𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐳𝐮𝐥𝐢
After finishing a meal in the dormitory and lazing around in his room, Albero headed towards the school building, only to find two other people there apart from Garnet.
One of them was a tall, one-armed man. The other was a girl with pale blue, long, straight hair. She wore the academy’s uniform, embroidered with the 『B』 insignia on the back.
As soon as she saw Albero, she averted her eyes, seemingly feeling a bit shy or awkward.
Without paying attention to that, Albero approached Garnet.
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“Good work.”
“You’ve arrived. Making us wait, you’re quite cheeky for an S-class brat.”
“Um, I’m not late. In fact, I’m five minutes early. . . . . .”
“It’s not about the time. It’s about making us wait.”
“Seriously?”
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Albero was exasperated.
The one-armed man burst into boisterous laughter.
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“Hahaha! The old hag’s always such a pain, right kid?!”
“Wha?!”
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Albero suddenly felt a slap on his back.
Even with just one arm, that man was incredibly strong.
The man had spiky white hair, wore a tank top, camouflage trousers, and knee-high military boots. His body was covered in countless scars, and even his face was full of wounds, with one of his eyes completely crushed. He looked like a seasoned soldier.
Garnet glared at the man.
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“Who are you calling an old hag? Damocles.”
“It’s obviously you, trying to look young even when you’re over seventy! Stop pretending!”
“Sev. . . . . .Seventy?!!”
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Albero was flabbergasted.
Because Garnet looked like she was in her twenties.
Then, Garnet poked the man’s stomach with her staff.
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“Ouch!”
“I didn’t call you here to spout nonsense! Albero, this is Damocles. . . . . .One of the twenty-one at the same level as me. Have you heard of 『Tank』 Damocles?”
“. . . . . .Wait, Chariot?! The veteran hero?!”
“Oh? Flattering, aren’t you? Yes, I’m Damocles. The most powerful summoner!”
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Damocles struck a pose as if showing off his muscles.
Garnet looked unimpressed and ignored him.
She then pushed forward the girl who had been silent the whole time.
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“Let me introduce her. This is Lapis Lazuli. Just call her Lapis. Right after the entrance ceremony, she fainted and has been hospitalized ever since. She got discharged recently, but has been alienated by her class and feels out of place.”
“G, Grandmother!”
“Seeing her eat alone without any friends. . . . . .It’s hard to watch. Albero, please take care of her.”
“. . . . . .”
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Albero looked at Lapis.
She had pale blue, long hair, fair skin, and an exceptionally beautiful face, almost doll-like. Albero bowed and greeted her.
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“Nice to meet you. I’m the third son of the Baron Rushout family, Albero.”
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He bowed again, giving the courtesy of a noble.
In response, Lapis also lifted her skirt slightly, returning the noble’s greeting.
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“Greetings. I am the eldest daughter of the Fragment Duke family, Lapis Lazuli.”
“Hey, hey, hey! Who told you to use such a formal greeting? In this academy, there’s no hierarchy of nobles. It’s a meritocracy. Some just happen to be nobles with strong summoned beasts.”
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Garnet interrupted the two’s formal greetings.
Lapis chuckled and spoke to Albero.
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“As grandmother says. Please, call me Lapis.”
“Understood. Then, call me Albero.”
“. . . . . .We’re the same age, so no need for formalities. Please.”
“. . . . . .Got it. I’ll call you Lapis then.”
“Yes.”
“. . . . . .That was formal.”
“Ah, I’m just. . . . . .more used to that. . . . . .sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. So. . . . . .Teacher Garnet, is this okay?”
“Mhm, excellent. So, is she ready to join?”
“No, not yet.”
“Eh? To join. . . . . .huh?”
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Lapis looked back and forth between Albero and Garnet, seemingly unaware of the mention of S-class and recruitment.
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“Alright!! Since introductions are done, let’s start my lesson!”
“Right. Lapis, you’ll have class with me. I’ll help you catch up on what you missed.”
“T, Thank you, grandmother.”
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Lapis and Garnet headed to the classroom.
Then, only Albero and Damocles were left.
Damocles cracked his neck and swung his left arm around.
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“The lesson is simple! It’s all about practical experience!”
“. . . . . .I kind of expected that.”
“Hahaha! Let’s begin then. . . . . .I want to see your strength.”
“───!!”
ㅤ
Suddenly, a Summoned beast appeared next to Damocles.
It had green skin all over, a chubby belly, muscular arms as thick as logs, and thick legs.
The beast was equipped with tattered gauntlets and armor on its arms and legs, and its entire body was covered in scars. It was a humanoid Summoned beast.
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“Will you fight against my 『Titan』? Haha, don’t hold back!”
“. . . . . .Understood.”
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Albero gathered strength in his right arm.
Not calling out in the name of Mog, but to summon for battle.
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“Come━━『Jabberwock』.”
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Albero’s skin transformed into pitch-black dragon scales covering his right side. His whites turned red, and his pupils glowed golden.
He fought recklessly against Abel, but now it was different.
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“Oh, you’re in a good stance.”
“I did receive some combat training at home. . . . . .though I never really improved much.”
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Albero had undergone some training.
Hand-to-hand combat, sword, spear, gun. . . . . .it’s not just the Summoned beasts that fight. No matter how powerful a Summoned beast is, if the summoner dies, it vanishes. It’s not uncommon for summoners to fight each other while their Summoned beasts battle.
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“Now. . . . . .show me what you got. Go, Titan!”
『ROAAAAR!』
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Titan roared and glared at Albero.
Strangely, Albero didn’t feel much fear.
Mog was by his side. That alone gave him the courage to fight.
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“I’m coming!!”
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Albero ran towards Titan.
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