Episode 20

Come to think of it, Erika had an older brother- although it was too late, Harold remembered. If he had to give a reason as to why he had forgotten about him so much, it was because not only had Itsuki not appeared even in an episode not related to the main storyline, even his name wasnt made clear in the game.

But if he thought about it calmly, if Erika were the only child, with her getting married off into another family, the Sumeragi house would most likely become extinct. With such a situation, there was no way they would easily agree to an engagement, so to not realize about the existence of an older brother was Harolds blunder.

Well, that in itself wasnt a huge problem. But Itsuki being the older brother having such a heavy sister complex was completely inconceivable.

Having Itsuki, who had a dark smile on his face, laughing with a Fufufufu as the opponent would be extremely bothersome.

Ive heard about it. Well then, come fight with me

Those eyes closely resembled a ones of a carnivorous beast eyeing its prey. He was completely receiving unjustified resentment, and Harold also didnt want to take him on looking at his behavior, but still Harold convinced himself that it was for the sake of gaining precious real battle experience.

Dont touch me acting all familiar, you small fry

He had wanted to just normally request My shoulder is hurting, so could you please remove your hand? and he had no intention to pick a fight.

But as long as he had this mouth, he couldnt avoid falling into perilous situations. The mouth is the origin of calamity- Harold could even believe that this proverb was a wise saying written down in the Shinten

1

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Youre more than motivated, huh. Then, prepare immediately

While inwardly drawing away from Itsuki whose smile deepened, thinking that it would certainly be hard to move around with the current attire of a boy from Britain, in accordance to those words, he changed to the garments prepared in the changing room.

On top was a white dougi, and below was a dark blue hakama like an outfit for an archery club member

2

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Looking at Harold who came out after changing his outfit, Tasuku, Itsuki and many people sitting in the spectator seats of the 2nd floor gasped. Although the boy who was only 140 cm tall was wearing a clean, brand new dougi, no innocence could be felt from his behavior. Harold was emitting an intimidating pressure which pricked ones skin.

Is this the weapon?

Similar to the one Itsuki was holding, he took a shinai which was on the wall.

For the sake of grasping the sensation, when he lightly swung it, it was light enough to make him think that there was almost no weight at all. While making Hyunhyun sounds of cutting the air, Harold freely swung the shinai around as he pleased.

It was a flowing sword handling which was so sharp that onlookers could only stare at wonder. Looking at that, Itsuki breathed out a light Hee in admiration.

Although he had heard about Harold beforehand, actually looking at Harolds sword skill, he renewed his awareness to not be negligent. For Itsuki, though he was a detestable opponent who stole his beloved little sister, looking at how a kid of only 10 years of age had trained to this extent, he was honestly feeling admiration.

Simultaneously the hope that if it were Harold, he might be able to enjoy the fight boiled up.

If talking about swordsmanship, Itsuki was outstanding. He might be a person in the domain of prodigies.

Therefore, even at the present time he wouldnt easily lose to a grown man in a fight, and on the other hand, there was a huge difference in power between him and the other children of his age, so much so that there was no way they could fight him.

If said that he didnt feel any discontent about that at all, then it would be a lie. Somewhere in his heart, he had always wished for a rival who was close to him in both age and strength.

And now, an opponent who might perhaps become that had appeared. If only Harold wasnt Erikas fiance, Itsuki would have even thought of welcoming him with open arms.

Its as though its a stick

Harolds impressions after swinging the shinai briefly was only that.

Though that way of putting it was too much, for Harold who had continued to train with an iron sword until now, he felt that the shinais weight was lacking.

Well then, are you ready?

Dont ask foolish questions. Lets start already

Towards Tasuku who wanted to take confirmation, in an arrogant manner which felt as though it was even refreshing, Harold replied.

He was nervous. It would be fine to even call it fear. Although Itsuki was a character who didnt make an appearance in the original work, he was a human who was living in an RPG like world where swords and magic and monsters existed as though it was natural. He was inside such a world and was called strong so there was no way he would be ordinary.

When thinking normally, there was no way a person who was care-freely living in modern Japan could win. But Harold also believed in something other than this body.

Although this mouth which repeatedly used abusive language and provocative statements which gave him trouble, this high-spec body which could implement movements and ability which could never have been possible with his original body, was without a doubt a huge asset.

As he closed his eyes, in the darkness, the fight with the original Harold floated up clearly. When he had fought for the 1st time, he was made to had experienced hardships at the overwhelming speed and skill.

Currently, the body he was in had the capacity to accomplish that eventually. And if he were to control this body of his own will, then

(I dont feel like losing)

In both of Harolds eyes, a never before seen strong light was burning. With those eyes, he glared at Itsuki who was in front of him.

After the 2 of them became silent, Tasuku confirmed the rules.

Weapon is the shinai. Including the head and face, attack to the vitals, and also usage of magic is prohibited. No time limit. The match will conclude when any one of you is unable to fight or gives up. With the exception of these, its equal to real combat. Are there any problems with the rules?

None

Are you saying that this is equal to actual combat? Its considerably lax

Although youre dissatisfied, no matter what I want to avoid any large injuries. Unless you put armor, it has to be at least this much

..........Well fine. For today, those conditions will do

Rather, he was thankful for that proposal, but on the surface he reluctantly agreed. Tasuku was inwardly relieved looking at that. The reason was because he had proper understanding of Itsukis ability. With his swordsmanship which wasnt inferior even when compared to a soldier who had experienced actual combat, if it wasnt limited to a certain extent, the chances of him injuring Harold were high.

Even if it was something that Harold himself wished for, it wouldnt be fine to injure a nobles eldest son, that too the child of another noble who providing assistance.

Even without it being said, Itsuki understood his Fathers concern. If possible, he had wanted to fight with his all, but considering both their positions, it would be difficult.

Then, let us cross swords as much as possible within the given extent was what he thought. That was why he unexpectedly said the following words.

Ill leave the first hit to you. Give it your all

Itsuki had no intention to look down on Harold. Since he couldnt use all his strength, he wanted to know what Harolds full strength was like.

So to speak, it was words with feelings close to apology since he couldnt help but hold back against Harold who had wanted a serious match.

........

Towards Itsukis attitude which could even be called complacent, Harold unexpectedly didnt respond. It was just to the extent of raising his right eyebrow by a little. Maybe it was because he was calm enough to accept it as worthless behavior, or maybe because of quite anger which suppressed his irritation.

In exchange to Tasuku and the others moving back to the wall, a man with wide shoulders stepped forward and stood in between Harold and Itsuki who were gazing at each other.

Confirming that the 2 of them had taken their stances, he loudly pronounced the start of the mock battle.

Both parties, take your stance...........Start!

Simultaneously moving with the declaration to start was Harold who was given the first hit. That in itself was roughly as expected.

But the thing which was out of anybodys expectations was Harolds speed. With a speed as though he had disappeared, Harold stepped in and closed the gap between him and Itsuki in an instant.

!?

It wasnt only Itsuki who raised his voice in shock. Among the ones who were watching this match, people either had the same reaction as Itsukis or no voice even came out because they were doubting their own eyes.

But even if Juno, the only person who had actually seen Harolds speed with her own eyes, were present here, even she would react like everybody else. Because, that speed and the sharpness of his movement, when compared to a month ago, he had improved exceptionally.

Since it took Itsuki completely unguarded, he couldnt respond properly. But still, it was only possible because it was Itsuki that he tried to take a defensive form out of conditioned reflex.

But that was it. As their shinai collided, a Shiiin sound reverberated inside the dojo. In the middle of that echo, a Gasha sound rose up as one of the shinai fell to the floor.After Harold passed by in an instant, the one who stood bare-handed and paralyzed was Itsuki.

While everyone were at a loss for words, with the shinai hanging loosely next to him, Harold spat out words while sneering at Itsuki.

If this were a real death match, you would have already been dead. Arent you glad, that I wasnt serious

It even came off as a sarcastic remark. But for Itsuki, he heard it as though it was even filled with disappointment.

As though enduring his frustration, he clenched his right hand, which still had a dull numbing sensation due to having the shinai knocked away from his hand, tightly.

.......Right, its like youve said. I apologize for underestimating you

The feeling of regret welling up in Itsukis heart wasnt towards Harold. It was because he was ashamed at his own foolishness of unconsciously looking down on Harold although had no intention of being negligent.

And as he realized that Harold was disappointed in him, at the same time he was also convinced.

(Even he was searching for a rival with whom he can compete with his all, huh? Like me)

Itsuki imagined thinking what he would have done if their positions were reversed. If Harold had held back like how he had done, then as expected Itsuki wouldnt have been able to suppress his anger.

Harold might have placed that discontentment in that last strike. On the other hand, because he was angry he wasnt able to give his all.

Itsukis kinetic vision was somehow able to perceive Harolds sword. If he hadnt seen it wrong, Harold had intentionally matched his swords trajectory to the defensive posture Itsuki had taken and had knocked his shinai away.

The reason he hadnt hit Itsukis hand or body like that itself was because it was an implicit complaint -You also Fight seriously, was how Itsuki interpreted it.

Only a single part, that Harold had intentionally aimed for the shinai was correct. It was just that Harold, who looked 10 years old but whose mental age was close to 20, had no courage to strike Itsuki, whose age wasnt odd enough to call him a child.

Although he was resolved to get hurt, as expected he was hesitant to hurt Itsuki. This times battles 1st step was to overcome that kind of feeling, but it wasnt possible when the opponent was a kid.

And this time, I want to request from my side. Please, fight with me for real

Are you an idiot. From the start, this contest was for the sake of doing that

Without the least bit of hesitation, Harold stated. So quickly that Itsuki unintentionally felt let-down.

Although even Harold didnt want to do it, but since from the start he intended to survive in this world of survival of the fittest there was no need to hesitate.

...........Ah, thats right, huh

If you still want to fight, hurry up and pick up your weapon. If its just that much, Ill wait

Thanks. But Ill take the first move next, alright?

Picking up the shinai from the ground, Itsuki addressed Harold in an informal manner different from up until now.

Receiving those words, even Harolds mouth curved, and in a voice as though he was somewhat enjoying it, he replied.

Fuhn, try it. If you can keep up to my speed that is

Ill show it to you

Because that was the courtesy he had to show towards Harold who wished for a serious battle.

With the match about to be restarted, the tension from before intensified much more. When Tasuku was about to cut into that mood, he received a glance from both Harold and Itsuki.

We know

The gazes which seemed to complain together.

Well obey the presented conditions, and yet even with that well fight seriously. Thats why dont stop us.

Tasuku who felt as though he was told that, after hesitating, retracted his right foot which had gone forward. Confirming that, different from up until now, Itsuki showed Harold his original gentle smile.

Here I come!

Those words became the signal to restart.

They started moving almost at the same time. However as expected, Harold was faster. But the one who made the first move was Itsuki as he had declared.

Harolds speed was already superior to Itsukis. But if he knew that and concentrated, he wouldnt lose sight of Harolds figure.

And from the 1st times face off, Itsuki formed a hypothesis that Harolds speed might not be only linear. The basis for that was because Harold himself wanted to experience combat. He judged that Harold most probably lacked combat experience itself. This meant that it was hard to think that a person who lacked experience, in other words an inexperienced person would be able to move around as they pleased with that much speed or would be able to mix in feints with their attacks.

Itsukis conjecture hit bulls-eye. He instantly predicted where Harolds destination would be, and the slash he fired off at the empty space became a counter that attacked Harold who appeared there.

Tsk!

Against that strike which wouldnt be odd if it had settled the battle, Harold defended due to his superhuman reaction speed. But because of that, his feet had stopped.

This was Itsukis aim. Without letting go of the chance to win brought forth, he showered attacks on Harold.

Even for Harold who had confidence in his speed, with the gap being close enough to trade blows, he couldnt use the rush he had shown during the start.

That said, even if he tried to take some distance, Itsuki closed the gap between them to prevent him from doing so.

If it were simply battling using sword techniques, Itsuki held the advantage.

Harold was fundamentally an amateur and on top of that when he wasnt able employ the speed used by his legs, his sword speed fell remarkably, and Itsuki wasnt troubled dealing with his attacks which became too linear.

Conversely, since Harolds eyes were too good, he reacted for each and every feint. Since he hadnt cultivated something like reading the flow during a battle at all, his body ended up being pulled around by his exceptional kinetic vision. When that was the case, the scales of victory gradually tilted towards Itsukis side. Aiming to hit Itsukis torso, when he swung his shinai, it was prevented by Itsuki blocking with his shinai, and like that itself they locked swords and started pushing at each other.

Finally, Harolds feet came to a complete standstill.

Whats wrong? You have just been defending

Your breathing is getting ragged and seems to painful

That could be said for the both of us

Contesting strengths, Itsuki who was 10 cm taller held the advantage. Being repelled back as though he was pushed away, the instant Harolds posture crumbled a bit, Itsukis body suddenly sank.

Harold instinctively realized that this blow would be unavoidable. Even if he wanted to defend with the shinai, in the state where his torso was inclined backwards, he wouldnt be able to