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My duel with Diolia ended on a rather dull note.

Neither of us truly won, as we kept repeating the cycle of stopping when it felt like a fair match. It was only natural for the previously heated atmosphere to grow lukewarm.

As I returned to the spectator area after the duel, I noticed the team’s members lingering with disappointment.

“Well, since it’s not really a decisive victory, I guess we can call off our bets.”

“A non-result, you say? Just think about that arrow shot by the Deputy Commander a moment ago; it was laced with magic! Even for a commander, that can’t be easy.”

“By that logic, if our commander had unleashed his aura chaotically, wouldn’t things have turned out differently?”

…It seems the disappointment wasn’t about the lack of a more intense battle, but rather that their bets had gone to waste.

In the midst of their banter, a woman casually joined the conversation.

“Isn’t it obvious? Ray won.”

Apparently, Shione had placed a bet on the duel just moments before.

Regardless of the outcome, it was Shione’s turn next.

As I calmly walked over, Shione turned her gaze to me, as if fulfilling a promise to those around her.

“Ray, good job! Were the arrows alright?”

“It seemed the Marquis Family had put some thought into it. Handling the arrows felt like reeling them back in swiftly.”

“That’s a relief. But… why is Lady Diolia still standing there in the training area?”

“Now that my turn is over, it’s Shione’s time, isn’t it? Diolia expressed a desire to continue without rest if possible.”

Is she not tired at all?

Every time her duet with me became more entertaining, it felt like it was cut short. Now, she’s completely changed gears, wanting to experience Shione’s growth up close.

Shione then picked up the bow slung over her shoulder and said,

“Alright then, I’ll take my turn. Lady Diolia hasn’t properly seen me use magic yet, so I’m sure she’ll enjoy some interesting reactions.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“…How about we bet on this too? It could be fun.”

“That adds a unique thrill to the duel. If we do, I’ll make sure to enjoy it as well.”

“Perfect! Just so you know, I bet on Ray.”

Shione exuded a puppy-like vibe, hoping for compliments with her bright smile. Normally, I would have patted her head and encouraged her, but with so many eyes around, I couldn’t manage that. I simply offered her a small smile as I saw her off.

Afterward, I moved to the spot where Shione had just been sitting and mingled with my fellow team members.

“Why does our Knights’ Order find me more intimidating than Shione?”

At this moment, Diolia and Shione stood facing each other, trying to gauge the start of their duel.

Isn’t this the exact time when heated discussions about swords and bows should be taking place before wagering?

It’s honestly disappointing when the most exciting part seems to be dragging.

Acknowledging my presence, the group had quieted down. It’s the Deputy Commander’s duty to stir the crowd back to life.

Without hesitation, I placed my bet as Shione wished.

“Is there anyone else who wants to place a bet here?”

Well, I had talked to Diolia before. I haven’t really built camaraderie with the team members, either. Maybe my usual cold demeanor as a training supervisor doesn’t help.

They all just silently stared at me. No one was bold enough to respond. So I drove the final nail into the coffin.

“Of course, I’m betting on our Lady Diolia.”

…Sorry, Shione. Regardless of the circumstances, I can’t be lavish enough to place a bet on the underdog.

*

Diolia stood facing Shione, lost in thought for a moment.

“How long has it been since I’ve had a duel with Shione?”

Thinking back, aside from that brief time when she was a small girl and I acted as her swordsmanship instructor, I had never stood in the arena with her.

This whole situation was stirring a sense of nostalgia for Diolia.

─”Lady Shione, I want to practice hard and become like you!”

─”Lady Diolia, I don’t think I can do it with a sword. Let’s go with a spear.”

─”…I overheard what others were saying. I truly have no talent, do I? Not at all.”

The once lively little girl slowly lost her fire and effort.

─”…I don’t seem to have any talent for the soldier’s roles. I’m sorry, but I think I need a rest.”

Seeing her at a point where hope had slipped away reminded Diolia of Shione now.

And Shione now said,

“Lady, I trust you will let me attack first. Of course, I’ll be using magic.”

“Magic, too?”

“Of course! I worked hard to learn it at the Academy, after all. But don’t worry. I’m not as talented as Ray.”

“Didn’t Lady Epheana Alenarr say you have talent for Ancient Magic? I might die!”

“Can you really die from something you barely learned? You must be joking.”

She sparkled with that childlike competitive spirit and enthusiasm she had the first time she picked up a sword.

Diolia readied her sword, eager to witness the insights Shione had gained, shaped by the strict teachings of the Deputy Commander.

“Let the duel begin.”

“As requested, I will let you attack first.”

Shione notched an arrow and drew back her bowstring.

With the same posture and breath as Ray. It was Ray who taught her archery; it wouldn’t be a mere coincidence that she resembled him.

‘…What’s this?’

But Shione handled a distinctly different type of magic.

A magic circle appeared above her arrowhead. What effects it had, and whether it was instantaneous or timed for activation, I had no idea.

The quietly revealed magic piqued Diolia’s curiosity.

“I’m going now.”

Swish─!

The swift sound of the bowstring signaled the start of combat.

Before her arrow reached its target, Shione had already drawn another arrow into position.

As Diolia quickly calculated the trajectory of the arrow, planning to dodge, at that moment—

Whoosh─!

In an instant, Shione’s arrow accelerated.

‘So fast…!’

Turning swiftly to the side, Diolia avoided the arrow that whizzed past her.

“Lady Shione, aren’t you being a bit too fierce? You gave me quite a fright.”

“You were only shocked, yet you still managed to read its path, didn’t you? Get ready; we’ve only just begun.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The next arrow flew.

It wasn’t an ordinary arrow; it was a percussion. Despite having less lethality than usual arrows, it produced a screeching sound reminiscent of a hawk’s cry.

The arrow shot forth, speeding towards Diolia.

‘Not knowing when it will accelerate makes it truly challenging!’

The unpredictable timing made its way toward her with doubled speed, leaving her unnerved even if she could dodge.

Though she managed to evade the percussion, Diolia saw another magic circle near the arrow waiting to strike.

Swoosh─!

The sound of percussion amplified, ringing in her ears.

“You’ve prepared an entertaining trick, I see.”

As the high, sharp resonance pierced her ears, new arrows flew behind her and in front of her, pressing her on both sides.

“Is it alright to break the arrows?”

“What matters are the arrowheads, not the shafts!”

Even while pulling back the bow, Shione answered.

With that, Diolia flicked her sword.

Lowering her stance sharply, she dodged the incoming arrow from behind and sliced downward at the arrow heading toward her.

The fletching on the severed arrow shook as its balance failed.

Before Shione could reclaim the disrupted arrow, Diolia snatched it up and sank the shaft into the ground.

“This means this arrow can no longer be used.”

Now that she had drawn her sword, Diolia continued smoothly.

“Now, I will move to close combat. I’m curious how you’ll handle it, Lady Shione.”

“…You’re aware that I’m not good with swords, aren’t you?”

“I’m coming now.”

In an instant, Diolia was upon her.

Just before she could unleash her strike, Shione tossed aside the arrow she had drawn.

Diolia lightly deflected the thrown arrow with her blade.

In response, Shione swiftly slung her bow over her shoulder and drew arrows with both hands.

“You’re not using your sword?”

“I think this is a much better option than a sword.”

The arrows she held tightly were still imbued with her magic.

Yet, the magical arrows flew quickly.

With arrows being fired both intentionally away from Diolia and targeting her directly, the knight found it impossible to advance.

But that was only for a moment.

“Impressive. If you infused your arrows with aura, ordinary knights might suffer devastating injuries.”

“Though it seems to me you’re quite relaxed about it…!”

Shione was using much of her magical energy to match her magic and retrieval timing. A bead of sweat had already rolled down, soaking the ground beneath her.

“But still—”

As the sun dimmed, shadows cast across Shione’s face.

Diolia’s sword shot up toward the sky, aiming to deliver the final blow.

“Surely it would have been smarter to switch to sword fighting at this point?”

Shione tilted her head to evade Diolia’s blade.

“I don’t think so.”

With a glimmer in her blue eyes, she whispered.

“Accelerate. Amplify.”

“…!”

The moment Diolia glanced towards Shione’s neck as it tilted toward the source of energy, Shione’s arrow flew toward the place where Diolia had just been.

‘The arrows couldn’t have solved everything, could they? What on earth—’

A glance behind revealed an empty hole in the ground.

Where Diolia had managed to sink one of Shione’s arrows.

It appeared she had succeeded in that.

“Ha… I guess luck was on my side. Thanks for collaborating with me, Lady Diolia.”

The moment Diolia observed Shione wear a small smile of triumph, Shione had already pulled another arrow from her quiver.

Its arrowhead was aptly directed toward Diolia’s neck.

Diolia could only watch, dazzled by the serene competitive spirit and fulfillment radiating from the woman before her.

“Lady Diolia?”

After staring blankly at Shione for a moment, the knight responded with a proud smile at the calling.

“What do you think about fighting only with arrows?”

“I thought I’m closer to arrows and bows than to swords. So I wanted to give this a try. What do you think? Was it decent?”

“Excellent. Watching you wield your weapons with such finesse, if you come to grasp it fully, you could reach even greater heights.”

No, such a simple expression wasn’t enough to encapsulate the exquisite smile on her face. There wasn’t a single negative emotion in that pure expression.

“You, Lady Shione, possess talents unmatched by anyone.”

“Lady Diolia?”

“If you keep pushing forward, without faltering, you will undoubtedly surpass both Ray and me one day. At least, that’s how I see it.”

“…Thank you.”

Diolia inverted her sword and raised both hands.

“I concede, Lady Shione.”

After the duel, Shione and Diolia engaged in light conversation, their relationships blossoming in the refreshing air as beads of sweat fell between them.

Ray could only stare blankly at the dueling ground, speechless.

“Deputy Commander, didn’t you bet with Lady Diolia?”

“Oh.”

Wait, why did Diolia lose?

*

“Ray, I heard everything.”

“You did? What are you talking about?”

“You placed a bet with Lady Diolia instead of me and lost the money, right?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Why didn’t you bet on me?”

Shione Shianella was currently in full pout mode.

 

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