Joint Martial Arts Practice [3]

In fact, there's no other clear alternative.

Magic. Using fire to burn everything down to the roots is the most definite method.

But right now, I can't do that.

Why?

There are other reasons, but the biggest issue is that we're inside a cave.

Using powerful fire magic here now?

'We'll definitely die. Either from the smoke or the cave collapsing.'

"Listen carefully. Don't use any magic except binding spells. Just support my sword. You can use Haste or basic assist magic, right?"

"What…! You're going to handle all of them by yourself?"

"Do we have another option?"

Eleanor was silent for a moment but quickly agreed.

"…..I understand. I won't hold you back."

There's no other choice. Isn't the situation just that bad?

Unfortunately, if she let his pride get in the way, we'll all be dead.

She must've thought that listening to me was the best option here.

'Besides, I've already handled situations like this a few times before.'

However, the fact that I always risk my life is a bit of a problem. But I've managed to endure it somehow.

Of course, I didn't think I'd be unlucky enough to run into an Ent just like now. And I couldn't even imagine that we came into this cave just to rest, only to end up fighting them…

Anyway.

I have the power to turn this situation around. I wasn't able to bring it since I couldn't put it in my spatial pouch, but I secretly asked Fuller the Tailor to craft something for me, and now that new skill is finally coming in handy.

[Sub-Inventory].

It's a skill Fuller attached to my uniform, allowing me to bypass the subspace interference restrictions.

Fuller had a reason for attaching this skill.

For example, he's confident that no one would try to cheat at Eldain.

By rule, all the test processes the students go through are observed by the professors, so there's no reason for inspection.

Either way, it's a skill that is directly linked to survival.

It's fine if I consider Fuller enchanting the socket with a happy feeling.

He's a character with a lot of emotions after all.

I quickly started equipping my private gears.

For example, [Astrid von Kaliud Orb +10] or basic equipment from the 4th commercial district

The [Dwarf Workshop] isn't fully set up yet, so the effects aren't that great. But that's only when the enhancements are weak.

There is absolutely no problem for me to use it now

Even if the monsters in front of me were Ents higher than [High Class] that surpasses griffins.

Shing!

[Stormbringer is absorbing the user's mana!]

Stormbringer, now coated in black, slices through the enemy cleanly.

Its regeneration is fast, but I swing even faster to keep up.

From below to a diagonal strike upward.

The sword that struck upward now draws to the ground, spinning half a turn, it slashes through the Ent's flesh before returning to my reach.

[You have activated 'Black Blade Chain of Flashes'.]

Lately, I've been feeling it more. Ever since my swordsmanship advanced to the high level, [Black Blade Chain of Flashes] has been speeding up with every attack I make.

For example, if I could slash twice per second at the start, later I can slash three or four times.

I can feel slowly that I've been getting stronger as I level up.

Boom——! Boom——! Boom——!

[You have defeated 3 Ents.]

[The 'Ring of Black Flame' effect has extended your lifespan by 24 hours.]

'So each Ent gives me 8 hours, huh? These guys are worth it.'

In the blink of an eye, three Ents fell to the ground. But Eleanor's binding spell was starting to break—that wasn't good news. I immediately used [Black Blade Flash] to delay the breaking of the spell.

Haa.

After catching my breath, I surveyed the surroundings and saw that we were surrounded by enemies.

At the cave entrance and inside, towering giants with the color of old wood were standing. Even if I just rough estimate it, there were more than 30 of them.

I estimated there could be over 50.

They filled this spacious cave… that seems about right.

But I have to do this.

They aren't even demons, there's no way I'm allowing a dead-ending in a place like this.

I focused, raised my sword, and started cutting down enemies.

I could see the enemies gradually starting to hesitate.

"[Haste]! [Strength]! Huff… is this right?"

Just in time, Eleanor's support came through.

As the blue magic turned green, soon it sank into my body. I could feel my body getting lighter and stronger.

I don't know the exact numbers, but it definitely wasn't small.

My physical strength must've improved by at least 0.5.

Though it's sudden. As expected, she really is a genius.

She's already mastered basic magic theory.

Support magic already surpasses the basic magic theory after all.

No way she'd hold me back here right?

Even if her natural talent leans more toward money, her magical ability is nothing to scoff at. Rather, it's correct to see it as outstanding.

"Keep going. Be careful not to drain your mana."

[Human! Hurting trees…! Yurusan (Unforgiveable)!]

"I didn't mean to… either way, you're not going to listen anyway, are you?"

[Again——! You set fires——! You will destroy our home——!]

He must be talking about the Northern War in the past.

But I wasn't involved in that, and there's no reason to back down from them. After all, they are trying to kill me anyway.

No point in overthinking it.

"Do you have any proof I did that? Go complain to the ones who are already dead."

What an annoying bunch.

I suddenly thought, I wondered if Astrid's laziness was rubbing off on me.

But no matter what, I can't afford to let her laziness get into me.

I took a deep breath, repeating that to myself.

From the upper dantian center to the middle dantian.

The lower dantian was barely open, like a rat tail, and while there hasn't been significant progress yet…

Still, It's clear that I'm much better off than before.

No need to overthink it.

Someone who can fight on even footing with an Ent?

And fought not just one or two, but dozens? There probably aren't many even among the Academy's professors.

I remind myself.

Though it's sudden, I've grown stronger after overcoming quite a lot of life-death situations.

For that, I've been driven by a strong will and determination to protect what's precious to me.

"Come at me."

I said it with a slight smirk.

Since it had become like this anyway, might as well enjoy it.

———————————————————

Two of the Four Sages. When Noah and Astrid arrived at the lecture room where the practical lesson was taking place.

By then, the portal that Nox and Eleanor had passed through was almost completely closed.

If nothing major happens in the next ten days, the portal will open again.

Either way, this test is designed to make students encounter illusions and battle the unknown monsters created there, so there's no real danger of getting hurt.

At least, that's the story on the surface.

Noah asked, but her usual innocent look was missing.

"Hello?"

Something isn't right.

Aleph von Dastein unconsciously held his breath and thought like that.

Noah von Trinity.

Why is one of the Four Sages here?

'…Why is that monster coming here? Normally, no one beat her in laziness'

The Lecture room was empty.

Everyone was busy with the practical training in the subspace, and the only formula I set was the one Nox and Eleanor used.

There's no way she came here just because the formula setup had changed slightly, right?

Even for one of the Four Sages, that's impossible.

Unless she had been watching the entire process from the start.

What made even less sense was why Noah von Trinity, of all people, was observing a low-level practice like this.

He didn't even hear this from the other professors.

"Professor Aleph."

What's worse, Noah's voice, which called out to him, had a slight edge of irritation.

'I don't know who the person next to her was… but Noah being here was dangerous'

Since he had never seen Astrid before, he had no idea what kind of monster was standing in front of him.

Unlike Lars, who was a renowned professor that been informed beforehand and aware of her existence, this was a different situation.

Astrid von Kaliud.

As mentioned before, she's a dragon, and in the beginning of Inner Lunatic, many people believed dragons had completely disappeared.

Moreover, for a mage like Astrid, hiding her true identity wasn't difficult.

She had revealed herself to Lars because there was clear evidence that he wasn't a demonic human (though mostly because it was troublesome), but this time was different.

Mage that could erase all traces of their presence without leaving a sign behind.

That's the four sages.

And so

Aleph was making a foolish decision. He was only focusing on Noah's actions, paying no attention to Astrid.

Noah smiled brightly as she touched the formula he had altered.

'Dangerous!'

First team. Out of all things, what is her reason for approaching the formula used to transfer Nox and the others?

Did she already know something?

Aleph suddenly remembered what Noah had said during the professor's meeting.

There's a bad smell, and they won't be able to hide forever. Why did that statement come to mind now, of all times?

'Damn it. I can't think straight.'

"Dean Noah, it would've been nice if you'd sent word ahead of time."

"Since when do I need a professor's permission? Especially from you, Aleph, who isn't even a full professor yet."

Her voice was as cold and cutting as ice.

Aleph was certain. This is dangerous.

Before Noah continued her speaking, Aleph had already released his mana and prepared for battle.

He hadn't expected one of the Four Sages to show up here, so his body tensed up instinctively.

"Did the game hide and seek fun?"

Aleph's pupils narrowed, and at that moment, he could see blood spattered. It was coming from his own body.

It didn't take long for him to realize that it was frost slash.

Aleph quickly removed his top and began regenerating his skin. He soon realized that the part that had been blown off was his arm.

However, Noah von Trinity moved faster than he could regenerate.

Bang!

With a violent blast, his other arm was blown off.

He hasn't even completed the regeneration.

'This is… not good. I need to break through and get out of here for now'

He thought this, but no answer came quickly. It was at that moment, when Noah was briefly pondering, humming to herself.

'That's it! If I attack the woman next to Noah von Trinity…! There's possibility!'

With that thought, Aleph moved quickly.

Since he couldn't use his arms, he spat out a poison needle he had hidden in his mouth.

The needle flew with blinding speed.

He was confident. Only the Four Sages or the Three Sword Emperors could react to this attack.

But there was one variable he hadn't accounted for.

"What is. this thing"

[She blocked it?!]

The person standing before him was one of the Four Sages.

And that person was the [Flame Mage], Magic God Astrid.

"….."

whoosh

As Astrid lightly waved her hand, the chains surged up from the ground and arrested Aleph, binding his limbs.

As if it were tiresome, Astrid used the chains to pry open Aleph's mouth, making it impossible for him to bite his tongue and commit suicide.

Astrid approached him slowly.

"Stay still. I have a lot of questions to ask. Dying early would be inconvenient."

Yet his gaze was fixed not on Noah but on the mage who had attacked him. Aleph knew that only a few individuals could wield such magic.

With blood splattering from his mouth, Aleph forced himself to speak.

[You… what are you? Who are you to have such power?!]

"Astrid. Are you done talking, demonic human?"

Astrid tilted her head slightly as she spoke. Aleph's face turned pale with fear. It was a sensation he felt for the first time in his life.

Astrid's slit pupils scanned him up and down.

It was only then that Aleph realized.

The monster standing before him, on par with Noah, was none other than Astrid von Kaliud, one of the Four Sages.