Chapter 228

Chapter 228 – Great, Great, Great…

Bright rays of sun illuminated a particular workspace.

“With that, we will conclude this affair according to your directives.”

“Yes, proceed accordingly.”

Principal Schwarts dismissed the subordinate who had concluded their briefing and began organizing the items on his desk.

The office itself was rather unpretentious.

It featured a weathered desk showing the wear of multiple past administrations and an old-fashioned bookcase that provided a comfortable atmosphere.

Schwarts offered a brief stretch, taking in his surroundings, before grabbing his outerwear and stepping out into the hallway.

Looking through the corridor windows, the foliage outside was ablaze with brilliant hues.

‘Autumn has truly settled in.’

Observing the complete shift in seasons, a touch of melancholy mirrored in Schwarts’s eyes.

People often noted that the passage of time blurs as one grows older, but that wasn’t quite how it felt to him.

This particular year, the march of days felt distinctly unfamiliar.

‘When I reflect on it, an incredible number of incidents took place this year.’

Decades had slipped by since he first took charge of the institution.

Yet this single year had left a far more profound mark than any other period in his entire tenure.

‘The home invasion involving Professor Parun.’

That shocking event where Decullan spellcasters breached the residences of the faculty…

‘The occupation of the Hall of Trials by the Bimar Family.’

A massive crisis where subservient lineages of the Decullan clan took control of the Hall of Trials, putting the academy’s own pupils in jeopardy.

In connection to that crisis, Patriarch Pahren von Decullan himself had graced the campus, among various other complications, but the most monumental occurrence of all was undoubtedly a single acquaintance.

‘Aster.’

A wanderer originating from the Black-White Slums, whose exact beginnings remained a mystery.

On paper, he was under the protection of the Blandoga Family, but his true identity was completely masked—even Schwarts had failed to fully decipher it.

However, one reality remained absolute…

‘The boy possesses absolutely no civility.’

Could it be attributed to that wretched disposition?

He seemed to possess an innate ability to draw chaos and mishaps. To be more precise, circumstances invariably spiraled out of control whenever he became a participant.

The awakening of Destrow within the depths of the Hamern Great Forest, conflicts involving the gold horse spellcasters of the Gold Horse Society Salvatium…

And the list did not end there.

‘Even during the vacation period, the Blandoga faction managed to entangle themselves in another crisis…’

He remained tight-lipped about those events, leaving the specifics dark, but he invariably returned from his excursions sporting heavy shadows beneath his eyes—it was clearly no trivial matter.

As a consequence, Schwarts had remained in a state of constant anxiety regarding anything connected to Aster, even sacrificing his rest in recent days.

‘And it is impossible to even place him under surveillance…’

Quiet one moment.

Explosive the next.

It felt precisely like keeping an active explosive within the academy grounds, utterly clueless as to when it might detonate.

Nevertheless.

“Things have finally become manageable.”

Schwarts paused in front of the Sage’s Tower, appreciating the serene atmosphere.

In contrast to his anxieties over a massive catastrophe, Aster had remained remarkably well-behaved throughout this second term.

Furthermore, final examinations were scheduled for the upcoming week.

‘If we can simply navigate through these tests, the danger passes.’

The vacation period followed immediately after the examinations.

Even if the boy instigated chaos during the break, it would happen far away from the campus, allowing Schwarts to breathe a sigh of relief.

Because of this, the current tranquility no longer felt like it was teetering on the edge.

The day was absolutely flawless.

Radiant sunshine.

A soft breeze.

Brilliant autumnal foliage reflecting clearly in his eyes.

“An ideal afternoon for a brief rest.”

Schwarts offered a gentle smile and made his way toward his private retreat.

His personal haven that had allowed him to survive this chaotic year.

‘I ought to have established such a sanctuary much earlier in my career.’

Feeling as though he had squandered half of his time as principal, he already felt a wave of relaxation washing over him at the mere thought of reclining on that soft couch, enjoying a cigar, tasting tea, and drifting off to sleep.

With those pleasant thoughts, Schwarts continued on his path.

Regrettably, that tranquility proved to be incredibly short-lived.

Rumble, crash! Thud…!

The exact instant he stepped past the protective boundary enveloping his sanctuary, muffled detonations struck his ears.

The earth beneath his feet vibrated slightly, causing Schwarts to freeze in place, his gaze locking onto the path ahead.

“What is this…”

An intruder?

His astonishment lasted only a second.

Schwarts leaped forward toward the origin of the noise with a velocity reminiscent of his prime years as an active combatant.

Upon reaching his private retreat.

Schwarts halted once more, taking in the spectacle before him.

His eyes twitched nervously. Total ruin greeted his gaze, but his intellect struggled to accept the reality of the damage.

“What on earth…”

Slice, crackle—!

Blinding arcs of energy cut through the atmosphere. Every single flash shaved off pieces of the crumbling sanctuary walls as if they were soft sweets.

One detail was unmistakably clear.

“You treacherous miscreant! Are you too terrified to look me in the eye?! What an absolute disgrace! Stand and face me like a proper warrior?!”

Brandishing the blade was none other than Shine.

She glared at her target with a feral intensity he had never witnessed from her before, consumed by pure rage.

And right in front of her…

“Treacherous? Oh, so relying on that cursed demonic blade makes your methods proper and honorable?”

“Waaaaah, mercy… save me, Lady Shine. I beg of you…”

A young man was evading the strikes with fluid, elegant steps. With a single grip, he was hoisting a man a couple of heads larger than himself—and that captive was weeping uncontrollably.

“What is wrong with a martial artist utilizing a blade!”

Shine bellowed with indignation, yet Aster remained utterly unbothered by shame.

“The same applies to me. Who is going to object if I make use of my own right arm?”

“Eek!”

Shine’s blade swung wide whenever Rayleigh was thrust into its trajectory.

And without fail, vibrant magical incantations burst forth immediately after.

Schwarts could only stare in utter bewilderment at the performance.

“Y-You, you, you…”

A choked gasp forced its way through his clenched jaw.

A deafening roar split the air at that very moment.

“You absolute simpletons—!”

Schwarts’s immense, oppressive magical energy completely saturated the clearing.

“…!”

Shine stiffened in surprise.

“I-I am delivered. Delivered…!”

Rayleigh sobbed with relief.

In the meantime.

“Senior, your timing is impeccable. Observe this individual. See? She was fully intent on taking my life.”

Aster remained entirely unrepentant.

Schwarts directed a lethal gaze at Aster while binding the trio securely with his magical energy.

The arcane restraints locked them down tightly.

Schwarts ground his teeth together, a palpable aura of executioner’s intent radiating from his form.

“Was it… truly necessary to destroy… absolutely everything?”

His gaze wandered numbly across his obliterated sanctuary.

A solitary tear escaped from the rim of his eye.

These were… the tears of a provider stripped of his personal domain. The miserable reality of a man deprived of his solitary refuge.

“Every single one of you, depart. Get… get out of my sight.”

Schwarts squeezed his eyelids shut, delivering the command for their banishment.

If he permitted himself to look at them for another second, violence would inevitably follow.

Schwarts prided himself on being a dedicated educator.

…As they were cast out, a subtle grin formed on Aster’s face.

‘…The strategy is unfolding perfectly.’

Aster was well aware that Schwarts frequented his private retreat during every midday break.

Could it be that the principal’s intervention had effectively extinguished the fury that had been burning so intensely?

“…Very well, you wretched scoundrel. What is your purpose for seeking me out today?”

In a fresh location, a safe distance from the principal’s territory.

Shine questioned him in a level voice, noticeably more collected than before.

Rather than offering an immediate reply, I shifted my gaze toward the battered Rayleigh.

“I… I shall take my leave now.”

Rayleigh sensibly made his departure, and I waited until his figure had receded completely into the distance before initiating the conversation.

“Have you collected yourself a bit?”

“Collected? I am hardly satisfied, but I have demonstrated the disparity in our capabilities, so that suffices for now.”

“Hmm… I suppose so.”

Recalling how I had spent the entire confrontation dodging while dragging Rayleigh along? A sense of smugness replaced the irritation on Shine’s features.

From the very beginning, it seemed Shine had no real desire to utterly destroy me.

She simply required an avenue to discharge her built-up aggravation.

This worked entirely to my advantage.

‘I was apprehensive that her temper wouldn’t subside even after the principal intervened… but this makes communication far smoother.’

In all honesty, I had been startled.

Who could have anticipated that the object he retrieved from the Sword God’s Tomb would turn out to be a demonic weapon.

There were numerous inquiries I wished to make regarding that matter, but it wasn’t an absolute priority, so I pushed my inquisitiveness aside for the time being.

Then, observing the self-satisfied Shine, I carefully broke the silence.

“Listen… are you interested in undertaking a venture with me?”

“How many… occasions have I listened to that exact proposition?”

Did unpleasant recollections rush back to her?

An expression of irritation clouded Shine’s countenance.

Before another outburst could manifest, I pushed forward swiftly.

“I am currently managing an incredible enterprise. However, an unpredicted complication has entered the equation.”

“…An enterprise?”

Shine’s attention was instantly captured.

“Precisely, a venture. Are you not in need of funds? Give it some thought. It is time to expand your organization… you can hardly allow the members you gathered to simply wander the streets aimlessly, correct?”

“Hmm, proceed.”

She was practically on the hook.

A faint grin touched the corners of my mouth.

That was precisely when Shine spoke up again.

“Therefore…”

“…Hold your tongue for a moment.”

Shine interrupted me with a cold, commanding tone, her gaze intensifying as she let out a low growl.

“I shall deliver my judgment only after reviewing the entire situation. What it is you require of me. Your current predicament. What guarantees you can provide. Lay it all bare, leaving nothing concealed. Should you fail to do so…”

Her fingers drifted ominously toward the grip of her demonic blade.

‘…She certainly adapts quickly, doesn’t she?’

After being misled a few times previously, her skepticism was at an all-time high.

But that was perfectly acceptable.

Given what was at stake this time around, my intention from the start was to reveal the entire reality.

‘A single squad of Azure Ice spellcasters would provide more than enough security, but…’

Failing that, Shine would serve as an incredible countermeasure.

“Very well, where should I begin… ah, let us trace things back to the vacation period.”

I laid out the entire narrative for Shine: the Fairy Dance, the Amera territory, the inner workings of the Blandoga Family, extending all the way to Baharmut—the entire sequence of events.

The chronicle eventually transitioned to Evelin, arriving close to the present situation…

“So.”

Shine, who had remained with her eyes closed throughout the explanation, slowly opened them.

“To summarize the situation, you require my martial capabilities to counter Decullan? And in exchange, I receive a portion of the market earnings?”

“Precisely.”

Seeing my unhesitating confirmation, Shine knitted her brows slightly.

“…You?”

“…?”

“You, offering to divide the rewards? That strains credulity.”

What an absurd reaction…

I couldn’t prevent a heavy breath from escaping at Shine’s absolute lack of faith in humanity.

“Would you prefer a formal agreement or something equivalent?”

“Cease uttering nonsense. What can a mere piece of parchment actually guarantee? Your personal oath? Even an animal wouldn’t place faith in that!”

…This particular line of reasoning felt remarkably familiar.

“Are you… truly that desperate for my assistance?”

“…”

“It is hardly a challenge for me to provide support. I have long maintained that those arrogant Decullan fools are overdue for a severe lesson.”

The harshness in her delivery softened considerably compared to her earlier sharp demeanor.

That particular tone evoked a strange sensation of familiarity. It seemed to mirror the future path I had glimpsed within Baharmut.

Regardless, the direction of the conversation was highly favorable.

‘This plan might actually come to fruition…?’

Holding onto that minor inkling of optimism.

“Lower your head.”

“…?”

I gaped at Shine in utter confusion.

“True desperation is demonstrated through deeds. A single action can impact a heart far more effectively than three inches of fast talking. Therefore…”

Shine twisted her lips into a smirk, motioning her finger in a downward direction.

Her pale canine teeth shone with an unusual prominence, her words sliding directly into my consciousness.

“Utter the words exactly like this: ‘Great Lady Shine, I implore you to grant your magnificent power to this miserable scoundrel.’ Oh! Ensure you include this as well. ‘Scoundrel! Scoundrel! Scoundrel!’”

“…”

What in the absolute hell…

If looks could project profanity, my gaze would have been broadcasting insults at a rate of tens of thousands per second.

As a profound wave of shame washed over me, Shine spoke once more.

“Ah, so you prefer to undertake this conflict entirely on your own? Very well, I shall honor your independence. Our single cooperative effort yielded bitter results anyway; let us sever our associations permane—”

“Hold on.”

I called out desperately to halt Shine as she prepared to walk away.

The grin on her features widened even further.

Witnessing that expression, I bit down on my lip forcefully and inclined my head forward.

“Gr-Gr-Great…”

There was no necessity for further elaboration.

The sheer degradation of the moment was overwhelming.

“Excellent, so what does the strategy entail?”

“Listen…”

I conveyed the intricacies of my strategy to Shine in exhaustive detail.

…In this manner, the true master of the Sword Plain was brought into the fold.

Days blurred past in rapid succession following that encounter, and before long.

[1st Black&White Grand Auction]

• 4th Week Sunday

The moment of ultimate reckoning arrived.