When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master. - Chap 26: The Winner is Surprisingly the Hero's Disciple

――Wow!!!

The whole venue was buzzing. Well, it’s the semifinals, so it’s only natural. Who, between Will and Eugene, would win?

“I won’t use magic.”

“Huh?”

“You can’t use magic, can you? If you’re coming at me with a sword, I’ll do the same until one of us is down.”

“…Eugene.”

Eugene suddenly declares that he’s not taking this seriously. Since Will can’t use magic, it has to be a sword fight. Does he want to see just how good Will is with a sword?

I don’t understand why, but…

“Then, Eugene versus Will… begin the match!”

The signal for the start of the match is given, and the two dash out instantly. They each draw their swords and swing them. The sound of clashing metal echoes throughout the venue. Their hair is fluttering; the impact must be strong.

They further accelerate, continuing to swing their swords.

“Wh, what! I, I can’t see!”

“Am, amazing, really amazing!”

“Hey hey hey!”

The audience is getting into it. I see. Are they both so strong that they can fire the audience like this? I knew they had gotten more vigorous since they first met, but I had no idea how strong they were now.

Well, well, they must be strong. But there’s also a possibility that this fighting tournament is a minor one.

Ultimately, I have no idea how strong those two are.

Next to me, Lin is munching on some potato snacks like it’s no big deal. She doesn’t seem all that surprised.

“What do you think? Those two.”

“Hmm… well, they’re strong, aren’t they? How old are they?”

“They’re both 16 this year.”

“16, huh… They’re young. When I was 16, I was――”

She was gazing thoughtfully into the void. Leaving Lin, who seems to be reminiscing about something from her past, I return to the match.

“And that’s when I thought to myself,”

Eugene and Will are engaged in a heated sword fight that feels evenly matched. The cheers from the audience are steadily heating up. Ah, Will just got punched by Eugene and got sent flying.

“Why am I so weak…”

However, Will counterattacks by punching Eugene. A mixed style of sword and hand-to-hand combat, just like what I specialize in. Have they unconsciously picked up my class because I usually have them spar with me?

“And then, at that time――”

Ah, they’re back to the rapid sword clashes.

“I was worried about the Demon King…”

Hmm, is the showdown approaching? Will and Eugene have both taken some distance.

“That’s enough. I thought I wouldn’t need to use magic… Will. This is a secret technique I learned from my sword master. With it, I’ll defeat you.”

“I, too… will defeat you with a secret technique imbued with the soul of my own master.”

“I’ll make this the first step into the ultimate realm.”

Did I teach them any secret techniques? I can’t recall doing that.

“Woah!!!”

Wow— both of them roared and charged. Will is… He interpreted and learned my “forehead flick” in his way. Conversely, Eugene is coating his sword in explosive flames as he swings it down.

“Forehead Flick Slash!”

“Flame Slash!”

With a booming sound, the match comes to an end. It seems Eugene won. Congratulations. Will also did well. I never expected him to end up in third place.

I’ll have to praise them both later.

Then, it’s Alfred vs. Tessie… Tessie puts up a good fight, but ultimately, Alfred wins. While Alfred and Tessie are dueling, Lin continues reminiscing beside me… I have to admit, I wasn’t listening to her.

“That’s the gist of it.”

“I see.”

“Well, it’s a story from the past… but I still think about it all the time, even now.”

“I see.”

“And you know, what I wanted to say back then was…”

“I see.”

I don’t think I heard even 10% of Lin’s story, so I can’t grasp the whole picture. Sorry about that. I felt like I had to watch my disciples’ battle closely.

Maybe Lin can tell her story to Sakura. They make a good pair, after all.

“Ah, Lin-chan.”

See, Sakura has arrived, too. She’s wrapped a cloth around her face to conceal her identity. We’re part of the legendary Hero Party, so showing our faces openly is out of the question.

“Sakura, what brings you here?”

“Ah, I just thought you might be around. Can I sit next to you?”

Sakura asks me. I nod, and he takes a seat beside me. Lin and Sakura are sitting next to each other… Ah, the final match between Alfred and Eugene is about to begin.

“You can’t beat me.”

“Shut up.”

“I’ve become much stronger since that time.”

“The same goes for me.”

I wonder who will win. While I’m watching,

“Excuse me, Ban-san.”

“Oh, Will, congratulations on getting third place. You’re doing great.”

“Thank you.”

Will is sitting in a seat slightly in front of me and comes over to greet me. He’s always so polite. That’s one of his good traits. Tessie is also sitting next to him.

“Tessie, congrats on third place, too.”

“… Really, I can’t sense magic, so don’t talk to me suddenly. You’re making me jumpy. But thanks.”

So, Tessie and Will are watching together. The mighty warriors who were fighting just a while ago. They made it to the semifinals, so the audience focused on them.

“Hey, those are the guys who were fighting earlier.”

“Ah, so that’s Sky Spear, Tessie.”

“Mad Dog Will is there too.”

It seems they’ve acquired nicknames without even realizing it. Well, it’s not surprising to have handles. I’ve been given plenty myself.

“Heh, it’s just a coincidence, right? I was just lucky to be in the tournament. From my perspective, having placed third last year, this year’s not that big of a deal.”

It seems someone doesn’t like the attention Will and the others are getting. But isn’t it lame to bring up past achievements to belittle those currently succeeding?

“Hey, hey, is your name Will?”

“Do you have a girlfriend, Tessie?”

Will and Tessie are sitting next to each other, and some girls have sat down next to them, creating a reverse pickup situation… How envious! Too much is happening here!

Moreover, the girls talking to Will and Tessie are both stunningly beautiful. Damn, I’m so envious! They’ve got a flower in each hand!

“Will, you’re so cool, aren’t you?”

“I—I don’t think so…”

“What’s your type of girl?”

“Eh, um, I’ve never really thought about it…”

Will is handsome, after all… Damn, is it all about the face?! Do they know how many adventurer meetups I’ve attended?!

Even though I’m just average-looking, I chose to wear this iron mask and hide my actual face, adopting this arrogant character. It’s making me feel pathetic.

They’re getting more attention than me just for making it to the top 4 in this minor tournament… Do they know how many times I’ve saved the world?!

But don’t get too carried away just because you’re a bit popular with the girls, Will and Tessie. I’ve saved the world multiple times.

While I was jealous of Will and Tessie, I didn’t notice that the match had ended. Congratulations on the victory, Alfred. Good job, Eugene. Runner-up is also quite an accomplishment.

“Hey, Ban?”

“What is it?”

“You’ve seemed distracted for a while now. Is everything okay?”

Lin asked, tilting her head.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“Really? It looked like you were observing those two guys earlier.”

“Yeah, I was just thinking they’re getting much attention.”

“I see. So you want to be popular, Ban?”

“Uh, well.”

“You look like you’d be popular, Ban.” 

Even if a beauty like Sakura says something like that, it’s not consoling when I sit between two beauties like Lin and Sakura.

“So, Ban, do you have a type for women?”

“Someone I vibe with, I guess.”

“…That sounds like an answer you’d give at an adventurer’s meetup, doesn’t it?”

“Lin, you’ve got it spot on.”

That’s right, it’s the answer I usually give at adventurer meetups. It’s a non-controversial answer meant to provide a good impression.

“I want to hear what you think.”

“Well… Maybe someone cute who praises me just for breathing and hugs me?”

“…That was an unexpected answer. But I’ll remember it. Ah, don’t misunderstand, okay? I’m just saying I should remember that such diverse opinions exist, not that I’m considering it for myself.”

“Ah, got it.”

In any case, congratulations to Alfred for winning and to Eugene for taking the runner-up position.