Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World
Chapter 129

Chapter 129.3. The Third Year at the Academy - Martial Arts Tournament Finals (3)

The Sword Division concludes today with the third-years and senior champions decided.

The final match has no time limit, and only if it drags on too long will the referees make a judgment.

But they likely want to avoid that, if possible.

The academy—or rather, the council—is strict about eliminating potential conflicts among the nobles.

In any case, the finals consist of just two matches.

Unless the competition is incredibly close, it should end quickly.

When my turn came and I stepped into the arena, the stands were impressively packed.

Though there are still magical demonstrations and mock battles left, the Sword Division ends its chapter today.

For the townsfolk, who've been reveling since the year-end festivities, the finals are something they can't miss.

Well, as usual, the VIP seats remain half-empty.

Before long, Talvitt made his entrance as well.

He responded to cheers even louder than mine with a wave of one hand and walked straight toward me.

"At last, we face off again."

"Ted and the others still won't admit defeat, but—well, I'll humor them. It's a festival, after all."

"A festival, huh."

Talvitt chuckled, his shoulders shaking.

"For a noble like you to say that? The rest of us were dead serious."

"Everyone carries their own burdens. Don't you have any?"

In response, he tapped his greatsword lightly.

"You decide what you carry. The opinions of others? They don't matter to me."

"That's enviable. Nobles don't have that kind of freedom."

"Funny coming from you, doing whatever you want."

"I'm fortunate to have a supportive family."

I returned his grin with one of my own.

If my family knew what my three years here had been like, they'd be rushing over in no time.

I'm grateful for parents who trust their son.

While we chatted, the referee arrived at the center of the arena.

Perhaps because it was the finals, the referee raised their voice, introducing our backgrounds and battles in the exhibition with far more detail than usual.

Amid the roaring crowd, the finals of the Sword Division began.

At the signal to start, Talvitt raised his greatsword in a high guard.

It seemed he wasn't planning to move carelessly.

It would be rude to wait against a heavy weapon opponent.

I lowered my short sword and advanced.

The moment I stepped into the range of his greatsword, Talvitt sprang into action.

With a piercing battle cry, he swung his sword down.

The blade cleaved the air, passing just above my head.

What force.

For anyone other than Felix, it must've been terrifying.

Talvitt followed up with an upward slash.

A series of fluid strikes, his greatsword moving as if weightless.

He even mixed in unconventional moves from his match with Felix.

Indeed, the unexpected moves were surprising, but they're manageable if you're prepared.

It's humans like Talvitt who can confuse.

If I imagine fighting something like a Tentacle Tullen Cube or a swarm of Soprics—where mere contact means death—it becomes easier to counter.

While blocking Talvitt's fierce attacks, I began to counterattack.

Talvitt's determination to strike even at the risk of injury meant he took my attacks directly.

In a joint exercise, such strikes would've disqualified him long ago, yet he kept coming.

He certainly matches Ted's determination.

He's stubborn, with remarkable grit.

Even with blunted blades, a counterstrike could hurt like a blunt weapon.

The pain must've been immense, yet he didn't stop his assault.

That said, everything has limits.

If this continues, he'll just get worn down bit by bit.

Well, I guess he has some plan.

Revealing his strategy against Felix was a mistake.

Suddenly, Talvitt halted.

He raised his greatsword again and unleashed a strike beyond anything so far.

A skill exclusive to heavy weapons, [Mighty Blow].

Its power far surpasses [Heavy Strike], but it leaves enormous openings before and after.

As I dodged, Talvitt shifted.

Moving with surprising agility for his size, he spun and launched a backhanded [Palm Strike].

I ducked to evade it, then sidestepped the diagonal slash that followed.

The greatsword struck the stone pavement with force.

Using the rebound, Talvitt launched another attack, but I had already withdrawn out of range.

Talvitt clicked his tongue in frustration, his expression bitter.

"So, you've figured it out."

"More or less."

"Should've just punched you straight away."

Even as he muttered regretfully, Talvitt readied his greatsword again.

If he can use [Palm Strike], then he's trained in [Martial Arts].

His skill rank must be decent.

Though he pressured Felix with clumsy moves, that was intentional.

The serious Talvitt is far sharper.

With [Martial Arts] techniques, evasive maneuvers, and erratic movements, he launched another attack, blending his skills into the mix.

Dodging them all, I couldn't help but admire him.

He's truly honed himself. He's a different person from six months ago.

Even Lambert or Felix at their peak might've been in danger against him.

"By the way, does Lapnas also talk about goblins?"

"Goblins!? What—damn it, I can't hit you!"

"I heard from Harriet that the story of goblins from the outdoor exercises has become a lesson."

"And what about it!?"

"You're a lot like that goblin leader now."

When I dodged his overhead slash, Talvitt froze in place.

"That ridiculously strong goblin, right?"

"Exactly. It skillfully combined multiple attack techniques. It was remarkable, a true expert beyond its abilities."

"Could I beat it?"

After a moment's thought, I shook my head.

"You'd put up a good fight, but you might lose. Its skill mastery was higher."

"And who defeated it—"

"I did."

Talvitt exhaled deeply, looking up at the sky.

Then he refocused on me, his eyes resolute.

"This ends here."

With that, he raised his greatsword high into a full overhead guard.

It was the same waiting posture as at the start—but a bold stance.

In that position, he could only swing downward.

I had no idea what he was planning, but I decided to meet it head-on.

Lowering my sword, I approached slowly.

Talvitt remained still.

No—he couldn't move.

His feet planted firmly, his entire being focused on his greatsword.

He was pouring everything he had into a single strike.

Then, at the moment my toe entered his range—his blade wavered.

Fast—.

Without a battle cry, the greatsword swung straight down.

No time to think, I twisted my body.

My hair was sliced away, the blade's wind tearing through my clothes and grazing my skin.

A deafening crash echoed.

The arena fell silent.

Talvitt looked down at the sword tip pointed at his heart.

"Incredible slash. What skill was that?"

"[Iron Cleave]. My grandfather taught me."

"First I've heard of it. A hit from that would kill, even with a blunt blade."

"Didn't even graze you."

"You got my hair."

Hearing that, Talvitt grinned.

"Then it's a success."

As his greatsword fell to the stone floor, the referee snapped back to attention.

"The winner: Alter Res Leadvalt!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Looking toward the noisiest section, I saw Ted and his group leaping in joy.

For some reason, Lily and Lora were bawling their eyes out, moved to tears.

Acknowledging the crowd, I glanced down at the ground.

The stone pavement was cleanly sliced through, and the greatsword itself was cracked.

[Iron Cleave].

It has longer preparation and more significant openings than [Mighty Blow], but its power is on a different level.

Perhaps the boar he cleaved in two before was with [Iron Cleave].

"Next up is the overall championship."

Talvitt extended a hand.

Grasping it, I triggered another wave of cheers.

"Your opponent will probably be your senior, right?"

"Most likely. Some baron's son named Radikel something."

"His skills were excellent. I'll borrow his chest as a training ground."

"You don't sound invested at all."

Talvitt gave a wry smile, then suddenly shook his head.

"Honestly, choosing Lapnas was a mistake. Your side seems way more fun."

"Can't compare, but they're an interesting bunch. Why'd you choose Lapnas?"

"It's close to my grandfather's house."

"Fair enough. That's a valid reason."

Even in my past life, some friends had chosen high schools for similar reasons.

I didn't think it'd happen here, but it makes sense if he lives in Selen.

As we talked, the referee called me over.

The formal awards ceremony would take place on the final day, but the chairman, Ravi Bartinkain, wanted to give me a brief congratulations.

Agreeing, I turned back to Talvitt.

"Until next time."

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to the mock battle on the final day."

As I headed toward the chairman for his words of praise, I saw a familiar young man enter.

That's—Radikel something.

The moment he stepped in, his hostility was palpable as he glared at me.

Well, we'd be opponents in a week. No need to glare at a junior like that.

Ignoring his animosity, I continued toward the chairman.

Looking forward to it, huh?

I'd like to feel the same—but we'll see.