It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 76

 Chapter 76 :

Karen had said:

Noel Douglas was an extraordinary person who reached mastery through sheer effort.

She described her as someone who rose to the position of master after grueling training that pushed her to the brink.

Karen explained that she had always followed Noel’s example, striving to refine herself, and that was how she reached her current level of skill.

But how must that have looked to Noel herself?

Karen was, in essence, a genius a person blessed by the gods with natural talent for swordsmanship. For someone like her to follow in your footsteps isn’t always a pleasant experience. Why? Because that genius effortlessly surpasses the hurdles you struggled so hard to overcome.

As a result, a master sometimes grows envious of their disciple. Instead of feeling pride in a student who surpasses them, they feel jealousy.

The sword technique born from such a master—what was it created for?

And what thoughts did Noel harbor when she used it in her sparring match with Karen?

Hearing Ragna’s words, Noel let out a sigh, muttering with a hint of self-deprecation:

“…Really, I never imagined you’d dig that deep.”

“I apologize for carelessly bringing up the past.”

“Hah, no, it’s fine. It’s all in the past. There’s no point dwelling on it now.”

“Then…”

“But not yet. You haven’t finished explaining.”

“What do you mean?”

“I asked you earlier, didn’t I? Why does it have to be me? You didn’t come running here just because I created that technique, did you?”

Noel’s gaze was challenging. Ragna nodded in response.

“You’re right. But the story behind that technique is what led me to come here.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re someone who uses every method available to achieve victory.”

“…?”

“‘Using every means and method for victory that’s the core philosophy of the Steiner school, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. But what’s your point?”

“However, the ‘every means’ of the Steiner family and your ‘every means’ are slightly different. That’s also the difference between you and Lady Karen.”

“…?”

Noel looked puzzled, unable to follow. Ragna began explaining the thoughts he’d organized in his mind.

“Lady Karen’s ‘every means’ refers to employing all the techniques she has mastered. In other words, it’s about using every skill in her arsenal to achieve victory.”

“…”

“But that’s within the scope of the Steiner school’s principles close-quarters combat and mobility, techniques designed to thoroughly overpower the opponent. That aligns with the Steiner school’s ethos of subduing the enemy as quickly as possible. However…”

“However?”

“Your ‘every means’ is different. It’s not just about the techniques you’ve mastered. If necessary, you’d use any means, even if they’re considered underhanded. You’d allow it. You’ve done so before. Even in the duel with Hazel Granstig.”

“…”

“That day, you allowed me the option to ‘flee’ against Hazel. But if it had been Lady Karen, she would’ve surely said something like…”

“‘Showing your back to the enemy? Have you no shame!’ Right?”

“…Yes, exactly. Has she said that to you before?”

“In the past, yes.”

Noel let out a small chuckle, as if recalling something. The atmosphere seemed to lighten a bit.

“…I see. So that’s why it had to be me?”

“Yes. There’s only about a month left until the martial arts festival. To find a way to win in that short time, I need to step outside the conventional framework and use unorthodox methods.”

In chess, for the king to move beyond the rules, it needs the rook.

But the rook required for this isn’t just any piece.

The special rule of castling involves both the king and the rook moving together.

However, castling has prerequisites: the king must not have moved before attempting it, and the rook must also remain unmoved.

Only an unmoved rook can perform the castling maneuver with the king.

But in the context of a chess game, a rook that hasn’t moved is almost unthinkable.

The rook, with its powerful offensive capabilities, is rarely left idle. Using it to suppress the enemy is nearly essential.

Moreover, for the rook to remain unmoved until the bishops and knights in its path are cleared is even more absurd.

In other words, it’s an unorthodox situation.

Only in such an unorthodox scenario can the rule-defying move of castling be executed.

And to Ragna, Noel was that rook for his castling.

Unlike Karen, who would insist on orthodox training, Noel was the only one who could provide the unconventional strategy needed to break through his current predicament.

At Ragna’s proposal, Noel’s expression turned intrigued.

It would be foolish to say she wasn’t displeased.

Yet, there was something about this boy before her that sparked an interest strong enough to outweigh her displeasure. Like a poisoned jar laced with honey, there was something alluring about him.

Perhaps she might see something interesting.

That thought briefly crossed her mind.

“…Alright.”

“Then?”

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

“Yes. Teaching you goes beyond my duties as an instructor. If I’m to do this, there needs to be compensation.”

Noel’s gaze carried a hint of menace. But Ragna, unfazed, responded:

“Hmm, is that so? Would offering my body suffice?”

“…What?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m serious. If it means winning the martial arts festival, I’ll do anything. I’ll listen to anything you ask. Even if it means offering my body.”

“…”

His intense gaze made Noel feel a slight tremble in her body.

Why?

She didn’t know.

Even so, Noel found herself responding. And at her response, Ragna nodded with a satisfied smile.

With that, one part of the preparations was complete.

---

Two weeks passed. The academy was gradually heating up with excitement for the martial arts festival.

But there was one place where the atmosphere remained unchanged.

The classroom for male knights.

This was only natural, as the martial arts festival held little relevance for male knights. They had no chance of joining the kingdom’s knight order, let alone serving under a lord from another domain.

As such, the classroom’s atmosphere remained as listless as ever.

But amidst this, one person was visibly restless.

That was Eric Tranmier.

The reason for Eric’s unease was none other than Ragna, who always sat beside him.

After they last checked the martial arts festival schedule together, Ragna had left with a stern expression and hadn’t returned to the academy since. For two weeks, he’d been absent.

At first, Eric thought he might be unwell or busy with something.

But that wasn’t the case.

As days passed, Eric’s anxiety grew. Thinking Ragna might be at the academy but avoiding the classroom, he waited in the library, but Ragna never showed.

Summoning his courage, Eric asked Teacher Fiona about Ragna, but she only scratched her head.

In the end, there was nothing Eric could do. As he wondered if Ragna would be absent again today, the classroom door creaked open.

“……!”

Eric’s face lit up as he saw who entered. It was Ragna. His clothes were slightly dirty, and his hair was disheveled, but it was undoubtedly him.

“Ragna—”

Eric started to approach, but he stopped in his tracks.

Someone had reached Ragna before him.

At the sight of them, the other boys in the room recoiled in fear.

“Ragna Steiner.”

“…”

Ragna looked at the boy who called his name.

The face was familiar, as were the four boys standing beside him. Ragna recalled they were part of the group that always sat at the back of the classroom.

“Come to the back of the building after class. Don’t even think about running.”

“…”

Ragna didn’t respond. The boy frowned at his silence. But then—

“Class is starting. Everyone, take your seats.”

The door slid open, and Teacher Fiona entered.

The boys clicked their tongues and returned to their seats. Ragna glanced around and sat near the entrance.

Seeing this, Eric, seated by the window, sighed, wishing he’d chosen a seat closer to the entrance. As he did, the lesson began.

“-----”

Teacher Fiona’s lesson followed its usual pattern.

Her slow voice read through the material.

The students in the front row were supposed to listen attentively, but the atmosphere wasn’t conducive to focus.

Every student in the front row kept glancing at Ragna, recalling the earlier conversation.

But Ragna seemed unfazed, quietly watching the teacher.

Before long, the lesson ended.

The bell rang, echoing through the room.

Teacher Fiona closed her book and left, as if her job was done. Then, with a clatter—

“……!”

Ragna stood from his seat near the entrance and followed Fiona out. Close behind, the five boys from the back row rushed toward the entrance, cursing loudly.

Watching this, Eric’s face paled as he hurriedly followed them.

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id