So now Brother Helmut's married into a knightdom, too.
That's how it was for you two as well, right?
The only reason anyone would want to marry us is to become your relative, honestly.
No, I'm sure that's not the only reason.
Well, you'd better accept it already.
You're drawing the entire nation's attention.
You need to make a decision about the tournament soon, or you'll embarrass yourself.
Tournament?
Haven't you heard about it?
It's a martial arts tournament the kingdom hosts once every three years.
I imagine you'll be participating this time, too.
Huh? I will?
It's established that all nobles will participate at least once.
Then I'll enter the mage division.
There isn't one.
Huh?
There's only swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, and hand-to-hand.
But a noble must earn respect for their splendid use of the sword.
So that settles it.
You'll be in the swordsmanship division.
I see...
Then I'll enhance my body with magic.
Use of magic is forbidden.
It's a contest of pure skill, after all.
What? But that's...
I wish there was a kitchen knife division.
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
Episode 7 No Magic? Are You Kidding Me?!
You always give up so quickly.
Come on, stand up!
Hey, why don't we try a different regimen?
Huh? Why?
Because I've been training with you every day
for these past six months while you enhance your bodies with magic.
I can't keep up anymore.
I'm at my limit.
I don't have as much magic as Louise, either.
Still, when you use your magic, you're stronger than the old man who taught you, right?
That's incredible enough!
While I'm... I'm just...
Hey, it's Well.
Huh? Did he have somewhere to go after the ceremony?
He mentioned he needed to talk to Cardinal Hohenheim.
Jeez...
Why don't I have any...
...talent for magic?!
We should participate in the martial arts tournament?
Your lord said to put up a fight worthy of a retainer's daughter.
If you make it through the preliminaries, that should be enough.
That's impossible! It's forbidden to use magic there!
But if you lose in the first round, you'll bring shame on your lord.
Huh? Where are you going?
To train without using magic.
What, you don't need to train, boy?
Even if I'm defeated, I have nothing to lose.
Nothing to lose, huh?
Could you still say that if you were removed from your adventuring party?
Huh? Hold on a minute.
Why would they cut me out?
You're all two years away from turning 15, which will make you adults.
From then on, you'll officially be adventurers.
But before then, it's only natural to let go
of people who can't pull their weight.
No way. We're connected at our souls.
Don't be so naïve.
Party members are comrades
who entrust each other with their lives in order to achieve their goals.
Feelings alone won't cut it.
To be honest, I swapped out party members a few times myself.
But still, Well would never...
Anyway, just make sure you're not seen as a hindrance.
This is good!
What is this black paper?
Nori's so good!
That reminds me. You're also participating in the tournament, aren't you?
Yeah.
And I picked up some information about that.
Word has it that the winner of the past two tournaments,
Warren, the Commander of the Royal Knights,
is withdrawing his entry to help cultivate the next generation.
What?! Then victory's already ours!
No, it's not. It just means it'll be a little easier.
Um, also, I had something to discuss with all of you... uh...
It's about our adventuring party.
That's what I was meeting Cardinal Hohenheim about today.
I was actually hoping we could add Elise to our party.
I hope we can all get along.
Oh, yeah, that's completely fine.
I mean, having her with us will be a big bonus for our party.
She does bring healing magic to our party, after all.
Want to enter the tournament with us while you're at it?
That does sound fun...
But there's no division I could enter.
You're okay with it too, right, Er?
Yeah, of course.
That's great.
Now I can focus on the martial arts tournament.
Huh? I'm surprised you're that interested in it.
My goal is to not embarrass myself!
In that case, I'm going to win.
I'll be sure to win it!
Hey, wait! Wait a minute!
What's gotten into him?
Jeez!
I'll win!
Twenty-six, twenty-seven...
Twenty-eight, twenty-nine...
S-Seven...
Ninety-six, ninety-seven...
Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, victory!
Victory!
They're all incredible.
Yes.
It's annoying hearing "victory" over and over, but maybe...
Yeah, he might actually win it.
Victory!
Warren's going to be in the martial arts tournament?
Apparently, the king told him that if he wanted to cultivate the next generation,
he should become a hurdle for them to overcome,
so now he's entering.
You're not doing your nightly training?
Yeah, I'm not feeling so great.
Giving up now that Warren's entering?
Have either of you seen Warren's matches?
He's incredible.
There's a reason he climbed all the way up to
Commander of the Royal Knights despite being the third son of lesser nobility.
He's already guaranteed to win.
But even if you don't win...
No way. Since I don't have any talent for magic,
I need to produce results like that, or I'll just be a hindrance.
None of us consider you a hindrance.
People with a talent for magic couldn't understand how I feel.
Is that so?
Well?
Hey, Well, I just want to make sure...
You wouldn't do anything like remove me from the party
if I don't happen to win the martial arts tournament, right?
Huh? What...
Hey, wake up! Jeez!
Sorry, Elise! I fell asleep while waiting for you...
Elise? Would you wake up already?
Er!
Oh, well, apparently she's been feeling anxious about joining our party.
Why? Elise would be plenty of help with her healing magic.
It's her physical abilities.
She's hasn't trained and honed her body like the rest of us have,
so she's worried that she'll hinder us one day.
One...
So lately, she's been at it every day.
She doesn't want to worry everyone else, so she trains in secret early in the mornings.
I guess everyone has insecurities, even the ones who seem perfect.
So, did you need something?
Oh, yeah.
I'm going to win that tournament, so make sure you watch.
Later.
I'm sorry for being so preoccupied with myself.
Today I'm going to win!
I'm not going to lose!
All right!
You secured awfully good seats.
But only the finals will be conducted here.
We'll have to pray everyone makes it through the preliminaries first.
Um, if you're interested, I brought this for all of you.
Huh? A lunch box?
Thank you!
Yahoo!
All right, it's almost time to head to the preliminary arena.
Ow!
Were you asleep?
You're as carefree as ever.
Feel free to come back here if you lose.
We'll welcome you all with open arms.
Okay, let's go!
Wendelin! Wendelin! Wendelin!
Huh?
Warren?!
My first match is against Warren?!
But my goal's still the same!
Don't worry about victory!
The most important thing...
is putting up a fight
that won't embarrass me!
Huh?!
You came back so fast, it's like you were just out on a little shopping run!
I hope Er and the other girls don't come back just as quickly.
They won't be coming back that easily.
Yeah!
I'm back.
I lost in the semifinal round of the preliminaries.
I see.
You did pretty well, considering your Magic Fist Style is at a disadvantage
when magic is forbidden.
I'm sure your lord will be satisfied.
If I win this one, I'll clear the preliminaries.
That sound... It can't be...
The Spinning Spear guy?!
Hmm? You're... with Sir Baumeister!
Which means Sir Baumeister is somewhere here at this arena?!
Huh? This guy's surprisingly well defended!
My Spinning Spear shall reach Sir Baumeister!
Good job out there.
Iina?! What happened?!
I lost the last match of the preliminaries.
To the Spinning Spear guy.
What?!
So that street performer guy was actually strong?
His name's Roderich, and he's more than just strong.
He was raised by a merchant family, so he knows how to do most kinds of accounting.
He knows the law, too.
Hey, are you listening, Well?
He's asleep, isn't he?
I'm sorry. Apparently he didn't get much sleep last night.
Last night? Why not?
The lunch boxes I gave you all earlier were actually made by Wendelin.
Winner: Erwin Von Arnim!
Only one more match before the final—
I'm looking forward to our match.
You mustn't risk what might happen.
You should forfeit now.
But I promised I would win.
I just heard from Brantag.
He said he was a bit too harsh with you.
No, it's the truth.
I don't have any talent for magic,
so it won't be that easy for me to remain a member of Well's party.
I'm guessing you haven't looked at your lunch box yet, then.
My lunch box?
Go on, open it.
our
best
do
Let's
!!
Let's do our best!!
Well was up late last night making these.
He saw that we were all unusually excited for this,
so he was trying to figure out what he could do to help us.
What he eventually came up with was a lunch box to raise our spirits.
Well will always be Well.
Now and forever, probably.
So don't overdo it.
Let's
Take this.
Hey! Were you listening to us at all?!
If a member of his party turned and ran before the enemy,
Well would be a laughingstock, right?
All right, I'll be back!
Good for both of them, finding proper mentors.
Er's getting to learn from Warren, no less.
My mentor said he was willing to train you along with me, too.
Looks like it'll be smooth sailing toward becoming adventurers!
You're right. We need to make the most out of these next two years.
Though... who is your mentor, anyway?
Huh?!
No way!
I guess I imagined it.
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Muscles!
Master!
I had a feeling this might happen.
Now, let's start a training regimen that will leave your mind and muscles trembling with joy!
Follow me!
Yeah! Let's go, Well!
Fine, I'll do it! I'll become a musclehead!
I'm going to train you up!
Yeah!