I Became a Gladiator in the World of Gender Reversal

36 – Breaking the Illusion-7

“I really appreciate you…”

“What do you mean? This was just what I chose with my own will, because I thought that Miss Florence was the right person for Evan-sama.”

Florence, sitting in front of Daisy, was trembling at the thought that she had a chance to turn things around.

“Ah, that’s right. For a moment, I must have been in an illusion. Oh, oh-ho-ho-ho…”

From now on, you have to be careful with your mouth.

Anyone interested in the Colosseum’s investment or asset flow could know that Florence invested in their business.

However, they lacked an understanding of sword fighting. If you try a bit, you may be able to get the information that an ‘ordinary gladiator fan’ can get, but it’s a far cry from the experts in the field.

If Daisy strongly insists that ‘the duel between Miss Florence and Sir Evan was necessary for the success of the Colosseum’, he has no choice but to curl up reluctantly.

In fact, the gladiators who train with Evan might feel something strange.

However, few of them were interested in the flow of funds from the Colosseum.

They were people who had no interest in dealing with money, and most of them were single-minded people who were crazy about fights, bets, and sword fighting.

“Originally, you used a rapier, right?”

“Yes, yes!”

At Daisy’s words, Florence nodded her head.

“But, when he becomes a gladiator, he has to change his weapon…”

“No. It’s okay. Right now, no one is using it, but the class itself that uses rapiers exists.”

“…Really?”

“Of course I do. But, are you sure you’re okay?”

The rapier is a weapon that is harder to obtain than you think.

Swords and spears can be found anywhere, and at the extreme, things such as pitchforks, hooks, and nets that wouldn’t be used as weapons unless it’s a sword fight are commonplace.

However, rapiers are different. It is a sharp and hard stabbing sword. It is not a weapon likely to be used against armored enemies in battle.

In its own way, it is a weapon for the dignified aristocratic ladies, among them active people, to have fun for a while.

It was pretty good for self-defense, but that’s it. There weren’t many gladiators who made a name for themselves with a rapier.

“Do you think you can win against the gladiators here with a single rapier?”

The duel was basically more of a sport with courtesy and respect than a death-and-death fight.

In terms of people not dying, a sword fight might not be different, but despite that, a sword fight was a much rougher and more rude fight than a duel.

“Of course.”

However, Florence was already a duelist with a decent reputation.

Socialite duels lacked a lot to be called the strongest among them, but their proficiency with the rapier was overwhelming compared to other weapons.

“In that case, I will assign you to the relevant class. There are many disadvantages, but you will have to endure it yourself.”

“Go, thank you!”

Daisy looked at Florence, who lowered her head, with a pitiful look.

However, she couldn’t worry about it until that point.

“How many times have you seen other gladiators fight?”

“That, that’s still…”

I wasn’t interested in sword fighting. Well, if I had been a person who wanted to engage in sword fighting even a little bit seriously, I wouldn’t have worn that kind of outfit to enter the Colosseum from the beginning.

“Have you met Evan?”

“That, that’s right… Buy it.”

Florence sighed with her head bowed.

It was not a satisfactory meeting. However, it was still not without a win.

Even after he got inside, he could clearly feel it.

Florence was superior to other gladiators in terms of her ‘indirect’ experience with men, her dignity, her looks, and her wealth.

Daisy, who didn’t like the look, said something he didn’t have to.

“How much do you know about Evan?”

“That’s…”

Florence recalled vague images in her head.

Her imagination of the man she knew, and what he actually saw.

He was an unusual person just for being in the same room as the woman, and yet not showing any fear or reluctance.

He was serious about training and was in good shape. He was handsome and had a kind personality.

“…Are you the perfect person?”

Rather than being real, he was like an imaginary man walking around in a cheap bookstore.

Daisy shook her head, making no effort to understand.

“If you can, seriously try it. He really likes sword fighting.”

“What do you mean?”

Even then, Florence hadn’t thought he was going to lose.

No matter how big or strong he is, in the end he is a man. He had no experience of fighting.

“…Well, do your best.”

Daisy shook his head after foreseeing a bleak future.

/////

The schedule has been set.

“A new gladiator…”

Even while swinging the sword without rest, my thoughts were filled with miscellaneous thoughts.

I tried to focus on the sword somehow, but the thoughts of the new opponent came flooding into my head.

I had no choice but to admit my thoughts and swing my sword without rest.

At least my physical strength will be trained, and it may be because of my arrogance, but even after I relaxed a little, it seemed like I was starting to get my bearings.

“What are you so worried about?”

Dana approached me at some point while I was training.

“I don’t think this is an ordinary person.”

On the leaflet, it was written how great a person she was, in as many volumes as I was.

“From the age of 14, he entered the top ranks, was a member of the Imperial Duelist Association… Florence, the daughter of the Ivrea family. It’s a bit scary.”

“Since she’s here, it’s all meaningless information. What can she do with that woman? Is she going to hit you with money?”

“That’s the case…”

“No matter how high-status and rich that woman is, it’s nothing more great than if you were a man.”

I see. Well, considering the men of Selam, it would have been difficult for these women to meet them easily.

“It’s Duel Lum… Was there even a class like this?”

“There are countless classes in the Colosseum. I’m hearing about it for the first time… But it wouldn’t be strange if the discontinued class was hidden somewhere.”

“Really?”

“Because the new gladiators want to use the familiar weapons they used outside. The audience wants that too.”

“Hmm…”

“That said, I can’t accept the person who brought the bow or crossbow…But I can accept it with some degree of flexibility.”

The weapon called the rapier did not seem very powerful.

From my point of view, who have never experienced weapons such as ordinary swords or spears, I could not even imagine how the rapier would stab me.

“How can I deal with it?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never dealt with him.”

“Ugh…”

If Dana doesn’t know, should I at least go and ask a gladiator who has been active longer than Marina?

“There’s no need to worry too much. The class that disappeared was gone for a reason. If it was strong, someone would have chosen that class.”

Once a season starts, you cannot change classes from then on, but before that, you could change freely.

It wasn’t common, but it didn’t seem that difficult for a new gladiator to change classes.

It was common to start a gladiator life as a Secutor, a typical gladiator who wields a sword and shield, but you may change your mind if you learn about other classes through sword fighting or sparring.

“I see…”

“And it seems that swinging is already enough. Let’s move on to the next stance.”

“Is this enough?”

“Of course it’s not perfect. But, I think this is enough for now.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Try to change the angle a little bit. It’s a completely different posture, so you have to think of it as starting over. You’re going to hit it diagonally.”

She stood in front of me, holding her wooden sword and striking her in the air once.

Her mischievous face and laid-back demeanor made it look like an illusion. It was a perfect and clean blow.

Doubtful if she will be able to reach it even if she works hard all her life, the best blow she can deliver with her body.

“Do you understand?”

“…I’ll try.”

I returned to my stance and imitated her and swung her sword with all her might.

Certainly, it was different. It was awkward enough to let out a sigh.

“I think… Even if I work hard, I don’t think I’ll lose.”

“Is that enough?”

“It doesn’t matter what that friend was doing outside. You said you’re super strong? It’s true. Trust me.”

Dana cheered me on by banging her own chest.

“Of course I believe.”

Never once did I go into a fight thinking I was going to lose.

Maintaining that mindset while sparring with Dana was not that easy, though.

“After…”

I made up my mind. Even the fight with Mari was only narrowly defeated by me. Anyone who is in the middle can win.

“Don’t be pressured. This is a battle you’re laying out to win.”

“No, hearing that makes me more burdened…”

However, seeing Dana’s bright smile, I couldn’t make a weak sound any longer.

I threw away my thoughts and swung my sword. To find a satisfactory swordsman until he collapses from exhaustion.