Chapter 54: Results and Ability Are Not the Same Thing

Philip, immediately after the start of the third match, closed the distance with his opponent without assessing their condition. 

Regardless of his childhood, it’s surprising that Philip, who had completely lost his enthusiasm since entering adolescence, is participating in the fierce competition. Starting the match by aggressively attacking, even though it’s hard to believe for anyone who knows Philip even a little, his actions are extremely unexpected.

Attacking boldly with a dagger and utilizing his entire body… or rather, is he rushing to attack?

Creating an atmosphere like that, seizing the opportunities that appear here and there, he lunges at his opponent, and within a minute of the match beginning, he settles it by placing the sword at the opponent’s heart.

“Wha…!?”

“To that extent!!! The winner is Philip Georgios!!!”

“No…!!!”

He couldn’t ask for a rematch.

No matter how you think about it, no matter how you look back on it, a loss is a loss. 

The sword was placed against the heart, and the male student specializing in the Phalanx as his second job, primarily handling spears, was completely inside the Cross Range.

I haven’t been attacked much.

Even though my physical strength and magical power are still in their infancy, I was faced with the result of defeat…I can’t accept this at all.

Although I was not convinced, I was able to accept the results as there were students who had made it this far.

He hardly took any attacks.

Despite being in a state where both his physical and magical strength were far from depleted, the fact that he was handed a defeat… he couldn’t possibly accept it.

He may not be able to accept it, but being a student who has come this far, he was able to swallow the result.

“Oh, you’re back so soon.”

“It just happened.”

Philip replied with his usual nonchalant attitude.

(“Just happened,” you say.)

It doesn’t seem like he’s lying.

However, there’s also the possibility that he’s lying skillfully.

Living in a way that the true feelings are not revealed to others.

It’s a skill necessary to survive in aristocratic society, but among the same-sex peers Michela has encountered so far, Philip is by far the best at it.

Sometimes, Michela wonders if she might actually be older than Philip.

“Did you get nervous under the pressure of the opponent and rushed the match?”

“There’s no mistake that he was strong.”

It’s not a lie.

Philip didn’t intend to fight seriously this time.

The male student with the Phalanx as his second job, who made it to the third match, undoubtedly had the skills necessary for that.

However, having completed the first and second matches, even with the intermediate matches between the second and third-year students, it’s hard to say there was no fatigue.

Even if the third match concludes, the semifinals and finals are still ahead.

If he’s anticipating the matches to come, it’s understandable that he would want to finish the current match quickly to conserve his stamina and magical energy.

Additionally, despite Philip’s usual careless demeanor and his lack of effort to conceal his sloppiness, he is still the son of a duke.

Here, impatience took the lead… and, judging it, he defeated him without exerting even half of my true strength.

“The person you’re going to fight from now on is probably quite strong, too.”

“Yes, that’s likely.”

Being able to participate in the intense battle festival.

Just that fact alone doesn’t change the fact that I’m considered one of the strong ones among my peers in the same grade.

Among such strong individuals, in both the first and second matches… I defeated two of them who were also considered strong.

Even without thinking deeply, I know that I am strong.

However, Michela, a prodigy who has defeated the same strong opponents many times throughout her student life, couldn’t possibly be daunted by facing another strong opponent at this point.

“Wash your neck and wait.”

“I take a bath every day, so don’t worry.”

Despite the unchanging and seemingly never-ending banter, Michela’s expression showed no signs of displeasure as she headed towards the ring as per the guide’s instructions.

(Seems like the semi-final will be decided by Michela… Ugh, I’m so tired, annoying, troublesome…)

In contrast, after Michela left the waiting room, Philip made no effort to conceal his emotions at all.

“As a noble’s son, that expression doesn’t seem very fitting, Philip.”

“Isn’t that a tremendous understatement, Senpai.”

The waiting room had become quite deserted, with already less than ten people.

However, even in such circumstances, the council president of Flaveld Academy, Christille Alvarèsia, naturally remained.

“…It might be true. But still, for you to hold on this far… Honestly, it’s surprising.”

“I think the same thing about myself.”

More honestly, Christille had initially thought that Philip might intentionally manipulate the match and lose in the third round.

“As someone who knows the times when you slack off, it’s a pleasing sign of growth.”

(Hey, stop it. Please stop, stop, stop smiling at me like that. Don’t direct that smile at me. Look, look, there are still male students surviving in the waiting room.)

The numbers had dwindled, but there were still male students in the waiting room besides Philip.

Christille wasn’t unconsciously directing a romantic atmosphere towards Philip, but her sisterly smile, celebrating the growth of her mischievous brother, was something she wanted not just from male students but also from female students.

That smile is now directed towards a student named Philip, who is certainly not an honor student.

It was inevitable that jealous glances would be directed at him.

“I’ve made an interesting friend. That’s all.”

“…It’s something I can’t do.”

“Well, I avoided it, so it’s not really a question of whether you can or can’t.”

“Maybe… By the way, the next semifinal. Is Philip going to fight seriously?”

The words are taken literally.

Semifinals… meaning just by participating, he secures a spot in the top four.

If a member of the Duke’s family participates in the fierce competition… the minimum line would be considered surpassed.

For Philip, who prefers not to get too passionate, it’s a sufficient approach.

As the student council president of Flaveld Academy, one would want him to fight with full effort until the end. However, convincing Philip to do so is not an easy task, even if someone suggests it to him.

“…Well, what should I do? Going all out is a hassle, but if I don’t go all out, I’ll probably be complaining until graduation, and that’s also a hassle~”

“Michela cares about that kind of thing… If you slack off, you might be held a grudge for a long time to come.”

“…It seems like it’s going to be restless days.”

It is not at all uncommon for Philip to defeat Michela in mock battles; in fact, overall, Philip has a slightly higher winning percentage.

(Well, I didn’t really intend to have a serious fight this time… and I won’t be complaining about it later.)

“Philip, you’re up next, and you’re… c-close!!! Stay away from Christille onee-sama!!!!”

After finishing the match and securing victory, the first words upon returning to the waiting room were that.

(…Tch!! Damn annoying. Should I just crush everything without considering anything?)

Although Philip clicked his tongue inwardly, the feeling of irritation was too much to contain. Unconsciously, he let out a loud sigh, and once again, Michela’s anger exploded.

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