Chapter 26
Episode 6: Victory in Group A Tournament
Cantera and I both chose wooden spears as our weapons, and we faced each other, standing about five meters apart, ready for the match.
「Now, let the first match of the Group A tournament begin!」
At the examiner’s signal, Cantera quickly closed the distance between us and launched a series of thrusting attacks.
「Ora ora~!」
「Ha, ha!」
I calmly backstepped, evading all of Cantera’s thrusts.
It seemed he thought he could end it quickly, but he looked surprised that I dodged his attacks.
「Y-you’re better than I expected!」
「Hehe♪ Thanks♪ Now it’s my turn to attack♪」
I lowered my spear and closed the distance between us in one swift motion, slashing upward from below.
Cantera blocked the slash by holding his spear horizontally with both hands.
But the first strike was just a feint.
As soon as he blocked the upward slash, I changed the trajectory of my spear and thrust it forward.
Unable to react in time, Cantera took the blow to his solar plexus, doubling over and dropping to his knees.
The match was over.
「The winner is Selen! That was an impressive combination of attacks. Cantera, your thrusts were sharp but too predictable. Go see the medical team.」
「Yes…」
I guess he underestimated me because I’m just a commoner girl.
Well, it made the victory easy, so I was lucky♪
After that, I continued to win against opponents who didn’t pose much of a challenge and made it to the finals.
But my final opponent was none other than the second prince of the Tiarad Empire, Slaine…
It’s probably best if I lose this one, right?
「Now, we will begin the finals of the Group A tournament. Prince Slaine and Selen, step into the arena!」
「Yes!」
Slaine held a wooden sword while I wielded my wooden spear as we stepped into the arena.
He spoke to me.
「Just because I’m a prince, don’t hold back on me.」
「…Understood.」
Since Prince Slaine asked me not to hold back, I decided to honor his request and give it my all.
「Begin the finals of the Group A tournament!」
Prince Slaine swiftly closed the distance between us, aiming to strike my abdomen with his sword.
*Clang, clang!*
I deflected his sword lightly with the tip of my spear, then switched my grip to strike with the butt end.
*Whoosh!*
「Hah!」
He barely dodged it, but I quickly brought the spear back to my hands and swung it down from above in a powerful slash.
*Whip!* *Clang!*
Prince Slaine blocked the slash with his sword, using it as a shield.
‘Nice reflexes,’ I thought as I took advantage of his unbalanced stance to press the spear against the ground and flip forward, aiming a heel drop at him.
He avoided the hit to his head, but it landed squarely on his right shoulder.
「Hyaaah!」
*Thud!*
「Ugh…」
Prince Slaine dropped to one knee but immediately tried to stand again.
Not missing this opening, I stopped the tip of my spear right at his throat, and the examiner declared the match.
「Match over! The winner is Selen!」
Despite his defeat, Prince Slaine smiled and extended his hand for a handshake.
「I lost completely. I’m amazed that someone like you is my age!」
「You were strong too, Prince Slaine♪ If we were fighting with swords, I probably would have lost. I’d love to learn swordsmanship from you if I get the chance♪ (Smile).」
I responded with a smile as we shook hands, and Prince Slaine blushed slightly as he answered.
「I look forward to that day♪」
「Yes♪」
And so, the tournament in Group A of the martial arts test ended with me as the victor.
–
Episode 7: The Magic Exam
After the martial arts exam ended, I was about to head back to the inn when someone suddenly called out to me.
「Hey, Selen!」
The voice had a commanding tone, so I nervously turned around to see Cantera approaching.
「Um… Do you need something from me?」
I responded with an uneasy expression.
「Ah, no… I’m sorry. I don’t usually interact with commoners, so I wasn’t sure how to talk to you. If I scared you, I apologize.」
Cantera spoke with an apologetic tone and was about to bow his head in apology, so I quickly stopped him.
「I’m just a commoner. There’s no need for someone like you, Cantera-sama, to bow to me. Your feelings alone are more than enough.」
「I see, I understand.」
Since the martial arts exam had just ended and there were many people around, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for a noble to bow to a commoner.
It could have damaged Cantera’s reputation.
Besides, I could tell he was genuinely sorry, and that was enough to make me happy.
「Um… So, what did you need?」
「Ah, well, I’m determined to get into Tiarad Academy. If we both pass the entrance exam, I’d like you to be my friend!」
Cantera blushed slightly as he extended his hand, and I responded in kind.
「I’d be happy to! I look forward to it♪ (Smile).」
I answered with a smile and took his outstretched hand.
「Th-thank you. Please, just call me Cantera. You don’t need to use ‘-sama’ with a friend!」
He spoke brightly, giving a light wink before letting go of my hand and walking away.
At first, I thought he was an arrogant person, but it seems he’s actually a really good guy♪
After parting ways with Cantera, I returned to the inn to report on today’s martial arts exam.
I also prepared for tomorrow’s magic exam by getting plenty of energy from Mom’s pampering before spinning the *Daily Gacha*.
『Gacha…〘Amethyst Dress〙 Rank S』
※—A slightly sexy dress that highlights beauty.
Hmm, maybe this dress should stay sealed away?
The next day was the final day of the entrance exams, which meant it was time for the magic exam.
「Mom! I’m off! I love you so much!」
「Good luck on the last day of your exams! I love you too, Celestia!」
After our usual hug, I left the inn.
When I arrived at the academy, I headed to the training grounds where the magic exam was to be held.
Before entering the training grounds, I was instructed at the reception to touch a 【Crystal】.
It seemed that the reaction from touching this crystal determined the group for the magic exam.
I was given an armband for 【Group S】 and headed to the designated area.
As I approached the spot where others with the 【Group S】 armbands were gathered, I recognized some familiar faces.
It was Cantera and Prince Slaine, both of whom I had faced in the martial arts exam.
When they noticed me approaching, they looked surprised.
「Selen, you’re in 【Group S】?」
「Yep♪ Maybe I got lucky?」
As Cantera and I were talking, Prince Slaine joined the conversation.
「That crystal measures magical power, so luck has nothing to do with it. The fact that you have the 【Group S】 armband means you have a lot of magical power.」
「I see.」
When Prince Slaine joined the conversation, Cantera immediately bowed his head in respect.
I hurriedly tried to do the same, but he stopped me.
「This is the entrance exam. Everyone is equal here, so there’s no need for formalities.」
「I-I see! Well, good luck on today’s exam too♪」
I smiled and bowed my head slightly to both of them.
「O-oh!」
「Yeah… Let’s do our best together♪」
For some reason, both of their faces turned a bit red.
With two acquaintances by my side, I thought today’s magic exam would be fun… but in reality, it turned out to be anything but that (sweat).
Thanks for the chapter