Chapter 65: Don’t Worry About Shame, Just Move Forward

“Among the nobles, you, Philip, and President Senpai are a rare breed, aren’t you?”

“…Probably so.”

Recognizing that his opinion, while common, was a thoughtless slip-up for not deeply considering matters, Michela refrained from saying anything further about what might be better for Gulf.

“That’s how it is. Besides, considering they’re going to lose many times in the future, it’s impossible to become good friends head-on, isn’t it?”

“I-Ishud. Those words are kind of… provocative.”

“Hm? Ah… Okay, okay. I get it.”

Thinking it was a bit too blunt, a man like a rock visited Ishud and the others.

“It’s been a while, Ishud.”

“Oh, Muscle-senpai. The tough look suits you.”

“…Call me Dustin.”

“Sure thing, Dustin-senpai.”

Thinking this guy was also a similar type to Philip, Michela didn’t make any further comments about the names.

“So, I heard an interesting story. I was in the waiting room until the end, so I couldn’t watch, but did the first-year commoner over there put on such a great match?”

Gulf, not intending to show any interest, but feeling a shiver down his spine, received a curious glance from Dustin.

“The first match ended quickly because the opponent was an idiot, in the second match, he read the opponent’s moves and decided the match, and in the third match, that arrogant jerk… what was his name again?”

“Dimna. Dimna Kais.”

“Yeah, that’s it, that name. He took Dimna to a double knockout.”

“I see. Against Dimna…”

“By the way, you might already know, but Gulf attained his fighting spirit in that match.”

As it was already a well-known fact, Ishud conveyed it without hiding anything.

“!!!”

However, that information had not yet reached Dustin’s ears.

“I see… Hahaha!! Indeed, as you say, it’s become difficult for most freshmen to win against Gulf this year.”

He is a student at Sambal Academy.

Although he is a second-year student, he reigns supreme as a heavy warrior, scattering students from other academies.

In other words, he can be said to be the one who will shoulder the future of Sambal Academy.

Yet, despite the presence of freshmen from the same Sambal Academy here, he made remarks that would lower morale.

Other second and third-year students wore expressions of astonishment, resentment, and hardly anyone had a good expression.

However… Ishud, who was in dialogue, once again acknowledged Dustin Wabir highly, recognizing him as a good muscular warrior.

“By the way, Ishud. What are you going to do next year?”

“…Are you talking about the special match, by any chance?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve talked about it with Michela and others, but since I was able to achieve one of the purposes of enrolling in the academy with that, I haven’t really thought about what to do next year.”

“I see, still undecided then.”

Even if he were to fight again, he might just end up humiliating others once more.

Among the students, there were quite a few who, even if they advanced to the top of their year, were fearful of that possibility.

Even if Dustin were to dedicate all his energy and time to becoming stronger, he doesn’t believe he can necessarily surpass Ishud.

However… Even if a future of losing is likely, he always maintains the spirit to challenge the strong, with no thoughts of shame or anything of that sort.

“If we can fight again next year, I’d like you to use your weapon this time.”

“…If Dustin-senpai keeps climbing up next year, I might consider using it.”

He has no fear whatsoever about challenging himself.

Indeed, he only thinks about moving forward.

Though not exactly the reckless type, Ishud liked the fact that he could be so honest with someone younger than him.

“Hehe. Even if I can’t fight you next year, I’ll continue to strive for improvement. I’m aiming for a consecutive victory.”

This is a declaration of war against all second-year students present in this place.

Even if they are second-year students from the same Sambal Academy, their ultimate goal is also to win in the tournament of the Fierce Battle Festival.

Just because Dustin and the academy are the same doesn’t mean they’re comrades.

(Yeah, that’s right. As fighters, we’ve got to have this kind of personality.)

Nodding in agreement, another lady approached Ishud and the others… Specifically, she approached Michela.

“Michela-san, that was a close match.”

“Fleura… There’s no need for that kind of consolation.”

“However, from what I observed in the spectator seats, it really seemed like it was just one move away.”

The visiting lady’s name is Fleura Storle, known for her sunny smile, who fought Michela in the second round.

“…Still, a loss is a loss. Honestly, I was surprised to see Philip show that much determination.”

“Hahaha!!! Well, yeah~~~. Honestly, even I was surprised by that.”

“You still have that irritating smile, don’t you?”

“…………Oh, I see. The lady who used water and ice magic, right?”

With the sudden visitor, Ishud recalled Fleura while looking at her face and smiling, and at the same time, he remembered a certain scene.

“Hahaha!!!!”

“Eek!!?? W-What’s with the sudden laughter?”

“N-No… Hahaha!!!! I just… remember when you crashed onto the ice floor.”

“Ugh!!!!”

While the flow leading up to the victory was undoubtedly praiseworthy, Michela’s face when she crashed onto the ice floor due to an imperfect air step, unable to land properly, is… just remembering it makes it impossible to stop bursting into laughter.

“Oh, man. M-My stomach is starting to hurt.”

“Was it really that funny?”

“I-It’s just… it was like a face you wouldn’t expect from a lady, you know?”

“Hahaha!!! I don’t know why, but I can totally imagine it.”

The not-so-gentlemanly duo struggled to contain their laughter, but the president promptly followed up with support.

“Can’t you see it as Michela fighting desperately?”

“President Senpai, that’s right! It’s like they say, ‘that’s that, this is this.’ Hahaha!!!!”

“…That’s a convenient phrase.”

Of course, Christille hadn’t witnessed that scene.

But… She could understand just how desperately Michela had tried to secure victory. 

To convey that understanding, she gently stroked Michela’s head again, as if to prevent the magma and smoke from erupting once more.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter