Chapter 59: A Mentality You Deserve to Have

“That guy… What is he?”

“Treating the champions of each year like children, isn’t he?”

Surprise echoed not only among the students in the general spectator seats, adventurers, and commoners, but also among the nobles and renowned adventurers watching from the special seats.

“The Regula family, with that barbaric bloodline… Argh!”

“…Because they’re barbarians, they’re strong. That’s the only way to see it.”

“Well, that’s… But still.”

While many held rigid opinions, most had a certain level of knowledge and experience when it came to combat.

That’s why… It’s not just Ishud relying solely on brute strength like a barbarian; occasionally, glimpses of high skill and technique shine through. 

This unsettles those with rigid thinking and pride.

“Whoa… Isn’t this intense?”

“Work on your vocabulary. I get what you’re saying, but come on.”

Renowned adventurers wore dry smiles as they became captivated by the unconventional match.

To them, the students who made it to the best four in each year were alluring enough to want to scout them.

However, there was also the anticipation that with proper training, they would eventually join the frontline.

But… While single-handedly dealing with the onslaught of three opponents, Ishud remains calm, even laughing as he counterattacks.

Inevitably heading to the front lines, there’s no doubt.

A prodigy who can fight alongside us on the front lines.

“Hey, that student is fifteen years old, right?”

“A first-year student who enrolled in the high school section this year. Ishud Regula.”

“The child of that rumored noble, huh… I’ve heard rumors here and there, but that’s a bit too surprising, isn’t it? Can such a thing really exist?”

“If what we are seeing now is not an illusion, then it must be a possible existence.”

“Yeah, you’re right… Hey, do you think we can scout him?”

If there’s a clan leader who doesn’t want to scout, I’d like to see it.

Ahead of our gaze lies a prodigy, a genius, a monster.

“…Those born as children of the Regula family rarely leave their birthplace, as they continue to fight monsters in the remote regions. It’s highly unusual for Ishud Regula to be fighting in that place right now… No, it should be considered close to a miracle.”

“A miracle, huh… Scouting seems impossible~~~. Well, if he’s that strong to begin with, he probably wouldn’t think of following anyone. By the way, are those kids who are fighting right now okay?”

“Are you talking about their mental state? If so, I don’t think there’s any problem.”

“Why’s that? It’s not like it’s a brutal, devastating fight, but they probably aren’t going all out. I mean, the audience wouldn’t enjoy watching such a fight, so in a way, it doesn’t seem like they’re being bullied.”

They are the pros among pros. 

Having spent a considerable amount of time in life-threatening battles even among combat professionals, they are aware that Ishud treats the winners of each grade level as children without going all out.

“They are the ones standing at the pinnacle. Even if they realize there’s a monster among their peers or even younger, they won’t break.”

“It’s precisely because they are at the top that they possess that strength… I get it, but that’s more than enough to crush the hearts of their peers.”

“That’s for sure. Besides the three fighting in the ring, everyone else is likely in despair. Still, for those who graduate and work as knights, they need the spirit not to break even in such circumstances… or perhaps the determination to rise.”

“…You’re still thinking about the details as usual.”

While coming to the conclusion that scouting Ishud Regula would be impossible, they refocus their attention on the match happening ahead.

“Nuuuuuaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!”

“Hyoshoo!!!”

Against the massive axe swing clad in rocks, Ishud unleashes a full-force punch without magical enhancement.

“Guu!!! That’s a terrifying punch!”

“Your attack is just as fierce!!!”

One against three. Moreover, fighting while restraining his output, Ishud fights with a lively smile on his face.

“Phillip!!”

“Yeah yeah, I got it!!”

In the beginning, Phillip primarily fought from the rear with long-range attacks using slash blades and thrusts, but now there’s no point in just holding back. He must attack relentlessly.

Following Christille’s judgment, Phillip joins the front lines.

Phillip, with his innate sense, immediately grasps Christille’s rhythm and boldly approaches with dual-wielding of a short sword and a sword, moving without hindrance.

(Hahaha!!! That’s great, President!! What a brilliant decision!! And Phillip! You’re amazing as always!!)

A storm of slashes unleashed by the tag team of Phillip and Christille.

Their attacks are perfectly synchronized… not because they perfectly harmonize, but because Phillip has grasped Christille’s rhythm and trajectory of slashes so well that he doesn’t interfere.

While Christille is not completely ignoring Phillip’s movements, she still believes in the combat prowess and sense that the young man, with whom she has had a complicated relationship, has honed until he stepped onto this stage, allowing herself some freedom of movement.

Their coordination is so seamless that it seems as if they have been fighting together as a tag team for a long time.

Watching the scene from the spectator seats, Michela couldn’t help but explode with frustration. Why wasn’t she there, and why couldn’t she defeat the man who was not a gentleman in the semifinals? The flames of jealousy burned towards Phillip.

“Zeeeeeaaaahhhh!!!”

As they bypassed the coordinated attacks with magical slash blades from their hands and feet, a large axe clad in rocks was hurled towards Ishud.

(That’s a good decision too!!!)

Dustin had never performed a long-range attack until now, and this throw was timed perfectly to exploit the gap in consciousness.

Phillip and Christille also moved quickly to evade, ensuring there was zero chance of friendly fire.

“Huuaaishooo!!!!”

“Wha…??”

In response to the powerful throw, Ishud took action… by enveloping his head in magic and delivering a perfectly timed headbutt.

“Hahahaha!!!! What an impressive force!!!! I must admit, it made me bleed a little.”

“…Phillip, Christille-san. Was that… even human?”

“Not in terms of profession, but more like… isn’t his existence that of a berserker? I can’t help but be surprised today, too.”

“I agree. It’s unconventional, to say the least, or rather, outright wild… However, that doesn’t give us any reason to give up here.”

The axe that had been deflected returned to Dustin’s hands.

Despite everything, the determination of the three hadn’t diminished compared to the start of the match… but for Ishud, this was where the real battle began.

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