Chapter 10

When Ms. Leia announced the participants of the Great Five Saints Festival, the next moment—

"Wait, just a moment!"

A male student called out.

"Hmm, what is it?"

The teacher asked briefly and waited quietly for the boy's response.

"Well, it's just that... I can't really say, but... It's inevitable that Reia and Rose were chosen. Reia has been able to use Soul Armor since she was five, and that's a famous story. And Rose is the legitimate successor of the Sakura Katto-ryu... I admit it's frustrating, but they are indeed above us. So, I can accept their selection."

"Hmm, and what about that?"

"But... I can't understand why this Allen Rodor, who is completely unknown, was chosen as a participant in the prestigious Great Five Saints Festival!"

He glared at me sharply.

(Well, even if you look at me with such a scary face...)

The participants were chosen by Ms. Leia, and glaring at me is completely off the mark.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I scratched my cheek, and then two more male students came to his aid.

"That's right! Why are we excluded, and this unknown guy is chosen!?"

"Give us a reason we can accept!"

Upon closer inspection, these three were the ones who ignored my greeting just a moment ago.

In response to their desperate appeals, Ms. Leia said,

"Reason? There's no other reason than their ability."

However, as expected, the three men were not satisfied with such a simple explanation.

"...Ability? A self-taught swordsman who can't belong to any school! You're saying he surpasses us in ability!? That's ridiculous!"

"Principal... Are you sure you're okay?"

"Do you know his alma mater—the Gran Sword Academy? It's a small sword academy in a rural area, and every year, no one from there advances to the Five Academies. This year, there was one guy named Dodriel who was a bit better, but he's now missing. It's a completely unknown and mediocre school."

In their desperate arguments, there was one interesting piece of information.

(...Dodriel is missing...)

Now that I think about it... I haven't seen him at all since that duel ended.

(Well, to be honest, I don't really care...)

After listening to their passionate arguments, Ms. Leia asked,

"So, what do you want, exactly?"

Surprisingly, she was quite understanding and listened to their story.

"That is... We want you to re-evaluate the selection of participants properly."

"Originally, the selection of Great Five Saints Festival participants should take into account the results of practical exams, right?"

"That's right! This is too unusual! We demand a re-evaluation!"

As Ms. Leia took a step back, their voices gradually grew louder.

However, their momentum was quickly deflated by the teacher's single sentence.

"Hmm, so you're saying you're dissatisfied with my decision as the principal?"

"..."

The classroom fell silent, not just the three of them, but everyone.

No one spoke, and the tension was palpable.

Of course.

Even if they are just students, Ms. Leia is still the principal of the Thousand Blades Academy, one of the Five Academies.

If they say something wrong, they could be expelled immediately.

However, they must have felt they couldn't back down after saying so much.

"...Yes, I still can't accept it!"

One of them continued to challenge Ms. Leia.

The others followed suit.

"A self-taught swordsman from an unknown, mediocre school can't represent us!"

"We are all graduates of prestigious sword academies! And we graduated with almost top honors! There's no way we're inferior to some unknown guy!"

It was really a terrible situation.

(...What am I witnessing here?)

Why am I being insulted by the whole class like this?

(...My eyes are a bit moist...)

As I watched this 'Allen-bashing session' sadly,

"Phew... Hey, Allen."

Ms. Leia sighed and muttered my name.

It's probably not a good thing, but I can't ignore it.

"...What is it?"

I responded reluctantly.

Then,

"You... don't have much popularity, do you?"

Ms. Leia laughed heartily.

(Whose fault do you think it is, whose...!)

I probably wanted to hit a woman for the first time.

(But getting angry here would be falling into Ms. Leia's trap...)

That would make me the same as Reia.

So, I said,

"Yes. Unfortunately, it seems that's the case."

I replied calmly, without getting heated.

Then,

"Hmm... Your reaction is poor. You're not as interesting as Reia..."

Ms. Leia pouted, looking bored.

"Sorry."

I smiled inwardly and apologized lightly.

—This time, I won.

"Hmm... But, this is troublesome. I didn't expect such resistance."

Ms. Leia looked troubled, placing her hand on her chin and thinking.

As she fell silent, the heavy atmosphere returned.

In this situation, I, who was at the center of the issue, felt particularly uncomfortable.

(No... I'm done with this...)

Feeling tired of everything, I walked to the podium where Ms. Leia stood.

Then, I whispered in her ear so the other students couldn't hear.

"Teacher, I don't mind being removed from the list of participants. To be honest, I don't have a strong attachment to the Great Five Saints Festival..."

I don't really have much interest in the Great Five Saints Festival.

This is because the Great Five Saints Festival is a battle to showcase the achievements of middle school students.

Looking at the schedule, it's clear—on the calendar, the first weekend after entering the Thousand Blades Academy is the Great Five Saints Festival.

In other words, for me, who couldn't join any school in middle school and didn't learn much at the Gran Sword Academy, the Great Five Saints Festival has no significant meaning.

(Frankly, I'm more looking forward to the classes at the Thousand Blades Academy than this tournament.)

I'm especially looking forward to learning Soul Armor.

(If I get seriously injured in this tournament, it could affect my future classes.)

Besides, there will be many more tournaments in the future.

I know there are Great Five Saints Festival-like tournaments for second and third-year students, as I read the academy's brochure carefully.

I want to train diligently at the Thousand Blades Academy and show my strength in the tournaments for second and third-year students.

After hearing my story, Ms. Leia nodded quietly.

"Hmm... I see. Thank you for telling me. Please return to your seat."

"Yes."

I returned to my seat, avoiding everyone's gaze.

(But... I might have done something a bit mean to Ms. Leia...)

She must have included me, knowing she would face a lot of opposition, because she recognized my current abilities or saw potential in me.

Regardless, she must have thought highly of me and wanted to give me a chance to shine.

(She listened to my story seriously and even heard the opinions of the male students who strongly opposed my participation... Maybe Ms. Leia is just a bit eccentric, but she might be a good teacher.)

As I thought this, I sat down, and Ms. Leia clapped her hands.

"Everyone, listen. I will now convey Allen's message to you."

She cleared her throat and began.

"Allen said, '—It's insulting to be compared to you incompetent ones. I can handle this alone, so the three of you should fight me in a mock battle right now. I'll show you the difference in skill.'"

"...What?"

My mind went blank.

"Wow, Allen—full of confidence! You're just as I expected!"

Ms. Leia nodded approvingly.

"No, wait! I didn't say anything like that—"

Before I could finish my protest,

"You, Allen! You're just getting cocky because no one's stopping you...!"

"Who are you calling the 'three incompetents'...!?"

"Want a one-on-three mock battle? If that's what you want, we'll give it to you!"

I was surrounded by the three of them.

"Hey, calm down. Ms. Leia was just—"

Before I could explain, she clapped her hands again.

"Alright, let's head to the practice field right away!"

Ms. Leia didn't give me a chance to speak.

(This... this person...)

I glared at Ms. Leia, and she smiled her best smile, giving me a thumbs up.

What is this, can I break it?

■

After that, the students of our first-year A class moved to the underground practice field.

Of course, to watch the mock battle between me and the three of them.

(I didn't expect to be here two days in a row...)

As I sighed, one of the three called out to me.

"Hey, Allen. A self-taught guy from a mediocre school like you, I can handle you alone."

He drew his sword and pointed his chin at me, as if to say, "You should do the same."

(Well... fine.)

If it ends quickly, that's better.

Besides, if I can handle one of them, I can avoid the one-on-three battle, which is overwhelmingly disadvantageous.

I drew my sword and took a stance.

"—Ready?"

"Sure."

The moment I nodded,

"Here I come!"

He charged straight at me with a fierce battle cry.

(His grip, posture, and footwork are all at a high level.)

He is indeed a student of the Thousand Blades Academy, one of the Five Academies—except for his footing.

"Zantetsu-ryu—Rust Removal!"

I dodged his downward slash with my left side and swept up his extended right foot with the scabbard.

"Wha!?"

Suddenly losing one foot, he lost his balance and fell on his butt.

I pressed the tip of my sword to his neck, which was now wide open.

"—It's over."

"..."

The match was over.

I won a one-on-one duel, so will they finally recognize me?

Honestly, I don't want a one-on-three match.

Besides, I don't want to participate in such a meaningless match.

As I thought this, a loud booing came from one corner.

"Hey, Allen! That's cheating! We agreed on a one-on-three match! This is invalid, invalid! The principal's authority cancels it!"

It was Ms. Leia.

(This person... no, this person... which side are they on...!?)

I suppressed the urge to raise my eyebrows by taking a deep breath.

If I get angry, I'll fall into her trap.

People like her enjoy being paid attention to and reacted to.

I must remain calm and smile, brushing it off.

As I continued my silent battle with Ms. Leia,

"Are you okay!?"

"What happened, falling so easily!?"

The other two rushed to the fallen one.

"That guy isn't just talk... If you underestimate him, you'll regret it..."

It seemed his fighting spirit was not broken. He stood up immediately and pointed his sword at me.

The other two drew their swords and formed a triangle, with me at the center.

One in front.

One on each diagonal behind.

They seemed more cautious after the first match, and there was no sign of them attacking.

(This... they plan to attack me from behind while I'm engaged with one of them, right?)

As I considered their strategy, I thought about how I ended up in this situation.

I just wanted to enjoy and train with everyone at the Thousand Blades Academy.

To train together, graduate in three years, become a Holy Knight, and earn a stable income.

To use that money to make my mother, who has worked hard for me, comfortable, and maybe even get married.

(I was supposed to have a peaceful and happy life... where did I go wrong...?)

I faced hostility from my classmates, and my popularity was at zero or even negative.

Now, I'm surrounded by three classmates in a dire situation.

"..."

Life doesn't go as planned.

Even though I entered the prestigious Thousand Blades Academy, one of the Five Academies, I've been facing one challenge after another without a break.

(I'll just end this match quickly.)

To break the stalemate, I needed to take out one of the triangle's vertices.

I targeted the one in front of me and closed the distance in a single step.

"Eight Swords—Yatagarasu!"

"Wha!? Cloud Shadow—Scales!"

As expected of a student from the prestigious Thousand Blades Academy.

He reacted well to my high-speed approach and immediately countered with a technique.

However,

"Ugh... Gah!?"

His Cloud Shadow—Scales was a perfect four-hit combo, but it was four hits short.

He received four slashes to his head, torso, right shoulder, and collarbone and was blown back, sliding on the ground.

(Two more...)

As I turned to face the others, the one from before was just raising his sword.

"Take this! Zantetsu-ryu—Iron Breaker!"

"—Too slow."

As we passed each other, I struck his neck.

"Damn..."

His upper body swayed, and he fell forward.

When entering an opponent's range, you must always be ready to strike.

Raising your sword before striking is too inefficient.

After taking out two of them unharmed,

"—I'm sorry, but... leave the rest to me."

A male voice came from behind.

The last one.

(This distance, this range—there's no way to avoid it.)

With such a perfect position, it's impossible to dodge.

"New Moon—Moonlight Slash!"

I heard the sound of his sword cutting through the air near my ear.

"Danger, Allen!"

"Get out of the way!"

Reia and Rose cried out in distress.

But it's fine.

He's within my striking range.

"Second Sword—Moonlight Veil."

"Wha, what...!?"

He received a powerful slash to his abdomen and collapsed, eyes wide in shock.

"..."

Finally, the match was over.

I had anticipated being taken from behind in the final moments and prepared my strike in advance.

Still, why am I always fighting these days?

(I just want to practice quietly...)

I thought to myself as I sheathed my sword.