Chapter 45
Ding!
You have obtained the special title: “Monster Among Trainees.”
Effect: Grants strong influence among trainees.
Restriction – Requirement: Must maintain the position of “Top Trainee” with overwhelming results.
If the requirement is not maintained, the title will disappear.
The alert rang in his ears, and Ruin stared blankly at the notification that he’d earned a new title.
Huh, so it works like this?
Of course, it was good news that he’d gained another special title through Heaven’s Seamless Flow.
But—
Monster, huh…
Muttering the word to himself, Ruin let out a bitter smile and shook his head. For a fleeting moment, an uncomfortable emotion flickered in his eyes.
At that moment—
Creak.
The doors of the training ground opened, and familiar instructors entered. At their center stood the demon instructor, Harken.
Step, step.
Climbing up to the platform, he spoke in his usual expressionless tone:
“Today, as I informed you earlier, we will hold the sparring evaluations.”
The trainees held their breath, staring up at the platform.
“I believe each of you had the chance over the past few days to choose an opponent you wished to face…”
Trailing off, Harken glanced at the paper in his hand, and the corners of his lips twitched.
“Seems some of you are quite popular, while others… not so much.”
At his mutter, the silent trainees began whispering nervously among themselves.
“Damn it, who am I up against?”
“My heart’s going to burst.”
“Ugh, I just want this over with.”
The air grew taut with tension—until.
Smack!
Harken slapped the paper down on the podium, sweeping his gaze across the trainees.
“Then let’s begin the sparring evaluations, to see the fruits of your past month of basic training. As for your opponents…”
The children’s eyes focused all at once as his voice trailed off.
“…you will face both the one you chose and the ones who chose you.”
His firm declaration left the trainees blinking in confusion.
“What?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Both the one you chose and the ones who chose you?”
“Wait—wasn’t this supposed to be one-on-one duels?”
Their bewilderment only made Harken grin—something rarely seen.
“Hard to understand? Fine, I’ll make it simple.”
Then:
“This evaluation will be a gauntlet match. No matter how many picked you, you’ll fight them one after another until you lose. Easy enough, right?”
He explained it neatly, then moved briskly on.
“Today’s schedule is packed, so let’s not waste time. We’ll start with the most popular one.”
His eyes fell on someone below. Ruin.
Then, with relish:
“Ruin Lynegrime. Chosen by four, and you yourself picked one. You’ll begin.”
Harken’s eyes gleamed with interest.
What? Four people chose me?
Ruin couldn’t hide his shock—it was far more than expected.
At the same time—
“…What the hell?!”
Seron’s angry outburst rang out.
“Seron, Selena, Yuric, Andrei, and… Maylin. The five of you, step forward.”
At Harken’s call, the five trainees moved to the front. Seron, glaring with betrayal in his eyes, turned to Maylin.
“Maylin, why would you—”
“What? Am I not allowed to choose?”
“Tch.”
Clicking his tongue, Seron looked away, annoyed.
Harken, watching them coolly, muttered:
“The opponents are set. I’ll decide the order.”
“But, Instructor, wait a momen—”
Seron raised his hand to protest, but Harken cut him off.
“Yuric Terrion. You’re up first.”
His decisive call quashed Seron’s objection before it began.
“Yes, understood.”
A boy immediately stepped forward. The trainees watching buzzed with surprise.
“What, Yuric challenged him?”
“Why not Seron, but that monster instead?”
“I thought he swore never to fight anyone else until he beat Seron.”
Amid the chatter, Ruin studied his first opponent with keen eyes.
So this is the one who kept challenging Seron again and again?
Yuric Terrion—shorter in stature, but solidly built, with sharp, gleaming eyes.
[Character Information]
Name: Yuric Terrion
True Name: None
Race: Human
Traits: Challenger, Duel-Fanatic
Current Abilities: Swordsmanship (Intermediate), Horsemanship (Beginner), (Uninterpretable), (Uninterpretable)
Potential Abilities: (Uninterpretable)
Current Emotions: Nervous, Resolute, Firm Will
Due to the limits of Insight, further interpretation is impossible.
Yuric admired the strong and had an unquenchable thirst to challenge them. He was notorious for repeatedly asking peers like Seron to duel, even after losing, until he eventually managed to win.
No wonder he has the “Duel-Fanatic” trait.
Ruin nodded, then checked the other trait.
Challenger – When fighting someone stronger, can unleash over 50% of his current abilities.
Fits him well.
The two traits complemented each other, destined to fuel his growth.
At that moment—
“You’re strong, aren’t you?”
“What?”
Caught off guard, Ruin tilted his head.
“I only said it because you looked curious why I chose you.”
“…”
“It’s simple.”
Yuric shrugged, his expression bitter.
“I fought Seron over and over, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t find a way to beat him.”
Ruin listened quietly.
“Then suddenly, someone who looks even stronger than him shows up. What should I do? If I clash with you, maybe I’ll figure out how to topple him. That’s why I picked you, Ruin Lynegrime.”
“…Is that so?”
Ruin chuckled faintly.
“So you’ll use me as a stepping stone to surpass Seron?”
“Exactly. So please, teach me well.”
Hearing that Yuric wasn’t just sparring for pride, but to gain direction against Seron, Ruin couldn’t help but laugh.
Ha, this kid…
[Heh. Bold brat indeed. Hah hah.]
Even the Sword Spirit cackled at Yuric.
This kind of disrespect is a first.
Glancing toward Seron, Ruin saw him watching intently, eyes dark.
Thanks to you, Seron, I’m experiencing all sorts of things.
Turning back to Yuric, Ruin finally said:
“Alright, I’ll play along.”
“Thank you, Ruin Lynegrime.”
Yuric smiled, satisfied. Ruin shrugged.
“Not sure if that’s a good thing for you, though.”
“…?”
Confused, Yuric nevertheless raised his wooden sword.
Swoosh!
Ruin mirrored him, taking position.
Harken’s voice carried across the ground:
“The victory conditions are simple. If the opponent is too injured to continue, or admits defeat, the match ends. Any attack with killing intent results in immediate disqualification. Otherwise, anything goes. Aura and inner energy are prohibited.”
His sharp eyes swept the crowd.
“You must win at least three consecutive matches in this gauntlet. After that, you may stop if you wish—or keep going. That concludes the rules.”
Satisfied, Harken raised his hand.
“Begin!”
The crowd roared.
“Yuric, bring down the monster!”
“Respect for your spirit, Yuric!”
Almost all the cheers went to Yuric, the underdog.
So I’m the villain here, huh?
Ruin smirked.
[Get used to it. The path of the strong is always so.]
The Sword Spirit’s voice was oddly serious.
I was only joking, Master.
Then—
“Hyaaa!”
Yuric charged, his wooden sword slicing through the air.
Whoosh!
But Ruin simply slid back lightly, avoiding it.
“Not bad. Fast.”
Tap.
With only two steps, he nullified the strike.
“But you’re forcing it. And your stance is too big—you’re telegraphing everything.”
“Tch!”
Yuric snarled, swinging again—
Whoosh.
—and again struck only air.
“Ghh!”
He slashed repeatedly, faster and faster, chasing Ruin’s retreat.
But—
Tap.
Ruin dodged them all with ease.
Good power and form, but his will is ahead of his skill. He’d be better off clearing his mind.
[Ho. Now you sound like you know something about swords. Though you’re still far from it.]
Then what do you think he needs right now, Master?
[A beating.]
…What?
[Beat him senseless. No matter his will, swordsmanship without skill is just clumsy stick-swinging. Before demanding duels, he should first lay solid foundations.]
The Sword Spirit’s voice was stern.
[If he were my disciple, I’d half-break his skull right now to wake him up.]
Ruin’s grin widened.
For once, we agree.
[What?]
“Quit running and fight me properly, Ruin! Face me with your sword!”
Yuric’s shout cut through. Ruin laughed brightly.
“Fine, let’s.”
Tap!
Ruin suddenly widened the gap.
“Now it’s my turn.”
“…What?”
“Here I come.”
Swoosh!
He closed the distance in a blink, wooden sword flicking.
Thwack!
“Ghhk!”
Yuric gasped, stunned by the blow to his shoulder.
“Now the real match begins. Focus, Yuric.”
Without pause—
“Head, shoulder, waist! Block, or you’ll get hurt!”
Thwack! Crack! Smack!
“Aagh! Ghhk! Cough!”
Blows rained down mercilessly on every part of his body. Agonizing pain blurred Yuric’s mind, but he bit his lip hard.
If this keeps up, I’ll lose without doing a thing. No—I can’t allow that!
With desperate resolve, he gripped his sword tightly.
“Raaah!”
He spun his weapon, aiming for Ruin’s opening—
Whoosh!
—but once again hit only empty air.
“…?!”
Ruin had brushed it aside effortlessly.
“I told you—focus.”
Swoosh!
His wooden sword descended again.
“Damn it!”
Yuric rolled aside, barely avoiding the strike, though he ended up covered in dirt.
Then—
“Let’s end this, Yuric.”
Calmly, Ruin swung down toward Yuric’s head.
“Hh…”
Yuric gazed up at the descending strike with a hollow look.
I can’t stop this.
Grinding his teeth, he shouted:
“Damn it all, Ruin Lynegrime!”
“Heh, just call me Ruin from now on.”
“…What?”
Ruin chuckled, then—
Smack!
“Ghhk!”
Thud.
“Grkk…”
Foam at his lips, Yuric collapsed unconscious.
“Match over. Ruin wins.”
Harken’s simple declaration ended the first bout—in Ruin’s overwhelming victory.
Ruin looked down silently at Yuric lying before him.
Huh. He’s smiling?
Even in defeat, Yuric’s lips curved faintly.
…What a ridiculous guy.
Strangely, Ruin felt as though he’d grown closer to him. A feeling he had never once experienced, even in his long life as Subject 1872.
Weird to say, but… this is actually kind of fun.
At that moment, Harken’s voice rang out again.
“Next match—Seron. We’ll resume in five minutes.”
