Chapter 249

The Sword Saint of Starlight, Aisha.

Ranked 11th.

Possessing the hidden class of Sword Saint and a former pro who claimed the DCK trophy with her outstanding swordsmanship.

And she’s the president of the Sword Saint fan club.

Her idol and role model, the flawless Sword Saint, faced defeat one day.

The one who dealt that defeat was the rising powerhouse, “Lily.”

She showcased overwhelming might in the Siege War, daring to dominate the Sword Saint brother, turning what should have been the Sword Saint’s stage into her own.

“How dare she.”

Exhibiting what seemed like unbalanced, overpowered abilities, yet the praise for Lily flooded the community and everywhere, even Deoen.

There were occasional critics, but they were far too few compared to her supporters.

The problem was that even the Sword Saint was silent about it.

Of course, it could be acknowledged that the Sword Saint accepted Lily’s strength, but as the number one fan, Aisha couldn’t accept that.

“There must be something.”

The reason why Lily is so strong.

She believed that if she faced her in person, she’d notice something strange.

With the leaf of the World Tree she received as a prize for winning DCK, she headed towards the World Tree.

Lily, as usual, was streaming and wandering around the World Tree.

First things first, she decided not to approach hastily; she’d wait until she got to the center before making her move.

Even with a ranker like Aisha, if a strong person appeared nearby, she would definitely feel their presence.

Lily beat the Sword Saint… No, anyway, she’s strong, so it’s only natural she’d know.

As she was keeping a safe distance, following while watching the stream…

– She drew her sword!

– Wow, she’s actually drawing that!

– Lady Lily is drawing her sword…

“…Huh?”

Aisha was stunned.

No, she wasn’t just stunned; she was horrified.

It wasn’t that the plaza had become chaotic that startled her.

Nor was it that Lily drew a sword that she absolutely shouldn’t have been able to draw.

“…So she did take it.”

Because her idol and love was right in front of her.

“Sword Saint brother!”

Aisha dashed towards the Sword Saint.

“…?”

“Whack!”

She ended up getting knocked out cold by the hilt of the sword.

■

“Are you okay?”

“Hehe… Yes…”

Aisha woke up quickly.

She was inside the village, where PK (player killing) was something even the Sword Saint would avoid, so it was just a light tap on the head.

As a ranker, Aisha regained consciousness after a brief stun.

Muttering slyly, “He worried about me…” she sprang up as soon as the Sword Saint tried to leave.

“Um, um, you know that person over there!”

“…Sorry, but I don’t remember every random person I meet.”

“Oh, no! I’m not just some random person. I’m Aisha!”

Aisha’s starry eyes sparkled.

The Sword Saint frowned.

“Who?”

“…Ugh. You really don’t remember…?”

“That’s correct.”

Unfortunately, the Sword Saint doesn’t bother to remember trivial matters.

Even if they did fight two years ago.

Aisha asked again with a pout.

“What about the Sword Master?”

“Sword Master?”

“Yeah. We met once before… and even fought!”

“…Sword Master. Sword Master… Ah. I see. You are…”

“Did, did you remember?!”

The Sword Saint nodded.

As if she had just won the World Cup, Aisha joyfully shot her sword into the sky, and the Sword Saint briefly glanced at her before turning away.

“Wait! Let’s go together!”

■

The Sword Saint didn’t care whether Aisha was the Sword Master or his fan.

He was on his way for a purpose while Aisha stubbornly followed him.

“Don’t follow me.”

“I won’t be a bother. Really.”

“……”

If Aisha blocked his path or acted on her own, he would have used force to shove her away.

But Aisha just wanted to be by his side, and she had enough power to protect herself without the Sword Saint’s help.

Even if the Sword Saint were in danger, she would be willing to protect him with her life.

“Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for the Child of the World Tree that went missing. Don’t even think about interfering.”

“I won’t at all. If I find them, I’ll definitely let you know!”

She had long since given up on chasing after Lily to uncover the truth.

As soon as she saw the Sword Saint, she turned off the broadcast she had kept on for tracking, busy enjoying her heart-fluttering date with him.

So, after entering the World Tree through its leaves and defeating a strange deer to extract information, they proceeded upward.

Aisha was in awe.

Lily was strong, but the Sword Saint was the best.

How long had she followed him, holding deep faith in her heart?

“Here we are. The second Spirit’s room.”

They arrived at the second room.

Unlike the first, the barrier was about half broken.

But it looked much sturdier compared to the first.

Who came by here?

“Should I try using some power too?”

“Done.”

“Just break it in one go.”

“As expected of my Sword Saint brother!”

As the Sword Saint’s sword moved, Aisha cheered.

“Huh?”

They were sucked into the dungeon.

[Checking for additional entrants to the dungeon…]

[Two players confirmed.]

[Ep.1 Early part of the new semester will be partially skipped.]

[Players already exist inside.]

[Most abilities sealed…]

[Through Contribution Degree…]

The sudden scenario dungeon began.

Upon arrival at Eloni Academy, the Sword Saint and Aisha, looking at each other in changed outfits, quickly combined various information to enter a classroom that suited them.

And.

“…Why are you coming out from there?”

They met Lily.

■

Although they wore the uniform of Eloni Academy, the black hair and purple eyes, along with that familiar face, undoubtedly belonged to the Sword Saint.

The wolf ears on his head were quite bothersome.

Next to him stood a woman with fox ears and tail, her long silver hair shimmering, radiating a pink light that captured the starlight.

Why are you coming out from here?

[¿]

[?]

[???????]

[You’re the Sword Saint, right?]

[Sword Saint?]

[Isn’t that Aisha?]

[Huh?]

[What’s with the Sword Saint identity lolololol]

[Seriously, this is so random lololololol]

[Why are you out?]

[1 player was doing something, but it turns out multiple users were possible]

[Wow]

[But why did you two come in together? Are you dating?]

[Lolololol]

[This is ridiculous]

I momentarily made a dazed expression, then glanced at the message window.

[Current players – 3.]

The player count increased from 1 to 3.

I thought it was a single dungeon, but it seems it’s a competitive dungeon being run as multiplayer.

Each other’s talents turning the World Tree into a child.

“Why are you coming out from there?”

“……”

The Sword Saint remained silent.

His reaction showed he didn’t even know I was here, but still, he seemed somewhat aware.

In contrast…

“L-Lily?!”

The Aisha next to me jumped in surprise and drew her sword.

“Ah.”

Not her usual specialty weapon, the ‘Comet Sword,’ but the fox tribe’s fine sword.

The Sword Saint sighed after a brief standoff.

“…Sit.”

“O-Oppa?”

“My purpose is not to fight Lily ‘now.'”

I won’t stop you if you want to fight alone, though.

The Sword Saint sat down, receiving everyone’s attention from Class C, and Aisha, blushing slightly, sheathed her sword and hurriedly sat next to him.

Aisha caught that gaze and, feeling embarrassed, quickly sat down beside him, tucking her sword away.

What’s going on?

[What in the world is this situation?]

[The Sword Saint, the Sword Master, and Lily all in one place… this is a rare event.]

[So does that mean they’re all tackling the same dungeon?]

[Right now?]

[This is dizzying.]

[Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!]

[So now I have to compete with them?]

The difficulty going up means the rewards go up too, but the variables have definitely increased.

First, I’ll have to watch what the Sword Saint and Aisha choose, but it shouldn’t matter much.

Creak!

The door opened, and a dignified-looking Elf Professor walked in.

“Has something happened?”

He seemed puzzled by the fairly noisy environment on the first day of the new semester.

When a rock golem in front of him shook its blue-faced head, he nodded.

“Anyway, welcome, students who have enrolled at Eloni Academy. Ah, I suppose there are some repeating students as well.”

[Repeating students? Oh no!]

Eloni Academy has a system for repeating years.

Students can attend for a maximum of four years, but if they fail the promotion exam, they can’t advance and have to re-enroll for another year.

As students progress, the exams get increasingly difficult, and it’s said that very few graduate in just four years — usually it takes at least ten years or, in many cases, several decades…

“Non-long-lived students shouldn’t be giving unnecessary thought to graduating; it’s better to give up at the right time. Spending a lifetime decaying in the academy when there’s no chance isn’t a good thing.”

Some students, particularly the long-lived ones, chuckled at the professor’s words.

The typical races are Elves, Nymphs, and Dwarves, or long-living races like Golems.

In contrast, the shorter-lived Kobolds and Beastmen kept their mouths shut.

Their lifespans don’t even reach 60 years.

Especially for Kobolds, reaching past 30 years old is considered a miracle.

The professor’s gaze subtly turned towards me.

I am the only “High Elf” in this class, bearing the ‘Elposis’ name, though my bloodline is thin.

In terms of human nobility, I’d rank as a Baron, but in class C, I can wield power comparable to a princess.

If Ria Elposis were here, she’d deeply resonate with the professor’s words.

“That statement? I can’t agree with that.”

But that’s not my stance!

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