Chapter 132: Preparations [2]
Luina Berchef, both a student and a knight, was no exception.
Swish—
The sword danced. Deflecting all the sword strikes that flew at her trying to tear at their owner, she advanced.
Clash!
Her opponent’s grip was torn. The sword flew through the air.
"I surrender, I surrender...!"
The sword stopped in front of her opponent’s neck. Bella Hoenne raised both hands.
"Wow, Luina, what happened to you during the break? Now we can’t even match you when we both attack!"
"I’m ranked 17th in the Knight Department, you know!"
Aina, who had been subdued before Bella, protested indignantly.
"Nothing special happened."
Something did happen.
"I just broke through a wall."
"That is special!"
"No wonder...! We can’t match her even with both of us."
Aina agreed with Bella’s words.
"At this rate, you might even beat that monster, Senior Rob?"
"That’s for Luina to know. I just hope I can make it to the top 32 this time."
"You won’t make it."
"Bella, remember that I’m ranked higher than you?"
Seeing Aina’s contorted face, Bella hurriedly changed the topic.
"Oh, Luina. Have you filled out the application?"
"Yes. I’ve already submitted it."
Luina nodded.
The memory of filling out that application form came to her mind.
***
"Are you planning to enter the Jousting Competition?"
"Yes."
Gerhard, carrying two cups of coffee, sat down in front of her as she was filling out the application form. She felt the gazes around them, but they soon disappeared, perhaps because she was used to it now.
"So, are you confident in winning this time?"
"I’m confident I won’t lose to anyone."
"Even Rob Kaellin?"
"Yes."
Luina nodded heavily.
Rob Kaellin was the current top student in the fourth-year Knight Department.
Unfortunately, talent doesn’t emerge evenly every year.
Naturally, not all grades at the academy were of equal level, and the current fourth-year was notably inferior compared to other grades.
Rob Kaellin was the only extraordinary existence that salvaged the face of the underperforming fourth-year students.
"Last year, you made it to the top 16."
"I faced Senior Rob in the top 16."
"Almon dropped out in the top 32."
"He also faced Senior Rob."
That was their misfortune. Monsters who had surpassed the first-year level met an even greater monster, and despite being qualified to go higher, they couldn’t.
"Are you confident this time?"
"Of course."
The Luina then and the Luina now were different.
On a smaller scale, there was time, realization, and the elixir she received from Gerhard; on a larger scale, there were the battles against malignant creatures and demons.
Everything she had experienced during the past year had significantly raised Luina’s level.
"By the way, aren’t you participating in the Magic Tournament this time either?"
"There’s no need for me to enter."
"Still can’t understand..."
Luina’s face subtly contorted.
"...This coffee is very bitter."
"I ordered a particularly bitter one on purpose. I brought something that pairs well with it."
It was chocolate. Exceptionally sweet, refreshing, soft yet tangy.
"...What is this?"
"World Tree bark chocolate that I got from Ariadne. Those elves seemed to enjoy it quite a bit."
Indeed they did. Although the excessive sweetness made her tongue tingle, it was amazing how smoothly it went down.
As Gerhard said, it paired well with the bitter coffee.
"Such a precious thing... Thank you. But why aren’t you participating?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because it’s a waste. Since you’ve already earned the top rank, isn’t it meaningless to hide your skills?"
"Of course, you’re right."
If he hadn’t revealed himself from the beginning, it might have been different, but Gerhard was already at the center of attention having claimed the top spot.
Even while paired with Luina, his grades weren’t likely to drop significantly, so whether he entered the Magic Tournament or not wouldn’t make much difference.
But.
"Luina Berchef. You’re overlooking one fact."
"What is it?"
"Artifacts and scrolls are prohibited in the Magic Tournament."
"..."
Of course, even without them, Gerhard was by no means weak. But it was undeniable that equipment purchased with money played a significant role.
"So don’t worry about me and focus on doing well yourself. I believe in you."
"...Me?"
"Yes. I believe you’ll win."
At those words, Luina hesitated momentarily. But she soon regained her composure and asked.
"...Are you going to bet on me?"
"If I win thanks to you, I’ll give you a share."
That figures.
Luina let out a hollow laugh.
"If that happens, I’d like you to deduct some from my family’s debt."
Though it wouldn’t amount to much, any contribution would be welcome.
"By all means."
Gerhard’s confident smile. With that, Luina’s reminiscence ended.
Afterward, they just chatted a bit before parting, nothing special.
However.
"Aina, Bella. Let’s go one more time."
Was it because she had received encouragement and expectations, even though she knew it was for money?
"Again?"
"I feel like I’m going to die...!"
Somehow, she felt motivated.
She wanted to repay him. Whatever the reason, Luina had received a lot from Gerhard.
"Here I come."
"W-wait!"
"You’re putting too much force into it!"
Luina gripped her sword with renewed strength.
***
Central Empire.
In a place once called the Armian Kingdom, under the rule of the Armian family for a long time but now a territory of the Schwaben, a rather famous organization had established itself.
"...Malignant creatures?"
The man rubbed his eyes and checked the report again. Nevertheless, the content written on the document remained unchanged.
"Did malignant creatures really appear?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
Those who sold their souls to demons in exchange for demonic power.
There were many terms to describe them—malignant creatures, demon followers, demon’s dogs, betrayers of humanity—but currently, the term "malignant creatures" had become standard.
"Did you fabricate this again? If we get caught this time, we’re finished..."
"It’s a tip-off. Please read the report properly."
"A tip-off? Is it from a reliable source?"
But they had swarmed only a thousand years ago; since the total annihilation of demons, they had long disappeared due to the Empire’s prolonged persecution.
"Yes. The informant is Mikale Montella."
"Mikale Montella?"
The man’s eyes widened.
"That’s the academy headmaster!"
"And an Arch Mage too."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Such a person wouldn’t make a false report out of boredom, right?"
"Absolutely not. Malignant creatures have been discovered within the academy."
"Ha...!"
Having properly grasped the situation, the man began to scrutinize the report he had only skimmed before.
"Malignant creatures attacked students inside the academy..."
"Not only that, they were hiding all over the academy."
"These crazy bastards...! They’ve lost their minds. How dare they target the academy."
The man erupted in anger. But his eyes and mouth were smiling.
"If malignant creatures are targeting the Empire’s future, we can’t just sit by, can we?"
"Of course not."
"How scared the students must have been. Vermin who sold their souls to demons running around."
"We must exterminate them all."
"Right, specialists like us should step in for this kind of situation."
Like us.
The man’s smile grew wider.
"Find out about ship travel immediately. We’re going to the academy. We must protect our vulnerable students who must be trembling in fear."
Those who prosper when demons exist.
Those who actually hope for demons to run wild.
The Empire called them the Judges.