The Boy Who Fell to the Lowest Level of the Dungeon, Becoming the Strongest and Returns to the Surface After 10 Years~He Just Wants to Live a Quiet Life, but His Childhood Friends Who Have Risen to Prominence Won’t Leave Him Alone~ - Chapter 15: Confrontation With the Higher-Ranking Knight

“I miss Celia because I can’t see you, so I want to win here.”

Elta said that to his childhood friend, Celia.

That expression is full of motivation.

“Watch me, Celia.”

“El-kun…!”

And so, Elta headed towards the arena.

“Here he comes, the one who seduces the Vice Captain.”

Azil challenged Elta to a duel as he thrust his sword with a clang.

What he was waiting for was──the Central Arena.

Of all places, he wants to hold the mock battle in the most conspicuous spot.

With such a development, the knight order was in high spirits.

“Hey, hey, what’s about to start!?”

“It’s a mock battle over the vice captain!”

“Whoa, it’s intense, young people!”

“Azil, confess if you win!”

“Good luck to your opponent, too!”

Due to the nature of the knight order, there are inevitably more men among the members.

They wouldn’t miss such an interesting opportunity.

“Those fools…”

Sitting a little away from the noisy crowd, Celia covered her blushing face with one hand.

However, she too had words that lingered in her mind.

“It’s lonely not being able to see Celia.”

The words that keep circling around tighten Celia’s chest.

“Ugh!”

“””…?”””

Celia was holding her chest with both hands and left those around her speechless.

Despite all that, the knights turn their attention to the arena.

Finally, the mock battle between Azil and Elta is about to begin.

(El-kun…)

Sensing that atmosphere, Celia also changed to a serious gaze.

She was reflecting on her lack of guidance, but there was a part of her that felt somewhat lucky.

(The strength that defeated that demon instructor Virgo, could it be…)

She has heard about Elta’s achievements at the academy.

As someone who seeks strength, Celia seemed to want to confirm that power with her own eyes.

And then, inside the arena.

“You were a swordsman?”

Azil asks Elta, who is holding a sword in one hand.

However, Elta shook his head.

“No, not really. But since I came all the way to the knight’s order, I wanted to touch it.”

“Then, do you want to fight me with your amateur sword?”

“Yeah! But I won’t cut corners!”

“…”

As usual, Elta responds honestly, but Azil frowns.

No wonder, Azil is a “high-ranking knight.”

He was given the position next to the Vice Captain and is one of the top five powerhouses in the entire knight order.

To such a person, Elta will touch him for the first time… intending to challenge him with a sword.

However, a match is a match.

If this is how he can win, then that’s fine, Azil also switched his mindset.

“Don’t regret it, you.”

“Of course.”

Azil, with a piercing gaze, and Elta, with a smirk.

The two seem to be symmetrical as they turn to face each other, and the referee raises their hand.

“Posture.”

With that, the two took their stances.

But at the same time, Azil can’t help but sense it.

(Wh-what is this…?)

That overwhelming aura that even instills fear.

The stance is like that of an amateur.

From the outside, it might look full of gaps.

However, conversely, that relaxed posture seems to make it feel like nothing gets through.

(No openings…!?)

Vice Captain Celia has a different kind of intimidating presence compared to the captain.

Azil was filled with an unprecedented, eerie fear.

“?”

Of course, Elta is completely unaware of it.

And then, finally, the referee lowers his hand.

“Begin!”

“…! U, uooooooh!”

It’s the signal to start the battle.

Startled by that, Azil raised his sword and charged forward.

(I too…!)

There are reasons why he can’t lose to Azil either.

The feeling of admiration for the cold and composed Celia is genuine.

However, if he lets Celia’s recent lovey-dovey behavior slide, a “misunderstanding” will occur within him.

He couldn’t just stand by and watch that.

The pride of a swordsman would not allow it.

The sword of Azil was filled with such fervor as he approached Elta.

“Yo!”

“──!”

Azil had a fair amount of confidence in his speed, but his first move was easily dodged.

However, he had a feeling about it.

He’s not surprised by something like this anymore.

“Not yet!”

“Whoa!”

Azil continues to pursue with the second and third moves.

He is also a member of the illustrious Royal Capital Knights Order.

He’s not the kind of guy who gives up easily.

In contrast, Elta doesn’t change his smiling expression.

On the contrary, he looked even more delighted as the mock battle began.

(This is what a sword fight feels like!)

He was excited about his first sword fight.

He fight with a sword in that famous “Royal Capital Knights Order.”

For Elta, who has the heart of a boy, it must be an exhilarating situation.

“Tch! Don’t underestimate me…!”

However, it is humiliating for Azil.

Clenching his teeth, Azil intensified his attacks.

Without letting Elta do anything, he pushes through with this momentum.

However──

“Haa!”

“Huh…!?”

Amid the fierce assault, Elta finally catches Azil’s sword.

Even the members of the group couldn’t help but raise their voices at this.

“The Sword of Azil from the front…!?”

“Was he not a novice with the sword!?”

“Not only dodging, but stopping too!”

They are the same, those who walk the path of the sword.

The eyes are well-trained.

They were thinking the same thing about Elta.

(“””The speed of improvement is extraordinary…!”””)

Shortly after it began, Elta was improving his swordsmanship at an abnormal speed.

Also, Celia watches Elta with wide eyes.

Now, it’s not with the heart, but with the eyes of a swordsman.

(It’s not just talent. It’s like there’s no ceiling!)

Even for her, who had heard the rumors, it seemed completely unexpected.

From his demeanor, she sensed an extraordinary strength, but she never expected to witness something like this.

(If El-kun had a mentor…)

Then naturally, one cannot help but think so.

She has no way of knowing that Elta is already learning from many “friends.”

And, once again, inside the arena.

“Sword fighting might be fun!”

With his eyes sparkling, Azil gritted his teeth.

Azil was also sensing the atmosphere.

The entire knight order is focusing not on him, who is fighting seriously, but on Elta, who is in high spirits.

Perhaps feeling regretful, Azil openly shows his anger.

“Do it seriously!”

“Whoa!”

Azil slid his swords against each other and pursued Elta.

Elta could only dodge the sword technique he had never seen before.

“Whoa, I didn’t know that existed!”

“You little schemer!”

There is still a noticeable difference in skill level around here.

However, like those around him, Azil could feel Elta’s abnormal growth rate in his bones.

With each move, the fear of his techniques becoming ineffective grows.

(How… how many more moves…)

If he lands a few more attacks, he might surpass his own sword.

That fear stops Azil’s hand.

However, that time will never come…

“But, maybe it’s time for me to attack too.”

“!”

“I have a promise with Celia, too.”

Elta took a defensive stance.

In that moment, even greater terror would strike Azil.

“Even though I’m still holding the sword, it’s fine.”

“…!?”

The sense of intimidation is unlike anything before.

Azil falls into an illusion as if being stared at by a monster.

Something amazing is going to happen.

Azil had that intuition, but he didn’t know what would happen…

“The Strongest Race Series, Part Two──[Fist of the Fierce God].”