Graduation

"Are their feet going to be cut off?"

For a moment, I wondered if I'd heard her right.

Even if the international tournament was meant to test them in actual combat, hadn't they imposed weapon restrictions to prevent casualties?

Who would even take part in a match so brutal that people's feet were being severed one after another in seconds?

I spoke as if to protest that it was far too harsh on the commoners, never mind the nobles.

Then she gave me a sympathetic look.

"As you know, Lady Raebi, the international tournament carries a great deal of significance. Of course, the system is still centered on nobles, but that doesn't mean commoners have nothing to gain from it."

"You mean getting close to nobles?"

Iroha nodded.

Then she turned to her attendants and said...