Luka voluntarily took on the task of monitoring the dungeon conquest today. He wanted to etch the duel between Lucy and the Second Prince into his memory.
Considering the map of the academy had mysteriously disappeared from his desk once, this battle was sure to be entertaining.
Luka anticipated a tense match between the two, but reality was different. Lucy, who had entered the academy dungeon alone, began to conquer it at an overwhelming speed, filled with a variety of antics.
Flying using the power of the yeti and lightweight scrolls. Breaking through the forest by utilizing wolf instincts. Forcing the boss of Floor 40 into a charge route, causing it to fall to its death. Poisoning the boss of Floor 60 with her own venom until it died.
“What am I looking at?”
Luka, the dungeon professor who conceived and designed this dungeon, couldn’t shake off his astonishment at the breathtaking spectacle before him. He had to admit that he underestimated Lucy.
The blessing she possessed concerning dungeons was something Luka couldn’t even fathom.
After merely half a day, Lucy conquered the academy dungeon and emerged victorious.
“How should I explain this situation to the other professors?”
The professor’s face turned pale, seemingly at a loss for how to convince everyone that the difficulty level wasn’t set incorrectly, but that was not Luka's concern.
“I’ll go explain that this isn’t an error to the students first.”
“...Go ahead.”
As Luka stepped forward to explain, everyone began to recognize Lucy’s victory as legitimate, but the victorious Lucy Alrn herself did not seem satisfied with the current situation.
Despite the congratulations from those around her, she wore an ambiguous expression and said:
“I need to check the Second Prince’s level. I’m really curious about how skilled he thinks he is to believe he can beat me.”
When Luka heard her intent to provoke the Second Prince, he thought that the young lady’s confidence was excessive.
She was keenly aware of the Second Prince’s capabilities while searching for stars in Soul Academy.
The Second Prince is strong. His talents are enough to overshadow ordinary knights, and even the captain of the knight order has proclaimed him a genius.
No matter how exceptional Lucy is for her age, she is still young. She is still in a period of growth.
The gap of a year during this growth period is immeasurable compared to a year among adults.
Is Lucy's talent overwhelming enough to bridge that gap?
Luka questioned Lucy’s confidence, but he didn’t try to dissuade her.
Why should he intervene when she was diving directly into her trial? He should assist her in facing her challenges.
Luka ensured that Lucy's wish was perfectly fulfilled. He allowed the Second Prince and Lucy to battle without interference.
Watching the fight between Lucy and the Second Prince, Luka’s expression was serious.
He wore a heavy look, as if he would intervene at the slightest accident. Others viewed him as a caring teacher worrying about his student, but beneath that serious demeanor, Luka's true nature was humming with delight at the spectacle of their duel.
Once again, the black aura clashed with the pure white divinity. A taut standoff where neither seemed willing to give an inch.
The one that fell back was the pure white, but it was not due to being consumed by black. It was a strategy to break balance and target the master of the black.
As the force supporting him disappeared, the Second Prince leaned forward. Consequently, his defense became lax, and Lucy seized the opportunity.
The shield struck the Second Prince’s side, sending his body soaring into the air before crashing down to the ground.
“Is this the end?♡ So the muscle of the Beetle Prince was merely for show?♡ While it looks imposing on the outside, it’s just hollow muscle, isn’t it?♡”
Even as Lucy mocked him, the Second Prince stood up again, but his body had already reached its limit.
The outcome was clear. No matter how much the Second Prince struggled now, it wouldn’t change anything.
Lucy remained in perfect condition, while the Second Prince was in a state where it wouldn’t be surprising if he fell at any moment.
Lady Alrn's talent was indeed genuine. She was completely overwhelming the Second Prince.
Of course, one must consider that the Second Prince was utterly exhausted and Lucy had taken sufficient rest, but even so, the disparity remained.
If they had fought in perfect condition, it might have been a more impressive battle. However, that was just a matter of difference. The outcome wouldn’t have changed.
The Second Prince could not defeat Lady Alrn.
She was reading the Second Prince's every move.
From the very beginning, Luka observed Lucy Alrn’s abilities as the battle unfolded.
Her shield skills had grown incomparably since she entered the academy.
Her physical abilities were outstanding enough to engage in a contest of strength against the Second Prince.
Her mastery of words that stirred the opponent's emotions.
None of these aspects were unimpressive, but what Luka found most astonishing was Lucy’s combat logic.
In the midst of the exchanges, she consistently chose the best moves.
Not merely blocking with her shield, but also distracting her opponent with her movements, pretending to engage in a contest of strength, and when her opponent began to suspect, she would push forward with precision.
Lucy Alrn had been reading the Second Prince perfectly from the start.
His abilities. His personality. His attacks. She had grasped everything and was toying with him.
That kind of combat logic, seemingly playing with the opponent, isn’t something easily acquired.
Simply having outstanding talent, a good lineage, or a wealth of resources doesn’t guarantee possession of such skills.
What is required to achieve that is struggle.
It can only be obtained through numerous battles and life-and-death clashes with countless opponents, yet how does this young girl possess it?
As Luka reaffirmed the ability of a talent he aimed to polish, he pondered the Alrn family.
What kind of training do they undergo that grants a child, who isn’t even an adult yet, a judgment that surpasses that of a seasoned mercenary?
If given the chance, he would like to gain insight on this later.
...What’s that?
What caught Luka’s eye was the black aura enveloping the Second Prince's sword.
It wasn’t merely resting on the sword; it bore weight and pressure.
An aura with its own unique characteristics. That’s something that can only be handled once a certain level is surpassed.
Had he gained enlightenment in a critical situation?
Seeing that, Luka reflected Lucy’s confident gaze to the surroundings.
It was a deliberate misinterpretation, but it didn’t matter. After all, Lucy hadn’t directly expressed her intentions. He had never defied her wishes.
“Professor Luka, isn’t that dangerous? No matter how much the young lady desires it.”
Indeed, that was dangerous. It was an attack that no academy student should be able to withstand.
“Don’t worry. If it gets dangerous, I will respond directly.”
However, Luka had no intention of intervening there. He wanted to see how Lucy would respond.
As the Second Prince, now in a trance-like state, raised his sword, Lucy pushed her shield forward.
In response, the divinity she possessed gathered at the front of her shield.
An overwhelming density of divinity.
It was so warm it felt hot. It was like looking at a small sun, and according to Lucy’s will, it spread out over the shield, forming another shield in front of it.
“...Hah.”
Luka, caught up in the sight, forgot to put on his serious face and let out a gasp of admiration.
Could she truly be someone favored by the gods, crafted by their hands?
Ah, Lady Alrn is too radiant. Even though the crafting isn’t complete, she shines so brightly it blinds the eyes.
How dazzling will she be when all is finished?
Is her intention to turn the dark night sky into day and fade all the stars?
Suppressing the urge to smile that wanted to escape, Luka regained his composure and spoke to the dungeon professor beside him.
“There’s no need to intervene, right? Professor Jesel?”
“...Yes.”
The pure white shield, shining so brightly it could even dim the sunset's scarlet hue, effortlessly blocked the descending sword.
At the moment the Second Prince’s sword fell onto the shield made of divinity, I was certain.
That sword could not pierce my shield. In the presence of that brilliantly shining shield, the Second Prince’s darkness was powerless.
My predictions were not wrong. At the end of a considerably long standoff, it was the exhausted Second Prince who crumbled first.
Overwhelmed by the shield's light, the Second Prince fell backward, staring blankly at the sky, struggling to catch his breath. He appeared utterly unable to rise.
As I approached, I withdrew the divinity that had gathered in front of my shield and moved toward the Second Prince.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
Perhaps because he had just poured out all his power and rage, traces of rationality returned to his eyes.
“Monster...”
I couldn’t help but smile at the Second Prince's exhausted voice as he looked up at me.
A monster, huh? That’s what I wanted to say.
It hasn’t even been a year since the game started, and to reach the level of imbuing an aura with characteristics, what does he expect?
If I hadn’t trained like crazy with Grandpa, it would have been a big problem.
‘Good job.’
“Not bad for an idiot prince. You may not be as good as me, but how many are?”
“Damn... you...”
Ding!
Just as the exhausted Second Prince was about to close his eyes, a notification sound rang out.
[Quest Clear!] [You have succeeded in teaching the Second Prince a lesson!] [Reward ‘Shock Conversion’ has been granted!]
It’s here!
It’s here!
It’s heeeeeere!
I silently cheered at the confirmation of the reward.
Shock Conversion.
One of the skills that every character who fights on the front lines and takes damage must possess.
Its effect allows part of the damage received to be converted into a resource.
So now, simply blocking the enemy’s attacks will restore my divinity!
I could become a constant healing machine that could endlessly recover while attacking!
Ah, I want to test it out soon.
I want to feel how great this skill’s performance is in my body.
Let’s test it during one of the trials that Luka said he could prepare for tomorrow.
No, wait. Should I go tonight?
It wouldn’t matter if I skipped a day of sleep anyway.
<Hey, girl.>
As I couldn’t contain my anticipation and was grinning, the old man called me softly.
‘What? What is it?’
<Look around.>
Around? Why?
Upon hearing the old man’s voice and returning to reality, I felt the gazes directed at me.
There were various types, but most of the students' gazes were similar.
Fear. Or dread.
...Did I do something wrong?
Why are they looking at me like I’m some street thug?
I didn’t do anything that special, right?