Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Demon Hunt (3)
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During the spar, Professor Ardin noticed that the Class B student had poisoned his sword.
He couldn't miss it, with Agnes's thigh turning black around the wound.
If he hadn't caught it, he would've had to quit his job at Iliad Academy.
Professor Ardin was rarely this genuinely furious.
To dare use poison in a sacred duel.
Honestly, he should stop the match right now.
The poison wasn't life-threatening, but it seemed too risky to continue the duel.
Agnes's condition made that clear.
Yet Professor Ardin couldn't bring himself to halt it.
He'd seen the burning desire on Agnes's face.
As a swordsman before being a professor.
He didn't want to crush a young swordsman's aspiration.
No, he wanted to see that fragile flame burn even brighter.
And in the end.
Agnes awakened her talent.
Those who hadn't shone since Magic Swordsman Lenoc.
When an ice knight appeared beside Agnes and smashed Ippin's head, a shiver ran through him.
If not for that unidentified killing intent stabbing at him, he might have just watched without intervening.
"...!"
Snapping back to reality, he looked toward Agnes, only to see her already collapsed.
And someone was supporting her.
"Deron?"
It was Deron.
He was unleashing his distinctive aura freely, glaring at something.
Agnes leaned on his shoulder, barely managing to breathe.
The poison had spread fully.
Everyone froze under Deron's pressure as he arrogantly scanned the spectator stands.
Then, as if spotting something, he carried Agnes that way.
"Hic!"
The one who could wield holy power.
Deron went straight to Adel and gently laid Agnes down.
Then, without hiding his killing intent, he growled.
"Heal her somehow. That much should be possible with holy power."
Adel nodded, frightened but compliant.
Deron's black eyes flashed as he descended back to the arena.
Only then did Professor Ardin voice his own mistake.
He'd sensed the poison spreading but didn't stop the duel.
He'd nearly let a small flame that could illuminate the world flicker out.
He moved to bow his head.
To apologize to Deron that way.
But Deron stopped him.
And asked.
"Isn't it my turn next?"
"Y-Yes."
"Call the next opponent."
Overwhelmed by the student's aura, Professor Ardin followed his words.
Normally, it might be shameful, but strangely, in front of Deron, such thoughts didn't arise.
"Luberic! Luberic Keias!"
"Coming right now."
Luberic leaped out as if he'd been waiting.
Deron glared at him, eyes flashing.
As if truly despising him.
**
Rage dominated my mind, but oddly, my body felt cold.
No lifespan consumed, and my head was remarkably clear.
The saying that when you're truly pissed, you get calm instead must be true.
"Shall I kill one person?"
"If you can."
I replied coldly to Luberic's taunt.
He looked completely different from our last meeting.
His once sturdy frame now looked like bones barely held by skin, and his face aged over twenty years.
From Luberic's state, I could roughly guess what he'd done.
"You mad bastard. You didn't actually make a contract, did you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Of course he'd play dumb.
He couldn't openly declare "I'm a demon contractor" in the academy.
But I was certain he'd contracted with a demon.
I'd seen descriptions in the novel of the body withering like that after a contract.
"This is the result of the training I honed for revenge against you."
"The sick belong in the infirmary. I'll send you there myself."
Luberic and I drew identical swords.
The moment Professor Ardin's shout rang out, we charged at each other without hesitation.
Clang!
The sound filled the arena.
Black energy writhed from Luberic's body after the first clash.
His emanating aura was ferocious, but it felt inherently repulsive.
Probably mixed with demonic energy.
It's natural for humans to have some aversion to it.
But that was because Luberic was a novice contractor.
Moreover, since Professor Ardin and others didn't notice, it was just my perception.
I slashed diagonally. My mid-level mana, boosted by elixirs and genius trait, surged faster through my body.
Normally, I'd probe then strike decisively, but against a demon contractor, no such leisure.
I cloaked my sword in purple aura. Violet lightning crackled across my body.
Luberic watched calmly.
A face saying he could win no matter what I did.
That arrogance must stem from the demon's influence.
Black energy gathered on his sword.
And the next instant, Luberic shot forward like lightning.
Boom!
Blades clashed with a roar.
Even without using lifespan, I blocked his attack.
Not stepping back, I twisted my sword along his and swung.
Luberic immediately retreated a step.
His sword then aimed for my abdomen, but I saw it.
I evaded lightly and thrust at his leg.
But Luberic blocked my strike as if it were laughable.
The full fight began.
Our swords clashed relentlessly. Soon, only blade sounds filled the arena.
Purple lines and black lines tangled chaotically.
Each collision unleashed massive shockwaves. Demonic energy clashing with aura flung razor-sharp fragments.
Professor Ardin had stepped back from the spreading mana collisions and aura shards, and spectators protected themselves variously.
Luberic and my skills were evenly matched.
No, precisely, mine held a slight edge.
His body was frailer than mine.
I'd used ten days' lifespan, but his could barely hold a sword.
Luberic trembled as he raised it.
"Is this the power you gained from contracting with demons?"
I gripped my sword tightly.
"Pathetic worm."
I moved to knock his sword away.
The moment my blade neared his.
"Kuhahaha!"
Boisterous laughter echoed.
Luberic laughed wildly at something amusing.
"Worm? You calling me a worm?"
His eyes bloodshot red, skin burning away.
An unnatural sight made Professor Ardin rush in, but.
Bang!
An explosion of invisible force blocked approach.
Preventing even Professor Ardin from nearing.
"Deron Phillasia. Disgrace to nobility, trash. You think you have the right to call me a worm?!"
"I do."
Luberic's gaze turned to me.
His eyes fully red now, skin bursting with blood flowing.
And horns protruding from his forehead.
"At least I didn't deal with demons."
"If you were in my shoes, you'd have! You definitely would have with demons..."
"No. Absolutely not."
I could say it with certainty.
Even if it were Deron, not me, the answer would be the same.
"Your situation. Can you swear yours is better than mine? Better than this damned terminal illness where you pour thousands of gold just to scrape by a few months."
I didn't know Luberic's circumstances.
He'd surely faced hardships and trials. Might see himself as a victim.
A story not in the original work.
He was just assigned as the villain who contracted demons.
"I'm terminal, but I didn't contract with demons. At least I tried living as a human."
That didn't excuse Luberic.
No villain lacks backstory. But I didn't care to hear it all.
No room for useless emotions.
"Kuh, kuhehe. Terminal, huh."
"Yeah, can you swear yours isn't worse?"
"Don't know, couldn't say. Ah. Huh?"
{Why did I contract with demons?}
The final voice grated disgustingly.
Unlike Luberic's speech so far—a mechanical scrape.
Main Quest: Eliminate the Story's Enemy
Luberic Keias, the villain of the main episode, has transformed into a demon.
Eliminate him together with your companions.
⏰ Time Limit: None
🎁 Rewards: Enhancement of physical abilities, information on Black Dragon Arxius, 1 year lifespan
❌ Failure: Total annihilation
What the hell.
The system message appeared in my vision, and the world froze.
Professor Ardin trying to force his way in, Agnes drawing her sword.
Even Luberic questioning his own existence.
A quest at this timing? Too coincidental.
"I accept."
[Quest accepted.]
I accepted despite the ominous feeling.
No other choice. Total annihilation on failure? How to refuse.
For now.
"Looks like demon hunting comes first after all."
Time to hunt.