Chapter 20.1

Chapter 20.1

EP – 020.1 – Class (3)

Tallion found himself a little surprised.

Was killing intent this easy to create?

‘That bastard...!’

With gritted teeth, he looked around with bloodshot eyes.

In truth, the noble part of Tallion understood the current situation to some extent. If the other party was able to play around him, he clearly has the superior skills.

Tallion knew that he should apologize for his rudeness.

“...”

Marquis Riverback will be disappointed once he catches this.

Recalling the one who helped him get admitted to the academy and his family’s benefactor, Tallion couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

As someone with the potential and expected to surpass surpass the hero candidate Elijah, his benefactor would definitely be displeased seeing his poor state.

But that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t hit back after being provoked for 25 times.

“Tallion?”

That’s what he thought.

Until he heard a voice calling him in front.

“...Elijah?”

Tallion tilted his head in confusion seeing a smiling Elijah approach him.

Why is she here so suddenly?

“Long time no see, it’s been a while since the last monster subjugation, no?”

Tallion hesitated.

He and Elijah had both participated as apprentices in a joint monster subjugation under the command of Marquis Kendride.

‘...She remembered.’

Thinking so, Tallion inwardly smiled.

‘It’s been so long, I thought she wouldn’t remember. Much less as someone who suffered a crushing defeat.’

As peers around the same age and skill, it would’ve been strange if they didn’t spar.

Of course, the result was disastrous for Tallion.

Regardless of how many people say that Elijah was only ‘slightly’ above him, he knew better than anyone else that that slight difference was akin to an insurmountable wall.

Even, it’s an honor to be recognized by such a brilliant talent.

“Indeed, Elijah. It’s been a while.”

“What were you doing here?”

“...Oh nothing, I was just looking for someone.”

Tallion awkwardly coughed and glossed over.

Ever since their first meeting, Elijah was his motivation to train and surpass.

He naturally wouldn’t want her to know that he was chasing someone out of anger.

“Is that so? Who were you looking for?”

“Uh, just some annoying guy...”

“What plans do you have once you found him?”

“...”

It was around this time that Tallon felt something amiss.

Although Elijah was still smiling, her words were carrying a chilly air.

‘Did she always have this image?’

No, she didn’t.

When he met her before, she definitely has a slightly aggressive side. However, she’s a prim and proper model citizen through and through.

What she’s showing now was something else entirely.

But it didn’t feel ‘insidious’.

“Tell me. What were you planning on doing?”

“...”

“Nosy know-it-alls are annoying. And I’ve never seen someone like that with pure intentions...”

Elijah paused for a moment. Her expression suddenly changed, seemingly to have thought of something. Then, she revised her words.

“...I’ve only seen one. The rest were guys who only look out for their own interest, isn’t that so?”

“Elijah, I-uh, I...”

Elijah snapped her fingers and stopped Tallion in his tracks.

Then the already fragmented spear shattered into powder.

This time, Tallion didn’t even know what the hell happened.

“I don’t want to hear excuses, understand?”

Tallion dryly swallowed his saliva.

It seems that he’s the ignorant idiot here.

If you don’t want to get pummeled then...

Don’t touch Dowd Campbell. Heck, don’t even go near him.

“Okay. You seem to have understood, just don’t do it in the future.”

“... Wait.”

“Do you still have something to say?”

Looking at Elijah smiling coolly, Tallion flinched, but he was determined to ask this question.

He was dying from curiosity.

“Who is that guy Doud Campbell exactly?”

Why would such a talented individual behave to such an extent that even her personality changed?

Who the hell is Dowd Campbell?

Elijah responded with a smirk.

“He’s someone who knocked me out, someone with far superior skills than mine.”

“...Wasn’t that a scam?”

“Mr. is not the kind of person who would do that. If you continue to think that, you might kiss death before you know it.”

“...”

But despite the threat, Tallion was in no state to respond.

It was true that the hero candidate was defeated with a single blow?

‘...What kind of monster is he?’

At least Elijah’s strength was still within the realms of understanding, but the other person was just completely incomprehensible.

Why isn’t he publicly known if that’s the case?

“...So it’s fortunate that I’m not dead yet?”

“Yes, now you’re getting it. I basically saved your life.”

Tallion trembled when he saw Elijah answering like that while shaking her head.

Did he unknowingly challenge a monster to a fight?

“What’s your relationship with that person? How did you find out?”

At this point, he couldn’t bear it anymore and asked the question.

But unlike before, there was no immediate response. Rather, Elijah’s expression turned solemn.

Then, after some pondering.

“No, we’re just good friends, right? On the other hand... Yes, that’s probably it.”

“...What?”

“Maybe, for now. Uh. That’s about it... I guess? I mean, it’s not that big of a deal to me personally...”

“...What did you say?”

“Ah, I don’t know! Anyway, we’re friends for now!”

The way she’s acting right now was just like the Elijah he knew before.

Maybe she hasn’t completely changed as a person.

‘...But what does she mean by friends ‘for now’?’

His questions were left unanswered.