Shooting Stars: Chapter 2
Astria Knyght Academy is the oldest and most prestigious royal academy in the history of the planet Philos. The most renowned swordsmen and Grandis Knights in the planet’s history, for the most part, all graduated from it.
The Academy was established for the royal family’s “” to foster new knights. So, even though it was divided into the three schools of Starhunters, Moonchasers, and Rainbowrunners”, each focusing on teaching one of the three separate swordsmanship specializations: attack, support, and defense respectively, usually the students still value mutual cooperation, and are each other’s closest companions.
Despite that, in the eyes of this cohort’s students, everybody deems that I, the prefect of the Moonchaser , have an “” I with — the prefect of the Starhunter School, Xavier.
At noon of the next day, in the courtyard, at the base of the monument to the Holy Sword of the Goddess…
Student A: Hurry and come, the prefects from Moonchaser and Starhunter have started fighting again!
Student B: Our Starhunter prefect is Xavier, who is the Prince of Philos! Why does the one from Moonchaser always cause trouble for him?
Student C: So what if he's a Prince? Our Moonchaser prefect is also the Grandis Knight’s . When it comes to swordsmanship, it's difficult to tell who will lose and who will win.
Student A: But recently spring has come and , everything has been tranquil and well, what are they possibly fighting about again?
Student B: Next month, the Lightseekers’ preliminary selection trials are about to start; could they be fighting over the position?
They studied swordsmanship under the same master, isn't this just ?
Student A: …In the end, their relationship is just too poor.
Student B: Sigh, it's too poor…
Student C: Really way too poor…
The . Surrounded by row after row of onlookers, my hand presses against the hilt of my sword by my waist as I stand in the middle of the courtyard.
Across from me, Xavier's face is completely unmoved by any rumors or gossip.
Xavier: Later once we reach the thirtieth move, I'll reveal an opening to you.
Xavier: It's still that same move, ‘. You should defeat me during this move.
MC: …
I glance around at the people circling us, and cannot help but sigh.
MC: Xavier, every time you don't wish to go home, yet you can't find an excuse, you have me come and defeat you in public…
MC: …It’s precisely this reason that has caused everyone to think we have a bad relationship, even though we've studied together for so many years.
Xavier:…We study under the same master, and our master is also the current Grandis Knight.
Xavier: In the entire Academy, the only person who can possibly deal damage to me is you.
Xavier: If that changed to someone else, nobody would believe it.
MC: …Hmph.
Xavier: One last time.
MC: Previously, when you didn't want to take that culinary arts final exam, you also said it would be the last time!
MC: Because of that, the culinary arts teacher shouted and disciplined me for a whole afternoon, saying I was unfriendly to my classmates…
Xavier: …I'm sorry about that.
MC: You don't want to go back and see your father this badly? This must be the reason you snuck away with the patrol team.
Xavier: If it were possible, I would rather he had never been my .
Xavier lowers his head and lightly presses the hilt of his sword, his finger circling the star tassel hanging on it.
The swaying of that tassel… it was a little blinding to me.
MC: Alright… you said it, one last time.
MC: But this time, I also have a request.
Xavier: Say it.
I stare at that tassel for a little longer, then avert my gaze, using my thumb to push the hilt of the sword out of its sheath.
MC: I’ll say it after you lose. Let’s start.
Xavier: Then, the thirtieth move?
MC: No need. To defeat you, I don’t need to use thirty moves.
Later, when the Royal Messenger arrives at the school’s courtyard with the guards and pushes through the crowd of people to the front, this is what he sees…
Their Prince Xavier locked in battle with his own again, both their figures fast as lightning, their ever-colliding swords creating sparks resembling broken stars.
Royal Messenger: Why are they fighting again?
Though the Royal Messenger does not know swordsmanship, he can still see that the girl’s actions are swift and fierce, aggressive, while in comparison, the Prince seems to be in a disadvantageous position.
Royal Messenger: Strange, when did the Prince's swordsmanship get so poor…?
Beside his ears comes one cry after another, occasionally interspersed with exclamations like “How fierce!” and “No wonder they’re rivals.”
When the Royal Messenger takes a closer look, only then does he discover another strange thing—
While the girl’s moves seem fierce, due to her impatience, she keeps missing her opponent's vitals.
On the contrary, the suppressed Prince has a leisurely complexion, taking small, graceful steps, without even a bit of panic.
Xavier: Nineteenth…Twentieth…
Xavier: Twenty and a half. This move was countered early, I’ll count it as a half for you.
Xavier: There are only less than ten moves worth of chances left. Do you really not want me to go easy on you?
Royal Messenger: What is he saying… sigh, I’d better stop them first.
The royal decree he brought, after all, concerns Philos's entire future!
Royal Messenger: Go and separate them!
The Messenger waves his hand at the royal guards behind him, and two teams of guards uniformly run into the main square.
At this very moment, the girl is in the middle of a move, and to avoid the royal guards who had barged in, she twists her body towards the ground as she backs up.
The Prince, who has stayed calm and collected the entire time, finally panics. He rushes forward, looking like he is about to run into the tip of the girl's redirected sword.
Royal Messenger: Not good! Hurry hurry, protect His Highness the Prince!
At the command, the royal guards instantly change direction.
Amidst the surprised cries of the crowd of students watching, the courtyard .
I lean against the base of the Goddess of the Holy Sword monument, rubbing the ankle I had twisted earlier.
Xavier is thus suddenly ushered away by the Royal Messenger, our duel hastily concludes, and the onlookers also begin dispersing one after another.
Jeremiah: This time, we Starhunters went too far. Xavier, that person…
Jeremiah: Even if he wants to win the Lightseeker position, he still can’t call upon the palace's men to interrupt the competition! He’s completely lacking a knight's conscience.
MC: It's actually not what you think at all…
Jeremiah: You're still speaking up for him? Then let me remind you of a certain matter.
Jeremiah pauses, then leans on my shoulder, all secretive and mysterious.
Jeremiah: I'm only saying this because you’re a friend. Recently, there have been a lot of diplomats visiting from other places. I hear it's to discuss a marriage alliance.
Jeremiah: Xavier may be studying with us, but he is still the Prince. Just now when the Royal Messenger came to look for him, perhaps it was about this matter.
Jeremiah: If you really feel… for him, then you'll have to work harder. Do you need me to help?
MC: …
Xavier: What are you talking about?
MC: Xavier?
Hearing this voice, I instantly stand straight up.
MC: You and the Messenger finished talking so.
Xavier is silent. His gaze lands on my face, drops down to the hand on my shoulder, and then follows the suddenly-stiff arm to Jeremiah's tense face.
Finally, he .
Jeremiah: …Don't glare at me. You injured the person and then walked away. Of course, somebody needs to take care of it.
Jeremiah: I'll say, your method is ; just now, she was even crying from the pain.
MC: (Jeremiah is exaggerating a little too much…)
Xavier: Thanks so much for your trouble.
Xavier's voice is even as he pinches one of Jeremiah's fingers and removes his hand from my shoulder.
Xavier: It’s my junior, I’ll take care of her myself.
Jeremiah: I was just being kind.
The central courtyard is so huge, but Xavier insists on walking right in between me and Jeremiah, and conveniently pulls me away.
MC: Eh, Xavier…
Xavier: You have so much kindness, why not use it on your own .
Last updated