Chapter 46 - Now you've done it.
Translator: Black Lotus
Editor: imsara
I suppose it may be the heat of the moment, but how about the fact that he is a prince and yet he hates Rias? In the atmosphere of not wanting to say, “Actually, I’m a prince too,” I stepped forward in front of Rias.
(Note: Bruh just admit you’re the abandoned prince and everything will be solved by killing everyone who wanted to oppose or kill Charlotte. That’s about it. *Evil Means*)
”Prince Rias, do you need to take a break?’”
“I don’t need it.”
Rias grew more focused as if the noise is no longer in his ears.
“I’ve been waiting for this day.”
His eyes blaze with passion.
“To be honest, I’m not sure how strong I am right now. All I’m worried about is how well I am on par with you. However, I’m going to give it my all.”
Sorry to tell you how heartbreakingly determined you are, but I’m ready to lose. Chant like it. Well, ‘Be strong’ or something like that. Then, I set up a ward on myself and waited for it to be fully prepared. If I’m going to lose, I don’t need magic, right? Don’t think so.
If they’re coming at you with all they’ve got, if you don’t do anything about it, you’re going to get hurt badly. I don’t want to be in pain. My self-enhancement through my barrier magic has been upgraded from five years ago. Before, it was like an exoskeleton powered suit and covered my entire body with wards. It’s a pseudo-enhancement so to speak.
Now, each cell, bone and muscular tissue are individually warded, and my own body has become something far greater than an ordinary person. My five senses and nervous system are also amazing. So far, I’m able to keep up with the demon race’s Frey as an opponent with ease. I’ve developed a thin protective ward on my skin and I’m ready to go.
It’s lucky that I was able to see his moves first. He seemed pretty serious about it, and if that’s the case, I know exactly what I need to do. If Rias was in serious mode earlier, then frankly, even I can win. My magic level is only 2, but there are warding spells that can do anything and everything with delightful effects. It’s a good thing that the self-reinforcement-related ones are especially excellent.
After all, once you create a ward, you don’t need magic power to maintain it. All you have to do is decide on the function and leave it alone, so you can create as many as you want. It’s nothing to worry about, even if it’s in millions. If it was a one-on-one combat with empty hands, I didn’t feel like I could lose against a student.
But, I shouldn’t win. I need to lose spectacularly, even more spectacularly.
“What? This time you won’t screw it up.”
Fumbling with the wind at the mercy of my opponent’s movements, I took Rias’ attack head-on. It’s perfect if you want to be blown up or something.
”Looks like this lesson was too soon for you, Zenphis.”
And if Tank Top-sensei snicker at you, you win big time.
“Rias, your revenge ends here. It’s time for you to drop your obsession with me.”
“Here I come!”
Rias finished his chant and took a stance like a boxer.
Then, he rushed forward.
He came at me with a frontal breakthrough without any tricks.
That spirit and goodness!
It’s over quickly and I’m saved.
There’s not even a jab, and my right fist gets squeezed.
My self-strengthening is far more advanced than it was five years ago, and it looks like I’m hungry for a reckoning with the past with a rock-shattering, desperate punch.
…If it hits, will it hurt?
Well, I’ve rarely had a direct attack on my body. Because I can avoid them. There was no need for me to get hit, right?”
You may be smug that you don’t intend to lose in a meatball fight, but I remember Frey saying something like, ‘If you’re a humanoid, your power is greatly reduced’.
In terms of movement itself, Frey is definitely superior to Rias, but could it be that his attack power is the opposite?
Because Rias has grown up.
Five years ago, he was still limited to using the basic four attributes, but now that guy can add more power with the light attribute.
Can I take it seriously and stay safe?
Not good. My body is screaming ‘avoid’. No, no, no! Come on, man. This is where we show our mettle.
Pow!
I took it straight right to the face with steel will. At the same time, I blew myself backward. Yeah, thank goodness it didn’t hurt. As it was, I rolled around unceremoniously and fell on my face. Instead of being in pain, I should pretend to be unconscious?
I didn’t move, ‘Winner, Prince Rias!’ I waited for the declaration. However, I was curious about my surrounding, so I looked around. I connected the transparent surveillance wards with the retinal wards to get a bird’s eye view from the drone’s perspective.
The students are buzzing.
Rias looked at me, stunned. He’s rubbing his right fist numbly, but he’s getting a feel for it, I think.
So, the teacher looked at me and Rias in turn, sighed, and gradually lifted one hand up.
“End of the match!”
There.
Rias must have been convinced of the victory. He clenched his fist and looked at it, and that’s when–.
Oh, shit. Not again.
I jumped up and immediately lunged at Rias. I grab him by the shoulders and pull him down, then turn around and lay him down.
“What?”
Huh?
Both the teacher and Rias were surprised. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a great deal of information on this. It’s a good idea to have a good time. It’s a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do, but this was the first thing that came to mind.
However, how can I explain this?
It’s obvious that I’ve been raccooned out of bed.
As I was slumped down, the teacher, who had been blinking his eyes, came to his senses with a start.
“Haha, this is a surprise. I see, Zenphis-kun, you have correctly understood the meaning of ‘assume actual battle’.”
Did I say that?
The commentary continues as everyone, including Rias, nod their heads.
“You deliberately get attacked and pretend to be unconscious to catch your opponent off guard. So, you took advantage of the opportunity.”
Right, I didn’t intend to do that at all.
“After the demon king’s death, full-scale clashes with the demon tribe have ceased these days, and chivalry has become a formality that is being celebrated. However, by nature, there is no such thing as cowardice on the battlefield. You have tried to teach everyone that such a trend is lukewarm.”
So, you see, I didn’t mean to do that at all. I pulled away from Rias and opened one fist. A thin, microscopic needle, the size of a hair. The same thing that had been released in the previous class. I didn’t know who it was aimed at then, but this time it was clearly aimed at Rias’s back.
It’s not in any way obligatory to help Rias, but it would be a shame if something happened and I was suspected. I wanted proof, so I just had to get this, and that’s the only reason I was able to set Rias down.
I don’t know what I’m doing here. But, you’ve got proof. We might be able to get something out of this. I’ve put the needle in the fabric of space-time.
“You’re a hard man to beat, aren’t you? But, I’m not disappointed. One day I will catch up with you.”
Rias stood up briskly.
“Now, gentlemen, let’s give a round of applause to Zenphis-san!”
Applause erupt at the high-pitched voice.
“Ha ha ha,”
I have to laugh again.
This happened because of someone who attacked me with a strange needle. It’s not my fault. I’m going to find out who’s behind all of this. I will not forgive anyone who interferes with my early dropout plan–I will not forgive anyone who interferes with my early withdrawal plan.