Episode 50: The Night Before the Decisive Battle

The Military Arts Tournament—a grand annual stage where students of the officer academy showcase various skills learned, such as swordsmanship, equestrianism, and unit command.

Spanning three days with multiple events, this tournament features one competition that stands above the rest: the “Dormitory Duel,” a clash between the academy’s four dormitories.

Each of the four dormitories forms its own legion for a team-based battle.

Though training swords and spears are used, the group clashes are as intense as real combat.

This “Dormitory Duel,” commonly called the “Dorm War,” is the highlight of the tournament, rendering other events mere sideshows by comparison.

“Alright, let’s get fired up!”

Raising his voice at the outdoor training field after school is Leon Vague.

Holding a training spear, he stands before roughly twenty commoner students, all similarly armed and lined up behind him.

“Talk about overflowing with enthusiasm…”

Muttering with a wry smile is Dominik Münter.

He, too, grips a spear, with commoner students forming ranks behind him.

“Here we gooo!”

At Leon’s command, his unit charges forward. Dominik’s unit braces to counter.

This is a practical training session for the Dorm War.

“I’m taking the lead! Don’t chicken out and follow me!”

Despite it being just training, Leon displays the same fervor as if it were the real thing.

“Man, he’s seriously pumped, isn’t he?”

Shrugging with an exasperated look, Dominik’s eyes burn with the same fighting spirit as Leon’s.

No, it’s not just the two of them. Every commoner student here is brimming with determination.

They’re aiming for victory in the Dorm War.

Their dormitory, Slade Dorm—mockingly called the “Commoner Shack”—has never won the Dorm War in the officer academy’s thirty-year history.

And that’s no surprise. The commoner students of Slade Dorm have always endured relentless bullying from noble students.

In such an environment, mustering the energy for voluntary after-school training was unthinkable.

Worse, standing out in mock battles would only draw the nobles’ attention, making them targets for even harsher bullying.

As a result, Slade Dorm has suffered first-round defeats year after year.

Everyone in Slade Dorm had given up on victory.

But—this year is different.

Thanks to Siegfried’s “villain hunt,” the bullying by noble students has subsided.

Now… Slade Dorm might just have a shot at its first-ever victory.

That hope sets their hearts ablaze with passion.

 

◇

 

Training for the Dorm War continued until sunset.

After most students returned to their dorms, three figures remained in the now-quiet outdoor training field.

“…You seriously doing this?”

One of the figures, Dominik, speaks up.

“You could die, you know, Leon…”

“If I don’t go this far, we won’t win the real thing, will we?”

Responding, Leon readies his spear.

Standing before him, his silver hair glinting under the moonlight, is a young man—Siegfried.

What’s about to begin is special training under his guidance.

“Alright… here I come!”

Leon charges, swinging his spear down at Siegfried.

“Take this!”

But the spear cuts through empty air. And then—

—Thud.

With a dull, heavy sound, Siegfried’s fist slams into Leon’s abdomen.

“Guh…!”

The powerful blow sends Leon’s body flying backward.

“H-Hey, you okay!?”

Dominik rushes over in a panic.

“Heh… t-totally fine… urp!”

“Yeah, you don’t look fine at all…”

“I said I’m fine…”

Swallowing back rising bile, Leon stands up.

“One more time… I’m going!”

Raising his spear again, Leon charges at Siegfried.

Once more, his spear slices through nothing—and in the next instant, Siegfried’s fist strikes, sending him flying.

Not a single one of Leon’s attacks reaches Siegfried. But…

(I’m starting… to get it…)

Even as he’s beaten down repeatedly, Leon begins to notice something.

A glimpse of the secret behind Siegfried’s strength.

(This guy… his mana control is unreal.)

By freely manipulating the mana within his body, Siegfried can focus and release it in an instant, generating explosive power.

Of course, that alone doesn’t explain Siegfried’s extraordinary skill. But it’s undoubtedly one factor contributing to his strength.

(I can’t become like him overnight… but even so…)

Each time Siegfried’s fist connects, Leon feels the flow and sensation of mana control.

Using that as a guide to refine his own mana control—

Leon realizes this is the key to elevating his own strength.

“What a stubbornly straightforward approach…”

Siegfried mutters.

This special training was Leon’s request to begin with.

He’s determined to lead Slade Dorm to victory in this year’s mock battle, no matter what.

Commoner students, discriminated against and oppressed.

Leon wants to prove that with effort, they can surpass the nobles.

“Well… that stubbornness might just suit a power-type leader.”

With a slight smirk, Siegfried swings his fist again.

 

◇

 

A few days before the Military Arts Tournament.

“You summoned me, Headmaster?”

Stepping into the headmaster’s office in the main school building is the student representative, Randolph.

“A report has arrived from the capital.”

Waiting for Randolph’s arrival, Headmaster Ludendorf speaks without preamble.

“As expected, Siegfried has not been entrusted with any special mission by His Majesty.”

“R-Really!?”

“Yes.”

Stroking his well-groomed beard, Ludendorf nods.

“This information comes from a knight under Zefard’s command.”

Zefard—Zefard von Lugardis, the commander of the Royal Knights.

One of the people present when Siegfried met with the king.

“It seems Zefard harbors considerable wariness toward Siegfried. It’s unlikely His Majesty would entrust an important mission to someone like that.”

Prime Minister Joachim, Knight Commander Zefard, and Chief Court Mage Ignas—these three are the king’s closest confidants.

It’s unthinkable that the king would place trust in someone his confidants are wary of and assign them a special mission.

“After cross-referencing other information… I’ve concluded there’s no chance Siegfried is on a special mission.”

“Unbelievable…”

To think he’s been acting so freely without any special mission—Randolph can’t hide his shock.

But with his father Ludendorf’s judgment made, there’s no room for doubt.

“In any case…”

Ludendorf’s lips curve into a smile, one that blends refinement with cruelty, a smirk only a high-ranking noble could muster.

“This means we can crush Siegfried without hesitation. And of course, Randolph, I’ll give you a chance to shine. As the heir of the Steyart family, one of the five great noble houses, show the world your true strength.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

—With each harboring their own ambitions, the curtain rises on the Military Arts Tournament.