Chapter 8

Chapter 8: 「Entrance Examination-Martial arts-Part 2 」

I confronted Roka as the sun sets over the examination facility.

「Un! I’ve looking forward to this, Theo! Come on, let’s fight! If you like, you can break one or two bones. 」

「 don’t have much interest in hurting young woman.」

It’s a big lie. In fact, it’s fun to hurt a cheeky child. But I could not bring myself to say such a thing with such countenance.

「Fuーmu, Is that so? I don’t believe that from a man that looked amused while I was bullying Shaula」

She guessed it right. Or rather, it’s amazing that you’re checking me out even in that situation. She doesn’t seem to think there’s any chance of losing to Shaula .

「Maa, that doesn’t matter! All right, whenever you’re ready!」

Roka stepped on the spot and smiled with her canine teeth exposed.

「Ready start!」

Along with the examiner’s command, Roka came with a flying kick at an unstoppable speed. I crossed my arms right away to defend.

I could barely see it with my present body. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to this human body yet.

My bones made a terrible noise. Did it crack? It will heal right away.

As soon as I received the kick, Roka hit the ground with her long tail and swung through the air to gain distance. I’ve never met someone who fights like this.

As I observed from her light body and the previous battle against Shaula, her relentless attack seems to be her forte. If she can make such a move, She naturally have a lot of experience in actual combat. Probably even killing some people.

Given her agility, the kind of high-speed surprise attack that I’ve used to defeat the examinees won’t work.

「Isn’t it amazing that a human can see through my movements? Then I won’t hesistate!」

Roka’s fist that flew out with explosive acceleration, grazed my cheek. I didn’t miss the moment and caught her arms. But immediately her tail is coming at me from the side.

It reached my ribs. however, I wasn’t blown away. I could predict it this far.

I can see that Roka’s expression has changed. I immediately grabbed her arm and turned around to her back and held Roka face down.

Roka moans at the impact. Without missing the momentary loss of strength, I clutched her back with my elbow while grabbing her biggest weapon, her tail, with my other hand. Just like how Roka was playing with Shaula a while ago.

I put my whole weight on my elbow and pulled the base of her tail with one hand, and her body twitched.

「Guu…..!」

「Hee. Why don’t you raise a cute voice like Shaula? I was expecting it a little bit.」

「….. Ho-how…… you should have broken a bone …..」

「Hm? aah, I was so absorbed in it that I didn’t notice. It hurts.」

It’s true that it hurts a little bit. The broken bone is almost healed, but it might break again if strained too much.

「Would you give up?」

「……tsu! guu…..n!」

The root of the tail is one of Beastkin’s weaknesses. I pulled it moderately, since it might break if it do it roughly.

「n, yaa……!」

「Fu, you’re cute」

「Shit….! Don’t make fun of me!」

「I think you’re the bad one, because the girl who lost the battle did not need to go this far?」

「I’m……not losing!」

She swung her tail wildly, but her strength was severely weakened since the base of her tail is being held. Even if she hits my face, it is only to the degree of getting hit by an orc. The feeling is like getting tickled with a feather.

I whisper in her ears.

「I thought you were not stupid enough to understand the difference in our ability, but was I wrong?」

「……!　I’d rather die than lose! 」

「If this is a battlefield, it might be a good attitude」

I grabbed the base of her tail. She bounced with slight intoxication.

「…..Kuuu…..! 」

「This is your greatest weapon. Shall we use it for a while?」

「You can try….! If you can!」

Aah, that’s good. I really wish this was a battlefield. The more aggressive the child is, the more interesting the response.

I want to bully her more, but I can’t let her suffer any more humiliation. She no longer look like a self proclaim『King』

「You leave me no choice. I’m going to be a little rough, okay?」

After saying that, I glance at a certain place. There I see Shaula trembling with rage.

There is no grudge being humiliated by her master, her anger is directed at me who obviously holding and humiliating Roka. Excellent loyalty.

It’s an entrance exam, so I’m holding on, but I don’t know when I’m going to burst out laughing. Roka is unlikely to surrender even if I break her arm or tail. On the other hand, it would be troublesome to knock her out since I am holding her down. That’s why.

「Are Beastkin like this? they’re not even a big deal.」

I said this to Shaula.

「Th-this…!　Stay away from Roka!! 」

「! ? St-stop Shaula……!」

I quickly avoided Shaula’s. The ground where I had been was hollowed out. Her red eyes, similar to demon, look at me. It’s the eyes of a hunter hunting for prey. But.

「What are you doing!? We’re in the middle of an exam! 」

The examiner screamed. Then,

「Shaula Brannage! Disqualified due to interferance.」

「Wait, lost! I lost!!」

Roka shouted to block the declaration.

「I admits defeat, so she should be forgiven for that」

「No.」 Interference with the exam is a serious violation! 」

「No problem.」

I turned my attention to the Examiner – the woman was Beastkin.

「I don’t mind. Since she has admitted her defeat.」

「But.」

「Rather, I made her do it. If the lord is humiliated the retainers will not remain silent. 「If I provoke her, I’m sure Shaula will break in, So I expected a development like this.」

The examiner sharpened her gaze.

「…. So you’ve predicted her behavior..」

「That’s about it. Otherwise, It’s going to be worse there would be bloodshed.」

「Are you going to exchange your life to win the exam? There is a limit to your immaturity. 」

「 Military schools is supposed teach people how to manage things and how to live in this world? I think it’s imprudent to disqualify such a brilliant person.」

From a human examiner’s point of view, it’s outrageous, but the examiner is a Beastkin. She knows the strength of Beastkin’s fighting instinct.

Therefore, we have to make such a conclusion. That is.

「……All right。 If you accept, I’ll end this as Roka·Corlight’s defeat. Roka Corlight, is there any objection?」

「None….」

Roka said blankly while looking down. She’s frustrated, but that’s understandable. It would be a good thing to praise her at the last moment.

「Winner, Theodore!」

Thus, the physical examination successfully came to a close.

I approached Roka, who was sitting down, and Shaula, who seemed confused about my actions.

「Are you all right, Roka? I might have pushed my elbow a little too much. Are you hurt anywhere?」

「I’m fine.」

Despite that, she covers the arm which I had seized as she spoke. Shaula is looking at it anxiously.

「Theo, sorry.」

「Un?」

「……. If you hadn’t provoked Shaula, I would never admit defeat. I might have continued the game with you, and stuck my nails to your neck when I see a gap, But I don’t know if that will work.」

Roka said that and raised her head. It was the same cheerful Beastkin girl as before.

「Thank you! Not only you have the strength to beat me, but also the skill that save Shaula from disqualification, it’s amazing! Well, don’t you intend to be my retainer?」

「I’m not gonna be your retainer, but I’ll be happy as your friend. Can you stand? 」

「Umu!」

Gently reaching out, Roka got up while grabbing her unhurt hand.

「From now you we are friends! Shaula, say something, too.」

「……Chi. Thank you very much……」

Roka gently stopped wagging her tail again.

「Shaula’s loyalty is genuine. You have a good retainer.」

「U, umu….? It’s the first time I’ve been told that,….」

With time, you should be able to distinguish. Youth is the reason for her high spirits. Take a look at it in the long run……」

Moreover, such a sermon doesn’t suit me now. Did it sound strange? Have I said too much.

「Yes, that’s right.. Umu. Let’s refrain from bullying Shaula from today. 」

「Eeh!? I’m always fine. Come on, hurry up and hit me!!」

「Rejected」

「Eehー！？」

Shaula’s disappointed voice echoed.

Before I knew it, I was already surrounded by the whole night sky. That’s all for today’s exam.

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