Return of the Former Hero - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Former Hero . Battles in a preliminary match

[I am… Etto… No . 69?] (Haruto)

After completing the reception/acceptance, I checked the preliminary match number .

The preliminary matches will be held on a small stage inside the Coliseum .
The participants will fight several times in the stages and whoever wins, they will be able to participate tomorrow on the main stage .

The winners from the preliminary matches would be 12 people .
In addition to the 4 best people from the previous competition, the maximum number of participant for the main stage is 16 people .

The competition format is a tournament
There are about 200 participants in this competition .
If you win 4 matches, you can participate in the main stage publicly .
To become the victor for this competition, you must win 8 matches in the total . (TL note: 4 on preliminary matches and 4 on main stage matches)

This time, I have reflected from my past failure in the Angel’s Race and read the rules properly .

Towards this former hero, there won’t be any blunders because of the rules .
Thank you everyone who have became my teacher .
Especially Rithina, who introduced a new study method and a power-up item such as glasses, I’m very grateful for her .

Glasses are wonderful .

But still, the amount of middle-aged men is high .
Moreover, because of their swelling muscles, it made the surroundings warm even though it’s the cold season right now .

I could see girls here and there but their number less than 10% .

Compared to that, there are only three beautiful girls in my surroundings .
Fuhaha! Such differences .

Leon does not seem to be bothered about this .

[I don’t know who will become my opponent or when it will be my turn . ] (Sharon)

Sharon said so while looking around restlessly .

[Sharon . Even though the format is a tournament, participants for preliminary matches are chosen at random to reduce their numbers . ]

I’ve naturally explained it on Sharon .

Good grief, Sharon, you can be a handful .
You have to properly read the rules .
Properly, you hear me!

[Ah, I see . So that’s it . And even though everyone were accepted at the same time, our numbers are different . ]

Sharon ignored my useless explanation and checked everyone’s numbers .

Sharon’s number is 96 .
Tanya’s number is 182 .
Leon’s number is 89 .
Aura’s number is 66 .

Well, the numbers have almost no meaning anyway .

This battle tournament is different from Angel’s Race; I just need to be the winner .
It’s simple and easy to understand for me .
Of course, I will need to avoid foul play .

…Well then, when is my first match?
And who is my opponent?

If possible, that tall nee-san over there with lots of exposed skin will do nicely .
Or the light-armored braid-chan standing next to that martial artist will do as well .
Or the one next to… Huh, what’s happening on there?

There is a high ratio of girls there .

In our place there are three girls but there are 7 of them over there .

[Thank you for participating in the competition today . Well then, we would like to start the Odysses battle tournament preliminary matches at once]

As I was observing the group, a voice could be heard . The preliminary matches seem like they’re about to start .

[Then, number 35 and number 152, come to the claw stage . Number 103 and 47, to the shield stage . Number 91~…]

A person in charge reads everyone’s numbers .
Does it mean the people who being called out will fight against each other ?

The claw and the shield stage: each stage has a name .
There is no special meaning for those stages, it’s just the name . It’s not like the claw stage is shaped after one or a shield would appear on another .

There are only eight small stages and each of them are separated so it seems it will take some time until my number being called .

[Haruto! Let’s go see it!] (Sharon)

Although I have been thinking of warming up while waiting for my turn, Tanya invited me to see the matches .

Nn~… What should I do?
Actually, I’m not interested in watching the matches… But oh well, I guess I might able to see my future opponent matches if luck is on my side so I guess I should go .

There is no rule that forbids us to see the other participants’ match .

[Alright alright . I will go so stop pulling my hand so much . What about everyone? Do you all want to go together?] (Haruto)

In her adult body, Tanya innocently pulled my hand like a kid hurriedly while I asked everyone .

[Ah . I will go too . ] (Sharon)

[I, I want to wait here and concentrate . ] (Leon)

[I will be also waiting for the match here . ] (Aura)

Sharon agreed to go together .
And both Leon and Aura seems like they want to wait for the match here .

[I see . Then I don’t know when we will be called and I’m not sure whether we will meet up but let’s do our best in the match . If we end up as opponents, let’s not hesitate to use our full power at that time . ] (Haruto)

[Yes . Without holding back . With all of our power . ] (Leon)

Leon answered me .
The girls silently nod to each other .

With this, we are enemies from hereon .
And then we separated with Leon’s group and acted on our own .

====

When I was watching the second match, Tanya was called .
At long last, just when I was thinking to watch Tanya’s match both my number and Sharon were called .

[Ooh, it’s my turn now? Then from here on, we will separated . Do your best . ] (Haruto)

[Yes! Haruto, do your best! Tanya-chan too!] (Sharon)

[I will defeat both Haruto and Sharon!] (Tanya)

After we send encouragement to each other, we separate .

From here, we’re rivals .

And then, I headed to the stage .

Let’s see, Sword stage… Sword stage…

It’s here .

Since it’s sword stage, there is a symbol of sword drawn so it’s easy to notice .

[Number 69, Amagi Haruto]

I introduced myself and passed my number plate to the umpire who was standing at the sides of stage .

[Yes . I have confirmed it . Please wait on-stage . ]

After being told by the umpire who was done confirming my number and name, I went to the stage .
My opponent hasn’t arrived yet .

When I looked around the stage from below, there are about 30 people in the arena .

There are people who have their heads hanging down, looking exhausted in the corner too .
Are they the defeated participants? My condolences for them .

When I was holding my hands to calm my mind, I heard a shrill voice .

When I turned toward the voice, there was a group of girls I saw earlier at the hall .

Oh .

No way . Seriously, my first opponent is a girl from that group?
Lucky .

Which one is it? Which one?

[Number 13, Balam Orda]

Just when the expectations in my heart was growing, there was an evil-eyed, handsome guy that came out from the girl group and introduced himself .

Eh? Who is this guy?
Why there is a handsome guy appearing from the girl group?

[Yes . I have confirmed it . Then, please enter the stage]

When I was standing still, the handsome guy goes up the stage .

[Balam-sama! Do your best!]

[Leave it to me . I will show a splendid victory worthy of me, the fifth rank of the last tournament!] (Balam)

[Kyaa! Balam-sama!]

Etto…

What with this guy?
Eh, is that so?

In the other words, in the tournament holy grounds, he made the girls to cheer for him and make him proud .

I won’t permit this!

… . Even though we are similar, there is a time for everything .

Well, leaving that aside, did he just say that he ranked fifth in the last tournament?

If it’s true, then he must be quite powerful .

From his appearance, he is a flashy, handsome guy . However, strength cannot be measured with the external appearance or muscles .
The most important thing is the amount of magical power and its control .

I’ve got a tough opponent in my first match .
I have to focus my mind on this match .

[Then, the third preliminary match of the sword stage starts .
Large-scale magic which can reach outside the stage is prohibited .


Moreover, if you kill your opponent, you will get disqualified although it’s not a crime .
Please be aware of this . ]

The umpire explain the rules .

Yeah, yeah . I understand them already .

In addition, giving up or going outside the stage will count as a loss .
The umpire will count to three if someone steps out the stage .

If you lose consciousness, naturally, the umpire will stop the match .

I read the rules perfectly last night . The appeal of being capable to read and write the characters now feels good .

By the way, the usage of weapons and armors is allowed .
We can participate with our favorite equipment .

My weapon is…

[Then, start!]

The match started quickly .

The handsome guy pulled out a long and slender one-handed sword, a rapier, which hung around his waist… Etto, what’s this guy name was, again?

[Balam-sama! The appearance of you pulling your sword is so wonderful!]

Ah . . Yes yes, that Balam guy takes a stance toward me .

[Such a shabby man, finish him! Balam-sama!]

[Please easily hurt that man with unfashionable clothes that looks like he just came from the rural area!]

Damn .
That yellow fellow is annoying .

Also, did you say my clothes were unfashionable?
You’ve done it . I won’t permit that .

This clothes were chosen for me by Celes during our date .
It’s cool!

Balam made a posture with which he wanted to thrust out his rapier at me while slowly getting closer .

I was slightly angered by the yellow fellow from Balam’s harem but I concentrated on my mind on meeting my enemy .

[You had bad luck that your first opponent is me!]

Balam said while moving quickly to reduce the distance and then he lunged with a strong piercing attack .

Indeed, this is certainly fast .

For the adventurers from around here, this speed might have been unstoppable .
No wonder he was able to reach rank 5 in the last tournament .

However, no matter how fast he is, I can easily predict such straightforward thrusts . I was waiting for him to do that .

I grabbed the tip of the rapier with my left hand tightly .

Although I could’ve avoided it, I decided to grip it at that moment .

[Wh… what…?!]

Balam shows a surprised expression .

He surely didn’t expect that I’d grip it with my bare hand .

I’ve strengthened my hand with magic so I can grip the blade without any injury .

[Gu…]

Balam tried to pull his sword with force but even though he had used all of his power, the sword didn’t budge as I continued holding the blade .

Fuhaha!

How is it? Are you scared?

To that action that he couldn’t comprehend, Balam’s face showed fluster and fear .

… . I am such a mean person .

No, it would’ve been fine if they only insulted me but the crime for mocking these clothes is heavy .
Although it’s not Balam who said that .

Well, he is the person in charge so I can give the proper retribution to him .

I yanked the Balam’s rapier that I gripped .

Naturally, Balam who didn’t let go his weapon had his posture destroyed and followed the movement .

You should’ve let go .

After thinking about it, I land a punch on Balam face who started to fall down .

[Bufu]

Balam raised a pitiful voice, unable to defend against my punch, and received it on his face, then was blown off .

He rolled on the stage ground before finally crashing outside the stage .

[T-that’s it! . ]

Since Balam dropped outside the stage, the umpire announced the match ended .

Fu .

I blow away the rank 5 of the previous tournament in a single hit .

This former hero, am I not overwhelming?
As expected from a former Hero, I fallen in love .

I gets off the stage while holding Balam’s rapier in my hand .
I raised my right hand, showing a victory pose .

I, I am so cool!

Whisper… . Whisper… The other participants noisy look at me .

This is so pleasant!

I know that I must not show off my ability too much but this is a tournament, you know?

It’s feels pleasant to receive compliments of how strong I am from the surroundings .

Balam’s harem should run over to me quickly, saying [So cool! Embrace me!]

[Kyaa! Balam-sama face!]

[What with that guy! Such disgusting face!]

[He must be jealous of Balam’s face so he aimed at his face on purpose!]

[When he get off the stage, he raised his right hand, there is no feeling of consideration to the defeated opponent either]

[Eh, somehow, I’m getting turned on!]

Guh .

There were no such things .
What they said is true . I can’t object to them .

It’s hard to bear .