"Hmm, This is a bit boring."
"You say something, Touma?"
"No, nothing that concerns you, I'm just muttering to myself."
"Ah, gotcha."
It's been how many weeks since I started school, and Sebastian was the first person to actually hang out with me.
Here we are now talking to each other as were training together with wooden swords.
I helped him out a few days ago in the bully incident, and since then, he has started talking to me whether in or out of the classroom.
Out of all the kids, he was the only one who spoke to me normally. I didn't think much of it though. I figured he was using me as protection.
Still... I suppose I could somewhat consider him a friend.
Only because he started getting me flower cakes.
...
Getting bored I let out a short combo of attacks overwhelming Sebastian and causing him to fall on his behind.
"Jeez, Touma. Even if I fought seriously, you'd still beat me."
"I'm not that great." I reach out my hand to lift him back to his feet.
Sebastian and I, along with the rest of the class, are currently practicing together with wooden practice swords in a training room.
"Why do you think they're making us fight students from higher and lower grades?" I ask Sebastian.
"I'm not too sure, I just know that if we win against the upperclassmen we'll get an award."
We are getting some last-minute training to fight against students from a grade higher than us in a school tournament.
"I don't really get it," I say.
"Me neither, it's almost like they want the lower grades to feel defeat," Sebastian concluded.
...
"It could be to let the students experience something different because not every battle will be against an adversary of the same strength and skill level... At least, that's what I'm beginning to think." I theorize.
"Hmm. Like they want us to adapt our fighting style in unexpected situations? Yeah, that makes sense. It would explain why they informed us on such short notice and refused to tell us why. However, it's unlikely most kids our age would understand what they're after." Sebastian adds.
Conversing with Sebastian is so easy since he can understand and add to most of what I say.
Sebastian lifts his sword "Again?"
"Let's do it."
"Alright. Here I come!" He yells as he lunges forward ready to attack.
"HOLD IT!" the teacher suddenly announces.
I stopped in my tracks at the call for attention. Sebastian on the other hand.
"Whoa!" Sebastian cries out.
Sebastian's momentum kept him from slowing down causing him to lose his balance and land on his face.
"It must be starting," I say.
"Everyone come and take a look at this list... Where you are placed is when you will fight, the student at the top of the list will go to the floor for the first match and everyone else will go to the stands and wait their turn!" The teacher announces.
"We've never seen how the upper classes fight, I wonder how strong they are?" I wonder.
"Well, I don't know much either, but they're stronger than us that part's obvious." Sebastian gets up.
"Yeah."
Well, stronger than you guys.
...
This tournament was being held in the arena the school has, it's essentially a gymnasium.
Our class sat down near the front row and waited for the first match to begin.
"Wow, there's quite a bit of people here." Sebastian states.
"Yeah, sure is."
"This tournament isn't some big thing. It's only the students and the teachers here, but our class looks quite nervous." Sebastian says.
"It's fair for them to feel some kind of tension, this is likely everyone's first tournament." I point out.
"Yeah, except maybe you." He rebuts.
"Hmm?"
"You look like you've done this plenty of times. I don't see a single look of nervousness on your face."
"...Well, I'm thinking more about how I'm going to handle my opponent rather than the audience." I say whatever excuse pops into my head.
"I see, so you distract yourself." He assumes.
"Um, yeah."
"That's a good idea I'll try that."
"Okay then."
A horn sounds, marking the beginning of the tournament.
"We will now begin the school inter-grade tournament!"
The proctor standing in the middle of the floor begins. "Sophie, step forward" "Yes ma'am!"... "Rieka, step forward!" "Yes ma'am!"
Comparing her to the rest of our class, Sophie is fairly strong.
"Whooo! You can do it, Sophie!" Sebastian and the other students cheer.
However, we know nothing of this Rieka girl.
They both stand in front of each other, carrying themselves like they're already grown up.
...
"Hey, Sebastian. Who do you think is going to win this first match?"
"Well, I'd like to be optimistic and say Sophie, but these matches will be disadvantageous for all of us, the only thing we could possibly consider an advantage is the fact neither side can use magic."
"I see."
I look back at the girls now holding up their swords preparing to fight.
Sebastian isn't hesitant to think realistically at all, and he's right about the no-magic rule. If that was allowed, our class would be wiped out.
I glance back at Sebastian.
Our thinking is almost always on the same track, I'm beginning to wonder if Sebastian is still just some random student in my class.
"Okay! Are both fighters ready?!" The proctor asks.
A look of resolve fixed on their faces.
Whatever... I'll just focus on the match. Let's see how these students fare in their matches.
"Begin!"
...
"It's only been a minute, but they are both quite capable swordswomen for only being 9 and 10 years old." I state.
"Yeah, Sophie is keeping up quite well. However, Rieka is beginning to put a lot of pressure on Sophie."
"I agree, if she doesn't find a way to win soon she'll begin to tire out before Rieka."
...
We were past 5 minutes into the first match, and the sound of the wooden swords and cheers from the students were all I could hear. However, Sophie is progressively getting slower.
"Her form is continuing to get sluggish." I point out.
"Yes, she's just barely keeping up with Rieka now. She hasn't even had a chance to go on the attack since the beginning of the match."
...
She hardly has time to get back into form before Rieka attacks again. It's a lost cause, at this rate it's only a matter of seconds before-
"There it is."
A final upward thrust sends Sophie's sword flying out of her hands and clattering on the ground also causing her to collapse on the ground.
"Rieka is the winner!" The proctor announces.
The upperclassmen roared with cheers on the other side of the arena.
Rieka returned to sit with her class, while Sophie walked back in defeat.
...
"Unfortunate."
"It was to be expected though." I point out.
"It's true, but I hope we can at least win a few matches."
"Next!" The proctor continues with the next fighter.
And the next matches that followed came with more defeat.
...
"That makes 6 consecutive losses for us." I point out.
"I know the class is starting to look more depressed rather than nervous now."
"Next, Sebastian Rewis!" The proctor announces.
"Oh, looks like it's my turn."
"Good luck."
"Thanks, Touma."
Sebastian walks down onto the floor.
Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen Sebastian fight anyone seriously. He's only ever taken it easy when we sparred.
Sebastian and his opponent ready their swords.
I wonder how strong he actually is?
"Begin!"
In less than a second Sebastian is already in the face of his opponent.
"Oh?"
"What the!?"
He barely blocked Sebastian's attack in time.
A test of strength occurs, however, "Hmph!" He pushes Sebastian back with ease.
"I was hoping I could end this quickly, but oh well." Sebastian says to himself.
He's faster than I thought. Much faster than the others in our class who already fought.
The two get in another test of strength.
However, even though he's fast...
Sebastian gets shoved back again.
He can't beat the strength of his opponent.
"What will you do, Sebastian?" I muttered.
Sebastian takes a deep breath, and begins to put his feet into position.
...
I can barely keep up with this underclassman... He sure is fast, but...
Another quick thrust.
"you can't get passed me!"
I thrust my sword but make no contact. He disappeared from my sight in the blink of an eye.
"Where did he!?"
A fierce step landed directly behind me.
"He's behind-"
I looked into his serious eyes as he thrust his sword to my neck, even though he stopped it just a few inches from my neck. It was enough to make me stagger.
...
"The Winner is Sebastian Rewis!" The proctor announces.
Our class paused for a second then cheered as loudly as they could. "You did it! Whoooo! Good job Sebastian!"
I give Sebastian a short round of applause.
"Well done," I say.
Sebastian makes his way back to the class.
A feint... I was expecting him to perform one but that speed was unexpected.
"Yeah! Good job, Sebastian! You were so fast!" the class pats him on the back and congratulates him once more.
"Oh please stop, I was just lucky." He says.
"Stop trying to act so cool!"
"Hehe, please stop you're embarrassing me..."
Huh, he's a far greater swordsman than I initially thought... Especially for his age.
Except...
...
"Hey, Sebastian?" I call out to him.
"What's up, Touma?"
"You're a lot stronger than I thought," I say with genuine praise.
"Oh, thank you."
"But, I want to know something...?"
"What's that?"
"If you were this strong why did you let that 'Kieth' guy treat you like he did back then?"
"Oh... Truth is I dislike people who look down on others and I feel bad towards the victims."
"And I don't know if you noticed." He continues, "That day you helped me, Kieth was picking on some other students in our grade in the lunch room, so I intentionally bumped into him to grab his attention."
He made himself their target to help others. How courageous.
"I see, but I don't get one thing..."
"Hmm?"
"Why were you so insistent on paying me back and proceeding to hang out with me?"
"Oh that. Well, I like to repay favors whenever someone helps me out too, and I think saving me from falling and having to get another lunch qualifies, don't you think?" He says.
"I just happened to be there at the right time," I inform him.
"Maybe so, but still. Also, after talking to you I didn't sense any kind of hate like Kieth. So I wanted to be your friend..."
"Begin!" The proctor suddenly announces.
"Oh, the next match is starting!" Sebastian changes the subject.
...
You're a nice person, Sebastian... I wonder...
If you can help me...
...
After Sebastian's grand victory, the students in our class were beginning to see hope again and prepared for the next matches. However...
Defeat...
Defeat...
Defeat...
My classmates are just getting demolished. I guess even without magic we're still getting wiped out.
"It's okay we'll get them next match."
Sebastian tried to cheer them up after every loss, but they continued to grow depressed.
This has been a one-sided battle, I already lost count of the lost matches at this point.
I just want to leave but I have to wait for my turn.
"Touma Winter!"
How convenient.
"Touma! It's finally your turn!" Sebastian says happily.
"Yeah, sure looks like it." I sighed.
"Good luck!" He says.
You really are a kind person.
anyways after waiting for so long, it's finally my turn, but why do the cheers sound louder than before?
"Good luck Touma!"
I must be favored to win. Meh, whatever. Let's just get this over with.
...
"You've got to be kidding me..."
"Hey, Touma Winter." Kieth says scornfully.
Of course, it's him. Why wouldn't it be?
I let out a depressed sigh.
"Admitting defeat already?" he asks.
"No, I'm just feeling a bit annoyed."
...
"Are both swordsmen ready?!"
Kieth clenches his sword looking like he wants to break my neck.
"Begin!"
Without hesitation, he dashes toward me thrusting his sword "Hah!"
The test of strength.
"You damn brat, I'll be sure to soundly beat you." He says through the swords between us.
"Why do you care so much about this tournament?" I ask.
"I don't care about this tournament, I just want to humiliate you."
"Why?"
This kid is so annoying, I can even tell from his class that they're fed up with him.
"You humiliated me and got me in trouble."
Angry over something so trivial.
He gives a weak diagonal thrust that I could've dodged in my sleep.
"I would've preferred if it was that other kid, but you'll do just fine." He mentions.
"What makes you think that? When you haven't even hit me yet."
"Shut up! You just wait."
This kid doesn't have proper form. Wildly swinging around his sword. Letting his emotions get the better of him.
In a fraction of a second, I am out of his view. Swiftly moving to his blind spot.
"What!?" Kieth cries out.
You're lucky I'm not a monster.
"Just shut up." I say to him one last time.
You talk too much, but I needed to bare with your obnoxious rants so I wouldn't seem too amazing, I wasn't even planning on knocking you unconscious, but you're so annoying I had to.
...
Silence filled the arena as the winner stood over the fallen student, even I was shocked by that performance.
"Oh... And the winner is, Touma Winter!" I announce.
The arena erupts in cheers, even the class of the kid that lost is cheering.
"Huh, I guess was a favorite to win..." The kid spoke to himself as he walked back to his class.
In my years of being an adventurer and a proctor, I've never seen a kid move that fast, he was even faster than that Sebastian kid earlier.
The unconscious student gets carried out by the school healer.
I don't usually care who wins or loses, but I'm honestly glad that little brat didn't win.
I look back over at the winner as he sits down and gets patted on the back by the students next to him.
Touma Winter... He will be a great swordsman.
...
"Wow Touma, That was awesome!" Sebastian exclaims.
"Yeah man, you held your own so easily and shut Kieth down again!" "You were so cool!"
My classmates continued cheering for me.
Wow, that match brought them right out of their depression.
...Except...
All their smiling faces filled with admiration and congratulations toward me...
...I wish they would stop...
...
After our grades competed, Sebastian and I were given an award for our victories.
We then switched to competing against the students in the lower grade.
Needless to say, our grade won. And the opponents that paired with me and Sebastian, were utterly terrified.