BFBG 09

Chapter 09

The next morning.

Chloe was reporting to the current Pope of the Church of Zenas.

—T-That’s true?! The Child of God has truly…?!

“Yes. Jian Bellomata. That child is exactly the Child of God we’ve been searching for. It seems Endrich sensed the fragment and targeted Jian because of it.”

—Ahh… O God Zenas…

The Pope began reciting prayers in a voice filled with emotion.

The Child of God, whom they had searched for over a hundred years, had finally been discovered during his tenure.

How could he not be overwhelmed?

—Then… what kind of child was he? This Jian Bellomata.

“I’ve only seen him once, so I can’t say for certain… but for now, he seemed to have a strong core.”

She’d need to observe him more closely to know for sure, but at first glance, he seemed like a good child.

“And… he appears to possess tremendous ability.”

—Oh? Not merely skilled, but tremendous, you say?

“Yes.”

Chloe recalled holding Jian’s hand yesterday.

“Even after directly touching him… I couldn’t perceive the limit of his power.”

—Hoh… A person whose strength even you cannot gauge?

“Yes. That’s right.”

Chloe never once believed the power she sensed from Jian yesterday represented his full capability.

After all, Jian had defeated a Death Knight alone.

—Then it would be better not to assign surveillance.

“Yes. Surveillance is more likely to become poison.”

There was an extremely high chance any surveillance would be noticed.

And if Jian discovered the Church of Zenas was watching him, he would inevitably develop a negative impression of them.

In that case, it was better not to monitor him at all.

—Then the only option is to entrust observing that child to you. Until the day he fully awakens. Watch over him carefully.

“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure he doesn’t stray… and guide him properly.”

—Mm. I’m counting on you.

“Yes. You needn’t worry. I’ll definitely live up to expectations.”

The communication ended there.

“…Yes. It’s been so long since an opportunity like this came along. I have to prove myself worthy.”

After placing the communication cross on the table, she rose and headed outside.

“Lady Chloe, good morning.”

A nun cleaning near the monastery entrance greeted her warmly.

“Good morning.”

“Are you heading out?”

“Yes. I have something to take care of at school.”

Though Chloe was enrolled as a second-year student at Garam Academy, she was a self-directed student who wasn’t required to attend classes.

Not because she was specially treated as a Saintess—she had earned the privilege fairly through exams.

“Today? Aren’t second and third years off today?”

“Ah, I’m not going because of class. There’s someone I need to see.”

At Chloe’s words, the nun widened her eyes and covered her mouth in exaggerated surprise.

“Oh my. Could it be you’re going to see that gentleman you mentioned yesterday?”

“I am going to see junior Jian. But not for the reason you’re imagining, Rosa.”

“I wondered if it might be true… and it really was? My goodness. Lady Chloe showing interest in a man…”

The nun laughed behind her hand at Chloe’s unusually strong reaction.

“I’m joking. You’re going to check that freshman named Jian’s abilities, right?”

The reason second and third years had no classes today was because the entire academic building was reserved for first-years.

Today was the freshman class placement exam.

“Yes. That’s right. The Church expressed interest in recruiting him. They told me to evaluate his abilities before approaching him properly.”

“Oh? An order came directly from headquarters?”

“Yes.”

She’d need excuses prepared beforehand if she intended to continue going out to see Jian in the future.

This would make things easier later.

“Then… aren’t you leaving rather late?”

“…Late?”

Only about an hour had passed since the placement tests started.

The worthwhile exams probably hadn’t even begun yet.

What did she mean by late?

“Seems you haven’t heard.”

“Did something happen?”

“Ah, nothing bad.”

Sister Lisa nodded.

“There’s a rumor that freshman Jian Bellomata and Lionel, commander of the Radiant Tiger Knights, are going to spar.”

“…The Radiant Tiger Knights… commander…?”

Chloe froze for about three seconds.

‘M-Must hurry…!’

She immediately removed her coat and handed it to Sister Lisa.

“Lisa, this…”

“Lady Chloe? Why are you—”

“Please hold onto it for a moment!”

Then, immediately after—

She dashed toward the academy building at the speed of light.

How did things end up like this…?

“As expected of the world’s greatest academy. Such flexibility—I like it. If only the kingdom’s blockheads resembled this by even ten percent, I’d die happy.”

A gigantic man over two meters tall.

Commander of the Radiant Tiger Knights.

A monster who ranked among the top three in combat power within the Canarion Kingdom.

[Lionel Vile]
[Commander of the Radiant Tiger Knights]
[LV.81]

Even among all humanity, he was likely one of the ten strongest monsters alive—

And he was laughing heartily.

As though this situation delighted him beyond measure.

As though nothing could make him happier.

“Hm? Your expression looks poor. Aren’t you happy? By merely crossing blades lightly with me, you’re exempt from over twelve hours of unbearably dull basic tests.”

“…Yes. I’m happy. Extremely happy.”

Happy my ass.

Twelve hours or 120 hours—I’d rather honestly take the tests.

‘Why the hell do I have to spar with this insane monster?!’

Thinking about it again, it was absurd.

My placement exam was a one-on-one spar with this monster, Lionel.

Had the Garam Academy instructors been shot in the head?

How could they make a freshman fight a kingdom’s knight commander?

“I don’t know what worries you, but there’s no need to think too seriously. They call it a spar, but really all you need to do is swing your sword at me with all your strength.”

“Just swing my sword…?”

“Exactly. Simply strike me with everything you’ve got! At full power!”

BOOM!

An aura embodying battle lust erupted around Lionel.

“Ghk…!”

“Kuh…!”

The two knights standing behind him collapsed from the pressure.

“Oops. I forgot. We weren’t alone.”

[You repel Commander Lionel’s ‘Presence’.]

Of course, I was fine.

Status-effect skills didn’t work on me at all.

“Hm. To faint without even taking it head-on… Seems their training is lacking. I’ll have to start over from basics when we return.”

Lionel clicked his tongue while looking at the unconscious knights.

…Let’s offer condolences for their future.

After glancing at them in disappointment, Lionel turned back to me.

“As I said, all you need to do is attack me with everything you have.”

“And you won’t counterattack?”

“Of course not. I’ll only defend.”

Ah.

So that was it.

“In other words… despite calling it a spar, it’s basically no different from hitting a practice dummy to measure attack power?”

“Hahaha! Exactly! Think of me as an impact-absorbing scarecrow and swing with all you’ve got!”

…What.

I got nervous for nothing.

If it was that kind of test, then maybe—

“Interesting. Never thought I’d feel excitement toward someone not even twenty years old. Truly, life is worth living long.”

No, wait.

Hold on.

This wasn’t the time to relax.

‘Right now, in Lionel’s mind, I’m an elite among elites—someone who instantly killed a Death Knight and wiped out dozens of wyverns.’

But my real ability wasn’t anywhere near that level.

If I took the exam as-is, there’d definitely be problems.

‘The wyverns—I could claim impersonation or something. But the Death Knight… there’s no excuse.’

If it became clear I lacked the strength to kill a Death Knight alone—

They’d investigate what happened between me and the Death Knight again.

And regardless of the conclusion…

I’d be in serious trouble.

‘…I’m screwed.’

What do I do?

How can I get through this crisis safely?

“LIONEL!”

At that moment, Aris came running from afar with an angry expression.

Apparently she’d been taking basic tests until now.

“What discourteous thing are you doing to my benefactor?!”

“Princess. Please calm yourself. This isn’t what you think—”

“I refuse to hear it! I’ll immediately petition Father to send you back—!”

…Ah.

I remembered.

A way to get through this situation safely.

“Princess, please listen first. This is beneficial for Sir Jian as well—”

“Commander.”

I interrupted Lionel.

“I know this is an unreasonable request, but… could you change the contents of the test?”

“…Oh?”

Seeing my serious expression, perhaps he sensed something.

The corners of Lionel’s mouth rose with anticipation.

“Speak. How should the test be changed?”

But his smile collapsed instantly after my next words.

“I’d like us to switch offense and defense.”

“…What?”

Switch offense and defense.

Meaning—

Lionel attacks, and I defend.

“You’re asking me to attack?”

“Yes.”

“…Are you serious?”

Normally, in spars like this, the stronger person defended.

Naturally.

Because offense held an overwhelming advantage over defense.

“So you mean…”

To Lionel, my words likely sounded like this:

“You’re saying you’re stronger than me?”

Since I’m stronger, switch roles.

“Of course not. I’m not that arrogant. If we fought fairly, I wouldn’t compare to the tip of your foot, Commander.”

“Then why suggest switching?”

“First, because I’m more confident in defense.”

“And?”

If that were the only reason, Lionel wouldn’t accept.

Claiming confidence in defense wasn’t enough to make a man like him lower his pride.

“And this is the biggest reason…”

To make Lionel accept—

I had to provoke his fighting spirit.

“I’m not confident I could defeat you through offense.”

“That means…”

Interest flashed in Lionel’s eyes.

“You’re confident you could beat me through defense?”

An expression of extreme curiosity.

He was genuinely interested now.

“Yes.”

Meeting Lionel’s anticipation-filled gaze directly, I answered confidently.

“That much, I’m sure of.”

Lionel stared at me silently for about three seconds.

Then—

“Ha… haha. HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!”

He burst into laughter loud enough to shake the heavens.

“Very well. As you propose, we’ll switch offense and defense.”

Commander Lionel accepted my suggestion.

“Sir Lionel! What are you saying?! What if something happens—”

“Princess. Look into Sir Jian’s eyes. After seeing those eyes… what man could refuse?”

Princess Aris protested.

But after hearing Lionel’s response, she fell silent.

“…If anything happens, Sir Lionel will bear responsibility.”

“Yes. Naturally.”

“Hah… Ever since you first met him, you kept saying you wanted to fight him, spar with him. And now your wish comes true.”

“Haha. It seems heaven was moved by my virtue and sent me a gift.”

Leaving behind a final, ‘Then I’ll see you shortly,’ Lionel departed.

Now only Princess Aris and I remained in the waiting room.

“I’m sorry. Because of Sir Lionel…”

“You don’t need to worry. I’m actually grateful to him.”

“Grateful…?”

“Yes. With this spar, I don’t have to endure twelve hours of boring basic tests.”

“…Being able to rest legally. That is a little enviable.”

Spending twelve hours doing nonstop tests wasn’t easy.

Skipping all of it legally?

Something to be thankful for.

“Besides, as a swordsman, I wanted to see Sir Lionel’s swordsmanship.”

That was a lie.

Lionel’s sword?

If possible—

I never wanted to see it in my life.

“…I see. So in the end, you’re still a swordsman.”

Aris sighed softly and stared at me.

Her eyes seemed to regard me as both foolish… and admirable.

“If you put it that way, I won’t say anything more. Go on then. As fellow swordsmen… enjoy yourselves.”

After saying that, the princess stood.

She probably thought I needed time to focus.

“Princess.”

But I couldn’t let her leave.

Who did she think inspired this offense-defense switch plan?

I couldn’t just send her away.

‘I tried to make this sound reasonable… or set up the situation properly. But no, forget it.’

If circumstances wouldn’t cooperate, there was no choice.

Even if it felt forced—

I had to push forward.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you, Princess.”

“…Ask?”

“I know this may sound completely sudden…”

I extended my hand toward her.

“Your hand…”

A blessing.

“Would you… please hold my hand?”

Grant me the blessing of one loved by all things.

“Y-Your hand…?”

The princess’s eyes widened as large as lanterns.