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Chapter 123. Zaphkiel

Is it an instinct as living beings to feel reassured when acting as part of a group?

The classes for the Magic Knights program at Chronos Magic Knight Academy, after a year of basic training and studies, have entered their second year, shifting into more advanced and practical lessons. 

This primarily involves repeated training in combat scenarios. The academy's curriculum embodies a simple yet harsh truth. The only way to become a stronger Magic Knight is to gain actual combat experience.

What kind of combat experience, you ask? While tasks like eliminating bandits occasionally come up, the primary method involves sparring with experienced individuals. In other words... practice matches with rookies from the Third Division.

"Still, who would’ve thought we’d be fighting nonstop all day?"

"You need at least this much stamina if you’re going to work as a Magic Knight."

Currently, taking a short break, Jeremiah and I lazily sipped water, watching students clash swords with Magic Knights.

While some recruits with exceptional skills might join the First Division right away, most newcomers enter the Third Division.

The reason? They get plenty of opportunities to train with Chronos Academy students like this.

"...It’s kind of funny seeing those seniors who left after a tearful graduation ceremony now standing right in front of us as training partners."

"Haha... yeah, some of them did seem a bit embarrassed."

Am I right?

Even though about half a year has passed since the graduation ceremony, people who bawled like it was the end of the world are now casually here doing training exercises.

If I had been one of those crying, it’d be unbearably awkward.

[Human strength has truly declined. In the past, there were at least a few who could wield power decently.]

"You always go on about that… Maybe people in the old days were just too strong."

[Don’t be ridiculous. Even though Claudius hasn’t disappeared, this level of complacency is just idiocy.]

Well... I suppose there aren’t many who know about apocalyptic dragons to begin with. Maybe it’s just the way things are.

[From what I’ve seen so far, the only ones who seem capable of wielding power properly are Gabriel, the woman Sariel, and Michael—standing next to you.]

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Probably? It’s rare for her to acknowledge anyone."

[Fool… I didn’t acknowledge them. I only stated they can handle their power decently. That doesn’t make them masters of it.]

I see... Gabriel is Hilalda, and Sariel refers to Ivy.

So, Raziel—who’s struggling with their sword over there—is deemed not up to par.

"What about me?"

[Your case is different. Your Grimoire is closer to those used by demons than humans.]

"Wait, does that make me a demon?"

"Intriguing… Tell me more about your Grimoire."

Ah... Elixira figured it out, but Jeremiah hasn’t yet. It’s my ultimate trump card, so I’d rather not talk about it, but like with Elixira, I also hate keeping secrets from comrades. Still, this isn’t exactly the time to bring it up in casual conversation.

"Alright, break’s over for the resting group! From now on, you’ll incorporate magic into your combat. But no overpowered spells."

Oh, so we’re doing magic swordsmanship now? That’s a proper combat format.

The swords are blunted for training, but the setup feels close to the real deal.

"Hey, want to spar with me?"

"Huh?"

I didn’t expect to be approached by a Magic Knight.

Usually, they just rotate in to block the attacks of us students.

When I turned around, the person standing there was...

A smug, purple-haired pretty boy.

"...Ars-senpai?"

"So you remember me. It’s been a while, Theodore Anthem."

This man... Ars Kugel, the former student council president.

Despite being the heir to the Kugel Marquisate, he’s now a Magic Knight?

It’s not uncommon for nobles to gain Magic Knight experience before taking over their houses. But for someone of his caliber, who even served as student council president, was that really necessary?

Well… either way, I welcome the chance to fight the academy’s former strongest Magic Knight.

"Instructor, permission to use my Grimoire."

"...You’re serious?"

"Yes. This opponent warrants it."

Ars-senpai’s request for permission caused a stir.

The instructor glanced at me with a mix of confusion and understanding before approving. Wait, why the knowing look?

"Ah, I see… You’re endorsed by Commander Liester. That’s why you got permission."

Ah, so it’s her fault... Yeah, that person would casually say something like.

"It’s fine to go all out against Theodore Anthem."

"Alright, let’s have a good match."

"Ugh... My Grimoire’s pretty lethal. I’d rather not use it."

"That’s fine. I’ll push you to the point where you’ll have no choice but to use it."

Such confidence... As expected of the academy’s former strongest.

Before I realized it, the students and Magic Knights around us stopped their own matches, turning their attention to us. Why does this feel like an exhibition match?

Well... since this is still class, I might as well take it seriously.

[This one… hehehe, stay sharp, Theodore.]

At almost the same moment as Lucifer’s amused voice, Ars-senpai lunged with his sword.

I blocked his strike with both hands on my training iron sword, and in that instant, I understood his fighting style.

"A shield!"

"Exactly. Now, break through [Zaphkiel]!"

People who can swing a sword one-handed usually use their other hand for something else. From his shifts in stance and footwork, I realized what Ars-senpai held in his left hand was a shield.

At the same time, he activated his Grimoire [Zaphkiel], deflecting my counterattack.

"Tch!?"

The sensation of my training sword clashing with the universal shield was unlike anything I’d felt before.

It was as though it was so impenetrably hard that I couldn’t imagine breaking through.

But figuring out how to overcome such a defense... is part of the fun!