Chapter 526

526 Not even Death can Cure Stupidity

Slave, huh.

I had a lot to prepare for!

Thus, I parted from Will and left the dormitory. When I looked up towards the blue skies, which reflected the exact opposite color of my bleak heart, I earnestly murmured.

Certainly, Wills plan to enslave Sariel would serve as a perfect solution.

As a human, I cant condone it at all.

Thats rich, coming from me

Still, I couldnt help but say it.

In this other world, slavery still existed. Since it was the lowest ranking cla.s.s in society, it was commonplace. At the same time, in modern society on Earth, there were probably more than a few people who were treated like slaves, even if they werent one.

However, to someone who came from modern j.a.pan like me, slavery was a thing of the pasta thing that one could only come across in fiction. As such, there was no way I could realistically imagine someone whod been stripped of all human rightslet alone put myself in their shoes. Even now, at the mention of slaves, all I could picture was the image of people plowing the wastelands in ragged clothes; digging mines with bare hands; or spinning that giant mill-thing

Although, one would argue that as a subject to human experimentation, I was the closest being to a slave.

Nevertheless for the time being, I had no intention of tormenting Sariel.

Still, is that the only way?

Even if I was presently in another world, I had never dealt with any slaves before. The closest thing I had to one was during a bandit subjugation in Fahrenheit. At that time, I helped a girl who was about to be sold into slavery.

Even then, she wasnt being whipped or being subjected to manual labor and the likes.

Moreover, in Spada, there was a law that forbade excessive abuse of slaves. As such, the slaves werent treated like insects. Despite being called slaves, each of them had different specialties. Regardless, even the cheapest of slaves was worth 100,000 clans, making them luxury goods. In fact, it wouldnt be uncommon for the price of a top-tier slave to reach billions. Since they were as pricey as a sports car, perhaps it was understandable that theyd be treated well.

In the end, it came down to whether or not I could stomach it.

Sariel would be a slave in name only, while her quality of life would be up to meher master. As the sole owner, no one else had the right to interfere.

I-I dont know what else Im supposed to do

No matter how much I pondered about it, the answer still escaped me. How should I treat Sariel? Even if Fiona forgave me, I was aware that being too lenient with Sariel wouldnt help.

But well, maybe this is okay? For now, I should focus on carrying out Wills plan, and think about the rest later.

Unable to reach a decision, I decided to postpone the issue once again. I couldnt help but sigh.

Y-you, are you Kurono?

At that moment, a voice came from behind. It was a familiar-sounding, masculine voice.

Despite having been exclusively referred to as Kuroe or Priest until a while ago, I was able to respond immediately when I was called by the correct name.

Yeah, you Arent you Kai?

Thats right!

Without a doubt, the man who sported a bright smile was Kai Est Galbraiththe swordsman of Winglord.

Why are you here?

Was what I was about to ask until I saw his uniform. As a student, it was only natural for him to be on campus.

However, there was a more pressing concern.

Didnt you get stabbed by Sariel?

Hehe, what a miserable sight it was! But hey, you arent wrong. I got pierced right in the middle of my chest!

I felt somewhatno, quite concerned when Kai began to strike his chest. After all, the cheerful man had suffered a fatal wound there

Dont tell me, did you become Saphirs manservant?

Then my death would be in vain.

Apparently, he hadnt become an undead. Id heard that a necromanceror to be precise, master necromancercould create an undead that was a human look-alike.

Thats great, then. Im glad you survived.

Actually, I indeed sustained a lethal injury.

Then, did he get revived?

My divine protection is [Immortal Champion: Svaldias]. Apparently, Ive mastered it to the level that I could survive a fatal blow once.

Haha, now thats the kind of ability that you cant just test out w.i.l.l.y-nilly.

After all, Id have to get killed firstand it had to be an instant death.

Yeah, it was my first time. The power of G.o.d sure is amazing.

Id learned a bit about the [Immortal Champion: Svaldias] in cla.s.s before. According to the legend, Svaldias himself was the strongest gladiator with an immortal body. In Spada, where swordsmans.h.i.+p was more popular than in other countries, he was a well-known figure.

But of course, receiving Svaldias divine protection didnt automatically turn him invincible. If anything, Kai probably acquired that ability due to the extensive training hed received.

Youre awesome, too. Didnt you defeat Sariel?

What kind of face will he make if he knows that shes currently in my dorm?

Of course, I had no intention of telling him.

No, its only possible with the help of my friends. When I confronted her alone, I was completely helpless.

Well, we also confronted her together, and got trashed. Because of that, Ive come to realize that the [Element Master] is stronger than [Winglord]

No trace of resentment or jealousy could be seen in Kais expression. He genuinely acknowledged our strength, which was quite refres.h.i.+ng.

Hence why, spar with me!

No, wait, what?

I frowned at the sudden invitation, but it honestly wasnt a bad idea.

Now that I think about it, Id been arguing with the members of [Winglord]with the exception of Nellbut I felt no sense of animosity towards Kai. Of course, I was particularly annoyed about Saphir, who attacked me with pure malice, but I didnt particularly dislike Kai. After all, Kai was like my role model for combat enthusiasts. When I met him at the Adventurers Guild in Asbel Village, he offered to be my opponent.

While I had plans for today, I wasnt in a rush.

Well, okay, lets spar, Kai. I was in the mood for exercise, too.

Hooray! Lets hurry to the arena!

When I saw Kais childish joy, he somewhat reminded me of Reki.

***

Wow, its already noon? Cant be helped. Lets stop here.

After vigorously swinging my wooden great sword, I broke my stance. Kai carried his on his shoulder with his back facing me. Even in the midst of the fierce battle, the toll of the bellannouncing noondidnt go unnoticed by me.

Youre right.

I exhaled and relaxed my body. At that moment, layer of sweat, along with the comfortable fatigue swept over me. During the fight, I was too preoccupied to notice them.

When I had a spar with Kai before, it was swiftly concluded. But this time, I didnt care about winning or losing. Hence why we fought each other with wooden swords endlessly. Before I knew it, two to three hours had pa.s.sed.

As expected, I cant with just a sword.

Id be overwhelmed if you used magic.

The mock battle was so fruitful that we praised each other for the good fight.

In line with Kais style, I decided to fight without using a single spell. Since it was a rare opportunity to fight one-on-one with a Rank 5 adventurer swordsman, itd be best to use the same weapon to make the most of it.

and since my first fight with Kai, I instantly knew I made the right choice.

His physical prowess was on par with me; a remodeled, enhanced, being. With his superhuman power and speed, it was difficult to believe that he was only human. However, what was most terrifying was his sword techniquewhich hed honed after having full grasp of his own strength.

At first glance, it seemed to be a ruthless fighting style that relied on his superior strength, but when we crossed blades, I could feel that there was a certain technique there. He wasnt just a.s.sailing his opponent with raw strength simply because it was the most rational thing to do.

Instead, Kai gracefully intercepted, deflected, and parried my blow. While my dual-wielding technique; [Cursed Hatchet] and [Gluttony Fang Sword: Evil Eater] hit him like a storm, I never managed to score any clean hits.

During the mock battle, Kai broke his wooden sword once and replaced it, while I ruined about five. With that alone, the difference in swordsmans.h.i.+p between me and Kai became obvious.

I realized that I still had room to grow. I had a long way to go, and was happy about it.

Thank you, Kai. It was good practice.

By the way, the exercise also made me feel somewhat rejuvenated. Despite my mental preparations, Lily and Fiona seemed to have caused me more stress than expected. Even if it was just for a moment, the spar allowed me to take my eyes off the problems.

The mock battle had proven to be quite useful, and Id like to thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Haha, youre the first person whod ever thanked me.

Kai replied with a pleasant smile. Well, even in Spada, I doubt thered be that many people who could be honest with him. After all, Kai also had monstrous stamina. If I were to go along with his stamina, I wouldve collapsed from the sheer exhaustion And I doubted that I could thank him in that state.

Lets spar again next time.

Of course, Ill always be ready!

While wiping his wet hair with a towel provided by the arena, Kai responded in a refres.h.i.+ng manner. At a glance, he seemed like a jockno, the ace of the soccer or the basketball club

To have such a cheerful man as a friend and a party member I felt somewhat envious of Nero. Back then, I believed that in terms of trust, my party wouldnt lose to thembut I was sorely mistaken.

For some reason, I felt like thanking you, too. When I got back from Galahad, I was so bored.

Then, why dont you accept some advanced-level quests? If its your party, you should be able to do it just fine.

The [Winglord] is currently disbanded. Nero has returned to Avalon to meet Nell, and it doesnt seem like Char will be returning from the royal castle. Saphir and I are the only ones whore free But Im not stupid enough to form a duo with him.

I see, Nero has returned to Avalon?

Well, I guess it was only natural, since the war had ended. In fact, more than three months had pa.s.sed since then.

Its pointless to team up with someone I cant trust. While I can go solo, Im kind of stuck right now.

Why?

Im going to partic.i.p.ate in the [Knight Selection] of Avalon.

[Knight Selection]?

W-wait, you didnt know?

Thus, Kai told me about the Knight Selection Tournament of the Kingdom of Avalon.

In short, it was like a kos.h.i.+en, only with knights instead of baseball players

Every year, Spada and other countries are invited to partic.i.p.ate. Therefore, making it a huge tournament that the City-State Alliance is paying attention to.

Wow, sounds like quite a challenge.

Not really. Since the contestants are only students, so theres an age limit. Unless theyre a prodigy, it wouldnt take much to defeat them.

Did you forget that youre a student yourself?

Despite that, as a swordsman, Kai had experienced real battlefields. Hed have nothing to gain by competing with sheltered and well-raised aristocratic children

But there must be at least someone who cares

Well, Celes from the Imperial Academy is a magic swordsman on par with Nero. I dont know if I can win against her. As for whether or not Ill do well during the match, I can only pray.

The match format was similar to a kendo team match between the spearhead, second spearhead, midfielder, vice-captain, and captain.

Certainly, there was a probability of being up against your intended opponent

I kind of admire that kind of thing

What is it, Kurono? Would you like to partic.i.p.ate?

I didnt have that much free time I had to prepare and train for the next battle with the crusaders. But before that, there was a more pressing concern that needed to be sorted out. I couldnt afford to be preoccupied with anything else.

Either way, since youre from the adventurer chart, you cant partic.i.p.ate.

Is that so?

After all, if its allowed, then everyone would be hiring some skilled adventurers to help them during the tournament regardless of the age limit.

If I rejoined the knight chart here, I may be able to compete despite the age limit. Nevertheless, only those who were properly enrolled could represent the academy. Even if I had what it took, I probably wouldnt be chosen.

How did last years tournament go?

I dont know. I went on a quest last year.

Hence why none of the members of [Winglord] partic.i.p.ated. Kai, Saphir, and Charlotte were out. Of course, international students such as Nell and Nero were out of the question.

As a result, the Royal Spada Seminary had to come back after losing in the first round. This year, that better not happen again.

Kai complained as if he didnt really care about the seminary face.

Hey, Kurono, Im sure that youwho fought against Sarielunderstood. In this world, therere still many whore stronger than me. If you want to surpa.s.s them, theres no time to waste.

If its you, why do you want to be strong?

If youre a man, then its only natural to want that!

I see, he isnt wrong.

When I saw his straightforward gaze, I couldnt help but squint.

Well, because of that, I got a bit twisted. Still, Im glad I met you.

Well, since it was still Kai we were talking about, I was sure that he was just trying to relieve his boredom.

Ill be at school until the tournament, so if youre free, lets fight again. Until then, bye.

And so, Kai dashed away.

If Wills strategy goes well, Ill bring Sariel, too.