Fist King - Chapter 1 - Episode 24: A Fighter's Day Off ⑤ In-School Battle (Taniya Karen's Perspective)

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

A Fighter's Day Off ⑤ In-School Battle (Taniya Karen's Perspective)

It was right after lunch break, during class, that I heard it.

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

A familiar voice reached us from the sports field. The class started buzzing, and classmates by the window were looking out at the field.

(The first-year students should be having their martial arts tournament on the field right now.)

Since I didn't know what was happening, I also shifted my gaze towards the field. Just then, the male teacher in charge of our class spoke up, telling us to be quiet.

"Quiet down, you lot! It's class time now!"

As we tried to comply and quiet down, another voice came from the field.

"Anyone who beats me in today's tournament will be personally taught by me until they can use a skill!!"

Hearing these words, I knew who was shouting loudly on the field right now. I wanted to rush to the window immediately and confirm who it was. However, my position as Student Council President tied me down; I couldn't do as I pleased during class.

Amidst this, several classmates, after hearing those words, went to the window. We third-year students are on the verge of either learning a skill or not, so hearing those words naturally piqued our interest.

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

When these next words were heard, most of the students in the class gathered by the window. Even the teacher seemed curious about what was happening on the field.

On the field, the first-year students were surrounding Satou-kun, shouting with anger and resentment.

(Of course. If a tournament they were looking forward to is suddenly ruined, this is bound to happen.)

Satou-kun looked unperturbed, taking something out of the backpack he always carried. He placed that something near the tent and then shouted at the new students again.

"And the prize money for the winner is 5,000,000! Are you motivated now!?"

We leaned forward, beginning to watch the scene. From this position, we couldn't see if there was really money there. However, judging by the first-year students' reactions, there must really be money placed there.

(5,000,000 if you win? Where did Satou-kun get that much money?!)

From the field, angry roars, filled with even more hatred, could be heard. Amidst them, Satou-kun walked towards the center of the field, holding something like a stick. As soon as Satou-kun stopped in the middle of the field, Principal-sensei's voice was heard.

"Match start!!"

With that signal, all the first-year students charged straight towards Satou-kun. Seeing that sight, I instinctively worried about the first-year students rushing in a straight line.

(I have a bad feeling about this...)

I thought so, and anxious about what would happen, I couldn't take my eyes off what was unfolding on the field. The closest group approached Satou-kun.

"Look out!"

As if to drown out my voice, the sound of metal striking metal echoed throughout the school. With that sound, the student who had been leading the charge was sent flying in an arc. Seeing that sight, I worried about the flying student's life or death.

(I've never seen a person fly like that before.)

Satou-kun, without minding having sent a person flying, continued to send one first-year after another flying with the stick he held. I heard voices from my classmates asking if that was a skill. However, I knew that attack wasn't due to a skill.

(If it were a skill, it should be stronger.)

To me, what Satou-kun was doing right now looked like he was just swinging the stick with all his might.

(If Satou-kun used a skill, his attack should be much stronger.)

The power of the Bash he performed with a mace that day is still burned into my memory. If he were to do that with a stick longer and heavier than a mace, it wouldn't be just "that much."

While I was thinking such things, Satou-kun began his subjugation of the first-year students. First-year students who entered Satou-kun's attack range were repelled and fell without being able to do anything.

(Could I do something similar to Satou-kun?)

I was part of the winning team in this tournament two years ago. Since then, I've continued to hone my skills and was said to be the strongest in this school until Satou-kun appeared.

There isn't a student in this school who doesn't know about what happened during this year's entrance **orientation**. Discussions about whether Satou-kun, who was certified with three skills that day, or I are stronger are happening all over the school. However, even though I'm swinging my sword against a log just like Satou-kun, I still haven't managed to activate Bash.

(Do I not have the same sword talent as my older sister...?)

My older sister, who I constantly aim to emulate. She placed in last year's National Swordsmanship Tournament and entered the Knights' University as a scholarship student. I always compare myself to her.

When I looked down in frustration, taking my eyes off the field, Satou-kun started speaking from the field again.

"Second and third-year students! If you beat me, I'll teach you skills! Let's have a match!"

At those words, I forgot the frustration I was feeling and looked at the field once more. Satou-kun, after defeating all the first-year students, had started speaking towards the school building. I could hear my classmates consulting each other about whether to go or not.

(Let's go!)

I immediately put on my armor, grabbed my sword and shield, and tried to head for the field. My classmates spoke to me when they saw what I was doing.

"Taniya-san, are you going?"

"Yes, I am."

"Um... don't die..."

"Of course!"

I could hear the siren of an ambulance in the distance. Someone from the school must have seen this tragedy and called it in. I mustered all my courage and headed for the field.

When I arrived at the field, it seemed there were other students who had already challenged Satou-kun. I saw familiar students collapsed around Satou-kun.

As I approached Satou-kun, he seemed to recognize me too. When our eyes met, Satou-kun was smiling as usual.

"Ah, Taniya-san. Are you challenging me?"

"Yes, that's my intention."

"As you can see, I won't hold back, so please go easy on me."

Satou-kun spread his arms, looking at the students being carried to the ambulance and those lying around him, and said to me.

(Bring it on.)

I drew the sword my sister had given me from its sheath, readied my shield, and then spoke to Satou-kun.

"I won't lose."

"Anytime you're ready."

Satou-kun didn't even bother to ready his stick, waiting for my attack. I swung my sword towards Satou-kun's body, which was showing such confidence.

"Too bad."

As if mocking me, Satou-kun said that, dodged my sword, and swung his stick. I predicted the stick's trajectory and readied my shield. There was the clang of metal striking metal, and a shock ran through my left hand, then I realized I was in the air.

(I have to regain my posture!)

In the split second before I hit the ground, I adjusted my body to land properly. Just as I was relieved that I had managed to land safely, Satou-kun walked towards me with a smile.

"As expected. Unlike others, you don't go down in one hit."

"Of course not."

Contrary to my words, I had lost all feeling in my left arm. Still, I had to face Satou-kun.

(If I lose heart here, I'll never catch up to my older sister!)

I re-gripped my sword and swung it at Satou-kun as he walked towards me. Again, it didn't hit Satou-kun, and Satou-kun was raising his stick. I judged that the attack was coming from above and escaped sideways with all my might. When Satou-kun's stick hit the ground, the impact reached me.

(If that hit me, I'd probably die...)

But thinking this was my chance, I pointed my sword at Satou-kun, and already Satou-kun was in an attacking stance.

(He's too fast at getting ready!)

Even as I tried to instinctively defend myself with my shield, Satou-kun's attack shattered my shield, and the stick dug into my flank over my armor. My body felt like it was about to collapse from where the stick hit. I managed to stand up using my sword as a cane, and Satou-kun looked at me with admiration.

"Taniya-san, you're amazing. I didn't think you'd be this persistent."

I didn't have enough composure to reply to those words; I could barely stand with my sword. Seeing Satou-kun speak to me like that, anger gradually welled up inside me.

(Why can this guy torment people with such a smile...?)

Though he praised me with his words, it felt like he was always looking down on me from a superior position. Thinking that, I had to somehow strike back at him.

(Put all the strength in my body into my sword and strike it in sync with his attack!)

With my legs unable to move, that was my only option. As if he knew that, he stepped in forcefully and swung his stick at me. I, too, swung my sword with all the remaining strength I had, matching his movement.

Unable to withstand the impact of my sword and his stick colliding, I was blown away along with my sword. What I saw just before losing consciousness was his smiling face looking at me.

---

When I woke up, I saw a white ceiling. Someone must have noticed I was awake, as I heard a voice speak to me.

"Karen?! You're awake?"

My older sister was there, looking at me worriedly.

"Big... sister...?"

"Yes, it's me. I was so worried about you."

"Sorry, and thank you."

According to my older sister, this was a hospital, and she happened to be in the First District today for an errand.

"I'll go tell the nurse you're awake."

"Thanks, please do."

My sister said that and left the room. Suddenly, I looked beside me and saw my bag. I took out the simple skill appraisal sheet I always kept in my bag and tried to check my skills. I took out the sheet and lightly moistened it with my tongue. I had been checking it almost every day recently, so I expected to see the same things as always. However, seeing what was displayed on the sheet before me, tears welled up in my eyes. As I continued to cry, my sister, who had returned to the room, worried about me again.

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Skill Appraisal Results

Improved Physical Recovery

Sword Proficiency

Bash

End

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