The final match of the tournament, Anne’s championship bout, was about to begin. Although it was disappointing, I departed from the… ah, not sisters, but friends, and made my way to the separate VIP seating area that had been arranged for me.
“Ah, you’ve arrived early, Saint.”
Considering there was still quite some time before the tournament began, it wasn’t that I arrived late but rather that Mariel had arrived early.
Looking around, I realized that out of all the reserved seats for guests of honor, there were only two people present: Mariel and myself.
“Uh, yes! You’ve come early too, Hero. Please, come in.”
When I greeted her, Mariel responded nervously, perhaps still remembering something that had happened earlier.
“So, did you rest well?”
“Yes, sorry to have caused you worry before. I’m as good as new now.”
Indeed, whenever I tried to recall the memories of “Zeno Prentz” from before my time as an assassin, my head throbbed and I became sensitive, but as long as I didn’t force myself to remember, the headache subsided.
“That’s good. What a relief…”
Though I felt a bit of embarrassment from having my kindness rejected, I was more deeply moved by her concern for me. As they say, Saint Mariel truly is the Saint, even if she does have a soft spot for money.
As I chatted amicably with a now back-to-normal Mariel, I looked around the stands, waiting for Anne to enter for the final match.
Perhaps because it was one of the biggest events of the Celestial Festival, there were hardly any empty seats despite there still being quite some time before the final match would begin.
“Oh.”
“What is it, Hero?”
“It’s nothing… I just spotted my friends.”
Not in the general audience seating but in a section reserved for family and friends, I spotted Selian, Yuli, and Linne who were trying to find their seats. It seemed they had waited in line for their turn to enter, unlike myself who had slipped in without waiting.
Only a few days ago, I would have been sitting with them. Now, watching the match from the VIP seating, it reminded me once again of my position as a Hero.
As if noticing my gaze, Selian and Yuli turned to look at me. I gave them a light wave, and in return, they waved back. Meanwhile, Linne had already pulled out popcorn — goodness knows where from — and was munching away happily.
Suddenly, a thunderous cheer erupted across the arena, shaking the air with its intensity.
Looking down to the stage, I saw a referee checking everything was in order, signaling that the match was about to start.
-Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen. The match will be starting shortly. Again, I say…
The announcement, amplified by magic, filled the stadium, causing the people still looking for seats to hurry while others simply sat on the steps.
“Come to think of it, didn’t you mention a friend of yours was participating?”
“Ah… Yes, that’s right.”
“Actually, that friend of yours is set to compete in the finals soon.”
“Wow, impressive. So your friend is in the first year, but already made it to the final match? It’s not just the scale of this year’s Celestial Festival that’s drawing people, there’s clearly something else captivating them.”
Although I hadn’t really followed the matches since the first day, I was glad I’d made it in time to see the final.
“Ah, it’s starting.”
Once again, the stadium interior was dimmed, despite the sun shining brightly outside. It seemed the grad students had worked hard with their assistant Mage spells.
A spotlight appeared on the stage, where an immaculately dressed tournament host stood ready.
Starting with a somewhat clichéd greeting, the host proceeded to explain a few details about the final bout. While not particularly relevant, I skimmed through it until the part where they started introducing the competitors.
“And now, let us introduce the two warriors challenging for the title of the Academy’s strongest!”
The host dramatically extended his hand to point towards something, and a spotlight illuminated the walkway connected to the stage.
In its glow stood a towering woman of about two meters in height, with the demeanor of a mature and imposing figure rather than a young girl. On her back hung a massive sword as she stood firmly in place.
“Introducing a contestant familiar to many! Since her enrollment at the Academy, she has been known as the only daughter of the Mercenary King! However, few now see her as merely the Mercenary King’s daughter! The winner of last year’s Celestial Martial Arts Tournament! A name always mentioned in discussions about the Academy’s strongest: the fourth-year, first-class Swordsmanship Department student, Lunessa!”
“Wow!!!”
A name I had indeed heard even prior to entering the Academy. Lunessa wasn’t just familiar to Academy students—her name was also on a list of individuals deemed dangerous back in my assassin days, though the recognition back then was more tied to her being the Mercenary King’s daughter.
The crowd’s cheers filled the stadium, but Lunessa stood silently, arms crossed, showing no reaction beyond her unwavering gaze forward.
“Next, allow me to introduce another participant that might be unfamiliar to some. It’s only fair—it’s not every day you see a first-year student, a newcomer, making it to the finals! This is nothing short of the ‘Freshman Rebellion!’ With surprising strength, this petite warrior swings a massive greatsword beyond expectation! From the first-year, first-class Swordsmanship Department student, Anne Klein!”
“Wow!!!”
I assumed that Anne’s cheers would be significantly smaller than Lunessa’s due to her lack of established reputation, yet surprisingly, the crowd’s cheer matched and, to some, even surpassed Lunessa’s.
As everyone’s attention focused on her, Anne pulled her greatsword off her shoulder and slammed it into the ground with a loud thud before mimicking Lunessa and crossing her arms while smirking provocatively at her across the stage.
“That’s my friend. She’s really quite adorable when you think about it.”
“So that’s the Hero’s friend… The one who sleeps in the same room, and the same bed?”
“Yes. Though, to be honest, if it were any of my other friends, it wouldn’t be too bad. But every time Anne climbs into bed with me, it’s impossible to sleep. It’s so problematic.”
“Impossible to sleep…”
While sleeping with Selian and Yuli merely makes things slightly warm, causing their clothes to get a bit disheveled by morning, with Anne, it’s chaotic. She often places her feet on my stomach and moves aggressively, waking me up several times during the night.
“While the matchup of a first-year versus a fourth-year is certainly an important feature to look forward to, watching two warriors wielding greatswords going all-out against each other is something to truly anticipate! So, let our match officially begin!”
Following the host’s words, Anne slowly dragged her sword on the ground toward the center stage. As she moved, she scanned the audience, spotting me in the dim lights and waving enthusiastically.
I could feel the surrounding spectators turn their gaze in my direction, trying to see what had caught Anne’s attention.
Fortunately, it was dark enough that my expression wasn’t visible; otherwise, I would have surely been blushing furiously at the attention.
Satisfied that she spotted me, Anne once again waved and smiled brightly before facing Lunessa.
The two stood in stark contrast—the petite Anne, just above 140 cm, and the towering Lunessa. Yet, Anne’s confidence shone as she looked up at Lunessa with an unshaken and self-assured smile.
Lunessa, seemingly pleased with the challenge from a student three years her junior, responded with a slight smirk.
As the host vacated the stage, the two warriors gripped their greatswords firmly, creating a tension-filled atmosphere.
The boisterous cheers and murmurs of the audience were gradually replaced by an intense silence, everyone holding their breath, waiting.
“Fight!”
The host’s cry signaled the start of the match.
BOOM!
In less than a second, a thunderous clash echoed through the arena, a sound unimaginable from mere swords colliding.
“Wowwwww!!”
Initially stunned into silence, the crowd erupted into cheers louder than anything heard so far.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The clash continued, each swing a spectacle. One would swing down, the other would counter from below; another would slash from the left and the opponent would block from the right—neither gave way.
In their unwavering stance, both warriors stood firm, their greatswords clashing with reckless abandon.
The impact was tremendous, the stage itself cracking under the pressure, creating an illusion that the tremors in the air were visible.
Each swing, like soft pudding, carved deep grooves into the stone surface.
Even amidst the chaos, both wore smiles, as if reveling in the joy of combat with a worthy opponent.
The match continued without commentary—speech wasn’t needed. Their raw power, their wild passion, transcended the need for words.
Even the flashy displays of magic from earlier matches paled in comparison to the pure brute force displayed here.
Minutes passed, with neither giving an inch. But it was Lunessa, unexpectedly, who took a small step back, surprising both the audience who underestimated Anne due to her freshman status and the gamblers likely betting heavily against her.
Lunessa gracefully leapt back, creating distance, preparing for another assault.
Anne, meanwhile, steadied herself, waiting.
The dynamic had shifted; Anne, once the challenger, now faced Lunessa, the aggressor.
Responding to Anne’s defiant grin and gesture, Lunessa adjusted her stance, holding her greatsword in a completely different manner—more haphazard and unpredictable than her previous refined posture.
With Anne given no time to think, Lunessa charged forward, unleashing a powerful swing.
Instead of deflecting, Anne’s sword locked with Lunessa’s, and the clash spun into a wide arc.
In an elegant sweep, Lunessa’s blade overpowered Anne’s and slammed into the ground with a deafening crunch.
Though deeply embedded, Anne’s monstrous strength could easily have pulled it out, but Lunessa refused to grant the necessary angle, instead closing the distance.
Simultaneously, Lunessa’s attempt to strike Anne’s head was met with a mocking challenge, as their heads missed by miles due to their height disparity.
Lunessa’s posture evolved into something wild, akin to a beast or a monster, hunched forward with arms dangling.
BOOM!
A collision unlike any before echoed through the arena.
“Such stubborn…”
I caught myself before cursing my friend.
Despite the thunderous clash of heads, neither showed any sign of pain or discomfort, simply continuing their fight in an exchange of punches.
PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!
As if in a loop, they repeatedly struck each other’s ribs, stomachs, and faces, taking every blow without flinching.
Though Anne’s shorter reach initially seemed disadvantageous, she maneuvered closer, neutralizing Lunessa’s advantage.
For a considerable duration, their relentless exchange continued, until at last, the sole figure standing amidst the chaos was Anne, the red-haired little girl.
Though not the picture of victory—her eyes swollen and blood dripping from her mouth—the same could be said of Lunessa, lying sprawled on the ground.
As the ultimate victor was declared and the crowd erupted into cheers, Anne turned toward me, offering a bright, beaming smile and a big wave.
