章 48: Chapter 46: Put to the Test
Ellize had invited the eight contestants who'd proven themselves to be the strongest during the martial tournament to join her on the fifth floor for a meeting. Verner, Eterna, Marie, Aina, John, Fiora, a "mysterious" individual, and a young man called Crunchybite Dogman were in attendance. The third-year student was a peculiar person. While he looked intimidating, he also seemed like the kind of person who'd give up at the first difficulty—as if one flick would be enough to make him surrender.
While Crunchybite Dogman was quite mysterious, he was still all right compared to the last person in the room—Supple Ment. The tournament was meant for students to compete against each other but a teacher had somehow found his way in the top eight. What in the world was he thinking?
"What are you doing here, Mister Supple Ment?" Layla asked, fed up.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm a third-year student who just participated in the tournament. My name is Tom Toy," Supple answered without batting an eye. Without even a hint of shame, he cried out, "O glorious saint! Please bestow upon me the weapon you promised to the best-ranking students! A weapon made with your own two hands..."
So this is what he was after... Verner thought. He remained silent, but he finally understood why their eccentric teacher had once again broken the rules. He wouldn't have missed an opportunity to receive a weapon crafted by the one person he revered: the saint. In fact, Verner had also worked harder than usual because of the reward Ellize had promised them.
In the end, Ellize decided to ignore Supple's wrongdoing and simply moved on. She crafted a weapon for each of the eight contestants using the materials Layla had presented.
Verner received a two-handed sword, even sturdier than the one he'd gotten before; Eterna got a staff, a precious stone embedded inside; Fiora received a fine bow and a quiver full of arrows; John got dual blades; Aina got a longsword; and Marie received an elegant rapier. Supple asked for a wand with a sharp blade hidden inside, and Ellize obliged. Crunchybite—who fought with his bare hands—received a pair of brass knuckles.
Finally, Ellize crafted another longsword that she gifted to Layla. The head of her guard was so moved that she almost started crying. As someone who'd betrayed her master once, receiving a present from Ellize—a sword, at that—probably meant a lot to her...or so Verner assumed.
After she'd handed everyone their weapons, Ellize looked at them and spoke. "Once again, I'd like to congratulate you for making it to the top eight. I've seen your fights, and I'm convinced that you're just as strong as appointed knights."
The students were overjoyed to hear such glowing praise from the saint herself. Knights weren't chosen solely based on their strength—undignified boors had no right being by the saint's side, after all—but it was a sine qua non. Ellize herself had just approved of their abilities, so it was quite an achievement for them.
"I have a request for the eight of you," Ellize continued, a serious expression on her face.
Verner unconsciously straightened his posture. Ellize was the kind of person who did everything by herself. She was also far more powerful than all of the knights meant to protect her. Truth be told, her might put her knights' very raison d'être in question. And yet, here she was, with a "request" addressed to those whose strength she'd recognized. She was about to ask them to fight—Verner was certain of it.
Ellize paused before continuing. "Once you hear what I have to say, there will be no turning back. Please keep in mind that what I'm about to ask you to do is extremely dangerous. I cannot guarantee that you will make it out alive. So...I'll allow you to walk out right now if you so desire. No one will ever hold it against you, and there will be no impact on your grades."
They'd be risking their lives. Eterna and Crunchybite flinched at her words. The fact that Ellize was allowing them to walk out was proof enough that what she was going to ask of them was truly dangerous.
Verner didn't mind, though. He had no intention of refusing, no matter what Ellize asked. If anything, he was happy. He was proud to hear that Ellize needed him.
"If you'd like to hear my request, please return again tomorrow, after class," Ellize added.
She was giving them a day to think it over. She could have used her status to order them around regardless of their consent. As long as she said that it was for the good of humanity, they didn't have the right to refuse. After all, they were knights-to-be—their job was to listen to the saint, and they'd have no reason to remain here if they dared to oppose her.
Still, that clearly wasn't how Ellize wished to proceed. She was leaving the choice in their hands. Verner was certain that if none of them showed up, she wouldn't blame them; she'd simply continue fighting alone.
Verner didn't need to think it over—he'd accept her request. He'd never considered any other alternative. He didn't need alternatives to begin with.
Eterna's eyes were trained on Verner's face. She immediately noticed his resolve, worry obvious on her face.
◇
After he'd returned to his room, Verner proceeded to do what he always did: train.
Eight months had already passed since he'd entered this academy. The unreliable boy he'd once been had grown into a strong-willed young man. His handsome features had matured, and he looked more manly—to say nothing of his bulging biceps, which had doubled in size. After all his rigorous training, he'd obtained a body of steel.
Verner had no intention of resting on his laurels, though. He knew full well that he was still far from reaching his goal of becoming a man worthy of protecting her. And so, he continued to torment his muscles in order to shape them into stronger weapons. If he wasn't strong enough, he just had to get stronger, simple as that.
On this day, just like any other, Verner had attached weights to his back and started doing push-ups.
Suddenly, he heard a knock at his door. He got up in a hurry, grabbed the towel he'd left lying on the floor, and wiped his sweat off. He removed his filthy shirt, put on his uniform again, and used his hands to tidy up his hair somewhat before opening the door.
Ever since he'd greeted Ellize during training, all drenched in sweat and disgusting, he'd become incredibly careful. He didn't want to commit such a blunder ever again.
As it turned out, though, he'd made himself presentable for nothing.
"It's just you, huh?" he said, opening the door.
The silver-haired young woman took offense at his rude greeting. "What do you mean, 'just me'?" Eterna fumed.
Eterna's beauty had charmed countless students since she'd entered the academy. Even though her hair was silver, it looked nothing like the dull, aged gray hair of seniors. It was lustrous and practically glittered under the sun, while her blue eyes looked like two gleaming sapphires. Her features were also delicate and perfectly balanced. Unlike Ellize, who'd stopped growing when she was fourteen, Eterna was starting to develop as a woman. There was a glamorous charm to her that Ellize could never obtain. To put it more directly: Eterna's boobs had started getting bigger.
Had Verner not been a blockhead who only had eyes for Ellize, he might've fallen for Eterna instead.
"Hey, Ver... Could we chat on the roof for a bit?" Eterna asked.
Verner considered it. Three possible answers popped into his mind. He could: one, accept her request; two, ask her why she wanted to talk; or three, refuse because it would take up too much time and he'd rather train instead. The third option was quite obviously the rudest thing anyone could've said, but a very oblivious Verner chose it anyway.
After giving it a nanosecond of thought, he replied, "Sorry, I want to get in as much training as I can."
Eterna's affection level most likely dropped a little, but Verner was far too thickheaded to realize it. Verner never paid attention to anything that didn't directly concern Ellize.
Sylvester Lordnight—Verner's forgettable roommate who had the coolest name, but no other redeeming qualities—gasped as he watched the two interact.
Still, Eterna knew her friend well. She wasn't surprised by his answer; she simply grabbed his cheek and dragged him along by force.
She finally let go once they'd arrived at the school's roof. Verner rubbed his aching cheek and turned to look at Eterna. Why had she dragged him all the way here? If she simply wanted to talk to him, she could've done so in his room.
She probably didn't want anyone to overhear us, Verner thought.
But what could it be about? Had she fallen in love with someone? Or maybe she wanted to discuss the mysterious power they both had.
Needless to say, Verner was completely off the mark. What Eterna wanted to discuss was obviously the difficult choice they had to make. Well, difficult for anyone but Verner.
"I'm pretty sure I already know your answer, but...are you going to Lady Ellize's room tomorrow?"
"Obviously," he immediately replied.
Verner hadn't hesitated for a single instant. Ellize needed his help. The thought brought him indescribable joy. He certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity to assist her, regardless of what was required of him. Verner was sure that the others, or rather, those who were most devoted to Ellize—John, Fiora, and Supple—were of the same mind.
As it turned out, Eterna didn't feel the same way.
"Verner... Is there any way I could convince you not to go?"
Verner paused for a moment before answering, "I see... You don't want to go."
He wasn't all that surprised by her reaction. Eterna had only accompanied him to this school because she was worried about him. Unlike him, John, or Fiora, she wasn't in Ellize's debt. She certainly didn't worship her like Supple, nor did she need to fight for the honor of her house like Aina.
Verner completely understood that she might not want to risk her life. She'd probably come to him because she was scared of incurring Ellize's displeasure if she was the only one who didn't show up the next day.
"It's okay, Eterna," he continued. "Lady Ellize won't be mad even if you don't go. It's only natural to be scared after being told you may die if you accept the mission. The others will understand too, so don't worry. There's no shame in knowing your limits."
"That's not what I'm worried about! I'm not talking about myself, here! I don't want you to go!" Eterna screamed.
She couldn't control herself after Verner had misunderstood her so badly. Eterna wasn't worried about her safety; she was worried about her friend who seemed all too delighted to jump into danger.
Eterna knew that Verner only had eyes for Ellize. It had always been that way. From the very first day she'd met him, he'd done nothing but dream of becoming Ellize's knight. Ellize needing him meant that his dream had finally come true.
However, Eterna couldn't find it in herself to be happy for him. He'd already died once. Ellize had brought him back, but what if she couldn't the next time something like that happened?
"Please, Verner! Lady Ellize said it'd be dangerous...life-threatening, even! You know she's not one to say such things lightly. You might die for real this time, Verner!"
"I might," Verner answered matter-of-factly.
"And you don't care?! It's not like you need to go! Lady Ellize is so strong... She's stronger than anyone else! I'm sure she'll take care of everything herself!" Eterna shouted.
Verner agreed. Even if he didn't go, nothing would change. Ellize would overcome anything and light up the world all on her own if she had to. But that didn't sit well with Verner. All this time, he'd been training so that Ellize wouldn't have to take on that burden by herself. It was his one and only goal.
"I'm sorry, Eterna, but I've already made up my mind. I... When no one needed me, she embraced me, you know? She cried for me, some useless kid she didn't even know. If she hadn't appeared before me...I would've become the kind of helpless lowlife who does nothing but curse the world."
Until he'd met Ellize, Verner had been wandering through the darkness. His family had cast him away, calling him a monster. He hadn't even been able to control his wicked powers. And yet, Ellize had held him tight. She'd told him not to give up on himself, to be happy.
On that day, Verner had made an oath to himself. He'd believe in the light—in her—no matter what.
"I also... I would've..." Eterna muttered before casting her eyes down and running off.
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Verner stayed put, watching her leave. He couldn't bring himself to run after her.
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