episode_0123

“Attention.”

I couldn’t believe it, I just couldn’t.

“Stand up straight.”

I really thought this couldn’t be happening.

“Arms down.” “Ugh- I’m sorry-” “Shut your mouth.”

However, Nari’s thoughts were completely wrong.

When surrounded by the thugs, all sorts of thoughts flooded her mind.

It’s finally here. But… I was clearly casting an anti-perception spell, so how did they find me?

“I… name- no, face… I didn’t know your face… I asked around the juniors to find out your name…” “I told you to shut up.” “No- you asked me-”

*WHOOSH—!!*

A powerful surge of energy erupted from Nari.

Simultaneously, the mouths of the Academy third-year cadets who had knelt and raised their hands were automatically sealed.

From the moment she sensed something strange, Nari’s mind raced at top speed.

She could have escaped using [Teleportation], but doing so might cause the embers to spread elsewhere. She had to deal with them, or at least keep them there.

Taking them all down wouldn’t be worth the risk.

For one, they were Academy cadets, and she didn’t know how big the repercussions would be. Even if they were thugs who had infiltrated while wearing only Academy uniforms, killing them before identifying them was too risky.

So, she had to fight. She’d told Yuri to stay put, but if there’s a loud noise, Yuri would definitely come running.

So she had to finish it quickly.

But these guys are known for using poisons, curses, and all sorts of magic to drag out the fight. Taking them down in one go was clearly impossible.

Still, she tried. Naturally, since she didn’t know what kind of poison or magic effect might be on each incoming sword, she had to dodge them all.

Simultaneously, the presence of the ‘named’ ones tightening her throat.

The executives of , those with code names, all used annoying techniques. With someone who called themselves ‘Crimson Rose’, a name that clearly indicated a code name, standing right there, the pressure was immense.

In that situation, Nari made a quick decision and continued the fight.

Then, she realized that these guys weren’t actually from . They were just pathetic bastards, so low she wouldn’t consider them her seniors, who had come to get revenge after losing to Chal Whatsisname, bringing a huge number of people with them.

Honestly, rather than anger, she felt emptiness.

“Why am I… Haah…”

Because of her desire to avoid harming anyone around her, even if something happened to her, she had jumped into a dangerous situation.

If that ‘surrounding’ consisted of these kinds of bastards… If had really launched a surprise attack, and she’d gotten badly injured…

It would have been a futile sacrifice, a waste of effort, and nothing but a dog’s death.

Whether he knew it or not, Charles, even more enraged than Nari, took action against them.

“How could you seniors do such a thing?!” “Charles… I just…” “Shut up—! I didn’t ask you a question!!”

Robin. A normal cadet from the Knight’s Department, who called herself Crimson Rose.

With her red curly hair hanging down, she looked somewhat intense but, when Charles fiercely warned her, she started sobbing.

“Waaah… h- I’m- I’m sorry— No, I’m so sorry… Waaah—”

With Robin, their de facto leader, crying like a child and completely surrendering, the underlings could only bury their heads in the grass.

“Sniffle- gulp- Waaah— sob- gasp- Waaaaah——”

It was natural that Charles, despite being close to them, felt uneasy after giving them a severe scolding.

At least, that’s how it looked to Nari.

Nevertheless, he cautiously approached, attempting to represent his colleagues’ feelings and take responsibility for everything.

“They really thought I was the strongest… They probably thought you used some kind of trick to win. It’s my fault for not stopping them earlier, so please forgive us…”

Again, Nari wasn’t angry, just empty. And she didn’t have the energy to get angry at someone who was bowing their head and begging for forgiveness like this.

So she simply waved her hand dismissively.

“Yeah… well, it’s fine… It wasn’t a big deal, it’s okay, it’s okay…”

With her shoulders slumped listlessly, Nari returned to the tournament hall.

That back view… was seen very differently by Charles.

An outstanding warrior who had defeated him in one blow. Despite having such power, he controlled his strength, considerate to the point that his opponent was weaker. Ultimately, he showed leniency, understanding and forgiving their mistakes.

Normally, that would’ve been it.

However, that first day of the preliminaries was Charles’s best day, a day when all his senses were heightened.

Thanks to that, he was able to catch a glimpse of Nari’s movements, something he wouldn’t normally have been able to follow with his eyes.

And he realized.

“That time… it was her.”

That scene he witnessed when he was younger. A small girl painting a single canvas with her sword.

He realized that the owner of that perfect single sword he had always wanted to pursue was none other than Narias Philbrog.

*CLENCH-*

Charles’s fist clenched.

“Today is really… maybe the best day of my life.”

In an important competition he had prepared for two years, he was eliminated in the first preliminary round in a single second. Against a junior.

But upon realizing that his junior was actually his teacher. Upon realizing that his sword, which he thought he had perfectly mastered, had been broken by a fundamental sword that surpassed perfection.

Relief washed over him. His inner fire intensified. His racing heart urged him to move forward to find, desperately, the path ahead.

Charles walked briskly down the corridor, the light bounce in his step, towards the practice room, to wield his sword as he always did.

“Sob- sniffle- I- I— Waaaaah——”

After the final exams, the news of a woman kneeling and with outstretched hands in the academy courtyard started spreading throughout the Academy and was rather to be expected.

* * *

“The match is over! The winner, Eve Ista!!”

Again… I’m late again.

When I returned to my seat, Eve’s match was already over. It wasn’t a time to enjoy the joy of victory with Yuri and the other cadets.

Because I saw Eve glance this way once, then quickly turned her head and left.

‘…It’s her mouth, anyway.’

I hate my past self, who had said okay and not to worry, when she said to watch it saying she was going to show me the results of her training.

Having won the first match, there were still several matches left in the tournament-style preliminaries. Still, for some reason, I was uneasy.

I wondered what Eve had been trying to show. I was going crazy wondering.

Soon enough, Eve returned to the audience, silently sitting in an empty seat.

When I looked at her, the moment our eyes met, she quickly turned her head away.

Why is she doing that… Even though I know the reason, I don’t know the reason for that reason.

“I’ll definitely watch your next match.” “…Whatever.”

The next match, and the one after that, I watched them all, precisely on time. But Eve didn’t show anything.

Just as always, she subdued her opponents instantly with overwhelming magical power. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

And she started avoiding me.

Time went by, and I kept missing chances to talk. But I didn’t have the free time to focus all my attention on Eve either.

“The match is over! The winner—” “Yesss-!!”

Matches were ongoing in numerous parts of the auditorium. I needed to show up for each of the 1-A cadets.

“Good job.” “I lost this time, unfortunately… but the rest is up to the others.” “Keep your spirits up, you idiot.”

Despite their mostly average skills, thanks to my mental training and perseverance, they continued persevering.

Doing their best is always something that’s well-received. Even if they didn’t get high points, they’d all be able to get a share in the performance points.

That way, a day, two days. Time went by too quickly, but the more I won, the more matches I had. By the end of the preliminaries, almost everyone in our class had tasted defeat and got some time off.

The top 16 of the main tournament. Among the talented individuals, the final 16, exceptionally gifted.

“Ugh… To be eliminated at the very end… It’s so disappointing.”

Yuri lost just before reaching the main tournament.

She had the misfortune of meeting a somewhat well-known fourth-year student, which was really bad luck.

“That’s good at least… I guess luck conserves itself.” “…You’ll get revenge, right?”

My opponent in the top 16 was that fourth-year student.

“Won’t you?”

Looking at Yuri with her pouty lips, I felt like I was under a brainwashing spell.

No, I already was.

“Of course, I should.” “Ugh-”

I lightly headbutted her pouty lips.

“Ooh~ How lonely can a single person be—” “Do that quietly in your room!!” “…I like it.” “Until the perpetual snow of Tarun Mountain melts—”

Many cadets gathered in front of the bulletin board with the draw. No one doubted my abilities and challenged me like Chal Whatsisname or Crimson Poppy.

“Hey, junior! Great match!” “I’m looking forward to it, don’t disappoint me!” “A special student… You’re a ray of light for the magic department!”

That meant the overall atmosphere was good, regardless of class or seniority.

For some reason, I felt relieved and relaxed.

Taking advantage of this momentum, I quickly picked Yuri up in one arm and left.

“Hey— look, they’re going!” “Stop right there—!! Our promising junior is running away all by himself—” “We have a duty to treat their promising juniors to a good meal!!”

Everyone was trying to help me as much as possible, but since we barely got some time off…

How could I let my lower body rest?

“Nix has some errands today, you’re the only one available.” “……♡”

Yuri wrapped her arms around my neck instead of answering, clinging tightly. That evening’s dinner was alcohol, meat, and Yuri.

Completely relaxed, I started the main tournament.

Events started unfolding.