On her way to the training hall, Isolte imagined many possible scenes.
After all, she was facing someone who could beat all the other students at the hall, even forcing the strongest of the younger generation to step up, which meant a Swordsman who was dangerous and would require her full effort.
For the honor of the training hall, and also to meet the current Water God's expectations of her, Isolte would naturally do everything she could to defeat her opponent.
But she never expected that the person standing before her wouldn't be the fierce opponent, the terrifying Swordsman she imagined, but the boy named Shirou she had met on the road earlier.
Isolte definitely had very complex feelings about Shirou.
Because of Shirou's previous actions of punishing bad guys, his sense of justice, Isolte had a good impression of him.
If she could spar with Shirou, get closer, and even become good friends, she would be very happy.
However, although Isolte thought she didn't do anything wrong during her previous meeting with Shirou, looking back, the armor she was wearing was too unfeminine. It wouldn't attract him, and might even make her seem intimidating.
Isolte deeply regretted this, and wished she hadn't worn armor while patrolling.
But now, something even more important than whether or not to wear armor was happening.
She was facing Shirou as an opponent who was challenging the training hall.
Isolte never thought that the person challenging the training hall would be Shirou.
Although it was possible, since Isolte had felt that Shirou was very strong, and he was about the same age as her, so he was qualified to challenge the hall, Isolte didn't want to fight Shirou in this situation.
Fighting in the training hall isn't like sparring in private; it would add emotions and burdens that weren't there before.
"Isolte, go for it! Beat these challengers!"
"Water God Style is the strongest!"
"You're the best, Senior Sister!"
"..."
As Isolte arrived, all the Water God Style students in the Water God Style training hall became excited and loud.
This was because Isolte was very popular.
She was not only beautiful, but also incredibly strong, and almost every young person in the Water God Style considered her their dream girl.
However, dreams are dreams because they can't come true in reality.
All the Water God Style students kept their distance from Isolte, not brave enough to try to get close to their senior sister.
That's why Isolte wanted a friend she could talk to, a friendly relationship.
But now, her hope of becoming friends with Shirou was definitely ruined.
If this fight happened, she would be lucky if they didn't become enemies, let alone friends.
As Isolte's heart filled with bitter thoughts, and she almost wanted to die, Eris returned to the training ground.
Unlike Isolte, Eris was in high spirits. She wasn't affected by any emotions and just wanted to win the fight.
And because she had won the two previous fights in a row, she was full of confidence and sure she could beat anyone!
"Are you my opponent?"
Eris held her wooden sword, looking at Isolte fiercely.
"Um... Hello, I'm Isolte Cruel."
"Eris Boreas Greyrat."
Eris ignored Isolte's absent-mindedness, announced her name, and became even more fierce.
"Looks like you're the last opponent."
Eris was very excited. "If I beat you, I win the challenge, right?"
"Of course, if you can beat me."
Hearing Eris, Isolte finally snapped out of it and realized that she shouldn't be thinking about how to look feminine in front of Shirou, but about defending the honor and reputation of her Water God Style training hall in this fight.
She took a breath and held her sword in a standard stance.
"Nice to meet you. Please be gentle."
"Hmph..."
Isolte's provocative attitude ignited Eris's easily triggered competitive spirit.
The red-haired girl charged forward like a beast!
"Boom!"
About a few seconds later.
Eris, who had been fierce like a fire, was stopped as if she were a train being slammed to a halt. She was knocked flying, landing far away and rolling several times on the ground before finally stopping because of the friction.
"Bang!"
As Eris fell to the ground, unable to get up because of the impact, the fight ended almost before most people could see what happened.
"What, what just happened?"
The adventurers were the most surprised.
They had seen Eris win two fights in a row and thought the wild girl was promising. Although her methods weren't fair, adventurers cared about winning more than anything else.
Plus, the adventurers desperately wanted someone to challenge the Water God Style and win, to save face for other swordsmanship styles.
So, the adventurers generally supported Eris.
However, because of Isolte's reputation, the adventurers didn't think Eris would win easily, and she would probably lose.
However, the adventurers never thought the fight would end so quickly.
Eris, who had been winning against Water God Style Swordsmen, was instantly defeated by Isolte.
The huge difference made the adventurers feel like they were seeing an unbeatable wall; the blue-haired girl was like an insurmountable barrier...
The Water God Style students were much calmer than the adventurers.
They were used to seeing Isolte fight and instantly defeat opponents of the same level.
Isolte was only one step away from becoming a Saint-level, a Water Saint. Her strength was far beyond what other Swordsmen of her age could match.
And Water God Style is a fighting style that focuses mostly on defense and counterattacks.
So, when facing someone who attacks first, they will be met with a Water God Style counterattack.
The stronger the attack, the stronger the counterattack.
It's the kind of style where the stronger the enemy, the stronger you become.
That's why the more confident the Swordsman is who comes to challenge the hall, the stronger Isolte they will face.
She is a girl like an iron wall, an insurmountable barrier for Swordsmen of her level.
"!!!"
As Isolte predictably won, the Water God Style Swordsmen cheered, feeling a sense of collective honor for their style.
After seeing Eris get knocked flying, Shirou ran to her side.
He saw that Eris looked messy, but wasn't seriously hurt, which meant Isolte held back on purpose.
"How are you feeling? Can you stand up?"
Shirou didn't reach out to help Eris.
He knew she didn't need his help. He asked to make sure her confidence wasn't affected.
"I, I'm okay..."
Although Eris said she was okay, she looked confused.
The result of the fight was too much to accept. Eris imagined many outcomes, but never thought she would be instantly defeated.
It wasn't just a difference in skill, but a huge gap that made her question her sword and her path.
There have been many cases in history where people's spirits were broken by huge defeats, even leading to madness.
Because people can accept failure, but they can't accept their path being denied.
That would mean everything they've worked for, and where they're going, isn't the real destination.
Eris was questioning whether Sword God Style could beat Water God Style.
This was a defeat that seriously affected her beliefs.
"Sigh."
Seeing Eris, who was always fearless, look so confused and helpless, Shirou sighed silently.
He realized that he had to fight Isolte.
Although he hesitated when he saw Isolte and didn't want to fight the girl who helped him, he had to fight to help Eris regain her courage and believe that her path wasn't wrong and Sword God Style isn't weaker than Water God Style.
"Can I fight Isolte, please?"
Shirou asked the Water God Style teacher nearby.
According to the rules, Shirou had to beat three Water God Style students first, like Eris, to prove himself.
But that would take a lot of time.
If possible, Shirou wanted to fight Isolte directly.
"Well..."
The Water God Style teacher hesitated at Shirou's request.
While he was thinking, Isolte slowly said, "Let him fight me. Shirou definitely has the strength."
"Isolte?"
Surprised that Isolte would offer to fight Shirou, the Water God Style training hall teacher couldn't refuse.
He agreed to the irregular proposal.
He allowed Shirou to fight Isolte!
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