Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: 22. Sparring
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"So, now it's your turn to satisfy my curiosity, right?"
"…What the hell is this out of nowhere."
What curiosity?
"…I have no idea what you're talking about. The sparring is over, isn't it?"
"No way. You couldn't possibly not know."
Iris smiled brightly and took a step closer.
"Have we… met somewhere before?"
"…"
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Of course, I had never met her. That much was certain.
Unless the Evan from the past I didn't know had stalked her or something, there was no way our paths had crossed.
So, her words made no sense at all.
"…You're imagining things. I told you, I first saw you at the entrance ceremony."
I pretended to be nonchalant and averted my gaze from hers.
It wasn't exactly a lie. As Evan Dreadnote, I had never met her.
"Come on, you're lying."
She leaned forward with her hands behind her back, peering right into my face.
"When our eyes first met, that look in your eyes. It wasn't the kind you give a stranger."
Step.
She took another step toward me.
Even though the tip of my wooden sword was close enough to touch her throat.
"…Like you'd known me for a very long time. Like you knew everything about me."
Step.
Another step closer.
Squeeze.
The wooden sword pressed firmly against her white neck, but she didn't care at all.
If anything, she seemed to enjoy the pressure, her blue eyes gleaming as she cornered me.
With no change in her expression.
Just staring at me with those eyes full of strange longing.
"…"
"And that spar just now. I'm confident in my swordsmanship, you know? I've never lost to anyone before."
Her gaze sharpened as she slowly pieced together her suspicions.
And continued speaking.
"…"
"But you… even seeing my sword for the first time, you reacted like you already knew my next move. It's not just a difference in skill… you seemed too familiar with it."
'I should have seen this coming.'
My breath caught at Iris's words.
As expected of the original game's protagonist. Her insight was chilling.
I should have held back just enough to lose.
But I got too into it and won outright. That was my mistake.
'…Sigh.'
Yeah, she's right.
I know her swordsmanship.
Or more precisely, I know the attack patterns and skill compositions of the character Iris inside out.
Of course I do.
How many times had I controlled Iris?
Hundreds of playthroughs had ingrained her movements into my fingers and brain.
That had unconsciously moved my body.
'But she noticed even that?'
Even for a genius, isn't this beyond common sense?
To discern in a single spar that her opponent could read her moves.
"…"
I fell silent, unable to find a response.
I wanted to deny it, but seeing that confident glint in her eyes, no excuse would work.
She probably wouldn't even listen. She's convinced she's right.
"See… I was right, wasn't I?"
Taking my silence as affirmation, Iris's eyes sparkled even more.
"Tell me. Who are you really? How do you know me so well?"
Squeeze.
As she pressed closer, the wooden sword dug deeper into her neck, but she didn't stop.
Her desire to uncover the truth seemed to make her impervious to pain.
"…Doesn't your neck hurt?"
"Hehe. Are you worried about me?"
At this point, she seemed ready to risk her life for the truth.
I was the one getting flustered, thinking I should lower my sword.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue and lowered the wooden sword.
Only then did Iris gasp for breath and clutch her neck.
A vivid red mark stood out on her porcelain-white skin.
"…So, what's your answer?"
No, even in this state, she's still demanding an answer.
She's relentless.
"…Haa."
At her insistent, yearning gaze.
I sighed and met her eyes directly.
What was the best move here?
Ignore her? Run?
No, given her tenacious personality, half-hearted evasion would only fuel greater obsession.
Just yesterday, she chased me with that terrifying expression.
Running wasn't a solution.
Not unless I planned to run for three whole years.
"…There's nothing to tell. You're mistaken."
In the end, I had only one choice.
Deny it to the bitter end.
I couldn't tell her the truth anyway.
"You think I knew you? That's just speculation."
"It's not speculation. Clearly…"
"Pure coincidence."
I cut her off firmly.
"Your swordsmanship is excellent, but it had openings. I just exploited them."
"You think that makes sense? I created that swordsmanship myself. No one's ever read it… that's impossible…!"
"The world's wide, and there are many experts. There might be things you don't know."
I shrugged at her incredulous look.
"And the reason I was looking at you…"
Looking at you… um.
"…What was the reason you were looking?"
Damn it.
How do I gloss over this?
"…"
"Well…"
For some reason, her eyes seemed filled with slight anticipation.
Facing that, I racked my brain harder than ever in my life.
…Damn. What do I say?
[Lord. You fight so well, but you're a total novice with women. Need help? Back in the mountains, I was great at handling them.]
Help? Your advice would just make it worse.
"Hurry up and say it. Don't keep me waiting."
Iris poked my arm impatiently.
Now that she was right up close, a faint shampoo scent wafted over.
'…Screw it.'
I squeezed my eyes shut and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"…Because you're pretty."
"…Pardon?"
Her eyes widened in shock, as if questioning if she'd heard right.
Don't look at me like that. I'm shocked too.
I couldn't believe that nonsense came out of my mouth.
"Wh-what did you say?"
"I was looking because you're pretty. That's it."
But the water was spilled.
No taking it back, so better to commit.
And thinking about it, it wasn't a bad strategy.
A sudden confession has a long history as a foolproof way to fend off persistent annoyances, right?
This should keep her away.
Even if it paints me as a weirdo who compliments looks mid-spar, better than her uncovering my identity.
"…Are you joking right now?"
Iris let out a disbelieving laugh.
She tried to play it cool.
But her face flushed red like someone burning up, fanning herself.
Her sidelong glances still brimmed with suspicion.
Of course. No one would buy such a sudden line.
"…You think that obvious line would work on me?"
"I'm serious."
I put on my most earnest face.
If I backed down now, it was over.
She might really go berserk and chase me.
"I thought that when I saw you on stage at the entrance ceremony. So I looked. That's all."
"And the way I looked at you… isn't that how you look at someone beautiful?"
[Lord. This is hilarious. Can I laugh?]
Shut up. I'm dying inside too.
It was cringeworthy enough to make me lose my mind, but I kept a straight face outwardly.
My acting right now could rival the academy's top student.
My face wanted to twitch like crazy, but I held it back with iron will.
"S-so… you thought I was…"
Iris stammered and backed away bit by bit.
Anyone could see she was flustered.
'Yes! It worked.'
I cheered inwardly.
"Believe it or not, that's the truth."
I drove the nail in.
"So stay away from me from now on. Every time you get close, my heart feels like it might explode."
"S-stop! Haa…"
Iris couldn't continue, covering her flushed face with both hands.
Her earlobes peeked red through her fingers.
Just moments ago, even with the sword at her throat.
She hadn't flinched, pressing closer with bold resolve.
Now, before me stood just an innocent girl, at a loss from my absurd "you're pretty" line.
"Y-you're crazy? Suddenly saying something like…"
"Sorry, I don't get what you're saying."
With hands still over her face, she mumbled and backed away further.
Flustered, not knowing where to look.
'As expected.'
Confession attacks always work.
This should keep her away for a while.
She'll probably run at the sight of me.
After mumbling for a while, she took a deep breath.
"I…"
Just as she was about to speak.
"That's enough!"
Professor Zig Kail's booming voice echoed across the training grounds.
"All pairs, stop sparring and assemble! You have 10 seconds."
The roars and shouts from all directions ceased instantly.
As students panted and gathered before the professor.
I glanced at Iris, still unable to hide her flushed face.
"…"
Her face rosy, expression dazed.
She stared at the ground, avoiding my direction.
'Still reeling from the shock, huh.'
Sorry, but it couldn't be helped.
All for my peaceful academy life.
My peace, that is.
'Phew, safe for now.'
Relieved I wouldn't have to dodge her for a bit.
I walked casually to the back of the line.
"Through today's sparring, I've gauged your skill levels. You're still lacking, but some of you have the potential for S-Class."
Professor Zig Kail scanned the students.
His sharp eyes lingered on Iris and me.
"Of course, some real monsters among you."
His eyes narrowed.
Well, anyone skilled would know her moves weren't ordinary.
A monster of talent with endless potential.
"Don't get cocky. This is just the beginning. Until you break your shells and become true powerhouses, my class will be hell."
"Class dismissed. Return to the classroom."
With that, relieved sighs erupted everywhere.
Sweat-soaked students dragged their exhausted bodies out of the training grounds slowly.
[Lord. About that line earlier.]
"…Shut up."
[No, hear me out. It was pretty convincing. Similar to the tricks I used on tribal girls in the mountains…]
This guy.
I'm already dying to forget it.
And he's fanning the flames.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I did mental training after leaving the mansion."
[Eek! Sorry, Lord!]
…You only quiet down with the whip, huh.
Step, step.
As I walked out of the training grounds to cool off my sweat.
"Classmate! Impressive. I hear she's the top student."
A booming voice.
And the ground seemed to shake slightly with each approaching step.
I turned toward the voice.
For some reason, Barkan was approaching with Hera tucked under his arm like a sack of rice.
"Uuu… haa…"
Clinging to Barkan's massive arm, she was practically being dragged.
Her face was pale, like her soul had fled.
No need to ask; their spar was anything but ordinary.
"…"
But why was Hera under his arm?
"The fight was astounding. Couldn't take my eyes off it. For real!"
Smack! Smack!
Barkan laughed heartily and pounded my back.
Thanks for the praise.
But ease up? It hurts.
"Y-yeah… really impressive… I-I was too scared to watch… hehe."
Between my grimacing face and Barkan's laughter.
Hera chimed in with a mosquito-like voice.
…But Hera, why are you even there?
"More importantly, are you okay, Miss Hera?"
"Y-yes? Wh-why me…"
Startled like a frightened animal at being called.
I addressed her as she shrank back.
"…Just wondering why you're being carried under Barkan's arm."
"Ah."
Finally realizing something was off.
Hera struggled to escape his arm and replied.
"Um… Mr. Barkan? Could you let me go now…?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry! Forgot all about it!"
Barkan laughed boisterously and released her. Hera stumbled to the ground.
Overwhelmed by his huge frame, she fidgeted repeatedly but adjusted her glasses and bowed to me.
"Th-thank you… you saved me."
"No problem. But are you really okay? You look awful."
Her face was pale, almost translucent.
Worrying she might collapse.
"Ah, y-yes… a bit dizzy… but my stamina's always weak… hehe."
Barkan, you idiot. Go easy next time.
Always goes wild in fights, regardless of women or children.
"Don't worry, girl! If you faint, I'll slap you awake. In our tribe, a good smack on both cheeks does the trick!"
Barkan thumped his bicep confidently.
Was it my imagination, or did Hera's face grow even paler?