Chapter 42
Currently, there are four problems.
Stats, difference in sparring experience, difficulty in discerning attack paths, and.
'The difficulty in attacking.'
While I was busy blocking, it was hard to find the right timing to attack, but the bigger issue was that any reckless attack would confirm my defeat.
The moment I thrust my wooden sword, it's as good as losing my defense.
'To drag this out for a draw...'
I glanced at Caron sneakily.
He was watching us with his arms crossed.
I could tell intuitively.
This sparring match wouldn't stop until one of us was defeated.
'But I can't lose.'
Not just to avoid bullying as the weaker one.
But because of the characteristics of this 'Zero' character.
'Mystique, and the need to act as much like the mastermind as possible.'
The hidden pieces triggered so far, and the assurance from my encounter with the demon's shard confirmed it.
This character must walk a tightrope between good and evil.
'So I can't afford to lose. It would completely shatter the mystique.'
The problem is the huge gap in power between Godner and me.
Is it almost time to end this? Godner's attacks were getting faster.
'I need to see something to counterattack. Ah...!'
I had an idea. A way to overcome this crisis.
I used the [Information Window] skill here and there. I wasn't interested in names or stats.
What I needed now was a skill.
And I found the desired skill in one of the kids.
[Dynamic Vision F].
I immediately activated [Divine Imitation].
Deleting [Demon Magic], I mimicked [Dynamic Vision].
['Divine Imitation' skill effect sets the grade of 'Dynamic Vision' skill to A.]
The reason for mimicking [Dynamic Vision] among numerous skills.
'It's not noticeable from the outside.'
[Divine Imitation] is a skill that forcibly sets the grade of mimicked skills to A-grade.
A-grade. It may seem laughable.
But considering that skills start from F-grade, one can understand how hard it is to reach A-grade.
'Even an extra's technique can be devastatingly powerful at A-grade.'
Using active skills with strong effects or impacts is inappropriate in the current situation.
That's why I chose [Dynamic Vision], a passive skill that's not noticeable even at A-grade and most suitable for the situation.
"This is the end!"
Godner thrust his sword.
A stab. I clearly saw him extend the sword in a straight line.
Maybe because of the A-grade [Dynamic Vision].
Godner's movements seemed incredibly slow.
Like a slow-motion scene.
I twisted my body and dodged his stab. At the same time, I thrust my wooden sword.
No need to exert extra force or use any tricks.
Godner was practically walking into the thrust himself.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
I felt a heavy throb in my hand, and simultaneously, Godner grabbed his stomach and knelt on one knee.
Slow. Every movement was too slow. Even.
"Falling down is slow too, isn't it?"
"What, what did you say!?"
Godner's eyes blazed with unbroken will.
At that very moment, as he charged at me again.
"That's enough."
Caron suddenly appeared and grabbed Godner's wrist.
"Teacher! I can still fight...!"
"That's because this is a sparring match. In a real fight, you'd be dead by now. Lying on the ground, spilling your guts, begging for your life."
Godner's lips sealed shut.
Not so much for lack of words, but more due to Caron's intimidating gaze.
"I'll award one point to the victor, Zero."
"Keke, thank you."
"You received four penalty points last lesson, remember? You'll have to work hard in the dungeon to recover the remaining three points."
Hmm, wasn't it your fault for giving four penalty points in the first place?
Even one of those points was deducted because you were in a bad mood.
"Keke, I'll try my best."
But the opponent was a killing machine.
After bowing my head, I headed back to my seat.
'Phew, that was a close call. Good thing I have [Divine Imitation]...'
Another reason why [Divine Imitation] is such an overpowered skill lies right here.
'Overwhelming flexibility.'
Just as I did just now, I can switch my mimicked skill depending on the situation.
Adapting to the situation, I switch skills to counter.
It's a must-have skill for all the top players.
'There's the limitation that someone to mimic a skill from must be around, but it's almost embarrassing to call it a penalty since I can mimic the enemy's skills too.'
Active skills can only be mimicked after seeing them being used, but it's different for passive skills.
Always active. That's the nature of 'Passive Skills.'
'To think such an overpowered skill isn't even one-time use.'
As long as it's not switched, it can be reused multiple times.
I lost [Demon Magic], but since I managed a situation not even in the story, it's not a loss.
At the same time, it was a moment of reflection.
'...Sword Saint Zero, my foot.'
I realize the reality.
The cold reality that I'm still weak.
As I sighed, a mix of relief and annoyance, Luna grumbled.
"What, you're strong enough even without secret techniques?"
She seemed to recall the lie I told during the transparent slime quest.
The lie that it's difficult to use my secret technique because it leaves traces.
"Why have you been pretending to be weak all this time? I mean, you might have easily won against the demon's shard if you had stepped in from the beginning."
Suspicion filled Luna's eyes.
An excuse prepared for such a situation? Of course.
There wasn't any.
'Did Luna think he was being overpowered...?'
That's proof of how powerful [Swordsmanship A] is.
I was so focused on defeating Godner that I hadn't considered this situation.
"Something's fishy..."
Luna leaned in close, pressuring me.
Her eyes were speaking.
There are no secrets between friends. So, spill it.
It's a tough spot. In such situations, the best thing to do is.
Smile it off.
"Keke."
"Huh? Why don't you just say something?"
"Kekekekekekekeke!"
"..."
Luna was unusually quiet.
Is she upset? I turned my head slightly.
What I saw as I turned my head to the side.
Luna, with her mouth wide open, lunging at me.
* * *
"Hmm, he seems strong..."
"Yeah. But he seems weaker than I thought?"
"Still, since he overpowered Godner, we should recruit him..."
The children murmured, evaluating Zero.
Most of them rated his skills as mediocre.
Caron couldn't help but click his tongue.
'Tch, they don't see that there's more than meets the eye.'
The world looks different at each level of expertise.
There's a difference in perspective, so this is inevitable.
But this is the advanced class.
And yet, they're underestimating Zero's skills.
'They think he won by luck after being pushed around in the match?'
The children might think Zero was just lucky with his counter, but Caron saw it differently.
'He was just being modest. Why? Because winning too overwhelmingly brings its own troubles. That's why he did that.'
Though it looked like he was frantically blocking, Caron saw clearly.
The way he cleverly moved the angle of his wooden sword at each moment.
Such skill is something only a superior can exhibit while guiding a junior.
Meaning, there was that much of a skill gap between them.
'And that last strike...'
It was so perfectly timed it felt like it was measured with a ruler.
Not even using his own strength but utilizing the opponent's force for a perfect strike.
"Tch."
Such skill at the age of fifteen.
At fifteen, Caron couldn't even imagine possessing such formidable abilities.
'It must be the overall improvement in standards. The empire's future looks bright.'
He was a bit surprised, but he couldn't say Zero is the strongest in the advanced class.
Teron, Yuridia, and...
'Daike. That guy is an exception.'
Caron glanced towards where Daike was.
Teron's bodyguard, his hunting dog.
A prodigy unmatched in history, achieving the realm of a 5-star knight at the mere age of fifteen.
Even if Zero tries his hardest, he wouldn't be able to beat Daike.
Because that's.
A monster.
"Ah, it hurts! Miss Luna, it hurts!"
"Of course, it hurts because I'm biting! Die! Die!"
Caron's gaze shifted to where the commotion was happening.
Luna was perched on Zero's shoulder, biting his head.
'...They seem close.'
He pulled out his notebook and scribbled down Zero's name.
Disturbance during class. One penalty point for Zero alone.
Today, too, Caron was not fond of Zero.
* * *
Having been defeated by Zero, Godner was feeling a mix of emotions.
Shame and an overwhelming sense of humiliation.
What? Even falling down was slow?
'That bastard... Does he even know who I am to dare...!'
Trembling for a moment, he immediately headed towards where Teron was.
That bastard Zero, who had brought shame upon his noble self.
He deserved to be torn apart a hundred times.
But there was something more important than that right now.
"Lord Teron! I was just caught off guard! If I fight again, I'll definitely..."
"Off guard? Surprising. To think that's something you'd proudly announce."
Teron sneered.
It was already shameful to have lost while showing off, but to make excuses on top of it.
"Didn't Teacher Caron say before the duel? Don't be careless."
If you're careless just because the opponent seems a bit overwhelmed, wouldn't you be careless in a dungeon too?
This applies anywhere and could lead to fatal consequences.
Especially in the fox-filled world of politics.
"Boasting is a poison. Reflect on yourself for a while. Embarrassing us by losing in front of Yuridia's faction... What a disgrace."
Godner's face turned red with anger.
He was the sixth in rank in Teron's faction, holding a significant position.
And yet to be humiliated publicly like this.
'I can't leave this place.'
He thought of joining Yuridia's faction with his followers.
But it wasn't a simple issue that could be resolved just like that.
'Our departure won't really affect the overall situation.'
Teron's faction had a wider range of talents compared to Yuridia's.
Of course, Yuridia was there, known as a magic prodigy.
'But she's no match for that monster.'
A boy standing behind Teron.
The moment he faced him, he instinctively knew.
He would never be able to beat that monster.
'Being killed by that monster is something I'd rather avoid.'
Shame is temporary.
Right now, it was more important to maintain his position and regain trust.
As Godner was pondering, Zepa, ranked seventh and eyeing his position, spoke up.
"Are you calling that an excuse? Just admit it honestly. You were lacking in skills."
Godner's eyes widened in anger.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? Losing to such a guy. It seems you've been hiding your pathetic skills while leading your pack, but that's over now."
The argument that Godner's absolute skills were lacking.
Before he could even rebut, the children, mostly following Zepa, began speaking.
"Honestly... That Zero's swordsmanship wasn't great."
"Right, it looked like he never formally learned swordsmanship."
"Losing to such a guy? The swordsmanship of a prestigious family? Impossible."
"So, is Godner really that incompetent?"
Mostly the words of Zepa's followers.
But the impact wasn't small.
Children belonging to Teron's faction began to doubt Godner's skills.
"...Come forward."
"What?"
"All those doubting my skills, come forward! Including you, Zepa! I'll take on everyone!"
Hearing Godner's challenge, Zepa secretly smiled.
This was exactly the situation he had hoped for.
A tense situation that could lead to a fight with just Teron's approval.
Soon Teron spoke, and his words were shocking.
"Both of you, demoted by one rank."
--TL Notes--
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