About 500km inland from the capital of Edsilla lies a city known as 'Blaine'.
During the peak of summer, the scorching region, where the average temperature easily surpasses 40 degrees, is famous as a sanctuary of swordsmanship, housing the 'Arkne Academy', considered the top among the continent's swordsmanship academies.
It's a city where hundreds of young men harboring dreams of becoming swordsmen gather every day. Even if they can't gain entry to Arkne Academy, the city is rife with dojos, arenas, and plenty of 'dueling partners', making Blaine the perfect training ground for aspiring swordsmen.
"...A friend?"
In the Arkne mansion, virtually the master of Blaine, a somewhat unusual report was being delivered.
"Yes. It seemed that way. They were conversing quite naturally."
In other words, it meant that Soliette had made a friend.
"She even said he has talent."
"...That child, to someone else?"
At Sylon's words, Igris was slightly surprised.
"Yes. That's correct."
"It's not common. It's difficult for her to praise someone."
Soliette is the greatest talent of the Arkne family. There's no one in the family's lineage who can match her. The potential to break through the extremes of Arkne arcane swordsmanship and open a new horizon is possible with her.
"This is the file on the male friend."
"...A male?"
Sylon handed over the file. Igris' eyes immediately caught a certain paragraph.
D-.
His average grade at Endex is D-.
Igris, holding the file, asked again.
"D minus?"
"There are rumors that his college board scores are decent. He hasn't been expelled yet."
"...The grades don't matter much."
Regardless of his grades, a friend might be good for her.
No, it might even be recommended. Soliette has closed her heart since that incident.
It's better than being so obsessed with Knightmare that she becomes mentally ill.
"...Let's leave her be."
If she notices she's being watched, it could be a big problem. Soliette is a precious, but difficult child to handle.
"The evaluation test is coming up soon anyway. I'll be able to meet him from afar. I'll find out who this Shion Ascal is."
The first quarter evaluation test of the college board.
Igris will be attending that upcoming evaluation as a representative of Arkne.
______________________________________________________________________
The routine after the festival proceeded as usual.
It was a cycle of college board, elective courses, and work, like a hamster wheel.
On Monday, I would do the college board,
On Tuesday, I would do Latinel – that crazy woman Elise keeps avoiding me -,
On Wednesday, I would do the college board,
On Thursday, I would do swordsmanship, and run away from Soliette who keeps telling me to learn swordsmanship,
On Friday, I would do the college board,
On Saturday, I would discuss the Knightmare incident by the lake, and ignore Soliette's nagging about me being lazy,
And on Sunday, I would rest.
Then, when a week passed, I would do assignments again on Monday, do Latinel on Tuesday, do assignments on Wednesday, do swordsmanship on Thursday...
"Ah, it's Thursday today."
"I'm dying."
It's tough.
The wooden sword strapped to my waist feels heavy.
I don't understand why they keep telling me to bring the ceremonial sword. When we use real swords, we practice with real swords; when we don't, we practice with wooden swords.
I arrived at the swordsmanship class, grumbling. The atmosphere was not much different from last week.
By the way, since the festival, there have been zero dropouts from Endex. Zero failures.
The assignments were fairly easy, but I guess we're finally getting into the swing of things.
─And there's Shion again… Persistent.
Kain and Asher have somewhat accepted me.
I just don't have the energy to deal with them.
"Alright. Has everyone arrived?"
Jeoly appeared at 9:03.
Unlike Chedric, Professor Jeoly is always 1~3 minutes late.
"Finally! Next week is the midterm exam."
Jeoly's face was slightly flushed.
"The midterm exam is also the last class of our swordsmanship."
The elective courses are only for one quarter. Therefore, after the midterm exam, Professor Jeoly's swordsmanship class is over. The same goes for Professor Beatrice's Latinel.
"First of all, this swordsmanship class is the most chosen elective by a whopping 450 students from all over Edsilla."
There are dozens of elective courses on the college board, but nearly 15% of the seniors chose swordsmanship.
"We will now open the entire database of those 450 students in swordsmanship. The moments you've honed your swords in this training room…"
Jeoly pulled out his smartphone. He squinted as if he was far-sighted and looked at the screen.
"There are 450 names, so it's quite a lot. I will send the website address to your smartphones. Find the video of the person you want there."
He put his smartphone away again.
"Now, I will tell you the assignment for the midterm exam."
He glanced around. Most of them looked quite confident.
"'Sword and Shield'."
Big letters appeared on the screen at the back of the training room.
[Midterm Exam: Sword and Shield]
"From now on, you can choose between Magic Space sword and shield. The sword is an attacker that deploys the first and second sword forms. The shield is a defender that defends against it."
Simply put, it's 'sword and shield', but Jeoly seems to have a lot more to say.
"However, the sword forms that the attacker can deploy are limited to 'Five Basic Forms Three Sword Forms'. The instructor's swordsmanship is not allowed, and if used unconsciously, points will be deducted."
It means to use only the basics.
"The attacker must creatively forge the Five Basic Forms Three Sword Forms to attack the defender, and the defender must defend against it."
Surprisingly, it's difficult. It seems the key is how much you can twist and modify the basics.
"Well. Here are the sword button and the shield button. Have you ever thought about which is advantageous, offense or defense?"
The hint about offense and defense is famous in the swordsmanship world, but the answer is clear.
─If you ask who is advantageous between offense and defense, it's person by person, style by style.
This is the conclusion drawn by the future's greatest swordsman, Soliette. The answer is that there is no answer.
Those who can push the battle into a quagmire and muddle through for a long time are suited to the shield, while those who can charge in sharply like a flash and finish it off in an instant are suited to the sword.
"The advantage of offense and defense varies depending on the style of the swordsman, but at least at the student level, there are statistics showing that defense is more advantageous. By about 3% to 4%."
Not only that, the attacker must prepare the first move, but the defender can simply practice defending at ease.
"Therefore, the authority to choose the opponent lies only with the 'sword'. Now then."
Clap-
Jeoly brought his palms together.
"It's first come, first served. Not only at Endex, but also at other high schools, the choice of offense and defense will be carried out simultaneously. If one side fills up with 225 people first, the rest will all go to the opposite side, so make sure to decide quickly. Here, press the sword button for offense, and the shield button for-"
I immediately ran out and pressed the sword button.
A beep sounded.
"...Yes. Shion, you chose the sword?"
Jeoly gave a hollow laugh.
"Yes."
"You're quick. There was about 2 hours left to think."
There's no need to think. Pouring out as much as I can and oxidizing is my style. Defense inevitably needs to drag out time to win, but that's impossible for me due to stamina issues.
In turn, the other guys also hurriedly came out.
"Yes. Line up, line up. Kain, sword. Asher, shield. Elise, shield. Kielli, sword. Soliette, shield, Gerkhen Kal Doon, shield..."
And so, everyone decided on their offense or defense.
"That's it. Endex is always quick to finish. The other high schools still have a long way to go..."
Jeoly looked at his wristwatch. It only took 15 minutes.
"On the day of the assessment, all 450 of you will gather in one place. It's a stadium. There, the attackers will choose their opponents."
Quite grand. Well, it's a school of swordsmanship.
Typically, swordsmen-knights are on the elite tech tree. Of course, there are many knights who are not swordsmen, but if you limit it to the top three ranks, nearly 50 to 60% are swordsmen.
"There will also be spectators at the assessment. Be prepared."
Meaning, specific families or companies will send scouts.
"Since the assessment is next Monday, today's schedule is self-study. Practice freely with the sparring partner of your choice, or watch and analyze videos of other seniors, as you wish."
Free practice. Immediately, Asher stuck with Kain, and Elise disappeared. Soliette stood alone, but there were too many eyes watching her.
"Hey Kielli."
I had no choice but to call Kielli. Kielli, who was looking for an opponent, flinched and trembled.
"Uh… uh, uh, why, why~? Shion~?"
He turned to look at me with an unusually strained voice.
"Do you want to practice with me?"
"...Ah~ that, I'd like to, but I'm also a sword, so~ haha, ha."
"Oh, you're a sword? I thought you were a shield."
"Ha. Haha. I should, I should've~"
Kielli backed away and disappeared.
I had no choice but to enter the individual training room alone. I turned on the tablet PC in the corner. Folders with the names of 450 people were lined up.
[173. Asher]
Suddenly, Asher caught my eye among them.
"…He was a shield."
I played Asher's video.
"Hmm."
Indeed, Asher demonstrated Grandenmir's swordsmanship at an elite level, and his Three Sword Forms and Five Basic Forms were perfect.
His image itself is clean, but when he fights, he's quite a sticky type. He doesn't dodge the sword, nor does he just defend, he simply deflects and drains the opponent's stamina.
Of course, Magic Body is prohibited during the assessment, but I can't use the Severing Sword either, so he might be a worthy opponent?
If Asher decides to just defend, I might lose.
"Hmm…"
I was engrossed in choosing an opponent, staring at the tablet PC.
______________________________________________________________________
Thursday evening after the swordsmanship class. The lakeside behind the old building.
"Assessment. Who will you choose?"
Soliette asked.
"I haven't decided yet. I'm thinking."
I need to choose someone of a similar level. If I choose someone too weak, I won't have a chance to show anything.
Even if I prepare a beginner's move, if the opponent can't withstand a single hit, I'll just be the person who showed that.
The ability to pick the right opponent, in other words, 'an eye for talent' is also part of the assessment.
"…More importantly, aren't you going home?"
I glanced at Soliette. She had set up her life by the lakeside.
Next to the stone chair I made, there were all sorts of things: a sleeping bag, lantern, burner, pot, instant noodles, pillow, auxiliary battery, tablet PC, laptop, and more.
"It's more comfortable here."
"What's comfortable about it? This is my hideout."
"Let's share it. Besides, how are you going to arrange your sword beginner's move? I can help you."
Soliette quickly changed the subject. I blinked at her.
A thought suddenly came to mind.
"Soliette. You're a defender?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…"
I pondered as I looked at her. Soliette, who seemed to have caught on to my thoughts, narrowed her eyes maliciously as if amused.
"…Try to choose me. I'll show you how to defend with Arkne swordsmanship."
"Then wouldn't you get infinite deductions and end up with zero points? Defenders also have to use the Five Basic Forms and Three Sword Forms."
"…"
Soliette turned her wicked eyes back to the lakeside.
"Then, would you like to stand here? I'll work on the sword beginner's move now."
"What are you going to make? You can't improvise a sword beginner's move."
"Why not?"
"Before conceptualizing the sword beginner's move, you need to go through a theoretical judgment. You need to hold a pen and scribble, that's what I mean. I know you're a physical type by nature, but in this process, the brain is more important."
"What is?"
Soliette raised her finger as if to teach me.
"People often think that swordsmen just swing their swords according to the swordsmanship. But when a team of knights from an organization like the NMA or a swordsman's duel has a Diaryto, it's not like that at all. They intensely ponder, think, and calculate how to utilize their swordsmanship, even before facing their opponent… That's what Professor Jeoly expects from us."
I listened quietly and then nodded.
"So, stand up. Let me also work on the sword beginner's move."
"…"
Soliette's expression hardened.
The theory of the Five Basic Forms and Three Sword Forms, in other words, the data, is already Memory in the 「Notepad」. How to structure and modify it can be written by moving the body directly.
I write with my body.
"Yes. Give it a try."
Soliette said, holding her wooden sword. Her face had somehow become as sharp as an eagle's.
"Whatever you do, you won't be able to touch a single hair of mine."