242nd Chapter
Johanna remained in Ray’s arms, crying for a long while.
Ray hoped that Johanna would eventually stop crying and lift her head shyly, but the tears continued to fall onto his shoulder.
This was not a situation Ray wanted.
He realized how much affection Johanna harbored for him and how much she relied on him emotionally…
Ray did not want to confirm this through such means.
While being loved by someone was undoubtedly a happy thing, it could also be troubling at times.
Johanna repeatedly sniffled and asked Ray several times if he was truly alright.
Ray kept repeating that there was no need to worry, all the while reflecting on whether his excuses sounded ridiculous.
Yes, they were ridiculous.
Still, Johanna had to believe them.
For Johanna, Ray’s excuses couldn’t be lies.
The Emperor of the Empire and the head of the Prizzran Clan were supporting Ray.
If they couldn’t resolve Ray’s physical issues, then no one in this world could.
Thus, Johanna believed Ray’s excuses and didn’t dare question him further.
“Hmph…”
After a long time, as Johanna’s crying finally began to subside…
Ray had to ask her not to tell anyone about today’s incident.
Explaining that he was already receiving treatment and didn’t want others to worry unnecessarily, Ray looked at Johanna, whose eyes were red and swollen.
“Are you really okay…?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Ray nodded again.
Johanna brought Ray’s hand to her cheek and warned him in a deep voice.
“In the future… don’t overexert yourself.”
“Alright.”
“If you overdo it even once more, I won’t let it slide. I’ll tell other people too.”
“I understand. Don’t worry.”
Ray reassured her that using Sword Aura or minor techniques wouldn’t strain his body and urged her not to worry about his life at Izhise.
Johanna listened silently to Ray’s unconvincing excuses while gripping his hand tightly.
*
A few days had passed since the experience in the underground plaza.
It was lunchtime, and Ray entered the cafeteria with a grim expression, picking at his food.
“…”
Sitting quietly, sighs escaped him involuntarily.
Ray had been postponing the conversation about parting ways.
He feared separation and also dreaded the sorrow his loved ones might feel.
As the remaining time grew shorter, his fear only intensified, making it harder for him to speak up.
“…”
Johanna’s tears weighed heavily on Ray’s heart.
The problem he had been trying to ignore had grown so enormous that he could no longer turn away from it, tormenting him deeply.
With a feeling of heaviness in his chest, Ray gripped his water glass and spoke.
“Water.”
“…”
Aaron poured cold water into Ray’s glass.
Though Ray drank it all at once, the tightness in his chest didn’t ease easily.
Of course, Aaron, who was sitting beside Ray pretending to be calm, felt just as heavy-hearted.
Clunk!
After finishing his meal haphazardly, Ray stood up from his seat.
Following lunch, there was a sparring schedule arranged between the 2nd-grade students and the 3rd-grade students.
Since this was a near-real combat exercise with no restrictions on weapons, most of the 3rd-grade students couldn’t hide their tension.
The Royal Guard was set to closely monitor the sparring to prevent any bloodshed, but the tension was unavoidable.
Aaron adjusted his breathing as he followed Ray back to the dormitory.
There wasn’t an insurmountable gap between the 2nd-grade and 3rd-grade students.
Most of the students fell within the Expert Level bracket.
However, the 2nd-grade students had spent over three years at Izhise, rolling around like dogs to gain diverse experiences.
Their swordsmanship had matured significantly, and their ability to improvise in critical moments—developed through countless experiences—gave the 2nd-grade students an edge over the 3rd-grade students.
The 3rd-grade students were about to witness firsthand how such seemingly secondary factors could create a significant difference.
When the 3rd-grade students finished arming themselves and gathered in front of the dormitory, Nelson led them to the indoor sparring arena.
Upon arriving at the arena, the 2nd-grade students were already preparing for the match inside.
Before the sparring officially began, Ray spoke to Nelson.
“Instructor, due to incomplete recovery, I request to be exempted.”
“… Having received advice from the healer regarding the necessity of rest, I will grant you special permission.”
This was something they had already discussed.
As Ray stepped aside from the match, some of the 2nd-grade students frowned.
Is that red-haired kid already skipping out?
As the 2nd-grade students glared at Ray, the 3rd-grade students panicked and nervously glanced around.
Seniors, don’t mess with that guy! We’re screwed!
Seeing this, the mood of the 2nd-grade students worsened.
Who are those red-haired kids looking out for now? The 2nd-grade students were flabbergasted.
Ignoring what others thought, Ray quietly sat down and fiddled with the brooch in his pocket.
Thanks to the divine power emanating from the brooch, his fatigue eased, and his mind calmed slightly.
Despite the envious glances from the 2nd-grade students toward Ray, who seemed to be enjoying a solo vacation…
It soon became irrelevant.
*
Johanna had always lagged behind Ray.
From their first meeting, Ray had already been mature, brave, and incomparably talented beyond his peers.
Johanna believed that until the day she grew old and died, Ray would remain robust, laughing and holding hands with her.
That belief was natural for Johanna.
“…”
Johanna drew her sword on the sparring field.
Holding the sword and reminiscing about the past, a forgotten conversation suddenly came to mind.
“Johanna.”
When was that?
When Karen got a pretty necklace and I gave you an expensive sword as a gift… I was so jealous and threw a tantrum.
“Johanna, you need to work harder and become stronger faster.”
That day, Ray said those words.
“You must try hard and surpass me quickly.”
Repeatedly urging her to grow stronger, Ray added something that felt a little scary at the time.
“I can’t protect you forever.”
I thought it was a casual remark.
I interpreted it as nagging to work hard because he couldn’t play parent forever.
But what if… what if from that moment on, Ray was…
Preparing for a farewell.
“…”
Her heart raced.
Even if Ray became too ill to ever wield a sword again, it would be okay.
If that happened, I will grow strong enough to protect you.
I will safeguard the things you cherish.
Even if you no longer look back at me, it would be fine.
As long as you stay healthy and pain-free for a long time, that would be enough for me.
If I have to become strong enough to replace you, I will do so…
I wish for your safety.
“…Ray.”
Johanna had never imagined a world without Ray.
She didn’t want to imagine it, and whenever she tried, it made her sick.
Wiping away the moisture forming at the corners of her eyes, Johanna gripped her sword and swung it toward the 2nd-grade student standing opposite her.
*
2nd-grade student Berden.
Berden’s student number was 201.
Having entered Izhise as the top student, Berden was currently one of the top three among the 2nd-grade students.
His somewhat aggressive personality was a flaw, but it was tolerable.
Right after Berden faced off against Johanna in the sparring match, he started getting overwhelmed.
In terms of strength, speed, and skill, Johanna completely dominated Berden.
With her personal sword in hand, Johanna used a modified version of Overdrive to accelerate her sword strikes.
The moment Johanna began using the technique she recently named “Accel,” Berden had no choice but to defend himself by keeping his sword close to his body.
The 2nd-grade students groaned at the sight.
It wasn’t uncommon at Izhise for an extraordinary genius to suddenly emerge and overwhelm senior students.
After all, Izhise was where geniuses renowned throughout the vast empire gathered.
Still, Johanna was on a different level compared to those previously celebrated geniuses.
The 2nd-grade students knew Berden’s capabilities well, which left them no choice but to acknowledge Johanna.
At this point, there was no 2nd-grade student who could defeat Johanna.
“After graduation, she’ll go straight to the Royal Guard…” muttered one 2nd-grade student with a troubled expression.
Crack!!
Attempting a surprise counterattack with an Artefact, Berden failed.
Johanna destroyed its Core before it fully activated and relentlessly pressed her attack.
Watching this, the 2nd-grade students winced.
Shouldn’t someone preserve Berden’s dignity as a senior?
The murderous intent in Johanna’s sword attacks was undeniable.
Crack!!
Having completely dismantled Berden, Johanna deflected his desperate final strike and thrust her sword toward his neck.
The Royal Guard intervened, stopping her blade mid-motion.
Clank!!
“That’s enough.”
“…”
Johanna glared at the Royal Guard with veins bulging in her eyes.
Even the Royal Guard was momentarily taken aback by the raw emotion in her gaze.
“…”
Breathing heavily, Johanna slowly released the tension in her grip and stepped back to bow to Berden.
Cursing under his breath, Berden threw his weapon aside and retreated from the sparring floor.
Though his behavior was problematic, it was understandable, so the instructors didn’t reprimand him.
It was natural for him to be angry after being crushed by a 3rd-grade student he had underestimated.
Because of this, the other 3rd-grade students ended up suffering more.
Determined to restore their bruised pride, the 2nd-grade students pushed the 3rd-grade students hard during the sparring matches, forcing them to roll around and block their attacks.
Excluding Johanna’s case, the 2nd-grade students easily secured victories over the 3rd-grade students.
Although the results might change as time goes on, the 3rd-grade students were still lacking compared to the 2nd-grade students for now.
“Huff…”
Similarly, Aaron returned after being defeated by a 2nd-grade student and slumped into his seat.
Leisurely resting, Ray casually asked Aaron,
“What’s the next class?”
“…”
Aaron internally cursed about memorizing schedules but kindly replied,
“The first practical session for Artefact usage.”
“Hmm… Oh?”
If it was the Artefact usage practice, Saria would be participating as an instructor.
Thinking about this, Ray became restless for a different reason and lowered his head.
Betrayal (2)
