The next day.
　All the first-year students of Shirayuri Academy were gathered in the vast school grounds.
　The purpose of this was, of course, to measure their abilities.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　Overwhelmed by the strange atmosphere around her, Leah spilled her thoughts.

It's .......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　All of the girls had their soulsuits deployed and were quietly concentrating their minds.

　Apparently, this ability test has a great significance for the students of Shirayuri College.

　I waited for a few minutes, a little overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere.
　At the same time as the chime rang for the start of first period, a female student stood on the morning assembly table.

The sixth ability test of the year will now begin.

　On her right arm was an armband that read "Physical Education Committee Member".
　It seems that the Physical Education Committee is in charge of this test.

Some of the students are taking the ability test for the first time, so I would like to start with a basic explanation. Please listen attentively.

　With that, a brief explanation of the ability test began.

　The ability test consists of ten competitions with a maximum score of one hundred points per event, and the total score will be competed.
　The use of soul gear is allowed in all events.
　The best performer in each grade will receive a plaque and a certificate.

　It was almost the same as what I had heard from Idra yesterday.

　After the athletic committee had finished their explanation, the announcement began to ring.

"Now, as always, the broadcasting club will take the lead from here!

　A voice with a slight northern accent, with an intonation similar to Ferris and Lizzy's, echoed through the schoolyard.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

Well, well, well!　We have a very famous special guest for today's ability test!

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

"First of all, there's this guy, the problem child of the Ice King Academy!　The first is this person--the problem child of the Ice King Academy, Shidou-Euclius!　He was suspended from school twice in the first six months of his enrollment!　However, his abilities are said to be among the best of the first-year students!

　After a brief introduction.

But he is said to be one of the best freshmen!

"So that's the 'Yankee' creature they're talking about. ......

It's scary. ......

　The girl took a step away from Mr. Shidou.

(......Well, he's a little hard to get to, even for a guy like me.

　You can't blame her for her reaction.

I'm sure you're all aware of that.　I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　I'm sure you'll agree with me.

...... Oh?　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

But that head ...... is black and white, you know?　I'm sure he's not in his right mind. ......

And he's our nemesis ...... who defeated my sister!　You can't let him get away with it. ......

　A sharp look of hostility was directed at him.

　It seems that they are not very welcoming.

I'm not sure what to make of that.　Please write your name, grade, class, number, and lastly your betting money on the betting cards distributed last week, and place them in the box in front of the morning assembly table.

　Looking at the morning assembly table, I saw that there were indeed three large boxes.

　In the yellow box, there was Idra-Lux Maria.
　In the blue box, Sidor-Euclius.
　In the black box, Allen-Rhoddle.

　The three boxes had the names of the three people written on them.

　Then.

"Of course you're going to win!

"Of course you're going to win!" "Of course I'm going to go with you!

　The students of Shirayuri Academy took out white pieces of paper from their pockets and put them into Idra-san's box.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.

"...... 'betting cards'?

　I muttered to myself at the appearance of an unfamiliar word.

Yes, betting cards. It's a little wager on who you think will be 'first in the class' in the ability test. It's just a little wager. By the way, ...... hasn't been handed out to Allen and the others yet. I'm sure you can get some from the gym committee.

　Idras-san, who was standing next to me, gave me a brief explanation.

"Oh, I see. ......

　In other words - all the students of Shirayuri Academy seem to be convinced that Idra-san will win.
　On the contrary, it seems that they don't want me and Shidou to win at all.

　And then.

"Mmm ....... I'm going to go get some water!

"Hmm. Objectively speaking, Allen would be the choice.

　Leah and Rose were given two betting cards by the athletic director.
　They wrote "100,000 golds" in the betting box and threw them into the black box labeled "Allen-Roddle". 　



"Hundred thousand golds?

　I opened my eyes wide at the ridiculous amount of money the two of them had thrown at me.

"Wait, are you okay?

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

　I'm not sure if Leah and Rose understood the magnitude of what was happening, but they tilted their heads in wonder.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what you're talking about.

　100,000 golds is a lot of money.
　100,000 goruds is a lot of money. It's enough for a month's living expenses.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"...... Allen's overreacting. You're overreacting. You'll be fine for a hundred thousand golds.

Yeah, it's not that much to look at.

...... Oh, yeah?

　Speaking of which, .......
　Because they were always together, it was easy to forget that ...... they were both extremely wealthy.

　I've heard that Leah is the princess of Vestellia and that Rose has amassed a tremendous fortune during her bounty hunting days.
　My financial sense is very different from that of the poor.

And first of all, there's no way Allen is going to lose!

Yeah, that's right.

　The two of them nodded confidently.

...... Oh, we'll do our best.

　The trust between Leah and Rose was very gratifying.

　A few moments later, the odds for this bet were announced.

　50 for me.
　Fifty-five for Sydow.
　And 1.05 for Idra.

(...... But it's a hell of a sight.)

　It's true that this kind of betting is not banned in this country, but .......
　I had no idea that a bet of this magnitude could be made in a schoolyard in broad daylight with the entire school year participating. .......

It's not a problem legally, but is it okay according to the school rules of Shirayuri Academy?

　As I looked at the scene in confusion.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea.　What are you doing?

　What are you doing?" Mr. Kemeny, the director of the school, rushed to the schoolyard in a panic.

What is this unusual excitement?　Please explain in detail!

　She grabbed one of the athletic committee members and asked him a few questions.

She grabbed one of the members of the sports committee and asked him about the situation. "...... I see, I understand the situation. Then--

　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, you can contact us at our own web site.

　...... Apparently, she was also going to participate in this bet.
　And she is the only one from Shirayuri College who is willing to give me all the money.
　I'm not sure if that's a good thing for the ...... president of the school in two ways.

　And the next moment.

I'm not sure what to say.　Why Allen-Rhoddle and not my sister?

"You're disgusting!　You traitor!

　The boos poured down on Kemmy.

　But.

"Huh. ...... You don't get it, folks. I'll tell you something good. --Bet on the highest odds! That's the basic rule of gambling, isn't it?

　She said this without a trace of remorse.
　In other words, she took me over her own student.

You mean to say that my sister is inferior to Allen-Rhoddle?

It's a betrayal!　This is a betrayal of my sister - no, a betrayal of the entire Shirayuri Academy!

　This is a betrayal of my sister and the entire Shirayuri Academy!

"Hmph!　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to choose Allen-kun as my teacher!　I'm sure you've seen the Ken-Oh Festival, right?　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　...... This guy is the type that shouldn't talk too much .
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　In the midst of all this, the broadcasters pushed a little too hard on the ability test.

...... Come on, come on!　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.　The first event is this one!

　At the same time as the announcement, a large two meter square machine was brought in.
　In the front part of the machine, there was a circular depression with a number of small scars.

"First item, close range attack!　The first event is a close-range attack!" "Please fire a close-range attack at this instrument with all your might, and we'll measure how powerful it is!　The higher the power, the higher the score will be displayed on the LCD above the measuring device!　--The higher the power, the higher the score will be displayed on the LCD on top of the measuring device!

　And so, as the broadcast ended with a brief explanation.

When the broadcast finished its brief explanation, it said, "Huh, what can this cheap machine measure about me?　Aaah?

　A confident Shidou-san stood in front of the measuring device.



I'm going to destroy this thing with one blow. Devour them all!

　At that moment, the schoolyard was filled with extremely cold air.

"Vanal Thrust!

　The cold air was gushed out at once, and a thrust that produced explosive acceleration was unleashed.

　But...

I'm not sure what to do.

　This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

This is ......!　I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to say.　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　It seems that ninety-four points is a ridiculously high score.

It's my turn now.

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

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

I'm not sure what to do.

　Her body was covered with blue lightning, and she sat down quietly.

"Thundering Stream: Purple Lightning!

　The result was a thunderous, unstoppable kesa-kiri.

　The result was.

"And there it is... ninety-three points!　But this is a pity!　One point shy of the ninety-four points that Shidou-Euclius scored!

　It's a shame that I couldn't reach Sidor's record.

Oh, no. ......

I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

　After Shidou and Idra, it's my turn now.

　I could see the eyes of everyone in the room converging on me.

(...... Okay, let's do this.)

　As I stood in front of the measuring device and drew my sword, an unpleasant possibility crossed my mind.

(......Let's just make sure.)

　I sheathed my sword and went to Kemmy.

I sheathed my sword once and went to Kemmy. "Excuse me, if I break that measuring device, will ...... I have to pay for it or something?

　Yes.
　I had to make sure of this.
　Everyone here is extremely rich, but ...... I am not.

　I have to be more careful about money matters than others.

I'm not.　You're a worrier, aren't you, Allen?　But don't worry. That measuring device, the 'Anti-Shock Mechanism No. 3', will never break. There have been many swordsmen who have tried it, and it has never been broken.

　Mr. Kemeny assured me clearly.

Let's see. ....... So that means I don't have to pay for it, right?

"Yes, of course. --"Yes, of course. - Come on, Mr. Allen. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.　The life of ...... sensei is at stake, so please take this rather seriously.

　She then pushed me in front of the measuring device.

(Now I don't have to think about the big risk of "paying for it. ......)

　I then drew my sword and created a "pseudo-black sword" by covering it with darkness.

(I'm getting a little better at manipulating the darkness, by the way. ......)

　Until now, it was all I could do to clothe my entire body in darkness. .......
　Now I can focus the darkness on one place that I intend to use it, such as my sword or my toes.

　This allows me to fight for a longer time without wasting darkness.

　While I was thinking about this...

"Alleyne!　Good luck!

Let's show them the power of the Thousand Blade Academy!

　Leah and Rose cheered me on.
　I raised one hand in response and turned to face the measuring device.

(...... At any rate, I got the word from Kemmy.

　I may be overthinking this, but if I do break it, I won't have to pay for it.

(......Shido got ninety four points and Idra got ninety three points.

　If I want to beat their record, I have to get more than 95 points.

(Leah and Rose are cheering me on. .......) I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it.

　A fencer's game is a serious game.
　No matter how small the game is, if you accept it, you must do your best and go for the win.

　I grabbed my pseudo-black sword and got into a regular eye stance.

　And then.

"The Fifth Blade: The Crossing!

　The strongest blow that tore apart space cut the measuring device in half.
　The upper part of the instrument, which had been ripped in half, read "100 points".

"Ah, ........ I knew it. ......

　It seems that the machine that prides itself on its durability could not withstand the boundary that cut off the space itself.


　I smiled bitterly at the ending that I had somehow expected.