Even if the lives of mortals are as fleeting as morning dew.
However.
It is precisely because of this fleeting life that they can, within a limited time, burst forth with a brilliance sufficient to make even Gods look sideways.
Even the weakest ant.
The sword it swings in a desperate situation for survival is still filled with unpredictable variables.
Because of this.
When a mortal, in order to protect a companion or for the sake of pure ambition, breaks through their own limits and creates a great achievement that even Gods had never anticipated...
In that moment, that spark named 'Unknown'.
For Gods drowning in eternal silence, it is the sweetest wine in this world, the most dazzling light.
This is not merely a God's bad taste in observing the Lower World.
It is a resonance between both parties in exploring the essence of life.
Gods envy the potential of mortals.
Mortals crave the power of Gods.
This is the core contract of that world.
An epic game where both parties enjoy themselves, staking their lives and glory.
"So..."
"This is the place I want to take you to."
"A world with no ceiling, only endless challenges."
"A world where even if one dies, they can die vigorously and spectacularly, rather than rotting away in day-after-day dullness."
As Haimer's voice fell.
The inside of the gymnasium fell into a dead silence.
Only the sound of the wind occasionally coming from outside the window, and the slightly rapid breathing of everyone, interwove in the air.
And this was not fear.
It was an unprecedented throbbing.
Like a male eagle that had been imprisoned for a long time, seeing the blue sky named freedom through the cracks of the cage for the first time.
That trembling originating from the depths of the soul made their fingertips tingle slightly.
"Heh..."
Amou Kirukiru raised her hand, casually tucking a strand of black hair falling by her ear.
Those black pupils that were originally always filled with arrogance were now like withered grass that had been ignited, burning with a flame bordering on obsession.
She looked at Haimer, her gaze scorching.
It was like looking at the salvation that had finally descended during her long wait.
For this Empress who had long stood at the apex of the academy.
The world Haimer depicted.
It was simply a paradise tailor-made for her.
"That kind of place... is the belonging I have been dreaming of."
Amou Kirukiru did not hide her desire in the slightest.
If there really was such a world, even if she were to die the next second, it would be ten thousand times better than rotting and stinking here.
At this, Haimer nodded slightly, his gaze turning to the others.
Mozunono had already shrunk her neck, subconsciously hiding behind Onigawara Rin, clearly frightened.
But Onigawara Rin and Inaba Tsukuyo fell silent.
Although they did not state their position directly like Amou Kirukiru, the light in their eyes could not deceive anyone.
After all.
That kind of thought...
Who doesn't have it?
As martial artists, as people holding sharp blades.
Who doesn't crave a stage where the sharp sword in their hand can truly display its value?
Who would be willing to stay in this tiny campus until graduation, and then fade into the crowd?
...
Just as the atmosphere was thickening.
Dong!
An abrupt, loud noise rang out from the ventilation window above the gymnasium, extremely destroying the atmosphere.
Everyone followed the sound and looked.
They saw only the ventilation window high up in the gymnasium.
Immediately following was the clanging sound of heavy objects hitting metal pipes, as well as the low growl of some beast after being startled.
"Aieee! It hurts!"
"Are you an idiot? Slipping at a time like this!"
Accompanied by a burst of flying dust.
The crowd left the gymnasium to look out.
They saw.
Two figures—to be precise, two people and two bears—were lying wretchedly below the position of the high ventilation window.
Bearing the brunt of the impact.
Was a young girl with a head of brilliant blonde hair, the tips curled into wavy rolls resembling baguettes.
She wore a modified uniform and was still clutching a thick dictionary tightly in her hand.
—Kikakujou Mary.
One of the members of the Supreme Five Swords, and also a famous rapier user in this academy.
...
"This is too inelegant!"
"This is definitely that stupid bear's fault!"
Kikakujou Mary patted the dust on her uniform while holding a thick dictionary with her uninjured hand, her face full of annoyance.
The culprit who caused this commotion was obviously not her.
As for the one beside her.
It was a petite blonde girl who looked like she was still in elementary school.
Hanasaka Warabi.
Also a member of the Five Swords.
Although she appeared young, she was the oldest among the Five Swords.
However, that appearance, close to that of a little girl, really had no persuasiveness.
"Really! It's all your fault, you guy!"
"Dropping the ball at the critical moment! I've completely lost face because of you!"
At this moment, Hanasaka Warabi was speaking while clutching her instep, which had been swollen from the fall, glaring with a look of 'hating iron for not becoming steel' at the giant bear lying on the ground.
Yes.
A giant bear!
A genuine black bear wearing a collar!
This black bear seemed to be a pet raised by Hanasaka Warabi.
Because it heard Haimer's remarks about Gods, it was scared weak in the legs by the faint Divine Might, resulting in a slip, thereby causing this seemingly perfect infiltration to go completely bankrupt.
"Really... I usually tell you to practice your balance more, but you won't listen!"
Hanasaka Warabi scolded the giant bear, which was holding its head and shivering, in exasperation.
Then.
She seemed to realize something.
She turned her head, meeting those pairs of eyes that were smiling yet not smiling.
"Uh..."
Hanasaka Warabi froze on the spot.
...
Facing Hanasaka Warabi's instantly stiff expression, as well as Kikakujou Mary's self-deceiving act of trying to block her face with the dictionary.
The atmosphere in the air instantly became somewhat subtle.
"To actually eavesdrop..."
Until a low whisper broke this awkwardness.
The one speaking was Onigawara Rin, who had just slightly calmed her mood.
They saw.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. Her gaze, which was originally dodging due to shame, instantly became sharp at this moment.
For Onigawara Rin.
Everything that happened just now—her mask being shattered, her true face being exposed, and that psychological analysis that was close to a public execution—was a dark history she least wanted outsiders to know about in her entire life.
A destined enemy like Amou Kirukiru, who knew the ins and outs fundamentally, was one thing.
Being heard by Inaba Tsukuyo was also unavoidable.
But if it was seen in its entirety by Kikakujou Mary and Hanasaka Warabi, these two fellows whom she didn't get along with on ordinary days...
"As members of the Supreme Five Swords, to actually commit such an act of hiding in the dark and peeping like rats."
"Don't you feel ashamed?"
Onigawara Rin suddenly stepped forward. Although she still looked like she was blushing, the tachi in her hand was already half-unsheathed, shining with cold light.
"Hah?!"
After being called out by Onigawara Rin, Kikakujou Mary instantly bristled, her golden curly hair trembling with her movements.
She slammed the heavy dictionary in her hand shut. Her exquisite face, unique to mixed-race individuals, flushed red as she retorted loudly:
"Who—who eavesdropped!"
"This is called strategic reconnaissance! Do you understand strategic reconnaissance!"
"An intruder capable of causing that kind of terrifying phenomenon suddenly appeared in the academy. As the Five Swords responsible for maintaining order, of course we had to rush over immediately to confirm the situation!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Hanasaka Warabi on the side also couldn't care less about her foot pain. She hurriedly waved the wooden club in her hand, chiming in like a bristling kitten:
"I specially rushed over to provide support!"
"If not for dropping the ball at the critical moment, we would have already made a gorgeous entrance!"
The two sang in harmony, trying to use the volume of their voices to cover up their lack of confidence.
However.
Their tacitly understood yet wavering eyes.
Still betrayed the fact that they had actually arrived long ago and had been watching the show from above with relish for quite a while.
____
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