Chapter 160
The past two weeks.
While Yuda was absent, the children spent their time individually.
Perhaps the sight of the boy riding a wheelchair had left a big impact.
They repeated intense training and daily life.
The purpose of their training was entirely focused on individual skills.
A wish to become even a little useful.
The girls' efforts were particularly touching.
-Efri! Good work today too.
-Let's gradually raise the firepower from tomorrow!
Regia focused on communicating with her summoned beast.
It was a process to fully handle the power originating from the dragon, which had been difficult to control so far.
Her presence growing day by day proved she was the protagonist.
The pilot was close to the original work.
-Haa... it's still difficult.
-That person would have been much sharper.
-I just can't seem to reach it.
Emilia devoted herself to her unique magic.
It was to refine the properties of ice freezing.
Like the moment she had borrowed power from Yuda before, she was attempting to fuse winter and shadow.
Of course, 'property change' wasn't easy as it was a process of raising a magician's class.
But the villainess just steadily added effort and time.
Her characteristic tenacity shone.
-This place is really endlessly wide.
-It might be dangerous but... it's my only disciple's request.
-I should ask to be held all day when I return.
Selena explored the labyrinth under the academy.
It was to fulfill her disciple's request.
A scale so vast it couldn't even be estimated. It was also used as the heretics' entry route in the last attack.
As such, the faculty side also considered grasping the labyrinth essential.
But it was difficult to break through as it was a building constructed in ancient times.
Though several professors were joining forces, no particular results were coming out.
Some were even voicing concerns about safety.
-We must think of the students' safety.
-A situation where uncertain dangers still remain.
-Shouldn't we close the academy temporarily? At least until we decipher the labyrinth.
-Unsettling forces may be targeting the academy even at this moment.
The structure of the labyrinth is not even half grasped.
This was an extremely reasonable point.
But realistic problems blocked rushing to decide closure.
Adult circumstances, you could say.
-Closure is too extreme a solution.
-We must consider the losses that will occur afterwards.
Profit and loss calculated automatically.
Of course, such trivial problems were only secondary.
If there was a true problem...
-Our decision isn't limited to profit and loss.
-The Great War that continued until just 6 years ago... After victory over the cruel heretic groups, the academy became a symbol of peace along with the cathedral.
-What if one of such renowned symbols shows a hesitant appearance?
-It would only be acknowledging the heretics' influence.
-This is a matter that could bring anxiety to the whole continent!
The faculty members split into two sides and argued opinions.
It is difficult to choose either one.
Conflict becomes clearer the more unclear right and wrong are.
The chaotic atmosphere wasn't readily corrected.
-That logic is just an exaggeration!
-Shouldn't we prioritize the students' definite safety?
-If we just cover it up and things get bigger, then it will really be irreversible!
-We must fulfill our duty as educators!
-We can't just unfold idealism!
-Though we clearly bear the title of educators, on one hand we are those who protect the empire.
-The heretics' influence can't compare to 6 years ago.
-The academy's security has already become strict. They have no room to break through this!
-If we back down in this situation, it will only widen the heretics' influence.
-Have you all forgotten the fact that the source of evil power is 'fear'?
-We might cause waves if we're not careful!
Voices jumbled messily.
But, the matter of closure measures was ultimately scrapped.
It was because the dean didn't give direct permission.
The old man kept silent this time too.
Though Selena was pushed around among the faculty members, she steadily sent letters and materials to her disciple.
So he could grasp the overall situation even while away from the academy.
Like that, everyone did their best in their own positions.
"Haa, haa..."
Meanwhile,
Irene was staying at Astro's headquarters, not the academy.
It was to seek the Sword Star for teachings.
The fox raised her sword tip along with rough breathing.
Swish-!
Without even time to finish exhaling, a silver trajectory fell above her head.
The girl defended by raising her sword plane diagonally.
Two blades collided.
An intense iron bursting sound exploded.
Clang-!
"Kuh...!"
A simple strike.
Nevertheless, the fox's posture crumbled.
Right after her precarious center of gravity broke.
The girl tried to catch her axis belatedly, but the opponent didn't miss the momentary opening.
The shining straight line touched her cheek as if drawn at some point.
The cool temperature of iron cooled her sweat.
"...I lost."
Clatter-.
Irene finally dropped her sword.
It was a simple sign of surrender.
Following such a signal, the opponent also withdrew his blade.
Only then did the girl slump to the floor.
Afterwards she caught her lacking breath.
"Ha... it's damn hard."
"Uwahaha! But you endured quite well this time!"
Laughter bursting openly.
What was holding a sword before the fox was a middle-aged man with fluttering red hair.
He showed no signs of fatigue despite exchanging swords for a full 6 hours.
Irene furrowed her brow as if shuddering.
"It's annoying how fine you look."
"Blame your own weakness."
Red Sword Star, Kyle Stroban.
A figure said to have shone brightest among past stars.
The man was smiling as if at ease.
"When do you intend to catch up at this rate?"
"I'll win whether I'm moderately strong or not."
"Isn't this infinitely declined compared to my prime?"
"That's really motivating."
"Do you feel self-loathing for being trampled by a retired chef?"
"You don't have to point it out specifically..."
The girl grumbled quietly.
The two who finished sparring started tidying up the space.
Shattered sword blades were rolling on the floor.
It was a trace of fiercely continued training.
Irene threw a question along with a faint sigh.
"How was today's sparring?"
"Splendid! Your growth rate is getting steeper by the day. Now you'd be evenly matched with my sixteen-year-old self."
"Aren't you praising too much? You said I was about thirteen just a few months ago."
"Didn't I say! It's truly an unbelievable growth rate! Perhaps you might be the most outstanding raw gem I've seen in my life."
"...While not even being able to beat a retired chef."
"There's no help for that! It's because I'm strong!"
"There's no real monster but you."
"Uwahaha!"
The characteristically loud laughter deafened ears.
The fox frowned.
"Just how strong are you?"
"Hmm... based on my prime, I'd be in the top three at least."
"In the empire?"
"Not at all."
"On the continent?"
"Not at all."
"Then where are you in the top three?"
"You should look at the world more broadly."
Woong-!
A faint tremor flowed along Kyle's sword body.
A figure with light shimmering in response.
Following that, starlight spreading ecstatically brightened the dark space blue.
Embroidery connected by dots and dots twinkled between the night sky.
It was none other than constellations.
Only then did the man answer.
"In history."
"......"
A short yet heavy resonance.
It was a declaration that could be dismissed as arrogant, but the sight before her eyes added persuasiveness.
Because it was a beauty never encountered in any sword.
Irene involuntarily sighed.
"Haa... I don't know if I can really catch up to you."
"Not even close yet! Though my skills have declined a lot, I won't be broken by a sprout!"
"Yeah yeah, you're great."
"But."
Thump-.
The man lightly hit the fox's shoulder.
A smile hung on his lips.
"You'll surely catch up."
"......"
"You might even surpass my prime."
"That's absolutely unbelievable."
"If you can't believe in yourself, try believing in the Leader's eye."
"That person...?"
"He was certain you would surpass me."
"Well... that story might motivate me."
Yuda.
As talk of him came up, the atmosphere softened instantly.
The girl gently lowered her sharp gaze.
There was even a slight flush fluttering on her cheeks.
Kyle smiled as if interested.
"Mm! The Leader must be happy."
"Why suddenly?"
"Aren't there single-hearted girls spread around him! Just our vice leader too!"
"More needless words..."
Though answering as if annoyed, the girl didn't actually deny it.
Irene who finished tidying up got up brushing herself off.
She was thinking of leaving soon.
Because today was the day Yuda returned.
The date to return to the academy had come.
"I should go soon."
"I already asked Lena. If you go by portal, the timing will match."
"Tell everyone thanks. Please take good care of my siblings too."
"Don't worry. This chef will protect the young foxes."
"That's reassuring."
Exchanging greetings casually.
Like that, when the girl was about to step outside the training room.
Kyle conveyed final words to her back.
Unlike the cheerful atmosphere until now, it was a somewhat sunken, serious voice.
The star that had set before opened its mouth.
"There's a part I'll warn about lastly."
"...?"
"You're facing transcendence. You'll reach the star within 3 years if slow, 1 year if fast."
"It doesn't particularly sound like a warning. Rather it's a useful evaluation."
"The key is from here."
The star met the fox's eyes.
His characteristic red eyes shone but were sunk sadly.
As if worrying about some future.
"Do you know when a sword becomes most precarious?"
"The point before reaching the star realm. It's a famous story."
"Yes... Because it's a time when mana's wall crumbles and new concepts are established. Many swordsmen met miserable ends hitting the wall. Unable to reach the transcendent realm, rather eaten by starlight."
"...What do you want to say?"
The girl's appearance was tense.
The man's expression was serious to the point of feeling strange.
"Never go against the flow."
"......"
"The natural order is an absolute law. If you try to go against stars with mere mortal power, you'll surely pay a price worse than death."
"What exactly is that?"
"Since I haven't experienced it either, I don't know the exact details."
"It seems not just one or two people were eaten in that process."
"Countless many."
Do not go against stars.
This was advice left as colleagues before master and disciple.
Because Kyle didn't want anything that would make the master sad.
Irene promised while making an uneasy expression.
That she wouldn't act recklessly regarding stars at least.
"Then I'm relieved."
"Yeah... if we're done, I'll be going now."
"Mm! Give my regards to the Leader!"
Afterwards.
The girl moved her steps towards the academy.
***
Irene was in a good mood.
The boy she hadn't met for nearly two weeks.
It was finally the day to reunite with him.
Even while arriving at the academy and heading to the dormitory that was their residence, the fox kept smiling.
Even she who was prickly to others was just fresh before someone.
The girl walked the corridor while holding even a faint smile.
Meanwhile her heart fluttered noisily.
Thump thump-.
'I want to meet quickly.'
What kind of conversation would they have when meeting?
First I should act spoiled.
Since it was no different from being neglected so far, she intended to ask him to go along with her stubbornness.
If it's him, he would surely listen while smiling as if troubled.
Because you were such a soft person.
'First.'
I should lie on the bed.
Lying embraced in his arms, I should melt into his wide body heat.
I will feel his existence while inhaling his dizzying scent.
I'll interlock fingers as if never letting go again.
After fully feeling the fact we're together like that, afterwards I should offer from ears to tail step by step.
I intended to whisper to stroke every part without missing any.
So that I'm disheveled by rough touches, so that my neat breathing becomes pitiful.
I'll attach my body as close as possible.
'If you want...'
She hoped he would be even a little conscious of her.
Wrapping his arm with voluptuous breasts, placing a fluffy tail on his thigh, she hoped he would make a troubled expression.
She wanted to seep through the broken gap like that and become the boy's everything.
Of course it was just a childish fantasy.
If it's the him she knew, he would just laugh it off leisurely.
But even moments of chewing over such imaginations had become precious daily life for the fox.
The path to meet the boy shone.
As if colorful flowers were rustling.
'It's nice.'
Spring flowing coolly.
A feeling like assimilating with that season.
But
"......"
It didn't take long for that feeling to break.
For some reason, the fox's gaze meeting the boy was chilly.
Her pupils were already dead black.
"Who is it? That."
Irene asked.
The mark remained on the boy's neck.
One flower blooming reddish.
It was revealing blatant lewdness like some passage encountered in a book.
It surely looked like a trace originating from physical relations.
And
"Oh my."
Uninvited guests were clinging to his arms.
Two people with red hair and platinum blonde hair respectively.
The imperial princesses were each in close contact with the boy.
They briefly met gazes, then greeted with smiles afterwards.
The younger sister's gaze was sinister.
As if mocking the late-coming fox.
"This person is going to be the imperial son-in-law. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him too casually."
"Yeah. He agreed to marry us. Because His Majesty ordered."
The imperial princess sisters.
These vulgar bitches seemed to have gone crazy in pairs.