How the Shadow of the Marquis Lives

Episode 5

Human mana is like water. Small water droplets gather to form a puddle, form a river, and eventually reach the sea.

The beastman’s mana burns for an instant like fire, and the half-elf’s mana is free like the wind and unrestricted.

And the giant’s mana… … .

＜High Meiji Kanian, from “History of Species Seen through Mana Characteristics”＞

* * *

“You must have heard how to use the ring.”

“uh.”

Xian and Ran infused magic into the ring and shook hands.

Bondi A procedure to pay respect to an opponent prior to a duel.

However, in Ran’s hand, there was power in a different meaning than respect.

She barely held back the desire to crush Xian’s hand at any moment.

– Peeing.

Soon, the realm began to be established through the rings of the two people who were in contact.

The magic ‘Colosseum’ contained in the ring.

It is a magic for a duel produced at the request of Everwhale at the Steel Mage Tower, which is famous for magical engineering.

A barrier is placed in a certain area, a barrier with durability is applied to the bodies of the dueling parties, and the result of the duel is recorded in the magic core.

Based on that record, the ranking of the ring is changed or maintained.

“… … .”

Seeing that the barrier was deployed properly, Ran took a stance.

The basic posture of a gwonsa with the body oblique and one leg and fist extended forward.

The tail waggled slowly, as if looking at the liver, and the beast’s ears on top did not miss even the sound of Xian’s heart.

‘The Howe tribe.’

A tribe of Jakarta beasts who are said to have vastly superior physical abilities compared to humans and half-fairies.

Although it is simply said to be a beast race, there are many different types.

There are wolf beasts, cat beasts, and rabbit beasts. There is also a bird with wings.

Among them, the Tiger Beasts, the Howe tribe, were famous for being especially powerful among the various Beasts.

When it comes to mercenaries of the Howe tribe, they are at a level that even average knights cannot compete with, and it is generally agreed that there must be at least one difference in rank to defeat them.

The daughter of the Howe tribe, not even an ordinary mercenary, but the Asura family.

Among the only 10 High Masters on the continent, Gen Aslara, the head of Aslara, is highly regarded.

This belongs to the three rivers in the three rivers five middle two yak.

The daughter of the mountain army, my heart was already racing how strong it would be.

‘Will he outnumber Yeomno?’

I thought about that for a moment, but then I shook my head.

Even if he couldn’t become a high master, he was still a master level wizard.

If it was San-gun himself, he wouldn’t know, but she’s still only a student, so there’s no way she’s like that.

‘Rather than a sand golem?’

The next opponent he fought after the Flame Fury was the sand golem in the combat training ground.

Even so, it would be stronger than that golem.

Xian raised the wooden sword for training.

It’s a wooden sword, but it’s a heavy guy with an iron core.

I aimed it at my opponent. Then, stepping on one foot, he twisted his body sideways, almost vertically.

“?”

Ran looked at Xian’s posture and tilted his head.

It’s a posture I haven’t seen before.

Well, in the first place, Xian was only hit one-sidedly, so I didn’t see anything similar to swordsmanship.

‘I guess he hasn’t been playing all this time.’

she laughed.

anyway

It happened only two years ago. How much have you grown in 2 years?

There’s no way that idiot even received proper training. I must have learned a few numbers roughly through injection.

On the other hand, during those two years, no, even before that, he had devoted himself to training countless times.

That’s why she thought she deserved the number one ring.

At least more than that nerd.

“Is the boy scared? Why don’t you come soon?”

“… … .”

Ran provoked Xian, who was still standing still.

However, Xian remained silent. No response came back.

Ran clicked his tongue and jumped slightly.

She was bouncing around in place as if her body had loosened up.

―Quaguaguaguagua!

Exploding wild mana, he ran towards Xian.

Her mana, accumulated over many years, ran rampant like a ferocious tiger, which she had complete control over.

A rough wave emanated from the body.

and right after that.

“What!”

Ran’s eyes widened.

The moment she approached and was about to punch her, when she came to her senses, Xian’s sword rushed into her neck.

“… … !”

A perfect counter that hits the square exactly at the right timing.

Although her strength and speed were much less than that of the Howe tribe, it was a blow that couldn’t be more threatening.

Accurately stabbing through gaps revealed in an instant.

She raised her hand to urgently block it, but as if she had read even that, Xian’s sword pierced through her guard.

She gritted her teeth.

“Kuk!”

Her new model flew away and crashed into the barrier.

This is not the end of the duel. but.

“wake up.”

She frowned and lifted her head.

Sian’s eyes looked down at her as he swept his sword down.

At least the first move was her complete defeat.

* * *

The first day of class at Everwhale Academy.

In the morning, it was time to guide the new students to the school grounds, and there were no classes at all after lunch.

Everwhale, a noble among noble families. Why did this school, which is famous for ruthlessly rolling students, leave time empty from the first day?

Was it deliberately considerate because it was the first day?

Not at all.

“Te, Instructor Tail, you are late.”

“I have a little paperwork left, so I’ve finished it, Professor Derek.”

When Instructor Tail arrived, several instructors and professors had already gathered in the room.

It’s not like we’re getting together and doing something. They were chatting while drinking tea and looking at one wall.

On the wall were placed crystal balls that illuminated places throughout the school.

A crystal ball that isn’t everywhere, but illuminates places suitable for dueling, such as squares and vacant lots.

This place was the core of the magic of the Colosseum.

“As expected, there hasn’t been much movement yet.”

“Oh, it hasn’t been long since lunch break is over, Instructor Chesa.”

“It is, however. I think the former students had more ambition… … .”

“Well, let’s take a look.”

What the instructors were talking about was about the current status of the freshmen’s duels.

All duels through the ring are recorded in this place.

In addition, there is also a crystal ball that illuminates spots for duels throughout the campus.

Looking at it, they gathered like this to check the condition of the freshmen.

Of course, in the meantime, let’s talk about each class.

“Te, Instructor Tail, how was the morning? In class 1, there are Ran Asla and Gail Tucker, and there’s even that troublemaker, right?”

At the word “problem child,” Professor Tail slightly frowned.

But whether he knew it or not, Professor Derek was just laughing.

Professor Tail sighed.

“If you’re a problem child, you mean Xian?”

“Who else is there besides him?”

Hearing Professor Derek’s stuttering words, Instructor Tail recalled the morning assembly.

A word of warning from you. The way he politely responded to that word.

however.

“That guy… … He was observing me.”

“yes?”

“I felt like I was measuring what I would be like as an instructor. He looked at me very intently.”

Usually, new students are set to explore by keeping an eye on other students.

Enrolling in Everwhale, they would have grown up listening to prodigy voices where they lived.

They collected such children from all over the continent and put them in one place.

There’s no way we wouldn’t explore each other.

However, the first thing Xian had his eyes on was himself, not a student his age, but an instructor.

As if he no longer cared about his peers.

“Isn’t it just to see if the homeroom teacher can be passed over by accident?”

“It may be, but… … .”

Maybe that’s right. Considering the rumors circulating in the empire, that was much more likely.

Strangely, however, Instructor Tail didn’t think so.

Maybe I’m being sensitive for nothing… … .

＜The duel has been established. ‘2’ vs ‘292’＞

At that time, the core of the Colosseum flashed and printed out letters.

Seeing this, the instructors were greatly surprised.

“Hey! Isn’t he in second place? Ran Asla of the Howe tribe!”

“Who is number 292? I like your guts to jump at second place from the start.”

“Aren’t you Instructor Tail’s student?”

“yes. Cordelia is a student in my class… … .”

Talking to the excited instructors, Instructor Tail blurted out his words.

weird. Was Cordelia such a bold student?

Of course, today was the first time I saw Cordelia, but I could infer her general temperament from the admission documents and first impressions.

I hadn’t thought of myself as being such a gutsy kid.

at that time.

＜The duel has ended.＞

＜’292′ win＞

＜The ranking changes with the challenger’s victory.＞

The duel ended as soon as it began.

As a result, all instructors were silent.

It was impossible under normal circumstances.

That said, it is not common.

“Unless the 292nd was hiding quite a bit of power… … .”

“Did Ran Asla lose on purpose?”

“I guess so.”

The instructors who had gone through all of the prenatal battles were able to infer the situation right away.

Runner-up Ran Asla lost on purpose.

The reason could have been various.

It is self-evident that many people will challenge a duel in the future if you continue to possess the second-place ring.

So, like I wanted a lower number to avoid hassle, or something like that.

“Then, Cordelia didn’t have the courage to fight a duel either.”

“I don’t know that yet. Cordelia bet, but it could have come out in a way that Ran asked to take it roughly.”

“Anyway, it’s disappointing that the eldest daughter of the Asla family was like this. Considering Sangun’s appearance, I think it would be nice if he had a little more enthusiasm.”

The instructors gave their impressions one by one.

Among them, Instructor Tail kept his mouth shut.

Professor Derek looked at him like that.

“Te, Instructor Tail are you disappointed too?”

“Disappointed?”

“It’s because the second-in-command who took the trouble is a kid who doesn’t seem to have any desire to improve.”

Professor Tail sighed slightly.

Is it correct to say that I have no desire to improve or that it is a problem, as a professor, toward students?

There.

“It can’t be.”

To say that there is no desire for improvement is false.

In the morning, when Instructor Tail opened the door to Class 1 and entered.

He felt unrefined.

An aura that is pure because it is still young, and cannot hide its heart.

The epicenter of that life was Ran, and the place it headed.

“draft.”

“yes?”

“It’s him after all.”

storm core.

Instructor Tail recalled him and smiled.

＜The duel has been established. ‘1’ vs ‘292’＞

Moments later, the hack announced the duel between Ran and Xian, and the two began to be reflected in one of the crystal spheres.

The second place intentionally drops the ranking to 292nd and then challenges the first place.

The instructors opened their mouths at the unprecedented happening on the first day of class.