Amaku Yasashii Sekai de Ikiru Ni Wa – Chapter 8
Two people were inside a stadium; a boy fearlessly wielded a sword and a girl with a bow used magic. She was currently hiding behind a wall made out of soil that she conjured. Amidst all of this, the boy was wounded all over while the girl seemed exhausted from her magic usage.
“Woah!!”
The boy took a stance and started to rush towards the wall made of soil and stone. The girl, seeing this, released a rush of arrows clad in wind magic towards the boy from the wall. Although the group of arrows was rushing straight at the boy swordsman head-on, the boy swordsman did not bother to dodge, and rather ran straight towards them. He attacked the barricade head-on, but the strike did not reach the girl; instead, his sword broke in two.
“d.a.m.n it!”
“—The match is over. The winner is Rita!!”
In the process of expressing his disappointment,the swordsman heard the match being called and the cheers of the crowd echoing. The cheers for the girl were both blessings and confessions all around, but the girl did not heed the voices, went up to the boy, and extended her hand.
“—It was a close match.”(Rita)
“What is wrong?”(Ballad)
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that this is the first time since we entered high school that I have seen this. Thus, I think the place is too tense.”(Doyle)
“Is that so? That type of feeling is unknown to me.”(Ballad)
“Even though I think the place is tense, it does not mean I am tense. So, I also don’t know that feeling.”(Doyle)
“Oh, is that so? Then I am glad we are experiencing the same feeling, Master Doyle. This moment has made this Ballad’s day.”(Ballad)
“… Good for you.”(Doyle)
“Yes!”(Ballad)
I looked away from the overwhelming smile that Ballad was giving me and back towards the fighters. The boy grasped the girl’s extended and got up. It was strange that I could see a slight hint of pink on his cheek. I felt bit concerned seeing that.
Today, the academy was conducting practice matches between the freshmen students. These matches were to test the ability of the freshmen and get them more excited for school. There were five stadiums where you could go to fight in; these practices matches wereall conducted in a serious manner, and the opponent was chosen for you based on your results from the middle school department.
The rules are quite simple; you had one hour to make your opponent give up or become unable to do battle. The use of regular weapons and magic was allowed while any use of stimulants and magic tools were forbidden. These matches did count towards your results and allowed the academy to know where to place you in the training camps and future expeditions that would be conducted.
“I believe it is almost your turn, Master Doyle; I saw that your opponent is Master Jin. Oh how my heart is flying over the clouds.”(Ballads)
“…”(Doyle)
“Head Master Alan and Madam Serena, please watch over Master Doyle’s match. I am greatly honored to be able to see your fight Master Doyle, this Ballad—“(Ballad)
G.o.ddess, if you have a manual for what words and when Ballad will enter these weird phases, then please, I beg you, give it to me. The manual must contain the method to bring him back from these weird phases he is in; this is the information I need the most in my life right now. Why, younger me, why did you let it go this far?!
While listening to Ballad half-heartedly, I looked towards the special seats prepared for the guests. Seated in them were the captain of the top spear unit and his son Jin von Spiez. Also, the Crown Prince Gray was there. But, most importantly, my grandfather, Zeno Von Aghinis, was here. He was the supreme commander of the military and looked over these kinds of matches to seek out potential people. The matches began with the Crown prince who ended the round in a mere 10 minutes and continued successfully until my match, which was one of the end matches.
I felt that making mine and Jin’s match last is some sort of conspiracy, seeing how the stadium where my match was to be held was right in front of my grandfather. Also, thanks to my match being last, all the other people who were watching the other matches would come to watch mine, me versus Jin. Yep, this was either bad luck or a conspiracy. Well, it didn’t matter to me now.
The reason as to why my grandfather was here was given by my good childhood friend Gray, even though I knew he called my grandfather here for some other ulterior motive. The stadium where my fight was going to be held also helds the prince’s and other top-level people’s matches. So a lot of people had already been here before my match even started, and many of them were wondering whether I would fight Jin with a spear or not. In fact, I think I saw some people placing bets.
There was no need to do bets because I did not plan on using a spear anymore. I would give the position of [Hero of the Spear] to Jin; he had earned far more than me. His father and my grandfather may have wondered if I could beat Jin with a spear, but I did not plan to use a spear anymore. I would go with a sword since I have more apt.i.tude for it. Additionally, I had gained many useful skills while practicing. I did not plan on wasting any more time with the spear.
While I was acting cowardly because the other guy totally wanted to fight spear to spear, I did not care about that kind of thing.
I am sorry for failing to meet everyone’s expectations, but I am not going to fight a losing battle right now. I will show that I have moved on.
I looked towards the stands and the special seats; seeing how Gray was anxiously looking back and forth between me and Jin was funny. Jin’s father was giving Jin pointers on some of the techniques and moves. Meanwhile, my Grandfather was watching me with a fierce stare… Just watch Grandfather, this time I will show you something amazing.
“Master Jin is full of enthusiasm. Are you going to use a spear, Master Doyle?”(Ballad)
Ballad, when did you come back? Ballad seemed to be expecting me to use a spear. Grandfather, Jin, Gray, and everyone else had been expecting me to use a spear since the matches began…
I am not going to use a spear, guys!
I am telling you guys, I swear to the G.o.ddess, that I am not going to use a spear!