Chapter 188 : Chapter 188
Chapter 188
“Hap!”
Hectia was about to lightly parry Elisha's stabbing awl with his sword, but then he swung it wide. Elisha had ducked under, as if the dagger was a feint.
Just as Hectia was about to kick her out like he had finished Muller, Elisha swiftly pulled her body away. Then she rushes in again.
‘Quite impressive.’
Elisha is also a holder of Movement Lv 5. Her movements alone should be enough to hold her own against a Platinum. She doesn't have Know-It-All and Wild Instinct, so she doesn't know where the attack is coming from or where to dodge, but I can fill that in.
“Hmm.”
Hectia, who was about to parry Elisha's dagger, twisted his body.
An exaggerated movement? No, it was a movement to dodge the dagger and the bullet at the same time.
“Thanks!”
Elisha shouted without a hint of a smile. No matter how much I cover her, she wouldn't be able to last even ten more exchanges alone.
“Cadet Anette.”
“Hmm, I understand.”
Anette draws her crimson sword and rushes in. When the treasured sword of Defardly is swung, the red greatsword is swung in response, and they clash.
With a strong wave, Hectia pauses. Against Hectia's flames, the Crow Empress' crimson lightning had fought well.
“Hap!”
Elisha's dagger stabs into Hectia's side. But what comes back is a roundhouse kick. Elisha dodges it again with an agile movement.
If he barely dodges Martin's bullet that pierces through that gap, then in the meantime, Anette's crimson sword is swung once more.
“Quite impressive, isn't it…!”
Anette, Elisha, and Hectia moved dynamically, as if they were living in fast time.
Of course, no matter how much I cover her, Elisha wouldn't be able to last forever between Anette and Hectia.
“Ah!”
“Elisha!”
The moment Hectia's kick hits Elisha, a large water cushion forms between them, protecting Elisha.
“I-I’ll protect you!”
It's Mary's magic. Not only did it protect Elisha, but it also added sharpness to the dagger she held and enhanced her various physical abilities.
After fighting a tireless battle like that for about 10 minutes.
'Isn't this good enough?'
I raised my hand and asked a question.
“Is there a forfeit?”
“A forfeit?”
Everyone's movements pause. Hectia furrows his brows.
“Aren't we all below the standard except for me anyway?”
“…You saw through it.”
Hearing that, it was true, so Hectia sheathed his greatsword. Then he looked at the cadets below the training hall and said.
“Your individual skills are outstanding. I say this on my honor, no previous generation has ever grown as fast, as high, and as strong as you.”
The cadets, who were getting excited thinking it was a compliment.
“But it's a pity. The more so because you are all strong individually.”
They pause.
A compliment? No. On the contrary, it's closer to a stern reprimand.
“Are you arrogant? Or are you conceited? I'm sure I told you to come at me all together with all your might.”
The cadets don't say anything, as if they've been struck by something.
“The group gathered around Cadet Gilbert, the group of Cadet Kazaks, the group of cadets who came to Class A from other classes, and even the cadets who couldn't even do that and ran wild alone and were eliminated.”
Anette and Luri flinched.
“Do you think I started this guided sparring just to watch you show off your tricks?”
Short but heavy. The cadets couldn't say anything and remained silent.
“This was a guided sparring session that I started, telling you to try and defeat me, ahead of the great trial that is to come. But the result was so miserable that I don't even want to look back on it.”
Hectia turned his body sharply.
“This is the end of the first period. For the remaining time, review what you did wrong and what you should have done while studying on your own.”
As Hectia left, the cadets stared blankly at his back.
They must be very disappointed that the guided sparring they had been looking forward to had ended like this.
Of course, as Hectia said, since they are a golden generation that will not be seen before or after, they will surely shake it off and get back up.
I also slung my shotgun on my back and was about to go somewhere empty to rest for a bit.
“…Come to think of it, have we officially introduced ourselves?”
The first person among the Class A cadets to speak up was none other than Prince Kazaks.
“My name is Kazaks von Hamerd Imperium. I am the first prince of the Empire, born with the proud golden bloodline, and I live with the goal of becoming an emperor who will benefit the people and rule the continent, following the will of my great ancestor, Hamerd.”
After saying that much, Kazaks continued.
“My birthday is in the spring. I'll have to wait until next year to celebrate it. I like to cook. I especially love beef. I also have some knowledge in swordsmanship, but in reality, I'm more skilled in various practical and professional skills than in martial arts. Ah, and I especially dislike rude people. I don't like impoliteness. …I may be lacking in many ways, but please take care of me.”
After saying that, he gives a nod.
“I thought we hadn't officially introduced ourselves since we became the new Class A through the skill-based placement system.”
When Kazaks gestures, Muller also stands up and introduces himself.
“My name is Muller. Of the Blue Spear Whalehunt….”
Following him, Shuga.
“Shuga of Deminiyan. I hate people with no skill the most. And….”
After the people of the Prince Kazaks faction finished their introductions, the main character party soon stood up. Starting with Gilbert and Lina, one by one.
Then, the cadets who had newly moved up to Class A introduce themselves one by one. Passing them, to Adela, Luri, and Anette. And finally….
‘Is it my turn.’
Everyone was looking at me. It's foolish. A self-introduction. We're not children.
‘…I shouldn’t be the one to say that.’
But I'm also the one who stayed until the end and listened to this long and boring self-introduction.
“Martin von Targon Ulvhadin. I'm a gunner.”
“Oh, Martin! Welcome!”
I turned my head and saw Bord. Responding to him who had greeted me cheerfully.
“Kyah, you shoot really well.”
“I’ll leave the rear support to you, Cadet Martin!”
“Please take care of me.”
The cadets who had moved up from other classes greet me with a smile.
“…”
It’s unexpected. I didn’t think they would be so happy to see me.
It’s been a really long time since I’ve received this kind of greeting from others.
“…Please take care of me.”
“Alright! Now we’re all on the same page.”
Prince Kazaks stood in the middle of everyone. His majestic golden eyes exude charisma.
“Shall we start the discussion? The plan to defeat Teacher Hectia.”
“Do you have a good idea?”
Anette asked the now confident Kazaks.
“Sir Hectia is a formidable opponent.”
“So we have to plan well. The chances of us winning against Sir Hectia are low, no matter how hard we try.”
As he says that, he smirks.
“The first part of the plan is to abandon the thought of winning against Sir Hectia.”
***
Afternoon class following the morning session. Similarly, Sir Hectia came in and stood in the middle of the training ground. With a red greatsword, he unhesitatingly went into the center of the cadets.
“Everyone, I hope you achieved something in the first period.”
He pointed it out very accurately. That they didn't cooperate. He knows their growth is steep, but they are arrogant.
“I hope the second period is a little different.”
By now, everyone who should know, knows.
That the disaster was raising its head from under the surface without our knowledge. The truth that we humans are not safe.
We don't know when or where the disaster will strike. Hoping that the cadets would struggle a little more against the formidable enemy they would unexpectedly encounter, he raised his red greatsword.
“It seems you are ready.”
All of Class A. 20 cadets surrounded Hectia.
“Come.”
Thump!
The prelude began without a word. Crimson electricity flickered, crow feathers scattered, and the Crow Empress Anette rushed towards the Flame Knight.
“Hmm.”
But she wasn't the only one. Gilbert and Lina attacked from the left and right. The red greatsword is swung, and flames scatter. Even with that pressure, the three of them don't even flinch.
Anette from the front, Gilbert and Lina from the back. It couldn't not be annoying from the perspective of the one being attacked.
‘Cadet Anette in particular is burdensome.’
Anette, who was originally weaker than Prince Kazaks, had returned stronger than Gilbert.
The fact that she had fought head-on with the Demon Lord Kragach and saved the three Platinum Knights who were in crisis with the citizens is the hottest topic recently.
In fact, as a swordsman, a considerable competitive spirit welled up at the thought of fighting Anette.
Just as he was about to swing his sword in response to the swung sword.
‘More than that….’
From a while ago, his sword had been getting heavier. The reason was probably.
“I see, excellent.”
Mary and Shuga. The two of them were trying to extinguish the flames even a little by greatly increasing the humidity around Hectia.
Luri was also suppressing the flames that had risen on Hectia's sword a little.
In the long run, he would have to break through the front line and eliminate the rear forces first, but.
‘I can’t approach carelessly.’
Bord, the undisputed strongest shield of Class A. He was protecting the cadets in the rear. Muller and even Prince Kazaks were all assigned to that role.
“…”
Finally, Hectia moved one step to the side. Arrows and magic plunged into the spot where he had been. He had expected this much.
“…?!”
He raised his left hand and swung it. The bullet that was shot towards his face shattered with the sound of a bomb exploding. Far away, Martin, who was standing at the very back of the rear line, was seen aiming his shotgun in a proper posture.
‘He’s strong.’
It was a much more powerful attack than in the first period.
‘And cunning.’
As expected, his skill at aiming for openings is considerable.
“It’s not easy.”
At this rate, he wouldn't be able to move an inch. Soon, flames rise from Hectia's entire body. It was proof that he had begun to use about half of his full power.
“As expected. Just as the Prince said. Are you ready?”
“Uh, u-uh….”
“Tsk, get it together! …Unni.”
“U-uh! Shuga!”
Ominous. The moment he snapped his head around, the two Deminiyan girl mages caught his eye.
Although the Deminiyan family is as precarious as a candle in the wind, the talents of the two girls still fill the sky.
【Heavy rain!】
A torrential downpour pours down. From the rainclouds that fill the sky of the training ground, a rain of arrows that can pierce even steel plates, like iron filings drawn to a magnet, bombards Hectia like a meteor shower.
But it is not visible. Because the raindrops boiled and vaporized in an instant, creating a huge amount of steam.
“This should be even better.”
The moment he thought that. He felt a familiar aura very faintly. A golden aura flowing through the darkness…!
‘The Shadow Knights?!’
Dozens of Shadow Knights pop out from the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom. However, it's not the black armor that is the symbol of the Shadow Knights, but gold. Soldiers made of golden sand!
‘Is it Princess Adela.’
If it had been an ordinary person, they would have died here, but the opponent is Hectia.
“Hup!”
As he firmly grips the red greatsword and lets out a battle cry, a formidable crimson flame bursts out.
The steam cloud that had enveloped Hectia is blown away by the flames, and the flames shoot up, and a pillar of fire like the high-level magic 'Fire Tornado' connects the floor of the training ground to the ceiling.
The magic rainclouds are torn apart, and Adela's golden knights are also neutralized.
“Now, from now on, this is my full power. You all did well.”
Hectia, holding the red greatsword in one hand, is about to swing his sword from within the pillar of fire.
I can't even imagine how great and amazing the aftermath of that blow will be. In fact, Hectia had intended to end it here, but.
“Deploy barrier!”
The strongest shield, which had been saving its strength until now, stands on the front line.
“Frontkeeper!”
On the body of the brown giant, which was beginning to be colored with the color of the Tauforos family, the authority of the World Tree was imbued, and it was also colored green. Like a giant tree giant.
‘Alright, let’s see!’
The red greatsword carries the entire pillar of fire.
‘Overcome it!’
It swung.
‘Your limits!’
“Kraaaaaap!”
The Frontkeeper and the pillar of fire clash.
A veritable battle of myths. It was a great battle that even a Demon Lord would not be able to simply overcome.
‘Kgh!’
And aiming for this moment, Gilbert, Lina, and Anette charge in. Not only that, but Kazaks, Muller, and all the other cadets as well!
‘You cunning brats!’
He had to parry Kazaks' sword, dodge Muller's spear, and was forced to retreat from the joint attack of Gilbert and Lina.
He had almost allowed a few joint attacks from the cadets who had moved up from other classes while blocking Anette's sword strike with his red greatsword.
After blocking one wave, this time, arrows and magic poured in like a tidal wave. Some were parried, and some were dodged.
Just as he was about to prepare a counterattack against the close-combat cadets who would charge in again, a bullet flew in again and broke the flow.
‘Good.’
The battle continued for a long time. The battle, which had gone on for dozens of minutes, ended very naturally.
Without anyone saying it's over, or let's stop here. Everyone had collapsed from exhaustion.
It was a draw.