Kays Translations

Chapter 41: Why Can I Participate Now!?

"I think it's already okay, but don't get too nervous."

"Make sure they don't dismiss it as luck."

Just like in the first match, Gulf receives words of encouragement from his friends and confidently heads to the competition venue.

(Certainly, the first match might have been considered luck. This time... I will definitely prove my strength!!!)

With a moderate level of tension and plenty of determination

Gulf is in the best condition right now.

Even when stepping into the ring, Gulf doesn't feel the strong tension he experienced during the first match, where he was the focus of many people's gazes and voices.

Instead, he feels a moderate tension that tightens his focus in a positive way.

"Having a commoner come to the second round, huh~~~ Well, I guess that's just how it goes. But from the second round onward, it's a world where that kind of thing doesn't work."

“...”

At this moment, though Gulf didn't express it in words, he murmured in his heart.

(Aristocrats... are they a race of people who can't live without looking down on commoners?)

In the second round, Gulf wanted to prove that his success wasn't just luck, but that he had the strength to triumph in the school competition based on his abilities. He aimed to defeat elite, skilled opponents participating in the fierce festival.

However, it seems that his second-round opponent is also looking down on him and underestimating him.

In Ishud's words, it would be like taking precautions for losing before the fight, which is totally uncool.

"Gulfuuuuuuu!!! It's just like the first round!!! I'll easily cut down this brat pretending to be a martial artist!!!"

Although it's truly motivating to hear, it's still excessively violent.

(…It doesn't matter. If they're underestimating me, I'll use that to my advantage and defeat them. Whether they talk about luck or not, the fact remains that if I win this battle, I'll have advanced to the second round.)

Similar to his first-round opponent, Ferno, Gulf can sense that his second-round opponent is a formidable opponent who cannot be underestimated.

Gulf's opponent in the second round is Maisel Fast, a female student from Rizard Academy.

Despite being a female student, she shatters stereotypes with her profession – her primary job is a martial artist, and her secondary job is a swordsman, a hardcore In-fighter.

If Gulf takes a hit from her gauntlets and shin guards, it seems like a guaranteed course for a morning sickness-inducing encounter.

"I see, but I'll still fight with all my strength."

"Just barking won't get you anywhere."

Her stance remains the same – looking down on commoners.

It's exhausting just dealing with them.

Having made that judgment, Gulf cuts short the pre-match banter and calmly prepares himself.

"Now, both of you, try to make rational decisions... Alright then, begin!!!!"

"!!!"

At the start of the match, both of them immediately burst forward in a straight line.

Longsword against gauntlets and shin guards.

Needless to say, Gulf has the advantage in reach.

However, hand-to-hand fighters who primarily fight without weapons are all terrifying in appearance. They can navigate through known blades that can cut, explode upon impact, burn, or pierce through. They rely on their trained bodies.

"Ha, take this!!!"

"Tch!! Not bad! Come on!!!"

Maisel had thought that the first attack would be hers.

Certainly, she managed to avoid Gulf's slash and land a blow on the body, but while raising her left leg, the right body blow was blocked.

"What's with that!!"

"Ah!!!"

Equipped with gauntlets rather than bare hands, she could somewhat defend against Gulf's slashing blade.

However... since the start of the match, they hadn't clashed swords and fists more than ten times.

(Something feels off, doesn't it!!!)

A sudden aversion from a memory attacks Maisel.

Naturally, Maisel lacks the Appraisal skill, so she doesn't know Gulf's occupation.

Since Gulf uses a Longsword, some assumptions can be made.

"Lost in thought, are we!!!"

"Guuh!!! Don't get too carried away!!!"

Blocking a sharp slash with her gauntlets, Maisel retaliates with a front kick.

However, whether he predicted it or not, Gulf had already moved backward before the front kick could hit his abdomen.

(Guh!!! Despite not being a close-range type, he moves around so nimbly!!!)

Those who handle bare hands, daggers, needles, threads, and other short-reach or specialized weapons tend to have increased agility and dynamic vision due to occupation modifiers. Their visibility is excellent.

It's easy to see.

The advantage of maintaining that sense on the battlefield more than others undoubtedly lies with fighters and assassins.

Yet... attacks are not landing cleanly at all.

Both are clad in magical energy, using strengthening skills as well.

To Maisel's dismay, when it comes to the performance of strengthening skills... there's hardly any significant difference between the two.

On the contrary, Gulf surpasses Maisel in terms of strength and attack power.

"Hmph!! ...Phew~~ I underestimated you a bit. Looks like you can fight properly."

"I've accumulated plenty of training."

It would have been fine if it ended swiftly with a quick attack.

However, Maisel, despite maintaining the condescending attitude she shares with Ferno, couldn't dismiss the thought that rushing into the match without any enhancements right from the start wasn't foolish. She had initially brushed off the idea of relying solely on luck to advance through the school tournament and secure victory in the first round of the fierce battle festival, much like Ferno.

(Is this guy... isn't he acting strangely nonchalant for a commoner?)

First of all, the age eligibility for participating in the fierce battle festival is strange. 

The time when the age difference is most pronounced is when commoners enter the academy for the upper grades.

If someone, despite facing harassment from the surroundings, manages to fully utilize the available environment and participates in the fierce battle festival during their third year, then it makes sense.

In that case, even Maisel wouldn't be entirely dissatisfied.

However, at present... Gulf, as a first-year student, was undoubtedly holding his own against Maisel Fast, who could be called an elite.

"Could it be that you received the blessing of the barbarians?"

"Ishud isn't a god, but he's good at teaching despite appearances and attitudes."

As Gulf mentioned, Ishud, despite his appearance, is adept at conveying what he wants to communicate.

Even within the Regula family, known for its berserkers, Ishud is a particularly eccentric presence.

The details that could spark intriguing discussions... Ishud, due to his complete lack of involvement in social circles, seldom shared information externally.

"Well then, allow me to take the offensive this time."

"Ah!!!"

Even now, Maisel wonders if Ishud truly holds the occupation of a berserker.

In this particular battle, Gulf emerged victorious.

Even after achieving victory, Gulf continued to send words of gratitude in his heart to his friend who never ceased to offer wholehearted praise.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter