Amaku Yasashii Sekai Ikiru Ni Wa – Chapter 10
After cleaning up the stadium from the last fight, the teacher steps into the ring.
“Now then, it is time for the final fight! Doyle Von Aghinis vs. Jon Von Spiez! Both students, come forward!” (Teacher)
I stand up to the teacher’s voice and start walking towards the stadium while activating [Aristocracy Aura] and seeing Jin standing there, looking slightly excited. Jin quickly runs towards the stadium and waits for me while slightly jumping up and down… I swear I see ears and a tail swaying on him for some reason. Is it a hallucination?
………I must be tired, so much so that I see him as a dog now.
While watching the imaginary tail sway, I think I should quickly finish this and go back. But I chase away such thoughts, as it would be disrespectful to Jin. Also, it would be bad to show no motivation in front of everyone. The entire stadium is filled with the whole first year student body; all of them are very excited. Many people are actually in my way of walking, but thanks to the skill [Aristocracy Aura], they split as I walk forward. I am like Moses splitting the sea of students. This skill is very useful to me, and I am glad I was able to obtain it.
“Thank you for waiting, Doyle Von Aghinis is now here.”(Doyle)
“We have been waiting… Master Doyle?”(Jin)
I bow to the teacher who calls me. Then, Jin who had started talking very excited shows a confused expression. I turn my eyes to the part of my body Jin is looking at as if he is searching for something—my hand. I, in response to his gaze, remember that I have not picked my weapon yet. Thus, it was not strange for Jin to have a confused expression; it would be very strange if you were looking forward to fight an opponent, and they walked in without a weapon.
I had attempted to think of many methods to tell him about my change of weapons, since I had tried so hard to tell him about it in the morning but had not managed to say it. Thankfully, I had thought of a method just before the match. And, thanks to Jin’s expression and attention towards it, it works perfectly. I am not underestimating Jin and am trying to be serious.
Remember my oath.
Remember my promise to His Highness.
Focus my mind.
I have to win this fight.
This victory is an absolute condition for everyone to accept the new me. This play is my method to convince everyone here. Jin, in front of me, is my co-star on this stage, and in my story scenario, he is a person I must defeat. I focus my stance, get rid of the grin on my face, and put on a serious expression. Jin becomes even tenser when he senses my aura, and also fixes his stance and expression.
I quite admire Jin in my heart.
He is a child with a good spirit, and is worthy to be the successor of my grandfather and father as the [Hero of the Spear]. If people who recognize this person’s fighting abilities see him lose to me, the evaluation of my fighting abilities will increase. This entire play is about how much I can show off my power to an extent that it is not condemned by others.
“Before we start the match, I have something I must tell, Jin.”(Doyle)
“……What is it, Master Doyle?”(Jin)
I believe Jin is wary of my actions: I can tell this because he is a straightforward person. His expression and actions are all on the surface, and he does not have a hidden face. But, this is also a flaw in him, as he does not know that he is my prey at this very moment. Even now, he is just following the scenario I have written in my head.
“I would like to inform you that I will not be using Fire and Thunder magic, but Wind and Water magic. I will also use Ice magic, an upper cla.s.s magic, if needed.”(Doyle)
“What?”(Jin)
“I would also like to inform you, Jin, that I will not be using a spear in this match, but a sword called Katana.”(Doyle)
I use the wind spirits that I had gathered here to spread my voice to everyone in the stadium as I inform Jin of my current circ.u.mstances. I also take my sword out from a subs.p.a.ce storage skill and show it to Jin.
“……Why?”(Jin)
“I am telling you so I do not deceive you, and also for you not to misunderstand. I am not against having a spear contest with Jin, but whether the opponent was you or anyone else, I would have used a sword and my attribute magic anyway. I am not able to prove this to you with my words right now, though. I am not underestimating you; I came to fight you seriously, and this would be my perfect state.”
I clearly tell Jin that I am going to take this battle seriously, and that I am going to fight this battle to win.
However, Jin is skeptical about my explanation and is in thought right now. I believe he half-trusts my words. I am observing Jin, who is deciding whether I am lying or telling the truth.
In contrast to Jin, the gallery in the stadium is in an uproar. Some of them are even saying that I am running away or am afraid of being robbed of the t.i.tle [Hero of the Spear]. If this was the past me, I would have ordered Ballad to beat them up. But now, I do not care about them. At the moment, I am only focused on Jin, who is still in thought until…
“Shut up!”(Jin)
In response to Jin’s voice, the gallery goes silent. Apparently, the Wind spirits—sensing the mood— had carried Jin’s voice and amplified it to the entire stadium. Jin, who is docile, getting suddenly angry and projecting a huge amount of bloodl.u.s.t to the gallery makes everyone scared. Though, Gray, my grandfather, and Jin’s father all have a smile in response to Jin’s voice.
“Doyle, I have two questions I would like to ask.”(Jin)
I look straight into his eyes and see they are very serious; those are the eyes of a warrior.
“I will answer to the best of my ability.”(Doyle)
“Why are you telling me you are going to use a sword? This would be a surprise, and I would be caught off guard and thus lose.”(Jin)
“Of course, it is because I want to defeat Jin at full power and completely, fully show that it is not a fluke.”(Doyle)
“Am I able to trust your words?”(Jin)
“Whether you trust me or not is your choice, but I believe you will trust the me who made the oath in front of His Highness. I will live a straight path with my head held high.”(Doyle)
As I say that, Jin nods.
Gray is looking a little happy right now.
My grandfather is expressionless as usual, but I can see his eyes shifting between me and His Highness.
“I understand. Now, my second question; Master Doyle said earlier that, whether it was me or anyone else, you would use a sword and that you cannot prove this with your words. When can you prove it?”(Jin)
I am glad he turned his attention to this point. As expected of my co-star and His Highness’s aide, I did say this so he would point it out. Jin is a tad too obedient, but he does have a good head on his shoulders to be able to catch my subtle hints and points. I take a stance with my sword and declare it in a loud voice with the greatest amount of respect I can muster to speak to my co-star.
“Of course, it will be during this match. I will completely overpower you with this sword.”(Doyle)
To me, who takes a stance with my sword and looks like a soldier ready for battle, Jin shows another contemplating expression. The gallery is all surprised at me. Gray goes from a smile to being anxious again. Jin’s father and my grandfather are now both surprised. Ballad… looks like a shoujo manga heroine with his hands on his chest and a concerned expression while his eyes are dazzling. I am sure that dealing with him will be much harder than doing my life over again.
Jin, who was in thought, suddenly starts to laugh and goes back a few meters. Then, he takes a stance with his spear. I also retreat a few meters and take my stance again. I ask one last question to Jin while glaring at him.
“Jin, are there any other questions? This is your last chance.”(Doyle)
“No, I have none. All other questions will be answered in this battle.”(Jin)
“Ok, I will answer all your questions and doubts with this sword.”(Doyle)
“……Are there any problem with either party?”(Teacher)
““None!””(Doyle & Jin)
The teacher overseeing us sees that we are both ready and have taken our stances, and starts the match.
“—–Now, the Battle Between Doyle Von Aghinis vs. Jin Von Spiez………Begin!”(Teacher)
Thus the first fight of my new life begins.