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Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 1 Chapter 6

2013-09-05T00:08:13Z

128.250.5.251: /* Chapter 6 - The time of the final battle */

==Chapter 6 - The time of the final battle==

After thirty minutes of flight, we managed to ascertain Iris's whereabouts.

As aerial transportation had the advantage of not being caught up in hindrances such as traffic lights or congestions, our actual velocity went up.

"This is Yokohama's harbor..."

In the harbor's scenery seen from the sky, there weren't any signs of life among the rows of large warehouses.

I see, this is the most suitable place to hide somebody.

"Chiharu, where does the thread connect to?"

"Mm, there!"

The thread seemed to be connected to one of the biggest of the warehouses.

"Well then, we're landing!"

Kyouko slowly lost altitude. I realized that her flying skills have improved remarkably in this short time. Frankly, we almost died at the start.

Immediately after Kyouko's feet reached the ground Zonmi and I jumped from her back.

"Fiuuu, like I thought, the ground is the best."

The trip through the sky was good, but also too thrilling. I didn't feel safe.

"Isn't it!? Isn't it!?"

"Why do you look so happy?" retorted Kyouko in shock to Zonmi, who was smiling from ear to ear.

"Good, then, shall we go?"

"Be careful, please. There are signs of monsters in the vicinity."

"... Understood."

I braced myself once again.

I'll reiterate, our opponents are the atrocious tamers that exterminated Iris's clan. From here on, a little mistake could cost us our lives.

"Wa-wait! Don't go yet. I'm putting on my clothes!"

Looking back in confusion, Kyouko was in the middle of changing. She had changed shapes from Nephilim to human.

"Eh, why have you changed back?"

"... Don't look here."

"So-sorry..."

Though I was already tired from seeing Kyouko's panties.

"At your limit, already?... You couldn't keep your transformation more than that."

"Is that it?..."

This could be a little bad.

If Kyouko couldn't participate in the battle, Zonmi was our last ray of hope. Though we didn't know the extent of the true power of our enemy, won't it be quite the unforgiving battle?...

"Chiharu, let's go... Don't worry, since I won't lose."

As if reading my thoughts, Zonmi muttered reassuringly.

So it's like that. That's what I have to do when I grow weak-hearted.

After reaching this point, we can only fight at full power!...

'''<nowiki>*</nowiki>SPLAAAAAASH!*'''

"Chiharu! Behind you!"

"Good grief. Speak of the devil!"

A geyser of water sprayed with vigor.

Turning around in a rush, what appeared from the sea — was a giant squid monster.

The threatening squid monster was emitting a jet-black aura.

"Wha? I mean, haven't I see this guy somewhere..."

I had an intense recollection of this monster.

"It's a kraken of the sea beast tribe... I dare say it's the same individual we saw some time ago on television."

So it was that. It's the guy broadcast on the TV news the day I met Zonmi.

I see. I remember that the place they showed then was Yokohama.

But wait a minute, wasn't the squid monster from back then killed by a monster that came around? What is this guy doing in this place?

"Look, the black magic power that wraps this child... It's under 'Enforce'!"

"Wait, what's 'Enforce'?"

"By means of an item illegally manufactured by people with ill will — the 'Enforce Ring', they bring the monster to an state of forced submission."

"There's such an item...!?"

"Yeah. Different from the normal 'Contract Ring'<ref>BTW I've been translating all this time 契約 as "contract", since it's the direct translation, but anytime a forced reading appears, including this one, it says "contact"; I don't know if this is intended or a mistake by the author, but if you think this is intended, feel free to change all "contract"s to "contact"s.</ref>, this is the most illegal of illegal things. Put under one-sided command, the monster loses its freedom."

I think I understand.

While on a normal contract the monster stands as an equal, under 'Enforce' it's treated as nothing more than a slave.

And, the next instant.

"Uoh!?"

The squid tentacles that bent like whips grasped us three tightly.

"Uoooooh!?"

Looking closely, the squid's overall length reached twenty meters — huge to a bizarre level. It's beyond comparison to the greatest of the monsters I've met till now.

Or, how should I put it, this situation... is quite bad.

Is it OK that we were so easily caught!?

And in contrast to my panicking, those two's facial expressions were still composed.

A premonition rose through my mind like a cork submerged in water... Could these two have been caught on purpose?

Instantly.

"Taaaa!"

"Hah!"

With movements too fast for my eyes to follow, those two tore the squid's tentacles to pieces.

"... Good grief, what reliable fellows."

If I tried to do the same thing, I'd have been powerless before the squid's slippery tentacles.

"Until when will you remain carelessly caught!?"

Zonmi's umbrella cut up the air.

Slash. The tentacle that restrained me was splendidly cut in two.

"Chiharu, please get down!"

"...Uoh!"

Once my feet reached ground, keeping my distance, I watched over those two's appearances...

Let's cool our heads. Right in front of me there are those two's enticing legs. A glimpse of that is the very best.

And in these circumstances, it seems this squid rascal is no match against Zonmi and Kyouko.

But.

It seems like my thoughts were too naive.

The enemy was not that weak. It had an astounding restoration ability. The torn up tentacles regrew immediately, and that in merely seconds. Its restoration ability is of a very high level.

"... What should I say to this!?"

To the panicking me, Zonmi said with indifference.

"This is no more than an hypothesis, but... I dare say the tentacles are but a decoy. Any time you cut them, they are regrown with magical power. And, in fact, you can't get close to the real body without facing the tentacles before."

"That's... In that case, what the heck do we do?"

Anyhow, the squid has ten tentacles.

We number three — no matter how I think of it, I don't feel we can get next to the main body.

"It can't be helped. Leave this to me."

"!?"

The one who said that was Kyouko.

"What the heck will you do?"

"If I throw all the surroundings at it, even this guy will eventually be exhausted. Luckily, there's no lack of things to throw inside these warehouses. Perhaps, my defeating this guy will we worthless."

"But, Nephilim, will you be OK? Isn't your magic power almost depleted?"

"Don't worry. Rather than that, to the me right now, I think this guy alone will be no match... Even though it's vexing, I'll take care of this guy here that's releasing this awfully unpleasant magic power... Ghoul. I leave it to you."

"If I come back and you're collapsed after exhausting all your magic power... Please spare me that outcome. Since we haven't yet settled our dispute."

"Ha, ha, that's my line!"

Contrasting with the cynicism mixed into their conversation, they did a high five with refreshing expressions.

By some kind of female bonding, it seems they have awakened to a strange camaraderie.

"Let's go, Chiharu, our foe is very near."

"Aye!"

Feeling gratitude towards Kyouko, we left that place behind.

<center>× × ×</center>

There was more darkness than expected inside the warehouse, it doesn't seem like there are many people.

There were containers loaded with miscellaneous cargo lined up. They were probably varied articles scheduled to be exported overseas.

When I looked from the sky, the thread surely reached inside here.

There's no mistake... Iris should be very close to here.

We should proceed to the interior with caution.

"Ahaha. How unusual to have guests here."

As we thought we heard a man's voice, suddenly the lighting installed on the ceiling illuminated a nearby position.

We unintentionally squinted our eyes. Who the heck is the one who did this... And.

"Iris!"

Hands and feet bound by thick ropes, Iris tied to a pillar entered our field of vision.

Dishevelled golden hair. Bare skin covered with injuries.

Her face, lacking the ambition of before, looked pale.

"Foolish one... Why art thou here..."

Judging from her hoarse tone of voice, she seemed to be quite weakened.

"How weird~. As the Kraken should have been standing watch, how can you people be here?"

It was an unpleasant voice.

Standing right beside Iris was a man with long hair.

Clad in a black suit from head to toe.

The arrangement of his features was uncanny, but his very long bangs gave the feeling of an annoying narcissist. His age, maybe in his early twenties? Saying it straightforwardly, he was an extremely disgusting man.

"I've been wondering for some time... Why do you do these mean things? Do you understand how grave a crime a contract that disregards the free will of the monster is? If it gets leaked to the IMA, it won't end well."

As Zonmi spoke with an emphatic tone, the man showed a composed smile.

"What a problem~. Since I don't feel like letting you escape from under my nose. That aside, I want to have a chat with that tamer there."

"..."

Shaken by the sudden change of topic, I was left without words.

"You should be a 7th generation rookie. You got to choose a red dragon. Amazing, the best! I now understand what the boss said! What outstanding talent do you have!?"

"Wait, what the heck are you saying?"

""Don't you know? ... I'm honestly praising you. When a monster tamer gets selected, the three initial monsters to choose from are assigned according to their individual aptitude. For a monster of the red dragon class, an apt person doesn't appear even once in a generation."

"... I don't care, I'm not glad to be praised by you! What do you want to say?"

"Fu, fu, such cold words. You — will also become a tamer of this side."

"..."

What did this guy blurt out of nowhere.

"Ha, ha, I'm astonished. Me becoming the colleague of a criminal?"

"Aah, in that case, you can do me a favor and sell me the blood of this chick. To make my monsters even more powerful. Unfortunately, the battle before against the damned dragon was consuming, but I still have more stock of 'Enforce' arranged. How do you think, is it a bad offer?"

"Don't mess with me! I won't consent to what you say, you fool!"

It's obvious that doing that won't benefit me in the least.

Thereupon, the man's face distorted,

"From my point of view, you are hopeless fools...

Being a tamer from the 6th generation, among my peers I'm the one with the fastest success in life — and saying that, it won't hurt you to hear what your senior says.

Believe it or not, like you lot now, I too was once a foolish tamer that performed his duty diligently. So, until you know the inevitability of destiny..."

"... What the heck do you mean by that?"

"You, have you thought about the end of the world?"

The man switched to a serious tone,

"As we are now, humanity will meet its unavoidable destruction. By the hands of the large number of monsters that inundate us from the Netherworld."

"... Heh."

This guy... What's he saying...

When I looked at Zonmi, for some reason she was chewing her lip and her body was trembling.

"She doesn't look like she knows nothing. Monsters have longer lifespans than humans and are more fertile. Because of that, their numbers suffer an explosive increment each year.

If it's like that, they end up having not enough food supplies nor land. If we restricted the traffic on the Gate that connects the Underworld with the human world, there will be an incessant increase of revolts. The cause would be a chronic deficiency of food supply.

Because of the current laws on coming to the human world from the Netherworld, a strict check from the Government is a must. However, that system approaches failure.

Once that happens, humanity will be slaughtered by swarms of monsters."

"..."

"And yet, the current IMA doesn't care abut it. Who will mediate between monsters and humans?

... Hah, that was something from the past. To kill or to be killed — '''we'''[humanity] can do nothing more!

Right now we are a minority, but those like us that hold dissatisfaction with the current system are steadily increasing.

That's why, by suppressing the monsters, we will build a new order to put them under humanity's total control!

And once we change the laws, we will be in the right!"

"... Is what this guy is saying true?"

With her lips tightly pused, Zonmi,

"Yeah, surely what he said is something I can't deny... I won't say anything. What Chiharu ought to do? — that, decide it by yourself."

"..."

I wonder what should I do.

What do I want to do?

I came here wanting to save Iris from her trouble.

These evil tamers that slaughtered Iris's clan were unforgivable.

Surely, right now I can't make the proper judgement.

These guys, following their ideas murdered Iris's clan.

Different means, same objective — monster tamers are allies of humanity.

Killing monsters is bad... Have I, who eats meat of cows and pigs, the qualification to say that?

I don't understand, just about anything.

How much the development of an advanced civilization equals the start of a war, isn't that an eternal question rooted in personal values?

No matter how long you think about it, I feel the answer will still be out of reach.

"Chiharu."

Zonmi's dignified voice.

"I won't blame you no matter what you choose. Since from the beginning I came here entrusting my life to you... However, that's not the same as putting my life in the hands of that man. In the case you take that man's side, please pierce my heart right here."

Pointing her umbrella at me, Zonmi said.

I felt as if those eyes pierced me. Zonmi was really serious.

It seems she seriously prefers being killed by me than by this guy.

"Don't mess with me! As if I could do that!..."

As if...

I see, so it's like that. What an easy thing. Since I can't...

I won't kill. I couldn't kill neither Zonmi, Kyouko or Iris.

In that case, I've decided.

From the start I couldn't show hostility towards monsters...

Coexistence.

It may be possibly only lip service. Maybe it's a dream that cannot be realized.

But, why do I have to think about such difficult things?

In the end, that's the only objective I should aim for!

"Sorry about your invaluable suggestion, senpai. I can't agree with your ideas. Monsters... these girls are, to me, precious companions. If I can't understand, convince me until I can... After all, isn't that our job as Monster tamers?"

"Chiharu..."

Astonished by my overly optimistic words, Zonmi revealed admiration in her voice.

"A~ah, even though I troubled myself trying to spare your life. You are a shocking idiot... In that case, as you wish, I'll beat you to death!"

"Senpai, I'm aware it will sound impolite... How slow, you hadn't noticed it before, you idiot!?"

"Keh, what shitty lines you spit!"

The man moved his ring to his mouth and shouted.

"SUMMON — MINOTAUROS."

And, the next instant.

A human-shaped ox-headed giant monster appeared.

This one too... It seems it's the same I saw before on the news.

Its height was at least on the order of ten meters<ref>Around 32' 9.7".</ref>, and it clearly gushed out aura. This one is stronger than the squid from before. The axe it held in its hand glittered under the lighting.

"Zonmi... Will you fight it?"

"Of course, I'll protect you even at the cost of my life."

Zonmi strongly nodded.

Aah, in the end, I keep being helped by her. Someday I will repay her with interest.

As if unable to keep watching us, the man's face distorted.

"Ha~ha~ha. What beautiful friendship... It makes me puke. You, don't you realize you've misplaced your priorities? What you should be protecting aren't monsters, but people, don't you understand something like that..."

"... Enough with the chattering. Come at me."

"Hah, I'd have done it even if you didn't say anything!"

The moment the man raised his voice, both of us kicked the ground.

In the vanguard, Zonmi. Without catching attention, Zonmi quickly jumped upon a container and like that flew through the air. She slashed at the Minotauros with ferocious speed.

Zonmi was strong.

That's something I understand better than others.

I dare say, battling on the ground no one can defeat her.

That's — what I thought.

"GROAAAAAAR"

Letting out a weird sound, it swung its axe downwards.

Something astonishing occurred. Though the slash wasn't a direct hit, with only the wind pressure, Zonmi's body was sent flying.

"... Kyah!"

After being sent flying high, Zonmi crashed into the ground and coughed blood. Her beautiful silver hair was scattered on the ground.

The man showed a fearless smile.

"I didn't know you were so conceited, expecting to defeat a contracted monster with a stray monster. Are you dumb?"

"..."

That was something I was vaguely aware of.

The other monster was receiving a supply of magic power from his tamer. And we didn't have that. That's to say, a 2 vs. 1 situation. It wasn't a problem of real strength. Even an elementary schooler would realize that it was a clearly overwhelming disadvantage.

"... Please, don't make that face. I haven't lost yet."

Feeling my anxiety, muttered Zonmi as if admonishing me.

"So it's like that. As expected, to win while in this form was really asking for too much."

"Eh..."

What the heck is she saying?

Zonmi, after showing a composed smile — turned into a monster.

A pale face. Murky eyes.

Hanging from its belly, something hard to describe that should not have been on a pretty girl.

Standing there was the transformed into a monster — Zonmi in ghoul form.

"Zonmi, that form..."

"I wanted to defeat him in human form if possible, though... It makes me nervous to show my bowels to a man..."

"..."

As usual, it's something I believe I don't understand well.

Hearing Zonmi's words, the man laughed loudly.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha! That was certainly unexpected. You were a ghoul!? Uwaaaaa, what a shock... Even though it looks like this, for a moment I thought you were a fine woman.

Ghouls are the most unpopular clan amongst monsters. Quite the selection he has made...

No, aren't you uncontracted since you weren't chosen? Gyah, ha, ha, ha, it makes me laugh."

"... Did you only want to say that? Girls don't like men that talk too much.

The man clasped his tongue,

"Sorry, but I'm very popular. Don't lump me with that virgin there!"

The footsteps of the Minotauros echoed along with the jeers of its master.

In contrast with its gigantic frame, its movements were absurdly agile.

Closing the distance with Zonmi in an instant, like a bull in a china shop — as if suiting that idiom<ref>The original idiom was 猪突猛進, that means some by the likes "proceeding like a boar's fierce charge" or "acting recklessly"; it gets even more suitable in english since, well, he IS a bull.</ref>, it rushed on putting its all into a tackle.

Zonmi reacted by blocking it with the umbrella — but, from the start, their physiques were too different.

Zonmi couldn't help but be slowly dragged down as her shoes wore away.

"Chiharu is... surely a perverted serial adulterer indecisive quick to run away useless man. But he didn't call me "disgusting". On the contrary, on our first meeting he lent me clothes... They were tattered, but I was happy. Since our clan has been persecuted a long time due to our looks."

Zonmi was recounting in detail as if reaffirming her decision.

"Hah, what was that!? A self-appointed death flag<ref>As in the typical "Today is my last day, I'm retiring tomorrow" said by an old policeman as he shows photos of his kids/grandkids.</ref>."

"Chiharu is a thousand times cooler than you!"

Following through with the umbrella by putting all her strength into both hands, Zonmi finally repelled the Minotauros's big frame.

"Tche, shit!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>THUMP*, stopping once more the axe that was swung down, after that the other party couldn't pull off the same level of offense and defense.

They were on par... No, we were a little better.

Despite the axe's greater offensive power, Zonmi was unscathed, and her strikes were solid hits to her opponent. The transformed Zonmi's increased agility was more skillful than before. The decisive slashes aimed at the center of its legs and loins little by little dulled the Minotauros's speed.

"Amazing..."

I couldn't help but let out a word of admiration. Our relationship wasn't superficial. Even if we weren't contracted, the Zonmi that treated me as an equal was strong, and above all beautiful.

As if flustered by the unexpectedly hard battle, the man's features were shrouded in unrest.

"Haaaah!"

Drawing a beautiful arc in midair by making half a turn, Zonmi thrust like that her umbrella into the eye of the Minotauros.

A satisfactory hit. "Groaaaar", letting out a shriek that seemed to shake the earth, the Minotauros rolled on the ground.

"... Hah. You are useless, having so much trouble against a stray. I'll cull you later."

"Next is your turn, even if I'm fighting a human, I won't hold back."

The man, being pointed at with the umbrella, scratched his head,

"A~ah, I didn't want to use it on this guy if possible, but... 'BOOST'!"

The instant he chanted that, the man's body emitted a pale light that flowed into the body of the Minotauros.

Thereupon, something unbelievable happened. The injured body healed in the blink of an eye, swelling — from the muscle covered Minotauros, white smoke was raising.

Even an amateur like me could understand what had happened — the man had bestowed magic power onto the Minotauros.

"GROAAAAAR"

The blow the Minotauros tossed after standing up in a flash, contained a power incomparable to before receiving magic power.

"Kyau"

She blocked the attack with the umbrella, but Zonmi's body was forcibly sent flying.

Crashing into a container, the lemons inside fell out.

"Look! This is the difference between having a contract or not! An overwhelming advantage impossible to overturn!"

"Zonmi!"

I rushed with full speed to Zonmi's side.

... But.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>THUD, THUD, THUD!*

Earth-shaking crazy sounds. They were the Minotauros's footsteps.

The Minotauros rushed in pursuit before I could arrive.

"Hya, ha, ha, ha, ha! Good, end her♪"

"GROAAAAAR"

At Zonmi who was defenseless right after taking that damage, slashing with that huge lump of iron,

Zonmi's body was turned into a pulp and scattered around.

The surrounding lemons were painted red with the splattered blood.

"It's..."

"Not yet! If you give them a rest, ghouls are a clan that excel in regeneration. Keep at it until its magic power runs out!"

Twice, thrice, four times, the giant axe kept falling intermittently without rest. Due to the next attack coming before managing to regenerate her body, recovery was impossible. Each time an attack came, Zonmi's death agony was heard.

"... Escape... Chiharu."

Zonmi frailly leaked those words.

"Moron! I can't do something like that!"

What's this fellow saying now that we've reached this point...

She wanted to harshly preach to me about resolution... And at the crucial moment she sacrificed herself. Is it to save me? What a damned fool!

"What are you doing... Hurry... Escape..."

"Stop joking! I definitely won't allow that!"

Putting my thoughts into words, Zonmi showed a faint smile.

"With that... Do you intend to shame me?... If I let my master die, what the heck will I do?... *Cough*"

As the axe was ruthlessly swung downwards, it resounded with a shriek like that of a smashed frog.

"Gya, ha, ha, ha, ha! Did you think I'd read the mood like in a manga, stupid!? And so ends a make-believe unbeatable friendship. Die without leaving behind any last words, you bastard!"

"Ku..."

Instantly, I turned around and ran with all my might.

"... I see, that's fine."

"He, he, Seeeerves you right! The man leaves you behind and escapes! After all, your bonds only reached that extent! And you, don't think you can escape. Since I'll soon chase and kill you!"

Ignoring the man's words that hurt my ears, I dashed with all my might.

Of course, I wasn't abandoning Zonmi, hurt before my eyes, and escaping.

Just a slim possibility — I was betting everything on that.

While hidden by the shadow of containers, my goal was the place were Iris was held. Since luckily there was no one near Iris, I managed to reach her without the man noticing.

"Hey, Iris! You all right?!"

When she heard, Iris made a surprised face.

"Foolish one... Why hast thou come here? Thou shouldst be helping that ghoul woman."

"About that, we're in a pinch! Cooperate, Iris, we need your strength."

"... That I cannot do."

"Why!?"

Iris feebly laughed,

"Canst not thou understand by seeing my state? Deplorably, I am not in a state to lend you my strength; I cannot even move one step from here. It seems that this annoying rope has the effect of absorbing magic power. Escaping is impossible."

"Heh, this thing..."

I bit into the ropes with vigor.

It seems that in order to bite off a thick thread the size of an ehoumaki<ref>http://japanesefooddictionary.blogspot.com.es/2012/02/ehomaki.html</ref> will take quite a while.

"Say, art thou a fool?... As if this rope is a good that could be broken by something like a human..."

"Like this, it will come loose."

"I do not understand. How canst thou be so sure?"

"... It's due to family circumstances. My specialty is getting out of bindings. Don't underestimate my teeth, recently I even bit through the chain of a pair of handcuffs."

Good grief, I don't understand what's with this world. I didn't think the day would come that this skill was useful outside my house.

"... Incomprehensible. If thou runnest away now thou canst save thy life, why art thou not doing so? Don't tell me... Tho-thou hast become enamoured with that girl?"

"Idiot. It's not like that!"

"Hyau!"

Iris let out a cute yell when I poked her forehead.

"... I can't escape. If I flee now, both Zonmi and Iris will die. I can't allow that."

Iris raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Why hast thou included my name there... I forcibly made a contract with thee disregarding thy volition. And not only that, I injured and restrained thee. Thou dost not have any obligation to save me."

"Like I care. Since I want to save you, I'll save you — simply that."

"I do not understand thy reasoning. Why dost thou not explain it better to me so that I understand!?"

Iris told me by raising her voice.

"You, didn't you feel lonely in that room?"

"... Haah? Art, art thou slandering me!?"

Now I understand — Iris said that both her parents were killed by monster tamers.

The gentleness she sometimes shows, most likely stems from her solitude.

Iris... with that small body, without having any family around her... That, it was no different from unreasonable isolation. Though she behaved as if she were stout-hearted, she had a gap inside her heart... It seems it's in my nature that I can't abandon people like that.

"Look, it's undone."

Steadily chewing at the ropes while talking, I finally succeeded in releasing her from her bindings. I mean, what's this rope made from? As expected, my jaw was tired... I can't use it for a while.

"..."

Iris was speechless.

Strange. I thought she'd be happier.

"What I am going to say will sound unrefined, but... Right now, I do not think I will be of any assistance in the fray. As thou knowest, these ropes are able to absorb magic power. The me right now, sincerely speaking, can only barely remain standing... That is why, harborest not many hopes."

What, it's that? Then I don't have to worry.

"No, being like this at this time, perhaps our victory is settled."

"What dost thou mean?"

Nearing my ring to my mouth,

"BOOST!"

I chanted with a loud voice.

That instant, I fell into a state that felt as though all the energy of my body had left me.

A feeling of accomplishment as if scattered pieces suddenly fit together to a T.

With this... it's our complete victory!

"This is..."

The red light that covered her whole body was healing Iris's injuries.

And in my case, I was subjected to a tiredness as if I had swum in a pool for a day.

I understood the reason why that man hesitated to employ this power. This was horribly painful, I was already wobbling on my feet. As if I has used all my MP in a Magic Burst<ref>Recurring spell on Dragon Quest that converts all remaining MP into damage.</ref>.

"I'm astonished. To think thou hast this plentifulness of magic power dwelling inside thy body... I finally comprehend the reason why thou wast fit to elect me."

"He, he, thanks a lot."

Of course I was glad to be praised by a girl...

"I give thee my thanks, tamer. And I swear to thee. I will accomplish without fail the duty thou hast entrusted to me."

The voice of Iris, who had turned into a dragon, had recovered her usual self-confidence. Spreading her steel-like wings, Iris promptly took flight towards the man.

Giving a whipping to my exhausted body, I too followed there.

Please, let us make it in time...

Once I arrived near the man, I became speechless.

"Uwaaaaaaaaa, don't comeeeeeee!"

Minotauros's whole body scorched, only the man's scream resounded on the room.

"Is that the only thing thou wishest to say? I am desolated, but also cannot read the mood; I will quickly bring this to an end."

"Kuh, Stooooop!"

His expression distorted by despair and anguish, the man lowered his head and pleaded for his life.

"Please! I beg you! At least spare my life! It's as you see!"

Iris, sending a fleeting glance of awareness my way,

"... In that case, start by freeing all monsters thou hast put under 'Enforce'."

"Un-understood! I'll free them!"

The man removed a black ring from his hand while he crawled on the ground, and threw it away with an anguished face.

While grinding her teeth out of vexation, Iris gazed at the man's profile seemingly silent,

"... Disappear from my sight!"

She spat out those unexpected words.

As soon as he heard that, the man turned around and scampered at full throttle.

That was — a really quick curtain close.

Since this red dragon girl alone, confronting the seemingly strong foes of the Minotauros and its tamer, totally kicked their butts.

Nevertheless...

"Are you OK with that? That he escaped in the end?"

Iris laughed fearlessly,

"... Humph. I thought that it would be all right if this time I limited it to a warning and let him go free. Since had I killed that bloke, my purpose would have remained unfulfilled. At best, hereafter, I can use him as a valuable source of information."

"..."

Despite Iris having said that. I couldn't help but feel that she had some other reason.

Perhaps this is no more than mere speculation.

It may be that Iris didn't want to burden me with the crime of murder.

Even if indirectly, if she had taken the life of a person, from tomorrow on I'd have to live with the burden of that crime.

To a mere high school student like me, that's undoubtedly an unreasonably difficult thing.

"Thank you. Iris."

"... Come, now, I know not what thou meanest... Thou hast better hasten to that girl's side. I hold no doubt that even now she is surely waiting for thine arrival."

"... Aah."

Anyhow, each second is precious.

Being told by Iris, I started to run without minding my surroundings.

However. At the point I ran to awaited a despair that made me want to cover my eyes.

What was there was a lump of flesh smashed to a pulp.

A thing that barely retained human form, vestiges of Zonmi that it had been were nowhere to be found. The torn up mincemeat-like face of Zonmi showed an unsightly involuntary smile, and not even a bit of regeneration could be felt.

...

...

Why?

Why, oh, why?...

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

In that pool of blood, I fell to my knees.

Zonmi's head was split in two agape, a jelly-like substance overflowing from the inside.

I tried to pick up the lump of flesh that was once Zonmi. The thick dripping blood stubbornly coiled around.

Flesh.

This is merely flesh.

No different in the least from that lined up at the supermarket, a mass of protein.

There were many things that I wanted to say to her.

Thanks for always protecting me... Sorry for being a bother... There were many things I wanted to say to you...

Zonmi.

Now I can say it.

I'll become a monster tamer.

Till now — I was spending my days without aim, however, I feel I've finally found what I want to do myself.

So that both humans and monsters can laugh and get along, I want to make a world like that.

That's why, for that reason, I want to be always at your side.

Until that dream is granted, I want you to lend me your strength.

You too — weren't you wishing for that?

And yet, why...

"Human, get out of the way."

"... I couldn't protect her. I didn't make it in time..."

Completely exhausted, I hung my head heartbroken, I don't feel like moving even one inch from here.

"What art thou saying, thou hast accomplished everything. That lass is still alive."

"... What do you mean, Zonmi shouldn't be like this! Shouldn't she be reverting to how she was!?"

"I do not like to jest — the soul of that lass is still here... But then, her current condition should not last long."

Next instant, I noticed some discomfort in my own fingertips.

If I had to liken it to something, it would be close to the feeling you get when you remove the training weights that you had been wearing. She smoothly removed the ring she was so devoted to and fixated on.

"I return thee this!"

What she handed to me was the ring she wore on her finger.

"The ring... Why now..."

"I'm not so uncouth to remain in this place. So, pardon me."

"..."

What the heck... does she means by that?...

To furthen my dumbfoundedness, Iris showed me a 'don't worry' smile.

"Whaat, thou wilst understand soon. Good grief... Thy resilience is astounding. It seems that nearly half the magic power thou spent earlier has been returned by now. Being like that, there's no need to bestow onto thee the magic power contained in my blood."

"That's why, what do you mean..."

"Let me tell thee one last thing, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for having met thee... If thou still carriest the will to be a monster tamer, the day may come that we will meet again.

Come the time... If thou choosest to allow it... I wish that we will once again restore our contract.

And this time not by force, I want us to be partners that understand each other by heart. Like with this lass here... Farewell, tamer."

Iris changed to dragon shape and flew away by flapping her wings.

I couldn't discern Iris's dragon-changed silhouette, but the words she left behind in the end were still fresh in my mind.

I wonder what she wanted, after all.

... And.

The ring I received from Iris, I felt it was casting a pale light in Zonmi's direction.

"!?"

Like running electricity, an idea crossed my mind.

I gently approached the ring to Zonmi's hand.

I wonder what will happen — surprisingly, aren't Zonmi's injuries little by little, little by little, healing themselves?

I see... I'm granting her my internal magic power...

Recovering in an eye-blink a healthy rosy color, Zonmi opened her eyelids as if waking up from a thousand years of slumber.

"Mmm, eh... Chiharu..."

Hearing the voice I yearned for, the corners of my eyes involuntarily heated up.

"What the heck... Was I..."

Surveying restlessly her surroundings with half-asleep eyes, it seems Zonmi couldn't still get a grasp of what was happening.

"Welcome back, Zonmi."

Softly raising Zonmi's body, which had become so unbearably dear to me...

"Wha-wha-wha-what are you doing!?"

"It's fine, be quiet for a bit."

I tightly embraced her closely

[[File:Maou_na_Ore_to_Fushihime_no_Yubiwa_p237.png|thumb]]

 

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{{SimpleNav|e=6}}
</noinclude>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume6 The Second Question

2012-11-15T02:41:10Z

128.250.5.251: /* The Second Question */

==The Second Question==

'''Put the correct word into the (_______) below'''

The Russian writer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyodor_Dostoyevsky Dostoyevsky] in his novel [ The Brothers (______) ] and [ (______) and Punishment ] depicts the nihilistic figure of modern person who has lost his piety.

'''Himeji Mizuki's answer'''

①[ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brothers_Karamazov The Brothers (Karamazov)] ] ② [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_and_Punishment (Crime) and Punishment] ]

'''Teacher's Comment'''

Correct. Those two titles along with [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idiot The Idiot] ], [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Possessed_(novel) The Devils] ], and [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adolescent The Adolescent] ] are masterpieces that are often called Dotoyevsky's 5 great works, so if you're interested, it'll be good for you too if you read those books.

'''Tsuchiya Kouta's answer'''

①[ The Brothers (Mazo) ][http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume6_Translation_Notes_and_References]

'''Teacher's Comment'''

What a part to remember with such a pinpoint accuracy on the correct answer.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's answer'''

②[ (Whip) and Punishment ]

'''Teacher's Comment'''

The Mazo Brothers[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume6_Translation_Notes_and_References] will be happy.

[[File:BTS6 Minami.jpg|thumb]]

[Oii! Someone please get those nails!]

[We don't have enough black curtains! Take some from the gymnasium!]

[Hey, is it okay if the ornament placed here is just this dried-up well?]

"This sure is another great commotion isn't it?"

"Un. It's because Yuuji seriously made the necessary preparation in order to skip Ironman's supplementary lesson."

The next day, the third floor of the new school building is crowded with people doing remodeling work for the test of courage.

"Even so, I didn't think even class A would help us with this."

The place used for the test of courage is class A's through D's. "Since we're doing this, we should choose the class that can produce coldness" is the reason we suggested this idea, I didn't think we would really get the permission to use the classes.

"Even the students of A class are high-school students the same age as us. They will feel jaded too if they only keep studying. The final exam is just over too, so this should be a life-saver for them too."

"You're right. There should be almost no high-school student in the world who likes studying more than playing right?"

There are many types of people in this world though so I can't deny the possibility of one existing.

"I-if possible, rather than test of courage, I prefer studying more...."

The troubled Himeji-san murmured. Even if we say it's playing, since this is a test of courage, for Himeji-san who doesn't like scary things studying is more preferable for her isn't it.

"I-It should be fine Mizuki. In any case, everything is made-up things, and the ghosts are our summoned beasts, there's nothing to be afraid of at all."

"You may be right, but even so, I still hate it..."

I somehow thought that Minami's words sounded more like trying to convince herself rather than Himeji-san.

"Are? Minami also hates things like this right?"

"N-Not at all! , I'm not afraid of these kind of things even a little bit so there's no problem, even if I have to close my eyes!"

No, isn't closing your eyes proof that you're scared....?

"Aki, w-what's with that look! Are you saying that you don't believe what I said?"

"Uuunnnn.... But, I can't see Minami other than being scared since earlier."

"D-Don't kid around with me! There's no way I'm afraid!"

Minami's agitated on the level that she can't get even more agitated than this. How interesting. Let's tease her a little.

"Now that you mention it, I heard some rumors."

"W-what rumors?"

"The place that this school is built on.....actually there's a reason why it's chosen for the school."

"W-what do you mean by reason.....?"

Himeji-san, who's at Minami's side, uneasily looks this way.

"Ahaha. Actually, a ghost really does appeaaaarrrrrr!"

"Kyaaaaa!"

This is Himeji-san's voice from being frightened by me.

"Nooooo!"

And this is Minami's voice who's also got frightened.

"Migyaaa!"

By the way, this is my voice whose vertical vertebrae is getting a huge damage due to Minami jumping vigorously on me from getting frightened. I see. Minami's fear is conveyed to me...literally.

"S-sorry, Minami... I was just joking, that's why, could you....please get away...?"

I talked to Minami while smiling in order to calm her. If I don't get released now, my life will be in danger.

"Y-you lie....! Because, I've been hearing something since earlier...! Something like [I'll curse you, I'll kill you]....!"

Ahaha. Minami seems to be very frightened to the point of hearing an auditory hallucination. Those kind of words, there's nothing like that could be heard from any -

[Yoshii Akihisa....! To be hugged by onee-sama, a detestable male to the utmost....! I'll curse you...! I'll kill you....!]

In the corner of my vision, a [http://morii.sakura.ne.jp/sblo_files/morii/image/ws000867.jpg ringlet curls] haired short girl can be seen. She is Shimizu Miharu-san who belongs to class D. A troublesome person who holds feelings of love toward Minami even though she's also a girl....it seems my situation now is something enviable enough to make her want to curse and kill me.

"A-Akihisa-kun...! I can hear it too....!"

Could it be because she also heard Shimizu-san's voice, Himeji-san looks this way in a frightened state. The surroundings are made to be a little dim too for the purpose of the test of courage , so this might indeed be frightening isn't it.

".....Akihisa."

""Kyaaa!""

Along with Minami and Himeji-san's screaming voice, a crisp sound could be heart from my hip. This sound is probably something that should never come out from your hip bone isn't it?

"I-I was wondering who it was but it's just Tsuchiya-kun isn't it..... Please don't startle us like that....."

"R-really..... Thanks to that, Aki's hip is facing an unnatural position isn't it...."

".....Sorry."

Mutsulinni apologetically answered.

By the way, I always wonder why the one receiving the biggest casualties is always me....

"Well then, Mutsulinni, is there anything you need me to do?"

I inquired of Mutsullini after being released from the hug of death. Being hugged by girls should be something to be happy about, but it's strange that in my case the feeling of fear precedes the happiness.

"....Please move that locker over there."

Mutsulinni pointed at the locker on a corner of class A's classroom. As expected of class A. Whether the lock or the storage space, it's a splendid locker that can't be compared to our class'. If it's that locker, it should be hard to move it using a person's power isn't it.

"....I already asked for permission."

The world history teacher, Tanaka-sensei's figure can be seen behind Mutsullini. To be able to smoothly get the teacher's permission while doing odd jobs like this really helps a lot.

"Okay. Well then, summon!"

A geometric array was drawn on the floor, and once more my summoned beast figure appeared. Unlike the summoned beast up until now, its limbs are long, so it should be more handy when doing this kind of task.

The summoned beast moved with a rustling sound and stood in front of the objective locker.

"I just need to move this locker out of the way right?"

"......(Nod)"

When the summoned beast which has received the instruction put its hand on the locker, its head came off.

""..........!?""

I saw Himeji-san and Minami get their breath taken away. I have to admit that in a dim room like this, the spectacle is a little scary.

"It's really inconvenient to have the head keep coming off isn't it......"

".....How about fixing it in place with some packing tape?"

"Uuunnn.... It's tiresome when I have to stick it again once I let it disappear, and since this is test of courage, there's no meaning if its head can't come off too..... I guess I'll just leave it as it is."

Leaving the head rolling on the floor, it grabbed the locker firmly using both of its hands. The summoned beast, who possesses power many times more compared to a normal person, lifted up the heavy locker. Now, all that's left is bringing the locker that way - ouch! What happened!? There's suddenly an intense pain on my head!?

"Punishment for hugging onee-sama even though you're just a pig.....redeem yourself by dying....!"

When I take a closer look, my summoned beast's head is being stepped on by Shimizu-san with all she has. What a cruel thing to do!

But even if I say that, since my summoned beast is currently holding a locker , it's hard to retrieve its head. The summoned beast's hands are fully occupied, and to move my body while controlling it is too hard.

I have to do something, while I think that, my friends over there come to help.

"Shimizu! Hand over Yoshii's head!"

"S-Sugawa-kun! And everyone too....! Thank you, you really saved me!"

Sugawa-kun and the guys on class F block Shimizu-san's way. I'm really happy. Friends really are something that every person should have.

"Don't stand in my way. This pig need some punishment."

"Just hand it over!"

"That's right! Hand over Yoshii's head!"

"That's not something that can be entrusted to you!"

Everyone from F class unanimously say this.

"""We'll show you what real teasing looks like!"""

Eh? So that's the reason?

"I understand. If it's like that I'll hand over to you this pig's head."

"Wait a minute! You can't hand it over to them, Shimizu-san!"

"Thanks Shimizu! Well then, let's go everyone! Punishment for the betrayer who gets hugged by girls! Summon!"

"""Summon!"""

The summoning field is flooded with zombies.

"I'm going to pass! Oraa!"

"Agah!"

"Nice pass. Eat this, you jerk....! Doryaa!"

"Fugya"

"Okay! Shooottt!"

"Ugua!"

The Durrahan's head is being used as a soccer ball by the zombies. What kind of drawing of hell this is.

Earlier, it was only Shimizu-san who stepped on the head so it's still better than this, to be attacked by summoned beasts who possess far more power than a person really hurts a lot. Someone....help...

"Stop that. If you're going to bully Yoshii-kun even further, I'll be your opponent instead."

Suddenly, a ray light of hope can be seen over there. That is.... class A's runner up Kubo Toshimitsu-kun!? To lend a help even though he belongs to a different class, what a kind person!

"Thank you Kubo-kun! You saved me!"

"Don't mind it, Yoshii-kun! I'm going to protect you - forever!"

No, just for now is enough though....

"Class A's Kubo-kun...wasn't it? Please don't disturb us."

"I can't do that Shimizu-san, everyone from class F. Even if you gang up on me, I won't budge even a step. Because the thing I want to protect is right here....!"

"Good then! Then I'll bury you together with that pig. - Summon!"

"I'm not going to lose....! The reason for me to study hard up until now, it must be to protect Yoshii-kun during this kind of time - Summon!"

Kubo-kun and Shimizu-san start to summon while glaring at each other. And then, the face of the each of the summoned beast is that of the summoner, but both of their summoned beasts have the exact same equipment. Wearing things like straw or worn out pieces of clothes, somehow it kind of looks shabby... What kind of monster is that?

"Mutsullini. Do you know what kind of specter that is?"

"....Mayohi-gami."

Not caring about the head of my summoned beast that is still being kicked even now, Hideyoshi and Mutsullini leisurely chat with each other.

"....A god that makes people get lost. According to one theory, it's the soul of people who perish from getting lost searching for companions."

"I see.... So they're people who lost their way as humans and drag in their friends along aren't they..."

By the way, why is Kubo-kun's summoned beast the same as Shimizu-san's? Is there some kind of similar characteristic between them or something?

"Eei! Everyone, engage Kubo Toshimitsu at once!"

"""Oooh!?"

"Come at me anytime you want! I absolutely won't lose!"

Zombie & Mayohi-gami vs Mayohi-gami battle start. The Mayohi-gami starts to attack the groups of zombies who are still holding on to the severed head, the zombies also fight back by repeatedly scratching and biting. Spoiled bodies scattere everywhere. Severed heads dance around in the air. Split limbs fly around.

"""Kyaaa!"""

Faced with this kind of gruesome view, from Himeji-san and Minami to everyone else in the class start to raise some screams. The fact that the summoned beasts are ill-advisedly life-sized made it even worse.

[H-hey, don't come this way! Summon!]

[Are you okay, Miho!? Damn it, how dare you frighten my girlfriend....! Summon!]

[Girlfriend...? This guy said girlfriend just now! Traitor!"

[Kill him!]

In just a moment, the sphere of chaos spreads. Now, the summoning field that centers around the teacher becomes the scene of a pandemonium monster battle.

The instant I thought the teacher was going to erase the summoning field due to the rowdiness -

"""YOU GUYS ARE REALLY NOISY!!!"""

[[Image:Bts6 0069.jpg|thumb]]

Some people that are rarely seen in class 2-F storm in with a yell. There're some faces that I've seen before... if I remember correctly, those guys are in the third year right....?

"You really are an eyesore aren't you....!"

The crewcut-sempai and the Mohawk haired -sempai's face distort grouchily when they set their eyes on me. Ummmm, those guys are -

"Perve - pervert--sempai right?"

"Oi!? Just now you were thinking about changing your remark, but upon affirming our faces you changed your mind about changing it didn't you!"

"You thought of us as perverts from the depths of your heart didn't you! It's Tsunemura and Natsugawa! At least remember our names right!"

Aah, that's right. It's the Tokonatsu pair.

"And, Tokonatsu--sempai? What's the matter?"

For the time being, I let the summoned beast put down the locker for a moment and face those two -sempais.

"You bastard.... you can't remember our names individually so you put them together like that didn't you!"

"Just expected of that Yoshii Akihisa. His brain's capacity is too small."

What a rude thing to say.

"Rather than that, you guys are really noisy! Are you trying to insinuate us! Huh!"

"We can't concentrate on the summer short course!"

The third years beside the Tokonatsu pair also raise some "That's right!" voices. Could it be that the reason they're seething with anger like this is because they're stressed from studying for the entrance exam? Indeed, this is an important period for the entrance examinees who are said to be "he who master the summer will master the entrance exam". To have people from the lower floor making Gyaa Gyaa noises like this is something unbearable isn't it? It's no wonder the -sempais got mad at us. We should apologize here shouldn't we.

"Sorry. I didn't think the noise would reach the upper fl - "

"Oi, oi, -sempai. Isn't that quite a cruel false accusation you're making there?"

Just when I was about to bow down my head, Yuuji came.

"Eh? Yuuji. What do you mean by false accusation?"

"To create an accusation that is wrong. Or in other words, to find faults."

"I wasn't asking about the word's meaning! On top of that, you really think I'm an idiot don't you!?"

"....Eh....?"

"What's with that [he just realized that now?] kind of face!? The only one who thinks I'm that stupid is definitely only Yuuji!? Everyone else must have - er, wait a minute!? Why did everyone awkwardly avert their eyes!? Look at my eyes!"

"Akihisa. Let's talk about this matter slowly next time. We have something else we have to talk about now, okay?"

Yuuji's consoling-a-child way of talk is really exasperating.

"Well then, umm...what were we talking about again?"

"Whether the third years' complaint is a false accusation or not."

Ah, that's right, whispered Yuuji before turning back toward the -sempais and continued to explain.

"I admit we were making some noise, but this is also an accepted way to use the summoned beast for studying. Even the headmistress approves of this."

Indeed, this is also a study event using the summoned beast system. To deny this event means denying not only the summoning war, but even the whole summoning system itself. Since we have the headmistress's seal of approval, there's no reason to deny us from doing this unsparingly.

"Above all, this is the new school building. Unlike the old and worn-out old building, the new school building is built with the consideration of being used for summoning wars. There's no way the uproar on the lower floor would reach the upper floor classrooms with its door closed is there?"

Ah. Now that he mentions it. The school building, even a normal school will at least be made with iron reinforced bars that're inserted into the concrete so the voice from the floor above or below it mostly can't be heard. Moreover, for this building that was built with the uproar of a summoning war as a consideration, there's no way some noise on the level of our uproar will be able to reach them, that is if at least they're taking a lesson inside the classroom.

"In a word, the -sempais heard us making some noise while having fun when you're tottering around after getting fed up with studying and are taking it out on us."

After Yuuji said that, the third years -sempais awkwardly avert their gazes away. ....I see, they're stung by the truth.

"Well then let us say something too Sakamoto! You are all bringing us a lot of trouble! Making an uproar by involving the whole student body in your grade to peek, and in the end causing every boy in the second year to get suspended didn't you!? What are you going to do if the people's opinion about the school drops and they think of even us third years as stupid!? It will enter our school report record you know!?"

""....""

This time the second year boys, with me and Yuuji at the tip, avert our gazes away. The other party's complaint is also quite right. There's no doubt that that one event has a lot of things to do with Fumizuki Academy's image.

Seeing us like that, Tokonatsu's group elatedly sniffed at us and continued their words.

"In the first place, there's too many of you guys in the second years who have bad marks. Even the mark of stupidity, Kansatsu Shoubunsha, is only used by you second years, and the one who destroyed the school building during the school festival must have been that stupid pair over there right?"

"Yuuji, you're being called. Go apologize."

"It's about you isn't it, Akihisa."

"It's the both of you, you trash."

""How can that be?""

"How can you two still show such surprised expressions like that!? It's an obvious conclusion if you think about it logically isn't it!?"

To be treated the same way as Yuuji, is a disgrace to the extreme. Enough to demand revocation of said treatment.

"Well, I can understand your point of not being able to stand Akihisa."

"Wait, Yuuji. I don't think pushing all the blame onto me like that is good thing."

"Miharu also can't stand this pig!"

Shimizu-san, who suddenly comes near us, gives me a scornful look. I'm really hated aren't I....

Could it be because he thinks Shimizu-san's words as some kind of support towards him, crewcut-sempai talks to Shimizu-san in high spirits.

"Ooh. You're quite sensible aren't you, that drill-hair over there?"

"Don't get carried away and talk to Miharu, you pig -sempai! You stink of cattle!"

The rift between the second years and third years widen even more.

"....How nice, you bastards....! I've been unable to stand you all for a long time!"

Finally the crewcut-sempai snaps with his face completely red with anger. Well, I guess it's just natural isn't it.

"Oi, Natsukawa. There's teacher here too. Stop lashing out."

"I know. ....There's no problem if I do it like this right? Summon!"

The crewcut--sempai who's called Natsukawa called out his summoned beast. And then, from inside the geometrical array, a demon with a big bull horn on its head appeared.

I see. Gozu[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume6_Translation_Notes_and_References], isn't it? Crewcut-sempai's true nature is the villain's role huh? Seeing that the third years aren't surprised about the appearance of the summoned beast being different from the usual, it seems they've also already been briefed about the change in the summoning system.

"Now then, Yoshii. It's punishment time."

"Kuh...! Just as expected, targeting my summoned beast huh! But, there's no way he'll know which one is my summoned bea - "

"It's this one right!"

"Agah!"

My summoned beast who put down the shelf on the floor is hit by Gozu. The feedback is quite harsh...!

"J-Just as expected of third year class-A even if his personality is rotten.....! To be able to discern my summoned beast in just an instant, I'll admit that you have quite a sharp insight."

"Well, the only one who would possess a stupid summoned beast which has no head could only be you isn't it."

"I'll give you some praise for that sharp insight!"

I raise a big voice to deny the crewcut-sempai's word. I'll pretend I didn't hear the words that will hurt my feelings. This is wisdom needed to survive in this harsh world.

"Yoshii-kun. I'll back you up. I won't comply with the acts of an unreasonable -sempai."

"Thank you, Kubo-kun!"

Kubo-kun, who manage to somehow retrieve the Durahan's head since God knows when, comes beside me and confronts the Gozu. What a nice person.

"Tsunemura, please support me."

"Okay, I got it. I'll back you up. Summon!"

Seeing our numbers increase, the crewcut(Natsukawa)-sempai asked for support from the soft Mohawk hair, Tsunemura--sempai, behind him without delay.

The summoned beast that comes out is one that is a perfect match to the Gozu, the demon with horse head, Mezu, posing with its spear. I wonder if the reason that their summoned beasts are the pair of demons who watch over the prisoners in hell is because oppressing the weak is those two's true nature. Their personalities seem to be pretty bad.

"Just like Sakamoto said earlier, this is just a mock battle using the summoned beasts so there shouldn't be any problems right? Even this is one of our school's splendid aspects of learning isn't it?"

The crewcut-sempai initiated the first move, probably so as to not let the enemy escape.

A class Tsunemura Yuusaku, World history 174 points

And

A class Natsukawa Shunpei, World history 163 points

The score that's being displayed is around the average of what class A students usually get. The score for the Japanese history subject when we faced off during the Summoned Beast exhibition back then was also around this, so the Tsunemura pair's scores for social related subject should be around this shouldn't it?

And then, while waiting for Kubo-kun and me, who are holding our own against them, to get our scores displayed -

"Where are you looking at, oi. You're quite relaxed aren't you."

"Gah....!"

Suddenly, a shock runs through my shoulder. It seems like while we're averting our gaze away, the Gozu commenced an attack at Dullahan. Kuh....! What a miss...!

"Does it hurt? It's good.....then!"

Gozu and Mezu is pursuing Dullahan, whose posture was messed up by the earlier attack, by swinging each of their weapons. This is bad. I can't evade it.

"Yoshii-kun!"

Without delay, Kubo-kun's mayohi-gami breaks in between us. It blows away crewcut-sempai's Gozu with a body charge. The Mezu who was at behind Gozu also got caught in the attack and got blown away together. To be able to put away 2 class A's students with one body blow, Kubo-kun's power certainly is the real deal.

"Wha....! This guy is quite good.....!"

"That Yoshii-guy too. How could that one attack earlier barely have any effect on him....?"

Tokonatsu pair shuddered. They must be surprised by our summoned beast's power which was stronger than expected.

They might be able to call us trash or stupid, but they'll be in trouble if they underestimate us.

"Please don't take us lightly pervert--sempais. Even we won't stay as idiot forever you know."

A smirk surfaced at the corner of my lips while telling the two -sempais that.

Could it be from being provoked by my confident attitude, everyone turns their attention toward our late-to-be-shown scores.

A class, Kubou Toshimitsu, World history 357 points

And

334 class Alexander The Great, World history 161 points

"".........""

"Well then, the real fight begins now! I'll show you my true power - "

"....oi kora. Wait a minute, that idiot over there."

"....Is there something wrong?"

"I can't see anything but wrong things....."

The soft Mohawk -sempai put his hand on his head and look amazed. E-even though I finally looked cool and was starting to get pumped up....!

Before I managed to open my mouth to say an excuse, the crewcut-sempai raised his angry voice first.

"Who's Alexander the Great, oi! Furthermore, to be in class 334, you expanded the school too much didn't you! This is clearly not your score!"

"Y-you're wrong! There was a little miss, but this is truly my score! To miss when writing your name is a mistake that everyone must have done at least once in their life right!"

"Leaving aside forgetting to put down your name, what kind of mistake did you make to write Alexander the Great as your name!?"

"T-that was, um, well...."

This is bad. No matter how I explain this, I get the feeling I will still be thought of as an idiot.

[Hey, look at that. So the second years are really full of idiots, aren't they?]

[Y-you're wrong! Even among the second years, Yoshii is an idiot that can surpass everyone in their year!]

[That's right! Also, next year, Yoshii will be in the second year once again so we'll have nothing to do with him anymore during that time!]

What a cruel thing to say.

"Oi, Natsukawa. Lately, the summoned beast system's condition seems to be strange. The name change could also be the result of that couldn't it."

"N? Now that you mention it, there's no way it'll be like this if it's not because of that isn't it?"

"........."

It's hard to say the truth when they say it like that.

"Well, even if the name part is a little inconvenience caused by the system acting up, the fact that you guys are a disgrace to this school doesn't change - "

"I can't ignore that "system acting up" remark."

An unhappy voice can be heard interrupting crewcut-sempai's vehement argument.

"Ah. principal."

"Really.... To have the system blamed because of Yoshii's stupidity is not something that I can casually let go. This is genuinely this brat's miss."

Just like what she explained yesterday, the headmistress has a reason why she can't let anyone know about the system's adjustment failure. There's no way she's gonna not deny when the system is being claimed of acting up isn't she?

"But, it feels quite irritating to be thought that something like this is our miss isn't it? Maybe I should at least correct that name part only."

A kind suggestion to help that's very unlike the usual headmistress. If possible, I wished she would do that kind of treatment before the result got conveyed to nee-san.... but I guess that's too much to wish for isn't it. No matter how you look at it, it's unmistakably my miss after all.

"And then, why are you coming this far just to visit us, headmistress? Is there anything you need from us?"

"Aa. There's a little thing I need to convey to the second year students. Is Sakamoto here?"

"N? What is it, old hag?"

Yuuji, who has been watching the summoned beast battle from afar with a smirk in his face, came forward to approach the headmistress.

"The academy side is supporting this test of courage event aren't we. We'll also be providing a large establishment for the place and the teachers needed for summoning. Do this with a bang."

"This is quite a generous offer isn't it? What's your target?"

"As an exchange, please leave everything that you make as it is. I'm thinking of exhibiting it to the public around the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival o-bon] break."

"A ruse to up the school's image isn't it. How moving."

"It's because our reputation keeps going down because of you lot. It's tiring for us too."

An assistance for the purpose of propaganda isn't it. The headmistress sure has it tough too on a lot of things.

"In the first place, this change in the summoned beast is for that purpose."

The headmistress stressed that point to push the idea onto everyone. If we don't leave the topic as it is now, the courage test will get suspended so let's keep our mouths shut for now.

"And also..... since they've gone to the trouble of preparing this, how about the third years also join this test of courage as well? That should be more useful than quarreling here."

Their interest caught by the headmistress who said those words, the crewcut-sempai and soft Mohawk -sempai who stand at the very front tip of the group replied while giving a sniff.

"Don't joke around. As if we'll cordially work together with this trash for some kind of test of courage."

"Indeed. It's disgusting."

Although the -sempai group who were standing behind those two don't say any word, their attitudes show that they have the same intentions as those two -sempai.

It seems there's nothing to be done about the huge gap between the second years and the third years.

"If you take that attitude, it makes me want to make you all participate in the event by all possible means..... Yosh, I got it. Tomorrow, the last day for both summer supplementary lessons and short course will be the test of courage."

""Wha.....!""

The Tokonatsu pair look bewildered about the announcement from the headmistress.

"This is the ending part of the supplementary lesson and summer short course, so every participant of both supplementary lesson and summer short course must attend this event without exception. Is that clear?"

After announcing that, the headmistress gallantly went out of the classroom as if satisfied with this arrangement. Somehow, it's rapidly becoming more troublesome isn't it....

"Yare, yare.... Well, it seems that's the decision so -sempai, let's enjoy it together ok?"

"Shut up! I don't have any intention of doing this together with you guys!"

"Is that so? I also can't stand you all. ....So then, how about this?"

"Aa?"

"We divide between the side who does the frightening and the side that is being frightened. And we'll just randomly decide the punishment game too."

"You mean we divide between the second years and third years right?"

"Yes. That way, we don't need to get along with each other right?"

We'll be going at each other, so indeed there's no need for us to get along with each other. But there's a possibility the gap between us will deepen even more though.

"Not bad. Of course, we third years will be on the side of doing the frightening okay? After all, we need to chastise you guys."

Their motive is to laugh after succeeding in making other people frightened isn't it? What a twisted way of thinking. But, Yuuji also has the same kind of trait, so I don't think he'll hand over the frightening ro -

"Aa. I don't mind with that."

"Eh?"

That's a little unexpected isn't it. I wonder what his intention is. Since Yuuji's objective was escaping the supplementary lesson, I wonder if he doesn't care about this test of courage at all.

"It's decided then. .....What about the rule and the punishment to the losing side?"

"This was the rule that we first planned to use. Speak if you have any complaints."

Saying that, the thing that Yuuji brought out is a print-out on an A4 sized paper. It seems that the reason I didn't see him during the preparation was because he was making the rule list.

I also took a sheet of the print-out from Yuuji and directed my eye at it.

Uuum. Let's see, the rules are -

:1. One group must consist of 2 people. Passing through the checkpoint alone will not be allowed
::*Note : Being alone does not mean automatic elimination
:2. When either one of the people in the group screams, both people will be eliminated.
:3. There will be 1 check point for each class from A to D. In total, there will be 4 check points.
:4. At each check point, a summoned beast battle will be waged against two representatives from each class guarding the place(the representatives doesn't have to be each class' head). Passing the checkpoint will be done by crushing the two representatives.
:5. If there's one group who manages to pass through all the check points, the frightened side will win, if there're no groups who manage to pass all the check points, the frightening side will win.
:6. Normal students who're not check point guardians from the frightening side will not be allowed to battle using their summoned beasts. They're only allowed to scare people.
:7. There will be only one teacher stationed in each class for the purpose of summoning.
:8. The frightened side will carry a camera as a proof of clearing a check point.

"Heee. The rules seem pretty elaborate don't they? It seems fun."

"I also planned to add a rule that forbids breaking the equipment to this list because the headmistress seems pretty fussy."

I see. It's going to be exhibited to the public so it will be bad if the props get broken won't it.

"Sakamoto, how will we define what's considered to be the scream mentioned in this rule?"

The soft Mohawk -sempai asks Yuuji while looking at the printout.

Indeed, a scream can be pretty vague. If it's only between friends, it shouldn't matter that much if we treat it as some kind of game, but if it's for the match between second years and third years it's a different matter. If it's not defined clearly, it will surely become a source of dispute later.

"N? That part huh? You're right.... I guess we'll need to make a measurement for the volume for the sound. Since we already brought a camera, how about we make it so that once the volume passes a certain threshold, the group will be disqualified?"

"Can you do that?"

"....No problem."

If it's about cameras, then it must be Mutsullini. If it's for his secret intentions, there's nothing impossible with that skill of his.

"How will we decide the subject for the checkpoint battle?"

"About that, how does each of us picking one subject sound?"

"One? Shouldn't each of us pick two instead?"

"Aa. It's because I already talked to the science and modern Japanese teacher. If it's those two subjects that are often picked for exams there shouldn't be that much advantage or disadvantage right?"

Because it's class A through D, the number of checkpoints will be four in total. Between those four, modern Japanese and science has already been decided to be the subject in two of the checkpoints, and the rest will be decided by each of us won't it?

"Yo, Sakamoto. Rather than that, hurry up and tell us the punishment for the losing side."

A disgusting smile surfaced on crewcut-sempai's face when he said that. That face is a no matter what he's gonna entrap us kind of expression.

"That's right. How does the losing side will have to do the clean up duty of the winning side during the athletic festival in second semester sound?"

The athletic festival scheduled during the second semester. That festival is quite a large scale event so both the preparation and clean up will be a handful. If it's possible it's better to skip it, is a thought that everyone holds - even so....

"Oi oi Sakamoto. Isn't that idea too lenient coming from you? Could it be that you don't have the confidence to win at all?"

Just like what crewcut-sempai said, coming from Yuuji, something like this is too simple for a punishment.

"It's because the matter about the match against you guys itself hasn't been told to everyone. If it's only this much, it should be appropriate as a punishment that we decide selfishly on our own isn't it? For both you and us."

Even if the headmistress already put her stamp on this, it should be difficult to selfishly decide on a cruel punishment without discussing it with everyone else. Indeed, just like Yuuji said, cleaning up duty should be an appropriate punishment isn't it?

"...Keh"

"There's no need to be that impatient, -sempai. If you want to battle with us you only need to be at the checkpoint don't you? If you do that, me and Akihisa will fight with you personally."

Eh? Why me too?

"Direct confrontation at the checkpoint huh...? Interesting. I'm in!"

"Well then, the match will be tomorrow. Let's enjoy this, right -sempai?"

"I'll make you trash realize the dreadfulness of seniors."

Just like this, before we realized, the test of courage became a big scale event that involved the third years.

Even so, to have the role of frightening which has the tiresome preparation work pushed to them without realizing, college entrance exams preparation really build up your stress doesn't it....?

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