Chapter 133

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 133 School Compet.i.tion (Before)

After Ain returned to the royal capital.

Perhaps encouraged by the others, Ain decided to enter the compet.i.tion.

Although he didnt want to interfere, he eventually wanted to be a part of it. This desire won out.

It was originally a day off for the academy.

Ain visited the academy that day, and without stopping anywhere, he went straight to see a certain man.

Instructor Kaiser. Im going to join too!

Later, just before the application deadline, Ain submitted his application.

He went to see Kaiser and expressed his intention to join.

Okay. Then Ill put your name down, too.

This was the staffs room for Kaiser, and he sat down at his desk and started to make note of Ains partic.i.p.ation.

If I had to make a guess, I thought you wouldnt partic.i.p.ate but

Despite his words, Kaiser seems to be in a good mood.

Im looking forward to it, too. To see how you fight.

I was afraid it would ruin the mood.

Ain replied with a wry smile.

You are also a student. Theres no need for anyone in this school to be discouraged just because theres a difference in ability. Besides, its not the first time.

The first time?

Yes, thats right. Everyone knows youre strong. After all, youre the hero who defeated the sea dragon.

Kaiser got up from his seat, with a Heave-ho, and came over to Ain.

Besides, Ain is the future king. Whats wrong with the king showing his strength?

I was told something like that the other day.

Well, if thats the case, then be prepared. Theres nothing wrong with being good, but theres no need to grow up. Like I said, youre still a student. Even if youre the Crown Prince, as long as youre here at this school, youre still a cheeky student to me.

Saying this, Kaiser let out a smile.

By the way, there will be preliminary rounds because there are so many applicants. But Ain wont be partic.i.p.ating.

Ain was curious why he wouldnt be involved.

You look like youre wondering about that. Im sorry to bring it up again, but in the end, its a matter of skill. Those with excellent results in swordsmans.h.i.+p are exempt from the preliminaries. Besides Ain theres Butz and Roddy. So there are only three of you.

It had been a while since hed heard the name Roddy.

He was the guy a year younger than him who was in love with Krone.

Roddy, huh?

Ive heard all kinds of things, but well, his scores are good enough. If we were to rank the top three in this academy, hed probably come in third.

Hey, its rare to hear Instructor Kaiser give such a high rating.

Yeah hes on the right track, too. And those who didnt make it through the preliminaries will also have a compet.i.tion among themselves. So they wont be left out in the cold.

The rumor Butz had heard.

Apparently, Roddy was excellent.

And the fact that they divided the partic.i.p.ants into winners and losers gave the school its unique feel.

Right, next. Ill explain the rules.

Kaiser took out a pen.

First of all, this is a round-robin tournament. Its not a knockout tournament, all right?

So that means Ill be fighting both Butz and Roddy, right?

Thats right. Have fun, Ain.

It was good to know that he would be able to see both of their swords clearly.

The second thing is the weapons. Ill prepare ones with the same weight as the real ones. Of course, they wont have blades.

Understood.

Finally, about the battle. You can use any skills related to martial arts or weapons, but no techniques involving projectiles. No poking someone in the eye either.

Is it the same as the training the knights do?

Yes, something like that. Besides, the winner is the one who scores three points first, right? If you touch anything above your waist or hands, its one point.

Its very simple and easy to understand.

Thanks to that, he didnt have to think about anything unnecessary.

If you win, you get 3 points, if you draw, you get 1 point, if you lose, you get 0 points. The ranking is determined by the highest total points. Sorry, but there are some trial aspects to this years tournament, so please forgive any rough or sloppy parts.

Thats enough. It looks like Ill be able to enjoy myself.

There was no need to calculate the scores.

Just win, and if he kept winning, hed definitely be able to reach the top.

This is the last festival before graduation. Enjoy it, Ain!

Yes!

It would be the perfect festival to end his school life.

The school compet.i.tion was just around the corner. Ain waited impatiently for that day to come.

The Royal Kingsland Academy.

There was no way that the compet.i.tion between the people who belonged to it wouldnt become a rumor.

It was only at one academy, and it was a compet.i.tion within that academy, but the hustle and bustle of the academy city was nothing short of spectacular.

The number of stalls lined the streets, and the number of water trains to Academy City was increased as a matter of urgency.

The Academy City was as busy, if not busier, than the compet.i.tion.

Hey, wasnt it amazing!

Yeah! If that was the first part, I wonder what the second part will be like

The swordsmans.h.i.+p compet.i.tion consists of two parts: the first part and the second part.

The first part of the tournament took place in the morning and was a compet.i.tion between those who had not qualified for the second part.

The second part was the main event, a compet.i.tion to determine the strongest of the Royal Kingsland Academy.

It was already late afternoon.

The first part of the tournament had just ended, and the excitement had not subsided.

Oh, we have to hurry! The other match is about to begin!

Hey, what other match?

The female students who came to watch the compet.i.tion continued to chat happily in the still-burning heat.

Of course, its the speech compet.i.tion! Leonard-sama will be there, so we better hurry or well lose our seats!

Oh, thats right! Wed better hurry!

Blessed with beautiful weather, todays speech contest was the perfect day.

The program continued amidst the bustle of the crowd.

And then there were two people watching the scene from the side of the road.

Wow, theres a huge crowd here, Ain!

There are too many people here. This is crazy.

Ain and Butz were enjoying the atmosphere while munching on the food they bought from the stalls.

Still, its amazing how well you blend in, Ain.

Youre right. Im surprised myself, but I blend in so naturally.

Without any special disguise, Ain and Butz stood by the side of the road.

However, no one noticed Ain and called out to him.

Well, isnt that nice? Ain can enjoy himself like this, right?

Actually, thats true

Ain put the food in his hand into his mouth, and enjoyed the taste.

Hey, Ain! Dont eat my share too!

Thats the law of the jungle, right?

Y-you idiot! Stop that hand, hey!

Ain replied superficially but did not stop moving his hand, and Butz approached him.

Butz, this is also a battle, and by taking in nutrients like this, we can have the best possible battle.

I see As expected from Ain

Well, thats a lie. I just want to eat.

Hah Youre more free-spirited than usual, Ain

He laughed and asked Butz for a reply.

Butz also seemed to be enjoying the banter more than expected.

Were having this kind of casual conversation, but were going to fight after this.

Its fine, its fine. Were not enemies who hate each other.

Thats true, but you seem pretty relaxed, Ain.

Its nothing. Im just looking forward to it.

As Ain spoke, a truly happy expression appeared on his face.

Man, you think you can take it easy against us?

Thats not what I meant. Im really looking forward to it, and besides what I have to do hasnt changed.

What do you have to do?

Butz asked about the true meaning of Ains words.

Its to win. Im not going to lose, no matter who Im up against.

This feeling became even stronger after he defeated Marco.

It was unthinkable that he, the one who had defeated Marco, would lose.

So thats what you mean.

After seeing Ain speak so strongly, Butzs resolve also hardened.

This man did not take his opponents lightly. Just knowing that made him even happier.

Its time for us to go. Lets watch Leonard and Rolands debate.

There are seats for students from our school, so lets go slowly.

The two of them then walked to the place to watch their friends big day.

With a relaxed expression, Butz speaks to Leonard.

Hey, is that even possible?

I dont know. Actually, since it was a score like that, I guess you could say it was possible.

Leonard and Rolands debate.

After listening, they move to a new location.

They sit in a seat in the arena and have a conversation.

The subject of the conversation is the outcome of the debate.

The result was so surprising that even Ain and Butz, who were watching the debate, were surprised.

Well to be honest, I didnt think it would turn out this way either.

Roland, smiling wryly, replied to Butz.

Well, I suppose things like that can happen but I never thought

Yeah, I never thought me and Roland would be tied for first place its totally unexpected.

Even though he said this, Leonards expression seemed somewhat happy.

Then Ain, who was sitting next to him, opened his mouth.

Leonard was talking about political issues, and Roland was talking about technical issues. It was hard to say who was better.

After saying this, Ain continued to express his thoughts.

Its good, isnt it? Its a fight between future key figures. Im sure such a result isnt bad.

Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness.

A-ahaha Thank you, Ain-sama.

Even for them, tying for first place didnt feel bad.

Perhaps because of that, the mood wasnt bad at all.

But you know, youre going to see something good, Leonard!

Something good? What are you talking about, Butz?

Butz smiled with a look of pride on his face and called to Leonard.

Of course! Theres no such thing as a tie in the compet.i.tion were going to have. You guys are going to have fun, too!

When he heard this, he understood that he was talking about the swordsmans.h.i.+p compet.i.tion.

Oh, I see. Of course, Im looking forward to it. Not only can I see your swordsmans.h.i.+p, but I can also see His Highness strength.

Its a round robin tournament, right? I was also looking forward to it when I heard that we would definitely be able to see the two of you fight.

You can count on me!

Butz flexed his muscles and showed them off.

The three of them watched, enjoying the scene.

Suddenly, a man came over.

Excuse me, Your Highness.

Ah, you

Leonard was the first to react to the voice.

When he saw the mans face, he immediately made a disgusted expression.

What do you want? You showed up here all of a sudden

Im sorry. I really need to tell His Highness the Crown Prince something.

The mans name was Roddy.

As always, he was handsome and had carefully styled silver hair.

Leonard, its okay.

Ain stepped forward to speak to Leonard, who had become displeased.

Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?

Yes. First of all, I want to apologize again for the other day.

He bowed deeply, and the three people other than Ain looked stunned.

Its okay, I dont mind. You dont have to apologize to me anymore, Roddy.

I do mind a little, though. Ain said in his mind.

He would never say that, even if his mouth was cut off.

I appreciate your kind words.

Its okay. So, what do you want today?

Then Roddy cleared his throat and straightened.

I want to learn from you. But Ill use my own sword to win the tournament.

He looks at Ain with strong eyes.

Oh, I see. But why are you telling me that?

He can roughly guess what it is, but he asks him aloud.

There is someone who wants to see my gallant figure. I am sorry for the suddenness. If youll excuse me.

Then Roddy quickly leaves the scene.

Butz, who had not spoken until the end, finally speaks to Ain.

Somehow hes a guy who doesnt give up.

He seems to have more manners than before, but its still not enough. If hes convicted of disrespect, he wont have anything to complain about.

Leonard also offers some advice.

Hmm even I can see that was dangerous.

Finally, with a wry smile, Roland comments on what happened earlier.

But its okay today, you know.

Ain speaks with a happy tone.

Your Highness? What is this all about?

Ah, Ain. Arent you being a bit too lenient?

I think he should be punished a bit

After everyone opened their mouths like this, Ain said the following to the three of them.

You see, Roddy said he wanted people to see his gallantry. Then it is obvious what I have to do.

Then, the atmosphere around Ain changed completely.

The three of them felt that presence for the first time, and their bodies froze for a moment.

I am the one who will win. No matter who my opponent is, I wont give that up.

Of the three, it was Butz who heard and felt the voice more than any of the others.

Is this my opponent? As he thought that, a tremor that was hard to tell whether it was from excitement or fear struck his body.

The hero who defeated the sea dragon, huh?

Butz muttered to himself, feeling the strength of Ain in his body.

The man who defeated the sea dragon. This man must also have a different kind of strength, he thought.

My goodness. I cant believe this is coming from the one who ate all the food from the stalls.

It was delicious. Maybe Ill buy some to take home.

Its a rather unsatisfying ending, but what he felt before wasnt a lie.

Thinking this, Butz steeled himself.

The seats are filling up. Its time for you two to go to the waiting room.

Roland, looking at the place, tells Ain and Butz that its time to go.

Well, shall we go, Butz?

Ain stands up and says.

Yes, lets go.

Your Highness, please be careful not to get hurt! And, Butz, dont push yourself too hard!

Good luck to you both!

So Ain and Butz left the scene.

Their destination was the waiting room for the contestants. With each step they took, they could feel their heartbeats quicken.

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