A month passed since Diggers disappeared.
The news that the vice president of the student council had vanished had been a hot topic among the academy students for quite some time. But as with all matters concerning others, no one mentioned it anymore as time went on.
Considering that the Jibchak family had caused a commotion at the academy, it seemed unlikely that Diggers had returned to his family, but where had he gone? Since his disappearance wasn’t part of the game (other than expulsion), there was no way for me to know where he was.
Naturally, the vice president’s position became vacant.
Alkine had tried to fill the position with someone else, but perhaps because everyone knew the level of skill Diggers had, they all refused.
She subtly suggested it to me as well, but I firmly rejected the offer.
That position would be much better suited for Seria later. She’d fit it perfectly.
After that, the matter was entirely neglected.
No matter how skilled he was, there was no one depending on him.
In the first place, the student council had gathered outstanding students for the purpose of cracking the cracks. Losing one person wouldn’t bring the whole thing down.
In fact, Alkine could easily handle the situation with just a little more attention, so… there wasn’t really a need to feel the loss.
At some point, not only did his name fade, but even the vacant position of vice president was no longer mentioned.
As if it had always been that way.
I thought to myself, I can’t end up like that.
A few more days passed, and then came the day when Lilith would descend the mountain.
While Lilith had grown strong enough, it was also because the midterm exam season was fast approaching.
If she didn’t start studying the theory side soon, it would be problematic in many ways.
Of course, I wasn’t the one who needed to worry. It was Lilith.
“Hey, Rudion… How is it that you always sleep during lectures but still manage to do well on exams?”
Lilith confronted me, as if she couldn’t understand.
By the way, she scored 20 points on today’s quiz. Out of 100 points.
Seria and I both scored perfect marks.
Honestly, I had been a bit anxious about the magic theory section, but when a puzzle pattern appeared that I had seen countless times in the game, I just applied what I knew, and everything clicked.
I did get a few answers by luck, but… well, it’s still a perfect score, so it’s fine.
This is the vibe you get from experience, Lilith. If you’re upset, try sinking your life into a game and see how you do.
- Is this bragging?
Anyway, for that reason, today marked the last day of training.
To be honest, it felt like Seria had done all the hard work, and I hadn’t really taught her much…
“I only pointed out the things that were bothering me. I didn’t really find it hard, so don’t worry about it.”
Whenever I mentioned it, she would always respond like that, avoiding eye contact.
Is she a tsundere?
Since this was the last day, I thought it would be a good opportunity, so I invited Alkine and had her sit in the observation seats.
“Wait a minute. Isn’t that the student council president over there?”
“I invited her personally. Today’s the last training session.”
Actually, I called her to show her just how strong Seria had become.
I felt a bit bad for using her, but I figured I’d treat her to a meal later.
Well… even though I said that, Lilith’s face was sure to be stamped with recognition, too.
Her growth was so remarkable that she was almost unrecognizable compared to a month ago. Her strength was such that, recently, avoiding her combos without dodging was impossible.
Her combat skills were impressive, but it was clear that the range of magic she could use had expanded significantly, making it much harder to just dodge.
It was largely thanks to the magic multi-manifestation training Seria had drilled into her, but… still, the fact that she could learn and use such difficult techniques was proof of her growth.
She wasn’t yet at the level to join the student council, but at this rate, by the time she was a second-year student, she would surely be recruited.
If that happens, would she accept? She refused in the original game, so I couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Don’t be too nervous because the president is watching. Just do it like you usually do.”
“Okay.”
Lilith took a deep breath for a moment, then immediately charged at me.
It wasn’t just a simple charge. As she ran, she created a space of light and filled it with divine power, creating an environment favorable to herself.
Since the divine power in this space was all hers, it meant that magic could strike from anywhere within it.
Swish!
Before I could even react, a chain of light appeared from behind me, trying to bind me.
I twisted my body to dodge it, but this time, holy arrows began to rain down from above. It used to be just one arrow, but over time, she’d been able to shoot five at once.
It was too late to dodge them, so I judged that it would be better to evade the area entirely.
Then, Lilith finally reached me and swung a fist filled with divine power.
Her combos were so clean it almost felt like a compliment if this were a game—”This is really freaking hard.”
If I were a regular person, I would’ve been hit in an instant.
But unfortunately for her, I wasn’t a regular person. I had the brain of a gamer… no, I had the eyes of a gamer, and I could see all the magic she cast.
Of course, I couldn’t see attacks coming from behind, but if something was flying from behind, I could feel it. That’s how I avoided the chain earlier.
At that moment, as I was about to dodge her punch, Lilith suddenly concentrated all the divine power in the space into her fist and exploded it.
Boom!
“Wow… she’s really going all out for the last day.”
I could see the determination in her eyes to land one good hit.
If I hadn’t dodged right then, it would have been dangerous.
She had become a ragged mess from the explosion just moments ago, but that didn’t stop her. Without hesitation, she charged at me again.
Seeing this, I drew the sword I had never once used in a duel with Lilith. I had planned to bring it out today, anyway, since it was the last day. But I didn’t expect her to come at me with such seriousness.
I felt a little guilty for underestimating her resolve.
Of course, I still couldn’t wield the sword well.
When I rested in the dorm, I’d sometimes swing it in Fran’s room, but I still didn’t have a good grasp on it.
I could imitate the movements I’d seen in the game, but that was about it.
So, for me, the sword was still just a tool for parrying.
But… wasn’t that enough?
At the point where my growth had stopped, weapon skills didn’t suit me anymore.
Clang!
I dodged all the incoming magic and parried whatever I could.
Even without using the parry until now, I hadn’t allowed a single effective hit. There was no way I would let one now.
If things kept going like this, the last training would end smoothly.
…But if I was going to end it here, I wouldn’t have called Alkine.
“Lilith, I’ll help you.”
“Eh?”
Seria joined Lilith’s side, who was struggling.
Lilith might not know, but I had already made an agreement with Seria.
If I drew the sword, Seria would join the duel from that point on.
I also told Alkine not to go easy on us and to take it seriously, since we were showing off for her.
Having two mages… it seemed like it would be a tough fight, but if we pushed hard now, Seria wouldn’t be left feeling gloomy that she couldn’t keep up with the cracks.
Honestly, I was curious about how strong Seria really was at this point.
“Well then, I’m off. Rudion, I won’t go easy on you, so be careful.”
“…Wait a minute. Does it even make sense for me to fight if she’s involved?”
“Lilith, this is about willpower. Approach it as if you’re giving it your all.”
“You sound just like Rudion now?”
And so began the 2v1 duel with Seria. I’ll be honest—it was really close. I almost died.
Seria… was way stronger than I imagined. When five magic spells flew at me simultaneously, each one as powerful as the one that destroyed the restaurant ceiling last time, I really thought I was going to lose it.
Why is she so strong? Even considering the difficulty increase, her growth was just absurd.
At this point, she could probably top the second-year class rankings and start preparing for graduation.
Plus… Lilith’s combos were honestly dangerous. While they weren’t as powerful as Seria’s, they were sharp and targeted openings.
I never expected to use the parrying cancel until now, but Lilith forced me to use it.
After everything was over, the training room was completely in chaos.
Seria’s magic had been so destructive that even the observation seats were affected. Amazingly, though, Alkine’s seat was completely fine.
Even with all this destruction, she had the presence of mind to stay calm. Now, I was starting to get a little scared.
Anyway, Seria’s strength had been proven.
From now on, she would be called upon for the next crack missions.
And as for Lilith…
“I suddenly feel really pathetic.”
Sorry about that. I didn’t know Seria was going to be that strong.
But you did really well too. You’re definitely at the top level of the first-year advanced class now.
Even though Seria is on a whole different level, the growth Lilith showed in just one month was still impressive.
Though it seems she doesn’t realize that. Well, I’m sure she’ll realize it during the practical part of the upcoming midterm exams.
Don’t get too discouraged, Lilith! What matters is an unbreakable spirit!