“I… lost.”
“Thank you.”
Chang-trrang!
At the same time, the sword that had barely held its shape completely shattered.
“Awesome. Even the slightest mishandling would’ve broken it.”
“I paid the most attention to that part.”
Marinen stood up, dusting off her pants.
In the corner of the garden lay the last greatsword that had been thrown.
“I thought it was ridiculous when I first heard it, but I started to believe it might actually work.”
Today was the Tuesday I had promised to meet with Marinen.
We had made a deal—simple, yet difficult.
The condition: defeat her in a sparring match using the mass-produced longsword she gave me by Tuesday.
If I succeeded, she would craft the best sword she could.
The biggest hurdle was the sword’s durability.
The mass-produced longswords were far too weak to go head-to-head with Marinen’s greatsword.
At first, I tried to avoid direct clashes, staying on the defensive.
But eventually, accumulated blows shattered my blade.
So, I changed tactics—go swift.
Defeat Marinen before the sword broke.
That approach failed several times, but in the end, it worked.
“Normally, even with custom orders, a weapon is made in accordance with its price. But I’ll make your sword with everything I’ve got, no concern for cost. And it’s free.”
“Yes? You don’t have to. I can pay.”
“No. If you pay, I’ll think about the price. I don’t want that. I want to give it my all, with no distractions.”
“…Thank you.”
“Enough with the gratitude. Honestly, after I forged the Holy Sword, I hit a wall. I kept thinking I’d never surpass that blade. But watching you persist with that crude sword… it made me feel like a fool. So this is my answer.”
Marinen laughed, baring his fangs.
“I’ll start right now. I’m not sure if it’s okay to say this, but I’d like to concentrate as much as possible. Please head back. Come to the studio around 10:00 on Thursday.”
“Yes. Please take good care of me.”
“I’m eager.”
***
Later that day, Reina came to my room.
“Anna?”
“She left. She has to prepare to return tomorrow.”
“Ah… when Mari comes, she eats everything. We must be low on food again.”
“Yeah.”
Reina passed me and sat down on the bed.
“Today’s the last day.”
“Right. The finals are on Friday, so we have to head back.”
“That’s right. So… can you win?”
“I will. I came all the way to Vulcanus for this.”
I still hadn’t figured out a strategy to deal with the masked man. Still, I couldn’t show Reina that uncertainty.
“By the way, how did you get her to agree so easily?”
“What?”
“To think it ended with just one conversation with Marie. Did you use the family name to threaten her?”
“That’s rude, Ike.”
“…Sorry.”
“Well, you’ll find out soon enough. Don’t worry about it.”
Now I was even more curious.
But in the end, Reina didn’t tell me.
***
“Mari?”
I knocked gently on the studio door, then slowly opened it.
“Oh, welcome.”
Marinen stood there smiling, just like the first time we met.
“The furnace is off?”
“Because the work is done.”
The intense heat that once seemed like it could melt my skin had subsided.
“Here. A two-handed longsword and a dagger.”
Marinen stepped forward, handing me a blue sheath and handing Reina a purple one.
“Check them.”
At her words, I drew the sword from the blue scabbard.
It was longer and heavier than my original sword—but it didn’t hinder my movement.
“You can swing it.”
Following her instructions, I turned and gave the sword a gentle swing.
Chreeeng!
The sound of it cutting through the air was clean and sharp.
“…Incredible.”
I couldn’t think of any better word.
The weight, the grip, the perfect center of gravity—everything was just right.
“It feels made for me. Come to think of it, you never measured anything like my hand size. How…?”
“We kept sparring. From the way you held the sword, to how you swung it—I saw everything.”
“That’s possible?”
“Didn’t I say I am among the top three smiths in Vulcanus?”
Marinen grinned, revealing her fangs again.
***
“Ike.”
“Hm?”
On the way back to Heros, Reina, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke.
“Here’s your gift.”
It was the dagger named Diana, which Marinen had crafted for her.
“Wait, Reina. Why are you giving it to me?”
“It’s a congratulatory gift—for making it to the finals.”
“But didn’t you already give me a gift the other day?”
“That was a thank-you. This is a celebration gift. Totally different.”
“But that’s a custom-made dagger just for you. You can’t just hand something like that to anyone.”
“No. This is what I meant on the first day. I asked Marinen to make a dagger that suits you—not me.”
Now that I thought about it, Marinen never mentioned Reina’s dagger.
“Why would you…?”
“I’m cheering for your victory, Ike. I wanted to help.”
“Reina…”
“So please, accept it.”
I didn’t have the heart to refuse Reina’s gift.
There was a sad smile on her face as she looked up at me.
Let’s win. No matter what.
Now that I had received such a gift from Reina, there was only one path forward.
Even if my opponent was completely unknown.
***
“Hello, Ike.”
“Huh?”
On the day of the finals…
The one standing in my way was the strongest—and worst—opponent.