“Hey, Fei, what are you doing about the expedition training starting tomorrow?”
Ese asked Fei. Fei frowned slightly, signaling him to continue.
“Didn’t you hear? It’s in the city of Rinary, for new Holy Knights.”
“Oh, maybe because it’s not recommended for non-elemental only… Fei didn’t know.”
“Really? Are non-elemental only really rejected!?”
Ese looked at Fei in surprise. Fei seemed deep in thought.
“I heard from someone that a Holy Knight with a non-elemental brother or lover died, and since then, the leading Holy Knight thinks being non-elemental only is foolish…”
“Why? Why only non-elemental?”
“Apparently… the Holy Knight’s important person died, and they started thinking being non-elemental only was a waste of life, and now they try to guide or dismiss such Holy Knights… it’s a twisted kindness.”
“I see… their important person’s death made them change their mind. They see being a Holy Knight as throwing life away, and they try to guide or dismiss such Holy Knights… it’s twisted kindness.”
The seasoned commentator, Ese, and the data bank, Kamase, were driving the conversation forward on their own. Fei listened and seemed to understand the situation with a somewhat satisfied expression.
“Probably, if Fei goes, it’ll be a hassle.”
“I see… then let’s go.”
“I knew you’d say that!”
“Actually, I was thinking of inviting you to hit on some girls together since there’ll be plenty around! Gahaha, let’s show them our hard work and then sneak into their rooms for a feast!”
“Sounds good… Alpha-chan and the others will be there too, right?”
“Still aiming for them, huh? I was too.”
“Well, it’s best to keep them as your first choice and consider others as backup.”
“True enough.”
The two of them chatted loudly about their somewhat trashy plans in the bakery, drawing disapproving glances from those around them. Meanwhile, Fei, having lost all interest, bought a ham and lettuce sandwich and left the store.
After parting ways with Ese and Kamase and satisfying his hunger with the sandwich, Fei returned to training, wielding his sword to hone his skills.
Yururu sometimes joined Fei’s training outside of the morning sessions, but she wasn’t around today. And as if on cue, his self-proclaimed big sister, Arthur, appeared.
“Fei, good job!”
“…”
“…Hm?”
Ignoring her. Fei ignored Arthur. Arthur tilted her head, puzzled by Fei’s lack of response. But she concluded that Fei hadn’t heard her greeting.
“Ah! Fei, good job!”
“…”
“Hmm?”
Ignored again. Arthur thought to herself that her greeting hadn’t been heard once more.
“Fei, good job—”
“I can hear you. Can’t you tell I’m ignoring you?”
“Oh, you heard me.”
Arthur felt relieved knowing he heard her. Then a question arose.
“Why did you ignore me?”
“I’ll ask in return, why should I respond to your greeting?”
“Could it be… you’re embarrassed to talk to a girl like me?”
“…Don’t answer a question with another question.”
“Fei, you’re doing the same. Hehe, you’re a bit clumsy and cute, aren’t you?”
“…”
Feeling slightly defeated and teased, Fei’s forehead tensed with frustration. He generally maintained a cool demeanor and didn’t like being called cute.
If only Arthur had praised Fei’s stylishness instead, it might have raised her favorability. But she was too excited just to talk with him.
“Fei, you really are like a little brother, so cute. Can I call you little brother?”
“…”
“Oh, ignoring me again. How cute, my little brother is.”
“Shut up.”
Arthur, talking on her own and straying off-topic, pushed Fei to his limit. He pointed his sword at her.
“Your mouth is quite noisy. I’ll discipline you a bit, draw your sword.”
“Alright, big sister will teach you a lot.”
“…”
Fei sheathed his sword, preparing for a rematch. How many times had he lost to Arthur before? Determination radiated from him, intent on winning this time. Arthur, having always won, seemed slightly relaxed.
This was the first rematch since Fei acquired a new sword.
Fei prepared in a stance for iaijutsu (quick-draw sword technique). Arthur sensed something new and anticipated his move.
“Here I come.”
Arthur approached lightly. The distance between them was three meters. She took another step closer, but Fei hadn’t drawn his sword yet. Despite this, Fei moved his right arm.
The distance to Arthur was still too far, yet he swung his sword.
—without drawing it from the sheath.
Iaijutsu, he thought. His sword, connected to the sheath, drew a longer arc than usual.
By swinging without drawing, he could attack from a longer range. The sheath extended the blade toward the enemy.
A perfect surprise attack. However, Arthur’s right eye glowed mysteriously. During the entrance exam, her violet left eye had glowed, and now a faint blue light from her right eye revealed the length of his blade.
She easily dodged Fei’s surprise attack and closed in. Fei, anticipating this, swung his sword again toward Arthur.
And then… Fei’s sword flew through the air.
Arthur reviewed the combat sequence. She had indeed won. But…
(Fei is amazing… I used my right eye because something felt off. Without it, I might have lost… I almost lost my first to Fei…)
“I win.”
“Tch.”
Fei clicked his tongue and picked up his scattered sword and sheath. Arthur looked at him with her usual satisfied, somewhat longing gaze.
“Fei, you’ve gotten stronger. If I hadn’t used my eye that sees a bit into the future, I might have been in trouble.”
“…Your magic eye.”
“Yes. My right and left eyes have different powers. Normally, magic eyes can hypnotize opponents, but mine have unique abilities.”
“I see.”
“So, without my right eye, it would’ve been dangerous. Hehe, I almost lost my first to you, Fei.”
Arthur smiled, seemingly happy. Fei, however, showed no particular reaction.
“But this magic eye’s feedback from the future causes terrible headaches, so I can’t use it repeatedly.”
“I see.”
After explaining, Arthur slightly changed her tone when addressing Fei.
“Hey, do you remember our promise?”
“…”
“Under the moon, you said you’d carry me after defeating me.”
“…And?”
“Just wondering if you remember.”
“I see.”
Fei started swinging his sword again. Arthur blushed, watching his determined effort.
(He’s trying to catch up to me… Fei won’t leave me alone…)
(I want to talk to him more… tease him…)
(I want to go out together… hold hands… and more…)
“Fei.”
“What? Make it quick.”
“Ah… um… Fei, do you…”
She hesitated. She wanted to ask seriously what kind of girl he liked. Despite her usual nonsensical thoughts, Arthur was serious this time.
“What kind of… never mind.”
“What, you got this far and you’re not saying it? I don’t get you.”
“Yeah, sorry…”
“No need to apologize.”
With that, he resumed his practice swings.
Despite just losing, he immediately got back up and reignited his fighting spirit. His relentless drive to reach greater heights, facing every challenge without despair, striving to overcome any barrier—his sublime attitude left her breathless.
(He’s incredible. It’s not just about mental strength… it’s an indomitable spirit, something I should learn from Fei…)
(Fei… what are you…)
(He’s amazing, strong, I know that… but I don’t fully understand. How deep does his strength go?)
Sometimes she couldn’t comprehend the depths of Fei’s existence. It saddened her.
Because she, Arthur…
“Hey, let’s have another mock battle.”
“…Fine by me.”
“I want to connect with you more, Fei. It makes me happy.”
“…”
Arthur wished to increase her time alone with Fei, not fully recognizing her own romantic feelings.
But she genuinely wanted to be with him.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
◆
While buying a ham and lettuce sandwich at his regular bakery, Fei encountered Ese and Kamase.
What? A training camp? I hadn’t heard about that… hmm, so it’s only for those with no elemental attributes.
I have no choice but to go. I mean, it’s an event for me, the main character, right? I mean, it’s an event for me, the main character, to venture into an away-from-home space.
That’s the kind of event I’m looking for, because I’m a hardworking guy. I’m looking for something as reckless as jumping into a stormy sea and drinking up all the water.
Still…
Ese is steadily growing into the role of an explainer. The information they provide is clear and accurate, just like a reliable sidekick. Sometimes there are characters like that, who inexplicably have all the info… and that’s fine. If they keep this up, they might become a semi-regular.
After parting ways with the two, I was practicing my swings when, suddenly, a wild giant panda appeared.
Her “big sister” act is naturally annoying.
I was about to crush her, but I lost. Even with a secret strategy, I lost… because she’s a rival in the giant panda category…
She’s different from other rivals. After all, she’s a giant panda.
What’s with those future-seeing eyes? It’s like a protagonist’s ability. Though it seems she can’t use it repeatedly.
Each eye has a different power… making her even more special… like a protagonist…
It’s a shame. If it weren’t for her personality flaws and my existence, she might have become the protagonist. But isn’t she too strong?
Magic eyes in both eyes, special magic aptitude, strong, undeniably strong. I have to admit it. So far, we’ve fought 2,015 times, and I’ve lost all 2,015 times.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. After all this effort, I still can’t win. I’m starting to think Arthur might be the hidden final boss.
Even with a new weapon, I lost. This time, I began to think that no matter how many thousands or millions of times I fight Arthur, I might never win.
No matter how many thousands or millions of times I challenge Arthur as a rival, I might never win…
But you know… I think…
Even if I lose a billion times, wouldn’t it be okay if I win on the trillion-and-first try…?
Even if I lose a quadrillion times, wouldn’t it be okay if I win on the quintillion-and-first try…?
Yes, that’s right!!
Losing a few thousand times shouldn’t break me. With indomitable spirit, I must rise again and again like a phoenix!!
So, I’ll keep trying!! With determination! With determination! I’ll practice my swings with determination!!
Arthur. I will surpass you!!
But, calling me “little brother” is unacceptable. Stop mocking me already!!
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