Chapter 82

Silla put her foot down and turned her head.

‘Hersel…?’

His gaze was sharp enough to send chills down her spine. Realizing he was the one who had recently taken down Emeric, a candidate for the Ten Greats, she stopped her foot mid-air. Nevertheless, Silla didn’t lose her composure and sneered.

“This is a personal matter. Why don’t you just get lost?”

“Did you just tell me to get lost?”

Silla scoffed.

“So, what are you going to do? Hit a girl like me?”

Hersel let out a slight sigh and calmly replied.

“Am I the type to go easy on someone just because they’re a girl?”

Thinking about it, that’s true.

But Silla had something else up her sleeve.

“If you want to touch me, go ahead. The Ten Greats have been keeping an eye on you anyway. Are you prepared for the consequences?”

Emeric might be out of the picture after going to the Buerger Hall, but if Hersel laid a finger on even one Adelle Hall student, the Ten Greats wouldn’t sit idly by. Silla felt confident as Hersel did nothing.

As expected, handling ten people at once would be too much for him.

“Then, I’ll assume there are no complaints. I’ll take this arm.”

Just as she was about to stomp down on Limberton’s arm again, a static shock made her skin tingle.

Zap.

“Ah, that stings!”

“Relying on the Ten Greats to act cocky?”

When she turned her head, Silla’s eyes widened. A blue-tinged mist was swirling calmly around him.

‘A-aura? He’s emitting that much aura?’

Strangely, she couldn’t feel its energy. It was probably due to the prickling sensation from the static electricity. For a moment, she suspected it was magic, but there was no staff in his hand.

“What a laughable misunderstanding.”

Moreover, there were no signs of him having drawn any runes with his fingers.

“The one who needs to worry isn’t me, but the Ten Greats. If you break Limberton’s arm, they’ll take it as a challenge.”

Which means, ultimately, it all comes down to one thing…

‘They said reaching the extreme in aura manipulation could cause natural phenomena. Could it be that this guy…?

The prickling static electricity was proof.

A question naturally slipped out of Silla’s mouth.

“…Why did you come to the academy?”

Someone at his level wouldn’t need any formal education. He could easily secure a prestigious position and command the world beneath him. He might even rival his father, who was rumored to be untouchable by the royal family. ℞n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Why should I answer that?”

Hersel’s eyes glinted coldly as he approached. Instinctively, Silla lowered her raised leg and took a step back. She quickly calculated her options.

‘If the Ten Greats attack, they might end up defeated…?

That would only damage the reputation of Adelle Hall. For now, retreating is the only option.

‘I have plenty of other ways to crush that pigeon.’

Feigning nonchalance, Silla clicked her tongue.

“Tsk, fine. I won’t take the idiot’s arm. Is that good enough?”

But Hersel, casting a glance at the fallen Limberton, spoke in a chilling voice.

“Good enough? Do you think this is a game?”

Their eyes met, and Silla stuttered involuntarily.

“W-what, just because he’s knocked out? I barely hit him!”

“Really? So, by your standards, knocking someone out is a light touch. Fine. I’ll go easy on you too.”

Hersel put his hands in his pockets and confidently shouted.

“Come at me. I’ll knock you out.”

The aura around him had dissipated. Silla squinted her eyes at Hersel’s bizarre behavior and asked.

“What are you doing now?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t even use my legs. I plan to knock you out with a single strike.”

Without using his hands or legs? How was that possible? It seemed he was underestimating her too much. Still, feeling uneasy, Silla turned sharply on her heel.

‘Like Leana said, he must have lost his mind.’

It wasn’t normal for someone who was supposedly the idol of delinquents to be cozying up to Limberton. Witnessing it herself made it all the more convincing. Silla decided she didn’t want to engage any further and started to walk away.

But his voice from behind made a vein pop on her forehead.

“Just as expected from someone as short as a walnut, your guts are just as small.”

Silla froze and glared back at Hersel.

“What did you just say?”

He had touched a sore spot. The same words that had made her nearly kill a senior who teased her about her height on the first day of school…

‘If it hadn’t been for Bernthal’s intervention, I would have killed him.’

Whether he knew it or not, that damned mouth of his kept going.

“I said you’re as small as a walnut. Want me to say more? You’re also small-minded. That’s why, as the eldest daughter, you’re still outdone by your sibling.”

Silla’s eyes widened and then narrowed again.

“Not enough to mock my height…?”

“Everyone knows it. The eldest daughter of the renowned Lionhart family, overshadowed by her sibling and sent to Frostheart Academy. Oh, your sibling is about to get into a prestigious academy, right?”

“You’ve said something you shouldn’t have.”

He had crossed the line twice. Silla took a deep breath and assumed a charging stance.

Tat-tat-tat!

In an instant, she was in front of Hersel. She leaped, spun mid-air, and aimed a high kick at his neck.

“Die!”

He was defenseless. No matter how skilled he was at aura manipulation, a blow to the vulnerable neck would surely break it. But Silla felt a dull sensation in her shin.

“Huh?”

At the same time, a shadow loomed over her face. Hersel had ducked and delivered a headbutt.

Smack!

The impact of his blond head against her forehead made her vision blur. Silla staggered, trying to maintain her balance, but soon collapsed, sprawled out.

Thud.

Hersel took out an ink bottle and smeared Silla’s face with ink.

Ink can change form and contain spells. Therefore, he made it into vapor and imbued it with elemental electric magic. Despite being in gas form, the metallic property allowed it to conduct electricity well. Additionally, he used blue light magic to mimic the visible aura smoke that Aol used to create a convincing effect.

‘Originally, I planned to just scare her.’

“Limberton, wake up.”

A month later, in the Dungeon practice, Limberton was needed. Therefore, he needed to give a severe enough punishment to ensure she wouldn’t come near him again. Normally, this would have been impossible, but understanding Silla’s traits made it manageable.

◇Fierce Charge◇

: Speed increases by 1.5 times during a straight charge.

When angered, Silla tended to charge straight ahead.

◇Savage Strike◇

: Attack power doubles during large movements.

With no weapon, Silla was bound to use a large, high kick. And with her short limbs, a long-reach kick was inevitable. Thus, he prepared the headbutt.

“Get up, Limberton.”

Slap!

He slapped Limberton’s cheek, bringing him back to consciousness.

“Ow… Hersel?”

“Are you okay?”

“My solar plexus hurts, one eye is throbbing, and my jaw aches.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“And my cheek stings.”

“That woman must have slapped you too.”

He pointed at Silla, sprawled out pathetically.

Limberton jumped and gasped, “What did you do?”

“Consider it avenging you.”

“That’s great and all, but what’s with the scribbles on her face?”

He had inked her eyes and nose black.

“She’s a panda.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s my favorite animal.”

Hersel helped Limberton to his feet and started walking. Limberton, however, stood still, looking down at Silla.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“The ground is cold. Are we leaving her like this?”

“If you want to take care of her, do it yourself.”

Limberton hoisted Silla onto his back. It looked quite challenging, but Hersel didn’t help.

“Ugh, she’s heavy.”

Maybe he was trying to overcome his trauma in his own way, proving he was a better person than his abuser. It seemed he was undergoing internal growth, and Hersel hoped Limberton’s blessing, ‘Wind Hermit’s Protection,’ would soon reveal its true nature.

“By the way, Limberton.”

“What?”

“Are you studying properly?”

“Huh?”

“There’s a written exam before the Dungeon practice. If you want to leave Schlaphe Hall, you need good grades.”

Limberton averted his eyes.

“…You haven’t been studying, have you?”

“I was going to start now.”

“With your brains? How lucky.”

‘Growth, my foot. This guy still had a long way to go.’

“From today, I’m forming a study group. You must attend.”

***

Bellen is an old woman who drowns her loneliness in alcohol. The silent, empty room filled only with bottles is the result of a life driven by youthful emotions.

Ignoring her family’s objections, she married out of stubbornness, and after suffering severe injuries in a fight with a powerful opponent, she became unable to have children. This was something she had accepted when she became a knight despite being a woman.

However, living with it was a daily hell.

She traveled the world seeking a cure for her ailing husband, but when she returned, he was already dead. The servants had fled with her wealth, leaving her without a home.

Drinking poison to numb the pain was her only solace.

Thus, she sat on her bed and tilted the bottle again.

“Ugh.”

But the alcohol tasted particularly bad here. She never expected to see that child’s face here.

In a secluded alley at midnight, she was drawn by a weak pulse to overpower two men and open a suspicious box. Inside, a child with red hair was bound and crying.

Bellen couldn’t help but smile as she recalled that day.

‘You’ve grown up beautifully, Leana.’

But seeing the room filled with scattered bottles, her smile faded.

Claiming to have no memory was his way of avoiding embarrassment over his current pathetic state.

But she realized there was something she had to do for that child.

“To survive, she must not become a knight…”

This was agreed upon with the head of the Derevian family.

Shortly after being expelled from the Tenest mansion.

Bellen enjoyed a drink with Leana’s father at the Derevian household. Of course, Bellen was holding a bottle of alcohol.

“If she hears you’re here, my daughter will be delighted.”

“No, that’s alright. I look too terrible to show myself.”

The old woman, now an alcoholic, didn’t want to disappoint the child. She had come to deliver a message.

“More importantly, how is she doing? She’s not wandering outside, is she?”

“…No. Since that day, she’s been determined to become a knight like you and has been focusing solely on swordsmanship at the mansion.”

His flattery made Bellen’s voice grow louder.

“Surely you’re not planning to make her a knight?”

“I was thinking of it. But is there a problem?”

“That’s a foolish choice. Do you think she can escape that pig’s grasp by becoming a knight?”

His face filled with confusion.

“B-but I believe she’ll be safe for at least three years if she gets into Frostheart.”

Three years of safety, but only three.

“That’s just buying a little more time. You’re making it easier for him to take her.”

The one who orchestrated Leana’s kidnapping was a man with a vile nature. Bellen knew he was still biding his time, waiting for an opportunity. He couldn’t be dealt with because he was the Empress’s brother and held a significant position in the Empire.

If Leana were to take an imperial post, she could be taken away with just one order.

“So what should I do?”

“I came here to discuss that. I have a nephew of similar age. I’ll send him here. That fool should fall for your daughter quickly. Then you can propose an engagement.”

The Tenest family was untouchable even by the Emperor. Entrusting her to such a noble family would ensure her safety.

Understanding Bellen’s intent, Leana’s father’s expression grew heavy.

“I understand your thoughts. But isn’t your nephew notorious? That worries me.”

“The child will be unhappy, of course. He has a rotten nature. But his father is a decent man. I guarantee it’s better than being taken by that scoundrel.”

And now,

Bellen drank while watching Leana bring the ice. The others would soon give up. But she had a peculiar determination and tenacity in her eyes, indicating she wouldn’t quit easily. It was only a matter of time before she was left alone.

Bellen stood by a basin filled with clear water, watching Leana.

“You brought something good. Now, show me your palms.”

Leana, looking pleased, held out her palms. Bellen clicked her tongue.

“Tsk. It’s clear you’ve learned from a cheap swordsmanship manual. Your wrists lack flexibility. Your sense is slow. You took the wrong path from the start. Quit now.”

She tapped Leana hands lightly, then eyed her.

“I heard you’re engaged to my nephew. Yet, you’re here. He wouldn’t allow a girl to wield a sword.”

“Hersel and I have no relationship. We’ve agreed we’re strangers.”

“What?”

Bellen’s face grew serious. This was bad.

“…That’s it for today.”

The agreement with the Derevian family head had been ruined by that fool.

‘That damned kid… is he planning to ruin everything?’

Grinding her teeth, Bellen asked the professor,

“Where is Hersel ben Tenest, that bastard, right now?”

It was a moment that sobered her up completely.