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Heh, heh. At such a young age...

Wishing only to be light.

Wishing only to dispel the hardship and darkness.

...One second later, and you may have been freed from this meaningless battle. Why stand up?

Uncle Młynar... was wrong.

What?

It wasn't at all... It was only a sigh...

Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Maria.

Keep exerting yourself and you won't win. Use his arrogance. Use his overconfidence.

What would Margaret do?

Just one opening... just one opening.

Mph—

And suddenly, a burst of light! What in the world just happened?! Are we gonna have to give out free sunglasses next time—?!

This is the first time the Left-hand Knight Tytus has backed off! There's Arts! No doubt about it, this is Maria Nearl's own Arts! Is she using Arts to turn the tables at the last minute?!

Ooooh! There's been a small tremor in Maria's figures! But even still, the odds are just astounding! The numbers are rivalling corporate donations, now! Would you look at this prize pool?!

The Radiant Knight...

...No, only a pale shadow of an imitation.

You... you will pay dearly for this act of contempt.

Maria—!

You can do it! Go, Nearl!

Hey! Maria Nearl! You can do it!

Maria! Stay focused—! Beat him into the ground!

The cheers! Everyone out there is cheering for Maria, now!

But even then—! Tytus still has free rein to walk the arena!

You...

(Blocked it!)

And the tale keeps twisting! They're both spent, but she's actually made a massive comeback!

Ladies! And! Gentlemen! Keep your eyes right on the prize, whether it's the marvelous match or the extravagant prize pool! It's all shaped up to be the most worthwhile event of the season yet!

Let's see more coin and more screams! Gotta let your knights know just how hyped you are!

You—you have the nerve to block my attacks! Leaning on your puny smattering of Arts?!

Arrogant. I hate the arrogant. I loathe them.

It is readily apparent that Tytus could have won this. His vision tunneled on trampling the Nearls' dignity. This middling, neglectful means of combat always tends to offer the other side an advantage.

I-I see...

After all, she is the Radiant Knight's sister, and the granddaughter of a certain 'Nearl.' Hah. My past self could've only pictured that fear-inspiring old lout upon hearing the name 'Nearl.'

Such is the decline of the knightly family, it would make one weep. Compared to the corporate, a knightly family's dreary class conflicts truly are so fragile.

The Association controls the entire noble class, now...

And so we control the Knights Association.

We just... received word from a lot of our sponsors... They want the Left-hand Knight to end the battle ASAP...

They're worried that Tytus will lose. But there is no harm in him losing. The sticking point is how hot that topic is, and on that, I am very much satisfied.

You, um, think so?

Mm... he is the commander of the Blade Helmet Knightclub. Arrogant, believes the universe revolves around himself. But he is undeniably strong, and sublime in the art of torturing his enemy's will to fight.

In all previous competitions, he relished his opponents kneeling in surrender. And so...

He is sure to lose.

Huh?

Haahh... haaahh...

(No, need to be steady... can't stand upright... just, stay like this... and breathe...)

Enough!

Maria—!

(Maria... should've long since reached her limit... Even in her duel with Ingra, she never got hit this bad...)

—You've shed your blood for this! Grit your teeth, Maria!

Win!

Humiliating... I've wasted my time humoring nothing but trash...

Will you beg for my mercy only once I have crippled you?

You're just like 'Whislash' was—prepare yourself!

Now—!

I'm still trying to learn from Margaret. The way she used Arts. That turn of her wrists.

But—

You... block me again?!

You utter—

N-Now that's no coincidence! Maria's once again blocked the Left-hand Knight's onslaught! What's going on?! Could Tytus be toying with the already cornered Nearl!?

...Good. Very good. I don't know what you're thinking... but no matter. I will crush every speck of your light to dust.

Come.

Look closely, y'all! This is the first time the Left-hand Knight's ever taken that stance! The first time he's ever let his opponent pull one over on him!

Even against Nascent Nearl, don'tcha think this is a little extreme?! No! Anyone who knows Tytus knows it's not! All his fans here in the arena know the score!

But he's really hit his head against it today! Maria's resolve hasn't wavered one bit! I've gotta admit, folks, the way she's hanging in there, even I'm shedding a couple tears!

Listen up! Everyone who supports Maria Nearl gets an entry in a post-match lottery! Your chance to win is a lofty 0.2%! Who wants to be the lucky one?!

—Something isn't right.

Fatigued, timid, the fear of humiliation overcoming her, pushed to the edge as she is—

In her heart lies only victory. She wills to win. She's conjured countless ways to grasp this one last chance firm.

But in this instant, she can only question that victory she's been pursuing all this time.

...Maria Nearl, for what reason did you join the Major? Glory? Wealth? Or was it your family?

For... myself.

Nothing more... Mr. Tytus.

...Hmph.

An instant's feint. Arts focused on your shield. You really do... have the blood of a pegasus... tch.

You fought a radiant fight, Nearl...

We've just had—the lengthiest duel of this entire season—! And the one who fell was none other than 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola!

Who could've seen this coming—! I ask you! Who could've seen this coming?!

Completely unreal odds and titanic prize money—hey, show us those numbers, now—this is enough to start your own little business!

A miracle—! No doubt about it, this is a miracle! Maria Nearl! The Nearl family has brought us a miracle once again!

The audience all wait.

They wait for Maria to raise the scratch-ridden sword in her grip, and declare victory.

An upset to talk about. Astronomical wagers. A soul-stirring, heartrending comeback.

(What now?)

Is this the Major? What is it you won? What did you get from all this?

Glory, wealth, your family's honor, but what is it you're missing...? Hm, what is it you're missing?

And without much time to think about it, as if in pure response to the cheering all around her, Maria holds her sword up high.

Only the pain, sharp, radiating from her hand, overcomes the applause.

Hfff...

(I can't... I can't stand—)

Maria!

A... Auntie?

Maria... Maria...

A-Auntie Zofia... let go, let go, it hurts...

Oh, sorry... did you break a bone??

Mm-hm... but it's no big deal...

Maria... I'm sorry... I might've been too harsh on you before.

You're just like your sister. You're a knight, and you should be able to choose your own path—

...No...

Maria...?