327 – The Holy Sword Contest -4-

There is a term called “willful negligence.”

It refers to the mindset of acting despite knowing that a moment’s action could lead to undesirable consequences.

‘Willful.’

Being fully aware of the possibility of a certain outcome.

‘Negligence.’

An act intended to deliberately bring about a specific result.

How absurd.

At least for Ruin, who moved knowing full well that everyone would despise it.

— Just leave me be.

—…

— I’ll just watch like a totem, so don’t give me orders… Why is it that you drag along those who don’t want to come?

Inside the inn’s dining hall, with only a day left until the Holy Sword contest.

Ruin sat alone at the table, swallowing his drink as he glanced at the bustling table beside him.

— So… Yuria, do you have someone you like?

— …Well…

— Come on, just say it! It’s just us girls here.

— Isn’t the student council president here?

— Do I look like I have time for romance? I can barely find a moment to stamp papers.

— President, you seem to be in a better mood these days.

— Does it… show?

Shartia.

Hanna.

Yuria.

And the other female officers.

Trapped in the lively space, Ruin concealed his envy as he watched them share stories about one another.

Especially, he longed to speak freely with Yuria.

Once, the seat beside her had been his, but now he couldn’t even approach her, and his irritation grew.

‘What a mess.’

Yuria was shining brighter each day.

She sparkled to the point that it made his own decline feel pitiful.

Far more than when he had been tormented by Olivia at the academy. She seemed to have given up on being loved by everyone and on trying to understand them all. Of course, she looked better now, but still…

— Don’t joke around…!

— Look at how shy she is…!

— …I’m going to get angry!

Frozen in a moment from the past, Ruin gazed at Yuria’s smiling face, a wistful expression crossing his own.

‘You’ve become so bright.’

Her angelic nature, which had once tried to shower love on the students who ostracized her, seemed to fade into memory. She was still beautiful and kind, but the reckless kindness of her former self had long since vanished.

Yes, it was as if she was starting to resemble that red-haired brat.

“Damn it.”

Ruin sighed as he looked at his belly, piled high like a mountain. He felt utterly pathetic, his body and spirit both broken.

What kind of confidence had he once possessed?

“…”

What kind of confidence had I lied to myself about, claiming to see within? I had been nothing but a fool, fixated on the surface.

I had liked it.

I had truly liked it, and now, anger surged within me as I realized that the one who had cast our relationship into the abyss was none other than myself. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Ugly. So ugly.”

Since Hans had stripped me of my magic, my confidence lay in tatters, showing no signs of revival.

“Was that bastard feeling like this?”

Suddenly pondering Hans’s feelings, I let my head droop low. I was beginning to understand why he had said, “You don’t know how I feel.”

It was absurd that I was having such thoughts because of the enemy who had taken my magic. Yet, what did it matter now? All of it felt meaningless.

I had pranced around, reveling in my own arrogance, but now I was nothing but a worthless piece of trash. I should have known a day like this would come. I sighed as I stared at the empty seat beside me.

“Ha…”

I can’t do anything.

Can’t even wield magic properly.

The only thing I seem capable of now is disappointing the old man who believes in me.

Love.

Pride.

Damn it.

I had no idea how to fix a life that had shattered beyond repair.

“…”

The absurd journey to retrieve the holy sword had begun because the old man had pushed me into it.

– I don’t want to.

– It’ll be a good opportunity for you.

– Honestly, even the old man must regret it. He’d rather nurture another disciple than waste his time on someone like me.

– …

– Ah, there is one. That Shuen or whatever the old man keeps talking about.

– Ruin.

– I don’t care, do as you wish.

This is just pathetic.

– Bang!

Had I been lost in self-reproach for so long? With a loud bang, a man pulled out a chair and sat down beside me.

“Who are you?”

The man disregarded Ruin’s words and began to gulp down the drink from the glass on the table. As the glass emptied in an instant, revealing its bottom, he wiped his mouth and let out a satisfied “Hmph,” bowing his head slightly.

“…”

Ruin opened his sharp eyes and stared at the man. He was not in a good mood. Just as he was about to say that the man had come to the wrong address if he was looking for trouble, he caught sight of the man’s face and fell silent.

“It’s me.”

“…Director?”

“Call me ‘Sir.’ You troublemaker of the Academy.”

Malik, seated on Ruin’s side, swept his hair back and knocked over a stack of liquor bottles on the table.

“Drink in moderation. We’re leaving at dawn tomorrow, and it would be troublesome if you’re in a bad state.”

“And what about you?”

“I have this.”

As if he had been waiting for those words, Malik pulled out a bottle of Mandrake hangover remedy from his coat and showed it to Ruin.

“What’s that?”

“Mandrake hangover remedy.”

“Huh…?”

“I’d say it’s the best among the hangover cures on the market. Extracted 100% from Mandrake grown in the polar regions, maximizing detoxification effects…”

“Did you come here to sell something?”

“Ahem.”

At the awkward response, Malik tucked the hangover remedy back into his pocket and offered a sheepish smile.

“I can sell it to you for 1 gold.”

“…Did you really come to sell it?”

“There are plenty who’ve bought it. Yuria, Shartia, Hannah. Rather than waking up tomorrow as a corpse from a hangover, investing 1 gold is…”

“Shut up. If you came to sell something, get lost. I won’t even taste something that’s not good.”

“Is that so?”

Malik nodded slowly, still looking at Ruin.

“…”

“What…”

“…”

Ruin frowned at Malik, who showed no sign of leaving. He thought it was ridiculous that Malik wouldn’t take the hint after such a clear dismissal.

“Why don’t you get lost?”

“Why should I move? The seat next to me is completely empty.”

“Haah…”

“Who taught you the habit of sighing?”

“Why, are you planning to expel me?”

Malik shook his head and replied.

“I was going to cut off the professor who taught that.”

“…”

“Because a professor who teaches strange things in the marketplace of learning is less than an infant.”

“Fucking hell, nothing is normal here… I should just leave the academy.”

Ruin scowled, emptying his cup with irritation.

“Your attitude stinks.”

“Mind your own business. You’re the only one who doesn’t know my attitude stinks.”

Malik chuckled and poured more drink into Ruin’s empty glass.

“Look here, kid.”

“…What?”

“I’m talking about you. The little calf with blood still drying on its head.”

Ruin glared at Malik, who referred to him as a ‘kid.’ It was one of the most irritating things to be treated like a child. If only he had magic, he would have blown away the senior director and everyone else.

Clenching his fists, Ruin shot a fierce look at Malik.

“Don’t treat me like a kid. It’s fucking annoying.”

“Even with a rag in your mouth, you’re still a complete rookie.”

“…Seriously, damn it…!”

Seeing Ruin trying to leave, Malik spoke in a cold voice.

“Sit down.”

“…”

“I said to sit before I step on you.”

He meant it.

The murderous intent leaking from Malik’s gaze.

Ruin, feeling the weight of that stare filled with the will to crush him, swallowed hard.

“Really, this is just pathetic.”

With a deep sigh, Ruin sank back into his seat.

“Just get to the point.”

“Do so.”

Malik spoke with a satisfied smile as he observed the subdued Ruin.

“A year ago, I met a student from an academy.”

“…”

“He was laughable. With nothing to his name, yet brimming with pride, lecturing others without a clue of his own standing.”

“So you put him in his place?”

“Not a chance.”

Malik let out a hollow chuckle as he filled his glass.

“If I had intended to trample that boy, I wouldn’t be here now.”

“…What?”

“He was something else. So remarkable that I, the one who dismissed him, found myself seeking his wisdom.”

“…Hey.”

“Thanks to him, many things changed.”

Malik lightly brushed aside Ruin’s sharp gaze, surveying the shop. The chandelier hung with opulence, the cheerful chatter of Shartia. And there, he cast a fond glance at his sister, Hannah, a smile gracing his lips.

“He was someone who could afford to look down on others.”

“…”

“He had every right to flaunt his bravado and to lecture those around him.”

“…”

“Unlike the one sitting before me, who merely throws a tantrum. He was a man who maintained his principles while bringing forth gains.”

Ruin instantly recognized who Malik was speaking of.

“Both this bastard and that bastard are just going on about him.”

The name he spoke was ‘Ricardo.’

Ruin felt a surge of anger.

Hearing the name of the one he despised most, the one who had taken everything from him, was unsettling. The thought of hearing praise for that person from someone he had hoped would never utter it filled Ruin with distaste.

“But what about you?”

Malik’s question left Ruin speechless.

“With nothing to offer, you cling to your pointless pride.”

“…”

“At a moment when you should be racing toward a significant goal, you drown yourself in drink.”

“…”

“Effort is nothing but a wretched thing that ruins the atmosphere of the team, yet you think it’s something grand,” Malik said, glaring at Ruin.

“If you lack the qualifications, shouldn’t you at least strive to earn them?”

“…”

“I asked if, at the very least, you wouldn’t show some will to act, if you had even a shred of conscience.”

“Shut up. What do you know to be spouting off like that?”

“I know. I know all too well. I’ve met more than enough fools like you.”

“Do you want to die?”

“The leader interceded to include you in our party, and this is what we get?”

“…”

“Disrupting the atmosphere.”

“…”

“What kind of mindset is it to drag down morale?” I asked.

“…”

“The leader assured me that you would pull your weight, that you would contribute.”

“…”

“I wrapped you in praise, saying you were a prickly but surely helpful kid, and bowed my head to a mere day laborer. What are you doing?”

“…”

“Do you think you’re so special?”

Malik glared at Ruin, his cold eyes shaking with disdain.

“Are you greater than the bowed head of the leader?”

“…”

“That’s not how it looks to me.”

“…”

“If you lack confidence, pack your things and get lost right now. You’re nothing but a parasite here, bringing only bad influence.”

“…”

“I’m being lenient because of the leader’s request, but don’t delude yourself into thinking that goodwill will last forever.”

“…”

Malik glanced around again, surveying those who laughed and smiled, and spoke.

“Right now, don’t they all seem to you like they’re laughing?”

“…”

“Of course. With that dim-witted head of yours, it’s no wonder you can’t see that a frightened heart might at least try to spill its fears through words.”

As if to affirm Malick’s words, Shartia’s hands trembled, a subtle quiver that betrayed her forced smile. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders, refusing to let them rise.

– So… that’s why.

– …ha

– …haah…

“You are but a child now.”

“…”

“A child who knows only how to whine.”

Countless daggers pierced through Ruin’s heart at those words. Malick turned to him for one last remark.

“This is the end.”

“…”

“If you act like that one more time, I’ll trample you, regardless of your status as the Tower Lord’s direct disciple.”

Ruin bowed his head at Malick’s words.

His fists clenched tight.

Feeling shame and contempt wash over him.

He could only lower his gaze.

*

Late at night.

Stepping out for a smoke, Malick exhaled deeply, his voice a low murmur.

“Are you there?”

“…”

“I know you’re there, so come out.”

As Malick’s voice, heavy with cold sighs, spread across the dark night sky, a man emerged, a hollow laugh escaping his lips as he stepped into view.

“How did you know?”

Upon seeing the man’s face, Malick smiled and shook his head.

“I figured you would be here.”

“…Am I some kind of deity, to appear when called?”

“Were you not?”

“Y-yes…?”

“Ha ha ha! Just a jest.”

Red hair.

Black butler’s attire.

With a sheepish scratch of my head, I approached Malick, who had an unsettlingly keen sense of humor.

I shot him a sidelong glance and spoke.

“I heard you quite well earlier.”

“What do you mean?”

“The compliments you paid me. I didn’t expect you to hold me in such high regard; it was quite touching.”

“I only spoke the truth.”

“Do you not know the word ’embarrassment,’ sir?”

“What is that?”

I let out a hollow laugh at Malick’s nonchalance, even after such a blushing remark. This was not the reaction I had anticipated.

With a small smile, I turned to him and asked, “Is it alright?”

“What now?” he replied, feigning ignorance.

“You spoke rather harshly. You really struck a nerve.”

“Ha ha…”

Malick chuckled, exhaling a puff of white smoke.

“One must speak firmly, no?”

“…”

“Only then will that fellow toughen up.”

“That is true.”

Malick glanced at me slyly and inquired, “What do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think he will show up tomorrow?”

“Well… considering his mental state is shattered to bits, I doubt it.”

“Hmm…”

“Still, I…”

I cast a glance at the lit room of Ruin, a smile creeping onto my lips.

—

“It seems like it will come out. After all, I am a disciple of the Tower Master.”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t that why the boss said so?”

Malik let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

“I think so too.”

I stretched my arms and began to speak to Malik.

“Shall we get to the main point?”

The time had come to devise a plan.

*

At that moment, Ruin sat at the desk, teeth clenched.

“Damn….”

The words he had heard today echoed in Ruin’s mind.

“Shouldn’t it just work…!”

It heralded the beginning of change.