Chapter 28
“The Final Match! Victory Guided by Mathematics”
(Academy Festival Arc: Senryo Festival V)
The final day of the Senryo Festival.
The grand plaza was already packed—nobles, knights, and even visitors from the royal capital had gathered to watch.
“At last, the finals!”
“Their opponent’s the academy’s strongest swordsman!”
All eyes were fixed on the center stage.
Their final opponent was Cyril, a third-year student from the Swordsmanship Department—
known by the nickname “The Sword Demon.”
He wasn’t large, but his stance had no openings. His very presence was that of a sharpened blade.
“Cross Class, your opponent’s tough! But don’t get scared. A sword’s just data—there’s always a pattern to solve!”
Kai encouraged his students, bumping fists with them.
In their eyes, nervousness mixed with a steady, determined light.
◆◇◆
First match.
A male student from Cross Class rushed forward.
Cyril’s sword flashed the moment the match began—
Clang!
One strike decided it.
The Cross Class student’s sword was knocked away, stabbed into the ground.
“Wh—what!?”
“It’s no use, he’s on another level!”
The crowd murmured loudly.
“Cyril, one win!”
◆◇◆
Second match.
A female student challenged him next—only to be cut down in an instant again.
“Winner: Cyril!”
Two consecutive losses for Cross Class.
Faces turned pale, and uneasy whispers spread.
“Calm down!” Kai barked.
“Cyril’s strong, yeah. But his sword style’s simple. It’s a perfectly honed straight line.”
“A straight line…?”
“That’s right. Then all we gotta do is enclose it with a circle.
Turn his straight line using an angled vector!”
The students nodded firmly.
◆◇◆
Third match.
The next student faced Cyril’s linear slashes head-on—then shifted half a step to the side, holding the sword at a diagonal.
Cling!
They deflected the strike, using the rebound to thrust forward.
“Wha—!? My sword was deflected!?”
The crowd gasped.
“Winner: Cross Class!”
1 win, 2 losses—
A spark of hope ignited.
◆◇◆
Fourth match.
Another student stepped up.
Reading Cyril’s rhythm, they parried the third beat of his triple-tempo swing—
Slash!
“Winner: Cross Class!”
2 wins, 2 losses.
The audience jumped to their feet in excitement.
Now everything came down to the fifth and final match—Rutia vs. Cyril.
“…Heh. This should be fun.”
Rutia readied her sword gracefully.
Cyril met her gaze with cold, steely eyes.
“You’re strong, I’ll admit. But can you withstand my blade?”
◆◇◆
The match began.
Cyril’s sword tore through the air at blinding speed.
Rutia blocked, but was steadily pushed back.
“Kuh…!”
The spectators held their breath.
Then Kai’s voice rang out:
“Miss! His sword’s a straight line! Circle it! 75-degree angle—make your trajectory round!”
“…Got it!”
Rutia angled her sword, redirecting the attack.
Cyril’s blade veered slightly off-course—his stance faltered.
“Now!”
Rutia stepped in and drove her sword forward with all her might—
Thwack!
The wooden tip struck Cyril square in the chest.
“Winner—Cross Class!!!”
The plaza erupted in deafening cheers.
“Cross Class wins the championship!”
“The magic students… won in swordsmanship!?”
Rutia raised her sword high, proudly facing the crowd.
Then she dashed straight toward Kai—
grabbing his arm and hugging him tightly.
“We did it! This proves it—we’re the strongest!”
“H-Hey! Everyone’s watching, calm down!”
“I can’t calm down! Because you’re my—”
“Don’t say ‘husband’ in front of everyone!!”
The audience burst into laughter and applause,
and thus, the Senryo Festival ended—
with Cross Class’s glorious victory.
