How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

34 – 34. Inter-year Showdown(2)

34.

“It looks like there will soon be an inter-year showdown between the Knight Department and the Magic Department.”

“Ah, it’s already that time?”

Allen stretched, setting down his quill.

He was somewhat regretful that he had to leave the temple office faster than expected after Felicia had healed him with holy magic, but it couldn’t be helped.

Just the fact that he had faltered a little while patting her back, Felicia had nearly cried while casting holy magic.

‘I have no idea why she’s so concerned about me.’

While he expected some attention due to his status, he still felt troubled by Felicia’s concern.

“Anyway, the inter-year showdown, huh. It’s an event that doesn’t really concern me anyway.”

Inter-year showdown.

An event where freshmen, new recruits and sophomores face off.

“Only one person from the Chivalry Department and Magic Department can come out each year.

In an event that only includes the Chivalry and Magic Departments out of five departments, the departments compete in their respective majors.

There is a cash prize and a commendation for the winner.

But the biggest merit is that scouts dispatched from the Wizard’s tower and Knight’s guild are watching. According to what Allen heard, common soldier candidates often aim for this opportunity.

“There would be sincere guys for the inter-grade match?”

“If I could be selected for the Knight’s guild, I feel like I would risk my life.”

“But you don’t need to, right, Meia?”

“I am content with being your maid, young master.”

“Please don’t embarrassingly say that.”

As she watched Allen feeling the wind on his face, Meia gave a faint smile.

“Are you interested, young master?”

“Hmm, hmm. It would be strange if I wasn’t interested. It’s a large-scale event. You could get inspiration.”

“Should I prepare a dedicated seat?”

“There’s no need to go that far. If there is a seat, watch from there; if not, just watch from somewhere else.”

The representatives chosen for each grade would now be racking their brains.

Allen stretched.

“Now that I think about it, it’s been quite comfortable since the guys who bothered me disappeared.”

“It seems your display of force was quite successful, young master.”

In fact, after Allen’s rampage at the Academy, the number of guys bothering him had drastically decreased.

Allen leaned back in the chair.

“It seems people see me as a pushover if I stay quiet. They see me as a moron who only relies on his father and elder brother’s fame.”

Though it was a bit unpleasant, Allen had piled up a stack of such instances that he ignored because it was bothersome. He blew off the steam this time, so for some time, there won’t be guys messing with Allen anymore.

“Though you didn’t step up because I had to be firm this time, Meia, next time let me entrust it to you.”

“Who else can I trust and leave this to, besides you Meia.”

At Allen’s words, Meia silently bowed her head.

Her cheeks were slightly red.

“Ah, Meia. I’m going to stop by the Morrison Detective Agency today. Can you tell them beforehand?”

“Understood, young master.”

***

“Allen caused a rampage at the Academy…?”

“Yes, he single-handedly brought down fifteen individuals who challenged him to a duel.”

Duke Mueller grunted with a closed eyes, leaning back on his chair.

“Alan certainly seems to have infuriated them.”

“Considering he had to personally step in, where merely his daughter could have done the job, he must think there’s no need to restrain himself anymore.”

“He has always been like this since he was young,” Duke Mueller clicked his tongue.

From a young age, Alan had an unusual fondness for books, and regardless of the situation, would get by most troubles with his laughter.

But every once in a while, when his patience truly reached its limits, he would unleash the emotions he held back in a burst.

This incident must have been a similar occasion.

“How should we deal with it?”

“Send a warning.”

“A warning might not be enough, I presume…”

The low growl-like voice of Duke Mueller cut short the Chamberlain’s words.

“Let them understand that this won’t happen a second time.”

“Understood.”

When the Chamberlain left the room, the Duke, now alone, gazed out of the window.

“Alan, he seems to be enjoying his Academy life. Experiencing all these tribulations should further strengthen him.”

His gaze flickered towards a drawer.

As he drew out the third volume of the Chronicles of Shuren, he turns to the pages where the dialogue between Oak Warrior Cranish and Shuren was written.

“I don’t think I’ve ever shared this story with Alan. Is it because he doesn’t have any prejudices?”

An uncharacteristically gentle smile spread across the stern Duke’s face.

“It reminds me, the annual Academy competition is coming soon. It would be good to drop by the Imperial City after a long time. I should be able to see Alan’s face this time.”

Duke Mueller turned the pages leisurely, as from the window above his shoulder, a faint, gray storm cloud began to roll in.

***

“Hmm, you’re not going, after all?”

“It wouldn’t be fair. Besides, no one would do their best against me, due to my royal lineage.”

“That is true.”

At Alan’s response, Felicia laughed a little and took a sip of her milk tea.

Even for royalty, the Bertha Royal Academy is no easy place to enter.

Even royalty must go through an entrance examination, and Felicia, a prodigy, topped the admission test with a perfect score.

Unlike Allen, who has no particular talent except for his writing skills.

He could pull to that extent, but that’s about it. The limit for Allen was to be a sword expert.

Nevertheless, he could defend himself wherever he went and pretend to be a knight, the problem was his family, the sword king’s house, and the Duke of Mueller.

“Moreover, after graduation, I’m not going to join the mage tower or the knight group, so there’s no particular advantage in being chosen as the representative for combat even in every grade. Aren’t you interested, Allen?”

“Well, because it’s originally a humanities department.”

Allen gently laid down his teacup.

Allen, who is not very interested in swordplay and originally accompanies Meia as a guard.

He has no intention of becoming a knight, nor does he want to be a wizard.

Although he is quite curious about the theory of magic.

“I have no intention of becoming a knight in the first place, and I hate the headache of magic. But I am interested in the theory of magic.”

“But your grades in magic theory are good, aren’t they?”

“I wish the required credits for the humanities major weren’t only 24 credits.”

At Allen’s words, Felicia giggles.

“But you chose your major, Allen. You can’t help it.”

“I know. Horribly.”

Allen grumbled and struck his teaspoon in the cup of milk tea in front of him.

Felicia said, seemingly curious.

“I don’t see the maid today?”

“I sent her on errands. There’s no person I can trust except for Meia.”

“Oh, dear.”

Felicia felt a bit sorry for the words that Allen nonchalantly uttered.

The words that there are no people he can trust stabbed her heart like a dagger.

“It seems like you’re thinking too deeply, I just mean that Meia is the only person I can trust.”

“…Ah.”

“Only Meia followed me from my mansion.”

“Why so?”

“One servant is enough. It doesn’t suit my personality to have escorts and attendants around.”

Looking at it, Allen definitely does not keep anyone else other than Meia by his side. That’s how Felicia had seen Allen at the academy.

Thinking about it, even Allen’s brother Albert didn’t have a servant accompanying him.

He does not bring along a servant, or a gang to play the role of a servant.

Felicia thought it might be because of the unique aura emitted by the people from the Mueller family.

“The nobles of the academy will be seething.”

“I’d understand seething if there were rich children from powerful houses. But I’m not idle enough to listen to nobodies.”

Allen took a sip of his milk tea.

The wind gently swept his hair. Black, shiny locks swayed in the wind, and then a familiar voice drifted like a leaf in between Felicia and Allen.

“Hello, client! Good day, Princess!”

“It’s been a while, Lenox.”

“Ha ha, I’m honored you remember!”

Lenox with his exaggeratedly cheerful greeting.

Allen giggled.

“Hey, Lenox. How’s work going?”

“It’s a headache. Didn’t think it would take this long. Recently, Diabella seems to have found some suspicious traces.”

“Diabella?”

Lenox nodded.

“She seems to have a stalker at your place.”

“In my room?”

“Diabella planted a surveillance spirit a couple of times, but each time it couldn’t keep up and vanished. The foe must be a fairly skilled wizard.”

At Lenox’s words, Felicia expressed surprise.

“A surveillance spirit? Isn’t spirit magic exclusive to Ossian?”

“According to Diabella, it’s a technique passed down from their ancestors who settled in Belsta Forest. It seems to be closer to an enchantment.”

“That’s intriguing. I’ve heard elf magic is fundamentally different from human magic…”

Lenox scratched his cheek.

“A simple name and command to stay in a particular area is said to be the limit. Anyway, it seems to have run into the observation network of that surveillance spirit. I also found a suspicious one.”

“A suspect?”

“I’m not sure, but there’s someone who’s specifically interested in you. Leila von Prinston from the Magic Department. Have you heard of her?”

“It’s the first time I’m hearing it. Von Prinston, so she’s a lower-ranked noble?”

“You really pay no attention around you.”

“That’s just how I am.”

At Allen’s response, Lenox clicked his tongue.

Anyone who dealt with his requests would know that Allen’s social circle was almost strangely small.

In the vicinity, there was Lyn and Felicia to begin with, and even Meia was attached, so there may not be a need to get acquainted with others.

“Anyway, while investigating, I’ve noticed that this guy strangely hangs around you.”

“Are you saying he’s a stalker?”

“I can’t tell for sure. But it’s certain that Leila von Princeton is watching her client.”

After asking for permission, Renox took a seat.

“I continue to observe. In fact, this kind of surveillance is part of a detective’s job.”

“Aren’t you confusing what the security corps are supposed to do?”

“Don’t ruin my fantasy, client. Being a detective is a dream job!”

“But running a detective business is illegal in the Empire.”

“Agh.”

Seeing Renox crushed by the fatal blow, Allen clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, thanks for the information, Renox. I appreciate it.”

“Couldn’t you give me a little tip, client?”

“I could probably give a1-silver-piece.”

“That alone is more than enough! Thanks!”

Taking the 1-silver-piece, Renox left the spot in an instant, laughing.

Watching him, Allen scratches his cheek.

‘I don’t want to get involved in some trouble again. I’m not entangled in any weird fate, am I?’