Chapter 760
With Simon’s arrival, the expressions of the Magical Combat students instantly stiffened with tension.
No matter what anyone said, the influence of the position of Student Council President was immense.
However—
“Finally decided to show up, Student Council President?”
Kinter, instead of showing respect, smirked as he rubbed his thick palms, which were covered with rings. Scars both large and small were etched between the bands.
“Oh, right. You’re not the president anymore, are you? Should I call you ‘Special Admission No. 1’ instead?”
As Simon didn’t bother answering and only smirked, his eyes twisted.
Kinter raised his hands and feet with mock surrender.
“Relax. I was just trying to lighten the mood. Thought it was a bit chilly in here among fellow classmates, so I wanted to break the ice.”
“……”
Simon calmed his temper and thought calmly.
Every action has a reason. Especially for someone at least a sophomore of Keyzen. To deliberately provoke his friends with unpleasant words or actions meant there had to be intent.
“State your business.”
“Sure thing.”
Kinter gestured as if suggesting they sit down for a casual chat, but Simon remained standing. Kinter chuckled awkwardly, shrugging.
“Let’s get to the point. You guys are going to see Professor Hongpeng, aren’t you?”
At those words, the members, including Simon, widened their eyes.
Kinter, resting his chin in his hand, muttered, “Thought so.”
“We were invited too. Four of us, to be exact. And not to brag, but I also happen to be one of Professor Hongpeng’s direct disciples.”
A direct disciple of Professor Hongpeng.
That meant his talent was without question, Simon thought.
“Pretty sweet, right? An honor! We’re probably the first to ever be invited to her place out on the grasslands. Everyone in the department was buzzing, wondering who would get picked. I even asked an assistant teacher, and they said the professor was planning to invite eight in total.”
He tapped his cheek with his thick finger.
“But only four were chosen from our department. So who are the other four? Despite knowing how much my classmates wanted this, she skipped over them and picked… ‘her most favored students.’”
Kinter’s eyes swept the group, lips curling.
“And that turns out to be you lot.”
“……”
“No, more precisely—‘you’, Simon Follentia. Professor Hongpeng sure praises you a lot.”
Simon remained silent. Kinter licked his lips with his tongue.
“Rumor has it you were the very first freshman she offered direct discipleship to, and you turned it down. So I’m basically your stand-in. On top of that, last semester, when the professor heard you were going up against Aizel, she went ahead and taught you both Wind Surge and Pull Saw, even though I—her disciple—hadn’t been taught them yet.”
His eyelids lowered coldly.
“That, to me, is insulting. Makes me jealous as hell, honestly.”
“Hey.”
Unable to stand it, Maelyn stepped forward.
“So what? Keyzen is a meritocracy, and favoritism from a professor is earned with ability. If your talent and skill can’t measure up to Simon’s, what do you expect us to do about it? Don’t tell me your mindset is still stuck at a freshman’s level?”
Kinter’s eyebrow twitched.
“Pretty face, but that mouth of yours…”
Bang!
Frost swirled around Maelyn as she stepped forward, but Kamibarez quickly hugged her to stop her.
“Maelyn! Calm down!”
The frost forming around the hut had the Magical Combat students tense, taking up battle stances.
“Don’t give them an opening, Maelyn.”
Simon’s eyes stayed forward as he spoke.
“We’re still the student council.”
With tensions running high after the Ballack incident, there was no need to create another student conflict outside.
Kinter shrugged.
“And vice president, let me correct one thing about what you said.”
Dark Darkness rose around his body, wrapping into the form of clothing.
“I’m not lacking in ability.”
Dark Robe.
The very symbol of Magical Combat, an advanced technique only attainable by those who had reached a certain level.
‘That’s… impressive.’
Even Dick whistled.
Back in freshman year, the teaching assistants sometimes displayed this skill, a wall-like power that made one feel helpless. Among Magical Combat majors, the gap between Dark Robe users and non-users was vast.
Even Jule, the department’s representative and sword mage, was said to have yet to use Dark Robe.
“Consider this proof enough?”
Kinter rose, his Dark Robe forming into heavy armor-like plating across his shoulders.
His companions brightened immediately at the sight.
Meanwhile—
“……”
Simon’s expression remained indifferent.
Kinter frowned faintly, while Dick chuckled.
‘Sure, Dark Robe is surprising, but Simon beat the hell out of Ballack. You think he’d be scared of this?’
Finally, Simon spoke.
“If you’re dissatisfied, prove it. Once term begins, challenge me to an official duel at school.”
“Huh?”
Simon added calmly.
“I’ll fight you with only Magical Combat. No complaints then, right?”
Kinter’s expression twisted grotesquely, and the other Magical Combat students murmured. He exhaled sharply, planting his hands on his waist.
“You’ve got a real knack for pissing people off. I want to fight right now.”
“Student duels are prohibited during break.”
“Then let’s make a bet instead.”
He spread his arms wide.
“All eight of us were invited to Professor Hongpeng, right? Let’s say—whoever reaches her first wins. What do you say?”
“What’s the wager?”
“No need for something huge. Just the leaders should stake something.”
He pointed a finger at Simon.
“If I win, you’ll never take another Magical Combat class until graduation.”
“!!”
Everyone’s jaws dropped. Maelyn stepped forward, furious.
“That’s too much!”
“Fine.”
Simon nodded casually. Kamibarez gasped.
“Simon!”
“And if you lose?”
“Then I’ll also give up Magical Combat classes. Naturally, I’ll relinquish my place as Professor Hongpeng’s disciple too.”
His lips curved upward.
“That’s practically forced expulsion from the department. Risky enough, don’t you think?”
“Do as you please.”
Kinter even used a memorial crystal orb to record the terms.
Kamibarez rushed to Simon’s side, worried.
“Simon! Are you sure? Even now, you could—”
Maelyn added, distressed.
“Yeah, idiot! Magical Combat is a huge asset to you! Are you really going to stop attending Professor Hongpeng’s lectures?”
Simon smiled faintly.
“Of course not. I only accepted because there’s no way I’ll lose.”
“You—ugh…!”
“Hahaha! Now that’s a man! When someone throws shade right in your face, you’ve got to throw it back!”
Dick laughed boisterously, wrapping an arm around Simon’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Simon. Leave it to me! I’ll get you to Professor Hongpeng in record time!”
“Of course I trust you.”
Kinter’s side looked equally confident, high-fiving and laughing as though victory was already theirs.
“Let’s see how long that smile lasts.”
Maelyn ground her teeth, then turned to the group.
“Since we’ve agreed, we absolutely cannot lose! For the honor of the student council!”
“Of course!”
“Yes!”
They discussed the details:
The start would be at dawn the next day, both groups gathering at a spot where they could see each other, leaving once the sun rose.
Any method was allowed, except directly attacking the other students.
The first group to enter the grasslands and speak to Professor Hongpeng would win.
Simon’s group cleaned up early and went to bed in preparation for the match.
* * *
The next morning.
Because the start was at sunrise, they had barely slept a few hours when Kamibarez shook Simon awake.
“Simon! Wake up.”
Rubbing his eyes, Simon sat up.
“Mm… what time is it?”
Outside was still dim and dark.
Kamibarez, already dressed, gave a wry smile.
“Sorry. Dick insisted we get up early.”
“Rise and shine!”
Dick banged on the window from outside.
“The Magical Combat guys are leaving! We’ve gotta move too!”
“Ughh…”
Maelyn groaned irritably, hair a tangled mess.
“The sun hasn’t even risen yet, you idiot!”
“Come on! We need to be prepared!”
The four quickly dressed and stepped outside. In the distance, the Magical Combat students were also hastily pulling on their boots. Almost simultaneously, both sides began running.
“Kyaa!”
As they descended the steps, Kamibarez stumbled and fell. Everyone turned back in surprise.
“What is it, Kami?”
“S-something’s on the ground!”
Sticky potion had been smeared on one side of the stairs.
“Cute little sabotage.”
Dick quickly ran over, pulled a potion from his subspace, bit the cork open with his teeth, and poured it. The stickiness peeled off instantly.
From then on, it was chaos the entire time they ran.
There was no telling when the traps had been set. Lights flashed everywhere, pits had been dug, rat traps and snakes littered the path.
“Ugh, these cowards!”
While dodging hornets, Maelyn cursed—only to suddenly shriek as her body shot upward.
“Maelyn!”
Simon looked up. At some point, she’d been snared by a net high in a tree, dangling upside down.
“For Magical Combat, you sure are pathetic!”
From the opposite side came a sharp retort.
“You’re one to talk!”
BOOOOM!
KABAAANG!
Even the Magical Combat students were caught in their own mess. Some had fallen into pits, covered in mud and scrambling back up amid explosions.
“Actually, I started first.”
Dick grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. From within the net, Maelyn’s glare could have killed.
“You damned commoner, I’ll deal with you later. But for now, someone get me down!”
“On it, Maelyn!”
Simon leapt up the tree like a wild beast and used Impalement to slice through the net. He landed smoothly, catching Maelyn safely in his arms.
“Keep moving!”
Both teams raced forward, dodging traps and heading for the sea. Dick led the way to the boat, chuckling.
“Don’t worry! There’s no way we can lose this bet!”
“Why?”
At Simon’s question, Dick rubbed his nose with a grin.
“Once they see the boat I prepared, they’ll—huh?”
He froze at the dock.
“……”
“……”
There wasn’t a single boat.
Simon scanned the waters and pointed beneath the surface.
“Hard to see, but looks like they sank it. Or dragged it off somewhere else.”
“What?! These bastards crossed the line! But how’d they even know my boat was here…?”
Kamibarez looked at Dick with a worried face.
“Dick! Isn’t there another boat?”
“Sorry, my subspace isn’t big enough to keep one. Let’s just borrow whatever we can nearby!”
No time to complain. They split up to find a vessel.
As the sky brightened, Dick managed—through his connections—to borrow a boat. But it was a worn-out rowboat.
Maelyn balked.
“With this? To the grasslands?”
“It’s fine! I’ll modify it!”
Dick jumped aboard, pulling out tools and a mana engine from his subspace. That’s when Kinter and the Magical Combat students appeared.
“Hahaha! What’s that tiny toy?”
“The outcome’s already decided!”
They laughed from their large boat, also fitted with a mana engine. The sun was just rising.
“Sun’s up! That means we’re leaving first!”
VRRRRRRRM!
Their boat roared away. Simon’s team could only watch them go.
“Hurry it up, stupid commoner!”
“Almost done!”
CLANK! CLACK!
After nearly twenty minutes, Dick had smashed apart the rowboat’s hull and fitted the mana engine. The mana stone inside glowed brightly.
“Alright, get in!”
The four jumped aboard, and Dick fired up the engine.
SPLAAAAASH!
The boat surged forward, spraying waves—but not nearly fast enough. The Magical Combat students were already out of sight.
“Tch. I let it slide ‘cause it was childish’, but now… fine. Let’s do this.”
Maelyn rolled up her sleeves.
“Hold on tight!”
Kamibarez gripped the railing nervously.
“Wh-what are you planning?”
* * *
Meanwhile.
“We won! With this lead, they’ll never catch up!”
The Magical Combat students were already celebrating with high-fives.
“Well done.”
Kinter praised, glancing at a bald classmate.
“Lucky we spotted that merchant’s boat yesterday.”
The bald student snickered.
“Simon Follentia isn’t that great after all.”
Their laughter filled the air—until one pointed ahead.
“Uh, guys… what’s that?”
SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
An icy highway formed across the sea. Simon’s team’s boat was sliding across it.
“Stop right thereeeeee!”
<Maelyn’s Original – Ice Road>
It was Maelyn’s spell. She conjured a glacial path with her Dark Frost Domain, using slopes to accelerate the boat like a sled.
CLACK! CLACK!
Simon reinforced the boat by attaching bones underneath, keeping it from slipping off the ice.
They were moving far faster than water travel, closing the gap rapidly.
“Don’t just gawk!”
Kinter barked coldly, and one of his teammates stepped up, dark energy swirling around his arm.
<Hongpeng Remade – Canine Impalement>
FWOOOOSH!
His strike slashed across the sea, tearing Maelyn’s ice path into jagged ruins.
“Ahh!”
Their boat spun wildly, rolling 360 degrees. Simon caught Maelyn before she was thrown, but her raised arm accidentally surged more ice upward—forming a ramp.
WHOOOOSH!
The boat shot up the icy ramp like a slide and launched into the air.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Wha—!”
They clung desperately to the boat. Simon tried to slow their fall with skeletal supports, but the vessel was too heavy.
“Leave it to me!”
Kamibarez moved. Her pupils narrowed to crimson slits as blood power erupted.
<Kamibarez’s Original – Blood Wing>
From the tiny wings on her back, blood swelled into massive, dragon-like crimson wings.
FWOOOSH!
The colossal wings dwarfed the boat, steadying their fall and catching the wind.
They glided smoothly, closing right in on Kinter’s group.
“Yaaaahoooo!”
Dick whooped with joy as their boat crashed down into the water beside the Magical Combat students’, sending a wall of waves skyward.
“Caught up!”
“Well done, Kami!”
Dick restarted the engine, and the two boats sped side by side.
“Tch, guess I’ve got no choice.”
Kinter stood, nodding at Simon.
“Your turn, Simon Follentia. Let’s settle this.”
<Dark Robe>
His body was engulfed in black.
Crouching low, he gathered the dark aura into his hands, his comrades anchoring him with black magic.
<Dark Robe Linked Technique – Savage Thrust>
VOOOOOOM!
Darkness blasted from his palms like rocket boosters, propelling their boat forward like lightning. The gap widened again.
Dick nudged Simon’s side.
“You hearing this?”
“No choice, then.”
Simon scratched his head and opened his subspace.
“Seriously. Magical Combat majors really do have brain issues.”
Dick snickered.
“They actually think they can beat Simon in the middle of the sea?”
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!
From Simon’s subspace emerged a colossal skeletal whale, bellowing.
The ocean itself stirred as sea creatures gathered.
“W-wait! What the hell is that?!”
With the ruler’s arrival, the waters turned black.
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