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434 p1. Noble Faction and New School Year [7]

 

On a certain day after school, with the Sword King Festival just around the corner, the student council members were summoned by the president. On a side note, Claude-san is still absent today and is thought to be at the Vesteria Kingdom by others, but she is probably still monitoring Ria’s condition in that basement.

「―Now then, the reason why I have gathered all of you today is to make a very important decision.」

The president brought up today’s agenda as soon as everyone took their seats.

「An important decision?」

「Hmm, I wonder what it is?」

While me and Rose were thinking about that, Ria’s ahoge suddenly stood up.

「Ah, could it be regarding… contestant registration for the Sword King Festival?」

「Ping-pong-ping-pong, that’s the correct answer! Today we’ll all discuss and decide who will participate in the Sword King Festival!」

As the president declared so, the atmosphere in the student council room suddenly warmed up.

「And another thing, I also had a “special Guest”, the winner of the First-Year War who will fight together with us at the Sword King Festival, to also come here.」

The “Spearhead” position in every team participating in the Sword King Festival is a spot reserved for first-year students for nurturing purposes.

At Thousand Blade Academy, it is a spot given to the winner of the First-Year War.

「Hoho, the appearance of the “best first year student”, huh… so that kid is coming.」

「That kid does need more experience, though.」

Lilim-senpai and Ferris-senpai were putting on a patronizing air.

(I see. So these two know who won.)

While we were rearranging the annual event schedule for Thousand Blade Academy, Lilim-senpai and Ferris-senpai were entrusted with the planning, execution, and management of the First-Year War.

Naturally, they would know the face and name of today’s special guest.

「It’s bad to keep them waiting for too long, so – Come in!」

As the president gave a shout, the door opened with a rattled, and a female student stepped in.

At the same time, my eyes widened in surprise.

Her face was incredibly familiar.

「Y-You are…」

「I am Lou Lorenti from Year 1 Class A. Nice to meet you– Ah, Allen-senpai?」

Lou Lorenti.

A beautiful girl about 150 centimeters tall. with flaxen medium hair and a charming and cute face.

When I was supervising the entrance exam for Thousand Blade Academy, a little trouble occurred between me and her. After that, days passed without any particular involvement between the two of us, until now.

「Long time no see, Allen-senpai.」

「Y-Yeah.」

My heart suddenly felt heavy, remembering that incident.

「You’re already acquainted with her, Allen-kun?」

The president, who didn’t know about our situation, tilted her head curiously.

「Yes… Actually, during the entrance exam–」

「–You strangled me so hard that I almost fell unconscious. That was really amazing.」

「L-Lou!?」

I tried to stop Lou as she began to reveal her ill-will, but…

「S-Strangling? So Allen-kun likes that kind of erotic play…」

The president was at a loss for words, having made a terrible misunderstanding.

「Contrary to how he seems, perhaps he unexpectedly likes to play hard like me…?」

「The sensations feel more real, though…」

Lilim-senpai and Ferris-senpai were making rude comments.

「O-Of course not! There is a very complicated reason for that, so just listen to me!」

After that, I carefully explained the irregularity that occurred on the day of the entrance exam.

「In other words, as a result of Allen-kun’s spirit core going out of control, you strangled Lou-san?」

「Yes, that’s right.」

「So it’s not the other thing?」

「Nope.」

「Are you sure that is not your preference, though?」

「Definitely not.」

I resolutely answered the president, Lilim-senpai, and Ferris-senpai’s questions.

「I see, so that’s what it was. I am glad.」

「Tsk, how boring.」

「In terms of my interpretation, it is still entirely possible, though.」

Anyway, once the misunderstanding was cleared up, it was time to introduce ourselves again.

「I am Sie Arcstria. Nice to meet you, Lou-san.」

「I’m the secretary, Lilim Tsuorine!」

「The treasurer, Ferris Magdalot」

After the third year student, we, the second year, introduced ourselves.

「I’m the Vice-President, Allen Rodore.」

「I am Ria Vesteria, in charge of General Affairs.」

「Rose Valencia, also in charge of General Affairs.」

When we finished introducing ourselves,

「Thank you very much for being courteous. I will be counting on you all from now on, so nice to meet you.」

Lou was surprisingly polite and bowed her head.

「Well, now that we’ve finished the introductions, shall we dive straight to the main topic?」

The president clapped her hands and picked up a black magic marker.

「The Sword King Festival consists of spearhead, second spearhead, midfielder, vice-general, and general battles—the academy who wins three battles from the five will take the victory. Today, we will all discuss and fill in the slots for each position with the players who will participate in the Sword King Festival finals selection.」

After writing each position on the whiteboard, she placed a piece of paper on the desk.

「The opponent in the first match is “the strongest of the Five Academies” – Imperial Academy. And this is the opponent’s order sheet.」

「Huh? The other party’s order sheet? If I remember correctly, this will only be announced on the day of the Sword King Festival, right?」

The president nodded in response to my question.

「Yeah, that’s usually the case, but only Imperial Academy is a bit different. I wonder if it can be called the “champion’s ego”, as they always announce the participating players and their order in advance. Besides, they didn’t even register players for the “reserve system” that was established this year. They’re coming for the victory with only these five.」

「In addition to announcing the players in advance, they didn’t use the reserve system at all. This kind of stinks, in my opinion…」

「Well, personally, I think it’s good to be fair and square…」

Ria and Rose showed contrasting reactions.

It probably depends a lot on the individual’s sensibility.

「Anyway, the opponents this time are these five swordsmen.」

The president said so and looked down at the Imperial Academy’s order sheet.

Spearhead: First-year student Dreyfus Einberg

Second Spearhead: Second-year Godric Emerson

Midfielder: Second-year Nemenen Totter

Vice-General: Second-year Maddy Malm

General: Second-year Shin Rex

Reserve Registration: None

At a quick glance, I felt something out of place.

「…What about third-year students?」

There was not a single third-year student among the players registered by Imperial Academy.

There is a standard practice for registering players for the Sword King Festival.

Third-year students will be the main force, second-year ace players will assist them, and finally, first-year students will be added according to the rules.

Naturally, there is a tremendous difference between first and second year students, and between second and third year students.

(Unless there is a serious problem, third-year students should be the main force…)

And there was not a single third-year student among the players registered by Imperial Academy.

Is there some kind of objective, or is this also the ego of a champion?