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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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[Seeking Expedition Team Members for Exploration of the World’s Three Great Magical Anomaly Zones: The Sea Wall]
The official notice spread like wildfire through the academy and the Empire’s administrative offices, attracting thousands of applicants.
The expedition, spearheaded by the Princess and the Archmage, promised a high probability of success.
“We need to ask the Kingdom of Clendor for assistance.”
But the Empire faced a problem.
Their shipbuilding and navigation skills were insufficient for the treacherous Magenta Strait. They needed the help of the island nation of Clendor.
“That won’t be easy. Even if Clendor agrees, His Majesty won’t.”
The Princess voiced her concerns. Clendor had a long history of piracy, raiding the Empire’s coasts for decades.
They had also inflicted heavy losses on the Empire during the Great War seven years prior, using their geographical advantage to launch devastating guerrilla attacks.
The Emperor, enraged, had ordered a retaliatory expedition, but a powerful storm had thwarted their efforts, dealing a blow to the Empire’s prestige and forcing them into a humiliating truce.
“What if we ask Fix?”
The Princess suggested commissioning Edgar Fix to build a ship capable of navigating the Magenta Strait.
“…No.”
Elena objected. Entrusting such a costly project to Ed would place too much pressure on him.
As his mentor, she wanted to protect him from the burdens of Imperial bureaucracy, especially during this crucial stage of his development.
“Hmm. This is problematic.”
The Princess frowned.
Elena sighed, the Sea Wall project facing an early setback.
“What about recruiting talent?”
They explored other options: poaching Clendorian shipwrights, employing Clendorian immigrants, consulting the Dwarven Allied Kingdom.
But none of these proved viable.
Clendor was a tightly knit island nation, reluctant to share its expertise.
The Clendorian immigrants lacked the necessary skills, and the dwarves, while masters of underground construction and weaponry, had no experience with shipbuilding.
Their inland nation had no need for seafaring vessels.
“…I have no choice. I’ll try.”
The only remaining option was to secure the Emperor’s approval for a treaty with Clendor.
Sephilia, with a grimace, picked up a pen and began drafting a letter, inviting the Clendorian Crown Prince to the Empire.
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Three days later, the selection process for the Sea Wall expedition began.
The 460 applicants were divided into two groups of 230.
In the first round, Group A would choose their opponents from Group B.
In the second round, Group B would choose from Group A.
– Would anyone challenge Fix?
– Only a fool would.
– No one can beat him, except maybe Isabella.
Ed was placed in Group B.
No one in Group A dared to challenge him.
His combat prowess was well known.
He had defeated Max, even enhanced by the Berserk Potion, and shattered Black Obsidian.
Challenging him in a selection process with only 20 available spots was suicidal.
“I nominate Edgar Fix.”
But then, a fool stepped forward.
Lucas Elmar, the eldest son of House Elmar and the runner-up in the class evaluation, challenged Ed.
“It was bound to happen.”
“That’s just like Lucas.”
“Who do you think will win?”
Isabella, Enya, and Claire weren’t surprised.
They knew Lucas, his pride and reputation more important than anything.
– Whoa! Ed versus Lucas?
– This is a must-see!
– Who do you think will win?
The other students, however, were stunned.
The rematch that had been prevented by Ed’s forfeit during the class evaluation was finally happening!
“……”
The tension was palpable.
Lucas stared at Ed, his gaze conveying his intent to settle the score.
He turned and walked out and his entourage followed close behind.
Ed watched him leave but his mind was already drifting to dinner.
He craved his father’s kimchi jjigae.”
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At the back of the classroom, Charlotte’s face was pale.
She had run into the one person she had been avoiding, the face she had hoped to never see again.
“Charlotte, long time no see.”
He stood there with his hands in his pockets—golden hair, tanned skin, and the same arrogant demeanor as ever. [1]
Her first love, the source of her deepest insecurities: Cardmos Kratz.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you. I just wanted a friendly spar. So, how have you been? I’ve been curious.”
Charlotte’s heart pounded.
Why had he chosen her as his opponent?
Why was he acting so friendly?
“…J-Just get to the point. W-What do you want…?”
She tried to appear calm, but her voice trembled.
His presence brought back painful memories.
“Haha. Don’t be so stiff. We were close once, weren’t we?”
He reached out and touched her hair.
She recoiled in disgust, unable to speak, her mind and body frozen by the resurfacing trauma.
“…You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He frowned, his gaze intense, making her heart race.
He chuckled.
“Just kidding. But I’ve always wondered, why did you suddenly leave me? We were good together. We talked… and…”
He caressed her cheek.
“…held hands.”
Charlotte, knowing his manipulative nature, pushed him away.
He scoffed.
“What’s with this reaction? It’s like you…”
He stopped mid-sentence, a realization dawning on him.
“Did you… see something?”
“……”
He studied her reaction, the beads of sweat on her forehead, her ragged breathing.
His suspicion was confirmed.
“Wow… you saw everything, didn’t you? That’s why you left me… when did you see it?”
He remembered boasting about treating her as a disposable fling.
He hadn’t realized she had overheard him.
Her reaction now made it clear that she had witnessed his true nature.
He smacked his forehead and a bitter laugh escaped his lips.
“Unbelievable. Of all the times… But Charlotte, I’m different now. Back then, I was immature, showing off to my friends. Now—”
“S-Stay away!”
Charlotte wasn’t fooled.
She knew his act was a facade.
He was pushed back again and his expression hardened.
“So, you’re playing hard to get now that you’re pretty?”
His true colors began to show.
“Do you… need money?”
“…What?”
“Do you need money? Your family is dirt poor.”
“……”
“Haha. Look at your face. I’m not kidding. I’m proposing a deal. You won’t regret it.”
He held up four fingers.
“Just four times. Sleep with me four times, and I’ll cover your tuition and dormitory fees for next semester.”
“……”
Charlotte’s face hardened.
The offer was insulting.
He seemed to think it was a generous proposition, continuing with a smug grin.
“Isn’t that a sweet deal? You’ll never get this kind of money—”
“Get lost.”
Cardmos froze, stunned by her response.
“W-What?”
“Get lost! Your face is disgusting!”
His smug grin vanished.
How dare this disposable toy, this slightly prettier version of her former self, talk back to him?
“…Hey.”
He stepped towards her menacingly.
She assumed a defensive stance.
He laughed.
“Haha. What’s that pose? Some kind of joke? You’ve become quite the comedian.”
“……”
“What are you going to do? You were barely C-rank in the class evaluation.”
He continued to approach with his mocking laughter.
Charlotte’s breath hitched, sweat dripping down her forehead.
“Why don’t we make this easy? You need money, I need your body. I’ll treat you well, like before. And this time, I mean it. You’re actually pretty now. I always take care of my women.”
He bragged about how much he could offer her.
Charlotte remained in her defensive stance, her eyes wary.
“You’re still as stubborn as ever. I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”
He lunged at her.
Vines shot out, wrapping around his ankles, but they were no match for the A-rank, 6th place Cardmos.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
“Just once, and I’ll treat you right. Every woman who’s been with me has begged for more.”
He toyed with her, his attacks more like playful jabs than serious blows.
“Tsk. I hate complications.”
But he couldn’t go too far.
Physical violence between students was forbidden.
He aimed for areas where the bruises wouldn’t be visible.
“By the way, Charlotte, did you know?”
He grinned, a malicious glint in his eyes.
“Your father borrowed money from me recently.”
“…What?”
“Hehehe. You’re in no position to refuse my offer.”
“…W-What are you…?”
Three days ago, after seeing Charlotte’s transformation, he had approached her father, offering financial support.
Baron Verdian, unaware of Cardmos’s true intentions and believing it was a gesture of goodwill stemming from their past relationship, hadn’t been able to refuse.
“I didn’t want to resort to such petty tactics, but you should know when to quit. Unless you want to lose your only remaining property.”
Charlotte trembled, tears streaming down her face.
Cardmos licked his lips.
“Think about it before the first round. If you agree to my terms, just forfeit the match. If not…”
His eyes narrowed.
“…You’re going to end up half-dead in my hands. Of course, your family, which was barely hanging on, will be finished too.”
He turned and walked away.
Charlotte sobbed, her fists clenched.
She couldn’t see a way out.
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Ed had enjoyed a comforting meal of kimchi jjigae at his father’s house.
A taste of home always lifted his spirits.
He hummed as he walked down the quiet street, the setting sun painting the sky in warm hues.
“…?”
He stopped, seeing Charlotte waiting for him.
“Charlotte, what’s wrong?”
She looked distraught, her straightened hair disheveled, her makeup smeared, her eyes red and puffy.
“…Ed.”
She spoke his name with a voice filled with anguish, her gaze resolute as she stated her purpose.
“…I want to become stronger. I need to… I need to get revenge.”
Charlotte had changed.
Her voice was firm, her demeanor unwavering.
What had happened to cause such a drastic shift?
“Can you… help me?”
Charlotte looked at Ed with desperate eyes.
She seemed to be holding back tears that were on the verge of spilling.
“…Of course. You’re my friend.”
As soon as Charlotte heard Ed’s response, she barely managed to suppress the tears that were about to burst out.
Then, after taking a deep breath, she spoke with a composed expression.
“Teach me. How can I become stronger?”
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[1] This mf needs to be eliminated from life.
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It’s murderin’ time!
The best way to get revenge: make it as brutal as possible. After all, one does not spell slaughter without laughter
Tftc