Waiting Room
Nadan Tes and Gawin Greta waited in silence for their match, exchanging not a single word. They weren't friends to begin with, and their team-up was purely out of necessity, so it was only natural.
"Hey."
Then Nadan spoke to Gawin.
"What."
"You fought Eden and Mion a lot, right?"
"Yeah, I have. Got my ass handed to me every time."
"Figured I shouldn't get my hopes up, then... Still sucks to lose."
"Can't be helped against top-tier guys like them."
"Nah, that's separate."
"Huh?"
"Aren't those two dating?"
"They're engaged. And yeah, they get along pretty well."
Gawin's words made Nadan's brow furrow. His already fierce-looking face twisted into something that screamed mortal enemy right in front of him.
"Good. Now I'm fired up."
"...What?"
Gawin stared at him in disbelief at the out-of-left-field remark.
"I got this condition where seeing couples pisses me off. Incurable. Real nasty one, too."
"..."
Gawin was at a loss for words.
"Some of us are dragging through this drab school life, while others are all lovey-dovey, haha-ho-ho. I'm gonna smash one shining high school memory for myself."
"...If we're going there, isn't your buddy Ludenberg dating too?"
"Ah, with Ashytara? Nah, not yet. That guy's a total blockhead. No one's that dense."
"...Really?"
"Word is, after twelve, he never left the ducal castle—just swung that sword nonstop. No wonder he's clueless about romance or anything. Guy's obsessed with the blade. His head's full of training, swordplay, workouts, grades. That's it. Well, at least I don't have to watch those two rub it in."
Gawin, who had sparked Ludenberg's reclusive phase, averted his gaze.
"Do whatever."
"That's why you gotta step up. At least tie one of 'em down."
"I'm doing my best here."
"Not good enough. Tie 'em down somehow."
"I'll try."
Gawin readily agreed to Nadan's suggestion. Nadan's skills were clearly a cut above his own, after all.
Then a voice called them out.
Gawin grabbed his sword and said to Nadan,
"Let's go."
"Right on."
The arena thrummed with cheers. Every match except the somewhat anticlimactic opener—Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute versus Gail Glitter and Halona Tidal—had been brutally intense. The crowd was buzzing, eager for another nail-biter.
Gawin felt the crowd's stares prickling his skin. Being the center of so many eyes was a sensation that never got easier. Shaking it off, he finally registered his opponents: of all people, Eden Asta and Mion Altis.
He sensed defeat looming.
With their plots against Ludenberg failing, the pair had poured everything into self-training. Their growth was terrifyingly swift—night and day from semester start.
Winning's a long shot. No doubt. I can't beat Mion, let alone Eden.
Gawin had improved too, getting thrashed by Ludenberg and grinding at Solemnute Adem, but he still fell short.
Still, gotta give it everything. I joined this exchange to grow like a maniac.
No matter Nadan's prowess, if Gawin couldn't hold Mion, they'd lose. So he'd cling like mud.
There they were: Eden with his black hair and eyes, paired with golden-haired, golden-eyed Mion. An odd combo visually, but they meshed perfectly.
People always above him. Now he challenged them.
On paper, equals. But outsiders didn't know their history—Gawin had been their dog, obeying orders.
No more. Today, that ended. At least equals.
They might call him arrogant. But... he didn't want to quit. If there was a path forward, he'd walk it—even crawl if needed.
In that moment, Gawin shed his inferiority and servility born of poverty.
Same year. No fear, no worry. Just clash full-force.
Suddenly, Ludenberg flashed in his mind—that brute who'd cast off limits, climbed on raw body and talent.
Envy hit. Gawin realized he admired him.
Ludenberg's relentless advance had become the idol for most first-year knight faculty students. Unavoidable influence.
Haha, ridiculous. Admiring him now?
But it felt... freeing.
If getting crushed today forged his own path, fine. Gawin eyed the pair. Insurmountable walls once, but now? Just talented folks like him—jealous, striving to surpass.
Why not him too?
Gawin raised his sword.
The match began.
True to her pact with Eden, Mion locked onto Gawin. She couldn't underestimate him anymore—she knew.
After ditching schemes on Ludenberg, Gawin's growth was explosive.
Impossible to miss, especially after his sharp midterm showing.
She saw it: Gawin breaking free from being their hound.
But no disappointment or betrayal. If anything, she was pleased.
She'd used him as a subordinate, but liked the guy. More than blind obedience—his eyes burned with ambition. Like Eden's: carving his own path.
How far could the boy go?
Facing his relieved expression—like burdens lifted—she smiled.
"Nice look, Gawin. Suits you."
"What does."
"You seem... unburdened."
"Thanks to you."
"Think I can expect a show?"
"Dunno if I'll deliver. But one thing I guarantee."
"What?"
"I'll bite hard. I'm a dog bastard, after all."
"Perfect. Then..."
Mion assumed position, sword raised.
"Come at me."
Divine power surging, they charged.
Terra's might hardened their bodies like steel, propelling them forward.
Gawin's shield-first rush was ferocious; Mion seemed briefly startled but sidestepped calmly. Two steps aside—enough.
Her fluid swordplay drummed his shield. Dodging his thrusts with acrobatic flair, striking from impossible angles—it drew gasps from the crowd.
Not a few admired Gawin blocking it all with sword and shield.
Shield use was recent for him. Like Cletta Peliche thriving post-weapon swap, his skills had skyrocketed. Mion couldn't dominate like before.
But he was losing ground.
Hard to land clean hits on her. Same for Mion.
Defensive styles favored stalemates.
Perfect for Gawin—hold till Nadan beat Eden.
Mion's role: same, pin Gawin till Eden won.
But endless deadlock wouldn't do. They ramped pressure.
As they tore into each other, Nadan and Eden traded fierce blows.
This guy's insane.
Eden's head throbbed at Nadan's bizarre style. Expected trouble, but underestimated.
His saint law aside, raw martial prowess was no joke.
Usually chatty Nadan shut up against Eden—knew better than to yap.
Setra power in his fists matched Eden's blade.
Eden was baffled. That massive frame moved with freakish agility.
Worst: the saint law.
He got the gist.
Overlays his past self to fool my eyes.
Like masking current moves with seconds-old self. Simple principle.
Execution? God-tier precision. Perfect reenactment spun Eden's senses.
Nadan swung a punch, then abruptly retreated. Eden pursued—bam, he popped from the right.
Senses strained to pinpoint? Futile. Not just overlays—full past summons tangled everything. Eden's strikes whistled air.
Assume lunging one's real? Fake. He'd feint advance, halt, backpedal.
Eden panicked. Beyond saint law—Nadan mastered his body flawlessly.
In this madness, Eden chuckled dryly.
What the hell is this guy? Knight faculty moves worse. Theology department, right?
A different beast from Ludenberg. Eden edged personal skill, but Nadan's law application was nuts.
Can't keep this up. I'll get played and clobbered. So...
Eden maxed his divine power.
Sensory prediction failing? Map all possibles, block 'em.
Celioum's speed infused him. Strike true position pre-reaction.
Others'd scoff impossible. Eden? Genius territory.
Focus: analyze Nadan's now and past.
This lunging one's fake—no impact. This one's real—heavy fist grazed my sword. Remember last spot. Fake there? He'll reappear.
Thoughts accelerating, Eden pinned the real Nadan.
Finally, he swung at the true one.