When Professor Ferdenand announced the commencement of the battle, it was only natural for some students to band together, especially if they were friends.
Collaborating in a team offered distinct advantages over facing the challenge alone.
Though it might lower their individual ranking in the professor's eyes, it was the most pragmatic approach in a battle royal where every participant posed a potential threat.
As I observed the dynamics of the battlefield, it became apparent that there was a certain synergy inherent in teamwork.
I didn't notice it at first but professor Yuki actually gave out different weapons specialized for each different student right now.
Professor Yuki's distribution of weapons further emphasized this point. Rather than solely swords, each student was equipped with a weapon tailored to their individual specialties.
It was a strategic move, recognizing that not all students from the knight department were proficient with swords alone. With an array of weapons at their disposal, from bows to spears, axes to daggers, the group effort became much more reliable.
While all the weapons were crafted from wood, the variety ensured that each student could leverage their strengths while compensating for their weaknesses. In this way, teams could cover each other's vulnerabilities and maximize their chances of success. It was a testament to the thoughtful planning and foresight of the instructors, who understood the importance of adaptability and collaboration in the face of a real battle.
However, simply banding together with friends didn't guarantee victory, especially in a stage brimming with monstrous students.
As two students stood before me, their swords pointed hesitantly in my direction, their attempts at intimidation fell flat.
Despite their trembling hands and feeble threats, I couldn't help but find the situation somewhat amusing.
"P-Please drop down your sword if you don't want to get hurt," one of them stammered, his voice betraying his fear.
"That's right," his companion added, though his attempt at assertiveness was undermined by the uncertainty in his stance.
Their courage was commendable, even though they were clearly outmatched. However, their bravery wouldn't alter the inevitable outcome.
"You bastar—Gaghk!"
With a swift maneuver, I stepped on the spear user of their party, causing him to cry out in pain and frustration.
As he collapsed to the ground, I scanned the area, searching for the whereabouts of his companion. Originally, there were around five of them: one spear user, one bow user, and three sword wielders. Yet, I casually bested them when they ambushed me. Individually, each posed a formidable challenge, capable of overpowering me under the right circumstances.
However, their collective incompetence became their downfall. Their lack of coordination and tactical missteps turned them into a problem as they faltered in their teamwork, allowing me to dispatch their vanguard rather easily, including their main damage dealer.
Looking at the unconscious spear user, it was evident he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.
The two remaining in front of me trembled with fear, too afraid to make a run for it. Leaving them alone seemed like an option, but experience taught me that things rarely played out that smoothly, especially given my luck.
[Item: Tears of Chronos (Unique)] [Auto activated]
[Effects: Time dilation (Movement slow: 50%)]
The Tears of Chronos, a unique artifact, sprang to life without my command, triggering a dramatic slowdown of time. Suddenly, the world around me moved at half its usual pace. These two opponents, they were putting on quite the show, their expressions shifting subtly as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
There was only one reason why the Tears of Chronos would activate on their own: impending danger lurking just beyond my awareness. It had to be their archer ally, concealed and ready to unleash an attack.
Sensing a faint but unmistakable threat from my left, I turned my attention just in time to witness a wooden arrow, its tip dulled but still menacing, hurtling towards me. In the surreal slowness of the moment, I even caught the smirk on the archer's face, reveling in their impending victory.
But there was no time to dwell on the impending projectile, for without warning, the two adversaries before me surged forward, their movements swift and purposeful. They aimed to exploit my distraction, hoping to land a decisive blow while I was momentarily preoccupied.
Their strategy was cunning, despite my earlier doubts about their abilities, they had orchestrated this ambush with precision. Had it not been for the Tears of Chronos, granting me precious moments to react, I might have fallen prey to their scheme right now.
Waiting for the arrow to draw near, I calculated its trajectory and made a quick adjustment, taking a small step back just before deactivating the Tears of Chronos.
As time reverted to its normal flow, the arrow whizzed past my face, narrowly missing me by mere centimeters. Perhaps I should have taken a longer stride, I mused, but dwelling on the past would serve no purpose now.
"Well, it doesn't matter," I muttered, dismissing the thought. The two adversaries before me appeared dumbfounded, their faces twisted in terror as they realized their surprise attack had failed.
Before they could even process what had happened, my sword swung with precision, connecting with both of their heads in a single fluid motion.
Their heads snapped back with grunts of pain, and they crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Foam flecked with saliva dribbled from their mouths.
I noticed this when the match started, but I shouldn't have overestimated everyone here. In the game, it was stated that most of the students from Class A to B had an average of C-level stats.
So, coming into this fight, I was cautious. However, now that I had actually fought these guys, I realized that at best, they only had one C-rank stat in a least one of their attributes. This meant they weren't that different from me in terms of overall physical capabilities.
Ultimately, it all came down to who was more skilled, and unfortunately, most of these guys lacked that skill.
'I guess they were all just extras to begin with.'
Although I had no actual sword skills myself, as I never practiced swordsmanship, my knowledge about the game helped me out a lot.
Most of these guys moved like your average mob characters; dodging was practically easier than those goblins back at the dungeon.
Now then... where is that archer bastard? I thought to myself, scanning the chaotic battlefield for any sign of the fleeing archer. It didn't take long for me to spot him, attempting to make a hasty escape as his comrades lay defeated.
I tensed up my muscles, ready to give chase, but before I could take a step, a loud voice interrupted me. I felt a sudden pressure from my side, causing me to pause.
"Riley!" The voice was familiar, filled with enthusiasm and energy.
I wished I could ignore it, pretend I hadn't heard, but I knew I couldn't avoid what was coming next. With a resigned sigh, I turned to face him.
He wore a huge smile on his face, excitement gleaming in his eyes as he assumed his fighting stance—the same one he always used in the game. His aura radiated from his wooden sword, casting a brilliant golden glow. Just looking at it sent a shiver down my spine; if I took a direct hit from that, I could easily be cleaved in half.
Aura amplified the sharpness and strength of both a person and their weapon. What he wielded now was no mere wooden sword—it was practically a real blade, enhanced by the power of his aura.
I couldn't even see his stats, but from the formation of his muscles and the aura he exuded, I knew for sure he already had around a B-rank stat in strength.
"Riley, let's have a duel!" he exclaimed excitedly, his enthusiasm palpable in the air. I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly. This battle maniac. Didn't he realize that if we started fighting, I would likely end up dead? Or was he simply blind to the danger?
He probably thought I was strong, considering the passive effects of my unique skill. But even then, it was annoying to deal with him. Once he set his mind on something, there was no stopping him.
Why was he always so excited to see me anyway? Had he already defeated Janica? I had thought the two were still fighting just a while ago, but I guess this bastard had emerged victorious.
He was the protagonist of this world, alright.
Examining the subtle bruises on his body and the small trickle of blood dripping from his forehead, I concluded that Janica must have dealt significant damage to him.
"Riley?"
"…."
As I remained silent, he seemed to interpret it as a tacit agreement to his request.
More aura burst forth from him, coating his sword with an ominous glow.
Alright, things were looking pretty dire. How the hell was I supposed to get out of this mess? Facing off against this guy, battered or not, meant my chances of winning were zilch. Even with the Tears of Chronos giving me a time advantage, it wouldn't change the inevitable outcome. So, what options did I have?
Then it hit me—a risky but potentially viable plan. If he believed I was strong, why not use that to my advantage? Sure, my acting skills weren't top-notch, but for some reason, lying came easier to me since I woke up in this body.
With a calming breath, I locked eyes with him.
"Lucas…." I called out, his name punctuating the tense atmosphere. He seemed pleased by my acknowledgment, albeit a tad late for comfort.
"Haha, please don't hold back, Riley," he chuckled, completely oblivious to the danger he was putting me in. Seriously, this guy was going to get me killed if he kept this up. But there was no time to dwell on his cluelessness.
As I watched the bright glow of his now golden sword expand before me, I gulped, trying to quell the dryness in my throat. Seriously, were the professors blind to this impending disaster? Their lack of intervention only added to the pressure. It was now or never—I had to make this bluff work, or I was as good as done for.
Glancing at the two professors standing at a distance, their expressions betrayed a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. Even Seo, with his typically reserved demeanor, seemed intrigued, her eyes fixed on me.
Haha… If I messed up here, it wouldn't just be a defeat—it could spell my demise. The pressure was on, and I could feel it weighing heavily on my shoulders.
From Lucas's eager demeanor, it was clear he anticipated my next move, likely expecting me to adopt a stance in preparation for our duel.
After all, adhering to the code of honor was customary among knights. But I had no intention of playing by his rules. Gripping my sword in a nonchalant manner, as though it were nothing more than a mere stick, I met his gaze head-on before letting out a resigned sigh.
"Do you wish for a duel, Lucas?" I asked, my tone neutral.
"Yes," he replied eagerly, a grin spreading across his face, revealing his teeth. Oh, how I longed to wipe that smug expression off his face.
"With only that level of aura?" I continued, my words cutting through the air like a blade.
"….!???"
Confusion washed over Lucas's features in a sudden wave, replacing his earlier excitement. Even the surrounding students, who had been watching our exchange intently, fell silent at my unexpected question. The tension in the air was palpable as all eyes turned to me, awaiting my next move.
"With only that level of... aura?"
Lucas muttered quietly, his gaze fixed on me. Perhaps he believed I held him in low regard, dismissing his abilities with my lack of a proper stance and my apparent mockery of his aura.
While I might have bruised his ego, I had no time for niceties.
'I'm sorry but I'm not here to play games Lucas'
My sole focus was on achieving my happy ending in this world, and playing nice wasn't part of the plan.
Sliding my sword back into its scabbard, I braced myself for the surge of killing intent that followed. Lucas's aura spiked dramatically, the winds swirling around him exerting pressure that threatened to push me back. He likely interpreted my actions as a direct insult, and in a way, he wasn't entirely wrong.
"What are you doing, Riley? I know you're strong, but to—" he began, concern evident in his voice.
"This is meaningless," I interjected firmly, cutting him off before he could finish his sentence.
His confusion was palpable as he regarded me with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. My calm and nonchalant demeanor seemed to disarm him slightly, quelling the intensity of his aura.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he attempted to decipher the meaning behind my words.
"You are strong... But only for those who are weak" I asserted; the words heavy with implication.
"..."
The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of my statement hanging in the air like a dark cloud. At its core, I was essentially telling Lucas that despite his strength, he still fell short in comparison to me.
"I'm only strong on the weak…?"
His reaction was not what I expected.
Instead of shock or disbelief, a simmering anger radiated from him, his face flushing red with frustration.
"So, are you calling Janica weak?" he demanded, his annoyance palpable.
Bingo.
My plan to provoke him had succeeded beyond my expectations. As someone who had immersed myself in the game world like a total nerd, I knew Lucas better than he knew himself. And there was one thing I knew for certain—he despised it when someone insulted a person he cared about.
"Yes" I repeated, holding firm to my assertion.
As the word left my lips, Lucas's anger ignited into a blazing inferno of bloodlust, the atmosphere crackling with his barely contained rage. It was clear that I needed to bring this confrontation to an end, and fast.
Honestly, provoking him like this probably wasn't necessary, but I needed to ensure he would actually make a move. And he did, with a burst of speed that left me reeling.
In an instant, Lucas vanished from view, only to reappear right beside me, moving so fast it felt like a blast of supersonic waves. I could feel the cold pressure of his aura closing in around my neck, a chilling reminder of his formidable strength.
As expected, Lucas hesitated, his actions restrained by his innate kindness.
Observing that the Tears of Chronos didn't activate automatically, it became evident that Lucas harbored no ill intent towards me, despite my insulting remark about Janica. Our faces were now close, and as I met his gaze, he appeared more confused than angry.
"Why won't you draw your sword?" he inquired, his voice tinged with confusion.
Part of me wanted to lash out, to tell him that I couldn't draw my sword even if I wanted to, but I suppressed the impulse and maintained the facade.
"I told you, it's meaningless," I replied calmly, though inwardly, frustration simmered beneath the surface.