Chapter 130
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130
[A losing move? Don't be ridiculous. What could a little toy like that possibly change… Hmm?]
As he spoke to Roen, Meyer suddenly felt an anomaly in the flow of mana.
Vwooom…
For some reason, the output of the mana cores began to plummet.
What is this?
Meyer frowned, checking the mana gauge inside his helmet. The readings confirmed his fears: Elegance No. 2’s mana levels were cratering.
Pshhh—.
The fierce cloud of mana and steam that had been billowing from the suit dispersed weakly. The gauge’s light, which had been glowing a warning red, gradually faded back to blue.
“Tch.”
Meyer frantically manipulated the buttons and levers inside the magic armor, trying to stabilize the system, but his efforts were in vain. The output continued to fall.
And then.
Flicker—.
The mana cores in each joint went out one by one. Soon after, even the main power source that moved the armor lost its light completely.
Elegance No. 2 ceased all movement and fell silent.
“…”
Meyer stared at his controls, processing the sudden turn of events.
Could that toy have the ability to block the cores’ signals?
There was no other explanation for how every core had stopped working simultaneously. The power sources were interconnected, designed so that if one malfunctioned, the others would compensate. To disable them all at once required something specific.
He had stalled for time until I activated every core, only to sever their signals in a single stroke.
This wasn't a fluke. He lured me into this.
Roen had relied on a single suit to dodge and block the magic armor’s overwhelming attacks, disabling the mana cannon with perfect timing. He had provoked Meyer, luring him into drawing out Elegance No. 2’s full power just to pull the rug out from under him.
That terrifying bastard…
Meyer swallowed hard, staring at Roen through his visor. As Meyer mulled over his misstep inside the now-silent armor, Roen spoke.
“Will you forfeit? Or will you come out and fight? Decide.”
“…”
Meyer quietly clenched his fists. Right now, Roen was in peak condition, wearing a custom-tailored suit capable of blocking a magic armor’s fists and decked out with high-tier artifacts.
My chances of winning if I step out aren’t high.
But.
I can’t just hide in this shell like a coward.
The magic armor was an incredible piece of equipment, but it wasn't the sum of who he was. Meyer activated the manual escape mechanism he had installed for emergencies.
Whirr, whirr—.
As he cranked the manual handle on the side, the armor’s chest plate gradually ground open, creating a gap large enough to exit.
“Hah.”
Stepping outside, Meyer blew a puff of air to brush his disheveled blond hair out of his eyes. Roen looked at him and nodded.
“You have some spirit, at least. I see you’re not going to surrender while hiding in your armor. I’ll give you credit for that.”
Meyer struggled to regain his composure and gestured to the object in Roen’s hand.
“…Impressive. What kind of magic device is that, exactly? To block the signals of so many cores at once… I never could have imagined it.”
“I’ll tell you after the match is over.”
“Really?” Meyer asked skeptically. He hadn't expected Roen to share such advanced technology so easily.
“Yes. And I’m also willing to exchange information on next-generation cores.”
“N-Next-generation cores?” Meyer stammered, startled.
The very reason he had installed dozens of current-gen cores was due to their insufficient output. If a new generation of cores existed, he wouldn’t need to resort to such an inefficient, bulky method. With increased output, lower heat generation, and higher mana efficiency, he could incorporate countless new technologies into his magic armor. It was a dream he had been chasing for years.
It’s hard to believe Roen knows about next-generation cores, but…
The way he said it so confidently suggested he wasn't bluffing. Besides, Roen had just disabled dozens of cores in an instant. There was a high probability the technology he used was related to those very cores.
Roen continued.
“Yes, but it’s not for free. You’ll have to share your magic armor manufacturing techniques with me. And your workshop usage rights.”
“…”
After a moment of thought, Meyer nodded readily.
“Very well. We can negotiate the detailed terms of the exchange later.”
In any case, magic armor manufacturing wasn’t something one could replicate just by hearing the theory. Even if Roen somehow managed to copy the blueprints, Meyer believed his own skills and talent were far superior; Roen would never catch up.
He would be getting information on next-generation cores for a bargain. He could hand over technology his opponent couldn't even use and still profit. There was nothing for Meyer to lose.
Roen nodded and gave him one last chance.
“Good. Then forfeit. I don’t particularly want to lay a hand on you. I have no hard feelings.”
“…I appreciate the offer, but do you really think I would surrender?”
Fwoosh—.
Meyer ignited a flame in his hand, his final fighting spirit flaring to life. Although he had dedicated his life to magic engineering rather than combat, he was still a mage. He could use elemental attack spells, and as a pure-blood, the quality of his mana was considerable. He felt a faint surge of confidence that he might be able to overpower Roen with pure magic.
“Even if the outcome is already decided, it is a nobleman’s virtue to fight until the very end. Come at me.”
“If you insist. I’ll make it quick.”
Shhk—.
Roen stepped forward, taking a stance.
I know Roen’s physical abilities are enhanced by artifacts and potions, Meyer thought. Still, if I focus, I should be able to track him. The moment he gets close, I’ll hit him with a proper spell.
Just as Meyer widened his eyes to track Roen’s movements—
Thwack—.
Before he could even react, a dizzying pain exploded on the tip of his chin.
Huh?
In an instant, Roen had closed the distance and struck his jaw with a clinical fist. Simultaneously, Meyer's vision spun and went black.
He wasn’t exactly sure what was happening, but one thing was certain. Roen’s final blow was the unmistakable work of a specialist who knew exactly how to knock someone out with a single strike.
*
Thud—.
With a light blow to the jaw, Meyer collapsed onto the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.
Seeing him go down in one hit, it seemed all that practice knocking people out by beating up Dandol had paid off. I didn’t hit him that hard, so he should come to his senses soon.
“What are you doing, referee? Meyer is unable to battle.”
The announcer, who had been staring blankly at the fallen Meyer, quickly snapped out of it and declared my victory.
“The w-winner is Roen Devalis! Student Council President Roen Devalis!”
With the declaration, I silently raised my clenched fist into the air.
Ooh—.
It wasn't the thunderous cheer I had expected, but the students murmured amongst themselves, offering a mix of shock and congratulations.
At the same time, the numbers on the grand auditorium’s central display board shifted.
Ting—.
The number finally stopped at 278.
By winning a competitive match against Meyer, who was ranked around 70th, I had shot up from 953rd to 278th in one go. Considering how difficult it was to climb even a single spot within the top 1000, it was a tremendous jump.
As Meyer’s followers helped him away, I left the center of the auditorium and approached Ciel.
“How was it? My match?”
Ciel gazed at the silent magic armor and said quietly, “You made that look far too easy.”
“To win without fighting is the ultimate strategy. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Who said that again? Sun Tzu? I couldn’t quite remember.
“Anyway, since I won, let’s go out to eat. Do you have time?”
“Yes. There’s a pasta place I frequent. I’ve already made a reservation.”
“A reservation?”
“…”
Ciel averted her gaze as if she’d misspoken. Despite her cold words, it seemed she had anticipated my victory and booked a table in advance.
Pasta, huh.
Carbs are nice, but on a good day like this, you’ve got to have meat.
“They sell steak there too, right?”
“Of course.”
“Great. It’s my treat today.”
I took my school uniform jacket from Ciel and left the grand auditorium with a light spring in my step.
*
A few days later. Near the Black Forest.
It was Friday evening, following a smooth week of climbing the competitive rankings.
“Is everyone here?”
With darkness descending, I looked over the party members who would be joining me for the exploration of the Ether Dungeon.
First, there was my dependable guard, Ciel, and Chloe, the member of the Newspaper and Broadcasting Club who would be recording the exploration. They were the original members. This time, four new faces had been added.
The mage party, led by Beatrice, along with Yulina and Bell. And finally, Melga, the eldest of the dwarf triplets.
This seven-member team was the exploration party setting out to find the blueprint for the next-generation core. The basic formation would likely be Ciel and Melga in the front, with the mages providing support from the rear. Ciel was an all-rounder who could adapt to any situation, and Melga had the specialized knowledge necessary for exploring dwarven mechanical ruins.
“This is a restricted area.”
After making our way through the darkness deep into the Black Forest, we stopped in front of a chain-link fence. The area around the ‘Lake of Rage’ was designated as a restricted zone. Due to an imbalance of elements, the environment here changed unpredictably; it was a dangerous zone where the water level repeatedly flooded and receded without warning.
I looked at the warning sign on the fence.
One of the Academy’s Seven Great Mysteries, the Lake of Rage.
Legend has it that long ago, a lake spirit was killed by humans and laid down an elemental curse, transforming the lake into its current state. But the truth lay in the properties of the Ether Dungeon, which existed in an underwater cave beneath the lake. The power sources of the dungeon keepers, who wielded the power of the five elements, would periodically go berserk, affecting the lake above.
“It’s blocked by a fence. Is it okay to go in?”
At Chloe’s question, I took the lead. “It’s fine. There’s no place within the Union I can’t go.”
Shhk—.
When I held up my Union Key Card, the gate in the fence opened on its own. Beatrice watched this and murmured quietly.
“The Union Key Card. Of all the rights the Student Council President holds, that is the only function I envy.”
“Oh? Are you interested in this position?”
“…I wouldn’t take it even if you gave it to me.”
Entering the lake area, we pushed forward, illuminating the undergrowth with our flashlights. After walking for some time, we reached the shore.
The lake was currently very dry. Considering its original size, it was almost completely empty, with only a puddle the size of a moderately large pond remaining. Even so, swimming down to the underwater cave would be difficult, so it was time to borrow Beatrice’s power.
“We’re entering the lake, Beatrice.”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes for a moment and silently cast a spell.
Vwoom—.
A barrier that looked like a soap bubble enveloped each of us. It was a barrier spell that combined water and wind attribute shields. With this, we could breathe underwater and move without resistance.
Yulina shone her flashlight on the puddle at the bottom of the lakebed and asked, “Is there really a dungeon in here?”
“Yes. Would you like to go in first?”
“That’s a little scary…”
Night had already fallen. Leading the way into a pitch-black pool where not a speck of light could reach was a daunting task.
Just as Yulina showed her reluctance, Melga confidently stepped forward.
“I’ll take the lead.”
He strode toward the lake, pushing through the sediment and the thick black mud of the exposed lakebed. Thanks to the barrier spell, he didn't sink or get wet. As Melga bravely cleared the path, the rest of us followed.
The Lake of Rage was almost devoid of vegetation due to the extreme environmental changes. At the bottom, there were no fish, let alone common aquatic plants. It was a wasteland.
We descended the slope and reached the central puddle.
Splash—.
Trusting the bubble barrier, Melga unhesitatingly walked beneath the dark surface. After confirming he was fine, I followed.
As I submerged, the lake water pressed against the bubble barrier. To be able to walk so comfortably underwater was a mystical experience. Of course, since it was the middle of the night, the scenery was invisible, and even if it weren't, there was nothing to see but silt.
We were descending deep into the lake when it happened.
Whoosh—.
Melga, who was leading the way, suddenly vanished as if he’d been sucked straight down. He had entered the underwater cave.
I followed him.
Swoosh—.
I felt a sudden pull from below and fell.
Splat—.
“Hm.”
I landed on the ground and stood up without trouble. I hadn’t fallen from a great height, and the bubble barrier had cushioned the impact.
Hoh.
Brushing myself off, I looked around. Strangely, there wasn’t a single drop of water inside the cave. It seemed to be separated into a completely different dimension from the lake outside, just as it had been depicted in the game.
When I shone my flashlight around, I saw stalactites that looked like the pillars of a grand temple.
“Well, well. To think such a massive cave existed beneath the lake.”
Melga was also staring up blankly at the magnificent sight. As I took a moment to admire the overwhelming natural scenery—
“Whoa!”
Splat—.
Yulina, followed by Ciel, Bell, Beatrice, and Chloe, joined us one by one. After confirming that everyone had arrived safely, I pointed toward the gaping maw of the cave’s interior.
“Looks like everyone made it. We will now begin the exploration in earnest.”