CH 65

We didn’t win as easily as we did in the first round, but we were able to outperform our opponents in the second round.

And I won the second round as well.

Not only had I improved my handling of magic, but I had also gotten used to fighting.

Then came the final day of the preliminary round.

The sixteen of us who had made it this far were to play the final match for the right to participate in the Four Great Festivals.

My opponent was, as expected, Emilia.

I was so nervous today that I woke up too early and arrived at the venue ahead of the others.

I’m still nervous about this kind of event.

I’m used to it, but I still get nervous when it comes to the real thing.

When I was in elementary school, I had to go to the bathroom several times before the fight for the third consecutive victory in the tournament.

When I saw Natalie lose to Berg, I finally decided that I couldn’t lose.

I’m weak, aren’t I?

So I went for a run around the venue to relieve myself and bumped into Emilia.

“Huh?　Emilia, you’re early in the morning.”

“So is Owen. What are you doing?”

The game starts at ten.

On the other hand, it’s eight o’clock now.

Even with the waiting time, we have more than an hour to spare.

“I was just running to take my mind off things.”

“Owen is surprisingly timid, isn’t he?”

“Shut up. I’m taking no chances with you today.”

“You can take it easy on me or just go easy on me. Right?”

Emilia tilted her head.

“You can’t look at me like that.”

I thought it was cute, but I’m not going to go easy on you.

“Eh~ If you fight properly, I’m no match for Owen.”

She said this in words, but Emilia’s eyes never looked like she was giving up.

“I’m not letting my guard down.”

“You could let your guard down and let me win.”

“I won’t do that.”

If I did, I might actually lose.

I’m not proud of it, but I’m stronger than Emilia.

And I know that there are no absolutes in a match.

“I’ll fight as hard as I can.”

“……, that’s why I don’t want to fight Owen. Well, see you later”

“Ah, yeah. Later”

After parting ways with Emilia, I resumed my run.

The tension had eased considerably.

Thank you, Emilia, I thought to myself.

Half an hour before the start time, I finished the registration and went to the waiting room.

My match was the second match of the day.

As I waited in the waiting room for a while, I heard a loud cheer.

I guessed that the first match had started.

The attendant led me to the waiting area just before the match.

The previous match had ended, and I was standing on the stage.

As I went through the entrance gate, I was surrounded by loud cheers.

The cheers were much louder than the first time I stood on such a stage.

The cheers were directed at me.

The first time I fought Kaisaf in a martial arts tournament, I got a lot of negative comments.

Compared to that time, I’ve been accepted by the people around me a lot more.

No one says I’m an arrogant and incompetent boy anymore.

“Emilia. I’m going to win.”

After my entrance, I went up to the stage and faced Emilia.

Did I get a little carried away?

Well, no matter.

I really do want to win.

“I’ll give it my best shot.”

Emilia said to me with a determined look in her eyes.

This is not going to be an easy win, is it?

The last day of the preliminary round.

The battle between me and Emilia began.