NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99
As afternoon turned into evening, the raid party passed through the entrance of the Paepsus Mountain Range and finally arrived at the riverside, far below the ridge.
“The intruder has shown up…”
The golden-haired knight, Aveline Valantes, was in a fervent state due to the unexpected guest.
“If you can’t have it, you destroy it.”
For now, Lev Denec, much like Caeran, was striving for a robust, masculine approach.
Thus, it was clear that using a friendly method to take that man was not an option.
Of course, unlike Caeran, she had never truly witnessed his skills, so a fair assessment was out of the question.
At the very least, by luring in a man opposite to her preferences, like Timon Jigilta, she thought she would be able to see a glimpse of his true intentions.
“But why…!”
Suddenly, a third-year student began to encircle him.
And not just any third-year student, but the one with the most significant standing in the Marksman Department — Violet de Crescent.
Even Aveline, being a knight, had heard of the prestigious family known as de Crescent.
The last flagship left to the Empire, an unparalleled genius, destined to become a hero surpassing Diana… The epitome of noble dignity, that was her.
There were countless phrases that described her.
Creak.
It was already hard enough to contend with just Yeriel around Lev Denec, and now Violet had appeared.
“Could it be that she caught on to Lev Denec’s scent…?”
In that moment, Aveline’s inferiority complex flared.
“Calm down, calm down.”
For now, that wasn’t the important thing.
What Aveline needed to focus on was the reward held by the [Pitbit Jae].
According to legend, it was recorded that the previous hero Kroon, in his youth, dealt the final blow to the [Pitbit Jae] and obtained the essence of immortality.
It was said that only the one who delivered death to the divine beast could obtain this immortal reward.
Thus, if someone who had not yet undergone the rite of adulthood were to annihilate the [Pitbit Jae]…
“This condition might be fulfilled.”
The current [Pitbit Jae] was engulfed by dark magic and resurrected, so she couldn’t say it was entirely the same. Yet, calling forth the essence of a divine beast or dragon had its price.
If this legend were to be reenacted once more, it would undoubtedly create quite a stir.
Therefore, if Violet had also participated in this raid to chase after that, it made some sense.
Moreover, with Melissa of the [Eternal Flame] also targeting it, there was no room for carelessness.
However, Aveline had a trump card up her sleeve.
The black sword she wore at her left waist was not a supply sword provided by the academy, but a personal sword.
“Aveline, do you want this?”
“What is it?”
“A gift for joining my circle?”
“…!”
“Become my sword from now on.”
This was a gift given by Caeran when she entered the Royal Class.
The slender Highlander style of the blade showcased a charm of silvery elegance.
Originally, she intended to use it as a decorative piece, but
“Caeran, I might have begun to understand your intentions just a little.”
Recently, as Aveline became accustomed to handling divine power, she discovered a method to bestow divine aura specifically to this sword.
This was a top-secret matter known only to her, not reported to either her family or guild.
Moreover, she had learned during her last visit to Hwangdo that this sword contained something unknown, albeit a minimal amount.
“In other words, the key to hindering the resurrection of the [Pitbit Jae] lies in this…”
Aveline’s original role was that of protection, enduring with a shield, but she had pride in her skills.
No matter how formidable the [Pitbit Jae] was, there would surely be a gap during its strongest moment.
She just needed to time it right.
“This time… I will become a person recognized as much as my older brother.”
Seizing the essence of immortality and picturing a bright future right in front of her.
Her own figure, commanding the knight order.
She smiled coldly at Melissa.
“It’s all in my hands.”
Surely, the [Eternal Flame] wouldn’t be sitting idle either.
Melissa had undoubtedly prepared a spell for demon obliteration with raid leader Teiron.
But [Eternal Flame] being fire magic experts, fire magic would be unsuitable against a fire-elemental boss like [Pitbit Jae] for either exploiting weak points or delivering the finishing blow.
“I’ll take good care of this, Lady Melissa…”
*
In the Valley of Paepsus. Following the flowing water led to a ruined sanctuary.
The Moonstone, stripped of the power of moonlight.
Thus, it was a place where no miracles could be activated.
At the altar of this never-quite-bleached place,
the [Pitbit Jae] was about to be resurrected.
Since an hour ago, under Teiron’s instruction,
they had rehearsed numerous times.
As six parties arranged themselves in two triangular formations,
“Fwoosh!!!”
The altar began to blaze.
“!!”
“Everyone, prepare.”
Teiron’s short command amplified through magical tools, tightening the focus of all the students.
“Shudder…”
Though the fire was soon extinguished…
“Fwoosh!”
The ashes from the altar scattered everywhere, only to congregate again, reigniting.
And then…
Screeeeeeee!!!
A roar announcing the appearance of the divine beast rang out, as if the temperature of the sanctum rose suddenly,
“Woosh!!!”
Heat began to radiate outward.
“!!”
Screeeeee!!!
A Y-shaped flame ignited in mid-air.
Surely, the [Pitbit Jae] was inspired by the phoenix.
Thus, while it gave the impression of being treated as a divine beast, the noise it emitted was painfully high-pitched.
“Seeing it up close is a bit… scary?”
“It’s okay. We’ve already gone over the strategies, haven’t we?”
Perhaps due to the fear of the first real battle, gasps of awe escaped the students here and there.
And beside Violet, the main tank of party four, a lightly-dark-haired man spoke soothingly.
“Don’t worry, everyone. It hasn’t started yet. And as long as I’m here! We’ll be fine.”
He introduced himself as Raymon Loganz.
“Once again, as I said, I will block the direct attacks. However, the [Pitbit Jae] leaves behind flames in its path, which may cause splash damage.”
Wait a minute, haven’t I seen him somewhere?
“So, as I said earlier, Timon, please deploy the barrier according to my signal.”
…
With Timon’s eye response, the briefing ended awkwardly.
Violet seemed to have all the knowledge already.
By the way, this was a bit of a variable.
The main tank of our party happened to be…
“The one from the Pleasure Lord.”
The man who was trembling and unable to do anything during the dispatch from [Divine Valhalla].
On top of that, the one responsible for protective magic was Timon Jigilta, who’d previously picked a fight with me.
Our party felt uneasy already.
…
…
…
After completing the resurrection ritual, the [Pitbit Jae] began to fly in circles above.
Most likely, in accordance with the setup, it drew its first aggro from the target it attacked.
As the canon states, the creature, consumed by dark magic, had its left eye damaged.
Thus, thereafter, the order of aggro would proceed to the right.
Screee!!!
Once it regained all its power and formed a complete shape,
Ding.
A status window popped up before my eyes.
—————————————————————
[Pitbit Jae] [Chaos]
[A-Rank Monster]
[Divine Beast, Boss]
[Threat Level: Very High]
[Features: Immortal State. Contains Diaran’s Dark Magic]
[Encounter with Boss! You can preview patterns!]
[Detailed View Available]
—————————————————————
A-Rank, huh?
Teiron definitely mentioned that the [Pitbit Jae] was B-Rank.
But what I was seeing before me was an A-Rank monster, which was even higher than the [Pleasure Lord].
We had casualties during the [Pleasure Lord] fight.
This time, the probability of an accident occurring is even greater.
“Wait, the feature… Diaran’s Dark Magic.”
Diaran.
The dark elf who was trying to lure Selena by teaching her the demon’s wind archery.
For some reason, that guy’s influence… had touched the [Pitbit Jae].
As I organized my thoughts,
“…?”
Violet was staring at me with unwavering purple eyes.
…
As I met her gaze directly, only then did she turn her head away.
“Twisting, huh?”
Once again… it seemed like the strength-don’t-fight approach was entirely lost on me.
*
At a similar time, Claris Academy.
“Is this how you do it?”
“Yes, thank you, Yeriel-senpai!”
“Hmm… Next time you see me, you have to say hello! It’s a promise!”
“…Yes?! Ah, um, yes! Goodbye!”
The boy who had asked Yeriel about magic theory dashed away, seemingly shy.
Not even an enrolled student yet…
Once again, she had inadvertently gained a fan today.
“Such a shy kid…”
However, watching that moment made Yeriel feel a sense of familiarity.
“Now that I think about it… I was like that in front of Lev too…”
Bloop!
“No, No thoughts of Lev…!”
Since the festival, Yeriel had been careful not to think of him.
“Yeriel, are you unwell?”
“Huh? No…?!”
In the end, whenever she thought of him, her face would flush, making people around her ask if she was alright,
And above all, she dreaded it as she feared unknown impulses like during the Hall of Culture.
Regardless, the academy without Lev was surprisingly quiet.
So, just like before meeting him, Yeriel helped her juniors in the library after a long time.
“In the end, I couldn’t ask him to come to the Black House…!”
Her recruitment drive might have failed, but helping others still brought her joy.
“Oh! Time’s already flown by…!”
Checking the time, Yeriel gathered her belongings and headed down to the Student Cafeteria.
…
…
…
“This delicious taste after so long…”
“Edwin…! Eat slowly!”
After completing his discharge procedures, Edwin had come to the cafeteria with Aria and Yeriel.
“When can I start training again…?”
“You need to rest for at least a week. We need to monitor your recovery.”
“Ugh.”
That was like a thunderbolt to him.
For Edwin, training was almost his daily life.
With a face as if he had received a death sentence, Edwin started checking around Aria’s neck.
“By the way, Aria. Can I ask you something?”
“Yes?”
He asked casually without any thought.
“What about that necklace? Is it a ring?”
Gulp!
At Edwin’s question, Yeriel suddenly gulped without realizing it.
“Yeriel? Are you alright?”
“Ah… I’m fine! Maybe I swallowed wrong…”
“Should I get you some water?”
“…Yes, thank you…!”
“Hah…”
He was curious and had been wanting to know but could never muster the courage to ask Lev.
The pure white ring.
The answer to it… Aria’s lips would soon open.
“This is… a gift from Lev.”
“Lev?”
Thud!
Following Edwin, Yeriel’s heart thudded loudly.
“I mean, I was expecting that…! Of course he can gift it! Aria always helps Lev, and they match so well…!”
She was sure she had known; however, the impact was considerable.
…It really was a gift from Lev.
A gift from Lev, a gift…
Various thoughts swirled around Yeriel’s mind.
“Was I this greedy…?”
Could anyone ever think of her as greedy, given that she spent most of her time helping her juniors?
Anyway, Aria’s words kept coming.
“Yes, he said it would help me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is there some deep meaning behind it?”
“…!”
With Edwin being completely oblivious to her demeanor,
His question might have sounded like, “Hey, that’s kinda random. Is it some kind of bribe?”
But this question held a different, lethal meaning for the two…
In that moment, Yeriel and Aria locked eyes.
“…!”
An awkward silence passed by, one only they could feel, and both quickly averted their gazes in embarrassment.
Then, delayed, Aria finally spoke up.
“Well, if you want to talk about meaning…”
“…!”
As Yeriel observed, her heart began to race wildly.