Chapter 28

Redin's momentum shifted.

Rebecca adjusted her stance accordingly, moving from a defensive stance to a backward stance.

Now the warm-up is over.

A moment of tension to ward off an attack. Redin frowned and looked away.

Rebecca's eyes narrowed at the sight.

"During the duel, you looked away from..!"

'Gooooooo!'

His breath caught in his throat at the sight of the unknown creature, and then something appeared and lunged for Redin.

A person wearing a black robe.

The spear blade in his hand flashed.

It was so fast.

'no!'

She tried to yell at him to dodge.

"Die!"

The Black Robe's spear flashed faster than her words. But as if in anticipation, Redin dodged the attack with ease.

The mana-encrusted wooden sword parried the spear, and in return, aimed for Black Robe's throat.

*Boom!*

Redin's sword sliced through the air.

The spear that followed shattered the wooden sword, and Redin darted backward, grabbing the sword he'd brought with him.

A few seconds was really short.

Redin did not panic, not even a breath. Calmly, he pointed his sword at the figure in black robes.

Seeing that, Rebecca swallowed hard.

She hadn't even felt the presence of the man in black robes, but Redin had already seen it and prepared to counterattack.

This only meant one thing.

Redin's got a lot of skill.

But on the other hand, it was not easy to understand.

'For sure… Redin's skills were at the bottom of the class.'

If it had been an ambiguous grade in the middle, She wouldn't have remembered it, but she remembered it clearly because he was in last place.

Redin was a commonly known pull-up.

Even when he was accused of being a spy for Magnes and imprisoned, she did not believe it. There was no way they would have sent someone with that level of skill as a spy.

She thought he was just lucky.

however.

'Since when....'

Redin's vibe was completely different. Perhaps it was from then on. When he proposed a bet on the ship.

-Don't squint.

He was strangely confident.

The actions he showed after that were so unconventional that they could not be considered pull-ups.

Was he intentionally faking his strength?

"You were lucky, it won't happen again."

The spear of the man wearing the black robe collided with Redin's scabbard.

*Baaanng!*

Sparks flew as they traded blows.

The opponent was tough.

His momentum, starting with his footwork, was on a different level than Redin's. Redin was starting to get pushed back in the battle as well.

However.

Despite this, he was able to counterattack, creating gaps and sending the opponent's guard up a notch.

"This… Huuuuu!"

Redin's sword grazed the neck of the man in black robes.

If it had been the blade rather than the scabbard, it would have definitely decapitated the opponent.

*Thump!*

Rebecca put her fist over her heart.

'It's stifling'

Her heart pounded, and a strange emotion surged through her. It wasn't like liking or love.

A little more unpleasant.

An uncomfortable feeling.

Those unknown emotions whispered.

-We're just going to watch it.

'Wha?'

-You want revenge on your sister and brothers, and you need Redin dead so you can take his place in the Special Task Force.

'What are you talking about?'

-So you're just going to let Redin take all the credit and play the role of second best? You're never going to get ahead of him.

Her face immediately flushed.

'Am I… being jealous?'

Jealousy.

Rebecca had never felt it before. She thought jealousy was for people with low self-esteem.

But then.

She was doing that very thing now, jealousy, over a man she hadn't even cared about a few weeks ago.

*Slap!*

She slapped herself to regain her composure. The burning sensation on her cheeks reminded her to clear her thoughts.

"Wake up…"

There was something that her teacher always said back then.

Rebecca's teacher often told her that she shouldn't get caught up in those ugly emotions, but rather she should eat them up and rise up, because only then can she reach the top.

This seems to be that moment.

She clutched the hilt of her sword and sprinted forward. It's not that she expects to die, but she's going to prove herself by defeating this black robed person.

That she can do it too.

"Ha!"

With a shout, Rebecca's sword shot toward the figure of the black clad man. The blade split into dozens of strikes, aiming for the robed person.

And then Redin pulled out accordingly.

*Clang!*

*Baang!*

The spear whirled, deflecting Rebecca's assault. As she stepped back slightly for her next attack, Redin pounced on the opening.

*Whoosh!*

Blue mana swirled from Redin's scabbard, which attached to the man's black robes.

A fast pace that is difficult to react to with the eyes.

It collided with the mana extending from the spear, creating a massive shockwave.

*BAAAAANGGG!!*

The figure in black robes stepped back.

"Rebecca!"

Redin shouted, and Rebecca snapped back into motion.

*Clang!*

*Swish!*

*Bang!*

She aimed for a gap while hitting the man, and when shw fell out to get a bearing, Redin would step in and engage the Black robed man.

It's their first time working together.

The moves flowed together as if they'd been practicing for hours. Or, more precisely, that's how Redin directed the battle.

But he didn't have much time to be surprised.

The opponent was strong and needed to be defeated to survive. It was time to focus on this one for now.

"T-This!"

The black robed man was beginning to steadily exhaust his strength.

The spear bounced off Redin's sword.

*Clang!*

The man's entire body was rendered open.

"Now!"

On Redin's signal, Rebecca channeled her mana. She quickly stomped the ground and stabbed her sword in a straight line.

*Bang!*

But the sword didn't reach her opponent.

Riena's dagger, which had appeared out of nowhere, blocked Rebecca's sword, and she frowned and sighed heavily.

"Hah… everybody stop!"

"Vice-captain?"

Riena glanced at Rebecca, who stared back, then turned her attention to the figure in black robes.

"Harris, what the hell are you doing?"

The black robe is drawn down.

The face of an innocent man was revealed.

"It's a test, a test. We need to know how good the new recruits are. Isn't that right, Vice-Captain?"

* * *

"Huuuu…."

Redin caught his breath and loosened his shoulders.

His whole body was soaked with sweat, and his [Blazing Soul (EX)] was not activated, so his physical strength reached its limit.

It feels like he's about to collapse.

He raised his head with difficulty.

He studied the face of the man in front of him. Green hair, glasses, and an innocent expression on his face.

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

Unlike Riena, He recognized him from somewhere, but it didn't come easily. It was like meeting the former head of the operations department, the third head of Magnes.

"Harris, you need to apologize to the kids right now."

"I'm sorry!"

Harris bowed his head.

Then he smiled and looked up.

"You didn't really think I meant to kill you, did you?"

Harris asked, looking at Redin, and he nodded.

"No."

At least he could tell from the fight that he didn't actually intend to.

An attack that felt like death.

The Eye of Arrakis that had been triggered with it faded as soon as he had dodged the first attack.

Redin didn't feel another attack that triggered his skill [Eye of Arrakis (S)] warning him of imminent death.

The attacks were a little rough around the edges, but it was more akin to, "Here, try to dodge this.

"This is because it's these kinds of raids that have the highest mortality rate in a Special Task Force mission. So I wanted to see if they'd be able to handle it."

"What would have happened if they didn't?"

"I would have told you that myself."

Harris glanced at Riena. Then Riena exhaled lightly and opened her mouth.

"Then let me formally introduce you. This is Harris. He's the same jockey as me and Daylon, and he got here five years before you guys."

"Redin."

"My name is Rebecca."

"I assume this is the fellow that Daylon said he brought with him, and this is the princess of the Kingdom of Adrian?"

Riena nodded.

"Okay, so I think we're on the same page, and we're on the same task force, but Harris is going to be in charge of training."

"Best of luck in the future."

Redin shook hands with Harris, who held out his hand.

Since Redin still couldn't figure out Harris identity, he was curious and tried using the copy skill.

[Harrison Den].

Power: B

Agility: A

Stamina: B

Mana: B

Luck: B

Talent: B

-Possesses: Stealth (A), Disguise (A), Special Training (A), Swift Movement (A), Information Gathering (B), Heineke Spearmanship (S)…

The surname of Den and the art of the Heineke spear.

After seeing that, he was reminded of someone.

Following the emergence of the demons.

A man in a training center that trained specialized operatives to assassinate high-ranking demons. His name was Den.

Redin eliminated the glasses and traced a slash between his eyes. The transition from mild to harsh seems to fit the Den character he know.

Genius Instructor Den.

Every single one of his trainees had a high survival rate and a high mission success rate.

To be trained by such a man.

'It will be a good opportunity to improve myself outside of combat.'

"Thank you"

* * *

As Redin showered in the warm water, he thought about the battle he'd just had with Harris.

It was his first battle since reaching the pinnacle.

A lot has changed for sure. Both his senses are sharper and his movement has become faster.

As all these aspects have developed, Redin's understanding and utilization of swordsmanship has naturally improved.

Being able to do things that he hadn't been able to do before because his body wasn't able to handle them gave him an advantage in combat.

"It was a different world."¹

Even though it was an unfavorable battle, there were several opportunities where Redin could have killed Harris.

He actually came close a couple times.

Of course, Harris wouldn't have died if he had made up his mind to avoid it, but it was important to Redin that he got to that level.

Being able to be more proactive.

It also means that they have the ability to take on independent missions.

"My next assignment has to pay off."

*squeak!*

Shutting off the water, Redin dried himself off.

After changing into the comfy clothes he'd packed, he made his way down to the dining room to find Rebecca and Riena already there.

And Harris, sitting in one of the chairs.

"Did you say your name was Redin? I'm just curious, what's your relationship with Rebecca, are you dating her or are you just friends?"

He shakes his head at the out-of-the-blue question.

"I first met her at Burning Hell. Nothing personal, of course."

"Really? You guys seem like you've been working together for a long time, like you know each other…."

"It's called synchronization, isn't it?" answered Redin.

"Well. As long as it's a good fit." Harris replied back.

"Harris, stop playing and come over and get some food.", Hollered Reina in the kitchen.

Harris smiled and stood up at Riena's call.

"Yes, coming, Vice Captain."

As he followed Harris to the kitchen, Riena reached over and handed Redin something.

"This is a letter addressed directly to you."

"A letter…?"

The sigil on the letter was unfamiliar.

"This is a letter from Viscount Volta, sent by express, and I want you to check the contents."

*snap!*

Redin felt attention being focused on him.

The room became strangely quiet, and he pulled out the letter and read it.

-I watched the footage you took. I find it quite distasteful that you locked Derok in the prison, but I'll cut you some slack.

'What.'

-I'll cut to the chase. I'm appointing you Knight Commander of the House of Volta, and I want you to report to the Volta estate immediately.

"He's a nutcase."

It popped out of his mouth without him realizing it.

Is this an aristocratic mindset? It's ridiculous that he talks about it as if it's a done deal, when there's no way he's going anywhere.

"I haven't even taught you yet and we have to separate? That's a shame, you could use this as a learning resource…"

"Harris, shut up."

He smirked at Riena, who gave him a pinch, and at Harris, who looked disappointed. Then he tossed the letter into the fireplace.

"I don't want to go, I have something I want to accomplish as a special task team member."

Harris patted me on the shoulder.

"From now on, call me older brother. Feel free to ask anything. I'll tell you everything I know."

Redin wondered if Daylon was influenced by Harris, or if Harris influenced Daylon.

"Got it."

"Harris, get the food out of here."

"Okay, let's have a drink to celebrate getting a good younger brother today."

And then.

*Chirp!*

The mission bird flew in and perched on Riena's shoulder. Riena's eyes softened as she took the paper from around its ankle and read the contents.

"I guess I'll have to take the alcohol back."

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Redin was stating that his perspective changed after reaching Pinnacle Class.