Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Mastermind of the S-Class League (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ilensia’s body trembled.
*No, why doesn’t he understand how I feel!*
She glared at me resentfully, as if thinking just that.
Again, it was an incomprehensible reaction.
It was as if she expected every man in the world to cater to her every whim.
They say her considerable following had made her conceited.
Given her elven beauty, it wasn't particularly surprising.
The problem was that the female students around me were no less beautiful.
Ceria and Aruru needed no mention.
Esterize was a princess, and Saintess Luciel was literally holy.
They were all on a level that transcended mere preference.
Ilensia was so stereotypically elven that she actually felt plain in comparison.
Outstanding beauty, yet no charm.
A phenomenon bordering on a contradiction had occurred.
Hmm, maybe it’s because our first meeting started with a kidnapping?
“Why didn’t you come see me?”
The elf girl asked sharply again.
I had promised to learn Spirit Swordsmanship from her last time.
It was obvious she had been eagerly awaiting my visit.
How would she react if I told her I’d forgotten?
For some reason, I wanted to tease her, but provoking her further seemed likely to lower her affection for me.
I needed to secure that trait reward if possible.
Feeling I had no other choice, I tried to placate her.
“I was planning to visit next month.”
“Next month? That’s too late!”
“How could I disturb someone right before a tournament? The tournament is today…”
“You were thinking of my situation?”
“Well, something like that.”
“Hmm…”
She nodded, as if my point had some merit.
*Seriously, what’s with her confidence when she’s a candidate for last place?*
Happiness may not be determined by grades, but finishing dead last should certainly warrant some self-reflection.
“Can I look forward to your performance in this tournament?”
“O-Of course!”
“If you show me a disappointing performance, I might change my mind…”
“—!”
She flinched involuntarily.
Not even a hint of a bluff escaped her lips.
At this point, I was actually starting to worry.
*You didn't train at all, you just played around, didn't you?*
As I stared at her with a look of pity, she retorted defensively.
“Ugh, so what if I get good results! I’ll show you the true greatness of Spirit Swordsmanship!”
Trying to force it would be useless.
A wriggling worm is still just a worm.
I said the exact opposite of what I was thinking.
“Alright, I’ll believe in you.”
“—??”
“I’m sure you can do it.”
“…”
*Ah, I didn’t expect him to say that…*
*What do I do? The pressure is so intense it feels weird!*
Ilensia was thrown into a state of confusion.
In truth, this was also part of my plan.
Under this pressure, she wouldn't be able to perform at her best.
She would end up in last place in the tournament.
She would be dejected and at a loss.
That’s when I would go and console her.
—*Even though you lost, you still fought well.*
—*I’ve only just now realized the splendor of Spirit Swordsmanship.*
Whispering things like that would likely raise her affection for me quite a bit.
I'd learn the swordsmanship and raise her affection to get the trait…
“…”
Though I didn't particularly want to go that far.
It was the best way to handle this burdensome girl.
As Ilensia barely managed to regain her composure.
Esterize readily offered her one of Aruru's snacks.
“You must be thirsty. Have this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Try this too. It’s really delicious.”
“—??”
Her reaction was one of bewilderment.
But as if she wouldn't refuse a gift, she accepted and ate everything.
*What is the princess up to?*
*How does she plan to handle our little one’s wrath…*
That question was answered soon enough.
The girl’s scheme was terrifyingly clever.
“There, now you’re an accomplice.”
“What?”
“Those were Aruru’s snacks.”
“—!”
“Hey, no need to be so scared. Anyway, let’s get through this together.”
The wider the princess’s smile grew.
The stranger the elf girl’s expression became.
*Hmm, is this what they call royal politics?*
It was the kind of highly engineered trap one simply had to acknowledge.
It seemed like an unjust act, but perhaps the princess’s standards were a bit different?
“Ugh, this is why humans are…!”
*I don’t know anything!*
*I have to get out of here!*
With that thought, she hastily disappeared.
It was only natural for her to be terrified, with Aruru being her natural enemy.
As her accomplice fled, Esterize smacked her lips as if disappointed.
“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…”
*Because you’re a little weird too!*
If learning this side of her was a gain, then I suppose it was a gain.
Anyway.
The first match of the S-Class League was finally beginning.
We stopped talking and watched the contestants.
Aruru was summoning spirits.
There were only four of them, but that just showed how serious she was.
Water, fire, wind, and earth.
Her intention was to focus her power on the four high-level spirits of each element.
It was a very wise decision.
Her opponent was formidable; lesser spirits would be useless.
The spirits’ appearances were irregular.
They changed according to Aruru’s mood.
This time, they all took the form of giants.
They stood nearly four meters tall, exuding a terrifying pressure.
Even those who couldn’t see spirits held their breath at their presence.
Cedric arrogantly drew his sword.
Having faced Aruru many times, he showed no signs of wavering.
As befitting a child from a wealthy family, he possessed a magic sword.
Selling that alone would secure our little one’s food expenses for the next ten years.
Amidst the quiet standoff.
Aruru waved her arm as if giving a command.
*Thump! Thump-thump!*
The giants of fire and wind charged toward the enemy.
It was a charge so relentless it felt unfair.
Cedric held his ground and took a stance.
Mana began to churn around him.
As if to block the giants' assault, his magic sword began to glow.
A colossal clash of power.
A shockwave erupted, paralyzing the area with its roar alone.
Blazing flames were swept up in a gale.
It was practically no different from a natural disaster.
The combat prowess of the Hero candidates was on another level.
“…”
*Seriously, how am I supposed to handle that?*
I harbored that thought inwardly.
I had thought I could probably last thirty seconds against an S-Class now.
That was a clear misjudgment.
It still looked like I'd be taken out in one hit.
It probably wasn't quite that bad, but they were just that overwhelming.
“A light clash to start. A probing attack, perhaps?”
“…”
The princess tilted her head as she provided commentary.
I was once again reminded that she, too, was a terrifying existence.
Even the most manageable of them, the elf girl, was on their level.
And yet I had the audacity to scold them…
It was too late to change that relationship now.
The best course of action was to stick with the concept, just like the original Jace.
Everyone believed I would soon regain my strength.
If that were impossible it'd be one thing, but it was actually happening.
I just had to wait a little longer.
After I dominate the A-Class next quarter.
By the time next year comes, I'll be nearly on par with the Hero candidates.
“Nothing’s changed from before.”
“Right? That’s what I think too.”
I feigned composure.
I chimed in every time the princess offered her analysis.
Perhaps my dependable appearance was the reason.
Ceria gave a faint smile.
For her sake, I had to channel my inner bluffer.
“Aruru really is amazing. He can’t break through at all.”
The flow of the match was tense.
A spirit user is, in a broader sense, a type of summoner.
They themselves only give commands while their spirits do the fighting.
Every time Cedric tried to move to target Aruru directly.
The high-level spirits blocked his path and unleashed attacks.
The giant burning with intense heat.
The giant raging like a storm.
The more I watched, the more marvelous their grandeur became.
I subconsciously glanced at the weasel and the baby phoenix perched on my shoulder.
*When will you two be like that?*
For a moment, the creatures protested.
I didn't quite understand them, but they seemed to be blaming their master's abilities.
*Alright. I'll work hard too, so you two hurry up and ascend to mid-level spirits.*
*Swish.*
In an instant, a giant’s arms and legs were severed from its torso.
Cedric had started using his techniques in earnest.
The combination of sword and magic was no less impressive than the Unity of Sword and Self.
Though somewhat unorthodox, its sharp power was befitting of an S-Class.
The giants had taken significant damage.
But our little one’s expression didn't change in the slightest.
Soon, thanks to the water spirit’s healing ability, the giants’ arms and legs regenerated.
As if he expected it.
Cedric wore a displeased expression.
In turn, my mood became quite cheerful.
Anyway.
A swift, decisive victory was impossible from the start.
They were literally on the same level, so the winner and loser would only be decided after a battle to the very end.
Well, I was satisfied just knowing Aruru had the upper hand.
It looked like it would be a long fight, and in such a scenario, the spirit user had the advantage.
They chased and were chased, a fierce exchange of offense and defense.
A moment later, Cedric suddenly went for the kill.
He swung his magic sword, enchanted with high-level magic.
The wind spirit was temporarily neutralized by its effect.
This opened up a path to our little one.
“This could be a bit of a crisis.”
“I trust Aruru.”
“That attitude of trusting your comrade, I like it!”
“…”
A pet does not betray its master.
Since she said she was seriously aiming for first place, she was bound to show me something.
Cedric's surprise attack was incredibly fast.
But by a hair's breadth, the high-level earth spirit raised its guard.
Solid as a rock!
Why did that phrase suddenly come to mind?
It did bear some resemblance, being a rock giant.
What a truly majestic sight.
Its physical defense seemed to be close to a thousand.
Maybe it would suddenly crash into him like a car accident?
Cedric desperately used every technique he had.
Malph… no, the giant's body began to crumble bit by bit.
Why?
Why wasn't the tank doing its job as a tank?
Then I remembered Cedric’s specialty.
As a magic swordsman, his damage was half physical, half magical. That cheap bastard!
Still, it was fine for now.
The water spirit was providing support, allowing it to hold on tenaciously.
Aruru smiled, as if to say it was no use.
Unlike usual, her smile had a strong hint of derision, but even that was just adorable.
“It’s over. There’s no way out for him now.”
“He’s about to be surrounded.”
“Yep. His stamina and mana will be depleted in no time.”
The giants of fire and wind had moved to Cedric’s rear.
The earth spirit stood firm in front of him.
A perfect setup to gang up on him.
It looked difficult for him to even escape, let alone counterattack.
Though they had form, spirits were fundamentally formless beings.
A spirit user could expand their domain as much as their ability allowed.
Just as the spirits’ encirclement was about to complete.
Cedric's magic sword erupted, unleashing a foreign power.
Darkness. It was an aura that felt somewhat malevolent.
It was close to a finishing move, one that combined the destructive power of black magic.
“Wow, he was hiding power like that.”
“…”
Black magic itself wasn't an issue.
But because the user was such a jerk, he just came across as a bad guy.
Well, from my perspective, he was a villain of the highest order.
He could probably rival the Demon King's Army.
Anyway.
The force of the attack half-obliterated the form of the burning giant.
It was a blow that dealt significant damage to the spirit.
Enough to make Aruru narrow her brow.
Of course, the one who took the most damage was he himself.
Cedric's face contorted horribly.
Perhaps from the strain. He was biting his lip so hard to endure the pain.
“I admit defeat.”
He finally declared his loss.
If it had been a single match, he would have kept fighting.
But given the nature of a league tournament, he had to conserve his strength.
With eight matches still remaining, managing his power was crucial.
With this, Cedric’s momentum was broken right from the start.
Aruru had also used a fair bit of energy, but she would recover quickly if I played with her.
“I won and I’m back!”
The girl’s voice was as cheerful as ever.
Not content with just jumping up and down, she threw herself at me.
I calmly caught Aruru and gently stroked her head.
“How was I?”
“You exceeded my expectations. It was worth cheering for you.”
“Heehee, you can count on me!”
The match had made one thing perfectly clear.
I still had a long way to go to reach the strength of the Hero candidates.
I could have felt daunted, but instead, my spirits soared.
Aruru and Esterize.
Having the top S-Class students on my side was reassuring. However…
“Hello, Aruru. I enjoyed the match. Actually, I have something to confess…”
“As long as you didn’t steal my snacks, I’ll forgive you for anything.”
“…”
“…”
“I’m sorry!”
“Is that a declaration of war? Should I take it as such?”
“No, that’s not it, I just…”
“—!”
“Aah, don’t bite me!”
And so, the girls’ war began.
Unfortunately, I was powerless to stop it.
*Pay me back tenfold! Then I’ll spare your life!*
Our little one threatened, baring her teeth.
The scene soon devolved into chaos.
But as long as I kept my head on straight, everything would be resolved just fine.