CH 19

It’s been a month since I arrived at the school, and during that time I’ve been spending a lot of time with Natalie.

I’ve been kept at a distance from my classmates.

I can’t help it since I’m the heir to the infamous Pepper family.

I was grateful to Natalie for being the only one who treated me well.

However, I didn’t want Natalie’s reputation to suffer.

“Are you sure you want to spend all your time with me?

I asked her.

“I don’t mind at all.”

“But I don’t want Natalie to get a bad reputation.”

“Let them say what they want to say.”

She told me.

She was a sweet girl.

Thank you, Natalie.

Thanks to her, I had no complaints about my school life.

If I had one complaint, it would be that the food was not very good.

As I was used to the chef’s delicious food, my palate had become a bit picky.

I had heard that the food here was all prepared by a good chef, since many noblemen went to his restaurant, but it was not as good as the chef.

After all, the chef’s absence was unfortunate.

I should have brought him with me at all costs.

Anyway, I was getting used to the school life.

“We have a martial arts competition next week.”

Chris-sensei said to us.

The martial arts tournament was a major event at the school.

It was a tournament where the students of Sanzar Academy competed against each other for supremacy.

The school was usually closed to the public, but during the tournament, it would open up to the general public.

Every year during that time, the school would get crowded with people.

The format of the tournament differed among the elementary, middle, and high school divisions, as the elementary division competed in teams of three.

In the case of the elementary school, teams competed against each other, while the middle school and high school students competed as individuals.

I didn’t know the exact reason for this, but it was a traditional thing.

The tournament format consisted of eight groups: one group from the first year, two groups from the second year, and five groups from the third year.

It was rare for students from the elementary school to win the tournament, so winning even one game here would have been a big deal.

However, the main competition was between third-year students.

“Every year, the first-years from Class A chooses a team to participate, but this time I’ve made the decision on my own.”

When Chris-sensei said this, the classroom was filled with tension.

It was different from the field day from the elementary school in my previous life.

A martial arts competition was a great opportunity for students to show their abilities.

Above all, participating in a martial arts competition was an honor.

It was only natural that everyone would want to participate in it.

Well, the elementary school’s games didn’t get that much attention.

Especially for the first-year students, since it was largely a matter of merit, it was considered good enough to win even the first round.

Chris-sensei looked around the entire classroom.

After a pause, she announced the participants.

“It’s Berg, Natalie, and Owen.”

I was momentarily taken aback by Chris-sensei’s words.

Did really she pick me?

I could see why Berg and Natalie were chosen.

They had the perfect family background and skills.

On the other hand, I didn’t feel like I had any reason to be chosen.

“Chris-sensei! I’m not convinced! Why Owen?”

It was Dominic who said that.

I could tell that the other students were also wondering why I was chosen.

“Huh? Are you trying to tell me that my opinion isn’t valid?”

“That’s not what I’m saying! I just don’t agree with……!”

“So, ”I don’t understand why Owen was chosen and not me.”. Is that what you’re saying?”

“… Yes.”

Chris-sensei nodded her head in satisfaction.

“Well, I can see your point. Then here’s what we’ll do. We’ll have a mock battle between Owen and Dominic, and the winner will be allowed to participate in the tournament.”

Surely, the results of the fight would be mutually satisfactory.”

Hearing that, Dominic and I nodded at the same time.

I didn’t know what Chris-sensei’s intentions were then, but if we were going to do this, I should do everything to win the right to participate.