A boy raised by a demon king and a dragon king seems to be peerless in his school life.

Volume 9 Chapter 31 Piercing Spear

Guardians of the Merchant State of Blum: “Fang Hunters,” and their apprentice, the Young Fang.

Despite being human, their strength in hunting giant magical beasts lies in their equipment.

“There!”

With a terrifying speed, Kruik propelled himself off the ground, moving towards Ruisha with a distinct gliding motion, reminiscent of skating on ice.

Enabling this movement were the boots he wore, commonly known as “Wing Boots.”

Incorporating fire and wind magic stones, these boots allowed the user to float and move at high speeds when channeling magic.

Known for storing and channeling magic to trigger special magical effects, “magic stones” were a well-known concept. The efficiency in compactly incorporating these effects into a single piece of equipment was unparalleled, possibly only matched by Blum.

“Fang Hunting Spear Art: ‘Piercing Fang’!”

With a roar, Kruik’s spear lunged at Ruisha.

This spear was no ordinary weapon. Embedded in the handle was a fire magic stone. When thrust, the magic stone would explode, generating propulsion and increasing momentum.

While such reckless usage could quickly damage the blade, the blade of Fang Spear was made using fangs of magical beasts, readily available in Blum. Replacing it allowed for immediate reuse.

In Blum, a nation abundant in resources, mass-producible weapons and battle tactics were prevalent. It would be difficult for even a seasoned student to respond effectively. However…

(Darn it! Why can’t I hit him!?)

Among the Young fangs, Kruik was one of the best spear users. His attacks, drawn from the renowned spear technique suitable even for Fang Hunter, were all magnificent. Yet none reached Ruisha.

Feeling frustration build up, he momentarily distanced himself from Ruisha to regain composure, trying to steady his breath. In that moment, sweat dripped down his forehead. Had he continued like that, he would have collapsed from oxygen deprivation.

“Why? Why can you evade my attacks, even though I should be moving at a speed faster than human eyes can perceive?”

“Indeed, your attacks are fast. However, when a human uses techniques, their movements can be predicted. Eye movements, shifts in center of gravity, subtle movements of the fingers. All of these inform me of your actions.”

“…!”

The moment he heard that, a powerful chill surged through Kruik’s entire body.

A sensation of being laid bare, even into his mind. He understood that the young man before him was on a far higher level as a warrior.

Yet, he gritted his teeth and mustered his knees, refusing to let them buckle and send him crashing to the ground.

“I apologize for my earlier rudeness. You are a much superior ‘warrior’ than I had thought. In respect to that, I shall unleash my ultimate technique.”

He fixed a gaze filled with determination on Ruisha, firmly gripping his spear and assuming a low stance.

He stored strength in his knees and emitted killing intent from his entire body. Different from the techniques he used in the previous match, a technique meant to kill. Ruisha sensed his seriousness and also prepared to counter, clenching his fists.

“Let’s go.”

“Anytime.”

In the next moment, Kruik’s figure disappeared.

No, to the audience, that’s what it seemed like, but he was still on the ring. However, his movements were so fast that even the audience’s dynamic vision couldn’t catch him.

“Such speed… Wolf, can you see him?”

“Even with my dynamic vision, I can occasionally catch glimpses. I never expected him to be this strong.”

Even Wolf, who had excellent vision, couldn’t keep up with such speed. Ruisha also couldn’t fully grasp his movements.

If he activated his “Dragon Eyes,” which possessed the power of a dragon, it would be easy to perceive him, but Ruisha deliberately chose not to.

(The opponent is of the same race and the same age. If I can’t win without using that power here, I will never win in the battles to come!)

Deciding to win with just his abilities as a human, Ruisha began to release his awareness around him. The aura extended to a radius of about two meters, forming a dome-like shape that enveloped Ruisha. Though translucent and orange, it didn’t seem to have strong defensive capabilities and looked like it could be blown away with a gust of wind.

“… I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but don’t think you can block my strike with something like that!”

Kruik, who had accelerated sufficiently, soared high into the sky, aiming for Ruisha’s head and charging at an ultra-high speed.

Fang-Hunting Spear Art Secret Technique, ‘Heaven-Piercing Flash.’ It was the most powerful technique Kruik could use.

Ruisha hadn’t perceived Kruik entering the technique. In fact, Ruisha had his eyes closed while maintaining his fist stance.

Confident in his victory, Kruik’s spear tip reached the dome of energy Ruisha had created just as he moved to the side, evading the strike.

“What!?”

Kruik was astonished.

Ruisha’s ability to dodge the strike came from the dome of energy he had created, ‘Qi Technique Guardian Form, ‘Responsive Sensory Membrane.’ This technique, with sensors made of qi constructed inside the dome, allowed him to sense the movements within and those entering the dome.

With this effect, Ruisha was able to evade Kruik’s strike. He tightly clenched his fist, ready to counter the now vulnerable Kruik.

“Adamantine Carapace, Iron Hammer!”

A steel fist formed through qi hardening. Kruik, whose hands were occupied with the spear, had no way to block this strike. The fist deeply pierced his face and sent him flying with tremendous force.

And as he fell outside the ring, the battle was settled. Pezzo, who had forgotten to provide commentary due to being captivated by the intense battle, had his voice resonate throughout the arena.

“And, it’s settled! The victor of this gripping battle is the Magic Academy!”

Hearing this, Ruisha breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned his back to Kruik, who had fallen outside the ring, and walked towards his comrades.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve become stronger once again.”

◇

Volume 9 Chapter 32 Wounds all over the body

Ruisha and his group safely advanced through the third round.

Their classmates welcomed them with smiles as they returned to the athlete’s waiting room.

“Hahaha! Did you see my performance?”

“Huh? You were in a battle?”

“What do you mean!? I took down one solidly!”

Burn fumed at the teasing and mockery from his friend Merel. While observing this usual scene, Ruisha was looking for a particular person.

“What’s wrong, Ru? Are you looking for someone?”

Concerned about his demeanor, Sharo approached and asked.

“Yeah. I can’t seem to find Chisha,” Ruisha replied.

Ruisha was on good terms with all of Z Class, but he was especially close to Chisha. Except for Sharo, Iris, and Wolf, whom he spent a lot of time with outside of school, Chisha was the one he spent the most time with.

Ruisha felt something was off because Chisha hadn’t approached him even after the match was over. Normally, he’d come over by now, probably cracking a joke or two.

“Come to think of it, he went to the restroom before the match, but I haven’t seen him since. He hasn’t even shown up in the spectator’s area.”

Starting with Merel’s words, an uneasiness began to spread within the Z Class.

“Indeed, I haven’t seen him…”

“But isn’t he just lost?”

“Chisha is pretty dependable, so I don’t think so…”

“Rather than that, shouldn’t we go look for him soon?”

While they thought that there wouldn’t be something dangerous in a place like this, their unease continued to grow.

Ruisha, feeling restless and unable to stay still, was about to say, “I’ll go look for him,” when the door to the athlete’s waiting room opened.

In walked Shion, Ruisha’s senior. He often disappeared somewhere, so his absence at this moment wasn’t a concern to anyone.

Hence, Ruisha thought to himself, “Oh, it’s Shion,” in a somewhat impolite manner. However, when the person he was carrying came into view, Ruisha’s mind went blank.

“Chisha!!”

What Ruisha saw was a classmate covered in blood.

Blood was smeared all over his small body, and there were contusion-like marks visible through the gaps in his clothes on his skin.

Shion gently and carefully laid him on a long bench. Ruisha, driven by a surge of emotion, wanted to confront Shion and ask what had happened, but he realized that doing so might harm Chisha too. He clenched his teeth, tightly gripped his hands, and desperately held back.

“Lona, quickly use healing magic. And someone, get a healing potion from the staff here. They should have plenty in stock at the arena.”

In the meantime, Shion gave precise instructions.

Following his instructions, Lona, who was skilled in healing magic, approached Chisha and chanted the magic. Gradually, his complexion improved, and his rough breathing began to calm.

“Phew, thank goodness… This should do for now.”

Saying that, Lona let out a sigh of relief.

Healing magic wasn’t all-powerful. Severed parts might reattach, but they wouldn’t regenerate, and it couldn’t save someone with a fatal injury.

Though Chisha seemed beyond saving at first glance due to being covered in blood, the damage hadn’t gone too deep, and healing magic would be sufficient to save him.

Ruisha, upon realizing this, also felt relieved. However, the questions still remained.

“Shion, what in the world happened to Chisha? Depending on your response, I may not forgive you…!”

A sharp, blade-like killing intent emanated from Ruisha’s entire body, piercing through Shion.

The killing intent was so intense that even grown adults would faint, but Shion calmly faced it.

“I understand how you feel, but don’t misunderstand. I would never do something so trivial. By the way, I don’t even know the details of what happened. I just happened to see him covered in blood and brought him here. So, to find out what happened, it’s best to hear it from the person himself.”

Prompted by Shion, Ruisha turned his gaze toward Chisha, who was slightly opening his eyes, taking in Ruisha within his line of sight.

“Chisha!”

“You’re being loud, Ruisha… As you can see, I’m doing just fine.”

Chisha tried to raise his arm in a display of strength, attempting to appear unaffected, but the movement was painfully feeble.

“Alright, don’t force yourself. What exactly happened?”

Ruisha sat down next to Chisha, who was lying down, and inquired about the events.

Chisha, regaining consciousness, slowly recounted what had transpired to everyone.

When he finished hearing it all, a fierce flame of anger surged within Ruisha’s heart. Never before had he felt such intense anger toward something. The flame, rising from the depths of his being, created a heat that made him think it might consume his whole body. Ruisha felt his entire being ablaze with an intensity he had never experienced before.

“Hehe, they probably thought I’d obey them if they showed me a little pain. They had surprised expressions while hitting me… It was a masterpiece.”

Saying this with a smile, Chisha’s eyes were slightly moist. Ruisha respected him for being able to smile even after enduring so much pain and fear.

However, even such a resilient person couldn’t keep up the facade forever. Soft words of despair escaped him as he vividly recalled the violence and fear he endured.

“Gu, ugh… frustrating… to those guys… it’s frustrating, Ruisha…”

Upon hearing those words, Ruisha made up his mind.

Gently releasing Chisha’s hand, he stood up with a determined look in his eyes.

As he was about to leave the waiting room, Yuri intercepted him with a firm hand.

“Sorry, I might be causing trouble, but this time, even if you tell me, I won’t stop, Yuri.”

“Don’t misunderstand, Ruisha. I’m just as angry as you are to see our classmates go through this. The way Gira acted this time was too much, a clear case of illegal activity. But that doesn’t mean we should do the same; the Magic Academy could face consequences too. Especially since we’re within the kingdom’s territory.”

“So what should we do then?”

“I have a plan. Simply hitting back won’t be enough. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it thoroughly. Let’s make sure they understand the consequences of picking a fight with us down to their very bones.”

Saying this, Yuri wore an uncharacteristically wicked smile.