Chapter 70

I often think about it, but it seems like every time I meet someone new, I end up fighting.

First it was Elvin, then Kara and Hector, and finally Rize. Every single time I meet someone new, there’s a fight.

At least I can find some comfort in the fact that I’ve never fought with Luna or Rod. As for Eli, that’s a given.

“Principal, can I ask how strong Rize is?”

Finally, the weekend had arrived. We were moving to a spot not for a duel, but more like an informal sparring match.

Luna quietly asked Rod, who was walking ahead, while glancing back at me and Rize.

It seemed like they whispered so we wouldn’t hear, but I caught every word. Maybe it doesn’t matter for Rize, but for someone like me with heightened senses, whispers are pointless.

“Strength… Well, it’s clear she’s stronger than me, but explaining just how strong is tricky. You saw her distort space with a single punch last time, right?”

“That makes it more confusing. For me, controlling space is an elusive concept, I mean, I still don’t understand the principles of the heavens!”

“Hmm.”

At Luna’s explanation, Rod turned to look back.

I found myself sandwiched between Rize and Kara, listening to their chatter.

Most of it was just stories about Tartar. I guess that makes sense since Kara is a follower of Gulrak.

By the way, Eli didn’t come. With her combat power nearing zero, if she got caught up in anything, the chances of her getting hurt are pretty high.

The others can at least defend themselves to some extent. But if a duel starts, they’re likely to bail.

“Right now, you’ve got a strength that feels like it’s becoming more distant the more you grow. So work hard on improving.”

“Um… when are you going to teach me skills? Elvin had essentially dropped off after getting me a book.”

“Before learning skills, isn’t it better to build your basics step by step?”

“··· ···”

Caught off guard by such undeniable facts, Luna seemed at a loss for words. Rod’s point about solidifying the basics before learning makes sense.

Still, Luna’s basics have been improving day by day. I really understand now what it means to absorb knowledge like a sponge.

While my wilderness instinct adjusts automatically, she’s climbing through sheer talent alone.

Kara was so astonished by this that she let out a bemused laugh while watching from the side.

“Have you ever met the Saint?”

“I met her when I was very young. I was crossing the Tartar Desert and had to rely on Hector’s tribe then. I was definitely in my mid-teens, and I was over 180 cm tall.”

“So it was true? My dad used to say I was too tall when I was a kid. He said he was tall back then too, so not to be too upset about it.”

“What’s your height, Kara?”

“I barely reach 180 cm.”

Being between these two chatterboxes feels like my ears might bleed.

Kara, being part of the talkative Tartar people, and Rize, who genuinely answers questions, is a bad combo.

I’d want to slip back or shift sideways, but every time I try, Kara grabs me asking where I’m going.

“But Sivar is fascinating every time I see him. He doesn’t easily resort to violence even in such difficult environments.”

Somehow, the topic naturally turned to me. This is something I had no choice but to listen to.

Kara stared at me after hearing Rize’s words and then smirked. She then pinched my cheek playfully.

“I find it fascinating too. Looks like the Principal and Eli really taught you well.”

“That might be true, but Rod mentioned that you didn’t use your strength from the beginning, right? That’s a bit surprising. Kara, you’re used to violence and killing, aren’t you? Ah, if that offended you, I apologize.”

“No need to apologize. It’s the truth. Tartar is just like that, right? I do get what you mean, though.”

Rize’s logic is something like this: Growing up in an environment as wild as mine, Kara can at least restrain herself as a ‘civilized’ person.

I, on the other hand, am unmistakably seen as a wild beast. Even with training, I’d be perceived as someone with no sense of violence.

No matter how much humans build civilization, it’s hard to shed off their beastly traits. Rize seems to think the same way.

“Eli said it’s because we see each other as kin… but I really don’t know. It’s enough just to get along.”

“That’s a relief to hear. To know that Sivar doesn’t resort to violence.”

“Saint, do you dislike violence?”

Kara asked a loaded question there. Tartar, when you think about it, is a nation built on violence.

Maybe that’s why it still carries a warlike nature, earning the label of barbaric.

It’s getting better over time, but I’m sure it lingers in Kara’s heart.

“I don’t like it or care about it. Violence is a tool to humanity, just like hands and feet.”

“A tool? That’s a fresh perspective.”

“Violence is clearly evil. That’s an undeniable fact. But without it, humanity wouldn’t have established civilizations. Not just Tartar, but every country.”

Kara’s face turned peculiar at those words. Coming from Rize, of all people, who’s hailed as a saint, it was surprising.

It wasn’t flowery talk; it was a very realistic way of thinking. It was refreshing in many ways.

“Historically, it’s said that more than half of human history is filled with wars. It tends to be that way. Furthermore, to survive, one has to take the life of another. It’s natural for violence to accompany that.”

“··· ···”

“I’ve seen countless times how those with too much wealth can’t understand those with nothing. How the deprived can use violence to fill their hungry bellies. What would you do in this situation, Kara?”

“That’s…”

Caught off guard by Rize’s complicated question, Kara struggled to respond. She knows violence is wrong without a doubt.

So, in such situations, it seems she feels there’s no choice. But it still sits uncomfortably with her.

“You don’t have to answer. I was just giving an extreme example. I consider violence to be a tool to enact my will.”

“…So can I use violence, or not?”

“It depends on the situation. But against demons and monsters, feel free to go all out. They exist to take away the very light of life.”

That sounded like something a priest hunting vampires would say. It suited the theme of ‘chaos’ quite well.

Kara wrinkled her brow at Rize’s hard-to-read logic.

In some ways, it’s more barbaric than any savage, but it’s steeped in a steadfast belief and philosophy.

The notion that violence isn’t strictly good or bad, but merely a tool is rather striking.

“That’s why I recommend you keep strengthening yourself, Kara. They say human nature never strays far from its roots, right? We’re in a peaceful era now, but who knows when conflict will arise again?”

“You’re rather realistic in times like this.”

“To achieve ideals, you need the corresponding knowledge and strength.”

Rize is still as unpredictable as ever. I feel like I understand her while simultaneously being completely lost.

But that’s why she’s a hard counter against demons. She wields violence freely according to her beliefs.

Moreover, she seems firm in her mindset as a saint; for minor things, she can handle them with gentle persuasion.

The issue is that she tends to enforce that persuasion not as a saint, but as Gwonseong. Respect often comes from strength.

“That should be enough. I think we’re good now, given that it’s turned into a clearing.”

While we chatted, we had unknowingly arrived. The area was spacious enough to qualify as a clearing.

“It looks like it was artificially demolished.”

“This is where Hector and Sivar fought.”

“That explains it.”

Because the surroundings were wrecked thanks to the fight with Hector. Naturally, the noise and vibrations spread everywhere, reaching even the Academy.

They went out to investigate from the Academy, but Rod barely stopped them, claiming there was a rather strong monster he had to chase off in their stead.

The fact that Rod said this made everyone laugh. It was a moment when his reputation as the Sword Saint truly kicked in.

Boom!

As soon as we arrived, Rize shifted into Gwonseong mode. I still can’t get used to those muscles that look like rocks.

In games, the absurdity of it all is overlooked, but seeing it in real life is quite the other.

“Shall we start getting ready?”

“··· ···”

Here we go. I stood shoulder to shoulder with Rize in the center of the clearing.

The others distanced themselves to watch. Rod will probably block any stray debris or shockwaves.

To be honest, Rize alone could easily overpower me. But since unexpected situations can arise, Rod is watching too.

‘If things go wrong, I could end up causing space destruction towards the Academy.’

It’s what’s known as splash damage. It’s so absurdly powerful, controlling it is nearly impossible.

That’s partly why Rize restrains her violence. What she considers a light tap results in her opponent being gravely injured.

“I’ve mentioned it before, but I won’t deal any direct hits. My aim is solely to trigger your berserk condition and put you in the throes of a deathly crisis.”

I couldn’t even grasp the method she intended to employ. Is she going to hit me or not?

It’s said to be a kind of hypnosis, but with ‘physical’ involved, it gets even more confusing.

“But to reach that point, you need a certain level of emotion; in other words, you need to stir the heart enough to get it racing.”

“··· ···”

“So go ahead and hit me as much as you want. I’ll just stand here and take it.”

What in the world is that supposed to mean? I had a blank stare at Rize’s words.

She’s placed her hands on her hips, confidently pushing her chest forward. Not just ample breasts, but rather those intimidating pectorals.

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard, rolling my eyes in disbelief before quietly opening my mouth.

“…Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Really. Hit you?”

“Go ahead. I’m fine.”

Rize is sturdier than I am. In the game, normal attacks didn’t even faze her.

But that was only against demons that were hard counters.

I, on the other hand, am not a demon, and my attack power is pretty strong. So I’m confident.

“If it’s hard to punch, feel free to use a weapon. I heard you received a weapon from Hector, right?”

“··· ···”

I don’t know if she intended to suggest that or if it was a genuine offer. But it was enough to poke my pride.

I slowly walked towards Rize until I was right in front of her. Glancing around subtly, I pulled my arm back.

“Hit?”

“No matter how many times you ask, my answer will remain the same. Go ahead and hit me, as hard as you can.”

If that’s the case. As soon as I heard those words, I launched my arm forward with all my might.

Just in case, I didn’t use any magic power, relying solely on my physical abilities.

Crack!

My fist landed squarely against Rize’s abs. But something felt off.

The sound was peculiarly crisp. Like metal clashing against metal, ringing clear and bright.

Ouch!

“··· ···”

Even my hand throbbed. If my body had been any less solid, it would’ve hurt even more.

“You can hit me more if you want.”

Meanwhile, Rize was fine. From her expression, she seemed completely unfazed.

Feeling a bit stubborn, I hit her again. The first time I held back, but not this time.

Bang!!

“Ugh!”

Once more, that clear, melodious sound echoed. This time, a shallow groan escaped my lips.

It hurt even more than before. It felt like the sensation of hitting a tree with my fist upon first falling from the wild.

I cradled my aching fist and stepped back. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to Rize.

“What… why?”

I didn’t understand. Even Hector had been in pain when I hit him for real.

But Rize didn’t feel a thing. I almost began to suspect whether she had iron plates in her abs.

No. It feels like not only is she solid, but my attacks don’t seem to hit her at all. Did she even take damage?

“It’s alright.”

During that time, Rize flashed a genuinely sweet smile.

“You can hit me more if you want.”

She was slowly making me feel the ‘wall’ that is her presence.

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