Chapter 22: 22

22 – You Life is Mine, Twintails 1

It happened as soon as Practical Arts class started.

It would appear that another teacher is in charge of this class, but just for today, Louto is in charge.

We’re outside.

A big, white cloud floats about far away, and even the sun is out. Great weather.

There is nothing covering the ground, but it has been flattened.

Looks like a wide sports field was set in the center.

We changed into outfits suited for this class and the students had to listen to Louto’s instructions. By the way, my outfit was prepared by Louto. It’s a perfect fit.

Apparently, everyone is supposed to practice Water Elemental magic.

「We are different. This is normally done during the practical exam, but let us engage in live combat.」

「Now then class, time to show off the mock battle between Rain and Jural~」

With a wave of Louto’s finger, a shallow groove is drawn in a circle on the sports field.

It’s magic. I guess we can only fight within that circle.

Also, I guess that female student’s name is Jural.

「Hmph, for the most part, I came here to inspect the academy, but so be it. I’ll show you my power. Also, report this to his Highness, “This country has no need for me!”」

She has completely misunderstood.

I just wanted to see what it’s like to be a student.

There’s no way she’d believe that, though.

「Relying on just one military unit is not sound and is dangerous. No matter how strong that unit may be. Rather than one ultimate individual, having multiple talented individuals is better. And this very institute is where those individuals are nurtured. I will show you the value of that in this battle.」

What should I do? She’s making good points like it’s nothing.

Even humanity wishes not to exploit the Six Saviors and do more themselves.

It is simply because they still can’t do anything that something like the Saviors is still necessary.

『Hmph. Bring on a hundred or even a million prodigies! Rain’ll wipe’em out in one hit! You will feel your own ineptitude before overwhelming power!』

Fighting a million would probably be tough.

Also, you’re making us sound like the bad guy…

「Gr… Such vulgarity. Is that a holy sword or a cursed sword?」

Uh oh.

『Excuse me?』

It’s not the same when I joke about her becoming a cursed sword.

She hates other people calling her that.

When she was mistaken for a cursed sword that time I met Eleanor, that was just Eleanor’s way of acknowledging my power, so it just ended with her in a bad mood, but the way Jural said it is not good.

『D-did you… Did you just say that I’m just some slut that would let anyone have their way with my handle?!』

「Slu-? W-what are you… Do not speak in riddles.」

『…Rain, you know what to do, right?』

Mika’s voice was low.

「No, I don’t.」

『Go in with maximum power and wipe her very existence off the face of the earth.』

「Nope. Not doing that…」

『Hey, your partner just got insulted! Aren’t you angry?!』

Hm.

I turn to Jural.

「Just now, you said a taboo word for her. Mind apologizing?」

「E-excuse me? Even if it has a will of its own, you want me to apologize to a sword? Don’t make me laugh.」

「……That so?」

Since everyone in the Demon King Castle respects Mika as an individual, I had forgotten something.

I’d forgotten that it’s normal for there to be many who think just like Jural.

…I don’t really like this kind of normal.

「She just likes to run her mouth, even if what she said is true.」

Still, I have to find common ground.

『That’s it! Destroy her! She said the thing that shouldn’t be said!』

「Wait a minute… Did you just say what she said is true?」

「Hm? Ah, I mean, even if there were a hundred of you, it wouldn’t even be a match for me and Mika. That’s why I said I had to hold back earlier. It’s just that… She’s in a bad mood right now, so it might get dangerous if I use her.」

『Swing me! I feel like I could wipe out the devil himself right now!』

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「Did you have the ability to turn anger into power?」

『This is a matter of feelings!』

You broke the treasure sword with the power of your anger, by the way.

Even more reason I can’t use her in this mock battle.

「…Everything you’ve said so far… It’s like all you’re doing is making fun of us…」

Jural seems to be trembling.

「What’s wrong? You ok?」

『It’s too late to get scared now! For your life ends today!』

Why has she been spouting villain lines this whole time…　

「…Let us duel.」

「Hm?」

「Didn’t you hear me?! I am challenging you to a duel!」

…Why?

Jural heads to the center of the ring and snaps her finger at me.

「Now, Hero dear, fight me!」

And here we are.

Although, Fripp did say that duels like this aren’t normal.

I don’t know the details but this definitely isn’t said lightly.

I remember duels being a contest where the fighter’s lives are at stake for the sake of honor or pride.

I’ve seen knights do it, but the loser lost their life.

At least, for them, pride is worth risking their lives for.

「If I win, you will take back your insults about this academy!」

「OK, first of all, those weren’t even insults-」

「And if you win, I will apologize to that cursed sword-like thing!」

『S-sh-she called me a cursed sword again… That’s twice now! Rain, she said it twice… Urrgh!』

What can I say?

My holy sword can’t take a hit.

What should I do if she starts bawling again?

「…sigh I don’t really get it, but if that’s how you feel, fine. Let’s go.」

The Swordmaster once said,

『Ignore mindless provocations. If someone tries to pick a fight but you get nothing out of it, then don’t fight. But…if the opponent places something important on the fight, don’t make light of it. Even if it’s obvious we’ll win, don’t pull any punches.』

I was going to be careful to not kill her by mistake but…

She requested a duel, so there’s no other way to respond.

I also head to the center of the ring.

With Mika in hand.

I release my mana.

『…Heh, heheh… That’s more like it, Rain. Listen well twintail girl. The time for judgment is nigh! Burn to death in one holy flash!』

Enough with the quips.

「H-hmph. That’s an impressive amount of man…a… Wha… what the…」

「Everyone, get back!」

Louto immediately put up a barrier to protect the students from my mana release.

That’s some serious instantaneous mana control ability.

Her eyes are wide open too.

While I was impressed, the ground shook, the air was ringing, the birds that nestled on top of the school flew away, and all the glass windows shattered.

…Uh oh, I might really get yelled at this time.

I look at Jural and she is brandishing her staff, but she’s shaking like a newborn babe.

I wonder if there’s some kind of special significance to that.

I mean, she may look like she’s scared out of her mind, but she challenged me to a duel, which means she’s ready to die, so…

This has to be some part of her plan, yeah.　　　

Whatever it is, I just have to bust through it head-on.

「Abuh-buh-buh-buh…」

Her face has turned a deep blue, but even that must be some kind of tactic.

「Let’s do this, Jural.」

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