Chapter 32
The inter-class competition starts the day after tomorrow.
I’ll be participating in the first event, the Swordsmanship Duel, and the third event, the Overall Competition.
But I can’t enter the second event — the Aura Duel.
Because I don’t have any aura.
So, we need to choose one more participant. Professor Totten left the selection entirely up to me.
“…So you brought the student roster all the way here for this?”
Phil looked baffled. I opened the student records on a cafeteria table in the main building and answered.
“Yeah. To pick a participant.”
“You’re seriously nuts… I don’t even know where to begin criticizing this. First of all, are you even allowed to take that outside?”
“The professor said it was fine. Just not to show it to anyone else.”
“And I’m not someone else?”
“Eh, what’s the big deal? Just don’t snitch.”
“What do you take me for…? You know what Rule #1 at the Diki Orphanage is?”
“What is it?”
“Never, under any circumstances, be a snitch.”
“Oh yeah?”
Then why did Melissa, the genius from Diki Orphanage, immediately run and tattletale about our meeting?
“That’s the rule. But whatever, even if I were the snitching type—don’t you know I’m competing for Class C?”
“Of course. You told me yesterday.”
“And you’re still showing me who you’re picking for Class B?”
“I’m not showing you, I want to pick together. Two brains are better than one.”
“Geez…”
Phil rolled his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into his skull, then shook his head like he’d given up.
“Whatever. Do what you want. Just don’t accuse me later of stealing info for Class C.”
“No worries. Leak as much as you want.”
“Ugh, what’s with all these weirdos in Class B… Anyway, we’re choosing someone for the Aura Duel, right?”
“Yup.”
“Then it’s already obvious.”
“Who?”
“You know. That insane aura monster in Class B?”
“Eunice?”
“Yeah, that’s the name.”
The answer was instant.
Eunice Dopenhauser.
She’s that girl always staring out the window or sleeping. Probably the most famous student in Class B after me. No—maybe even across all classes. She has the highest aura sensitivity in the entire academy.
Aura Level: 7 Stars.
Whether it’s low, mid, or high rank isn’t known, but once aura hits 6 stars, a person can use an aura blade.
It’s a technique where you shape aura into a literal blade. And at 7 stars, you can apparently manipulate that blade freely, stretching or shrinking it however you want — totally insane.
Of course, I’ve never seen it myself. My father had a 5-star aura, and so did my brother.
So yeah, she’s special. In fact, Eunice is the only student in the entire academy with 7 stars.
But there’s a big problem with her.
Before handing me the student roster, Professor Totten warned me with a complicated look on his face.
“It’s best to exclude Eunice Dopenhauser from the competition.”
“Yes, of course, she’s got an amazing 7-star aura. But still…”
“Well, since it’s you, I’ll tell you. But please keep this to yourself — Eunice doesn’t respond to external stimuli.”
When I asked if it was some kind of rebellion phase, the professor gave a bitter smile and said:
“No, not that.”
“There are just some people born like that. Living in a world entirely of their own.”
I asked if it was a congenital disability. He didn’t directly say yes, but didn’t deny it either.
“Still, she’s in your class, so treat her kindly. She’s a bit odd, but we’re all part of the Sword King family.”
And just like that, the topic of selecting team members turned into a conversation about social isolation and inclusion.
Anyway, Eunice turned out to be a severe case of communication disorder — even the professor had given up on her.
It wasn’t the professor’s fault, either. No one in the Dopenhauser family — not even her parents — could communicate with her normally.
That was Eunice’s first major problem. The second naturally followed.
She doesn’t know swordsmanship.
Because she can’t communicate, they couldn’t teach her properly. The family apparently forced her to memorize the forms of the basic sword techniques, but in reality, she just robotically repeats the motions like a puppet.
Of course, even someone who doesn’t know swordsmanship can compete in the Aura Duel — it’s a hand-to-hand fight, no wooden swords involved.
But still, putting someone on stage in front of a crowd when they don’t even know the basics of the Sword King family’s style, and never will?
“The Dopenhauser family even sent someone specifically to ask us—just help her graduate, no matter what.”
“We’re planning to do that. A 7-star aura is just too rare.”
Fair enough. You don’t just throw away that kind of talent.
Even setting aside the aura blade stuff, a 7-star aura acts as a perfect antidote — a walking detox. Just by activating it, she can severely damage enemies. She’s practically a living bioweapon specialized against poison users.
So yeah, Eunice is disqualified.
After I explained the situation, Phil looked pale and spoke quietly.
“What the hell… She’s really mentally ill?”
“Not mentally ill. Just… hard to talk to, I guess?”
“Same difference. Man, I better keep this to myself or I’ll be enemies with the Dopenhauser family.”
“Yeah. So you better not tell anyone.”
“I didn’t want to know this kind of stuff…”
Phil clutched his head in despair.
“The Dopenhauser family doesn’t have a good reputation. Even someone lowly like me has heard rumors.”
“Why? Aren’t they just one of the ten noble branch families?”
“They’re immigrants from the East, right?”
“So?”
“They’re a different race. Their appearance is cold and expressionless. It’s kinda creepy.”
“Have you seen them yourself? Is there a Dopenhauser branch in Bryce?”
“Yeah. They’ve got a swordsmanship school in District 17.”
“District 17?”
“West of the academy, pretty far out. All the Dopenhauser folks live around there. I once went to check it out — they offered lessons without tuition. Anyway, forget Eunice. Who’s next?”
“The next strongest aura user is…”
The student roster displays abilities using a kind of code. I recalled Professor Totten’s decoding method. Not that it mattered — the roster was already sorted by aura level.
“…Next strongest is Giel Craven.”
“That loser? He’s number two?”
“Yeah. Aura is mid-3 star.”
“Well, that’s still high… Are you really picking him?”
“Not sure. He hasn’t shown up since the succession match. Professor says he’s down with the flu.”
“Flu my ass. He’s probably too embarrassed to show his face. Serves him right. Who’s next?”
“Next is… Redin Roka. Ah, can’t pick him either.”
“Why?”
“He hasn’t shown up since yesterday.”
Actually, he’ll never be back again.
Phil scratched his head.
“Wow. Who’s next, then?”
“Eric Newt. He’s also out.”
“Again? Why?”
“He’s been missing since day one. Professor says he’s officially listed as ‘missing.’”
“Missing?! What’s with all the absentees? Class B is gonna have empty seats at this rate. What’s Eric’s aura level?”
“Low-3 star.”
“Still better than me. Who’s next?”
“Next is… Froggy Fleng. Aura is high-2 star.”
“Froggy Fleng?”
“You know him?”
“I don’t know Froggy, but I know the Flengs. The Fleng Trading Company. Not huge, but well known. That must be the son.”
Finally, someone not from the Sword King main or branch families. I read Froggy’s student record.
“Estimated 2-star low in swordsmanship. Showed some sensitivity to newborn sword during entrance test. Not particularly strong bones, but has a unique body type… Doesn’t seem bad. Is the Fleng Trading Company reputable?”
“Actually, yeah. They help people like us.”
“A trading company helps orphans?”
“Charity work and helping the poor is part of their mission. They bring food and clothes sometimes.”
“Really? Then he’s in.”
I closed the student roster, finalizing the pick. Phil grimaced.
“You’re picking him just ‘cause his family brings food? What about his skills?”
“He’s got good aura. Should be decent.”
“Hmph… do what you want. But actually, I do know the guy.”
“You just said you didn’t.”
“He’s in the same dorm. We’re not close, but yeah.”
“Froggy Fleng is in Black Luna Dorm?”
“Yup. Remember I told you about a weirdo walking around the dorm hugging a blue stuffed animal?”
* * *
After-school classrooms were always quiet.
Students would glance around and silently slip out. I waited a moment, then stood up.
I had to move before my target left.
Luckily, the target was still seated.
Froggy Fleng.
That weird kid who always clutched a stuffed animal during class.
At least today, he’d put the doll down beside him. Instead, he was counting coins on the desk and muttering.
“700… 750… Ugh, still short…”
“…”
“Where can I find 250 seal… Dad? No. He’ll nag me again… Hmm…”
What the heck is this?
Even after standing right beside him for a while, he didn’t notice. I suddenly didn’t feel like talking. Should’ve picked someone else.
“Froggy Fleng?”
“Hm?”
Only after hearing his name did Froggy turn my way.
Black hair, round eyes — he looked innocent.
But you can’t trust appearances. Weirdos come in all packages.
“…Ray Granble? What are you doing here?”
“We’re in the same class.”
“No, I mean why are you next to me… Oh, class is over.”
Froggy sighed, finally glancing around.
“This is bad. Time’s already… Hey, do you know about this?”
He suddenly lifted the blue stuffed animal. No, I don’t want to know anything. I resisted the urge to walk away and replied.
“A frog? A stuffed frog?”
“Right. This is a sponge frog.”
“…What?”
“Sponge frog. Do you know sponge frogs?”
Of course you’d start with that.
This guy has communication issues too.
Who opens with frog trivia instead of introducing themselves? Now I understood how Phil felt — definitely not someone you want to talk to.
Unfortunately…
“No way. There’s no way you’d know. It’s a brand new creature just brought in…”
“I know.”
I knew all about it.
“I know sponge frogs too.”
“Really? Really?!”
Not just know — I’d seen them in person. I told him about the frogs used in the Granble Village cleanup project.
“…So I saw them with my own eyes. Locals called them poison frogs instead of sponge frogs.”
“Wow! Wowwow!”
Froggy lit up like a toddler, mouth wide open in awe.
“You really know! Poison frogs! They don’t emit poison — they absorb it! Did you know? Actually, sponge frogs — no, poison frogs — were first brought to this region.”
“Here? Bryce?”
“Yup. This is the northernmost city of the Sword King’s territory. So when stuff comes from the north, it arrives here first. That’s how I found out. It used to be exclusive, but now they’re starting to sell them to civilians. Isn’t that awesome? This is a huge opportunity…”
Overjoyed, he bounced up and down, chattering non-stop.
“…That’s why information is important. Once they start breeding, they’ll be a major hit. Oh right, my mom loved frogs. That’s why she named me Froggy. I love frogs too. Aren’t they adorable? Dumb but cute. Ribbit ribbit!”
