Chapter 162
Chapter 162
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Autumn, New Semester (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The morning at Aphria, with the opening ceremony just days away, was a whirlwind of activity. Assistants dashed around campus, pasting notices, setting up equipment—busy with all sorts of preparations. But it wasn't for the opening ceremony. That had been handled well in advance, as it was a fixed event on the schedule.
They'd even finished cleaning the classrooms ahead of the new term. All the supplies needed for classes had been stocked with fresh items. Textbooks had been picked up from the Magic Society in advance... Every miscellaneous task had been wrapped up during the break.
For the assistants, vacation was just prep time.
It didn't feel much different from regular days. They kept their usual hectic schedules. So, normally, with the semester just a few days away... they should've been enjoying some leisurely routine.
But as with everything in the world... work always crops up out of nowhere.
「Battle Magic Department Top Spot Duel Tournament」
The workload had been dumped on them right before the semester started.
The top spot duel tournament—or duels, plain and simple.
It had quieted down this year, but last year? Not even close. There were duels several times a month. So at first, the assistants brushed off the duel notices as no big deal... but they soon realized otherwise.
The scale was different.
This was unprecedented.
"So this is the first duel of the year."
"Well, Belnoa's been so untouchable that no one's dared challenge her. Even from mock battles, you can tell the skill gap..."
"Couldn't Rak at least give her a run for it?"
"He could, but Belnoa's still got the edge so far. Looks like they're settling it this time. Lots to look forward to, all around."
The professors took notice.
They were intrigued by the upcoming duel. Word reached the chancellor's ears through them.
"A duel breaking out right before the semester kicks off."
Chancellor Aaron stroked his chin as he spoke.
"It's heating up. That's the spirit of youth. Makes me jealous—young and full of fire, clashing and competing to grow. A beautiful tale of springtime in life."
He nodded with a grin.
"Perfect timing, too. Why not turn it into a full event? It'll fire up the students who've gone soft over break... Not a bad idea at all."
And so the decree came down.
"Let's make this big. I'm looking forward to it."
What choice did they have? They had to do it.
The assistants prepared the event through tears of blood. In just a few days, it took solid shape. On the morning of the duel, they beheld their handiwork.
They'd cleaned the sparring arena built for duels—one that had gathered dust all last semester with no fights. For the chancellor and professors coming to watch, they'd polished the chairs to a mirror shine.
A colosseum modeled after the ancient gladiators' arenas.
Gazing at the spot ready to welcome spectators... the assistants smiled in感動. Then, amid their chuckles, someone approached.
"Oh."
By now, everyone at Aphria knew her name. Professor Lania van Trias of Basic Mana Trading Theory. She scanned the arena, mouth agape in admiration.
"Good work, everyone."
She tossed them some casual words of comfort and took a seat in the spectator stands.
"Hm, hmm."
Humming a tune, she swung her legs back and forth from her seat... but she wasn't just here as a tourist. For today's event, she might've been the most crucial figure there.
Belnoa and Rak were beyond student level. Even compared to average professors... they might lag in theory, but not in combat. When two like that went all out...
The fight would heat up.
And when it did, accidents were bound to happen.
Bloodshed and irreversible injuries had no place on a campus of learning. But reining them in too much would kill the vibe. They needed someone to oversee the duel and keep it within bounds.
Enter Lania van Trias.
She'd mediated between them during the class assignment exam before. Her skills were proven. That's why they'd asked her... but...
"Ooh."
Watching her innocently admire the arena carefree-like stirred worries that hadn't existed. The assistants sighed, praying nothing went wrong.
Either way, morning broke.
Sunlight poured warm, and spectators trickled into the arena. Amid the students' heat and excitement, the duel curtain rose.
2.
"Duel's today, right?"
"They're handing out snacks at the bakery—let's grab some."
"Who do you think'll win?"
"Heard professors are betting on it behind the chancellor's back? Think we get in on that?"
Students laughed and chatted as they headed to the arena. With the semester looming, they were hyped for this chance to kick back and enjoy.
"The arena's, uh..."
And mixed in that crowd was a girl freshly enrolled at Aphria. Chloe fiddled with the map from the central hall maid, gave up, and followed the flow of students.
'Follow along and it'll show up eventually!'
As she walked, students' eyes locked on Chloe. They glanced and whispered.
-That's the transfer student...
-Heard she's one of the Black Tower Lord's disciples?
-But Belnoa's already there.
-Looks close with Belnoa too.
A mid-semester transfer.
And tied to Belnoa, no less. Plenty had seen her hang with Belnoa casually. Rumors swirled it was more than friendship.
Belnoa—stiff, cold, emotions scarce. Yet around that girl, she showed her feelings. Laughed, chatted.
'Something's up!'
Prime age for romance gossip. Half the students already pegged Belnoa and the girl as lovers. Funny thing? The rumors weren't entirely off.
-...Makes sense for Belnoa.
-Yeah, she's pretty.
-Something different about her vibe...
Her bright looks fueled it—Chloe was already a campus celeb. Oblivious, she trailed the crowd.
"Ah, here it is."
Chloe muttered as she entered the colosseum. The circular field and tiered seats hit her at once. She marveled inwardly at the packed stands.
'All here for Belnoa, huh.'
Belnoa sure was popular.
With that idle thought, Chloe sought an empty seat. Then she spotted a row unusually sparse.
Everywhere else crammed, but that spot gaped like a hole punched through. Nothing wrong with the seats. The problem? Who sat there.
Crunch.
At the heart of the empty row.
A figure munched a stick snack, eyeing the arena center. Wind tousled her ash-gray hair.
"Professor Lania?"
"Hm?"
She turned at the call.
Recognizing Chloe, she nodded.
"Hey, Chloe."
Chloe tilted her head, puzzled.
"Why're you sitting alone?"
"Beats me. People just avoid this spot. Bad seats or something?"
Crunch. She shrugged, munching away.
"Wanna sit?"
Lania patted the seat beside her casually.
Chloe nodded without a second thought. She trotted over and plopped down.
-...Gasp!
-Someone stop her...!
-Transfer student's clueless...!
And that's when it hit.
Murmurs swelled around them. Students keeping distance from Professor Lania gawked at Chloe in horror.
...The reason Lania's neighbor was empty? Simple.
Sure, students agreed Lania was stunning—a rare, striking beauty. But it all hinged on one condition.
Pretty from afar.
Only pretty from afar.
Get close, and you'd see blood. They'd learned that bone-deep last semester. But not Chloe. The fresh-faced newbie didn't know.
-......
Students offered silent condolences for her ignorance.
No one dared warn her to Lania's face. They just buzzed from afar. Chloe cocked her head at the growing racket.
Crunch.
Racket or not, Lania kept munching her stick snack. Chloe eyed it. Oh yeah—the bakery was giving them out?
'Should've swung by the bakery...'
Just then, Lania caught her gaze and offered slyly.
"Want one?"
Chloe's face lit up.
She nodded eagerly, taking the stick snack. What a nice professor, she thought anew.
"Thank you!"
Chloe beamed innocently.
3.
[Student Belnoa, please prepare.] She let the announcement echo through the waiting room.
Belnoa eyed the dagger in her hand. Woven from shadow. Its form hadn't changed much from the old days. Same as when she'd slunk through alleys to survive.
Why a dagger?
Easy to conceal. Perfect for ambushes. Daggers weren't great weapons. But by the time she realized, it was too familiar in her grip.
As weapons tend to do.
It reflected her life.
Belnoa looked up, out of the waiting room. Light seeped in. Beyond the glaring sun, the arena came into view.
"......"
Lots of spectators.
Overwhelming stares.
Unfamiliar to Belnoa.
Her battles had always been in darkness. Hidden, striking first. Dirty tricks. Poison when needed. That's how she'd lived.
This setup? Alien.
Alien, uncomfortable.
Belnoa hated staged duels like this. Zero real combat value. Fights happen sudden, unprepared. What meaning in this scripted clash?
"...Sigh."
Belnoa exhaled long.
She'd tried mindset shift for her worthy foe... but no dice. Lifelong values don't flip overnight.
As she relaxed to stand—
Step.
Someone emerged from the opposite waiting room.
-Woooaaah!
Cheers erupted. Roars with every step. The place went wild. Amid the din, he took center stage.
Snow-white hair.
Red eyes.
Hand axes gripped one per hand.
He looked right at home, expression unchanged. Just a steady breath, a glance around. Then his eyes fixed here.
Red eyes met hers.
He raised an axe slowly, pointing her way.
"Belnoa."
Rak grinned, baring teeth.
He beckoned with the axe tip.
"Come on out."
Belnoa couldn't help a smirk.
"Fine."
She pushed off her knee, rose. Left the room, strode toward Rak. Cheers poured. Through them, Belnoa took position.
"Got confidence?"
"Not like before."
"Me neither."
"Good."
Rak shook out his arms loosely.
"If nothing changed since last time, it'd end too quick."
"Cocky much?"
"Special training. It always forges stronger warriors."
Line between them, they raised weapons.
Rak his axes, Belnoa her shadow dagger.
-Bwoooo!
The horn blared.
Match start signal.
Author's Note (Afterword)
Made an illustration for Pepero Day.
Thanks to Fnas.k for the artwork.
Figured it could tie into the story somehow, so I worked it in. The professor—who looks oh-so-kind—offering Pepero!
Chloe totally fell for it, right?