Evil Avalon

Chapter 115-Thirst for Strength

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"Souta, it's time, but are you okay?"

His mother called out from under the stairs. Looking at the clock, it was already time to leave the house. Usually, Kowaru would come to pick him up early, so he didn't need to worry about the exact time, but lately, she had been going to school early in the morning to practice with Akagi-kun and the others, leaving Souta to go to school alone. Thanks to that, he realized he was running late.

"Well, I can't rely on Kowaru forever."

Recently, Kowaru's eyes had changed, and it was clear that he was trying to become stronger, and his straightforward efforts were shining brightly.

As for Souta, he hadn't aimed for universities that were beyond his academic abilities even in his original world, and he hadn't been completely devoted to his work either. Since coming to this world, wanting to become stronger was not just a means of protecting his own and his family's future but also an ambition to rise up, prioritizing how to level up safely and easily using his game knowledge rather than through hard work. That's why when he saw Kowaru working hard every day, he felt ashamed of himself.

"I want to help him a little..."

The reason he didn't get close to Kowaru until now was because he had to avoid being expelled from school, and he also believed that leaving things to Akagi-kun was the easiest way to happiness. But he was also afraid that he would hurt and make Kowaru unhappy by getting closer. Maybe he was just running away.

Lately, his conflicting desire to help, even if it involved some risk, had been growing stronger. Well, it would be great if he could honestly teach his game knowledge and call her to "this side". His inner pig-mindedness was also pleading with him every day. However, in that case, he would have to be prepared to make Kowaru unhappy.

"Okay, this should do it."

He fixed his bedhead in the mirror, checked if there was anything else odd, and then picked up his bag. Recently, he felt that the school was going in a strange direction, but he just hoped that today would be another quiet day without any trouble.

July was already approaching, and the temperature and humidity were rising rapidly, causing sweat to seep out just from walking. If he were thin, this kind of humid heat might not have bothered him so much, but he regretted returning to being chubby Souta. However, if he had missed that time, he probably wouldn't have been able to skip the luxurious menu that he would never be able to eat in his life...so maybe it was a route that had been decided.

If you keep lamenting the harsh world, the school building is already right in front of you. I can't think calmly while walking to school because it only takes five minutes from my house to school. As I put my shoes in my locker and took out my indoor shoes, some people rushed down the stairs and passed by in a hurry.

"That's... my classmate."

I wonder where they're heading when homeroom is about to start soon. As I walk towards the classroom without worrying, my classmates run past me again. I heard what they were saying as they passed by.

"Is the place right at the second fencing club room?"

"No, it's at the arena. Girls are also subject to violence..."

"Nevermind, hurry up!"

The second fencing club at the arena. And girls. It feels unpleasant...the place is the arena. I need to hurry there too.

The adventurer school has four arenas. All of them are inside the magic field, and they are useful places for training in classes and clubs because they are made of sturdy material that can withstand some magic and sword attacks.

One of them, called "Number 4," which is also used for sword fighting classes in E class, had a crowd of people in front of it, so I cut in. However, because dozens of people were crowded around the entrance, I couldn't see what was happening in front of me even if I stretched my neck or moved my face to the side. So, I had to forcefully push my way in while pretending to be looking around, and slowly moved forward while reading the movements of the group as a whole. Along the way, elbows and punches were flying, but this was inside the magic field, so it didn't work on me, who had strengthened my body.

(Well, how is it going...wait a minute)

Finally, I managed to get my face out through the gap, and the first thing I saw was the fallen figure of a member of the second fencing club. They were falling in various ways, hitting the wall, lying face down, and lying down in a prone position. It looks like they were taken out with one blow based on the degree of damage. What does this mean?

In the back of the arena, there were Akagi with torn uniform and bruises all over his body, and Tachiki whose glasses were broken and hair was messed up. Behind them were the unscathed Pink-chan and Kowaru. It's clear that Akagi and Tachiki were attacked, but it's unlikely that they were beaten up because they fought back. "Second" is a group of skilled people who exceed level 10. If they fought in this place inside the magic field, it would be too much for them to handle.

Next, I saw Tsukishima. He was in the middle of the arena, looking lethargic as he put his hands in his pockets and stared down the members who were still standing. Why is he there? No, he must have done something to the fallen member of the second fencing club...

"Hey, don't think you can get away with doing something like this for free!"

"You're gonna die--gah!"

"Don't talk big, you shitty little fish!"

Tsukishima calmly countered the burly member who swung his fist with hostility, and sent him flying back into the wall. From this brief moment of fighting, it was evident that there was a clear difference in strength. The member who was sent flying didn't even seem to have expected the counterpunch, and Tsukishima had read his movements perfectly and knocked him out with a single blow. The other members could sense the difference in their abilities and were immobilized.

From what I can infer from what just happened... I can see Lisa in the front row, so I'll ask her about what's going on. I make my way towards her, dodging the elbows being thrown at me a few times. But my plump body is making it difficult to move around in this crowded space.

"(Lisa, what's going on?)"

"(You're too late, Souta. There was information that Hayase-san was being taken away after being involved in something, so we rushed here.)"

At first, Pink-chan and Kowaru were taken away by members of the Second Fencing Club. Information was brought to the classroom that Akagi-kun and Tachiki-kun rushed to the scene. While classmates were discussing what to do, Tsukishima ran off on his own, so Lisa and her classmates chased after him.

But by the time they arrived here, it was already in this state. Although it has not been more than a minute since it started, Tsukishima had sent half of the members flying and they were now in a standoff. Until then, Akagi-kun and Tachiki-kun had not interfered, choosing to play the role of the ones being punched, but even that proved to be useless.

(Sigh... So Tsukishima really went berserk, huh.)

Lisa had mentioned during the player meeting on the 20th floor that Tsukishima was about to make a move, but it seemed that he had already done so. However, considering how sudden this situation is, it's possible that this was not part of Tsukishima's plan.

But it is a problem that such a big event has occurred between the Second Fencing Club and E-Class. There are many members of the club who are from samurai families and have connections with the nobility. Furthermore, it was the First Fencing Club that ordered them to attack E-Class. Undoubtedly, this commotion was instigated from behind the scenes... Oh, they're here.

"... Move."

"Eek!" "Kyaa!"

A student released their aura without reservation, causing Lisa's classmates to scatter and scream. Judging from the amount of magic power released just now, they were probably at level 13 to 15. However, the student who used this magic was a first-year student, which means their magic is just a lower-ranked one. Then, a group of frowning students entered. It was the First Fencing Club.

The upper part is a white and the lower part is a black Kendo uniform. "The first Kendo Club" is embroidered in golden on the shoulder, and the atmosphere it exudes is different from that of the "second Kendo Club". Each of them holds a rubber sword for practice, but it can become a powerful weapon that inflicts significant damage if handled by someone who has significantly improved their level. The members of the first Kendo Club are only composed of nobles or upper-class samurai, so one must be careful even when responding to them... it is unsettling.

The first-year member at the forefront interrogated with a deep voice, "Hey...what's going on? Explain exactly what happened here," and a nearby classmate stumbled to explain the situation. It was only a matter of time before the hostility of the first Kendo Club would turn toward Tsukishima. The situation was at its worst.

"(Lisa, even if Tsukishima-kun has to fight against all members of the first Kendo Club, he might be in danger, right?)"

"(Hmm... he might be able to win, but I can't imagine him using his full strength in front of so many people like this. Anyway, we can only watch from here.)"

At this point, there is probably no way to resolve the situation peacefully. As Lisa said, the only thing we can do is watch.

(Wasn't there a better way to handle this...?)

I knew that Tsukishima-kun was trying to get Kowaru's attention. Perhaps he took action that was not part of the original plan because there was a possibility of violence against Kowaru. Even if I were in the same position, I might have beaten up all the members of the second Kendo Club... but at least I would have considered the use of items to hide my identity or the use of sneaky tactics to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

Is this commotion within the expected range for Tsukishima-kun, who said he was about to move?

The situation is further developing. New members wearing Kendo uniforms have come from behind. Some are a whole size larger than the others, and there is even a female student wearing a family crest on her Kendo uniform. They are probably high-ranking members of the first Kendo Club. I can see the face of Ashikaga, who is believed to have instructed them to attack Class E.

He looks much bigger and thicker than he did in the photo. Given that the first-year members call Ashikaga the "vice-captain," he can be inferred as the second most powerful after the captain called Hachiryu. He is a difficult opponent to deal with.

"What's all this commotion? First-year member, explain."

"Yes. A commoner from the inferior class over there punched and sent the second club member flying. What should we do?"

"...Class E attacked a second club member? I see."

Hearing that report, Ashikaga walked up to Tsukishima-kun. His expression was not angry but rather pleased.

Staring intently from head to toe at Tsukishima, who stands before him, Ashikaga asks, "Did you do that to them?"

Tsukishima responds with a smug laugh, his hands in his pockets. "Oh? And if I did?"

Ashikaga points to the fallen members of the Second Swordsmanship Club and asks, "Can you tell me why?"

"Those small fry were getting on my nerves. I'll crush you, the mastermind, and end it all."

"Crush me? A commoner like you? ...Ha, ha, ha."

Tsukishima and his classmates laugh, starting with a quiet chuckle and building to a large roar. It is an obvious, contemptuous laughter directed at Ashikaga. After all, it is not unusual to think that the students of Class E, who are considered inferior, would speak words like "crush" to one of the most powerful members of the First Swordsmanship Club, one of the most skilled students at the adventurer school.

The club members jeer and chuckle, but only Ashikaga's eyes do not laugh. He seems to be observing Tsukishima's center of gravity without averting his eyes from him. If he was able to take down several members of the Second Swordsmanship Club without a scratch, it means that he has at least some level of skill as a member of the First Swordsmanship Club. Ashikaga assumes that he has the power to inflict damage even if he does not defeat him outright if he catches him off guard.

Eventually, the laughter subsides, and a painful silence dominates. As those around them imagine what will happen to the two, Kowaru breaks the balance.

"I-I'm sorry. It's my fault. Please forgive me."

"Step back, commoner. I am talking to this man."

Kowaru, who steps forward with a determination to protect Ashikaga, bows her head deeply and apologizes, but Ashikaga does not meet her gaze. A member of the First Swordsmanship Club who was standing behind them stepped forward and berated Kowaru, causing Tsukishima to crack his knuckles and step forward.

"Back off, Kowaru. I'll take care of them."

"W-wait, Tsukishima-kun. Please calm down."

In the midst of the chaos, Kowaru tries to intervene but Tsukishima circulates magic within his body. The tension in the room increases abruptly, and you can hear the sound of people holding their breath. With so many bystanders present, it is difficult to predict the extent of the damage if a fight were to break out between the First Swordsmanship Club and Tsukishima. Kowaru probably thought the same and tried to stop the situation, but Ashikaga, using his right hand, signals to everyone to stop and shows a gesture of contemplation.

"Wait a minute. It's boring to fight here, isn't it?... Why don't we call in a large crowd of spectators? Let's invite the student council president and other members of the Eight Dragons, and have them determine who is suitable to become the next student council president."

Ashikaga began to speak in an elaborate manner, as if he had come up with a brilliant idea. He proposed to invite a gallery to the No. 1 arena in one week's time after school and hold a one-on-one duel. The agreement was made that the First and Second Swordsmanship Clubs would not interfere with Class E, but calling in other members of the Eight Dragons was a different matter. This situation had become quite serious.

"Even if you can't beat me, I'll recognize your good fight by admitting you to our First Swordsmanship Club... or would you prefer a reward like money?"

"What a good opportunity. We'll thoroughly show these ignorant fools who don't know anything about true strength. Kukuku... Wash your neck and wait, Ashikaga."

"...I see. I'm looking forward to it."

Having received an unexpected and disappointing response, they looked upon him with pity, and Ashikaga and the First Swordsmanship Club left without giving any medical assistance to the Second Swordsmanship Club who had fallen. Satsuki arrived with the health teacher, changing places. Now it should be okay to leave it to them.

The health teacher arrived and took out magical tools and medical equipment from his bag. He started with a physical examination of the fallen Second Swordsmanship Club member against the wall. While watching this, they reflected on what had happened earlier.

"A duel like this has become a serious matter. Is there no way to stop this...?"

The opponent was said to be a member of the Eight Dragons, the First Swordsmanship Club, which has a high influence in the Adventurer School. To be frank, this is a more serious situation than opposing Class A. It is only natural that the Second and Third Swordsmanship Clubs will become enemies, and even related nobles and upper-class members may be unwilling to take action. If that were to happen, then even if Class E were to win or lose the duel, they would be thoroughly driven into a corner. To fight the Eight Dragons is to accept such a situation.

"Kowaru may be targeted this time and may end up in the crosshairs."

It would be useless to say that Tsukishima simply went berserk. A duel between nobles carries a heavy meaning...D-class would be manageable with the current level of Akagi and his team...

I'm thinking of various countermeasures, but I can't come up with any good ideas. I want to know what Tsukishima is thinking at least, so I sneak closer to listen in on their conversation.

"Tsukishima-kun, what was that power you showed earlier...? Is it possible that it's greater than Omiya-san's--"

"I've been hiding my true strength for various reasons. But more importantly, Kowaru... it's about time, so come with me. I'll give you 'strength' as well."

"What do you mean?"

Watching Kowaru being pressed by Tsukishima, my heart starts to race. 'Strength' must be player knowledge. I can't really say anything since I taught Satsuki, so if Tsukishima can protect Kowaru as a partner from now on, then I...

"I did all of that to beat those guys for your sake, you know. I can promise to pull you up to 'super top-class adventurer' and protect you until that day comes. Hey, don't you want 'strength'?"

"I--"

Yes, Kowaru's dream is to become a top-class adventurer. Any player who has completed their individual storylines knows this. In the game, Kowaru pursued strength with grit and determination, enduring a harsh school life full of violence and striving to become a top-class adventurer. His desire for strength is stronger than anyone else's.

And the decisive line where Kowaru falls in love in the game was also "Let's become super top-class adventurers together." Kowaru, who was attracted to the protagonist's strength, thought, "I can achieve my dream with this person," and took their hand in acceptance. That's why Tsukishima used the seductive phrase "super top-class adventurer" to try and win Kowaru over.

If Kowaru witnessed Tsukishima overpowering the Second Swordsmanship Club, then she should have realized that Tsukishima's strength is not a bluff. She would also see the potential of becoming stronger if she were to team up with Tsukishima. In fact, if she gains player knowledge, the possibility of reaching the realm of top-class adventurers would be extremely high.

Conversely, if Tsukishima can get advice from the reliable and smart Kowaru at any time, his reckless behavior may become more stable, and if he can earn Kowaru's trust, he may become a powerful partner who can support her both inside and outside the dungeon. In other words, if the two of them become partners...

As Kowaru hesitated and wavered, Tsukishima moved closer to take her hand. My heart stirred even more at the sight, and my pulse quickened. I continued to watch...

(...There's no way i can let this  happen.)

Pulling Kowaru's hand from behind, I brought her towards me. She looked at me with a hint of surprise, her almond-shaped eyes slightly widened. Maybe she was wondering why I came out.

"What do you think you're doing... Butao? I'm going to kill you for real."

"Well, um... you see..."

My Butao mind surged within me, igniting my impulses and causing my body to act impulsively. Tsukishima, who was interrupted at a critical moment, became visibly upset and wore a fierce expression. He seemed like he was about to attack any second now.

It was good that I intervened, but now what? I didn't think it through... what am I supposed to do?

TL Note- Things are getting exciting. 

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