As the first light signaling the end of the night illuminated the world, the sound of cutting through the wind that had quietly shaken the air ceased.
Morning?
Sunlight inford Luke that morning had arrived.
He had unknowingly swung his sword all night, and it was now dawn.
During his sword training, he could avoid thinking about troubleso things and focus only on the sword.
Recently, he had beco soone who thought about many things and worried about unexpected events, so holding a sword had beca a precious routine to him.
(Even without a blade, this sword occasionally shows incredible sharpness. It could really cut through anything.)
Luke thought as he looked at the sword in his hands.
However, it was still a replica for training, so it had no actual blade despite its intricate craftsmanship.
(Alfred said that a polished sword can still possess sharpness even without a blade. But this one is even more)
Lukes thoughts ca to a halt as an unexpected third party spoke up.
C-cold isnt it, Luke?
?
It wasnt just Luke who had been swinging his sword. Abel was also there, swinging his sword in the distance.
Why are you here Abel?
Lukes deep concentration was so frighteningly intense that it made all extraneous information disappear into the distance, causing him to not notice Abels presence until now.
Uh, did you not notice? I was training beside you all night, Luke
I guess you didnt notice
Lukes lack of awareness of Abels presence made him feel a little down.
However, Abel thought he understood Luke well enough to believe that he didnt an it maliciously.
(Luke is really aweso to put in so much effort)
Abel could only do his best, and if even his efforts were not enough, he would definitely fail.
He wanted to defeat Luke soday, but at the sa ti, he admired him for his pure and overwhelming strength.
Whats with that look? Its uncomfortable, go away.
Am I really having a strange look?!
Luke felt a strange discomfort around Abel, who still approached him despite his rude behavior, and decided to return to his room.
Wait, Luke!
However, Abel imdiately followed Luke.
Um, Luke. Have you heard of the Sword Saint Festival thats held every year in the Empire?
I only heard about it from my master and dont know the details, but apparently its where sword masters from various countries gather! Isnt that exciting?
S-sohow about it? Would you like to go see it together? Uh, I think the timing ishey, are you listening?
U-umLuke-kun, are you listening? Lets go see it together
Annoying.
Luke increased his walking speed to get away from Abel, who continued to talk to him even when he ignored him.
Of course, he knew about the Sword Saint Festival. In fact, he was considering participating, but he had no intention of talking about it with Abel.
At the third magic training ground.
Now, Im facing Luke.
I wanted to show him my newly completed magic before anyone else because of how important it is to .
Im not thinking that Ive finally reached him or anything. I just want to know how strong Ive gotten with this magic.
Whats wrong? Just hurry up, Lloyd.
Are you ready over there?
Heh, are you worried about ? Just stop irritating so much.
Luke directed a clear anger towards . Just that was enough to send a shiver through my body like my heart was being squeezed and my hair was standing on end.
I cant lie to myself. Ive co to accept it from the bottom of my heart that I cant beat this guy.
Haha!
Hes so cool. Strong people are so cool!
This academy is really simple and nice.
The strong are revered. Even I, an idiot, can understand this simplicity. Its comfortable here.
Lets go?
Yeah, co.
I lost to that ice girl.
Shes a terrible person. Knowing that I had confidence in my magics firepower, she twisted down with so simple ice magic.
Just firing my flas endlessly wasnt enough to beat her.
I had admitted that I was inferior to the ice girl.
But not for so long.
I hadnt given up on getting revenge with my firepower, but I thought maybe I should explore other ways as well.
Moreover, just by blasting away my magic I wont be able to reach Luke, who is way above my league.
So I made this magic.
To a point, not to the surface.
Instead of spreading my magic, I concentrated my magic into one point and released it.
Flash of Flas
A very thin fla flew straight towards Luke at an incredible speed, trying to burn him to ashes.
This magic wasnt ant for widespread destruction but was created to break through a single point or a thick wall.
Lukes dark magic absorbs everything. However, there should be a limit to the amount of magical power that can be absorbed at once.
Barrier of Darkness
Luke deployed a defensive magic. My flas clashed with Lukes darkness and pierced through it, grazing his cheek.
Wonderful.
H-Haha Yessss!!!
I couldnt help but raise my fist.
I did it!! Damn, Im so happy My flas pierced through Lukes defense!!
After breaking through the barrier, the magic had considerably weakened. I still couldnt concentrate my magical power perfectly. There were countless issues to be addressed!!
Still, this was a big step!
Hmm, I see. You focused your magic on a single point. Good magic. But density is what matters.
As expected! To understand all that from just one hit
Lets link it with magic sense, remove so conventional magic barriers, narrow down the range, and create a high-density barrier. Kuku, this can also be applied to Blessing of Darkness.
Huh?
At first I had no idea what Luke was talking about.
Now, lets do it again.
W-What do you an
Cast the sa magic again.
Okay.
Though I was confused, I obeyed. I have to follow those stronger than myself.
Though it was just a little, my magic certainly reached Luke or so I thought.
Flash of Flas
Barrier of Darkness
He casted the sa magic as before. Yet, the result was entirely different.
My Flash of Flas disappeared, swallowed by the darkness.
Ta-ha.
Whats that?
For so reason, it made laugh.
On the first day, I thought Luke was a monster when I saw his magic. .
..Apparently, my perception was still naive.
Is my effort sothing that Luke can even just surpass in such an instant ?
Haha Hahahaha!! Youre amazing, after all!!
Ah how cool.
That unmatched power that wont allow any rivals!!
Damn, thats so cool, dammit!!
But, I truly think I shouldnt aim for this guy.
Thank you. Ill ask you again.
Yeah, it was a wonderful magic.
After leaving the magic training grounds, I parted ways with Lloyd.
Kuku, it was still rough around the edges, but it was really good magic.
He really does have sothing good. I dont think its inferior to Alice or Mias.
However, it was boring.
Magic in general is certainly deep, but most of its things can be done too easily.
Above all, there is no maneuvering like a sword in magic battles. That blood-pumping maneuvering.
Well, this is because my attribute is dark and I can nullify most magic.
But I still think the sword is better hmm?
!?
While walking and thinking about such things, I felt soones gaze. When I turned around, our eyes t, and she hurriedly left as if to escape from my sight.
A girl with purple hair. I feel like Ive seen her before. Maybe there was such a girl in the sa year as .
Nevertheless, its unpleasant. Whats with those eyes of pity?
Good work! Luke!
I was called out from a different direction.
When I looked, it was my recent source of trouble, Porupon.
Hey, wait!
I felt a similar annoyance to Abel from this guy. He followed even though I was ignoring him. Disgusting.
That day we talked in my room.
This prince said sothing crazy like making him a pawn. Of course, I refused Or so I thought.
However, this guy who is bad at giving up has been coming to constantly since that day
No, Im sowhat at fault too.
I asked him what he would do if he beca king out of a slight interest.
Thanks for listening to ! First, I plan to start by purging many incompetent nobles, while considering a moderate line that maintains the functions of the country. I dont know how many years it will take, but I cant realize any of the policies Im considering in the true sense unless this country becos united. At first, I think ruling by fear will be sufficient.
Porupon replied gleefully.
He uttered purging as if it were an ordinary daily conversation.
Incompetent nobles would be stripped of their titles and there would be no rcy for those who opposed. In short, that was what it ant.
The pure and utter coldness that could not be imagined from this appearance was a little amusing, and I couldnt help but be impressed.
But this was not good. This was the cause that had increased his persistence.
haah.
Whats wrong, Luke? You look tired.
Actually, its not that simple.
First, overwhelming military power that no one can resist is necessary. For that, the pro-royal faction needs to have even greater power, and its unclear how long it will take, as this guy says.
Even so, his heart, like a cold blade that could kill anyone without hesitation for the sake of the country, is a little interesting Thats what I thought.
Perhaps he sensed sothing from my attitude. He started to follow around.
haah.
Are you really okay, Luke? You seem quite tired. Maybe you need a pawn like ? Then you wouldnt get so tired
No, its your fault Im tired, you idiot.
Oh, by the way! Shell be returning soon from the Magic Division training, shes currently ranked first. You know who Im talking about, right?
Well, shes Eleonora, the legitimate daughter of the Godwin family.
huh?
Eleonora you say?
Co again tomorrow, Canis-san! Ferris-chan!
Aiyo~! It was delicious again today! See you later!
Thanks for the treat.
A tall man called Canis.
A petite girl called Ferris.
What they have in common is that they both wear turbans.
Tahaha, I ate a lot today~!
Hmm? Whats wrong, Ferris. You look down.
Hmm, you seem to be thinking about sothing difficult again.
Nothing has progressed since that day. Nothing at all.
Were making good progress.
Where?
Weve learned that our target is not just a magician, but also a great swordsman, right? This information is of great value, even though it is not yet known for sure.
Geez, dont make that scary face
At that mont, Canis saw a man wearing a black hood disappearing into an alley.
From his gait and especially his atmosphere, he imdiately knew that he was a fellow professional.
However, it had nothing to do with them. They should have ignored it, but
Tonight, well secure the darkness.'
Understood.
Their excellent hearing caught the conversation. Therefore, the matter beca sothing that could not be ignored.
It was easy to imagine what they an by darkness. Still they had to make sure first if it was what they thought it was.
Ferris.
Yeah. I heard. We should check.
Yes, but you must follow my instructions. You understand?
I know.
With these words, Canis and Ferris disappeared lting into the darkness.
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