Bluff (2)

Lets make a bet.

Frondier picked up a wooden sword from his private room.

A bet?

You made it to the 5th stage, right? Its the same as the test there.

5th stage? Is he talking about the skill test?

The 5th stage is definitely Elodie sunbaes...

Five-minute time limit. From the pelvis to the shoulders, excluding the limbs. If you can touch me, you win. If the time runs out, I win.

Pielotts expression became serious.

When he fought Elodie, even with five against one, he couldn't touch even her fingertips. But this time its one on one.

But the opponent isn't Elodie sunbae, its Frondier sunbae. He even took off his Obsidian, so wouldn't it be worth a try...?

Whats the bet?

If you win, Ill let the Black Lotus incident slide. And if you want, Ill even introduce you to my friends.

Friends?

Yeah. Elodie, Aster, Robald, Aten... These are the people I can introduce you to from the skill test.

At those words, Pielotts mouth fell open. Each and every one of them was a famous sunbae.

Is Sloth really close to so many people?

...And if I lose?

Pielott asked with tension in his voice.

As expected, a witch with poison awaits behind such tempting fruit.

As expected, Frondier laughed lowly and said,

If you lose, youll be my errand boy for a semester.

E-errand boy?

Yeah. Come running when I call, do as I say. No matter what youre doing at the time, if I call, you stop what youre doing and run here within ten minutes. Well, I wont call during class, but other than that, you have to be ready to come anytime.

Pielott swallowed hard.

Thats not an errand boy, thats completely...

Or will you just give up? Of course, the rumor that youre a thief will spread throughout Constel.

Frondiers eyes were wicked as he spoke. Pielott gritted his teeth.

...Ill do it.

Good.

Frondier placed the wooden sword in front of Pielott and put the tip on the floor.

Ill face you with this wooden sword. You can use any weapon. Even a real sword.

Youre underestimating me.

No.

Frondier denied it flatly.

His low voice and eyes were chilling.

Youre underestimating me.

...

Dont worry too much. Ill give you a chance to challenge me once a month.

As if it were a given that Pielott would lose this time, Frondier said.

Pielott pulled out his beloved bastard sword.

I wont need such an opportunity...!

With those words, Pielott took his stance. His aura swelled up instantly.

Theres no starting signal, so come in when you want.

Frondier, who said that, still didnt take a stance. The tip of his sword was touching the ground.

Hes making fun of me!

Pielotts eyes flashed as he thrust his blade forward with a fearsome stab. Frondier, who hadnt taken a proper stance, was full of openings.

With the fierce momentum of his aura, Pielotts sword stabbed towards Frondiers chest.

Frondier lightly lifted the wooden sword that had been touching the ground and met Pielotts blade.

Its no use! If I pierce through like this-

Swoosh-

A strange sound came out when Pielott and Frondiers swords touched each other.

...?

Pielott couldnt understand the situation for a moment. The hand that had been thrusting the sword was now empty, and he found himself holding nothing in front of Frondier.

It was Falling Edge.

Thud-

The tip of Frondiers wooden sword touched Pielotts solar plexus.

Clang, a metallic sound came from behind Pielott. He turned around and saw his bastard sword.

It had slipped from his hand and somehow flown over his head and fallen behind him.

...Wh-what is this...

You died once.

Frondier lightly pushed the wooden sword.

Pielott stepped back without saying a word. As Frondier said, if he had been holding a real sword, Pielott would have been stabbed more than five times.

Well, thats not my winning condition, so you still have a chance. It hasnt been five minutes yet.

...!

Hearing those words, Pielott retreated and looked for his sword. He reached out to grab the sword that had fallen to the floor.

Whack!

Ugh!

His hand hit something and bounced back. He couldnt see it with his eyes. It was the invisible weapon that Frondier had shown before.

That was out just now. The enemy is right in front of you, and you not only turn your back but also reach out defenselessly.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

This time, Frondier flicked his weaving weapon at Pielotts bastard sword, bouncing it off repeatedly.

The bastard sword, which had bounced lightly due to the first hit, danced in the air as it was struck by Frondiers weaving. It was almost an art form.

And youre doing that even though you already know about this attack.

G-give it back! My sword!

If there were enemies who would return it just because you said so, the world would be a little more peaceful.

Ugh, Pielott groaned and reached for his bastard sword again. This time, he pushed his body forward as well.

Not bad.

Whack! Whack!

Ugh...!

Pielott took a few more hits while retrieving his sword. Pielott gripped his sword again and corrected his posture.

Frondier thought to himself.

He has a long way to go.

Frondiers pure weaving only works for a moment and then disappears, but its not without lethality.

The reason Pielott is holding on is simply because hes being lenient. Hes not weaving proper weapons like knives, hes just throwing all sorts of junk.

So, Pielotts current actions are actually out. If Frondier had been a real enemy, he would have been riddled with holes and dead.

Hes throwing a tantrum in a strange place.

Pielott has talent, strength, and above all, the competitive spirit that is essential for a combatant, but he has a loose side somewhere.

Apart from being stubborn, he sets his own standards, thinking this much is okay.

He probably had that habit because that much was okay until now.

In the end, what Frondier has to do remains the same.

He will just fix Pielott from the root.

I-Im going again!

Even in the midst of all that, Pielott was properly giving his own signal.

Frondier let out a hollow laugh.

Youre a bit like Aster in that way.

...!

Dont be happy. Its not a compliment.

And stop showing it on your face.

With a slightly flushed face, Pielott charged at Frondier again.