Field Trip to the Demon King's Castle (4)
At the same moment, the Class A students who had been watching the duel between the two simply nodded their heads with expressions that said it was only natural.
“Yeah. It really was the obvious outcome.”
“There was no way the professor would lose from the start.”
“Still, I honestly didn’t expect that kind of weakness. You agree?”
“Agreed.”
The Class A students, including Sai, were admittedly somewhat surprised by the duel. They had tried to disarm an opponent’s weapon themselves, but of course it had been completely impossible. However, the idea of using surrounding objects to attack had never once crossed their minds. Of course, even if they had thought of it, the result probably wouldn’t have changed much.
—Buzz, buzz.
At that moment, the spectators around them who had been watching the duel were visibly shocked. Judging by their reactions, they clearly hadn’t expected this kind of outcome.
Sai turned to Jane with a question.
“Miss Jane. Just what kind of evaluation does the professor receive from his family that everyone is so shocked?”
“Hmm…”
Jane fell into thought at his question. Soon, the Class A students—including Sai—perked up their ears and stared at her intently.
“Well, to put it simply, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a worthless, incompetent scoundrel.”
“That bad?”
“What kind of image do you all have of the young master right now?”
At her question, Kun, who had been listening beside them, answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“A ruthless yet highly competent image.”
“Yes. Exactly. I imagine that’s how everyone at the academy—not just you—sees the young master now. But before he became a professor, he wasn’t nearly as capable as he is today.”
““What?””
Did that even make sense? What kind of image had he shown them during every after-school training session so far? Although his methods were underhanded and utterly vicious, his ability was so outstanding that calling it genius wouldn’t be an exaggeration. It had been hellish, yet in just one month he had raised mere students to the level where they could toy with their entire grade.
And that wasn’t all. ‘He even made us strong enough to defeat Demon Army soldiers, didn’t he?’
Just looking at that, what more needed to be said? The idea that he hadn’t been capable before coming to the academy was something they simply couldn’t imagine after experiencing his after-school lessons.
‘Now that I think about it, the professor did seem to change recently…’
While Sai was lost in that thought, Jane spoke up.
“At the time, the young master didn’t have that weapon, and his movements weren’t nearly as impressive. He simply drank all day, every day.”
““……””
“That’s why everyone in the family is so shocked right now. They never imagined the young master would possess such ability. Anyway, let’s keep watching. The match isn’t over yet.”
With those words, they once again focused on the duel between the two.
At the same moment, Gale, who had been watching the match between the two as the referee, maintained a calm expression on the outside while inwardly feeling astonished.
‘I never imagined the chairman’s words were actually an understatement.’
The chairman had clearly said it—his behavior and personality had changed. He had even mentioned that his combat prowess had improved somewhat. But this…
‘I never dreamed it would be to this degree.’
Elric was completely dominating May. As the head of the Vandesar family, even he couldn’t fathom what kind of power this was.
‘It’s not that May is weak.’
Seeing her being beaten so one-sidedly, one might think she was weak, but that was absolutely not the case. After Elric had become a scoundrel, how hard had she worked to grow stronger? She slept only four hours a day while honing the family’s magic and mana. Her current skill level was such that, unless facing someone on the level of a monster like himself, she should be unbeatable.
Yet Elric was pummeling her one-sidedly. Moreover…
‘Just how is he hitting her to make her react like that?’
Even though he was striking her with a magic staff, May showed no visible wounds.
‘Is it the power of that weapon?’
He had his doubts for a moment, but that wasn’t the important part. Whether it was the power of his weapon or something else, the fact remained that it was Elric’s strength. Even his movements were so astonishing that they left Gale, a mage, in awe.
Therefore, the rumor that he had changed was true.
‘After this match ends, it wouldn’t hurt to give him some compensation.’
Thinking that, Gale once again turned his attention to the fight between the two siblings.
May continued to endure despite being beaten by me. She definitely had more tenacity than the students.
-It’s been so long since I’ve felt someone hold out this well, Master!
‘It’s the first time since that Demon Executive.’
Of course, the only reason she was holding out was because Jukchang-i wasn’t pouring all her curses on her. If I had gone all out, even May would have passed out long ago.
While I was casually chatting with Jukchang-i, May spoke up in a panicked voice, her eyes wide.
“Huff… huff… Just where the hell did you get a weapon like that?”
Seeing her glare at her older brother with those eyes, it seemed she still hadn’t come to her senses.
“Why? Do you want one too?”
“Yeah. I think it’d be good if you experienced it yourself, brother.”
-Nod, nod.
The Class A students nodded vigorously in complete agreement. It looked like I’d need to educate these guys right after my little sister.
I made that resolution inwardly and opened my mouth.
“Fine, I’ll tell you.”
“Huh?”
Had she not expected me to tell her so easily? Her eyes widened in shock.
I quickly listed Jukchang-i’s materials.
“It’s possible if you use orichalcum, adamantite, mithril, a World Tree branch, artifacts imbued with all sorts of curses and blessings, and even elixir.”
“……”
She looked at me like I was crazy. Then May let out a hollow laugh as if it was absurd.
“What nonsense are you spouting? All of those are either legendary items or things you couldn’t get even if you offered a fortune. You’re saying you used those as materials?”
“Yep.”
“Just say you don’t want to tell me, brother. If that’s how it’s going to be.”
This was so unfair. I told her the truth and she still didn’t believe me.
-That just shows how valuable I am.
Ahem!
‘Yeah, yeah. You’re so great.’
I roughly ignored the boasting Jukchang-i and spoke.
“If you’re not going to believe the truth even when I tell you, why did you even ask? Anyway, don’t think you can sneak in a rest by asking questions. I can see right through it.”
“Tsk!”
She openly clicked her tongue at my words. It was obvious she had asked just to buy time to rest.
Without hesitation, I kicked off the ground. Then—
“Don’t come near me!”
With a face full of fear, she hurled nearby rocks at me. To think she’d throw dangerous rocks at her own brother. My little sister really needed to be beaten a bit more.
“You only took two hits earlier. This time, take four!”
Shouting that, I swung Jukchang four times.
Then—
-Thudthudthudthud!
Struck four times in an instant, the impact must have been enormous. She let out a scream mixed with a moan.
“Hgyaaaaak! Kyaaht!”
Good grief. The girl really couldn’t control herself. As her older brother, I was truly worried.
-Master. It feels like your self-justification is getting worse and worse.
‘It’s just your imagination.’
As I deliberately ignored Jukchang-i’s jab, she still hadn’t given up. She gathered her mana.
-Woooong!
At the same time, she slowly wrapped her entire body in mana.
“You’re not the only one who can use body reinforcement!”
She must have trained quite a bit; she could even endure body reinforcement. And then—
-Whoosh!
She charged at me with considerable speed. But that was all it was. A mage who wasn’t even an outstanding swordsman like Eve—how impressive could her charge possibly be?
I easily sidestepped her body slam. Then—
-Whoooosh!
I slammed Jukchang down with full force onto her completely exposed back.
-Thwack!
Unable to dodge in time, she took the full brunt of my Jukchang. The next moment, she collapsed straight to the ground as if kissing the floor.
“If you’re going to change, at least do it quickly.”
With those final words, she completely lost consciousness. I looked down at her and—
-Lick!
Finished it off by giving Jukchang-i one last lick.
With my little sister’s education finally over, I called Sena, who had been leisurely watching from the stands.
“Take her to the infirmary and treat her.”
“Yes. Understood, Professor~”
Sena took May away with an incredibly relaxed expression. Was it just my imagination, or had she become even more laid-back since our date?
-From what I see, that yandere definitely remembers what happened last time, Master.
‘You’re still on about that? You fabricated the whole thing.’
-Sigh. To think you won’t believe me even when I tell the truth.
Jukchang-i shook her head with a sigh. I’d love to punish her by taking away her licks, but first I needed to talk with Gale.
When I turned my head, Gale spoke.
“Well done. Let’s not talk here—come with me.”
He suggested we speak in the family head’s office. I nodded and looked at Sai.
“Sai. Until I return, warm up at the training ground.”
“What?! Weren’t we supposed to rest today?!”
He stared at me with wide eyes. I curled my lips into a smile and answered.
“You’ve rested plenty. What are you hoping for? You didn’t seriously think this was the end, did you?”
““……””
The students clamped their mouths shut at my words. Ignoring their reaction, I continued.
“Jane. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t run away. If anyone tries to escape, feel free to warm up on them.”
“Yes. Understood, young master.”
“And just so you know, if anyone runs, something very fun will happen today. Keep that in mind.”
With that, I followed Gale.
At the same time—
Even though their voices full of despair reached my ears, it had to be my imagination.
-It doesn’t seem like imagination at all, Master?
‘Shut up. It’s definitely just my imagination.’