Chapter 14 : Chapter 14

Chapter 14. Genius (1)

To hang a new color of medal in the 「Arena」, there was one essential condition. Fitting for a place that worshiped Refri, the goddess of justice and struggle, a fighter had to undergo a “duel” they prescribed. Here, everything was decided through duels.

People called it the “promotion match.”

“It won’t be a difficult duel. For the little gladiator, this could be considered an opportunity. Once you wear the Silver Medal, not only will you be able to fight at a far higher level than before, but the Arena will also pay you a stipend. That means you could even live off being a fighter from now on.”

As the receptionist said, the “Silver Medal” was a standard in the Arena. Just as she explained, it was indeed an opportunity for me. I could engage in more valuable fights, and more importantly, I could select a new sword to consume from the Hall of Fame.

So I said,

“I’d like to hear about the promotion match I must take for the Silver Medal.”

There was no option to refuse.

The receptionist likely expected that answer from me.

“The promotion match you’ll face is simple.”

Her eyes glimmered faintly as she spoke.

“You don’t need to defeat your opponent. Just three minutes.”

“…?”

“Survive for three minutes, that’s all.”

She held up three fingers with a smile. That smile was polite, but I caught something unsettling in it.

“If you survive, you’ll be awarded the Silver Medal.”

My suspicion read the emotion hidden behind her smile.

It was malice.

I had almost forgotten, lulled by her plain impression fit for any guild or inn, but the truth came rushing back. This was still the 「Arena」, no matter how its name had changed from the old coliseum. It was full of madmen starving for blood and battle.

“Even if it looks a little pathetic, struggle desperately and you should be able to last.”

The invisible madness in the Arena was as thick as air. That was when Liam spoke.

「It's rookie-stomping. In our day, they called it an execution.」

“……”

「They pit fighters like you—who fight safely and without bravado—against overwhelming powerhouses, to humiliate you. You may survive, but your pride will be shredded.」

Humiliation.

I could already guess why such a match had been chosen as my promotion.

Among the Arena’s spectators, some were sincerely impressed by my victories. But others disliked me for always fighting efficiently and winning without injury. As my name spread, even other fighters cast me wary looks.

As though they wanted to see me crushed one day. To watch my Needle snap, to see me crawl across the ground like a dog, begging for my life.

It was blatant, foul malice. And the Arena offered this promotion match to sate their desires.

「Young descendant, you don’t have to accept it if you don’t wish to. They’ll spread nasty rumors either way, claiming you fled from a duel.」

“……”

「But another chance will come soon. Your skill is beyond the Bronze Medal.」

Liam’s words were comforting. But…

「If you avoid this fight now, you’ll avoid many more hard battles in the future.」

He didn’t stop there.

「To reach the heights you aim for, you’ll face countless battles. Most of them will be against foes stronger than you. If you run from those fights each time, you will never become hardened. Never.」

He was not a kind master who only said what I wanted to hear.

Liam was harsh, realistic, and cold. Like steel, like a sword.

「There has never been a Karavan who fled from a duel. Karavans become great through battle.」

I already knew that, having heard it endlessly before.

So my answer to the receptionist’s proposal was already decided.

“I’ll do it.”

My road ahead was still too long.

There was no time to step back.

Whatever came, I had to face it head-on.

I would no longer run.

***

My promotion match would be held two evenings later.

Back at the inn, the first thing I did was check my condition. Fortunately, I had no real injuries from my fights so far. Just a few scratches on my arm and ankle.

It was thanks to efficient fighting. Others might call it cowardly or disgraceful, but for a fighter who must duel again and again, it was the most reasonable way.

“I think my condition is fine.”

「Of course. And what comes next?」

“Know myself, and know my enemy.”

That was the basis of combat. To fight an unknown foe was a gamble. If I could learn even a little, I should. That way, I could use suspicion to uncover weaknesses and envision the battle.

「Excellent.」

Liam acknowledged my method.

「Someone as untalented and weak as you must fight this way. I was so great from the beginning that no one could stand before me, so I had no need for such things.」

“…Yes, you’re wonderful.”

He always added something unnecessary.

I left the room and ordered a simple meal: bread and soup. The inn food was, as always, terrible. While dipping the hard bread into the bland soup, I overheard something I couldn’t ignore.

“They say in two days, the little gladiator Liam will be crushed.”

“That weakling who wiggles like a girl? Haha, I’ll be sure to watch that match. I never liked him.”

They were talking about me.

“Shouldn’t a fighter meet his opponent head-on? But he prances around with that skinny body, poking with a twig. Disgusting.”

“I can’t wait to see him grovel like a dog. They should rip his helmet off so everyone can see his face. If I meet him in the street, I’ll beat him half to death.”

Public opinion of me was far from good.

I silently chewed my soup-soaked bread. Not from fear.

The reason was simple.

Conversations like this always led to useful information.

“So, who’s his opponent?”

“They call her the ‘Black Bride.’ That kid is finished.”

“No need to even guess the result.”

The “Black Bride.” I knew that name. What mattered was what came next.

“Didn’t she graduate from a prestigious academy? She’s a monster who’s never lost a match with a Silver Medal. They say even a Gold Medal wouldn’t be undeserved. A terrifying fighter. A female swordsman who reached the realm of 「Sword Walker」 before turning twenty.”

Thanks to drunkards’ chatter, I gained valuable information on my opponent.

And then—「Oh, young descendant. The Arena has set you up nicely.」

“……”

「If I recall, you once put it in more vulgar words yourself.」

Liam smirked.

「You’re screwed.」

“You don’t need to say it aloud. I know.”

Yes. I was screwed.

***

The Academy. An institution where those who wished to learn swordsmanship gathered. An elite course for those with the talent to become swordsmen. Graduates were automatically eligible to become knights, and their diplomas could open doors to many groups.

They were proven talents.

They studied structured swordsmanship, trained under a curriculum, accumulated battle experience, and learned from centuries of tradition. Even among 「Sword Beginners」, an academy graduate and a self-taught beginner had a massive gap.

But now there was even a difference in the realm.

I was a rookie Sword Beginner who had only just taken up the blade. My opponent was a seasoned Sword Walker. The outcome was clear in that sentence alone. The only fortunate point was that I only needed to survive three minutes, not win.

「Even surviving three minutes will not be easy.」

“Is that so?”

「Yes. This Black Bride is weaker than that coughing knight, Fetel. That stubborn fool was among the top Sword Walkers.」

Liam said it lightly.

「But there is one difference. That knight spared you out of honor, but this fighter will not. You will learn how terrifying the Roads of a Sword Walker truly are.」

“……”

「Countless Roads will pierce your limbs. You’ll lose your arms and legs, crawling like a dog, begging for life.」

“Thank you for the vivid warning.”

Damn it. I couldn’t deny him.

I knew firsthand. 「Sword Walkers」 were far beyond me. If one came to kill me seriously, I could not resist. Even with Mary’s memories fully absorbed, the superhuman realm was still distant.

And perhaps my opponent knew it too.

The morning after I accepted the promotion, a visitor came to my inn.

“…You’re the little gladiator, Liam?”

In the quiet inn of the late morning, a girl my height stood blocking the entrance. She was peculiar. Her hair and eyes were pitch black, yet her skin was pale as snow.

I replied,

“You must be mistaken.”

I already knew many resented me. There was no need to confirm my identity. I tried to pass her, but she didn’t move.

“Give up tomorrow’s match.”

“…?”

“The Arena wants to humiliate you. I intend to meet their expectations. I’ll take an arm, maybe more if you resist. So don’t show up. Let me spare you from destroying your future.”

I froze at her words. The meaning was obvious. So was her identity.

‘The Black Bride. My opponent in the promotion match.’

As that thought formed, suspicion surged. I began to see what was hidden. Behind her beautiful, delicate appearance lay killing intent.

She stood casually, yet there were no openings. I noticed the sword at her waist. Instinct told me—if she drew it, I’d be dead before I could move.

And I felt it: the second heart beneath her left breast. Bristling with countless spines, like a chestnut burr. The jagged roads around it. Proof she was a 「Sword Walker」.

The difference in realm struck me harder face-to-face. She seemed to feel it too.

“Hearing the rumors, I wasn’t sure. But now, seeing you… If you fight me tomorrow, you’ll be destroyed. You cannot be my opponent. Ever.”

She glared at me for a moment, then turned to leave.

“Be wise. From your matches, you don’t seem like a fool.”

Even after she left, I stood frozen, drenched in cold sweat. Liam’s voice broke the silence.

「A talent too rare for this era.」

He said it plainly.

「A genius.」

***

Even from rumors, the Black Bride had been terrifying. Meeting her in person, she was even more so. I couldn’t even imagine beating her. Common sense said running away was best. To risk an arm for pride would be idiocy.

But the moment I swore vengeance on the continent’s greatest Swordmaster, my life had already left the path of common sense.

「There is only one way.」

And there was one piece of luck.

「One sword will not be enough to face her.」

The blood in my body was not normal.

「You must consume another sword before the fight.」

Steel blood flowed in my veins.

“Huu.”

I exhaled deeply and stepped forward.

The Arena glowed bright under the night sky. The crowd roared at whatever match was underway.

Amid that background of cheers, I walked.

“You’ve returned, young lord.”

The caretaker Tom welcomed me at the Hall of Fame.

“You must be truly captivated by this place.”

I grinned without shame.

“Of course. Ah—if it isn’t too much trouble, I’d like to ask you a favor.”

Now. Time for a frontal breakthrough.