Chapter 14: Your competition is too fake

A hard strike, is it?

The problem was that facing the other four examinees, Rita had no idea who was a favored candidate, nor whom she should even fight.

This time, the Arena was set up inside the Military Camp, the entire arena forming a huge oval, roughly the size of a four-hundred-meter circular track.

There was nothing around the edge of the arena, only a line drawn with chalk.

Crossing this line meant runoff, but with such a large area, there was plenty of space to maneuver.

Three examiners sat on the Grand Stand, usually where commanders directed training, giving them a full view of the battlefield.

“I’ll repeat: surrendering, leaving the arena boundaries, or losing consciousness will all be considered as ending the test. Causing severe injury or death will lead to disqualification based on circumstances. This round of the Test is only part of your overall Score. Losing a Match doesn’t mean everything is lost, so do not fight to the death.”

The Host’s voice rang out over the arena.

“You have one minute to enter and choose your position. No magic or attacks are allowed within this minute. The Test begins after that.”

Even the moment the examinees entered counted as part of the assessment; positioning, observing opponents, and preparation all revealed a candidate’s caliber.

Rita had already watched the previous fights.

At this moment, most would spread out to keep distance and observe.

Anyway, just stand by for now.

Rita thought as she drew her sword with one hand and held it firmly.

Lord Angus frowned slightly, leaning toward Cecilia in the center, lowering his voice: “Look at this examinee named Rita and her sword stance. She has neither professional Swordsmanship training nor combat experience—her form is riddled with flaws.”

“Flawed doesn’t necessarily mean the result,” Cecilia replied calmly, though she clenched her fist inside her sleeve.

“Pfft.”

A young man some distance from Rita sneered.

The others glanced at Rita, their expressions filled with schadenfreude.

She can’t even hold a sword properly.

This rookie is a guaranteed white give.

She doesn’t even look like a rich girl.

How did she get in here?

Oh! Got it! She’s here just to let me pass! Just a few light hits and then I win, right?

Brothers, money really works, and there’s even a Points Baby to feed.

“Match five! Begin!”

At the Host’s command, the other four charged at Rita with swords raised, making her shudder.

Normally, wouldn’t the Matches be one-on-one or a free-for-all? Why were they all targeting her?

Did she look that formidable?

Actually, she was pretty strong.

Despite their polished moves, if Rita lost her sword, four or even forty like these wouldn’t be enough for her to fight.

But first, Rita had no Swordsmanship; second, she couldn’t reveal her succubus body’s physical advantage.

What to do then?

Run!

Rita took off, the four in hot pursuit, slowly closing in from all sides.

Using her physique advantage, she dodged left and right, circling the arena three full laps before the four finally cornered her at the edge.

“Wait!” Rita raised a hand, back to the arena’s edge, halting them. “Why are you guys chasing me? Aren’t you supposed to fight each other?”

“Hah… hah…” one youth panted, “Why would I fight them? If anyone’s fighting, it’s just between us two!”

“Y-yeah! We’re fighting you! Hurry up and attack!” a girl leaned on her sword, catching her breath before straightening.

“Hey, brother, isn’t that mine? Why are you butting in? That’s not right,” a third man raised an eyebrow, pressing on his knees, unable to stand up quickly.

The last one furrowed his brow, asking, “Wait, how is she yours? I paid… ahem, I claimed her first.”

What’s this? One Match, and four guys are losing their minds over me… no way!

“Wait, brother, are you one of them too?” someone moved closer, secretly rubbing hands and making a bribery gesture.

“What else? What else?” the other replied.

“How did we end up in the same group then?” the girl screamed.

“And what about her? Who invited her backup?” the last one pointed at Rita.

Four pairs of eyes locked onto Rita.

Why look at me?

Rita immediately realized these four were treating her as a Points Baby.

So you’re all favored candidates! Cecilia’s groupings sure have a twisted sense of humor! No wonder Cecilia told me to fight to the death.

Rita rolled her eyes and a plan formed: “Ahem, well, I don’t really know either. How about you guys discuss it?”

“Discuss what?” the youth frowned.

Rita smiled faintly and sheathed her sword. “Discuss who’s going to fight me first. Standing here doing nothing won’t help your Scores. Someone’s got to lose, right?”

This was basically Rita admitting her role as the Points Baby.

“That’s true. Standing still just lowers our Scores. There has to be a winner.”

“Right, maybe there are just too many this year, so we ended up together.”

“Yeah, we all paid, so no fear.”

Hah, Cecilia’s grouping logic made sense to them.

That was good.

Rita glanced at the four leaning by the arena edge and decided to add fuel to the fire: “Alright, how about rock-paper-scissors? The winner fights me first. The losers have no complaints and perform well, agreed?”

“Mm, agreed.”

“Agreed.”

Rita stepped aside confidently, watching the four sheathe their swords and form a circle, raising fists and signaling.

“Rock, paper…”

Before the last word was out, Rita kicked one person in the butt.

The man staggered, stepping out of the arena boundary.

The Host’s voice immediately rang out: “Frding, runoff!”

“What are you standing there for? Kick him!”

Almost at the same time, Rita shouted and kicked another person’s calf, then gave the remaining girl a look.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then understood and pushed hard, forcing the unready youth out as well.

“Reino, William, runoff!”

“Take this!” Rita shouted, drawing her sword with a fierce pose and slashing toward the girl, but her sword speed was embarrassingly slow.

The girl immediately lowered her sword to block.

The two swords clashed with a crisp sound before locking in place.

Sensing Rita was faking the attack, the girl’s lips twitched into a smile.

Perfect! I’m starting to get it!

No wonder it’s just the two of us females.

This Match was prepared just for me!

She knew her mother had spent a lot to secure her Test; didn’t expect the money was so well spent.

“Do as I say,” Rita gritted her teeth, pressing her sword down, though her strength was barely there. “Now I’ll push you to the edge, then…”

“Then?” the girl feigned interest, blocking and stepping back carefully. “Then we swap positions, and you’re runoff?”

The girl saw Rita’s sunny smile just before she suddenly kicked her in the stomach.

“And then you’re out!”