"I'll Go with This Sword"
"I'll go with this sword."
Iris picked up a black, gleaming sword from those on display in the shop.
"Oh, as expected of Your Highness—you've got a good eye. Even though it's a commercially available sword, it has a white magic stone embedded inside, giving it excellent resilience."
Of course, it wasn't made entirely from white magic stone like my sword, so there was bound to be a significant difference in quality. But among the swords available in the shop right now, it was undoubtedly the best.
Being able to recognize quality was one of a swordsman's skills. And when it came to judging like that, Iris was truly one of the elite—even if it was hard to believe she was still a student.
"So, what'll the rules be?"
Estelle, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.
"How about the first to land two attacks wins, Theo?"
It was a simple rule: thrust or slash, first to two hits decided the victor.
"Sure, that sounds good. And Estelle, if anyone gets hurt, I leave it to you."
"Of course."
In a duel with real swords—especially one ending only after two hits—some injury was inevitable. Theo knew that full well, but he was still determined to minimize any harm, just in case. And Iris felt the same.
I can't wound Theo. I'll aim close but pull back at the last second.
Since Estelle and the shopkeeper would be judging—and neither was an exceptional judge of swordsmanship—they figured no blood drawn, just a clean hit, would count as a point.
"Alright then, begin! Go!"
The shopkeeper signaled the start, but neither Theo nor Iris charged right in. Instead, they began a cautious probing phase, sizing each other up.
Against mindless monsters, there was no time or need for probing. But human opponents were different—you had to read their style, find openings, and maneuver to your advantage.
And Theo quickly picked up on Iris's patterns during the probe.
She usually leans her guard right, leaving the left exposed. But a seasoned swordswoman like Iris wouldn't let that slip unknowingly... so it's probably a trap.
Having faced the crown princess countless times in the game, Theo knew she wouldn't blatantly show a weakness like that.
But there was one blind spot in his thinking: the Iris in the game was from a later timeline than the one standing before him now.
"Hah...!"
Iris ended the probe first and lunged.
Clang!
The clear ring of clashing steel filled the open space.
But that's weird. She hasn't guarded her left at all since we started.
It was odd to keep exposing that flaw—especially with every attack. Even if Iris was confident, she wouldn't do that. She was clearly tense.
Yet the weakness kept showing...
...She doesn't even realize it herself.
This Iris sparring with him wasn't the fully self-aware version—he realized.
Then I can't miss this chance.
She'd catch on after one hit, so a second in a row was impossible. But Theo knew the first would land for sure. He darted nimbly to her left.
Thwack!
"That makes it one point for me, right?"
"Hah... ugh... Theo, you're as swift as ever."
Iris could only marvel at the blade halted just before her skin—just before. Even seasoned swordsmen rarely stopped that close. It required perfect muscle control.
Iris hadn't planned to stab Theo for real either, but if he'd exploited her weakness, she'd have either stopped farther back or followed through. Yet he'd halted perfectly.
"Haha, really? Just got lucky and stopped in time. Anyway, glad you're not hurt."
It was a heartwarming moment, but the fight wasn't over.
"Ready for round two?"
The warmth vanished, replaced by fierce glares.
After that, Iris kept pressing attacks, but Theo parried them all. Then he broke through her solid right-side guard with sheer power, sealing her defeat.
Back in the dorm after beating Iris, I lay on my bed, lost in thought.
Today's sparring Iris was definitely weaker than the one I knew from the game. Otherwise, she wouldn't have exposed such an obvious gap.
"Hmm."
It was still early in the academy term. Iris was strong enough not to need classes, but attending had clearly honed her skills—I could see that now.
Which meant Estelle probably wasn't at her game-level strength yet either.
Unfortunately, my staff wouldn't be ready until tomorrow—it was only the sword done today—so the duel with Estelle got postponed. They'd deliver it to the dorm.
"Guess I can relax a bit now."
They didn't have world-ending power yet—and didn't seem inclined to use it. I couldn't drop my guard entirely, but maybe I could enjoy academy life a little.
Yeah, that's what I thought. Definitely.
"Hello."
The woman who appeared before me made my head spin again.
"I'm Lina von Maria. Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess, Your Holiness the Saintess."
Wait, why was she here all of a sudden?
Lina von Maria should have shown up ages ago, mediating between Iris and Estelle. I knew the Maria County existed, but she hadn't stepped in at all—so I'd rolled up my sleeves and come to the academy myself.
What was this late entrance about?
At least it confirmed this was les mode—Lina only appeared there. Not that I hadn't known since both heroines were women.
But the real issue...
"Oh, h-hello. I'm Theo."
...My favorite character was Lina von Maria.
That was why I hadn't freaked out entering les mode. I'd played it endlessly.
And the reason for all those plays? To see my ultimate fave, the les-mode exclusive: Lina von Maria.
Sunset-glow long straight hair shimmering with luster, huge orange eyes and a high nose bridge to match. Her peach lips formed a cute hamster-like '3' shape—adorable, with an killer figure and sweet personality. A legendary character whose broad-mindedness toward the protagonists' bullshit was chalked up to her assets. Her illustrations were flawless, stealing hearts everywhere.
And now... I was seeing her in the flesh.
My heart raced; it felt unreal. Even learning this was a game world hadn't made it pound like this.
I never dreamed I'd meet her for real. No expectations at all.
But... but...!
Now she was right here...!
"Oh my, hello. You're that commoner who got the special excellence award, right?"
"Y-yeah. Nice to meet you."
"Hehe, yes. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
A lot? What did that mean? Did she like me?!
"Oh, more importantly, Your Highness, Your Holiness—I have a question, if I may?"
Huh? What? Did she just glare at me?
Nah, no way~ It was the sweet Lina, right? She'd never...
"Go ahead."
"Please, feel free to speak casually. Your Holiness."
"No need. This is the academy—everyone's equal here. I'd prefer if you called me by name."
"Oh, then... may I call you Estelle?"
Whoa, that shy question was adorable. Insane!
"Speak casually with me too. Even as the empire's crown princess, I'm just a regular student here."
"Y-yes! Then... Iris... hehe. Just call me Lina!"
While exchanging names, she didn't spare me a glance—eyes fixed on them.
"So, what're you curious about, Lina?"
"Well, I know you two are amazing, but there's this weird rumor going around since day one."
"Weird rumor?"
Iris tilted her head, asking what it was.
"Yes. That you... call a commoner with honorifics."
She glanced at me, bluntly labeling me 'commoner.' Classic noble attitude.
Come to think of it, that made sense. In the game, protagonists Aria and Estelle were royalty, so Lina's true colors never showed.
Whoa, so this was her real self. What a reminder that I'd entered a classist society.
Heh.