The next day.
I had heard various rumors about myself, but the tide seemed to be turning.
"Did you hear? Apparently, the Ordinary beat a noble."
"Word is he even held his own against Lady Rose of the Three Great Noble Families."
"Heh... is that so? I guess an Ordinary can be surprisingly capable after all."
Snatches of conversation like these drifted into my ears.
"Oh? It looks like the rumors about you have softened a bit, Ray."
"I certainly hope so."
I was currently leaving the dormitory with Evi, heading toward our classroom. Those voices reached us just as we stepped out.
Public opinion of me might shift more quickly than I had expected. Personally, I didn't mind the talk much, but student life would certainly be more pleasant without a cloud of notoriety hanging over my head.
"But still..."
"What is it?"
"Your combat techniques really are incredible. Where did you learn them?"
Regarding yesterday—setting aside the match with Mr. Alium—anyone with a trained eye would have recognized the abnormality in my movements during the bout with Amelia. Evi, too, had clearly sensed something.
I hesitated over how to respond, but ultimately decided to be honest.
"I have a master."
"A master? For swordsmanship?"
"No, it isn't limited to that. A mentor in every sense of the word. Magic, sword techniques, and the way a person should carry themselves—she taught me many things."
"Heh... is that right?"
"However... the training was quite grueling."
"Was she that strict?"
"Indeed. To the point that life here feels like heaven in comparison."
"Uwah... that sounds intense. So, where is this master now?"
"She currently lives in a forest on the eastern edge of the kingdom. I shall introduce you to her someday."
"Eh... you don't think she'll beat the crap out of me, do you?"
"It will be fine. She is a beautiful woman, at least physically speaking."
"She's a woman... but wait, 'at least physically speaking'?"
"Well... her personality is difficult in many ways, but she is not a bad person."
"Well, I can tell that much just by looking at you, Ray!"
"Heh... I see."
Engaged in such idle talk, we arrived at the classroom in no time.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
We exchanged greetings and headed to our respective seats. When I reached mine, Elisa and Amelia approached.
"Good morning, you two."
"Good morning, Amelia."
"G-Good morning...!"
Yesterday, I had allowed myself to get slightly carried away and unleashed a portion of my power. Amelia had questioned me about it, but I had fled the scene to avoid the subject.
That single strike—while the other students might not have realized its significance, Amelia, as my opponent, and Instructor Light had likely sensed the truth.
However, Amelia showed no sign of that now, speaking to me just as she always did.
I hoped my concerns were merely my imagination... but I felt as though she had been exuding a strangely precarious aura afterward. It wasn't simply that she was surprised by my swordsmanship; I had sensed a gaze that felt as though it were burning, yearning for something...
Our time together was still short.
That was precisely why I realized that while I thought I knew them, there were still sides to them I did not yet understand—and that applied to both of us.
Perhaps the day would come when I would truly learn what was in Amelia's heart.
And so, another typical day began.
"...Hey."
"Hm? Ah. Mr. Alium. Do you have business with me?"
"Because of you... I... I...! I had to endure the humiliation of a noble losing to an Ordinary...!"
I see. It was clear that this was no trivial matter.
Furthermore, there were several students standing behind him. They were likely his friends, but the atmosphere was far from one of pleasant conversation.
It was currently after school. I was a bit late heading back, as I had stopped by the library. I was walking down the corridor toward the dormitory when he cornered me.
There were few students around, and the evening sun cast a pleasant light, yet his eyes were filled with nothing but murderous intent. They were eyes I knew well, eyes I had seen many times before.
In that case, the proposal he was about to make was entirely predictable.
"There's no way I could lose to you! As a magic swordsman, if we compete in total combat power... I will absolutely never lose to you!"
"I see. Are you saying you were unable to demonstrate your full strength in yesterday's mock battle?"
"That's right! If I can incorporate magic, there's no way I'd lose to someone like you who only has physical ability!!"
"...I see. Is this, then, a challenge to a duel?"
"So you catch on quick..."
"Hmm..."
I had expected this would happen eventually. He clearly viewed me as an enemy, and the outcome of that mock battle must have stung. Additionally, the rumors from this morning were likely the height of dishonor for him.
And thus... this hatred.
The option to decline existed, but that would surely fail to appease him.
In that case, there was only one choice for me to make.
"Very well. I shall accompany you."
"We'll use live blades, and magic is permitted."
"Meaning we shall fight as magic swordsmen."
"Exactly... Now, follow me."
We moved to the training grounds without anyone stopping us, but when I glanced back, I saw Evi, Amelia, and even Elisa watching us intently.
It appeared they were following us—perhaps they were worried.
However, there was no need for concern. I knew exactly how to handle people of this sort.
"Here."
Mr. Alium threw a live blade toward me.
Though we had arrived at the training grounds, for some reason, there were many students watching. Had he already spread the word to turn this into a spectacle? Or was it because nobles had their own sense of pride to defend?
Scanning the surroundings, there certainly seemed to be many noble students. While I didn't know all their names, it was clear they did not have a favorable impression of me, an Ordinary.
"Mr. Alium, what are the rules?"
"The one who admits defeat loses."
"I see."
I picked up the sword he had thrown. It was a standard broadsword, identical to the ones I had used during my training in the Kafka Forest.
It was a one-handed sword of moderate length, with a blade of about seventy to eighty centimeters. Unlike a saber, it had a straight blade with no curvature, and the tip was double-edged.
The sword Mr. Alium held was identical.
This fight would be similar in format to yesterday's, yet distinctly different. These were not wooden swords, and the use of magic was entirely unrestricted. This was to be a true battle between magic swordsmen.
I stared at him. His eyes had long since been dyed with murderous intent. He clearly couldn't stomach the fact that he, a noble, had been forced to taste bitterness at the hands of an Ordinary. I had been told all sorts of things back when I was in the military as well. I could remember, as if it were only yesterday, how such instances led to conflict every time.
In truth, I had no actual combat experience since the Far East Campaign ended three years ago. However, I had not been idle during that time, and I had continued my efforts even at this academy. In that case, I would face him with the absolute best I could offer.
"—RAAAAAAAAH!!!"
There was no signal, but I was prepared for that. There was no referee. Victory would go to the one who carved the word 'defeat' into their opponent as they clashed. It felt similar to being on a battlefield. He was coming at me with the intent to kill, likely not caring if he even lopped off an arm in the process.
"Ngh...!"
"Ora! What's the matter?!!"
Unlike before, there were no restrictions on magic. He produced Fireballs using Quick Magic and layered Physical Reinforcement over himself as he pressed his attack.
Indeed, his point held some truth. In that fight with wooden swords, he hadn't been able to demonstrate his true abilities. Rather, this exchange utilizing magic was his true essence.
Magic swordsmen are categorized into three types: Balance-type, Magic-type, and Sword Technique-type. Some use magic and sword techniques in equal measure, while others specialize in one or the other; the style varies by individual.
From what I could see, it was obvious he was a Magic-type. That was precisely why he had challenged me to a duel under these conditions. He believed that as long as he could use magic, he would not lose.
"..."
However, even with that, he was still lacking. He would never reach me.
The realm I occupy is far above his. I had already grasped that much during this series of exchanges.
Still driven by emotion, Mr. Alium launched a furious assault. His attacks using Quick Magic were impressive, and he wove sword strikes in between them to strike at me. It was a rational and well-judged way of fighting.
But there was still something unnecessary mixed in.
It was emotion. Anger, hatred, and the like are unnecessary in combat. While they can occasionally provide a temporary boost to one's abilities, overall, they are superfluous.
Watching him, I recalled my master's teaching to discard all emotion. My master was no longer by my side. We had spent nearly ten years together, but she was not at this academy. However, those teachings were forever engraved in my heart.
In that case, I simply needed to carry out those teachings as thoroughly as I always did.
"All you can do is defend?! Huh?!!"
"..."
Perhaps believing he had the upper hand, he redoubled his attacks. A flurry of sword strikes unfolded in all directions, and in the gaps between them, Quick Magic was inserted. This was the true combat of a magic swordsman.
Meanwhile, I allowed my own consciousness to sink. As if submerging to the bottom of the ocean, I concentrated my awareness, letting it drop deep within. He did not know that emotion is unnecessary in combat and is nothing more than a distraction.
For on a true battlefield, the moment one becomes emotional, death is waiting for them.
"Ah... ha...?"
In an instant, I sliced through the Fireball he had unleashed as it bore down on me, using my broadsword.
Stunned by the impossible occurrence, he let out a pathetic sound. The students spectating the match reacted the same way.
Cutting through magic with a blade—such a feat might be expected of a soldier, but it was considered impossible for a student. However, such logic meant nothing to me.
I adjusted my broadsword into a mid-level guard and spoke.
"Mr. Alium. Let me teach you how vast the world truly is."
"SHUT UUUUUUUUP!!!"
And so, I faced him once more.