<Welcome! My name is Nell Plant, and I will be the emcee and colour commentator for this event.  Now! The long-awaited Martial Arts Tournament ‘Advanced Explorers Division’ is finally about to begin!>

　The spectators, hearing a woman’s voice echoing through the arena from a loudspeaker magic device, cheer out in great excitement. 

　It’s so noisy…….

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“Things are getting heated up.”

“Yes. It looks like this tournament is gaining more attention than that popular yearly magic presentation.”

　I mutter what I was thinking, and Sophie adds.

　Right now, I’m currently sitting in the stands of the arena prepared for “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

　Since the matches will start with the bracket where Will and Oliver are, and my match will be the last, I thought to watch the games with everyone else here first.

“Even though it’s not probably going to be as fierce a fight as the people are expecting. On the contrary, there’s even a possibility that the martial arts competition in the first half of this event was more exciting.”

“Hm-? Why’s that? Aren’t the top class explorers fighting? Won’t it become a huge thing?”

　Carol, having doubts about my statement, asked.

“If you put yourself in our shoes, I think you’ll see what I mean. First of all, magic is forbidden this time, so there aren’t any buffs. That would definitely make you weaker than when you usually fight during labyrinth exploration, wouldn’t it?”

“Y, yeah.”

“Secondly, explorers fight against demonic beasts.  It’s not that there aren’t any humanoid demonic beasts, but there’s also obviously almost no chance to fight against humans. If we follow the regulations of the martial arts tournament, who do you think has the advantage, explorers who usually expect to fight demonic beasts or the military who usually expect to fight people?”

“Then it would be the military, right?”

“That’s exactly what I mean. In fact, the winner of the first half of the martial arts competition was a soldier.”

“But still, the people in this tournament are all advanced explorers. That being so, there isn’t anyone as Master mentioned who has experience in fighting against other people, so wouldn’t no one have an advantage or disadvantage?”

“That is true, but if that’s the case, then there isn’t any reason for this to be more exciting than the martial arts competition in the first half. If they at least allowed buffs from their parties’ Enchanters, we might be able to see the kind of fights that the public are looking forward to.”

　Well, from my point of view, I’m grateful that my opponents are actually weakened.

“Orn, you can analyse all you want, but this is a festival, so I think you should simply genuinely enjoy it, shouldn’t you?”

　Lain, who is sitting in front of me, points out.

“……Right. I think what Lain says is correct. Thanks, my thoughts went off in a weird tangent because I was thinking I’ve become an exhibition for others to spectate. I’m sorry for watering down all your excitement.”

“No. I didn’t say that with that intention. Still, Orn, you need to bear the burden of being an attraction for our Clan, so it’s difficult for you to just enjoy it, huh. It’s me who’s sorry.” 

<Now then, the organiser of this tournament, Marquis Forgas, the Lord of Tutril, who organised this tournament, would like to give us his greetings! Marquis Forgas, please.>

　Hearing the announcer’s words, the people in the audience, who had been raucous until a moment ago, quiets down.

<Every year, the martial arts competition has been a massive success, however, I think everyone here has probably had these suspicions. How strong exactly are these advanced explorers, who without exaggeration, can be said to be the backbone of this country’s economy? I am also one of those who have had such thoughts. Whenever I read about their acts in the newspapers, I would always end up wondering how they fight, enough for me to even dream about it. Finally, today we get to witness the battle of advanced explorers! I would like to thank the sixteen explorers who have pledged to participate. We have also prepared a reward for the winner. I hope you will fight with all your might to be the winner. That is all.>

　The audience becomes even more excited after hearing Marquis Forgas’ words.

<Thank you very much, Marquis Forgas. Now, let’s get to it! The first match in the first round will be between the leader and Ace of the Hero Party, ‘Hero’ Oliver Cardiff! His opponent is Bertram South, a member of the A Rank party ‘Crimson Fire’!>

　The two combatants appear in the arena as the announcer calls out their names.

　With their entrance, the crowd gets even more enthusiastic. 

　Being this excited from the very beginning, they would probably be exhausted by the time my match started.

　Well, I don’t mind if they are. In fact, I’ll be able to concentrate better in a quiet environment.

“The A Ranker’s weapon is a spear! If I see a good move, I’ll have to steal pointers from him!”

　Bertram is probably one of the best spearmen among the explorers operating in the Southern Great Labyrinth.

　He is an explorer who has been in the newspapers numerous times, and as I recall, his party had reached the 83rd floor.

　Typically, I would have told Log to watch and learn his moves.

　But I don’t think there’s anything that can be learnt from this match.

<Looks like both parties are ready. Now, the first match of the first round, let the competition begin!>

　Following the words of the announcer, drums sound and the fight begins.

　Right at the start, Oliver charges head-on into the fray.

　And naturally, Bertram attacks from outside of Oliver’s range, but just before his attack hits, Oliver’s movements become one step faster.

　We are in the audience, so we have the bird’s eye view, but Bertram, facing him, must feel like Oliver has suddenly disappeared.

　Oliver moves around to Bertram’s back and swings the long sword in his right hand to the side.

　Bertram reacts just in time to block the slash with the hilt of his spear, but there’s no way he can catch Oliver’s heavy slash from such an unstable position, and his posture further collapses. 

<Oliver’s sudden flash! Bertram can’t hold on, he’s trying to get some distance– But he can’t get out of the way! Bertram can only stay on the defensive against Oliver’s attack! If this keeps up, he’s going to be in a tough spot, what is he going to do?>

　Bertram’s desperately trying to gain distance, but it’s meaningless, Oliver’s moving by predicting his opponent’s movements.

　Continuing to receive Oliver’s heavy strikes, Bertram’s spear is finally struck away, and the next moment, the tip of Oliver’s sword is in front of Bertram’s eyes.

<With this, Bertram surrenders, and it’s over! The ‘Hero’ is strong after all! He grasped victory without letting his opponent do anything!>

–Isn’t he insanely strong!

–Oi! Who’s the guy who said Oliver was weak?

–This, isn’t he stronger than that person who won yesterday……?

–Wow, if this was going to happen, I should have bet on Oliver……!

　We can hear the comments from spectators watching Oliver’s battle.

　Recently, the reputation of the Hero Party has been brought down by the nobles, including the sponsors of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit. Mainly through newspapers.

　For the people who had swallowed that all up, this current battle would have been a shock.

“The spearman just now, even when I was fighting against Master……”

　Log was saying what he felt about the battle, but he ended up trailing off towards the end, probably thinking it wouldn’t be good to say. 

“That’s right. If you were fighting against Oliver, I think you would have put up a better fight than Bertram.”

“Really?”

　Log’s eyes light up when he hears my statement.

“Yeah, Log, you’re used to close combat through the mock battles with me. But don’t be mistaken. In the end, the only thing you’re better at dealing with is close encounters, and Bertram’s overall spearmanship is still better. Though, there was nothing in this battle that you can use as a reference.”

“I understand. I know firsthand that there are many people stronger than me.”

　From there on, the fights continued, and the results were as I had predicted. 

　Will also made it through the first round without difficulty.

　　◇

“Well then, I’d better be off to the waiting room.”

　As all the matches in the other bracket are over, I get up from my seat and inform the people around me.

“Good luck, Orn!”

“Master-, you gotta win!”

“Let everyone here know that Master is the best!”

　Receiving cheers from everyone, I leave the stands. 

　A staff member leads me into a waiting room, where of course, other participants are also present.

　There are only two waiting rooms.

　The back of this room is connected to the match venue.

“Hmm? Yo, ain’t it the small fry explorer? You came here just to show off how shit you are, I’d be too embarrassed! I’m curious why you’re actually participating.”

(I’m in the same waiting room as this pain in the ass. Ruins my excitement.”

“It’s been a while, Derrick. Isn’t that too terrible a thing to say so soon after meeting?”

“Huh? I’m just telling the truth.”

　……You should think about the people around you that you’re troubling. 

　This guy’s always been someone who acts according to his emotions, but he shouldn’t be the kind of guy who’d kick up a fuss in a place like this. 

　I’ve felt a similar sense of discomfort lately — ah, that’s right, with Pascal.

　What Pascal and Derrick have in common is that there’s too much of a discrepancy between what I remember of them and what I’m recently seeing. 

　And both are related to the Hero Party, huh?

　As well as with the Marquis of Forgas suddenly cutting off the Flockhart Trading Company, what’s going on with the Hero Party?

“Oi! Don’t ignore me! Rude bastard!

　While I’m thinking, Derrick keeps coming at me.

“Ah, my bad. So, why did I want to enter this martial arts tournament, right? That’s because Marquis Forgas told me to enter.”

“That old man? So a weakling to make up the numbers?”

“Isn’t that the case? I don’t know for sure though.”

　I’m getting tired of dealing with this guy, so I cut the conversation short and sit down away from Derrick.

　From the time I sit until the time arrives, to change my mood, I retrieve a present I received yesterday from my storage magic tool and start silently reading.

　The book was published by the Principality of Hitia, a major magic power, and contains information on magic theory.

　Most of its contents are familiar to me, but some I’m seeing for the first time.

　After all, I am most excited when I am exposed to new knowledge.

(I see. Then, if we apply this theory……)

“Oi! Whatcha reading! Reading doesn’t suit you!”

　While I’m lost in my reading, that noisy one comes in again.

　And because from the edge of my field of vision I can see Derrick trying to carelessly touch my book, I activate [Reflective Wall] between the book and Derrick’s hand.

　Touching the wall, Derrick’s hand snaps back.

“Argh!? What the hell are you doing?”

“That’s my line. This book is a precious thing given to me by my students. Don’t try to thoughtlessly touch it.

　Can’t he even wait quietly…….

“Students? You’ve got students? Hahaha! I’ve got serious doubts about the kind of people who’d choose to make a weakling like you their teacher! They must be blind and definitely not any good!”

　……Why do you have to say this much about them?

“—-Shut up already!”

“Oh? What did you say, small fry explorer?”

“I said shut your noisy mouth. The next time you insult them, I’ll make it impossible for you to speak so carelessly again.”

　I warn him with murderous intent.

　The last time, this had silenced him, so he kept quiet this time too. 

　–Or so I thought.

“su! I’ll say it again and again! Your students are a bunch of trash who chose poorly!”

　I slam my fist into Derrick’s face, caught off guard by as he’s talking.

　At the moment of contact, I also activated a low-powered [Impact].

　With a swing of my first, Derrick ends up lying on the ground.

　Derrick, collapsed, has a dumb look on his face, as if he doesn’t understand what had happened.

　I approach Derrick and check on his condition.

　For now, he’s at least conscious, so he should be okay. His nose is bleeding, but it doesn’t look like he has any broken bones.

　I inform Derrick while activating [Heal].

“I don’t care if you mock me. I’ll even let you off the hook for laughing at their lack of ability, though that isn’t true. Right now, you are stronger than them. But — I won’t allow you to belittle their choices. If you get that, stay out of my life. You’re unpleasant.”

　Yeah, I feel better now.

　I don’t care if I make a scene. 

　The participants around me look like they all want to say I’ve done a good job, so it’ll probably end with only Derrick making noise.

　After I finish treating Derrick, I leave the waiting room.

　If I stay there, I’m just going to bother those people. ……I feel like I’ve already done that though……

–

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