Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: About My Disciple Being a Genius (8)
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The Fighting Ghost swallowed its humiliation and retreated.
It couldn't overcome Hans's overwhelming presence. Everyone in the refugee camp praised Hans for his victory over the Fighting Ghost. In truth, Hans had never shown his full power to the entire group before.
Only a handful of soldiers had witnessed the Blade Wolf attack. Just two people had seen him take down the Gourmet Eater. That was why some folks hadn't fully trusted Hans.
But today, those doubts were utterly shattered. The low-grade monster Minotaur that everyone had initially dismissed. Of course, no one would dare claim a Minotaur was weak.
Its brute nature meant it just charged headlong, making countermeasures easier compared to other monsters—it was a fact. So the more experienced soldiers had mocked Hans for overreacting.
At least until they'd seen the fight for themselves.
The creature known as the Fighting Ghost dispatched three soldiers in an instant, broadcasting its overwhelming power far and wide. Naturally, the soldiers weren't the only ones overwhelmed—even Andrew was.
It felt like standing before a predator. No one dared move a muscle. But amid that frozen terror, one man acted alone. That was Hans. He strode forward with unwavering confidence.
And with every ounce of his strength, he battled the monster—and won. Everyone bore witness to Hans's victory. Right there before the eyes of the entire refugee camp, he had finally proven his true capabilities.
"To think such a monster existed..."
Andrew, utterly crushed by its aura, let out a hollow chuckle. He was a renowned knight in his own right, and his skills even now held up against any active-duty knight.
But even he couldn't track Hans's movements with his eyes. It was a speed no eye could follow. Yet it wasn't mere speed. There was real technique behind it.
Hans had cleverly severed only the monster's tendons to subdue it. A flawless masterpiece of experience and skill. Who could've guessed that the ugly duckling Hans was hiding power like that?
He must've handled the Gourmet Eater the same way. It was surprise after surprise. A Minotaur with demon-level strength. And Hans subduing it with ease.
"If Hans hadn't been here, we might've really been wiped out."
Times change. No matter how hard you try your best, late bloomers surpass their seniors with ease. That was the world they lived in. And Andrew suddenly became acutely aware of it.
[It wasn't cutting tendons! That was just paralysis poison!]
Of course, if Hans had overheard, he'd have immediately recoiled and set the record straight. He felt an immense burden from being treated like some powerhouse. All because of the expectations.
Hans's goal from the start was finding a way back to his original world, no matter what. Naturally, wandering the world meant clashes were inevitable, so he trained for that. Nothing more.
But if people overhyped him as stronger than he was, he'd end up facing monsters even tougher than himself. That was the last thing Hans wanted.
Unfortunately for him, Andrew just swallowed his thoughts, denying Hans any chance to correct the record.
"Quorens, you okay?"
"...Margaret."
"Your face is pale as a ghost."
"I'm fine."
If Margaret hadn't shaken his shoulder, Quorens might still be reeling from the shock. It was his first time facing a monster with demon-like power head-on.
Those with rich combat experience could gauge an opponent's strength without fighting. And in Quorens's mind, clashing directly with that thing...
It always ended with him reduced to a pile of meat. He, who'd risen to the rank of Royal Knights candidate. Sure, some monsters were strong.
But the Fighting Ghost was fundamentally different. It wasn't some mindless brute swinging raw power. It wielded strength honed to its limits, like a knight.
"Still, what a relief. The boss took it down."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. We both made it out alive, didn't we?"
"..."
Tears finally spilled from her eyes, after holding back for so long. She'd always hidden it behind a bright smile, but Quorens knew. How deep her grief ran for losing her hometown and family.
Training in the capital, Quorens had come to bitterly realize how precious his own family and friends back home were. But when he finally finished training and returned...
It was too late. All that remained were the ashes of his hometown and the bones of his family, friends, and neighbors. Lost in dreams of glory and honor, he'd failed to protect what truly mattered.
If Margaret, the sole survivor, hadn't stayed by his side... Quorens would've crumbled in despair. But because something precious remained, he rose again.
'But boss... you...'
[Monsters beyond imagination are already crawling all over the world.]
The boss had once said something to that effect. Quorens had dismissed it as mere intimidation back then. But no. He knew about the Fighting Ghost—something no one else did.
That meant the boss had truly fought monsters beyond imagination. That's why he could face a demon-powered beast so calmly.
Come to think of it, no one knew a thing about Hans's past. One day, he was just there in the village. What had he been through? Impossible to say.
But he was no villain.
Quorens had seen it with his own eyes. Unlike the others, he'd clearly witnessed it: Hans standing firm, not retreating, protecting the child behind him by confronting it head-on.
Could he do the same in that situation? With Margaret at his back, fighting that Fighting Ghost to protect her—could he have pulled it off?
'My eyes didn't deceive me.'
Back when he'd faced the Gourmet Eater. The overwhelming display. Quorens had glimpsed the makings of a Royal Knight in that. And today, it became conviction.
'The boss is on par with a Royal Knight.'
[Who the hell are you swooning in front of? Couples should all die!]
Of course, if Hans heard that, he'd flip him off and unleash a torrent of curses. From Hans's perspective, Quorens's thoughts were pure cringe.
Without his time-stop ability, he'd lose to Quorens hands down. At least that's how Hans saw it. And yet, the kid had his childhood friend tagging along?
Calling him Royal Knight level? Who was he mocking? How was that any different from simping over [Is it okay that I finally pulled this after 10 years?]?
'I couldn't do a damn thing.'
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't accept her teacher being disrespected. So she got angry. But the result was devastating. Kneeling before overwhelming power.
If she'd been alone then, Helia would've surely died by its hand. But ironically, the one who saved her was her teacher. She hated her own weakness.
She loathed her frailty. But what burned hottest was her own helplessness when her teacher suffered that outrageous humiliation—unable to do a thing.
"Teacher's unflinching figure... it was so cool..."
Just thinking about it sent a hot spark through her red eyes. Of all people, it was her teacher. He had to know she was behind him.
Yet he didn't back down—he fought. To protect Helia, herself. Like a prince from a fairy tale. If so, then she was the princess in the story...
"Kyaaaah♡"
The mere fantasy set her body ablaze. But her mind raced further, unheeding. Could she really be satisfied with that?
No way in hell.
She didn't want to be a burden to her teacher forever.
Rather than a princess saved by a knight...
She wanted to be a princess who protected her knight.
This wouldn't do. She couldn't be content just being protected by her teacher. She had to grow far stronger. Until the day she could shield him. Then maybe she could say it.
The clash between the Fighting Ghost and Hans left a profound impact on everyone. Most praised Hans. Some felt inferiority. Others awe. And some awakened to their own feelings.
And the man at the center of it all? Hans was...
"Nice. My gut's really starting to shrink."
...back in his hut, checking his own body fat. His relentless training was finally bearing fruit. And maybe because he'd pushed to the limit against the Fighting Ghost three days ago?
Hans now noticeably leaner. His belly was still pudgy, sure. But far from the middle-aged tadpole gut. His cheeks had slimmed down too.
"Keep this up, and diet success is right around the corner."
No matter what others thought. He only cared about the diet. Because that's how he'd erase that utterly repulsive image of the Time Stop Breeding Uncle.