Fist King - Chapter 1 - Episode 23: A Fighter's Day Off ④ Kazuya Goes to School

Fist King: I Will Save the Earth from Zero in Another Reincarnation, Starting from Real World

A Fighter's Day Off ④ Kazuya Goes to School

When I called the school, a clerk answered the phone before I could speak to the homeroom teacher. When I asked to speak to the homeroom teacher for Class 1-C, I learned that her name was Tanaka-sensei.

Tanaka-sensei answered the phone, and I explained that I was heading to school now.

"Satou-kun, are you coming now?"

"Yes, I'm planning to go now."

"I see…"

Tanaka-sensei seemed to hesitate on the phone, thinking for a moment. Then, as if she had finished thinking, her voice came through my phone.

"This morning we had an academic test."

"Oh, really?"

"And this afternoon is the martial arts tournament, so… are you coming?"

"I'll be right there!"

"If you're participating, it starts at 1 PM, so be here by then…"

"Got it!"

Tanaka-sensei seemed like she wanted to say more, but I answered mid-sentence and hung up. I grabbed a quick lunch near the ward office and rushed home to change into my uniform.

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When I arrived at school in my uniform, Tanaka-sensei was standing at the school gate. I straightened my posture and greeted her.

"Hello."

"Hello, Satou-kun…"

After greeting her, I looked at Tanaka-sensei and, for some reason, her expression was dark. I was about to ask what was wrong, but Tanaka-sensei spoke first.

"Everyone is on the grounds right now, so let's go together."

"Understood."

My heart had been pounding with excitement ever since I heard about the martial arts tournament on the phone.

(I bet you can make friends at events like this.)

I'd heard that bonds with friends deepen during school events like school festivals or sports festivals. Since I started the game, I'd thought of them as a waste of time and skipped all of them, so this was my first time truly participating in a junior high school event. My steps toward the grounds naturally became lighter. Since I'd heard it was a martial arts tournament, I brought the staff I'd bought today, tucked into the complimentary bag.

When Tanaka-sensei and I arrived at the grounds, I saw hundreds of students wearing armor and holding weapons.

(It looks like an event battle…)

It's rare even in games for such a large number of people to be ready for battle and waiting in one place. I started getting excited and wanted to ask Tanaka-sensei what kind of tournament this was.

"Sensei, what kind of tournament is this?"

"This is a tournament held by Swordsman Junior High Schools nationwide, where all new students begin fighting simultaneously."

"Simultaneously, you say…"

When I asked Tanaka-sensei about the tournament, it turned out to be a battle royale.

"Right now is the time to form teams."

"Teams…"

"It's not going to end if it's one against everyone, so forming teams of about ten people is the basic idea."

"…"

"The team that wins this tournament will have their team name announced nationwide."

"That's how it is, huh?"

Apparently, the team that survived this battle royale would be announced to Swordsman Junior High Schools nationwide. Below the team name, the individual names would be listed.

"By the way, how much time is left to form teams?"

"About three more minutes."

Tanaka-sensei told me while looking at the watch on her left arm. When I heard "three minutes," I gave up on forming a team.

(In that case, I'll just make this event exciting!)

Thinking that, I asked Tanaka-sensei one more question.

"Sensei, where's the place to signal the start of this tournament?"

"Huh? Um, Principal-sensei will do it at that tent over there."

Tanaka-sensei told me, pointing to a tent at the back of the grounds. Hearing that, I started walking toward the tent.

"Hey, where are you going?"

I suddenly started walking, and Tanaka-sensei frantically chased after me. I had a few ideas to make this event exciting. As I walked across the grounds, several students noticed me, and it was only a matter of time before it spread to everyone. When I reached the tent, the Principal spoke to me with surprise.

"Hello, Satou-kun… What brings you here today?"

"Hello, Principal-sensei. Where's the signal for the start of the tournament?"

I threw my own question without answering the Principal's question. Then, the Principal honestly showed me a microphone.

"When I say 'start' with this, the tournament will begin."

"Understood. Excuse me, but could you lend it to me for a moment?"

"Oh, uh, sure…"

I cautiously took the microphone from the hesitant Principal, tested it, and then yelled so it would echo across the grounds.

"Hello, everyone! It's a great day for a tournament today!"

I could see that everyone on the grounds, including the teachers in the tent, was looking at me, perhaps not understanding what was happening. There were also parents who had come to observe, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity, and I raised my voice to make the event more exciting.

"To anyone who beats me in today's tournament, I'll personally teach you how to acquire skills until you can do it yourselves!!"

Everyone who heard my words began to stir. I watched them with a faint smile. I continued speaking to make the commotion even louder.

"There's no need to spend three years on a single skill! I'll teach you right away!! How about that!?"

Then shouts erupted from all over the grounds.

(This is it, this is the reaction I wanted.)

I needed to make this tournament exciting so I could make friends through it. If a school event wasn't fun, participating would be boring, and no connections would form.

Next, I forcefully placed the money remaining in my backpack in front of the Principal.

"And the grand prize is 5 million! Are you motivated now!?"

At that moment, overwhelming cheers erupted from all over the grounds. Satisfied with the excitement, I handed the microphone back to the Principal.

"Now, Principal-sensei, please give the start signal."

"Oh, uh. Thank you…"

The Principal barely managed to speak, as if he couldn't comprehend what was happening before his eyes. Having handed the microphone to the Principal, I began to walk toward the center of the grounds. The Principal waited for me, and as soon as I stopped, he gave the start signal.

"Match start!!"

Upon hearing those words, a large group of students charged straight toward me. I cast all my buff spells and gripped the tip of my staff tightly.

(I'm always serious when I fight!)

As I watched the first group of about 30 students approach, I began commentating in my mind.

(I'll try out this staff.)

Along with my thoughts, I held the staff like a bat. As the group of students rushed in, I put power into it, intending to unleash a Break Attack.

(Now! Full swing!!)

Just as the lead student rushed into the perfect spot, I tried to use a Break Attack with the staff, but it didn't activate. Instead, the staff hit the single student at the very front, and with the sound of metal deforming, he was sent flying about five meters. Other students charged in one after another, so I began swinging the staff repeatedly with all my might.

(Come to think of it, this is my first time using a staff, so its proficiency is Lv0…)

While contemplating why Break Attack didn't activate, I looked around and saw that the following group, which had been rushing toward me with full force, had stopped. I ran at full speed and began blowing away the nearby students with my staff, one by one.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw many students watching me from the school building.