I Hope to See You in the Finals

A few days after Riel had finally spoken her mind to Allen, during lunch time. I was at the academy cafeteria with Riel and Emilia.

Basically, meals are provided free of charge to academy students, and since the quality of the food is quite high, almost all students eat in the cafeteria.

However, since Riel had been uncomfortable being among people until now, after I started having meals with her, we had been eating packed lunches prepared by Phyllis in the secret room of the Grand Library.

“Riel, are you okay?”

“Y-Yes. I think I’m fine.”

Riel, who had entered the cafeteria holding Emilia’s hand, looked around.

Although she seemed a bit tense, her complexion wasn’t bad and she looked fine.

We chose our lunch menu items and ordered, then took the food that came out and found empty seats.

“Oh.”

Just as we were about to start eating, someone’s voice was heard, and when I turned around, Senior Iris was standing there with food in her hands.

“It’s my first time seeing you juniors in the cafeteria.”

“Hello, Senior Iris.”

After I greeted Senior Iris lightly, she sat down across from me, next to Emilia in the empty seat.

“Hello to both of you. And… um…?”

“N-Nice to meet you. I’m Emilia Silbright!”

“I’m Iris Likenair. Nice to meet you.”

Senior Iris briefly stared at the hat Emilia was wearing on her head, but soon turned her gaze away.

Well, it would be a bit distracting to see someone wearing a hat even during meals.

Senior Iris sat down and began eating.

…Somehow, this gathering of four people feels like a first.

During my several interactions with Senior Iris, Riel had told her about Emilia, and vice versa, Emilia had heard about Senior Iris.

But this was the first time Senior Iris and Emilia had met like this.

“Come to think of it, the Mushin Festival is right around the corner.”

Senior Iris suddenly brought this up in the middle of our meal.

Indeed, as we spent the past few days training, time flew by and the Mushin Festival is about to begin.

The preliminaries for each competition had already ended, and those who would advance to the main tournament had been determined, including me and Senior Iris.

…Although it wasn’t information I particularly wanted to know, I could tell that Allen had also advanced to the main tournament because I heard girls in the classroom expressing hopes that he would perform well.

“I’m sure Senior Iris will be able to win.”

This isn’t just a polite remark but my honest opinion.

During a few days of training, I had several practice matches with her.

And what I clearly felt was that her skills were far from the level that would lose to Allen.

The swordsmanship Senior Iris uses is the same kingdom military style as Allen.

It’s known as a more systematically refined version of the swordsmanship used by the War God Kallidos, and most people who use swords in the kingdom employ this style.

Although it’s been about a month, I can guarantee from my duel with Allen that her skills were several levels above his.

…I seriously doubt how Allen could have defeated Senior Iris in the original story.

“Aren’t you participating too? Is it okay for you to say such things?”

“Haha… well, I don’t want to lose either.”

Senior Iris spoke as if she found it a bit absurd.

Of course I plan to do my best, but if we’re limited to just swordsmanship, I don’t see any chance of winning against this senior.

Among opponents of a similar generation that I’ve met, she might be the strongest after Her Highness Princess Aine.

I realized this painfully through our several practice matches.

If I face her in the tournament, I’ll probably lose 100%.

“Kyo will do well! I’ll cheer for you!”

“…Yeah!”

…

Well, I guess it’s not good to give up like that, so I’ll try my best!

“Haha, I guess a girlfriend’s support is the most encouraging thing?”

“W-We’re not like that yet!”

Senior Iris teased with a mischievous smile while Riel responded with a reddened face.

And Emilia, caught in between, looked awkward and unsure of what to do.

Come to think of it, in the original story, while these three occasionally acted together, they were never entangled like this.

As a reader of the original story, it’s quite a fresh sight.

But now, regardless of the original story, I thought it was really nice to see Riel, who had difficulty dealing with people, laughing and chatting with people she had become friends with in a crowded place like the academy cafeteria.

“Three hundred years ago, when the Demon King invaded the entire world, all nations united together and…”

The voice of Professor Hauser, who teaches history, filled the classroom with a tone that made one sleepy just by listening.

I was forcing my heavy eyelids to stay open when I felt someone’s gaze, so I raised my head and looked around.

I felt the gaze being quickly withdrawn, but I noticed who had been looking at me.

Allen Ludwig, who had quickly turned his head away, but it was definitely him.

I don’t know what he’s plotting, but it seems like it would be good to be on guard.

I looked at Riel, who was nodding off in the seat next to me, and made that resolution.

“Heyik!”

Additionally, I didn’t forget to poke her side to wake her up.

Professor Hauser is glaring at you, so you’d better wake up.

Time passed, and the day of the Mushin Festival arrived.

The academy is closed during the Mushin Festival period.

The Mushin Festival itself takes place on the public holiday of the War God’s Birthday, and for convenience, they decided to close the academy entirely during the festival period.

I met up with Riel and Phyllis, who was assisting her, in front of the dormitory, and then joined Emilia and Senior Iris at the meeting place.

Everyone was in casual clothes, with Emilia wearing her hat pulled down.

Unlike Riel and Emilia, who were dressed nicely, Senior Iris was wearing comfortable active wear.

That’s because, like me, Senior Iris will soon participate in the Mushin Festival, so this is appropriate.

“Then let’s go to the venue!”

Riel led the way with an excited voice.

In fact, I was a bit worried since the festival would be even more crowded than the academy cafeteria.

But seeing Riel leading the way with such excitement, I could feel that worry melting away like snow.

“……”

Looking at the backs of the four people walking ahead, hearing Riel’s joyful voice, I hoped that the remaining academy life would continue to go as smoothly.

As I quietly followed the four of them, a group came into my view.

Allen Ludwig and his companions.

Although among his companions, Feris Baltreia was not visible.

But the blonde boy who was with him was a face I knew.

The First Prince of the Palaginya Kingdom, Julius Iben Palaginya.

A key figure in the original “Child of Yggdrasil” and Allen Ludwig’s biggest supporter.

Despite being lower in the line of succession than his half-sister Princess Yuril, he is the one who eventually ascends to the throne at the end of the original story.

He has finally made contact with Allen Ludwig.

It gives me an uneasy feeling, but there’s no way for me to intervene there now.

“Kyo, what are you doing?”

Riel was calling from ahead.

Making a mental note to be more cautious in the future, I turned my head and ran to Riel.

The venue for the student division of the Mushin Festival was the kingdom’s outdoor theater.

“There are so many people.”

“How can there be so many just for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the student division?”

To Riel and Emilia having such a conversation, Phyllis pointed to a spot and said:

“I think it’s because of that.”

Following where Phyllis was pointing, I saw a notice posted there.

“Let’s see…, ah…no wonder there are so many people.”

Senior Iris muttered after looking at the notice.

Well, I understand too.

After the first day’s competition schedule ends, there’s a performance planned right at the outdoor theater.

And the one appearing on stage is Illina Nortier, the most popular singer in the kingdom right now.

At this rate, the first day’s schedule of the Mushin Festival student division is just an appetizer for the audience.

“The tournament bracket is posted there too.”

The tournament bracket for the student division of the Mushin Festival was prominently displayed on the theater bulletin board.

A tournament with a total of 64 participants.

My name was visible about third from the left.

“…Hmm. According to this bracket, I’d only face Kyo in the finals.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Senior Iris’s name was on the far right.

Neither of us recognized the names of our first opponents.

“Then I hope to see you in the finals.”

“Yes! Let’s both do our best!”

At that time, Allen Ludwig was at the kingdom’s outdoor theater.

He was with the girls who usually followed him, as well as a blonde kid.

The child seemed to be lost, and when one of the girls said she couldn’t just watch and took action, Allen agreed to protect the child since it was clearly the right thing to do.

However, the child, who gave the name Yuri, absolutely refused the option of going home.

Allen, who felt uneasy about forcibly handing over a child who said he came to see the Mushin Festival to soldiers, had finally brought the child to the theater.

The theater was surprisingly crowded, and he learned from his accompanying child that a popular singer was scheduled to perform on stage.

Allen, who wasn’t particularly interested in singers, just noted that and turned his attention to the tournament bracket.

His name was in the right bracket.

After confirming his name, Allen desperately tried to find another name.

Kyo Wentos.

The name of the person he had vowed to crush at the Mushin Festival.

It didn’t take much time to find that name.

It was located in a place that could be found immediately if starting from the left.

If he were to fight against him, it would probably be in the finals.

‘You should be able to make it there, Kyo Wentos.’

Having fought him, Allen could tell.

He will definitely advance to the finals.

‘Prepare yourself. I will definitely defeat you in the finals… and I will… Riel…’