ASCC-Chapter 33 An Unyielding Fate

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Though it was a round-robin tournament— meaning that losing a match wouldn't automatically eliminate a competitor— Oreki Yuuri's analysis indicated that to secure a spot as one of Hagun Academy's representatives for the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, a flawless, undefeated record would likely be necessary.

In other words, even a single loss could cost someone that coveted position.

Ryoji, of course, aspired to participate in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. He longed to face more formidable opponents and continuously push himself beyond his limits.

His Senior Sister, too, was undoubtedly aiming for the festival. Last year, she had narrowly lost to the Seven Stars Sword King, finishing as a semifinalist. This year, there was no doubt she would want to reclaim her honor.

If the two of them were to face each other, one would inevitably leave the stage in disappointment, stepping away from the dream every Student Knight yearned to achieve.

If they were paired as opponents through the natural course of the tournament, Ryoji felt it might be acceptable, even if one of them had to bow out. However, if his cursed misfortune caused them to face off earlier than necessary— forcing one to be eliminated prematurely— it would be utterly unbearable.

Ryoji was confident that if Hagun Academy were to select its six strongest participants, both he and his Senior Sister would undoubtedly be among them. They deserved to stand together at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.

Determined not to let misfortune unfairly rob him or his Senior Sister of this opportunity, Ryoji strode toward the school building.

On the first floor of the Fifth Teaching Building, he found the office of the Executive Committee responsible for managing the representative selection battle. He knocked firmly on the door.

"Come in."

A calm and elegant female voice answered from inside, one that felt oddly familiar to Ryoji.

When he opened the door, a noble young lady dressed in a pristine white gown appeared before him. Her presence exuded an air of refinement.

"Totokubara?" Ryoji exclaimed in surprise, recognizing her. "What are you doing here?"

She was seated at the desk, focused intently on her work, with stacks of student rosters and other documents cluttering the workspace.

"Nangou?" Totokubara Kanata raised her delicate chin, her emerald-green eyes reflecting her own surprise.

"I'm the chair of the Executive Committee," she explained. "It's my duty to handle all matters related to the battle selection. Naturally, I'd be here. Also, call me Senpai properly."

She recalled how, during their last encounter at the dormitory entrance, this Junior Brother of Touka's, while outwardly composed, seemed to disregard etiquette, interacting with others in a surprisingly casual manner.

In truth, he didn't quite resemble a typical Japanese person, not only in his attitude but even in his oddly mismatched name.

Still, Kanata herself wasn't particularly fond of Japan's overly complex rituals either.

"So, why are you here?" She asked.

"I want to take a shortcut," Ryoji replied bluntly.

Kanata froze, her refined, doll-like face showing clear confusion.

'Did… did he really just say that? Usually, when someone wanted to seek a favor, they'd act sheepishly, smile awkwardly, or even beg. But this guy? He announced his intentions as if it were the most natural thing in the world.'

"I'm sorry, but as a knight, I can't let anyone take shortcuts," Kanata replied firmly, though she kept her tone polite out of respect for her friend Touka.

Ryoji almost wanted to retort, "Can I take the front door instead?" but considering he was here to ask for help, he decided against making unnecessary jokes.

"Don't reject me so quickly. At least hear me out before making a decision."

Pulling a chair to sit across from Kanata, Ryoji began explaining his predicament in detail.

"This, this, and that... Now, do you understand?"

"I understand."

Totokubara Kanata nodded slightly.

She generally grasped Ryoji's reasoning: because of his persistent misfortune, he didn't want it to affect his Senior Sister. Therefore, he was asking her for a favor—to ensure that he wouldn't face his Senior Sister in the matchups.

In other words, if his misfortune somehow caused him to be paired against Touka, she could quietly reassign him to a different opponent.

"However, I must decline," Totokubara Kanata replied, her expression calm and unwavering.

"I'll assume what you're saying is true, and I do sympathize with your misfortune. But if misfortune is truly your fate, then trying to avoid it would be pointless. Why not accept it and prepare to face it instead?"

'Am I here to discuss philosophy with you?'

Ryoji was speechless.

'Fine. If you want to talk philosophy, then let's talk.'

"I can't agree with that logic. Even if misfortune is my fate, that doesn't mean I have to passively accept it. If there's a chance to avoid misfortune, why should I willingly embrace it? Misfortune, by definition, only descends when it becomes unavoidable, doesn't it?"

"—If you haven't made any effort, why are you so certain that misfortune can't be avoided?"

The conversation suddenly took a strange turn.

But this was, in fact, Ryoji's most genuine belief.

He had never been the kind to passively accept his circumstances. If he were, he would have surrendered to fate the moment he was reborn as an infant—perhaps even chosen to end it all.

"…No matter what you say, I'm not going to agree," Totokubara Kanata replied after a brief hesitation, her expression still resolute.

"If you're capable of avoiding your fate, then prove it to me. Besides, I don't think Touka would lose to you, so there's no need for me to interfere."

Stubborn, huh?

It seemed Totokubara Kanata was steadfast in her belief that fate didn't need to be resisted. From her demeanor, it was clear she carried some kind of story herself. Moreover, for some reason, she was convinced that Ryoji wasn't a match for his Senior Sister.

If Touka wasn't going to lose, then she saw no reason to tamper with the matchups— whether Ryoji lost or not had nothing to do with her.

"Fine, I understand."

Seeing her firm stance, Ryoji could only give a dry nod before standing and leaving.

"…"

Watching Ryoji's departing figure, Totokubara Kanata fell into deep thought.

'Resisting fate?'

She had never considered such a notion. After all, as a member of her family, she had always believed that accepting the blessings—or curses—that came with her lineage also meant fulfilling the responsibilities it demanded in return.

Shaking her head, she dismissed the stray thoughts from her mind and refocused on her work.

But what if he really could show that it was possible to resist fate?

Her hand, poised to sign a document, paused as the question suddenly popped into her mind.

When that time comes… what should I do?

In this matter, Totokubara Kanata wasn't wrong.

Ryoji had come to her for a favor, and she had every right to refuse. It wasn't as if Ryoji was unreasonable—he wouldn't hold a grudge over this.

Now that things had come to this, he could only hope that, for once, his luck wouldn't fail him.

However, there was one thing Ryoji gleaned from this interaction:

Totokubara Kanata seemed to be burdened by a fate she, too, couldn't resist.

(End of Chapter)