Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 413 Faith
Under the night sky, after pouring out the words that had been weighing on his heart, Remer's expression relaxed somewhat.

Sending Cortrienne to the Elson mansion where Roland was at the time was undoubtedly the right choice, whether viewed then, then later, or now.

Even Cortrienne and those around her wouldn't see anything wrong with that approach.

Especially now, the events that have occurred in the fairy tale world have proven that Cortrienne can create a hellish scene in the world by deviating slightly from the right path.

But Remer was the only one troubled by this matter. Because, no matter how much he wanted it in his heart, no matter how much he wanted it "for Cortrienne's own good," his actions were only a form of abandoning Cortrienne, sending her, who was likely to be a "trouble," to a place where she wouldn't affect him.

The self-blame in my heart gradually turned into estrangement and alienation, and then into the situation like this day.

Remer wasn't sure if it was too late to say all this now. He just had a feeling that this was the last chance to voice his long-held thoughts.

"so."

With Cortrienne's help, Remer sat up.
“What I’m trying to say is, if you feel indebted to the Roland family and need to repay them, then do as you please. But for me… for us, there’s no need. This will always be your home, so you will never owe us anything, nor do you need to repay us. Just as I will not ask you to forgive my weakness.”

“No, you are not weak, Father.”

After she opened her mouth, Cortrienne realized that she actually had nothing more to say.

Indeed, rather than wanting to help Xia Luoluo and the others for reasons like reason, rules, or justice, she felt more like she was repaying them for their past kindness and bidding them farewell in this way.

Although Remer didn't have Roland's special abilities, he could still see through her inner thoughts.

"Is that so? Since you said it, then I'll take it seriously. As for the others here, you don't need to worry about dragging them into the Elson family's vortex without permission. They're already in this vortex, and you've just gained a voice according to the family rules. Besides, since we're going to be involved anyway, shouldn't we at least stand on the side of the victor? Don't you hear me, Blake!"

From the moment this "duel" began, the figure that had been lurking furtively at the edge of the training field seemed startled, raised his shoulder slightly, and then quietly left.

Remer shook his head and continued,

"Like me, if anyone else in this family has objections to your proposal, just resolve it the 'Elson way.' And that's all."

Remer gazed at his daughter, who had grown into such a beautiful and outstanding young woman without him even realizing it, and a slight smile appeared on his face.
"No matter what path you choose in the future, remember to come home and visit often. Even if you get into a huge mess, it doesn't matter. Although my abilities may be limited, as I said, regardless of whether your actions are right or wrong, I will always do everything in my power to protect you—"

On the battlefield outside Horus.

Remer's words, still seemingly echoing in her ears, gradually restored clarity to Cortelene's bloodshot eyes.

That's it again
The goblin swordsman, Shining Stone, once again broke through Cortelene's defenses, leaving wounds on her body. However, Cortelene seemed completely oblivious to these minor pains.

Once again, she was pulled back into the "crack".

Cortrienne's thoughts were still outside of the battle.

Initially, it should have been Charlotte. Then came Roland. Next, it was Ritas. And the most recent one was Remer.

Every time Cortriñe is about to embark on a path that seems to be hers by nature, and she is determined to follow this nature, someone will pull her back from that path and make her stand at the crossroads of choices again.

Cortrienne could no longer distinguish what was right, what was wrong, what should be, and what should not be.

All she knew was that being in that "gap" was the most painful time.

But perhaps, the constant swaying, confusion, and pain within those narrow spaces is also an important part of who she is today.

Suddenly, before the Radiant Stone could unleash its next strike, Cortrienne fiercely swung a fan-shaped circular slash at the empty space around her.

A violent clang of metal resounded through the air.

Inside the pyroxene's "sword coffin," terrifying cracks appeared on the iron block representing the "past."

Whether the pyroxene's strike comes from the "past" or the "future," at least at the moment the sword strike takes shape and injures the final target, it is substantial and located in the "present."

While enduring a shallow sword wound, Cortrinet, with overwhelming force, directly crippled Hikari's "Past Sword".

However, having already drawn her sword against the "Sword of the Past," she naturally could not withstand the present-day Hikari and his "Sword of the Future."

In an instant, two forked sword marks were imprinted face-to-face on Cortriene's body, shattering her armor and leaving two severe wounds from which blood gushed.

The tauren watching the battle let out a loud bellow, seemingly thrilled that the duel had ended in a victory for the splendid stone.

But the situation on the battlefield took a sharp turn for the worse in the next moment.

At that moment, Cortriñe's flying blood was like a blood curtain that briefly lingered in mid-air. And behind this blood curtain was Cortriñe, who had already made a "do-or-die" stance.

Pyroxene's pupils contracted sharply.

He realized that he was facing yet another monster born from the "Elson Flow".

When people encounter danger or are in dire straits, they may think of "fighting to the death." However, this impulsive act of fighting to the death doesn't actually cost them much of their lives, nor is it much better than giving it their all.

Not only the brain, but also the body is a chain that binds it. The inability to push the body to its limits becomes a habit, common sense, truth, bodily memory, and a matter of course. Therefore, "working desperately" is an utterly unfamiliar and unfamiliar territory for most people, and even if they step into it, they cannot fully utilize its potential.

The Elson School is like a group of madmen trying to become familiar with the field, to live in it, and even to make those things their instincts.

Therefore, Hui Shi could not understand why anyone would master the Elson style of swordsmanship to such an extreme.

Every "suicide mission" undertaken by an Elson-style swordsman is one where failure means utter destruction. Even if successful, it is merely a foolish act that takes an irreversible step down the path of self-destruction.

Over the years, the Elson style has only produced one true Elson style swordsman. All other swordsmen of the swordsmanship level have, without exception, abandoned the folly in various ways and forged a different path based on the Elson style.

Now, besides that "absolute" sword saint, Hui Shi has also encountered "Elson," who has taken folly to the extreme.

Seriously injured?

For a demon that has miraculously survived countless "deaths," as long as its limbs can still move and it can still wield a sword, it will inevitably unleash a power beyond its limits—a power that destroys and burns itself. Therefore, in the present without the "Sword of the Past," Hikari must face the impending "death blow" head-on.

At the moment Cortriene thrust out her final sword, the sharp edge of the greatsword was reflected in Hikari's blood-yellow pupils, and time seemed to stand still.

In this stillness, Hui Shi, whose blood was boiling, revealed a twisted and ferocious grin that was more like that of a "demon" than a "human." At the same time, he also saw the minotaur, who had only been watching, desperately trying to rush into the battlefield.

ah.
Time has not truly stood still.

So in the blink of an eye, the broken blade flew through the air, and the battle was decided.

When Elson-style swordsmen are involved, it is common to see battlefields where a "one-hit kill" occurs.

The minotaur, his upper body a bloody mess, was barely alive, cradling the goblin swordsman's emaciated body.

At the last moment, Hui Shi did not choose to fight back, but instead chose to block.

But Cortrienne's desperate attack was clearly not something that could be blocked or deflected.

"We still have things we must do with our lives. So, let these victories adorn your triumph, young human swordsman."

With its long nose, right ear, and half of its face severed, and the three swords representing the past, present, and future all broken pieces of brilliance, it spoke weakly in the minotaur's arms.

On his face, half of it resembling a peeled skeleton, the expression was more regret than pain. But these regrets, along with his words, transformed into a resolute resolve.

Before Hui Shi could finish speaking, the minotaur, though badly injured but still able to move, had already carried him high into the air and quickly fled towards the city of Horus.

Clearly dissatisfied with the spoils of war, such as some scattered body parts and a few "broken swords," Cortrienne wanted to pursue the enemy.

However, after taking a few steps forward, he staggered.

Cortrienne plunged her greatsword heavily into the ground, gripping the hilt with both hands to stay upright. However, with her head bowed, she could still see the blood flowing continuously from her body.

"It seems I can no longer help you."

She raised her head, looking in the direction of Horo City. Cortriene, who had fought a completely unexpected opponent to a standstill, murmured softly.

"I hope my involvement is just superfluous."

Looking at the surging waves inside the city of Horo, Cortriene lowered her head again and fell into silence.

Inside the gladiatorial arena of Horus.

The flames ignited by the double-edged swords of the rebel Floyd Elson relentlessly scorched Roland, the current head of the Elson family.

Holding the broken longsword "Fishing Rod," Roland, whose body was gradually turning charred, stubbornly swung a circular slash. Although the slash did not pose any threat to Floyd, it at least temporarily freed him from the scorching flames.

Roland, his body billowing black smoke and his breathing becoming even more labored, stared at Freud.

"What is this? I don't remember teaching you such a weak sword."

"Where is that powerful sword now?"

As Freud spoke, his swift steps transformed into a crimson afterimage, once again branding deep sword marks and flames onto Roland's weakened body.

Roland once again barely managed to repel Floyd. The reason he was able to do so was because Floyd's fighting style was clever and cunning.

Floyd had no intention of paying any price for an opponent he was certain of winning. After all, Elson, the swordsman who had gone completely mad, might just unleash a desperate, irrational attack as long as he could still move.

Therefore, Freud didn't even want to give Roland a chance to put on a show.

"So... you just can't, you never can. Freud... you never had the ability to use only the sword in your hand to peer into the beyond of all limits, to see if there was a 'truth' that belonged only to you. To know if your sword strikes, after transcending everything, could become a rule in this world."

"Stop lecturing me, Roland. The reason you're so fixated on pushing your swordsmanship to the limit is simply because you hate it when people gossip that your 'Sword Saint' title was obtained through supernatural abilities."

Freud scoffed.

Ironically, the only one who truly understands some of the unknown aspects of Roland is Freud, who genuinely despises him and has now raised the banner of rebellion.

"Hahaha. Perhaps so. But whatever the reason, belief is something we cannot do without! Humans, after all, have limits. Whether it's the body or the soul, such a small bundle of soul, such a small piece of body, is insignificant compared to the whole world. And as long as one is determined, the power that a human body can possess is roughly the same. There is an upper limit! And after touching this upper limit, what is left to determine superiority and inferiority, to decide victory and defeat? That is what you lack, belief! Freud!"

"."

After a moment of silence, Freud's temples bulged with veins.

He seemed to be angrily responding to Roland's one-sided pontificating with, "Stop barking! I have my own beliefs too!"

However, perhaps his dislike for Roland was so extreme that he was unwilling to even respond according to Roland's logic. Freud simply closed his eyes slightly to calm his agitated state.

"I don't need beliefs, nor do I pursue limits, and I don't understand 'truth' or 'rules.' Without beliefs, I can still defeat everyone who stands in my way. And Roland, after saying all this, do you really have any so-called 'beliefs' now? If her name is Sophia, she's already dead—"

"!"

Roland paused for a moment.

Severely injured, weak, and emotionally traumatized, he was so weak that even a gentle breeze could make him sway.

"Since killing you is to demonstrate my power, then such a slow, agonizing torture is hardly intimidating. So, feel honored, Roland. Although I haven't used it in a long time, today I will pick up the 'foolishness' and 'toughness' you taught me once more."

Holding the two swords in reverse, with the burning blades pointing towards the sky and the ground respectively, Freud adopted an extremely bizarre "death-defying" posture.

As the sword strike was about to land without warning, Roland remained in a daze.

What exactly are his beliefs now?
(End of this chapter)