Chapter 145.1: Part 1

Bonus chapter thanks to '@Botjudy' for subscription to 'Sword Lacquer' tier on Ko-fi.

As per the Headmaster's request, I showcased an overwhelming victory.

I succeeded in silencing the chaotic audience and left a strong impression with my killing intent.

However, unlike the previous matches, there were no cheers from the audience when it was my turn.

A half-demon had won the final match, defeating a second-year student.

Perhaps there was some resentment, especially from the second-year students.

But no one.

No one could argue with the victory I had achieved.

Some students even fainted, overwhelmed by the killing intent emanating from my body.

Subduing an opponent with sheer presence was an ability the Headmaster had demonstrated during the entrance exam.

Of course, my skill paled in comparison to hers, but by borrowing the power of my Trait, I succeeded in making several students lose consciousness.

'Now I can use it in real battles too.'

By the way, my total mana was currently at '5000'.

If it exceeded that number, my Killing Intent Trait would evolve once more.

If that happened, I would be able to subdue even ordinary humans and demons with my presence alone.

Anyway,

'She seems quite satisfied.'

As I deepened my senses and focused on the audience, I saw the Headmaster with a satisfied smile.

Riding this momentum, if I continued like this and defeated the third-year students, I would be able to secure additional points and secure the top spot.

As much as I was being ignored by the demons and doubted by Diana, I had to show them an overwhelming performance.

I had to make sure the demons couldn't easily dismiss me.

...For some reason, was it just my imagination that this situation seemed to overlap with the female lead's in the original story?

While I licked my lips with a strange bitterness,

"Against all odds, Student Adel has defeated the second-year student...! Ah, will the medical instructors please take the collapsed student away!"

Idea, who had been dumbfounded after witnessing the overwhelming display, instructed the medical instructors.

A familiar instructor stepped onto the battlefield and lifted the collapsed student.

It was the medical instructor who taught Luna.

Subtly, I nodded to her, apologizing for causing her trouble.

At my gesture, she smacked her forehead with a sigh and shook her head.

Then, she took the unconscious student and headed to the infirmary.

However,

The bottom of his pants seemed a bit damp.

...It wasn't intentional, but I guess he'd be teased a bit when he returned to his class.

I took my eyes off him.

And focused on Idea, who had started speaking again.

"With this, the winner of the final match is Pixie Adel! The next match will be held between the third and first years!"

The match between the first and third years.

With Idea acknowledging my victory, our first years were able to advance to the next round.

Those arrogant brats, this is why they were a problem.

Rene and Aeron usually didn't act strong, yet they still won, didn't they?

On the other hand, Guwar and Baltan, whose brains seemed to be made of muscle, were defeated.

If it hadn't been for me, we wouldn't have made it to the next round.

I'd have to tease them about it when we got back to the waiting room.

As I thought about it, I looked around.

"..."

Despite Idea's declaration of my victory, the audience remained silent.

Breaking the silence, I heard applause from somewhere.

It was a group waving a flag with strange sentences written on it.

[The Half-Demon Alliance wholeheartedly supports Student Adel!]

A flag with such a phrase written on it.

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for some reason.

...Even Luna was a member of the Half-Demon Alliance.

"I knew you would win...!"

Luna sniffled, clapping her hands with all her might.

And so, starting with Luna and the Half-Demon Alliance, the instructors who had been watching the match began to applaud.

"Well, it was a bit bland, but a decent match."

"It seems the first-year representative wasn't chosen by luck."

"Haha, didn't I tell you? I said Student Adel would be strong."

Seeing them like that, I was overcome with a strange feeling.

It was the instructors, not the students, who hated half-demons.

The instructors had experienced war firsthand, so it was inevitable.

They must have witnessed the Arsene family who killed the Demon King and the half-demons who betrayed the demons.

For them to applaud meant that they acknowledged me.

As a representative of Sytan, it meant that I deserved to be recognized.

As I watched them,

Suddenly, the Headmaster's smile flashed through my mind, sending chills down my spine.

I felt a sense of pride as I saw the instructors' changed attitude towards me.

'If I hadn't known the Headmaster's intentions...'

I would have been lost in the momentary happiness of being recognized and ended up as a discarded hunting dog, betrayed after serving my purpose.

As I reached that thought, my head started to ache again.

The brief happiness of being recognized had completely evaporated, leaving only suspicion and vigilance in its place.

'...Still, I need to finish this properly.'

I placed my hand on my chest in a polite yet relaxed manner and bowed slightly.

With a smile on my face, I opened my mouth.

"Thank you, everyone. It was a pleasure performing for you."

At this, the applause that had been limited to the Half-Demon Alliance and the instructors began to spread widely.

The students in the audience began to applaud one by one.

As Idea saw that I was being acknowledged, she seemed pleased and spoke in a louder voice than before.

"Now, the next match between the first and third years will be held in two hours, after the students have had enough rest!"

'Break time, huh?'

It was true that none of us were particularly exhausted, but we couldn't just keep going without a break.

For now, let's head back to the waiting room.

I straightened up, gave a slight bow, and left the arena.

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