The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-248

Chapter 248 Survival Competition (4)

Basilios, the deputy director of Varangian; Hippolite, the principal of Temisquira Women’s College, the Tower Lord ‘Whitebeard Whale’ of Mage Tower, and Vice Principal Banshee Morg.

They were monitoring the current situation of the competition through a large artifact called the ‘Spare Eyes.’

[Survivor Status]

Colosseo – 23 participants

Mage Tower – 35 participants

Varangian – 45 participants

Temisquira – 46 participants

Deputy Director Basilios and Principal Hippolite stroked their chins as they spoke.

“Hohenheim seems to have found another prey.”

“Just a moment ago, he eliminated a group of Colosseo students in a pile. It seems we underestimated him. Ho-ho-ho, quite impressive.”

Shortly before, Hohenheim from the Mage Tower unleashed his unique tremendous magic, turning the surroundings into a sea of flames.

As a result, around 30 Colosseo students caught in the turmoil were eliminated in a heap. Most of those who had already been eliminated or were about to be were among the ace third-year students, and even Colosseo’s potential winner, Dolores, was almost included.

Due to the Student Council president’s close call with elimination early in the competition, the shock among Colosseo students was even more significant.

Afterward, Hohenheim seemed unstoppable, sweeping through the disaster with his overwhelming fire tsunami. The students of Varangian and Temisquira caught in the flames created by him were once again swept away like leaves in a gust. All of them were third-year aces with the strength and experience to aim for victory.

The nickname ‘Hohenheim of a Thousand Flames’ spread widely in the world, and it seemed to fit him perfectly. From the start, it seemed like he intended to eliminate all aces, and he was following the path of ruthless dominance.

Meanwhile, Whitebeard Whale, the tower lord of the Mage Tower, watched this scene through a mirror with a satisfied smile.

“Hehehe, our ‘snob-nosed twit’ is finally showing his true colors.”

“…”

“Oh dear, they’re going to meet Colosseo students again. What a coincidence to encounter them while having dinner, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Meeting Dolores again, who barely escaped with her life earlier. It seems Colosseo Academy this time is not destined for a good ending. Hehehe.”

Whitebeard Whale, despite his massive stature, was surprisingly talkative. However, Professor Banshee of Colosseo, did not respond to his remarks at all.

“…”

Slightly uncomfortable but choosing not to pay much attention, his expression showed indifference. However, his gaze remained fixed on the mirror. He was looking at Vikir and Dolores intently.

* * *

Rumble!

The curtain of fire is torn apart. Mud dries up, cracks apart, turns into sand, and the sand melts into bubbling, boiling lava.

…Thud! …Thud! …Thud! …Thud!

Hohenheim walks on top of it.

“Hehehe. Colosseo bugs.”

His face has completely changed from when he led the welcoming parade.

Perhaps this is his true nature.

“It’s time to overturn the university rankings. The top university in the empire should be Mage Tower, and I will become the greatest genius who ever lived.”

Hohenheim has always been displeased with Mage Tower’s university ranking being inferior to Colosseo. Now, with all the annoying seniors gone, he plans to make the university he attends the best with his own hands.

At that moment.

“…?”

Hohenheim’s eyes narrowed.

Bubbling and boiling…

In front of him was a large coconut pot with a vibrant red stew emitting such a delicious smell that even the discerning Hohenheim took notice.

No matter how much of a genius he is, the harsh environment of Red and Black Mountains is not comfortable.

Hohenheim, too, was hungry and thirsty.

“Hmm. Is this a trap?”

Hohenheim looked around.

There were deep imprints of buttocks on the ground where it seemed like someone had just been sitting.

“Hehe, but it seems like when I came, and they hastily abandoned everything and fled.”

There were no signs of ambushing enemies. Only traces of hurried escape were evident.

Moreover, whoever it was even hastily discarded the grade logo attached to the suit.

It was a symbol indicating a first-year student.

Hohenheim let down his guard.

If the opponent is a first-year, there’s no value in dealing with them. They probably ran away with their tail between their legs.

So, he planned to eat some of the stew in front of him and leave.

“Still, I should be prepared for an archer’s attack just in case there’s a sniper.”

In such a jungle, archers are the most annoying opponents.

Hohenheim thought so as he took a step forward.

Right at that moment.

…Crash!

The thick log on the opposite side shattered and fell.

“Hahaha! I smelled something delicious and came to see, and look at all this!”

A familiar voice echoed, rough and hearty. Hohenheim furrowed his brow.

Spiky, rough hair, a massive figure reminiscent of a wild beast.

Here comes Bakilaga, the student council president of Varangian Academy.

“….”

Hohenheim quietly extended his hands forward.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

The surrounding mud began to bubble vigorously, emitting steam.

Squelch, gurgle, gurgle…

Soon, with a shimmering crimson light, the surrounding mud transformed into lava.

However, Bakilaga, instead of reacting with laughter, stepped one foot forward.

…Crash!

The outer layer of the ground flipped, and lava gushed in reverse.

The mud below remained undisturbed, but Bakilaga, carrying a greatsword on his back, swung it forward.

A light blue aura wafted out like steam.

Witnessing this, Hohenheim’s eyes widened.

“Peak sword expert… Or is it Graduator?!”

“Hahaha! You’ve also become a 4th-class mage! Can you keep up?”

In most cases, even the elite of Mage Tower reach the 4th class when they’re around thirty. Similarly, the elite of Varangian also needs to reach thirty to reach the threshold of a Graduator.

However, these two geniuses, beyond these standards, were fiercely confronting each other several years ahead of the typical geniuses.

It was a fierce battle between the next-generation geniuses representing swords and magic.

Crash! Swish!

Bakilaga’s greatsword cut through the rocks and trees in front of him.

Avoiding the falling fragments diagonally, Hohenheim hurriedly stepped back.

“If you give a magician time, it becomes troublesome.”

Bakilaga, wielding his massive greatsword like a feather, charged forward.

Even as a Low-Tier Graduator, his power is absolute. The faint blue aura rotating rapidly on the surface of the blade could cut through anything it touched.

Even though Hohenheim is who he is, getting hit by that would instantly wipe out all his HP.

“Geez, Shield!”

Hohenheim conjured multiple translucent shields in front of him.

However…

Crack! Creak, creak, creak!

The shields were scratched and shattered with a noisy sound.

Amidst the fragments, Bakilaga’s aura advanced like the teeth and claws of a monster.

“It’s over, Hohenheim.”

Bakilaga’s voice echoed ominously.

Boom! Sizzle-

Hohenheim had to roll on the ground to avoid a fatal blow that would have cut off his hair.

However…

Though Hohenheim was forced to retreat, he didn’t yield entirely.

Swish-

While rolling on the ground, he extended both palms deeply into the mud.

Bubbling, bubbling…

The mud, energized by mana, started to boil, producing bubbles.

Gradually, hazy steam covered Hohenheim’s body.

Simultaneously, the mud beneath dried up so much that it began to crackle and split.

And from those cracks, flames shot up.

The situation was gradually turning in favor of Hohenheim against Bakilaga.

“…Hmm.”

Due to the dust and smoke covering Bakira’s eyes as he headed towards it, the view couldn’t be adequately secured.

In such a situation.

Krrrr! …Boom! …Boom! …Boom!

Firebolts shot from beyond the wall of flames, and on the ground, lava created by melting mud swirled around.

The surroundings were dense with a thick forest. The humid and sultry atmosphere was gradually drying up due to the fiery storm.

As the hot and spicy smoke spread in all directions, moisture turned into dryness.

Eventually.

Squelch! Squishy-squishy-squirm! Hurr!

Even the trees, soaked with moisture, began to catch fire, not just blackening upon contact with flames.

The firepower, enough to forcibly ignite a wildfire in the humid and hot jungle, was very formidable.

Kuoohhh…

As the atmospheric conditions changed rapidly, abnormal weather patterns emerged.

Locally rising air and the surrounding humid air met, forming a massive vortex, and Hohenheim’s lightning bolts of fire created a fierce spiral along that current.

Colosseo, Varangian, Mage Tower, Temisquira.

All students from every school scattered around the mountains could feel Hohenheim’s absolute power upon seeing the existence of the colossal column of fire.

Finally, a colossal fiery storm arose and swallowed Bakilaga.

“Kugh!?”

Although Bakilaga cut off all the flames with an aura wrapped around her sword, she couldn’t do anything about the disappearance of oxygen in the surroundings, replaced by smoke.

…Thud!

Eventually, Bakilaga also had to kneel on one knee.

And then, with a triumphant expression, Hohenheim stepped forward.

“No matter how hard a talent tries, they can’t beat a genius. That’s why a genius is called a genius.”

Simultaneously.

…Snap!

Hohenheim grabbed Bakilaga’s throat and swung the staff in his hand.

“This ends now, Bakilaga. Well, for a mere barbarian, you were quite excellent.”

Hohenheim, with a sneering smile, looked down at the ground beneath his feet.

Soon, he turned away, leaving Bakilaga on the ground.

There, a pot still sat on the bonfire.

Hohenheim reached out and brought the pot, which was far away, into his palm.

“It’s a pity. It looks like a delicious dish. What a shame not being able to eat it, right?”

“…Kill me quickly. Don’t think this is the end.”

Bakilaga said with a furrowed brow, spitting out his words as if chewing them.

But Hohenheim, seemingly uninterested, smirked.

“Can that be done? This is our last tournament in our school days; we should end it meaningfully.”

Hohenheim wanted to show as much composure as a winner could display.

Shortly after, red broth entered Hohenheim’s mouth.

He spoke with a relaxed smile on his face.

“Hmm. This is really delicious…!?”

However.

Hohenheim’s composure didn’t last long.

…Grrrr!

As the spicy broth went down his throat and touched his stomach, he immediately felt a strange signal from within.