After school, when Alice, Rinse, and Maria headed to the training center, there was a huge crowd, and I unintentionally said that.
"This is... a great hall."
"Well, that's true. After all, you'll fighting for one woman, so there's no way we can't get excited."
"Don't say that because it's demotivating. I only take swords for Alice."
"I guess so."
Rinse's words further dampen my motivation, but I have to do my best. However, even though she will help Alice later on, having to act for the heroine is quite a mental burden. If it's hard work for Alice, it's a reward. Alice asked worriedly while I was thinking that.
"Are you okay? Arth? Arth!"
"Hmm? It's okay. I won't lose so easily."
"That's not it... I'm a little worried because you're a little less energetic than usual. If there's anything I can do, please tell me."
When Alice said that, my tension suddenly rose. Eh, what, maybe I can get reward even the smallest, it's okay. I'm pretty happy about that. Moreover, isn't it an 18-ban flirtatious flag that clearly asks you to say anything? Without revealing my ulterior motives, I placed my hand on Alice's head and stroked her gently before saying,
"Thank you for worrying about me. Then if I win, I want a reward."
"oh what reward?"
"Oh. If I win, I want Alice's kiss."
When I said that, Alice's face turned red, her gaze wandered for a while, and she quietly nodded.
"Umu, I understand. If that makes Arth even a little better."
"Thank you. Then I can't lose this match."
After saying that and smiling at Alice, I turned to face the fan boy. Then he looked at me and said with a provocative smile.
"You came here without escaping."
"I've been meaning to say this for a long time, but if you're a noble, why don't you be a little more polite?"
"Hmph! At the most you're a little higher than me, what does it take for a peerage to change? After all, it's just a rank decided by the king. Otherwise, there's no way I'm a baron."
Overconfidence is a big deal if it goes that far, but this child is still dangerous. This idea seems to be destined to betray the country and become a spy and dance as a pitiful clown. In fact, Prince Rinse, who was watching this spectacle, was also hiding his eyebrows as if he noticed his danger. Well, that's why I should dispose of it quickly, but...
"Finally, let me confirm. If you win, I will release Maria. If I win, you will listen to my wishes. Do you have no objection to these words?"
"Of course, you can't withdraw it later!"
"I will not do such an unsightly thing."
perhaps. Well, I definitely don't want to look ugly in front of Alice, but I can't really judge things until after they've happened. Saying so, he prepares the sword on his waist. I also pull out the borrowed sword from my waist, but I feel a little weak. Too light anyway. Whether it's for training or because it's a cheap sword, it's pretty light, and honestly, I can tell that it's far less sturdy than the opponent's sword. Is this impossible to meet? I think I can do it a few times, but it seems like it's just right to parry the sword with the basic evasion. If it's something like this, I think I should have brought my own sword, but it can't be helped because I didn't feel the need.
Then, when we both set ourselves up, the student who requested to be the referee stood at a certain distance and announced the start in a loud voice.
"Ready, Set, Fight!"
"Huh!"
At the same time as that signal, he cuts in, but Arth's physical ability is like that of a monster, and his speed seems to stop at any moment, so I avoid it without difficulty. By avoiding that blow, I was able to see the astonished him as it was, but I slowly talked to him without doing such an unprofessional thing.
"You shouldn't be surprised so leisurely in the middle of a battle, do you?"
"...!this!"
Then the second attack comes, but it is easily dodged. After that, he attacked me with his sword many times, but I easily dodged all of them, so he said something as he was irritated.
"Don't just run away, fight!"
"If I do that, it'll be over soon, right? Then there's no reason for me to fight you, right?"
"Nonsense!"
"I'm serious."
"...! Bastard!"
After saying that, I put my sword back and stood in front of him who cut in, read his trajectory and slowly catch it with my both hands at the right time. It's called Shirahadori.
"No...How could this be!"
"Did you understand? Right now you are a child with no power and can only yell."
"Shut up! I can't lose to you, who's a devil!"
"If you're the real thing, you're probably right. But you're a fake. You're a fake who can only use your feelings for Maria as an excuse to go on a rampage."
After saying that, I cut his sword in half and threw my fist at his surprised torso to bring him down.
"Gua...!"
"So… if you really want to be real, make an effort."
I don't know if he heard those words, but he somehow gave up and then passed out. The students who were taken aback immediately declared my victory, and the surroundings showed excitement, but I could only sigh.