Chapter 26: Battle Royale
As Seo glanced back behind her, her eyes caught the sight of Alice, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel, directed right at her.
Despite the intensity of Alice’s gaze, Seo couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction bubbling within her, threatening to break into a smile.
It was a subtle victory, one she hadn’t anticipated but relished nonetheless.
In that moment, Seo found herself pondering the inexplicable feeling of triumph coursing through her veins.
It was a sensation she couldn’t quite grasp, yet it enveloped her with a sense of fulfillment unlike any she had experienced in her sixteen years of life.
For once, she found herself enjoying something beyond the rigorous training of swordsmanship that had dominated her existence thus far.
Observing Riley’s adorable yet bewildered expression, Seo sensed his lingering confusion regarding the recent events.
Seeking to alleviate his unease, she reached out and gently intertwined her fingers with his, their hands fitting together like puzzle pieces as they walked side by side.
“Seo…?” Riley’s voice sounded startled, his eyes betraying a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
“Do you not like it, perhaps?” Doubt crept into her mind, fueled by the sudden realization that she might have overstepped a boundary.
Had she misjudged the situation?
Was her attempt at comfort perceived as too much, too soon?
Her mind raced with thoughts, recalling snippets from her cherished book about the delicate balance of physical affection in male-female interactions.
The book did mention about men being a bit sensitive with a woman’s touch… perhaps Riley didn’t like it?
“… No, not really”
But hearing his answer Seo calmed down her troubled heart and continued their walk together.
Remembering Alice’s super annoyed face once more, Seo smiled silently.
Almost unknowingly, Seo’s hands curled into fists, a physical manifestation of the satisfaction swelling within her.
She realized, with a sense of clarity, that she had emerged victorious in a battle she hadn’t even recognized she was fighting.
And more importantly, she had successfully thwarted the advances of another woman, ensuring that her best friend remained by her side.
In her beloved book [How to Make Friends]
Seo found solace and guidance amidst its pages.
Within its well-worn covers lay a set of rules she held dear, rules that seemed to offer a roadmap to navigate the complexities of friendship.
One rule, in particular, resonated deeply with her: the admonition to never let a troublesome woman snatch away one’s male best friend.
As Seo reflected on this rule, a sense of pride swelled within her.
She had adhered to its wisdom, and the thought thrilled her.
‘I did it I protected my best friend!’
Indeed, she had acted swiftly to protect her friend Riley from what she perceived as impending trouble. Initially oblivious to the nature of the situation unfolding before her, it only took a single glance at Alice’s expression to understand the potential threat she posed.
‘She was probably the most troublesome woman he could’ve have ever met.’
That was why she nodded to herself in satisfaction as she dragged the silent Riley next to her.
But for some reason, why does he look like he’s in pain again?
‘Does his tummy hurt, perhaps?’
Seo couldn’t help but wonder as she tilted her head.
….
Haah… fuck me.
This woman beside me might as well be a hurricane, tossing me around like a scrap of paper in the wind.
Every time I slow my pace, she effortlessly tugs me forward, leaving me feeling like a puppet at her mercy.
And her grip on my hand? It’s so tight that I can barely feel my fingers, like they’re slipping into numbness all over again.
‘Can I even fight properly now?’
I’m pretty sure most of the bones I just healed are broken once more. But it’s not just her iron grip that’s the problem; it’s the stares.
Everywhere we go, it feels like all eyes are on me, dissecting my every move with a mix of curiosity and speculation.
Back in the classroom and the cafeteria, I thought I’d already attracted more than enough attention.
But this?
This is something else entirely.
I can practically hear the rumors swirling around me, shaping perceptions and solidifying whatever reputation I’ve managed to carve out for myself.
Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, but right now, it’s just uncomfortable as hell.
And what gets me is how Seo seems totally unbothered by it all. Is she really that unfazed, or is she just better at hiding it than I am?
Noticing my gaze, she glanced back at me, tilting her head slightly.
But the expression I found on her face was one of complete detachment, devoid of any hint of concern or discomfort.
How I wished I possessed that kind of emotional resilience.
Anyways When is she planning on letting go?
Don’t tell she plans on holding onto my hand until the professors arrived right?
Despite my attempts to convey my discomfort and insistence for her to let go, she seemed resolute in maintaining our handhold.
Each time I broached the subject, her reaction was one of disappointment, leaving me feeling guilty and ultimately resigning myself to her grasp.
Was she not concerned about the implications of her actions?
I knew Seo had a somewhat idealized view of friendships, but surely, she understood that our current situation stretched the boundaries of platonic friendship, right?
Or maybe I was just overthinking it.
After all, wasn’t it normal for male and female best friends to hold hands?
‘Ah I’m confused now’
Frustration gnawed at me as I grappled with these thoughts, unable to find a clear answer.
In the end, I decided to push the questions aside and simply wait for the professors to arrive
“Hey, isn’t that guy…?”
“Isn’t the girl next to him the top-ranked in our year?”
“What’s she doing next to him?”
“Could they be a thing?”
The whispers buzzed around me like bees, each word stinging with implications I hadn’t fully considered.
Maybe I wasn’t overreacting after all.
Perhaps Seo hadn’t realized the implications of her actions, how they breached the unspoken boundaries of friendship.
Should I ask her to let go now, before things spiraled further out of control?
“Se—”
But before I could voice my thoughts, the arrival of the professors interrupted us.
Unlike the monocled man who had introduced the class yesterday, this duo commanded attention in an entirely different way.
The first was a bearded old man, his muscles bulging beneath his suit in a display of raw strength.
The second was a striking woman, her presence enhanced by the katana strapped to her side.
Together, they exuded an aura of warriors, their energy palpable as they strode purposefully toward us.
“ARE ALL OF YOU LOTS HERE!?” The old man’s voice thundered across the training field, echoing off the circular walls and reverberating in our ears. The abruptness of his shout startled me, snapping me out of my reverie a sentiment everyone here right now can relate to… he was just too loud.
I knew he was loud as he was a very familiar figure even in the game, but to think he would be this loud… my ear drums are practically ringing.
He then scanned our faces one by one before nodding, and shouting once more.
“GOOD, GOOD! LOOKS LIKE ALL OF YOU ARE HERE!” he declared, his volume making me wince involuntarily.
Did he really need to shout like that again?
“I AM FERDENAND LOOKVINE, THE SENIOR AND HEAD PROFESSOR FOR THE KNIGHT DEPARTMENT,” he announced, before gesturing towards the other figure beside him. “THIS ONE RIGHT HERE IS PROFESSOR YUKI, MY HEAD ASSISTANT.”
Professor Yuki, with a grace that seemed almost at odds with the impending gigantic old man in front of us, bowed before distributing wooden swords to each of us in turn.
“AS YOU LOT ALL KNOW BY NOW, YOU ARE UNDERGOING A PLACEMENT EXAM TO DETERMINE WHO AMONG YOU DESERVES TO ENTER CLASS A AND BE PLACED AMONG THE TOP 10 STUDENTS IN YOUR YEAR!” Ferdinand continued, his voice commanding attention. He clapped his hands together, and suddenly, small pillars rose from the ground, encircling us in a transparent blue barrier – the same one used in the Gymnasium placement exams.
“THE RULES ARE SIMPLE: FIGHT AND WIN. BE AMONG THE LAST 9 STUDENTS STANDING,” he explained, his tone leaving no room for ambiguity. “DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR RANKINGS. PROFESSOR YUKI AND I WILL OBSERVE EVERY DETAIL AND GRADE YOU BASED ON YOUR OVERALL PERFORMANCE.”
With his large smile he commanded everyone to come over to the circular field to begin the test right away.
This battle royale… I had prepared everything I needed to pass, but I still couldn’t help feeling nervous.
Fighting goblins was one thing, but going up against actual people was a whole different story.
However, knowing that most of the guys here were either formidable opponents or extremely skilled fighters, I had no intention of holding back.
Glancing around the expansive field, I made a mental note to steer clear of Lucas and Janica.
Not only were they practically guaranteed a spot in Class A, but they were also renowned as the strongest contenders among us.
Avoiding them would be wise if I hoped to make it on this trial unscathed.
Curiously, I realized I hadn’t yet spotted Lucas and Janica yet.
Given their striking appearances, they shouldn’t be difficult to find. Are they buried in the crowd perhaps?
Before I could dwell further on their whereabouts, Seo’s gesture snapped me back to the present.
Was that her way of wishing me luck?
‘How cute…’ I couldn’t help but think to myself, even though a good ‘luck’ was a non existential thing for me, I still appreciate her kindness.
I guess I needed to put on a good show, especially now, that she gave me her good luck.
Walking towards the center stage I by Professor Ferdinand, but his sudden grip on my shoulder jolted me to a halt.
“YOU…” he began, his voice carrying a weight of meaning that I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Sir?”
“NAH… IT’S NOTHING,” he dismissed with a cryptic shake of his head.
“JUST BE SURE TO HOLD BACK A LITTLE, KID,” he added, patting my shoulder before releasing me.
Hold back?
Did he seriously expect me to restrain myself in the heat of battle? If I held back, I might as well sign my own death warrant here.
The attention of the others immediately shifted towards us, drawn by Ferdinand’s booming voice and his unusual interaction with me.
Murmurs and whispers filled the air, adding to the weight of scrutiny already bearing down on me.
Haah… It seemed like I couldn’t escape the spotlight today, no matter how hard I tried.
“Riley… Fighting!”
Seo cheered me on with a double thumbs up this time.
‘Yup this girl had a knack for adding fuel to the fire’
Well anyways ignoring this innocent little girl I sat my mind straight, my focus was on one thing: ‘winning!’
“3, 3, 1 START!!!”
As Ferdinand’s voice rang out, signaling the start of the match
….
The wind howled with a sharpness that cut through the chaos, carrying with it the painful cacophony of moans and screams.
Wooden Swords clashed with a thunderous resonance, each strike echoing like a cannon shot, while battles erupted in all directions.
Students soared through the air, blood painted the sky, and a myriad of sword techniques danced across the battlefield like intricate brushstrokes on a canvas.
Amidst the frenzy of combat, where every student fought with the ferocity of soldiers in their final stand, there was one glaring absence: me.
Despite the chaos surrounding me, no opponent dared to approach me….
