Chapter 30

Having survived another grueling Soul Armor class, I was in Class A, attending the after-school homeroom.

Ms. Reia, standing at the podium, was, as usual, going through a brief greeting and announcements.

"---Hmm. That's about it for today, I guess? ...Oh, by the way, next week is the 'Club Fee War.' Students participating, try your best, but don't overdo it!"

"\"Yes, sir!\""

"Alright, that's it for today. See you tomorrow!"

With that, the teacher left the classroom.

"…Club Fee War?"

Everyone seemed to know about it, but I, who knew very little about Senrin Academy and Gogakuin, had no idea what it was.

(...Was it written in the pamphlet?)

While thinking about this, I was packing up my things when,

"Allen, it's finally here... the Club Fee War!"

"It's intense, isn't it!"

Reia and Rose approached me, visibly excited.

"…I don't really know much about this Club Fee War, though."

"What, really!?"

"It's a Gogakuin specialty, the Club Fee War?"

"Is it a specialty...? Sorry, but could you explain it to me in detail?"

Reia nodded and began to explain.

"The Club Fee War is a mandatory event for clubs with more than ten members—basically, a war!"

A war... that sounds a bit exaggerated.

Despite my inner thoughts, I listened to the rest of her explanation without interrupting.

"Each club selects three of their best members to compete for the top prize—a large sum of club fees! The format is, of course, one-on-one duels!"

"I see..."

The Club Fee War, in essence, is a serious competition for the club funds known as 'club fees.'

"Take a look."

Rose then pulled out a stack of papers titled 'Club Fee War Rules.'

It detailed the specific rules of the Club Fee War and the multiplier for club fees awarded based on ranking.

According to this, clubs ranked 16th and below receive a flat rate of 1x.

The top 8 receive 4x, the top 4 receive 8x.

The 3rd place receives 16x, 2nd place 32x, and 1st place 64x.

"16th place and 1st place differ by 64 times... Indeed, that's a significant difference."

"Yes, if a large club like the Swordsmanship Club ends up 16th or below... it's hell."

"Indeed, it would be..."

If the Swordsmanship Club, with so many members, were to end up 16th or below...

Equipment like wooden swords and protective gear.

Consumables like medicine and bandages.

Miscellaneous expenses for trips.

It would be impossible to cover all these costs with the club fees.

"So, the three participants in the Club Fee War must include at least one first-year student. In other words, the intense recruitment we've seen up until today is all for the Club Fee War!"

"I see... So that's why the seniors were so desperate..."

I finally understood the reason behind their fervent recruitment efforts.

As I flipped through the Club Fee War rules, I noticed two interesting rules.

'First-year students are prohibited from using Soul Armor in their matches'...

This seems to ensure that first-year students who haven't yet manifested or fully controlled their Soul Armor have a chance.

And this time, unlike the Great Five Holy Festival, it's not a knockout system.

The roles of vanguard, center, and commander are the same as in the Great Five Holy Festival.

However, a vanguard who wins the first match cannot fight the opponent's center in the next match.

The vanguard only fights in the vanguard match, and the centers fight each other in the center match.

The first club to win two out of three matches wins, a simple and clear rule.

"Of course, we'll aim for the championship!"

"More club fees are better!"

"…But, do we really need that much? We're the Swinging Club, after all."

The only thing the Swinging Club needs is... a healthy body.

Honestly, I don't think we need such a large amount of club fees.

Moreover, I even doubt the necessity of club fees themselves.

"More club fees are more convenient. For example... you can buy the right to use the grounds!"

"The right to use the grounds...?"

"Yes. You can negotiate with clubs like the Swimming Club or the Swordsmanship Club to use the pool or the gym in exchange for a certain amount of club fees!"

"Wow, that's convenient."

It seems there are many more uses for club fees than I thought.

"Let's decide the participants right away!"

Then, we tried to talk to the other club members and classmates from Class A.

However, many of the Class A students, including Tessa, were already registered as participants from other clubs.

(Well, it makes sense when you think about it...)

At Senrin Academy, classes are divided from A to F based on academic performance.

The Club Fee War requires at least one first-year student to participate.

Furthermore, first-year students are not allowed to use Soul Armor in their matches—thus, it's natural that the top-rated first-year students from Class A would be chosen.

As a result, the Swinging Club's participants were decided to be me, Reia, and Rose.

"It feels like the usual setup, doesn't it?"

"Hehe, let's aim for the championship!"

"Let's definitely win."

■

One week later, the Club Fee War finally began.

The venue was the underground large training ground.

A square stage was placed in the center, surrounded by spectator seats.

This was the place where I had a sword duel with Reia on my first day at the academy.

The spectator seats were packed with students, and the entire venue was filled with intense excitement.

(But... I never thought it would come to this...)

First match: Mountain Club.

Second match: Cheerleading Club.

Third match: Arm Wrestling Club.

Fourth match: Judo Club.

We advanced to the finals by defeating all these clubs.

"Hehe, what a great leap forward for the Swinging Club!"

"Of course, this is the result!"

"Indeed, you two are amazing."

I hadn't fought a single match up to this point.

Reia, the vanguard, and Rose, the center, had secured two wins in a row, winning straight through.

(No one probably imagined a team composed entirely of first-year students...)

First-year students are not allowed to use Soul Armor in their matches.

This rule prevented the seniors, who were sealed from using their Soul Armor, from fighting as they wished, and they fell one by one before Reia and Rose.

"Well then! Let's start the final match! As a reminder, there's a special rule for the final match!"

A female student, who was commentating the Club Fee War, began her explanation with a clear, loud voice.

"Until now, if a club won two consecutive matches with the vanguard and center, the commander's match was not held. However, in this final match, even if the outcome is decided in the first two matches, the commander's match will still be held! We ask for a top-notch sword duel that will serve as a model for all students!"

This was announced before the Club Fee War began.

"Then, let's move on to the introductions of the participating clubs! A group of eccentrics who swing swords in a corner of the schoolyard! The dark horse of the Club Fee War, boasting 30 members right after its establishment! The Swinging Club is entering the stage!"

...Are they really a group of eccentrics just because they swing swords?

Despite my thoughts, I walked onto the stage with Reia and Rose.

"Vanguard Reia Vestaria! Center Rose Valencia! And the commander is the club president, Allen Roadel!"

Then,

"Go for it! Allen, Reia, Rose!"

"Don't lose! We're with you!"

"If we've come this far, there's no other option but to win!"

Encouraging cheers came from the Class A students gathered in a section of the spectator seats.

"And the opponents are the shadow rulers of Senrin Academy! The Student Council! Vanguard is the secretary, Ririm Tsolien! Center is the treasurer, Felis Magdalot! And the commander, of course, is our student council president, Shii Arcstria! ...By the way, the vice president is currently abroad as a penalty game, so she is absent from the Club Fee War!"

The opponents were unexpectedly all female students.

(And the vice president is abroad as a penalty game?)

What kind of game did they play...

"Well then, let's start the first match—the vanguard match!"

Thus, the final match between the Swinging Club and the Student Council began.

■

After the vanguard and center matches... the result was a crushing defeat.

"...They're strong."

The secretary, Ririm Tsolien.

The treasurer, Felis Magdalot.

They were formidable opponents against whom Reia and Rose, who had been undefeated until now, couldn't even put up a fight.

"I'm sorry, Allen..."

"Unforgivable..."

"Don't worry. I'm just glad you two aren't seriously injured."

After speaking to Reia and Rose, I glanced behind me,

"Great job, Ririm and Felis! With this, the Student Council's victory is assured!"

"Of course, it's the expected result."

"We won, but they were stronger than expected. Are they really first-year students? ...I suspect age fraud."

The Student Council members were exchanging high-fives, looking pleased.

(I never imagined there would be such a gap in basic skills...)

While thinking this, I watched the Student Council members,

"Up to this point, the Student Council has won two consecutive matches! Although the Swinging Club's defeat is already decided, this is the final match! We will properly complete the commander's match!"

The commentator resumed her announcement, and the audience's excitement rose.

"Then, let's proceed! The Swinging Club's commander, who was disqualified and suspended for poor behavior after overwhelming Soul Armor users in the Great Five Holy Festival! The problem child of Senrin Academy, Allen Roadel!"

Hmm... nothing is wrong.

It's all true information, but it feels a bit malicious.

"And the Student Council's commander, the super genius swordsman who secured the presidency as a second-year student! The Student Council president, Shii Arcstria!"

Shii Arcstria.

Long, beautiful black hair that reaches her back.

Snow-white skin.

She is about 160 cm tall.

She has a very cute face, giving off a 'big sister' vibe.

"Hehe, go easy on me, Allen-kun?"

She said this while extending her right hand.

"Likewise, please go easy on me, President."

I took her hand and shook it firmly.

(She's the leader of the Student Council who defeated Reia and Rose—definitely a higher-level opponent.)

I decided to borrow her strength.

As we stood in the center of the stage, the commentator spoke.

"Are both sides ready? Then, the commander's match—begin!"

At the signal to start the match, I launched an attack immediately.

"First strike—Flying Shadow!"

I launched a large slash and quickly closed the distance, hiding behind it.

This is one of my favorite tactics, which is difficult to counter on the first encounter.

However,

"---A technique that obstructs the view is perfect for a feint, isn't it?"

"!?"

The president calmly deflected Flying Shadow and had her eyes firmly on me, hidden behind it.

(...She saw through it!)

"Cloud Shadow Style—Scales Cloud!"

Panicked, I used this technique, which is the fastest to execute, to launch four simultaneous slashes.

It's a feint.

"Four is not enough at all."

She elegantly dodged two of the slashes and easily blocked the rest.

Her composure, dynamic vision, and sword skills—all at a high level.

(Strong... and a completely different kind of strength from Shido... )

An opponent with this level of skill... probably for the first time.

I doubt a half-hearted attack will work against her.

"Indeed, then how about this...? Sakura Hua Itto-ryu Secret Technique—Mirror Sakura Slash!"

I launched eight simultaneous slashes, four from each side, in a mirror-like formation.

"Beautiful, but still not enough."

She deflected all eight slashes in a single stroke without using any school-specific techniques.

(Amazing... )

I never imagined she could counter so perfectly.

In terms of pure skill, she is undoubtedly superior.

But—I still have that.

The ultimate strike that cut through the prison of time and defeated Dorielle's <Shadow Master>...!

"Fifth strike—World Break!"

The strike that can cut through space and the world itself,

"Wow, what a powerful strike..."

was easily dodged with a casual flick.

"...!?"

"But... didn't you take a bit too long to execute it? If it doesn't hit, it's not a big deal."

She saw through the weakness of World Break after just one encounter.

As she said, while World Break has the highest power, it has the weakness of being slightly slow to execute.

(...I have no words...)

Her sword skills were so refined that I couldn't find words to praise her.

"Hehe, come here, Allen-kun?"

She said this with a gentle smile, as if inviting a small child.

"Uuuuuu...!"

Then, I attacked her repeatedly.

However, she dodged, evaded, and deflected—none of my attacks managed to hit her.

All the sword skills I've honed so far were ineffective.

I was shown the pinnacle of sword skills—the essence of skill.

And it was—extremely enjoyable.

(Haha, hahaha...!)

It was fun to realize how much I still have to learn.

It was fun to freely use my full strength.

It was fun to fight an opponent who couldn't be cut no matter how many times I tried.

(Ah, it's really fun... Really—fun!)

At that moment.

For just a moment—a tremendous power surged through my body.

"Raaaah!"

"...Huh?"

The next moment.

A strike of incredible power, unlike anything I had ever unleashed, tore through the world.

Her sword, by chance, deflected this strike, but it couldn't withstand the absurd power and snapped in half.

"...!?"

We both gasped in shock.

At the incredible power of a simple horizontal slash.

(Did... did he not come out for just a moment?)

I placed my hand on my chest, but there was no surge of soul like when I held the spirit crystal sword.

(Must be my imagination...)

As I raised my head, there she was—President Shii, standing there in shock.

"What... what do you do now?"

Personally, I would like to have another match with a new sword...

"..."

She glared at me for a moment, then quietly shook her head.

"That's impossible... I surrender..."

Immediately after,

"Shii Arcstria, forfeit! Therefore, the winner is Allen Roadel!"

The referee loudly declared the winner, and the entire venue erupted in chaos.

"What...!? Could Allen Roadel have been hiding such power? A huge upset! A dark horse! A stunning victory! The student council president, Shii Arcstria, has been defeated!?"

The commentary and the audience's reaction caused a great commotion.

In the end, the Club Fee War concluded with the Student Council in first place, the Swinging Club in second, and the Judo Club in third.

We, who achieved the remarkable result of second place in our first year, received many cheers from seniors and classmates.

I, who had rarely experienced such a celebration, was genuinely happy.

(But there's one thing that really bothers me...)

The student council president, who I just defeated, is staring at me with a pout.

(Sigh... Please, don't cause any trouble...)

I sighed deeply in my heart and decided to ignore the president's sharp gaze.