Chapter 10: The Strongest Man
One of the faculty members from the Knight Academy entered the special viewing box where the academy heads and distinguished guests were seated.
“Headmaster Aram… I have a report.”
The instructor, walking briskly, approached Aram, the headmaster of the Knight Academy, and spoke in a hushed tone meant only for his ears.
“What is it?”
When the instructor relayed the message, Aram’s eyes widened in shock.
This was news he had been eagerly awaiting一even before the inter-academy tournament had begun.
“—Reacher Diablo has arrived.”
The students of the Knight Academy had been shaken to the core after witnessing the overwhelming power of Eliza Lowred’s magic in the previous match.
Seesaket had narrowly won by catching their opponent off guard, but the question lingered一how many of them could actually defeat Eliza? Was there even a single student outside the highest ranks capable of standing against her magic?
Despite finally securing a victory, the faces of the Knight Academy students were clouded with unease. And then一
“—While preparations for the vice-captain match were underway, we would like to announce a change in the Knight Academy’s representative lineup.”
A faint stir ran through the venue at the sudden announcement.
“In place of Ryan Braim, originally scheduled as the Knight Academy’s captain, Reacher Diablo will now assume the role of captain.”
“……!!”
A massive wave of shock swept through the entire arena.
“Additionally, as a result of Reacher’s participation, Ryan Braim will be moved to the vice-captain position, and Antonio McDonell, who was provisionally registered as vice-captain, will be withdrawn from the match.”
The latter half of the announcement was nearly drowned out by the deafening cheers erupting from the Knight Academy students.
“Y-YOOOOOOO!! SENPAI REACHER’S JOINING THE MATCH!!”
“We can win!! If Diablo-senpai is fighting, we can win!!”
“HELL YEAHHHH!!”
Though they were still on the brink with two losses, the dark mood from earlier had completely vanished, replaced by sheer exhilaration一as if victory was already assured.
Yet, in stark contrast to the Knight Academy’s jubilation…
“N-No way…”
“This has to be a joke… right?”
“How can they seriously put him in a student match…!?”
The students of the Magic Academy muttered in fear.
一Reacher Diablo, the strongest man in the Knight Academy. His name was infamous even among the Magic Academy.
Among his many feats, the incident in the underground dungeon two years ago best symbolized his unfathomable strength.
Two years prior, during a practical training session in the dungeon, Reacher’s class was ambushed by multiple S-Class monsters一an unforeseen disaster.
Monster threat levels were classified based on “how many combatants of the same Class are required to subdue them.”
For example: A B-Class monster would require at least five B-Class swordsmen or mages to defeat. An A-Class monster would demand at least ten A-Class combatants.
And an S-Class monster一a creature so powerful that even five of the elite, top-tier S-Class combatants would struggle to bring it down.
When multiple S-Class monsters attacked in the dungeon, Reacher remained behind一alone一and annihilated them all before reinforcements arrived.
Officially, he held the title of S-Class Knight Student, but rumors claimed his true strength surpassed even that, reaching the realm of SS-Class.
His prowess was so highly regarded by the Royal Knights that, despite still being a student, he was already participating in their missions一and achieving remarkable success.
A monster beyond the level of any student一that was the shared perception of Reacher Diablo among both mages and knights.
His participation, dreaded by the Magic Academy and longed for by the Knight Academy, had completely shifted the atmosphere of the tournament…
一Moments before the lineup change announcement echoed through the venue.
At that time, the Magic Academy’s waiting room held only three people: Alphonse and Yufia, who had already finished their matches, and Carter, the fourth-year student preparing for the captain’s match.
Eliza was in the infirmary undergoing a medical check, while Bruno had left for the preparation room ahead of the vice-captain match.
As the three passed the time before the next match, two knocks sounded at the door before it clicked open.
“Pardon the interruption. Carter, participant in the captain’s match, we have a brief announcement. Could you step out for a moment?”
A Knight Academy instructor addressed Carter, who was inside the room.
“? Sure.”
As Carter stepped into the hallway, the instructor closed the door behind them.
And then一
“…?—!!”
The moment Carter’s eyes landed on the man standing slightly behind the instructor, a bone-chilling terror seized him.
一There stood a giant of a man, clad in the Knight Academy uniform, towering at over two meters tall.
Muscles bulged visibly beneath his uniform, his frame thick with raw power. His neck, as thick as a tree trunk, protruded from his collar, and his sleeves barely contained his massive, knotted fists.
His gray hair stood on end like blazing flames, his deep-set eyes cast in shadow, with crimson irises glowing from within.
Though dressed as a student, his aura was that of a battle-hardened warrior who had clawed his way through countless hells.
Faced with this man, Carter felt an indescribable dread.
His pulse raced, his breath caught, his hair stood on end一his composure crumbling under an overwhelming sense of danger.
“An official announcement will be made shortly, but we wanted to inform you first, Carter. Due to a last-minute substitution, your opponent in the captain’s match will now be Reacher Diablo.”
(…!? T-This is… that Reacher Diablo…!?)
As Carter stood frozen, the instructor continued.
“This is a sudden change for you, and Reacher has only just returned from a mission, so both of you will need time to adjust. But first一let’s exchange a handshake for good sportsmanship.”
With that, the instructor gestured for them to shake hands.
“—I hear this year’s Magic Academy is strong.”
“!!”
Reacher’s voice was heavy, laced with an unfathomable pressure.
“Go easy on me.”
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“……!!”
Reacher calmly extended his right hand. In response, Carter’s entire body locked up. Every fiber of his being screamed that even the slightest misstep could mean death.
“A-Ah… ah…”
Trembling, Carter hesitantly reached out and grasped Reacher’s hand.
He knew showing fear in front of an opponent was unacceptable一but his body betrayed him, shaking uncontrollably as sweat poured down his face.
Once the handshake ended, the instructor gave Carter a pitying glance.
“…You may return now, Carter. Reacher, I’ll guide you to the waiting room.”
With that, the instructor and Reacher walked away…
(…Ah, crap. I forgot to return these match gloves.)
At the same moment Carter finished his handshake with Reacher in the hallway,
Alphonse realized he was still wearing his competition gloves.
As he stepped out to return them to the preparation room一
“…!?”
A sudden, piercing aura made his spine freeze.
It was an oppressive sensation一eerily reminiscent of facing the Black Dragon of Destruction, Schwarzwaldius.
Following the presence, Alphonse spotted an unfamiliar knight student entering the opposing waiting room down the hall.
(Was that…!? Could he be the Knight Academy’s strongest—?)
Clenching his sweaty palms, Alphonse watched the man disappear一 一Then, a weak voice reached him.
“…No… It’s impossible…”
“!”
Turning toward the sound,
“…!! Carter!? Are you okay!?”
Alphonse saw Carter一curled up on the floor, hugging his own shoulders.
Alphonse rushed over, but Carter only trembled violently, his voice strained.
“T-There’s no way… I can win against that…! H-He’ll kill me…! He’ll definitely kill me…!! Hah… hahh…!!”
His veins bulged from his neck and forehead as he gasped for air, his entire body burning with feverish heat.
“…!! His temperature’s skyrocketing…!?”
Alphonse touched Carter’s shoulder一his body was scorching, drenched in sweat.
“H-Hold on! I’ll get help right away!”
Panicked, Alphonse sprinted down the hallway.
Even after he left, Carter remained crumpled on the floor, shaking uncontrollably.
Drip… drip… Sweat poured from his face, splattering onto the floor.
“I-It’s impossible… No matter how you look at it…!!”
Alone in the hallway, Carter let out a desperate cry.
“There’s no way… I can fight that thing…!”
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