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Chapter 34. A Day In The Life Of A Trainee Magic Knight

"Why is the Founding Festival so barbaric?"

"Barbaric? As a magic knight, it's pretty normal, right?"

In the middle of a sparring match with Ash, which had become part of our daily routine,

I was taken aback by what he said about the Founding Festival events.

Sure, I had been to the festival as a kid, but I never paid much attention to it, so I didn't know the details.

So, the Founding Festival gathers the best fighters in the country to compete in magic swordsmanship.

It’s quite a large event, with magic knights from the Kuria Kingdom and swordsmen from other countries participating,

but is it really appropriate for the Founding Festival?

"For the citizens, it's their biggest entertainment. It's one reason why magic knights are expected to fight beautifully."

"But in actual combat, everyone fights however they can, right?"

"Of course. They're the knights who protect the country, not a group that fights honorably just to feel good."

Well, the idea of fighting beautifully is just a mindset.

In reality, you wouldn’t see magic knights fighting beautifully... and there's no point in doing so.

"Isn't it strange that the Founding Festival, the exchange battle, and the individual battles are scheduled so close together?"

"...I'm surprised. Elixira and Ivy said you were the kind of person who didn't know the school events schedule, Theodor."

"What? I remember it once it's mentioned to me."

"So you don't remember unless you're told... check for yourself."

I find it more frightening for someone to always look at the annual event schedule.

Even as a student in my previous life, I never paid attention to the annual schedule.

"By the way... the individual battles are round-robin by grade, right?"

"...Well, it's actually only for those who want to participate."

"What’s the exchange battle?"

I knew I'd definitely be looked down upon if I asked, but I thought it was better to ask now.

If I asked when the time was closer, they'd look at me with more than just disapproval.

Even now, Ash was already looking at me with cold eyes beyond disapproval.

"I thought I understood what kind of person you were... but you really don't care about things, do you?"

"That's rude. I just don't care about things I'm not interested in. I'm not someone who lacks interest in everything.

I just don't care about school events."

"That's the problem! You belong to the Chronos Magic Knight Academy,

and you’ve recently shown interest in becoming a magic knight. You should be aware of this!"

Damn... I can't argue against that.

I used to be able to escape by saying I wasn't interested in magic knights,

but now I can't say that anymore. It's only natural to check if I'm interested.

"In a way, someone like you might be the most suited for being a magic knight."

"Really?"

"Yeah... You follow orders faithfully, and you have the cold-heartedness to discard others without hesitation.

People swayed by emotions and who disobey the country's orders aren't suited to be magic knights.

And... in a merit-based system like the magic knights, someone like you, focused solely on strength, is preferable."

"But I don't have any patriotism."

"That's the only problem. Also, outside the Chronos Magic Knight Academy,

you’d be punished for being rude to nobles."

That would be troublesome.

If I got executed for speaking casually to the king, it’d be a problem.

"Conversely, someone like me, who considers various complex matters as noble, might not be suited."

"Then just join the army."

"...Nobles can't join the military."

Oh, I see.

By the way, the magic knights and the military are separate entities.

"I'm a bit envious of you. If I had your strength... I wouldn't worry about my title being revoked,

and I could easily obtain the title of magic knight."

"Envying others won't help, will it? I have my strengths, and you have yours... like your soft swordsmanship."

"That's something someone in a superior position would say... well, never mind."

He’s a difficult guy... maybe he can't match my speed because he thinks about complicated things.

I’m glad I wasn't born into a noble family.

"Alright, enough idle talk."

"Still going?"

"Of course. The more I experience the sword of a skilled person like you,

the more my soft swordsmanship gets refined. When I clash swords with Nina Violet again, I'll win."

Ah... he was really bothered by losing to Nina.

With his counter-focused swordsmanship, Ash tends to have a slow initial move.

He can handle standard one-handed magic swordsmanship using magic, but compared to his refined movements,

he's clearly a beat slower.

On the other hand, Nina abandons forms and uses an instinctual way of wielding the sword.

Unlike swordsmanship which chooses the optimal movement on the spot, her instinctual effective attacks

don’t follow a fixed form... which can be seen as free movement, but in essence, it's no different from a beast.

From this, it’s clear that Ash Garndi excels in human combat but struggles significantly against magical beasts.

"So you're using me for that."

"Of course. The Garndi family will use any means to rise higher."

"But you’re only the second generation."

"Don't you think it's a good saying? I’m thinking of making it our family motto."

That's premature. At least establish some achievements first.

"I've said it many times... fighting me won't help you prepare for magical beasts."

"I understand. I just want to learn from your speed."

"Speed, huh."

In soft swordsmanship, speed might be the most crucial element.

To parry an opponent’s sword, you inevitably have to move after them.

To compensate for this, you must move faster than their attack.

Being counter-focused, soft swordsmanship can be fatal if you make a single mistake.

"Alright, I'll go a bit faster this time."

"Please do."

Having stronger faction members benefits me too, so I won't hold back.

Though I won't show my grimoire.