Chapter 57 – It’s Alright. People Don’t Die So Easily

Afternoon classes had ended. All that remained were self-directed study, or perhaps self-directed training.

This very moment, this precise instant, was more terrifying to Neferti than any hell.

“I really can’t take any more,” she pleaded.

“Hmm. In that case, I’ll just have to turn up the power a little,” he replied.

“If you can’t deflect this, you might get a little hurt, you know. But nothing to worry about. Really. It’s better to get hurt by me than by a demon.”

“Why? Because I’ve got lots of experience with it, of course.”

She’d thought it was a joke. Truly, honestly, she’d thought it was just teasing.

But then, a fist grazed her shoulder, sending a chilling premonition.

It hadn’t even landed, had simply passed alongside, yet she felt a throbbing ache deep within.

Neferti realized, with a jolt, that her junior was dead serious.

“You asked me what I wanted, didn’t you? Simple. A buff. A self-enhancement technique.”

“Right now, Chairman, you’re only focused on offense. Your technique, your movements, even your mindset. All offense.”

“But now you see, don’t you? There are things that even your attack alone can’t break through.”

For almost a full week, ruthless violence disguised as training had continued.

Not exaggerating even a little, she didn’t know how many times she’d brushed against the very edge of death.

Each punch from Deus, every single one, was a tightrope walk between life and oblivion.

“Think of the wind as an arrow, Chairman.”

“If an arrow won’t pierce, will you just keep endlessly searching for a better, more powerful arrow?”

“From now on, it’s not about the arrow anymore. It’s about focusing on the bow. And along with that, also increasing the ability of the one holding and shooting the bow.”

Not a more powerful attack. Not a stronger defense. Right now, it’s neither of those things.

To put it simply, it’s a type of preparatory work for those things. Or perhaps, a fundamental foundation that encompasses them all.

Rather than forcing the wind to rage and blast away, you need to make it stay close, linger.

So that when it’s needed, at the right moment, with perfect timing, it can be wielded.

That, Deus stated with certainty, was the technique she needed right now.

“It’s okay if you don’t understand. It’s okay if it’s difficult.”

“Either way, as we beat it into your body, you’ll get used to it.”

She still remembered Deus then, subtly raising and showing his fist.

Correction. Not a fist, but a mace. How could that be made of flesh, bone, and blood?!

“Now. Look. With your current abilities, there’s no way you can dodge this punch, Chairman.”

“No matter how much you run. No matter how much you try to avoid it. It’s absolutely impossible.”

“There’s only one way. Instant acceleration. Not just shooting and blasting wind, but circulating wind throughout your entire body. You must be able to use it for speed, power, evasiveness, even a defensive barrier. That will be, the ultimate self-buff technique I want you to achieve.”

“If that were possible, every wind-elemental ability user would be jealous, Junior…”

Muttering forlornly to herself, Neferti trudged away.

Right. She understood the theory. And she knew what kind of power could be unleashed if it were truly possible.

If she could constantly surround herself with the same wind that she could already generate.

She could then amplify her subsequent attacks, or use it for evasion and defense.

The key, probably, would be how long she could maintain it. That would be the limit.

Power was not the concern. Since it was a self-enhancement skill, even the basics being solid would be enough.

However, the problem. All of it was theoretical. Could it truly be done in practice?

She still didn’t have a clue how to do it. She was just experiencing a near-death experience.

And all the while, Deus kept repeating that terrifying statement: “If you don’t want to get hit. If you don’t want to die, you’ll figure it out.”

If I keep going like this, I’ll probably die before I even figure anything out. Nefertiti clutched her head in her hands, whimpering.

“President?”

“Ah. Senior?”

It was Luciel. Nefertiti’s favorite senior, and the one she looked up to the most.

Also, as the daughter of a Duke, a member of the Imperial family she deeply respected.

“Looks like your class is over.”

“Yes. It finished a little while ago.”

Luciel’s path, for some reason, mirrored her own.

Usually, she’d head to the lounge. Or perhaps the library, or maybe a cafe.

“Um, Senior? Do you happen to have any other scheduled events today?”

“No. My official classes are finished.”

“Perhaps sparring with other upperclassmen?”

“Nope, nothing like that.”

Then why are you going this way? This is toward the training grounds, you know?

At Nefertiti’s question, Luciel muttered, “Ah! Come to think of it, I haven’t told the president!”

“I’m planning on receiving training alongside you, President.”

“…Huh?”

Did I…hear wrong? Why is someone else entering this hell?

“I asked Deus. I asked him to teach me anti-demon tactics, like you’re learning. To figure out what kind of goals I need to set and how to achieve them.”

“….”

Nefertiti listened to Luciel’s words, momentarily stunned.

Then, suddenly, she grabbed her hand. “Clutch!”

“Goodness! Why, why are you doing this? President?”

“No, Senior! You mustn’t. Your Highness! Really, you shouldn’t!”

“Eh, eh?”

What is this all of a sudden? To tell me ‘no’ without rhyme or reason?

The bewildered Luciel was just about to ask her junior the reason why.

—Grip!

Nefertiti continued, her voice urgent, as if pleading to escape this hell.

“Give it up! Run away!”

“Pre, President?”

“Deus is a demon! No, worse than a demon!”

“What are you talking about? Why? Didn’t you say he was a good person?!”

That’s…true. And it *is* true. Deus is a very good person, a good junior, and a man.

But that’s that! This is different! I really, truly! Have to treat this completely differently!

“I almost died fifty-seven times in the past week.”

“Deus says you are joking around….”

“I’m not joking when it comes to something that could kill me!!”

Some might drag others down with them, thinking ‘I can’t be the only one to suffer!’

But that’s only if it’s within reason. If I’m going to really die like this, I’ll desperately try to stop anyone from joining me, no matter who it is.

“But… I already promised to undergo training, didn’t I?”

“Ugh.”

“And I swore to follow my junior’s orders, no matter what…”

“Ughhh!!”

Too late! It’s too late! Senior Luciel’s been dragged into this hell too!

*

“Welcome. Both of you, seniors. I’ve been waiting.”

Deus, a gentle smile playing on his lips, gazed at Nefertiti and Luciel.

At that sight, Luciel involuntarily found himself reaching for the sword at his hip.

What is this? My junior’s not doing anything right now. He’s just smiling, even.

Why is my body so tense, ready to fight at a moment’s notice?

I wonder if it’s just me, so I glance at Nefertiti beside me.

“…”

Hmm. Seems it’s not just my problem. Nefertiti’s about the same.

She doesn’t have a sword, but the way she’s fidgeting with her hands shows she’s incredibly tense.

“The Chairman went ahead to wait. I’ll briefly explain to Senior Luciel what direction would be best to take.”

“Um, it’s okay if you come as late as possible, junior.”

“The later you come, the harsher the training will be today, though.”

“Come quickly, junior!!”

It was perhaps inevitable that Nefertiti, having said that, would collapse in under 10 seconds.

Hearing the “Ugh!” sound, Luciel stood there for a moment as a monster – no, Deus – approached him.

“Senior Luciel. Before we begin training, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“That romance… do you still hold onto it? That light of yours, becoming a sword to cut down those enemies and protect this world. That very romance, I mean.”

Why is he asking such a question all of a sudden? That was the second thought that came to mind.

The first thought, above all else, was to answer “Of course,” in the face of that question.

“I’ll never change. It’s my romance, and my destiny, after all.”

“I see. That’s fortunate.”

Deus nodded and continued.

“As you know, senior, all combat boils down to a battle of wits over ‘distance.’ The one who wins successfully attacks, while the one who loses allows an attack.”

“Yes. I know. Especially when using a sword, that distance is even more crucial.”

There’s a reason they say someone with a long reach has an advantage.

You can say you’ll penetrate inside or twist the attack, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

When something that can blow your lifeline away right in front of your eyes is swinging around, shrinking back is just what humans do.

“In that case, things will go even faster. I’d like to suggest you explore ways to manipulate that distance more freely. I want to recommend this aspect.”

Control the distance. That’s true. But, something’s lacking with just that.

The opponent isn’t even human, it’s a demon. Will that battle of distance even work? No matter how hard I try, it feels like I’ll be crushed before my sword even reaches them.

“That light sword you wield. Does it necessarily, absolutely, have to be the same kind of ‘sword’ you’re using now?”