341. FIGHT

Sweat pouring down my head, my chest felt airy and heavy. I was doing my best to pace my breathing, but there was an uncomfortable feeling each time air rushed into my lungs.

My legs were wearing out, my mind tuning everything out besides the fact that I had to finish this one last stretch.

“You can do it dear!”

Liliath was already at the end with Rin. Rin gave up after the first round, so she retired early. As for Liliath.. she didn’t even break a sweat after 2 big rounds around the track. What even was she?
I crossed the marker and decelerated. I held both my knees while leaning forward.

I felt a mix of warmth and cold revitalize my body from within my core. The muscle aches disappeared in an instant, my breathing soon calmed to a steady rate.

“Thanks Liliath.”

“You did great dear, I’m proud of you,” Liliath said, puffing her chest.

“Eh.. you did great..” Rin said, trying to mimic her.

“How long is left until class starts?”
“A few hours.”

“Let’s go get breakfast.”
The truth was, the school track is nowhere close to the castle. We only managed to make our way here because of Liliath’s teleportation magic.

“Come closer dear.”

And if you hadn’t noticed, Liliath’s personality.. changed yet again.

“I’m all sweaty though..” not exactly. Liliath’s magic had already removed it.

“I don’t mind smearing myself in your scent.”
Yeah like.. really changed.

I want the other Liliath back aha..
I waddled towards the Liliath with a bright, blooming smile. Rin was making an awkward expression.
“Your Highness Liliath, Noel-sama, Rin-sama.”

“”Eh..””

“Gina-san, what brings you here?”
I backed off from Liliath. Gina bowed stiffly, she raised her head with a wrly smile.

“Noel-sama, fight with me.”
“Huh?”
“You’re preparing to fight with Edgar, isn’t it? You’re going to lose at this rate.”

“What do you mean?”
Gina should be part of the pro-demon faction right? Since she and Ruff are a pair.. actually, she doesn’t show up as orange on the map though.

“What else? I’ll train you.”

She threw a training sword, it made an arc in the air. I collected it.

“Your Highness Liliath, Rin-sama, do you allow me the permission?”
“Please, I’d like to watch my dear dance.”

“I don’t mind..”

Really now?

What should I do? Should I equip skills or fight head on?

No way.. I’m going to die if.
“Here I come.”
Shit.

I quickly removed the sheath from the training sword and parried the strike. I wasn’t prepared in the slightest and wobbled.

She tilted her blade and ran it down all the way to the base of the hilt. Her body bent downwards, she was going in for a strike.
Crap, I hadn’t equipped my skills yet.

I lowered my blade, our baldes lost contact and her hands blurred.

I felt a gust of wind, a bead of sweat ran down my face, the tip blade stopped a few inches away from my eyes.

I lost.

“That’s no good,” Gina shook her head.
“Yeah..”
“How long do you have before you leave for today?”

“Until 6 on the sundial.”
“We’ll practice until then. Try again.”
“Aren’t there any sort of techniques I have to learn or..”
“I’ll teach you one. You won’t make it in time to learn them all. That’s your only shot. When the chance presents itself, that’s when you strike.”

“Right..”
Should I set my skills? Hm.. I guess I shouldn’t? I’ll use this chance to train my sword skills, at its core.

“Ready.”

“Ready.”
Two swords clashed once more.

===

“Regan-kun, what club do you think we should join?” Liliath looked at the attendant inquisition form, the complete list.

“I don’t have any say in this. I’m unfortunately ill-informed in regards to the clubs of this academy,” Regan replied apologetically.

“Dear?”
“How about this club,” Rin pointed at one before I could say anything.

“Dancing club?”
“Isn’t that important for ballrooms?” Rin said.

“Um.. we’d do fine if we had the skill right?”

“That would be fun wouldn’t it, to dance with dear,” Liliath pressed herself closer to me. An uncomfortable gaze was on us.. 

“Liliath, behave yourself please..”
“Pardon? I’m I not behaving?” she looked at me with upturned eyes.

“Ugh..”
“Dancing club?” Rin tried to get our attention again.

“I suppose that could do but.. chances are, we won’t be dancing with each other.”
“Eh, why?”
“Because we’re learning to dance, not enjoying ourselves.”
“Then.. nevermind. There’s always Bleu’s domain right?”

Liliath across my lap and pressed her fingers on a the form.

“This.”

Tea and Books.

“Perfect.”

===

I have to say, the materials being taught in Lionheart academy are pretty foreign to me. I’m not sure what Rin thinks of it, she’s taking down notes like mad during the lectures. I only noted some of the more important points. Especially for magic theory, I find that the theory portion, though does help in the technicalities of control, won’t cause my skill to evolve anytime soon.
History of Toren Kingdom is a bummer because I had to catch up on all of those I missed from the previous classes.

Warfare is similar to History, but focused on tactics of war and individual duels. 

And for body mechanics..

“Pay attention to when you should strengthen your grip, and when to loosen it.”
“Right..”

I picked up the sword I dropped.

“Pfft, he’s going to lose.”

“Pathetic.”
“You’re going to get killed if she hears you.”
“Can you cut it out, he’s just a transfer student.”
“He probably didn’t know the standards of this school.”

“But Her Highness said he’s strong though? I don’t see anything like that in him.”
Now that I think about it, getting challenged to a duel on the first day of arriving at this school is downright cliché. 

“I want to believe that you have some hidden ability inside you, since Her Highness had attested to it herself. Is it true, or is that merely a lie?”

Gina-sensei readied her stance.

“I’m just practicing. When the real battle comes, I’ll be giving everything I got.”
“You should bring everything to the practice, not during the actual battle.”

We made a circle around the field, each waiting for the other to initiate the first strike.
“I’ve been wondering.. aren’t you in support of the pro-demon lord faction?”
“Yes. What about it?”

“Then why are you helping me?”

“Why? Is there any reason why being part of different factions serves as an excuse to make enemies?”
“Hm.. you’re right about that.”
I rushed in.
I was slow and crude when compared to Gina’s ability.
She was probably the first person I’ve fought head to head that had true experience with the sword.

I struck upwards, taking notice of her sword coming from the side, I propelled myself away. The sword which she had dodge by a small margin moved with me, she had to bend her entire body to avoid it.
“Take this seriously.”

“I know.”
I swung my sword down. Her figure flickered, I tossed myself to the right and where I was standing, a sword intent was left. It could’ve sliced my abdomen.
I quickly got up, but by this time, the sword had already been pointed at me.

Another defeat.

“You won’t be able to use the technique at this rate.. you don’t have that talent.”
“I don’t.. probably.”

“Since you’re still calm, you must have some trick up your sleeve. But please know that it’s taboo to play something underhanded to affect the other party before the duel even starts,” Gina removed her sword from my face.
I nodded.

Everyone but Liliath and Rin who was talking to Miss Schweild was left on the training grounds. 

“Join me to the Sword art elective will you? I’ll have you practice with the knights there,” Gina said.
“Well..”

It’s great she’s willing to help me this far, but.. 

“Why though?”

“Why what?”

“Nevermind.”
Maybe this has to do with protagonist correction. That sucks real bad.. Ruff, you should come talk to your wife a little.

“Do you know Ruff-san?”

“Hm?” She narrowed her eyes.

“He’s your partner right?”
“What are you getting at?”

“Are you aware that Liliath, Rin and I are all demon lords?”
“Demon.. I see, no wonder… huh? That doesn't make sense. Then why are you so weak?”
I shrugged, noticing the red glint in her silver coloured eyes.

“Anyhow, about what I said before, regarding the different factions. It’s best if we can remain friends despite it all.”
“I’ll try not to involve myself in the conflict. No worries.”

“Then about Ruff-san..”

“He has given up his life for His Highness.”
“Then aren’t you worried?”
“Of course.”
Gina stomped on the ground, clearly frustrated.

“I’m worried sick. He hasn’t come to visit me for almost the entire season now. Just what in the world is he busy with?”

Huh. So Gina is like a wife waiting for her husband's return? Seriously Ruff, you should take care of her better.

“Yeah.. maybe we should arrange a talk between the two of you..”
“How do you know Ruff-kun?”

“He tried to do something to my sister-in-law.”
“What..”
“Are you two done?”

Miss Schweild interrupted.
“Yes, somewhat.”

“Follow me to my elective class,” Gina stressed again.

“Noel?” Rin looked between the two of us suspiciously.
Liliath shook her head.

“Come on.. seriously..”
“I’m just kidding,” Rin shook her head too.
“What do you intend to do dear? Will you not join us for tea this time?”
“Hm..”
“You’re not taking the duel seriously now, Noel-sama,” Miss Schweild 

“Yeah well..”
I was grabbed at the scruff of my neck.

“If I take him everyone will follow, try to catch up if you can.”

“Wait Gina-san–”
Owh fuck. How in the world.. 

“Tell me what happened? What do you mean by Ruff-kun trying something against your sister-in-law,” Gina asked, dragging me. 

“Can you at least let me get permission from my two..” I wanted to say: ‘lovers’, but damn, it’s embarrassing to admit.

“They’ll catch up eventually.”

“Then can you let me go?”
It damn hurts to be pulled like this. I’m so surprised my clothes hadn’t torn apart.. what kind of material was it made of anyways?

“Follow me.”
‘Liliath, Rin, it’s up to you to follow but Gina-san wants to talk to me about Ruff-san.’

I don’t know if this’ll clear up the misunderstanding..

We arrived at an open plaza, colonnades lined all four sides with french windows on the second floor and above. Those act as a viewing spots. 

There were many students wearing light armor chattering about.
“They’re from the knights academy?”

“Yes.”
“Are you the only one here for this elective?”

“No, there are a few others. I only came here because a certain teacher needed my help.”
It didn’t take long before the arrival of an elderly man. A large scar on his face, his body still remained bulk and muscular, it’s obvious he was once a veteran on the battlefield. 

When the student knights saw him approaching, they arranged themselves into a file.

“SALUTE!!”

One student took the initiative and everyone thumped their fist to the chest.

“Stand.”

“”“Op!”””

“At rest.”

“”“Op!”””

The knights changed their standing pose, now both their hands were placed behind them.

“Captain Trevor, you may speak.”
“None are absent sir!”

“Good.”
Only then did the man turn to Gina and I.

“Who may you be?”
“Um.. I’m Noel.”
“I brought him here to train.”
“Train?”

“Yes. If you allow it.”

“Will it be similar to your position?”
“Yes.”
Similar to what?
“I understand. Then we shall begin with warm up. Noel-san, please fight with representative Trevor.”
I looked at Gina, she looked away like it’s my problem.

Fucking seriously? What was this?

Losing here would be so embarrassing but..
Ugh, fuck. Since you want it so badly, here goes nothing. 

I took the training sword prepared and stood on the red marker. The representative, Trevor, had his sword held with the blade tip pointed 90 degrees to the sky.

I looked around. The knights standing in order, the few spectators outside the boundary.

“You may begin.”

At the elder’s command, we both rushed at each other. 

He swung downwards, I slid over to his side and slipped past him in one swift motion.

There.

“The match has ended.” the elder announced.

Tension filled the air.
“Thank you.” Trevor turned around and saluted.

“Likewise, thank you for the fight..”

He looked pretty distraught. I should’ve gone easier.. I didn’t expect the strike to go through just like that..
“Next, Lieutenants, please make your way out.”

You’ve got to be kidding me..

I turned to Gina and gave her a glare, she looked at me with astonished eyes.

“Damn it.”

I’ll be flaunting my fake skills here and..

“You may begin.”

Shit. This veteran soilder-cum-teacher is an airhead.

342. 

“The match has ended.”
“””Thank you.”””

“Yes.. thank you..”
This is the end right.. Fucking all knights coming at me at once.

“Who is this student? He’s as strong as yourself.”
“He.. he wasn’t like this when I met him..”
“Gina-san, I’m done.”
“Hold on! You hadn’t even–” Gina blocked my path.
“I said I’m done..”

“One duel.”
Liliath and Rin were observing me from one of the windows above. 

“You dragged me here to fight against the knight even though you said you wanted to talk about Ruff-san.”
“You’ve been hiding your strength. Why?” Gina gritted her teeth.

“That’s not the problem here.”
“So I take it that you don’t deem me worthy a challenge?”
“That’s how you think of it, not me.”

Am I irritated? I think I am. 

I was looking forward to having tea with Liliath, Rin and the frog to be honest. I can’t believe I just spent an entire afternoon dueling.

2 hours of grueling battle. Sure, I got to increase my proficiency in moving my body with bloated statuses. However, it also numbed my sense of what it meant to not depend on my status.

Gina pulled her sword out.

“I’ll begin.”

She tried a stab.

I stood stationary.

The blade stopped under my chin– my neck.

“Fight..” she said through her teeth.”
“I wonder why I’m even this annoyed..”
“I’ll kill you.”
I felt a prickle on my skin. Bloodlust, but it was like peanuts compared to Liliath’s.

She drove her training sword forward. I took a step back– 

[Magick Sword (SSS)].

The training sword was severed in half. 

I can use this skill a little now since my magic proficiency has gotten somewhat sufficient.

Gina looked at her broken sword in astonishment.

It dawned upon me. 

“Um.. do I have to pay for that..” I turned to the elder. 

I destroyed school property.

The elder air-head shook his head.

“Those were meant to be destroyed.”
“Okay..”
“Will you be partaking in the sparring session again tomorrow?” he asked.

“Thank you for the offer, but I won’t be coming back.”

“Y-You..”
“If it’s about Ruff, tomorrow morning at the school track.”

“...”
“Thanks for today.”
I left the spot and heaved a sigh. Gina continued to stare at the broken half of the sword on the ground.

Damn it, there were so many people who saw that. 

I pulled up a concealment barrier and weaved through the peanut gallery.

“Sorry,” I apologized to Liliath and Rin.
“It’s alright..”

“You looked really cool ddeaar.”

“Did I?”
Liliath nodded fervently; Rin nodded meekly.

Regan and the two other maids standing behind them also nodded. One of the maids offered me a towel, I shook my head.

“I’ll change out of my clothes instead.. you two wait for me at the tea and books club?”

“”No.””

“Yeah right..”
I’ll take a quick shower at the apartment. [Home Sweet Home] and then change my clothes. We’ll be late to the tea club at this rate– whatever. It’s better than joining with a sweaty body.

===

Ow.. my body hurts.

The moment I returned my status to the basic value– my body felt heavy as lead. There was pain all over. 

Liliath’s magic helped somewhat, it didn’t completely remove the discomfort however.
She said that it was better for the body to heal naturally for the effects of the muscle strengthening to show better..

That’s a big fat lie.

Liliath wanted to nurse me, that’s why she left me half recovered.

I flipped to the next page of the book with my twitchy fingers.

“Noel~ “

I opened my mouth, Liliath fed me a small teaspoon of tea.

Rin was absorbed in her book and didn’t bother.

“Thank you Liliath.. I think that’s enough,” I said in a fatigued voice. I probably overstrained myself.

“If you say so.”
Nobody noticed our little exchange, Liliath shielded us with a concealment barrier.

The tea and books club is, as the name suggests, a club where you read books and drink tea. There wasn’t any prerequisite to joining the club, all you needed was a passion for tea and interest in novels.

This place wasn’t a library, though, it did have a similar feel.

Each member contributed books so that the others can read them.

Contribute books.. I think I can consider spending some points to get those translated light novels from the shop.
Yeah. Bringing new culture to this world.

I’m currently reading a book on war and politics. It’s an actual novel alright? I just couldn’t find any that sparked my interest. I was too tired to search the score of bookshelves, so just decided on this one.

And.. it didn’t matter which book I chose because I was going to use the BookReader widget anyways.

Time passed here without anything interesting happening.

The members didn’t even make a ruckus knowing that Liliath is a princess.

===

“Did Ruff say where he went?” Gina pointed her sword at me.

“No. But I know he’s still somewhere in the kingdom,” in fact, he’s at the demon tower.

Bleu said something about there being 10 demon lords in this cycle. At the moment, I’ve only known 6, including myself. 

“You said something about arranging a place so I can meet him,” Gina kicked up the sword I dropped and held it up to me.

“When do you want it? Or are you alright with anytime?”

“Anytime, just not my bedtime.”

Obviously.

“Then is it alright if I call him to the academy?”

“Before, that’s how we usually met.”
“Got it.”

Would it be a good idea to invite him to attend the duel? As a spectator, I mean.

===

“Are you sure you’re going to fight against him? It’s not too late to back down now.. I can do something using my influence..” Jerome said. 

Behind him stood Gina and Helbert. Helbert’s showing an expression of concern, Gina didn’t seem to care.

Of course, that was only on the surface.

“I’ll be fine, trust me.”
I was still depending on my natural strength during the body mechanics class, so people thought I was being a fool. Yet, there were rumors going around that I was able to defeat a whole company of knights. Discrepancy of information.

Not a bad thing, since the main intent of the duel was for a grand reveal of a demon lord.

It hasn't been a week since I began school, I barely have any connections, and I’m already on the road to disrupting world peace. What kind of chaos would happen? I have no idea. 

The school authorities even went all the way to prepare the academy arena for the event. There had to be some behind the scenes work at play here. A small skirmish between students normally couldn’t possibly end up so big.

Excusing ourselves from Helbert, we made our way out of class.

“Am I making a mistake..”

“Mistake?”

“Well.. I’m I rushing things? Normally, the MC will have made some pretty deep connections with some big shot in the school so if he or she reveals himself as a world enemy, there would be people supporting them. What if we get kicked out of school? Or what if we caused your father’s position to shake?”

“I’m sure father had predicted this. He wouldn’t have allowed us to go to the Lionheart Academy if not for so.”

“Really?” Do kings in the fantasy world have clairvoyance or something? Maybe it’s just the impression.. you know, that’s why people revere them?

Liliath nodded, “Anee-sama is pulling the strings.”
“Noel, what are we going to do about the Regressor?” Rin asked.

“He arrived right?”

Rin nodded.
“We’ll leave it to Nine’s side. He.. she knows what to do.”

That guy is going to make a beeline for the elven palace to find Laura. I can almost guarantee it.

“Dear, don’t you think Nine has been acting odd as of late?” Liliath’s next question took me off guard.

“Nine huh?”
Liliath does have a point. Last night when we were training in Bleu’s domain, Nine’s been.. staring into the air. When I asked her about it, she would dodge the question.

Hopefully it isn’t some side effect of [Vixen’s Pawn].

The three of us arrived at the pond. 

‘Ribbit.’

There was Princess.

Liliath laid out a carpet taken out from the inventory and began preparing tea.

I checked the map and made sure there wasn’t anyone around before hoping into the apartment. I changed my clothes then came out.

“Good luck!” Liliath said with a cheer, bobbing a tea bed up and down.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” Rin was stroking Princess the frog.

“Thanks.”

I decided to spend this time training my stamina. 

I know. Last minute body training wouldn’t help much in the probability of things but still.. for the sake of it, you know? While making laps, I thought about our future plans. 

Let’s summarize.

First, I get the feeling that we’ll intersect Javiel with the Regressor at the Elven Territory.

It’s obvious that The Regressor wouldn’t be able to defeat Javiel as he is right now. Even if he reunites with Laura, it wouldn’t do anything to increase his chances of winning.

Nine’s actions will ultimately decide what happens. The chasm is just that great.

Speaking of Nine, she was acting out of character. That point was somewhat concerning.

But, if there was really something wrong with her, Bleu would’ve harked about it. Since she can read minds. Not to mention, she doesn’t seem to reject Nine’s feelings for her– maybe that’s just my imagination.

That asides, I need to consider the heroes’ actions a little. I feel like they’re being dusted to the side in this story. They’ve been relegated to mob status.

Her Highness Siesta is doing her best to act like she’s engaged to Kyoshi– to be continued. The last time we had tea with her, Liliath had to erect a concealment barrier so that she could vent to her heart's content.

And in the middle of it, we learnt that she actually held feelings for the Regressor.

Really? That guy? He's in it for so many wives in the future. Good luck, Your Highness.

On that note, would he consider removing the Regressor Unique Skill? We’ll have to ask him about that.

These thoughts occupied my mind as I watched the scenery pass.