1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

72. The Sorcery of Sadomasochism (4)

In the slums, one cannot distinguish between a person and the rats scurrying across the ground.

On fog-laden days, the smoke thickens as they puff on cigarettes, drinking more liquor than water, and covering the last remnants of humanity with rotting cloth over the corpses lining the streets—save for that, their lives mirrored those of the rats.

When crumbs fell, they snatched them up quickly, and when another rat approached, they would scratch and bite until the intruder retreated.

To be looked down upon meant starvation, while excessive bravado led to death—a daily existence where it was hard to tell if it was the life of a rat or a human.

From such a life, Henderson had risen to become a high-ranking officer known as the “Sentinel of the Shadows,” the pinnacle of the slums.

Yet here he was, caught in a heart-pounding situation over a mere jest.

‘What is this brat up to?’

To reach the position of a slum magnate, one must endure countless trials and tribulations.

He had encountered all sorts of people, and in turn, his ability to gauge the hearts of men had sharpened.

Yet, the glint in that brat’s eyes appeared endlessly serene.

‘This arrogant little wretch… Does he think I’ll be fooled?’

He had seen countless fools rush in, intent on killing him with their lives on the line.

Some had truly perished in their attempts, yet they all displayed a moment’s hesitation.

No matter how resolute one might be, the human body instinctively recoils from death, and a flicker of doubt is something one cannot easily shake off.

Henderson glanced at the chains binding his wrist and let out a scoff.

“Is this my appearance that makes me seem weak? Do you think I would be frightened by some mere novice?”

He feigned confidence, yet Hessel continued to draw the incantations at a steady pace.

Even as it opened the gateway to self-destruction, the hand gripping the staff remained unnervingly calm.

Henderson maintained his poker face, struggling to shake off the unease.

‘…This must be bravado.’

Still, as the incantation gradually neared completion, the worst-case scenario of ‘what if’ unfurled in his mind.

Explosive death.

If he were to create a chain reaction by turning magic and mana into opposing forces, even a small amount would be perilous.

Even if the professor claimed it was no issue, with the aura barely trickling out due to the constraints of the cursed armor, if it detonated here, flesh would surely be torn asunder.

‘It’s… almost complete.’

He swallowed hard, unable to suppress the rising anxiety that pooled in his mouth.

Hershel approached with a calm face, tracing runes upon his staff.

“Perhaps it’s my first time, but it seems to take a while.”

“You fool, do you think I’ll just stand by and let you do this?”

Such cheap theatrics.

“We’ll find out if it strikes true, won’t we?”

Huh?

In that moment, Henderson instinctively sensed danger from Hershel’s reply.

It was as if the very notion of this being mere smoke and mirrors was not even considered.

Only a question remained, brimming with uncertainty: would it have any effect at all?

…Surely, he can’t be serious?

The tip of the staff moved toward the apex of the line, finishing its arc.

A sound escaped him before he could stop it.

“Wait, just a moment!!”

As he reached out to intervene, the spell began to tear apart.

Crackle!

Turning his head, he saw the old professor gasping for breath, aiming his staff at Hershel.

“Gah… that was close…”

…Had he been even a second late, death would have claimed him.

“Hershel Ben Tenest… are you truly intent on dying today?”

Despite the professor’s glare, Hershel replied with an unsettling calm.

“I merely wished to try what you taught me.”

Henderson, feeling a chill as he watched Hershel lick his lips in disappointment, realized the truth.

This one is serious.

He truly intended to unleash destruction without a second thought.

“Ha… to think you’d actually go through with it, it’s absurd. Henderson, you too, enough with the games.”

Even under the professor’s reprimand, Henderson stared blankly at Hershel’s face.

On it rested a serene smile, as if he had transcended even death itself.

‘He’s crazier than any lunatic I’ve ever encountered in my life…’

* * *

After all, even if I try, I won’t die, will I?

I transcribed the incantation written on the chalkboard into my notebook.

This would become my ultimate technique, a self-detonation named.

Henderson gasped in horror at the sight.

“Why are you writing that down again? You madman!!”

I replied with a sly grin.

“There must be a use for it.”

Henderson stumbled back, as if he couldn’t believe such a creature existed.

It seemed my enemy’s magic, fueled by mana and sorcery, could inflict considerable pain.

“If I use this on you, it might just deal some significant damage, huh?”

As I gripped my staff once more, Henderson stammered.

“Significant damage? That’s absurd.”

He shook his head, looking at me with a serious gaze.

“No matter how small the mana, like an ant’s antenna, if struck while unprepared, it has the power to kill instantly. You should know you were trying to kill me.”

I had thought the pain would merely feel like being struck with a hammer.

“Well, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t intend for it to go that far.”

Still, it was a regrettable thing to have aimed for an explosion.

But to think it held such power?

This could be more useful than I anticipated.

“Sorry, my ass… Just keep your mouth shut.”

Henderson slumped his shoulders, as if all energy had drained from him.

“Ugh, fine. I’ll humor your insistence this once.”

“No, a promise is a promise. I still haven’t landed a hit on you.”

To learn the desired art of sadomasochism, I needed to land a valid strike on this man.

As a person who values promises, I could not take our agreement lightly.

When I looked at him with a serious expression, Henderson narrowed his eyes.

“…You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Busted.

* * *

Today’s after-school remedial class ended a bit early.

Henderson said he would prepare the curriculum, so I was free to go.

He added that it was more efficient to learn only what suited me rather than the comprehensive rise of magic.

– You have no choice but to focus all your attention on honing a single spell. You must bring your skill to its utmost, so you won’t be outdone by others.

The realm of demonology is so vast that it seems it will take some time; judging by the fact that he said he would call for me through the professor when the time comes, I suppose I’ll have to wait at least a few days.

“For now, it seems I have some free time.”

‘If you have nothing to do, take a good rest. You’ve been accumulating fatigue lately.’

Now that I think about it, this morning feels particularly sluggish.

Each time I rise, I sense a slight exhaustion, so I should pay more attention to my health.

‘Yes, it would be best to wash up and head to bed.’

As I stepped out of the fortress, I realized the air was less biting than usual.

“Phew.”

The breath I exhaled to confirm with my eyes was much lighter than before.

The snowflakes that had been riding the wind were beginning to vanish, and the height of the accumulated snow had significantly lowered.

It was already a few days into April.

Enjoying the faint scent of spring wafting through the air, I walked toward the horizon.

The foundation of the fortress was so elevated that before me lay a steep staircase, and I had to descend to reach both the garden and the walkway, aside from the Schlaphe Hall.

Having spent just over a month here, my legs moved with familiarity.

Soon, practical dungeon training would begin for the first-year students who had not taken the third exam.

Of course, the possibility of casualties was high.

While the professors took care of the students’ lives within the academy, it was a principle to neglect them in the field, especially in magic realms or dungeons.

However, in this narrative, there was Rix, who had started in Schlaphe Hall without taking the third exam.

Having been enrolled for just over a month, he had already made a strong impression on the students of Schlaphe Hall, and with his trait of ‘Gentle Charisma,’ he would wield leadership to create a near-miraculous coalition.

After all, he was academically outstanding, and his group was numerous, having demonstrated their strength through battles with the Madgals, so even the disgruntled lackeys of Lethe initially rebelled but soon yielded to the sheer numbers.

This ultimately led the professors to give Rix a favorable evaluation, seeing his ability to quell even the coin disputes among students, and by the end of the first semester, he would be assigned to Adel Hall.

Indeed, it was no wonder that users had dubbed him ‘Rix of the Legion.’

Next were the folks of Adel Hall.

They had a good synergy with the regular classes, so just attending would naturally power them up, and I had no major worries.

The only exception might be the somewhat peculiar Leana, but soon enough, a fitting mentor would come for her, and in due time, she would grow well on her own.

So, I should focus on my own concerns.

…Is the ‘Demonology’ class starting soon?

There was a notice about practical training in the magic realm a month from now.

As it was one of the subjects for the midterm exams, I had to secure a generous score to be promoted to the Würger Hall.

But that was a matter for later, so I decided to set it aside for now.

“Let’s see. The exam lasts three days, and tomorrow is the weekend, so I’ll have five consecutive days off…”

Thanks to the first-year students of Schlaphe Hall practicing in the dungeons, those who had taken the third exam found themselves with ample time for the foreseeable future.

After-school classes would also take a few days, so I could afford to relax a little.

Clack—

With the feeling of having received a holiday, my steps grew lighter.

As I approached the stairs, my gaze fell downward.

A cascade of dark hair, exuding a subtle red hue, caught my eye.

“…”

Even under the watchful eye of the professor, Luon greeted me with a warm smile.

“The scent of spring flowers has drifted all the way here.”

His tone was endlessly serene.

I concealed my discomfort and replied simply.

“Seems like pollen can still dance in this cold place.”

“Don’t you find yourself hoping that all the snow will melt come summer?”

“Indeed. If the snowy mountains were to be painted with greenery… Well, I hope to see it if I can.”

As we exchanged words in a calm manner, the professor interrupted Luon.

With that, our conversation ceased, and I stared blankly at Luon’s retreating figure.

Though I had recently become entangled in variables due to my own actions, there was no need for concern.

Luon hadn’t taken anything from the Forbidden Library.

Moreover, the means of entry were strictly controlled by the professor’s key or the incantation known only to Pheldira.

There was no way this fellow, who was a stranger to magic, could reach that place.

So ultimately, he was destined to meet his end at the hands of the playable characters.

As a mere background figure, my role was simply to watch that scene unfold from a distance.

I tore my gaze away from Luon and descended the stairs.

Things were bound to get busy soon, so I might as well enjoy this moment of peace.

* * *

“Emmerich…”

“What a pathetic bunch.”