[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 85
There was a reason why Zeke remembered the Al and Jeff brothers.
'In my past life, those eccentric guys created the cure for the Red Flower Plague.'
The continent was thrown into chaos as the Red Flower Plague spread and many people died.
While no one could create a cure for the Red Flower Plague, it was none other than the Al and Jeff brothers who succeeded in developing a cure.
What was even more surprising was that these eccentric twins released the formula for the cure for free, spreading it widely throughout the continent.
Thanks to this, the Red Flower Plague was quickly eradicated.
Zeke had also taught Melissa Allencia the cure for the Red Flower Plague that he remembered from that time.
He recalled the information about the Al and Jeff brothers that he had heard in his past life.
'After the Red Flower Plague cure, they received a lot of support and developed many things, but because they were so eccentric, there was hardly anything useful in the end.'
The Al and Jeff brothers were eccentrics who only focused on research they enjoyed, so they only developed new drugs that were closer to pranks rather than practical potions.
A potion that stopped hiccups immediately, eye drops that instantly removed eye mucus, medicine that prevents stomach aches after drinking milk, and so on.
They were all like that. Although they created hundreds of new drugs, only a handful were commercialized.
Zeke asked Paynun, "Those twins, how are their skills?"
"Their personalities are a bit peculiar, but they're definitely excellent alchemists."
For Paynun, who recognized their skills, to say this, their alchemy itself must be genuine.
He said to Paynun,
"So, what are their demands?"
"They requested various alchemy ingredients, but there were too many that seemed unrelated to this new drug research. I'm not an alchemy major, but I can distinguish which ingredients should be combined, and there were quite a few unrelated ingredients."
If it was Al and Jeff, they would definitely make the drugs they wanted to make under the pretext of developing new drugs.
"Do you have any idea what they're trying to make?"
Paynun shook his head at Zeke's question.
"I have no idea. So I cut the budget for purchasing expensive ingredients that seemed unnecessary, and they immediately went on strike."
Zeke roughly grasped the situation.
He said to Paynun,
"Provide Al and Jeff with the ingredients they requested."
Paynun was surprised.
"Really? It will be quite expensive."
Zeke flinched at Paynun's intense reaction and asked,
"...How much will it be?"
"Roughly, it will be about a hundred thousand gold..."
"A hundred thousand gold? What kind of ingredients did they request to cost that much?"
"Various things. The droppings of the golden eagle that only lives in the northern ice mountains, the droppings of the golden Komodo dragon from the swamp, the droppings of the Kraken King that only lives in the South Sea's Death Zone..."
Zeke's expression distorted at Paynun's words.
'Why are they all droppings?'
Zeke pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"For now, provide them with everything you can get. But make sure to tell them to complete the new drug using Soma."
Paynun's face brightened at Zeke's permission.
"Okay, Master."
Kay, who was next to him, said with a worried expression,
"Are you sure you can invest a hundred thousand gold in those eccentric guys?"
"If they produce a proper new drug, a hundred thousand gold is nothing."
Zeke clenched his fist, making a cracking sound.
"If they don't produce proper results, I'll have to go and warn them myself."
Kay broke out in a cold sweat at his reaction, and Paynun gave an awkward smile.
***
"Let the Draker martial arts tournament quarterfinals begin!"
The large arena prepared in Atlas was packed with spectators.
The front was filled with flags of patron clans cheering for the participants.
Among them, the large banner of the Agamemnon clan and the incredibly flashy banner of the Graham clan, both supporting Zeke, stood out the most.
On the other side, the allied clans of the Siemens clan, who had gathered their connections, cheered for Edward along with a marching band.
In the midst of the boisterous arena, the participants appeared.
The eight participants who advanced to the third round, including Zeke and his companions, went up to the arena and greeted the audience.
Felix, who had initially refused to participate, was the most excited, waving his hand towards the audience.
A moment later, Gareth appeared and announced the first match.
"Felix Valencia, Morton Heros."
Felix, realizing that he was first, was startled and his eyes darted around.
Zeke smacked Felix on the back.
"Ouch! Ouch! That hurts, Master."
"Don't dawdle and get up there quickly. If you lose, you'll be in closed-door training, you know."
At Zeke's threat, Felix grumbled and went up to the arena.
His opponent, Morton Heros, sneered at Felix.
Heros was one of the vassals of the Siemens clan, and his clan was considered one of the prestigious clans in the eastern region.
Morton inwardly rejoiced at having the unknown Felix as his opponent.
'I'll win the quarterfinals without lifting a finger.'
"Begin the match!"
Clang!
The tournament match began with the examiner's gong.
Morton slowly approached Felix with his sword raised.
He grinned and swung his sword at Felix.
Whoosh!
A clean swing befitting a prestigious family unfolded.
Felix slightly moved back and dodged Morton's sword.
Morton smirked.
'So he's not a complete pushover.'
He adjusted his grip on the sword and charged towards Felix.
"Haaaa!"
With a shout, Morton swung his sword powerfully, as if to cut Felix's waist in a single blow.
Clang!
But Felix deflected Morton's sword too easily.
Morton stepped back and gave a smirk.
"You got lucky."
Felix didn't respond to his mockery and took a step towards Morton.
Unlike the lighthearted Felix they had seen outside the arena, Felix holding a sword exuded an unknown pressure.
Morton flinched involuntarily and stepped back.
'W-what? Am I being intimidated by this guy...?'
Suddenly, Felix dashed forward.
And he raised his sword and performed a vertical slash.
It was a clean slash as if it had come straight out of a swordsmanship textbook.
"Gasp!"
Morton barely managed to raise his sword and block Felix's sword.
His wrist throbbed from the heavy blow.
Felix didn't stop and swung his sword in all directions.
Vertical slash, horizontal slash, diagonal downward slash, diagonal upward slash, and so on.
Although they were simple slashing movements, Morton was overwhelmed by the continuous barrage of attacks without any gaps.
"Huff, huff."
He caught his breath and regained his stance.
His hand holding the sword was trembling.
'I-I'm being pushed back by this idiot...?'
Meanwhile, Felix took another half step forward.
Morton, unconsciously frightened, stepped back.
As he retreated, he was cornered in the arena.
Confirming Morton's position, Felix raised his sword, his body bent like a bow, and shot forward.
Then, he swung his sword powerfully at Morton.
Whoosh!
Morton tried to block Felix's sword with his own.
But Felix's sword sent Morton flying along with his sword.
"Cough!"
Morton flew out of the arena and fell out of bounds.
"Felix Valencia wins!"
As the end of the match was declared, Felix immediately lowered his sword and returned to his usual expression.
"Whew, it's a good thing the opponent was weak. I almost ended up in closed-door training."
In fact, Morton Heros was by no means a weak opponent.
Felix, who had been training unconsciously among strong individuals while following Zeke, hadn't realized how strong he had become.
The next match was between Reina and Liam.
The two, who had competed for first and second place at the academy, were now facing each other in the martial arts tournament.
"I look forward to a good match, Reina Draker."
Reina responded to Liam's words with a nod.
After the gong signaled the start, the two faced each other with their weapons raised.
However, they just stared at each other without moving.
They had constantly fought each other since their academy days, so they already knew how the other would move.
The audience also watched the confrontation between the two with bated breath.
In the midst of the silent standoff, Liam broke the balance first.
Thud!
He lowered his stance and attacked Reina's legs.
Swoosh!
Reina leaped into the air, attempting to strike Liam's back.
However, Liam's long arms bent at an odd angle, swinging his sword to block Reina's attack.
Clang!
The two created distance again and began to observe each other cautiously.
Since they couldn't use Aura, they had to swing their swords with only physical strength.
Reina possessed the strength and elasticity unique to the Turunn clan, while Liam could launch unpredictable attacks with his long reach and flexibility.
This time, Reina initiated the attack first.
As Zeke had advised her, she launched an attack utilizing her whole body's elasticity.
Whoosh!
An incredibly sharp sword strike, unbelievable for someone not using Aura, unfolded from her sword.
Liam retreated and quickly swung his sword to block Reina's attack.
Then, he swung his long leg for a low kick.
Thwack!
Reina was hit by the sudden kick attack.
As her balance faltered, Liam seized the opportunity and pressed his advantage.
Swoosh!
He swung his sword as if to cut Reina's waist.
That was when it happened.
Reina's eyes flashed momentarily, and all her muscles pulsed, exceeding her physical limits.
Reina felt as if time had stopped.
'What is this sensation?'
Liam's sword seemed to approach her slowly.
Reina dodged Liam's sword and turned her body, digging into his chest.
Then, she tripped Liam's leg, making him fall.
Whoosh!
The stopped time returned to normal.
Liam, lying on the ground, had an expression of disbelief, unable to understand why he had fallen.
Reina felt pain as if all the muscles in her body were screaming.
She endured the pain and held her sword to the neck of the fallen Liam.
"Reina Draker wins!"
Reina breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath.
'I've found a new path.'
The duel with Liam had become a stepping stone for Reina's growth.
Zeke, who was watching this, gave a wry smile.
'Flash Step. As expected of a genius.'
He could see that Reina's Applied Form, which earned her the title of Flash Knight in his past life, was gradually taking shape.
Just then, Felix said to Zeke,
"Master, Senior Brother Liam lost, so he'll be in closed-door training, right?"
Without answering, Zeke smacked Felix on the back and slowly went up to the arena.
It was his turn next.
"Zeke Draker, Edward Siemens!"
Zeke looked at the spear that Edward Siemens, who had entered the arena, was carrying.
'Ha, this bastard. He brought a magic spear.'
While preventing the use of Aura, he had sneakily brought a spear imbued with magic to the duel.
Zeke, who could sense mana, the source of both Aura and magic, could recognize the magic cast on the spear.
Edward said to Zeke,
"Remember this well. Strategy ultimately trumps power."
Edward was spouting nonsense, rationalizing his own petty actions.
Zeke said nothing and raised Bahamut.
Soon, the gong signaling the start of the match rang out.
Edward shouted and charged at Zeke with his spear.
"Haaa!"
Perhaps due to the Haste and Strength Enhancement magic cast on the spear, his charging speed and the force of his spear thrust were no different from when using Aura.
However, Zeke swung Bahamut towards the incoming spear with an indifferent expression.
Slash!
"Huh?"
The spearhead was cut off with a single blow.
Edward couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
And immediately after, Zeke swung his sword at him.
Whoosh!
Edward tried to block Zeke's sword with the remaining spear shaft.
But Zeke's sword was faster.
He struck Edward with the flat of his sword instead of the blade.
"Quack!"
Trying to dodge, Edward was hit squarely on the back with the flat of the sword, let out a strange cry, and collapsed.
The audience gaped at Edward, who fainted from Zeke's single blow.
The examiner also barely managed to regain his composure and shouted, "
Z-Zeke Draker wins!"
The paramedics carried out Edward Siemens, who was foaming at the mouth and unconscious.
Edward was eliminated without even being able to use the various strategies he had prepared.
Zeke sheathed Bahamut and leisurely descended from the arena.
"Waaaaaaa!"
"Zeke! Zeke!"
The arena was filled with cheers.
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]