The night after their second round matches. Rei, Rhodes, and Wind Dragon’s Fang were eating in the dining area of the Eternal Sky Pavilion.

The atmosphere was somewhat strange, mostly because of Vaycul’s loss.

If it were just about losing, Mosst had already lost, but the difference was that he was a mage while Vaycul was a thief.

Meanwhile, Luzi suddenly spokeup as he ate some bread.

「Well, it can’t be helped that you lost Vaycul. Your opponent was just stronger. I don’t think you need to worry about it too much.」

Those words seemed inconsiderate of Vaycul’s feelings.

But, it was fair to say they were also true.

Vaycul hadn’t lost due to cowardice or foul play. It was just the results of a pure head on fight.

……Of course, foul play aside, if you considered cowardly methods could also be considered a form of tactics from a different perspective.

Vaycul’s throwing projectiles for example would be considered nothing but cowardly for those looking for a fair fight in the tournament.

That said, as a thief, it wasn’t that strange for Vaycul to have methods like that. In fact, it could only be considered natural.

If she had liked fighting head on in the first place, she would have become a knight or warrior instead. ……That said, there were also some knights and warriors who preferred other methods to fighting fairly.

Understanding that, Vaycul let out a deep sigh as she poured some ale into the cup she was holding.

「I knew that I just wasn’t good enough. Still, I’m disappointed, so I can’t help it. What? Is it wrong for me to be disappointed after losing?」

「I didn’t say that. Your strong competitive spirit is also a strength. Also, this is your first time competing in a fighting tournament and you made it to the final rounds. Don’t you think those results are good enough?」

「……That’s right. That’s probably why people like that have come.」

As if agreeing with Luzi’s words, Mosst turned to glance over at three people who looked like knights.

Since they were in the dining area of the Eternal Sky Pavilion, it was easy to guess that they probably served a noble staying at this inn.

(Scouts……maybe?)

Rei thought to himself as he brought some crunchy salad to his mouth.

As Luzi said, it was a great achievement to make it to the second round of the main tournament despite it being her first time participating. It wouldn’t be strange for people to contact them for future prospects.

Similar people had tried to contact Rei.

However, Rei had asked Daska to turn them down for him.

If Rei did accept any offers, he would leave Gilm, so Daska also had his own incentive for turning down all requests without any question.

It was a perfect match of mutal interests.

However, this was only possible because of Daska’s status as a margrave and as the leader of the Neutral faction, one of the Mireana Kingdom’s three major factions.

Those like Wind Dragon’s Fang, who had no backing, had to refuse in ways that wouldn’t cause any trouble.

「Are you Vaycul-san of Wind Dragon’s Fang? My master wishes to talk with you for a moment, would that be okay?」

One of the knights spoke to Vaycul in a polite tone.

Normally, those weren’t words that a knight would say to an adventurer.

As for why he was so respectful, it was probably because Vaycul had made it all the way to the second round of the main fighting tournament.

「……I don’t mind giving a little bit of time.」

After saying that, Vaycul stood up with a clear expression, her earlier drunkenness gone completely.

She personally had no intention of accepting the other side’s invitation. She wanted to make that much clear, but she couldn’t refuse a noble’s invitation right here without question as it would cause the other side to lose face.

As he watched Vaycul leave with the knights, Mosst suddenly muttered.

「I’m glad she wasn’t drunk.」

「……I agree.」

Luzi agreed with his words.

If Vaycul’s bad habit of undressing while drunk occurred when meeting with the noble, it would be a big problem in many ways.

It would be fine if they were a good natured noble and let it pass with a laugh, but if things didn’t go well, there was a chance she would be taken straight to bed……thinking that way, Mosst suddenly imagined Vaycul becoming a noble’s mistress and gave a sarcastic smile.

(I’d like to see that, but……before talking about mistresses, I think the noble would more likely become castrated first. But, if that did happen, it would be dangerous for us to continue staying in the Imperial Capital in various ways.)

The atmosphere calmed down a little after Vaycul left before Rei broke it by speaking up.

「Anyway, Luzi is the only one left from Wind Dragon’s Fang.」

「That’s right. However, as I said to Vaycul earlier, it’s our first time participating in this tournament and everyone made it to the main tournament, so it’s a good feeling.」

Rei frowned slightly at Luzi’s words.

His tone made it seem like he too would lose in the second round.

「What, do you have no intention of going any further?」

That was why Rei asked in a bit of a teasing tone.

In response, Luzi gave a fierce smile.

「No way. I’ve come this far. Since that’s the case, I’ll go as far as I can go. Besides……if I win tomorrow’s battle, I’ll be able to fight the S rank, Immovable, next. There’s no way I’m going to miss out on such an opportunity.」

As Luzi said that, Rei could tell just by looking at him that Luzi really wanted to know how far his power would reach against an S rank adventurer……would he be able to win or was there still a long way to go?

(I feel kind of jealous, but also not. I wonder what this strange feeling is?)

That was what Rei thought as he looked at Luzi.

Part of him was jealous that Luzi had the chance to fight Noiz first. However, having personally encountered Noiz, Rei knew for sure he was still far from being able to match him.

In order to stand on par with Noiz, he had to sharpen his blade even further. Otherwise, he would be easily broken down by Noiz’s blade……or even cut to pieces.

「……Immovable, huh. It’s the first time I’ve seen an S rank, someone higher ranked than my father, I can’t think of what to say.」

It seemed like Rhodes was having the same thoughts as Rei. Rhodes also gave a sigh as he brought a glass of wine to his lips.

Having spent many years with Elk, he probably understood how abnormal someone like Noiz was.

He wasn’t that far way himself.

(But……all that can only happen after I defeat Rei.)

In the first place, Rhode’s reason for participating in the tournament was to overcome the barrier that was Rei. Just as Rei saw Noiz as a wall, Rhodes also saw Rei as a wall he needed to overcome.

And, Rei wasn’t just a wall. He was also a wall against the person he had fallen in love with at first sight.

His chances in both battle and love were overwhemingly low……but Rhodes couldn’t afford to lose. He didn’t want to lose. That was why he had entered the fighting tournament.

「……I feel like we’ve had enough little disappointments today. I’ve The guest of honour is gone, so I guess I’ll call it here for the day.」

Everyone nodded at Luzi’s words.

In particular, Luzi’s second round match was the next day. He probably decided that he wouldn’t be able to compete with a hangover the next day.

It wasn’t a tournament that was easy to survive if you weren’t in top condition.

「Then, we’ll watch your match tomorrow, so do your best. As my student, just don’t end up in any unseemly fights.」

Perhaps as an attempt to relieve Luzi’s tension, Rei spoke in a somewhat joking tone as he left the dining area.

Luzi gave a bitter smile as he saw Rei off.

「What student? We just trained together for a little while. You also just one-sidedly attacked us. If you’re going to call me your student, at least teach us some techniques.」

Hearing Luzi’s words, Mosst gave a smile as he passed over some roasted nuts.

「Ahaha. So, since I learned how to use a dagger, does that make me Rei-san’s student? ……Ah, but if you think about it that way, does that mean Rhodes’ is Rei-san’s first student? The son of the Axe of the Thunder God and the student of Crimson, that’s quite amazing.」

「……Yeah, that’s right. However, a student will surpass the master.」

With those words, Rhodes also left.

Mosst tilted his head at Rhodes, who seemed to be acting differently from usual. But, after judging that Rhodes was probably just tense from having won his match, he decided to wait for Vaycul to return as Luzi went off to do some more training.

Luckily, Vaycul was back within the hour and didn’t seem particularly displeased, thinking that her discussion had ended without any strange situations.

 

 

「UORYAAAaah-!」

Luzi’s claymore was swung along with an enthusiastic shout.

His claymore, which was much larger than ordinary claymores, was only able to move at considerable speed due to Luzi’s strength.

「HAAAAAAAah-!」

The person he was fighting was a woman with approximately the same height and physique as him.

The woman’s name Rejuruta and she was very well built. Her body was so well built in fact that she wouldn’t lose out to Luzi and they were able to fight on equal terms.

In her hands, she held a long handled weapon that had a gently curved blade at the tip.

It was a long weapon, similar to a halberd or spear, known as a glaive.

Glaives had the advantage in terms of distance while the claymore had the advantage in weight behind attacks due to the weight of the weapon itself.

For some reason, a smile appeared on Luzi’s face as the battle unfolded.

It wasn’t just Luzi as well. Rejuruta also had a similar smile on her face.

「DORYAAAAH-!」

Luzi swung the claymore in his hands.

「I won’t let you-!」

Rejuruta intercepted it with her glaive.

As their weapons collided, Luzi had the superior strength. But as her glaive was about to be pushed back, Rejuruta relaxed her wrist and parried the claymore’s blade as she used the same movement to sweep at Luzi’s feet with the shaft.

「-!」

Luzi reacted immediately and jumped back several steps while readjusting his claymore.

Seeing Luzi easily avoid her attack that she was very good at, Rejuruta’s eyes widened slightly, revealing her surprise.

In response, Luzi smiled.

「Parrying my attack and knocking me over was something my training partners did many times. It’s not that hard to deal with.」

His words were true. As he focused his attacks on his opponent’s upper body, he would sometimes leave a gap to be exploited and have his feet swept out from under him.

Such attacks were only possible with long shafted weapons and Luzi had seen Rhodes be hit by such an attack many times. It was difficult to detect and avoid and he had ended up knocked off his feet many times as well.

That was why he was able to avoid such attacks almost on reflex.

「Hmph, you’re doing quite well……but I can’t afford to lose so easily either!」

Snorting at Luzi’s smile, Rejuruta swung her large glaive.

Seeing an attack that seemed to be filled with openings, Luzi decided not to attack immediately and wait instead.

Instead of blocking it with his claymore, he took a few steps back.

But……that movement was what Rejuruta was aiming for.

The glaive’s attack passed right in front of Luzi with a roar.

And, as it passed in front of him, Rejuruta used the momentum of her attack to spin her body around.

As a result, Luzi was faced with an attack was that was more powerful than the initial one.

Luzi avoided it again, but the blade continued to swing towards him with building momentum.

It wasn’t just the blade either. A number of attacks were launched one after another, including thrusts with the shaft.

Luzi held up his claymore like a shield as he continued to block, but he soon judged that he would be completely run over if things continued as they were. The next moment, he stepped forward with a shout, prepared to take a hit.

「UOOOOOOH-!」

With a roar, he raised his claymore and charged straight ahead.

「Wha-!」

Rejuruta never thought Luzi would react that way. In fact, up until now, whenever Rejuruta used this attack, her secret weapon in a sense, the main way other people had found to deal with it was long ranged attacks with bows or magic.

However……that moment of confusion was the difference between victory and defeat.

Even if it was only a moment, Luzi didn’t miss the chance as Rejuruta’s attacks slowed down and pushed forward.

Of course, it didn’t mean he could avoid the glaive’s attacks, but their power was definitely weakened. Furthermore, it was fortunate that the attack coming towards him was not from the blade, but the shaft.

Using the claymore as a shield, Luzi struck down the attack and in the moment Rejururta’s movements stopped, he used all his strenght to shoulder charge Rejuruta’s body, sending her bouncing off the arena as she was blown away.

「The winner is, Luzi-!」

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