episode_0033

The cheers of the crowd echoed through the air.

Accompanied by a rising atmosphere and palpable tension.

At this moment, Cain believed it was a golden opportunity for a genius like him.

The situation of his family was gradually worsening.

If things continued like this, there was a growing possibility that he might not be able to attend the academy next semester.

He would either have to leave behind his family and friends who believed in him or face great disappointment.

Furthermore, Cain thought he might end up proving the label of “loser” given to him by Xian, the troublemaker pig from the first semester.

As the second semester began, Xian seemed to have disappeared without a trace, but the taunts from back then still lingered.

“…That’s why this moment is a crucial opportunity.”

Grade-based tournament.

Officials from the empire and royal family were watching.

If he could prove his strength to them here, he might be able to turn the situation around in the future.

He was confident.

Ever since the summer break, he had diligently honed his swordsmanship after a certain realization.

“….”

Cain glanced at the audience before the match countdown began.

As expected, Princess Rosaria was seated closest in the front row with her guards, observing the match.

Rumors had been circulating that the princess was looking for someone within the academy to become her personal guard.

…With her long red hair and striking blue eyes.

Rosaria had a petite face with delicate features.

Cain briefly admired Rosaria’s dramatic beauty.

“…Truly a person of exquisite appearance.”

Was she building influence to ascend the throne?

Or was she simply seeking a guard to protect herself?

It was unusual for her to attend the grade-based tournament, making her presence significant.

“…It has to be today. This is the only chance.”

Cain swallowed nervously.

With the princess in attendance, the attention on this match would be even higher.

What a perfect stage to prove himself.

If luck was on his side, he might even be selected as the princess’s guard.

Cain thought of his family and friends.

“Please wait for me. Father. And Lucy, Aria….”

Soon, the announcer’s voice rang out, starting the countdown for the match.

His opponent across the arena assumed a stance.

…Cain clenched his fists.

.

.

.

“Woah!”

“Cain! It’s Cain after all!”

“We believed in you!”

As the match concluded, the fervor of the cheering crowd filled the air.

It was a close call.

“Pant, pant….”

Cain looked at the fallen opponent in front of him, deep in thought.

Deus.

He was indeed a formidable opponent, considered one of the strongest in the swordsmanship department.

“If it had been me from before, I would have definitely lost….”

Recent insights had come rapidly.

Thanks to that, he had reached the beginning of the third level and managed to defeat Deus, who was at the end of the second level.

Although he hadn’t fully utilized his aura yet in this match, it showed his considerable potential.

Breathing heavily, Cain smiled and waved at the cheering audience.

As his gaze swept across the crowd… he paused momentarily when he reached a particular section.

“….”

It was Princess Rosaria’s seat.

Cain felt puzzled.

“What’s going on? What is she looking at?”

He believed that just like him, the match they had just witnessed was of a high standard among the first-year matches.

Even the fallen Deus had put on a spectacular performance, and he had also provided an entertaining element for the spectators by countering it.

But why then?

Princess Rosaria, the fourth princess, was looking elsewhere.

As if waiting for someone on a distant mountain.

Her gaze was directed towards the direction of the waiting room where the players from the previous matches were.

***

Rosaria looked in the direction where Sian had returned.

Jet-black hair and golden eyes.

Sian. He was right.

Not only did he save herself and her bodyguard Emil, but he also left abruptly without any reward.

Why did he participate in this tournament?

Did he need the first prize?

If not that, was it for success…?

If he wanted money and fame, he could have just asked when he saved himself that day. Why take a detour like this?

It didn’t make sense to her.

Rosaria fell into deep contemplation.

Then a sudden thought occurred to her.

‘…! To prove himself with his own strength?’

The tournament is a stage of proof.

Clashing skills against skills, a kind of survival game where the more skilled one survives.

Did he want this game because… he wanted to earn honor solely through his own strength?

Rosaria was impressed.

Indeed, he possessed a deep character proportional to his skill.

The previous match was the same.

People might not have seen it, but in a brief moment, he ended the match with minimal movements using magic.

Moves that cannot be made without a high level of finesse.

Not only that, she thought the intention behind his actions was consideration for his opponent.

He ended the match by pointing a sword at the opponent’s neck with a quick strike, without harming them.

By ending matches like that, he may not show off his star quality, nor receive much attention, just rising in the ranks of winners…

Did he want to minimize unnecessary attention and simply compete with skill?

‘He might be a true martial artist.’

Rosaria continued to be amazed.

Soon there would be an event where the winners of the round of 16 would face her.

She hoped that the event would come quickly.

Just now, the second match of the round of 16 had ended.

Only two matches remained.

She wanted to finish the matches quickly and face him again.

The more she thought, the more interested she became in Sian.

Nothing else came to Rosaria’s mind.

***

“His growth rate is really insane….”

After watching Cain’s match just now, a chill ran down her spine once again.

Unless she saw it wrong, Cain had already reached the beginning of the third rank.

How much effort did he put in?

At that level, it was a growth rate that couldn’t be achieved without a player playing diligently day and night.

“If three months pass, I’ll catch up in no time…? This is really frustrating. Is this fair?”

Even after using all the tricks he had during his hardcore gaming days, he never thought he would be caught up to like this.

Impatience set in. At this rate, he would soon be overtaken.

It was a matter of pride.

Being surpassed by a character I used to play, it was unacceptable.

He thought he shouldn’t be humiliated to that extent.

If he were to be so outclassed in a 1:1 duel, it seemed like his dignity would be greatly compromised.

It was so shameful and unfair to be surpassed by the character he had raised.

…He didn’t intend to deny what had troubled him. Even if it wasn’t something he did, he was clearly the victim.

But that’s that and this is this.

Once the tournament was over, he thought he should increase the intensity of the training sessions he usually conducted.

“What are you thinking about?”

While pondering such thoughts, Hedy, who was watching the match together, spoke to him.

“Oh, …that kid Cain. I think he’s quite skilled.”

“Do you think so too? I was also surprised. That kid hiding in the swordsmanship department again, the world is indeed vast.”

“…?”

Why speak as if you’re seeing someone for the first time?

It puzzled him. Hadn’t Hedy already made contact with Cain?

Then why put on makeup to impress someone?

Was he just focusing on the royal side and the many spectators?

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Hedy said to him with a smirk.

“Are you also concerned about the spectators?”

“Hmm? Why do you think that way?”

“Well, you tied up your hair and put on makeup. It seems like the first time I’ve seen you like this.”

“…Ah.”

She listened to me and nodded briefly.

Then she continued.

“Well, there are a few reasons. Just for fun.”

“Hmm?”

…Just for fun?

She hasn’t even met Cain yet.

Setting aside manners towards the audience, she said it was just for fun.

That basically means trying to impress someone.

So does she have a friend she wants to impress?

…Ironically, no.

Hedy is a loner like me.

I may recognize Lloyd, Bobby, and Louis, but sadly, she doesn’t have any real friends.

Then who is she trying to impress with her makeup…?

“No way.”

That can’t be it.

Is it because of saving her life in the underground maze back then?

Certainly, her attitude has softened since then.

But this sounds more like a fairy tale about a prince on a white horse. It’s not really applicable in reality.

If she were that impulsive type, she might have fallen in love with someone else before meeting Cain.

In the story, Hedy rejected approaching men until she met Cain, as far as I know.

Yet, all I could think of at that moment was this emerging hypothesis, which was confusing.

But apart from that, no matter how much I thought about it, no other answer came to mind.

“The third match of the round of 16 will begin shortly! Contestants, please come up to the arena!”

Lost in deep thought, the flow was interrupted by the announcer’s words.

Still pondering the unresolved question, she said to me,

“Let’s go watch the next match. The second match was interesting, and this year’s tournament seems like it will be fun, don’t you think?”

She took hold of my arm.

I had no choice.

I buried the question in my heart for now.

And I followed her as we approached the next arena together.