The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 18: vs Protagonist

The Royal Academy entrance ceremony ended.

Due to the principal’s announcement at the very end, tension ran through the students. With hardly any conversation, they were led by a male teacher to a certain location.

It was a corner of the training ground used by many students.

“From now on, you will fight as the principal declared. Your opponent can be anyone. Choose the strongest enemy possible.”

As soon as they arrived at the training ground, the male faculty member said something rough. It was like telling students to form pairs in gym class. What would happen if someone ended up alone? Would that old man be their opponent?

…That wouldn’t be bad either. Rather than crossing blades with ordinary people, fighting that man would yield more benefits. I decided not to approach anyone.

However, even if I didn’t approach anyone, there were those who would approach me. For example…

“Luka—! Want to fight me?”

“C-Cornelia-sama…”

Cornelia Zehabaruto.

The second princess who had taken a liking to me for some reason. She pressed her chest against me with all her might.

It was a size unthinkable for someone who was also fifteen. My arm was buried in it.

“No one except Luka can serve as my opponent. So naturally I have no choice but to fight Luka!”

“I’d like to fight that male teacher myself. He looks interesting.”

“…Heh. Is he that good? That guy.”

Stare.

Suddenly Cornelia’s eyes became fixed. The sparkle seemed to have disappeared.

“Y-Your Highness?”

“How cruel. Stealing Luka from me. That’s just some ordinary person who’s only gotten old, right? I’m a genius, and I can definitely satisfy Luka. I’ll endure any pain for Luka’s sake. I want Luka to hurt me. I want to be the only one who hurts Luka. Luka Luka Luka Luka—”

“Please calm down.”

I pulled her off my arm. My physical strength was superior.

“It’s true that among the students, Your Highness is the only one who can serve as my opponent… and well, barely passing grade. but maybe one more person.”

“Is there someone else?”

“Yes. There’s one guy I’m paying attention to.”

“Hmm. Got it. Tell me about this person you’re paying attention to?”

“Why?”

“I’ll kill them right now.”

“Please calm down.”

Why is she so dangerous?!

Even so, that was too extreme. I understand she’s not interested in anyone but me, but it would be troublesome if that guy—the original protagonist—was killed.

If I killed the protagonist for my own sake, there’d be no problem (there would be problems), but if someone meaninglessly killed the protagonist, what kind of influence would that have?

Besides, having my prey stolen would be unpleasant. I’d want them to at least serve as nourishment before being killed. Then it would be fine.

“It’s barely, absolutely, passing grade.”

“Lower than me?”

“Yes. Definitely.”

The main story’s scenario had only just begun at this point. In that case, he shouldn’t be able to use aura properly. With such rough skills, he couldn’t beat me, let alone Cornelia.

I had crossed blades with her many times over these seven years. I had succeeded in training her considerably. Thanks to that, she had become stronger than the original Cornelia.

If things went badly, she was strong enough to actually kill the protagonist.

“I’m somewhat dissatisfied, but~ if that’s the case, it can’t be helped. I’ll specially, specially forgive them! …Just kidding. Sorry, Luka.”

Her mood returned. She bowed her head politely. The sparkle had returned to her eyes too. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was being selfish.”

“This level of selfishness is adorable.”

“Really? Yay. I love Luka.”

Cornelia hugged me again. At that moment.

Suddenly, one male student approached us. He swayed his golden glowing hair and showed a refreshing smile.

“Hello, Princess Cornelia, Lord Luka.”

“You are…”

I did recognize that face after all. Earlier it was just his back, but seeing him from the front, the answer was clear.

The original protagonist. I felt like the initial character creation was this kind of refreshing good young man.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Aiden, who enrolled in this academy as a scholarship student.”

“Aiden… so that’s your name.”

“Yes. Please treat me well.”

The protagonist who introduced himself as Aiden bowed his head respectfully. Quite polite. For a commoner.

If I remember correctly, in Monochrome Sword’s setting, enrolling in the academy was positioned as the prologue to the main scenario, and if this scenario didn’t progress, Aiden—the protagonist—would remain eternally just before enrollment while the player operated him to adventure across the vast continent.

Well, it was an MMORPG after all. That part didn’t matter. Even after enrollment, you could play without progressing the main scenario anyway.

But when this became reality, the sense of incongruity was incredible. The sense of incongruity of having a protagonist other than myself right in front of me.

“—So, I have one request for Luka-sama.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“I’d like to ask Luka-sama to be my opponent.”

“You want me as your opponent?”

“Yes! I’ve heard that Luka-sama is a genius with exceptional talent even within the prestigious Salvatore ducal family. Please.”

“Haah.”

It wasn’t me who responded to Aiden’s words. Cornelia, who had been ignoring Aiden the whole time, opened her pupils and glared at Aiden.

Bloodlust was emanating.

“A mere commoner wants to… fight Luka? There are people who don’t know their place, aren’t there? Yeah yeah. Those types are in the way, so I need to kill them.”

Before Cornelia could draw the real sword from the sheath at her waist without any hesitation—

“That’s not allowed, Your Highness.”

I grabbed her arm and stopped her.

“Luka? Why are you stopping me?”

“Because this guy is the opponent I wanted to fight.”

“Eh? Th-this is?”

Well, whatever. I released Cornelia and stepped forward in front of Aiden.

We stared at each other from close range.

“Interesting. I was just thinking I wanted to see a scholarship student’s abilities. Alright, let’s do it. Let’s have a match.”

“Thank you.”

At my words, Aiden grinned. I wonder how long that smile will last.