“Now, let’s get back to the main reason I called you here today.”
“It’s about the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival, right?”
“You already know? That makes this easier.”
As expected, it was about the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival.
“I’d like you to participate in the festival as well.”
“Do I have the right to refuse?”
“Not exactly… but I’d really like you to participate.”
Figures. I knew it.
“Why? Isn’t it enough to have Loxley and Trallus participate?”
“……You and the others all seem to give the same response.”
“The same response?”
Her words caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but parrot her question.
“Those two also refused to participate in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival, just like you. They said they could leave it to the other two besides themselves.”
“Wait, they’re not planning to participate?”
“Yes.”
No way, with that kind of skill, they’re not going to participate? What on earth are they thinking? Normally, that’s just weird, right?
I thought that, but when I consider how I must look from the outside, I can’t really complain out loud. If anything, if we’re just talking about the reasons given in the survey, I might’ve written the most ridiculous one of all.
“By the way, what were their reasons for declining?”
“Loxley Vowbalt said he’s too busy with his duties as a disciplinary committee member, and Kay Trallus apparently just isn’t interested.”
“……I’m not one to talk, but those are some incredible reasons. Especially Trallus’s.”
I’m no better, but their reasons were even more bizarre than I expected.
Don’t they both just lack any motivation for the Grand Spirit Martial Festival? Especially Trallus—no interest? Are you serious? You’re talking about the pinnacle stage here!
“It’s true. You’re not exactly lacking in confidence either, are you? It’s not something the student who’s been maintaining the position of runner-up in this academy should be saying.”
“Well, yeah… I guess.”
Now that I think about it, my reason just sounds like a provocation. If someone else said they didn’t want to participate for such a reason, I’d definitely be furious. Even if it’s the truth, I should’ve come up with a more plausible excuse.
“……So, all those times you called them in before were…”
“Exactly what you’re thinking—it was to persuade them. Just like with you, I had meetings to convince them to participate in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival.”
“I see……”
I sighed inwardly, sympathizing with Misha’s efforts.
Trying to persuade those two with their strong personalities must’ve been incredibly tough. One’s a guy who listens but ignores you, and the other’s a guy who doesn’t even listen or understand when you talk. Thinking about it, it seems like talented people often have sharp personalities.
“That’s……you’ve worked hard.”
“If you think so, then please participate in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival.”
“No, that’s a bit……”
That’s a different matter altogether.
“I observed your match during the recent ranking battle. You fought that well without even summoning your contracted spirit. If you were to go all out, there’s no doubt you’d hold your own in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival. So why hesitate?”
Misha asked with a puzzled expression, but her words were based on the assumption that what I showed was my full strength.
If I could clearly explain the truth here, things would probably be resolved in an instant. But, being the coward I am, I couldn’t muster the courage to say it out loud.
“Do you really lack that much confidence in your own abilities?”
“……No, well….”
As I remained silent, Misha grew impatient and pressed me further. Well, it’s because I don’t have a contracted spirit. Participating in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival only fills me with anxiety.
“I’ve been wondering for a while now—where does this lack of confidence of yours come from?”
“Huh?”
“You have solid, undeniable strength, and that strength is recognized by those around you. You’ve also achieved excellent results academically. So why?”
“…………”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
The answer boils down to one thing: I haven’t been able to contract with a spirit.
No matter how much I master simplified contracts, swordsmanship, or spirit arts, no matter how good my grades are, the fact that I haven’t contracted with a spirit remains unchanged.
As a spirit master, I can’t form the bond with a spirit that everyone else takes for granted. That fact relentlessly undermines my identity as a spirit master.
—Yeah, she wouldn’t understand unless I tell her……
Whether it’s convenient or not, it’s just me and Misha, the student council president, here.
If I explain that I don’t have a contracted spirit, she’d probably understand why I don’t want to participate in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival. And even if that led to me being expelled for not qualifying as a spirit master, maybe that’s just how it has to be.
—Alright, I’ll tell her.
Though I’m feeling a bit resigned, I’ll just get it over with while I still have the motivation.
“Misha, actually—”
“President, it’s an emergency!”
Just as I was about to speak, the door slammed open violently, and Maris, a student council officer, burst into the room with a panicked expression.
The timing couldn’t be worse. My momentum was completely crushed.
“I told you I was in a meeting with Rourke Areas, didn’t I?”
“I-I’m sorry, but this is urgent!”
Maris, though apologetic, looked frantic as she appealed to Misha.
Sensing the unusual situation, Misha glanced at me to confirm if it was okay to pause our conversation. Reluctantly, I nodded, and she turned back to Maris.
“So, what’s the urgent matter?”
“W-well, it seems intruders have breached the academy. I thought I heard the alarm, but……”
“Intruders in the academy. I was too focused on our conversation……”
“They must’ve bRourken through the barrier……”
Both Misha and I were shocked by Maris’s report.
The EEutrea Academy, with its long history, houses many valuable historical artifacts, treasures, and spirits. As a result, there are always a few people each year who attempt to infiltrate the academy for these reasons.
However, most are stopped by the barrier surrounding the academy, unable to even enter the grounds. Even if they do manage to get in, they’re quickly detected by the spirits’ surveillance and dealt with by the gargoyle stone spirits or the disciplinary committee.
Honestly, even as a student, I think it takes some guts to infiltrate a place like this, a den of spirit masters.
So, personally, I don’t think there’s a need to panic that much……
“Where are the intruders now?”
“Right now, they’re in the square near the annex. The students who were there and the disciplinary committee members who rushed to the scene are engaged in combat, but the intruders are stronger than expected, and they’re struggling……”
“……The disciplinary committee is being pushed back?”
I couldn’t believe my ears and had to ask again. The disciplinary committee is essentially the academy’s police force, and its members are mostly skilled combatants. Yet, they’re being overwhelmed?
“What about Chairman Loxley?”
“That’s the problem—Chairman Loxley is currently outside the academy on a mission and can’t be reached.”
“Come to think of it, the academy head and the main faculty are also away at a conference.”
The timing of this intrusion coincides with the absence of the disciplinary committee’s strongest fighter, Chairman Loxley, and the main faculty. Add to that the fact that it’s after school, and most students have either gone home or are focused on club activities. It’s starting to look like a planned operation……
“I see. Then I’ll go.”
“Wait, wait. You’re a princess, aren’t you? What if something happens? I’ll go.”
Even if she’s one of the strongest in the academy, she’s also a member of the royal family. We can’t just expose her to danger like that.
“No, I’ll go too.”
“Wait, I said—”
“Before I’m a princess, I’m the student council president, and it’s my duty to protect this academy and its students. And……”
Cutting me off, Misha spoke with a confident expression and tone.
“I won’t fall behind against intruders. You should know that, right?”
“……”
Having fought her and witnessed her overwhelming strength, I couldn’t argue back…… Fine.
“Alright. But if things get dangerous, step back immediately, okay?”
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