CHAPTER 143: SWORDS CROSSED [1]

Following the round of 16, the quarterfinals had also concluded, and four people had advanced to the semifinals.

[Jousting Competition Semifinals Bracket

»Balrosi Viston (1st year top rank) VS Rob Kaellin (4th year top rank)

»Luina Berchef (2nd year top rank) VS Kuntz Bayal (3rd year 12th rank)]

People were surprised that there was one student from each year, but that first-year wasn’t Aint.

That position should have been mine!

My name should have been on that newspaper!

I even defeated a demon! Why! Why!

’It’s not that serious. It was my fault. Please stop this!’

Aint put down the newspaper. Only then did Gardner’s voice stop.

Pathetic guy. A thousand years ago, knights of your caliber were so common they could be kicked around.

"...Common? Really?"

Well, not so common that they could be kicked around.

Aint sighed in relief, gaining a tiny bit of comfort.

I was actually a bit surprised. This era is quite abundant.

I didn’t expect that you, having absorbed the Saint Bird’s heart and Andromalius’s power, wouldn’t gain much benefit in terms of aura.

Of course, on average, Aint’s aura was certainly abundant. But in Gardner’s view, there were too many people above average in this era.

Aura or mana wouldn’t accumulate rapidly just by relentlessly practicing an excellent cultivation method.

That meant there were many auxiliary means. Such as elixirs.

Of course, aura doesn’t just increase indiscriminately by consuming elixirs.

If that’s not the case, then this Almon guy must either come from an outstanding family...

"The Donertz family isn’t particularly remarkable."

Then he must be receiving sponsorship. From some rich magnate.

"...Senior Gerhard?"

It wouldn’t be him. The atmosphere wasn’t particularly favorable.

Well, there were plenty of wealthy magnates in the Empire.

Goldenheim was merely the wealthiest family on the continent, not the only wealthy family.

After finishing his conversation with Gardner, Aint checked the time, washed up, and changed into outdoor clothes.

It was to watch the semifinals.

He particularly wanted to see the matches of Luina Berchef and Rob Kaellin, who was considered a strong candidate for the championship.

"Wow, without Senior Gerhard, I definitely couldn’t have gotten tickets, right?"

That’s why it’s convenient to have parvenus around. They’re like all-purpose artifacts that can solve most problems.

Though he hadn’t thought of them as all-purpose artifacts, it was true that they were convenient thanks to them.

Sitting in his seat, Aint realized there were guests on both sides.

"Ariadne? Veriana?"

"Aint? Is this seat yours?"

"Looks like you got tickets from Senior Gerhard too."

These ones also received tickets from the parvenu, I see.

It seemed so.

"Ariadne, aren’t you going to watch the Magic Tournament?"

"I wanted to, but Senior Gerhard only gave me tickets for the Jousting Competition. I wonder why?"

It was because he wanted the three people who would face the demon together to become closer.

Especially Ariadne, who was acknowledged as Aint’s companion by the prophecy book.

But from Ariadne’s perspective, who didn’t know this, it felt like being forcibly dragged away from the competition she wanted to watch.

The competition soon began.

"Rob Kaellin!"

At the announcer’s call, Rob Kaellin slowly ascended to the arena.

He had an overall sturdy appearance. Yet, he somehow exuded a refined atmosphere, giving somewhat contradictory impressions.

Despite his gentle-looking face, he’s like a well-honed blade.

Indeed a worthy winner from last year.

Gardner evaluated him as a talent who could certainly aim to become the next Royal Knight.

"Rob Kaellin!"

"Win again this time!"

"I bet everything on you!"

"Rob! Rob! Rob!"

People’s cheers resonated loudly. Most of them were about money and betting.

"...Is it normal to have so much talk about betting?"

"Didn’t you know? Senior Gerhard promised rewards to those who make the most correct predictions."

That’s why more people were participating in betting than in previous festivals, he’d heard.

"To turn the sacred Jousting Competition into a gambling den..."

"Right. It’s funny how they’re all trying when I’ll be the one taking the prize anyway."

"Right, you’ll...?"

Veriana tilted her head. Something didn’t add up.

"Don’t tell me..."

"What?"

"Don’t tell me you’ve been betting too?"

"I’ve been doing it without missing a single one, of course."

Veriana made an incredulous expression.

"Weren’t elves supposed to be detached from money?"

"It’s just that we don’t need to be desperate for it. There’s no reason not to earn what can be earned, right?"

Since it wasn’t wrong, Veriana couldn’t find more words and closed his mouth.

"Balrosi Viston!"

Meanwhile, Balrosi came up from the opposite side.

Despite the hot cheers and fervor of the audience, he remained as calm as ever.

"...Balrosi Viston."

"What do you think of Balrosi?"

"Aren’t you close with him?"

"You used to be close with him."

"We weren’t particularly close. I just wanted to be friends with him."

"But you didn’t get his attention. Poor thing."

"Shut up, Ariadne. You’re one to talk."

"At least I don’t lack attention like some people."

Using their quarrel as a backdrop, Aint turned his gaze toward Balrosi.

An ambiguous guy. Even though that Veriana might seem a bit foolish now, his abilities aren’t weak. I hear the Kalproten marquis family is also among the top in the Empire.

Yet, he’s so friendly to you, who has nothing, while deliberately pushing Veriana away.

Gardner’s doubt was also Aint’s doubt.

’Maybe he only shows goodwill to Grand Duke families, like Ariadne?’

That elf doesn’t ’only’ show goodwill to Grand Duke families.

If that were the case, she wouldn’t have befriended Veriana Kalproten.

That was true. Thinking that way made it even stranger. What exactly did Balrosi want?

"Even you would find Balrosi challenging, right?"

At that moment, Veriana spoke abruptly.

It was a statement purely from a swordsmanship perspective.

Though Aint had defeated Andromalius, he couldn’t deny that he had significant help from the special properties of the Armian power.

’That’s true, and as Gardner said, Senior Gerhard’s help was also significant.’

That golem was a weapon unparalleled in this world. I never imagined it would be possible to engage in a battle between a demon and a giant.

It killed the weakened serpent with Aint’s power and drove the demon halfway back.

Thinking that way, Aint became more curious about Gerhard than Balrosi.

’What kind of person is he, really?’

Why did he make such a golem and carry it around?

’Could it be that he knew in advance about the demon being summoned...?’

That’s just speculation. Unless he knows the future, such a thing would be impossible.

And knowing the future was impossible.

’Right, that must be it.’