“………tsk, this is troublesome.”
At the sight of Kang Ayul’s confident expression, an automatic wave of uneasiness spread through my body, leaving me uncertain.
‘What if I go all out and Kang Ayul ends up injured?’
That’s problematic. I already have my hands full supporting Kang Ayul and Lee Seo-yoon’s bid for the Student Council Presidency. If Kang Ayul were injured, there would be no second-year students capable of taking on exceptional first-years like the protagonist and Baek Sia.
‘What should I do… going all out could lead to unforeseen consequences.’
If I go easy, I’ll get torn apart; if I go all out, Kang Ayul might be the one to suffer.
“What about the gun you used back then? Aren’t you going to bring it out?”
“It’s not a gun, it’s a staff.”
Suddenly, a good idea came to me.
‘The output limit of the earrings… 30%, and the punishment from Eve earlier means I can only use up to 60% of my full power right now.’
If that’s the case… this might be possible.
“Seo Yoon, can I take a look at your sword for a moment?”
“…Are you planning to use my sword…?”
“No, no, don’t worry about that.”
Instead of the sword used in the previous mock battle, I lightly picked up the freshly acquired alturnium blade that Lee Seo-yoon had just received from Lee Cheon-ma. Its weight was perfect, yet glaring issues with its balance, length, and handling became apparent.
‘Lee Seo-yoon could likely use this sword effectively with her defensive stance…’
Unfortunately, I’m not her.
“Well, I have a rough idea now.”
The training area was completely sealed off to prevent any interference; the only observer would be Lee Seo-yoon.
A pair of dual daggers crafted by Baek Sia, designed as knives but capable of length adjustment through magical power.
-Whoosh!
“Hmm… too long.”
-Whoosh!
“This is too short…”
-Hiss!
“Ah… that’s just right.”
‘If there had been someone inside when the space was sealed, they could’ve watched this battle, but I’ve confirmed no one’s here.’
Therefore, I can go all out.
Though, not to the extent of destroying the earrings…
“Your eyes…!”
“I’m going all out, Ayul.”
In order to defeat Kang Ayul thoroughly without causing serious injury, this is the only way.
‘If I’m overwhelmingly strong, I can incapacitate her properly.’
Had our abilities been similar, there would have been a risk of this escalating like their first match. To satisfy Kang Ayul yet finish this match without serious harm… this is the only method.
I looked at my face reflected on the black smartphone screen.
‘I have approximately ten minutes worth of swordsmanship skills at the level of Kang Jin-myung…’
Thinking this, I focused on Kang Ayul again. Although not perfectly, I started to comprehend her movements.
After retrieving the staff and securing it at my waist…
“I’m ready.”
“Me too.”
Once everything was set, Lee Seo-yoon stepped back and whistled.
“Alright, the barrier will activate… and the match begins the moment the watches on your wrists turn green.”
“I already know that, do you really need to explain it?”
“Oh well, it’s good to refresh the memory. Especially since Ayul might charge at Se-ah before the bracelet even turns green.”
The bracelet began tinting green.
1/2.
3/4.
And finally, the moment it glowed entirely green…
-BOOM!
“Alright, let’s fight all out!”
Instantly, Kang Ayul materialized in front of me with a magical sword in hand.
…
…
…
-CLANG!
The sound of clashing steel echoing through the empty training ground.
Both aiming for each other’s necks, our swords crossed numerous times.
The blue magical blade charged toward the purple glowing girl, but I simply tilted my head to perfectly dodge all the strikes.
“Damn it, stop teasing me…!!”
The number of magical swords multiplied, yet not a single one reached me.
After countless boss battles and with a limited acquisition of Kang Jin-myung’s swordsmanship experience, these attacks were merely amusing.
In a single strike, Kang Ayul’s magical sword shattered without resistance.
“Now, let’s end this.”
-KRUMBLE!
“Ugh…?!”
Caught off-guard by a sudden surge of gravity, Kang Ayul stumbled.
-Click!
In that instant, I aimed the staff, resembling a silver gun, directly at her.
“Void”
A pitch-black sphere ejected from the muzzle, pulling everything it touched towards Kang Ayul.
-KRAAANG!
“Guh…!”
Even the magical swords she unleashed were shattered and sucked into the dark sphere.
“Damn, this is ridiculous!”
-SCHHHHH!
With the overwhelming gravitational field weighing her down, Kang Ayul’s movements were incredibly sluggish. Attempting countless magical swords to alter the black sphere’s trajectory was futile.
The black sphere’s path didn’t waver, not even by a millimeter.
-KA-BOOM!!
“Ghh… Argh!!”
In an instant, everything the sphere had absorbed tore through Kang Ayul, shredding her apart.
-KOOOOM!!
“Aaaarrrggghhh!”
Like the protagonist earlier, Kang Ayul crashed into the wall and fell limply.
“Ugh… cough!”
“Hmm… I was going to finish it just now.”
Honestly, I was a bit surprised.
Kang Ayul, face down on the wall, coughed up blood but managed to somehow steady herself. Anyone watching would’ve declared this a clear victory for Yoon Se-ah, the current Student Council President.
Blood streamed down her forehead, her legs barely supported her as they trembled. She clearly had the upper hand, yet Kang Ayul disregarded it all and slowly rose, sword in hand.
“Let the real battle begin… the real fight starts now.”
Kang Ayul withdrew three swords from her waist, apparently out of magical energy. A red magical power enveloped them, igniting into flames.
“…”
“Haaa… Yeah, this is more like it…! I feel like I can do anything.”
Kang Ayul’s ability, “Blessing of the Sword Saint (S).”
A nearly absurd ability where every sword-related action receives significant enhancement. Like effortlessly cutting through rock or instinctively deflecting bullets aimed at her.
A monstrous talent recognized by her teacher, the current S-rank hero Kang Jin-myung, who trained her to perfection after witnessing her single-handedly defeating her father in one move.
Kang Ayul’s pupils disappeared, replaced by burning green flames.
“It appears her ‘Blessing of the Sword Saint’ doesn’t apply to magical swords yet.”
Certainly, having been taught by Kang Jin-myung that magical swords were extravagant, she seemed unaware her ability could encompass them.
Since the ability requires her conscious activation, she would have to realize it herself…
“Kang Ayul’s remaining HP bar… 2%.”
At full power, the fight would’ve ended immediately, but perhaps I underestimated her.
In a flash, she charged at me, aiming to split me in two. I moved back to evade, but…
-KLANG!
“…Ah, this is why buffs are great. Tripping at a time like this.”
Kang Ayul, with her blazing eyes, reached mere inches from my fallen form.
“…This ends now!”
Believing victory was hers, she swung to sever my neck.
-SLICE!
“………!”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t me.
“Dear me, since when did you think I was that?”
My ‘illusion’ dissolved into a swarm of glittering butterflies. From behind, I now held the staff, transformed into a sniper rifle, aimed directly at her.
‘Firing at maximum output would be dangerous against any magic… I should use a suppression spell.’
“Shutdown.”
-TAAANG!
The deafening sound of artillery filled the empty arena. When the dust settled…
“…”
Kang Ayul lay unconscious, restrained by the Shutdown spell’s net.
“…Phew… One problem solved.”
Clenching my teeth and swallowing the black liquid rising in my throat, I silently stood over her.
…
…
…
“…So this is the current President’s power. Incredible!”
“J, Ji-an! Stop yelling…”
Meanwhile, Sakura, Ecclesia, and Yoo Eun-ha observed the match between the Student Council President and Vice President alongside Seo Ji-an.
“Enormous magical power! Even more than A-rin!”
Some marveled at Yoon Se-ah’s overwhelming strength that effortlessly subdued Kang Ayul.
“Still… despite the pain… she kept fighting to the end…”
Others were impressed by Kang Ayul’s perseverance despite being gravely injured.
“Um, what should we do? There don’t seem to be medical staff around. Let me heal her…”
Some frantically wanted to treat the injured participant…
“……………As I expected, you’re the same as always.”
While others glared furiously at Yoon Se-ah, who was feeding something to the fallen Kang Ayul, with thoughts of vengeance.
