VCAM 27

Chapter 27

 “Clash, the Semifinals! Carve the Path with Mathematics”
【Academy Event Arc: The Warcrest Festival IV】

The second day of the Warcrest Festival.

By morning, the grand stage at the center of the schoolyard was already filled to capacity with spectators.

“Next up—Class Cross versus the Martial Arts Specialty Class!”

The announcement was met with a roar of cheers.

The Martial Arts Class—renowned for producing knights generation after generation, and rumored to have the best swordsmanship in the academy.

In the audience, whispers spread:

“This is where Class Cross’s run ends.”

“Sensei… can we really win?”
The students’ voices trembled with unease.

Kai simply smiled.

“I’ve said it before—dunno if we can win. But I’ve set up a way for us to win. The rest is up to y’all.”

“…Yes, sir!”

◆◇◆

First Match.
A student from Class Cross faced off against an upperclassman from the Martial Arts Class.

“No way I’m losing to magic washouts like you!”

A sharp thrust cut through the air.
The Cross student focused on defense but was quickly being overwhelmed.

“Sensei!”
A panicked cry.

From outside the ring, Kai shouted—

“Forty-five degrees! Shift the circle’s center!”

“Y-Yes!”

The student stepped half a pace sideways, tilting the wooden sword diagonally.
The opponent’s thrust veered off course—leaving an opening.

Whack!
The tip of the wooden sword struck the opponent’s shoulder cleanly.

“Winner, Class Cross!”

The audience gasped in disbelief.

◆◇◆

Second Match.
The Martial Arts Class sent out a towering swordsman.
He swung down with brute strength, forcing the Cross girl to block desperately.

“He’s crushing me…!”

The wooden swords groaned under the strain.

Kai barked another order:

“Force is a vector! Don’t take it head-on—flow it sideways!”

Her eyes widened.
She angled her sword to the side.

Thud!
The impact deflected horizontally, unbalancing her opponent.
She lunged in and struck!

“Winner, Class Cross!”

◆◇◆

Third Match.
This time, the opponent was a technician—fast and precise, driving the Cross student back with a flurry of blows.

“Too fast…!”

Kai remained calm.

“His speed’s constant. Read the rhythm! Counter on the third beat!”

“The third beat…!”

The student timed it—one, two—and on the third strike, swung.

Clang!
The blades collided—then the opponent’s wooden sword flew from his hands.

“Winner, Class Cross!”

The crowd erupted in chaos.

“Who is that teacher? He’s controlling the fight from the sidelines—with math!?”
“No… he’s not controlling it—he’s solving it!”

◆◇◆

Fourth Match.
This time, the Cross student was overpowered, their sword knocked away in moments.

“Winner, Martial Arts Class!”

“We’re still two to one! Stay calm!”
Kai’s voice rang out, rallying the team.

◆◇◆

Fifth Match.
Rutia stepped onto the stage.
Thunderous cheers rose from the stands.

“Lady Rutiaaa!”
“The Duke’s daughter is fighting!”

Her opponent—the Martial Arts Class’s ace—glared sharply, sword at the ready.

“Even if you’re a noble lady, I won’t hold back!”

The match began.
The ace charged with blinding speed.
Rutia met his attack but was quickly being forced back.

“Kh…!”

“Milady! Seventy-five degrees! Weight to the back!”

Following Kai’s command, she drew her sword back.
The opponent’s strike slid off—his stance faltered.

“Now!”

Rutia stepped in—delivering a diagonal slash.

Slash!

The opponent’s sword flew through the air and stabbed into the dirt.

“Winner, Class Cross!”

The arena exploded in cheers.

“Class Cross beat the Martial Arts Class!”
“Unbelievable! The magic class actually won!”

Rutia stood proudly, waving to the crowd, then ran to Kai and clung to his arm.

“Of course we won! Because we’re Professor Kai’s students!”
“Yeah yeah… acting like a wife already.”
“I am your wife!”
“Don’t say that like it’s official!”

Laughter filled the stands—
and Class Cross advanced to the finals.