165　Gathering!!

　The long rainy season had ended.

　It had been raining for a while recently, so the morning sunlight was quite pleasant after a long absence.

　I washed my face, stretched out, and sat on a chair by the window. It was a little hot and humid outside, but there was a nice breeze.


　……We are just a few days away from the start of the title games. The preparations are being made.


"Good morning, Second-sama. I have one report to make."

　Just as I was about to leave the room, Cubero arrived.

"Good morning. A report? "
"Yeah, that is……"

　Cubero opened his mouth with a wry smile.

　It seems that a suspicious person was wandering back and forth in front of the main gate from early in the morning.

　When I heard the guy's name, I said, "Oh," and told him to bring him to the living room.

　Oh, yeah, right.
　I guess it's that time of year already.



"――It's been a long time, Second. You asked me to come back, so I did."

　A short time later, Nil Weissroy, a handsome, light blue-haired, arrogant-looking male elf, appeared in the living room.

"Don't get me wrong, okay?　I visited Vinceton, the royal capital, to take part in the Eishou battle. All the hotel rooms are fully booked. But on my way there, I happened to pass by your house. So I just thought I'd drop by and see what's going on. Don't get me wrong, all right? "
"Yeah, yeah."
"D-Don't get me wrong! "
"I didn't. I didn't."

　He said he happened to be passing through such an upscale residential area in the suburbs this early in the morning.

　Just as Nil was about to say "Don't get me wrong" for the fourth time to my grinning face, Yukari brought me my morning meal. For some reason, there was even a portion for Nil.

　Today's breakfast was a bit more lavish than usual. It's meant for guests. Perhaps the servants saw this coming as soon as they saw Nil loitering in front of the main gate. It's quintessential attention to detail.

　And Nil, well, he was…… politely waiting for me to start eating.

　If it had been him before, he would have said something like "I, as a member of the Weissroy family..." and would have started eating first, as if it were a matter of course.

"You……"
"……What is it?"
"No, it's nothing. Shall we eat?"


　It seems that Nil has been through a lot in the past six months.

　I was a little happy, so I borrowed a pitcher that Yukari was holding and poured water into Nil's glass.

　Nil snorted with an embarrassed "humph" and opened his mouth to deflect the conversation with a slight blush on his cheeks.

"By the way, what happened to the other two?"
"Morning practice."
"Are you fine not doing it? "
"For me, it's more important to eat a good breakfast."
"Hmph. Be careful not to lose your footing."
"Thanks for the advice."

　The corners of his mouth involuntarily upturned as if to say to me, "I'm going to sweep you off your feet".

　As he has grown as a human being, has he also grown in magic? That's probably right. Now Nil no longer showed the same impatience and anxiety that he had shown in the past.



"Second. Have you seen the list of contestants yet? "

　After finishing breakfast and drinking tea, Nil suddenly mentioned such a thing.

　I somehow thought this was the main issue, so I put down my teacup, faced him squarely, and responded.

"Not yet."
"I see......"

　Nil hesitated for a moment, then continued his words.

"Alpha's name was not among the contestants for the Eishou Tournament."
"……What? "
"That's not all. I haven't heard from her in the last six months. But then again, maybe that's just because it's me."
"That might be right."
"You.……Well, no matter. Alpha is to be your apprentice, is she not?　Don't you know anything about it? "
"All I heard was that she was going to visit here when the mess at home was settled. In other words……"
"You mean something might have happened at the Promenade household."

　I had thought that we would meet again at the Summer Eishou Tournament and that she would come to the Firstest house as a result of that.

　But to not participate after six months of not hearing from her…… that's just not right.

"I understand. I'll look into it myself."
"Hmph. Suit yourself."
"Thanks."
"……Tch."

　Nil clicked his tongue and left with an embarrassed look on his face.


　……Where is Alpha, huh?

　Hopefully, we'll have one clue by the end of the title games……?



　　＊　＊　＊



"Oh, dear, here I am. Rarely has an opponent been so hard to beat."

　Once again this summer, a man visited the royal city of Vinceton.

　The former Issenza, Rothman―― a man in his mid-forties, with short black hair and receding hairline, medium height, wrinkled eyes, and a frightening glint in his eyes ――muttered with a sigh as he got out of the carriage.

　He had spent the last six months of his life endlessly thinking about defeating Second, both in his everyday life and his traveling carriage.

　However, he could never find a way to defeat the man and finally arrived in the royal capital.

"Father. Defeating the Triple Crown isn't going to be easy."
As usual, are you still on his side, Rave?"
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Honesty with the sword is what I have taught you."

　Next to Rothman was a young man with dark hair and dark eyes.

　His own son, whose name was Rave.

　Although Rave still looked slightly young, his eyes were as sharp as his father's, and combined with his taciturnity, he already had the air of a mighty swordsman at the age of 16.


"Rothman-sensei. It has been a while."
"Oh, Gram-kun. I'm glad to see you're doing well."

　Then a large man came along.

　Gram, Vice Commander of the Second Knight Order. He was a contestant in the Issenza tournament, with a muscular physique that stood at least two meters tall.

　It had been his role for many years to welcome Rothman into the royal city.

"But how many years has it been since you called me sensei instead of Issenza?"
"Hahahaha……Oh, and you are?"
"Oh, he's my son. Say hello."

　Gram turned to Rave, who was standing next to Rothman, looking rather bored.

　He said only two lines in a tiresome manner as he was prodded forward a step by Rothman.

"I'm Rave. Nice to meet you."

　……Sixteen years old in this world was not an age at which rudeness was tolerated because of youth.

　It was as if he was picking a fight with a Swordsmanship master who was said to be the strongest in the Royal Knight Order.

　But Rothman paid no attention, and Gram also had nothing to say.

　Because they knew that this Rave had something that would allow for such rudeness.


"Is he the rumored secret weapon ......?"
Although he is still far from perfection, he is a frightening one, even though he is my own child. As for me, I was planning to hold off for another year, but Rave insisted."


　Ignoring their conversation, Rave stared blankly off into the distance.

　What exactly was the gaze of this young man, who was described as "terrifying" by the renowned Swordsmanship master who had reigned over the Issenza title for 20 years, looking toward――?





"Dee, Jay. Watch your step."

"Shut up, I know."
"Sis, I think Master is saying this out of kindness."
"That kindness annoys me to no end. Wouldn't you agree, Jay? "
"Yeah, no, well, that's certainly true."

"You two, stop wasting your time and get out of the carriage. It's annoying to the coachman."

"Yeah, yeah."
"Yes, immediately."

　One carriage arrived in Vinceton, the royal capital.

　A mature man, Alfredo, with long, habitually dull hair blowing in the wind, emerged from inside. Behind him were Dee Mix, a female elf with long, emerald-green hair and piercing eyes, and Jay Mix, her sister, a shorthaired female elf with a face and hair color similar to her sister's.

　The three of them exited the carriage in a lively manner, arguing about something or other.


　Looking ahead, the three of them walked without hesitation, a sight that was unthinkable in the past to those who knew them.


"Be sure to address the Second Triple Crown properly. Consider this an order from your Teacher."

"How many times do you have to say it? I've heard it over ten times, already. I'm telling you I understand."
"Master. I understand you don't trust us, but that's a bit of a stretch."

"I'm not saying I don't trust you…… but I hope you'll show him the utmost respect. He's my benefactor."





"Ptff-ptfhhhaha!　Hahahahahaha!! "
"Is everything alright, Your Excellency……? "

　In a certain kingdom, in a certain castle, in a certain room.

　A certain person, 6 feet tall, with reddish-black hair and eyes that looked like they could have killed many people with their bare hands, was smiling with a big open mouth as he read a letter that a servant had brought.

"I knew he was coming, Second Firstest!　There was nothing wrong with my eyes! "

　People often referred to this fearsome general as the "fighting god".

　In his hand was a list of the contestants for the Toushini (Battle God) tournament.

　The fighting god looked at the name of only one man.


"This Nova Bartelemon will neither run nor hide!　Light the beacons!　We are leaving now! "


　Nova Bartelemon, General of the Army of the Kingdom of Oranjee.

　The fighting god, the strongest trump card in the kingdom, was about to stand in front of that man with his burning fighting spirit exposed――





【List of Contestants for the 467th Summer Title Tournament】


【Swordsmanship】＜Issenza (Sword Flash) Games＞

☆Second Firstest Issenza
A Jerez Lumberjack
B Gram
C Kasakari Kerala
D Rave
E Rothman
F Raspberry Bell


【Archery】＜Kisenshou (Demon Piercer) Games＞

☆ Ernte Kisenshou
A Silvia Virginia
B Alfredo
C Dee Mix
D Jay Mix


【Magic】＜Eishou (Sage General) Games＞

☆ Second Firstest Eishou
A Nil Weissroy
B  Zephyr
C Sherry
D Kevin
E Muratti Tricolori


【Shield Arts】＜Kongou (Indestructible) Games＞

☆ Rokunchea Kongou
A Eko Leafret
B Gauloise
C Zidane
D Domingo


【Summoning Magic】＜Reiou (Soul King) Games＞

☆ Second Firstest Reiou
A Vogue
B Capito
C Big Horn
D Chérie Lumberjack


【Martial Arts】＜Toushini (Battle God) Games＞

☆ Nova Bartelemon Toushini
A Second Firstest
B Davidov
C Renko
D Cubero


【Spearmanship】＜Shisousei (Four Spears Master) Games＞

☆ Raden Shisousei
A Second Firstest
B Karen
C Champani


【Jojutsu】＜Senjushou (Thousand Armed General) Games＞

☆ Gloria Senjushou
A Second Firstest
B Steam Bitter-Valley


【Thread Manipulation】＜Tenmouza (Celestial Bird) Games＞

☆ Prince Tenmouza
A Second Firstest
B Yve


【Sword-drawing】＜Bishamon Games＞

☆ Absent
A Akaneko
B Kanbei
C Mamushi
D Azami
E Masamune
F Second Firstest

======

Thank you for reading.

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                      Quick and powerful piercing attack
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      Rush piercing attack
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　  Powerful ranged attack in all directions
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       Most powerful range attack, takes time to prepare

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     Defense +chance to parry
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      Rush attack
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       Powerful shield attack, takes time to prepare

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful Area of Effect piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack, takes time to prepare

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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