Chapter 84: 150,000 Yen

"Rumors said that the reason this comic con is complementary is that it was held for 'The Sword Saga,'" Chiba Shiori's tone was full of admiration. "I wish that my light novels would be as influential as this."

This was every novelist's dream, especially for the new ones. Their novels being adapted into manga and animations, all of these were like reaching the pinnacle of their lives. Although Chiba Shiori was interested in the other side of the world, writing light novels was one of her hobbies too.

If her novels were being adapted as manga or being animated as an anime, she would be stoked.

As she was speaking, Chiba Shiori suddenly was not able to walk anymore.

Or to be more specific... it was not that she was not able to walk, it was Kimura Kazuki who was dragged by Chiba Shiori that stopped walking. Kimura Kazuki recalled something right before walking around aimlessly while being dragged around by Chiba Shiori.

But since Kimura Kazuki stood still, with zero intention to move at all, by just relying on Chiba Shiori's strength, naturally, she would not be able to drag Kimura Kazuki around.

"What's wrong?" Chiba Shiori looked at the direction Kimura Kazuki was staring in. It was a huge exhibition stage, and above the exhibition stage was a banner. She read silently, "Peak Kendo Showdown..."

Before she was able to finish reading the whole text, she saw Kimura Kazuki walk directly toward the stage. Chiba Shiori quickly followed suit.

Once they were there, the two saw two youngsters in kendo uniforms battling each other. The sound produced from the impact of the bamboo swords hitting each other was pleasant to the ear.

"... I can't believe that I'd be able to watch a kendo showdown in a comic con." Chiba Shiori's face was full of surprise. Although she had not been to many comic cons, all in all, this was the first time there was a kendo competition held in a comic con. She had to admit that the event planners' ideas were excellent. The competition was eye-catching.

This point could be further proven by the size of the audience on the spot. There were at least two to three hundred people gathered below the exhibition stage... and due to a large number of people gathered, more people were attracted to the scene.

Kimura Kazuki observed the two competitors on stage. In precisely 10 seconds of observation, he was able to tell that one competitor had a firm foundation in kendo while the other competitor was a complete beginner, or could not even be qualified as a beginner.

This was because the pace of the whole battle was being controlled by Ono Nakamura... The name Ono Nakamura was what he heard from the two ladies in front of him gossiping excitedly.

"Shiori-chan... you're here too."

As Chiba Shiori and Kimura Kazuki were walking to the stage, Kucha, who was not far from them, was greeting while walking toward them at the same time. She briefly glanced at them and laughed, "I knew Koko will be coming here too."

"How can I be absent when there's a kendo competition!" Koko was a light novelist in his thirties. His novels were usually related to kendo, hence he came over here when he saw the competition.

Clearly, he was not the only one. Many that joined the exhibition from the [Light Novel Room] were attracted to the commotion.

As members from the [Light Novel Room] were gathering toward the stage, Kimura Kazuki glanced at Chiba Shiori, and coincidently, Chiba Shiori looked at him too. But before she could say anything, Kimura Kazuki passed her the Sun and Moon Sword in his hand.

"Help me take good care of this."

Kimura Kazuki had obtained some information from the man standing in front regarding the situation; if he wants to participate in the competition, he has to register. After registration, the participants would be given a set of kendo uniforms and a bamboo sword... In other words, the Sun and Moon Sword was not needed for the competition.

"Sure." Chiba Shiori smiled. Based on how Kimura Kazuki inquired about the competition that she saw, she knew he wanted to participate in the competition. But based on her impression of him, Kimura Kazuki was not the kind of person that likes to show off his skills in public, let alone battle with another competitor with his kendo skills in front of hundreds of people.

She took a glance and saw the banner at the exhibition stage, "Could it be..."

Chiba Shiori suddenly understood and took over the Sun and Moon Sword, holding it tightly. She had seen how magical the sword was, so naturally, she could not lose the sword. If Kimura Kazuki would personally ask her to keep the Sun and Moon Sword, it was a kind of trust he had for her.

Seeing Kimura Kazuki leaving and walking toward the stage, some were shocked. Many were able to make sense out of it, Kimura Kazuki wants to register for the competition?

The middle-aged Koko was even more in shock, he did not need to understand the situation. The moment he saw Ono Nakamura's face, he immediately recognized him.

Ono Nakamura, who placed eighth in the teenage category of the Asahi Kendo Competition!

Although it was the eighth place, the worth of the Asahi Kendo Competition in the eyes of insiders was the highest in the whole of Japan. It was just that not many knew about the Asahi Kendo Competition. That competition did not broadcast its competition live unless some people took an effort to get to know the whole thing, they would not even know the existence of this competition. Furthermore, to watch the Asahi Kendo Competition, that person had to be led by someone familiar with the competition.

Since the Asahi Kendo Competition was a competition held by the eight major Japanese families to ensure that the techniques of kendo would not be stuck in a rut, usually, the competitors would be the members of the families. There were many Japanese Kendo schools since then until now, but the ones that managed to pass on from generations till today were the strong ones.

Ono Nakamura was a member of the Ono Family, the technique he practiced was the Ono's One Knife Stroke.

Hence he knew that this competition held on the exhibition stage was merely a show... he was at least qualified as an expert. He was able to tell that the competitor who fought with Ono Nakamura did not know anything about kendo, and most probably had practiced like a play beforehand.

As for Kimura Kazuki, he had never heard of him... Although it was true that there were masters among the folks, but by taking a look at Kimura Kazuki, it was evident that he was a high schooler. Although he did not have any expectations for Kimura Kazuki, he did not say anything about it.

The people from the [Light Novel Room] thought the same way too, most of them did not have high expectations for Kimura Kazuki. Usually, the outcome of Kendo competitions like these had been prearranged. Those who came to comic con would know that some of these activities had already arranged its outcome. The champion would typically be an expert in that field. If the champion knew nothing about kendo, then anyone could go up and win that 150,000 yen.

Kucha, who was standing next to Chiba Shiori, asked, "Shiori-chan, is he proficient in kendo?"

Chiba Shiori did not answer the question directly. Instead, she answered it with a smile while hugging the Sun and Moon Sword, "I believe in him." The male teenagers around them from the [Light Novel Room] heard what she said and felt a twinge of jealousy, secretly hoping that Kimura Kazuki would embarrass himself on the stage later.

"You want to register for the competition?" Muraoka Hiroshi glanced at Kimura Kazuki's youthful face, ridiculing him in his heart. He could not believe that some teenagers would actually want to participate in the competition. Truth be told, he did not expect anyone to come and register; the booth he set up for registration was just a decoration for the passers-by.

For those who were on stage, they were the ones he had invited beforehand. Because he knew that most people who came for comic con were usually otaku, they would much rather spend their time watching the match instead of actually participating in the competition.

Many otakus did not like having attention to themselves, because that would leave them feeling a strong sense of embarrassment. Physical fitness was not kept. Not to mention laziness, which made it almost impossible for many otakus to practice kendo.

Hence, this competition was a fraud from the beginning.

This was also the reason why Ono Nakamura strongly objected to this competition, it was not only a fraud, but it also required him to fight his competitors like a legitimate match. If Muraoka Hiroshi were not his brother-in-law, he would have left without a second thought.

"That's right, I want to register," Kimura Kazuki said with complete seriousness. He looked at the banner and asked, "150,000 yen, will they be awarded to be as soon as I win?"

"Of course, as long as you win, I'll give you the prize straight away on stage in front of all the audience." Although Muraoka Hiroshi was laughing internally, he looked dead serious on the outside. He then continued, "I'll ask the crew to bring you to the changing room for a change of clothes. You'll be the next competitor after this match."

"Alright."