Who's the Musclehead and the Skinny Anchovy?
"Who's the musclehead and the scrawny anchovy?"
"The musclehead's my friend. The anchovy's... not quite a friend. More like... hmm, a shuttle?"
"What? You talkin' to me?"
"Yeah. The weak-ass sidekick who's weaker than me."
"You little—!"
Yahan charged at me in a rage, but all he did was strike a pose perfect for me to smack around.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
"Ow! Ack!"
-Ow! That hurts! Easy! Ouch!
"?"
I paused mid-swing as I battered Yahan with the flat of my blade. He swung a desperate punch at my opening, but I ignored it and kicked him square.
"Gah!"
Yahan's eyes rolled back as he hit the deck, out cold. He wouldn't die from that anyway. The guy's weak as hell, but his body's tough—takes a beating like a champ.
"But why're you hurting?"
-My pain sensors are on right now!
"Turn 'em off."
-W-Well, um. See, I kinda woke up on my own... so controlling functions is...
Is this thing even high-spec?
"Can't you just turn into a holy sword or somethin'? I could probably handle one soon anyway."
-You don't have a holy sword right now, Master.
"Then turn into the holy spear. Arcana said she couldn't give it to me yet 'cause I couldn't handle it. Doesn't that mean I can get it once I can?"
-...That's probably not what she meant. From what I know, it's a balance patch kinda thing...
"Sounds like you need a balance patch."
-Eek! My bad!
But if it yells in pain every swing, it's gonna be a pain to use.
Not like some sound effect. Hearing "Ow! Ow!" every time I swing would kill my focus.
"What if you keep hurting? I can't use you like this."
-Normally, no pain. This is just a side effect from forcing the awakening... I've only recovered two out of six so far!
"Two out of six? So you max at six gems?"
-...Ahem. Shouldn't say that. Anyway, find more gems later and I'll fully awaken. You gotta!
"I'll..."
-I'll be way stronger too!
"I'd grind my teeth to dust to find 'em. Don't worry, sleep tight. But how'd you sass me while you were dormant?"
-...Instinct...
I raised the sword, and it blurted out in panic.
-Wait, wait! Real instinct! Can't control it!
"Sure about that?"
-Totally!! Ask Master later!
"Alright then."
I lowered the blade. I could hear a sigh of relief echo in my head from the Black Obsidian Sword. I stroked the gems embedded in the blade with my finger.
"Where are the other gems?"
-Uh, well...
I figured it'd answer right away, but silence.
Or rather, it couldn't? It stammered and hesitated, so I got pissed.
Not gonna spill, huh?
-Can't say. Argh, whatever. I'm at my limit. Goin' back to sleep!
"What? Hey! Get back here, you punk. Hey?!"
-Told ya! Forced awakening means I gotta crash now. Passed on all the info—night!
"Wait, where..."
Vmmm!
With a clear ring, the voice in my head cut off.
"...Gone? For real?"
-Didja kill it?
-...
I tried every trick—flags raised, all methods—to get a response, but nothing.
Guess it really crashed.
Eh, it'll wake up later anyway. Better off sleeping now. Half-awake, it'd just drag on forever.
"Alright, everyone gather up. Raise your hand if you awakened its ego and chatted successfully."
I raised mine. Then looked around.
...Just me?
No one else? Hey?
Mosik, you too?
Then why're you covered in dirt?
"Excellent! As expected of my prized disciple. Everyone else, pair off for spars. Eugene, you're with me—like always."
"..."
Man, why the dirt?
"Yawwwn."
"You good?"
"Yeah. Looks like it's finally over."
Ashy rubbed her belly with a grin.
Simple reason she was in my room: Grabbed snacks, heading to dorms, but pain hit hard so she ducked into the nearest spot—my room.
Then zonked out.
Can't blame her. Adria and Jenella totally got it and comforted her too.
"Here, chocolate milk."
"Thanks. But you're filthy."
"Yeah... rolled around like hell."
"Shoulda helped. Bummer."
"...Nah! You're good. Just don't hurt."
"Got it. So, what went down in 'that place'? You and Jenella seem tight now."
Super tight. Prank-level tight.
"What do you know?"
"Hmm."
Jenella squinted at my question, pondered, then grinned.
"Your family history and past?"
"How the...?"
Then the door opened. Jayyan, for the rescheduled second-period Basic Mana lecture.
"Everyone enjoy the weekend? Let's dive in today! Pass out paper. Ten sheets—due Friday."
"..."
And just like that, two weeks flew by without a hitch.
For those two weeks, I'd been watching Bulria Arishion closely.
Sole heir to House Arishion. Basically high-up brass.
'High chance he knows what went down in the Back Alley.'
House head dotes on the heir.
And as the Back Alley crumbled, intel flying everywhere ramped up—Bulria's dark circles deepened.
Extra training.
No sign before I trashed the Back Alley, then suddenly?
Suspicious as hell.
'The Sage...'.
I tapped the file from Professor Nipella.
Public image fits the title. But inside the house?
'Madman.'
Truth is, peak anything demands madness.
But the Sage? Overkill.
8-circle. One-of-a-kind beyond archmage. Side effect of ascent? Insane madness.
If rumors true, used ancient monsters to force levels, got madness as backlash...
'Boosted realm with ancient monsters.'
Possible?
Explains mages risking lives researching them.
Power boost.
House power up? Not just three dukes—marquis, hell, mini 'kingdom' maybe.
'...No weird signs yet.'
But suspect everything.
Saw the horror. What spawned, lives lost.
Posed as house member, rounded up inhuman scum, massacred into corpse piles.
That wasn't enough. How many more needed?
How many die? What byproducts?
'I'll stop it.'
Before priest, as human. As continental.
Block unknown calamity.
I rubbed tired eyes, eyed the prof. Heard she pulls all-nighters grading. Looks fine.
"Class, exams soon."
Already?
"2-3 weeks left. Prep time. Today's practical prep: light spars. Pick partner, pairs up."
Scrape!
Bulria shot up, bloodshot eyes pointing at me.
"Me!"
"Nah."
Someone stepped in front.
...Jenella?
Her eyes cold, finger on Bulria.
"You. With me."
"Who're you?"
"You. Know ancient monsters?"
"...W-What're you on about?"
Stammers. Eyes shake. Fingers tremble.
'He knows, the bastard.'
Jenella sensed it too.
"With me."
"...Ha! Even trash commoners mock me now. Fine! Prof, one spar done early—next one okay?"
"Yes. But won't happen. Begin."
Vmmm! Magic circle on floor, body bound.
Safety field?
I scanned around. Can't just stand.
"Anyone wanna go?"
"..."
"..."
Hand up, eyes dodge. Ashy tormenting Adria. Others paired.
One left. Glasses girl. Eye contact—she clutched forehead, collapsed.
"??"
Left alone, so I spectated Jenella vs. Bulria.
Jenella got Jayyan to soundproof. I joined as ref, anti-cheat.
Bulria, stiff-faced: "What was that? What do you know?"
"Know? Just saw news. Good bait to rile you."
Jenella pissed. Mana flames, sparks. Fiercer than usual.
"Hit a nerve? Curious how your cocky ass stacks up. Come at me."
"...Ha! Even you mock me. Think I'm easy?"
"Yeah. Pathetically."
"Fine. Bring it."
Why provoke? Not sure he's linked?
Boom!
Genius clash. Unexpected result.