Chapter 136

〈 Chapter 137 〉 Chapter 136 – Round of 16. After That.

*

In a shockingly anticlimactic twist, my opponent forfeited before the match even started.

Maybe it was because their team had “Madness” in their name – truly a crazy decision.

I was worried that if we’d fought, I wouldn’t be able to handle their madness, so I was oddly relieved.

[Is that really what a crazy bastard says without conscience?]

‘I’m normal, I tell you!’

Still, I gained a deep insight about one of the 3 major enigmas.

Boundary Segment Theory.

I’m convinced this theory I realized today will greatly help many people when they share love with beastmen, just like the Harkness Test.

“Can you just die already!!”

Pwaak!

“Hehehe, that’s impossible.”

A very sharp twig flew in from somewhere, almost piercing my head.

Of course, the twig shattered on impact with my head.

But I still hadn’t figured out the answers to the other two enigmas.

With a troubled expression, I asked Caressy.

“So, what happens if I have sex with my transformed self? Which side of Lilia’s belly swells?”

“Pick whatever you want, you idiot!!!”

Go with the flow, huh?

Ah!

“Got it! I’ll check Hitomi and accept whichever side excites me more as the gospel!!!”

Esacta!!!

Correct answer, Alchemist!!!

In my mind, it felt like this was the answer, and it filled me with confidence.

However, the others, including Piece, began to passionately protest, not accepting it.

[Do you really think that’s something to say in a family-friendly context!!!]

“What the hell, why think it’s so damn stupid!!!!!!!!!”

“……Master, when you meet that girl outside, don’t acknowledge her.”

While Jeong Ahyeon and Caressy spat at my feet, they couldn’t hold back their anger and stormed out of the sparring ground.

Meanwhile, Hyeji and Elcia had already placed their bets, so they had to watch every match.

Compared to Hyeji’s usual destructive behavior, it looked like a kids’ talent show.

With time to spare until the quarterfinals, I thought about leaving the sleeping duo for now.

Tang!

“Shit.”

Suddenly, a bullet from Hyeji’s created firearm landed right at my feet.

The slumbering Hyeji suddenly shot up, eyes wide open, and stared right at me.

“Where are you going?”

“Uh… bathroom?”

In that moment, Elcia’s vines and thorns began to ensnare my whole body.

“Master! You’re not trying to run away alone, are you?”

“……No.”

‘How did they know?’

[Oh, that dildo’s ruined.]

‘At least throw in some spaces, damn it.’

My young manhood is precious.

Currently, Hyeji and Elcia were sprawled out in a spot designated for match officials.

You could say it was the VVVIP seat, giving the closest view for all the upcoming matches.

But my turn had already ended.

Moreover, since the next opponent was coming soon, I had to vacate that seat.

Other teams’ officials could be there, and students should watch from the spectator seats as per the rules.

But…

“What are you staring at, you shits?”

“No! Please, have a seat!”

Hyeji simply raised her head, negotiating well enough to secure a spot in the number one viewing area.

Once negotiations were over, Hyeji lazily laid down, as if her role was complete, and fell asleep.

Thanks to Hyeji, I was able to watch the remaining matches with Hyeji and Elcia on either side.

[Anything is possible in the face of unreasonable violence.]

‘Remember. Rules are far, and Hyeji’s gun is close.’

Instead of running away, I planned to buy chicken and sit between Hyeji and Elcia to watch the remaining matches.

At that moment, the scent of chicken suddenly awakened Elcia, who slyly propped herself up and pretended to sleep while trying to steal my drumstick.

Of course, I stopped her.

“If you take the leg, you’re dead.”

“I’ll leave the neck for you.”

“Don’t bullshit me.”

I smacked Elcia’s hand back, blocking her advance.

However, Elcia’s assault wouldn’t stop.

What the hell is a drumstick to her? Elcia began using her abilities too.

White vines ensnared me while sky-blue butterflies aimed to snatch just my drumstick.

I bit at the vines and smashed the sky-blue butterflies with my hands.

“Stop, you damn brat.”

“They say legs are the tastiest!”

“I know that, so why the hell are you eating it!”

While desperately protecting my drumstick, another match had already ended.

The winning team consisted of two young male martial artists, but I hadn’t watched their match properly.

Not to mention, they were our next opponents, so it was even more painful.

[Guess it’ll be improvisation again next time.]

‘Elcia, that damn girl, for real.’

Before long, I smashed the head of Elcia, who had stolen the drumstick.

“Ah! But it’s so delicious!”

“Give it back! That’s my precious drumstick!”

“I’m hungry!!!”

“One more hit, you bastard.”

I hit Elcia’s head again.

But by then, the drumstick had already vanished.

While I felt emptiness over the lost drumstick, tension seemed to fade, and suddenly I felt sleepy.

As I yawned, Elcia forcibly laid me down on her lap as a pillow.

“Tired, huh? Just take a little nap.”

“……Don’t eat chickens.”

“Oh my! You really look tired! You need to sleep quickly!”

“Damn brat.”

Elcia half-forced my eyes shut and, with the sudden darkness around me, I quickly drifted off to sleep.

Just before I fell asleep, I thought I heard Elcia say something, but I couldn’t make it out.

“Goodnight, Master. And my love.”

When I opened my eyes again, all the matches had already concluded.

And my chicken box was gone, probably destroyed and unrecognizable.

‘Sigh, shit. Just as expected.’

[Seems like it wasn’t entirely unnecessary.]

When I got up from Elcia’s lap and looked around, there was a chicken box next to Elcia.

“You really didn’t eat it?”

“Of course I didn’t!”

Elcia simply grinned and smiled.

We even woke up the still-sleeping Hyeji and began tearing into the chicken together.

What I thought would be cold chicken ended up being incredibly warm, as if it had just been bought.

*

The next day didn’t really have anything noteworthy.

If I had to point it out, our team’s match was decent.

The Leader Holy Knight was being awesome, quite unlike his previous shameful display.

Caressy simply stood by, telling the Leader Holy Knight, “Go win now.”

Yet the Holy Knight performed his role brilliantly enough.

He single-handedly faced two opponents, utilizing both spear and shield to seamlessly switch between attack and defense.

‘Sigh, that shield looks tough.’

[Should’ve practiced summoning spirits like in Elden Ring.]

‘If that were possible, I would’ve done it long ago.’

Especially, the Leader Holy Knight created a massive white shield to block all attacks coming toward him and Caressy with ease.

The opponents were trying to break through, and the Holy Knight countered, making it a battle of magical energy consumption.

In the end, it wrapped up with a victory for the Leader Holy Knight.

As their magical energy dwindled, the Leader Holy Knight seized the opportunity and executed Divide and Conquer, deciding the win.

The team was in celebration, mixing it with some preaching activities.

[……Isn’t preaching against the rules?]

‘Aren’t those professor bastards going to point that out? I’m doing it too.’

See you in the finals, you shits.

I had a feeling our team would smoothly reach the finals.

My Defensive Coat was charged and could be used right away, but once its effect was lost, it would take at least a week to recharge.

On the other hand, the tournament was played back-to-back.

There were no breaks in between; it was quarterfinals one day, then semifinals the next, and finally the finals.

In the end, hoping for victory, I planned to fight unarmed in the quarter and semifinal rounds.

[Definitely better saved for a critical moment.]

‘Who knows how crazy the guys reaching the finals will be.’

I checked the updated bracket on the academy app.

Our next opponent was a team made up of two martial artists.

As I stepped out of the arena, Jeong Ahyeon was there, seemingly waiting for me.

“Master, have you seen the match of our next opponent?”

“No, I had a more important fight.”

“……I think it might be related to Elcia, perhaps.”

Jeong Ahyeon sighed softly and said to me.

“Our next opponents are known for their incredible skills through a strong bond among martial artists.”

“A bond?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Ahyeon spoke with a slightly apprehensive voice.

“Be careful, especially since they’re male.”

“Uh?”

“……Never mind, that was an outburst.”

Somehow, Jeong Ahyeon’s words felt unsettling today.

[Be cautious behind you. For some reason, I don’t have a good feeling about this.]

‘Ah, shit. This is making me anxious, so quiet down.’

I suppressed the rising anxiety and returned to the dormitory, even if it was a little early.

It was for conditioning ahead of the next day’s match.

I had no plans, but I intended to crush everything as I had done up to now.

Thus, I fell asleep a bit earlier.

*