Inoru Kami Wo Sirazu, Negau Kokoro no Katachi wo Miezu, Soredemo Tuki Wa Yozora Ni Noboru

“The Incompetent Noble and The Avenger”

As a common part of life, students are people who will give nicknames to their teachers.

Those nicknames get passed down from upperclassman to underclassmen, and once a new school year starts, the teacher will have a new nickname. On the bright side, the nicknames are full of the student’s affection towards the teacher. On the other side, discontentment. But in the end, the purpose of giving nicknames can be described in just one word: laughing-stock.

“Weakness is a sin. First, it should be carved in the weak’s hearts that no matter what strong people do, they have no right to complain. Demi-humans trash who don’t come to class should be killed off. Even the incompetent Nobles trash should be whipped 10 times, shave their heads, and clean up the lavatory. If you don’t like it, then keep up like you’re going to die. And no talking back, you hear me.”

The drill teacher was an overbearing giant that had his whole body cladded in bulky steel armor. There was no room, not even a little, for the students to think of a nickname. According to the whispers and rumors, the teacher was a former soldier in the military.

The students had assembled in the spacious gymnasium, and weren’t going to really oppose the male teacher and kept their mouths shut. Because of the wafting of an overwhelming violent stinky stench, it was even impossible to look him in the eyes.

“Since it’s the first class, let’s have the Noble test their abilities! See that sword I gave you? That sword is the 10th Grade [Flux Blade], that draws from the user’s Mystery power to change its sharpness and resilience. I want you to use these today and understand your current strength.”

The drill teacher, while having his armor clang around, drew out his sword.

He faced the straw puppets that were prepared for the training, pointed his sword towards it, and took a deep breath.

“Concentrate on your Artifacts and pull out the power of Mystery. Although it’s simple when put into words, in order to activate it quickly, this training is necessary. Just like this.”

He raised his sword, and casually swung down. In spite of the speed of the slash, it just only stopped at the puppet’s shoulder without a gash. The teacher continued his explanation.

“Just swinging the sword like this won’t do you any good. We need to continuously chant a specific chant and concentrate.. When the chanting and movements of your body are subconsciously linked, such that the chanting directly leads you to the concentration state, then you have succeeded. This is the goal for the first semester.”

The teacher repeated his actions from earlier. But this time, an extra step was added, of which it was saying a simple order: “Tear up”. Shortly after, compared to earlier, the puppet was cut up diagonally from the shoulder. The students who can see the clean slice leaked out a sigh of astonishment. The teacher nodded in great satisfaction.

“There are two ways that I advise for chants. The first is ‘Order’, the one I used earlier. It goes without saying that the ideal ‘Order’ should be aligned with your purpose. The next way is calling out the Artifact, “Naming.” The teacher continued.

The teacher gave a short pause for dramatization, and built up a dramatic atmosphere.

“‘Naming” is to rip apart the original definition of the Mystery phenomenon in the Artifact with your own view, and redefine the phenomenon. Once you understand what ‘Mystery” are, which you are going to learn in school, in the future you may be able to find an ‘Artifact that is made just for you to use’.”

While he said that, he stroked the hilt of the sword.

When he did that, the places where he stroked were glowing a faint light. They looked at the mysterious phenomenon, drawn to the sight.

“Even though it’s a low-grade Artifact, the nature of the artifact can change greatly depending on how you want it to cut things up. For example, like this. Bare your fangs, ‘Voracious Savage’!”

The sword transformed, showing its fangs through its large mouth, making chattering sounds. The sword had changed to a steel monster and voraciously tore apart a straw puppet, ate, and swallowed it in one gulp.

“As you can see, the Artifact turned into a predator. The Mystery had pulled it out from beings’ instinct of ‘Consumption’ and ‘Transformation’. For the rest of this year, striving to perfect this technique is the goal that is set for the end of the school year. If you can’t do it, then say goodbye to entering the next grade level. Keep what you saw today in your head and work hard in your training everyday.”

The student’s attitude turned 180 degrees after that.

There were those that immediately started out ‘Naming’ their Artifacts, challenging the techniques with no success.

And there were those who were completely incapable to even try it out, holding their Artifacts with gloomy expression.

The former had many Nobles. The latter had many Demi-humans.

But the situation of the class didn’t matter to the drill teacher, as he only gave guidance to the Nobles. But the guidance is only just him reprimanding, jeering, and even punishing students. It was very clear that his behavior inclined to humiliating his targets.

“Just what the hell are you doing? And you’re supposed to be a Noble. It’s like you’re a Demi-human!”

And when it comes for Demi-humans to ask questions, the teacher just blatantly ignores it.

The attitude of the drill teacher was embodiment of the school’s principles.

“If you aren’t serious about this, then go home and cry to your mommies and daddies!”

The drill teacher, who was looking at the Nobles students in turn, came to a stop. Serot looked back towards the teacher after tapping the straw puppet with his sword, that doesn’t seem to be able to cut. He quizzically inclined his neck.

“Maybe I’m being hated by the sword? Although I can feel power flowing through.”

“Stop whining. Look at your servants! Even though she’s a Demi-human, she could even cut it, and you’re supposed to be a Noble! A sh*t Noble like you not being able to do that much means you have no determination! Do you even expect to fight against the Devil’s retainers with how much of a weakling you are?”

Serot, who took the complaints, wore a serious expression and swung the sword, but as expected, the straw puppet still remained intact with no wounds. The teacher, it goes without saying, grimaced at the scene, ordered him to attend detention and supplementary lessons and moved onto the other students. It seems that no matter how strict the drill teacher is, he seems to have no intention of adding more punishment to Serot.

But it seems that plans changed not so long after.

“Hey, you! What is with that pitiful sh*t?”

“N-No, you have it wrong! I-If it’s with the Artifact that I always use I can easily do it, that’s the truth! I-it’s just I haven’t gotten used to this damn low-grade Artifact that I can’t wield it well.”

The one taking the reprimand this time is the student from the other day, who was quarreling with Serot the other day, Volks.

Volks was making the same mistake as Serot, and while it may be the case that Volk’s failure was due to what he said, the teacher wouldn’t accept it.

“Cut it out! Listen to me, you’re not always going to fight on the battlefield in the perfect conditions. There are times where a true soldier must even take their enemies’ weapon and kill each other. Forget about surviving if you complain about not having your perfect weapon.”

Although Volks had finished his first battle, it was only because he was perfectly well-equipped and had a powerful guard that he had his “flawless victory experience”. Unable to come up with any more words, Volks lowered his head.

“However, you are different from that weak Noble there. Aren’t you the son of a top-class Noble, with incomparable powers hiding in you, unlike those Demi-humans who can only be used as meat shields? I wonder just who should be giving respect to a scaredy-cat like you. Whether it’s the disgraceful behavior you displayed at the new student’s ceremony, your damn attitude can literally be called the disgrace of all Nobles.”

And then the teacher approached Volks and whispered into his ears.

“Listen to me. That Serot, the nameless Noble, at some different place, shows him who’s the real boss in front of all the first-class Nobles and Demi-humans as a top-class Noble . It’s time to show him the top-class pride you’re supposed to hold. Heck, I don’t even mind if you kill off one of his dang servants. If you do it now, I’ll dismiss it as an accident in the midst of training drills.”

The young man was quivering. He knew that the teacher’s words were serious.

If you’re going to oppress and dominate through violence and fear, it means that you lose all that power if you are looked down even once. The drill teacher knew that feeling very well.

“So Pollux, have you finished warming up? Listen, I’m going to have you battle in a mock battle with Serot. Just how much of that excellent Mystery powers you possess in that top-class Noble blood, make sure you witness it and learn from it!”

Volks’s face flushed in red as he was pulled forcibly in front of all the other students.

“What’s wrong with you? Do it! I won’t allow Nobles to retreat on me. If you are a top-class Noble, then all the more. Even defeat isn’t a question for you. There is no merit for a trash to live!”

Volks is scared of being seen as a disappointment, but he didn’t run away and stood still.

Finally, the drill teacher raised his fist in the air and it became time for the mock battle.

“More importantly before doing a mock battle, I want to ask you for guidance as a teacher. Although it’s embarrassing, I have to admit that I don’t really understand how to use Artifacts.” Serot took a step forward. Serot, while having his refreshing expression on his face, was walking towards the teacher.

“By showing off their military prowess on the frontlines of the battlefields is the Noble rightful duty. I believe that is a wonderful teaching. It even left a deep impression on me. With that said, is it fine to have expectations that you will do the same for me like the other Nobles?”

“What is it you’re trying to say?”

“As a novice with very little and meagre battle experience, I’m a little anxious about having a sudden fight against Volks. You see, he is a top-class Noble who can also expertly use a powerful Artifact. That being said, the teacher’s Artifact doesn’t seem to be that good. It seems so calm, that it’s not even scary, that I wonder if I can even fight against him with such a weapon.”

The armor noises were clanging around. The drill teacher casually approached Serot, gave a low chuckle, and repeatedly clenched his empty-handed fist.

“You are really looking down on me.”

“Isn’t it the truth that the teacher is very kind and that he won’t hurt anyone at all? You’re not as harsh as others say.”

There was no preparation towards what was coming next. The teacher’s fist was aimed towards Serot and swung down.

Right under the violent and merciless fist was a scattering of flickering light.

Serot’s slash was just like light. His path and speed weren’t only sharp. The sword that was beautifully shining wasn’t reflecting light from its surroundings to create the effect, but was producing the light itself. No matter who saw it, they knew it was a Mystery phenomenon.

But his slash didn’t cut down even one person.

The teacher’s fist was flung back, a light was released, and that was how it ended.

There was silence. That was the result that Serot brought out. And he continued to speak.

“Behind that helmet, you’re hiding a friendly and gentle expression, right? I completely understand. You’re pushing yourself to be a scary individual, but I can see your good points clearly.”

“This can’t be happening, just why? Why won’t my Artifact react to me?”

Since before, the drill teacher was repeatedly chanting, in a small voice, his “Order”, and continued the process over and again. He was cladded in his armor, and was trying to show off the Mystery power hidden inside of his favorite Artifact.

But he couldn’t do it. The Artifact remained silent, not even activating once.

“I apologize, along with this sword, it seems that I made the teacher’s armor Artifact unusable. It seems that whenever I try to use the Mystery power, for some reason, it just becomes a priceless art piece.”

“Wha-?”

The drill teacher who gave a dumbfounded look at Serot.

Certainly, the sword that Serot is holding has no sense of Mystery inside.

Even when trying to concentrate again for the powers, it’s so empty, that nothing is happening.

“I think it could be called Purification? No, maybe Bleaching? At any rate, it seems that the Mystery that was in the Artifacts from the beginning is disappearing when in my hands. Ah, it can affect Volks’s sword. I’m sorry, it’s a novice mistake.”

While showing that it will be difficult to continue the practical training any further, Serot gave a soft smile to the teacher.

“Teacher, I am very sorry. Although it’s discourteous to ask from the me who is hopeless weakling in class, can the rest of this be my homework of today for tomorrow?”

At any rate, Serot is completely unable to use Artifacts.

The teacher looked at Serot like he is a strange anomaly, and stepped back, and tried to smooth over the scene by declaring the end to the lesson and ran away.

The remaining students whispered and gossiped, until a shrill voice broke the atmosphere.

“Isn’t Serot-kun super cool? Seeing the teacher’s expression at the end of the lesson makes me want to laugh.”

“But his Artifact’s Aptitude is the absolute lowest, but his face is so cool.”

“I also agree~ Actually, don’t you think he is more cute than cool? Serot-kun! Look this way!”

Serot gave a small wave in response, and the whole crowd in his surroundings broke out in screaming.

The other students in the back, every one of them were talking about Serot, and sometimes when watching him coolly walk, another eruption of gossiping would start.

And then the two servants were lined up behind him. Lamia gave a small cough and gave some advice.

“Serot-sama, you exhibited splendid blademanship, as expected of a Hero, but I believe you made yourself stand out a bit too much.”

“Lamia, you’re so stiff! Isn’t it fine to show off that much for today? In the first place, I didn’t like the actions of the armored oldie, so that serves him right.”

Angelica, although having no interest in Serot, is close to his stance on school activities. Their trend is to ignore the likes of self-modesty and reservation.

Angelica, in regards to the trend, completely expressed it in the next lesson. The old teacher who had his students in the large spacious classroom moved his desk aside and brought out a large cage. What was inside was a magical beast, an enemy of mankind, ferociously groaning.

“My soldiers, I will start by talking about the ecology of magical beasts, which are the enemies that you are going to fight– huh wait, you! What do you think you are doing? You shouldn’t come close, it’s dangerous!”

“I will kill, I will kill my enemies. Whether it’s Daemons or Magical Beasts, I will never forgive them. All retainers of the Devil will disappear from this world with no remnants left behind.”

Angelica said in a lowered voice with a killer intent and moved forward.

What she was grasping was a thin and dreadful sword that she was hiding in her uniform somewhere.

Volks, who was right by, was so scared that he fell over, holding a ghastly pale face. Angelica’s appearance made the other students fear her, and even the teacher perceived that she was unusual and took a step back.

It seems that she had forgotten that this was only just a lesson.

Angelica easily took the key from the teacher’s hand, and released the magical beasts from its restraints naturally. This beast had numerous legs, a lively scorpion tail, wings of a bat as a bonus, and took a roar. The class was in an uproar.

The beast that was released charged at Angelica who was in front, and swung its claw to make the thin figure become a sea of blood. Well, more accurately, it seems like it had swung its claw down. However, the wrist was cut in a cross-section, and the hands and the claw had flown up in the air.

“Die.”

The sweet voice said chilling words with no feelings.

After that, the slaughter that started was like an outrageous scene that would make fun of any experienced soldiers. Angelica keeps avoiding the attacks with a paper thin margin, in which even trained soldiers would have accepted death from the magical beast, and counter attacks each time. She then cut off the magical beast arm. The fresh blood scatters, and her wings were glazed with a deeper rouge.

“You don’t even deserve to even be alive. Just die. Die right now and pay for your sins.”

The sword that she wield was distributed from the Order for self-defense, and it was nothing more than a low-grade artifact. There was no difference in the power and features of the sword that was given in the previous lesson. However, she had an innate ability.

She has the instinct and sight to determine the trajectory of the magical beast. A natural ability to immediately make judgments and move her body accordingly to it. It’s just pure killing intent. Not only that, her Aptitude Level.

The word, ‘Die’, had the power to bring death to its target.

Through Angelica’s “Order”, the normal sword turned into a sword of pure destruction.

In an instant, the bloodstained girl had defeated the magical beasts. No matter who it was, all the students in the room felt dread at looking at such a figure.

But soon, that feeling immediately turned into something else.

There were some who endured the nauseous and ominous feelings, others who felt a strong sympathy, but there were others that had tears in their eyes of admiration and respect.

The way that Angelica works is right in this Academy that trains soldiers. Feeling dark emotions and an intense hostility towards enemies isn’t just a feeling shared by Angelica.

Putting that case aside, the teacher, whose lesson plan had gone rouge, was in a rage.

“Just what is this farce! Not only was it extremely dangerous, but it’s against the norms, my precious test subjects! How dare you make my teaching materials look like these hideous remnants!”

“You’re noisy, shut up already. Are you saying that you are an ally to the magical beast? Then you’re my enemy too. You’re a Devil’s retainer. If that is the case, then I gotta kill you too. I should behead you too in the name of my enemy.”

There was no hesitation in Angelica’s words. The teacher was still standing still, still not understanding Angelica’s words. At that moment, Serot’s words ranged out.

“Angelica, there are no more enemies to kill.”

“Then, I’ll stooop.”

The small sword that was about to cut the neck of the teacher changed its trajectory midway and instead struck the teacher in the jaw, and then to the head. Despite using a blade, there were slashes on the body at all. Despite not learning how to adjust the Mystery power she has, she did it naturally so that there were no injuries.

She displayed overwhelming talent. An Aptitude Level where no one can complain even though she is using a low-grade Artifact. A hostility stronger than anyone in regards to the Devil’s retainers. The Demi-humans who had just entered the Academy have placed their ideals on Angelica.

“Angelica-san, you are amazing!”

“You are so cool! I have never seen such a spectacle like this!”

“The pair of them, master and servant, are so strong! Don’t you think they’ll be able to beat the upperclassmen?!”

There was an explosion of excitement just like what happend with Serot. Especially popular on the girl-side. There was a crowd of female students around Angelica. The surprised ones weren’t only the Demi-humans, but even the Nobles students were mixed in.

Surpassing the differences between the races, it brought force a common feeling of killing their natural enemy, the Devil’s retainers.

Immediately, the superstars in the class were these two.

Remia, who was watching, covered both of her eyes with her two hands, and took a deep sigh.