Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Preparations for the Tournament (2)
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After sparring with Ceria.
I came to realize something important.
[Mind's Eye]
[Lv 1/10 ■■■■■■■□□□]
[16% Resistance to Illusions & 16% Chance to See Through Opponent's Movements & Sixth Sense Activation]
Skills have levels.
The principle is that their effects increase as the level goes up.
It seemed like using them in actual combat would grant a lot of experience.
It rose quite a bit from just one sparring session.
I should focus on sparring rather than just training.
“I'm heading out for a bit.”
No answer came.
My little cutie enjoyed taking naps whenever she pleased.
Where should I go?
I wonder if there's anyone who'd be willing to face me.
After some thought, I headed to the tournament grounds.
Quite a few students were gathered there.
The tournament was still a ways off, but they were practicing amongst themselves, feeling the need to spar.
B-Class and C-Class…
Thanks to my activated sixth sense, I could gauge their skill level at a glance.
I wasn't keen on fighting novices.
Nine out of ten would probably avoid me, and even if we did spar, the experience gained would be minimal.
I turned away without a second thought.
Sparring in a public place like this didn't seem very helpful.
Where can I find an opponent on my level?
A B-Class student ranked between 100 and 200 would be suitable.
Higher ranks would be fine too, but they're probably all as busy as I am.
They'd likely avoid me for a different reason.
Not out of fear, but perhaps out of caution, preparing for when we might actually meet…
Since Jace was originally S-Class, he was no different from a public enemy.
‘Ceria was perfect…’
I was hesitant at first.
But after sparring with her once, I realized there was no one more comfortable to fight.
Everything's fun when you're with your lover.
We do what we have to do, rest when we need to, and occasionally make Aruru jealous…
Unfortunately, that was impossible.
Ceria was a member of the Student Council, so she was extremely busy.
She had squeezed out what little time she had to come see me.
Especially during this period, she had a lot to handle in preparation for the tournament.
‘Then maybe Chloe…’
I immediately shook my head.
She was also a member of the Student Council.
Still, she might have enough time to help me out a couple of times…
As I was lost in thought, I sensed someone's hostility from a distance.
“…”
An ambush?
Or it could be a kidnapping.
I'd been too careless.
I'd let my guard down without realizing it.
Those forces of evil targeting this body of mine…
If they're Hero candidates, they should at least fight fair and square!
I cautiously scanned my surroundings.
I didn't sense any men in black suits.
Dammit, they're never around when you actually need them!
Even now, the malice was slowly approaching.
I only sensed one presence, but it was clearly a powerhouse of A-Class or higher who could deal with me easily.
Fine, whoever it is, let's just die together.
I had no intention of going down without a fight.
I'd just been lucky so far; now I was finally about to face a real crisis…
“…”
“…”
Unexpectedly, it was a familiar face.
He was a member of the Student Council, so I could relax.
Largo, a ranker in the top 20, appeared.
No, it was too soon to relax.
As always, he was glaring at me like a wild beast.
You could tell just by looking at him; he was the type to cause trouble even if he got kicked out of the Student Council…
I remembered him helping me before.
I couldn't be entirely happy about it, since I had a guess as to why.
A moment later, Largo spoke in a growl.
“Hmph. You've gotten quite a bit stronger in such a short time.”
“…”
“But you're still a long way off.”
“What do you want?”
“It looked like you were searching for a sparring partner…”
“And?”
“I'll take on that role for you.”
“───??”
For a moment, a thought crossed my mind.
This guy… could he actually like me?
I mean, he always steps up to help whenever I'm in a bind.
Sorry, but I'm not happy about this at all!
It's scary, like some huge guy is stalking me!
Anyway.
I couldn't show any weakness. So I deliberately answered bluntly.
“You must have nothing better to do. You have that much free time?”
Not only should he be helping with Student Council work,
but it would be normal to prepare for the A-Class tournament.
A top-20 ranker is at the very top of A-Class.
He ought to be concerned with maintaining his rank.
However.
Largo was unfazed, as if it didn't matter at all.
“My role in the Student Council mostly involves using my fists.”
The so-called enforcer…
No, it's probably closer to being on the disciplinary committee.
“Also, I don't need to bother with tournament preparations.”
He added that he trained consistently all the time.
Saying that was true strength, and he wasn't afraid of anyone.
Hmm, this guy is the real deal.
It was obvious he was crazy about martial arts.
The right thing to do would be to stay away from such a dangerous guy.
But if I can use him, shouldn't I?
No, I mean… looking at the facts.
He met the best possible conditions for a sparring partner.
A top-20 ranker.
Has a grudge against Jace, so he won't go easy.
Will probably use sparring as an excuse to push me hard.
“…”
It would probably be hellishly difficult, but I would have more to gain than to lose.
What should I do? I don't really want to go that far!
To buy some time to think, I spoke to him.
“Why do you want to help me?”
“Because you're pathetic.”
“…”
“Compared to before, you look so shabby now.”
This son of a bitch…
Hitting me where it hurts out of nowhere.
“I want you to get stronger as quickly as possible.”
“And after that?”
“Don't avoid my challenge. That is my condition for helping you.”
I knew it.
He wants to have a proper fight with Jace, who was once at the pinnacle.
Well, fine.
I suppose I can consider him an ally until then.
A painful sparring session was expected, but I had no choice but to accept.
It's a problem for later, but.
It's true that I'll be receiving his help, so I'll have to face him, even if it's a pain.
“I am Jace Crodain. When the time comes, I will gladly accept your challenge.”
I tried to sound as imposing as Jace.
Now that I'd made up my mind, there was nothing holding me back.
He seemed pleased with my attitude, nodding in satisfaction.
“You haven't changed a bit. That's how my rival should be.”
This guy is really something else.
Why is he so intent on creating this rivalry on his own?
Hey! I'll admit you're good, but you're still no match for me!
Anyway.
And so, a deal of sorts was struck.
“…”
Can I survive this?
How long can I last against this wild boar of a guy?
I'll have to use all my abilities to make sure it hurts as little as possible.
I'll have to show him everything I've got.
At least he looked like he could keep a secret, which was a relief.
* * *
Largo is a fist fighter.
He utilizes hand-to-hand combat instead of swordsmanship.
We were about the same height, but his build was overwhelmingly larger.
No, how is that a student's body?
A human tank whose entire body was a weapon.
He easily blocked even strikes imbued with Sword Ki.
Fist Ki wreathed both his hands.
His reach was shorter by the length of a sword, but he had the advantage of being more agile.
He closed the distance in an instant and landed a solid hit.
He must have been holding back, but even so, I couldn't react in time.
“Guh…”
My insides were churning.
The pain went straight to my bones.
As expected of a fist fighter, he must have mixed in the principles of explosive power.
You bastard, go easier on me!
Because he considered Jace his rival, his blows were harsh.
He seemed to firmly believe I was a man who could endure this much.
And I couldn't show any weakness to a guy like that.
This is driving me crazy…
Well, what can I do? I accepted this knowing full well what would happen.
“A little disappointing…”
“I haven't even started yet.”
“Right, show me your grit!”
I started using my skills in earnest.
The form of my Sword Ki changed as it poured toward him.
“Hmph. What cheap tricks…”
He casually dismantled my attack with just a wave of his hand.
It was to be expected, so there was no reason to be disappointed.
I just need to build up my proficiency.
That was my goal, so I wasn't shaken.
Soon, Mind's Eye activated.
I managed to evade his attack, which was good.
But Largo's momentum was too fierce, leaving me no opening to counterattack.
Well, I had already achieved my initial goal.
When his attack failed, he faltered as if in disbelief.
You predicted my movements?
To think you've already reached that stage…!
He looked surprised for a moment, then his eyes began to burn fiercely.
“I apologize for underestimating you.”
“As long as you realize it now…”
“It seems I can raise the intensity a bit.”
“───!!”
This is why hot-blooded types are so troublesome.
To stop this wild boar's charge, I even brought out my spirit.
“This energy, could it be…”
Now's my chance. Weasel, bite him!
An attack accompanied by a sharp wind tore at Largo's collar.
* * *
“Is that all you've got? It's far from enough to do anything to me!”
Though he shouted fiercely, Largo was inwardly surprised.
It hadn't even been two months since his dantian was fixed, yet he was already displaying a high level of skill.
He had awakened Mind's Eye, something one usually acquires only when nearing S-Class.
And as if that wasn't enough, he could also command a wind spirit.
The spirit itself wasn't that threatening.
But the effort he put into acquiring a new power while also training his swordsmanship was truly remarkable.
Originally, Jace was a powerhouse who lacked nothing.
Hadn't he confidently proven he was the best with swordsmanship alone?
Before, he had an air of leisure, as if showing off his perfection.
Now, it was different.
Having lost his power once, he had changed completely.
Like those who rise from the bottom, he exuded a venomous fighting spirit.
‘A fearsome guy…’
He was already close to perfection as it was.
By overcoming his trial, he had filled in his final missing piece.
Perhaps… no, I'm certain.
An achievement that even the graduates of the Hero Academy could never attain.
He would surely claim the title of Hero, which had been vacant for so long.
Largo suddenly realized.
Jace would become a wall that he could never overcome.
He would grow so strong that challenging him again and again would become meaningless.
‘All the better.’
The more powerhouses there were who surpassed him,
the more Largo was spurred on.
The clear goal of breaking that strength became his driving force.
In that sense.
Jace was the one person who could ignite his passion more than anyone else.
“…”
Hmm, did I hit him a little too hard?
Largo scratched his head with a troubled expression.
He had gotten up immediately every time he fell, but this time, he looked to be in a more serious condition.
No, he would shake off an injury of that level in no time.
Trusting in Jace, Largo dismissed it as nothing serious.
“I suppose that's enough for today…”
There was no need to rush.
He planned to continue sparring until the tournament began.
* * *
“I suppose that's enough for today…”
This son of a bitch…
He didn't seem to understand the concept of moderation.
I was a wreck from his fierce fists.
Well, considering I was up against a top-20 ranker, I was in pretty good shape.
Was it because he had extensive knowledge of the human body?
He only hit the places where it was safe to be hit.
I was pretty bruised, but I wouldn't need to be bedridden.
Anyway.
Through this process, I achieved what I wanted.
[Mind's Eye]
[Lv 2/10 ■■■■■□□□□□]
[22% Resistance to Illusions & 22% Chance to See Through Opponent's Movements & Sixth Sense Activation]
The level finally went up.
It seemed to increase by 6% per level, which would eventually reach 70%.
When exchanging three or four blows per second,
predicting the opponent's movements two out of three times is a truly incredible effect.
Of course, if the opponent also has Mind's Eye, they'd cancel each other out.
But until I face the other Hero candidates, I can make good use of it.
[Spirit Affinity (Low)]
[Lv 2/10 ■■■□□□□□□□]
[Wind Spirit (Low) Exp 9450/9999]
My Spirit Affinity had also leveled up.
The weasel also gained a fair amount of experience. It would probably advance to the intermediate level soon.
[Achievement Unlocked: Indomitable Fighting Spirit]
[Reward: +10,000 Achievement Points]
[Achievement Unlocked: Courage to Face a Strong Foe]
[Reward: +10,000 Achievement Points]
[Achievement Unlocked: Unyielding Perseverance]
[Reward: +10,000 Achievement Points]
As if it were a bonus service.
The system window handed over the Achievement Points.
This makes getting beaten up worthwhile.
I was beaten badly, but in the end, I was the one who won.
I won. I won!
Just as I was claiming a mental victory to soothe the pain of my injuries,
“There's something that bothers me. I'd like to give you a piece of advice.”
Largo frowned, looking at Aruru.
My little cutie was still curled up, lost in dreamland.
“I know your situation, but it seems like you're hiding behind the girls' skirts…”
“…”
“Never mind. I shouldn't have said anything. Just forget it.”
He turned sharply and walked out.
What on earth was he trying to say?
It was true that I was receiving help from Ceria, Aruru, and Chloe.
Huh? What's wrong with that?
It would be one thing if I relied on them completely,
but I was sparing no effort to become stronger in my own way.
My conscience is clear.
There are a few things that bother me, but anyway, that's right!
A thought suddenly occurred to me.
I think I know what Largo really meant.
You, you bastard…
You were that jealous of me, weren't you?
Getting along so well with the girls.
He was definitely grumbling because he was jealous of me.
With this, the winner and loser were clearly decided.
I won, not just a mental victory, but in the truest sense.
Just having a lovely fiancée already makes me a winner in life.
“…”
Separate from that, it still hurt.
I should wake Aruru up quickly and get treated.