“What is that…?”
“That’s Loxley’s contracted spirit.”
Rourke explains to Leia, who wears a look of astonishment.
The Silver Knight, now resembling a silvery, gelatinous substance, writhes and contorts its body eerily. Its appearance is nothing like the armored knight it had been moments before.
“A Metal Slime. That’s the true form of the Silver Knight.”
“A Metal Slime… I’ve never seen one before.”
Leia, utterly shocked by the unexpected identity of Loxley’s contracted spirit, gazes at the Silver Knight with a stunned expression.
Among the low-tier water spirits known as Slimes, the Metal Slime is unique in that it possesses metallic properties. Its rarity is unparalleled even when compared to other spirits, and its timid nature makes it notoriously difficult to contract with.
“I figured as much. Loxley is the first person I’ve seen who has one as a contracted spirit.”
“But to overwhelm that man with just a Metal Slime…”
Metal Slimes are rare, but their capabilities aren’t particularly high. While they are undeniably stronger than regular Slimes, they still pale in comparison to high-tier water spirits like Kyle’s Mizuchi.
Yet, despite this, Loxley is fighting with ease against an opponent who had given both Rourke and Leia a hard time.
“That’s Loxley’s strength.”
Rourke speaks with a tone of respect for Loxley.
In the academy, the rank of Loxley’s contracted spirit is likely considered low to mid-tier.
In fact, because of this, Loxley was initially looked down upon both at home and within the academy, much like Rourke. However, Loxley paid no heed to the scornful gazes of others and continued to focus on his spirit. Eventually, he rose to the position of Disciplinary Committee Chairman and climbed to the fourth rank in the academy.
If Misha and Trallus are geniuses who were born with rare talents, Loxley can be considered a prodigy who achieved his strength through relentless effort and trial and error.
As someone who shares a similar background, Rourke couldn’t help but feel respect for Loxley.
“But why did it take the form of a knight at first…?”
Judging from the Silver Knight’s final movements, it seemed stronger when it transformed its entire body into a weapon rather than maintaining the shape of a knight.
“That was to mislead the opponent about my contracted spirit and gain the upper hand.”
Leia, startled by the voice that came from unexpectedly close by, turned to see Loxley standing right beside her, having approached without her noticing.
“In fact, he fell for it and thought my contracted spirit was a Knight Spirit, which gave me the opening to land a hit.”
“That’s true.”
Leia nods in understanding. Indeed, the series of attacks had succeeded because Haunted had completely underestimated Loxley’s contracted spirit, leaving him open.
“Well, it seems it wasn’t enough…”
Loxley, having returned the Silver Knight’s body to its usual knight form and dismissed it to the side, spots a figure slowly rising from the cloud of dust.
“A Metal Slime, huh? I’ve got to hand it to you.”
“Hand it to me? You’re one creepy guy.”
Loxley grimaces in disgust as Haunted praises him.
“…Are you really human?”
“Rude, aren’t you? What else would I be?”
“…………”
Loxley’s words resonate with Rourke, who also turns his gaze toward Haunted. Haunted’s exposed, well-built upper body is covered in sand, dust, and gravel, but that’s all.
Yes, that’s all. The countless puncture wounds from the Silver Knight’s attacks, the numerous slashes Rourke had inflicted, and the burns from Salamander—all of them have completely vanished from Haunted’s body.
“This isn’t just healing magic…”
They had noticed that the wounds were regenerating. But while they had assumed it was within the bounds of healing magic, this level of regeneration was abnormal.
Not only was there no trace of the wounds, but the speed of regeneration was also far too unnatural.
Loxley’s attacks had dealt enough damage to incapacitate Haunted, yet in such a short time, he had regenerated as if he had never been injured in the first place.
“Well, shall we reset? Was this the fourth round? Or the third?”
“Who cares?”
“It’s the final round, isn’t it?”
Loxley spits out the words as Haunted tilts his head in confusion. Behind him, Rourke slowly stands up and mutters.
“Senpai!”
“Thanks for the healing. I can move now.”
Rourke gently pushes away Leia’s hand, which was trying to stop him, and stands beside Loxley.
“Are your wounds okay?”
“More or less. it’s better
Leia inwardly denies Rourke’s words as she watches him rotate his shoulder.
From the outside, it seems like he’s healed somewhat, but internally, he’s still a mess. He must be in excruciating pain with every movement, yet Rourke shows no sign of it on his face.
“Then, shall we go on the offensive?”
“…I’ll support.”
“Hah.”
Loxley laughs at Rourke’s slightly awkward response and extends his hand forward. In response, the Silver Knight’s body elongates and moves in front of its master.
Soon, the Silver Knight transforms into a silver spear, which Loxley grabs and spins skillfully.
“Well, I came all the way here. Make sure you back me up properly.”
“Don’t have to tell me.”
“This is getting exciting!”
Rourke responds to Loxley’s words as he begins gathering micro-spirits around him.
Haunted, seemingly energized by Rourke’s participation, smiles as he raises his sword. But then, as if noticing something, he turns his gaze toward the ruined temple.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Huh?”
Right after Haunted mutters in shock,
four figures burst out from the entrance of the ruined temple, heading toward them. Rourke, startled, looks to see that the newcomers are Haunted’s companions—Dejan and Bora, along with two humanoid wolves, Dejan’s contracted spirits.
Thinking it might be reinforcements, Rourke and Leia heighten their guard, while Loxley, who doesn’t know who they are, looks confused. Then, a massive surge of spiritual power erupts from behind them.
Before they can process what’s happening, a torrent of water gushes out from the exit, and a battered humanoid wolf is swept out, tumbling onto the ground.
“Haunted, we’re retreating.”
“Eh? We haven’t finished recruiting yet.”
“Time’s up.”
“Whoa, guh!?”
Haunted complains at Dejan’s order, but one of the humanoid wolves bites down on his neck without hesitation and drags him away, ignoring Rourke and the others.
“Hey, that hurts like hell!”
“Bora.”
“Shadow Step.”
“Wait a sec—”
At Dejan’s command, Bora activates the contract mark on his arm. The shadow at his feet expands, and the three of them sink into it, vanishing in an instant.
“…They retreated.”
“…Yeah.”
Loxley and Rourke remain on guard for a while longer, but sensing no spiritual power or presence in the vicinity, they finally confirm that their opponents have withdrawn.
“I was just getting into it…”
“Personally, I’m relieved…”
Perhaps the tension had drained away with the enemy’s retreat. Rourke, who was already near his limit, suddenly collapses to his knees mid-sentence and falls forward.
“Whoa, you’ve hit your limit.”
“Senpai!”
“…Ah, sorry… I… can’t…”
Loxley catches Rourke’s falling body as Leia rushes over in a panic. Rourke uses the last of his strength to apologize before losing consciousness.
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“……”
Slowly opening his eyes, he recognizes the familiar white ceiling of the academy’s infirmary.
The soft sensation against the back of his head and back, along with the scent of medicinal products in the air, confirms that he’s lying on a bed in the infirmary.
“Ah, Areas, you’re awake?”
“…Florence.”
As he slowly lifts his head, he sees a girl with a red cross armband—the symbol of the Health Committee—standing there. She’s Minnea Florence, the head of the Health Committee.
Her long, bluish hair, beautiful features with a beauty mark, and gentle demeanor give her an overall attractive appearance. Her figure is particularly notable, with a pronounced bust that’s evident even through her uniform.
Yet, she exudes a saintly, pure aura, which is likely why surprisingly few male students harbor impure thoughts about her.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. No issues.”
He rotates his shoulders to check his body’s condition and confirms that he’s okay. Minnea smiles in relief.
“That’s good to hear. You’ve been asleep for over half a day, so your cute junior has been worried about you.”
“…?”
Following Minnea’s gaze, he looks to the side and sees Leia sleeping face down with her arms as a pillow.
“Has she been here the whole time?”
“Yes. The teacher told her to return to the dorm, but she insisted on staying.”
“…………”
After all that commotion, she must be exhausted too, yet she stayed by my side… It’s clear she’s really worried about me.
As he watches Leia, she seems to sense that he’s awake and slowly lifts her head, her drowsy eyes meeting his.
“Sen…pai?”
“Good morning. We both had a tough time, huh?”
For a moment, she stared at Rourke with a dazed expression, her brain still not fully awake. But soon, as if she finally understood the situation, her eyes widened, and a look of surprise spread across her face.
“Senpai!?”
“O-oh, good morning.”
Rourke covered his ears, which were ringing from her sudden loud shout right next to him, and returned her greeting.
“A-are you hurt!? Are you okay!?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.”
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