“Aren’t you the one who told me I didn’t have to force myself to smile?” I asked her. “If you’re frustrated, then say it.”
“Arius… Well, yes, I am frustrated!” she grumbled, gritting her teeth. “But this is just what I’m capable of. I need to accept I lost.”
“Yeah. I think you’re after a different kind of strength than what I’m looking for, but if you want to get stronger, I’ll help.”
“Thank you, Arius. I need to work harder.”
Giving her a hug and consoling her wasn’t my place, but I wanted to do what I could for her because she was trying so hard.
That finished off all the first-round matches of the tournament. Of the six of us first years who took part, five of us won.
Eric, Milia, and Vern then went on to win their second-round matches.
“I tried, but there was nothing I could do against a second-year opponent like that,” complained Marth, the son of the cardinal. He lost in his second match. It was true that his opponent had been a second year, but they weren’t one of the potential champions. Marth wasn’t going to get stronger because he was making excuses.
The next round included my and Zeke’s matches. The second round also had four duels going on at once.
My opponent was a second year named Lauger Laudness. He was the son of Baron Laudness, who was a royalist.
“I saw your match in the first round, Arius,” he shouted toward me. “That’s why I’m going to start with everything I have!”
He was muscular with neatly cut short hair and was wearing a breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves. He was known for being combative and using a fighting style of punches and kicks. I kind of liked him.
“I accept your challenge,” I yelled back, tossing my sword aside and raising my fists.
“Huh… You think you can win against me in a fist fight? Arius, I’m going to break your nose!”
He rushed at me, quickly closing the distance between us.
“Stone-Shattering Fist!”
Lauger’s gauntleted fist glowed with mana as he activated the intermediate unarmed skill. He put his entire weight behind the throw, but I dodged, countering with a fist to his gut at the same time.
“Ah!”
He flew backward through the air. The Special Barrier had shattered before it could even display points.
The students were in an uproar at the fact that I’d instantly defeated two second years in a row. I was more interested in Zeke’s match, though.
“…I lost,” Zeke scowled with frustration, grinding his teeth together. But there had been an obvious difference in strength.
“Your Highness, I do feel bad defeating my sister’s fiancé, but I am aiming to take the championship this year.”
That was the current Student President, Raymond Blancard. He was the eldest son of Marquess Blancard and older brother to Sasha, Zeke’s fiancée.
“Zeke, there was a clear difference in strength between you and your opponent this time. If you want to get stronger, then don’t forget this frustration,” I advised.
“I know, Arius. I know.”
There was still fighting spirit burning in Zeke’s eyes, so I knew he’d be all right.
“Raymond is just as strong as I thought,” Milia murmured. “He did win the championship in the game after all.”
She was right. Raymond had shown an overwhelming strength in the Combat Tournament in the game. Not even the love interests had been able to keep up with him.
“Arius, are those cleaners really going to attack like they did during the dungeon practical? Even though there’s extra security because the king’s here? If they do attack, they’ll need some serious firepower, won’t they?” asked Milia.
I’d told everyone that an attack was possible. They’d be slower to react if they didn’t know in advance. I wasn’t willing to risk that.
“It’s a possibility, not a certainty. There might not be anything, but it’s best to be on your guard,” I reasoned.
There was a rest break after the second-round matches finished. Eric and Zeke went to eat with the king and the lords who had been invited to the tournament. Vern, Milia, Sophia, and I invited Noelle and Sasha to join us in the cafeteria. Sasha normally ate with Zeke in his salon, but he wasn’t there, so we invited her too.
“It is too bad Prince Zeke lost, but everyone’s doing a great job,” grinned Sophia. She usually ate with the noble girls from her faction, but she was already sitting with us, so she decided to eat with us instead, making it the six of us around the table. She didn’t seem down about her loss anymore; she was just happy that the rest of us won.
The other students were looking at us a lot, probably because we were doing well in the tournament. The only one who seemed bothered by them was Noelle.
“I’m feeling mixed emotions, since the person who defeated Prince Zeke was my brother,” Sasha mused out loud. It seemed to bother her that it was Raymond that Zeke had lost to, and Zeke hadn’t even stood a chance. Though, considering how strong Zeke was currently, I figured he would’ve had a tough time winning against any of the other remaining second years.
“It’s just a match, Sasha. Prince Zeke doesn’t seem too upset by it. Besides, he’s a resilient person,” comforted Sophia.
“I know, but still…”
“You’re coming with him to our celebration later today, right?” Milia asked. “I’m sure going out with all of us will cheer him up.”
“Milia’s right. I’m sure he’ll enjoy himself, especially since he’ll be with you.”
The two girls were helping cheer Sasha up.
“I-I’m really looking forward to going out with everyone,” Noelle said. She seemed happy too. She’d always been on her own before, but she really warmed up to everyone. The four girls seemed like great friends now.
“Vern, you’ll be against Raymond for your third-round match,” I put in.
“I know. And seeing Prince Zeke’s match, I can tell Raymond is truly strong. I’m looking forward to fighting him.”
Vern was the kind of guy who immediately accepted how strong his opponent was. I knew he wanted to win, but he’d probably accept a loss if it were against someone powerful.
“Milia, you’re probably strong enough to give Raymond a good match,” Vern reckoned.
“What are you on about?! You definitely think too much of me,” Milia rejected immediately.
“I have to agree with Vern,” I voiced. “You’re putting in a lot of effort. Have some confidence in yourself.”
I did think Milia would have a hard time defeating Raymond, but if she really tried, she could at least give him a run for his money.
“If you think so, then I’ll give it my all, but…don’t get your hopes too high,” she muttered, her face turning red. Maybe she felt uncomfortable receiving compliments.
“Winning isn’t everything. Give the tournament everything you’ve got and enjoy yourself. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“And if Arius is cheering for you, that gives you a good incentive to try hard.”
“Sophia! Well, you’re going to be cheering for me too, right? I’m going to try hard because you all will be cheering for me.”
“Of course I will. I’ll be cheering for you, for all sorts of things,” Sophia teased with a smile.
“Come on, Sophia! And weren’t you just saying having Arius cheer for you made you happy?”
“I did. Of course, having my friend cheer for me would make me happy.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s unfair, Sophia!”
They were getting worked up in this conversation about me for some reason. The two of them really were good friends.