Published at 25th of March 2019 07:14:49 PM Chapter 15

Chapter 15 - The Returners Promotion Battle (1)

Rewriter Note(s): [1] Omae wa mou shindeiru .

But nothing happened . The barbarian felt no resistance as the glaive completed

its sweeping downwards arc . The only thing he had struck was air .

Gruuh . . . ? The barbarian stared quizzically at Pram . He hadnt cut so much as

a single hair on his head . A glint of silver was now jutting out from the wooden

wall behind Pram . Something sharp with the silhouette of a crescent curve . The

barbarian snapped his neck down to look at the glaive in his hands . Except, it

wasnt a glaive anymorethe blade was cut clean off . He was left with a

wooden rod .

Pram raised his rapier . Shall we go again?

The barbarian flung the wooden handle aside and closed the distance with a

swing of his fist . In an instant, his knuckles were close enough to obscure

Prams entire head from view . Pram wove to the side, letting the punch rocket

past him like a battering ram, and seamlessly vaulted into the air with a

backflip . With all the grace of a seasoned acrobat, he landed behind the

bewildered giant, and followed up with a swing of his rapier . [1]

The giant spun around and raised an arm to block the blow with his gauntlet,

but Prams rapier drew a perfect arc around his guard, and thrust into the pit of

his stomach . The now hapless giant tried to retreat, but Pram was faster . The

rapier plunged into the barbarians solar plexus . Tough as his body may have

been, it was a decisive blow to a vulnerable weak point . The giants body

quavered, his legs gave out from under him, and he collapsed into a crumpled

heap .

Desir nodded silently, as if confirming something hed already known . Looks

like its over .

Nonsense, screeched Ujukun . That door is made of Kichlean steel . Theres

only one person here who can open it, and Im pretty sure hes in no condition

to do so . Kichlean steel was famed for its unyielding tensile strength . It was

also proportionately heavy . A door of this size would likely require the strained

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efforts of half a dozen men to even budge . Which means youre stuck here

until my guards arrive, cackled Ujukun .

Oh, I dont know about that . The Blanchume rapier streaked through the air,

making short work of the doors hinges . The door flattened with a thunderous

crash . Apparently, even Kichlean steel was no match for Blanchume . As the

pair made their exit, Desir turned to the dazed Ujukun . Looks like its

definitely over now, doesnt it?

Theyd only been running for a few minutes but Desir was already out of

breath .

Alright, I think weve lost them . I really need to exercise some more . I cant

believe Im this weak . . . Desir muttered between stilted breaths . Though, his

lack of breath did little to damper is cheerful voice . Good thing we got the

sword back, right?

While nodding, Pram moved his hand to the rapier at his waist without even

realizing it . The pale rapier glittered like starlight, or even moonlight . He pulled

out the sword, and couldnt feel the slightest weight . A truly incredible feeling .

So youve decided to use the rapier? Desir said, recalling how Pram had

fought with the rapier a few minutes before .

Hed held the rapier, and subdued the barbarian giant with overwhelming skill .

The fact that Pram had took up the rapier again was especially meaningful to

Desir .

The situation was too urgent so I had no choice, but . . . Pram was still

hesitating . He eventually let out a sigh . Why would my father hide something

like this in that old, worn-down Kemubin?

That was the cause of this entire ridiculous incident . If hed made it obvious

from the start that it was in fact a Kemubin, Pram would never have had any

reason to resent his father .

Your father made a wise choice, Pram .

Pram raised his head at Desirs words .

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A Blanchume sword is an incredible thing . Imagine if word got out that you

owned it . Over a hundred people just like Ujukun would have come to hound

you, explained Desir .

But there was still a chance I would never have found out, said Pram .

He left it behind because he thought youd figure it out eventually, said Desir

assuredly . Prams father always believed that Pram would realize, as long as he

kept carrying the rapier around .

How can you be so sure? asked Pram .

Desir grabbed the rapier, and pointed at the grip . Pram looked at it . On the

Kemubin that had the shape of an old, worn sword, there were written some

unreadable words . The reason they were unreadable was because they were

incomplete . When the Blanchume was revealed and the rapier showed its true

form, the words on the grip took shape . It looked like there was a hidden

mechanism on the grip as well as the blade .

Pram read the words slowly .

Do not lose your way, my little bird .

The Alpha Classs private restaurant was on a high floor, the view overlooking

Hebrion Academy . A cold breeze blew in from the open window . A colorless

night view lay outside . The stars shone solemnly in the deep dark .

Romantica shuddered in the cold .

Heres your order, madam, said the waiter .

The lights glittered yellow and the waiters moved between the tables like birds

flying in and out of their nests . The menu was seafooda salt-grilled fish and a

crab gratin were laid in front of Romantica, and she thanked the waiter with a

smile .

The Alpha Class meals are so much better, right? said Doneta Hadun, seated

across from her .

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She hadnt known that hed arrived . She guessed hed come while she was

looking out the window . There was nothing strange about the fact that he was

there . In fact, what was strange was the fact that she was here . Without the man

sitting across from her, she could never have even set foot in this place .

At long last . Ive wanted to see you all this time, said Doneta warmly .

I see, responded Romantica curtly . Romantica waited for Donetas food to

come out . A moment later, Donetas food was laid in front of him, and they

both raised their forks . The grilled fish tasted good, and the gratin was slightly

greasy, but its flavor was exquisite . The two of them didnt say anything for a

while, savoring the food .

So, what did you want to talk about? asked Doneta .

There was no reason to hesitate . Romantica placed a wooden dagger on the

table . It was decorated with all sorts of ornaments . Romantica explained

herself, I came to return this .

Doneta pushed up his glasses and looked at the Kemubin as if it were his first

time seeing it . Romantica pushed the Kemubin toward him . Doneta showed no

reaction for a moment . No rage, no annoyance . He merely collected his breath,

and pondered why he had gotten rejected . Only a third-rate noble would show

his emotions on his face . I thought there was no reason for you to refuse-

You thought . Romantica looked at Doneta with her wind-touched green eyes .

Donetas heart started racing as he looked back at her gaze . If youre perhaps

uncomfortable with dating me, you dont have to worry about that .

I did hesitate for that reason at the beginning . But its not because of that,

said Romantica .

You mean theres another reason? asked Doneta .

Romantica nodded . I joined a nameless party in the Beta Class .

Beta Class . . . Doneta looked at her with disbelief . He mumbled to himself, as

though he couldnt even understand what he had just heard . Beta Class, you

say . . .

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Yes . A commoners party . The people you regard as trash, said Romantica .

Doneta slammed his fork on the table . Everything had grown cold . The air

blowing in from the window, the soup on the table, the atmosphere between

them . I dont understand . Did you get blackmailed?

Maybe . . . Romantica shook her head . No, this was my decision .

Then you werent thinking rationally, said Doneta . He opened the Kemubin .

A golden necklace slid out into Donetas palm like a snake .

I dont have any regrets, said Romantica . She stared at Doneta with renewed

vigor .

Dont be hasty . Theres still time, smiled Doneta .

Romantica took a deep breath . Im not taking back my decision . Donetas lips

were upturned, but he wasnt smiling . Romantica did the same . I honestly

think I made the right choice . I didnt want to join that party at first, but I

changed my mind as time went on . This party is fun . The leader trains us

diligently . My skills are improving quickly thanks to him . With each word,

Romantica became more sure that she made the correct choice .

If its improving your skills, our party can do that as well, refuted Doneta .

Of course, thats only one of the reasons . Doneta, do you remember how you

told me the Beta Class were all worthless commoners, nothing but trash?

asked Romantica .

Doneta paused . I dont see why youre bringing that up .

The reason, explained Romantica . She breathed in deeply filled up her lungs .

Glittering red snake eyes stared back at her . She breathed out, and said the

words that sealed her fate . . . . is that Im a commoner .

Doneta slammed his fork down into the table . A sharp clang slammed into

Donetas eardrums . All of the concern and affection washed off of his face . A

slight look of scorn could be seen on his face . Romantica could no longer find

the slightest affection in his eyes .

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Hm . He let out a slight cough . In a split second, he regained his poker face

after realizing his mistake, but it was too late . His feelings toward commoners

was close to physical repulsion, and he couldnt contain it immediately . Just as

somebody wouldnt need a reason to hate cockroaches, he didnt need a reason

to hate commoners . A look of panic showed on his facehe looked desperate .

Thats a lie .

Your reason for thinking that? asked Romantica .

If you were truly a commoner, you would have kept your mouth shut and

joined my party . That would be the only way a commoner like you could have

entered the Alpha Class, explained Doneta .

Thats right, Romantica admitted it . But when they found out I was a

commoner, at least they didnt look at me like you . Doneta was rightif she

joined the Blue Moon Party, she would have an easy time entering the Alpha

Class . In contrast, Desir instead invited her to his party even though he knew

she was a commoner . There was no discrimination . She didnt have to lie, or

fear that she would be outed for being a commoner .

I see . Doneta opened his mouth . Of course . Youre all the same trash, after

all . His bitter tone was reflected in his demeanor .

Trash . . . youve got that right, said Romantica . Her voice carried the same

bitterness as Donetas, as she answered him, her voice filled with remorse .

Nobles will always hate commoners . They hate and despise them as if theyre

biological enemies . I know very well why you nobles cant stand commoners .

Its the same reason Hebrion Academy is an aristocracy instead of a

meritocracythe same reason why Alpha and Beta arent divided based on

rank, but status . The reason is that you nobles are afraid of the birth of a new

Republic .

. . . Watch your mouth . Doneta whispered back immediately . His eyes shifted

side to side and he looked around to make sure nobody was paying attention .

Romantica ignored him and laid the final nail in the coffin . Times have

changed . The Shadow Worlds have toppled the balance . Anyone strong enough

can acquire magic crystals . Youre all living in a castle of sand and its

crumbling .

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Her voice now reinvigorated, Romantica said, You live in constant fear, not

knowing when everything will collapse .