Assassins Pride - Volume 1 - Chapter 3

Assassin Pride Volume 1 Chapter 3
LESSON：Ⅲ　～The Thing That Called Watching Over～
July was about to come to an end, the student’s long awaited long term holiday was approaching to the Cardinals Academy District. In preparation for the closing ceremony of St. Freidswide girl academy tomorrow. The little girls would participate in a public tournament of martial art display at the end of semester.

The match location was  a huge coliseum that was used alongside a training school named Karetsuji at the Academy district. The fields were forest, wasteland, ruins, lake and as such, with all the possible battle field set up in a three hundred square meters stage, each school years was divided into unit in order to participate, struggling for the outcome of the battles.

The morale of the student had gone up a notch, as the big line “public tournament” was written on the banner. The usually keeping themselves away from the outside world ojou-sama school too, on this day it was different. The family of the students centered mainly on the residences of the district, other were college students, the far away sightseeing tourist, or the inspection squad from the knight regiment (Guild). More than several thousand people would fill the audience seat to the brim. For the match the little girls would also wear a special martial art training attire “battle dress”, it was said that entering it would suddenly fire them up.

Then wherein, at the first year players waiting room our Melida ojou-sama was,

「Sensei, is there a technique to not stand out on the stage as much as possible……？」

With dark and gloomy expression, she was standing still at the corner.

After preparing the battle dress carefully, it didn’t matter if she shone like a battle angel. As usual the small little lady couldn’t enter the meeting circle. Furthermore uncomfortably killing time, it seemed that nothing but the feeling of gloomy came to her………

「What are you being cowardly for. Whatever sort of Samurai class as it might be, when you decided to do it you could “bang” do it! Bath in the applause.  What do we do if your mettle isn’t up for it?」

「B, but, there would be so many spectators looking at me……….?」

「Wouldn’t that the best debut battle?」

「I don’t have the confidence……」

From before the start Melida was disheartened. At last she could show her mana anticipating for this day, even though she spent one whole week training repeatedly with Kufa, but when it came to the real battle it seemed her mind was stained with considerable attitude of un-erasable feeling of bailing out.

With such clattering teeth mental strain she wouldn’t be able to show half of her status. She couldn’t imagine the scene in which she was really active at all, Melida had concluded that she would lose, in such a way her face was gloomy.

Even though there was no time left, this was bad. Even though he was escorting with nonchalant vibe, Kufa’s inner thought had started to be impatient. No matter what I have to make the young lady believe in herself.

Despite so, as if to mock that intention, a high pitched voice came.

「Ara Melida! What happened, why are you shrinking in that corner 」

Like a crowd the blumen sisters accompanying Nerva Martillo came over. As usual the difference in material resources was overwhelming, that made Melida’s expression even stiffer.

Moreover, the girls unit was the opponent in Melida’s battle.

「How great, you really came here without running away. But are you okay? Your condition looks very bad 」

「That can’t be helped, Nerva-sama」

「Anyways, from now on, she would have egg on her face in front of great number of people」

As if it was discussed before hand, the followers mocked.

Nerva was「Ahaha!」, laughing in a voice that echoed throughout the waiting room

「That’s right!　Nee Melida, are you planning on rolling into a ball in the corner of the stage in the battle? Melida might as well just do the hopping dance to entertain the spectators please. That’s your order」

「N, no……」

「Your family also came to see you right? I wonder what would they think about your unsightly figure. Seeing all the spectators around pointing at you laughing, imagine how would they feel? Nee?」

「……」

Melida only bit her lips without answering. Unnoticed, the waiting room fell into a complete silence as if it was a graveyard, other students were also concerned about this with an awkward expression

In a way as if she spoke in behalf off all others, Nerva threw down her high pitch voice.

「Truly,  why does the likes of you exist in my academy. Right now transfer to a normal coeducation school and find a husband as well. Forever clinging on that unsightliness」

「……!!」

Melida’s shoulders were trembling, she looked down, at the end of her eyes, tears gradually swelled up.

「──Nerva-sama, with all due respect」

Reaching a situation where nothing can be done​, Kufa suddenly interfered between the two.

As if to say I’ve been waiting for this, Nerva raised the edge of her mouth and looked up at him.

「Ara sensei, good day to you. Do you have any business with me?」

「Ee. By all means I have one thing I want to ask of you」

「Well, please ask me anything」

「I got the feeling that my ears are getting rotten so would you please shut up? You female monkey」

Melida at the back too, the other students too, everyone was taken aback and stared at him.

「M, mon, monke……? N, no desu wa, I seemed to have misheard something. I’m so sorry but Kufa-sama, please say it again?」

「Purify your mouth when you talk, imbecile . I said that go sink to the bottom of the sewage system」

Rustle rustle! as the surrounding was stirring. At any rate if they were the little girls in St. Freidswide, not until now they had heard such insulting words.

Clearly understanding such verbal insult, Nerva’s lips were shaking.

「Yo, yo yo yo you said it to me that, pur, purified my mouth……!?」

「Pardon my impoliteness. But, if you keep insulting Melida-sama anymore than this, then by all means I couldn’t control myself」

「Wha……!?」

Kufa knelt down, his eyes looked down. On his back, he could feel the intense stare of Melida.

「You don’t understand a thing about Melida-sama. Melida-sama is a very noble person. No matter how absurdly bad experience she experienced she would not bend, no matter how many times she would stand up again and again, such a strong person. Being close to that side and looking at you ridicule her, I say clearly that it was unpleasant how you talked about Melida-sama」

「……！」

Nerva almost stepped back two or three steps, but she barely kept her pride.

「Hu, hum! For a nameless noble, being outrageous because he was employed by the duke’s house?」

To Kufa who was still kneeling, she sternly pointed a finger at him.

「What is the Vampir family, I’ve never heard of such thing.  Even if you call yourself a home tutor, you only read the picture books for her to hear in order to receive your wage right!」

「Don’t make fun of sensei!!」

Bashin! A little girl brushed off Nerva’s hand.

With vigor as raging fire Melida came in front of him.

「He is the best sensei! I will never forgive anyone who insults him!!」

She showed her emotions at this point, of course the classmates must be very surprise right? However, the thing was what was once had been said could not be undone.

After Nerva opened her eyes wide for a little, feeling as if amused she raised the edge of her mouth.

「Hee? You said not forgiving , exactly what will you do?」

「……」

Melida bit her lip, clenched her fist──sternly raised her face.

「In the battle I will beat you to a pulp!!」

「You said it, drop out one!!」

On the two’s line of sights, Bachi! fire spark started to clash.

「This battle, I’m looking forward to it, Melida」

With a puff at the end she sneered once more, Nerva turned her body. She took the Blumen sister along with her who were having bewildered expressions, left the waiting room.

As the girls left the waiting room, the extremely awkward atmosphere float around but,

「……Me, meeting, meeting!」

Sternly some female students called out around, as if realizing the commotion had died out.

For a while Melida stood there petrified, drowned in thoughts.

「I said it～～～! Wha, what should I do!?」

「No but, you accidentally said it right」

「Why does sensei looks so happy!」

As for Kufa, it was something that made him couldn’t help it but laugh.

Anyhow, the lady’s confidence switch’s hiding place had been found.

It seemed that for Melida………. she herself could not, but if it were for the sake of others she could show her strength, seemed like she was that kind of child.

「Then ojou-sama. In the battle if you ever feel fainthearted, please think about me」

「About  sensei?」

Taking Melida’s hands he gently wrapped them within his palms.

「For my honor. I want to let everyone know that your guidance is not wrong! 」

「For sensei…. 」

He weighed heavy words on the shoulders of the girl who was shorter than him by about two head lengths.

From a fleeting expression of pessimism, she bravely raised her face.

Clenching her chest, showing a determined resolve she said

“Please look at me! I’ll do my best! 」

†　†　†

It seemed like he had encouraged Melida, but on the other hand, Kufa was being crushed by anxiety.

As he exited the waiting room and sat at the corner of the guest seats, he could not help but feel that anxiety as the battle will start soon from Melida’s first-year group. The expectation from the surrounding audience was gradually increasing.

The seat next to his, was the figure of Emy with a basket of bento who came to cheer.

「Kufa-san, you’re even more nervous as if you were going to participate 」

「Yea-, yeah. I’m losing the will to live 」

—-Seriously!!

Anyhow, at the spectators’ seats on the upper row, he glanced over the people who held influence in St. Freidswide Academy who were sitting at the arranged VIP seats.

Over there, the two figures who meant life or death for Kufa and Melida were to be seen.

One was the man who is in his 50’s and has long silver hair combed at the back of his head. The current head of the Knight Duke Angel Family, Felgus Angel. He looked older than his age, combined with the wrinkles on his face.

And then the other figure, wearing a wool hat and traditional “ Justau corps ” clothing, An old man with a body as thin as a withering branch, he was Kufa’s client. The head of the Mordew weapon company, Sir Mordew. The father of the late Meliona Angel whom had been suspected of having an affair, and the grandfather of Melida.

As Melida would be in front of the presence of the whole company Sir Mordew had to worry as if Melida were to make any mistake would be detrimental to the family’s image. Twitching his cheeks, he nervously looked around the crowd and among them, Felgus was the person whose expression he was most concerned about. The firm denial of Melinoa’s adultery, the full trust in the relationship with the Angel’s house, was Sir Mordew’s dearest wish.

Felgus duke had a displeased expression looking down the stage. Kufa suddenly felt as if Felgus’ line of sight was directed towards him, he quickly looked away.

—– They came! They came! They came~~!!!

His thoughts were in array

In this battle, if Melida showed nothing but an unsightly performance, the suspicion against his wife would deepen more and more. Mordrew’s position would be in furthermore danger, especially the talk about what the dispatched assassin agent did would come. In extreme terms, the result of this battle would some way, determine if Kufa and Melida would be disposed off together.

For the sake of surviving the next three years, the first test is today!

──I’m counting on you! Ojou-sama!!

He put his palms together and wholeheartedly prayed for a short while, he heard a sharp voice as if pouring cold water on his head.

「Aaree～? You look terribly anxious~, Mr. Shady gentleman~~ 」

With seemingly sarcastic nuances and gestures she approached, the red-haired bishoujo that could make fashion models ashamed of themselves. Her dress gave off the impression of a beautiful elf, outstanding conspicuously amongst the masses.

「 I wonder what kind of pest keeps on bragging? Let me guess, it would have to be that right? Can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk huh? Ohohohoho! 」

「 And here I thought who was that, isn’t it Pricketsu-san 」

「 It’s Pricket!! Not Pricketsu it’s Pricket! Don’t make such unpleasant mistake!!!」

Annoyed and irritated, “Pricketsu” who was generally known as Rozetti Pricket angrily dropped her waist on the seat next to Kufa.

From the other side across Kufa, Emy tilted her head in surprise.

「Kufa-san, that person is? 」

「 She is Elise Angel-sama’s home tutor 」

「Maa maa. I am Melida-sama’s head maid, Emy. I’ll be glad if we could get along 」

From across Kufa she held out her hand and Rozetti who was sulking completely changed her expression. With a sparkling face like a kid receiving candy, she clasped and shook Emy’s hand.

「 It’s fine to talk to maid-san!? I am Roze! Nice to meet you! 」

Even though the meaning wasn’t clearly understood but, it seemed like she was really happy.

「 What’s this?! I thought the people from this house had pitch-black heart but it seems like I wrong! It seems there’s only one fake gentleman who plays with the maiden’s heart, what a relief 」

「That’s great」

After giving a perfunctory response, Kufa returned his sight to the stage.

「……Whaat? Making such a serious face. You’re that worried about Melida-sama?」

「Naturally」

At any rate, my life depends on it!

While Rozetti restlessly grasped her skirt, she repeated her question once more.

「That, uh…………How do you think, to put it frankly! Your expectation for Melida-sama」

「It’s not bad」

Kufa immediately replied, continued to set his eyesight on the stage.

「She may not have any special abilities; ojou-sama is a quick learner. As her nature is earnest and serious, she can absorb whatever she was taught immediately」

Reassessing his thoughts, Kufa nodded.

「It’s a pleasure to teach her. She will continue to grow」

「Fufu~. For ojou-sama to be so obedient, it’s thanks to Kufa-san」

Emy proclaimed with a friendly smile, as Kufa looked at her with a blank expression.

「Thanks to me?」

「Yes. Because Ojou-sama, idolized Kufa-san」

Being told that he didn’t feel bad at all, somehow the area of his back felt itchy.

「Fu~n……」

Kufa turned around to Rozetti that was murmuring and poking, but not to have fun with him.

「Then by the way, why did you ask such a thing?」

Rozette answered with a few words under her breath.

「……Because it seems that, my lady is worried about this」

Immediately followed, the loud sound of trumpet resounded, the audiences were even more excited.

「Well! Finally, it’s starting!」

Just as Emy said, the end of semester public tournament opening ceremony has started.

Inside the coliseum total of 5 stages, the players of the first game have entered one after another. The fight between Melida’s unit and Nerva’s unit was held in a forest stage that consists of lots of kinds of trees.

「Please look over there Kufa-san, over there! That’s ojou-sama desuwa~」

「……!」

A feeling that he hadn’t tasted for a long time, the feeling of his stomach clenching.

When standing on the battlefield without any experience with various feelings of tension, Kufa’s heart beats fast. Rozetti’s student Elise Angel could not be found, of course, the three’s eyesight was focused on the forest stage

Next were the rules of the battle.

Each unit has a member limit of 5 people. Each unit has a base named “the great candle stand”, it is illuminated by nectar. The winning condition is to guard their own team’s stand and bring down the enemy’s stand.

On the field, the small-scaled “small candle stands” were scattered across, pouring mana in them could ignite or extinguish them.

The time limit was 15 minutes, after that if both units’ great candle stand was still going strong, the amount of small candle stand lighted would determine the victor. To think of only assaulting, their own area would be aimed at, having said that only defending would not lead to victory. Let’s say that the rule was really balanced.

This rule was based on the long-term study of the cavalry regiments (Guild) which had entered and exited the night world, assuming the small number of people in the military movement based on Elite Force Foreign Campaign Art of War (Liberation Strategy). If wishing to take back even more points, inevitably, they had to prepare themselves to clash with the opposing unit.

Kufa confirmed the composition of Nerva’s unit.

The opposing unit consisted of 4 people. The leader Nerva with the rank of Gladiator which excelled in offensive ability and stamina. Other than her there was another one with the same rank, the third one was Fencer, the last one had the rank of Joker. The  Gunner and Cleric, Wizard, rear guard classes could not be found, luckily. Yet his expectations hadn’t been dropped.

And Melida’s unit was organized up by 5 people. On the surface, it looked advantageous but, since both units didn’t count in Melida’s war potential, they thought it was really just a 4 vs 4.

──And so they could only look down at her for now, look!

As he stared intensely, Rozetti, while also looking the same thing brought her face closer

「Do you know the girl who’s the leader of the opposing unit? It’s Nerva-sama. Even though it was just when she entered the school she had already learned an assault skill, it was rank 【Ｄ】」

「I know」

「What about Melida-sama」

「Unfortunately, this one week I had only mentored her to do normal moves and attacks and drilled it into her with the best that I could」

Looking down just like before, both unit members walked into the center of the stage. It was for shaking hands before the battle. Little by little the start of the fight came closer, the tension was rising endlessly.

On both of Kufa’s side, the girls were trembling and shaking their bodies.

「Aa mou～, the more I look the more nervous I am～!」

「Me too!  As if I could hear my lady’s heartbeat!」

「Why are you two being nervous……」

In the center of the two girls, Kufa let out a sigh “~fuu” while saying so, but it was also too late for Kufa to remove his eyes from Melida’s every movement.

On each stage, the player started shaking each other’s hands. Even in the open space in the middle of the forest stage, the members of both units passed in the opposite direction. As the two people at the end of their lines passed through each other, Nerva smacked Melida’s palm.

「……!!」

Between the two of them, sparks were flying, it was understandable even if looking at it from a long distance.

Both units returned to their own area and took their own places, at last──at last the start of the battle began.

At the center of the coliseum was a gigantic hourglass mounted. That hourglass would tick until the limit of 15 minutes. Standing near it was the two lecturers of the academy. One was gripping the joystick, the other one setting up the trumpet.

After receiving the signal from the headquarters, the girls would immediately move. Pulling the joystick and the hourglass would half rotate. At the same moment as the first drop of sand hit the bottom, the other lecturer would──loudly blew the trumpet sound.

Goo!! Every stage altogether totaled of 10 great candle stands, great flames surged upwards.

「It has started!」

From the audience seat too, noticeably loud cheers resounded.

The other four stages aside, Kufa’s and the others’ attention focused on the forest stage. The unit beside Melida and the leader apparently serving as the committee chairman. That little girl was called Euphy, she promptly swung down the sword and gave the command.

「Fast break!!」

Euphy was protecting the great candle stand, and without Melida the other three members charged using the triangle battle formation. It was the form focused on attacking, 《King’s Gambit》. As soon as they had taken over the middle field, the battle situation would turn advantageous for them, so it was said.

In Nerva’s unit, the four of them went ahead. Leaving the protection of the great candle stand, they planned to crush the opposing team with the number advantage. Both teams approached in the blink of an eye. Just now in this middle open space that they had exchanged handshakes, one small candle stand was there and at that place, a melee battle was about to start.

The outcome would be decided immediately with this melee battle. The other stages were the opposite, going on with the slowly progressing battle, suddenly the audience’s eyes sight focused on the loud development unfolded in the forest stage.

「Hey, that’s a 5 man team why did they let an extra person take part?」

The voice of the nearby guest spectator entered Kufa’s ears. The one who seemed on the same page with him, 「Shsss!」raised his index finger.

「Idiot, be careful of your words! That’s Melida Angel-sama!」

「Eh? Ah! The rumored aristocrat that is talentless……？」

「It seems truly she couldn’t use her mana, huh. Look at her, they completely ignored her」

Exactly as the girls said, not only the enemies but also the allies, it seemed Melida’s existence itself was completely ignored.

For this reason──she could take advantage of this situation.

Now then, the table is set. Right now is the time to turn your world over.

Go! Melida Angel!!

As if hearing Kufa’s shout in his mind, Melida started running. The one watching over the battle situation Euphy, the unit leader let out a confused voice to the back of Melida who abandoned her position.

「That’s dangerous Melida-san! Come back!」

Melida didn’t stop her feet. Taking a detour from the open space where friends and foe together, she planned on aiming at the enemy headquarters. If she could bring down the undefended great candle stand, it would be her victory.

「That’s underhanded, Melida Angel……」

After Nerva signaled her three allies, she left the open space and rushed into the forest. With the grace of mana she crossed the forest with great speed; merely after a few seconds, she jumped in front of Melida.

「You seriously shamelessly came here, Melida!!」

「Nerva……」

Melida stopped her feet, poised the tournament sword. Nerva sardonically laughed at that, and she too raised her weapon over her head.

The weapon for the tournament was dull edged; they applied safety measures to reduce hardness and weight, but depending on where it hit you wouldn’t come out unscathed. When the opponent’s weapon passed over the body 4, 5 times, the amount of students admitting defeat themselves was not small.

The weapon’s power was doubled with mana. No matter how much they were blessed with mana’s divine protection, it could not suppress fear. To Nerva, even if the opponent was Melida who was made fun of as 「Incompetent Gifted girl」「Drop out」, there was not one bit of hesitation.

「I’ll punish both your arms and your legs, then make you grovel shamelessly!!」

An ominous flame as if embodying sadism, blazed violently over Nerva’s body. The flame was as if a snake coiling around the mace; she brandished it over her head. And then, Whoop, she forcefully swung it down in an instance, the students at the spectator seats let out a scream.

However, Melida didn’t run away and was lying in wait, opened her eyes wide and it was as if her pupils were on flames, he thought.

The divine golden flame released from her body.

She raised the sword at the fastest speed she could and assaulted her opponent mace at the flank.

In a smooth motion, it swept away Nerva with a shock, Kyi────n!! a loud sound echoed over.

「Wha…………!?」

Attacked by the reaction and surprise, Nerva opened her eyes wide to the limit.

For instance, there was only the sound of metal vibrating resounded. Just before their eyes came Melida’s practical skill, at the head of the student in the academy and the lecturer, the families, the academy district residents and tourist down to the players fighting in other stages, all the mind of the people in this packed coliseum, all was exactly united, Kufa had that feeling.

「「「Melida Angel has……Mana!?」」」

Even the players in other stages opened their mouths unconsciously interrupted their fights. With the decisive moment before her eyes who was frozen at, such a huge shock it was.

Kufa’s training was not gentle enough to allow her to let go of this wonderful opportunity.

「──Yaaa!」

Together with fighting spirit, Melida thrust out her sword, smoothly hit hard on Nerva’s collar. Bang! The sound of crashing mana roared out, Nerva was blown back.

「Ku…ua!?」

Approximately 1 meter knockback, but Nerva was slowly collapsing on the ground. Finally, she had returned to herself, after crawling on all fours in confusion she got up.

The prideful training attire “battle dress” was dirtied on the ground and herself, she glared at Melida who was looking down at her with an air of composure, gnashing her teeth with an angry face.

In the training Melida was always at a one-sided beating, unknowingly this was the first time she landed a blow. In Nerva’s humiliated face ──Kufa suddenly clutched his hands, let out a cheer.

「Yees!!」

See that! See that! See that! See that!!

If it were possible, he would immediately stand up from the guest seat, turn to the spectators around him.

「Have you all realized?!」he wanted to scream out.

Anyhow…….. Kufa had confirmed it. The moment Melida released her mana, at the back noble sit Lord Felgus only opened his eyes a little wide. The instant she accomplished that perfect preemptive strike, Sir Mordrew’s startled eyeballs opened.

Look carefully! At that! The figure of the knight who you called talentless!

「Aa! Wonderful Melida ojou-sama! I’m flowing with tears I couldn’t see anymore……」

「Not yet! It’s still too early, Emy-san……！」

Together with Emy who took out the handkerchief and wiping her tears little by little, Kufa once again gazed steadily at the stage.

Only three meters in between the two opponents who were confronting each other. Was she finally recovering from the shock, Nerva was sweating cold while putting up a proud front.

「…… What are you feeling good about? Aren’t you only an infant that knows how to use a tool」

「…………」

It went without saying but, already from the audience seat and even the players from other stages, eyes were nailing down on the two. The stretched out a feeling of tension stirring dominated the coliseum. In contrast to Nerva who couldn’t be helped but being focused on, Melida was watching her opponent in the fight with a cold as water gaze.

Surely, she must think like this, 『Different from sensei, how weak is she』

「Nee, have at me?」

「Eh」

Immediately after Nerva let out a stupid word, Melida came for the attack. With a form to stop the trajectory of the sword, Nerva hurriedly raised her mace. Collided, the sound of metal. Melida immediately struck back, two flash, three flash. If it were about explosive power, the samurai class had an upper hand. Nerva could only clumsily brandish her weapon.

She raised a heavy attack above her head, Nerva reflectively raised her mace. Immediately followed it, she was kicked hard at her calf and tumbled over unsightly.

「That…… hurts！」

Due to rolling with all her strength she managed to keep distance, she should look lucky since she wasn’t chased. Heading towards Nerva who the tip of her nose was covered with mud, Melida calmly approached her.

「Just because the enemy a carries weapon, it doesn’t mean they would attack with their weapon」

「……!! Y……ouuuuu!!」

Estimating the timing of Nerva standing up, Melida knocked aside at that place. While forming a half-moon trajectory she scooped up some dirt, Nerva’s face was assaulted by the incoming flying dirt.

「Ua, bu! What……!?」

Rubbing her eyes with both her hands, aiming at the defenseless body of Nerva, Melida hit one attack with all her might. The intense impact sound burst, once again Nerva was blown away.

「That, that child, is really good……,but」

There were several people in the audience who were scared by the expression. Kufa felt that once again the voice from their minds synched together.

「「「She plays dirty……!!」」」

And then there was another kind of astonishment; it was Rozetti sitting on the seat next to him.

「There, the way Melida-sama fight…… isn’t she completely treating this like a real fight to the death……!」

Bah! She turned around, devouringly glared at Kufa.

「You, really what are you?」

「Aren’t I just a poor home tutor?」

Nonchalantly he smiled, fending off that look with a nonchalant face.

In the audience, there was an unknown spark scattering; the battle situation in the forest stage was getting more heated. Nerva crawling on all fours, while trembling her shoulders she groaned.

「This me…… such……. Despite this, Melida Angeeeeeel!!」

The ominous flame ejected more violently from the back of Nerva.

Nerva jumped up as if a beast, she raised the mace high with both her hands. The ominous flame of her whole body was surging, concentrating on the mace head staying still above her head, releasing a noticeably fierce light.

「Take my《Gaelic Hammer》!!」

Melida opened her eyes wide in surprise, taking a big leap immediately.

Despite the distance between the two, Nerva shot down at Melida. With a smooth movement as if the clumsy moves she made up till now was a lie, she broke into the ground in one full swing.

Mana broke out and pierced the ground with fierce destructive power. A radical fissured and explosion appeared at the foothold, lump, and a cloud of dirt whirled up in large quantity. The annular shock wave that came later spread around, the gallery ones were also shaking.

The turbulence reached Kufa’s seat; the disturbed wind lightly swung his bangs.

Heavy weapon assault skill《Gaelic Hammer》……… its power was great. If it was a direct hit, it wouldn’t be completely blocked by Melida’s current defensive power. For a brave warrior experienced in battle, the enemies’ assault skills were something feared and a target of caution. Not to mention for a beginner to be trembling and unable to move after experiencing that wouldn’t be strange.

However that ojou-sama was………… While being beaten every day by an attack that was more dreadful than that, each time she stood up, no matter how many times she had stood up and faced it again.

「Haa……Haa……」

Pulling the mace from the ground, Nerva raised her body. She caved the surrounding around 3 meters in, a great cloud of dirt obstruct the field of vision. Just as she feared the enemy presence, she immediately stepped forward.

Breaking through the cloud of dust, Melida came forward. Without wavering she unleashed a flash, crashing into the mace and spark flying out. For the rise footing the stepping was hard, both opponents were still plunging into this close quarter combat

For instance, like wanting to say「It’s my win!」, Nerva’s lips raised.

Although they both received battle training at the training school, they were still yet to reach the level of swordsman. They couldn’t do such thing as precise defense and evasion; it was far from a handsome sword dance. Roughly at this close quarter situation and wielding a weapon at each other than, inevitably they would hit each other body.

With all her strength she swung out the mace, riding on the centrifugal force it hit hard on Melida’s flank. The sound of blunt impact sounded around, Nerva lips bent sadistic.

Melida swung her body, however………..she immediately got back on her feet.

「──Yaaa!」

As if to return the favor back, Nerva’s top of the shoulder was assaulted. “ Bang! ” Sever sound of impact burst, Nerva’s body bent backward greatly.

「Wha……!?」

How many times Nerva was taken aback. She unsightly stumbled a step or two forward and stood still; it imposed her about one-meter knockback.

Regarding that, she glared sharply at Melida who was standing unchanged at a place 20 centimeters away.

「……Ku!!」

Bearing her canine teeth, Nerva bravely challenged Melida. Sword and mace clashed many times, Impressive impact sound every time.

Once again, the mace caught the body of the opponent in front. Melida knit her eye browns in pain, however, she immediately got back on her feet. And then with just one counter-attack, Nerva was sent flying greatly.

Couldn’t be helped, the spectator also noticed the anomaly.

「H-, hey what is this? Even though the other party should be having a higher status ……？」

「That’s not even it! Why is it in frontal attack the Gladiator is being suppressed? Isn’t their catchphrase close-quarter combat??!」

「I, if you ask me I don’t know! Is this some secret art of the knight noble house!?」

Before their eyes Nerva was being one-sided oppressed, the spectator was surely bewildered. There were thousands of people in the Coliseum, but those who noticed the mechanism were, mainly centered on the ones who had connection with the knight regiment (guild) which was only a handful.

Sitting next to Kufa, Miss Elite, who was affiliated with the Imperial Guards, seemed to be one of them. Rozetti’s gem-like pupils, opened her eyes wide with full of emotion,

「No way, that girl……used《Chaos Cadena》!?」

Hearing those unbelievable words with the resounded voice, Kufa’s lips boldly lifted up.

†　†　†

「What is Chaos Cadena? Sensei」

First-day training for the public tournament, pointing on the blackboard with his teacher cane, Melida asked Kufa.

According to him, that was a skill to achieve victory beyond the assault skill.

Kufa knocked on the blackboard full of words with chalk and replied.

「《Tame the Chaos (Chaos Cadena)》. One of the high technique the knight regiment (guild) soldier use. As for alignment the neutral and chaotic states, just now I touched it lightly right?」

「Yes. Etooo……the state of mana spreading around the body evenly is called the neutral state. Conversely, the state of unevenly biased is chaos, is that right?」

Kufa nodded once, and without advance warning, he unleashed his own mana.

Gou! From the perspective of Melida, it looked like the pressure from a volcano eruption surging forward in one go. Opened her eyes wide, unconsciously her upper body shook, to that a little girl Kufa still continued with his nonchalant expression.

「Ojou-sama, the lesson 2 days ago which was the first day I talked about it, the mana discharge hole (mantle) do you remember about it? Ketel, Binah, Gevurah, Chochma, Chesed, Hod, Machut, Netzach, Yesod, and then Tiferet ……. If the total amount of a capable person is 100%, then the body’s 10 passages of mantle distributed 10% of mana each increasing pressured state is neutral. This is the numerical value, the body mana pressure——–so to speak《Percentage Mental Stress (Rate)》is something treated as basic」

「Y, yes……」

「Cladding the body and a weapon in mana to strengthen their status is obvious if looking at the difference between low and neutral states. And then the rate of strengthening is, sending pressure to the appropriate mantle if it weakens then the mana in it also lower, on the contrary, if it strengthens the mana also became higher──ready your sword」

Saying so, maintaining the neutral state Melida raised her arm in confusion. Her hand clutching the wooden sword aiming at him, Kufa swung his own wooden sword.

Despite swinging them down with little vigor, a bachi sounds came out and the sword bounded off Kufa’s sword. To Melida’s surrounding whose took the blow, there was not particularly any impact transmitted.

If taking a look, the sword which Kufa was griping was only having little sparks coiling around it.

「Just like this, no matter how heavy, how fast it’s swung, attacks with reduced mana pressure have no power beyond its appearance. However, on the contrary, if pressuring mana at a large quantity……」

While saying that Kufa slowly held the wooden sword aloft, swung it down with double the time. Although it was slow, that wooden sword was burning with a blue flame as if imbued with magma. Just like that slowly, slowly and the moment it touched Melida’s held out a wooden sword.

Baaaang!! A sound as if explosion came out, Melida who was facing up was blown away.

「Kyann!?」

「Like this,  the power of the attack would rise up many folds or many ten folds」

Tumbled down Melida turned her eyes to look, before Melida, Kufa mercilessly tapping his palms

「C’ mon, get up!」

「Uuuuu, yes～s……」

「This is alignment and rating fundamental knowledge​. When the mana pressure goes beyond 10% that would be called《Chaos rate》, the other part of《Neutral rate》is divided like this. The higher the passage of Chaos rate in one place, the stronger the part is. Temporarily increase the attack power, increasing defense power and agility power, there are also those possibilities. However, this is a double-edge sword. Since the aggregated amount is 100%, at the part which focused the increasing pressure for mana so to speak, most other parts will be nothing else but weakened as per se 」

While saying so, Kufa placed the wooden sword on his waist and did a posture of drawing the sword.

「For example, the capable person when invoking the assault skill, usually they will concentrate mana heavily on the weapon, on the contrary, the body protection will be lightened to the limit」

「That’s the chance to attack right!」

「Just like you said.  However, the opponent is readying a powerful attack. If you misread the timing, then that means you will eat a complete counter, let understand the danger of it」

He undid the posture, suppressing the mana to low state, Kufa once again returned to the front of the blackboard.

「Even though if you could use the chaos state there would be nothing more advantage, there’s still one big problem. In the time of battle, in regard to offense and defense of mana pressure control, usually, most of your unconsciousness would carry it out accordingly」

「My unconsciousness?」

「Yes. At any case the mana increased pressure would be, nothing but the《Will》 of the capable person.──Ojou-sama too, when exchanging blows naturally you increase the mana clad on the weapon, at the time when you feel like you’re about to take a hit you would gather mana to defend am I right?」

「Really!?」

In confusion looking down on her body, Melida said that strange, Kufa unconsciously smiled.

「No matter what situation we call the technique to keep mana in unity, 《Carry out the order(Neutral Stagnet》》. Unto that degree, it’s hard to control the mana raging with self-consciousness 」

Saying that, again he picked up the chalk and wrote on the blackboard. Even though most of the writing space wasn’t left, the thing he taught next was the last lecture for today.

「Let’s talk about the mechanics of skills here. Attack (assault), defense (aegis), agility (Figure) representing all kinds of skill is, making up the pattern for ruling over unconsciousness mana rating」

「Unconsciousness…… pattern for ruling?」

「Yes. For example, this time tournament Melida-sama’s opponent is Nerva-sama. That girl had already learned the heavy weapon assault skill《Gaelic Hammer》. This is a basic move in the text book」

Kufa gasp the little chalk with both hand fingers, raised it high above his head.

「 This move is『Hold the weapon above the head→Step forward and strike down』

as called one series of actions.『Concentrate mana in the mana in the weapon for a while, and if you crash into something then explode→come back to the neutral state』

as called the flow pattern of mana.『Chaos rate 45％』as the deep level description (programming), calling out『Gaelic Hammer』is like《Saving as the name》. By calling out this program, it could unconsciously control the mana rating to the limit. Because the assault attack will only follow a set movement, the weak spot is big, and to make up for the not needed usual attack in comparison this would have a lot more power」

It was somewhat difficult to say to the first graders who just entered the training school.

However, on the contrary, this worry was unneeded, putting her finger on her chin Melida seriously listened to the lecture, before long she lifted her face with a question.

「Perhaps, the senpai from the academy and the Knight in the regiment (guild) when using the skills, they would bravely call out the skill name,『Come out this program!』does that what it mean?」

「Wonderful, it’s just as you guess.──Of course with enough training it could be used without calling out the name but, as expected『Use this skill!』saying that with strong thought the eruption of mana would strong too, it would give stronger effect to the skill」

「Sensei. One question, can I ask?」

「What is it?」

Because honestly raising her hands, Melida threw the question at him.

「Just before、『The skill listed in the text book』you said but, are there skills that aren’t listed in the textbook?」

「Of course. The reason is what attack skills suitable for themselves because to suit the users there is an infinite variety of it. The skill listed in the textbook is, only simple skills common to everyone. More than this the users have to explore each of their fighting styles, think out a self-taught skill themselves」

「Self-taught skill……! Sensei also has it!?」

Kufa nodded with a little bitter expression. Anyways the practice to make a number of skills in the past he had been forced to do so. Even though in the end he was made to think out around 200 skills, at around the end of it as expected came the material of the story came which he hated. Moreover, among those that were used in the actual battle, there were only a handful of things that were still used until now.

「Although it’s redundant ojou-sama, I’ll give you one advice」

「Eh, yes」

「The development of self-taught skill is, of course, depend on the user’s battle sense, but there would be the field in which the naming sense would be asked strongly. It would be great if you read lots of books and poem to polish your sense」

「Se, sensei? Your shoulder is twitching, did you remember something you hate?」

「Please don’t mind me」

Kufa shook his neck. Making a bad name for the thought out skill and the companion laughed out loud at it, this road everyone must have walk it once.

As if pulling himself together, Kufa「Gohon!」cleared his throat.

「Then  if I explained to this point, you should have understood right. The Chaos Cadena I spoke off just now is, the technique to consciously control the mana rating left towards being unconscious」

From among the line that filled up the blackboard, the word『Chaos Cadena』was found and was tapped on. As if it were math, he wrote a formula for it.

「Let’s think about ojou-sama’s and Nerva-sama’s status for an example and see. The valuation results the other day confirmed Nerva-sama status was、【Attack 25】【Defense 24】【Agility 18】. On the other hand, ojou-sama status one week ago is──it’s my own valuation but, 【Attack 18】【Defense 5】【Agility 21】as my assumption. With this much comparison, in a one on one face up fight to the death, ojou-sama chance of winning is low」

「Ye, yes……」

「But if ojou-sama makes use of Chaos Cadena,  please think about increasing the mana pressure on the weapon to 20% rate. Since the reinforcement rate at chaos moment is equal to the value rating, temporary the attack power let’s raise the attack power to 【22】. At the same time, if there is a part where Nerva sama lowered her neutral state unconsciously to 7%, at that time the defense power would be……?」

His sight urged her, Melida hurriedly counted her finger and started thinking.

「E, eeto……, because the original number is 24, then 7% of it…………A-re??」

「Since the neutral state is based on 10%, the case of a 7% rate would be, the status would be reduced by 30%. The increase rate and decrease rates different is also there, so since trying to find the correct value in this area then the formula would be too complex, so let’s use a simplified formula」

「Hoee」, as if showing her astonishment Melida opened her mouth, Kufa slipped out a chuckling smile.

「For the case the neutral rate is 7%, Nerva-sama defense power is【17】.──In this manner, to satisfy the condition for ojou-sama attack power to be able to break through Nerva-sama defense power, you understand it right. On the contrary, if the opponent status is confirmed beforehand, in the battle, because the quantity of mana distributed to all the mantles, you could read and understand the real-time present of each status part. And then compare both statuses, then you could assign mana just enough to defense or offense」

「In, in the midst of battle, you could do such complex calculation……?」

Unconsciously, feeling overwhelmed she said with that expression on her face. Kufa lifted his eyebrows.

「You think it is hard? But, let’s try your best so you could do it. Because the advanced people all could do it」

「Gulp……Y, yes」

To that figure of nodding while having tears in her eyes innocently, Kufa unintentionally let out a sweet face.

「You don’t need to be in such a hurry. Anyhow because this Chaos Cadena is originally learned the theory only after you come to the third semester of second year, and then the technique training would be acquired」

「Is that right?」

「Yes.──namely, up till that point learning would be hard. The knights belong to the Knight regimen (guild) who are bad at this is no small number. However, if you aim at the advance people then this is a secret technique you must have ……! Because by your own will the attack power, defense power and agility power could be control at will then, you could fight the opponent at higher rank or even more」

Kufa put down the chalk, stabbed the wooden sword on the ground.

「Though not as showy as an assault skill, there is utility that is more than enough to compensate for that. One week from today, it would be raising ojou-sama status, and for this Chaos Cadena training, we will spend all the time for it. This public tournament──for the sake of winning it」

「Yes! I’ll do my best at once!」

「……No. Coming to this point let’s take a break, and shall we eat something sweat」

「Eh……？」

Melida immediately tilted her head in followed. The glittering flame always spouting out of her body was, as if fire burning out of fuel losing its vigor, in the end, it weakened and disappeared.

Melida was in great panic.

「Ah, a-re!? A-re!?Wh, what should I do sensei! Mana doesn’t come out anymore」

「Don’t worry,  the fuel itself would not become empty until you die.──With almost no movement it seems to be only just a little less than 30 minutes. That is ojou-sama’s limit of maintaining a neutral state. If converting to your status, it could be around 20 to 30」

「Wh. what do you mean?」

「Mana is《Burning》 right? In order words that means《it’s being consumed》. The consumed mana part is having no other way of restoring other than resting in a low state. In battle, because the gap would be bigger, it would be good to remember it」

If closing the eyelids, one could surely feel the unchanging existence of mana right. As if feeling embarrassed for losing her composure, Melida became a little red and said.

「Tha, that means, right now I could only fight without resting for, thirty minutes……?」

「No, it’s even shorter. Carrying out intense fighting the mana consumption would also be bigger, especially skill invocation burns an explosive amount of mana. Because of it reparation is needed.──Because there’s no other to increase the aggregated amount of mana other than training, ojou-sama would be from today onward every day, you would have to try your best until your mana is flat out」

「Uh……」

In a state of involuntary, Melida somewhat bitterly pulled back her lips. Kufa was still floating his bright smile, knocked the wooden sword on his own palm Bishin!

「Your reply?」

「Y, YES!!」

†　†　†

「Yaaa……Ha!」

Melida unleashed one attack, once again blowing away Nerva who should have excelled status. Many times she saw that scene before her eyes, Rozetti called out with confidence.

「It can’t be wrong! That girl……observing the flow of mana!」

Nerva frantically waved the mace around. The moment it was about to hit, Melida’s mana waved greatly. The mana gathered in one place, it would off-set the enemy attack greatly.

And on the contrary, the mana Melida concentrated on the sword, if it was aimed at the place where the opponent unconsciously weakened the mana……..

“ Bashiin! “ A severe sound roared out, maximum efficiency damage had been delivered!

「Gu……u!」

Seeing Nerva expression bent up in anguish, Kufa had confidence in his training result.

Melida’s Chaos Cadena was still unskillful. The limit of chaos rate she could control was about 20%, the speed of increasing pressure was also slow. Even so……….for a first-year sword fight tournament this would be satisfied enough.

──Quickly attack her, ojou-sama!

At the end of the repeating strike, at last, Nerva Gaku! bent on her knees. Her resistance (HP) was close to its limit. If she was hurt anymore and yet still didn’t surrender, was it because she had very strong pride right.

「Do not, joke with me……! Why, am I losing……!?」

While heavily up and down her shoulders, she grumbled with a gruesome expression. The appearance of collapsing on the ground itself was defenseless, Melida did not overlook this.

With both her hands she brandished the sword high above her head, and hit down. Nerva put up the mace with difficulties, but that posture could barely withstand it. The settlement of the match, any spectator could have a hunch.

However, immediately follow.

“Bashiin!” a thunderous roar came out, which reflected was Melida’s sword.

「「……!?」」

Melida and Nerva were, that the same time opened their eyes wide. An unexpected situation, even the spectator was A! opened their mouths. Only a few people including Kufa, instantly noticed.

──No! Her mana run out!

Melida exhausted her mana before completely pushing her opponent into desperation. Even though the difference in status was somewhat filled up with Chaos Cadena, only the limit in HP and MP was hopeless.

Gladiator class’s high defense power was, bearing its fang at this……..!

Nerva caught up with Kufa’s thought a few seconds slower, a grand joyful look appeared on her face.

「You’re getting too carried away……Melida Angel!!」

「Ku!」

One turn, the mace Nerva unleashed let out a large impact sound. Melida barely received it, was forced back greatly.

Nerva bravely stood up, brilliant flame burst out from her body. As if that was no longer enough to be scared, she simply closed the distance, swinging the mace with all her might.

Couldn’t evade all of it. Each time she parried with the sword, Melida was funnily sent flying to the back. Since the mana sent to defense was overwhelmingly not enough.

「That’s funny Melida! That’s right! As expected you are like that, running around like a sheep very suit you! It’s fine if you tremble before the wolf!」

「……!!」

「Nee are you scare!? I wonder what you’re feeling right now! From this moment onward I’ll blow away all of your remnant like mana, I’ll hurt your all body! Just like what you did to me! Who are you trying to defy huh, regret it while screaming!!」

Suddenly it developed into a one-sided. If putting Melida’s remaining mana into number, it would be 5, 4. Afraid of decreasing all the remaining mana, Melida was only running around frantically. If she received the inevitable attack, the little remaining mana would be cut off and Melida herself would be greatly left out.

Melida’s bud of victory was, surely crushed………

「……I, in the end, it’s like this huh!」

Dumbfounded on the spectator seat, muttered a few words with, vas if relieved voice came out.

「But isn’t that a grand fight, Melida-sama! Being able to fight like that is enough!」

「Aa, indeed! It’s a big progress compares to the time she couldn’t use mana」

One person started the debate, one by one the valuation started flowing out. They spoke as if the fight had over already.

Even though they gave praise to Melida’s brave fighting, they ended up saying in consistence.

「But even so as expected, the victor would be the other opponent」

Kufa’s fist on top of his knee was trembling and shaking. Emy’s hand was put on it, peeking at him as if worrying.

「Kufa-san……」

He could afford to replay to her who showed consideration to him, Kufa turned up and looked at the back.

「She fought well」

「She did her best」

Those excuses had no meaning. Effort without bearing fruits no one would value it.

At the noble’s seat, Sir Mordrew was hiding this “world was coming to an end” face. On the contrary, duke Felgus was still looking down at the stage with a cold face.

However, his eyelids suddenly slammed down and gave a slight sigh fuu.

「……!!」

Kufa’s face immediately distorted in despair, from the near seat his side was poking strongly. Rozetti who was fixing her eyes on the fight gave a warning.

「Seems like it’s about to be decided!」

Kufa promptly returned his sight back to the stage. Unchanging Nerva was still making a one-sided incessant onslaught, Melida was only desperately falling back. However, looking for the moment Nerva swung her mace, Melida hurls her body as if to bring it to a sword lock.

While bearing her best to not get blown away, Melida raised her face bravely.

「……It’s not scary!」

「Haa?」

「Your weak-kneed attack, I’m saying no matter how many times it hits it won’t hurt!」

「……You!!」

With a bright red face, Nerva hit the mace back with all her strength. Melida was knocked back greatly, however she landed without falling.

Unconsciously Nerva’s mana was coiling around the mace. Its whole body swayed like ablaze.

「Always so conceited!! Even though you are Melida! Even though you are Melida! Even though you are Melida!!」

Yet, with violent emotions, she swung the mace. Melida tumbling on the ground barely avoiding it, instead the tree trunk that took the hit was forcefully gouged out and sent flying.

While raising the mace, Nerva yelled out.

「Why are you, awaken your mana right now! It would be fine if you stay like that forever! It would be nice if you just stay as my friend like a meek lamb!」

Grinning her teeth, twisted her pupils.

「After so much trouble……it’s what you deserved……!!」

A drop of tear welled up, just what kind of feeling did it come from one would wonder.

Immediately after the mace growl, the sword in Melida hand was blown away. The sword soaring in the sky, was broken right in half. All of the mana had been used up ──Anybody in the spectator seat could understand, immediately follow.

「I said it’s not painful!!」

Gou! With much more force increased calamity blaze Nerva released, she pushed all force into the mace head. The preparation movement of assault skill《Gaelic Hammer》

「With all my strength I’ll bash your shoulder, so even a spoon you couldn’t lift──」

「《Phantom Sword First Flash──…………」

Instantly.

All the coliseums froze up; every member’s eyes were focused on her.

Losing her sword Melida, right on the spot putting her hands on her waist. On her fingertips, as if fervently flickering in the darkness, however surely the divine shimmer could be seen.

With astonishment floating on her face, Nerva understood it right. In the broken sword, there was no mana consumed. Because in the end the remaining mana was kept in reserved for this moment──

アサシンズプライド_P001_扉.indd

Melida’s right foot, stepped out as if thunderbolt.

「《Wind Fang》!!」

Swinging out with no sword, Nerva was hit with the invisible shock and thrown away. A strike that converged mana like a blade and transforms it into aggression, soaring out from Melida’s fingertips. That was the harmful effect of the assault skill the protection was thin to the limit, Nerva took a direct hit below her armpit.

「Ga! Ha……!!」

Nerva’s body slant and shook violently, collapsed on the ground. Although for it was an attack with only a little mana, precisely being poked at the weak point, her endurance had reached its limit. The mace slipped from her fingers, the ominous flame concentrate on it had dispersed in vain.

Everyone even him was at a loss for words, Kufa made a noise and stood up.

──That skill is, my……!!

For intermediate-range battle, the self-thought assault skill《Phantom Sword Art》. How could Melida!?

「That girl, she couldn’t use any assault skill right……!?」

Rozetti too opened her eyes wide in surprise. However, Kufa was, being shocked that he couldn’t respond. I didn’t teach her. At least I didn’t teach her.

In other words……….. She came up with it herself.

She only saw Kufa assault skill just once, listening to the class explanation, she realized that for the samurai class, mana could be a weapon. When Kufa wasn’t watching, in secret training upon training, aiming at the public tournament, she thought out one trump card.

Every day, even though the basic stamina and Chaos Cadena training exhausted her……..!

More than this, there was not only this. For the sake of making a practical use for the final attack to be at maximum power, she prodded at the opponent’s gap. Provoking with words, purposely let go of her weapon, consciously control the usage of Nerva’s assault skill. She perfectly absorbed Kufa’s teaching…… she won!!

Trembling, an indescribable electric current ran up Kufa’s spine.

──Ojou-sama……you are!

「Haa, haa, haa……！」

Having exhausted all her mana, Melida breathed heavily with her shoulder. However, immediately after she unraveled the sword drawn stance and broke into a run.

「I’ll borrow this!」

Picking up the mace tumbled near Nerva’s hand and headed further into the forest. Before it was the deep stronghold of the enemy, they could see the opposite shore of the stage, the undefended great candle stand could be seen.

「A……!」

Nerva’s unit members were flutteringly taking action, just before this.

「One on one (man on man)! Support Melida-san」

Melida’s unit leader, Euphy roared. The members moved in a way to repel, striking each enemy unit member. One person surely stopped one person’s movement.

There was already no one to stop Melida. Running through the rest of the distance with only her physical ability, which was set in the forest, she reached the base of the enemy which should be called just like an altar of a small tribe.

On it the brilliantly burning a proper candlestick, she aimed at it──Slash one with the mace.

Ka────n! With a loud sound the pedestal was blown away, the flame which was dancing in the air, was extinguished.

The metal pedestal fell to the ground, letting out a high pitch sound. Every body’s eyesight was nailing on Melida whose was still reposing the posture of swinging the mace.

Silent for a few seconds.

「O……Oo……」

Before long, from someone’s mouth a long yell came out as if to stimulate this, 「Uoooooo!?」big commotion wrapped the coliseum.

†　†　†

「Ojou-sama!」

「Sensei!」

Waiting at the player exit entrance, at around the end of the line the familiar golden hair came out. Together with Emy who was having a joyful look, Kufa rushed over her.

「Did you see that sensei! I…………huh, Kyaaaaa!?」

「Well done ojou-samaaaaaaa!!」

In the manner of rushing over Kufa hold Melida under her armpit, raised her high up. 「So high so hiiigh」. The other surrounding crowding students without choice gathered their attention at this family.

Melida was struggling with her face bright red.

「Se, sensei! I’m no longer a kid!」

「Wonderful! Wonderful! The result surpassed my expectations!!」

「There will be a party tonight! I must prepare a feast!」

「E, even Emy!? That’s enough to put me down～～～!」

Furthermore, since this after spinning around 3 times, Melida was finally released from his hands.

Was she feeling embarrassed with the surrounding giggling and smiling eyesight, Melida was “Gyu” clinging to Emy’s maid outfit.

「Uu, I’m already 13 years old……so embarrassed……」

「I’m sorry, I lost control of myself」

「Mou, sensei is unexpectedly childish!」

To the angry Melida, Emy was「Ma ma」while stroking her hair, she soothed her.

「Please don’t say so, because Kufa-san was really worried. Especially when ojou-sama was about to decide the match, he stood up from his chair……」

「That’s right! Ojou-sama, since when you steal my technique? Although it was the basic of basics, self-study other people’s assault skill to recreate it, the power of concentration is──」

It was at the time he spoke there. Suddenly Emy gasped his shoulder, stopping Kufa.

Next, in a hurry, she separated her hands and body from Melida, seriously lower her head.

「Ma, master!」

Melida became stiff. Kufa reflectively lifted his face.

At a place a little separated from the three, the man at the prime of his life with silver hair combed at the back was standing there.

「O, otou, sama…………」

Melida fearfully looked at his face. Her father, Angel house current head Felgus Angel……..sensing his mana, Kufa’s spine after a long time, felt a chill running on it.

──Could it be? I was heard?

The one Melida used was of the Samurai class, which was Kufa’s self-taught skill. That was the truth of her class. Otherwise, with only watching from the noble sit he came down here after the match, really what kind of thought was he having……….

As if the only sound could be heard was saliva swallowing, for a few seconds of tension.

Before long, Felgus duke mildly loosened the conspicuous sprinkle on his face and said.

「It was truly a praiseworthy match……」

「……!」

Erida’s face brightened with energy, Kufa was relieved. And then Felgus duke stepped forward──passing through his daughter’s side without stopping. After that, he smiled toward the nobleman standing there.

「Your daughter great effort, I admire it Sir Dieselk！」

「Isn’t this Felgus-sama! Yes, yes! Today’s fight will remain in our Dieselk house’s history of heroic fight!──And moreover, Melida-sama too! Good gracious, it was truly an irresistible gallant figure!」

「Oh no, I’m ashamed to have witnessed such greed for victory」

「……」

Melida’s delicate body stiffened.

Felgus duke, after exchanging greetings with Sir Dieslk, turned his heel looking for the next greeting partner. To Melida who was still looking at his back, he didn’t give a glance.

「O──Otou-sama!

Melida called out with a do or die spirit, finally “bita”, stopped his feet, stopped his feet.

Gasping her chest, Melida looked at the big back like a wall, squeezing out a shivering voice.

「Otou-sama……I, I, won……my first victory……!」

「…………I saw」

He answered with a voice as hard as rock, Felgus duke cast a lanx over his shoulder.

「Don’t be merry just because you won once. That report is for an invincible win against the other school」

「……!!」

Kufa bit his teeth. Is that what you say to such an admirable daughter, unconsciously he wanted to yell like that.

However, just before it, kyu, Melida’s palm grasped his military uniform sleeve.

He didn’t think she was trying to stop Kufa; at this moment she wanted to rely on him, looking at her crying expression he understood.

「……Yes. For coming to see me today……thank you very much……」

Pekori, she earnestly lowered her head. Felgus duke didn’t even twitch his expression, turned his face back to in front, left at the direction opposite to the surging crowd.

If putting it as time, it was only 1 minute of parent and child meeting.

「Ojou-sama, please cheer up……」

To Melida who was looking down with tears accumulate in her eyes, Emy softly comfort her.

Kufa too knelt in front of her, taking her small palm he said.

「Ojou-sama……that was great」

「Eh……」

Melida blankly looking up, and immediately turned her eyesight down.

「……That wasn’t much」

「Is that so? Please try to think about it. If it were Ojou-sama from before, winning the match, reporting victory to the master also you could not do right? And with all due respect…… if it was master, I think he would not hear ojou-sama voice.」

Kyu, he increased the force of clutching her finger, said.

「Even so today, you were able to muster courage and talked to master. And for master too, though it was not the hoped-for words, he answered ojou-sama. That’s a big step. Because to master ojou-sama is, has become an existence that could not be ignored.──Invincible victory against another school? Yes, why don’t we become like that!」

「Sensei……」

Melida looked back at Kufa’s eyes with her wet pupils, strongly nodded.

「Melida Angel!」

At those times. Suddenly a sharp voice resounded.

If looking at near the exit entrance, wasn’t that figure of Nerva Martillo leading the blumen sister. The battle dress covered with mud that no shadow could be seen, her hands were carrying some square objects like a blunt weapon. Looking at her barging in with loud footsteps and rudely came closer, surely she was not starting a brawl outside the stadium, right?

It prepared Kufa.

However, Nerva approached messily, the thing in her hands she pressed it against Melida’s chest.

That was sometimes ago, the popular love novel she snatched from Melida.

「I’ve read it……I give them back!」

As if to hide her read face she looked away, Nerva immediately turned her body away. Leaving at that moment,

「……Sorry!」

With those short words, as if it was her pride she left those words and ran away. To her back, the blumen sisters became confused and chased after it.

Holding the heavy novels in her hands, Melida saw them off with dumbfounded,

「Ha……Haa」

A few seconds later, she answered listlessly. Apparently she couldn’t swallow the situation, to her expression Kufa unconsciously burst out laughing.

「That’s great, ojou-sama」

「Is that great……I don’t get it」

Leaving the amazed Melida who wrung her neck to Emy, Kufa went out with his military uniform.

「Then ojou-sama, I have a little minor business to take care of, see you later」

「E, where are you going?」

「I will have a little talk with Nerva’s sama. Don’t think you’ll be forgiven with apologizing one or two is what I will make her realize」

Smoothly, from somewhere Kufa took out a wooden sword. As if it were carrying out something like a rehearsal to beat the prey he swung the sword quickly in the air, at that back Melida clung to it with great haste.

「Pl, please, please please please please stop! Since I’m already satisfied!」

At that moment, as if a lifeboat the timbre of the trumpet echoed around. That was the starting signal for the second match.

As if to intervene, Emy *pan pan* clapped her hands.

「The second match would be Elise-sama’s turn. Let’s cheer for her while eating bento!」

†　†　†

Taking Melida back to the viewing space just now, fortunately, there was still an empty seat. Even though the figure of the red hair girl who was like a model from a picture was still unchanging, there was only one change.

The old woman in an apron dress was standing in front of Rozetti.

「……Rozetti-sensei. That differs from the education policy that we expect. Why don’t you leave the mood for a holiday break? It would be a problem if you don’t open your eyes」

「E, even you told me to open my eyes, I am just doing what I think it will help the child in my way.……!」

A quarrel………..isn’t it? And old woman with straight back, this kind of composition with the girl on the chair, it didn’t look like nothing other than a sly child was desperately resisting.

Before long the old woman noticed them, with refined movements like a machine she turned her body over. When she passed by, just like a contrasting mirror with Emy, she gave a slight bow.

「Oh my, my, isn’t this Melida-sama. Just now you were very active」

Although the words she used were very polite, there was a slight sting between her voice and attitude. Just like that seeing her off as she left, Kufa sent a question to Rozetti.

「That person just now it?」

「……My head maid」

Sullenly she pouted her lips, with only an answer in a few words she slipped into the nearby seat. Kufa said thanks and sat down, letting Melida sat in the seat between him and Emy

「Something happened in Ely’s house?」

「No. Rather than Elise-sama, it’s only the problem with the servants. Sorry, please don’t mind it?」

Rozetti forced a smile, 「Congratulation on advancing to the second round」said the following. Feeling like it was a complex situation, the 13 years old Melida couldn’t step into it.

Without a moment’s delay, Emy opened the bento basket, smoothing over the spot.

「Then, ojou-sama. Your favorite chicken sandwich I made a lot!」

In the meantime, before long together with the light trumpet’s melody, the players for the second match entered the stage. Just now, at the audience seat! big cheers erupted.

「Look at that! Isn’t that Elise-sama!」

「Lovely silver hair! Cute figure……no doubt she’s a Paladin」

Their focus was on a single girl entering the lake stage. She carried a long sword that was nearly her height, especially the gorgeous battle dress she was wearing. While silver hair smoothly fluttered, her expression was as always emotionless.

Was it as if an obligation she promptly swung the sword above her head. Even though it was a plain action but, from the spectator seats, more than ever a cheering voice flew out. My goodness everyone, the expectation you have for my girl was so different Kufa felt a little sulking.

「That’s amazing……」

Melida murmured a single word, wonder what did she think about the far-away figure of Elise. Even though from her profile one could not understand her real intention, one could understand but one thing.

「Ojou-sama, from your mouth the sandwich sauce is coming out」

「Fuwawa, I, I can wipe it myself……mugugu」

After Melida wiped her noble lips, Kufa turned back to the stage.

「Ojou-sama, if you want to improve yourself, then turn all the surrounding things into learning material. While eating, the players of the second match situations let’s observe them」

「Please, advise me, sensei!」

At the same time, Melida lively answered, the signal for the second match starting had sounded around.

Together with the tone of the trumpet, each stage players moved out at once. Kufa’s and others’ attention would surely be, on the lake stage of Elise.

The lake stage was all filled with water as deep as the pool, the here and there scattered small islands were connected by bridges, it was a field that felt like a maze. The result for having little foothold the forward route was also limited, if one didn’t think of balancing the first step then in a blink of an eye they would fall into a dead end.

Elise’s unit had failed this first step. Was her unit leader emphasized on speed, continued from the base bridge after bridge, each member alone advanced. It didn’t look anything like a planned advancement.

「Uneven division of battle strength is not very good right……」

「Yes, certainly at one time it’s surely not bad but, on this stage, I want you to calm down a bit. Ojou-sama, please look at the opposite shore.」

Before Kufa’s pointed finger, the opponent unit all members hadn’t moved from the base. The girls were sacrificing only 10 seconds to grasp the structure of the stage; it divided them into three groups. The Cleric rank leader was alone, the long-distance attack class Gunner too was alone, and then one Gladiator and two Fencers form a triangle battle formation, heading to the center bridge. At this point, Elise’s unit had lit up two small candle stands.

However, just begin to move the opposing unit was truly fast. Smoothly going through the maze the unit leader got one, the separate Gunner shoot up two small candles stand, in a blink of an eye, the situation changed. And then the remaining three occupied the small island in the middle.

「That island in the middle is an important point for transport. The majority of small candle stands couldn’t be reached without going through it. Although it was a narrow stage, just under a minute they could notice it their intuition is good」

「E, Elise and her unit is in a bad spot」

Running scattered all over the place Elise’s unit members were, unexpectedly someplace they bumped into each other, at the same time at the other place they ran around completely lost their ways. In the meanwhile the opposing unit gunner had precisely lit up the small candle stands, in a blink the difference expended.

The unit of four people coming together, excluding Elise, all at one looking at each other and nodded. And then all of them matched their steps, where were they aiming to run off to.

「That being the case, there’s only one method huh. Their flexibility is really a good thing.」

The girls were heading toward the center island. Breaking through the three girls blocking the way, directly aiming at the opposing unit big candle stand. Other than that, there was no one-shot reversal.

However, the opponent unit too surely had foreseen this and deployed the members. Attacking from the bridge was 4 people, defending the island was 3. The narrow bridge foothold couldn’t let many people fight side by side, on the contrary, the three people on the island could take turn changing position, dispersing the damage.

Giving the instructions for alternation with finger gestures was the unit leader Cleric who was doing something else. While herself steady aiming at the small candle stands, she showed precise observation skills.

「Fencer class is called《Solid》, because they have the ability to stop enemy movement, so they can’t easily break through that defense. If forcefully stepping into the enemy center territory there is the fear of being ganged upon. Now then, will Elise-sama’s unit show their hidden strength at this point……」

Hanging over his last words, a high pitch voice of metal resounded.

Kufa and others with the spectators’ eyesight was, quickly streamed over there. The first thing could be seen was the musket flying in midair. That was equipped by the gunner, and in front of her eyes, thrust by a long sword as she could not help but raised both her hands up.

「I, I surrender!」

「…………」

After that without giving a glance, the owner of the long sword quickly started running. It was Elise.

Then she rushed like lightning speed, to the vital battle point the middle island. Elise signaled her allies「give way」with her left hand, with that strong force she charged into the enemy line. She forcefully broke through the vanguard Gladiator, however, the Fencers waiting behind with double layer of 《Solid》Gishi, tightly pinned her feet.

「Reckless move! That is……」

Immediately after Kufa said, what he expected became reality.

Elise who was standing stopped in the middle of the enemy line, from the three directions the attack came at once. Two swords and, pointy protrusion morning star, hitting the battle dress and the bare skin. Zugaga! sounds of mana collision echoed out, Melida was “ha” covered her mouth.

After Elise tilted her shaking violently body, dropped her waist low.

「……《Sol Brandish》」

Taking the stance with her long sword in shoulder height, violent light surging out. The pure fire should be described as white lightning, the overwhelming pressure made the three people in the enemy unit shrink back in fear.

Without showing even little fervor, along with one short step Elise spun her body one round. The long sword drew a helix line, the surrounding three’s chests were hit hard at the same time. One beat later, while the mana pure flame perfectly drew a circle it scattered. The shock sent the three fly far away, fell into the lake.

One hit three-down……! Her level compared to other players was too high!

Ignoring the focus of attack her defense power was naturally indicated an assault skill and that power too! The average training school first-year status, she had jumped far ahead from it. Was this the advance class Paladin’s potential, Kufa felt a little shiver.

The three people fell into the lake, seemed like thanking their defense ability they were not completely down. However taking Elise’s assault skill they were almost exhausted, everyone could see they had no way to continue the battle. Elise herself didn’t even confirm it, again she dashed away.

Even though at this point in time most of the small candle stands had fallen to the enemy, but if the undefended great candle stand fell, then it would be Elise’s victory. The only remaining member alone from the enemy unit was the Cleric, she tried to run back to the headquarter since she had nothing to lose. Rather than the agility, she couldn’t make it since the distance left was too much.

Having arrived at the enemy great candle stand Elise, without knowing why she just stopped there.

Turning back, the desperately came running enemy Cleric, Elise was waiting for her.

「Are you making light of me!?」

The Cleric while running, clasp the long staff with both her hands. The distance between the two was getting shorter, a metallic sound resounded simultaneously with the collision. She stopped the enemy’s all-out attack expressionlessly, Elise lightly forced back with her sword. A different league of mana pressure, the Cleric was greatly pushed back.

「Gu……haa!!」

The Cleric let out a fervor thunderous roar and, severely attacked. But no matter how much force she put on, no matter how many times she hit with the staff, Elise apparently didn’t even poise a posture just repel her with one sword in one hand.

Being forced to recognize that her full-force attack had no effect at all, the Cleric expression instantly fell into despair. As if to sew that moment, Elise waved her arm. The long sword precisely mowed down the Cleric’s chest, easily blown into the lake.

The high water column that shot up, Elise pretended she didn’t see it. The fire substituted the water that blew upward just like a water fountain, the great candle stand was as if a king with no soldier to protect him, the same as being left wandering in solitude. The duty of waiting for the enemy unit to crawl up from the lake, as expected Elise didn’t have to.

With perfect movement as if a painter painting a picture, Elise stepped forward and hit with the sword. The flame that was rising on the great candle stand in one breath was erased and the outcome was decided.

From the spectator seats, loud cheers came up. Almost Elise alone accomplished perfect victory; it was a heroic show that everyone in the audience had wanted. Elise raised the long sword high if pointing the sword to reflect the light as an appeal, right after loud cheers swelling up.

Sitting next to Kufa on the right, the maid and ojou-sama too were staring at the hero’s activities in wonder.

「Hawaa……! As expected of Elise-sama!」

「Y, yes. Surely it was great but……」

Somehow, I got a feeling Ely was different──

As Melida’s muttered voice was, washed away by the overwhelming shouts of cheer so it didn’t reach anywhere. While in a boundless wild enthusiasm, Kufa put his finger on his chin and carefully thought.

As expected that, had surpassed the level that Melida can handle now. Supposing in the case she could draw up the chaos rate to 100%, Elise’s absolute defense power couldn’t be broken apart. If we lost the direct confrontation with her, then how would the client judge it……….

「I found you! Melida-san, are you free for a bit」

At that moment, a voice coming from behind the spectator seat.

If they turned their heads back, the cute and adorable first-year girls from St. Freidswide academy were 4 people, arrayed there. That head was, the unit leader that Melida belonged to this time, the little girl called Euphy.

「Sorry for interrupting your meal. Just now, you saw it right?」

Chira, she sent her eyesight toward the stage on the lake. The other three unit members were in a state of unease.

It was no wonder, at any rate, this little girl unit included Melida, the next opponent for the third match would be against Elise.

「Even though from now on is the meeting but, would it be possible for Melida-san to join us too?」

「Eh, m, me too, it’s okay……?」

Melida jumped her shoulders, confusingly compared with her eyes Kufa’s face, the unit members and the sandwich in her palms. Kufa unconsciously smiled, signaling Emy with his eyes, she smiled sweetly and nodded in return then closed the basket’s lid.

「I’ll go with you. Shall we do it? Ojou-sama」

「Rig, right? Sensei, I’ll be going」

In some respect, Melida who was in a restless state stood up, joined the circle of the unit members. Emy walked to the other side of the surging crowd accompany her, Kufa waved his hand a little to send them off.

And then as the girl’s back could not be seen anymore, 「now then」, he called out the opposite seat.

「What happened? Rozetti-san. Why aren’t you happy with your pupil’s success?」

「…………」

Since when, somehow the talk active red-haired girl was only staring at the stage with a difficult face. On the lake’s small island Elise was still continued to appeal the spectator, her unit members were at a place a little separated from her, scattering their eyesight a little uncomforted.

アサシンズプライド_P001_扉.indd

Rozette was, 「Haa」, for the feeling of somewhat unbearable she breathed out.

「Surely I’m proud but, but my bad part seems to have been completely transmitted to her」

「Bad part?」

「……she cannot team play at all」

Finished saying so Rozetti became silent. Kufa too, shut his mouth, returned his look to the stage.

Thereupon while nothing was done, gau, barked with a force as if a Chihuahua.

「Indeed, because the air is『That’s worrisome』so let me hear the story!」

「Aa mou~!, you’re a bothersome man. If you wanted to give advice just say so」

The yapping noisy Chihuahua like the little girl was, before long as if sulking in her tone she started talking.

「……Honestly, the job this time, at the start I didn’t have much interest in it you know.  Saying that but I didn’t hate it, I’ve been at a slump lately. Even though I am still not there, on the contrary, I’m making little progress too, I wonder if I could teach other like this」

「Come to think of it you are, this several months your status didn’t make any progress huh」

「Is that so. ──Hey, somehow you know a lot, about me」

Blankly, being looked at by that face, Kufa cleared his throat to try to dodge the question.

「Because that’s the nature of my job. ──And then?」

「Aa un~, and then. I understand the reason for the slump. That was joining the Holy Imperial Guard the Crest Legion because it’s not alone but fighting in a team. ──Up till now I have been alone even in training or in battle.  If I came out of the battlefield, all the surrounding was my enemies. Once the opponent enters my eyes one after another it was nice if I could attack them all. But fighting in a unit is not the same」

Kufa silently nodded.

Like the premise, the human’s natural enemy the Lycanthrope in large numbers, and a power stronger than human. The Knight regimen (Guild) carried out without exception the unit and legion in a collective group of military movements for that reason.

However Rozetti was, although her social position had been evaluated to being noble, the truth was her origin was from the lower strata residential area. She was exposed to prejudice from her background, she couldn’t attend the training school for people who had mana.

Naturally, there was no partner to form a unit, at the biggest knight trainee martial art tournament was the whole school unity tournament, she must have applied for registration as a one-person unit. It was an interesting story as she achieved overall victory as a one-man army.

The girl gallant figure in performing a one-to-many battle was still a narrative for social gatherings.

「When I went to a real battle with the previous mission…… I accidentally attacked my allies. Although the injury was totally not big because it was fine so it was not a problem right. The truth is this type of job, the meaning of penalty is also included in the meaning.」

「Is that so」

「From the legion leader, 『I can’t leave my back to you now. Study again from the beginning he told me. 』──But you know, isn’t it a bit too mean? Even though until now～ so far no one wanted to form a unit with me, even now I had joined the knight regiment (Guild), this time it’s not good to not join any unit～. That’s not my fault you know!」

「The imperial guards were not sinful you know」

「It’s as you said but……！」

The gesture of complaining while pouting her lips Melida was like a child.

「Even though from the beginning I had been looking forward to it…… Elise-sama is also like that, what is she thinking, what is her thoughts about me I couldn’t understand. Am I, really worthy to be that girl’s sensei? If she judged that I am a no-good sensei what should I do……」

「I see. So no matter the workplace there’s always a problem」

After agreeing with little emotion, Rozetti turned around like a fish that took the bait.

「……Hey! Let’s get along! Let’s share our troubles!」

「I politely refuse」

「Eeee!? Why!」

Ignoring, Rozetti couldn’t be helped but to be disappointed. Kufa put up a nonchalant air until the end. Although he felt sorry for her, he was also one of those that aimed for the most powerful seat at the current state. There was no spare power to flirt with the most powerful competitors.

In the first place, if he thought carefully, talking to the branch house home tutor itself in this way, it would not be an interesting view if the client saw it right………..

As a result of thinking like that at this moment, Kufa timidly stole a glance at the back.

And he knitted his eyebrows.

「Not there……？」

In that place that would have been there until the first game, Sir Mordew and, on the occasion Felgus duke’s figure was also not there. Felgus duke was a busy person. After watching Melida’s first battle, letting out only a heavy face he left was the only thought.

However, what about Sir Mordew? He was nervously going around the strategy about Melida’s circumference, about her remaining battles he couldn’t have left it aside and went back right……….

Just now at the time they were confronting Felgus duke he was attacked, sensing danger about Melida’s rank Kufa stood up from his seat. Right after that, his side felt it was being grasped tightly.

「Eh……where are you going?」

It was Rozetti. Clinging onto him with upturned eyes, 「Don’t leave me alone」as if speaking eloquently to him. While heaving a sigh Kufa was, naturally, putting his hand on her head, *pon*.

「I’ll come back immediately.──With Emy-san too」

He put down Rozetti who was blankly covering her head which was caressed, Kufa turned his body around.

Now then, quick movement was necessary. Kufa erased the traces remained in the audience’s consciousness, like a hunting panther he moved elegantly, he started exploring the inside of the coliseum. From the audience seat going out to the side entrance, to in front of the crowded waiting room full of little girls, and to the empty of human presence entrance gate to the exit gate ──

And then at that corner, finally Kufa discovered the person which was his target.

At a place hidden from the sight which the light of the candle couldn’t reach, he recognized the traditional coat (Justaucorps)’s hem wavering.

「……If you saw…………that……girl…………」

「However……don’t…………kill…………？」

It seemed he was speaking with someone. With a small voice and, coupled with the cheer from the arena, he couldn’t hear it clearly. A little closer would be good Kufa took a rear step out ──Piku, it petrified him.

「────」

In front of his eyes, there was a warning network set up by someone. Stepping in any more than this would make them notice.

──Who was it? The one Sir Mordrew was talking to?

Kufa was while being much more carefully, hiding behind the wall and investigating the opponent. Such skill was the samurai’s specialty. As if to expanding the root he amplified the field of perception, without touching the opponent warning network, as if going through the needle hole he delicately extends the hand of his consciousness. Arriving at the back of Sir Mordrew who was like a withering tree, furthermore the opposite to him the existence inside the darkness ──to expose it, just before that.

「Wah!! 」

From the exit gate the little girl students that finished their matches flooded in. Before he noticed, apparently the 15 minutes of the battle had passed. The just now quiet hall had become swell up with hustle and bustle in one go, the mysterious character presence which he was about to gasp, smoothly fade away from his fingertips.

As if not giving Kufa a gasp, some little girl students noticed Kufa’s presence.

「Ara! Aren’t you Melida-sama’s sensei?」

「That’s right! It’s Kufa-sensei!……What are you doing here?」

To Kufa’s strange posture of sticking to the wall, the healthily sweating small girls were Kya Kya gathering around. As an employee of the duke’s house, he was St. Freidswide’s rare young male, Kufa had already been famous among the first-year students.

「Sensei, I also want you to give me a lesson too!」

「Melida-sama became so strong like that, as expected, it was the fruit of your guidance right?」

「Moreover sensei, please you have to join me at the tea meeting!」

「Ojou-sama, with, with all due respect……」

They overwhelmed Kufa, being surrounded by 13-year-old girls altogether smiled.

「「「Kufa-sama, you face is red!」」」

This—this group of precious little devils!

As if to say that Kufa’s figure of pulling and pursing his lips were very interesting, the little girl students were giggling together. Since it was a group of little girls, he had no way to cope with them. Even as the master of martial arts and battle veteran Kufa was, being led around by the nose.

Mixing with abandonment his eyesight went around……….Kufa was「Haa」 Dropped his shoulders.

Needless to say, at this time, the mysterious character that exchanged the secret talk with Sir Mordrew, had suddenly disappeared from that shadow.

†　†　†

After this, the second year’s first and second battle, the third year’s first and second battle were completed, at last, the curtain of the clash between Melida’s and Elise’s unit as the first year third battle had been raised.

However It didn’t become the situation Kufa was worried about, the very battle ended in a mere 10 seconds. Let alone Melida and Elise directly slashing each other, inside that battle the sound of swords vibrating was almost none.

Immediately after the battle started, this time, Melida was properly included in the tactics, Euphy gave out instruction, and each member marched out. On the opposed position, the enemy members scattered around choosing their own directions, Elise ignored her own army’s tactics and suddenly charged forward. Any obstruction, any obstacle everything had no concern for her, in a straight line she cut across the battlefield, in a flash she crashed into Melida’s unit leader.

Merely with one strike, the girl was put aside; at the same speed, she took control of the great candle stand. The audiences were still not yet excited at the start of the game and the victor had been decided. The event happened too fast for the time one could say “Ah”. Melida and the 7 remaining participants too, could only look blankly at it.

And then Elise, this time shortest battle of 13 seconds had been established in the victory record, once again wrapping the inside of the coliseum the loud cheering had been given raised.