Chapter 31:

Chapter 31:

Abel was confident he could take down the blade’s tail alone. He was sure the others participating in the practice were just as confident. But even so, it is difficult for a group of people to work together to defeat the blade tail, ideally because they have different paths and ways of fighting. For a group of people to fight well, they must overcome their ‘differences’ and unite. The purpose of conducting the practice class at the beginning of the semester was to make them realize that, but the professors had something else in mind.

“Lian! Go forward.”

For Abel, the leader, none of that mattered.

Kwang-!

Lian’s shield blocked the fierce attack of the blade tail. The blade tail, hiding its power all along, continued its attack desperately when it realized its surprise attack had gone nowhere. The Blade Tail knew that if he lost his momentum, he wouldn’t survive.

Whoosh-!

The saw-like tail sliced through the air with an eerie sound. Ioline, who dodged the attack by a narrow margin, fell backward and didn’t even bother to swing her weapon again.

This battle was a form of ‘wheel war.’ This means that instead of settling the battle quickly, the goal is to drain the power of the blade’s tail as much as possible before finishing it off.

It was a strategy that everyone agreed on, as it allowed everyone to showcase their skills evenly rather than one person being particularly strong. Ideally, the battle was coming to an end.

[The battle won’t end like this, will it?]

Lupus’s voice was tinged with regret and disappointment as he asked Abel a question. A smile formed at Abel’s lips. This was because he could read Lupus’ true intentions. Although he now calls Abel his master, Lupus is a beast that cannot be easily controlled. A beast that would rip open the iron bars that imprisoned it and jump out if given the chance. Lupus is something that can’t be handled with a half-hearted mind.

“That’s not going to happen,”

That was the reason why Abel spoke to Lupus with a firm voice.

“This is just the beginning.”

Abel raised his sword with his one remaining arm and shouted.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

At those words, Lian stepped back without hesitation. His move was quick because he thought he had already shown enough of his skill. He had almost single-handedly carried out the defense mission against Blade Tail, so he had no regrets.

Quang!

When Lian, who had been blocking his attack, fell back, the blade tail tried to strike as if it had been waiting for an opportunity, but Abel gave it no chance.

Whoosh!

Kicking off the ground and running forward, Abel immediately swung his sword at Blade Tail.

Bang!

The blade tail, which was about to attack May, who was behind, quickly turned and slammed into Abel’s sword. The two-pronged tail then targeted Abel’s left shoulder and his side.

Kwagga-kwagga!

Abel struck it off with just a single sword strike. The professors and other cadets stared in amazement. It was just one gesture, but they sensed something had changed.

Woosh!

The blade tail swung its front foot. Abel leaned forward and slashed upward. The tailed attack had a shifting trajectory and was fast, but Abel struck it effortlessly with his sword. The blade tail was struck with attack after attack, and the wounds on its body grew. Abel wasn’t the only one facing the Blade Tail.

Kaga Gagak!

May slashed at the Blade Tail’s back, and Ioline struck a spot on its leg in quick succession. Just when everyone thought they would be able to finish it off easily–

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Once again, the blade tail showed a strange appearance. It was similar to the first time it had blown away Lian, who was holding a huge shield with a single blow. Abel knew very well what that was a precursor to.

Blade Tails are classified as intermediate fragments because they possess a unique ability, and the name of that unique ability was none other than ‘Strike.’ It could instantly unleash a terrifying force several times its original strength.

Swooosh!

Abel watched the blade-tail’s body wriggle erratically. At this rate, it would do a lot of damage once again. However, Abel had already anticipated it and struck first.

‘Shadow Step.’

Just before the attack came, Abel’s gigant moved incredibly quickly and struck the Blade Tail’s side with his sword.

Kwaaang-!

“There are quite a lot of things to be desired.”

Jacqueline’s tone was back to the polite honorific she used in class. However, the content was anything but gentle.

“There was a lot of excitement in Daniel’s movements. I don’t care how fit you are if you were to use so much energy at the beginning of a battle on a real battlefield, you’d get tired in the middle of a battle, and Hannah.......”

Jacqueline continued her scathing assessment, pointing out each cadet individually, and Abel was no exception.

“I’m sure Abel knows that he pushed himself too hard at the end.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I know you’re trying to prove yourself, but you must be careful to some extent.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

It was a point Abel had fully anticipated. He did that knowing fully well he would be pointed out on it, and Jacqueline didn’t say anything more after that. After that round of criticism, Jacqueline took a breath and spoke again.

“I hope you all take what I said to heart and improve. Now, let me tell you your final grades.”

As she spoke, a smile suddenly appeared on her face.

“Everyone has perfect scores,”

At those words, the cadets’ eyes widened. Jacqueline smiled and continued to speak.

“Even though it’s your first practical lesson and a joint battle, you all exceeded expectations. Abel, the leader, utilized his teammates at the right time, and his teammates followed his orders faithfully.”

As she continued, the cadets’ faces which had been hardened, brightened. Jacqueline continued to evaluate for a bit longer, then concluded with a pleased expression.

“You’ve all done a great job, and I’m looking forward to the future, but I want you to stay focused and stay calm. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s all get some rest. The lecture is over.”

Jacqueline turned away with those words, and the cadets only opened their mouths after she was some distance away.

“Wow. It’s stronger than I thought.”

“Yeah. Even though Abel told me about it beforehand, I was still slightly embarrassed when it used its unique ability.”

As Lian and June spoke to each other, Daniel nodded in agreement.

“Even when I was on the Gigant, my hand felt like it hurt every time I hit it. It’s so strong.”

“It’s fast, too, but I didn’t realize he could dodge so easily.”

Hannah said with a disgruntled expression. It bothered her that the blade tail had so easily dodged the mage cannon. Just then, Ioline spoke up.

“Abel, how many weapons did you use at the same time at the ending of the battle?”

Her question drew the cadets’ attention to Abel. Abel smiled awkwardly and answered.

“Three.”

“Three? You’re already handling three weapons simultaneously in real combat?”

“Not simultaneously. I was using them sequentially.”

“That’s it!”

Abel backed away when the conversation seemed about to turn entirely to him. He thought about just running away. But then he heard a voice that saved him.

“Cadet Abel?”

The voice sounded vaguely familiar, and Abel turned to see a woman waving at him. It was none other than Scarlett.

“I need to talk to you briefly regarding the promise I made to you the other day.”

It was time for an extra reward.

[To be continued.]