Chapter 526: Chapter 265 (2) - The Academys Weapon Replicator

“He, hey!!”

Hector shouted in surprise.

He didn't know where to start pointing out Aster’s actions, so he couldn't point out anything.

It was already difficult enough to confront the monsters on the barrier, but to go beyond the barrier? And to face a man who seems to be a high-ranking member of the Manggot alone?

There’s no guarantee that the monsters won’t interfere, and even if Aster is stronger than that Manggot man, the Manggot hiding in the forest wouldn’t just stand by.

Did he jump over the barrier without thinking about all that?

No, more than that.

‘Is it okay to jump from this height! He’s not even a magician!’

The most immediate concern came first, but.

Tap-

Aster landed on the ground calmly, as if it were unbelievable that he had jumped from such a height.

“Hoo.”

Notker saw that. He must have used an aura technique, but there was no deceleration as he fell until his feet touched the ground. Perfect movement and aura control.

“Nice to meet you, Aster Evans.”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course. I heard you’re a very arrogant brat. The talk about being comparable to the Zodiac.”

At those words, Aster frowned.

“That’s absurd.”

“Hoo, so you do know your place?”

“Of course. My strength is far too weak compared to the Zodiac.”

“Hmph, you’re a boring guy.”

Thud!

Notker slammed his greatsword into the ground. The tip of the sword lightly embedded itself in the ground, and he spoke.

“My name is Notker! One of the shepherds of the Manggot! I’ve come to set fire to the Empire!”

“Are you announcing arson?”

“Hahaha! That’s right. All of the Manggot are arsonists. That’s right.”

Aster briefly nodded at Notker’s bold proclamation.

With an expression that showed no hint of what he was thinking, Aster, as if he had forgotten something.

“Oh, right, this.”

Flick

He returned the spear that Notker had thrown back to him.

Notker instinctively received the spear with a puzzled expression.

“I’ll give it back.”

“……?”

Notker stared at Aster’s face for a long time, wondering what he was doing.

Aster tilted his head.

“Isn’t it yours?”

“……Huh.”

The spear that Notker threw.

The spear thrown with all his might to pierce Aster’s head.

Aster returned it, saying it was his.

As if he were handing over a lost wallet.

“……I heard Constel is full of crazy people.”

Notker’s aura swelled. Aster drew his sword at the sight of the greatsword and the aura that seemed to be burning.

Aster’s posture was nothing special, just a middle stance with his sword held in both hands.

Notker exhaled as if burning the air.

“You must be the pinnacle, Aster Evans.”

“……I have a normal personality.”

Thud!

As if he didn’t need to hear any more, Notker closed the distance. His aura-clad feet kicked off the ground, and the cracks in the split earth followed him.

Clang!

Notker’s strike descends with the wind. Aster raises his sword to block it.

‘What is this clumsy defense!’

Notker had actually anticipated that Aster would deflect the attack. The stronger the force, the more the opponent tries to subdue it with a gentle wave. Especially the more skilled they are.

In fact, Ludovic, who is also a swordsman and a Zodiac, would have deflected it.

Notker specializes in taking advantage of that deflection, but if he blocks it head-on like this, there’s nothing he can do with his specialty.

“You’ll die if you keep blocking like that.”

Notker growled. Even while their swords were crossed, he didn’t like Aster’s plain face. He was clearly using his strength, frowning, and looking at Notker seriously, but something wasn’t satisfying.

He had always made all those who underestimated him since he was young pay the price, but Aster didn’t seem like that type.

“……Then.”

Aster’s aura, which had been blocking the sword, gradually filled up.

“Here I go, Mr. Notker.”

“……Huh?”

What is this guy doing? Now of all times.

Why is he defending awkwardly, why is he raising his aura now, why is he suddenly mentioning my name…

Why is everything one beat late?

“……Don’t tell me.”

Notker asked with a feeling of disbelief.

“Are you saying that you’re going to attack now? Is that a signal to start the duel?”

“…….”

Aster’s eyes shifted slightly to the side.

“……I’ve been doing it since I was young.”

“…….”

Notker’s mind went blank for a moment.

But he soon realized why he had been so irritated.

“Alright, I’ve decided.”

“What is it?”

“I think I need to tear apart your handsome face to calm down!!”

Clang! Clank! Clang!

After that, Notker’s indiscriminate attacks began, and Aster blocked them one by one.

Every time their swords clashed, Aster’s sword was pushed back slightly, though faintly. As proof, Aster had stepped back half a step from where he started.

“Aster, our leader…”

During a brief standoff, Notker spoke.

“He has already checked the compatibility between the Empire’s strong ones and us.”

Saying that, Notker grinned.

“And the ideal matchup for the Manggot at that time was you and me.”

Notker was convinced by their recent exchange.

Aster was weaker than him.

Aster, the all-around, all-purpose swordsman.

There was only one way to defeat someone without any outstanding weaknesses.

To be purely stronger than them.

“You will die here, Aster.”

A warning close to a curse. And Notker’s aura and killing intent seemed to prove it.

Taking it all in, Aster blinked for a moment.

And with a heavy mouth, Aster said.

“I’m not really handsome.”

“…….”

“…….”

Notker nodded as if he understood something.

“Just die, you son of a bitch!!”