Chapter 50

I'm a day late. I'm sorry.

Let's go back a little in time.

Elina was participating in a school event. It was a sports competition held during the Founding Festival. This annual event, which had been held since the school's establishment, was a place to showcase one's abilities. High-ranking members of the knight corps also attended, and the enthusiasm of the students aspiring to join the knight corps was intense.

Participants were recruited regardless of gender. The tournament was conducted without regard to grade or gender. Although Elina, as a noble lady, had learned to manipulate mana, she was not good at it. She was also not skilled with swords, and the only weapon she could handle was a bow. Even so, she did not rank high in her grade. Therefore, she had never considered participating in the competition. Today, she would just watch the participants from the audience, along with Harubara.

"It's so exciting, Miss Elina."

"Yes, it is."

Harubara, who was not participating this time and was watching with Elina, was actually one of the top students in her grade. Her sword skills were on par with male students. Despite her appearance, Harubara was a well-rounded lady in both academics and martial arts.

"Last year, you participated, Miss Harubara... Why aren't you participating this year?"

"Actually, my mother stopped me."

"The Countess of Lancer..."

Until last year, Harubara had a fiancé. The Countess of Lancer had tacitly approved of the relationship because the fiancé understood Harubara well. However, the engagement was broken off. Now, Harubara is looking for a new fiancé. If she were to participate in the competition and place high, it might delay her marriage. The Countess of Lancer is very worried about this.

"It's been almost a year since that incident."

"Yes, it has."

"But we still haven't found anyone, including me. If I graduate from the academy without getting married, I'll be considered a late bloomer. That's what my mother is worried about."

While it's not as critical for men, women are often labeled as late bloomers in society if they remain unmarried at 18. This is a dishonor for women. Therefore, the Countess of Lancer's worry is understandable.

"To be honest, I don't really want to get married."

"Really?"

"I want to continue my current job even after graduating from the academy. My father is not very supportive, but my brother agrees with me. So, I'm patiently waiting for a kind gentleman who will accept me as I am."

"Miss Harubara..."

"I don't have much hope that someone better than him will come along, so that's all I want."

Elina thought Harubara looked a bit lonely as she smiled.

"Look, Miss Elina. It's about to start."

"Ah, yes."

Prompted by Harubara, Elina turned to face the front.

The competition was held in a large arena. The venue was divided into four sections for the preliminary rounds. Elina could see the contestants facing each other on a square platform. In the preliminaries, the winner is determined by either knocking the opponent off the platform or making them unconscious. The weapons used have blunted edges, so they cannot cause fatal injuries. If a contestant causes a fatal injury, it is considered a rule violation and results in a disqualification.

With the referee's command, the preliminaries began simultaneously. Some matches were decided quickly, while others lasted for a long time. Elina watched the preliminaries while listening to Harubara's commentary.

The next day, the main rounds of the competition were held. The main rounds were divided into two sections, with one match at a time from the semi-finals onward.

While watching the matches, a winner looked up at Elina and made a gesture of a knight's salute after the match. Elina understood the meaning of this gesture.

"Do I have to say something?"

"It's an appeal to the future Crown Princess."

Such an appeal might mean that the contestant hopes to join the royal guard in the future. While Elina has no influence over such assignments, Alvis does. If Elina and Alvis are on good terms, he might take notice.

"I don't have that kind of power."

"But if His Highness asks, you would tell him, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"Even just mentioning their name to you would make a big difference."

A name that has been heard once is more likely to stick in one's mind than a completely unknown name. That's the idea. The competition is a traditional event, and since Alvis is a graduate of the academy, he should know about it. If a student places high, they should receive a certain level of evaluation.

"If asked, I'll tell him."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

"His Highness might be interested."

He was a knight in the royal guard. It's entirely possible. Perhaps this is just the way things are. The fact that such appeals are only happening this year, and not before, is likely due to the upcoming wedding between Alvis and Elina. Once the Founding Festival and Elina's graduation are over, the wedding day will arrive.

"By the way, it's only about half a year until the wedding. I'm really looking forward to it, Miss Elina."

"Miss Harubara... Yes, I'm also very much looking forward to it."