Greatsword Challenge
Ashytara turned to the woman addressing her.
"Wanna fight?"
"Well, with the mood right now, my blood's boiling, honestly."
Ashytara glanced around. Sure enough, with the group brawl that had erupted the moment Leb Heinz rose to the provocation... any Ortara student known for their belligerent nature would react this way. Knowing the cultural differences between nations, Ashytara nodded silently. Dodging it would just earn her a coward's label, making her week in Ortara a real ordeal.
Above all, she had confidence in herself.
"I'm Ashytara. Ashytara Solenute. You?"
"Whoa. Solenute's second princess? Should I speak more formally, then?"
"No need for formal speech, but how about starting with your name?"
"Oops, my bad. I'm Karina. Karina Amelrn. Anyway, I really wanna fight you right now."
"Fine by me, Karina. I've got half Ortara blood in me too, so I don't turn down a fight that comes my way."
"I like the sound of that."
Karina hefted a brutal greatsword that seemed mismatched for her size. She was a bit smaller than Ashytara in build, but her weapon dwarfed the cross greatsword Ashytara usually carried.
Ortara folk through and through. She's got some serious strength. Might even overpower me in raw force.
"Oh, right. Ashytara's fine, yeah? One thing before we start."
"What?"
"What's your rank at Solemnute Adem? Among the first-years."
"First-year?"
"Yeah, I'm a first-year too. All these guys here are. Our seniors tipped us off subtly—you lot were here."
That was news to her.
"So the seniors pushed you into this?"
"Nah, not like that. We just wanted to test Solemnute Adem's skills ourselves. We're wild-boar types by nature."
"...Yeah, you look it."
Karina grinned at Ashytara's deadpan tone.
"So, what's your rank?"
"Hmm. One, two, three-ish?"
"Ooh. So first place is that guy over there?"
Karina pointed at Ludenberg Lavante, and Ashytara nodded.
"Yeah."
"Competing with a beast like that? This'll be fun. Alright, here I come?"
Ashytara wordlessly drew the greatsword from her back without reply.
The moment Ashytara unsheathed hers, Karina—clearly possessing a sturdy frame of her own—swung her oversized greatsword wildly as she closed in.
Ashytara likewise raised her own man-sized cross greatsword and channeled her divine power. Flames began licking along the blade, and soon she unleashed the refined swordsmanship she'd honed at Solemnute Adem.
Twisting from her toes, waist, and entire body, ferocious power surged into the greatsword, flames trailing afterimages through the air.
But Karina only seemed more excited at the sight, letting out a fierce shout.
"That's Solem's divine power! Impressive!"
The wildly swung greatsword clashed against the flame-wreathed cross greatsword, resounding with a thunderous crash.
Kaang!
The air vibrated, the brutal impact jolting through both their bodies. They shook off the shock traveling up their arms as their blades met again.
From that first clash, Ashytara instinctively knew: this Karina was top-tier among Ortara's first-years. Honestly, way stronger than Mion Altis.
"You're top-rank too, huh."
"Bingo. Among the girls here, none beat me. There's one guy, though."
"I like that."
"What?"
Karina blinked at Ashytara's sudden approval, but Ashytara's eyes sharpened murderously as she dropped her greatsword low.
"Means I can go all out."
Ashytara was a Solemnute Adem student too, well-versed in Hainkel Hereis's advice. Combat faculty kids were cocky, worshipped the strong—so crush them thoroughly.
Hearing that had made her uneasy at first. Ludenberg was undeniably strong; even Ortara's strength-obsessed crowd might fawn over him, breeding rivals she didn't need.
With that in mind, Ashytara surged her divine power even fiercer. The flames, once merely coating the blade, now raged wildly, engulfing the entire greatsword.
Karina faltered slightly at the menacing aura. She hadn't expected this level.
This could get dangerous.
Recalling the heat from moments ago, a bad burn seemed inevitable. But she wasn't about to tuck tail and run. Worst case, her theology faculty friend could heal her.
Karina straightened, gripping her greatsword two-handed, and swung at the charging Ashytara's cross greatsword.
Kaang!
Another shockwave erupted. But the insane heat from Ashytara's blade raced along Karina's sword, clawing toward her hands.
"Nngh..."
Yet Karina held firm, clashing blades repeatedly. Ashytara couldn't help but be impressed. Even as the heat seared her palms, Karina endured the onslaught.
She parried Ashytara's endless barrage as best she could, but Ashytara's style gained momentum with every exchange. For a first-year like Karina, blocking with burned hands proved too much.
Soon, she released her greatsword.
"I lose."
"Good fight."
"You're ridiculously strong."
Ashytara tilted her head curiously at Karina's clean admission.
"Thought you'd call it unfair using divine power..."
"It's your power—fair or not doesn't matter. Strong is strong. Probably would've lost without it anyway."
"Doubt that."
"Hey, you calling me dumb? The skill gap was huge. Denying that disqualifies you as a warrior."
"Well, thanks for the high praise."
"Our seniors said Solemnute kids were all scrawny weaklings—total BS. You're this strong; how nuts is that guy? He didn't even use divine power, right?"
"Oh, Ludenberg?"
"That's his name? Ludenberg?"
"Yeah. Ludenberg Lavante. And Rud doesn't have divine power."
"No divine power? A Solenute? Wait—Lavante? I've heard that... rumors of Duke Leonard Lavante's monster son lacking it..."
"It spread to Ortara too?"
"How could it not? You might not know, but Leonard's idolized here."
"...Why?"
"He's strong. You gotta respect the strong, talent or effort be damned. Makes sense his kid's a monster too. Our seniors would get wrecked."
"Ah."
"Ow, these burns sting bad, though..."
"...You okay?"
"Yeah. Friend'll fix me later. Anyway, I'm out. See ya, Princess."
"Sure."
Watching Karina depart without grudge—clean and forthright—Ashytara found herself liking her. Plenty couldn't admit defeat gracefully.
Ortara folk might be better than I thought.
More than the upcoming exchange matches, meeting someone solid lingered in her mind.
* * *
Ludenberg sensed the growing commotion around him. He'd just effortlessly subdued a charging combat faculty student and scanned his surroundings.
Sure enough, the combat faculty students who'd encircled him had scattered, now brawling fiercely with the knight faculty kids.
Curses flew from every direction. Combat faculty thrilled, knight faculty struggling more than expected.
"Damn it. Nothing but Ludenbergs everywhere!"
Leb's exasperated shout rang out. Yet even yelling, he dominated his foe.
That sloppy punk—hope he eats dirt.
But against Ludenberg's wish, Leb had trained desperately to take fewer beatings from him, earning solid midterm marks. Top-tier Ador now—he wouldn't go down easy.
Eden Asta and Mion were the same, relentlessly pressuring their opponents like the elites they were.
Other knight faculty fared worse: Philia Rosette, Leila Satin. Cletta Peliche held a shaky edge.
Overall, a stalemate. No quick resolution.
"Rud."
Ludenberg turned to the approaching Ashytara.
"Tara? You were fighting—win?"
"Yeah. Used divine power. Ortara can't use it solo, so I had the edge. Especially with my flames."
"Makes sense."
"You?"
"As you see."
Ludenberg swept his gaze over the downed combat students around him. Ashytara nodded.
"How were they?"
"Impressive. Fierce momentum, well-trained. Sharp instincts too... Knight faculty's in for a rough time."
"Yeah... seemed that way."
Amid the chaos, their calm chat stood out oddly. But their peace didn't last.
A mountain of a man lumbered toward Ludenberg.
"You're the strongest Solemnute here, right?"
The giant stated it bluntly, eyeing Ludenberg.
"Talking about me?"
"Yeah. Watched you. That chilling sword presence, honed body. Strength radiates off you."
The fierce-faced giant grinned. Ludenberg sized him up too.
This guy's probably the strongest Ortara here.
"Same for you."
"Spot on. Quick spar?"
"Sure."
He never refused a fight. Types like this needed a firm lesson in superiority.
"Tara. Hang back a bit."
"Yeah. I'll watch nearby."
Ashytara's casual words held unshakable faith. She didn't doubt he'd win.
Ludenberg raised his sword, shifting from casual guard to flawless stance, eyes locked on the giant.
The giant felt his skin prickle under that gaze and grinned wider.
"Good."
Then, gripping his massive spear, he charged straight at Ludenberg.