Crazed Swordsman (1)

This is a mess, a mess.

Beatrix groaned with her head buried on the desk.

It was an understandable reaction given the mountains of paperwork everywhere.

The Headmistress of Elfante Academy was outraged by the bloodshed inside the Academy, not to mention it was during an official event.

So much so that there was an official letter ordering to find the ringleader in just less than a day after the incident.

The problem was that if one were to look at the route and time the assassins infiltrated, it was clear that there was an insider helping them.

This fact was probably a big part of why the Headmistress was so angry.

Beatrix slightly lifted her head, then said with narrowed eyes.

Still, all of you who were present will receive commendations for subduing that many armed personnel without a single casualty.

I see.

Beatrixs expression became slightly distorted upon hearing the soulless reply.

The problem is that guy, Dowd Campbell. Hes missing from the list of people to receive a commendation. I dont know why and theres no reason for him to be excluded. Its almost as if theyre deliberately trying to keep him out of the limelight.

I see.

The student supervisors is definitely scheminig. It seems like theyre preparing something big with that guy as the center.

I see.

Imma hit you if you answer like that one more time.

I see.

Eleanor, who was blankly staring at the ceiling as she sat, casually caught the ink bottle flying towards her.

Seeing her do that without even turning her head displayed that her reputation wasnt for show. However, that didnt make Beatrix any less angry.

Whats wrong with you?

What do you mean?

Youve been like that the whole day. Where is your mind wandering off to?

People coming after you is nothing new, but this time feels a little different. I dont know who it is, but seeing how they openly committed two assassination attempts in a short period of time shows that theyre very determined.

I guess so.

Thats not something to brush off, stupid. Do you think that just because they failed this time, theyll give up? Theyre bound to try something again.

Eleanor, who was looking at Beatrix, turned her gaze back to the ceiling.

Beatrix could only let out a heated sigh.

I dont know. I dont understand whats going on, but I wont help if you dont tell me.

Beatrix.

What?

I think I care about someone.

It was commendable that Beatrix hadnt toppled over her desk.

Anyone who knew what kind of person Eleanor was would have probably reacted the same way.

What?

I said I think I care about someone.

Had she heard it wrong?

No, Beatrix didnt think so.

What do you mean?

There was no answer, but it somehow felt like Eleanor stared at the ceiling more intensely, as if she was hiding her shame.

Seeing that the tips of Eleanors ears were slightly red, Beatrix almost felt cosmic fear.

This woman was acting like an adolescent girl?

Whose stone face didnt change while slicing through people?

Who is it?

Didnt you just talk about him?

She was so embarrassed that she couldnt even say it directly and had to do it in a roundabout way.

Dowd Campbell?

No, wait a minute.

Feeling an explosive headache, Beatrix grabbed her head and sank back onto the desk.

Come to think of it, ever since his duel with the Hero Candidate, Eleanors attitude had changed slightly whenever it came to that topic.

Wasnt her attitude indicative of that?

Yep. It had to be that.

You like him?

I havent said that yet.

Oh my.

Yet?

Eleanor firmly shut her mouth. The tips of her ears got a bit redder.

At that sight, Beatrixs mouth blankly opened again, feeling her headache getting worse.

You know how big of a storm this will bring, dont you?

Lady Tristan was in a position where her every single move was used as a story.

That was probably because the prestige of the Tristan Family was so much greater than that of Eleanor as an individual. Regardless, when such a person was in a relationship, it would likely be consumed with gossip.

Of course, there was no particular problem with gossip. However, there was one person who would not be pleased with it.

If Duke Tristan finds out

However, Beatrix was forced to shut her mouth.

Just bringing up that topic seemed to lower the temperature in the entire room by several degrees.

Yes, that old man would be displeased.

Eleanor replied in a frosty voice.

This wasnt the attitude youd expect from a daughter to her father, but Beatrix didnt put too much thought into it.

After all, he didnt even contact his daughter after two assassination attempts.

One didnt even have to ask to know what the relationship between the two was like.

So, she decided to change topics.

This situation is kind of weird. How did he seduce you?

I didnt get seduced.

Beatrix laughed at the sight of a disgruntled Eleanor twirling the ends of her hair.

It was probably like that since she wouldnt care about what others had to say.

Anyway, if he had been kind to you in any way, youre usually the first to question why.

The environment molds a person.

Sadly, Lady Tristan was in an environment where it was a must to assume that there was some intention behind everything rather than trusting peoples pure kindness.

But now, strangely enough, this woman was trusting this man.

As if something had compelled her into it.

It seems so.

Considering her usual tendency, it was unprecedented for someone to approach and impact her that quickly and greatly.

Eleanor shouldve been aware of this, too.

Then why dont we test it out?

Test it? Like what?

Im just saying that we should try to observe him up close.

What are you talking about?

Seeing Eleanor smile instead of answering gave Beatrix goosebumps.

She felt a sense of foreboding.

When this woman had this look, things wouldnt remain quiet.

Hey, what are you talking about?

Lets go get something to eat. Its about time.

Dont change the subject!

I glared at the letter in my hand.

It bore the seal of the Elfante Student Supervisor Team, so it should be genuine. Its mana imprint was difficult to forge.

The problem was the content of the letter.

[ Student Dowd Campbells class is not yet available for viewing. ]

[ The Student Supervisor Team is working on a project to produce the best results. ]

[ You can expect good news. ]

No.

I dont want to expect anything.

Cant you just put me in a suitable class and leave me alone?

I had no idea what kind of grand project theyre working on.

In the first place

What bothered me more than anything was that the Academy had sent me a personal letter.

Although an accident happened in the middle of it, the situation was settled smoothly. According to the rules, I should have retook the class placement test.

In fact, the main characters party, including Iliya, took the test after the accident and was assigned to a special class.

Why cant I have that streamlined process? Why was I the only odd one out?

I dont know.

I muttered as I kept the letter away.

There was no point in focusing on things without an answer.

Instead of that, this

< System Message>

[ Confirmed completion of class assignment after admission. ]

[ The first main quest has been completed. ]

[ Updating additional information! ]

The first main quest I received was Complete the Class Assignment after Admission.

Since the system gave a prompt, the requirements have been met.

But this was a problem.

[ Main Quest ]

[ Successfully solve the incident that will happen at the freshmens welcome party! ] [ D-3 ]

[ Reward: Exclusive Equipment Material ]

The freshmen welcome party was an event marking the beginning of Seras path divergence.

To be precise, it was about choosing which character path the main character would take.

Their would-be job was determined by what they would take an interest in.

Ranged marksman, melee warrior, support priest or wide-area mage you could think of it as choosing a primary build among the various job classes.

Maybe giving me materials for Exclusive Equipment was a part of that.

Exclusive Equipment was equipment that could be developed by specializing in a field.

Once fostered to completion, its power would be overwhelming. Though it could only perform simple functions in the beginning.

In other words, if I decide on my primary job class like the main character, I would be given specialized growth equipment.

Having that taken care of was a good thing.

But it was also dangerous.

My mouth goes dry just from thinking about it.

Because, most importantly, its linked with this.

< Gift-related Character Notification >

Eleanor

[ Trust Level 2 ] >>> [ Trust Level 5 ]

[ Favorability has increased significantly in a short period of time! ]

[ Special Rewards Available! ]

[ Close to favorability status change! ]

[ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ]

[ D-3 until related events occur. ]

Iliya

[ Curiosity Level 5 ]

[ Rewards Currently Unavailable! ]

[ Close to favorability status change! ]

[ She is an important character. A special event will trigger after a successful status change! ]

[ D-3 until related events occur. ]

I see.

Main character and final boss-related events would happen at the same time, overlapping with the starting point of the main quest.

This meant only one thing.

A big wave is coming!

Werent there professional assassins, including Hasmed, just from Eleanors first event?

If these two are involved at the same time, the intensity would naturally follow.

Fortunately, unlike the first time, I have about three days of grace period instead of two.

No, actually, I dont think thats a relief at all.

Two or three days were the same. It was difficult either way.

Isnt it like getting gaslighted when the starting point is this tough?

I have no choice but to do what it demands me to do.

I sighed, scratching my head.

What could I do? Its not like I had a choice.

It was said that even a ghost who died with a full stomach looks more attractive, so lets eat all the rewards I could get first. Of course, starting with Eleanors.

[ Received Gift Reward from Eleanor. ]

[ Received 1x Skill Copy Ticket. ]

[ You can copy 1 of the targets skills! ]

What the fuck is this?

Skill Copy???

This is crazy! Are they for real?

This didnt need an explanation.

No way, I can just copy the final boss skill?

But nows not the best time

It would be a loss if I used it right now.

Like the main character, Iliya, Eleanor would also grow into her final boss form.

Of course, she was at the top of the Academys food chain, but there was no reason to waste this now when I could get hella good skills in the future.

But then, that meant that I would have to prepare for the event in three days without this.

Luckily, I knew a place where I could get items that would help me survive.

Huu

I breathed out a long exhalation and gazed at my destination in front of me.

It was an old warehouse within a long walking distance outside the academy building.

However, for a rundown place, it was exuding extreme irony as it had no reason to be plastered with all kinds of defensive magic, including perception-damping spells.

It was called the supply room among the faculty.

Though, for Sera veterans, it was familiarly known as Item Farm.

It was generally used to store educational materials and equipment. However Elfantes history was deep, and it contained mountains of unique relics. Among them were things that only players who have played the game knew the value of.

There was only one thing I was aiming for.

Divines Ultima.

It was an early survival item that brought the strongest impact in Sera if properly used.

It was originally an item that belonged to the Chapter 2 boss, Yuria Greyhounder.

She was nicknamed as the Crazed Swordsman, a crazy bitch who sliced up anyone who came within a certain distance.

In reality, I thought that it might be a bit risky to snatch an item from such an important person in advance.

However, I had no choice if I wanted to prepare for the event in three days.

None of the shit in this world is my fault, but why am I the one struggling?

In any case, Yuria was incredibly strong, hence why shes a chapter boss. It shouldnt be too much trouble.

Alright, then.

Lets farm some items then head back.

Nothing would go wrong, right?

Five minutes later.

I was cursing myself for making such a statement.

I looked at the black-haired girl who was silently swaying in front of me. Tears were welling up in her eyes.

A petite body that barely reached my neck and an appearance that resembled a cat. Overall, her appearance didnt deviate much from that of a child.

I would even call her cute if it wasnt for the fact that she was pointing a sword at my neck.

[Can you please stay still?]

Those words floated in the air. This woman didnt speak with her voice; she expressed herself this way.

And by saying that, you mean

So its easier to slice?

[Yes.]

You crazy bitch.

This was none other than Yuria Greyhounder, the Chapter 2 Boss.

And my life was being threatened by that person right now.

Why cant things just go smoothly for once?