CH 277

Olivia Lanze stood within the training grounds.

"Will you not learn the sword any further?"

"Yes, Father."

"Why is that?"

"Even if I don't intend to use it in such a manner, I don't want to learn a skill that could harm others."

"..."

She knew such words were meaningless.

She had long known that she had already learned as much as she could. By her third year, she had been told that there was nothing more to learn.

Yet, Olivia Lanze was afraid of becoming more proficient in violence. She feared that injuring others would become increasingly easy for her. Olivia distanced herself from violence and the potential for it.

But now, Olivia held a sword in her hand.

Controlling the power coursing through her body was an endeavor she had not undertaken in a long time, yet it was all too easy.

Now, Olivia intended to participate in a tournament.

An unrestricted-class tournament.

And Miss Temple.

Miss Temple and the unrestricted-class tournament were never of interest to her.

It didn't matter whether the irritating first-year, Ellen, participated or not.

"Miss Olivia, you don't have to push yourself like this anymore."

"...No, it's fine. I still have some leeway."

"I know your situation. Even if our facility's budget is lacking, you're still a student."

One thing was certain.

Money.

Money was needed.

Countless war orphans resulted from the Demon World War.

Just as the nation could not alleviate poverty, the Empire could not support all the numerous war orphans.

There were gaps, and children lacking food and clothing were scattered throughout the land. Olivia had been supporting them since her volunteer work during the Demon World War.

However, now that her status as the daughter of a Holy Knight had disappeared, Olivia's ability to support them was dwindling.

Olivia could not abandon them. Though she had forsaken her faith, she had not forsaken those children.

“If Reinhardt knew, he'd surely have a lot to say.”

She couldn't tell Reinhardt, knowing he would scold her for engaging in such foolish endeavors.

The prize money from the tournament and Miss Temple was substantial. With that money, the facilities she supported could sustain themselves for a while.

She knew that a policy to support war orphans would soon be announced. She only needed to provide food and clothing for them for a short while with her own hands.

That was all.

And so, Olivia Lanze held the sword.

"Has it been a year...?"

She had put down the sword in her third year.

However, there had been an unavoidable occasion when she had to pick it up again.

In Darkland, where she had gone under the guise of volunteering, she could not simply render aid.

There had been times when she was both disillusioned and grateful for the power she possessed.

Since then, she had put it down.

Though she was confident in her victory, she did not think it would be easy.

She would have to put in the effort to regain her skills. At the moment she tried to calm her heart and draw out her power.

"If only you were born a little later."

Swoosh

"Ah, seriously!"

Clang!

Startled, Olivia Lanze suddenly threw her sword.

What was happening?

With her face flushed, Olivia spent some time alone in the training hall, panting.

In the meantime, the door of the training hall opened, and someone entered.

Thump

"Olivia, so you were here."

Whether she was looking for Olivia or not, the newcomer approached her with a bright smile.

"Ah, yes, Radia."

While Olivia's behavior might be strange to first-year students, she was still kind and gentle to those in the fifth and sixth years.

The person who had come to find her was a sixth-year student, Radia Schmitt from class B-2. She approached Olivia with a lively smile.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you with a sword. So you're participating in the Unrestricted Tournament?"

"Ah... Yes, that's the plan."

"I see... That's unfortunate. I thought I might have a chance at winning this time."

"You're participating too, Radia?"

"Ah, you didn't know? This is my last chance. Windsor is also participating."

"Ah... I see."

For sixth-year students, graduation is practically upon them.

It's understandable that they would want to participate in the Unrestricted Tournament and see the results of the skills they honed for six years.

Radia Schmitt, holding a training sword, continued to smile at Olivia.

However, Olivia felt suffocated, as if something was stuck in her throat.

"You know, Olivia?"

"...What?"

"Divine power. You must not use it."

"...Yeah, I know."

It would be nonsensical for someone who has declared giving up faith to use divine power, whether it is possible or not.

There are often people who use unauthorized divine power.

If things go well, they receive training at the temple and become official priests.

If they refuse, they are tried in a religious court.

So Olivia must not use divine power in public.

She must participate in the tournament with her divine power sealed. Upon hearing Olivia say she already knew this, Radia Schmitt tilted her head.

"Even without using divine power, you can easily beat someone like me?"

"Ah, no... That's not what I meant..."

Radia Schmitt's attitude was not one of mockery but of genuine curiosity. However, it was a difficult question for Olivia to answer. As Olivia struggled, Radia Schmitt lowered her head.

"Of course, being you, Olivia, you can undoubtedly do it."

Her tone was bright, without a hint of inferiority. However, the words that followed were enough to send chills down Olivia's spine.

"Olivia, don't deny the divinity within you."

"..."

"Return to the embrace of the divine. To where you belong."

Olivia couldn't look directly into Radia Schmitt's eyes.

Cold sweat formed in her hands, and goosebumps ran down her spine.

Olivia had been living with such an obsession as a part of her everyday life.

Members of the Club of Grace would also subtly inquire whether it wouldn't be better for her to restore her faith, dismissing her near-punishment as a mere aberration on the part of the Knight Commander of the Holy Order.

Radia Schmitt is not a member of the Club of Grace. She is an aspiring holy knight serving the god of war, Ares.

Although they serve different gods, she was a friend who always emphasized the need for harmony within the Five Great Theocracies.

Olivia was growing increasingly weary of such matters.

"I've told you, Radia. I've... given up on everything..."

"It's alright, Olivia. Your judgment might have been clouded for a moment. It's possible to lose your way and wander for a while."

Radia Schmitt's deep, abyss-like dark eyes stared at Olivia.

"So, I'll guide you to the right path."

"..."

"Because we're friends."

As Olivia saw Radia Schmitt's wide smile, her lips trembled.

What exactly is the right path she should follow, and how can she be guided?

Fear.

At some point, Olivia began to fear her friends who held faith.

And so, she found herself continually drawn to Reinhardt, unsure whether that was the reason.

Olivia thought as much.

Since Monday's exams were over, Reinhardt found himself being dragged into exam study sessions with Harriet and Ellen.

Honestly, he needed training for the tournament more than studying for exams, unless he was aiming for first place.

The last time he came in last place, it wasn't because he was dumb, but because he needed achievement points. He was confident he could beat Ludwig even without studying!

He could do it even if he solved only half the problems!

"This will be on the test. Memorize it."

"I already did."

"Memorize it more, then."

"…Fine."

But they had no way of knowing his situation, so they stuck with him, pointing out expected exam questions.

He felt good about it, but also as if his time was being taken away.

A peculiar situation.

He had already filled out and submitted the application form for the first-year tournament.

The preliminaries would take place this weekend, and if he advanced to the main round, the tournament would begin on the first day of the festival.

In the midst of studying, Harriet groaned and stretched.

She then stared intently at Reinhardt.

"Are you really going to vote for Miss Temple?"

"…Huh? All of a sudden?"

Harriet looked at him with a puffed-up expression.

"Why?"

"Just, are you going to vote or not? Just say that."

"Regardless of whether I vote or not, I have no intention of going to watch it."

"Oh… really? Ah, right."

Harriet looked oddly delighted.

From the beginning, Reinhardt was short on time, his throat parched for grape juice, and time was gold.

He had no time for leisurely watching such things, not knowing when the Black Order would approach, with the Vampire Council soon requiring action, and the Charlotte issue.

Did he have time to play?

Harriet laughed mysteriously and returned to her book.

"If you go to watch, you'll vote?"

But now Ellen asked that question, even though Harriet had been silent.

At those words, Harriet turned her gaze from the book back to him.

"So you're not going?"

"If I go, I'll vote, that's what I'm saying."

"Why are you saying that? I won't vote, even if I go!"

Why is she suddenly acting like this?

At his statement that he won't vote even if he goes, Ellen nodded, seemingly satisfied.

There's no way I would go to see the Miss Temple contest. Rather, if I needed achievement points urgently, I might have transformed myself into a girl and gone.

I have no interest in such things!

Besides, it's impossible for me to disguise myself as a Temple student other than myself, so I can't even disguise myself as a girl in the first place!

[Event Occurrence - Miss & Mister Temple Contest]

[Vote in the Miss & Mister Temple Contest. If all the candidates you voted for are elected, you will be rewarded.]

[Reward: One talent from each of the elected candidates]

...Here we go again.

A candy peddler who's dying to make my life difficult is trying to drag me into hell once more.

What should I do?

I already said I wouldn't go.

A powerful event that cannot be missed has occurred. If I go to the contest without telling anyone...

I won't be in a good situation.

And since Olivia Lanze is most likely to become Miss Temple, I would naturally vote for her. One of Olivia's talents? This event is practically a free gift.

It's strange not to participate.

Why not show it a little earlier? At least I wouldn't have said I wouldn't go!

Ah.

But come to think of it, it's a bit strange.

Although I can't participate in the Miss side, if I were to win the Mister Temple contest, what would be the reward?

I would be the winner and my talents are already mine.

[If you become Miss Temple, you will be granted a 'Talent Selection Right'.]

Ugh, seriously.

Even if I win Mister Temple, there's nothing for me.

If I become Miss Temple, I get a Talent Selection Right...

...No. I can't.

That's simply impossible from the start.

I can't possibly defeat Olivia Lanze, who already has a firm foothold.

It's no different from the nonsense of winning a cross-dressing contest and getting 4,000 points.

Since I can't disguise myself, I have to do such a thing to participate in Miss Temple.

"I'm participating in Miss Temple."

"Mister Temple?"

"Miss Temple."

"...But you're a man, aren't you?"

"Is there a rule that says a man can't participate in Miss Temple?"

"????"

Would I do such crazy nonsense!

Anyway.

I might not participate, but I have to go to the Miss Temple contest.

I can't miss such an event.

If I say I won't go and then sneak a peek, I'll eventually get caught. And in that case, what happens is entirely dependent on Ellen's mercy, right?

Even if I say I didn't vote for Olivia, why would she ask why I went if I wasn't going to vote for her?

"Well... I guess I could... go once."

Ellen and Harriet's eyes changed as I suddenly changed my mind.

"Ah, no! It's a festival, isn't it? And it's a part of the festival! We, we should enjoy the festival. Uh, um... Isn't that right?"

"..."

"..."

Even as I spoke, the atmosphere was so tense that my skin tingled.

I'm grateful for such an event... really, I am...

But why does it feel so bitter...?

To break the icy atmosphere, I couldn't resist making some absurd remark.

"Wait! It's not just the Miss Temple contest, there's the Mister Temple contest too!"

"As if you'd go to watch that, you fool!"

Smack!

Harriet smacked my head as if to say I shouldn't be spouting such nonsense.

"Ow, why did you hit me!"

In the first place, Miss Temple and Mister Temple are chosen together, so I'd end up seeing both contests anyway!

Enduring the cold gazes of the others, I became lost in thought.

Miss Temple and Mister Temple...

Ah.

So, do I get two free talents?

If I correctly choose both Miss Temple and Mister Temple, do I get two talents?

No, from the beginning.

This...

I think I need to choose both Miss Temple and Mister Temple correctly.

For Miss, it's Olivia Lanze.

Who is it for Mister?

In the original work, Olivia Lanze didn't appear. She wouldn't have been at the Temple at that time.

In the original, this year's Miss Temple was Scarlett, a class B student. The scene where Scarlett, once scorned for her red eyes and hair, became Miss Temple, was an important episode, as was Ludwig's tournament.

In the original, this festival's Mister Temple was Bertus.

He was a prince and handsome too. But will Bertus appear this time as well?

If Bertus appears and wins, I'll receive his swordsmanship talent, since I already have two of his other talents, Magic Body Strengthening and magic manipulation.

I can't predict which of Olivia Lanze's talents I might receive. It could be divine power, which wouldn't be bad either. She seems to be a monster as powerful as Ellen, so she's likely to give something amazing...

Good.

It's not just good, it's the best.

At the very least, if I receive Bertus's swordsmanship talent, I'll be able to wield a sword even better than I do now.

"I, just a moment."

As I stood up abruptly, Ellen and Harriet seemed even more irritated.

"No, I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to watch Bertus!"

"..."

"..."

However, their gazes held not an ounce of trust as they looked at me, who had quickly gone back on my word about not going.

Ah.

If only they'd given me the event a little earlier...

No, they probably gave it late on purpose. They were waiting for me to say I wouldn't go and then give it right away.