NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34
I enjoyed using an axe in my past life.
Not only did it have a satisfying feel, but it also allowed for a different style of combat compared to swords.
Of course, I’m not talking about big ones like halberds, but the hand axe that Silina uses.
And no, I didn’t wield it in both hands.
Anyway, regardless of what others say, I consider the axe to be a pretty good weapon.
It’s small, light, and easy to handle.
It doesn’t require much technique. Just block, parry, bounce off, and swing away—it’s that simple.
It’s neither as thin as a sword nor as heavy as a great sword.
That means it won’t break easily even if you swing it recklessly, and you can deliver a powerful blow with a hearty swing.
While it doesn’t have the reach of swords or spears, the advantage is that if you get close enough, you can easily land a strong hit.
So I was good with axes; no, I used to be.
I could claim that I had no weapon I couldn’t handle, but with an axe, I could genuinely take pride in my skills.
Because of that, I thought it was a shame to see Silina wasting her talent.
But I only thought that in my head, never saying it out loud.
Yet, I ended up spilling my guts while trying to justify things.
I just can’t fix my habits from my past life, can I?
“What…?”
Yurasia’s jaw dropped.
Gailan’s eyes seemed like they were about to pop out.
Pina was having trouble swallowing her breath.
And then, Silina stepped forward.
“Eliaernes. What did you just say?”
Her words came out as if she was chewing each one.
Her gaze was sharp. Her brows twitched, and her breath was rough. I could hear a crunch from her grip on the scrap metal, and each step she took echoed in the air.
What should I do now?
Honestly, I had plenty of excuses.
If I told the truth, there would be witnesses to back me up.
Yurasia would vouch for me that I was good with various weapons.
She’s the top student and has taken down the most monsters, so her word would carry weight.
But going that route might drag me into unnecessary troubles.
I really don’t want that. The moment I got involved with the royal family, I would undoubtedly be labeled as part of Second Princess Silina’s entourage.
I might unknowingly step into a dirty political game.
Of course, I wouldn’t mind so much if I could express my opinions, but Sara, my mother, and my father have warned me.
They said to stay away from the royal family.
I agree with that.
Keeping the empire’s neutrality is Eustetia’s mission.
Now, the most likely candidate to become the next head of Eustetia, me, is rumored to be supporting the Second Princess?
That would lead to chaos.
To prevent such a situation, I’d have to lend a hand to the First Princess and Second Prince attending another academy.
But if that’s the case, it would just be easier to quit school altogether.
“Answer me.”
Silina stepped closer again.
We were close enough to feel each other’s breath.
The scent of monster blood mixed with Silina’s sweat and a refreshing woody aroma tickled my nose.
Looking into her sharp platinum eyes, it felt like I wouldn’t get away lightly. The corners of her mouth twisted in irritation.
What should I do?
“Eliaernes. From what I hear, you also know how to use an axe. Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t know.
Whatever, let it be.
Since when did I start to overthink and act like this?
And I wouldn’t go that far.
There’s no way I would blurt out that I’m part of Silina’s entourage, just because those two kids taught me some things.
The royal family isn’t that foolish.
“…You say you can use it?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you learn it from a book?”
“I read about it in books and learned at home.”
Her eyes remained fierce, but her pressure seemed to lessen.
“Really?”
Silina, fidgeting with the scrap in her hand, eventually handed it to me.
“Then show me.”
“Here?”
“Right. I just swung this scrap like an axe, so you can definitely do it too. Or can’t you?”
Silina’s eyes narrowed.
“There’s no way you’d say you can’t do it after saying such a thing to me, right?”
I pondered for a moment.
It didn’t take long.
“Sure.”
I grabbed the scrap that was handed to me.
“I don’t need two.”
I shrugged off Yurasia’s worried expression and moved forward.
Right. I said I would do it, so I can’t be embarrassed at the very least.
I should be able to do it, no problem.
I don’t know how long this scrap will hold up, but I just need to take it out in one hit.
Every monster I faced so far could be taken down in one hit. The next one should be the same.
I only need to swing once.
They definitely wouldn’t gauge all my abilities from just that one hit.
Also, being a professor at Karela Academy means they should know I passed the special entrance exam. So, this should be fine.
Just one hit. Let’s finish it in one hit.
—–
That bastard.
Dark Mage. That pathetic piece of shit is definitely watching me.
Not only that, but I’m sure he’s laughing at me from the shadows.
There’s no way this kind of nonsense would happen otherwise.
Even if the monsters never appeared on every floor, not a single one showed up on the sixth.
And on the seventh floor too, where monsters used to show up easily, there wasn’t a single one in sight.
There, right in front of the last classroom.
“…Young Lady, that’s…”
“Uh, we can catch that, right? That?”
Rustle rustle—
We faced an ogre, stained bright red.
And behind it?
[☆★☆★Land of Dreams and Illusions★☆★☆]
[☆★This way out!★☆]
Was I curious about how far I could take this?
Why do they pull these kinds of stunts right when I decide to step forward?
Is it because they didn’t get to see the scene where the basilisk was taken down?
Or were they curious about my strength?
Perhaps they suspect that Stella’s incredible talent was what handled everything alone.
So, they want to embarrass me in front of everyone?
No, it can’t be.
That kind of lowly trick isn’t the sort of illusion I’d expect.
Then why?
Just for kicks?
“Eliaernes. If you’re not confident, it’s okay to just let everyone help you take it out together.”
Silina’s subtle voice scratched at my nerves.
“I’ll help. With a clumsy axe swing.”
Ah, she’s really a vengeful one, isn’t she?
No wait, I… I did say something stupid.
I would’ve gone berserk if I were in her place and heard that.
“How about it? Should I help?”
“No, just give me the leftover one.”
“Here.”
I took the scrap that Silina handed me, looking at the ogre.
It seemed to stand about three meters tall, with a skin-tight red muscle that looked thick even at a glance. From its hide, the thick veins and muscles bulged out.
It had tusks as large as my forearm jutting upward from its jaw, and I could see sharp, saw-like claws peeking from the fists.
But the aura it radiated was weaker than that of the basilisk I faced during the entrance exam.
It was watching us, but it didn’t make the first move.
Is it the type that only reacts when you enter a certain range or make the first strike?
If that’s the case… it’s not too bad.
I leaned the scrap against the wall, lifting the one I had been holding.
I ignited my mana. The mana spreading from my heart enveloped my whole body. Just like cherry blossoms blooming in the still cool early spring, the soft pink mana gathered in my right arm and seeped into the scrap metal.
I swung it.
CRACK!
Half of the corridor wall split open.
The scrap broke apart, of course.
“Whoa!”
Gailan turned pale, and Pina looked like she was about to pass out. Silina stared at me wide-eyed, while Yurasia still wore a worried expression.
I ignored them and contemplated the sensation I just felt.
It lasted less than one second.
In less than a second, the metal shattered.
But it was enough to crack the ogre’s skull.
Instead of blocking, parrying, or bouncing, I need to dodge and slam the ogre’s head directly.
Can I do that?
The ogre isn’t wielding any weapon.
There’s nothing it can throw.
It’s solid ground and there’s a ceiling above. I can step on the ceiling even if I jump.
Sure, the narrow corridor is a bit bothersome.
But I can do it.
“Watch closely.”
I gripped the scrap leaning against the wall and took a step forward. The ogre’s gaze followed me.
As I moved closer, its growl became more feral.
And just when I entered its striking range…
Its calf contracted. Its thigh tightened. Its waist twisted, and muscles in its chest tightened, rising its right shoulder.
[RRRRRRAAAAAAAA—!!]
Its bulk made its movements clear.
The first strike came from above, coming down to crush me.
I lightly shifted to the side and dodged.
THUD!
I counted internally and jumped upwards. Its heavy hand swung beneath me.
CRUNCH!—the massive muscle twisted, signaling that it was about to swing harder.
I extended my leg, landing lightly on its arm, and jumped higher.
WHOOSH—the razor-sharp claws rushed past my face as I swerved.
I caught the claw and twisted my direction. My feet pressed against the ceiling and floor.
I concentrated my mana into my legs.
CRACK! My strengthened foot dug into the tile. The ogre’s other hand came at me.
The solid foot I had planted pulled away.
Its two hands could easily crush my body like a toy.
But my gaze wasn’t on those.
It was on the ogre’s empty head.
“Ha!”
I inhaled and threw my body. —BANG! The tiles shattered as I propelled off. Amidst the chaos, the ogre’s massive fist lunged at me.
I twisted my waist and extended my legs. My feet connected with the ogre’s unsteady punch. With an instant bend, I absorbed the impact and jumped again.
With that rebound, THUD! the ogre’s fist was forced backwards. I shot forward.
The cherry blossom-colored mana, mixed with dust, wrapped around my body. Floating like cherry blossoms, I finally landed on the ogre’s shoulder.
Now, I just need to poke its eyes out and shove my fingers into its ears to knock it down.
Even though I didn’t coat my fist with mana directly, the scrap was in poor condition from indirect exposure.
At this rate, I wouldn’t last even 0.5 seconds.
I needed to end this quickly.
Grinding my teeth, I grasped several strands of its hair. Its left hand reached to throw me off, while its right hand reached to crush me.
Time was on my side.
I concentrated the wrapped mana into my right arm. I raised my arm. I firmly gripped the scrap.
And then swung.
I ignored the hands reaching for me.
All I saw was the scrap swinging to break the ogre’s head.
Just before it connected with its head,
I transferred all my mana into the scrap.
WHOOSH—a fresh flow of mana enveloped the scrap.
And the moment it touched the ogre’s head,
PUFF—it vanished.
Shit!
No, it’s okay. It’s okay. With that kind of speed…
It won’t notice.
I extended my arm. Pushed my shoulder. Took a large step. Twisting my waist,
I propelled my back leg forward. At the same time, I clenched my fist.
THUD!
My knee smashed into its cervical vertebra.
My fist caved its skull in.
The trembling ogre’s body crumbled.
I jumped down lightly, landing gracefully.
Everyone was looking at me.
Yurasia… already caught on.
Gailan wore the same expression as before, and Pina seemed unconscious.
And Silina’s eyes were wide with astonishment.
Did she realize? No way to tell.
Let’s act brazenly.
“Did you see?”
Silina’s lips trembled.
“Did you just take that down in one blow… Wait, but Eliaernes. You just… killed it with your fist—”
“What?”
“You hit it with your fist, didn’t you?”
“Not at all.”
“Stop lying. I saw you hit it with your fist. Not to mention, you crushed the ogre’s spine with your knee. It’s impressive, but is that what you call axe swinging?”
“I told you, it’s not! Got any proof?”
“Proof? The marks on its head…”
Silina’s gaze flew to the ogre’s head.
And her head tilted.
“Isn’t that a fist mark? No way. I saw you use your fist and knee. When your arm swung, your knee crushed its cervical vertebra… wait. I need to check.”
This is why I hate sharp-minded kids.
As Silina started walking, I swiftly raised my foot and brought it down onto the ogre’s head.
CRACK— CRACK— CRACK—
Smashing its skull and severing its neck, I returned to my brazen expression and looked at Silina.
“Sorry. I was feeling sick watching, okay? I grew up delicate, so I can’t handle heavy things. So, got any proof?”
Silina stopped pressing for answers.
Instead, she said something else.
“You crazy woman.”
That was her last word.
And the world turned upside down once more.