The Villain is Too Good at Sniping - Chapter 146



Only Krnovel

Episode 146

Episode 146. Tournament (5)

It’s past lunchtime. Two cadets stand on a sun-baked dueling arena.

One is Kyle Ivanstairs, dressed in Arsene’s cadet uniform. The other is Nam Ki-hyeok, dressed in exotic oriental clothing.

After exchanging fierce battles, the two distanced themselves and glared at each other, straightening their disheveled postures.

‘He’s a tough opponent for a first-year student. Judging from the fact that he requested a handicap, it seems that his head is somewhat working, contrary to Yeon-hee’s words.’

Irie de Sugarmond didn’t ask for a handicap, but Kyle Ivanstair accepted it with pride.

Surprisingly, the handicap that Kyle requested was a huge handicap for Nam Ki-hyeok. If he had chosen a handicap that required him not to use his left hand or not to use his sword, the outcome would have been decided in an instant.

Nam Ki-hyeok can’t use footwork right now. He won’t use footwork or any footwork techniques at all. That was the handicap that Kyle Evanstairs demanded.

‘… How did you know?’

It was a genuine question, because the handicap wasn’t suggested by the referee, it was Kyle himself who requested it.

‘Either he gained enlightenment from his confrontation with Yeonhee, or he has discovered the weaknesses of the swordsmanship taught at the Touhou Flower Garden. It’s probably one of the two.’

Unlike other academies, Touhou Flower Academy teaches all kinds of combat techniques, including swordsmanship, magic, and staff fighting.

Unlike the other two academies whose ultimate goal is to train hunters, this academy places importance on refining oneself by honing one’s military skills, as represented by the clear mirror and stopping water.

Therefore, there are many schools within the Dongbang Flower Garden. The schools pursue different directions and each has its own unique characteristics, but there is no school that does not value the Dharma.

In that sense, the handicap that Kyle suggested, ‘prohibition on using foot techniques including footwork’, was an extremely vicious handicap for the students of the Eastern Flower Garden. At first glance, it may seem like a minor restriction, but Nam Ki-hyeok was unable to use most of the techniques he was proud of.

Kagang-!

Nam Ki-hyeok was consistently overwhelming Kyle, but Kyle still approached him fiercely, swinging his sword. As Yeon-hee, who had faced him, said, he had a stubborn spirit that would get back up no matter how many times he was knocked down.

‘I don’t think this guy is familiar with the swordsmanship of the Eastern Flower Garden. He has many weaknesses, and it’s rare for him to properly block my sword.’

It is highly likely that the handicap that prohibits the use of the law was not an idea that Kyle himself came up with. A name suddenly flashed through Nam Ki-hyeok’s mind.

‘Could it be that Zion Illionheart, this is also you… …?’

There was a flash of light. Nam Ki-hyeok felt Kyle’s sword flying from behind him. It wasn’t difficult to block it, but some kind of confusion slowed Nam Ki-hyeok’s judgment.

Kyle’s swing was blocked by Nam Ki-hyeok’s sword, but Kyle used his momentum to boldly advance forward. Then, he twisted the handle and struck Nam Ki-hyeok’s shoulder.

“… … !”

“I got eaten… … !”

Even though it was just a duel that was not reflected in the grades, this fight was being watched by the three major academies. It was also being broadcasted outside, so an uncountable number of people were watching this fight.

“You’ve been practicing a lot, Kyle Ivanstair.”

As in the previous sparring, the difference in skill between Kyle and Nam Ki-hyeok is clear. If there had been no handicap, Nam Ki-hyeok would have been confident in beating Kyle long ago.

“I can sense that you’ve prepared a lot for this exchange, as you requested a handicap. So I’ll be watching to see how far you can take it.”

“Rather than saying I prepared a lot… I just had good friends, senior.”

“You are a good friend… … .”

Nam Ki-hyeok laughed in vain. However, Kyle, sensing the ominous mood, quickly raised his sword.

“It may be a little late, but I will make this statement again.”

A sinister green magic energy rose from Nam Ki-hyeok’s sword, which he raised toward the sky. It looked as if a small vortex had wrapped itself around the sword.

If you handle it wrong, you won’t be able to fully save your life. Kyle frowned.

“I am Nam Ki-hyeok, the best swordsman in Yoo Seong.”

“This is Kyle Ivanstair…”

Compared to Nam Ki-hyeok, who had a fancy nickname, Kyle felt shabby all over again. But it was familiar. He had always fought without anything and won in the end. He had an unfounded confidence that he could do the same this time.

The two of them kicked the ground as if they had made a promise. At the same time, they unleashed the strongest techniques they could at each other.

***

That night. Arsene’s camp.

Kyle Ivanstairs was being carried to the infirmary on a stretcher. The school nurse who came to greet him looked miserable as she saw Kyle unconscious.

“I ended up getting beaten up.”

“I got beaten up, but I somehow managed to win.”

It was a fight that made me nervous just watching. If it were a team fight, I could have helped, but this fight was a trial that Kyle had to overcome alone.

I thought Kyle would eventually be able to win. Airi had defeated Lilia, so there was no reason why Kyle, who was more vicious than Airi, couldn’t do it.

“If we were to consider it a tournament, I would have lost by decision, but this isn’t a tournament. Freshmen are given a handicap.”

“So you won? That guy from the Touhou Flower Garden?”

“Well… Actually, if you think about it, it’s more like Nam Ki-hyeok lost rather than Kyle winning.”

Just like Lilia, Nam Ki-hyeok ended up making a similar choice to Lilia. He didn’t give up, but he intentionally got hit by Kyle’s sword. The moment Kyle’s sword touched Nam Ki-hyeok’s body, Nam Ki-hyeok let go of his sword, and the referee declared Kyle’s victory.

In the process, he was beaten up so badly. His face was swollen like a steamed bun, and his arms and legs were all intact. His body was wrapped in bandages, and he looked like a mummy.

“I should be able to recover before the team competition.”

“her…….”

The nurse’s puzzled expression was new every time I saw it. Just as the assistants were about to move Kyle to the infirmary, Kyle suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Just as you said… I won. Zion.”

“Were you awake?”

“Oh, did I get hit too hard… …? My head hurts a little.”

Kyle fiddled with the bandage on his temple. Even if he looked like he was dying, he would recover as if nothing had happened after resting for a day or two. He was the kind of guy who had always held on so tenaciously.

“For now, don’t worry about the other kids and just go and get some sleep.”

I was going to lightly tap his shoulder, but there was no place to touch, so I just stopped.

***

–[New Goal]–

?[Main] Academy Exchange (New!)

Goal: To participate in the Academy Exchange

? Reward: ?

*Additional objectives

? Participate in one group event

? Take a look at the booth installed in Arsen

? Cheering on Arsene’s side from the stands

———-

Compared to the grand title of the Academy Exchange, the goal of this quest was relatively easy.

The clear objective is not to win the battle, but to participate in the exchange battle.

If you do well, it’s just better, and there’s no pressure. That’s why the reward is also questionable. Maybe the reward will change depending on what I do.

There is a large scoreboard hanging in Arsene’s main square. It shows the performances of each academy in detail, but there is no need to look at the bottom anyway. I only checked the letters written at the top.

[Current Rankings – Arsene (1st) / Dongbanghwawon (2nd) / Joachim (3rd)]

This time, Airi and Kyle each beat Joachim and Touhou Hwaen respectively, so a mid-level or higher reward is expected.

Anyway, the big hurdle was overcome. The camp where the cadets gathered had a festive atmosphere today as well. The cadets who did not participate were talking nonsense.

“Hey, aren’t we really going to win like this?”

“I’ve already defeated Joachim and Touhou Hwaen, so if I just win the team event, I think I’ll be able to do it.”

“Did Serene Annette participate in the team event? I would feel a little better if she showed up.”

I passed through the cadets, making no sound. It was painful to hear that conversation that sounded like foreshadowing.

‘Stop raising the flag… … .’

In times like these, you should keep your mouth shut. You never know what variables might occur until the exchange is over. The difficulty of this world is hell, and there are surprise events. So it’s not over until it’s over.

“Mr. Zion, where are you going?”

I was about to pass by with that in mind, but Airi grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.

“I’m going to take a break.”

“Mr. Zion, you haven’t done much. Haven’t you already rested a lot?”

“You should rest when you can, otherwise you won’t be able to exert yourself in team events.”

She tried to get away by making a few gestures. However, there was another person behind Airi. Upon closer inspection, it was Lilia de Sugarmond.

“Is Lady Lilia also coming to see it?”

“Somehow… it turned out like that.”

Although she spoke vaguely, Lilia’s words contained a lot of meaning.

If not now, when there is no schedule, there is no time to talk freely with Airi. As a result, Lilia agreed with my opinion that she should rest when she can.

“Iri, you too, don’t stay out too late. Have some fun and then go home. And don’t drink alcohol.”

“I don’t drink.”

“That’s right. You’re still a freshman. If you make a mistake and get disqualified from participating, you’ll be in big trouble.”

Since Lilia is here, we might be able to get away with some of the deviations.

“Then I’ll go and see, Mr. Zion.”

I saw Iri disappearing with Lilia. A smile appeared on my face as I watched her back as they walked away together.

Kyle defeated Nam Ki-hyeok, and Airi defeated Lilia. Since they had overcome a major crisis, I wanted to join the cadets and celebrate with them.

‘… It won’t work.’

But I shouldn’t be released. The main characters can be released, but I shouldn’t be. In order to eliminate any possible variables, I intentionally didn’t participate in this exchange.

‘Professor Edinburgh has definitely checked.’

Perhaps Professor Edinburgh will, like in the original, lose his temper and try to intervene in the group battle. I don’t know how he will intervene. We’ll have to wait and see.

Then, someone among the cadets called me. It was Elin Bernhard, who was in the middle of the cadets.

“Zion, don’t just watch. Come here.”

“Why me?”

“There’s a team match coming up soon. We need to plan our strategy in advance… right? Right?”

Elin trailed off as if she was wondering if she was right even after she said it herself. In fact, it is not my role to plan the operation, but that of Serin Annette, Kyle, and Ashley Silvergarden. The other cadets who have not yet arrived at the camp will arrive soon.

The moment I took a step closer, the smell of alcohol rose up. It had only been a short while since I had warned Airi, but they were already drinking.

“If you get caught, you might be banned from participating in the group event. Is that okay?”

“The professors gave this to me?”

“what……?”

“I don’t know. There was just a piece of paper stuck to it. It said, ‘Don’t drink too much.’”

For a moment, I thought that Joachim and the Oriental Flower Garden had sent it intentionally.

But those two wouldn’t have gone crazy and sabotaged things by sending alcohol. It would be too conspicuous, and if they did, the entire academy would be embarrassed.

But that doesn’t seem like the kind of thing an Edinburgh professor would do. So, perhaps one of Arsene’s professors gave it to him anonymously.

“Just wait. I’ll drink first.”

“ok……?”

I snatched Ellen’s glass away.

There is an easy way to check for sure. I just have to drink it myself. I have developed a tolerance to all kinds of poisons in Esperland, so I can tell right away if there is something wrong with the alcohol.

But surprisingly, I didn’t feel anything particularly strange. I checked the anonymous note.

This handwriting, slightly rough but overall balanced, belongs to Professor Reina. If it had been another professor’s handwriting, it would have been a bit awkward, but fortunately, it was not.

“The alcohol content is just right, so I think I can drink it.”

I handed the empty glass back to Elin. Elin accepted the glass with an embarrassed look on her face. Then, for a while, she looked at the spot where I had put my lips.

[‘Elin Bernhard’s’ favorability rating slightly increases.]

…Why on earth?