Maximin looked calmly at his daughter.
A glint appeared in his eyes.
"Why do you need 'it', Piel?"
"...Excuse me?"
"Why are you so desperate for 'it', even if it leads to your own ruin? After what happened with Markvern, you weren't doing very well. You underwent treatment for a while, but it must still be painful to even think about that time."
Piel remained silent.
Watching his daughter, Maximin continued.
"Yet you still want 'it'... You know very well that 'it' should never be taken outside. The only time 'it' should leave is when the entire continent is in danger."
"...I know."
Maximin spoke in a hushed tone.
"Besides, Piel, aren’t you a student at Elinia Academy? And just a freshman at that. You can't bring in external artifacts. You know already what happened to those who tried to use 'it'. Even the continent's greatest heroes would not be able to handle its power."
He wasn’t wrong.
– A power overwhelming even for the continent's greatest heroes.
It was a statement only he could make.
Maximin de Chalon.
Although now retired, up until his retirement, he held the position of the second-ranked hero across the entire continent.
Known as the 'Demon Hunter', Maximin had defeated a demon that descended into the mortal realm twice.
Not once, but twice.
He was also the one who identified and defeated Markvern, who had made a pact with a great demon.
However, his words seemed to have no effect on Piel.
"...I understand, Father."
Piel's expression remained resolute.
"For what do you need it so desperately for, Piel?"
After a moment's hesitation, Piel spoke up.
"...For a friend."
"A friend?"
Maximin, who had been impassive until now, leaned forward with interest.
"Yes, someone I consider... a friend."
"Hmm, that's unexpected. You've never been close to anyone other than Markvern. Someone from the academy?"
At Maximin's question, Piel gave a slight nod.
"I see. Is it Neike?"
"...No."
Piel shook her head.
A hint of curiosity appeared on Maximin's usually stoic face.
"Then who? Aisha of the Waldeurk family? Or perhaps Andrew, who's recently hailed as a genius mage? Maybe Eshild from the Orgamin family?"
"...It's not them."
Piel firmly closed her mouth, offering no further information.
Maximin wasn't angered or annoyed.
Instead, he was even more curious about who she so protectively spoke about.
When Piel had first entered the academy, even the attendant he had sent with her said she rarely spoke of her personal matters.
A friend she’s determined to help, even if it means her own ruin.
If it’s not one of those students...
Who could it be?
"It seems difficult for you to speak about this matter."
"······Yes."
"I won't press you any further. However, regardless of the reason, I cannot give you 'that.' Unless there's a significant threat to the continent, it's hard for it to be taken outside. Its powerful restrictions make it nearly impossible to unseal."
Maximin looked at Piel calmly.
“Even so... I need 'it'... If it can save him... I don't care about the consequences. And I am your daughter! I should be able to wield it... I must."
Tears, clear as crystal, began to fall from Piel’s eyes.
She bit her lip so hard that blood trickled down from it.
Maximin said,
"······Let's see what kind of person this friend is."
"······What?"
"As I said, Piel. Bring this friend to me. I'll judge for myself. Although I can't allow it to be taken out, perhaps we can unseal it temporarily."
Now, only the finals remained.
After the semi-finals, we were given an hour of rest.
A duration that seemed long, yet short.
I tried to rest with my eyes closed, but couldn't.
"Theo, you really surprised me! Using a dagger so skillfully! Sure, a hero might have some secrets, but you could have given me a small hint!"
"Let's have a one-on-one rematch next time, Theo. I didn't lose! It's difficult even for me to face both you and Irene at the same time!"
The chatter was due to the crowd of friends that had gathered in the waiting room.
Not just Aisha & Julia, who had just fought against us, but also Andrew & Sally, Noctar, and even Amy and Little Fist.
The group that came in with Amy practically took over the entire waiting room.
Well, it's better dealing with them than being hounded by reporters and representatives from guilds & nations.
The event staff didn't seem to mind their presence either.
While mixing a traditional orc tribe's elixir with water, Noctar spoke.
"But Theo, Neike is incredibly strong. I fought him once and couldn't even see the full extent of his abilities. Do you have a plan to beat him?"
"No, I don’t."
I shook my head.
It seems Noctar thinks more like a human now.
In the past, he would've just told me to charge in regardless of the opponent.
"Hey, what do you mean you don't have a plan! I'd prefer if I lost to the eventual winners! It would make my loss look better!"
Andrew, who was sitting nearby, suddenly shouted.
Whoa, that startled me.
Where did that outburst come from?
Regardless, I genuinely don’t have a strategy that would guarantee victory.
Of course, I did discuss a strategy with Irene earlier, but whether it would work or not is a different story.
Aisha, Siena, Irene, Andrew, Noctar, and the rest...
Each of them is growing stronger at an alarming rate.
But as for the protagonist Neike, just how strong would he be now?
Neike was someone who could be described as being blessed by the gods in terms of talent.
He's undoubtedly turned into a monster by now.
Even if I push my amplified [Overload] to its limit, I doubt I can defeat him.
Honestly, I've half given up on the prize of five gold coins.
Seeing my worried expression, Sally spoke up.
"Um... Andrew, your voice is too loud."
"Ah, I'm sorry, Sally. And I apologize, Theo. I got carried away."
Andrew hastily bowed to me in apology.
"..."
Look at how quickly he shifts gears. Why is he so spineless?
"By the way, Theo... What's the name of this little one?"
Sally looked down at Little Fist, who was nestled happily in her arms.
"Little Fist."
"Huh? Little... Fist?"
"Yes, it's just a fistful, right?"
"Aww... both the name and its appearance are so cute. Theo, how did you come up with such an adorable name? Haha, how cute, Little Fist!"
Sally broke into a sincere, cheerful laugh.
Her voice was so soothing it could lighten one's heart.
Andrew, looking somewhat embarrassed, cautiously chimed in.
"Let's be honest, Theo. It's a good thing that puppy doesn't understand human language. If it did, it'd probably bite you for naming it that."
"..."
It had already bitten me countless times.
Thankfully, its teeth weren’t sharp yet.
"Oh, Andrew, why would you say that? 'Little Fist' is so cute. It fits perfectly with its appearance."
"…Hahaha."
"Am I wrong?"
Seeing Andrew's evasive smile, Sally's face fell a little.
Andrew hastily replied.
“No, no! Of course not! I was just making a light joke, Sally. Naming it 'Little Fist' is really unique! When you think about it, it’s quite an insightful name."
“Really?”
"Of course, Sally. Heh, Little Fist, come here."
Saying so, Andrew tried to pet Little Fist, who was still snug in Sally’s arms.
—Pew, pew, pewww!
Quickly dodging Andrew's hand, Little Fist leaped out of Sally's embrace and snuggled up to Aisha.
“Oh, my dear Little Fist. Missed my arms already~?”
Aisha teased Little Fist by tickling its head with her slender fingers.
After glancing at Amy, Irene, and Sally, Aisha beamed proudly.
“Hehe, so cute. But, Theo, I never expected you to be raising a pet. Especially such a tiny one. You used to dislike animals as a kid, remember?”
"People change."
I said, looking at Little Fist cuddled up in her arms.
For some reason, Little Fist snuggled even closer, making a contented 'kiiing?' sound.
Ugh.
That little traitor.
I've figured out that pup's habits.
It avoids Noctar, Andrew... It never approaches men.
Oh, and it didn't go to the buff Julia either.
Now, I’m sure of it.
That little one is definitely male. And quite the flirt, too.
While we were all relaxing and talking, there was a knock at the door.
"Theo and Irene, the final match will begin soon. Please prepare to enter the arena."
...It's finally starting.
It’s time to put an end to this tournament.
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