Martial Union Festival
“Everyone, please follow the guidance of the event committee members!”
“Form a line! Cutting in line or trading spots is illegal!”
Time flew by, and the day of the Martial Union Festival had arrived. Even though it was early morning, the inside of Amor Academy was buzzing with activity as it welcomed the guests.
The academy grounds were the size of a small city, but the massive crowds drawn by its fame had the management committee working overtime right from the start.
“How’s it going? All prepped?”
“Yeah…… I think so, but I’m not sure……”
It was still morning, before the Martial Union Festival officially kicked off. In about an hour, once the spectators filled the massive arena, things would really get underway.
Honestly, since I wasn’t competing, it was all good to me either way. But my childhood friend Polo was participating, so I couldn’t exactly skip out on cheering him on.
The girls were taking forever with their makeup and outfits, so I’d met up with Polo first, as fellow guys.
The festival lasted a total of four days. Day one was the preliminaries. Day two, the main rounds. Day three handled the quarterfinals and semifinals, and day four wrapped up with the finals. Oh, and apparently, the Saintess’s holy power ritual was scheduled for day four as a finals celebration.
“Opponent set?”
“Yeah. Some first-year from Campbell Academy, I think.”
That made things simple. Polo was ridiculously skilled—he just didn’t show it off because of me. The son of a count wasn’t just for show. He wouldn’t lose to most opponents.
And that’s why I could relax like this.
Polo might come off as a bit clumsy with his kindness and consideration, but his swordsmanship was top-tier, trained directly by the count himself. I’d lost to him every day until I had my awakening.
“I know you. There aren’t many who can beat you. And even if you lose, it’s all experience for growth, so no need to stress.”
“Hehe, thanks.”
I clapped his shoulder to pump him up, and he grinned goofily, sending his gratitude my way.
Glancing around, I saw other students prepping for the preliminaries too. One thing they all had in common? Faces pale as ghosts.
“I can do it, I can do it, I can do it……”
“Ugh…… urk! My stomach suddenly……”
“T-t-t-tremble.”
I got their nerves. With promising students from every academy duking it out, top figures from all nations would be watching. Maintaining composure under that pressure was tough for kids their age.
A normal student might crumble, but Polo? No worries there.
“Give it your all. I’ll be cheering.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“The others still getting ready? Man, why do girls have so much to fuss over……”
“They’ll probably show soon. None of them are the type to be late.”
“True enough.”
Not that I was worried, but they were my clubmates. A little encouragement wouldn’t hurt.
“Gonna hit the bathroom quick.”
Before meeting the rest, I headed to the dorms. The main building’s restrooms were packed, and the dorm was closer anyway—more peaceful.
As I used the dorm bathroom and made my way back to the main building, I spotted a woman with striking blue hair wandering blankly in front of the dorms.
I’ve never seen her before.
I didn’t know everyone at the academy, but a beauty like that with such a unique look? She’d be famous. Plus, the aura she gave off screamed she wasn’t ordinary.
“Hmm. Which way now……”
“Excuse me.”
She turned at my call, tilting her head with those somewhat vacant eyes.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……No, uh…… you lost, right? If you want, I can—”
“No. I’m not lost.”
“……”
Oh man. Her pride was sky-high despite the situation. My head started to throb watching her declare it so boldly.
Prazia Auros. The sole grand duchess of the Auros ducal family, guardians of the northern mountains, and a swordswoman of exceptional talent.
Now a first-year at Bellum Academy, she excelled in looks, skill, and character—beloved by students and professors alike.
Her swordsmanship was prodigious too; her instructor praised her endlessly, making her a role model for many.
Just one flaw, though—
“Where am I?”
She was hopelessly directionally challenged. Even at Bellum, she’d gotten lost constantly as a freshman, so the principal had drilled her to always carry a location beacon.
She did, everywhere. But while exploring Amor Academy, she’d lost it. Now she wandered cluelessly until she ended up at the boys’ dorms.
“……The festival’s about to start. Where do I go……?”
Prazia! You’re our hope. Please win this Martial Union Festival and avenge your principal!!
Recalling her teary-eyed principal’s plea days ago, she realized her predicament and scanned the buildings, desperately trying to find the opening ceremony venue.
“Hmm. Which way now……”
“Excuse me.”
The sudden voice made her turn. A man stood there—black hair, brown eyes. Exotic vibe, handsome in a fresh way, looking at her with concern.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……No, uh…… you lost, right? If you want, I can—”
She flinched. The question from this stranger stung her pride. Imagining the shame of being the academy’s model student, lost and rescued at a rival school—she denied it on impulse.
“No. I’m not lost.”
“……”
He looked utterly baffled. Embarrassed by her knee-jerk response, she doubled down anyway.
“Ah, got it. Carry on then.”
He turned to leave, and Prazia fidgeted. Should she ask for directions now? If not, she’d miss the opening. As she debated chasing him, he muttered:
“Ah, time to head to the festival~ This is the way, right~”
“!!”
He strolled off casually, and she trailed awkwardly behind.
His back…… it’s broad.
Following, she noticed the path growing familiar.
“Straight ahead from here, you’ll hit the waiting rooms. Your academy folks should be gathered—easy to find.”
“Th-thank…… you.”
“No biggie. You competing today? Sword or magic?”
“Sword……”
His eyes lit up at “sword,” grinning warmly. Prazia blinked.
“Fellow swordsman, huh? This’ll be fun. What’s your goal?”
“……Winning it all.”
“!!”
She stated it boldly, but he didn’t laugh or scoff.
“Got it. Good luck!”
His genuine encouragement felt different from others’—something warmer passed through her.
“Are you…… from Amor Academy?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Then…… do you know Mars Noctus?”
“Ah…… yeah, I do.”
He averted his eyes awkwardly, but for some reason, she wanted to spill her real goal to him.
“I’m going to beat him. Doesn’t matter if he’s a real Aura Lord. I want to show what true sword talent is.”
Gifted as she was, Mars Noctus’s emergence had always drawn comparisons. She envied the guy she’d only heard of by name.
Raised as a genius, she saw him as a silent rival stealing her spotlight.
“If I win…… I’ll demand a duel with him. And I’ll win. I’ll prove to the world I’m the superior swordswoman.”
“Er…… uh……”
He started sweating bullets. Cheers erupted then, snapping her back. She bolted toward the waiting rooms.
“Thank you! G-good luck to you too!”
Despite being strangers, his presence soothed her. She headed off with light steps.
“Shouldn’t have shown her the way……”
Too bad she missed his belated groan.