CHAPTER 69: CONTRACT WITH CONSEQUENCES [2]

Luina’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t say anything more.

Not long after, professors and teaching assistants entered through the front door.

"Since we’re a bit late, I’ll call attendance right away."

Second-year "Study of Magical Beasts and Monsters" professor, Balmon Atra, quickly called attendance. There were no latecomers or absentees.

"As mentioned in the last session, the theme of this lecture is cooperation."

Tap, tap, tap, words appeared on the blackboard at his gesture.

"Some monsters, some magical beasts, are so strong that they cannot be handled alone. Sometimes they have tough exteriors that can’t be easily penetrated by weapons, and sometimes they have high magic resistance making spells ineffective."

And then there are those that are just brutally strong, or cases where your level is relatively low.

"Leaving aside the last two, which don’t have clear solutions, what we’re preparing for now are the former cases. When fighting monsters or magical beasts that are natural enemies of knights or mages."

The characteristics of magical beasts and monsters were diverse, and accordingly, appropriate responses were needed for each situation.

Knowing versus not knowing their weaknesses and characteristics made a huge difference.

"That’s why you’re taking this course, and why from your second year, you form pairs with partners and often have joint classes."

After the great war with demons, coordination between knights and mages became the standard of the Empire, no, the continent.

"Would you bring them out?"

"Certainly."

Ahem, Professor Harkon Palas of "Golem Magic Engineering" cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"None of you will be unfamiliar with this. It might be your first time using it, but you’ve probably seen your seniors use it at least once."

A low vibration arose. As heavy footsteps drew near, ten dummies simultaneously entered.

"These are the official training dummies used by the academy."

They varied in size and shape. Each represented some monster or magical beast.

The basic framework was made of various alloys, and the exterior was engraved with various magical inscriptions and formations.

Since they couldn’t bring in monsters for every class, these dummies were created as substitutes, and Gerhard knew them very well.

After all, his family had a few of them.

"So those are the dummies."

"First time seeing them?"

"I’ve heard about them, but it’s my first time seeing them directly."

"Those were made by the Dragon Faith Order. They’ve inscribed the characteristics and traits of each monster with magic."

But more importantly.

"They’re ridiculously expensive."

Following the academy’s requirements, these dummies were made by the Dragon Faith Order, considered the best in magic across the continent, without regard for cost.

So they were really expensive. Of course, they were worth it.

They were so durable that an ordinary person couldn’t even scratch them.

’But they’re not omnipotent.’

Though they embodied the characteristics, organic movement was impossible.

Therefore, it was common for a mage to control them.

After all, they were a type of golem.

"Now, if the conversation has come this far, you know what you need to do, right?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

"Everyone will eventually get a turn, but is there any pair that wants to go first?"

In such duels, it was usually best to observe the situation before stepping up.

"I want to go first."

"...Luina?"

Before Gerhard could stop her, Luina was already striding forward.

Observing her expression, Gerhard rarely realized she was excited.

"Luina Berchef and Gerhard Goldenheim. Good attitude. Then, nine more teams."

Gerhard, who had come out with her, whispered.

"What are you doing?"

"A new battle is always exciting. It’s my first time fighting a dummy made by the Dragon Faith Order."

"There’s nothing special about it. If you expect too much, you’ll be disappointed."

Though they had imprinted the characteristics of monsters or magical beasts and developed them further, in the end, they were controlled by humans.

Naturally, one couldn’t expect realistic movements like those of actual magical beasts.

"That’s a bit disappointing."

As they conversed, all the other pairs also came forward.

"Hmm?"

Gerhard tilted his head as he checked the faces. Rudger and Almon, Carlo and Allia, Daisy and...

They were all top-ranked pairs.

’Competitiveness?’

Since all their gazes were directed at Gerhard and Luina, that was probably right.

"This will be even more fun."

Luina seemed to have noticed too, as the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Each of you, get on your stage."

As the pairs climbed onto their respective duel grounds, the dummies stood on the opposite side.

Gerhard clicked his tongue at the giant stature over 3m and the thick build.

"Luina, Gerhard. You’ll be facing a Goliath dummy. What are the characteristics of a Goliath?"

A Goliath was a monster whose adult form reached about 3m, covered entirely with rocks.

’We got a troublesome one.’

"Since its body is composed of hard rock, it’s difficult to inflict physical damage. And the destructive power from its brute body can’t be ignored."

"Correct."

It wasn’t as if its magic resistance was low either.

With a body that seemed to be a mixture of rock and metal, it had the resilience to withstand most ordinary magic.

"It has excellent physical durability and magic resistance. However, there are ways to defeat it. If you’ve paid proper attention in class, you might be able to take it down surprisingly easily."

"The same goes for other monsters. Each has its characteristics and weaknesses, so keep that in mind as you fight."

"For reference, all dummies have been enhanced by the Dragon Faith Order. Be cautious, as you’ll be in for a big disappointment if you fight imagining an ordinary monster."

As the professor concluded and instructed the duel to proceed, the previously motionless dummy began to light its eyes.

"Luina, you know what to do, right?"

"I’ll hold it down. During that opening, aim for the back of its neck."

The Goliath’s weakness was the back of its neck. It had the thinnest exterior, and if attacked properly, one could inflict a significant effective blow.

"No, I’ll hold it down, and you aim for the weakness."

"That’s not...!"

At that moment, the dummy stamped the ground.

In the blink of an eye, the Goliath’s fist, which had closed the distance, struck at Gerhard.

Bang!

A shock accompanied the thunderous sound.

But between him and the Goliath’s fist, a knight now stood with a sword wrapped in aura.

"How will you attract attention like this?"

Without waiting for his response, Luina struck down the Goliath’s arm.

There was a clanging sound as the sword hit the wrist. The Goliath seemed unfazed.

At that moment, sand and soil began to scatter in all directions.

"Who said anything about attracting attention?"

Magic circles were continuously drawn. Rocks, pebbles, sand, and piles of soil poured out relentlessly, almost brutishly.

By the time the sand, which filled the duel ground and then some, had buried the dummy.

"I was talking about holding the dummy down."

In a normal situation, it would be impossible for someone of Gerhard’s skill to catch such a fast dummy.

But on the limited stage of the duel ground, it didn’t matter. He just had to brutishly fill everything up.

Though his magical skill was just average, being a merchant from a young age, he had consumed all sorts of spirit medicines, so he was confident in his magical power.

Following Gerhard’s will, piles of soil dug into the dummy’s body, grabbed it, and solidified.

The Goliath dummy struggled to escape, but the more it did, the more firmly it was ensnared like a quagmire.

And finally.

"...I didn’t expect this method."

Buried in soil, sand, pebbles, and rocks permeated with Gerhard’s magical power, the dummy could no longer move and only creaked like a broken golem.

"It’s the most certain and easiest method. Even someone like me can do it if they have enough magical power."

Just pour in as much magical power as possible.

"...Isn’t that the most difficult thing?"

"Just finish it off."

Luina strode forward and stabbed the Goliath’s neck. As the magic circle activated, the dummy ceased operation.

"Gerhard, Luina pair. Goliath dummy clearing time 53 seconds."

The teaching assistant announced the measured time with a surprised face.

Naturally, they were first.

"...Already?"

"Is such a method possible?"

"Wow, crazy...!"

"How much magical power does he have?"

"As expected, there was a reason why Luina became his pair...!"

Gerhard calmly endured the passionate gazes and emotions that naturally poured out.

Honestly, with a bit more time, an orthodox method would have been possible, but the reason for doing it this way was, of course...

"Impressive. I thought I had seen many different sides of you since becoming your pair, but you continue to show new facets."

However.

"...It’s a bit disappointing though. I wanted to fight directly. But since we won, it doesn’t matter."

To gain the goodwill of Luina Berchef, who aspired to be the top student... Huh?

"...Disappointing?"

The reaction is somehow not satisfying.