Chapter 5

After Allen and Bubble's match ended,

The committee for the Sword Martial Festival was in an uproar, like a beehive that had been disturbed.

This was because the principal of one of the five academies in the capital, Senrin Academy, Reia Rasnote, had suddenly arrived.

"Such an honor... to have you visit even a provincial Sword Martial Festival like this...! I am truly humbled...!"

The elderly man in charge of the Sword Martial Festival, despite his great agitation, managed to express his gratitude.

In response, Reia scratched her cheek, looking apologetic.

"Actually... there was no need to prepare such a VIP seat for me. A regular seat would have been fine..."

In fact, this was her true feeling.

She had come here as a spectator to observe the Sword Martial Festival.

However, she happened to catch the eye of the committee, and before she knew it, she was led to the VIP seat.

"No, no! That simply won't do! I'm terribly sorry that we could only prepare such a place for you..."

The man bowed deeply. There was a good reason for his extreme deference.

The principals of the five academies wielded immense social influence and power.

If Reia were to be displeased here, the "Sword Martial Festival" itself could be easily canceled.

It was only natural that the man in charge of the festival would be so intimidated.

"Don't be so formal. I'm here to see the Sword Martial Festival, or rather, the participants in the festival."

Then, to ease the tension of the committee, Reia decided to tell a little story.

She didn't want to watch the matches in such a tense atmosphere.

"Recently, I've been traveling around to promote the further development of Senrin Academy. It's kind of like scouting."

Senrin Academy, once a prestigious institution, had seen a decline in the quality of its students in recent years, and its status among the five academies was in jeopardy.

The former principal had resigned, taking responsibility for this, and Reia was elected as the new principal in the subsequent election.

To revive the academy, she inspected promising swordsmen from various regions and offered them scholarships if their skills were confirmed.

Improving the quality of students all at once was difficult. Therefore, she focused on attracting a few exceptionally talented students to improve the quality in part.

"I see... So, is your target this time the reigning champion, 'Bounty Hunter'?"

The man in charge of the festival, now a bit more relaxed, asked Reia.

"Yes, of course. 'Bounty Hunter Rose Valencia'—I wanted to see her with my own eyes."

If she proved to be as skilled as rumored, Reia intended to offer her a scholarship immediately.

"That's right. I saw her fight for the first time during the previous tournament... the one-handed sword style passed down through generations, the Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu! It was a terrifying and magnificent sight!"

"That sounds exciting. —But, I didn't come here just to observe Rose."

"...What do you mean?"

"Perhaps I might find some unexpected gems, and I'm looking forward to that."

With that, Reia turned her sharp eyes toward the stage.

■

After breaking Bubble with the first strike, Hishin, I continued to win one after another.

Ten fights, ten victories—something I never dreamed would happen.

Before I knew it, the next match was the final, for the championship.

The announcer began the announcement, signaling that the final preparations were complete.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! Now, we will begin the final match of today! The pairing is—Rose Valencia vs. Allen Roder! Both contestants, please come to the stage!"

Rose Valencia.

I recognized her name. She was a genius female swordsman, the same age as me.

She would enter tournaments with prize money and win them brilliantly.

She would find criminals with bounties on their heads, capture them, and hand them over to the Holy Knights.

No one knew her true purpose, but she was renowned for her exceptional skills.

Rose and I both ascended the stage.

She had a dignified face with distinctive red eyes, and her beautiful silver hair, tinged with pink, reached her back. Her top, primarily black, had red accents, and a large area from her abdomen to below her chest was exposed, making it a bit difficult to know where to look. Her bottom was covered by black low-rise hot pants.

I had been watching her fights from the side of the stage.

Her ability to handle strong, muscular men with her slender body was truly impressive.

After confirming that both of us were on the stage, the announcer began the usual brief introductions.

"Rose Valencia is the legitimate successor of the secret sword style, Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu! On the other hand, Allen is self-taught!"

The announcer took a deep breath and continued.

"However, I can confidently say that there is not a single person here who would dare mock Allen's self-taught sword skills!"

As the announcer said, after the match with Bubble, no one mocked me anymore.

Now, it was the opposite.

If I wasn't mistaken, a certain kind of respect was being shown to me.

In fact, many people had gathered to shake my hand, and a few even volunteered to become my disciples.

I accepted the handshakes but politely declined the disciples.

I was still a novice, not in a position to teach sword skills to others.

Then, just before the match started, I bowed as usual.

"Please, do your best."

In response,

"I will, thank you."

Her clear, bell-like voice echoed back.

After the mutual greetings,

"Are both contestants ready? Then, the final match—begin!"

The announcer declared the start of the match.

At the same time, Rose and I drew our swords and took the orthodox stance.

We maintained the same stance, staring at each other for a moment.

(Judging from her previous matches, her fighting style is a counter type.)

She would defend against the opponent's attacks, find a slight opening, and deliver a fatal blow.

Attacking recklessly without a plan would be a bad move.

(I'll use 'Hishin' to gauge her reaction...)

Just as I decided on my next move,

"!?"

Rose was right in front of me.

(She... matched my breathing...?)

She closed the distance in the brief moment when I inhaled and blinked.

It was an incredibly advanced technique.

"Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu—Sakura Sen!"

She lowered her center of gravity and delivered a thrust with her full weight.

However, my mind was not so weak that it would be thrown off by a sudden approach.

"—Ha!"

I countered her thrust aimed at my torso with a thrust of the same angle.

As a result, the tips of our swords met and locked in a deadlock, just a millimeter apart.

The clash of metal produced a high-pitched sound that echoed through the air.

"Impossible!?"

Surprised by the unexpected situation, a slight opening appeared in Rose's eyes.

I couldn't miss this chance.

I immediately lowered my center of gravity and used gravity to accelerate, diving into her guard.

"—Shi!"

"!?"

My perfectly timed thrust only grazed her side.

From a position more than a beat behind, she managed to twist her body and avoid the direct hit.

She must have been born with talent and put in extraordinary effort.

"Damn... I'm not done yet...!"

Rose, who had momentarily focused on her side, immediately attacked again.

"Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu—Yozakura!"

After that, Rose and I clashed swords many times.

During this time, the atmosphere in the arena was completely different from before.

There were no cheers or jeers.

People occasionally murmured their thoughts, but they quietly watched our battle.

"Wow, that bounty hunter Rose is being treated like a child...!"

"Unbelievable... Maybe I should apply to be his disciple again..."

"Idiot, don't be a bother. Allen doesn't have the time to deal with someone like you."

With each clash of swords, the number of minor injuries on Rose's body gradually increased.

"Huff, huff... Who taught you that sword style...?"

"No, it's... self-taught..."

Being self-taught is not something to be proud of.

I didn't want to be reminded of it too often.

"Don't lie! Your sword skills are the result of countless trials and refinement—years of dedication!"

She directed a sharp gaze at me and clearly stated this.

(Sharp...)

Indeed, my sword skills were imbued with the weight of billions of years. The 'weight' she sensed was probably that.

"...It's... just your imagination."

I muttered this, looking away.

Honestly, I didn't want to talk about the 100 million-year button.

Even if I did, no one would probably believe me.

Displeased with my response,

"I see... You're determined to stick to your story, huh?"

She looked slightly annoyed.

"Fine. Then, I'll make your body talk... As the 17th legitimate successor of the Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu, I will win this match."

At that moment, the atmosphere around Rose changed noticeably.

She seemed to have become a single, exquisite blade, more refined than ever.

"Sakura Hana Ittou-ryu Secret Technique—Kagami Sakura Zan!"

Eight consecutive strikes, four from each side, were unleashed in a blur, like cherry blossoms swirling in the wind.

(What!?)

I was momentarily captivated by the fluid beauty of her technique.

During this time, eight strikes came at me in rapid succession.

However, these were still 'consecutive strikes.'

There was a slight gap between each strike.

Having confirmed this, I launched my technique at her secret technique.

"Eight Strikes—Yatagarasu"

This technique involves striking eight times with a single swing.

While it also uses the number 'eight,' this is not a series of strikes but a simultaneous eight strikes.

There is no gap between each strike, truly delivering 'eight strikes in one.'

Despite being more than a beat behind, my Yatagarasu broke through her Kagami Sakura Zan.

"Wh-What...!?"

With her ultimate technique broken, Rose's torso was left wide open.

"—It's over."

I delivered a diagonal slash to her vulnerable body.

"Gah...!"

She fell forward, her knees buckling, and slowly collapsed.

In the silent arena,

"The winner... Allen Roder!"

The announcer declared the result.

The arena erupted in cheers, a clear and enthusiastic tribute to me.

Thus, I won the Sword Martial Festival and received a large sum of 100,000 gold as a prize.

■

Two days after the Sword Martial Festival.

As I was practicing my sword skills alone on the school grounds as usual, the intercom sounded, and I was called to the principal's office.

I had a bad feeling about this.

(Could it be about that rumor?)

The baseless rumor that I used hidden weapons to cheat and defeat Dodriel in our duel.

In a sacred duel, such underhanded tactics are strictly forbidden.

Of course, I didn't do anything like that, but from the academy's perspective, the truth might not matter.

(Sigh... I might be expelled today...)

Perhaps the Baron Burton family, Dodriel's family, had put pressure on the academy.

(Or, my grades are the worst in this academy. I could be expelled for poor performance at any time.)

Even without the duel with Dodriel, I would probably have been expelled eventually. It was just a matter of time.

(Well, thanks to the 100 million-year button, I have at least the minimum strength.)

With the ability to win the Sword Martial Festival, I could probably join a local knight order.

Becoming a Holy Knight would provide a stable income.

This way, I could give my mother in my hometown a comfortable life.

(That might be an option...)

While thinking about this, I approached the principal's office.

I knocked on the slightly more impressive door than the other classrooms and was about to announce my name when—

"Ah, Allen! I've been waiting for you!"

The door opened forcefully, and the vice principal, who seemed to be in a very good mood, came out.

(Not just the principal, but the vice principal too...)

This was it. I was probably being expelled today.

"Let's not stand here. Come in, please!"

"...Excuse me."

Led by the vice principal, I entered the room, where the principal, also in a very good mood, greeted me.

"Ah, Allen! Thank you for coming!"

"Y-Yes."

Both of them were unusually cheerful.

Probably... they were happy to finally get rid of the academy's underachiever.

Just as I was sighing inwardly,

"Actually, there's a recommendation for you!"

The principal said something unexpected.

"A recommendation...?"

"Yes! From one of the prestigious five academies—Senrin Academy!"

Senrin Academy—this name was known even to me. No, it was known to every swordsman, one of the famous sword academies in the capital.

Sword academies are divided into three levels: elementary, middle, and high. This Gran Sword Academy is the middle level, for students aged 13 to 15. Senrin Academy is the high level, for students aged 16 to 18.

"Our Gran Sword Academy, located in a rural area, producing a student for one of the five academies—this is a tremendous achievement!"

"Although it's unclear why Senrin Academy approached Allen, it doesn't matter at this point! The fact that we produced a student for one of the five academies is what's important!"

The principal and vice principal spoke excitedly throughout.

"You really did a great job, Allen!"

"Exactly! You've done a fine job representing our school!"

Held firmly by both of them, I could only respond,

"Y-Yes..."

"Indeed, Allen, you've lived up to my expectations from the start!"

"Right! How about reading the valedictory speech as the top graduate? Of course, you'll be treated as the top graduate!"

After that, they praised me endlessly, showering me with compliments.

I watched them with a somewhat detached gaze.

(After ignoring the bullying I faced... they're treating me like this just because of the recommendation from Senrin Academy...)

They seemed determined to get me into Senrin Academy at all costs.

Probably, it would add prestige to this Gran Sword Academy.

However, the decision about this recommendation was not something I could make alone.

"—Excuse me, can I... have some time to think about it?"

The moment I conveyed my thoughts,

"Think? What do you mean by that!?"

"Are you saying you won't accept the recommendation!?"

They approached me with changed expressions.

"Whether to go to Senrin Academy, join a knight order as a Holy Knight, or work as a magic swordsman completing people's requests... I haven't decided yet."

Indeed, this choice would greatly affect my future life.

"I need to discuss it with my mother, who I left behind in my hometown. I can't give an answer right now."

I should return to my hometown, talk to my mother, and then decide.

"Are you crazy! You're going to throw away the chance to go to Senrin Academy!?"

"Graduating from one of the five academies in the capital, you could become a senior Holy Knight! A bright career awaits you!"

"...I'm sorry. I haven't decided yet."

Despite their persistent attempts to send me to Senrin Academy, I never