Chapter 6: True Strength
The testing period had come to an end.
Normally, most students would be basking in the relief of being freed from the pressure of exams, heading to the markets or theaters to refresh themselves in their own ways.
But today was different.
A large number of students made their way to the coliseum. The stands were, of course, filled to the brim with students, and even outside the coliseum, many gathered to watch the match through projections created by spirits.
“Quite the festival atmosphere, huh?”
“…………”
Gareth muttered as he looked around the coliseum from the waiting bench where Rourke was seated. While high-ranking matches often filled the seats to near capacity, today the crowd seemed exceptionally large.
The reason was, of course, the duel between Rourke and Trallus, but even more significant was the fact that Trallus had already announced his participation in the upcoming Ranking Match. Trallus, who was notoriously absent from most events, had confirmed his appearance in the Ranking Match. It was no surprise that people flocked to see his match.
Though for Rourke, it was nothing but a nuisance…
“You still seem in a bad mood before the Ranking Match, huh?”
“Yeah, if this weren’t the Ranking Match, I’d have dropped out without a second thought…”
That said, even if this were just a regular match, backing out now would undoubtedly result in a storm of boos. Rourke could easily imagine a future where things were thrown at him, and complaints were hurled his way.
“So, did you manage to come up with any strategies?”
“…Hard to say.”
“By the way, everyone’s getting riled up, thinking you might summon a contracted spirit.”
“I’d summon one if I could.”
But how could he summon something that didn’t exist? It was impossible.
[Rourke-Areas, Kay-Trallus. Please enter the arena.]
“Haah~”
Rourke let out a deep sigh as the beginning of the end finally arrived. He slowly rose from the bench.
“I’m rooting for you.”
“I’ll try to put on a good show.”
Without looking back, Rourke waved his hand in response to Gareth’s encouragement and stepped forward toward the battlefield. Ahead, he caught sight of the beautiful boy, Kay-Trallus, walking toward him from the opposite side.
“Hey, Rourke-Areas. I think this is the first time we’ve spoken face to face, huh?”
“Our lectures hardly overlap. And even when they do, you barely show up for the Ranking Matches.”
“Haha, I’ve been busy with various things. Sorry about that.”
Kay smiled as he offered his apology, though not a trace of remorse could be felt from his refreshingly carefree expression.
“By the way, I’ve lost to you once before. I’ll be taking my revenge this time.”
“Don’t mess with me. That wasn’t a loss—it was a forfeit.”
During their first year, Kay didn’t show up, and Rourke ended up standing alone in the coliseum. By default, Rourke gained a win without a fight, which subsequently led to him being pitted against higher-ranked opponents.
Looking back, that default victory might have been the start of his stressful academy life.
“Tch, a man who fusses over small details isn’t attractive, you know?”
“Who’s fussing?”
Rourke sighed, exasperated by Kay’s carefree demeanor, and took his position. Kay, now in his own position, seemed to remember something and spoke up.
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“Ah, before we start, just one thing. I wouldn’t recommend holding back. It’s for both our sakes.”
“I’ve never held back…”
Not even once.
Rourke muttered to himself as he quietly drew his spirit vessel and prepared. In contrast, Kay stood calmly, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
“………”
Rourke felt the difference in their levels as he waited for the signal to start the match. Compared to Kay’s completely natural stance, Rourke’s body was tense with nervousness. The few seconds before the match began felt unbearably long until finally, the referee gave the signal.
[Begin!!]
“Tch!”
Rourke was the first to move as soon as the signal sounded.
He summoned the spirit sealed within his vessel and quickly formed a temporary contract.
“Huh.”
Kay let out an intrigued sound as the spirit appeared.
The spirit Rourke summoned was a beast wrapped in lightning, resembling something like a cat—a thunder beast. It let out a low growl before leaping onto Rourke’s shoulder.
“Thunder Pierce.”
With the power of lightning, Rourke extended his finger and unleashed a lightning bolt toward Kay, who stood nonchalantly.
Strike first, strike hard—take him down before he summons his spirit. It was a logical decision. But the lightning bolt, which had been heading straight for Kay, bounced off something just before it reached him.
“Tch, you’re quick.”
Kay muttered with a relaxed expression as he watched the scattered spirit energy.
“Yeah, I figured.”
If Kay could be taken down that easily, he wouldn’t be holding the third rank in their year. Rourke had expected his opening move to be effortlessly blocked.
“But what about this?”
“Huh?”
Kay turned at the sound of Rourke’s voice, but Rourke wasn’t in his line of sight. Instead, the sound of thunder came from behind him. Kay turned his gaze just in time to see Rourke, his body enhanced by lightning spirit energy, swinging a sword spirit down at him.
—Fast.
Kay genuinely admired Rourke’s speed. Combined with the spirit energy infused in the sword spirit, an average opponent would be unable to defend against this strike and would lose on the spot.
But while Rourke’s strike was worthy of admiration, it wasn’t a threat to Kay.
“Siren.”
“Ah—!”
“What!?”
Before Rourke could react, a beautiful girl with a pair of wings sprouting from her waist appeared beside Kay. A siren. She took a small breath, and a beautiful soprano note echoed from her throat.
In an instant, an invisible barrier formed between Kay and Rourke. The sword spirit struck the barrier with a loud clang, and Rourke was sent flying backward.
“Tch!”
“You’re getting ahead of yourself. Wait a bit longer, will you?”
“Sorry, I’m impatient!”
Rourke shouted as he thrust his arm forward.
Lightning and spirit energy gathered in his palm, and in the next moment, a thunderbolt was launched toward Kay.
The flash of light enveloped the coliseum, temporarily blinding everyone present, including the spectators.
“…Damn it.”
As the light faded and his vision cleared, Rourke was struck with despair at the sight before him.
“Goodness.”
Kay sighed with a look of exasperation. While he himself hadn’t changed, the scene around him was entirely different.
Standing beside him was the siren, a lady-like spirit.
Above them, a beautiful half-woman, half-fish spirit swam through the air as if in water.
And around them, five small, fairy-like spirits floated about.
In other words, all of Kay’s contracted spirits had now appeared on the battlefield.
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