1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

82. Oh, Limberton (3)

Sila set her foot down and turned her head.

‘Hussel…?’

His gaze was sharp enough to make flesh tremble.

Moreover, the fact that he was the one who had taken down Emeric, a candidate for the Ten, made her foot freeze mid-air.

Yet, Sila did not lose her composure; she grinned slyly.

“It’s a personal matter. Why don’t you just go away?”

“Did you just tell me to go away?”

Sila scoffed.

“So what? Are you thinking of hitting a woman?”

Hussel let out a faint sigh and replied calmly.

“Do you think I’m the type to go easy just because you’re a woman?”

…Thinking back, that was indeed true.

But Sila had her own convictions.

“If you’re going to touch me, then go ahead. The Ten have been keeping a close eye on you; do you think you can handle it?”

Emeric might be a different story, tucked away in the Burger coffin, but if he so much as laid a finger on a single student from Adel, the Ten would not stand idly by.

Sila felt confident as she observed Hussel, who remained utterly still.

After all, facing ten would surely be overwhelming.

“Then I’ll take it that you have no objections. This arm is mine now.”

Just as she was about to stomp down on Limberton’s arm again, a static charge prickled against her skin.

Crackle—

“Ouch, that stings!”

—

“Are you really so foolish as to believe in mere ten points?”

As I turned my head, Shila’s eyes widened in surprise.

A mist, tinged with a blue hue, swirled languidly around the figure.

‘Oh, aura? To emit such a quantity of aura?’

Strangely, I felt no energy.

Perhaps it was the sharp signal of static electricity that caused this sensation.

For a moment, I doubted it was magic, yet the figure held no staff.

“What a ridiculous delusion.”

Moreover, there were no signs of incantations drawn with fingers.

“The burden to bear is not mine, but that of the ten points. The moment you break Limberton’s arm, take it as a challenge.”

This statement, of course, could only lead to one conclusion······.

‘They say that when aura manipulation reaches its limit, it can cause natural phenomena. Could it be that this fellow…?’

The tingling static was the evidence.

A question slipped from Shila’s lips without her realizing it.

“…You. Why did you come to the Academy?”

Someone who had reached this level would hardly need to learn anything.

If they proved their abilities, they could sit in a position of unparalleled power, be it as the commander of the Empire’s knights or something else entirely.

Perhaps like the father of this being, who was said to be untouchable even by the imperial family······.

“Why should I answer that?”

Hershel approached, his eyes glowing a fierce blue.

Unconsciously, Shila lowered the leg she had raised and took a step back.

Then, she quickly calculated in her mind.

‘Even if the ten points come at me, they’ll only end up getting hurt······.’

That would only further tarnish Adel’s reputation.

For now, retreat was the only option.

‘There are plenty of ways to crush a chicken pigeon besides this, so it’s fine.’

Shila feigned calmness and clicked her tongue.

“Tch, fine. I won’t take the fool’s arm. Is that good enough?”

But then, Hershel glanced at the fallen Limberton and unleashed a menacing voice that radiated intimidation.

“Good enough? Are you trying to play games with me right now?”

Silah’s eyes met his, and without realizing it, she stammered.

“W-what? Just fainting, and you’re acting like this? I just gave a light tap!”

“Is that so? By your standards, fainting is a light touch, huh? Fine. I’ll go easy on you too.”

Hershel declared confidently, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

“Come on. I’ll make you faint.”

The aura around them thickened.

Silah narrowed her eyes at Hershel’s antics and asked, “What are you trying to do?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to use my legs. Just a single strike to take you down.”

To take her down without using hands or feet?

How that was even possible, she couldn’t fathom, but it seemed he was underestimating her far too much.

Still, an uneasy feeling crept over her, and Silah turned sharply away.

‘Just as Leana said, he must really have lost his mind.’

The fact that this fool, who was said to be the idol of ruffians, was flirting with Limberton was already abnormal.

Seeing it with her own eyes only made it all the more believable.

Silah didn’t even want to exchange words anymore and moved to leave.

However, his voice from behind made her blood boil.

“Just as I thought, with a height like a chestnut, your guts are small too.”

Silah halted in her tracks, glaring at Hershel with icy disdain.

“…What did you just say?”

He had touched on her complex.

The words she had loathed so much that she would have gladly punched the senior who teased her about her height on the first day of school…

‘If it weren’t for Berndal’s mediation, I would have killed him.’

Whether he knew that or not, that damned mouth of his showed no signs of stopping.

“I said you’re as small as a chestnut. Want me to elaborate? You’re small in every way. Even as the eldest daughter, you can’t outshine your younger sibling.”

Silah’s eyes widened before narrowing again.

“Not only did you touch on my height…”

“Everyone knows deep down, right? The eldest daughter of the renowned swordsman family, the Lionheart, was overshadowed by her younger sibling and ended up enrolling in Frost Heart. Oh, and I hear your sister is set to enroll in a prestigious academy?”

“You’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have.”

He had crossed the line twice now.

Sila took a deep breath, adopting a stance of charge.

Tatataht!

In an instant, she arrived before Hessel.

With a leap, Sila spun halfway around, delivering a high kick.

Her target was Hessel’s neck.

“Die already!!”

The opponent was unguarded.

No matter how different their mastery of aura was, a vulnerable neck could snap in an instant.

Yet, Sila tasted a dull sensation from her shin.

“Eh?”

At the same moment, a shadow fell over her face.

Hessel had bowed his head and delivered a headbutt.

Thwack!

As his blonde skull met her forehead, her mind began to blur.

Sila rolled her eyes back, barely managing to regain her balance and plant her feet on the ground.

But gradually, she started to stagger, then collapsed flat.

Thud.

Hessel pulled out an ink bottle and, with a finger dipped deep, began to smear it across Sila’s face.

* * *

Hundreds of gold could freely change shape and contain spells.

Thus, it was transformed into vapor, casting elemental electric magic.

Though in gaseous form, it was metal, allowing the current to flow well.

On top of that, with a blue light magic of manifestation, it convincingly mimicked the visible aura smoke that Aol had wielded.

…Originally, the plan was merely to scare and be done with it.

“Limberton, get a grip.”

In a month, she intended to break Limberton during the practical training in the magic realm.

Therefore, it was necessary to firmly discipline him so he wouldn’t dare to show his face.

In truth, it would have been impossible under normal circumstances, but understanding Sila’s unique traits made it not so difficult.

◇Fierce Charge◇

: Speed increases by 1.5 times during a straight rush.

Sila had a pattern: when angered, she charged straight ahead.

◇A Strike of Fury◇

: When executing a large motion attack, the power doubles.

It was clear that, weaponless as she was, Sila would unleash a sweeping kick with all her might.

And with her short limbs, it was evident that only a long-reaching kick would suffice.

Thus, she prepared for a headbutt.

“Rise, Limberton.”

*Smack!*

As I struck his cheek, Limberton jolted back to life.

“Ugh… H-Hershel?”

“Are you alright?”

“Ow. My solar plexus aches, and one eye is throbbing. My jaw hurts a bit too.”

“That’s a relief, at least.”

“And my cheek stings?”

“Looks like that woman gave you a slap as well.”

I pointed at the grotesquely toppled Sila.

Limberton gasped in shock, “What… what did you do?”

“I avenged you, let’s say.”

“Well, I appreciate that, but what’s with the scribbles on her face?”

Sila’s eyelids and nostrils were smeared black with ink.

“She’s a panda.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My favorite animal.”

I helped Limberton to his feet and began to walk.

Yet he stood rooted in place, gazing down at Sila.

“What are you waiting for?”

“It’s cold on the ground; you’re just leaving her like this?”

“If you want to take care of her, you do it yourself.”

Limberton hoisted Sila onto his back.

It appeared overwhelmingly burdensome, yet it offered no aid.

“Ugh, so, heavy.”

In their own way, they must have thought this was a means to overcome their trauma.

They likely wished to claim they were better than the perpetrator, than me.

It certainly seemed like they were undergoing some inner growth, but I longed for the day when their blessing, ‘The Favor of the Wind Hermit,’ would shed its veil and reveal its true name.

“But Limberton.”

“What?”

“Are you studying properly?”

“Uh?”

“There’s a written exam before the practical on the magic circle. If you want to escape the Shulafe Academy, you need to score well.”

Limberton averted his gaze.

“…You, have you not studied at all until now?”

“I-I was just about to start.”

“With your head, just about to? Lucky you.”

Growth, my foot.

This fool still has a long way to go.

“From today, we’re forming a study group. You must attend.”

* * *

Bellen is an old man who soothes his loneliness with drink.

The silence of the empty room, littered only with bottles, was the price he paid for living a life drawn by emotions in his youth.

Despite the pleas of those around him, the marriage he chose, forsaking the family’s prestige, was a testament to his stubbornness. The grievous wounds he suffered in battle, rendering him unable to bear children, were the sacrifices he accepted when he became a knight in a woman’s body.

Yet, accepting it day by day felt like hell itself.

He had wandered the world seeking a cure for his ailing husband, but when he returned, the man was already dead.

The attendants who had served him fled with the family’s wealth, leaving him bereft of even a home.

He wished to drink the poison of alcohol, hoping to forget the pain, if only for a moment.

Thus, today too, he perched on the edge of his bed, tilting the bottle.

“Hmm.”

But since coming here, the taste of the drink had been particularly foul.

He never dreamed he would see that child’s face in this place.

In the dead of night, drawn by a faint tremor in a shadowy alley, he had subdued two men and opened a suspicious box.

—

A child with red hair, bound within, wept silently.

Bellen found himself smiling softly, memories of that day surfacing unbidden.

“How beautifully you have grown, Leana.”

Yet, as he gazed around the room, cluttered with disheveled bottles, the corners of his mouth fell.

His current state was pitiful enough that he could hardly feign familiarity, claiming he simply did not remember.

But Bellen was acutely aware that there was something he must do for that child.

“To survive, she must not become a knight…”

This was a matter agreed upon with the head of the Derevian family.

* * *

Not long after being cast out from the Tenest Manor.

Bellen had shared a cup of tea with Leana’s father in the Derevian household.

Of course, what Bellen held was a bottle of liquor.

“Your presence will surely bring joy to my daughter.”

“No, it’s quite alright. My appearance is hardly fit for reflection.”

The old man, who had become nothing more than a drunkard, did not wish to disappoint the child.

Yet he had come here for a message that needed to be conveyed.

“More importantly, how has she been lately? Is she still wandering outside?”

“…Yes. Since that day, she has devoted herself to swordsmanship within the manor, wishing to become a knight like you.”

Bellen’s voice rose at the absurdity of it.

“Surely you do not intend to make her a knight?”

“Actually, that was my intention. Is there a problem with that?”

“It is a foolish choice. Did you think becoming a knight would free her from that pig’s grasp?”

His expression turned to one of bewilderment.

“B-but if I can just get her into Frostheart Academy, I believe it will work out somehow.”

Three years would be safe, at least.

But merely three years.

“That is nothing more than a delay. It will only make it easier for him to take her!”

The one who had orchestrated Leana’s abduction was a man of dreadful ambition.

His nature was relentless, and Bellen knew he was still lurking, waiting for an opportunity.

Yet, the reason he could not eliminate him was due to the man’s immense status as the brother of the Empress and one of the pillars of the Empire.

—

If one were to sit in the imperial office, Reyana would be dragged away with but a single command.

“What then shall we do?”

“…I came here for that very matter. In truth, I have a nephew, about the same age as your daughter. I shall send him here. That fool, who has recently begun to feel the stirrings of desire, will surely be captivated by your girl. If that happens, propose an engagement to him.”

The House of Tenest is one that even the Emperor dares not challenge.

If she were to entrust herself to that noble family, Derevian would gain protection, and Reyana’s safety would be assured.

The head of Derevian seemed to grasp the intent, his expression darkening.

“I understand what you are suggesting. However, is that nephew not the same reckless fool of whom the rumors speak? I have my concerns.”

“Of course, the child will be unhappy. He is born with a twisted nature. Yet, I assure you, he is a man of better character than his father. It is far better than being dragged away by a substitute.”

And now.

In the training yard, Bellen drank deeply as he watched Reyana bring ice.

The others would soon give up.

Yet in those eyes of hers, a strange venom and stubbornness radiated, and he knew she would not yield easily.

It was only a matter of time before she stood alone.

Bellen stood before a basin filled with clear water, glaring at Reyana.

“You’ve brought something rather decent. Now, show me your palms.”

Reyana, with a face full of joy, spread her hands wide.

Bellen clicked his tongue.

“Tsk. It’s clear you’ve learned from a cheap swordsmanship manual. Your wrist lacks flexibility. Your senses are also quite dull. You’ve taken the wrong path from the start. You should give it up.”

Bellen gave a light tap to Reyana’s dejected palm, then squinted one eye, testing her.

“However, I hear you are engaged to my nephew? Yet here you are, quite the surprise. Given his nature, he wouldn’t allow a girl to wield a sword.”

“I have nothing to do with Hursel. We’ve acknowledged that we are strangers to one another.”

“What?”

Bellen’s expression turned grave.

This was not a good situation.

“…The lesson ends here.”

The agreement made with the head of the Derevian family had been ruined because of that fool.

‘That damned brat… Is he intent on ruining everything?’

Bellen gritted his teeth and asked the instructor.

“Hursel ben Tenest. Where the hell is that b*stard now?”

It was a moment that shattered his intoxication.