‘Why?’

First, a pure curiosity arose.

‘Why does Zeritz want to see me?’

There was not a single connection between Zeritz and him.

No, to be precise, since Luca was Kryphi’s disciple, there was a connection as “the disciple of his disciple”.

‘Does he simply want to see his disciple’s disciple?’

Thinking that way, it wasn’t such a strange story after all.

‘I do wonder why it has to be at this particular timing… but maybe it doesn’t matter. Actually, it might even be good to meet everyone at this time.’

Once the festival ended, he wouldn’t be able to see anyone for a month, so making sure to meet everyone now wasn’t a bad idea.

Luca nodded, thinking as much.

“I’m fine. It’s an honor to meet the Invincible Sword, sir Zeritz.”

“Thank you for saying that. I’m a bit worried that you might be pushing yourself, especially since you’re not feeling well…”

“Disciple. You always talk too much.”

Just then, without a sound, someone appeared inside the hospital room.

Luca’s eyes grew wide.

― Disheveled white hair and transparent white eyes.

― A grand physique with huge scars all over his body.

― An aura overwhelming as Mount Tai streamed from him. It was on a different level from any ordinary person.

― But above all, he didn’t even feel human, as if he were someone of an entirely different breed.

― Honestly, from the very first moment, Luca didn’t think he’d ever be able to defeat this person, no matter how far into the future.

― Truly invincible. The strongest and most fearsome man stood before him.

― His name was Zeritz, the Invincible Sword.

― In the past, he was the strongest man on the continent.

The description in the story was mere words.

Facing him in person, the pressure felt on another dimension.

Even more so than when he first met Wylde Traverse—it was a tangible, skin-crawling difference.

“Master, even I can’t stand it if you emit that kind of pressure in front of a patient.”

At that, Kryphi wore a murderous expression.

Zeritz glanced at him and burst out with a hearty laugh.

“Puhaha! I was just playing around, Kryphi.”

“Please remember that the boy before you is only a first-year student of the Academy who is injured.”

“I know. That’s why I only showed enough for him to withstand.”

Zeritz strode up and reached out a hand to Luca.

A great hand, as large as Luca’s face.

Zeritz grinned broadly.

“Nice to meet you. Should I say, grand-disciple? I’m that incompetent’s master.”

“… Nice to meet you. I am Luca Traverse, disciple of Mr. Kryphi Mostro.”

Luca also held out his hand.

Zeritz grasped his hand carefully, lest he crush it.

“Well now, for that brat’s disciple, you’re awfully polite.”

“Master.”

“Puhaha! Just joking.”

Zeritz laughed uproariously once again.

‘He really is like the original.’

Truly a boisterous man.

Even bantering like this with Kryphi was just as the original work described.

Except, in the original, it was the protagonist who had these conversations.

‘And according to the original, this person too…’

Luca glanced stealthily at Zeritz’s face.

Even as he laughed, his eyes were on Luca.

When their eyes met, Zeritz subtly averted his gaze.

“…”

“Master. Please stop and just get to the point.”

Apparently quite uncomfortable, Kryphi tried to go straight to the point.

“Yeah, you brat. Really, you always have to comment on whatever I say, then as now.”

“… Luca. Have you heard that the Academy is going to be shut down for a month?”

“Yes. I heard it directly from the headmaster.”

Luca deliberately mentioned Eltima.

Because in the original story, it was revealed that Zeritz was one of the members of Heaven’s Door.

“Really? Is that so…?”

As expected, Zeritz reacted instantly to that.

But before he could say much, Kryphi continued.

“Originally, I was planning to start Luca’s training after the festival. I thought that by then, even if he couldn’t handle rigorous training, he could at least build a foundation. But since the Academy will be closed, I thought it might be best to have you rest fully for now, and then I’d teach you swordsmanship later.”

“Yes.”

“But… this old man said something strange all of a sudden.”

As he spoke, Kryphi frowned and glared at Zeritz.

Zeritz scowled right back at him.

“You brat! There’s nothing you won’t say to your master!”

“Can I help it? Please, if you have something to complain about, say it! Why do Luca and I have to go on martial training with you, master?”

“?”

At the words ‘martial training’, Luca made a sour face.

‘What’s he talking about? Martial training? Why me?’

Zeritz scratched his ear at Kryphi’s words.

“Well, lady Eltima said she wants to destroy the devil’s idol together with your disciple. So I suggested you come too, since you’re already involved.”

“Which is why, exactly, should Luca have to follow Lady Eltima to destroy the devil’s idol?”

“I don’t know the details either. Something about being chosen, but I honestly don’t get it. Anyway, you’re coming too, right, grand-disciple?”

Zeritz looked at Luca as if it was natural.

Luca replied flatly.

“I declined the headmaster’s offer.”

“… What?”

Zeritz looked dumbfounded, as if that reply was completely unexpected.

“Well done, Luca. What kind of strange request is that for a kid who hasn’t even properly learned swordsmanship yet…”

“You brat. Are you saying you refused Lady Eltima’s offer?”

In an instant, the air in the hospital room froze.

Zeritz wore a fierce, almost demonic expression.

Luca gulped.

‘In the original, it was hinted that he admired Eltima… but not to this extent.’

Just by refusing Eltima’s suggestion, he radiated such overwhelming pressure, regardless of being his great-grand-disciple or not.

But strangely, the pressure felt somewhat weaker than expected.

Just as Luca wondered why, a voice colder than frost sounded from his side.

“Master. What exactly are you doing right now?”

Kryphi had opened his eyes.

His amber-colored, beast-like eyes blazed with fury.

“Kryphi. Don’t you realize what your disciple just did?”

“He received a suggestion and declined. What’s the problem?”

“The hero of the continent! Lady Eltima Cross’s suggestion was refused! And you say that’s not a problem!”

Zeritz roared.

Ordinary people would have wet themselves just from hearing that force.

But Kryphi was completely unfazed.

“What do you want me to do? Luca doesn’t want to. No means no.”

“You… you dare…!”

Thud!

At that moment, a golden spear suddenly came flying and pierced Zeritz in the solar plexus.

“Guh!”

“!”

Zeritz collapsed on the spot and lost consciousness.

“Ah, I apologize. Our fool here acted on his own.”

“?”

Eltima appeared out of nowhere, holding her spear.

Her face looked quite embarrassed and full of regret.

‘Is that the spear?’

Luca glanced at the golden spear.

The Victory Spear, a divine item bestowed upon her by God.

With it, she had prevented countless crises on the continent.

“H-headmaster?”

Even Kryphi looked flustered at Eltima’s sudden appearance.

Eltima smiled wryly, gave him a slight nod, and then looked at Luca.

“Please don’t be angry, Luca. That fool just…”

Eltima paused, searching for the right words, then gave a bitter smile.

“He has deep feelings for me. That’s why he got a bit carried away, so please forgive him.”

“… Yes.”

“Since you refused my suggestion, I have no intention of putting any further pressure on you. For now, I only wish that you enjoy your school life to the fullest.”

She bowed her head once more and then dragged Zeritz out of the hospital room.

“Have a good day.”

“…”

“…”

After Eltima left,

Luca and Kryphi exchanged awkward glances.

“So… uh… sorry about my master.”

“… No problem.”

“Haa… If only he wasn’t so strong, I would’ve beaten him up a long time ago. Such a shame.”

Kryphi spoke as if he was genuinely disappointed.

Luca smacked his lips and spoke.

“What do you plan to do during this month, master?”

“Well, I’ll probably stay at the Academy and handle chores. At the same time, I’ll refine some sword techniques I plan to teach you.”

“I see.”

To Luca’s nonchalant response, Kryphi smiled lightly.

“And you, Luca? How will you spend your time?”

“I’ll probably… go to a friend’s hometown.”

“Oh? A friend’s hometown? Sounds quite enjoyable.”

Hearing that, Luca’s expression turned a bit complicated.

“I hope so.”

“Well, since the old man has been taken care of, I’ll be on my way. Rest up and I hope to see you healthy the next time.”

“Yes. Please take care of yourself as well, master.”

After Kryphi left, the hospital room suddenly became quiet.

Luca glanced at the door.

‘This should be the end, right?’

It seemed everyone who was supposed to come had come.

He did worry whether his friends might drop by, but surely they each had their own business.

‘Now I can finally check this.’

Luca sighed in relief and took out his phone.

At last, it was time to settle accounts.

[Notification: Completed hints are available.]

[Notification: An additional hint has been provided.]

[Notification: ‘Additional Effects’ feature has been unlocked.]

“Huh.”

Apparently, some things had been added in the meantime.

Luca checked the completed hints first.

[The Darkness Hanging Over the Academy]

― Find a person associated with the Academy’s darkness. (○)

― Actually encounter the Academy’s darkness. (○)

-(Special condition satisfied: process skipped.)

-(Special condition satisfied: process skipped.)

-(Special condition satisfied: process skipped.)

― Eradicate the darkness lurking in the Academy. (○)

*Hint Completion Reward: 〈The Darkness Hanging Over the Academy〉 exclusive effect, 100 exclusive effect points, 8th-grade information search voucher.

‘So it’s like this.’

Apparently, even if he didn’t follow the hints precisely, as long as he achieved the result, he could skip over parts of the process.

‘An 8th-grade information search… The Pia Forest was 5th grade, so 8th must be even higher, huh?’

He hadn’t even used the information voucher he got for Pia Forest yet, but it still seemed like something useful to keep for later.

‘But what’s this exclusive effect? Is this a new addition?’

Luca claimed the reward and looked through his phone.

A newly added application had appeared.

The application: ‘Exclusive Effect.’

Luca immediately launched it.

[Exclusive Effect]

― If you complete a main hint, you gain an exclusive effect accordingly.

― Total accumulated exclusive effect points: 100pt

― Current number of exclusive effects that can be activated: 1

― Currently active exclusive effect: The Darkness Cast Over the Academy

― As you accumulate exclusive effect points, the number of exclusive effects available increases.

“Ah, that’s what it is.”

Even the original protagonist had something like this.

A system where you gained extra abilities by achieving feats.

It wasn’t exactly the same, but it seemed to be a similar format.

‘So, the exclusive effect I have right now is…’

“Oh?”

Luca gasped in admiration as he checked the registered exclusive effect.

[Exclusive Effect: The Darkness Cast Over the Academy]

― Resistance to mental-type magic is increased.

― Health recovery is increased.

― It becomes easier to discern the magic of devils.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

Hmm, it seems they’re going out of the academy for a while…

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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