BXBX NOVEL Chapter 10 – The Man Out of Time at the Academy (2)
Chapter 10 – The Man Out of Time at the Academy (2)
Chapter 10 – The Man Out of Time at the Academy (2)
The Cradle, the swordsmanship club.
They called for a time-out and activated the emergency response meeting!
“Such a thing has never happened before, right seniors!”
“The juniors are right. We should resist being a daily club member! They are practically recruiting a mercenary!”
“This cannot happen in a sacred club-friendly match! We must object!”
Some club members strongly advocate for taking action.
Their opinions were not entirely wrong. They all had their reasons.
Yeah. Therefore, they must consider it a valid point.
However, there was one problem.
“Well then. Juniors.”
That valid point could easily become a ‘blunt’ point.
“Um, can anyone go to that junior over there and tell him it’s not allowed?”
All the other club members turned their heads at the words of the 4th year student.
Deus was a freshman, who had been slowly warming up in that place.
“….”
“….”
Those who had been watching the scene for a moment turned their heads again.
Was that a person? A monster, or a demon. It had been one of the two.
“I can’t do it.”
“Me neither.”
It was probably better to fight in front of a monster than to do that.
How could someone be like that? Was it really a human body?
Could he be a half-breed? He must be a mix of an ogre and a human.
Without that, such a terrifying presence couldn’t emerge with that physique!
“The friendship match was supposed to end with 5 victories.”
“That’s right.”
“We just need one more win.”
“Exactly.”
“But that one time is ‘him’ standing over there.”
At that moment, the same thought crossed the minds of all the club members.
Shall we give up, surrender, or admit an honorable defeat?
A strategic retreat was more valuable than a victory.
“…No. No way!”
― Firm determination.
Although they were momentarily tempted by the intense temptation.
Soon, the swordsmanship club members vigorously nodded their heads.
It was not just any club room. It was the martial arts club room!
It was the most spacious and best-prepared place in the newest building.
It was said that when it passed to the martial arts club, the seniors pounded the ground and wept.
They would have delayed the establishment of the swordsmanship club as late as possible! If they had known this.
This was the opportunity they’d been waiting for after constantly provoking and challenging the martial arts club until now.
It might have been their first and last opportunity. The likelihood that they would consent again was slim.
They had to change the club room! They didn’t want to stay in that cramped place anymore!!
“Comrades. We just need to win once. Just once.”
“What you said is right.”
“Let’s look at the big picture, not the short one. We still have five of us left. So, the four of us have to drain that monster… no, drain that newcomer’s stamina and win in the end.”
Oh! That sounds like a really good plan!
Certainly, with that, there seems to be a chance of winning! Indeed, seniors!!
The rest of the club members unanimously responded to that opinion.
“For our cozy club room!”
“Sword club! Sword club!”
“Let’s win! Absolutely! Let’s take the club room from those brutes!!”
Standing and shrugging! The swordsmanship club concludes its strategy meeting.
They arrange the order and resume the friendship match with a somewhat solemn air,
“Are you okay, juniors?”
Meanwhile, The martial arts club was somewhat worried.
They knew Deus was the top prospect. Even the Student Council President had acknowledged it.
However, the swordsmanship club members on the opposing side were also skilled in their own right.
Furthermore, they could possibly anticipate the strategy their opponents might be planning.
“They’ll try to drain the juniors’ stamina by any means necessary. They’ll keep dragging it out with the four of them.”
“That’s right. They’ll put their top player in the last turn to compete against the juniors.”
Words mixed with concern popped up here and there.
Someone couldn’t be free from stamina issues no matter how talented they might have been. They became slower and their physical abilities were diminished when they became tired.
That’s why physical education teachers shouted ‘Stamina! Stamina! Stamina!’
“I see.”
But Deus merely nodded nonchalantly.
“Don’t worry, just keep the promise with me.”
“Uh, yeah. Of course. Don’t worry. From purchasing equipment to moving it…”
“You just need to provide the money for buying the equipment. I’ll handle the transfer.”
“Oh? Are you sure you want to do that?”
“It’s good exercise”
He was not a serious fitness junkie, but he couldn’t help but feel a little out of shape.
Every time he had to move around a bit the students freaked out, making it uncomfortable.
It was a shame that the body he created through hellish training was falling apart.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
Until then, the martial arts club members couldn’t have imagined. That moment would mark the beginning of the legend.‘The club is losing 4:0, but still laughing.’
***
The characteristics of their martial arts abilities were defined by hexagonal stats, which stemmed from a robust physique. They were balanced in offense and defense, marking them as individuals who could handle more than their fair share in any situation.
However, that versatility had become a weakness in turn. Being equally proficient meant that they weren’t outstanding in any one aspect. The members of the swordsmanship club were well aware of this fact.
“Sigh.”
The 2nd year student forwarded the first step from the swordsmanship club while regulating her breathing.
Just looking at the newcomer in front of her made her breath catch in her throat involuntarily. She felt like she wanted to throw her sword immediately and flee. She laughed. She had to endure. It was all for the sake of the club!
‘Yeah. A monster. Let’s think of him as a monster. It’s better that way. He’s not a person who looks like a devil, he’s a monster. A monster….’
Due to self-suggestion or because he was as vicious as a monster.
She truly saw the opponent before her as a monster!
Was it a success… a success, perhaps?
‘…Damn it. He’s even scarier!’
She forced her fear down by swallowing her dry saliva.
She could do it. After all, her goal was to drain his stamina. She would delay it as long as possible.
Even though the opponent was hailed as the top prospect, she clearly has an advantage.
‘They’re from the martial arts lineage. They don’t have any real weapons!’
No matter how skilled they were, they remained human at their core.
It had been impossible for them to remain calm with a sharp blade slicing through the air before their eyes.
Merely causing them to flinch was enough!
“Shall we begin?”
“Yes. Please come, junior.”
She took another deep breath.
Phew―
She had decided to properly look at that boy….
―Thud!!
“…?”
Why? What was it? Why did her sword suddenly become lighter?
Once heavy iron became light as a feather.
“Uh, huh?”
It had vanished. The sword spirit, which was supposed to radiate a brilliant light from its handle, was no longer there.
She cast her eyes downward after sensing that something was wrong.
She saw the fragments of what used to be a sword scattered all around!
“This, What is this?”
The trial of the swordsmanship club didn’t end there.
If anything, it was just the beginning.
“Ughh?!”
The second student swung his sword as soon as the match began.
But once again, the sword shattered upon contact with the ground.
Before he could even try anything, the match was already over.
Next, the third student.
“Haah!”
He attempted to shatter the enemy’s relentless attack with his distinctive footwork, a strategy that seemed promising.
With each block and counter, new opportunities unfolded before him.
However, the challenge intensified as his enemy had previously withstood the Student Council President’s fierce assaults, all without the aid of any weapons.
“Keuk!”
The sword was shattered without leaving a scratch. Then the swordsmanship club member’s body was thrown into the air.
“What on earth?!”
The students were screaming while watching the friendship match, grabbing their heads in disbelief.
At the fourth turn, a 3rd year student from the swordsmanship club.
He was vaguely aware of what was going on.
‘Before this junior even realizes it, I will aim with the sword on his fist. It’s truly incredible speed. I could barely catch a glimpse even at the very last moment.’
The top student in 3rd year Neferti, her words suddenly came into his mind.
“How about these new promising students? Ohoho! Let me tell you something. Anything less than Deus is meaningless! Let me just put it this way! Ohoho― Kekek!”
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe it. It was just that there might have been some exaggeration.
But it wasn’t, It should be said that it was not exaggerated but rather it was minimized.
The junior wasn’t praised by the Student Council President for nothing!
‘Quite literally, a monster.’
His chances of winning had been close to zero. It was frustrating, and he had admitted it openly.
Then there was only one action he could take here and now.
He gritted his teeth and focused solely on defense, ensuring his armor remained intact.
Having observed his opponent’s moves twice before. he was confident in his ability to handle the situation.
As an ability user himself, he understood his enemy to such an extent that…
“Yaaah!”
“?!”
It was fast! No, “fast” didn’t even begin to describe it.
What kind of technique was this? How could he close the distance so quickly?
It had been a speed that only those with agility abilities could have barely achieved!?
Even when he stepped back and changed direction, the distance seemed not to increase at all. He yearned to swing his sword, but he knew that if he did, it would end up just like before.
‘What am I supposed to do…!’
“You’ve done well, senior.”
The moment he saw Deus’s expressionless face right in front of him, it felt as if he’d come to take his life.
―Crash!
The current score of the friendly match was 4:4.
Only one point left to win!