Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Won't You Call It a Draw?
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(4)
7.
The moment Ullan left the base.
All the video recording devices captured him.
By the time he encountered Eloden's assault team, the tension was thick enough to overflow.
But that lasted only a moment.
As Laurea headed toward Arsen's base, the video devices split into two. To film the battle that would unfold there.
The instant the screen divided.
Boom! Crackle!
A small explosion rang out.
And suddenly, the screen went pitch black.
〔Huh? What's that?〕
〔Looks like some kind of accident.〕
The sudden situation left not only the spectator stands but also the announcers from both camps looking flustered.
Only two video devices remained.
Should they split them? That dilemma arose briefly, but it was resolved surprisingly quickly.
〔……!〕
〔Student Ullan has made his move!〕
Because Ullan had suddenly engaged in combat.
Of course, Laurea was an important figure too, but there was something even more attention-grabbing than her.
Ullan Bator and Ian Marcus.
As the aces representing each camp appeared poised to clash, the remaining video devices immediately focused on that spot.
The announcers followed suit.
The two looked thrilled as they eyed the formation where Eloden's assault team was deployed.
〔A 3-star holy shield!〕
〔Even if Student Ullan is an Expert, piercing a holy shield won't be easy.〕
〔Judgment is key here. Since a 3-star holy shield has a short duration, waiting a bit before approaching could be a strategy.〕
The announcers offered their various opinions.
At that moment.
Ullan, who had been talking with Teron Schlagen, suddenly advanced toward the holy shield.
〔That seems a bit reckless!〕
〔Not a wise decision. With the Chains of Judgment present, getting blocked by the shield carelessly would just give them a chance to counterattack.〕
The announcers voiced their concerns.
Ullan, however, paid them no mind. He simply advanced in silence.
A short while later.
Defying everyone's expectations, the holy shield failed to stop Ullan. It shattered as easily as a sheet of paper.
〔……?〕
The announcers' eyes widened in tandem.
Stunned by how effortlessly the holy shield was destroyed, they muttered in confusion.
〔Wait, why did it just break through like that?〕
〔Y-Yeah……?〕
They looked utterly baffled.
As if they couldn't comprehend the situation.
But the shield was the only thing broken. One more trap remained to restrain Ullan.
〔Chains of Judgment! As long as that's there, Eloden still has a chance!〕
〔By the way, what are the Chains of Judgment?〕
〔A holy spell used by priests. It binds the opponent with sacred chains and shackles, temporarily immobilizing them.〕
After the detailed explanation.
Eloden's announcer, Liv Merheil, shouted triumphantly.
〔Once bound by the chains, they absolutely won't escape easily this time!〕
With a voice full of conviction.
Bang!
The sacred chains shattered.
And not just that. The Chains of Judgment dissolved into the air with pathetic ease.
A scene that completely missed all predictions.
Liv froze with her mouth agape.
Meanwhile, Arsen's announcer, Edelin, tilted her head.
〔He escaped, though?〕
〔…….〕
〔Why?〕
No answer came.
Liv was just as clueless.
And at that moment.
Ullan's counterattack began.
Thwack!
After swinging his club to send his opponent's wooden sword flying, Ullan roughly grabbed the foe's face and slammed it into the ground.
Kaboom!
The earth shook violently.
With the intense impact, Liv and Edelin finally snapped out of their daze.
〔U-Ullan Bator!〕
〔He's suppressing Eloden's students at rapid speed!〕
The two hurriedly commentated on the battle.
But as the fight dragged on, their expressions grew increasingly strange.
〔Um, but…….〕
〔Why is he slamming them into the ground?〕
As they said, Ullan had slammed not only the three students who charged first but also Eloden's representative, Teron, face-first into the dirt.
An utterly incomprehensible action.
Still, the sight of their heads burying deep into the earth was more than enough to instill fear in the onlookers.
But that too was fleeting.
A cheer erupted from the spectator stands. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for: Ullan and Ian facing off.
〔It's finally here!〕
〔A one-on-one between Arsen's Expert, Student Ullan Bator, and Eloden's Expert, Student Ian Marcus!〕
Liv and Edelin shouted excitedly too.
Though questions about Ullan's odd behavior lingered, this battle was far more important.
〔What kind of fight will we see?〕
〔Personally, I predict an overwhelming victory for Student Marcus.〕
〔Huh? What? Are you biased because you're from Eloden Academy too?〕
〔Absolutely not. I'm just stating an objective analysis and prediction.〕
Liv shook her head lightly.
She soon explained her reasoning.
〔Because Student Marcus knows a special prayer used by holy knights.〕
〔A special prayer……?〕
〔You'll see when it happens.〕
A smile crept onto Liv's lips.
A meaningful grin. Its meaning was revealed soon after.
Flash!
Ian's body became enveloped in silvery radiance.
Holy power began to gather on his wooden sword. A pure embodiment of power, distinct from mana.
〔No way……!〕
Edelin's eyes widened like saucers.
As if she knew exactly what it was.
〔A-Aura! Is that aura?!〕
〔Yes. Sacred aura.〕
The symbol of a Master: aura.
Liv grinned and confirmed it.
Edelin, still unable to hide her shock, pressed on.
〔B-But Ian is an Expert, right? How can he possibly use aura……?〕
〔Thanks to the prayer.〕
〔That special prayer you mentioned?〕
〔Yes. Eloden's holy knights can use unique prayers to temporarily wield power far beyond their normal limits.〕
No sooner had the explanation ended than.
The spectator stands stirred in an instant.
It wasn't just the stands.
The waiting room where eliminated contestants gathered plunged into chaos.
"He's using aura?"
"That's cheating!"
"How are we supposed to beat that……."
Astoundment, complaints, resignation.
All reactions from Arsen's contestants. Even their representative, Iris Senior, was no different.
'No wonder he felt so overwhelmingly strong.'
It made sense why she'd been one-sidedly defeated.
Iris let out a quiet sigh. Her gaze turned to Ullan on the screen.
'He fought hard, but…….'
This seemed to be the end.
Still, he'd done brilliantly.
Ullan had taken down six of Eloden's assault team single-handedly.
'Yeah, this is good enough.'
Iris's shoulders slumped.
As she prepared to accept defeat with a calm expression.
Something suddenly caught her eye.
'Huh?'
Ivela and Dilia.
Unlike the other students, these two girls hadn't given up hope.
They simply stared at Ullan on the screen with eyes sparkling like stars. Seeing this, Iris's eyes gradually widened.
'No way, against aura…….'
Did they think he could win?
No, absolutely not.
When a weapon imbued with aura clashed against one without, the latter would always shatter.
〔Is the fight ending like this?!〕
〔It will. No Expert can defeat a Master, even in death.〕
The announcers were pessimistic too.
Which was only natural.
It was common knowledge, even to children, that only another Master could beat a Master.
'So…….'
Ullan could never beat Ian.
Iris was certain of it.
But at that moment.
"……Huh?"
She heard the sound of her certainty shattering.
The barbarian facing Ian, Ullan—his body suddenly glowed red-hot.
At the same time, crimson flames erupted from the club in his hand. A power identical in nature to the sacred aura enveloping Ian's sword.
〔A-Aura! That's aura too, isn't it?!〕
Edelin screamed.
Her face etched with shock.
She wasn't the only one stunned. Liv's eyes bulged, her lips trembling.
〔How can he, who's not even a holy knight, use aura?!〕
Edelin shouted her question.
The answer to her doubt was simple. Aura was the symbol and mark of Masters alone.
In that sense, there was only one reason Ullan could wield aura.
"……The realm of a Master."
A voice trembling fiercely slipped from Iris's lips. As the unbelievable truth imprinted itself on everyone's minds.
Kaboom!
With a massive roar.
The battle ended.
〔…….〕
A moment later, as the dust settled.
The screen showed Ian, buried headfirst in the ground just like the other students.
His wooden sword, wrapped in sacred aura, was snapped in half, and his shield utterly shattered.
Victory was decided in the blink of an eye, swallowing the spectator stands in silent hush.
They hadn't seen a thing.
They didn't know what happened or how Ian ended up slammed into the dirt.
But one thing was clear.
Ullan was a Master.
Not an Expert.
Facing this undeniable truth.
Iris clenched her fists tightly.
She'd thought it impossible.
After the student council's interference and Ian manifesting aura, she'd believed it was over.
But Ullan was different.
As if mocking her expectations, he'd gone to the battlefield alone and turned the tide.
He'd smashed through every wall Iris saw as reality.
As she watched his exploits in a daze.
"See? We told you."
"Ullan never, ever loses."
Ivela and Dilia grinned.
With smiles brimming with certainty.
[Winning Camp: Arsen Academy]
[Final Victor: Ullan Bator]
[Mock Battle Concluded.]
The friendly mock battle was over.
Yet no cheers rang out.
Silence hung over the spectator stands. Students and professors alike stared blankly at Ullan.
It couldn't be helped.
For the first time since Arsen Academy's founding.
A current student had proven himself to have reached the Master's realm.
On the day the friendly mock battle ended.
The one who captured everyone's gaze was not Eloden's delegation, but a single barbarian warrior.
8.
After the mock battle officially concluded.
The officials busily prepared the award ceremony.
Meanwhile, Arsen's professors still couldn't tear their eyes from Ullan, looking stunned.
"Honestly, I still can't believe it."
"A Master, not an Expert."
"He didn't fake his age, did he?"
Astoundment, confusion, disbelief.
Various emotions poured from their voices. At the same time, the professors' eyes darted busily.
With the emergence of a new Master.
To assess his value.
Ullan was a barbarian-born Master.
No backing, no family, no political ties or relations with foreign nations.
In other words, unaffiliated anywhere.
This was a tremendous merit. Like a strategic weapon left ownerless.
The moment they realized it.
"Ahem! I'll head out first."
"Excuse me."
"I have urgent business, so……."
The professors from the allied kingdoms slipped away one by one, gauging the mood.
To relay the news of a barbarian Master to their home countries.
Feeling this chaotic atmosphere?
Professor Stella, who had been silently observing, spoke up with a stiff expression.
"……Senior."
"What?"
"It looks like we've been played, doesn't it?"
Ethan didn't reply.
No need to voice it. He furrowed his brow and sighed.
'The worst-case scenario we feared has happened.'
Ullan's status as a Master being exposed.
Though Ethan hadn't anticipated this.
He hadn't expected Student Ian Marcus to manifest aura, nor Ullan to counter with his own.
'Can't just sit here regretting.'
The situation was spilled milk.
From now on, each kingdom's professors would compete fiercely. To claim the unaffiliated strategic asset, Ullan.
Especially smaller kingdoms without Masters might offer unprecedented terms.
'To prevent that…….'
No more time to hesitate.
They needed to approach Ullan, grasp what he wanted, and negotiate.
As soon as possible. Right now, even.
Having sorted his thoughts.
He turned to Stella and asked.
"Where's Dean Erkazan?"
"He went to the dean's office earlier. Dean Deplin didn't attend due to personal research."
Apparently, he'd returned to the dean's office just minutes before Ullan manifested aura.
Ethan turned immediately.
"Huh? Where are you going?"
"Dean's office."
"Eek! Right now?"
"We need countermeasures before it's too late."
Of course, Dean Erkazan would be furious. But hiding the truth out of fear was the worst option.
Better to report it a second sooner and plan together.
Thus, Ethan left the panicking Stella behind and headed to the Military Studies building.
Meanwhile, as professors moved busily.
The award ceremony preparations finally finished.
"Thank you for waiting!"
"The award ceremony begins now!"
Edelin and Liv, who had commentated the mock battle, hosted the ceremony. They read the script stiffly, faces tense.
"First, awards to the MVPs from each camp."
"Student Ullan Bator from Arsen Camp and Student Ian Marcus from Eloden Camp, come forward!"
Ullan ascended the stage silently.
Ian, however, didn't appear.
Naturally. Knocked out after being slammed headfirst by Ullan, he'd been carted to the infirmary with the others.
As a result.
Laurea became Ian's proxy.
"Student Ullan Bator receives three gold coins and three off-campus pass vouchers as prize money."
"Student Laurea, proxy for Student Ian Marcus, receives five gold coins and a specially crafted plaque."
Even receiving the passes and gold, Ullan didn't look pleased. Such rewards weren't his goal anyway.
Ivela and Dilia, however, were different.
Off-campus passes awarded only to the winning camp. Having gotten what they wanted, they beamed like they'd touch the sky.
After the formal praises.
"This concludes the award ceremony!"
"One more round of applause for the brave fighters of both camps!"
Applause echoed around.
Ullan turned away expressionlessly. To descend the stage.
But then, a voice hooked his steps.
"……Ullan."
It was Laurea.
Her eyes gleamed oddly, then she whispered so only he could hear.
"Got time tonight, by any chance?"
"Hm? Why ask suddenly?"
"Answer first."
Her fine brows furrowed.
A sassy look.
Ullan pondered briefly, then gave a positive reply.
"Probably fine."
"Really? Great. Come to my room then."
"Reason?"
"Something to say. Important."
Her face turned serious.
Seeing it, Ullan nodded silently.
Meaning he understood.
And time passed.
Soon, the promised night arrived.