Kays Translations

Chapter 31: Don't Be Stuck with Me

"Ugh!!!"

"There, I win. Well, let's take a break for now."

One day after school, Michela, as promised, prepared the money and treated Ishud to a feast at a fancy restaurant.

After finishing their meal, Ishud showed that he wasn't completely rotten to the core by saying, "Let's forget about that promise," and agreed to Michela joining the after-school training.

After a light warm-up, they proceeded straight to a mock battle.

"Hmm... What kind of training did you undergo at your family's estate?"

"I feel like I've answered that question before, maybe not. There's nothing special about the training methods. I just repeated training and real combat."

"So... with just that, you can win against me in a mock battle using dual swords."

In this mock battle, Ishud wasn't specifically trying to provoke Michela, but somehow, he chose to face her using her weapon of choice, the dual swords.

Naturally, he easily emerged victorious against Michela.

"Hmm~~~. In the first place, you're significantly inferior to me in physical abilities. At this point, no matter what weapon you use, it's impossible for you to beat me."

"...So, in the mock battle earlier, I lost just because of that difference?"

"Well, who knows? I do have memories of using a rapier in real combat, and there are knights in my family's service who are skilled with dual swords. I'm sure there are knights in your family who use dual swords as well, but it's the same for me."

"It's easy to understand what you're thinking."

"Nah, you're an idiot. I don't understand it that deeply. I just have a vague sense of how things might go."

For Michela, that vague sense was something she could relate to.

"Just move your body and respond."

"...You make it sound so simple."

There are other reasons why Ishud used dual swords and easily defeated Michela, but he didn't explain those.

Is it unfair to have been treated to an expensive meal and then be treated like this?

Certainly, it might seem unfair and stingy. However, regarding this particular matter, they didn't enter into any detailed contracts or agreements.

Moreover... if Michela's family had a more advanced environment for her to progress in, there would be teachers available who could teach her those elements.

"That damn glasses senpai... Hasty Parislon, was it? I told him too, but even after all that training... It's selfish of me to think this, but there's a possibility it's just self-satisfaction."

"You... you really speak your mind. I'm still a daughter of a duke, you know."

"A duke's daughter who loses in a mock battle with dual swords."

"Ugh!!!! ...You have quite the personality, don't you?"

"Well, I guess."

Since she's not a friend like Gulf or Philip, there's absolutely no need to be concerned.

Ishud only cares about someone if they're stronger than him, regardless of whether they have a higher title, as long as there's nothing special about them.

"Well, I mean, no matter how you struggle, you're not going to beat me for now. But your goal isn't to beat me, is it?"

"Huh!? It's at least a part of my objective, isn't it?"

"At least, right. Don't get so worked up. You're making an interesting face. What I'm trying to say is, your ultimate goal... your life-long goal shouldn't be defeating me."

The idea of a student defeating Ishud is nearly as improbable as cockroaches becoming universally loved by all humans.

Even if someone as polished as Christille were to try, the chances would be less than one percent. And even then, it would be a futile effort to just be conscious of it.

"A goal throughout life..."

"If you beat me, is that where your burning passion ends? We've barely known each other for a year. There's no deep connection or fate. If you focus too much on an opponent like me, you'll lose to opponents you could have defeated."

"...Are you really from the Regula family?"

"Indeed, I am truly from the Regula family. But... well, never mind. I don't have an obligation to explain everything."

"Wait, I'm curious! Tell me everything!"

"I don't want to, idiot. Figure it out for yourself, brainy roll of curls."

Just as Michela's anger was about to explode, Gulf and Philip's mock battle came to an end.

After a short break, the next round was a mock battle between Philip and Michela.

"Could it be that you've become a little friendly with Maxellan-san?"

"There's no way. She's just an interesting person to mess with."

"Hmm? But it looked like you were having an enjoyable conversation."

"Well, messing with her is amusing... So, how are you doing?"

He didn't want to be pressed about his relationship with Michela, so he changed the topic.

The selection of players participating in the fierce battle festival has already begun.

"Perhaps because I've been able to do mock battles with you, Ishud, Philip, and recently Maxellan-san over and over again, I've been able to quickly control my improved physical abilities."

Compared to other first-year students, Gulf's level was somewhat lower.

While the difference in levels can be covered up to a certain point, depending on compatibility, the numerical gap can become significant.

In such a situation, during holidays, Gulf would move to the forest where many monsters inhabit, repeating real battles many times. Thanks to this, the gap was gradually closing.

"I see, that's good. Even if your physical abilities increase significantly, it doesn't mean much if you can't wield them effectively."

"...Did Ishud go through such a period too?"

"Definitely. There were times when I was on the verge of being tossed around in real battles, but I managed somehow by forcefully adopting that fighting style, so it wasn't a problem."

"A brute-force play?"

"Yeah, that's right. Well, it was possible because we were dealing with monsters."

Unlike monsters, humans have the capacity for deep and profound thought. 

While there are individuals who only think about exerting their power to the fullest, for a normal person, the more they are pushed into a corner, the more they tend to contemplate deeply and come up with some sort of strategy.

In such cases, opponents who try to rely solely on brute force and physical abilities are often more susceptible to being trapped by strategies.

"With your power, it wouldn't be impossible for you to participate in the fierce battle festival tournament. Especially... the first-year folks seem to have plenty of openings."

To assess his strength calmly, Gulf has already had several matches with fellow first-year heirs and heiresses, maintaining a perfect record so far.

While there were some close matches, he emerged victorious.

"Ishud...Someday, I'll definitely repay you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm doing it because I want to."

Ishud dismisses the need for repayment. 

However, Gulf's idea of repaying is not the usual type of gratitude.

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