148 - - The Brave, Last Game

On the third day of the tournament, we, the members of the Royal Academy, are challenging the afternoon session.

As we walk down the corridor of the arena, the competitors come out of the waiting room one after another.

"Hello, Julius."

"Oh, Anti."

Anti-von Madukas, the captain of the Imperial Academy, and four female students came out.

"Are you going to the game, Anchi?　Are you insane?　Do you have a hospital appointment?"

My brother-in-law, Michael, turns his pure gaze on Anti.

"Hey Mica!　...... but anti. I don't think you should do that."

My brother Gaius, as a captain and a friend, says to Anti with concern.

"You can't handle a reincarnation, you know.

Not out of conceit, but as the opinion of someone who has fought before, Gaius implicitly recommends abstaining.

But Anti, he says, ruffling his long hair with his hand, "I'm not going to do it.

"Don't be a fool. Anti-von Madukas, son of the emperor, you must not abandon the tournament. I have a different burden from you.

He said it in a cool way, but if you look closely, you can see that his body is trembling, though only slightly.

He must be scared.

But if he shows it outwardly, his fear would be contagious to his wives.

That's why he is holding back his fear.

"Nice job, Anti. That's what I'm talking about."

I tap him on the shoulder.

"...... the hardest thing to overcome is fear."

"...... You're usually so insensitive, but you're sensitive only in times like this. Is it because you are a brave man who has fought many battles?

"......, I'm insensitive?"

"...... yes yes yes."

I think about it for a minute and slap the antagonist on the back.

"What's the matter, all of a sudden?"

"Hmm?　Well, I was just trying to get into the spirit of things."

"I see. Can you give me another shot?　A little harder."

"Okay."

Boom!

Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

"Oh, shit."

""""Anti-samaaaaaaaa! """"

He told me to hit him a little harder, and I did as he requested, but I smashed the wall in the hallway.

"Brother!　Don't get me started before the game!"

"You're still as careless as ever, Julius-san."

From behind the rubble, Anti stood up unsteadily.

"Calm down, boys. I'm safe."

"""" Dear Anti!　Thank God! """"

Wow ......!　And the wives are approaching and crying.

"...... But what does this mean? My body is ......"

The antagonist stares at me.

"Julius. Is this ......?"

"What, did I do something?"

He flutters his eyes and smirks .......

"Indeed, my friend is a very meddlesome man. I appreciate it."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but good luck."

I shake hands with Anti.

"Good grief, what's the point of giving your rival a message before the match?"

Gaius says in disgust.

"Gaius, are you jealous because Anyue is flirting with another guy?"

No!　Stupid Mika!　Oh, God!"

The younger brother pinches Mikhail's cheek.

Just then.

The door opens with a bang and the students of the Holy Empire come out.

"Hey, Kazuma!"

Three students come out, including the reincarnated Kazuma.

One of the players, Alto, has abstained in the morning.

"............"

Kazuma takes one look at me, but turns away.

"Kazuma, are you strange?　Are you not in good spirits?　Do you have a tummy ache?"

My brother-in-law is concerned and approaches Kazuma.

Trying to rub his tummy,...... I grabbed my brother-in-law by the neck and threw him back.

"Oh, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...　What are you ......?"

The floor where Mikhail had been had marks from the slash.

"What?　Kazuma!　What the hell are you doing?

When Gaius raises his voice, Kazuma says quietly, "I'm sorry.

"...... sorry. But we're in the middle of a serious fight. It's not a good idea to play games."

"What?

"I didn't want to have to deal with any curses or delaying magic before we started. Well then."

Kazuma turns around and walks away with the students.

"Mika, are you okay?"

"Oh, ah, ah, thank you ...... for your help ......."

The ground has been gouged out considerably by Kazuma's slash.

"Hey, I couldn't see what you did, Julius. ....... Did Kazuma really pull out his sword?

Anti asks anxiously.

"Yes. He drew his sword and cut the place where Michael was. It was a close call.

...... But if I'm not mistaken, Kazuma was using .......

No, we'll have to ask him directly.

"What do you mean? Kazuma is not the kind of guy who would do something like that. ......"

Everyone here, Gaius and Anti-Kazuma, knows Kazuma's character.

He is always cheerful, friendly, and would never do anything to hurt others for no reason.

"Something must have happened."

I say, and they all nod.

"Aniue, what is ......?"

"...... something is something. That's what they're using."

"Ni, bro, ...... what's that thing?"

"Never mind."

I'll tell everyone.

"I'll take care of Kazuma."

"But, but Julius ......"

Please.

"...... okay, I'll leave it to you, brother."

I nodded and got myself together.

Then I go to Kazuma, who has gone on ahead of me.

"Kazuma!"

"...... what is it?"

When he looks back at me, his usual smile is gone and he has a grim expression on his face.

"I'll talk to you about your problems, okay?　I'm your friend."

Kazuma rolls his eyes.

......Smallly, really small, he mumbles, "...... sorry.

But he shakes his head and heads for the field with the other members.

I, too, was heading to the playing field with the others.