Chapter 18: Practical Skills Evaluation (4)  

Before Theo and Ralph entered the arena, Mari spoke.

[Professor Rok, what do you think about this match?]

[...Both students prefer close combat over magic. Theo's chances of winning are extremely slim. Ralph is armed with outstanding buffs, like a sturdy paladin of the order. Theo would have to pull out an unexpected trump card to create even a tiny variable.]

Rok adjusted his glasses as he continued.

[I've seen Theo's strategic side multiple times recently, but in a match that only allows duel weapons, it's difficult to create variables. However, a hero must overcome any challenge. Since he's from a distinguished family of heroes, he might show us something.]

As Rok finished speaking, Ralph made an imposing entrance, gripping a blunt weapon in each hand. Following the rule that only allowed leather armor, Ralph was dressed in leather armor.

[Ranked 37th in the school year, this is Ralph. His alias is the Buff Knight. As you might expect, his specialty is various enhancement buffs!]

Accompanied by Mari's commentary, Ralph marched confidently toward the arena, glancing at the Hero Department audience.

When he locked eyes with Piel, he raised his hand toward her.

However, Piel looked away in less than a second.

'I guess Piel is watching me...!'

A lovesick boy can easily fall into delusion.

As Ralph was about to climb onto the arena with a grin, Theo, also wearing leather armor and a longsword around his waist, entered. Unlike Ralph, Theo walked with grace, like a runway model.

"..."

The audience was quiet. Theo's Natural Power-enhanced aura dominated the arena.

The spectators could only stare at Theo, feeling his powerful presence, as if entranced.

'Ah, this is so embarrassing.'

Theo was too afraid to look around and kept his eyes straight ahead. On the other hand, the audience members felt various emotions.

'...Parasitic brat. I want to slap him.'

'Wow... he's really handsome. He has an impressive atmosphere too, just like a hero from a picture book.'

Be that as it may, Irene clenched her fist as she stared at Theo from the Knight Department audience.

'Even though he's improved, his opponent is too strong. He'll probably lose. But I hope his spirit remains unbroken...'

Mina, sitting next to Irene, glanced at her.

'I guess she really is his fiancée. I didn't know she could make that kind of expression.'

Mina knew that Theo was Irene's fiancé through a short article. She patted Irene's shoulder.

"He won the face contest, at least."

The match between Ralph and Theo began. Ralph smirked and said,

"Come at me first."

Ralph had intended to toy with Theo.

He planned to thoroughly mock him without using his special skill, the enhancement buff, as if to show off to Piel, who had recently taken a keen interest in Theo.

However,

"······!"

Theo closed the distance in an instant.

His speed was much more fierce than anticipated.

Ralph hurriedly raised his blunt weapon to block Theo's sword.

"Ugh, huff."

A tingling sensation spread through Ralph's body from the other side of the weapon.

But that wasn't the end of it. Theo continued to attack with a highly refined form, one after another.

These weren't just one-pattern attacks but various moves such as stabbing, slashing, and gliding.

'Why...why is this bastard so strong?'

A flustered Ralph barely fended off Theo's attacks and created distance. The spectators were just as flustered.

"What the hell? Is that guy ranked 181st in the grade? The Hero Department sure is something."

"No, he ran away even before competing during the first semester. He's infamous, the disgrace of the Hero Department. That Ralph guy seems to be going easy on him."

"What if he...actually wins?"

The murmurs of the spectators reached Ralph's ears.

This provoked Ralph's temperament. 'Damn it, I have no choice. I'll just use it.'

Ralph bit his lips and used his enhancement buff.

Ralph's enhancement buff magic could only be used on himself, but it had an extremely short casting time, almost non-existent.

Feeling his mana drain away like the ebb of a tide, Ralph laughed triumphantly.

Ralph's energy had changed.

While one could usually only guess, [Observer's Eye] could even determine what kind of buff was used.

Haste, Strength, and Hard Armor.

Currently, three were stacked.

At this point in this route, Ralph could use a total of four buffs... So one was still left.

The last buff was his secret technique.

So he's testing me even further, is that it? I thought I had cornered him, but he still has some room to spare.

"Annoying."

"What?"

I didn't answer Ralph's question. Instead, I used the special effect of my Natural Power, Overload, and imbued my longsword with the power of [Magic Nullification].

I'll make him bring out his last buff right away.

"······Huh."

As I exhaled a short breath, I rushed towards Ralph.

Clang, clash─!

Sword and blunt weapon collided.

Even though I used Overload, Ralph's strength with three stacked buffs was greater.

My current strength stat should be around 12.

His specs are truly terrifying...

But it doesn't matter. The first attack was just a feint.

I simultaneously aimed for his wrist and thigh as I disengaged my sword from his club. It was a technique I learned from Irene.

Swish.

"Ugh!"

Ralph, whose thigh was slashed, flinched.

"Damn it!"

Enraged, he swung his club at me wildly.

As expected, my prediction was spot on.

The more they lose their rationality and rely on their instincts, the easier it becomes to deal with them. Their patterns become simpler.

Moreover, Ralph was particularly hot-tempered.

Thanks to that, I could now see and anticipate Ralph's next move.

Ralph's skills and skill management were lacking compared to his enormous physical strength. He felt like a giant monster.

Since he had been successful so far with his overwhelming specs, he had never felt the importance of skills and skill management.

My body enhanced with Overload and the trait 'Twisted Noble's Dignity' kept me calm even in actual combat.

I dodged Ralph's continuous attacks by a hair's breadth and taunted him.

"Being 37th isn't that impressive." "What did you just say?!"

Ralph's face turned red, and he completely lost his rationality.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

He simply swung his club wildly, consumed by rage.

Gradually, a big gap began to show. My plan was to land a heavy blow.

Jang Woohee nullified all memorized spells containing mana with her 4 mana stat 'Magic Nullification.'

My mana stat is 0. If I could land just one blow, I could strip away all three buffs.

I dodged Ralph's attacks and persistently aimed for his thigh. The damage would accumulate, albeit shallow.

After about five strikes,

"You rat-like bastard!"

Ralph's movements came to a brief halt.

The perfect timing I had been waiting for. I lightly tapped Ralph's wrist with my sword, and then I spun low, slashing his ankle lightly as well.

At the same time, all the buffs surrounding Ralph were removed. If it had been a real sword, it would have easily severed his wrist and ankle.

It was a technique Irene often used.

"Wh-what...? Why is this happening all of a sudden?"

Ralph fell to the ground and fumbled around his body in confusion.

I looked down at him and said,

"Give up the match."

I suggested surrender.

To the spectators, it appeared as if the stronger person was urging the weaker one to stop before it got worse - a rather gentlemanly act.

Ralph would surely understand my intentions.

It was clear that there was no choice but to surrender.

But in reality, the duration of Overload had already ended.

If Ralph were to use his fourth and final buff now and charge at me, I'd have no choice but to run away for the remaining time.

When Ralph uses his fourth buff, he becomes a monster that cannot be caught with a mere practice longsword. The difference in stats would be at least doubled.

"Ku, kuh! What nonsense are you... D-don't act so smug, you bastard!"

Ralph stuttered due to his embarrassment and confusion.

"If this were real combat, it would already be over. You know that, Ralph Viole."

Saying that, I sheathed my sword.

Then, as if there was no longer any value in facing Ralph, I turned my back on him and slowly walked towards the edge of the arena.

Though Ralph wouldn't resort to a cheap move like targeting my back...

I could feel cold sweat running down my spine. It was fortunate that the [Twisted Noble's Dignity] trait kept me from trembling.

"I'll have my revenge, Theo Lyn Waldeurk!"

Ralph's sorrowful cry pierced my back. I wish he wouldn't do that.

But I had to say something to calm him down.

While still keeping my back turned, I twisted my head and spoke.

"I'll gladly await that day, Ralph Viole."

"Kuh...!"

With a furious expression, Ralph hung his head.

Step by step.

After taking about five steps away from Ralph.

"…I surrender, referee."

Ralph admitted defeat.

The match between Theo and Ralph was over.

Everyone, from Mari and Rok, who had predicted Ralph's victory, to the spectators, was left dumbfounded.

Breaking the silence, Mari, who was in the commentator's seat, spoke.

"[…The winner of the thirty-ninth match is... Theo.]"

Grateful that she hadn't stuttered, Mari continued the broadcast.

"[Please give a round of applause to the hardworking Theo and Ralph.]"

Initially, no spectators were quick to offer applause due to the shocking outcome. However, the first to clap were the orcs from the Hero Department, including Noctar Hermod.

Clap, clap, clap!

Their enthusiastic applause spread throughout the audience, and soon, the sound of clapping filled the dome arena.

'What on earth happened, Theo? This is really big trouble…'

Aisha, with her anxious and nervous face, clapped as well.

'…It must be a trait like mine.'

Jang Woohee, with her curious eyes, also applauded.

'…That idiot actually won.'

Piel de Chalon, her eyes wide open, clapped as well.

'…Theo.'

Irene Aslan, torn between hatred and admiration, couldn't help but clap.

Everyone in the audience silently applauded Theo.

No one cheered out loud.

Everyone was too busy reminiscing about the beautiful swordsmanship and the true dignity of a strong fighter demonstrated by the silver-haired young man now leaving the arena.