I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 66: 0. Confirmation (3)

"Brother, someone has come over there?"

It was Veris and Gunther in the sparsely populated training hall.

With silver hair visible from that corner and an entrance that concealed no presence at all, there was no way to mistake who the protagonist was.

"It's unusually quiet today."

Gunther had asked Veris to watch his stance with the great sword earlier in the morning.

Since Veris had time to spare before his quarterfinal match in the afternoon, he had agreed to do so, but what was this?

The illustrious Grand Duchess Wallenstein of Gallia had come to the scene without showing any signs of fatigue.

"Greetings."

Evangeline, with a joyful smile on her face, approached Veris and spoke.

"Were you training?"

"Well, something like that."

"Then why did you not come to find me, the Grand Duchess? A true strongman should be able to provide a clear answer."

Evangeline seemed to be quite mistaken. The reason Gunther and Veris were in the empty training hall was entirely for Gunther's adaptation to the great sword, wasn't it?

"Who are you? Brother, is she someone you know well?"

But it wasn't just Veris and Evangeline present here. Gunther, perhaps feeling uncomfortable with the Grand Duchess treating Veris with such familiarity, had a frown on his face.

"Not really, just someone I met recently."

"...I don't recognize your face. I am Gunther von Haruen, a first-year student at the academy."

"I already know."

"...?"

"I know that you are Gunther von Haruen, the ace of the first year at the academy, known as the swordsmanship genius of the Empire."

"Ha!"

For some reason, the Grand Duchess seemed to have an ulterior motive for her visit. However, Gunther, who was unaware of her status, merely scoffed at her reaction.

"Then, who are you?"

"Hmm, you are quite curious for your age."

Maintaining a relaxed demeanor, Evangeline tapped the sword at her left hip. It was a white scabbard. Anyone with even a minimal understanding would know what that implied.

"...Gallia?"

"You have a discerning eye."

"Are you, by any chance, the famous Grand Duchess Wallenstein...?"

"You are quick to understand."

Veris was unaware, but it seemed her sword bore the unique symbol of the Kingdom of Gallia.

In any case, Gunther had accurately identified her status. It seemed he was aware that the renowned Grand Duchess of Gallia was visiting the academy.

"So."

Evangeline gazed intently at Veris. Unable to discern what she wanted, Veris received her gaze with a somewhat reluctant expression.

"Do you desire power?"

"?"

"If you wish for power, come to me. Even if your mana is scarce, if you receive my teachings, you will surely achieve good results. If you want, it wouldn't be difficult to create a position for you in the kingdom. Of course, that is if you accept my proposal."

Evangeline's voice was confident. Naturally, Gunther frowned once more at her absurd words.

"Excuse me, Your Grace."

"What is it?"

"Do you perhaps... not know my brother's strength?"

Evangeline, receiving Gunther's straightforward and somewhat reckless question, looked at him as if he were a strange person.

"Of course, I know. Veris has a constitution that can only accumulate a small amount of mana, doesn't he? But despite that, his skills are exceptional. I hold that in high regard."

"...."

Gunther turned to look at Veris as if to confirm whether he had just heard what Evangeline said.

A mix of disbelief, anger, and frustration.

Those complex emotions briefly covered Gunther's face. The Grand Duchess, who was lost in her own imagination, seemed quite exasperating.

"Um... Your Grace?"

"Yes."

"I have heard rumors that you are strong. Then, would you be willing to cross swords?"

"Swords? Hmm, you are a brave lad."

Evangeline smiled brightly. The thought that he wanted to measure himself against her was amusing. Perhaps because she was from the Empire, she didn't seem to fear the name Wallenstein.

However.

"I would prefer if my brother were to face you instead of me."

"Hmm?"

Evangeline tilted her head.

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In her view....

It was a definite fact that Veris was a man of remarkable ability. The very fact that he could display such movements and swordsmanship despite having little mana was already far beyond common sense.

But even so, it would be... meaningless for Evangeline and Veris to cross swords.

No matter how exceptional a swordsman one might be, without mana to support it, it would merely be a shell with no substance.

"Not bad."

"Are you serious?"

Evangeline was wearing a look of disbelief for the first time since entering the academy.

She had maintained her poker face when she heard that Veris would demand great rewards if he joined her plans.

But this was far too reckless.

"By the way, why do you think I lack mana?"

For the first ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) time, Veris, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between Gunther and the Grand Duchess, posed a question.

The Grand Duchess seemed to ponder for a moment with a stiff expression before finally speaking.

"I was born with a mysterious power. First, the swordsmanship and mana talent bestowed upon me by the gods, and an instinct close to prophecy. And... lastly, the ability to see the mana possessed by others."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I have already seen your mana, Veris. Compared to an ordinary academy student, it appears far too small."

"Did you not see it correctly?"

The Grand Duchess shook her head at Gunther's question.

Her ability to see through mana was a power close to a blessing.

Such a power had never yielded a wrong result throughout her life, so it was unlikely she would make an error regarding Veris.

"It's strange. The brother I know has a lot of mana."

"Fighting with such scarce mana is a feat close to the miraculous."

"But my brother has also dominated space with mana."

Suddenly, Gunther became an ardent defender of Veris. Veris felt comfortable thanks to Gunther's efforts to clear up the misunderstanding without needing to argue.

"Dominating space?"

"Yes. When that domain is deployed, no being can survive without my brother's permission."

But this time, Veris could not remain silent.

"No, that's too much."

"But it was true, wasn't it?"

"...."

The Grand Duchess silently observed the banter between Veris and Gunther.

Evangeline, feeling incredulous, did not see the need to continue the conversation.

Her eyes were absolute. Therefore, the possibility of being wrong was....

"Ah?"

In that moment, the Grand Duchess recalled a possibility.

The power of her ability to see through mana was more versatile than she had thought. As a prime example, she could see the mana of all individuals within her peripheral vision.

And if she concentrated her power on one person....

"Could it be?"

The Grand Duchess uttered a foolish sound that was uncharacteristic of her, considering the outlandish possibility.

'Why did I only think of this now?'

The power of her 'eyes' did not require her to concentrate her power. The reason was simple. She could see the mana of anyone she encountered without needing to focus her power.

However.

What if. Just what if, the total amount of mana visible to her eyes appeared as a halo....

To the extent that it could not be seen by the human eye?

─────Whoosh!

Without a moment to explain her thoughts, the Grand Duchess concentrated her power. Then, a cascade of light poured down from the sky like a meteor shower.

"This, this is absurd...."

It was as if it were a blessing from the gods, a testament of reverence.

That which shone with a brilliant aura illuminated the entire world. And that light... was pouring down precisely around one man.

Indeed.

Evangeline realized that what she had seen until now was not the empty mana of the man named Veris.

What she had thought was a lack of mana... was merely her own misunderstanding.

"How can a person...."

Facing the truth, she felt her jaw tremble. As she confronted the reality of the man with blue hair standing quietly before her, her legs felt weak, making it hard to stand.

Fear.

Yes. Evangeline was suddenly afraid of that man. Witnessing an overwhelming power that could blind her, she realized how insignificant she was in comparison.

The light pouring down behind Veris was immense. It was so brilliantly radiant that it could cover not just the training hall... but the entire academy, to the extent that it could be called the sun itself rather than a halo. Thud.

Noticing the sudden change in Evangeline's reaction, Veris realized that she had seen something.

He took a step closer to her.

"Ugh!"

Evangeline raised her arms to shield her eyes from the blinding light and the wave of mana.

If she didn't do so, it felt as if her 'eyes,' which were out of control, would blind her at any moment.

"Now, I believe we can have a proper conversation, Grand Duchess Evangeline."

Tremble!

Evangeline regretted the words she had spoken.

Veris's voice, softly spoken amidst the brilliant light, carried an unsettlingly benevolent tone.