The matches proceeded quickly.
After three days of duels, the contenders for the round of 16 were sorted out, and everyone I knew had reached it.
Group A
Luin · Yuria
Binpole · Lohan
Mikhail · Lucas
Hanna · Lisi
Group B
Shartia · Kant
The Crown Prince · Hobbs
Shuen · Ganish
Ruby · Suga
'Wow... Group A is in trouble.'
Group A was no different from a group of death. There were two people aiming for the championship.
There was Lohan, the head of the guidance departnt.
And with Yuria, the rising star, the battles in Group A were practically the finals.
'For Group B, Shartia and the Crown Prince will be the main event.'
The story of the Crown Prince and Shartia was famous at the academy. The one who wants to be king and the one closest to the throne.
I was curious how the battle between the Crown Prince, who entered the academy because he was bored, and Shartia, who entered to establish her position, would turn out.
This ranking tournant was a story not in the novel, so I knew nothing, and with Malik's intervention, many things had changed.
Personally, I hope Shartia wins, but if I were to bet money, I would probably bet on the Crown Prince...
Honestly, I don't know who will win either, but I felt the Crown Prince, a demon swordsman, had a slight advantage. Whatever the case, I hope Shartia wins.
'By the way, this is unexpected.'
I didn't think Luin, who had lost weight, would make it to the round of 16. Although he had an easy victory due to a favorable matchup, I still didn't think he would last this long.
'It seems what the boss said stimulated him.'
-The next match is...! Third-year Magic Departnt student Luin and third-year Healing Departnt student Yuria.
Malik, who ca with a light snack in hand, stood next to and asked with a low expression.
"Any intruders?"
"No, I don't feel any yet."
"I'm anxious."
"There will be nothing to worry about. The heretics took a considerable hit in the battle for the Holy Sword. No matter how crazy they are about terrorism, I think they will let this ranking tournant pass."
"If you say so, then it must be so."
Malik nodded heavily.
"All your friends have advanced."
"I'm proud of them. As a classmate, I'm pleased."
"Puhaha! A guy who hasn't even attended for six months..."
"Once a classmate, always a classmate."
"By the way, it's surprising that the one you picked has advanced... Honestly, I thought he would be eliminated. No matter how much of an academy ace he is, the mbers who have advanced are fierce."
"He was lucky."
I smiled faintly as I watched Yuria walk up to the duel arena.
"It's starting."
-The first match of the round of 16 now!!! Begins!
Yuria slowly walked up to the duel arena.
"Phew..."
Yuria was the only one who had survived from the Healing Departnt. The other students had lost without even making it to the main tournant.
Even though she had trained with the senior director for a long ti, she was no match for students who had learned combat skills their entire lives. She was happy just for landing a single punch to the face.
Now, Yuria was being called a 'hero' among the Healing Departnt students. She was receiving a lot of attention as soone who had shown the results of her difficult training and had shown the possibility that a healer could also be a protagonist.
Cheers erupted as Yuria, with heavy steps, appeared on the duel arena.
-Yuria-sunbae!!! Crush them!!!
-Stomp on the pride of the Magic Departnt!
It was a new experience for her.
To receive the expectations of so many people.
The most she had heard at the academy was backbiting, but after so ti, the gazes directed at her were those of students filled with passion.
Yuria clenched her fists at their expectations. The burden on her shoulders was heavy, but it felt good.
"Hey."
Luin raised his hand and greeted Yuria. An awkward expression ford on her face at his greeting, the first since that day.
Her anger hadn't subsided.
She had no desire to be friends again. The mory of the criticism and betrayal she felt at the ball made her heart grow cold.
Luin, reading Yuria's expression, lowered his awkwardly raised hand and began to speak.
"Long ti no see, Yuria."
"...Yeah."
"I didn't expect to see you here.... You must have worked hard."
"You seem to have done the sa."
"That's a given for ."
"..."
"It seems you don't need protection anymore."
"I don't need it."
"..."
Luin, watching Yuria's reaction, clenched his fists and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Can we be frie..."
"..."
"Never mind."
Luin, seeing Yuria's silence, held back what he wanted to say. It seed like the conversation about whether they could be friends again should wait until after this duel.
He needed to apologize and also needed ti to sort out his feelings. Because he couldn't predict what selfish words he might spew out.
He might say so nonsense while drunk on his own ego. Or maybe he would even shift the bla to Yuria. Luin bit his lip and shook his head.
'Not now...'
So.
"...I'm going to win."
He resolved to et her as a changed person.
The announcer's voice began to ring out loudly. The amplifying magic that bood through the stadium made his heart pound fiercely, then signaled the start of the duel.
-The first match of the round of 16 begins now!
"Sa here, Luin."
-One!
"Obviously."
-Two.
"I won't go easy on you just because you're Yuria."
"I really want to beat you too."
-Three!!! Begin!!!!
Yuria and Luin's bodies moved simultaneously with the announcer's voice.
Luin creating distance, Yuria closing it.
Quickly closing in on Luin, Yuria infused holy power into her hands and feet and threw a punch.
"...Baptism of Violence"
Pushed back by a large explosion, Luin spat out bloody saliva and began to chant an incantation.
"Fireball."
Yuria's eyes trembled at the fireball shot at close range. She quickly dodged the fired orb and increased her speed. To move faster, she added a blessing to her legs and ran.
Luin didn't just stand still either.
He shot magic while looking straight at Yuria.
"Tch..."
"You won't be able to close the distance easily, Yuria. I've figured out your patterns by watching your previous fights."
Luin's polished magic was sharp. The power of before was long gone, but the accuracy of the fireballs he shot seed to be more precise and accurate than before.
'Did he get faster?'
Yuria quickly twisted her body to dodge the magic Luin shot and created a barrier to block the fireballs, but Luin, as if waiting for it, stopped the fireballs and began to chant another spell.
"[Green Generation]"
The mont the magic he learned from the Tower Master spread from Luin's lips, grass began to sprout from the floor of the duel arena.
Luin stopped shooting fireballs and said softly.
"Bloom."
"..."
"Flowers."
Pink flowers began to dance in the grass. Luin's magic, which blood like vines, moved quickly and began to tighten around Yuria's ankles, and at the sa ti, Yuria repeatedly moved to avoid the blooming flowers.
As Luin's one-sided attack, which didn't easily give up distance, aid for Yuria's opening, Yuria ground her teeth and threw a punch.
-Crack...
Blood flowed.
Luin's magic, which broke Yuria's blessing, created a wound on Yuria's fist and began to disappear.
Nurous flowers began to bloom around Yuria. The wriggling flowers, as if waiting for his command, began to gather magical power in their buds.
"After losing my talent, I realized."
"..."
"What a piece of trash I was..."
"..."
"I couldn't even use basic magic, and my personality was so terrible.... Well. When I think about it, there wasn't a single thing that bastard said that was wrong."
"..."
"So. Yuria."
"..."
"Let have this one."
As bullets began to pour out from the flower buds containing magical power, Yuria closed her eyes and began to speak softly.
The sa phrase that the woman in her nightmare had uttered countless tis.
"O God who remains silent."
"..."
"O God who persecutes the innocent."
"..."
"In my na, I cry out my resentnt to God."
"..."
"Grant the fla that can protect your holy child."
Fwoosh.
A white fla began to erupt from Yuria's fist.
"Holy Fla."
It was Holy Fla.
Malik, seeing the white fla, let out a hollow laugh and said.
"She was hiding sothing like that."
'Holy Fla' was a fla that could be ignited when one's mastery of holy power reached a certain level. Simply put, it was a technique used by the inquisitors of the church, with the ability to burn away all that is wicked, and at the sa ti.
-Fwoosh...
It was a technique that could directly affect people.
Leaning against the railing and watching Yuria, I felt a thrill with an interested smile. Because I was finally seeing Yuria's technique from the novel.
"...She's gotten strong."
The fla dances.
All the magic that touched the Holy Fla scattered, and the plants Luin created turned into white ash and disappeared, and the lawn lost its light and began to return to its original color.
Malik looked at Yuria's Holy Fla and muttered to himself.
"If the Black Fla is an inextinguishable fla, the Holy Fla is a fla that extinguishes."
"It's also a symbol of a high priest."
"...A monster."
The mont the trembling Luin's magic and Yuria's fist t, the stadium was covered in white holy fla, leaving a warm warmth before disappearing.
-The winner is...!
Watching Yuria standing alone in the stadium, I said softly. I didn't know who her teacher was, but they seed amazing.
"You've taught her well."
-Yuria
A giant gambling den in the capital.
▶Guess the academy's top student with your choice.
[Mikhail, Master of the Holy Sword]
Payout: 1.2x
[Yuria, the Dark Horse of the Healing Departnt]
Payout: 3x
[Histania Hanna, the Youngest Aura Awakener]
Payout: 1.5x
[Sartia of Noble Blood]
Payout: 2x
·
·
·
[Shuen, the Lewd Stalker]
Payout: 100x.
"Oho..."
Before the round of 16 began, a woman with her robe pulled down low looked at the high payout and fiddled with a pouch full of gold coins.
"A payout of 100x..."
A high payout ant a 100% chance of not winning, but the woman in the robe thought differently.
"I believe in myselfffff."
Because she herself was the protagonist with a 10000% payout.
"Ji Shuen will definitely take first place, yessss."
Shuen touched the heavy money pouch and fell into thought, then made a serious face and imagined a happy future.
Wondering what to do with that money.
She could buy a house.
She could buy a gift for the commoner.
She could quit the academy and open a shop.
And so, the round of 16.
-Hehehe... I've investigated everything about youuuu. You have a girl you like, don't youuu? You confessed recently and got rejected.
-Y-y-you!!!
-Hehehe...! An opening, yessss!
[Tetra Shuen, the Cursed Mouth]
Payout: 50x.
Quarterfinals.
-You... you actually like the senior director, don't youuu? I saw it allll. You secretly putting a letter in the senior director's office...!
-What are you talking about...! Why would I like that person! That was just... to make a good impression!
-Hehehe... you have such a unique taste! Everyone, this is breaking news!
-Shut up!
-Hmph...! Now's the ti!
[Tetra Shuen, the Dark History Digger]
Payout: 30x.
Shuen, who had made it to the quarterfinals, had her fist in her mouth and a trembling expression.
"This is a miracle...!"
Luckily, she had avoided all the strong opponents. As if the goddess of fortune was on her side, all the strong people went to Group A, leaving only the power monster Shartia and the crown prince in Group B.
If she could just hold out until the semifinals, a huge sum of money would co to Shuen, who had poured her entire salary into gambling. If by so chance she even won, she would earn enough money to buy a decent castle.
"Hehehehehe."
Shuen looked at the employee with a grim smile.
"Heheh..."
The employee gave Shuen an awkward smile. It felt like looking at soone who was a bit off.
"Excuse ... are you here for your winnings?"
"...How much do I get if I take it now?"
"Did you place your bet during the round of 16?"
"Yesss...!"
"What's the alias of the person who placed the bet?"
"Shuengel, yesss."
"What? Uh... just a mont."
"Hoooooot."
"...Yes, Shuengel-nim confird. Shuengel-nim, since you bet 100 gold on 'Tetra Shuen, the Dark History Digger' who has advanced to the semifinals... just a mont."
The mont the employee's hand, which was using the abacus, stopped, Shuen's eyes trembled greatly.
"Do you know that if you give up on guessing the winner and take your money in the middle, you won't get back 50% of the winnings?"
"I kno"
"Then you'll probably receive about this much."
"Oh... oh... how many... zeros are there?"
Seeing the look of ecstasy on Shuen's face, the employee gave an awkward smile and a greeting.
"Congratulations. You seem to have a talent for gambling."
"...I'm not addicted, yesss. I just did it for fun...!"
"Ahaha! Of course. Then I'll process your withdrawal now..."
"Wait a mont!"
Shuen grabbed the departing employee's hand and fell into deep thought. If she withdrew now, she could earn enough to buy a house in the capital where she and the commoner could live alone, but... If... just if she won, she felt like she could buy a decent castle in the frontier.
-Ohoho...! This is my castle! Are you surprised? Commoner!
-N-no, how did you acquire such a magnificent castle...! I see you in a new light, Shuen... no! Your Lordship!
"Heheh..."
"Uh.. custor?"
Shuen wiped the drool from her mouth and shook her head, thinking it wasn't ti yet.
"I'll watch a little longer, yesss."
"What? But it seems unlikely that this student will make it to the semifinals."
"What did you sayyy?!"
"N-nothing."
Shuen left the gambling den with a humming smile.
Since the capital's gambling den was run by the imperial family, she didn't have to worry about not getting her money. What she had to do now was withdraw at the right ti. And reach the championship. This was what she had to do.
"The strongest thing in the world is not philosophy or magic, but money, yesss...!"
Shuen's steps were lighter than ever before.
"Wait for ! Crown Prince? Or Princess! This Shuen will insult the imperial family in style, yesss!"
-The match is over....
I let out a bitter sigh as I looked at the chaotic stadium. I was surprised by those who had shown a fierce fight.
-The winner of this match is...!
"I didn't expect them to last this long."
-Mikhail, a 3rd-year student from the swordsmanship departnt!!!
The stadium was filled with traces of battle.
The sword energies that had been unleashed had dug deep into the stadium floor, and as if to announce that both warriors had fought with all their might in this duel, the two participants in the match were breathing heavily.
-Haa... haa...
-Haa... really... annoying.
It was the match between Hanna and Mikhail.
The winner of this duel was not Hanna, but Mikhail.
I looked at Mikhail standing alone in the duel arena and muttered under my breath.
"I didn't think it would be this much."
"...I think so too."
Honestly....
"You've beco a monster now, Ms. Hanna."
I didn't think Hanna would be able to last this long against Mikhail. Mikhail, who had just awakened the Holy Sword, was by no ans weak. In fact, he was stronger than I thought, which surprised .
I thought Hanna would lose without even being able to put up a fight against Mikhail, but my prediction was splendidly off the mark.
-It's been a while, senior.
-It has.
-You've got a good sword.
-Haha.. an excellent helper helped get it.
-It's fine. I received a 'sword' as a separate gift from the butler....
-Ha.
-What?
I should have known things were unusual the mont their war of nerves began.
-I won't lose.
-The sa goes for . I'll show you the dignity of a senior.
-Says the one who has already lost to twice. Ah... co to think of it, if we include unofficial spars, I've won countless tis.
-...I won't go easy on you.
-You talk too much, senior.
Malik and I were too busy watching the explosive battle between the two to even breathe.
"When did she get so strong?"
"I think so too."
"Is this the power of the prestigious swordsmanship family, Histania?"
"I don't think so. The answer is obvious if you look at , who is close by."
"Co on... you're strong too, President."
"Not as much as my sister."
-Clack. Clack.
Mikhail extended his hand to Hanna, who was on one knee, and said.
"You're a monster."
"You too, senior."
"..."
"..."
Mikhail probably knew too. That if he had fought with a regular sword instead of the Holy Sword, Hanna would have won an overwhelming victory.
"You know the Holy Sword saved you, right?"
"Of course."
There were smiles on both of their faces. It didn't seem like they had just had a duel, as both had maintained their pride.
The most surprising thing in this duel would be Hanna's growth.
"..."
I let out a hollow laugh as I looked at the huge sword mark drawn on the stadium. The technique Hanna used in the previous duel was definitely a Histania technique.
Astounded by Hanna's talent in mastering Histania's swordsmanship in such a short ti, I started to walk down to the stadium.
"Where are you going?"
"To the restroom."
"Are you going to comfort her?"
I shrugged at Malik's words and retorted. Comforting soone who had fought a great battle would be cumberso.
"I'm going to praise her."
"You're better than ."
I shrugged and let out a hollow laugh.
"Isn't that obvious? I'm an expert when it cos to the hearts of won."
"You lecher."
"I can't help it."
Malik let out a hollow smile and said in a low voice.
"Co back up quickly before the next match starts. It's the match between the princess and the crown prince."
In the infirmary, the tips of Hanna's toes, who was lying on the bed, could be seen.
-Sniffle...
-Sob...
-Haa... sob..
Whether she was upset about losing, the sound of sniffling could be heard. I carefully entered the infirmary and slowly walked towards Hanna, placing a chair next to the curtain and sitting down.
-...!
Hanna, who had stopped crying at the sound of soone approaching, was tossing and turning with muffled sobs.
I imagined Hanna's appearance and spoke in a low voice. That she was cool.
"I enjoyed watching the match."
"Butler...?"
"You were amazing, you know?"
"...Were you watching?"
"Of course. I watched all of your matches, Ms. Hanna."
"Haha..."
Hanna said with a sad voice.
"I wasn't cool."
"..."
"I just shouted and couldn't even fight properly and lost."
At Hanna's shrunken form visible through the curtain, I shook my head and replied. Her appearance as she overca trials was always cool to see.
"Not at all. You looked incredibly cool."
"Lies..."
"Would I have co to see you if I was lying?"
"..."
"When did you get so strong... I was really surprised when you broke through Mikhail's protection, Ms. Hanna."
"...Really?"
"Of course. I don't know who your teacher is, but they've taught you really well."
"That's right. He's an amazing person."
I smiled faintly as I saw the silhouette of Hanna, who had been lying on her back, turn towards .
"You'll be catching up to soon."
"I still have a long way to go to catch up to you, butler."
"Still, you've improved a lot compared to when we first t."
"..Please don't talk about when we first t...! It's embarrassing."
"Why?"
I said to Hanna with a face full of laughter.
"You were cute."
"...That's cheating..."
"What?"
"It's cheating... if you say that, I'll.."
"Haha..."
I pulled back the curtain that was hiding Hanna and looked at her face.
Beyond the curtain, Hanna, with bandages and patches on, was hugging her knees.
Seeing my smiling face, Hanna's eyes trembled as she looked at , and then she blushed and bowed her head.
"Really...!"
Hanna, as if she had made a decision, nodded and looked at .
-Thump...
-Thump...
-Thump...
"Is there sothing you want to say?"
Hanna bit her trembling lips once, took a deep breath, and opened her mouth.
"Uh.. butler..!"
"Yes?"
"...That that."
"Yes."
"That... that... the promise from last ti..."
It was at that mont.
-Bang!!!
"Histania Hanna!!!"
A new doting father had entered.
I greeted Rowen, who had co in with a frantic look, and then gently stroked Hanna's hair.
"Then... I'll be on my way."
Hanna blushed and bowed her head.
"Haa..."
Really.
Really...
My heart feels like it's going to explode.
At the sa ti.
"Eeeeeeeeeek!!!!!"
Olivia was flying through the sky in Darvav's arms.
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