Episode 9. Wait a minute. This isn’t it! (2)
Jenny’s mind spun quickly. As if trying to perceive the recent events as slowly as possible, time seemed to pause.
The wooden sword had broken. It was already the second time this had happened.
Radon Crowler, why was someone with such skill placed in class C? Was there an issue during the class placement test?
Of course, the technique he just used was more like a fake. A tactical move to mislead and lull the opponent into complacency. Such an unconventional swordplay had never been experienced before.
Thanks to this, there was room for excuses. However, a serious situation that could not be covered up was unfolding before her eyes.
“It’s just like back then…”
The fact that her sword was defeated by a mere fishing rod. No matter how she thought about it, it was strange.
Every time she sparred with him, she felt an eerie sensation.
Even by the lakeside. It felt like facing a greatsword disguised as a fishing rod.
“What kind of swordsmanship is this, anyway?”
A fishing rod felt like a greatsword. However, it was impossible for Radon Crowler, a mere novice student, to achieve this with just skill.
She had heard it from her father before she even entered school. There were sword techniques that varied depending on the weapon wielded, and one should not overlook the opponent’s weapon.
“I completely forgot.”
Blinded by anger, she had forgotten the teachings. Although the questions seemed to be answered belatedly, there were still doubts.
If only she had mastered this peculiar swordsmanship, she could have been in class A.
“Why didn’t you come out like this before… Why didn’t you keep your promise!”
The more she thought about it, the more she couldn’t suppress her anger.
Having such unusual skills but hiding them, isn’t that absurd? Was there a reason why he had to be in class C?
In the end, he deceived his peers. Jenny herself lost something precious because she was deceived by him.
A despicable fraudster who deceives everyone from one to ten. That kind of person…
Crack! –
“I can’t forgive you…!”
She couldn’t just stand by and watch him feel the sweet victory while deceiving others so casually…
The broken wooden sword, still not letting go, she held it tighter, not giving up.
Then, from the missing blade of the sword, a chilling and ominous aura began to emanate.
Shwaaah! –
Suddenly, a blue energy flowed down the sword’s hilt. A mass of blue magic that seemed to emanate an aura of coldness that couldn’t be expressed.
In her inability to control her anger, she inadvertently released the restraint on her power.
Zzzt! –
With that chilling and ferocious strike… the ice barrier came crashing down.
* * * * *
It was the moment her heart sank.
In front of everyone’s eyes, the sword broke. And it happened to a mere class C student.
There would be no greater humiliation in a public place.
Moreover, facing a fraudster who made the opponent lose their composure. She couldn’t afford to lose to such a person.
The shame became immense stress, triggering the dormant power within her.
Like reflexively drawing a weapon in a sudden situation, it surged forth like lightning.
Zzzt! –
The surroundings froze. Everything unfolded in front of Jenny turned into ice. The nearby riverside and forest all froze and sparkled.
Of course, I froze too. Except for my face, every part of me became like a statue.
Thankfully, there was no harm to life, but it felt as cold as death.
“My… mouth won’t move…”
Just before freezing… I could see her ominous gaze.
Blue magic surged from the broken sword. It was the ice barrier that arose from the newly formed blade.
About the power that seemed like swordsmanship but was akin to magic… She knew it well.
“Snow Age.”
This magic was born from Jenn, who had been bombarded with the power of the first Chainsilver head family.
The power once taken from the entity known as the Snow Dragon by the first family head, thought to have vanished forever with the passing of the first family head, manifested in Jenny, a descendant.
With such incredible talent, she could only be placed in Class A.
However, she was not particularly satisfied. Jenny regarded the “Snow Age” as a curse.
From waking up to find the entire room frozen, to accidentally freezing her pet cat to death, or almost putting her only sister in danger due to misuse, there had been moments of immense danger.
And…
Because of misusing that power, her mother died.
Even though it was an immature mistake, for young Jenny at the time, it was an unforgettable trauma. Because of that incident, she swore never to use it again, considering it a curse for life.
But now… that oath had been broken.
Jenny’s figure entered through the trembling field of vision.
It was a face of bewilderment. The ominous aura from earlier was nowhere to be found.
Because I broke the oath I had sworn, past dreadful nightmares resurfaced, and my heart became desolate.
The last thing I saw was her tear-stained face… Then, I was logged out of the space.
* * * * *
“Th-thank… Thank you, ah-choo!!”
“You managed to stay conscious even after taking that hit.”
I was summoned back to the gymnasium after being ousted.
Since I was swallowed by such a cold wave, it was natural for the badge to lose its function.
In addition to me, there were other students who had been ousted resting here.
The injured student had been directly looked after by Professor Stella. I also received her care.
“I didn’t expect you to fight so well against Jenny. It seems what you said last time wasn’t a lie.”
“Th-thank you…”
“If that’s the case, you should easily be placed in class A, right?”
“I-I doubt it.”
“Hehe.”
My trembling lips regained their pronunciation, having been very sensitive words. Since Stella herself had brought it up jokingly, she laughed it off.
“But you were quite impressive today. Even though you lost, you must have attracted a lot of attention.”
“Will it be possible to get promoted? And if I move up to class A, I’ll have to face Jenny.”
“Hmm… I suppose opinions among the professors will differ.”
It seemed like there would be a meeting surrounding me after the exam was over.
Perhaps there’s a high chance I’ll be called there too.
“Thank you. I don’t feel cold at all now.”
“You’re lying again…”
There’s nothing I can do. Who would understand my position of having to lie on a daily basis, almost in bucketloads?
Since the frost rate I had reduced with great effort was gradually increasing again, I had to tell a little white lie as a precaution.
“Well then, I’ll be going. I’ve taken the necessary measures, so you’ll recover soon.”
“Goodbye! Farewell, Professor Stella, strong and manly!”
“…!!”
Professor Stella gasped at the unexpected remark.
To call a ladylike and gentle person strong and manly, even thinking about it, it was a crazy statement.
“By now, is Travell fighting with someone? That protagonist guy…”
I looked at the screen showing the situation in the space. As expected, there was Raimon confronting someone.
* * * * *
On the ground where the boy with white hair held the wooden sword, numerous badges were scattered.
They were all apprentices who had planned to take out Raimon early, but they faced a dismal outcome.
The only survivor of that plan’s mastermind, Travell Byrd, remained.
“So someone did it, it was your doing, wasn’t it?”
“You damn bastard, you’re not just all talk.”
With his tall stature and spiked hair, Travell glared at Raimon.
Despite being only 16 years old, his sturdy physique appeared warrior-like to anyone. However, his inner thoughts didn’t match his physique.
“How much did you pay those punks who just attacked me? Is it worth it to put in so much effort just to take out one person?”
“You’ve always irritated me. You don’t seem particularly special, yet the professors seem to favor you strangely. That guy is in the same class as me, A class? From an obscure background!”
Travell Byrd’s pride soared. He had an arrogant and volatile personality, looking down on those beneath him but becoming enraged if they succeeded.
As a nobleman himself, it infuriated him that someone of uncertain origin was in the same position as him.
The more he thought about it, the more stressed he became. Even clenching his fists until they bled didn’t relieve his anger.
“I injured my leg while fighting those guys just now. Raimon… your end is near.”
[Byrd Style – First Form: Hard Rock]
Travel’s wooden sword became as solid as a rock. It was a sword technique that amplified the mass of the sword he held.
Currently, Raimon’s leg was injured, rendering him unable to move properly. Therefore, Travell sneered.
“A vagabond should go down to class C where he belongs!”
After spitting out these confident words, Travel struck the ground. A trench was carved where he passed, and it seemed like a boulder was rolling at high speed.
This engraved their rankings in everyone’s eyes. If they saw him being humiliated, the professors wouldn’t favor him anymore.
Claaang!! –
The giant rock-like strike finally collided. He expected the despicable guy to be crushed, but something unbelievable happened.
“What…?”
The powerful strike was effortlessly blocked by a mere wooden sword.
Raimon tilted his head as if asking, “Is that all you’ve got?”
