Authority ability. However, to his surprise, he didn''t feel an immediate change within himself.
!!
Perplexed, he called up his status screen to investigate further.
"Status," he called inwardly, and in an instant, his status screen materialized before him.
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis]
PROFESSION : [MagicSwordsman ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î] [Archer ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver] [The Hydra yer] [The Demon Lord Killer [New]] [A Chosen One [New]]
Adventurer Rank : S
Strength : A+
Agility : S
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : A
Luck : B
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : 1. [Universal Language]
2. [Photographic Memory]
3. [Regeneration]
4. [Ruler''s Authority: Level 1] [New] (Time until full acquisition: 23 hours, 59 minutes, 1 second)
¡ô
Stolen Ability: [Wings Of Pazuzu]
¡ô
Skills: 1. [Fell Crescent¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
2. [Snake Movements¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
3. [Hawkseye¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
4. [Static Electricity¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
5. [Location Swap¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î¡î]
6. [Atomic sh¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
¡ô
Gift: 1. [Eye Of Chaos¡ï¡î¡î]
2. [Gigantomania¡ï¡î¡î] [New]
***
He furrowed his brow, realizing that the ability would take some time to fully integrate with his being. Patience would be key as he awaited the unlocking of its true potential.
''So, it will take a day for the ability to fully manifest,'' he mused to himself, acknowledging the necessary timeframe.
Suddenly, ine''s voice broke the silence, capturing Ares''s attention. Her gaze was fixed on the road ahead as she skillfully maneuvered the car.
"I must inform you that your victory in the tournament came at a great cost to Soreh Academy," ine spoke up.
!?
Ares''s curiosity was piqued, and he couldn''t help but inquire, "Could you borate on that?"
ine paused briefly before continuing, her wordsced with a hint of gravity. "As the host of this year''s tournament, Soreh Academy will bear the brunt of the me for the incident that urred during the finals."
A wave of realization washed over Ares as he grasped the gravity of the situation. The securitypse during the finals had allowed members of the Shadow Organization to manipte the transportation circle, diverting the participants to an unintended location instead of the magical space.
ine''s exnation continued, shedding light on the consequences. "The other academies, who have long-standing grudges, now have the perfect opportunity to point fingers at Soreh Academy, ming them for the incident due to their alleged poor security measures."
"...."
Ares absorbed the information, his expression contemtive. "...I see. So, what are the repercussions that Soreh Academy has had to face?" he inquired, wanting to grasp the full extent of the situation.
ine''s voice carried seriousness as she responded. "Firstly, Ivica, the current Dean of Soreh Academy, had to resign from her position. It was a forced decision, a result of the fallout from the tournament incident. Additionally, Soreh Academy is obligated to providepensation to the families of the deceased participants and also to the Martial Star Academy."
ine paused briefly before continuing. "The Dean of the Martial Star Academy, driven by his anger and sorrow over the loss of his disciple Hercules, is determined to seek retribution. His sights are set on both you and that beastwoman."
ine''s words, however, didn''t elicit a strong reaction from Ares, as if he were indifferent to the Dean of Martial Star Academy''s potential pursuit of vengeance.
A subtle smirk graced his lips as he entertained his own thoughts. ''With Hercules out of the picture, A must be experiencing newfound freedom and plotting her next move. I wonder what path she will now choose, as she no longer needs to control Lucas to deal with Hercules,'' a subtle chuckle escaped Ares.
!?
"Interesting!" ine''s grin widened. "You don''t seem bothered by the threat of the Martial Star Academy''s dean," she remarked, genuinely intrigued.
"...He''s just another person I''ll have to deal with," Ares replied nonchntly, his tone unruffled by the impending confrontation.
"Pfft... I must say, I really like your way of thinking, Ares," ine chuckled, finding his response refreshing.
"...."
"But I can''t say the same for you, ine," Ares muttered, his gaze fixed outside the window, his wordsced with a hint of mystery.
!?
ine was surprised to hear him, and she couldn''t help but ask, "Why do you speak as though you know me well, even though this is our first encounter? And your tone of voice... It''s quite unlike what I''m ustomed to hearing from others. You do realize I hold the title of one of the strongest individuals in this world, right?" ine''s inquiry reflected her genuine curiosity.
As someone ranked among the strongest individuals, ine was ustomed to being treated with respect or even fear during conversations. However, Ares, despite being aware of her reputation, had shown no deference.
Instead, he had tried to attack her as soon as he had awakened, and his tone suggested an equal footing rather than a subordinate one.
''I have observed his strength, but does he truly believe he surpasses me?'' she wondered inwardly.
ine''s constetion, sensing her thoughts and the growing intrigue, ryed a message to her.
[...I like his attitude, but I don''t believe he considers himself stronger than you.] The words appeared as a subtle message before ine.
Nodding in agreement with her constetion, ine gave Ares a sidelong nce,intrigued to hear his further response.
"Because... I know you more than anyone else in this world," Ares replied casually, his gaze still fixed outside the window as he leaned back on his seat.
!!
ine''s expression shifted to a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a hint of unease.
"What... do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Chapter 276 Unveiling Elaines Secrets
?
"Because... I know you more than anyone else in this world," Ares replied casually, his gaze still fixed outside the window as he leaned back on his seat.
!!
ine''s expression shifted to a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a hint of unease.
"What... do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ares turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting ine''s as he continued with an air of detachment.
"...I know you are a psychotic woman who takes pleasure in being defeated by someone stronger than you," Ares continued his words cutting through the air. "You prioritize your goals above all else, showing little concern for anyone in your path."
"....."
ine''s hands clenched around the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as Ares''s words struck a nerve.
Ares continued speaking, dredging up memories she thought were buried deep within her.
"You have already taken the lives of your two sisters, driven by their pursuit of the man who caught your attention. And when that man failed to meet your expectations, you discarded him as well. Yet, in the twisted world of the Hartnell family, such acts are dismissed as inconsequential, swept under the rug without remorse."
Ares''s words hung heavy in the car, the weight of truth and knowledge pressing upon ine''s shoulders. He continued, unabated by the tension in the air.
"Furthermore, you are the avatar of a constetion just as deranged and detached as yourself, caring only for amusement and entertainment. However, the fact that she engages with you regrly is rather peculiar. Then again, what can we expect? After all, she is just a loner with no allies or friends," Ares concluded.
Screech!!!¡ª
At that moment, the screech of brakes filled the air as ine abruptly brought the car to a stop, the tires skidding on the asphalt.
"W-What the hell are you?" ine stammered, her voice trembling with a mixture of shock and anger. "How... the fuck do you know all of this?" Her eyes widened with disbelief as she struggled toprehend the depth of Ares'' knowledge.
Ares leaned back in his seat, unfazed by her reaction. "Don''t worry about me. I don''t really care about your peculiarities or your past actions. After all, I am not a saint myself," he replied nonchntly. "As for how I know so much about you, let''s just say I have my own ways. Besides, I''ve always had a fascination with women who are stronger than me as well, so I can''t really judge."
"...."
ine was left speechless, her mind racing to process his audacity. "...You do realize that I could easily kill you right here, considering you possess such knowledge about me, even my connection to my constetion?" she warned, her gaze piercing into Ares.
Ares''s grin only widened in response. "Well, you''re wee to try," he retorted confidently.
ine''s mind buzzed with intrigue and caution. ''Where does his unwavering confidencee from? Could he have an ace up his sleeve?'' she pondered.
''Seeing a demoness and a chosen one''s loyalty towards him, I wouldn''t be surprised if he possesses a hidden trump card,'' she concluded, her eyes never leaving Ares.
[He''s certainly an intriguing individual, but... why does he have to insult me for being a loner? It''s not like I don''t have friends; I simply enjoy my solitude, thank you very much!] ine''s constetion chimed in, voicing her thoughts.
"You''re an intriguing constetion as well. Your tone and demeanor are far from what I would expect," Aresmented, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
!?
[...You can see my messages?] The message appeared again.
Ares nodded. "Yes, I can see them clearly," he replied.
!!
ine''s eyes widened in surprise. "Hold on a moment! That''s not the important part. How can you read our privatenguage? It was specifically created so that only we could understand each other without any repercussions," she questioned, a mix of confusion and astonishment evident in her voice.
Ares paused for a moment, a mysterious smile ying on his lips. "Ah, that''s what you were conversing in. I was curious about thenguage,"he remarked casually.
[You still haven''t answered how you know ournguage.] The message appeared once again.
Ares chuckled softly. "And why would I reveal that? Revealing my methods would take away the mystique, wouldn''t it?" he replied cryptically, his grin widening.
"....."
"Pfttt, hahaha!" ine burst intoughter, her amusement mixed with a touch of madness. "He read me like an open book. And here I thought I knew everything about him, including his other identity as a Marz that everyone is searching for."
[...Well, I suppose I now have one more person to confide in?] Her constetion''s message appeared, carrying a hint of amusementand curiosity.
ine''sughter gradually subsided, and her expression turned serious. She leaned forward, fixing her gaze on Ares. "So, let''s cut to the chase, Ares. Did you really kill the Demon Lord?" she asked, her tone devoid of amusement.
Ares chuckled softly. "Why don''t you inquire about it from your own constetion?" he replied with a sly smile.
!?
ine furrowed her brow, confusion evident on her face. "What do you mean by that?" she questioned.
[Oh, he might be referring to the wings we saw earlier. They were the Demon Lord Pazuzu''s wings, a testament to Ares being his killer.] The message from her constetion appeared, shedding light on the situation.
"....."
ine''s face remained impassive as she absorbed the information. After a moment, she spoke with a monotone voice, "Why are you only revealing this now?"
[You never asked?] Her constetion''s response appeared, causing ine to grit her teeth in frustration.
''This bitch!'' ine''s temple throbbed with annoyance upon reading the message.
[What difference would it make anyway? You told me you were already interested in him and were charmed by his face.] The message appeared once again, further fueling ine''s exasperation.
"...I appreciate the praise, I guess?" Ares''s response to the message caught her off guard.
Exhaling slowly, ineposed herself before speaking. "Yes, she''s telling the truth. At first, it was your strength that caught my attention, followed by your captivating appearance.
But what truly solidified my feelings was witnessing your care and love for the women in your life, Mika and Helena. It was then that I realized I may have finally found the man I''ve been searching for, someone I can spend the rest of my life with," she confessed, her gaze unwavering as it locked onto Ares.
"...A confession, huh?" Ares muttered, his tone filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
''Well, she may be mistaken about Helena, but there''s no harm in letting her believe what she wants,'' Ares thought to himself, a faint smile ying on his lips.
"Yes, I believe it does count as a confession," ine replied with certainty.
"I desire to be one of the women you hold dear, Ares. However, I understand that trust cannot be earned overnight. I am willing to put in the time and effort to earn your trust. What do I need to do?" she asked, her voice steady and resolute.
Ares regarded her with a mixture of amusement and caution. "I appreciate your straightforwardness," he acknowledged. "However, trust is not something that can be earned easily, especially considering our short time together. You discarded a man in the past because he didn''t meet your expectations, and that gives me a reason to be cautious," he exined.
ine nodded understandingly. "I understand. Given my history, it''s only natural that you would have reservations about trusting me," ine acknowledged.
She leaned forward, a determined expression on her face. "So, what must I do to earn your trust? How can I prove that I am worthy of being one of the women you care for?" she inquired.
Ares paused, his gaze meeting ine''s with a hint of contemtion. A faint smile yed on his lips as he considered her question."For now, let''s focus on dealing with my brother. Perhaps, in the process, trust may naturally develop between us," he suggested, his eyes gleaming with a mix of intrigue and anticipation.
Screech!!!¡ª
Their conversation was briefly interrupted as Meira''s car screeched to a halt beside them, causing both ine and Ares to turn their attention toward it.
"...Is everything alright, Master?" Meira asked, concern etched on her face.
Irethiel, too, observed the scene with curiosity as she looked between Ares and ine''s faces. "...You''re at it again, aren''t you?" Irethiel spoke telepathically.
A mischievous smile yed on Ares''s lips as he responded telepathically, "Hmm, what do you mean?"
Irethiel rolled her eyes, turning her head away from him. "...I can''t even be bothered," she replied.
With a reassuring smile, Ares addressed the worried Meira, "Don''t worry, everything''s fine."
ine''s grin widened, her excitement evident. "Exactly, nothing to fret about. Let''s focus on dealing with your dimwitted brother first."
Vrooom¡ª
ine stepped on the elerator, propelling the car forward with a surge of power, leaving behind a cloud of dust as they sped away.
***
''Well, I think things are progressing well,'' Ares pondered inwardly as they sped towards the capital with ine''s newfound determination.
Time was not on his side, and he couldn''t afford to feign ignorance about ine''s feelings any longer. He needed to address the situation head-on, for he would require her assistance in dealing with the demon lords.
Dying further would have only increased the risk of ine falling into the clutches of the demon lords, posing a greater threat to his ns.
Therefore, he decided to confront her at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that she would have no chance to align herself with the demon lords. Instead, he aimed to harness her potential as a valuable ally in his own endeavors.
To be continued...
Chapter 277 The Crowns Gambit
?
Late at night, the capital of the Kingdom of Escratia was bathed in a sea of shimmering lights, adorning the streets in preparation for the momentous Coronation of Prince Artin Von Rothstaylor, the eldest son of King Artemur von Rothstaylor and Queen Arabe.
Rumors swirled through the city, shrouded in a veil of secrecy. King Artemur''s sudden illness had been kept hidden from the public until the news of the disowned Prince Ares''s demise reached their ears.
Theck of transparency fueled spection about the true nature of the king''s ailment, the timing of his illness, and whether Queen Arabe yed a hand in disowning Prince Ares.
"Did Queen Arabe orchestrate Prince Ares''s disownment? Did King Artemur truly agree to cast aside his talented son, who had been making a name for himself around the world?"
Whispers echoed among the popce, cautious of voicing their doubts aloud, for speaking ill of Royalty was deemed a crime. Conspiracies and theories sprouted like weeds, questioning the motives behind Prince Ares''s disownment and the extent of King Artemur''s involvement.
In a lively caravan, illuminated by flickeringnterns, an old man sat sipping his beer, contemting the unfortunate turn of events. Beside him, a young woman with striking pink hair indulged in her own drink.
"Such a shame," the old man sipped his beer and sighed
"...Yeah, it''s a damn shame we lost the pride of our kingdom," the pink-haired woman slurred, taking another swig of her beer.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice quivered as she spoke, "I...I even had dreams of being with him. It''s just not fair that we''ve lost Prince Ares," she sobbed.
Hup*
"He was a vision of beauty as if an angel descended upon us. Why did he have to die? Those bastards who took him away should be punished, those beep* beep* beep*... I know the Queen had a hand in this," the woman''s drunken ramblings grew louder, but the old man quickly covered her mouth, casting a worried nce around.
!!
"Hush! What are you doing? Do you want us to meet a terrible fate?" the old man whispered urgently, attempting to silence her outburst.
"Well, at least he''s providing free alcohol," ine chuckled, finding amusement in the situation as she savored her drink, her ears tuned to the gossips swirling around the tavern.
Seated among adventurers and regr folks, Ares, ine, and Meira donned ck cloaks to conceal their identities.
"...I''m not sure if this celebration is for your death or Prince Artin''s coronation, Master," Meira voiced her confusion.
"I don''t believe it''s either," ine interjected. "After all, he knows that Ares is still alive," she added with certainty.
Ares nodded in agreement. "Yes, and he''s expecting me," he confirmed.
ine''s grin widened as she leaned back in her seat. "Ah, so you noticed the rats scurrying about the capital as well?" she remarked, taking another sip of her drink.
Surprised by this revtion, Meira questioned, "But how did he learn that my master is still alive? Everyone believes he''s dead. It''s been all over the news for the past three days. No one is discussing the coronation; they''re fixated on my master''s death," she voiced her confusion.
"Because a member of the Shadow Organization managed to escape him by creating a portal," ine exined her gaze fixed on her drink. "And since his brother and the Shadow Organization are in cahoots, it''s likely that he has already been informed of Ares'' survival."
Meira absorbed the information in silence.
"So there will be tight security surrounding Prince Artin, won''t there? How do we assassinate him before the coronation begins, Master?" Meira inquired, her concern evident.
Ares leaned back in his chair, contemting the situation. "We''ll wait until Irethiel returns from her scouting mission. Once we have her intel, we can n our next move," he suggested.
***
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Kingdom of Escratia, a grand castle stood as a symbol of royalty and power. Within one of its rooms sat a man with dark hair and piercing eyes, bearing a striking resemnce to Ares. The simrity in their features indicated a shared bloodline, revealing their familial connection.
Frustration consumed the man as he mmed his hand on the table before him. "You ipetent bastards couldn''t evenplete a simple task of eliminating a youngling!" he shouted, his anger echoing through the room.
Attempting to pacify the agitated individual, a figure wearing a half-skull mask spoke from a holographic screen. [Calm down, Artin. We didn''t expect him to be that powerful. We lost a significant number of our members as well.] the masked figure exined.
Artin clenched his teeth, seething with anger. "You should have sent someone more capable instead of that ipetent woman who was more interested in ying than fulfilling her duty," he retorted. "I can''t believe she was an SS-Rank and got killed by a mere youngster who isn''t even an A-Rank."
The masked figure urged Artin not to underestimate their adversary. [Do not underestimate him. He is at least an S-Rank, if not higher. Maya may have had a yful personality, but I can assure you of her capabilities. She would not have been easily defeated.] the figure exined. [There is something peculiar about this Ares guy.] he added.
Deep in thought, the masked figure contemted Maya''s fate. ''I know very well about Maya''s ability. She would not die so easily. But the absence of her body at the scene raises two possibilities: either she is on the run after failing her task, or someone else has captured her to extract information about us,'' the masked figure contemted.
Frustrated and filled with a growing sense of paranoia, Artin suddenly eximed, "Argh! I''m certain that bastard is already here, ready to ruin everything!"
Assuring Artin, the mysterious figure replied, [Fear not, I have stationed my people throughout your castle to ensure your protection. If they detect anyone suspicious, they will swiftly eliminate them.]
Artin scoffed, expressing hisck of trust. "I can''t rely on your ipetent men anymore. I have gathered my best guards and mages to watch over this castle. There is no way he can escape alive if he dares to set foot within these walls," he dered, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "This castle will be his final resting ce."
The figure acknowledged Artin''s caution. [It is wise to take precautions.] he replied. Shifting the topic, he inquired about King Artemur. [And what of your father, King Artemur?]
A sinister gleam appeared in Artin''s eyes as he spoke, "Don''t worry about him. His days are numbered. The moment he chose that manaless wretch as his sessor over me, he sealed his own fate," Artin chuckled darkly. "I mustmend you on the efficacy of the poison you provided. Even our royal physicians were unable to detect it or find a cure."
The masked figure spoke, his voiceced with intrigue. [Indeed, they would not have found a cure, as that poison was crafted by my own hands¡ª] Before he could finish his sentence, a creaking sound from a nearby tree branch outside the window interrupted him.
Creeeak¡ª
!?
Startled, both Artin and the masked figure turned their attention toward the sound.
"Who''s there?" Artin questioned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon as he rushed toward the nearby window, keeping a vignt eye out.
Slowly opening the door, he cautiously surveyed the area but found nothing more than a crow taking flight.
!!
"...There''s no one here," Artin stated, a note of uncertainty in his voice. ''But we can''t be too sure. Who knows if he has hired a skilled assassin to target me?'' he pondered inwardly, wary of potential threats.
"It was just a crow," Artin finally responded, his guard still up.
[...Be cautious, Artin. We can''t afford any mistakes. Keep your guard up at all times. Ares is cunning and resourceful. He will stop at nothing to achieve what he wants.]
Artin nodded, his grip on his weapon tightening. "I understand. I won''t underestimate him. I''ll ensure every corner of this castle is secured."
[Good. Your safety is of utmost importance. Remember, the coronation is just around the corner. We can''t afford any disruptions. Ares must not interfere.]
Artin''s eyes gleamed with determination. "Rest assured, he won''t get the chance. I will make sure of it. Once I am crowned as the true king, Ares will be nothing more than a forgotten memory."
The masked figure remained silent for a moment before speaking again. [...See to it that it remains so. The fate of the kingdom and our Organisation rests on your shoulders, Artin. Do not disappoint.]
Click¡ª
Chapter 278 The Failed Stealth Mission!
Chapter 278 The Failed Stealth Mission!
In the confined space of the caravan, Ares, Meira, and ine gathered, their attention fixated on the intricate blueprint meticulously drawn by Ares. The blueprint, fashioned solely from his memory, captured the essence of the castle they sought to infiltrate while awaiting Irethiel''s return from her scouting mission.
ine''s eyes widened with surprise as she observed the remarkably detailed blueprint. "Well, well, Ares, seems like your talents know no bounds. I''m impressed," she remarked, a yful tonecing her words.
Meira nodded approvingly, a sense of pride emanating from her. "Indeed, Master, your skills continue to astound us."
Ares, his gaze unwavering from the blueprint, spoke with determination. "I sketched everything I could recall from my time in that castle. Every corridor, every secret passage, every hidden nook, and cranny."
The weight of anticipation filled the air, only to be interrupted by the fluttering of wings as a small crow soared through the open window. With a graceful transformation, Irethiel assumed her humanoid form, her keen eyes surveying the room.
"I''m back," she announced, her voice calm and collected. "I''ve gathered valuable information about the castle''s security and potential vulnerabilities."
Ares leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Irethiel. "Tell us everything," he urged, eager to hear the details that would aid their infiltration.
Irethiel began toy out her findings. "The castle is heavily guarded, as expected. They have increased security measures due to the uing coronation. The perimeter is protected by abination of elite knights and magical barriers. It won''t be easy to breach the outer defenses."
Irethiel continued, her voice steady. "However, there is a potential w in their defenses near the eastern tower. During the coronation preparations, they''ve brought in additional workers and personnel. The influx has led to a temporary rxation in security protocols in that area. It may offer us an opportunity to slip through undetected."
Meira, her eyes gleaming with excitement, leaned forward. "Sounds like a n, but what about the interior guards and surveince?"
Irethiel nodded. "The interior is guarded by well-trained knights and mages. However, there are certain blind spots and hidden passages that could be exploited," Irethiel said as she began to mark them on the blueprint of the castle that Ares has sketched.
Ares nced at the blueprint, his mind assimting the information. "Good work, Irethiel. Our objective is clear¡ªwe must reach Artin and eliminate him before the coronation ceremony begins."
"...Can''t we just barge in and eliminate anyone who opposes us? It would make our task much easier. With my strength at your disposal, I couldy waste to the entire castle," ine proposed, her mischievous grin widening. "I can''t wait to put an end to this farce."
Ares paused, contemting ine''s suggestion, before offering a measured response. "I appreciate your willingness to assist, and your formidable abilities are indeed tempting. However, we must exercise caution. A reckless assault would not only brand me as a criminal but also hinder my ns to attend the uing conference of monarchs. I wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
ine''s expression brightened as she interjected, "Ah, the conference! I, too, have received an invitation, but I never had much interest in attending or involving myself in such formal affairs. However, if it means apanying you, I might find it more intriguing. Perhaps we can forge a deeper connection amidst the diplomatic intrigue."
"...."
A brief moment of silence enveloped the room as Irethiel and Meira exchanged nces, considering the implications of ine''s words.
Ares redirected their attention, his voice decisive. "Let''s set aside the conference for now and concentrate on the task at hand. Once we resolve this situation, we can discuss further ns."
Meira, ine, and Irethiel nodded in agreement, refocusing their attention on the blueprint, Ares guiding them through his well-crafted n. Each detail was carefully analyzed, and every potential obstacle was evaluated. Their collective intelligence and experience coalesced, forming a strategy that maximized their chances of sess.
***
After their detailed discussion, the group found themselves near the towering castle. As they stood at the entrance, Ares took a moment to address hispanions once again. "Remember, our goal is to reach Artin without unnecessary bloodshed. We must tread carefully and avoid alerting the entire castle."
ine chuckled, her mischievous nature still present. "Don''t worry, Ares. I''ll keep my destructive tendencies in check, unless absolutely necessary. It''s more fun when they don''t see iting, don''t you think?"
Ares spoke with a smile. "I trust you''ll use your strength wisely, ine."
Meira nodded, her voice filled with loyalty. "I will ensure our path remains clear and swift, Master."
Satisfied with theirmitment, Ares handed each of them an earpiece, ensuring seamlessmunication during their mission. As ine secured the earpiece, their connection was established, linking their thoughts and actions.
"Now, let us set our n in motion," Ares dered, his voiceced with determination.
As if waiting for his words, Irethiel immediately transformed into her crow form, her ebony feathers shimmering under the moonlight. With a swift beat of her wings, she soared toward the eastern tower, where the security was temporarily rxed.
As the mages on the tower''s balcony caught sight of the approaching crow, confusion flitted across their faces. "A crow? What is it doing here?" one of them murmured.
Swap¡ª
Seizing the opportunity, Ares swiftly activated his location swap skill, exchanging ces with Irethiel in an instant. The seamless maneuver caught the mages off guard, their attention focused on the crow that had suddenly vanished.
!?
"H-Huh? Where did it disappear?"
Ares now stood on the tower''s balcony, his presence concealed by the darkness. He silently observed the guards and workers entering the castle, their attention diverted from their surroundings.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Ares swiftly unsheathed his sword, his gaze unwavering as he activated his Atomic sh skill. With a fluid motion, he unleashed a series of precise and devastating shes toward the three mages controlling the magical barrier.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash¡ª
The mages watched in horror as Ares'' de left behind trails of shimmering blue light. Before they could react, their bodies were severed into multiple pieces, lifeless and devoid of control.
However, the silence that followed their demise was abruptly shattered by ring sirens echoing throughout the castle.
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep
The unexpected wail of rm pierced the air, jolting the guards into high alert, their footsteps quickening as they rushed to investigate the disturbance.
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep
!?
Ares grimaced, his brows furrowing in frustration. "...Well, that''s an unwee surprise," he muttered under his breath, his admiration for the enemy''s cunning now reced with annoyance.
As the lifeless bodies of the magesy before him, Ares noticed a small, peculiar device attached to each of them. His eyes narrowed as he recognized it¡ªa sophisticated tracking mechanism designed to detect any sudden demise and send an alert to the castle guards, including Artin himself.
ine''s voice crackled through the earpiece, filled with amusement. "Oh boy, it looks like our ns for a stealthy approach have just gone up in smoke, haven''t they?"
Ares sighed, his attention drawn to themotion spreading through the castle. "Indeed, it seems that way," he responded. "But let''s avoid unnecessary destruction¡ª"
Before Ares could finish his sentence, a thunderous explosion shook the castle, followed by a blinding yellow beam that tore through its front, creating a massive hole in the fortified walls, before shattering the magical barrier into numerous pieces.
KABOOM!¡ª
"....."
Ares blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the hand, now rendered partially obsolete by the sudden alteration to the castle''s structure.
unexpected disy of power. He nced at the blueprint in his hand, now rendered partially obsolete by the sudden alteration to the castle''s structure.
ine''s mischievous voice resonated through the earpiece. "Oh, were you saying something, Ares? I might have gotten a little carried away. But hey, it created quite the distraction, didn''t it?"
''As expected of her, I guess?'' Ares thought.
He paused for a moment before speaking, "...Let''s just make the most of the chaos. Our path is now clear. Let''s move forward and seize this opportunity."
With the castle''s defenses in disarray and the guards scrambling to respond, the group pressed on, their footsteps swift and purposeful. They navigated through the damaged sections, utilizing the confusion to their advantage, while killing every guard in their wake. Their aim to avoid unnecessary casualties going to waste.
Their meticulously nned infiltration had morphed into a dynamic, on-the-fly operation. The confrontation with Artin drew closer with every step they took, and they remained undeterred by the unexpected twists and turns along the way. Together, they ventured deeper into the heart of the castle, ready to face whatever challengesy ahead.
Chapter 279 The Fall of the Queen!
Chapter 279 The Fall of the Queen!
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep
{Intruder alert!} {Intruder alert!}
The ring rm echoed through the castle, its urgent tones piercing the air. The sound of rapid footsteps filled the corridors as guards mobilized in response to the threat.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, Prince Artin stood with a furious expression, issuing orders to his well-trained Knights.
"Don''t leave any one of them alive! Do whatever it takes to bring them down!" hemanded, his voice filled with malice. "And whoever brings me their heads will be rewarded handsomely," he added, igniting a spark of excitement among his loyal knights.
Step¡ª Step¡ª
As Artin continued to direct his knights, a woman burst into the room, apanied by a young man in a wheelchair, pushed by a maid. It was Queen Arabe and Prince Aretrus, who had been crippled by Livia.
"Artin! What the hell is going on? Who dares to attack the royal family?" Queen Arabe eximed, her voiceced with worry and anger.
"I-It must be him!" Prince Aretrus stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "Ares... he''s still alive."
"Quiet, Aretrus! Ares is already dead¡ª" Queen Arabe began to speak, her eyebrows raised in confusion, but before she could finish her sentence, Artin interjected, "No, he is right... Ares is still alive!"
!?
The queen''s face contorted in disbelief. "What? What are you saying?" she demanded, her voice tinged with shock. "You assured me that he was dealt with! Wasn''t his death broadcasted on every television screen across the kingdom?"
"...No, it appears he had outside assistance and managed to survive," Artin replied, annoyance evident in his tone.
"So you''re telling me he''s still alive and audacious enough tounch a direct attack on the castle?" Queen Arabe questioned skeptically, her voiceced with doubt.
"...I don''t know, Mother. But it seems he has powerful allies supporting him to be this bold," Artin replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Their conversation came to an abrupt halt as the sound of an explosion reverberated through the castle.
KABOOM!¡ª
!!
"...W-What in the world?" Queen Arabe eximed, her eyes widening in rm as the castle quaked. The attack narrowly missed them, leaving a big gaping hole in the castle''s center and causing the roof to copse.
The maid swiftly maneuvered Aretrus away from the falling debris, while the guards rushed to protect Artin and Queen Arabe.
Through the shattered wall, Queen Arabe''s gaze fell upon the woman responsible for the attack.
"...E-ine?" she muttered, her brow furrowing in recognition and perplexity.
"What!?"
***
On the other side of the castle, the knights swiftly mobilized toward the location where the mages had been in.
"The intruder is in the barrier control room! Hurry, hurry!" one of the leading guards ordered, urging the knights forward. They raced towards the magical barrier room where Ares had neutralized the mages.
KABOOM¡ª
However, in the midst of their haste, a sudden burst of yellow energy hurtled towards them like a celestial projectile, obliterating the knights upon impact and leaving naught but a void within the fortress walls.
BOOM¡ª
But that was just the beginning. The assault on the castle had only justmenced, as a barrage of meteors rained down upon the structure as if unleashed by a myriad of cannons.
BOOM¡ª BOOM¡ª BOOM
The castle''s mighty pirs trembled and sumbed to the relentless onught, crumbling under the weight of devastating blows.
CRUMBLE¡ª
"Hahahaha! Take this! Take this!" ine''s maniacalughter echoed through the crumbling halls as she continued her relentless assault.
"ine! Cease this madness immediately!" Queen Arabe suddenly appeared before her, apanied by a legion of more than 100 knights and mages who positioned themselves to protect their queen.
"What is the meaning of this? Even if you are considered one of the strongest, how dare youunch an attack on the castle where the king resides! You are well aware of the dire consequences of attacking the royal family, are you not?" Queen Arabe questioned, her voiceced with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
Just as Queen Arabe finished speaking, a colossal golden palm materialized out of thin air, descending upon the royal knights positioned behind her.
!!
In an instant, the mages attempted to erect barriers to defend against the impending strike, but their efforts proved futile. The golden palm effortlessly shattered their defenses, reducing them to mere shards with a resounding impact.
THUDLE¡ª
As the immense palm collided with the knights and mages, they were instantly reduced to nothing more than a crimson mist, their forms obliterated beyond recognition.
!!
The ground quaked under the sheer force of the attack, the aftermath leaving only four surviving royal guards standing in proximity to Queen Arabe.
Stumbling forward, Queen Arabe struggled to maintain her bnce, her eyes widening in horror as the full scope of the devastation became apparent.
She witnessed the lifeless bodies of countless royal guards and mages, ranging in rank from A to S, strewn across the scene. ine''s single attack had decimated them all without the slightest fear, summoned whatever courage they had left and pointed their weapons toward her, their hands trembling uncontrobly.
chance of retaliation.
ine approached Arabe slowly, her steps deliberate and menacing. The four remaining knights, their faces contorted with fear, summoned whatever courage they had left and pointed their weapons toward her, their hands trembling uncontrobly.
"S-Stay away, you monstrous woman!" one of the knights managed to exim, his voice quivering as he attempted to steady his sword.
ine remained undeterred, her golden aura intensifying as beams of energy began to form around her. With a flick of her hand, the beams were unleashed, hurtling toward the remaining knights.
Desperately, the knights attempted to dodge or block the onught with their swords and shields. But their efforts were useless. The golden beam effortlessly pierced through their defenses, obliterating their weapons and reducing their heads to nothingness.
Ssh¡ª Ssh¡ª Ssh
As their decapitated bodies fell to the ground, ine stood triumphantly, a sadistic grin adorning her face. She approached the kneeling Queen Arabe, who was now the sole survivor among her guards and lifted her head by the hair.
"Argh!"
"Did you truly believe that your royal status would protect you?" ine taunted, her voiceced with disdain. "I couldn''t care less if you are royalty or not. You are only alive because I believe he would want the pleasure of ending your life himself."
ine''s words echoed with a chilling finality, leaving Queen Arabe to contemte her fate at the hands of this merciless assant.
KABOOM!¡ª
Suddenly, an enormous explosion ripped through the castle once more, engulfing over half of its structure in a violent inferno.
Arabe''s eyes widened in disbelief, her voice lost amidst the chaos that ensued. Debris scattered through the air, mes danced voraciously, and the once-mighty castle now stood as a shattered ruin.
"....."
"...Didn''t he say he wanted to minimize the destruction?" ine muttered to herself, her attention fixated on the devastated scene before her.
A message from ine''s constetion appeared, illuminating her thoughts. [He seems simr to you in causing destruction.]
ine''s gaze hardened, contemting the implications of the message. The realization that Ares shared her penchant for chaos and destruction stirred a mix of emotions within her.
She felt an intoxicating thrill coursing through her veins, knowing that she had found a kindred spirit in Ares. Together, they would forge a path of unparalleled devastation and reshape the world in their image.
As the smoke cleared, ine released her grip on Arabe''s hair, allowing her to crumble to the ground. The queen looked up at ine with a mix of fear and defiance in her eyes.
"W-What do you want from us?" Arabe managed to muster the courage to speak. "Why are you doing this?"
ine''s expression softened momentarily, but her resolve remained firm. "I''m here for Ares," she replied, her voiceced with determination. "And anyone who stands in my way will suffer the consequences."
Arabe''s eyes widened in realization. "Y-You''re working together," she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.
ine nodded, a sinister smile ying on her lips. "Absolutely, Ares and I are now inseparable. His ambitions have be mine, and together, we will be unstoppable." She said with an ecstatic twinkle in her eyes.
!!
The queen''s defiance turned into a mix of despair and anger. "Y-You will pay for this," she spat, her voice filled with venom.
ine''s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a malevolent delight. "We shall see, my dear queen. But rest assured, fate has dealt a cruel hand to you and your family. Today marks the beginning of the end, as a new era dawns with the birth of a new king."
To be continued...
Chapter 280 Queen Arabellas Death!
Chapter 280 Queen Arabe''s Death!
Before the fall of Queen Arabe~
Beep¡ª Beep¡ª Beep
Amidst the ring rms, Ares stood resolute in the Barrier control room, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of the mages he had swiftly dispatched.
The chaos of ine''s assault had divided the guards, some rushing to protect the queen and princes, while others converged on Ares'' location.
Step¡ª Step¡ª Step
Their hurried footsteps reverberated through the corridors, signaling their intent to confront Ares head-on. Yet, he remained steadfast, unyielding in the face of the impending threat.
"Master, the army of guards is approaching. Shall we join you in dealing with them?" Meira''s telepathic voice reached Ares.
"No need," Ares replied calmly. "Remain where you are and handle the Shadow Organization members," he instructed.
"....."
Irethiel voiced her concern, worried about Ares facing a formidable army of troops alone. "...Are you sure about this, Ares? They''re all highly skilled, ranging from B to S ranks. Will you be able to handle them?"
Ares grinned, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "I''ve been waiting to put this skill to the test. Don''t worry about me; focus on your part in dealing with the Shadow Organization," he reassured her.
"...Alright, I''ll trust in your abilities," Irethiel replied, cing her faith in him.
''It''s time to test the true power of this skill,'' Ares contemted with a mischievous grin, his left eye crackling with raw electricity.
"He''s here! Get him!" one of the knights eximed, spotting Ares amidst the army of troops.
"Clear a path! His head is mine!" an enthusiastic knight eximed, driven by the enticing reward for bringing Ares''s head.
Meanwhile, Ares remained calm, his smirk unyielding. As the army closed in, he muttered under his breath, his eyes widening, and the crackling electricity intensifying in his left eye.
"Eye...of chaos!" he uttered.
Swoosh¡ª
As soon as the skill Eye of Chaos was unleashed, a blinding surge of energy erupted from Ares''s left eye, engulfing the entire room in a tempest of raw power.
The air crackled with an intense electric charge, causing hair to stand on end and sending sparks dancing across the room. The walls trembled and groaned under the strain, unable to contain the unleashed chaos.
With an ear-splitting roar, the ground beneath Ares''s feet fractured, forming deep ravines that snaked their way through the room. Cracks spread like wildfire, splintering the once-solid floor into a mosaic of destruction.
Chunks of stone and debris were torn from the walls and ceiling, HAAA!!¡ª
hurtling through the air like missiles as the room disintegrated under immense force. The soldiers, caught in the maelstrom, desperately shielded themselves from the onught, but to no avail.
HAAA!!¡ª
Ares let out a powerful roar as he channeled the energy of chaos within him, intensifying the devastating effects of his skill. The pulsating energy from his left eye expanded outward in a shockwave, ripping through the remains of the already damaged room.
The shockwave crashed into the army with a thunderous impact. The soldiers were thrown into disarray as the sheer force of the chaotic energy tore through their ranks. Armor shattered, shields splintered, and bodies were tossed aside like discarded dolls.
The destructive energy surged through the castle, branching out into adjoining rooms and corridors. Walls crumbled under the onught, sending plumes of dust and debris into the air.
The once mighty castle, a symbol of strength and power, now trembled under the weight of Ares'' unleashed chaos.
BOOM¡ª BOOM¡ª BOOM
Explosions echoed throughout the castle as the chaotic energy consumed everything in its path. Furniture disintegrated, tapestries caught fire, and the very essence of order and stability was obliterated.
The destructive rampage left behind a trail of devastation, transforming the once pristine castle into a twistedbyrinth of destruction.
As the energy began to dissipate, the room fell into an eerie silence, punctuated only by the faint crackling of embers and the settling of debris. Ares stood amidst the wreckage, his body heaving with exertion.
The room around him was a tattered ruin, with shattered remnants of what was once a barrier control room.
And the once formidable army had been reduced to mere ashes, scattered across the remnants of the floor. Their futile attempts to defend against the unstoppable power of the Eye of Chaosy in ruins.
Haaa~
Ares took a moment to assess the aftermath of his unleashed power. His eyes still glowed with remnants of the chaotic energy, a testament to the havoc he had wrought.
"....."
"...Seems like chaos has its advantages," Ares remarked to himself, his gaze fixed on the path of destruction left by his skill, a mix of satisfaction and disbelief coloring his voice.
He reached into his inventory and retrieved an advanced mana potion, quickly uncorking it and downing its contents in a single gulp. The power of the skill had drained him significantly, and he needed to replenish his mana reserves to continue the onught.
As he chugged the potion, thoughts raced through Ares''s mind. Controlling the skill and managing his mana usage effectively would be crucial for him to unleash its destructive potential more frequently, without the risk of being left vulnerable after a single attack.
"I hope I can find the bnce soon," Ares muttered, his determination resolute.
Meanwhile, through the Bluetooth earpiece, she wore, ine''s voice chimed in. "Did you not warn me to avoid unnecessary destruction, Ares? Well, it''s not like I''mining. I do enjoy a good explosion," she chuckled mischievously.
Ares sighed, slightly annoyed. "True, but it was you who initiated the assault on the castle," he retorted.
Changing the topic, ine continued, "I have taken down the Queen. What do you want me to do with her?" Her curiosity was piqued, and she awaited Ares''s decision.
Ares didn''t hesitate with his response. "Kill her," he stated coldly, his decision made.
ine paused for a moment, processing his words. Then, a wicked smile curled on her lips. "I see. But do you happen to have a taste for...incest? She could be an interesting addition¡ª"
Ares abruptly cut her off, his voice firm and resolute. "No, I have no interest in that. Just eliminate her," he dered, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Without waiting for a response, Ares removed the Bluetooth earpiece from his ear, severing the connection. His focus now shifted to his next target: Artin.
As he strode purposefully through the crumbling castle, Ares prepared himself for the confrontation ahead.
***
Tick¡ª
"Ah, ok¡ª" Before ine could utter another word, her connection with Ares abruptly ended, leaving her alone with Queen Arabe.
"....."
"Well, it seems he is not interested in having you as one of his conquests," ine spoke with a tinge of disappointment. "It''s truly a shame to end the life of such a strong woman like you. But s, my husband''s words are final. This is where your reign ends, Queen Arabe," she added, shaking her head in resignation.
"W-Wait! Y-You can''t kill me. The Hero Association wille after you¡ª"
Arabe desperately pleaded for her life, hoping to appeal to ine''s reason. But her words fell on deaf ears as ine had already made up her mind.
"I don''t care if the whole worldes after me. I will do whatever it takes to stay by his side, even if I have to defy the entire world," ine dered with unwavering determination.
!!
Arabe''s eyes widened with a mixture of fear and disbelief. She realized that she was facing an opponent who had thrown everything away for her twisted love and devotion to Ares. The reality of her imminent demise loomed over her, and she struggled toe to terms with her fate.
ine took a calcted step closer, her expression cold and devoid of mercy or remorse. With an outstretched hand, she conjured a ball of swirling golden energy, crackling with raw power. The atmosphere itself seemed to tremble in its presence, amplifying Arabe''s dread.
"This is the end for you, Arabe. Farewell," ine uttered coldly, her eyes gleaming with a fanatic zeal.
As the ball of energy grew brighter and more vtile in her hand, ine took onest look at Arabe. Then, with a swift motion, she hurled the deadly projectile toward the helpless queen.
Swish¨C
The ball of swirling energy hurtled through the air, closing the distance between ine and Queen Arabe with deadly speed. Arabe''s eyes widened in terror as she braced herself for the inevitable.
BOOM!
The st erupted with a deafening roar, engulfing Arabe in a blinding explosion of golden light. The force of the impact shook the surroundings, causing debris to rain down around them.
When the dust settled, all that remained of Queen Arabe was a lifeless figure lying amidst the wreckage. Her body was charred and mangled, a tragic testament to the power of ine''s attack.
And with that, thest breath of Queen Arabe was extinguished, her once formidable presence forever silenced.
To be continued...
Chapter 281 Old Schemes Exposed!
Chapter 281 Old Schemes Exposed!
As the smoke and dust settled, revealing the ruins of the once majestic castle, Artin and the maid caring for Aretrus emerged from the debris. They were among the few survivors, protected by an artifact Artin possessed that shielded them from the full brunt of the chaos unleashed by Ares.
Cough¡ª Cough¡ª
Artin coughed, his body shaken by the shock and disbelief of the sudden turn of events. In one moment, he had beenmanding his troops with confidence, and in the next, the entire castle had been reduced to a graveyard of his well-trained Knights.
There was no trace of the shadow organization members who were supposed to provide backup, leaving Artin to deduce that they had likely met the same fate as his troops.
"It''s been a while, hasn''t it, my brothers!" Suddenly, Ares''s voice rang out echoing through the deste remains of the castle.
!!
"Ares!" Artin''s jaw clenched, his re fixed upon Ares. Anger and resentment seethed within him, fueled by the loss of his troops and the devastation before him.
Meanwhile, Aretrus trembled in his wheelchair, fear consuming him. He instinctively tried to move backward, seeking distance from the approaching danger. However, his maid, disying a resolute expression, held the wheelchair firmly, preventing him from retreating further.
"Don''t worry, I am here to protect you!" the maid stated, her voice devoid of emotion but filled with an unwavering determination to protect him.
Ares''s grin widened as he took in the anger reflected in Artin''s eyes and the maid''s protective stance. His voice dripped with a mixture of malevolence and satisfaction. "Since your attempts to eliminate me were in vain, it is only fair that I return the favor, don''t you agree, my dear elder brothers?" he dered, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
His eyes scanned Aretrus''s trembling form, taking in the fear that gripped him. "Ah, Aretrus, it seems you have managed to preserve yourself quite well," he remarked, his tone dripping with a blend of mockery and sadistic amusement.
Aretrus shivered as a chill ran down his spine upon hearing Ares''s voice. He felt a mixture of terror and vulnerability, knowing the danger that loomed before him. His only sce was the maid who stood by his side, showing unwavering loyalty and protection.
"...And it appears you have also forged an alliance with the demon lord," Ares remarked, peering through the maid''s disguise before redirecting his attention toward Artin.
!?
Artin''s anger surged, and his sword unsheathed in a swift motion as he unleashed his pent-up frustration.
"You wretched bastard!" Artin''s voice echoed with a venomous rage. "Everything that has befallen us is because of you! If not for your existence, I would rightfully inherit the throne. Why did Father choose a lowly, manaless bastard like you as his sessor?" he spat, his words seething with bitterness. "I, the eldest and most deserving candidate, should be the one to ascend to the throne! You are nothing more than the son of a maid."
Ares remained silent, taken aback by Artin''s outburst. He had no knowledge of his father, King Artemur, choosing him as his sessor. The revtion seemed unfathomable, considering his previous self had been devoid of mana.
''Why would that old man choose me as his sessor?'' Confusion filled Ares''s mind as he inwardly pondered.
"...So, you killed my mother because I was the next in line for the throne?" Ares questioned calmly, his desire to understand Artin''s motivations evident.
"Haha! That woman got what she deserved. She witnessed something she shouldn''t have, and we disposed of her in the most brutal manner possible!" Artin confessed, hisughter tinged with madness.
Ares remained unfazed by the taunts, meeting Artin''s gaze with unwaveringposure. "I see. So, she witnessed you poisoning our father. That''s the reason she met her demise," Ares muttered, unperturbed by the revtion.
Artin''s eyes widened in surprise, disbelief washing over him. He struggled toprehend how Ares had uncovered the secret poisoning, an act that had eluded even the royal doctors.
"...So, you are aware of that, huh?" Artin''s voice trembled with astonishment. "Yes, she witnessed me poisoning Father when he dered you as his sessor. My mother relished in killing her, savoring every moment of her screams," he added, a sinister grin ying on his lips, hoping to incite a reaction from Ares.
But to his astonishment, Ares''s reaction was the opposite of what he had expected. Instead of anger or despair, Ares''s grin widened, radiating an eerie calmness.
"Oh, were you referring to this woman?" ine''s voice echoed, her sudden appearance catching Artin off guard. She tossed Queen Arabe''s severed head in front of him, causing it to thud against the ground.
Thud!¡ª
!!
The sight sent a shockwave through Artin''s being, his eyes widening in sheer horror.
"T-This can''t be!" Artin''s voice trembled with disbelief, his mind struggling toprehend the ghastly reality before him.
"M-Mother!" Aretrus screamed. "Y-You bastard, I will kill you!" His voice echoed with sorrow and rage as he faced Ares, his heart consumed by grief.
Aretrus turned to his maid, his eyes filled with desperation and a thirst for revenge. "Kill him for me! I want to see him suffer, to witness his torment!" he ordered, his voice shaking with a mix of sorrow and rage.
In response to hismand, the maid stepped forward, her arms morphing into tentacles with deadly des forming at their tips. The transformation revealed her true form¡ªa demonic creature.
"A demon?" ine muttered, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Do you want me to deal with her¡ª" she asked Ares, her tone filled with a hint of anticipation.
But before ine could finish her sentence, Ares sprang into action. With a swift and precise motion, his katana materialized in his hand, shing through the air with astonishing speed.
Swash¡ª Swash¡ª Swash
And in an instant, even before she could even react, the maid''s body was severed into multiple pieces, each falling to the ground with sickening thuds.
Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Thud
Silence engulfed the scene as the lifeless remains of the maidy scattered on the ground in the pool of her own blood.
"....."
ine shrugged, her earlier amusement fading. "...Well, never mind what I just said," she muttered, her eyes lingering on Ares and his mysterious katana, which had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
Aretrus, witnessing the swift and brutal demise of his loyal maid, felt a wave of despair wash over him. Overwhelmed by the reality of Ares''s power, he tumbled out of his wheelchair, his body weakened by sorrow.
"T-This can''t be happening! H-He is a monster! W-We can''t kill him," Aretrus cried, his voice trembling with desperation. "B-Brother, please do something, or we will meet the same fate as our mother," he pleaded, his voice filled with fear and desperation.
Artin, regaining hisposure, directed his anger at ine. "E-ine, what is the meaning of this? Your father is a loyal subject to the throne. Are you betraying the royalty?" he questioned, his voiceden with disbelief.
"Hmm? My father may be loyal to the throne, but I am not," ine responded with a dismissive shrug, her nonchnce contrasting with the tense atmosphere. "Nheless, Our family''s allegiance lies with the true sessor to the throne, who stands beside me. So, I don''t consider it a betrayal," she replied, her words carrying a sense of confidence.
"In fact, I am very loyal to the new king," ine whispered to herself, a wicked smile ying on her lips.
"...Enough with the chit-chat!" Ares dered, his voice cutting through the tension. He swept his katana downward, allowing droplets of blood to stain the ground below.
Drip¡ª Drip
His gaze turned icy cold as he locked eyes with Artin, his intent clear. "The dawn is approaching, and it''s time to bring this to a swift conclusion," he added, his words carrying an air of inevitability and imminent danger.
To be continued...
Chapter 282 The Fall Of Artin And Aretrus!
Chapter 282 The Fall Of Artin And Aretrus!
Artin clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as rage and desperation welled up inside him. He could feel the weight of his impending doom bearing down on him, but he refused to go down without a fight.
Aware that he had little chance against Ares while ine stood by his side, Artin braced himself, gripping his unsheathed sword tightly. He assumed a battle stance, his eyes locking with Ares''s, a zing fire flickering within his gaze, mirroring the fiery fire that surrounded him due to his elemental affinity.
"Prepare yourself, Ares," Artin spat, his voice filled with determination. "I won''t let you take everything away from me. I will fight until myst breath!"
Ares''s smirked, relishing the prospect of a fierce confrontation. He raised his katana, the de shimmering with electricity under the pale moonlight.
"As you wish, dear brother," Ares replied, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "Let us dance onest time."
Meanwhile, ine stood in silence, her smile widening with each passing moment, anticipation gleaming in her eyes. She understood the significance of Ares personally facing Artin and refrained from interfering, respecting the sh of their destinies.
"The best I can do is savor their fight," ine muttered, her gaze momentarily shifting towards Aretrus, who was biting his nails in desperation.
At that moment, a message from ine''s constetion materialized before her eyes, interrupting her thoughts.
[That Artin guy seems to be at the peak of S-Rank. I''m curious to see how Ares will ovee him. Will he unleash his constetions power once again?] the message read.
ine''s curiosity was piqued, and she pondered the revtion. "So, the lightning control from before... It was his constetion''s power," she mused aloud, seeking confirmation.
[Yes, it appears so.] The constetion''s message replied, affirming ine''s deduction.
"Interesting," ine whispered with a mischievous grin, her gaze fixed on the unfolding battle.
With unwavering determination, Artin lunged forward, his fiery sword slicing through the air with relentless speed. Ares met his assault head-on, their des colliding in a sh that reverberated with a thunderous impact.
CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!
Brilliant sparks erupted from the collision, illuminating their faces in a dramatic dance of light and shadow.
Artin''s movements grew increasingly fluid, his attacks relentless as he tapped into the depths of his mana. He infused his sword with even greater intensity, causing mes to surge forth and envelop his weapon, transforming it into a zing inferno.
Swoosh¡ª
The scorching waves of his strikes painted the battlefield with an eerie glow, casting an otherworldly aura upon their duel.
Undeterred by Artin''s fiery onught, Ares showcased his own formidable power. With a flourish, he used his skill Static Electricity and unleashed a torrent of crackling lightning, its electric tendrils arcing and snaking through the air. His katana conducted the surging currents, transforming it into a weapon of electrifying brilliance.
Shrieek¡ª Shrieek
The collision created an explosive spectacle, each sh resonating with a resounding boom that reverberated through the surroundings.
CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!
They moved with supernatural speed, darting and dodging, their swords shing and parrying in a dizzying disy of skill and power. Artin leaped into the air,unching himself toward Ares with a fiery aerial assault.
Ares countered with an electricity-imbued uppercut, their weapons colliding with a tremendous shockwave that sent waves of energy rippling through the air.
BOOM!¡ª
The battlefield became a chaotic symphony of fire and lightning, with Artin and Ares gracefully dancing through the storm of their own creation. They defied gravity, flipping and spinning, their movements bordering on the supernatural.
Artin''s mes formed ethereal wings that propelled him through the air, while Ares harnessed the power of electricity to dart around the battlefield with blinding speed.
Their attacks intensified, bing more ferocious and devastating with each passing moment. Artin summoned pirs of fire that erupted from the ground, engulfing Ares in a maelstrom of scorching mes.
But Ares, with a burst of electricity-infused agility, maneuvered through the inferno unscathed, retaliating with a barrage of electrifying strikes that crackled and sizzled with destructive force.
As the battle waged on, their powers intertwined, merging them in a symphony of destruction.
Reality itself seemed to bend and contort as Artin and Ares unleashed their most devastating techniques. Artin summoned a swirling vortex of infernal mes, its intensity growing with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, Ares channeled his power into numerous ethereal crescents, crackling with bolts of electrifying energy that streaked through the air like celestial arrows.
BOOM! BOOM!
Their sh reached its crescendo, the energy surging around them in a cataclysmic frenzy. Artin and Ares stood locked in a final, climactic sh, their swords pressed against each other with unwavering determination.
The collision of their powers ignited a cataclysmic explosion of fire and lightning, the very air crackling with theirbined might. The shockwave of their sh reverberated through the battlefield, sending ripples of raw energy in all directions.
unstoppable force of their collision.
As the swirling vortex of elemental chaos dissipated, a tense silence In that pivotal moment, time seemed to freeze. Artin''s eyes zed with an indomitable spirit, his body a vessel for the scorching energy coursing through his veins. Ares, his once wicked grin twisted into a fierce snarl, radiated an aura of raw power, his form crackling with the intensity of unleashed electricity.
And in a dazzling disy of strength and will, the sh reached its zenith. The ground shattered beneath their feet, debris and sparks spiraling in chaotic arcs. The once serene battlefield transformed into a maelstrom of elemental chaos, a testament to the unstoppable force of their collision.
As the swirling vortex of elemental chaos dissipated, a tense silence hung in the air. The battlefieldy in ruins, a testament to the titanic sh that had unfolded. Artin and Ares stood apart, their bodies marked by wounds and their breaths heavy with exhaustion.
Fuu¡ª Fuu¡ª
However, to Artin''s horror, suddenly a wicked grin spread across Ares''s face, and at that moment, a surge of power rippled through him. Artin''s eyes widened as he saw several blue, ethereal lines materialize and cover his entire body.
"What... what is this?" Artin gasped, his voice filled with disbelief and dread.
Before he could react, Ares moved with lightning speed, his de shing through the air with unmatched precision. The very air crackled with tension as each strike carried an overwhelming weight, tearing through reality itself.
SWASH! SWASH! SWASH!
In a swift and brutal flurry of strikes, Artin''s body was severed into numerous pieces, each strike leaving trails of intense energy in its wake. The scene unfolded in slow motion, the crimson stters of blood suspended in the air like an eerie dance of death.
Time seemed to stand still as the battlefield transformed into a canvas of tragedy and despair. Artin''s lifeless fragments hung suspended for a brief moment before gravity took hold, showering the ground with a macabre rain of blood and flesh.
Thud¡ª Thud¡ª Thud
Drip¡ª Drip¡ª Drip
Ares stood over the fallen Artin, his eyes gleaming with sadistic satisfaction. The taste of victory lingered on his lips, fueling his malevolent aura.
"The power of Gigantomania," Ares whispered under his breath. "A gift bestowed upon me after defeating Hercules. It truly is a formidable tool."
The sudden surge in Ares''s strength had caught Artinpletely off guard, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless. The gift of Gigantomania had allowed Ares to overpower Artin in thest moment, his blows delivering a devastating and fatal impact.
Silence descended upon the battlefield as Ares surveyed the scene, his victory assured. The air grew heavy with the weight of Artin''s defeat, his body now reduced to lifeless remnants scattered across the ground.
Ares''s gaze shifted, locking onto Aretrus, whose expression twisted with terror and disbelief. The sweat streamed down his face as he pleaded for his life, his voice trembling with desperation.
!!
"P-Please, don''t kill me! B-Brother, Brother Ares!" Aretrus begged, his voice choked with fear. "I had no part in the murder of your mother. It was my mother and our elder brother, Artin, whomitted that heinous act. I am innocent, and we have no animosity between us."
Aretrus''s words echoed in the stillness of the battlefield, his plea hanging in the air. His eyes pleaded for mercy, hoping to escape the same fate that had befallen Artin.
Ares regarded Aretrus with a cold, calcting gaze, his expression unreadable. The seconds stretched into an eternity as Ares contemted his next move, weighing the possibilities and the weight of his own vengeance.
ine''s curiosity grew, her eyes fixed on Ares, waiting to witness his decision unfold. ''Would he sumb to his desire for vengeance, eliminating Aretrus as well? Or would the weight of innocence sway him towards mercy?'' She pondered inwardly.
Finally, Ares spoke, his voice filled with a chilling resolve that sent a shiver down ine''s spine. "Meira," hemanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Deal with him."
As Ares''s words hung in the air, a shadow materialized behind Aretrus, seemingly extending from the depths of darkness itself. Before Aretrus could react or fullyprehend the situation, Meira emerged from the shadow, her form swift and lethal.
In an instant, her de arced through the air with deadly precision, severing Aretrus''s head from his body in a single, swift motion.
Swash¡ª
Aretrus''s eyes widened with disbelief and horror as his head flew through the air, a macabre testament to the cruel fate that had befallen him. His lifeless body crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around it, marking the end of his existence.
Thud!¡ª
Silence reigned over the battlefield once more, broken only by the distant echoes of Ares''smand and the thud of Aretrus''s lifeless body hitting the ground.
The aftermath of the sh was nowplete, and the air hung heavy with the stench of bloodshed. The fallen bodies of Arabe, Artin, and Aretrus served as haunting reminders of the consequences that came with the pursuit of revenge and the unforgiving nature of their world.
To be continued...
Chapter 283 Confronting King Artemur! [1]
Chapter 283 Confronting King Artemur! [1]
The sun rose, casting its warm glow upon the ruins of the castle. Debris and bloodshed littered the grounds, a grim testament to the fierce battle that had unfolded. Ares, having dealt with Artin and Aretrus, now made his way to the Imperial Infirmary where King Aretemur was being treated.
As they walked together, ine couldn''t help but voice her thoughts, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. "...What if Aretrus was telling the truth? What if he truly was innocent and had no hand in your mother''s death or your assassination?" she questioned, her eyes searching Ares''s face for a glimpse of doubt or reconsideration.
Ares''s steps faltered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. The weight of ine''s words lingered in the air, causing a brief pause in their steady stride.
Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying a mix of determination and indifference. "It doesn''t really matter if he was innocent or not," he replied, his tone unwavering. "I had already made up my mind to deal with every one of them, to ensure they can''t cause any more problems for me in the future."
ine observed Ares closely, his words echoing in her mind. She understood his perspective, having read countless novels and experienced the consequences of leaving loose ends. Ares''s decision reflected his strategic mindset, the desire to eliminate potential threats and ensure his own safety and power.
It resonated with ine, a mirror of her own thoughts and actions. Reminding her of the battles she had fought with her own sisters.
A mixture of amusement and understanding welled up within ine, her smile widening to an almost maniacal extent. She found a kindred spirit in Ares, a soulmate who shared her upromising nature and unyielding determination. The realization filled her with a twisted joy, for she had feared that her own strength and personality would drive away potential partners, just as it had in the past.
But with Ares, she saw a different path. The simrities in their personalities gave her a sense of relief, knowing that she wouldn''t have to hide or be judged for her true self.
Ares''s merciless approach to opponents and his unwavering loyalty to those he loved mirrored ine''s character. It was a connection that transcended conventional understanding, a bond that embraced their shared darkness.
As ine walked by Ares''s side, her heart felt lighter, as if a burden had been lifted. The knowledge that she had found someone who would ept her for who she truly was brought her a sense of sce and a newfound determination to stand by his side, no matter the cost.
"We...are so alike," ine muttered with a chuckle, her amusement evident in her voice.
Her constetion''s message appeared before her, affirming the uncanny simrity between their personalities. [Yeah, it''s almost scary how simr your personalities are!]
Ares, overhearing herment, shook his head in disbelief. "I have to admit, it''s true," he replied, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.
ine couldn''t help but tease him further, her mischievous natureing to the forefront. "So, do I have a chance to be a Queen when you ascend the throne?" she asked yfully, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Ares''s response came swiftly and without hesitation. "No, you can''t," he stated firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. "You wouldy the entire kingdom in ruins if you were to be the Queen."
"....."
ine blinked, momentarily taken aback by his blunt rejection. She couldn''t deny the truth in his words, knowing deep down that she wasn''t suited for the burdensome responsibilities of ruling.
Yet, a spark of determination flickered in her eyes. "I indeed dislike unnecessary work like overseeing a kingdom," she admitted. "But if it''s for my husband, I am willing to sacrifice my enjoyment and take up this bothersome task!"
"...There''s no need for you to sacrifice anything. I already have a candidate who can take care of the kingdom while I am away," Ares replied with a knowing smile.
!?
ine''s curiosity was piqued as she pressed for more information. "Hmm? And who might that woman be?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"You will know when the timees," Ares responded cryptically, leaving ine intrigued. Their conversation came to an end as they arrived at the heavily guarded hospital where King Aretemur was being treated.
!!
The sight of Ares, alive and bloodstained, caused shock and disbelief to ripple through the guards. Their expressions mirrored their astonishment as they witnessed what they believed to be an impossible sight.
Several guards, their hands trembling, instinctively took up fighting stances, as if facing a ghost from the past. The aura of power that emanated from Ares sent chills down their spines, making them question their resolve.
Ares wasted no time asserting his authority, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "If anyone tries to stop me, expect no mercy from me," he dered with an icy determination, his words resonating in the air.
Gulp¡ª
Just as tension reached its peak, an old woman with a walking stick appeared, calling out to Ares.
"Prince Ares!"
Ares turned his attention toward her, and as the guards noticed her presence, they lowered their weapons, their fear reced by respect, following her silentmand.
"The King has been expecting you," the old woman announced, her voice carrying a weight of authority.
!?
The knights, recognizing her as a figure of importance, didn''t question her words. They lowered their weapons and bowed guard, as they were aware of his disownment and loss of the prince title. Their minds raced, contemting the implications of the old slightly, acknowledging their previous rudeness. "Please forgive us for our rudeness, Prince Ares!" they spoke in unison.
The old woman''s address to Ares as "Prince" caught the guards off guard, as they were aware of his disownment and loss of the prince title. Their minds raced, contemting the implications of the old woman''s presence and her connection to the King. They dared not question her or risk the wrath of their potential new king.
Ares, however, paid little attention to the guards'' reactions, his focus fixated on the old woman before him. Amusement danced in his eyes as he spoke, "I am surprised that you are still alive and kicking old hag."
"....."
The old woman shook her head with a tired smile. "What can I do? You stupid brats won''t let me retire. I can only rest in my grave now," she muttered, gesturing for Ares to follow her. "This way!"
Ares silently fell in line behind the old woman, apanied by ine. As they walked, the old woman guided them through the corridors toward King Artemur''s room.
The old woman was known as the keeper of the Kingdom, a figure entrusted with caring for generations of princes and princesses since the kingdom''s founding. Her age remained a mystery, shrouded in the depths of time.
As they walked, the woman spoke, her voice carrying a somber tone. "It seems you have just unleashed a storm of bloodshed upon your own blood," the old woman remarked, her words weighed down with a mix of resignation and deep familiarity. "...History has an uncanny way of repeating itself," she added, shaking her head in disappointment, and the echoes of her walking stick hitting the ground resonated in the corridor.
Tick¡ª Tick¡ª Tick
Ares wasn''t surprised that she had deduced the recent massacre of his brothers and the Queen from the stains of blood on his clothes. Having lived for centuries, she had witnessed countless power struggles and held knowledge of secrets unknown to others in the kingdom.
Lost in his thoughts, Ares silently followed the old woman until they reached the room where King Artemur was.
Click¡ª
The door creaked open under the old woman''s touch, granting ess to the room. She turned to Ares and spoke, her voice filled with a mix of authority and wisdom. "I will be waiting outside. You can have a talk with him," she said, before ncing at ine. "You can apany him if you want."
Ares remained silent, his expression was serious and cold. There was no room for hesitation or second thoughts in his mind. He hade here with a singr purpose¡ªto confront the man who had imed to be his father, the one who had orchestrated so much pain and deceit in his previous self.
ine''s grin widened, her amusement growing. She didn''t receive a response from Ares, but she knew his intentions. Stepping closer to him, she whispered softly, "I''ll be right here, supporting you."
However, Ares didn''t acknowledge herment. With a resolute stride, he stepped into the room, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. King Artemury on the bed, his once-strong figure now weakened by the poison. His eyes widened as they met Ares''s gaze, a mix of surprise and concern flickering within them. The weight of their shared history hung in the air, palpable and suffocating.
Ares locked eyes with King Artemur, his voice cold and controlled. "It''s time we had a talk, ...father."
The stage was set for a confrontation that would shape the destiny of both Ares and the kingdom. As the door closed behind him, Ares prepared to face the man who had yed a pivotal role in his previous self, ready to confront the truth and seek his own justice.
To be continued...
Chapter 284 Confronting King Artemur! [2]
Chapter 284 Confronting King Artemur! [2]
As Ares entered the room, the atmosphere grew heavy with tension. King Artemury on the bed, his once-mighty figure now reduced to a frail and emaciated state, the poison coursing through his veins having taken its toll.
His body was gaunt, his skin translucent enough to reveal the prominence of his bones. Gray strands of hair adorned his head, a stark contrast to the vitality he had once possessed.
Upon hearing the approaching footsteps, his weary eyes widened, fixing on the doorway where Ares stood. Surprise mingled with concern flickered within his gaze, a reflection of the weight of their shared history.
"A-Ares?" King Artemur managed to utter, his voice barely a whisper, as Ares approached his bedside.
Ares met his gaze with an unwavering stare, his voice cold and controlled. "It''s time we had a talk, ...father."
However, before their conversation could begin, a nurse attending to King Artemur spoke up, her voiceced with surprise and professionalism.
She had initially been taken aback by Ares''s appearance, but quickly regained herposure. "P-Prince Ares, I regret to inform you that King Artemur has lost his eyesight due to an unknown ailment. He is unable to see you," she ryed the information, her words tinged with a sense of urgency. "His body is deteriorating rapidly, and we have been administering advanced healing potions to prolong his life. However, his condition is dire, and it is best to prepare for the worst. Please consider this interaction as potentially yourst."
Ares was taken aback by the nurse''s revtion, his mind racing with questions and suspicions. ''How could they remain unaware of the poisoning? Had Artin managed to manipte the imperial doctors as well?'' These thoughts swirled within him, fueling his growing distrust.
Before Ares could delve deeper into his suspicions, King Artemur interrupted, his voice filled with authority. "Leave," hemanded, dismissing the nurse with a wave of his hand, indicating his desire to speak with Ares alone.
The nurse bowed slightly to Ares before reluctantly exiting the room, leaving Ares and King Artemur to face each other in solitude.
Click¡ª
However, to Ares''s surprise, ine remained in the room, having made herself at home on a nearby sofa. She casually plucked an apple from a tray and began to eat it, her eyes fixated on the drama that is about to unfold before her.
A telepathic message suddenly broke the silence. "The poison seems to have been made by a demon," Irethiel''s voice whispered in Ares''s mind. Ares remained stoic, his attention still fixed on the sorry state of the king before him.
Ares''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere, filled with a mix of curiosity and usation. "I am curious to know why you chose me King Artemur finally spoke, his voice filled with resignation. "...I believe this is karma," he admitted his words barely above a whisper. "The sins of my past havee back to haunt me. To be poisoned by my own son and the woman I loved and made queen." His voice carried a heavy weight, filled with remorse.
Cough¡ª Cough
ine''s thoughts echoed Ares''s surprise. ''Interesting! So, the king knew about the poisoning all along?'' The revtion deepened the intrigue, fueling ine''s curiosity.
Ares''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere, filled with a mix of curiosity and usation. "I am curious to know why you chose me as your sessor instead of your talented son, Artin. It seems your decision has brought you to the situation you find yourself in now," Ares questioned, his toneced with a hint of mockery.
"...Were you not the one who constantly sought different and indirect ways to kill me, simply because I was manaless? All to avoid any me for your actions?" Ares''s words hung in the air, challenging and cutting.
King Artemur''s gaze shifted, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and resignation. "I admit my mistakes, Ares," he confessed, his voice strained. "In my desire to secure the kingdom''s future, I made choices that I now deeply regret. But it was never about your strength orck thereof. It was about the burden of the crown and the expectations that came with it."
!?
The revtion struck ine like a bolt of lightning, her eyes widening in shock. She couldn''t believe the depth of King Artemur''s treachery.
[Woah, so he decided to eliminate his own son because he perceived him as weak? And yet, here Ares stands, defying all odds and growing stronger with each passing day. If his current trajectory continues, he could be the strongest mortal alive.]ine''s constetion illuminated with the message, capturing her astonishment at Ares''s transformation.
However, ine chose to remain silent, realizing that she had little understanding of what Ares had endured to be the person he was today. Having possessed immense strength since birth, ine had never experienced the hardships and challenges that Ares had faced.
Amid the heavy silence, King Artemur''s voice broke through again, filled with remorse and sorrow. "...I regret everything," he confessed, his tone heavy with the weight of his realization. "As I lie here on my deathbed, I see the errors of my ways. The power I relentlessly pursued failed me when I needed it the most. And I havee to understand the bitter truth that betrayals oftene from those closest to us." His voice trembled with genuine remorse. "Ares, I am truly sorry for everything I have done to you."
Ares maintained a cold and disgusted stare, his eyes reflecting years of pain and resentment. The man lying before him was the same person who had orchestrated numerous attempts on his life, seeking to eliminate him through assassins, poison, and other nefarious means.
Ares had never had a father figure to look up to, not even in his previous life as an orphan. Seeing King Artemur''s behavior, he was relieved that he hadn''t experienced a father''s cruelty firsthand.
"Your single apology is far from enough to absolve you of your sins," Ares retorted, his face contorted with disdain. He struggled to control his anger, resisting the urge to end King Artemur''s life then and there. "Just answer my question¡ªwhy did you choose me as your sessor?"
King Artemur''s voice held a mix of resignation and urgency as he spoke, his words punctuated by fits of coughing. "...I know my sins can never be easily forgiven, and I don''t expect you to forgive me either," he acknowledged.
"T-The reason I chose you as my sessor over my other sons... is because I learned of Artin''s true intentions. Not only is he seeking coboration with that viinous organization, but he is also joining forces with demons, plotting to conquer other kingdoms with their aid." The king''s voice cracked, his weakened body sumbing to a fit of violent coughing.
Cough¡ª Cough¡ª Cough
"His ambitions were insatiable, and they would have led my hard-earned kingdom to ruin,"he eximed, his voice filled with desperation. "Those demons can never be trusted!" Blood stained his lips as he continued to cough, the toll of his deteriorating health bing increasingly evident.
"Argh!"
With a mixture of pain and regret etched across King Artemur''s face, he clutched Ares''s hand tightly. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke. "Y-Your mother warned me about the poison, but I was a fool not to believe her," he admitted, his voice quivering. "Please, I beg you, take care of this kingdom in my stead."
Ares listened to him, his expression was unreadable, as King Artemur''s grip tightened. He felt a surge of conflicting emotions¡ª
anger, resentment, and even a glimmer of pity.
"I-I don''t know if this will be enough, but I hope it will aid you in some way," King Artemur muttered, his hand beginning to emit a faint glow. Ares instinctively tried to pull away, but a snake tattoo on King Artemur''s hand came to life, swiftly slithering onto Ares''s hand.
Phissss¡ª
The sensation was both eerie and captivating as the snake wrapped around his arm, its presence now marked on his skin.
!?
Ares felt a surge of power coursing through his veins as the snake tattoo shimmered before settling on his hand.
Ding!¡ª
His system emitted a notification sound, but he couldn''t bring himself to check it. His attention remained fixed on the king''s faltering breaths.
Beeppp¡ª
Suddenly, the medical equipment connected to King Artemur began emitting urgent beeping sounds, the signs of his failing condition bing more pronounced.
Click¡ª
Tap¡ª Tap
In a flurry of urgency, doctors and nurses rushed into the room, their voices a cacophony of concern as they assessed the king''s deteriorating state.
Ares stood frozen, shock rendering him motionless as he processed the sudden turn of events.
He had hoped to find answers from his so-called father, but it seemed that fate had decided otherwise. The questions that lingered in his mind would forever remain unanswered.
"T-The king...he''s no more," one of the doctors eximed, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and sorrow.
"....."
Chapter 285 Kingdom In Turmoil
Chapter 285 Kingdom In Turmoil
The kingdom was shaken to its core by the announcement of the deaths of King Artemur, Queen Arabe, Prince Aretrus, and the soon-to-be-crowned King Artin. The news spread like wildfire, engulfing the hearts of the popce in shock and disbelief.
The loss of the entire royal family in one fell swoop was unfathomable, and the mystery surrounding their deaths only deepened the sense of unease.
Amidst the sorrow and confusion, an unexpected announcement added to the bewilderment. The kingdom would proceed with the nned coronation ceremony, despite the tragic loss of the previous monarch and the royal heirs.
The news sparked a flurry of questions and rumors, as the citizens grappled with the reality that there was no direct heir to inherit the throne.
Whispers echoed through the streets, as people pondered who would ascend to power in the absence of any remaining royal blood. The kingdom had always known that King Artemur had emerged victorious in a bloody struggle for the throne, a tale passed down through the centuries.
The haunting images of his coronation, drenched in the blood of his own siblings, circted among the people, a constant reminder of the ruthless path he had taken to im his title.
Now, with the demise of King Artemur and his sons, Ares, Aretrus, and Artin, spection ran rampant as to who would be the next ruler.
The citizens, unaware of Ares'' survival, believed that King Artemur''s second son, who had been taken in as a disciple by an unknown figure during his early years, would make a grand return to im the throne and continue the royal bloodline.
And as the rumors and spections spread throughout the Escratia kingdom, capturing the attention and imagination of its inhabitants, the world beyond also turned its gaze toward the forting coronation.
News reporters from far and wide flocked to the Escratia kingdom, eager to capture exclusive coverage of the newly crowned king and the unfolding of this significant moment in history.
The once dominant news from the past few days of the tragic incident that had urred during the interacademypetition and Ivica''s resignation as the Dean of the well-known Soreh Academy faded into the background, overshadowed by the intrigue and anticipation surrounding the impending coronation.
Amidst the swirl of spection and media frenzy, the destiny of the kingdom and its royal bloodline hung in the bnce, awaiting the revtion of the true heir and the dawn of a new era.
***
Meanwhile, as Ares was being dressed by the maids for the funeral of King Artemur, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of detachment. While he didn''t view King Artemur as his father, he acknowledged at Ares and questioned his choices.
"...I heard you denied media coverage and prevented the citizens thete king''s dedication to his kingdom and the protection of its citizens.
Despite his reservations, Ares made the decision to attend the funeral, recognizing the importance of paying his respects before his own coronation as the new king.
Just as Ares was preparing, the old woman known as the Keeper of the Kingdom entered the room, her presencemanding attention. Leaning on her trusty walking stick, she directed her gaze at Ares and questioned his choices.
"...I heard you denied media coverage and prevented the citizens from attending the funeral. Don''t you think the people deserve to bid farewell to their beloved king, whom they held dear?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Ares turned to face her, his expression resolute. "The citizens should remember King Artemur as the mighty ruler he once was, not as a feeble shell consumed by poison," he replied in a firm voice. "Allowing them to witness his deteriorated state would only stoke their anger and reveal the ipetence of those responsible for his well-being, including yourself, Keeper."
He paused for a moment, his voiceced with a tinge of frustration. "Speaking of which, I fail toprehend your role in this kingdom. What exactly do you do, and why are you known as the Keeper?" Ares inquired, his curiosity mixing with a hint of skepticism. "...Surely, your responsibilities extend beyond caring for generations of princes and princesses. If that were the case, where were you when my second brother was taken away by some shady individual?"
The old woman held her gaze for a brief moment, her expression betraying a hint of sadness and remorse. "Your second brother was not forcibly taken from the kingdom. It was a decision made by King Artemur and Queen Arabe themselves, to groom him as a weapon, to be utilized when the kingdom deemed it necessary," she revealed, her voice tinged with regret. "As for my role and why I am known as the Keeper of the Kingdom...you wille to understand it when the timees," she added cryptically before turning away and leaving the room.
!?
ine couldn''t contain her annoyance and spoke out, "...So even the soon-to-be king is denied the right to know the truth about her and her purpose? I suspect she is also one of the culprits responsible for poisoning King Artemur," ine expressed, her frustration evident in her voice.
However, the old woman remained unfazed by ine''s remarks, ignoring her as she made her exit from the room, leaving Ares and ine to ponder the mysteries surrounding her true nature and intentions.
"...."
Ares stood in the room, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The revtions about his second brother and the old woman''s cryptic responses only added to his growing frustration. He couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to the story, secrets buried deep within the castle''s walls.
Approaching Ares, ine''s voice filled with curiosity as she sought his thoughts on the matter. "Ares, I can see that something is bothering you. What do you make of all this? The old woman''s behavior is suspicious, and the secrets surrounding your second brother raise more questions. What if he seeks revenge and targets you for the throne?" ine asked.
''Hmm, maybe I should deal with him before he even reach my husband,'' she pondered inwardly.
Letting out a sigh, Ares ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. "...I don''t know, ine. It feels like everyone has their own hidden agenda, and the pieces of this puzzle just don''t fit together." He struggled to understand how and why King Artemur would want to turn his own son into a weapon.
"...Moreover, I don''t even know if he is still alive. And even if he is, I can''t imagine he would seek revenge for the very people who wanted to use him as a weapon," Ares mumbled, grappling with theplexities of the situation.
He released another sigh, his thoughts temporarily interrupted by the sound of the door being knocked upon.
Knock¡ª Knock
"Your Highness, it is time!" They heard the voice of a knight from outside the door, indicating that the moment had arrived for them to attend the final rites of King Artemur.
Reluctantly, Ares straightened his posture. "...Alright, let''s get this over with," he muttered.
And with that, Ares and ine exited the room and began their procession through the corridors of the castle. The once vibrant halls were now draped in ck, casting a somber atmosphere.
As they walked, the pce staff bowed their heads in respectful acknowledgment, offering condolences and silent support to their soon-to-be king. Their expressions held a mixture of sadness and uncertainty, reflecting everyone''s shared grief that hung in the air.
The path to the ce where King Artemur''s funeral would be held was adorned with ck draperies, guiding Ares and ine toward the final farewell.
To be continued...
Chapter 286 The Coronation Ceremony!
Chapter 286 The Coronation Ceremony!
With his attire fitting for the solemn asion, Ares made his way to the grand hall where King Artemur''s funeral was being held. The hall was adorned with ck draperies, casting a somber atmosphere that matched the weight of their loss.
As he entered the hall, Ares noticed the hushed whispers and mournful gazes of the kingdom''s high-ranking officials. The air was heavy with grief, and the collective sorrow filled the space, and though they had many questions on their minds, a respectful silence hung in the air.
A grand podium stood at the front, adorned with flowers and candles, serving as the centerpiece for King Artemur''s final farewell. Arge portrait of thete king, resplendent in his regal attire, overlooked the somber gathering.
Ares walked forward, his steps measured and his expressionposed. As he passed by each mourner, he could feel their eyes upon him, a mix of curiosity, sympathy, and expectation. They looked to him as thest remaining heir, the one who would carry the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders.
Finding a ce among the dignitaries and officials, Ares took his position, his eyes fixed on the draped casket that held the lifeless body of King Artemur. Memories of their limited interaction flickered through his mind and the power he had passed on to him in hisst moments.
As he stood there, surrounded by the kingdom''s grief, he pondered. ''...I will put that power to good use.''
The ceremony soon began, with prayers and hymns resonating through the chamber, filling the space with solemn melodies.
As the service drew to a close, Ares felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. The funeral marked the end of an era, a chapter in the kingdom''s history that would forever be etched in the hearts of its people. And with it, a new chapter would begin¡ªone where Ares would be thrust into the role of a king.
Once King Artemur''s body had been transformed into particles, symbolically returning to the kingdom he had ruled, Ares rose from his seat and exited the chamber, leaving behind the memories of King Artemur''s reign.
But there was only one thing on his mind: he had now gained ess to an army at his disposal, which he could utilize whenever the need arose.
***
The sun began its descent, casting an orange glow over the Escratia Kingdom as preparations were underway for Ares'' grand coronation. The pce grounds buzzed with activity, as workers meticulously decorated the venue, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the momentous asion.
News of the coronation had spread far and wide, attracting the attention of reporters from all corners of the realm. They had arrived in droves, setting up their cameras and microphones, eager to capture the historic event.
Among the crowd, whispers and spections circted about who would ascend the throne in the absence of any direct heirs. Many believed that the mysterious second son, who had been taken away as a disciple, would be the rightful heir. Little did they know that the unexpected would soon unfold before their eyes.
As the appointed hour neared, the crowd grew restless, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the new king. The reporters, with their cameras at the ready, jostled for the best vantage points, eager to capture the moment when the mysterious second son ofte King Artemur would make his entrance.
Suddenly, the trumpets red, signaling the imminent arrival of the soon-to-be-crowned king. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as the massive pce doors swung open.
All eyes turned toward the entrance of the courtyard, their expressions shifting from curiosity to disbelief.
!?
A figure emerged, his regal presencemanding attention. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as Ares stepped forward, d in royal attire befitting a king. His stoic expression and determined gaze sent a wave of disbelief through the reporters.
"...A-Ares?" One of them uttered under his breath, his eyes widening in shock. The news of Ares'' death had spread like wildfire in the past few days, and many mourned the loss of this young talent. But now, to everyone''s surprise, Ares not only proved to be alive but he was also being crowned as the new king.
Amidst this sudden turn of events and the deaths of all the royalties in one night, conclusions began to form in the minds of the reporters. Spections arose that Ares might have yed a role in the tragic events, with news of explosions and destruction from the previous night.
Gasps of astonishment filled the air, followed by a flurry of camera shutters and reporters scrambling to capture this unexpected turn of events. The frenzy of the reporters intensified as they realized that the prince they had assumed to be dead stood before them, about to be crowned as the new king.
shbulbs erupted like fireworks, capturing the stunning revtion before their lenses. Questions flew through the air, shouted from reporters eager to be the first to uncover the truth. Ares walked with measured steps, unaffected by the frenzy around him, his gaze fixed on the podium where the coronation ceremony would take ce.
As he ascended the steps, the atmosphere crackled with excitement and curiosity. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to address the kingdom that had believed him to be lost. The weight of their expectations bore down upon him, but he stood tall, unwavering.
''...The moment has finallye, huh,'' Ares thought to himself. ''I never dreamed, nor ever wanted, to be a king and be bound by something. But it seems I have no other choice but to take on this role to fulfill what I wanted to do,'' he pondered.
The ceremonymenced with a solemn procession of nobles and dignitaries, each paying their respects to the new king. Ares listened intently to the words spoken by the High Chancellor, pledging loyalty, wisdom, and protection to the kingdom and its people.
"Your Highness, the time hase for you to ept your rightful ce as the ruler of Escratia," the High Chancellor dered, his voice resonating with authority.
Ares nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I humbly ept the responsibility bestowed upon me. I stand before you, ready to shoulder the burdens of leadership and serve my kingdom with unwavering dedication and honor," he proimed with conviction.
The room filled with anticipation as the moment everyone had been waiting for drew near¡ªthe crowning of the new king. The crown, a symbol of power and authority,y resting on a velvet cushion, waiting to be ced upon Ares'' head.
Ares stood tall before the High Chancellor, his gaze steady and resolute. With a solemn nod, the High Chancellor lifted the crown from the cushion and approached Ares. He carefully positioned the crown above Ares'' head, the weight of it settling upon him with a tangible significance.
The room fell into a hushed silence as the crown found its rightful ce. The jeweled adornments shimmered under the light, casting a radiant glow. Ares'' expression remainedposed, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the moment.
As the crown settled upon his head, the high chancellor gestured him toward the majestic throne.
Wasting no time, Ares proceeded and took his seat on the throne, feeling the weight of the crown upon him, a physical reminder of his newfound authority.
Just as he made himselffortable on the throne, a notification from his system appeared before him, catching his attention.
Ding!¡ª
{Ruler''s Authority Is Now Active!}
In that very instant, a brilliant light burst forth from Ares, reaching toward the skies, and illuminating the room with its majestic glow.
Swoosh¡ª
!?
To be continued...
Chapter 287 The Ruler!
Chapter 287 The Ruler!
Ding!¡ª
{Ruler''s Authority Is Now Active!}
Swoosh¡ª
!?
As the brilliant light burst forth from Ares and filled the room, the crowd of nobles, officials, and reporters gasped in awe at the sight before them. The dazzling radiance illuminated every corner of the grand hall, and whispers of astonishment and reverence spread like wildfire.
"C-Could this be...?" one noble whispered.
"H-He truly is the chosen one," remarked another.
The High Chancellor himself was taken aback by the disy, realizing that something extraordinary had just urred. Ares, still seated upon the throne, was enveloped in the luminous aura, his expression calm yet unmistakably powerful.
The light soared upward, prating the ceiling of the grand hall, and as if guided by an unseen force, it continued to rise, piercing through theyers of the pce walls, until it finally reached the skies above the kingdom of Escratia.
Outside the pce, the citizens of Escratia gazed up in wonder at the breathtaking spectacle. The light painted the entire city with a surreal glow, and the people felt a surge of hope and excitement surging through their hearts. They sensed the dawn of a new era, with a ruler unlike any they had known before.
In distantnds, others with a deep sensitivity to such forces felt a ripple in the fabric of reality. The news of the awakened Ruler resonated across the realms, drawing attention and curiosity from those who held power or sought to challenge it.
Among those who felt the ripple in the fabric of reality were rulers of neighboring kingdoms, mages with ancient knowledge, and high-rank individuals from distantnds.
In the ancient-looking forest, an enigmatic being paused in their contemtions, their senses attuned to the shifting currents of magic.
High atop towering mountain peaks, mystics, and seers gazed into crystal orbs, their visions clouded with images of the newly anointed ruler.
In the Hero Association Building, Jessica stood on the balcony of her room, holding a cup of steaming coffee. Her gaze fixated on the distant horizon where the kingdom of Escratiay, as she sensed a powerful surge of energy emanating from its borders.
"...An awakened Ruler, you say?" Jessica mused, her eyes filled with intrigue. "This turn of events may have far-reaching consequences. An awakened Ruler can upset the delicate equilibrium that has been established in this past decade," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The news spread like wildfire through the enchanted realms, capturing the attention of both allies and adversaries. Kings and queens, sorcerers, and warlords, all took notice of the awakening of a force that could potentially reshape the bnce of power.
***
Back in the grand hall, the High Chancellor stepped forward, his voice trembling with reverence. "B-Behold, my fellow citizens, witnesses of this momentous asion! The light that graces us today is a testament to the birth of a true ruler, one chosen by destiny itself!" His words resonated through the hall, punctuated by the roaring apuse and cheers of the crowd.
Meanwhile, amidst themotion, Ares remained seated on the throne, his expression calm andposed. The brilliant light that had surrounded him began to fade, gradually subsiding to reveal his figure once more. His eyes gleamed with determination as he observed the excited popce before him.
"...."
''...Well, the timing of the activation of this Ruler''s Authority was perfect but quite extravagant,'' Ares thought to himself, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ''I didn''t expect it to be this grand.''
As the light continued to diminish, Ares rose from the throne, his regal presencemanding the attention of the crowd.
"My people," Ares began, his voicemanding attention and respect, "the time hase for us to embark on a journey together¡ªa journey toward a brighter future for Escratia!" His words reverberated through the hall, resonating in the hearts of everyone present.
The citizens of Escratia erupted into cheers once again, their voices echoing through the grand hall. The chants of "Long live King Ares!" and "Long live the Kingdom of Escratia!" filled the air, the passion, and loyalty of the people palpable.
The reporters stood in awe, their cameras capturing the momentous asion, while their pens hurriedly scribbled notes to capture every detail of the event.
With a simple gesture, Ares raised his hand, and the cheering subsided, the crowd growing still and attentive.
And as the sudden silence fell upon the hall, a daring reporter raised her hand and mustered the courage to ask the question that lingered in the minds of all the reporters, yet seemed forgotten or too delicate to be voiced by the citizens of Escratia Kingdom.
"Y-Your Highness," the reporter eximed, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "What was the cause of death of all the royalties in one night, including King Artemur? A-And given your miraculous survival, presumed dead after the incident that urred in the finals of the inter-academy tournament, can it be inferred that you had a hand in the deaths of the royalties, seeking your revenge? Spection has circted that Prince Artin orchestrated the attack in an attempt to assassinate you."
!?
The room grew silent, the tension thick in the air. All eyes turned to the brave reporter, surprised by her audacity to ask such a pointed question.
Yet, they also recognized the futility of seeking answers that would not change the present reality¡ªwhere Ares, the sole surviving member of the royal family, now stood as their king.
Ares, however, remained unfazed by the question. He met the reporter''s gaze with an indifferent expression, his eyes revealing a glimpse ofplex emotions thaty hidden beneath hisposed exterior. Finally, he spoke in a measured tone.
"Yes, it was I who killed my brothers, Aretrus and Artin, as well as Queen Arabe," Ares admitted, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow and remorse. The weight of his confession hung in the air, permeating the atmosphere with a mix of shock and understanding.
!?
The room erupted into murmurs and gasps, the magnitude of Ares'' revtion sinking in. The reporters scrambled to record and process this unexpected admission, their pens racing across notepads, capturing the weighty truth.
Ares took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, unyielding and with the viinous organization, those who plotted the attack on the innocents during the tournament. But their betrayal runs deeper. They were followers of the demon unapologetic. "I did not seek revenge for the attempt on my life," he rified, his voice unwavering. "Their deaths were a consequence of their own actions, driven by greed and a thirst for power."
He continued, his voice resonating with conviction. "Yes, I killed those who colluded with the viinous organization, those who plotted the attack on the innocents during the tournament. But their betrayal runs deeper. They were followers of the demon lord Belphagor, conspiring to use the Kingdom of Escratia as a tool for their demonic agendas." He revealed.
!?
A hush fell over the crowd as his words sank in. Ares'' revtion painted a darker picture of the royal family''s treachery, unveiling their true intentions and the threat they posed to the kingdom and its people.
Suddenly, the knights made their way to the stage, solemnly presenting the bodies of the Shadow organization members, still adorned with their trademark half-skull masks and the lifeless forms of demonic creatures. The sight sent a shiver through the audience, a visual testament to the danger that had lurked within their midst.
Cameras clicked, capturing the startling scene, and suddenly, the holographic screen of a crystal ballflickered to life, projecting a recording of Prince Artin. The crowd watched in awe and disbelief as Artin confessed to poisoning the king and revealed Queen Arabe''s hand in the death of Ares'' mother.
A collective gasp echoed through the hall, mingling with anger and betrayal. The citizens'' emotions shifted, their anger directed toward the deceased traitors who had deceived them and aligned themselves with the demonic forces.
Ares, standing tall amidst the uproar, dered with unwavering resolve, "As a seeker of justice and in fulfillment of my father''sst wish, I have brought forth justice upon these traitors who sold their souls and nned to manipte your lives for their own malevolent goals."
The citizens, fueled by a mix of anger and gratitude, unleashed a torrent of curses aimed at the fallen princes and Queen Arabe. Their voices rose in a thunderous chorus, drowning out the echoes of the past, as they cheered for Ares, the one who had liberated them from the clutches of treachery and saved their kingdom from the grip of darkness.
At that moment, the people of Escratia found sce and hope in their newly crowned king, a beacon of justice and a guardian of their shared future. With their hearts united, they embraced Ares as their leader, ready to follow him into the uncharted path of rebuilding and redemption.
Chapter 288 The Depths of Elaines Constellation Power! [1]
Chapter 288 The Depths of ine''s Constetion Power! [1]
The Coronation ceremony had finallye to an end, and Ares was now officially the new King of the Kingdom of Escratia. Following his address to the crowd and a brief interview with the reporters, he returned to his newly rebuilt castle, a marvel of advanced technology and magicpleted in just a few hours, tailored to Ares'' tastes.
Having changed from his royal attire back into his casual clothes, Ares found himself seated on his bed in his room, surrounded by a plethora of gifts sent by nobles, high-ranking individuals, and monarchs from other kingdoms.
The presents were tokens of congrattions for his ascension to the throne and gestures of goodwill to forge friendly rtionships.
Beside him, ine eagerly tore open the gift wraps, her excitement mirroring that of a child on a festive asion.
"Oh, look! It''s a beautiful dagger!" ine eximed, her eyes shining as she opened a case containing a finely crafted de. "There''s also a message attached," she added, her curiosity piqued as she began to read the words written on the apanying note.
The message read:
[For the newly crowned King Ares,
May this dagger, forged with the finest materials and imbued with enchantments of protection, serve as a symbol ofstrength and protection as you lead the Kingdom of Escratia.
May it serve as a reminder of the challenges you have ovee and the victories that await you. Congrattions on your coronation. We extend our sincerest wishes for a prosperous reign.
With utmost respect,
Hero Association.]
"Hmm, let me check if it''s coated with poison," ine remarked yfully, picking up the dagger and deftly twirling it between her fingers. She skillfully performed a series of striking moves, testing its bnce and craftsmanship.
SWISH¡ª SWISH¡ª SWISH
"Looks like there''s nothing wrong with it," ine nodded in satisfaction, cing the dagger back in its case before moving on to unwrap the other gifts with childlike excitement.
"....."
Meanwhile, Ares observed ine''s yful antics for a moment, his amusement evident in his eyes. He then shifted his attention to Irethiel, who had been disguised as a reporter during the coronation ceremony.
"...Now I understand why you wanted me to y the role of a reporter and question you," Irethiel spoke, her voice filled with understanding, before transforming back into her demon form. Ares responded with a smile, acknowledging her role in the orchestrated questioning.
Indeed, it was Irethiel who had assumed the guise of a reporter and posed the daring question about the deaths of the royaltiesin front of the citizens and other reporters. Ares had anticipated that while people were curious about the incident and its dramatic aftermath, they would hesitate to directly question him, fearing to offend the newly crowned king.
Aware of the maniptive nature of mainstream media, Ares had exploited the situation to his advantage. He had strategically ced Irethiel as one of the reporters to provide him with an opportunity to present a carefully crafted narrative.
This not only shielded him from being associated with the murders of his family but also allowed him to expose the schemes of the royal family, earning him favorability not only from the citizens of Escratia but from people worldwide.
Ares recognized the media''s role as mere puppets manipted by those in power to control public perception. By using Irethiel''s presence, he could dictate the story he wanted to convey, shedding light on the broader implications that could have affected the entire world.
Thus, through this strategic maneuver, Ares skillfully navigated the intricate web of politics and media, shaping the narrative to his advantage and earning the support and admiration of both his own people and the global popce.
***
As Ares reclined on his bed, his mind began to drift, and he couldn''t help but dwell on the lingering absence of Mika, Aegis, and Helena. ''Why haven''t they returned from that treacherous dungeon yet?'' Ares sighed, his thoughts consumed by their uncertain fate. The weight of their absence tugged at his heart, fueling his determination to reunite with them once more.
Lost in his thoughts, Ares''s gaze shifted to a nearby table, where an invitation to an uing conferencey. The conference aimed to gather monarchs and high-ranking individuals, urging them to join forces in devising a strategy tobat the looming threat of the demon lords.
"...Three more days until the conference," Ares murmured, contemting the significance of the gathering.
ine, noticing the change in Ares'' mood, set aside the unwrapped gifts and spoke reassuringly, "I will be attending that conference too, so don''t worry¡ªI will be by your side all the time," she said with a warm smile.
"....."
"...I am not worried about that," Ares replied, his eyes ncing at the invitation. "In fact, it''s time for me to rally the whole world to join the fight against the demon lords," he muttered resolutely.
''There is no need for me to face them alone,'' he thought.
ine''s words interrupted his train of thought, bringing his attention back to the present. "So you''re worried about your masters, huh?" she remarked, her gaze fixed on him. Ares raised an eyebrow, acknowledging her astuteness.
She continued, "...Do you need my help in locating them?" ine offered.
!?
Ares raised an intrigued eyebrow, recalling ine''s remarkable constetion skills and her uncanny ability to locate someone.
He couldn''t forget how she had astutely uncovered his identity as Marz and had effortlessly tracked his location during the tumultuous finals of the inter-academy tournament when they were unexpectedly teleported to an unknown ce. Her mastery of constetions had proven invaluable in finding him amidst the chaos.
''But of course, there are limitations to every power,'' Ares pondered, aware that ine''s skills had their boundaries.
"Don''t look at me like that, I''m being serious!" ine retorted, meeting Ares''s nk stare with determination. "With the help of my constetion''s abilities, I can find missing items, locate ancient artifacts, and even navigate the depths of thebyrinth to find lost souls."
!?
{Hey, that''s confidential! You can''t disclose my abilities to anyone so easily!} ine''s constetion message appeared before her, reminding her of the secrecy surrounding her powers.
"Well, I''m not sharing it with just anyone. It''s between Ares and me," ine replied with a confident smile. "...There should be nothing to hide between us."
"...."
{...But, you know nothing about him yet!} The message popped up again, cautioning ine about revealing too much.
"We will get to know each other better as time goes on, won''t we, Ares?" ine spoke, her smile unwavering.
Ares returned her smile, appreciating her openness and willingness to support him.
"...Yes, we will," Ares replied, his smile reflecting his gratitude. "If you can truly help me locate that dungeon, I would be immensely grateful."
This ability of hers was also one of the reasons why Ares had chosen to confront ine''s feelings for him early on without feigning ignorance. He had recognized the potential of her constetion abilities and knew they could be a valuable asset in his current quest.
ine, who had kept her constetion''s abilities a secret even from her own family, now shared them with him without reservation. The trust and openness she disyed spoke volumes about the depth of her affection for him. Ares understood that her calm exterior concealed a dangerous storm of emotions swirling within her.
To be continued...
Chapter 289 The Depths of Elaines Constellation Power! [2]
Chapter 289 The Depths of ine''s Constetion Power! [2]
With a nod of understanding, ine closed her eyes and focused her mind, channeling the power of her constetion. A soft glow enveloped her, emanating from the intricate constetion patterns on her skin.
"I invoke the Ster Guidance," she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of mystique.
As her connection with the celestial energies deepened, ine''s consciousness expanded, reaching out to the vast expanse of the cosmos. Her senses became attuned to the subtle cosmic vibrations, seeking the elusive threads that would lead her to the hidden dungeon.
Time seemed to lose its hold as she delved deeper into the mysteries of her constetion''s ability.
Through the expanse of the universe, the threads began to weave together, forming a celestial roadmap that only she could decipher. ine followed the intricate patterns, her perception guided by the stars themselves. And then, amidst the cosmic tapestry, she glimpsed it¡ªthe dungeon''s unique energy signature, a glimmering beacon in the darkness.
ine opened her eyes, her determined gaze locked with Ares''. Confidence radiated from her voice as she dered, "I''ve located it. That dungeon...it lies within the heart of the Sacred Forest in the Elven Kingdom, and it seems to be concealed by some ancient enchantments."
Without wasting a moment, ine reached into her storage ring and retrieved a unique device resembling abination of headphones and a tablet. She swiftly donned the headset-like device, and the tablet screen illuminated with a detailed world map.
The device seamlessly tapped into the knowledge she had gained from her constetion''s ability, syncing her mind with the tablet screen. In an instant, the exact coordinates of the dungeon within the Sacred Forest were disyed on the screen with precision.
Click¡ª
"Here it is, the exact location of the dungeon," ine announced, removing the device from her head.
!?
Irethiel, her eyes fixed on the tablet screen, marveled at the technological marvel before her. "...The advancements in technology never cease to amaze me," she remarked. "To think that we can ess such information at our fingertips."
ine nodded in agreement, a smile ying on her lips. "This equipment was specifically designed to synchronize with the information stored in my mind. It allows me to urately pinpoint locations and share them with others. It''s my first time using it as well since I can usually rely on the mental marks to guide me, but this device will make your journey more efficient and precise" she responded.
{I never thought you would actually use that.} ine''s constetion''s message appeared before her, expressing surprise at her use of the device.
ine smirked, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. "...I guess there''s a first time for everything," she replied silently to her constetion.
"Thank you so much, ine¡ª" Ares began, reaching out to grab the tablet screen from her hand. However, ine quickly retracted it, keeping it just out of his reach.
!?
Ares looked at her in confusion, his brow furrowing. He was met with ine''s mischievous grin, and her yful remark caught him off guard.
"You didn''t really think that I would give it to you just like that, did you?" she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"....."
Ares blinked, caught off guard by ine''s words. He chuckled nervously, trying toprehend her sudden change in attitude. "...Well, I suppose not. You do have a way of keeping me on my toes," he replied.
''...What does she want in return?'' Ares thought to himself, nervously.
ine''s smile widened, and she leaned closer to Ares, her yful demeanor shifting into a more serious expression. "But don''t worry, it''s not an outrageous request," she rified, her hand gently caressing his cheek. "I simply want your permission to proudly announce to the world that I am one of your girlfriends and soon-to-be Mistress."
!?
Ares''s eyebrows lifted in surprise, and he studied ine''s face, trying to understand the sudden change in her attitude. He was not surprised by her bold request, but because the ine he knew was never one to seek permission or approval from anyone, not even the demon lord she served in the novel.
''...What could have prompted this change in her?'' Ares wondered, his gaze fixed on ine. The room fell into silence as he observed her, sensing the underlying turmoil beneath her calm exterior.
''Is it too soon for me to ask for this? Should I have waited for a more opportune moment?'' ine''s mind raced, her heart pounding with nervous excitement.
Meanwhile, Irethiel observed the exchange, her surprise mingled with understanding. She recognized the potential value of having ine by their side, given her exceptional abilities and her unwavering loyalty. It could prove to be a powerful alliance against the looming threat of the demon lords.
''And of course, Ares won''t let this chance go,'' she thought.
"...Though it may still be too early for you to take on the role of my mistress, I am more than happy to have you as my girlfriend," Ares finally spoke, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
ine''s grin widened at his response, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Being your girlfriend is more than enough for now," she replied, her voice brimming with happiness.
Closing the distance between them, she leaned forward, her lips meeting his in a sweet and passionate kiss. Ares returned the kiss with equal fervor, wrapping his arms around her petite body as they kissed.
As their lips finally parted, ine passed the tablet screen to Ares with a smile. "...Here," she said, her voice slightly breathless from the intensity of their embrace.
"Thanks," Ares replied, his own smile mirroring hers as he epted the tablet from her.
As soon as Ares took hold of the tablet, ine''s excitement became too much to contain. She couldn''t help but let her joy spill over, her face beaming with happiness. Sensing her inability to hide her tion any longer, she quickly excused herself from the room, eager to bask in the happiness and anticipation she felt.
"...A-Ahem, excuse me for a moment," she stuttered, her voice betraying her overwhelming emotions.She swiftly made her way out of the room, not wanting to reveal the full extent of her excitement to Ares just yet.
"....."
''I''m not entirely sure what sparked this change in her, but I believe it is a change for the better,'' Ares contemted silently.
ine had always been an untamed spirit, a force that even the demon lord struggled to control. While she would follow his orders, she would also act independently, often pursuing her own desires, such as conquering powerful women on his behalf.
The shift in her behavior, now seeking his permission and embracing her role as one of his women, was a significant change that Ares never expected. However, he found himself weing this transformation and appreciating her newfound respect, consideration, and unwavering loyalty.
***
But unbeknownst to Ares, ine had already begun formting her ns for the future.
"Now that I am officially one of his partners, it''s time for me to give my future husband a special gift, don''t you think?" ine chuckled, herughter echoing through the corridors. "...A gift that every man appreciates," she murmured with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
To be continued...
Chapter 290 The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion!
Chapter 290 The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion!
As soon as ine left the room, Irethiel, her hands folded, looked at Ares with a nk expression and questioned, "...You enjoyed it very much, didn''t you?"
Ares smirked at herment. "If you''re jealous, then I can give you a kiss as well," he responded mischievously.
"....."
Irethiel''s face flushed, and she quickly averted her gaze. "A-And who said that I''m jealous?" she retorted, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Ares chuckled, deciding to stop teasing her. "Alright, let''s focus on the task at hand," he said, passing the tablet screen to Irethiel.
Irethiel gave the tablet a puzzled nce, unsure of what Ares had in mind. But he continued, exining their mission. "You and Meira will be heading to that dungeon to check on Mika, Helena, and Aegis," he instructed. "If you find them in trouble, do whatever you can to assist them, even if it means revealing your true identities to Mika. And if by chance they''re safe and don''t need your help, then simply observe from the sidelines."
"....."
Irethiel hesitantly took the tablet from his hands, her gaze still fixed on the screen.
"I will do as you wish, master!" Meira suddenly appeared from the shadows, kneeling before Ares.
''Mika, Helena, and Aegis are a formidable trio who can ovee any tribtion thrown at them,'' Ares thought to himself. ''But the idea of sacrificing one another for a power-up is troubling. I hope they won''t go to such lengths.''
"...I don''t want to take any chances and see one of them sacrificing themselves to give a power-up to another, especially Aegis. I know she is capable of that," Ares muttered to himself.
"Don''t worry, master. I will do everything I can to keep them alive," Meira spoke resolutely.
"....."
Ares smiled at her and gently patted her head. "I don''t want you two to sacrifice yourselves either. Take care of yourselves," he replied, his gaze shifting to Irethiel.
Irethiel scoffed, her expression confident. "Hmph, do you really think I would sacrifice myself for someone else?" She retorted. "If things get dangerous, I''ll simply fly away."
Ares nodded, understanding her perspective. "You don''t have to worry about me, Master. I''ll be using my clones, so I should be fine as well," Meira added, blushing slightly under Ares''s touch.
"That''s good to hear," Ares nodded, satisfied with their responses. "I would have liked to apany you two, but I have an important conference to attend in a few days."
".....''
Irethiel''s thoughts shifted, realizing the benefit of Ares not being present. ''...It''s for the best that he''s noting with us. If there''s a chance to gain power by sacrificing someone, I''m certain he wouldn''t hesitate to sacrifice us,'' Irethiel thought to herself.
On the other hand, Meira''s thoughts took a different turn. ''It''s a myself to make him stronger,'' she silently reflected.
"Alright, you two can leave right away," Ares said, standing up from shame that Master couldn''te with us. If there truly is an opportunity to gain power through sacrifice, I would willingly offer myself to make him stronger,'' she silently reflected.
"Alright, you two can leave right away," Ares said, standing up from the bed. But before they could make their way, Ares''s tone turned serious, and his aura shifted, causing Meira and Irethiel to take notice.
!?
"...Oh, there''s one more thing I want to make clear before you go," Ares began, his voice firm. His eyes began to glow with intensity. "While I don''t mind if my women have their differences in normal circumstances, but... when I assign you a task, I expect you to put aside your differences and work together as a team," Ares warned, his voice carrying a stern tone. "I don''t want to see any bickering or distractions while you''re on the mission I''ve given you. Is that Clear?"
Gulp¡ª
Meira and Irethiel exchanged nces, their initial surprise giving way to a shared understanding of the seriousness of Ares''s words. They both nodded in unison, ready to set aside their differences for the mission at hand.
"Y-Yes, Master. Your words are absolute," Meira replied, her voice slightly trembling with nerves. "I-I will treat Irethiel as my sister until weplete the mission you''ve given us."
Ares then turned his gaze towards Irethiel, who responded with determination in her eyes. "...Yes, I heard you loud and clear. There will be no conflicts between us while we are on this mission," she affirmed.
Ares''s intense aura gradually subsided, and he nodded in approval. "Good. Now go, and may sess be with you," he said, his voice returning to its usual warmth.
Swoosh¡ª
Upon hearing his order, Meira swiftly vanished into the shadows, utilizing her stealth abilities. Meanwhile, Irethiel transformed into a crow and flew out of the open window, disappearing into the night sky her wings carrying her towards the Sacred Forest.
***
As Meira and Irethiel departed, Ares found himself alone in the room. His gaze drifted to the snake-coiled tattoo on his hand, a symbol of the hidden secrets and power of Escratia Kingdom.
"...This wille in quite handy," he muttered to himself, a mischievous grin ying on his lips. "I never thought there were such secrets hidden in this Kingdom."
With a swift motion, he called forth his status screen, the familiar ding signaling its appearance.
Ding!¡ª
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis]
PROFESSION : [MagicSwordsman ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î] [Archer ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver] [The Hydra yer] [The Demon Lord Killer] [A Chosen One] [The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion] {New}
Adventurer Rank : S
Strength : A+
Agility : S
Stamina : A
Mana Capacity : A
Luck : B
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : 1. [Universal Language]
2. [Photographic Memory]
3. [Regeneration]
4. [Ruler''s Authority: Level 1] {New}
¡ô
Stolen Ability: [Wings Of Pazuzu]
¡ô
Skills: 1. [Fell Crescent¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
2. [Snake Movements¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
3. [Hawkseye¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
4. [Static Electricity¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
5. [Location Swap¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î¡î]
6. [Atomic sh¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
¡ô
Gift: 1. [Eye Of Chaos¡ï¡î¡î]
2. [Gigantomania¡ï¡î¡î] {New}
***
Intrigued, Ares clicked on the newly acquired title, "The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion." eager to learn more about its significance.
[Description: The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion
The title of "The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion" bestows upon you, Ares, the esteemed position of the chosen sessor to King Aretemur. This prestigious title carries with it immense authority and grants you the ability to exerciseplete dominion over the kingdom of Escratia.
As the Crowned Heir, you are entrusted with the sacred duty of upholding the legacy and power of the kingdom. This title signifies your divine right to ascend the throne and be the ruler of Escratia. You hold the keys to the kingdom''s future, and it is within your grasp to guide it toward prosperity or lead it into darkness.
With the Master of Dominion aspect of this title, you possess unparalleled control over the kingdom and its citizens. Your words carry the weight ofw, and your decisions shape the course of Escratia''s destiny. No one can defy your authority, for you possess type of weapon known to Escratia. Whether it be a sword, a bow, or even the most exotic or ancient artifact, you possess an inherent the ability to influence and direct the actions of the kingdom''s inhabitants, just like a master puppeteer pulling the strings.
Moreover, as the Crowned Heir, you gain an extraordinary skill of weapon mastery, allowing you to wield and excel in the use of every type of weapon known to Escratia. Whether it be a sword, a bow, or even the most exotic or ancient artifact, you possess an inherent understanding of their intricacies. This remarkable skill empowers you to adapt swiftly to any weapon you choose, making you a formidable force on the battlefield.
Alongside your weapon mastery, the title grants you ess to the profound wisdom and guidance passed down by King Aretemur. Through this inheritance, you possess a deep understanding of the kingdom''s history, traditions, and secrets, enabling you to make informed decisions that will shape Escratia''s future.
Embracing the title of The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion, you are entrusted with the duty of safeguarding the kingdom and its people. The citizens of Escratia are bound by an unbreakable loyalty to their rightful ruler, and their unwavering devotion ensures a united and strong kingdom under your reign.
As you wield this power and authority, remember that the choices you make will have far-reaching consequences. Will you be a just and benevolent ruler, guiding Escratia toward a golden age, or will you sumb to the temptations of power? The path you choose will define your legacy and the future of the kingdom.
May your reign as The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion be marked by wisdom, strength, andpassion, leading Escratia to unparalleled heights of glory.]
To be continued...
Chapter 291 Rose’s Return!
Chapter 291 Rose''s Return!
The Title: The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion, originated from the snake tattoo that Ares had received from King Artemur. It was a secret weapon of the Kingdom of Escratia, known only to the keeper and a select few high-ranking nobles.
As the tattoo was bestowed upon Ares by King Artemur, profound ancient knowledge, and hidden secrets were also transferred to him in the process.
The seemingly ordinary snake tattoo held a power far greater than anyone could have imagined ¨C it was a conduit for controlling the citizens of Escratia, akin to a puppet master pulling the strings of his puppets. As Ares delved deeper into the tattoo''s secrets, he unearthed the origin of this extraordinary power.
The tale began with the third King of Escratia, King Aryan, who was not only a revered ruler but also a renowned hero.
Seeking to strengthen the bonds and forge alliances between the human kingdoms, King Aryan married three beautiful princesses from the neighboring human kingdoms.
Yet, with tensions between humans and other races always simmering, the human kingdoms found themselves in constant conflict with demons and other races. Thispelled King Aryan to lead his troops to the borders, always leaving his wives behind.
Once when King Aryan returned from a prolonged war, he heard rumors of one of his wives engaging in an affair with a knight. Though the news enraged him, his love for his wivespelled him to seek an alternative approach. Instead of confronting the matter directly, he turned to the witches for aid.
Many officials and nobles opposed his association with the witches, as they were widely despised due to their unconventional use of magic. King Aryan, however, persuaded them that he sought to prevent any betrayals from within his own ranks while he battled on the front lines. He yearned for a solution to thwart such acts of treachery.
The Queen of the Witches, intrigued by King Aryan''s plea, personally intervened and offered a solution¡ªa powerful curse that would safeguard against betrayal.
The curse was bestowed in the form of a tattoo, an intricate snake design that held immense strength. Passed down through generations of citizens, the tattoo ensured the curse remained active. Moreover, each new king inherited the maternal tattoo¡ªa symbolic remote, signifying their authority and control over the kingdom.
This enchantment meant that any form of betrayal within the Kingdom of Escratia would result in instant death. The curse extended even to those who contemted betraying the king, including any individuals harboring romantic feelings or engaging in illicit affairs with the king''s women.
The Crowned Heir: Master of Dominion, the title bestowed upon Ares, symbolized his role as the sessor to the throne and the keeper of this ancient power. With the snake tattoo adorning his hand, he possessed the ability to control the kingdom''s citizens, ensuring their unwavering loyalty and preventing any act of betrayal.
***
Ares chuckled, acknowledging the irony of how one man''s mistrust in his woman had transformed an entire kingdom into puppets, their lives perpetually controlled by the king.
"Nevertheless, there existed a loophole within the curse; it spared those with kinship to the reigning king," pondered Ares, his thoughts wandering to the tumultuous annals of the Escratian monarchy. Its history bore witness to intense rivalries between siblings, all seeking supremacy and capitalizing on the curse''s exemption that granted them immunity from its influence.
The Kingdom of Escratia had witnessed numerous conflicts for the throne, making ruling more straightforward as the king didn''t have to fear betrayals and could focus on his responsibilities, even when away from the kingdom for extended periods.
"This tattoo was also why my ascent to the throne was smooth, with no nobles opposing or interfering," Ares muttered to himself, recognizing the advantage that the curse had provided.
Swoosh¡ª
As he lost himself in his thoughts, a figure suddenly leaped into his room through the window,nding gracefully on the floor.
!?
"...Just a few days away on a mission, and I return to find you dead, resurrected, and now a King," Rose spoke with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "It''s like a script straight out of a drama."
Ares turned his attention to Rose, his expression serious. "You''re here, which means you''ve obtained the location of that bastard Belphagor, am I right?" he questioned, cutting to the chase.
"....."
Rose paused for a moment, meeting Ares''s gaze. "...Right on the mark, as always. But can''t you first ask if I''m okay? The task you gave me was no simple feat," she replied with a hint of annoyance. "I had to keep a constant watch on a demon lord, for hell''s sake!"
Ares''s smile widened. "Ah, my apologies, Miss Rose. I should have expressed my concern for your well-being. However, given your exceptional skills and experience, I had full faith in your capabilities. I never doubted your ability to handle the task."
As Ares''s gaze met Rose''s, a genuine admiration shone in his eyes. He knew firsthand how skilled she was in evading capture, having sessfully evaded the demon lords for centuries.
"Miss Rose, your track record speaks for itself," Ares expressed in an exaggerated tone. "Your ability to elude the demon lords all this time is a testament to your extraordinary skills and resourcefulness."
!!
Rose''s eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and humility. Softening her expression, she let out a small chuckle. "...W-Well, at least you know. I suppose I can forgive you this time,...Your Highness," she emphasized in a teasing tone. Ares chuckled in response, the tension between them easing.
''Same as Irethiel, she is so easy to please,'' Ares smirked inwardly.
"...Now, regarding the whereabouts of my master," Rose suddenly inquired, her gaze sweeping the room. "Since I don''t sense her presence, I assume she is not nearby."
Ares''s smile remained intact as he responded, "Don''t worry about Irethiel, she''s fine. I just sent her on a minor errand."
"....."
''Minor errand? Right, as if there''s such a thing when ites to you,'' Rose thought to herself, her expression betraying her disbelief.
"Now, let''s focus on the task at hand. I want to know everything you''ve learned about Belphagor," Ares spoke, his voice carrying a serious tone.
!?
Gulp¡ª
Rose was taken aback by the sudden change in Ares''s aura. ''Wait, what? He has grown even stronger in just a few days?'' she mused, astonishment coloring her thoughts. ''Perhaps... Master made the right choice.''
She straightened her posture, her gaze meeting Ares''s. "Your Highness, I have diligently gathered valuable information about Demon lord Belphagor. Allow me to share the details with you," she replied, her voice steady and confident.
"...."
To be continued...
Chapter 292 Decoding Belphagors Movements...
292 Decoding Belphagor''s Movements...
Rose took a deep breath, her eyes focused and her voice adopting a professional tone. "During my surveince of Demon Lord Belphagor, I observed a pattern in his activities. He frequently changed his appearance, making it difficult to track him visually. However, based on his movements, it became evident that he had been traveling between the Elven Kingdom and the Vampire Continent."
!?
She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "Though I did not follow him inside the kingdoms, my deductions lead me to believe that these two locations are significant in rtion to the recently unsealed demon lords. It is possible that they have established their bases or are gathering their armies within these realms."
Rose''s expression turned thoughtful as she continued. "Considering the potential dangers and the risk of exposure, I refrained from pursuing him into those territories. A-As, my primary objective was to maintain stealth and gather information without jeopardizing my mission."
Listening to her exnation, Ares regarded her skeptically, sensing her apprehension about entering their territories, fearing potential discovery.
Meeting Ares''s gaze directly, she sought to convince him of her bravery. "...Y-You have to understand that while Belphagor may not possess the same level of strength as some of the other demon lords, but Asmodeus and Lilith are formidable opponents. Exposing my presence to them would have dire consequences."
Rose maintained aposed and dedicated tone, underscoring hermitment to her espionage role. "I prioritized my safety and the integrity of our mission by exercising caution and discretion."
"...."
Disregarding her justification, Ares absorbed the critical information, analyzing the potential oues with a furrowed brow, deep in contemtion of the implications. "...So, there are two possibilities to consider," he mused aloud. "Belphagor might be attempting to meet with Asmodeus and Lilith, seeking to sway them into joining forces. Alternatively, he could be pursuing his own sinister agenda within those territories."
Rose nodded, affirming his thoughts. "Indeed, those are the most likely scenarios we should consider."
"...But, this also means that there are still uncertainties regarding Belphagor''s specific activities within those kingdoms, right?" Ares spoke with a contemting expression.
Rose''s voice held a note of caution as she replied, "Yes, While we have gathered significant information, there are still certain unknowns. We cannot be certain of the extent of his ns or the level of support he has gained. It''s a risk we must be prepared to face. But if my deduction is correct, regardless of Belphagor''s specific intentions, it objectives"
Ares''s gaze intensified, his resolve firming. "Thank you for your diligent efforts, Miss Rose," he acknowledged with a smile. "Your insights have proven invaluable in deciphering Belphagor''s movements."
"You''re wee. I''m pleased my observations could assist you," Rose replied, returning the smile.
Internally, Rose''s mind raced with curiosity about Ares''s next steps. ''What course will he take with this information? Will he be bold enough to confront Belphagor on his own, or will he opt to share this vital intelligence with the Hero Association, earning recognition from every kingdom attending the uing conference?''
Almost as if attuned to her thoughts, Ares''s eyes narrowed, a n crystallizing in his mind. "...Considering your findings, it appears ambushing Belphagor during his travels between the Elven Empire and the Vampire Continent might offer the best chance to confront and neutralize him," Ares proposed.
Continuing with determination, he added, "By striking during these transitions, we can catch him off guard and reduce the risk of interference from stronger demon lords. It grants us a strategic upper hand in facing him head-on."
!?
Rose interjected with concern. "...But you understand the risk involved, don''t you? Our target isn''t an ordinary demon¡ªit''s a demon lord. While Belphagor might not match the might of other demon lords, his power still poses a threat, even to someone of our strength," she cautioned, stressing the potential danger.
Ares''s gaze met Rose''s, his expression unwavering. "I am fully aware of the risks involved," he replied, his voice steady. "But I firmly believe that this is our best opportunity to eliminate Belphagor and disrupt his connections with the other demon lords. It has be evident that if Belphagor is left unchecked, he has the potential to manipte and persuade the other demon lords into joining forces. We cannot allow that to happen."
"....."
''And of course, I know how dangerous it can be to confront a demon lord. But...this time, I won''t be alone,'' Ares pondered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I have a special someone who can help us with our n and make it more foolproof," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "And I think she would be more than willing to assist us if it means she gets to engage in a thrilling battle."
Rose''s curiosity piqued as she questioned, her eyes narrowing, "And ...who is this special someone you have such confidence in?"
A mischievous smile yed on Ares''s lips as he replied cryptically, "Oh, you know her very well. In fact, she is renowned throughout this world for her exceptional abilities."
"....."
Rose''s expression turned into a nk stare, her mind racing to identify who this person could be. ''Who is this individual that gives him such unwavering confidence?'' she pondered. ''Could it be Mika? No, she''s still upied in that dungeon. Ivica? Unlikely, as she needs time to stabilize her newfound powers after consuming the strengthening fruit.''
As Rose continued to mull over the possibilities, a voice from her side interrupted her thoughts, causing her to startle.
Swoosh¡ª
She swiftly somersaulted to the side, her training and instincts taking over, as shended gracefully, her gaze now fixed on the woman who had spoken¡ªa familiar face she couldn''t believe she had missed.
"I see you were expecting a guest?" ine''s voice rang out, filled with a hint of amusement and curiosity.
!!
Rose''s heart skipped a beat as she realized herpse in vignce. Her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight before her. ine Harnell, one of the twelve strongest individuals renowned for her extraordinary abilities and crazy personality, now stood beside Ares, his arm wrapped around her waist with a contented smile on his face.
!?
"E-ine Harnell, one of the twelve strongest!" Rose stammered, her disbelief evident in her voice. "W-What is she doing here?" Her gaze shifted from Ares to ine, who stoodfortably in his embrace.
"....."
Confusion and disbelief etched across Rose''s face as she observed the unexpected scene unfolding before her. A mix of emotions swirled within her as Ares and ine shared an intimate kiss, leaving her momentarily stunned.
As their lips parted, ine''s amusement was evident in her voice. "Hm? Isn''t she the professor from the Soreh Academy?" she spoke, a mischievous smirk gracing her lips. "I didn''t know that you were close to her as well."
''What the...hell is happening here?'' Rose pondered, her confusion deepening as she struggled toprehend the situation. Her thoughts raced, trying to make sense of the unexpected alliance forming before her eyes. Ares and ine, are two individuals with their own unique backgrounds, standing together with an air of familiarity.
''This guy! How was he able to attract someone as crazy as this woman?'' Rose''s mind raced, recalling ine''s reputation for her unpredictable and entric behavior. She had heard stories of ine''s wild antics and unconventional methods. It seemed unlikely that such a free-spirited individual would willingly align herself with anyone, let alone Ares.
Rose''s gaze shifted between Ares and ine, searching for answers. Ares, his grin unyielding, seemed unfazed by the situation as if he had expected this reaction from Rose. ine, on the other hand, exuded an aura of confidence and mischief, her eyes dancing with a yful spark.
Ares chuckled, breaking the tension. "ine, meet Rose, she is quite a useful individual who has proven her worth time and time again," he introduced, his voice filled with pride. "She is also one of my most trusted servants."
!?
Rose''s eyes widened in surprise, her initial disbelief giving way to frustration. ''A-A servant? This bastard!'' she cursed him inwardly, her annoyance evident in her expression.
ine, her expressionposed yetced with mischief, offered a friendly nod. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Rose. Ares has spoken highly of your skills and dedication," she greeted, extending a hand.
Rose, still processing the situation, cautiously shook ine''s hand. "Likewise, Miss ine. I... I didn''t expect to see you here, nor did I anticipate this turn of events," she admitted, her voiceced with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
''If it''s her... then maybe we can truly deal with that cunning bastard Belphagor!'' Rose''s thoughts raced, a glimmer of hope igniting within her.
Chapter 293 A Noble Decision
293 A Noble Decision
Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut
The rhythmic thumping of the helicopter des filled the air as Ares, ine, and Rose sat in the private aircraft. Ares had acquired ess to this sophisticated mode of transportation after his coronation as king, and now they were on route to the location between the Elven Kingdom and the Vampire Continent, where they expected to intercept Belphagor during his travels.
ine turned to Ares, seeking rification. "So, you''re saying we''re going to confront one of the demon lords?" she inquired, her eyes searching his face for confirmation.
Ares nodded, a confident smile gracing his lips. "Yes, that''s right. We''re on our way to deal with Demon Lord Belphagor," he affirmed.
"....."
"I see..." ine mumbled, her mind delving into contemtion. "And how did youe to know Belphagor''s whereabouts?" she asked curiously.
"It''s all thanks to Rose. I entrusted her with the task of keeping an eye on him, and her diligence led us to deduce the ideal location for our ambush," Ares exined, acknowledging Rose''s crucial role.
ine''s constetion message appeared before her, gently reminding her of her long-held wish to battle a demon lord. {Isn''t this what you wanted? To fight a demon lord? Now that chance is finally here.}
ine sighed internally, her thoughts conflicted. "...It''s not that I''m not excited about facing a demon lord," she replied to her constetion telepathically. "I just... I''m more worried about Ares. I know I''ll be fine, and I trust in his strength as well, but still, what if something were to happen to him? Can I truly protect him?"
Her mind drifted to the deepening bond between them, the newfound sense of preciousness she felt for him. The fear of losing or seeing him hurt tugged at her heart.
''I didn''t had anything or anyone to worry about before, but not anymore. I now have someone precious to me that I don''t want to lose or even see him hurt,'' she thought to herself, her gaze fixed on Ares.
!?
Ares met her gaze, sensing the depth of her emotions, but still unable to fully grasp the thoughts racing through her mind.
Swoosh¡ª
The sudden swerve of the helicopter jolted Ares and ine out of their reverie, narrowly avoiding colliding with a towering mountain peak.
Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut
"Argg!"
16:12
"Oops, my bad! Didn''t realize that mountain was that huge," Rose, who was at the controls of the helicopter, admitted with a sheepish grin.
"....."
ine gave Ares a skeptical look. "Are you really sure she can fly this thing?" she questioned, her concern evident.
Ares responded nonchntly, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window. "I''m not entirely certain, but if I see her about to crash into something, I''ll just fly away," he replied with a nonchnt shrug.
!?
ine gave him a nk stare, a mix of disbelief and concern evident on her face. However, Rose quickly interjected, trying to reassure her . "Don''t worry, I have plenty of experience flying helicopters and jets," she chimed in confidently.
"Well, that''s...forting," ine sighed, a tinge of relief creeping into her voice. "By the way, where did you learn how to fly these things?" she curiously inquired.
Rose''s response caught them both by surprise. "Oh, from the Gamestation! I learned how to fly from video games," she confessed with a mischievous grin.
!?
Swoosh¡ª
The helicopter jolted again, narrowly missing arge tree this time.
"Woohooo...!" Rose eximed in excitement.
"....."
Ares and ine exchanged a knowing look, the gravity of their mission momentarily forgotten as they found themselves in the midst of Rose''s unconventional piloting skills.
"...Well, let''s just hope your video game training is enough to get us to our destination safely," ine remarked wryly, holding onto her seat with a mix of amusement and trepidation.
***
Trriiing¡ª Trrriing¡ª
"P-Pivot! Pivot!" ine''s voice rang out as she guided Rose''s driving, attempting to keep the helicopter steady.
Meanwhile, Ares''s phone began to ring, and upon seeing the caller ID, a grin formed on his face.
Tick¡ª
[H-Hello, Ares!] Lia''s hologram appeared on the phone, her concerned face filled with relief. [It''s good to see you''re fine!]
"It''s been a while, Lia," Ares responded warmly.
[Y-Yeah!¡ª] Lia began to speak but was nudged and interrupted by a woman''s voice beside her.
[What are you doing? It''s the king you''re talking to, not your regr friend.]
!!
[O-Oh, my apologies for my casual way of speaking with you, Your Highness!] Lia spoke hurriedly, her smile turning slightly ufortable.
"Don''t worry about formalities, Lia. You can talk to me in a casual manner, just like we used to before," Ares reassured her with a smile.
[C-Can I really?] Lia asked, ncing at the woman, who seemed to be her mother.
"Yes, you can," Ares replied, and Lia turned her attention back to him, nodding with a sigh of relief.
[Fuuu, do you know how worried I was when I saw the news about your death?] Lia''s voice trembled slightly, tears welling up in her eyes. [O-Of course, because I would have lost my business partner and the only person who believed in my capabilities when I didn''t even believe in myself.] she rified, wiping away the tears.
[A-Ahem!] Lia''s mother interjected, stepping into the camera''s view beside Lia. [If her talent has been recognized by Your Highness itself, then I am sure she might really have a knack for being a weapon crafter!] The woman spoke, her smile bright and proud.
Ares responded with a warm smile. "Yeah, I think Lia has the talent to be one of the best weapon crafters in the world. I haveplete faith in her abilities."
Lia''s face turned slightly red, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude evident in her expression. She lowered her head bashfully, trying to hide her emotions, but her heart was racing with joy.
Her mother chuckled, the corners of her eyes crinkling with joy. [Haha, if you truly believe in her that much your highness, then I have no problem sending her to the Escratia Kingdom to further develop her weapon-crafting skills.] She responded, her voice filled with motherly pride.
"I would genuinely appreciate that," Ares replied gratefully. "And I promise to provide whatever she needs to improve her crafting skills, with no budget limitations." He emphasized his dedication to supporting Lia''s craft.
"And... if Lia would like to be my personal crafter, I also promise to grant her the title of a noble," Ares added with a touch of seriousness.
!!
[E-Eh?]
Lia and her mother''s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Ares''s promise of bestowing a noble title upon her. It was a significant offer, as nobility wasn''t something given lightly or on a whim. The distinction between nobles andmoners, though seemingly diminished in modern times, still held societal weight and privilege.
The prospect of nobility was a tempting offer that could elevate Lia''s status and provide her with countless opportunities. However, Lia was taken aback by the offer, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. epting the title of a noble would not only change her life but also impact her family and those close to her.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Ares could sense her hesitation and assured her, "Take your time to consider the offer, Lia. I want you to make a decision that feels right for you and your future."
Lia nodded gratefully, thankful for Ares''s understanding and support. [Thank you, Your Highness. This is... a lot to take in, but I''ll definitely think it through.]
The heartfelt conversation continued, with Lia expressing her gratitude for Ares''s belief in her abilities, and her mother expressing her joy and pride in her daughter''s achievements.
Chapter 294: In Pursuit of a Demon Lord!
As Lia''s mother stepped out, Ares took the opportunity to ask Lia about the progress of the sword and bow he had given her for repair. "By the way, Lia, how are my sword and bowing along?" Ares asked, curious about their status.
Lia''s eyes lit up, eager to share her progress with him. [Oh, your sword is all fixed and ready to go!] she eximed, a proud smile on her face. [I made sure to craft it based on your preferences, so I hope you''ll be pleased with the result.]
"I have no doubt it''ll be exceptional," Ares replied warmly, knowing Lia''s skill firsthand.
[I can send you your sword right away if you''d like.] Lia offered.
"That would be great," Ares said with a smile.
Lia nodded and moved to get the sword. With a swift scan, she sent the sword to Ares, and soon he received a notification on his phone.
(Lia wanted to send you a package!
ept Y/N?)
Ares pressed ept, and in an instant, the sword materialized in front of him.
Looking at the sword, Ares felt pleased. It looked perfect, shining brightly, and he could sense its power. "It''s perfect, Lia," Ares said sincerely. "As expected you''re an amazing crafter."
Lia blushed at Ares'' praise, feeling thankful for his support. "Thank you, Ares. Your encouragement kept me going when I doubted myself. Your satisfaction means a lot."
Ares smiled warmly.
"And what about my bow? Is it not repaired yet?" He inquired.
[...About your bow.] Lia''s tone turned apologetic as she exined, [It''s taking a bit longer. Your bow is truly exceptional, and I want to do justice to its craftsmanship. I''m searching for the perfect material for the bowstrings that will match its design and power. So...]
"That''s okay. Take your time," Ares reassured her. "Quality is worth waiting for."
Lia''s eyes twinkled with gratitude. [T-Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.] She expressed sincerity.
Ares smiled reassuringly. "... As I said before, you don''t need to be so formal, Lia. Just call me Ares, as you always have."
Lia''s cheeks flushed slightly, appreciating his friendly approach. [Alright, Ares.] She responded with a small smile. [I''ll keep you updated on the progress of your bow. I promise it''ll exceed your expectations.]
After expressing their mutual appreciation and looking forward to thepletion of the bow, Ares and Lia exchanged goodbyes.
"I''ll be eagerly waiting for your updates, Lia," Ares went on to say.
[I won''t keep you waiting for too long, Ares.] Lia replied with a determined smile. [Thank you again for entrusting me with your weapons.]
''...How many times has she thanked me now?'' Ares chuckled inwardly, maintaining hisposure.
"It''s my pleasure." He replied graciously. "Take care, Lia, and don''t hesitate to contact me if you need anything."
[I will, Your Highness¡ª I mean, Ares.] Lia corrected herself with a yful wink.
"...."
Ares nodded, though, despite his appreciation for her craftsmanship, he felt a bit weary from Lia''s lengthy conversations. Lia''s introverted nature,bined with her tendency to ramble off-topic, likely inherited from her dwarf father, made extended conversations with her tiresome.
[...Bye, Ares.]
Tick¡ª
Sigh~
With a sigh, Ares ended the call and leaned back in his seat, gripping his sword tightly as thoughts of the impending confrontation with Demon Lord Belphagor filled his mind once more.
***
As soon as Ares ended his call with Lia, ine suddenly appeared beside him with sparkling eyes, her gaze fixed on the newly arrived sword. "Wow, that looks magnificent! Can I see it?" she asked eagerly.
"...Of course," Ares replied, handing the sword over to ine.
ine examined the weapon with a keen eye, running her fingers along the de and admiring the intricate craftsmanship. "This is ...truly a work of art," she remarked, impressed. "That Lia''s skills are extraordinary."
"I agree. She''s very talented," Ares said, watching ine''s fascination with the sword. "I''m d I asked her to fix it."
ine''s eyes lit up with curiosity as she asked, "By the way, where did you find this sword? It seems like it has an interesting history."
Ares paused for a moment before responding, "...I found it in the dungeon of Demon Lord Pazuzu. It was hidden within a secret chamber."
ine''s eyes widened in surprise. "A demon lord''s dungeon?"
Ares nodded. "Yes, it was a dangerous ce, but finding this sword made it worthwhile."
ine admired the sword''s craftsmanship, noticing the strong aura surrounding it. "It seems to be somehow connected to you," she remarked.
"...Yeah, I''ve be its master now, so it can''t be used by anyone else," Ares replied.
"Hmm," ine nodded, impressed.
''I must say, having a sword like this by his side gives me even more confidence in his abilities,'' she thought to herself.
Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut¡ª Tut
While they were engrossed in their thoughts, the chopper descended near the forest-like area surrounded by trees in the Zia woond.
Rose tried a wlessnding, but her piloting abilities proved to be somewhat unusual. The chopper wobbled and swayed as itnded with a less-than-graceful thump, nearly missing branches and treetops.
Thud¡ª
"Huff!" Rose sighed in relief. "We made it in one piece!"
"....."
Ares and ine exchanged looks, slightly amused by Rose''s reckless piloting. Nheless, they were grateful for the safe arrival.
ine got out of the helicopter and stretched her body, taking in the serene surroundings of the forest. She turned to Rose, questioning her about her confidence in Belphagor''s expected route.
"Are you a hundred percent sure he''ll travel through this area?" ine asked.
Rose''s expression turned serious as she responded, "While I''ve observed him traveling from this path numerous times before, I can''t be entirely sure. However, based on my observations, this is his most likely route."
!?
ine raised an eyebrow skeptically. "...So, we could be waiting here for days, or even weeks, without any guarantee that he''ll pass through?"
Rose shifted ufortably under ine''s scrutinizing gaze, averting her eyes slightly.
ine sighed, realizing the uncertainties of their n. "Well, if we''re going to wait, might as well make ourselvesfortable and prepare for the long haul," she suggested.
However, as Ares surveyed the surroundings, he suddenly felt a faint presence nearby. He turned his attention toward the source and noticed ine doing the same.
!!
"...You sense it too?" ine asked, confirming Ares''s suspicions.
Ares nodded. "Yes, there''s someone else here," he replied, his senses sharpened.
ine''s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Looks like we won''t be waiting for long after all. Let''s see who our unexpected guest is," she said with a huge grin.
As they stayed alert, keeping an eye out for the mysterious presence, the forest remained silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the asional bird chirping in the distance.
To be continued...
Chapter 295: Confronting A Demon Lord!
As Ares, ine, and Rose sensed the presence of another figure nearby, their curiosity was piqued. The unknown entity seemed to be aware of their presence as well, as it darted through the forest, moving with surprising speed and agility.
Without a moment''s hesitation, Ares, ine, and Rose began to chase after the mysterious figure. Their feet pounded against the soft forest floor, leaves crunching underfoot as they weaved through the dense foliage, following the fleeting glimpses of the figure as it evaded their pursuit.
The forest seemed toe alive around them, its ancient trees whispering secrets as sunlight filtered through the leaves above, dappling the ground with patterns of light and shadow.
As they drew closer, the figure''s appearance became clearer¡ªit was a child, seemingly innocent and lost amidst the ancient trees. "Who could that child be, and why is he suddenly running away from us?" ine wondered aloud, her skepticism evident in her voice.
Rose, disying her exceptional athleticism, kept pace effortlessly, and chimed in, "...That child is none other than Demon Lord Belphagor. He''s using a disguise to deceive and avoid confrontation."
!?
ine''s eyes widened in surprise at the revtion. "Belphagor? In this form?" she asked, trying to process the information.
"Yes, I''m certain of it," Rose confirmed, her gaze focused on their elusive target. "This is amon tactic used by that Belphagor bastard to conceal his real identity and intentions."
ine grinned despite the gravity of the situation. "Well, I can''t believe our luck! We just arrived, and we''ve already stumbled upon a demon lord. This is going to be quite the wee party!"
Ares, though focused on the chase, couldn''t help but chuckle at ine''s humor. "Indeed, it seems luck is on our side today," he replied with a grin, feeling the thrill of the chase course through his veins. In the next instant, his body surrounded by crackling electricity, he picked up the pace, leaving only a blue trail behind.
Swoosh¡ª
!!
ine smirked at Ares''s disy of speed and determination. In the next moment, she, too, tapped into her magical abilities, her body surrounded by a shimmering golden aura as she elerated, leaving a sparkling trail behind.
Swoosh¡ª
"....."
As Ares and ine surged ahead, Rose found herself struggling to keep up with their superhuman speed."...These monsters," shemented under her breath, her gaze fixed on the brilliant trails they left behind.
***
As Ares surged ahead, his electrifying speed allowed him to close the gap between him and the disguised demon lord Belphagor.
With a burst of energy, he leaped forward and attempted to restrain the demon lord. But Belphagor, though appearing as a child, possessed immense strength and agility as he slipped out of Ares''s grasp with a wicked grin.
''''Huh, I don''t know how you think you''ll catch me with just that level of ability¡ª.'' Belphagor pondered, his confidence evident in his tone. But before he could formte his next move, a golden blur materialized in front of him.
It was ine, her fist enveloped in a dazzling, overpowering golden aura that emitted an intense radiance. With a resounding battle cry, she unleashed her powerful punch, targeting the demon lord with precision.
Thwack¡ª
The force of ine''s punch was like aet hurtling toward its target. As her fist connected with Belphagor''s guts, the impact was tremendous, creating a shockwave that sent shockwaves rippling through the forest.
Shudder¡ª Shudder
The ground beneath them trembled, and trees swayed from the force of her attack.
Ares watched in awe as Belphagor was engulfed in the brilliance of ine''s power.
"Argg¡ª" The demon lord let out a howl of pain and surprise as he was sent flying backward, crashing into several trees along the way.
Thud! Thud! Thud!¡ª
The sheer force of the blow not only injured Belphagor but also caused a wave of destruction in its wake. Leaves and branches were sent scattering in all directions, and the ground where Belphagornded cracked from the impact.
The surrounding trees shook violently, their branches quivering from the shockwave. The once serene forest now bore the scars of ine''s overwhelming strength.
"....."
Rose, who had been trailing behind, finally caught up to the scene, her eyes wide with amazement. "Whoa!" She eximed, impressed and slightly taken aback by the raw power of ine''s attack. She had seen her strength in action before, but this was on another level altogether.
As the dust settled, ine stood tall and fierce, her fist still radiating with the remnants of the golden aura. She grinned triumphantly, her confidence soaring. "So much for the fearsome Demon Lord Belphagor!" she taunted mockingly. "Looks like your disguise couldn''t save you from my strength!"
Ares, who had been initially surprised by the sheer force of ine''s attack, quickly regained hisposure. He knew that while ine''s punch was undoubtedly powerful, defeating a demon lord would require more than a single blow.
Ignoring ine''s taunts, Ares rushed to the ce where Belphagor hadnded after being hit by ine''s attack. To his surprise, there was no sign of the demon lord anywhere. The ground bore the impact of the attack, with bloodstains marking the spot where Belphagor had been struck.
!?
As Ares analyzed the scene, he noticed something peculiar. A mysterious gate suddenly had appeared where Belphagor had fallen. It was unlike anything he had seen before¡ªa gateway to another realm, perhaps?
"What is this gate supposed to be?" Ares muttered, his eyes narrowing as he inspected the strange gate. He reached out to touch the gate, and a strange sensation washed over him as if the very fabric of reality was shifting.
Rose joined Ares, her eyes fixed on the gate as well. "That''s no ordinary gate," shemented, her tone serious. "It looks like a domain of some sort made by Balphagor to escape."
ine, her skepticism evident. "...Do you think this gate leads to Belphagor''s domain?" she asked, eyeing the mysterious portal warily.
"It''s possible," Ares replied, his mind racing with possibilities. "...Whatever it is, we can''t let him escape," he said firmly
With a serious look, Ares turned to Rose and said, "Rose, stay here and keep an eye out. If you encounter anyone suspicious you can escape."
Rose nodded, understandingly. She knew that she was not strong enough to apany them inside. "You don''t have to worry about me. I''m good at escaping." She responded.
''Idiot! It should be you who should be careful inside,'' she pondered inwardly, her concern evident.
Ares and ine exchanged a brief nod of acknowledgment before stepping forward, prepared to venture through the mysterious gate and confront the demon lord on his own turf. They knew the dangers that awaited them, but they also knew that they hade too far to turn back now.
Without hesitation, Ares took the lead and stepped through the portal, with ine following close behind. While ine couldn''t help but feel a rush of excitement and nerves. ''An adventure in an unknown realm with my future husband, how thrilling,'' she thought to herself, the prospect of facing the unknown alongside Ares filling her with determination.
The gateway shimmered and closed behind them, leaving the tranquil forest once more devoid of their presence.
Swoosh¡ª
Little did they know that their journey through the gate would lead them to a realm of darkness, where even greater trials and battles awaited them.
***
As soon as Ares stepped through the portal, he found himself in a world he was very familiar with¡ªa world that he never thought he would see again. His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the surroundings.
"There... is no fucking way!" Ares muttered, his voice filled with shock and confusion.
To be continued...
Chapter 296: Past Life!
In the depths of the dense forest, six enigmatic figures d in knight-like attire carefully carried a small square prison on their shoulders. Within the confines of the prison,y an unconscious woman, donning extravagant white medieval attire, her features obscured by dirt.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
As they ventured forward, a sudden flurry of arrows, crackling with electrifying energy, emerged from the shadows, hurtling toward the mysterious group.
!?
Startled and taken aback, the figures barely had time to react before the arrows found their mark, piercing all six throats simultaneously, iming their lives in an instant.
"Argh!"
Their lifeless bodies crumpled to the forest floor, and the prison, now unattended,nded with a dull thud.
Thud¡ª
In the midst of the unfolding chaos, a young man materialized, clutching a bow, his eyes fixated on the bewildering scene thaty before him.
"...."
Overwhelmed by disbelief and confusion, he muttered incredulously, "There... is no fucking way!"
Emotions surged within him as he nced at the bow in his hands, then shifted his gaze to the imprisoned woman, a hint of familiarity tugging at his heartstrings.
Lost in contemtion, the man was startled by a familiar voice calling his name in distress.
"Ares!"
Turning toward the sound, he locked eyes with a woman he could never forget. With her tall, green hair tied in a ponytail and a bow in hand, she stood there, her expression stoic, yet her eyes betrayed the turmoil within.
Her attention fixed on the lifeless bodies of the fallen knights, the woman''s voice resonated with cold determination, "Is... this your doing, Ares?"
Ares uttered her name in a mix of surprise and uncertainty, "...Cynthia?"
''This...He killed someone again¡ª'' Cynthia thought to herself, but her attention soon shifted to the unconscious woman in the prison.
!!
"Huh?"
A wave of understanding washed over her, prompting her to approach Ares and embrace him gently. "...Don''t worry, Ares. It''s not your fault. You did what you had to do to protect someone," she tried to reassure him.
"...."
As Cynthia held him close, Ares felt a mix of confusion and emotions, trying to grasp the unfolding situation. It was as if he had been transported back to a moment from his previous life¡ªa time when he saved Eris from unknown assants inside a dungeon while training with his teacher, Cynthia.
Yes, the imprisoned woman was none other than Eris, Ares''s beloved girlfriend who had sacrificed herself to save him in his previous life.
''...This has to be that bastard Belphagor''s doing.'' Ares gritted his teeth, his eyes zed with anger, but before he could act, suddenly his ability, Rulers Authority, activated on its own.
Ding!¡ª
{Rulers Authority has been activated!}
The system notification confirmed the activation of his ability.
As the power surged through him, Ares felt a sense of calm washing over him, allowing him to swiftly regain hisposure.
"Let''s leave this ce, alright? We don''t know what these strange people were doing inside this dungeon, but we must report this incident to the Hunter Association and get help for the woman you''ve saved. She doesn''t seem to be in good shape," Cynthia suggested as she finally released her hold on Ares.
Ares nodded, trying to hide his inner turmoil. His mind raced with possibilities, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that this might be some kind of dream or illusion orchestrated by Belphagor to mess with his mind.
nk¡ª
With a resolute ''nk,'' Cynthia quickly broke open the prison cells with a single punch and cradled the unconscious Eris in her arms as they prepared to leave the eerie scene behind. She kept a watchful eye on Ares, sensing his internal struggle, and reassured him with a smile, "...Don''t worry we''ll figure this out, Ares."
A tinge of emotion flickered across Ares'' face, but he quickly masked it, remaining convinced that these scenes were fake and that he needed to focus on escaping and dealing with the demon lord Belphagor.
***
As they stepped out of the dungeon, the outside world greeted them with a blinding burst of sunlight. Ares shielded his eyes for a moment, his mind still grappling with the bizarre situation he found himself in.
The illusions orchestrated by Belphagor had left an indelible mark on his psyche, and he couldn''t help but question the reality around him.
Cynthia gently set the unconscious woman, Eris, down on the cool grass outside the dungeon entrance. Her voice carried a mix of concern and determination as she addressed Ares, "You should head home, Ares. I''ll take this girl to the hospital and report this incident to the Hunter Association. She needs urgent medical attention."
Ares gave her a small nod, his mind now clearer than before. Memories from his previous life came rushing back, he knew that his teacher Cynthia was one of the secret officers of the Hunter Association.
The Hunter Association had meticulously selected and nurtured him, recognizing his potential to be one of the country''s high-ranking mages.
However, Ares was not the sole focus of the Hunter Association''s watchful eye; numerous other orphans with promising futures were also under their care.
The Association aimed to nurture and guide them secretly, ensuring they would be valuable protectors of their country, rather than falling into a life of crime or joining other guilds.
As he began to walk away, Ares couldn''t help but wonder about ine. However, her unmatched strength of character gave him hope that she could easily withstand such insidious illusions.
"...I wonder what ine is up to right now?" Ares muttered to himself. "I don''t think these types of illusions would easily sway her... right?"
In the distance, the sound of sirens broke through his thoughts, signaling the arrival of the ambnce Cynthia had called.
As he continued his solitary journey to his old home, Ares knew that the challenges ahead were far from over.
The mysteries surrounding Belphagor and his illusions were just the beginning, and he would have to face them head-on and figure a way out.
To be continued...
Chapter 297: Past life! [2]
United States of America, California~
As the sun went down, colorful skies lit up the streets of Fulton Avenue in sunny California. Ares walked confidently along the familiar sidewalks, blending into the bustling city sounds. Memories of his past flooded back, guiding his journey forward.
With each step, Ares neared his old home on Fulton Avenue. Memories flooded back, overwhelming him like a wave crashing against a shore.
The house stood strong, a reminder of the challenges he faced and conquered over the years.
As twilight descended, Ares stumbled upon a group gathered under a nearby streemp. Recognition lit up their faces as they spotted him, a glimmer of familiarity mingled with unease. Among them stood Jake, his weathered features betraying both respect and apprehension.
"B-Boss! Heard you''re getting back in the ring. We believe in ya," Jake''s words were hesitant, tinged with fear.
Ares nodded in acknowledgment, his mind racing to recall the reason for their concern.
Martha, another figure from the group, trembled slightly as she spoke, her voice quivering with anxiety. "S-Stay strong, Ares. We''ve seen you battle on the streets and in life. Y-You''ve got this," she said, avoiding his gaze.
Their words struck a chord within Ares, serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges he had faced and ovee during this phase of his life.
Ignoring them, he stepped into his former house. The door creaked softly, a sound echoing the passage of time. Memories flooded Ares'' mind, mingling with newfound rity.
Inside, the quiet interior awaited his return, bearing witness to his presence. Nostalgia filled the air, mingling with the determination that fueled him for the challenges ahead.
Taking a deep breath, Ares steeled himself, unwavering in his resolve. An unspoken vow echoed within him: "These illusions won''t shake me."
In the midst of his contemtion, he detected approaching footsteps, apanied by the familiar voice of a woman his age. "Hey, Ares! Back already? How was your training today?" she asked, her curiosity evident as she descended the stairs.
The woman''s appearance radiated casualfort and understated grace. She stood with confident poise, her lithe frame adorned in a simple, fitted white T-shirt that entuated her natural beauty. The fabric hugged her curves gently, offering a glimpse of her toned physique beneath.
Paired with the shirt, she wore well-worn blue jeans that seemed to mold to her form with ease, embodying a rxed yet stylish aura.
Her brown hair cascaded in loose waves, framing her heart-shaped face with effortless elegance. A few strands fell delicately around her face, adding a touch of softness to her features. Pulled back into a carefree ponytail, her hair swayed with each movement, a testament to her casual charm.
Around her neck, she wore a delicate silver star ne, a gift from Ares on a past asion, that now shimmered under the soft illumination of the room.
!?
The woman''s gaze darted around as if searching for someone. "Hmm, where''s Cynthia? Wasn''t she with you?" Confusion tinged her tone.
"...."
"...Cynthia had some business to attend to, so she sent me alone. She mentioned she''ll be back soon after a visit to the Hunter Association," Ares replied, regaining hisposure as he met her gaze. With a nod of acknowledgment, he continued on his way.
"I see," the woman whispered, still focused on Ares as he moved past her. "...Ares, we need to talk." She suddenly called him, her voice trembled with a mix of anxiety and seriousness, causing him to pause and acknowledge the gravity of their impending conversation.
***
Around the dining table, Ares spoke with a casual tone as he took a bite of his sandwich. "So, Fiona, what''s on your mind?" he inquired, his attention divided between his meal and the impending discussion, as he already knew what she wanted to say.
Fiona, hesitated briefly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Ares, I... I want you to reconsider participating in tomorrow''s fight!" Her plea was evident in her voice.
Unfazed by her request, Ares continued eating his sandwich. "...You know I can''t do that, Fiona," he responded casually, as though the matter had been settled long before.
Fiona''s frustration was palpable; she wore it like a mask. "For fuck''s sake, can''t you just listen to me for once!" Rising abruptly from her seat, her anger rang out in her raised voice.
Noticing her reaction, Ares finally put down his sandwich, his gaze meeting Fiona''s. "I understand you''re concerned about that Bastard, Joshua. But trust me, I can handle him this time," he replied, trying to reassure her.
"Argh! I''ve had enough of your delusions!" Fiona''s frustration boiled over, her hands clutching at her hair in exasperation. "Sometimes you have to face reality. Everyone knows your potential only reaches B-rank, while Joshua is already an A-rank hunter! In what universe do you think you can defeat him?
He''s going to wipe the floor with you in that ring!" Her words were a blend of worry and exasperation.
"...."
"...I just need you to trust me this once, Fiona," Ares responded calmly, his gaze unwavering. Yet, Fiona shook her head as if she had heard enough.
"You know what? Do whatever you want, and go to hell for all I care," Fiona retorted, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I''m done with you, Ares. Let''s... let''s break up."
Ares maintained a neutral expression as if these words were not new to him¡ªuttered by his ex-girlfriend, his only childhood friend.
"I...I can''t take it anymore, Ares. I think we should take a break," Fiona''s voice quivered, her eyes welling with tears.
"...Alright, if that''s what you want, then so be it," Ares replied with a faint smile, rising from his chair and stepping away from the dining hall.
!?
Fiona was stunned by Ares''s unexpected reaction. The Ares she knew, her boyfriend and lifelongpanion, had always been possessive and reluctant to let go. That''s precisely why she chose to y this card, hoping to convince him to opt out of tomorrow''s fight by showing him how much it meant to her.
But never in her wildest dreams did she expect Ares to ept the break-up so readily. It left her in a state of shock, sitting on the floor, tears continuing to flow, overwhelmed by the emotional weight of their exchange. It was as if a crucial piece of their shared history had shattered, and she was left grappling with the aftermath.
***
Ares stood before a mirror in his room, his own reflection gazing back at him. He didn''t harbor any anger toward Fiona for ending their rtionship at this particr juncture in his past life; he recognized that her intentions were rooted in concern.
"...I wasn''t strong enough for her to believe in me," Ares murmured, his gaze fixed on the reflection that met his eyes.
The uing battle, scheduled for tomorrow, would bring together rising stars from across the globe. However, Ares found himself among the lesser-known contenders. He was designated by the Hunter Association as a decoy, tasked with protecting their more promising hunters.
Their primary concern wasn''t about winning the fight; their reputation was already solid. The prize¡ªa recently discovered Treasure Dungeon¡ªwas enticing for other nations, but held little appeal for the United States. With their abundance of hidden dungeons, the singr treasure didn''t hold the same allure.
Despite the valuable artifacts and elixirs found in these dungeons, the United States had its own means of acquiring riches, thanks to advanced technology and discreet transportation methods.
Their main objective was to safeguard their top hunters, prioritizing their safety over iming the prize. In a world where dungeons no longer posed a significant threat, they had be symbols of wealth and fame, sparkingpetitions and turning battles into spectator sports.
"I remember that battle," Ares reminisced with a shake of his head. "I lost in a less-than-dignified manner right at the beginning of the event. It''s one of my life''s regrets that I couldn''t give that bastard Joshua a much-needed lesson on live television for showing interest in my woman," he muttered softly to himself, briefly revisiting that pivotal moment.
''...But of course, I eventually gave him a pathetic death using my own methods,'' Ares smirked to himself, a shadow of triumph gleaming in his eyes.
To be continued...
Chapter 298: Past life! [3]
The next morning, Ares upied his usual spot at the breakfast table, with Cynthia seated opposite him. Beside her was Eris, who had fully healed, dressed in casual attire, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders. Her striking green eyes were fixed intently on Ares.
Silence filled the room, with only the ambient sounds of culinary preparations breaking the stillness.
Their breakfast consisted of ¨C fluffy scrambled eggs, golden brown pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and a generous stack of buttered toast. The tantalizing aroma of coffee wafted through the air, filling the room with its rich, inviting scent.
Eris took a bite of her food, all the while keeping her intense gaze fixed on Ares as if she were engrossed in watching a captivating television program.
Under the scrutiny of Eris''s unwavering attention, Ares continued to eat his breakfast, unfazed.
Suddenly, the ufortable silence was broken by Cynthia, who cleared her throat. "Um, Ares, did something happen between you and Fiona? I knocked on her door several times this morning, and she didn''t answer. Now, she''s not at the breakfast table either."
"...Yeah, we broke up," Ares replied casually, causing Cynthia to nearly choke on her food in shock.
Cough¡ª Cough¡ª
She hastily reached for her ss of water and managed to regain herposure before speaking again. "W-What did you just say?"
''That can''t be right, can it? I must have misheard him!'' Cynthia thought, seeking confirmation.
Ares gave her a nk stare and retorted, "Stop being so dramatic. Yes, you heard me correctly¡ªwe broke up."
"...."
Cynthia''s expression remained one of disbelief. "I... can''t believe that you guys broke up," she muttered, her thoughts racing with the incongruity of Ares letting go of Fiona so easily, especially given his possessive nature.
However, she remained silent, choosing not to pry into Ares and Fiona''s personal matters. She focused on her food, her thoughts shifting to other topics.
But just as the breakfast table began to regain a semnce of normalcy, Eris, who had been quiet all this while, spoke unexpectedly. "My... name is Eris!" she introduced herself abruptly, her gaze still fixed on Ares.
Cynthia gave Eris a surprised look upon hearing her speak. "Eh, you can talk? I-I thought you were mute," shemented. "And... didn''t the healers say that you might have amnesia or memory loss or some shit?" Curiosity tinged her tone.
However, Eris seemed to ignore Cynthia''s questions, her gaze never wavering from Ares. "Thank you... for saving me," she spoke softly yet gently, bowing her head slightly.
"...."
Observing Eris''s intense focus on Ares, Cynthia''s frustration started to show, a metaphorical vein throbbing on her forehead. ''Seriously, she''s acting like she''s never seen a handsome boy before,'' Cynthia thought inwardly, both amused and exasperated.
Ares simply nodded in response to Eris and rose from his seat, signifying his intention to depart. Despite being face to face with Eris, the one he once loved deeply, he now felt a profound sense of detachment. It was as if the person sitting before him shared the same appearance butcked the essence of the one he had cherished.
But as he was about to exit the hall, Cynthia''s voice pierced the air, her tone tinged with a mix of urgency and sadness. "Ares," she called out, her voice stopping him in his tracks. He paused, his back half-turned toward the exit, waiting for her words.
"I''m... sorry," Cynthia''s tone was tinged with sadness as she spoke, regret evident in her voice.
"I''m sorry that I couldn''t do anything to stop you from participating in today''spetition." She lowered her gaze, her apology genuine but filled with a sense of helplessness.
Ares met her gaze, his expression softening. He offered her a faint, understanding smile. "Don''t worry about it," he replied in a calm, reassuring tone. "This was my choice. Besides, I''ve been in tougher spots."
With those words, he turned once again to leave the hall. The sound of his footfalls grew fainter as he moved away, leaving Cynthia and Eris sitting alone at the breakfast table.
Cynthia watched his retreating figure, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. She knew Ares well enough to understand that he was resolute in his decisions, even if they were risky. As her gaze shifted to Eris, she noticed her unwavering focus still fixed on Ares.
!!
Cynthia couldn''t help but feel a mix of curiosity and concern about Eris''s intense interest in Ares. She shook her head slightly, deciding that it was best not to pry into matters that might not concern her. Pushing aside her thoughts, she turned her attention back to her unfinished breakfast.
***
Ares arrived at the grand "Californium Arena," the stadium where thepetition was set to take ce. The Californium Arena was a colossal structure, a testament to the grandeur of the event. Its gleaming steel and ss exterior shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, and the entrance was adorned with banners from various countries, each disying their national pride.
Anticipation filled the air, a palpable energy that seemed to intensify with every passing minute. Reporters, armed with cameras, microphones, and notepads, were stationed at the entrance, ready to capture every moment of the rising stars'' arrivals. They jostled for positions, eager to get the perfect shot or conduct the most sought-after interviews.
One by one, the participants from around the world began to arrive, each with their own entourage and supporters.
The reporters swarmed around them like a relentless wave, firing questions and thrusting microphones, attempting to capture the essence of these young talents. The rising stars, ustomed to the attention, gracefully answered the queries, their faces adorned with the confidence that came from being the pride of their nations.
From Russia emerged Dmitri Ivanov, a formidable ice mage known for his precise control over frozen elements. He had an undefeated record in internationalpetitions and was hailed as the "Ice Tsar" by his fans.
Japan''s representative, Haruki Sato, was a lightning-fast martial artist who had mastered the ancient art of Iaido. His uncanny reflexes and sword skills had earned him the moniker "Thunder de."
Priya Sharma, the fire-wielder from India, was known for her unparalleled control over mes. Her record was dotted with impressive victories, and she carried the title of "Inferno Priestess."
Germany''s pride was Maximilian Braun, a brilliant tactician, and strategist who had a knack for outsmarting his opponents. His undefeated streak in chess-inspired battles had earned him the name "The Chessmaster."
Amid the frenzy of reporters and rising stars, interviews were conducted, and the question that seemed to unite them all was, "Who do you consider your toughestpetitor today?"
Dmitri Ivanov, the ice mage from Russia, spoke confidently, "For me, it has to be Joshua from Ennd. His control over wind and his aerial maneuvers make him a formidable opponent. I''ll need to stay on my toes to keep up."
Haruki Sato, the lightning-fast martial artist from Japan, echoed Dmitri''s sentiments. "Joshua is quick, just like me, and his precision with wind-based attacks is something I''ve never seen before. He''s my biggest challenge today."
Priya Sharma, the fire-wielder from India, expressed her concerns. "His mastery of air currents makes my fire tricks less effective. I''ll have toe up with some creative strategies to counter him."
In between the chaos of reporters and rising stars, Ares, who arrived alone, slipped through the crowd unnoticed. The reporters were too engrossed in their interviews and stories about the other participants to pay much attention to him. His unassuming and uncelebrated record worked to his advantage, allowing him to enter the stadium unbothered.
As Ares walked past the interviews, he couldn''t help but overhear themon consensus. It seemed that everyone had their eyes on Joshua, and the reasons were clear ¨C he was the youngest A-Rank Hunter in history and his control over wind gave him a unique advantage, making him a formidable opponent for everyone.
Just as the conversation revolved around Joshua being the primepetitor, a reporter suddenly shifted the focus.
"And about the participant Ares, representing the United States? What are your thoughts on him?"
A brief pause hung in the air as confusion and bemusement marked the faces of the gatheredpetitors. The name "Ares" seemed unfamiliar to most, and they exchanged puzzled nces.
"Who''s Ares?" Dmitri Ivanov raised an eyebrow as if he''d never even heard the name before. "I thought the Americans were sending Leon, the one with all those feats under his name."
Maximilian Braun chimed in, looking genuinely perplexed. "Yeah, what''s up with that? Ares must have done something impressive to be here, right?"
Haruki Sato, known for his bluntness, shrugged. "Honestly, I don''t know much about him. Joshua''s the one making waves from Ennd. Ares... I guess we''ll see what he''s got."
Priya Sharma couldn''t hide her skepticism. "It''s strange that Ares is here instead of Leon. I mean, Leon''s achievements are well-known. What has Ares done to earn this spot?"
Ares continued on his path, not bothered by theck of recognition or the questioning gazes. He knew he had a lot to prove today, and that''s exactly what he intended to do.
To be continued...
Chapter 299: Past life! [4]
Inside the Californium Arena, the atmosphere was electric. The stadium''s interior was a breathtaking sight ¨C a colossal dome with state-of-the-art lighting and technology.
The central battleground, known as the "Elemental Colosseum," was a massive circr tform with a translucent floor that asionally disyed dynamic visuals, amplifying the intensity of the battles. Giant screens encircled the arena, projecting every detail for the audience.
As the participants and reporters continued to buzz with excitement, the announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, capturing everyone''s attention. He stood at the center of the Elemental Colosseum, his voice echoing with enthusiasm.
"Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the Californium Arena!" The crowd erupted in cheers. "Today, we have gathered the rising stars of the Hunter world from across the globe for an extraordinarypetition!"
The huge screens flickered to life, disying the participants'' names and national gs divided into two groups ¨C Group A and Group B.
"Ourpetition format is as follows," the announcer continued, gesturing toward the screens. "We have divided our participants into two groups ¨C Group A and Group B. The battles in each group will be free-for-all matches, where every Hunter will have to prove their mettle in this Elemental Colosseum!"
The Elemental Colosseum''s translucent floor transformed, disying the names of the participants in each group. The crowd watched intently as the list scrolled.
"In Group A, we have some of the world''s most promising Hunters," the announcer eximed as the screen disyed the participants in Group A, along with their national gs and specialties.
[GROUP A]
- Joshua from Ennd, the Wind Whisperer!
- Priya Sharma from India, the Inferno Priestess!
- Lin Xia from China, the Silent Dragon!
- Am¨¦lie Dubois from France, the Mirage Master!
- Carlos Diaz from Mexico, the Aztec Tempest!
- Ji-hoon Kim from South Korea, the Taekwondo Titan!
- Sophia M¨¹ller from Switzend, the Alpine Avnche!
- Aliyah Abidi from Pakistan, the Sandstorm Serpent!
In Group B, the announcer introduced another set of participants:
[GROUP B]
- Dmitri Ivanov from Russia, the Ice Tsar!
- Haruki Sato from Japan, the Thunder de!
- Maximilian Braun from Germany, the Chessmaster!
- Ares from the United States Of America, the Underdog!
- Chandra from Indonesia, the me Dancer!
- Elena Petrov from Bulgaria, the Shadow Assassin!
- Isabe Morales from Brazil, the Amazon Fury!
- Natasha Ivanova from Ukraine, the Storm Weaver!
The announcer concluded, "In the end, the winners of Group A and Group B will face each other in the finals to im the title of today''s champion! Let the battles begin!"
The crowd''s excitement reached a fever pitch as the Elemental Colosseum''s translucent floor reverted to its original state. The battles were about tomence, and the world''s rising stars were ready to showcase their talents in this grandpetition.
***
Participants from Group A made their entrance into the Californium Arena one by one, dressed in attire that proudly represented their nations. The audience erupted in cheers, their excitement filling the air.
As they took their positions, an invisible safety barrier shimmered into existence on the arena floor, enveloping the participants.
This barrier was more than just a protective measure; it was a technological marvel. It allowed the participants to engage in intense battles without risking their life. When an attack threatened to be fatal, the barrier instantly teleported the injured participant outside its confines, ensuring their safety.
Inside the barrier, the battles would feel real, the pain and fatigue genuine, but the risk of life-threatening harm was eliminated. It was like stepping into a virtual world where the stakes were high, but the consequences were manageable.
The crowd watched in anticipation, knowing that they were about to witness an extraordinary disy of talent and skill. The Elemental Colosseum was ready to host the shes of these rising stars, and the world was eager to see who would emerge victorious.
Amid the cheers and the glowing anticipation, Cynthia, Eris, and Fiona found their way to the sidelines, representing the United States in the stands. Cynthia gestured for Eris and Fiona to join her, urging them to hurry as the matches were about tomence.
"Hurry, you two. The match is about to begin," Cynthia urged, her eyes scanning the bustling stadium. Eris followed her lead, silent but curious, clutching a bag of popcorn.
Fiona, on the other hand, remained ensnared by her own turbulent emotions, still deeply impacted by her recent breakup with Ares. Her puffy eyes bore the evidence of her recent tears, and the vivacity of the arena seemed to pass around her, leaving her feeling isted and trapped within her own mncholy. She moved forward with a heavy heart, a stark contrast to the jubtion that surrounded her.
Seeing Fiona''s despondent state, Cynthia couldn''t help but feel the need to reassure her. She leaned in and whispered, "Fiona, I''m sure Ares will be fine. He''s tough, and he''s been through worse."
"...."
Fiona turned her gaze toward Cynthia, her eyes reflecting the inner turmoil that had gripped her. Her voice carried a blend of lifeless despair and deep-seated concern for Ares. "...It''s not that simple, Cynthia. These opponents are on another level."
''And Ares... he''s risking so much for me.'' She thought inwardly.
In stark contrast to the worried tones of Cynthia and Fiona, Eris, who had been contentedly munching on her popcorn, unexpectedly chimed in with an unwavering sense of optimism. Her soft, gentle voice held an unshakable faith as she spoke, "Don''t worry. Ares will win. He''s strong."
!?
Cynthia blinked, taken aback by Eris''s sudden assertion. She exchanged a puzzled nce with Fiona, surprised by the confidence emanating from someone who had only met Ares today.
Fiona, who had been absorbed in her own thoughts, btedly realized Eris''s presence and turned to Cynthia with a puzzled expression. "Cynthia, who is she?" she asked, furrowing her brows.
Cynthia paused for a moment, carefully contemting her response before she replied, "...Her name is Eris. She is the girl that Ares saved in a dungeon while we were training together."
!?
Fiona''s expression shifted from surprise to a more guarded demeanor as she processed the revtion. Turning her gaze towards Eris, She couldn''t help but feel protective of Ares, the weight of her recent breakup adding fuel to her emotions.
"...You don''t know him well," Fiona interjected, her voice carrying a touch of sternness. "So be careful about making assumptions."
Fiona''s words carried a hint of possessiveness, rooted in her deep history with Ares. She had been there to witness his journey as a Hunter, experiencing its peaks and valleys, and she couldn''t fathom the idea of someone who had only just met him attempting to define his abilities or predict his oues better than she could.
Cynthia, who had been silently observing the exchange, could sense the tension in the air. She understood both Fiona''s concern and Eris''s unexined faith in Ares, and she hoped that these conflicting emotions wouldn''t taint the enjoyment of the forting battles.
Eris, on the other hand, maintained her gentle demeanor, not showing any signs of offense or difort at Fiona''s words. She simply nodded, acknowledging the warning, and returned her attention to the arena, popcorn still in hand.
As the crowd''s excitement continued to soar, the first battle of Group A was on the verge ofmencing, and the Elemental Colosseum was bathed in a dazzling disy of light and energy.
To be continued...
Chapter 300: Joshua, The Wind Whisperer!
The Californium Arena buzzed with excitement, its huge dome glowing like a storm ready to burst. It was a dreame true for every young Hunter, a moment they''d been waiting for¡ªthe battles in the Elemental Colosseum.
The ce was full of giant screens showing the world''s rising stars, each with their own Hunter name and country''s g. The crowd got more and more hyped up as their names appeared, creating a feeling of excitement you could almost touch.
When the Group A participants stood ready, the whole ce fell silent. Everyone, both watching there and from afar, fixed their eyes on the entryway where thest Group A fighter was supposed to appear.
Suddenly, a deafening crescendo of roars, ps, and jubnt shouts erupted from the crowd as the hero of the hour stepped into the spotlight ¨C Joshua. It was as if a tempest of adoration had engulfed the arena.
Cloaked in a cutting-edge jacket adorned with the Union Jack, Joshua embodied charisma and confidence with his shining silver hair and piercing blue eyes. His cape, woven from strands of air itself, billowed behind him, a testament to hismand over the wind element. As he moved, the very wind seemed to respond, creating a tapestry of awe and reverence.
Cameras shed in a symphony of light, capturing every second of his grand entrance. The crowd''s enthusiasm swelled even further as he acknowledged his adoring fans with waves and smiles. At this moment, he transcended mere fame, ascending to the echelons of an icon in the hearts of his admirers.
With the grace of a true maestro, Joshua took his ce alongside the otherbatants confidantly, each representing the hopes and dreams of their respective nations.
But as Joshua entered the stage, the other participants exchanged a knowing look, understanding the challenge he presented.
Soon, the announcer''s voice thundered like a herald of destiny, "Ladies and gentlemen, the time hase for the first battle of Group A tomence. Brace yourselves for an electrifying disy of talent and valor!"
In response to the announcer''s promation, the Elemental Colosseum underwent a transformation, its translucent floor morphing into a breathtakingndscape of dense forest, meandering streams, and rugged terrain. It was a battleground designed to challenge and adapt to the diverse abilities of these remarkable Hunters.
Joshua''s entrance had invigorated the crowd, and the battles among these formidable rising stars were about to unfold. The world''s gaze was now firmly fixed on this arena, as they eagerly awaited the extraordinary disys of talent and power these young Hunters were about to unleash.
***
The Californium Arena was charged with anticipation, a vortex of energy enveloping the eight Hunters standing at its heart. Each one, representing their homnd, stood within the confines of the virtual battleground known as the Elemental Colosseum. A digital canvas, capable of transforming at will, awaited the sh of these formidable talents.
"Alright, let''s kick things off! It''s showtime!"
Beep!¡ª
As the announcer''s voice echoed through the arena, signaling the beginning of the battle, something unexpected urred among the participants. They formed an umon unity, recognizing Joshua''s immense strength, and decided unanimously to confront him together.
Thebatants sprang into action, a blend of contrasting abilities converging in an explosive disy:
Priya Sharma, aze with fire and vigor, flung searing projectiles at Joshua, demanding agile dodges to escape the scorching assault.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª
Carlos Diaz conjured tempestuous winds and swirling sands, birthing a raging sandstorm that threatened to engulf the arena.
Sophia M¨¹ller manifested towering rock barriers and colossal stone projectiles, causing tremors with her earth maniption.
Ji-hoon Kim''s flurry of lightning-fast strikes left ripples in the air as he unleashed a barrage of swift and precise attacks.
Lin Xia, elusive and swift as a shadow, attempted to disrupt Joshua''s bnce, striking swiftly and stealthily.
Am¨¦lie Dubois cast intricate illusions, blurring reality and falsehoods around Joshua in a disorienting maze.
Aliyah Abidi, serpentine and agile, maneuvered through the sandy terrain,unching sudden, unpredictable attacks.
The audience watched in a mix of awe and surprise as these skilled Hunters banded together and shed against Joshua, igniting a dazzling spectacle of elemental prowess. Some among the crowd expressed dissatisfaction, finding the joint attack unfair and branding the participants as cowardly.
"How can they all be shameless and attack him altogether?"
"Yeah, they''re just ganging up on him! It''s not fair!" voiced Joshua''s female following, visibly displeased by the alliance formed against him.
However, amid the chaos, Joshua wore a confident smile, seemingly anticipating the united assault. His mastery over the wind transformed into a symphony of dominance, indicating that he still had control over the situation.
His each movement demonstrated his superiority:
Swift wind des effortlessly sliced through iing attacks, nullifying Priya''s fiery assault and dispersing Sophia''s rock barriers.
Thudle¡ª
Whirls of wind decimated the iing attacks, rendering Lin Xia''s stealth maneuvers ineffective.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
Aliyah''s serpentine agility within the sandy terrain was no match for Joshua''s control over the very winds that carried the sand. With a swift gust, he disrupted her movements, leaving her momentarily exposed.
!?
Within Carlos''s tempest, a battleground of swirling sands and tumultuous winds, Joshua''s dexterity allowed him to effortlessly navigate its chaotic currents. He dismantled the sandstorm''s ferocity easily, leaving Carlos vulnerable and fatigued amidst the now-calm winds he controlled.
!!
Ji-hoon''s swift strikes, though formidable, were countered by Joshua''s unpredictable martial arts, leaving the air vibrating with their collision.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
Amidst the illusions spun by Am¨¦lie, Joshua''s keen perception dissected reality from deception. With a precision honed by his control over the wind, he discerned her true location and dispelled her mirages.
"...."
With every movement, he wove a narrative of dominance. It was a dance where wind met fire, earth, and other elements, and Joshua emerged as the unrivaled conductor.
Each opponent, weary and disoriented, struggled against the elemental onughtmanded by Joshua. With every gust, every maneuver, he demonstrated an absolutemand over the elements, leaving them all battered and breathless.
In the climax of this elemental dance, Joshua''s voice pierced through the tumult, bold and mocking, "Is this all you can muster? Your efforts are like gentle breezes against my mighty power!" He sneered
"Let me show you true despair!" Joshua dered ominously, raising his hands to summon a colossal tornado that engulfed the entire arena in a cyclonic frenzy, overwhelming any resistance. Carlos''s tempest seemed insignificant inparison.
...?
The participants, horrified and helpless, faced an inexplicable force beyond theirprehension.
"Th-This? H-How?" A bewildered murmur swept through the chaos.
Ji-hoon''s disbelief echoed amid the turmoil, "H-How is this possible? He''s just an A-Rank like us! How can our power differ this greatly!"
Swoosh¡ª
With no opportunity to retaliate, the vortex devoured everything in its path, erasing them as swiftly as a fleeting gust, leaving the battleground barren.
And amid the chaos, Joshua stood triumphant, a smirk on his face as he thought, ''Hah... they''re all mere ants before me. I am destined to be the hero of this world.''
Beep!¡ª
As the beep signaled the match''s end, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers and apuse, chanting his name.
"JOSHUA!"
"JOSHUA!"
"JOSHUA!"
The match had concluded in under a minute.
...
The announcer''s voice cut through the jubtion, dering Joshua''s victory with unrestrained enthusiasm. "...L-Ladies and gentlemen, a masterss of skill and mastery by the rising star Joshua! He reigns supreme as the champion of Group A!"
The arena quaked with the audience''s adoration. Joshua had not merely secured a victory; he had asserted his dominance with breathtaking prowess. The Wind Whisperer had etched his name into the annals of the Elemental Colosseum''s history, a performance that would resonate for generations toe.
And now with the battle of Group A concluded the Elemental Colosseum prepared for the next thrilling phase of thepetition. Group B, filled with another set of exceptional rising stars, awaited their turn to dazzle the world.
Up in the stands, Cynthia, and Fiona gazed upon the breathtaking scene below, a mixture of awe and concern etched upon their faces. The sheer mastery disyed by Joshua had set an impossibly high bar.
Amidst the electrifying atmosphere, their minds converged on a single, pressing question: How would Ares fare in the face of such overpowering prowess when his turn came in this thrilling arena?
To be continued...
Chapter 301: Ares Domain!
As the echoes of Joshua''s victorious battle slowly subsided, the Elemental Colosseum underwent a transformation once again. The vibrant forest and raging streams of the previous battleground dissolved into scattered fragments of light, surrendering to an entirely newndscape.
A majestic desert unfolded before the audience''s eyes, vast dunes stretching as far as the eye could see, illuminated by the golden rays of an artificial sun. It was a stark contrast from the lush terrain before, a testament to the Elemental Colosseum''s versatility.
With measured grace, the contenders of Group B began to traverse the arena, each embodying their nation''s pride and prowess. A diverse tapestry of talent, their monikers hinted at their unique abilities and origins.
The crowd''s excitement was palpable, mixed with a sense of anticipation. Another thrilling spectacle was about to unfold, this time in the harsh and unfriendly desert.
In the spectator stands, Fiona leaned forward, her gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. The unspoken query lingered in her mind: how would Ares measure up against this formidable lineup of opponents?
"...Ares," she murmured softly, her tone tinged with worry and uncertainty.
The Group B battle was on the brink ofmencement, and the world held its breath, eagerly anticipating the emergence of the brightest star in this challenging desert arena.
***
Amidst the sandy expanse of the battlefield, Group B''s contenders assumed their positions with determination etched across their faces. Their gazes were locked onto their opponents, unwavering and focused, ready to unleash their unique abilities upon the challenging terrain.
The announcer''s voice reverberated through the stadium,manding the attention of all, "Ladies and gentlemen, let the electrifying sh of Group B begin!"
With that emphatic deration, the battlefield sprang into action:
Beep!¡ª
The contenders wasted no time; each moved with precision and purpose. Dmitri conjured icy constructs, Haruki charged his de with electricity, Maximilianid strategic traps, Chandra manipted dancing mes, Elena blended into the shadows, Isabe harnessed primal energy, and Natasha summoned tempestuous winds.
In the midst of the orchestrated chaos, Ares stood as the unwavering center. His eyes, glowing with a radiant azure hue, meticulously assessed the initial moves of every participant. His expression remained calm yet determined, hinting at the immense power he was about to unleash.
In a hushed yetmanding tone, he uttered a single word that resonated through the air.
"DOMAIN."
Swoosh!¡ª
At thatmand, a remarkable transformation surged from Ares, enveloping the entire battleground in a radiant blue semicircr beam. Within this mystical domain, Ares held a seemingly divine authority, shaping a reality attuned to his will.
His speed ascended to unimaginable levels, rendering the movements of the other contenders sluggish, like statues in a realm detached from reality.
In this apparent standstill, Ares emanated an aura of unparalleled might, a testament to his absolute dominion over his extraordinary domain.
''...So, this is the true potential of my domain,'' Ares pondered as he surveyed the frozen tableau before him.
Dmitri''s icy constructs hovered frozen in mid-air, Haruki''s crackling de paused in an arc of impending doom, and Maximilian''s meticulous formations halted in intricate patterns.
Chandra''s fiery strokes, previously a vivid disy of crimson and gold, had turned into static blurs. Elena''s elusive form was ensnared within her very shadows, Isabe''s flourishing desert flora remained suspended in a state of mid-bloom, and Natasha''s turbulent tempest was silenced in a startling calm.
"Alright, let''s end this," Ares muttered, his voice cutting through the eerie stillness.
In that suspended moment, crackling electric energy gathered around his right hand as he invoked his spell.
"Divine Thunderstorm!"
The air crackled with anticipation as electricity coalesced around him, intensifying with each passing second. The azure aura of his domain pulsed with a brilliant glow, drawing power from the very core of the arena. Lightning danced between his fingers, growing more vibrant and vtile with each passing moment.
With a swift, decisive motion, he unleashed the pent-up energy in a monumental surge.
KABOOM!¡ª
An electrifying explosion erupted from Ares''s hand, a tempest of pure energy that engulfed every participant in its ferocious grip. The shockwave reverberated through the suspended tableau, a force of nature that defiedprehension.
The thunderstorm surged through each participant''s form, freezing them in suspended animation, rendering them powerless to resist. The entire scene unfolded within an instant, even before the echoing beep that had signaled the match''s start had a chance to fade.
!!
Dmitri''s constructs shattered into a glittering storm, Haruki''s menacing de vanished, and Maximilian''s formations crumbled. Chandra''s mes dispersed into sparks, Elena''s elusive shadows faded away, Isabe''s desert flora withered, and Natasha''s tempestuous storm dissipated into thunderous echoes.
!?
In a matter of mere moments, the match concluded. The audience, still reeling from the abruptness of it all, could hardly process the spectacle that had unfolded before their eyes.
Thudle¡ª
The deafening explosion of Ares'' overwhelming attack continued to echo in their ears, and the very sands of the desert arena bore the vivid marks of an electrifying cataclysm.
!?
An awed hush settled upon the Elemental Colosseum, leaving the entire world''s collective breath stolen by the breathtaking disy of power.
As the final echoes of the electrical eruption and the settling sands filled the arena, Ares stood victorious amidst the remnants of the vanquished participants.
Beep!¡ª
''...It''s been a while since I''ve unleashed magic of this magnitude,'' Ares reflected. ''Since my transmigration, some of my most potent spells remained sealed, limiting me to only basic abilities... Until now.''
!!
With the arena still trembling from the aftermath of his astonishing victory, Ares calmly departed from the battlefield, leaving behind a sea of mesmerized onlookers.
Amidst the uproarious apuse and gasps of astonishment from the crowd, the announcer''s voice, tinged with disbelief, echoed once more, as if reaffirming the incredible oue of the match.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I-I don''t believe my eyes, but it''s true! Ares, representing the United States, has emerged victorious in Group B! What we just witnessed was nothing short of...of...a marvel!"
The announcer''s words reverberated throughout the Elemental Colosseum, echoing the sentiments of the entire audience.
"...."
Watching in awe, Cynthia and Fiona grappled with the magnitude of Ares'' newfound abilities.
"W-What? What just happened? Did... Did he defeat them all with a single spell?" Fiona''s voice trembled, her eyes wide in confusion. "I-I didn''t even see him cast it! Spells that potent usually require a lot of time and incantation, don''t they?
How did he unleash such immense power the moment the match began?" The bewilderment in her voice was palpable.
Cynthia''s gaze fixated on the protective barrier enclosing the arena, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. "...Indeed, even the most skilled mages need time to cast such spells. It''s confounding... and that power, it''s unimaginable!" Her eyes narrowed as they observed the crack that marred the magical barrier.
''That''s Archmage Sullian''s barrier, one of the most powerful mages globally. How could it be shattered by a spell from a mere teenager?'' A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as her thoughts raced.
Eris, on the other hand, wore a mysterious smile that hinted at foreknowledge. Her eyes glowed with anticipation as she focused on Ares''s departing figure.
Nevertheless, with that, the Group B match came to an abrupt close, a spectacle of unprecedented brevity that would resonate throughout the ages, forever etching its memory into the annals of the Elemental Colosseum. The audience now eagerly anticipated the grand finale, where Ares would sh with Joshua.
To be continued...
Chapter 302: The Illusion!
The lively echoes from the previous match slowly faded away, and a serene quietness settled over the Elemental Colosseum as it transformed into an enchanting garden, bursting with lush greenery, colorful flowers, and serene ponds reflecting the gentle sunlight.
Ares and Joshua stepped onto the stage, emanating distinct energies. Ares portrayed determination, hinting at hidden strength beneath his calm exterior, his eyes shimmering with untapped power. Opposite him stood Joshua, renowned as the Wind Whisperer, radiating confidence and calmness, seemingly attuned to the unseen forces surrounding him.
"I never expected to face you in the finals," Joshua remarked with a sly smile, attempting to provoke Ares. "But defeating me? That''s another story altogether."
Ares remained silent, his gaze seemingly elsewhere, lost in contemtion. He paid no heed to Joshua''s attempts to instigate him.
''Argh! Is this bastard ignoring me?'' Joshua grew frustrated, a vein throbbing on his forehead. ''Let''s see if he can maintain thatposed demeanor.''
"Just because you won thest match using some weird tricks doesn''t mean you deserve Fiona," Joshua eximed, his calm demeanor fading. "I''ve pursued her for six years, starting from our joint hunter training sessions. Someone like you, with no potential, has no right to be with her..." he continued, his words filled with resentment.
Haaa~
A heavy sigh escaped Ares, signaling his weariness towards Joshua''s words. ''...I might have unraveled it. The... method to break free from this illusion or whatever this might be.'' He contemted inwardly, shifting his attention towards Fiona, Eris, and Cynthia seated among the audience.
''This feels strangely simr to that clich¨¦d skill, where you confront your past filled with regrets. As you navigate through those regrets, you get lost in believing it''s reality, trapping yourself indefinitely.'' His mind grappled with the inexplicable circumstances surrounding the current illusion, seeking a way out.
...Yet, a n to break free began taking shape in his thoughts.
Meanwhile, the announcer''s voice reverberated through the arena, fueling the excitement for the impending sh between Ares and Joshua. "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the ultimate showdown between Ares from the United States and Joshua from Ennd! Who will emerge victorious? Let''s find out!"
The audience buzzed with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the final sh between these formidable contenders, while Cynthia and Fiona watched, intrigued by the hidden strength they sensed within Ares after his previous match.
"You dare ignore me! I''ll demonstrate our power difference right now!" Joshua erupted, his fury evident.
The announcer''s voice rang out once more, dering, "As both participants appear ready, let the final battle... Begin!"
Beep¡ª
As the matchmenced, the ground vibrated under their feet, enveloping both Ares and Joshua in vibrant, swirling energies, cocooning them in a dazzling spectacle of light.
The serene garden vanished instantly, reced by a tempestuous arena characterized by swirling winds and stormy skies¡ªan impressive testament to Joshua and Ares''s mastery over the elements.
"I will make you regret ignoring me," Joshua eximed, his voice lost in the roar of the storm.
Amidst the whirling tempest, Ares stood resolute, facing the storm summoned by Joshua. His unwavering gaze pierced through the turmoil.
In stark contrast, Joshua seemed serene amid the chaotic storm, as if it were a familiar friend swirling around him, aforting embrace in the midst of turmoil.
While the tempest raged and Joshua remained at the storm''s epicenter, Ares stood firm, undeterred by the swirling winds.
"...I''ve already killed you once, and I don''t need to torment you again," Ares stated calmly, summoning a shimmering sword that materialized out of thin air, emitting an otherworldly radiance.
The audience collectively gasped at the unexpected sight of Ares wielding a sword, contradicting their perception of him as a mage¡ªan unexpected twist in their understanding.
''Is this arrogant bastard still underestimating me?'' Joshua seethed,unching numerous wind des at Ares in fury.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
"Take that, you arrogant bastard!" Joshua''s cry echoed.
As the wind des and the storm bore down on him, time seemed to slow as Ares''s eyes began to glow once more, his sword resonating with raw power, its energy pulsating in sync with his aura.
Raising the sword high, Ares channeled an overwhelming surge of energy into it.
"Fell Crescent!"
Ares uttered, his voice cutting through the howling winds.
SWISH¡ª
He swung the sword with incredible force, slicing through the very heart of the storm. The de glowed intensely, devouring the iing wind des along its path.
In an instant, the violent winds calmed, the skies cleared, and the chaotic environment conjured by Joshua vanished without a trace. Joshua stood frozen in disbelief, wide-eyed, as the sword''s energy enveloped him in a blinding sh.
"A-Ah?"
CRACK!¡ª
A brilliant explosion of light burst forth from the impact, illuminating the entire arena, and shattering even the barrier covering the stadium from Ares''s astounding attack.
Shatter¡ª Shatter¡ª
"...."
As the radiance faded, Ares stood, his sword lowered, while Joshua had vanished without a trace, leaving not even a remnant behind. The ground bore immense marks from the force of the preceding attack.
''...Lia''s craftsmanship is indeed amazing,'' Ares mused, admiring the incredible power unleashed by his sword.
...?
"...H-Huh?"
"...."
After a momentary silence, the thunderous apuse and gasps from the audience filled the arena after the remarkable conclusion of the match. Cynthia and Fiona, wide-eyed and amazed, struggled toprehend the immense strength Ares had just demonstrated.
"W-Wait! What just happened? The match ended just like that?" The audience expressed their shock.
But soon, the announcer''s voice quivered with excitement, "A-Ares... emerges victorious in an astonishing fashion! What an incredible match!" He remained visibly surprised by the magnitude of power on disy.
Ares!
Ares!
Ares!
The audience cheered, while medics rushed to search for Joshua amidst the aftermath of the powerful sh.
As the crowd chanted Ares'' name, Cynthia, Fiona, and Eris hurried towards him on the stage.
"C-Congrattions, Ares! That was incredible," Cynthia congratted him, still trying toprehend the unexpected turn of events. However, Fiona, standing beside her, remained silent, her head bowed in disbelief. She hadn''t anticipated Ares prevailing over Joshua, especially not with such overwhelming power.
Eris, positioned behind Cynthia and Fiona, approached with an enigmatic smile.
"Ares, I¡ª" Fiona began to speak, but in a blink, Ares disappeared from his spot, leaving behind a trail of blue light.
Swoosh¡ª
Suddenly, he reappeared in front of Eris, brandishing his sword.
"Enough with that unsettling smile! The Eris I know wouldn''t smirk like that," Ares eximed as he swung his sword toward her.
nk¡ª
!?
To his surprise, a sword materialized out of thin air in Eris''s hand, and she skillfully deflected his strike at thest moment.
Their sh disrupted the very fabric of reality, causing glitches in their surroundings and prompting the illusion to crumble.
Aresunched the attack against Eris, realizing that confronting her might be the key to breaking free from this illusion, stemming from his deepest regret connected to her in his previous life.
...?
"...Is that from the Inventory?" Ares muttered, surprised, as he noticed the sword in Eris''s hand seemingly materialize out of thin air, akin to how items manifested within his own inventory.
To be continued...
Chapter 303: Revelation [1]
"...Is that from the Inventory?" Ares muttered, surprised, as he noticed the sword in Eris''s hand seemingly materialize out of thin air, akin to how items manifested within his own inventory.
"...It''s just spatial space magic," Eris replied with an unbothered expression.
nk¡ª nk¡ª
Momentarily taken aback by Eris''s utilization of spatial magic, a skill he had never seen her use in his past life, Ares swiftly resumed his assault.
Drawing upon the power he acquired by defeating Hercules, he invoked his gift, Giantomania, augmenting his strength exponentially. However, despite his increased power, Eris effortlessly countered his attacks.
nk¡ª nk
"...I heard you were a mage," Eris remarked while easily deflecting his continuous attacks. "But your swordsmanship is quite decent," sheplimented.
''As expected, her understanding of swords is far superior to mine,'' Ares pondered inwardly as he struggled tond an effective blow on Eris. ''For her to be able to block all of my attacks so effortlessly, she was called sword maiden for a reason.''
"But if this is the extent of your power, I''ll be... disappointed in my future self for choosing someone as weak as you," Eris stated with an eerie smile.
!?
Ares''s eyes widened at her words. "You...don''t tell me¡ª"
"...why don''t you stop dwelling on what you can''t control and just focus on the present?" Eris interjected, sidestepping his attacks with ease.
However, at Eris'' words, turmoil brewed in Ares''s mind. He already had doubts that his transmigration into this so-called novel world was due to Eris''s involvement, but her words only confirmed his suspicions.
''No, this can''t be real,'' Ares thought to himself. ''This is all just an illusion created by that bastard Belphagor''s skill.''
However, he couldn''t understand how a skill could create such a vivid sense of consciousness. And her mention of being disappointed in her future self for choosing him only added to his confusion.
"Is she... truly just an illusion?" Ares questioned, his mind clouded with uncertainty.
Suddenly, a notification interrupted his thoughts.
Ding!¡ª
[Skill: Ruler''s Authority has been activated!]
With the activation of the skill, rity washed over Ares, dispelling his doubts and uncertainties in an instant.
"In the end, it''s all a lie, right?" Ares sighed deeply, his voice heavy with disappointment.
"...."
Eris remained silent, her expression briefly shifting before returning to its usual impassive state.
As questions flooded Ares'' mind, he felt the connection they once shared slipping away. Doubts gnawed at him, uncertain if the Eris before him was real or a mere creation of Belphagor''s deception. Yet, if her words held truth, he couldn''t shake the unsettling thought that she might have orchestrated everything from the start.
The events, starting from his daring rescue of her in the dungeon, her seemingly selfless sacrifice to protect him, to stumbling upon a mysterious novel among her belongings, and his unexpected journey into this world, all appeared to be intricately entwined within her scheme.
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, a part of him still clung to the hope that there was something more to this intricate web of events.
Ares gritted his teeth, snapping himself out of his contemtion. His sword crackled with electricity, releasing a barrage of crescent-shaped blue arcs aimed at Eris.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª Swoosh
Despite the onught, Eris gracefully evaded each arc with remarkable agility, catching Ares off guard with her swift movements.
Anticipating the need for a change in tactics, Ares surged forward, channeling his domain to enhance his abilities throughout the arena.
"Domain!"
With the domain active, Ares''s speed multiplied tenfold as he executed his Atomic sh skill against Eris.
"Atomic sh!"
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish
nk¡ª nk¡ª nk
To his astonishment, Eris skillfully blocked his Atomic sh despite the domain''s influence.
!?
It was the first time Ares had witnessed someone entirely nullifying his Atomic sh.
sh¡ª
Simultaneously, as Eris blocked Ares''s atomic sh skill, she executed a sh upward, causing Ares''s domain to crumble instantly.
Crumble¡ª Crumble
"What...?" Ares muttered, wide-eyed.
"Is that the limit of your skills?" Eris questioned, pointing her sword towards Ares, challenging him to push further.
Ares tightened his grip on his sword, resisting the urge to give in to her taunts. He was reluctant to rely on his telekinesis or other skills, preferring to test his swordsmanship alone against her. Despite Eris''s apparent power, he sensed that she was more interested in evaluating his skills than in harming him.
Because when their swords shed, Ares noticed a distinct improvement in his swordsmanship, a surge of proficiency coursing through him¡ªan experience he hadn''t felt in quite some time.
"Why aren''t you fighting back?" Ares asked, his brow furrowing as he tried to maintain hisposure.
"...If I were to retaliate, it would be over too quickly. Besides, I still have ns for you. How could I effectively use you if you were to perish within this mere illusion?" Eris responded calmly, her expression unchanged.
"...."
''Well, that makes sense,'' Ares thought to himself. ''Her intentions in bringing me here would be pointless if I were to die in this ce. There must be a reason behind all of this.''
Typically, under the influence of Belphagor''s Eternal Dream skill, individuals were unable to act of their own ord. They faced their regrets, crafting realistic scenarios to confront them, often mistaking the false dream for reality.
However, because of Ares''s Ruler''s Authority skill, he was able to maintain his consciousness and self-control. But Eris also seems to somehow disy an unusual sense of self-control, possessing her own will as if she were alive.
"...Didn''t your mentor teach you any other sword skills?" Eris''s sudden question struck a chord with Ares, causing a shift in his expression.
"...."
It wasn''t that Mika hadn''t imparted her skills to him; she had taught him most of them. However, despite wlessly imitating her techniques and possessing a photographic memory that facilitated the mastery of numerous skills, an elusive aspect remained in mastering even one of her skills.
It seemed as though something crucial was missing during his practice, hindering him from achieving true mastery of Mika''s skills. While he could replicate the form and power of the skills to some extent, they fell shortpared to the sheer power and finesse Mika disyed when using her abilities.
"So, you want to see what Mika taught me, do you?" Ares grinned, summoning a second sword into his grasp.
"Let''s see if you can withstand this unscathed," he dered confidently, intertwining his swords in a cross formation and activating his static electricity skill. The des crackled with energy as they became enveloped in an Electric Aura.
"Cross-Sword Thunder Blitz!" he muttered, emting Mika''s signature skill but imbuing it with his electric element instead of fire.
Crackle¡ª Crackle¡ª
The air crackled with energy as the des sliced through space, emitting bolts of electrified power.
Zap¡ª Zap¡ª Zap
The charged des hurtled toward Eris at incredible speed, aiming to engulf her in a torrent of electrifying strikes.
"...Hm?"
To be Continued...
Chapter 304: Revelation [2]
"Cross-Sword Thunder Blitz!"
Ares invoked, channeling Mika''s Signature skill but altering it with his own electrical prowess, generating a frenzy of charged des aimed at Eris.
Crackle¡ª Crackle¡ª
Electricity crackled through the air as the des zipped toward her in a flurry of electrifying strikes.
Zap¡ª Zap¡ª Zap
The charged des hurtled toward Eris at incredible speed, aiming to engulf her in a torrent of electrifying strikes.
"Hm?" Eris scoffed, her stoic demeanor unshaken.
BOOM¡ª
As Ares''s attack connected, a deafening explosion erupted, shrouding the entire arena in a veil of smoke and debris.
Amidst the fading smoke, Ares discerned Eris''s voice breaking through the remnants of the st.
"Not bad," she calmly remarked, emerging unscathed amidst the lingering haze. Her sword, poised defensively, shielded her from Ares''s attack, leaving scorch marks on the surroundings.
"But youck the true essence of that skill," Eris critiqued, conjuring another sword into her grasp.
Intertwining her des in a cross formation reminiscent of Ares''s attack, Eris''s demeanor shifted.
Shudder¡ª Shudder¡ª
The atmosphere transformed; wild winds howled, whipping debris into a frenzy. The ground trembled violently beneath their feet as if unable to contain the surge of power. mes erupted around her swords, spiraling upwards in a vortex of searing heat, engulfing them in a scorching inferno.
!?
Ares widened his eyes in shock. ''How can she replicate my attack after witnessing it just once? ¡ªno, her power surpasses mine... It''s the same as Mika''s,'' Ares mused, envisioning Mika''s stance reflected in Eris''s posture.
Lost in thought, Ares remained oblivious as Eris unleashed her fiery assault.
Swoosh¡ª Swoosh¡ª
The scorching ze hurtled towards him, its intense heat warping the air and scalding everything in its path. mes danced with an ethereal glow, an otherworldly luminescence that consumed the surrounding space with its ferocity.
"S-Shit!" Ares muttered, bracing himself for the inevitable impact.
KABOOM¡ª
The unleashed destruction painted thendscape in ruins and mes, leaving nothing but smoldering remnants in its wake. Pirs of fire danced high into the sky, casting an eerie glow on the destion. Amidst the chaos, Ares cautiously withdrew his hand and opened his eyes, finding himself unharmed amidst the devastation.
"What?"
He surveyed the aftermath in disbelief¡ªeverythingy in ruins and cinders as far as his eyes could see, engulfed in the inferno''s wrath, except for the small area he upied, untouched by the cataclysm.
!!
He marveled at Eris''s astonishing precision¡ªher mastery over power was beyondprehension. Even with such destructive might, she had managed to avoid harming him, showcasing unparalleled control.
''Her mastery may even surpass Mika''s,'' Ares pondered, beads of sweat forming as he recognized the extent of Eris''s abilities.
"The techniques you use¡ªor rather, your mentor uses¡ªare not as straightforward as they appear," Eris interjected, snapping Ares out of his daze.
Capturing his attention, she continued, "...To amplify the power behind these techniques, one must sacrifice their vitality."
!?
"Although they can be used without consuming vitality, the resulting power won''t be as potent," Eris rified. "And that''s why the destructive force behind your attacks doesn''t match your expectations."
''Isn''t sacrificing vitality the same as using life span? Could it exin why I couldn''t fully grasp Mika''s skills?'' Realization dawned on Ares as he absorbed Eris''s exnation.
"...What a ruthless technique. I''d advise against using it recklessly unless you intend to shorten your lifespan," she cautioned.
''Ah, it all falls into ce now. Knowing Mika''s personality, she deliberately kept this crucial information from me to prevent me from shortening my lifespan by recklessly wielding her techniques,'' Ares contemted, his thoughts turning solemn. ''But... just how long has she been sacrificing her life span while using those skills?''
"...."
While contemting this, Ares realized this could also be one of the reasons why Mika hadn''t taken on any disciples before.
''Back then, when I recklessly fought an A-Rank monster upon arriving in this world, she might have seen potential in me to practice her techniques. But as we grew closer, she likely chose not to reveal the secrets behind her techniques,'' he murmured, a subdued chuckle escaping his lips.
"It''s... so like her," Ares remarked.
"...I don''t want you to squander your life on such a technique. Although it possesses destructive power, there are many other skills equally powerful," Eris stated firmly, tossing a skill scroll toward Ares.
Grab¡ª
Ares instinctively caught the scroll, his eyes scanning its contents as he vocalized the skill''s name.
"Celestial Sword? What a mundane name," he scoffed, his gaze fixed on the scroll''s contents.
"...."
"...Don''t underestimate it just because of its name," Eris countered, her expression darkening.
"You don''t have to pretend to care by offering some random skill to me. I don''t need your sympathy," Ares retorted dismissively.
"...Huh? Random skill, you say? Fine. What if I challenge you? Block this skill of mine, and I''ll aid in freeing you from this illusion," Eris proposed.
A sly grin spread across Ares''s face, hearing her. "...Sure then, bring it on."
"Very well. Try to evade, as I''d rather not witness you die here when you have so much left to aplish," Eris stated, raising her right hand skyward. Her eyes began to glow, emitting a faint but discernible light.
Thudle¡ª Thudle
Instantly, the once-clear skies darkened and dispersed, unveiling a colossal translucent golden sword looming overhead. It emanated an ominous aura capable of dwarfing even entities of SS-Rank or transcendent power.
...!?
''Haha, this is unbelievable. Is she even human?'' Ares chuckled nervously, the sight of the massive sword bearing down on him unnerving.
Without dy, the sword surged toward him at a blistering pace, resembling a speeding meteorite.
Swoosh¡ª
As it approached, the immense pressure pinned Ares in ce. He fought against it, but the sheer force immobilized him, rendering his legs useless.
"Ugh!" The oppressive weight forced him down onto his knees, struggling against the overwhelming might.
"How do you n to dodge when you can''t even move?" Eris queried, her voice devoid of emotion.
''If he can''t handle this much pressure, how will he fare against Them?'' Eris pondered, her face impassive.
''Is she truly trying to end my life now?'' Ares thought, gritting his teeth in response to Eris''s cold demeanor.
"Don''t assume I won''t kill you. If you can''t handle this, it''s better for me to end you here than to let ''Them'' seize the opportunity," Eris sighed, disappointment etched on her face as she shook her head.
However, amidst her dismay, she suddenly noticed a wide smile creeping across Ares''s face.
!?
''...What? Why is he still smiling? Does he still believe that Ick the resolve to kill him?'' Eris mused, perplexed by Ares''s reaction.
Just as the sword neared its imminent collision, Ares muttered, "Swap!"
To be continued...
Chapter 305: Belphagors Demise!
As the colossal sword bore down, its titanic presence filling the air with impending doom, Ares''s resolve remained unyielding. With a flicker of determination, he invoked hisst resort, uttering, "Swap!"
In an instant, the very fabric of space contorted, swapping his position with Eris''s, leaving her momentarily bewildered.
Swish¡ª
!?
Eris, caught off guard by the sudden reversal, scrambled to conjure a shield, a desperate attempt to deflect the impending cataclysm.
Kaboom¡ª
The colossal de collided with her hastily erected shield, unleashing a deafening cacophony of force that reverberated through the air. The impact was so immense that it sent Ares hurtling backward, even from his distant vantage point. He crashed into the wall, engulfed in a maelstrom of debris and chaos, as the sheer force of the collision rattled the very foundations of the surroundings.
Thud¡ª
"...Ha, so this was your trump card?" Eris''s voice emerged from the billowing smoke, her once stoic demeanor now marked by bruises and signs of the impact. Though she had managed to thwart the initial strike, the rapid exchange had left her vulnerable, bearing the brunt of the assault.
"I concede that I was caught off guard, but it''s disheartening that you still couldn''t defeat me," she remarked, wiping blood from her mouth, her gaze piercing through the haze to meet Ares''s battered form against the wall.
Yet, Ares''s response was not one of words but of eerie silence, but his expression suddenly twisted into a haunting grin that sent shivers down Eris''s spine.
!?
"You still believe everything is under your control, don''t you? Offer a proper apology, and I may consider letting you escape, Argh¡ª" Eris''s words were abruptly halted by a sharp, searing pain ripping through her chest.
!!
As she nced downward, a grim reality greeted her¡ªa sword, which Ares was wielding before, pierced her heart.
"H-How?" She gasped, blood staining her lips, her disbelief evident as her gaze met Ares''s.
A glimmer of blue arcane energy glowed across Ares''s palm, as he used his telekinesis.
"Telekinesis...?" Eris whispered, her voice trembling with incredulity.
"You thought I had only one trick up my sleeve?" Ares''s smirked.
Before using the location swap, he had strategically positioned his sword nearby, ensuring that even if Eris managed to block the initial attack, he could still deliver a fatal blow through his telekic abilities.
"...Our paths will cross again, my Ares," Eris whispered with a small smile before tumbling to the ground.
Shatter¡ª Shatter¡ª
As Eris''s lifeless form crumbled to the ground, the illusory world surrounding them began to fracture, signaling Ares''s victory.
Disregarding the crumbling reality, Ares slowly got up and approached Eris''s fallen figure with an air of detachment, his eyes betraying no hint of emotion as if the purpose behind his actions had dissipated along with the dissipating illusions.
Swish¡ª
"...Life will p you in the face with the people you''ve trusted," Ares murmured, retrieving his sword as Eris dissolved into the void before him, leaving behind only echoes of their shared history.
Doubt lingered in his mind, a shadow of uncertainty cast by the lingering illusions, but a deeper intuition assured him otherwise. Eris herself had confirmed that she was the one who brought him to this world.
With that acknowledgment came the realization that their shared history, even her sacrifice to save him in his previous life, might have been nned by her.
"...Was that also part of your schemes?" Ares chuckled, realizing that he was ying in her hands right from the start.
Swoosh¡ª
Soon, as the remnants of Belphagor''s illusory realm dissipated, Ares found himself engulfed in a dark expanse, simr yet distinct from Jessica''s domain. This realm exuded a haunting aura, suffused with fragility and decay, a stark contrast to the solidity of reality.
Amidst the silence, faint gasps punctuated the void, drawing Ares''s attention. Advancing cautiously, he encountered Belphagor in his true form¡ªa ghastly being of emerald hue, his features contorted with agony and fear. His visage bore the twisted semnce of a demonic goblin, with bulging eyes, sharp fangs, and gnarled, wiry limbs.
Cough¡ª Cough¡ª
"H-How did you escape my dream realm?" Belphagor''s voice quivered, his form wracked with pain from ine''s lingering blow and the recoil of his own failed skill. Fear showed in Belphagor''s eyes as Ares came closer, signaling that his end was near.
"You''re weaker than I imagined," Ares remarked stoically, his cold gaze bearing down on Belphagor as he closed the distance.
Belphagor''s wounds were left untreated and got worse over time, showing how weak he had be after getting unsealed recently. ine''s strength was too much for him to handle. When Ares broke free from his skill, it made Belphagor even weaker, turning him into a low-ranked demon with no power.
Step¡ª Step¡ª Step¡ª
As Ares drew nearer, Belphagor attempted to summon a spell, but swift shurikens intercepted his incantation¡ªone piercing his mouth, muting his incantations, while the others ensnared him, pinning him to the wall in futile resistance.
Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Swish.
"Ahhhh!" Belphagor writhed in agony as electricity coursed through his veins within the shuricans, his feeble attempts at resistance falling short.
"Your tricks ends here," Ares dered, standing tall before him, eyes zing with determination.
Belphagor trembled in fear, sensing an ominous presence looming behind Ares, suffocating him with its intimidating aura.
''Is he truly human?'' Belphagor''s thoughts raced, his form quivering with an unfamiliar dread¡ªa sensation that even a demon lord, ustomed to facing formidable foes, found unnerving.
In that fleeting moment, as dread gripped him, Belphagor confronted the specter of mortality. The fear of death, once distant and abstract, now loomed ominously before him.
''Ah, is this the dread of impending death?'' he pondered, his mind grappling with the harsh reality. Despite his reputation for cunning and intellect, he now faced the sobering truth: his schemes, once celebrated as masterful, crumbled in the face of Ares''s unyielding power.
''Lord Lucifer! S-Save me!'' Belphagor''s desperate plea echoed silently within, hoping for a miracle to save him. But as he saw Ares with his sword, he knew his end was near.
The image of Ares holding his sword haunted Belphagor as a sign of his impending death.
sh¡ª
With a swift, decisive stroke, Ares cleaved through Belphagor''s form, severing his head in a single, fatal blow.
As the lifeless husk crumpled to the ground, Belphagor''s essence disintegrated into ashes, leaving behind only a diminutive, palm-sized core of pulsating purple energy.
As Ares retrieved the core, he found himself immidiately expelled from Belphagor''s domain.
Swoosh¡ª
***
Thudle¡ª Thudle
Once again, Ares found himself standing amidst the bordering forest that separated the Elven Empire from the Vampire Continent.
The sky darkened, and ominous clouds gathered above, transforming the once-clear sky into a canvas of darkness. Tumultuous winds swept through the air, creating an otherworldly spectacle¡ªa telltale sign of the aftermath following the death of the demon lord Belphagor.
Drip¡ª Drip
The initial droplets of rain began to fall, their gentle rhythm punctuating the solemn silence enveloping the scene. Each drop seemed to echo the weight of Ares''s burden, mingling with the blood that stained both his clothes and the ground beneath him.
Amidst nature''s somber symphony, Ares stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the sky above. Lost in introspection, his sword remained tightly clutched in his hand.
"...Ares?"
Rose''s voice pierced the somber symphony of raindrops, breaking the silence as she called out to him from behind.
!!
To be continued...
Chapter 306: Stats Level Up!
The rain poured heavily, and a storm loomed on the horizon. The trees in the Zia woond swayed under the storm''s force.
In the midst of it all, Ares stood unaffected by the raging weather, his grip firm on his sword, lost in a daze with emotionless eyes.
Rose was initially happy to see Ares''s return, but when she noticed his battered appearance, her smile began to fade. His clothes were stained with blood, and his injured body showed signs of rapid healing from his regeneration skill. But what troubled her more was his expression, one of profound loss.
''What could he have gone through to wear such a look?'' Rose wondered, her concern evident in the fluttering of her hair in the strong winds.
As she contemted, ine finally emerged from the gate as well, and the gate soon vanishedpletely.
"Why did that illusion end so soon? It was just getting interesting¡ª" ine began to speak, but her words trailed off as she noticed Ares covered in injuries.
"A-Ares, are you alright? Your injuries¡ª" She rushed forward with concern, but Ares halted her with a gesture before turning to Rose and giving amand. "Ready the chopper. We''re leaving."
The abruptness of his order left them both startled.
!?
"But the weather isn''t stable for¡ª" Rose began to argue about flying in the heavy rain and storm, but as she met Ares''s gaze, she felt a chill down her spine. Her survival instinct kicked in, warning her of impending danger. While fleeing from her enemies and surviving for so long had honed her survival instinct.
Her senses screamed danger when she looked into Ares''s eyes. She knew that if she didn''tply with his request, something bad might happen to her.
Gulp¡ª
''Tch! Who cares, let''s just do what he says,'' Rose thought, quickly assuming her position in the pilot seat, her fingers tapping nervously on the controls. Ares wasted no time in taking his seat, his expression remained unreadable amidst the chaos of the storm.
Meanwhile, ine''s heart sank at Ares''s injuries, a pang of guilt gnawing at her. She med herself for being distracted by the illusions while Ares faced danger alone.
''It''s... its all my fault. I was so busy enjoying those fake illusions that I wasn''t there for him when he needed me,'' ine pondered with a somber expression. ''If I hadn''t been distracted, maybe he wouldn''t have gotten hurt.''
As ine wrestled with self-me, a message from her constetions appeared, urging her attention.
[There seems to be something amiss about this current situation. His injuries appear to be from a sword, yet Belphagor isn''t known to wield one.] The message highlighted. [Moreover, Belphagor barely withstood your attack.
It''s doubtful that he, the weakest among the demon lords who had just recently released, could endure your strike and still retaliate to injure Ares, who single-handedly defeated Pazuzu.]
!!
"...Yeah you are right, that bastard might have resorted to some sort of trickery to injure him. How could someone weaker than demon lord Pazuzu cause my Ares so much harm?" ine gritted her teeth in frustration as she followed Ares and settled into her seat.
"Wow. I didn''t expect this chopper to have these functions as well!" Rose eximed, relieved to see the chopper equipped to handle extreme conditions. The chopper''s dashboard disyed an array of buttons and switches, including weather control spells and a magical barrier to protect against the elements.
As she took off, an awkward silence settled in the cabin, with neither ine nor Ares in a good mood. Rose couldn''t help but feel the tension in the air. ''What''s with this atmosphere? Shouldn''t they be celebrating Belphagor''s death?'' she wondered, forcing an awkward smile. But then, realizing something, she spoke up.
"Ah, Ares, it''s almost time for the scheduled gathering of the monarchs on the floating ind. If you''re nning to attend, we don''t have any time to waste. We should leave for there right away," she suggested, awaiting his response.
"...Alright, let''s head to the floating ind," Ares agreed tersely.
***
Ding!¡ª
As they journeyed, a barrage of notifications from the system vied for Ares''s attention, something he had been purposefully overlooking for quite some time.
''Did Eris give me this game-like system to make me stronger for her ns?'' He hesitated before reluctantly opening the system interface.
Ding!
{Your proficiency with the sword has increased!}
{Your proficiency with the sword has increased!}
{Your proficiency with the sword has increased!}
{Congrattions! You have ascended from a Magic Swordsman to the revered rank of Sword Saint!}
{Congrattions! Your Snake Movements has evolved into Shadowstep!}
{Congrattions! Your skill "Fell Crescent" has evolved and ascended to its ultimate form: "Eclipse de!"}
{Congrattions! You have defeated Demon Lord Belphagor!}
...
**{New Abilities Acquired - Demon Lord Belphagor''s Legacy:}**
1. Shadow Veil:
- Description: By channeling the shadows around them, the user can shroud their presence, making it difficult for enemies to discern their location. They can seamlessly blend into the darkness, evading detection and moving with unparalleled stealth.
2. Mirage Shift:
- Description: The user can conjure illusions of varyingplexity, ranging from simple distractions to borate scenarios. These illusions can take the form of objects, creatures, or even entire environments, creating confusion and disorientation among foes.
Ding!
{You''ve gained the gift "Celestial Sword Descent"}
-Description: This gift allows you to summon an ethereal sword that descends from the heavens, delivering precise and divine strike with unparalleled power.
***
[STATUS]
NAME : Ares
RACE : Human
ELEMENT : [Electricity] [Psychokinesis]
PROFESSION : [Sword Saint ¡ï¡î¡î]{New} [Archer ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
TITLES : [The Executioner] [The Youngest Swordmaster] [The Demon ver] [The Hydra yer] [The Demon Lord Killer] [A Chosen One]
Rank : S+
Strength : A+
Agility : S
Stamina : A+
Mana Capacity : A
Luck : B
Charm : A+
¡ô
Abilities : 1. [Universal Language]
2. [Photographic Memory]
3. [Regeneration]
4. [Ruler''s Authority: Level 1]
¡ô
Stolen Ability: 1. [Wings Of Pazuzu]
2. [Shadow Veil]
3. [Mirage Shift]
¡ô
Skills: 1. [Eclipse de¡ï¡î¡î}{New}
2. [Cross-Sword Thunder Blitz¡ï¡î¡î]{New}
3. [Shadowstep¡ï¡î¡î]{New}
4. [Hawkseye¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
5. [Static Electricity¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
6. [Location Swap¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î¡î]
7. [Atomic sh¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î]
¡ô
Gift: 1. [Eye Of Chaos¡ï¡î¡î]
2. [Gigantomania¡ï¡î¡î]
3. [Celestial Sword Descent¡ï¡î¡î]
***
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!