BFBG CH 09

Episode 9

The next morning.

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

―Is… is that true? Truly the Child of God…?
“Yes. Jian Velomata—he’s the very Child of God we’ve been searching for. I believe Endrich sensed that fragment and targeted him.”
―Ah… oh, holy Zenas…

The Pope began praying in a voice full of emotion.
After over a hundred years of searching, the Child of God had finally been found during his lifetime.
How could he not be moved?

―Tell me. What kind of person is this Jian Velomata?
“I’ve only met him once, so I can’t say for certain… but he seems to have a strong will.”

She’d have to watch more closely to be sure, but so far, he seemed like a good person.

“And… he appears to be incredibly skilled.”
―Oh? Not just “high-level,” but “incredible,” you say.
“Yes.”

Chloe recalled the moment she had held Jian’s hand yesterday.

“Even when I held his hand directly, I couldn’t see the limit of his power.”
―You mean… even with your level, you couldn’t gauge it?
“That’s right.”

She didn’t believe for a moment that what she’d felt was Jian’s full strength—after all, he had taken down a Death Knight alone.

―Then it’s best we don’t place surveillance on him.
“Agreed. I think it would do more harm than good.”

There was a high chance he’d notice any watchers.
And if he learned the Zenas Church was behind it, it would leave a bad impression.
Better not to try in the first place.

―Then I’ll leave it to you to watch over him until he fully awakens.
“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure he doesn’t stray and guide him well.”
―Good. I’m counting on you.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely live up to your expectations.”

With that, the communication ended.

“…Yes. It’s been so long since such a chance appeared. I’ll make sure to make the most of it.”

She set the communication cross on the table, stood, and headed outside.

“Good morning, Miss Chloe,” a nun cleaning the monastery entrance greeted warmly.

“Good morning.”
“Heading out?”
“Yes. I have some business at the academy.”

Although Chloe was enrolled in Garam Academy as a second-year, she was a self-directed student and not required to attend daily classes.
Not because she was the Saint, but because she had earned that privilege through proper exams.

“Today? Don’t second- and third-years have no classes today?”
“Oh, I’m not going for class. I have someone to meet.”

The nun’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in mock surprise.

“Oh my, are you going to see that gentleman you mentioned yesterday?”
“I am going to see junior Jian, but not for the reason you think, Rosa.”
“So it really is true? The great Miss Chloe… interested in a man…”

Chloe’s flustered reaction made the nun chuckle behind her hand.

“I’m just kidding. You’re going to see that freshman’s skills, right?”

Today, second- and third-years had no classes because all facilities were reserved for the first-year class placement exams.

“Yes. The Church expressed interest in recruiting him, so before we make contact, I was told to check his abilities.”
“Oh, a direct order from the main Church?”
“Yes.”

She would need to keep meeting Jian in the future anyway, so having this as a prepared excuse would make things easier.

“But aren’t you a bit late?”
“…Late?”

The placement exam had only been going for about an hour.
The real events worth watching wouldn’t have started yet.
What could she be late for?

“I guess you haven’t heard yet.”
“Has something happened?”
“Oh, nothing bad.”

Rosa nodded.

“There’s a rumor that freshman Jian Velomata is going to spar with Lionel, captain of the Wildfang Knights.”
“…The captain…?”

Chloe froze for about three seconds.

I… I have to hurry…

She quickly took off her coat and handed it to Rosa.

“Rosa, here—”
“Miss Chloe? Why—”
“Please hold onto it for me!”

Then she dashed toward the academy at the speed of light.

…How did it come to this?

“Truly, the academy lives up to its reputation for flexibility. I like it. If the kingdom’s blockheaded nobles had even 10% of this, I’d have no complaints.”

The man before me was a giant over two meters tall—
Captain of the Wildfang Knights.
One of the top three strongest in the Canary Kingdom, purely in terms of combat strength.

[Lionel Vile]
[Captain of the Wildfang Knights]
[LV.81]

A monster among men, laughing heartily like he’d never been happier.

“Hmm? You don’t look pleased. Shouldn’t you be happy? Just by having a light spar with me, you get to skip over twelve long hours of boring basic tests.”
“…Yes. I’m so happy. Thrilled, really.”

Happy, my ass.
I’d take 120 hours of tests over this any day.

Why the hell do I have to spar with this lunatic?

My class placement exam was now a one-on-one spar with Lionel.
What were the Garam Academy instructors thinking?
Having a brand-new freshman fight a royal knight captain—did they take a blow to the head?

“No need to worry. Though it’s called a spar, all you have to do is swing your sword at me with all your strength.”
“…Just swing at you?”
“Yes. Swing at me with your full power!”

BOOM!

An aura of competitive spirit surged from Lionel like a tidal wave.

“Urk…!”
“Guh…”

Two knights standing behind him collapsed instantly from the pressure.

“Oh, right. Forgot we weren’t alone.”

[Nullified ‘Killing Intent’ from Lionel Vile]

Naturally, I was fine.
No status ailment skill works on me.

“To think they’d faint without even taking it head-on… They need more basic training.”

Lionel clicked his tongue at the fallen knights.
…May the gods have mercy on them.

He looked back to me.

“As I said, all you need to do is swing your sword at me.”
“You won’t counterattack?”
“Of course not. I’ll only defend.”

Ah, I see.

“So basically… this is like hitting a practice dummy to measure my strength?”
“Exactly! Think of me as a shock-absorbing dummy and hit me with everything you’ve got!”

…Oh.
And here I was, getting nervous for nothing.

“I’m actually looking forward to this. Never thought a kid not yet twenty could make me excited.”

Wait.
Hold on a second.

In Lionel’s mind, I’m the guy who one-shotted a Death Knight and wiped out a swarm of wyverns.

But in reality, I’m nowhere near that level.
If I take this test normally, it’ll be a disaster.

I could at least claim I faked the wyvern thing… but the Death Knight? No way to explain that.

If they find out I’m not strong enough to have killed it alone, they’ll investigate the incident again—
And no matter how it ends, I’ll be in trouble.

…I’m screwed.

How could I get through this?

“Lionel!”

Princess Aris came running over, looking furious.

“What’s the meaning of this disrespect toward my savior?!”
“Your Highness, please calm down. This isn’t what you think—”
“I don’t want to hear it! I’ll petition my father to recall you immediately—”

…Ah.
I remembered something.
A way to get through this situation.

“Sir Lionel.”

I cut in before he could finish.

“I know this is an unreasonable request… but could we change the test’s format?”
“…Oh?”

Seeing my serious expression, his smile curled upward in anticipation.

“Tell me how you’d like it changed.”

But his smile collapsed completely at my next words.

“I’d like to switch roles.”
“…What?”

Switching roles—meaning he attacks, I defend.

“You want me to attack?”
“Yes.”
“…Are you serious?”

Normally, in spars like this, the stronger fighter takes the defensive role.
Offense is far easier than defense.

“So… you’re saying you’re stronger than me?”

Of course, I couldn’t actually say that.

“I’m not arrogant enough to think that. If we fought seriously, I couldn’t match even your toes.”
“Then why change roles?”
“First, because I’m more confident in my defense.”
“And?”

That alone wouldn’t convince him—he’d never take that as a good enough reason.

“And this is the real reason…”

If I wanted him to accept, I had to provoke his competitive spirit.

“I have no chance of beating you in offense.”
“…Meaning?”

A spark lit in Lionel’s eyes.

“You think you can beat me in defense?”

He looked intrigued—genuinely interested.

“Yes.”

I met his gaze confidently.

“I’m sure of it.”

He stared at me for about three seconds, then—

“Ha! Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

He roared with laughter loud enough to shake the sky.

Alright. We’ll do it your way—switching roles.

Lionel accepted my proposal.

“Sir Lionel! What are you thinking? What if something happens—”
“Your Highness, look into his eyes. Could any man say no to that look?”

Though Princess Aris objected, she fell silent at his words.

“…If anything happens, you’ll take full responsibility.”
“Of course.”
“You’ve been itching to fight him since you met. I suppose you’ve finally gotten your wish.”
“Ha! Looks like the heavens smiled on me.”

Lionel left the waiting room with, “See you shortly.”

Now only Aris and I remained.

“Sorry about this. Because of Lionel…”
“It’s fine. In fact, I’m grateful to him.”
“…Grateful?”
“Yes. This way, I skip over twelve hours of tedious basic testing.”
“Being able to skip legally… I admit I’m a little jealous.”

Twelve hours of nonstop tests was no joke.
Avoiding that was a blessing.

“Besides, I get to see Sir Lionel’s swordsmanship up close. It’s a win-win.”

That, of course, was a lie.
I’d be perfectly happy never seeing it.

“…I see. So you are a swordsman, after all.”

She sighed softly, then looked at me with a mix of exasperation and pride.

“If you insist, I won’t say more. Go enjoy yourself with another swordsman.”

She stood, clearly giving me space to focus.

“Your Highness.”

But I couldn’t let her leave—not when this entire “switch roles” idea came from watching her.

I had planned to set things up naturally, but if that wouldn’t work—
I’d just have to go for it directly.

“I have a request for you.”
“…A request?”
“I know this is sudden…”

I held out my hand.