Chapter: 124
Rock-paper-scissors, huh? A choice befitting a martial artist!
Just as I was staring at Frey, convinced of my victory, Grandpa suddenly spoke up.
A choice befitting a martial artist?
What’s that supposed to mean?
What do rock-paper-scissors have to do with martial arts?
Did you not know?
‘Rock-paper-scissors is a luck-based game, right?’
If we’re talking about skill, psychological warfare comes into play, but in a one-off match, isn’t luck the biggest factor?
That’s why I challenged Frey to a one-off!
What nonsense. Rock-paper-scissors is a game of reflexes and response speed. You judge what your opponent will throw and decide accordingly to win.
‘…Huh? What kind of nonsense is that?’
I was wondering if Grandpa was joking, but then it hit me: this world is a fantasy.
In a world where skilled martial artists can dodge arrows, is it that surprising for someone to react to rock-paper-scissors?
Of course, psychological warfare is part of it. You need to keep moving your fingers before you throw to confuse your opponent!
Thinking about it, I can respond to most people’s movements now.
Rock-paper-scissors shouldn’t be a problem… right?
Huh?
Wait a minute.
If that’s the case…
Among my subordinates, there was a lunatic who practiced rock-paper-scissors all day. Whenever the knights needed to negotiate, I’d send that guy, and he would bring victory!
So rock-paper-scissors becomes a skill game?!
This is insane.
I’m in trouble.
I’ve never tried to win at rock-paper-scissors using skill.
To put it simply, I’m a newbie in this field.
Naturally, I’m completely clueless about the various techniques involved in rock-paper-scissors.
If it were just luck, that would be one thing; but knowing or not knowing these techniques in a skill game makes a massive difference.
How could a mere human possibly deal with monsters in this world?
It’s only possible because they don’t know evil, while we do.
Right now, it’s the same.
I don’t know rock-paper-scissors, Frey knows it.
The way that guy nodded without hesitation clearly shows he’s familiar with it.
Why does it have to be Frey as my opponent?!
If it were someone like Joyna or Phoebe, I could have overwhelmed them with my size, but not with Frey!
In terms of reflexes, that guy exceeds me even now!
Damn it!
I was the one who got played!
I’m the one who fell for it!
What do I do now?!
There’s no turning back at this point.
I was the one who proposed it, and refusing now would just be pathetic!
“Should we do it?”
I bit my lips while looking at Frey’s gaze, which looked down at me slightly.
No.
It’s not confirmed that I’ve lost yet.
Frey might have the upper hand in reflexes, but if you think about it, it’s not that different.
The weight classes are equal.
The skills are too.
Does this sword-obsessed lunatic even know anything about rock-paper-scissors techniques?
Ultimately, if all conditions are equal, then luck is what matters!
It all comes down to luck!
‘Alright!’
“Okay. Sloppy Swordsman. Get ready to lose.”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll give you the signal.”
Was someone listening to us declare our competition?
The sword naturally slipped into the center.
“Let’s begin. Rock.”
Alright, Frey.
What are you going to throw?
His fist is clenched, so it’s hard to decide yet.
“Rock.”
I see his hand moving down.
It’s unfolding.
Is it rock or scissors?
Alright, I’ll throw scissors for now.
At least a tie.
If I’m lucky, I might win.
“Paper.”
As I reached out with that decision, Frey’s hand has clenched again.
What?!
Was that a psychological trap?!
Did he think I would see and react, so he pretended to unfold it again?!
Frey, you sword-obsessed maniac, you’re telling me you’d use such a dirty trick?!
I realized it too late, but it was already too late to take my hand back.
A fist is placed in front of my spread fingers.
“I win.”
I can’t believe I lost.
How much proficiency could I have gained with that orb!
One orb could save me from a month of hardships, yet I ended up losing!
And the entirety of this loss is 100% my fault, which just makes me angrier.
I can’t blame anyone else!
I want to redirect this anger elsewhere, but there’s no one to blame but myself!
Huh…
Huhhh…
Let’s calm down.
It’s okay.
Not having that orb won’t affect my growth at all.
Sure, I might lose a bit—no, a lot—in proficiency, but it’s something I can overcome with my effort.
Yeah. Let’s consider it a gift to Frey.
After all, she’s someone I’ll keep in my party, right?
If Frey gets stronger, it benefits me too.
Yup. Sounds good.
“Lucy, do you want this?”
What? Are you tea-bagging me, Frey?
If that’s what you’re thinking, let me tell you, you picked the wrong person.
I’m actually a pretty petty human.
I’ll write all this down in the Book of Vendettas for future revenge.
“I might give it to you.”
Really?
…Nah.
Let’s calm down.
There’s no way I could actually get that.
She’s definitely doing this to mess with me.
Does she constantly feel annoyed at being called Sloppy Swordsman and tries to provoke me whenever she gets the chance?
This has to be similar.
If I hope too much, I’ll only end up betrayed.
But, then again…
What if?
‘What should I do?’
“Sloppy Swordsman, what do you want?”
“Two things. First, you need to bow your head yourself.”
Ah, so you want me to bend over a bit while standing straight?
If I could eat a proficiency orb for the price of my pride, that’s a good deal.
I don’t even have pride in the first place.
If you give me the proficiency orb, I’d even consider kneeling and licking your shoes!
Oh wait, that might be a bit too much.
Anyway, I have no problem with bowing my head.
The problem is that damn Mesugaki skill.
Can I really force this stubborn girl to do something?
Let’s just give it a shot. If I act as petty as possible, maybe it’ll work?
‘Um, great and historically significant swordsman, Frey Kent. Please grant me the right to the orb you bestow upon me.’
“Sloppy Swordsman. Hand it over. I’ll use it for something much more valuable than a fool like you.”
Wow. I added so many elaborate phrases in my mind, and where did they all go?
Also, why am I the one who has to bow my head while you’re standing so proudly?
Are you the one in charge, huh?
Am I supposed to bow to you, you madwoman?!
I knew it would turn out this way, but now that it happened, it annoys me.
At least it’s fortunate that Frey doesn’t seem too upset.
“Okay. Then, next.”
…
Is this enough for you?!
Frey, what do you think of me that you consider this a proper bow?
How much of a disgrace is that Lucy Allen inside you?!
I’m grateful for letting this slide, but it feels weird.
“Even after the dungeon strategy is done, keep sparring with me.”
I stared blankly at Frey, who made an unexpected demand.
Huh?
‘Isn’t that just a given?’
“Sloppy Swordsman, what nonsense are you saying? That’s just obvious, you fool.”
“Really? We’re doing it continuously?”
‘Yes.’
“Yeah, we will. Such a sloppy fool.”
“Is that so?”
Frey nodded to herself and handed me the orb she was holding.
Wait, are you really asking me for that?!
Seeing Frey tilting her head with the orb out made me chuckle.
Oh damn. I never thought I’d find a sword-obsessed lunatic cute.
‘Thank you. I’ll use it well.’
“Make sure to use it well, Sloppy Swordsman.”
“Yeah. So, we’re still going to spar?”
There’s no need to confirm since we’re definitely still going to spar.
Do you think there are many people in this academy who can engage me in close combat evenly?
So don’t worry!
I’ll keep toying with you until the title of Sloppy Swordsman disappears from your name.
*
Several days passed after finishing the dungeon strategy.
It seemed unprecedented for a first-year to secure the title of First Conqueror of the dungeon in the first semester, as there was a big commotion after the list of first conquerors was announced the next day.
Joy came to me, grumbling about why I didn’t take her along.
Arthur said he lost this time, but he would win next time.
Visi and Jacob came by to congratulate me, saying I was amazing.
Avery cautiously approached me to congratulate me.
While I was eating, Luca suddenly came by and said I’m the talent he’s been keeping an eye on, interrupting my meal.
Even Benedict got in touch.
‘This father is so happy to have a talented daughter. I’ve believed in you since you were young…’
I have no idea where he heard the news, but just before I lay down on my bed, he called through the crystal ball and went on for almost an hour about the old days.
If I hadn’t interrupted him, I would have had to listen to his ramblings all night.
Thanks to this great achievement, my reputation improved significantly.
According to Avery, who maintains good relationships with many young ladies and knows the rumors, it seems everyone acknowledges my skills!
So, I went from being a no-skill, rude idiot to a skilled but still rude idiot.
Aren’t both just idiots though?
Sure, but at least the latter is better.
I can endure a talented idiot throwing a fit, but I can’t stand an incompetent idiot doing the same.
I was lost in those thoughts when the classroom door opened, and the Professor appeared.
He stood in front of the podium, surveyed the students, and spoke softly.
“As you all know, next week is the start of the field trip.”
Finally, this moment has arrived.
Hearing the professor’s words, I had no worries.
All preparations for the field trip were already completed!
My party consists of me, Frey, Joy, and Phoebe.
All the items needed during the trip are full in my inventory.
I even prepared bribes to win the favor of the forest master we will meet during the field trip.
In short, all I need to do now is show up!
Alright! During this field trip, I’m going to raise Phoebe’s favorability to 70!
I lost some favorability during the dungeon strategy, but that’s fine.
I just need to make it back.
We’ll stick together during the trip, so I need to show her my competence.
I can do it.
I’ve been doing the Saintess conquests too often, you know?
“The location is the Sytil Forest, south of Soul Academy. Some professors have gone ahead to…”
…Huh? Sytil Forest?
What’s that supposed to mean, Professor?
First-year first semester trips are supposed to be to Siluf Forest.
The place where the master wolf, who has lived for hundreds of years, waits.
Sytil Forest is where we go in the second semester of the first year!
Are you mistaken or something?
I panicked at the changed content as I threw out a question, but the professor shook his head.
“No. Lady Allen. Sytil Forest is correct.”
Huh?
No.
Wait a minute.
Oh crap.
This is really bad.
Actually, the difficulty of the field trip doesn’t matter.
The professors will adjust that.
The necessary items?
That’s not a problem either.
If I just roll Alsatine, that’s fine.
The problem is one.
Right now, because of that damn Shoddy God’s quest, I need to meet the master of the forest, but if the field trip is in Sytil Forest, I might not be able to meet the master of the forest!
Damn it. What do I do?!
What should I do now?!
I don’t want a penalty!
I don’t want to know something humiliating!
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