Chapter 44

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The final tournament has begun. In the first match, Zach did not seem to struggle at all and managed to win. Following that, Safina also secured a victory without any difficulty.

(Really, they are so strong. If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have positioned myself to face them earlier.)

I regretted the current situation and waited in the waiting room for the third match to end. Soon, cheers could be heard from a distance. Realizing the match had ended, my tension grew.

(Ugh... I didn't realize I would be this nervous without a script. But, this way, I can probably lose without any tricks.)

When the staff member returned to the waiting room to call me, I nodded in response to Tütte's encouragement and headed to the arena.

Upon arriving at the arena, I was enveloped by even louder cheers. Despite having experienced several matches, I felt overwhelmed by the pressure and took a deep breath. My opponent emerged from the opposite side and faced me.

(Zach and Magilka are like this, but the people in this world grow faster than those I saw in my previous life. Their physiques are far from what I would expect from someone my age.)

As I observed the boy, who was taller than me and had a physique slightly more toned than the sports boys I knew in my previous life, he swung his broadsword and tried to intimidate me.

"Heh heh, well, what kind of strategy have you prepared for me? No matter what tricks you try, I will crush them all."

With his confident words, I felt a sense of relief and, as I was drawn into the moment, I drew my sword and raised it at him.

"Today, no tricks! I'll face you head-on!"

The audience murmured in response to my impulsive words, and my opponent, who looked surprised, quickly returned to his usual expression and bowed deeply.

"I'm grateful! You are truly the White Princess!"

(Eh? What? Why am I being thanked? Someone, please tell me.)

I put a question mark in my head and, without realizing it, my attention was drawn to Karis-senpai, who was giving a confusing commentary.

"Of course, that's what I expected. No matter what, Mary-san always fights with dignity and honor on the same stage as her opponent."

"What do you mean?"

Magilka, with a serious face, asked Karis-senpai.

"The opponent, as you can see, is a power-type warrior like Zach. In terms of brute strength, Mary-san is clearly at a disadvantage. On the other hand, he is much weaker in psychological and mental battles. If she had fought him in those areas, she would have lost quickly. Therefore, to counter his intimidating stance, Mary-san declared a head-on battle, dispelling his doubts. Even though she knew it would be to her disadvantage, it's truly admirable."

Karis-senpai's words turned the murmurs into cheers. Although I couldn't hear them, I could tell that a misunderstanding had occurred as people around Karis-senpai nodded and looked at me with admiration.

"Then, the final tournament first round, fourth match, begin!"

As I sighed deeply, the referee called out, and the match began.

(I can't let this go. I need to focus on the match. My father and mother are watching, so I must avoid a sudden defeat.)

I readied my sword and looked at my opponent, who was cautiously closing the distance while observing me.

(Ah! What should I do? What should I do? What should I do, me? Maybe I should just go with the flow?)

Without knowing my opponent's strength, I decided to abandon my thoughts and simply react to what was happening in front of me. In other words, I decided to go with the flow.

"Haah!"

Unable to bear it any longer, my opponent made the first move. However, compared to Safina, his movements were slower and more monotonous, so I managed to react.

(I need to attack a bit too. This time, I'll go for it!)

His movements were somewhat similar to Zach's, so I charged forward as if in a simulation battle with Zach.

"Too slow!"

(Ah, what?)

My thrust was deflected by his broadsword, and, going with the flow, I continued to spin and stepped forward.

"What!"

Just as he was relieved to have deflected my attack, I surprised him by launching another attack. I swung a horizontal strike with the momentum from my spin.

(No, stop! Stop!)

"Damn!"

He released his left hand from the sword and used it to guard his abdomen, but it was too late.

"Ugh!"

My powerful attack, which usually sent Zach flying, hit him and sent him flying along with his guard.

(Oh no! He's not Zach! I did it out of habit!)

As I stood pale-faced, the audience erupted in cheers.

"Amazing... The biggest weakness of someone who makes such a large attack is right after the attack. Furthermore, using centrifugal force and the entire body for one strike. It's no wonder that a defense in such a compromised position would be ineffective against such a powerful strike. The clash of physical strength, and for Mary-san to win with such a method, it's truly surprising."

Karis-senpai's commentary only increased the volume of the cheers.

"Ugh... Is this how one fights?"

My opponent, with his left arm either numb or broken, hung limply by his side, looked at me with a pained expression.

(Bad, bad, bad! This is very bad! Next, yes, the next attack, I will lose! Yes, I will lose!)

Judging from the flow of events, I decided that this was a bad situation that would lead to my victory. To end it forcefully, I decided to take the next attack and lose.

"But! It's not over yet!"

As if responding to my expectations, he held his sword with one hand and swung it down with all his might. Overwhelmed by his intensity, I instinctively held my sword horizontally to block it.

(Come on, idiot! What are you going to do by blocking it? You'll take his attack! Then, fall and end the match! If you let him win with his intensity, you can somehow get away with it! It's not too late now.)

As his sword approached, I thought this and, at the moment of impact, I instinctively tilted my sword downward. His sword slid off mine and fell to the ground.

(Ah, what?)

Before I knew it, I had perfectly deflected his all-out attack and was in the best position to win, with his sword on the outside of mine. I was in a state of shock.

A moment of silence.

As I stood there, unsure of what to do, he looked at his fallen sword for a few seconds, closed his eyes, and then looked at me. There was no intensity in his gaze.

"I surrender."

He clearly said this and let go of his sword.

"Winner! Mary Legaria!"

The referee declared the victory while I was still in the deflected position, and the cheers grew even louder.

"Remarkable. Mary-san stood firm and faced his all-out attack without running away, understanding his determination. However, that deflection was incredible. He was completely defenseless, but Mary-san did not attack or finish him off, leaving the decision to him. That's quite a stylish move."

"Wow... Lady Mary, you're really amazing..."

"An unforgiving Lady Mary is also impressive."

Karis-senpai, who couldn't hide his surprise, gave a commentary that made Zach even more fearful and Safina swoon. The audience, hearing the comments of these three strong individuals, erupted in applause and cheers, and I advanced to the semi-finals.

(Why does this happen? It's the mischief of God!)

Thank you for reading this far.