Chapter 274

Chapter 274

Yuridia was shocked as she heard Zero's incantation begin to flow from his mouth.

The forbidden magic of her family, 'Ragnarok Blade.'

Zero was now wielding it.

"Im-Impossible! It can't be!"

Yuridia knew better than anyone how difficult the Ragnarok Blade was, how much time and effort it required to master.

That's why she shouted with such certainty that it was impossible.

But.

Crackle-!

As if mocking her conviction, powerful sparks erupted from Zero's hands.

These were no ordinary sparks. They were black sparks, generated by the gathering of intensely reactive demonic energy.

Just looking at them made her hair stand on end from the ominous aura they exuded.

"How in the world...!"

"Hmm... Is it the secret magic Yuridia used earlier?"

“Become my strength, my body, and bring destruction upon my enemies...”

Rodelin furrowed his brow slightly.

The demonic energy gathered from all directions. Riding on that flow, Zero's voice resounded across the battlefield.

When Yuridia used it, demonic energy had gathered as well, but not to this extent.

"Is that magic safe?"

"...It's magic that uses physical strength instead of mana as a price, so it's hard to say it's safe."

Yuridia stopped herself from adding, ‘One peculiar thing, though.’

She remembered information she shouldn't speak out loud.

This was only the middle of the incantation. But more dense and vast demonic energy was gathering than when she used it.

It meant Zero was more adept at handling the 'Ragnarok Blade' than she was. And that meant.

‘He's been using it all along. Enough to bring it out immediately in a real fight.’

It was logically impossible. No, it was unthinkable.

Unlike 'Demon Slave,' where the demonic energy wasn't visible, 'Ragnarok Blade' was a magic where the demonic energy couldn't be hidden.

Despite its immense power, the Rownter family had strictly regulated this magic to avoid misunderstanding.

The practice, real-use training, and even passing it down were all strictly controlled, and ‘selling’ it was banned. It couldn't be leaked outside.

‘The only ones who could have learned this magic are from the Rownter family.’

But even within the family, only a handful had mastered it.

While powerful, it was a complex magic, and the prohibition on its use was a significant deterrent.

Only magic enthusiasts like Yuridia would bother to learn such a spell.

And yet Zero not only used it but did so more perfectly than she could?

No matter how she thought about it, it was strange. The only logical explanation was...

"Did he... make a pact with a demon?"

If that were the case, this situation wasn't impossible.

Whatever the pact was, pacts with demons made the impossible possible.

Yuridia's thinking wasn't far-fetched.

"Hmph~ A pact with a demon, huh. An interesting guess. So, Yuridia, did you make a pact with a demon too?"

A sarcastic voice interrupted. Yuridia didn't need to look to know who it was.

Victoria, the student sent from the Holy Kingdom and their leader.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Both you and Zero. By my standards, you're the same. Using demonic energy. Isn't that blasphemous?"

Victoria's eyes gleamed. Yuridia was infuriated.

"I understand what you're implying, but shut up right now. I'm not in a good mood."

"Oh~ Hohoho! Getting angry at such provocations? Disappointing. Can you lead a faction with such emotions?"

"I told you to shut up. Are you breaking our agreement from the exchange meeting?"

At the mention of the agreement, Victoria backed off.

It was an agreement ending with the midterms, so there was no need to cause trouble unnecessarily.

‘But I can't just let this go. This is a rare opportunity.’

Victoria approached Rodelin.

She had found a way to pressure Yuridia without breaking the agreement.

"Senior, shouldn't the student council conduct a thorough investigation? Using demonic energy... It's unthinkable."

Using Rodelin. This way, she wasn't breaking the agreement.

Rodelin was a senior, but he didn't belong to any particular faction.

‘And she’s the righteous vice president of the student council.’

If the student council investigated Yuridia right after the midterms, Yuridia's faction would be significantly pressured.

Victoria could then quickly recruit a few key members to bolster her faction.

‘Oh~ Hohoho! A future emperor must also be skilled in politics.’

While Victoria was congratulating herself on her brilliant plan.

"Victoria, the investigation can wait. The priority now is dealing with the demon."

"Hmph! Are you going easy on a junior? I heard you were righteous... but it seems you're biased."

"It's not that... Your argument is flawed. Demonic energy isn't inherently evil."

Even with Mabelga's taunt, I couldn't easily swing the sword.

Wasn't there a missile to drop somewhere?

I’ve done many good deeds. Could someone please fire a missile at this damned demon?

If not a missile, how about a stray spear?

While I was entertaining such ridiculous thoughts.

"Hey, Zero! What are you lazing around for? Hurry up and kill him!"

At that moment, Luna's voice came from behind.

It sounded more like anger than encouragement.

But it was enough to push my hesitant back.

‘Luna's voice is loud as ever.’

Well, what if I fail? I can try again in reality.

I prepared to use my special move on Mabelga.

Whoosh-.

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

Something flew towards us from above.

*

Somewhere on a hill in Area 4.

A single hair strand poked out from the bushes.

Then it started spinning wildly.

Yes, the hair poking out from the bushes was Rezé's idiot hair.

‘A-A demon.’

A demon was swimming in the lake. She only saw the soles, not the face, but it was undoubtedly a demon.

Rezé could feel it. That it was a tremendously powerful demon.

Despite the considerable distance, her body trembled.

People say fear is something you overcome.

‘Th-That's nonsense. It's just a forced idea.’

For the weak Rezé, it was an impossible task.

But Rezé was human too. A being destined to evolve.

Her unique survival instinct kicked in, and she dealt with her fear differently.

Instead of overcoming it, she embraced it.

Stealth, wind direction, obstacles, the positions of the enemy and herself, rocks, animals, plants, clouds, even potentially hidden carrots(?).

Considering all these ridiculous variables, she achieved an unbelievable accuracy rate of 100%.

Of course, that was her limit. Even embracing her fear, she was still a coward, and despite a 100% accuracy rate, she lacked the destructive power to kill a demon.

Fear continued to torment Rezé, even after she became friends with Luna.

No, it was even scarier.

Failing to meet expectations.

Feeling unworthy.

Being unable to help.

The possibility of dying.

Everything was scary and terrifying.

But.

What scared her most was the possibility of her friends dying.

-Before the demon kills you, kill it first, Rezé.

Zero's words suddenly came to mind. She didn't know why. But.

‘...It seems reasonable.’

Yes, he was right.

Before the demon kills her, she should kill it.

Before it kills her friends, she should kill it.

To protect her friends. With her own hands.

Rezé finally looked straight at the demon.

The demon's body was covered in wounds, and it was in pain.

It held fear, a greater fear than hers.

Click-.

Rezé aimed her gun at Mabelga's head, and mana flowed into her magic gun.

Fear is not something to overcome, but something to embrace.

That was who Rezé was, and having friends made her embrace it even more.

Wrap your fear like steel. That is, Rezé, your...

Strongest weapon.

Bang!!

--TL Notes--

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