Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Midterm Evaluation (3)
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Ronan, gripping Lamancha in a reverse grip, plunged the blade into Baldy No. 2's back. The man's form vanished, and Ronan's body regained its freedom.
"You crazy bastards."
Ronan spat the curse. The ends of Baldies No. 2 and 3 had been heroic. Even with safety guaranteed, their guts were something else.
The ground was receding rapidly. The wind roared with enough force to shatter his eardrums. Ronan calmly scanned his surroundings. The cliff face was so smooth and sheer there was nothing to grab onto.
'Guess I'll have to trust old Doron.'
Waves crashed overhead. The stark white stone wall surged up right in front of his eyes.
Ronan twisted his body this way and that, settling into a falling stance upright. Gripping the hilt of Lamancha with both hands in reverse, he slammed it downward with all his strength. Krunch! The blade tip, pointed straight down, buried itself into the cliff.
"Hrngh!"
The shock ripping through his body made Ronan grit his teeth. Scraaaape! Lamancha carved vertically down the cliff face. His speed gradually slowed, and seconds later, the fall came to a halt.
"Hah... hah... damn it..."
It was the kind of fatigue he'd feel after carving up a hundred cave giants in a row. Tilting his head up, a neat sword scar about 5 meters long came into view.
"Not something I'd wanna do twice..."
White dust wafted faintly from the gash in the cliff. The ground below was barely visible now. That's when an explosion like before boomed from above.
-KABOOM!
'...Still fighting?'
Ronan's eyes widened. Chunks of rock that had once formed the island rained down over his head. Dodging the falling debris, he began climbing the cliff face as fast as he could. BOOM! Another explosion echoed out.
"Impressive, Adeshan. How many times has it been now?"
Eyoon lifted his hammer from where it was embedded in the ground. Below the wolf-engraved hammerhead yawned a deep, wide crater. Adeshan, catching her breath, opened her mouth.
"Hoo... Eyoon. Cut the games. Don't... insult me any further."
"This isn't a game. I'm genuinely impressed. How are you even doing this?"
Eyoon tilted his head. His technique—leaping 5 meters high and crashing down like a meteor—was hard for even top students to dodge.
Yet Adeshan had evaded it five times already. It was as if she perfectly predicted his landing spot every time. It was unbelievable for someone still at the Sword User level.
"If it's not a game, then why just spam that one move? Fight me properly, like you would anyone else."
"Most people go down in one hit from this... Adeshan, why don't you appreciate my consideration?"
"Consideration?"
"Yeah. I'm trying to knock you out clean without hurting you. Why put up this pointless resistance? Look at yourself."
Eyoon spoke with pity. Indeed, regardless of her dodges, Adeshan's state was wretched. She'd avoided the hammer strikes but couldn't block the flying debris.
The fast-flying rock shards had left countless bruises large and small across her body. Adeshan said,
"...Shut up."
"Huh?"
Blood trickled from her forehead, blocking her vision. Every movement tore open wounds across her body, igniting burning pain. Wiping her face with her sleeve, Adeshan steadied her stance.
"If you're really considering me, then stop holding back."
"Well, you've always been stubborn, even before repeating a year. Shame about the lack of talent, though."
Eyoon crouched down again. Adeshan glared, observing his movements. Hundreds of predicted trajectories overlaid her vision.
'Right foot moves first. Left bicep bulging. Same pattern as the third one—a downward smash.'
Eyoon seemed intent on spamming the downward smash to the end. Soon, his body launched upward. A shadow fell over Adeshan's head.
The massive hammer tore through the air as it descended. Adeshan hadn't taken her eyes off Eyoon the whole time.
Moments later, the hundreds of paths converged into one. Just before the hammer grazed her forehead, Adeshan rolled left. KABOOOOOM!! A roar erupted, and dust exploded outward.
"Hah, again..."
It missed once more. The instant Eyoon pulled his hammer free, the dust parted as a shadow lunged at him.
"Going for a counter too?"
Eyoon smirked and swung the hammer horizontally. Whoosh! The warhammer arced through, blowing away the dust. Eyoon's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
What emerged from the clearing dust was a mangled breastplate. Thwack! It took the hammer head-on and flew off into the distance.
So where was Adeshan?
A chill raced down Eyoon's spine in an instant. The moment he whipped his head around, a diagonal slash dove in from the side, striking his neck dead-on.
Clang! A metallic ring echoed. Adeshan emerged from behind, muttering softly.
"...Damn it."
"That gave me chills, Adeshan. For real."
Adeshan's hand trembled on the sword hilt. No matter how hard she pushed, the blade wouldn't pierce his skin. The flesh where the blade met Eyoon's neck had turned to steel-like metal. Eyoon muttered in disbelief.
"To think you'd force me to activate Aura."
Cold sweat beaded on Eyoon's temple. Adeshan's strike had come at the perfect angle. If she'd been even Sword Expert rank, he'd have been eliminated on the spot. Letting out a sigh of relief, Eyoon swung his hammer.
"Guhk!"
Thud! She crumpled backward from the haft's impact. The playfulness vanished from Eyoon's face. Without leaping, he slammed the hammer straight down.
Adeshan jerked her head up. The black iron wolf face loomed right before her nose.
'...No face left to show the underclassmen.'
Suddenly, Ronan's face flashed in her mind—the one who'd saved her and tumbled off the cliff. She'd tried for revenge, but failed. The moment she squeezed her eyes shut, CLAAAAANG! A deafening metallic clash rang out right in front of her.
"...You climbed that cliff?"
Eyoon's shocked voice followed. Adeshan opened her eyes. A familiar back stood blocking her path.
"...Ronan?"
"Still kicking, huh. You did great."
"Weren't you... eliminated? What happened?!"
"Just climbed back up. No big deal. My sword took a beating, though."
The Lamancha in Ronan's hand had its edge chipped in places. It had endured rough treatment stopping the fall and scaling the cliff.
Ronan lightly sliced his forearm, feeding blood to the blade. The edge regenerated like sprouting new flesh, gleaming anew. Eyoon, staring at his own hammer, spoke in exasperation.
"What the hell is that sword even made of?"
The wolf's maw on the hammerhead was neatly severed. A blade that sliced specially forged black iron like butter—it was unheard of. Snapping to her senses, Adeshan urgently warned,
"Ronan, be careful. Eyoon's specialty is leaping into the air for a downward smash. His center of gravity tilts left, so exploit the right side for easier attacks. He can shift trajectory at the last second, but watch his elbow angle—you can dodge it. Don't rush in..."
"Thanks. But it'll be fine this time."
"Huh?"
Ronan glanced back at Adeshan. It wasn't an exaggeration to say every exposed part of her was wounded. Blood dripped from her arms, stomach, forehead, shoulders, thighs, shins, plopping onto the ground.
His grip tightened on the hilt. Ronan turned back to Eyoon. A beastly growl leaked from his lips.
"How dare you..."
Sensing the ominous killing intent, Eyoon steadied his stance. This felt bad—he couldn't half-ass it. The instant he began wrapping his body in Aura, Ronan's figure vanished from view.
"Huh?"
Eyoon's eyes widened. Ronan, who'd blinked out momentarily, reappeared right beside him. The moment Eyoon tensed to swing his hammer—Shraaa! His clothes exploded, and blood fountained from all over his body.
"Gaaaah!"
The hammer slipped from Eyoon's hand. Large and small cuts etched every corner of his body—precisely measured to avoid death or maiming.
Aura skin-hardening meant nothing. Adeshan covered her mouth in shock.
"Wh-what...!"
She hadn't even seen the sequence leading to his clothes exploding. As Eyoon teetered on the verge of unconsciousness, Ronan pinned his bare occiput and kneed his descending face. Crunch! Nasal bones shattered, sending white teeth flying.
"Guuuhk!"
Pity there was no hair to grab on the bald head. With no choice, Ronan mounted Eyoon's chest. As the gasping man tried to speak—Smash! Ronan's fist plunged into the center of his face.
"Puhk!"
"Try getting beaten to the brink of death once. It'll be a good experience."
The one-sided beating continued. Fists hammered his face, spraying blood and teeth. Minutes later, Eyoon's form vanished. Ronan wiped the blood from his knuckles on his pants, muttering,
"Fucking bald bastard."
His anger finally easing a bit. He could picture the Phileon observers' panic. The top third-year, reduced to a bloody, naked pulp, was quite the spectacle even by his own standards.
Ronan rose and approached Adeshan. She sat frozen on the ground, blinking like she'd seen a ghost.
"Damn, you okay?"
"Uh, y-yeah..."
"Hold still. I'll fix you up now."
Ronan pulled a potion vial from his inner pocket. He began meticulously applying it to each of her wounds.
The blue liquid closed wounds the instant it touched them. As Ronan reached for the cut on her cheek—
"Um... thanks, really, but can I handle the rest myself?"
"Stay still."
"Ah, o-okay..."
Ronan held her chin and finished applying the potion. Their faces were close enough to feel each other's breath. Adeshan stared at the ground until the treatment ended. Suddenly, Ronan spoke.
"So, how'd you do it?"
"Huh? Do what...?"
"Dodging that bald bastard's attacks. Even half-assed, it shouldn't have been possible for you. You even countered earlier."
"Oh... nothing much. Just predicted his paths based on habits and movements. You can figure most of it out after a few reps."
"That's what people call a big deal."
Ronan let out a hollow laugh. It was insight bordering on the divine. He could see how she'd lasted nearly five minutes despite the skill gap. Finishing the potion, Ronan released her chin.
"There, all done."
"Uh, y-yeah... thanks."
Adeshan took Ronan's hand and stood. The wounds and pain covering her body were gone. She asked worriedly,
"Hey... wasn't that super expensive potion just now...?"
"Yep."
"Y-you can just use it on me like that? They'd heal me back at Phileon anyway."
"Should the uninjured me use it then? You're echoing that dwarf. Anyway, here—put this on."
Ronan suddenly shrugged off his uniform jacket and handed it over. Flustered, Adeshan waved her hands.
"Huh? No, really, it's fine. This is enough. Yeah?"
"You look pathetic like that. At least drape it over your shoulders."
Only then did Adeshan notice her state and blush. The area once covered by her breastplate was soaked in sweat and blood. Torn fabric exposed patches of pale skin.
She meekly draped the jacket over her shoulders. Nodding in satisfaction, Ronan said,
"Alright, let's keep going."
"Huh? No more fighting...?"
"We can do that later. Let's check somewhere new this time."
Ronan turned. Adeshan hesitated, then fell in step beside him. The pair headed deeper into the island. Beside the forest stretched a hilly area blanketed in short grass. As they strolled, screams and clashing metal rode the wind intermittently.
"Still going strong, huh."
"Yeah. Over a hundred people—it'll take a while."
"Who do you think wins, senpai?"
"Hm? Probably you or Schlieffen."
"Nah, can't be. Tell 'em to wash their necks 'cause I'm winning anyway—wait, who the hell are these guys?"
Two male students burst from beyond the hill. Armed with curved swords and spears, they charged Ronan and Adeshan with near-screeching yells.
"Hiyaaaaah!"
"We're talking here."
Their speed was no joke. Ronan swung Lamancha irritably. Schwick. Both forms vanished simultaneously. Adeshan shook her head, muttering,
"...You're unreal. I get what the instructor meant about you being one of the world's rare lucky ones."
"You too."
The pair he'd cut down like pulling candy from a pocket were upper-mid tier third-years. They continued chatting casually as they walked.
The hills ended, giving way to dense forest. Far more ominous and vast than the coastal woods. The surroundings grew quiet. Strolling between trees, Ronan suddenly halted.
"Adeshan."
"Yeah?"
"I want to hear that story you skipped. Possible?"
"That time...?"
"The day we met, in the infirmary. The reason you absolutely had to become Grand General."
His tone was serious. Recalling, Adeshan's face hardened. She tugged her collar and smiled awkwardly.
"Haha, why curious about that all of a sudden...?"
"It's really important."
"Not much fun to tell..."
"I want to hear it."
Ronan showed no signs of backing down. After staring into his eyes, Adeshan bowed her head. Her lips parted softly.
"...There was a war."