I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 84: 0. Birthday (1)

"Cough!"

Red blood splattered from the mouth of the Sword Saint.

Veris possessed a power that was fundamentally different from that of an ordinary master.

Even the Sword Saint, known as the greatest master of the empire, had no choice but to kneel before such overwhelming strength.

"Haha. In the end, did I not see the limits of your power?"

He was close to being incapacitated. Yet, the Sword Saint wore a smile on his lips.

"Ah, Father...."

Delia, who had been sulking with a rebellious expression, seemed surprised and covered her mouth.

It was indeed hard to understand. Although he appeared to have extraordinary talent, Veris was merely a first-year student at the academy.

"It wasn't bad."

"Is that so?"

Perhaps feeling a bitter sentiment, the Sword Saint's smile was not just bright.

The Sword Saint staggered as he rose from his seat. He sheathed his sword again and spoke.

"I will keep my promise."

His voice was calm, but the meaning behind it was significant.

The Sword Saint, a highly esteemed duke of the empire, declared that he would come to the academy.

"Thank you."

Veris bowed his head.

He was not fond of being treated with respect just because of his age. However, even he could see that the Sword Saint was a proper adult, so he showed his respect.

"Your power is... beyond description."

Delia had already climbed onto the training ground. Supported by her, the Sword Saint said this.

"I swear. I will entrust my sword to Vera Academy."

As he said this, the Sword Saint closed his eyes.

Was he reminiscing about the events during their duel?

The Sword Saint had a more serious expression than ever before.

*

Veris returned to the mansion around sunset.

The commercial district of the academy was bustling from early morning until evening.

Fortunately, the mansion neighborhood maintained a quiet atmosphere, unlike the chaos outside.

Creak.

The pale figures that welcomed Veris as he opened the door to the mansion were the spirits he had contracted with Arwen.

They had gathered around Veris as usual.

"Hmm."

Veris casually raised his hand to pet one of the spirits and walked slowly.

Arwen and Cecilia seemed to have left the house, as an unusual silence hung in the air.

Rustle.

Upon entering his room, Veris carelessly threw off his coat.

Since achieving his current level, he had become a body that felt neither heat nor cold.

However, the hot and humid summer environment had a way of making one feel uncomfortable.

Dressed lightly, Veris left his room. His destination was the shower room. Fortunately, there were two shower rooms in the mansion, and this one was solely for Veris's use.

Clunk.

Whirring.

As he opened the door and entered the shower room, the magically created boiler began to operate.

It was a true marvel of civilization. Unlike Earth, where science and technology had advanced to extreme levels, this world integrated magic into everyday life.

Of course, it was unfortunate that those without means would never have the chance to see such wonders in their lifetime.

Splash.

As the water poured down on him, Veris thought.

He felt that he had prepared a certain level of countermeasures.

The greatest master of Gallia, Grand Duchess Evangeline.

The greatest master of Vera, Duke Heinkel.

The mere fact that these two were at the academy would surely attract immense attention.

And that wasn't all.

A hostage of the Demon Cult was at this academy. Yunafint Lunaciel. A girl who, despite being a priestess of the holy nation, moved alongside the Demon Cult.

"It's obvious they won't let it go easily."

Feeling the warm water wash away his discomfort, Veris muttered to himself.

The Demon Cult he envisioned was undoubtedly a far more massive organization than he had imagined.

There were the twelve knights boasted by the cult, and now he had learned of the existence of the apostles.

It was clear that they wielded a power so vast that its end was unfathomable.

'How on earth did they create such a massive force?' It was something that could only leave a bad taste in his mouth.

The Demon Cult. Their history was absurdly long.

The Age of Magic, classified as before the current era. Veris knew that it ended due to the demon king summoned by the Demon Cult.

A demon king that all races, including humanity, had united to repel. If that was the case, they should have uprooted the Demon Cult; how could they operate so openly?

'I don't understand.'

Veris stopped his thoughts. There was no need to think deeply about it.

They were like moths that didn't know fear and rushed toward the flame. It would simply be a ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) matter of cutting them down.

The academy was already home to dukes, counts, and even some of the royal knights.

If they had any sense... they wouldn't even think of attacking the academy.

*

Daylight broke.

Based on the results of the midterm evaluation, Veris, who was attending classes in the S-Class building, couldn't shake off his discomfort.

"This way, my lord. I, Gunther, will ensure your safety and comfort."

As if he were Veris's personal attendant, Gunther, who had been waiting in front of the mansion, led the way to the lecture hall.

Gunther had attracted attention since the entrance exam. With Veris showcasing his formidable power during the midterm evaluation, it was no wonder.

"Veris."

"Is it true that you've been promoted to S-Class?"

"How dare you discuss my lord in such a casual manner!"

It was only natural that attention would be drawn.

Gunther was drawing attention like crazy. Veris could only let out a small sigh in response.

Initially, Arwen and Cecilia had informed him that they would attend classes separately from Gunther, who was waiting in front of the mansion.

Veris hadn't understood the reason at the time, but now he felt he might have a clue.

"You may already know, but S-Class is a place steeped in the long tradition of Vera Academy, where all the famous heroes from the empire studied. The Sword Saint, Duke Hindenstaufen, was also a prodigy who graduated at the top of his class from S-Class back in the day..."

Gunther was quite talkative.

Veris had momentarily forgotten that fact.

It felt as if Gunther was infusing his words with mana, as he spoke non-stop.

The torturous time ended when they arrived at the S-Class lecture room.

"Oh."

"A newcomer?"

Despite the early hour, quite a few students had already filled the classroom.

Among them were some who shot provocative glances and others who looked at him with disdain.

Well, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

Even if Veris had demonstrated formidable power, he was still regarded as a B-Class student.

Veris knew that no matter how warm an impression he tried to give to those rebellious-eyed students, it wouldn't change anything.

"What are you staring at?"

"...!"

Veris's low, menacing voice.

He noticed several students subtly averting their gazes.

Seeing their pathetic reactions, Veris couldn't help but chuckle before settling into his seat.

"Hello?"

The girl sitting next to Veris greeted him with a bright smile.

And that girl was attracting as much attention as Veris.

"Fast, aren't you?"

"It's the first class today!"

"True, as a princess, you should be a role model for everyone."

Indeed. The girl who had been seated first was none other than Princess Maria.

Next to her were Arwen, Cecilia, and even Beatrice, waving their hands.

It seemed that Arwen and Cecilia had taken care of the two girls who were also attending their first class with Veris.

"Uh, how are you so close to the princess?"

"...Damn appearance bias."

It was a voice filled with misunderstanding.

They probably thought that Veris and his group wouldn't hear them, but unfortunately, Veris heard them quite well.

Flinch.

Veris shot a cold glare at them. The students shrank back like turtles.

"Tsk tsk."

Veris clicked his tongue softly.

For students of the S-Class, who were supposedly the future of the empire and even the continent, they seemed remarkably lacking in spirit.

"In my day, I would have broken the legs of those kinds of people."

Veris's low voice echoed. The student who felt pricked by his words averted his gaze.

Clunk!

Clack clack.

In that atmosphere, a woman entered.

Her entrance, as she burst through the classroom door, startled the seated students.

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"Who is she?"

"I don't recognize her."

"Where is Professor Rahman?"

She was already dressed differently from the students. She stepped onto the podium and, with a playful smile, and said,

"Nice to meet you, kids."

"Kids?"

"Who the hell is that woman?"

Some students gaped in disbelief. However, a few students, including Veris, wore sour expressions.

They knew exactly who she was.

"I am the guardian of Gallia, the grand duchess of the great Wallenstein duchy, a master of sword and mana."

Gulp.

It was a sudden introduction. Yet, the power behind her words was significant enough that someone could be heard swallowing hard in the classroom.

"I am Grand Duchess Evangeline. I am a visiting professor here to teach mana studies in S-Class."

"G-grand Duchess Evangeline!"

"The famous master of Gallia?"

Only then did the students who recognized her erupt in astonishment, spreading like a contagion throughout the classroom.

'....'

As Veris silently observed the scene, one thought crossed his mind.

What a joke.