First match: Silvia Clarent vs. Ark.

The order of matches in the upcoming "Sword Knight" tournament was posted, at long last. It was where young men and women fought to enter the knight squads of Arcadia and become knights.

And Ark's opponent was the Sylphid, the strongest of all the other student knights in the kingdom.

She not only belongs to the best academic institution in the country but is also about to graduate at the top of the school.

"Hey, who is this Ark guy?"

"I dunno."

"Never heard of his."

"He's probably not from our school."

Ark was standing right next to the students, who were curious to figure out his identity. With a cloak to cover him, he sent a single glance at the board and left the scene.

He truly did not belong to this school or any other. But despite the fact that it's extremely difficult to become a knight without education, he has set that as his goal.

Which means he won't give up but will face Sylphid with the intention to win.

"Could it be, it was that guy?"

"The one who just left? No way, did you see how calm he was?"

"Yeah, there is no way someone fighting the Sylphid would be this calm."

But then an incomprehensible possibility was raised.

"Unless... he isn't afraid because he is that strong."

They all gulped at the thought.

Meanwhile, Ark...

(I'm screwed!!)

Was internally voicing his rattled state. No one would guess that behind the calm demeanor and clear countenance lies chaotic turmoil.

It was only when he was alone that he let his appearance and thoughts sync.

"No way an uneducated adventurer like me can defeat that monster, fair and square. Dammit, because of that monster, I have to cheat! If I get caught, I will never become a knight!"

First-class shamelessness! Blaming the opponent for the choice to cheat while having no remorse for the deed.

It's hard to escape the surprise that comes from the thought of a guy like that attempting to become a knight.

(Well, there is about a week before the match. I have plenty of time to prepare.)

For the time being, Ark decided to find his opponent to check on the situation.

◇◇◇

After collecting information, it was discovered that the Sylphid is alone, hunting ogres and cyclops in the forest.

Not one person was worried for her safety. She had that much trust placed on her shoulders.

The "Aracnum Forest" is notorious for holding extremely dangerous monsters at its depths. In many instances, several captains of the knight squads are called to exterminate monsters and reduce the population. As it takes people of their caliber to deal with such a threat, no one sane would dare challenge it carelessly.

(She should be here somewhere, but where exactly? I forgot to bring a map and don't remember the layout of these parts well...)

Except for this dimwit who just got lost in the middle of this dangerous forest!

He would have encountered too many monsters and died a fool's death if it weren't for the stealth item he wore.

Ark couldn't risk being exposed by 'that monster'; thus, he decided to disguise himself as a woman. He changed his face and figure using items, and even the voice is different. It would be impossible for a stranger to recognize Ark.

However, for a successful deceit, one factor must be included—magic power. Everyone had a magic power signature unique to them alone, and that could also be traced.

Meaning that the current Ark must go through this perilous place without using magic. At all.

And for further precautions, the only weapon he equipped himself with was a wooden bat. After all, Ark doesn't want to be associated with any weapon that is useful to him.

"It should be fine. Most likely, she is already on her way back, and I won't be caugh—"

Tell that to the monster behind you.

Listening to the chill running down his spine, Ark forcibly twists his body. In the place he just stood, a club was thrashed at the ground, devastating it. Had he received that blow, Ark would've been done for.

Turning to face his enemy, what comes in sight is a bulky gray monster with one eye—a cyclop. This one was definitely not normal, however, as its eye shimmered crimson. A spark of intelligence above normal clearly existed in its gaze.

"Tch! Couldn't let me have it my way, huh?"

Cursing his bad luck, Ark opted to run. He had encountered a mutant cyclope—the Devil-Eye Cyclope. They were no stronger than a normal cyclope, but the eye had evolved into a magic eye with the ability to debuff the target.

If it were the normal Ark, he'd have at least been able to escape. The shackles he'd placed upon himself came to bite, and it might not be damage he could afford.

"My legs!?"

Pertified by the devil's eye, Ark could no longer move his static legs and was bound to get hit by the cyclope's oncoming strike.

That was it.

Distraught by the sudden pertification of his legs, Ark lost time to react and could no longer defend himself with magic. It was this moment that would force him to kick the bucket, dressed as a girl, to gather more information on his opponent.

He should have felt shame; emphasize the shame. Instead, only unjust rage fitting the asinine Ark flared.

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It was a moment before he roared in anger; his expression instantly changed to a smirk. Then he...

"Kiyyaaaa!! Hellllppp!!!"

He shamelessly screamed, asking for help like a damsel in distress!

But it wasn't in vain, as the cyclope was cut in half the next moment. Silver hair fluttered, silver rapier smeared with blood, and lavender eyes looked at Ark with boundless compassion. The girl was beautiful, with a slender body and neat face, but she also contained unbelievable force and majesty.

That's her, his opponent: Silvia Clarent.

Detecting her tremendous magic power approaching deathly fast, Ark assumed the role of a damsel in distress, knowing full well he would be saved.

Now, as she drew closer to him, Ark blushed with teary eyes. Forcing tears was easy, and he let the shame of his behavior catch up to further amplify his credibility.

Of course, he would feel shame for acting as he did. Ark is like every vain man with a vain pride. Acting like this in front of a girl isn't easy for him.

"Are you okay?" Expressing her concern, Silvia grabbed Ark's hand.

"Y-yes! I-I am perfectly fine! Thank you!"

(Urg, please kill me. The heck took you so long!?)

"It is dangerous to be here all by yourself. Why are you even here in the first place?"

There was no suspicion, only pure curiosity.

As a noble, Silvia should have been highly sensitive to malicious intentions. Ark should've raised even a little bit of suspicion and caution, but that was not the case.

That is due to his class.

Classes are inborn and dictate the job that would be most suitable. With it came a skill corresponding to the class.

For instance, Ark's own class was the not-so-impressive illusionist class. This class usually shows affinity with illusion magic; however, Ark's magical affinity was the same for all magics, and the skill he received was Phantom, which transmits an intent of the user for the world, making them recognize its presence.

All in all, his skill was subpar, but because that was the only skill he had, Ark spared no effort to train it. As a result, he became quite good at utilizing it extensively.

Right this moment, Ark uses Phantom to create the illusion that his actions and behavior match his intentions.

Needless to say, an illusion that would completely fool that Sylphid and wouldn't let even the slightest discomfort occur is an extraordinary feat worthy of praise. No wonder Silvia was unprepared for such a realistic act.

Funnily enough, all Ark had to do to join any knight order was demonstrate his illusionist capability, and he had a high chance of being accepted. Phantom would be helpful in setting traps for monsters, which are even more sensitive to intent than humans. But Ark wasn't smart enough to think about it.

"I... w-wanted..."

"What's that? I can't hear you when you mutter like that."

"I wanted to meet you!"

(Damn! I am stuck with that cover!)

"Eh?"

With vigor, Ark expressed his desire to meet with Silvia in a different way.

"I-I am a fan of you, Silvia Clarent. The Sylphid. Your silver hair and lavender eyes have captivated me since I first saw them. Your strength as you overwhelm your opponents leaves me in awe. I've always wanted to meet you. You are so beautiful, strong, cool... muggu!?"

(Took you long enough!)

Perhaps embarrassed at the genuine words of admiration (totally fake), Silvia covered Ark's mouth with both her hands, visibly flustered.

"T-that's enough! I get it..."

Ark was surprised at how flustered she was. He had assumed that someone as famous and popular as the Sylphid would find compliments boring.

He couldn't have known that all the admiration Silvia had received was from afar. No one was her equal, so no one bothered to express the deep admiration they held. She had received praise, but it was the first time she met with a fan (fake).

"What's your name?"

"Ar.....ria. I am Aria."

Names. As troublesome as it could get, Ark nearly revealed his real name, as he was used to introducing himself with that name. Fortunately, he stopped mid-sentence and gave a realistic name, but the gap didn't go unnoticed.

"Why did you hesitate?" Silvia asked with no caution.

"Ahh... em... it's embarrassing."

Now Silvia raised her guard slightly. Given how the person in front of her is hiding something without explaining, she'd naturally get suspicious.

But Ark counted on that.

"I... your eyes just shone for a second, and I completely lost myself for a moment." Saying so, not only did Ark dispel all the suspicion, but he also further strengthened the image he displayed.

If you make a person raise their guard for no reason, dispelling it will make them trust you even more.

And as a master of deceit, Ark executed his act perfectly by acting disgustingly cute.

His words even made that Sylphid blush. It nearly made him burst into laughter, just barely suppressing it.

"You... stay behind me."

Silvia was about to say something, but then she looked around and ordered Ark.

(4, no. 5 ogres. Seems like we are surrounded.)

Still, even as ferocious beasts thrice their size came rushing with stone clubs in their hands, both Ark and Silvia showed no fear. All because of one reason.

"Lightning Arrow ×7."

Casting an intermediate-grade spell instantly, Silvia went further by doing so seven times at once. It was a feat Ark didn't even have enough mana to perform.

The arrows of lightning also accurately hit the head of each ogre, blowing it to smithereens. Not only did all five die instantly, but two more revealed themselves injured and anguished.

(Tch, they hid behind the trees and avoided a direct hit. Also, how did she even locate them when I missed them completely?)

Ark was bewildered at how Silvia was even better than him in monster detection.

"Tempest Claw ×2."

Now firing wind magic, the claws of compressed air decapitated the remaining ogres in a flash.

"So cool... Miss Silvia is the best~!"

(Damn monster! Could you please appreciate the lengths I go to praise you and forfeit? Seriously, why not get a free pass to any order, especially when you are that strong!?)

How was Ark supposed to beat this otherworldly genius? Not to mention Silvia was a swordfighter; close combat wasn't her weakness but a strong suit.

"It seems too dangerous to stay here. Aria, I will escort you out of the forest."

"Okay. It's a little unfortunate, but meeting you and speaking to Miss Silvia even once is a blessing."

(Yes, yes. Let's get out of this stinking forest already. I got everything I needed, and time is of the essence.)

Ark briefly got to see Silvia's full power as she slashed down the Evil-Eyed Cyclope. Also, with her casting spells now, he can now make a rough evaluation and needs to prepare countermeasures.

With Silvia on the lead, every monster baring their fang was annihilated. Beautifully and artfully, she slashed the opponents with elegance, rained magic with majesty, and protected Ark gallantly.

"This is it. It was pleasant to meet you, Aria."

"W-wait!"

"What?"

(Actually, why am I prolonging this? Cutting it off quickly and getting away should be the top priority.)

Even he himself didn't understand why he called out to her.

"Meeting you was really wonderful, Miss Silvia. I wish you luck in the forthcoming Sword Knight tournament."

(Really, why? I didn't need to say this, but I feel like I shouldn't cut off the conversation just yet.)

"Thank you, though luck is unnecessary. I have no equal, after all."

Seeing her expression, Ark instantly understood what everyone around Silvia failed to comprehend about her.

Being with no equal makes her feel lonely. Just her on the peak, without any peer to push her further. It was a genius problem that only a genius could truly understand.

It was a problem Ark wouldn't ever experience, and considering his character, he would disregard her problem and get pissed as she insulted all the weaklings.

(Just like him, huh?)

"Also, you don't need to add honorifics with me. Just Silvia is perfectly fine."

"Then, does that mean we are friends?"

Ark talked as his mind racked itself in thought. He was going on autopilot and didn't notice his words or actions; he was just playing the act.

It was the second time he had seen a person above others looking for a rival.

The entire growth of Ark was him pushing himself to reach others. Without someone to push him, he knows he would've never reached anywhere.

He didn't understand completely. But he did try to understand, and that was enough.

"Friends? Us?"

"Aren't friends usually used on a first-name basis, Silvia? Then we are friends, unless you don't want to."

(You can't go on in life without something to push you to the limit. It must be as boring as hell. If that's the case...)

"I-I guess we are. Please take care of me."

(Silvia Clarent, the Sylphid, I won't settle for just defeating you. I will 'overwhelm' you, and force you to admit me as a rival!)

Then his autopilot was deactivated.

"Same here; please take care... Oh, I have to run!"

Realizing he got into deep shit, he opted to run even faster than from the Devil-Eyed Cyclope. He knew that getting caught would mean fate worse than death.

(Stupid me! If you want to befriend her, do it when you aren't disguised to spy on her, dammit! And as a woman, no less!)

Still, as he cursed himself and escaped, Ark shackled himself to a horrible development and awkward situations as Aria.

Nevertheless, the events today strengthened his resolve.

To defeat the prodigy.

Even if he cheats, he will do it so magnificently that no one will realize.

After that is done, he just needs to do it again and again to fool everyone. Cheating that leads to actual power.

Because that was all the trash-personality, helplessly average, shitty luck Ark had.

So he will take it to the extreme.