Chapter-03 · EP-045

Episode 45: Mock Battle - Part 1

Murasakimura returned to the training hall equipped with a set of the First Swordsmanship Club's special protective gear: a transparent full-face helmet, leather armor, gauntlets, elbow pads and knee pads for safety during falls, and a wooden sword in hand.

Haijima, who had returned earlier, was waiting in the hall.

It was my first time seeing the First Swordsmanship Club's sparring gear.

I see, so they wore this kind of gear to fight safely. It seemed easier to move in than the heavier kendo armor, but on the other hand, the protection seemed weaker. If you were hit in an unprotected area, you'd probably be seriously injured. While potions or healing magic at the nurse's office could easily heal injuries, you still didn't want to get hurt.

As I watched Murasakimura from among the crowd gathered to observe the mock battle, Hikaru Kujo next to me was asking Sendo a question.

"Do you think Murasakimura-san can win?"

Startled by the sudden question, Sendo hesitated for a moment, then pushed up his glasses with his index finger and answered confidently.

"With all due respect, I don't think there's any first-year who can beat Kyoya. He excels in both academics and athletics. In middle school, he was courted by all sorts of clubs. When he was asked to help the kendo club and went to a tournament, he even beat the prefectural champion."

"That's impressive. But that's from middle school, right? Besides, the world is wide. There's always someone better."

"Then do you think Kyoya will lose, Kujo-san?"

"Well… Mei, what do you think?"

Instead of answering Sendo's question directly, Hikaru turned to Mei.

"Yes. I haven't seen his skills properly, so I can't say for sure, but I didn't sense an aura of strength from that man, Haijima."

"Oh, really? So Murasakimura-san will win?"

"Most likely."

Hearing their conversation, Sendo raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

"It might be regrettable for you that a fellow noble loses, but that's how it is."

"Oh? I have no intention of supporting one side over the other."

"Huh?"

Was Hikaru just going to watch how things unfolded?

Beside the three, Iori stood with a difficult expression.

Was she annoyed at Haijima? Worried, I called out to her.

"What's wrong, Iori?"

"Hmm… I was just wondering if this is what it's like."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I thought the First Swordsmanship Club might be more impressive, but…"

"Ah…"

Certainly, we had imagined the highest level of swordsmanship taught to nobles, but the second-year from earlier and Haijima seemed rather lacking in character. Iori, having had expectations, seemed disillusioned.

Murasakimura had been practicing swings to check the fit of his protective gear and his body movements. Then the second-year club member called out.

"Ready? We'll begin. Both of you, step forward."

With the command, Murasakimura and Haijima faced each other.

Haijima sneered slightly, rested his wooden sword on his shoulder, and muttered something like, "Let's finish this quickly."

Haijima swung his wooden sword with one hand, then fluidly took a forward-leaning stance. Murasakimura gripped his wooden sword with both hands, lowered his center of gravity, and focused his gaze straight on his opponent—a quiet intensity tightened the atmosphere in the room.

"Heh heh. I'll teach that fool who rants about becoming the world's greatest explorer the harshness of reality."

Murasakimura remained silent at Haijima's words. He was probably concentrating.

Before anyone realized, the training hall had fallen silent, everyone focused on the two combatants.

"Begin!"

With the call from the second-year acting as referee, the two moved. Murasakimura moved back and forth in small steps, measuring the distance while keeping his sword tip wavering.

Haijima, in contrast, seemed to be gauging Murasakimura's approach.

It was Murasakimura who moved first.

"Sei!"

With a shout, he launched a powerful strike. Immediately after—

BANG!

A loud sound, unlike what you'd expect from wooden swords, echoed.

Before anyone knew it, Murasakimura's wooden sword had been deflected, and he was thrown backward.

Sendo raised a protest.

"What is that sword?!"

The next moment, Haijima's strike hit Murasakimura's now-exposed torso.

BANG!

Again, the same sharp sound. Hit by the attack, Murasakimura fell, groaning while clutching his stomach.

"Uu… guu…"

"Kyoya!"

Sendo rushed over immediately.

Murasakimura had lost.

"Hehehe. For all your big talk at the entrance ceremony, this is the extent of your ability. Hahahahaha!"

Haijima laughed loudly, looking down at the suffering Murasakimura.

The second-year referee also smirked.

I was struggling to understand what had just happened, but Sendo, who had quickly grasped it, protested.

"That's cheating! That's a special weapon, isn't it? Why don't you fight fair?!"

Haijima showed his wooden sword to Sendo, as if showing it off, and explained.

"This wooden sword is enchanted with 'Impact Enhancement.' It has three times the normal striking power. It's made of wood, so it's fragile, and I haven't had many chances to use it. But it seems to have served well to teach a fool his place. You didn't notice it was enchanted, did you? This is what you call strategy. Fufufu… Hahahaha!"

Haijima had rigged his weapon. Rage welled up from the pit of my stomach. This was clearly against the spirit of bushido. The First Swordsmanship Club had no dignity whatsoever.

"That's foul! Do you think this is allowed?!"

Sendo was even more enraged than I was, shouting in protest.

But Haijima paid no attention to Sendo's words.

"The fool is the one who charges in without any strategy, not imagining what weapons the opponent might have or what tricks they might use. Some top student you are. This is the extent of commoners. Hahahaha."

"You bastard!"

Sendo glared at Haijima. Sensing danger, Haijima pointed his enchanted sword at Sendo. Sendo couldn't approach recklessly.

Just then, someone spoke up.

"I'm disappointed."

Everyone turned to the voice.

It was Hikaru Kujo.

"So the First Swordsmanship Club is a rather unsavory club. It wasn't worth observing. Let's go, Mei."

"Yes."

Leaving those words, Hikaru started to leave the training hall with Mei.

The second-year club member chased after her.

"Please wait, Kujo-san. I apologize for showing you something unsightly. We will now show you the proper, courteous swordsmanship practice of the First Swordsmanship Club. We would very much like someone from a distinguished family like Kujo-san to join…"

At those words, Hikaru stopped.

"Proper? Is that how people who have learned proper manners behave?"

Hikaru said, looking at Haijima.

Haijima was also speechless, stunned.

"Granted, even if we accept a surprise attack as a tactic, I would rather you didn't use the word 'manners' for people who behave like that towards someone writhing in pain after a loss."

Hikaru was clearly in a bad mood.

But the second-year, who desperately wanted Hikaru to join, began making excuses.

"I apologize. Haijima only just joined. But I will thoroughly instruct him in the future, so please consider joining…"

"You're refusing to let them join, but you want me to join?"

"Of course!"

Hikaru had asked, implying that it was strange to refuse entry to capable commoners while wanting entry for nobles regardless of their ability. But the club member didn't think deeply enough to understand the nuance.

Hikaru sighed.

"Haa. I think I'd learn more from that Ichinose-san or Takigawa-san than from you. They are the heroes who saved us when we were in trouble, attacked by the Huge Slime."

I was surprised by Hikaru's words. I hadn't realized she thought so highly of us. To think she was that grateful.

But the second-year club member seemed even more unable to comprehend her words than I was, and he glared our way.

"Kujo-san, defeating a Huge Slime is nothing special. Everyone will be able to do it by the second semester. It's not that impressive."

"Oh, is that so? Mei, what do you think?"

"Yes. I also believe Ichinose and the others are stronger."

"See?"

"That's impossible!"

The second-year got angry at Mei's words.

"You're overestimating them because they saved you. I'm level 4, you know?"

"That's not true. If you think so, why don't you fight them and see for yourself?"

The second-year glared at us.

Hikaru had just given me an opportunity. The second-year was level 4. I was currently level 3. There was a one-level difference, but I had explored floors whose recommended level was above my own. I would overcome a one-level difference with sheer spirit.

Besides, I was angry about what happened to Murasakimura. I wanted to teach these guys a lesson.

"Fine. I'll show you reality."

The second-year agreed to fight me.

Hikaru asked me.

"Is that alright?"

I nodded silently.

"Then I'll ask you, Takigawa-san."

"Yeah."

Iori nodded firmly.

…Huh? Not me?