After hearing the wonderful training method from Leia-sensei, I worked hard to manipulate the darkness day in and day out.
　It was fun and refreshing to train with a clear goal of manipulating the darkness, instead of just swinging my sword around like I had been doing in the past.

　During the day, I attend classes at the academy.
　After school, I joined the swinging club.
　In the evenings, he would practice his swordplay with Ria and Rose.

　While living such a basic daily life, she was always aware of the darkness.

　These fulfilling days passed by for a day or two, and the day of the Sword King Festival finally arrived.

The time was seven in the morning.

　The time was seven in the morning.
　The time was seven o'clock in the morning. I finished getting ready for the morning and said so to Leah at the door.

"Yeah, be careful. I'll be cheering you on from the bleachers, so make sure you find me.

"Yeah, okay.

　The competitors of the Ken-Oh Festival needed to arrive at the venue a little early.
　That's why I had to leave the dormitory first.

Have a good day, Allen.

"Yeah, I'll be there.

　Leah gave me a small wave with her right hand, and I headed straight for the student council room.
　The plan was to have a brief strategy meeting before the Ken-Oh Festival started, and then all the contestants would head to the venue.

　When I arrived at the student council room, I knocked lightly and asked for permission to enter, then slowly opened the door.

Good morning, Mr. President, Mr. Lirim and Mr. Ferris.

Good morning, Mr. Allen.

Good morning, Allen-kun!　It's a perfect day for the Sword King Festival!

...... Good morning.

　A soft smile appeared on the face of the Chairman .
　It's a great day for the Sword King Festival!
　I'm not a fan of mornings and I'm still sleepy-eyed, Ferris.

　Each of them gave me a different greeting.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so excited.

That's right!　By the way, my first choice is 'Attack with guns blazing! That's it!

I'd like you to keep it short if possible. ...... Wow ......

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

I'm not sure what to say. I've never shown this to Allen before. --Yes, this is the list of our contestants.

　The chairman handed me a sheet of printed paper.

Thank you very much.

　On it were the names of the five representatives of Senba Academy and the order in which they would fight.

　Allen-Rowdle, spearhead.
　Lirim Tuorine, spearhead.
　Middle Ferris Magdaroth.
　Lieutenant General Shih = Arcturia.
　General: Sebas Chandler.

"...... Sebas-Chandler?

　There was only one person's name on there that I didn't know.
　It is also registered as 'General'.

"Sebas Chandler, our vice president.

　I muttered, to which he replied with a sigh.

"Oh, ......?　Did you find the vice president?

　As I recall, the vice president had gone to the Holy Roman Empire, a banned country, in search of the Blood Diamond.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

No, it's still missing. ......

...... means...

Yeah, ........ I'm afraid you've lost the general's match. ......

　The chairman continued with a gloomy face.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it. ....... The only one who is capable of taking care of the general or vice general is Sebas. ....... That's why I thought, "If I'm going to leave it blank, I might as well just write it down! That's why I only registered .......

I'm not sure what to make of this.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
　Swordsmen's battles are serious affairs.
　If you send out someone who is only half as good as you are, you will end up with a tragedy you can't even see coming.

(But in other words, ....... I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.

　If you get the chance, I'd like you to give me a hand at least once. .......

　When I was thinking about it.

I'd like to have a chance to play with you. That's it!　That's all we can do!

　The chairman slammed the desk and said with vigor.

"Whoa!　I like that, Xi!　We're kindred spirits!

　Lirimu strongly agreed with the "push-and-pull strategy" that the chairman had proposed.

　Satisfied with this, she nodded her head and began to talk about a very simple strategy.

The plan is quite simple. As you can see, I've stepped down as 'general' this time. The reason for this, of course, is to ensure that I get the vice-captaincy!　So you three, Allen, Ferris, and Lilim, do whatever you can to get those two wins!　We're going to try to settle this early before it gets into a general match!



I'll do my best, ......!

I'm on it!　I'll make sure of it!

"I'll try my best to .......

　And so we each replied.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

The Ken-Oh Festival is an annual event for all high school students.

　The King of Swords Festival is the most high-profile swordsmanship festival in the country, with all of the high school swordsmanship academies participating.

　The academies are divided into groups A to H and compete in the preliminary rounds.
　Only the top two schools from each group will be able to participate in the main tournament.

　Of course, such a large scale festival cannot be held in one day, and the Ken-Oh Festival is held over three days.
　The first day is the preliminary rounds, the second day is the main tournament, and the third day is the finals.

"Well, we're here. Here we are at the Orestes National Arena, the qualifying venue for Group A.

　The chairman pointed to the huge amphitheater towering in front of him.

This is also a magnificent building .......

　It's probably a smaller version of the Great Arena in Vestellia.
　In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

It's a good idea to get used to the atmosphere. We need to get used to the atmosphere.

　With that, the chairman walked quickly to the reception tent.

　After a quick registration, we passed through the gates of the Orestes National Arena.
　As we passed through the long cobblestone passageway, there was a large number of swordsmen.

(It's amazing .......)

　No matter where you look, to the right or to the left, all you see are swordsmen.
　The overwhelming atmosphere and the sense of pressure almost made me feel a little drunk.

I guess you could call it "people sickness". .......

　I grew up in a gosa village where there were far more livestock than people, and I'm not very good at crowds like this.

　But I'll just have to get used to it.

"Soooo ......... Ha .......

　I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself down.

　A little while later, the opening ceremony of the Ken-Oh Festival Executive Committee began.
　An elderly man stood on the stage and gave a brief greeting and explanation of the rules.

　The first five players from each school to win three games would be the spearhead, the second spearhead, the middleman, the vice-captain, and the captain.
　In order to foster the development of future players, each school must use a first-year player as the spearhead.
　Only swords are allowed to be brought into the game, no protective gear is allowed.

　There was nothing unusual about the rules - they were very simple.

　And finally

"And now... today's tournament list will be revealed.

　The moment the man on the stage said that.
　The moment the man on the stage said that, the tournament list was projected on a huge screen behind him.

(...... for Senbi Academy)

　As I stared intently at the tournament list, I spotted the words "Thousand Blade Academy" on the far left.
　It seems that the first team to play today will be us, the Thousand Blade Academy.

(Our first opponent is ...... "Werewolf Academy" or ......)

　I've never heard that name before. .......
　When I was thinking about it.

"Wow, ....... Werewolf" from the first game. ....... Oh no ......

　I'm not sure what to say.

"Lilim, do you know about the werewolf academy?

It's a very famous academy. ....... I'm not sure what to make of it. But that's not the point. ...... It's a bit of a bad school, and I personally don't like it very much. ......

"Oh, really? ......

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I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.　If you are from the Thousand Blades Academy and the Werewolf Academy, get ready!　All other players, please leave the stage at once!

　It seems that the first game will start soon after this.

　And then.

"Good luck, Mr. Allen!

You can do it!　Come on!

We'll be cheering you on from the shadows at .......

　The seniors patted me on the back.

I'll do my best!　I'll do my best!

　And so my spirits were lifted in anticipation of the upcoming "spearhead battle" with the Werewolf Academy.