Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The New President
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'Where did that come from?'
I managed to block the sword strike instinctively, but I was inwardly shocked.
I had never expected a secret technique of the Riverune family to emerge from a prince of the Vertos Empire.
And it wasn't just an imitation of the swordsmanship; it was the genuine Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword, perfectly mastered with the Wheel Energy Arts.
*Claaang!*
'Ugh!'
Even though it was only the first form, the power of the Heaven-Severing Single Flash was immense.
"Oh? You blocked that?"
As I forcefully deflected the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword, Frantz let out a low gasp of surprise.
'Seriously, this guy?'
I'm the original user of this, you know?
Of course, I didn't create it, but I was supposed to be the next head of the Riverune family.
And here he was, looking triumphant after using another family's secret technique.
The sight was so infuriating I could barely watch.
Seeing the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword unfold in the hands of some other guy made my stomach twist.
In truth, my anger wasn't directed at the 2nd Prince.
I was simply lamenting the state of my family that had led to this.
"This was originally a gift for that Ellington fellow, but I didn't expect you to be the one to receive it."
"So you were hiding a trick up your sleeve too."
"Of course. Who would be foolish enough to give their all in every situation?"
The 2nd Prince slowly circled the tip of his sword and pointed it at me.
It seemed he was taking a jab at how I had handled everything during the Physics Branch subjugation mission.
'Wow! Look at this guy changing his tune. Back then, he was too scared to do anything.'
I stared at him with an incredulous look, but Frantz seemed completely oblivious to the meaning behind my gaze.
He was simply enjoying the moment, believing he had the upper hand.
"I know Ellington used the Wave Knight Sword. But what is that?"
I feigned ignorance and threw out the question.
I did so while intentionally showing that I was well-acquainted with the Divine Grand Warrior Myrden's Wave Knight Sword.
The 2nd Prince, looking surprised, lifted his chin and replied.
"You know a lot for a swordsmanship novice. Heh! Even so, you could never know the origin of this sword art."
No, I know a hell of a lot more than you do, you bastard.
I suppressed the urge to smash my fist into Frantz's face and gave a light shrug.
'Right. You're right about everything. So cut the crap and just tell me how you learned it.'
That was the meaning behind my gesture.
And just as I'd intended, the 2nd Prince was about to divulge something.
"Long ago, the one who commanded the continent..."
But the 2nd Prince suddenly cut himself off and glanced at the VIP seats.
And then he suddenly clammed up.
'Hey, who just stops in the middle of a sentence?!'
I screamed inwardly, but Frantz immediately changed the subject.
"I don't think you need to know. If you come under my command and pledge your loyalty, perhaps I might tell you?"
Wow! This cheap bastard.
To get my hopes up and then just cut it off like that.
He was undoubtedly a demonic master who had long practiced the art of the cliffhanger.
Cursing inwardly, I raised my sword and muttered softly.
"Not a very tempting offer."
"Once you experience this sword art properly, you'll change your mind. Hah!"
*Clang—! Crash!*
The 2nd Prince unleashed the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword, pressing me from all directions.
At first, he only used the first form, but he was gradually moving to the next stage.
The Heaven-Severing Meteor Shower, which practically turned the area in front of him into a honeycomb.
It was incredibly difficult to block, which was why I had favored this form in my past life.
*Fwoosh—! Shwoooooo!*
The blue flash fired from the tip of Frantz's sword left two tails in the air.
The flying mist of light erupted with a white glow and exploded...
*Craaaash!*
Or it was about to, but with a loud roar, it was slammed straight into the ground.
I had struck it down before it could explode.
'How could I not block it when you use it so predictably?'
The Heaven-Severing Meteor Shower was at its weakest right before activation.
If you applied impact at that moment, it wasn't very difficult to neutralize.
That was why the masters of Riverune tried to compensate for this weakness in various ways.
Such as detonating it early, or hiding another Heaven-Severing Meteor Shower behind the first mist of light.
But there was no way a guy who had just recently learned the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword would know that.
"Huh..."
The 2nd Prince looked slightly shocked.
He seemed to have never dreamed that his ultimate strike would be shattered so easily.
Moreover, the Heaven-Severing Meteor Shower was one of the forms that consumed an extreme amount of aura.
Having expended so much power for nothing, it was understandable he'd feel empty.
'But this is no time to be standing around, is it?'
Powerful techniques always carry the risk of failure.
And this was the moment when his opening was most exposed.
*Swish—! Clang! Thwack!*
"Ugh!"
When I unleashed the second form of the Imperial Sound Lock Sword's mid-sequence, Extreme Cold Pursuit, the follow-up attack landed squarely.
Even though I had mastered the same sword art more deeply, Frantz couldn't completely block the strike.
'That's what you get for being so dazed. You saw it coming and still got hit.'
I sneered at him and began to unleash a relentless assault.
*Clang! Clang!*
It was true that my opponent could use stronger techniques than me.
But what if I made it so he couldn't even attempt to use them?
Faced with my tightly woven swordsmanship, the 2nd Prince was completely overwhelmed.
Because once I had the advantage, I pressed forward without giving him an inch.
*Crack! Thwack!*
"Gah!"
Soon, Frantz was staggering like a drunkard, allowing several more strikes to land.
My intention to wear him down had worked perfectly.
But my opponent was someone who had trained with the sword for a long time.
'It's not over until it's over.'
I maintained my focus until the very end.
And just as I expected, something brilliant burst forth from around the staggering 2nd Prince's waist.
*Pshhhk!*
A blue flash erupted with a sound like escaping steam.
The immense energy erupting from the tip of his sword split the air.
'This is... a perfect Heaven-Severing Lunar Eclipse.'
Until now, I thought it was possible he had learned it on his own to some extent.
With Frantz's talent, he could have performed it just by reading a manual.
But the moment I saw the third form of the Heaven-Severing Nine Harmony Sword, a suspicion that had been stirring in the back of my mind reared its head.
It was now certain that a survivor from Riverune was at the 2nd Prince's side.
'Grasping its true essence isn't as easy as it sounds.'
Of course, perhaps because he still lacked proficiency, it wasn't difficult to dodge.
The guy had merely manifested the Heaven-Severing Lunar Eclipse; he hadn't perfected the optimal sword path.
To execute it properly, you have to slash upward diagonally. That's the key.
*Tat! Swish!*
"W-wait..."
As I dodged the blue flash and rapidly closed in, Frantz tried to shout urgently.
He had just used the Heaven-Severing Meteor Shower and the Heaven-Severing Lunar Eclipse in quick succession.
And a high-level sword art he wasn't even that familiar with, at that.
There was no way his body was in a normal state.
'Trying to forfeit like a coward?'
Seeing through the 2nd Prince's intentions, I swung the training sword violently.
*Thwack! Thwack!*
"Ugh, aaargh!"
Because I didn't infuse it with aura, it made a sound like a drum bursting.
I beat Frantz absolutely mercilessly.
Until the referee, realizing the gravity of the situation, ran over to stop me.
'You thieving bastard!'
Of course, I had no intention of stopping.
This is the price for stealing and learning my family's sword art!
* * *
After the final match ended, the chaotic arena was quickly put in order.
But the strange excitement from the unexpected result did not subside.
In particular, the group of capital nobles under the 2nd Prince stared at me as if I were some kind of traitor.
'What do you want me to do about it? If you don't like it, you should've won.'
It goes without saying, but the jealousy of guys like that didn't affect me in the slightest.
"We will now begin the student council president appointment ceremony. The winner of the selection tournament, Ray Carter, please come up to the stage."
Godard, the head teaching assistant who had been acting as the referee, now transformed into an MC and quieted the restless atmosphere.
As the award and appointment ceremony began, the gazes directed at me were finally withdrawn.
Because the Empress had stepped onto the stage.
Taking the trophy and insignia from the dean of the Knight Faculty, she gave a gentle smile.
The trophy was in the shape of a golden sword embedded upside down, and it looked quite heavy.
"Student Ray Carter, I have seen your outstanding skills. I hope you will continue to strive and enhance the prestige of this academy."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
I offered a greeting naturally, following imperial etiquette.
The Empress's eyebrows raised slightly.
She probably never imagined that a mere merchant's son would have mastered such perfect etiquette.
Before I knew it, her eyes were filled with interest.
'I hope you're not looking at me that way. The age gap is huge.'
I made a silly remark inwardly and smiled back at her.
Marie Melies pinned the insignia on my arm.
As I held the heavy trophy in my hand, my smile couldn't help but deepen.
'It's pure gold!'
Naturally, I was excited at the thought of selling it.
Soon, Head Assistant Godard continued with the order of the ceremony.
"Next, we will have the inaugural address from the student council president."
I gave a slight bow to the Empress, then turned to face the students.
'Ooh! Looking down from up here makes me feel like I'm ruling over them.'
Just then, a cool breeze blew, fluttering the insignia on my left arm.
"Giving an inaugural address right after winning the tournament is a bit bewildering. I am well aware of your concerns. A nobody has taken the seat of student council president, so you must be worried."
Was that too honest a remark?
As if I'd hit the nail on the head, a few students' gazes drifted aimlessly toward the distant mountains.
Seeing their reaction, I gave a meaningful smile and said.
"To dispel those concerns, I intend to appoint their highnesses, the princes, as vice presidents. With such a measure, shouldn't I be able to earn the trust of you, the students?"
Almost immediately, positive voices emerged.
"A sound judgment. If he can't give up the president's seat, that's the least he can do."
"Since their highnesses the princes took second and third place anyway, there can be no objections."
"He might be more reliable than he looks?"
As public opinion improved, I nodded and prepared to continue my address.
"Since I've become the student council president, I will make good use of... I mean, I will cooperate closely with the vice presidents to lead the student council well."
I paused for a moment and glanced at the VIP seats.
I saw Khairam's worried face, her hand on her forehead.
"Hah! That boy can't change his ways..."