The Failed Swordsman Who Became the Strongest After Spamming the 100 Million Years Button-Novel

Chapter 126. Transfer Student and Christmas [3]

Claude-san, who suddenly transferred to Thousand Blade Academy, called me『worm』for the first time in about six months.

It seems that the flow of time has increased her animosity towards me.

As I smiled bitterly,

「『Beautiful Swordswoman』? But that is the men’s uniform, right…?」

「S-So cool…!」

The boys seemed confused, whereas the girls cheered in a high pitch.

It seems that Claude-san is the type of person who is popular with the same sex.

After that, Leia-sensei coughed once and gathered everyone’s attention.

「As I introduced earlier, Claude is an elite swordsman from the famous Royal Vesteria Academy. Her sharpened swordsmanship will surely motivate all of you as well. Work with each other and make your student life more meaningful! 」

When sensei summed up the story as such,

「As for your seat, Claude… I have prepared one behind Allen. For today, sit over there.」

She was designated a seat in a very unpleasant position.

「Hou, it’s not a bad position…」Claude-san smiled suggestively, and took the seat behind mine.

(I feel an intense gaze…)

Without even turning around, I could feel her staring at my back.

And then,

「H-Hey, Claude! Why are you in Thousand Blade Academy!?」Ria asked a good question.

Why did Claude-san go out of her way to transfer to Thousand Blade Academy?

It was on my mind too.

(Perhaps… they found out about that『incident』only now?)

A few months ago, Ria was kidnapped by members of the Black Organization, Zack Bomber and Thor Sammons.

I received information about their location from Rize-san, and managed to rescue Ria, but…

A major incident in which a princess of a country was abducted, it was expected that there would be a big protest from Vesteria Kingdom.

However, they were eerily quiet for some reason at that time.

(…This is the only thing that comes to mind.)

His Majesty Gris Vesteria, who found out about the incident, is trying to forcefully bring Ria back.

(It makes the most sense to think that way, but…)

But if that was the case… there is no reason for Claude-san to transfer to Thousand Blade Academy.

First of all, Vesteria Kingdom is a strong nation that is named as one of the『Five Great Powers』.

It’s hard to believe that they’ve only recently heard of the incident from a few months ago.

(The more I think about it, the less it makes sense… Why on earth is she here?)

And when I was racking my brain about that, Claude-san spoke, slightly hesitantly.

「…To check the state of Ria-sama, of course.」

「?! I-Is that so? That’s fine then.」

Perhaps the answer was convincing enough for Ria, as she immediately cut the discussion.

(…Ria’s state?)

I wonder what that is all about…

And as I was tilting my head,

「Yoshi. Let’s start the first period class right away! Today is basic strength training! We’re going to focus on lower body and stamina, so be prepared!」Leia-sensei said, in a clear loud voice.

Then we, the students of Class A, moved to the schoolyard to undertake the first period class.

■

About three hours later, the strength training class was conducted continuously through the first and second period, and now it was lunch break.

「Fuu… After all, winter training is good.」

Cool wind hitting the heated up body feels great.

And as I was relaxing after training,

「Fufu, Allen… with you, it’s not just winter, is it?」Ria said, smiling happily.

「Ahaha, I guess.」

I remember we were talking about something like that a while ago.

And when I tried to return to the classroom, reminiscing about those memories,

「Worm. It’s finally lunch break.」Claude-san grabbed me by the shoulder, with an evil smile on her face.

「E-Eh… Is there something about lunch break…?」

Somehow… I had a bad feeling.

「No, I was just thinking of discussing something.」

「…What about?」

「Fuu, as if I even have to say…. I will make up for the previous loss right now!」Claude-san said, and unsheathed her sword, the tip pointing towards me.

「…That’s too sudden.」

It’s a development I was already expecting, but…

(To think she would come after me so soon, during lunch break itself…)

And when I secretly sighed,

「Hey, is that transfer student serious!? She suddenly picked a fight with Allen!」

「Does she have a death wish?! It’s too reckless!」

「But Claude-san went to the best swordsmanship academy in Vesteria, you know? Maybe, just maybe, she might stand a chance.」

Everyone in the class seemed to be curious, as they expressed their thoughts.

(…How troublesome.)

To be frank, I’m not on board with this at all.

I have no problem crossing swords with Claude-san, but…

This time period is poor.

Speaking of lunch break, there is the regular meeting in the student council room.

(If by chance, I miss the meeting…)

It is easy to imagine the president sulking like a child again. And that in turn, will surely cook up more trouble.

「Umm, Claude=san… If you don’t mind, what about after school–」

「No.」

「Is that so…」

She rejected me before I even finished the sentence.

Seems that she is not going to let me go no matter what.

「…I understand. Let’s do it.」

And when I accepted the challenge from Claude san,

「Allen, don’t overdo it. Please hold back and don’t injure her too much, okay?」Ria said, worried about Claude-san.

「Even if you say that…」

Claude-san is terrifyingly strong.

She is not an opponent I can beat by going easy.

「R-Ria-sama!? Me, falling behind for the second time against this worm!?」

「E-Err… Ahaha, Allen is strong after all, so…」

Ria apologized cutely, saying ”I’m sorry,” with a wry smile.

「Kuh… Ki-Kisama… you seem to have sunk your fangs into Ria-sama quite a bit again.」

「N-No, no, I didn’t sink anything…」

I am already troubled by baseless rumours as it is….

“Allen sank his fangs into the princess of Vesteria Kingdom,” don’t even joke about such an evil portrayal.

「Fu, fufu, fu…! Alright then, in that case, I apply for a duel against you, worm!」

「…!?」

Not a mock battle or a match, but a『duel』.

A serious match that stakes the pride of a swordsman. Fighting against each other with predetermined conditions.

「If I lose, I’ll abide by any one thing you say. But, if you lose, you have to listen to one of my orders. Whatever it might be!」Claude-san said, with a serious expression.

(…The conditions are more or less fifty-fifty.)

However, I have to state one thing firmly.

「I’ll tell you beforehand. I can’t abide to a reckless order, like『kill someone』or『don’t get involved with Ria』, okay?」

「Fu, don’t fret. My order is commonsensical and non-problematic.」

It seems that she has already decided on her『order』.

「…Okay, that’s fine.」

And the moment I accepted her duel,

「With this, the duel is established! Breathe – Avio Troop!」

She deployed her soul dress straight away.

I clearly grasped the scorching fighting spirit in her eyes from a distance.

「Fuu…」

I slowly unsheathe my sword and assumed Seigan no Kamae.

(It’s been about half a year since I crossed swords with Claude-san in Vesteria Kingdom.)

Depending on how I look at it… this might be a good opportunity.

Let’s see how strong I’ve become in the last six months…

「Well, here I come, Allen Rodore!」

「Aa, come!」

That’s how I and Claude san began a『duel』that staked each other’s pride.