Chapter 47

Clasping his shoulders in anger, Clanel Feilarte stormed out of the classroom.

Warm, sympathetic gazes from the entire class gathered toward me.

Well, that’s to be expected. No matter how much he’s beaten a Rank 2 before, selling a fight to that guy is beyond reckless—it’s just plain suicide.

“Soji, I’m sorry for getting you involved in this mess again. And, it seemed like you were the one who aggressively provoked him at the end. Was that just my imagination?”

Anne’s head was a jumble of self-blame for involving me and scolding my reckless actions, her face showing a curious expression.

“I deliberately provoked him. If I fight first, Anne’s chances of winning will increase. Anne, watch our battle closely. Sword techniques, footwork, breathing. You can use my movements as a model, or you can try to read Clanel’s movements. I think there’s a lot to gain.”

“But what if you lose!”

“Do you think I’ll lose?”

I smiled confidently.

I recalled having the same conversation when I fought a Rank 2 senior before.

But Anne didn’t seem convinced, and neither did Kuna.

“Soji, can you really win? That guy is in a different league from the seniors you fought in the entrance exam. It’s not just about the rank; his sword skills are also top-notch. While your skills are superior, you can’t overwhelm him.”

As expected, Kuna. She seemed to have gauged Clanel’s strength from his brief movements from the moment he entered the classroom to the moment he left.

“You’re right. The gap in our abilities isn’t enough to cover the rank difference. If we face each other as swordsmen, I would lose.”

“Soji, does that mean you can’t win?”

Anne looked like she was about to cry.

I placed my hand gently on her head.

“I’m talking about if we fight as swordsmen. As a magician, I have ten or twenty tricks up my sleeve to overcome the rank difference. I’ll win. Just like always, it’ll be a matter of course.”

“Is that just bravado?”

“No, it’s just a fact. I’ll have to reveal one of my trump cards, but I’ve made up my mind. What I’ll show is the ‘Swordsman Killer.’ No matter how skilled a swordsman is, as long as they are a swordsman, they can’t beat me.”

If it doesn’t go the same way as the fight with the Rank 2 senior, I’ll just fight in a way that surpasses it.

Fortunately, my over a hundred years of experience have prepared me with countless options.

◇

The morning lectures ended, and the afternoon was for practical classes outside.

“So, we’ll have practical combat today. Before that, let’s measure your ranks again. We did it during the entrance exam, but from now on, we’ll measure it once a month to check your growth. If you don’t delve into the underground labyrinth, you’ll fall behind the others.”

The voice of the young-looking female teacher, Teacher Nakita, echoed.

The general class students, who had changed into their sports uniforms, gathered on the school’s sports field.

Occasionally, students looked in our direction, clearly concerned about tomorrow’s duel.

“Hey, focus. Well, I guess it’s understandable. I heard about it too. It seems the biggest troublemaker in this class has caused another incident. The application for private use of the Colosseum was forcefully approved by authority. I never thought a simple private fight would become such a big deal. As expected of a noble. Soji, you should choose your opponents more carefully. He’s from a sword family and is the top of Rank 2. There’s probably only one person in this school who can beat him.”

Teacher Nakita looked at me with a sigh.

“It’s because he provoked me.”

“But you accepted the challenge, right?”

“Of course, I accepted. In exchange for his asking price, I got some extra benefits.”

I provoked the fight, and in return, I gave Anne Clanel’s information and took his sword.

It’s a sure step toward Anne’s victory.

For Anne to win the duel in two months, there are several minimum conditions.

One is reaching Rank 2 within the two months. Unlike me, it’s too much to ask her to cover the rank difference. At the very least, she needs to reach the same rank.

The second is improving her sword skills. Even if she reaches the same rank, it’s impossible to catch up to Clanel, who is the top of Rank 2, in terms of rank. She needs sword techniques to bridge that gap. Anne needs to find her own sword style.

“Hmm, well, I guess you’ll manage somehow. I’ll be watching from the audience, though. I hope you don’t get too bloody, but I doubt you’ll listen to me.”

“That won’t be a problem. This time, I’ll do it cleanly.”

After all, it’s impossible to hit the opponent’s vital points with the [Divine Spear] unless there’s a significant power difference. On the other hand, I can’t let him inflict external injuries with other means.

Naturally, I need to decide on a decisive method other than causing external injuries.

“That’s a relief. I’m not really good with gore. Well, I’ve gone off-topic again. Let’s get started with measuring everyone’s ranks.”

Teacher Nakita clapped her hands to line up the students.

As she measured and recorded their ranks one by one, her face grew increasingly displeased.

“None of you have been to the underground labyrinth, have you? It was your first week after enrollment, so you needed to prepare. You were busy with the massive amount of homework assigned in class and didn’t have the time. You should have built up more knowledge before challenging it. I’m sure you can come up with various excuses.”

Teacher Nakita paused.

“If you keep making excuses for yourself, you’ll never get stronger. Three years will fly by. If you’re serious about aiming for Rank 3, you can’t waste a single day. If you’re still hesitating after being toyed with by veterans in the previous practical, it’s impossible.”

Most of the students’ faces turned red with shame.

Indeed, that was the main reason they hadn’t delved into the underground labyrinth. The memory of being toyed with by veterans held them back.

It can’t be helped…

“Everyone, as classmates, let’s help each other. After class, I’ll offer a one-hour underground labyrinth tutorial for those who want it. I’ll teach you practical knowledge you can use in real combat.”

I called out loudly.

Hearing my words, my classmates’ eyes lit up.

While gaining wisdom from lectures doesn’t immediately boost your strength, it helps avoid accidents and provides a reason to start moving.

“Teacher, I’m surprised. I didn’t think you were that kind of person. I thought you were more self-centered.”

“That’s harsh. I’m one of the most altruistic people you’ll ever meet.”

“Even Kuna is taken aback. You’re definitely up to something.”

“True. Soji wouldn’t do anything without a reason.”

Ignoring Kuna and Anne’s words, I smiled.

Of course, it’s not just a volunteer act. There are also class competitions in the practicals.

Every year, the noble class dominates the general class, but I want to win. Even if our party, [The Tail of the Magic Sword], stands out, we can’t win under the rules. I want to raise the overall level of the class.

Additionally, a party is ideally composed of four members. There might be someone in this class who shows a glimmer of talent that I want to add to my party.

“Well, it’s good that students are helping each other voluntarily. Next, Ryle. Let’s measure your rank.”

As Teacher Nakita said, Ryle, the fourth-ranked student, stepped forward, glancing sideways at Kuna and puffing out his nostrils.

“That confidence. You must have worked hard these past four days.”

“Of course. I’ve been in the underground labyrinth for four days straight as a porter for my brother’s party. I’m doing this to become a man worthy of Lady Kuna!”

Kuna’s tail bristled, and she hid behind me.

I see, he’s a porter in a Rank 2 senior’s party.

Good judgment. Rank 2 parties typically use porters for long-term stays, but even as a porter, you need a minimum level of strength. Ryle is a perfect fit for that role. Porters also get a fair share, so it’s a win-win situation.

“Lady Kuna, I will eventually join the regular party as a porter and come to fetch you when the time comes!”

Ryle reached out to Kuna with shining eyes.

Like Clanel, who tried to touch Anne. And Ryle, who tried to touch Kuna. Are the women in my party cursed to be approached by men? If it gets too bad, I might have to physically remove them.

Neither of them has any intention of giving up.

“No, thank you. I believe [The Tail of the Magic Sword] is the best party.”

Kuna clung to my arm, and Ryle’s face froze in a comical way.

“By the way, Ryle, your brother is already in the underground labyrinth.”

Honestly, I was surprised. It’s been less than a week since I blew off his senior’s arm and intimidated him, and he’s already in the underground labyrinth.

His blessings and magic power haven’t fully recovered, and I thought I had broken his spirit, but his recovery is abnormally fast.

“Don’t get too cocky just because you beat my brother once! As soon as he reaches Rank 3, he intends to challenge you, Soji. Be prepared!”

“O-Okay.”

I see, he’s aware that he can’t win right now, but he’s determined to raise his rank and challenge me again. In a way, he’s persistent and might be suited to be an explorer.

“Both of you, can you stop chatting and focus? Do you want to make me angry? Do you?”

“Sorry.”

It seems Teacher Nakita’s patience was reaching its limit after being interrupted multiple times during the rank measurements.

Ryle and I apologized in unison and bowed.

Teacher Nakita sighed and smiled, then measured Ryle’s rank.

“Yes, you were already in the upper ranks of Rank 1. You’re still in the upper ranks, but you’ve improved your [Rank]. You’ve worked hard.”

Ryle, aside from being a pest to Kuna, is the most promising student in this class after us.

It’s a shame I didn’t consider approaching him if he weren’t a pest.

“Next, Soji. I believe you were in the middle ranks of Rank 1, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

During the entrance exam, I used a high-rank magic stone to instantly raise my [Rank] from 0 to the middle ranks of Rank 1.

“I bet you’ve already moved up to the upper ranks of Rank 1.”

“Well, you’ll see.”

Teacher Nakita, jokingly saying, “Oh, I’m scared,” peeked at my [Rank].

“…Upper ranks of Rank 1. And quite high in the upper ranks. You’ve already surpassed Ryle!? What did you do!? I remember you formed a party with Kuna and Anne… Kuna, Anne, come here immediately.”

Kuna and Anne stepped forward, looking confused.

“Both of you, from absolute zero to the upper ranks of Rank 1!? That’s impossible. In just four days, at this speed!? I’ve never even heard of such a thing. How did you do it!?”

Teacher Nakita’s eyes widened in shock.

Raising your [Rank] to the upper ranks of Rank 1 in just four days is an abnormal feat.

Even with a full party delving into the underground labyrinth every day, it would take more than half a year.

“Soji, explain. This is so abnormal that you’re dangerous. I need to know this trick to protect you. At the entrance ceremony, I could have covered it up by saying it was your abnormal constitution or that you were lucky to survive, but if the entire party is progressing at this speed, I can’t cover it up. At worst, you could be kidnapped by an organization, forced to reveal the secret of your speed, and then eliminated to keep it a secret. Your rapid rank-up is that significant.”

I was also aware of this.

My [Purification] technique accelerates rank-up by dozens of times the normal rate.

Everyone, from individuals to nations, would want to acquire this technique.

After all, a high-rank explorer is equivalent to the strength of thousands of people. The military power of this era is nothing but the number of high-rank explorers a country possesses.

If a single country were to genuinely utilize my technique, they could conquer the world without exaggeration.

“Yes, it’s fine. I intended to spread this technique worldwide.”

I smiled and said confidently.

After all, [Purification] is useless to anyone but me, so there’s no pain in revealing it. It’s better to openly disclose it.

Now, this is the critical moment.