Invincible
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#168
🕑 Added 2024-12-21 05:51:50 +0000 UTCStrategy Meeting (1)
Droplets of water dripped from my hair. I finished drying off with a towel and handed the clothes I had worn to Selly as a gift. When the damp, fishy-smelling clothes got close to her nose, Selly grimaced in disgust.
“Ew! It reeks!”
“Looks like you'll have some trouble doing the laundry.”
I chuckled and asked her about what I had requested.
“How's the supply situation?”
Selly pinched her nose and replied,
“Well, it seems like they're giving out a bit too much food.”
The academy's storage held a decent amount of supplies.
Of course, with so many people, the consumption rate was fast.
Supplies were brought in from outside about once a month, and right now, there were about two weeks left until the next delivery. Given the situation, the fact that resources were being distributed generously now meant...
“They intend to move quickly.”
As I realized Rockefeller's intentions, I nodded slightly.
After all, if we remained isolated for a long time, we would only run out of food. Acting swiftly was the right course. The defensive battle hadn’t ended that long ago, so our enemies likely wouldn’t expect us to take action so soon.
It was also a move that would catch them off guard.
“They’ll probably gather us soon.”
No sooner had I spoken than Rockefeller’s voice echoed through the loudspeakers.
“All unit leaders, assemble at the designated location.”
The scenario was progressing about two days faster than expected.
Despite the presence of some wounded, it seemed they had assessed our forces to be strong enough to handle it.
There were no complete novices here; after all, we have Arkandric and Ten Elites, so moving forward boldly made sense.
However, the real issue was the presence of high-ranking spirits like the Monkey King and the Giant Swordfish.
In this uncertain situation, I, as a student, had managed to defeat one of them so easily.
Would these forces really just leave me alone after that?
… It feels ominous. I have a strange feeling they might give me more than I can handle.
‘That’s an obvious concern, Hersel. After displaying such skill, being expected to perform is only natural.’
With a sense of unease, I deliberately walked slowly toward the assembly point.
***
The assembly location for the leaders was the auditorium.
While the professors had yet to arrive, a man was loudly boasting, clearly oblivious to others.
Bellman looked at Kerndel of the First Seat, who stood there arrogantly with his arms crossed, and felt whatever respect he had for him fade away.
“Pathetic. To struggle so much against mere spirits.”
His words were scolding, but his tone was full of superiority.
Bernthal of the Eighth Seat was about to say something but then shut his mouth, perhaps recalling Kerndel’s accomplishments.
‘Well, even if he’s insufferable, he has shown results as clear as any professor. Still, listening to him is torture.’
Bellman considered putting up a barrier to block his voice.
Just then, Bernthal asked,
“Bellman, do you know where Emeric is?”
“Senior Emeric? I haven’t heard anything specific.”
“Really? That’s strange. That uptight guy would sooner be early than late, certainly not later than this irritating one.”
Despite the atmosphere, Kerndel was showing off his aura blade while peeling a supplied apple.
“Hah, I wonder how many of you will make it this far. Ten, perhaps? Or maybe you’ll all grow old and die without ever achieving it.”
At this boast, Ricks approached and asked,
“Bellman, about that guy… could it be that he has some kind of mental issue?”
Having recently joined the Adele Hall, Ricks wouldn’t know.
Bellman, however, tried to speak diplomatically, given Kerndel was a senior.
“His mind is… rather peculiar.”
Around Kerndel, a group of people gathered, eager to flatter him.
They were either fellow members of the Ten Elites or people who relied on the benefits of being in his good graces.
Ricks, observing this, seemed to entertain a different notion and asked a question that almost made Bellman spit blood.
“But surely, he must have a kind heart for people to support him like that, right?”
“No, his character’s twisted as well. Ricks, since you’ve joined the Adele Hall, you should join us. We plan on beating him up thoroughly before he graduates.”
“Hmm… sounds like an offer I’d rather decline.”
Bellman saw no need to reply further. Once Ricks experienced it himself, his attitude would change.
‘Perhaps after a week working under that guy, he’d join us willingly.’
“Hm, with about half a year left, it feels a bit bittersweet. I wonder if I’ll ever see your faces again. After all, I’ll be taking a high-ranking position after graduation.”
Kerndel looked at each of the leaders’ faces as if trying to memorize them with a wistful gaze.
Unable to endure any longer, Bellman took out his staff.
“… I can’t listen to this anymore.”
He created a barrier to block Kerndel’s voice, and both Bernthal and Ricks visibly brightened.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door. It was Emeric. Bellman was about to lift the barrier to let him in, but then his eyes widened at the sight of a document envelope sticking out of Emeric’s pocket.
“Is that…?”
Emeric hastily grabbed the envelope and tried to hide it again, but Bellman had already seen it. The wax seal imprint on the envelope was unmistakably that of the Student Council.
"Could it be…? Did he take advantage of the chaos to search through the Student Council’s files?"
With everyone focused on the threat of invading spirits, internal security was relatively lax, so it wouldn’t have been impossible. Bellman partially lowered the barrier and whispered to Emeric.
“Why did you bring something like that?”
But Emeric simply placed a finger to his lips, gesturing for silence with a “shh.”
“You’ll know soon enough. For now, keep quiet.”
A glint shone in Emeric's eyes as he smirked on one side.
Bellman felt a strange chill, realizing this man wasn’t exactly normal, and allowed him to enter. Though no sound could be heard, Kerndel was still sitting there, eyes closed, muttering arrogantly to himself.
Time passed, and the attention of those in the auditorium began to shift toward the entrance. Emeric was the first to speak.
“He’s here.”
Bellman lowered the barrier, watching as a man approached with the sound of measured footsteps.
Yet, Kerndel, oblivious to the man’s presence, continued boasting proudly.
“Hmm, that horned fish? Who knows. Even if it had attacked me, I imagine the result would’ve been the same.”
As his arrogance filled the auditorium, a round of applause echoed.
“Truly fitting of the First Seat,” came a deep, somewhat excited voice.
Kerndel’s eyes snapped open at the unexpected compliment, and Hersel approached him.
As Hersel closed the distance, Kerndel’s face began to pale.
“H-Hersel Ben Tenest, I-I didn’t mean what I just said…”
“No, no, you’re absolutely right. I’m sure Senior Kerndel could’ve defeated that fish with ease,” Hersel said, shaking his head as he looked around at the other leaders in the auditorium.
Everyone wore expressions of bewilderment, and Bellman felt the same.
“Kerndel defeating that fish?”
Even with Hersel saying so, it was hard to believe. But then Hersel began explaining his reasoning, confident in his assertion.
“I think people have been too quick to belittle Senior Kerndel because of the recent Ten Elites competition. That was merely a sparring match, nothing close to an environment where he could fully display his skills.”
Bellman nodded in partial agreement. After all, a sparring match is just that—it’s far from actual combat.
“I’ve come to believe that if those events had been a true fight for survival, he might have pushed me to reveal my true power.”
Bellman’s eyes narrowed at the absurdity of the statement. Hersel had easily defeated Berme, the Poison Viper, escaped the mind control of the Nightmare, and dispatched the Giant Swordfish with a mere flick of his finger.
Kerndel was strong, but compared to Hersel, he was far out of his league.
'If Kerndel had faced the Poison Viper Berme, he’d have been dead in three moves.’
As Bellman wondered why Hersel was spouting such nonsense, he began to doubt his ears. People were actually starting to believe Hersel’s words.
“That’s true, now that you think about it. Why else would Hersel have stepped back? Must be because Kerndel’s qualified.”
“Right. During the Ten Elites competition, Kerndel was caught off guard, wasn’t he? That’s why it ended so quickly.”
Bellman thought their words were foolish, but as he began to understand the reasoning, it made a little sense.
‘Is it because he’s ruled as the top dog for so long? People seem overly generous in their assessment of Kerndel.’
Kerndel had held the top spot for over two years, earning recognition for his strength.
Moreover, almost no one had witnessed Hersel’s abilities firsthand. Sure, he had recently shown his true worth by defeating the Giant Swordfish in front of many, but some thought the creature had simply rammed its head into the ground out of stupidity.
‘In a situation like this, why is he trying to make them believe such absurdities?’
Bellman looked at Hersel with a face full of questions. Then Emeric, standing nearby, let out a knowing chuckle.
“So that’s how it is, Hersel Ben Tenest.”
“Do you have some insight?” Bellman asked.
Emeric turned to him and said,
“Kerndel is Hersel Ben Tenest’s pawn. He placed that pathetic guy in the First Seat to use him. But now he probably thinks Kerndel is worthless and intends to exhaust his last bit of value before graduation.”
Bellman shivered at the realization.
“… If he’s not careful, Kerndel could die.”
“Hmm, showing sympathy for Kerndel? That’s quite a surprise,” Emeric replied, then looked over at Hersel, who was still stirring up the crowd.
“I believe in Kerndel,” Hersel announced. “As Ten Elites leader, he’ll fulfill his duty and achieve great feats before graduation. No one can deny that Kerndel is at the heart of the student body. I trust he’ll take a central role in our next mission.”
Emeric joined in, enthusiastically raising his fist.
“That’s right! If anyone can do it, it’s Kerndel!”
Bernthal, looking puzzled, whispered something to Emeric, who replied with a few words that caused Bernthal to join in as well.
Soon, even those who usually disliked Kerndel were swept up in the frenzy, and the auditorium was filled with wild cheers.
Bellman closed his eyes, unable to bear the brutal scene.
‘Everyone’s lost their senses. Do they even value human life at all…? From a moral standpoint, this is utterly unacceptable.’
“Yes, Kerndel can do it!”
Yet his own body responded differently.
***
In the midst of the cheering auditorium, Kerndel’s emotions grew more and more conflicted.
While he felt pleased by the praise, he also sensed that if this continued, he’d end up with a dangerous task.
If another high-ranking spirit appeared, he honestly wasn’t confident he could handle it.
He closed his eyes, recalling the Giant Swordfish.
‘If it had been me, I’d be dead.’
Despite his arrogance, he was actually well aware of his limits. Determined to regain control, he looked out at the students.
“Show them what you’re made of before graduation, Kerndel!”
“Yeah! As a third-year, have some pride! You can’t keep leaving it all to Hersel, right?”
“You may be annoying, but you’re our leader.”
It was hopeless.
They didn’t seem to be hearing him at all.
Kerndel glanced cautiously at the one responsible for all this.
Then, he witnessed something that made him freeze.
“Gah!”
Though Hersel had a hand covering his mouth, his eyes held a sly, sinister gleam that he couldn’t hide.
Cold sweat ran down Kerndel’s back as he staggered backward.
‘Th-this guy… could it be…?’
Thinking back, Hersel had no reason to promote him.
Their first impression of each other had been far from friendly; Hersel looked at him with barely disguised disdain.
In fact, if anything, they were enemies.
‘Hersel Ben Tenest… from the beginning, you intended to kill me, didn’t you?’
Murder was a grave crime within the academy. Yet, this timely opportunity had arisen. Kerndel wondered if Hersel had seized on this chance to send him into the jaws of death without dirtying his own hands. A mocking smile lingered on Hersel's face.
‘This petty guy… all of this just to kill me over something so trivial?’
Kerndel liked to boast, but he wasn’t someone blinded by his pride. As he scrambled to come up with a convincing excuse, a group of people began pouring into the auditorium. They were professors dressed in black robes. When Rockefeller, leading the group, stepped up onto the platform, Kerndel breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Of course. The professors will obviously assign the most dangerous mission to Hersel Ben Tenest.’
Rockefeller was a practical man. He would assign critical tasks to those who were truly fit for them. Kerndel shot a smirk in Hersel’s direction.
‘Your scheming just backfired.’
Feeling reassured that nothing alarming would happen, Kerndel listened as Rockefeller began explaining the objectives in detail.
“Spirits continue to pour in through a gate that has appeared behind the fortress.”
The plan centered on targeting this spirit gate and selecting key individuals for the mission.
“Some of you may have noticed the increased food supplies. We will launch the operation tonight, opening the barrier temporarily to form an attack force to destroy the spirit gate.”
It was a near-ambush strategy. When the barrier opens temporarily, a defensive line will form to stop any spirits from breaching. Because the outer barriers are linked, opening one would expose them all.
“They’ll do whatever they can to prevent us from reaching the gate, but we don’t have enough resources to hold a full line. Many forces will be deployed to guard the fortress.”
The remaining forces would charge toward the spirit gate. A handful of professors would lead the students, clearing a path through the spirits so the attack team could reach the gate.
“Of course, the spirit gate is critical to them. A high-ranking spirit will inevitably appear to defend it. I have Lady Bellen in mind to handle this, along with one other—"
Just as Rockefeller was about to name the other person, Hersel raised his hand and asked,
“What role will the Headmaster take on?”
Rockefeller, visibly annoyed, replied, “Headmaster Arkandric will remain stationed in the engine room to manage the barrier.”
As Hersel lowered his hand, Rockefeller pulled out the assignment list.
“Now, I will call the names of the unit leaders assigned to the attack team.”
Several names passed by. Kerndel instinctively sensed that whoever paired with Bellen to handle the high-ranking spirit would face the most danger. He silently prayed to be assigned to a simpler attack team, like the others. But then, he heard a familiar name from Rockefeller's lips.
