Chapter 74

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Duel with Roy

Since they couldn’t swing weapons around in the middle of the street, they returned to the academy . A few people were present in the campus grounds, but none really paid them any attention .

Hikaru faced Roy . They were surrounded by six young men, Mikhail, and Mille .

「You’ll be using dull weapons . Anything goes . Any objections?」Mikhail said .

「None!」Roy shouted .

「Fine by me . 」Hikaru added .

Roy and Hikaru nodded . Healers who could mend fatal wounds were constantly on standby in the academy . But there was no cure for an instant death .

「Hikaru, got a minute?」Mille approached Hikaru .

「What is it?」

「This duel is stupid . I told you about the strengths and weaknesses of the short sword . It’s not suited for a head-on fight . 」

「I know that . But I just can’t let him get away with mocking the tavern . 」

「I really don’t understand what makes you mad, but okay . 」

「It’ll be fine . Please stand back . I want to end this quick before more people arrive . 」

「Be careful, okay? We have classes tomorrow . 」

「Professor Mille…」

She’s changed the past few days . She was actually starting to look forward to class . Hikaru was impressed .

「I can’t drink for free without you . 」

「Please give me back my sentiments . 」

「What are you talking about?」

「It’s nothing . Forget it . 」

「All right, Hikaru! Let’s begin!」Mikhail yelled .

「Give me a minute . 」

Hikaru performed a few stretches to loosen his muscles .

「What are you doing?」the professor asked .

「Stretching . 」Hikaru answered .

「Hey, isn’t he that dude who always runs around?」

「Ah, you’re right . I’ve seen those strange poses . 」

「But damn, Professor Mille looks hot as always . 」

「I know, right? If she didn’t teach short swords, I’d attend her classes . 」

Hikaru could hear the other men talking . Hot? How is she hot? Hikaru thought as he finished his stretches .

「Okay . 」

「Were you trying to scare me with your strange dancing? Let’s get this started already . I’ll show you just how strong I am . 」

Roy readied his great sword . Hikaru could see the tip shaking .

Right . He doesn’t have much Strength .

「Ready!」

Hikaru held his short sword he used for training in his right hand . Straight and double-edged, it was different from the ones he regularly used .

「Begin!」

Hikaru took the challenge partly because Roy mocked Three Cheers for Booze . But he had another reason as well . He wanted to test just how much he’s mastered the things Mille taught him .

If he fought Mikhail again, he would have to use his Stealth’s full potential . He didn’t know if the things he learned would be effective then . Roy was the perfect test subject . Hikaru was pretty much an amateur, but so was his opponent .

With a battle cry, Roy stepped forward . He held his sword above his head, about to swing it down .

Whoa, whoa . Mikhail taught him this? He’s full of openings, even a kid can dodge this .

Hikaru glanced at Mikhail . The professor was face-palming . Apparently, Roy wasn’t applying what Mikhail taught in class . With a twist of the body, Hikaru dodged the attack easily .

Keep movement at minimum…

Hikaru kicked the ground .

「That one was just a warm-up!」This time Roy tried an upward swing . 「Huh?」

But Hikaru was already gone .

Use your ankles and knees to absorb shock so you don’t make a sound . Make your body one with the wind…

Hikaru circled behind Roy . His opponent staggered; his body could not keep up from the weight of his weapon .

He doesn’t see me . I should say something so I don’t activate my Assassination Skill .

Mille watched with wide, open eyes .

「Hiya!」

「Ugh!」

Roy fell forward, letting go of his sword, as he was kicked from behind .

「That’s enough!」Mikhail stopped the fight .

「Wh-Why’d you stop the match, Professor?! I can still fight!」Roy protested as he got up .

「You fool!!!」Mikhail’s voice echoed in the distance . It was so loud, Hikaru’s ears were ringing .

「You already dropped your weapon, you idiot! Hikaru kicked you when he could’ve used his sword . In other words, he went easy on you . 」

「Guh…」Roy hung his head low .

Damn, my ears hurt . Did it go… well? I can’t really tell since Roy is too weak .

「Hikaru-kun, that was different from what I taught you . 」Mille said .

「What? Really? I guess I can’t really master it in just a short span . 」

I thought I did well, but I guess not…

「No, I mean it in a good way!」

「Good way?」

「You did what I was going to teach you . You concealed your presence . 」

「Presence…」

「You’re full of mysteries . You have nerves of steel for an amateur and you have a good feel on things . 」

「Walking around while concealing my presence has become a habit of mine…」

「What was that?」

「It’s nothing . Don’t worry about it . 」

Mille eyed him suspiciously . His movements in that fight were based on what he learned from the professor . To top if off, he was experienced in using Stealth . His body was in the ideal condition . All he had to do then was execute his moves properly .

「Professor Mikhail! I want to go next!」

「No, me!」

「Me! I can’t sit around while he mocks the way of the great sword!」

The students raised their hands one by one, feeling fired up after witnessing Roy’s loss .

「What do you say, Hikaru?」Mikhail asked, smiling .

His movements might have been a mere coincidence . It would be long before he could fully master them . Mille seemed to know exactly what he did and Mikhail as well, most likely . In fact his face was saying “I think he used a much crazier move during our fight . ”

Hikaru wanted his body to remember the current sensation . Mock fights with the other students would be perfect for that . He checked their Soul Boards . They were stronger than Roy, and one of them even had a point on Great Sword .

「All right, sure . 」

「You heard him . Isn’t that great?」

The students nooded, eyes glaring . The men from Jarazack were especially fired up .

「Oh, before I forget . 」Hikaru said as Roy was starting to leave . 「Roy, you better apologize to the barkeeper first . 」

「Ugh…」