Chapter 41

Continue as Borah's meaning.

"Without any justifiable reason, Nishizawa Eri disobeyed my orders as the on-site commander solely based on personal feelings. In a situation where a moment's mistake can mean life or death, such insubordination is an unacceptable act of irresponsibility that disregards the duty of a hero. Naturally, she must face the appropriate consequences."

I continue speaking with a feigned seriousness.

"For her future, if we overlook such irresponsible behavior just because she is a classmate, Nishizawa Eri will never become a proper hero."

I finish speaking and look straight into Seira Yoshizaki's eyes.

She gives a playful smile.

Another feigned, deadly expression.

It's a positive sign.

I barely manage to suppress a hollow laugh.

"Indeed, your words are reasonable. Very well. I will refer Nishizawa Eri to the disciplinary committee. As you said, insubordination on the field is a serious offense and a disqualification for a hero. The likely outcome will be expulsion. Is that acceptable to you?"

Seira's eyes narrow again.

Another test.

This time, the subject is 'kindness.'

I'm tired of this.

It's not like I'm taking a midterm exam.

I don't understand why she likes testing me so much.

Anyway, since I've received the test paper, I need to submit the model answer again.

"While she did commit a serious offense, I don't wish for her to be expelled. Although I have personal grievances, she is still my classmate and partner. If she were to be expelled, it would leave a bitter taste."

If I had simply accepted her good words and asked for her expulsion, my evaluation in Seira Yoshizaki's eyes would surely plummet.

For not being kind, that is.

She set this trap with that intention.

"Hmm. You want leniency, then?"

"Yes."

I need Nishizawa Eri to face the final boss Messiah, so expulsion was impossible from the start.

I would like to, but this final boss is a real pain.

In the current situation, it's best to pretend to be kind and make a good impression on Seira Yoshizaki, even if it's just for show.

The expected punishment for her is suspension, community service within the school, and a large number of demerit points.

In this kind world, such a punishment would be considered severe, but I can't be satisfied with just that.

"However, I would appreciate it if you could put pressure on her at the disciplinary committee as if you were going to expel her. Only then will Miss Nishizawa realize her mistake and repent."

The person Nishizawa Eri values most is her mother.

Because of her mother's expectations, she will do everything to avoid expulsion.

Therefore, I need to put maximum pressure on her during the committee process to crush her mentally.

Of course, I don't care about Nishizawa's tragic family circumstances, and I have no obligation to acknowledge or forgive her just because she repents.

After all, she will soon be my slave. There's no need to worry about a slave's circumstances.

"·····Repentance, huh. An interesting idea."

Seira Yoshizaki gives a feigned, deadly smile.

"Very well. I will do as you ask."

Her permission falls from her lips.

"Thank you for your understanding."

"It's nothing."

Seira Yoshizaki smiles faintly and sips her matcha.

She can really drink that bitter stuff.

Rin is the same; it's quite amazing.

She puts down her teacup.

"I've kept you here for too long, young one."

With that face, calling herself old.

There's a huge gap between reality and appearance.

"You may leave now, Kim Deok-sung."

Chirr.

Seira Yoshizaki opens her lace fan and says.

"I enjoyed our meeting today, President."

"I am the one who found it impressive."

Leaving her words behind, I step out of the president's office.

With the disciplinary committee referral successful, all that remains is proper education.

*

The door of the president's office closes behind Kim Deok-sung.

Seira Yoshizaki is left alone in the spacious office.

Chirp.

She takes a sip of matcha.

"Kim Deok-sung······"

Seira's eyes narrow.

Kim Deok-sung.

The student who defeated Olivia and Shinozaki Rin and was chosen by the spirit of Durandal.

The student who caught the attention of Ichiro Shinozaki, the president of the Japanese Hero Association.

Seira Yoshizaki met him to test him, as Kim Deok-sung had expected.

"I understand why the Knight Princess fell so deeply for him."

She was once a companion of the Black Prince.

Naturally, she has some acquaintance with Olivia.

The Olivia she knows is a hero candidate who values the responsibility of a hero more than anyone and has an attitude that is not typical of today's students.

Therefore, even though it was the result of a bet, Seira was puzzled when Olivia became Kim Deok-sung's exclusive maid.

Because the proud princess of France would never willingly serve a man she didn't recognize.

But today, Seira confirmed.

"·····The sense of responsibility of a hero."

To be honest, what Nishizawa Eri did to Kim Deok-sung was so severe that even Seira would nod in agreement if he were to refer her to the disciplinary committee out of personal feelings.

However, he acknowledged his personal feelings but drew a line, and only persuaded her as a hero.

"And a man who also possesses kindness."

He didn't want her to be expelled.

Nishizawa Eri's punishment is clearly grounds for expulsion, but he pleaded for leniency.

But he didn't back down like a pushover.

He firmly drew a line, making repentance a prerequisite.

The two major virtues of a hero, as Seira Yoshizaki sees it.

He demonstrated them in an ideal form.

"I like him."

Her lips curve into a smile.

"·····If I were 40 years younger, I might have fallen for him."

Seira murmurs in a wistful voice.

A man who possesses both responsibility and kindness.

That's why she loved, but ultimately ended up with unrequited love, the man she loved.

Akira Kurosa, the Sword Saint, died 10 years ago.

The man she loved also had black hair and black eyes, just like Kim Deok-sung.

Seira bites her lip, recalling the memories of him.

"I will avenge you, Akira······. I will, definitely······."

In the spacious president's office.

Seira's trembling voice echoes pitifully.

*

On the day of the duel with Nishizawa Eri.

Main Arena.

The rumor that I challenged Nishizawa Eri to a duel for a dog collar and a public apology has already spread widely, and the audience stands of the main arena are packed.

'Thanks to the interview with Nodoka. The rumors are spreading like wildfire.'

Amano Nodoka.

I don't know where she got her information, but I accepted her request for an interview about the duel with Nishizawa Eri.

To spread the sensational rumor and gather an audience to humiliate her in front of all the students.

Given her nature of disliking men, the mere fact of losing to a man in a public duel is a humiliation.

'And I subtly hinted about the disciplinary committee and insubordination. Once the disciplinary committee convenes after the duel, Nishizawa Eri's reputation will plummet to the bottom.'

Amano Nodoka's yellow journalism won't miss such a juicy piece of news.

The moment Amano's article is posted on the Academy Channel.

Nishizawa, who already has many fans and many detractors due to her temper, will have her reputation fall to the bottom of the gutter.

She might even be ostracized.

'All of this is self-inflicted.'

She's getting off easy.

Nishizawa Eri's misfortune is my happiness.

"Black hair... That's Kim Deok-sung."

"Is that the guy who proposed a dog collar and public apology to Miss Nishizawa...?"

"He wants to make Miss Nishizawa his slave? That's just creepy...!"

"Does he plan to walk Miss Nishizawa naked on a leash, like the Knight Princess...?"

But the damn students' gossip is still hard to get used to.

I have no idea how far the rumors about being creepy and walking someone on a leash have evolved.

My stomach churns.

[Mr. Kim Deok-sung and Miss Nishizawa Eri, please enter the arena!]

The broadcast from Teacher Mayuzumi, who is in charge of today's match, echoes.

I stand up.

"Kim Deok-sung, you must win."

I hear Shinozaki Rin's voice.

I turn my head to look at Olivia.

Olivia's face turns red when our eyes meet.

"Hmph, we already talked it all out that night! What more do you want! Idiot! Fool!"

Olivia turns her head and crosses her arms.

"That night?"

"What happened between you two?"

"Every night, they secretly meet in a room and... "

The students' rumors spread again.

I really can't stand it.

"·····Win. No matter what. If you lose, I'll never see you again! Got it!"

Olivia tells me with a trembling voice.

This is the tsundere I know.

"Kim! I'll cheer for you!"

"Bro! Win with your sword!"

I hear cheers from Ishihara and the protagonist.

But I don't need your cheers.

I walk down to the audience stands.

I enter the arena.

I see Nishizawa Eri on the opposite side.

"Creep... Trash..."

She glares at me with contempt and says.

Let her curse to her heart's content.

There's not much time left for her to do so.

[Please switch to battle mode!]

I hear Teacher Mayuzumi's broadcast.

Clank, clank.

Nishizawa Eri switches to battle mode.

A full-body suit that reveals her slender figure.

Her specialized weapon, the kusarigama, in her hand, Nishizawa Eri glares at me fiercely.

Rumble!

Durandal vibrates.

The Black Prince is urging me to switch to battle mode.

I infuse Durandal with mana.

[Durandal online]

A familiar notification sound rings out as a full-body suit covers me.

Thump, thump.

The Black Stone and mana veins resonate, doubling my mana output.

This is my first practical test since swallowing the Black Stone.

It's a perfect time to check its performance.

[Battle start!]

The moment Teacher Mayuzumi's words end.

Swoosh.

Nishizawa Eri's body and the kusarigama in her hand disappear.

Her gift, transparency, has activated.

Nishizawa Eri earned the nickname of a beautiful and deadly kunoichi entirely because of her transparency gift.

[Sync]

I activate my ability.

The Black Prince's talents and experiences are imprinted in my mind.

A sharp headache pierces my brain.

I don't know if it's due to the Black Stone or if I'm getting used to it, but the pain is much less than before.

Chirr!

The sound of chains rings in my ears.

Rumble!

Durandal vibrates. The Black Prince's talent is on high alert.

Clang!

I block the transparent kusarigama, which sparks and bounces off.

'Facing her directly is a pain.'

In the original story, Yuji uses his transcendent mana sensing ability and ki perception to instantly see through Nishizawa Eri's transparency and neutralize her gift, winning the duel.

But I don't have the protagonist's cheat skills.

Chirr.

The sound of chains is heard again.

Rumble.

Durandal vibrates. The Black Prince's talent is on high alert.

Clang!

I block the transparent kusarigama that flies at me again.

Relying on the Black Prince's talent, I can barely defend against her attacks, but if this drags on, Nishizawa Eri will win.

If I don't have a transcendent mana sensing ability, I can create something similar.

'With the Black Stone, my mana is doubled, so it's possible now.'

I use my gift.

The Black Stone and mana veins resonate.

Darkness envelops Durandal's blade.

I plunge the darkness-infused Durandal into the ground and infuse it with more mana.

Thump, thump.

My heart beats wildly.

Darkness rises from the ground and spreads across the entire arena in an instant.

Pitch-black darkness like a fog quickly fills the entire arena.

"What is this?"

I hear Nishizawa Eri's startled voice.

The darkness fog created by my gift cannot be seen with the naked eye without using mana.

But it doesn't matter to me.

Like Yuji's transcendent mana sensing, the darkness fog covering the entire arena is my eyes and a high-performance radar.

I synchronize the darkness fog and ki perception across the entire arena.

"Ugh."

Numerous pieces of information are imprinted in my mind.

I filter out the meaningful information.

'Found you.'

I close and open my eyes.

The detection was successful.

Rumble!

Durandal vibrates as if urging me on.

[Flight mode activation]

Boosters pop out from my back.

[Adamantine Body]

I activate the ability.

A strong headache assaults my head this time.

"Ugh!"

I bite my lip and endure the pain.

Using flight mode, I charge straight into the darkness fog in the direction where Nishizawa Eri was detected.

In the field of vision connected to the darkness fog and my senses, an unnatural silhouette flickers.