abcnovels
Chapter 172
Chapter 172
Chapter 172
"...!"
The moment Rezé released the bowstring.
Caron's right arm moved like lightning.
He covered his heart with his forearm, his neck with his wrist, and his face with his palm.
He covered the vital points that every human has.
At the same time, he collapsed his body.
He intended to deliberately fall over and make the arrow miss.
However.
Swish-!
"...!!"The flying arrow curved towards him. And towards his heart at that.
This kind of thing can't be dodged even if you anticipate it.
A truly amazing archery skill close to godly technique.
'It's too late. I'll get at least a penetrating wound...!'
The moment one of Caron's knees, who deliberately fell over, touched the ground, the arrow struck his forearm.
Tap-.
"...?"
The arrow that was flying vigorously with the force to pierce the body fell to the ground just like that.
Forget the heart he was covering, it couldn't even pierce his forearm.
"Hii, hiiieek! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
The bush-shaped camouflaged box.
The girl inside trembled and curled up.
She doesn't seem to have the will to fight anymore.
An extremely fragile reaction.
To the point it's unbelievable she's the kid who was just pushing him.
"...Tsk."
Examining the fallen arrow, Caron finally realized what had happened.
A wooden arrow. And the tip is square at that.
She shot a blunt piece of wood, not a sharp arrow.
It's only natural for it to fall after hitting the forearm.
'...I see. This was a test.'
Techniques that could kill the opponent were prohibited, and safety devices were put in place for the equipment they handle.
Of course, since there is a significant difference in level between himself and the students, he did allow them to use real weapons like swords, but...
'It wasn't even an arrow infused with mana, so it couldn't have pierced my body in the first place.'
But the moment Rezé caught him from behind, his latent instincts awakened.
His body made a judgment without him knowing. That this is real combat right now, and it's a real battlefield.
That's how amazing the strategy was. To the point that he had to face it seriously.
Glance-.
Caron, who was lost in thought while holding the piece of wood, lowered his gaze.
Perhaps because their eyes met, the trembling of the kid in the box intensified.
Since it doesn't seem like she has the will to fight, he should make an evaluation, point out the problems with the strategy, give a lecture, and end the test.
But Caron couldn't say a word. Because.
'...What was this kid's name again?'
No matter how much he thought about it, the name didn't come to mind.
In the end, Caron.
"It was an interesting tactic. Well, don't you have anything else prepared?"
"......"
"Hey......"
"Hii, hiiieek!!"
The slightly open gap of the box.
Facing Caron's grim face and sharp eyes visible through that gap, Rezé couldn't help but have a seizure.
What do you mean a person dies when shot! He's not even flinching!
"Z-Zero is a liar......"
Thud-.
And just like that, Rezé fainted.
It's partly because she's extremely fragile, but the setting that she leaves the battlefield when attacked by the enemy played a bigger role.
This is a test right now, not real combat.
It's not a life-or-death situation, so the [Coward] trait that makes her leave the battlefield won't be triggered.
But in a situation where the threat(?) called Caron has come right in front of her.
She can't leave the battlefield, so instead, although it's strange to say, she got the status effect of 'fainting'.
It may be absurd, but this is one of the Hidden Pieces that the game company put in with great care.
Of course, no one among the users knows this fact.
And Caron was no exception in not knowing this.
From his perspective right now.
'Did she just... die?'
She didn't die but fainted, but from Caron's perspective, it could only be absurd.
Even a pufferfish wouldn't be this bad.
"Phew... Team 4, test over."
There are still 10 teams left. He had to move quickly.
Caron, who was packing up Rezé's belongings to prepare for the next team's test.
Something entered his field of vision. Rezé's magic gun.
He reviewed the battle he had just fought in his mind.
'Using the magic gun as bait for a bow attack... It's amazing no matter how much I think about it.'
Using the magic gun as the main weapon from the start of the test until right before it ends, leaving the weapon at the last moment and leaving the spot.
When the arrived opponent is having doubts, finish it off with a bow.
You may ask who would fall for that, but if you experience it firsthand, you'll know.
That it's a tactic you can't help but fall for.
'The moment I secured the magic gun, I unknowingly let my guard down.'
He thought the enemy had no weapon, that they had lost the means to attack him.
If this were real combat?
The arrow would have stuck in his forearm. He would have lost the use of one hand.
No, if it ended with just losing the use of one hand, that would be fortunate.
'If they were at the level of a 6-star knight... no, even a 5-star knight...'
If it were an arrow infused with all their mana?
It would have pierced both his forearm and heart.
It means even he, a 9-star knight, could have died.
And this cheeky and bold tactic...
'It must have been Zero who came up with it.'
Should he say it's a tactic that reeks of his unique slyness?
That doesn't mean that the rabbit is incompetent.
Not only the power of the magic gun, the tremendous accuracy, the skill to hide her body, and the possessed-like archery, but also.
'Her execution of the tactic is quite outstanding.'
It's not a tactic that anyone can do just because they're told to.
Personnel, combat structure, location, etc.
The situation is always bound to change.
Didn't she even constantly change positions every time she used the magic gun?
No matter how excellent Zero is, he wouldn't have specified the exact locations.
'In other words, she's excellent at adapting to the situation.'
Caron had no intention of putting her in the advanced class just because she's Luna's friend.
But if a kid has this level of skill, it's only natural to give a good score.
In fact, Rezé was just struggling to avoid facing Caron somehow, but not knowing this fact, he had no choice but to highly evaluate Rezé.
Of course, it's not without issues.
Caron looked at his forearm. The mark of the square arrow was engraved as it was.
'It's clear she was aiming for the heart. But...'
Caron remembers clearly.
The glinting eyes from inside the box, tautly drawing the bowstring.
The hint of hesitation that resided in those eyes.
'She could have shot the moment I turned my back. But she momentarily hesitated and didn't shoot.'
The moment that kid released the bowstring was after he blocked the vitals with his arm.
She shot the arrow only after confirming safety. Then.
"Is she hesitant to kill...?"
There are occasionally kids like that, but this was way too much.
To the point of hesitating to shoot even a blunt piece of wood. This won't do.
In a situation where competition with the kids sent from the Holy Kingdom is just around the corner.
If we promote such a weak-hearted rabbit to the advanced class, it might greatly damage the empire's pride.
"......"
Caron, who hesitated for a moment, scratched his head.
'...Is this a bit unsightly?'
If it weren't for Rezé, Teron and Yuridia would have been eliminated long ago, but also.
Not only did he use strength beyond that of a 6-star knight, even momentarily using the strength of a 9-star knight.
He even got down on one knee.
He deliberately fell over to dodge the arrow, but the fact is that kid put him in that situation.
That's an undeniable truth.
But trying to find fault somehow with that attitude.
'Perhaps... it's because I'm disappointed.'
Excellent stealth skills, shooting control close to godly technique, and outstanding command execution ability.
With that level, she's a heaven-sent archer.
If only her fragile personality and hesitation to kill could be fixed.
'She might become the best marksman in the history of Annwood Academy.'
Of course, she's still a kid who's embarrassing to even be called a prospect.
Just checking how much she's grown from time to time? That's about it.
'She would have easily passed the labyrinth test and the illusion magic test too... She'll smoothly enter the advanced class.'
Suddenly, the image of Luna embracing that kid and hopping up and down came to mind.
Yeah, what does it matter if it's like this or that.
The most important thing is that Luna can hang out with her friend.
'Kuku, at the same time, I'll be able to keep Zero in check too. I didn't like him getting closer and closer to Luna... This is perfect.'
In a group with such a gender ratio, the two girls are bound to stick together.
Zero will gradually grow distant from Luna.
Caron, who was unconsciously smiling, carried the limp rabbit(?) on his back.
In the distance, he could see Yuridia poking the unconscious Teron with a branch.
"There are three passers from Team 4."
Teron, Yuridia, and...
"......"
This rabbit on his back.
What was the name again?
*
"A l-labyrinth!"
"The surroundings are all rocks!"
"Ahh! The markings left by the people ahead are all overlapping and a mess! This is why you should take tests first!"
The moment the 1st stage, 'Stone Labyrinth Breakthrough' test began, the kids fell into chaos.
But my interest was in a completely different place.
'Rezé's test should be over by now. I wonder if she did well according to the plan.'
There was no reason to be nervous.
Not only is this a place without even small animals, let alone slimes, but also.
'Because I know all the paths.'
I'm a veteran in this game. I have the maps of not only the pop quiz, but also other labyrinths perfectly memorized.
It was safe to say that up to the 2nd test was a free pass.
At that moment, a group of kids approached me.
"Haha! Zero, you arrogant bastard. The opportunity has finally come."
"?"
"Get him! In the name of Teron Faction's 5th rank, I will judge you!"
An extra whose name I don't even remember pointed his sword at me.
Ah, I think I vaguely remember.
One of the guys sticking close to Teron. So the name is...
"Hmm... Was it Paze?"
"It's Zepa! What's with that name with impure intentions! It's not even one letter off!"
Zepa or Paze. It's the same two letters, so what does it matter.
It doesn't seem that different.
You might be better off changing your name. Because it's a name you absolutely can't forget.
"Keke, I see. But Zera, you're going to judge me? What do you mean by that?"
"It's not Zera, it's Zepa! 5th rank Zepa!"
Hmm, no matter how I think about it, it's too difficult a name. It doesn't stick in my mind.
"Haha! After that idiot Godner eliminated himself, I got promoted. In a way, it's thanks to you."
"Keke, then shouldn't you be grateful? Why are you judging me?"
"To raise my rank. If I slay you, an arrogant bastard, I'll achieve a great feat."
Hearing Ze... whatever's words, I was dumbfounded.
The reason the Teron Faction, who always picked fights, had been quiet recently.
Although Teron ordered them not to provoke me, but.
'They're picking a fight with me who subdued the monster Daike? Are they in their right mind?'
Teron's hunting dog and the unofficial 1st year rank 1 of Annwood Academy.
5-star knight Daike.
Less than a hundred people have reached the level of 4-stars at the age of fifteen.
But a 5-star knight? The number is so few that you can count them on one hand, and the title of genius naturally follows.
I'm the one who had a duel with such a Daike.
Officially, it was a draw, but kids with a pretty good head have long realized.
That I subdued Daike.
'And they're picking a fight with me?'
In this case, it's one of two things.
They're crazy.
"I bet you used some underhanded trick! I know everything!"
They're really crazy.
It seems to be both.
"Teron told us not to lay a hand on you, but... If we knock you down, it should be fine."
Zera was it? Zeda was it? I don't know.
Anyway, the kid whose name I can't remember and Teron's group pointed their swords at me.
The number is a whopping five.
I'm not worried. They're the type to run away on their own if I use a threatening secret technique.
But that kid seems to have made full preparations too.
"Everyone cooperate with me! If we all join forces and knock that guy down, we can increase our chances of getting into the advanced class! There are nineteen of us! No matter how much of a monster he is, he can't face all of us!"
The kids murmured at his shout.
Certainly, it was a good opportunity for them. The Teron Faction also provided a justification by taking the lead, but.
"He ranked 3rd in the entrance exam, you know?"
"There's also a rumor that he defeated Daike. Certainly, the Teron Faction's momentum has been dampened since then..."
"I just have a bad feeling, so I don't like it. It's best not to mess with a guy like that."
It was filled with negative opinions.
Then, a girl stepped forward. A kid from the Yuridia Faction.
Currently, the number of Yuridia Faction members in our team is a whopping seven.
If they cooperate, I'll have no choice but to use a secret technique.
"U-Umm! Yeah! Let's join forces too. Let's get rid of the third force!"
"...Certainly, that Kraken is our enemy."
Currently, my honor(?) has fallen to the ground.
Because the rumor of 'Kraken Zero' spread by Yuridia has been embellished and embellished again, rising to the status of a being threatening the entire school.
Of course, it's a rumor that I'm aiming for both men and women and will build a harem empire.
So it wouldn't be strange for the Yuridia Faction kids to cooperate.
When I was seriously considering using a secret technique, a kid from the Yuridia Faction shouted.
"But if he drops out of the advanced class, Luna will be sad! Here, we will eliminate you, the Teron Faction, who are trying to make Zero fail!"
"Wh-What do you...!"
"Everyone charge!"
Waaah-!!
The kids from the Yuridia Faction charging towards the Teron Faction.
With their tremendous momentum, the Teron Faction had no choice but to run away.
"I-I'll remember this!"
And so, the third-rate villain fled into the labyrinth.
"We're helping you just this once! Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Keke, thank you. Since this is also a fateful encounter, shall we introduce ourselves..."
"Kyaaaah! The Kraken is extending his tentacles! Everyone run away!"
As the Yuridia Faction screamed and ran away, the remaining kids hurriedly left too.
...Yeah.
Drip-.
A single tear flowed from my eye.
It was summer.
*
While Zero was engaging in vigorous Kraken activities.
Our directionally challenged Luna, who entered with the next team, was.
"Huh? Where is this?"
...She got lost in the labyrinth.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading