Chapter 40
Episode 49: I Miss Mom…
After class ended, Slaine-sama suggested that our A Group have dinner together, so we headed to a private room at the central cafeteria.
「It’s my first time in a private room at the central cafeteria…」
「Really? I come here quite often. The course meals are so delicious, I’m looking forward to it♪」
「The dormitory’s cafeteria is free, but here you have to pay. Plus, private rooms only serve expensive course meals, right? As a baron’s son, it feels a bit too high-class for me…」
「Huh… we have to pay? I’ve never paid a single time, though…」
「We’re the ones inviting you, there’s no way we’d make you pay.」
「Thank you so much, as always♪」
A little while later, dinner in the private room began.
We all chatted about various things and enjoyed our time together.
At first, the conversation was about group activities and more formal topics, but as the wine started to flow and the mood lightened, the conversation turned more personal.
「I like women with pure hearts. Though I have the title of the second prince, I want to marry someone based on my feelings, not their social status.」
「Slaine, are you confessing to Ren? The way you’re talking right now, it’s like you’re calling her out by name.」
「Exactly! You should consider the atmosphere a bit more.」
Selen-sama and Stratos teased him a little, but I didn’t understand why my name suddenly came up (sweat).
「Is that so? I’m just speaking my mind. Selen, is your type more like Father?」
「I do love Papa, but I wouldn’t want to live a stifling life. I’d rather avoid the central aristocrats. Looks are important, but I want someone who will let me be free without tying me down!」
「There’s no one in this world who could ever tie down Selen-sama (laugh).」
I had to agree with Cantera’s comment (laugh).
「Ren, do you have someone you like? Even if not, surely you have some ideal type, right?」
「Someone I like… I guess that would be my mom? She loves me more than anything. She celebrates with me, cries with me… and, well…」
As I was talking about my mom, Selen-sama suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.
「Ren… I’m sorry. It’s my fault for bringing up this topic when you’re clearly missing your mother so much…」
「Selen-sama? What’s wrong?」
「You looked so lonely, with tears overflowing from your eyes… You must be missing your mother terribly, unable to see her.」
「Oh… I’m sorry. I’ve ruined what was supposed to be a fun dinner…」
「It’s fine. I can’t take her place, but let your sadness out in my arms. It might help you feel a little better…」
In the private room, it was just Selen-sama and me.
I cried my heart out in her arms…
I miss Mom… I want to see her so badly…
–
Episode 50: The Ranking Tournament
After clinging to Selen-sama, I bathed with her and then we slept together.
「Good morning, Ren. Have you calmed down a little?」
「Yeah, I think I’m okay.」
「You’re still a bit anxious. It’d be best if you stayed in my room for a while. Now, let’s have breakfast and head to class!」
「Okay.」
After finishing breakfast, we headed to the classroom.
「Today, the ranking tournament begins. In Class S, we will first determine the rankings within the class, and those ranked 18th or lower will have to face off in a relegation match against Class A members. If you lose, you’ll be demoted, so do your best not to fall. Also, starting this year, the academy’s ranking tournament will merge the martial arts and magic divisions. It’ll be a comprehensive ranking match between the two, and the top four from each grade will participate. Keep that in mind!」
「Yes!」
The first day would cover the first round and the ranking matches for those who lost, so we headed to the arena to watch the matches.
Cantera was participating from our A group, so we went to cheer him on.
「Next up is 7th-ranked Cantera versus 18th-ranked Marcelo. Take your places in the arena!」
「Good luck, Cantera♪」
「I won’t lose until I face someone from our group!」
The two took their positions—Cantera wielded dual swords, while Marcelo held a spear.
Though the spear’s reach put Cantera at a disadvantage, if he could dodge Marcelo’s thrusts and attacks to the legs while closing the distance, Cantera would secure the win.
「Begin!」
Marcelo launched his spear with a thrusting attack, but Cantera dodged smoothly, closing the gap between them.
Marcelo tried to retreat, but Cantera didn’t allow it, speeding up and moving into his range to finish the match.
「You did it, Cantera♪」
「Yeah, thanks to your cheers!」
We high-fived in celebration.
The second and third rounds would take place the following day.
If Cantera won, he would face Stratos in the third round.
The next day came, and after winning his second match, Cantera faced off against Stratos in the third round, making it an A Group battle.
「You can use a spear, you know?」
「I’ve chosen to live by my dual swords.」
The match between A Group members began.
Stratos stood ready, shield in his left hand and spear in his right, while Cantera took an aggressive stance with his dual swords.
He spun his body and unleashed a spinning slash—〚Spin Slash〛.
Stratos blocked with his shield but couldn’t thrust his spear due to the attack coming from the right.
Cantera quickly backed off after his slash, not allowing any openings for a counterattack.
However, Stratos charged forward with a 〚Shield Attack〛, colliding violently with Cantera’s strike.
In that instant, Stratos’s shield seemed to shatter, but it was a feint—he had let go of the shield and brought his spear down from above, landing a blow on Cantera’s right shoulder.
The match was over.
「The winner: Stratos!」
「Your shield attack was a decoy…」
「It just came to me on the spot. I think I won because one-on-one fights favor me.」
「It’s a complete loss for me. Thanks!」
Stratos won the match between the A Group members and advanced to the semifinals, where the top four ranks were now occupied by the 1st through 4th places.
The semifinal matchups were set—Selen-sama versus me in the first match, and Slaine-sama versus Stratos in the second.
The rest of the matches would take place the following day, so we disbanded for the day.
I was worried about Cantera’s right shoulder, so I walked over to check if he needed healing.
「Cantera, can I see your right shoulder?」
「Ah, thanks, I appreciate it.」
「I’m going to pull your right arm a little, okay?」
「Ow…」
「Now, I’ll bend your elbow and rotate your shoulder.」
「Pulling hurts a bit more, I think? (Her face is so close…)」
「Can you put your right hand on my shoulder? Here I go—〚Heal〛!」
「Ah, the pain’s gone.」
「Great♪ Make sure you rest it until tomorrow, okay?」
「Thank you!」
After finishing Cantera’s treatment, I returned to the girls’ dormitory with Selen-sama, who had waited for me.
–
Episode 51: Grade Ranking Finals
When I woke up, I found myself locking eyes with Selen-sama…
「Hehehe… Last time, you were watching me sleep, so I thought I’d return the favor. But honestly, I was just mesmerized by how cute you looked, Ren (laugh).」
「Please… that’s embarrassing…」
My face was burning from the moment I woke up.
On our way to the arena after breakfast, Selen-sama and I talked about the upcoming semifinals.
「I’m going to give it everything I’ve got!」
「Yeah, I’ll take it head-on with no holding back.」
「If you beat me, you’d better win the whole thing!」
「I will! I’m definitely going to win!♪」
And then, the first semifinal match began.
Selen-sama cast a full-power magic spell.
「O power I wield, resonate with the wind and respond! 〚Storm Dragon〛!」
「Amazing! I’ll absorb it with 〚Gluttony〛!」
A tremendous storm was absorbed by my 〚Gluttony〛.
With a refreshed look on her face, Selen-sama declared her surrender.
「As expected of Ren! I’ve lost.」
「Selen-sama’s magic was incredible too!」
We smiled and hugged each other after that.
The second semifinal between Slaine-sama and Stratos turned into a fierce battle of skillful offense and defense, both equipped with spears and shields.
The martial combat was evenly matched, but Slaine-sama’s occasional magic attacks gradually wore down Stratos’ stamina.
That slight advantage was all Slaine-sama needed, and when Stratos’ legs were immobilized, the match was decided.
「I lost… My legs won’t hold me anymore.」
「Thank you for an amazing fight!♪」
With that, the finals were set between Slaine-sama and me.
Before that, the ranking matches took place—Cantera finished in 5th place, Selen-sama defeated Stratos to claim 3rd, and Stratos took 4th.
And then, it was time for the final match.
「Just like in the entrance exams, no holding back, okay?」
「Of course. I’ll be winning again this time♪」
Slaine-sama seemed to plan on defending with his shield and counter attacking.
I decided to go for a strategy that would rob him of his vision.
「Here I come! 〚Fog〛!」
「What… my vision…!」
If he could sense my presence, he might’ve been able to react.
But as I moved behind him and tapped his back with the butt of my staff, Slaine-sama surrendered with a single word.
「Haha… The moment I lost my sight, it was over.」
「Yes, let’s work on sensing presences, okay?♪」
「Yeah, I’ve learned firsthand how important it is.」
With that, the Class S ranking tournament concluded with me as the victor.
Our A group Ended up claiming the top five spots.
Comment (0)