Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

After that, in the following preliminaries, Arthur and Joy easily secured victories.

The challengers in this contest weren’t weaklings. No one who couldn’t fight properly would have dared to step into the arena, right?

The reason the two of them won so easily was simply due to their strength and experience being on a whole different level.

“Fighting here makes me realize just how ridiculous our experiences were. They’re utterly clueless about the battlefield.”

Back in the days when he traveled through relatively small nations as the Third Prince, Arthur saw many who believed in themselves.

At that time, he admired many strong people and wondered if he could become as strong as them.

However, now that he’s faced those past strong individuals again, Arthur felt no admiration towards them.

What does it matter if they wield flashy weaponry?

What meaning does it have to use martial arts steeped in deep history?

No matter their lineage, who cares?

As long as he is weak, all those factors lose their significance.

“But there were a few standout individuals, weren’t there?”

“True. I should inform my little brother about them.”

“Do you think they’ll want to hear our story? They were glaring at us with the intent to kill.”

“Such foolish individuals. If we hadn’t intervened, they would have suffered even worse fates.”

Having been tirelessly bullied by Lucy, Arthur could easily imagine the future they’d face.

The sarcastic tone trailing off with a ridiculously good voice. The moment he charged in due to rising anger, he faced a solid wall.

Most attacks didn’t even land, and even if they did, they’d bounce off with a *crisp* sound.

After repeating one-sided attacks, he’d naturally want to give up, but Lucy Allen wouldn’t allow that.

Then, seeing the smirk etched on her lips that peeked out over her shield made him resolve to win, even if it cost him everything.

It wouldn’t be long before he realized.

No matter how hard he struggled, he wouldn’t achieve anything.

He’d just end up getting stomped under the girl’s feet.

He was destined to break down into tears while his character was denied by that mocking voice.

Their situation was more horrendous than what Arthur had endured because the humiliation they faced would spread throughout the continent.

It wouldn’t be something mundane and shoddy like the humiliation his little brother faced, but a song about their miserable defeat sung by the Arts Church. How could someone endure that?

They’d end up hanging themselves from the shame, and to think he’d have to take the blame for that.

Is this the frustration Lucy Allen felt?

“Who will rise from the other groups?”

“It’s obvious just from looking at the participants.”

In tomorrow’s group, a woman wearing a fox mask is scheduled to participate.

Claiming to be an oriental magician, she’s somewhat of an enigma, but those connected to her know perfectly well who she is.

“It must be Lina.”

“I never thought someone who was supposed to manage the forest would ditch everything to come here.”

“Isn’t it weirder if she doesn’t participate?”

“That’s true.”

No matter what it takes, if she could be next to Lucy Allen, Lina would gladly toss everything aside.

When she heard about Lucy’s marriage proposal, she must have been plotting to turn everything upside down, and upon hearing about the contest for Lucy, she likely thought of any means to participate.

“No way those who can’t even match us can face her.”

Sure, Lina might often show strange behavior in front of Lucy, but in truth, she was an extraordinary monster.

The very image of her leading the mist fox in the final battle at the Holy Land stood as a testament to her lack of inferiority compared to other deified beings.

Would that type of person lose to mere scrubs?

*Hahaha.* No way.

“If we’re talking that way, then the group after that would be Prete.”

“Of course. Who could defeat an Apostle of the Arts Church?”

Recently, Prete had been focusing on artistic activities, but that didn’t mean her strength had diminished.

On the contrary, as the presence of the Arts Church grew, the power she wielded increased, making her even stronger.

Although it was just hearsay, it seemed unlikely she would lose.

“It’s curious, though. Why did she choose to participate? I thought Prete would say something about beauty only being appreciable from a distance.”

“Maybe her plan is to take the win and make everyone give up?”

“Indeed.”

After that, Joy and Arthur pondered over the names listed in each group, contemplating who they’d meet ahead.

Most groups were easy to figure out.

In one group, there was a fairy tale hero, someone who lived surrounded by fear and reverence for reasons unknown.

In another, a true Sword Saint, the reason for his participation remained a mystery.

And in the last group, there was his older brother, Rene Soladin.

As Arthur etched that name into his memory, complex emotions welled up from deep within, making him swallow hard.

“About the First Prince…”

“No. My brother has given up not just his claim, but even the Soladin name. He is just Rene now.”

“Does… does Rene really have an interest in Lucy?”

“Ever since ages ago, my brother has lived behind a facade of false kindness. Because of that, he’s indifferent towards most people. The way he approaches Lucy Allen now is something I’ve never seen before.”

If this isn’t kindness, then what is? He must be more serious than anyone else participating in this contest.

“I must not lose to anyone else, but I especially can’t lose to him.”

Just as Arthur vowed not to suffer another empty defeat like before, the door to the room swung open, revealing Phoebe.

“Phoebe!”

Joy, who had been worried about Phoebe since hearing about her from the last arena, jumped up and rushed to her side.

Phoebe had gotten herself into trouble and even got scolded by Lucy!

If Phoebe relied on Lucy, just how much pain must she have been in!

“Hello, you two. It’s been a while.”

However, contrary to Joy’s worries, Phoebe’s expression was bright.

“…Are you okay?”

Phoebe was so good at masking her feelings that it was hard to tell.

Her heart should be breaking, but is she forcing a smile, or is she genuinely fine?

“Of course. Why would I have any reason to be sad?”

“But Phoebe. Last time with Lucy…”

“Oh, *hahaha*. That? I’m fine.”

With a nonchalant shrug, Joy’s eyes shook.

Could it be that Phoebe had finally snapped from the immense shock?

Is she in denial about reality?

What should she do now!?

To bring Phoebe back to normal, she’d need to get Lucy, but Lucy was in a bad mood right now!

“I really am okay. Joy.”

“That can’t be! How could Phoebe be okay?!”

“Well, whether I win or lose against Lucy, she won’t kick me out anymore.”

The worst-case scenario that Phoebe had envisioned was being completely ignored by Lucy.

However, what Lucy had said that day was wholly different from ignoring her. Lucy respected Phoebe’s choices.

Instead, she warned her to brace herself for the consequences of losing.

Lucy didn’t realize that her punishment was not a punishment for Phoebe at all.

Rather, it was like providing a judgment that she felt Phoebe should deliver for herself, making it a reason for joy.

“To be able to belong to her, regardless of winning or losing, how fortunate is that?”

Seeing the sincerity in Phoebe’s smile left Joy feeling horrified and shaking her head.

“Don’t say that in front of Lucy. Unless you want to be treated just like Lina.”

“I can tell the difference. I don’t want to be hated by Lucy.”

Maybe from Lucy’s perspective, Phoebe might actually be more dangerous than Lina.

Lina was easy to escape from because she couldn’t hide her feelings, but Phoebe was sneaking up little by little without anyone knowing.

“By the way, where is Young Lady Kent?”

“If it’s her, she’s likely pestering the count in the Kent territory. She probably intends to defeat Lucy Allen this time.”

Recently, Frey, whom they met a while ago, was full of ambition. Even though Lucy’s intervention had disrupted her initial plans, she was thrilled to have gained recognition in a serious setting.

Due to the limited number of people able to spar with her after having grown significantly through a few battles, the Kent Count had no choice but to face her.

“The Kent Count, renowned as the best swordsman, seems to struggle against his daughter nowadays. Apparently, he can hardly count the times he’s actually won recently.”

“Frey is indeed strong.”

If one were to ask who among Lucy’s group was the strongest, everyone would give the same answer.

It’s Frey Kent. Even the current Sword Saint scoffs at her talent, which, when combined with Frey’s efforts, granted her overwhelming strength.

Just half a year ago, Arthur could have gone toe-to-toe with Frey, yet now he was being completely outmatched.

“At this rate, Frey might actually end up defeating Lucy Allen.”

“Considering, Lucy used to feel pressured sparring with Frey.”

Imagining Frey winning against Lucy and getting smug about it, Arthur felt his brow tighten involuntarily.

“At least I hope that my brother and Frey destroy each other.”

“Are you jealous, perhaps?”

“…Who knows?”

Arthur avoided the question and slowly stood up, grabbing his sword once again.

“Are you leaving?”

“I need to do some training as well.”

Not because he didn’t want to fall behind the other two, but to achieve his ultimate goal: to win at least once against Lucy Allen.

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