I Became the Academy’s Defensive Swordsman

Chapter 185

Chapter 185

When Naiad’s memory ended, the surrounding scenery gradually faded away.

And soon, everything around me became completely dark.

In that darkness, only Suíroti and I remained.

"How do you feel? I just saw the memory that was left inside you."

“…‘Lord Suiroti, did you already know all of this?"

"No. I only learned the details just now."

Suiroti, who was in the form of a young girl, gave a small laugh.

"Around thirty years ago, I did notice that a half-elf came out of the protected zone. And I did know that the half-elf was Kaina Mainac’s daughter. But at the time, I simply didn’t bother to care."

“That’s unexpected. With your personality, I thought you’d check immediately.”

"Back then, I was still recovering, so it was difficult for me to move. And because of the treaty between humans and the other races, the moment that half-elf stepped outside the protected zone… she was bound to die soon anyway, even without my interference. I didn’t feel like wasting my energy on some elf who was going to die soon."

With those words, Suiroti let out a sigh.

"But that half-elf… to think she was making a plan like this. And that she gave birth to you and raised you. If I had known, I would have forced myself to move back then."

“I know, right. Had you moved then, things would have been so much easier. You personally moved to curse the Head of the Hawkbat Family… I guess you underestimated the other races a little?”

"I won’t deny it. I really did underestimate the other races—no, that half-elf in particular. I thought, what could a lone half-elf possibly do?"

“But… she did a lot.”

When I said that with a slight laugh, Suiroti also laughed lightly.

"I never imagined everything would spiral this far just because I ignored one half-elf. Who would’ve thought that a single variable like you would cause such a massive disruption to Lord Bedir’s plan."

“I intend to make that disruption even bigger, so be prepared.”

I looked down at Suiroti with a firm gaze.

“I saw all of Naiad’s—no, my mother’s—memories, and along with them, I saw the will of the other races. They all entrusted a great deal to me, so I have to answer that.”

"Try it if you can. But it won’t be easy."

“Yes, of course it won’t be easy. But speaking of which… how long are we supposed to stay in this dark space?”

"Just wait a little. Now that the playback of all the memories in you has finished, it’ll change soon."

Suiroti finished speaking and looked around.

A space filled with nothing but darkness.

In that empty space, he and I existed only in a semi-transparent state.

A moment later, a light burst around us bright enough to hurt my eyes…

“…Hmm?”

I closed my eyes, then opened them again, and the scenery around me had changed once more.

A space that had been filled only with darkness… was now pure white.

A space so vast its end couldn’t be seen.

I had no idea where this place was.

I checked my own body first—no longer semi-transparent.

"Good. Looks like the magic worked properly this time."

Suiroti’s voice came from nearby.

She was no longer in the form of a young girl.

When I turned my head, a massive black dragon stood nearby.

“Where are we now?”

"My subspace."

“Your subspace is… huge.”

"Of course it’s huge. I created it."

I scanned the area again.

She called it a subspace, but it was exactly as it appeared—just a pure white void.

Nothing existed here, just whiteness.

“When did you bring me here again?”

"Just now. While you were watching those memories, I was slowly preparing the magic."

“I see. But is there a particular reason you had to bring me into this subspace?”

"It’s far more advantageous for me to fight here."

Suiroti summoned magic circles around himself.

I quickly raised Mistcatcher.

"In this subspace, the burden of mana consumption decreases, and it’s hard for my body to get injured. And on top of that…."

“Urk?”

Suiroti’s eyes shone blue.

Instantly, a headache struck me.

It felt as though something was trying to seep into my mind… but the pain vanished just as quickly.

Suiroti let out a deep sigh.

"That half-elf… she left an extremely solid blessing on her son. In this subspace, every power except mine is supposed to weaken, but the power your mother left behind… is ridiculously strong. It doesn’t weaken at all, even in my space."

“You saw those memories, all of them.”

I let out a small laugh and took my stance.

“The blessing of the other races, of the elves, and… my mother’s blessing is always with me.”

"Ha. Fine, let it accompany you all it wants. Even if I can’t influence your mind, there are plenty of ways to bring you down."

The magic circles floating around Suiroti began to glow.

"Prepare yourself, Kyrgram."

“I’ve been prepared from the very beginning.”

I surrounded myself with aura.

But for some reason, the aura appeared far weaker than usual.

‘Ah, that’s right… she said that here, every power except Suiroti’s is weakened, didn’t he?’

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

When I looked back at Suiroti, countless magic circles were glowing brightly around the Evil Dragon.

“…This won’t be easy.”

Not only was I outmatched in sheer size, but even the buffs were against me.

It was clear this battle would not be easy at all.

I couldn’t tell how much time had passed since then.

But what was certain was that I had been fighting Suiroti for quite a long time.

“Huff, huff, haah.”

After blocking the incoming attacks, I quickly dodged to the side.

Boom!

A massive fireball flew right past where I had been standing.

“At this point, it’s almost impressive. Can you… see attacks coming before they hit?”

“Something like that, I guess.”

I answered roughly, scanning the mist around me.

It had turned pitch black—apparently from the accumulated damage.

I immediately directed that stored damage toward Suiroti, but he didn’t bother to dodge.

The attack hit him directly… yet he didn’t seem particularly hurt.

“Haven’t I told you dozens of times already? No matter how much you attack here, to me it’s barely a sting.”

“Yes, you did say that dozens of times.”

I gave a hollow laugh.

Right—dozens of times.

The fact that I’d heard that line dozens of times meant that I’d struck Suiroti that many times too.

And those attacks… had all been useless, just like now.

‘What kind of absurd cheat is this, seriously.’

Muttering a small curse, I looked around the white space.

It wasn’t a bluff—Suiroti really had every advantage in this place.

‘Suiroti can attack me freely… while I can’t draw out my strength properly at all.’

For some reason, the Power of Peregrie was completely sealed.

Aura did come out, but only about half its usual strength.

Even magic wasn’t activating properly.

‘Still, that doesn’t mean I’m completely out of options.’

No matter who he was, even Suiroti couldn’t maintain a subspace forever.

“By the way, Lady Suiroti. I’ve been wondering—does time flow differently here than outside?”

“Why? You’ve been fighting for quite a while, but no reinforcements have shown up?”

“…Yeah, something like that.”

“Ku-huhuhu. To answer your question first, yes—time flows differently here. Ten minutes here would be… about one minute outside.”

How long had I been fighting in here, then?

It was certain I’d fought for well over an hour.

Determined to buy time somehow, I focused on minimizing stamina use and purely defending.

Just as Suiroti had said, I was also buying time—hoping that reinforcements might arrive.

And as I’d mentioned earlier, Suiroti couldn’t keep this subspace up forever.

I’d been stalling for his mana to run dry.

‘But if time outside passes slower than it does here… that’s going to be a big problem.’

If little time had passed outside, that meant I’d have to stall even longer before any help could arrive.

And with my stamina already reaching its limit, expecting reinforcements seemed unrealistic.

‘Besides, Suiroti doesn’t look even slightly tired. Is there really any point in stalling like this?’

Wiping my sweat, I looked toward Suiroti.

Unlike me, she seemed completely relaxed.

“Still, take it as an honor. Among those dragged into this subspace, you’re the first human.”

“Ah, so this subspace is your last resort.”

“It’s a spell reserved for opponents who must absolutely be finished. Be proud— even against your ancestor, I didn’t use this subspace.”

“You should’ve, though. From what I saw earlier, Lord Nawiwo landed quite the hit on you…”

“I let my guard down because it was a human. And back then, summoning a mere human into my subspace… my pride couldn’t allow it.”

“Sounds like things have changed since then?”

I gave a small laugh, keeping the conversation going.

I was trying to stall, even a little longer.

“Well, if I were gravely injured by a human, I’d probably change too.”

“…You sure know how to get under someone’s skin. Must run in your bloodline. But I can’t deny what you said. The wound your ancestor left still shackles my ankle even now.”

With those words, Suiroti summoned even more magic circles around herself.

“But I don’t repeat the same mistake twice. I may have underestimated you at first, but now I know for sure— you’re more dangerous than your ancestor ever was. So… I’ll make sure to end you completely.”

She wasn’t bluffing.

The sheer amount of mana emanating from the circles was on a whole different level.

No matter how well I blocked or dodged… I doubted I could withstand what was coming next.

‘…Is this the end?’

Up until now, I’d somehow managed to survive, but this time… I really didn’t see a way out.

‘Normally, I’d look for some solution, but right now… I can’t see one at all.’

In the end, this might be where I—

— Looks like I’ll have to step in this time.

…Huh?

Suddenly, a voice echoed inside my head.

A voice I could never forget.

— I was only allowed to help you once, so I’ve been watching carefully for when to do it… and I think that time has finally come.

That voice.

That voice was the very first one I’d heard after I transmigrated into this world.