Backlash (3)

Ellen's movements ceased.

As Frondier instructed, she remained still, not even attempting to provoke him further.

"...I guess I'm no match for you after all."

A nostalgic hint flickered within her eyes as she chuckled softly.

'This is it.'

Frondier activated 'Analyze' on Ellen, who had finally lowered her guard. This was the opening he had been waiting for, a momentary lapse in her relentless assault.

"So, what's going on?" Frondier asked, keeping Ellen engaged while the analysis ran its course.

It was taking longer than usual, suggesting Ellen possessed information beyond the ordinary.

"I can't say." Ellen replied, her gaze averted.

It wasn't defiance, but a genuine inability to answer.

"It seems you've been injected with Mana, haven't you?"

"..."

Ellen's silence served as confirmation.

'If Senior Ellen truly wanted to kill the Constel students, she would have started with Roxy.'

Before sending Roxy away, she had been closer to Ellen than Frondier. Roxy harbored a strong dislike towards Frondier, tinged with fear.

At the time, Frondier's complete trust in Ellen had left him vulnerable. She could have easily eliminated Roxy without raising suspicion.

'I believe Senior Ellen and I share a similar line of thought.'

Even if he were restrained here, the students wouldn't suffer significant harm. The current second-years were far stronger compared to last year. They, along with the third-years, would protect the freshmen.

Simultaneously, Ellen had a valid reason to keep him occupied.

In other words,

'Senior Ellen... it doesn't seem like she's acting on her own volition.'

As Frondier reached this conclusion, 'Analyze' delivered the answer.

[Ellen Evans]

- Older sister of Aster Evans.

- Constel third-year, temporary student council president.

- Constel's top swordsman, surpassing the level of a student.

- Currently under the influence of a Mana injection.

- The injection administered to Ellen suppresses symptoms and allows Mana control, but requires an antidote after a certain period. In essence, it's a poison.

- The individual who injected Ellen with Mana is—

The analysis abruptly ended.

At that moment, Frondier's composure nearly shattered.

"...Senior."

His killing intent, now palpable, vibrated through the air.

"Who is it?"

"What are you talking about?"

Ellen tilted her head in confusion, then her expression changed upon seeing his face.

"...How did you..."

"Who is it? Who did this to you,"

Frondier didn't need to elaborate.

Ellen needed an antidote, and she hadn't willingly taken the injection.

This meant she was being threatened. He understood why she couldn't explain further.

"..."

Ellen grasped the meaning behind his question but remained silent.

It was expected. Frondier had anticipated as much.

"I see. You can't tell me, can you?"

Frondier lowered his bow and arrow, transforming them back into Obsidian.

"Stay right there. I can't guarantee what I'll do otherwise."

Ellen obeyed. Frondier appeared on the verge of exploding.

"Menosorpo."

He activated the rune and then,

Weaving

Rank - Legendary

Dragon Heart

He created and consumed a Dragon Heart.

Since acquiring the Fragment of Helheim, his reliance on Dragon Hearts had significantly decreased, but this situation called for an exception.

'Analyze' demanded more Mana for crucial information, especially when it involved a tightly guarded secret. The amount required far exceeded even the information Selena had forgotten.

However,

Frondier poured the Mana from the Dragon Heart and Helheim into the 'Analyze' skill.

The immense surge of Mana was so overwhelming that even Ellen could sense it being directed towards her.

Finally, Frondier forcibly unveiled Ellen's secret, a truth that should never have been revealed.

- The individual who injected Ellen with Mana is the Pro, 'Eden Hamelot'.

Upon confirming this single sentence,

Frondier calmed his surging Mana.

His cold, dark eyes swiftly processed the implications of 'Eden Hamelot'.

Eden Hamelot, the number one Pro. Like Renzo, he stood among the strongest humans alive.

During Frondier's first encounter with Renzo, after severing Renzo's arm, Ellen had intervened, followed by Eden's arrival.

Eden and Renzo were notorious rivals, polar opposites in personality but equal in strength. Renzo's surrender at the time was solely due to Eden's presence.

'That Eden is threatening Ellen...'

Like Ellen, Eden was originally a force for good. In the game, he was a tragic character.

The title of number one Pro was prestigious and dazzling, but it also placed him at the forefront of danger.

Due to circumstances and his position, he was forced to operate separately from Aster Evans.

He gradually faded from view after a certain point, and news of his death eventually surfaced.

'I had my suspicions...'

Ellen had been undergoing Pro internship, working alongside Eden. It was an exceptional opportunity for a second-year student like Ellen to be directly involved with a Pro.

At the time, it was assumed that Eden had recognized Ellen's talent and brought her on board early, but perhaps he had ulterior motives.

Furthermore, injecting someone of Ellen's caliber with Mana implied that he was undoubtedly stronger than her.

"...Haa..."

Frondier released a deep, prolonged sigh, exerting all his effort to quell his rage.

'Calm down. Focus on what needs to be done, step by step.'

The priority was the antidote. He didn't know how much time Ellen had left, but it must be sufficient for her to carry out this mission.

Locating the antidote wouldn't be difficult. He could use 'Analyze' on Eden once they met. Therefore, the most crucial task was to find Eden.

And Eden would undoubtedly—

"Senior Ellen. For now, I'll comply with your request."

"...What?"

"Your objective is to keep me occupied, right? I'll do as you wish. I'll remain here until the situation is resolved."

Ellen's mission, from Eden's perspective, needed to proceed without any hiccups. That was the only way she could obtain the antidote immediately.

As mentioned earlier, Frondier wasn't overly concerned about the other students' well-being. Constel wouldn't crumble without him.

"However, once this is over, I'll act on my own accord."

"...Frondier."

"Do you remember what I said to you after defeating the golem?"

Ellen's eyes widened.

She recalled her question to Frondier after he had vanquished the golem.

Why did you save me?

Frondier's response had been:

-Because you're someone who shouldn't die.

Ellen remembered those words vividly.

She had never forgotten them.

That's why she had tried to avoid interacting with Frondier, hoping he would remain oblivious, and if she were to die, she wanted it to be by his hand.

"I understand that you can't explain the situation or ask for help."

But as if to defy all of that,

Frondier, his usually languid face now etched with rare anger, declared,

"So I'll save you on my own terms."