Chapter 103. < 40. Discussing the Best on the Continent >
"Haha, over here. Please take a seat."
The representatives of the Jenas, Rhodia, and Sarote Kingdom delegations entered.
Guided by the Academy Head, they took their seats at the head table and chatted while waiting for the Sword Tournament to begin.
"Hehehe, I'm truly looking forward to seeing the talented individuals from the renowned Jenas and Rhodia Kingdoms. Of course, we have high expectations for Tarajan Kingdom's cadets as well."
"I feel the same. I hope this opportunity will broaden our children's horizons."
"I share that thought. It's hard to wait. Hahaha."
Adam Harper, Claire Kambahita, and John McCart spoke in turn. The Academy Head and the Knight Department Head also received their words with pleasant expressions.
However, unlike the smiles on their lips, their hearts were anxious and uneasy.
They knew all too well how exceptional the foreign participants' skills were.
'Lord Lucas is the talent who will lead Jenas's next generation. I thought they'd just bring someone to make up the numbers, but to bring their top expert......'
'Rhodia's Violet Porter...... I heard she's quite a promising prospect. I wonder how long our cadets can hold out. And Sarote Kingdom's apprentice knights don't look easy to deal with either.......'
The furrows on their foreheads grew deeper.
If only this were the first semester Sword Tournament for 15-16 year old children.
Because Tarajan had the four second-years led by Lumian Calad. Their reputation was rapidly spreading beyond the kingdom across the eastern continent. Their skills also lived up to the rumors.
But unfortunately, the skills of the third and fourth years fell short.
Despite being older than them.
'We have no choice but to believe in them. I just hope they do well.'
'Thank goodness we sent them for practical training with regular knight orders during the break. They've grown a lot since then, so even if they can't win, at least they won't be humiliated.'
The Academy Head and Knight Department Head exchanged glances. Then they looked at the stage.
They must defend Tarajan's honor!
Go, cadets!
They were cheering fervently in their hearts.
Of course, even while doing so, the conversation with the delegation representatives continued without pause. As representatives of a small nation, they had to treat the figures from the three major powers like royalty.
"Then, we will now begin the first round of the Tarajan Academy Sword Tournament!"
"Oh, it's starting now."
"The first round is...... both are Tarajan's children?"
"Hahaha, that's right. Especially that blond child, he took first place in the recent evaluation."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes. Of course, he's a child with many shortcomings, but his light footwork and quick sword are quite fierce. Hahaha."
"I see. Let's look forward to it."
Just as the conversation ended, the match began.
Two nervous cadets swung their swords vigorously at each other.
Kaang!
Kang, Kakang-!
Even though they hadn't exchanged many exchanges, the advantage and disadvantage were clearly revealed.
The fourth-year top student overwhelmingly pressured his opponent. The third-year cadet swung his sword desperately, but his stance gradually crumbled as if struggling to keep up.
Hwieek
Chaechaeng!
Cheolgeureok!
"Match over! Fourth-year Class A, George Martin, victory!"
Before long, the outcome was decided.
The winning fourth-year top student raised his hand high, and cheers poured from the audience seats.
'Good, not bad.'
The Knight Department Head also clapped with a bright expression.
His condition looked quite good. At this level, even if it would be difficult against someone from Jenas or Rhodia, he thought they might be able to win against Sarote Kingdom.
The Academy Head breathed a sigh of relief seeing the Knight Department Head's expression. From his position of not being able to judge sword skills, he had no choice but to observe others' reactions.
'The atmosphere of the foreign representatives seems decent too...... well, this should be fine.'
His face, which had been stiff with tension, relaxed somewhat. Fortunately, it seemed there would be no loss of face.
But that was too hasty a judgment.
Kaaang!
"Kugh...... I lost."
"Match over! Jenas apprentice knight Jacob Hart, victory!"
Kwang, Kwang, Kwaang!
Cheolgeureok-!
"Match concluded! Rhodia apprentice knight Dana Celly, victory!"
Peoeok!
"Kkeup...... Kulkeok, Kuheoeok!"
"Stop! Match concluded! Sarote apprentice knight Isaac Merton, victory!"
"......."
"......."
Watching their nation's cadets being defeated one after another by the three nations' apprentice knights, the Academy Head and Knight Department Head's expressions grew increasingly dark.
Only then did they realize. They had been thinking wrongly all along.
The foreign representatives hadn't exclaimed in admiration because the fourth-year top student's skills were excellent.
It was merely an act of consideration.
The Knight Department Head quietly bit his lower lip.
'Damn, even more pathetic.'
Of course, this was a normal flow.
The superpowers Jenas and Rhodia were naturally superior, and Sarote also had stronger knight forces than Tarajan. There was nothing strange about losing to such people.
However, since this was a tournament held on their home ground, they couldn't help but hope for some decent performance.
"Wow...... really strong."
"Right? The difference in level is obvious."
"That person is that person, Lord Lucas. I heard even Jenas has high expectations for him? They call him the next-generation Sword Master."
"Sword Master? Wow, really?"
"That's what they say. Well, if Jenas's knights are saying such things, won't he definitely become a Sword Master in a few decades?"
"Amazing. Our country doesn't have a single Sword Master, you know."
"That's true. But well, it is Jenas after all......."
Words of resignation could be heard from the nearby audience seats.
Hearing this, the Knight Department Head's heart grew even more heavy.
He wasn't a person with ardent patriotism. He was moderately worldly and moderately selfish.
Nevertheless, the current situation couldn't help but be frustrating.
The Academy Head was the same.
The two felt the limitations of a small nation and had to struggle to compose their sinking hearts.
They couldn't show sadness in front of the powerful nations' delegation representatives.
"Truly amazing!"
"Isaac Merton? He's incredible despite being an apprentice knight. Sarote Kingdom's future is truly bright."
"Hehe, euheuheuheuhe. He is a child we're paying quite a bit of attention to!"
At Sarote representative Adam Harper's laughter, the two also smiled.
It was a sad politician's smile that revealed nothing of their true feelings.
***
"Hmm......."
Joel Cok, an apprentice knight of Sarote Kingdom seated in the waiting area, smiled.
It wasn't because of his friend's victory. He had thought Isaac Merton would win as a matter of course. Losing to a small nation's cadets was something that couldn't happen.
'If you exclude those four monsters.......'
Just thinking of Lumian Calad's face made his body shrink involuntarily.
But this was momentary.
As far as he knew, Tarajan Academy's third and fourth years didn't have such monsters.
Smiling that greasy smile again, he spoke to the black-haired beauty with her hair tied in a ponytail.
"Your name is Tanya Eloyse, right, Lady?"
"Yes, that's right."
'Ha, even her voice is pretty.'
Joel Cok's smile deepened.
It was truly a lucky day. Not only did he get to sit next to a female knight rare in his own country, but that female knight also had beauty stunning enough to make eyes roll.
And she was even his first-round opponent.
He fell into the delusion that something fateful was hovering between himself and her.
'Honestly, compared to the guys here, I'm a much better man.'
Joel Cok was overflowing with confidence.
He came from a country stronger than Tarajan and held the high status of being the eldest son of a count's family.
It wasn't just his background that was outstanding. With skills certain to reach Expert level someday, and even a handsome face.
It wasn't a subjective evaluation. He could confidently say he was about 13 times better looking than his friend Isaac Merton, so he had sufficient qualification to charm the woman before his eyes.
He reached out his hand and said.
"I am Joel Cok. It may sound like boasting, but I'm someone Sarote Kingdom has expectations for."
"Ah, is that so."
Tanya accepted the handshake.
But she pulled her hand away very quickly. It was almost at the level of just brushing past.
Joel Cok's brow furrowed.
'Well, women need to be worth their looks to be charming.'
Regaining his expression, he tried to open the conversation.
However, most of the content was his own boasting. Tanya, who had been nodding absently, slightly frowned.
'Is that guy Lumian talked about? A braggart?'
It was annoying.
An important opportunity to spread her reputation not just within the nation but across the entire continent had arrived. She didn't want to miss this by any means, so she had closed her eyes and was concentrating.
But some greasy guy who looked like he'd oiled his entire face was talking to her. Acting charming when it didn't suit him.
'Does he think he's good looking or something?'
It was ridiculous.
This was Tanya, seasoned by the faces of Lumian, Kal Krone, and Theo.
If there were only guys like Boomer around, maybe, but otherwise, it was impossible for Joel Cok's appearance to win her over.
Of course, the background of being the eldest son of a Sarote Kingdom count's family was useful.
To put it plainly, it was sufficient to make into a connection. The old Tanya would have endured the annoyance and continued as Joel Cok's conversation partner with a smiling face.
But the current Tanya was different.
Now deeply infatuated with Lumian Calad, she couldn't maintain her expression in this situation.
"Um, sorry but......"
"Yes? Did you have something to say to me, Lady?"
"There's someone I have good feelings for. Talking too long with the opposite sex is a bit......"
"......."
Joel Cok's expression stiffened. Tanya, who had slightly bowed her head, turned away.
Though it was a lie, this method was best for refusing politely. She barely held back a sigh that wanted to escape and looked toward the audience seats.
She saw Lumian's face watching the stage. Then a brilliant smile bloomed on its own.
'I wish it wasn't a lie.'
She could no longer deceive herself.
She liked him. She really liked Lumian.
Enough that just briefly seeing his face made her feel good. Enough that her heart pounded at the fact that he had come to watch her.
But she still didn't have courage. She quietly closed her eyes.
'To get closer, I guess I'll need a bit more time.'
But for now, this state was fine too.
Just as she was making a pleasant expression thinking about his face she would see after the match ended—
"Haha, how amusing."
"......."
"For the eldest son of a count's family from a major nation to give an opportunity, yet...... truly an amusing thing. Haha, hahahahaha."
Tanya opened her eyes.
And she began looking at Joel Cok with unconcealed contempt.
No, no matter how hurt his pride was, to spout such words?
But that wasn't the end.
Trash-like words continued pouring from his mouth.
"Well, rather it worked out better. A foolish woman who would miss the jewel before her eyes over some man who's obviously nothing special. It's regrettable that I couldn't refuse first from my side......"
At Joel Cok's excessive words, the surrounding participants' faces frowned. Even those from Rhodia, even those from Jenas were all baffled.
But the most angry were Tarajan Academy's cadets.
'How can he say such things.'
'Even if he's from a powerful nation, that's too much.'
'Such an insult......'
They weren't Tanya.
But they were fellow Tarajan Kingdom nationals, and because of that, they could no longer listen to Joel Cok's nonsense.
As knight cadets, they couldn't just stay still after receiving such insults.
However, they had no chance to step forward.
Because Tanya, who had been quietly listening, took action.
"You bastard."
"......."
"......?"
A curse quietly flowed from her lips.
Hearing this, those around looked at her wondering if they'd heard wrong.
Joel Cok was the same.
He looked at Tanya with a dumbfounded expression.
Then he spoke with a trembling voice.
"Just now...... what did you say......"
"What. I didn't say anything."
"......."
"And don't talk to me anymore. You smell."
With those words, Tanya closed her eyes.
It was a sign that she wouldn't respond further. With a hardened face, she thought.
'A man who's nothing special?'
A laugh escaped her.
Beyond annoying, it was ridiculous.
Who does he think he is to judge? Dozens of curses rose in her mind.
If asked to name ways Lumian Calad was better than Joel Cok, she could name more than ten without even a moment's pause. If she thought about it, she could name a hundred.
Thinking that such a worthless guy had spoken ill of Lumian, she couldn't stand it. Even now, her insides were boiling with anger.
"You wench, daring to......"
Joel Cok continued spewing harsh words.
The old Tanya would have regretted her mistake and not known what to do. What she had just said was insulting enough to potentially escalate into a diplomatic problem.
But the current her was different.
Rather, her anger still hadn't subsided.
"Ah, you talk way too much."
"What, what?"
"Fine, how about we make a bet? If you win, I'll grant one thing you want. But if I win, everything that just happened is entirely your fault. Plus, you never talk to me again. Sounds good, doesn't it?"
"......You wench!"
"Next! Third-year Class A Tanya Eloyse versus Sarote Kingdom apprentice knight Joel Cok!"
Just then, their match arrived.
Tanya stood up first, picked up her sword, and strode onto the stage. Joel Cok with an angry expression followed belatedly.
His gaze looked like it could burn a person to death. He said.
"Fine. I accept the bet."
"On the name of Lord Alia?"
"On the name!"
"Good."
"Hehe, I'm already looking forward to what wish to make. Hehehehe."
Joel Cok licked his lips.
His lecherous expression was a bonus. He didn't seem to have any intention of hiding his lust anymore.
That appearance looked incredibly ugly.
"Sigh."
Tanya shook her head and sighed.
Soon she raised her sword, and the referee looked at both sides and said.
"Are both of you ready?"
"Ready."
"I am ready."
"Good. Then...... match begin!"
It was when the referee who announced the start moved far away.
Someone's sword shot out fast as a ray of light.
Yet the weight was by no means light.
Heavy and thick energy, like a massive tidal wave rushing in.
It was Tanya's energy.
Facing this, Joel Cok made an unpleasant expression.
Swaaeek!
Kakang!
......Cheolgeureok!
The match was decided.
It was in the blink of an eye.
Joel Cok couldn't block Tanya's heavy sword. Without even the presence of mind to grasp his hurting hand, he blankly looked at his sword that had flown far away.
"......!"
"......!"
Numerous spectators, and the players in the waiting area.
Even the referee wore a spaced-out expression.
Belatedly coming to his senses, he announced the result with a trembling voice.
"M-match concluded! Third-year Class A Tanya Eloyse, v-victory!"
"Waaaaaaaah!"
A cheer like thunder rang out.
It was the moment a Tarajan Academy cadet defeated a foreign apprentice knight for the first time.