Chapter 719
‘Got him.’
By calling out Aizel’s name, finally, it seemed that the monster was ready to have a conversation.
Sota, in his spirit form, spun around with a grin and spoke.
[But before that, let me ask you just one thing, Ballack. Why aren’t you taking part in the Student Council President battle? Keyzen’s strongest has always been your goal.]
Lying back inside the boiling cauldron of poison, Ballack slowly opened his mouth.
[That seat belongs to Aizel.]
[Hmm.]
[To me, who lived like a stray dog in the back alleys, he showed that a warrior must have dignity and refinement.]
Ballack had fought Aizel countless times. They clashed, broke, won, and lost many times. The more he lost, the more fiercely he charged. He even tried cowardly tricks, but Aizel never once blamed him for it.
—Ballack bears no fault. It was only because I let my guard down during the mission.
He even defended him before the disciplinary committee.
Aizel had a certain dignity, and even Ballack was moved by that noble dignity.
—You’re my only rival, Ballack. Let’s climb higher together.
Recalling that voice, Ballack’s fierce eyes snapped open.
[I will wait until he seizes the position of Student Council President, and then I will challenge him.]
[Yeah, yeah. I figured you’d think like that. But you know...]
The corners of Sota’s lips curved upward.
[What if Aizel isn’t the kind of person you think he is?]
[...]
[You weren’t chosen as a witness either, were you? Inside the barrier prepared by that foolish Grerion noble, if you knew what was happening there, you’d be shocked.]
From Sota’s mouth came a snake-like hiss.
[A rigged game.]
Ballack’s brow twitched.
[Aizel never intended to be Student Council President in the first place.]
Bububububububu—!
The once still cauldron of poison suddenly boiled over violently. A murderous voice seeped from behind the metal mask.
[Do not insult Aizel Bringer in front of me, loser.]
[Yeah, yeah. I get that coming from you who just lost to Aizel, it sounds less like truth and more like bitter gossip.]
As Sota waved his arm, a few photos scattered on the ground rose, wrapped in spirit energy.
[But it’s the truth.]
They were pictures of Aizel and Simon together recently.
The two of them looked very close, chatting and laughing.
[Why would those two, who had no reason to meet, sit down together like that? Aizel even dug into the seabed to create a separate place to bring Simon there.]
[Just a few photos don’t prove—]
[You need to re-learn everything about Aizel, Ballack.]
Flutterrr—!
This time, an enormous number of photos and articles unfolded before Ballack’s eyes.
[What kind of man Aizel really is.]
They were all exposing Aizel’s hidden truth.
Ballack, eyes bloodshot, looked through them—events from the past, leading up to the present.
There even existed a “script” for Aizel. Among them, details on how he would cover for Ballack before the disciplinary committee.
Veins bulged across Ballack’s face and his entire body.
Bubububububu—!
[Aizel has been acting all along. Your rivalry, your noble struggle, your promise to climb together, it was all a lie. For Aizel Bringer, human relationships are nothing more than tools to uphold his facade. That’s right, he never cared about you at all.]
Sota sneered.
[You were toyed with, Ballack.]
Whooaaaaaak!
The boiling poison surged into the air. Ballack, eyes bloodshot, swung his arm violently, sending a tidal wave of venom crashing against the wall.
The sturdy wall crumbled like a sandcastle. Through the billowing dust, the poisonous tide continued to surge forward.
Crunch!
Ballack clenched his fist and yanked it back powerfully. Clutched in his poisonous hand was Sota’s true body.
“Ha, hahaha! C, calm down, Ballack!”
Ssszzz!
Shiiiiiik!
The barrier of Sota’s Keyzen uniform flickered red in panic.
One of only two uniforms, and both about to be destroyed in one day.
[Spill everything you know.]
Ballack stomped forward, pressing his face right up to Sota’s.
[If those words were lies, I will melt you alive, down to your bones, right here.]
Sota forced a crooked smile.
“Alright, fine, I get it. But at least, can you let go first?”
* * *
That dawn.
“......”
Simon couldn’t fall into deep sleep.
With excitement, he kept staring at the ceiling, drifting in and out, until before he knew it, the promised time was almost upon him.
Toto’s faint snoring echoed nearby. Simon quietly got up to wash.
He washed lightly, tidied his hair, and put on his Keyzen uniform. After gathering what he needed, just as he was about to step outside—
“Si, Simon. Do your best.”
Half-asleep Toto murmured weak encouragement.
Did he wake up just to say that? Simon smiled faintly.
“Thanks, Toto. I’ll be back.”
Simon tiptoed through the dark dormitory halls, heading down to the lobby. It was late at night, most students were either asleep or out in Rochest, so the dorm was empty.
He passed by the dorm supervisors, who either gave him silent encouragement or pretended not to notice.
Thanks to that, Simon managed to leave the dorm safely.
“Haa.”
The cool dawn breeze snapped him awake. As he walked slowly, familiar silhouettes appeared in the distance.
“Over here! Simon!”
Kamibarez waved vigorously.
“Of course, this is the only time you wake up early.”
Maelyn, arms crossed, grumbled.
“Hey! My best friend! How’s your condition?”
Dick said, his face brimming with excitement.
“You guys...!”
They were student council members who had registered as witnesses. They ran up to Simon.
“We’ve been waiting for you!”
“We’ll cheer for you, Simon!”
Talking face-to-face with his friends eased his tension like magic.
Together, enjoying the cool dawn air, they walked to the promised seaside location.
Splash—
Swooosh—
The surroundings were dark, waves crashing solemnly against cliffs. Maelyn glanced around nervously.
“I, is this really the duel location?”
“Just looks like a cliff to me.”
Simon, having already experienced this, pointed beyond the cliff.
“This is the place. I’ll go first.”
Without hesitation, Simon walked toward the cliff.
“W, wait!”
Before Maelyn could grab him, he vanished cleanly beyond the cliff.
“?!”
Everyone flinched, mouths agape.
But then Simon reappeared midair, palm outstretched.
“No need to worry. Here, take my hand.”
“Ah, o-okay.”
Blushing faintly, Maelyn placed her hand in his. Simon gently pulled her along, like an escort.
Eyes squeezed shut, waddling like a penguin, she crossed the barrier. When she opened them again—
“Waaah!”
There was wide land beyond the cliff.
Waiting there were Ednic Grerion and the 3rd years, smiling.
“Simon Follentia and witnesses have arrived.”
“Welcome!”
Following behind, Kamibarez and Dick, with Simon’s help, crossed over as well. Their eyes widened in amazement. Dick laughed boisterously.
“This is insane! You’re fighting here?”
Sheer cliffs, and the surroundings sealed off entirely by a scarlet barrier. Nearby, Grerion family medics bustled about, preparing medical devices.
“Good to see you all.”
The host of this match, Ednic Grerion, welcomed them with a smile. He wore not a school uniform, but the family’s traditional golden uniform.
Beside him, the magic circle operating the barrier floated.
“Simon Follentia, and witnesses Maelyn Villene, Dick Hayword, Kamibarez Ursula. You all crossed the barrier safely. It’s designed to repel anyone not directly involved. Now, here.”
Ednic handed them documents. They confirmed that the witnesses would testify truthfully to what they saw and recognize the victor as the Student Council President.
While the three signed, someone familiar to Simon rushed forward.
“Student Council President senior!”
It was Princess Molly, the only 1st year witness.
“Ah, Molly. How have you been?”
“Yes! Very well, senior.”
They chatted with smiles.
“Oh, and, it’s not much, but here.”
She shyly held out a bouquet.
“It’s made only of flowers with meanings of victory and good fortune, passed down in the kingdom. Since this duel uses real combat rules, I was worried. Please, return safely.”
“Thanks, Molly.”
Simon took the bouquet, plucking one flower to carefully tuck into his inner pocket.
“Student Council President.”
Another voice called. Turning, he saw Leonard, 3rd-year representative of Summonology, waving.
Simon smiled and greeted him.
“Hello, senior Leonard.”
“I expected you to be nervous, but you look good.”
Leonard, with his signature prince-like smile, extended his hand.
“I’m here as Aizel’s witness, so I’ll be your opponent, but regardless of the result, I hope you both show a fine match.”
“Yes, of course.”
Simon shook his hand lightly before returning to his friends.
“Alright, 30 minutes until the duel!”
Ednic Grerion glanced at his watch.
“Aizel’s late. Is this what it means to be the main character? Hahaha! Everyone, don’t be so stiff, walk around, chat. Simon, adjust your condition.”
“Understood.”
Simon immediately sat down, closed his eyes, and checked his breathing and Darkness state.
A meditation method taught by Hongpeng.
Back under the waterfall, he thought he’d freeze to death practicing this pose for hours, but in a situation like this, it was invaluable.
‘Focus. Focus.’
Until Aizel arrived, he decided to remain still.
* * *
Time passed.
Five minutes before the match.
“W, why the hell isn’t Aizel here yet?”
“Something happened?”
“This feels ominous.”
Simon ended his meditation and opened his eyes. Chaos.
The witnesses all spoke with grave faces. Words like “worry”, “problem”, repeated. Leonard, pale as snow, grabbed his coat as if ready to leave immediately.
“I’ll go check Aizel’s room.”
“Wait, Leonard.”
Ednic Grerion stopped him.
“If a witness leaves, it’ll cause trouble. I already sent someone to the dormitory. Soon...”
“Master Ednic.”
At that moment, a Grerion family servant appeared beyond the barrier.
“I’ve just returned from the Darkness Dynamics dormitory. According to inquiries, Aizel left two hours ago.”
“Two hours ago?”
“Then he should’ve arrived long ago.”
Confusion spread, but Ednic clapped his hands sharply, stepping forward.
“Alright, it’s the match start time. Simon Follentia, wear the duel’s emblem on your chest and come forward.”
“Yes.”
Simon stepped up. Ednic looked at his watch.
“By the rules agreed upon by both sides, the grace period for arrival is ten minutes.”
With that, Ednic looked around.
"If Aizel does not arrive within ten minutes, it will be considered his forfeit. Simon Follentia will be declared the victor. For the second semester as well, Keyzen’s Student Council President shall be Simon Follentia."
What the hell!
Impossible!
Except for Leonard, Aizel’s witnesses erupted in anger, but this was part of the agreement between the duelists. No amount of protest could change it.
Now, among the other witnesses, all sorts of chaotic speculations began to spill out.
"What in the world is going on."
"Could it be true, those strange rumors, that Aizel is a coward......."
"No."
Simon cut off one witness’ words and declared.
"Senior Aizel will surely come."
Aizel was a man for whom dignity mattered far more than his life.
And this was a duel all of Keyzen’s students were watching. Even if he hated the position of Student Council President, to arrive late and lose it to a second-year? Aizel would never accept such a foolish ending.
"Let’s wait."
The ten minutes ticked away at a frightening pace. Especially Leonard, whose face seemed to age ten years in that short span.
Five minutes passed.
Eight minutes passed.
Two minutes remained.
"This is..."
Ednic clicked his tongue.
He had prepared in honor of his revered senior Phantasus, for this duel of the century. He never expected this to be the outcome.
But if this was the conclusion, he had to accept it. As a member of the noble Grerion family, his role was only to certify the birth of a new Student Council President.
"It seems he truly won’t arrive, so...... hm?"
Ednic’s eyes widened.
The great magic circle maintaining the barrier at his side was changing color, from orange to a murky, muddy brown.
"This is insane!"
Drip, drip—
The magic circle’s structure was being forcibly altered.
Panicked, Ednic seized the circle, shaking it.
"A hacking of the magic circle?"
He struggled desperately to regain control, but it was no use. The circle spun out of control, entangling upon itself, and the witnesses began to murmur.
"Ednic senior! What’s happening?"
Princess Molly ran over.
"W, wait a moment, princess! It’s nothing serious. Just a small problem with the barrier......!"
Rrrrrumble—
Rrrrrrumble!
The problem worsened.
The magic circle was hacked, and soon the entire barrier surrounding the arena turned dark and muddy. It began to melt like ice cream.
"Poison!"
Kwooooooosh!
The barrier became a waterfall of poison, pouring down.
"Kyaaaaa!"
"It’s coming closer! Back away!"
The witnesses screamed and retreated. Leonard, prioritizing first-year Molly, made her cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief. Maelyn and several 3rd years unleashed Darkness-element spells, but they were useless.
Just as confusion reigned—
Kugugugugugu!
One section of the poisonous waterfall surged high.
It formed into a face, features pressing out as if through a rubber sheet, before bursting out of the falls.
"That technique......!"
"You’ve got to be kidding."
Leonard and a nearby 3rd year muttered in dismay.
Wooooooooh!
Through the poisonous falls emerged a colossal giant of poison, its form indescribable. It loomed over Simon and the witnesses.
Its very presence emitted toxic gas and dripping venom.
Activating the "Immune System", taught by Professor Belya of Toxicology, Simon felt his whole body reacting violently.
[So you were here.]
Rumble!
From within the giant’s face, someone emerged.
Landing with a thunderous crash was a man, massive in size, wearing a metal mask.
Keyzen’s runner-up, Aizel’s rival.
"Ballack!!"
Ballack gazed at the cornered witnesses with sinister eyes.
He dropped something like a lump of mud onto the ground. It was no mud, but poison.
[I cannot contain my disappointment.]
His voice dripped with heavy emotions.
Anger, regret, resentment, sorrow.
[I was disappointed to learn that Aizel was not the man I thought, despondent that my sincerity never reached him, furious that he deceived and mocked me.]
"Ballack!"
Leonard, eyes bloodshot, charged.
"What did you do to Aizel!"
[Most of all,]
Ballack ignored Leonard’s words, speaking coldly.
[I was disappointed that he was weaker than me.]
Everyone’s eyes bulged. The lump of sludge spread, revealing strands of Aizel’s hair.
"Kyaaaa!"
Maelyn and Molly screamed, covering their mouths. One side held his broken glasses, the other, his shoes.
"You bastard......!"
Leonard tore open subspace. From within, the head of a monstrous bull began to emerge—
[You’d better not move, Leonard. Of all here, you at least know what this poison is.]
Leonard flinched, freezing in place.
Ballack’s gloomy stare, which had so easily bound the academy’s fourth strongest with words alone, turned to Ednic Grerion, the host.
[Those who bear the emblems fight. That was your rule, wasn’t it?]
Ballack held up the "Duel Emblem". Poisonous breath seeped from his mask.
[I defeated Keyzen’s strongest and took this emblem. Now I am Keyzen’s strongest, and I participate in this duel for the Student Council Presidency. Any objections?]
"......Ballack."
Ednic sighed deeply.
All eyes turned to him. He let out another long breath, then sneered, raising his middle finger.
"Eat sh—"
Before he could finish, a wave of poison engulfed him.
Gasps erupted everywhere as Ednic rolled across the floor, drenched in green venom, screaming.
[I did not ask, Ednic Grerion. This is an order.]
Everyone recoiled in terror, and Ballack’s eyes gleamed murderously.
[For Aizel’s honor, I waited until his return without baring my fangs. I suppressed my desires and impulses. But what came back was deceit, and contempt. Nothing can bind me anymore.]
Behind the mask was a tearing grin.
[From now on, I will do as I please.]
The true terror once hidden beneath Aizel now emerged.
All felt their fighting spirit collapse under Ballack’s oppressive aura.
[Then, instead of Ednic Grerion, I will choose a new host.......]
At that moment—
A black shadow shot up at Ballack’s side.
"You."
[?]
Baaaam!
Everyone’s eyes widened. Ballack’s head snapped violently to the side, his body spinning in midair before crashing to the ground.
Kwaaaang!
His massive body crashed through trees, toppling them in heaps.
Thud.
Landing gracefully, a boy lowered his leg.
"Don’t expect to be treated like a senior."
"Simon!!"
Maelyn shrieked in shock. Kamibarez followed.
"No, Simon! Run away!"
"What are you doing, you idiot!"
Krrrrrr—
From the dust crater, Ballack’s sinister chuckle echoed.
[......Simon Follentia.]
He rose slowly.
[That was an impressive blow.]
Thump.
As poisonous swamps bubbled up, Ballack’s body vanished.
"Simon! Behind you!"
Dick rasped. Simon stood silently, then simply tilted his head without turning.
Whooosh!
Ballack’s lethal fist sliced past Simon’s cheek. Simon grabbed the passing forearm, twisted his hips, and—
Craaaack!
Once again drove his kick into Ballack’s jaw. With a thunderous crash, Ballack’s legs briefly left the ground before slamming down again.
[You brat.]
To allow even a few hits from a second-year whelp—Ballack’s eyes burned red.
<Ballack’s Original – Death Armor>
<Ballack’s Original – Death Touch>
Venom surged in the air, wrapping around his body. Poison spread, seeking to engulf Simon.
Simon stomped hard.
<Hongpeng’s Original – Wind Surge>
Fwoooosh!
Ballack’s armor shattered, his magic circle collapsing.
His eyes widened as Simon closed in, fists flying.
Pabababababam!
Simon’s fists rained down mercilessly, leaving afterimages as they smashed into Ballack’s body. Ballack threw up a guard, but Simon’s punches tore through it, slamming his head side to side.
"!!"
Ballack, pummeled by Simon.
All stared, mouths agape, at the unreal sight unfolding before them.
"Huuup!"
Cutting off the barrage, Simon spun, delivering a perfect roundhouse to Ballack’s face. His body flew, crashing headfirst to the ground.
[How dare yo—!]
In that instant, his fallen head was pulled back up, his body dragged before Simon.
[?!]
Before he realized, his chin had met Simon’s fist.
"Take your beating first."
Simon, his eyes blazing with killing intent, thrust his fist forward.
<Wind Surge Combination – Pull Saw>
Craaaaack!
Ballack’s metal mask ripped apart, split clean in two, and flew off.
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