Finally, the semi-finals began.
Including this match, only two more victories would secure the championship.
[Semi-final First Match: Team Theo & Irene vs Team Aisha & Julia]
[Semi-final Second Match: Team Neike & Cyrus vs Team Travis & Jacob]
Of course, Neike's team is expected to advance to the finals.
Speaking of Travis, he's hitting the peak of his career.
Just making it to the last 16 was a significant feat, considering the participation of numerous formidable Hero Department students.
But with some fortunate matchups, he's made it to the semi-finals.
...Which meant I had to face all the formidable teams myself.
Anyway, the focus now is on securing victory with as little damage as possible.
With that thought, I fidgeted with the practice dagger I had tucked away.
One of my greatest weapons, [Magic Cartridge], ran out of mana during the duel with Noctar.
I wanted to ask Seria for a mana recharge, but she left the arena right after being eliminated in the round of 32.
In other words, I can't use magic.
Another of my major assets, [Overload], should be avoided as much as possible during the match against Aisha.
I should save it for Neike in the finals.
[The much-anticipated semifinal match is about to begin! The first match is between Theo & Irene's team and Aisha & Julia's team!]
As our team and Aisha's team entered the arena, the usual cheers from the audience filled the stadium.
However, it wasn’t dominated by the familiar voices of the orcs this time.
The reason?
The deafening cheers for Team Aisha & Julia, especially for Aisha.
"Wowww! Aisha, you're so beautiful!"
"Aisha! Aisha! Aisha Waldeurk, the angel who descended upon Elinia Academy!"
"Aisha, please notice me! I brought a large banner just for you!"
Hundreds of fans waved banners and various cheering tools, chanting Aisha’s name.
[Aisha, hotter than a heat pack]
[The goddess who graced Elinia Academy, Aisha]
[Aisha, forever in our eyes]
[Aisha...! You came to see your fanboys, right?! -From all the third years of the Knight Department-]
[The genius and most beautiful archer, Aisha, let's win this!]
[I wish I could be Aisha's aide, even for just a day]
All sorts of colorful banners fluttered in the air.
Just like when she dueled before in one of the previous Hero Department practical evaluations, the atmosphere felt like an idol concert.
'It seems even more intense than last time.'
I gazed at the spectacle.
Calling her a goddess, though...
There are a lot of crazy people.
In this world, gods truly exist.
Naturally, with the presence of divine power, there are holy waters and even saints.
This means the church holds immense power.
'Of course, that probably isn’t considered blasphemy if it's only to this level.'
I glanced at Aisha and Julia standing in front of me.
"Snap it, snap it!"
"Oh, that's a great angle. Stay right there!"
Click, click, click.
The reporters surrounding the arena constantly snapped photos.
The difference from before was that they weren't just focusing on Aisha.
I was getting quite a bit of attention too.
'It makes sense.'
Given the strong performances I showcased in previous matches and the fact that this match can be seen as a duel between the Waldeurk family, it's no surprise.
Reporters wouldn't miss out on such a juicy story.
And, to be honest, it's beneficial for me.
I can almost hear my reputation skyrocketing.
Being associated with someone popular always has its perks.
Especially Aisha, who's right at the top.
She draws more attention than even Neike and Piel.
There's a high chance that regardless of the outcome, today's match will make the front page of the newspapers.
Of course, if I end up making a mess out of Aisha in this match, her fans would be furious.
But well, what can you do?
More agonizing than negative glares is the pain of being utterly ignored.
And I am the underdog.
While Aisha ranks 6th, among the top students, I am at a dismal 181st place.
Maybe Aisha felt the same way because she kept smiling as she alternated her gaze between me and the reporter.
However, Julia, unaffected by all this, looked at me and said,
"Ahahaha, I've been waiting for this moment. Let's be honest, things have been way too easy until now, haven't they? I was truly impressed by your match in the last 16, Theo. You're a genuine warrior through and through. That title... 'True Warrior', it’s quite enticing. I think I'll take it for myself."
"I won't hold back, Theo. I think you’d hate it even more if I did. I'll give it my all. Like Julia, things have been too easy for me. I feel completely ready for this!"
Aisha looked at me, her expression serious.
"...".
Please, go easy on me.
I can't use [Overload] here.
But with reporters all around, I can't show weakness either.
It's better to strike back harder.
"Give it your best shot, Julia Metz. I'll remind you that even if you wield a spear instead of a rapier, you'll still lose. The same goes for you, Aisha Waldeurk. I'll remind you of the insurmountable difference between direct and branch families."
The semifinals concluded quite unexpectedly, differing from the predictions of many spectators.
The first match between Theo & Irene's team and Aisha & Julia's team ended in less than a minute.
As soon as the match began, Theo threw three daggers, with one landing a critical hit on Aisha.
While she managed to dodge two, she couldn't avoid the third.
Julia had already charged at Theo, leaving her unable to protect Aisha.
While Aisha stumbled in pain, Irene decisively finished her off.
Then she rejoined Theo, who was sparring with Julia, to swiftly conclude the match.
The second match, between Neike & Cyrus's team and Travis & Jacob's team, lasted the full allotted time of five minutes.
But the outcome was rather one-sided.
Despite their best efforts, Travis and Jacob couldn't land a single hit on Neike, which was what many had expected.
After all, Neike had remained unscathed in all previous matches.
As a senior reporter, in the midst of drafting his article, was approached by a junior colleague.
“By the way, it seems Aisha was really upset. I heard her crying as she entered the waiting room after the match. She mentioned something about not underestimating direct descendants.”
The senior nodded,
“That would make a good headline. Aisha did seem very disappointed. After all, Theo is ranked 181st, and it was his first time showing off his dagger-throwing skills."
The junior reporter added,
“I was caught off guard too. It might not be on par with Jang Woohee or Eshild, but it was quite impressive. Regardless, Theo has definitely risen to stardom now. Defeating all teams and making it to the finals is no small feat, even if he's teamed up with the top student of the Knight Department.”
“You're right. We should keep a close eye on him from now on. In many ways, he's the biggest winner of this tournament. Noctar and Andrew have benefited too, but not as much as Theo."
“Exactly. It's no surprise for Neike, given that it'd be strange if he didn't win. He's always been in the spotlight. But I wonder why Piel didn't participate?”
The senior shrugged,
“Last I heard from an informant, Piel vanished from the academy right after the midterms for the Hero Department. Anyway, why are you still here chatting?”
The junior blinked in confusion,
“What?”
The senior snapped,
"You fool! You should be getting an interview with Theo & Irene’s team! Other reporters are already on it. Plus, guild and government officials are already waiting outside the waiting room. Can't you see?”
"Oh, right! I'll be on it immediately, senior!"
Shaking his head, the senior reporter muttered under his breath,
“Always so clueless…”
As he watched the junior dash off towards the waiting room.
During the peak of the Knight Department's 2v2 tournament at Elinia Academy, Piel was in her family's estate, the Chalon Duchy.
"Father, I've given it a lot of thought. Please hand over 'that item' to me now."
Piel said to the man before her.
He was none other than her father, the head of the Chalon House, Maximin de Chalon.
He possessed a robust physique that seemed inconceivable for someone in his 50s if one didn't see his face.
Brushing back his silver hair, Maximin replied,
"It's not that simple, Piel. You know full well the nature of 'that item'."
"That's exactly why I'm asking for it!"
Piel exclaimed, her face contorting as if recalling some unpleasant memory.
Remaining composed, Maximin continued,
"Of course, in the right hands, 'that item' could be more valuable than a holy sword. However, many throughout history have faced their downfall because of it."
With sad eyes, Piel looked at Maximin and said,
"I don't care. Even if it leads to my own ruin."
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Ahh Aisha get's no love from the author. She's supposed to be the smartest and one of the top ranked... Well the fight against Neike is really nice at least.
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