Chapter 86


    The heads of two knights viins were shattered.


    Ian looked around.


    Knights reception position. Low Kick Viin was already looking this way with youthful eyes, having already secured a spot in the semifinals.


    I can feel the will to really break your leg.


    Looking forward to the duel with that guy, but for now, its starting from the quarterfinals.


    Ians opponent in the quarterfinals was a woman with a sword, looking quite agile.


    As the tournament progressed, he felt that more and more skilled individuals with four stars or above were appearing.


    Ugh!


    He managed to slip through with a [Leap], but his opponent instinctively blocked with her sword, albeit slowly.


    Then she shot out sharp ice fragments.


    <em> Pfft.</em>


    Ian immediately transformed his wooden sword into a shield shape and blocked the sharp ice fragments.


    Ice fragments as sharp as piercing through wood.


    Wow. Would I die if I cant dodge this properly?


    In response to Ians words, the opponent with thick coffee-colored hair was jabbed sharply.


    Youre not dead. What, do men get scared of just this much?


    Ian realized something.


    In the games setting, Northern women are said to be pretty, but have dirty personalities.


    Maybe Sharon Pierce wasnt the only one.


    With such thoughts and a generous amount of mana, he swung his fist forcefully.


    <em> Kwaaaaang!</em>


    The opponent was quite anticlimactically bounced off the sparring ring.


    Perhaps that ice fragment ambush was herst move.


    Amelia Ice, daughter of Viscount Kano, outside the ring! Ian ckangers wins!


    Cheers erupted at the referees deration.


    Wow!


    Combining magic with punching! Whats his deal?


    Stagnation.


    At someones cheer, Ian suddenly fell into deep thought.


    Come to think of it, can I be called a magician?


    He had felt this before, but for a magician, he seemed to engage in too many closebat fights. Even if its because of the efficiency of mana usage.


    Maybe a couple of long-range attack spells would be necessary after all.


    Phew.


    As he rested like that, Danya came rushing over.


    After praising him, she abruptly stood up.


    <em> Whoosh, whoosh.</em>


    She gestured as if coaching boxing.


    Seeing her like that, Ian chuckled, which immediately annoyed her.


    Ian managed to calm her down and asked.


    Oh right. Hows Lina doing?


    Shes already climbed up there.


    Looking where Danya pointed, he noticed a red-haired girl who had ascended to just below Hermans viewing area.


    She climbed up from the bottom, chatting with each person along the way.


    How can there be such a socialite.


    Socialite?


    Its nothing. Shes amazing, really.


    As expected, is the heroine truly a heroine? Ian marveled at the ability that seemed to easily surpass 5-Star status when it came to affinity alone.


    Watching Ian like that, Danya pursed her lips.


    Hmph!


    Although Ian acknowledged that Lina was doing well


    There was a tiny dissatisfaction towards Ian who only had eyes for Lina while she was here.


    Well, Im broad-minded.


    The moment when Danya was about to offer a Snowke Flower to Ian.


    By the way, thank you. Danya.


    Ian thanked Danya at an unexpected timing.


    Actually, it had be a habit for Ian to express gratitude whenever he received something


    <em>Swish.</em>


    Danya approached Ian until she was just about to touch him.


    Then, she gently presented her head.


    Ian, who was reaching out his hand to receive the eye-catching flower, was somewhat bewildered.


    Whats this?


    Standing there in confusion, Danya took Ians finger and lifted it.


    <em> Fluffy.</em>


    <em></em>


    Then she ced it on her head.


    While looking down at the ground, Danya murmured softly.


    Stroke, you idiot.


    Ah. Okay.


    <em>Smoothly, smoothly.</em>


    At first, Ians touch was stiff like a wooden stick, but gradually he began to stroke Danyas head more leisurely.


    It really feels like petting a cat.


    Whats with this feeling of being chosen.


    Anyway, thanks to Danya, both his magic and mood were sufficiently healed.


    Next, please prepare for the semi-finals!


    Is it already time for the semi-finals?


    To gain theplete attention of Frost Queen Yerina, the daughter of the Northern Grand Duke, it was the final victory.


    Since no proper fight would be possible regardless of who the opponent in the final would be.


    The opponent who made it to the semifinals would naturally be formidable.


    The heat within his body began to simmer.


    The announcer signaled the start of the semifinal.


    Sir Lambert, the Guardian Knight of Count Limmksh!


    The announcer encouraged the audience with loud cheers.


    Wow.


    A knight who made it to the semifinals. Count Limmksh must have chosen a promising Guardian Knight this time.


    With decent reactions, the knight in full armor stood at one end of the arena.


    And then the next participant.


    Half-tired (originally, he looked like that) as he ascended the arena, the announcer introduced him.


    Ian ckangers, participating as the Princesss representative!


    Wo!


    Ians cheers were even louder.


    It was iparable.


    Take your positions!


    A circr arena.


    Ian stood at the end and looked at the knight on the other side.


    Among the three knight viins, he faced the Low Kick Viin.


    Ian hadnt forgotten the boast that one low kick could break his own leg.


    Ive been waiting for this moment. Somehow, you managed to crawl up here.


    The Low Kick Knight suddenly struck a pose.


    Ian narrowed his eyes and looked at him.


    Facing each other like this, he was indeed big and bulky.


    He must not have said one low kick could break his leg for no reason.


    In other words, he was bragging about his strength.


    Suddenly, he became curious.


    Do you also have Reeshich in your name, sir?


    Thats right. How did you know?


    Oh, just wondering.


    Ian smoothed his forearms.


    That gives me the chills.


    Indeed, there seemed to be something sinister about the name Reeshich. If someone has Reeshich in their name, they are undoubtedly a viin without exception. From now on, all Reeshichs should be approached with caution.


    It seems you were lucky enough to acquire some mysterious magic technique. Let me show you what Ive got.


    Whats your rank, sir?


    I recently broke through mid-level 4-Star.


    Hmm, quite high.


    Then prepare yourself to take what you deserve. I wont forget to repay the debt owed by you all.


    Ian felt unfairly treated.


    They started the argument, and when he tried to defend himself, they asked why he hit back. It was naturally ridiculous.


    <em>Swoosh.</em>


    As the referee signaled the start with a hand gesture.


    <em> Bang!</em>


    Ian immediately leaped towards his opponent.


    Here ites!


    <em> ng!</em>


    The wooden swords shed as if they were metal. The Low Kick Viin, Lambert, cleanly defended against Ians attack.


    Interesting. Not just swordsmanship, but using strange abilities too.


    Ian examined his metal-reinforced sword. Lamberts sword had left a chunky mark where it collided.


    You seem to be skilled in swordsmanship.


    Its nothing special. Take this!


    <em> Swish!</em>


    With a battle cry, the knight charged forward.


    The sword glittered as it pierced in all directions.


    Observing the sword, Ian roughly understood what the man intended.


    It seems like he wants to win as mboyantly as possible to appeal to the audience.


    These people dont know how to retreat.


    Countless promising young warriors watched the sparring match. The Lord and eldest son of the Northern Grand Duke watched from their box seats. And countless other spectators. They all wanted to unt their swordsmanship in front of them.


    And Ians deduction was urate.


    Lets just corner him like this.


    Lambert observed Ians sparring attentively.


    It was easy to notice that Ian wasnt familiar with swordsmanship.


    His swordy was based on various unconventional techniques.


    It was shy yet had a considerably wide attack range, making it difficult to evade carelessly.


    It was impossible to counterattack. Ian nned to corner him as promised and properly execute a low kick on the viins leg.


    Prepare yourself!


    As Lambert moved forward to press harder.


    <em> Wobble</em>


    The onught of Lamberts sword suddenly stopped.


    His posture became unbnced due to losing his center of gravity.


    What?


    He nced downward.


    A mound of earth had risen where he stepped.


    The basic of magic was to confirm the ground youre standing on.


    It was t just now, wasnt it?


    As he raised his head with a question.


    <em> Kaaaah!</em>


    He barely blocked a downward strike that poured down vertically above him with his sword.


    Ugh!


    Realizing his wrist was tingling, Lambert looked at Ian as if he couldnt believe it.


    Surely youre not a knight!


    Before he could say anything, another thrust came.


    It couldnt have been more sloppy.


    But could it be because of that mysterious movement technique?


    The sword is unbelievably fast and strong for a non-knight.


    <em> ng!</em>


    Lambert managed to deflect Ians attack aside.


    Damn!


    It was just thrusts and downward strikes.


    It was an attack even a newborn could do as long as they held a stick.


    Unable to break free from the situation, he tried to readjust his stance with anger and determination.


    <em> Wobble!</em>


    Once again, the ground bulged out.


    Whats this again!


    Losing his center of gravity once again.


    As he tried to correct his posture by turning his waist straight.


    <em> Thud!</em>


    Ians sword struck his waist heavily.


    Pain that felt like his waist was breaking apart.


    But he could endure this level of pain. After all, he was a knight, wasnt he?


    If I could just correct my posture properly!


    Lambert immediately tried to regain his bnce. No, he tried to.


    Will you make it?


    No Ugh!


    This time, the ground exploded as if it were erupting.


    A leg sprung into the air with that recoil force.


    I cant dodge this from the ground!


    Lambert rotated his body once in the air, trying tond.


    The moment his face came into view with Ians face while turning once.


    !


    It seemed like a demon stood there.


    His mouth twisted into an exceptionally sinister grin.


    For some reason, Lambert looked down at Ians posture with curiosity.


    At the same time.


    <em> Snap!</em>


    A sound of something breaking filled the arena.


    Lamberts sturdy body fell out of the stage.


    His leg was bent in reverse.


    Deep silence enveloped the surroundings.


    Ian looked up at the stands.


    Herman Pierce was looking down at him with an incredibly heavy expression.