Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Demon Sword Forte (4) - Repeat After Me.
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A day and a half.
It was the time it took Fina to reach the top of the tower.
Considering the time limit was three days and her travel speed itself was nothing exceptional—just average—even an ordinary person could make it to the top with proper preparation.
Yet despite that manageable difficulty, fewer than half the applicants passed the first exam. Most had charged up the tower without any real prep, collapsing midway or giving up.
Even those who could enhance their bodies with mana to beast-level prowess faced limits in stamina and endurance, which were separate issues entirely.
"Whoa!"
Fina snatched the badge that suddenly materialized out of thin air.
The badge was shaped like a mace tilted at a diagonal, its uneven surfaces making it clear at a glance that it wasn't a complete item on its own.
Fina stared alternately at the badge and the empty space where it had appeared, full of wonder.
"Stuff just popping out of nowhere like that... it's so cool."
《The Skycloud Academy is a domain claimed by the Sage of the Firmament. Things that defy ordinary magic or blessings happen as a matter of course here.》
"Aha."
《Got it?》
"I get that I don't really get it!"
《...Hmph. Good. That's progress.》
As the two bantered like idiots, a new quest window appeared before Fina's eyes.
Wooden Puppet Subjugation
📍 Clear Condition: Defeat the puppets and collect at least three essences, then bring them to the 'Gate'.
⏰ Time Limit: 3 hours
🎁 Reward: Skycloud Academy 2nd Entrance Exam Pass Badge
📝 Special Note: Puppet essences can be traded between participants
At Fina's feet.
A glowing arrow appeared, drawn as if by an artist's hand.
Following it led to a stage resembling a massively widened tree stump, a wooden puppet prowling atop it aimlessly. Other applicants were locked in fierce combat with the puppets.
Clang! Thwack!
"Wh-what? My sword's not cutting? How is it this tough?!"
"D-don't come closer! Waah! Ack!"
"Gahk!"
A warrior-type applicant swung at the puppet, but his blade only scratched its arm. The puppet's wooden fist retaliated, smashing into his face.
Meanwhile, a mage-type tried a surprise spell from range, but as he chanted, the puppet's head snapped toward him. It charged and delivered a dropkick to his gut.
The battered warrior and the mage spewing bile were hurled side by side off the stage.
Fina paled as she watched them convulse on the ground.
"D-Demon Sword, sir."
《What's up?》
"Should we just... give up?"
《.......》
Forte bit back a retort about at least testing his blade first.
It'd fall on deaf ears with her anyway.
Instead, he pretended not to hear and launched into an explanation.
《A lone warrior would need at least sword aura to win reliably.》
"I-I can't use sword aura!"
《Calm down. That's only if you're using a plain old sword.》
Sword aura was a technique channeling mana into a weapon to boost its power.
Conversely, if the weapon itself packed enough punch, you didn't need it.
《Contractor. Trust in me and fight.》
Fina hesitated anxiously but cautiously stepped onto the stage.
One of the puppets—prowling like an RPG monster—spotted her and assumed combat stance.
Moments later, their shadows clashed.
Slash!
"Huh?"
"No way..."
The shocked voices came from applicants glaring grimly at the puppets from the stage's edge.
Fina's strike had cleaved the puppet effortlessly, belying its earlier toughness.
"Whoa."
Even Fina, who had swung the sword, was stunned.
It felt like slicing hot butter with a heated knife.
Less like forcing the cut and more like the blade gliding through on its own.
Crackle.
The fallen puppet withered like a dead leaf before crumbling to dust.
All that remained was a seed the size of a coin.
《That must be the puppet's essence. Grab it quick.》
Fina pocketed it and readied herself for the next puppet.
It sensed her hostility and tensed for battle, but the result was the same.
After securing three essences in a row, Fina let out a giddy laugh.
"Th-that was easier than I thought! Thanks to you, Demon Sword sir!"
《I'd love to say thanks for the praise, but don't let your guard down yet. Look outside the stage.》
"Huh?"
Turning as instructed, she saw a crowd of applicants staring her down intently.
The sudden spotlight made Fina freeze up in tension.
《Check the special note for this exam again.》
Fina let out an "ah" of realization.
《Looks like you get it. If you step off that stage now, the others will target you. Alone, maybe not—but they'll think they have a shot ganging up.》
"What do I do?"
《Show them your power. Flashily drop a few as an example, make it clear messing with you isn't worth it.》
"Erm."
Even after his explanation, Fina looked reluctant.
"Isn't there another way?"
《Hate getting bloody?》
"It's scary!"
It sounded like a childish whine, but it also seemed like dodging the tough path.
《Then running's the answer. Frontal breakthrough or decoy ploy—which suits you?》
"Which one's easier?"
《About the same.》
"Which one's less vicious?"
《Depends on the criteria, but from my view, the decoy ploy.》
"Decoy it is!"
《Got it. First, cut down every puppet in sight. Thirty essences should do.》
"Yep."
Buoyed by her earlier victories, perhaps.
Fina methodically felled puppets without complaint.
She skipped ones fighting others, but with occupied puppets fewer than one in ten, picking targets was easy.
Once she had a hefty stockpile.
Per Forte's orders, Fina grabbed a handful of essences and tossed them into the air beyond the stage.
The crowd reflexively lunged for them, and Fina bolted for the 'gate' in the chaos.
"Stop!!"
Some applicants waited not at the stage but along the path to the gate—yet Fina lobbed another handful over their heads.
They hesitated, then parted ways.
Three essences per person was all it took anyway.
Far safer and simpler to snatch the scattered ones than fight her for more.
After repeating this three or four times, the gate—the tally point for the second exam—came into view.
The middle-aged swordsman guarding it spoke up.
"Whoa there, aren't you spending a bit too freely? Professor Emil's gonna chew me out for too many interview candidates!"
His tone was scolding, but his hearty laugh suggested he didn't mind Fina's antics.
"Raizenol here—second exam proctor and Skycloud Academy swordsmanship instructor. Now, clever miss, hand over your badges."
"H-here!"
Fina dumped three essences into his palm. He nodded and pointed off in a direction.
"Waiting room for the third exam's that way. It'll be a bit before it starts, so relax."
Fina looked and saw a tiered seating area like bleachers, where three or four people chatted idly.
Their crisp attire and sharp eyes marked them as an elite bunch at first glance.
《Third rank upper tier to fourth rank, at least. The so-called elites.》
"I see."
Fina nodded solemnly but didn't sit proudly beside them—instead claiming the lowest tier's left corner seat.
A few who had seemed about to approach her looked taken aback.
Then, the quest window popped up again.
This time, a small metal sliver dropped from the air, like before.
If the first badge had been a slanted mace, this was a straight-up sword form.
Noting the distinct ridges on this one too, Fina tilted her head, then overlapped the badges. As expected, they clicked together perfectly into one.
She waited for a third quest, but the window stayed silent.
It seemed the third only appeared after everyone finished the second.
Then, one of the women in the seats called out sharply to Fina.
"Hey, what the hell was that?"
"Pardon?"
As Fina blinked, the sharp-featured woman pressed relentlessly.
"What if you scatter essences like that? Now a bunch of no-talent scrubs are gonna make it here because of you."
"Uh, um."
"Got an excuse? Spit it out."
Seeing Fina squirm, the woman's momentum grew, her voice rising.
Fina fidgeted, mumbling incoherently.
She wanted Forte's advice, but speaking to the sword with everyone so close was impossible.
《Contractor. Relax. I'll teach you the secret to breaking this impasse.》
Ooh.
Fina inwardly marveled.
Demon swords really did think differently.
《From now on, repeat exactly what I say. Not a word off.》
Fina braced herself.
《Excuse me.》
"Excuse me."
《You know what? Worry about your own climb and leave others to theirs.》
"You know what? Worry about your own climb and leave others to th—huh?"
Wait, this wasn't right.
As the woman's face flushed with anger, Fina's drained of color.