I Was Sent to an All-Female Frontline Unit to Get Rid of Some of the Trouble, but the Most Beautiful Girls Who Are Rumored to Hate Men Love Me So Much That I Have a Hard Time at Night - Chapter 71: Battle With Narcissus (1)

Chapter 71: Battle With Narcissus (1)

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The magic tournament’s start time approached.

“We’re here~!”

I arrived at the arena’s entrance with everyone.

The arena could hold tens of thousands, so the building was very large.

It gave off a unique atmosphere compared to other buildings in the city.

“Finn’s fighting here today, huh.”

“Yes! The building’s size is amazing, isn’t it…!?”

“It’s amazing, and there are so many people.”

Everyone shared their thoughts about the building.

I was distracted by the building and hadn’t noticed.

But indeed, many people entered the arena.

I thought this while watching people nearby, and Elena opened her mouth and spoke.

“We’ll part ways with you here, Finn… So, one last cheer! Do your best, Finn!”

“I’m cheering for you wholeheartedly, Finn.”

“Your big sister’s watching, so do your best, Finn~”

“Go for it, Teraward-kun!”

“You can definitely win, Tera!”

“Thank you, everyone! Knowing you’re cheering for me makes me feel I can give several times my usual strength!”

“His smile…”

“So cute…”

“That caught me off guard…”

“Being cute before fighting is too unfair…”

“Totally…”

Everyone started murmuring while looking at me.

I couldn’t linger, so I headed to the participants’ entrance.

I followed the directions and waited for my turn.

As a member of the Luvankrum Empire’s military’s strongest frontline unit, I couldn’t lose to anyone.

To honor everyone’s faith in my skill, I’d prove I could be of help by winning here.

I strengthened this resolve.

Time passed, and when the Expert Match time came, I stood in the corridor leading to the arena.

A voice, likely the announcer’s, echoed.

“The arena’s heating up, but now it’s time! The highlight of this year’s magic tournament, the soldier-versus-soldier Expert Match begins!!”

The audience roared with cheers at the voice.

“Let’s welcome the first! A commoner by birth, rumored to have exceptional skill among trainees! Is the rumor true or false? Finn Teraward enters!!”

I stepped into the arena and walked toward the center.

The cheers grew louder, filling the arena with excitement.

Among them, distinct voices reached my ears.

“Kyaa~! You’re so cool, Finn~!”

“Go for it, Tera~!”

“We’re cheering for you~!”

It was the frontline unit’s voices.

Being called cool in front of so many people made me a bit shy.

But as a soldier here, I suppressed that feeling and focused on what was ahead.

The announcer’s voice echoed in the arena again.

“Next, an undeniable master! Rumored to be the next top force of the Luvankrum Empire’s military, with achievements to match! From a duke’s family, Narcissus-sama enters!!”

With those words, a blond man with side-swept hair appeared.

Narcissus, dressed as he was two days ago, walked from the opposite side.

With both Expert Match fighters present, the arena filled with even louder cheers.

“Those words introducing me are passable… The end could’ve added ‘a splendid, fleeting noble with worldly burdens,’ but—anyway.”

Narcissus faced me directly and spoke.

“Finn Teraward. First, I praise you for not fleeing and coming here to face me… Heh.”

Narcissus said this and swept his already side-swept hair to the side.

I ignored it and opened my mouth.

“I don’t run from a fight I’ve accepted.”

“I see… Those words seem brave, but they’re reckless if you just don’t recognize the gap in our skills. Still, deciding to fight me, an active soldier, as a trainee—is that brave? I know best the terror of challenging me… Yes! You’re brave! How many dare challenge me!? …I meant to praise you, but I’m praising myself. Another burden of excellence, huh… Heh.”

Narcissus swept his already side-swept hair to the side again.

At that moment, barrier magic deployed via a magic tool, separating the arena from the audience.

“Fine. Let’s fight… Don’t worry, I won’t go all out at first— So, dance flashily!”

Right after Narcissus said this, the announcer declared the match’s start amid cheers.

Narcissus raised his right hand toward me.

“First—Flame Ball!”

He shot a fireball from his hand.

This magic was used by the Granzenia Kingdom’s frontline commander I fought before.

But the same magic varied greatly by user.

Indeed, Narcissus’s magic held far more mana than that commander’s.

“For a show to work, you need to handle this level of magic easily, or I’m in trouble… So, how will you deal with this attack?”

While Narcissus spoke, the fireball approached me.

I stayed still, and the fireball hit me directly.

Dust rose around me.

“A direct hit…? No way you couldn’t handle this level of attack! Or is it just my excellence—”

As Narcissus started to say, I acted.

“Wind Slash.”

I cleared the surrounding dust with a wind blade.

Narcissus looked at me.

“…Unscathed?”

“For an attack like that, taking it directly is more effective in battle than dodging.”

Dodging creates openings, but taking it avoids that if possible.

“Heh, even if I held back, for you to rate my attack like that, you’re at least passable as a foil to make me shine in this show.”

“I thought this earlier, but why hold back in a tournament?”

“Obviously, to make the show exciting. Ending it right away wouldn’t satisfy the audience, right?”

People have different perspectives, so I didn’t intend to deny Narcissus’s view.

But beating a holding-back Narcissus meant nothing.

Thinking this, I considered briefly and spoke.

“I understand… If that’s the case, attack me as much as you want. But I won’t attack until you get serious, Narcissus.”

“Not attack? You think you can withstand my non-serious attacks? That’s an insult to me.”

If I lost here, I couldn’t face everyone who trained with me.

Nor could I face Sephia, teaching me swordsmanship, or Elena, who’d teach me magic.

So, when asked if I thought I could withstand non-serious attacks, I could nod without hesitation.

But Narcissus’s question alone wasn’t enough.

I spoke my thoughts directly.

“Even if you get serious, Narcissus— I don’t intend to lose.”