NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60: 60. Spar
Your Trait 「A Valtier's Pride (S)」has been activated.
Licht didn't even blink.
He ignored the oppressive weight and casually browsed the list of techniques on his smartwatch, not sparing the instructor a glance.
"I'll object if I feel like it," he said calmly. "So you don't have to worry."
Despite having his pressure completely ignored, Garrick only seemed more amused.
"I see why Principal Greyfax likes you so much," he said, grinning. "You're quite the fun one."
"I don't think I'm a fun person, though," Licht replied flatly.
Garrick laughed. "No, you're right. You're a real pain in the ass. That guy Solen has been cursing your name ever since you called him an ignorant fossil during the mana theory lecture."
Licht shrugged, not bothered by Garrick's words. "He was wrong, though."
"He also told me to 'watch out for the dead-eyed noble with no respect.'"
"Well, it seems he can also give good advice."
"Well then, why don't we make this fun?" Garrick's grin widened. "How about a quick spar? You and me. Paper-only restrictions."
Licht paused, finally looking up.
The man standing before him felt more beast than human. His golden hair cascaded down his back like a lion's mane, a thick scar running across the bridge of his nose, and eyes that gleamed with wild anticipation.
A slayer legend was now the Academy's most unhinged combat instructor.
He was infamous for teaching through practical lessons. Especially when it came to students he liked.
And in all honesty, the Instructor was an excellent teacher, and in the gam he was famous for the fact that just fighting against Instructor Garrick in a sanctioned spar could boost your stats and increase your technique mastery.
Although it cam wth many benefits, Licht wasn't exactly eager to go toe-to-toe with the Academy's most battle-hungry instructor, because he knew he had a reputation to uphold.
to put on a proper showing, he'd have to go all out, activate his Infinite Copy Eyes, possibly even overdraw his body, and even then… it might not be enough.
The man was a monster.
Just as Licht was about to flatly decline the instructors offer when he heard a notification go off
Ding!
------〘 Notification 〙------
╭───────────────╮
[New Mission Unlocked: Instructor Trial]
[Last against Instructor Garrick]
30 seconds — 500 EP
1 minute — 1,000 EP
2 minutes — 3,000 EP
5 minutes — 5,000 EP
[BONUS:]
Last 5 minutes without using Infinite Copy Eyes — 15,000 EP
Unlock: Trait Store Access
╰───────────────╯
Licht's pupils shrank slightly as he read the prompt.
"Last five minutes without using Copy Eyes…?" he muttered. That was borderline suicide.
He didn't know if he could even meet those conditions with his「Infinite Copy Eyes」so how was he supposed to do it without them?
But 15,000 EP was just too much to give up on, and this potential trait store was even more tempting.
Although Traits hadn't really given him the best impression, his「Dragon Soul Guard (S)」 was a trait after all and was extremely versatile.
He couldn't just pass up on getting any more traits.
But if he couldn't give up on fighting the instructor, then too last in this fight then.... He'd need to handicap the instructor.
Looking back at Garrick, Licht finally spoke up.
"…Fine. We can fight. But if we're going to fight, let's at least make things interesting. Since this is a demonstration, you should stick to the techniques you're planning have use choose"
Garrick tilted his head. "As in?"
"I mean, you're limited to the Slayer's Velos School and Breaker School — just the basic, public demonstration techniques. And no power beyond a Tier-2 Awakened Core."
Garrick blinked. Then let out a laugh. "You want me to hold back that much?"
"Yes" said Licht plainly.
"I'm not planning on going all out, so you should naturally do the same."
Licht snorted. "You have the physical strength of an ogre, and you're talking about disadvantage? If I didn't cap you, relying on defence alone wouldn't even buy me thirty seconds."
Garrick whistled in surprise.
"You're… not what I expected. I expected ti be more, you know...arrogant."
"Well, that's where you're wrong. I'm still arrogant, but just because I'm arrogant doesn't mean I'm foolish. Challenging you without any handicaps, even if I'm not planning on going all out, would've been signing a death warrant."
Garrick grinned happily.
"Oh my, now you're complimenting me. I'm getting a little shy."
Licht recoiled coldly at this sight
"Disgusting."
But then, as he was joking around, the instructor's expression shifted. His playful smirk never left, but something behind his eyes sharpened.
"I like your compliments but you forgot one thing," Garrick said, as he rolled his shoulders. A pulse of power erupted from his frame.
"Even with handicaps…Fighting me is still signing a death warrant."
With those words
Mana surged around him — radiant, heavy, primal — like the awakening of a sleeping Titan.
And Licht felt it in his bones.
This was going to be hell.
He glanced at the system interface.
╭───────────────╮
┃ ❖ Techniques & Traits:
『Valemont Sword Style – Rushing Thunder God! (A)』
『Rushing Thunder God – God's Descent! (S)』
『Blood Mana Style – Crimson Frenzy! (A)』
『Valtier Sword Style – Howling Fang Sword! (C)』
『Valtier Sword Style – Hunting Pack Execution! (A)』
╰───────────────╯
Licht frowned.
『Crimson Frenzy』 and 『God's Descent』 were both off the table. Without Infinite Copy Eyes to regulate the flow, using either would overload his mana channels — and probably kill him.
That left just the Valemont and Valtier styles.
Valemont Sword belonged to the Velox school. It was swift, explosive, and relentless.Valtier Sword was different. It was a hybrid technique forged by the founder of one the Eight Great Houses and refined through generations. Its roots lay partially in the Breaker school, but its structure was firmly from the Obscura School deceptive, layered, and predatory.
More importantly, it was unique. The Valtier style didn't follow the normal rules.
Even so, Licht knew it wouldn't be enough — not without help.
The other cadets had started backing away, instinct warning them of the storm about to erupt.
Licht took a breath.
His trait activated.
「Mana Mastery (S)」