The final opponent decided is as follows.
Me and Leo, Thousand Gale Palace and Opposite Palace, Sage and Erias.
There’s no way Sage and Erias going against each other is okay, right?
“Make sure to clean your neck properly. Golden Way Zodiacs’ order.”
“Ho ho, if you old geezers start showing off, you’ll break your bones. Besides, you’ve never trained your stamina, so you won’t recover well anyway.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll cut off your windpipe in one go. You won’t feel a thing.”
Even now, they’re growling at each other like this—I don’t know if it’s really alright.
With that thought, I glanced at Arkan, and he shook his head with an expression of resignation.
Man, he really has it tough…
“Now we just need to decide the order. Is there any preference?”
At Arkan’s question, Gliese shrugged.
“I don’t care. How about you, Dual Sword Guy?”
“I’m fine too. Just take it easy on me, please.”
“You whiny brat…”
Gamifer and Gliese were good-natured unlike Sage, which was refreshing.
I subtly glanced at Leo, who also shrugged as if to say he didn’t mind either.
Hmm, looks like we’ll have to draw lots for the match order.
“I’ll go first. I want to send that Golden Way Zodiacs’ head flying as soon as possible.”
“Ho ho, we’ll see whose bones break first.”
While their verbal sparring continued,
I thought to myself: Not last… Definitely not last.
I already don’t want to do it, and I don’t want all the attention.
“Then we will…”
“I’ll go second. Isn’t it proper for the young ones to get the spotlight?”
“That makes sense. But before the finals, I’m worried the kids might get intimidated.”
“Nah, a son who gets intimidated by such things wouldn’t make it to the finals.”
“You’re right about that.”
Oh no… My chance was stolen!
“Then the first match will be Infantry Palace vs Gold Eagle Palace, the second will be Thousand Gale Palace vs Opposite Palace, and the final match will be Leo vs Allen. Does that work for you two?”
“I’m good with it. Being last means I can give it my all!”
“…Yeah, sure.”
I forced a smile in response.
“Then I’ll inform you of the detailed schedule later via messenger. This place isn’t booked for today, so feel free to stay as long as you like. I have some work to handle, so I’ll take my leave.”
Arkan gathered up the papers on his desk and bowed before leaving.
Not long after, Erias also stood up.
“I should visit the magic tower. I’ll go ahead.”
“Heh, don’t hog all the busy act by yourself.”
“…Are you seriously challenging me here?”
Erias, provoking Sage as if waiting for it, began channeling mana.
His mana wasn’t the only thing intense—his gaze was sharp too.
Feeling an ominous vibe that something bad might happen, I quickly moved.
“How dare you think I can’t… Urk!”
“Just go already. Don’t waste your energy on useless stuff.”
“…I’m sparing you because of your face.”
“Yes yes, take care.”
“Hmph.”
After Erias disappeared instantly, I finally removed my hand from blocking Sage’s mouth.
Phew, that was like walking on thin ice.
“This brat thinks he can cover my mouth? Want to end up in solitary confinement?”
Solitary confinement?
This guy talks nonsense like he’s not even my direct superior anymore.
“Stop talking nonsense and go back to work. Do you think someone as high-ranking as a division commander has nothing to do? You’re probably as busy as Erias.”
“The hell with that old man. I came here taking a break from my aides. Heh heh.”
“Damn crazy old man…”
Watching Sage chuckle, I shook my head.
This guy must make life hard for his aides.
Of course, he doesn’t dump his own responsibilities, but since he’s obsessed with work, even the aide’s share of the job won’t be easy.
I felt sympathy for someone whose face I’ve never seen.
I know how tough it is to follow someone unpredictable like Sage.
Did my feelings show on my face? Sage looked at me with an irritated expression.
“Why are you staring like that? Making me want to hit you.”
“It’s just… I pity your aides. What sins did they commit in their past lives to suffer under you?”
“What’s wrong with me? There’s no better superior than me! Everyone says I’m better than the previous division commander~”
“Yeah yeah, sure you are.”
“Tsk tsk, are you doing your job properly? I heard your student broke her sword? How do you supply equipment to your students? Especially to a duchess’s daughter. Is Minerva’s budget that tight? Should I put in a word with the Royal Palace?”
What? Now he’s throwing jabs and adding a few comments?
… All of it’s true, so I have nothing to say.
How could I predict such problems would arise?
“I’ll handle it. The sword… whatever…”
“You don’t actually think it’ll come easily, do you? You know it takes months to custom-order a decent sword, right?”
Sage’s sharp critique left me speechless.
Now that I think about it, it took quite a while to create that blood storm.
I had assumed it was because it was assembled piece by piece, but…
Apparently, custom orders are always like that.
Looking at my blank expression, Sage concluded.
“Looks like you don’t know anything. Well, considering you’ve only ever used hand-me-downs, what did you expect?”
“Then why don’t you get one for me?”
Hearing my sarcastic remark, Sage leaned forward eagerly.
“With your bare mouth?”
“Huh? What does that mean?”
“Do you know about Chermalt Mountain near the capital? A popular spot for tourists.”
“Yeah… I know it.”
“For some reason, Wyverns have nested there. Go chase them out or exterminate them as you see fit.”
So that’s why you brought up Ariana.
No, shouldn’t that be handled by the Capital Defense Force?
“What’s the scale?”
“You can handle it alone, so don’t worry.”
“Sigh… Yes sir…”
I absentmindedly nodded, then suddenly remembered Helios Family’s full support.
Surely they must have a couple of decent swords lying around?
I looked at Leo hopefully.
“Does Helios Family have any spare swords?”
To my question, Leo answered awkwardly.
“Well… we do have swords. Even though we’re a mage family, I’m a swordsman too.”
“So…”
“But it probably won’t work. If it’s for my sister-in-law, that’d be different, but you’re giving it to a Selene Family’s noblewoman, right?”
“Huh?”
What’s he talking about?
Everyone knows it’s rude to re-gift something, but surely they can overlook that much?
“Look, both our families, Helios and Selene, are founding nobles and duchies. For some reason, there’s a bit of rivalry between us.”
“You mean…”
Understanding somewhat, I blinked, and Sage drove the point home.
“Wouldn’t it seem weird for a swordsman’s daughter to receive a sword from a mage family? Especially when they’re rivals. Selene Patriarch wouldn’t approve. Neither would Balkan offer help just for that.”
Sage said nonchalantly while looking at me.
“So stop thinking uselessly. If you want a sword, go kill some wyverns.”
“… By when?”
“The sooner the better. Be back before the main tournament starts. It’s only an hour by carriage anyway. You can make a quick trip.”
Cornered on all sides, I had no choice but to raise both hands and feet in surrender.
“Fine, just send the sword quickly.”
“We’ll see how you perform.”
Sage chuckled in response.
It was a complete defeat.
Gliese, who had been watching our little drama from the side, spoke with interest.
“Sounds fun. Can I join you? I was bored anyway.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Dual Swords, you coming too?”
“Sure. Also, I’m curious about our new friend’s skills.”
And thus, Thousand Gale Palace and Opposite Palace joined the party.
Seeing these powerful allies, Sage clicked his tongue unhappily.
“Tch, do you guys have nothing else to do?”
“Don’t worry. We won’t interfere with the young one. We’ll just watch.”
“I’m just going for a stroll too. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah. Just watch closely. This guy needs to loosen up a bit.”
“… Adding unnecessary commentary…”
“If you come back without a sword, I’ll be mad.”
“Anyone would think you entrusted the sword to us. Got it, kid.”
“And it better suit Ariana too.”
“Tsk, stop making useless excuses and scram already!”
After delivering his final warning, I immediately headed out.
A party with two members of the Golden Way Zodiacs.
Too much power for just dealing with wyverns.
Meh, roughly… Let’s aim for a round-trip time of two and a half hours.
It’s annoying, but this is also part of a teacher’s dedication to their student.
