NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59: 59. Role
But he did
"I don't consider any of you enemies," Licht said simply.
" At least not yet."
Licht's voice made her flinch, causing Charlotte to just stare at him, now completely off guard.
"Was that supposed to be reassuring?" asked Charlotte
"No. Just honest," replied Licht
Charlotte heard this and just looked at Licht, stupefied
'God, what's wrong with this guy? she thought. This is why slayers are supposed to kill all corrupted by demons on sight. They're always complicated and conviving.'
"You seriously need to stop thinking about killing me," interrupted Licht
Charlotte's eyes suddenly widened in horror
"What— I wasn't—!"
"Yes you were."
"I didn't even say anything!"
"You didn't have to," said Licht
"You've directed so much bloodlust at me in the past that I've become too familiar with it. Now even a trickle now feels as subtle as a sledgehammer."
Having been completely seen through, Charlotte flushed now a little embarrassed and quickly looked away.
Licht's eyes didn't soften. His tone didn't change. But somehow, the words that followed hit harder.
"If you want to plan on killing me…You should work on hiding it better," he added, tilting his head slightly. " That's unless you're trying to get my attention."
Charlotte blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're always looking at me now, so it's hard to tell if you want to fight me or kiss me."
Her jaw dropped open for half a second.
"Wha—!? I— I do not—!"
"Fight me?" Licht asked, deadpan.
Charlotte sputtered. "That's not what I meant!"
"Then it's the other thing."
"Hey, that's not a funny joke"
"I'm not joking though"
Licht said this and turned away again,
"Pick Tempest Edge," he said over his shoulder. "It fits you. Fast, sharp, and bothersome… just like you."
Charlotte was frozen in place.
What just happened to me? Thought charlotte
She had come here to get advice.
Instead, she got… emotionally suplexed.
'Me? Like him?' Charlotte felt like she was going mad at just the thought
'But now that I think about it, didn't that bastard say something similar during he entrance ceremony, so all this time doesn't it look like...'
"…Ah fuuuuuck."
As Charlotte was coming to a harrowing realisation, Thane stepped into Licht's view and raised his hand
"So… what about me?" Thane asked hesitantly.
Licht raised a brow. "You?"
"You think I'm going to help you as well?"
Thane flushed and kept his head down
'Tch. My bad for asking, then. Asshole.'
Licht internally rolled his eyes at Thane's meek reaction asked
"So what technique did your family teach you?"
"A Breaker technique. It's called—"
"Stop," Licht interrupted. "Doesn't matter. Pick the Aegis School technique."
Thane blinked. "Why? I'm not a defence guy."
"You are now," Licht said flatly. "We need a frontliner."
"A… meat shield?"
"Exactly."
"…You want me to be a meat shield?!"
"Yes."
Thane stared at him, mouth slightly open. "You're serious?"
"Completely."
Licht pointed at the others. "Riven's a berserker. Charlotte's a burst striker. Both of them need someone to hold the line, someone to draw attention and not immediately die. That's you."
"And I'm just supposed to accept that?"
"You're big, durable, and, most importantly, you know when to pretend to be stupid. That's perfect for a frontline tank."
Thane groaned. "Gods, this sucks…" he muttered
"Well, get used to it," Licht said, already turning away. "You're our wall now."
Thane stood there, mouth half-open, fuming.
'Does this guy seriously want me to be his meat shield?'
He was about to argue, but then he suddenly stopped.
'Wait. Is this even a problem?'
Thane thought back to the reason he was here in the first place.
Why he extorted first-years for their training resources and why he'd taken shady offers from desperate seniors.
It was all about money and connections to the bigwigs. He'd joined the academy thinking he could network and make a connection with children from places But what was the point if he was still stuck playing dog for second-raters?
Now here he was, being offered a place in the group of Licht d'Valtier.
A literal noble. A prince of one of the most powerful bloodlines on the continent.
And I'm hesitating? Am I stupid?
Thane chuckled under his breath, then grinned widely.
"Hahaha! Fine. I'll acknowledge it. I'll learn the Aegis Edge technique, boss."
"…Boss?" Licht blinked.
Riven looked confused. Charlotte raised an eyebrow. But Thane's grin only widened as he slammed a fist against his chest like a salute.
"You heard me. If I'm the wall, then you're the one calling the shots. Might as well lean into it."
Licht didn't smile and just remained expressionless, but this look wasn't one of disapproval.
"…Do what you want," he said.
Licht didn't care about how Thane addressed him, and he was just thinking that it wasn't a bad idea to drag Thane along.
Sure, he wasn't the strongest, or the most moral, but he was street-smart. He knew how to bow when it mattered and, more importantly, when to stretch himself to survive. A smart and ambitious young man… or, if Licht were being less generous, a two-faced opportunist with no spine.
But Licht wasn't worried about betrayal.
At least not whilst he still had his family name behind him
Now that he'd helped everyone else choose their techniques, there was only one question left.
A familiar voice called out from nearby.
"So, what technique are you planning to use, Rank 1?"
Licht turned slowly to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with dirt-blonde hair and a wide, easy smile.
It was Instructor Garrick.
"Ah, sorry for butting in," Garrick said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But watching you guide the others so insightfully… and well, it made me curious about you. I am your instructor, after all."
Licht frowned slightly. "Does it matter? You said we can pick whatever technique we want. You don't get to control that."
"Of course, of course," Garrick said, chuckling.
"I'm just here to recommend. I've still got the authority to teach, if you think I'm worth listening to, that is. If not, well… you can object any time."
Though his tone stayed light, the pressure in the air shifted.
His mana began to hum, churning like thick, molten magma. It burst forth with a suffocating pressure and pressed down on Licht's shoulders like lava about to erupt!