Time had passed and all thirty-two matches of the first year students had come to a close. Now, it was time for the second round of matches, the round of sixteen, to begin. Eight matches were to take place.
Naturally, the first match of the round of sixteen would be Reinhardt's turn.
"Reinhardt! Stay strong!"
Olivia shouted, her voice filled with excitement.
The round of sixteen will be conducted in a best-of-three format. The announcer added that today's main event, which could be considered the group finals, would be conducted in a best-of-five format.
During the round of thirty-two, Reinhardt had made eye contact with his supporters, but this time, he was not looking their way.
He could at least glance at them once.
That's what Harriet thought.
"…Wait a moment."
Olivia's excited expression stiffened.
"Something's off."
Ellen noticed something as well. Both she and Olivia seemed to sense something that the other spectators could not.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
Olivia murmured, her expression turning serious.
"Reinhardt's condition… seems to be not good."
"There seems to be a problem."
Both Ellen and Olivia intuitively knew that there was an issue with Reinhardt's condition.
Meanwhile, to the right of their seats, where the Class B students were gathered, Saviolin Turner was watching Reinhardt with her arms crossed.
Just as Olivia and Ellen had felt, Saviolin Turner also knew about the problem that had occurred with Reinhardt.
Of course, she knew more accurately than the other two.
"Reinhardt is not used to Magic Body Strengthenings."
"…That's probably true."
Charlotte was somewhat aware of this as well.
"When you try to use a power you're not accustomed to, you're bound to reach your limit eventually."
"Limit?"
Reinhardt had always succeeded in drawing on newfound strength in times of crisis. However, this time was different.
Now, it was not a real battle, but a tournament where they had to face consecutive fights.
The unfamiliar Magic Body Strengthening would lead to fluctuations in his condition as he continued to use it.
"Reinhardt will be vulnerable in continuous battles."
If he used Magic Body Strengthenings, his condition would inevitably worsen with each successive fight.
Not all the royal class students who had gathered here had come to support Reinhardt.
However, most of them secretly believed in Reinhardt's victory.
Ludwig and Scarlett were highly skilled, but Reinhardt could use Magic Body Strengthenings.
Yet now, they realized that the very Magic Body Strengthening could ultimately hold Reinhardt back.
Charlotte looked at Reinhardt with a worried expression.
"Does he have to win without using Magic Body Strengthenings?"
"That might be the best way, but… it might be possible today, but what about tomorrow?"
Inadequate power exacts a price.
-We will now begin the first match of the Temple Tournament Round of 16!
With the announcer's proclamation, the first match of the Round of 16 began.
——
The Round of 16 concluded with my victory, two wins to none.
There were no moments of danger.
However, in the first set, attempting not to use the power enhancement led to several precarious moments.
My opponent was from the general class, but they were not someone to be dismissed based on skill. In the end, I had no choice but to rely on the power enhancement in the second set.
Being in the general class for a year without admission to the Orbis Class doesn't mean they couldn't surpass the skills of those in the Orbis Class through training.
I tried to resolve the issue with Self-Suggestion, but it didn't work as well as I had hoped.
Of course, I managed to win twice without using the power enhancement.
Upon returning to the waiting room, I was greeted by Ludwig and Scarlett.
There was a separate viewing area for the waiting room, allowing them to watch the match. It seemed that Ludwig and Scarlett had been observing my game from there.
"You did great, Reinhardt."
"Well done."
"…Thanks."
Power enhancement.
I was acutely aware that it was a double-edged sword.
Naturally.
After all, I had only used this power twice before today. I succeeded in using it a third time, but I had to pay the price for using a power I wasn't yet accustomed to.
I didn't faint, but my body felt heavy as if it had been soaked in water.
Moreover, I had to face the next match without enough time to recover my condition.
It wasn't a typical injury, so receiving healing from a priest on standby wouldn't help.
There was no issue in the Round of 16.
However, the upcoming Group A finals in the Round of 8 were best of five with three wins, and tomorrow's semi-finals would also follow the same format.
I wasn't confident in defeating the likes of Grayden Amorel, Ludwig, or Scarlett without using power enhancement.
If my worsened condition didn't improve by tomorrow or if I exhausted too much of my energy in the semi-finals.
I might not be able to win the championship.
I had been mistaken in thinking that power enhancement had become an integral part of my strength.
I sat still in the athlete's waiting room, watching the next Round of 16 match.
-Crash!
A burly fellow resembling a bear or a human tank was aggressively pushing his opponent.
Power enhancement is a force that dramatically enhances physical abilities.
-Thump!
-Set 1 goes to Richard Howlman of the Erazon class!
The burly man, who had flattened his off-balance opponent, claimed the first set.
It was clear that he would undoubtedly overpower me in terms of strength.
That scoundrel is my final opponent for today. Unfortunately, given the current situation, we're not exactly a good match.
Could I possibly defeat him without using magic enhancement?
My fingers were trembling of their own accord.
——
Since it was the rule for the defeated to leave the waiting room, the once-crowded space had significantly thinned out.
First-year Erazon class.
Richard Howlman.
The human-tank-like fellow I had quarreled with was now confirmed to be my opponent in the A-group quarterfinals.
"Lilka is in that class."
"Ah… really?"
Grayden Amorel seemed to know and explained it to me. Lilka Eren shared a class with that guy.
I wasn't exactly friends with Lilka, but I couldn't help feeling a bit worried.
"They say he's notorious for his cruel nature. He claims he didn't get into the Orbis Class because he failed the personality test during the entrance examination. I don't know for sure, though."
While it was possible that stories related to the Orbis Class were exaggerated, I had seen with my own eyes that his skills were no bluff, as he had advanced to the main tournament.
As much as he had skill, his personality was equally despicable.
"Just like me, then."
"Haha… I guess that's one way to put it."
Grayden Amorel chuckled. For some reason, he had transformed from a stoic character to a somewhat likable one.
Of course, if Grayden Amorel faced Richard Howlman, the outcome would be a clear victory for Grayden.
I had seen all the matches of Ludwig, Scarlett, and Grayden, so I knew.
In this place, he was undoubtedly the most outstanding, excluding all other abilities.
Assuming I didn't use magic enhancement, I wouldn't be able to defeat him. Although my Self-Suggestion had reached A-rank, I wasn't sure if I could secure a clear advantage.
If I used the power of the spirits, it might be different, but I hadn't yet figured out how to make it work properly.
-Thump!
Richard Howlman, the winner, flung open the door to the spectator seats and strode in, staring at me.
"Are you prepared, Royal class scum?"
"…"
My chances of winning had become uncertain.
It was because I knew that the magic enhancement wasn't truly my own strength.
He looked at my silent face and scoffed.
"What, cat got your tongue? Are you starting to get scared?"
I looked up at him, crossing my arms and smirking.
"Didn't you fail the Orbis Class personality test?"
"That's right. I didn't get in, but it's not because I couldn't. You understand?"
"What do you mean, personality? Judging by your face, it seems like you didn't make the cut because you look like a damn beggar, am I wrong?"
His face contorted with anger, and I chuckled.
That's the way to do it.
It's more effective to insult someone for an unsolvable problem than for a solvable one.
"Wow, you're disgustingly ugly. Can you even call that a face? Hey, get lost before my eyes rot. Go wash up with some oozing broth. No wonder I smelled something like a pig."
That is to say, I didn't just attack him personally.
"You damn mutt…!"
"Go ahead and try. If you want to be disqualified."
I leaned in, getting even closer to his face. As his eyes seemed to invert with rage, I chuckled. He raised his fist but couldn't bring himself to strike.
If he did, he'd be disqualified.
I laughed as I looked at Richard Howlman, whose fist trembled with anger.
"You're holding up pretty well for someone with a filthy temper. Maybe there's really no problem with your personality? Did you really not make it because of your ugly face?"
"You damn…!"
"Reinhardt, stop it…"
In the end, Ludwig and Scarlett intervened. Thinking an accident might occur, Grayden Amorel left the stands with a furious Richard Howlman.
We weren't the only ones in the stands.
Everyone else was staring at me as if I were insane.
Did some thug from a regular class think they could mess with me?
I, too, had a royal-grade personality.
"Reinhardt, I really don't understand why you do this."
In the end, even Ludwig, a true gentleman, scolded me.
"I'm really glad I'm in the same class as Reinhardt…"
Scarlett sighed deeply.
——
Everything went as expected.
Scarlett, Ludwig, and Grayden Amorel all advanced to the final round without a hitch. The first-year tournament had only one match left today.
The only variable was that my Magic Body Strengthening drained my condition.
Even if I won two matches in the best-of-five group finals, if my condition deteriorated in the last three matches and I collapsed vomiting blood, I would lose.
-Wowwwwwww!
The remaining matches featured more skilled players, so the spectators' reactions were heated.
Of course, I still didn't understand what was so entertaining about it.
From the perspective of someone who grew up watching the wealthy wearing full-body armor and flying through the sky shooting laser beams from their hands, this was an extremely dull pastime.
This world is a cultural wasteland.
A battle between superhumans would need to be quite flashy, but the first-year tournament wasn't quite there.
The unrestricted-class tournament would likely have more dazzling spectacles.
In the end, today's final duel.
I looked at Richard Howlman, standing opposite me. His eyes burned with a desire to devour me.
Why did I keep provoking him, perhaps a bit too excessively?
Honestly, part of it was simply to provoke him, but it was also to see that expression on his face.
If the opponent had a personality prone to losing their cool and getting agitated, there was no reason not to push them in that direction.
Winning without using Magic Body Strengthening would be best.
If I could create an overwhelming difference in power with Magic Body Strengthening, I wouldn't need to worry about these things, but for now, I don't want to use it.
Thus, I need to clearly recognize the difference between my opponent and me, and enter the battle with that awareness.
My weapon is a longsword.
A longsword is a two-handed sword, but it's not impossible to use with one hand. Therefore, I can switch between using it with one hand or both as needed.
The blade length is approximately one meter.
However, with a height of nearly two meters, Richard Howlman's weapon is a two-handed sword commonly called a zweihander.
The blade length is about 1.8 meters, equal to my height.
His weapon surpasses mine in reach and weight.
Due to its excessive length, the sword is difficult to balance when thrusting, so it has a ricasso, which allows him to grip it above the guard and swing it.
In other words, it has an extension of the handle, and attached to the ricasso is a second guard called parrying hooks, designed to protect it.
It looks like a sword with an additional handle and guard.
Considering his physical prowess, he should be able to handle that large sword with one hand to some extent.
He has the advantage in terms of attack range and height.
In the duel with Lilka Eren, in the end, he had no choice but to resort to kicks due to his short stature. Reach and weight alone can determine the advantage or disadvantage in a fight.
I have to accept and go in with that understanding.
At the minimum, the opponent has the advantage.
But when have I ever only taken part in advantageous battles?
The monstrous man wielding a monstrous sword will undoubtedly be weaker than any opponent I have faced so far.
It's only the quarterfinals, after all.
I may have become stronger, but I am far from perfect, and I can never be perfect.
I am simply aware of a penalty that forces me to seal one of my most important powers and fight without it.
I will use my Magic Body Strengthening in the semifinals or finals.
Now is not the time.
-We will now begin the Gladius Temple Tournament quarterfinals! The battle between Royal class's Reinhardt and Erazone class's Richard Howlman!
-Wowwwww!
-Reinhardt! Do your best!
Olivia's shout faintly reached my ears.
On top of that.
-Reinhardt!
A voice I didn't expect to hear joined in.
Despite the battle starting, I couldn't help but turn my head in surprise.
Ellen was cupping her hands around her mouth and shouting.
-Win!
Neither Ellen nor I, nor Harriet and Liana sitting next to her, expected her to cheer like that.
It was just a single shout.
However, everyone who knows Ellen knows that it is a rare spectacle for her to act like that. That's why they're all so surprised. Olivia was also watching Ellen's unexpected shouting in astonishment from right beside her.
Ellen does something she never does, an action no one could have predicted.
Ellen shouts at me.
-If you don't win, you're in for a scolding!
More than anything, I was the most surprised.
I didn't use Self-Suggestion.
My condition hasn't improved either.
But still.
Strangely enough…
The trembling in my hands stopped.
Up until now, I've relied on Self-Suggestion for everything.
I changed because I believed in myself, and I have developed myself using that. The power I gained, which I couldn't have otherwise, all originated from that strength.
But this time, it doesn't come from there.
This time, it's not about Supernatural Powers, refinement, phenomena, or Magic Body Strengthening.
Win.
Ellen's shout silenced all the trembling.
There should be no improvement from such a thing, and there should be no recovery of the broken balance of the body caused by the instability of the magical circuit due to a single cheer.
But why?
Why do I feel that everything is alright now?
"Raaaahhhhh!"
Why, when the human tank is charging at me with fierce momentum… do I not feel the slightest thought of losing?