Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Unwanted Suitors
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"It broke through... the iron bars?"
A swipe of its sharp foreleg sliced clean through a thick iron pillar.
The cage was designed to withstand immense impact, yet it shattered in a single blow.
"Gasp!"
"I-It's climbing out!"
The area outside the arena instantly descended into chaos.
Anyone unlucky enough to be close by could meet a gruesome end.
But it wasn't enough to make them faint from shock.
They figured the Blue Tower mages would cast control spells, so they just needed to keep a safe distance.
But then, at that very moment.
"Th-The control spells aren't working!"
A mage's panicked voice echoed through the arena.
Judging by Anselm's expression, the situation was more serious than expected.
"Seriously? What's with this shoddy construction?"
I let out a hollow laugh, watching the Crown Arachne, which was already halfway out of the arena.
But just as the beast was about to slip out of the cage.
Something unexpected happened.
*CRUUUNCH!*
A deafening roar accompanied a powerful impact on the iron bars, and the Crown Arachne was forced back inside.
In fact, it wasn't so much returning on its own as being violently shoved back in.
*KABOOM! SWOOOOSH! THUD!*
Another explosion erupted from the ceiling, and the giant spider's body plummeted to the ground.
"Ugh!"
It just had to fall right in the center. I quickly threw myself aside to dodge the Crown Arachne's massive body.
I glanced outside the cage and saw a rather familiar silhouette appear.
Wavy, salt-and-pepper black hair and a large scar crossing his face.
The one who had struck the Crown Arachne was none other than Vice Chancellor Sibas.
He was sheathing his sword, a smirk twisting his lips.
*'Is he telling me to take care of it myself?'*
Reading the meaning in Hol Sibas's gaze, I turned my attention to the druid.
Just then, clouds of dust were billowing up from where the creature had landed.
It was the perfect moment to finish it off without anyone noticing.
"I don't much like being a chess piece, but I'll live up to expectations."
With a smirk, I leaped straight into the cloud of dust.
"Hup!"
*Vwooom!*
With a short cry, I unleashed my Demonic Soul, and the Black Dragon Sword let out a resonant hum.
At the same time, gray spheres spread out in all directions.
Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits.
*Th-th-th-thump!*
The gray spheres began to rush toward a single point.
There was no need to search for a hidden target this time, so I immediately directed them to attack.
*BOOM! CRACK! SHATTER!*
Soon, with a series of terrifying explosions, the Crown Arachne's entire body was being torn to shreds.
I didn't just send the gray spheres of the Heaven-Severing Myriad Spirits; I continuously swung the Black Dragon Sword as well.
By imbuing my sword strikes with the gray spheres, I could unleash a much more powerful attack.
This was all possible because my mastery of the Heaven-Severing Demonic Chain Sword was growing.
*SWOOSH! KABOOM!*
After a brief pause, a deafening roar erupted from within the dust cloud.
I retreated and rejoined my team members.
That was as much of my true power as I could display with our vision obscured.
*Swoooosh!*
After a short wait, a breeze blew away the remaining dust.
It revealed the gruesome sight of the Crown Arachne, overturned with its legs curled up tightly.
*Crack! Crackle!*
A moment later, enveloped in a silvery mist, the druid began to revert to its original form.
Its rampage had stopped, and it was turning back into a complete human.
There was only one reason for the creature to do this.
"I-It's dead?"
"Crazy! They took down that huge monster with just ten people?"
"Team 2 did well, but wasn't it the Student Council President's influence that really made the difference in the end?"
"Yeah. From the moment it went berserk, the president did everything."
As soon as the battle ended, the astonished voices of the students could be heard.
With the Crown Arachne defeated, the evacuation was called off.
*Shing!*
Flicking my Black Dragon Sword clean, I stared up at the ceiling.
Hol Sibas was still looking down at the arena.
*'You satisfied?'*
I met the Vice Chancellor's gaze calmly and shrugged.
***
With Team 2's defeat of the Crown Arachne, the joint training came to an end.
The training probably would have ended even if there had been more 'teaching materials'.
No sane student would have dared to challenge such a monster.
The awards ceremony was also unceremoniously canceled due to the destroyed arena.
The atmosphere was hardly celebratory, so the Chancellor made the decision.
"Ahh! Still, they look good all lined up like this."
After the joint training, I returned to the Student Council President's office and added another trophy to the display case.
Placed next to the others I'd received, it seemed to shine even brighter.
"Isn't this a bit too extravagant?"
Frixon couldn't close his gaping mouth as he looked around the office, which was filled with splendid decorations.
I'd spent a ton of money not just on the display case, but on every corner of the room.
Not my money, of course. It was from the Venderford stipend for maintaining the dignity of the Student Council President.
"This is just the basics. You need this to maintain a sense of dignity."
"Dignity should come from the person, not the room."
"If you're just going to spout nonsense, get out. What are you doing here anyway?"
"What about you? What are you doing in the office this late at night? Miss Adel and Mac do all the student council work anyway."
"Hey! Watch your mouth. I work hard too. Ever heard of directing and supervising?"
"Like you'd ever do that."
Frixon shook his head and tapped the high-quality wooden desk, imported from Troven.
*'Looks like he has something to say.'*
I saw right through his behavior.
There'd be no other reason for him to visit the president's office this late.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't beat around the bush and make things awkward."
"Hey! When did I ever..."
"Then can I go up to my room?"
"No, wait. Why are you in such a hurry?"
As I abruptly tried to leave, Frixon shot up from his seat and quickly grabbed me.
Finally, he scratched his cheek and revealed his true intentions.
"I was just wondering if you had any plans for the break."
"Break?"
"The break starts right after the final evaluations, right?"
"I know. Why the sudden question?"
"If you have time... would you like to visit Poven?"
"Hey, me with another guy... Wait, Poven?"
"Yeah."
Venderford's break happened once a year and lasted for three months.
The duration was set generously, as many students had homes that were far away.
*'Come to think of it, if I go through Poven, I might be able to find the Tomb of Swords.'*
Poven was a trade city that actively engaged with places like Reilhash and Corint.
Not only could I find a clue, but I could also cross over to Reilhash without raising any suspicion.
That is, if I had Frixon's help.
*'I was a little worried about sending Abigail alone. This works out perfectly. I should go myself.'*
I nodded deeply, then stared intently at his face.
I was curious why he was making such an out-of-the-blue offer.
"But why the sudden invitation?"
"My father is the type to worry a lot."
Frixon scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.
It seemed he wanted to show his family that he was adjusting well.
Bringing a friend along would be more convincing than just telling them.
"Really? Then I guess I could stop by."
"Are you sure? It's in the complete opposite direction of the Four Quarters."
"I'm pretty much an outcast at home anyway."
I shrugged, thinking of the Head and the Acting Head back on Black Scale Island.
It wasn't far from the truth, either.
*Knock, knock.*
Just as I was giving Frixon a willing nod, a knock came from the door.
"Looks like you have a visitor. Anyway, thanks. I'll treat you handsomely when you come to Poven."
"Yeah. I'll look forward to it."
With that, he left the office with a bright expression.
The next person to visit me was Ellington, looking slightly displeased.
"You've finally arrived."
I welcomed the third prince with open arms and a satisfied smile.
After all, he owed me something.
"I was debating whether I should even keep my promise."
"Why?"
"In the end, you were the one who got all the attention, not me."
"So? Frankly, I should be getting a bigger reward for this. If I hadn't stepped in, everyone would have died."
"The control spells would have..."
"Didn't you hear they stopped working when the druid went berserk?"
As I pressed him sharply, Ellington raised his hands lightly.
It was a gesture to calm down, a sign that he understood.
*'See? When you're at a disadvantage, the best defense is a good offense.'*
In truth, the third prince hadn't gained much from this joint training exercise.
Although he managed to get first place, the spotlight he'd hoped for was focused entirely on me.
*'Honestly, it must be a shame for him.'*
In any case, a deal was a deal.
I held out my hand expectantly, as if to say 'no way'.
I was about to tell him to hurry up and fulfill his promise.
"H-..."
*Clasp!*
Suddenly, someone burst through the open door and grabbed my outstretched hand.
The third prince and I turned to look, dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of this person.
"Franz?"
"What are you doing here?"
Shouldn't he be off somewhere sulking with the other well-born idiots?
I tilted my head and gave him a look that said as much, but the second prince just lifted his chin shamelessly.
"I don't know what was promised, but I will be the one to fulfill the contract."
"What is this nonsense all of a sudden?"
"It means you should stand by my side, not his."
It seemed Franz had completely misunderstood my relationship with Ellington.
He thought I'd made some kind of secret deal to become his subordinate.
But I have no intention of doing that yet.
*'I need to weigh my options and milk this for all it's worth. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?'*
It's going to keep laying golden eggs for a while.
With a calm expression, I corrected Franz's misunderstanding.
"We're not that close. I was simply promised compensation for supporting him in the joint training."
"Ah, so that's what it was?"
"So let go of my hand, will you? Before I kill you."
"Even for the Student Council President, that's harsh. I am the Vice President, you know."
"And who was it that appointed you?"
"Ahem!"
The second prince sheepishly let go of my hand and cleared his throat.
He'd realized where the power in the student council truly lay.
Then he suddenly lifted his head, his eyes shining.
"Surely you haven't scheduled your support for the next event, have you? I'll promise you ample compensation, so I'd like to book you first."
"What are you talking about? My business with him isn't even finished yet!"
"It's over once you pay him, isn't it? This time, I'm first."
"Where is that written? Make an appointment and come back later."
"We're already in the middle of a discussion, so I can't do that."
"You can just interrupt it!"
The two princes began to bicker right in front of me.
It was like watching children squabbling over who gets a toy first.
*'What is this?'*
Watching them with a look of disbelief, I brought a hand to my forehead.
Their argument showed no signs of ending.
"Both of you, get out!"
I immediately snatched the Goddess's Tear and drove the two princes outside.
*Thwack!*
"Ack!"
"Ugh!"
Kicked in the rear, Franz and Ellington went tumbling down the hallway together.
*'Getting courted by a bunch of guys!'*
Sigh! I almost blew my whole mission to hell.