Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: That Rumored Man
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Starbirth Festival. The long-awaited finals.
The arena was filled with fervent cheers and roars.
It was because the two finalists, who had reached the pinnacle of the magic and swordsmanship divisions, had put on a match worthy of the Starbirth Festival finals.
The stage after the match had ended.
The announcer stepped onto the stage and stood beside the winner.
"Today!!! A new nova has been born here!!! This is the moment when a great journey begins in earnest, one that will one day claim a star's name and etch itself into history!!! Everyone!!! Please give her even more generous cheers and applause!!! Landeia ye Relroza!!!"
As the announcer called her name and pointed her out, the crowd sent even more fervent roars, looking up to the winner in admiration.
And just like that, a sense of incongruity crept in.
"..."
Landeia ye Relroza.
The expression of the woman who had claimed victory in the Starbirth Festival was far from satisfactory.
The overbearing aura, where looking down on others felt natural, was subtly subdued.
As if she couldn't accept her own victory.
"What nova could shine brighter than this?! What nova could surpass her?! Don't hold back your praise!!! She is undoubtedly the strongest and greatest among her generation's novas!!!"
As if she couldn't accept even that praise of being the greatest nova of her generation.
Of course.
For the Starbirth Festival winner, even that wavering appearance was seen in a positive light.
People thought, seeing the winner like that.
That she was feeling bashful right now.
That the winner was a person who possessed the virtue of humility, contrary to her dignified impression!
And so, amid the people growing even more enthusiastic about that side of her—
Landeia ye Relroza murmured softly.
"Rishir..."
The winner's face was dyed with even clearer bewilderment.
At this very moment.
What filled her mind wasn't the glory of victory, but the memory from that day—
Her own pathetic figure, collapsing backward without being able to do anything in the face of that man's power.
Suddenly, the praise directed at the winner overlapped with that image.
The praise of being the strongest nova of the current generation.
"-...!"
In the end, Landeia bowed her head.
"Landeia!!!"
The crowd took it as her being moved and began chanting her name even more fervently.
Her face flushed red, she trembled with her fists clenched.
Today's guidance session with Instructor Rishir arrived without fail, as always.
Student Charlotte asked a question.
"...-So, you withdrew your participation in the tournament?"
"Yes. The only reason I could participate in the first place was to root out the demon worshippers hiding in the tournament. Once the spies were identified, I no longer had any reason to participate."
"Hmm..."
Charlotte, listening to the story, wore a complicated expression.
Thoughts like, 'What reason does someone who perfectly meets the Starbirth Festival participation criteria need?' coexisted with, 'Yeah, that makes sense.'
Rishir was on the younger side even among the Starbirth Festival participants—
Yet why did imagining him participating bring to mind an adult causing chaos among children?
Charlotte's head grew complicated from thinking about it, so she decided to change the subject.
"Fine, whatever with you, Instructor Rishir. But Heinya—why did you suddenly withdraw from the tournament? You could've aimed for the win."
Hah.
Heinya snorted, curling up one corner of her mouth.
It was a sneer that somehow seemed empty.
"What's the point of winning that?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The Starbirth Festival... It's the tournament to determine the strongest nova of the current generation, right?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"But—"
Heinya replaced the follow-up words by glancing at Rishir.
"Ah..."
Charlotte nodded as if understanding.
For those who had witnessed 'that' and realized the truth, this Starbirth Festival was no longer a glorious tournament to select the strongest nova of the era.
"Hm?"
Then, at that moment.
Charlotte's eyes darted to the upper left as if something had occurred to her.
"Come to think of it—you said Landeia was there too, right?"
Heinya smirked mischievously, as if saying she was spot on.
"That's right. She saw the same thing I did, from the same place. She was so scared of Rishir that she even fell flat on her butt. And yet—"
You know what I'm getting at, right?
As Heinya wiggled her eyebrows, Charlotte's expression, already having heard the news of Landeia's victory, stiffened awkwardly.
It happened at the same time.
Bang!
The room's door flew open. Very roughly.
And a woman stormed in with even rougher footsteps.
"Heinya! Rishir!!!"
The red hair and eyes that intensely captured attention held no meaning now.
Her flushed face scattered that gaze.
"Oh. Speak of the devil and she shall appear."
Heinya looked at her with a face already thrilled to death.
"I heard the news. You won the Starbirth Festival, huh? As expected of Lady Landeia."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Heinya applauded with feigned enthusiasm.
Praise so soulful it felt soulless!
"Urk—"
Landeia gritted her teeth, barely maintaining her expression.
"Congratulations on your victory, Lady Landeia."
But the moment Rishir innocently offered his congratulations from the side—
That effort turned to bubbles in an instant.
"You!"
Landeia pointed at Rishir.
"Why didn't you participate in the tournament!?"
"Because I already achieved my goal?"
"Wh-What kind of nonsense is that! The purpose of entering a tournament is obviously to win!?"
"That's why I didn't participate~"
Heinya muttered playfully while looking away.
Landeia's face flushed even redder as she grasped the implication.
"A-Are you saying I'm clinging to a meaningless victory just to preserve my petty pride!?"
"Whoa. I didn't say it that harshly?"
"Don't play dumb! With that look on your face, spouting such—... More importantly, you! Heinya! At the very least, I definitely beat you!?"
"Hah! Don't get cocky."
Heinya stood up and positioned herself in front of Landeia.
She crossed her arms, leaned forward, and exuded overflowing confidence.
"I sparred with that man on equal footing."
Heinya said it proudly, with utter sincerity.
Back when Rishir was merely at the 4th Circle.
That equal spar had become the greatest achievement of the girl's life.
"Wh-What...? How could you—"
"Heh, let's just say I bought the stock at its lowest point?"
-Kuhaha! I fought Rishir when he was weak!
Rishir felt complicated watching Heinya boast about it so proudly.
Was this fan-girl incarnate truly that arrogant genius lady who only knew herself?
"Urk...—"
Heinya's life achievement(?) landed properly.
Landeia's momentum visibly deflated.
Of course.
Her pride wasn't broken.
Landeia glared at Rishir with blazing eyes.
"You! I'll never forget this humiliation."
With those words, Landeia slammed something down on the desk irritably.
A small vial and an antique sword sheath.
They were the Starbirth Festival prizes: the spirit elixir and famed sword.
"Lady Landeia?"
Rishir tried to stop her as she seemed about to leave them behind.
He couldn't understand her intent in abandoning the Starbirth Festival prizes.
Regardless.
Bang!
Landeia left without looking back.
"...What was that?"
Rishir could only alternate his gaze between the closed door and the prizes on the desk.
Heinya spoke up.
"Want me to interpret the meaning behind those items?"
"Oh, Heinya. You can do that?"
"Of course~ Look~"
Heinya pointed at the famed sword.
"I acknowledge my defeat."
Then at the elixir.
"You are the true winner of the tournament."
"Isn't that a bit too much personal interpretation? If the person herself hears—"
"Ehehe, how would someone not even here hear my words?"
"..."
Rishir gave the door a strange look.
His senses, honed to mastery—
Detected a presence pressing an ear against the door from beyond.
"...What? Landeia, are you still at the door?"
Bang! Then patter patter.
The door shook, followed by urgent footsteps from beyond.
Heinya thought for a moment, then pointed at the door.
"Too embarrassed to say it outright, so I'm conveying my true feelings like this."
It was an extension of the interpretation.
"Heinya. You have a subtly mischievous side."
"Let me be clear. Compared to what that girl did to me, this is nothing. Whatever. Go check out the spoils."
"Spoils...? It's the Starbirth Festival prize, after all. Shouldn't we return it?"
"Oh! Great idea! She'll writhe in shame every time she sees them left there!?"
"Sigh. Does it really work like that?"
Rishir had no choice but to examine the items on the desk.
"Oh."
"..."
Heinya and Charlotte, peering at the elixir and sword beside him.
Small exclamations escaped both.
As ladies of great houses, they encountered top-grade items daily.
Even to them, the elixir and sword were treasures.
"They say the Starbirth Festival is sponsored by all sorts of houses and towers—guess it's true? Putting out treasures like these as prizes."
Heinya and Charlotte felt inexplicably excited.
Rishir happy over treasures before him.
The sight felt novel for some reason, and they anticipated seeing that rare scene.
"Oh..."
Rishir examined the famed sword and said.
"Ooh..."
Then the elixir, and said.
"Lucky."
And that was his impression.
All of it.
"What—"
Charlotte murmured unwittingly.
"Instructor. That's it?"
"Pardon?"
"You got such treasures, and you're not happy?"
"Of course I'm happy."
"But..."
He did look happy.
It was just that the scale of his joy was far too modest compared to the treasures' value.
"Where should I even use this..."
That was what he said while gazing at a sword countless swordsmen coveted.
Heinya and Charlotte's heads hurt, so they stopped thinking deeply.
After parting with the three ladies, Rishir went to find Scholar Halona.
It was to hear the progress of Klana's resurrection ritual, now nearing its conclusion.
"I should have good news within three days."
"Three days... Understood. Thank you again, Halona. Truly grateful for your help."
"Don't worry about it. Leaving you in debt to this extent is plenty profitable for me."
"Aw... What have I even done. Well, thank you anyway. By the way, Halona, you look a bit tired. Are you alright?"
"I've always looked like this, so don't mind. Separately, I am a little fatigued. I've been sleepless lately checking the ritual's... barrier status."
"Oh no... If it's alright, would you take this at least?"
"What's that? Fatigue recovery potion?"
"High-grade spirit elixir."
"...See? Told you it's a profitable deal."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. A cup of coffee will do, so put that away."
And so, Rishir treated Halona to a cup of coffee before—
Preparing to head to his next destination.
Next destination.
The Gray Tower.
Perhaps because he'd been running into Heinya more lately, the tower came to mind frequently.
'Master Didoa... Master Meltas... Perin... Hope everyone's well?'
And now he even had an excuse: appraising the elixir.
Rishir headed to the Gray Tower with light steps.
***
"Oh, Master Meltas?"
Upon arriving at the tower, Rishir immediately ran into that welcome face.
However, there was an emotion surpassing the joy of reunion after so long—
"And Duke Palrag?"
A gray-haired elder and a bearded old man.
Rishir felt more bewilderment than joy at the unexpected pair.
And yet another person.
A gray-haired girl was with the two elders.
"?"
The doll-like, emotionless girl stared at Rishir.
"Oh my?"
The girl's eyes gleamed as she scanned Rishir up and down.
"What is this? This mysterious creature?"
"Oh, Rishir!"
Meltas, who had been talking with Palrag, noticed Rishir late and lit up.
Then, to the girl.
"Tower Master! This is the friend I told you about!"
"?"
Rishir wondered if he'd misheard.
'Tower Master?'
No way.
Was that legendary being from myths right before his eyes?
Rishir tried to gauge the girl's presence with excitement.
At that moment.
He felt an immense aura he'd never encountered before blocking his path.
"...Oh."
Rishir involuntarily let out an exclamation, overwhelmed for a moment.
Then.
The girl alternated glances between Meltas and Rishir before speaking.
"What, Meltas. Senile already?"
"Pardon?"
"That Rishir guy was 5th Circle, right? This one's clearly not."
"...Ah! Rishir, you reached 6th Circle in the meantime?"
"Ah! I'm now past the early 7th Circle."
"In just a few months!?"
"That's how it is."
"Heh. Got it. Did you hear? He's 7th Circle now."
"?"
The girl looked at Master Meltas like a doddering old fool.