Chapter 335: Chapter 333: How Many Girls Will You Fight For?_1
Peter arrived at the entrance of Brilliant High School, observing an institution that was incomparable to Tokyo University Affiliated High School.
He then gave the security guard at the door a once-over. The guard’s height exceeded 1.9 meters, with a broad back and a solid waist; his muscles seemed ready to burst through his uniform.
Clearly, this kind of security guard shouldn’t be stationed at such an obscure school, Peter thought, his interest growing. Brilliant High School is much deeper than I anticipated.
He approached and said, "Hello, I’m a student transferring here tomorrow and would like to take a look around in advance."
The guard glanced at him and asked, "What’s your name?"
"Peter Granovskaya."
He stated his name. The guard recalled the principal mentioning that a foreign student would be coming early to survey the campus. "Wait a moment," the guard said solemnly, "I’ll make a call to check."
Peter waited patiently.
Shortly after, his gaze was captured by a young girl who appeared before him. Her golden hair cascaded to her shoulders. Her skin was as pale as Arctic ice, like snow from Mount Everest. Her features were glamorous and very striking.
Just by the sight of her, Peter understood. He knew why a school like this would have such high-level security and who the blonde man behind the girl was protecting.
It’s quite surprising to find that the Phoenix Academy’s young mistress is studying here, Peter mused. Before coming, he had learned about some of Japan’s domestic affairs. From the information he had, the only young and beautiful person whose school affiliation was unknown was the heir of the Phoenix Academy.
"As expected of the heir to the Granovsky Family, the future presidential candidate."
A faint smile surfaced on Phoenix Academy Maggie’s face, her mind fraught with caution. She hadn’t expected him to come knocking so soon. Judging by how quickly he’d guessed her identity from minimal information, Peter was clearly not some arrogant and ignorant young master. Instead, he was a very astute person.
She couldn’t reveal her intention to settle the matter for Hojo Tetsuji, so she smiled and said, "Let me show you around the school then."
"That would be my honor." Peter, a smile on his face, stepped into the school.
「...」
"This is the academic building, the cafeteria, the vending machines..."
After introducing the entire academic building, Phoenix Academy Maggie led him to the club building.
With a broad smile, Peter said, "I love participating in club activities. In junior high, I joined the swimming club and swam across the English Channel in one hour. When I joined the mountaineering club, I climbed Mount Everest alone without any guide. During my time in the adventure club, I wrestled with a polar bear over three meters tall in the Arctic. I also encountered martial artists as fierce as wild beasts, battling them for more than an hour."
He prattled on, boasting of his past achievements.
Phoenix Academy Maggie wore a light smile, seemingly appreciative, yet she was utterly indifferent. She just thought this Peter fellow was truly cunning. He was still unwilling to reveal his purpose, instead continually talking about his past to divert the subject.
Though Phoenix Academy Maggie had her thoughts, her face showed no sign of them as she continued to patiently introduce the clubs on the lower floor.
"This is the Guzheng Club."
"Hojo-senpai, draw a character for me too~"
The coquettish voice of Natsuka Yanagimachi from inside made Phoenix Academy Maggie’s heart skip a beat, afraid that the person beside her might charge in and cause a conflict with Hojo Tetsuji.
Peter’s facial expression remained unchanged. He had originally come here to find Hojo Tetsuji, to subdue that "wild beast." But now his plans had changed. He was more eager to stay with Phoenix Academy Maggie. This young mistress of the Phoenix Academy—her looks, personality, and temperament—all suited Peter’s tastes. A king needs excellent warriors, and also a queen worthy of him.
Thus, he didn’t go in to find Hojo Tetsuji to discuss matters. Instead, he continued to walk around the club building with Phoenix Academy Maggie, showcasing his own talents. Peter wasn’t babbling about his past to change the subject but rather to flaunt his admirable qualities. The interactions between men and women are much like those among animals. A man wanting to attract the attention of the opposite sex will certainly show his best side to his potential partner, not his slovenly aspects. That would make it impossible to win love.
He and Phoenix Academy Maggie went up to the second floor, listening to her introduce the various club activity rooms.
"This is the Kendo club." In Phoenix Academy Maggie’s voice was a touch of tenderness she herself hadn’t noticed.
Peter sensed this. He didn’t continue forward but instead opened the door and said, "Sword Dao, huh? I do have some interest in Japanese Sword Dao."
While speaking, his eyes scanned the members present, quickly focusing on one man.
"Hey, who are you?"
The Kendo club’s Department Head, Kenji Kojima, stepped forward, displeased. "We’re training right now. Do not interrupt."
Peter gave him a cold glance, like a fierce tiger leaping out from his eyes. This startled Kenji Kojima into swallowing his words, and his forehead broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed as though he was transported back to the year he participated in the Jade Dragon Flag competition; his mind grew anxious and went blank.
"Maggie, who is he?" Aozawa stepped forward, taking the initiative to help the department head.
Peter’s eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn’t guessed wrong. This boy indeed had a good relationship with Phoenix Academy Maggie and was also the strongest in the Kendo club.
"His name is Peter Granovskaya, a student who will be transferring to our class tomorrow," Phoenix Academy Maggie briefly explained.
Aozawa immediately knew this guy was probably Sophia’s older or younger brother. "Is there something you need from our Kendo club?" he asked.
"I want to experience Japanese Sword Dao." Peter smiled. Since he wished to pursue Phoenix Academy Maggie, he naturally wanted to defeat any possible rivals fair and square.
Phoenix Academy Maggie frowned and said, "Peter, don’t cause trouble here."
"It’s okay, let’s have a match." Aozawa figured out that this guy was interested in Maggie and wanted to use him as a stepping stone.
"Nice spirit." Peter smiled, then turned to the side and said, "Miss Phoenix Academy, this is a duel between men. I hope you will watch from the side."
Aozawa asked, "Have you studied Sword Dao?"
"No worries, just tell me the rules," Peter replied casually.
Kenji Kojima, standing nearby, frowned slightly and said, "Our Kendo club doesn’t have Kendo Armor for someone of your build."
"Then I’ll take off my armor. That will make it fair." Aozawa took off his helmet. His head was wrapped with a towel to absorb sweat, his eyes bright, like an unsheathed sword.
Looking at those eyes, Peter smiled and said, "Okay."
A hint of gunpowder seemed to fill the air. Tension flashed across Kenji Kojima’s face as he caught sight of Phoenix Academy Maggie standing there; he immediately understood. This was a battle between men.
But wait, a thought suddenly flashed through Kenji Kojima’s mind, isn’t Aozawa hanging out with the Hot Girl? There had been a well-behaved junior before, and now there was another radiant girl added to the mix. Kenji Kojima suddenly felt that a scene that should have been filled with manliness had become somewhat delicate. How many girls does this kid intend to stand up for?
「...」
Aozawa took off his protective gear and explained the rules of the Kendo club to Peter, finally deciding that Kenji Kojima would be the referee.
Peter grasped the bamboo sword, pondering, "I see. So long as I use a spirited striking posture and hit your body twice first, I win, right?"
"The face, hands, torso, and throat are the four valid strike zones. You must hit these areas to score," Aozawa added.
Peter smiled and said, "Okay."
Kenji Kojima, seeing that neither was wearing armor, swallowed and shouted, "I’ll count to three, and the match will begin! One, two, three!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Peter immediately launched an attack. Racing across the floor and holding the bamboo sword with both hands, he swung it high above his head and brought it down with a shout, "AH!"
The powerful shout and the bamboo sword split the air, descending with mountain-splitting, stone-shattering force. The loud roar reverberated throughout the Kendo club.
He knew he lacked Sword Dao techniques. To win, his only option was to use his physical advantage with the most straightforward attacks.
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s heart clenched. She suspected Aozawa was connected to Dio, but it wasn’t confirmed. As long as it wasn’t absolutely confirmed, she couldn’t help but worry about the ’what ifs’ if Aozawa were in danger.
A grey-white filter seemed to cover the Kendo club.
Aozawa had ample time to react. He tried to simulate an attack; counterattacking at such close range was clearly risky. But without doing so, it would be difficult to hit Peter.
Nine seconds passed.
Aozawa quickly sidestepped Peter’s downward slash, then swung his bamboo sword horizontally and shouted, "Torso!"
THWACK!
The bamboo sword struck Peter’s abdomen heavily. His face darkened. Although he didn’t feel much pain, he was surprised by Aozawa’s reaction speed and timing. To make such a calm judgment at close range, unaffected by his opponent’s momentum, showed he truly was a Sword Dao master.
"Aozawa scores one point," Kenji Kojima announced.
Peter withdrew his hand and smiled. "It’s indeed very difficult for a beginner to beat you in Sword Dao. Let’s end today’s Sword Dao match here. You win. But the competition between you and me isn’t over yet."
With these words, Peter gave the bamboo sword back to Kenji Kojima, stepped back to the window, and leaped down.
"Hey!" Kenji Kojima’s face was full of alarm. There’s no need to jump out the window just because of a loss!
He rushed forward, only to find the guy was completely fine and walking nonchalantly towards the school gates. "This is the second floor!"
"Didn’t that guy break his legs?" A group of people immediately crowded forward, curious.
Phoenix Academy Maggie chuckled softly.
Aozawa looked puzzled and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
"Secret~" Phoenix Academy Maggie lifted her hand to wipe the sweat from Aozawa’s forehead, her eyes sparkling, a hint of laughter within them. Her movements were gentle, as though she were wiping her favorite treasure.
Then, tapping Aozawa’s forehead with her index finger, she said, "Silly~"
Without giving Aozawa a chance to retort, she turned around in a happy mood, humming a tune as she left.