So, how about we do some sparring together?
“So, how about we do some sparring together?”
I gaze at Ayla Seed, whose eyes sparkle with excitement.
Honestly, there’s no reason I should accept.
If I refuse, she’ll probably chase after me all day long.
How do I know that? Because Ayla is that kind of character.
But if I accept and we actually fight…
I keep my face neutral on the surface while sorting through information in my head.
Ayla Seed.
The daughter of the largest mercenary guild on the continent.
Pink hair, bright eyes, looks like a delinquent but is actually the nicest person in this entire story.
Of course, if she were just nice, she wouldn’t be one of the three worst characters.
Being kind is fine. When you’re in a party, it’s nice not to haggle over items or help others out…
“Though I heard she cursed at Benjamin. Yeah, judging by how she acts, her parents really messed up her upbringing.”
She flashes a bright smile.
“I did die! I bet my parents have been worrying a lot too! Maybe Benjamin’s death taught them a lesson!”
Her tone is so casual it’s almost offensive.
People always have to choose what to say and what not to say.
But Ayla has no filter attached to her brain.
Thanks to that, every party member who tags along with her gets daily innocent fact-slaps, their favorability drops, and sometimes Ayla even stabs them in her sleep and dies, turning the party into a bloody mess.
Just look at the community—there are dozens of victims complaining about it.
I was one of them once.
Back when I took her along thinking I could handle it, someone shouted “now’s the chance!” and I ended up cutting off her head with my ultimate skill. I’ve never brought her along again since then.
Anyway.
“...”
If I refuse here, she’ll follow me around the entire game and torment me nonstop.
If I accept and we fight to win… then she’ll just barge into the party without my permission.
This is a real dilemma.
“...”
There is one way out, though. It’s a bit sloppy, but…
I’ll just lose.
If I lose, Ayla will be disappointed and stop chasing the protagonist forever.
That’s actually the most recommended strategy whenever her event pops up.
If I win out of pride and bring her into the party, the whole event just gets ruined anyway.
If I avoid fighting, she’ll keep chasing and harassing me nonstop.
After a moment’s hesitation, I nod.
“Fine.”
Let’s try this method for now.
While sweating from the dread aura, I nod at Ayla Seed as she stares at me intently.
Her face lights up with joy.
“Really? When? I’ll make sure to fit you into my schedule!”
“Right now.”
There’s no class anyway, so let’s get it over with quickly. No, more like be overpowered.
“Got it! Come this way!”
Ayla Seed nods vigorously and leads the way.
And I follow her from behind.
*
“...”
After my refusal, Laura Crown is lost in deep thought.
Of course, I never expected her to accept cheerfully anyway.
But still…
“Aren’t I supposed to act like I’m thinking about it?”
Laura Crown murmurs in a sour tone while twirling a strand of her hair.
I do have some pride in my looks, after all.
Of course, I had no intention of using my beauty to seduce him, but isn’t there always that ‘just in case’ factor?
When I was in the kingdom, I was the princess, or rather, I heard everyone call me the most beautiful girl in the palace…!
Do I dare ask again?
No. I have my pride. I can’t do that.
Ah, but I really want to use that power somehow…
Should I just throw money at it?
While thinking that, Laura hears a buzz of voices.
What is it?
She turns her head and sees a bizarre combination that catches her eye.
A pink-haired girl walks down the corridor with a cheerful smile, sunlight glinting off her hair.
Right behind her is the man who had been filling Laura’s head moments ago.
As usual, he trails after the girl with an eerie and terrifying aura.
And at the very end, a brown-haired semi-saint candidate follows at a brisk trot, followed by a whole swarm of students.
“...Hey.”
Laura approaches the female students who are gawking at the scene, and they flinch as they hear her voice.
“Eh? Eh… why…?”
“What are those guys doing?”
She points with her chin at the strange trio walking the corridor, and the girls exchange glances before speaking up.
“I just heard it too. Ayla Seed challenged Aiden Starfive to spar.”
“...”
Ayla Seed? That crazy girl?
Laura’s expression twists in irritation.
“And Aiden Starfive actually accepted?”
“W-well, maybe they’re just going somewhere…?”
The girls’ faces turn pale with fear as Laura’s expression darkens further.
But she pays them no mind and keeps pondering.
If he doesn’t listen to my request, then he shouldn’t listen to anyone else’s either, right?
Isn’t that unfair?
Or is it because I didn’t pay him enough money? Did Ayla Seed throw some money around because she has plenty?
“...”
Laura opens the classroom door and begins following the crowd behind her.
*
Dark Fantasy Saga has a sparring system.
It’s not really sparring, just a place where characters interact with favorability.
You gain favorability even if you lose, and you gain it even if you win.
I look at the training ground ahead.
A vast open field with wooden weapons scattered around here and there.
Seeing it in person after only viewing it on screen feels different.
Anyway…
I glance back.
Lydia Straw follows closely behind me, and a large crowd trails after her.
Why are these idiots following me again? Is the sparring that fascinating?
If you’re a student, you should be studying or in class instead of being all worked up just because other people are fighting.
“What weapon should I use?”
While thinking that, a naive question comes my way again.
I look up and see Ayla wearing gloves.
“I’m gonna fight with my fists! Ah, don’t misunderstand! I’m not showing mercy because you’re weak—this is my weapon!”
She assumes a stance while saying that.
She’s a martial artist.
In a world full of swords, spears, magic, and divine power, how she can exert full strength as a martial artist still remains one of those nagging mysteries even for me, but in the game her performance is actually pretty good, so there’s nothing to complain about.
How should I lose?
While pondering that, I grab the hilt of the sword.
“You’re using a sword?”
Without answering Ayla, I pick up the sword and examine it.
This should at least let me kill without killing people.
“Not mute, but lacking in fighting spirit, I see! For real!”
Or should I just go at full speed? We have to exchange a few blows, though.
If I fall right away, it won’t look good. She’ll suspect something.
So… I should make it look like I lost reluctantly…
“I’m coming!”
—BOOM!
With the ground rumbling, Ayla’s figure vanishes from my sight.
No, she didn’t vanish—she lowered her body and charged straight at me.
A straight punch heading right for my face.
I raise the sword to block, and the shock travels straight through my body.
“Your reflexes are fast, huh?”
Attacking from behind like that? Terrifying.
“You fight with your mouth?”
“Did I upset you? Sorry.”
All while speaking, Ayla’s fists fly in a nonstop barrage.
Fortunately, their trajectories are readable.
Whether because of my stats or the Cursed Swordsmanship ability, I block the punches by moving only the sword.
Now it’s time to start counterattacking.
—TWANG!
I dodge the flying fist and swing the sword as is.
Cursed Swordsmanship skill—Gust of Wind.
—BAM!
With the wrist stinging, I swing the sword and a fierce gale erupts.
“Kyaa!”
Ayla is swept up by the wind, flies into the air, then lands and catches her balance.
“What was that skill? Just swinging the sword created that wind?”
It’s a trade secret, so I can’t tell you.
“You don’t need to know.”
Ayla’s eyes gleam upon hearing my answer.
“Yeah, right. Then I’ll do it properly this time!”
With that, Ayla charges at me again.
Is this fast attack too?
While thinking that, I block the incoming fist and…
—CRACK!
The moment the fist touches the sword, vibration spreads through my body.
Did she deliberately strike to trigger the vibration?
My body starts to shake, and Ayla smiles.
“I can’t move! All swordsmen go insane when they get hit with this!”
Not quite to that extent.
But I didn’t want to prolong the fight any further.
Grr…!
“...”
I let out a deliberate groan, but my mouth doesn’t even twitch.
“Alright, shall we end it like this?”
Saying that, Ayla pulls her fist back to its maximum limit.
One of her signature moves—Straight Punch.
If she uses her stigma too, it’ll hurt, but…
Better than bringing her into the party.
While thinking that, I relax my grip,
[Will you really surrender?]
[If you surrender, a Negative Trait will activate.]
[If you turn into a Variant, the player will lose all control over their body.]
I steel myself, step back, and assume a stance.
“Eh?”
Ayla’s face shows confusion as she reaches out her hand behind her.
“How could you move—?”
Sorry.
“Foolish.”
I apologize to Ayla and pour strength into my legs.
My body rockets forward like a bomb.
Before I know it, Ayla is staring at me with undisguised shock in her eyes,
—SMASH!
I swing the sword and slam it into her side.
“Argh…!”
Ayla floats up into the air, falls, and crashes to the ground.
The crowd lets out screams.
[You have won!]
[Awe has been gained!]
[Awe: 90%]
“...”
I stare at the status window that pops up and let out an internal sigh.
I lost.