Chapter: 330
Clang! Clang!
Frey took in the commotion created by iron clashing with wood.
It was the sight of the divine white shield being pushed back by the wooden sword.
She had never managed to break through Lucy’s shield, not even once.
Even though she had desperately tried to shatter that shield more than ever.
This wasn’t much different for others, either.
The Third Prince, whom Frey recognized to a certain extent, was powerless before Lucy’s shield.
Putting aside the talent with the sword, when it came to pure force, even the Second Prince, who dominated Frey, was helpless against Lucy’s shield.
Others weren’t much different.
Lucy’s shield was like an unbreakable fortress to those of the same generation.
However, that fortress only existed within the Academy.
Before Count Kent, it was just an ordinary shield.
“It seems you’re struggling to hold on. Where did that initial momentum go?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? ♡ I’m just playing around! ♡ I can’t believe you can’t notice this! ♡ How sloppy! ♡”
“Oh, really? Then I guess I should increase the speed a bit.”
In other words, Lucy’s shield was fulfilling its role not only outside the Academy but also in front of Count Kent.
Look at the renowned knight whose fame spread across the continent, struggling to break through Lucy’s shield.
He was obstructing the shield’s movements by stacking illusions.
Twisting his nerves by attacking the areas the shield couldn’t protect.
And at times, hitting the shield itself to make Lucy falter. Count Kent was treating Lucy seriously, rather than just playing around with a friend of his daughter.
Since Lucy’s shield had already stepped into the adult world, it contained a seriousness in its swordsmanship that transcended personal feelings.
Frey had anticipated this outcome from the moment she brought Lucy here.
Knowing her father would treat Lucy seriously, she brought her along.
She thought Count Kent, one of the few martial artists Frey acknowledged, would teach Lucy how to surpass her shield.
“Your lips are shaking. Do you want to continue?”
“Ha? ♡ That’s just because the sloppy Count is so ridiculous that I’m trying to hold in my laughter! ♡ I’m completely relaxed here! ♡”
“Understood. Let’s keep going.”
Frey’s judgment was correct.
Count Kent was demonstrating various ways to break through Lucy’s defenses.
Watching Lucy fall several times while standing proudly at the Academy, Frey steadily amassed information.
Information to achieve victory over Lucy.
Frey knew this was a petty act.
If it were Frey from just a while ago, she would have wondered why she needed to do something so boring, so she was well aware of what her current actions meant.
Still, Frey didn’t regret her actions.
She didn’t take her eyes off Lucy, who was struggling to get up.
To Frey, winning over Lucy was more important than preserving her silly pride. It was crucial to continue being by Lucy’s side.
“Are you going to keep going?”
“Are you already tired? ♡ Puhaha ♡ That’s why old folks are troublesome! ♡”
“Yes, understood. Let’s keep going.”
For Frey, Lucy Allen was a miracle.
She was the one who brought color to her otherwise colorless world.
The one who became the first to evoke countless emotions in her.
The one who made her realize she had pride as a swordsman.
And the one who enlivened Frey, who had always been a loner.
The world Frey saw before enrolling in the Academy and the world she saw now were entirely different.
How could the days of wandering for danger, not knowing she was feeling fear, be the same as now, where she understood various emotions and sought the feelings she desired?
“…Were you saving your strength? That’s surprising.”
“Puh! ♡ It’s just that the old Count is so sloppy that I’m shaking from trying to hold back my laughter! ♡ If you’re tired, it’s okay to just say it! ♡ Growing old isn’t a crime, right? ♡”
Understanding the gap between the two worlds.
Knowing how creepy it felt when a single color was added to the monochromatic landscape.
Having an understanding of the fear she would feel when facing that view again.
Frey wished for Lucy to always be by her side.
If Lucy, who brought color to her world, were to disappear, it felt as if her world would turn gray again.
“Do you really think that’s going to work? ♡ I’m not a foolish dummy like you, Frey! ♡”
“Your brains seem to be working well, but it’s not enough yet! You didn’t notice what’s hidden behind!”
However, Lucy didn’t stay still.
Every day, she moved further ahead.
Not being complacent. Not being lazy. Like there was an obsession with strength, she kept rushing forward.
Watching Lucy sprinting ahead, Frey realized she couldn’t grab Lucy’s wrist.
So she chose to sprint alongside Lucy.
As long as she could follow her steps, no matter how far Lucy would leap ahead, she could always stay by Lucy’s side.
“…So this is what greed is.”
At the end of her thoughts, Frey recalled a word she had seen in a dictionary long ago, and unconsciously, her lips curled up.
She found another new color.
Thanks to Lucy.
How could she repay this joy to Lucy?
As Frey pondered, feeling the warmth brushing against her skin, she looked up.
At the center of that warmth was Lucy’s mace, shining like a tiny sun.
“Surely you can handle this much, right?! ♡”
“Tch! All the Allen bloodlines are just monsters!”
Before long, the end of the duel was approaching.
*
Having poured out all her strength, I, losing even the energy to get up, blankly stared at the clear sky.
It was a complete defeat.
The gap between me and Count Kent was so overwhelming that I couldn’t see any answer no matter how much I tried to think.
The only reason I managed to last against the Count for quite a long time was that he had been considerate of me.
If the Count had intended to break me from the beginning, I would have ended up sprawled on the ground without even a hint of resistance.
How long has it been since I felt this humiliated?
If I were to compare, I should probably bring up when I first set foot in this world and got wrecked by Karl.
Ah. The more I think about it, the crazier I get.
Back when it was a game, I could take down Count Kent with my bare hands, and now I couldn’t even dream of touching him.
Sigh.
I thought I had gotten pretty strong.
I guess not.
I’m still weak.
At this rate, not only would I not see the end of the Soul Academy, but I’d even have to worry about whether I’d survive until graduation.
Even if Nascrad had fallen, there were still plenty of trash in this world wishing for destruction.
As the Apostle of the Lord Jushin and facing the Evil God under the will of God, they would undoubtedly come to seek my life.
To survive immediately, I must become much stronger than I am now.
Puhaha. I’m grateful to Frey for suggesting this duel.
If I hadn’t faced Count Kent, I could have slowly become complacent.
And there’s one more thing to be grateful for.
That is, the many flaws I discovered while fighting with Count Kent.
Thanks to the Count targeting various deficiencies like a teacher, I realized the direction I needed to take.
‘First, I should improve my physical abilities.’
I surely have more than one shortcoming, but for now, raising my physical abilities is the first step.
Even if my physical abilities are overwhelming compared to my peers, I’m not facing the people around me, I’m facing the great evils my grandpa had to contend with.
I need to reach a level where I can at least endure against Count Kent.
[Your thoughts are indeed correct, but pushing yourself harder than you currently are will only have detrimental effects. Young lady.]
‘Don’t worry. It’s not that kind of method.’
Sure, even if I were to train more harshly than what I’m doing now, I wouldn’t rapidly become as strong as I dreamed.
There’s a limit to the stats you can grow through training.
So how will I raise my physical abilities?
If it’s something that the rotten water of Soul Academy would do, then there’s only one option, right?
I’ll have to grind.
Leveling up has been pushed aside due to so many other things popping up, so I’ll be supplementing that during vacation.
Ah, this vacation, I really have to hole up in a dungeon.
Without even a little rest.
Roaming through countless dungeons.
I’ll have to live like a loser.
Hehe.
That sounds like so much fun.
While I was making plans in my head for what I would do during vacation, Frey’s face suddenly popped into my view.
Her eyes were sparkling, and it made me a little uneasy.
She wasn’t seriously asking me to fight again, was she?
That would be problematic.
I’ve already thrown everything I could possibly use at Count Kent.
I’m completely wiped out.
No matter how good my stamina is, it has its limits.
“Lucy.”
‘What is it?’
“Why? Sister Frey?”
“Let’s go to the mansion. I’m going to have a party at the mansion to celebrate bringing a friend.”
…Cancel that.
Cancel!
Frey! Why don’t we just fight together instead?!
Even if I collapse and fall, I’ll still fight!
Why?!
I don’t think I can handle the endless positivity of those at Count Kent’s mansion in my current state!
Please!
*
Unfortunately, Frey didn’t hold much sway among the people at Count Kent’s mansion.
Reluctantly dragged to the mansion, I received repeated thanks from the people there.
As I was told I was nothing but bones, I was treated to food until I was full.
I trained alongside the noisy knights of the Kent family just as loud as the mansion residents.
I ended up dueling with many people, including Frey and Parnah.
Before I knew it, I was preparing to sleep in a room within the mansion.
How did it come to this?
I never planned on sleeping here.
As I lay on the bed in the rather modest room for a renowned Count family, reminiscing about the hectic day, someone knocked on the door.
“Lucy. Can I come in?”
‘Yes, it’s fine.’
“Go ahead. Sister Frey.”
Wearing what looked like a leather outfit suitable for an adventurer as pajamas, Frey walked into the room and immediately crawled over to me.
‘What’s up?’
“Why did you come? Sister Frey? Don’t tell me you’re lonely at night and want to sleep together?”
“Um, that’s not it. I just have one last request I want to ask before today ends.”
Thinking back, Frey’s only requests today were to call her sister and to duel with the Count.
After that, we had no time to do anything together because we got swept up in Count Kent and his daughter.
Alright. I’ve decided.
Since I’ve gained so much thanks to you, Frey.
I’ll do my best to fulfill any reasonable requests.
‘Please, go ahead.’
“Tell me. I’m curious about what sloppy idea you’ve come up with, Sister Frey.”
When I asked, Frey hesitated uncharacteristically, then bumped her head against mine.
“Pet me.”
‘…What?’
“…What?”
“Praise me for conquering a challenging dungeon. Compliment me for being able to freely control my aura.”
Asking for such a favor.
While I observed how Frey’s ears turned red enough to be visible even under the dim light of the lamp, I raised my hand to her head with a chuckle.
I wasn’t worried that my words would stumble out.
Because right now, I could definitely convey my sincerity to her.
“You can already control your aura freely? You’re truly a genius, Sister Frey.”
“Yeah. That’s right. I’m a genius.”
“You charging at dungeon bosses was incredible too. I was completely impressed!”
“Yeah. And?”
“Seeing you cooperate while conquering the dungeon also surprised me. I never thought you’d follow what others said, Sister Frey!”
“…Is that really a compliment?”
“Of course, it is. It’s amazing that a beast can listen!”
“…I can’t help but think it’s not a compliment.”
“Puhahahaha! Caught you! You’re more perceptive than usual, Sister Frey!”
“Luceeeeee…”
Hearing Frey’s grumbling voice, I burst into laughter and continued to share her unspoken words under the guise of complimenting her.
Excuse me.
Lord Armadi.
If you anticipated all of this and made arrangements for everything, I’ll sincerely offer my thanks in prayer.
Being able to speak properly to my friend truly brings me joy.
Wait, when I think about it, the reason I couldn’t express myself properly was because of the blessing bestowed by that perverted Armadi.
In the end, it was just a temporary return of something that had been taken from me, should I be grateful for it?
Wow. So this is gaslighting, huh?
As expected, Shoddy Perverted God. Completely insidious.
…
Well, still.
I’m happy, so it’s all good.
I’ll convey my gratitude properly. Lord Armadi.
If I don’t, I can easily see you getting annoyed and taking it out on me later.
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