Chapter 45

Thank you for the bookmarks and ratings. I'm trembling at the number 10,000 points.

"I've decided! In tomorrow's match, I won't move at all and will end it without resistance."

That night, after advancing to the semifinals, I was praised by my parents who had come to watch the match, and in my room, I made this declaration.

"But, won't it be obvious that you're intentionally losing?"

When I made this declaration, Tütte, who disagreed, looked at me, and I, with tears in my eyes, lay down on the bed and started rolling around.

"Because, because! Whenever I do something, I end up winning! So, I won't do anything! Absolutely nothing!"

Flailing my arms and legs, acting like a spoiled child, Tütte watched me with a sigh, not saying anything more, and waited until I calmed down.

(That's right! In tomorrow's match, I won't do anything! Absolutely, I won't do anything!)

I made a half-defeated resolution in my heart, and when I finally calmed down, Tütte prepared for bed. And so, the final day of the tournament arrived.

---

The final day of the tournament saw an increase in the number of spectators compared to the previous day. I was watching the big match between Zacher and Safina from the audience, wanting to distance myself from the fact that I was a participant.

"Is it okay for you to be here, Miss Mary?"

"Yes, it's fine."

When Magilka, who was worried, spoke to me, I gave her a perfect smile, and she gave a wry smile, giving up on questioning my presence.

"This match is exciting. Who do you think will win? I have no idea."

"Of course, it's Zacher, Your Highness."

"Of course, it's Safina, Your Highness."

When the prince, slightly excited, spoke about the match, Karis-senpai and Magilka, who were nearby, almost simultaneously advised him. After finishing, they looked at each other with a "Huh?"

"Oh? Magilka, you're a Safina supporter? It's a shame, but Zacher will face Mary in the finals."

"No, no, Safina will face Miss Mary in the finals."

Though they were smiling, the atmosphere was not bright. There was only an indescribable pressure.

(Come to think of it, during training, Karis-senpai taught Zacher a lot, and Magilka spent a lot of time with Safina. It's natural to want the person who helped you to win.)

"So, why do you two assume I'll be in the final?"

When I interjected between them, they still had a "Huh?" look on their faces.

"Alright, alright. Look, it's about to start."

Just as I was about to protest, the prince pointed to the arena, and the match was about to begin. Zacher and Safina entered the arena, facing each other with the referee in between.

(Huh! Who should I cheer for? I want Zacher to do well, and I want Safina to do well too!)

Caught up in the cheers around me, I was about to cheer, but for the first time, I realized I was in a difficult position and hesitated.

"Shouldn't you cheer for both of them?"

When I was mumbling, Tütte, who had been waiting, gave me a gentle suggestion as if she could see through my heart.

"Tütte... can you read minds?"

"Only for you, Miss."

I looked at her with a genuinely frightened expression, and Tütte replied with a composed face. As the referee announced the start, the match began. The arena fell silent as everyone watched Zacher and Safina, who were in a standoff. Safina was in a stance to draw her sword, while Zacher, holding his sword in a middle guard, slowly closed the distance, moving left and right. Safina moved to face him each time.

"That's unusual. For Zacher to be cautious and approach his opponent."

Until now, he would close the distance without hesitation and attack unilaterally, so I thought he was simple-minded. But realizing he was thinking strategically, I was genuinely surprised.

"That's because Safina is a threat to Zacher, Miss Mary."

Magilka, with a smug look, answered my mutter.

"Maybe not. Perhaps Safina is the one under pressure? Her mental state might not be able to maintain this balance for long. She might make a mistake under the pressure."

Karis-senpai, interrupting Magilka, gave a knowing smile.

"Ah! The one who gave Zacher that strange advice must be you, senpai! It's strange for him to use such a strategic approach."

"Hahaha, I just gave good advice as a good senpai."

Karis-senpai, with a bright smile, answered Magilka, who was pressing him. It seemed a strange battle had started outside the arena, but I kept my distance to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

At that moment, the crowd cheered, and I refocused on the match.

"What!"

With Zacher's shocked voice, Safina, still in her stance, leaped low and closed the distance. Zacher, almost instinctively, flew backward, and her sword slashed the air where he had been. Karis-senpai was also surprised, and Magilka looked at him with a "Hmph" expression.

"Drawing a sword while moving... Ah, so it was your advice."

Karis-senpai, now pressing Magilka, who laughed with an "Ohoho."

"I developed it for Miss Mary, but it's painful to see it used now, but there's nothing I can do."

"Against Miss Mary. I'm not some monster, you know."

I couldn't help but interject at the unbearable words, even though I had been pretending not to notice. The crowd's cheers grew louder as Safina's attacks became dominant. Zacher, maintaining his distance and observing, used his explosive speed to close the gap and draw his sword. When he attacked, he would enter a one-hit kill stance, a perfect setup. Zacher, who was one step slower than Safina, was now on the defensive.

(While I wasn't looking, Safina has grown so much. She's terrifying.)

I watched her in the arena, half-praising and half-worried, wondering if I had created an incredible swordsman. The attack and defense paused, and they took a step back to catch their breath and prepare for the next move.

(What will you do, Zacher? Safina is stronger than you think.)

Seeing him in an unusual predicament, I watched the two of them intently, holding my breath.

Then, for some reason, he took an upper guard stance. The arena buzzed as if he was declaring, "I'm going to attack from above." Safina, on guard, reset her stance.

A few moments of eye contact.

After a deep breath, Zacher, with a battle cry, charged forward in his upper guard stance.

It was a reckless charge... That's what everyone must have thought.

But when Zacher entered Safina's range, I saw it.

Zacher's face, which was not giving up at all.

And his mutter.

"Body Protect"

In response to his words, Zacher's body was momentarily enveloped in light. I had seen something similar before. It was like the magic Karis-senpai used when he fought me during my first year.

Crack!

The moment Safina's sword struck Zacher's unprotected abdomen, a thin layer of light shattered, slowing her sword speed.

"Magic!"

"Haha! This is the secret weapon against Miss Mary!"

Magilka, who quickly understood the situation, answered with a triumphant Karis-senpai.

(So, what's this 'against Miss Mary' thing?)

Using magic was not surprising in this world. However, the magic he used was a second-tier combat magic, not a life magic. Normally, first-year students at Solos are just learning the basics, and second-year students start to learn some magic. No one expected a first-year student to use magic, so the arena was speechless.

"Got it!"

With a victory cry, Zacher, while blocking Safina's sword, swung his sword at her. Due to Zacher's physique and the assistance of magic, Safina's attack power was reduced to less than half. She might have a cracked rib, but it was too weak to stop Zacher's momentum. Everyone was certain of Safina's defeat.

"Safina, use it!"

In the midst of this, Magilka's shout reached Safina's ears.

"Accelerate Boost"

As Magilka shouted, Safina muttered something, and she was enveloped in light. Then...

Zacher's sword, which was about to strike, cut through the air and hit the ground.

"What!"

In front of Zacher's shocked eyes, Safina, who had moved half a step to the side, sheathed her sword and reset her stance.

"For a moment, her movement accelerated!"

Karis-senpai, in shock, looked at Magilka, who was hiding a triumphant smile.

"Zacher isn't the only one who can use magic!"

"Damn! I forgot Magilka is a student at Aleyos!"

"Of course, it's against me."

"Of course!"

As the two outside the arena continued their heated battle, I sighed and interjected. Magilka, showing off her chest, became even more triumphant. As this was happening, Safina's sword attacked Zacher again.

"Damn! Body Protect"

Realizing he couldn't avoid it, Zacher used magic again to forcefully defend against Safina's attack with his left arm.

"Accelerate Boost"

When Zacher attacked, Safina accelerated to dodge.

Just as everyone thought the match would drag on, it suddenly ended.

Thud!

A sound of someone falling in the arena. Without any warning, the two on the stage collapsed as if they had lost consciousness.

"What?!"

The arena echoed with the same exclamation from various places. The two who had fallen showed no signs of getting up.

What's going on? I looked at Magilka and Karis-senpai, who were pale and sweating.

"I forgot to tell you..."

"Magic exhaustion... That's it..."

"Huh?"

I responded with a question to their mutters.

"Due to the continuous use of magic, both of their magic power temporarily ran out. Magic is closely linked to the mind, and when it runs out, it can cause confusion or, in the worst case, unconsciousness."

Magilka, politely answering my question.

"Um... So, what does that mean?"

Still not fully understanding the situation, I asked another question, and the referee answered.

"Both are unable to continue! Therefore, this match is a draw!"

As the referee's voice rang out, the audience, still confused, cheered. I, with a blank expression, watched the two who had lost consciousness.

Thank you for reading.