Chapter 57

Today, I realized that there are no normal people around me. The very idea that I could defeat Bidon is laughable. And evidence? With their history of tyranny, do you think they’d be so careless? Even if I search for days, I won’t find anything. Though the meaningless struggles are a bit bothersome, I’m not too worried. In three months, Ricks and his group will have grown stronger, and if I push them to eliminate the duo, everything will be resolved. So, what I need to do is stay away from Athera and Ricks’s group as much as possible and let them handle it themselves.

For now, I’ll endure the repair work on the wall, filled with lunatics, for just five days. After that, a new construction project led by the professor will start, which will be perfect. By wandering around like this and working just enough for three months, peace will return to the Schlaphe Hall without me.

***

Limberton left the dormitory of Makdal and headed toward the freshman dormitory. As he descended the stairs, he ran into Aslay and Ricks’s group at the corner.

“You guys… did you enjoy banishing me?”

“Ahem, I’m sorry about that.”

“Still, why did you have to make such advances…”

When Ricks’s group averted their eyes, Ricks apologized with a remorseful expression.

“Don’t resent us too much. We were worried about you and waited here until now.”

“Really?”

Limberton frowned, noticing someone missing.

“But where’s Hersel?”

“…He said he was tired and went to bed early.”

“Heartless bastard.”

Limberton massaged his stiff neck, probably from having a water cup placed on his head for over three hours. Ricks asked, concerned.

“It seems you had a tough time, are you okay?”

“Me? Oh, I’m fine. Compared to those who rolled in the yard, I had it easy…”

Limberton thought of his classmates and seniors who suffered terribly, and he slumped his shoulders.

Violence disguised as training. Especially among those who didn’t pay taxes, they were made to fight until one of them passed out under the guise of a sparring match. What was even more chilling was that even the passing professors didn’t take this situation seriously and went on their way.

…This place is truly insane. Limberton shivered at the thought that it might get even worse. He hoped this tyranny would end as soon as possible. And the one to end it would likely be that guy. He has always acted like he knew everything and resolved it, so he’ll probably do the same this time.

“By the way, what did Hersel say about this matter?”

Ricks smiled reassuringly.

“You don’t need to worry. He said to just gather the evidence, and he’d handle the rest.”

“As expected, I knew he had a plan.”

Limberton sighed in relief, patting his chest. Just then, a book hidden inside his shirt fell to the floor. It was a book he took from Makdal’s room, depicting a woman changing clothes.

“Oops. I need to return this later, hopefully it’s not damaged.”

As he flipped through the pages to check its condition, Ricks blinked.

“What’s that book?”

“Oh, this? I borrowed it from the Makdal guy without permission because he didn’t pay me. Huh? But what’s this? It’s just names and numbers…”

At that moment, Ricks snatched the book with a shocked expression.

“You like this kind of stuff too? Well, it’s common for guys. But it’s a shame there’s nothing interesting in it.”

However, as he flipped through more pages, Ricks’s eyes widened.

“The names of the delinquents are recorded here. This is definitely an account book…”

“What?”

Ricks smiled, a drop of sweat trickling down his face.

“With this, we can drive them out. Limberton, you’ve done something big.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no time to waste. Let’s go to Hersel right away.”

“O-Okay…”

Limberton followed Ricks’s group, feeling that something good was happening, judging by everyone’s cheerful mood. They arrived in front of Hersel’s room.

Knock, knock!

Despite Ricks’s knocking, there was no response.

“…Is he already asleep?”

Limberton perked up his ears.

“No? I hear something. It sounds like the floorboards creaking. Hold on.”

Limberton raised his voice at the door.

“Hersel, are you awake? Can we come in?”

“If you don’t answer, we’re coming in.”

The door wasn’t locked. Carefully opening the door, Limberton blinked. Ricks exclaimed in surprise.

Hersel, who they thought was sleeping, was doing push-ups with his eyes closed.

‘So he was secretly training like this even at night…’

Although he was frozen like an ice block, the sweat pooled on the floor suggested he had been training for quite a while. Ricks closed the door softly with a bitter smile.

“It seems he’s training to drive out that duo. We shouldn’t disturb him.”

Then, he picked up the account book and turned away.

“I’ll take this to Senior Athera.”

Limberton scratched his head with a puzzled look and asked.

“Isn’t it late?”

“If we tell the dormitory warden, she’ll come out immediately. You guys go to sleep first. I’ll be back.”

Ricks headed to the lobby on the first floor. Athera came out to the lobby quickly. Ricks’s face lit up at her reaction upon receiving the account book.

“I’ve seen this illustration before. It’s definitely the account book those guys were keeping.”

“Then, we should tell Hersel this news tomorrow morning.”

Ricks was excited at the thought of driving out the duo faster than expected. However, Athera shook her head.

“No, let’s hold off. I have a feeling we shouldn’t tell him.”

“…Why?”

“He’s the one who said he’d take down the leader by himself. And remember the confidence he showed on the wall. Hersel did say, ‘Even if I crush them, it’s a problem.'”

Ricks recalled Hersel’s words, which sent chills down his spine.

“Do you mean Hersel intends to face the two alone?”

“I think so. He said he doesn’t want any sacrifices.”

When Athera mentioned sacrifices, Hersel had indeed insisted.

– ‘Peace built on sacrifices is false.’

He doesn’t want sacrifices. This only adds credibility to Athera’s assertion. If someone fought Hersel instead of one of those guys, they would be seriously injured. Ricks remembered getting beaten up with his friends. Seeing Hersel’s determination in his midnight training confirmed it.

“Certainly, if it’s Hersel, that makes sense.”

“Ricks, I think this is our last chance. So I don’t want you to tell him. Understand?”

Ricks, taken aback by Athera’s bold suggestion, asked again.

“What?”

“Of course, I don’t think he’d lose even if he faces the duo alone. But just in case. It’s best for a guaranteed victory to fight one-on-one. I can manipulate the situation to make that possible.”

Athera’s logic made sense. It was a reasonable explanation. Ricks nodded, touching his swollen cheeks.

“I agree. And I don’t want to burden him with everything. We should handle one of them ourselves.”

“Right, even if we lose, we’ll fight one-on-one and defeat him.”

Ricks asked Athera seriously.

“Who should fight Hersel first?”

“Bidon. He’s stronger than Makdal. If we deal with him first, Makdal’s morale will drop. And it’s easier to lure Bidon.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure to keep it a secret from everyone but Hersel.”

Ricks ran back to the dormitory and informed everyone except Hersel.

***

6 PM

While the Schlaphe Hall guys were being tortured, I headed to the wall for the repair work. However, Athera took Aslay and Ricks’s group to get materials, telling me to go ahead and rest. Though I felt uneasy, I gladly accepted. Lately, I was exhausted every morning when I woke up.

‘I should ask them to lower the boiler temperature in the dormitory. I must be sweating a lot while sleeping.’

– Hmm. Yes, it is quite warm.

I climbed the wall and sat at a suitable spot, watching the entrance for their arrival. After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps echoed.

“You came sooner than expected.”

“Well, you called, so of course I’d come right away.”

“?!”

I doubted my ears at the delicate voice. Hoping it was a hallucination, I stared at the entrance. But reality, as always, was merciless.

“Hello? Darling.”

Bidon appeared with a creepy grin, holding a letter.

“Surprised? I was planning to approach slowly, but you called me so eagerly.”

…Did I call you?

At that moment, I saw Athera and Ricks’s group hiding by the entrance, watching. Those bastards! They sold me out!! I wanted to kill them right now, but my priority was to handle this situation.

As usual, I improvised, lighting the ‘Noble Blood Flames’.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Call you? Me?”

“Oh, come on, don’t be shy. You sent this letter, right?”

“Someone must’ve written it as a joke. I never sent such a thing. But I have an idea who did. Look behind you.”

Bidon turned his head. Those annoying guys quickly hid.

“There’s nothing? Ah, I get it. You’re setting up some sort of game, aren’t you?”

Bidon chuckled and approached me.

– Does Hersel know he’s no ordinary guy?

‘…?’

– Do you have any idea how to escape this?

‘…Don’t talk to me. I’m thinking…’

As Bidon got closer, I desperately said whatever came to mind.

“I told you it’s a joke. I didn’t send that letter.”

“Repeating the same thing is boring. Ah, you’re just embarrassed. That’s why you’re denying it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I have no interest in you at all! So get lost!”

Bidon’s eyes darkened.

“…You mean it, you bastard.”

Suddenly, he started laughing maniacally.

“But it doesn’t matter. Right now, it’s just you and me. This moment is all that matters. Now, let’s do what we couldn’t before.”

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but if you don’t want to die, you’d better not try anything foolish.”

“Oh, it’ll be worth it.”

Don’t come any closer. I hurriedly pulled out my staff and loaded a spell. Despite this, Bidon approached confidently, causing me to back away instinctively. As he got close enough for me to see the stubble on his chin, I thrust my staff charged with electricity at his neck.

Crackle!

The professor explained that to perfectly block a magical attack with aura, you’d need at least double the amount of aura. And it was a surprise attack before he could properly coat himself in aura. Judging by the smoke coming from Bidon’s body, it seemed effective. However, Bidon, eyes wide open, muttered creepy words.

“Ah, hide and seek, fun. I’ll come for you once the paralysis wears off. Now, I’ll give you time to run.”

His counting sent chills down my spine.

“Three.”

Running from him?

“Two.”

That’s impossible.

“One.”

Then what…

“!”

Bidon spread his arms to embrace me. Panicked, I took a step back, only to step into thin air. I must have stepped into an unfinished section of the wall.

“Huh?”

It’s human instinct to grab something when falling. I grabbed Bidon by the collar. But he, not fully recovered from the paralysis, easily leaned towards me.

“W-Wait. Below is a cliff…”

Losing our balance, Bidon and I began to fall from the ten-story high wall.