The One on Top – Part 01
After a good night’s sleep, Jillarte greeted Hikaru the next morning with a bright smile on her face. They had a simple meal of yesterday’s leftovers, then left the house together.
Jillarte looked nervous yesterday, but today she held Hikaru’s hand readily.
“Let’s go over today’s match,” Hikaru began as they walked. Jillarte seemed closer to him now. “Selyse is faster and has better swordsmanship, but you have the upper hand in terms of raw power. You should take advantage of that.”
Jillarte had 5 points in Muscle Strength, while Selyse had 3. This stat directly affected the amount and quality of one’s muscles, and Jillarte had a much leaner body, more so than Selyse.
“…Okay.”
How could you tell a girl that she’s better in terms of raw power? Jillarte thought.
“You don’t sound too happy,” Hikaru said, perplexed.
“I’m good.”
“As for the rest, let’s just see what happens. Don’t let your opponent control the pace of the match.”
“Are you giving me advice?”
“Just stating facts.”
“Okay.”
That was all she could say to Hikaru. The odds of Jillarte winning were extremely low, but there was one area where she had an edge over Selyse. That was pure power. If she used that properly…
No, I’m still not sure she can win.
Hikaru never realized how frustrating it was to not be able to use the Soul Board.
The area around the arena was as crowded as ever. In fact, it seemed much more crowded than yesterday. Hikaru’s Group Cloaking was less effective in this situation.
“Hey, isn’t that Jillarte?!”
“She’s with Silver Face!”
They managed to force their way through.
“I didn’t expect you guys to come on foot. You should’ve known it would cause a ruckus.”
They bumped into Selyse at the staff entrance.
“Hmm?”
She eyed them dubiously. Hikaru suddenly realized he was still holding hands with Jillarte. He quickly let go, but he knew it was too late.
“I didn’t know you were that close,” Selyse commented.
“Y-You’ve got it all wrong!” Jillarte protested. “We’re not really…”
“I don’t really care what you think of us,” Hikaru replied.
“Silver Face?!”
Jillarte, flushed and flustered, was actually doing a better job at explaining the situation, but it didn’t really matter to Hikaru. He saw no problem in any misunderstanding.
“You’re not trying to play mind games, are you?” Hikaru said.
Selyse chuckled. “Not really.”
Hikaru couldn’t read her. Sometimes she was carefree, other times acting like an elegant lady, and even like a hero leading adventurers, almost like Jeanne d’Arc.
“I knew Jillarte had feelings for you after watching her match yesterday against East.”
Selyse must have heard what Jillarte said to East.
“If you don’t have any business with us, we’ll be on our way,” Hikaru said.
“Ah, wait.” Selyse turned to Jillarte. “Adventurers and guild staff were worried about you when they learned you were imprisoned at the royal castle. I’m glad to see you free. And I apologize for not being able to do anything despite being an adventurer working in the kingdom.” She bowed.
“You don’t have to apologize!” Jillarte said, flustered. “I didn’t know the Adventurers’ Guild was worried about me. I guess they’re not so bad.”
“I heard that guilds from various places filed complaints to the royal court. Except for the capital’s branch, of course.”
“I’ll drop by the guild sometime.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Seeing that their conversation had ended, Hikaru said, “See you.”
“Oh, one more thing.” Selyse stopped them again. “Silver Face, have we met somewhere before?”
Hikaru flinched. “It would’ve been a great pleasure to make the acquaintance of a renowned adventurer such as yourself, but unfortunately, I believe this is our first meeting.”
Hikaru quickly left with Jillarte.
Phew! She doesn’t even have much points on Instinct. How is she so sharp?!
He was freaking out inside.
“Hmm… He’s certainly fishy,” Selyse said. “Then again, maybe not.”
“Sounds about right.”
“I think your woman’s intuition has dulled.”
“She never had one to begin with!”
“Too far!”
Sara, Sophie, and Serika appeared.
“I guess that would mean it wasn’t the guild that helped Jillarte escape,” Selyse said.
“Maybe the guild told her to keep it on the down-low,” Sara guessed. “Then again, she doesn’t look like someone who can keep a secret.”
“In that case, Silver Face is the key.”
“I have checked with the Church, and no one knows about anyone who wears a silver mask like that,” Sophie cut in.
“Whoever they are, they’re no match for Selyse!” Serika declared.
Selyse chuckled. “I hope you’re right.” She sighed. “I tried baiting him, but got nothing. I just can’t help but feel like I’ve met Silver Face before.”
“Perhaps you will find out who he really is once you fight him,” Sophie said.
“He’s up against Ryver, though.”
“But you think Silver Face will beat him, don’t you?”
Selyse giggled, but did not give a definite answer.
“Anyway, I’ll see you ladies later. Stay put in the reserved seating, okay?”
“Gotcha. See ya later!”
“Take care not to hurt yourself too much.”
“What should we eat?!”
Selyse parted ways with her friends and headed to her waiting room.
As soon as Hikaru stepped into the waiting room, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been wearing a mask for some time, and it had been nothing but nerve-wracking events one after another.
“Hikaru.”
Hikaru’s Life and Mana Detection revealed that his room wasn’t exactly empty. His Skill sensed someone, but he couldn’t perceive them. In short, they were using Imperceptibility.
“Lavia.”
Only candidates and staff were allowed in the waiting rooms, but with 3 points in Imperceptibility, Lavia managed to sneak in. Her presence here was not planned, however.
“Um, Paula is in the audience,” Lavia said. “I came here by myself. Actually, something’s bothering me. Last night, you—”
“Lavia.”
“H-Hikaru?!”
Hikaru embraced Lavia tight. Surprised, Lavia stiffened, but quickly relaxed.
He was much more exhausted than he thought.
“What’s wrong?” Lavia asked.
“I need a Lavia resupply.”
“…What?”
“You smell so good.”
“Huh?!”
Lavia turned red to the ears. She tried to escape Hikaru’s embrace, but he tightened his grip around her.
“What’s wrong, Hikaru? You’re not acting like yourself.”
“…”
“The same familiar smell…”
Lavia twitched her nose. She was wondering if something happened to Hikaru and Jillarte last night, so she came to the waiting room secretly to confirm her suspicions.
“Jillarte will lose today,” Hikaru said.
Lavia grasped the situation just from that. “Do you want her to win?” she asked. “Do you want to use the power of the Soul Board?”
“…I don’t know.”
“You’re too kindhearted.”
“I’m not. I didn’t do anything to Jillarte’s Soul Board. I can’t be responsible for her life. I… can’t do anything for her.”
“Your concern about others is proof of your compassion.” Lavia slowly let go of Hikaru and put her hands on his face. “It’s okay. Just do what you want to do.”
“But my power has too much impact.”
Hikaru trusted Jillarte at the moment and liked her approach to life. But would that continue even after she became the leader of the Confederacy? What if she turned evil—as much as he hated to think about it—and oppressed countless people?
Her Soul Board had been modified. She would not be easy to take down.
“If someone misused your power, it wouldn’t be your fault,” Lavia said. “If there was such a person, I’m prepared to burn them to ashes with my fire magic.”
Lavia’s lips gently touched Hikaru’s.
“Don’t be afraid to change someone’s fate. I believe the path you walk is the right one. If you’re about to make a mistake, I will tell you and I will stop you. If you still make a mistake, then we’ll face the flames of judgment together.”
“Lavia…”
Her total approval was almost terrifying. Never in Hikaru’s life had someone showed him so much trust and faith.
“Thank you.”
Hikaru left the waiting room. His chest was filled with warmth.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
Rule Breaker (Light Novel)
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
I Wonder, we’ll see harem here? I’d like not but if yes, Paula must be the second wife, Freya the 3r one and then the dragon girl.