Chapter 41

The next day.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

During a break between lectures, when I told Amu about the headmaster's proposal, she responded with that answer.

Amu said, sounding discontent.

"Why wasn't I even considered! It's originally a swordsmanship tournament, right? Sure, magic is a different story, but with swords, I don't lose to anyone in this academy!"

"Did you really want to participate?"

"Hmm... Now that I think about it, not really. I'm not interested in the palace guard, and one-on-one combat isn't as exciting compared to fighting monsters..."

Amu grumbled.

It was surprising, considering she said she loved fighting... but then again, she never really showed much interest in one-on-one combat.

Or maybe she's mellowed out a bit.

She doesn't just act prickly toward everyone anymore.

Amu said, still sounding discontent.

"But I still can't accept not being considered."

"Maybe they didn't want to send someone too strong? After all, it could be seen as the academy losing talent to the palace guard. There are factions of academy graduates in the court, so it's possible the higher-ups made that choice."

When I said something like that, Amu glared at me with half-closed eyes.

"Then why were you chosen?"

"Me? I don't have that kind of skill."

"Stop with the fake smile."

"...Alright. But I'm surprised. I didn't know you thought so highly of me."

"...You saved me in the dungeon, didn't you? And if you've been an adventurer for a while, you can kind of tell someone's skill level."

Amu looked away, as if trying to cover up her words.

"Hmm... You should be more careful. Even if it was unavoidable at the time."

Amu grumbled again.

"Still, I don't get it... You aside, how could Eifa be a candidate?"

"Ah... Haha, right..."

Eifa laughed awkwardly, and Amu said with one eye closed.

"I'm not saying you lack skill. But can you really cast spirit magic at someone?"

"That's..."

"Magic is even harder to use on people than swords. If you hit someone, it's not just a minor injury. Some crazy people can fire off spells without hesitation, but usually, you need training or real combat to get used to it. You've never even defeated a monster, right? You wouldn't be able to fight properly in a real match."

"That's true..."

I muttered.

Thinking back to my own experience... I used a curse for the first time to kill a group of bandits and their kin, so I guess I fall into the crazy category.

Amu continued.

"Then there's that new student, Mabel."

"Ah... Right. Who is she?"

I've been monitoring her with a shikigami since yesterday, but she hasn't interacted with anyone and has just been attending lectures calmly.

She seems to specialize in dark magic, but she handles it safely, so it's hard to gauge her skill level.

Amu asked.

"Is she a noble? The Crane Baron family, what kind of family are they?"

"Like Lamproug, they seem to have many magic researchers... but I don't know much more."

More accurately, they're not that famous.

Maybe I should ask my family...

"In my opinion..."

Amu said in a serious tone.

"It's probably because of her noble connections."

"There you go, your resentment towards nobles."

"It's not resentment. Logically, a noble child who's been pampered can't be strong. They probably want to give her a good reputation by having her participate in the capital's martial arts tournament during her studies, to make it easier for her to become a high-ranking official."

"Maybe..."

I can understand what she's saying, but...

Looking at Mabel's gloomy eyes, it didn't seem like such a simple situation. Her being an adopted child is also concerning.

But Amu, who hadn't seen Mabel in person, seemed confident in her theory.

"That's how it is. She'll probably drop out of the main event early. She'd be in big trouble if she got hurt—"

"—You're the one who's been pampered."

A cold voice made us turn around.

Behind us stood a girl with rust-colored hair.

Mabel Crane.

Amu turned to face Mabel and glared back at her cloudy blue eyes.

"What are you trying to say?"

"You think you can get away with chirping away even though you're weak. You must have been spoiled a lot."

Mabel continued, almost to herself.

"You weren't chosen because you lack strength. In magic and in swordsmanship."

"Wow, you really say it, don't you?"

Amu smiled with anger.

She then turned to the two male students from the academy's swordsmanship club who were loitering on the other side of the road and called out to them.

"Hey, you guys. Lend me those two practice swords."

Amu seems to be popular with some people, and the two male students smiled and handed over the practice swords.

Amu threw one of the borrowed practice swords at Mabel's feet.

"..."

"Fight me. If you're saying that, you must know how to use a sword, right?"

"..."

"What's the point of this?"

Amu laughed.

"You're the one who started it, and you're asking that?"

Mabel picked up the practice sword silently and faced Amu.

I was surprised.

The way she held her one-handed sword was as good as Amu's.

Does she really know how to use a sword?

"Seika, is it okay to let this happen?"

"It should be fine."

I reassured the worried Eifa.

They probably won't go all out, and I can stop them if it gets serious.

Plus, this might give us a glimpse of Mabel's true skill.

"Seika, signal, please."

"Sure."

I answered Amu and called out after a moment.

"Begin."

At the signal, Amu kicked off the ground.

She then launched a sharp overhead slash with full momentum.

It seemed she aimed for the weapon from the start.

Amu's near-full-power strike was so fast it was hard to follow with the eye, and it attacked Mabel's sword.

The hero's decisive strike, which seemed to decide the match.

Mabel received it—just by taking a single step back.

"!"

A high-pitched metallic sound and sparks flew, and Amu's eyes widened in surprise.

It was understandable. No ordinary person could have received that first strike.

A fierce clash of swords began, but Mabel, with a blank expression, deflected Amu's immense strength and gradually pushed her back.

Amu was the first to retreat.

A step back to regain her stance.

Mabel didn't miss the opportunity.

The counterattack was a horizontal slash.

Amu raised her sword to block it.

But it didn't work.

With a loud crack—Amu's practice sword flew out of her hand.

A few moments later, the sword landed on the ground, bent and dented.

Mabel released her stance, threw the practice sword to the ground, and walked past Amu, muttering.

"Keep being pampered. Cute hero."

I frowned.

Just now, Mabel...

"Wait a minute."

At the call, Mabel turned around.

Amu put her hands on her hips and said.

"No magic, right? I wasn't planning to use it."

"..."

Hmm, Amu noticed too.

I had felt a flow of power from Mabel since the first strike.

It wasn't obvious because she didn't use a staff, sword-staff, or magic circle.

I thought it might be a physical enhancement support spell, but for a dark magic user, it was probably...

"...You think there's a next time. That's why you're weak."

Mabel said, then turned her eyes to me.

With a look that dismissed me as an outsider.

"If you're just here for fun, you should withdraw now."

"Why?"

"Because this won't be a sweet tournament where you won't get hurt."

I smiled and answered.

"Thank you. I'll think about it."

"..."

Mabel turned silently and walked away.

What.

She got angry at Amu's taunt and provoked her, and then gave advice and showed concern for others.

She was a lot more normal than I thought. At least compared to my younger self, she's much better.

"Amu, are you hurt?"

"Are you okay?"

Amu didn't answer our questions, but after thinking for a while with her arms crossed, she finally raised her head and said loudly.

"Alright, I've decided."