Chapter 231: Col’s Worry

At the end of the first term, the traditional Royal Academy newcomer swordsmanship tournament is held. It reminds me of the time my older brother Eddie won it.

The academy is buzzing with talk about the newcomer tournament. “Who do you think will win this year?” “There isn’t a heavy favorite like Her Highness Elizabeth or the former president, Edward.”

Some students even place bets on it. Though you get scolded if you’re caught betting money, of course.

By the way, even though there’s a swordsmanship tournament, there is no magic tournament. That is because of safety issues. With a sword, if you use a training one with a rounded tip, you can avoid major injuries.

But you can’t do that with magic. If humans shoot magic at each other, there is a real danger of losing lives. Therefore, anyone who hasn’t been granted a Swordsmanship Skill has no connection to the newcomer tournament.

However, there are exceptions to everything. Even though the Student Council President, young Lord Luke, was granted a Magic Skill, he somehow advanced all the way to the third round when he competed.

Apparently, the students with Swordsmanship Skills were quite depressed at the time. Young Lord Luke is an excellent mage, has good looks, and is someone blessed with multiple natural gifts.

This time, from the members of the Southern Development Research Society, Letty and Col will participate in the newcomer tournament. Both of them won their first and second-round matches smoothly.

“Congratulations, you two.” “Thanks, Will. But the real thing starts now.” “Yeah, from here on out, we’ll be facing strong opponents.”

“I have to keep winning.” While Letty seemed to be purely raising her fighting spirit, Col looked like he was intensely brooding over it.

“Letty, don’t you think Col is a bit too fired up?” I was a little concerned, so I asked Letty about it after Col left the clubroom.

“Let’s see. This newcomer tournament doesn’t allow the use of Special Skills, right?” “Because it’s dangerous to use Special Skills.” If someone used a Special Skill like Brother Eddie‘s or Letty‘s, some people would probably lose their lives.

“So, unlike an actual battle, it’s a tournament competing solely on raw sword skills. For those who possess a Special Skill, it’s practically just like practice.” “I see, so that’s why swordsmen without Special Skills think they absolutely cannot afford to lose.”

Col has devoted himself to swordsmanship, and his skill is quite considerable. He could hold his own even fighting monsters in the undeveloped lands. However, he hasn’t acquired a Special Skill.

Because I have a Production Skill, I’m completely on the outside looking in when it comes to combat skills like swords or magic in the first place, but it seems there are worries even if you are blessed with the Swordsmanship Skill, which is so popular among nobles.

Then, the day of the swordsmanship tournament finals arrived. It was a match between a swordsman using a rapier and shield, delivering swift strikes, and a user of a two-handed sword, delivering heavy slashes.

The large two-handed sword repelled the rapier’s continuous strikes, and the large sword’s strikes were parried by the shield. The venue erupted at the back-and-forth offense and defense.

“There!” Without missing the momentary opening created after the continuous strikes, a strike from the large sword, faster than any before, was unleashed.

Even though the opponent had successfully blocked the large sword with their shield up until now, they couldn’t completely parry this single strike, and the one-handed swordsman dropped to his knees.

“That’s enough! The winner is Scarlet Cardiff.” Letty smiled and raised her large sword.

I was happy that Letty won. But Col had lost in the third round. Even to my eyes, as someone not good with a sword, it looked like he was putting way too much tension into his swings.

From that day on, Col took a break from the club for a while.

“Is Col absent today too?” “Yeah. I think he’s agonizing over it. I feel like I understand how Col feels. I used to be exactly the same.”

“Is that so, Letty?” “Yes. It was painful back when my Special Skill wouldn’t activate no matter how much I trained.”

“I felt like Eddie‘s back was getting further and further away, and Will, you were playing such an active role with your Production Skill that you seemed too dazzling for me to even bring myself to go see you.” “I’m sorry I didn’t notice you were worrying so much.”

“No, it’s fine. You kept working hard even though you were granted a skill that was neither sword nor magic. Compared to that, I thought my worries were trivial.”

“I don’t think that’s true. Having or not having a Special Skill is a big deal for a swordsman, isn’t it.” “Yes. I felt like my whole world changed once I became able to use a Magic Sword.”

I wish there was some way I could help Col. But I don’t know anything about swords.

I suppose I should just ask someone knowledgeable about swords about sword-related matters.

“Hello, it’s Will.” “Oh, this is rare, getting a call from Will.” “Brother Eddie, I have something I want to consult with you about.”

I explained the situation to Brother Eddie. “I see. So Colsen-kun of the Walterford family is agonizing because he can’t acquire a Special Skill.”

“Yes, I’d like to help him somehow, but since I don’t know anything about swords…” “Understood. I don’t know if I’ll be of any help, but let’s meet with him.”

“Thank you, Brother.” Although my brother is a sword genius, I heard from Liam that he didn’t rest on his laurels and put in twice the effort of a normal person.

I’m sure he’ll give Col some good advice. Besides, Col mentioned before that he admired Brother Eddie, so I think he’d be happy just to meet him.

“Even so, it seems you’ve become quite good friends with Colsen-kun, Will.” “Yes. Even after I entered the Royal Academy, the surrounding students kept their distance, so I initially thought I wouldn’t be able to make any friends.”

“Ahaha, well, you played a huge role and it became widely known that you’re the Savior, after all. Besides, your fiancée Scarlet-san is a celebrity, and your other fiancée is Her Highness the Princess.”

“But Col joined the club along with El and Kate, and we were able to become friends. For me especially, Col is a precious same-sex friend.” “I see.”