Editor : Amethyst00



Rustle—rustle—

A group of 2nd-year students moved cautiously through a pitch-dark forest, tense expressions on their faces.

"Haa~ It's really dark."

At the center of the party, Shasha snapped her folding fan shut with a crack and sighed deeply.

The place they were walking through was as dark as night.

No—darker than night.

At least night had moonlight and starlight.

But this dense and thick forest let in not a single ray of sunlight.

The party now relied solely on the mages' Light Magic.

Before entering the forest, a few students had suggested clearing the trees to improve visibility.

But that idea was quickly shot down by the summoning department students.

"If we do that, the one we'll be facing might not be Xia-sunbae… but the Elemental Lord of Darkness."

This forest on Island No. 6 was called the Forest of Darkness, the home and sanctuary of the elementals of darkness.

And before the current 2nd-years had even enrolled, the Abyssal Elemental Lord, Ignis had settled in Lumene.

Originally, he invited to strengthen Lumene's defenses, Ignis ended up making this forest its domain, and it had remained so ever since.

Entering the forest wasn't forbidden.

But damaging the sanctuary of the dark elementals was a surefire way to incur Ignis's wrath.

In the end, the 2nd-years had no choice but to rely on magic as they advanced.

"Aina. Do you sense anything suspicious?"

"Not yet."

At Aina's flat reply, Shasha unfolded her fan again and gently fanned herself.

The 2nd-years had split into four teams, and Aina and Shasha were in the same group.

At that moment, El Jane, who had gone ahead for reconnaissance, emerged from the darkness.

"How's the surrounding?"

"Nothing at all."

"This might take quite a while, huh?"

Shasha sighed quietly.

El Jane placed both her hands on her hips and also sighed softly.

"Finding the princess is no easy task,"

"Yeah, yeah. I've heard that enough to last a lifetime,"

Shasha replied snippily.

"Finding Xia-sunbae definitely won't be easy. But she's not just going to run and hide from us."

"That's true, but…"

El Jane shook her head.

Aina tilted her head slightly at El Jane's response.

Then it happened—

"Guys!"

Another reconnaissance shadow-origin student returned with a grave expression.

"There's been a battle."

"What?!"

The 2nd-years' eyes widened.

The forest was quiet.

But that didn't mean it blocked out sound entirely.

Even in darkness, the sound of battle would carry from afar.

Especially in a place this silent.

And yet they hadn't heard anything, but a battle had taken place?

Guided to the scene of the battle, the 2nd-year students could only fall silent.

Under the glow of Light magic, thin threads stretched between the trees shimmered.

A magic student swallowed hard.

"That's… that's the 'Thread Knife' Xia-sunbae used during last year's midterms, right?"

It was a thread-shaped blade.

Chen Xia had used it to weave a trap and hunt her opponents.

Just like a spider.

The image of top-ranking 2nd-year magic student Emio being effortlessly taken down had been burned into the first-years' memories.

"This looks like a total wipeout."

"Jeez. How did it happen without a sound?"

The 2nd-years shuddered as they examined the aftermath.

"Mages, deploy Search magic," Shasha ordered quickly.

"El Jane, protect me by my side just in case."

"Leave it to me!"

Even with Light Magic, if it was Chen Xia, she might still reach Shasha.

Shasha was the party's main damage dealer, so protecting her was essential.

Additionally, she also the commander.

While Aina excelled at solo combat, she struggled to lead others.

Without Shasha, their chain of command would collapse into chaos.

So, El Jane positioned herself to Shasha's rear.

The 2nd-years stayed alert.

At that moment, as El Jane raised her hand behind Shasha—

Flash—!

A golden light burst forth.

Brilliant golden aura slashed toward El Jane.

CRASH—!

"Eek?!"

The strike missed Shasha by a hair's breadth, making her scream instinctively.

El Jane barely dodged Aina's strike and shouted.

"What the hell are you doing, Aina?!"

The rest of the party froze, stunned.

Then Aina said, coolly and decisively, "It's not going to work, sunbae."

"What nonsense are you talking about"

El Jane shouted angrily.

But Shasha spoke while looked closely at El Jane.

"Aina, are you saying that this Jane is Xia-sunbae in disguise?"

"Yes."

"What? That's absurd!"

"First of all, El Jane and Xia-sunbae don't have the same build."

"Yeah! Exactly! No way she could pull off that kind of disguise without magic or summoning."

"I don't sense any magic or spiritual power either."

El Jane had always admired Chen Xia and tried to resemble her

From her hairstyle to her fashion.

So, it made her a perfect target for impersonation.

But El Jane was taller than Chen Xia.

And this person looked just like the usual El Jane.

Still, the 2nd-years started watching her warily.

Because Aina wouldn't spout nonsense.

"What's your proof?"

Shasha asked, eyes locked on El Jane.

No matter how she looked at El Jane, she seemed the same to herself.

To that, Aina answered.

"She's got bigger boobs."

"What?"

"Her chest size is different. They're bigger than El Jane's."

"…"

"…"

At those words, everyone's eyes slowly shifted to El Jane's chest.

"Oh dear. I thought I had bound them tightly enough,"

El Jane, no Chen Xia looked troubled, then she smiled faintly and spoke to the boys.

"How long are you going to keep staring, boys?"

Startled, the boys all looked away.

Shasha screamed in horror seeing that.

"You idiots! Why would you look away now?!"

Knives flew from Chen Xia's hands like bullets.

Thwip-thwip-thwip—BOOM!

The explosive impact was far too powerful to be simply thrown blades.

Tiiing—!

Aina's sword trembled violently as she blocked one.

She gripped her sword wrist tightly.

The daggers weren't just fast.

They also packed incredible destructive force.

The boys who had turned their heads gulped nervously.

Had Aina not been there, they would've been incapacitated instantly.

As they froze in fear—

Flash—!

Aina closed the distance and swung her sword at Chen Xia's neck without hesitation.

"Mhmm. As expected, Aina, you so ruthless."

Most would hesitate to strike a senior—but not Aina.

She didn't flinch the moment she judged her opponent as an enemy.

As a knight.

As a swordswoman.

That was her greatest strength.

And the reason she remained to be strongest among her peers.

Chen Xia smoothly redirected Aina's blade with a gentle palm motion.

But Aina's sword curved like a snake and pursued again.

'Luke may be the current class representative, but…'

Since last year, Aina had never once relinquished the title of strongest 2nd-year.

Luke with terrifying growth had rapidly caught up to her in their first-year finals, even managed to match and even surpassing her in one duel.

But he hadn't completely surpassed her.

Luke’s power allowed him to take one step forward only when facing a limit.

He could stand equal to Aina for a brief moment, but not overcome her fully.

And yet, he's the grade representative for a simple reason.

Because Aina's fighting spirit had faded.

'Or more accurately, her killing intent disappeared.'

Because of Luke's influence, Aina shifted focus in 2nd year—from being the strongest to looking out for others.

The successor to the Sword Saint, once isolated, was now blending in with her surroundings.

And because of that—

'She's clearly improved.'

The other 2nd-years hadn't noticed.

But to Chen Xia, it was obvious.

As if she had return to her freshman self.

Her skill stood on a different level compared to her peers.

Expressionless, yet her eyes burned with resolve.

The determination to reclaim her rightful place.

She hadn't gone easy on Luke.

She had sharpened herself until she could win decisively.

Chen Xia followed the chaotic blur of Aina's sword with narrowed eyes.

Terrifying speed.

'But it's not just fast.'

Among 3rd-years, Duran and Eliana were known for fast swordplay.

Their strength lay in overwhelming force through speed.

But Aina's sword was different.

It was fast—yet unpredictable, refined, and elegant.

The sword of the noble Sword Saint.

Slash—

Aina's blade grazed Chen Xia's cheek.

Tap—

Chen Xia touched her left cheek with her index finger and smiled.

"Woooah!"

"Aina's amazing!"

"She's not even losing against Chen Xia-sunbae!"

Cheers erupted from all sides.

But Aina bit her lip.

"No."

"Eh?"

"Xia-sunbae… hasn't even begun yet."

Aina tensed her muscles.

This fleeting moment might be her only chance.

Crack—pop—

Chen Xia's joints cracked could be heard as her body began to shrink.

With a sweep of her palm, her face changed back to normal.

El Jane's loose-fitting uniform now hung off her smaller frame.

Chen Xia rolled her shoulders and sighed.

"This technique's great and all, but it makes my body stiff."

And it wasn't just that.

With her skeletal structure altered, her aura and strength weren't at full capacity.

"Ugh—!"

She stretched with a yawn, her joint cracking refreshingly.

Then, she kicked off the ill-fitting shoes and casually stripped and shrugged off El Jane's uniform.

The uniform blouse and skirt fluttered in the air.

The boys, startled, immediately turned their heads away.

Shasha clutched her chest and screamed.

"Ugh! How many times do I have to say this?! Don't turn your heads, you idiots! She's not naked! Stop imagining weird stuff!"

Like she’d breathe fire, Shasha shouted furiously.

Normally she's graceful and polite, but Shasha's temper turned foul when angry.

"One, two, three, four."

Now she wearing her own uniform, Chen Xia began light warm-ups barefoot.

Her relaxed demeanor puzzled the 2nd-years.

Time was on their side.

So, they expected Chen Xia to attack swiftly.

But she didn't. She waited.

As if waiting for someone else.

"Xia-sunbae…!"

"Form an enclosure!"

The remaining parties arrived, and Chen Xia found herself surrounded. Excluding the party she wiped out, 3rd-quarters of the 2nd-years were now present.

"Xia-sunbae, aren't you being a bit too relaxed?" Shasha asked, covering her mouth with her fan.

It was obvious that Chen Xia had waited for them to gather.

'Does she have a trick up her sleeve?'

"There's no tricks."

Chen Xia smiled.

"I'm just that confident."

That made Haviden narrow his eyes.

"I respect you, sunbae. But no matter who you are, this is too much. You're underestimating us too much."

"If you're only looking at me as 'hero candidate Chen Xia,' maybe."

"What?"

Chen Xia nodded, as if understanding.

"You know… in the darkness…"

She smiled.

At that moment, the knights in front of her froze in horror.

Fsssshh—

Chen Xia's body began to fade.

"Except for the one person."

She grinned.

"I'm the strongest among the 3rd-year."

And with those words, Chen Xia vanished.