### Chapter 40: Aim for the Nose Bridge (Part 1)
Maybe it was the noise around us or my usual weak voice, but Teacher Melville didn’t seem to hear me. So, I stood up, tiptoed, raised my little hand high, and jumped, yelling, “Teacher Melville—”
Now he noticed me.
His gaze swept over, glanced in my direction, paused for a moment, then quickly looked away, continuing to roar at the crowd, “Who else—!”
The old man was practically spitting while he talked.
Don’t pretend you didn’t see me!
anxiety bubbling inside me, I dashed out from the front row amid countless puzzled looks and whispers, rushing to Teacher Melville’s side, grabbing his skinny arm, and shaking it vigorously.
“It’s me!”
“What about you? Go back.” The teacher wouldn’t even look at me, his face totally unbothered.
“I want to fight!”
“What do you have to fight with? Stop messing around and get back to class. Let those boys come up here and play.”
Eh?
What’s this all about!
“I want to fight.”
“Miss Peilo…”
Before Melville could find another excuse to refuse, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, “Miss Peilo—”
“Is that Miss Peilo?”
“What is she doing… Is she saying…”
“She wants to battle… No way, she’ll get beaten up…”
“Did anyone hear Teacher Melville call her…”
“No…”
“But I think I saw her raise her hand…”
The students started to stir, the whole training ground buzzing with whispers, “buzz buzz buzz” filling my ears. I felt countless eyes staring at me, and I could vaguely hear Sarah excitedly shouting, “Go, Peilo! Knock their noses flat—”
Her voice was vibrant and loud, causing the atmosphere in the entire place to freeze for a moment, and right after, a wave of cheers rolled in like crashing waves.
“Peilo—!!”
“Knock their noses flat! Hahaha—”
“Go! The little fairy by Lake Ceylon—”
“Peilo, go for it—”
“Peilo, Peilo, Peilo—!”
The noisy shouts gradually became unified, everyone was shouting my name. Teacher Melville stopped speaking, his brows furrowed, and I wondered what he was thinking. A moment later, he revealed a smile again.
“Alright then. It’s time to show them what a true genius looks like.”
Great!
“Hey.”
I felt a surge of comfort and couldn’t help but chuckle. I turned my head to look at Rect, who was standing nearby.
Genius or not, I didn’t care! Right now, I just wanted to hit him, and it would be best if I caused him to have a black eye in front of all these female students so he could be humiliated—otherwise, I wouldn’t feel relieved.
Who told him to mess with me!
Not far away, the Forgiveness Head guy was also looking at me, his expression complicated.
When our eyes met, his face instantly changed, as if he understood what was about to happen, his mouth twisted involuntarily, and he darkened his expression, pinching his forehead.
“What a joke…”
The man muttered, raising his foot to come toward me when suddenly, another wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.
“Wow—”
“Beiyard, Beiyard, Beiyard—!”
The once-unified shouts shifted to another name.
Beiyard?
I felt puzzled and turned to look at the crowd, spotting a familiar figure standing up at the back, weaving through the others, making his way to the empty space in front.
Is he going to fight too…
…He can’t steal Rect from me!
As Beiyard approached, I quickly blinked at Teacher Melville, “I choose Rect.”
“Oh, he’s in for it then.”
“I think so too.”
Hmph.
I glanced proudly at Rect—he had quietly come over.
“Hey, what’s going on… Teacher Melville, can you talk to this little girl? If she comes up, today’s class will lose its meaning to motivate the students!”
“Little girl?” I raised an eyebrow.
Rect, you’ve got guts.
You dare to provoke me at a time like this.
“Silvya, you can fight me anytime… Just two days ago, I gifted you olive soap; you can’t be like this with so many people around… We’re so familiar, choose someone else!”
I shook my head, “Nope, you’ve messed with me.”
Rect spread his hands, looking innocent, “If I say I didn’t mean it just now, would you believe me?”
“Nope.”
“Come on, believe me a little.”
“Only if I get to hit you.”
“……”
Rect was momentarily at a loss for words, his expression darkening further.
At that moment, Beiyard had stepped closer to me.
“Teacher Melville.”
He respectfully bowed to the old man, then winked at me, his lips curling up slightly.
“Beiyard, do you want to try a match too?” Teacher Melville asked.
“Yeah. It’s rare for things to be this lively; let’s have some fun.”
“Then pick someone.”
“Hmmm… I choose Miss Lucia.”
“Alright.”
Teacher Melville nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully, and when the cheering finally quieted down, he patted both our shoulders, “Since you both want to fight, then go ahead. But remember, this is still an academy, and this first order class isn’t meant for exceptions like you two… But then again, it’s good to let everyone see what kind of standard you can reach. However, I have a requirement for both of you.”
After finishing, the teacher looked at me, “It’s a simple requirement. Miss Peilo, you cannot take this too seriously. Don’t destroy the venue, don’t injure anyone, and keep a good measure… This shouldn’t be too hard for you, right?”
“Hmm.”
I nodded obediently.
But I might hurt Rect…
I wouldn’t say that; let’s just not treat Rect like a person for now.
Teacher Melville nodded at me, then turned to Beiyard, “And you, Beiyard, you cannot use Divine Miracle; do not invoke the Power of Faith.”
“Got it, teacher~”
Power of Faith?
I was a bit surprised and turned to see the rather laid-back boys nearby, quickly realizing: Of course, how could Beiyard not have Powers of Faith? His grandfather is Cardinal Saint George.
“What’s up?” Beiyard rubbed his face, looking confused. “Is there something on my face?”
“You’re pretty amazing?” I asked.
“Can’t beat you.”
“Can you beat her?” I motioned to Lucia, who stood not far away.
“Of course not.” Beiyard shrugged, looking nonchalant, “I just like her legs; you know that? Who doesn’t like those kinds of legs? Tsk tsk…”
“……”
“Ah, don’t give me that look; what I mean is… appreciate, yes. Miss Lucia’s legs are really beautiful. I’m an honest man, facing myself without delusions; I’m definitely not a pervert. Don’t misunderstand; I have someone I like. I’m very devoted.”
By the end of that speech, his eyes looked a bit serious.
I couldn’t help but peek at Lucia’s legs—Beiyard wasn’t wrong; they were long and shapely, her tall figure largely a result of her long legs, even wrapped in black lace stockings, it was hard not to… Wait, she was wearing fishnet stockings.
“Why don’t you ask me who I like?”
Beiyard’s voice pulled me back to reality, and I returned my gaze, “Why should I ask?”
“Aren’t you curious? I’m very honest; if you ask, I’ll tell you.”
“Not asking.”
“Come on, ask.”
“Why would I care?”
“Why so harsh—”
While we were whispering, Teacher Melville moved to the side, and Rect followed him, discussing something with the other three. Then a knight named Halls, clad in light armor and looking nearly forty, began erecting half-man-high walls around the empty space while Teacher Melville stood in front of the students, beginning to speak earnestly.
“Listen! For the next two battles, pay attention, and don’t blink! See how you measure up to others, where exactly you fall short! After today, reflect deeply on yourselves, but don’t be disheartened; the road ahead is long—just take it step by step, and no one can ignore you…”
The students began to stir, some confused about the teacher’s words, others worried the dirt wall would block their view. Teacher Melville didn’t elaborate further but organized the ranks, moving the students back again, expanding the empty space. The students stood in a line, with the teacher and the other four in front, ready to respond quickly in case of any accidents and to protect the students in the back from being caught in the crossfire.
Of course, I understood that, but the students might not.
“What’s going on… What do the teachers want?”
“Is it really necessary to make this so complicated…?”
“Why do I feel like something’s off… Like a big showdown is coming? They’re not going to battle each other, right…?”
“Then it’ll be exciting…”
“I don’t care about that; I just want to see what Miss Peilo… that little body of hers can do… I’m so excited, my heart’s racing just thinking about it…”
“But she might get hurt…”
“The teachers know what they’re doing…”
“Speaking of which, what order does Miss Peilo belong to? Does anyone know…?”
“Idiot, obviously Frost Order; think a little… She has black hair… from the Valen royal family…”
“That doesn’t mean only the Valen royal family is Frost, does it?”
The buzzing discussions filled my ears, mixed with some sneers from a few female students.
“What’s that girl from Lake Ceylon doing up there? Does she just love to show off…?”
“Maybe she’s actually pretty strong…”
“Her? You’re thinking too much; she’s just got a pretty face…”
But I totally ignored those voices.
“Beiyard, step aside; I’m going first.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
After Beiyard waved and stepped back with a smile, I stood at the edge of the empty space, within the dirt wall, waving at Rect, who was not far away.
Forgiveness Head approached hesitantly.
“Are you really going to do this?”
“Stop talking.”
I shot him a glare, lifting my chin to signal him to stand opposite me.
“Go, Peilo—”
“Mr. Rect, please be gentle with her—”
“Standing in front of you is our academy’s little goddess! Don’t go too hard, Mr. Rect—”
…Who said that?
Goddess or not, why the little!
I was a bit annoyed again.
This anger was all going to be released on Rect.
The man was already standing about seven or eight steps in front of me, currently stretching out his shoulders, wearing a bitter smile.
“Are we going for real or fake?”
“Give it your all; I’ll do whatever.”
“…Haha, so cocky?”
“Hmph.”
“Actually, since that battle at Cataloma, I’ve been planning it in my heart. If I get the chance, I definitely want to fight with you.”
“Perfect.”
I smiled, thinking how I also wanted to fight him.
In this academy’s order class, the fundamental theories that Teacher Melville taught were not entirely useless to me, but I gained very little. For someone at my level, what I could learn here in three to five years was tragically limited.
Angel had initially wanted me to come here mainly to adapt to human life, to integrate into this collective. Maybe he also had hopes that I would systematically learn knowledge since I knew nothing about the Power of Order back then. But clearly, he underestimated my speed of progress and the Abyss’s keen sense and talent for combat.
Ignoring everything else, regarding my control and use of the Frost Order, I had pretty much grasped nearly eighty percent of what the academy claimed to teach in three to five years back at Shanter Castle during practice with my father. I even picked up advanced techniques like Absolute Zero and Moon Step, which the academy wouldn’t teach and which even my father needed years to master, in just a short time.
Most importantly, however, my combat level could hardly improve through pure listening and practicing in class.
Only in a battle like this could I grow.
In battle, facing opponents with better techniques, fighting such opponents, observing their moves, and thinking about how to counterattack—this was how I could improve.
And purely based on skill, Rect was an even better practice target than Victoria.
So… this class actually presented a good opportunity.
A chance to hit him hard.
“Hehe.”
“We can start!” Teacher Melville shouted at the front of the line.
The students’ cheers subsided, and Rect’s eyes cooled down. I twisted my right ankle, clenched and released my fists, feeling a bloom of joy in my heart.
“Here I come!”
“Come on, I’m already—”
Moon Step!
Whoosh —!
The gale roared.
At that moment, the echoes of the crowd’s cheers distorted in my ears, scattered by the fierce wind. In the blink of an eye, I had closed the distance to Rect, not intending to give him any time to prepare.
I stomped the ground, turned my body.
Boom!
A muffled sound erupted.
The dust beneath me seemed to pause for a moment before bursting out in a cloud nearly my height, like a dust storm sweeping outwards as I disappeared and reappeared, the stones beneath shaking violently, my eyes on Rect’s gradually widening pupils. In the next moment, I landed on one foot, twisting my body half a turn, leaning back, raising my right leg like a whip, and with the roaring wind, I struck fiercely at the man’s waist, only for him to react, bending his knee, pulling his right leg in to fake me out, then swinging his right fist straight towards my face.
In a flash, Rect suddenly tilted his head, and my punch “whooshed” past his ear. He threw a punch back at me, which I caught with my left hand with a loud “smack.” The force jolted my body slightly, but it didn’t have a big effect. At the same time, my right fist swung past Rect’s head, fingers loosening to form a palm, my arm reeling back, pressing my palm against the back of his head.
Ha!
I felt a rush of joy, exerting force with my arm, shifting to the right. As my right foot landed, my left foot lifted, knee pushing up to collide with Rect’s now-pressing-down head, only to lose balance in an instant.
He swept at my leg…
My body suddenly lost its center of gravity, tipping sideways to the ground. My knee attack was thrown off, and Rect’s counter was almost immediate. My heart raced as I felt another gust of wind coming from my lower abdomen, my right hand pressing down on the back of his head for a second forceful push, sending Rect staggering, his upper body nearly bent to a right angle. I took the opportunity to regain my balance, kicking off with my toes, leaping half up to flip over Rect’s body and flying to his other side while delivering another downward whip kick.
Bang—
The feel of impact hit, but it was blocked.
That kick was still aimed at the man’s face, but he reacted extremely quickly, raising his arm to block just in time. I kicked his elbow, causing him to step back several times, the soles of his boots scraping the stone floor with a “squeak,” almost losing his balance and falling. He only managed to steady himself with a side flip, shaking his hands afterward.
A few steps away, I had landed, stood up, and was loosening my ankle, grinning at him.
I must’ve kicked him pretty hard…
