Chapter 30

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 30

Chapter Title: Resistance

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In this incident, Cigarette had been utterly incompetent.

No, it wasn't just this incident.

During the dungeon exploration, and when the demons invaded as well.

Cigarette hadn't been able to do a thing.

'This can't go on.'

Cigarette was a professor.

If she had thrown her cadets directly into real combat, she bore the obligation to take responsibility for whatever happened to them.

But she hadn't, and because of that, deep wounds had been inflicted on both Roel's body and mind.

This was Cigarette's undeniable failure, one that no excuse could justify.

"Get out of the way. I'll subdue her."

If she couldn't take responsibility on-site, then she had to do so properly afterward.

The reason Cigarette drew her sword was none other than to accept that responsibility.

In fact, Roel's punishment had already been decided as expulsion.

Not because she had killed villagers, but largely due to her inability to control her power.

After all, a hero's blade must never be turned toward humans.

Thanks to Cigarette and Orthella's defense, the expulsion had been averted somehow, but the academy still doubted Roel's qualifications.

Cigarette wanted to dispel those doubts.

"Cadet Roel."

Roel was flustered.

Her expression said she hadn't expected things to turn out like this.

It was a bit sudden, so it was understandable.

Cigarette spoke.

"I told you last time, didn't I? That I'd teach you how to control that power."

It was a promise she hadn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kept.

A promise unkept that had ended up wounding Roel.

"Today is that day. Draw your sword."

Only then did Roel draw her sword.

"Cadet Sera, please step back for a moment."

"......Yes, ma'am."

Sera quietly vacated the area without protest.

She knew how important this was.

"When you're ready, here I come."

"W-Wait a second."

Just as Cigarette was about to begin, Roel stopped her once more.

Roel wore an anxious expression.

As if worried about something...

Ah, I see.

She thinks I'm going to lose.

"Cadet Roel, this isn't a matter you can choose to avoid."

This was a fight that absolutely had to happen, even if Cigarette lost.

Of course, defeat would make it hard to prove Roel's safety, but it would at least prepare them for any future 'similar situations.'

Either way, grasping the demon's power was essential.

Yet Roel still looked troubled.

So Cigarette judged there must be another reason she couldn't fight.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, lately... I haven't been able to talk to the Demon."

"Pardon?"

This was...

Unexpected.

"It's not completely gone, right? Is it just ignoring you unilaterally?"

"Yes, probably."

Indeed, if the other personality ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had already revealed its true nature, there'd be no need to continue conversing.

It suddenly vanishing wasn't implausible.

Cigarette pondered for a moment.

She was mulling over the purpose of that personality.

Even if its actions so far had been to gain 'trust,' the timing of this change felt terribly abrupt.

What on earth was it aiming for...?

Hard to say.

"Understood for now. We'll have to try another method."

Cigarette plunged her raised sword into the ground.

"It's a bit rough, but bear with me."

"......Pardon?"

The plan wouldn't change.

After all, this would make the demon come out on its own anyway.

Thud.

Cigarette stomped the ground hard.

A noise like the earth shaking rang out, and Cigarette 'vanished.'

"P-Pro-Professor?!"

She reappeared at Roel's left flank.

Roel desperately tried to defend, but Cigarette's punch, aimed precisely at her opening, struck her jaw.

"......Ugh."

Roel's head shook, and she collapsed limply to the ground.

Roel couldn't comprehend it.

She had clearly defended, yet the attack had landed anyway—it was natural to feel confused.

Cigarette watched her reaction, then spoke as if explaining.

"I always emphasize this: 'The best training is real combat.' If you didn't sleep through my lectures, you'd remember."

Cigarette leisurely walked over and pulled her sword from the ground.

This blatant act signaled that the next attack wouldn't be a fist.

"Remember this. I have more real combat experience than anyone in this academy."

Cigarette wasn't a Blessed One.

Though not loved by the gods, she was one of the humans who had slain the most demons.

How? The question was meaningless. It was simply the result of clinging desperately to survival.

She had spent over five years on the front lines.

"Here I come. Focus."

That's what Cigarette thought.

The moment Roel 'changed' was predetermined.

There had to be rules governing it.

What she'd learned last time was that control of the body belonged to Roel.

As long as Roel's consciousness remained, the demon wouldn't emerge on its own.

The exception was if Roel 'handed it over,' but with communication severed, that was ruled out.

That was rule one.

Rule two was...

Slash.

"Kuhk."

Roel, her shoulder lightly slashed, staggered back.

She handled honest attacks well but was clumsy against irregular ones.

Cigarette made a mental note to instruct her separately later as she regripped her sword.

Roel resumed her stance.

Straightforward eyes. Still 'Roel's' eyes.

'This won't do it after all.'

Cigarette's mana surged.

The violently vibrating mana quickly converted to aura and flowed into her sword.

Roel would recognize it.

This was Cleave.

Whoooosh—

A hush fell over the entire training ground.

A tense standoff. Both unleashed Cleave almost simultaneously.

Kaboom!!

Their Cleaves devoured each other.

Shockwaves scattered in all directions, the roar deafening ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enough to rupture eardrums.

Roel's Cleave was excellent.

Considering she had been a 5th-grade cadet just months ago, her potential was immeasurable.

Of course, it still fell short against a professor seasoned by years on the battlefield.

Thud.

Roel collapsed.

Covered in wounds, she lost consciousness.

"......I'm sorry."

Cigarette offered an unheard apology.

She deeply regretted pushing her student this far, but there was no other way.

Cigarette took a deep breath and approached Roel, sword still in hand.

"P-Pro-Professor?"

Sera called out in an anxious voice.

Cigarette didn't stop. She continued building her momentum.

"Professor? No, Professor!!"

A panicked voice.

Sera's footsteps rushed in, her blessing even activated.

But it was already too late to stop Cigarette.

She swung at the fallen Roel.

Infused with immense mana, she struck down as if truly intent on killing.

Kaboom!!

A sound no sword should make rang out.

The ground cratered, dirt exploding outward.

From within, Roel's voice emerged.

"......Is she fucking insane?"

No, that wasn't Roel.

"Long time no see."

A moderate beating wouldn't draw out the demon.

Rule two.

Roel had to be in danger.

For some reason, Roel was currently under the other personality's protection.

Thus, the surest way to summon it was this: mortal peril.

"What if I hadn't come out?"

"You did. And I planned to glance off at the last second anyway."

The demon splendidly dodged Cigarette's attack.

It raised the sword using Roel's body.

I'd planned to emerge from the start anyway.

It was better for me to gauge Cigarette's skills too.

So I'd aimed to switch at an opportune moment...

This crazy bitch was trying to kill Roel?

"I planned to glance off at the last second."

I clicked my tongue briefly.

Well, a professor killing a cadet would never happen.

Felt nicely played.

She's always a tough opponent, no matter when.

"You plan to just stand there?"

Well, this worked out fine too.

I'd seized a good opportunity thanks to it.

I charged straight ahead.

A straightforward vertical slash.

As if gauging my power, Cigarette chose to block rather than dodge.

Clang!!

"Kuhk...!"

An explosive sound rang out, and Cigarette groaned.

Her skill was undeniably top-notch. She was the only one who'd ever blocked a frontal assault from me.

But that made the disappointment all the greater.

Not about this fight.

About her absences in the past.

Even with this power, Cigarette hadn't been there when ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it mattered.

So I'd make it clear.

I wasn't here to throw the fight.

Grip.

I gripped the sword tightly.

Applying crushing force so it wouldn't slip no matter what, I pressed forward.

Sorry, Roel.

This would probably strain her body quite a bit.

Cigarette's knees slowly buckled.

Judging she could endure no longer, she twisted her body to deflect my sword.

Thud—!

The sword plunged into the ground.

Deeply embedded, but I yanked it free without care.

A quick check showed the blade quite worn.

I'd been using it aggressively. Time for a new one soon.

Anyway.

Scraaaape!!

I parried Cigarette's charging sword.

A desperate strike, brimming with intent to somehow win.

Those emotions transmitted fully.

It wasn't even funny.

Regretting after the crisis exploded changed nothing.

Pouring out those feelings now didn't move me.

I flicked away her sword and kicked her side.

A sensation of ribs cracking traveled up through my shin.

"Gahk...!"

To reiterate, I wouldn't yield to Cigarette.

There were other ways to prove Roel's safety without her.

I could use an avatar or ask the Saintess for help.

No reason to fake defeat.

"Hoo, ha... ha..."

Cigarette stood again.

Impressive, rising despite broken bones, but I had no intention of going easy.

I stepped forward.

To knock her out properly.

"......?"

Then, a strange sensation hit my arm.

Hard to describe. Like my hand wouldn't move as I willed.

What was this?

Had I overtaxed Roel's body?

Clunk.

The sword dropped.

Not by my will.

And at the same time, my legs stopped.

Wait.

Don't tell me...

Roel?