Chapter 62: Practice Match with Donny

“Are we going to have a practice match with Donnie?”

“Yes. I wanted to see Donny in action. By the way, Sheila, are you going to participate? It’s optional, but…”

“Of course, I’ll join. I’d like to test how strong a former A-rank adventurer really is.”

While putting away farming tools, I asked Sheila if she wanted to participate. It was good to hear she would.

Yesterday, we had all assumed she would join, and the excitement had built around that idea. If she had refused, we might have had to cancel the whole thing.

“I’m glad you’re participating, Sheila. I’m looking forward to seeing your match against Donny.”

“Aren’t you going to join, Sato? You still practice with the sword, don’t you?”

“I do swing the sword, but… I don’t think I’ll participate. Right now, I can see myself losing without being able to do anything.”

“I see. That’s a shame.”

I do want to get strong enough to join, but at 38 years old, my body just isn’t keeping up no matter how hard I try.

As we finished tidying up the tools, we headed to the open plains where Velvet and Donny were waiting.

The two of them were drawing lines with limestone, setting up a simple fighting ring.

“Thanks for waiting. …So, this is the match area?”

“That’s right. Last time, we didn’t have anything, but this time, I thought we should keep it within this circle.”

“Alright, let’s get started before sunset. Who’s going to fight me first?”

“If anyone can go first, I guess I’ll start. Sheila needs a little preparation, right?”

“Yes, I’d appreciate a bit of time.”

“So, I’m fighting you right away? …As I mentioned yesterday, I won’t be holding back.”

“Of course not. Winning because you went easy on me wouldn’t be satisfying.”

And so, the first match was set: Donny vs. Velvet.

Velvet had said she trained with the sword every day, but even so, I figured Donny had the upper hand.

Standing side by side with their swords raised, the size difference was striking—it looked like an adult versus a child.

Not only was there a significant strength gap, but fighting within the circle also favored Donny, who was nearly two meters tall.

“Sato, give us the signal to start.”

“Understood. Here we go—Match, start!”

At my signal, Velvet moved first, but Donny’s reach was far greater, and he struck first.

Despite his large frame, his attack was sharp and fast. Velvet managed to block the first strike, but—

She couldn’t keep up with his relentless long-range attacks. Step by step, she was pushed back, and before she knew it, she had been forced out of the ring.

She hadn’t taken a direct hit, which made her defeat even more shocking.

“…No way! Was Donny always this strong?”

“At the royal castle, I was holding back, and I used a dagger instead.”

“I couldn’t even get close to hitting you. Sheila, you don’t stand a chance either, do you?”

Sheila was about the same size as Velvet, so after watching that match, even I felt she had no hope.

…But Sheila just grinned, her expression brimming with excitement.

“Donny, you’re really strong. I’m excited to see how much my strength measures up.”

“Good luck, Sheila. I’ll be cheering for you.”

I called out to Sheila’s back as she stepped into the ring.

She raised her sword and faced Donny, but once again, the size difference made victory seem impossible.

“I’m ready whenever you are. Sheila, start when you’re ready.”

“I’m good to go. Sato, please give the signal.”

“Got it. Match, start!”

Unlike the previous match, both fighters remained still at first, observing each other.

I thought Sheila would attack right away, but she was playing it carefully.

She took slow, measured steps forward while Donny stood completely still, his sword raised.

The pressure he exuded was overwhelming—I wasn’t even fighting, yet I was breaking into a sweat.

Velvet’s loss was still fresh in my mind. No matter how she attacked, Donny had an answer.

Yet, despite that, Sheila smiled calmly and smoothly entered his range.

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