Wish 29: Flame of Hope!

The princess's mana had been consumed, but I want to see more of Kugssa's wild potential!

So, I refilled the mana of the princess from my seat.

'Huh? I'm starting to feel a sudden surge of energy?

And this mana is incredibly powerful! Is this from her master?

Why would a trainer want his student to lose?!' 

Hmm...

It seems it will take only a few seconds to make the mana hers.

She truly deserves the training~

And now...

'Kugssa, from now on, you are forbidden to use any skills other than the swordsmanship I've taught you. Remember, no other skills.'

'Master, do you mean... even the aura?'

'Do I need to confirm again? No other skills, even the aura.'

'Hmm! Alright, I don't think I'll lose even without them.'

I wonder how many tricks she still has now...

No, Telodios, you have to trust your sla... student.

"Oh, teacher, why did you refill the princess's mana? Your student might lose in this situation."

This Emperor...

Is he foolish or pretending to be?

Ah, I see, You want to provoke me to get what you truly desire, don't you?

'Princess, would you like a little break?'

'It's okay, we'll bore your master if you do that, let's continue.'

Hmm, it seems they somewhat agree...

Alright, whatever the outcome of this battle, I have made my decision now.

The fire of revenge burns within me.

...

As I instructed Kugssa, she no longer uses any skill other than swordsmanship.

In return, the princess benefited from the opportunity I gave her and gained a massive boost in her original mana capacity.

This increased the intensity of their battle.

The techniques the princess uses, or I should say, skills...

All of them are advanced skills in various elements.

As for Kugssa...

Haaah...

She has become a sword mistress...

A damn sword mistress in a matter of a few months.

Of course, there's no need to talk about her mana level, which has reached the rank of a legendary warrior...

That alone is enough to make Kugssa defeat the princess at least five times!

But... the princess has something that pure Kugssa doesn't, of course.

The killing intent !

Something acquired by killing one or more people.

She's afraid of accidentally killing the princess, and that's her biggest weakness.

'Kugssa, attack with the intent to kill her. If you don't win, you'll be useless to me.'

'N-No, Master, I'll win... yes, I'll win, just don't leave me. I'll win...'

She's such a pure girl, but if she wants to walk my path, she must stain that purity with her own hands.

For the path that awaits me...

A small mistake will result in the death of everyone around me...

I might die too, but for me, death means an opportunity in one moment and an unforgivable mistake in another.

To fall into your own despair...

Pathitic, isn't it?

...

It seems the battle is coming to an end...

Kugssa's techniques became more aggressive...

It seems she listened to my threat quite well...

But...

These techniques are truly beautiful!

For every skill she uses, it requires a sort of dance...

With that dance, the holy mana scatters in the air...

Each strike carries a delicate touch but overwhelming power!

The princess doesn't even have a chance to defend.

〔Void Split〕

Ah...

Seems like she's still not ready to kill.

She used a sword skill that cut the link between the princess's magical and physical strength.

In other words...

Kugssa has won this battle.

...

After the battle ended...

We returned to the throne hall, and I enjoyed the annoyance on the Emperor's face.

I only felt alive again just from that.

"Emperor, I think my words were true from the beginning, weren't they?"

"Yes, my judgment was wrong. The princess will never reach your student's talent and strength... I suppose she doesn't deserve your teachings."

Heh...

"Who said she doesn't deserve teachings? On the contrary, she deserves it.

I think I can take her under my wing..."

"Then...!"

"Only under one condition… bring the master of the magic tower that presents in the Pleasure continent!"

As soon as I see him, he won't run away from me!!

"Oh, do you know him? He did me a great favor as he is the one who suggested this great plan to me."

I was right!

He did all that.

"listen carfully… I have a big grudge against him, and it won't go away until I get the answers I want from him.

So will you stand by him or do the best for your daughter?"

The emperor only thought for a couple of seconds…

Then he gave me his answer.

"It would be an honor for me to have the princess as your student!"

...

The Emperor made his decision, and finally, the princess regained consciousness.

We went through the usual ceremonies for her to become my student...

Then the three of us left the palace.

Of course, the princess had to accompany me since she's my student now...

I wonder if I'm truly considering that~

"Sir, I wonder about your next destination?"

"We'll stay in the capital for a few days to finish some matters first, then we'll head to the neighboring empire."

"Master Tell, I'm hungry."

Taking care of two students might be a challenge.

...

Night fell, and calm spread over the capital...

The starry sky had a calming effect...

But despite that, what I'm about to do tonight won't be treated with any calm.

Knock knock

"Who's there?"

"We're here by the Emperor's order. We've brought your request, sir."

Finally...!!

I opened the door with anticipation...

But my expectations were shattered when I didn't see him in front of me.

"Where is he?"

I asked with anger.

Fear overcame the knight; he put his hand in his pocket and took out a key.

And he answered hesitantly.

"Uh... he's in a warehouse two streets away. This is the key to the warehouse."

I took the key and closed the room door...

I didn't want to wake up the two girls, so I acted quietly.

Alone, I went to the warehouse the knight had pointed to...

I opened the door while my hands trembled with excitement...

Or maybe it's anxiety...

Anxiety that I might not find what I'm looking for.

Upon entering, I sensed the presence of someone inside... 

Has the time I've been waiting for finally come? 

W...who are you? 

Who... 

Who are you!!! 

"Aren't you the mage born in the Pleasure continent ? 

Please save me, it seems someone has kidnapped me." 

No...! 

"Who the hell are you?" 

"Oh... Perhaps you won't recognize me, but I remember you well...haah...hahhh 

I am the magic tower master in the Pleasure continent...haah 

I've seen your membership fill up since I returned to the tower after a long journey..haaahh..haahh. 

But why did you disappear all these years?" 

He's covered in wounds everywhere. 

The stench of decay clings to him. 

Despite his body teetering on the edge of destruction, he remains conscious. 

But... 

this is not what I want to think of. 

It's not what occupies my cursed mind...

But that wretched Emperor deceived me!!

What hurts me more is that my last hope...

The last spark of hope for revenge...

That tiny spark that kept me from losing my humanity and going after what my thirst for revenge dictated...

It's been extinguished.

And that was caused by that treacherous Emperor!

You've done something you'll regret deeply, Emperor!

"The important thing is to get out of here first... ahem, ahem."

Do you think you'll really get out of here...?

If you leave, who will face my extreme anger?

My student?

Of course not.

Blame the Emperor for what is going to happen to you fake tower master!