Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 330: Penalty Time (4)

Frey’s eyes fixed on the clash of metal and wood before her.

She watched as the gleaming white shield, imbued with divine energy, was pushed back by the wooden training sword.

Never once had she managed to topple Lucy’s shield, even when giving it her all.

It wasn’t just her—Arthur, whom she acknowledged for his skill, was helpless against Lucy’s shield. Even Cecile, with his overwhelming physical strength, couldn’t breach it.

Lucy’s shield had become a fortress among their peers at the Academy, an unbreakable wall. But that was only within the Academy. Before Count Kent, that mighty shield was merely an ordinary barrier.

“Struggling already? Where did that initial confidence go?” the count taunted.

“Can’t you tell by looking?♡ I’m clearly just humoring you♡ Can’t even pick up on that, huh?♡ Pathetic♡”

“Oh? Then let’s pick up the pace.”

Lucy’s shield, for once, was being put to the test, and Count Kent—the famed swordsman—was taking her seriously. He obstructed her movements, delivered strikes that bypassed her defenses, and forced her to hesitate with precise, targeted blows. He wasn’t merely humoring his daughter’s friend; he was meeting Lucy with the intensity her skill demanded.

Frey had anticipated this from the moment she brought Lucy here. She’d known her father would give his all, showing Lucy the limits of her defense. This would be her chance to learn from one of the few swordsmen she respected, one who could offer insight on how to surpass Lucy’s shield.

“Your lips are trembling. Are you sure you want to continue?” Count Kent asked.

“Oh, has the old count already tired himself out?♡ Struggling to hold in my laughter is the only reason I’m shaking, really♡”

“Fine. Let’s continue.”

Frey’s judgment had been correct. Watching Lucy tumble across the ground again and again, she noted each weakness in her friend’s defense. The information she gathered was vital for achieving victory over Lucy one day.

It might seem dishonorable, she knew that. If it had been the Frey of a few days ago, she might have balked at such tactics. But now, she didn’t regret her choice—not when it meant she could stay by Lucy’s side.

“Do you still want to keep going?”

“What, are you exhausted already?♡ And here I thought you were supposed to be a great swordsman.♡”

“Yes, understood. Let’s continue.”

To Frey, Lucy Allen was nothing short of a miracle. Lucy had brought color into her world, a world that had been nothing but gray. She’d introduced her to so many new emotions and feelings, and above all, made Frey aware of her own pride as a swordswoman.

The Frey who had roamed around recklessly, oblivious to fear, was now a Frey who understood herself and pursued what she truly wanted. The difference was night and day.

“...So, you’ve been holding back all this time? Impressive,” Count Kent remarked.

“Oh, the count’s just getting old♡ If it’s tiring, you can admit it♡ It’s not a crime to age, you know♡”

Frey’s gaze never left Lucy as the two fought, a determined smile tugging at her lips. She knew what it would mean if Lucy were to vanish from her life. Her world would become gray once more.

Lucy wasn’t one to stand still. Every day, she moved forward without resting, relentlessly improving herself. Frey knew she couldn’t hold her back; the only way to keep Lucy in her life was to run alongside her.

“...So, this is what they call ambition,” Frey murmured, recalling a word she’d once read in a dictionary, a smile forming on her lips.

Thanks to Lucy, she’d discovered yet another shade of color in her life.

She pondered how she could return this joy to Lucy.

While Frey was lost in thought, her skin warmed, and she looked up to see Lucy’s glowing mace, radiant like a small sun, in her hands.

“You can handle this much, right?!♡”

“Tch! Every one of you Allen family members is a monster!”

The duel was nearing its end.

After pouring every last ounce of energy into the fight, I collapsed, staring at the too-clear sky above.

It was a total defeat.

The difference in skill between Count Kent and me was so vast that no amount of strategizing could bridge it. The only reason I’d held out as long as I had was because he’d been holding back.

When was the last time I’d been beaten this badly? Probably back when I’d just arrived in this world and had been flattened by Karl.

Ah, it’s almost infuriating.

Back in the game, I’d even taken on challenges to defeat Count Kent with my bare hands. But now, I can’t even think of laying a finger on him.

I guess I’m not as strong as I thought.

At this rate, I’m going to have to worry not just about seeing Soul Academy’s conclusion but about making it through the Academy alive.

Sure, I’d taken down Nakrad, but this world was still overflowing with enemies who wanted to bring ruin. And as long as I was a disciple of the Pathetic God, they would inevitably target me.

If I want to survive, I have to grow stronger.

I couldn’t help but feel grateful to Frey for suggesting this match.

If I hadn’t fought Count Kent today, my confidence might have slowly turned into arrogance.

And there was something else I appreciated.

Thanks to Count Kent’s relentless attacks, I’d come to realize many of my own weaknesses. He’d exposed every gap, and now, I knew the path I needed to take.

‘First, I need to improve my physical capabilities.’

There were many areas where I was lacking, but increasing my physical strength was the first step. My abilities might be impressive for my age, but my real opponents would be the monstrous forces my mentor once faced.

I needed to at least be able to withstand an opponent like Count Kent.

<Your thoughts aren’t wrong, child, but pushing yourself any harder would be detrimental.>

‘Don’t worry. I’m not planning to take that route.’

It wouldn’t help to increase my training intensity. There were limits to what I could achieve through that alone.

So, how am I going to enhance my physical abilities?

As any veteran player of Soul Academy would know, there’s only one answer:

Grinding.

Leveling up had been on the back burner thanks to all the recent chaos. But during the break, I’d focus on it—completely immerse myself in dungeons.

This break, I’d be holed up in dungeon after dungeon, living like a true shut-in.

...Heh.

Sounds like a blast.

As I plotted out my training plans for the break, Frey’s face suddenly appeared in my line of sight.

Her sparkling eyes looked a bit...worrying.

Don’t tell me she wants to spar now. I’d used up every ounce of strength against the count. I’m completely drained. No matter how much stamina I have, even I have limits.

“Lucy.”

‘What is it?’

“What’s wrong? Frey Sister?”

“Let’s head back to the mansion. They’re throwing a party since I brought a friend home.”

...Canceled.

Cancel everything!

Frey! How about we just spar instead?

Even if it means passing out from exhaustion, I’d rather fight than endure another round of the Kent family’s endless compliments!

Please!

Unfortunately, Frey didn’t have much say in the Kent household.

Dragged back to the mansion, I was once again showered with endless expressions of gratitude, served food until I felt I was about to burst, and trained with the equally loud knights of the Kent family. I sparred with several people, including Frey and Parna, until I finally found myself getting ready for bed in one of the mansion’s guest rooms.

How did it come to this?

I hadn’t planned to stay overnight.

Lying in a modest bed in the simple guest room, reflecting on the hectic day, I heard a knock on the door.

“Lucy, may I come in?”

‘Sure, go ahead.’

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“Do as you please, Frey Sister.”

Dressed in something resembling adventurer’s gear as her pajamas, Frey wandered over to my bedside.

‘What’s up?’

“What’s up, Frey Sister? You’re not here because you’re lonely and want me to stay, are you?”

“No, nothing like that. I just wanted to ask you for one last favor before the day ends.”

Thinking about it, the only things Frey had requested today were to be called “Sister” and for me to spar with the count. After that, we hadn’t had any time to ourselves.

Fine, I’ve decided.

Frey, I gained a lot because of you, so I’ll do my best to fulfill whatever this request is.

‘Go ahead.’

“Go on. I’m curious what silly idea you’ve got in mind, Frey Sister.”

Frey, uncharacteristically hesitant, leaned in closer and mumbled her request.

“Pat me on the head.”

‘...What?’

“...What?”

“Tell me I did a good job with the dungeon. Praise me for mastering my aura control.”

Oh, that’s all?

Even under the dim glow of the lamp, I could see Frey’s ears turning bright red. Chuckling, I placed my hand on top of her head.

For once, I wasn’t worried about fumbling my words.

Right now, I could express my feelings perfectly.

“You’ve mastered your aura control already? Frey Sister, you really are a genius.”

“Yeah. I am a genius.”

“It was incredible seeing you charge that dungeon boss. I was really impressed.”

“Mm. What else?”

“When you cooperated with everyone in the dungeon, I was surprised. Frey Sister, who usually does as she pleases, actually listened to others!”

“...Is that really a compliment?”

“Of course it is. It’s like a wild animal finally learned to behave.”

“...The more I think about it, the less that sounds like praise.”

“Pfft! Caught on, huh? Pretty perceptive, Frey Sister, aren’t you?”

“Lucy...”

Listening to Frey’s grumbling as I laughed, I continued to pass along all the things I’d been wanting to say.

Hey, Almighty Armadi.

If you planned all this, I’ll offer you a heartfelt prayer of thanks. I’m genuinely happy to be able to speak freely to my friend.

Though, come to think of it, I can only talk like this because of Armadi’s twisted “blessing.” He’s just temporarily returning what he took.

Is this what gaslighting feels like?

The Pathetic God truly is conniving.

...

Still.

I am grateful.

So, I’ll offer my thanks, Armadi, even if it’s only to avoid any petty retribution you might think up next.