60 - Taicheonsa A-4 Group, The Chaotic Match Between Lev Denek and Kaeran His

Was it because of the chaotic match in Taicheonsa A-4 Group between Lev Denek and Kaeran His?

"What the hell? What's going on?"

"He forfeited."

"Who did?"

"Grade B."

The Hall of Strife, the Colosseum, was in a bit of an uproar. It had clearly started as an exciting match. They didn't give each other a moment's rest, clashing fiercely right from the outset. Then, Kaeran—the genius freshman hailed as having the greatest talent—took a single hit. Just as the tide was turning in favor of Grade B's Lev Denek and an upset seemed imminent...

"I forfeit."

For some reason, he threw in the towel.

The Royal Class members watching were struck silent by the unexpected scene.

At that moment, Melissa cautiously asked Selena, who was seated beside her.

"Kaeran... won, right?"

"...Who knows."

Selena gave a curt reply. Her attention was solely on Lev Denek's Wind Archery. The blue wind arrows she'd seen in his duel with Gailon... But this time, he hadn't used the technique at all.

Why?

Why hadn't he used Wind Archery? Moreover, his movements were like a completely different person from before—far more natural and agile than when she'd helped him with practical training. This was a level no one could reach in such a short time.

Of course, Kaeran's talent was formidable, but Lev hadn't even used his full power. What an inscrutable guy.

If he'd used Wind Archery, he might've had a real shot... Was he holding back?

As she pondered her questions, a rustling sound interrupted.

Twintailed Lily munched on snacks and chimed in.

"At this point, isn't it safe to call it Lev's win? That's what Lily thinks, anyway~?"

"Lily Gong!!"

Abelin shot back indignantly.

"H-how dare that wretch have gone easy on Sir Kaeran?!"

"But Kaeran was the one who got floored..."

"Why dost thou not cheer for our own circle?!"

"Hmm... Yeah, you're right...?"

Lily had joined the Royal Class circle because she liked Kaeran, after all.

-Lily, you're a genius, so you can summon even stronger ones, right?

-Ahem, of course!

-Good. Keep fighting for me... no, for our circle from now on.

The reason was probably that he'd praised her skills. A so-called genius acknowledging her, Lily, personally. She'd loved that. But...

-Just resummon it through this.

For some reason, Lev didn't seem so bad either. Thanks to him, the dungeon survey practical had gone smoothly without major incidents. He wasn't a bad guy.

Hmm...

The youngest among them, Lily couldn't quite grasp these ambiguous feelings.

Footsteps approached.

"?!"

A woman drew near them.

"Huuung~. You all know that guy?"

A weary voice, teary drooping eyes, sky-blue hair... She wore the purple robe signifying a third-year.

Right across from them, [Crow Pay] Guild Master Regulus was tapping his chin in thought. His subordinate spoke first.

"Captain, what are your plans?"

"What's your take?"

"It wasn't as clean as expected, so we should watch the remaining matches... But no one disputes that Kaeran's the brightest gem among the freshmen."

"No, the other guy."

"Pardon?"

The other guy—Grade B, Lev Denek.

"He didn't show anything apprentice-worthy... To me, it looked like a performance to draw attention."

Exactly. The apprentice hadn't fought like an apprentice. Yet it felt like he'd dominated Kaeran's emotions, luring him into something. Regulus sensed ulterior motives and took interest.

"You never know. Keep an eye on him."

"Yes."

His subordinate vanished after a short reply, eyeing Regulus's smile.

* * *

After the match, there were more procedures than expected. Since it was a forfeit, he had to submit a pledge not to contest the outcome. Then came the instructors' feedback—lectures on how melee puts archers at a disadvantage, so pick a non-melee opponent next time—and endless nagging.

By the time it wrapped up, quite a bit of time had passed. The match had started late afternoon, and dusk was already falling.

"Halfway there, huh."

At least the Kaeran issue was off his plate for now. It'd take time for the parasite to notice. Removing just the 'Copy' trait alone was a huge gain. All that was left was graduating smoothly...?

From fanfic Chapter 3 onward, demons rampaged in earnest, tormenting the characters. Lilith blackened, Yeriel was tested by her Taicheonsa powers, and Edwin grew even more through it. The gap with Kaeran narrowed somewhat, so it wasn't all bad.

"Time to rest for today."

His whole body was slick with sweat. He wanted a shower. As he finally exited the Colosseum with that in mind...

"Good work!!"

"Don't get down!"

"Knew you'd pull it off!"

"You were so cool today!"

Outside, families and friends swarmed, waiting for the cadets who'd dueled that day.

In stark contrast, he was alone.

Tch, not a single cheer.

All thanks to Lev Denek's legacy. Once tarnished, an image didn't recover easily. Plus, the people he cared about were in his old world.

Still, spotting female cadets whispering and glancing his way made him think of Aria.

The one always monitoring him.

-There's a grade match today, right? I'm on medical team support...

-Huh? Can't monitor me?

-...Yes. So even without me...

-Yay!

-That happy about it?

-Nah, just messing with you...

Grade match week meant nonstop duels and crowds, so medical incidents were inevitable. Healing cadets not competing got pulled for duty. If she'd watched his match today, she'd probably be waiting here.

'As expected. But good thing you didn't get hurt.'

Something like that, right?

As trivial thoughts ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swirled, a familiar voice pierced his ear.

"Loser thug kid. You gettin' bullied?"

Dustin, Scarlett.

"Ahem."

Loser. Bullied. Cornered. Couldn't argue.

"Knew it'd be like this. With that personality, no friends—"

"Hey, Scarlett, enough. Lev, too bad, but don't get down. Grade matches aren't over yet."

"Hmph..."

As he stayed quiet, Scarlett seemed to regret her words, patting his back in her own awkward comfort.

"Yeah! Holding your own against Grade S? That's something. The judges'll factor that in. And to me, you basically won—"

"You two! What're you doing? Next duel assessment!"

The chat couldn't drag on. An academy staffer called for Dustin and Scarlett. True to war heroes, they had packed schedules.

"Seriously, this busy and Umberto's off who-knows-where... Still ghosting us???!!!"

"Haha, he's always the quiet type, doesn't tell us. Probably hunting monsters somewhere... Lev, we're off? Good luck with the rest."

"Yeah."

They said their piece and vanished in a flurry. His gloom lifted a bit from the oddly heartwarming exchange.

..."A-4, Lev Denek's stuff."

"Take it here!"

At the storage, his gear had an extra box. A neat three-tiered bento—rare even in Korea. And a note.

Unfolding the paper released a fresh, laundered-shirt scent.

He'd forgotten to sign it, but the neat handwriting gave it away.

Voice support, huh.

Yeriel's letter, obviously.

"...?"

Reading it twice in touched surprise, he spotted something off.

Umberto's call...?

Shaman Umberto visiting the black dorm. In the fanfic, Umberto had striking looks but little presence, always acting solo. Described as dying alone to demons on an expedition...

And hadn't Scarlett and Dustin said he was out of contact?

Then, as if answering his doubt, the status window appeared.

"...!!"

So the author had been quiet for once. Wait, that reward...?

Throwing in the towel now?

Looked like the self-insert couldn't baby himself anymore and was lashing out in a final tantrum. Pathetic.

He immediately slung the ash-gray crossbow over his shoulder.

Back to work.

* * *

At that moment, in the Selafi Black Dorm as sunset faded, Yeriel was guiding the visiting Umberto.

"This way, please?"

Why did stuff like this always ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠happen on Lev's duel days?

Wanted to eat bento together...

She'd analyzed his side dish preferences from meals together and tailored the victory bento. Truly a shame, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but she couldn't refuse a war hero's request.

"Nice... dorm."

"Thank you!"

Interest from someone of his stature meant a lot for Selafi Dorm. Like publicity... Materialistic, sure, but as a freshman-only dorm, next semester was the last chance.

Yeriel asked Umberto amiably.

"Didn't see you at the welcome ceremony. Did you arrive today?"

"Yeah. Slipped in quietly. Hate to brag, but couldn't resist—the place just pulls ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you in."

As he said, Umberto was hugely popular among heroes. Youngest, obviously, but mostly his looks. Pale skin, blond hair, red eyes... Yeriel found the vampire-like vibe a tad scary, but his reticent nature created a mystical aura that maxed his appeal. Despite being a shaman.

Rumors of his arrival would've drawn crowds of fangirl cadets.

"You must be tired. I'll bring tea!"

"Sure. Mind showing me around inside?"

"Of course! This way!"

Yeriel flashed a bright sales smile. Not often people showed interest in the dorm.

Then, Umberto glanced back.

"That smile. Still so pretty."

"!"

A chill ran through her, but she hid her surprise.

"Ah... Thank you?"

One question bloomed in her mind.

He's supposed to be the quiet type... right?