The training camp was reaching its midway point.
"It’s about time you put the results of your daily training to the test," Principal Galfried announced. "Therefore, we will be holding mock battles."
A murmur of excitement and anxiety rippled through the student body.
"That said, I suspect you’re all a bit bored of the usual drills. Let’s change things up. What do you say to a 2-on-2 mock battle?"
The students began to buzz with nervous energy.
"No way... I’m not going to be stuck with Albert, am I?"
"We’d probably win, but he’s freaking scary!"
Hey, I can hear you! Try to keep the insults at a volume I can't hear, okay?
Well, I was well aware that after my little rampage on the first day, I’d graduated from a simple outcast to the King of Outcasts.
Incidentally, the day after that first match, I tried to apologize to Klaus when he returned.
"Looks like you failed to die. By the way, are you the type who considers an apology from the winner a humiliation to the loser?"
"I don't need it! The rule for mock battles is that the results leave no grudges!"
Even as he spat those words, Klaus fixed me with a sharp, piercing glare.
And so, my atonement was technically over, but my reputation remained unchanged. My position in the summer training camp was one of total isolation.
Since Luna and Silvia still hung around me, it wasn't as if I was particularly lonely, though.
"Now, I will announce the match-ups for the mock battles."
One by one, the names of the participants were read aloud. I wondered who I would be paired with, and more importantly, who I would have to fight.
"Albert von Kronstadt and—"
The moment my name left the principal's lips, screams erupted from the students who hadn't been called yet. What was with that? They were treating my name like the "Great Misfortune" slip at a temple.
"—and Luna!"
"Yay!"
Standing next to me, Luna clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. She was one of the few eccentrics who was actually happy to be paired with me.
"Cheer, it’s not me~" Silvia, the other eccentric, pouted on the opposite side of the group.
I wasn't one to talk, but you guys really had terrible taste.
Luna hooked her arm into mine and spoke with a bounce in her voice. "I’ll do my best! I’ll work as hard as I can so I’m not a burden to you, Lord Albert!"
"Yeah, I’m counting on you."
It was a fact that Luna's magical power was increasing. It was likely because she was thoroughly studying Shizel's magic book, Transformation of the Mind in Pain and Pleasure, as part of my research. It seemed that deepening her understanding of Ancient Magic also refined her grasp of magic formulas, leading to an improvement in her Modern Magic skills as well.
Or, there was the simple possibility that Shizel was doing something to her. Either way, Luna was getting closer to the power she sought.
"Opposing them will be Leon and Saint Seraphina!"
The students' reactions were a mix of relief and intense excitement. They were overjoyed to have avoided a match with me, and the mention of Saint Seraphina sent a thrill through the crowd.
Since Hero Leon was still hiding his true identity, the match-up looked like this to the public: The Strongest Delinquent Noble Albert vs. Saint Seraphina!
This was going to be quite the show. If I were in the audience, I’d be heckling them without hesitation. Damn it all!
Since everyone expected me to lose, my contrarian nature made me want to pull off something that would leave them all speechless... but no. Restraint. I had to show restraint.
This was a situation where I wanted to lose spectacularly.
I didn't really care about Saint Seraphina, but Hero Leon was a problem. I couldn't help but feel that if I defeated him, I’d get dragged into something incredibly troublesome—specifically, being told to go defeat the Demon King myself.
My ideal scenario was to lose miserably, letting everyone think, "What, Albert is just all talk. The true savior is Leon!"
Alright, I would fall spectacularly and serve as a stepping stone for Hero Leon. That was the plan. I was going to hold back a ton!
"Leon, who defeated the incredibly strong Albert, is the strongest!" I could almost hear them say.
And Princess Eliana would say something like, "Kyaa! It’s decided, Leon will be the one to defeat the Demon King!"
And then everyone could finally forget about me.
While I was indulging in these delusions, the real Eliana suddenly appeared before me. She wore a beaming, graceful smile.
"Albert, do you remember our promise?"
"P-Promise...?"
"Give it your all, won't you?"
Her voice was elegant, yet it possessed a strength that brooked no argument.
Ugh! I remembered. I remembered it now.
—When I command it, please ‘always exercise it and fight seriously.’
This black-hearted princess had commanded me to do exactly that.
"Seriously, huh?"
"Yes, seriously. Please, do not hold back under any circumstances."
Her eyes said everything her lips didn't: I can see right through your attempt to throw this match, you know.
Uwaaaaaagh! Damn it! So that promise back then was made specifically because she calculated things would end up here? You black-hearted woman!
...Of course, I could still try to hold back. Eliana wouldn't know for sure if I was at my limit or not. I could just say, "I tried my best, but it was impossible!"
However, as a serious person who had been a corporate drone in my previous life, I didn't feel right lying about a contract. I wasn't excited either way, but since I had to fulfill the promise, it felt better to just blast Leon away with everything I had.
"I'll act according to your wishes," I muttered.
"Thank you, Albert. I look forward to a wonderful battle."
With that, Eliana turned gracefully and walked back to her spot. My course was set.
I’m going all out, Leon. Prepare yourself.
"—Opposing them will be Leon and Saint Seraphina!"
Upon hearing who his opponents were, Leon felt his heart freeze.
Me, in a mock battle against Albert...?
The top of the grade, an anomaly with overwhelming power. Despair spread through Leon's mind. The vivid flash that hadn't looked anything like a standard Lightning Bolt, and the raw violence that had overwhelmed Knight Klaus—everything about Albert was beyond Leon's comprehension.
Initially, he had thought of the boy as a rival, but he felt ashamed of his own naivety now. Albert was no longer a person within the realm of common sense; he was a once-in-a-century genius. Leon didn't feel like he could win at all.
A warm hand touched his arm, unaware of the turmoil in his heart.
"Leon-sama, we are paired together. I am so happy."
Saint Seraphina wore a smile that came from the bottom of her soul. She seemed genuinely delighted to be fighting alongside him.
"Albert-sama is the person who defeated Lord Klaus, right?"
"……Yeah, that’s right."
"He is a worthy opponent. If we defeat him, your fame will surely rise."
Strictly speaking, it was Leon's fame she cared about. Seraphina was clearly dissatisfied that the Hero was still being treated as a mere student.
"We can win, right, Leon-sama?"
If he answered honestly, he would say he had no confidence. But even that was a lie—his true feelings were that he absolutely could not win, there was no chance of victory, and he wanted to run away.
But he couldn't say those things in front of Seraphina. She was praying for his victory. She believed in him.
"……Yeah, let’s win together."
"Yes!"
Seraphina gave him a radiant smile. The duty of a Saint was, after all, total devotion to the Hero.
I won't let myself lose easily.
The presence of Saint Seraphina was a massive advantage, as she had the ability to enhance the Hero's power. He could face this battle as the best version of himself.
Wait... did Princess Eliana plan this far ahead?
To force him to challenge the strongest opponent as his best self and prove his worth—she wouldn't accept any excuses.
I have my own pride as a Hero. For the sake of Seraphina, who believes in me, I cannot afford to lose!
Suppressing his terrified heart, Hero Leon went forth to battle.