Chapter 42: Chapter 20.1

EP – 020.1 – Class (3)

Tallion found himself a little surprised.

Was killing intent this easy to create?

‘That bastard…!’

With gritted teeth, he looked around with bloodshot eyes.

In truth, the noble part of Tallion understood the current situation to some extent. If the other party was able to play around him, he clearly has the superior skills.

Tallion knew that he should apologize for his rudeness.

“…”

Marquis Riverback will be disappointed once he catches this.

Recalling the one who helped him get admitted to the academy and his family’s benefactor, Tallion couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

As someone with the potential and expected to surpass surpass the hero candidate Elijah, his benefactor would definitely be displeased seeing his poor state.

But that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t hit back after being provoked for 25 times.

“Tallion?”

That’s what he thought.

Until he heard a voice calling him in front.

“…Elijah?”

Tallion tilted his head in confusion seeing a smiling Elijah approach him.

Why is she here so suddenly?

“Long time no see, it’s been a while since the last monster subjugation, no?”

Tallion hesitated.

He and Elijah had both participated as apprentices in a joint monster subjugation under the command of Marquis Kendride.

‘…She remembered.’

Thinking so, Tallion inwardly smiled.

‘It’s been so long, I thought she wouldn’t remember. Much less as someone who suffered a crushing defeat.’

As peers around the same age and skill, it would’ve been strange if they didn’t spar.

Of course, the result was disastrous for Tallion.

Regardless of how many people say that Elijah was only ‘slightly’ above him, he knew better than anyone else that that slight difference was akin to an insurmountable wall.

Even, it’s an honor to be recognized by such a brilliant talent.

“Indeed, Elijah. It’s been a while.”

“What were you doing here?”

“…Oh nothing, I was just looking for someone.”

Tallion awkwardly coughed and glossed over.

Ever since their first meeting, Elijah was his motivation to train and surpass.

He naturally wouldn’t want her to know that he was chasing someone out of anger.

“Is that so? Who were you looking for?”

“Uh, just some annoying guy…”

“What plans do you have once you found him?”

“…”

It was around this time that Tallon felt something amiss.

Although Elijah was still smiling, her words were carrying a chilly air.

‘Did she always have this image?’

No, she didn’t.

When he met her before, she definitely has a slightly aggressive side. However, she’s a prim and proper model citizen through and through.

What she’s showing now was something else entirely.

But it didn’t feel ‘insidious’.

“Tell me. What were you planning on doing?”

“…”

“Were you planning on attacking him?”

Elijah took a step forward, her smile widening.

“…!”

But her eyes were not smiling at all.

Rather, there was hostility that felt like his skin was getting torn apart.

Tallion involuntarily took a step back when he realized this.

Her expression looked bright, even giggling, but her every word was slowly squeezing him.

It felt like he’s facing a giant hungry monster.

“Were you trying to hurt Mr.?”

She took another step, while Tallion backed a step.

“Ah, no, Elijah. Hold on a second…”

Tallion tried to say something, when he saw Elijah grab the hilt of her sword. And before he could react, the sword was slightly unsheathed.

The air felt like it was on fire with the intensity she was exuding.

“…!”

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Then, the spear he was holding instinctively shot forward.

The tip of the spear fiercely advanced. It was a genuine blow and Tallion realized what he has done.

‘This is dangerous…!’

But.

Just as he blinked.

-!

-!!

His spear suddenly shattered and scattered in all directions.

‘What…!’

His mouth could fit an egg right now, as he watched the broken spear fall to the ground.

He didn’t see anything.

Despite such a result needing multiple sword swings.

Anyone who had trained weapon techniques at Tallion’s level knew exactly what this meant.

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That is, he was at least a few moves behind his opponent.

He was the one who attacked first, but he couldn’t even see the opponent’s counterattack?

‘She’s even stronger now…!’

Previously, he was still able to withstand her attacks.

And since then, he has gone through rigorous training. His skills are well-known even when placed in the prestigious Elfante Academy.

However, this difference now.

Even if there’s three Tallions attacking at the same time, Elijah would slaughter them all in just a few seconds.

In less than a year, the gap between them has widened to this extent.

‘That can’t be, there’s no way.’

Talent.

An overwhelming gap in talent.

She wasn’t just strong enough to be a hero candidate, but she’s also got sky-high talent.

But I didn’t think the gap to be this wide…!

“You know.”

Elijah’s expression didn’t even change after such a display of skill. She simply sheathed the sword back into the scabbard and asked.

“Who are you to care about who I’m friends with? What right do you have to interfere on who I approach?”

“…”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Nosy know-it-alls are annoying. And I’ve never seen someone like that with pure intentions…”

Elijah paused for a moment. Her expression suddenly changed, seemingly to have thought of something. Then, she revised her words.

“…I’ve only seen one. The rest were guys who only look out for their own interest, isn’t that so?”

“Elijah, I-uh, I…”

Elijah snapped her fingers and stopped Tallion in his tracks.

Then the already fragmented spear shattered into powder.

This time, Tallion didn’t even know what the hell happened.

“I don’t want to hear excuses, understand?”

Tallion dryly swallowed his saliva.

It seems that he’s the ignorant idiot here.

If you don’t want to get pummeled then…

Don’t touch Dowd Campbell. Heck, don’t even go near him.

“Okay. You seem to have understood, just don’t do it in the future.”

“… Wait.”

“Do you still have something to say?”

Looking at Elijah smiling coolly, Tallion flinched, but he was determined to ask this question.

He was dying from curiosity.

“Who is that guy Doud Campbell exactly?”

Why would such a talented individual behave to such an extent that even her personality changed?

Who the hell is Dowd Campbell?

Elijah responded with a smirk.

“He’s someone who knocked me out, someone with far superior skills than mine.”

“…Wasn’t that a scam?”

“Mr. is not the kind of person who would do that. If you continue to think that, you might kiss death before you know it.”

“…”

But despite the threat, Tallion was in no state to respond.

It was true that the hero candidate was defeated with a single blow?

‘…What kind of monster is he?’

At least Elijah’s strength was still within the realms of understanding, but the other person was just completely incomprehensible.

Why isn’t he publicly known if that’s the case?

“…So it’s fortunate that I’m not dead yet?”

“Yes, now you’re getting it. I basically saved your life.”

Tallion trembled when he saw Elijah answering like that while shaking her head.

Did he unknowingly challenge a monster to a fight?

“What’s your relationship with that person? How did you find out?”

At this point, he couldn’t bear it anymore and asked the question.

But unlike before, there was no immediate response. Rather, Elijah’s expression turned solemn.

Then, after some pondering.

“No, we’re just good friends, right? On the other hand… Yes, that’s probably it.”

“…What?”

“Maybe, for now. Uh. That’s about it… I guess? I mean, it’s not that big of a deal to me personally…”

“…What did you say?”

“Ah, I don’t know! Anyway, we’re friends for now!”

The way she’s acting right now was just like the Elijah he knew before.

Maybe she hasn’t completely changed as a person.

‘…But what does she mean by friends ‘for now’?’

His questions were left unanswered.