* * *

As I returned to the waiting room,

Good job.

Its a shame it ended so quickly, though.

[Good work. Its important to rest up for the next match.]

Everyone in the waiting room congratulated me on my victory.

I was about to give Baltan a piece of my mind but changed my mind when I saw his signature bright smile.

However, there was one student who reacted strangely.

"I never thought we would beat the seniors."

Guwar was trembling, his face full of emotion.

I couldn't help but feel exasperated.

He couldn't even win against an ordinary second-year student, let alone a Gurk, could he?

Well, I didn't want to spoil the mood, so I let it slide.

With nothing else to do until the next match, I was sitting in a chair, resting, when Baltan clicked his tongue.

Well, thats too bad.

I blinked and asked him,

What do you mean?

There werent any particularly strong students in the third year. Ah, there was one, but she specialized in magic.

He meant it wasn't his cup of tea.

Baltan enjoyed wielding weapons and wasn't interested in magic.

It didn't mean he wasn't talented in magic.

He just wasn't interested.

So that was it.

I thought back to the meeting room.

Those who trained their bodies had a unique strength that emanated from them.

But mages were adept at concealing their mana.

That's probably why I hadnt noticed it easily.

Of course, I could have noticed it right away if I had concentrated on my senses, but

The meeting room had been so chaotic that I hadnt noticed.

Well, there was no way Baltan would make a mistake in this match anyway.

He had lost before because of a mistake, but there was no way he would make the same mistake twice.

Baltan hated losing more than anything.

Even now, he was pretending to be relaxed, but the fact that he had lost so pathetically must have been bothering him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he challenged the Gurk to a rematch after the competition.

More importantly,

What is this ominous feeling?

I had clearly met the Headmaster's expectations, so everything should be fine.

But for some reason, I felt a sense of foreboding creeping up on me.

As I was pondering the reason for this feeling,

"The final match youve all been waiting for! The match between Sytans highest-ranking third-year students and the first years will now commence!"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaah-!"

The roaring cheers of the audience erupted from the screen in the waiting room.

While I was lost in thought about the ominous feeling, time had flown by.

The audience's excitement was even more intense than during the match against the second years.

[As expected, the response is huge since its a match between the highest-ranking third years and the lowest-ranking first years.]

It seems so.

This final match was of great interest to the students of Sytan.

The first years, included many children from the seven families representing the Demon Realm.

And the third years, who could be called the elders of Sytan.

Since it was a match between the two, it was only natural for them to be interested.

I wonder whos up first.

Baltan looked at Idea on the screen, who was about to announce the participants.

Idea had finally called out the first participant.

"First, Ill announce the first-year participant. The first up is Student Guwar!"

Thud.

Guwar sprang to his feet.

It was as if he was determined not to make a mistake this time.

Ill definitely win this time.

His spirit was extraordinary.

Maybe I should have faith in him this time.

There was no point in discouraging him when he was so determined.

I wish you victory.

Hmph, dont worry about me.

Thump, thump.

Guwar walked out of the waiting room, his knees firm.

And with Idea calling out the name of the opposing student, the match began.

However.

"Student Guwar! Hes been defeated again!"

Guwar achieved the remarkable feat of achieving two consecutive losses in this tournament.

And this time, he was so badly beaten that he had to be carried out on a stretcher.

His opponent wasnt a powerhouse who had mastered Fighting Spirit like Baltan had, but he could manifest Sword Lacquar.

Baltan scratched his head awkwardly at the sight.

Haha Im sure he was weak. Guwar is even weaker.

It seemed there was a discrepancy between Baltans standard of strength and the general perception of what constituted a strong fighter.

The medical instructor's face was pale, probably because it was physically demanding to carry Guwars large body.

"And next up."

The following matches featured Rene and Aeron.

Rene won her match, but seeing that his opponent was formidable, Aeron declared forfeiture.

Was he crazy?

Well, I could understand why Aeron felt no need to win this match.

But this meant that we had to win all the remaining matches.

And so, the student who was finally called was,

"Adel, youre up!"

It was my turn to step up.

I got up from my seat and roughly brushed my face.

Did they want to see more?

Its only been a little while since the last match.

Still.

Well, it wasnt like I couldnt do it.

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