Chapter 716
Simon and Hector did one last joint training with the Dragon’s Factor.
From Hector’s movements, Simon was able to pick up a lot of know-how. What Hector did unconsciously, as naturally as breathing, every little action became a clue to Simon, who had only just begun learning Dragon Magic.
Though Hector could feel Simon’s glances now and then, he simply focused on what he was doing, as if daring him to steal whatever he could.
Sometimes Simon asked questions out of curiosity, but Hector would reply with a supremely triumphant expression.
“Why should I tell that to a guy studying the Dragon’s Factor just to try and beat me?”
Simon stepped back, sweating awkwardly.
‘......But why does he look so pleased?’
At last, the two’s joint training came to an end.
“Thank you, Professor!”
“Go on inside.”
After Aron left, Simon and Hector also began walking.
After a few steps in silence, Hector suddenly frowned deeply.
“Stop following me.”
Simon shrugged his shoulders.
“We just happen to be going in the same direction.”
Since both were headed to the Summonology dorm, the path was the same. The two walked with a little distance between them.
“......”
“......”
An awkward breeze blew between them.
But sprinting off on his own or running away by stepping on Darkness would have been making too much of a fuss, so Simon didn’t.
Then, in that brief silence—
“When you move the Factor, don’t rely on experience, follow your intuition.”
Hector opened his mouth.
“You’re failing because you try to use petty tricks despite only having learned Dragon Magic recently. The Dragon’s Factor, unlike Darkness, doesn’t have the property of memory. Move according to intuition. When that accumulates, it becomes absolute movement later.”
‘Oh.’
It was the answer to the question he had asked earlier. Simon smiled faintly.
“Thanks, Hector.”
Hector grimaced with a look of disgust. With his expression crumpling like that, it felt like a massive dragon scowling, which made Simon want to laugh.
“Suit yourself. While you’re wasting time dabbling in this domain, I’ll be moving further ahead.”
“Sure, sure.”
Fwooooosh—
Just then, a strong gust of wind blew and shook the trees. Simon stopped and looked up at the sky.
This wasn’t natural wind.
It faintly carried Darkness.
Fwoooooooosh—
A second gale. This time Hector also sensed the Darkness, and he stopped and braced himself.
The wind grew stronger and stronger until—
Fwhaak!
A human figure fell from the sky.
Right before touching the ground, he slowed down and landed lightly on both feet. The fluttering collar settled, and a man in stylish glasses lifted his chin.
“Senior Aizel!”
Simon’s face lit up. Hector, who had been on guard, also realized who it was and immediately bowed politely.
“It’s an honor. Hector Moore, second-year representative of Summonology.”
Representatives were tightly connected with the third-years, so the hierarchy was strict. Aizel raised his hand slightly to acknowledge the greeting, but he seemed uninterested in Hector, turning his eyes elsewhere at once.
“Simon Follentia.”
“Yes!”
“I need to talk to you urgently. Could you spare me a moment?”
Hector frowned and lifted his head.
Even if he was only a second-year, he was still of the Moore family. To ignore him and only look at that guy?
“Yes, of course.”
Aizel used black magic. Darkness swirled under their feet, and in an instant both Simon and Aizel shot into the air.
“See you later, Hector!”
Simon’s voice quickly faded, and the two vanished from sight in a blink.
Hector’s fist clenched tightly.
‘That bastard, could it be that the reason he studies the Dragon’s Factor is.......’
* * *
Fwoooooooosh—!
While moving through the sky, Aizel took off his glasses.
“Ugh, that was scary.”
His expression changed instantly as he rubbed his arm and hunched his shoulders.
“Who was that hulking guy with the murderous glare?”
“Hector Moore. He introduced himself, didn’t he?”
“I was too nervous to hear it properly. So he’s from the Moore family, huh.”
Aizel ran a trembling hand across his brow.
“Why are all the second-years so huge this time? Honestly, I can’t even meet the eyes of big guys like that. Reminds me of the ones who used to bully me back then.”
“......Ahaha.”
So it wasn’t that he ignored Hector, he had just been scared out of his wits and fled.
The more Simon got to know Aizel, the more he understood the reasons behind his actions.
“More importantly, you’ll spar with me today too, right?”
Simon’s eyes sparkled.
Aizel looked back at his junior with a slightly weary expression.
“Do we have to, even today?”
“Since we met, let’s do it casually! The finals are coming soon. Come on!”
* * *
On a makeshift arena that Aizel carved out by splitting the sea,
Simon and Aizel faced each other once again.
Aizel was the same as always, but this time Simon fought under slightly worse conditions. While preparing the Chaos Dullahan, he had to dodge Aizel’s relentless magic of the Darkness-Wind system.
He canceled spells with Cancel Spark to keep Fulgor in check.
When the distance closed, he attempted Sleep.
Sometimes he even charged in with ‘Wind Surge’, the technique Hongpeng had taught him.
Of course, his goal was to endure Aizel’s onslaught somehow until he could summon the Chaos Dullahan.
But—
His vision darkened, and when he opened his eyes, he was staring at the sky.
The same ending as before.
‘So close.’
Still, unlike last time, this time he was certain he had achieved results.
He had withstood Aizel’s fierce offensive while preparing the Chaos Dullahan. If he had bought just a little more time, he might have summoned it and even won.
“Are, are you okay? I hit you too hard, didn’t I?”
Flustered, Aizel grabbed Simon’s shoulders and shook him as he woke.
Soon, the two left the sea and perched on a tall tree, talking.
“......In real combat, should I go a little easier on you?”
“Please don’t.”
Simon shook his head.
“People can tell if you’re holding back. Before the real thing, I’ll finish a strike strong enough to defeat you for sure, Senior.”
Aizel scratched the back of his head.
“......You’re really something.”
“Yes?”
“Even as I was pouring out attacks, I felt like I was the one being chased. The longer it went on, the drier my mouth got. I seriously thought you might complete the Chaos Dullahan.”
It was the highest of compliments. Simon smiled with deep satisfaction.
“To think I managed to chill the nerves of Keyzen’s strongest, it’s an honor.”
Aizel chuckled as well. Then he lifted his head, gazing at the sky where the sunset had begun, and the sea glowing orange beneath it.
“A thought just came to me. Back when I was a second-year, could I have fought against Senior Phantasus the way you fight now?”
“......”
“Honestly, I still don’t understand why he chose a loser like me as a candidate for Student Council President.”
His body slumped as he muttered feebly.
“Senior Phantasus always valued living a proactive life. Wouldn’t someone like me, who’s always lived worrying about others’ opinions, be the kind of person he hated most? The presidency shouldn’t have gone to me. It should have gone to you, or to Ballack.”
He pressed his fingertips against his forehead.
“Why me instead of Ballack? Just because my grades were slightly higher? Someone like me....”
“Senior Aizel.”
Simon spoke in a low, steady voice.
“In my eyes, you’re already plenty proactive.”
“Huh?”
“To live for nearly three years with a personality different from your own, to maintain it, and to climb to the top like that, not just anyone can do that. Even in the student council matter, I made easier suggestions, but you rejected them all firmly. You said it would hurt your dignity. For someone who values their dignity more than their own life....”
Simon smiled warmly.
“No one could do that without a firm resolve. To carry that image to the end, that’s your proactive decision, Senior.”
Aizel, startled at first, soon broke into a laugh.
“No, that’s just a twisted answer. I’m still just worrying about others’ opinions.”
“The very resolve to act out that image is, in itself, self-directed.”
“Hahahaha! What kind of reasoning is that?”
The two burst into hearty laughter.
“Anyway, even if your personality changes, I don’t think your accomplishments, your strength, and the people around you disappear. Aizel is still Aizel.”
Under the glowing sunset sky, Simon smiled softly.
“And personally, I prefer and support your true self more.”
“......Simon.”
Aizel stared blankly at his junior, then suddenly let out a hollow laugh.
“You must be really popular with girls, huh?”
“Eh?”
“Suddenly you feel too far away. Go away.”
“Ahaha! Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?”
* * *
After talking for a while about Aizel and student council matters, Simon arrived at the Mutant Club room.
Thanks to Aizel’s magic, he got there quickly.
‘By now, it should have arrived, right?’
With a pounding heart, Simon opened the clubroom door.
“Hello, Student Council President!”
“Welcome!”
The first-years, who were studying for exams, sprang up and greeted him warmly. Simon waved back.
“Did Senior Benya come by?”
“Yes! She’s in the basement!”
“She brought some big box with her.”
Finally!
Simon fought to suppress the bursting excitement in his chest as he walked on.
“Study hard for your exams.”
“Yes!”
Keeping a calm demeanor in front of his juniors, he couldn’t help but break into a run the moment he started down the basement stairs.
Bang!
“Senior Benya!”
“Oh my, you startled me. You’re here.”
Benya was waiting. In front of her stood a massive wooden crate, nearly as tall as she was.
“Senior! Is this...!”
“Yes. It’s the item you ordered.”
She smiled and extended her hand.
“The first opening is a privilege of the owner. Go on.”
“Yes!”
Simon approached and laid his hands on the lid.
One by one, the security enchantments were released. Both Simon and Benya leaned closer, eyes shining.
Psssshh—
Psshh—
Simon heaved the lid open with all his strength. As the dazzling contents revealed themselves, both of them gasped in awe simultaneously.
“This is the new weapon that will let you conquer Aizel.”
“Yes.”
Simon clapped his hands together.
“I’ll start working on it right away!”
* * *
At the same time.
After escorting Simon back to the Summonology dorm, Aizel returned to his own dorm of Darkness Dynamics.
‘Hm?’
His forearm had been aching. Rolling up his sleeve, he found marks from wounds Simon had inflicted.
‘When did he...’
He hadn’t even noticed it happen. Thinking of Simon’s face, Aizel smiled faintly.
—Aizel is Aizel. Personally, I prefer and support your true self more.
‘.......’
He stood at the dorm entrance, dazed, then let out a small laugh.
‘No matter what, it’s far too late.’
“Aizel.”
At that moment, someone walked straight through the dormitory wall.
Aizel quickly regained composure and turned his head.
“Sota.”
It was Sota Psyche, the representative of Spiritology.
His face was grim as he approached Aizel.
“I have something to tell you.”
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