After class, rumors about the fight spread like wildfire.

If Id know that Id break my promise to Cain this easily Joshua grinned and drummed on the table with his fingers. If I hadnt made it, Cain wouldnt be so worried about his lousy master.

Joshua had lived half a century, including his past life, but it felt like he was becoming more childish every day. It matched his body.

Im more annoyed that theyre ignoring the spear than that theyre ignoring me. When hed become a Master, no one was able to talk shit about the spear. However, he had to deal with their constant criticism and humiliation until then. Hed spent so long ignoring them that it all blurred together.

No Hearing someone belittle the spear always makes my blood boil, no matter my age.

Ash its not too late to back out.

Joshua turned to face Icarus.

Could you stop saying that, please?

Im sorry, but Ill be frank. Icaruss expression hardened. I dont know what youre thinking, but you wont be able to beat Amaru. Even if he doesnt win the spar, you cant escape the wrath of the Stens. Please dont challenge him over the rapier.

Dont worry: I alone am enough to bring them down.

Icarus eyed Joshua like hed gone insane.

Young Master Ash! You ought to worry about yourself first! Cant you see how worried we are about you? Cant you see were trying to save you? Icarus knew that he and Amaru were the only people worried about AshAsh himself certainly wasnt concerned about his life.

Ah Agareth gave Joshua the puppy-eyes again. Joshua carefully tucked the memory into a special place in his brain.

If youre aiming to change this place, its doomed to failure. You cant change this place on your own!

I cant? Joshuas eyes gleamed. Is that what you think?

No, I mean Icarus stared at Joshua and then shook his head. I apologize, thats irrelevant. The issue at hand is more important, Young Master Ash.

You know what? Joshua pointed at Icarus. I enjoy betting a lot.

Yes?

So lets make a bet. Well bet on this craziness, shall we? If I survive this match without a hitch, or unscathed, or whatever you want to call it, then I win.

You really You want to gamble in this situation!?

And the loser owes the other person a request.

Um. Icarus eyed him. For the record, my goal is to stop you from fighting. Now youre telling me that you losing is supposed to be a win for me?

That aside, I already know what Id ask for if I won the betbut Im too afraid to say it.

I never considered that.

What?

Losing.

Icarus gaped at Joshua. What the hell does his confidence come from?

Icarus wanted to tell Ash that he was about to go down like the Frederick household did, but Icarus knew that Ash wouldnt take it well.

Ah, wouldnt it be fun?

Icarus whirled around to face the voice coming from the other side of the room.

Can I join in on this wager? Agareth has abandoned his serious face and sported a manic, ear-to-ear grin.

Young Master Agareth!

No, hear me out, Icarus. Theres no other way out of this. Ash here couldnt possibly let it go; even if he got an apology, hes not nice enough to forgive and forget.

But still

I see youre still unconvinced. Look at it this way: Amaru wouldnt settle for anything less than a beatdown no matter how far Ash ran.

Anyways, Instructor Kane will be officiating. Let them break each others limbsmaybe well get something good out of our bet. Agareth turned to face Joshua. Course, Im betting on Amaru.

Whatever floats your boat. Joshua flashed him a smile.

Swordsmanship practice is typically held at the large gymnasium in the middle of the Academy. At the moment, it was packed with thousands of students eagerly awaiting the fight.

Was your brain working properly? Or did you lose it after you fled? Amaru smirked at Joshua.

Amarus voice was loud enough for the audience to hear, to their vocal amusement.

I admire your courage You actually came back in this state. But what you said about that garbage weapon is not good, I must say, not good. If you disappear like this Amaru looked towards Kane, standing in the middle of the gymnasium, then looked back at Joshua and laughed. Dont be arrogant now; go get a real weapon. Youll hurt yourself if you use the wrong weapon.

Joshua tightened his grip on the stick he was holding rather than responding to Amarus taunts. No one could see it, but Joshua was going through a transition. He stared down at his hands, pondering the art of spearmanship and the 3rd-grade Magic Spear Arts hed recently learned.

He knew he could handily overcome anyones swordsmanship with his spear alone. Joshua wasnt being humblehe could beat Amaru with brute force.

Once again, I will show the world how great it is to wield the spear.

Joshua began to review his fundamentals. Every martial arts style was distinct: Duke Agnuss swordsmanship hinged on the power of his immense bulk, while the Stens style carried a flowing elegance and produced endless variations.

Soft beats strong, fast beats soft, heavy beats fast, and strong itself beats strong. Based on this logic, you might think that Count Sten would beat Duke Agnusbut that was nonsense. That battle would be trivial for an Absolute like Duke Agnus.

There were few such exceptions, however. The logic held for the vast majority of people, and it was critical for achieving victory. Thus, how should Joshua approach this fight? What kind of technique would counter his opponent?

Swift annihilation.

Joshua cheerfully hefted his stick. Hed never used it before, but he quite liked the way it looked. It rather resembled his Lugia.

Swords were suited to many people, but spears were robust and heavy and generally difficult to wield in battle. The advantage of the spear, however, was its versatility. Until mana became an established resource in Igrant, the lance was a knights primary weapon.

Ive always been looking towards the next milestone while I run. But when I get over one wall, theres always another one a thousand times taller. I cant stop running.

There was no end in sight to this spear. He believed that because hed mastered the art of magic.

Ive sprinted all the way to the front, hoping to see the finish line, but its all turned into poison.

Joshua, you idiot. Theres nothing more important than basics and initiative. If Ive forgotten that, then of course I still have a long way to go.

Joshua realized that hed lost track of the basics after wielding the spear for so long. His memories from his past life were obscuring the path to his future.

Prepare to fight! Amaru grit his teeth and stomped forward. Do your best, you fucking bastard.

Joshua stood with his eyes closed as if ignoring Amaru.

If thats your wish Ill crush you like this! Amaru pushed off the ground, rushing forwards. His thin eyes glimmered with a cold light.

Joshuas instincts told him that his opponent was approaching fast. The audience might call it a thunderous speed, but Joshua felt otherwise: it felt like time was passing slower as if one second was stretched into a million. There was a long, painful wait while Amaru approached.

Joshua blinked his eyes open expectantly.

Thanks.

What are you talking abou

Amarus inquiry was cut short by a bright ray of light striking his abdomen.

The gymnasium was held in a peaceful silence while the audience tried to figure out why Amarus violent advance had come to a dead halt.

Amaru. Even Kane couldnt hide his perplexed expression. What are you do

Amaru let out a pained scream and collapsed before the disbelieving eyes of the students.

Only one person looked happy.

Pleasure above pleasure, pleasure beyond pleasure. Making the opponent bleed was a pleasure his opponent couldnt even understand.

Joshuas grip tightened, crushing the stick in his hand.

Even in his past life, hed never attained this skill.