Chapter 65 |
At Annwood Academy, duels between students are fundamentally prohibited.
Exceptions are made if a teacher or student council member witnesses and certifies the duel, and if each participant swears to duel for their honor.
Of course, even in these cases, an administrator at the teacher level must be present.
'Right now, there's no one like that here. But what if I draw my sword first?'
If an investigation were to start at the academy, it would likely be unfavorable to me.
Drawing one's sword first can be interpreted as a threat.
'Of course, I'm not afraid of that.'
Luna was confident.
Confident in subduing him without causing harm, and in facing the investigation.
'Luna, don't get involved with the Teron faction.'
Suddenly, Zero's words came to mind.
The warning to stay away from the Teron faction.
'Well, we're not friends anymore, so what does it matter if I don't follow it.'
Right? It's okay to do things my way now, isn't it?
For the past ten years.
I've always been alone.
"Draw your sword."
The provocation to draw the sword.
But the words that came out of Luna's mouth were completely different.
"I don't want to."
Luna chose to keep her promise with Zero.
'I can handle being called a coward by this guy.'
Given Luna's fiery temperament, this was a significant change.
"Really? Then I have another way."
Godner rolled up his sleeves and pulled out a rather thick club.
And then,
Thud!
"Kyaa!"
He started to beat Rezé, who was crouched and trembling.
"I, I did everything you asked. Why..."
"It's my decision."
Thump! Thump!
"Ow, it hurts... please, stop..."
"Would you stop if you were me?"
Unable to watch any longer, Luna intervened.
"What are you doing!"
"Mind your own business."
"How can I ignore someone being beaten!"
"Then try stopping me. Of course, you'll need to draw your sword. Hahaha!"
Luna gritted her teeth.
She had figured out Godner's intention.
'I can't win without drawing my sword due to the size difference.'
Godner, whom she first encountered at the beginning of the semester while he was plucking parrot feathers.
She had fought him barehanded and realized then.
The difference in physique was something that couldn't be ignored.
Thump!
"Mom... it hurts..."
Thump!
"Hng..."
A faint groan escaped from Rezé's lips.
A sturdy boy over 180cm was beating a girl of about 140cm as if she were a mouse.
"Stop! Stop it! Beating someone who isn't resisting! Aren't you ashamed as a noble?"
"Hihi, I'm just teaching someone who isn't fulfilling their duties a lesson."
"Duties?"
"Yes, nobles should stick together. You think you can be high and noble by yourself, doing nothing? Unacceptable."
"Is this child a noble too?"
"Yes. Now leave, unless you want to end up the same."
Godner raised the club again.
But.
Swish!
Thud.
He couldn't swing it.
The upper part of the club, excluding the handle, had been cleanly severed.
Godner sneered.
"Drawing and swinging a sword? You're out of your mind."
Yes, Luna had swung her sword.
'Passing by the weak is not something a noble should do, Luna.'
Her mother's teachings, passed down from her ancestors.
And this was,
'The pride of our Lester family.'
Something she couldn't tarnish.
Even if it meant breaking a promise with a friend.
'I'm sorry, Zero. But I had no choice.'
Rezé, crying on the ground.
She must have been dragged into this to draw Luna out.
Luna was furious to her core.
"Prepare yourself."
"Hihi, I'm looking forward to it."
As Godner drew his sword.
Clang!
The duel between Luna and Godner began.
* * *
As the sun set and the glow stones began to light up in the early evening.
I was aimlessly wandering around the academy.
'Wonder if I'll run into Luna(?) somewhere?'
If I see her, I am willing to at least give a nod of acknowledgment.
It was then that someone called out to me.
"Ah? Zero. Zero! Over here, here!"
It was Raymon. He waved his arms wildly, welcoming me.
I had hoped to run into Luna, but instead, it's Raymon who pops up.
"Tsk."
"Did, did you just click your tongue at me!?"
"Keke, Raymon, you're mistaken. That would never happen."
"Right, of course! Hehe!"
Raymon stuck to me and began various conversations.
About what he did today, how it's good that Luna isn't here, what he plans to do tomorrow, and then,
"I'm tracking a suspicious Demon Sword."
"A Demon Sword?"
"Yes! Whoever wields it gains immense power!"
That's when I realized what Raymon was doing here.
He was investigating. Racing towards the end of Chapter 1.
"Just holding the sword makes you stronger! Why don’t you try it too, Zero? It would suit you!"
"...?"
Does he even know what a Demon Sword is?
A Demon Sword brings destruction.
And the one they are after is a sword possessed by a demon.
And he's suggesting that I pursue it.
Typical Raymon.
"Raymon, did you find something?"
"I found something better than a Demon Sword!"
"Something better? Ah... I see."
Two figures emerged from the darkness.
It was Rodelin and Alex.
"Zero, it's a pleasant surprise to see you here."
"Keke, Senior. You're working hard even in the evening."
"Hmm, we got a suspicious tip. Raymon, any peculiar findings?"
"I found a black rift, but it seems insignificant."
"...Normally, that would be considered a significant finding?"
Raymon scratched his head as if to say 'Is it?'
Rodelin was having a hard time, no less than I was.
Of course, my troubles were more severe.
"So, about this place..."
They began sharing information.
I listened in, catching bits of their conversation.
Hmm, I see. They've made it that far? Quite a lot has been done.
"There are three black rifts..."
"They seem to be concentrated in one area?"
"Yes, we should investigate that area. The most likely place is right here, the epicenter of the rifts."
Rodelin marked lines on the map.
Lines drawn through the three rifts intersected at one point.
That was where the Demon Sword was hidden.
'Wait. Then, it's about time for that event.'
The incident where Luna loses an arm to Daike.
The main characters hear about this event through conversations with friends.
Because they were busy chasing the Demon Sword, they couldn't participate.
The event called 'The Execution.'
A flicker of unease crossed my chest at that moment.
'Damn it! Of all times to leave Luna alone.'
A mistake. Having too much information turned out to be a curse.
The information about the game I knew before.
And the new information I'm gathering here.
The flood of information made me forget about Luna's duel with Daike.
'I need to find Luna first thing tomorrow.'
The chances of 'The Execution' happening today are slim.
It's only been two days since Luna and I parted ways.
And now, 'The Execution' event during such a time?
What an unfunny joke.
"Hmm? Now that I think about it..."
Rodelin looked around.
"Where did Luna go?"
"Excuse me?"
"Don't you usually stick together?"
"Well, that's... a long story. She seemed too reliant on me."
I explained the whole situation to Rodelin.
After hearing it, she nodded her head.
"I see. Zero, you were too concerned."
"Too concerned?"
"Yes. You worried unnecessarily."
"But if she's always clinging to me, it will slow Luna's mental growth."
"Mental growth? What are you talking about?"
Rodelin's eyes narrowed.
"Mental growth is important. But is leaving her alone really the way to achieve it?"
"Keke, isn't that obvious? Currently, Luna's problem is her narrow circle of acquaintances. Interacting with others will greatly contribute to her growth."
"That's just your opinion, isn't it? Isn't that so?"
Well, that's true. But my opinion can't be wrong.
Because, after all, I am a real adult.
Unlike Luna, who's merely fifteen, I am truly an adult.
"I can't understand. Why did you think Luna's mental growth was necessary? You've only been together for just two months."
"But relying solely on me is not good. It could become a habit."
"During the Demon's Shard incident, I felt that you tend to think your opinions are perfect."
Back then, during the strategy for the Demon's Shard.
It was about the [Corrosion] skill.
I had asserted that the Demon's Shard's only methods of attack were black thorns and erosion.
However, when a mop was used to counter it, and Raymon's sword melted, the Demon's Shard resorted to using [Corrosion].
'I almost led us to a total defeat because of my certainty.'
Unlike Raymon, Rodelin avoided [Corrosion].
She never fully believed my claim that there were no other attack methods and always focused on defense and evasion.
"It's the same now. Luna needs mental growth? Why are you so sure? From what I see, that's not the case at all."
Well, I am an adult.
It's natural for an adult to worry about a child.
I was just concerned about Luna.
"I can't understand this change in you, Zero. Why do you think that way? She's just fifteen, and I'm only sixteen."
"..."
"Moreover, being older doesn't automatically mean you're right. That's why His Majesty the Emperor has various people around him. Pointing out mistakes isn't something only the elderly can do."
Being older doesn't automatically mean having the right opinions?
It felt like a slap in the face.
Right. My real age is only in my late twenties.
Not someone who has grasped all the truths of the world, so my opinions aren't always correct.
"Above all, the Luna I know is a strong girl."
"She is strong."
Especially her teeth when she bites me.
They are as sturdy as steel.
"No, I don't mean it like that."
Rodelin shook her head and continued.
"She has the strength to overcome her own problems. But it seems you don't see it that way, do you?"
"...!!"
Rodelin raised her fist and gently tapped my chest.
"Trust your friend, Zero."
I see. I hadn't trusted Luna.
Yet she always trusted me unconditionally.
It was an eye-opening moment. Of course, being slit-eyed, it might not be visible.
"Senior, I have to go. Something came up."
"You look good. That's youth for you."
"Keke, aren't you in your youth as well, Senior?"
"That word is too much for an old woman like me."
And there's only a year difference between us!
"Thank you for your advice today."
"Hmm, go safely. Next time, I hope to see you with Luna."
I started running immediately.
Not tomorrow. Right now.
I wanted to see Luna.
--TL Notes--
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