Chapter 638

Sap-sap.

The second-year students, who formed a party, were walking through a forest shrouded in darkness with tense faces.

“Haa~ It’s really dark.”

At that moment, Shasha, standing at the center of the party, folded her fan with a loud snap and let out a deep sigh.

The place where the second-year party was currently walking was as dark as the night.

No, darker than the night.

At least at night, there’s moonlight and starlight.

But this thick, dense forest allowed not even a sliver of sunlight to penetrate.

The only thing the party could rely on now were the Light spells cast by the wizards.

Before entering the forest, some students suggested cutting down trees to clear their view.

However, those suggestions were quickly shut down by students from the Department of Summoning.

“If we do that, the one we’ll have to contend with won’t be Senior Sia but perhaps the Great Spirit of Darkness.”

This forest, located on the sixth island, known as the Forest of Darkness, was a sanctuary for spirits of darkness.

And before the current second-years entered the academy, the Spirit of the Abyss, Ignit, had settled within Lumeran.

Invited to Lumeran to reinforce its defenses, Ignit had chosen to settle here in the Forest of Darkness, making it his domain.

Trespassing is allowed.

But if one were to recklessly defile the resting place of these spirits of darkness, incurring the wrath of Ignit would be inevitable.

Thus, the second-year students had no choice but to explore the forest with the help of magic.

“Aina, is there any suspicious movement?”

“Not yet.”

With Aina’s emotionless reply, Shasha unfolded her fan and started fanning herself gently.

Currently, the second-years were divided into four teams, with Aina and Shasha being part of the same one.

At that moment, El Jane emerged from the darkness, having returned from reconnaissance.

“How’s the surrounding area?”

“Nothing there.”

“Looks like this is going to take quite a while, huh?”

Shasha sighed lightly, while El Jane, with her hands on her hips, also let out a small sigh.

“It’s not an easy task finding the Princess.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that story enough to have it engraved in my ears.”

Shasha said with a somewhat haughty tone.

“Finding Senior Sia will definitely be difficult, but she won’t simply avoid us, right?”

“That might be true, but…”

El Jane shook her head.

Aina, observing El Jane, tilted her head in confusion at that moment.

Then—

“Guys!”

Another student who belonged to the Shadow group returned from reconnaissance, with a serious look on her face.

“There’s been a battle.”

“What?”

The second-year students widened their eyes.

Though the forest was serene, it wasn’t completely soundproof.

Even in the darkness, one could hear the sounds of faraway battles.

Given the forest’s eerie quietness, such sounds would usually echo more clearly.

Yet there had been a battle?

After being guided to the battle site, the second-year students were left speechless.

By the light of the magical illumination, strands of thread hanging from the trees caught everyone’s attention.

“Isn’t that the ‘Thread kn*fe’ that Senior Chen Sia used during last year’s first-semester midterms?”

A student from the Department of Magic gulped audibly.

It was a kn*fe shaped like a thread.

Chen Sia had demonstrated how she used the Thread kn*fe to create her domain and hunt her opponents like a spider.

During that semester, Emio, one of the top talents in the second-year Department of Magic, had been effortlessly hunted down, leaving a strong impression on the freshmen.

“Looks like they were wiped out?”

“Wow, how come we didn’t hear anything?”

The signs of battle left the second-years trembling.

“Wizards, deploy Search Magic.”

Shasha quickly issued orders.

“El Jane, keep an eye on me just in case.”

“You can count on it!”

Even with Light Magic, Chen Sia could potentially approach Shasha unnoticed.

Considering Shasha was the main damage dealer in this party, guarding her was essential.

Moreover, Shasha was the party’s commander.

While Aina excels at fighting, leading others is not her strong point.

Without Shasha, the chain of command would become chaotic.

And so, El Jane positioned herself behind Shasha.

The second-years began to guard the surroundings.

The moment El Jane raised her hand behind Shasha’s back—

Sudden flash!

A golden light burst forth.

A dazzling golden aura surged towards El Jane.

Quagaaang!

“Eek?”

A near miss, an almost touch, sent Shasha into an involuntary scream.

El Jane swiftly dodged Aina’s blade strike as she shouted,

“What’s the meaning of this? Aina!”

The other party members stood dumbfounded.

As everyone grappled to understand the situation, Aina spoke briefly.

“It’s not working. Senior.”

“What are you talking about!”

El Jane raised her voice.

Then Shasha added:

“Aina, are you saying that Jane here is actually Senior disguised?”

“Yes.”

“What? That’s absurd!”

“Initially, El Jane and Senior Sia have different body types.”

“Right! That’s true! Unless by magic or summoning, such a disguise would be impossible.”

“No magical energy can be sensed?”

El Jane had always admired Chen Sia, making efforts to resemble her, from hairstyle to clothing.

In many ways, she was perfect for Chen Sia to mimic.

However, El Jane was taller than Chen Sia.

And at the moment, the El Jane before them resembled her usual self.

Nevertheless, the second-years were cautiously regarding El Jane, since Aina wouldn’t make false accusations.

“What makes you say that?”

Shasha asked, her eyes fixed on El Jane, observing her closely.

Everything looked the same as usual.

To that question, Aina replied,

“br*asts.”

“Huh?”

“The size is different. Larger than El Jane’s.”

“…”

“…”

The students’ gazes immediately went towards the chest.

“This is embarrassing. I’ve compressed it as much as possible.”

El Jane, or really Chen Sia, looked troubled and then smiled lightly, addressing the male students.

“How long do you intend to stare, everyone?”

That comment startled the male students, causing their eyes to glance away.

Seeing this, Shasha gasped,

“You fools! What will you do if you keep turning your heads?”

From out of nowhere, daggers shot towards the students like bullets.

Puup-puup-puup!

In an instant, the sound of explosions rang out, with daggers flying in every direction and embedding themselves.

The speed was astonishing; it was impossible to have deflected them with swords.

Tiiing!

The tips of the swords quivered violently in response.

Aina gripped her wrist where her sword was clenched.

The daggers weren’t fast just for the sake of speed.

Each possessed overwhelming destructive power.

The male students briefly turned their heads, causing a chilling realization—if it wasn’t for Aina, they might have already been incapacitated.

As the male students quivered,

Sudden flash!

Aina, having closed the gap, swung her sword mercilessly, aiming for Chen Sia’s neck.

“Hmm. As expected, Aina-san doesn’t show mercy.”

While for others the title ‘Senior’ might instill a little fear, there was none of that with Aina.

Once she identifies something as an enemy, she doesn’t hesitate—delivering a fatal strike without remorse.

The highest code of honor of a knight and the supreme skill of a swordmaster.

And that was also the reason Aina was considered the strongest in her peer group.

With a gentle flick of her palm, Chen Sia deflected Aina’s sword.

However, Aina’s blade abruptly reversed trajectory, chasing after Chen Sia.

The movement was akin to that of a snake.

‘Grade representative is still Luke, but…’

Since last year, Aina hadn’t lost her position as the strongest of the second year, even once.

During the first-semester final exam, Luke, known for his incredible growth speed, had managed to close the gap with Aina and briefly surpassed her during their duel, advancing beyond the apparent limits.

After that, though, Luke hadn’t yet completely overtaken Aina.

Luke’s strength was a power that, when facing limitations, enabled him to take one decisive step forward.

He could match Aina for brief moments but couldn’t fully surpass her.

The reason Luke remained the grade representative was simple.

Aina no longer held the fighting spirit.

‘More accurately, she lost her edge.’

The influence of Luke had led Aina to choose a path during the second semester, not aiming to be the best of the year but observing those around her.

The heir to the secluded Sword Saint gradually adapted and fused naturally with her surroundings.

And as a result,

‘She has indeed improved.’

Other second-years hadn’t noticed it yet.

But Chen Sia could clearly see it.

Back to when she entered as a freshman.

Aina’s current skill level is a tier above the other second-years.

Though she appeared expressionless, her eyes contained an unyielding determination.

A resolute will to reclaim her place.

Aina wasn’t holding back for Luke or anyone else.

She had sharpened herself to ensure she could decisively overcome him.

Chen Sia’s vision focused on Aina’s sword, which seemed to warp and confuse her own field of view.

Terrifying speed.

‘But speed alone isn’t all.’

Among the third-years, those famous for swift swordplay were Duran and Iliana.

The essence of their sword techniques was one—overwhelming power through speed.

However, Aina’s sword was different.

It was swift, unpredictable, and perplexingly complex.

The high and noble blade of the swordsaint.

Swoosh—

Aina’s sword grazed past Chen Sia’s cheek.

Clap—

Chen Sia touched her left cheek with her fingertips and smiled.

“Wow!”

“Indeed, Aina!”

“She’s not conceding even against Chen Sia!”

Shouts of admiration erupted from everywhere.

Still, Aina clenched her lips tightly.

“No, this isn’t it.”

“Hmm?”

“Sia Senior hasn’t… even started yet.”

Aina braced every muscle in her body.

This, this fleeting moment, was the only chance Aina had to topple Chen Sia.

Uhdeuk… Uddeuuk…

Articulation sounds emerged from Chen Sia’s body.

Rhythmically to those sounds, Chen Sia’s body gradually shrank—inch by inch.

Her face, too, reverted when she lightly wiped her palm over it.

The slightly oversized uniform of El Jane.

Chen Sia shrugged as she massaged her shoulders and let out a small sigh.

“This technique is great, but it makes my body feel stiff.”

And that wasn’t all.

With the skeletal structure shifting, her aura flow wasn’t smooth, and her body couldn’t fully exert its normal strength.

“Eek!”

Chen Sia stretched.

Thuduthuduthud!

The crisp sound of bones being reset echoed through the air.

Following that, she flicked her feet to shake off the uncomfortable shoes before casually removing El Jane’s uniform entirely.

The top and skirt of El Jane’s uniform fluttered and swayed in the air.

That sight made the male students turn their heads away in shock.

Seeing this, Shasha slapped her chest multiple times.

“Augh! Seriously! How many times do I have to say it? You fools! She’s not taking her clothes off, so don’t imagine awkward things!”

Kaaaah! As if threatening to spew flames from her mouth, Shasha shouted.

While usually speaking in respectful tones and maintaining a graceful demeanor, when angered, Shasha’s personality and speech become rough.

“One, two, three, four.”

Chen Sia, now cleanly dressed in her own uniform, was stretching barefoot, warming up her body.

The nonchalant attitude left the second-year students feeling perplexed.

Time was on their side.

They had presumed Chen Sia would launch a sudden assault the moment they arrived.

But their predictions were mistaken.

Chen Sia appeared extremely relaxed.

As if waiting for someone.

“Sia Senior…!”

“Form a defensive circle!”

By the time other parties arrived, Chen Sia was surrounded by the second-years—all except for the team she had wiped out initially.

Now, three-quarters of the entire second-year student body had gathered here.

“Sia Senior, aren’t you being a bit too relaxed?”

Then Shasha, shielding her mouth with her fan, furrowed her brows.

It was evident to anyone that Chen Sia was waiting for the second-years to assemble.

‘Does she have some sort of plan?’

“There’s no hidden agenda.”

Chen Sia smiled lightly.

“It’s just that I have confidence.”

At those words, Habidden’s eyes fluttered.

“Senior, I respect you, but this is disrespectful towards us, even if you are a senior.”

“Being Chen Sia, a Hero Candidate, it might appear that way.”

Chen Sia nodded understandingly.

“Do you know, everyone? I, you see, in the darkness…”

Chen Sia grinned.

At that instant,

The knights who had surrounded Chen Sia from the front looked on in horror.

Swish—

Chen Sia’s body was gradually disappearing.

“With the exception of one person…”

Chen Sia smiled faintly.

“Being the strongest in the third year, right?”

And with those words, Chen Sia vanished without a trace.