71 – Ranked match

bubbling…

A thin air bubble escapes from between the lips.

What comes into my eyes through the blurred vision is the black abyss of the sea.

I was standing at the bottom of the sea.

‘This is…..’

Quietly turn your head and look around.

An unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar space.

During the last school trip, it was a space I briefly saw in my dream.

—-It’s been a while.

Familiar voices are heard from behind.

If you slightly turn your head and look at the source of the sound, there are two dolls that you can see without fail.

Leiden Lysit.

and Naru Kim.

Two boys with identical faces are standing side by side and looking at me.

The black hair of the boys is amicably disheveled according to the swaying waves.

The boys stared blankly at me for a while,

At the same time, he frowned and said.

—-Why don’t you listen to us?

—-We told you, don’t forget.

I tilted my head at the reprimanding voice.

don’t forget what?

—-From the beginning, we were the same existence, that’s what I said.

ㅡThe future ‘me’ doesn’t listen well.

It was only then that the contents of the dream that I had for a while during the school trip passed through my head.

However, even when it comes to mind, the question is not resolved, but rather deepens.

We’re the same thing, what the hell does that mean?

What about the ‘future me’? what else is that…

I asked with my mouth open without sound.

Bubbling, bubbles of air leak out from between the gaping mouths.

—-Look at this… You haven’t accepted anything.

—-I can’t help it, the situation is too complicated.

Two boys conversing with each other while watching me swaying in the water.

For some reason, I felt like I had to listen to that conversation.

wait, what are you talking about?

let me know too…

As they opened their mouths, Naru and Raiden looked at each other with troubled expressions.

Among them, Raiden, the slightly taller one, opened his mouth.

—-You still… No, I can’t say anything to ‘me’.

ㅡRight now, we are blocked by a ‘wall’.

Thee…? to me…?

No, more than that, what is a ‘wall’?

ㅡIn my heart, I want to explain everything right away, but…

—-Stop it, you know it’s not possible.

When the boy in the form of Raiden mumbled for a while,

This time, the boy in the form of Naru, who was next to him, opened his mouth.

—-This is the only way we can intervene in ‘the current me’.

—-More than that is difficult, I wonder if the wall disappears.

The two boys exchanged conversation like that, looking at me.

There was a strange familiarity in those eyes.

—-If you want to know something, tear down the wall for a while.

—-In that case, we will find you again.

Wait, you didn’t answer anything.

A wall, I don’t know…

—-If you don’t know, you should know.

—-Because that is the way to reach new facts and old truths.

After saying that, the figures of the two boys disappeared.

Confused, I shook my head and looked around.

But they were nowhere to be found.

As if it had never been here in the first place.

And after that, my vision also slowly collapsed.

A small voice is heard between the gradually emerging consciousness.

—-Don’t forget the words this time, Raiden.

—-That we were the same existence from the beginning.

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“……ah.”

When I woke up, I was hugging Rachel’s pillow.

Did you toss and turn in your sleep yesterday?

The pillow didn’t intend to come out, held tightly in my arms.

Maybe because of my hazy mind, my head couldn’t turn properly.

However, if there is one thing that comes to mind even in such a hazy consciousness…

“f*ck, what kind of dream was that?”

It was the content of a dream I had yesterday.

It is strange to breathe in the depths of the sea, at the bottom of the deep sea,

And two boys in the shape of Raiden and me?

At the content of the dream, which was too vague, I drool and washed my face dry.

“……Have you been very tired lately?”

It wasn’t a nightmare, so I guess so.

Also, I didn’t feel too good about it.

It was because the dream felt so real and vivid.

I thought about last night’s dream for a while, and then I shook off my thoughts and got out of bed.

“Huuu… I can’t be swept away by these thoughts…”

Today is the first day of the ranking match.

Two days before the incident.

I’ll probably have to move busier, much busier from today.

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I had a lot of things to do,

The first thing I had to do was participate in the ranking match.

No matter how high the probability of cancellation of the exam is, it is impossible to mess with the tournament brackets that have already been assigned.

‘Besides… there are a few things I want to try while sparring.’

I quietly fiddled with the practice wooden sword tied around my waist.

I left the dormitory and walked towards the carriage stop.

ㅡ wheee…

The wind that flows like a brush passes by my cheek.

The winter wind has the power to wake up sleepy mornings.

When I let out a tired yawn, a long white steam stretched into the air.

While I was stretching and rubbing my tight eyes,

A light peach scent touches the bridge of the nose.

“…….”

Could it be that the smell was absorbed into my body because I slept hugging a pillow yesterday?

A sweet scent wafts from the hem of the dress.

The heat rose to my face for no reason.

‘Damn it…. I was so awake in the morning that I didn’t feel anything…’

Now that I think about it, I feel ashamed to death.

I’m going to sleep hugging Rachel’s pillow…

“sh*t.”

I brush my reddened cheeks and shake off my thoughts.

Before long, the steps reach the carriage stop.

After getting on a wagon, we headed to the ‘Public Gymnasium’ where the ranking match was held.

in a running wagon.

I look out the window at the scenery passing by,

I thought about the tournament in a few hours.

“Come to think of it, was Maharet… my first opponent?”

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before ranking.

It was a traditional practical evaluation only for Reynolds Academy, which takes place twice a year.

On top of the round coliseum-type arena, two students share a dance.

This evaluation, which provides primitive fights and splendid sights, was popular with students who watched.

The boring academy life and the hot fight that takes you out of your studies.

Students viewed the ranking match as a kind of ‘sports festival’ rather than simply ‘evaluation’.

Even at the actual academy, ranking matches have always been held like a ‘festival’.

“Hey, hey, the first game starts soon! Let’s go quickly!”

“Wait a minute! I need to buy some popcorn!”

And is it because such a ranking match has started?

The atmosphere at the academy was hotter than ever before.

“Who were the guys in the first game?”

“With Reverse Swordsman Kelvin and the sword of the hammer! Isn’t it a big match?”

“Hmm… I’m more looking forward to the third game than that?”

In front of the ‘Public Gymnasium’ where the ranking match takes place.

Numerous students gather to create a buzzing sound.

Eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

Their eyes were on the tournament schedule posted on the bulletin board.

Reciprocal Swordsman Kelvin and the Sword of the Hammer,

Kurian of black magic and Lone of divine power, etc.

There were several matchups that stimulated students’ interest.

And if there is one matchup that draws the most attention, it is…

“Hey, hey, look at this!”

“Huh… crazy, is this real?”

[The 4th game]

[Raiden Resit vs Maharet Pilar]

It was a matchup between Raiden and Maharet.

The students looked at it, their eyes twinkling at the interesting combination.

“Chief of the Ministry of Magic, Princess Maharet and a fool…”

“Hey, I’m not an idiot anymore…. These days, it doesn’t seem like he’s even doing that.”

“Hasn’t it been called the hero of the academy these days?”

“Hahaha!! So, is it a confrontation between the hero of the academy and the head of the Ministry of Magic?”

Maharet, who usually showed outstanding skills as the head of the Ministry of Magic,

Raiden earned the title of ‘Academy’s Hero’ by resolving major recent events.

It was a matchup that seemed like it would be fun to watch.

And one more thing.

Aside from the outstanding skills of the two,

There was something that caught the attention of the students…

“Wow… that’s exactly what it is. Ex-girlfriend vs ex-boyfriend.”

“I heard that it hasn’t been 2 years since they broke up…”

“Hehehe… it must be really fun, right?”

It was the relationship between the two.

Owners of certain skills, and complex character relationships between them.

Given these attractive elements, it was only natural that the matchup between Maharet and Raiden would be successful.

So it’s 3:00 p.m.

The time when the matchup between Raiden and Maharet finally begins.

The auditorium at the public gymnasium, which seats about 1,500, was packed with expectant students and faculty.

And there was a silver-haired girl and a black-haired boy looking at the spectator seats with a confused expression.

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ㅡWaaa!!

As I stepped onto the dance floor, I suddenly heard an enthusiastic shout.

It was the sound that came from the packed crowd.

At that deafening sound, I, who was fiddling with the steel sword for sparring, frowned.

what the f*ck

What are you screaming for?

Why are there so many people?

If you turn your head slightly, you can see the seats filled with almost full seats.

They were screaming eagerly, each holding a popcorn in his hand.

“……”

Sometimes I wonder if I can’t understand the emotions of this world well.

Making a fuss about just doing the dance…

I let out a small sigh and looked ahead, and my eyes met the girl with silver hair standing across from me.

A red eye that shines like a blazing fire.

“……”

“……”

Let’s share our gaze with those red eyes for a while,

The host’s voice echoes loudly in the gymnasium.

“Now then! I will start the 4th game!”

ㅡWaaa!!!!

Really….. It’s going to be a joke.

Does it get worse if you just keep calm, you bastards?

He let out a deep sigh and straightened his sword.

Correspondingly, Maharet, who was standing across from him, also began to store mana in his hands.

“I’m not going to watch it.”

《Prepare players!》

While I was getting ready, I heard a word.

I am silent for a moment, then answer.

“As much as you like.”

“start!!!!!!”

The test begins with a loud signal from the presenter.

Maharet, who was saving mana, fired magic directly at me.

“Wind Cutter x 2!!”

At the same time as the incantation was recited quickly, the wind blades shot towards me.

I gazed at the rust-colored wind with my eyes shining coldly.

“I’ve been learning something lately, though.”

ㅡIt’s perfect for practice.

He muttered that and raised his sword.

The tip of the sword points slightly upward.

Suppress hand tremors and inject strength.

The foot is one step forward, the raised arm is slightly back.

Gently combine the movements of the whole body one by one.

The combined movements form a large mass of ‘posture’,

The mass of that posture becomes a ‘formula’.

With the finished formula, I swing my sword.

Like splitting a mountain.

As if you were cutting out the sky.

-Imperial swordsmanship type 1-

“Cut up and down.”

The sword strike and the rust-colored blades collided.