The whistle signaling the end of the match echoed throughout the arena.
Theo came to a halt.
"…Haa, haa."
He gasped deeply.
His breathing wasn't that of someone catching their breath after intense training; it was more like the dying gasps of someone on the brink of death.
Blood covered Theo's face and torso.
All of it was his own.
Blood oozed from where he gripped his longsword, and his legs quivered without pause.
Having used the amplified [Overload] for close to three minutes, his body now resembled a fragile sandcastle, ready to crumble with a mere touch.
Even though the match was over, Theo was unable to wipe the blood trickling from his eyes and nose.
Merely twitching a finger was a struggle.
He felt the tingling sensation of [Twisted Noble's Dignity], but being accustomed to the pain now, it didn't hurt as much.
In a feeble voice, Theo murmured,
"I… won."
He stated this, rooted to the spot, unable to take a step forward.
But, his grip on the sword remained steadfast.
"Theo, Theo!"
Irene rushed to his side, holding him up just as he was about to collapse.
The matches of the Knight Department's 2vs2 tournament had all come to an end.
Not long after the start of the match, Cyrus fell, but Neike faced Theo and Irene with ease.
In fact, he dominated them.
However, the match ended without a clear winner due to the time limit.
Even after the match ended, Cyrus was still unable to get up and was carried out on a stretcher.
Next to Theo, a medic was attending to him, wiping his blood and applying first aid.
The audience buzzed as they looked at Theo, Irene, and Neike in the arena.
"Which team won? I can't tell."
"I saw the referees heading to the waiting room earlier. They're probably discussing it. But since it's two against one, shouldn’t it be Theo & Irene's team?"
"Damn, I'm screwed. I bet all my money on Neike."
"Heh, you fool. Didn’t I tell you to bet on Theo's team? If you had bet on Neike, you'd only have a 10% gain. Just looking at your face makes me full."
"Wow, Neike is really something. Did you see? Blocking an attack from behind without even looking. Where did this guy come from?"
"He's in a league of his own. With that level of skill, shouldn't he be immediately given a hero's license? Among the first-years, maybe only Piel could be a match."
"Neike... If he continues with the spear, he's destined to be a [God's Champion]. If he had chosen the path of magic, they said he Had the potential to be an Archmage. Those claims weren’t exaggerations."
"I think so too, Vice Guildmaster. It's a pity he chose the martial path. As you know, our guild is short on mages. Since he has the [Mana Ruler] trait... If he grows well, he could become the first Archmage in hundreds of years after Odius Hannibal."
"He might just be able to do that. But Theo is impressive too. It's just that Neike's brilliance overshadows him. Why is his ranking so low when he's that skilled?"
"...In the second semester, he reportedly obtained a new trait. It's credible information."
"Neike, he's truly unbelievable. I've been a reporter for 2 years now and thought I had seen many heroes... but a genius of his caliber is a first."
"I've never seen anyone like Neike in my reporting career. He's improved much more since his previous practical evaluation against Piel. If the match had lasted just 3 more minutes, or even 1, Neike would've won."
"I think so too. Anyway, where do you think he'll go?"
"Every guild on the continent is probably eyeing him. And he's not even a noble, just a commoner. Look at them eyeing him right now."
"Oh, I should also get ready. But Theo is surprisingly good. I've seen active heroes have friendly matches before, and when it comes to his senses and intuition, there's not much difference."
"His instincts are probably on par with mid-tier active heroes. Of course, his power might be lacking, but that can be compensated...
Whatever method he used, in the end, he endured to the very end even while bleeding. And in this tournament, he was the only one who landed a significant hit on Neike."
"Ah, now that you mention it, you're right. The dagger slashed Neike's forehead. But Theo, is he okay? Even after receiving treatment, his expression still looks so cold."
"...That's just Theo's usual expression, silly."
After about a minute, Mari from the commentary seat approached the arena.
[We've kept you waiting! I've just received word from the referees: the champions of this Knight Department 2v2 Tournament have been decided!]
Cheers erupted from the audience, urging Mari to announce the results.
Mari positioned herself between the two teams in the center of the arena.
[Hehehe, it's been a while since I've done a broadcast and I'd like to savor this moment more~ but I'm not one to beat around the bush... So, I'll announce it straight away! The winning team is Theo & Irene! They've stirred up this tournament from the beginning! But their victories weren't anomalies; they've proven it's genuine skill. Ladies and gentlemen in the stands, please give a big round of applause to our champions!]
As Mari gestured toward them, the crowd showered Theo and Irene with enthusiastic cheers.
Though everyone around him was excited, Theo's face remained impassive.
Irene looked hesitantly between Theo and the audience.
Continuing the commentary, Mari said,
[The decision was unanimous among all referees! The pivotal factor was indeed the number of players remaining at the end of the match. It was unexpected for student Cyrus to retire early, which greatly influenced the decision! But Neike fought valiantly alone, facing both Theo and Irene simultaneously. Watching it was genuinely heart-pounding. Let's also give a hearty applause for our runners-up, Neike & Cyrus!]
The audience clapped once again.
[Hehehe, it's late... but we can't miss out on an interview with the winners, can we? You won't run off this time, right, Student Theo?]
Mari tried to approach Theo for the interview.
However—
Theo immediately turned and headed for the waiting room.
As if the victory and the interview held no importance to him.
"Let's go together, Theo!"
Irene quickly followed behind Theo.
[It seems student Theo isn't feeling too well... ahahaha...]
Mari watched their retreating figures, laughing awkwardly.
I went straight to the waiting room without doing the interview.
It wasn't because I feared getting caught with the smuggled [Amplification Orb].
The duration of the [Camouflage Scroll] is three hours.
Considering there was about 30 minutes left before the finals began, there was no risk of being exposed.
There was just one reason.
I was utterly exhausted.
No matter how tired, I couldn’t lie down in the middle of the arena.
Thanks to an enhanced [Twisted Noble's Dignity], I managed to move my battered body.
That I could even move now felt like a miracle.
The treatment I received from the healer didn't help much.
Irene, supporting me, asked,
“Theo... Are you okay? Should I call the healer again?”
“...Yes, please do.”
With that said, I laid down on a long bench as soon as I reached the waiting room.
[You have cleared the sudden quest. You have been rewarded with 5 shop gold coins.]
[Total rewards: 5 shop gold coins]
A notification for the quest completion popped up, but I barely had the energy to glance at it.
'It's finally over.'
But I'm in bad shape.
It's great that I won, but my body is in brutal condition.
It was the first time I had used the amplified [Overload] by the minute.
I even used it for almost three minutes straight.
At this rate, I wouldn't be able to move for at least a week.
'I'm an idiot. A real damn idiot.'
In two days, on Saturday, I need to accompany Mari to the association's regular academic seminar.
And next week, starting Monday, I have to go back to school.
'I have no choice but to trust Amy.'
If she watched the match, she'd know my condition wasn't good.
She'd surely find a way to help.
I don't like relying on others, but I have no choice now.
The shop gold coins and the other benefits I've gained offer some solace.
I've honed my combat instincts and made significant progress in swordsmanship.
I've also left a lasting impression on students from other faculties, numerous reporters, and representatives from guilds & nations.
Most of tomorrow's newspaper front pages will probably feature me.
...Then there's Neike.
Having seen him only on the monitor screen, facing him in reality made me realize just how powerful he was.
I saw it, that chilling look in Neike's eyes when the dagger hit his forehead.
It wasn't out of anger.
It was the activation of his 'I'll do it properly' mode.
A scene I had witnessed countless times in the game.
It's cliché, that moment when Neike's eyes turn cold and he slaughters his enemy.
'But nothing happened. It felt like he held back.'
That has never happened in the game.
Neike quickly reverted to his original, innocent gaze.
Anyway, the stronger Neike becomes, the better for me.
The stronger he is, the easier it will be to fend off challenges to the academy.
For now, I need some rest.
Just until Amy comes to pick me up...
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