Chapter 55

The final match ended with my victory.

After recovering the mist spirit, the audience was in an uproar when Kail disappeared, but in the end, my words that I had "completely erased him" were accepted. Perhaps it was because I had carefully spread a dye, similar to blood, made from mercury and sulfur on the stage.

The subsequent award ceremony and closing ceremony were surprisingly brief.

Despite being an imperial match in the capital, the emperor was not present, and the medal, a necklace, was received only from a bald middle-aged man who was the chairman of the organizing committee.

I declined the offer to join the imperial guard during the ceremony. Although I phrased my words to consider the other party's face, it was accepted as if it were a prearranged harmony, which left a strong impression.

The only good thing was that I received a substantial prize money.

And then.

The next morning.

Mabel and I stood outside the capital's city walls.

A considerable distance from the city gate, near a forest.

In front of us, where we stood in silence, was a small, moss-covered rock.

"..."

Kail is sleeping under this rock.

I stored Kail's dead body in a phase and carried it out without anyone knowing.

If left as it was, it would probably have been recovered by the Lugroque Company and disposed of without a trace.

At the very least, I wanted to give him a proper burial.

More for myself than for Mabel.

I couldn't think of any words to justify myself to her.

"…It's okay. I knew it would be like this."

As if reading my thoughts, Mabel said quietly.

"I kind of expected that a curse would be placed. I knew the 'product' that lost would never come back. I also knew you were trying to help my brother. So don't worry. I had already given up on saying goodbye properly."

"..."

I didn't regret not bringing Kail back to life.

That secret art was something I had refrained from using even in my previous life.

Reviving a mortal goes against the natural order of the world. If it were to be demanded, it would never end and would eventually lead to a major collapse.

It was a mistake to forget the self-restraint I had decided in my previous life and to try to use it out of passion. Even if I was relaxed, it was still too much.

As Yuki said, there was no such obligation or duty to Kail or Mabel.

There was no reason to perform the secret art there, which I had refused to do no matter how much I was asked in my previous life.

Just.

Just, it was frustrating.

"…Is this place okay? If you want to bury him in your hometown, I would have gone with you."

Mabel chose this place.

She shook her head.

"No. We don't have a hometown anymore."

Before another long silence fell, I said to Mabel.

"By the way, Mabel is your real name, right?"

Mabel nodded, looking surprised.

"Yeah. Did you think it was a fake name?"

"At first, I did."

"Usually, I don't think a fake hero would choose the name of an old hero."

"…That's true. It's too obvious."

"But why?"

"Kail… called your name a few times. That's why."

"…I see."

With a calm expression, Mabel told me.

"Right before the surgery… I had a four-leaf hair ornament that I cherished, and my brother accidentally broke it. We had a small argument over it. I think that's what he meant. It was nothing, really…"

I could hear her sobbing next to me.

I just waited silently for Mabel to stop crying.

After a long time.

Mabel whispered.

"…What will happen to me now?"

"I told you. You'll go back to the academy and live as a student."

"Really?"

Mabel looked at me, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I still can't believe it. I was supposed to be killed by my brother. I lost the match. To go back to being a noble's adopted child and a student at the magic academy… Can I really live like that…? Hey, is it true? Is it really true? I…"

"It's okay."

I said, taking Mabel's hand.

"Let's go. The carriage is about to leave. It's our carriage."

"…"

"If… it's not okay…"

I paused before saying.

"I'll make it okay. Don't worry."

Just because I'm the strongest doesn't mean I can do everything.

In fact, I'm surprisingly powerless.

But still.

I have more options than ordinary people.

****

"Ah, you're finally back."

When we returned near the city gate.

Amu was standing with her hands on her hips in front of the carriage we were to board. Next to her was Eifa, who looked anxious.

I had told them the general situation.

That Kail and Mabel were siblings raised by a mercenary company. That Kail had a curse placed on him that would activate upon defeat. That I had secretly transported the body. That I had just buried it with Mabel.

I only omitted the part about the hero. Mabel was adopted by a noble because of a connection, and our meeting at the tournament was a coincidence. That's what I told them.

I wanted Amu to remain unaware of the full story.

And Amu.

She was looking at Mabel with a sly smile.

"Hehe, I was waiting for you. I'm not going to scold you, though."

"Hey, Amu, are you really going to do it? Why now…"

"You're silly. This is the perfect time to pick up a sword."

They were arguing.

What's going on?

"Freshman."

Amu said, handing Mabel a sword.

It was a broad and long one-handed sword.

It looked cheap.

Amu said.

"Let's have a match."

"…No. I'm not in the mood."

"Come on, come on!"

She forcefully pushed the sword into Mabel's hands and drew her mithril staff-sword.

"Since it's not a practice sword, you lose if your weapon breaks or falls."

"…What? No holding back?"

"No, it's too dangerous."

I tilted my head.

That's a strange rule.

"By the way, no magic for you."

"Okay."

"I'll use it."

"…What?"

Mabel frowned.

"Are you kidding?"

"Why not? You've already won once. Give me a handicap."

She's being unreasonable.

"Seika, give the signal, please."

This doesn't seem like Amu.

She knows Mabel's situation. She's not so insensitive as to suggest a rematch at a time like this…

Well… it's fine.

"Alright. …Start."

Amu kicked off the ground.

She raised her staff-sword and swung it at Mabel's one-handed sword.

But… it doesn't seem as sharp as usual.

It's strangely slow.

Mabel raised her sword, looking puzzled, and tried to block it.

However, the moment their blades touched.

Mabel's one-handed sword broke in half with a loud noise.

"Wha…!"

Mabel's eyes widened.

As for Amu.

"Whoa!"

She stumbled and fell to the ground, as if her sword had taken control of her. Surprisingly, the staff-sword, which had been thrust into the ground, was buried halfway into the earth.

Amu, sitting on the ground, smiled at Mabel.

"Hehe, I win! How about it, freshman? I can do this too!"

"That was gravity magic…"

"Don't underestimate the top graduate who can use all elements! But this is hard. You must be good to use this in real combat."

"…"

Mabel looked at Amu with a cold stare.

"…What's the point? Just showing off?"

"…You… didn't you really want to beat your brother yourself?"

"…Not really. It's not about winning or losing. I just…"

"You're lying."

"…"

"Your sword technique shows it. You weren't a quiet sister who always followed your brother. You wanted to stand beside him… or even surpass him. Isn't that right?"

"…"

"Didn't you enter the tournament because the final was your last chance?"

"…Don't act like you know. What are you trying to say?"

"Next, try to beat me."

"Huh?"

Amu smiled at the bewildered Mabel.

"It's one win, one loss. Try to beat me before graduation. It'll be hard, though."

"…That's ridiculous. Why would I do that?"

"Without the person you aimed for, and without a goal, you probably don't know what to do next, right?"

"…"

"So, it's fine. I was bored at the academy because there was no one to practice with. Stay with me for a while. At least until you find something else you want to do."

Amu, still sitting on the ground, reached out her hand to Mabel.

Mabel looked at it silently for a while… then sighed and said.

"…That's ridiculous."

She took Amu's hand and pulled her up, saying with a frown.

"Beating you is too easy. It's not a goal. Don't act so high and mighty until you can use my magic properly."

"Well, I'm still getting used to it."

"It's not about getting used to it. There's a trick. You need to release the magic faster. Otherwise, it will be pulled back like before."

"Hmm…? Can you do something about the strong recoil when you use it while swinging?"

"Use it only when you hit. When you swing, the force…"

"Hey, hey!"

Eifa, who had returned from the carriage, said anxiously.

"Everyone, shouldn't we leave soon? The driver seemed irritated…"

I smiled a little.

Then I called out to the two young swordswomen.

"Come on, both of you. Let's go back. Continue your conversation in the carriage."