Let's go back in time for a moment.
　It was in the waiting room.

　I was giving a lecture to Rio, Iris, and Maifa on how to fight in the finals.

So, Jake and Dorothy are still manageable, but the problem is Adolf the Stiff Sword. Let's face it, he's stronger than any of the three of you.

　I said, and circled the name "Adolf" on the back of the tournament schedule booklet with a pen.

　All of my students looked at me with difficulty.

　One of them, Rio, looked a little unhappy and said with a pout.

But bro, you don't know that until you actually try it.　I didn't feel like he was faster than me when I watched the game.

That's true. If it's just agility, I think Rio is faster than me too.

You know what?

But not by much. And Adolph is much stronger than Rio in arms and strength. He's also more skilled with a sword. If you think you can do it, you can do it, but after that it's what you do with it.

　Hearing my words, Rio's mouth curved into a pout.

　I look around at the three of them.
　Then Meifa raised her hand and said, "...... Yes, big brother.

　I nominate him, and he says, as if he's announcing a good idea.

If you can't beat me in a one-on-one game, you can beat me in a three-on-one game. If you can't beat them one on one, then do it three on one. ...... Beat the other two as quickly as you can, and they'll join you. ...... And then we can win.

　Maifa sniffs with pride.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. I feel like that's against the spirit of bravery. I'm not sure what to make of that.

...... That's not true. ...... Originally, it was three against three, there's nothing cowardly about that.

Yeah. I'm sure you'll be able to understand what Rio is saying, but it's a team game and that's the way it is.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　I saw this and my mouth twitched.
　Theoretically, Maifa and Iris are right, but Rio's straightforward feelings are also very funny.

　Rio, who still seems unconvinced, asks me.

I'm not sure what to think.　It's not fair for the brave to be three against one, don't you think?

　I thought about it for a while and then replied to Rio.

I thought about it for a while and then replied to Rio: "Well, ...... yes. I'm not sure what to make of it. If you don't want to be a cowardly brave man, you might not want to go with the three against one idea.

"Right!　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　Iris is in a position to discourage them by saying, "Well, well.

　This time, Maifa asks me with a puffed up look.

...... So how are you going to win, brother? It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. ...... I can't fight if I have to worry about that.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　I'm sure you're right about that.

　I now reply to Maifa.

No, I think Maifa is right. I think the best way to win is to take out the other two first and then take on Adolf with all three of us.

"......????　I'm not sure if that's the kind of double-talk you want to hear, ...... brother. ...... It's not fair to tell Rio that he's right and to tell me that I'm right.

　Mayfa looks at me with a questioning look.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　I put my hand on her head and stroke it.

"Good, good. She's smart.

"...... squishy. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that kind of deception, .......

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　She's so cute.

　I nudge her and say something back.

"No, I didn't mean to deceive you or use double-talk. I said that if you don't want to be a cowardly hero, you can do what Rio says, and if you want to win, you can do what Meifa says. There's nothing wrong with that, right?

"?

　This time, Rio, Iris and Maifa all tilted their heads.
　After some thought, Iris asks.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

No?　I think you guys can choose whichever one you want.

Yeah, ......?　Sir, I don't understand what you're saying. So you want me to lose?



If that's what you want.

"Hmmm... ......!　I don't know what you're talking about!

　Iris screamed in agony, clutching her head.

　I laughed and patted Iris on the head.
　I laugh and pat her on the head. She says, "Huh. ......" and her face turns red and small.

　I let Iris go and then say to the three of them.

There are times when no matter which path you choose, you won't get all the results you want. In those cases, we have to decide for ourselves what we will choose and accept the consequences. The three of you should talk about it and decide what to do. I'm not going to interfere anymore.

　With that, I left the rest to the three of you to decide.

　Incidentally, I didn't tell them about the game with Cyrus.

　The content of the match with Silas was that if my students won, I'd give them whatever they wanted, even if it was to return to the capital, but if they couldn't produce any results, I'd have to prepare myself... .

　Well, I don't think Silas will be able to keep his word, and even if he doesn't, I don't want to mix my circumstances with the three of them making a decision.

　I was already... sort of satisfied.
　I'm happy to have brought these guys here.

　I think they can survive without me, and I think I've taught them almost everything I can ...... teach them.

　Initially, I wanted to raise these guys to become the world's strongest heroes by my own hands, but...
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I've recently come to realize that I don't have much confidence in my ability to act like a full-fledged teacher when girls ten years younger than me surpass my abilities right in front of me.

　It's not jealousy, but it's at least a sneer.
　I'm sure I'll feel like complaining to the heavens about the difference in natural talent.

　Well, I guess if I let go of ...... now, I'll be a "respected teacher" for the rest of my life in their minds, and I have that kind of shallowness in me.

　In any case.
　In any case, I think it's better for these people to go on with their lives on their own feet.

　For that purpose, I wanted to teach them how to walk on their own feet at the end.

　And after that...

　After the discussion, the three of them went to the final match.

　I didn't dare ask how they were going to fight.
　I wanted them to show me their decision in a real fight.