Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Saving the Master (4)
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Thud.
Emily, looking as if she'd been bewitched by a goblin, dropped the soft cone she was holding in her hand.
"Wh-what are you guys doing here...?"
She pointed at us with a trembling finger.
"Oh, it's Mary and... Ken Fine Stein. What a coincidence running into you here."
Adrian, who was standing next to her, waved with a bright smile.
I glanced sideways at Mary.
I was checking her expression.
After all, she'd just witnessed Adrian—the guy she had feelings for in the game—with Emily.
Even if their event in the game hadn't happened yet, she must have had some interest in him.
That was why I wanted to see her reaction.
'...Huh?'
For some reason, Mary was smiling faintly.
"Are you two enjoying the festival together?"
Adrian followed up with a question as he greeted us.
I shifted my gaze from Mary back to Emily's group.
Emily still had a frozen expression.
"Yes, we are. Ken recommended it."
But it was Mary who answered instead of me.
She even wrapped her arm around mine for some reason.
At the same time, Emily, who was in front of us, trembled as she opened her mouth.
"You guys... wh-what the hell... why?"
Even if she asked why, there was too much to explain in detail.
To even start, I'd have to begin with Siegfried's story.
So as I was about to brush it off vaguely,
"I see. ...Why is that?"
Mary next to me looked at me and asked with what seemed like an amused smile.
"Ho ho, I'm curious about that too. Are you two something special?"
Adrian chimed in with an expression that looked genuinely intrigued as he stared at us.
'Hmm... this is tricky.'
It seemed the guy had zero interest in Mary.
I didn't like the idea of our being together turning into mere entertainment for him, so I was about to deny it outright.
But after thinking it over,
'Isn't this a natural chance to check the progress of his relationship with Emily?'
It felt like a golden opportunity.
After all, Adrian and Emily's affection levels were key indicators for the ending.
I couldn't miss this.
I quickly adjusted my response.
"It just so happened that I got tickets to the swordsmanship tournament. If that's special to her, then sure, it's special."
If asked if it was special, then yes, it was.
Mary was always helping me out, after all—she was someone I was grateful for.
Hm? For some reason, the hand gripping my arm tightened.
But I immediately turned to Adrian. Now was the moment.
"By that logic, what about you two? Seeing you out at the festival together, you don't seem like just ordinary friends."
Good, not a bad question.
Not too rude, and it flowed naturally.
I'd gauge his affection level from Adrian's reaction.
As I watched for it,
"Well, Emily and I are..."
"We're just friends! J-just close friends, that's why we're out together, okay?!"
"...that's what she says."
Emily cut off Adrian's explanation and shouted that.
No, if you answer it defeats the purpose...
"More importantly, what the hell! What do you mean 'special'?! Explain in detail...!"
"Ken, it's about time for the tournament to start."
Emily started striding toward us aggressively, but Mary ignored her and pulled my arm.
"Wh-whoa! Hold on, Mary! Y-you're gonna trip!"
Even as I warned her, Mary didn't stop and dragged me away running.
Thus, we distanced ourselves from Emily, who had been approaching naturally.
She stood frozen in place, watching us go.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I was led by Mary to the tournament venue.
The swordsmanship tournament was held in a coliseum-style arena in the city.
I wondered why a coliseum existed in the city, but it was game lore, so whatever.
We handed over our entry tickets and sat in decent seats.
"So, who are you rooting for, Ken?"
"A third-year senior named Siegfried Gardner is competing."
"Ah, the black-haired one..."
"You know him?"
"Yes. He doesn't use any magic at all, but his practical scores are good, so I remember him."
The academy is full of talented students.
Even from Mary's perspective, who ranks high with magic, he'd stand out.
After all, a strong student who doesn't use magic is unusual.
However, in Siegfried's case, it wasn't that he didn't use magic—he couldn't.
He had talent in his unique skill but no aptitude for magic.
What he had was pure swordsmanship and physical attack skills.
Mostly enhancement and heavy strike types.
'And yet he ranks in the top 10 of third-years. That's what makes him a monster.'
Most academy students excel in both swordsmanship and magic.
They wield unpredictable combat with their unique skills on top.
To rank high relying solely on physical prowess among them is incredible.
"Ah, it's starting."
At Mary's words, I focused on the match.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Siegfried Gardner stroked the hilt of the sword Ken had made for him.
'I wonder how much help it'll be...'
This tournament was special to Siegfried.
It was the first time he'd prove his promise with his childhood friend.
In the distant stands.
Among them, a girl with pink hair waved at him.
"Zeke~! Do your best~! You have to win no matter what!"
She shouted with spirit, looking more nervous than he was.
Her name was Elis Grandbel.
The friend he'd sworn to protect, like a little sister.
"No win, no dinner━!!"
Though sometimes she seemed like a big sister.
Siegfried chuckled at the thought.
A bit hot-blooded, crybaby who always came to him when things didn't go her way—his precious friend.
A precious promise with that friend.
'I'll win this tournament for sure.'
Siegfried steeled his resolve.
His eyes gleamed sharply with determination.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Siegfried really is strong.'
That was Ken's assessment as he watched the match with Mary.
True to his ranking among the academy's third-years, Siegfried swiftly won the first round.
His movements were like a black lightning bolt.
In this tournament where magic and skills were freely allowed—making the name "swordsmanship" feel off-color.
He ignored the fireballs raining down from his opponent and closed the distance in an instant.
The ground where he'd stood exploded with a thunderous roar.
Blink, and he was right in the opponent's face.
What followed was the Black Blade's slash.
The black trajectory whipped up a ferocious sword wind.
Kwaaaang!
"...Kuhk!"
The opponent was blasted into the arena wall like from a cannon, shattering it.
'Sc-scary.'
Siegfried's calm yet sharp gaze.
Was that the future Sword Saint, the Dragon Slayer?
Watching his strength, Ken felt chills run down his spine.
"Winner: Siegfried Gardner!"
The match ended when the opponent's scarecrow dummy couldn't withstand the impact and shattered.
The arena erupted in cheers and applause.
'It's like the finals reaction.'
The crowd was thrilled by this match.
Such overwhelming power.
And at its center was Siegfried.
"Ho ho, so that's how it ends."
"They can't risk real injuries, after all."
Seeing such a tournament for the first time, Mary was more interested in the shattered dummy than Siegfried.
For player safety, they used magic dolls.
Scarecrow dummies under simplified contracts take fatal blows instead, shattering.
Whoever destroys the opponent's dummy wins.
"With that level of skill, Siegfried will take the championship."
That was Mary's impression after the first round.
And Siegfried, having finished his first round, thought the same.
'Looks like this sword won't get much use after all.'
Siegfried touched the Black Blade's hilt and glanced at Ken in the stands.
He was grateful for the fine sword, but at this level, he could've won with a wooden one.
That was his judgment.
But Ken thought differently.
'That's the real malicious design by the devs...'
Siegfried was undoubtedly strong.
Perhaps the strongest here right now.
But even so.
In the Academy of Epiris, unique skills were...
Hidden cards that could overturn even that strength.
⚙ UNIQUE SKILL ⚙ Tear of Blood Doll "Kyahahaha!! Got you, Siegfried━!!"
The upset happened in the finals.
From an opponent who looked like a red-spiked delinquent.
'...Damn it.'
Siegfried couldn't move his body.
'Can't... break free somehow...'
To be precise, the arm holding his sword could move a little.
But his movements were sealed.
'That's the guy's unique skill...'
The man Siegfried stared at looked carefree.
Early in the match.
Right at the start, the man lunged in a surprise attack.
But Siegfried wasn't one to fall for that; he just tilted his head to dodge the sword.
However, that attack was a trap.
The man pulled a hidden knife and grazed Siegfried's trajectory.
Leaving a slight cut.
'Curse-type unique skill. Tear of Blood Doll.'
Ken recalled the lore as he eyed the creepy doll in the man's hand.
On the doll's eye sockets.
Was the blood from Siegfried's graze moments ago.
"Kyahahaha! You look good like that... perfect! Siegfried━!! I've been counting the days for when I could see that smug face of yours—the one always running ahead of me—brought low━!"
The opponent mocked the immobile Siegfried.
Cheerfully.
As if he couldn't contain his joy.
But Siegfried felt more puzzled than humiliated.
"...Do you know me?"
"You son of a━!!"
The laughing man hardened at Siegfried's question and cursed the arena.
"Y-you, youyouyou...! You don't know me? Me, this 'Kazin,' stuck at 11th in the year rankings because of you?!"
"..."
Kazin pointed at Siegfried with a trembling finger.
Siegfried watched with a stiff face for a moment before replying.
"Sorry, doesn't ring a bell."
"You bastard━!!!"
Kazin's back arched as he screamed.