Chapter 105: The Melancholy of a Certain Genius Swordsman
Countless monsters surged from the center of the Plain towards the entrance. As they moved, they attacked any humans they encountered along the way, but curiously, the emotions reflected in their eyes were not hunger or hostility. If one were to describe the feelings in their eyes, it would be… fear. The monsters were fleeing from something, driven to the outskirts of the Plain in a panic.
“What a strange sight… What could they possibly be afraid of?”
A boy murmured in wonder as he swung his sword, blood splattering from the blade and soaking the grass beneath him. Around him lay the lifeless bodies of numerous monsters, creating a scene reminiscent of hell itself.
“Unbelievable… He took down that many monsters all by himself…!”
“Is this the genius swordsman… Wilhelm Lübesse?!”
The students surrounding him offered their awe-filled praise. It was Wilhelm Lübesse, a first-year student in the Department of Knights, known as the strongest among them, who had slaughtered the monsters and saved the lives of the students under attack.
Lübesse was not a member of the Executive Committee. However, due to his top grades in the Department of Knights, he had been recruited into the Rescue Team. He hailed from a poor family of lower nobility, and when offered a suitable reward, he eagerly accepted.
Just moments ago, he had rescued a mixed team of four students from the Department of Knights and the Magic Department. Although they belonged to rival departments, they had maintained a friendship and participated together. They had been on the brink of disaster when Lübesse intervened.
“That swordsmanship… Could it be even superior to that of a third-year knight…?”
One student gulped nervously. Lübesse’s sword skills surpassed the level of an ordinary student, rivaling even those of professional knights. To think he was just a first-year student; he could only be called a genius.
“Could it be that these monsters are fleeing? Chased away from the depths of the Plain by someone…?”
Ignoring the rescued students, Lübesse muttered to himself, seemingly indifferent to their plight.
“This is…!”
“What a find…!”
While one male student trembled in fear at Lübesse’s swordsmanship, a female student’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Although Lübesse came from lower nobility, his evident talent suggested he was destined for greatness. After graduation, he would surely join a knight order and follow a path to success.
(This is a great opportunity to get close to him…!)
(If I play my cards right, I might become a high-ranking noble’s wife someday…!)
With such promising potential, there were no rumors of a fiancée. His appearance was somewhat plain; his unkempt hair was hastily tied back, and long bangs obscured his eyes. He seemed uninterested in fashion, but those with discerning eyes could see that Lübesse had a strikingly handsome face.
Two female students from lower nobility exchanged glances and nodded to each other. It was a silent agreement between friends, signaling that neither would complain regardless of who emerged victorious.
“Ah! That was so scary!”
“Thank you for saving us, Lübesse-sama!”
“Eep!”
The two girls hugged Lübesse from either side. Startled, he jumped back, having been lost in thought.
“D-Don’t touch me! Stay away! I don’t want your… your excess flesh pressed against me!”
“Huh…?”
“E-excess flesh…?”
“I saved you, so hurry up and get out of here! The entrance to the Plain is that way. Don’t bother with me, just evacuate quickly!”
“…………”
As Lübesse shouted like a wary beast, he distanced himself from the two girls. It was then that they realized just how much he despised women.
“Ah… Sorry about that. I appreciate your help.”
“Well then, we’ll take our leave. Thank you.”
The boys accompanying them collected the two girls and headed towards the entrance of the Plain. With the girls gone, Lübesse let out a sigh of relief.
“Hah, hah… This is why women are so troublesome…”
More importantly, Lübesse resumed his thoughts. The sudden stampede of monsters; he surmised it was caused by someone provoking the Master of the Demon Realm.
(The Master of the Demon Realm… Subnock must have been stirred up, causing the monsters to flee and ultimately invade here.)
With that deduction, Lübesse turned his gaze towards the depths of the Plain.
“Hm…?”
There, he noticed someone sprinting at an incredible speed. It was a pace so fast that he would have missed it without his keen reflexes.
“Could it be… they intend to challenge the Master of the Demon Realm? The great beast that has never been defeated since the founding of our nation…?”
It was reckless. Foolhardy. Brazen.
“But… how interesting.”
Lübesse grinned fiercely. Born a prodigy of the sword, the thrill coursed through him.
“Let’s go…!”
With that, Lübesse dashed forward, running across the Plain at a speed that rivaled the effects of High Accelerator, chasing after the figure that had gone ahead.