Chapter 8

Chapter 7 - 7. Assassination Attempt (2)

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"What, it's not as impressive as I thought?"

"Y-Yeah, that's right..."

No, it's because you guys are way beyond the level of students.

Elijah looked around, and the only sounds coming from the armed thugs sprawled on the floor were groans.

Judging by their skills, they were clearly seasoned fighters, but it was unbelievable that they were subdued by students at the Academy level.

'Of course, there are people who are even more exceptional...'

A bitter smile crossed his face as he turned his gaze to the side, where a person was quietly sheathing their sword after taking down the rest of the group single-handedly.

The other students, who had easily dealt with the assassins, looked at this person with a mix of fear and awe.

It was a fitting reaction to someone who had subdued so many people without even drawing their sword.

The greatest swordsmanship family on the continent. Among them, a princess renowned as the most talented in history.

Her sword skills were a realm of artistry that even someone as experienced as Elijah couldn't help but admire.

'How many people in the continent could even mimic that?'

The Tristan-style swordsmanship is known to be a high-level technique that puts one in the realm of genius just by being able to mimic it. If one can use it properly, it can unleash a power that defies common sense, regardless of the weapon.

Even a simple stick could kill someone, as the rumors go.

"…?"

While these thoughts were running through his mind, Elijah's gaze suddenly caught something.

Elnoir's trembling hand.

It seemed like he was trying to suppress something intensely.

From the perspective of a skilled swordsman.

It was as if he was desperate to 'kill' someone.

His entire body was screaming to draw his sword and kill something right now.

"…"

As she felt a chill run down her spine and remained silent, Elnoir, noticing her gaze, quickly hid his hand behind his back and spoke.

"…They all seem to be subdued."

It was clear that he didn't want to talk about what Elijah had just seen, and Elijah decided to agree for now.

He felt that if he pushed the issue, Elnoir might really start swinging his sword to kill.

"Yes. I think we should hand these people over to the Academy for processing—"

Elijah's voice trailed off as she noticed a blue gem flashing from the body of an assassin lying on the ground.

A short-range communication magic tool. She had seen these a few times during the monster extermination mission.

This meant that there was someone else in the building who could send this 'communication.'

"…It doesn't seem so."

She gave a bitter smile and approached one of the assassins.

"Hey, are there any other dispatched personnel besides the ones here?"

"…"

The assassin glared at her silently, and Elijah inwardly smiled bitterly.

Yeah, he wouldn't answer so easily—

—!

Before she could finish her thought.

With a crack, the assassin's arm broke.

"…!"

The soundless scream gave a good idea of the pain he was feeling.

When Elijah turned to look, Elnoir was putting his scabbard back on his belt, having swung it silently.

"I'll break your neck if you don't speak."

"…"

"Hmm. No, that wasn't appropriate."

Elnoir said this, and Elijah, who had been looking at him in disbelief, chuckled.

Yeah, no matter what, suddenly saying something so brutal is a bit…

"I'll break the necks of everyone if no one speaks."

"…"

A heavy silence fell.

Though he seemed to be stating a fact calmly, the feeling that he would really do it must have been conveyed to everyone.

This was evident from the way someone, not the one with the broken arm, stammered and spoke up, tense and nervous.

Elnoir nodded expressionlessly after listening to the entire statement.

"Yes. The Crescent Moon's Hasmed, right? An assassin who kills and takes the form of anyone, right?"

After hearing this, Elnoir, who had been silent, spoke after a moment.

"Is that assassin with you here now?"

"What?"

"Answer the question. Is he in this building with you?"

"…I can't tell you that—"

The assassin, who was about to sneer, stopped.

Anyone would stop if they realized their arm had been cut off by a sword.

In an instant, Elnoir had drawn his sword and done it.

"Ah, aaaaah—!"

The assassin screamed, spraying blood in all directions, while Elnoir, without even bothering to wipe the blood from his face, grabbed the collar of the man.

His red eyes glinted menacingly in the dim surroundings.

"Is the assassin here?"

"Ah, aaaaah—!"

"I'll cut off another limb if you don't answer."

"Yes, he's here! He came with us!"

As soon as he said this, Elnoir threw the screaming assassin to the ground.

Then, without a word, he left the stunned students and ran out.

"Wait! What are you doing?!"

Breaking someone's arm and 'intimidating' them was one thing, but actually drawing a real sword and cutting off a limb was a completely different matter.

Elnoir's current behavior seemed like he had completely changed his personality upon hearing about Hasmed.

Elijah, who followed him in a hurry, asked, and Elnoir sighed.

"I needed a quick answer. He'll live. There's first aid equipment nearby."

"…"

Even so, how many people would casually do something like that?

"Why are you doing this…!"

"He kills and takes the form of his victims. Who would be the easiest target in this building?"

Elijah was speechless.

Come to think of it, there was one person.

Someone who had deliberately separated from the group, saying it was 'necessary.'

"…I don't think so."

Elijah said in a stiff voice.

"Did that person use themselves as bait to lure the strongest opponent?"

Logically, it was clearly a wild guess.

There was no way they could have known an assassin like Hasmed was coming, and even if they did, there was no reason to risk their life for such a dangerous plan—

—But, I kind of like that person.

"…"

—There might be a reason.

This assassination attempt was clearly aimed at the Princess of Tristan.

And Elnoir's silence, as he tightly closed his mouth, clearly showed he agreed with her.

"We need to check on that person."

"Why are you doing this? What's your relationship…?"

"…We have no relationship, as I said."

Elnoir said.

"At least, that's what I know."

But, unlike before.

Now, he couldn't be sure.

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In truth, the Elvante Academy is hard to consider a normal educational institution no matter how you look at it.

The fact that things you'd never find in a regular school are scattered everywhere is a well-known story even to outsiders.

Due to its long history and mysterious nature, the school itself is filled with all sorts of 'strange phenomena.'

Secret rooms hidden everywhere, ghosts that appear at certain times, a specific building said to be inhabited by a legendary phantom…

And Hasmed was already well-versed in all these things.

He had memorized thousands of them, and had long since committed them all to memory.

After all, he was a professional assassin with a decent reputation in the industry. He wouldn't deserve such a reputation if he couldn't put in this much effort.

So.

When he saw the semi-transparent blue 'barrier' that his extended arm hit, he couldn't help but be shocked.

'Guardian's Spirit…!'

A defensive barrier designed to reduce the power of weapons wielded by attackers within a designated area.

It was a famous barrier that appeared randomly in certain buildings, both in terms of timing and location.

But why did it appear here?

While he was thinking this, a student in front of him approached with a stick.

'Foolish!'

Hasmed sneered and immediately dropped his hidden weapon.

Even if there was a barrier that neutralized weapons, a well-trained assassin could use their own body as a weapon. Hasmed was among the top-tier assassins.

What could this student do with just a stick, let alone a weakling who clearly hadn't trained in any combat techniques?

That's what he thought.

Until he received the first blow.

-!

-!!

A storm of rapid strikes.

Hasmed, hit in all his vital points in the blink of an eye, couldn't suppress a scream.

But the mental shock was even greater than the physical pain.

'Unable to even track the trajectory…!'

There were few sword techniques in the continent that a master assassin like him couldn't interpret.

And to see such power with a non-sword weapon!

'Tristan-style swordsmanship!'

Why couldn't he read this person's skill level from the start?

'…!'

Suddenly, a realization struck him like lightning.

If his guess was correct, this person.

'Shouldn't have been touched from the beginning…!'

As he fell helplessly, Hasmed could only think this.

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"…"

What is this?

Why is it so strong?

She looked at the fallen Hasmed with a bewildered expression.

Honestly, I didn't expect much from the Tristan-style swordsmanship, as my proficiency was only at the basic level. I didn't think a few swings would take down someone like Hasmed.

This guy is supposed to be strong enough to be a mid-boss during the main quest.

A top-tier assassin whose name carries weight in the underworld.

'…How strong would he be if fully developed?'

I knew the final boss's sword technique would be strong, but I didn't expect it to be this strong.

My plan was just to stall for time and then run for help.

"…Ha. So it was a trap from the beginning."

So, when the guy in front of me says this, I can't help but be surprised.

What is he talking about?

"Even if I don't know how, you clearly knew the Guardian's Spirit would activate here. That's why you chose a stick as your weapon from the start."

That's the game system.

In 'save points' in every building, combat with weapons is impossible. I brought him here for that reason.

"And you hid your skills from the start to lure me here. You deliberately separated from the group to isolate me from the Princess of Tristan."

"…"

No, that's not it.

I was just planning to stall for a bit and then run for help.

"…"

What a meticulous plan.

Stalling for a bit and then running for help while crying for help is a meticulous plan?

Is meticulousness dead in this world?

"Who are you? A person raised by the House of Tristan? Or an agent of the Imperial Central Intelligence Agency?"

"…"

I was just a nobleman's son who raised cattle and farmed.

"Seems like you're not going to answer. Fine. Kill him."

"…I don't want to kill him."

"You don't want to kill him? Why?"

My words were so shocking that Hasmed's eyes widened in surprise.

I don't really want to kill anyone.

'Besides…'

This guy is a key character in the third chapter of the main story, a member of the criminal organization 'Vagabonds.'

Messing with him could affect the main story, and the Vagabonds would definitely seek revenge.

But.

'I can't just say that.'

So, I have to come up with a plausible excuse.

What's the best option to offer…

Ah, right.

"Spread the word. Don't approach the Princess of Tristan. Even an assassin of your caliber almost died trying to touch her."

I don't know who his client is, but given the crazy attempt during the Academy event, it's likely not a normal person.

Even if this attempt fails, there's a high chance they'll try again.

And, this will.

Continue to stack Elnoir's 'corruption' meter.

The probability of the Gray Demon being unleashed will increase.

So, I want to try to prevent such attempts at the source.

Hasmed is a well-known assassin. If he does this, other assassins might hesitate to take the job.

"…"

Hasmed's expression became strange.

"What will you do if I don't keep that promise? If I go back, I might try to target the Princess of Tristan again?"

I don't really plan to.

Considering the original 'Vagabonds,' they wouldn't ignore a favor from someone who saved their life.

They were strangely honor-bound criminals.

But let's push it a bit here.

"Try again, then."

I continued with a smirk.

"I'll be here to stop you."

"…Is the Princess of Tristan that important to you?"

"Something like that."

I don't want to explain in detail, so I'll just brush it off.

Since he seems to have a sense of reverence for me, he'll understand if I say it like this—

"…"

What is this?

As soon as I finished speaking, cold sweat poured down my face as if I was being overwhelmed by a wave of cold.

Oh.

No.

"…"

When I turned my head slightly, I saw Elnoir standing at the end of the corridor, eyes wide.

Clearly, she had heard everything.

"…"

"…"

This is bad.

I have a feeling it is, though I don't know why.

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