Saint Stella Academy; Training Hall I.
"I'm done."
And with those few words, the boy turned to Yamada Reina. And the girl just acceptably nodded.
"Yes. Efficient as always."
Unbelievable… What a skillful way to utilize an ability. This is the very first time I, Tukogawa Shinra, saw something like this.
I was given the responsibility of leading all five classes in today's practical lessons. Although it takes a lot of work, there was no better way for me to observe all the newly accepted Ability Users and list every student's potential and capabilities than this one. With this, I can complete my main goal much more efficiently than the time allocated. Even so I must act discreet.
That's why, in order to continue observing these students as they foolishly lay all their skills in full reveal, I have been acting as though I've no interest since earlier. Thus, I've left everything to Yamada Reina, the president of the student council, as the one in charge of the lesson.
There were a huge variety of ability holders enlisted here in Saint Stella Academy, but choosing the most notable ones was undeniably a chore. But I have no choice but to list it all. After all, the mission given to me was to record and send all the data of all the fighting force of Saint Isle to my mother land. A mission that I absolutely am not allowed to fail.
Even still, aside from Yamada Reina and Sofia Stasis, this girl sitting next to me, It's unlikely I can find another notable ones.
That was my thought before the second test at least.
I was easily proven wrong. Elisha von Courtenay {Goddess's Shield; Athena}, Kevin Faust Dio {Marionets Legion}, Gisselle Frost—Freezia {Ice Bound; The Cocytus}, and Varvara Gauthier {Forest Hymn}. Not only they were blessed with uncommon abilities, these students exhibited excellent ways to use their skills. They are a force to be reckoned with.
That student, Roderick fou Dragnet, also possessed quite a very powerful ability. To summon a dragon is a great feat—but the crude way he used his skills just washed away all his credit down the drain. That only means he's only worth that much.
But among all the students present —there was one that brings all kind of surprise.
Gleren Stasis: Not only he was branded as F-rank; his reputation in this academy was at rock-bottom. Not only that, he has a foul mouth to be reckoned with.
In class, all he does was stare at me—like some pervert ogling specifically at my rear. What does he think I am?! Some flower display or something alike?!
Although he's quite smart, he had nothing special going on with him. If there is one, then it's him being the brother of one of the most powerful ability holders in Saint Isle, Sofia Stasis {Gabriel}.
That's all the thoughts I always had when it comes to him, but… that speculation all went down the dust when he showed me something like this— {Shadow Manipulation}.
I never thought I'd a day would come that I'd see something like this here in the academy. Is he really a first-year student? The way he displayed his skill was like some military tactic; a flawless ability execution.
That's why it left me utterly dumbfounded. How does this nonchalant looking kid able to use his mundane ability this skillfully? Even I have no explanation for that.
"With this, I won the first match. You don't have any complaints, right? Oi-boy."
Gleren said, grinning at Roderick who was looking really frustrated. As I thought, this Gleren kid really is a low-key if not an arrogant person. He seems like the kind of man that will exploit you for everything your worth when he gets hold of your weakness.
Well of course, having the heir to Dragnet household as his opponent—everything won't go with the way he wants it to progress.
"Do you really think I'd believe a bluff like this, Hah?!"
Roderick yelled with face red in anger. As one would expect.
"You're just an F-ranked flunky so you know you can't beat me! That's why you'd cheat with a bluff like this, oi!"
"Ugh…" Gleren helf his forehead as if suppressing his headache. "I should have done it more slowly. I suppose I overestimated this guy too much… no wait, is it my fault for trying to show off to Sofy? Ahhh, I should have considered the fact that my opponent this time was just a pure moronic individual."
In reply to Roderick's frustrated yelling, Gleren just murmured and started talking to himself.
I see. So, that's the kind of person he is, huh. He really is just smart mouthed…
Roderick directed his attention to the golem.
"The golem's not even damaged, it just stopped moving! How can you even prove that you really destroyed it, huh?!"
"Ah, you've got a point!" Gleren agreed. He was cradling his head as if he was truly convinced.
This guy… just how far does he plan on going only to piss this Roderick boy off?
This isn't going anywhere and we still have the last test to do. We are wasting our time with this loser who's unable to accept, nor don't even had any idea how he lost.
I have no choice. I have to step up now.
"Well, that's about it. If you don't even know how you lost, then let me show it to you."
"Huh?"
"What's with that surprised expression, mr. Stasis?"
You really need to be that shocked with my intervention?!
"Ah, nothing. It's just I thought you were too lazy to care. That's all." He smiled broadly after saying those disrespectful things.
"I see, so that's how you see me, eh."
"Yep."
This guy...
I'll ignore you for now, but I'll remember this!
I stepped towards the golem that Gleren used as his opponent.
The students began to buzz when I suddenly stepped in. Oh well, I suppose that these reactions were only natural. I had remain silent this whole time.
But still... their reception towards my intervention really differed from that Gleren brat. I'll really make sure to get him back for that.
Oh no, I'm getting irritated. A veins popping on my temple. I need to calm down.
I'd little the idea what the students were whispering about but I paid no heed to their gossiping and proceeded.
"Watch."
I tapped the golem lightly with my knuckles. The sooner I did, the upper part of the golem slid down smoothly—rendering the golem half from its shoulder down to its torso. It was slashed in a slanted manner. Perfectly that the section where the golem was cut can even be used as a mirror. That's just show how sharp the blade that was used for cutting it down.
"What the?!"
"The golem..."
"But how?!"
"Fufu. As expected of my brother."
The students erupted in disbelief as they witnessed what just happened to the earthen golem. It seemed that there really are very few of those who realized what exactly transpired.
Even Elisha, a girl with such talent and capability was left in awe... half confused even.
Among the students, only Reina and Sofia fully realized what Gleren did. I already suspected Sofia to be aware of if since she and Gleren are siblings—but Yamada Reina... she seemed more than what I already thought she was.
She's also the first one to realize of what he did.
Also, that girl with a pale blue hair… even with her unbothered reaction, she seemed to see it too. Her name was Gisselle, if I remembered right. I see, so she also has a capable sense, huh. I must take note of that.
I know that everyone must be perplexed right now. Just what on earth just happened to the golem?
Well then, let me explain. The moment Yamada Reina gave her signal for that brat to begin, he activated his ability to manipulate shadows—hacking away the control of the shadow that the golem had projected from lights of the hall's ceiling. In a split second, he morphed the shadow into a blade—which he then used to quickly slice the golem; literally in a blink of an eye.
Naturally, if it was carried out as quickly as he did, no ordinary ability user could keep up with what was happening in front of them. If I had turned my gaze away even for a brief moment, I could have missed what had happened.
What an incredible yet frightful way to use ones' ability. It was designed for nothing else; It was purely meant for killing. I find it horrifying to consider this, yet I doubt anyone would survive if he were to eliminate everyone in this very hall. Not when a golem created with earth magic and shielded by a magic barrier was cut in half like a butter.
Really, what a frightening way to use his ability. I didn't even know that a shadow is capable of doing something like that.
"Wha—!?" On the other hand, Roderick bellowed in shock.
The reactions of the students differ from each. But the most surprised amongst them was Roderick, his duel opponent.
I heard that they've made a bet for this match... I don't really care about that—still... I wonder just what kind demand will this Gleren would make this guy do if he wins? I somehow feel bad for him.
"You cheat! What did you do?! You can't lie to me! You can't win against me! You are inferior to me! You must be cheating!"
As soon as Roderick saw what the golem had become, he yelled and trashed and accused Gleren for cheating. Everyone started moving away from him since he was making such a racket.
What a sore loser. Even the realization that he was totally defeated escaped him. Nobody can blame him, though. Not when the majority of them hadn't seen how he had quickly vanquished the golem.
This mission really is a hassle. Looking out for these fools is such a pain in the back.
But I've got no choice. Plus, this Gleren held no attemp to explain anything. He wasn't even trying to say anything about how he did it; he was only poking at his ears as if to indicate that Roderick's voice irritated him.
I heaved a sigh—I'm getting tired of all these. "Enough. Or are you saying that I, Tokugawa Shinra, your instructor would allow something so petty like cheating? If you think so, then prove to me how he cheated. If you can, I will gladly oblige you. But if you can't then you can just shut your mouth and do whatever you do for all I care. Your duel or whatnot is not a matter of mine."
He, Roderick then fell into silence. I guess that's it? He was just hoping that sympathy will befall him since his opponent was someone hated by the whole school. He's shrewd I take it. But hey... what a tragedy for him to find someone that's too wrong bully.
Miss Student council president looks really pissed, too. Huh? Gleren's looking at her with a very scared expression.
Why though? Oh, he's now looking this way.
He grinned. "Well, you heard miss beautiful ass, no? How about you try harder in hand-to-hand combat? Maybe you'll get a chance to beat me. Not that you've got one, though."
He laughed mockingly partnered with a really annoying grin.
Wait, that line he just used... I think I heard Roderick saying that before they began? What a nasty personality this Gleren have. He was taunting him by returned his words perfectly.
And did he just called me "beautiful ass"?! I'll make sure he pays for that later!
When I was thinking about this, I urged them to proceed with the last part of the practical lesson. We are now late in the schedule because of this farce. But well, I've seen something nice so I guess it's fine.
"Huh?!'?"
When I returned my gaze to the upper half of the golem, I noticed something truly unbelievable. The golem... not only it was cut in half, but on its forehead where the primary mechanism of magic was housed in order to make it move—It had a hole in it. Especially from a piercing attack.
So, it was not just a single attack?! But two simultaneous strike?!
When I was too confused about what was happening, I immediately turned to look at the perpetrator—Gleren who was moving on to proceed to last phase of the test. Then, when he noticed me, he lifted the corners of his mouth and in a playful manner, placed his index finger in front of his lips as if to signal that I was supposed to remain quiet.
With just on look at my flustered face, he realized that I found out about the hole that he left on the golem's forehead.
What a terrifying control of ability that boy has... it actually gives me goosebumps.
Just what did he went through to obtain such precision...?