Chapter 10 – Just a Commoner Who Entered an Era Without Him

Cradle, Fencing Club. Time out called, emergency meeting activated!

“We’ve never had a case like this before, seniors!”

“Our junior is right. We have to protest. A one-day club member! It’s practically recruiting a mercenary, disguised as a club member!”

“We can’t do this in the sacred club friendly match! We have to say no!”

Several club members voiced strong opposition.

Their opinions weren’t wrong. They had their reasons.

Yes. So, this was definitely the right thing to say.

However, there was one problem.

“So then, juniors.”

That ‘right’ thing to say could easily become a ‘getting beaten’ thing to say.

“Would you… be willing to go up to that junior and tell him no?”

The fourth-year’s words spun every head in the clubroom.

There, slowly limbering, stood the freshman – Deus.

“….”

“….”

Those who watched the spectacle for a moment, looked away again.

Is that even human? A monster, or maybe a demon. One of the two.

“I don’t think I can do this.”

“I am incapable.”

It’d be better to go fight a real monster.

How can a person be like that? Is that really a human body?

Maybe he’s a half-breed? Like, ogre and human mixed together.

There’s no other way that physique, that terrifying aura, could exist!

“So, the friendly match is first to five wins, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Meaning we only need one more win.”

“Correct.”

“But. That one win…is ‘him’ standing over there.”

In that instant, a single thought flickered through every club member’s mind.

Should we concede? Surrender? Admit honorable defeat?

Didn’t someone once say that a smart retreat is worth more than a victory?

‘…No. No!’

—Headshake, headshake.

They were gripped by that intense temptation, but only for a moment.

Soon, the members of the swordsmanship club shook their heads fiercely.

This isn’t just anything, this is about the clubroom. The martial arts club’s clubroom!

The newest building, built with state of the art design, with the biggest and best space.

They said the older generations tore out their hair when it was handed to the martial arts club.

If only they had made the swordsmanship club later, they said!

This was an opportunity earned after endlessly provoking and goading the martial arts club.

Maybe it was the first and last chance. There was a high chance they would not agree again.

They absolutely had to switch clubrooms! They couldn’t stand being in that cramped space any longer!!

“Comrades. Just one more win. Only one.”

“Your words are right, senior.”

“Don’t think short-term, think long-term. We still have five people. Which means, four of us somehow need to drain that monster’s…er, that freshman’s, stamina. And then the last one finishes him off.”

oooh! That’s a pretty good plan!

Indeed, with that, we might have a chance! As expected of you, senior!!

The rest of the club members responded in unison to the suggestion.

“For our cozy clubroom!”

“Swordsmanship club! Swordsmanship club!”

“Let’s win! No matter what! Let’s take the clubroom from those fist-fighters!!”

With cries of “Heave-ho!” the kendo club wrapped up their strategy meeting.

Then, with a semblance of gravity, they determined the order and commenced another round of friendly matches.

“You’ll be alright, junior?”

Meanwhile, at the martial arts club, reactions were tinged with worry.

They knew Deus was the most promising prospect. They knew the student council president had acknowledged it.

But the kendo club members on the other side were skilled in their own right.

What’s more, they could roughly guess what strategy the kendo club would employ.

“They’ll try to drain your stamina, no matter what. Four of them will drag it out, one after another.”

“That’s right. And they’ll probably put their best player in the last slot to face you.”

Worried murmurs arose from here and there.

Even an esper wasn’t immune to the limitations of physical endurance.

When strength waned, the manifestation of abilities slowed and base physical capabilities deteriorated.

That was why the physical education teachers were always shouting, ‘Fitness! Fitness! Fiiiitness!!’

“I see.”

But Deus merely nodded, unfazed.

“Don’t worry, just keep the promise you made to me.”

“Ah, u-uh. Of course. Don’t worry. About the equipment purchase and even moving it….”

“Just provide the funds necessary to buy the equipment. I’ll take care of the moving.”

“Oh? Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“It’s good exercise.”

Not quite at the terminal stage of exercise addiction, but he couldn’t deny a certain restlessness.

He needed to move, but the students always reacted with such alarm. It was inconvenient.

Wasn’t it a shame to let a body forged in hellish training fall into disrepair?

“Then, I’ll be off.”

Even then, the martial arts club members couldn’t have imagined.

That this very moment was the genesis of the legend, ‘The club lost 4-0, and he was *smiling*.’

*

The hallmark of martial arts-based esper abilities was a hexagon of stats stemming from a robust physique.

These were individuals balanced in both offense and defense. Capable of pulling their weight anywhere.

However, that very versatility also became a weakness that tripped them up.

To be proficient across the board meant, conversely, lacking a single area of outstanding expertise.

The kendo club members were acutely aware of this fact.

“Huu.”

The first to step forward, a second-year student from the kendo club, took a deep breath.

Looking at the freshman before him, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

He felt an overwhelming urge to drop his sword and flee.

But he resisted. He had to endure. This was all for the club!

‘That’s it. A monster. Think of him as a monster. That’s better. The one standing before me isn’t a human, but a monster. A monster….’

Perhaps it was due to his self-hypnosis. Or perhaps it was because the freshman was truly monstrous.

The opponent before him actually looked like a monster! Success… was it a success?

‘…Damn it. This is even scarier!’

*Gulped.* She swallowed, her throat suddenly parched, and desperately tried to shake off the fear.

*I can do this.* Her aim, after all, was simply to tire him out. To delay him for as long as possible.

Even if he was a rising star, she had advantages of her own.

*’He’s a martial arts type. He doesn’t have a proper weapon!’*

No matter how powerful an ability user was, at their core, they were still human.

No one could remain completely calm with the glint of a sharp blade dancing before their eyes.

Just making him flinch was enough!

“Shall we begin?”

“Y-yes. Come at me, junior.”

She took another deep breath. *Hoo.* *Hooo—*

*Alright.* Now to properly face this young man…

—*Tudududuk!!*

“…?”

What? What is it? Why does my sword suddenly feel so light?

Why did this heavy piece of metal feel like a feather?

“Wh-what?”

Gone. Above the hilt, where the blade should be shining, it had vanished.

Wondering what in the world was happening, she lowered her gaze, and, good heavens.

Fragments of what used to be a sword were scattered everywhere! She couldn’t even tell when it broke!

*‘W-what is this?’*

The trial of the kendo club didn’t end there.

On the contrary, this was just the beginning.

“Hek?!”

The second student swung his sword the moment the match started.

But this time, too, the sword became *what used to be a sword,* and scattered across the floor.

Before he could even attempt anything, the contest was already over.

Next, the third student.

“Haaah!”

He would use his signature swordsmanship to shatter his opponent’s seemingly relentless onslaught.

A good idea in theory. Block one attack, and an opening would appear.

The only problem was, this opponent had faced the student council president’s wind powers with his bare hands.

“Kehk!”

The sword-aura crumbled without even leaving a scratch.

Immediately afterwards, the kendo club member was sent flying.

“What the hell is going on?!”

The students watching the friendly match clutched their heads and screamed.

The fourth in line, a third-year kendo club member.

He was starting to get a vague grasp of the situation.

*’He’s aiming for the swords with his bare fists before the younger students even realize it. The speed is unreal. I barely managed to catch a glimpse of it at the very last moment.’*

The words of Neferti, the top student of the same third year as myself, suddenly surfaced in my mind.

“The freshmen prospects this year? Oh ho ho! What’s there to even say? Deus or nothing! That’s how I’d summarize it! Oh ho hot— *croak!*”

I hadn’t disbelieved her entirely. I’d merely suspected a slight exaggeration.

But I was wrong. It wasn’t an exaggeration, but rather a reduction.

There was a reason she was the top third year student. A reason the student council president showered her with praise!

‘Literally, a monster.’

My chances of victory are near zero. I resent it, but I acknowledge the truth.

Therefore, the only course of action for me right now is this:

Clench my teeth and focus entirely on defense. Ensure my guard doesn’t drop.

I’ve seen his techniques twice already. I can prepare adequately.

I, too, am an ability user. I’ve analyzed him; this much I can manage….

— *Swish-swish!*

“?!”

Fast! No, the word ‘fast’ doesn’t even begin to capture it!

What kind of footwork is that? How can he close the distance so quickly?

That’s the kind of speed only those with agility-based abilities could possibly exhibit?!

I retreat, I change direction, but the distance refuses to widen.

I considered swinging my sword, but to do so would only repeat what happened before.

‘What am I supposed to…!’

“Thank you for your efforts, Senior.”

The moment I saw Deus’s expressionless face mere inches away.

The thought occurred to me that perhaps a grim reaper had come to claim my life.

— *Crash!*

Current sparring score. 4:4. Only one point remaining until victory!