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Chapter 107. Facing Head-On, Once In A While

“How’s it going, Ash?”

“Hmm… oh, Theodore.”

Just as my lecture ended and I thought of holing up in the old library again today, I spotted Ash and Nina training with swords at the practice field. So, I decided to stop by and check in on them.

“Theo, did you manage to get any good intel from that demon girl?”

“Nope... seems like the only way to learn about Grimoires is to decode ancient texts or ask some older demons.”

“Is that so…”

Honestly, part of me is just curious about the origins of Grimoires. But, I’m also doing this research for Ash and Nina. I’d love to wrap things up soon, but life rarely makes things that easy.

“Demons, huh... I’m sure my [Michael], will punish her sooner or later.”

“Punish her? Well, she hasn’t been harming humans directly, but she definitely looks down on us.”

“Don’t call me her like that!”

Jeremiah, who had been watching Ash and Nina’s training from the bench, joined in on the conversation. But Vanessa, who stood behind me, was making even more noise.

“Humans really are obsessed with Grimoires. I don’t understand why they’re so desperate to manifest them.”

“Demons don’t feel the same way?”

“Of course not... It’s disgusting, having something sprout from your soul.”

“Huh.”

I can’t really grasp that feeling, though.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while… but your soul is the creepiest. It’s kind of blurry and weird.”

“You can see souls? You’re able to perceive them?”

She never told me that!

“Well, duh. We demons can even devour human souls, though we don’t get many chances to.”

“You can perceive souls… Please, tell me what shape my soul is! It might be the key to unlocking the Grimoire!”

“I-I’d like to know too!”

“How should I know!?”

Vanessa really is amusing sometimes.

“Theodore, could I have a moment?”

“What’s up?”

“How about a sparring match with me?”

This again?

Jeremiah’s been inviting me to spar for a while now, but I’ve been declining. If the two of us fight seriously, it’ll spiral out of control. And besides... I just don’t want to fight him.

“I figured you’d say no, so I came prepared with a condition.”

Before I could refuse, he shot me down immediately.

“No Grimoire usage. Other than that, anything goes. How does that sound?”

“…”

No Grimoire usage, huh?

It’s true that if his [Michael], and my [Yaldabaoth], clash, things would get messy. His sword is absurdly powerful—if it hits me, I might be obliterated. On the other hand, my Grimoire could slice a human in half with ease if it connects.

This might actually be a reasonable compromise.

“…Alright, let’s do it.”

“Really!? Wow, it pays to ask!”

It could also serve as a good experience for Ash and Nina. And maybe, just maybe, Vanessa might figure out something about Grimoires by watching our fight.

“Let’s get started, then.”

Jeremiah drew the rapier at his waist, and I unsheathed Verethlagna from mine.

“Hah!”

“…”

I parried the thrust aimed at my throat with Verethlagna.

He’s seriously trying to kill me, isn’t he? What’s the deal with that?

I managed to deflect that high-speed thrust because I knew Jeremiah’s movements. Although we’ve rarely fought head-on, we’ve fought side-by-side a few times. I’ve memorized his breathing patterns, so his speed doesn’t overwhelm me... not that the reverse isn’t also true.

“You’re as good as ever, my rival.”

“I guess so.”

Calling him a friend doesn’t quite sit right, but being called a rival somehow feels appropriate. That’s the kind of strange relationship I have with Jeremiah. To me, he’s the embodiment of the word genius.

Even now, his rapier—so thin it looks like it’d snap if I used it—remains intact despite clashing with my sword. He must be using advanced techniques to absorb the impact. When it comes to swordsmanship, I don’t stand much of a chance against him.

“Here I come!”

Jeremiah’s cheerful grin grew wider as he continuously thrust at me, each one faster than the last. Without missing a beat, he infused his weapon with elemental magic mid-battle. The use of condensed magic for quick elemental imbuement is a signature tactic of Princess Elissa… but Jeremiah pulls it off just as effortlessly.

Since he’s started using magic, it looks like the warm-up is over. Judging by the sparks flickering from his rapier, he’s infused it with lightning. It’s a straightforward choice, perfectly suited to his speed-focused style.

The moment I saw his foot shift, I stepped forward and unleashed a slashing attack imbued with Verethlagna’s power.

“!?”

Jeremiah, caught off guard, tried to pivot on his planted foot to dodge the slash. He avoided it by a hair’s breadth, but he couldn’t react fast enough to stop me from closing in.

“This ends now.”

“Oh, does it?”

I was certain I’d won with that surprise attack… but Jeremiah, mid-spin, cast a spell directly into the ground.

The spell triggered an eruption of water.

“You drenched me!”

“Eh, you’ll dry off later.”

The magic wasn’t an offensive spell but a large-scale burst of water, creating a curtain that filled the area and obstructed my vision. It delayed my attack just enough for my slash to miss him entirely.

“How about this!”

Jeremiah stomped the ground hard, sending another wave of water splashing into the air as he lunged toward me with his rapier. Reacting in the nick of time, I stabbed Verethlagna into the ground, raising a wall of earth between us.

“So, you anticipated that.”

“Of course.”

With a crackling sound, his lightning magic discharged into the wall. The water he kicked up had served as a conduit for the electricity—an obvious but effective tactic.

I heard the splashing of his footsteps beyond the wall. He’s on the move… but my vision is blocked. So, what should I do?

“Don’t die on me.”

I coated Verethlagna with magic and unleashed a wide slash that tore through the earthen wall and everything in its path. I might’ve sliced through a few pieces of training equipment, but that’s nothing unusual at Chronos Magic Knight Academy. I’ll just apologize later.

“Nice one.”

“Above!?”

Just as I thought I’d gone overboard, I looked up to find Jeremiah sprouting wings like a bird, soaring above me.

“Wings!? You never told me you could do that!”