The summer training camp had suffered a spectacular disaster on its very first day, but thanks to Princess Eliana’s political muscle, it wasn't called off. Instead, I found myself condemned to train from dawn until dusk.
I returned to my room, staggering with exhaustion—
But that wasn't the end of it.
Next, I focused my mind on the Bloodline Inscription of the Pure Conqueror to begin my night training camp with the Tsundere King.
Incidentally, during the transition to this mysterious world, it wasn't as if I lost consciousness. To put it simply, when I woke up, I was in the exact same state I had been in just before the warp. Regardless of how long I spent there, not a single second passed in reality.
...When Luna had been pulled into Shizel's world, she had definitely lost consciousness. Most likely, there was some fundamental difference between Luna, who had simply stumbled in without the qualifications, and me, who entered through deliberate research.
The world shifted, and the throne room appeared.
Verdict sat upon the throne at the far end, his crimson eyes peering down at me.
"Hmph. You’ve come again, lowlife? I’ve grown quite weary of that moronic face."
"Is that so? I’d think you’d be lonely if I didn't show up."
After shooting back that retort, I bit into my left hand. I pressed my right palm against the wound to manifest a Blood Sword.
In terms of length, it was a standard sword.
It was still unrefined, but the craftsmanship was at least on par with a common blacksmith’s work.
Verdict narrowed his eyes.
"To think that once upon a time, it was all you could do to spend an eternity creating a pathetic dagger."
"It means I'm growing."
Then, I cast Frenzy on myself.
The intensity and the burden were both greater than before, but I could handle it.
"Here I come!"
My training sessions with Verdict—I’d lost count of how many we’d endured—commenced once more.
My lightning-fast strike, however, was easily parried by a red blade held in Verdict's hand.
He’d been bare-handed only a second ago!
He had created a weapon of blood in practically zero seconds, without even needing a wound.
As expected of Verdict.
It was frustrating, but I had to give credit where it was due.
The sound of clashing blades echoed throughout the throne room.
As always, Verdict maintained a composed smirk, while beads of sweat poured from my forehead.
Verdict’s swordsmanship was peerless—fast, heavy, and utterly merciless.
The gap in our respective abilities was still astronomical.
And yet, I could feel the difference.
I could now track Verdict's slashes with my eyes, strikes that I previously couldn't even perceive. I was able to deflect blows at the last second that I previously couldn't parry. In a defensive struggle so intense I could barely breathe, I was now able to catch a single breath.
Little by little, there was definitely a version of myself that was stronger than the day before.
I still couldn't land a single scratch on Verdict, but the sensation of 'fighting' was there. And that feeling grew stronger every day.
"Is this all you have, lowlife!?"
"Not yet!"
I pushed the burden of Frenzy even higher, forcing my speed to increase. My muscles screamed in protest, but I didn't care.
However, Verdict continued to parry my accelerated slashes with a cool expression.
At least one hit!
At least let me land a single blow on that face!
I increased the output of Frenzy even further—
My heart gave a violent, heavy thud.
"Guh!?"
Clutching my chest, I lost my balance and tumbled onto the carpet.
Verdict looked down at me with a disappointed gaze.
"This is what happens when you attempt monkey-like imitations without knowing your own limits. Know your place."
Verdict’s crimson blade sank into my gut while I lay there, immobile.
Intense pain surged through me.
"Hahaha! That's a fine scream!"
"I have... no choice... if I don't master Frenzy soon, you'll just keep treating me like a toy..."
The battle where I’d left Klaus in tatters flashed across my mind.
Verdict’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise.
"—What, were you actually bothered by that?"
"Of course... who wants to be treated like a toy?"
"Fuhahaha! I see. My apologies, then. In that case, shall I give you a recompense?"
Those words were unexpected.
To think this arrogant man would offer an apology.
"It is a new lesson. On the Blood Covenant."
Blood Covenant...? I wanted to ask him to explain, but in my current near-death state, the words wouldn't come.
Ignoring my condition, Verdict began to speak.
"The Blood Covenant is a magic that allows you to turn another person into your Kin. You become an absolute ruler over them, and they lose the ability to disobey your commands."
"...Wha—"
"You can share the power of your blood with your Kin. In other words, you can boost their abilities with Frenzy."
It was an incredible ability. To be able to grant the power of Frenzy to others—
But even more attractive than that was the fact that I would become an 'absolute ruler.'
—For example, Luna.
Currently, Luna was diligently cooperating as my research partner. However, her inner self was shrouded in a deep darkness, exactly as I had been told in Shizel's world.
By forming a Blood Covenant, I might be able to suppress Luna’s potential rampage.
"If you are interested, focus your mind on the Blood Covenant when you read the grimoire. You might receive some sort of divine revelation."
As he finished speaking, Verdict gave the blade in my stomach a sharp twist. The sensation of tearing flesh forced a scream from my lungs.
"Let us end it here for today. You are welcome to come back when you wish to die again."
While listening to Verdict’s raucous laughter—
My consciousness sank into darkness.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Assassin Milia had remained hidden on academy grounds throughout the summer break.
She had kept a close eye on Albert’s dedicated training during the camp, though she wouldn't dream of attacking while he was surrounded by students and teachers.
His fainting on the first day had been a golden opportunity, but there was nothing she could do once he was thrown into a jail cell.
(Hmm... Milia-chan-sama is getting bored.)
No matter how much time she took, the reward was the same.
It was better to settle things quickly.
That said, Albert’s vigilance was extraordinary; he was constantly keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings.
She had to find a targetable opening—
That evening, Milia slipped into the conference room used by the teachers. Rummaging through the dim, deserted room, she found what she was looking for.
It was the schedule for the rest of the camp.
"Hehe... There's a 2-on-2 combination battle and a monster subjugation, huh?"
The documents contained the specific details for the planned events.
The 2-on-2 combination battle was a mock battle where students fought in pairs. It was designed so that the participants would each face off once.
The match-ups had already been decided.
"Albert-sama, Albert-sama... Hehe—there he is. Albert-sama and Luna-sama, and their opponents are... Leon-sama and Serafina-sama."
Since Milia didn't know that Leon was the Hero, she didn't feel anything in particular about the pairing.
Her interest was focused solely on one point: where Albert would show even a momentary opening.
Next, she looked over the details of the monster subjugation.
"It says they'll fight groups of monsters summoned in advance by the teachers. Hmm."
The upcoming major events were narrowed down to these two.
It wasn't realistic to launch an assassination now, while they were all training together. During large events like these, however, the chances would be plentiful.
"The combination battle and the monster subjugation. Now then, which one should I aim for...?"
An assassination plan began to take shape within Milia’s mind.