716
Chapter 716
'This damn old-fashioned dark elf.'
Himel, a former arcanist from the proud Ishtar, had tremendous pride in the martial arts students she taught.
There weren't many martial arts class students. This was because not many people in the Central Continent decided to professionally learn martial arts.
Most were monks from the Holy Kingdom or students who came to study from the Eastern Continent.
Many of them had strong pride in their origins, and being a relatively small group, the martial arts major tended to band strongly together around Himel, the professor in charge.
Ultimately, without convincing Himel, it would be impossible to bring in the martial arts students.
'And the martial arts department is in a suspicious situation too.'
Richmond, who was only interested in monster bones, wasn't preparing this Martial Arts Battle by meeting professors for no reason.
He planned to gather all students for the battle and naturally find Astaroth's reincarnation among them.
He thought that while a cunning demon could hide their identity normally, they would leave some trace when participating in a competition where they had to combine forces with others and compete.
That's why he needed to closely observe the martial arts students who had a relatively high proportion of foreigners, but Himel's outright refusal made things very difficult for Richmond.
'Then...'
Richmond decided to use a method he had thought of in advance with a sigh.
He nodded as if understanding and muttered while turning away.
"Hmm, as expected... the martial arts class avoids confrontation. I understand."
Richmond spoke quietly, just barely audible, and slowly tried to leave Himel's office.
'Please take the bait, take the bait.’
While pretending to leave casually on the outside, Richmond desperately hoped Himel would bite the bait he had thrown.
"Wait."
At that moment, Himel stopped Richmond as he was about to leave.
Richmond pretended to be nonchalant as he turned his head to look at Himel.
"Yes? What is it, Professor Himel?"
"What did you just say?"
Himel stood up from her seat.
She was Himel who had once been the captain of the Raven Unit that made the entire continent tremble with fear, though now she had sealed her killing techniques and lived as a martial artist.
Sharp killing intent spread from her body.
'D-damn it.'
Richmond hesitated at Himel's killing intent, but decided to push forward since things had already gone this far.
"W-well..."
"I think you said something about avoiding confrontation."
Under Himel's pressure, Richmond casually let words slip.
"Dean Clonne mentioned that the martial arts class might not participate..."
CRACK!
The sound of the floor beneath Himel's feet cracking was heard.
The martial arts class had been created as an advanced course under the Knight Department but was now an independent major.
This was because Himel had argued that true martial artists should be trained differently from knights.
Principal Arina had accepted Himel's argument and made the major independent, planning to reorganize it into a Martial Arts Department once the number of students increased.
As a result, the Knight Department and martial arts class had considerable rivalry, especially with Himel having tremendous wariness toward Clonne, the head of the Knight Department.
Richmond had exploited this gap.
Himel, emanating killing intent, said to Richmond.
"Those arrogant knights..."
She trembled as she told Richmond.
"Go tell Clonne. Tell her that our martial arts class will dominate this Martial Arts Battle!"
Richmond repeatedly bowed while deflecting Himel's killing intent.
"Y-yes, I understand. I'll tell her that."
Richmond, who quickly escaped from Himel's office, broke out in a cold sweat.
"Whew, I thought I was going to die."
Having secured Himel's permission to participate, Richmond sighed and ran down the corridor.
Now all that remained was to get Principal Arina's final approval.
At that moment, there was a suspicious gaze watching Richmond's back as he disappeared down the corridor.
But soon that gaze vanished without a trace.
A sense of impending battle began to loom over Pannotia Academy.
* * *
"Martial Arts Battle?"
Arina questioned while signing documents in the principal's office.
Richmond, trying hard to suppress his fear, nodded.
"Y-yes. I thought we might find clues to locate him by having an opportunity to observe all students through the Martial Arts Battle."
Arina didn't answer Richmond's explanation and quietly continued signing documents.
When the pile of signed documents had grown considerably, she raised her head and said to Richmond.
"That sounds fun. Go ahead and proceed."
To Richmond's cool-headed answer, Richmond was rather surprised and asked again.
"What? Really?"
Arina smiled and said to Richmond.
"Are you planning to hold a fake competition then?"
At her smile, Richmond felt terror and waved his hands.
"Ah, no. Of course not. I'll go prepare right away, Principal. Thank you for your permission!"
Richmond hurriedly left the principal's office.
After Richmond left the principal's office, Arina put down the pen she was holding and let out a light sigh.
Then the space rippled and a black-haired elf boy appeared lying down with a tray of snacks on his stomach.
Hades ate a snack and said to Arina.
"What are you thinking? If Astaroth is here, it would be faster if you went after him yourself. Why are you tormenting that poor half-lich?"
At Hades' words, Arina laughed and replied.
"Poor half-lich? Who are you calling poor?"
"Ugh, has even the last bit of humanity been eradicated now? Zeke should see you like this..."
Suddenly, the air grew heavy around Arina as if dark clouds were forming.
As Arina's usually bright expression turned gloomy and her eyes welled up with tears, Hades realized his mistake and tried to comfort her.
"WHOA WHOA WHOA! I was wrong. I was wrong! That artifact you asked me to make before, I'll make it for you. Cheer up."
As Hades hastily comforted her, Arina barely managed to find her smile again.
After being momentarily depressed, Arina soon spoke to Hades in her usual voice.
"Anyway, you're mistaken, Lord Hades. There are no poor half-liches in our academy."
"Richmond, you can say that even looking at him? To my eyes, he looks like a poor slave who met the wrong master, suffered, and has now fallen into an even worse hell."
At his words, Arina shook her head.
"Would anyone call a lich with the potential to become the first Ninth Circle Necromancer poor?"
"What? What do you mean?"
Arina continued in a calm voice.
"If I had to pick someone who would reach the Ninth Circle after me, I would choose Professor Richmond without hesitation."
Hades was shocked at Arina's words.
"Ninth Circle? And a Necromancer? Faster than Zeros? Hmm..."
"Of course, it's true that Professor Richmond has many problems... but everyone from Nirvana is like that, well."
As far as she knew, except for Zeros, all those from Nirvana had a screw loose somewhere.
Richmond belonged to the group that had quite a lot of screws missing.
Arina smiled and said.
"Professor Richmond has something beyond talent. Just watch. See how he deals with Astaroth, that vicious demon."
* * *
"Pannotia Integrated Martial Arts Battle?"
Pannotia's student council president and official school ranking No. 1, Knight Department Magic Swordsman major Laila Solma frowned and said.
Her parents were the founders of the Royal Guild, the most famous hunter guild across the continent.
Jeffrik Solma of the Ten Stars and Ninth Circle Mage Flame Angel Arin Solma were Laila's parents.
She was famous as a genius magic swordsman and had been a hot topic since she entered Pannotia.
Laila, Pannotia's greatest prospect, was extending her influence throughout the school as student council president.
The story of the martial arts battle had reached the ears of this Laila.
The heir to the continent's largest mercenary group, Stone Mercenary Group, Vice President Nuel Stone looked at Laila with a solemn expression that didn't match his age and said.
"The information came from Professor Luther's side, so it's certain. At first, I thought it might be a rumor since Professor Richmond was preparing it... but it seems to be going forward."
Then the secretary Lina Alladov, who was sitting across from them, exclaimed in surprise.
"S-so there will really be a martial arts battle instead of final exams? All the classes gathering for a competition... it could be a complete mess!"
At Lina's words, Matana Biya, who was next to her, snorted and shouted.
"HAHAHA! It's a festival, a festival! A martial arts battle with everyone participating. Unfortunately, our Martial Arts major will take the victory in this battle! President Laila, be prepared!"
The official school ranking No. 3, Matana Biya, had his eyes shining with competitive spirit toward Laila, who was always No. 1.
Despite showing quite a large gap with a record of 8 losses in 8 matches, Matana's challenge was still ongoing.
Laila clicked her tongue looking at Matana and turned her head back to Nuel.
"Professor Richmond... I've taken the Defense Against Dark Magic course as an elective, but he seemed like someone with a few screws loose."
At those words, Nuel shook his head.
"My father said that Professor Richmond is one of those closest to the legendary god-slayer and is the most excellent necromancer alive. You shouldn't judge by appearances."
Laila fell silent at those words. She had also heard things about Richmond from her father and mother.
That he was one of the war heroes who had played a big role against the celestial constellations and angels during the Celestial War.
'He doesn't look like that at all on the outside...'
She evaluated him inwardly and then shook her head. Anyway, it didn't seem likely that Professor Richmond had prepared this martial arts battle simply for evaluation.
There was certainly some hidden intention that Principal Arina had behind it.
The principal was someone skilled at catching students off guard in unimaginable ways to make them stronger.
'I can't let my guard down for a moment.'
Laila said to the student council executives.
"Whatever Professor Richmond's or the Principal's intentions are, if a martial arts battle takes place... we absolutely cannot lose."
At her words, Matana jumped up from his seat.
"Well said, Laila! I officially challenge you. Let's compete for supremacy in the martial arts battle!"
Then Nuel, who was next to her, said in a solemn voice.
"Matana, this martial arts battle is a team competition."
He continued in a strong voice, as if driving in a stake to Matana.
"As far as I know, we are one team."
Matana's eyes widened at Nuel's words.
"O-one team?"
"Yes. You, me, President Laila, Secretary Lina, and a few more student council members."
Matana collapsed back into his seat in despair at Nuel's words.
Lina tried to comfort Matana, but it wasn't much help.
Laila wore a serious expression among the student council executives who were in disarray because of the martial arts battle.
'Every student must participate without exception... Good, I'll use this opportunity to further solidify my position as Pannotia's No. 1.'
The figure that came to her mind was none other than the one estimated to be Pannotia's unofficial No. 1.
The unconventional swordsman already called the Sword Saint despite still being a student.
Juno Redeye.
Laila's eyes flashed as she thought of the genius vampire swordsman.
* * *
"Hmm!"
Professor Alice was walking toward the school grounds, humming a tune.
At that moment, someone ran quickly toward Alice.
"Alice!"
"Professor!"
It was none other than Al and Jeff.
Despite their age, the two still stuck together and couldn't shed their mischievous traits.
Alice smiled brightly seeing Al and Jeff.
"Oh my, Al, Big brother Jeff... I mean, Professors!"
Having grown up together since childhood, Alice still found it awkward to call them professors.
Al and Jeff, panting for breath, said to Alice.
"B-big trouble!"
"Help us!"
As the two notorious troublemakers requested help with pale faces, Alice tilted her head.
"What's suddenly happened?"
Al and Jeff shouted simultaneously.
"Serena and Shadia are fighting!"
"Hurry and stop them!"