Chapter 101: The Protagonist Returns, Effective Offensive

No?

What do you mean, no?

Siloque didn’t understand.

Cliff’s fist was about to crash into Siloque’s face, only 50 centimeters away.

But before that happened, the angel would casually block it, and then, due to the law of action and reaction, Cliff would rebound and be sent flying.

Siloque watched the approaching fist with utter boredom.

In fact, the angel’s silver armguard had long since been positioned in front, ready to block, and just in case, was still activated, with defense maxed out.

But Siloque knew the situation would change in another way.

Because in the corner of his eye, to the right, he caught a faint red afterimage—

The afterimage of a sword.

Kang!!!!!!

A violent metallic clash echoed, sending ripples of wind through the air.

The Heavenly Knight spread two of the Six Wings, the enormous feathers shielding the rampaging energy and redirecting it toward the ground.

Some affected girls had their skirts blown upward, leading to screams of a different kind.

“Sorry!”

Sharp apologized to the girls, who smiled and forgave her.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

A powerful, resonant voice.

The blue-haired back shielding him was all too familiar to Siloque.

He’d stared at that back the whole time while fighting the Maple Court Knight, to prevent him from dying suddenly.

Siloque broke out in a cold sweat.

“Cass. Your timing is a little too perfect…”

“No, I didn’t mean to.”

Cass gave a wry smile, standing before Siloque, wielding the Wraithblade in both hands to block Cliff’s Thorn Fist.

“He appeared!”

“The Vice President’s angel has moved!”

“I saw Angel’s Feather during the entrance exam too—when the monsters attacked, Lady Sharp spread her wings and protected me!”

“The angel’s Six Wings not only protect people but can also become a Blade Storm to annihilate foes. Truly a perfect offensive and defensive existence.”

“I’ve been a fan since she enrolled! So pretty, so strong, and even in the Top 10 for first-year grades!”

Thank you for your introductions, my background classmates.

That’s another game feature—background characters loaded with information.

Sometimes they can even reveal a person’s home address, social connections, and personal preferences.

Are you with MI6 or the Chaoyang District Neighborhood Committee?

Sharp maintained her ever-smiling expression, but on closer look, her eyes toward Cass and Cliff were smiling without warmth.

Cass’s expression was unwavering, showing no fear as he faced Cliff.

“Your opponent is me, Cliff. What happened to your body?”

“A self-proclaimed strongest Cass, such an arrogant brat. Get out of my way!”

Cliff swung out with an additional blow!

Cass neither retreated nor defended.

Instead, he lunged forward ahead of Cliff, bending low and morphing the Wraithblade into a circular shield, charging ahead with all his might.

“!”

Faced with this bizarre weapon, Cliff’s brows knitted.

He withdrew to defend, instinct warning him not to take the blow head-on.

At the same time, he discreetly extended a vine to brush against Cass’s wrist.

“Ugh! —”

He was right; the impact was so forceful that it drove him back five steps before he could steady himself.

Meanwhile, the weapon in Cass’s hand had reverted to a pink sword.

Truly, times have changed!

Three days apart, or no, a month’s absence brings a new perspective.

Siloque restrained his inner excitement, maintaining a calm expression.

The Cass who used to be sent flying by Cliff’s casual blows could now push Cliff back.

Siloque patted Cass on the shoulder with emotion.

“You did well. Well done, Cass.”

“Eh? Mmm—”

Cass blushed slightly, stealing glances.

On the other side, Cliff’s frown deepened.

“…To have your strength increase so much in such a short time… Did you also get help from those mysterious types?”

Something was wrong.

Even the sensation was off.

Cliff glanced at the Thorn Fist retracting on his arm. It felt strange.

Absorbing magic from Cass’s body, but it was all mixed up.

The energy inside felt unpleasant.

A bit sickening.

The discomfort helped Cliff calm down.

“Who’s that red-haired ape over there?”

“Who cares about him! The blue-haired one fighting him is cooler!”

“He’s in Class F, right? His name is…uh, I don’t know.”

“But I know the black-haired girl.”

“Siloque, the one who can’t even beat a Goblin.”

“But why is a girl wearing a boy’s uniform??”

“Personal preference?”

You guys are enough already.

Because Siloque’s position was too conspicuous and he had nothing else to do, he naturally overheard the endless chatter of the bystanders.

Now it wasn’t a good time to slip away, with so many eyes on him and no skills to hide or erase his presence.

“Um, anyway, you two should stop. The Vice President said no fighting…”

He raised his hands in surrender, voice earnest and cautious, keeping a low profile.

“Don’t worry, Siloque. This time, I’ll definitely protect you. I won’t let what happened that day happen again.”

Cass’s actions showed his determination. He took a combat stance, eyes sharp as he faced Cliff.

“Calm down, Cass. There’s no need to keep fighting now. Not only does it draw too much attention, but you also don’t know all of Cliff’s tricks. If you get hurt by some secret weapon, it’ll affect tomorrow’s duel and that’s not worth it.”

Siloque whispered so only the two could hear.

That kind of thing could be figured out gradually in battle.

Cass’s reply didn’t leave his mouth—

[Cassia, this man speaks truth. It is best not to fight this red-haired demon now.]

A voice echoed in his mind.

[Hertanid?]

[Did you not notice? That red-haired demon drains your magic and stamina. Best not to stay in contact for long.]

[Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit tired…I thought it was from staying up all night…]

[Was that not because you insisted on taking photos in a Sailor Uniform? I told you not to stay up.]

[Sorry, the Sailor Uniform was just so cute…]

[Enough. Also, that red-haired demon has a familiar Fruit Scent, but it’s rotten and stinky. I don’t like it. I could eat it if I had to, but dislike is dislike, just as you dislike eating Pepper.]

[I get it…Don’t use my past as an example, I can eat Pepper now.]

Cliff remained slightly hunched, in a tense stance.

Cass didn’t dare withdraw his beloved sword, and battle could break out at any moment—

Whoosh—

The Heavenly Knight drew two elegant swords, silently positioning them between Cliff and Cass.

The lack of sound attested to precise control, and the overwhelming magic was terrifying.

“Um…so please, everyone, don’t fight anymore. Anyone who disobeys will have a hand cut off as punishment. I’ll slice it cleanly so it can be reattached later.”

Vice President Sharp gave a slight, bitter smile.

“…Tch.”

Cliff relaxed first.

Though Cass didn’t intend to fight further, he dared not drop his guard and still gripped the Wraithblade tightly.

After all, he’d been ambushed several times before.

But the “gentle” smiles from Cass and Sharp forced Cass to return the sword to its sheath.

“Don’t think someone will always protect you, Siloque. And don’t think you’ll always be lucky. After I take care of Cass tomorrow, you’re next.”

Cliff pointed his index finger straight at Siloque.

“Ahaha…is this a criminal declaration?”

Cliff ignored him and walked deeper into the campus.

He felt someone pat his shoulder.

Turning, he saw the Vice President giving a strained smile.

“!”

She handed over a slip of paper.

Cliff had no choice but to accept it.

Looking closely—

It was a bill.

“?”

“Sorry, student.”

She purposely lowered her voice, so the surrounding onlookers wouldn’t hear.

“You destroyed a wall, which counts as damaging campus property. Remember to pay the fine at the Finance Office on the third floor of the Administration Building. If you find it troublesome, you can transfer the money to me, and I’ll pay it for you on Thursday.”

Judging from the Vice President’s skilled billing procedures, she must handle property damages from student disputes often…

***

The bell for the end of the second period rang.

There were ten more minutes of break than usual, giving students time to eat.

The door to the infirmary slid open.

Beiren didn’t need to look back.

The light yet steady footsteps, combined with the timing, let her guess it was Siloque.

“Teacher Gewina.”

See? It really was him.

That husky, ambiguous female voice, spoken so casually.

But the title felt unfamiliar.

…Teacher?

Normally, didn’t he shamelessly call me by my first name?

“Hmm?”

Strange, why did that make me feel disappointed?

Did I actually want him to call me by my name?!

It’s not like I’m a cat waiting for my master…It’s like I’ve been domesticated…

She hugged her confusion at herself, spinning the chair around, and immediately saw the reason Siloque didn’t use her name.

Behind the black-haired youth stood a blue-haired boy, face full of bewilderment.

What was his name again?

Siloque made the introduction first.

“This is my friend, Cass. Teacher Gewina, I want to borrow the place for a strategy meeting I’m not eager to have.”