Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Calm Before the Storm on the Floating Island
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Hateful.
Really hateful.
The lodge built near the academy.
The room the school had arranged in place of the still-unopened dormitory wasn't quite on par with the dorms, but it was luxurious all the same.
Ashita buried her face in the plush bed, her lips pressed tight.
'What did I do wrong...?'
Why had Dre been so cold to her today?
Because of that woman beside him...?
What the hell was that woman? Who was she for Dre to treat Ashita like that?
And... and what did Dre think she was to him?
That red-haired woman she couldn't stand had said it.
Mana amplification.
Was that why he'd approached her?
Ashita had no idea what mana amplification was, but wasn't it basically saying he'd approached her with some hidden agenda?
'No way. No...'
Because Dre meeting her had been pure chance.
Fateful, to the point nothing else could explain it...
Really?
A doubting voice rose within her.
Could a foreigner who'd just arrived in the country possibly defeat an ancient dragon in a little over a month?
Maybe Dre hadn't been hiding his true power as thoroughly as he let on?
Maybe he'd faked that fateful encounter?
Then... what was she to Dre?
......A tool?
'Th-then let's go already. Didn't you say you'd keep me comfortable for life?'
That redhead's words floated through her mind like drifting clouds.
'...Why am I even thinking crap like this...'
She repeated it to herself.
I have a boyfriend.
That boyfriend was selfish enough to run off meeting other women on his own whims, treated her like a mere accessory, and was obsessively clingy trash to boot—but she still had a boyfriend.
There was only one reason she'd started dating trash like him.
His family was powerful.
He might be a worthless human himself, but with his marquis title and trading company, his house wielded massive influence through its vast connections.
Setting aside raw military might, his clout in Entiar rivaled the top three of the Ten Great Families.
Of course, Ashita hadn't chosen him just to live comfortably herself.
It was for her father, Apiz.
Ashita's stunning beauty had stirred up trouble since she was a child.
And because of one such incident, Apiz—who'd been skyrocketing to the pinnacle of the kingdom—had plummeted endlessly...
Father had reassured her it wasn't her fault, that he'd had plenty of enemies from the start. But for Ashita, who'd lost her mother young and had only her father left, the guilt was crushing.
To climb back up, her father needed wealth and authority to match his martial prowess.
So she'd chosen her current boyfriend.
That repulsive man whose name she didn't even want to utter or recall.
Apiz had opposed it fiercely, of course.
Insisting it was all because of him.
To her father, she'd feigned smiles and composure despite her heart burning with pain, persuading and begging until he'd finally relented...
'So annoying...'
That bastard summoning her to meet again today.
Handsome-faced mongrel trash who couldn't contain his desperation to ravage her body.
As if I'd ever give my flesh to scum like you.
If you want it that badly, make my father number one.
Even if her father did reach the top, she still had no intention of yielding her body.
No guilt whatsoever.
He was using her, and she was using him right back—that was their relationship.
Originally, things with Dre would have been the same: a mutually exploitative arrangement.
Dre was strong and full of potential, and above all, he was good.
Men might turn on her looks at any moment, but he was worth getting close to...
'Dre's different.'
Ashita realized she'd thought it without meaning to.
He'd never force himself on her.
He was different from other men...
She wasn't sure when those thoughts had started.
But he was someone she could trust, someone she'd grown close to.
She'd believed there was real trust between them, like same-sex friends—not mere exploitation.
And yet... why those cold, piercing eyes?
Wasn't it Dre who'd called her a friend?
Had becoming an instructor suddenly filled him with a sense of authority? But they'd met just half a day ago, trained together normally then...
Ashita knew Dre's behavior was out of character, that there must be circumstances.
But the resentment and suspicion wouldn't fade easily. Before long, a single tear trickled from her eye.
"Eh, huh?"
Why were the tears flowing now, after she'd forced them back all this time?
Ashita clenched her teeth.
I'm strong. I have to be strong.
Until I can stand on my own, until I have my own abilities, my own weapons—I'll never cry.
So I don't need anyone who makes me cry.
I don't need Dre.
And the next day.
"Ashita!"
Ashita nearly chirped back "Yes!!" brightly upon seeing Dre call her with a beaming smile.
But she clamped her mouth shut, turned her head, and strode off—round glasses and all.
"Ashita?"
Dre chased after her with quick steps, calling out.
She'd heard from Mayal.
One of Gold's knights had mentioned he'd returned to the Hart house late last night.
...What had he been up to with that woman until so late?
The thought made Ashita shoot Dre a sharp glare.
"......"
Seeing Dre freeze in flustered shock, Ashita finally spat out one sentence.
"Don't... talk to me."
"......"
And with that, Ashita walked away—even as she regretted her words...
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Bad ending vibes, cut it out!!
I'm so damn flustered.
"Why's she acting like that?"
"Uh... Dre. You serious about that?"
"Dead serious."
I sat side-by-side with Mayal on a quiet bench where no one would show, and our consultation began.
"Any idea why Ashita's mad at me?"
"......Dre, why'd you act like that yesterday?"
"Yesterday? Like what?"
"You were super scary. I was terrified..."
Her pouty lips were kinda cute... no, not the point.
Actually, I could guess.
She must've gotten the wrong idea from my boneheaded acting yesterday.
Considering Prostia's danger, it was unavoidable—but in hindsight, it was still dumb.
I'd modeled it after Alfred; maybe I should've picked someone else...?
I'd figured Ashita was chill enough to let it slide...
"Dre?"
Mayal was giving me that cute glare, so I answered blankly.
"It's the instructor function."
"Instructor function?"
"Y'know, compared to other instructors, I'm light on experience and all that. Kinda like acting?"
I normally couldn't talk about it, but Mayal was a friend.
Once I gave the rough explanation, my friend wore an ambiguous expression.
"Uh... huh? You came up with that?"
"Nah, actually, Queen Eniris..."
As I mentioned her advice, Mayal's face grew increasingly strange.
"...The Queen probably meant to pick the time and place for your acting~ or something."
"Think so?"
"Yeah. You come off like a total blockhead sometimes."
"Harsh words..."
I hadn't just followed the Queen's advice blindly.
Yesterday, with Prostia there, I'd had to preempt any dangers... but I couldn't explain that. Frustrating.
"Gotta lay it on thick! Tell her you did something really bad yesterday!"
"Mmm..."
I was self-aware enough that I had no excuses.
"Didn't have to go that cold with the act..."
"Sorry. Uh... think sincere groveling would get Ashita to forgive me?"
"Mmm...~~ There's this super tasty dessert shop on the floating island with killer lines. Grab some from there? For me too while you're at it!"
"Ooh. Solid idea."
Fortunately, things stayed friendly with Mayal.
"So training's just us two today?"
"Eh? That so? Ashita's definitely skipping..."
Dangerous.
Alone with Mayal in those thin workout clothes... I could control myself, but hiding a boner? No chance.
Time for excuses.
"Mayal. Got some guilt to atone for, so solo today..."
That instant.
Something was dropping from the sky.
Mayal sensed it too—we both stood, ready.
Boom!
And someone leaped down.
Dust cleared, revealing...
"Yapuno?"
"......"
Yapuno alternated glances between me and Mayal, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You two.... what're you up to?"
"Just chatting."
"Hello, instructor~"
Mayal threw a cheeky greeting, but no response came.
Why's he glaring at me?
"Dre."
"Yes."
"Spar?"
"Spar?"
"Yeah."
Suddenly why?
Did I screw up?
Or did he eat something bad?
Let's recap my day.
Headache from Prostia stuff, crashed at Hart house.
Next day, clocked in at Prynar Academy, chatting with friend—then bam, Yapuno challenges me outta nowhere.
...Nada wrong?
Couldn't recall a thing.
Pure martial exchange maybe?
Was headed to lock myself in the training room—annoying detour.
Plenty besides training.
Had to persistently chat up Ashita who'd ignored my morning greet, track down ignoring Ashita and grovel for whatever I'd done wrong.
All Ashita thoughts.
Her sullen face was burned deep in my chest.
"Sorry, but..."
"Won't chicken out, right? Scared?"
"......"
Why the taunt?
I do something grudge-worthy?
"Next time? Swamped today."
"Nah. No can do."
"......Got it."
Feels like he's dead set on starting shit.
Reassured Mayal's worried look with a hand wave.
But Yapuno's glare seemed even fiercer.
"Light spar it is."
We moved to the arena for the spar.
But I said light...?
What're all these people?
Just followed Yapuno's back to this gym-like spot—why dozens in the crowd?
Super burdensome.
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Jealousy.
Jealousy engulfed Yapuno.
It stemmed from Dre's formidable skills, but the root reason he'd been wary of Dre from the start... it all boiled down to one girl.
'Mayal...!'
One of the students who attended his lectures.
One of the Ten Great Families' heirs—and a girl so beautiful and alluring.
Her voluptuous figure was utterly beyond her years.
Every glimpse stirred excitement, fueling his fantasies.
Dreams of growing into a top-tier martial artist—at least 'Fierce Tiger' rank—and claiming her...
But.
'That filthy bastard...!'
Some no-name foreigner pops up outta nowhere and dares hang with Mayal?
And word was they'd trained together a whole day—maybe more?
Of course, the rumors conveniently omitted context.
Like Ashita being there too, or only Dre training past a day.
The omissions fueled the gossip.
And the one who'd spread it was a certain girl in the crowd.
Laiyet eyed Dre coldly.
'Investigation showed: attack power abnormally high, rest unknown. Yapuno's a martial artist. He knows how to handle pure attackers.'
If it worked, Dre humiliated. If not, no loss.
Laiyet figured.
"Who wins?"
"Yapuno-sensei's punches are brutal, y'know?"
"But think the dragon-slayer loses?"
'...This ain't good.'
Kids already half-worshipping Yedre.
Yeah, hard not to after that spectacle.
No need to look far—she herself felt the threat.
Time to shatter the illusion.
Then.
Click. Click.
Crisp shoe heels amid the murmurs.
The clear sound drew all eyes—and cheers erupted.
"Instructor Alfred."
"That watch—the limited one he bid on last time?"
As the students buzzed, Alfred strode in.
He snapped his fingers; the gym ceiling parted, inner walls vanishing to reveal the outdoors.
As Dre inwardly marveled, Alfred spoke.
"I'll referee. Objections?"
"None."
"All good."
Alfred said no more to their curt replies.
Just declared.
"Begin when ready."
Yapuno shot a glance at arm-folded Alfred, then snarled like a beast.
"Here I go."
"Ah. Hold on..."
Dre was about to ask the rules when Yapuno closed the gap in a flash.
"Gah!"
BOOM!!
Air exploded.
Tatata ta ta!
Combos drowned the vast gym in noise.
Martial students gawked at the invisible speed and force.
Non-martial kids cringed at the vicious sounds they couldn't even track.
A few, including Laiyet, watched Dre silently.
That blistering pace—and Dre hadn't taken a single hit.
"...Quit screwing around!"
Unlike before, a proper high kick with full stance.
But the result was insane.
The ceiling burst open with a bang, cratering a distant mountain.
"......!"
Surprise flickered in Dre's eyes.
Alfred's darkness roughly cleared the rubble.
"Go all out! Unless you... mmph..."
Suddenly, a sword kissed Yapuno's arm.
Dre stared wordlessly... and then...
"Spar's over."
Students stared blankly at the abrupt call. Who won?
And...
"Winner: Instructor Dre."
Alfred declared.
"What?! I haven't even...!"
"Wanna test fist versus sword strength? By all means, continue."
"......"
Yapuno ground his teeth and spun away.
His head swirled with jealousy and misery.
'Damn... damn it!'
He couldn't deny it.
If it'd gone on, an arm or leg would've been severed for sure.
'Fine. You'll see.'
No choice now. Only that method.
Guilt stung, but unavoidable.
Had to use the Murderers!
Yapuno bolted; cheers exploded from the stunned students.
"Woooah!"
"Beat Instructor Yapuno?!"
"Biased call?"
"Alfred biased? You nuts?"
Laiyet sighed, hand to forehead.
It'd backfired—only empowered the enemy.
'Far from breaking the illusion, it sank deeper.'
She'd misjudged Dre's power.
And Dre... was gazing at Ashita's back as she tatata-ed away from the stands.
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Rough greetings done, I chased Ashita's back like mad.
Calmed my startled heart along the way.
Fuuuck, scared the shit outta me.
That's instructor level, huh.
One kick craters a mountain...?
Hit home how my power's still pathetically weak against world-class.
Strong attacks, sure—but with defense and mobility like this...
I won purely 'cause Yapuno's martial arts sucked.
Yeah. Sucked.
Shockingly bad.
Powerhouse blows, no doubt—but he couldn't block or deflect to save his life.
So naturally, the guy with stronger attacks—wielding a sword, not his body—had the edge.
Might've won even without sword skills.
But if he trains up... could get annoying.
Training's the only answer.
Before that, persuade and reconcile first.
Hate training with this hanging over me.
"Ashita!"
Ashita seemed to pause... then slipped away smooth.
Invisibility.
".....!"
Felt the mana flow.
At first, anyway.
No clue where now—even my senses failed.
Unbelievable: her stealth had gotten stronger.
Synchronizing with Ryunar maybe?
"One question, Dre."
Voice echoed everywhere—no pinpointing.
.....
Wait, this chick's pissing me off now??
She jumps to conclusions, clings like what—my girlfriend?
Thought that, still cautious.
"What?"
"What's mana amplification?"
"......"
She remembered that convo?
Prostia—thanks to this punk, real headache...
Pretty and noble, so I let it slide.
Pondering how to explain without spilling, she took my silence wrong and whimpered.
"Bastard."
"Eh, no, wait Ashi—"
Silence.
Gone.
"...Why's everything go sideways..."
Sighed, headed to Witch Emily's lab.
Ashita might be there.
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Dre departing.
Why? She was still right here.
His senses could've found her in seconds.
Unaware her constitution made her stealth elite-tier jaw-dropping, Ashita misunderstood again.
Out of invisibility, she whimpered anew.
"Bad guy... bastard."
She knelt, buried her face, and sobbed.
"Even a lie—say it's not, Dre..."
What was mana amplification?
What was she to him?
Such thoughts, and tears plopped down.
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📰 Breaking News [What's Almiras's goal?] 💬 Comments — Anonymous What else, off to kill Ganggeomil. — Anonymous What bullshit lol. Killer my ass lol. That top-rank coward who dodged elites to hunt weaklings going after pro Ganggeomil? — Anonymous ↳ Reply Upper guy's never seen Almiras talking shit lol. Survive 10 sec in front of him, credit. — Anonymous But fr, why floating island? — Anonymous Special quest there or something... — Anonymous Wait, dude can't even take quests now? "Trashy."
Gald frowned and slammed the report down.
This dialogue came from the foreigners' communication tool, 'Community.'
Unknown mechanism, but they could contact and share info freely. The Hart house had bribed a few foreigners to leak content.
Key info seemed restricted, though—mostly nonsense or glimpses into their current obsessions.
"World Tree restrictions... such a pain. Sigh."
Lately, he'd been investigating Almiras solo.
The reason? The Ten Great Families weren't uninvolved.
Void. Or Graize.
One of them was meddling, he suspected.
Tapping his temple in thought, Gald picked up a key.
Infused mana; a yellow glow flared.
Zzzzt...
Static, then a face materialized in the light.
"Leor."
[Gald. What's up.]
"Playing dumb?"
Gald sighed, eyes narrowing.
"You lured Almiras, didn't you? Void pitched in maybe. Ah, but you two on bad terms?"
[......]
"Not denying?"
[Excuses pointless to one already convinced.]
"Reason that... foreigner Dre?"
[Who knows.]
Gald pondered, chose words carefully.
"...One bit of advice. Or maybe too bold from me."
[Nonsense. Your instincts are reliable, Gald.]
"Glad to hear. Then a warning: my gut says Almiras is a far bigger threat than the hero's 'Murderers' or Demon King. Don't drag him in over one Dre."
[That so?]
"...Heard—or saw—Dre's power? The reason you drew Almiras."
Gald vividly recalled the exam hall.
Dismantling Plague Dragon Malachia's corpse with an eerie grin... that unknown monster.
"You and I both 'Iron Dragons,' faced dragons ourselves. So you can guess Dre's strength."
[Hmm.]
"If even Almiras fails? If they learn you enabled the invasion...? That blade turns on us. Especially now Prostia's slipped control..."
[No worries, Gald.]
Leor smiled.
[I've got this.]
"Hey...!"
Link cut.
Gald heaved a deep sigh.
"Just hope no more headaches..."
But his own son now hailed Dre as big bro for real.
Couldn't stay uninvolved.
Just brace for what-ifs.
"..."
Pressed the desk switch; waiting butler entered.
Gald commanded.
"When foreigner Dre returns, send him straight to me. Urgent business."
"Understood."
Gald prayed his instincts wrong this once.
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Meanwhile, Dre headed to Witch Emily's room seeking Ashita.
And.
"...Feel good?"
"......!!"
His face flushed, pressed tight against Emily.
Her knee rubbed his groin...
"Hey. You listening?"
"Uh, hey... what'd you say...?"
To Dre's lust-thick voice, Emily whispered seductively.
"Won't you be mine?"