Evil Avalon

Chapter 123 The fateful duel begins, meanwhile

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

"Narumi huh? come in."

"...Excuse me."

As I knocked on the thick door of the Student Council meeting room, I immediately heard the voice saying, "Come in." It was the voice of the Student Council President, Akizane Sagara , the owner of this room. Since I had permission to enter, I opened the thick wooden door as I usually did, feeling a bit cramped.

I wasn't comfortable with spaces that displayed authority or power. I should probably change that aspect of myself, but I couldn't do it even in my original world, so it was likely impossible. Being timid was tough.

While thinking about such things, I peeked inside and saw Sagara, who was standing nearby with a serious expression and arms crossed, and Kirara-chan, who was touching her chin with her index finger, lost in thought. I hurriedly bowed.

"Narumi-kun, it's almost time for the scheduled meeting. Are you ready?"

"The location is Arena 1. We've made it clear that only those involved should approach."

A duel between Tsukishima-kun and the First Swordsmanship Club's member, Ashikaga, was about to take place. To minimize the leakage of information, They had significantly limited the number of spectators and decided to hold it on a non-school day. The venue was Arena 1, a highly confidential location. It had been announced that general students were prohibited from approaching the area, and it seemed that Sagara had been quite active since then.

I took a worn wooden mask, a dirty cloak, and a small bottle out of my magic bag and informed them that I was ready.

"I'll wear these in the arena."

"Is that... magical equipment? May I ask what effects they have?"

Kirara-chan gasped when she saw the mask and robe. I thought that dark guilds like Kunoichi Red would have had several of these items, so it shouldn't be that surprising.

"This mask inhibits appraisal, and the robe reduces your presence. Also... this potion is a temporary weight loss potion, but since I'm on the heavier side, I thought it would be perfect for a disguise."

This potion, contained in a small bottle, was a secret elixir brought from overseas by the Tenma Company for Tenma-san. Whenever she had to attend a ball or a gathering of nobles, Tenma-san always drank this secret elixir. I had learned about it from my gaming knowledge, so I negotiated with her and got her to give me a small portion of it.

I regretted making Tenma-san flustered when asking for the potion, but in return, she was delighted when I offered to share detailed information about Orichalcum refinement, processing methods, and its performance. She had been prepared to spend a lot of time and money to turn that information into actual armor, based on what Arthur had taught her.

However, when using gaming knowledge to intrude into someone's private life, I needed to be extremely cautious. This was a point I had to reflect on.

So, since the duel was approaching, I immediately drank the potion. The liquid inside the small bottle was yellow. When I poured it into my mouth, it tasted slightly sweet and gooey.

The effects were immediate. Even before reaching my stomach, the warmth in my throat spread throughout my body, causing it to shrink and tighten rapidly. Arms and stomach that had been plump with fat now had muscles and veins protruding. If I touched my jaw, it felt sharper. I thought I had worn slightly tight pants, but they felt loose after the change.

The effect lasted about an hour. Well, it should be long enough.

"You look like a completely different person... No, when I visited your house before, you looked like this, didn't you? But you still seem like a different person."

"Additionally, when you wear this mask and robe... it's like this."

"It's amazing. It's so unusual that I can't focus on it unless I stare. In a way, it's bizarre."

Wearing the mask and robe as a two-step measure meant that even if they were damaged and my true face was revealed, the effects of the potion would prevent them from recognizing me. This way, Tsukishima-kun wouldn't know I was Butao. Despite feeling a bit embarrassed as they observed me as if I were some strange creature, the effects were outstanding, so I was satisfied.

"Well then, it seems like time is running short, let's go."

"Yes Narumi, we're counting on you."

With a nod from all three of us, I left the room and moved silently through the hallway. The view from the window showed a clear sky with not a cloud in sight, in stark contrast to my mood.

(Well, I should just go without any pressure.)

Tsukishima-kun must also be well aware of the disadvantages of disrupting the game's story, and things might not turn into the worst-case scenario I was thinking of. Even if it did come to a fight, I had prepared several ways to win. Getting worked up wouldn't lead to a better outcome, so I decided to relax.

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

The Adventurer's School had four arenas, and among them, Arena 1 was known to be constructed with a high level of strength and confidentiality, suitable for advanced adventurers at Level 20 and above to fight without issues.

For example, the walls, floors, and ceilings were covered with high-purity mithril alloy tiles, sturdy enough to withstand direct hits from weapon skills. To ensure that valuable information such as skill and combat data, personal information, etc., did not leak, there were no windows, and multiple layers of information protection magic, including soundproofing and vibration dampening, were in place.

Creating such a facility incurred substantial construction and maintenance costs, but adventurer training was closely tied to national defense, so it didn't take long for substantial taxes to be allocated for this purpose. Even as students of the Adventurer's School, having access to Arena 1 became a kind of status symbol.

Arriving at the entrance of the building, a female student wearing a kendogi stood with her arms crossed as if she were a gatekeeper. From her shoulder to her arm, there was a golden embroidery that read "First Swordsmanship Club," and a small family crest was embroidered on her chest. When she saw us, she smiled slightly and greeted us politely.

"Sagara-sama, Kusunoki-sama, are you both in good spirits today? I have been appointed as the supervisor for this event... but who is the person with the mask?"

After a courteous greeting, the female student turned her sharp gaze towards me. Her posture and the faint aura of magic around her indicated her considerable skill. Since I was already wearing the mask and robe, my facial features were hidden, and my presence had diminished significantly. It wasn't unreasonable for her to be cautious.

"I've invited him as a special bodyguard. I'll vouch for his identity."

"...If Sagara-sama says so, please go inside."

With Sagara's introduction, she relaxed her guard, smiled at me, and gave a slight bow. Despite my unconventional appearance, it seemed that Sagara was highly trusted. In that case, I wouldn't hesitate to enter.

"So, the supervisor is a member of the First Swordsmanship Club, right?"

A supervisor, in this context, referred to someone who oversaw the duel, ensured it followed the rules, and made judgments until a winner was declared. When it came to overseeing a skilled individual like Ashikaga, it required someone with equal or greater skill. However, such individuals were only found among the Eight Dragons or their leaders within the school. Since this duel had a strong punitive aspect, there was no need for a highly skilled individual from outside to intervene.

Therefore, it was likely that someone from the same club with similar skills had been chosen as the supervisor. However, this also meant there was a risk of things being manipulated in favor of the First Swordsmanship Club. If, by any chance, Tsukishima lost, I would have to step in.

Nevertheless, I couldn't believe that a player who knew the strength of the Eight Dragons would lose, and if he did lose, it might minimize any potential commotion, which would be beneficial for me. Perhaps my concerns were unnecessary.

Upon entering the arena, I had to squint my eyes due to the bright white light.

Pure white tiles covered the floor, walls, and every surface, reflecting the intense light from the fixtures. All of these tiles were made of mithril alloy. At first glance, it gave an impression of being cold and sterile, resembling an experimental facility.

Sagara and Kirara-chan walked towards the elevated spectator seats, so I followed suit. Already, some of the invitees were seated, each in their own place.

"Hey, Sagara. Can we really enjoy this duel?"

"I was wondering the same thing. Who exactly is this Tsukishima Takuya?"

The first to approach us was a muscular man with a chin beard who touched his chin thoughtfully. It was Tachibana Sakon, the captain of the First Swordsmanship Club. In the game's story, by the time this period was reached, he had already retired from his position as club captain. He was a capricious character, sometimes behaving arrogantly like other high-ranking nobles, and at other times, he would help the protagonist, making him unpredictable.

Seated next to him was a woman in a robe, her red hair tied loosely to the side. She asked questions while sitting leisurely. It was Isshiki Otoha , the captain of the First Magic Club. With her gentle facial features, one might let their guard down, but in the game, she appeared as a character to watch out for as she often stood in the protagonist's way in many routes. She had a confrontational nature and would be the first to step to the forefront if there were conflicts with the nobles. So, I had to be careful not to reveal my identity to her.

Sagara took a seat nearby and sat up straight with his arms crossed. He responded in a voice that, while not loud, surprisingly carried well.

"I'm just here to see if it follows the rules. I don't have detailed information."

"... Tsk. Isn't it the first year that Sagara was trying to promote? Then I can't have high hopes for him after all. Ashikaga is a junior that I've trained thoroughly since middle school. There's no way he'll be defeated by an inexperienced E-class kid. "

"But didn't his opponent, Tsukishima-sama, declare that he would defeat Lord Ashikaga? To think there's someone so eager for this, why didn't you tell us earlier?"

 

Interrupting the conversation among the Eight Dragons, the next Student Council President – or rather, the one expected to be – Sera Bellflower, interjected. Her lilac-colored eyes and long silver hair shone brilliantly under the white lights, giving her a radiant and goddess-like beauty.

According to her, she received the invitation a few days ago but wasn't informed of any details. She assumed it was just a display of power against E-Class. Last night, she sent a message to Ashikaga, and he replied with statements like "The first-year on the other side declared that he would defeat me," and "The person Sagara-sama is interested in might be there." As a result, she couldn't sleep, wondering why she hadn't known earlier. She pouted, wishing she had known sooner so she could have used her "Eyes" to see the future.

While scolding Ashikaga in my mind for not telling her earlier, a man with a mop of unruly hair cut into the conversation from the side.

"I tried investigating too, but I couldn't find any interesting information. Since they sent invitations to all the Eight Dragons, I thought there must be something going on... By the way, who's the person with the mask standing next to Kusunoki-kun? Their presence is strangely faint."

When he finished saying that, he turned his sharp, snake-like eyes on me. I don't recognize this man. He's tall, maybe 2 meters tall, and has such a unique way of speaking, so it's hard to forget him once he appears in the game.

However, the Eight Dragons, like Sagara and Tatehana, who are currently third-year students, often undergo changes, and thus, they may not appear in the Dungeon Explorer's game story. This person is probably following that pattern, but... Well, I can't just introduce myself normally, so how should I respond?

As I was thinking if there was a cool name to use, Kirara elegantly took out a black fan and answered on my behalf.

"This person here is an invited guest by Sagara-sama. They have been called here to help in case anything unexpected happens during this duel."

"That's right. But I can't reveal my true identity."

"...So, even if we encounter a situation that we can't handle, you'll be able to do something about it? If it weren't for Sagara-sama's influence, I'd challenge you to a duel right here."

Please, stop looking at me with those intense eyes. Tatehana himself and many around him are quite hot-blooded. It's likely a dilemma that as they get stronger, there are fewer opponents they can fight seriously.

Kirara signaled for me to sit next to her, and I followed her instructions. I couldn't sit in the special seat for the Eight Dragons, as that would be inappropriate for a commoner.

Looking at the clock, there was less than a minute until the duel's start time. Everyone seemed lost in their thoughts, and there was no conversation. The arena fell silent. There were only five of the Eight Dragons here so far, and I wondered if more would arrive.

As the starting time approached, a metallic sound echoed from the entrance. Ashikaga , the vice-captain of the First Swordsmanship Club, wearing a helmet and fully clad in metal armor, entered. He stood in the central area of the arena and began his greeting.

"I appreciate your presence here today. Please stay with us until the end."

He wore large shoulder guards that covered his shoulders to his neck. Underneath his armor, he wore a chainmail, and at his waist, a large longsword adorned with decorations was visible. He was more heavily equipped than I had expected. It was evident that he was anticipating fighting seriously, even against an E-Class student.

During Sagara's speech, Tatehana, who had been growing increasingly suspicious, raised his voice.

'Tatehana. Tsukishima may be a little capable. But it's questionable whether he'd have the guts to come without running away.'

'Club Captain Tatehana, I shared your concerns as well. But it seems he's here.'

While Sagara was speaking, a sound of the entrance door being kicked open could be heard. All eyes turned in that direction, sharp and alert.

Walking in was Tsukishima, nonchalantly strolling with his hands in his uniform pockets. He didn't have his usual sleepy look but instead had lively eyes and a smug smile. It was as if he had been eagerly awaiting this day. However, more importantly, I was concerned about the individuals who walked alongside him.

To his right was a female student with semi-long hair and large glasses - Lisa. She had been invited to this duel as another player, and her participation was confirmed for the purpose of information gathering. So her presence was expected. Nevertheless, she appeared slightly uncomfortable, her smile somewhat strained.

And to his left walked a long-haired male with a sword at his waist - Suo Kouki. He was a high-ranking noble, the leader of Class B in the first year, and was known for his extraordinary talent and abilities. He was supposed to appear as a boss that players would confront... or so I thought. Perhaps Tsukishima had managed to recruit him?

I knew that during the duel between Akagi and Kariya, there had been communication between Tsukishima and Suo behind the scenes. They had always met in a place where no one would notice them. But was it now that they no longer needed to hide their relationship?

And the problem was the person who walked at the very back...

(Damn  it's troublesomw now that she accepted the invitation...)

Walking with a long side-tail swaying was Kaworu. I had expected that Tsukishima would invite her, but this duel was taking place in the presence of nobles. The risk of jumping into this was known to be high, yet why did Kaworu accept this invitation?

However, this meant that I couldn't keep my mask on any longer. Kaworu knew what I looked like when I was thin. I needed to be careful.

Ignoring the perplexed looks at the outsiders behind Tsukishima, Ashikaga raised his hands and clapped them together slowly, welcoming them as if nothing had happened.

"Well done for not running away. Are you prepared for this?"

"Heh heh. I don't care about you... Well, whatever. Let's make this an opportunity to make you understand fear. Kouki, Lisa, Kaworu. Today is the stage for us. See for yourselves if it's worth following me."

Ashikaga attempted to intimidate them, but Tsukishima turned and looked back at his companions with a challenging smile. He probably wants to form a cooperative relationship like Satsuki and I. The limit for solo diving is around level 20, so if you're serious about conquering dungeons, you'll have no choice but to form a party. Those three people were selected as potential party members. They probably have top-notch talent and talent, but what about the selection of members? This leaves me with mixed feelings in many ways.

"Indeed, Takuya-san, let's do that. So, Lisa-san, Kaworu-san, shall we go to the upper seats?"

"Yes, let's~ go , Hayase-san, would you like to come too? Your answer can be pending but you can still observe right~?"

"Um, yeah. Sounds good."

Saying so, the three of them sat a bit away from the seats where the Eight Dragons members were sitting. It seemed like Tatehana wanted to ask something when he looked toward Kaworu and the others, but his movements stopped due to a voice that was small but clear. Looking closer, Sera-san's eyes were shining bright red, and she stood somewhat unsteadily.

"I can't see... I can't see anything... But why..."

"Huh?"

She was using her unique skill, the "Magic Eyes of Insight," which allowed her to peer into the future and possibilities of the target she focused on. But what did she mean by "can't see"?

"Is the future uncertain? Is this power unable to reach? I've never experienced anything like this before. Could it be... you, sir... are my Hero...?"

With both hands pressed to her chest and an expression that seemed to be inflamed with some sort of passion, Sera-san gazed at Tsukishima-kun. The term "Hero" she used referred to the Unique Job, "Hero," which only the game's main character, Akagi-kun, and Pink-chan could take on.

Since her childhood, after receiving a prophecy from her great-grandmother, the "Saint," she had been traveling alongside the "Hero," eagerly anticipating the day when they would stand up against great evil. As Akagi-kun progressed through the story, Sera-san started addressing him as her Hero and accompanying him on his adventures. However, why would Tsukishima-kun, who is a player in the game, be her Hero?

Tsukishima-kun, standing at the center of the arena with an audacious smile, responded to Sera-san's question.

"Sera, huh? You can join us too if you want. You can see for yourself what I'm capable of. Keep your eyes wide open."

"Yes... My Hero..."

Although she nodded while her eyes were moist, please, give me a moment. With things turning out like this, what will happen to Sera-san's individual storyline? Or rather, if even players can become the Hero, I would have wanted to volunteer first.

A crucial duel that would determine the fate of the Adventurer School was about to begin. Meanwhile, my faint feelings of love were quietly shattering.

TL Note- The names and their gender are nightmare  for me, I don't want to do it again, anyway though it took a lot of time, the development is interesting, Hope you enjoyed reading. 

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