The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 66

―The Day of the Tournament―

The weather was perfect today—a bright, clear sky. It was a beautiful day for the tournament. From early in the morning, there was a restless energy around the estate. For a change, I skipped training and took my time getting up. I decided to have breakfast with my father.

A message had already arrived from Fars, saying he would go ahead to the academy.

It seemed he had been called to the knights’ club before the competition. I wondered if he was getting along well with his seniors.

“Marloa, you’re not participating in the tournament this year?”
My father asked as he tore off a piece of bread.

“Yes. The seniors advised me to keep my skills hidden since I’ll likely assist as His Highness’s guard even after graduation. They think it’s convenient for a woman like me to keep her abilities under wraps.”

“Didn’t you want to participate?”

“I’m not very good at one-on-one combat. I’d much rather face a dragon—it’s more fun.”

“…Right. I’ve told you this before, but don’t overdo it.”
“I understand.”

After finishing breakfast and a brief conversation, I headed to the academy. Since Fars wasn’t with me today, Anna accompanied me to the arena. My father, busy with work, had seemed a bit disappointed he couldn’t join us.

“Anna, have you watched the tournament before?”

“Oh yes, I come every year. The tournament is the highlight of the royal capital. All past champions have gone on to become commanders or vice-commanders of the Royal Knights. It’s like a preliminary stage to show the potential of future knights—except for Reco, of course.”

“I wonder how Reco is doing.”

“Probably living life in his usual carefree way.”

“Fufu, I think so too.”

The tournament began, and Anna leaned forward eagerly to watch. She said she had been on the edge of her seat last year when I won the championship. Despite her gentle demeanor, Anna seemed to have a fondness for martial arts.

Meanwhile, Fars seemed to have breezed through his first match. As planned, we threw a single flower into the arena.

Last year, neither Fars nor I received any flowers from the crowd, but this year, flowers rained down on him.

Apparently, this was considered a barometer of a knight’s popularity.

According to the noble ladies’ gossip, Fars was admired for being a quiet and capable squire, as well as a skilled knight.

Personally, I found him far from quiet and rather headstrong.

“Anna, Fars seems popular with the ladies.”

“Yes, he’s not bad-looking, and with rumors of him becoming a future commander, he’s quite the catch. But you, my lady, are equally admired by the noble gentlemen. People in the capital say the two of you together are a sight for sore eyes.”

I stopped watching the match to stare at Anna, who seemed utterly unbothered by her remark.

“Is that so!? I had no idea.”

“You have many admirers, my lady. Of course, high-ranking noble marriages are a different matter.”

“Well, that’s true.”

The brief thrill of her words quickly faded. It wasn’t something I could control, and I felt a bit disappointed despite myself.

While chatting with Anna, Fars continued to win each round with ease, eventually advancing to the finals. This year’s tournament didn’t feature any standout knight candidates, so it seemed certain that Fars would win.

The final match began. His opponent was a third-year student from the knight course, a large man wielding a great sword.

Although Fars favored brute strength, he was clearly outmatched in that regard. Watching calmly, I saw him adapt, switching to swift movements. His style reminded me of my own.

Observing from a distance, I noticed how much I could learn from this perspective. Fars exploited the openings created by his opponent’s heavy sword swings. He disrupted the great sword’s movements with feints and attacks, frustrating his opponent.

Finally, during another feint, the opponent dismissed it as another bluff and committed to his swing. Fars took the opportunity to sweep his legs out from under him, causing him to fall. He pointed his sword at the opponent’s throat, ending the match.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, likely surprised by the unexpected tactic, before erupting into cheers and applause.
The defeated knight looked devastated. Losing in a straightforward sword fight might have been easier to accept.

Fars and I, however, had spent years as adventurers, where survival trumped honor. Reco always said as much—winning cleanly was less important than staying alive.

This year’s tournament participants were mostly knight students, so their fighting styles were fairly standard. However, Fars and I had learned an unorthodox style from Reco that confused opponents. Reco’s swordsmanship was designed to be unpredictable, a strength I hadn’t fully appreciated until now.
Reco was undoubtedly exceptional—though, as a person, he had his flaws.

As Fars’s victory was announced, the award ceremony commenced. His Majesty presented him with the trophy and a bouquet made from the flowers thrown by the crowd.

“Fars, congratulations on your victory. Do you have a wish?”
Fars hesitated for a moment before responding clearly.

“I wish to join the Royal Knights. Once I become commander, I’d like to be granted a title.”

“So be it. I promise to grant your wish.”

Cheers erupted as His Majesty’s words echoed through the arena.
“Fars! Congratulations!” I shouted, and he walked toward me with a smile.

To my surprise, he knelt and presented the bouquet to me.
“All my victories are for you, my lady.”

“…!! F-Fars, you did very well.”

Fars beamed with satisfaction. I accepted the bouquet with a smile, though my face burned with embarrassment. The audience’s cheers grew even louder.

Despite my mortification, I maintained my composure and laughed it off.

And so, the tournament ended on a high note. Anna and I left the arena quickly, avoiding the crowd.
That night, Fars received a reward from my father. I couldn’t help but envy him a little since I’d never gotten one myself.
Before bed, I teased Fars.

“Congratulations, Fars. You made it look easy.”
“Well, compared to facing you, it was.”
“Fufu, your opponent in the final must be furious. I hope you don’t get bullied in the knights’ club tomorrow.”

“You think so? I thought so too, but I couldn’t ignore an open target.”

“For us, it’s normal, but knights might see aiming for the legs as dishonorable.”

“True enough.”

“By the way, that bouquet really surprised me. The entire arena was watching us.”

“Not bad, right? A bouquet from the future commander of the Royal Knights.”

Fars smirked mischievously.

“I’ll be looking forward to it. Now, let’s get some sleep. The only thing left is to prepare for the exams.”

“…Ugh. Right, the exams.”

Fars’s expression turned grim, making me laugh.

“Good night, my lady.”

“Good night, Fars.”

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