Episode 55: The Swordsmanship Match

After Yompaldo’s elimination, the forces of Caladis Dormitory fell into a state of collapse.

With that, Leon seized the flag, and the second match of the first round concluded with a victory for Slade Dormitory.

“Ohh! An upset!”

“To think that Slade Dormitory, which always loses in the first round every year, would beat Caladis Dormitory…!”

The spectator stands were swirling with surprise and cheers.

Among them were those who came to watch this dormitory battle every year, but it was the first time they had ever witnessed Slade Dormitory’s victory.

“The way that student named Siegfried divided the enemy and took them down one by one… Even to an amateur’s eyes, it was a splendid strategy.”

“No, no, the fighting spirit of that tall student was truly something to behold…”

The excited spectators couldn’t calm down. Above them, in the VIP seats, Ludendorf and his son Randolph exchanged words.

“—In the end, someone of Yompaldo’s caliber couldn’t even make Siegfried struggle.”

Randolph spoke in a cold tone. Ludendorf nodded lightly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“However, that was within our expectations.”

“Indeed. In the finals the day after tomorrow… I’ll make sure to crush Siegfried myself.”

The dormitory battle’s final—held on the third and final day of the martial tournament. That’s where everything would be decided.

◇

The martial tournament entered its second day. This day featured individual competitions in various disciplines like swordsmanship and equestrian events. Compared to the dormitory battle, which was considered the main event, these individual contests drew less attention.

Even so, when it came to the finals of each individual competition, the spectators would naturally get fired up.

And now, one of those finals—the swordsmanship match—was about to take place.

“We will now commence the swordsmanship match final!”

The announcer’s voice echoed through the spectator stands via a sound-amplifying device made of magical ore.

“First, our first competitor… Second-year student, Siegfried von Kreving!”

As Siegfried stepped into view, the arena erupted in excitement.

“Oh… Here he comes!”

“That’s the student who shone in the dormitory battle, right?”

“Not just the dormitory battle! He’s been dominating the swordsmanship matches too, winning every round without letting his opponents get close!”

Indeed… Siegfried had displayed overwhelming skill in every preliminary match, securing victory after victory to reach this final stage.

From a corner of the spectator stands, an especially loud cheer rang out.

“Do your best, Lord Siegfried~!”

The source of that cheer was a group of female spectators.

Typically, this martial tournament saw very few female attendees. Most women had little interest in the rough battles of men.

But this time, things were different.

The dashing noble who had achieved a stunning victory in the dormitory battle, Siegfried. Hearing of his fame, women had come to catch a glimpse of him.

And as they watched Siegfried brilliantly advance through the swordsmanship tournament, their hearts were utterly captivated.

“He’s skilled at leading troops, a master swordsman, and on top of that, handsome… That’s just a bit unfair, don’t you think?”

A male spectator grumbled. Yet, even as he spoke, there was a hint of delight in his expression. Yes, he too was a fan of Siegfried.

And he wasn’t alone. Many among the spectators were starting to root for Siegfried.

The reason was simple. For those who looked forward to the dormitory battle every year, some had begun to feel a sense of monotony.

The clashes were thrilling to watch, but in the end, Grantzire Dormitory always won. When the champion was predictable, the excitement of watching was cut in half.

But this year was different. Slade Dormitory’s upset victory over Caladis Dormitory had shaken things up. Perhaps Siegfried could even challenge Grantzire Dormitory… That hope was beginning to fill the entire arena.

“Next, our second competitor… Third-year student, Milgeng von Gajaydis!”

The next to appear on the match field was a man who strode forward with his chest puffed out, as if flaunting his very existence.

The second son of the Gajaydis Marquis family, Milgeng.

This man was Siegfried’s opponent in the final.

“This student has shown considerable strength in his matches so far.”

“The Gajaydis Marquis family is a noble house that values the sword, after all. But beating Lord Siegfried, who possesses overwhelming strength, seems like a tall order…”

The moment those words reached his ears, Milgeng glared at the spectator stands.

“Oi, who was that!? Who’s the punk mouthing off!?”

At his angry shout, the spectator stands fell silent.

“Tch… Damn commoner spectators!”

Spitting venom, Milgeng advanced to the center of the match field. Then, he gently rested his hand on the scabbard of the sword at his waist.

(Heh… With this…)

What was sheathed at his side was no training sword. It was a real blade… a true sword.

In the martial tournament, all competitions were required to use training weapons.

In other words, Milgeng’s actions were a clear violation of the rules. But to him, such regulations were meaningless.

(I’ll just say I accidentally used a real sword… That excuse’ll do.)

Milgeng smirked inwardly. The sword at his waist was a renowned blade capable of cutting through iron.

(If this sword clashes with Siegfried’s, his training sword will snap in two. Once his weapon’s useless, it’s my game… In other words, my win!)

A sword breaking during intense combat was a common occurrence in swordsmanship matches.

No one would notice that Milgeng had used a real sword to break a training one.

If his use of a real sword was exposed, he could simply claim the weapon keeper mistakenly gave him a true blade and that he was unaware—shifting the blame to someone else.

And by defeating Siegfried, who was drawing all the attention in the arena, Milgeng would become a hero overnight.

He’d also earn the favor of Randolph, the student representative who was hostile toward Siegfried.

With such ulterior motives in his heart, Milgeng faced Siegfried.

“Yo, Siegfried. Your infamous run ends here. Not when I’m standing in your way.”

Milgeng spoke to Siegfried with a smug grin.

“My talent’s above yours. —You’ll be my stepping stone. A stepping stone for me to become a hero.”

“Oh… A hero, you say?”

Siegfried murmured, as if weighing the meaning of those words.

“Being defeated by a hero would be a fine moment for a villain. If you’re a true hero… I wouldn’t mind letting you defeat me. In that case, I’d show you the most spectacular defeat befitting a villain.”

“…What the hell are you babbling about?”

Milgeng glared suspiciously. But at that moment, the referee’s voice cut in.

“Now, both competitors, to your starting positions…”

At that call, Siegfried and Milgeng took their places at the starting line.

“—Begin!”

With the signal to start, Milgeng drew his sword from its scabbard. Meanwhile, Siegfried kept his sword sheathed.

And then, he casually strolled toward Milgeng.

“W-What’s with this guy!?”

Milgeng couldn’t hide his shock at Siegfried’s defenseless approach.

“Tch, you mocking me!?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Milgeng swung his sword down at Siegfried. But the blade only sliced through the air.

At the same moment, Siegfried’s hand chop struck Milgeng’s wrist.

“Guh…!”

A jolt strong enough to make his bones creak.

In the instant his grip weakened, Siegfried had already snatched Milgeng’s sword away.

“…A fine sword, isn’t it, Senior Milgeng?”

Examining the stolen blade, Siegfried smiled coldly.

“Wha…! G-Give it back!”

“I’m afraid I can’t. There’s no rule against taking an opponent’s sword, you see. …Though there is a rule prohibiting the use of real blades.”

(H-He knows!?)

Siegfried was aware that Milgeng was using a real sword. And… that real sword was now in Siegfried’s hands.

“Now then… Shall we test the sharpness of this blade?”

Siegfried raised the sword. Glinting in the sunlight was the renowned blade that could cut through iron. And it was about to be swung down on him.

Driven by terror, Milgeng instinctively stumbled back. But his legs tangled, and he fell clumsily onto his backside.

“Eek…! P-Please, spare me!”

Milgeng crawled away in a panic. Siegfried silently followed.

“I-I’m sorry! I was wrong…! Please forgive me…! I-I surrender! It’s my loss!”

Yet Siegfried didn’t stop, continuing to advance quietly.

“I-I said it’s my loss…! Eek, please, spare meeee!”

Finally, Milgeng screamed, tears streaming down his face.

—At that moment, the referee’s voice cut through.

“Um… The match is already over.”

“Huh…?”

“Er, well… The moment you declared your surrender, I announced the match’s end. It seems you didn’t hear over your own shouting…”

“Ha…?”

Only then did Milgeng notice that Siegfried was no longer holding the sword aloft.

And—in the next instant, the entire arena burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! N-No, I know it’s rude to laugh, but…”

“Fufu… It can’t be helped. That student, Milgeng, was just a bit too scared.”

“I mean, it’s just a training sword, right? To freak out like that… Pfft… Hehe…”

It was only natural. The spectators didn’t know the sword was real.

To them, Milgeng’s panic over a training sword was nothing short of comedic.

Especially since he had shouted angrily at the spectators before the match. The contrast between his earlier arrogance and his current pathetic state only made his absurdity stand out more.

Siegfried approached Milgeng and quietly handed him the sword.

“Impressive, Senior Milgeng. To elicit laughter from the entire arena—truly, your talent is remarkable. However…”

With a faint smile, he paused before continuing.

“It seems you’re better suited to being a clown than a hero.”

“Guh…!”

Milgeng glared at Siegfried. But what met him was… an icy, chilling gaze.

Then, Siegfried spoke in a low voice.

“If you want to defeat evil and become a hero… at least put your life on the line. A weakling like you, who can’t even do that, thinks he can stand in the way of my path of villainy? Save your nonsense for your dreams.”

“Ah…!”

Milgeng froze, as if his heart had been seized by overwhelming fear.

In Siegfried’s eyes was a glacial, emotionless coldness. But it was only a fleeting glimpse.

“Well, this is a fitting end for you. A shallow villain who tried to win with cheap tricks, reduced to the laughingstock of the arena… It was quite a show.”

With a bright smile, Siegfried left the match field.

“So strong! Absolutely overwhelming!”

“Kyaa! Lord Siegfried!”

Directed at his back were cheers and applause for Siegfried, who had brilliantly claimed victory.

Meanwhile, Milgeng remained paralyzed by fear, unable to move from the spot.

Bathed in the spectators’ mockery, all he could do was tremble in place.