At the end of the exams, a small tournament called the "inter-school" is held.

It consists of various combat rounds so that students who have mobile knights, can demonstrate their strength in simulated combat for their future on the battlefield.

I was on the outskirts of the place wearing a kind of tights suit that fit my body, it was black like my hair, but with several red lines on the joints. I had a black jacket of the same type as my clothes.

The intended stage was a small coliseum, the maximum capacity is a thousand people. There is an entrance large enough for a war band to march inside and get out without any problems.

I was waiting for a certain item that was due to arrive hours ago, but it wasn't showing up.

"Ngh... You really are late, you know?"

I was saying to Ixion who was standing next to me.

"I told you he was going to be delayed because of traffic. Do you think something that big will be here right away just because you say so? Are you stupid, Master?"

The floating bastard next to me was responding rudely so I tapped him with my fingers to send him flying out of the place.

It was there that I heard footsteps and turned around. I panicked for a moment thinking it was Klein who came to harass me before the duel, but it wasn't so, who came were....

"Rudel-san, why are you out here?"

"Certainly. You should be inside in the participants' waiting room, why aren't you there?"

...Irisdina and Alicelotte.

I said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Why are you two together?"

Hearing my question, sweet Irisdina putting her hands in a fighting pose answered me.

"That's because I heard what had happened to Alicelotte-san and I felt really bad seeing her locked in her room all this time!!! I asked her if it was okay for me to stay by her side at a time like this and she said yes!!!"

"I see, I think it's a nice gesture on your part."

How expected of cute Irisdina, her heart is so big that it makes anyone want to be with her. I felt like a tank of fuel which was full just seeing her smile.

"More importantly, Bradford. You know the order of combat, don't you?"

Alicelotte asked me a concerned question in case I had no knowledge of the participants. I took great offense, but it was true that I had forgotten, I replied, "Of course I do."

I then pulled a sheet of paper out of my pocket and checked the participants, there were nine of us in total. Apparently when I signed up several participants dropped out because they were afraid of Klein.

Starting from the first match which was unimportant to me, the same could be said for the second match. But if I have to say one thing it's that the first match has something odd about it, and that's entrant number 1.

"No matter how many times I see him, who would have been the stupid person to have given himself the name, Masked Knight?"

That came from the bottom of my heart and they heard it.

Alicelotte answered me willingly.

"There is no violation of the rules that a participant cannot hide his identity and that of his armed unit. But... it is certainly suspicious and very strange."

Putting that oddity aside I concentrated on the third duel, it was the one that interested me, there was one student I didn't care about, but he who was facing him did. That was Klein.

Finally, the fourth round was left with a triple battle. First it would be a 1 v/s 1, then the winner would face the next participant before continuing to the semi-finals.

As I finished checking the participants I put the list in my pocket.

Apparently the war band had already finished their presentation and would be leaving soon. The girls said a few words to me before going to their seats.

The first one was Irisdina.

"This... Rudel-san. cheer up!!!"

Her encouragement made my full tank overflow with happiness.

Alicelotte before speaking bit her lips, while her arms were clinging tightly under her huge mountains.

"Bradford... sorry, the only thing I can do for you is pray."

She said that as she looked at the ground, her tone sounded very distraught and helpless.

I'm not one to give encouragement, but at a time like this....

"There's nothing to worry about since I'll win, I just have to defeat the two that touch me and then kick Klein's ass."

"That's also part of the problem!"

My brave response was immediately squashed by his serious tone.

"Don't you know who your opponents are besides Klein!!!?"

I shot a quick glance at Irisdina for help, but she didn't notice. Still, her questioning face was cute. Thank you for existing, thank you indeed.

"You are the sons of two great stars of our country's military, plus you are the closest friends of his highness the prince!"

I see.

That's why when I checked the underground betting house, there were names that said in which round or who would beat me before Klein.

But still.

"I don't care, even if it's the prince I face, I will crush him, I swore I would destroy my enemies!"

I said in an overconfident tone to a surprised Alicelotte.

"You... You're an idiot!!! Do you have a serious problem in your head? How can you even think of saying that? Ahh my head is spinning. Irisdina let's go now, this guy just stresses me out more."

At once Alicelotte turned around and left pressing her hand on her forehead and with the other she grabbed Irisdina.

I felt very jealous at how those two looked.

They reached a back door where they entered and were no longer visible.

Then Ixion who was looking hidden approached me from behind. I was very scared when I heard his annoying electronic voice.

"Master."

"Wahh!!! Damn you, don't scare me like that!!!"

"Sorry to interrupt your bizarre fantasies, but he informed you that the competition will start soon and the participants are already in the arena taking the oath."

"I don't mind, after all, I only have one goal and then I will retire. More importantly that boy is not arriving."

I spoke very annoyed to Ixion as the war band came out covering the sun from my position.

"I told him it won't be long now, there was a problem, but he won't be long now."

I looked with annoyance at this boy after saying that so calmly. Doesn't he understand that if I don't have a mobile knight I will be not only in trouble but also disqualified.

"Hurry up" -I said to him very annoyed.

◇◇◇

Erselica was in the audience and only saw eight figures in the arena, it was supposed to be nine, but it was obvious who wasn't there.

Her gaze only focused on a single person, it was someone who wore a strange silver mask in the shape of a helmet.

She knew who it was, but she only got more excited at the thought.

As the first duel began she noticed two figures looking for their seats at the other end of the coliseum. They were Irisdina and Alicelotte.

Erselica grimaced as she watched the event unfold as it happened.

Alicelotte was using Irisdina as a servant after an event where she had no choice but to become her slave.

Muttering, Erselica was saying "you will soon meet your end, slut."

◇

Inside a rather large room were the participants, I had to get to the place so that the referee would not disqualify me.

I felt uncomfortable thinking that Klein would perhaps harass me inside, but he seemed not to be here. I looked around at the participants. The first duel was already taking place so the participants of the second duel were working out to go out for the fight. I was a little envious of them.

Among the others I only saw two silhouettes that caught my attention, one tall with red hair and the other with green hair. Ixion was spying on them and I was listening to their conversation in case they were talking about some strategy.

It seems like something a coward and a cheat would do, but that didn't matter to me, life isn't fair, so I wasn't going to let something like that defeat me before my time.

Then.

"I feel a little bad for His Highness, he wanted to participate, but he couldn't because of His Majesty's order."

"Even if so, an order from the King is absolute."

The red-haired boy was replying to the green-haired one.

"Even if he doesn't participate, he can still be among the people in the crowd, we must put on our best show."

The red-haired boy's words, just like his uniform of the same color said encouraging words, but....

"The guy who touches me before facing you seems to be a simpleton."

(Huh? What the heck did he say!)

"It certainly seems so, I checked his background and he seems to be a field baron, I'm surprised even a simpleton would have an armed unit to participate, but it seems to be an unknown model, it must surely be something second hand."

The red-haired boy and he in green were still badmouthing me.

"What, more importantly, I heard that he is being Alicelotte's begleiter since Alicelotte challenged Klein to a duel."

"Is that so? I heard that he started crying since that woman humiliated him in front of everyone and that baron stepped into their discussion and challenged him as well."

Thanks to my position without turning around, I could see out of my eye how both of them were clearly watching me.

I felt so annoyed, no, I was truly pissed off. Veins were swelling on my forehead.

(What the hell!!!)

A lot of dark feelings were overflowing from my heart as I heard what these two were saying.

(Who the fuck was the shit that dared to tell such a lie!!! That never happened!!! I'll beat the fucker or fuckers who told those lies!!!!)

My heart was filled with those feelings when Ixion whispered to me.

"Master, it looks like that boy has arrived."

Hearing that I went out muttering little words "I'll crush you guys too."

When I closed the door it seems that the first meeting was over.

◇◇◇

I was walking down a long corridor to reach the outskirts of the coliseum when my eyes met someone who was eating something like a hamburger with black soda.

That person noticed me and spoke.

"Hey scumbag, it's a long time until our meeting so you better not even think about running away or else...".

"You mustn't say anything, I won't run away and I'll face you."

With a smile that showed his food soiled teeth he answered me.

"I hope so, otherwise I wouldn't bother much about getting me to participate in something as ridiculous as this."

As he finished his sentence he continued on as he ate.

I stared at him, before turning I felt someone throw a small stone at the back of my head.

"Ouch. Who did that!"

I called forward to whoever had done it, but no one was answering. The pain was gone so I thought maybe it could have been my imagination.

I kept walking to get to the exit of the place.

◇◇◇

Rudel while walking didn't notice something small and black clinging to the side of the high ceiling, it had a large needle which was getting smaller as the seconds passed.

The wasp-like creature watched a black spot on the back of Rudel's neck, it emitted a dark aura and several small veins stretched at a slow pace towards his head.

The creature faded away after having an expression that read "mission accomplished."

◇

The second fight ended in an unexpected way, it seems that the two participants gave their best to the point that their armored units were mutually destroyed.

This was undoubtedly amazing. I curse myself for not going to watch.

The third fight would soon begin so I was getting ready, but there was a problem.

"Hey, Ixion..."

"Yes, Master?"

"Don't make a questioning face!!! I want to know what the hell is this black color!!!"

My face had an expression of discomfort as my armored unit had another color than I had known it to be before.

"Umm, is that so? I thought you might like it since I did my research and jet black is very feared."

"Don't make fun of me you fucker! You did it on purpose didn't you, I know you did it on purpose!!! Your old white color was beautiful!"

"I'm very sorry master, but this is no time for your childish whining."

"Huh!!!?" -I exclaimed that after hearing it.

"Apparently Klein finished his match, it was very fast how he defeated him, or rather he opponent made it very easy for him since this one was just playing."

"I see, so it's cheating" -I answered him still annoyed.

"So it seems to be."

"It's garbage, it's normal that he did it, the strange thing would be if he hadn't done anything."

"The opponent you're up against seems to have already reached his post."

"... Is that so? Very well... Here we go."

A large hand came out of a giant cylinder, I went up to that hand which faded into darkness as it returned to its original position, then two large red lights shone brightly.

◇◇◇

The moment of truth had arrived.

Several people were gathered today not only to watch the duels, while others came to see if their bets would win.

On the ground there was already an armed unit ready.

It was a very bright red mobile knight, it had several additional pieces in the form of armor, this being a giant suit of armor itself. His head had something similar to a punk style, but made of iron, his weapon was a long axe which was shaped like a 69 by blade.

With the rear hatch still open a man could be seen resting in a reclining seat.

He was annoyed.

"He sure takes a long time, that guy," he muttered.

In the stands they were equally annoyed.

Alicelotte and Irisdina were talking among themselves as they watched the crowd furious at Rudel's delay.

"Alicelotte-san, Rudel-san still hasn't arrived and it's already his turn, could something have happened to him?" -Irisdina asked in a concerned tone.

Alicelotte looked at the location where Rudel's mobile knight should be, but there was no one there.

"He... I don't think he did something like run away, did he?"

The moment Alicelotte said those words a dark shadow manifested in her eyes.

She thought perhaps that Rudel had fled in panic.

Her mouth slowly made a terrible grimace as she thought about it more.

"That's not so!!!"

It was Irisdina who shouted to the frightened Alicelotte who turned to see her.

"Rudel-san is not that kind of person!!! He will help you since you needed help!!! Just have patience and faith that he will come without fail!!! Hmph!!!"

Irisdina with her arms in the shape of gathered fists yelled at Alicelotte, then reassured her by telling her "calm down, they were just terrible thoughts of mine."

Irisdina's energetic face returned to normal after saying that. Alicelotte looked at her and could only think of one thing.

(Having someone in whom you place your trust must be good...? I wonder if all this happened because I was a pitiful woman...?)

Even if her face didn't express it, inside her heart a seed of self-suffering had already been planted.

*Kachim

Was what Alicelotte suddenly heard.

*Kachim, Kachim

Irisdina also heard that and tried to look for the source of that sound.

*Kachim, Kachim, Kachim, Kachim, Kachim*

The people in the stands also heard that mysterious sound.

All of them suddenly focused their gaze where the noise was getting louder.

Chlust stood up and from the cockpit noticed a shadow coming from the tunnel used by the warband.

At the sight of it, he made a maniacal grin and the rear of the armored unit closed and his eyes lit up.

Alicelotte and Irisdina watched with deep interest as to what was causing that sound.

The people from the lowest position of the stands and even Chlust himself were looking at it almost perfectly well.

A large body that covered almost the entire tunnel was slowly walking towards the arena. The further it went, the more people in the upper grades could already see it.

It had a much more robust and huge body, it was jet black in color, it had glowing red circles on its joints, knees, elbows and shoulders. His head was very different from the usual mobile knights.

It looked like a motorcyclist's helmet, had red side lines on his cheeks and eyes that looked like visors, they were also red.

He had mysterious and possible red veins extending from his middle all over his body. His chest was very large and had a flashing red light.

Its arms were thick as logs and its fingers were like those of an exoskeleton. His legs were exactly the same with the difference that his feet looked like they were made to step on all kinds of terrain.

On his back he had a container in the shape of an excessively large travel backpack. It was so large that it took up almost the entire space of the tunnel which was almost twenty-four meters.

The armed unit walking in that place seemed to be between fourteen or fifteen meters while the container on his back was much larger than his body.

As he lifted his legs and stepped onto the ground towards the sound of *Kachim*.

With his red eyes he looked scary, but the sound he made as he walked influenced laughter in the stands as he slowly approached.

"Hahaha, what the hell is that thing?"

"Mobile knights must be small and fast, that thing is so big it makes noises from how old it is!!!"

"How bad did it like to paint it black!!!!?

More and more hurtful voices with laughter sounded in the distance as the machine walked toward its post.

Alicelotte looked with surprise and horror at Rudel's armed unit. She wondered if he really had one, and at last she could see that he did.

But...

"He said he had a stray at his command, but it's too big for his mobility. If he made that crunching sound it was because his joints were too heavy, wasn't it?"

Alicelotte looked with dubious eyes once again at Rudel's armed unit and Irisdina would have her mouth to puzzle it even more.

"Umm, I don't understand why they say it's strange? I think it looks very nice in color and being very big makes it look stronger and more reliable.

Irisdina with her questioning finger on her lips made Alicelotte's head fall sideways at Alicelotte's words.

"No!!! I think you're the one here who has something wrong with her!"

◇

Inside the cabin was me looking at the situation.

Despite being called a booth it was more like a small room, there was a huge screen that appeared to be the combination of eight HDTVs inside.

I covered my eyes as I heard people laughing.

"I told you this was going to happen!!! no one likes this ugly color!!!"

"I knew it, this is the worst, I never told you to do paint changes, ahhh I want to cry. No, I'm already crying, I want to hide in an inn and never see the light of day."

He was sitting in a big comfortable chair, there was a board where there were two holes for his arms to enter, inside there were joysticks to freely move the assembled unit.

In the middle of that board was a large hole where Ixion was inserted to give orders in case the pilot is incapacitated.

Ixion looked at the silent screen.

"Ahhhh, shut up already!!!"

I pulled my hands out of my face and was shoving them into the holes in the dashboard.

Then to shut them up I pushed a button and the backpack came off falling to the floor.

It made such a big boom sound that it made the earth shake for a few seconds and a big cloud of dust rose up.

Now it was quiet.

I walked to get closer to my opponent, the screeching sound no longer sounded because I got rid of the backpack which weighed several tons. But the squeal was not coming from my machine but from the objects in the backpack inside.

This guy, my own mobile knight which I had named Battler.

It was a mechanical armor used centuries ago by an ancient civilization for combat.

I was surprised when I saw him for the first time, he was totally different from the armored units I saw before going on adventures.

Ixion was still quiet, I didn't think anything of it.

"Now we're going to cause these idiots some pain."