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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Hmm…”
“W… What was that?”
“…That was a Mid-Rank monster, wasn’t it?”
The professors observing the evaluation were bewildered.
A Mid-Rank monster was a formidable opponent, even for a group of students. And this particular wolf wasn’t weak.
Moreover, the transformation of the lesser monsters had prevented any other students from assisting him. He’d faced it alone.
None of the professors had expected a single student to defeat a Mid-Rank monster. Some had even started discussing who would retrieve his body.
They hadn’t held a shred of hope for him. And that’s why they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
He’d cut it down.
A single, precise strike, neither too fast nor too slow. A beautiful, moonlit arc of silver.
Even the professors, seasoned swordsmen themselves, couldn’t find fault with his technique.
“…What’s that student’s name?”
“…How did he…?”
“…The name of that sword skill…”
Even the professors who hadn’t been paying attention to Jenison were stunned. Those who knew him were in disbelief.
The Headmaster, watching the same scene, was equally shocked.
‘…Impressive…’
Even she, a mage who knew little about swordsmanship, recognized that Jenison’s skill was far beyond that of an ordinary student.
And his body… it was fascinating. Arms torn off, severed, mangled, yet they regenerated almost instantly. It was an unnatural ability.
He’d used his own body as bait, sacrificing flesh and bone to create an opening.
It wasn’t the tactic of a knight or a mage, but of an assassin. He moved with a single-minded focus, his every action designed to kill.
And that’s why a single question lingered in her mind. Why was he fighting that monster?
She’d warned him. If his performance in the midterm evaluation wasn’t satisfactory, he’d have to return the artifact.
It was petty, perhaps, to take back a gift, but the professors had vehemently opposed giving him the artifact in the first place, citing his tarnished reputation.
‘This is unacceptable, Headmaster! How can you give such a valuable artifact to that scoundrel?!’
‘My son would be a much more deserving recipient…’
Some had even tried to bribe her, offering her favors in exchange for giving the artifact to their own children or families.
It was incredibly disrespectful, even for someone as tolerant as she was, to try and bribe a 9th-circle mage. But the academy vault was rarely opened, and such privileges were unheard of.
They couldn’t fathom why she’d given such a valuable artifact to a disowned student. She’d been bombarded with requests and complaints, even from the vice-principal.
‘Headmaster…’
‘Yes?’
‘Are you sure about this…?’
‘Do you doubt my judgment?’
‘Honestly, I find it difficult to believe that student has changed…’
‘He’s my student… Does everyone share your opinion?’
‘With all due respect… perhaps you should use the midterm evaluation to assess him…?’
With even the vice-principal against her, she’d had no choice but to agree. She’d decided to honor Jenison’s request, even if he asked for a different artifact. They were the ones who’d changed the terms of the agreement.
So, she’d been prepared to accept even a mediocre performance.
But he’d exceeded all expectations. He’d saved the Saint, sacrificing his own body, enduring unimaginable pain. He hadn’t run, even when any sane person would have. He’d proven his strength, his resolve.
‘He’s definitely changed.’
The old Jenison would have prioritized his own safety and fled.
Her conviction deepened.
Then, someone approached her, their face etched with worry.
“Um… Headmaster…”
“What is it, Kaede?”
“In Sector 18… the number of students… it’s decreasing rapidly…”
“…”
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Darkness fell. Shadows solidified.
The Black Wolf King, the once proud predator, lay still, its heart pierced.
Its ruby-red eyes dimmed, the vibrant color fading to a dull grey.
Its paws and tongue stilled, its whimpers silenced.
I’d done it.
The tension that had gripped me throughout the fight dissipated, and the pain, which I’d suppressed, flooded back.
It hurt.
The adrenaline faded, my heart rate slowed, and my body screamed in protest.
I’d managed to recreate the Moonlight Nine Swords, but my underdeveloped body couldn’t handle the strain. My legs were numb, my hands trembling.
I couldn’t even help the others, let alone defend myself if another monster attacked.
I looked around. The situation seemed to be under control.
Hildegarde, a skilled healer, the princess and Isabella, their magic far surpassing that of ordinary students, Albert and Huben holding the front line—the monsters were outmatched.
And with their leader dead, their morale had plummeted.
The tide had turned in our favor. I couldn’t fight anymore, so this was good news.
I tried to take a shaky breath and reach for my cigarettes, when—
“Are you insane?!”
“…”
Hildegarde rushed over and stopped me.
“You’re going to smoke now?! You’re underage!”
“It’s not tobacco… I apologize.”
Her tone left no room for argument.
“…Aren’t you still fighting?”
“They’ve practically won. And you’re the one in critical condition.”
“…Is that so?”
“I don’t know how you’re still standing, but it’s just a façade. Your insides are a mess!”
She was right. My makeshift shoulder ached, and my arm felt numb. I’d hastily regenerated it, ignoring proper blood vessel reconstruction. To her, I probably looked like I was one wrong move away from collapsing.
“But I have to protect you, Saint…”
“Be quiet and take care of yourself for once.”
“…You’re getting quite feisty.”
She looked like she’d break my arm again if I argued, so I sighed and let her heal me.
Sino, her presence almost imperceptible, sat down beside me.
“…?”
“Hey.”
“Isn’t the fight still…”
“You’re amazing!”
“…?”
She showered me with compliments, then bombarded me with questions. What was the name of that sword skill? How had I moved so quickly? Wasn’t my talent supposed to be something else entirely?
I was momentarily stunned by her rapid-fire questions, then I noticed the others, having finished off the remaining monsters, approaching us. Hildegarde scolded Sino for disturbing a patient.
“Jenison! Are you… you’ll be fine…”
“Are… aren’t you hurt?!”
“…”
Albert, who’d been running towards me, stopped, his concern evident as he took in the bloodstains on my clothes and the severed arm lying a short distance away. Lianna looked like she was about to cry.
Isabella and the princess, too, looked concerned, their gazes fixed on my mangled arm. The princess even muttered a compliment.
“Impressive.”
“…!”
A voice, unfamiliar, came from behind us, and we all turned instinctively.
“My apologies if I startled you.”
“Professor French?”
“Yes. You seem to know me, so introductions are unnecessary.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Nothing to worry about, Albert. I’m just here to collect… this.”
Professor French, despite his age, was considered quite handsome.
So Derek had only been unconscious. Even Hildegarde’s healing hadn’t woken him.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to defeat it.”
“…”
“I heard rumors of you changing, but I didn’t believe them. People don’t change that easily. Not this drastically.”
“I see.”
“Heh, it’s getting chilly. I’ll be going now. Good luck…”
His smile vanished, his face hardening as his gaze shifted past us.
I followed his line of sight and saw a figure approaching, covered in blood.
“…What happened to you, Cadet Leon?”
“…Step aside, Professor French.”
“…I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“…”
“Especially not for a… demon.”
Professor French’s words made our eyes widen.
“Heh heh… how did you know?”
“That’s none of your concern. You know what ‘demon’ means, don’t you?”
“…”
“I, French Kuran, am placing you under arrest.”
“…Heh heh heh…”
Blue chains, formed from pure mana, materialized in Professor French’s hands. Leon just laughed.
“…What’s so funny?”
“…Heh…”
Leon looked at us, and Professor French, sensing his gaze, shifted his stance.
“Do you think I can’t protect them from you?”
“…”
“I guarantee you, you won’t harm another—”
His words were cut short as Leon pulled something from his pocket. Ignoring the professor’s approach, he tore the object in half.
“…!”
“…!!”
A sound echoed in my ears, distorted, unintelligible.
A wave of nausea washed over me, and my vision went black.
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