Chapter 32 – If You Have the Qualification, It’s Not Arrogance

The Headmaster suggested he join the expeditionary force. And he refused.

A matter of course. If he joined, he would inevitably have to move with them.

Considering the Binding Vow, that would only tighten the noose around his own neck.

‘It’s a shame… but still, gaining the title of “receiving an expeditionary force offer” has given me a reason to move alone.’

It was a first in the Cradle’s history. To receive an expeditionary force recommendation before even finishing the first semester.

If that Shavel or whatever-his-name-is received it in the second semester, then it was clearly a good―

“…”

Deus’s steps, which had been quick and purposeful, gradually slowed.

There are scenes like that in comics. Where something flashes by like lightning.

And at the same time, a speech bubble appears with the line, “This energy!”

(Deus remembers it in a modified form as, “Someone’s spiritual pressure disappeared.”)

As he walked along the quiet campus road after leaving the Headmaster’s office,

Deus felt that sensation precisely, and finally stopped completely.

“So, it’s you?”

He had encountered someone suspicious, wearing a dark hood that hid their face from view.

Strong? No. That word was insufficient to describe it.

This was an opponent who resided far above anyone he had met before.

Someone who sat in an impossibly high place, looking down.

“…Who are you?”

Was this like that demon who introduced himself as Zagan?

But he hadn’t heard that another Gate had manifested in the Cradle.

Moreover, this energy didn’t have the repulsive stench that demon emitted.

It felt strangely refreshing. Like stepping into the middle of a forest.

It felt akin to facing a refreshing breeze. A picture formed in my mind, of us conversing in a field.

“If it’s about… Her. The answer comes later. Something else takes precedence now.”

“…?”

Hold on. That’s precisely what’s most important to me right now.

You suddenly appear and call yourself ‘Her,’ you strange character, right in front of me.

“Follow.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“….”

“Hurry.”

Demands reeking not just of arrogance, but outright rudeness.

Were anyone else standing here, they’d surely point it out.

Asking if it was proper to act like this, barging in without even an introduction.

Deus initially intended to. To refuse, citing a lack of manners.

But the thoughts that followed quickly put an end to those intentions.

‘He calls himself ‘Her’. Displays such arrogance and rudeness. Even just that’s enough to get a rough idea of what kind of character he is, isn’t it? Probably?’

Someone whose power transcends that of existing figures, an overwhelming force.

Simultaneously, someone curious, who couldn’t simply ignore rumors of a promising fellow.

The sort of opponent always found in academy stories. Deus reached his conclusion.

The way to win the favor of such a person was exceedingly simple.

Since refusal wasn’t an option anyway, just follow along without a second thought.

“Let’s go. I’ll follow.”

“Hahaha! Refreshingly straightforward, aren’t you!”

The suspicious figure, bursting into laughter, took the lead.

This place was Yggdrasil. Not just a simple academy, but an immense city.

Naturally, its area was vast, enough that the uninitiated could easily get lost and wander.

And yet, this person moved without hesitation, clearly familiar with the terrain.

‘He certainly doesn’t seem like a demon. What is he, then?’

As Deus pondered various possibilities…

“Here. This place should suffice!”

The figure stopped in a wide, empty clearing and turned.

“Still like this. Still. Ever since She blew this place away in the past, it’s been empty. Still nothing here.”

“….”

This place, he’d heard, was occasionally used by students for practical training.

Originally, it was a fairly well-built training ground, but it was utterly destroyed in an unexpected accident.

Everyone assumed some students had accidentally started a huge fire while using their abilities.

‘He says he blew this whole place away?’

He subtly looked around. This wasn’t a small area. It was incredibly vast.

But, if he managed to obliterate a place like that all by himself, he’s definitely no ordinary fellow.

“Aha. Long explanations are rather tiresome, wouldn’t you agree?”

“What are you….”

“Those who are more accustomed to understanding each other through strength rather than words. That’s who you are, standing before Yeo and Yeoui.”

What is he going on about? Does he really see me as such a brutish simpleton?

I’m not some dolt who solves everything with brute force, I only use it when necessary!

He shouts internally, but already Deus’s body is primed for battle.

His reason lets out a sigh, but what can he do? His body is already warmed up from the fight with the demon.

He thought things were finally settling down after a few days, but this just reignites the embers.

—Thud!

The man sets down the leather case he had been carrying on his back.

Inside were two swords. Even at a glance, it’s clear they are no ordinary weapons.

Treasured swords, legendary blades. All those kinds of adjectives felt appropriate.

Anyone knowledgeable about swords would gasp and lick their lips at the sight.

Of course, Deus wasn’t one of those types, so he just thought, “Whoa. Swords.”

“Hmm.”

He studies Deus for a moment, striking bizarre poses this way and that.

He looks for all the world like a craftsman calculating some sort of estimate.

“Did you know? Yeo has never, not even once, used both hands from the start.”

—Shwing!

But, no matter how he thinks about it, today doesn’t seem like that day. Today will be the first.

The opponent, having drawn both swords, slowly moves, stopping just in front of him.

That’s right. Two swords. A sword in each hand. The style known as, dual blades!

“Ha.”

Deus couldn’t help but let out an involuntary exclamation at the sight before him.

What man wouldn’t be captivated by such a spectacle!

‘Good heavens. Dual blades. Dual blades, you say?!’

There are three ultimate expressions of romance one can achieve with a sword.

The greatsword. The lightsaber. And dual blades. (Though, triple-wielding requires helmet attachment)

Disagree? Suit yourself. It’s just Deus’s personal opinion after all.

Even if more than half of those who wield dual blades are duds in terms of performance,

Or face some sort of strange, unfortunate end.

Still, it’s dual blades. Dual blades! Two swords! The ultimate in offensive capability!

“Impressive.”

“Ho? Are you admiring Yeo’s form, perhaps?”

“To be honest, yes. I never imagined I’d see someone who primarily wields dual blades.”

It goes without saying, dual blades are an exceptionally difficult technique to master.

In contrast, the actual benefits gained are not that much greater than wielding a single sword.

On the contrary, attacks are unstable, and defense is even more challenging.

But. Still. Romance. A dream. In slang terms, swag.

What else could possibly fill the void of such ineffable delight?

It was only natural that a man’s heart would ignite in a moment of such accord!

“My student was right then. She said you were a magnificent man who understood romance.”

“Pardon?”

A student. And romance. With that, he could roughly piece together the other party’s identity.

There was only one person who had spoken to him of romance. None other than Luciel.

And that Luciel, she said, had the empire’s greatest adept as her master.

The name was also quite peculiar, he remembered it clearly even now. Let’s see, the name was…

“Shabel. Could it be, Shabel Saber-nim?”

At Deus’s question, a faint smile graced the other’s lips.

Adjusting his grip on his sword. Taking a perfect offensive stance.

“Indeed. That, is what they call me.”

His form vanishes. His presence, too, is erased.

The next instant. Two swords are bearing down upon Deus.

— *Clang!!*

“Hah… hah…”

Luciel was running, breathless.

She was supposed to be in class. Concentrating in the classroom, as usual.

She wasn’t one to skip out. Diligent, and a model for others, that was her.

But Luciel was in this state because of a message that had just arrived.

[Your Highness the Princess. Shabel Saber-nim has departed for the Cradle!]

That incorrigible master of hers! Please, just stay put!

Grasping her head upon hearing the news was the only sane response.

The reason her master had suddenly set off for the Cradle was painfully obvious.

‘Deus.’

The man who knew and understood her romance. Furthermore, a man who cheered it on.

At the same time, a man who cherished his own romance and walked his path silently.

Shabel. She had excitedly prattled on about him to her master.

Thinking about it now, she didn’t know why she had done it, but she had, nonetheless.

The reaction she received was more than enough to knock her back to her senses—

[Hoo. It seems I must go to the Cradle myself.]

“No, wait. Master? Please don’t.”

She almost blurted out, *’What kind of trouble are you going to cause now?’*

If she hadn’t had a student’s respect for her master, she probably would have said it.

*’I told her so many times not to come and cause trouble again!’*

Where had this master of hers slipped off to? Actually, she had a rough idea.

A place where Shabel had caused a major incident back when she was in the Cradle.

Shabel called it her place of memories and mentioned it whenever she was bored.

The irony was that the Empire used that place as a prime example of “how dangerous the misuse of power can be.”

They ran like that for some time, until nearing the clearing.

—Kugugugugu!!

“Hwaaa?!”

A colossal wave of power, the kind one wouldn’t even dare approach, rippled outwards.

‘A, no! Master! Please, just!’

My very being screams this is too dangerous, urging me to fall back.

But my reason shouts that I must hurry and stop my Master.

The deliberation was brief; the action, swift. Luciel charged towards the clearing.

A model student of the fourth year, every inch a leader of the dispatched unit.

Moments later, as Luciel was about to reach the edge of the open space.

“Master!”

“Ah. So my little disciple has arrived.”

Saber lowered his twin blades, which he had been holding crossed, slowly downwards.

Standing opposite him was, as expected, Deus.

“Hmm. Why don’t we call it here for now? I am about to be lectured again by my dear pupil.”

“I don’t mind at all. We can resume later.”

How could he answer with such composure?

Then, Luciel noticed something and swallowed audibly.

Scars marked the ground where their two forces had collided, etched vividly.

The traces of recoil, where they had been pushed back, remained too.

‘Master stepped back two paces. And Deus Senior…’

Just. Half a pace. That was all.