Chapter 48. Slit-Eye and Mockery
Alphas Mayend.
How could that name ever be forgotten?
Rinne felt a dizzying sensation overcome her.
Three years ago, an anomaly arose in the once-peaceful House of Rondvel.
The scene she witnessed back then still clung to her mind, tormenting her endlessly.
An eerily silent mansion.
The lifeless body of a butler drenched in red blood.
A sword gleaming coldly.
The last sight of her father telling her to run away...
Rinne glared at the figure who caused that 'anomaly' as if an earthquake was convulsing in her pupils.
Though she wanted to rush at once to drive a sword through that accursed face, the words of her mentor, Hayden Reich, flashed through her mind, helping her barely maintain composure.
― Rinne, if you encounter a church member of the 'Monsignor' rank or higher, withdraw immediately and seek the help of your colleagues.
Hayden Reich's words were nothing if not rational.
Encountering a 'Monsignor' rank or higher alone, one couldn't predict the outcome of the battle.
The right move was to withdraw momentarily and call others for a collective confrontation.
'... My feet won't move.'
However, a blend of excitement from finding the fiend and fear of the strong, along with the dread that he might disappear while she sought help, kept Rinne in place.
'What should I do, what should I do?'
After a moment's deliberation, she decided to follow him first.
Typically, she wouldn't have chosen such a reckless decision, but the urge not to lose the long-sought enemy was overpowering.
Yet, despite her resolve, her body sensed Alphas' strength and primal fear began to overwhelm her physically.
'No! I can't be like this! With such a feeble mindset, I can't achieve revenge for my father.'
Focusing her mind, Rinne started pursuing Alphas.
Even though the urge to draw her sword and charge was overwhelming, a thin layer of reason held her back.
'Why is he here?'
Suppressing her boiling anger as much as possible, Rinne quietly started following Alphas.
Passing through the garden outside the main building, Alphas continued walking.
'This place is...'
Eventually, he stopped at an annex on the outskirts of the academy.
A place abandoned due to its outdated facilities, prohibited to unauthorized personnel.
'For what purpose?'
Although his inscrutable behavior prompted questions, Rinne impulsively followed him into the annex where he'd vanished.
"It's too obvious to be called trailing."
Ugh.
Waiting to surprise her was none other than Alphas.
With a knowing expression, Rinne instinctively drew the sword from her waist.
"Judging from your uniform... you don't seem to be a knight sent by the Cryphart family. Do you know who I am?"
Do I know? How could I not know?
"Three years ago, Rondvel Manor..."
In response to the sly words of Alphas, Rinne answered with a voice trembling from anger.
"Huh? Rondvel, you say... Hmm. Ah! Could it be..."
After a momentary pause, Alphas seemed to recall something, and a sneaky grin slowly crept onto his face.
"That familiar pretty face... you must be the daughter of that bastard Derain Rondvel."
Ignoring his vile voice, Rinne assumed a stance as if she would charge at any moment with her drawn sword.
"Here for revenge?"
Even with her hostile demeanor, Alphas' expression and tone remained unchanged.
"Passing by without a word, or reporting to the Knights Order, could have been an option. It's a shame, truly. Having only one life."
Barely had those words ended when Rinne felt the oppressive mana emanate from him, wrapping around her.
Rinne struggled, activating her internal mana to resist the onslaught of Alphas' power.
"That's impressive for your age."
Watching her, Alphas sneered and continued speaking.
"Why don't you just let it go? Like how you peeked from the window the day Derain died."
"Just... die!"
With all her internal mana squeezed out, Rinne broke free from the shrouding mana and charged at him.
"Heh. A babe still reeking of milk."
Bang!
With a casual swing, Alphas' punch sent Rinne crashing into the opposite wall faster than she had charged.
"As expected, my eyes didn't deceive me. Compared to your peers, your aura is quite something. But you're still far from it. Heh. I should hammer it into you a bit first."
Despite a slight frown at his scratched fist, Alphas looked down at Rinne's stunned expression with an insidious grin as he approached her.
***
Recollecting Rinne's shocked expression from my unapologetic words evoked an unwarranted sense of guilt.
Under typical circumstances, Rinne would have scoffed or been indifferent to my judgment, yet I had no intention to retract my remarks or apologize.
Surely, 'Yulian' would have spoken in such a manner at that moment. An apology was out of the question.
'It's not wrong.'
Though unintentionally spoken, my assessment of Rinne wasn't without basis.
In her posture, breathing, and steps, there was progress in 'swordsmanship,' but the fundamental issue of 'aura' remained unresolved.
The problem I observed in the slums.
'An unusually high number of mana veins.'
Hence, managing aura in the typical way would quickly deplete Rinne's internal mana.
Her mentor, the Sword Saint Hayden Reich, was supposed to resolve this issue. It was the teacher's duty to address the problems of a disciple.
"Well, I presume she'll manage. It's not an issue I need to be concerned with right now."
Though I coldly spat some unnecessary words.
"Ha ha, well done, Sir Yulian."
Having completed some straightforward administrative tasks linked to the 'Blind Eyes' duties, vice Principal Allom Chorny approached as I prepared to leave the academy grounds.
"Indeed, having Sir Yulian, affiliated with the Imperial institution and a commendable knight overseeing, it seems the students hold no dissatisfaction with the exam results."
It was 'Yulian's assessment' after all. Contesting that would equate to completely refuting my expertise.
"Heh heh, if they were at a level to find fault, they should have been undergoing formal knight procedures rather than being students."
"That's true!"
Allom began laughing heartily.
"Although it might be unwarranted interference..."
"Yes, please go on."
"That... handling this task instead of being present at the Victory Day celebration, isn't it causing any trouble for you?"
I feel like I've heard something similar to this before.
"Though you haven't openly displayed it, some within the Imperial circles seem to harbor questions regarding Sir Yulian's actions."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, considering Hayden has even made an appearance, following suit... ahem!"
About to mention the Sword Saint, allom coughed awkwardly and began looking around.
Residents within the system often know of the connection between the Sword Saint and the 'Smiling Executioner'. That explains his hesitation.
"It's fine; my conflicts with my mentor have long been resolved."
"Ha, ha ha! That... that is indeed fortunate!"
Despite the assurance, I haven't exchanged a single word with the Sword Saint yet.
'Ultimately, attending the ceremony would have been a mistake.'
Listening to Allom's words, choosing not to attend the Victory Day celebration was undoubtedly the correct decision.
"I'm genuinely relieved to hear things have been resolved with Hayden."
"Yes."
"Oh! Come to think of it, wasn't Rinne the only one who disputed Sir Yulian's assessment on this practical exam?"
Allom took out a document from his pocket. The name 'Rinne Rondvel' was vaguely visible.
"Though she is the top of her class and received the title 'Le Meyer', there is a note requesting an amendment to your assessment."
He continued, wearing a somewhat troubled expression.
"It's unfortunate. I was kind of hoping there wouldn't be any objections in this practical exam."
"Could you hand me that objection form?"
Though puzzled at my request, allom complied, passing me the document.
"As it's my assigned task, I'd like to handle it tidily."
"Handling... you say?"
"Yes, I'll ensure Rinne finds satisfaction. Consequently, it would eliminate any objections for this test."
"Ah, ah..."
Allom expressed amazement at my words. Thereafter, vice Principal Allom bid farewell repeatedly, nodding before he departed.
'An objection form... it's really not something I need to fret over.'
By setting aside the renowned 'Sword Saint' to act as an academy instructor, haven't I effectively made a controversial move?
'Any uproar could be used against me.'
I avoided attending the Victory Day celebration simply to avoid encountering the Sword Saint, not due to the Imperial scrutiny.
'So first, where is Rinne?'
With that in mind, I closed my eyes, directing my concentration to my dantian.
Engaging in 'Mana Detection', a tactic used frequently before, aimed to expand its range to locate Rinne, who was currently at Bayer Academy.
'... But I shouldn't get my hopes up.'
The expansive scale of Bayer Academy is relatively broad. Detecting a single individual's mana within this vast expanse is akin to searching for a needle in a desert──
"Hm?"
Yet, contrary to my expectations, identifying Rinne's mana within the extensive grounds of the academy wasn't particularly challenging.
During the recent practical exam, I observed Rinne's aura.
The aura, accompanied by a familiar sensation, was picked up through 'Mana Detection'.
'Judging by this location... it's the annex?'
A place I'm somewhat familiar with.
Determined by Rinne's possible whereabouts, I began making my way there.
***
― Lady Rinne, nothing has changed since then, it seems.
One clear phrase surfaced amidst Rinne's fading consciousness.
The remark that overlooked all her past relentless efforts.
"Amazing! At your age, wielding aura surpassing that of ordinary knights. But your sustainability is dreadful."
Watching Alphas casually replicate Yulian's words, Rinne merely trembled her lips in frustration at her own inadequacy.
'Is this really my limit?'
Her presumption to dwell in the praise of being a 'prodigy' turned out to mark her as nothing more than a fool entrenched in self-deception.
"Stay down, I'll make it easier for you shortly."
Thump—!
Despite clinging onto her quivering legs, trying to stand, Alphas denied her attempts.
After kicking her down brutally, he held his sword to Rinne's face.
'With my nemesis right before me...'
Rinne's tears of regret dripped down her cheeks as she lay helpless.
Could've tried a little harder.
Wielded the sword one more time.
'Father, I'm sorry.'
Between her tears, the glistening blade reflected coldly.
"Now then, let's end this."
She was in such agony that merely responding to her antagonist Alphas' words or even holding a sword was impossible.
Indeed, there might be merit in finding peace like this.
Memories of cutting sleep and practicing twice as hard as others to overpass those ahead.
'All this was in vain.'
- 'Is that all you've got?'
Hearing Yulian's voice as if it were a hallucination, she clenched her fist tightly.
I can't die like this!
Her unyielding resolve for revenge and rage against 'Yulian' entwined, rousting her from near death.
Under her father's watchful eyes in heaven, how pathetic would she seem now?
Added to that, mocking sneers from 'Yulian' saying 'I thought as much from you.'
'I don't want that...!'
A compelling desire for vengeance on her father's behalf but equally strong was the repugnance at witnessing Yulian's mocking face.
An overbearing being who dared to raise a sword against her mentor.
An emotionless blade, capable of killing even an infant by Imperial command.
A shameless individual prone to discarding comrades for success.
A figure void of any respect.
And despite all that, one with outstanding prowess.
Certainly, if he witnessed her now, he'd likely deride her.
'It's pitiful.'
Perhaps claiming—
"It's pitiful, indeed. Isn't this tarnishing the reputation of a fellow disciple?"
There stood the insufferable slit-eye image of Yulian at the entrance of the annex.