Chapter 17

Chapter 17 – The Returner’s Promotion Battle (3)

Desir continued . “Even though we can manipulate it in various ways, we can’t

change the fundamental properties of the Shadow World, such as its historical

events or the clear objective . That’s why we have to study history . ” This was

why the study of history in this world was so abnormally advanced, to the

extent where there were specialized teams of historians dedicated only to

studying the Shadow Worlds .

“So what you’re saying is . . . ” said Romantica, “these books are references for the

Shadow World of the promotion battle?”

“Precisely,” answered Desir .

Romantica glared at the disgustingly large pile of paper before her . She didn’t

know if she would be able to get through it all even if she pulled three back-to-

back all-nighters . “You’re certain that this is relevant to our promotion battle?”

Romantica’s question was blunt, to the point .

Desir responded calmly . “No . ”

“So . . . ”

Desir spoke sternly . “No objections, Romantica . ”

“Ugh . ” Romantica threw her hands in the air in protest, but there was no way

Desir would change his mind .

“These are the historical events that I feel are most likely to appear in the

exam . If you don’t agree with my methods, you can instead try reading every

history book in this library . ” It was a joke, but for Romantica it was no different

than a threat . Desir watched sympathetically as Romantica cringed and

shuddered .

‘I didn’t want to be this harsh, but . . . ’ Desir sighed . He had no other choice . After

all, he couldn’t exactly tell them that he came from the future and knew exactly

which Shadow World would appear . Desir ordered them to get started . “Read

all the history books I picked out and write a short essay summarizing their

events . ”

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“Aaaaargh!” Romantica slumped back on her chair, unable to prevent the cry of

agony from escaping her lips .

Romantica closed her eyes and whimpered . Then she focused, gathering

unpleasant memories together and releasing it all with a breath . Desir was truly

exceptional at tormenting people . This was no different than torture .

“That guy is definitely a sadist,” she muttered .

Pram turned a page . He looked up from his book, which was already read

halfway . “He’s doing this to help us . ”

“Well, duh,” retorted Romantica . It was the fact that Desir was doing this for

them that was annoying her . It made her not want to defy him . When she was

with him, Romantica forgot that she was a noble, even though that was was the

reason she had decided to stay with the team originally .

Romantica leafed through a book, but couldn’t process anything she read . It

was impossible for her to study in this situation . She closed the book and

looked around . Desir was focusing intensely on his book .

Romantica leaned over and whispered softly so that Desir couldn’t hear .

“Pram . ”

“Yes?”, he whispered back .

“I can’t help but notice that you’ve been a bit more attached to Desir recently . ”

Her voice sounded slightly accusatory .

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Pram looked at her quizzically .

Romantica narrowed her eyes . “It’s weird, that’s all . You two look so friendly

now . Did you go and hang out without me?”

Pram tried to avoid the subject . “Ah, who knows? It wasn’t really hanging

out . . . ”

“Where did you go without me? Wait, are you wearing different clothes? Did

you two go out on a date or something?” teased Romantica .

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Pram flinched and turned to focus on his book . “Hmm, so this happened in

1417 . I should remember this . ”

“Hey, don’t ignore me . I’m on to you . ” Romantica’s tone was light as she

playfully reached over to tickle Pram .

Pram desperately tried not to make a sound, covering his mouth with hand

while trying to wriggle out of the way . As they messed around, Pram’s elbow

accidentally bumped the desk and a precariously placed book fell on the floor

loudly .

“Stop playing around and start studying . ” Desir was stern as he spoke to his

party members .

“Sorry, Mr . Desir . ”

“Sorry~”

Romantica bent down to pick up the book, but an elegant looking hand got to it

first . As her eyes looked up, she traced the hand back to its owner . Once she

saw who it was, she gasped in shock . Standing before her was a goddess of

beauty with eyes cold enough to shatter ice . Her platinum blonde hair swayed

gracefully by her waist .

“Ajest . . . Kingscrown . ” Romantica’s eyes immediately fell upon the Blue Moon

crest on Ajest’s chest . The Blue Moon party . Their enemies .

As Ajest looked around the room, Romantica spoke coldly . “What are you doing

here?”

Ajest did not react to her at all . As if to say ‘I have no interest in you,’ she

walked brusquely past Romantica and sat across the table from Desir . It was as

if the only thing she was interested in was Desir Arman .

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Art From Official Light Novel

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“It’s been a while . ” She said, emotionless as always .

Desir answered her with his usual lackadaisical tone . “So it has . ”

This was true—as the two had not met again since the entrance exam, this was

their first encounter in two months . Two months . For some, this was a long

time, whilst for others it was short . Regardless, it was long enough to decide

one’s affiliation .

“The Blue Moon party . You chose well . It’s very fitting for you . ” complimented

Desir .

“What’s fitting?” Ajest responded with doubt .

“That you and the party both stand at the top . ” Desir had nothing but praise for

Ajest .

“Not anymore, unfortunately . ” Ajest paused for a moment before elaborating,

“After all, you’re here, Desir Arman . ” Desir put his book down and rested his

chin on his hand . Ajest’s implication was clear: You brought me down .

“I heard you passed the tournament . ” Her voice contained a tinge of

excitement, something unusual for Ajest .

“We did . We were lucky,” said Desir .

Ajest was dissatisfied with his answer . “You can hardly say that you were lucky

when your specialty is analysis . Well, no matter . ”

By passing the tournament, Desir’s party moved into the top 30 of Hebrion

Academy, which meant that they had earned the right to participate in the

promotion battle .

“So when we next meet . . . ” Desir’s question was abruptly cut short by Ajest . “It

will be on the battlefield . In the Shadow World . ”

Desir followed Ajest’s train of thought . He was certain what was coming next .

There was only one reason for Ajest to visit them . “Have you come to declare

war?”

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Ajest was silent, as if she was at a loss for words after having her intent clearly

read . “That’s your personality right? Paying respects to your opponents and

declaring war before the battle?”

Ajest met Desir’s eyes . The two stared at each other intensely, trying to fathom

each other’s thoughts .

“You’ve recognized me as your rival,” Desir stated . He was confident this was

the case .

Desir got her, but Ajest couldn’t read anything from Desir’s eyes . It had been

like that from the start . His smiling face was so strangely serene, without a hint

of uncertainty . Reading his thoughts was impossible . It was the expression of

an experienced politician .

“You know me too well, Desir Arman,” Ajest relented . “It is as you say . I think

of you as my rival . ”

“It’s an honor . ”

“To disregard you before was my error . A misjudgment . I apologize for that,”

Ajest bowed her head, her voice steeled with resolve . As she looked back up,

her bright platinum blonde hair swayed . She was truly beautiful enough to

make one speechless . Her elegant, delicate appearance was more becoming of a

charming princess than a battleworn knight .

But she was indeed a knight, and a flawless one at that . From her perpetually

restrained attitude and speech to her abnormally incredible talent .

“Still, I have no intention of losing to you . I’ll use all my strength to defeat you .

That is all . ” A slight tremor in her voice betrayed her competitive spirit . Her

drive to win against others, to rise up while breaking her enemies apart . That

was the driving force behind her growth, her strength .

Acknowledging her feelings, Desir secretly felt happy . ‘Things are going according

to plan . ’

He had been planning it from the start . In the entrance exam, he’d revealed

much more of his strength than necessary . He had defeated Ajest Kingscrown,

the clear favorite, in an overwhelming fashion . He could say that he’d done it in

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an attempt to enter the Alpha Class, but Desir had already known that, as a

commoner, he would be assigned to the Beta Class .

No—the main reason was Ajest Kingscrown . By defeating her, his plan was to

make himself her target . The mighty spellsword . The woman standing at the

top in the Shadow Labyrinth . Desir would gladly become her rival if it meant

that she would become stronger . No, she absolutely had to . ‘Because you’re the

key to clearing the Shadow Labyrinth . ’

Desir’s eyes were looking far into the future, as always . Looking at the big

picture . This woman was the shining ray of hope in Desir’s plans . “I look

forward to an honorable duel, Ajest Kingscrown . ”

The cheers were so loud that they could have blown apart the main building of

Hebrion Academy . There was a magic-strengthened metal frame supporting a

gigantic panel that covered the ceiling . The panel shone down on the main

building, over 10,000 spectators, around 200 professors and supervisors, and

the 30 participants of the promotion battle .

Spectator seating wrapped around the Shadow Gate like a coliseum . The

interior of the building was no different than an arena . This was intentional, as

the interior was recently remodelled to resemble an arena for this special day .

Many kinds of people gathered in the audience . Aside from the expected

students and professors, there were many visitors from all over the world .

Ticket prices were expensive, but just the name of Hebrion Academy’s

promotion battle was enough to sell out the seats .

It was a highly entertaining spectacle after all . In the safety of the modified

Shadow World, boys and girls would kill and be killed in order to move up in

the ranks . Additionally, these were the top students of Hebrion Academy . They

would surely display skills worthy of the greatest school in the world .

Spectators were looking forward to a high-level battle . The promotion battle

was one of the biggest money makers for Hebrion Academy .

“Let’s go over our roles,” Desir turned to Romantica first, “Romantica, you’re

our sniper . Use detection magic from long range and take out enemies one by

one . ”

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“ . . . I’m not sure if sniping will work on Alpha Class students,” she answered

nervously .

“Don’t worry . That’s why we practiced, right?” Desir gave her clear instructions

and helped her calm down . “Take as long as you need when using detection

magic, but as soon as you locate an enemy, immediately cast your sniping

magic . Even if they’re Alpha Class, they’ll go down if they can’t react fast

enough . ”

“Okay, but I still have a problem . ” Romantica said . “This is my first time using

long-range sniping magic . I don’t know how much power to use . ”

Desir smiled, he had already expected her to get cold feet . “Remember the ball

you practiced with? It was about as tough as a person’s head . ”

Romantica’s eyes widened . She had spent countless hours getting accustomed

to the level of power required to destroy those balls with her ranged attacks .

“Ah, so that’s why . . . ”

Desir already had this in mind . He’d been set on her role from the beginning .