Chapter 196 As Expected

Both teams returned to their waiting seats and wrote down the order of the match and the weapons they would use on the designated papers. Since both teams had already decided on the order, it didnt take long for them to write it down and submit it. Nell and Joseph checked the two sheets of paper and read out the names of the first players.

Haruna Katsuragi, come forward!

Akira Toue, come forward!

The first players are Haruna and Akira. Akira seemed like he didnt expect it, but Haruna went to the center of the mock battlefield in her usual state.

Hee, I didnt think you would be the first player. I thought you would play last, you know?

Is that so? I always play first in kendo, so I dont think its strange.

Haruna is smiling as usual. Her expression is not like someone whos going to fight, so Akira shrugs his shoulders while saying Good grief. After all, his sarcasm doesnt work on her.

Katsuragi, do you know the saying that a lion will do its best even when hunting a rabbit?

I know. Thats my favorite saying!

I-I see Then, Ill show you the meaning of your favorite saying. I know youve been training for the past month, but if you ask me, youre like a frog in a well. To be honest, its not my hobby to torment a girl Still, I have my pride. Its too late to apologize no. If you want to blame someone, just blame your master.

? Yep, Im looking forward to it!

Yeah.

Akira couldnt get through the sarcasm no matter how hard he tried, so he stopped trying. Apparently, he doesnt realize that if he wants to get it through, he has to say it directly.

I will say the rules once again. Skills, magic, or whatever, they are not prohibited. Rather, use them to the fullest. The stage for the mock battle is within the drawn square lines with the center here. The original plan was that you lose if you are out of the field but since give-up is prohibited, lets not use this rule. Our knight will put up a barrier to prevent you from getting out, so be careful not to break it. You wont lose even if you break it, but Ill get angry instead, so keep that in mind.

Y-Yes!

?

Akira was a little surprised by Harunas vigorous reply since she wasnt nervous until a while ago. Haruna is so tense right now. Then, Akira thinks of the reason.

( Ah, I see. Did she finally start to understand how serious this matter is? Ive thought about it before, but shes stupid after all.)

Thats probably not the case.

Next is, theres nothing I guess. As per the agreement, you are not allowed to give up just because you cant win. Joseph and I will be the judges, so keep fighting until we stop you. Dont give up and dont lose hope until the end. Thats all. Do you have any questions?

Just to confirm. I can do anything I want as long as I dont kill her, right?

Of course. Its a very lenient rule because your lives are guaranteed. Anything can happen on the battlefield, and the enemy will never show you any mercy.

Hmph, Im relieved to hear that.

Is that so.

Nell bluntly turned away and looked at the papers again.

Lets see, Akira will be using a sword, and Haruna ara, are you sure with just bare hands?

Yes. Shish told me not to use my staff. Is that okay?

Yes, if Haruna is fine with it, then theres no problem.

Hmph

Akira is carrying a custom-made longsword like a hero, while Haruna is empty-handed and has nothing. Its annoying for Akira that its like hes being underestimated. But for Deris, hes used the last fragment of his conscience to ban the use of Doggan Staff. Of course, theres no way they could understand each other after this exchange.

Lastly, well read the order of each team. The first player is Haruna Katsuragi, the second is Therese Batten, the third is Noct Norland, and the fourth is Nevel Faji.

On this side, the first player is Toue, the second is Murakoshi, the third is Enari, and the fourth is Ooizumi. Is there any mistake?

Joseph alternately looks at the members of both groups. The rest of Akiras team is made up of all the boys of his followers. All of them are level 4, which is generally a high level. Yes, in general.

It seems that theres no problem.

Then, lets get started. Both of you, get ready.

Nell and Joseph went out of the line and are about to start the signal. Akira is holding his longsword in the middle stance, and Haruna is jumping on the spot in her natural stance.

(I let my guard down when I fought against Touko, so I wont make the same mistake twice. Thats the duty of the chosen one. Since you are foolish, Im sure you will come at me head-on like what Touko did. Then, I just need to avoid it sideways.)

Learning (?) from his past defeat, Akira devised a clever plan. He was going to make use of the superior athletic ability that his body possessed to counter Harunas failed first move.

Then begin!

The moment Nell and Joseph signaled the start of the mock battle and Harunas legs touched the ground, Harunas figure disappeared from the perception of Akiras classmates who were watching behind him.

(I knew it!)

On the other hand, Akira, who had slid sideways along with the signal, saw that Haruna was indeed moving forward with a low posture. Since hes closer and somehow superior to the other classmates, he can barely see Haruna. However, that also led to seeing those eyes of Haruna of when the match started.

!?

Without moving her face, Harunas eyes are looking at Akira. The friendly smile on her face is already gone. The madness gaze that pierced Akira is as if shes chasing her prey. Akira feels that as if his heart is grabbed and as if his breathing would stop. Still, his misfortune hasnt started yet.

As a tactic, it is not a bad idea to attack from the side against a rushing opponent. In fact, Akiras already moved to a position where hes out of the trajectory of Haruna whos approaching at a tremendous speed. With how fast she is, theres no way she can change the direction and turn suddenly. Akira judged that from a common sense point of view. However, can that thinking be useful when dealing with someone whos out of common sense?

(C-calm down! Those eyes are irrelevant since Ive outsmarted her!?)

He didnt have the time to think about it. Haruna kicked the air and turned toward Akira almost at a right angle. And now, those eyes are looking straight at him. Being in a semi-mad state, Akira miraculously swung his sword as he had originally planned. He thought that theres not much difference between slashing from the side and slashing from the front. And thats correct. Because for Haruna, no matter what direction the sword is swung from, it doesnt make much of a difference.

Snap.

There was a light sound. To Akira, it seemed like Harunas both arms became like snakes and wrapped around his sword. He couldnt understand what she actually did and the theory behind it. After all, unlike the speed when she was running, the instantaneous speed when she did it was out of the ordinary. But as it turned out, Akiras excellent sword is broken from the base, and its blade is already moved to his foot before he realized it.