161 – 32. Exchange meeting
After the preliminary round.
After finishing shaking hands with Geas Rotinel, I returned to the waiting room and sat down.
He asked not to let anyone in, so he could rest comfortably alone.
“After…….”
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…… Still, my hands are tingling.
I didn’t mean to, but I started laughing as I looked at my shaking hands and feet.
But I couldn’t even bring myself to calm my trembling hands and feet.
More than that, his right eye was so sore.
“Plague.”
Is it because I have been using it too much recently?
It seemed like Was becoming increasingly overloaded.
“I can’t do it without this…”
I learned swordplay from Sasaki Ito, but I couldn’t even master the basics in just a week.
That’s why I learned only the shapes as much as possible. I memorized only the minimum values of where to aim and how to swing.
Of course, Sasaki Ito was confused as to what this was. The guy who said he came to learn how to use a sword was learning posture before learning the basics. He might have thought it was pretentious.
But it was the best for me.
“……….”
.
A skill acquired through a necklace obtained from a treasure hunt found by digging through a flower bed.
It dilates the right pupil, allowing you to see things you normally can’t see.
Because it was a required skill in the game, it was also a skill I worked hard to obtain as soon as I entered the Romance Academy.
‘Honestly, it was just like that.’
It was a good skill in the game, but in this reality, it was just a mediocre skill.
Still, it was quite useful, but…… Honestly, I thought it would have been much better to get other skills.
But it was a skill I kept using because it was a waste to throw it away.
After the Galaxy incident,
Observations were growing significantly.
‘At that time…… Is it because I watched ?’
Like job skills, general skills also have room for growth. It wasn’t , But Was a skill that could be developed.
The condition for growth is to see as many different things as possible.
It seems that the conditions for growth were met through direct observation of , Which has the unique feature of being a skill that has been embodied in addition to what has been used so far.
As I grew in observation, I was able to see more things and see the whole world in detail.
It was thanks to him that he was able to deflect Geass Rotinel’s arrow.
With my poor swordsmanship skills, I was limited to being able to deflect even that much
Observation, but in the past, I would never have dared to do it.
Because I could see clearly, I was able to figure out where the arrows that bounced off were.
Because it was clearly visible, it was possible to throw the sword quite accurately.
Because I could see clearly, I was able to guide him to the place where the arrow rolled.
However, as if it were the price, the side effects of Also became more serious.
“Sseuup…….”
It’s not just a pain in the eyes. It felt like someone was forcibly grabbing my pupils and widening them.
When I was using it, it stopped at the point where I was shedding tears of blood, but after disabling it, the recoil was enormous.
But that didn’t stop me from using it.
“Go forward…Nine times.”
This is the number of preliminary matches that will be held over three days starting today.
This is also the number of times you have to experience unfamiliar pain.
“…I guess I’ll have to meet the kids later.”
No matter how much you have improved your
Observation, ultimately you also need swordsmanship skills.
It seemed like I would only have to swing my sword during my three-day break.
For now, put aside your worries about being scolded by Riou, Eunha, Lane, or Eileen.
After enduring the pain in my pupils, I put on the thick hood.
Before swinging the sword.
There was work to be done.
*
Lucas, who saw the few students jumping for joy among the students who were in despair due to the shock of the betrayal, quickly moved with Kim Seong-il.
I ran through the stadium filled with countless screams and small cheers, and stopped a student who was about to enter the waiting room.
It was not Namgoong Min.
“Geas Rotinel.”
“…The prince of the Korean Empire, uh, Lu, Lucas!?”
“You’ve seen this before, right?”
“We are infinitely grateful to the Arthur family for their continued support!”
For Rotinel, who has no particular ties to the Korean Empire, Prince Kim Seong-il is just a high-ranking person, but Lucas Arthur is his livelihood and lifeline.
Because it was the Arthur family who were his sponsors and highly regarded him as a .
I couldn’t help but be very humble towards Lucas, who was certain to be the next head of the family.
But that wasn’t what was important to Lucas.
“Geas Rotinel, answer the question honestly.”
“Say anything!”
“Did you try to get to the finals?”
“…Yes?”
“No, you just did your best to win… In the preliminaries?”
Why do I have to ask this?
But Rotinel’s question was short-lived. Anyway, the only answer he has is to answer quickly.
“Of course.”
“That’s right…?”
“Although it was a non-combat job, I still tried to do my best.”
“…Has anyone ever approached you before a match? Anyone is fine.”
“Um…There wasn’t anything in particular. Other than my friends, not much…”
“……Then, what was the arrow that was shot right after the match? It seemed like he had lost his strength.”
“It may be a bit rude to say this, but the opponent is probably a fortune teller. To be honest, I let my guard down and looked down on him. It only hurts more that I lost because of that.”
Geas Rotinel did not lie.
Judging by the magic he had used without realizing it a moment ago and the prince’s insight into dealing with people, Rotinel was clearly telling the truth.
What that meant was clear.
“Yes… It was an impressive match, Rotinel.”
“Thank you! My opponent, Namgoong Min, Lucas’s classmate, was even better.”
“I’ll tell you.”
He entered the waiting room where Rotinel greeted him and Kim Seong-il so politely that it was hard to believe they were both first-year students. He thought he was talking to his friends because he could hear several people’s voices.
But Lucas was thinking of only one thing.
‘Geas Rotinel was not bought.’
In other words, there is no room for match-fixing.
Namgoong Min’s victory was a complete victory achieved solely through his own efforts.
It was a question that arose because I noticed from the middle that Rotinel was also trying his best and that he was desperate.
Then.
“What on earth is match-fixing…?”
“……Hmm, Lucas.”
“Ah, yes, prince.”
“Take a look at this.”
“Is this…?”
This is the pamphlet for the exchange meeting that I picked up on my way to the stadium.
In the section that the prince opened, there was a list of those participating in the martial arts competition and a match table.
“What do you mean?”
“Here, follow Namgoong Min’s bracket.”
“………?”
According to the prince’s words, Lucas, who was looking at Namgoong Min’s Group C matchup, twitched his eyebrows.
A little…… There are many non-combat jobs.
As those with excellent scores, including the written exam, participate, many non-combat occupations also participate, but only Group C has an unusually large number of non-combat occupations.
But isn’t this a randomly selected result? It can be perfectly distributed…… Do not have……… ?
‘Random…… Stomach?’
If it were normal, of course that would be the case.
At that moment, something crossed Lucas’ mind.
“Could it be…?”
“Normally, when you look at the bracket, you don’t feel much. That’s because all 512 people are in the bracket. However, if you recognize that there is some manipulation… Look at Namgoong Min’s bracket again.”
Group C 1st match, Namgoong Min VS Geass Rottinel.
It is a fight between non-combat occupations and non-combat occupations.
2Nd match, Namgoong Min VS Yeonhee.
Similarly, it is a non-combat job.
Round 3, Namgoong Min VS Wang Yeolgi.
This too…… It is a non-combat job.
That wasn’t the only thing.
The first three days of the week-long martial arts competition are all preliminary rounds. More than 10 matches take place here.
All of those 10 times.
Non-combat occupations are the opponents.
“This is…Oh my god.”
“That’s not all. Look at the others in Group C… No, look at the entire bracket.”
Common sense tells us that no matter how non-combat a class is, if you fight a non-combat class all 10 times, you are bound to stand out.
But it wasn’t just Namgoong Min.
“Even in Group A…In Group B, Group E, and Group F…?”
“Similarly, there are two more students like Namgoong Min in Group C. Do you understand what this means?”
“hahahaha……Liu.”
They say that if you want to hide a tree, you should hide the forest.
In order to hide Namgoong Min’s bracket, the entire martial arts tournament’s bracket was strangely organized.
However, there can be no doubt about these facts.
This is because it is a non-combat job anyway.
Anyone can see that martial arts professions are overwhelmingly dominated by fighting professions, and that is actually true. No matter how hard they worked in non-combat occupations, most of them failed in the preliminaries, and even if they made it to the finals, they were all eliminated in the first round.
If Namgoong Min is a combat class and fights non-combat classes all 10 times, controversy over preferential treatment or fraud would immediately arise.
Nam Goong Min also has a non-combat job anyway.
It’s obvious that I’ll be eliminated by a combat class who can’t even make it to the finals, and it doesn’t really matter how the bracket is structured…… It’s just a non-combat job.
That’s why I was able to hide it.
And that’s why it could be manipulated.
“So, what Riots was trying to manipulate…”
“It was the academy’s bracket itself.”
I was about to shout out that it was nonsense, but a question suddenly occurred to me.
Really…… Is it impossible?
‘Princess Kim Eun-ha, Liu, Rain, saint, warrior.’
Korean Empire, great wealth, Arthur family, church, United States.
Right now, the combined shares of Romance Academy held by the Korean Empire, Arthur, and the Church will be well over 70%.
What can’t they do if they join forces?
“From the academy’s perspective, there is no need to get caught, and even if someone is suspicious, Namgoong Min is not the only one who received preferential treatment.”
“…But isn’t it a special occupation class? That alone raises suspicions…”
“Well? We consider Namgoong Min a friend, but do outsiders think the same way?”
“……………….”
“Academy students may not know this, but outside of the academy, Namgoong Min is just a fortune teller who joined a special vocational class without even knowing the topic.”
The entire special occupation class exercises power over such a fortune teller?
This is something to be laughed at as a cheap conspiracy theory.
When Lucas realizes all that, he bursts into laughter.
“Oh, you stupid Lucas.”
“…Liu.”
“How do you feel?”
It was a question that omitted the subject.
Lucas answered because he knew what it meant.
“Did you believe it?”
“Of course.”
──He is my boyfriend and future husband.
Of course.
I believed I would win.
“Why? Obviously….”
“That’s right. I tested it myself, and I won by a landslide.”
“Then…”
“Hey, Lucas.”
“Huh?”
“What kind of fortune teller was this you’ve seen so far?”
“……….”
“It’s weak, of course it’s weak. But… It doesn’t look like you’ll lose, does it?”
“…….”
What do you mean…… It felt like I knew.
Nam Goong Min is a friend of Lucas Arthur.
He was an incredibly brave fortune teller and a guy who beat his father no matter how much of a penalty he had.
He worked hard for a week.
Namgoong Min is still the weakest among the special occupation class.
Is this true when looking at the academy as a whole?
“hahahaha… Did you buy the academy?”
“Well, honestly, it was hard. It would have been even harder if it wasn’t for that b*tch Eileen.”
“…Could it be Instructor Charles too?”
“Isn’t it right?”
A veteran instructor recognized even at the academy has been added to the already tight lineup…… Manipulation would have been entirely possible.
Lucas, who was laughing helplessly, looked at the pamphlet again.
…… If.
If Namgoong Min wins all nine of her remaining wins.
“Really…”
“I guess I can go to the finals.”
Many words will follow. The luck in the bracket was seriously good, it was luck, it was just a non-combat job anyway, etc.
But.
It cannot be denied that Namgoong Min will advance to the finals.
‘Something like this…… ‘Is it called my help?’
Lucas, who was thinking nonsense, suddenly took out a piece of paper from his pocket.
Voting ticket for winning bet with the name ‘Nam Goong Min’ written on it.
No matter what, Lucas also bought it because he thought it would be good for Namgoong Min to win.
“I guess the odds are against me now. Will Namgoong Min also emerge as a dark horse?”
“…Well, I guess not.”
“Huh?”
I won against Geass Rotinel, who is said to be good among non-combat occupations.
Since the other opponent also has a non-combat occupation, there is a high possibility that Namgoong Min will become the husband.
Lucas, who was looking at Rio as if he didn’t understand what was going on, looked to the side when he heard Kim Seong-il’s voice.
“Lucas, look over there.”
“Huh? That’s the direction of the stadium…?”
Huh?
“Everyone! Are you really going to live with Namgoong Min? Are you going to entrust all your money to the weakling who was eliminated first in Daehosu?”
“B-but Namgoong Min won against Rottinel!”
“It would have been Rotinel’s victory even if Rotinel had not accidentally stepped on the arrow and slipped! In fact, Rotinel’s arrow had overwhelmed Namgoong Min!”
“Well, was that so? You said you bounced it off well…?”
“Absolutely not! Are you saying that the fortuneteller, the weakest among the professions, led Rotinel to step on the arrow while fighting?”
“……I guess I’m lucky.”
“That’s right! This time, the opponent named Namgoong Min won. But will that mean the luck will continue? You there!”
“Uh, me?”
“Namgoong Min’s next partner, Yeonhee, is a classmate, right? What about her, !”
“Uh, uh…I usually play martial arts characters, right? I’m quite good at using a sword. My boyfriend is a …”
“Did you hear? Yeonhee’s swordsmanship is comparable to that of a !”
“Huh? Why does that happen──”
“On one side is a fortune teller who was lucky enough to win! On the other side is a female Who is said to be comparable to ! Where will you vote!!”
“Well, wouldn’t Namgoong Min still win?”
“Are you crazy? I’m lucky this time and of course Yeonhee will win! Yeonhee is the overwhelming favorite!”
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“If you bet on Yeonhee now, your money will be copied!”
“No, if it’s that much of a match, the odds of receiving it are not that high──”
“Then do you want to lose it?”
“…That’s not it. Yeonhee! Yeonhee! Yeonhee!!”
“””Yeonhee! Yeonhee! Yeonhee!”””
“That’s right! The match we’ve been longing for is Yeonhee’s student! Dear students! Are you having a ridiculous dream? Even the odds are your own! Betting on a match that has not even a 1% chance is the act of a madman.”
“Now, wait a minute. That hooded guy is talking about something similar to Namgoong Min…?”
“Everyone! I’m going to give all my money to Yeonhee right now! Everyone go to the betting booth!!!”
“”””To the betting room!!!””””
Lucas neatly incited the students in the stadium and watched the hooded male student disappear through the crowd.
I looked back at Liu and Kim Seong-il with a truly indescribable expression.
“……Why?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? Isn’t it because people have to flock to the straight boat to increase the odds of the reverse boat?”
“It looks like you’re planning to take advantage of this opportunity.”
No matter how well he learns the sword and fights well, isn’t it clear that he is ultimately a propagandist and fortune teller?
Lucas sighed and walked out of the stadium.
It was time to put everything on the line.