Sharl’s special training continued until just before evening.
There was a lunch break in between, but Sharl was frantically trying to escape from Chloe.
Since today is Sunday, we decided to return to the academy early in the evening. Upon returning, Michelle, who has a room at the academy, parted ways with us. Then, at the fork leading to the boys’ and girls’ dormitories, we said goodbye to Sharl and Chloe and proceeded toward the boys’ dormitory, ascending to the second floor.
“Got a minute?”
As I was about to enter my room and grabbed the doorknob, a male voice called out, causing me to turn around. Two male students in uniform were looking at me.
“What is it? Who are you?”
I definitely don’t know these guys.
“Huh…oh, that’s right, you wouldn’t. I’m Arthur from Class C. Arthur Gee.”
Class C, Arthur…
So he’s my opponent.
That means…
“I’m also from Class C, Henry.”
The other man introduced himself to me.
“Nice to meet you. Since it’s our first match unexpectedly, let’s both give it our best.”
“Yeah. I didn’t expect our first match to be like this.”
Arthur gave a light chuckle.
“Don’t be nervous.”
“Nah, there’s something I want to ask you. Is that alright?”
“What is it?”
“You, what’s your relationship with the president?”
Ah, that’s it then. I thought you were probing about the Magic Tournament.
“Friend.”
“Friend? Even though you’re in Class D?”
Faction…
“Does that matter? I don’t recall joining the liberal faction, and I’m not interested in the noble faction. Do you only have friends within your faction? Don’t you have at least some non-magic friends from your hometown?”
I don’t know where your hometown is, but…
“Hmm, you’re right. However, I’ve never heard that the president is particularly close to anyone.”
Sharl…
You’re thought to have no friends even among classmates.
“It’s just you don’t know, that’s all.”
“That seems to be the case… well, that’s fine. I watched your duel with Mathias, it was impressive magic and martial arts.”
“Thanks…”
It doesn’t sound like a compliment.
“I won’t be making the same mistake as Mathias. We’ll win.”
“Hm… good luck.”
Hmm…
Mistake, huh?
“Give it your best.”
“Hmph. That’s all.”
Arthur said that, then headed further into the dormitory, leaving his partner behind.
“Is this a declaration of war?”
I asked the remaining Henry.
“Yep. Take it that way. To be honest, I don’t really want to fight any of my female classmates, but my friend is excited so I’ll put my all into it.”
I don’t want to fight girls… hmm…
“Well, I don’t really understand, but let’s both give it our best.”
“Yeah. Well then, I’ll leave.”
Henry said that and started walking away in the same direction Arthur had gone, but he paused midway.
“What’s up?”
“Earlier, you said friendship doesn’t depend on class or faction, right?”
“Right.”
Factions aren’t necessarily useless, but they’re just ideologies.
“That’s right. Mathias is the fool who’s wrong. Though, you’ll never be friends with Arthur.”
“I never said everyone should be friends. Compatibility and personal preferences matter.”
Especially, Mathias is annoying.
“Not exactly what I meant… well, forget it.”
Henry smiled faintly and continued walking away.
“What was that about…”
Thinking, “I don’t get it,” I opened the door to my room and returned home.
Looking at the clock, it was only 2 PM, so I passed the time reading manga.
In the evening, when my mother called us, Toko and I went downstairs to the living room, and the four of us had dinner together.
“Tsukasa, Toko. I hear there are quite a few changes to this year’s Magic Tournament?”
After taking a sip of miso soup, my mother asked.
“Yeah.”
“Yep. It’s a tag-team match. Yuika and I are paired up.”
My sister and I nod in agreement.
“Is that so… The academy is changing a lot, isn’t it?”
She talks like she’s old…
“Mom, you shouldn’t say that. You’ll really age.”
“True… I should be more careful.”
What the heck are these two talking about? We all age eventually, right?
Could they be referring to eternal youth or something?
“Mom, what’s this about the Magic Tournament? It’s unusual for you to ask about academy stuff other than tests.”
Since both mother and father rarely inquire about academy-related matters.
“Yes, it seems many people at the La Folle household were skeptical about this year’s changes.”
“Sharl was spreading conspiracy theories that it’s a La Folle plot.”
“… What did Charlene do this time?”
My mother furrowed her eyebrows.
“Just that it seems she doesn’t want to fight Toko. She’s into potion-making research and has no interest in combat.”
“Really? She’ll fight?”
“Against Toko on the last day.”
“Poor thing…”
Even my mother sympathizes.
She must understand the feeling of being bad at combat herself.
“Seriously, is La Folle involved in this?”
“That’s right. So, Eric will visit us soon apparently.”
“Ah, Eric-kun?”
“Hmm? Mom, he’s coming? All the way from Paris to Astral?”
“No, he’s coming here to meet the two of you. It seems he’ll stay for a short while.”
“Is he coming all the way just for that? Can’t we meet in Astral?”
“There’s apparently some other work he needs to do, plus he mentioned it’d be better to meet here since you two are hiding the fact that you’re siblings.”
Eric-kun really is a good person.
If he’s here, La Folle will be fine too.
“When is Eric-kun coming?”
“He’ll be here in a few days. He wants to watch the Magic Tournament.”
Hey, that sounds fun.
“I’ll show him Toko’s defeat.”
“I’ll show him the underdog’s victory. When I win, I’ll be the older sister.”
Is that really an underdog story?
“……Wait? Are you two fighting?”
My mother, who was reaching for the pickled radish, looked up in surprise.
“We said we’re going last, didn’t we.”
“No, that refers to Charlene, right?”
“So, me and Sharl will defeat Toko and Yuika.”
We’ll beat the evil combo!
“…So you’re teaming up with Charlene?”
“It’s because she was pitiful.”
“…What will you tell Eric-kun?”
Hmm? Right…
“Mmm? We’ll figure it out somehow.”
The heir to the Iver family and the heir to the La Folle family, but don’t worry, it’ll be fine.
Thank you very much for reading.
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