Chapter 16 – Genius vs. Promising Talent (4)
[Translator – Late Dreamer]
[Proofreader – Seeker]
Chapter 16 – Genius vs. Promising Talent (4)
The characteristic of the Luminous type was its ability to scatter its power over a wide area. This was particularly useful when entering Dark Gates.
However, for that very reason, the Luminous type wasn’t suited for 1:1 combat.
It lacked sufficient firepower to focus on a single opponent. At best, it could blind or cause minor burns. That’s why most Luminous Awakened focused on support roles.
‘... Or so many would think!’
But Luciel, standing in the middle of the training ground was different.
“Hehehe!”
With a playful smile, she wore an expression of anticipation that Tiamat found endearing.
Some questioned whether she was a Combat type rather than a Luminous type.
With flashes erupting with every movement, it was understandable.
But that was just an illusion caused by her hair color, not the reality.
More importantly, they wouldn’t even be able to speak if they saw a true Luminous Awakened.
— Shwaaaak!!
Light scattered in all directions and struck the pre-installed barrier.
If this were a marketplace instead of a training ground then all spectators would have been injured or worse, temporarily blinded.
Luciel’s ability, which had been radiating intense light as if to incinerate the entire training ground.
It converged back into a sword form and struck at Deus.
If he retreated, it would spread out again, blocking all his senses.
‘That’s what makes Luciel so formidable! Covering the entire area with her Luminous ability, while simultaneously focusing that light into a point and sublimating it into swordsmanship. It’s an unbelievable combat sense.’
That wasn’t just a sword. It wasn’t swordsmanship bound by distance.
Why had Luciel become Saber’s sole disciple?
Because she had the qualifications. Because she possessed the talent!
With each burst of light, a deafening roar and flash engulfed the surroundings.
Most students had long since lost track of the scene within the training grounds.
Only the teachers and a few exceptional students could still follow the action.
‘At a point where other students would have long been defeated. A moment when even our teachers would find it difficult and consider resorting to a battle of attrition...’
Tiamat turned her gaze from Luciel to her opponent, Deus.
‘Of course, our student Deus is different!!’
Look at that face. Did it belong to someone facing a swordsman of light?
Far from being tense, he wore a faint smile. As if his heart was pounding with excitement.
He was glad to finally meet a worthy opponent!
— Ka-ang!
— Kang!
“... .”
Wielding her sword of light, Luciel narrowed her eyes.
Indeed, she was pushing him harder with just swordsmanship alone.
For every step she took forward, Deus took one back.
When she attacked him, he defended nothing more.
That was the problem. She was giving it her all, and that was all there was to it.
He retreated when being pressed, and blocked when attacked. Nothing beyond that.
There were no openings, not even a hint of confusion and tension.
He simply followed her movements with his eyes.
Even when he retreats only returns to his original position.
‘What, in the world...’
With each swing of her light sword, the training ground’s walls were sliced off.
The barrier shook and the students beyond it grew increasingly fearful.
The clouds above, spared from the light’s reach, had all evaporated.
— Ssssss!!
The sword grew brighter, while the surroundings darkened.
It was absorbing the light, like the onset of night.
Was this the secret technique of the top student, the fourth-year head?
Deus, having warmed up, slowly took a step forward.
“Unlike my senior, I don’t have such incredible techniques.”
Just putting all his strength into a single, solid punch.
It might be called a ‘serious punch’ like he had seen somewhere.
[PR/N: ONE PUNCH MAN!?]
— Shaaaaaaaa!!
Finally, the area was enveloped in pitch-black darkness with only Luciel’s sword shining.
Like a hero cutting through the darkness, she raised her sword and gazed straight ahead.
And beyond it, a warrior was charging to extinguish that light.
Genius and promising Talent. Sword and fist. Warrior and light.
When they finally collided at a single point, erupting in a roar and flash—
[Warning. Warning. The barrier has reached its limit.]
[Evacuate immediately. Repeat, evacuate immediately.]
The barrier surrounding the training ground could no longer hold, emitting warning sounds.
It had reached its breaking point, urging everyone to flee!
“Wh-What?!”
“Eeeeeek?!”
“E-Evacuate! Everyone, evacuate!!”
After the teachers evacuated the students and everyone gathered quickly escaped, a massive explosion, unlike anything they had ever experienced, engulfed the training grounds.
***
The next day.
— Nyaaaaaang!!
“Oh, Jojo! You seem a bit faster today?”
Deus played with his cat, a satisfied smile on his face. Watching him for a moment, Yurishia cautiously spoke up.
“W-Will it be okay?”
“What?”
“The Academy... it’s in chaos.”
Chaos. Yes, that was the perfect word.
The sturdy training ground and barrier were completely blown away. The top student, no, the Empire’s princess had fainted.
And most importantly, ‘that issue,’ the one causing the teachers the most headaches had arisen.
“The real chaos for me is something else.”
But Deus, oblivious to everything else, opened his mouth to complain.
“Why are they serving fish cutlets for lunch today? Isn’t that crossing the line?”
“... .”
“They put in all those nationalistic elements, why did they have to mix in the military? I just don’t get it.”
Unable to comprehend his words, Yurishia chose silence as her response.
Meanwhile, Deus continued to vent his frustration about the cafeteria’s lunch menu, declaring, ‘Fish cutlets are definitely the devil’s vomit.’
“Jojo, what do you think about fish cutlets?”
— Haaak!!
“How about fish cake soup?”
— Haaaak!!
As expected, Jojo. You deserve this Chum.
Jojo devoured the Chum offered by Deus.
[Translator – Late Dreamer]
[Proofreader – Seeker]