CHAPTER 56: Ballantes, the Indispensable Family in Swordsmanship Discussions for the Ranking War

In the empire, when talk turns to swordsmanship, one family is indispensable: Ballantes. Abelin Ballantes, the fourth daughter of that house, entered Clarice Academy after receiving an invitation with top scores.

"She's the fourth daughter of the Ballantes family..."

"Her older sisters and brothers have all surpassed Sword Expert, right?"

"Blood will tell, after all."

S-class in Clarice Academy rankings, Abelin Ballantes—with her golden waves cascading elegantly, her posture and gait so noble she could pass for royalty. The academy's admissions officers flattering her, the guild reps trying to butter her up in advance... none of them caught her interest.

What drew her eye was a commoner with no talent whatsoever, grinding away through sheer effort.

"One more time!!"

Edwin Gwynz.

And...

"Already over?"

"...!"

"Good work~."

The veiled noble who utterly outclassed her: Kaeran His.

Both piqued her interest, sure. But the one she focused on most was Kaeran.

'As a potential husband... he's not lacking.'

The daughter of the world's greatest sword emperor, matched with the academy's top swordsman... their child would possess talent beyond words.

But...

"Haa. Haa."

That light green-haired guy, whose effort alone had seemed admirable... Edwin had grown. To the point where she needed both hands to beat him.

Of course, it was pure swordsmanship sparring—no magic involved, at Yeriel's request. And he was just a C-class guy.

'I gave him no openings at all...'

Having faced and sparred countless sword masters, Abelin could gauge a fighter's skill from their eyes alone. In that final clash, Edwin's gaze burned with resolve. It even carried an innocent purity, like the beginner's mind a holy knight should hold...

But within it, he was projecting someone else.

'What happened to him...?'

Before positioning, under the moonlight in the sealed training hall, his skills had been pathetic. Fundamentals not even mastered.

Yet right after that night, it was like someone entered his heart—he changed.

'And it wasn't some lowly maid... Could he have inherited a legendary ability...?'

Edwin had evolved once each through positioning, selection trials, and dungeon surveys.

Did he have another backer? He and Yeriel had no obvious connection, yet she'd come personally to request the spar.

"What connection could they possibly have...?"

As fog clouded Abelin's mind, a redhead appeared before her.

"Abelin?"

"Ah, 'tis thee, Kaeran."

"What deep thoughts occupy thee so?"

"I was reviewing today's duel."

"Hmm~."

"I heard thy opponent is set. Dost thou not train separately?"

"Eh, do I need to?"

Kaeran's opponent: Lev Denek. Abelin knew from Melissa in the same Royal Class circle. A B-rank guy who'd gone from rowdy to quiet lately, by all accounts. No real connection to her.

Yet Kaeran had personally picked him ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for the ranking battles.

'Why that man...?'

Subtly, Lev Denek was nagging at Abelin's thoughts.

* * *

Back in the dorm, freshly showered, I flopped onto the bed.

'Been possessed here a good while now.'

The duel with Gailon was over three weeks ago. Rumors die fast.

Regrettably, my school status hadn't shifted much. Still B-rank, holing up in training rooms most days.

Meanwhile, Kaeran kept growing on author favoritism, while the original game's heroes I needed to boost became inflation casualties.

'It's blatant plot armor.'

So, to grow the leads, I had to incorporate some fanfic elements.

Enter Abelin Ballantes, key to Edwin's growth. Her archaic speech, her crush on Kaeran. Non-canon heroine, but in the novel, she aids Edwin.

Reason: rivalry with Kaeran draws her to strong men. She takes momentary interest when he slays rags and awakens as executor.

'But!'

My rapid growth twisted things. Lev Denek's meddling altered the narrative, and Edwin was weaker than imagined.

Thus, Yeriel made a perfect bridge. Even as Kaeran's Royal Class formed their clique, she's a senior and former mentor to Abelin—enough connection.

She arranged the Edwin-Abelin training. Only Yeriel helps me selflessly, like in the original game.

Kaeran probably hit on her too, but she didn't fall. Commendable.

—As thanks for the favor. I gave her the cake from Scarlett.

'Too opportunistic?'

Won't tank her affection, right?

'Whatever. Time to check rewards.'

Fixed first—gamer rule.

Muttering "fixed reward," the familiar status window popped up.

Black plate armor, so physical resistance. Simple.

Cool as ever, a line added—and light burst from my body.

Physical resistance should shine in ranking battle melees.

'Huh?'

"Whoa. It works like that?"

In the original game, boss loot sometimes included items from past heroes who'd challenged them. Immersion gimmick, minor rewards.

Adrin was an elf archer, apparently—boosted my Wind Archery.

"Always short on wind energy. Perfect."

Unexpected spec-up. And fixed rewards weren't done.

"Damn..."

Lucky day. Agility—the one I needed—went up.

Finally got those side character points. Time to unlock my unique trait.

'Unique Trait.'

'500 points for Gamer.'

"As expected."

The rest went smoothly.

"Kuh, nice, nice."

Like an uncle chugging beer. 500 points for peak value: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠extra passive/ultimate slots, two more actives. Couldn't fit Devil's Eye before—now I can.

'And...'

The grand finale: select reward.

Blessing for attack bonus damage. Defensive Black Plate. And that enigmatic curse, Black Dragon's Trajectory.

'No clue on this one...'

First real dilemma. Closed beta skills were cryptic, but I need to choose wisely. High-rank boss means timer, and something useful vs. Kaeran.

'Hold off.'

Prep work's mostly done. Next...

'Grab the parasite skill.'

Perfect timing—my comm crystal lit red. Hazel signaling a breakthrough in homunculus experiments.

'Found the parasite monster?'

Chapter 3's boss if left alone. Kill before maturity for the skill.

'Sigh. Out again.'

Hate heading out post-shower, but gotta.

"Kaeran, you're parasite bait..."

Clunk.

I yanked open the wardrobe for my cadet shirt.

'...?'

Yeriel laundered it? White shirt hung neatly, fresh scent wafting.

'Hung it last visit?'

Shoving aside questions, I left Selafi Black Dorm.