Despite being only in her mid-twenties, Clare is already regarded as one of the most skilled knights across the continent.
'Is it because he's the first man to catch the Saintess's attention? He possesses a noble spirit.'
The object of her gaze is Theo.
He looks so frail that a mere push could topple him, yet he stands resolutely.
She missed his quarter-final match, but his current state was obvious at a glance.
'Such mental fortitude isn't easily acquired.'
Beyond his skills, his mental resilience was remarkable.
It's miraculous that he's still standing.
She couldn't imagine fighting in such a condition.
A sound body is essential for a sound mind.
Could she have had such mental strength at his age?
She certainly couldn't say 'yes.'
'What drives him to push himself so hard?'
Indeed, the Saintess's judgment was exceptional.
With these thoughts, Clare observed Theo with even more interest.
...Arriving belatedly at the [Martial Arts Competition] stands, Piel had a similar yet different sentiment.
Perhaps it's due to how she confessed in the confessional about how she couldn't understand him.
'What's wrong with Theo, that idiot! He's going to fight in that condition?'
Her inner thoughts were vividly clear.
Irene's gaze softened as she looked at Theo.
'He seems to have recovered slightly, but he's not fit to compete.'
He appeared to struggle just standing there.
The proud ego he usually emanated was nowhere to be felt.
"Theo, I know why you didn't forfeit."
"......"
No response came, not that she expected one.
'He must be suffering. Yet, he didn't forfeit, knowing I am his opponent in the finals.'
Irene continued.
"Theo, let me be clear. I won't hold back. That's for your own good."
"......"
Again, no response from him.
One might get annoyed by such disregard, but Irene remained her usual self.
─Silence from a man is acceptance, Irene! Always remember that!
She recalled Mina's words from not long ago.
Irene nodded to herself.
'Yes, Theo is serious. I must honor his sincerity. Of course...... I'll have to be somewhat lenient, given his condition.'
Then, the announcer's voice boomed.
─Elinia Academy Festival [Martial Arts Competition]! The grand finale begins now~!
The final match had started, but I remained motionless.
It wasn't Irene that frightened me.
......It was my own body.
I had barely made it onto the arena, and the thought of moving again, the pain it might bring, terrified me.
How pitiful.
I had resolved not to lose through mentality just a few minutes ago.
But in that brief interval, both my body and spirit seemed ready to give in.
"......Haah."
Maybe it was due to the intense pain recently engraved in my memory.
Or perhaps because of my condition when I re-entered the arena without Amy's support, feeling as though I might collapse any moment.
......It's too hard.
It feels like I've already far surpassed my limits.
Just standing there seriously is all I can manage.
Moving even a single finger feels like an ordeal.
The heavy practice longsword in my hand feels unbearably heavy.
I want to just throw it to the ground.
Yes, I've done as much as I could.
Now, it seems I can't do more.
No, I can't.
There are too many reasons not to.
If only I could find some relief now, I could easily list about twenty reasons why I shouldn't continue.
"......Ha."
Soon, a surge of anger at myself begins to rise.
......I've been deluding myself all this time.
'I'm a smart guy who knows his own problems, it's just that I'm not in good shape right now~' - such arrogant and narrow-minded thinking.
It would be far better to simply admit I can't do it, rather than finding various excuses.
But why did I try to act cool, even putting on a brave face in front of Amy just a while ago?
Why did I do that?
Because it was in front of a woman?
In front of a servant?
Have I been consumed by the Theo inside me without realizing?
I'm disgusted.
To the point of tears.
......It feels like my eyes are wet, as if I'm actually crying.
"Theo, wh-what's wrong all of a sudden. Are you, are you crying?"
I hear Irene's panicked voice in my ears.
"......"
She doesn't know what's going on inside me.
She's just asking because I'm crying out of the blue, because her fiancé Theo is crying.
Her words of sympathy are surprisingly sweet.
So sweet it sends shivers down my spine.
They sound like they're supporting my decision to give up.
So chillingly sweet.
Even Irene says that, maybe it's okay to give up.
"......Ah."
As I think this, intense self-loathing surges within me.
I really despise this side of me.
──Then, suddenly.
"What are you doing standing there, you idiot Theo!"
A voice piercing through my ears comes from the stands.
"How embarrassing! What are you even doing!"
Another voice follows.
Creeeak─
Like a malfunctioning automaton, I turn my head to locate the source of the voice.
......There stands Piel.
"?!"
All eyes in the arena are on her.
But she, undeterred, continues to scream at the top of her lungs.
"Stop being a coward and sniveling! Either do it or don't!"
Zap-
"Ah, ugh."
The repercussions of [Twisted Noble's Dignity] hit me hard.
For Theo, it must feel like being publicly humiliated in front of the woman he likes.
"What do you know─"
Is it the physical pain or the mental fury?
Overwhelmed, I force out my words in a stutter.
Piel, frowning, yells back.
"What are you mumbling, you fool! Speak up! Can't hear a thing! Wipe your tears and talk! What, are you at a funeral? Don't you have any dignity in front of your fiancée?"
I frown and, with my index finger, wipe under my eyes.
Seeing Piel's reckless taunting, as much as I hate to admit it...... it feels like my spirit is returning.
Her voice, filled with harsh words, oddly feels comforting.
My heart, once filled with self-hatred, is now brimming with a sense of upliftment.
......Yes, let's do it in a way that I won't regret when I look back at myself.
Let's give it a try.
......Then, returning to my usual expressionless face, I lift the practice longsword.
Pain surges from deep within.
I want to collapse right here, but...... well, it's not like I'm going to die.
Let's give it a try.
I look at Irene in front of me and calmly declare.
"I've shown a disgraceful side of myself. Now, I'll go, Irene."
I charge towards Irene without hesitation.
Theo and Irene clashed.
After several exchanges, Irene naturally realized that Theo's physical condition was more serious than it appeared.
The force transmitted when their swords met was too weak.
She didn't even need to use her breathing techniques.
Yet, there was a certain relief on his face.
'......Theo has good friends.'
Theo, usually so conscious of others' perceptions, had shed tears in front of thousands.
It was clear it wasn't just because of physical pain.
But now, why does he look so relieved?
......Since hearing Piel's words.
Externally, it seemed like a heartwarming scene where a friend consoled the disheartened Theo.
Yet, seeing him now appearing so unburdened, it's nice to see.
'......But why do I feel so irritated?'
She doesn't know why, but she's truly upset.
With a stern expression, Irene immediately launched an assault on Theo.
Chang, cha-chang──!
Irene swung her longsword fiercely.
It was a slicing attack with her usual power, only without applying her breathing technique.
"......Kuh."
Theo struggled, managing to receive her attacks.
His previously relieved face contorted in pain.
......But Irene had no intention of holding back.
Theo was the opponent.
To win the [Martial Arts Competition], he had to be defeated.
Going easy on him in such a setting would be disrespectful.
She would have accepted the same if their roles were reversed.
......Irene's sword began to pick up speed.
Chang─!
Cha-chang──!
Chang, cha-cha-chang───!
Swords collided.
With each clash, unlike the silent Irene, Theo emitted successive groans of pain.
Yet, Theo, although not perfectly, was managing to block most of Irene's attacks.
Irene's previously stern facial muscles relaxed slightly.
'Indeed, Theo is giving his all. What was I thinking, feeling bad about this?'
Irene allowed herself a slight smile.
Theo, defending against Irene's attacks, was suffering immensely.
'Ha, damn. Why did I have to put on a front? I should have just accepted the embarrassment.'
Chang, cha-chang, cha-cha-chang─!
It wasn't that he was being hit, but just blocking felt like his bones were shattering.
Luckily, Irene wasn't using her breathing techniques.
If she had, he would have been on the ground already.
'There's no opening at all.'
Irene's swordsmanship had improved significantly since being mentored by Siena.
Her progress was remarkable.
Theo had no choice but to block until his body was almost broken.
His mind was already defeated; his body was just reacting on instinct.
───With about 30 seconds left in the match.
[You have reached your physical limit, unlocking a special effect of Natural Power.]
[Special Effect: Overrun]
[Would you like to activate it?]
[View Details]
A window appeared before him.
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