Banquet (3)
A sky-blue light exploded from the sword in Noah's hand.
"That's…"
Right after, the sword gripped in his hand traced an elegant arc.
A blade that cleanly bisected Ceris's magic at the same time.
"…!"
I stared in shock at the sight.
It wasn't the form I remembered, but that distinctive aura.
I couldn't mistake it.
"A holy sword…!"
The pale sky-blue blade shimmered under the banquet hall's lights.
"A holy sword I've never seen before…?"
I focused my aura on my eyes, scanning the holy sword like a predator licking its lips.
The holy sword took the form of a typical longsword, emanating sky-blue light and subtly revealing a sacred power around it.
"To think she'd already have a holy sword."
Sena's admiring voice came from beside me, but I had no time to pay attention.
It's unmistakable. Sword energy steeped in thick sacred power. Cutting power on a whole different level from ordinary blades. Magic resistance that withstands Ceris's spells… That's definitely a holy sword!
But it was ambiguous to call it a typical holy sword.
Unlike others, the power radiating from Noah's holy sword was too pure to label as ordinary sacred energy.
It evoked a refreshing coolness rather than the pristine purity of standard sacred power.
Yes, it felt just like gazing up at a clear blue sky.
It's not the Light Holy Sword from the previous work. Nor the nameless holy sword from the first season. This is definitely a new holy sword introduced this season!
I'm curious.
So damn curious!
Is that sky-blue aura its trait?
What are the special effects?
Dedicated skills?
For the first time in ages, I felt the gamer's blood boiling as I intently observed Noah's struggle.
"Heh… Not bad at all. She's got good combat sense."
"Even if you say that, Lady Ceris hasn't moved a single step!"
"Hehe! That's because your attacks aren't a threat to me. Perfect timing. How about we end it the moment I move even a little?"
No──!
I want to see more!
But oblivious to my desires, Noah gravely nodded.
"I'll make you move for sure!"
"Great! I'm getting pumped too…!"
At the same time, a massive barrage of magic missiles appeared behind Ceris.
As the pale orange-glowing lights filled the air, a sky-blue radiance erupted from Noah's entire body in response.
"D-Dragon Saint Battle Aura…?!"
"No way! A mere student using Dragon Saint Battle Aura?"
"Isn't she a freshman?"
The heroes watching spat out exclamations at the aura bursting from Noah.
And I, watching the exact same thing, desperately suppressed my surging excitement.
Using Dragon Saint Battle Aura… She must've class-changed into something I don't know about behind my back!
Dragon Saint Battle Aura
A skill only seasoned heroes obtain at the end of grueling training.
A technique that dramatically boosts overall physical stats by enveloping the body in powerful aura infused with fighting spirit.
It consumed a massive amount of aura, making it an advanced skill even veteran heroes hesitated to use lightly.
But in Academy City's Dropout Hero, it held different meaning for the protagonist.
It was the skill granted by default upon class change.
The epitome of protagonist privileges!
And its aura consumption was drastically lower compared to other heroes!
A cheat skill that elevated the initially failing protagonist to promising stock.
Noah using Dragon Saint Battle Aura means she's class-changed into some job.
And that meant she'd completed her class change quest without me knowing!
Zing──!
Stung by a sharp sense of betrayal, I glared at Noah with intense eyes.
I wanted to see that quest too…!
Perhaps sensing my gaze, Noah—panting heavily—suddenly activated a skill I'd never seen.
"That's…"
"…A cloud?"
As Seon-hwa said, when Noah pointed her sword to the sky, a small cloud formed in midair.
The precarious, floating cloud circled Noah once before settling above her head.
A buff skill?
"Hmm…?"
Ceris, observing with half-lidded eyes, cautiously manipulated her mana.
Following her gesture, a large water droplet formed at her fingertips.
"Let's see what you've got, then?"
"Haaah!"
Contrary to her light words, the water droplet Ceris created rapidly froze into a high-mass ice chunk and shot toward Noah.
At the same time, sky-blue sword energy poured from his sword.
The extended sword energy collided with Ceris's ice ball, creating a haze of ice mist.
"…Did she win?"
The moment Noah looked up, chilled to the skin—
"Mm. Good. The sword energy was decently strong. Not bad skill-wise."
A clear voice rang out, and a yellow laser fired at Noah.
Twisting unpredictably to evade prediction, the laser smoothly dodged Noah's swinging sword and sent her flying.
"But responding at range against a mage is a shame. Next time, try dragging it into close quarters?"
Noah, slammed into the wall, slid down to the floor.
『Sorry, President. Even with the holy sword, I couldn't last long.』
『Understood. I didn't expect him to have a holy sword either.』
No matter the skill gap, a holy sword was a holy sword.
A miracle blade forged by the Goddess of Light herself.
Facing one, even Ceris would struggle to hold back perfectly.
She won't lose to Noah, but subduing without injury might be tough.
That was the potential of a protagonist with a holy sword.
A class-changed protagonist's strength wasn't to be taken lightly.
These superior heroes could afford nonchalance; Noah had long surpassed freshman level.
That cloud above her head is nagging me, but she took a direct hit. This ends it.
But contrary to expectations, the fallen Noah sprang up and charged at Ceris.
"Ugh…!?"
"Haaah!"
Experienced as she was, Ceris cleanly blocked the surprise attack but couldn't hide her surprise.
"She definitely took it full-on… How?"
"It hit clean, but!"
All eyes turned above his head.
The sluggish cloud from moments ago was gone, replaced by a small sun emitting a warm glow.
"A sun?"
"The light's focusing on the freshman?"
"Healing skill, maybe…!"
Just as they said.
The sun overhead bathed Noah, seemingly healing her.
"Not quite healing. She still has minor wounds, so it looks like enhanced regeneration."
"The sun has always symbolized life force. Maybe that trait manifested as a skill."
The tiny sun radiated brilliant light above Noah's head.
As Seon-hwa and Sena said, the sunlight clearly healed Noah's wounds.
From the circumstances, that skill's probably only level 1. Right now, it's just boosting healing, but as it levels, it could evolve into max HP increases or defense buffs.
Just thinking about it, the growth potential was endless—a filial child skill.
Tank build for defense? Unbreakable wall. HP build? Immortal pig.
A protagonist who heals himself mid-fight… Terrifying.
Imagine an already overpowered protagonist auto-healing as he closes in.
What greater nightmare for demons?
"Worth raising."
And I loved that growth content.
…
…
…
"You've got some good stuff, huh? Wanna block this too?"
"Kuh…!"
Considerable time had passed since the spar with Ceris began.
Panting roughly, Noah brushed back her sweat-matted hair.
Hard to seize the initiative.
As expected of a superior hero.
She disrupted attacks without moving an inch—supremely seasoned.
"Aw, too bad☆"
"Kuh!"
See? Finally closed in, and she pokes with a probe, retreats, and walls up instantly.
Magic deployment speed, skill chaining—top-tier.
Like a perfectly oiled machine.
No gaps whatsoever.
Gulp─!
Clicking her tongue, Noah regripped her sword and swallowed.
Considering cast speed, outpacing her magic with movement is tough.
The moment she steps forward, Ceris has multiple spells locked on.
Attack speed unbeatable!
Left with ranged checks, but no easy feat.
"Oh? Ranged again?"
"Kuh…!"
"Told you, ranged against a mage is futile."
While firing sword energy from afar, colorful magic presses from all sides.
Even without high-rank spells, this much…!
Especially since she wasn't using high-firepower advanced magic, yet Noah couldn't find an opening.
Sun's nearing limit. Need to force a gap soon…
One of her class skills, Sun, guzzled mana.
Effects solid, but poor sustain.
About 3 minutes left.
Sun expires then.
Already rolling nonstop under Ceris's pressure—without it, defeat instant.
Noah inhaled deeply, eyes sharpening.
Think. Luckily, Lady Ceris promised not to move from her spot. Goal isn't beating her—make her take one step!
"Ah…!"
A sudden idea flashed in Noah's mind.
Can it work?
Success uncertain, but no alternatives.
Regripping her sword, she exhaled and kicked off.
Either way, this is the last shot!
Ditch the sustain-boosting sun!
The overhead sun morphed.
Into gloomy rain clouds!
"Oh? Pulling out something new?"
"Chaaah…!"
Right after, water droplets began forming around Noah.