Chapter 328
Chapter 328
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: The Battle Mage's Philosophy (2)
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“Agh!”
It was a snowball hard enough to make his head ring. To make matters worse, he was standing on a slippery sheet of ice.
Unable to keep his balance, Jokre pitched forward.
His bewilderment was fleeting, quickly replaced by a surge of anger. What kind of fearless fool would pull a prank like this?
“What the! Who is it!”
Jokre rubbed the back of his head and turned around.
A handsome boy with gray hair was standing just off the rink, casually tossing a snowball in his hand. In his other hand, incongruous with the cold weather, was an iced coffee.
“I know you’re not popular with the ladies, but you shouldn’t mess with a couple on a date.”
Jokre narrowed his eyes at the familiar face.
Vivian murmured in surprise.
“That kid… it’s Dante, isn’t it? Dante.”
Dante stepped onto the rink, still in his shoes. As he kicked off the ice and glided toward them on one foot, Ludvans and Vivian instinctively parted to let him pass.
‘Oh my god. It’s really Dante.’
Vivian couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
From the moment she had enrolled in the magic academy, he had been an idol to all, never once relinquishing his spot as number one in the kingdom. That was why every student in the kingdom had been shocked when the news of his defeat by Shirone was published in the academic journal.
Even Jokre had gone through a phase in his school days where he’d clipped articles about Dante, pasted them in his notebook, and burned with determination.
But how long could he cling to memories of his student days?
Most importantly, getting hit on the back of the head before they’d even been introduced was the humiliation of a lifetime.
“Hey, you…”
Dante ignored Jokre and walked over to Shirone.
“Long time no see, Shirone. Amy, too.”
Amy crossed her arms and glared at him.
“Well, well. So you’re just calling your senior by her first name now?”
“Haha! We’ll be in the same graduating class next semester anyway.”
Amy wasn’t actually upset.
During the two-thousand-bout duel, he had treated her with the utmost respect as a senior, so his friendly demeanor now just felt a little awkward.
But Dante’s personality was so cool that he seemed to have already erased such memories from his mind.
In any case, though they were rivals at school, seeing a fellow student out here was genuinely nice.
Shirone smiled and said,
“Fancy seeing you here. What brings you?”
“Just what it looks like, hanging out. I travel every vacation, but this is my first time in Creas. Someone recommended the winter festival.”
“I see. Are you here alone? What about Klotzer and Sabina?”
“Those two started special training the moment vacation began. They’re probably learning the meaning of hell right about now. Anyway, they’re a tiring pair to hang out with.”
Dante shrugged, and Shirone burst out laughing.
He had been having fun, but a part of him had been wondering if he should be taking it so easy. Seeing Dante’s relaxed attitude, however, made his own burdens feel insignificant.
‘Dante, you really are amazing.’
Whenever he recalled the two-thousand-bout duel, he was startled by the fact that he had actually beaten Dante.
Magic aside, the guy had star quality. The power to capture people’s attention wasn’t something you could gain just by trying.
Being from the capital, Vashuka, he was also well-dressed.
He wore a blue coat, black skinny jeans, and a purple muffler, a look that was understated yet radiant.
He even had a piercing in one ear. From Shirone’s perspective, as a complete novice in fashion, it was quite surprising.
But Jokre had a different opinion.
He had been completely ignored.
And in front of Amy, no less. No, in front of Amy’s boyfriend, Shirone.
What angered him most was how radiant Shirone, Amy, and Dante looked, all friendly with each other.
‘So, geniuses only hang out with other geniuses, is that it? Seeing you all together like this is really pissing me off.’
Jokre took a deep breath and spoke.
“Hey, Dante.”
“Hm?”
Dante turned around, sipping from his straw. He seemed to have completely forgotten what he had just done.
“If you hit someone, shouldn’t you apologize? Especially to a senior mage.”
“Senior? Who are you?”
“Jokre, a graduate of Ains Magic Academy. I’m not just some prospect like you.”
Dante blinked, sucking on his straw.
The longer Dante’s silence stretched, the more anxious Jokre became.
He knew it might be dismissed as an inferiority complex, but he could picture exactly what was going through the other boy’s mind.
Of course, Jokre loved his alma mater, Ains Magic Academy, and felt not a shred of shame in his choice to transfer.
But Dante was from the Royal Magic Academy.
The most prestigious academy in the kingdom.
Even though he was now attending Alpheas Magic Academy to avenge his loss to Shirone, that place was still one of the five great academies.
Above all, he had been the direct disciple of Olina, a certified Grade 2 Archmage, so it was unlikely he would even notice someone like him.
“Sorry. Never heard of you. Besides, you’re the one who was pestering a couple trying to have fun, weren’t you?”
“You…!”
Sparks flew from Jokre’s eyes. The words ‘never heard of you’ pierced his heart like a thorn.
Ludvans and Vivian, who had held a sliver of hope since he was fairly well-known in the minor leagues, also grew cold.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Dante. Who do you think you are? You’re still just a student. And you were utterly defeated by Shirone. That Shirone is a commoner. And Amy, the so-called world-renowned genius, is just a repeater.”
“You really have it all memorized, don’t you.”
Dante said without a change in expression.
“That’s the difference between you and us. We get published in the academic journals, and you guys buy them to read about us.”
It was Shirone whose face flushed this time.
While he himself favored sharp, witty remarks, Dante brutally trampled on his opponent’s weaknesses.
It was cool, in a way, but for the person on the receiving end, it was hell.
As expected, the faces of Jokre and his friends twisted, their eyes even showing a hint of killing intent.
If the goal was to provoke, it had worked perfectly, but Shirone knew that wasn't the case, which only made him more worried.
‘Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!’
Jokre was furious enough to die. Why did he have to be treated like this?
Logically, their positions should be reversed.
The one who successfully graduated should be acting high and mighty, while they should be the ones looking on with jealousy and envy.
‘Hmph! Pathetic fools! You think your school’s name is going to live your life for you?’
Jokre glared at Shirone’s group, wondering how he could bring them down.
‘Huh? What’s that….’
Just then, he saw something glinting beneath Shirone’s coat. Looking closer, he saw it was a scabbard.
‘Why is he carrying a sword at a festival? No, more importantly, he's a commoner, isn't he? Is he even allowed to carry a weapon?’
Jokre pondered the reason. Then, a realization hit him, and he burst out laughing.
“Pahahaha! So that’s it, that’s it. You’re just the same as us in the end.”
Dante cautiously backed away at Jokre's sudden change in demeanor, as if he were looking at someone scary.
Ignoring him, Jokre pointed at Shirone.
“Acting all high and mighty, but you’re just dripping with insecurity, aren't you? How desperate must he be for a commoner to carry a sword? I guess with a top-tier noble for a girlfriend, he wanted to at least look the part.”
Vivian took a look and her eyes widened.
“Oh, you’re right. But isn’t that illegal?”
“Of course it’s illegal! A commoner carrying a sword? And you have the nerve to talk big?”
Jokre strode up to Shirone and threw open his coat.
Since a commoner carrying a sword was a serious crime anyway, he didn’t hesitate.
Buttons tore off as the coat flew open, revealing Armin’s silver scabbard strapped to his waist.
“Just as I thought. How pathetic. You think this will make you a noble?”
Shirone’s eyes grew cold.
“Back off. And you’re paying for the coat.”
Shirone desperately tried to control his emotions. The monster within, having scented his anger, was trying to break free again.
But Jokre, feeling he had the upper hand, was too busy speaking his mind.
“No decorations and it’s stubby, so it must be cheap. Well, with your status, where would you get an expensive sword anyway….”
Jokre reached for the hilt.
If it was short, the blade must be unimpressive too. He planned to draw it and repay the humiliation he had suffered twofold.
But that was as far as his thoughts went.
With the sound of flowing water, Jokre’s movement stopped. Then, his arms slowly rose.
His eyes trembled in shock, and a chill ran down his spine, making the hair on his skin stand on end.
“Th-This is…”
The faces of Ludvans and Vivian were painted with horror. Shirone’s sword had drawn itself and was now pressed deep under Jokre’s chin.
“Wh-What? How did the sword…”
Shirone was scowling fiercely.
It wasn't because he was angry at Jokre. If he had been a moment slower in controlling his emotions, Jokre’s head would already be rolling on the ice.
‘I was too careless.’
Precision Control was an incredible function, but the problem was that the synchronization was so perfect it was even affected by the workings of the Demon God in the first layer of his subconscious.
Shirone was a mage who had trained his mind to remain cool-headed in any situation. But that didn't mean he was devoid of emotional changes.
The anger that flared up in that fleeting moment of vulnerability had drawn Armin from its scabbard.
The disappointment in himself was what made Shirone angry.
As Armin, sensing its master’s rage, trembled, the sword’s cry rang in Jokre’s ears.
Jokre ground his teeth and glared at Shirone.
“You…!”
“This is your last warning. Just go home. If you’re rude one more time, I won’t hold back either.”
Feeling the pressure of death, Jokre’s legs seemed to give out, sliding back and forth on the ice.
He was about to lose his balance and fall. Ludvans came over and supported him from behind.
“Let’s go. We’re official mages. If we cause trouble here, we’re the ones who’ll lose out.”
His words were meant to save Jokre’s pride, but they were also practically true.
“Hmph! Insolent brats! We’ll see how well you do.”
Jokre hurled insults until the very end.
But as Ludvans dragged him away by the back of his collar, he only looked pathetic.
Only after Jokre’s group had completely left the rink did Shirone sheathe Armin.
“Hey, hey, no matter how angry you get, you can’t just go swinging a sword around.”
Shirone’s eyes soured at Dante’s words.
“Are you kidding me? This is all your fault! Why did you have to provoke him like that? What about my coat? You’re paying for it!”
“You can just sew the buttons back on. Anyway, what’s with the sword? Is that magic too?”
Amy glanced around nervously.
“Let’s move first. People are staring. The guards might even show up.”
For now, people were treating it as a minor incident since they didn’t know Shirone was a commoner, but if the guards arrived and started an investigation, things could get complicated.
“How about we find a café and get some coffee? Of course, since I helped out, you guys are paying.”
“Why would I buy you coffee? And aren’t you drinking coffee right now?”
“This is iced coffee. So let’s go get something warm.”
“Are you… a coffee addict?”
Dante winked, holding his iced coffee.
“Nope. A coffee enthusiast.”
* * *
Shirone’s group found a café called ‘The Cozy Teahouse’ in the shopping district and went inside.
The warmth made their cheeks flush.
Shirone shivered, as if shaking the cold from his clothes, then sat at a table and took out a sewing kit.
Dante picked up the menu.
“When you travel, you have to try the local specialties. Let’s see, the Ice Queen’s Warm Coffee? Isn’t that name a little weird?”
Amy waved her hand dismissively.
“Skip the weird stuff. I’ll just have orange juice.”
“Really? In that case, I’ll have the Ice Queen’s Warm Coffee. Shirone, what are you having?”
Shirone, focused on sewing his button, replied,
“I’ll have a hot cocoa.”