Chapter 382 – 108. End of Semester 1 (4)
The five-person sparring was reaching its climax.
Silence continued in the Colosseum. No, the saying that everyone was holding their breath and watching Dalian was correct.
“You mean you can hold out like that against 4 people?”
And it wasn’t just the cadets who were engrossed in the confrontation. 6 classes of professors and instructors. They also gathered in the seats of the Colosseum and watched the stage and the screen.
“Even though I knew that Count Yul, no, Count Yulian’s skills had improved a lot. It’s already to the point where you can’t compare to the cadets.”
The professors were listening to the words of the two people sitting in the front seat like commentary.
A Meters instructor who belongs to the arts group, but actually spends more time in the reserve platoon. And Instructor Darren of the Combat Order was talking while watching the Dalian.
“Those three must have tried to win the match quickly. But for now, that tactic will be a failure.”
Darren was right. The first 5 minutes after starting Dalian. The three fighters, including Fabian, launched a strong attack that spared no Aura.
“It is clear that the three of them went through a lot of training and fighting together. And that quick-fix tactic was the best move that the three of them could make. In fact, for five minutes, I, Julian, couldn’t even counterattack in the slightest.”
“But the problem is that Count Julian didn’t allow any effective hits to those three.”
The professors were once again surprised by Meters’ words. A professor from an alchemy sect said.
“Even if we don’t know swordsmanship, it doesn’t mean we don’t know combat. Avoiding all the attacks of those three people who show standard joint moves… Doesn’t that mean that you already have all the forms drawn by those three swordsmanship in your head?”
“You’re right. Count Yulian quickly foresaw in his head the sword type that those three would create, and avoided it in advance.”
“Avoidance that is close to predicting the future. If that’s true, then it’s on a completely different level from the cadets. No, it might be rather natural for the count who made such a big contribution at the White House…”
And that was not the only amazing scene Julian showed. Instructor Darren continued.
“Even that Lucia’s fast attack is dealing with all of them. In this way, no one will dispute the rules of sparring again.”
Like Instructor Darren said. There was a lot of talk about this couple of battles.
An unbalanced 4v1 sparring. Also, it was a very unfavorable condition for Yulian when it came to using weapons and auras.
It’s different from the previous Mannani. The current Julian is a hero who saved the imperial capital from a rebellion. So, there were many Pantheon professors who were dissatisfied with the match.
If, by any chance, Yulian is defeated or seriously injured. Because it was sure to hear very loud criticism at the Pantheon Academy level.
However, Instructor Darren insisted on the current sparring method until the end.
‘About my cadets. I know best.’
And his words were being proved in front of everyone in the Colosseum. It was an overwhelmingly unfavorable condition. Yulian was enduring against as many as four people.
An ordinary imperial sword. Even without using that sword.
However, Instructor Darren seemed to take the reaction of the other faculty lightly. He was just calmly evaluating his students.
“Yulian is making a very good choice. At the same time as avoiding the three-person combo, Lucia’s quick attack is directly spilled with the sword. At first glance, it seems that he is being driven to perfect defense. It means that we are preparing for a counterattack while maintaining his health as much as possible.”
At Darren’s words, Meters nodded his head.
“Honestly, for a single cadet to show such a high level of swordsmanship. It’s actually unbelievable. At this point, I have no choice but to admit it. That the Reinhard family is also special.”
Professors drool at his words. As Meters said. Because the image Julian was showing now wasn’t human at all. Have to agree
However, soon the professors and even Instructor Meters and Darren were silent. All of them fell in love with Dalian again.
And soon cracks began to form in the confrontation. The teacher’s expression changed. Everyone seemed to have a hunch that the end of the game was approaching.
Eventually, one cadet fell to the floor.
***
My tactic of going to Earth War worked.
Of course, the tactics of the three men were reasonable and meticulous. Kang Gong did everything in his power from the beginning, sparing no aura. If I allowed just one effective hit, they would have won.
‘But I picked the wrong opponent.’
If only the Lucia style was used without refining the aura. As long as I have enough mana, I can hold out against those three.
It wasn’t that Fabian and the others lacked in skill. To begin with, the difference in output between human mana hearts and dragon hearts is too great.
So, after 5 minutes, gaps began to form even in the three people’s flowing series. In particular, Fabian, who used to wield swords non-stop, focusing mainly on speed swords and transformation swords, was the start.
‘It was like a chain reaction.’
His sword became slower than before. So, after the fast attack, Leef and Eric’s sword came in. Unlike the first time, it is much easier to deal with.
Transformations, in other words, dozens of stabs flying like illusions. As the change slowed down, the sharpness of the combo attack that came immediately after that became less.
‘Because Leaf and Eric’s attacks are honest. I can avoid it with my eyes.’
And put a counter in that gap. A sword with no aura. However, if you use the opponent’s momentum against them, you can pose a sufficient threat.
Not only that, but those three seem to have thoroughly prepared only the three of them, rather than their own swordsmanship.
So, once that link collapsed, a lot of gaps were created for all three of them. I took advantage of that gap.
“Heuk!!!”
In the end, Leaf, unable to block my counterattack, collapsed on the spot. Then Eric and Fabian.
As the three of them collapsed, the Colosseum was filled with cheers.
“Earl Julian took down those three!!”
The crowd cheered as if they were sure of my victory. But I was not caught off guard.
‘The most difficult opponent is still there.’
Seruk-
As expected, I narrowly avoided the sword stabbing me from behind. Like I was aiming for those three gaps. Lucia is also constantly poking at my gaps.
As I dealt with the three, Lucia’s sword continued to flow with the imperial sword. Her inner sword could never be avoided with only her bodily sensations.
‘So right before the sword attack was completed. Except for aiming for that moment and making the sword miss.’
That’s the only way. However, it is theoretically possible. It is not something that an ordinary imperial sword can do against a sword with an aura.
Still, it was possible for me.
‘Because I’m not an ordinary person holding that sword.’
In the current Dalian, the Lucia formula was used to the maximum. Since I don’t use an aura, it’s not to the point where my mana heart is exhausted.
Instead, a vacuum of mana was temporarily created in the 6th tier shell.
Then, I injected demonic energy, which only demons can use, into that space. A space emptied of mana. So Magi rapidly filled that space.
In other words, the fierce rotational acceleration of the Magi has occurred.
Magi, strengthened through that acceleration, created reaction speed and perception abilities that surpassed that of the human body.
‘I dealt with Lucia with that buff.’
So, under the current unilaterally unfavorable conditions. Ranked 2nd in the cadet rank of the Combat Order. I was able to face Lucia.
However, the problem is that Lucia will be able to use magic as well.
It’s not about exposing demonic spirits to the outside. It’s a little different way from me. The method Lucia chose was probably body strengthening.
Woowoowook-
Lucia’s speed sword tore through the air. Before I even recognized the tip of the sword, I was already in the line of fire.
‘But I can avoid it.’
The reaction through demonic energy is much faster than the body’s perception speed. Even if it doesn’t spill the sword like a moment ago. It was a one-on-one situation, so I was able to avoid it.
‘Still, I can’t beat Lucia just by continuing to dodge or spill it like now.’
Unlike the previous three, it was meaningless to compete with endurance. I don’t know if it’s Lucia who hasn’t become a demon. If it’s Lucia now, she should be able to fire an onslaught at me for at least 5 minutes.
For those 5 minutes. If I allow Lucia’s sword attack even once, I will be defeated.
‘Then the answer is already out there. Only one thing.’
The countermeasure is to use the onslaught of Lucia loaded with an aura in reverse to blow the counter. As long as you can’t use Aura, that method is the most efficient.
But the problem is speed. Lucia’s swordsmanship becomes faster as she adapts to demonic energy. As long as he couldn’t keep up with the sword attack, there was no chance for a counterattack.
In other words, it means that I have to surpass Lucia’s speed.
‘But the lion heart sword is not a fast sword.’
It is an undoubted contradiction. The Lion Heart Sword is a strong sword that uses eloquence as its weapon. Of course, the speed of that strong sword was much faster than that of any speed sword.
My opponent, Lucia now, is probably the fastest in the Empire. I had to jump over that speed with the Lion Heart Sword.
‘No, it’s not a contradiction. Is it possible.’
Just one thing. If you use that method. My own weapon that Lucia didn’t have, even if she was the same demon.
If you use the dragon’s breath right away.
Chiyiyiik-
Lucia’s quicksword tore through my breastplate. As expected, Lucia’s speed was increasing. I’ll have to fight her and her duel with her single blow.
‘I’m not sure if my body will be able to withstand it.’
Leaving her sword flying once more. I focused all my attention on the 6th tier mana shell.
And from the web-like veins of that place, extremely refined demonic energy began to bloom.
Then, the tip of Lucia’s sword, aiming for my chest and flying again. The moment my magic recognized Lucia’s sword.
I let my breath run wild on the surface of Mana Heart.
***
Pantheon’s final exams are over.
The cadets of the combat order decorated the end of the final exam. They were briefly being treated by professors of the medical school.
It was a fierce sparring. A swordsmanship showdown that was more like a real fight than a sparring.
That’s why even the cadets I’m close with keep their mouths shut for now. Each of them had time to review the sparring from a while ago.
I, too, received a brief treatment and took off the broken breastplate. Although not seriously injured. In the aftermath of the Dalian, the breastplate was in tatters.
‘It wasn’t easy.’
But now that the sparring is over. I felt a bit uneasy.
And I tidy up my clothes again. I got up from my seat at the name of Sofia President.
“Julian von Reinhardt. Come up on the podium!”
I left the waiting area for treatment and headed for the podium.
Every time I took a step, the eyes of a thousand people in the Colosseum were focused on me.
As a demon dragon, I instinctively felt their emotions. Awe and longing. At this moment, the protagonist of the Colosseum was me.
“The representative of the first semester cadets of the combat order is Julian von Reinhardt!”
At Sophia’s words, the Coliseum filled with vibrations. The cheers were so intense that my body trembled as I stood still.
‘I should thank Instructor Darren for arranging this sparring.’
Of course, if you lose the match. Although all plans to prevent the end of the world were almost ruined. In fact, I, too, have prepared my best for this match. I didn’t think I would lose.
Just now. I didn’t release the demon dragon’s breath outside, but let the dragon heart run wild.
A demonic dragon’s breath that has been enriched with a refinement level higher than Auror. Although it was tantamount to committing suicide to release that breath from the mana heart.
I believed in my blessed body. In the past few days, I’ve been getting used to the recoil, and I’ve felt the pain tearing my whole body. I practiced how to use it while holding on desperately.
‘As a reaction to that runaway, I was able to create demonic acceleration that exceeded the limit.’
That instant of magic acceleration. I created a sword attack that surpassed Lucia’s speedy sword.
After a brief flashback, Sofia President gave me the cadet representative badge. She whispered to me quietly.
“Agnes-sama would be proud of you too.”
Sophia, the Principal, lived here as a nun with my mother in Theria. Maybe that’s why the president seemed to have a special feeling.
However, she soon called other cadets along.
“Then, all the cadet representatives of the 6th class, gather on the podium. We will end the closing ceremony with a final goodbye!”
At her words, the other five cadets climbed onto the podium. I didn’t become the cadet representative. Lucia also congratulated everyone by clapping her hands right under the podium.
And that was the moment.
As if a solar eclipse had suddenly begun. The scenery of the Colosseum was dyed in darkness.
Just like the gate opened on the day of the school opening ceremony and the Demonic Beast appeared. Such an ominous magical spirit spread all over the place.
‘What’s going on? Could it be that the gate…’
And Lilia, who was standing next to me, also cried out in surprise.
“What happened…”
At that moment, the notification window of the system unfolded in front of my field of vision.
—————–
「Formal Cadet of the Divine Academy Pantheon」
* Final Main Quest 「Best Cadet of Divine Academy Pantheon」
: You have completed all prerequisites.
: The final main quest is unlocked.
—————–
At the same time as checking the notification window. A feeling as if the ground were collapsing as it were, took over me.
And the moment when the surroundings, which had been dark in an instant, became bright again. I entered another space other than the Colosseum.
