Ley Takes the Stage

Hela's tears fell down the floor, letting wet marks that dampened the ground.

The teacher and I were stunned. She was about to say something, but Hela stood from the ground and wiped off her tears before walking away and returning to her previous place.

During the entire time, she did not open her mouth or raised her gaze.

The teacher put on a hesitant expression before sighing softly.

"Jane, do you want to challenge someone else?"

I shook my head while still looking at Hela.

What was that just now?

It was terrifying… Even worse than the time I died.

And why was she crying?

'Demon, do you know something?'

[I do. Do you know, boy? That girl is very suited to be my host.]

I was stunned.

[… A shame I met her after turning you into my host. She is even more suited to be my host than you.]

This...

'What is with her?'

[Her situation is similar to your friend in the hospital. She was born with a fragment of the laws, what you call skill, inside her, but the fragment is too strong for her, so it's out of control.]

My friend in the hospital? Do you mean Karen?

[Well, this girl's situation is a bit better, after all, the fragment doesn't affect herself, but her surroundings instead. It's a curse that drains the lives of everything around her.]

My expression became slightly pale.

'Then, what happened just now…'

[Yes. When you used your killing intent, her skill reacted in self-defense and activated automatically. It was draining your life out of you.]

I looked at the girl with a solemn expression.

So that is the reason she was crying, huh?

[She must have lived a pitiful life.] The demon spoke up with an amused expression.

I could not help but feel disgusted by the fact that he felt amused by that.

[Things like that happen all the time everywhere. Why should I feel pity for her?] The demon sneered before his tone changed to one of interest. [But this world sure is interesting. So many people are born with fragments of the laws. I wonder what the reason is.]

I decided to ignore the demon ravings and watched the following battles.

After I left the stage, the teacher called out another student.

This time, it was the number ninth, Lara Kent.

Lara Kent was a petite girl with short auburn hair and a lively impression. She was smiling as she went to the stage.

"I need to challenge someone too, right?" Lara asked and the teacher nodded.

"Then I will challenge number 2, Ley. After all, I don't think anyone else will challenge her."

I was slightly surprised but then I understood.

Ley was the youngest after all, plus her mana was just at the third tier. The others probably will feel ashamed if they have to challenge her.

Ley smiled and walked towards the stage, standing in front of Lara.

"Thank you for your guidance."

"Don't worry, and be careful."

After the two girls greeted each other, the teacher nodded.

"It looks like none of you plan to use weapons. Then, start."

Immediately, Lara pointed her hand towards Ley with a gun gesture.

"[Mana Bullet]!"

Following her words, a projectile made of mana flew toward my sister.

It was so fast that it was not worse than a normal bullet. Just that mana bullet alone was enough to defeat a normal tier four awakened.

If she can shoot these bullets freely, then even I would not be her match.

But to everybody's surprise, the bullet did not hit Ley.

Just before reaching her, the bullet dissipated, turning into normal mana.

"Huh?" Lara was stunned, she instinctively shot another mana bullet, but just like before, the bullet dissipated before reaching Ley.

"What is happening?" Lara became flustered. She shot again, and again, and again, but the result was the same.

The bullets could not reach Ley.

"Sorry, Lara." Ley put on an apologetic smile.

Then, she sprinted toward Lara and used her palm to hit her chest.

Lara's put on a focused expression. She hurriedly moved back, but all of sudden, her movements became awkward, making her stagger.

Helpless, she could only cross her arms in front of her and protect her body with mana to receive Ley's attack.

However–

"Ugh."

The mana around her body disappeared when Ley reached her, and Ley's strike hit her arms unimpeded.

Ley then followed with a low kick, sweeping Lara's right leg and making her fall.

Lara panicked and tried to use her mana to push Ley away, but once more, her mana dissipated before reaching Ley.

Then, Ley's hand took the shape of a knife and went for Lara's neck, stopping just before touching her skin.

"I guess it's my win?"

Lara was completely dumbfounded.

"What in the hell is your skill?"

Ley smiled innocently without replying.