Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Academy's Failing Girl (1)
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-Calm down for a moment.
"You fucking bitch! Calm down my ass!"
I could barely make out what Tirving was saying.
I had to get this insane parasite named Tirving out of my body as soon as possible.
-Look at this.
That was when it happened.
A black tentacle emerged from my hand, gradually coalescing until it finally took the shape of a sword.
It looked just like the Kasparchi's Sword that had turned into scrap metal moments ago.
-I have the ability to absorb sword-type relics and convert them into my own power.
Tirving continued boastfully.
-You still can't properly wield the power of relics. I'll help you.
At those words, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me.
"You fucking bitch."
-What I'm saying is that your vessel isn't ready to fully utilize relics yet.
"…"
Truth be told, it was spot on.
To draw out a relic's full power, you need the capacity to handle it.
In a way, it's similar to mana.
If you can't control your mana, your body starts to break down.
Relics, however, won't release their full power if the user's capacity is insufficient from the start.
Take me, for example—I still couldn't properly use the Demon Mask.
-It's not a bad deal for you.
Even considering that, 'Kasparchi's Sword' was an excellent relic.
Especially perfect for an Iaido build in the early game.
No, it could even store two attacks?
The Kasparchi series' ability was storage.
Of course, low-grade ones like 'Kasparchi's Watch' were practically useless, but the sword was different.
The ability to store an attack and release it whenever you wanted.
For someone like me, whose normal attacks were my ultimate moves, it meant I could use one more normal attack.
-I'll help you. And from now on, whenever you find sword-type relics, just give them to me.
Tirving spouted its nonsense with utter confidence.
"Are you saying we should make a contract right now?"
-Exactly. I'll even make it so you don't look like a 'Demon.' In return, just grant me one request.
Demon.
Humans contracted with devils.
The image people had of Demons was evil bastards, traitors, fucking scum, and so on.
If you asked Heroes to name the one they hated most, most would pick Demons.
After Cthuga in the Red Gate incident, Demons had caused the most casualties.
Especially since China's abnormal surge in PvP techniques was tied to it.
Unlike India, which had essentially collapsed after failing to conquer its Gates, China had managed theirs well.
But a huge population meant plenty of double-crossers too.
China spawned countless Demons, leading to massive casualties.
In fact, more than half the Demons still rampaging worldwide were Chinese.
"You're telling me to become a Demon?"
Tirving let out a small chuckle at that.
-Heh, forgot, did you? You're already a Demon.
"…"
-Don't you trust me?
In that instant, darkness enveloped my surroundings.
And before me appeared a black figure wielding a golden sword.
-There's no need to debate which is greater: being born kind or overcoming an innate evil nature.
Then, Tirving's form slowly shifted.
Its heart area bloomed open.
-Behold.
Inside was a myriad of twinkling lights and darkness.
A true microcosm—a miniature universe.
Tirving extracted the universe from within itself and offered it to me.
-This is everything I am. If you don't like me, destroy it.
"What if I smash it right now?"
-Foolish question. My attached body would just split in two again.
At the same time, the scenery changed.
-Someday, a trial will come that even you can't overcome. My request is just one. Promise to fulfill it, and I'll help you to the best of my ability.
Tirving handed me the golden sword and said,
-Kill ■■■■.
An expression formed on Tirving's face for the first time.
It was faint, so I couldn't quite make it out.
-It doesn't matter how long it takes.
I confirmed no one was around and drew my sword.
I swung it lightly without using mana.
Then, when I activated 'Storage,' a faint afterimage appeared in the air, perfectly mimicking my swing.
If I stored 'Iaido Technique' properly instead of swinging wildly like this?
Now even I could do two normal attacks.
My chest swelled with pride.
"How many times a day can I do this?"
-Twice.
Now even I could do three normal attacks.
"…"
I felt a bit disappointed.
"Make it ten."
-…?
"Can't you?"
-Once my power grows stronger, it should be possible.
Tirving declared confidently.
"How many in your prime?"
-You call that a question? As many as you want. And it's not just twice— I can store even more power than the relic's original capacity.
"Hmm..."
-…
Tirving.
The great demon who had lived for thousands of years, and a 'Demonic Sword.'
Tirving was certain.
That Lee Han-su was '□□□□□.'
There were various reasons.
The suspiciously powerful flame within Lee Han-su's body.
And…
[Do you want to live?]
Well, if it meant achieving its goal, this wasn't bad either.
Orbis Academy's suspension had ended.
And one student entered the Orbis faculty office.
"…."
Pink hair and drooping eyes.
She walked with her head hung low.
"You're Choi Seo-hyun, right?"
When the instructor before her asked, Choi Seo-hyun nodded silently.
"You can probably guess why you were called here. To cut to the chase, you're in a very precarious state."
"…Yes."
Orbis had a failing grade system.
Accumulate too many, and you'd repeat a year. Repeat too often, and…
Just thinking about it was awful.
"Your written scores are solid. Actually, quite impressive. But in this place, written exams aren't everything."
He was right.
This was a school for training Heroes.
Not just any Hero academy, but Orbis, the world's top institution.
"…."
Choi Seo-hyun bowed her head even lower, unable to muster the confidence to look at the man before her.
"If your practical scores keep failing from here on out, you won't graduate from Orbis."
The shocking words hit Choi Seo-hyun.
The reality she'd known but ignored.
If you didn't meet the standard, you'd keep repeating or transfer elsewhere.
You couldn't stay in the repeat class forever.
Most repeat students hung on for a year or two before giving up and switching Hero schools.
But that meant losing all the perks and support as an Orbis student.
Choi Seo-hyun squeezed her eyes shut.
It hurt.
I wanted to do well.
But what could I do about my level?
My practical scores were nonexistent, and my written ones were just passable.
Even that took insane studying to barely achieve.
The truth was…
"I never wanted to be a Hero…"
But I couldn't quit now.
I'd come too far to give up.
A torrent of thoughts flooded her.
Written exams might be manageable somehow.
But practicals? No way.
I'm not a mage—how was I supposed to get strong overnight…?
Essentially, repeating was guaranteed.
Choi Seo-hyun, who had barely scraped into Orbis, saw no hope of escaping the repeat class.
Thud, thud.
That was when it happened.
Someone started slowly walking this way.
"Hey?"
"Ah… h-hello."
A familiar face.
A third-year senior from the same club.
"Heard you failed?"
"…."
Why bring that up out of nowhere…?
Was it because he was a third-year, looking down on her?
He had every reason to.
She'd somehow made it to second year, but that was pure luck from heaven.
It stung.
"Want me to help?"
"Pardon…?"
"Don't wanna repeat, right?"
If not, it'd be a lie.
But how could he help? As she wondered, a small flame appeared in the senior's hand.
'Attribute.'
Imbuing mana with an attribute was advanced technique, so Choi Seo-hyun gasped in admiration without realizing it.
"Here, take it."
"Huh?"
The small flame then flew straight at Choi Seo-hyun.
"Gaaahhh…!!!"
She screamed.
But…
"It's not hot?"
Her reaction must have been funny, as the senior smirked.
"Well, I'll be off then. Bye~."
With that, the senior vanished somewhere.
But… had he always been like that? His eyes seemed a bit vacant.
And what was with those clothes? Choi Seo-hyun racked her brain, wondering if there'd been some event at Orbis lately.
But no, there hadn't.
White base with red accents.
And a golden necklace around his neck.
It looked heavy enough to cause neck issues if worn long-term.
Pure cultist attire.
Whoosh—.
Suddenly, flames erupted from Choi Seo-hyun's body.
'Huh…?'
The flames grew, engulfing her entirely.
Roarrr—!
But still, not hot.
[You burned your senses.]
And a voice rang from the sky.
At the same time, the flames vanished from her body.
Choi Seo-hyun instinctively knew something had changed.
She cautiously raised her hand.
The mana floating around her—she felt she could steal its warmth.
Crackle—.
The mana began to freeze slowly, eventually forming a chunk of cold ice.