Chapter 48: St. Matthias V Vanitas

(Earlier that time; Before the First division entered the academy.)

Church, Saint Stella Academy;

"Who are you, really?"

The man who was at the altar, the one whom they called St. Matthias asked. I don't know what he meant by that, but do I look like some bigshot? Is this some kind of a quiz? How should I answer him, then?

"I find it curious. I know how the academy work. I was once a student here, after all. Base on that letter on your shoulder—that 'F', you are rank the lowest, are you not?"

He continued. Oh, well—thank you very much for your honest review.

"I guess? You could say so."

"That is what I find strange. For a man of your caliber to be ranked the lowest. I am sure you are treated pretty badly in this place, no? If so, we can—"

"No thanks."

I said, cutting him in his mid-sentence. I know exactly what he wants from me. He wants me to join them. Oh-no-thank you!

"I'm treated here badly, sure. No…"

I shook my head,

"Actually, worse. I've been treated here like a trash…"

"Then,"

"…but I don't care about it all."

Right. No matter what the world says against me, I can brush them off. I can make it as if I heard none of them. But you know what? These guys entered here without any permission, they hurt Varvara and most of all, they put everyone here in academy in danger—and that includes Sofy. That is one thing I cannot let slide.

I walked towards the cowering Malcov who was in daze after his ability was shattered. He was trembling while on his knees and he was not able to move on the spot. I believe he can still make another gargoyle—but I guess this ability has a cooldown? But let's not delve with that. I still have debt to pay back to this Malcov guy.

When I reach his distance, he looked at me with terror. Oh? So, where the ability your so proud of? Now that he was unprotected, he was cowering? How funny. Even Varvara was braver than this idiot.

"No! Don't come near me!"

"Hmmm? How strange."

I twitched my neck as I leaned forward to him, paying no attention to the others.

"Where was that bravado that you had earlier?"

I grabbed his collar and yanked him towards me. His face truly pisses me off. You hurt Varvara and made fun of her… I'll make you understand what fear truly is.

"Varvara—the girl you hurt. I'm sure she fought until the end even without her ability. And now your telling me that your planning on running away from me? Oh, try as you may but no matter where on this planet you hide, I will find you and make you pay for hurting someone precious to me!"

"Eeeekk!"

He squealed in fear as I glared intently close on his face. Usually, I act calm, but just the thought of Varvara being hurt—getting beaten for no reason makes my heart ache and at this moment, there's only one thing I wanna do.

I raised my dominant fist, my right hand—then bring it down like a hammer on his face. His nose was crushed and blood started gushing out of it. Another one—then next—then another. The sound of my fist hitting his face sounded loudly inside the church reverberating to the holy place. His face was utterly beaten that the rough look he had was not rather rougher. I was beating him without any hint of emotion showing to my face. Malcov was looking at me, pleading and begging for mercy. But I will not give him any of that. I will crush your hope and I will make sure that fear will run through your whole existence even when you see just my shadow. I will make sure that you never hurt someone again. I raised my fist. I put more strength to it than those previous punches. Honestly, this guy is already over, he's actually already hopeless, this one last punch is for myself. The anger that was built within me. I brought my fist down once again, but when I was about hit his pitiful face, I felt something that I haven't felt for long—intimidation, danger, and intense bloodlust.

I jumped back immediately. As I did what went past to where I was before was a blade that shines gold. It stuck deeply to the tiled floor of the church. What the hell was that? I've never felt like this other than when I was training with my master.

"Good reflexes. Rather, it was perfect. But I prefer it that you would not ignore me."

It was him eh? St. Matthias of the twelve apostles. He was speaking calmly but the tone of his voice is carrying something like irritation in it. Did me ignoring him made him angry?

"I will ask once again. Who are you?"

Pretty pushy for an earnest looking guy, are we? Oh well, it's not like I'd lost my chastity if I tell him my name.

"First year student of Saint Stella Academy. Year 1-1, Ranked F; Gleren Stasis."

He bobbed his head. And gave his gratitude. So, he really was asking for my name, eh?

"I appreciate your introduction, but I cannot let you kill one of my subordinates. I am Matthias V(5th) Vanitas. One of the twelve apostles that serve directly to the eminence. While it is not a pleasure, I acknowledge our meeting."

He really does something unnecessary, doesn't he? He walked down the altar, leaving the unmoved Maria in place. He then stood in front of Malcov, maybe covering for him. So, he also had this sense of camaraderie, huh… that's surprising, really. I thought that since this Malcov was arrogant and all, they'd leave him alone. I was wrong, I see.

"I will ask once again; will you return Maria to us?"

I asked which he answered in while shaking his head from side to side.

"That, I cannot do. She is important piece of our ambition. I will not let her go this time."

No use, eh? I guess, it's a battle after all. Tsk. My abdomen is aching a little and blood is still flowing from my hand. I overdid it again, did I not?

I assumed a hand to hand combat, but before I could even prepare Miss Claudia suddenly appeared from the entrance of the church. She must have run towards here since she was panting hard.

"Lady Maria! You! HAAA!"

She called. Miss Claudia looked really relieved when she finally saw Maria safe. But then, when she saw this person called St. Matthias, she suddenly rushed forward—angered. Utterly I was surprised. Did something happen between these people and miss Claudia? I know she was hurt by them, but was it all to it? However, miss Claudia rushing through was not the thing that was surprising. The revelation of her wings that's as if of bats' and a tail that as if of a serpent is what took me aback. I was shocked that I was not able to move, she also had something sticking out of her head—but then when I realized how dangerous it was to charge directly,

"Stop! Claudia!"

I shouted as I rushed before her.

"Ughh… You're so energetic… are you hurt, miss Claudia?"

Thank God. I made it… I successfully stopped her from being in danger… though… there was this stinging feeling on my stomach. When I looked down, there was a blade of light that stuck on my belly. It even went past through my back and I was skewered by it—without me even able to react. I could, though… but if I did, then miss Claudia would be…

"Guh!"

"G-Gleren!"

Miss Claudia cried, visibly worried as she slumped on the floor where I pushed her.

I vomited blood. Damn, it… I know I trained for this, but what the hell? I'll be having another hole in my abdomen? That ain't funny at all. I was able to withstand the pain, but the blood was oozing out of my body. I could feel my strength being sucked away… just what the hell is wrong with this blade…?

"I see. You must be a Demon stone user. Based on your reaction, you are one. My ability, the {Sword of Judgement} deals a lot of damage to Demon stone users after all."

I can barely feel my legs, and it seemed even the muscles that I build thus far was not able to withstand his sword, eh? Huh? What's these? Golden chains that was attached to my wrists and my legs unexpectedly materialized. Those chains were connected to the swords that suddenly appeared around me.

"My ability is not simply of swords. I can also make something like this."

I feel on my knees while the chains brought my hands above my head level. In this position I looked exactly like a criminal on his death sentence.

"I have no hatred nor personal abhorrence for you. But I could tell that if I left you alive, you would become hindrance for us. Thus, you leave me no choice."

STAB!

Another golden blade struck me, a little higher than the first one—

"Stop! Gleren! Answer me, Gleren!"

and—and another at my chest… Guh… I think… my heart… was just pieced… I could tell… come on, now… miss Claudia… don't cry…

…blood flowed from the wound… three swords stuck within me… I must look really silly this time…Ahh… my consciousness… fading…

Maria… she looked like she was…worried…I'm sorry…I couldn't fulfill…my promise…Ahhh… I wish I could have squeezed…miss Claudia's breast… as a reward…damn it…those plump…soft…tender looking boobs…

When my consciousness was leaving me, a huge tremor sounded from afar, and then suddenly the flow of mana returned to normal… but it was already late for me…I've lost too much blood… Sofy… I'm sor—…

***

"Gleren…"

Claudia uttered, here face pale with the shock, the color of her eyes blacked out.

"Please, no! Gleren!"

Matthias looked at Gleren with disappointed eyes. And with Claudia's cry that he already could not hear, Gleren finally lost his consciousness.