Four days had passed since we heard that Erik was coming, and it was now Thursday.
The topic of conversation at school was, as expected, all about the Magic Tournament.
Even today, after finishing our afternoon classes, the usual group of us remaining in the classroom continued to discuss the tournament.
However, Yuika wasn’t here because Toko had taken her away.
“Is Noel alright?”
Noel’s face seemed to be getting paler by the day.
“I-I’m fine.”
Not fine at all…
“Calm down, Noel. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll wipe out all three groups for you.”
“I-Irmera-san…!”
Irmera seems to be quite popular among the girls.
“Who are the opponents?”
I ask Irmera.
“Group 1 from Class C and Group 2 from Class A. I know them, but they’re no match for me.”
Wow, she’s so cool…
“So, you’re analyzing the balance between Irmera and Noel?”
Irmera +100, Noel -100.
“Is that not the case? I’m prepared to handle large groups since I use a spear. It doesn’t matter how many come.”
“You’re seriously cool, you know that? If I were a younger girl, I’d definitely have a crush on you.”
“Why does it have to be a girl?”
“Can’t you see? You’re the ideal older sister figure.”
Noel nods vigorously in agreement.
“Do you really understand… Ah, but come to think of it…”
It seems Irmera has had some past issue. It’s probably something close to what I’m imagining.
“Frank, will you also be my prince?”
Cedric is saying something creepy.
“Clearly, you’re the prince and I’m the guard.”
Yeah, that’s definitely the case.
“Just give your best.”
“Show some enthusiasm. At least provide magical support.”
“I will, I will.”
Is he really serious? Cedric doesn’t seem to do much at all…
“How about you, Tsukasa? Are you alright with your matchups? It’s a pretty tough one, isn’t it?”
Noel asks.
“Ah, it’s true. I’m up against Toko and Yuika, and I’m the grand finale, right?”
“Also, it’s the opening game.”
“On top of that, my partner is the Student Council President.”
It seems everyone is worried.
“Well, you can call me the protagonist.”
“Yeah, that seems fitting. So, how’s it going with you and the President?”
Noel is slightly smirking.
Is she seriously okay? She was pale just a moment ago.
“Sharl is training with the maids. I, on the other hand, haven’t really been practicing much.”
“No time for that. Your opponent is Toko, remember?”
Irmera asks.
“That’s true… Practicing now won’t do much good since I can’t learn magic anyway.”
“You’re purely a martial arts specialist, so that makes sense. But, you dueled the President and Mathias with Toko, and now you’ll fight Toko with the President… So, you’ve officially become a traitor.”
“Did you join the bloodline faction?”
Irmera and Frank laugh.
“No way. If anything, I’ve been declared war on by two members of the bloodline faction.”
“Two members of the bloodline faction? Who are they?”
“Our opening game opponents – Arthur and Henry from Class C.”
I’ve forgotten their last names.
“Ah… I don’t know them. Since Frank and Cedric are in the same dormitory, you should know them, right?”
Irmera looks at the two boys.
“Yeah, I know them. They’re quite strong.”
“They’re similar types, good at close combat.”
“Hmm… So they’re not opponents you can deal with. Some idiot might end up breaking someone’s neck.”
She really says some dangerous things.
“Well, I’ll aim to win. Arthur has been glaring at me the whole time.”
He was glaring continuously. There’s no way I’d become friends with him, even if Henry hadn’t already said anything.
“Oh… So that’s what you mean by declaring war.”
The two boys seem to understand but are unamused.
“Huh? Does this mean anything?”
Did I do something?
“Hmm? Well…”
“Still don’t get it?”
The two boys are unamused again.
“Huh? What exactly? Irmera, do you understand?”
“I don’t… Did you do something?”
It seems Irmera also doesn’t know.
“Do you understand, Noel?”
I ask Noel, who’s smiling mischievously.
“Not at all, but I think it would be good to show Arthur the gap in strength and crush him completely.”
What is he talking about…
“Well, I will do that, but…”
“I’m cheering for the two of you.”
“Even if you might favor the Iver faction, why not support the girls in our class?”
Between me and Sharl, Toko and Yuika are a better choice, right?
“Speaking of which, where do those two always go?”
Frank asks Irmera.
“They’re training. Yuika is boasting that she’ll beat Tsukasa.”
“Ah, that guy lost to Tsukasa with a gut punch during the exercise.”
It’s true, but now it makes me sound like a violent guy.
“Toko also lost to the President in the duel, so she’s probably fired up. It’s kind of a revenge match.”
It’d be better if she didn’t get so fired up.
Calm down already.
Thinking about it, this is a fitting finale battle. Class C versus Class D.
It looks like Cedric considers me a traitor as well.
“You guys, who are you cheering for?”
“Toko and Yuika, no ill feelings.”
“Same here…”
“Me too, I guess.”
There’s no ally for me…
“Noel, you should come over to our side. You’re with the Iver faction, right?”
“Yes, I’m with the Romyuli faction.”
So, what does that even mean?
Thank you very much for reading.
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Thank you kindly!
