5 – An Unexpected First Meeting – 5

 

The surprise wasn’t limited to the students due to the previous duel. Jake, who was also curious about how far someone could show such a confident behavior depending on his abilities, was included on the list.

 

“It seems like it wasn’t just a bluff. Nice.”

 

Jake was one of the few teachers who surprisingly viewed Mira Crate in a positive light. He believed that if someone was born to be a leader, they should have ambition.

 

The bold declaration that he would not let go of the top position for three years really appealed to Jake.

 

“It’s surprising that such speed can be achieved without mana.”

 

After being surprised once, a quick evaluation followed. How many students could watch that attack and react? If it was based on a surprise attack like earlier, it could be counted on one hand.

 

What’s more important is the fact that he did that action without the help of mana. No traces of mana were detected in the movement just shown. It was either purely his own physical ability, or something else.

 

“It’s not the skill of someone who has experienced real battles once or twice.”

 

The swordsmanship was the same. Being Jake, who had experienced countless battles against monsters on the frontlines, he immediately recognized that the previous attack was a swordsmanship designed solely to kill the opponent.

 

That made him wonder even more. Mira Crate had just turned 18 this year. Did he learn the art of swordsmanship solely for killing at that age? No matter how you see it, it felt as if he had built it up by killing his opponents?

 

“I like it.”

 

While it was a speculation that would have shocked other teachers, Jake casually put it out of his mind. He had no specialization in contemplating complex back-stories.

 

He had been doing that since he was on the frontline. That was how he lived so far.

 

“The duel is over. You lost, and I won’t accept any objections. Go back to your place, Diana.”

 

Jake, who inwardly greatly raised his evaluation of Mira Crate, sent Scarlet back to her place with a smug smile while watching her dejected red hair walking away.

 

When looking around the duel field, he suddenly locked eyes with Mira Crate. He was not affected by his gaze at all, which he liked.

 

Among the people he met for the first time, an extremely small number did not get scared by Jake’s stare or intimidating physique due to his height over 2 meters, atrocious muscles, and scars all over his body.

 

Most of them usually showed some small flinch, but that student had absolutely no signs of anything like that. It means that his courage is exceptional as well.

 

“I think he would bring some fun in the future.”

 

With such abilities, it seemed like there would be no need to reach out a helping hand.

 

Seeing the redhead girl walking away with a face that looked as if her spirit had left her body, Jake looked around the students.

 

“Is there anyone else who would like to challenge next?”

 

“…”

 

“Hmm. Earlier, it seemed like there were a lot of challengers.”

 

Unlike earlier, no one except Aria and Brynhildr volunteered. They probably realized the gap with me and humbly backed down.

 

Some of the weaker-looking ones even avoided my gaze. It seemed like intimidation was very successful.

 

When there were no challengers, Jake grinned and pointed at Brynhildr.

 

“Good, Brynhildr. I like your eyes. Come forward.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Finally, can we see the movements of a sword wielded by a hero?”

 

Cheers and whistles broke out from various places. Brynhildr, who had been staring at me with a good spirit, hesitated. She blushed slightly.

 

“She seems a bit shy.”

 

In this world, the concept of a hero exists, and Leona Brynhildr was this generation’s hero chosen by the holy sword. I didn’t know anything about the original, so Priscilla told me about it.

 

She was chosen, but she had lived as a commoner until then, so it is quite doubtful to immediately send her into battle, so believing in the power of the holy sword, she was admitted into Belliarmine Academy.

 

It was just three weeks ago according to this year’s entrance ceremony. Looking at admitting a girl who had never held a sword before into here, the ability was truly amazing.

 

“Nice to meet you, Hero.”

 

I greeted her deliberately with respect.

 

“…You too?”

 

Brynhild, who had noticed my teasing, smirked and drew her sword. Its gold and silver hues mingled together, exuding a noble air.

 

“You had been quiet when you first signed up. What changed your mind?”

 

“Originally, I planned to just watch today. But as you can see, because of my condition I’m, well, pretty strong even without using mana.”

 

“And?”

 

“I figured you could withstand it.”

 

Brynhild positioned herself, a sly grin on her face. She held her holy sword with her left hand and slightly lowered her knee, ready for action. The blue light that had previously separated us began to fade.

 

“By the way, not sure if I told you.”

 

“What?”

 

“I ranked full points in practical skills too.”

 

At the same instant, Brynhild lunged, exploding towards me. I reflexively deflected the sharp tip of her sword, aimed at my neck. With a swift upward flick, the direction of the sword’s tip bizarrely curved back towards my neck.

 

“Is that even possible?”

 

It was not technique or trickery, but sheer force that redirected the blade’s path. It seemed to imply that such power was a prerequisite to going against the Demon King.

 

I slanted my sword against hers, pushing down, their surfaces writing out a fierce clash. The blade, deflected at the holy sword’s guard, came to a stop. As we held each other in deadlock, Brynhild whispered softly.

 

“Aria said that if you fight well with me, you’ll gain more favorable views. Since we’re here, I’ll help you.”

 

With that, I glanced at Aria, her hand waving faintly. So it was a mix of her own interest and Aria’s request that gave her such heated determination.

 

“It’s nice of you, considering we barely met a day ago.”

 

“I hear that a lot.”

 

“Why not try a different method? If I win, won’t I gain even more favor?”

 

From noble mtl dot com

 

“Ah, so you’re declaring war?”

 

The locking strength in our arms increased. A grinding sound echoed, the result of our guard colliding.

 

I pushed my blade upwards. The holy sword bounced back, instantly jabbing downwards. I swerved aside, changing trajectory, which turned out staggeringly heavy.

 

Brynhild seemed equally shocked, a flicker of surprise passing through her golden eyes.

 

“Woah, you’re really strong. How did you stop that?”

 

“Why even ask.”

 

The conversation was short-lived. Brynhild rushed again towards my inner defenses. But this time, I decided not to intercept, opting instead for a bit of psychological play.

 

I waited until her sword was almost there, then twisted my body just barely enough to avoid it. Brynhild’s sword scraped past my side, dangerously close.

 

My acting must have been convincing, as her attack hesitated, assuming I wouldn’t be able to dodge. Brynhild’s eyes widened.

 

“So she’s not ordinary after all.”

 

She realized that I had purposefully made it look like I barely avoided her attack. Now our tactics would have to change. I grabbed Brynhild’s wrist with my left hand and twisted.

 

“Ah?!”

 

She instinctively tensed her arm. But her already awkward position from trying to escape put her at a clear disadvantage in this power struggle.

 

“Heugh!”

 

“…Is that it?”

 

While she should have been at a disadvantage, Brynhild let out a spirited shout, and her wrist started to find its place again.

 

Her claim of her physical abilities being formidable because of her holy sword seemed to be no bluff. I didn’t expect her to be able to exert force in her position.

 

I exerted more force. Her wrist twisted again. I hooked my foot and tripped her. “Ah!” Brynhild’s legs floated in the air.

 

I slowed her descent so that she wouldn’t crash down back first but land safely. As she landed easily, Brynhild looked at the sword blade that was just before her neck and clicked her tongue.

 

“If this were real, I would’ve been dead, right?”

 

“My throat would’ve flown off while I was in the air. Well, I would’ve been hurt too.”

 

The holy sword was also near my back, but it was not in a position to clearly inflict a fatal wound. It was a level that could be healed by applying or consuming a potion and resting for a few minutes.

 

“I suppose it’s true. I can’t help it. I lost this round.”

 

When the word ‘lost’ came out of Brunhild’s mouth, a far larger ripple spread compared to when she first defeated Scarlet. The value of the title ‘Hero’ seemed quite exceptional.

 

“This round?”

 

“Ah, you noticed?”

 

Brazen smile returned.

 

“Can we keep in touch privately? I’ve grown interested in you.”

 

“If you’re going to request a rematch, it would be nice to choose your words correctly. I don’t like unnecessary misunderstandings.”

 

“Misunderstandings? Ah, understood. In that context, sure.”

 

She must have thought about Priscilla but she’s getting a completely different kind of misunderstanding. I just couldn’t understand why she had to use these kind of expressions instead of just asking for a rematch later.

 

“I’m actually right-handed. I fought with my left hand this time, let’s fight properly next time.”

 

“You should know that it looks really cheap to say something like that after losing.”

 

“…It’s not an excuse, I mean it.”

 

Brunhild, looking chagrined as if she knew she looked cheap, stepped off.

 

After that, things progressed swiftly. When Jake asked if there was anyone for the next round, no one came forward, so naturally my duel here came to an end. Jake patted me on the back, saying I did well.

 

It hurt like hell.

 

After only two duels, with the change in everyone’s gaze upon me, I went back to my seat first and sat next to Brunhild who was shaking her hand. Aria was praising me with her gentle voice.

 

‘I managed to button up the first button correctly.’

 

All that’s left is to keep showing this overwhelming performance.

 

“I heard you won a mock duel against the Hero, Mira Crate.”

 

“It was nothing more than luck.”

 

“But many have failed to obtain the mere ‘luck’ result you’re talking about.”

 

The blue-light filled room was dreadfully cold. Seeing the cold smile on the crown prince’s face, it felt even more so. The cheerful appearance he showed at the entrance ceremony seemed like a lie.

 

“We’ve finally reached this point. I’ve often desired to question my past about why I set our appointment two days later.”

 

“You could’ve called me earlier if you wished.”

 

“Are you now asking me to be a liar?”

 

“Absolutely not, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

 

“As you know, don’t be too scared. Now, let’s get to the point.”

 

The Crown Prince looked down at me with his legs crossed. His school uniform pants, similar to a suit, were tightly pulled.

 

His bloody red eyes met mine.

 

“The time of truth is upon us, Mira Crate.”