CH 145

[Barrett VS Jarvis]

It was finally time for our match.

Right after the announcer’s words rang, the audience erupted in thunderous cheers.

“I’ve been waiting for this!”

“It’s today’s most anticipated match! Bet it’s gonna be awesome!”

“Both of you, do your best!”

Supporting words telling us to do our best mixed in with the cheers resounding throughout the arena.

Just a few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined it—that Barrett Albers would be cheered on by other students.

“Barrett.”

Before I went on stage, I was stopped by Tayte.

“I believe in you. I’m sure you will win.” Tayte said with an encouraging look on her face.

“Thanks. I will be sure to bring back a victory,” I replied with a smile and moved my gaze to the stage again. There, Jarvis was already waiting with her arms folded.

—Just then…

“Jarvis! Stay calm and you’ll win this! If anyone can beat Barrett, it’s you!” Our classmate Andrei, acting as Jarvis’s supporter, cheered on her with all his might.

Come to think of it, they were often together in the classroom.

It seemed like Andrei kept approaching and hanging out around her because he admired her. However, Jarvis didn’t seem to mind his company, “I’ve made a male friend beside you,” she once said to me. A male friend she got along with… he made a perfect supporter for her.

After looking at Jarvis’s supporter, I went up to the stage.

Jarvis drew her sword when I reached the center of the stage.

“I’ve been waiting for this day, Barrett,” Jarvis said, her eyes shining brightly.

Yeah, I could tell from her short words that she indeed had been waiting for this day. I mean, she was overflowing with enthusiasm.

Or should I say ‘resolve’?

It was clear to me that Jarvis was betting something on our match.

I didn’t know what it was, and even if I knew and held back, Jarvis would surely notice. And she would hate me until our graduation.

“…………”

There was only one thing I had to do in this match: give it my best—that was it.

I couldn’t imagine what kind of results this event, which didn’t exist in the original storyline, would bring in the future… but at the very least, the fact that we had to fight with our all was a prerequisite for us to head to the best route.

Before long, the cheers from the audience died down.

Everyone realized that the match was about to start and waited with bated breath.

And then… the bell signaling the start of the match rang.

“Ha!” Jarvis made the first move as the bell was ringing.

I blocked her attack head-on.

“Kh?!”

H-how strong.

I tried to push her back and counterattack, but I couldn’t, because…

“Hmp!”

…the moment I exerted my strength, Jarvis chose to pull back her strength and stepped back.

She got me.

It threw me off balance. As a result, I gave her a large opening.

This was Jarvis’s aim.

“Haaa!”

She released a powerful fire element spell.

“Guah?!”

Just as I raised my sword in defense, my whole body was swallowed in flames.

Because I had been late in guarding, I received greater damage than I’d expected.

—But now I was wide awake.