(EP 50) Another Name Is Enrollment #3

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It was a system that allowed people to steal someone else's rank.

That rule definitely benefited me, who was close to the very bottom.

"If there is a ladder up, you have to climb it!"

So I went over to the place where said Efside was running rampant.

"You don't like 'Introduction to Architecture'? Then would you like me to fill your schedule with the more interesting and meaningless Liberal Arts Lectures instead?"

"That five-hour class won't fit into my schedule…! Stop it…!"

"This is education, life experience! Accept it! Heh heh!"

The Bronze Class student was thoroughly bullied by Efside, a Silver Class who ranked at 450th.

Meanwhile, the other lower-class students could only watch the situation helplessly. Some also just bowed their heads down, waiting for the storm to pass.

I called out the outlaw with the characteristic chirping voice of a Half-Fairy.

"Hey, you there!"

Still grabbing the girl in his hand, Efside turned his head around and looked at me.

"What, who's calling me?"

His black eyebrows rose while his face was contorted with a dreadful look. However, he somehow looked happy.

Maybe he was expecting someone to stand up against him? Perhaps that was why he showed off his ferocity in front of everyone?

The long black haired savage's face wrinkled as he scanned me up and down.

"You're a new face… Are you a freshman? You don't know who I am, do you? I'm not interested in bullying rookies."

"There is no need to worry about that. You said you'd accept any fight, right? That means you won't turn down any challenges that come your way."

"Huuu~."

Efside treated my courage as imaginary. Then, his eyes reached the '1021' brooch on my chest.

The moment he saw it, his ugly face was filled with laughter.

"Puhahahahaha-. Thousand plus!? Are you even human!? Huh!? You're really challenging me, a Rank 450 Silver Class!?"

But soon, that outrageous laugh quickly turned into a cool growl.

"Look here, freshie. I can see that you just entered and didn't know anything. Let me tell you, the difference between ranks is absolute regardless of identity or background. It is an objective factor that evaluates students without any external factors."

I thought this Efside was simply an ignorant Barbarian, but surprisingly, he could speak quite eloquently.

It seemed like he indeed stole good lectures from other people. This bastard was, surprisingly, well educated.

"It is an objective indicator of skill. Simply put, I'm superior compared to you. There's very little chance you can beat me. Are you still going to try?"

Flop-.

"Kyaaak!"

Efside dropped the girl he was holding and strode towards me. And, in front of my face, he clenched his rock-like fist with formidable force.

It was ridiculous compared to the likes of Aira and Elga, but I was certain that this man was several times stronger than the current me.

There was about a difference of about two heads in height, with him towering over myself.

━That guy is ranked upwards a thousand. Where did he get the confidence to challenge a four digit ranker?

━This is common in every semester. Overconfident freshmen that don't know anything… Still, it's the first time I've ever seen a thousand plus newbie this daring.

━Besides, I've seen that guy's face before. Isn't that Theo Gospel?

━I think you're right… That's Theo Gospel! He failed all physical exams. I thought he wouldn't even be able to attend the Academy. How did he get in?

Murmur-.

Gossip began to spread like wildfire, creating a big wave.

Before I knew it, I could see interest and curiosity regarding my existence in the fear tainted eyes of people.

Lecture Hunter Efside also noticed this.

"… Theo Gospel? Wasn't that guy the Demon Monk of Angmar? I heard he was about the same size as me and had eight legs?"

Seriously, why did the number of my arms and legs keep increasing?

"You must be a fake! How could the Queen's Demon Monk rank above a thousand? Furthermore, they have no reason to come to the Academy in the first place."

Hearing this, I threw out a taunt.

"So, do you accept my challenge or not? Are you scared~?"

"Scared!? I'm merely thinking that there's nothing to gain by defeating you! You're lucky that you got to challenge me!"

That was true.

Although this fella was violent and rash, it seemed that he wasn't s†upid enough to accept my challenge just because of anger. This guy must have had a lot of experience.

He didn't see any benefits in having a thousand plus brooch.

However, I quickly came up with a trick…

"If I were the real Theo Gospel, wouldn't your fame and honor go up by defeating me?"

"...."

"On the other hand, if you don't accept my challenge, you will be forever humiliated. Just imagine the headlight, 'Efside ran away from the Demon Monk Theo Gospel' ~."

As far as I knew, Champions liked to increase their reputation. As long as this guy was an Ark student, he was either a Champion or aspiring to be one.

It was a clear fact that he would want to leave his name in history by raising his fame.

"...."

In fact, the guy's eyebrows twitched as he seemed to be lost in thought.

This was pulling his interest.

To further drive the wedge, I said.

"Originally, you wouldn't even be able to see me, not to mention make me look at your direction. But now, I'm giving you, an uncivilized Barbarian, a chance to earn your reputation."

"… Barbarian? You dare call me a Barbarian!?"

His giant body shook. However, it was more of joy than of anger.

"Okay, I tried to cut you some slack, but you kept insisting. If you are the real deal, the Queen will appear when you are defeated. Let's see the beautiful Queen's face when you lose!"

Whoosh. Crack, crack.

Efside clenched his fists and cracked his fingers.

"So what are you going to challenge me on? Is there even any event where you can beat me? Spit it out, don't waste my time!"

As expected, I was choosing the type of duel.

Since this was the case, a chance to win would exist.

 Breathing a little sigh of relief, I said confidently.

"How about 'Last and First'?"

 ——————————-

" 'Last and First' is a word chain game where you have to think of words that start with the last syllable of the previous word." —Scribd.com

 ——————————-

As soon as I said that, my surroundings seemed to freeze up.

It was Efside's laughter that broke the silence as everyone gasped and looked at each other blankly.

"Fwahaha, 'Last and First'!? Alright then… Did you really think you could beat me in such a childish thing? Just so you know, I got an A in Literature last year."

Did that mean he was adept in linguistics? This whole plan suddenly didn't sound so good anymore…

After laughing his ąss off, Efside said with a mouth full of fangs.

"Alright, I'm not going to use words that can finish you off in a single round. Otherwise, this wouldn't be fun."

However, 'Last and First' was something I had some confidence in. I might be able to turn the tide and win.

Seeing my still form, Efside then added.

"But, if you can't answer after more than 10 seconds, it's over. Hey, you!"

Efside called the female student whose subject he just snatched. Sitting on the floor, the girl sniffed and helplessly raised her head.

"What!?"

"Choose the first word of any letter."

"Lecture (강의)!"

"Okay, Lecture. A word that starts with 의. You go first, Theo Gospel."

I asked with suspicion as Efside smiled.

"Before that. What is the guarantee that you will follow the rules?"

"I don't lie. Everyone here will serve as witnesses. Is that enough? Right, lecture (강의), a word that start with 의."

"Willpower (의지력)."

Immediately after I mentioned the word.

Whoosh.

A gigantic body started rushing like a bull towards me. I had no choice but to panic.

Even more alarming was the fact that Efside swung his fist at me.

"Aaat!"

Kwadang.

Having managed to dodge the punch, I fell and hit my butt on the ground. The sensation of a gigantic fist brushing past the bridge of my nose still lingered…

Chwaaa-.

However, despite being able to avoid it, the bridge of my nose started dripping with blood as if it had been cut by a sharp object. 

At this moment, the female student from the side shouted.

"What are you doing! This is a 'Last and First' competition!"

━Yes, that's right! Cowardly bas†ard!

Boo boo-. There were boos and criticisms everywhere, yet Efside remained calm.

"But there's no law against using your fist, right? The only condition of defeat is not being able to answer within 10 seconds. With that said, can't we just make the opponent physically unable to give an answer? This is why you idio†s are Bronze!"

… Was this for real?

… There was such a loophole?

In the end, a word chain game turned into a duel. And I, a Half-Nymph, was physically unable to defeat this Barbarian.

Running away was the only option. However, the giant cut through the crowd and sealed off my retreat.

"Move! Get out of the way, you s†upid Bronzes!"

Grab-.

Soon, a wicked hand grabbed my neck and lifted me up into the air.

"Got you, you little rat! Did you really think that I would play this childish game like a real idiot? For what, to boost a child up?"

━Efside you coward!

━You pr¡ck!

I could hear the sound of people clamoring around me, criticizing Efside for his foul play.

Were they taking my side?

Usually, I was the one who got criticized like that.

This made me feel a bit emotional. I supposed that people easily immersed themselves during times of vulnerability…

Also, for those in the same Bronze Class, Efside was the evil villain who tormented me, his poor victim.

Boooooooo.

"Go on, try using that cheeky tongue of yours, Theo Gospel. My answer is role (역할). It's your turn now, but that is if you could still give an answer."

Efside brought his face close to mine and growled.

Hal (할)-.

A word that started with yeo (역) and ended with hal (할), so;

"Hal (할)…."

No, I had to say something. What were words that started with hal….

I could barely squeeze some noise out of my mouth, with Efside gripping my neck.

"People don't die by being strangled for 10 seconds. I'm sorry, Theo Gospel. I don't know what kind of plot you have in mind, but I don't want to play around with the shi† coming out of your mouth…"

"Euuuugh…."

"You will not die. But if I choke you, you won't be able to answer. If you can't answer within 10 seconds, I win."

My eyes were bright red and my veins were probably bulging. My brain also wasn't functioning properly due to the lack of oxygen.

In fact, my legs weren't touching the ground and my air circulation was completely cut off.

The only thing that came to mind right now was the execution in the gallows…

Was this how my story ended?

Maybe this was it?

To deny death, my brain started showing flashbacks of the past.

The time I licked Aira's feet. Or when I sucked Aira's chest. Not to mention memories of losing my lips to Elga for the first time and our first wonderful experience together-.

… No, why were you showing me these bizarre memories?

Were there no other things?

I shook my head desperately.

Words that started with hal (할)…

There must be something. Then, a flash of memory came past.

"Hal… Pas 

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