Chapter 73: Striking the Knights Department with a Sword
“Guuuu…”
An unexpected turn of events. Yuri had defeated the strongest first-year student of the Knights Department. Oddman let out a frustrated groan at this unforeseen outcome, but Lübesse had already dashed away, making the victory and defeat clear.
Oddman clenched his teeth and fists, receiving dubious glances not only from the students of the Magic Department and the Department of Civil Affairs but even from those in the Knights Department. No matter how much authority the faculty wielded, it seemed unlikely they could overturn Yuri’s victory.
“…The winner is Miss Yuri Cattleya.”
“Muu…”
With a dissatisfied expression, Yuri returned.
“Good job! How was it?”
“To be honest, it was a fight without much to learn… Just when I finally got the chance to battle a real swordsman…”
Yuri pouted in response to Rest’s question. It seemed she had a surprisingly fierce side, feeling unsatisfied that she couldn’t fight to her heart’s content.
“I see, that’s unfortunate.”
“Yeah, it’s really disappointing… However, if I take the ‘Swordsmanship’ class, I might have another chance to fight.”
“…I wonder about that.”
From Lübesse’s demeanor, it seemed unlikely that a day would come when he would face Yuri again.
“…Next, Knights Department Daniya versus Magic Department Rest.”
“Oh, it’s my turn.”
Oddman called Rest’s name with a sullen expression. Rest, who had been tending to the injured, stood up, grasped his wooden sword, and headed to the field.
“Go all out, Daniya.”
“Hehe… I’ve been looking forward to smashing those smug faces of the Magic Department!”
Encouraged by Oddman’s intense words, a short-haired man with dull brown hair stepped forward. He didn’t appear particularly muscular, but he was tall. A ferocious glint shone in his eyes, baring his teeth like a carnivorous beast.
“Honestly, I wanted to fight that girl from earlier… I love knocking down women.”
“…You’re a dangerous one. Have they started keeping wild beasts in the Knights Department?”
“Haha! That’s just typical of the Magic Department’s way of thinking!”
Facing Rest, the violent boy—Daniya—raised his wooden sword.
“Lübesse is pathetic! A guy who gets bested by a girl is the top of the first years? Unbelievable! Well, I’ll take that rank from him in the Ranking Battle soon enough!”
“The Ranking Battle… So the tradition of the Knights Department really exists?”
It seemed that each student in the Knights Department was assigned a rank, and there was a custom of competing for these ranks through tests and one-on-one duels. Those ranked higher were more likely to have favorable paths after graduation.
“Those in the top five are scouted by the Royal Guard Knights, right? That sounds a bit interesting.”
“Even if I beat the Magic Department folks, my rank won’t go up… Haha! I’ll make sure to entertain myself!”
“Begin!”
The battle commenced. Daniya lunged forward, aiming for Rest’s legs with a fierce strike.
“Aiming for the legs, huh… Poor taste.”
Rest lightly jumped to evade the attack. Daniya likely intended to prolong the fight by targeting his legs, hoping to wear him down.
“Hyahha! Nice dodge! I’ll give you that!”
“…………”
“Now, right! Next, left! How about the torso?!”
Rest blocked the attack coming from the right with his wooden sword, then stepped back to avoid the left strike. A thrust aimed at his torso came next, but he twisted his body to evade it. Daniya continued to swing his wooden sword in rapid succession. This man was likely one of the top students in the Knights Department… Though rough around the edges, his swordsmanship was sharp and fast. Rest narrowly dodged the attacks while evading around the field.
(If I hadn’t apprenticed under Professor Dible, I would have been taken out in an instant… This guy is genuinely strong.)
He certainly lived up to his boastful words. It was clear he possessed considerable skill, not just empty bravado.
“I’m not done yet… [Accelerate]!”
Daniya increased his speed even further. Both had already used Body Enhancement, but the battle was escalating to a high-speed clash.
“I’ll also use [Accelerate]… This is quite the challenging fight…”
“Hey, hey, for a magician, you’re not half bad… This is fun! Keep it coming!”
“It’s not particularly fun for me… It seems your sword skills are superior.”
In a fistfight, Rest might have had the upper hand. However, in a sword duel, it appeared his opponent had the advantage. Though their speeds were evenly matched, Rest was gradually being pushed back.
“Using Body Enhancement Magic is allowed by the rules. Then…”
“Hyahha! What’s wrong? Are you really going to get taken out like this?!”
“I won’t be taken out.”
“Huh?”
Rest dodged Daniya’s attack and quickly circled behind him. Before Daniya could turn around, Rest struck him in the back.
“Guh…!”
Daniya stumbled forward from the blow to his back but quickly regained his stance.
“Your recovery is impressive. You really are strong.”
“Y-You… What was that just now…!”
“We’re in the middle of a battle. Let’s keep the chatter to a minimum.”
“Wha…!? ”
Kicking off the ground, Rest dashed behind Daniya once more. Daniya spun around, but this time, Rest struck him in the face with the wooden sword.
“Tch… What the hell is this speed…?!”
There was no obligation to explain. Rest darted around the field, attacking Daniya with his wooden sword. He struck his shoulder, his thigh, his torso, landing blow after blow.
“[High Accelerator]!”
That was a superior version of [Accelerate]. It was an advanced magic that only his master, Professor Dible, could use, and it had been passed down to Rest as well.
(I might be straying from the swordsmanship class, but… according to the rules, I’m not breaking any. Don’t hold it against me.)
“Oooooooh…!”
Daniya cried out as he endured blow after blow. The fact that he wasn’t collapsing was likely due to the defensive magic he had activated. However, even with that, after taking dozens of hits, his limit was approaching.
“Guh…”
Daniya became motionless, standing there with his eyes rolled back.
“He’s… standing there, dead…”
Someone watching the fight muttered. Stunned gazes were cast upon Rest and Daniya.
“No… he’s not dead!”
He was merely unconscious. No one should assume him a murderer without cause.
“Th-The match is over…”
Oddman announced the end of the match with a bitter tone.
Later, it would be revealed that Daniya was the second-ranked student in the first year of the Knights Department. The rumor that Lübesse, ranked first, and Daniya, ranked second, had both suffered defeat in swordsmanship—their own field—would soon spread throughout the entire grade.