Chapter 15

014. Wings of Rebellion

For example.

If you have a lunch appointment at two in the afternoon and you're heading to the meeting place while clutching your empty stomach,

think about the scent of ballymanju wafting from the subway station.

Everyone will say in unison,

"Possible."

Of course, we can boldly reject the temptation because we know the scent and the taste, but in a place where the infrastructure is like garbage, snacks are a luxury.

What kind of reaction would you get if you spread the smell of ballymanju in such a place?

"Ah. Hah. Suck!"

"Huh. Huh. Suck!!"

They would just glare at you with burning eyes and moan like zombies.

It's still time for the freshmen to be in the square... not the Colosseum.

Only the students preparing the street stalls nearby would look at you and drool.

"Ugh... ...Grrr."

"...Grrr."

Hey, back off, you guys. I'm not giving it to you; I'm selling it to those cute freshmen.

By the way, this is just before a full-blown zombie apocalypse.

"All done."

"...Hmm. Prepare the next one."

"Yes."

I placed the well-cooked ballymanju on the tray in front of the cooking machine and took a moment to savor the scent.

"What are you doing?"

"No, nothing."

I shook my head at Nefte's question.

No, it's not that.

I was just wondering if what I cooked wasn't ballymanju but marijuana.

I cooked the next ballymanju and simultaneously took out the dough for the donuts.

A stone that can be used as a magical power source.

In short, a magic stone can do anything. If you put it in a weapon, it can split a person in half or fold them.

I spent a fortune to rent a freezer made of magic stones for this event. It costs 150,000 rin to rent it for one day. Is this for real?

Anyway, inside the freezer were the donut dough and the cold cream I prepared from yesterday.

Finally, the beans set cold to make 'mixed beans' at any time.

After finishing the preparations, I slowly baked the ballymanju and donuts, and Nefte spoke up.

"By the way, I remember that Ayla was in charge of the freshmen's 'education' this time."

"Hmm. That's right."

"I hope she doesn't go too far..."

"I'm sure she'll be moderate."

"That's the best. When I received my education, it was really intense."

"Hmm."

I nodded as if I knew.

Wasn't Nefte the top student of the second-year freshmen? I thought it was Eve?

If Eve was the top and received education, it would be a crime of high treason punishable by extermination. Who in their right mind would make a princess fight in front of 100,000 people?

So, was Nefte, who had the best entrance scores and no background, chosen?

"Who did you fight with, again?"

"Senior Izold, the gem sword."

"Is that so. How many swords did you summon?"

"Ruby, I think."

"Good job."

To be honest, I was a bit surprised.

Gem sword Izold.

Her personality is the worst of the worst, and maintaining tension and affection is a disaster, but her skills completely overshadow her personality, making her a cheat character.

At first, she summons a weak and soft gem sword to fight, and when it breaks, she summons the next level of sword, which eventually becomes incredibly powerful.

Anyway, Ruby is the third sword, and if Nefte, a first-year, could summon it, she must be a real monster.

However, even Nefte and gem sword Izold pale in comparison to one person.

The Light Hero, Kelters.

'Light can pierce all darkness and penetrate the world equally, so it is light.'

In other words, Kelters' greatest talent is that he can be anything. He can be a great mage, a great merchant, a great knight, or the deepest assassin.

Considering the performance of the weapon Kelters is thought to have, Ayla might not have it easy either.

Wait.

Didn't I confidently tell Ayla she would win in front of her?

What if Ayla is losing?

Would she stab a black crystal spear into my eye and say, "Wolfram's eyes are full of knots. I'll stick my black crystal in them!"?

Hmm.

The only thing I can do now is prepare a bribe.

"Nefte. If we don't sell everything today..."

"I'll mobilize the Knight Club students and sell everything."

"Is that okay?"

Where is the sword of conviction?

"Let's make a full set right away. Quickly."

"I don't need you to give it to me."

"Not for you... No, a few sets for you to eat. Two or three sets. Have them as lunch."

"Yes, I understand!"

Nefte, who had been slightly dejected, nodded with bright eyes.

After eating and saying it was the best taste, eating again?

Anyway, as I kept baking, I heard footsteps coming from afar.

This way.

The scent bomb, ballymanju, is attracting the vultures.

Fresh-faced freshmen.

"...Alright, Nefte. The war begins."

"My loyalty is yours. Trust me."

Well, I'll trust you,

If I don't, we'll all die anyway.

***

Ayla Trista has outstanding talent.

But the world is vast, and she knows that there are many people greater than her talent in this world.

The best talent of the Trista family. A girl who can already use a 7-tier [Ultimate Enhancement] buff.

A flying fish in the third year of the Magic Department.

However, she found the pre-meal ceremony truly boring.

'Boring.'

Honestly, she doesn't even know why she's here. Being the second in the third year is more of a disgrace than a source of pride to her.

So, the arrogant speech of Eve von Loewengrim and the bright-eyed first-year students below, who are drawing their blue future, are all annoying.

According to the academy's regulations, the second in the third year educates the top first-year student. This is a really trashy job, but now she has to bow.

'Well, looking at Wolfram's Wings of Rebellion would be more enjoyable.'

Ayla sighed deeply.

Wolfram von Loewengrim.

Her fiancé.

Unlike Ayla, he has no talent and is at the bottom, but his eyes shine brighter than anyone else in this hall.

From the bottom, he looks up to the top. His determination to walk alone towards the sky is palpable.

She starts to look forward to the path he will take and wants to be the best protagonist or sit in the front row if she is an audience.

Rebellion is when the lowest person aims for the highest and shines brilliantly.

To Ayla, Wolfram's rebellion is truly beautiful.

At least there was something worth watching.

The hateful rival, Eve von Loewengrim's student council speech.

"This year, the student council will strive to provide fair distribution and proper evaluation to all students, leading to a better academy life."

Strangely, Eve didn't mention Wolfram.

Among the students here, except for the freshmen, everyone knows what kind of student council president Wolfram was. By declaring the overthrow of Wolfram, she could corner him or boost her own support.

The best political tool is always dividing, creating villains, making a mess, and inciting.

Just by mentioning Wolfram's name, all of this is possible, but she didn't.

Is it for the honor of the royal family, or is there another reason Ayla doesn't know?

Just by not cursing Wolfram, Ayla thought Eve's new student council proclamation was more acceptable than expected.

"Next, the third-year Magic Department. The duel between 'Black Crystal' Ayla Trista and the freshman 'Kelters' will take place. This event is part of a long-standing welcoming ceremony."

Immersed in such thoughts, Ayla sighed when she heard her name called by Eve.

The most trashy time.

***

"Please take care of me! I'm Kelters!"

"...Please take care of me. I'm Ayla Trista, the second in the third-year Magic Department."

After a brief exchange of greetings, Ayla looked at the boy.

His eyes sparkled. The heat of not wanting to lose.

Normally, she wouldn't want to trample such a boy, but Wolfram said to show him the 'rank' and completely crush him.

Only then would he have the qualifications to follow her.

'...Then, I'll prove those qualifications now.'

Ayla stared intently at the boy named Kelters and delivered a cheap provocation she wouldn't normally do.

"Okay. Let's make a promise."

"Yes, yes?"

"I'll use my black crystal once for an attack. If you block it, you win."

"Understood! Senior!"

Did he think he was being ignored? His eyes burned even more.

Regardless.

Following the referee's instructions, they maintained their distance, and Ayla took her stance while the boy drew the greatsword on his back.

If I embed the black crystal in the boy's forehead, he will be flung out of the ring. That level of output control is her specialty.

Then, the boy will fall like a dead puppy, and Ayla will elegantly leave the stage.

However, what worried her was the advice he gave her.

Wolfram.

Her only recognized comrade in rebellion.

He knew about the boy and seemed to be wary, even giving her advice.

'Be careful of the charge.'

If he said that, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious.

"Come on, boy."

"...Yes!"

As soon as she yielded the first move, Ayla's eyes widened.

'Sure enough, he had a trick up his sleeve.'

An extraordinary charge speed. It might be good enough to put in the second-year Knight Department.

A straight line. Determined to cut her down with the shortest distance, the charge was packed with power.

The low, sweeping strike aimed at her waist was as fierce and violent as it could be.

A spirited strike befitting a freshman.

Then, as a senior, she would elegantly block it.

"【Black Crystal: Single Shot: Barrier】"

Instantly, a black crystal barrier rose between Ayla and Kelters.

The black crystal, blooming like a flower made of crystal, completely blocked the two.

An ordinary human body cannot penetrate this crystal barrier.

The attacker has two options.

Jump over the black crystal.

Or go around it.

The boy, who had been charging low just a moment ago, would most likely go around.

That's the normal thought process and the orthodox approach.

But.

【Unnamed Sword: Critical Strike: Breakthrough】

The voice from beyond the barrier still meant a charge, and with a crash, the black crystal barrier crumbled.

The scattered black crystal.

The two people, now without any obstruction.

The knight who maintained his distance and the mage who gave it.

In an instant.

Ayla saw two things.

One was the boy's sword, glowing red.

The other was his eyes, determined not to give up.

The breakthrough was unyielding, and the boy's sword was thrust at Ayla with full force.

"Ah."

This is why she was told to be careful of the charge.

A fitting advice. Indeed, it was Wolfram.

"【Black Crystal: Rapid Fire: Reformation】"

Ayla smiled and waved her hand.

If Wolfram were here, he would have widened his eyes in shock.

In the original story, Ayla would allow this attack, blame Kelters, and fall in the third act.

But now, the proud black crystal has twisted her fate.

Crack. Crack. Crack!

The shattered black crystal barrier reformed as if rewinding time, filling the space between them.

The thrusting sword.

The charging body.

The stomping feet.

The unstoppable charge.

All of it was embedded in the black crystal.

On this stage, only Ayla could move.

She elegantly crossed her arms and looked at Kelters.

Desperately trying to move his arm but unable to do so.

His eyes burned, but it was more like a lukewarm something.

Wings of Rebellion?

No.

These wings are not enough to fly.

They cannot make her heart race.

"【Black Crystal: Single Shot: Ultimate Enhancement】"

Ayla, still crossed-armed,

Loaded a single black crystal and fired it.

"Bang!"

As promised, a single shot.

A perfect victory that no one could refute.

"I hope Wolfram's donuts don't sell out. It was what I was looking forward to the most today."

Without even glancing at the fallen Kelters, who looked like a frog.