"I was watching the match closely. Both of you used swords, so it was impossible not to notice. Especially Irene. You were incredible. How you took down the opponents before Theo needed to act is still fresh in my mind.”
Seria spoke with a polite tone.
Usually, students at the academy use casual language with their peers, but Seria is an exception.
And for a good reason: her full na is Seria Rune Hestia.
The middle na 'Rune' indicates her high and noble status.
In this world, a middle na is a privilege only granted to those of the highest class.
Seria, like Theo and Piel, is a direct descendant of a prestigious family.
At a glance, her formal speech might seem similar to Aisha’s, but there's a subtle difference.
While Aisha speaks politely to make a good impression on others, Seria does so to hide her true nature, which would shock many.
'Whew...'
In any case, the sense of unease has beco real.
The only thing Seria knows about is my voice.
Naturally, she must rember the voice from that night.
She will eventually find out who I am but now is not the right ti.
Instead of replying, I looked at Seria nonchalantly.
She tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled, and said,
"Ah, Theo, you're pretty quiet. Perhaps it's because you're the heir to the Waldeurk family, you always seem so dignified. Anyway, I look forward to our next match, Swordsn."
With that, Seria reached out her hand to .
"...”
Silently, I shook hands with her.
Irene, looking a bit confused, also shook hands with Seria.
"I look forward to our match, Seria Rune Hestia. I've heard you're the top student in the Magic Departnt, particularly skilled with debuff magic."
"Oh, I'm honored, Irene Aslan. You even rembered my full na. I've heard that you're also the top student in the Knight Departnt. Seems we have an unintended face-off between the top students. Let's have a wonderful match~"
Afterward, Irene and I also shook hands with Jamie, who was on the sa team as Seria.
Jamie reached out to Irene.
"I’m looking forward to it, Irene. I may have lost during our previous spar, but I plan to redeem myself this ti."
"Yes, I'll do my best, Jamie."
With a slight smile, Jamie reached out to .
"Nice to et you, Theo. You're Irene's fiancé, right? I saw you a few tis from a distance when you visited the Knight Departnt. Your recent duel with Julia is still a hot topic in our departnt."
"..."
Just like with Seria, I silently shook hands with Jamie.
Jamie.
Though she's not exactly a nad character in the main story, she's still a notable figure.
She maintained top grades during her academy days and, after graduating, joined one of the empire's elite knight orders.
She's a typical elite character, steadily following the traditional path.
Her hand didn't feel delicate like a girl's; it felt strong and solid.
A feeling quite different from the soft palm of Seria.
Jamie eyed my silence with a hint of annoyance.
"I rember you weren't much of a talker before, but at least you'd open your mouth... You seem especially quiet today. In any case, I look forward to our match today."
With that, Jamie let go of my hand.
...It's as if I'm sitting on pins and needles.
I wanted to at least say sothing like, 'Yes, I'm looking forward to it too.'
This situation is just suffocating.
I want to get out of it as soon as possible.
"Oh, The... Theo?"
I wrapped my arm around Irene's shoulder and quickly left the spot.
Soon after, it was ti for my round of 32 match against Seria.
The treatnt from the round of 32 onwards was very different.
The spectator stands were packed with students from other departnts who had finished their exams.
The academy also began to officially broadcast and provide comntary for the matches.
Irene and I hadn't yet made our way to the arena.
We stood by the waiting room's door, waiting for an official to signal our entrance, looking out at the arena through the window.
From the comntator's booth, the announcer spoke into a magic microphone,
[Now, we will begin the first match of the round of 32! But before that, let’s welco our guest comntator. Everyone, give a warm applause for Professor Mari Jane from the Hero Departnt! Known as the youngest professor in the Hero Departnt!]
Applause thundered throughout the arena.
Mari, looking out at the audience, took the microphone.
[Hello, everyone~ I'm Mari Jane, a professor from Elinia Academy's Hero Departnt. Thank you for the warm welco. Firstly, I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the distinguished guests present today...]
Unlike during the Hero Departnt's practical evaluation three weeks ago, Mari wasn't wearing her usual shabby shirt and pants.
Instead, she wore a shirt and skirt that emphasized her voluptuous figure, resembling a glamorous reporter.
'This has changed from the ga.'
In the ga, Mari didn't provide comntary for this tournant.
Really, how much is the future going to change?
Piel, who participated before, isn't participating now, yet Andrew is.
Even Noctar making it to the round of 32 is different.
Now, beyond feeling fearful, I'm almost resigned.
I don't worry anymore. Worrying is a luxury.
All I can do is overco whatever cos my way.
After Mari continued her comntary for so ti,
"You may now enter."
An official opened the door leading to the arena.
'The real battles start now.'
I used the [Camouflage Scroll] on the [Amplification Orb].
After being checked with the artifact detector, Irene and I entered the arena.
[...and that wraps up the introduction for Team Jamie & Seria! Now, let's welco Team Irene & Theo! Give them a big round of applause! Irene is renowned as the top student in the Knight Departnt! And while Theo is ranked 181st in the Hero Departnt, his recent achievents have been outstanding...]
Using Mari's comntary as background, I calmly surveyed the arena.
With Mari's comntary in the background, I calmly observed the arena. I had seen it before, but compared to the Hero Departnt's do stadium, this one was smaller and felt a bit lackluster.
'The atmosphere in the spectator seats feels more intense.'
The seating capacity is probably about a third of the Hero Departnt's, right?
Well, it's better than that one baseball team that hasn't won in nearly 30 years, but boasts a large ho stadium.*
Next, I scanned the audience.
There were many familiar faces.
I spotted Jang Woohee and Siena.
Amy, holding Little Fist, and Noctar with his orc friends from our year, as well as many other orcs from different departnts.
Noctar, towering above even the orcs, was staring sternly at .
There were also nurous reporters, guild, and governnt officials.
I even noticed so nad characters from the main storyline.
'Ah, that woman is Hailey, the Chief Administrator of the Ataraxia Guild.'
The 'Ataraxia' Guild had many interactions with Neike throughout the main story.
Irene and I made our way onto the arena floor.
Seria was still giving that ambiguous look, and Jamie looked ready to draw her sword and charge at any mont.
[Let the round of 32 of the Knight Departnt's 2v2 Tourna-]
Mari's comntary was abruptly interrupted.
Because Noctar, who was sitting solemnly in the stands, stood up, and as he raised his right arm, the Orcs, led by Tarcan, all rose in unison.
"Warrior! Unleash the War God's wrath upon that mage!"
"Fight on, true warrior, Theo!"
"Fight! Win! Tear apart that mage wench's limbs!"
The shouts of what seed like at least fifty tall orcs filled the arena.
Orcs have powerful voices, so even just a few can resonate throughout an entire arena.
And now, there were more than fifty of them.
The other spectators looked back and forth between and the orcs with wide eyes.
Reporters were busy capturing the scene, and guild & governnt officials began feverishly jotting down notes.
Even Mari in the comntary box seed shocked, as she audibly gasped.
"..."
Of course, I'm grateful... but it's embarrassing.
I can feel my face turning red.
In a hurry, I strengthened my [Twisted Noble's Dignity] and tried to act composed.
Seria looked at with curiosity and said,
"You're quite popular, Theo. I've never seen a human so adored by orcs. It reminds of stories about our founding headmaster, Ryuk... How mysterious. It's also amazing how you show no reaction to such fervor."
Then, Seria chuckled with a playful 'hehe.'
'Heh'...
I had to hold back a smirk.
That was Seria's genuine laughter.
Still, I didn't utter a word.
Mari, having composed herself, resud her comntary.
[Ahem, ahem! Theo's popularity is truly impressive. There were rumors of his close relations with the orc students, but I never imagined such passionate support! Anyway, let's finally begin the match!]
And so, the match began.
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Uh sorry sorry for the wrong chappy. Uploaded the wrong one. I usually check on the website right after I post just to make sure I got the right one but the one ti I don't, I post the wrong one. ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡
*LOL no idea what baseball team they're talking about, might be from a league in Korea.
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