Chapter 21
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21
I looked down at the muscular giant kneeling before me.
Handol Hendrick. Subduing him when he lunged at me hadn't been nearly as difficult as one might expect.
From his stance and footwork to his attack patterns and combos, everything was a carbon copy of the [Black Wind Fist]—the secret martial art of the Hendrick family. It was a skill players could typically acquire at level 20 after choosing the Martial Artist class.
Just as a boss fight becomes drastically easier once you've memorized the telegraphs, it wasn't hard to dodge an opponent's strikes when I knew their entire kit inside and out.
Of course, knowing the move isn't the same as being able to dodge it.
No matter how sharp your mind is, you still need the baseline physical stats to execute the reaction. That was exactly why I had used the Strength Enhancement Stone.
A second-year student at the start of the semester... Handol’s current strength is probably around 30.
The minimum agility required to anticipate and evade his attacks was about 10. My current agility, after using an Agility Enhancement Stone, sat at 11. I had just barely cleared the threshold.
Good thing I brought it.
When I’d skipped lunch to head to the student council office, I’d made sure to pack my sword and various consumables in preparation for class. I figured I might need a physical boost for a demanding practical session, but I hadn't expected to use them like this.
In any case, despite his intimidating size, the oaf was a coward. He spilled everything he knew before I even had to lay a hand on him.
Unfortunately, even though he was singing like a canary, there wasn't much useful information to be had.
This bastard… he really doesn't know anything.
“So, all you know is that you received a letter instigating you?”
“…Yes.”
Handol hung his head in resignation.
According to him, he’d been about to turn in for the night when he heard a sudden knock. When he opened the door, he found a single letter lying on the floor.
The letter stated that I would be participating in the basic swordsmanship class, detailed my travel route, and mentioned that I would be alone without an escort. It also bore a seal with a strange crest and assured him he shouldn't fear my retaliation, claiming someone powerful had his back.
At first, he thought it was just a prank, but then the letter suddenly burst into flames and vanished.
Paper enchanted with evidence-destroying magic... that’s a high-priced item only high-ranking nobles or royalty can afford.
It wasn't the kind of thing you'd waste on a simple prank. Even in the game, it was an absurdly expensive luxury item. Handol knew this as well, which was why he believed the sender was a person of high status and decided to act.
One might think it’s foolish to attack Roen based on a single letter, but given Handol's simple-minded and reckless personality, it wasn't entirely out of character. The mastermind behind this incident knew exactly who Handol was and pulled his strings with a single piece of parchment.
Besides, Handol wasn't sharp enough to spin a lie on the spot. His intelligence stat was lower than the average person's. A musclehead, in other words.
His words were likely the truth.
I let out a small sigh.
“Alright. I’ll believe you. The interrogation is over.”
I removed the knuckles I had been wearing and released the binding magic.
Shaaa—
The mana chains dissipated into particles of light.
There was nothing more to learn from him. He was nothing more than a disposable pawn; the one who had aimed him at me was someone else entirely.
And I had a very good idea who that mastermind was.
Once the binding magic vanished, Handol rubbed his stiff wrists and ankles.
“…What are you going to do with me now?”
“I can’t just let you go. You must pay the price for baring your fangs at me.”
“…!”
Roen’s infamy. It was a penalty, but it was also a shield that allowed me to act freely without worrying about public opinion, and it prevented small-fry enemies from recklessly challenging me.
Of course, I needed to scrub this terrible reputation in the long run, but I couldn't afford to let the danger associated with the name Roen fade just yet. I needed to become a better person, but I could never let myself look like a pushover.
At least, not until I was strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the named characters of this world.
“So, just take one hit.”
“One hit?”
“Yes. It’s a truly generous offer. I won’t reprimand you for today’s events or hold a grudge. We’ll end this cleanly with one punch.”
As I clenched my fist, he swallowed hard.
“R-Really?”
“Yes. But if you ever bare your fangs at me again, there will be no more mercy. I swear on the name of the Devalis family that I will bring ruin upon you and your house. I wonder how far that backer of yours will be able to protect you then.”
“I-I understand. I swear I won’t…”
He was a classic bully—weak to the strong and strong to the weak. Now that I’d shown him I was the apex predator and threatened him with my family’s name, he wouldn't dare come at me directly again.
“Good. Then.”
Thwack—
Without hesitation, I smashed him in the jaw.
With a clean, satisfying thud, Handol let out a scream.
“Gah!”
He writhed on the ground, crying out in pain.
Hmm?
His reaction was a little different from what I’d expected.
…He’s not knocked out.
I glanced between the man twisting in agony and my own fist, tilting my head in confusion. I thought a solid hit to the jaw was supposed to cause a mild concussion and knock someone out instantly. It was the same principle as the "instant-faint" neck chop.
Apparently, things didn't work like that in reality.
…Well, it’s not like I have any experience hitting people.
I rubbed my tingling knuckles and watched Handol roll on the ground. Since it had come to this, I might as well keep hitting him until I got the hang of it. I couldn't just waste a good teaching aid after one use.
As I clenched my fist and strode toward him again, he shrieked in terror.
“Wh-What? You said just one hit! Why are you coming back?!”
I answered him honestly.
“…Because I need to knock you out.”
“But why?!”
I shrugged at his desperate cry.
Why? No particular reason. It just looks cooler.
Taking down an enemy in style and making a graceful exit is a matter of great importance. Plus, I really needed to learn how to knock someone out in one hit for future reference.
As I cracked my knuckles and approached, he screamed hysterically.
“I-I’m going to report you! To the disciplinary committee!”
Was that really the best he could come up with?
“You idiot. You think they’ll believe you if you say you got beaten up by me?”
No one in this academy would believe that a hulk like Handol got his ass kicked by the scrawny Roen. In other words, no matter how much I beat him up here, my infamy wouldn't get any worse.
Swoosh—
My shadow fell over the trembling Handol.
Later, it was said that the sound of a pig being slaughtered echoed through a dark alley in Ishtal.
Of course, that had nothing to do with me.
*
Ishtal Headquarters.
“…Excuse me?”
Freya’s eyes widened in a rare show of surprise.
The disciplinary committee member who had come to report explained again.
“I-It’s just as you heard, President. We patrolled the areas as you ordered and found student Handol Hendrick completely unconscious. He appeared to have been beaten severely by someone and has been transported to the infirmary for treatment.”
“…Are you absolutely certain there is no falsehood in this?”
“Of course. Why would I lie to you, President?”
The student reporting looked aggrieved. He had a point; it was a lie that would be exposed almost immediately.
But the report was so unbelievable that she had questioned him instinctively. Freya sighed inwardly and offered a small reward.
“I understand. To the disciplinary committee members who worked hard, I will grant special leave. Please coordinate your schedules and use it well.”
“Th-Thank you!”
After the committee member left, silence fell upon the office. Freya stared out the window with a complicated expression.
Given the circumstances, it was clear that Handol had provoked Roen, just as she had predicted. But the one who ended up subdued was Handol. Had Roen known about this and prepared for it?
It was impossible for him to have overpowered Handol on his own, so he must have secretly arranged for security personnel. Handol had walked right into a trap.
…Should she be relieved that Roen was safe? Or should she reprimand him for causing a disturbance within Ishtal’s territory?
Either way, I need to investigate this incident.
This whole affair was incredibly suspicious. No matter what personal grudge Handol held, he wouldn't have caused something like this out of the blue. Someone must have incited him, and Roen must have prepared for it, leading to this outcome.
Jeremy’s earlier comment was also bothering her. He had tipped her off as if he had foreseen this incident. She had to ask him what his intentions were, and where he had gotten that information.
“Hoo.”
Freya stood up, grabbed her coat, and quickly left the office.
*
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
The tea poured in a steady, elegant stream. A beautiful arc flowed from the spout of the teapot, and the dark red liquid filled the cup neatly without a single drop splashing. It was an artistic movement, worthy of admiration.
Having arrived at the student council office after class, I was enjoying a leisurely tea time with Ciel.
“Mm.”
Sipping the tea Ciel had poured, I massaged my reddened knuckles. My hand ached a little from constantly testing the right angle and force, but it had been a worthwhile endeavor.
As I examined my fist with a satisfied expression, Ciel noticed and asked, “…Why on earth are you rubbing your fist?”
At her question, I closed my eyes gently and said, “Ciel. Don’t you think I’ve gotten a little stronger?”
“Stronger, you say?”
“Exactly what I said. Don’t I look different to you?”
My first combat victory. I, who had never even been in a scuffle my entire life, had taken down a muscular giant in a real fight. Even though it was in a game, I couldn't have been more proud.
Thanks to that, I had even earned the achievement [David and Goliath]. It was an early-game achievement for defeating an enemy more than twice your size. Through it, I acquired the passive trait, [Intimidation].
It was a skill that allowed me to flaunt my strength and cow my opponent. It was also influenced by the appearance stat, making it highly efficient for me.
When I asked with a deliberately dignified expression, Ciel set down the teapot and replied with a cold look.
“…It seems you’ve gotten a bit full of yourself from your recent training, but you’ll get hurt if you’re not careful. For your information, I can subdue you with one hand.”
“Mm.”
I was well aware of Ciel’s strength. She wasn't just an academy student; she was an all-purpose maid that the Devalis family had poured their heart and soul into raising. There was a reason Roen kept her as his escort.
That said, she wasn't bringing this up to boast. She was telling me to keep a low profile and not get beaten up for acting cocky just because I’d gotten a little stronger. Her words were harsh, but she was worried about my well-being.
“That’s not what I meant. In any case, I have gotten stronger. I mean that I can now knock someone out with my bare hands.”
“…Knock someone out?”
“That’s right.”
At my out-of-context remark, Ciel tilted her head with a look that said, ‘What did this guy eat to be acting so strange?’ but she didn't press further.
That was enough joking around.
“The weekend is almost here. Ciel, do you have time?”
“I would prefer not to.”
“So you’re free. Excellent. You will attend to me this weekend. There is something urgent that must be done.”
“Something urgent, you say? And with me, no less. I shall pray it is a productive task.”
“Oh, it’s productive, alright.”
I gave her a grin, then took a letter from my drawer and handed it to her.
“…”
As Ciel took the letter and began to read, I spoke.
“This weekend, I will conduct an inspection at Izelin Academy. Secretary Ciel, you will accompany me.”