180: Weiss and Belk (Part 2)

It was only natural, really. Allen and I were fighting with techniques that already surpassed the Original Story.

If he just stuck to the script, there was no way he could ever win.

That’s exactly why he’s shattering his own forms.

In the Original Story, Belk was a stickler for the basics who despised self-taught gimmicks.

He’d always believed such diversions were a waste of time.

The only person he’d never been able to match was Meryl, but she was a pure mage. Unlike a clash between warriors, a magical showdown was basically a game of rock-paper-scissors; winning or losing didn't prove much.

It was the same as how it would be difficult for Cynthia to beat Carta in a head-on fight—the outcome was dictated by the situation itself.

Yet, despite that history, he’d decided to discard everything he’d built just by watching a single match between Allen and me.

It’s like me abandoning the sword styles Teacher Milk drummed into me.

Even if your head told you that you couldn't win otherwise, most people wouldn't be able to go through with it.

On top of that, he wasn't arrogant about his progress, nor did he go around blabbing to everyone.

Whenever he had a free moment, he’d practice his forms, then spend even more time practicing how to break them.

He might have been my junior in name, but I had plenty to learn from this guy.

He showed me the true meaning of being a swordsman.

In that regard, he was just like Duke. He was someone capable of charging single-mindedly toward the heights of power.

Honestly, you "authentic" types are something else.

"Hey," I called out.

"No, that's not right..." Belk muttered to himself. "Huh? Was that Senior Weiss’s voice? Just an auditory hallucination? Must be my imagination."

"Hey, Excitement Kid."

"E-Eh?! Wha—?! Senior Weiss?! What are you doing out here?! In the middle of the night?!"

"Because it’s the middle of the night. Belk, you still got some fight left in you?"

I’ve never looked for equality, and I don’t think I’ll ever need it. I’m not exactly the type to go around trusting people, either.

But... well, maybe a little bit of that wouldn’t hurt. If it’s this guy, he might actually be able to handle it.

Belk scrambled to change his clothes.

"Is it time for a midnight snack?! Is this a reward for working so hard late at night?!"

"Wrong. There's somewhere we need to go. But I'm warning you, you’ll probably regret this. I have no idea if even those thick nerves of yours can endure it."

At my prickly tone, Belk started to form a grin.

He was probably about to chirp that he’d follow me anywhere. I cut him off before he could speak.

"From this moment on, do not let a single smile cross your face. That is my condition."

"...Understood. I'll follow you."

"Good. You belong to the Light, Belk. It's time I taught you about the Darkness."