The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 97

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 97
The sun rose and dawn broke clear. Lucas had come to Rachel’s quarters, and Rachel, who hadn’t slept a wink all night, received him.
“It feels strange to ask if you had a good night.”
Lucas spoke lightly, watching Rachel’s rigid expression.
“The truth is, I didn’t sleep at all. I was too worried.”
“I’d ask nothing more of the world than for you to back out now.”
Lucas said it obliquely. Rachel immediately shook her head.
“No. I want to be with you no matter what.”
As Rachel displayed her firm resolve, Lucas let out a shallow sigh.
“I’m still not certain this is the right thing to do.”
“I’ll prove to you that it was.”
Rachel smiled and pressed close to Lucas’s side.
Lucas then extended his hand. Rachel took it, warm and steady.
They walked toward the Mage Tower hand in hand the entire way without speaking. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say they couldn’t speak—the tension was almost unbearable.
“Rachel.”
Lucas broke the long silence.
What was he about to say? Rachel watched him, unable to hide her curiosity. He turned to her, his eyes warm, and opened his mouth.
“There’s no way to know what might happen. I can’t promise you what I might do or how I might protect you. But one thing I’m certain of.”
Lucas tightened his grip on Rachel’s hand.
“I will protect you, no matter what. Whatever unfolds.”
“…Lucas.”
She could feel his genuine intent to shield her. Rachel bit down on her lip.
He was so determined to protect her. Which meant she was just as determined to protect him. Her strength was infinitely small compared to his, but she had the Protective Stone Bracelet the Mage Tower Master had given her.
As they walked through the Imperial Palace, all manner of anxious thoughts flickered through her mind. But they faded one by one as the Mage Tower drew near. The reality before them was cold.
Upon entering the Mage Tower, the gazes of the mages fell upon them both. They looked at Lucas and Rachel with pitying eyes.
It was hardly surprising. Anyone could see they were about to undertake something dangerous. Who would greet them with a smile?
“Crown Prince, Miss Swan.”
The Mage Tower Master approached them. He gave no hint that he had given Rachel the protective stone yesterday. Instead, he smiled benevolently and offered his blessings.
“May you achieve all you wish for under the protection of the Sun God.”
He clasped his hands tightly, praying for the Sun God’s blessing upon them. Rachel, knowing he had not only prayed for them but also given her the protective stone, felt only gratitude for all of it.
“I shall open the gate to the depths below.”
It was a door Rachel had often seen. She had always found it odd that such an ancient door bore several locks, but now she understood—it led to the underground.
“Rachel.”
“Lucas.”
They looked at each other. As they did, the locks came undone one by one, and the door opened.
As the long-sealed door swung wide, dust billowed forth. Rachel coughed briefly and covered her mouth. Lucas, too, frowned slightly at the unwelcome dust.
“I wish you fortune.”
With the Mage Tower Master’s words as farewell, Lucas took the torch and began descending the stairs first.
The staircase spiraled downward endlessly. Rachel followed carefully in his wake.
The steps, untrodden for so long, were treacherously slick. Rachel descended carefully, barely maintaining her balance.
‘There’s truly no end to this.’
How deep had they dug? The air grew thinner and thinner, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
“Rachel.”
Lucas slowed his pace and came to a stop.
“That there….”
Rachel too came to a halt. What caught her eye was a small iron door.
“Is this it?”
“Likely so.”
Lucas stared at the door intently as he spoke.
“Then, Lucas.”
Rachel drew Lucas’s hand toward her and slipped the Protective Stone Bracelet onto his wrist.
“The Mage Tower Master secretly prepared this for us. It’s a precious thing that wards off Ancient Magic.”
Rachel fastened a Protective Stone Bracelet around her own arm as well. The bracelets gleamed on both their wrists.
“I’ll have to thank the Mage Tower Master.”
“Come back safely and tell him in person.”
Rachel made a bright promise of the future with Lucas. Then she steeled her heart. The real battle was about to begin.
Lucas grasped the door handle and pushed without hesitation. The door creaked open with a terrible wail. He stepped into the space beyond.
The chamber within was not large. Yet the dais in its center commanded all attention.
A high platform, and upon it, a sword shattered into fragments.
‘That’s the First Emperor’s Sword….’
Rachel bit down on her lip. It was hard to hide the tension thrumming through her.
“That must be the First Emperor’s Sword.”
Lucas murmured the words low. Rachel nodded reflexively. Then he drew his own blade and raised it high.
“I don’t know how far my strength will reach.”
He swung his sword toward the First Emperor’s Sword in a wide arc.
Clang.
But the First Emperor’s Sword was protected by a powerful barrier.
“I’d have been disappointed if this weren’t here.”
As though he’d expected this much, Lucas swung again.
Clang, clang.
But no matter how many times he tried, his blade simply bounced off the barrier.
“It might make a difference if I use Mana Manipulation.”
“You can use Mana Manipulation?”
“Unlike Father, Mother was pleased that I could channel Mana. While she was alive, I learned Mana Manipulation from the Mage Tower Master. In secret, of course.”
Lucas spoke quietly, revealing this to her.
She’d known he could channel Mana to some degree. But she hadn’t realized he’d trained so formally in it.
Somewhat startled, Rachel looked at Lucas, then returned her gaze to the First Emperor’s Sword.
“Let me help.”
The most recent skill she’d learned at the Mage Tower was gathering Mana in her palm and forming it into a Circular Formation.
A Circular Formation possessed tremendous destructive power. For someone only just learning, Rachel was astounded at how quickly and how powerfully she could form the technique—far faster than she’d expected of herself.
Lucas gathered his Mana as well. Rachel could feel his concentration from where she stood beside him. She wanted to be of help to him, even if only a little.
Lucas swung his sword again. This time, Mana flowed through the blade. In the same moment, Rachel poured her Circular Formation directly into the First Emperor’s Sword.
Crack, crackle.
The sound was different now.
As he swung again, she heard something fracturing. Rachel was certain their combined assault was taking effect.
More, more, more!
Rachel poured every shred of Mana she had into it. Lucas, gripping his sword with both hands, pushed with all his strength.
More, more, more!
Time crawled. As it did, Rachel felt her body wavering. Her head spun, and every muscle ached as though beaten.
Please, please…!
Sending prayer after prayer, Rachel wrung out her remaining Mana. She felt like she couldn’t hold on much longer.
Crackle, crack.
She thought this was the end. Rachel felt her Protective Stone Bracelet vibrate violently. Lucas’s bracelet was doing the same.
Shatter.
Both their Protective Stone Bracelets shattered simultaneously and fell to the floor.
Boom!!
In that same instant, the barrier shattered and Lucas’s sword pierced the pedestal.
“Lucas!”
Gasping for breath, Rachel called out to him. Then he turned to her with a radiant smile.
“Rachel.”
It was a moment she could barely believe. Something she couldn’t have imagined possible.
Together with Lucas, they had done it. The First Emperor’s Sword lay before them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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