Senior-Junior Exchange Match (3)
Hina's explosive laughter rang through the entire restaurant.
It was so bold and hearty that it seemed to blow away all the heat rising from the meat grills packed inside the establishment.
The faces of the second- and third-year students—who had been grilling meat while secretly eavesdropping on the bizarre conversation between the Student Council President and two freshmen—drained of all color.
Hina Lionhart.
If anyone were asked to name the strongest candidate for Student Council President in history, her name would never be left out. A duel with her was infamous for being brutal. Despite her tiny stature, she wielded a greatsword far larger than herself with effortless skill, and her technique was outstanding. She had maintained an undefeated streak in every one-on-one exam throughout the academy's history.
But if that were all, the students wouldn't be reacting this extremely. What was truly terrifying was her belligerence and obsession with victory.
The bloody battle from last year, where she had claimed the presidency by defeating Wilhelm—the academy's strongest magician and her equal in power—still remained vivid in everyone's minds. In that fight, one of her arms had been twisted completely backward, both eyes sealed shut with dried blood, yet she had powered through every one of Wilhelm's attacks and ultimately seized victory.
And now, a mere F-class freshman was challenging that very President. No one could even imagine what kind of fate awaited him. One particularly weak-stomached female student who had been picking up meat with tongs actually dry-heaved.
The current students continued to exchange nervous glances, each trying to pass the responsibility to someone else. In the midst of that, two girls grilling meat in the deepest corner of the restaurant locked eyes. They were the only other first-years present besides Hint and Stelle.
Shepia Evergreen and Yulia Frostwolf. The two first-years who had somehow learned about this hidden gem of a restaurant from Shepia.
Both of them were staring wide-eyed at the table where the Student Council President sat. While Shepia's naturally cheerful personality made her reaction somewhat expected, it was rare to see Yulia—who always tried to maintain a cool demeanor—open her eyes this wide.
Though Arpia Academy didn't recognize social status, it didn't completely ignore relationships from the continent. In reality, Stelle—who was royalty—and Yulia, from a ducal house, had known Hina since childhood. They understood the nature of that tiny sword demon, her ferocity, and her true skill.
Ah, an opening.
While Yulia was distracted, Shepia swiftly stole all the meat from her plate and stuffed it into her own mouth. Regardless, Yulia's gaze remained fixed on Hint.
The performance he had shown in the first exam, and now this boldness in challenging the Student Council President. It was more than enough to plant a certain thought in her mind.
'Does he really have a cabin in the West Forest?'
If so, could he truly show her the path she should take?
Yulia's hand trembled slightly.
Hina's laughter finally subsided after quite some time. Ever since the Student Council President selection last year, all challengers had vanished, leaving her bored. This junior had just delivered the ultimate surprise, allowing her to laugh heartily for the first time in a while. Still wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, Hina spoke.
Hina picked up her drink and downed it in one go. Her throat had grown sore from laughing so long. When she glanced at Stelle, the girl was hiccupping nonstop, too flustered to speak.
Hina's achievements were beyond words. Not only was she strong—she had proven that strength countless times. She held the record for the shortest time to return to the academy after her first-year exam. She had beheaded a 'demon' that invaded during midterms. She awakened her unique magic power at the youngest age in academy history, etching her name into the world records. At just fifteen, she defeated one of the academy's professors and announced the birth of a supernova to the world. And she had defeated Wilhelm, the genius ice magician hailed as the greatest talent of their generation, to become Student Council President. Every single one of her feats was enough to mark a page in the academy's history. There was no way he wouldn't know.
In the world of Sword Demon, the final quest for first-years wasn't to defeat her, but to survive against her for a set amount of time. That alone spoke volumes about her status both inside and outside the game.
Crash—!!
The entire restaurant flipped upside down. Not only had he dared to challenge Hina Lionhart, but now this junior was openly provoking her. One particularly timid student was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Everyone in the restaurant was now openly staring at them. Under the gaze of countless seniors, Hint spoke.
Humans had a tendency to cool down when the heat became too intense. And right now, this meat restaurant was exactly like that. Hint's bombshell statement shattered everyone's perception. In a single sentence, all sound vanished from the restaurant.
Sizzle—
Ah, except for one thing. The completely burnt pieces of meat. But no one paid any attention to the scorched smell. Not even the restaurant owner.
All eyes in the shop now turned to Hina. Would she get angry? Or would she find it ridiculous?
Hina neither confirmed nor denied it. Of course, even she thought the attack had probably been deflected, but calling it a victory felt ambiguous.
Leaving Stelle—who couldn't possibly intervene—aside, the two locked eyes. Hina let out a hollow laugh. A first-rate warrior could tell an opponent's condition at a glance. Tension, anxiety, impatience, and fear. Even the faint but unmistakable trembling of Hint's hand beneath the table. She could feel it all.
Yet even so, those squinty eyes that barely peeked through half-closed lids never looked away from her. Hina knew people with eyes like that. Her close friend Shion had them, and so did her rival Wilhelm.
Hina decided to graciously accept Hint's courage. Truthfully, she would have preferred to hear what he wanted first—if it was nothing major, she might have just granted it—but that would trample on this junior's bravery, so she refrained. Of course, if Hint could read her true thoughts, he would have said she could trample it all she wanted.
Besides, every single person in the restaurant had long since given up on pretending not to watch and was staring openly. Backing down now was impossible for her as President.
Hint expressed his sincere gratitude. If Hina fought seriously, he wouldn't last even thirty seconds. If she was offering a handicap first, there was nothing more welcome.
Ten times. Ten times, huh. If he used every single trick he had, it was a number he could somehow manage. Of course, broken bones would be unavoidable… but considering what he would gain from this bet, it was a price worth paying.
'Sorry. Looks like you'll have to suffer a bit.'
Hint gently rubbed his right arm, whose suffering had just been officially confirmed.