-679- The man closest to the Wiseman

"Who!?"

The sudden voice first prompted a reaction from Subaru and Mutsura, who, like loyal guards, instinctively leaped to protect Hinowa. They placed themselves between him and the approaching source of the sound, alert and watchful.

Yaya, Hinowa, Charl, and Sigmund, among others, were equally taken aback, and they turned their heads toward the direction of the corridor.

Rozen raised his eyebrows, casting his gaze at the newcomer with a calm countenance.

Soon, everyone saw the three figures approaching.

On the left stood a male student with a slender build, wearing the school uniform. He possessed a body with muscular definition, draped with a half-length scarf across his shoulders. His facial features appeared very well-defined, but his gaze was remarkably sharp. He exuded an extraordinary and intimidating aura, akin to a beast ready to strike, leaving everyone uneasy.

Beside this male student, there was an automaton that appeared as if it were composed of metal plates, awkwardly fashioned into a humanoid shape. This peculiar automaton was covered in spiky protrusions resembling thorns. Every edge on it seemed as sharp as a blade. It carried two massive longswords, each almost as tall as Yaya, Hinowa, and Charl. Its appearance resembled an angelic mechanical entity, essentially a mechanized angel of death.

Upon seeing this male student and his unique automaton, Charl exclaimed in astonishment, "Sword Emperor?"

Sword Emperor.

It was evidently a title.

And furthermore, it's a title known to everyone.

"Is he the Sword Emperor?" Even Hinowa expressed some surprise, clearly recognizing the newcomer.

Rozen, too, shifted his gaze toward the male student.

"So he's the Sacred Blaze?"

Sacred Blaze.

That was indeed the newcomer's true title.

More accurately, it should be referred to as his registered code name. He was one of the "Thirteen," ranked seventh, right between Charl at sixth and Hinowa at eighth. He was considered a prominent figure within the academy, even as a second-year student, known for having never been defeated in practical combat exercises. He was recognized as one of the top ten students in the academy, and he was often mentioned in the same breath as the Last One. His strength was formidable.

His name was Loki.

Now, this person had appeared here with his automaton.

It seemed quite natural if you considered the fact that Loki was Frey's older brother. Moreover, they were blood relatives.

Evidence of their relationship lay in Loki's skin color, just as pale and unhealthy as Frey's, and his hair color was the same pearly hue. His sharp eyes and stern countenance gave him a striking, indescribable handsomeness.

Yet, despite his impressive stature, Loki currently followed obediently behind someone else.

That was a gentleman with a smile on his face.

The gentleman had a physique similar to Loki's, tall and lean. His appearance exuded intelligence, making him seem like a scholar. However, his stylish attire and physique were far from frail, giving a different impression than typical scholars. The unique aura he emitted was more akin to an actor playing the role of a scholar.

Furthermore, his presence was even more imposing than Loki's.

The words from earlier had also come from this man's mouth.

Accompanied by Loki and his automaton, this man had now arrived in front of everyone.

"It seems like you're discussing something quite interesting," he said, his gaze moving from person to person before finally settling on Rozen. He wore a polite smile as he spoke, "May I join as well?"

Upon hearing these words, there was nothing in the hearts of those present but vigilance, without any other emotion.

Especially Yaya, who noticed the man's intense scrutiny of Rozen and couldn't help but step forward, positioning herself by Rozen's side.

"Who are you?" Yaya inquired cautiously.

However, when the gentleman was about to introduce himself, Rozen interrupted.

"You're Bronson, aren't you?" Rozen spoke expressionlessly, revealing this name.

"Me?" The man was taken aback. "You know me?"

Wasn't that obvious?

"You are the benefactor behind Loki and Frey, their foster father, currently running an emerging machinart workshop called 'Divine Works.' In less than a decade, your name has become known, and you even obtained a patent for a kind of magical circuit developed by your workshop five years ago. You were also nominated in the design competition for the British Army's next-generation main weapon, and your prospects are quite promising."

The gentleman before them was such a person.

Moreover,

"Aside from being the president of 'Divine Works,' you were once a student at this academy. In the past, you participated in the Night Party and were a man who was just a step away from attaining the position of the Wiseman, with the registration code 'Sword Angel.'"

With this, Rozen looked towards the gentleman he called Bronson.

"Am I right?" Rozen asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room immediately became somewhat quieter.

"Clap, clap, clap"

The man known as Bronson applauded, as if his horizons had suddenly expanded.

"I never expected you to know so much about me," Bronson said, displaying a mix of surprise and satisfaction.

Rozen, of course, didn't reveal to him that this information had been obtained from Karyusai Shouko.

Because Loki was also one of the "Thirteen," Rozen had already learned about his information. Rozen discovered the sibling relationship between Loki and Frey and became interested in their benefactor.

As a result, he came to know the information about Bronson.

As for the others, they were taken aback by this information.

"He was someone who almost attained the position of the Wiseman?" Charl expressed her astonishment.

"Yes," Rozen nodded nonchalantly. "He fought his way through countless formidable opponents during past Night Parties and narrowly lost to the reigning Wiseman in the finals."

In other words, the man before them was once the closest to becoming the Wiseman. If he had won that duel years ago, he would have already held the position of the Wiseman.

If we were to say that the Wiseman is the most outstanding figure of their era, then the man before us is a character from that era who was second only to the Wiseman.

Now, after many years, Bronson might have acquired the strength equivalent to that of the Wiseman; that's also a possibility.

Upon learning this, the people present couldn't help but become somewhat nervous.

Only Rozen maintained his unchanged attitude, even showing extreme indifference.

It couldn't be helped.

"Since you are Frey's adoptive father and a specialist in running an automaton workshop, can I assume that you had tempered with Frey's heart?"

Rozen simply stated this in a detached manner.

When he said this, setting aside the reactions of the others, Bronson's eyes squinted.

And then:

"Careful with your words," Bronson said with a smile as if he had heard something amusing. "Frey's matters have nothing to do with me."

Bronson responded in this manner.