Chapter 14

"Hey, you."

As soon as the break started, a second-year senior, ranked 2, approached me.

"What is it, senior?"

I replied with a smile, though I was puzzled.

"I was wrong to doubt you earlier. I apologize."

"That's very kind of you."

"Anyway, if you pass as a special student, I'll let you join my party. Normally, I wouldn't even consider a first-year, but I think there's something to gain from you. If you follow me, you'll definitely be a winner."

Indeed, that's true. This senior is the only second-year ranked 2. If I were to form a party within this academy, there's no better condition.

"I decline."

"What!?! I'm inviting you!"

"Even if it's anyone, I will decline. I already have my own party."

"...You seemed quite close to the second and third place girls."

"Yes, they are my party members, and I believe they are the best companions."

I aim for the top with just the three of us. I don't intend to rely on anyone's protection.

"Is that so? I hope you don't regret that choice... It's just as well; you were an obstacle to my brother becoming a special student."

With that, the senior glanced meaningfully at Anne and left.

◇

"The King's entrance. Salute."

All the examinees were lined up before the King arrived. Then, at the signal, we saluted.

The female instructor, who had been floating around, now had a stern expression. The King nodded in approval at the saluting examinees.

"Thank you for coming. Future knights, I enjoy seeing talented young people work hard. Today, I expect to see your brilliance and the sparkle of your talents. Show me your best with all your might."

A kind voice with a mysterious warmth. The King, said to be the most charismatic of the last few generations, showed a glimpse of his charisma.

"All stand at ease."

We released our salute.

"Alright, everyone can disperse. I'll watch your matches from the VIP seats."

The King left for the elevated VIP seats. As he left, he glanced at Anne with a look of deep pity and a sense of guilt.

That's only natural... The King knows about her father's wrongful conviction. He knew about it but overlooked it for the sake of the country. Seeing the daughter of a trusted minister, who was a close friend, mixed in with the commoners and covered in wounds must have hurt his conscience.

...I know about the King, Anne's father's crime, and the truth behind it. It was an event that could shake the nation, and in the game Ilrande, it would be a shadow that loomed over anyone who reached a certain position.

But I didn't know about Anne. In the Ilrande I played, I never met her. However, there was a time when I used her sword as my main weapon. ...Probably, if we hadn't met at this timing, she would have ended up dying somewhere or becoming a slave and losing her sword.

I won't accept that. That sword shines the most by her side.

◇

I looked at the tournament bracket. There were the names of the top sixty-four. The rest were cut off and wouldn't get a chance to showcase their skills in actual combat.

They say that the skills shown in battle are evaluated, and the ranking doesn't matter.

But that's a lie. The more you win, the more chances you get to be evaluated.

Therefore, the seeds are usually determined by the overall performance up to this point, and the top performers are arranged so they don't face each other until the end. This makes the audience more excited.

Yet...

In the tournament bracket, I and Anne were set to face each other in the first round, and even in the first match.

Seeding the top performers is an unspoken rule. No one explicitly says it, but it's impossible. This must be a scheme to lower Anne's, the daughter of a criminal, evaluation.

The instructor's words when announcing the written exam results echoed in my mind.

"Don't think that everyone can keep their emotions out of it."

Indeed, that's true.

Suddenly, I felt a gaze. The second-year senior, who had been chatting with a different instructor, smiled slyly at me.

Ah, I see. That senior must have used Anne's crime to incite the instructor.

"You can do it."

I could deliberately lose. Unlike her, I can quickly make money without resorting to such means.

But she is sincere about her sword. Any sloppy trick would be noticed.

Originally, I swore to become special students with the three of us. I can't fail the first mission of the "Tail of the Magic Sword." If so, I will choose the path where all three of us become special students, no matter how difficult it is.

"Instructor, I have a proposal!"

I raised my voice, loud enough for the King to hear.

"What is it? I'll listen."

The female instructor's face was slightly tense, sensing trouble.

"To be honest, my skills are head and shoulders above everyone here. It's a waste of time to have matches. Honestly, it's a hassle to have six matches, all the way to the end of the tournament."

"K-Kid, what are you saying!"

The instructor was enraged by my arrogant statement. The other examinees, who were told they weren't a match for me, glared at me with murderous intent.

"Are you saying you won't fight?"

"No, I'm just saying there's no need to fight six times. Let me show my skills in just one match. By defeating the only second-year ranked 2 in this academy!"

I pointed at the second-year senior, the only one expected to graduate with a rank 3, and smiled confidently.

If they try to crush us, I won't hold back. I'll crush them and make them a stepping stone.

"Interesting! How exciting! I like kids who are reckless like that!"

The King stood up from the VIP seats and clapped enthusiastically.

It's an unreasonable proposal that no one would accept. But I know the King from the game era. I was confident that this festival-loving King would definitely agree.

"Ah, I want to see it. Yes, let's do it. The clash of a current genius and an examinee genius. It's thrilling."

The surrounding instructors panicked. They wanted to reject it, but the King was so enthusiastic. They couldn't ignore him.

"I also request it! I can't stand this brat's cheek. I can't let myself be looked down upon by a rank 1 who hasn't even built up any [Rank]."

The second-year senior, who was challenged, naturally became furious.

The other examinees, hoping to see me suffer, cheered and egged us on. In the midst of this, Kuna and Anne held hands and looked at me with tearful eyes, especially Anne, who seemed to realize my actions were for her, with a look of "Why?"

I gave them a thumbs-up with a smile, meaning "I'll win."

"Your Majesty, this is not acceptable. This kid is rank 1 and hasn't built up any [Rank]. Even with a blessing, he will die instantly against a rank 2. I don't want to see a talented young person be crushed."

"Instructor, it's fine. I'm prepared for that. Please grant permission. Everyone here wants it."

The surrounding people agreed with my voice.

"But, but I can't allow it. If he receives a rank 2's attack, he will die before his blessing can save him."

"Is that so... Then, senior, since the instructor says I can't fight because I haven't built up any [Rank], can I eat one magic stone?"

"Go ahead, eating one won't change anything. Do you think I became rank 2 by eating just a few hundred magic stones?"

"Then I'll take you up on that."

I took out a huge magic stone, the kind that can only be eaten after building up the body in stages.

Everyone's face turned pale. It was clearly a suicidal act.

After all, to eat a magic stone of this strength, one must eat magic stones of fifteen different strengths in sequence, which I was skipping.

"Stop! You'll definitely die!"

The instructor, who turned pale, ran to stop me.

But I was faster.

I placed the magic stone on my forehead and willed it to be consumed.

The magic stone dissolved, and green light was absorbed into my body.

A wind blew around me.

"Alright, senior, I'm ready. Let's do this."

Murmurs rose from the crowd.

Impossible.

Unbelievable.

Inconceivable.

What is he?

"With this, I'm mid-rank 1. I won't die instantly."

Normally, it takes months to reach this level, but I did it instantly from zero. Shock and amazement spread around.

Voices started to leak from the crowd, filled with discussions about the miraculous rank-up. The audience, who had only been looking forward to a spectacle, began to truly expect something from me.

"You, I don't know what method you used, but you're still rank 1. I'll kill you quickly!"

The senior said, his hands slightly trembling.

Seeing us, the King spoke.

"Hahaha, interesting, very interesting. I've never seen such a crazy kid. Let's do it, no, do it, by the King's command. I wish to see the battle between a rank 2 and a rank 1."

The eyes of the surrounding people focused on the instructor.

The instructor, torn, opened her mouth reluctantly.

"I grant permission. The first match will be changed to second-year Rai and examinee Soji. Anne, who was supposed to face Soji, will advance to the second round by default. The match will start in ten minutes."

Cheers rose from the audience, and the match was now set.