25: The Doll Princess, The Three Idiots, and Royalty (1/2)
As the school entered its third term, Rudel’s class was the epitome of seriousness. They prepared for the tournament to such an extent the homeroom teacher said it was the first he had ever seen in all his years of teaching. The class year separated tournament was a place to show the fruits of one’s work over the past two years. It was a passionate event every year, but as the royal family was coming this time around, the passion put in was something else entirely.
And Rudel’s class was even above that, they put in their passion to save Rudel from his forceful graduation. And in this tournament with a new level of passion, the top pick class held a strained atmosphere.
After the incident of the second term, Aleist had become the academy’s hero, but the class’ air took a turn for the worst. The verbal brawls in the forest still held a resounding effect. But even so, there weren’t any student able to launch a complaint against Aleist’s strength, so the class’ dissatisfactions would only build up. At this point, speaking ill of Aleist- who rarely ever came to class at this point- had become their diversion.
Within that situation, the tournament was about to open.
And as Rudel’s class devoted themselves to training, Leucke and Eunius appeared, leading along the representatives of their own classes. In that evening ground, the students of three classes gathered, letting out something of a peculiar air.
“Rudel, I heard the story. I know your class’s goal in this tournament.”
On the words Luecke started up with, Rudel’s class embraced a light hope of his possible cooperation. Even Izumi thought, if it was these Three Lords who got along well, then… she hoped. But Eunius continued on.
“We heard, but we’ve decided to beat you down with all our strength. In this time’s tournament, you’ll face Luecke in the first match, and if you win, you’ll be going up against us. And if you manage to luck your way through that one, Aleist’s class will be your final opponent. You’ve got no hopes of victory.”
After saying that, the two of them led off their class representatives. Those words caused Izumi to feel down. The two of them towered over the rest in the fields of magic and swordplay. If they wanted to win against those two classes, they would have to utilize the fact this was a team battle. A stream of one-on-one matches… the moment she thought that. Rudel called out to the two leaving parties.
“I’m participating in the last slot! How about you two?”
He boldly proclaimed his order in the lineup! Within the dubious air that surrounded the space, the two simply raised their hands to answer before walking off.
“W-wha-what are you talking about, Rudel!!?”
Izumi’s voice echoed through the grounds.
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The class representatives that tagged along the leaving two called out to their own class leaders.
“A-are you sure about this, Luecke-sama? If Arses-sama doesn’t win this time around…”
To the representative who said that, Luecke spoke.
“Just you try slacking off in the tournament. I’ll never forgive you.”
As Luecke stated it coldly, Eunius stopped and looked over everyone. And with his ferocious features, he made a declaration.
“In this time’s tournament, holding back is more unforgivable than losing! I don’t care about the other classes, but don’t go light on Rudel’s class!”
“Hah, Eunius… in that case, you can’t complain if you lose before you even go up against Rudel’s class.”
In regards to Luecke’s sigh, Eunius answered with a laugh.
“Are you an idiot? As if we’d ever lose to anyone besides Aleist’s or Rudel’s classes… I decided I’d never hold back against him.”
It wasn’t as if Luecke or Eunius were giving it their all because they hated Rudel or anything. They recognized his skill, so they would give it their all. They’d seriously take him on, and wouldn’t complain whether they won or lost… that was their conclusion.
“Because Rudel would never forgive us if we held back on him.”
“That bastard… he even made a challenge to us. What are you going to do, Luecke?”
Turning to Rudel’s class in the distance, Luecke,
“It goes without saying, I’ll take him on personally… I’ll be taking the last slot.”
On those words, Luecke’s class made a stir. If they wanted to win, then it would be best not to put Luecke up against Rudel. But continuing on with that answer, Eunius also,
“And of course so will I! I wanted to fight him at least once.”
Eunius also turned towards Rudel’s class. There, he could confirm the form of Izumi chasing Rudel around. And caught by Izumi, Rudel called out towards the two.