2 - Freshman Year, Summer 1

June in this world has a rainy season much like Japan. Or I suppose it would be more accurate to say that this world looks like Medieval Europe but the seasons and the events are based on Japan. Thus, the summers are stupid hot and the winters are stupid cold.

I suppose it makes things easier for Japanese players to understand. Alternatively, that plot writer was out of his mind.

I’ve also become welcome in polite society again. That incident in the courtyard was a bit of a scandal because I stomped all over Arthur.

The aftermath was the first time I’d ever been given a talking to by my father, who claimed he never wanted to see me hurt. After 30 minutes of that, I said, “I love you because I know you’re scolding me for my own sake, Father,” then the next day bought a cake and took it home. Simple.

During my month of social exile, I got letters from Yoshie and Serena.

Yoshie’s said, “You’re still an idiot.” I wish she’d stop calling me that, it’s so annoying.

Serena’s said that she wanted me to come to school early because she was feeling lonely and also grateful for the courtyard incident. When I read it, I felt I had no choice but to go back to school.

Mother was angry about my decision but I had high spirits about this. My return shouldn’t be that big a deal.

I did my best to retain my good mood as I returned to school from a month-long exile.

“Elizabeth Asteron! I challenge you to a duel!”

And almost instantly, this happened. I looked at my challenger and saw he was capture target:

Lancelot Souberk, second son of the Souberk family, famous for producing generations of knights who served the royal family. He’s a man of loyalty, but I don’t think I want to support this guy because he’s also got the intelligence of a goldfish.

To be clear, I felt the duel was going to troublesome, but since he was a recurring antagonist for me back in MaSLo, I feel I should make the difference in our power clear so I can avoid any future challenges.

“I accept your challenge,” I said.

“In that case, the date and time will be…” Lancelot suddenly went quiet.

I looked behind me.

“Good morning, Eli,” Serena says, smiling. “Congratulations on the end of your exile, I’m happy to see you back.”

She’s so cute when she smiles. It seems like things are currently going as they did in the game, with her so shy in front of Lancelot that she’s acting like an elementary school student with a crush.

“So, shall we head to your classroom?” Serena asks me.

“Hold a moment, Hollina,” Lancelot said. “I still have business with Lady Asteron.”

Like Lancelot was a useless husband and Serena was the wife he was putting down, her face suddenly fell. “Hey, Eli, is that true?” Serena asked.

“It is,” I say. “I’ve been challenged to a duel for some reason, so I don’t think you can help.”

“Hmm, why have you been challenged, anyway?” Serena asked.

“Now that you say it, I don’t think I’ve been told the reason, either,” I said as I turn back to Lancelot.

“I seek an apology to Prince Arthur,” Lancelot said, looking irritated.

“I apologized to Arthur already,” I said.

On the first day of summer, I and my father went to his home to formally apologize. And do you know what he said to that?

“Well, then, Eliza: kick me again!”

He had such a strange look in his eyes. I was so exasperated with him once again that I did kick him. Lancelot does not know about any of this, as he heard from his father, who wanted him to get into Arthur’s service in the future.

In short, he is a troublesome guy who won’t let this matter go so easily.

However, since I already accepted his challenge, I couldn’t refuse his challenge for my pride as a noble, but there were a few upsides to this.

“I see, thank you,” I said. “However, if I win: you’ll become my slave, Lancelot.”

“Hmph, very well,” he said, “I cannot lose, after all.”

Grrr, he’s making me angry. I’ll make sure to win now.

“Hey, Eli,” Serena said, worried, “isn’t Lancelot second only to Prince Arthur in combat classes? Are you going to be alright?

“Hey, Hollina,” Lancelot snapped, “this is a fool who dares disrespect Prince Arthur. Don’t get so familiar with her!”

Serena was starting to get scared. “But Lancelot, me and Eli are friends. I’m not going to let you break us up.”

Lancelot looked confused. “What are you saying, Hollina…? Aha! You must have been brainwashed by Lady Asteron! Hey! Lady Asteron!”

“Yes?” I asked, nervous.

“If I win, release Hollina from your clutches,” he said.

Yes, I thought he would say something like that. He is such an idiot.

“Feel free to try, if you believe you can,” I replied.

And so began my turbulent first day of Summer term.

It was the day of the duel. They seemed to be held several times a year here on school grounds, to solve problems among its many students of the aristocracy. For this match, the officials decided it would be according to the school’s usual rules.

Our duel will be “Fit-to-Fight.” Just like the game, you just have to reduce your opponent’s HP to zero, with some form of protective magic that will prevent any lethal damage, as it often went in these “Another World” settings.

News of our match spread wide and so the stands of the Coliseum were packed. Since there are so many spectators, betting was inevitable. Before you ask, the odds favor Lancelot at 3 to 1.

While I was watching the bets happen, Serena came up to me and said, “I bet all the pocket money I made this month on you, so please rest assured!”

No, I cannot rest assured. If I lose, I’ll be responsible for Serena’s financial loss, also.

It’s almost time for the match to begin now. “I suppose it’s time for me to go…” Serena said as she hugged me, teary-eyed. “Don’t lose, Eli. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

As she said something so cute, I patted her head. “Who do you think I am? I’m Elizabeth Asteron. It’s unthinkable for me to lose.”

It was one of my famous lines from MaSLo. Though in the game I lose afterward, I still dared to use it because this was my second chance at life and I am determined to turn things around.

“So, it seems you decided to come here instead of running away,” Lancelot taunted as we entered the ring, his magic armor already hardening.

“So I did, but I don’t need to taunt my enemies to make me feel better about my impending loss,” I replied.

Lancelot fumes, his face red in fury. He couldn’t seem to think of a good comeback; with his goldfish brain, it’s a little sad.

“Are we ready to begin?” I call out to the teacher who’s supervising.

“Just a…!” Lancelot flubbed, panicked.

The teacher didn’t care. “Let the duel between Lancelot Souberk and Elisabeth Asteron commence!”

And like that, the dust started flying.

Lancelot’s magic focuses on constantly reinforcing his armor, so I’m uncertain if I can win at close range. However, I can defeat him before he gets the advantage and as an earth magician, the answer was to take him out at range.

With that in mind, I’m going to recreate the skill famous for being a one-hit KO back in the game.

I charged Lancelot, pumped mana into the ground, then shouted, “Fissure!”

Almost instantly, Lancelot falls into the new cracks in the arena. Farewell, Lancelot. We’ll never forget you.

Cheers rise all over the stands. On the board that displays our HP, Lancelot’s was now “0”.

“E-li…!” Serena cried as I came up to the seats to meet her. She pulled me into a hug shortly after. Well, it was a trivial challenge, but I suppose it was still a victory.

“That was amazing, Eli!” Serena said, shining once more as she brings her face close to mine. “I never doubted you’d win for a second!”

I’m shocked at how close we are but she’s cute, so it’s fine.

Afterward, Yoshie came over to congratulate me. “You did it,” she said.

And from Arthur, “As expected of my Eliza.”

What happened to Lancelot who had fought so hard for your sake? Also, I don’t want him here. I was already discretely making a fist. “Yeah, that wasn’t so bad, haha,” I said as I relaxed my hand.

Later, Lancelot crawled up to me. “There’s nothing more to say,” he said, “from this day forth, I am your slave.”

I felt uncomfortable about all this now, so I said, “Hmm, no, I don’t think I need your service after all.”

Lancelot looked like an abandoned dog and I felt sorry for him, but this was for the best.