Chapter 74: Sparring Match (3)
Even though I wasn’t a man anymore, I had no intention of taking back the words I’d already spoken.
Especially since it was a bet I started. It would’ve been utterly humiliating if the one who suggested it backed out.
Still… I couldn’t help but feel displeased.
“Chloe wins. Her judgment to replicate the sword on the spot and escape the predicament was impressive.”
The current score was 7 to 6. I had 6 points. Matches forfeited without fighting didn’t count, so only one match remained.
It was hard not to show my growing gloom. But since the remaining contenders were Exipri and a female student I didn’t recognize, it was too early to give up.
It was truly a toss-up. At worst, I planned to force a tie and declare the bet void.
…Unless Dogeon placed his bet on the same person as me, in which case it would be a bust. But surely, as a man, he wouldn’t resort to such a petty trick.
Would he…?
“I guess my choice was right this time,” he said smugly.
“…I see.”
Despite my confident tone, I was increasingly convinced Dogeon would resort to that method.
Just looking into his eyes, I could tell he was taking this bet far too seriously.
“That puts me one point ahead,” he remarked.
“I know, I know. Spare me the commentary and stay quiet.”
“Have you thought about where you’d like to go if you lose?”
He teased me, asking where I’d go if he won. Truthfully, I only picked the pet store because it seemed like a tolerable choice—I didn’t have anywhere specific in mind.
But losing to Dogeon and following him there felt different than just going along with him voluntarily.
“I haven’t, you fool. Enough with the teasing. I suggested this for some lighthearted fun, but you’re taking it too seriously.”
I spoke with a hint of resentment. He must’ve felt a little guilty because he shrank slightly before responding with mock confidence.
“Then you shouldn’t have suggested the bet so recklessly.”
“You insufferable brat… Fine. I swear I’ll never bet with you again.”
A simple apology would have sufficed, but his persistent backtalk was infuriating.
He seemed to realize his mistake and hurriedly apologized, but I had no intention of accepting it.
“…”
I stayed silent, clearly signaling for him not to talk to me. Thankfully, he got the message and quieted down quickly.
About time.
“Lastly, Exipri and Cora, step forward.”
In the tense atmosphere, the final betting round began. Exipri, cursed with a weak body despite mastering mana breathing techniques, faced Cora, whose physicality alone rivaled Anya’s. Naturally, I bet on Cora.
Exipri appeared to be under 150 cm tall, while Cora, though seemingly unable to use magic or mana breathing, had an edge with her physique.
It might’ve been because Exipri was involved that I hesitated.
“I’ll bet on that student, Cora.”
“…I’ll go with Exipri.”
Perhaps feeling guilty, Dogeon bet on Exipri, seemingly planning to throw the match.
That softened my stance a little.
People make mistakes; the important part is learning from them.
“…Begin.”
The match started, but the scene was almost painful to watch.
Every time Cora chased, Exipri fled.
It was hard to even call it a fight.
Despite dragging a hammer nearly her size, Exipri managed to evade impressively.
It was a testament to her mana breathing skills.
The problem was that she used it all for fleeing and dodging.
“Ahhh! Stop chasing meee!”
“You little thing… How are you this fast?”
She continued to dodge Cora’s twin blades by a hair’s breadth.
For a moment, I feared Cora might actually lose.
If Exipri decided to swing that hammer in earnest, Cora, wide open and defenseless, would go down in one hit.
…No way. That couldn’t happen.
Yet a nagging unease lingered. What if Cora really lost?
And then Exipri’s shout made that unease grow.
“Stop chasing me…! I’ll swing it if you don’t!”
“Fine! Swing it! Quit running already!”
When someone says they’ll actually do it, most people wouldn’t. But with someone like Exipri, you had to take her words at face value.
I hoped I was wrong this time, but my bad feeling was spot-on.
Time seemed to slow as I focused intently, watching her hammer swing down.
Cora noticed it only at the very last moment and squeezed her eyes shut.
With a loud smack, audible even from a distance, Georg declared, “Exipri wins. You should’ve swung sooner instead of dragging it out. Cora, I hope you’ve learned not to neglect defense in favor of offense.”
…She actually lost.
“8 to… 6 now,” Dogeon said, still keeping score.
“Who doesn’t know that already?”
I sighed openly, not bothering to suppress it.
His expression showed no surprise at his win.
He’d planned to win all along, hadn’t he?
…Crafty guy.
“So… I guess I won?”
“Yeah, you won, you stubborn jerk. So, where do you want to go?”
I snapped, signaling him to cut the nonsense and just say it. I was resigned to my fate.
I’d have to be more cautious next time.
“The… church.”
Of course, he had a reason for being so determined to win. He must’ve known I’d never agree to go there otherwise.
My thoughts on this continent’s faith could be summed up in one word: abysmal.
They were no better than cults spouting bizarre doctrines.
Absolute trash.
“You said the church.”
Despite my deep dislike, I had no choice but to accept the result.
Perhaps sticking close to Dogeon would make it slightly more bearable.
…Even though I still hated the idea.
“Yes. I know you don’t like it, Hoyeon, but… I have a pressing reason to visit.”
“Does it absolutely have to be me going with you?”
Honestly, I wanted to opt out. Being cooped up in my room sounded far more appealing.
Even with my green orb companion, being near the church felt suffocating, like passing by a sewer.
“I think it’d be better if you came with me.”
…What could I do? A friend asked me to come, so I had to. That’s what friends are for—mutual give and take.
Back when I had that other friend, we also had a lot of give-and-take.
“If you’re going to insist like that, I suppose I have no choice. Fine… I’ll go with you. Happy now?”
“…Thank you!”
Dogeon grinned openly and expressed his gratitude.
Seeing him this happy, it was hard to stay entirely annoyed.
I just had to think of it as enduring a single day of discomfort.
The air near the church was abysmal, and I disliked the people inside, but at least the building itself was tolerable.
Not that I planned to pray or do anything of the sort once inside.
“Now, I’ll announce the results,” Georg declared.
While Dogeon and I were talking, Georg began announcing the rankings.
Cecilia, myself, Dogeon, and a few others were placed in the advanced class.
Exipri, Redmond, Daniel, and others were assigned to the intermediate class.
The rest, including those who forfeited, went into the lower class.
With Georg’s indifferent remark that the session was over, the students poured out of the gymnasium in a loud rush.
Through the crowd, Cecilia and Exipri approached us.
“That was a brilliant ambush, Dogeon. You completely caught me off guard…”
“It was pure luck. I was nervous about getting caught, but I got lucky this time.”
And just like that, they started chatting the moment they met.
Did they not notice I was standing right there?
“Exipri, your attack was excellent too. Maybe you could try being a little braver? You’re stronger than you think.”
“But it’s so scary…”
…Maybe Dogeon just talks to everyone this way.
I say “everyone” because he stubbornly avoids me.
“Hoyeon… Miss. Um… You defeated Remus without mana breathing. That’s… really impressive.”
Even now, look at him. He clearly didn’t want to talk to me but forced himself out of politeness.
It felt like going on a blind date and seeing the other person’s face harden at first glance, only for them to force a fake smile and make polite small talk.
“I won because I’m better. It’s the natural result.”
“…I see.”
Something about this still didn’t sit right with me.
Whether it was spirits or elves, I just didn’t like them.
Even during the next class, the thought lingered, making it impossible to concentrate.
Not that it mattered—I already knew the material.
I spent the time killing boredom until the bell rang.
As soon as it did, I grabbed Dogeon and dragged him to the cafeteria.
In a relatively quiet spot, I decided to ask him something.
“What do you think of that girl, Cecilia?”