Chapter 103: The Time I Casually Said “Burn Them All” and Felt Embarrassed Later
The Inter-Class Tournament field was set up as a square, two kilometers on each side. The distance from the corner of the encampment to Lily and the others, who had advanced to the center, was about 1.4 kilometers. If we used «Physical Enhancement», we could cover that distance in less than two minutes.
However, if I were to run using «Physical Enhancement», Rouge and Lecty would realize that my Skill had switched. Swordsmanship and body techniques could still be explained away, but there was no way to hide pure speed.
“Hugh-san, I’ll go ahead and check the situation…!”
“No, Lecty! We don’t know what dangers there might be…!”
Even though Lecty’s «Holy Maiden» Skill had the benefits of «Physical Enhancement» and «Staff Arts», letting her go ahead alone would be pointless. If Lily and the others were being attacked by mercenaries trying to kidnap Lecty, we could end up handing her over without a fight.
In any case, I ran towards the center, matching the pace of Rouge, who didn’t have «Physical Enhancement». Fortunately, there were many tall trees, but few branches and leaves blocking our path.
…That being said, the terrain wasn’t exactly flat. It was a bit harsh for Rouge to run without «Physical Enhancement».
Rouge was breathing heavily, but she was desperately trying to keep up the pace. I think she has quite a bit of stamina and athletic ability, but even so, she seemed to be reaching her limit.
Should I slow down the pace a little…?
The moment that thought crossed my mind—BOOM!! A sound like something exploding echoed in the distance. I immediately turned my gaze and saw plumes of dust rising silently in our direction. What I could hear with my hearing enhanced by the «Ninja» Skill were the screams of my classmates.
“Hugh, leave me behind and go on ahead!”
Rouge shouted after seeing the dust cloud. She must have judged that she was becoming a hindrance after seeing me and Lecty, who weren’t even breathing hard.
In fact, I couldn’t deny that was the case. But there was no option in my mind to leave Rouge behind. I hesitated for only a moment before picking Rouge up in my arms.
“H-Hugh!? What are you doing!?”
“Hold on tight, Rouge. Lecty, come with me!”
“Y-yes!”
I picked up Rouge and started running, using «Physical Enhancement» to its fullest.
“Hugh, this…?”
Rouge’s navy blue eyes widened in surprise. I’m sure Lecty was having a similar reaction behind me…
“Sorry for keeping it a secret, you two. I’ll explain properly later. So for now, please trust me…!”
“Yeah. It’s okay, Hugh.”
Rouge hugged me tightly, burying her face in my shoulder as if to reassure me. When I noticed, Lecty was running alongside me, gripping the hem of my blazer and nodding.
…Thank you, you two.
I pulled myself together and hurried towards Lily and the others. Eventually, we reached the center of the field, which was a clearing with no trees.
There, my classmates were fighting against grotesque monsters.
“The vanguard, try not to fight alone! If you attack in groups, they’re not monsters you can’t handle! The rearguard, be careful not to hit your allies with your support! If you aim calmly, you’ll be fine!”
Lily was giving precise instructions from the rear. My classmates were fighting defensively against various monsters that resembled wild animals.
“Lily!”
“Hugh!? Lecty and Rouge too…! I’m glad you’re here, get into the support right away! Lecty, please treat the injured!”
“Y-yes!”
Behind the classmates fighting in the vanguard, several injured people were lying down. The extent of their injuries varied, but fortunately, no one seemed to have suffered a fatal wound.
“Rouge, please support Lecty.”
“Okay. Hugh, here.”
I put Rouge down, who I had been carrying, and received a dagger from her.
The reason why my classmates were on the defensive was because their weapons were made of wood. Many students had attack-type Skills, but none of them had Skills with the power to inflict fatal damage on their opponents.
Lily must have instructed them to focus on defense rather than trying to defeat them. The Royal Knights Order was also on standby nearby, and Alissa-san understood the meaning of the purple smoke signal. If they could hold out, reinforcements would surely come.
But,
“Idiot, don’t push yourself!”
“I cannot obey that order, Lily Puridi! If I don’t push myself here, how am I supposed to maintain the front line!”
Idiot was facing a giant bear-type monster all by himself. Its total length was over 5 meters, far larger than the other animal-type monsters. The sharp claws at the end of its arms were attacking Idiot repeatedly.
Idiot was facing it with only a wooden sword, and he was managing to block all of them. Even with the benefits of the «Chevalier» Skill, it was an incredible feat. If he focused on defense, Idiot’s «Chevalier» was unmatched.
But,
“Damn it—”
It was the wooden sword that reached its limit.
Each time he blocked the monster’s attacks with his superb technique, the wooden sword was gradually being chipped away. Idiot’s wooden sword, which had blocked the bear-type monster’s claws, finally shattered into pieces.
“Use this, Idiot!”
I instinctively threw the dagger I had received from Rouge towards Idiot. Due to the correction of the «Throwing» Skill contained within the «Ninja» Skill, the dagger flew straight into Idiot’s hand without the slightest deviation. Idiot grabbed the dagger and immediately drew it from its sheath.
“I owe you one, Hugh Pnosis!”
The arm that the bear-type monster had swung down went flying through the air.
The counterattack that Idiot unleashed with the dagger easily sliced it off. It wasn’t because the dagger was a masterpiece. It was all a combination of Idiot’s Skill and his relentless efforts.
…I don’t think I can ever catch up to him, really.
“Hugh.”
Lily called my name and pulled my arm. As I braced myself for what she was going to do, Lily whispered softly in my ear.
“(Could you burn the monsters with «Pyrokinesis»? Can you do it…?)”
“Yeah…!”
Now that everyone’s attention was on Idiot, I could switch Skills without being noticed. I stepped back a little, made sure no one was watching, and then switched my Skill to «Firekinesis».
“I’m ready, Lily.”
“Understood. Everyone, fall back! Hugh is going to burn the monsters!”
At Lily’s command, the classmates who had been fighting on the front line retreated all at once. The monsters tried to pursue them, but I wouldn’t let them.
I had used it occasionally in class and midterms since the entrance exam. «Firekinesis» was the Skill I was most familiar with after the «Ninja» Skill. I had already mastered range designation and power adjustment.
“—Burn them all, «Firekinesis»!!”
A wall of hellfire rose, and the monsters engulfed in flames turned to ashes.