Chapter 54

After finishing the semi-final, Rose and I were heading to the infirmary to treat the injuries we sustained during the match.

Rose walked unsteadily, her steps faltering.

I walked slowly beside her, matching her pace.

Then,

"…!"

Suddenly, Rose swayed and leaned heavily on me.

"Are you okay?"

I quickly supported her body.

"I'm fine… Just, I used the Crimson Cold Cherry Blossom beyond its duration… The backlash is getting to me…"

After saying that, Rose started walking slowly again.

It seemed she had pushed herself quite hard during the battle.

"I see… Then let's walk a bit more slowly."

"Okay, thanks…"

After a moment of silence, as we walked down the hallway,

"I'm so frustrated. I lost again…"

Rose muttered in a small voice.

"…If we fought again, who knows what would happen?"

This time, I won by chance, but the outcome of the next battle is uncertain.

"…Allen, you're really kind. But… I can tell the difference in strength. It's frustrating, but I can't beat you yet…"

As she said this, she shook her head quietly.

"But I'll train harder—someday, I'll definitely beat you. So… will you fight me again sometime?"

"Yeah, of course. I promise."

"Okay, thanks…"

With that, Rose smiled gently.

"Ah, ah…"

A soft, warm smile, different from her usual composed self. Seeing this side of her, my heart seemed to beat a little faster.

■

When we reached the infirmary, I knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A young woman's voice replied. I said, "Excuse me," and opened the door.

"Welcome. Did you both get injured during the one-year war?"

The nurse quickly scanned us and asked.

"Yes, please help us."

"Phew, it's been a busy day…"

She shrugged and stopped her paperwork to stand up.

"I'm fine, so please treat Rose first."

"Alright. Rose, could you come over here, please?"

"Yes. …Allen, thanks."

"Don't worry about it."

After that, Rose followed the nurse to the back of the infirmary, where the beds were.

"You stay here. Don't come in, okay?"

The nurse said briefly and set up a curtain.

"Now, let's start with disinfection. Please take off your clothes."

"Okay."

Their voices came from behind the curtain.

Then,

"…!"

The angle of the light must have been bad, but Rose's silhouette was clearly visible through the curtain. I turned away reflexively and placed my hand on my chest, which was beating rapidly.

(I, I'm fine… It's safe because she hasn't taken her clothes off yet…)

After a while, the sound of rustling clothes made me feel uneasy, and then,

"…!"

A sharp, short breath was heard.

"It might sting a bit, but bear with it. If we don't treat it properly, it will take longer to heal."

After a moment, the curtain was pulled back, and the nurse returned.

Rose, with bandages on her limbs, was sitting up on the bed. She seemed to be fine.

"Nurse, how is Rose?"

"There were many cuts, but none of them were deep, so there's no major problem. The fatigue… I think it's probably from overusing a soul weapon. She should be fine if she rests."

"Thank you."

As I sighed in relief, the nurse clapped her hands.

"Alright, it's your turn. First, we'll disinfect, so please take off your clothes."

She prepared a brown bottle labeled 'disinfectant' and some cotton.

"Okay."

As I took off my uniform top as instructed,

"…Huh?"

I finally noticed the strange change in my body.

There were no wounds on my body, which should have had several.

(Come to think of it… The dull pain I felt after the match has disappeared…)

As I patted my body, the nurse tilted her head in confusion.

"Oh…? You were injured, right?"

"Yes… I was supposed to be…"

During the battle with Rose, I had sustained several injuries.

However, in reality, there wasn't a single cut on my body.

"That's strange… The blood on your uniform is still wet… Just to be sure, is this… your blood?"

The nurse touched the blood-soaked uniform from the inside and asked.

"Yes, it's definitely mine."

"Hmm… Maybe you have a healing soul weapon?"

"No… I haven't manifested a soul weapon yet…"

"Hmm… The human body is still full of mysteries."

The nurse muttered in wonder and put the disinfectant and cotton back.

But I had a hunch about this mysterious phenomenon.

(Could it be that he healed me again…?)

It happened during the Great Five Saints Festival.

After the intense battle with Shido, I was supposed to be critically injured, but when I regained consciousness, there wasn't even a scratch left.

(…No point in thinking about it now)

Fortunately, he's not entirely silent. I'll ask him during the soul weapon class.

(Also, I'm curious about how the match between Reia and Tessa turned out… I should head back soon)

After putting my uniform back on, I decided to say a quick word to Rose before returning to the underground training field.

"Rose, I'm heading back now."

"Okay."

"See you later."

As I was about to return to the one-year war,

"Hey, Allen."

Rose gently grabbed my right hand.

"Hmm, what's up?"

"…Win, okay? …I don't want you to lose to anyone else."

"Hehe. Yeah, I got it. I'll definitely win!"

I thought, "That's a typical Rose cheer."

"Alright, I'm off."

"Okay, good luck."

I gently squeezed Rose's hand and left the infirmary.

"…Hehe. You look cute and you're a real boy, Allen, right? You might be my type…"

"Ms. Nurse, it's not appropriate to make advances on students…"

■

In the underground training field, the final moments of the match between Reia and Tessa were unfolding.

"Secret Technique of the Iron-Cutting School—Iron-Cutting!"

"Overlord Style—Powerful Strike!"

Their swords clashed violently,

"Ugh, n-no…!"

"Haahhh!"

Overwhelmed by Reia's overwhelming strength, Tessa was blown away with incredible force.

"Haah…!"

Flying horizontally, Tessa crashed into the wall of the underground training field and fell to the ground.

His sword slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor. He was in no condition to continue the fight.

"Winner, Reia Vestaria! What a dominant performance! Truly overwhelming!"

The female announcer declared the winner, and the crowd erupted in cheers for Reia.

Amid the cheers,

"Uuuuuuuh! Tessaaaaaa!"

"Damn… That was a good fight…"

"Damn… You fought well… You're a real man, Tessa!"

Several deep voices from a section of the audience asserted their presence.

It seemed Tessa was well-loved by his judo club seniors.

"Now, this is the last match of the one-year war! Next, the final match between Allen Roder and Reia Vestaria will begin!"

Amid the intense cheers and applause, Reia and I stood facing each other quietly.

"It feels nostalgic."

"Yes, it's been four months… It feels like it flew by."

On the day we enrolled at Senrin Academy, Reia and I crossed swords in this underground training field.

(We've really been through a lot…)

The intense battle at the Great Five Saints Festival.

Life as a novice swordsman.

The incident at the Daisho Festival.

The student council's summer camp.

The establishment of the Kendo Club and the club fee war.

The three consecutive battles in the Vestaria Kingdom.

My student life, which began with living together with Reia, was filled with turmoil every day.

"…Allen, I made a mistake last time… This time, I'm going to win!"

"I can't afford to lose either…"

As our conversation came to a close,

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

The start of the match was announced.

I slowly drew my sword and took a ready stance.

Reia extended her right hand forward.

At that moment,

"Invade—<Primordial Dragon King>!"

A beautiful black and white sword appeared, as if tearing through the empty space.

"Let's go—Allen!"

"Yeah, come on—Reia!"

And so, the final match of the one-year war began.