episode_0062

▶ A specific character has confirmed what happened in the training ground! ◀

▶ Intimacy levels will be converted to different values! ◀

[ Flora Vagrand ]

[ ??? : 71% ]

I chuckled as I looked at the status window.

By now, my pouch must be torn to shreds. Unless they are knights, it’s hard to tell whose belongings they are, but even Flora should be able to recognize mine very well now. After all, I intentionally left some things there.

“Alright, gather again!”

The morning footwork break was over.

I changed into my training uniform and wiped off the sweat, not wanting to be caught off guard. Soon, the knights started gathering one by one.

As they gathered, the knights were each picking up items.

“You too, take this. Karsein.”

“What is this for?”

“It’s a gift from Lady Claire. It’s to support the knights.”

Huh. Why is he so confident in saying that?

He must have prepared meticulously.

Even if I don’t know much about the Empire’s culture, by supporting other knights with these items, no one can accuse us of any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, a senior knight clapped his hands twice to get the attention of the knights.

“Alright, listen up! As you all know, there was an unfortunate incident yesterday. You all know what happened, right?”

All eyes turned to Bruce and me.

What’s there to say. Talking about cheating or whatever is one thing, but the trainee knight picking a fight with a trainee and losing is a hot potato.

“For that reason, we will change the schedule today and hold a match! The first lady is doubting the potential of our knights, so we must show our best in front of the second lady who is observing! Understood?”

– Yes!

Some were hesitant at the mention of a match.

Some thought it was a good opportunity to test their skills after a long time and patted their junior’s shoulder.

And some…

“As a special note, the trainees will also participate in this swordsmanship match. As you all know, trainees do not usually participate in matches during their probation period, but Lady Arina has allowed it this time.”

They must have seized the opportunity.

The swordsmanship match is no coincidence.

No matter which quarter it is, once Arina enters the training ground, she will give Karsein a chance to wield his sword.

Either way, this match was what I had hoped for.

“Oh. Are you the senior? You’re in trouble.”

“You brat. How thoroughly did you practice?”

It’s a lottery system.

Those with the same characters will face each other in the order matched on the list.

But…

“Oh? Your opponent is Bruce. Karsein.”

“How peculiar.”

“That’s true.”

My opponent was decided from the beginning.

– Ting!

▶ The match with Bruce has been confirmed! ◀

▶ Rewards will vary depending on the achievement rate! ◀

▶ Due to the influence of the Broken Wings episode, the penalty for defeat will be enhanced! ◀

[ If defeated by Bruce, you will suffer a major injury to your left arm and be automatically expelled from the training ground. ]

Originally, in mini-games, failing to achieve the set achievement rate would result in a slight setback and a decrease in recognition. But now, is it going to be an actual injury?

If it’s just a minor injury, I probably won’t be expelled, but if it’s a serious injury, expulsion from the training ground is the natural course of action.

Well, Bruce has already lost too much.

After receiving such a stimulus, his animosity towards Karsein will not subside easily.

As I turned my head slightly, I saw someone smirking.

‘He already looks like he’s won.’

By now, Bruce must be imagining my defeated and defiant figure after losing miserably.

He might even plan to retaliate against me.

Sorry, but that won’t happen.

If it’s about swords, I’ve faced them, not just Karsein.

“Alright, have you all drawn lots? Now, pair up with your opponents and follow the order…”

As Mark confirmed that all the lots had been drawn, he suddenly stopped talking.

He was looking at the current match schedule.

“…”

“Mark? Why the sudden change?”

“Vice Commander, is there a mistake in the number of matches?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

Trying to sound calm, Mark continued to prepare for the match.

But his inner thoughts must have been quite flustered.

Mark’s gaze seemed to question how such a thing could happen.

I conveyed a message to Mark with my mouth.

‘I told you, right?’

That Bruce would be my opponent.

Mark swallowed hard, trying to hide his confusion.

From his perspective, it must have been an unbelievable story.

Even without solid evidence, the idea of match-fixing within the knights had emerged.

He might have been tempted to intervene immediately and try to nullify the match.

Since something was happening in the training ground, an investigation could have started.

But Mark held onto his composure until the end.

He understood that he shouldn’t act rashly.

Radye must have explained it well.

‘For now, that’s enough.’

▶ You have prevented the disturbance in the training ground by meeting the conditions. ◀

▶ However, there are still individuals harboring enmity towards you. ◀

▶ If not completely driven out, the intimacy levels of future characters may decrease! ◀

Without solid evidence, there is no way to drive them out.

So, we must create it. We must find evidence that cannot be refuted.

“Next match! Karsein vs. Bruce!”

Not by my hand, but by theirs.

With a smirk, Bruce walked up to the arena.

In a subtle gesture, he pretended to slit his throat with his thumb, making sure Mark couldn’t see.

He was still full of confidence that he would win. That also meant he was looking down on me and challenging me.

“Get ready.”

At the signal from the match instructor, he adjusted his stance.

His leaning forward posture with his weight centered in front.

His lowered lower body was perfect for launching a frontal attack as soon as the match started.

He held the neck sword in one hand, not both, as if he planned to swing it widely, and it seemed like he would gain the upper hand as soon as the match began.

This world is definitely different.

It must be far removed from the knowledge I have.

But, I understand this much.

He is a typical bully.

Full of bluster, unlike those with real strength.

In fact, he is nothing but a weakling who only relies on his empty bravado to maintain his dignity.

Choosing only weak-looking opponents to crush them with strength as a show of power, that’s the kind of person he is.

So, I can analyze him.

Those who look down on others and laugh at the weak are predictable.

They only belittle, mock, and swagger.

They believe in their own pathetic strength and nothing else.

Ting!

“!!!”

“That guy…?”

“He blocked Bruce’s sword completely?”

Bruce’s eyes widened.

The others, who were expecting him to fall with one blow, also had their expressions frozen in an instant.

People like him are predictable.

If the opponent looks weaker, they think they can win even with a half-hearted fight.

That’s what bravado is all about.

Empty, like a tin can.

***

‘…How could something like this happen?’

Mark had casually dismissed Karsein’s words from yesterday.

Offering his arm was seen as a sign of readiness, and he had accepted it as such.

However, after discovering the truth, he was shaken.

The old letter and Radiel’s prophecy.

Mark, who was deeply shocked, took a long time to calm his mind before he could return to the training ground.

After hearing such a story, he couldn’t just pretend nothing happened.

He didn’t want to believe it was a lie, but he wished it was a lie.

“Oh? Your opponent is Bruce. Karcein.”

“Interesting.”

“That’s right.”

Yesterday, Karcein confidently mentioned that his opponent tomorrow would be Bruce.

Mark denied it.

How could someone predict the name of their opponent randomly drawn from a lot?

He respected the determination, but it was still hard to believe.

However, the unbelievable happened right before his eyes.

Karcein accurately called out the name of his opponent as if he had foreseen it from the randomly drawn lot.

Moreover, it wasn’t today, but a day before.

He found out yesterday.

After hearing that his opponent was known yesterday, he double-checked just in case.

The lot used to determine the sparring partner was just an ordinary, blank lot.

‘…But who prepared it.’

Theo Ramstare.

The squire accused by Radiel as the culprit who framed Karcein that day.

Mark clenched his fist.

“Captain, we… should stop this now.”

The match between Bruce and Karcein must have been artificially arranged.

In this unfair match, anything could happen.

“They might do something to the young master. It’s better to stop the sparring now and focus on sword training.”

“…But, Mark. We didn’t receive such instructions.”

“Did the young master say he would accept this match as it is? What will happen if we match someone who has been training for months with someone who has only built up stamina for 5 days?”

They might win once out of a hundred fights.

Radiel also knew this difference well.

But.

“No. The young master wouldn’t have accepted this match without any thoughts.”

“Captain…?”

“Look at the young master. He’s holding the sword properly.”

Didn’t Karcein say he was confident this time? He said it would be different from before.

“Maybe the young master had prepared knowing that Bruce would come at him?”

“Yes.”

Radiel nodded affirmatively.

Her words were correct.

Even though they knew this, accepting the match meant not stubbornly accepting defeat but preparing for the possibility.

And, in reality, that’s what happened.

“The young master’s sword stance is a bit… unusual? Have you seen such a stance before?”

“…No. I don’t know either.”

He had prepared something.

As if preparing to be beaten by Bruce after being hit hard.

“Both of them are prepared.”

In the meantime, a knight appeared and signaled the start of the match.

The two of them adjusted their stances.

The coin announcing the start was flipped immediately.

And.

Clang!

Karcein blocked Bruce’s attack as if he had expected it.

“His stance… doesn’t waver?”

“As expected…!”

There was no more doubt.

Bruce, in a hurry, couldn’t land a decent blow on Karcein.

Frustrated by the situation, he was swinging his sword recklessly.

Everyone was off balance.

The uncontrolled emotions were clearly felt in the sword strikes.

Despite having the physical advantage, his eyes were fixed on Karcein’s face, not the sword.

Full of anger and lacking in straightness. The stance was already off.

His breathing was chaotic, and despite being in an attacking position, he was only exhausting his stamina without controlling the tempo.

On the contrary, the young master was calm.

As firm as the grip of reason, Karcein’s movements were agile.

Despite being relatively behind in physique, his eyes never left Bruce’s sword.

Maintaining a stance never seen before.

His breathing and body movements had a smooth rhythm. Matching the tempo of the opponent’s attacks, he defended with minimal movements and efficiently countered.

Under opposite conditions, the two showed opposite behaviors.

“Mark, I haven’t watched a match in a long time, but… maybe…?”

“Your thoughts are right. The young master has the advantage. In every aspect, he seemed to be at a disadvantage… how on earth.”

Physique, experience, training period, everything seemed to give Bruce the upper hand.

However, once the match started, it was clear that Karcein, who seemed to have the upper hand, was actually the one.

They could roughly guess the end of this match.

Bruce’s sword couldn’t touch Karcein and swung several times.

In the meantime, his stamina depleted, his sword movements slowed, and his attacks became transparent.

Karcein didn’t miss this opportunity.

Whack!

“Ugh…?!”

***

Clang! Thud!

After blocking the initial strike, Bruce’s longsword fiercely swung back.

Although it had a foreign aspect compared to modern swords, it conveyed something.

Even just parrying, the anger of Bruce could be felt through the sword.

His sword strikes were truly, pitifully, lacking.

To the point of questioning what he had learned so far.

In the midst of sword strikes that were nothing more than flailing like beating a drum, moments of vulnerability emerged.

When his right hand, which he had confidently wielded in his haste, drew an awkward diagonal line with force concentrated on his wrist instead of his left hand.

I seized this moment of vulnerability, striking his wrist with the hilt and knocking the sword out of his hand.

“Ugh…?!”

Holding onto his wrist with one hand, Bruce staggered back a few steps.

Glaring at me as if he wanted to kill, he lunged forward again.

Aiming for my unprotected self, he tried to express his anger with a sword filled with mana.

“Bruce!”

“That, that guy!”

Desperate, the official knights stepped forward to restrain Bruce.

Although it was a small amount, the sword was filled with mana. If the opponent could handle mana equally, they might be able to avoid a harsh situation, but an ordinary person would not be able to withstand it.

However, there was no need for them to step in.

-Thunk!

With a clean sound of impact, something flew through the air.

A while later, Bruce’s longsword fell far outside the arena, and its owner…

“Ugh…”

-Thunk.

Collapsed forward with the sound of gasping for breath.

“Heh. Bruce may be a pathetic guy, but even with a sword filled with mana…”

“It’s fine to have mana. Lowering his stance and accurately striking only Bruce’s wrist was a very calm and precise judgment.”

“…Even a longsword. He completely overcame that gap.”

Applause and cheers erupted from the audience stands.

Most of the spectators were applauding those with excellent skills, and this match had almost completely erased the gray boxes.

‘One down for now.’

Soon, the knights who served as judges and the official knights stepped forward to punish Bruce and took him away.

The audience’s gaze had changed slightly.

Like a vanished gray box, their gaze that had not suspected a violation of the rules of the arena now sent applause and recognition.

In the meantime, I had to subtly turn my head to confirm the reaction.

Only one person.

Because that guy’s expression wouldn’t be very good.

▶This individual is showing hostility towards you!◀

▶Be careful! Depending on your actions, a dead flag may be raised!◀

‘As expected.’

That guy must have somehow ordered Bruce to kick me out of the arena.

It was Theo Ramstair.

‘Don’t worry. Next will be you.’