EP 20 – Class (3)

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Tallion found himself a little surprised.

Was killing intent this easy to create?

'That bastard…!'

With gritted teeth, he looked around with bloodshot eyes.

In truth, the noble part of Tallion understood the current situation to some extent. If the other party was able to play around him, he clearly has the superior skills.

Tallion knew that he should apologize for his rudeness.

"…"

Marquis Riverback will be disappointed once he catches this.

Recalling the one who helped him get admitted to the academy and his family's benefactor, Tallion couldn't help but smile bitterly.

As someone with the potential and expected to surpass surpass the hero candidate Elijah, his benefactor would definitely be displeased seeing his poor state.

But that doesn't mean that he wouldn't hit back after being provoked for 25 times.

"Tallion?"

That's what he thought.

Until he heard a voice calling him in front.

"…Elijah?"

Tallion tilted his head in confusion seeing a smiling Elijah approach him.

Why is she here so suddenly?

"Long time no see, it's been a while since the last monster subjugation, no?"

Tallion hesitated.

He and Elijah had both participated as apprentices in a joint monster subjugation under the command of Marquis Kendride.

'…She remembered.'

Thinking so, Tallion inwardly smiled.

'It's been so long, I thought she wouldn't remember. Much less as someone who suffered a crushing defeat.'

As peers around the same age and skill, it would've been strange if they didn't spar.

Of course, the result was disastrous for Tallion.

Regardless of how many people say that Elijah was only 'slightly' above him, he knew better than anyone else that that slight difference was akin to an insurmountable wall.

Even, it's an honor to be recognized by such a brilliant talent.

"Indeed, Elijah. It's been a while."

"What were you doing here?"

"…Oh nothing, I was just looking for someone."

Tallion awkwardly coughed and glossed over.

Ever since their first meeting, Elijah was his motivation to train and surpass.

He naturally wouldn't want her to know that he was chasing someone out of anger.

"Is that so? Who were you looking for?"

"Uh, just some annoying guy…"

"What plans do you have once you found him?"

"…"

It was around this time that Tallon felt something amiss.

Although Elijah was still smiling, her words were carrying a chilly air.

'Did she always have this image?'

No, she didn't.

When he met her before, she definitely has a slightly aggressive side. However, she's a prim and proper model citizen through and through.

What she's showing now was something else entirely.

But it didn't feel 'insidious'.

"Tell me. What were you planning on doing?"

"…"

"Were you planning on attacking him?"

Elijah took a step forward, her smile widening.

"…!"

But her eyes were not smiling at all.

Rather, there was hostility that felt like his skin was getting torn apart.

Tallion involuntarily took a step back when he realized this.

Her expression looked bright, even giggling, but her every word was slowly squeezing him.

It felt like he's facing a giant hungry monster.

"Were you trying to hurt Mr.?"

She took another step, while Tallion backed a step.

"Ah, no, Elijah. Hold on a second…"

Tallion tried to say something, when he saw Elijah grab the hilt of her sword. And before he could react, the sword was slightly unsheathed.

The air felt like it was on fire with the intensity she was exuding.

"…!"

Then, the spear he was holding instinctively shot forward.

The tip of the spear fiercely advanced. It was a genuine blow and Tallion realized what he has done.

'This is dangerous…!'

But.

Just as he blinked.

-!

-!!

His spear suddenly shattered and scattered in all directions.

'What…!'

His mouth could fit an egg right now, as he watched the broken spear fall to the ground.

He didn't see anything.

Despite such a result needing multiple sword swings.

Anyone who had trained weapon techniques at Tallion's level knew exactly what this meant.

That is, he was at least a few moves behind his opponent.

He was the one who attacked first, but he couldn't even see the opponent's counterattack?

'She's even stronger now…!'

Previously, he was still able to withstand her attacks.

And since then, he has gone through rigorous training. His skills are well-known even when placed in the prestigious Elfante Academy.

However, this difference now.

Even if there's three Tallions attacking at the same time, Elijah would slaughter them all in just a few seconds.

In less than a year, the gap between them has widened to this extent.

'That can't be, there's no way.'

Talent.

An overwhelming gap in talent.

She wasn't just strong enough to be a hero candidate, but she's also got sky-high talent.

But I didn't think the gap to be this wide…!

"You know."

Elijah's expression didn't even change after such a display of skill. She simply sheathed the sword back into the scabbard and asked.

"Who are you to care about who I'm friends with? What right do you have to interfere on who I approach?"

"…"

"Nosy know-it-alls are annoying. And I've never seen someone like that with pure intentions…"

Elijah paused for a moment. Her expression suddenly changed, seemingly to have thought of something. Then, she revised her words.

"…I've only seen one. The rest were guys who only look out for their own interest, isn't that so?"

"Elijah, I-uh, I…"

Elijah snapped her fingers and stopped Tallion in his tracks.

Then the already fragmented spear shattered into powder.

This time, Tallion didn't even know what the hell happened.

"I don't want to hear excuses, understand?"

Tallion dryly swallowed his saliva.

It seems that he's the ignorant idiot here.

If you don't want to get pummeled then…

Don't touch Dowd Campbell. Heck, don't even go near him.

"Okay. You seem to have understood, just don't do it in the future."

"… Wait."

"Do you still have something to say?"

Looking at Elijah smiling coolly, Tallion flinched, but he was determined to ask this question.

He was dying from curiosity.

"Who is that guy Doud Campbell exactly?"

Why would such a talented individual behave to such an extent that even her personality changed?

Who the hell is Dowd Campbell?

Elijah responded with a smirk.

"He's someone who knocked me out, someone with far superior skills than mine."

"…Wasn't that a scam?"

"Mr. is not the kind of person who would do that. If you continue to think that, you might kiss death before you know it."

"…"

But despite the threat, Tallion was in no state to respond.

It was true that the hero candidate was defeated with a single blow?

'…What kind of monster is he?'

At least Elijah's strength was still within the realms of understanding, but the other person was just completely incomprehensible.

Why isn't he publicly known if that's the case?

"…So it's fortunate that I'm not dead yet?"

"Yes, now you're getting it. I basically saved your life."

Tallion trembled when he saw Elijah answering like that while shaking her head.

Did he unknowingly challenge a monster to a fight?

"What's your relationship with that person? How did you find out?"

At this point, he couldn't bear it anymore and asked the question.

But unlike before, there was no immediate response. Rather, Elijah's expression turned solemn.

Then, after some pondering.

"No, we're just good friends, right? On the other hand… Yes, that's probably it."

"…What?"

"Maybe, for now. Uh. That's about it… I guess? I mean, it's not that big of a deal to me personally…"

"…What did you say?"

"Ah, I don't know! Anyway, we're friends for now!"

""

The way she's acting right now was just like the Elijah he knew before.

Maybe she hasn't completely changed as a person.

'…But what does she mean by friends 'for now'?'

His questions were left unanswered.

"I'm sorry. I won't ever bother you again."

Dowd was dumbfounded, as he watched Tallion bowing his head and apologizing.

Seeing Elijah smiling on the side only made him feel more bewildered.

'…What did she do to make him so docile?'

As expected of the hero candidate, her preaching skills are extraordinary.

After Tallion disappeared, Trisha suddenly approached me with a solemn look, as I was on my way to get my items graded.

"Excuse me, Mr. Dowd."

"Yes?"

"…Please be nice to Elijah. No, but don't be too nice either."

"…"

What is she talking about all of a sudden?

Staring at her wide-eyed, Trisha continued with slight tremors.

"You don't seem to know it yet, and I also didn't realize it until now, but there's something off about Elijah. It could get bad if mishandled."

"…What do you mean?"

"When I saw her fight Armand's eldest son earlier, she was on the verge of crossing the line, to the point where one side could have been seriously hurt. Normally, Elijah would have just sent him away, she wouldn't have drawn her sword like that."

"…"

"I am certain that whenever Mr. Dowd is mentioned, she gets dark… No, she gets extremely angry. Should I say that it's like she's losing her sense of judgement?"

"…"

"It could get worse in the future. Mr. Dowd might get implicated if she didn't like something."

Thank you for the deathly ominous warning.

'…Why are there so many dangerous things these days?'

I thought as I watched Trisha disappear with quick steps.

Seriously, it feels like the whole world is against me.

I turned my gaze away, sighing.

First off, I need to check the system prompts that popped up earlier.

▼ Elijah Krisanax

[ Interest Level 1 ] >>> [ Interest Level 2 ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

[ Negative Mark 1 Stack ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

[ Character has partly changed under your influence! ]

[ She is an important character. Increase the mark stack to get something special! ]

[ Evil Ruler usable for 1 time! ]

▼ Talion Armand

[ Negative Mark 1 Stack ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

[ Historically lost sanity under your influence! ]

[ Evil Ruler usable for 1 time! ]

"…"

Opening the system never ceases to surprise me everytime.

I know that the Negative Mark is from 'He Who Touches Pitch Shall Be Defiled Therewith'. The problem is, aside from Tallion, why is Elijah also involved?

Sighing, I tapped the system window.

[ Received Gift Reward from 'Elijah'. ]

[ Received 500pts. ][ Current Points: 2,500pts ]

[ Received 1 'Evil Seed'. ]

[ Received Gift Reward from 'Tallion'. ]

[ Received 1 'Evil Seed'. ]

Evil Seed?

What's this?

[ Evil Seed ]

[ Currency: Special ]

[ Can be exchanged for a special skill in the Points Store. ]

[ Skills available for purchase in the store has been updated! ]

My eyes widened.

'Special skill?'

A special skill is a consumable skill that you can use regardless of job class. It's usually a one-time usage and can be purchased at store.

It's basically like an item that you can 'buy and use'.

However, it was not called 'special' for nothing. Simply put, in certain situations, its efficiency is far superior to that of any other item.

'Let's check the store…'

Indeed, like the prompt says, there were new things available.

Each of which boasted a powerful effect.

'…I'll think about how to get more Evil Seeds later.'

Negative Marks are morally and practically difficult to obtain just from anyone.

I'll probably have to search for suitable candidates.

There are those who will get corrupted later, like Tallion, and there are those who have supposedly good tendencies that are somehow worse than those who are evil. I guess that's a flaw in the system?

With that in mind, I got a handful of items and went back.

Then, there I saw a lying Conrad on the ground, drenched in sweat.

"…"

What is he doing?

"…What are you doing?"

"Iya, you brought so much stuff…"

The man in question gave a lengthy answer.

"How did you end up like this?"

"That frigging, the Student Council President kept pushing to go to the forest, so I told her to knock me down first then she can go."

"…"

I am at a loss.

"So did you fight?"

"We fought."

What a crazy school!

The Student Council President is fighting the Dean just because?

The area literally looked like it was bombed, with craters everywhere. It's like the aftermath of a fight between two kaijus.

"So knocked her out and gave her to the Student Council. Man, her skills have really improved…"

He was saying this proudly.

'…Still, the Dean overpowered Elnore.'

Even if she's the Final Boss, she's still in her growth phase. Looking at it now, it seems that she hasn't even reached half of her peak strength yet.

"What's my grade?"

I asked with a bitter smile, while Conrad checked the items inside the bag I brought.

"Perfect score. Just the quantity alone, you're in first place."

"…"

Didn't he judge it too fast?

Then, as if he knew what I was thinking, Conrad snorted and said.

"What you've brought are high-quality materials, that's on the same level as the ones procured by experts."

"…Yes, I guess so."

Although the intention was to piss Tallion off, it is indeed true that they are all high-quality.

"Take that and go see Percy. She'll like it."

""

"Yes?"

"You also have a wish ticket from her anyway, so might as well get some extra points."

Conrad said with a smile.

"…How so?"

"She's been complaining to me that she's missing most of the things you brought. So if you appear with it right now, you'll look like a savior."

Hmm.

Is that so?

"Then can I ask for something a little bigger with the wish ticket using this?"

"What is it? She'll probably able to do most things."

"Uh, so…"

I took a moment to organize my thoughts.

There are many conditions required to capture the 'Purifier', but the first thing that comes to mind…

"I'd like to ask for a bomb with enough power to explode the entire academy.."

"…"

Conrad immediately shut his mouth.

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