Chapter 57: The Triangular Conflict
Soon after, the bell signaling the start of class rang, and our homeroom teacher, Alissa, entered the classroom. Today, instead of regular lessons, we were scheduled for a long homeroom session until lunchtime. It seemed we would be discussing an upcoming school event next month.
Given the current atmosphere, I could only foresee a chaotic discussion…
“Alright, everyone, listen up! Is everyone here? We’re going to start our discussion about next month’s Inter-Class Tournament!”
The Inter-Class Tournament, as the name suggests, is an event where a total of 18 classes from three grades compete in a mock group battle in a tournament format.
It’s somewhat akin to a sports festival from my previous life.
“The rules for the Inter-Class Tournament are simple. Each class will select one commander. If the commander is deemed incapacitated, if all other members are defeated, or if the designated territory is captured, that class loses. In other words, the opposite conditions lead to victory.”
Taking in the rough explanation, it sounded like a game of war. This event was typical of the Royal Academy, which gathers students with skills based on their application in warfare.
“Skill usage is limited to non-lethal skills. In this class, Hugh’s Firekinesis is prohibited. Anyone scorched by flames capable of melting iron would be dead in an instant.”
“I wanted to see Hugh shine, but I guess it can’t be helped,” Rouge said, sharing a wry smile with me. She had witnessed me using Firekinesis during the entrance exam, and that was definitely not something I could use in a mock battle against other people.
“What? Hugh can handle it without skills. After all, he’s a man with swordsmanship that rivals mine. I, Idiot Hautness, will guarantee Hugh’s performance!”
“I appreciate the support, but please don’t put too much pressure on me.”
Despite being an Idiot, he was, to my knowledge, one of the strongest in swordsmanship, second only to Roan and Alissa. Of course, the two from the Royal Knights Order were exceptional, but perhaps Idiot’s tenacity in defense might surpass theirs.
So, while I was glad to have Idiot’s expectations, it was also complicated.
His evaluation stemmed from my switch to the Swordsmanship skill… It wasn’t a reflection of my true abilities, making it hard to accept. I wanted to hone my sword skills further through training with Alissa and someday be recognized for my swordsmanship without relying on skills.
After that, the finer details of the mock group battle rules were explained. The combat area would be set in a forest near the Royal Capital, forming a square with sides of about 2000 meters. The opposing classes would start the mock battle from their respective corners.
The match would last for two hours. If neither side met the victory conditions within that time, both would be deemed losers, granting the next opponent a free win. If we were serious about winning, we’d have to take the offensive.
“Now, onto the main topic. We need to decide the commander for this class…”
Alissa surveyed the classroom with a wry smile.
“Is there anyone who wants to volunteer?”
…No one raised their hand. It was no surprise. Who would want to take on the role of commander in such a dreadful atmosphere?
“Considering abilities, Lady Lily would be the most suitable…”
“If everyone wishes it, I wouldn’t mind taking on the role.”
Called out by Alissa, Lily accepted under certain conditions. However, it seemed unlikely those conditions would ever be met.
“I cannot fight under a traitor!”
The voice belonged to a ponytailed girl from Prince Slay’s faction. She was one of Idiot’s followers. Her name was Anne Traj, if I remembered correctly.
For those in Prince Slay’s faction, fighting under the command of House Puridi, which had switched allegiance to Prince Lucas, would be unacceptable.
“If I have to fight under her, I’ll volunteer to be the commander!”
“Absolutely not!”
Now, a voice rose from the side of Prince Brute’s faction. A burly boy stood up to voice his opposition. He was a commoner, if I recalled correctly, and his name was Brown.
“I won’t tolerate being used by corrupt nobles! I’ll also volunteer to be the commander!”
“Are you mocking us?! There’s no way we can fight under a commoner!”
“Don’t think I’ll be swayed by the whims of nobles!”
A fierce argument erupted between Prince Slay’s faction and Prince Brute’s faction. For us, caught in the middle, it was unbearable.
Lily sighed in exasperation, while Rouge wore a troubled expression. Meanwhile, Lecty, clearly frightened, timidly grasped my hand.
Alissa watched the squabbling students leisurely, remarking, “Ah, youth!” This kind of petty squabble must be a daily occurrence for the Royal Knights Order. It seemed she wouldn’t intervene even if it escalated into a physical fight…
How to resolve this? As I pondered, I caught sight of the back of a boy’s head in front of me.
“Idiot, aren’t you going to volunteer?”
“You don’t get it, Hugh. Do I look like the type to sit back and command from the rear?”
“Oh, right. You’re more the type to charge headfirst into the fray without thinking.”
“I feel somewhat insulted, but I won’t deny it. My skill shines brightest on the front lines of battle!”
“Is that so…?”
Idiot’s skill, «Chevalier», could be used for offense, but I thought it shone more in defense. If I were the commander, I’d want him by my side as a crucial defensive asset.
“What about you? Aren’t you going to volunteer?”
“No, that’s out of the question… I don’t have any leadership skills, and I’m a noble myself.”
Though I hadn’t explicitly stated it, I often acted alongside Lily, so I was likely seen as part of Prince Lucas’s faction. And I wouldn’t be accepted by Prince Brute’s faction, which had a clear disdain for nobles.
The classroom had long since lost any semblance of a discussion, and time continued to pass. Just as the argument seemed poised to escalate into a brawl…
—Bang!!! Alissa clapped her hands loudly.
The sound echoed through the classroom, silencing both factions. With all eyes on her, Alissa smiled brightly.
“If you’re going to fight, let’s do it in a spacious area. So, we’ll hold a mock group battle according to the rules of the Inter-Class Tournament in the forest training grounds behind the school. The winning faction will get to choose the commander, and the losing faction will have to comply. No objections?”
At Alissa’s proposal, the classmates from both factions nodded in agreement.
For them, Alissa’s suggestion was undoubtedly appealing. After all, it was a rare opportunity to legally force their opponents into submission. They could also vent their frustrations and grievances through violence.
…Alissa had been waiting for the right moment to escalate the argument. She must have intended to decide the class commander through the mock group battle from the start.
Prince Slay’s faction, Prince Brute’s faction, and the five of us who didn’t belong to either.
A triangular mock war was about to begin.