Ken yo, kaku katariki – 107
15 – King
“If it isn’t the Viskinel weakling.”
With those words, the air suddenly became tense.
Not just Leo, but Rev, Bailey and Sherry all looked serious.
“…What do you want, Rogweld?”
“I heard that you were all staying at the Avansiel. It seems like you are getting carried away, Bailey. In spite of you not even making it into the finals last year.”
Said Stan Rogweld with an ironic frown. Imperial University, 4th year.
The victor of the spear arts division last year. And the heir of a marquis.
“I won’t lose to you ever again.”
“Eh? You won’t?”
Rogweld snorted. Then he put his hands on the table and leaned towards Leo.
“Did you forget how badly I beat you last year?”
“…”
As Rogweld laughed mockingly, Leo just gritted his teeth.
What he said was the truth. Leo knew that more than anyone, and so he could not retaliate.
Last year, he was selected to represent the spear arts division, in spite of being a young second year. He had even made it to the finals. And then he was mercilessly destroyed by the man in front of him.
He knew. He understood. And he had been training desperately for the past year.
The two glared at each other. It felt like a fight could break out at any second. And then a voice rang from the back.
“Rogweld. That’s enough.”
A muscular man was standing there.
He was not that tall, and yet it felt like he loomed over everyone. It must have to do with the confidence that emanated from him.
A warrior. That’s what his presence suggested.
“Roy…”
Bailey muttered.
Roy Belms. During the previous tournament, he had won in the general division for students.
Some people called him the king.
“It’s been a while, Bay.”
“Yeah…”
Bailey muttered, and everyone turned towards him.
It was clear that they were old acquaintances. And this was a surprise to them.
Bailey averted his eyes as if not knowing what to say.
And then he raised his head again and took a step forward. As if to protect Leo and the others.
“Why did you come here? To provoke us? Or…”
“I just wanted to see you once. That is all.”
Bailey narrowed his eyes.
Indeed…Roy Belms had once been a friend of Bailey Grendman.
The Grendman family and Belms family had been close for many years. Their parents were old comrades, and so it was only natural for their children to become close.
“I am a different person now.”
Said Roy. Bailey chuckled with a ‘I know.’
Yes, he did know.
Their separate paths had created a deep divide between them.
“I’ll be in the group battle this year.”
“What…?”
“It was not my wish to do so, but… We are at our best this year. The strongest in history, you might say. And so let me be blunt. You have no chance of winning.”
His words were filled with confidence. Next to him, Stan was smiling.
However, Bailey just smiled back.
“I know, Roy. We are the same.”
“What?”
Roy raised an eyebrow.
However, his smile had not been to mock or to provoke.
(I know you didn’t come to insult us.)
Bailey and Roy were 4th years. This would be their final tournament.
And fate had led them to clashing in this final battle. So he must have felt compelled to come.
Right?
“We will be the ones to win.”
Bailey. Not from pride or to defend. Leo stood next to him.
Their eyes locked. As the king, Roy’s pressure was too strong. But…
(Compared to that other person…)
He smiled. Yes, compared to him, this was less than a gentle breeze.
He had said it. That they could win.
“…How interesting.”
Roy muttered as he turned away.
And then he said, ‘Let’s go,’ to Stan, and then walked through the lobby to the entrance.
However, he then stopped as if remembering something.
“I forgot… One of the participants in the general division this year… I had never heard the name before. But I thought that I should warn you. Unless you want to be destroyed, I would withdraw from the tournament.”
“Why…?”
“I don’t want to say this…but that man is too dangerous.”
With the general division, anything could happen. And it was where the strongest fought.
But Roy would not fight this year. In other words, someone appeared who was stronger than the ‘king.’
‘See ya.’ Roy said as he left. Leaving just the smallest seed of doubt in his wake.
◆ ◇ ◆
(This year, things might get a little crazy.)
Roy thought silently, though Stan pestered him with, ‘Why did you leave?’ ‘Are you scared?’
But he was amused by the idea of what was to come.
Last year, with a small exception, things had gone mostly to plan. No surprises. It had ended with him showing why he was the ultimate victor.
Many would likely believe that it would be the same this year.
But that wasn’t what Roy wanted.
He knew that it was only through fighting the strong, that you were able to take the next step as a warrior.
He thought back on his old friend.
He had become a full-fledged fighter since the last time they met. He wanted to fight him right. But he knew it was not possible.
Just as he was about to pass through the door.
Roy paused at the sight of a familiar face.
A beautiful girl.
Stan whistled. She ignored him and continued to walk into the hotel.
(Iria Orlando…)
He knew her, because she was an opponent last year.
Their battle had been the most dense and exciting. For him, it was the definitive battle. And so he was surprised to find out that she was a year below him.
As she was not participating this year, he wondered if she had been injured. But it did not seem to be the case.
After she left, his shoulder bumped into someone else.
“Excuse me.”
“Ah, sorry.”
They both apologized and continued on.
And then Roy turned around as if bouncing off of something.
The dark hair and eyes. Someone from the east.
There was nothing else notable about him. He looked like an ordinary person.
However, when they passed each other, he felt something strange. Like he was struck by lightning.
“Hey, Roy. How long are you going to stare? Well, not that I can blame you.”
“…”
Roy shook his head and pulled his eyes away from the man’s back.
(Maybe it was just me?)
