Now.
Before this great battle begins, I checked all the cards in my hand.
First, let’s consider Rudika Hassan Shadow’s stats as I remember them.
**【Rudika Hassan Shadow】**
**【Strength: 13
Stamina: 14
Will: 20
Agility: 21 (conditional +1)
Magic Power: 11】**
**【Hassan-style Dagger Arts (3T)**
**Abyssal Step (6T)**
**Stealth (6T)**
**Zero-Back Zero (3T)**
**Critical Machine (4T)**
**Sense Dulling (5T)**
**Berserk – Over Drive (7T)】**
There are a few other skills, but those are the main combat ones.
Hassan-style Dagger Arts is basically going in and slashing away.
Abyssal Step makes it easy to hide in the opponent’s blind spot and ensures the next strike hits.
Zero-Back Zero is instantaneous acceleration. It’s a pun by the developers—meaning the time it takes to go from 0 to 100 is 0. What is this, a cyber machine? That’s not sprinting, that’s teleportation.
Then there’s Critical Machine—crits trigger easily, and even when taking damage, flinch is ignored… in other words, she’s a天生的 assassination machine.
What’s more, you can recruit her as an ally in the middle of the first year, and this is Professor Rudika’s “initial” state, which Kelter can “absolutely never” beat. In other words, from here her skills can be tiered up any number of times. She’s insane, really.
But in the end, this is still “initial” Rudika.
If I bring in power from after Act 5, which would normally be impossible, it’s worth a try.
Of course, that’s when fighting as Kelter.
Now, what should Wolfram do?
Don’t worry.
I have the strongest tactic on earth that only Wolfram von Lohengrin can pull off.
Its name is—
**The Hellish Wind-Dodging Mouth Technique.**
—
“The battle has begun, but going straight to clashing blades goes against elegance.”
“…What are you trying to say, Wolfram?”
“Well. Now, my friend and sworn ally—and now my adversary—Rudika Hassan Shadow. Would you hear me out for a moment?”
“…Very well.”
Good.
With this, I’ve bought a “turn.”
Now, what do I use this turn for? Do I talk to Rudika and ask for mercy?
No. There’s no way I’d waste a turn on something like that.
First, I need to activate my skills.
Come forth. My strongest hand.
**【Activate Imperial Bloodline.** 】
“**【There are far too many students in this Zefflin. Yet most of them are chaff. Don’t you think they’re trash that should be expelled at any moment?】** ”
The ones I addressed were none other than the audience.
As arrogantly and impudently as possible.
The stands stir. Good.
“**【It is lamentable to show our fight to such trash. Rudika Hassan Shadow. You are one of the few capable individuals I can acknowledge. Our battle should be paid for—don’t you think this is too generous a spectacle for those paupers?】** ”
Now the audience finally realizes that my insults are directed at them.
*”Trash who only has good bloodline.”* *”I’ll kill you someday.”* *”Because of you, my family went bankrupt.”* *”You embezzled and got chased out by your little sister, yet you have the nerve to talk?”* *”Die.”* *”Die.”* *”Just die.”*
Yes. Come on, come on. Curse me more.
**【Deplorable defilement from surrounding mongrels!】**
**【Forced auto-counter against surrounding mongrels activated.】**
**【By the deeds of the Imperial Bloodline, the banner stands high even under persecution by the masses.** 】
Now, here.
I use the Act 2 clear bonus item.
Skill Proficiency Boost Ticket. Activate.
**【Skill Proficiency Boost Ticket used.】**
**【Imperial Bloodline proficiency increases slightly.** 】
**【For 15 minutes in a crisis situation, all words spoken by the user are subject to Imperial Bloodline.** 】
**【True majesty can never be concealed even in everyday life. The power that dominates one’s surroundings grows even stronger.** 】
Listening to the countless skill messages, I spread both arms.
At this point, with my power strengthened this far, my words are akin to imperial decrees, close to incantations.
“**【Shut your mouths.** 】”
At those words, all complaints faded away and only silence lingered.
Now.
One preparation is complete, and it’s time to start the second.
“**【Rudika Hassan Shadow. My friend and heir to the greatest assassin clan.** 】”
I glance—Rudika’s eyes waver. Proof that the intimidation is working at least a little.
As expected. Even with Will 20, she can’t block an “enhanced Tier-1 skill.”
“**【This body too finds the fight with you truly thrilling, yet how could heaven not be heaven, and earth not be earth? Heaven and earth can never stand on the same horizon.** 】”
I clench my fist, extend only my index finger, and draw a line from top to bottom.
This is—a signal to Filtia.
*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.*
With a roar, my body rises.
It’s not flying through the air. The earth itself lifts my body.
The earth creates stairs, and I leave Rudika on the ground as I ascend higher.
When I look back, there sits a magnificent throne—a golden armrest, a crimson seat and backrest—exquisite beyond compare.
Yes.
This is exactly the reward item from the **【Dragon’s Trial】** that I prepared to face Rudika Hassan Shadow.
**【First Emperor’s Throne】**
I sit upon the throne and look down at the ground—five meters below, Rudika Hassan Shadow looks up at me.
“**【I’ve kept you waiting long. My preparations are complete.** 】”
This is something.
Now that I think about it, it’s just like a demon lord looking down on a hero.
“**【Now. Come at me, assassin. If you can reach this far, I shall commend you.** 】”
Well then. Might as well throw out some demon lord-like lines.
—
There is a concept known as a **stationary boss**.
It’s a gimmick that often appears in the first phase of boss fights.
The boss sits on a throne, extends a finger, and summoned monsters fight in their place while the boss watches from high above.
A prime example is the Act 5 boss of the classic game *Demon Hunter II*. From Act 1 to Act 5, in a certain stone fortress, it keeps summoning minions to fight while it just stands at the gate laughing, “Uhehehehe.”
The first characteristic of this boss is: **【The main body is invincible.】**
And the second: **【Stationary bosses just spam area attacks from high up.** 】
“**【What’s the matter? You seem to be staggering.** 】”
I flick my hand—a shapeless wave engulfs Rudika.
Next, status-effect potions fly through the air.
The first is the offensive magic built into the throne itself.
The second is the status-effect potions I personally made and pre-loaded.
Rudika dodges my attacks with agility alone, seeking the moment to charge at me.
“Haah!”
“**【Hmph.** 】”
Not a chance.
You’re in first-person, and I’m in top-down view.
With eyes that see the entire map, I’ll never lose.
“Gh!?”
“**【Oh. You dodged that as well.** 】”
Even though the **【Status Effect: Paralysis Potion】** precisely targeted Rudika’s opening, she clearly evades it—likely due to her assassin’s talent.
But she’s clearly startled, forced to take several steps back.
This is it.
This is exactly how “Wolfram von Lohengrin” fights the strongest and most dangerous assassin, “Rudika Hassan Shadow.”
Now.
*’What is needed to fight Rudika Hassan Shadow on equal footing?’*
*’First, I can’t move. No matter how I move against Agility 22, it’s meaningless.’*
*’The best skill I have is Imperial Bloodline. My opponent is an assassin specialized in high-speed movement with no area attacks.’*
*’She’s also weak to status effects.’*
*’Then—while staying still, ignoring Rudika’s attacks, and spamming wide-area status effects—that’s all.’*
That’s why, from the First Emperor’s treasury, I chose this treasure without hesitation.
Filtia asked me several times if I truly intended to pick this, but well—there was no other way.
I glanced at the throne with *Find Item*.
**【First Emperor’s Throne】**
**【6T】**
**【A combat-type throne personally used on the battlefield by First Emperor Hark von Lohengrin. One of Hark von Lohengrin’s eccentric possessions. After his comrade Rangris Bluebreeze passed away, Hark von Lohengrin did not claim to be the Dragon God of Ascension. Instead, he sat upon a throne powered by his friend’s Dragon Heart and commanded the battlefield.** 】
**【Equip Restriction: One who possesses Imperial Bloodline】**
**【Greatly reduces attacks below Strength 14.** 】
**【The throne itself is equipped with wide-area attack magic (8T).** 】
**【Caution. Currently no Dragon Heart is installed, so tier is significantly reduced (2T → 6T); cannot perform at full capacity.** 】
**【Forced purge function available.** 】
**【Unique skill sealed. Becomes available when Dragon Heart is installed.** 】
Yes. This is the treasure I obtained from the Dragon’s Trial.
The Emperor’s combat throne.
Originally a monstrous Tier-2 item, but without the Dragon Heart, it’s currently only Tier-6.
Then what powers it?
**【Caution. Output of the magic stone used as power source has decreased. Please add more.** 】
“……”
That’s right.
Magic stones.
My hands tremble.
One intermediate magic stone disappears every minute.
Even those ride-on panda cars at amusement parks probably cost less to run than this.
I push one of the magic stones I’d stocked beside me into the slot.
How many tens of thousands of rin was this one again?
Activating this throne costs money. Those flying potions are my money too. Everything is just money.
“Haha! Ahahaha! Wolfram! This is fun! So fun!”
But Lady Rudika is gracefully evading every single attack.
I’ve activated a Tier-1 skill, used the First Emperor’s treasure, and burned through an enormous amount of magic stones—yet seeing her smile so happily…
It pisses me off.
You’re having fun, huh?
I’m not.
—
Rudika Hassan Shadow felt deep elation in her chest.
Wolfram von Lohengrin had been a “target to monitor.”
Of course, after negotiations with the Imperial family through her house, she had elevated Wolfram from a “monitoring target” to a “protection target”—but once, his misdeeds had been grave enough for the Imperial court to keep a close eye on him.
And looking at his stats then—they were truly weak. Stamina 2? Magic Power 3? Strength 4? Was this a numbers game?
But look. Look at her friend.
With those frail stats, has he not worked miracles time and again?
Her current Agility is 21. Strength 13. Stamina 14.
There’s no way a single strike won’t reach him. Even if she just walked up and poked him in the solar plexus, Wolfram would collapse on the spot.
Yet—yet she cannot reach him.
“Gh!”
The moment she desperately charges to get near the throne, a barrage of potions flies at her.
But she’s already memorized their trajectories. She steps back two paces and lets the potions slide past. *Hiss.* The potions hit the ground and bubble ominously.
Next is the magical attack. The ominous energy emitted by that throne surges toward her. If she doesn’t sidestep it with a single step—no, half a step—no, an even smaller movement, she’ll be swept away by that current and flung backward.
“Phew.”
A sigh escapes her involuntarily. Am I tired?
She is indeed growing tired.
Unfortunately, her Stamina is 14. Compared to Nefty, who exceeds 16, it’s far insufficient, and even compared to Wolfram’s fiancée Ayla Triasta, she falls short.
Originally, she is one who hides in the shadows and seeks a single lethal blow. Prolonged battles, status effects, and magic are her weaknesses.
And her friend has crafted a strategy that thoroughly exploits exactly that.
At this rate, she’ll lose.
That too is enjoyable. A smile unknowingly curls at the corner of her mouth.
“I retract my earlier words. Wolfram.”
“**【What are you talking about?】** ”
At Wolfram’s single word, her whole body shivers and her chest tightens.
The blood of the Emperor, who oversees all creation, looks down upon her—that sensation makes her feel as though she’ll shrink and bow her head on the spot.
That is exactly her friend, fighting with all seriousness.
“That this academy is dull. That there’s nothing that makes my heart race. I retract all of that. …After all, you make my heart pound this much, don’t you?”
“**【Now you finally realize, you fool.** 】”
“Then I too shall go with all my respect and all my heart. My friend. Wolfram!”
*Phew.* She rouses her senses.
If she absolutely must take a hit, then so be it. If she can’t reach him, she’ll just push her legs until she can. Thinking that, Rudika put strength into her feet. Berserk – Over Drive. For exactly five seconds, it raises her Agility by 1, reaching the realm of 22.
That agility is said to be on par with the First Emperor himself.
Suppressing her instinct to go berserk at any moment, she numbs her senses as much as possible to avoid being intoxicated by the omnipotence filling her body. To prevent “Rudika Hassan Shadow” from losing herself at the critical moment, she has constantly kept her senses dulled.
“Here I go. Wolfram.”
By the time she uttered those words, she had already kicked off the ground, climbed the stairs, struck Wolfram’s solar plexus with her wooden dagger while he sat on the throne, and flipped backward.
A strike filled with Rudika Hassan Shadow’s true intent—closing a distance of hundreds of meters faster than uttering five syllables.
In that interval, she was hit by two potions and struck by one magical wave.
Even so, her berserk legs did not stop.
It was an enjoyable fight. Her body is battered from this breakthrough, but this is her victory.
“That was fun. Wolfram.”
My friend. My best friend, Wolfram!
I pay my respects to you—let this battle end with my victor—
“**【Showing an opening—how pathetic, assassin.** 】”
“…Eh?”
Immediately after, a powerful wave of magic engulfed her, and Rudika felt her body thrown far down the stairs below.
Why? Didn’t I strike? What happened…? Why couldn’t I cut him?
Did Wolfram dodge? Forward? Backward? Sideways? Or downward? How did he dodge? Faster than my speed? How?
“**【The First Emperor was quite an amusing fellow, you see. This throne has an ejection function. I weakened it and just… popped up just a tiny bit. Tch. And my body creaks from that much—what am I supposed to do with this stamina.** 】”
Wolfram’s voice, rising higher and growing more distant, seeped into Rudika’s ears as if spoken right next to her.
As she fell from the stairs, Rudika, incredulous, gripped her dagger tightly and laughed to the very end.
“Flying Wolfram… Haha, ahahahaha!”
She had thought of him as a man with ambition reaching the heavens—but to think he would truly take flight.
How could she possibly win against this?
Immediately after, the match was decided.
