303: I Really Don’t Like Fighting

“I-I can’t... I can’t do any more...”

“I am... at my limit, too...”

“You’re right...”

We collapsed onto the floor in less than thirty minutes.

Usually, we can last much longer than this, but I knew exactly why we were spent. It was because every single one of Darius’s attacks was basically a killing blow; we had to keep our defenses deployed at maximum output every second just to survive.

If only we had an Inviolable Domain (Barrier) like Fansent’s, things might be different.

“Still a long way to go,” Darius said. “But well, I saw a few flashes of brilliance.”

Carta and Tura were too exhausted to even squeeze out a reply. I couldn’t blame them. Tura, especially, had been relentless on the front lines, pouring everything she had into her strikes.

I forced myself to speak in their stead. “What do you mean by ‘flashes of brilliance’?”

“Your Coordination was excellent. Plus, you were whispering to each other where I couldn't hear you, weren’t you? It makes your teacher feel... a little lonely...”

Suddenly, his face fell into a look of genuine sorrow. His emotions were so volatile it was almost funny, but beneath the theatrics, he was truly kind. He had eased up on his attacks just enough to ensure they weren't fatal, letting us fight to the very end.

Our attacks hadn't gotten through his defense. Not even one. But that didn't mean I had been sitting idly by.

“Darius.”

“Yeah? What is it, Cecil?”

“This is just a guess, but... do you actually dislike fighting?”

“What makes you say that?”

“...I don’t know for sure. It’s really just a hunch. I’m sorry if that’s rude to ask.”

Darius let out a boisterous, hearty laugh.

“Haha! You’re sharp, Cecil. Good girl. It’s true that I’m often misunderstood because I look like this, but I honestly don't like fighting at all. I only served as a knight in the past because it was the family business.”

I’d heard that he and Teacher Milk had been Knight Commanders in another country. To reach those heights in a profession you don’t even like... the man was a total genius.

“Then why did you become a teacher?”

“Hmm. I just like talking to people. Knowing the principal helped, of course, but mostly I just thought it would be nice if even one person could get stronger using the knowledge I have.”

As he stood there laughing, I couldn't sense a single hidden motive or dark secret. Just like Fansent, his straightforward feelings were incredibly powerful.

Sorry, everyone. I don’t think this man has a weakness.

Right then, a soft “meow” drifted from out of nowhere.

The cat from earlier had returned.

In an instant, Darius tossed his greatsword aside like it was a piece of trash and lunged toward the animal.

“Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good widdle boy!? Why are you here-wuh? Yes, you are! Yes, you are!”

Seeing this, I exchanged looks with Carta and Tura.

...Should we try attacking him just a little bit?

At my telepathic suggestion, Tura launched a pathetic excuse for a Wind Slash. Carta followed suit, firing off a Mana Cannon that felt more like a gentle breeze. The spells drifted across the room and—miraculously—hit their mark.

...Maybe I should bring a cat to the exam? Just kidding.

Darius didn’t have a single "real" weakness. However, I had learned for a fact that he didn't enjoy the act of fighting. Even the smallest detail can lead to Victory in a serious match.

There had to be something else I was missing.

I really don’t want Fansent to hate me, so I guess I’m staying up all night to figure this out.