After the entrance ceremony, I was instructed to take the skill test immediately.
Unlike commoners, who had to pass a general test to enter, nobles were usually tested after entering. However, it was actually just a simple test of casting attack spells at a target.
No matter how badly one performed in this test, it didn’t mean that one would be expelled.
“Next, Fraus Auvisch.”
“Yes.”
The named boy stepped forward and cast a wind spell at the target ten meters away.
However, the airball he released missed the target by a small margin.
“Is that all you can do? Or are you pulling my leg?”
The power was weak and the accuracy was terrible.
“Next, Celsia Rains.”
“I just have to hit the target, right?”
A girl with long blue hair took a few steps forward.
Her sweet and beautiful face surprised everyone with her gorgeous appearance that didn’t seem to be 15 years old, along with an outstanding figure. Her presence exuded an air of grace that held everyone’s attention.
The Rains are a family of dukes. They have gained fame as a respected family in the water attribute, and the vast majority of the family have held important positions. One of the leading families among the distinguished families. Although the Starfield family also has considerable prestige, it can’t be compared to the Rains family. Undoubtedly, it is at a higher level.
And she is the main protagonist who will be involved with the protagonist in the main story.
She formed a water ball and sent it towards the target.
“Aqua Ball”
The amount of magical energy emanating from her body at the same time would be visible to any magician who could measure the total amount at a glance. It was such a huge amount of magical energy that even the masters were overwhelmed.
The water ball hit the target instantly and threw it far away.
That’s the power of a low-level magic spell. It’s clear that you have extraordinary talent.
While everyone was silent, I applauded.
Then the students and teachers began to clap.
“Thank you.”
She bowed and withdrew.
“Next, Will Starfield.”
“Yes.”
Finally, it was my turn.
Of course, I had planned to do moderately well.
My goal at the Academy is to lead a quiet student life and go unnoticed. Although not enough to tarnish the reputation of the Starfield family.
I created a small stone with the earth attribute instead of the star attribute.
The students began to laugh.
“It seems to be of the earth attribute.”
“I thought the Starfield family had the Wind attribute. Is it true that this boy was accepted without any expectations?”
“It seems that he has an insufficient amount of magical energy and can’t even use magic properly. That’s probably all he can do.”
As intended, the power was minimal, and I continued to focus on my target.
“Stone ball.”
The stone hit the center of the target at a speed similar to a throw.
Immediately after that, they began to taunt.
In the midst of the mockery, only one person applauded.
“It seems that you are an excellent earth manipulator. I can’t hit the center of the target as accurately as you can. No wonder you are the respected son of Starfield.”
“Thank you for your kind words. Celsia-san’s magic was also impressive.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed to her, who smiled kindly at me.
It’s strange, even though I did moderately well, she praised me.
◇
The classroom was filled with lively students.
Groups had already formed with good relations and were exchanging typical social conversations of the nobility.
In the midst of it all, I felt alone.
“Strange. Why does nobody talk to me? After all, I am a noble too.”
I stood up and spoke to a girl who was nearby.
“Hey, do you want to be my friend?”
“Yuck.”
As soon as the girls saw me, they fled in terror.
“Why? Why is this happening? I just wanted to be friends.”
“When you have such a scary look on your face, everyone would run away.”
“You again?”
“That’s right. Isn’t it amazing that we’re in the same class?”
Theo approached me with a fresh smile.
This guy is surprisingly good looking! That’s annoying.
I’ve always felt that way, but the beauty rate of both men and women in this world is too high. Why is no one kind to me? It’s too unfair!
“I never had the opportunity to interact with girls my age in the mansion. So I got nervous without meaning to.”
“It’s a big surprise to hear that. I thought, being noble, you would be used to it.”
“I guess that’s normal. I’m too useless, and they won’t let me go out. Obviously you’re much more used to it.”
“Not really. There were no children my age in my village, so I didn’t have many opportunities to interact with people of the opposite sex. I lived alone with my father.”
Of course I know.
You were picked up and raised by an old man who wasn’t related to you.
You lived in a remote house in the mountains and had little interaction with people other than your father.
How can you be so nice to everyone?
He is handsome, intelligent and talented. I know that most girls think he is boyfriend material. If it weren’t for our status difference, the girls would have flocked to him.
“By the way, have you visited the battlefield yet?”
“Not yet.”
“In that case, what do you think about this afternoon…”
“Hey, you.”
While we were talking, three boys approached me.
Among them, a red-haired boy intervened.
“I’ve heard about it. They say you’re from the Starfield family, right? You must be quite strong as a child of a noble family. Let me see your face.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Arsh from the Darlis House.”
I see, let’s see…
Darlis comes from a family with the Fire Attribute.
Although it is inferior in rank to the prestigious Agnis family, it is not lacking in competence. In fact, before the arrival of the Agnis, Darlis was the fire family. It is not hard to imagine that he holds a grudge against the current family for the loss of their prestige from the past.
“I don’t know what your circumstances are, but we should put aside this useless quarrel.”
“Shut up. Commoners shouldn’t interfere.”
Ash pushed Theo.
While Theo was on the ground, Ash taunted him, “Commoners should crawl like this.
That guy… He just messed with Theo, a boy who is kind, striving to be better, with a strong sense of justice, and very attached to his grandfather.
He doesn’t know how much Theo suffered when Will died, or how many doubts he had before he stood up to the enemies.
I will make this guy regret what he has done.
“Ash, this guy is dangerous.”
“Shut up, are you going to help me or not?”
“I don’t want people to think I ran away from the third son of the Starfield family, so I’ll go with you.”
As the three bullies prepared to face me, Theo quickly stood up.
“Then I will fight too. It would be unfair if I let three bullies face one.”
“Do what you want. But if you participate, don’t expect to come out unscathed.”
“Participate?”
“Yes, this is a duel with the Sacred sword.”
That’s right, I remember that event very well.
It was the first time that Theo and Will fought together to defeat an enemy within the school. That battle is what earned Will Theo’s respect and made them close friends. Since then, Theo and Will have been together until the Day of Destiny.
By the way, Theo’s victory is already guaranteed.
After all, he is a magical genius who grew up with the Sacred Sword. In both swordsmanship and magic, he is far above the level of a first year student and is not even a match for Ash.
The important thing is how much I can humiliate myself. If Theo sees something exceptional in me, he will surely secure the position as my partner. Even if I win in the end, my personal defeat must be crushing.
Ash, you’re in luck. I will be your opponent.
◇
I opened the heavy door and entered the fighting arena.
This arena is filled with countless stone pillars and is one of the most famous attractions of the school.
The pillars are about 10 meters high and are placed at regular intervals, creating the appearance of a large cage.
“This is the fighting arena! I finally got here on my own!”
“Calm down. Why are you so excited?”
Theo seems surprised by my enthusiasm.
He cannot understand how excited I am. This fighting arena has been the scene of many memorable scenes. It’s not just a pilgrimage, it’s like a pilgrimage to a holy place. I am stepping on the ground I have always dreamed of.
“You are late. I thought you’d get scared and run away.”
Ash with his sword and his two henchmen are waiting, visibly tired.
If I could run, I would. After all, the battle is nothing but a nuisance. But as a nobleman, I cannot escape the challenge. If I can, I must give the impression that I am weak at this moment.
I must become useless and disappear until the event of my death, and then enter the survival route while helping Theo from the shadows. It really is the perfect plan.
That’s why I’m going to lose. I’m going to lose here in a big and spectacular way.
“Where are the practice swords? It’s not possible to duel with the Sacred Sword.”
“It’s the same for commoners. Nobles are given practice swords at a young age and grow up with them. Even by the time you start handling a sword, we already have a fully developed Sacred Sword. I don’t think a noble like you doesn’t have a Sacred Sword, right, Will Starfield?”
Ah, yes, that’s true.
Will also had a complex about using the Sacred Sword.
As Ash said, the children of the nobility are raised with a special weapon called a “practice sword. This sword absorbs the magical energy and vitality of its owner and matures into a fully developed Sacred Sword.
And what is created is a truly unique weapon.
The greater the talent of the wielder, the more powerful the weapon will be. Most of the legendary weapons left in this country are the Sacred Swords of those who have left their mark on history.
To return to the subject, the presence or absence of a Sacred Sword and its performance are aspects that are evaluated both internally and externally for the children of the nobility. For the owners, it is a matter of pride, and for others, it is a way to instantly understand their talent.
However, Will Starfield (me) was not given a training sword due to my lack of talent.
As a result, Will developed a complex.
The resolution of this complex takes place in the case of death.
The practice sword becomes a Sacred Sword, revealing its true talent, and then receives an untimely death. It is the story of the friendship between Theo and Will that cannot be told without tears.
But the one who has the complex is Will in the story, not me. In fact, until recently, I had completely forgotten the word “sacred” from Sacred Sword.
“You’re right, I don’t have one.”
“Really? What does that mean? A noble who doesn’t even have a Sacred sword? That’s unbelievable! So the rumors were true. The third son of Starfield has no talent for magic.”
Theo drew his sword and pointed it at Ash’s neck.
Ash, unable to react, began to break out in a cold sweat.
“Take back what you said. Otherwise I won’t forgive you.”
“I won’t. Whether I admit it or not will be decided by the outcome of the duel. A lot of people have already gathered. If we cancel it, what kind of rumors do you think will spread?”
On the bleachers, students quickly gathered when they heard the conversation.
Many students find duels at the beginning of the school year exciting. In this school, martial arts skills are valued as much as academic skills. It is very common to investigate the skills of rivals.
“Let’s start the duel. I will show you the difference between our skills.”
Ash said as he unsheathed his flaming sword.
