trying to survive college

It must be a familiar task for the two of them.

Just watching that scene…

I felt as if the years of effort and trust they had built together were being conveyed even to me.

Boschi:

…grr… grr…

Lamli:

…snore… snore…

Fennesz:

Hehe…

Both of them are completely defenseless.

Fennesz:

Even though they looked so cool during the match…

You:

Indeed, they look like completely different people

Lucas:

Yes.

To keep fighting, time like this where they can feel at ease is important too.

Lucas:

For us…

The time we spend with you, Master, is exactly that kind of time.

As if agreeing with Lucas’s words, Fennesz nodded with a smile.

Their expressions yesterday and their sleeping faces now…

Feeling the large gap between them again, I couldn’t help but smile.

After spending such a peaceful morning…

The afternoon would finally bring the second day of the tournament.

[Swordsmanship Tournament Semifinal First Match]

Lamli:

Well then.

We’ve gotten plenty of sleep…

Lamli:

You’re in perfect condition, right?

Bos.

Boschi:

Yeah.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m in top form.

Boschi:

Of course, I have no intention of going easy on you either.

Too bad for you, Lamli.

Lamli:

Heh♪

If you act too confident, it’ll be embarrassing when you lose later.

Lamli:

…This time, no tricks.

I’m going at you with everything I’ve got, Bos.

Boschi:

…Yeah.

Come.

Referee:

Contestant Lamli Arujisuki!

Contestant Boschi Arenas!

Referee:

Both competitors, take your positions…

Bow to each other!

Referee:

…Begin!

Lamli:

Haaaah!!

Boschi:

..…!

Bastien:

Lamli-san made the first move…

Fennesz:

Yeah.

Yesterday he focused entirely on defense…

Fennesz:

But today he’s doing the opposite, leaving no opening for a counterattack…

It’s similar to Bastien’s fighting style yesterday.

Muu:

Meow, meow, meow-meow!

(Both of you, do your best!)

You:

(Both of you, good luck…!)

Boschi:

Tch…

It’s certainly an impressive barrage of attacks…

Boschi:

But I’m not naive enough to just keep taking them head-on.

Boschi:

…!

Now…!

Lamli:

Tch…!

Whoosh

Boschi:

!?

He dodged that just now…?

Boschi:

…I see.

Your reactions really have improved compared to before.

Boschi:

If you focused entirely on evasion like this…

Then it makes sense that even Bastien couldn’t catch you.

Lamli:

Haa, haa…

Lamli:

Heh…

But today, I have to score a point with my own skill…

Lamli:

Attacking while staying wary of a counterattack is really exhausting.

Boschi:

Hmph…

For someone as lazy as you, you’ve been going all out since yesterday.

Boschi:

To think you’d be this obsessed with winning…

What kind of change of heart is this?

Lamli:

…That’s…

In the middle of the fight…

The two facing each other exchange words in voices only they can hear.

At that moment, for just a brief instant…

I felt like Lamli’s gaze turned toward me.

You:

Lamli…?

Lamli:

Well…

When the drawing of lots decided I’d be fighting Kitsune-kun…

Lamli:

I realized that even I was thinking with the assumption that I’d lose.

Lamli:

Even I was taken aback by it.

And I figured… Everyone else probably thought the same.

Lamli:

When I realized that, I suddenly felt pathetic…

Frustration started welling up inside me.

Lamli:

So I…

thought, “First I have to break that kind of assumption.”

Lamli:

…Even if I had to use any means necessary.

Lamli:

Because if even I believe it’s impossible…

then other people’s opinion of me will never change either, right?

Boschi:

…………

I see.

Boschi:

Honestly, I didn’t think you could beat Bastien either.

Boschi:

But…

Winning once still isn’t enough.

Boschi:

If you want others to acknowledge you, then keep winning.

Next time, change people’s opinion of you with your own strength.

Boschi:

However…

Overcoming that wall won’t be easy.

Lamli:

Yeah.

I know…..ha!

Clang

Boschi:

(Tch…

What a strange feeling.)

Boschi:

(…To think Lamli…

would remind me of my old self…)

- 3XX years ago -

Clang

Haures:

Haa… haa…

Boschi:

Haa… haa…

Boschi:

What’s wrong, Haures…

Is that your best?

Boschi:

Or like last time…

Are you holding back because you feel guilty toward me?

Haures:

…No.

Of course I’m serious.

Haures:

Against the current you, I don’t have the luxury to hold back.

Haures:

Here I come, Boschi…!

Boschi:

Yeah, come at me…!

Clang

Step… step…

Lucas:

….This is…

Lucas:

Fennesz-kun.

Is this what you wanted to show me…?

Fennesz:

…Yes.

I want Lucas-san to acknowledge it too.

Fennesz:

That Boschi now can fight like he used to…

Clang

Boschi:

Ghh…!

Damn…

Haures:

…Phew.

Looks like I won, Boschi.

Fennesz:

Heh…

Good work, both of you.

Fennesz:

It seems that both of you…

have returned to the condition you were in before the injury.

Boschi:

Huh?

What are you talking about, Fennesz?

Boschi:

If I were in perfect condition, I wouldn’t lose to him.

I’m still far from my best.

Haures:

Heh…

Is that really true?

Haures:

Your movements slowing down when you get tired haven't changed since before.

Boschi:

Shut up.

Don’t lump me together with a stamina idiot like you.

Fennesz:

Um…

As you can see, Lucas-san.

Fennesz:

I’ve also learned how to maintain his prosthetic arm.

Boschi no longer has any problems that would hinder him in combat.

Fennesz:

As a doctor of Devil’s Palace…

Could you approve his return to the front lines?

Haures:

Yes.

I’d like to ask as well.

Boschi:

…Please, Lucas-san.

Boschi:

Without me around, these guys alone are pretty unreliable.

Lucas:

…Hmm…

………………

Lucas:

…Alright.

If you, the ones who entrust your lives to each other say so…

Lucas:

Then I will also recommend Boschi-kun’s return to Berrien.

Lucas:

…Welcome back, Boschi-kun.

You must have made immeasurable efforts.

Boschi:

…No.

Well, it certainly wasn’t easy…

Boschi:

But it wasn’t my effort alone.

I was fortunate to have people around me.

Haures & Fennesz:

….…Huh?

Haures:

…That Boschi saying something so humble…

Fennesz:

Yeah…

Maybe something’s still wrong with him after all…

Boschi:

…You guys want me to knock you out?

Lucas:

(Hehe…