"First time! I'll be your host and commentator—Nell Plant! Now—the wait is over! The high-rank explorer martial arts tournament begins—!!!"
The woman's voice boomed through the amplification magic tool—filling the arena.
The crowd erupted—cheering wildly.
So loud...
"It's really hyped."
"Yeah. Seems more attention than the annual magic presentation."
I muttered—Sophia added.
I sat in the spectator seats reserved for "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky".
Will and Oliver's block starts first—my match last. So watching with everyone first.
"Crowd expects epic fights—but not guaranteed. Early open division might hype more."
"Hm~? Why? Top explorers fighting—should be amazing?"
Carol questioned my comment.
"Put yourself in their place—understand. First—magic banned—no buffs. Much weaker than usual labyrinth fights."
"T-True."
"Second—explorers face beasts. Rare humanoid beasts—almost no human combat. Tournament rules—military (human combat trained) vs explorers (beast trained)—who's favored?"
"Military."
"Exactly. Open division winner was military."
"But all high-rank explorers. No human-combat specialists—equal footing?"
"True. But then no reason to hype more than open division. Allowing party enchanter buffs—might've met crowd expectations."
Personally—opponents weakened—grateful.
"Orun-kun—analysis fine—but festival. Enjoy purely?"
Reina-san—seated ahead—cautioned.
"...Yeah. You're right. Being spectacle makes me overthink. Sorry—dampened mood."
"No—didn't mean that. Orun-kun and Will carry clan banner—hard to purely enjoy. My bad too."
"Now—greeting from tournament planner—Tsutorail lord—Marquis Forgas! Marquis—please!"
Host spoke—previously noisy crowd quieted.
"Annual martial tournament—popular. Everyone thought: high-rank explorers—backbone of economy—how strong? I wondered too. Reading their feats in papers—imagined their fights. Finally—today—we see high-rankers battle! Thanks to sixteen participants. Rewards for winner. Fight full power for championship. That's all."
Marquis's words—crowd hyped more.
"Thanks Marquis. Now—first match! Hero Party leader/ace—Hero Oliver Cardiff! Vs A-rank party "Crimson Blaze"'s Bertram South!"
Two entered arena.
Crowd roared louder.
Starting this hyped—everyone exhausted by my match?
Fine by me—quieter better for focus.
"Spear user A-rank! Steal good moves!"
Bertram—top spear user in south labyrinth.
Newspaper frequent—party reached 83rd floor.
Normally—Log right—learn from him.
But this match—nothing to learn.
"Both ready! Round 1 Match 1—begin!"
Drum sounded—battle started.
Oliver charged head-on immediately.
Bertram attacked from outside range—but right before hit—Oliver sped up.
Spectators overhead view—Bertram felt Oliver vanish.
Oliver circled side—swept long sword right-handed.
Bertram blocked handle barely—but unstable—couldn't take heavy blow—staggered more.
"Oliver's slash! Bertram retreats—can't escape range! One-sided defense! Tough spot—what now Bertram?"
Bertram desperately distanced—but Oliver predicted—meaningless.
Took heavy hits—spear finally blown away. Next instant—Oliver's sword tip at Bertram's eyes.
"Bertram yields—match over! Hero strong! Won without letting opponent act!!"
—Crazy strong!
—Hey—who said Oliver weak!
—Stronger than yesterday's winner...?
—Damn—should've bet Oliver!
Crowd reactions heard.
Recently—nobles (including "Silver Rabbit" sponsors) used papers to tarnish hero party reputation.
Public swallowed it—this fight shocking.
"Spear guy... weaker than me vs Master..."
Log voiced impression—but trailed off—probably felt bad.
"Yeah. Vs Oliver—you'd fare better than Bertram."
"Really?"
Log's eyes sparkled—happy.
"Yeah—used to close-range from mock battles. But don't misunderstand. Close-range defense better—but overall spear skill—Bertram superior. Nothing to learn from this."
"Know. Many stronger—experienced firsthand."
Matches continued—results as expected.
Will breezed through round one.
◇
"Gonna head to waiting room."
Other block matches done—I stood—told everyone.
"Orun-san—good luck!"
"Master—win for sure!"
"Master—show everyone you're best!"
Cheers—left seats.
Guide led to waiting room—other participants there.
Only two rooms.
Back connects to arena.
"Hm? Yo—weakling explorer. Coming to embarrass yourself? I'd be too ashamed. Brave joining."
(Annoying guy same room. Mood drop.)
"Long time, Derrick. Harsh right from start?"
"Hah? Just truth."
Consider others.
...Was he always this bad?
Emotional—yes—but not noisy in places like this.
Recent similar dissonance—Pascal.
Both hero party related.
Pascal cut suddenly—what's happening in hero party?
"Hey! Ignoring me!? Rude!"
Thinking—Derrick pressed.
"Ah—sorry. Why join? Marquis ordered."
"That old man? Filler trash?"
"Probably. Dunno."
Annoying—cut talk—sat away.
Sat—till time—took yesterday's gift book from storage—read for refresh.
Book from magic nation Hitia Duchy—theory content.
Mostly known—but some new.
New knowledge—most exciting.
(Makes sense. Apply this theory—)
"Hey! What reading!? Suits you not!"
Reading—loud again.
Edge vision—Derrick reaching carelessly for book—activated [Reflective Wall] between book/hand.
Touched—repelled.
"What!? What you do!?"
"My line. Book from disciples—important. Don't touch casually."
Can't wait quietly...
"Disciples? You got disciples? Haha! Trash like you—doubt their character! No eye—definitely trash!"
...Why insult them?
"—Shut up."
"Huh? Say something weakling?"
"Close noisy mouth. Insult them again—make sure you never speak lightly."
Threatened with killing intent.
Worked last time—quiet him.
—Thought.
"—! Say it again! Your disciples—trash who chose wrong!"
Distracted—off guard—punched Derrick's face.
Instant low-rate [Instant Capability Super Rise: Impact].
Fist through—Derrick down.
Down—blank expression—didn't understand.
Approached—checked.
Conscious—fine. Nosebleed—no fracture.
Cast [Heal]—told Derrick.
"Fine mock me. Laugh at their weakness—grudgingly overlook. You're stronger now. But—deny them—no. Understand—stay away. Unpleasant."
Yeah—refreshed.
Noise—whatever.
Other participants—faces like "well done"—Derrick's noise ends here.
Finished treatment, I left room.
Staying.apparently bothers others. ... Seems I'm already am...