Chapter 2: To the Holy City
“So, you just sort of… ended up being chosen as a representative?”
“Yes…”
A short while after finishing our intensive week-long training camp, I had paid a visit to my master, Owen-sensei, to report that I would be participating in the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival.
“Fufu, you’re probably the only person in the world who would get this depressed over being chosen for the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival, Rourke.”
“It’s not a laughing matter, Sensei. I don’t even have a contracted spirit; is it really okay for me to participate?”
“Well, there’s no rule saying you can’t enter without a contract. I don’t think there’s any need to worry about that.”
“…Come to think of it, you’re right. I don’t think there’s a rule like that.”
“Of course not. The organizers don’t even consider the possibility of a spirit master entering without a contract in the first place. Besides, there’s usually zero benefit to doing so.”
“…………”
I sighed, nodding at Sensei’s logic. If you think about it, the management probably wouldn’t even dream of a spirit master without a contract showing up… My head is starting to hurt.
“Be more dignified. Now that you’ve been chosen, you are a spirit master carrying the name of Utrea Academy.”
“Ugh…”
He was right. After Misha’s words and my duel with Trallus, I should have gained some confidence, but when it comes to the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival, it’s a completely different story.
My opponents will also be academy representatives. The thought of facing spirit masters on the level of Misha or Trallus is absolutely terrifying.
“Well, I won’t say I don’t understand how you feel,”
Sensei said with a smile. He pulled a Sealing Stone—shining with a blue light reminiscent of a sapphire—from his drawer and tossed it toward me.
“This is…”
“A parting gift from me. This one is quite temperamental, but I think they’ll be of use to you.”
As I stood there bewildered by the suddenly gifted Sealing Stone, Sensei continued.
“It’s okay. You are strong. I, your master, guarantee it.”
“…………Sensei.”
He gave my shoulder a gentle pat, and before I knew it, my heart felt a little lighter than before.
“The man called ‘The Trailblazer’ says so. That gives you some confidence, doesn’t it?”
“Didn’t you tell me before that you’d forgotten that nickname yourself?”
“Now, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I couldn’t help but smile as Sensei played dumb in response to my remark.
“Thank you, Sensei. I’ll do my best.”
“Yeah, I’m rooting for you, Rourke.”
With those final words from my master, I left the room.
Then, the day finally arrived. I was in my room at the dormitory doing a final check of my luggage when I heard a knock at the door.
“Coming—”
“Rourke, it’s almost time. Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I just finished. I’m coming out now.”
Responding to Gareth’s voice, I slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped out of the room.
“Good. I thought you might boycott… wait, isn’t your bag a bit big?”
“Well, I realized I’m finally going to the Holy City. I figured I should buy some good stuff if I see anything.”
“As expected, you’re as shrewd as ever,”
Gareth said with a wry smile. I closed my door, and we walked down the corridor together. It was too late to run away now, so this was the result of me trying to find a silver lining.
“By the way, I heard you reported to Owen-san about becoming a representative?”
“Yeah. I even got a present, so I’m glad I went.”
“A present?”
Gareth asked curiously, but I didn’t tell him then and there, simply saying, “Look forward to it later.”
“What? Now I’m really curious.”
“Well, to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ll even use it yet.”
The spirit I received from Sensei is difficult to handle with just a simple contract. In this festival, which requires teamwork, I’m not sure if I’ll even have a chance to call it out.
“In that case, I’ll count on you as our secret weapon.”
“That’s my line. I’m the one counting on you.”
When I said that, Gareth gave me another wry smile and corrected me.
“Don’t just rely on me; rely on everyone. We’re a team, after all.”
“A team… huh.”
Hearing that word, I realized once again that many excellent spirit masters, starting with Misha and Trallus, were my allies this time.
“True… you’re right.”
For some reason, thinking about it that way made me feel like we could win… wait, if I think about it, with those guys around, couldn’t we win the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival even if I don’t do anything?
Wait, is this event actually going to be way easier than I thought?
“……Rourke?”
“……Ah, sorry. Yeah, you’re right. I’ll rely on everyone just like you said.”
“Is it just me, or do you look strangely refreshed all of a sudden?”
“Must be your imagination.”
Responding to Gareth’s suspicious look, I walked out of the dorm with a light step and headed toward the meeting spot in front of the Utrea Academy gates.
We jogged to join the other representative members who were already waiting. I thought we were early, but did we keep them waiting?
“You’ve both arrived.”
“Sorry, are we late?”
“No, not at all. It’s still before the meeting time, and besides…”
Misha shifted her gaze behind us. I followed her look and saw Leia-san running toward us, looking panicked.
“I-I’m sorry! I’m late!!”
“Nnn……”
Leia-san, dragging along Akari-san who still looked half-asleep, apologized to Misha while panting for breath.
“It’s alright. You aren’t actually late for the meeting time anyway.”
“O-Oh, thank goodness……”
Leia-san sighed in relief at Misha’s words, then immediately glared at Akari-san.
“Akari-san, pull yourself together!”
“Five more minutes………”
“Absolutely not!?”
As Akari-san tried to drift back to sleep, Leia-san slapped her on the head. Akari-san rubbed her eyes, muttering “That hurts.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
“You’re like her mother, Leia.”
“R-Rourke-senpai!”
I gave a wry smile at the two of them and called out, causing Leia-san to look at me sheepishly.
“I’m embarrassed you had to see that………”
“Really? I think it shows how well you take care of others.”
“That’s not………”
I laughed as she murmured shyly, gave her small back a light pat, and said:
“I’m counting on you.”
Seriously. Desperately.
“………Yes!”
As Leia-san replied energetically while Misha and Gareth looked on warmly, I felt an impact on my back. I turned around to find Lily looking up at me.
“Rourke, what about me?”
“Don’t try to compete with your junior……”
I said it exasperatedly, but Lily kept staring at me with expectant eyes. Losing the battle of wills, I patted her head and said the words she was clearly waiting for.
“Of course, I’m expecting great things from you too, Lily. I’m counting on you.”
“Naturally.”
Then don’t make me say it……
As I was patting Lily’s head, the sound of clapping reached my ears. I looked over to see our chaperone, Albert-sensei, gathering everyone’s attention.
“Is everyone here? The guide from the Spirit Institute will be arriving soon, so please be ready to move immediately!”
“By the way, how are we traveling to the Holy City?”
At Albert-sensei’s words, the question occurred to me, and I asked Gareth, who was readjusting his bag next to me. A normal trip would take a week, but the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival starts tomorrow.
“I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard we’ll arrive in an instant.”
“In an instant—?”
While wondering what that meant, I detected spiritual power approaching from the sky. I cut off the conversation and looked up at the source.
“They’re here.”
A massive spirit, looking like a giant swan, soared through the clear blue sky as if it owned it. A spirit master clad in a white robe was riding on its back, descending slowly toward the academy gates.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Norn, and I have come from the Spirit Institute to serve as your guide to the Holy City.”
The spirit master dismounted, removed her hood, and introduced herself in a somewhat mechanical tone.
“The Spirit Institute……”
The Spirit Institute. An organization that follows the religion known as Spiritism. They are the managers of the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival and a massive religious organization that manages the Holy City and other sacred territories. It’s likely the most widely followed religion on this continent.
“Am I correct in assuming you are the representatives of Utrea Academy participating in the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Very well then—”
While Norn-san and Albert-sensei were handling the confirmation details, I whispered to Gareth.
“Hey, how do you think we’re actually moving?”
“Maybe a flying ship? To move this many people at a decent speed, the options are limited…”
As Gareth and I speculated on the transportation method, Albert-sensei and the guide approached us. Time to go?
“Now, students of Utrea Academy, we will be moving to the Holy City. Could you please gather in one spot?”
Just as expected. Once we were bunched together, Norn-san pulled a medium from her robes and tossed it into the air. From it emerged a strangely shaped spirit made of stones connected in a circle.
“Is that a Cirquea? It’s my first time seeing one……”
“Ah, to think I’d lay eyes on an ancient spirit often called a ‘spirit fossil’……”
While Kyle and I stared in awe at a spirit we’d only ever seen in textbooks, the Cirquea floating above us expanded its circular body as far as it could, surrounding all of us, including Norn-san.
“We will now commence the transport. For your safety, please do not move from your spots.”
Norn-san muttered this and called her swan spirit to her side. Consuming a massive amount of spiritual power, she began drawing a complex geometric magic circle on the ground.
“……Wait, what? This formula, is it—”
Just as I realized the effect of the circle and tried to speak up, my vision was enveloped in a pale light. In the next moment, the scenery before my eyes had completely changed.
The academy gates that were there just a second ago had vanished without a trace, replaced by a white fountain with magnificent decorations. I didn’t even have to think about it—this was…
“Transfer magic……”
The highest difficulty spiritual art that connects space to space. Utilizing the unique attributes of a Cirquea, this art is so precise that it requires not only the spirit master’s skill but also delicate control from the contracted spirit.
Therefore, only a handful of spirit masters contracted with high-ranking spirits capable of fine spiritual manipulation can use transfer magic. I couldn’t help but realize Norn-san’s incredible skill.
“……Phew. You may move now.”
Norn-san’s voice, thick with exhaustion as sweat dripped from her forehead, reached my shocked ears. As expected, using transfer magic must consume a staggering amount of spiritual power and stamina.
Looking at the spirit, it also seemed exhausted, drooping its head.
“Members of Utrea Academy, welcome to the Holy City. We of the Spirit Institute welcome you.”
Turning toward the voice, I saw three women in pure white habits bowing in greeting.
“We have arranged lodging for you here. Please recover your strength today and prepare for tomorrow’s Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival.”
“Thank you. On behalf of Utrea Academy and the Kingdom of Romus, we appreciate it.”
As Misha gave her thanks with elegant grace, I crept up to Albert-sensei.
“Sensei, I’d like to look around the Holy City a bit, is that okay?”
“Well, it’s not every day you get to visit. As long as it doesn’t affect tomorrow, I don’t see a problem.”
“Thank you!”
I did a mental fist pump at Sensei’s permission. Since I was finally in the Holy City, I wanted to see as much as I could while I had the time.
“Then, let us guide you to your lodgings. Please, this way.”
Following the guides from the Spirit Institute, I began daydreaming about my tour of the city.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
