Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight - Chapter 95

“This… this is the power of a single cadet? You really expect me to believe this?”

A rooftop at the edge of Academy District 1.

A girl with blue hair and eyes that shine like two jewels is sweating profusely.

Marin, the marksman of Nox and a member of Lunatic. Her current expression is one of shock.

“Leader Luna herself told me how fast my arrows were, and yet…… you dodge them at that distance?”

That wasn’t all. Nox waited until the very last second.

Until the very last second, when his arrow was actually about to hit him in the back of the head… and then he quickly turned his head and miraculously dodged it.

‘Is that possible with human reflexes?’

Of course, Luna is one of the three swordsmen, and she has the ability to dodge her arrows.

But for a cadet to be able to do so is another matter entirely.

There are those who are recognized by the world and those who are still unknown.

The gap between the two is enormous.

“Rookie… I think I’ve got a ridiculous one as my junior…….”

Later, when she had a chance, she would ask Luna a little more about him. In her opinion, he deserved to have his own mark on the entire continent.

Being a person with a nickname on the continent is literally the same thing as being a tycoon.

To have so many talents crushed, to be crushed.

She’d seen so many others like her, cowering in glass coffins, disappear, and while she’d never been one to jump to conclusions, she couldn’t help herself now.

Nox is a genius.

Like none other…….

Maybe even beyond Luna, beyond his father, Theo von Reinhafer. A talent of epic proportions.

Only then did a thought cross Marin’s mind.

‘No wonder he never showed his true talent on the surface, and why he hid his identity under the stigma of being a cripple.’

Marin let her imagination run wild.

It’s possible that Nox von Reinhafer realized that his overwhelming talent would later cause problems for others.

So, to protect himself, and perhaps to protect those close to him, he disguised his true identity and played the madman.

‘Maybe that’s why he’s been hanging around the maid so much… Finally, it all makes sense.’

“No wonder. He was so damn handsome… … .”

Of course, it was an unrelated and pure appreciation of his face, but there was no one to point it out.

Marin finally made up her mind.

She and Nox would grow Lunatic together, him and herself.

And to create a continent where all of Lunatic could laugh together.

He had to do it for Jay.

“In order to do that…….”

Esteban von Arkheim. “The Foolish Emperor” had to be brought down.

Of course, I would have to kill his daughter, Penelope, in the process.

* * *

A night of slaughter.

This is what the continent calls the mass slaughter of the demon Paimon that took place on a single full moon.

It lasted for several days and is said to have caused countless casualties.

A catastrophe whose notoriety lingered for some time after Paimon was sealed away, forcing many to live in a time of war.

It was called a tragedy because it was a trauma for some and a vengeful hatred for others.

There were also two great peop;e who survived the tragedy.

One had lost her childhood mentor; the other had lost her family and friends. They stood there, fangs retracted, having just pointed at each other.

After Paimon is defeated, they contemplate the emptiness.

Luna and Noah.

The two met each other’s eyes for a moment.

Then their gazes turn to Nox, who has fallen unconscious.

A giant mountain, a monster that should have been before him. The Demon Paimon had already been completely annihilated, leaving not even a single spirit stone behind.

The night of the full moon. Luna suddenly opened her mouth.

“So that’s why you let Paimon awaken, Noah, since ……. To destroy the Spirit Stone, right?”

Noah didn’t answer, but Luna nodded immediately.

An unspoken sign of understanding, she continued.

“Come to think of it, it’s always been strange. ‘Night of the Slaughter’……. Why you, the one who suffered the most in that hell, would be willing to watch a demon awaken, if it wasn’t just simple revenge.”

“What… I was vengeful, yes. It’s a shame my powers didn’t reach that far, that’s all. Kid.”

“I understand. But…… next time, I hope you’ll at least explain.”

“Hehe, I’d be glad to.”

Suddenly, Noah’s body begins to revert to that of a child.

Her clothes fall loose. Her neatly pressed shirt grows larger, then magically shrinks back to its original size.

“Noah von Trinity. You’ll need to regain as much of your strength as you can when we next meet. You know that a stronger enemy is coming, and…….”

Demons aren’t the only enemies.

Noah nodded at the small addition.

Then, as Luna was about to leave.

“I’ll take care of this kid, don’t worry. Hehe.”

Noah said with a grin. Luna’s gaze lingered on the fallen Nox for a moment. It seemed she had learned too much already to lie.

It can’t be helped. I don’t think Noah will kill him.

For now, she can only wait and see.

“Do me a favor, then.”

With that, the moonlit shadow recedes.

Noah looked into the face of her fallen apprentice and smiled weakly.

“Thank you. Apprentice.”

Deudeudeudeu…!

With that, the ice wall that had so majestically surrounded them began to crumble with a loud crash. Though she wouldn’t admit it, she was at her limit.

It didn’t take long for Vernon and Instructor Lars to arrive, having assessed the situation.

“No, Dean Noah, are you all right?! What in the world is going on with the magic stones in the underground museum?!”

Lars was the first to react.

Of course, a good student would have read the energy patterns long ago. He would have known who the monster was that had confronted Noah earlier.

He just couldn’t get past the ice wall.

The fight with Paimon could be felt a mile away.

“It just… happened! Hehe.”

“That’s how it happened… How the hell do you do that…… ah! My, my chief apprentice…!! Nox-kun! Wake up!!!”

Lars continued, looking at his apprentice who had collapsed in shock. Vernon soon took control of the situation as well, running at an unnervingly fast pace toward Nox.

The others quickly rushed in to clean up the mess.

This was a common occurrence at Eldain Academy. Of course, there weren’t many incidents of this magnitude, but…….

In many ways, it was a school for troublemakers.

And so it went.

Vernon turned to Noah cautiously.

“But… even though it’s weakened, who was the one who defeated Paimon? It was the Dean himself, after all…….”

“Hmm… what do you think?”

Noah smiled grimly and said so, but she didn’t really have an answer.

Only Vernon and Lars looked like they were facing a disaster. Weren’t they professors who had to hand in papers to the Imperial family later?

They knew that once Noah started hiding, no one would be able to get her to talk.

‘Hey, you do something about it.’

‘Why should I? You do it.’

They argued and fought, but neither of them could think of anything but one theory.

Nox von Reinhafer.

The possibility that their apprentice could have killed Paimon seemed too good to be true.

Lars and Vernon were surprisingly simple.

In fact, even now, they were merely trying to figure out how to send a written statement to the Imperial family. Though ensuring the safety of their students still took precedence.

Noah, however, was different.

She knew.

She knew there was a connection between all of these events, and that the key player would be in the center, in the Imperial Family.

Moreover.

‘It’s in here, you foul-smelling demon follower who dares to be in my territory.’

Noah scanned her surroundings with narrowed pupils and bit her lip lightly.

* * *

Ooohhh…….

I don’t remember anything after I lost consciousness. All I know is that I heard a steady humming of mana while I was down, and the second disconnect that forced me open like I was about to break.

All I know is that the wounds from the previous interruption near my heart began to heal.

The recovery was so fast that even I couldn’t comprehend it.

How is that possible?

[The Moonlight Spell enters the player’s body].

[Frostbite envelops you].

Luna and Noah, because they both took care of me and nursed me back to health. They came at different times and in silence, as if in sync.

Thanks to them, even though I hadn’t woken up yet, I could clearly feel myself getting lightheaded.

I knew this was coming, so I was prepared.

I had dared to enter Eldain, Noah’s domain, under Luna. It was obvious that I would be in trouble.

The Academy is supposed to be publicly aligned with the Emperor.

A student affiliated with a criminal organization in such a place?

He was in a prime position to be killed for rebellion.

It was hard to survive without a plan.

‘Perhaps the reason they’re nursing me back to health is to get some information out of me?’

A reasonable thought.

‘Dean Noah is dangerous. No matter how desperate the situation, the fact that she was able to use her powers to persuade you… this is it. You’re in a position where you can’t help but see it, even if you try not to…….’

I hope Luna can give me a good slap on the wrist and tell me I’m not on her side. Things can’t go wrong here, can they?

I’ve only been a student of Eldain’s for a few months, and I’ve managed to kill an Archduke. I didn’t do it alone, but that doesn’t make what I did any less important.

I hope Noah’s people will at least take a look at me, since I’ve fought hard enough to deserve it. If I live, I’ll be able to make things right, won’t I?

‘……This is the first time I’ve ever felt scared to wake up.’

Actually, as of a few minutes ago, my mind was clear and I felt pretty good.

I don’t know how much time passed. I only know that Luna and Noah took turns healing me and that this was not the right time to wake up.

There was one more reason besides the ones I described above.

It was…….

“Nox can’t really be dead…? He’s been unconscious for three days now…… This is a big deal, I need to call my dad right now and get him some elixirs!”

A thin voice sobbed.

“Now, wait a minute, Talia, Nox-nim is not that weak. He will surely wake up, but for now, you should watch him…….”

A genius maid reads my mind.

“I knew it was coming. Why did you run out of there like a boon moth?”

“Don’t say that, I’m sure you had something in mind.”

Two of the most popular guys in the game, and more…….

I’ve got a bunch of annoying people in my hospital room.

If I wake up here, I’m going to get screwed…….

There’s a whole bunch of nagging questions waiting for me, starting with the baptism of fire. I was just thanking Zitri very sincerely for not tickling my feet right now.

He knows I’m a foot tickler.

I’m wondering if she knows I’m awake because she’s giving me a little stare.

I’ll have to be more careful……..

‘As buttery as possible. Ha. ……When are these assholes leaving anyway?’

Listening to their conversation earlier, they didn’t even seem to realize I’d defeated a Paimon.

It’s not surprising.

No one would ever think that a student could do something like that.

That’s a good thing. I’d be in danger of getting myself into trouble by spreading rumors.

Even if I didn’t, the First Prince’s supporters are pressuring me relentlessly.

If more enemies come after me here, even Penelope, Luna, and Noah may not be able to shield me.

Maybe they’re not allies after all.

I have to be careful…….

Anyway.

I decided to sleep for a while longer. After all, it’s been a long hard day, hasn’t it?

No one would blame me for getting a little rest. It wasn’t long before I heard regular breathing.

Soon I realize it’s my own breathing.

How long has it been since I’ve been like this?

I think for a moment, but then I’m cut off.

No, it’s because… I’ve fallen asleep.

* * *

…….

…….

Time has passed.

I can’t tell, but it must have been at least three hours. Now, judging by the lack of sound around me, they must be gone.

I cautiously lifted my eyelids.

And.

“You’re up, aren’t you?”

Holy shit!

…If it weren’t for my talent as an actor, I’d probably blurt out something like this.

A girl’s face suddenly appeared in my field of vision.

Auburn, neatly coiffed hair in soft waves.

My crisis sensors kick in.

Did I mention over the mountain?

“……Eleanor, what’s going on, this late at night? Don’t you have any manners?”

It was dark by the window, so I took the initiative and opened my mouth to speak, to shoo her away, but I was quickly stopped. She reached up to the corner of my mouth and pressed her body against mine.

Then she brings her lips to my ear.

“Let me ask you something.”

And then, my heart sinks.

The words she spoke, the words I couldn’t help but hear.

“The man I saw in the labyrinth, Sean… what is your relationship to him?”