Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Student Council President Election Battle (9)

Walking the path.

For some reason, the shape of the road differs from person to person. Perhaps its true that nothing in this world is ever truly fair.

To some, the path is peaceful and smooth, reminiscent of a forest trail perfect for a pleasant outing.

The scent of blooming daffodils drifts in the air, and occasionally one exchanges greetings with passersby like squirrels or deer, humming along to the chirping of birds until a rock jutting on the roadside catches ones foot.

Then, nursing a throbbing toe, they retell their story, how their life too had trials, was hard, but they overcame. They overcame, thus they succeeded.

So, what of the road ahead for Clevius?

The path he treads reeks of blood and decay, teeming with packs of ravenous wolves. There are no flowers on the wayside, only the stench of sewage. The sun had long been obscured by dark clouds, leaving a dense darkness to cling to the outstretched road. Tripping over rocks became so routine that taking ones shoes off would reveal nothing but calluses.

Sprinting every day seems futile; its evident that before even reaching the end, one would collapse miserably on the road. Thus, the boy doesnt run at all.

Once there was a time he indeed tried to sprint with all his might. Most of those attempts are now a history marred with failures.

*Sigh*

The first action of Clevius, who was obstructing the path in the pouring rain, was to stab himself in the shoulder.Discover new chapters at novelhall.com

Phwock!

Whish!

Fresh blood cascades from his already blood-stained body. The pain is unbearable, but after clenching his teeth for only a short while, Clevius stumbles to his feet, the red glow in his eyes piercing through the sodden fringe of his hair.

Elvira swallowed dryly at the sight so chilling to behold. The Bloodsword Technique a forbidden art of the Nortondale family, never taught to anyone. Clevius, born with the fate of a sword demon, never received this teaching from others; he awoke to it on his own.

The strength drained from his body gives him the appearance of a living corpse. The blood flowing around him ignites with magic power and sticks to the blade.

Only the result of his feet stamping the ground remained. Now Clevius had vanished, and only the shattered marble floor betrayed his path due to the powerful impact.

One must put aside moral rules that dictate against murder. If you dont approach with the intent to kill, you cant even face the enemy.

Clevius, who sprung forth like a compressed spring, already had his sword aimed at Lucys throat.

Clang!

Of course, the sword didnt complete its thrust.

The blade that touched Lucys neck was immovable as if it had met an enormous iron wall.

Basic defensive magic.

Despite its name, the power behind Lucys magic made it as solid as a colossal iron barrier.

Lucy casually swung her arm, as if swatting an annoying insect, sending Clevius flying once again.

As he crashed on a corner of the rose garden gazebo, he immediately kicked off the ground, not even giving the impact time to dissipate.

Cleviuss piercing glare accurately caught Lucys magic. Her combat style was to overwhelm her enemies with her sheer force, simple and clear. If Clevius could grasp her pattern, his agility exceeding human limits would allow him to dodge.

However, Lucys magical patterns are too diverse to be fully comprehended. She doesnt use them simply because they are too bothersome.

The heirloom of Ed, a giant bow, floats in the air. Engraved with various intermediate and high-level magic, dozens of magic arrows are loaded.

Clevius, sensing the flow of magic in that direction, twisted his body with superhuman reflexes but couldnt avoid being struck by dozens of arrows engraved with the intermediate fire magic Pillar of Fire.

Kwaah!

Whoooosh!

Dozens of pillars of fire erupt majestically even amidst the rainy weather and swiftly swallow up Clevius.

Cough, hah..!

Luckily, he rolled away before the spells took full effect and managed to escape to the outskirts of the rose garden. Clevius yanked the debilitating magic arrows from his left shoulder and thigh.

The extracted magic arrows dissipated into the air, but the damage remained conclusively etched. Cleviuss body became further drenched in his own blood.

Yet the Bloodsword Technique turns even ones spilled blood into a new source of magical power, making the forbidden art even more taboo.

As wounds accumulate and the body becomes coated with blood, the power enveloping the blade and the body expands tremendously.

Nevertheless, even with the Bloodsword Technique at its peak, it would never compare to Lucys overwhelming magical power.

Whoosh.

Lucy raises her diminutive hand palm-up. It looks so frail that it could snap at a touch.

Yet, its the necks of those who let their guard down before her that will be snapped.

With a mere clench of her hand, a surge of surrounding magic coalesces into one point.

Boom!!

The intermediate fire magic Point-Blank Explosion hits Clevius squarely, sending him flying as he spits blood. Then the high-level lightning magic Heavenly Punishment crashes down upon him.

Boom! Crack!

Its lightning in its purest form, except infused with the vast power of Lucys magic.

Clevius, barely regaining consciousness, assumes a defensive stance, but the attack is far beyond any feasible defense. Though he manages to divert the attack partially, the cumulative damage had long exceeded his limits.

For Lucy to execute such magic against an opponent is the highest honor she could bestow.

Most students are not even worth Lucy Mayrill spending the effort to optimize her magical efficiency with elemental magic.

Most would perish instantly to the high-level magic she wields. Yet Lucy sensed it deep within: this adversary wouldnt fall to such attacks.

Having completely overpowered Wade, Zix escaped the corridor with Tanya. The hallways of Ophelius were near silent, devoid of people.

If he could just get Tanya out of Ophelius Hall, he could prevent the situation from escalating further. With that thought, Zix quickly led Tanya toward the back exit.

But at the end of the hallway, where the rain beat against the windows, stood a girl, still as a statue.

He recognized her as a student from Ophelius Hall, still remaining despite the situation

Lortelle Keheln.

The young merchant girl stood alone at the end of the corridor, not having sought refuge.

Cleviuss assault was far from over. With inhuman speed, he darted amid the debris of giant marble shards surrounding Lucy. Seizing his moment, he gathered all the magic of his blood sword art for a decisive blow.

An ice spear struck his shoulder as he lunged, nearly overcoming him. Gritting his teeth, he used what remained of his broken sword to strike at Lucys protective magical circle.

Kagaang!

With a force beyond imagination, Lucys barrier shattered once more.

Yet the outcome exceeded expectations.

Was it divine intervention, impressed by his relentless assault on Lucys protective magic without a hint of fear for his life?

-Kaang! Kagaang!

The sword in his right hand exploded into fragments, and he momentarily pierced through Lucys defensive magic, however unlikely it seemed.

Lucys ability to sense magic was phenomenal, and reconstructing her defense system only required an instant.

The duration perhaps a hundredth of a second, or even less.

But even a momentary lapse was more than enough time for a sword demon to plunge his blade.

He had no proper weapons left, one shattered to pieces, the other half-broken. Yet, against an adversary who, despite genius, possessed the physical capacity of just a young girlon an incomplete strike, it could be fatal.

Whoosh!

Guh ahk!

Lucys pupils shook violently. The moment had ended.

Staggering back, she clutched at her shoulder.

From her right deltoid across the center of her chest

The slender line of fresh blood widened, soaking her clothes with the crimson flow.

Regrettably, that scene never unfolded.

The difference was slight, but Lucys defenses had prevailed.

*

Paang!!

His last sword shattered. Clevius fell to the enchantment of a reflexively cast magic bullet.

Cuh Hah X-damn! What a monster!

Battered and embedded in the center of the rose garden, Clevius tried to push himself up, the blood caking his form, struggling to stand.

But his body had long since reached its limits. His legs no longer obeyed him.

Lucy paused, skimming her shoulder with confused eyes for a moment.

The harrowing possibility of what could have happened loomed before her like an apparition.

For a moment, she had truly faced the risk of being cut down.

The perilous sensation of a blades edge was not something that Lucy, who had lived a life among the strongest, could easily grow accustomed to.

Regaining composure, Lucy looked down at Clevius once again.

Yeek Yick! Damn paang!!!

Clevius struggled to rise, but propping himself up with one arm was all he could manage.

Unscathed, Lucy approached steadily, gathering magic in her hand as she stood over the defeated Clevius.

Clevius finally allowed his body to relax.

He had known how this confrontation would end. What wealth and glory compelled him to resist to such extremes was beyond even his understanding.

He let everything go and closed his eyes.

To have survived so disgracefully only to meet an end like this. How shameful and foolish until the very end.

With that final thought, he managed to release it all

Whoosh! Thump!

The object that flew was an arrow.

The arrow, made of magic, instantly created a vast pool of water, from which a mid-ranking water spirit, the ferocious Lioness Lacya, leapt out, shielding Clevius and Lucy.

Grunting fiercely, the appearance of the mid-ranking water spirit was intimidating.

Confounded by the situation, Clevius and Elvira, who had barely regained consciousness in the corner, looked toward the direction from which the arrow came.

At the entrance to the rain-soaked rose garden stood a man holding a bow similar to the one Lucy hada large robe pulled deeply over his head, so worn and frayed that the edges were jagged.

The sight, akin to a ghost resurrected from the dead, left no choice but to swallow dryly in apprehension.