Shoyo arrived at the dining room, he looks at all the exquisite food placed on his table. He feels his tummy rumble from hunger.

He wasn't able to eat anything because of his work. So now he can eat to his hearts content! He was very pleased but he did not show it on his face as to not go out of character.

The butler moved his higness's chair to make some space on the table. Shoyo walked towards it, the butler pushed the chair and Shoyo sat with a straight back.

Shoyo grabs a napkin and placed it on his lap.

The butler took Shoyo's plate and started picking food that the Emperor likes. Once he was done he placed it infront of Shoyo, then he retreats with a bow.

Shoyo took his fork and knife, then he started cutting the meat and ate it elegantly.

When he gulped down the meat, Shoyo made a pleased expression making the nervous Chefs into a happy one!

They nodded at each other with satisfaction.

The dark olive haired knight is just right beside the door, watching everyone in the dining room carefully.

The maid went beside the Emperor and poured his glass with his favourite wine.

Shoyo took the wine and drank it then he started twirling it, taking his time to savor the delcious taste in his mouth.

And then....

—Cough!

Shoyo started coughing and coughing until he spat blood. Everyone in the dining room was startled as they called out to their Emperor in worry!

The dark olive haired knight became serious as he ordered everyone to call for the Royal Doctor.

The maid that gave Shoyo the wine trembled and sank to the floor in terror as she shouted that she didn't put the poison in his favourite wine!

Guards started to bust in the dining room as they held captive of the maid. She screamed and screamed telling that it wasn't her! It really wasn't her.

They didn't bat her an eye and escorted her to the dungeon.

The Emperor was being carried by his bodyguard towards his bedroom. He gently placed the Emperor on his bed as the Royal Doctor finally arrived with sweat on his face.

It seems that he was running in hurry.

He inspected the Emperor and sure enough, he was poisoned.

Shoyo told them that he was fine and he could endure the poison but he coughed up blood again. The Royal Doctor was worried as he lectured Shoyo!

"..I'm supposed to be a patient...Shouldn't you treat me like one? Cough!..."

"Sigh!....Making me worry so much! Here, drink this medicine first. Luckily it wasn't that poisonous."

Shoyo obediently gulped down the medicine that the Royal Doctor fed him. It was very bitter making Shoyo make a broken expression....The Royal Doctor laughed and gave him candy.

Shoyo quickly ate the candy with a bulging cheek. The Royal Doctor pinched it and said.

"Next time don't let your guard down...You already know that plenty of people want to hunt you down because of it."

"Yeah."

"Why are you so nonchalant about it....Seriously....Sigh...."

The Royal Doctor stood up "I will be going now. I still have a lot of matters to attend to. And again...Please be vigilant of your surroundings Shoyo! Do you know how worried I was when I heard you were poisoned, AGAIN?!"

Shoyo rubbed his cheek "Yeah yeah, you are dismissed"

"This fucking..."

"Please refrain from cursing infront of the Emperor, Tenma Udai-san."

"And you! What was your name again??"

The Knight saluted "Wakatoshi Ushijima. Captain of the Shiratorizawa Knight Group."

"Yeah, Ushijima-kun. Please keep an eye of this brat okay? Don't ever I mean EVER leave your sights on him! Because you never know if he gets killed, or poisoned again!"

Ushijima nodded "It is my duty as his Knight and Bodyguard."

Tenma nodded in satisfaction. "I'll be going now. You better rest up or I'll kick your ass!"

"Please refrain from cur—"

"I GET IT ALREADY! GEEZ!" Tenma then stomped his way out of the Emperor's chamber.

"........"

"You are also dismissed."

"Udai-san has told me to keep my eyes on you."

Shoyo raised an eyebrow. "Who's the Emperor?"

"You."

"Then listen to me"

Ushijima was silent......Then nodded "Then I shall guard your room from outside. Rest well your Majesty." Ushijima then went out of the bedroom.

Shoyo finally sighs and buried his head on the soft pillow...
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Sugawara flopped on his not so soft creaky bed in exhaustion.

"Uwaahhhh....So tired..."

"Same goes for us..." Daichi said as he also flopped on his creaky bed.

Earlier they were being trained by Captain Ukai using the book that Daichi's dad found as guide to improve their skills.

He only gave them a five minute break and then they have to train again! Atleast give us seven minutes!

All their muscles are cramped....And they also had to train...AGAIN, early in the morning as well!

"Ugh...." Tsukishima couldn't help but groan..

Kageyama tho doesn't seem so bothered by it. Maybe because he always train early in the morning and doesn't even take a break when Daichi always says to take a break.

"Hey, if we get accepted to join the Swordsmanship Competition then do we get to go the the Capital??" Asked Nishinoya.

"Of course, because that is where it will be held" Ennoshita replied with a small smile.

"Awesome!~ I hope that we get accepted!" Tanaka exclaimed.

"Yeah!"

"Heh, thats just an empty dream." Tsuksihima snorted.

Yamaguchi sweatdropped. "Tsukki...."

Tanaka, Nishinoya and Kageyama glared at Tsukishima.

"What did ya say four eyes huh?!" Tanaka gritted his teeth.

"Since the first day we met I could already tell that we won't get along very well!" Nishinoya shouted as he pointed at Tsukishima.

"Pointing at people is very rude Noya-kun!" Sugawara stated!

Tsukishima rolled his eyes "Oh please, you all already know it as well that this group won't be able to survive atleast in the first rounds, no wait, not even IN the first rounds! We are far too weak. So better just give up the dream of joining the Swordsmanship Competition."

The two bros gritted their teeth silently....They really can't deny it...Reality hit too hard..

"Then lets just train harder." Said Kageyama.

"Excuse me?" Tsukishima raised an eyebrow.

"Train harder and improve a lot."

Daichi smiled and nodded "Yeah what Kageyama said. Without even trying how could we know that we'll not succeed?"

Sugawara stood up "Yeah! Lets all try our best to improve!"

"We can't stop here now right?" Ennoshita smiled.

"No going back!" Nishinoya shouted.

Tanaka nodded "So just shut up for once Saltyshima and trust yourself! Trust us!"

Tsukishima clicked his tongue and walked out of the room "Do what you all want."

"Alright!!! Everyone! Its decided! We'll  prove ourselves to the whole continent that we're the best Knights!" Nishinoya screamed.

Tanaka supported "YEAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"The whole continent...??" Kinoshita sweatdropped...

Narita while sipping his drink "How nice."

"Everyone is so lively today..." Asahi sweatdropped..
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"Karasuno?? I've never heard of this name before.." Knight Grand Commander Washijo-san said while rubbing his chin.

"Karasuno?....Why does that sound so familiar..?" Knight Commander Nekomata-san said while taking the sheet of list.

There in number 500, is listed Karasuno Knights....Sir Nekomata pondered for awhile and it finally clicked him!

"Karasuno! Ah! Now I remember!"

"What? For you to remember, it must be a well-known Knight Group." Knight Lieutenant Nobuteru from Aoba Johsai Knight group said with crossed arms.

Sir Nekomata hummed "Well, it used to....A very very long time ago. But after all their knights died in battle and only one survived, it fell."

"Who's the lucky knight that survived?" Knight Lieutenant Takeyuki from Fukurodani Knight Group asked curiously..

"It wasn't only luck that helped him survive. It was also his skill and strength that made him survive." Sir Nekomata grinned in admiration.
"You guys also know him"

"We know??" All the captains asked in unison.

Sir Nekomata nodded "Yep!"

"Just tell us already!" Knight Grand Commander Norimune Kurosu from Inarizaki Knight group exclaimed in impatience.

"Its Ex-Captain Ikkei Ukai you dimwits." Knight Lieutenant Takurou from Date Tech Knight group said with a sigh.

"Sir Ikkei?!" Everyone that didn't know turned towards him in surprise.

Knight Commander Ikkei-san who was just silently sleeping while sitting straight woke up by the shouts.

Sir Ikkei: "...??"

"Why didn't ya tell us?! I thought you were just a wandering Knight!" Sir Tarou shouted in disbelief.

"Yeah! This is a surprise.." Knight Commander Aaron Murphy from Kamomedai Knight group said.

Sir Ikkei rubbed his nape "Well...You guys didn't asked? And also, why would I tell you guys this...That would be weird if I suddenly said "Oh! I'm actually a Knight that used to serve my village called Karasuno Village! I also defeated two hundred enemies alone when my comrades died!" Y'all would think I'm a frickin' weirdo.."

Sir Washijo nodded "Thats true."

"Well....So this Karasuno, They sent an application to join the Swordsmanship Competition" Sir Nekomata coughed and said.

"What?? They did?" Sir Ikkei looked surprised.

"Why do you look so surprised??" Asked Sir Takurou.

"Well.....You see, after my comrades died. And I moved out of my village to look for a job...My village ain't really doing so good, so theres really no people interested in becoming knights since they have no time and have to worry about their finances since we're just too poor. And there are no nobles or lords in my village.

So thats why I'm pretty surprised that theres actually a Knight Group in my village. Though I think its not an official one since I don't think some of them are Knighted."

"Isn't that fortunate? Atleast they are aspiring Knights." Sir Aaron said with a smile.

Sir Ikkei awkwardly laughed "Yeah it is. But, I'm not really sure if they'll be able to survive in this Competition since they lack weapons and knowledge.

But I have a grandson. I atleast taught him the basics of becoming a Knight."

"Well....Why don't you give them a chance to join?" Said the Knight Grand Commander of Itachiyama.

"Maybe they'll give us a surprise, since they dared to join the Competition." He finished with a smile.

"Well..." Sir Ikkei thought about it..

"I agree, I want to see how they'll survive in this Competition. It will be very interesting" Sir Nekomata said with a grin.

"Well, Okay then.." Sir Ikkei nodded in agreement, he also wants to see what his grandson is up to..

"Then its decided!" Knight Lieutenant of Date Tech said with a clap.

Knight Grand Commander Washijo-san crossed his arms and closed his eyes. 'They are too nice to give them a chance to join. Well, they'll lose anyways.'
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——————————————————
To Be Continued

(Assistant-san sleeping with Narrator-kun in their original form)

(Author-san quietly picks up the sleeping kitten and walked away with her)

.......

(Author-san went back to grab Narrator-kun)

Have a great day/evening!~♡♡♡