The Ranking

The Imperial Warrior Academy. Three years had already passed since I entered the academy, and the results for the end of year were posted. My name is easy to spot.

– 1st place: Uriko Anadine, 2nd place: Terran Kamina

Yes, it’s the second from the top. So, it’s easy to find. For the past three years, my grades have always fallen within the top 10, so it’s no surprise to me. However, I have never been in first place.

It wasn’t just the written tests but in practical exams as well. Mock battle between the two friends, Uriko and Terran proceed.

“Yarrrrrrrrr” I gear up and shift into an attack with my sword

Uriko retorts “Silly, I see through everything you do, Terran.”

Switching it up, I decide to unleash a magic attack “Thunder Spell Dex Thunder!”

Uriko with confidence exuding “The power of the spell is much better than last week. You seem to have put in a lot of effort in a short period of time, but it’s within my expectations.”

With surprise at the attack being deflected I express “What the?!”

I realized that there was a real genius in my vicinity who far surpassed me. I can’t beat a genius, even if I studied enough to bust my pen or break my weapon by swinging it around till, I’m exhausted.

Uriko chimes in “See, you’re about to lose your footing.”

I am trying to surpass my limits in this mock battle, just trying to grasp the hypothetical ledge of the wall and catch up to his friend. My body fails me, and I stumble “Whoa, whoa, damn, whoa”

After crashing into the ground after losing my balance trying to land my strike on Uriko. She announces, “With that, it’s my win."

Today, I faced her head-on but ended up down on the ground. and the professor that was refereeing announces “Mock battle over. Winner, Uriko!”

Then, as I lay on my back on the ground, I looked up at the sky again right as the cheers started. The crowd expressed their thoughts “Oooooh, it’s great. An overwhelming victory for Princess Uriko!”, “Three years and still undefeated, will the streak stand until graduation?”, “Lady Uriko is so lovely.”

“Beautiful and intelligent, she truly is a child prodigy in whose body flows the blood of His Majesty. Uriko is the daughter of Emperor Solja, who was said to be the strongest spearman of the Seven Heroes that defeated the Demon King. “Yeah. Terran is not weak, but he hasn’t beaten Uriko once.”

Outside in the training grounds, I sighed out loud hearing the gossip of my classmate in the open. In the end, I’m only hearing the same comments as usual. “Are you alright, Terran?” Uriko asks.

I was surprised to find her nearby, when I was trying to find an isolated space. Uriko trying to pick me up after completely deflating me during the mock battle. “Your magic power and sword skills have improved in such a short time. I recognize the effort. But you have yet to master it as a Magic Sword Art.”

It sounded like something said by the winner looking down on the loser, even though it is usually taken as praise for a worthy opponent after a good match. Uriko continues, “As you are now, won’t you be a disappointment to your father, Terran?”

I stammer with shame “I-I lack the dignity, princess”

A woman with beautiful long golden hair that has a slight roll cropping her hair. The style that is beneficial to long haired warriors, like female knights. With dignified expression and eyes, and pure white hands and feet that seem to have never touched dirt. She has a tall and slender figure. Yet so curvaceous you could sense her motherly tendencies. She is dressed in white short-sleeves and half-pants like everyone else, but her divine aura and presence make her feel different. At least to me.

Uriko was disappointed in hearing her title coming from my mouth. “Hey, at the academy we’re all equal. We are even childhood friends. Call me Uriko. No honorifics, it’s so annoying!”

Replying, ”Umm, yeah. Sorry” with a chuckle in hopes to move past the moment. Yet, she continues the light scolding.

She says to treat her normally, it is impossible. Because this person is the princess of this country. “It’s shameful. I never thought you’d be unable to win even once. With this, I am certain to be the next champion in the Graduation Commemorative Match.”

Disappointed in my fate, I am trying to laugh off the comments. “Ha ha ha, I guess”

Uriko replies “Is that funny? When you graduate, you will be a fine warrior, serve the Royal Palace, and will be a key figure in protecting the Imperial Capital beside your father. It would be a pitiful thing that you are weaker than me, the princess.”

How many times have I heard this sermon? If she wasn’t a princess and childhood friend, I would scream, [SHUT THE FRACK UP WOMAN]

As Uriko continues “As the son of the hero who saved the world, isn’t it embarrassing?”

In addition to me, this school has children of nobles and other offspring of the heroes who defeated the Demon King. However, none could beat Princess Uriko, either in academics or in combat. Yet, I’m the only one she preaches to every time. It’s quite annoying, and it’s not just the tone that gets to me.

Trying to keep it cool and not blow up at her comments “But, the princess is really impressive, I am still pretty strong, too.”

Here comes the girls in my class, vocalizing their gossip are blushing and praising me., “Yes, he’s a little withdrawn, but looks a bit wild and cool.”, “His household is wealthy, too.”,

This makes me happy and embarrassed. I can’t beat the Princess, but I’m in second place in my grade, so I’m an honor student. Moreover, because my family is good, the girls usually don’t care. However-

one of the girls calls out “…… Hey, you there!”

The princess approaches the girls who were commenting about Terran and puts a jeer on her face. “There seems to be a little misunderstanding. Certainly, he is talented, his face may not be bad, and he comes from a wealthy family. But he also has a twisted side too. His character is considerably demonic and tends to be disobedient at times. Also, more than anything, when I was a child, he rudely peeked at my underwear, and he still hides smutty books in his room. The other day, I heard from his maid that he had hidden a double-bottomed drawer and even set up a magic trap to hide them. No, that isn’t good for the boys of his age, but he’s hiding something obscene. His appearance itself isn’t bad, but his eyes. I don’t think it’s wild and masculine, it’s just bad. His family is also wealthy, and his parents are two respectable heroes. However, his upbringing is too lenient, and he was spoiled growing up. You don’t want that, do you? No, but it’s not that he’s not working hard. He studies and trains very hard just so he can beat me. While he seems to not care about losing, I have witnessed his figure working hard in the shadows without anyone noticing, still, th-that is, yes. He has no delicacy towards girls. Yes, that’s why you should definitely stop aiming for him.”

What was that at the end, and why did it not sound like criticism? She blew all that slander towards me at the girls. How is it even possible to speak so fast? Yet, the girls who were listening just smiled. The girls replied cooing, “Ooooooo, oh we understand, princess”

“Among us. No, I don’t think any girl in the Imperial city is aiming to be Terran’s girlfriend. Right?!”

Yes, if I think about it normally, there’s no way I can be that popular. However, in the last three years I have never been able to get a girlfriend. So, of course, I don’t have any experience with women! It’s all because of that damn princess who keeps tarnishing my image with the girls! Maybe she hates me!

It doesn’t matter. For me, there’s someone I’ve already set my mind on.