Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 133

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 133 – School Competition (Before)

After Ain returned to the royal capital.

Perhaps encouraged by the others, Ain decided to enter the competition.

Although he didn’t want to interfere, he eventually wanted to be a part of it. This desire won out.

It was originally a day off for the academy.

Ain visited the academy that day, and without stopping anywhere, he went straight to see a certain man.

“——Instructor Kaiser. I’m going to join too!”

Later, just before the application deadline, Ain submitted his application.

He went to see Kaiser and expressed his intention to join.

“Okay. Then I’ll put your name down, too.”

This was the staff’s room for Kaiser, and he sat down at his desk and started to make note of Ain’s participation.

“If I had to make a guess, I thought you wouldn’t participate… but…”

Despite his words, Kaiser seems to be in a good mood.

“I’m looking forward to it, too. To see how you fight.”

“I was afraid it would ruin the mood.”

Ain replied with a wry smile.

“You are also a student. There’s no need for anyone in this school to be discouraged just because there’s a difference in ability. Besides, it’s not the first time.”

“The first time?”

“Yes, that’s right. Everyone knows you’re strong. After all, you’re the hero who defeated the sea dragon.”

Kaiser got up from his seat, with a “Heave-ho,” and came over to Ain.

“Besides, Ain is the future king. What’s wrong with the king showing his strength?”

“I was told something like that the other day.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then be prepared. There’s nothing wrong with being good, but there’s no need to grow up. Like I said, you’re still a student. Even if you’re the Crown Prince, as long as you’re here at this school, you’re still a cheeky student to me.”

Saying this, Kaiser let out a smile.

“By the way, there will be preliminary rounds because there are so many applicants. But Ain won’t be participating.”

Ain was curious why he wouldn’t be involved.

“You look like you’re wondering about that. I’m sorry to bring it up again, but in the end, it’s a matter of skill. Those with excellent results in swordsmanship are exempt from the preliminaries. Besides Ain… there’s Butz and Roddy. So there are only three of you.”

It had been a while since he’d heard the name Roddy.

He was the guy a year younger than him who was in love with Krone.

“Roddy, huh?”

“I’ve heard all kinds of things, but well, his scores are good enough. If we were to rank the top three in this academy, he’d probably come in third.”

“Hey, it’s rare to hear Instructor Kaiser give such a high rating.”

“Yeah… he’s on the right track, too. And those who didn’t make it through the preliminaries will also have a competition among themselves. So they won’t be left out in the cold.”

The rumor Butz had heard.

Apparently, Roddy was excellent.

And the fact that they divided the participants into winners and losers gave the school its unique feel.

“Right, next. I’ll explain the rules.”

Kaiser took out a pen.

“First of all, this is a round-robin tournament. It’s not a knockout tournament, all right?”

“So that means I’ll be fighting both Butz and Roddy, right?”

“That’s right. Have fun, Ain.”

It was good to know that he would be able to see both of their swords clearly.

“The second thing is the weapons. I’ll prepare ones with the same weight as the real ones. Of course, they won’t have blades.”

“Understood.”

“Finally, about the battle. You can use any skills related to martial arts or weapons, but no techniques involving projectiles. No poking someone in the eye either.”

“Is it the same as the training the knights do?”

“Yes, something like that. Besides, the winner is the one who scores three points first, right? If you touch anything above your waist or hands, it’s one point.”

It’s very simple and easy to understand.

Thanks to that, he didn’t have to think about anything unnecessary.

“If you win, you get 3 points, if you draw, you get 1 point, if you lose, you get 0 points. The ranking is determined by the highest total points. Sorry, but there are some trial aspects to this year’s tournament, so please forgive any rough or sloppy parts.”

“That’s enough. It looks like I’ll be able to enjoy myself.”

There was no need to calculate the scores.

Just win, and if he kept winning, he’d definitely be able to reach the top.

“This is the last festival before graduation. Enjoy it, Ain!”

“Yes!”

It would be the perfect festival to end his school life.

The school competition was just around the corner. Ain waited impatiently for that day to come.

＊＊＊

The Royal Kingsland Academy.

There was no way that the competition between the people who belonged to it wouldn’t become a rumor.

It was only at one academy, and it was a competition within that academy, but the hustle and bustle of the academy city was nothing short of spectacular.

The number of stalls lined the streets, and the number of water trains to Academy City was increased as a matter of urgency.

The Academy City was as busy, if not busier, than the competition.

“Hey, wasn’t it amazing!

“Yeah! If that was the first part, I wonder what the second part will be like…”

The swordsmanship competition consists of two parts: the first part and the second part.

The first part of the tournament took place in the morning and was a competition between those who had not qualified for the second part.

The second part was the main event, a competition to determine the strongest of the Royal Kingsland Academy.

It was already late afternoon.

The first part of the tournament had just ended, and the excitement had not subsided.

“Oh, we have to hurry! The other match is about to begin!”

“Hey, what other match?”

The female students who came to watch the competition continued to chat happily in the still-burning heat.

“Of course, it’s the speech competition! Leonard-sama will be there, so we better hurry or we’ll lose our seats!”

“Oh, that’s right! We’d better hurry!”

Blessed with beautiful weather, today’s speech contest was the perfect day.

The program continued amidst the bustle of the crowd.

——And then there were two people watching the scene from the side of the road.

“Wow, there’s a huge crowd here, Ain!”

“There are too many people here. This is crazy.”

Ain and Butz were enjoying the atmosphere while munching on the food they bought from the stalls.

“Still, it’s amazing how well you blend in, Ain.”

“You’re right. I’m surprised myself, but I blend in so naturally.”

Without any special disguise, Ain and Butz stood by the side of the road.

However, no one noticed Ain and called out to him.

“Well, isn’t that nice? Ain can enjoy himself like this, right?”

“Actually, that’s true…”

Ain put the food in his hand into his mouth, and enjoyed the taste.

“Hey, Ain! Don’t eat my share too!”

“That’s the law of the jungle, right?”

“…Y-you idiot! Stop that hand, hey!

Ain replied superficially but did not stop moving his hand, and Butz approached him.

“Butz, this is also a battle, and by taking in nutrients like this, we can have the best possible battle.”

“I see… As expected from Ain…”

“Well, that’s a lie. I just want to eat.”

“Hah… You’re more free-spirited than usual, Ain…”

He laughed and asked Butz for a reply.

Butz also seemed to be enjoying the banter more than expected.

“We’re having this kind of casual conversation, but we’re going to fight after this.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’re not enemies who hate each other.”

“That’s true, but you seem pretty relaxed, Ain.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just looking forward to it.”

As Ain spoke, a truly happy expression appeared on his face.

“Man, you think you can take it easy against us?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m really looking forward to it, and besides… what I have to do hasn’t changed.”

“What do you have to do?”

Butz asked about the true meaning of Ain’s words.

“It’s to win. I’m not going to lose, no matter who I’m up against.”

This feeling became even stronger after he defeated Marco.

It was unthinkable that he, the one who had defeated Marco, would lose.

“So that’s what you mean.”

After seeing Ain speak so strongly, Butz’s resolve also hardened.

This man did not take his opponents lightly. Just knowing that made him even happier.

“It’s time for us to go. Let’s watch Leonard and Roland’s debate.”

“There are seats for students from our school, so let’s go slowly.”

The two of them then walked to the place to watch their friends’ big day.

＊＊＊

With a relaxed expression, Butz speaks to Leonard.

“Hey, is that even possible?”

“I don’t know. Actually, since it was a score like that, I guess you could say it was possible.”

Leonard and Roland’s debate.

After listening, they move to a new location.

They sit in a seat in the arena and have a conversation.

The subject of the conversation is the outcome of the debate.

The result was so surprising that even Ain and Butz, who were watching the debate, were surprised.

“Well… to be honest, I didn’t think it would turn out this way either.”

Roland, smiling wryly, replied to Butz.

“Well, I suppose things like that can happen… but I never thought…”

“Yeah, I never thought me and Roland would be tied for first place… it’s totally unexpected.”

Even though he said this, Leonard’s expression seemed somewhat happy.

Then Ain, who was sitting next to him, opened his mouth.

“Leonard was talking about political issues, and Roland was talking about technical issues. It was hard to say who was better.”

After saying this, Ain continued to express his thoughts.

“It’s good, isn’t it? It’s a fight between future key figures. I’m sure such a result isn’t bad.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness.”

“A-ahaha… Thank you, Ain-sama.”

Even for them, tying for first place didn’t feel bad.

Perhaps because of that, the mood wasn’t bad at all.

“But you know, you’re going to see something good, Leonard!”

“Something good? What are you talking about, Butz?”

Butz smiled with a look of pride on his face and called to Leonard.

“Of course! There’s no such thing as a tie in the competition we’re going to have. You guys are going to have fun, too!”

When he heard this, he understood that he was talking about the swordsmanship competition.

“Oh, I see. Of course, I’m looking forward to it. Not only can I see your swordsmanship, but I can also see His Highness’ strength.”

“It’s a round robin tournament, right? I was also looking forward to it when I heard that we would definitely be able to see the two of you fight.”

“You can count on me!”

Butz flexed his muscles and showed them off.

The three of them watched, enjoying the scene.

Suddenly, a man came over.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

“Ah, you…”

Leonard was the first to react to the voice.

When he saw the man’s face, he immediately made a disgusted expression.

“What do you want? You showed up here all of a sudden…”

“I’m sorry. I really need to tell His Highness the Crown Prince something.”

The man’s name was Roddy.

As always, he was handsome and had carefully styled silver hair.

“Leonard, it’s okay.”

Ain stepped forward to speak to Leonard, who had become displeased.

“Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes. First of all, I want to apologize again for the other day.”

He bowed deeply, and the three people other than Ain looked stunned.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind. You don’t have to apologize to me anymore, Roddy.”

——I do mind a little, though. Ain said in his mind.

He would never say that, even if his mouth was cut off.

“I appreciate your kind words.”

“It’s okay. So, what do you want today?”

Then Roddy cleared his throat and straightened.

“I want to learn from you. But I’ll use my own sword to win the tournament.”

He looks at Ain with strong eyes.

“Oh, I see. But why are you telling me that?”

He can roughly guess what it is, but he asks him aloud.

“There is someone who wants to see my gallant figure. ——I am sorry for the suddenness. If you’ll excuse me.”

Then Roddy quickly leaves the scene.

Butz, who had not spoken until the end, finally speaks to Ain.

“Somehow he’s a guy who doesn’t give up.”

“He seems to have more manners than before, but it’s still not enough. If he’s convicted of disrespect, he won’t have anything to complain about.”

Leonard also offers some advice.

“Hmm… even I can see that was dangerous.”

Finally, with a wry smile, Roland comments on what happened earlier.

“But it’s okay today, you know.”

Ain speaks with a happy tone.

“Your Highness? What is this all about?”

“Ah, Ain. Aren’t you being a bit too lenient?”

“I think he should be punished a bit…”

After everyone opened their mouths like this, Ain said the following to the three of them.

“You see, Roddy said he wanted people to see his gallantry. Then it is obvious what I have to do.”

Then, the atmosphere around Ain changed completely.

The three of them felt that presence for the first time, and their bodies froze for a moment.

“I am the one who will win. No matter who my opponent is, I won’t give that up.”

Of the three, it was Butz who heard and felt the voice more than any of the others.

Is this my opponent? As he thought that, a tremor that was hard to tell whether it was from excitement or fear struck his body.

“The hero who defeated the sea dragon, huh…?”

Butz muttered to himself, feeling the strength of Ain in his body.

The man who defeated the sea dragon. This man must also have a different kind of strength, he thought.

“My goodness. I can’t believe this is coming from the one who ate all the food from the stalls.”

“It was delicious. Maybe I’ll buy some to take home.”

It’s a rather unsatisfying ending, but what he felt before wasn’t a lie.

Thinking this, Butz steeled himself.

“The seats are filling up. It’s time for you two to go to the waiting room.”

Roland, looking at the place, tells Ain and Butz that it’s time to go.

“Well, shall we go, Butz?”

Ain stands up and says.

“Yes, let’s go.”

“Your Highness, please be careful not to get hurt! And, Butz, don’t push yourself too hard!”

“Good luck to you both!”

So Ain and Butz left the scene.

Their destination was the waiting room for the contestants. With each step they took, they could feel their heartbeats quicken.

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