Chapter 128
128th Chapter: Joint Training (2)
Even after Jason was taken to the infirmary, the joint training continued.
Referee Radian took over, and I returned to my spot.
Thanks to Nebia’s healing, it was easier to move.
“Radon, are you okay? Does your elbow and knee hurt?”
“I’m fine, thanks to Saint Nebia’s treatment.”
Jenny was checking my body here and there. Despite my reassurance, she was scrutinizing for any possible injury.
“Really, I’m fine, so stop it already. Why do you have to keep poking my neck and thigh?”
“Well… it’s the first time I’ve seen you get hit that hard. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared watching a match.”
You were sweating that much just watching? But thinking back, it makes sense.
I got hit in the solar plexus with an elbow and kicked in the forehead with a knee.
Just that alone almost made me vomit and dizzy.
Given the monstrous swordsmanship that was in full swing, I bet others were also worried about my condition.
“By the way, Saint Nebia is kind of nice. Angela said she’s gloomy, but I guess that’s not true?”
Jenny had a surprisingly positive impression of Nebia. I remembered how she’d tricked others into getting into trouble with her smile.
“But that princess who did this to you is really something else. I guess you don’t become royalty for nothing?”
“Considering the circumstances, such power can’t be gained quickly just by training or experience.”
“That’s true.”
Swoosh—
“Maybe like this….”
A cold aura danced around Jenny’s hand, accompanied by the sound of wind. The control of Silver Age was becoming easier to handle.
This power, once considered a curse. Maybe the princess has something similar innately.
“Well, it’s similar to your freezing ability.”
It had gotten better now, but when I was younger, I once froze an entire village in the middle of summer.
“And look over there.”
Jenny gestured with her chin, and the princess was sitting there.
Some cadets approached her, but the conversation didn’t last long.
Because there was no life in her expression at all.
“Even though the match didn’t happen, it’s natural for the surrounding kids to gather since she showed tremendous power as a freshman. But why doesn’t she seem happy?”
Rather than being happy, she looked completely defeated, as if she’d made a horrible mistake.
After all, it was she who hit Jason on the head.
‘In the main story, she turned that extra cadet into a blood splatter, so no wonder she looks like that.’
This time, despite my intervention, it was surprisingly similar to the main story.
Mirona hesitated to swing her sword because she fell into guilt for harming others.
She had previously done similar things to the siblings who had already shed blood.
“Jenny Chain Silver versus Lenka Usran.”
At that moment, it was Jenny’s turn. Realizing this, she immediately got up from her seat.
“It’s already my turn.”
“I’ll support you.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right back!”
“Okay, do your best.”
Just as I was speaking to Jenny, who was excitedly running out for her turn…
[Erosion Rate Decreased: -1%]
[+100 Credits]
Suddenly, the erosion rate decreased.
If you asked me if I was lying… I would say yes.
‘Do your best? That’s just a supportive phrase.’
With the belief that support means nothing, I looked to see who Jenny’s opponent was. And that certainty solidified.
Pale skin that could be mistaken for a ghost, dark circles under the eyes, and hair as dark as the endless abyss.
Her name is Lenka Usran. It was indeed the person I knew.
Jenny’s opponent in this joint training.
The result was…
“The winner is, Lenka Usran!”
Professor Radian announced the name of the winner loudly. And the winner was standing there, holding her sword apathetically.
Defeated, Jenny had collapsed to the ground, her legs giving out.
The cadets watching that scene all wore expressions of disbelief.
– The Queen of Snowstorms, Jenny, lost without a fight?
– Why does this new student look so dazzling?
– But Lenka Usran? Which family is they from?
– I heard it’s from the priest family directly under Saint Nebia.
– What? So she’s a priest?
– But I didn’t see her using any holy magic while fighting.
– So… it means she’s strong even without it.
Continuously attracting everyone’s attention, this mysterious new student captured everyone’s gaze by defeating the second-year stronghold, Jenny.
Just with that feat alone, others perceived it as charisma. Moreover, the title of being under Saint Nebia enhanced her presence even more.
This was clearly a strategy to secure support from their side.
“I’m sorry, I lost.”
Jenny returned to her seat with an embarrassed expression.
“But I think you fought pretty well. It’s weird why you lost, really.”
Suddenly, Luska, who had been sitting next to me, chimed in.
She appeared out of nowhere, and I was quite surprised.
“When did you get here?”
“I just arrived.”
“….”
Luska smiled while watching me. I had nothing to say in response, and she quickly brought up the match that just happened.
“About that new student you just fought. What do you think of her?”
“Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?”
The question was directed at Jenny, but due to her mood, I didn’t get a cheerful response.
“I saw her completely disregarding your proud abilities.”
“….”
In swordsmanship, we were equally matched. Thus, it could be inferred that Lenka Usran was also part of Class A.
However, no cadet could endure Jenny’s Silver Age.
“If I get trapped in your ice, I would freeze. But that new student took it directly and came out unharmed. Just like that werewolf from before…”
At the start of the first year, a Lycanthrope had invaded the academy. Lenka’s resilience against Jenny’s freezing reminded me of that creature.
Since Luska was there at that time, she could witness it.
“She must have physically superior traits to withstand it. Or perhaps she’s resistant to cold.”
“Still, at first, she matched you pretty evenly. You started to fall behind after she used her freezing mana.”
“Are you saying she committed fraud or something?”
“That…”
When Jenny pointedly asked, Luska couldn’t give a definite answer.
Fraud… There was no proof that she committed such an offense.
“If we get caught up in uncertain things, how would we look?”
“I’m just… trying to understand how you lost. I can’t believe you lost…”
Luska muttered the last part softly.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“…!!”
Jenny’s eyes lit up, having overheard.
Luska suddenly panicked. It was just a personal remark, and she hadn’t expected it to be caught.
“You just said you acknowledged me. That means… you wanted to get closer to me.”
“W-what are you saying! And why are you grabbing me! This is disgusting!”
“Hey~ don’t say that.”
Suddenly, Jenny’s expression brightened as she held Luska’s hand. Luska struggled to break free, unable to adapt to the strange atmosphere.
While they were bickering, I looked over at Lenka Usran sitting across.
‘It’s the same as the main story, haunting like a ghost.’
Just from that eerie appearance, I thought she could be a match for Jenny. However, the real threat is different.
No one knows yet, but Lenka Usran. In the past, she died from the blizzards and hunger of the snowy plains.
Resurrected by the help of someone passing by, she lost all memories of her former life and became a puppet of others.
What’s more, since she had already died, she cannot feel cold. Plus, being a modified corpse means her combat ability is extraordinary.
She is truly a hard counter to Jenny.
“Luska Mad Eye versus Hulk Mangelo.”
The announcement suddenly cut through their playful banter.
“Finally, it’s my turn.”
“Hmm… I wanted to play a bit more.”
“Shut it! Go have fun without me.”
Leaving the sad Luska behind, she stepped away.
“You too, do your best and don’t lose.”
“….”
Luska’s body seemed to tremble slightly in response to my words. However, she ignored it and walked away again…
[Erosion Rate Decreased: -1%]
[+100 Credits]
I already knew how this match would turn out.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
“Okay.”
I told Jenny and got up.
On my way to the restroom, I managed to see the new student who would fight Luska.
He was a male cadet with a scar that looked like half his face was burned, and he too was a priest directly under Nebia.
The onlookers gasped at his rough appearance… and when I finished my business and came out…
“The winner is, Hulk Mangelo!”
It ended with his victory.
‘The cheers were loud enough to be heard all the way to the restroom hallway. Truly, Professor Radian is something else.’
Indeed, trials are to be faced not just by Jenny, but for most characters as well.
Those new students under Nebia include a total of 4 members.
Lenka Usran, Hulk Mangelo, Lavenda Brench, and Slave Replicant. Those are their names.
‘On the other hand, Lyman…’
Our monstrous protagonist will not face any trials regarding combat.
I don’t know who the new student to duel with that protagonist is. Since the battle scene in the story was skipped, neither their face nor name is known.
I don’t know who they are, but may they rest in peace…
“Hey, Radon Crawler.”
At that moment, I turned my head at the call from behind the corridor. Upon seeing that face, I clicked my tongue.
“Long time no see.”
I vaguely remembered who it was.
Markray Layert. That pathetic guy who got wrecked by me in the Chain Silver party.
Considering he was also supposed to enroll this year, it was natural for him to be in school uniform here.
I didn’t know how he planned to recover his lost face from that incident.
But talking to this guy would lead to no good.
“Who are you?”
[Erosion Rate Decreased: -1%]
[+100 Credits]
I tried to ignore him to avoid confrontation, but he just smiled instead.
Honestly, it surprised me. He looked much calmer than the last time when he couldn’t control his anger.
“You can’t benefit from ignoring me. After this election ends, your lifespan won’t be long anyway.”
“Did you forget? When you got thoroughly trounced by Saint Angela, why are you acting so confident now?”
“Hehehe!”
He suddenly laughed wickedly.
Unless the memory of his family’s collective embarrassment faded from his mind, he wouldn’t be this relaxed.
“Considering what happened at that time, my reputation did crash to the ground. But you don’t know anything. You don’t know what side I’m on.”
A guy whose reputation fell and became a laughingstock was far too composed.
The suspicion turned ominous, leading me to observe him as a ‘malignant.’
———————-
<Markray Layert>
Race: Human
Occupation: Wizard
Mana Circle: 5 Circles (Forced Amplification)
Mana: 140/140
Strength: 70
Disposition: Arrogant/Chosen One Mentality
Emotions Towards User: Hostile (High)
[Special Notes]
– Due to mana manipulation, all stats are drastically enhanced.
– ??? ■ on ■■ ■■…
———————-
With mana manipulation alone, I could grasp the situation.
Indeed, this guy had also teamed up with Jason and joined Nebia’s faction.
Those high stats are definitely not something he obtained through his own effort.
Markray. This guy is also one of those four.
The recent losses suffered by Jenny and Luska were due to the enhancement of their bodies through mana manipulation. They did not create their power through effort.
“Hey, Radon Crawler, want to make a bet with me?”
“What?”
“I’m up next. If I lose that match, you can hit me once. If it’s the other way around…”
Markray spoke with a mischievous grin that made me feel uncomfortable.
“Break all ties with Jenny Chain Silver and Luska Mad Eye.”
An ominous prediction never shines brightly. This pathetic punk’s intentions are clear.
“Why would it be good for you if I cut ties with them?”
“Hehehe… that’s something you wouldn’t know.”
Malicious intent was etched all over his face.
I could simply refuse this pointless bet, but it’s clear he’d twist it to paint me as a coward, which really angers me.
Even if I accepted, my chances of winning the bet were slim. His modified body is stronger than Jenny and Luska, making it possible for him to defeat any opponent.
“So, what will you do?”
Just when I was starting to take long to think.
“Lyman Begilius versus…”
As I heard the referee’s voice call out the protagonist’s name…
“…Markray Layert.”
His name was called out alongside.
At that moment, my eyes widened.
“Oh no, my turn is already here.”
“Hehehe….”
“Huh?”
“Hehehehe…”
What the heck is happening all of a sudden?
His questioning look led me to burst into laughter instinctively.
“You’ll be what?”
“…I’ll accept the bet.”
“What?”
“I said I’ll take the bet, you punk.”
Markray’s face flushed red from my playful provocation.
“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”
“This punk… will regret this!!”
With that, our bet was officially made.
He tightly clenched his fist and headed towards the arena.
Striding boldly, but he has no idea what kind of hell awaits him.
Surviving as the Academy Scammer.
