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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Two days after the Clover Academy’s arrival, Amy was preparing her demon-hunting gear. ‘Why is he telling me to bring this…?’
Don’t let your guard down. Incidents are more likely to occur during large events.
My companion had been unusually insistent. I couldn’t wear this all the time, though. I put the mithril sword into a spatial pouch, a pouch worth a small fortune, enough to feed my territory for five years. It was amusing, carrying such expensive items.
The Clover Kingdom is likely still colluding with the Devil’s Church.
Sending 120 students and a Master, right after the Academy was attacked… it was suspicious. ‘What are they planning?’
It’s best to be prepared. If nothing happens, then it’s a good thing.
His words were… logical. He had been wrong before, but his advice was still valuable. ‘And… what did he mean yesterday?’
What do you mean?
‘About River being a descendant of werewolves. You said that when Atlas mentioned werewolf essence. She was shocked.’
It’s true. River Seymour… or rather, the Seymour family… they carry the traits of werewolves, their strength increasing under a full moon.
Werewolf traits? I hadn’t heard of that before. Long ago, the Seymours were known as the White Wolves… then, their color changed to gold.
It wasn’t unusual for families to adopt animal traits. The Seymours must have succeeded. River… her aggressive personality… was it because of that?
‘I shouldn’t tell Atlas.’ He was obsessed with height, and he thought he could get taller using the werewolf essence. He wouldn’t hurt River, but it was best to avoid any… complications.
“Okay, I’m ready!”
I had taken longer than expected. I hurried out of my room. River would be waiting.
“She’s not here…? Strange…”
The dormitory lobby was empty. Had she left already? That wasn’t like her. ‘Is she… sick?’
I knocked on her door. No answer. I focused my senses, there was no one inside. She must have left.
“Hmm… strange…” I decided to check the training grounds.
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“Amy, you’re here?”
River was already there, warming up. It was good. I was relieved.
Atlas was hanging upside down from a tree, and Lucia was stretching. He was still doing that strange exercise to stimulate his growth plates. “You left without me… did something happen?”
“Sorry, I woke up early today.”
“I woke up early too…”
“I didn’t want to wake you.”
I noticed a red mark on River’s neck. “River, did you get bitten by a mosquito?”
“What?!”
“…?!”
She touched her neck, startled. Atlas fell from the tree.
“Whoa?!”
-Thud!
“A-Atlas, are you okay?!”
“Ugh… I’m fine…”
He got up and dusted off his clothes. I had never seen him fall before. “Be careful.”
“Ah…”
They both flinched as their hands touched. It was… a strange atmosphere.
‘What was that?’ Something was… off. There was a strange tension between them. “You’re participating in the exchange today, right? Oh, no… you’ll do fine. I’m saying that you are already at a high level, ha ha”
“What were you going to say?”
“Just… good luck…”
“Thanks.”
“Mm…”
They were acting normal, but… something was different. There was an… awkward, almost fluffy atmosphere.
Had something happened between them?
It’s a full moon tonight…
My companion’s words were… cryptic. “…Suspicious.”
Lucia was glaring at them, her eyes bloodshot.
“They weren’t like this… yesterday…”
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After breakfast, I left for the Swordsmanship Club. I had almost choked when Amy mentioned the mark on my neck. I had forgotten about it. I had told her it was a mosquito bite. But Lucia’s gaze… it was intense.
I was acting normally, but perhaps they sensed something.
Hostile stares greeted me as I entered the club room. They didn’t like the fact that I, a non-member, had taken the vanguard position.
Only five members could participate, and it was a coveted spot. I was used to such hostility, but I couldn’t retaliate here. It was Hera’s club.
The door to Hera’s office opened.
“Brother, you’re here?”
She rushed towards me, patting my head. She was always so… affectionate. Both physically and emotionally. She looked around, her expression changing.
“What’s with this atmosphere? Do you have any complaints?”
A student stepped forward and knelt. “Captain…! I know it’s rude to question your decision, but…!”
He was a senior. He bowed his head and yelled, “A freshman as vanguard?! Please reconsider!”
“Would you have been vanguard if my brother wasn’t going to participate?”
“That’s not it! This is the Swordsmanship Club! And he’s not even a member! The vanguard sets the tone for the entire exchange! We can’t entrust it to an outsider!”
He was right. The vanguard was important. The first duelist would face the other side’s vanguard, and if they won, the next one in line, and so on.
But he didn’t know that I was chosen because of that.
“…An outsider? Who do you think is more qualified?”
“Of course it should be Senior Heinz! He’s the strongest!”
One of the senior members flinched. “Heinz, what do you think?”
“….”
Heinz looked down, his lips pressed together. He was a skilled swordsman, an Expert. But he was also the one I had defeated at the News Club.
“I’m… not qualified.”
Some of the chosen five had been… defeated by me. It was ridiculous to question my skills.
“This isn’t just the Swordsmanship Club’s exchange, it is between Academies. We’re just… representatives. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a member. And no matter what, Atlas Nemea is the perfect vanguard for this exchange!”
Silence. They stared at me, their eyes filled with various emotions: hostility, jealousy, admiration, indifference. Hera announced the order of the duelists: vanguard, second, mid, vice-captain, and captain. Then, she dismissed them.
“Hey, brother!”
“What is it?!”
She called me back. “You’re so eager to be vanguard… If you lose immediately, you’re joining the club.”
“What?! That’s not fair! You never said that!”
“I’m saying it now.”
So that was her plan.
“Does it motivate you? Does it make you want to try harder?”
“You’ll be watching, relaxed and comfortable.”
“Don’t be so cheeky… let’s see what the top freshman can do.”
“Top freshman? I’m barely average.”
“Grades don’t mean everything. Show me your skills.”
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The exchange began. The crowd murmured.
“You… bastard! Are you mocking me?!”
The Clover Academy’s vanguard was yelling at me. Was this normal behavior for them? My sword lay at my feet, still sheathed. I had simply unbuckled it. “Pick up your sword…!”
“You don’t seem to understand. I’ll say it again.”
He was offended. I raised a finger. “This is all I need to deal with you.”
The arena erupted.
