12 Chapter 1.11
Before progressing back to the main story, allow me to tell you the origins about the tournament which Persia mentioned, and which I was going to participate in.
With that, things will start from the history of ‘World War 4’ that happened a few hundred years ago. Needless to say, ‘world war’ is a world-scaled military conflict, and the word ‘4’ means such a large scale conflict happened for the fourth time.
So… World War 4, was the deadliest military conflict that has ever been recorded in history.
The participants are as so…
Humans, elves, fairies, spirits, vampires, dwarves, beast-mans, giants, angels, demons, dragons, magical beasts, and even the celestial gods. An estimated total of 1.048 billion people perished, which was about 14% of the world population (estimated 7.7 billion).
It lasted for 23 years.
Or rather, in a mere 23 years… World War 4 pushed the world to the verge of destruction.
That's when on the 23rd year, July 1st. One of the legendary twelve apostles of the God of Creation suddenly appeared, and ‘it’ decided to put an end to everything. ‘It’ destroyed several of the strongest and main cause countries of World War 4 in just three days by itself, alone.
Even with full preparation to meet against his attacks, not a single one of them is able to take down the apostle— even if it's the powerful celestial gods who are just one rank below them.
After another three days— July 6th, the whole world surrendered to it. Those of the remaining countries which still exist were compromised to sign a peace treaty.
The conditions for the peace treaty:
1. Cease war for 300 years.
2. No attempts or provocations to start a war for 300 years.
3. Compensations from war will be covered by respective governments.
4. All conflicts will be settled by duels between the strongest teams of each respective country, the duel location will be decided by the apostle once every 50 years.
5. All countries who signed this peace treaty must participate every year.
6. All countries must choose only one representative to be the judge of the duel.
7. A reward will be granted to the winning team by the apostle.
8. Those who signed and do not obey the peace treaty will be erased by the apostle.
Such a condition was like the era of the knights. Battle with pride, fame and honour.
Thus, this duel created by the apostle was then named as the <Knight's Tournament>.
Of course, everyone obeyed the conditions at first. But in a mere 15 restricted years, one country broke the treaty by attacking his neighbouring country who signed the peace treaty and was weaker.
No one knew what was the reason that country attacked. Whether it is for fortune, resources, or perhaps they`ve never seen the wrath of the apostle. The consequences were pretty obvious. It's exactly as what was written in the peace treaty. That very country was wiped out— completely erased from the map. Not a single trace of its existence was left behind. Ever since then, not a single one of the rest dare to make another attempt.
And so, peace was able to last for another 285 years, at least. Though military conflicts still occur nowadays, there hasn't been any world-scaled military conflicts ever since.
By the way, the <Knight's Tournament> was quite successful during the 300 restricted years. Even after the restricted years, the <Knight's Tournament> somehow became a friendly battle entertainment after a few tweaks on the rules and regulations. Even if time passes for several hundred years and eras have changed— the <Knight's Tournament> still goes on and now boasts as the world`s largest fan population battle entertainment. Of course, the rules and regulation was reformed over and over throughout the eras.
Despite the change in rules and regulations, one tradition from the old rules was passed down. That is, the location is still decided by the apostle once every 50 years.
However, there was one exception he made 17 years ago. He changed the location to Central Imperial Island, where it was located at the centre of many nations. Central Imperial Island was founded by a human 22 years ago, and he is now the king of the Central Imperial Island. It was said that this very island is favoured by the apostle, and even received his blessing— this island now rose to become one of the strongest countries nowadays.
Anyways, allow me to explain the current rules and regulation of the <Knight's Tournament>.
The rules and regulation to participate:
1. This tournament is open to every student with their school and nationality acknowledged by the chairman of the <Knight's Tournament>.
2. Registration must be submitted to the tournament`s official website.
3. Only one registration per person is permitted.
4. Upon registration, the image of student id must be submitted and confirmed that it is you and does not infringe on any other right of third party.
5. Only students aged 16-18 in terms of human age are allowed to participate, parent`s permission is required except for Imperial Knights Academy.
6. The maximum number of times in which a student can participate in the tournament is 3 times.
7. The maximum number of participants in one school of each country other than Central Imperial Island is 100.
8. The maximum number of participants for Imperial Knights Academy is 300.
9. Each participant is required to battle individually, as pairs, and as a team.
10. The number of participants in each team must range between 2-100.
11. The tournament will accept participants until June 16th XX93, 2.59 pm, time zone (UTC – 4 hours).
As for the newest rules of the battle, it will be announced after 3 days.
Well, some old rules from last year probably will still be kept the same. Such as to win the battle, you are required to knock down all of your opponents first or make them surrender. Not being able to make it to the match in time will be considered a forfeit. Breaking the rules— or foul, in short, will immediately be disqualified.
...As confusing as it may be, perhaps I'm able to understand once I had the actual duel.
Because my opponent is Kuroyuki Shiroha.
She's an <Ice Elemental User>;
A tactician;
A swordswoman with a god-like reaction speed;
With superhuman strength.
I may have engaged myself in a fight against her because of some circumstances and learnt about her abilities, but I still need to be cautious— I know she still had tons of skills hiding inside her sleeves. I can learn a lot from her since she's strong.
For what hidden skills she has, I have no idea. And it's not like I`d reveal my cards to her or anybody too.
The only thing she knew about my ability— is my superhuman strength. I only showed her that much, that's why she wants to fight me.
If possible, I`d like to avoid this— but I guess it`d be useless.
If possible, I`d like to win— but I know it`s greedy to even think so.
I know I can`t win— not in my current state.
That's why—
[Ding dong dang dong]
Crap, the digital school bell rang.
Our class for today has ended— without a teacher for the whole day.
Where the hell are they…?
“…it's time.” Kuroyuki murmurs as she stands up from her chair.
It's as if she's murmuring to herself, but she's actually talking to me. Although I`ve already expected this, but dang, this is bad.
Time to play dumb.
“Time? For what?”
“…I'M WARNING YOU.”
Eek! She completely saw through my intentions! Such a cold, terrifying glare!
“C-Can we do it tomorrow—”
“…NO.”
“…………”
Seeming to have no choice, I stood up from my chair sluggishly and stretched my back.
“…Follow me.”
Kuroyuki made a ‘come’ gesture with her hand without looking at me.
Though there was an urge to grab her hand for a moment, I stopped myself and followed behind unwillingly to the lift. I was forced to comply with her.
The lift is going down.
“Where will you be going?” I asked.
“…You will know soon.”
Not a single hint.
The lift opens. We reached the ground floor.
Kuroyuki calmly exits the lift and heads to the right, where the main entrance is.
With me still standing inside the lift, I am thinking of using this chance to sneak back.
But just right before I was going to press the close button, Kuroyuki realized and quickly took a step backward to the door and jerked my necktie with her right hand— pulling my body forth. I could struggle all I want against her, but the tie is right on where the lift door is going to close. If it closes and moves up, I would get dragged downwards, then the lift will be in great trouble— that guy will definitely tell me to pay for the reparations. He's even aiming on my funds lately.
Thinking that, I immediately gave up and exited the lift.
“…I'm afraid you can't avoid it for today.” Kuroyuki said with a smirk.
She continues to walk without giving me another ounce of concern, and this time— she's still pulling my tie. It's as if she knew I would`ve escaped whenever I had the chance to.
Click, click, click, clack.
Her footsteps proceeded and I was pulled along.
Today or tomorrow— I don`t think there will be any difference whenever I think about it. If it's a fight, that is. Her persistence made me feel it`s entirely something else. But what was that ‘something else’? I just can't think of an answer.
In that case, based from what I remembered… especially code #73284 from her fan-club, I predict she's going outside. A place where she could grab the attention which she hates…
It's quite an irony, so I'm quite certain this is more than just a simple duel.
“What are you trying to do?” I asked.
Kuroyuki seemed to have paused for a moment when she heard my remark. She took a quick glance on me as she said…
“…You will know soon.”
…with a pleased look.
From that, this means she knew what I meant and she`s not telling me… no, maybe she's postponing the answer on purpose.
I had no idea what she's trying to do. She's full of mystery.
My lack of sleep is causing disturbance in my thoughts. I decided to stop thinking for now.
………………
We passed the main entrance.
………………
Afterwards, the force field.
“Erm, Kuroyuki? Can you let go already?” I murmured.
“…You will run away.”
“I won`t, okay? I merely don't want you to pull my tie like you are walking a dog. Why did you choose to grab my tie in the first place?”
“…The lift won't close if I grab your sleeve.”
Because if she grabs my sleeve, my hand will be in the way for the door to close.
“As expected, you are evil!”
“…Evil, huh?”
For some reason, Kuroyuki grinned.
“Grk…!”
She pulled even harder. I don't want my tie to tear off so I leaned forward and let her drag me like a dog this time.
At any rate…
Kuroyuki pulled me further away from the force field of the White Mansion. I guess I had been keeping in this ‘leaning forward’ pose and walked for another several hundred meters. How embarrassing, I hope no one else sees me.
On my left, is a forest that I was slightly familiar with, or rather, acquainted with. For some reason, I got lost there this morning, and still can't figure out the reason.
On my right, there`s nothing but grass. But the grass was dyed to gold colour due to the sunset rays, it looks fascinating.
If Kuroyuki took my hand instead of pulling my necktie— things would've felt completely different. It will be more like a date instead of torture…
“…I will warn just in case.” Kuroyuki suddenly murmurs. “If you surrender, I will just have to force the forced duel system on you to make you submit.”
Such confidence she possesses.
Personally, I think she went a little too far.
“Okay, okay.” I replied vaguely. “If you are willing to go so far then I will just fight properly.”
“…Good. I'm glad you understand.”
Saying that, Kuroyuki loosen her fingers from my neck tie and activated her screen.
Phew… finally! My lower back feels a little sprained and exhausted.
Suddenly, a warning sign window with a radius of 15 cm circulated around my waist.
[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]
A warning alarm rang afterwards.
It's coming from my device…! What happened?!
‘FORCED DUEL ACTIVATED.’
“What…………?” I was stunned for a moment. “Is this really necessary…!?”
“…Of course.”
What's with that smug?
“…If you don`t mind, please wait for a minute.” She added.
“I don't really mind already.” I replied vaguely.
I don't think I could actually do anything even if I mind or not. So let's just go along with the flow.
“…You look quite disheartened.” Kuroyuki suddenly murmured.
It seems she merely wants to kill time. I was bored too, so having a little chat with her wouldn't hurt.
“I think anyone except a psychopath and a battle freak would`ve become disheartened if they were forced to fight the strongest student out of the blue. And besides, I haven't slept since 3am.”
“…I know you can deal with it somehow.”
The way she says is almost as if she knew me well enough to make such a claim.
“Aren't you trusting me a little too much?”
“…I never said I trusted you.”
The way her tone gives… it`s as if she trusts and distrust me at the same time.
“Then… is it something similar to Persia`s ability to read people?”
“…More advanced. Persia`s understanding about the world is still a little naive.”
More advanced, she said. How far can it actually go…? Like the ability of the all-seeing eye of the fairy race? That can't be.
“…You don't need to know too much yet, Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare.” She sighed. “Take things at a pace you like, one step at a time.”
“I would love to, but I can`t.”
Somehow, hearing that, Kuroyuki stares at me with her eyes widened as if she's surprised.
…Crap. I answered without thinking.
“…You—”
“Well… you don't need to know too much yet, Kuroyuki. It's just like you told me, take things at a pace you like, one step at a time.”
I interjected before she could question me.
“…My words were backfired.”
She`s sulking.
“Hmm…?”
On the right of my view, I saw dozens of schoolmates hopped down from the floating buggies. There are three of them. Those buggies are like those meant to fetch and ride for a small, reasonable distance.
They stood there and watched us afterwards, keeping their distance.
And as every second passes, more and more random bystanders appear in their buggy ride.
Come to think of it, why did they know it was here?
“…Whenever a duel is acknowledged by the system, it will be announced through the duel`s directory board. With our location displayed on the school map.” Kuroyuki said.
“Huh… Aren't you quite the sly one…”
I looked around.
I was expecting all members of Kuroyuki`s fan-club to come here, but… there's only a few hundreds of them. It doesn't seem to be increasing any further.
Since a large crowd formed, mutters started to get louder. And curious on what they are talking about, I concentrated my ears to differentiate their conversations.
“Shit…! The rumours are true!”
“So this is the new guy… He's in the same class with our princess…!”
“Look how close they are standing to each other… I'm so jealous!”
“Is he at the top of the ranking system?”
“I scanned his face and searched. No, he's still not registered yet. This is his first duel.”
“Really, now? Aren`t he courageous to be challenging our <Winter Princess> on his first try?”
“How long will he last? Even if our princess is going easy on him and even if he is a special student, I guess he won't last long.”
“Perhaps…… five minutes?”
“No, no, no. One minute.”
“Who cares!? Our princess will never lose!”
“YEAH!!!!”
…Gross.
I was totally disgusted from their behaviour. So is the young lady next to me, she's extremely annoyed. Her ears are good enough to hear them clearly.
Kuroyuki then faced the crowd with her cold, chilling glare.
“…all of you done yet?” She uttered.
“………………”
It took less than a second for things to turn completely silent.
It was amazing how just the sound of her voice made everyone shut up and pay attention to her. Her transparently cold voice was extremely quiet and subdued. And yet the message got across, loud and clear. It was like listening to the sound of fresh snow piling on the ground.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that — rather than merely shutting up — they were in an awe of her. Everyone opened their eyes wide and stood rooted to their spots. As if they were spellbound for a moment by Kuroyuki.
“…Shall we begin, then?” Kuroyuki said to me.
“Umm… Excuse me!”
A guy`s voice suddenly struck out from the sea of crowds.
Everyone's attention was caught by it. Of course, including me as well as Kuroyuki.
“Sorry, coming through!”
A human male, with a blue tie and a black uniform make his way out from the crowds. Judging from his clothes, he`s a first year, S ranked class. He had pretty white-silver hair, which the colour at the tail of his hair is transparent, and his eyes are emerald green. He had a cool looking silver sheathed sword carried on his waist.
I was surprised. I never imagined someone would still be using swords at this era.
Kuroyuki is different. Instead of guns and bullets— her spears are almost as fast as a bullet and powerful like a bazooka, so it's not a problem.
“…What do you want?” Kuroyuki uttered with a glare.
That poor guy flinched for a moment, and stood at his place.
“U-Uh, I… Ehem! Mind letting me talk to him for a moment?” He shouted.
“Huh? Me?” I pointed at myself with a confused look.
Kuroyuki gave it a thought.
“……Fine.” She said.
“Thank you.”
He ran straight to me and stopped after our distance was close to around seven steps.
Since he`s closer, I can get a good look on him. At first glance, he had quite the friendly look and aura. But for some reason, I can't shake off the weird vibe I got from him.
“You are not an <Elemental User>, aren't you? It seems you don't use magic either, I think you need a weapon.” He said.
With those words, I just realize I don't have a weapon with me. If it wasn't for him, I might have had a hard time enduring the pain on my fist from the coldness of Kuroyuki`s attacks.
“…You could take mine if you want.” Kuroyuki suddenly interrupted.
Your weapons? No way. It's definitely a trap.
“Nah, your weapons are too cold for me.” I replied.
At first I thought Kuroyuki was going to force her weapons on me, but she`d agree to my reason. I guess she's not as unreasonable as I thought she was.
Anyways, did this guy approach me just to remind me I don't have a weapon? That can't be, right?
“So… Do you mean you are going to lend me your sword?” I said to him.
“Yup.” He nodded. “Just take it.”
He took the sheathed sword from his waist.
Just when he was about to hand his sword over—
“Whoa— hey! Calm down, princess!”
Witnessing his movements made me doubt myself for a moment. Because his skills… seems too good to be true to be a mere S class student.
“…I never gave you permission, <Sword Saint>.”
For some reason, Kuroyuki seems to be pretty aware of him.
“Come on, don't be stingy. He will definitely lose if he doesn't have a weapon.” He said to Kuroyuki.
The way he runs his mouth somehow provoked Kuroyuki.
I was thinking ‘Uh-Oh’.
“…You merely wanted to steal his sword technique.” Kuroyuki muttered impatiently.
“O-Of course not!” He replied as he quickly handed over his sword on my hand.
The way he hands me his sword is almost as if he desperately wants me to use his sword.
At any rate, I find it hard to keep up with their conversation.
From the way they talk, it seems this guy— the <Sword Saint> is purposely lending me his sword so he could steal my sword techniques.
The question is, how is he going to steal it? To begin with, I don't have a sword technique. Not me.
“Is this really okay? Your sword looks expensive. I think I might break it.” I said to him.
“Nah, this sword is indestructible. Give it a swing if you like.”
Hearing those confident words, I turned and faced to an empty area as I removed the sword out from its sheath.
It's A single edged sword— a falchion sword, I think.
Wait a second. Why does this sword feel so familiar…? Where have I seen it before?
I can`t remember. Oh well, let's give it a swing—
“Ah, hold on a second. Before you swing, visualize the type of ideal sword you want in your head, and this sword will transform to it.” He said.
“Oh? Like the practical fight test?”
“Huh…? Oh… right, I forgot you just enrolled today. Yeah it's something like that.”
“Okay……”
When I visualized the ideal sword inside my head, the sword on my hand immediately glowed with a silver colour and changed to a double edged sword. The size of this sword on my hand now is smaller than an Excalibur but larger than a rapier. Total length was about 1.2m.
I adjusted my grip on the hilt, and grabbed firmly on my right hand.
Then… I simply swing it downwards.
WHAM!!!
The ground below my feet immediately crumbles in a radius around 10 metres. I was sunk in the middle about half of my body height.
Except for Kuroyuki who fought me once and backed off far away, everyone else who was present here was completely stunned in shock, especially the guy who lent me his sword— he was blown off far away back to the crowds and he fainted.
“Whoops.” I let out an innocent look.
I will call the infirmary later.
I stepped out from the crater, at least— a few steps away from the cracks nearby.
Seeing that I`m ready, Kuroyuki who was now at my opposite… lets out a confident grin and declared:
“…I, Kuroyuki Shiroha hereby challenge you, Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare, to a forced duel.”
A screen suddenly appeared in front of me. Instructing me to declare the following context.
Ugh… I guess once the forced duel system activates, there's no turning back.
Here goes…
“I, Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare, accept the duel of Kuroyuki Shiroha.”
As proof of acceptance (even though it was by force), the sleeves ended and the collar of our blazer shone red. A transparent layer of danger area with a shape of hemispheres had expanded, with both of us at the centre of it. As we move, the hemisphere moves too. This transparent layer was meant to keep off any bystanders to getting dragged into the fight.
Huh… Kuroyuki`s danger area is four times larger than mine. Err… if I calculate our distance, we are almost 100m away. I`m at a total disadvantage.
A timer then appeared between us in the middle. Counting down from ‘THREE’.
Suddenly, a thought came to my mind.
“Hold it!” I shouted. “If I need to win, this means I would`ve needed to knock you out!?”
Though I said that, the timer continues to proceed— counting down to ‘TWO’.
“…I don't think you could.”
“Huh? But isn't getting knocked out by you hurts even more!?”
‘ONE.’
“…I will be gentle.”
Her grin turns evil.
Though it`s cute, it doesn't look good at all…!
I don't think I have what it takes to win.
Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, I took a deep breath. Taking both the sword on my right hand and sheath on the left hand in a dual wielding style.
Left to defend, right to attack.
‘START!’
