Chapter: 236
Luca volunteered today to monitor the dungeon strategy. He wanted to engrave the duel between Lucy and the Second Prince in his mind.
It had been a while since the map of the academy had mysteriously disappeared from his desk, so this duel was bound to be entertaining.
Luca anticipated a tense match, but reality was different. Lucy, who had entered the academy dungeon alone, began conquering it at an overwhelming speed while performing numerous extraordinary acts.
Using the power of a yeti and weight-reducing scrolls to fly. Breaking through the forest with wolf instincts. Forcing the boss of the 40th floor into a route that led to his demise. Poisoning and killing the 60th floor boss, and so on.
“What am I looking at?”
As Luca watched the awe-inspiring scene that left even the dungeon studies professor, who designed and planned this dungeon, in shock, he had to admit he underestimated Lucy.
The blessings she held concerning the dungeon were far beyond what Luca could imagine.
In just half a day, Lucy conquered the academy’s dungeon and emerged from it.
“How do I explain this situation to the other professors?”
It seemed the dungeon studies professor couldn’t find a way to convince others that it wasn’t a case of incorrectly adjusting the difficulty, as his face turned pale, but that was no longer Luca’s concern.
“I’ll explain to the students that this isn’t an error for now.”
“…Just go.”
As Luca stepped forward to explain, everyone acknowledged Lucy’s victory as legitimate, but the victory’s main character, Lucy Allen, seemed dissatisfied with the situation.
Despite the surrounding congratulations, she wore an ambiguous expression and said:
“I need to check the level of the Pitiful Prince. I’m really curious about what exceptional skill he thinks he has to think he could beat me.”
When Luca heard that Lucy was picking a fight with the Second Prince, he thought her confidence was excessive.
She had her eyes peeled for stars at Soul Academy. It was only natural she knew well what kind of skills the Second Prince possessed.
The Second Prince was strong. His talent surpassed that of most active knights, to the point that even the captain of the knight order proclaimed him a genius.
No matter how exceptional Lucy’s abilities were for her age, she was still young. She was still in her growth phase.
The one-year gap that existed during the growth period cannot be compared to that of adults.
Could Lucy’s talent overturn such a gap?
Although Luca questioned Lucy’s confidence, he didn’t try to stop her.
She was jumping into trials herself. Why would Luca interfere? He should help her experience those trials.
Luca perfectly granted Lucy her wish, allowing her to battle the Second Prince without concern for their surroundings.
As Luca watched the battle that was arranged between Lucy and the Second Prince unfold, his expression was serious.
If even a small accident occurred, he looked ready to intervene. Those watching him thought Luca was a caring teacher worried about his student, but the truth was different.
Beneath the mask of a serious teacher, Luca was humming a tune as he watched the two fight.
Once more, the black aura clashed with the pure white divine energy. It was a standoff where neither would yield an inch.
However, the one that fell back was the pure white, but it was not because it was consumed by black. It was a tactic to destabilize the balance and aim for the black’s master.
As the support he’d been relying on vanished, the Second Prince’s body leaned forward. With that, his defense left a gap, and Lucy did not miss that opportunity.
A shield slammed into the Second Prince’s side, sending his body soaring into the air before crashing down.
“Is this the end?♡ The muscles of the Pitiful Prince were just for show?♡ They look intimidating on the outside, but inside, there’s nothing but weak muscles?♡”
As she jeered, the Second Prince stood up again, but his body was already at its limits.
The outcome was clear. No matter how much the Second Prince struggled now, nothing would change.
While Lucy was still at full strength, the Second Prince was in a state where he could collapse at any moment.
Lady Allen’s talent was indeed real. To completely dominate the Second Prince was impressive.
Though it should be considered that the Second Prince was exhausted and Lady Allen had ample rest, the same idea applies regardless.
Had the match been held with both in prime condition, it might have been a somewhat more worthwhile fight. However, it was only a matter of degree. The result wouldn’t have changed.
The Second Prince couldn’t defeat Lady Allen.
Lady Allen had perfectly read the Second Prince’s movements from the start.
Luca, who had observed their duel from the beginning, noted several of Lucy Allen’s abilities throughout the combat.
Her shield technique had grown immensely since the time she entered the academy.
Her physical ability was remarkable enough to engage in sheer strength with the Second Prince.
The way she twisted her opponent’s emotions with her words was impeccable.
None of those abilities failed to impress, but what astonished Luca the most was Lucy’s combat logic.
During the ongoing exchange of blows, she always chose the optimal move.
Not just blocking with the shield, but confusing her opponent with movement and feigning strength battles to catch them off guard, and when doubt began to surface, she would push forward with diligence.
Lucy Allen had completely read the Second Prince from the very beginning.
His abilities. His personality. His attacks. She manipulated him and toyed with the Second Prince.
That kind of combat logic, where one plays with their opponent, is not easily obtainable.
It can’t simply be a result of outstanding talent, being born into a good lineage, or possessing abundant resources.
What is essential to gain such a mindset is struggle.
One has to experience countless battles, face innumerable opponents in life-and-death skirmishes to obtain such wisdom; how could this young girl possess it?
As Luca confirmed once again the ability of this rising star, he was left questioning the Allen family.
What kind of training did they undergo that provided a child who hadn’t even reached adulthood with superior judgment compared to seasoned mercenaries?
If the opportunity arises, he should seek their insights someday.
…What’s that?
What caught Luca’s eye was the black aura swirling above the Second Prince’s sword.
It wasn’t just resting on the sword; it exuded weight and pressure.
An aura with its own distinct characteristics. That’s something that can only be handled after surpassing a certain level, right?
Did he gain enlightenment in an extreme situation?
Realizing this, Luca shared the confident sparkle in Lucy’s eyes with those nearby.
It was a deliberate misinterpretation, but it was fine. Lucy hadn’t verbally conveyed her meaning. He had never disobeyed her orders.
“Professor Luca, isn’t that dangerous? No matter how much Lady wants it.”
Indeed, it was dangerous. That was an attack that a student from the academy shouldn’t have been able to handle.
“Don’t worry. If it gets dangerous, I will respond personally.”
However, Luca had no intention of intervening. He wanted to see how Lucy would respond to that.
As the Second Prince raised his sword in a trance-like state, Lucy thrust her shield forward.
At that moment, the divine energy she possessed gathered in front of the shield.
Overwhelmingly dense divine energy.
Warm to the point of being hot. It was like seeing a small sun. As it followed Lucy’s will, it spread over the shield and created another shield in front of it.
“…Hah.”
Having engraved that scene in his mind, Luca couldn’t help but gasp in admiration, completely forgetting to wear his mask.
Could it truly be that the divine was crafting her with love?
Ah. Lady Allen shines too brightly. Even though her crafting isn’t finished, she’s so bright that it feels blinding.
How brilliantly will she shine when all is completed?
Did she intend to turn the dark night sky into day, causing all the stars to fade?
Struggling to hold back laughter, Luca regained his composure and spoke to the dungeon studies professor beside him.
“No need to intervene, right? Professor Jessel?”
“…That’s right.”
The pure white shield, shining so brightly it could overshadow even the sunset’s crimson hue, effortlessly blocked the descending sword.
*
The moment the Second Prince’s sword fell upon the divine shield, Luca was certain.
That sword would not break my shield. The darkness of the Second Prince would inevitably be powerless before the brightly shining shield.
My prediction was correct. At the end of a long standoff, it was the exhausted Second Prince who crumbled first.
Flung back by the shield’s light, the Second Prince lay on his back, staring up at the void, breathing heavily, appearing unable to rise.
Seeing this, I withdrew the divine energy gathered before the shield and approached the Second Prince.
Perhaps thanks to having just spent all his strength and released his anger, a glimmer of rationale returned to his eyes.
“Monster…”
The hoarse voice of the Second Prince looking up at me made me chuckle.
Monster. That was what I wanted to say.
It hadn’t even been a year since the game started, but to possess auras with characteristics? What is that supposed to mean?
If I hadn’t trained hard alongside Grandpa, it would have been a disaster.
“Good job.”
“It wasn’t bad for a Pitiful Prince. Not as good as me, but still better than one or two.”
“Damn… you miserable…”
– ding!
Just before the exhausted Second Prince could close his eyes, an alert sounded.
[Quest Clear!]
[Successfully educated the Second Prince!]
[Reward ‘Shock Transfer’ has been awarded!]
It’s here!
It’s here!
It’s heeere!
Confirming that the reward had been given, I cheered in my heart.
Shock Transfer.
A skill that any character taking damage at the frontline must possess.
The effect is transferring a portion of the damage taken as resources to oneself.
So now, just blocking the opponent’s attack restores my divine energy!
I can be a relentless healing wheel soaring in through battle!
Ah, I want to test it out quickly.
I want to feel how excellent the performance of this skill is with my own body.
I should test it with one of the trials Luca is preparing for tomorrow.
No, why not go tonight?
After all, it wouldn’t matter if I missed a night’s sleep, would it?
[Hey, Girl.]
Unable to contain my excitement and grinning, Grandpa called me softly.
‘Yes? What is it?’
[Look around.]
Around? Why?
As I returned to reality from Grandpa’s voice, I felt gazes fixed on me from my surroundings.
Those gazes were various, but most of the students shared similar expressions.
Fear. Or perhaps horror.
…Did I do something wrong?
Why are they looking at me like I’m a street thug?
I didn’t do anything that crazy!
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