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In the suffocating atmosphere, Serena caught her breath. A group of around a dozen people surrounded Nova, forming an unyielding barricade.

In the blink of an eye, drawn swords were pointed at him.

“Lay down and surrender immediately.”

Lucid’s expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated this confrontation.

“The overwhelming killing intent… Is that your true nature? Quite interesting.”

Glimpsing the crowd, Nova soon turned to Lucid and asked,

“Is this why you brought me here?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I initially wanted to talk with just the two of us…

Everyone, return to your positions immediately!”

“But… Lucid-sir…”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

At Lucid’s words, the knights flinched but held their swords steady.

Only then did Nova retract his ominous killing intent.

‘That man seemed to have taken note of the surroundings the moment that sword was pointed at him.’

Was he thinking of his Protectors, or did he instinctively memorize the environment necessary for battle?

“Indeed… He is worthy of being called the strongest of that organization.”

Rubbing his head, Nova sighed and said,

“Okay… I won’t ask how you discovered my past,

So what now?”

“What do you mean ‘what now?'”

“What I want to know is what you wish to tell me after going to such lengths.

You must want something from me, right?”

“Well… Yes, but before that…”

Lucid glanced briefly at the patch of grass outside the window and continued,

“I think I see a little rat hiding…”

Startled by the bloodied spear aimed at her, Serena stood up abruptly.

“Hi! Please save me!!”

“What are you doing here…?”

“…Is it you again?”

Seeing their bewildered expressions, she stammered,

“Uh, um… I just happened to see you two while walking down the street… so…”

“Ugh… This is getting annoying…”

Shaking his head, Lucid tossed a scroll to Nova.

“I have a request I want to ask of you.”

“A request?”

“I’ve written down the details and rewards, so it’s up to you to accept or decline.”

With that, Lucid stood up.

As he headed towards the restaurant door, he placed a hand on Nova’s shoulder and said,

“I want to maintain a good relationship as you mentioned. I’m not thinking of intimidation.

And, Lady Serena?”

“Yes! Yes!!”

“Good. Your new potion business is something our family is very interested in. Could we schedule a time to discuss it later?”

“Really?!”

In that moment, Nova felt as if her eyes sparkled like gold coins.

Watching Serena, who seemed as if she had found a gem, Lucid grinned slyly.

“Are you really a noble, interested only in profit?”

Lucid replied with an expression of disbelief.

“Isn’t that only natural? Money is king.”

“Is it acceptable for a Duchess to speak so vulgarly?”

“Do you dislike money?”

At Lucid’s question, Serena fervently shook her head.

“I love it a lot!”

“Hey…”

Nova was at a loss for words, but he understood Serena’s behavior.

Having lost complete support from the Silver Tower, Lucid must have appeared as a lifeline to her.

“Do you know why nobles say they don’t like money?”

“Why?”

“Because they are well-fed pigs. They’ve never known hunger, so they pretend to be classy.”

Serena nodded vigorously, as if she completely agreed.

Of course, Nova also understood, as he wasn’t exactly wealthy himself.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. This place is quite an expensive restaurant, so you two can eat here.”

Just before leaving, he looked back at them and chuckled softly.

“Seeing the two of you like this… It would be amusing to take a photo and show it to her, wouldn’t it?”

At those words, Nova and Serena’s faces paled.

Once Lucid and the hired knights departed, the atmosphere in the restaurant became awkward for the two left behind.

“Haha… um… hi? So…”

“Ha… You heard everything, didn’t you?”

“Uh, um?! Um… that…”

“I knew from the start that you were following me.”

“I-is that so? Ahaha… You’re not going to kill me, right?”

Nova looked at Serena with incredulity.

“Me? Why would I kill you?”

“But you’re an assassin… In these situations, you usually say, ‘You know too much…'”

“…I think you might be reading too many novels. Anyway, I’m going to call Stella, so you both enjoy your meal.”

“Oh? Is that okay? Lucid gave you this seat…”

“He’s going to sponsor my business, and you’re thinking of sticking with a guy right away… I’m totally fine.

If Stella catches us together…

Ugh, just the thought makes me shudder.”

Serena looked a bit disappointed but understood and let him go.

Erasing thoughts she couldn’t tell anyone, she took out her portable crystal and dialed Stella.

*

“You’re late!”

“How about that? Keep going.”

One of the academy facilities, the Sparring Hall, remained functional unlike the collapsed Main Building.

The sounds of spears, swords, and rapiers colliding echoed through the hall.

In the center, three people were sparring—Nova, Scarlet, and Siel.

Stella, watching them from the stands, propped her chin on her hand, observing them with a blank expression.

She murmured coldly to herself,

“Hmm… So, this is how they’ve been training all along?”

Well, I get that. It’s too easy for my level, making training difficult.

But could it be that Nova’s level has dropped drastically? That can’t be, given how the fight’s going right now.

“Damn it! This is really frustrating!”

“…Cough!”

The duel was a 2:1 against two of the Three Great Clans, the academy’s top-tier fighters, working together.

Despite that, the battle was decidedly in Nova’s favor.

“Nova… You’ve certainly gotten incredibly strong…”

In just a few months, he managed to hold his own against both of them simultaneously?

The incredible growth was astonishing, considering how difficult it was for Siel alone during practice sparring.

“But still… something feels off.”

Given that he was facing two opponents, Nova’s movements were swift and precise.

In high-pressure situations, his true talent shone.

To Stella, Nova’s actions seemed strange.

His style involved copying the various movements of opponents and applying them in combat.

Analyzing such a unique combat method was not easy.

However, for Stella, whose skills had surpassed a mundane level, it was clear as day.

‘Whose movements are those?’

The rapidly shifting battle revealed Nova’s awkward hesitations, like he instinctively tried to utilize a technique but withheld at the last moment.

Even the sparring partners didn’t notice the fleeting actions, but she saw them all too clearly.

“Now that I think about it, I sensed something similar during the midterm exam.”

Does he have more hidden powers? Such speculation made the corners of Stella’s mouth lift.

“I’ll need to confirm this.”

*

“Ugh! I lost!”

“Ha… I lost.”

Scarlet sprawled flat on the floor, while Siel knelt, wearing an expression of frustration.

Nova, still looking fresh as if he hadn’t exerted himself at all, sheathed his sword.

“Thanks for the sparring. I feel like I’ve gotten stronger.”

With an exhausted look, Scarlet asked Nova, “What caused this drastic difference? A few months back, I won against you!”

“One more… just one more time.”

Siel, appearing frustrated, readied his sword again, igniting his fighting spirit.

Taking a drink, Nova glanced at the two of them before quietly speaking.

“I think I’m going to stop sparring with you two.”

Their faces displayed shock at Nova’s words.

“What? You mean you’re bailing out just because you’re winning?!”

“Suddenly, why… Could it be that incident…?”

Siel’s usual unemotional demeanor shattered as he exclaimed anxiously.

“Don’t worry about that! That won’t happen again…”

“It’s not about that.”

Interrupting Siel, Nova said calmly,

“As you know, our frequent sparring has caused rumors to spread among the students.”

“And?”

“If I become gossip among the nobles, my position becomes tricky.”

Scarlet seemed to take that in, nodding in understanding.

“So you’re saying you can’t keep this up going forward? I guess it makes sense since rumors have it you’re dating that mage over there.”

“But still!”

Siel seemed to want to say more but merely bit his lip, unable to voice it.

Observing this, Nova deliberately looked away and walked slowly to the exit.

“Thanks for hanging out with me. Whenever the chance arises, let’s meet in an official match.”

“Hmph… When that day comes, I’ll win for sure.”

“…”

As Nova exited the Sparring Hall, Stella appeared before him.

Nova’s face lightened, and he smiled gently.

“You’re here? Thanks for waiting.”

Stella puffed out her cheeks in irritation and moved closer to him.

“I’m only letting this slide because you said it would be the last time. Next time, you’re in trouble.”

“Sorry, I really mean it this time. It’s the last for real.”

“I don’t care about you sparring with those guys, but…

You could have at least given me a heads-up since they’re the Three Great Clans.”

Pouting, she raised her voice in mild dissatisfaction.

Without thinking, Nova reached out and poked her puffy cheek.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“Nothing… Just found it adorable.”

“Please don’t! That hurts!”

Bickering as they left the Sparring Hall was something Siel observed with clenched fists.

*

The next day,

Early in the morning, Stella called me to the Sparring Hall as I yawned widely.

‘Why did she suddenly bring me here?’

I had some idea why she summoned me at this point, but that thought was secondary; just the fact that she requested me made me feel a surge of happiness.

From behind, I heard her bright voice call out.

“You’re early!”

“Wow…”

Turning to look, I gasped in awe.

She wore a fitted windbreaker that showcased her slim legs with leggings that highlighted her figure.

As expected, my favorite heroine pulls off any outfit perfectly.

“Did you just come from working out? This early?”

“I indulged in sweets lately, so I need to watch my weight.”

Having trained for a long time as a Reincarnator, her work ethic was impressive.

Due to her gender, she said her physique wasn’t heavily muscled, but honestly, she looked flawless right now.

With a small face and a perfectly sculpted figure like a doll,

Slim and elegantly extended limbs, and above all,

Her chest seemed like it might just spill over in her grip.

“Hey, where are you looking?”

Did I stare too hard?

Trying to play it cool, I shifted my gaze, but Stella sighed and said,

“Haa… Okay, before I explain why I’ve called you today, Nova.”

“Yeah?”

With a serious expression, she asked,

“Do you want to get stronger?”

“…Of course I do.”

To solve the upcoming incidents,

And to protect you, who is more important than anyone else I know.

Then Stella seemed to understand my sentiments and responded,

“Nova, let me just say, you’re extraordinary. You can create and utilize any technique, magic, and even weapons perfectly.”

“Wow, you’re making me blush with all this praise…”

“But there’s still more to be done.”

Suddenly, Stella rested a fist against my chest.

“Your body still has a long way to go. There’s a ton of growth potential left.

It’s not just about the outside; you need to grow inside as well.”

“Inside…? What do you mean by…”

“What do you think that means…”

^Thud!

“I’ll explain,”

At that moment, a sharp dagger pierced my neck,

Or at least, that’s how it felt.

Instinctively, I lunged backward, clutching my neck to staunch what I thought was a wound.

“Gah…! Gah…!”

“Quit overreacting.”

“Huh?”

I tried to check my hand for blood, but it was clean, not a speck of dirt on it.

Stella held nothing in her hand; she had definitely had a blade a moment ago!

“What was that just now?”

“What did you feel just now?”

“Well, of course…”

“Death, right?”

“…”

Stella maintained a deadpan look as she continued speaking,

“Do you know why people witness their entire lives flash before them when faced with death?”

“It activates the brain’s capabilities at unprecedented levels,

Pulling out every experience and memory to find a way to survive.”

This time she withdrew a true dagger she had hidden on her knee.

“That flashback is just one example, but humans, when faced with death, can surpass their limits.”

“Death…”

“I’ve crossed countless life-and-death lines, constantly pushing myself to grow stronger.”

Stella, tying back her hair into a ponytail while gripping a knife,

With fierce determination, she resolutely told me,

“I’m going to make you strong now—inside and out! All my techniques, all my experiences, everything will become yours!”

“Everything of mine…? Huh?”

“As long as you can survive crossing the line of death, you can gain strength multiple times over.”

…I get what you want to say.

“But the fact that you usually don’t use a sharp knife makes experiencing a line of death impossible…”

Just then, in a flash, she approached and aimed the knife at me.

^Swish!

^Slice!

With an overwhelming sound of slicing air,

A line of around ten meters was carved into the wall behind me.

My neck felt a faint sting as a single droplet of blood trickled from it.

“Who said I don’t have a sharp knife?”

In that moment, she was no longer the cute little girl I knew.

“Of course, I’m using a real blade, so… if you’re going to give up, do it now.

I’m skilled at killing, you know?”

Her swordsmanship had transcended the limits of humanity.

Together with the fear of death, I felt the realization settle in—

If I endured this training, I could indeed grow stronger.

“Alright… Let’s give it a shot!”

 

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