Jack of All Trades, Party of None

The perspective shifts for the second half.

“...Hey, what’s with that pathetic sword?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Is that just an excuse for when you lose? Pathetic.”

“Don’t bark. Get ready already. No matter how much time you stall, the result won’t change — you’re going to lose.”

“—!! I’ll kill you.”

Derrick radiated incredible anger as he raised his shield and sword.

“Alright, it looks like both of you are ready! The second round, fourth match begins now!”

Right from the start, Derrick closed the distance.

After all that provocation, it was only natural he’d charge in.

Really, he’s so easy to handle, it’s a relief.

Derrick swung his sword down.

When I converted to an enchanter from my time in the hero party, Derrick was already part of the party.

I’d been watching Derrick’s movements for years.

And I had repeatedly coordinated my instantaneous ability surge (impact) with his actions.

I already have your moves—completely figured out.

I stepped back half a step just as Derrick’s sword came down, letting the tip run past right in front of me.

After confirming his attack missed, I moved to his right side and aimed my dagger for his neck.

“—!?”

Derrick reacted to my attack and tried to dodge.

I knew that whenever Derrick dodged after attacking, he always moved his left foot first.

Right after he moved his left foot, I kicked his right foot as if sweeping it away.

“What!?”

Immediately after, recalling the sensation from when I hit him yesterday, I aimed to break his nose this time by driving my reverse palm strike into his face.

Once the fight’s over, he can get treatment; a broken nose won’t be a problem.

“Ugh.”

He dropped his right-hand dagger, drew his longsword from his waist, and pressed the attack toward Derrick’s chest.

“Ugh!”

I held the sword tip to Derrick’s face as he fell backward.

“...The match is over.”

“Not yet...!”

Derrick’s eyes were far from dead; he glared at me.

“There’s zero chance you can turn this around. Know when to quit.”

“Shut up...! —Gah!”

Derrick freed his left hand from his shield, aiming to strike my shin.

But since his move was obvious, I slammed that left hand with my longsword.

“...Referee, please judge.”

“...Winner: Orun Dura.”

The referee made the call — I won.

As expected, but it still felt a bit anticlimactic.

Now then, next up is the tough Fuuka match.

◇

“Orun, you did it.”

As I returned to the waiting room, I heard Will’s voice.

“Will? Are you okay now?”

Fuuka and Mr. Haruto weren’t there; only Will and Lucre were present.

“It’s thanks to Lucre’s healing magic.”

“Fuh-fuh, be sure to give her your gratitude!”

The serious concern Will had earlier was gone; Lucre was back to her usual self.

“Alright, alright. I’m grateful. And congratulations again. Keep up the good work for me, too.”

“...Yeah. I’ll do my best for you and Will.”

That’s how the second day of the martial arts tournament ended.

◇　◇　◇

Third day of the martial arts tournament.

Fuuka and I left the clan home of red copper twilight, heading to the arena for our matches.

Only four remain.

Two of those are from red copper twilight — isn’t that enough?

This tournament has been more of a hassle than I thought, and my motivation is pretty low.

“Ahh~ so tired~”

“Weren’t you supposed to take this seriously?”

Fuuka, walking beside me, asked.

“Well, that’s what I thought. But I’ve done enough. Still, you’re pretty hyped.”

Her expression was as inscrutable as usual, but she looked like a kid too excited to wait.

“That’s because I get to fight you today, Orun. Maybe I’ll even get to see your real fight.”

“Oh yeah, you’re the one who said you thought I was holding back. But I thought you fought pretty seriously in the first and second rounds.”

“I think you gave your all both days. But your real fight isn’t like that, right?”

Well, even if you ask me, I don’t know.

◇

“Hello, Mr. Haruto.”

Orun entered the waiting room while I was waiting.