I want more fights.

　Even though I ended my fight with Maryse with a victory, I was still feeling indigestion.

　And then.

"You're doing something very interesting. Why don't you join me?

　I thought I heard a voice, and then a man came on stage.

"Mr. Desmond!　I can't help you!　You're just here to watch, aren't you?

　Seeing this, the examiner who was acting as a judge seemed to be in a panic.

　The man called Desmond was an old man, about sixty to seventy years old.
　He has gray hair and a nice beard.
　But I had other things on my mind.


　Is he strong?


　At first glance he looks like an old man, but I can tell.

　Muscles of steel underneath his clothes.
　If I attacked him now, he'd probably avoid me.

Come on. I'm bored out of my mind. Count me in.

　Desmond cracked his knuckles.

"If you can beat me, I'll let you pass the other exams, even if you get a zero. I don't think that's going to happen.
"No, thanks.
What?　Are you trying to run away from me because you're afraid of me?
You don't have to tell me that. I'll pass.

　"I'll pass without you telling me," he said, half as a challenge, but Desmond smiled and said, "I'll pass without you telling me.

Desmond smirked and said, "Hahaha!　You're a pretty funny kid, aren't you?

　"You're a funny kid!

"You!　Are you planning to fight Desmond-sama?

　To the examiner's question.

"Yes.

　I answered immediately.

　Then the examiner gets even more flustered.

Do you know who Master Desmond is?　I know you're strong enough. Now, get out of here before you get hurt!
I'll be fine.

　I'll be fine." I pushed past the examiner and stepped in front of Desmond.

　I don't know who this guy is, by the way.
　But it's enough to know that he's strong.

"Kuhk. You're a funny kid. I use a wooden sword, you can use a serious one.　Or is it all about the magic?

　Desmond holds up the wooden sword.

No. If I do that, you might get hurt.
"Huh?　That's a very interesting thing to say.

　I'm a little out of my depth.
　My blood is boiling.
　I want to fight as hard as I can.

"Well, let's fight them equally. "Well, let's fight as well as we can. It's not like we're giving ourselves a handicap for nothing. Hey, get me another wooden sword!　And ......, get off the stage, girl. You look strong, but you're not strong enough.
"Yes, .......

　Marise, looking frustrated, rushed off the stage.
　Desmond called out, and out of nowhere one of the examiners brought out a wooden sword.

I'm ready, I'm ready. I can't use magic, but you can.

　Desmond tapped him on the shoulder with his wooden sword, looking smug.

　At first glance, his stance seems to be that of a man with nothing to lose.
　But it was obvious that he would receive a painful counterattack if he rushed in carelessly.
　Interesting. Let's dare to fight in the opponent's field.

Let's go!

　I took a step forward, and in the blink of an eye, I had reduced the distance between me and Desmond to zero.
　Then, without pausing, I swung my sword at Desmond's brain.

"Hmph ......, you're still young.

　For a moment, Desmond let out a smile.
　Desmond sidestepped the wooden sword.

　His aim was to evade my attack and then counter.
　If I take it without any defensive magic, he might take a bone or two with him.
　So I activate my Quick Move here.

It's ......!



　As if in response to my suddenly quickened movements, Desmond turned his wooden sword into a defensive sidearm.

　Click!

　The two swords clashed and a sparring match ensued.

What do you mean?　What do you mean? You seem to be getting faster all of a sudden.
Oh, it's just elementary magic.
Magic?　What kind of magic is that?　You're no slouch.
You're not so bad yourself.

　I was expecting a quick-move, slow-and-steady attack to settle the score.

　I was expecting a quick move, slow and steady attack to settle it.
　I knew this guy.
　He's going to make me feel good.

I'll tell you another one of my aliases.

　I break out of the sparring match and swing my sword in a more convincing manner.

"Mage.

　Mixing physics and magic has always been my forte.
　It was a good way to fight alone.
　I tried to make friends, but none of them could keep up with my level.

　I'm going to stack three basic body-enhancing spells: Quick Move, Eyesight, and Rise Power.
　I attacked with a never-ending onslaught of sword blows.


I can't see what's going on at .......
"What the hell is going on on stage?


　"What the hell is going on on stage?" the audience shouted in confusion.

　To those who couldn't see well, it must look like I had a huge advantage.
　But I was surprised by Desmond's move.

"Hahahaha!　Interesting, interesting!　I never thought I'd be able to go toe-to-toe with a human in this country!

　It's Desmond who's surviving my onslaught.
　He's using only his sword to keep up with my attacks.

　This old man isn't using any body-enhancing magic, right?
　And yet he's a ...... monster!

"Don't laugh in the middle of a fight, old man. "Don't laugh in the middle of a fight, old man.
You look like you're laughing too.

　Indeed, I may be laughing right now.

　If I keep going like this, I'll probably outlast you due to my stamina.
　But that would make the fight too dull.

　Then, .......

"You showed me an opening. Kid!

　Desmond's eyes grew even sharper.

　From defensive to defensive. Desmond flashes his sword.
　It hit me directly on the head.

　Except it's the other me.

"Hey, ......!　What the hell?

　Desmond, who had finished swinging his sword, was astonished to see me disappear in a puff of smoke.

　I used a spell called Create Avatar.
　It uses magic to create a humanoid mass to create an alter ego.
　There is no real image, so the alter can't attack, but it can be used to distract the opponent.

I think we're done here.

　Meanwhile, I walked around to the back and placed the wooden sword on Desmond's neck.

"On the battlefield, you're done here. Do you still want to fight?
"...... I'm losing.

　Desmond's shoulders slumped, and he dropped the sword to the ground.

　At that moment, the hall erupted in cheers.


"Who the hell is that guy?　We've defeated Master Desmond!
"Desmond-sama is a legendary former S-rank adventurer, right?　I can't believe he defeated him. ...... Is that guy a monster?
It's rumored that Desmond, the demon, was able to slay a hundred enemy soldiers by himself when he was sent to war.
I've heard that even though he's no longer active, his power still hasn't diminished!


　Former S-rank adventurer?

You used to be an adventurer?
I'm retired, but... I'm retired now, but I didn't know I was fighting. ...... You're such a foolish boy.

　Desmond laughed cheerfully.

There's a mistake in the information.
"Incorrect?
"The rumor is that you cut down a hundred enemy soldiers. ...... That's a thousand wrong!

　...... He seems to be quite a wild man.

　I thought he was strong.
　But he's only used rudimentary magic and doesn't seem to be a serious ...... guy.

Who the hell are you ......?

　Marise's voice was shaking as she stepped off the stage.



　I haven't found anyone stronger than me yet.


　But it looks like King's Landing and the Magic Academy are more fun than I thought.

　I left the venue, feeling my heart beating faster and faster.