The Author's POV

Swiftly moving around the alleys of Hollberg, taking out my phone, I quickly checked the map of the surroundings.

Despite not knowing the current position of the car, I could estimate how long it would take for it to reach the main road that was a few blocks away from my current position.

If things were going as I predicted in approximately fifteen minutes they would reach the main road...

Staring at the red dot on the map that marked my position, I lightly frowned and increased my speed.

"Fuck, I should definitely get a movement art after this..."

As I ran, I couldn't help but curse at my speed.

Though my rank increased and my speed along with it, it felt as if I still lacked in the speed department.

Fortunately, because I was directly cutting through the buildings to reach my destination, the distance that I covered was much less compared to the car which needed to go through a couple of adjacent roads that connected to the main road.

"Huff...huff...this must be the right road"

Panting heavily, after having run at full speed for ten minutes straight, I supported myself with my knees and looked ahead.

In front of me stood a deserted road that was dimly lit by the streets lamps that stood on the side of the road.

The sidewalks were empty, and all the houses next to the road had their lights turned off.

Checking my phone and confirming that I was at the right destination, I took out my mp3 and scrolled down my playlist.

I needed something to take my mind off of what was to happen next.

...and what better way than through music

"...let's go with this"

Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven

0:00 ▶----------------------- 15:00

+ Volume -

Feeling the breeze of the night, I stood in front of the deserted road.

-Vroom!

"...about time"

As soon as I pressed the play button of my mp3, on the opposite side of the road, a black car sped in my direction.

Glancing at the oncoming car, I closed my eyes and savored the music that was playing in my ears.

"Fuuuu...."

-Beep! -Beep!

Ignoring the beeping coming from the incoming car, letting out a long breath, I channeled my mana at the tip of my sword and drew a circle in the air.

Slowly a yellow translucent circle appeared in front of me.

Following the first circle, I drew a second and a third one.

"Go..."

Stacking them up together, I pushed them towards the incoming vehicle.

-Vuam!

-Skreeech

Noticing the circles heading their way, the car screeched and swerved to the side as the driver tried to avoid the rings.

...However, it was too late.

Despite the driver's attempt to dodge the circles, they still hit the car on its backside causing it to spin a couple of times before slamming against a street light.

-BAAAAM!

"Not bad"

Staring at my now scattering rings I couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.

Prior to coming to Hollberg, my circles could only last for two seconds and had no substance to them.

After having come to Hollberg, I didn't stop training once.

Although the amount of time I trained was cut considerably, it didn't stop me from improving my second sword art [Ring of vindication]

...and thanks to that, though I didn't manage to increase the time the rings could remain in the air, I managed to add substance to them.

Meaning that right now, hitting a ring was the same as hitting real matter.

...and because I managed to hit the car on its backside, I disrupted its momentum causing it to spin and crash against the pole.

This technique was essentially a similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used, but without the need for me to use another car.

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

Opening the door of the car, a rather handsome individual with short brown hair and green eyes came out.

Looking around and noticing me standing in the middle of the road, the handsome individual's eyes narrowed

"...So you must be one of those rats sent from the lock"

Behind him, four more individuals exited the vehicle. They all were nice black suits and apart from a few shards of glass on their clothes, they seemed to be relatively unharmed.

Glancing behind him, the young individual felt a surge of confidence rise from within him as he started speaking with more confidence.

"I've long known that I was a possible target. I hoped that it wouldn't have come to this, but it seems that in the end, you pests from the lock are planning of cleansing the whole of Hollberg..."

Nudging at the guards behind him to come forward, the handsome individual smiled and said

"I'll give you a chance, leave now before things get serious..."

Removing one of my earpieces, I shook my head and looked at the handsome individual who hid behind his four bodyguards.

"I'm afraid I'd have to disappoint you there Mr. Zar. You see if I don't kill you, there's a high chance I might fail my year..."

It was true.

Because my theoretical grades were absolute garbage, if I didn't complete this mission, there was a high chance I would fail this course.

Simply put, I had no other option but to complete this mission.

Frowning, Karl Zar's face crumpled as he darkly said

"I gave you a chance but you blew it..."

Signaling with his fingers to three of the four guards before him, instantly three <G> ranked auras erupted enveloping the street and me.

"Since you leave me no choice, I guess you must die!"

Feeling the three auras directed in my direction, I remained indifferent. Putting my earpiece back into my ear, I channeled the mana inside of my body and accustomed myself to the pressure coming from the three guards.

Ignoring the three <G> ranked individuals, my eyes never once drifted away from the fourth member that kept standing next to Karl.

Similar to the other three guards, he was wearing a black suit. He had long black hair the fell right onto his shoulders and his angular face looked extremely vicious.

Though he was hiding it, he was <F> ranked.

His entire presence was drastically different compared to the other three. It felt as if a vicious python was staring at me ready to strangle me at any moment.

He was on another level...

"...hm?"

Noticing my indifferent expression, Karl frowned and looked at the guard that was standing next to him.

Glancing at Karl, the guard nodded his head and stepped forward.

-Vuam!

Instantly a pressure that was on a different level compared to the three guards engulfed the entire street.

Taking out a dagger from his pocket, the guard smiled as he slowly licked the blade of the dagger

"...It's been a while since I've had some fun"

Seeing his strongest guard move, Karl felt a wave of confidence wash over him as he commanded the other guards

"Kill him!"

Hearing Karl's command, the three <G> ranked guards instantly moved and ran in my direction.

Staring at the guards coming in my direction, my eyes slightly darted towards the <F> ranked guard who was behind them.

Though it looked like he was not going to attack...I knew...I knew that he was most probably going to attack me when I least expect it.

He was probably going to attack as soon as he saw an opening.

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

Releasing a long breath, my <F> ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street as white light started emanating from my body.

Tapping on my sword, a bright white light instantly engulfed the whole street

The second movement of the [Keiki style] : Horizon splitting slash

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

As soon as the light died down, three heads could be seen rolling on the floor.

Biting my lips and not looking back, I stared at Karl and the other guard.

...I just consciously killed three people.

Despite trying my best to not show it, my mind was currently in a state of turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, resentment, many emotions constantly came and went inside of my mind as I desperately struggled to keep my mind intact.

I couldn't crumble yet.

...at least not until I finished my mission.

"w-w-hat j-just happened?"

Staggering a few steps backward, Karl almost fell over as he looked at the heads of the three guards on the floor. Staring at his remaining guard, Karl weakly said

"E-dmund, y-ou can kill him rig-ht?"

Hearing Karl's voice and recovering from his surprise, the <F> ranked guard, Edmund, licked his lips and nodded

"This might be more entertaining than I thought"

Dashing in my direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger in the direction of my throat.

Looking at Edmund coming my way, I instantly dashed a few steps back and drew a circle in the air with my sword.

Like a snake, the dagger coursed through the air at incredible speeds as it made its way towards my direction.

-Clank!

Hacking at the circle, it soon broke into millions of pieces, and the dagger soon appeared before my eyes.

Looking at the dagger that was only a few inches away from my face, my face remained indifferent.

Though the circle didn't manage to block the attack, it didn't matter because all I wanted was to buy myself enough time to regain my stance.

-Click!

-Clank!

Quickly repelling the dagger with my sword, I shoulder tackled Edmund and took a few steps back.

"khhh..."

Pushed back, Edmund smiled savagely as he said

"..Not bad"

Flicking the dagger in the air, Edmund switched it to his left hand and once again dashed in my direction.

Noticing him heading my way, I quickly drew three circles in the air. Stacking them together I pushed them in the direction of where the dagger was coming from.

...I needed to buy myself more time.

I needed five seconds.

Five seconds to be able to accumulate enough wind psyons to coat my sword and use the first movement of the Keiki style, quick flash.

...Only through that move could I kill him.

'1'

"Futile trick!"

Seeing the three circles heading in his direction, A green glow covered Edmund's body as he flicked his dagger in the air and grabbed it with both his hands before stabbing at the circles.

-Crash!

'2'

As if the tree circles were made of paper, they instantly broke into a million particles.

"...Shit!"

Staring at the dagger headed in my direction, I bit my lips until blood fell on my chin and only moved slightly to the side

'3'

-Spurt!

"khhh...ahhhhh!"

Piercing my shoulder until the tip of the dagger could be seen appearing on the other side of my back, I stared at Edmund who looked at me with an expression of shock

'4'

"You crazy bastard!"

Smiling slightly I said

"...yeah, I think so too"

'5'

The first movement of the [Keiki style] : Quick flash

-Thud!

"Khhh...huff...huff"

Grabbing my shoulder which was bleeding heavily, I panted heavily as my vision blurred slightly.

"hiiiii, don't come near me!"

Forcefully trying to regain my composure I quickly headed towards my target, Karl Zar.

"y-ou want money? women? fame? I can give you anything, please don't kill me. I don't want to die!"

Picking up one of the earpieces that fell off of one of my ears I put it back on and ignored Karl's pleas.

Arriving before Karl, I let out a long breath and raised my sword.

Looking at his sorry state I started hesitating a bit...but after thinking about all the horrible things he did from reading his report, I firmed my will and slashed down.

-Spurt!

-Thud!

Wiping Karl's blood off of my face, I let out a long breath and stared at the moon that was surrounded by the stars.

"I guess I truly am a part of this world now...."