I’m weak.
People around me say I’m a genius, but I know who the real geniuses are.
Literally, it’s like Crown Prince Leon is directly telling me the meaning of the word genius.
Reina has a talent that rivals Miss Charlotte in magic.
Atal, who has become the youngest candidate for the Martires Order’s Pope in history.
Miss Sophia, chosen directly by the God Eos, not the order.
And Aike, who works harder than anyone else to move forward with them.
If there’s a qualification to be called a genius, it surely refers to people like them.
When I look at them and reflect on myself, I feel so lacking in both talent and effort that I become pitifully humble.
But do I deserve such qualifications?
Knowing how hard Aike works, is it justified for me to conclude unconsciously that I can’t put forth that level of effort?
Isn’t the one deserving of such feelings someone like Aike, who has tried so much yet couldn’t reach out to obtain it?
“Helen, I’m thinking of going back to my family home tomorrow.”
Things have changed.
Aike’s eyes have changed.
Just a few days ago, they were filled with despair and the intent to give up everything.
“I don’t want to lose anyone anymore.”
Now, there’s a clear and determined gaze, unwavering in the face of adversity.
How is this possible?
Ender Dean has passed away.
He lost his life while protecting us.
I even heard that he sustained critical injuries trying to block an attack aimed at Aike in the end.
Didn’t Aike think that was his fault and fall into despair over it?
I thought it was a luxury for me to despair, that I wanted to give up on everything.
How on earth did Aike manage to overcome such a thing?
I don’t know.
But watching Aike speak like that and turn away to move on shines like a star in the sky.
“…Why am I like this?”
I was drowning in such self-loathing.
I prefer sparring with someone.
I thought that by clashing bodies, I could know the opponent’s true feelings.
It doesn’t matter how strong the opponent is.
Even if they’re much weaker than me, if they can fight with sincerity, that alone was enough.
But was that really the right thing?
Was I just turning my gaze away from reality for my own satisfaction?
What then is the purpose of my training?
I don’t know the answer.
What I eventually did was.
“Aike, I have something I’m curious about, is that okay?”
In the end, it was going to Aike, the one who made me think this way.
“Yes. If it’s something I can answer, then it’s absolutely fine.”
Visiting just before returning home and abruptly asking a question is quite rude.
But Aike nodded calmly as if there were no problems.
“How is it that you’re so strong?”
That was a question that was difficult to decipher in meaning or intent.
No, from Aike’s perspective, it might have even sounded like sarcasm.
However, Aike simply shook his head.
“I’ve been asked a similar question recently. My answer is the same as back then, Helen.”
“Yes?”
“I’m weak. I just do my best to appear strong.”
“…Can I also become strong like you, Aike?”
“Miss Helen, you’re already stronger than I am, aren’t you? Given that I’m just a coward who could barely stand because of everyone’s help, you, who can find the answers on your own, is undoubtedly not weaker than me.”
I’m weak.
I lack talent, effort, and I don’t measure up to the people around me.
But.
“I want to become strong, Uncle.”
That doesn’t mean dreaming is a sin.
“What for?”
“I don’t intend to speak of the extravagant wish of wanting to protect everyone. That’s surely something only those who have worked tirelessly can utter. So, I want to be someone who can hold the front and support those who keep moving forward.”
My uncle listened to my story.
“Remember this self-loathing you’re feeling, Helen. It will surely guide you to the next step.”
I think he said that while smiling.
★
“Haaah!”
Helen’s fists pounded relentlessly.
“Heh…”
Cron was truly impressed as he took her attacks head-on.
“While she shows awkwardness, her speed and strength surpass Es’s.”
Even from just a moment ago, the gaps in his defenses were glaring.
And of course, Helen was aware of her own weaknesses.
It’s only been three months.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never completely change the habits she had built over time.
No, from the start, Helen had no intention of changing.
“Your merit is essentially the sheer amount of magical power. So, you have to use that advantage. No need to awkwardly use techniques or read the situation. Just barrel through it. If the opponent seeks to exploit a gap, hit back even harder. Think of it as hitting twice for every hit you take.”
Helen had no strategy to turn the tide of battle.
She had no techniques that could reverse a dire situation.
What she had was only the physical ability stemming from her overwhelming magical power.
Knowing this, she naturally took on the role of holding the frontline.
“Guhh!”
With a shout, she twisted her body and shoved all her strength into her punch.
Cron blocked it with his shoulder, but the weight behind her fist forced him back, disrupting his stance.
“Impressive indeed! You weren’t using your full strength while adjusting to Aike until a moment ago, right?”
Holding his throbbing shoulder, Cron asked Helen.
But Helen didn’t answer and launched another attack.
A left fist aiming for the chin.
A right knee targeting the ribs.
A right elbow crashing down towards the chest.
A left foot aiming to pierce the belly.
Each one a deadly strike designed to take the opponent down.
“This could get really dangerous.”
Even if he found an opening, Atal was right behind Helen, ready to assist.
It would be too tough to aim for Atal while enduring Helen’s fierce assaults.
Cron’s instincts warned him that the current situation was even more precarious than when he faced four opponents earlier.
“If only I had a spear…”
Cron already knew that the method which had worked against Aike within the cave wouldn’t work again.
He felt that if he attempted a counterattack, he’d be skewered instead.
That’s why Cron thought.
“…But of course, this is how battles should be enjoyed.”
He changed his mindset.
“What?!”
In a clash of power, Helen’s fist met Cron’s fist squarely.
That fist had morphed into that of a Magical Beast.
“I know. Such a fighting style is certainly strong, but it can’t last long.”
“Guhh!”
Cron’s words struck Helen’s core.
The reason Helen could press Cron head-on was simple.
She hadn’t considered the limitations of her body at all and had been pouring magical energy into herself without reprieve.
Simply put, it was applying pressure to the enemy by prioritizing quantity over quality.
It seemed straightforward, but it was a finishing move that only Helen could execute.
However, that wasn’t a universal solution to everything.
Overworking the body and even for Helen, the amount of magical energy consumed was staggering, so it was essentially a method to seek victory in the short term.
If the fight dragged on, the one to fall would be Helen.
“Of course, I’m almost out of magical energy to use the powers of a Magical Beast. So this becomes a life-or-death gamble. Either your body reaches its limit first or my magical energy runs out first.”
“Naturally, I will win.”
Even as he spoke those words, it seemed like he was beginning to feel his own limits, as Helen’s eyes started to well up with blood.
The pain flooding her body was so overwhelming that Atal’s healing magic couldn’t keep pace.
But even so, Helen didn’t stop.
Fighting to be even slightly quicker.
Striving to strike even slightly harder.
She unleashed her punches and extended her legs.
“Miss Helen…!”
Atal’s voice was tinged with pain.
The speed at which Helen’s body was breaking down was too fast, leaving Atal with no strength to manage his protection magic.
Helen’s body had reached its limit, and Atal’s magical energy began to deplete.
Of course, Cron was no exception to that either.
Even though he was transforming his body into that of a Magical Beast to mitigate damage, he had almost no magical energy remaining to transform, so he had no choice but to absorb some attacks with his body.
But the difference between Cron and the two was one thing.
“…This is fun!”
Helen and Atal didn’t enjoy the pain they were experiencing as a result.
Helen’s movements began to slow.
The pure white light of Atal’s healing magic started to dim.
Yet, Cron’s movements hadn’t changed from the beginning.
“I won’t lose…”
As if he had reached his limits, Helen’s voice turned raspy.
“I can’t lose.”
Atal looked like speaking was becoming a struggle for him as well.
Nonetheless, their eyes were still shining.
““We promised we would absolutely not die…!””
And the blue light surged from Atal’s hands, enveloping Helen’s body.
Helen twisted her body and stepped forward with her left foot.
It was unmistakably the final blow, powered by every ounce of her being.
Cron also realized this, transforming his right arm completely into that of a Magical Beast.
“Haaaaaah!”
With a cry, Helen and Cron’s fists clashed.
A sound of bones cracking resonated through the air.
Ultimately, it was Helen who was sent hurtling backward to the ground.
“Helen…!”
However, even while gasping for breath, Helen was still glaring at Cron.
“Get up… I’m still here…”
Finally, Atal, having completely depleted his magical energy, collapsed as well.
As he looked at this, Cron quietly smiled.
“I may have lost the match, but I won the fight.”
Helen and Atal, both trying their hardest to rise despite their unmoving bodies.
“Give up. And in the end, I hope you’ll acknowledge that I won.”
With those words, Cron approached, leaving them with no choice but to watch.
