Assistant Professor Claire had just arrived at the duty officers office, permeated by the heavy scent of alcohol.

Kuhhhhh, kuhhhhhhhh-

It was still the breaking dawn, pre-sunrise.

Braving an unexpected downpour, she had managed to reach 20 minutes ahead of her scheduled time.

Entering the duty room, she was greeted by the sight of Professor Krayd snoring loudly, his head tilted back in the duty chair.

The duty desk was littered with all sorts of tobacco and bottles of distilled spirits. It looked less like an office and more of a cave.

Professor Krayd

The nighttime duties at Triss Hall were rotations taken up by senior professors.

Such a position required a certain degree of decision-making power and authority to deal with emergencies and any changes that occurred at night.

Typically, a guiding professor and their disciple would handle these tasks together, and being the junior most in the field of Elemental Science, Claire was the sole associate professor, invariably paired up with Professor Krayd.

Of course, night patrols, status checks, and ensuring the security of crucial buildings these mundane tasks were all Claires responsibility. Though she didnt feel entirely wronged by this division of labor.

But what truly troubled Claire was Professor Krayds attitude towards his duties.

Perhaps all the good fortune she was known for was being repaid at once with such a calamity.

Professor Krayd please wake up! You need to sign off on the checklist!

Professor Krayd lay there, fully drunk and snoring, with a book covering his face to block out the light.

Eventually stirring with a start, Krayd opened his bleary eyes to see Claire in front of him.

His unkempt hair was disheveled, and his scruffy beard was bristled in all directions.

He was donning his usual white laboratory coat, though it looked pathetic with tobacco shreds and stains of spilled alcohol all over it.

Once a fearsome elemental mage who had single-handedly demolished half of an Ain tribe attacking the capital, he was widely known as an outlaw called Lawless Krayd.

But now, he epitomized nothing but a disgrace.

Youre here?

Claire nearly teared up.

Professor Glast had been a strict but efficient guiding professor, and though it was tough under him, compared to Krayd, Glast seemed almost angelic. At least he got the job done.

When did you go to sleep, Professor?

Dont worry. I remember saying hello to you before you went on patrol.

That means you went straight to sleep after!

Krayd staggered to sit up, spitting out the tobacco scraps from his mouth into an ashtray.

He stretched his body in an attempt to wake his drunk mind.

Professor Krayd! What if Vice-Principal Rachel were to see you like this! I was informed she would be here in Triss Hall tonight!

Oh, that woman just went passed a while ago I vaguely remember.

Deputy Principal Rachel held significant authority within the academy, second only to the principal, Obel Forcius. Although she appeared to be at odds with Obel lately, from the perspective of a junior professor like Claire, Rachel was an untouchable figure high above.

Claire went pale, to which Krayd waved nonchalantly, dismissing her concerns.

Its fine, its fine. Ive known that woman for ages. Ah to think the woman who trembled at the sight of an Ain foot soldier during the war would become the deputy principal of such a prestigious academy. Time does fly.

Yet she walked past, seeing you in such a state?

What can she do? It was her idea to schedule me for this unexpected night shift. There was some sudden personnel shortfall or something

Thats no excuse

Krayd plucked a piece of tissue, blew his nose and crumpled it, taking a shooting stance towards the trash can in the corner.

After a brief pause, he threw itmissing. The tissue hit the rim of the can before falling to the floor.

That woman is as cowardly as she is cunning. Why would she manage the duty roster, something thats typically beneath her. There must be a purpose behind it.

A purpose? What purpose?

Who knows? Its obvious, but its not my place to worry about it.

Claire watched him, her head tilting in confusion.

Krayd, busying his mouth as if rid of an annoying aftertaste, stumbled to his feet.

Well given the long-standing history, she probably knows enough about me.

Knows enough if only

When it came to Professor Krayd, most thoughts were disparaging.

For one, he hardly did any work, to the extent where paying him a salary seemed questionable.

From this perspective, the desk seemed even messier than usual.

It was common to see bottles rolling about or nasty tobacco powders sprinkled aroundstuff Claire would have to clean up before the shift change.

But apart from that, there seemed to be documents on the desk that were not typically there.

Whats this?

Reports from the dormitory. Its out of our jurisdiction, so I just tossed them aside.

But, Professor Krayd, Mekses Grand Professors department is near! Shouldnt we at least be checking?

I checked. Hmm What was it

As Krayd opened another bottle of spirits, he pondered.

Uh I may have checked in a dream I remember in my dream

PLEASE Professor Krayd!!

Claires heart raced.

Such reports brought up during night duty hinted at urgent or important matters, ones which should be internally noted. To have them neglected on the desk for hours could result in disciplinary action.

She began to go over the reports when suddenly

Screeeeech

Late into the night, at the Triss Hall duty office.

No one but the duty officer was to come in at this time and place.

Yet, a young girl with tawny hair had appeared amidst the rain, her merchant robes hood flung back as she looked at the two.

Its you

Good evening.

Among the Elemental Science professors, there was no one who did not know the girl.

She was a top student in her second year, a surrogate head of a mighty commerce guild, and she occupied a seat in Class A.

And who do we have here? The sly second-year A-class snake has graced us with her presence.

Krayd nonchalantly sat with his feet up on the table.

The quintessential image of an unscrupulous educator, he seemed undisturbed by her arrival.

Quite the hour to visit the Triss Hall duty office. What brings you?

With grace, Lortelle shook off the rain as she sat down across the table.

Looking for Vice-Principal Rachel, are you?

Why dont you start explaining why youd traverse this far in the dead of night first?

Claire was wordless by the tables edge.

Through the tar-black night, where not even the moon could be seen, the figure of Lortelle emerged, almost ghostlike.

Though Lortelle was very much alive, looking a bit tired and with her clothes in disarray, her innate dignity remained intact.

Lortelle glanced at the reports in Claires hold, skimming the large print, and seemingly deduced the gist of the content.

Yes, Im here because of some issues related to Elte Commerce.

Krayd, whose fuss over reading written reports was just laziness disguised as principle, sighed.

Whatever Elte Commerce is cooking up in the dormitory area has nothing to do with us, the Triss Hall faculty on duty So why come here, I wonder

Matching Lortelle in cunning, Krayd lit his tobacco.

Ah, Rachel must be stirring trouble again. A woman overflowing with energy and ambition.

Krayd muttered to himself, the wafting smoke symbolic of his disdain.

Publicly denouncing a superior was disrespectful, especially at his standing as a seasoned professor. But then again, if appropriateness was the measure, Professor Krayd didnt have a single redeeming quality to begin with.

I may need to discuss this inconvenience with Vice-Principal Rachel, the decision-maker.

You know I dont want the details.

Lortelles refusal to explain further only emboldened Claires disbelief, while Krayd smirked, satisfied.

Reports will likely surge towards the academy soon. Between Ed Rothtaylor and Elte Commerce, theres potential for a huge scandal over misappropriated funds. Its all a headache unless dealt with in advance.

Ed Rothtaylor? Whats he got to do with this out of the blue?

Krayd stretched, shaking off his feet and standing up.

His posture cast an overpowering air over Lortelle.

Isnt that the student that gave us trouble during the final exams? Told the kid to find me if he wanted to learn higher magics, but hes too busy causing ruckus.

Well, not everything that happens in the Rothtaylor house should be blamed on him.

Yeah, well Hes perfect for use. Politically precarious yet with a known name.

Krayd was sure that Lortelles ulterior motives were as shady as they come, Ed Rothtaylor being a convenient target for her manipulations.

Lortelle was accustomed to such attitudes.

Honestly, hes hardly endearing. You know, students should be eager and fresh. Instead, hes got eyes that have seen too much all grim and gruff, makes teaching joyless.

Professor Krayd, you barely teach anyway.

Ah goodness Quiet, Claire. After all, his business is none of my concern. I cant be bothered if a student doesnt want to learn, even if hes got a bright future ahead. Shame, really, tsk.

Half-drunk rambles melded with the sound of another uncorked bottle.

But there are exactly three kinds of people I detest.

A professor by title, yet so unfit for the role.

Krayd puffed away arrogantly, a living example of what should never be emulated in academia.

Observing Professor Krayd, everyone agreed with a unified remark.

A bloke who abandons his drink, one who never repays borrowed money, and

One who messes with my apprentices.

However, he had been teaching for quite some time.

Deep down, he might have become a deplorable relic of the past, but he is the type of person who draws a clear line that cannot be crossed until the end.

The conviction that remains at the bottom, even if thought to be utterly discarded, occasionally rears its head unexpectedly.

Dont worry about it.

But Lortelles response seemed more relaxed than ever.

Always appearing calm, she spoke to Professor Krayd with an even more serene voice.

That person is mine. Ill take care of it.

Was it a deflection to avoid the situation, or was it a sincere statement?

Professor Krayd glanced at Lortelle and discarded his cigarette, then playfully blew into the liquor bottle.

Then, with a Puhah. he exhaled contentedly and said,

It must be nice, being young. I, too, had a fiery love once. Ah

Im not sure how you got entangled with that stoic fellow, but how far have you two gone? It seems like you might have at least kissed, and knowing how fast young folks these days advance their preludes, you didnt already share a bed

Whack!

Caught off guard, Professor Krayds face met a pile of books that catapulted towards him, causing him and his chair to topple backward to the floor.

The thrower was Assistant Professor Claire.

What are you saying! That would be a crime, Professor Krayd!

Bewildered and sprawled on the floor from inebriation, Professor Krayd writhed a few times.

Even Claire regretted her action. She had never thought shed actually hurl a book at her mentor.

Though it was a reflexive action, it seemed overly harsh yet strangely, Professor Krayd laid there pathetically, gazing up at the ceiling.

Could it be that Krayd was actually someone who could be treated so mundanely?

As this peculiar thought crossed her mind, Claire felt a cold sweat break out.

In front of Lortelle, who seemed to dodge her gaze oddly, Claire quickly spoke up,

Vice-Headmaster Rachel despises the Elte Merchants Association terribly, so its not in your favor to meet her now. Instead of visiting, it would be better to leave a written message. Lortelle?

Meeting with Vice-Headmaster Rachel didnt seem to bode well for Lortelle.

It was in the middle of forming this conclusion that Claire found herself at a loss for words.

Lortelle, always rumored to be a sly and inscrutable vixen, was the girl Claire felt strangely intimidated by in their Elemental Science class.

Yet upon catching a glimpse of Lortelle withdrawing while subtly reddening her face Claire doubted her eyes.

Wasnt this girl one who had endured years in the brutal business underbelly, who maintained a poker face in the presence of far more demeaning and pride-stripping situations?

It appeared inconceivable that a jest containing trivial lewdness from Professor Krayd could cause her to recoil with such embarrassment just like girls her age.

Could she have made such an expression?

This disparity felt too strange to Claire, and she found herself momentarily speechless.

*[Finished. He wont be able to get up from that.]

Between the broken walls of the I.e., guests lounge, rain seeped through.

When a few raindrops soaked through Thyrsus (Yenikas) hair, a giant bird-shaped spirit unfolded its wings above her head to provide cover.

Drip, drip.

The same drops of rain fell impartially on Taely, who was making a desperate effort on the ground.

Arghhhhh!

After numerous attempts to rise by pushing off the ground, Taely slowly began to lose his strength.

[ Theres no point in going further. Lets conclude the situation, Miss Yenika. ]

The mid-ranking Earth Spirit Taik, molded from mud and resembling a horse, snorted as it spoke.

While collecting the dispersed magic of Tarkan, a high-ranking Fire Spirit, Yenika hurried to calm her shocked insides.

Tarkan was a Spirit with considerable power among the Fire Spirit hierarchy.

Despite never dreaming of a promotion due to the overwhelming candidacy of the highest-ranking Fire Spirit Theophis, it was a Spirit that commanded respect from most high-ranking counterparts.

It was beyond Yenikas imagination to slash Tarkan down. Its skin, which had effortlessly resisted any external shock, had never been pierced by anyone in Sylvania except for Lucy with raw firepower.

Nevertheless, it was still insufficient.

Ultimately, to overcome Yenikas spirit magic, reliance on the advantageous interplay of elemental properties was necessary, but even that meant nothing before Yenika, who could wield all elements spirits.

Strength.

Alone, it was not enough to face Sylvanias many legendary students before Yenika.

Yenika, already bestowed with exceptional sensitivity, experienced growth beyond imagination while communing with Ed Rothtaylor.

Now, Taelys power was insufficient to break through.

Thus, Taelys journey ended on the third floor of the Elte Merchants Association.

As consciousness faded, Taely finally let go of all strength.

He clenched his teeth, attempting to rise while preserving consciousness, but his efforts gradually dwindled.

Urgh, ugh

As Taelys movements came to a complete halt, Zix appeared, climbing the stairwell from below.

He looked unharmed and managed to stay upright easily. After all, Taely never intended to hurt Zix, just to clear the path.

Its over, senior Yenika.

Mm.

Dispelling the summoned spirits one by one, Yenika nodded quietly.

Eds message had been to block Taely McLore as much as possible from breaking through the Associations building.

The plans to turn the building into a battlefield, causing chaos to gauge Taelys capabilities and, if possible, provoke his growth had all been achieved.

Initially, it was enough to just block Taelys path, but the situation became more complex with Cleviuss intervention.

Moreover, Taely proved to have a stronger will than anticipated, which extended the ordeal.

I didnt expect him to hold out this much

Ill handle Taely, whos lost consciousness. You should go back and rest, senior Yenika.

Okay. I need to report the situation to Ed. Ill head back to the camp.

After putting away her magical gear into her pocket and dusting off her staff for safekeeping, Yenika spoke.

With that, she quietly looked up at the rain-soaked sky.

Although testing Taely was the goal, there seemed to be interest in Taelys abilities.

Frankly, Yenika wasnt too fond of Taely; he often showed hostility and aggression towards Ed, especially since Eds behavior during the entrance exam lay at the root of it, meaning there was no point in blaming Taely.

He was just another existence, but Ed had an oddly profound interest in Taelys capabilities.

On one hand, it seemed he genuinely wished for Taelys growth contributing to Yenikas bemusement.

While Taely certainly possessed strong determination and tremendous potential for growth, Ed was no less committed to his will and progression.

If Taelys pronounced growth could be considered a protagonists destiny, then Ed Rothtaylors advancement was the result of his own volition.

Of course, Yenika, who simply affirmed Ed man-to-man, couldnt grasp that great distinction.

Just as she was about to tie up the loose ends, a voice reverberated through the guests lounge.

Ed Rothtaylor is in that camp, I take it.

The voice of that boy, presumed unconscious, echoed.

Before any response could be made, a surge of magic energy stormed through the entire lounge.

Boommm!

Both Yenika and Zix swiftly reacted, avoiding major harm, but the buildings external wall wasnt so fortunate.

The wall of the Elte Merchant Associations building, pummeled by rain, collapsed from the release of magical energy.

Boom! Boommmm!

Ugh!

Yenika quickly summoned spirits to shield against the aftermath, and Zix hid behind rubble to minimize the impact.

Meanwhile, the surging powers were unmistakably rising from Search Taelys body.

Swordmaster-style Death Knell in [Sylvanias Failed Swordmaster] is realized only when at the very brink of extremity.

It is a desperate skill awakened moments before the loss of consciousness and strength to temporarily resurrect in total capacity for continued combat.

Initially devised by the First Swordmaster Luden upon witnessing Bloodsword Arts, this ultimate technique is rarely contemplated, springing spontaneously when push comes to shove.

The brief flare of consciousness before fading into the dark.

Thus, it burns even more gloriously and grandly.

Ka-boom!

Was it a sword strike, or a ray of magical energy that had whizzed past?

The guests lounge was split in two.

Screeech! Boommmm!

A clean vertical cut, crossing the stained glass and the floor, joined by an almost imperceptible trace of the slashs path.

Around that trace, the building began to split.

What?

Taely, raising his greatsword again, now swipes diagonally.

Neither Yenika nor Zix was the target but rather the grand Elte Merchants Association building that had outlived its usefulness.

Natural as an egg sliced by a real knife, the building began to split apart effortlessly.

Boom! Boooooom!

As debris fell, the building started to collapse.

Even the formidable Elte Merchants Associations Sylvania branch could not withstand a single strike from the Swordmasters blade and vanished.

Woosh!

The immediate concern was to escape the falling building.

Both Yenika and Zix made eye contact, then evacuated through the window in their unique ways.

Zix, leveraging wind magic for a soft landing, and Yenika, riding on spirits.

Already in the courtyard were traces of Elvira scurrying away, carrying Clevius in her arms to avoid the falling debris.

Boom! Booooooom!

Trissiana also emerged, flying through the sky with flight magic, displaying the composure to even rescue the internal staff with telekinesis amid the chaos, her face clearly flustered.

Gatling booms!

Each sword strike resonated like a cannon shot.

All were dumbfounded by the raw power of those highly intensified blows.

After all, it was nothing more than a last-ditch struggle before consciousness was lost.

If only to endure that brief moment, eventually, search Taely would fall.

Theres no point in expending energy on a flailing pattern that resolves itself over time. The attack pattern is easily understood at a glance.

Taely knew himself that his time was short.

Therefore atop the rubble, he glimpsed the road stretching northward through the forest.

Before thinking any further, he leaped and dashed off.

Footprints and traces led through the trees, not of one person but of a robust man followed by a woman.

The other was in the camp to the north.

For Taely, there was hardly any time left. His consciousness was on the brink.

Before that, cut down Ed Rothtaylor.

With that single-minded intent Taely McLore ran through the forest.