Chapter 36: Move forward with everything you have

As everyone knows, Casel Academy was founded by the only continent-level mage in the world, Luce Hell. It is a super academy not governed by any nation.

In this world where land resources are scarce, every country covets the fertile land at the center of the continent where Casel Academy stands. However, due to Luce’s overwhelming strength, none dare to invade.

Because of this, Casel Academy displays many traits completely different from ordinary academies. Rather than simply being a school, it is more appropriate to regard it as an independent nation.

It has a complete and independent administrative system, with all facilities fully equipped.

Casel Academy even has its own prison. However, to soften the overly grim atmosphere, it is referred to within the academy as the “confinement room.”

This confinement room is no ordinary place. It is constructed from a material called anti-magic stone.

But anti-magic stone is not a substance that repels magic. On the contrary, it is a crystal that absorbs magic extremely easily.

When imprisoning someone, the academy drains all magic from the stone, after which it continuously absorbs surrounding mana, keeping the room at a low concentration of magical energy.

This ensures that those confined within cannot use magic to escape.

Within Casel Academy, the organization responsible for apprehending rule-breaking students and maintaining order is called the Inspectorate.

Once a student violates the academy’s strict rules, the Inspectorate acts swiftly, subduing the offender with decisive force and bringing them to the confinement room for punishment.

It is precisely because of the Inspectorate that Casel Academy maintains a relatively stable order, allowing the inheritance and study of magic to proceed smoothly.

So when Lila saw Jack and Arnold being captured by the Inspectorate, she was not surprised at all. She had already handed solid evidence to Ulysses, if they still weren’t caught, then the Inspectorate would truly be useless.

There was also another reason it happened so quickly: Jack and Arnold were merely commoners, with no backing in the academy, so they had no ability to resist.

They all suffered in similar ways, so why harm someone in the same situation?

“If you’re hoping the Inspectorate will arrest me, that’s nothing but a dream, Simon. Don’t forget your tuition is funded, and the academy can’t protect your family.”

Standing beside Simon and reading the notice, Lila noticed the slight relief on his face. With her arms crossed and a disdainful gaze, she spoke coldly.

This was the power of nobility.

At once, the ease on Simon’s face vanished. He quickly waved his hands in denial.

“No, no, Miss! I’ve never thought that. I’ve always felt fortunate to be able to work for you.”

“Is that so?”

Lila curled her lips.

“Of course.”

Simon answered without hesitation.

Though he looked serious on the surface, his palms were already sweating with nervousness. How could he possibly feel grateful after being tormented like that?

If he could speak his true thoughts, they would probably be: If possible, lock that witch up for fifty years, a hundred years… no, forever would be best.

Looking at Simon’s serious expression, Lila maintained a cold and stern face, though inwardly she was amused.

No matter how sincere Simon sounded, she could still sense his lifespan being replenished ever so slightly, proof that he still harbored resentment toward her.

That contrast brought her a bit of satisfaction, though she would never show it.

“Fine. You can only stay by my side. Don’t even think about running.”

Simon nodded, thinking he had finally gotten through this safely.

Who knew what was going on today? He had been attending class normally when a classmate suddenly called him out. He thought he was about to be given more troublesome errands, but instead it was Lila looking for him.

When he cautiously asked what she wanted, she simply said she would punish him less recently, but his training would double.

Of course, he wanted neither.

For this noble girl who always acted on whims, Simon’s instinct was always to refuse.

But after thinking it through, he glanced at Lila’s still indifferent expression and couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Did this witch actually want him to pass the arena test so he could pass his final evaluation?

It felt strangely out of place.

Just like that, he followed her, and before he knew it, they had arrived at the notice board, where they saw the announcement of those two being captured. Simon suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.

But it quickly faded, because his greatest threat was still right beside him, clinging like something he couldn’t shake off.

No, she wasn’t sweet like sticky candy, more like a chili pepper you could never get rid of.

With that thought, they arrived at the training ground.

From Lila’s observation, Simon’s physical condition wasn’t bad, and he had been improving, though slowly. His real issue lay in his swordsmanship.

It wasn’t that he didn’t practice seriously, in fact, he was too serious. Once taught a technique, he would repeat it over and over until every movement became perfectly standard.

But that was the problem.

Real combat didn’t follow rules. Being too rigid and unable to adapt would lead to crushing defeat in actual battles.

Lila could have told him directly, but that would have been too careless, and likely ineffective.

So instead…

Simon was about to take a weapon from the training ground’s armory when Lila said:

“Just wooden swords this time. Two of them.”

He immediately understood what she intended.

So they stood facing each other.

Lila revealed a mocking smile.

“Let me see how far you’ve come. Don’t hold back, of course, neither will I.”

Her expression was filled with undisguised disdain.

That gaze stirred a trace of anger in Simon’s heart, though he buried it deep within. All he could do was tighten his grip on the sword.

“Miss, I’m coming.”

Lila gave no reply.

Silence itself was the heaviest form of contempt.

Simon took a deep breath and launched the attack. He executed the sword techniques he had learned, each strike sharp and precise, trying to prove himself.

But just as Lila expected, his moves were too standard, lacking flexibility.

She easily sidestepped, casually deflecting his attacks with a light swing of her wooden sword.

Of course, she wouldn’t miss the moment after his strike. As his old force faded and new force had yet to rise, she twisted her wrist, and her wooden sword struck toward his chest like a serpent, fast and precise.

It caused pain, but not enough to incapacitate him, and Simon was already accustomed to physical pain.

But seeing her effortlessly dodge his blade, counterattacking with ease, along with that mocking, contemptuous gaze—

All of it filled him with anger.

And hatred toward his own weakness.

“Is this all you’ve got? Or are you planning to give up?”

Lila’s cold voice echoed through the training ground.

Give up—Simon had never considered that word.

“If you want to keep fighting, and defeat me…”

She pointed her blade at him.

“Then stop clinging to standard forms. Learn my patterns, adapt, and find my openings. Though of course… I have none.”

She spoke arrogantly.

Proud and overbearing, yet she had the strength to back it up.

“Wouldn’t it be satisfying to see her kneel and beg?”

In his mind, the “younger brother” whispered.

‘Rely on demonic power?’

He didn’t need it.

Simon shook his head, dispelling the illusion and returning to reality.

If she believed he couldn’t do it, then he would prove her wrong.

He tightened his grip on the sword, trying to draw courage from it.

Even without power, he would not be afraid.