I looked around and found the person I was looking for... and as I looked at him, I said,
"That sword was a gift from my father to celebrate me completing my coming-of-age ceremony." (Fia)
With a loud clang, a knight tumbled out of his captain class seat.
It went without saying that this was my father, Dolph, head of Ruud knight family and the vice-captain of the 14th Knight Order.
"Wh, what do you mean?! That sword was simply chosen at random from among the swords in the mansion's armory! It's not a national treasure or a sword that has never been seen before!"
Then, he desperately made excuses to the commander.
"If I had known it was such an absurd magic sword, I would have donated it to the kingdom immediately! I had no idea!"
...That's probably true. After all, when it was in the armory, it was just an iron sword.
My father was desperate and had promised the commander that he would give him the magic sword, or that he would send his subordinates to the armory at his home to check all the remaining weapons.
Ok, now the attention is off me.
Feeling relieved that I was no longer needed, I tried to slowly blend in with the other new knights, but it wasn't that easy, as I was called back by the commander.
"Wait." (Savis)
"Hyay!" (Fia)
I couldn't help but let out a strange scream, but he didn't mention it (he was so kind!) and just asked me about it as if it was nothing.
"One last question. Why did you keep hitting my left side during the mock battle?" (Savis)
Wow, that was not a nice question!
I put on a serious face and answered him.
"It's chivalry. I didn't think it was right to attack in a direction that was poorly visible, when Commander had declared that he would never attack." (Fia)
Great, great! That's the perfect answer for a new knight!
As I was pumping my fist in my heart, the commander gave me a disdainful look.
"Huh, someone who is so determined to win that even brought out this magic sword is a sign of chivalry?" (Savis)
No, no, that's just a difference in thinking. I was the one who bestowed the magic onto the sword, so I consider the sword's power to be mine, personally.
...I couldn't really say that.
It was tricky. Maybe he was not going to let me go with that answer?
I took a quick glance, and my eyes met with the commander looking back at me... I couldn't bear it any longer, so I decided to answer honestly.
"Yes, you're right. I thought that focusing on winning was the best way to show respect to the commander. You had an injury to your left foot, so I hit to the left." (Fia)
"Huh?!" (Savis)
Which captain was it who shouted that?
The moment they heard my answer, the captains and vice captains all took a step forward and glared at me with murderous eyes.
Aaaaahhhh!!
40 Captains and Vice Captains! I'll be killed!!
I'm sorry for attacking your beloved commander in a way that is the exact opposite of chivalry!!
Just as I was trembling in fear, the voice of the commander came down from above.
"Why did you think my left leg was injured?" (Savis)
"Huh? Well, when you were walking, the time your left foot was on the ground was slightly shorter than the time your right foot was on the ground, and when you were standing, your weight was slightly more on your right foot. A knight with a well-developed physique like Commander has an excellent balance between the left and right. If that balance has been disrupted, the only thing that can come to mind is an injury." (Fia)
When I answered honestly, the captains' and vice captains' murderous intent visibly disappeared.
Or rather, they stared at me with their eyes wide open in shock.
...Huh? Wh, why?
"...I see. Fia Ruud. I'll remember your name." (Savis)
With that said, the commander raised one hand, and as if that was a signal, the MC declared the induction ceremony closed.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading.