Anyway, he could get by without being hassled by them when together with Kirito, which was something he had no qualms with. However, he couldn't very well hide in the shadow of his partner forever, having become an elite swordsman-in-training now. The year's first official match was only a month away, in the middle of the sixth month. The final rankings may be decided based on just the one right before graduation, but a complete loss to Raios and his ally would only create unease in his future. A major reversal like how the Swordswoman-in- training Sortiliena who was always ranked second overthrew the immovable head, Uolo Levanteinn, in the final match was not common at all—or so, Gorgolosso had said in high spirits, as though it had concerned him personally. The head this year, Raios, and the second-ranked, Humbert, were warriors who had received special training in the High Norkia-style since they were young, just like Uolo. Their characters were utterly unworthy of respect, but their swordsmanship would probably be a head above that of the other noble students. To be honest, even with only a month to go until the match, he still could not find that something he should put in his sword that would be capable of competing against their Mighty Sword. —But at the very least, I definitely won't lose to you guys in terms of number of sword swings. Ending his pensive thoughts and the four hundredth strike at the same time, Eugeo slowly straightened his body. He removed a towel from his belt and first wiped clean his wooden sword. Next, he wiped off the sweat that had soaked down from his forehead to his nape while taking fleeting glances behind. Raios and his cohort were practicing in the middle of the practice arena as always, apparently reviewing the forms of each other's styles. The moment he turned back and took a breath of air, the «Bell of Time Telling» that hung at the academy's main auditorium tower rang out the melody for 6 P.M., the same way the bell at the church back home did. The swordsmen-in-training's dormitory left much to the students' discretion, unlike the trainees' dormitory that was full of regulations, so dinner could be taken anytime from six to eight. Hence, a little more practice was perfectly possible, but he had to bring food back to the room for his partner who was hard at work studying for the tests today. —Come to think of it, that Kirito didn't tell me what he wanted to eat. If there are those pickled tsubu gourds he's bad with, I'll get him an extra-large serving. When he tucked the towel and wooden sword into his belt with those thoughts in mind and started walking towards the entryway, Raios spoke with his sword aloft, at a volume he could hear. "My, it seems that Swordsman-in-training Eugeo plans to only hit that log, without conducting any style practice." Without missing a beat, Humbert followed up. "Raios-dono, from what I hear, it seems that Eugeo-dono was a woodcutter somewhere in the boondocks. Perhaps he doesn't know how to deal with anything except a log for an opponent?" "I would have never known. If those are his circumstances, might it be best of us to offer our guidance for a single form at least, as fellow disciples of the same dormitory?" "Oh, such magnanimity from you, Raios-dono, you're truly a model of the aristocrats!" Eugeo restrained himself from sighing at the seemingly premeditated exchange that played out and tried to continue on his way. However, Humbert then addressed him directly, so he had no choice but to reluctantly halt his steps.