Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH8: The Worst One and the Tenkousei (prt 1)

The fifteenth training arena was lively with crowds of cheering students at the spectator stands and the ring below was lit up with a glowing blue. Above it was a hexagonal fixture with monitors mounted on all six sides, displaying the profiles of both combatants. A girl's voice boomed through the speaker system, acting as both announcer and commentator.

"We have have quite an exciting match in store for us today, folks! Our first combatant is a fan-favorite among the student body and well known for his win last year against Donrou Academy's Yamamichiyuki Azuchi. Everyone is looking forward to seeing him in this year's festival. He is the C-rank Knight, Shigenobu Suga!"

On cue there was a roar of cheers from the audience directed towards the one standing on the west side of ring. Suga, a tall bald boy with a tattoo of twin lightning bolts on the right side of his head, reveled in his own hype while punching a fist upward in assured victory.

The girl's voice continued to boom through the speakers as she announced the next combatant.

"His opponent, making her debut, is a B-rank from the respected House of Kurogane. She may be a first year but her magical feats and ruthlessness have earned her the nickname 'Lorelei' so she's definately someone to look out for. Shizuku Kurogane!"

The youngest Kurogane, who stood at the opposite side of the ring, was surprised at the amount of cheers she received. To anyone else this wasn't a shock, she was considered the second best of the first years and her family legacy made her a topic that was followed by many students. In a way she was like a celebrity.

But the sudden attention made her feel a little nervous and so she looked towards the stands to find the one person who made her feel at ease. His recognizable unkempt hair wasn't hard to spot, her brother struck his hand high in the air and waved at her happily. Despite Stella and Nagi also being there with him, she focused only her precious onii-sama; his presence was all that was needed to bring a loving smile to her face.

Unfortunately, that moment for her was ruined when Suga called out to her.

"So you're a first year, huh? Did you skip a few grades or something? I didn't think they were letting little kids in the Academy."

Shizuku switched her gaze to her opponent with an irritated expression.

"I'm fifteen." she stated.

The bald boy grinned in response.

"Could've fooled me. You look more JC than JK!*"

Shizuku silently growled in offense but kept calm, she already knew what Suga was capable of and had a technique in mind that would put him in his place.

While the crowds continued to cheer and talk excitedly, there was one among them who didn't. He was a certain twenty three year old who was passing himself off as a seventeen year old teenager, or at least attempting to. He seated himself in a section of the rows isolated from the other students.