Chapter 11
Cadet Ethan has left.
"Get a grip, Linea."
It's fine to admire my sword, but now's not the time.
"I'll kill you!!!"
The black mage who'd been guiding me in that solemn tone suddenly flew into a rage. Even as the underground collapsed around us, he showed no sign of trying to escape.
"M-Master."
"Follow me."
I spoke to Linea, who seemed to have snapped out of it.
"Escape comes first."
The underground had been crumbling for ages. Any more delay, and even our forms would vanish.
I could survive being buried alive, but Linea? No chance.
"It's urgent—I'm carrying you."
"Y-Yes!"
I caught Linea as she threw herself at me, trusting me completely, then scanned our surroundings.
The situation was spiraling into utter chaos.
The ground split open. Preserved monster corpses tumbled down, blocking our path.
Even though I caused this, it wasn't easy. Should I use the sword?
No problem swinging it one-handed. But wasn't there a better way?
I extended my arm.
If I'm gonna learn it, might as well put it to use.
I gripped the air like I was yanking an embedded hilt sideways, ripping it lengthwise. The obstacles blocking our way moved in sync with my hand.
It was telekinesis applied in a new way. Sure, slicing them all at once with the sword would've worked.
But this was cleaner.
"Whoa..."
A path cleared. I kicked off harder and pressed forward.
"I'm just getting in the way—did I really have to come?"
"Don't start with the pointless self-blame again. Why's your self-esteem so low?"
"It's your fault... sir."
Linea grumbled as she clasped her hands over her heart.
"Still, good point. Even as a slave, I can't lose my dignity."
Linea's body temperature dropped in my arms. Despite her clothes, a chill surpassing them enveloped me.
"I can't control it like you, Master. But this much is no problem, right?"
"Of course."
"Then I can go all out."
Thump! Thump!
I could feel it. Linea's heartbeat.
"Hoo..."
Linea exhaled, and her neatly clasped hands spread wide.
Crack-ack!
The underground froze solid.
The splitting ground, the collapsing structures, even the black mage chasing us—all frozen.
"Hnn... haaah..."
"Can you do more?"
"O-One more... maybe..."
Linea panted, her mana depleted. Poor mana management, but the girl's a genius through and through.
No wonder she soared once she grasped control.
"Well... good job."
I didn't bring Linea for any grand reason. Leaving her alone in the dorm felt iffy, and I figured she'd help with cleanup.
Didn't expect this. True to her name.
"Really...?"
"Good job means good job."
"Ahem. I am pretty great."
Couldn't see her face from my angle, but I didn't need to.
"...Hee hee."
Her giggle gave it away.
"I hear that—tone it down."
Linea flinched, shoulders shaking.
"I-It's not that I'm happy about your praise, Master. I'm just satisfied with my own skill... so don't get the wrong idea. Because it really bothers me. Your praise doesn't make me happy at all."
"Smooth talker."
Go figure. Hates my guts, yet weak to compliments like this.
Maybe enemy approval hits different than allies'.
"Enough joking. Pull yourself together from here on."
We'd bickered our way out of the underground, but it wasn't over.
The black mages disguised as bar patrons waited right ahead.
"Linea. Stay in my arms."
"You sure? Won't it restrict you?"
"They're not that strong anyway."
They had ties to the Sibtant ducal house, sure. But not competent enough for deep involvement.
Curse specialists to begin with—weak in close quarters.
Finish before the investigation team arrives.
My plan left strong circumstantial evidence, but no hard proof.
"Here we go."
No need to play their game. Step out thoughtlessly, and curses would rain down.
So instead—
Boom!
I smashed through the blocking wall with a kick. It shattered, revealing the black mages beyond.
Shocked expressions—like they never saw it coming.
Damn, that stings.
Their reactions, and the strain on my leg.
Wall wasn't ordinary material, huh.
"Cough cough! Quite the flashy entrance!"
The half-bald guy with the weirdest laugh I'd ever heard stepped forward. Their leader?
That guy...?
"Hey, half-bald."
"Don't call me that!!!"
"...?"
What the—? That shitty speech pattern was an act?
The half-bald who'd smirked sleazily charged like a switch flipped.
Nah, just acting.
Looks like some tribal chief, but he's a black mage.
No reason to rush a sword-wielder like me.
He's feigning excitement to lure me in. No wonder his acting sucked.
Turn the tables.
I ducked low and dove at half-bald, aiming to flip the trap paradox.
They get complacent when you look like the prey. Use that?
I could set my own trap.
"Die!!!"
Half-bald raised one hand. But I focused on his other, hidden behind.
Prepping a curse, obviously. All in plain view.
I didn't draw my sword—instead, I snatched his opposite wrist.
"Guh!?"
Pattern etched on his palm. Curse precursor.
Twisted his hand fast—
Wham!
My right foot slammed his head, sending him flying.
"Kyaa!"
Linea on my thigh yelped, ducking her head.
"Climb on my back!"
"Y-Yes!"
I supported Linea as she scrambled behind me one-handed. Holding her was easier for fighting, but full-body movement favored this.
Vmmm!
Curses poured in. While I focused on half-bald, the others prepped.
"I'll block them!"
Linea threw up a magic barrier in an instant.
"You okay?"
"Hnn... It's because of me you almost got hurt..."
"I see."
Cute. Appreciated, but unnecessary.
Planning to end this quick.
"My name is Edda... no, Agnerus, the Joker who'll judge you all."
Fighting evil with evil. How badass is that ring?
"Nobody asked."
"This fucker?"
No mercy for romance-blind black mages. I channeled mana into my palm, hand on the hilt.
Didn't draw yet—they were waiting for it.
So, misdirect. Stepped forward with my right foot.
All eyes locked on. As I lifted my left—
Released the hilt, palm forward.
Boom!
Magic blasted from my palm. Bomb-like mana slammed into the black mages.
Acrid smoke billowed. Then I sliced the throat of the nearest, sword now drawn.
"Clear the smoke!"
"Don't get confused!!!"
I relentlessly beheaded the panicking black mages. Unlike them, I moved freely in the smoke.
This is my battlefield.
"...The devil will save us."
"Even the devil filters trash like you."
Off with the last one's head. The bar was a wreck.
Underground collapse meant this spot next.
"Time to run."
"Sh-Shouldn't we hurry?"
"First..."
I carved sword marks into the debris. For the investigation team to recognize.
"I-Is that okay?"
"That's the point—let them see."
This area's team belonged to the princess. She valued intel above all, micromanaging them.
She'll know it's me.
Timing perfect—day I skipped class. Unmistakable.
That was the goal. Message to the princess who wants me: I know the Sibtant ducal house consorts with black mages.
Hard to infer now, sure.
But keep eliminating their contacts? She'd piece it together—she knows most intel anyway.
"Finally back in my pretty, lovable body!"
Linea, reverted, bounced excitedly.
Seeing her happy stabs my conscience for no reason.
Didn't tell her my true intent. In a way, it paved enslaving her friend.
"Time to meet Professor Sea, huh."
I said casually, dropping the disguise.
"She should be ready by now."
"Probably. But... no way...?"
"Way."
I scooped Linea up again and took to the skies.
"I hate thiiiis--!!!"
Dragging her wailing self, we returned to the academy. Heading to Professor Sea's lab—
"That's the professor's...?"
"Looks the part, but no class..."
"What's so great about that vulgar guy?"
Cadets whispered as they saw me. Did I do something wrong?
Word of me smashing black mages already spreading?
Skipping class the issue?
Fair—I'm probably the only one causing this much chaos after two days here.
"Jealous. So jealous. How dare a lowly commoner touch our first love...!"
Get some help, man. Who the hell crushes on skipping class?
Is this Rozril Academy default? Unthinkable back on Earth.
I shook my head inwardly, arriving at Sea's lab. A massive banner hung there.
I truly welcome you as my disciple!!! ★ CONGRATS ★
Ah.
Now who'll take me as a disciple...