episode_0068
by fnovelpiaThe King’s Guard sparring session ended only in the evening.
Of the thirty-two students in Class A that I teach, nineteen survived until this duel. Thirteen failed. Since no one expected today’s duel, an unexpectedly chaotic battle broke out, and many people dropped out.
The most fatal thing was that the students of Class A fought each other before the full-scale sparring even began. However, Laura, Elin, and Chloe were still alive.
I returned to the dormitory with the students of the Occult Research Club, who were exhausted and staggering.
It was a routine to return to the dormitory, take a bath, meet Professor Esther, who, like me, had been leading the students in charge, and have a reasonably filling dinner.
“Ugh… I’m tired… .”
Deacon Sophia, who had just returned from dinner with me, groaned and collapsed on the sofa in the living room.
That’s understandable, because today was a total mess, and there were several students who got hurt after the illusion magic disappeared.
I used the divine powers I could, and it was natural that the burden on Deacon Sophia increased a little. Of course, I healed more students.
“I’ve never used more divine power than today… .”
“Deacon Sophia. It is not good for your health to lie down right after eating.”
“I don’t know about that… .“
“Substitute Sophia.”
“Cool… . Cool… .”
Deacon Sophia began to snore. I stared at her for a moment, then sat down next to her on the same sofa. The sofa wasn’t very big, but since Deacon Sophia was short, there was still room for me.
“Hmm… . K, depressed… .”
As I sat down on the sofa, Deacon Sophia flinched and trembled. I turned my gaze and looked straight ahead.
One thing I didn’t like about the dormitory at the Brittany branch was that the sofas were placed facing the windows of the balcony. I was forced to look out onto the sunset sea beyond the balcony.
The water surface sparkling with the sunset looked like sparks were flying. I looked at it and quietly closed my eyes.
Then, even though I was in the dormitory, I could hear the waves crashing. I didn’t want to hear that sound, so I opened my eyes again.
“Chief Priest.”
Before I knew it, Deacon Sophia had risen and was sitting next to me. I stared blankly at her.
“Yes. Deacon Sophia.”
“It’ll be real starting tomorrow.”
“… That will be it.”
Deacon Sophia’s gaze turned downward. Following her gaze, at the end of it was my slightly trembling right arm.
“Pal… Are you okay?”
“It’s okay.”
“Did you take your medicine?”
“Yes, I ate it. Don’t worry too much.”
“But… .”
I looked at Deacon Sophia, who was biting her lips, and thought.
Using divine power is becoming increasingly burdensome. Every time I use that shining grace, my body screams, unable to bear it. I know that best myself.
However, that doesn’t mean we can leave the students alone.
“I heard that your shoulder is getting better little by little. I’m okay now.”
“… Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Deacon Sophia’s expression relaxed a little. While looking at Deacon Sophia like that, I was thinking of something else.
Deacon Sophia, why are you so worried about me? Are all the graduates of the Clerical Academy like this?
I knew that if I was this stupidly kind, it wouldn’t end well.
…because I saw it with my own eyes.
– Don’t think of me as just a replacement for Helena. It could hurt you a lot.
“… … .”
I looked away from Deacon Sophia. I wanted to change the subject. If only for the sake of Deacon Sophia, who was looking at my right arm with suspicious eyes.
And, for my sake too.
“Deacon Sophia. May I have a cup of tea?”
Deacon Sophia smiled and nodded after hearing my request. Deacon Sophia’s back disappeared beyond the kitchen, and I looked out at the balcony again.
Suddenly, the sea, dyed red by the blazing sunset, appeared like a giant teacup.
Is it because I’ve finally gone crazy? Or is there another reason?
I couldn’t figure it out.
* * * * *
– Chaldea Imperial Academy’s annual duels! The third duel is finally about to begin!
As Professor Andres shouted loudly, the training hall was filled with cheers. Among them were students who had been eliminated in the previous training, and there were also students who had advanced to the third training day and had expressions full of anticipation.
The important thing is that everyone is keeping their guard up. The students who were eliminated first wanted to see the ones who were going to the top, and the students who were not eliminated yet were probably excited at the thought that the competition was about to start.
– As you all know, the competition starting today will be held in a tournament format!
The number of students who survived yesterday’s King’s Defense was thirty-two for each grade. The tournament was to begin from the round of 16.
Professor Andres continued speaking.
– The time given is 10 minutes per match! As I mentioned on the first day, if you exceed the time limit, the winner will be decided by our instructors! Students who are aiming for a comeback victory, you must not exceed the 10-minute time limit!
Some students were crying. In the King’s Defense Sparring, they were students from other classes who had been overshadowed by the skills of Class A students.
It may sound absurd to say that they can defeat their opponents in 10 minutes. However, those students could have done it if their opponents weren’t from Class A.
– … Yes? What did you say?
Professor Andres, who was on the monitor, put his hand to his ear as if he had heard something from someone next to him. Not only the students sitting in the audience, but also Professor Esther and Deacon Sophia, who were standing next to me, had confused expressions.
“What’s going on?”
“Is something wrong?”
“… Probably not.”
Given Professor Andres’ cheerful and playful personality, it’s probably staged.
As I expected, Professor Andres, who had been pretending to look embarrassed, opened his mouth and laughed heartily.
– Hahaha! Our president Damian said that in the past, the first-year students took the lead and worked hard, so shouldn’t we show the seniors the power first today?
– Hey, Professor Andres. When did I ever say something like that… .
Since Professor Andres was placed in the position of moderator for the grade-by-grade sparring, there was no way to meddle in his proceedings. Professor Andres brushed aside President Damien’s words and shouted.
– Okay! So, today’s first sparring is…! Let’s start with the second-year students! Second-year students who survived the King’s Defense sparring, please stand up!
At Professor Andres’ loud call, the second-year students who survived yesterday’s King’s Defense rose from their seats without a care in the world.
Among them, there were some faces familiar to us.
“There’s a student named Daniel! And a student named Vivian…!”
“Those two students were excellent in the previous sparring, but they never showed their true fighting form… . I guess we’ll be able to see it properly today.”
Professor Esther smiled meaningfully. Sure enough, I said that those two were selected as excellent students last year too.
I had seen Daniel perform magic during the Finger Incident, but this was the first time I had seen him directly participate in combat. Although he was not one of my students, I naturally felt anticipation.
“By the way, isn’t it great, Professor Lucio?”
Suddenly, Professor Esther asked me this. I looked at her without knowing what was going on.
“What do you mean?”
“Student Vivian. Her younger sister also survived the King’s defense with her excellent skills, and Vivian has also come this far. Do sisters resemble each other?”
“… Sister, you say?”
“Uh… You didn’t know?”
Professor Esther covered her face with her hand and chuckled, then pointed to a corner of the audience and said.
“Owen, a student in class 1-A. Owen de Valueger. He is Vivian’s younger sister.”
“… Yes?”
I looked back and forth between Owen, who was looking stoic in the distance in the stands, and Vivian, who was dressed in gothic attire and was just heading down to the training grounds.
… Certainly, it seems a little similar.
Deacon Sophia, who was standing next to me, also looked at us both with surprised eyes, as if it was the first time she had heard such a story.
– Just now, the preparations for the duel are complete! Then, I will reveal the bracket now!
Meanwhile, the duel was about to begin. Professor Andres’s shiny head disappeared, and in its place appeared the match table of the second-year students.
– The third day of sparring! The long-awaited first protagonist is—! Daniel, a student from the magic department of Class 2-A! His opponent is…! Joy, a student from the combat department of Class 2-B!
As soon as those words were spoken, two students came up to face each other on the tightly packed dirt floor of the training ground. Daniel’s stiff face felt unfamiliar.
– Then, let’s start the sparring!—!!
Professor Andres shouted, his neck bloodshot. I crossed my arms and stared intently at the monitor.
Daniel is the number one culprit in spreading false rumors at the Academy and the notorious troublemaker of the Occult Research Department.
It was time to take a moment to admire the guy’s skills.
* * * * *
“I’m nervous… .”
Daniel was wringing his sweaty hands. Facing him, Joy, a second-year class B student, aimed her weapon at him with an expression of indifference.
Her weapons are a sword and shield. It is the most classic combination among the eccentric students of the combat department, and at the same time, it is a type that is both safe and difficult to deal with.
Block with a shield, stab with a sword, or swing. It’s an extremely simple attack style, but its simplicity and safety can be a difficult poison to the opponent.
Moreover, her black rapier specialized in stabbing. The shield had small holes for stabbing, and the blade protruded through them. It could be used for both defense and offense.
Daniel took two steps back as he watched Joy, who was starting to take a stance. If the rapier’s characteristic lunge attack was carried out, its reach would be comparable to that of a spear. He needed to be careful not to be suddenly attacked by an unexpected stab.
At that moment, Joy, who was taking a fighting stance, spoke to Daniel in a flat voice without any emphasis.
“Class A’s Witch Doctor, Daniel. I met you last year too.”
“… Was that so?”
Daniel tilted his head. He thought he could remember Joy’s face, but he couldn’t.
Daniel, who tried to think of her for a moment, soon shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, I don’t know. My memory is not so good.”
“… I guess it’s because I’m into some weird club activity, like the Occult Research Club or something.”
“Oh, you know me so well?”
At Daniel’s playful attitude, Joey glared at him, gritting his teeth. Daniel, while maintaining his playful attitude, did not just stand there.
Daniel’s left hand was holding an ink bottle the size of a fist, and his right hand had charcoal pieces between its fingers. Joy’s eyes filled with tension as she looked at them.
“I’ll beat you and I’ll go up to class A too.”
“Oh… . The next grade evaluation will be held in the second semester. Don’t be too impatient.”
“Well, at least if you become an excellent student, it will have a positive impact.”
The two of them held their weapons in their hands and did not move, because the signal to start the duel had not yet sounded.
How long did it take for the silence, thick with tension, to settle?
– Then! Let’s start the first sparring match! The time limit is 10 minutes!
At the same time as Professor Andres’ loud shout, Daniel and Joy’s bodies began to move.
The fight for honor between two students who are trying to get one step closer to becoming the strongest in the second year has begun.
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