Chapter 33
Chapter 33
“If Tilis were to truly fight me seriously, I wouldn’t last even a second.”
But she had come here as an instructor. Her classes were conducted by sparring at a level suited to her opponent, then pointing out their shortcomings and what they needed to improve.
That was why even someone as weak as me could last a surprisingly long time against her.
“Ha!”
My full-force slash was blocked.
She didn’t even need the mass of wings. Something I couldn’t even properly see casually stopped my blade.
“Hah!”
I followed up with a decisive thrust aimed at the same spot I had just attacked.
That too was easily blocked.
That’s a shame… I tried targeting a weakened point from the previous strike, but I guess my overall power is just lacking.
“…?”
At some point, Tilis, who had been blocking my attacks without doing anything at all, tilted her head slightly with a curious expression.
Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing my best in my own way.
“Y-Yohan, hang in there.”
From behind, Ariel’s timid encouragement came, her face half-covered as if she could barely watch.
If anything, it made me feel weaker.
“…Let’s change methods.”
After watching me keep striking at empty air, Tilis shook her head and dismissed the spirits she had summoned.
Did she finally realize her method was dirty and unfair?
Well, fighting many against one is pretty cowardly.
“I think this level suits you better, Yohan.”
At the same time she said that, Tilis drew a weapon she hadn’t used until now.
Twin swords hidden beneath her loose robe revealed themselves.
Perfectly balanced in both hands. Not one being auxiliary, but a proper dual-wielding style.
“Am I the first among the Cradle students to make you draw your swords?”
“…Ah, yes. That’s right. I’ve been using spirit arts against everyone else.”
I accomplished something no one else had.
Yeah, let’s think positively. What a great thing this is.
Embarrassment is temporary, but pride lasts forever.
“Then come at me.”
“I’m going.”
I charged at Tilis with the intent to kill.
I knew it wouldn’t work, but at least I could show my limits.
Clang!
Our swords intertwined.
Even if I was the worst student in the Cradle, compared to others my age, I was still above average.
“You have a sword style faithful to the basics.”
“I know I’m still far from going beyond that.”
“That’s an excellent mindset.”
Tilis smiled softly.
Even so, her dazzling twin swords moved in ways that made my eyes spin.
There were no openings, and her attacks came in sharp and relentless.
They were strikes I could barely dodge at my level, and the tension was suffocating.
Thrust, slash, deflect.
I quickly scanned the situation and pulled my opponent into a position advantageous to me.
I stayed faithful to the basics, repeating that alone as I searched for an opening.
“Haa…!”
My vision blurred, and breathing became difficult. I could feel my limit approaching.
It was welcome.
Despite having plenty of leeway, Tilis hadn’t offered a single piece of advice during the spar.
That meant I was doing well. At my level.
Clang!
In the end, I lost my grip on my sword.
I stared blankly as it flew into the air.
And at that moment—
Step!
I lunged forward.
Pouring every last bit of strength I had left, I closed the distance.
Dual swords are difficult weapons to handle.
There are many reasons, but the one I was targeting was spacing.
When both hands are occupied with blades, it becomes harder to respond to someone who closes in.
My swordsmanship is orthodox. I know my skills aren’t enough to mix in anything fancy.
“Ah?”
For the first time, Tilis let out a surprised sound.
At that single reaction, I inwardly cheered and drew the dagger hidden at my wrist.
My swordsmanship is basic and crude.
My magic is nothing more than improvised deception.
But one thing—
I do have a trump card.
“Hup!”
A technique I learned from Safe Clown, the pinnacle of assassins.
A simple thrust trained to be executed under any condition.
But it was the most perfect finishing move.
A strike that pierced beyond the limits she had perceived of me.
“That just now surprised me a little.”
Clang!
That trump card lost its force as it was blocked by pure white wings.
Even though I was too out of breath to respond, a smile formed on my face.
This was a successful result.
“At this point, the only advice I can give you, Yohan, is to increase your training volume.”
Tilis smiled as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
As if something heavy was pressing me down, I shut my eyes tightly while listening to the voice ringing in my ears.
“But it will be difficult to overcome the difference in talent.”
“……”
“If you truly want to become stronger, there may be times when you must not choose your methods. That last surprise attack was excellent… but your raw strength was lacking.”
Tilis’s ability is “Charm.” It makes her words and actions appear positively.
It was, in every sense, the whisper of a devil.
If I had been craving power, I would have listened without resistance.
“Is there something you desire?”
“I have a dream.”
“And to achieve that dream, can you do anything?”
“Perhaps.”
I feel dizzy.
Having pushed my body to its limits, her soft voice sounded even sweeter in my ears.
Even knowing what kind of person she is, it’s hard to ignore.
I steadied my breathing and shook my head, casting off the charm.
“May the spirits bless someone like you, who holds such an earnest dream.”
“……”
With that, Tilis removed her hand from my shoulder.
My whole body was drenched in sweat. The wind brushed coldly against me.
I couldn’t tell whether it was just sweat or cold sweat.
Right now, I just wanted to rest.
“Yohan, are you okay?”
“Yes… just tired. It feels good to exercise after a long time.”
“Really?”
When I returned to my seat, Ariel was the one who welcomed me the most.
She does worry about people, in her own way.
Clenching both fists, Ariel cheered for me.
“I think I’ve been misunderstanding you all this time, Yohan. You’ve been secretly working this hard, haven’t you?”
“……”
Airhead… no, let’s just say she’s pure.
Still, it’s a positive sign. No need to ruin it when she’s thinking well of me.
I stayed silent.
She’ll fill in the blanks on her own.
“Ah, Yohan. Are you coming to the next lecture too?”
“No, I have things to do.”
My goal had already been achieved.
I succeeded in getting Tilis to take interest in me.
She would think she had planted a suggestion in me, so she’d probably observe me for a while.
See? Without any extra effort, I managed to keep Tilis close.
It’s like inviting a crazy stalker, but the objective is accomplished.
“Ah… right.”
Ariel trailed off, as if she had just remembered that I was making medicine to treat her.
I’ve felt it before, but Ariel is someone who gets easily swept up in the atmosphere.
She’d be easy to scam.
I should make sure to educate her beforehand so that doesn’t happen.
With that thought, I leaned lazily back in my chair and rested until the lecture ended.
“Yohan, where are you going now?”
“Not sure. Today…”
Was my performance that impressive?
Ariel followed me out of the classroom.
Normally, I would return to the workshop, but I had used more stamina than expected.
If I went back now, my hands might shake and cause mistakes.
Should I go back and rest, or walk around and check on Tilis’s condition?
Just as I was thinking that—
“Ah.”
“Hello, Yohan oppa.”
I ran into Emily in the hallway.
Still stiff, her tone awkward as ever.
Did she come to see me?
For a moment, I thought so, but the person appearing behind her told me otherwise.
“Oh, isn’t that Yohan? As expected of a Cradle student, you seem to uphold both martial and scholarly excellence.”
She was with Koran Rekias.
And since he held the initiative in this teacher-student pair, there was no way Emily came here just for me.
“Director Koran. Did you find Instructor Georg?”
“He came back on his own at dawn. Were you worried?”
“Yes… somewhat.”
“What a thoughtful disciple. Georg is lucky to have you.”
My value just went up again.
“But what brings you here, Director?”
“I was thinking of having Emily learn some self-defense. She can’t attend regular Cradle classes, but I got permission for external lectures. However… judging by everyone leaving, it seems the lecture has already ended.”
Does Koran Rekias realize the person next to him could turn everyone here into minced meat in five seconds?
Then again, if he did, he wouldn’t have brought her here.
“The lecture isn’t very long. Since Tilis handles everyone alone, it can’t be.”
“I see. Cradle students must be quite intense. That would drain stamina quickly.”
Koran nodded and let out a deep sigh.
“So that’s how it is, Emily.”
“Yes.”
Emily remained expressionless.
Or maybe she was relieved she didn’t have to do something bothersome.
“Then, Master, may I move separately for a bit?”
“Hm? Do you have something to do?”
“Yes, I just got something.”
Emily stared straight at me.
Then she said something shocking.
“I was thinking of going on a date with Yohan oppa.”
“Uh… s-sure, go ahead.”
A date invitation spoken as casually as stopping by a convenience store.
Caught off guard, Koran could only nod without even giving his usual lecture.
“Yohan, do you know her?”
“We crossed paths briefly.”
“She asked you on a date.”
“Yeah. I’m surprised too.”
Ariel, who had been hovering beside us without joining the conversation, grabbed my sleeve and bombarded me with questions.
No, the most flustered person here is me.
Even a normal invitation would be surprising, but I know exactly what she is.
In many ways, it’s suffocating.
“I need to quickly inform Sir Stan of this happy news…”
Ariel muttered something about reporting an assassination request.
Stan Robinhood.
Like Ariel, a close aide of Robelia, and Emily’s older brother.
She’s going to tell her brother about his little sister going on a date? That lunatic siscon?
If that gets out, I might end up a corpse soon.
“…Please keep it a secret.”
“A secret relationship?! I-I see… if that’s the case…”
“No. We probably just have something to discuss related to research.”
“Don’t worry, Yohan. My lips are sealed. I’ll take this secret to the grave. Though I might not have long before I get there anyway.”
A suffocating piece of black humor.
And with just one sentence, Ariel managed to devastate the entire atmosphere.
I took Emily to a nearby café.
She’s the passive type. She can suggest a date but has no plan at all.
Her sensibilities are different from normal people, so she’s probably cautious herself.
She’s an executive of Ex Machina and sees the world differently, yet she still tries to live in step with others.
That’s why, despite being a key figure, I didn’t feel particularly wary of her.
“Let’s talk while we drink.”
Emily immediately started drinking the bubble tea I bought her.
Judging by her expression, she seemed to like it. That was a relief.
Watching her not take her lips off the straw, I was about to calm myself with some iced coffee when—
She finally pulled away from the straw and said in a flat voice,
“Thank you, Yohan oppa♡”
Even a machine printing the same sentence would sound more human.
She even tried to make a heart with her fingers, as if acting cute, but that only made it creepier.
Like something imitating a human.
Regardless of what she really is, it felt like a mannequin from the shop suddenly started talking.
“Wow… you’re really something else.”