Chapter 18

Chapter Three: Inescapable Hurt

1

I RUN A LITTLE SHOP IN THE ROYAL CAPITAL. Business is…well…it’s all right, I suppose. I’m leaving the store to my wife today and heading to Aslan Magic Academy. There’s a duel on today that I just have to see. I don’t think I’ll be too late coming back today, but I guess I should buy a little something on my way home to keep me in the wife’s good graces…

Today, it’s top of the first-year class, Luke Witharia Gilbert’s, first public rank duel…I really can’t wait. I’ve been watching Aslan rank duels for years now, so I know best of all that the first years this time around are really something special. First, I saw that match between Blue Flame Beast and Ice Queen. I’m so spoiled by the big, showy magic battles of the upperclassmen, so to be honest, I hadn’t expected much out of the two of them. Their duel was seriously shocking stuff, though, when I actually went out to see it. Those flames had such pure strength, I still remember how they literally heated up the whole arena, lightin’ a fire in all of us. Then there was Ice Queen, who froze the flames and everything else. That sent shivers down my spine—“incredible” doesn’t even begin to describe her.

So then, that got me wondering about the highest-ranked first year. A while later, there was the first victory of Little Thunder God and the birth of Hero—both students who really got the crowd going. Personally, I cheered so loud for both of them that my voice was hoarse by the end. But heck, that’s exactly why I want to see the best they’ve got. If they’re so amazing, then just how much better is this first-rank student? I want to see him so badly, I just can’t wait.

My expectations have just been growin’ day by day…but it took so long for a single one of his duels to come. How come nobody challenged him? Everyone else is powerful too, so why didn’t they even try?

Today’s the day I figure that out.

I entered through the crowd doors, and once up the arena staircase, I found half of the seats already filled by others who had gotten there early. I picked out the best spot of what was left and took my seat.

“Hey, I figured I might see you here. Can’t miss this one, eh?!” said a voice beside me.

“Well, well!” I exclaimed, turning to see a familiar face. “If it ain’t Butch!”

He’s an acquaintance…runs a little bar in the city, and he’s just as big a rank-duel fan as I am. We got to know each other after we met a few times at the arena.

The two of us spent a while chatting the time away. It was only natural that we would lapse into such lively conversation, given our shared interests. We were still talking when the announcement came.

“Attention. The ranked duel is about to begin. Polpon Revy Dina Milestia in 72nd place, versus Luke Witharia Gilbert in 81st place!”

The announcer’s voice sounded inappropriately sluggish—a feeble prelude to what was to come.

We didn’t get a great commentator today, huh… I thought to myself. Regardless, my excitement was already reaching its peak. The other crowd members clearly felt the same, almost shaking the arena on its foundations as they raised their cheering voices.

“All right, it’s here at last!”

“Yeah! They’re finally gonna fight!”

The two students entered, and the sight amped up the crowd’s voltage even higher, making them cheer even louder, their expectations rising to new heights.

“That’s him…”

That was the first time I ever saw the boy—Luke. From the very second I laid eyes upon him, some sort of deep instinct kicked in, and I knew in my heart that he was evil.

“Begin!”

But once the duel began, none of that seemed to matter anymore. The outrageous spells that the two of them began to use left me speechless.

What is that…? What the heck is that…?!

I encountered a dragon once, back when I was just a kid. I learned later that the dragon I saw was just a child itself, only just born into this world…but I still have clear memories of the primal fear I felt in that moment, like my blood was boiling in my veins. That moment taught me the true hierarchy of living beings. I felt I could do nothing but wait for my own death in that dragon’s presence, and it took years for me to recover from the nightmare.

If a passing adventurer hadn’t saved my life back then, I wouldn’t be here today. I don’t know why, but…I feel an incredibly intense and weirdly similar emotion filling my heart today too. This time though…it’s an intoxicating fever burning inside of me. It’s not fear.

That was how awesome their battle was—I forgot to breathe.

“Aha ha ha ha!”

He’s a demon king, I thought to myself when I heard his evil laughter. That’s the evil that the bards are always singing about. The lord of monsters, using his great power to plunge our world into fear and darkness. I don’t know if such a thing could even exist…but if it could, this is what it would look like, no question. Ah…I just want to see what this kid is going to do next! Does that make me his fan? Even if it does, I don’t care! I want to watch his duels so badly!

When I came to, everyone in the arena was on their feet and clapping their hands with enthusiastic abandon.

***

A number of problems came to light over my first two months at the academy, like the terrifyingly thick letter bundles that my parents would send from time to time, or the allowance so large that I couldn’t possibly hope to spend it within the month…

Still, you do sort of get used to that sort of stuff.

I supposed most of my problems were never really problems at all. Things that most ordinary individuals would struggle over, I could manage with ease…usually.

I do still get those sharp pains in my stomach. I’ve got them right now, actually… “Huh? A prince?”

Well, there’s one more thing to worry about.

“Yes, a prince. The boy you beat yesterday was the second prince of this kingdom. You must have met him on several occasions at palace parties… You really don’t have any interest in others at all, do you?”

“…”

She’s totally right. I can never remember a thing about the people I don’t think are worth remembering.

I could say nothing to defend myself against Alice’s accusations. I remained silent while we walked side by side, as we often did nowadays, and my thoughts turned to analyzing the prince.

He didn’t look like he was older than me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a bit younger, actually. Putting it in slang terms, I’d call our second prince one of those “shota” character types. Anyway, I guess there’s nothing strange about a prince being enrolled at this academy, and since he’s royalty, it figures that he’s good at magic.

…Wait a second. Come to think of it, his last name was “Milestia,” wasn’t it?

I couldn’t help but groan outwardly.

I had a pretty bad feeling about the whole thing. As much as I hoped that nothing would come of it, I was also resigned to being dragged into more trouble as a result of yesterday’s duel.

“L-Luke…it’s okay.”

“…Yeah.”

Why am I so resigned, exactly? That has a lot to do with the fact that Mia’s walking by my side, just like Alice. Over these past two months, I’ve had her complete her training with that Armor of Healing Thunder spell. It still needs to be refined, but I think she’s done well, given the time constraints. She also won her first victory in a rank duel against Lily, that girl who’s always tailing Abel, and right now she’s burning with the desire to get her revenge on Lloyd. Mia’s my pawn, and I’m happy about that. But, well…I don’t actually need any pawns right now. This all started because of Yolande, Alice’s creepy older brother. I’m sure I’ll need loyal followers at some point in the future, but all that doesn’t have to happen right now. There are far too many other things I should be doing with my time.

Under my direct guidance, Mia developed some powerful abilities and even won herself a victory. I was sure she’d be well free of the fear of defeat now. That’s why I told her that she could quit being my pawn, that my obligations to her had been fulfilled. Well, apparently that was the wrong thing for me to say. She started crying—just full-on sobbing, really hard. She was seriously wailing so much that she even left Alice speechless. To make matters worse, this happened in one of the academy buildings, so her crying attracted the attention of a few instructors and students and caused a minor panic. Seriously, I don’t get her. I mean, I was the one who took advantage of her weakened mental state. It’s not like I’ve ever shown her kindness… To be honest, I’ve been pretty mean to her this whole time. We also haven’t known each other for that long. So, how did this happen? I simply can’t comprehend what caused all of this…

“…”

I gave Mia a sideways glance.

I mean…I think I see real, deep darkness behind her eyes…or am I just overthinking things? Alice was really hostile toward her at first, but she’s stopped talking about Mia now. It’s a bit scary that it’s become so normal for the three of us to be together…but it’s not all bad, I guess.

My father recently sent me a letter about a big festival coming up in the neighboring empire this summer, called the Sword Saint Festival. The event is for strong warriors from nations across the world to put their sword skills to the test—a tournament to find the peak of swordmanship. I bet Alfred told my father about it, but it really does sound like a fun opportunity. I’ve decided that I really want to compete, and I’m going to make that happen, no matter what. For the time being, I guess I’ll go and check with my homeroom teacher, Freya.

I still can’t stop thinking about that day I found her in the cleaning supply closet, though. Instructor Freya is usually so strict and formal, which really only makes that incident stick in my mind all the more. Why did she feel the need to hide in there? Why was she acting so weird? I’ve got no idea what she was thinking.

Eventually, we reached the door to the student cafeteria. I stepped inside, picked up whatever caught my eye first, and sat down wherever was closest. It irritated me to no end that even those small actions drew glances from others in the hall.

I guess it’s not like this only started recently. Rumors about my Dark element had been swirling since before I even entered this academy. After yesterday’s rank duel though…I feel like the looks have gotten even more intense. Whatever. I seriously don’t give a damn about the rabble.

“Ah, Luke! Let’s eat together!”

It was just as I was settling down to eat that I heard someone call out to me, and I looked up to see Abel and Lily. Without even waiting for a response, they both sat down opposite me, as if they always sat opposite me—another thing I just couldn’t understand.

I threw a puppy a few scraps, and now he won’t stop following me around and nuzzling against my leg. He’s even coming to eat with me now, like this is some sort of regular thing?

However, I was too tired to turn him down.

Why is this happening? What did I do to him to deserve this…?

“I saw your rank duel yesterday!”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yeah, it was really amazing! I’ve gotta try my best too!”

“Just you wait, Mia,” said Lily. “I’m going to get my revenge, I guarantee it!”

“Whenever you’re ready…” Mia replied.

“Hmph! Playing tough, eh?”

“A pathetic battle between those at the bottom, rolling about in the mud,” quipped Alice.

“Wh-what did you just say—”

Oh, just shut up.

The others around me only became louder and louder.

Damn it. So there are some things I cannot even do anything about? Screw that. Screw it all. They really should…I mean, I’m gonna…well…ah, screw that too, actually. I’m tired, so I guess I’ll let them off the hook just for today.

“Hey, Luke. Look over there,” Alice whispered in my ear, indicating a direction with her eyes. A certain student was walking toward our table. I knew exactly who they were, and a sadness as wide and deep as the ocean swallowed me immediately. It was the shota prince—Polpon.

Stop it…stop getting me mixed up in all of these annoyances! But wait…it’s too soon to be jumping to conclusions. Maybe he’s got something to say to the person behind me?

“…Luke.”

Of course not.

I knew this was coming. I suppose I’ve just got a talent for getting myself mixed up in irritating crap like this.

“I must swallow my pride and ask you for a favor!” declared Polpon.

“I refuse,” I answered without delay.

“Wh-what?! N-no…”