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"Oh, look at that. I'm in the same waiting room as Orun today."
I was watching Wil’s match from the waiting room when a voice called out from behind me.
"Haruto-san. And Fuuka, too."
The two core members of the Copper Afterglow stood there.
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Haruto Tendou.
He was the Explorer who led the Copper Afterglow. He stood about ten centimeters taller than me, wearing an outfit that looked like a fusion of traditional Wafuku and local attire.
As far as ability went, I considered him more than worthy of his S-Rank status. During our joint subjugation, it had been clear he wasn't giving it his all, yet he’d still performed on par with everyone else. His potential was likely immense.
He specialized in a hand-to-hand combat style that eschewed weapons entirely, delivering devastating strikes that belied his agile movements. In yesterday’s first round, he’d actually shattered his opponent's weapon with his bare fists. I could tell there was some kind of trick to his strikes, but I hadn't managed to figure out the secret behind them yet.
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"It’s been a while, Orun. What, two months and change? I hear you’ve been doing big things lately."
"It’s been about that long since the joint subjugation, yeah. As for the 'big things,' I’ve just been blessed with good companions."
"Don't be so modest. —Oh, look. Oliver’s got the advantage."
Haruto-san murmured his impressions as he watched the battle between Wil and Oliver.
"Can Fuuka see the result of this fight already?" I asked her in a casual tone.
"That’s—"
"Whoops, not so fast. Fuuka, why are you trying to answer him so honestly?"
I’d asked the question hoping to gauge exactly how far into the future her Future Sight could reach, but Haruto-san caught onto my intent and cut her off. As expected, they weren't going to give up their secrets that easily. Though I had a feeling she might have told me if Haruto-san hadn't been there.
"But he asked me a question," Fuuka said.
"And you’re just going to answer everyone who asks? Even if they're an enemy?"
"...? Orun isn't an enemy."
Fuuka tilted her head, exuding an aura that practically asked What are you talking about?
"...Huh? Did I say something weird? Am I the one in the wrong here?"
Haruto-san looked like he was genuinely beginning to doubt his own common sense.
In this case, Haruto-san is definitely the right one, I thought.
He was an interesting guy, as always. As I watched the two of them bicker, the fight between Wil and Oliver reached a turning point.
Just when it looked like Wil was about to be completely overwhelmed, he parried Oliver's blade with a forceful, desperate motion, knocking the sword off-course. His twin-bladed sword caught Oliver cleanly, blowing him back across the arena.
"Oh, Wilkes has some moves. That one had to hurt, even for Oliver."
Haruto-san, who had been focused on Fuuka, seemed impressed by Wil's counterattack—one that should have been in Haruto's blind spot.
However, contrary to Haruto-san's prediction, Oliver stood back up as if nothing had happened.
As Wil’s face paled with shock, mana began to gather along Oliver's blade, manifesting as a brilliant golden light. Wil must have assumed it was Heavenly Flash. He closed the distance immediately, trying to neutralize the threat before the slash could be unleashed, but Oliver slipped inside Wil’s guard and drove his sword into his abdomen.
『And it’s over! The winner is the Hero, Oliver Cardiff! Wilkes put up a gallant fight, but in the end, he couldn't quite reach him!』
The technique that had blocked Wilkes's counterattack was likely Mana Convergence.
In the past, Oliver had treated Mana Convergence as something sacred—he’d viewed it as a special finishing move and never utilized it for anything other than pure offense. But in this fight, he’d diverted it to defense twice. Had his mindset changed?
A growing sense of unease regarding the Hero Party gnawed at me.
Would Luna know something? But I want to avoid doing anything conspicuous, like visiting the mansion. What should I—no, this has nothing to do with me anymore.
The unconscious Wil arrived at the waiting room on a stretcher. His complexion was terrible.
"How is he?" I asked the staff member carrying him.
"His life isn't in danger. However, we suspect some broken ribs, so we're taking him straight to the infirmary for treatment."
"I understand. May I come along?"
"Of course. This way."
I’d wanted to see Haruto-san and Fuuka’s matches, but I didn't want Wil to be alone when he woke up. I wanted to be there for him until he regained consciousness.
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"Wil!"
We had just reached the infirmary and were about to let the Healer begin when the door burst open. Lucre sprinted inside.
"Hey! Is Wil okay!?" she demanded, looking frantic.
"Lucre, calm down. He’s fine. He has external injuries, but they said his life isn't in danger."
Hearing that, she finally seemed to regain her composure.
"I see... thank goodness. I’m sorry for the scene. —Um, would it be okay if I treated him myself?"
"Er..."
The stadium Healer looked at me, bewildered by her sudden request.
"She’s the Healer from our party," I explained.
"Ah, I see. A Healer from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky. In that case, I have no objections."
"Thank you very much."
The Healer stepped aside, and Lucre moved to Wil’s side. In an instant, she constructed the formula for the high-level recovery spell, Exheal. Her speed was incredible, as always.
"That should do it for now, right?"
Lucre peered into Wil’s face, murmuring with relief as she saw the spell take hold.
"......Alright, I’m heading back to the waiting room. Can I leave him to you?"
"Eh!? Oh, yeah! Leave it to me! Good luck, Orun-kun! Win one for Wil!"
"Yeah. I’m off."
Leaving Wil in Lucre’s capable hands, I made my way back to the waiting room.
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"Welcome back, Orun."
Fuuka greeted me the moment I stepped inside. Normally, I would have just replied, but I found myself frozen by the scene in front of me.
"......What is all that?"
"....? My lunch. It’s my turn soon, so I thought I’d eat first."
Fuuka had spread a blue tarp over the waiting room floor and lined it with a staggering amount of food. The sheer volume was easily more than what several grown men could eat. It looked like she’d cleaned out the stall district.
"Don't you think that’s a bit much? You’re about to fight. Aren't you going to feel bloated?"
Personally, I would have been happy if she lost the next match, but I couldn't help but point out the obvious.
"I don't get bloated from just this much, so it’s fine."
She answered me while happily stuffing her cheeks with takoyaki. I think I finally understood why Katina-san was always complaining about her overeating.
"...I see."
『Whoa! Haruto has done it again! Just like in the first round, he’s shattered his opponent's weapon! Both fighters are now unarmed! Does this give Haruto the edge!?』
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, and I moved to a spot where I could see the arena.
Against Haruto-san—without the help of buffs and having lost his weapon—the opponent didn't stand a chance. By the time I started watching, it was a completely one-sided beatdown.
His opponent, Olaf from Ultramarine Drizzle, was barely hanging on by guarding. Haruto-san used his light footwork to rain down strikes from every conceivable angle, giving the man no room to breathe or counter. Finally, Olaf’s endurance gave out. The moment his guard wavered, Haruto-san slammed home a powerful finishing blow.
『And there it is! Overcoming the disadvantage of being unarmed, Haruto claims victory! This is the true power of an S-Rank Explorer!』
"Man, I’m wiped. —Oh, Orun, you’re back."
"Yes, just now. Congratulations on the win."
"Thanks. Though, I was fighting a guy who's grown way too reliant on support magic. I couldn't exactly afford to lose to him."
"The way you say that, Haruto-san, makes it sound like you aren't used to buffs yourself."
"Well now, I wonder. —Wait, what the hell are you doing?"
Haruto-san walked into the waiting room and immediately did a double-take at Fuuka.
"Lunch."
"Don't come crying to me when Kati scolds you."
Haruto-san sounded exasperated, but notably, he didn't doubt her ability to finish it all. Apparently, this was a regular occurrence.
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Roughly an hour after Haruto-san's match, the third match was set to begin. It was Fuuka versus Keiron from Amber Flash. The two were already facing off in the center of the arena.
『And now! The second round, third match... Begin! —————Wait, what?』
The announcer let out a bewildered sound immediately after starting the match.
It was only natural. The moment the signal was given, Fuuka was suddenly standing exactly where Keiron had been. Keiron himself was lying unconscious on the ground nearby.
For the first time since the tournament began, the entire stadium fell into a stunned silence.
"Do I have to keep fighting?" Fuuka asked the referee.
In the deathly quiet arena, her small voice carried perfectly to the stands.
"T-The winner is Fuuka of the Copper Afterglow!"
『I-It’s over! An absolute instant-kill! I couldn't even see what she did!』
The crowd erupted into an uproar. Yesterday, she’d won with a single blow as well, but that had at least been a counterattack. No one had expected a result like this.
"Why’d she have to go and use Ki..."
Haruto-san muttered in a voice so quiet it would have been missed by almost anyone. However, I had activated a Quadruple stack of Technical Up along with Site Up and Hearing Up to ensure I didn't miss a single thing Fuuka did. I caught his murmur clearly.
"What is 'Ki'?"
"Hm? You heard that? You’ve got sharp ears. Ki is just the general name for the techniques passed down in my family. Sorry, but I’m not saying anything more than that."
If it was "his" family, did that mean it was a Tendou family secret? But Fuuka’s surname was Shinonome. Yet he said she used it. That likely meant it wasn't a strictly bloodline-limited technique, but something she had specifically mastered.
I didn't know what Ki was, but I had to assume it was the direct source of her strength. I’d have to look into it later.
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『Alright, let’s bring it back! The third match may have ended in a flash, but the fourth match is another clash between S-Rank powerhouses! The Hero, Derrick Moseley, versus the Dragon Slayer, Orun Doura!』
My preparations complete, I walked out toward the center of the arena. Derrick was already there, glaring at me with the expression of a literal demon. He was clearly still fuming about yesterday.
"You piece of trash Explorer... you got lucky with that surprise attack yesterday, but I'm gonna kill you today! You’d better be ready!!"
"...Killing is against the rules. Is that really how a Hero should act?"
"Shut up! I don't care if you cry or beg, I'm not letting you off!"
If he was this blinded by rage, I probably didn't even need to be cautious. I drew the dagger from my waist, gripping it in a reverse hold in my right hand.
Now then, let's get this over with.