“Heeeeeey~?”
“Deresss~?!”
On the rooftop of the Great Tree, in the aerial garden that had become wider than before, I was having the Angel Race teach me aerial training…
“Two hours go by in a flash, don’t they?”
“Ah, Nina, welcome back, but!”
I was caught by Anju as I descended after my transformation wore off and immediately released in front of Nina. Or rather, it felt less like being released and more like being “brought back captured.”
(She placed me down gently, though!)
By the way, the angel wings that used to be mine were still lying on the ground.
“Alright, for now, put on your upper body equipment.”
“Ah, yes, uh, so are we leaving already?”
“Don’t you have something to do first?”
“Ah, of course, the promise.”
As we prepared, a crowd of spectators gathered around. Nina and Clarice had been seeing off people who were returning after breakfast until just a moment ago, but Clarice had returned late. She was also properly equipped.
(Helen and Nastasia were here from the beginning!)
Anju was here and there, busy, but just now, she entered combat mode with the “Scythe of Death.”
“Alright, shall we begin?”
“Um, is the Empress also observing?”
“I’m incognito today, don’t worry.”
It seemed I didn’t need to worry about it being a royal exhibition match.
(She’s nodding as she watches. Wow, she’s gotten close to Kelpie.)
“So, we’ll start with you as usual, Nina.”
“Ah, I’ll use the Princess Sword first.”
“Then I’ll use the Pride Sword… ah, I need to make sure my new magic doesn’t activate.”
This new magic that can cut enemies at a distance. It should be fine as long as I don’t intend to use it, right? I haven’t tested its sharpness yet, but if I cut Nina in half, even Resurrection Magic might not be enough.
(It’s difficult to consciously *not* use a skill or magic when you’ve learned so many.)
“Nyahahaha~, I’ll be the referee~”
“Ah, Korome, and Amatatsu has turned green!”
“If you level up one more time, you’ll turn skin-colored.”
It seems that’s finally when one evolves into a human.
“Well, the judge has appeared from below. Deress, ready?”
“Yes, Nina. Then, let’s begin the first half.”
“Here I go~~~~? Ready, set… Thank you~!”
What was that?!
As I thought that, Nina’s sword struck first!
“Whoa!”
“Hmm, as expected, you’re fast.”
“Yes, I’ve gotten behind you.”
…And so, the result of the first ten matches is!
“Nyahaha~ That’s all for now~ Deress 9 wins, Nina 1 win!”
“…Even though it was a lucky hit, this one win is valuable.”
“Nina, I don’t quite know how to say it…”
“It’s fine, we’re only halfway through.”
She put the Princess Sword back into her Item Box and took out the Berserk Sword. Yes, I need to be cautious in the second half too.
“Then I’m going~~~~? Ready, set… Party Time!”
(Another nonsensical battle cry…)
“Hmph!”
“Yes! How’s this agility!”
“Amateurish!”
“Uwaah!!”
After dodging the giant sword with a jump, I was swiftly grabbed by one hand!
“That’s one win, or rather, two wins total.”
“Th-that’s fine, but please don’t hang me upside down!”
Although I was defeated immediately like that, the second half…
“Ending~~~~! In the second half too, Deress 9 wins, Nina 1 win, for a total of Deress 18 wins, Nina 2 wins! Deress wins~~!!”
…Now that I think about it, are they calling each other by their names during practice matches and duels?
(Well, being called “Player Deress” or something doesn’t feel right either.)
“As expected, Deress is still far away… However, these two wins will surely lead to the next!!”
“If I lose to Nina, our positions will be reversed, and that’s a scary thought, so I’ll do my best.”
“Ah, if I can surpass you, Deress, you won’t just be ‘under my thumb’; you’ll be completely crushed.”
I’ll be flattened!?!?!?
“Alright, next opponent~!”
“I will go with this.”
“Ah, Clarice, isn’t that a sword of Light Magic?”
I hadn’t properly introduced it (to whom?), but she had acquired a skill or magic to use her magic power to create a sword when holding a Light Magic Stone.
(When she first learned it, her magic power was low, and it was only about the size of a dagger.)
Now it was a magnificent sword of light, a longsword. As we stood ready, Amatatsu gave me a knowing glance…
“Here I go, here I go? Ready, set… Ratta-ta~!”
And the result was!!
“Deress wins~ 17 wins, Clarice 3 wins~ Alright, that’s the end~”
“Fuu, still, I managed to take three.”
“No, the sword bending unnaturally is a foul!!”
With this, Clarice was now above Nina. I felt a little sorry for her. When I wondered what expression she was making, I saw her sitting and chatting with the goopy-looking Baraka and Camilla.
(I can’t let Nina and Clarice fight each other.)
Even though it was a practice match.
“Alright, next~”
“It’s Anju~, Manji~”
“Eh, Manji? Ah, did you mean ‘Manjishite’ (with full preparation)?”
We both got ready. Now, this was the climax right from the start. I’ll reclaim the number one spot of “Nina Starlights”! Anju’s floating and swaying even felt like part of the initial mind games.
(Teleportation and the Scythe of Death, observing both movements instantaneously… I’ll discern it!!)
“Alright then~~~~… Welcome!!”
(Welcome where?! ?)
*To my surprise, the Net-Con preliminary round 12 passed! Thank you, but is this okay? (Sweat)*
