Volume 1 - Chapter 2.7

2nd June, 9.43 a.m.

An email from the principal.

‘Dear Special Student Number 2,

How are you experiencing being on the verge of death so far? I hope it was splendid, because it would be a pain if I couldn't get the chance to see you kneeling all fours in front of me, begging to quit school.

Jokes aside, I hope you take the contents below seriously as this will be your first mission as a special student. It won't be hard, just take it like a warm up.

Your mission is to observe and find out the ‘traitors’ of the S Class students, and you will be pointing them out after the mock battle.

I will be there to witness personally, and to lend you support.

Kuroyuki Shiroha did not know and should not have known of this.

That is all.

P.S. Traitors could mean in both ‘too suitable’ or ‘not suitable’— you know what I mean.’

……………………………………………

“A… plan?”

Persia, with a stunned voice as she muttered, turned her head to face me from afar with a surprised look.

“That's right…” I replied. “A plan— my team surrenders!!!”

“—Eh?” “Wha—?” “Huh?”

BEEP!!!!!

“MATCH ENDS. TEAM 2 WINS.”

After the system had announced, everyone was transferred back to the training room— including all the stuff on the ground.

“H-Hey!? What's with all this snow…!? Kuroyuki Shiroha, clean it up will ya!?”

It's the principal.

“…N.” Kuroyuki nods.

Taking not more than a second, the snow and ice on the floor disappeared— without leaving a trace behind.

Someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

I turned to find August.

“…You owe me an explanation, Luc.” He said.

‘Why surrender of all things?’ or so his eyes tell me.

His passionate stare made me take a quick glance around.

Without giving an ounce of concern between us, Kronos puts back his ‘junk’ and Rumelia`s marionettes back to his magic dimensional storage.

Crimson Veludora Blaze and Rumelia Heartlock were lying flat on the floor, seeming unconscious, while Sherry and the other four members on Kuroyuki`s team were nowhere to be found, looks like they were taken to the infirmary.

“Take them away.” The principal ordered the infirmary nurses.

This bastard… He wants me to speak now…?

I tapped August`s shoulder, asking him to stand aside.

“…………”

It's as if he knew what I'm going to do, August steps aside.

“…Is playing dead a prideful thing to do? How dare you call yourself a proud dragon, Crimson Veludora Blaze!!!”

Before Blaze is going to be placed on the portable floating bed, he immediately opens his eyes and makes a sit-up— glaring at me.

“…WHAT DID YOU SAY?” He uttered.

Ignoring him, I hurriedly stopped the nurse from taking Rumelia. Just before loading her to the bed, she shifted from prone to lie down.

The nurse felt dumbfounded about my behaviour.

With that, I borrowed an otoscope from the nurse. With one leg kneeling on the floor, I checked Rumelia`s ears.

…There`s no blood, and her eardrum is intact.

“What are you doing…?”

When I faced him from below, Kronos was glaring down on me, nudging his glasses.

“Tell her to stop faking, will ya?” I said. “There's no point wasting our time here.”

Kronos visibly flinched.

“…Rumelia.” He called her.

With that, Rumelia opened her eyes and stared at me— expressionlessly.

…Just like a doll.

“Pervert.”

…She's the third one to call me that.

When I was just about to yell at her, I caught a glance on my right knee— which is touching her chest.

…she’s F cup.

I quickly retreated.

Rumelia slowly gets up with her left foot on the floor, then she stands up with a doll-like posture and gesture.

After confirming that she's fine, the nurses leave the training room.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP.

Four times.

The principal claps his hand four times.

When everyone shifted their attention from me to him, the principal started to talk.

“Crimson Veludora Blaze, Rumelia Heartlock, August Whisperwind, Kronos Y Chronoclock and Persia Silverlight— you brats, well done.” He said.

Although he's smiling, everyone could tell that his words were sarcastic. Though sarcastic, yet no one retorted.

“This is getting on my nerves… how can I expect you idiots to join the <Knights Tournament>?” He added.

“But sir, isn't he the main event?” August replied.

He was standing at the opposite, five steps away from the principal.

With that, the principal made a ‘come here’ gesture to me.

As I walked to him, he kept on his mumble.

“Come on.” He said, while rubbing his forehead with his thumb, seeming to have a headache. “He's a special student— is there really a need to train him? He even won against the undefeatable Kuroyuki Shiroha.”

When he said that, I was already standing next to Kuroyuki— which Kuroyuki pokes her finger at my hand.

“…Pervert.” She whispers to me.

God, she heard it.

“…Stop it, please.” I whispered as I made an annoyed look.

“Then, what is he here for?” August replied.

In response to August`s reply, the principal then gave me a quick glance.

…I guess it's my turn.

“I'm here to train you guys, actually.” I said, as I walked forward and stood next to the principal. “The principal wants to win this year. I`ve looked through the <Knights Tournament> previous records of Imperial Knights Academy and… it's really horrible.”

“…Tch, you?” Blaze retorted.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” I scratched my head. “Of course there's no need for me to train you. After all, you guys are strong— even stronger than me.”

““““!?””””

Except for Rumelia, the other four`s expressions turn tense.

However, the principal and Kuroyuki weren't surprised at all, it seemed like they already knew.

“…W-What makes you say that…?” Persia murmured.

“Do I really need to spell it out for you, Persia Silverlight?”

When I mentioned ‘Silverlight’, Persia jolted with fear, which then she kept quiet afterwards. Because she knows her family name has already sold her out.

“Okay, aside from Persia and Blaze— what about us? Isn't that just a false accusation?”

As usual, August is going straight to point— it's like he's inviting me to expose him. He said that because Persia and Blaze are too obvious, they were already exposed.

“Come on, don`t be that tense— this ain`t a court.” I replied. “August, you could deny anything you want— but not that broken pinkie on your right hand.”

Hearing my remark, August flinched.

At the same time, the corner of his mouth curved upwards yet it isn't obvious— it's like he's trying to hide his grin.

…That creepy grin.

“…W-When did you find out…?” He asked.

“From the start, I guess. That time when you used the ‘Star Falling Sword Arts’ on me.”

“Huh, I did?” August naturally retorted.

And why would he do that?

“Come on, stop playing dumb. Obviously everyone here had seen that strike you pulled off……”

As I looked around, my words inadvertently came to a pause.

Even Kuroyuki gives me a ‘no’ sign by shaking her head very slightly.

…He pulled off that trick while standing in everyone`s blind spot. This guy… I might`be underestimated him a little too much…

“…even if they don`t, they heard it.” I conceded.

“…I heard it.” Kuroyuki added.

Hearing Kuroyuki`s remark, August inadvertently leaks out a troubled expression.

…Of course he would.

Star Falling Sword Arts— is a modern swordsmanship from the western region, which uses rapier and longsword. Inspired by the constellations, the founder of the Star Falling Sword Arts conceived a total of 88 constellation styles. Learning either 2 from the 88 is already more than enough to deal against bullets from a rifle, and thus— many well-refined swordsmen from the western region are the disciples of the Star Falling Sword Arts.

However, only the Spirit Sword King and the current successor of the Star Falling Arts is able to grasp all 88 styles.

Six stars with two swift spin on five points and adding a thrust.

If I wasn't mistaken, what August used on me is ‘Dorado Star Spike’ instead of ‘Star Spike’. I was able to tell because I tried to learn it online for once, and failed miserably on all 88 constellations.

What's more, he's able to pull off that move with a broken finger.

“If I wasn't mistaken… that's not the only swordsmanship you know. Even though you barely even tried to attack but— I could see the base of your swordsmanship is not only from one school.”

Though I don't exactly know how many more he has on his sleeves, there's at least three.

The first school is the ‘Star Falling Arts’.

The second school he uses is the time he tries to cut my neck with his sword. Unlike ‘Star Falling Arts’ which uses constellations as a reference… that attack could cleanly cut off my head in just one swing, it was much more brutal.

The third school is when he fought against Kuroyuki when both of them were exchanging their sword blows— and obviously, August completely had the upper hand. But the moment Kuroyuki switches her weapon to a spear, August had a hard time dealing with it.

“That's just your assumption.” August retorted. “You don't have any evidence to prove that I`m the real deal.”

“You don't have any evidence to prove that you are not the real deal.” I immediately replied.

“W-What…!?”

“That sword of yours is sticking out like a sore-thumb— do you really think you could hide it?”

“What are you trying to say…?”

“You are a genius.” I told him. “A swordsmanship genius— and that sword is the best proof. It can shapeshift to any kind of sword you like according to the style you play.”

“Stop spouting nonsense.”

For some reason, August furrowed his brows when he said that.

“I`m not a genius. If you really want to prove it so badly, take it— take this one-edged sword and change it to something else!”

With that, he extended his hand to the left— where Kronos is.

Hearing that, Kronos`s eyes immediately gleamed with excitement. He quickly snatched the sword away from August, pulling the blade out from its sheath as he observed the sword like a kid that had just found a new toy.

“Six months…” Kronos murmured. “Finally, I could touch this masterpiece with my own two hands…”

Sensing something, August made a shiver— trying to snatch back his sword from Kronos.

However, Rumelia immediately summons a magic circle, tying August`s hands and pulling him back with her strings.

Kronos did not give an ounce of care as he continued to look at the blade with adoring eyes.

“As expected from the Crepusculum Ignotum … The sword forged by the genius engineer, enchanted by the magic king… Such dazzling beauty— Mpph…!!?”

His murmur was then stopped by August, where he cuts off the strings and covers his hand on Kronos`s mouth.

…It took me a while to digest his words, then before I knew it— I was stunned.

Crepusculum Ignotum (Unknown Twilight)!? That was the Spirit Sword King`s favourite sword!

No, wait. I must be mistaken. Such a powerful weapon couldn`t be at the hands of a 16-year-old kid. But yet, August chose to cover Kronos`s mouth instead of denying it— could it be…?

…August might be the Spirit Sword King`s disciple.

If that`s so, then August`s unrivalled swordsmanship could be explained.

What about Crepusculum Ignotum? That sword had a will of its own, it would only choose a master it acknowledged. Does this mean I was acknowledged?

But… Why is Kronos able to differentiate between the real sword and the fake? Unless, he had seen it before?

When I realized, I was standing in front of Kronos.

“Tch…! Just give me that.”

I snatched the sword from him.

I gently grip my fingers on the hilt of the sword, staring at the clear-rainbow, silver blade. The feeling I had is just the same as the first time— I don't feel anything. There`s nothing special, nor there`s any voice or sound popping inside my head.

Yet the sword changed to a double-edged sword like the first time.

And as I imagined for a longsword, it follows my will and shapeshifted to a longsword.

“That's enough!!!”

August snatched the sword away from me.

For some reason, August was breathing heavily with a worn out look.

“…You win, Lucifer.”

With that, August sheaths his sword and returns back to where he stood.

…His reactions are telling the truth.

This means… that sword was indeed the Crepusculum Ignotum. As for his relationship with the Spirit Sword King— I have no interest in it.

“So… Kronos. Who exactly are you? Why were you so sure about the Spirit Sword King's sword?”

“You don't need to know.” He replied, and nudged his glasses.

Right, that doesn't prove he's stronger than Kuroyuki Shiroha.

“If you had some more advanced, more powerful weapons, why did you give me junk? Are those even junk?”

“Two double-edged swords, a broad-axe, and two longswords. Right… even though they are junks, the weapons you broke costs you 3.6 million CIC. ‘Once broken, consider sold’, I believe you need to pay me the money for the compensation.” (CIC is the money value for Central Imperial Island, also the most expensive money.)

“Eh—!?”

That's expensive!!!

“H-How would I know if this isn't a scam…?” I said.

“Don`t worry about it.” Kronos murmured.

With a flick of his hand, a screen pops up in front of me.

“…!?”

The contents within the screen surprised me so much that I rubbed my eyes several times to get a good look.

…It's a firearms manufacturing licence issued by the Central Imperial Island.

I quickly turn my head and look at the principal with an inconceivable gaze.

Yet— he avoided eye contact.

“Such a dangerous thing is at the hands of this guy!?” I inadvertently murmured.

“Dangerous? I started inventing things when I was 7, and I got my PhD in mechanical, electric, electronic, nanotechnology, manufacturing and civil engineering when I was 14.”

Seems like he's bragging.

With that, Kronos activated five more screens with his certificates on it. All of it was issued by the University of Central Imperial Island.

He then extends his hand and pulls back— as if he's pulling a rope, the screen immediately minimizes.

…This guy is on a whole new level.

He's not just a student, is he?

Even Kuroyuki Shiroha finds it to be surprising.

“I guess there's nothing else for me to say—”

“That only proves I'm just an engineer.” Kronos interjected, while nudging his glasses.

“Yes, but when it comes to battle— you were meant to work together with Rumelia Heartlock, isn't it?”

“…………” Hearing that remark, Kronos did not say anything.

“If you could bring out an arsenal, then Rumelia could bring out an army— your weapons were designed for Rumelia`s marionettes— no, it's for her automata… isn't it?”

Kronos shakes his head and lets out a scornful sigh.

“…so all of it is just air talk.” He said scornfully.

No, it's actually not. Except Rumelia, they already were exposed right from the beginning. But if I were to tell them ‘that’ right from the start, things wouldn't turn out to be so interesting.

I don't want that.

Exposing him now would just mean that I`ve failed to win against his argument.

Thinking that, I took out the two broken swords from my pocket.

“Remember this?” I told him.

Watching those two broken swords dangling on my hands, Kronos visibly flinched.

“As expected from a genius engineer… even the ‘junk’ you made could sustain my swings for so many times.” I added.

“…It took me nearly two hours to forge the blade.” He said with an exasperated tone.

His pride seems to sustain quite an amount of damage.

Not like I care about it.

“Right, including the repairing fees for these two— how much would it be?”

“4.6 million in total.”

So expensive!

“I will transfer my money to your account later…” I told him. “Here.”

I threw the hilt to him— yet I forgot to adjust my arm strength. The hilt flew to him with a speed nearly as fast as a bullet.

“N.”

BAM!

…dark purple.

T-That was fast.

Just before Kronos could react— Rumelia acted in his stead by stopping the hilt, where she stomps it down with an axe kick.

I didn't expect Rumelia to be that athletic.

Except Kronos, it seems everyone is just as surprised as me.

Her axe kick crushed the hilt and made a dent on the floor.

“S-Sorry, my bad.” I said, and gently threw the other broken hilt to Rumelia as she caught it with her hand.

“…Make that 4.62 million.” Kronos added.

“Hold it. I'm not the one who crushed the hilt.” I told him. “I would only give you exactly 4.6 million.”

“…Fine.”

Saying that, Kronos activated his magic circle and placed the hilt back to his magical storage.

After confirming there`s no obstruction on the floor, the built-in repair system of the building then fixes the dent.

“…That's it?” The principal suddenly asks.

“What do you mean ‘that's it?’, it`s already obvious that they were faking right from the start.”

““““Huh?””””

“Eh? Why is everyone confused? Is it too obvious to realize?”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

“T-There is…?” Persia murmured.

“I was trying so hard to hide it…” August said.

No, wait— you shouldn't say that out loud. Aren't you just digging your own grave?

“Aren't you guys… <Elemental Users>…?”

““““!””””

“Hah. Hahahaha…!” The principal made a ridiculing laugh. “Hiding too much got you brats exposed instead, huh.”

With that, the case came to an end.

“Alright! The class ends here for today! You guys can take a break for today!”

“E-Eh?! What about class?”

From the corner of the room, a familiar voice came across my ears.

It's Miss Luna.

“Come on, five of them were hospitalized and you still want to work?” The principal scorned.

With those scornful words ending as a punchline, the class schedule was cancelled afterwards with everyone returning to their rooms.

…Except for me and the principal.