Chapter 89 – Claude’s Training
Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes
Claude’s Training
After the student alliance conference, everyone left including League. At the end, League asked Silvester to be the first president to which the latter agreed. The mbers were surprised, since Rumania was the most powerful country in Forestia. Yet League chose soone from Zubura. But seeing the crown prince readily accept (apparently they already talked about it beforehand) they didn’t object.
「Catherine.」Hikaru called to her as she was about to leave.
「What is it?」
「I want to talk to you about sothing.」
「I’m not going to apologize for disagreeing with your proposal. Besides, it’s impossible to implent—」
「I wanted to thank you.」
「...What?」
「Thank you for offering a dissenting opinion.」
「.........」
Catherine stared at Hikaru, unblinking.
「Are you okay? Is this a new form of sarcasm or sothing?」
「No. It’s extrely dangerous to proceed with a eting without anyone opposing or analyzing risks. In that sense, you were a great help.」
「It’s no big deal. I just pointed out what I thought was wrong.」
「You would’ve agreed if the others disagreed, though. Am I right?」
「.........」
Hikaru seed to have hit the mark as she went silent. He thought Catherine didn’t just express her opinions because of her negative personality. As proof of that, when asked how to realize the plan, she offered ideas. She had the ability to analyze important points, not just express her own personal opinion, and think about the direction of the eting. Nothing less from soone who cos from a family of governnt officials.
「Hmm, I see it now. Rumania isn’t the one we should be wary about, but you.」Catherine said.
「What are you talking about? League is a great man. He’s smart too.」
「Ponsonia sure is a terrifying kingdom. They have the Master Swordsman, Lavia, a sensitive lady of letters, a cunning guy like you...」
「Hey, Catherine!」Lavia cut in.
「See you at the library, Lavia.」she said and then left.
「Strange friend you got there.」
「She seed the quiet type when we were talking in the library.」
「What did she an by a “sensitive lady of letters”?」
「...No comnt.」
「Oh, co on. Tell . It’s not fair that she knows sothing about you that I don’t.」
「No comnt!」
Lavia strolled to the other side of the counter, beet red from embarrassnt. Grinning, Hikaru followed her, and the two of them washed the dishes.
「Anyway, we got more problems now.」
Lavia chuckled.
「Why are you laughing?」
「You’re the one who suggested stuff. You might end up helping with the mass wedding too.」
「I’m sure they’ll handle that.」
「But you’re the only one who knows anything about it.」
「...I guess.」
「To be honest, I was surprised to hear you say you’re going to convince the queen yourself. You didn’t seem that interested in what League is doing.」
「My role is to convince the queen. At least, that was my plan. I expected that Queen Marquedo’s assistance would be needed for the student alliance’s activities. But I didn’t think we’d need it that quick.」
「What about helping Claude?」
Hikaru’s hand stopped as he was wiping a cup.
「You’re asking if I’m using the Soul Board or not, right?」
「Yeah.」
「There’s no doubt that tweaking his Soul Board is the quickest way to make him stronger.」
「How much stronger would he get?」
Hikaru shrugged.
「Very strong.」
「...Really?」
「I think he can beco the strongest swordsman in the whole continent.」
「You’re joking.」
「It’s true.」
Claude had twelve points available. He already had two points on Sword. Add eight more and he would have ten points. After that, just put more points on his Strength and he’d be the strongest swordsman around. Ponsonia’s Captain Lawrence had six points on Great Sword. With ten points on Sword, it wouldn’t be an overstatent to say Claude would be the strongest.
Hikaru wore a serious expression, and so did Lavia.
「That strong, huh?」
「He would excel in one field for sure. I don’t want to use it if possible. It would be too obvious that I did sothing.」
「But then we won’t get Jarazack’s vote.」
「I should maybe help him just enough that it wouldn’t seem unnatural. Or I’ll just say he’s hypnotized. Either way, I need to see him fight for real first.」
For so reason, Claude’s trained during short sword class.
「Aw, sheesh. More students?」Mille said, sounding irked. She was sitting on a chair under a shade just outside the storage room, i.e., lecture building C.
Claude, Luka, Silvester, Ivan and his friends were present as well. Catherine was probably in the library with Lavia, and Katy in her laboratory. It appeared League couldn’t lose his watchers (the girls).
「All right, Claude. Show what you’ve got.」
「Hey, Hikaru. Isn’t this supposed to be my class?」Mille asked.
「You’ll get your turn later.」Hikaru said.「For now, I want Claude and Ivan to fight.」
「Wait, I’m not fighting you?」Claude asked. He wanted to know if Hikaru really was strong as they said.
「You’re going to fight a great sword user. Ivan is the better choice.」
「All right! Leave it to !」Ivan yelled as he stood up.
「Go, Ivan!」
「Don’t you dare lose to Kirihal!」
His friends were cheering him on.
「Good point. All right, I’ll fight Ivan with all I’ve got.」
「Wait a minute.」Hikaru stopped Claude as he was readying his short spear.
「You’re going to use a one-handed sword. Short spear is not exactly your forte, is it?」
「How’d you know?」
「We don’t have much ti. We should work on what you’re already good at.」
「.........」
Claude hesitated. As for why, Ivan gave the answer.
「Hikaru, a sword is no match against a great sword.」
「What do you an?」
「A one-handed sword is just an inferior version of a great sword. The latter has faster swinging speed and power.」
「Say that after you’ve hit at least once.」
「Y-You’re not normal, okay?!」
「Yeah! You’re a special case!」the onlookers said.
Hikaru nonchalantly ignored them and turned his attention back to Claude.
「Then all the more reason to try with the one-handed sword.」
「How are you so confident? It’s true what Ivan just said. My weapon is just a smaller version of the great sword. It’s mostly for self-defense and formality.」
「That’s exactly what the opponent would think. And that’s why you have a chance to win.」
「Really?」
「There’s no way to get instantly strong in a short amount of ti. But by studying the opponent, there’s a chance you can win in an all-or-nothing fight.」
「I see. You might be right. All right, let’s try with a one-handed sword.」
「Thank you.」
「Oh, and one more thing, Hikaru.」
「What is it?」
「Could you not talk to politely? You’re my teacher right now.」
「But...」
「At least talk like we’re equals.」
「.........」
Hikaru thought about it for a bit.
「All right, sure. I won’t hold anything back, though.」
「Bring it on.」
Claude was fired up, but Hikaru simply sneered. Seeing his smile, Ivan and his friends yelped.
「The devil just smiled!」they scread.
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