After enjoying the Chairman's special haunted house, I stretched wide.

"Hmmm... ......

　I had been in a dimly lit room for a long time, so the sunlight coming through the window was a bit dazzling.

I've been in a dimly lit room for a long time, so the sunlight coming through the window is a bit bright.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try to find out where they might be going.

(Leah in the dining room, Rose in the training ground. ......)

　I've got a pretty good idea of where they're going, and as I head toward the cafeteria, I see Leah and Rose coming out of the women's restroom a little further down the hall.

　Apparently, they were not running around in a hurry, but instead had gathered together in one place.

"Leah, Rose, thank God!

　I ran up to them, waving my hand.

　And then.

"......, we're not crying.

　They mumbled something in a small voice.

"......What?　Sorry, I didn't hear you. Say it again.

"We're not crying, ......!

　This time I heard him clearly.

"Oh, yeah, ........ It's okay, I understand. ......

　I know exactly what Leah and Rose were crying about in the ladies room.
　It was obvious from their swollen, red eyes.

"...... so.

"...... is fine.

　The two of them turned their heads away and remained silent.

"......

"......

"......

　An indescribable silence descends.

(And anyway, ....... It doesn't matter what it is, we have to cheer them up. ......

　It's a thousand blade festival.
　It's a shame to spend the rest of the day in a depressed atmosphere.

　I know of one way to quickly change the atmosphere at a time like this.

Oh, that's right!　I heard that there are delicious chocolate bananas in Class 2F.

　At that moment, the corner of Leah's eyebrows twitched.

(...... Did I catch that?)

　Leah has an eye for food.
　When she's not feeling well, you can always bring up this kind of topic.

"I'm starving, why don't we go out to eat?

　And when I push her one more time.

"I'll have some .......

　After a few moments of silence, Leah nodded her head.

Okay, that's it!　What about Rose?　I think it would be a nice change of pace to have something in your stomach. ......

Yes, ....... I think I'll have one.

　She also agreed with my opinion.

　And so, having decided on a course of action, we headed for the second year F class.

We passed by the haunted house.

　We took a detour to avoid passing by the haunted house and walked down a long corridor for a while before arriving at our destination.

Oh, it's pretty crowded.

　In front of the classroom, there was a long line of more than ten people.
　I stood up a little taller and saw that they were making chocolate bananas.

　The bananas were covered with boiled chocolate and sprinkled with colorful red, yellow, green, white, and black chocolate spray.

Oh, that looks delicious ......!

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

So let's get in line.

Yes!

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

"Thank you for waiting. Welcome to Chocotto Banana, a store specializing in chocolate bananas!

　The female student in charge of reception welcomed us with a pleasant greeting.

I'd like a chocolate banana, please.

I'll have one too.

　While Rose and I ordered one each.

Hmmm ....... We don't know what kind of food they have yet. ....... I'll take five for now, please.

　Leah held up five fingers and gave a dignified order.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　Not one, but ......?

　Faced with the overwhelming quantity, the receptionist rehearsed the order.

　She probably thought that she had misheard or that Leah had misspoken.

　No wonder.
　I had never imagined that she was such a big eater.

"......?　Yes, five, please.

　Leah repeated the same words, tilting her head slightly.



　She is not aware that she is a big eater, and does not feel any emotion when she orders "five chocolate bananas".

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. ......!

　The receptionist, realizing that she had not misheard or misspoke, hurriedly began to make the chocolate bananas.

(......But five to see how it goes?)

　I'm sure you're right.
　Even after being depressed by the haunted house, her appetite did not seem to wane in the slightest.

　After that, we received a total of seven chocolate bananas, and moved to a less crowded place.

　And then - all three of us took a bite at the same time.

Yes, this is delicious.

"Mmmm ......!　The combination of chocolate and banana is foul ......!

Oh, sweet things are soothing.

　Leah and Rose are happily munching on their chocolate bananas.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

(...... seems to be all right now)

　The sweet taste of the chocolate banana seems to have blown away the scary memories etched in the haunted house.

(But ....... Next year, we'll have to stop it (・・・・). (......)

　The chairmen are still in their second year, which means they still have one more Senba Matsuri left.

(Especially the chairman .......) She's a hardcore competitive person. ......)

　Next year, I'm sure they'll be preparing an even more powerful haunted house.

　If Leah and Rose say, "I'm not scared! If Leah and Rose try to enter the haunted house again saying "I'm not scared!" - I'll make sure to stop them using the example of what happened this time.

(......) But then again, you never really know what's going to happen in life, do you?

　Just a few months ago, I was in a hellish place.

　Hated, despised, ignored--nobody wanted me, nobody cared about me.

　The closed society of the Grand Academy of Swordsmanship.

　I once went to the village of Goza to tell my mother that I was being bullied.

(But I couldn't tell her .......)

　With my hands covered in mud and my forehead sweating profusely, I couldn't be any more of a nuisance to my mother, who worked so hard to pay for my schooling.

　So I went back to the dormitory and back to the hellish academy.

(How about now, ......?)

　A failed swordsman like me is attending one of the famous "Five Academies" - Senbei Academy.
　And best of all, I made two precious friends, Leah and Rose.

　And that's not all.

　Tessa and the rest of Class A.
　The president of the student council, Lilim and Ferris.
　And all the other upperclassmen who were good to me.

　Before I knew it, I was surrounded by so many friends.

(...... is fun)

　I wish time like this could go on forever. .......

　I've been having these old(...) thoughts lately(...) in my mind.

　And then I realized.

"What's wrong, Allen?

　Leah was staring at me with a worried expression on her face.

"Oh, sorry, ....... I'm sorry, I've been a bit absent-minded.

I'm sorry.　You have a very sad face, you know?

"...... sad face?

　...... That's funny.

　I thought I was thinking of a fun and happy 'now' earlier. .......

Do you want another bottle of ......?

　She then offered me her chocolate banana.

(It's unusual for ...... Leah to offer me her food.)

　(It's unusual for Leah to offer her own food.) Apparently, I had a very sad expression on my face just now.

Thank you. But the feeling is enough. --But that's not the point. It's the Thousand Blade Festival. Let's take a look around!

　I said cheerfully, trying to blow away the slightly heavy air.

"Yes, let's!

"Yeah, let's do that!

　Then we had a lot of fun, shooting at targets, ring toss, raffles, stamp rallies, and so on.

　Meanwhile, Leah ate candy apples, corn, hot dogs, crepes, and whatever else she could find.

　I'm amazed at how she can eat so much and still maintain such a beautiful figure.

"Hahaha!　It's fun, Allen!

"Hmm, I guess festivals are nice.

　Leah and Rose were smiling all the time, enjoying the Thousand Blade Festival from the bottom of their hearts.

　As they were going through the various performances.

"What's that?

　Leah said when she saw a crowd of people in the middle of the schoolyard.

"Sure, what is it ......?

　In the center of the crowd was a raised stage on which two swordsmen were staring at each other.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

　Rose looked at the pamphlet and muttered to herself.

"Dojo-busting ......?

"Oh. It is said that if you beat the swordsman Jean-Baël of the third year B class, you will receive a luxury prize. Well, to put it simply, it's an event where you can experience the dojo-busting.



"I see. ......

"Bragging about your swordsmanship." .......
　As a swordsman, I was intrigued to hear such a phrase.

Hmm ....... "Hmm, sounds interesting, let's go there!

I'm a little curious to see how good you are. ......

　Leah and Rose's eyes had the sharp light of a swordsman.
　It seems that they have been caught in the same 'boast of swordsmanship' as me.

"Okay, so let's go see the dojo-breaker next!

"Yes!

Ah!

　Then we passed through the school building of Senba Academy and arrived at a special stage in the middle of the schoolyard.

　And then.

"Haha......?

"That's it!　The winner, Jean-Bael!

　Apparently, the match had just ended.

Wow. ....... Forty-nine wins in forty-nine battles. ......

Strong ....... The title of "head of the swordsmanship club" is not a bad thing. ......

d*mn, you're not going to give away any prizes ......!

　The crowd's cheers were interspersed with some bitterness.

　The people who had spilled their bitterness were all wounded.

　They had probably challenged the Dojo-breaker and been defeated by Mr. Jean-Baël.

(But he won 49 battles, or ......)

　So far, he is undefeated in all his fights.
　(But 49 wins in 49 battles, huh? ) So far he has won all his battles and is undefeated.

(......It seems that you are definitely proud of your swordsmanship.

　When I was thinking about it.

"...... Oh!　I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　In the box were gift certificates, a sword with the appearance of a workman's sword, and various other items.

(.......) (As I recall, ...... said that those who succeeded in defeating the dojo would be given one of those items of their choice.

　As I remembered this, I looked at the prizes and thought.

I remembered that, and as I looked at the prizes, I thought to myself, "...... Oh, that thing?

　I knew immediately what Leah was getting excited about.

It was a stuffed hippo!　It's a stuffed hippo!

　She snorted and tugged at the sleeve of her dress.

She snorted and tugged at the sleeve of her dress. "Haha, yeah.

　Leah, despite her appearance, has an eye for cute things.
　She is especially fond of stuffed animals, and there are many of them in her room.

　Sometimes you may encounter her talking to her most favorite stuffed animal, a bear. .......
　In such cases, I pretend that I did not see anything and sneak out of the dormitory.

　And then.

"Hey, hey, Allen, ....... Can you take ...... that stuffed animal?

　Leah said with a downcast look in her eyes and asked for it.

　And then.

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

　Rose asked a perfectly legitimate question.

"Well, I'll have Allen get it for me. ....... I'd rather have Allen take it and give it to me as a ...... gift!

　Leah shouted loudly, her face reddening.

"Oh, ha ha. All right, Leah. I don't know if I can get it or not, but I'll try.

"......!　Yeah, thanks!

　I then made my way through the crowd to the Dojo-busting reception desk.

"Excuse me. I'd like to try this dojo-busting challenge. ......

　Then I called out to the boy at the desk.

"Yes, then please come here to register. ......?　You've come to the right place, Allen-Rodr ......!

　He widened his eyes and jumped back.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm confused.

I'm not sure.　I'm sure he(she) came to destroy(・・・・)....... It's him, Allen Rhoddle!

　The receptionist shouted loudly, and all the eyes around me focused on me at once.

　And then.

"...... Oh, there you are. As they say, money is no object.

　One of the swordsmen standing on the stage, Jean-Baël, glared at me.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.



　There's another outrageous rumor being made up: .......

　There are so many rumors about me, and so many absurd ones.

(I even corrected some of them in the beginning. ......)

　(I even corrected some of them in the beginning.

Come on, let's go onstage. Allen-Rhodle. I've always wanted to cross swords with you.

　Mr. Jean said, looking me straight in the eye.

　At the moment I went up to the stage, the woman who was doing the live commentary shouted out, as if she had been waiting for me.

"Well, well, well, here we are at last!　You all know who the challenger is... Allen Lordleuuuuuuuuu!　He's the one who defeated the Shiro Lily Academy's child prodigy, Idra Luxmaria!　He's been called the "strongest of the first-years" and is now the leading swordsman in the Thousand Blade Academy!

　He continued to introduce Jean.

I'm not sure what to make of that.　So far, I've won forty-nine battles!　He is an extremely skilled swordsman who boasts of his overwhelming swordsmanship!

　After their introductions, a short explanation of the rules began.

The rules are simple!　The rules are simple! One-on-one serious competition using shinai (not swords)!　However, for safety reasons, we do not allow the use of shinai!

　After the explanation, the receptionist handed me a shinai.

After the explanation, the receptionist handed me a shinai, "Are you both ready?　Let's begin!

　And so began a serious match with the head of the swordsmanship club, Jean-Bael.