Chapter 209: Praise The Lord (5)

Theo focused his gaze straight ahead, deep in thought.

'I need to use Rok and Piel well to solve this.'

His strategy was simple and direct.

Using [Magic Nullification], Theo would break the barrier surrounding this space, and everyone would ambush Oswald's gang.

Speed was crucial here.

A misstep could mean death for all the hostages.

'Can Piel handle it?'

At this moment, Piel's power wasn't enough to overpower even the instructors.

However, Rok and Piel have seen what he was capable of many times.

Even if it's a demanding and hard-to-believe request, they would follow without question.

'...And perhaps, Piel's bloodline ability [Gambler] might activate. It's a long shot, but possible.'

'How can I deceive Oswald and communicate my plan to the both of them?'

Oswald, rambling before him, seemed insane but was actually quite sharp.

He would notice any obvious scheming.

'I'll have to speak directly to Rok, who's under scrutiny, and for Piel... I'll use body language instead of voice.'

Having made up his mind, Theo, maintaining his composure, placed his hand on Piel's back, who was sitting next to him.

Piel shuddered as his hand touched her.

Theo then tapped her back gently and began writing a message with his index finger.

"...Uh!"

Piel twisted uncomfortably under the touch.

'Stay still!'

Theo pressed his palm against her back to steady her, then quickly wrote a message.

The content was straightforward.

'As soon as I charge at Oswald, rush the armed group and protect the hostages. Cough lightly if you understand.'

"Um."

Piel, echoing Theo's finger movements, coughed lightly.

Satisfied, Theo stood up and approached Rok.

Rok asked,

"What's the matter, Theo?"

"I wish to be counted as one of the 32."

The instructors beside Rok wore expressions of disbelief.

Despite Theo's recent rise, his statement was utterly baffling.

All instructors in the Hero Department were active heroes, and there's a vast gap in skills between them and the academy students.

Theo's rapid growth and potential are acknowledged, but for now, he's just a student.

Unfazed by the numerous gazes from the instructors, Theo boldly placed his hand on Rok's shoulder.

Rok, unable to hide his surprise, stared back at Theo.

A mere student had dared to touch the body of Rok, a senior professor and someone who could be even considered the head of the professors.

He wasn't old-fashioned, but Rok found this act completely unprecedented.

Disregarding this, Theo met Rok's eyes and then stared at the sky for a long time before shaking his head.

Such behavior was odd for Theo, who always strictly adhered to proper conduct in public.

Rok quickly tried to decipher Theo's hidden intentions.

"You really know how to get under someone's skin. Fine, let's see if you can bite, dog!"

Oswald clenched his axe with both hands, channeling all his strength, and swung it fiercely.

The axe blade, bathed in the blue moonlight, gleamed ominously.

Swoosh──

Theo narrowly ducked, avoiding the axe.

The wind pressure from the axe passing overhead sent shivers down his spine.

"······!"

His body screamed in protest.

Faced with Oswald's unexpectedly rapid attacks, Theo had no choice but to use [Overload].

'Rok and Piel need to get to my side quickly.'

Their voices nearby suggested they were engaged in a standoff.

'Damn it.'

There was no time to look away.

A moment's distraction could mean losing his head.

Oswald possessed strength comparable to a mid to upper-tier active hero.

Even if Theo were in perfect condition, this was a formidable opponent he couldn't handle.

It was his first time facing such a direct confrontation with an enemy of this caliber.

─All these thoughts occurred in 0.3 seconds.

Oswald's relentless axe swings began.

Theo continued to dodge one attack after another.

His body, which had only just begun to recover, was again ravaged by the toll of [Overload].

'······I need to hold on a little longer.'

Theo looked at Oswald with a forced calm expression.

Oswald's eyes sparkled with ferocity.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha. This is entertaining, truly entertaining. You dodged all my swings, even though I wasn't holding back?"

"······."

Watching Theo's stoic gaze, Oswald clicked his tongue in frustration.

"No choice then. It's truly regrettable, so regrettable. I didn't want to kill you."

Oswald exclaimed as he pressed a button attached to the left side of his top.

"Authorize full power release!"

"“““Yes!”””"

The armed group responded in unison and similarly pressed buttons on their tops.

Immediately after, an intense energy burst forth from the group.

The energy was so powerful that everyone nearby could feel it.

Ssssssssh───!

Oswald immediately swung his axe at Theo with a speed far surpassing anything before.

Theo realized instantly.

'...I can't see it.'

He knew he couldn't dodge that attack.

Crack──!

The axe struck Theo's left shoulder.

The blade tore through his uniform and embedded itself in his left shoulder.