Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm
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(6)
13.
Just before the third match began.
Ivela gazed at the arena with growing anxiety.
It was because she'd witnessed Himmel suddenly approaching Ullan and striking up a conversation while the mana filling the arena was being purified.
'What on earth are they talking about?'
The arena and the spectator stands were quite a distance apart.
Moreover, with all the surrounding noise, it was hard to make out what the competitors were saying.
Was that why?
An inexplicable unease gnawed at her.
And to top it off, her opponent just had to be Himmel. He saw her as a thorn in his side.
Maybe he'd approached Ullan with the intent to drive a wedge between them.
'But it'll be fine. Ullan would...
He wouldn't waver over mere provocation.
That was the kind of man Ullan had been, in everything Ivela had seen of him so far. She forced down her trembling and watched Ullan in the arena.
A short while later.
Their battle finally commenced.
Clang! Scraaaape!
The two darted across the arena, clashing fiercely.
The students erupted in cheers at the fast-paced, flashy exchange. Unlike the dull second match, this fight brimmed with excitement.
But doubts arose alongside the thrill.
"Huh? Something feels off, doesn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"That barbarian. He's supposed to be an Expert, right?"
"Then why's he just blocking and dodging?"
From the start of the fight until now.
Ullan had focused solely on defense and evasion.
Himmel, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
He'd unleashed a relentless barrage from the outset. Even to someone clueless about swordsmanship, it looked like he had the upper hand.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, it's weird."
"An Expert should be stronger than Himmel."
"Guess the rumors were exaggerated after all."
A few students snickered. Others smirked with smug I-knew-it expressions.
But the truth was different.
'No. That's not it...!'
He wasn't scrambling to dodge.
Ullan was handling every attack with perfect precision.
Such flawless responses were impossible without superior skill. In other words, this defensive stance was entirely intentional on his part.
'I don't know what his goal is, but...'
Ullan silently withstood Himmel's onslaught.
After several exchanges, his aura suddenly shifted. Ivela, sensing the change, widened her eyes.
And then the counterattack began.
An axe hurtling through the air, slicing it apart.
Himmel hurriedly deflected it with his sword. But the force behind the axe was greater than expected, sending him sliding helplessly backward.
Ivela inwardly smirked as she watched Himmel's eyes bulge in shock.
'Yeah, no wonder you're rattled.'
Ullan's strength was no joke.
Her eyes sparkled as she watched the arena. With Ullan on the offensive now, victory seemed imminent.
But oddly enough.
Ullan didn't finish it.
The two faced off again.
Back to their initial standoff. The students tilted their heads in confusion.
"Huh? Why'd they stop mid-fight?"
"Are they talking?"
"Can you hear what they're saying?"
"Nah, too far."
Unless they shouted.
Everyone stared curiously at the pair.
Ivela was no different. After a brief moment, an unexpected turn unfolded.
Thud!
Himmel, shuddering violently, abruptly collapsed to his knees. He didn't even try to stand—instead, he scooted backward bit by bit.
But there wasn't time to be surprised.
Something even more shocking happened. Ullan's sudden, bizarre action.
Thoom!
He'd casually dropped his axe.
The spectator stands buzzed.
"Huh? He dropped his weapon?"
"That means surrender, right?"
"Is he forfeiting?"
The preliminary rules were clear.
Dropping your weapon counted as surrender. Losing it meant defeat. Ivela knew the rules well.
So when she saw this.
Her heart plummeted.
'Ullan?! What the hell...!'
Her eyes filled with bewilderment.
And rightly so. He'd been dominating, so why surrender now?
Had Himmel somehow swayed him?
'No, impossible!'
Ullan wasn't the type.
Ivela clenched her trembling fists and stared at him. Around then, Ullan strode forward after discarding his axe.
Toward Himmel.
Then he grabbed him by the collar.
"Huh?"
What? Not surrendering?
Everyone thought that just as.
Himmel flew into the air. Ullan had hoisted him up in one motion by the collar.
And in that instant.
KABOOM!
Himmel slammed headfirst into the ground.
The deafening crash echoed through the arena and reached the stands.
Once the roar faded.
The arena fell silent, as if doused in ice water.
And small wonder.
No one had anticipated this. Even the referees looked stunned, struggling to process it.
Meanwhile.
Ullan dragged Himmel along like a ragdoll.
He stopped before the spectator stands. His gaze fixed on where Ivela sat.
He met her eyes.
Then acted immediately.
─────!
Himmel's head smashing into the ground.
With enough force to crack the arena floor.
It was a blow that should've shattered his skull, but Ullan seemed unsatisfied. He kept slamming Himmel's head repeatedly.
Bam! Boom!
Once. Again.
Himmel's head pounded the ground over and over. Like a sinner begging forgiveness for a grave crime.
'Wait... forgiveness?'
Ivela's eyes widened.
Now that she thought about it, he'd aimed toward where she sat. And he'd deliberately met her gaze before each smash.
'D-Does that mean...!'
He did that for me?
Ivela's eyes flashed wide.
It fit perfectly. Bowing someone's head repeatedly toward her could only be an apology.
The realization hit.
She suddenly recalled his earlier words.
"Ivela. We're friends."
When he'd informed her he'd forfeit against Himmel.
When she'd given up on everything.
Weeping alone in the woods. Somehow knowing, Ullan had found her and offered his hand.
"When friends are in trouble, they help each other with all they've got. Maybe not here, but on the plains, that's how it is."
He'd said it matter-of-factly.
Like it was the most obvious truth.
"So if you're in a bind, just say it."
His earnest eyes gleaming.
Whispering with sincerity.
"I'll help."
Remembering those words.
Ivela gripped her sword hilt fiercely.
For a split second, an indescribable emotion surged within her.
"Ugh."
She bared her teeth and bit her lip hard.
It felt like if she didn't, the overwhelming feelings would spill out in some other way.
When Ullan had said that.
Truth be told, she hadn't expected much.
His sincerity shone through, but she'd chalked it up to comforting encouragement.
But now, he was proving his words and promise with actions.
"...Ullan."
She didn't know how he'd figured out her situation with Himmel. But that wasn't important.
What mattered was that he'd forfeited the preliminaries—for her alone—to extract an apology from Himmel in her stead.
That was everything.
After joining House Deorg.
Years of built-up discrimination, humiliation, and pain shattered within her. Tears finally fell.
But she didn't bow her head.
Didn't look away. Through her blurred vision, she kept Ullan in sight.
Endlessly.
14.
The overseer in charge of student affairs.
Philip Ernok furrowed his brow at the report just delivered by the guards.
"An incident in the preliminaries?"
"Yes, sir."
"A student violated the rules and caused bloodshed. We've arrested him and brought him to the guidance office."
That gave him the gist.
It happened occasionally. Fools who couldn't accept defeat or control their rage, breaking rules to vent.
"Give me the details."
"Yes, sir. The perpetrator suddenly dropped his weapon mid-fight to lure the opponent into lowering his guard."
"Then attacked?"
"Precisely."
"Tch, despicable coward."
Philip clicked his tongue in disgust.
Dropping a weapon signaled surrender.
The match ended right then.
Using that to ambush and spill blood? Deserved arrest.
Then came the follow-up.
"The victim is unconscious from fractures, excessive bleeding, and multiple organ failure."
"...What?"
Philip blinked dumbly.
He'd heard bloodshed, but between students? Worst case, a stab wound. Unconscious?
"What the hell happened?"
"They say he pulverized the victim's face, then grabbed his head and smashed it into the arena floor repeatedly."
What? A total psycho?
Philip was speechless.
This exceeded student affairs jurisdiction. He'd need to convene the disciplinary committee for expulsion proceedings, at minimum.
Regaining his composure, he asked.
"Who's the victim?"
"Class 1-2, Himmel Deorg."
"Right, Himmel... What? Himmel?!"
Philip jolted upright, snatching the diagnosis from the guard's hand. His eyes bulged. It was the Himmel Deorg he knew.
'The empire's swordsmanship genius!'
Sole heir to House Deorg.
Such a powerhouse was the victim? Philip stammered in shock.
"Don't tell me the opponent was Dilia Arpen?"
"No, sir. Dilia already competed earlier."
"Then who the hell...?"
Did this to Himmel?
Questions flooded him, but he held his tongue.
They'd arrive soon enough.
He'd confirm face-to-face. Then the guard muttered something odd.
"Oh, and on further check, the perp has a prior record."
"Huh? Prior?"
Prior record? Impossible.
No one had been hauled to student affairs since the entrance ceremony.
'Well, not exactly zero.'
One came to mind.
The entrance ceremony terrorist: Ullan Bator.
Realization dawned. Philip's eyes went wide.
'H-Hold on! Don't tell me...'
A foreboding premonition hit just as.
Clank! Screeech!
The iron door to their destination swung open noisily. Moments later, Philip scowled.
"Damn it all."
Two figures in view.
One was Ullan, as expected. The other: a military department inspector. He imperiously unfurled an order.
"Process this swiftly."
"..."
Philip's face twisted like he'd swallowed dung.
A short time later.
Ullan was released immediately.
15.
After leaving the guidance office.
Ullan headed straight for the dorms.
The military inspector had ordered him to await the investigation results there.
En route.
He ran into a familiar face.
"...Ullan."
Ivela.
Standing at the entrance, she looked at him with worry etched on her face.
"You okay? Nothing bad happen?"
"Yeah, just sat around a bit."
He answered honestly.
But Ivela's expression shifted subtly. A bittersweet pallor, like she was in pain.
Moments later, she forced her mouth open.
"Actually, I have one thing I want to ask."
"Ask away."
"Yeah. About what happened in the arena."
Her turquoise eyes trembled faintly.
Ivela ventured softly.
"I was wondering why you did it."
Answering was simple.
Ullan stated the facts plainly.
"He sullied your honor."
"..."
"I gave him a chance to apologize, but he refused. So I restored it the plains way."
His words ended.
Ivela bit her lip slightly. It matched her guess from back then almost perfectly.
Honestly, Ullan's actions thrilled her.
No one had ever gotten angry or extracted an apology on her behalf before.
'But...'
Ullan had been too hasty.
He'd touched someone untouchable. So she had to say it.
"I'm grateful you cared. But aren't you worried about the fallout?"
"What do you mean?"
"Himmel's the heir to House Deorg. They're the empire's second-strongest martial house. And yet..."
"Ah, got it."
Ullan cut in then.
He replied nonchalantly.
"No worries. That doesn't scare me."
"T-That doesn't?"
"For a friend's honor, it doesn't matter who. Even the emperor."
"..."
She was speechless for a moment.
Realizing his words weren't a joke. He'd face the emperor without flinching if needed.
Snapping out of her daze.
Ivela hurriedly refocused.
"Th-Then one more thing."
"Go ahead."
"Why are you helping me, Ullan?"
"Well..."
Because we're friends.
That's what Ullan meant to say.
But Ivela spoke faster.
"Even friends don't usually go this far. That's why I wondered. Do you want something from me?"
"..."
"Sorry, but I have nothing to give. Not nobility, no savings."
A self-deprecating smile curved her lips.
"So if there's anything else you want beyond what you've said, tell me. I'll do whatever I can."
"Whatever?"
"Yeah. Whatever."
She nodded with resolute determination.
Even if it meant bearing Ullan's punishment herself.
Ivela intended to grant any wish. It was the only repayment she could offer.
"Understood. Then here's my wish."
With those words from Ullan.
She swallowed hard. She'd steeled herself, but tension gripped her anyway.
'What does Ullan want from me?'
Ivela truly had nothing.
What would he demand under such limits?
'Maybe, just maybe...'
She paused her thoughts.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, whatever she'd imagined.
But she shook her head.
'No, Ullan's not like that.'
Barbarian or not, he was a gentleman. She shook her head vigorously again.
Then came Ullan's answer.
Utterly unexpected.
"Grow stronger."
"...Huh?"
What did he just say? Grow?
She lagged a beat, failing to grasp it. Thinking she'd misheard.
But she hadn't.
"Temper your sword. Shatter your walls. Until the day I can entrust my back to you."
"Wh-What does that...?"
"And stand by my side as a comrade-in-arms."
To Ullan, Ivela was a comrade.
A peerless ally against the Abyss Lord in the distant future. The one friend who truly understood and respected him.
"That's all I want."
Thus, Ullan hoped.
For the bonds from his past life to grow stronger, tougher.
So this time, they'd reach the final battlefield together against the Abyss Lords.
His answer ended.
Ivela echoed blankly.
"R-Really? That's it?"
"That's plenty."
"For real?"
"For real."
Ullan nodded repeatedly.
Ivela stared at him with dazed eyes. But only briefly.
"Pfft, ahahaha!"
A bright laugh burst forth.
She clutched her stomach, laughing heartily. When it subsided, her face glowed brighter.
'Yeah, this is Ullan.'
Unyielding, upright, true to himself.
A man who moved by his convictions, no matter what others or the world said.
'That's why even more...'
She cut the thought short.
Brushed away her musings, hiding the near-revealed feelings. But she couldn't hide her gaze on Ullan.
A new emotion, beyond mere admiration.
Her flushed face bloomed with a radiant smile. Ivela nodded.
"Got it. I'll grow stronger."
As Ullan said.
Skill, spirit, body, heart—all of it.
And—
"Someday, I'll stand right by your side."
One step, another.
Ivela had closed the distance. Slyly claiming the spot beside him, she tugged his arm shyly with a grin.
"So this spot's mine."
Firm, unwavering tone.
A voice brooking no concession, paired with her beaming smile—the brightest since arriving at the academy.
"Wait just a bit longer. I'll grow faster than you expect and take this place."
"Good. I look forward to it."
Ullan grinned too.
The closer Ivela got to Sword Princess level, the stronger his forces grew. They could spar daily like in his past life.
Each harboring different thoughts.
The eventful day drew to a close.
And the next day.
Ullan's punishment was decided.