Chapter 265
Yuridia couldn’t help but be surprised by Rodelin’s unexpected arrival.
“Senior? How are you here...?”
Rodelin was a second-year student tasked with combat and support roles at Carpathia's Castle.
As the vice president of the student council and a skilled fighter, she should have been at the heart of the battlefield.
But here she was. Could it be that the invasion had been successfully repelled?
“Hmm, the Silver Horse Knights joined the battlefield a little while ago.”
“The Knights...”
“And reinforcements are arriving constantly. As expected of the Empire, they’re truly remarkable.”
Rodelin, a fan of the Empire, smiled in satisfaction, proud of the quicker-than-expected reinforcements.
“Thanks to that, the battlefield had some leeway. Teacher Caron discovered a demon escaping and sent us here while taking a short break.”
Having heard the full story, Yuridia nodded.
Rodelin wasn’t the only one who came as reinforcements.
“Summon the beast!”
“It’s a water-attribute beast. Pour earth over it to restrict its movement!”
“Prioritize protecting the underclassmen!”
Dozens of second-year students stormed into Area 4 and immediately began fighting the water bugs.
“Now that reinforcements have arrived, the academy students will soon retreat to the rear. Our mission is almost over... but we must still finish strong.”
Sliding down the hill, Rodelin stood before Yuridia.
She had no intention of letting the demon escape, and even less of allowing it to flee.
Staring at Mabelga, Rodelin spoke.
“So, what kind of demon magic do you think it’s using, Yuridia?”
“Your analysis would be more accurate than mine, senior.”
“That’s a strange thing to say. Is ‘age’ important in making analyses?”
“Hmm... not really.”
That’s right. Age doesn’t matter in analysis.
What’s needed is objective information gathering, refining that information, and making accurate judgments.
In other words, what Yuridia said, “Your analysis would be more accurate,” was a clear error.
“I just want to hear your opinion, Yuridia. Besides, I just got here. Any analysis you have would be more accurate than mine. Right?”
Yuridia looked directly into Rodelin’s eyes.
Rodelin responded with a small smile.
‘She isn’t trying to shift the blame if something goes wrong. It’s pure kindness and trust.’
Authority doesn’t come from living a long time or having a lot of experience.
It’s built through voluntary recognition, agreement, and support from others.
‘The process differs for each person, though...’
Rodelin’s way of building authority was unique.
She didn’t flaunt her age, suppress juniors with force, or leave others to bear responsibility alone.
She identified mistakes based on trust and tolerance, gave opportunities to correct errors, and helped others grow.
It might sound like a pushover, but it didn’t feel that way at all.
Rodelin had a distinct ‘line’ she wouldn’t cross.
A soft charisma.
That was why many followed Rodelin and why she was able to unify the second-year students without any factions.
‘Indeed... her position as vice president wasn’t achieved by family influence or luck.’
Yuridia always knew Rodelin wasn’t ordinary, but seeing this side made her realize the difference in their ‘capacity.’
“...”
Whirr-.
Yuridia shook her head, regaining her focus.
‘Don’t be weak. You lead a group too!’
Rodelin wasn’t her competitor, but after graduation, who knew where they might meet?
She could be a strong ally or the most threatening opponent.
Feeling the gap between herself and Rodelin wasn’t strange.
But,
‘Now isn’t the time to calculate such things. Even less to fall into self-pity.’
Repaying Rodelin’s trust with better analysis was the priority.
Yuridia focused on Mabelga in the distance.
‘When encountering a demon, the priority is not falling into temptation and understanding what kind of demon magic it uses.’
Each demon has unique demon magic.
Knowing the enemy’s techniques before fighting gives a clear advantage.
‘The problem is, the higher the rank, the more complex and troublesome the demon magic.’
Since they use different demon magic, it must be identified during the battle.
If it’s a lethal poison or an unstoppable spell with a long casting time?
You could die. Even a 9-star knight could be killed by a low-rank demon if they’re careless.
That’s why humans feared demons so much in their early appearances.
‘But demons have been appearing for hundreds of years now.’
Humans succeeded in classifying the demon magic they use.
Though they didn’t know every single detail, they understood the main branches and stems. That alone was a significant advancement.
“Primarily, the main attribute is water. It’s not a high-ranking demon, so it won’t handle opposite attributes. At best, it will use earth-attribute magic.”
“Agreed. And?”
“It uses summoning magic. Summoning one at a time means it’s not a summoner type. It won’t summon high-level beasts.”
They would have to continually deal with the water bugs to avoid being surrounded, but with Rodelin here, it shouldn’t be a major issue.
“There are swamps everywhere, though invisible. Given the viscosity, escaping alone is impossible; help is needed.”
“Is magical observation or nullification possible?”
“The area is too vast for observation. There isn’t enough mana or time. Mixing water and earth attributes, it’d take at least half a day to nullify. It’d be better to...”
“Just help each other out physically. Understood.”
Swamps scattered around. Annoying but not deadly traps if help is available.
With luck, they might defeat the demon without anyone falling.
Nullifying was a waste of time. As Yuridia said, physical assistance was practical.
While it’s possible everyone might get stuck, they weren’t that stupid.
Moving one at a time, they could manage the traps.
“Thanks for explaining thoroughly. It was a great analysis. Very helpful.”
No, there was still one more thing.
The most important part.
Splash-.
Water had risen to Yuridia’s ankles from the soles of her shoes.
Not the water rising, but the ground ‘sinking.’ The result was the same.
The area around the demon, about 500 meters.
‘One of its demon magics... no, this is its main move.’
If the water rose to their thighs, moving freely would be impossible.
Slowly, but surely. And definitely tightening around them. That’s the terror of ‘water.’
“The water is rising. The longer the battle, the worse it gets.”
“So we need a quick resolution. Fine, I’ll handle the demon. Can I count on your support?”
It meant pulling her out if she got stuck and clearing the water bugs.
Normally, that would be the plan.
If her mana was full, and if Rodelin’s instant firepower surpassed hers.
“Can you leave this to me?”
“...I don’t think it’s wise to overextend for glory.”
“I’m not doing anything foolish. Trust me. I’m going to use a trump card.”
Rodelin looked into Yuridia’s eyes.
Not eyes blinded by ambition.
Eyes filled with determination and resolve to protect and succeed.
‘Indeed... there are many talents in this first year.’
Even good things in excess can be a problem. Rodelin felt that since the entrance exam.
“Fine, I’ll take support. But if it seems too much, I’ll pull you back.”
“Yes, thank you!”
“Alex! Team up with Raymon! Cover our backs!”
“Yes!”
Alex took down a water bug, while Raymon created an opening against another.
Rodelin and Yuridia dashed through the gap.
Two water bugs blocked the way, but,
Lucid Family Style, First Secret Skill.
Earth Flip.
Boom!!
With Rodelin’s sword swing, the ground flipped.
Rodelin’s strike that altered the terrain.
Yuridia measured the distance, passing over the squashed water bugs.
About 10 meters from the demon. Time to cast a spell.
“Fragment of the Nightmare King, black blade of nullity that breaks the world’s ban...”
Demonic energy!?
The demonic energy felt from Yuridia’s hand shocked Rodelin.
“Become my strength, my body, and bring destruction upon my enemies...”
Moreover, the demonic energy was intensifying, forming a black blade in Yuridia’s hand.
‘It’s different from magic.’
Magic borrows the power of surrounding mana, thus it has limits.
But Yuridia’s magic was different.
Forcing mana to stay in her hand and even forming a ‘sword.’
Creating form from formlessness.
‘Only a god could do that...’
Yuridia managed it. Even seeing it, Rodelin couldn’t believe it.
“Reveal yourself to this world, to my hand!”
Ragnarok Blade!!
Crackle-!!
A huge sword appeared in Yuridia’s hand.
A mysterious sword constantly changing shape, crackling with demonic energy.
A sword with form, yet formless.
‘It’s an ominous power, but...’
Its effect was certain.
Rodelin understood Yuridia’s plan.
That could defeat the demon before it tried any tricks.
‘Though it means writing numerous reports and apologies about the magic.’
Yuridia confidently used it, so it likely wasn’t from a demonic pact.
But that was that, this was this.
While Rodelin noted “Investigate Rownter Family’s Magic” in her notebook, Yuridia confronted Mabelga.
Crackle-!
‘Argh!’
Yuridia internally grimaced.
Invisible due to constant demonic energy sparks, her hand was likely in terrible shape.
Perhaps because it used stamina instead of mana, Yuridia’s body was rapidly deteriorating.
“But this will end it!”
Yuridia was about to swing her sword when,
Water Dragon Bullet.
A stream as thick as an arm shot from Mabelga.
Whirr-!
Simultaneously, Yuridia’s artifact lit up, emitting a shield.
An artifact she recently acquired with a shield function.
Thunk!
“Ugh!”
The impact pierced the shield.
Yuridia knelt on one knee.
“Kahaha! You’re caught! How do you like my Water Dragon Bullet!”
Mabelga laughed, enjoying the human’s pain.
Annoying, but something even more annoying.
‘What’s with that casting speed...!’
The Water Dragon Bullet Mabelga just used.
Did it take 1 to 1.5 seconds? An insanely fast casting speed.
Similar to magic but different. Demon magic, or perhaps a mysterious artifact’s power.
Whatever it was, the situation was dire.
‘Barely holding Ragnarok Blade, but...’
She wouldn’t withstand the next attack. Either pierced by Water Dragon Bullet or dropping Ragnarok Blade.
One of the two, and then...
Everyone here, and kids in other areas, would be in danger.
She couldn’t collapse like this.
‘Stand up, Yuridia!’
Yuridia stood, her legs trembling.
Ragnarok Blade consumed more stamina than expected.
Could she swing it properly?
Yuridia tried to steady herself when,
“Argh!!”
Suddenly, Mabelga’s skin began burning, forcing it to retreat.
“This power...?”
Everyone recognized it instantly.
Holy light, the power bestowed by the goddess.
‘Holy power.’
“Oh~ Hohohohoho! No need to worry now that I’m here!”
A girl with golden rolled hair and a distinctive laugh.
Victoria.
And next to her stood two kids.
A cute girl with twin tails, Luna. And...
“Keke... Yuridia and demon, your magic. It’s so boring I want to die.”
The slit-eyed boy, Zero.
--TL Notes--
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