Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Placement Exam (7)
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'…Hah. Out of all the Holy Department students, why did it have to be her?'
After hearing the shocking news, I lay sprawled out on the academy lawn, lamenting my pitiful fate.
Even in [Stella Academia], the placement matches were designed so that winning streaks would gradually pit you against stronger opponents.
But in the game, no matter how high you climbed, it only went up to the mid-to-upper ranks at best.
Of course, this was reality now.
I'd already faced Victor, a provisional A+ Rank, right from the first match, so I was prepared for the possibility of even stronger opponents.
A normal top-ranker would have been fine.
Hell, even the top student from another department would have been manageable.
'But this is just bullshit…'
However, drawing none other than Eustina as my sparring opponent was undeniably rotten luck.
She was on a whole different level.
In the [Stella Academia] community, players had a lineup they called the "Four Emperors."
Crown Prince Leonhardt, Magic Tower genius Ciel, Sword Saint's daughter Karen.
And the final spot was the Saintess Eustina.
There was a reason they were grouped as the Four Emperors.
They were transcendent beings who far surpassed 1st Year level—utterly untouchable.
They weren't even designed to be beaten in the early 1st Year.
'Eek. No wonder my luck's been so good lately.'
Life after possession had been a streak of wins fueled by sheer luck and easy modes.
It felt like karma was finally catching up here.
'Should I just forfeit?'
Just launcher it and be done?
The thought even crossed my mind.
If it was a losing battle anyway, wouldn't it be better to throw in the towel and rack up some Sloth?
'No, can't do that.'
But that was a problem.
Forfeiting without fighting would give me the lowest score in the match, pushing Kate professor's "Achieve S-Rank within the semester" quest even further away.
'But fighting…'
If we fought, it'd be a definite loss.
The Saintess was my worst matchup.
Holy Department characters were originally designed as hybrid types in the game, mixing magic and physical attacks.
Eustina in particular was a "Holy Knight" type despite her appearance, excelling in both magic and physical attacks.
Against someone like me, whose [Dark Shadow Barrier] blocked only physical and [Low-level Reflection] only magic projectiles, she was poison.
On top of that, her defenses were insane—she could even tank my finisher [Rending Slash].
I could deal some serious damage, but not enough to finish her.
If I used [Rending Slash] and she didn't drop, I'd be out of attack skills.
'And nothing good in the Sloth Shop either.'
Digging through the shop showed various attack skills.
But the ones strong enough to take down the Saintess were ridiculously expensive, and even if I bought them, my mana was too low to use them yet.
'No angle for victory at all.'
No matter how I thought about it, I only saw a future of getting wrecked by her.
Getting wrecked by her… it'd hurt like hell, for starters.
And more importantly.
My image would take a hit.
Sure, losing to the Saintess wouldn't ruin my strong guy image.
She was second in the entrance exam and an undisputed powerhouse—who would blame me?
But.
The real issue was maintaining my current "lazy and laid-back" concept would get way harder.
The "lazy genius" character archetype loses massive value the moment they get beaten once.
Like a sports car depreciating.
Usually, when characters like me lose,
"Ahaha, so this is what losing feels like. First time I've felt this. …Now I want to go all out for real."
It leads to that cliché awakening line.
Nope, not me~
Even when I look lazy to others, I'm always giving it my all and my best!
'Stuck between a rock and a hard place.'
Forfeit and I lose, fight and I lose.
No good options.
As my worries deepened.
'…Come to think of it, Eustina's probably agonizing even more.'
A ridiculous thought suddenly popped up.
She might be suffering worse than me.
I knew all our cards since we knew each other's fully, and mine were losing cards.
But she didn't know all of mine.
Having bulldozed every fight so far, she might think I had hidden tricks up my sleeve.
When really, what you see is what you get.
Especially Eustina—she'd definitely think that.
Behind the mask of the compassionate and powerful "Saintess" lurked her true self…
A totally ordinary girl who was lazy to a fault, cowardly, and timid.
I could totally picture how tense she was right now.
Then, a thought flashed through my mind.
'Hold on. If I use that side of her…'
Even without winning, I could come out ahead.
If I can't win at UFC, do WWE instead?
A perfect script formed.
***
The final day of the practical sparring placement period.
The arena buzzed with unprecedented excitement.
Being the last day, it featured several blockbuster matches.
"It's about to start soon, that match?"
"I'm so hyped."
Among them, the one drawing massive attention from cadets was…
[Jeron Airgia VS Eustina]
The Magic Department's lazy heretic, Jeron Airgia.
The Holy Department's Saintess, Eustina.
Their clash.
Jeron, who had risen as the eye of the storm by one-shotting countless cadets, versus the Saintess, one of the golden generation's peaks.
What kind of epic battle would unfold, and who would win?
The stands were packed, with even standing room taken.
Artel, Yuria, Ciel, Karen—all waited with varied emotions.
Then, the moment everyone awaited arrived.
Finally, the two cadets appeared from opposite entrances.
First came Jeron Airgia.
As usual, shoulders slumped in a languid, relaxed pose.
But now, no one mocked that sight.
After the overwhelming prowess he'd shown over the past week.
It even made the audience feel a sense of intimidation from his lazy aura.
"He's so chill even today."
"Amazing. Facing the Saintess and not tense at all…"
From the opposite side, Saintess Eustina emerged.
In her pure white holy robes, she shone radiantly, like a halo enveloped her.
Without a hint of tension, she waved to the cheering crowd with a benevolent smile.
"Woooah! Saintess!"
"As expected of Eustina! Not shaken at all!"
However.
Behind that perfect smile, Eustina's inner thoughts were entirely different.
***
'Uwaaaah. I'm so nervous I feel like puking…'
She glanced at Jeron, who leaned against the opposite wall in the world's most comfy pose, waiting.
'Why did I have to face him at the very end…!'
After their matchup was confirmed, she'd rewatched all his recorded fights, growing more shocked with each one.
Practical sparring.
Sure, winning and climbing ranks mattered, but the essence was clashing skills to grow together, right?
So she'd always tried her best against weak or strong foes alike, seeking lessons.
Honestly, it was a bit annoying…
But that's what she'd learned in the Holy Kingdom: proper respect and conduct toward opponents.
But Jeron. He ended every match in one blow.
No interest in respect or growth.
Plus, finishing fights instantly left his full arsenal a mystery.
Including that weird stare he'd given her before—everything was questionable.
He was definitely strong, but how strong?
Couldn't read his thoughts at all.
'…He's scary as hell?!'
That mystery turned to straight fear.
And facing him in person, his unique aura made it worse.
'Huaaah…'
She wanted to forfeit right now and dive into her safe, cozy bed.
But she couldn't.
She couldn't show such an unsightly display as a Saintess.
It was terrifying, but she had to win. Face him with full power.
Before the match started, final prep time.
"Hehe, Brother Jeron. May the Lord's grace be with you."
Eustina donned her perfect Saintess mask as usual, approaching Jeron for a handshake.
"Let's have a good match together."
But then.
As Jeron took her hand, he whispered in a voice only they could hear, languidly.
"Saintess. …Honestly, don't you not want to fight?"
"…Pardon?"
The thought looping in her head poured straight from Jeron's mouth, freezing Eustina.
"I'm not really into fighting either. Battling someone as strong as you, Saintess, is a huge hassle."
"Th-then?"
Deep down, she agreed fervently.
She just thought there was no choice.
So she couldn't help listening to his devilish temptation.
"How about this instead? No need to sweat and fight hard—just alternate one attack each to decide the winner."
Jeron continued.
"I'll even yield the first strike to you, Saintess."
'Huh? I-is that allowed…?'
Eustina wavered at Jeron's odd proposal.
What about skill growth? Mutual respect?
It seemed nowhere in sight…
But definitely, his way was convenient.
Because.
'…If I drop him with my first strike, I won't have to eat that scary attack of his.'
The unidentified magic that one-shot every opponent.
Thanks to her sturdy body, she probably wouldn't lose instantly like others…
But it'd hurt—a lot.
Now there was a chance to avoid it.
It looked too fast to dodge, so she'd braced to tank it.
Suddenly, a pain-free option appeared, shaking her resolve.
Of course, offering first strike meant he had confidence too.
Probably planning to block with that deep purple barrier?
But she was confident in her own finisher.
So.
No reason not to, right?
Eustina thought.
Unlike other cadets, Jeron was strong, so going all-out from the start wouldn't betray her Saintess duties…
"…Shall we?"
"Sounds good."
She fell for his temptation in the end.
Moments later.
The match start signal rang.
True to his word, Jeron made no attack, just waiting for hers.
'In that case…!'
Eustina went all-out.
Holy power exploded from her body.
Pure white wings of light unfurled behind her, a golden halo floating above her head.
In her hand, a long spear forged of dazzling light.
'[Mode: Valkyrie].'
Stacking every blessing spell she could cast on herself.
Her ultimate, temporarily maxing physical abilities and holy power.
Short duration and massive holy power drain, but now wasn't the time to spare.
Eustina aimed her spear of light at Jeron.
Blazing light condensed at the tip, space rumbling.
She hurled it with all her might.
"[Spear of Heaven]!"
A technique usable only in Valkyrie Mode.
Her attack hurling a holy spear for massive physical damage.
Her spear shot toward Jeron with terrifying momentum.
Kwaaaaaang!
An enormous explosion followed, filling the arena with blinding light that seared eyes shut.
But.
"…!?"
When the light faded, Jeron was fine.
Utterly unscathed.
'…N-no way. That strong?'
Eustina was aghast that her full-power strike was blocked so easily.
That instant.
Jeron slowly raised his hand.
As if saying it was his turn now.
Immense killing intent crashed over her.
'Huaak, that’s…!'
The exact attack she'd rewatched countless times was coming.
'It’ll hurt like hell, but… I-I can block it, right?'
Her heart pounded with fear.
But Jeron didn't aim his hand at Eustina—instead, he lightly shook it above his head.
And said.
"I surrender."