CH 61

'Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

As soon as the match was finished, the cheers exploded in the hall.

The people filling the spectator seats stood up and shouted, clearly excited by my fight alone.

For now, for now, I am the center of this hall. My presence is engraved in their hearts and minds.

I waved to the nearby seats to test them out, and the crowd there became even louder.

I was like a superstar.

As I exited the arena with this feeling, two people who had been waiting by my side approached me.

I had no idea who they were. The overwhelming presence that I know so well and the monster that surpasses him at the moment. There are probably no two such duos in the world.

"Well done, boy!"

Schneizel breaks into a grin and pats me on my head roughly.

"Thank you very much. Well, what about that one...?"

"Ah? This man is General Gardias, my immediate boss, "

The tall, thin man standing beside Schneizel looks down at me and smiles slightly.

"I've heard a lot about you from Schneizel and rumors. You really put up a good fight today."

'Thank you, sir."

His voice rose.

Just talking to Galdias makes my body atrophy. If it were simple strength, there would not be that much difference between him and Schneizel, but what is this difference in the pressure of their presence?

"We're expecting you on the front line, too."

"Ha, yes!"

"Well, then. We still have a lot of work to do here."

"I understand. I'll let them both know that."

It seems that they made some time to come to see me.

I wonder if they thought they should go that far to see me.

What did Galdias see in me? Did I really meet his expectations?

⚪️

On the way to the guest of honor's seats, I was approached by a lot of ordinary people who seemed to be watching the match and asked for autographs, and also a fox-faced female magician who seemed to be the ringleader of a betting game at my fight. I was chased by a group of people who had lost a bet, but I managed to shake them off and finally made it to the guest of honor's table.

When I returned to the guest of honor's seat for the first time in several minutes, a large number of nobles were paying attention to me.

Their eyes were looking at me as if they were trying to judge me. There were more of them than before, probably because I had shown my worth in the first match.

"Mr. Norwin. I was impressed by the match you just had. I am the Countess of Marduk..."

As I headed toward Sarasvati and the others, I was stopped by a nobleman. When I asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted me to attend a dinner party at the Marduk house.

Oh, I guess he is trying to keep me in the closet.

Normally, I would be desperate for a connection with a nobleman, but since I am already in hand with Schneizel, it would be a good thing for me to be outranked. I simply decline and quickly move on.

"I'm back."

You did great! I knew you were strong!"

Of course I'm strong. You are strong too, Saraswati:.

"Of course !"

Saraswati nodded her head again and again as if telling herself. She still lacks confidence, but she is more energetic than before.

It was worth it.

ood job ------. Was it easy?"

" I guess. I heard there was a runner-up from last year among them. If that kid is the strongest one this year, I think he'll win easily. To be honest, I thought he'd be a little stronger."

The nobles around us, who were apparently listening to our conversation, rustled slightly. The children who were with them, who looked like competitors in this year's tournament, turned their eyes towards us as if they were looking at a monster.

Huh. I'm sure that level is top class as well, judging from their reactions.

"Don't worry, ------, it'll be fun if you compete with me. "

"I'd prefer not to face Lucy until the finals of the finals if at all possible."

"------ I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd like to do it right away."

There's nothing to study, huh?

I'm sure the work of just reaping a far lower grade didn't add up to anything, but I'll be honest.

"Hey, please don't talk to her alone."

"----- Oh, sorry."

I mean, isn't it Lucy's turn? You're up next, aren't you?

I'm sorry. Are you ready or what?

-----"'You."

"Well, Lucy's anxious to be ready, which is kind of scary."

"That's true."

"The second match of the preliminary round will begin in 30 minutes. "

While Saraswati was distracted and chatting, an announcement was made in the hall.

Several kids stood up around him. They are probably going to play in the next match. I'm sorry to hear that.

'I'm going to ------ win."

"Don't make any mistakes."

"Lucy would never make a mistake."

---And so the second match was about to begin.

The second match, which was drawing a lot of attention because of Schneizel's daughter, turned out to be a very cold affair, contrary to the expectations.

From the start of the match to the end, Lucy did not take a single step. She stood idly at the starting point and dealt with the oncoming enemies at random.

At first, there were several challengers who tried to defeat Lucy, who seemed to be licking her lips, but after seeing that all of them were knocked out with just one move, no one tried to approach her after that.

And so, with Lucy, the most promising of the competitors, not doing much of anything, the three finalists were decided after the game was won outside of her.

"Not ------ fun."

Lucy was afforded the luxury of letting out a sigh as soon as she returned.

It's not often that Lucy finds someone she enjoys.

"Thank you.'

There are many things I would like to say, but for now, the decision has been made for both of us to participate in the finals.

Now there is only Saraswati left. From our point of view, that's not a problem at all, bu