The Academy’s Doomed Young Lord Dies Ten Thousand Times

Chapter 46 - How to Deny Predestined Harmony (1)

The late-night training group I formed with Khan, Yuna, and Serene was quite beneficial.

Well, training itself is inherently beneficial, but… it felt more effective than other training sessions.

Considering the members of this group, it might be a given.

They were all ambitious and persistent, the so-called protagonists of the story.

‘Seeing how hard the others are working, I wonder if we’ve had a positive influence on each other.’

Originally, I created this group for the 『Prelude to Ruin』 story.

The intention was to secure a justification for bringing them to the scene when the incident occurred… but I even started to think it would be fine to continue it beyond that.

And that sentiment continued until today, exactly two weeks after the late-night training session was created, the day the 『Prelude to Ruin』 story began.

“Hmph-!”

During the spar, Yuna took the offensive against a retreating Serene. She was pressing her with a training sword as soon as the spar began.

Clang-!

Of course, Serene blocked it lightly with her spear.

‘A good choice. She must have learned from a week of sparring that dragging it out is pointless.’

It went without saying, but the difference in skill between Serene and Yuna was overwhelming.

Although Yuna’s growth had been accelerated, at this point, she was the weakest among the playable characters.

Because of this, the most important thing for Yuna was to take the initiative.

I wasn't sure if Yuna was consciously thinking about this, but it was a good thing that she had at least learned it instinctively.

“She won’t even budge……!!”

“Ahaha…….”

……Though I did wonder about her making such groaning noises during a spar.

At that reaction, Serene also showed an awkward smile.

“Mr. Rain.”

As I was watching the spar, I heard a man’s voice from the side.

And when I turned my head in that direction, the face of Khan, a handsome man with an impressive large scar on his face, came into view.

I had an idea of what he wanted.

“I request a match.”

“Today as well?”

Since we started training together. No, even if that wasn't the case, Khan had consistently requested a spar with me since the beginning of the semester.

What was it he said? Something about his combat style being the complete opposite of mine, so there was something to learn… he said something like that.

As I usually did, I picked up a training sword and stepped onto the training ground.

Then Khan also followed, holding a training axe with a blunted edge.

“Will you be alright without your bow?”

I asked, seeing only the axe in Khan’s hand.

In , Khan’s main weapon was the bow, and the guy I had seen so far was the same.

“I will only use the axe today. Close-quarters combat proficiency is also important.”

“I see.”

After that short exchange, the spar began immediately. He wasn't a talkative person by nature, and for some reason, I also became less talkative after becoming Rain Enlight.

Anyway, the spar began like that.

Clang-!

‘I feel this every day, but… does this guy know how to hold back……!’

As usual, Khan came at me with his full strength, even though it was a spar.

Although hand-to-hand combat wasn't his specialty, he had high physical abilities, so Khan had the overall initiative in the fight.

As I recalled, Khan’s strength, agility, and stamina were all around B at this point, whereas mine were D, C+, and D…….

But.

Clang-!

If Khan was the type to compete with his unique, unpredictable wildness and physical ability, I was the type who focused on technique.

Kagagagak-.

I was somehow deflecting his attacks as much as possible, looking for an opportunity, and so we were in the middle of a decent exchange.

‘It feels strange to be trading blows so evenly with a main character from .’

Compared to when I first dropped into the Enlight duchy, it was truly a remarkable improvement.

Of course, if he were to use his specialties, archery and spirit arts, it wouldn't even be a fight…….

‘Well, it's not like I've shown my full power either.’

And around the time such an exchange was continuing.

“Trading blows is good, but skills truly improve at the decisive moment, wouldn’t you say?”

Khan said, momentarily creating some distance from me.

“I agree.”

I replied. That probably meant… he was coming in with one big move to end the spar.

Most of the spars I had with Khan so far had followed this pattern, so I was almost certain.

I raised my sword and corrected my stance. Khan would probably try to crush my technique by taking advantage of his superior physical ability, so if I could parry that, it would be my victory.

My eyes met Khan’s. They were wild eyes that seemed as if they would devour their opponent.

It probably wasn't intentional, but if I wasn't used to it, my tempo would have been stolen.

A brief silence flowed. And, at the moment we were about to leap and clash simultaneously-.

“……!”

I momentarily stopped my leap, halted in place, and turned my head in another direction.

“……Mr. Rain?”

Khan’s bewilderment was palpable. This had never happened before, so it was a natural reaction.

But, I had a good reason for it.

Because I had instinctively felt that the first event, 『Prelude to Ruin』, had begun.

***

Hearing the story overview of 『Prelude to Ruin』, one might feel a certain way.

‘No, they call it the best academy on the continent, but they allow intruders that easily? And they didn't even notice them coming in?’

Well, of course, the existence of intruders was undeniably the academy’s fault, but… there was a part that was unfair from the academy's perspective.

‘There was no problem with the academy’s security system at all.’

Not with the academy’s magitech sensors that detect physical access, nor with the artifacts that detect the use of mana within the academy, nor with the mana detection abilities of each faculty member.

Then why did Archenia Academy allow the intruders to enter, and why did they not notice it?

The answer was simple.

Because the enemy had invaded using a magic that is normally undetectable—one of the Origin Magics, 『Teleport - Origin』.

had such a setting.

The use of Origin Magic can only be detected by other Origin Magic users.

Detecting mana is said to be like sensing with sensory organs, especially tasting with the mouth.

‘Does the mana one possesses itself act as a sensory organ?’

Except for Origin Magic, general magics may have different methods of use, but the mana itself used is the same.

Because of this, no matter what magic is used, since it is used with the same mana—the same organ—mana perception itself is possible.

Like various branches extending, but the root is the same.

However, in the case of Origin Magic, the mana used itself is different from general magic, so people who do not have the mana of Origin Magic cannot perceive it.

Like not having a mouth to taste, or ears to hear.

“……Mr. Rain?”

“……Someone has used a rather large-scale Origin Magic on campus.”

I replied to Khan, who had raised a question.

The use of Origin Magic can only be noticed by other Origin Magic users.

And now. I could feel that someone had used Origin Magic on campus. And on a very considerable scale.

That was, as I had mentioned before, the signal flare announcing the start of the main story, 『Prelude to Ruin』.

Immediately after, I called over Yuna and Serene who were training and explained the situation.

As it was a pre-planned situation, I had already told Serene and Yuna about Origin Magic beforehand, so there was no need to explain from the beginning that only users can feel Origin Magic and so on.

“Then, that, was it Arien? According to what you said last time, she's the only one who can use it.”

After hearing my words, Yuna asked back. I knew she would say that.

Since the only known Origin Magic users so far were me and Arien, if it wasn't me, attention would naturally turn to Arien.

“That is highly probable, but… I think I’ll be more at ease if I check the situation. Even if Miss Arien used it, that in itself could be a problem.”

“True.”

I gave a vague answer and hurriedly grabbed the sword I had placed on the chair I was sitting on.

From now on, I couldn't afford a single moment of leisure.

“Let's end the practice here. It seems I have to go and check.”

And at my words…….

“Just a moment, Mr. Rain. I don't think there can be intruders on campus, but… if it’s true, it could be dangerous. Let's go together.”

“Well. Honestly, I think it’s just needless worry too, but if we’re going, let’s go together! We can just think of it as a walk.”

Serene first suggested accompanying me, and Yuna chimed in.

“It’s a pity the spar ended on an unsatisfactory note, but… then I shall go as well.”

And finally, Khan agreed too.

The first button was fastened very well.

‘It would be nice if Arien joined too.’

Arien must have also felt the Origin Magic that was just cast, and I wondered if she would come.

In the original , Arien’s path to participating in 『Prelude to Ruin』 was also in that direction. She feels a sudden interest in the abruptly cast Origin Magic and approaches Ailton Hall.

‘Well, the chances are fifty-fifty.’

That also means that in other characters’ routes, she felt the cast Origin Magic but did not join. So I couldn't be certain she would come.

But it wasn't a big problem even if she didn't come. The current forces were more than enough if it came down to it…….

“Let’s go.”

Anyway, I left the training ground with the group and headed for Ailton Hall.

***

Elwin Van Cardenas getting caught up in this commotion was purely a coincidence.

The reason he had come to Ailton Hall at this late hour was because he had left something behind during the 'Understanding of Basic Magic' class in the afternoon.

‘To think I would leave my sword behind.’

The Cardenas family, one of the Three Founding Families, known as the family of the sword.

For its heir to leave his sword behind after attending a magic lecture. If his father heard, he would have been furious.

Elwin didn't know, but considering it was a holy sword entrusted to him in advance after recognizing his talent, his father would have jumped out of his skin.

Elwin was about to leave Ailton Hall, thankful that this fact hadn't been relayed to anyone.

After offering a word of thanks to the guard who was working hard until late… he was about to.

But the guard, who had been on duty perfectly fine when he entered Ailton Hall, had a completely different appearance by the time Elwin was about to leave.

“……!”

To be precise, he had turned into a corpse, pouring blood from his chest, kneeling with his head cut off.

The body was in the middle of the lobby of Ailton Hall's south gate. The placement was so malicious and deliberate it seemed as if someone had put the body on display.

Instead of approaching to examine the body’s condition, Elwin instinctively drew his sword.

He couldn't understand the reason himself. It was just an impulse from his intuition that it would be better not to approach that body.

“Good instincts.”

The voice that came in that situation was that of a middle-aged man.

‘Killing intent……!’

And with the killing intent he felt along with it, Elwin reflexively drew his sword and responded.

Clang-!

Elwin’s sword and a suddenly flying sword—an old executioner’s sword with a squared-off tip—clashed.

A hair’s breadth. Elwin could feel that if he had been even a little late, his own head would not have been on his shoulders.

“Hoo……”

In contrast to Elwin, who was breathing heavily, the disheveled middle-aged man before him had a completely relaxed expression.

“This is surprising. I swung with the clear intention to kill… but to think a mere cadet brat would block it.”

Clang-!

Despite the remark that clearly showed interest, the man did not hold back in his subsequent attack.

The killing intent to take a life was clearly revealed in his sword strike.

But.

Clang-!

Elwin’s sword flashed, and the sword drawn from its sheath headed for the middle-aged man’s shoulder.

The middle-aged man, as if repeating the previous situation in reverse, blocked it by a hair’s breadth.

“Calling me a cadet brat is quite insulting……!”

Who was Elwin Van Cardenas? A genius called the incarnation of the First Sword Saint, a great contributor to the birth of the empire.

It was a killing intent that could make one flinch, but he was not overwhelmed by the momentum and crushed.

“……Hoh.”

However, it was certain that the opponent was not easy either. Even against Elwin’s sharp sword strike, his reaction remained at the stage of interest.

And after that probing exchange, a fierce battle ensued.

This was the opening of ’s first event, 『Prelude to Ruin』.