Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Soldier Hal’s Daily Life
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There were two-person sparring matches between students. These continued endlessly during class hours. By the time the bell rang, the students of the military class were drenched in sweat like waterfalls, lying sprawled on the ground.
“That’s all for today’s swordsmanship class.” (Hal)
“Bow to Hal-sensei!” (Students)
The students staggered to their feet and bowed their heads.
“Thank you very much.” (Students)
“Yes, good job, everyone.” (Hal)
Currently, Hal was teaching swordsmanship as a teacher in the military class. Since swordsmanship was a required subject in the military class, it occupied almost the entire day. After school, when the sun began to set, she finally got some free time.
From then until late at night, it was all about training. Practice swings, strength training, practice swings, strength training. She took her time, pushing every muscle in her body to its limit. The reason Hal was so motivated was that this weekend, there would be a swordsmanship tournament held at the university.
Eligibility to participate was limited to those residing in Mikanda. Students of the military school were required to join, but teachers, adventurers from other cities, and other formidable participants were also joining. The prize money for winning wasn’t significant, but the title of the first champion of this newly established tournament was something that lasted a lifetime. As a warrior, she wanted to leave her name in history at all costs.
“Hey, you’re working hard today too.” (Tyr)
While Hal was in the middle of training, she ran into Tyr, who was returning from the university.
“Tyr-sama. I absolutely want to win. I’m the only one here who studied at the military academy in the royal capital, so I think I have a good chance of winning.” (Hal)
Sweating profusely, Hal answered, and Tyr nodded with a bright smile.
“I see, I see. Good luck. The dining hall will close soon.” (Tyr)
“It’s fine. If I eat now, I’ll probably throw up.” (Hal)
“I see. Don’t push yourself too hard. See you later.” (Tyr)
“Yeah.” (Hal)
There were two reasons why Hal trained in this back alley. The first was that there was little foot traffic. As a teacher, she felt a little embarrassed if her students saw her training. The second was that Tyr always took this path on his way home. A brief conversation with Tyr was enough to blow away all the fatigue from earlier and motivate her for the training to come.
“Alright, just a little more.” (Hal)
After seeing Tyr’s figure disappear into the distance, Hal renewed her determination.
—
“Hey, do you want to be my buddy?” (Tyr)
Hal still remembered the words Tyr said to her when they first met.
Despite coming from a commoner background, Hal had demonstrated overwhelming skill and joined the military academy in the royal capital. What had awaited her wasn’t discrimination. It was something even more unreasonable, a complete disregard.
The military academy had many noble men. For them, Hal, who was both a woman and a commoner, was the worst match.
They recognized Hal’s overwhelming skill. If they underestimated her and got beaten, it would tarnish their family name. So, they chose to completely ignore her.
Hal might have spoken fewer days than she remained silent during her time in the capital. She stretched alone before class. She practiced mock battles alone, even though they were meant to be done in pairs. Of course, she was alone during lectures and meals as well.
“Put yourself in the shoes of a man who loses to a woman.” (Teacher)
That was what the teacher coldly told Hal when she complained about not being able to practice mock battles. Since then, Hal focused solely on the basics that could be done alone. While others practiced mock battles or held meetings, she stood in the corner of the grounds, swinging her sword at a scarecrow. The teachers said nothing about Hal ignoring class.
When she didn’t participate in the mandatory internal battles, the teachers said nothing. Even when she didn’t join the field trips, they said nothing. No one talked to her, and she talked to no one. She was treated as if she didn’t exist. Hal was like a ghost.
One day during such a lonely student life, there was a traditional school event, a joint class. In this event, upperclassmen and underclassmen paired up as “buddies” and practiced freely for a week. The upperclassmen learned the difficulty of teaching, while the underclassmen learned new techniques. The underclassmen gathered on the grounds, and the upperclassmen, who arrived later, began pairing up with them one by one. Around her, buddies were decided in quick succession.
Naturally, Hal was alone. Her strength was known throughout the school. There wasn’t a single upperclassman willing to guide an underclassman stronger than themselves. Everyone but her grouped together, enjoying themselves. She was used to such humiliation. She didn’t even feel impatient anymore.
It’s pity for the senior who ends up paired with me. I’d better slip away quickly.
As Hal stood up and began heading to the edge of the grounds, a hand rested on her shoulder.
“Are you a first-year? Want to be my buddy?” (Tyr)
Hal hadn’t thought those words were directed at her, even though a hand was on her shoulder. After a brief pause, she understood and was shocked.
Does he not know who I am? Maybe my slightly short hair made him mistake me for a boy.
He might realize his mistake and run away once he saw her face. Nervously, she turned around.
“Ah, I just got back from the bathroom and found everyone already paired up. I’m Tyr. Nice to meet you.” (Tyr)
The senior who introduced himself as Tyr smiled as he looked at Hal’s face, unfazed even upon realizing she was a girl.
“Are you sure about me?” (Hal)
“Hm? You don’t have a partner either, right?” (Tyr)
Even after hearing Hal’s frail voice, strained from the nervousness of speaking after so long, Tyr remained completely unperturbed.
“Can we spar right away?” (Tyr)
After everyone, including Hal, successfully paired up with a buddy, the students were free to practice however they wanted. Tyr suggested a match.
“Yes, gladly.” (Hal)
Without wasting time, the two began a match using wooden swords.
For Hal, this was her first match since the entrance exam. However, she knew she needed to be careful. She couldn’t afford to embarrass the senior who had gone out of his way to invite her. After just two or three exchanges of blows, she realized she was stronger. With that understanding, she decided to gracefully lose the match.
She deliberately swung her wooden sword in a wide arc, leaving an obvious opening. Tyr capitalized on the opportunity and delivered a decisive blow.
“You got me.” (Hal)
She made a show of looking frustrated and bowed respectfully.
“You’re pretty skilled. Really skilled.” (Tyr)
Tyr, however, didn’t seem particularly happy despite winning.
It’s no surprise. To men, beating a woman is a given, and losing to one is humiliating. Associating with me doesn’t bring any benefits.
While Hal was thinking about this and fiddling with the shards of the wooden sword, Tyr suddenly grabbed her by the collar. His face was close to hers.
Seeing him up close, he has a well-sculpted face—handsome, really. I can’t believe I’m thinking about this while he’s grabbing me by the collar. Maybe my emotions are already dead, she thought absently.
Tyr, who looked a little irritated, asked her directly.
“What’s your name?” (Tyr)
“Huh?” (Hal)
“Your name.” (Tyr)
“Oh, it’s Hal.” (Hal)
“For the next week, nice to meet you, Hal. Also, don’t ever hold back on me again.” (Tyr)
Hal’s blood ran cold. He had noticed.
I thought I had done a good job. I can’t believe I’ve insulted him by holding back—a humiliation for any man.
“I’m sorry.” (Hal)
“You were probably trying to be considerate. But tell me, would you hold back against an opponent in war? Holding back won’t do you any good in a fight.” (Tyr)
“Yes, I’m sorry.” (Hal)
Though she braced herself for the possibility that their pairing might be dissolved, Tyr wasn’t angry at being underestimated. Instead, he was upset about her decision to fight without giving it her all.
He quickly softened his expression, returning to his usual kind demeanor.
“Well, learning these things is also part of this program. Just be mindful of it next time.” (Tyr)
From the following day, their interaction truly began.
Tyr always looked out for Hal. Whether in class, during meals, or after school, the two were often together. Once he realized she had no friends and was lonely, he even spent his days off with her.
Tyr’s swordsmanship was in the upper-middle range at school. He had considerable skill, but he wasn’t a match for Hal. However, his use of spacing, eye movement, and breathing made him stronger than his technical skill suggested. By teaching her to incorporate these aspects into her fighting style, he expanded Hal’s perspective and sharpened her combat intelligence.
That week of joint training turned out to be both educational and emotionally fulfilling for Hal. It was so enjoyable that she wished it could go on forever.
On the final day of the joint program…
“Hal, let’s have one last match.” (Tyr)
“Okay, I’m ready.” (Hal)
By this point, the two had grown so close that their conversations flowed naturally. They faced each other with wooden swords in hand.
No more holding back. I’ll show my full strength to my senior!
Hal felt more determined than she had during the entrance exam.
“Here I come.” (Tyr)
As he signaled the start and shifted his weight back to adjust his stance, Tyr suddenly found himself on the ground. Hal’s wooden sword was already aimed at his forehead.
It was over in an instant. For the first time since joining the school, Hal had fought seriously.
Her ability to train on her own, despite having no sparring partners, had developed one particular skill. It was speed. No amount of isolation could hinder her growth in that area. In this sense, she had been progressing steadily at the academy. Hal’s overwhelming speed rendered Tyr’s strategies ineffective. He looked up at her with a bewildered expression, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
“Ha… haha.” (Tyr)
Coming back to his senses, Tyr began laughing.
From around the field, voices mocked him for losing to a girl, but he paid them no mind. He laughed genuinely, as if he truly enjoyed the match.
“You’re strong.” (Tyr)
“Thank you.” (Hal)
She was elated. Being called strong had never felt so wonderful. Hal struggled to contain the smile that threatened to spread across her face as she bowed deeply.
Thus, the joint training program came to an end.
That night, Tyr invited Hal to dinner. Hal rummaged through her belongings, putting together her best outfit to look as fashionable as possible before heading out for the meal.
“The joint training was fun, wasn’t it?” (Tyr)
“Yes, it was very fun… for me.” (Hal)
Hal, who was always broke and could only afford the bare minimum for meals, swallowed nervously at the sight of the luxurious dishes before her.
Based on the information she had gathered so far, Tyr was likely the son of a noble or an influential figure, just like the other students. However, unlike the others, Tyr treated Hal like an equal. This fact left her feeling confused.
Just who is Tyr?
And then, as the delightful meal was nearing its end, Hal summoned her courage and spoke up.
“Um, Senpai.” (Hal)
“Yeah?” (Tyr)
“I’d like to keep this relationship going. Until you graduate, always.” (Hal)
To Hal, Tyr was a ray of light cutting through the gray monotony of her school life. She didn’t want to let go of this newfound comfort. This was practically a confession. A kind of nervousness she had never felt before in her life coursed through her. Hal’s face turned bright red. However, Tyr looked a little sad as he responded.
“Hal, I’m sorry. I’m leaving school soon.” (Tyr)
What followed was a storm of emotions from Hal. She clung to Tyr, crying uncontrollably. She wept her heart out. It wasn’t just the sadness of losing Tyr. It was the explosion of all the pent-up frustration and loneliness she had endured since entering the academy. Hal’s emotions weren’t dead after all. She had merely been suppressing them.
Despite the judgmental stares of the other customers, Tyr comforted Hal the whole time. He explained that his reason for leaving school was dissatisfaction with his abilities not being properly acknowledged and his decision to return to his family’s home. Hal listened to him while hiccupping and sobbing.
He’s just like me.
That realization hit her hard. In that case, I want to leave school too.
Hal poured out all her feelings of loneliness. Hal’s memory after that was hazy. It seemed that Tyr had given her alcohol to calm her down. When she came to, she found herself in Tyr’s room. They were lying on the bed together.
“What… what’s going on?” (Hal)
“You’re awake? That was a lot of trouble.” (Tyr)
“I’m sorry. I caused you so much trouble.” (Hal)
“Don’t worry about it. Tonight is the last night for that place, so I don’t care if I get banned.” (Tyr)
Tonight is the last one.
Those words reminded Hal of Tyr’s impending departure from school, and the sorrow enveloped her once more.
“Ah, just when I finally calmed you down. You’ve really grown attached in just one week, huh?” (Tyr)
As Hal began to sob again, Tyr let out a wry smile and gently patted her head.
Until now, she had endured being ignored and continued her school life stoically. But after experiencing Tyr’s warmth, she felt she couldn’t go back to her old life. She didn’t think she had the strength to endure it anymore. Hal pleaded desperately.
“I don’t want to let you go. You’re my hero, Senpai! Please don’t leave. If you’re gone, I’ll be alone again. I don’t want to be alone anymore. Save me. Please, save me.” (Hal)
“…Hal.” (Tyr)
Tyr sat up slightly and looked at Hal, who was lying face down on the bed, with a serious expression.
“Then, how about this? Come with me. Leave school.” (Tyr)
Hal made her decision immediately.
—
On the day of the swordsmanship tournament.
The first tournament held in Mikanda attracted a large number of participants, about 200.
By the semifinals, the tournament brackets, which had been filled with unknown students and adventurers, were now populated with familiar faces. As the top seed due to her position as an instructor of military-class swordsmanship, Hal had lived up to expectations and defeated Mia and Randall to advance to the semifinals.
Tyr, who served as the tournament’s referee, called out loudly.
“From the East, representing the First Town, Soldier Hal!” (Tyr)
The students’ cheers echoed through the venue.
“From the West, representing the First Town, Knight Yulia!” (Tyr)
Unlike Hal, the applause for Yulia was sparse.
Not many in the audience knew Yulia, who served as Arc’s guard. This was even truer for the students filling the seats. However, both competitors were fully energized.
“I’ve always wanted to fight you. I’m grateful to this tournament.” (Yulia)
“I won’t lose.” (Hal)
The match was to be fought with wooden swords. If Tyr, the referee, judged that an attack with a real sword would have rendered the opponent incapacitated, he would declare the match over.
“Ready… begin!” (Tyr)
At Tyr’s signal, the two closed the distance between them instantly.
They exchanged about ten blows.
This woman is strong!
Though the fight itself was evenly matched, Hal instinctively sensed that Yulia was stronger.
Usually, Yulia was merely stationed behind Arc without exuding any particularly imposing aura. However, engaging in combat with her revealed the truth. She was practically flawless. Her attacks prioritized defense, restrained and cautious.
Moreover, the speed of her sword more than compensated for the lack of offensive power. It was as if Hal were fighting against a dual-wielding swordsman, constantly under attack with no pause.
I need to back off.
As Hal stepped back, Yulia pursued her relentlessly. However, Hal managed to escape and regained her footing, widening the gap. She, then, launched a counteroffensive.
It was Hal’s leg strength, honed through solitary practice, that allowed her to move so swiftly. Yulia struggled to keep up with Hal’s lightning-fast approach. To avoid a counterattack, Hal zigzagged as she closed in.
Then, in an instant, she maneuvered behind Yulia.
I’ve got her!
Internally pumping her fist, Hal prepared to strike Yulia with her wooden sword.
But at that moment, Yulia’s backhand smashed into Hal’s face.
When Yulia, with her back turned, swung her fist in a blind strike, it moved faster than her sword. Before Hal could react, the punch connected, sending her flying.
“That’s it! The winner is Yulia!” (Tyr)
Tyr’s voice and the cheers of the spectators snapped Hal back to reality. She realized she was sprawled out on the ground.
“Are you okay?” (Yulia)
Yulia leaned over her, concern evident on her face.
You’re the one who sent me flying,
“I’m fine. No problem,” (Hal)
Hal suppressed both her frustration and the pain in her face as she took Yulia’s outstretched hand.
“Hal, the third-place match is next. Are you sure you’re okay?” (Tyr)
“I’m fine.” (Hal)
“Take a little break.” (Tyr)
“I said I’m fine.” (Hal)
That backhand punch had landed squarely on her jaw. Her head throbbed with a sharp, pulsating pain, but she couldn’t afford to let the tournament pause on her account.
Hal pressed on to the third-place match.
“From the East, representing the First Town, Soldier Hal!” (Tyr)
“From the West, representing the Forth Town, Mayor Rishu!” (Tyr)
“Good luck, Hal-sensei!” (Students)
The cheers of her students rang out. This was Hal’s home ground. She couldn’t afford to lose. Even if she couldn’t take first place, she at least wanted to secure third. Her opponent was Rishu, an adventurer who also happened to be a mayor.
“Looking forward to our match.” (Hal)
“Oh no, is Arc-kun not here?” (Rishu)
“Um…” (Hal)
“Oh, sorry, sorry. Looking forward to it!” (Rishu)
Hal found Rishu difficult to deal with. They had rarely interacted before, but Rishu’s mysterious and unpredictable demeanor made her hard to grasp. In everyday life, such a personality might be tolerable, but in a fight, it was the last thing Hal wanted to face.
“Ready… begin!” (Tyr)
The match began. Hal started by cautiously keeping her distance, but Rishu assumed a posture full of openings.
“Man, the earlier match really got me. I was up against Laika in the semifinals, you know? The younger sister of that rebellious duo Tyr recruited. I underestimated her, thinking she was still the same as when I trained her. But wow, she’s improved. Back then, she had great control when throwing daggers, but today, she also had speed…” (Rishu)
“Focus already!” (Hal)
Hal abruptly switched to an aggressive offense, but Rishu dodged her attacks with ease, continuing to chatter.
“So, you’re Hal-kun, right? Too slow, way too slow. That’s why…” (Rishu)
Just as Hal was about to press her advantage, Rishu suddenly darted into her guard.
His speed caught Hal off guard, leaving her unable to react. In an instant, she grabbed her wrist, immobilizing her.
“This is how you get caught.” (Rishu)
Smack!
A dry sound rang out as Rishu lightly patted Hal’s cheek.
“Referee?” (Rishu)
Rishu looked at Tyr with a smug expression, but Tyr shook his head in refusal.
“Rishu, I already explained the rules. A slap won’t cut it.” (Tyr)
“Aw, come on. The skill gap was obvious, wasn’t it?” (Rishu)
Rishu grumbled but kept his distance and the match resumed.
Hal launched another fierce assault.
“Hmm. Even after being shown such an overwhelming difference in skill, you attack just as aggressively as before. I respect that determination.” (Rishu)
Rishu happily dodges the attacks.
“Hal, you’ve got incredible talent for combat. Every move you make is calculated and appropriate. That’s exactly why you’re predictable.” (Rishu)
What?
Amid her relentless attacks, Hal couldn’t help but listen to his unexpected critique.
“I’m an adventurer. I’ve spent my life fighting beasts to the death. They have no intelligence. They don’t learn. That’s what makes them terrifying. Their attacks are random.” (Rishu)
Even as he spoke, moving constantly, Rishu showed no signs of tiring.
“Beasts charge at fully armed adventurers, completely unarmored themselves. Humans can’t imagine that, right? But you? Your actions are crystal clear. You keep making optimal moves. It’s truly remarkable.” (Rishu)
For a moment, Rishu’s feet aligned as she faced Hal directly. It was an obvious opening. Her forward and backward movements were limited. He could only move sideways.
This is my chance!
Hal stepped forward to close in on the chattering Rishu.
“Utterly boring.” (Rishu)
That was the last thing Hal heard before losing consciousness.
—
She woke up in the infirmary.
“You’re awake. The tournament’s over.” (Tyr)
Tyr explained what had happened.
When Hal stepped forward, Rishu’s spinning back kick had landed a critical hit. It was a blow powerful enough to knock out even a man.
In the finals, Yulia emerged victorious. The rankings were Yulia in the first place, Laika in the second place, and Rishu in the third place. The fact that women had taken the top four spots prompted Tyr to challenge the male students to work harder.
“I’m going to inform the students. They were really worried about you.” (Tyr)
Hal grabbed his sleeve to stop him.
“I couldn’t do anything against Rishu-san.” (Hal)
“It can’t be helped. Shee’s called an ‘adventurer from another dimension’ for a reason. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” (Tyr)
“She carefully explained how weak I am.” (Hal)
“Yeah.” (Tyr)
Hal uttered only two words of self-pity before jumping off the bed and shaking it off.
“Right! I’ll just have to train even harder from now on. Tyr-sama, you’ll help me, right?” (Hal)
“Of course. Win it all next year.” (Tyr)
With renewed determination, Hal faced forward again, and Tyr smiled encouragingly at her.
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