Hey, guys.

　After the match, it was Senior Brother Ray who called out to us from the training ground.

''Ray!''

　Ira runs up to her, happy to see her.

'Is Ray's game over yet?'
Yeah, I managed to break through.
That's what I'm talking about, Ray. Congratulations.
Thank you. From what I see, it looks like you won as well. I was a little worried about you because you were facing a high ranked opponent, but I guess my fears were unnecessary?

　Ira tweaked the fingertips of both hands and said in a whisper.

'Kuh, thanks to Kurohiko...'

　Rei-senpai looks at me with a smirk.

''It's all because of you, right?　They're counting on you, aren't they?
A win-win.
Heh?　A joint effort, right?　
You're making a big leap, Ray!

　An embarrassed Ira-san slapped Rei-senpai on the back forcefully with a bachin.

''Gofu!''

　I guess I used the wrong amount of force, and unexpected damage had been done to Rei-senpai.　

''And anyway, Ira-san's first fight was great. Lei-senpai's information was also useful. Thank you.''
Kehoho....hmmm....well, you're the one who made use of the information. If you can't make use of what you've got, it's useless to have all that information.
Haha, Ray is pretty humble, isn't he?
Yes!　I'm the most humble woman in Renowthread.　I'll take care of it!
..........

　If you're going to be the most humble in the country, I'd like to see you go beyond Mia first.

''But I'm not ready to let up yet. There are still two matches left today, so...''

　At my words, Ira-san's expression tightens and he makes a clenched fist.

'Yes, I'll have to try again next time.




　However, when it came time to open the lid, Ira won the second and third games with enough energy left over.
　In particular, the third game was against an opponent that was one notch higher than Gans in the first game, but Ira used his jutsu as a feint and launched an exquisite offensive to win without a hitch.

''Hey, Kurohiko. Here you go.

　After the third game, Ira-san, in his uniform, came to the dining room where we were to meet him.

''Thank you for your hard work today, Ira-san,''

　I say a few words of exertion and offer one of the cups I had in both hands.

'Yes, here's one for you, congratulations on advancing to the second round,'

　What's in it is the usual tonore water.

'Thanks!　Since it's a gift, I'll accept it without reservation.

　I wonder if the reason why we are no longer reserved in these places is because we have been practicing more and more and have become closer to each other.
　The two of us take our seats together.
　We used to drink tonore water together after training before the St. Boniface.
　It's a little sad to think that a moment like this will end with the Holy War Festival.

''My opponent for the third game was Xiao Sage rank higher than Gans, but it looks like we were able to do it without being overwhelmed.

　Scratching her head, Ira-san chuckles.

'See, Attah, I was watching the spectacle of Currier and the Four Deadly Disasters fighting?　It makes me feel less overwhelmed when I think of it compared to those four bad luck plagues.

　She witnessed the fight of the four evil plagues.
　It could be said that she was unlucky to be there.
　But the injury had changed the standard for the quality of the fight in her mind.

'That's the first target I have in my head, right?　He's strong enough to mix in with that battle and help Currier.......

　Aila said with a distant look as if she was thinking about the epic battle she herself had encountered.
　What she is aiming for is the strength to be able to play a supportive role in fighting the enemies of the Four Deadly Disasters class.
　Putting the cup on the table, Ira-san speaks of her decision.

''It's not possible right now--I want to reach that realm someday, too.
'As a first step, let's first go all out for this Holy Martial Arts Festival. The higher you go, the more sustenance you'll gain.
Aim high--but one thing at a time in front of you, right?

　Those were the words I used to say sometimes, as a reminder to myself, while I was training for the Holy War Festival.

''Yes, that's right. Let's make sure to win the second round, too.
Yeah.

　We returned our cups and left the dining room.




　By the time the sun had set, the results of the first round had come in.

　In the freshman division, Siegbert Gil'es and and Hyrgis Emeralda had won, showing the overwhelming difference in power between them and their surroundings.
　The two of them seemed to be able to compete in the ungraded class, but after discussing it with the two of them, they decided to avoid clashing with Cecily.
　If the two of them continue on to the finals, Zeke and Hyrgis-san will clash in the finals.
　I heard that Zeke and others are sticking it out because their loved ones are coming to watch the game.
　There are some first year students who are well known for their abilities, and Hyrgis says that they can't let their guard down just yet.

　In the second grade division, senior Ray advanced to the second round.
　

　In the third grade division without the two presidents, Beosa Fallontessa still showed her outstanding strength.
　Even in this Holy Martial Arts Festival, where the power of the jutsu is reduced by the tournament arm bands, he shows a fighting power that is unparalleled, so his ability is quite impressive.
　The top position of the Small Sacred Rank is not to be feared.

　And then there was the remarkable ungraded class.
　The two chairmen finished the entire first round with a victory, just as they had been told before.
　Neither of them had used an inherent technique.
　Would it be more accurate to say that they did not need to use it?
　As for President Koudelka, he faced an opponent who was close to his third-ranked Petty Saint, but I heard that the match itself was settled in about a minute.
　I heard that President Dristos gave up when his opponent in the third match received the first valid hit.
　Considering that the content of the game is taken into account in the evaluation of a fight, a capitulation is not the usual choice.
　But the opponent must have felt that there was a gap in power between them that made them want to give up.
　Incidentally, in that sense, Ira's first game was also an unusual decision (my guess is that it was because he wanted to trust his opponent with his future and that's why he surrendered).

　Speaking of the previous match, Cecily Arkwright was also.
　The third game was after all of Ira's matches were over, so I went to watch it, too.
　The first thing that surprised me was the number of spectators.
　There hadn't been any major fluctuations in Ira's match until the third match, but in Cecily's third match, there were more than fifty people in attendance.
　That many people in a much smaller training ground compared to the Great Sacred Ground.
　Normally, it wouldn't be surprising if it affected his mental health, but even with all the stares from the people around him, Cecily was unperturbed.
　She was just used to attracting gazes on a regular basis.
　On the contrary, her opponent was consumed by the heat and air of the training ground, and it was depressing to watch.
　In the end, the match ended without a minute being ticked off.
　The next valid hit was decided within ten seconds of the judge's decision.

　After the match, the crowd was more enthusiastic.
　If this Cecily Arkwright won the match, she would surely meet one of the two presidents at some point.

　The student body president who is called the strongest in the school.
　The president of the school, known as the undefeated president of the school.

　How will these two swordsmen, who are renowned for their genius and good looks, battle it out against the presidents, who have their own monstrous techniques?

　It was clear that everyone was filled with anticipation.
　After the match, they overheard the crowd talking like this.

''Out of the three people I just mentioned, two of them will hit somewhere first, right?
Yeah.
So it's going to be a triple threat in the finals.
You know, ungraded class is twice as good.
'Well, it's slightly disappointing that those two games are the only highlights because of the presence of Beoza Fallonteza in the school year.

　I really want Ira to win after hearing this conversation.
　Anyway, we'll have to play the second game the day after tomorrow.
　Then, if we get through the second round, we can move on to the third round where the semi-finals and finals will take place.

　Now, we can't wait to see the list of games that will be posted tomorrow afternoon.




　The day after the first game is a rest day.
　Ira will also have to focus on resting his body today, except for the morning training at the adjustment level.
　I want her to take her time to rest today and prepare for the second round.
　In the second round, you'll be facing the best players who have passed the first round.
　There might even be some who have advanced beyond the level of the Little Saint through training.

　Well - today morning, I was called by Makina-san to come to the headmaster's office.

''I see that Ira, who was your training partner, has advanced to tomorrow's second round.

　The first topic that came up was the first round.

''If you look at the Little Sage rank alone, it's a form of defeating a higher rank.......was that girl that strong?　Or is your special training the reason for this result?
There was room to grow to begin with. And since the time I entered the school, I've been treated as an effective player in the Lion's Club.
'It's been hiding behind Cecily and Currier, hasn't it?
Maybe. Surprisingly, people only see the top of the list.

　It seems that only Currier and Cecily had been the topic of conversation during the past missions to defeat the giants, and Ira-san, who was the head of the attack team, seemed to have no impression of her.

I thought that because she is the daughter of the Horn family, which has a history with the Arkwright family, she would attract a lot of attention, but since the fate of the two families was settled during the old battle between the Deerless Arkwright and the Node-horn to capture the holy ruins of the Node-horn, people's interest in her may have waned.

　I see.
　So the family's causal confrontation was already feeling settled in his brother's generation?

But it's probably better for Ira. I'm sure you'll be able to fight spontaneously without being taken out of the Horn family. Well--

　With a smile, Makina-san snapped a wink.

''If it had been known beforehand that the rumored forbidding user was playing the role of Ira Horne's rehearsal, though, the attention would have been different again, wouldn't it?
I guess my training in an old training ground in a secluded area where people rarely come, paid off.
You're welcome.
So, you called me here today to talk about the Holy War Festival?

　When Makina-san comes to chat or complain, she usually comes to my house.
　On the contrary, when she is called to the headmaster's office, it is often for some important matter.
　It seems that I was right in my reading, and there was a change in Makina-san's complexion.

''As expected.''

　The atmosphere was unusually solemn.

To tell you the truth, I have a story I need to tell you. And that story is--

　What I heard from Makina-san's solemn face came from an unexpected direction.

''The lives of our guests from other countries are being targeted by the followers of the Doomsday Empress?''