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Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou:Volume 4 Chapter 4

2015-07-30T17:22:48Z

73.201.46.119:

{{Incomplete|parts=4|tparts=7}}

==Chapter 4 – Cooperation Attack==

===Part 1===

May 15, finally the curtain of the battle election was opened.

The first venue of the battle election was located on the Magic Division’s grounds and the second venue was on the Sword Division’s grounds. Four matches would be conducted in the first venue throughout the morning and then the four remaining matches would be conducted in the second venue in the afternoon.

All the students were obligated to watch the matches. It looked like there was a great number of students for whom this was their first time ever setting foot onto the other division’s grounds. The aim was to make the students of both divisions interact with each other even from that aspect.

The stands that surrounded the ground in a circle were packed full with students in the rows. Tents were constructed at both ends of the grounds, those became the waiting room for the teams that would come out for the match.

“I, I’m nervous…”

Inside the tent, Kazuha-senpai’s fingertips were trembling (gatagata) while sitting on the pipe chair.

For the purpose of diverting her from the nervousness, Kazuki made idle talk.

“Now that I think about it, did Kazuha-senpai not learn any kenjutsu from your father?”

Kazuha-senpai’s father was Tsukahara Hikitada. He was a teacher of the Sword Division.

It wouldn't be strange even if she had received a genius education since she was a child.

“My father was against me becoming a swordsman you know? Because he was a former knight, he understood that swordsmen are nothing more than an existence that is to be discarded after being used.”

Tsukahara-sensei was a teacher that worked together with Kohaku to change the system of the Knight Academy. It looked like his motive was based from his experience in the past from the period when he was a knight.

“But in the end I liked the sword! It doesn't have any relation to how the swordsman is treated. I didn't even attend the dojo; but I read the textbook alone. Even though father ignored me, I kept training with self-instruction for a long time. At that time when I met with Futsunushi no Kami, I even passed into the Sword Division.”

While sitting on the pipe chair, Kazuha-senpai gripped her trembling hands tightly.

“I have to make father recognize my sword. But…if I don’t become strong, I become scared when I think, "what if I don’t become strong"…somehow everything doesn't go well at all…”

“Even before thinking of having confidence in yourself, senpai is burdened with too many things. Even though in reality, it’s the contrary.”

“Eh?” Senpai raised her voice. “What are you saying?”

“This is vague, but…’If I don't win’ ‘I mustn’t lose’, I think if senpai burdened yourself too much with such things, then your sword and heart cannot become pure. Senpai cannot swing your sword skillfully while being afraid of failure. When your swing doesn't go well, it becomes a burden in senpai’s mind. Then senpai loses confidence and completely falls into a vicious cycle.”

“To swing your sword with a pure feeling…I want to be recognized by my father, I don't want my classmates to make fun of me, certainly maybe I kept thinking of only those kinds of things and became nervous…”

“Then, it’s fine for senpai to not get nervous this time.”

“W, why is that?”

“Because this time is a team battle after all. If something happens, Kohaku and I will help senpai for sure, so please be relieved and let out your own strength.”

“…”

“Putting me aside, senpai believes in Kohaku right?”

“N, no, for the moment I believe you too. But if I just weighed down all of you then it’s even more inexcusable, or how should I put it…sorry…”

“There is nothing to worry about. Senpai just needs to have fun with kenjutsu today!”

“To have fun, with kenjutsu…”

“I will also help with magic too after all, senpai!”

Mio who couldn’t hold herself back from the heavy atmosphere also cut into the conversation.

“Of course this one will also provide help! Please remember it, that enjoyment when you first wielded the sword!”

Kohaku also encouraged Kazuha-senpai. From Kazuha-senpai’s chest, a small heart mark flew to Kazuki.

“Thank you, everyone! Somehow I feel that my feelings have become light!”

Right at that time, the broadcast for the team’s entrance resounded. The excited cheering from the audience stands could be heard even from inside the tent.

“Well then Kazuha-senpai, let’s go!”

“…Right! Leader!”

For senpai to give an unusually honest reply was surely thanks to the benefit of the atmosphere there.

“…Come to think of it Kazuki, this is the first time you see this one wearing the swordsman’s costume isn't it!? How does this one look!?”

When Kohaku stood up from the pipe chair, Kohaku turned round and round as if to show off her appearance.

In exchange of the nonexistence of Magic Dress like the Magic Division, a battle uniform was specially prepared in the Sword Division. It was made with the uniform’s design as its base and easy to move for real battle.

Until now Kazuki had never seen anything else other than her figure when she was fighting while still in her uniform, but she was wearing this battle uniform when she was undertaking things like quests and the like.

Kazuha-senpai who was wearing the same uniform was also taking a glance at Kazuki.

“Both of you look gallant and cool. …I'm the only one that’s still wearing uniform, I'm envious.”

“Fufufu, look cool right? It spontaneously makes you want to take this one as wife, wouldn't you?” Kohaku puffed her chest while boasting.

“No, it’s a different story if it’s marriage.”

When Kazuki said so, Kohaku became dejected.

When they got out onto the ground, they were wrapped by loud cheers that shook the earth. Kazuki and his team were surprised and looked around at the stands. Thereupon, he heard some familiar voices.

“OTTOUTO-KU―N! DO YOUR BEST―!” That was Kaguya-senpai’s voice.

“Kazuki, do your best.” A voice so small that he almost missed it, Koyuki’s voice.

“Onii-san, do your best desu!” “Kazuki, do your best!” Lotte and Hikaru-senpai’s voice.

“NII-SAMA―! PLEASE DO YOUR BEST―!” Of course Kanae’s voice was also there.

Kazuki was dumbfounded. The front row of the audience stand was colored gorgeously.

“Do your best, do your best, Ot-tou-to-kun!”

With Kaguya-senpai at the head leading the others with a strange tune, everyone was―transformed into cheerleaders.

The bottom of their necks were decorated with a necktie. A tank-top that exposed their navel and a miniskirt. Both of their hands had pompons attached. Everyone was dancing in the front row while scattering their lively charms.

“Kazuki, do your best, do your best.” Even that Koyuki was dancing energetically.

Their white thighs that looked bright were moving with lively motion, their rather short skirts were fluttering and the underskirts peeking through in a glance, those figures were something that he had to see with his eyes reinforced by Enchant Aura.

Kaguya-senpai’s chest who leaped up with noticeable liveliness was bouncing around staggeringly.

To prepare something like this for him…

When Kazuki’s eyes were stolen by the cheerleader figures of everyone, Mio was pouting.

“Kazuki, I'll do that too! Look here! Kazuki, do your best! Kazuki, do your best!”

“This one will do it too! Kazuki, do your best! Kazuki, do your best!”

Mio and Kohaku both placed their arms around each other’s shoulders and began to break into a dance while swinging around their feet, unexpectedly they had a good relation.

“No, it’s not just me, you guys have to do your best too you know!”

From the opposite side of Kazuki and his team, the enemy team also made their entrance.

The leader was the Magic Division second year, Miyamoto Reina. The same second year of the Magic Division, Nagasaka Yuka.

He had heard that both of them were second year rank-B, that was why it could be said that they were a fairly formidable opponent.

And then the Sword Division second year, Ishida Jussei and the Sword Division second year Sagawa Tsuyoshi. Both of them were male and their real strength was unclear.

“{{furigana|I know thy name|Shem ha Meforash}}…Thy name is [Phoenix]…poet that is namely a magician! O poetic bird that played reason with sweet tongue, in accordance with my life show that strength!”

Mio transformed her body into her Magic Dress, her appearance was that of a gallant female magician.

“It’s a little embarrassing but…if there is this much distance then they couldn't look really well too.”

Mio felt bothered and kept glancing at the guest stand where the boys from the Sword Division were mixed. But putting aside someone like Kazuki who had been piling up training that put importance in looking, a normal swordsman wouldn't be able to see them other than something as small as bean’s grain from that distance.

“I know thy name. Thy name is [Focalor]. O fallen angel that applaud thief, steal the provision of the people opposing me, become the hand that carry out the glory of victory!”

Miyamoto-senpai was contracted with Focalor, while Nagasaka-senpai was with Valefor, each of them performed Access respectively, their body were wrapped in Magic Dress. ―Finally the election battle began!

…The matter they thought of before, so that they wouldn’t carry any damage to the next fight was, let’s [move defensively].

In this team there was Kohaku who was able to evade simple attack magic with wild instinct.

Because of that if Kazuki protected Kazuha-senpai with defensive magic, Mio didn’t need to protect Kohaku and could freely attack with offensive magic. This was a large advantage.

Even if in the case that the opponent attempted to use a large scale attack magic that even Kohaku couldn’t evade, Kazuki would sense it and he could immediately give instruction to Mio to obstruct the opponent’s chanting.

If it looked like it was impossible to stop with just Mio’s Barrett, he would give an instruction to Kohaku to follow up Mio’s obstruction.

If they did this then as long as the enemy didn’t elaborate any peculiar tactics, they should be able to seal enemy’s attack with stability.

In reality it also went like that.

“O gryphon that crossed over the ocean, those wings give rise to the wind of north pole, raise upsetting raging waves…{{furigana|Northern Wave|Storm Surge}}!”

With fast chanting, Miyamoto-senpai invoked her level 1 magic. The gryphon Diva, Focalor, gave rise to cold wind and tsunami with those wings and attacked Kazuha-senpai.

“O rejection of absolute zero, protect that person and become the armor of isolation! Freeze Barrier!”

Kazuki Foresighted that action and protected Kazuha-senpai with matching element.

Kazuha-senpai’s body was wrapped inside the freezing protection and turned the incoming attack powerless.

The one other enemy Magica Stigma―Nagasaka-senpai was in the state of beginning to chant higher level magic. Most likely they had already investigated beforehand that Kohaku was able to evade simple attack magic.

“Mio, focus on Nagasaka-senpai!”

“Got it! …The wings danced scattering sparks. Trailed the spiraling wind, become life-gouging bullet! Flapped your wings, shoot out! Barrett!!”

In order to obstruct the opponent’s chanting, Mio invoked a level one magic. The flame bullet immediately scored a direct hit at Nagasaka-senpai. The damage disturbed her concentration power toward the spell chanting.

Kazuki was relieved, he turned his eyes toward the battle between fellow swordsmen.

At the front line was―Kohaku who was overwhelming her swordsman opponent, Ishida-senpai.

Looking at it, Ishida-senpai was by no means weak. However even without using Sacred Treasure Kohaku was strong enough to deal with him. She dodged her opponent’s attack smoothly and counterattacked precisely with unrefined movement from her wild instinct that made Kazuki who was in the theoretical faction to retort [how could you dodge like that?].

It looked like she would be able to overpower her opponent with mostly no damage even if he left her alone.

On the other hand, Kazuha-senpai was having a hard battle with Sagawa-senpai as her opponent.

“U, uuu…”

Kazuha-senpai was obviously making an expression that was losing to her nervousness. She was cornered into an one-sided defensive battle and was overpowered by the opponent’s strong single blow, slowly she was being pushed back.

“Quack Tsukahara! For someone like you to come out at the battle election, don't you feel guilty to your candidate!?”

Sagawa-senpai was hurling jeers at Kazuha-senpai. Both of them were the same second year at the Sword Division, so it looked like they were acquaintances. That voice made Kazuha-senpai increasingly shrink into herself.

Kazuha-senpai couldn't be allowed to be made even more faint hearted than this!

“Mio, I'm going to back up Kazuha-senpai!”

“Got it!”

Kazuki headed to Kazuha-senpai as reinforcements. Because of the rule, Kazuki didn’t bring his katana.

However if he fought barehanded then no one would be able to fault him.

He cut in as if covering for Kazuha-senpai, Kazuki repelled the opponent’s slash with his fist.

“What!? How could a Magic Division’s student strike my sword!?”

Sagawa-senpai yelled. If he really said those words seriously, then there was nothing he could say except that his preliminary investigation was insufficient. Even barehanded, the Instant Positioning could still be performed.

“Northern Wave!” Miyamoto-senpai turned to this direction and invoked an attack magic.

“Freeze Barrier!” Kazuki who kept his alert and grasped Miyamoto-senpai’s chanting dealt with the attack using defensive magic.

“Ku―!” Miyamoto-senpai leaked out a frustrated voice.

“Ha, Hayashizaki…” A heart mark flew from the dejected Kazuha-senpai.

Even like this, she was also happy huh?

“There is nothing scary here senpai, let’s just fight without care, okay!”

“…O, ok!”

The nervousness was finally gone from Kazuha-senpai’s swordsmanship. And then just like what she showed when they were training, that swordsmanship that was polished persistently from long repetition of training was for the first time displayed in a real battle…!

“Wh, what!? Even though you are just quack Tsukahara!?”

Sagawa-senpai who immediately sensed the change in Kazuha-senpai was falling into panic.

“If she lets out all of her real strength, Kazuha-senpai is that far above you, you know!”

With Kazuki’s yell pushing her, Kazuha-senpai increased her momentum even more. In contrast, her opponent, who was pushed back by someone that he looked down on as his inferior, became faint hearted in return.

―At the same time, Kazuki sensed a rise of magic power.

“Kazuki, sorry, I might be unable to pin her down!”

Mio called Kazuki to attention in panic. Nagasaka-senpai who was contracted with Valefor finally began to knead her magic power to a great height. There was no more time until she activated it.

There was no doubt that most likely she was aiming for one shot of high level magic that could flip the situation.

“Kohaku, position change! Go to Nagasaka-senpai’s position!”

What he meant by position change was a sign for Kohaku to go stop the Magica Stigma’s chanting after Kazuki took over the swordsman that she was currently facing.

Kohaku turned her back on Ishida-senpai and dashed at full speed toward Nagasaka-senpai.

Looking at that movement which lacked any hesitation, Ishida-senpai showed a surprised expression (gyo―<ref>Looking blankly with mouth half open when people don’t know what to think. SFX for being surprised</ref>).

Kohaku had no fear of exposing her back towards an enemy swordsman. …Because she had already memorized the timing of Kazuki coming in to assist.

Ishida-senpai’s sword that was heading at Kohaku and cut at her back was blocked by Kazuki who cut in from the side. Kohaku went and cut at Nagasaka-senpai fiercely.

It was a large-scale magic that was on the verge of being activated, but with Kohaku’s assistance it was dispersed barely in time.

Unrest ran in the enemy team. When the high level magic became a failure, the compensation for that was big.

Kazuki continued to become the opponent of Ishida-senpai with barehanded techniques.

“Self Burning!”

While defending against the opponent’s attack by repelling the sword with his fist, he also chanted the flame defensive magic. However his objective was not for defense. Immediately he concentrated the flame on his whole body into his fist with Psychokinesis.

“Y, you, what kind of Magica Stigma are you!?”

Kazuki socked Ishida-senpai who raised a scared voice with all his strength.

That hit was the finishing blow for him who had been accumulating damage from Kohaku.

“Ishida Jussei, that’s the end!”

The referee teacher judged that Ishida-senpai’s magic power had been whittled away to a dangerous amount, he urged him to exit the ground. If this decision was late for even a little, an incident that affected his life might have happened.

With one opponent exiting the stage, the equilibrium of the fight was crumbling.

After Kohaku slashed at Nagasaka-senpai she slashed at Minamoto-senpai…she wreaked havoc as she pleases. In continuous motion she kept chipping at the opponents’ concentration power, a disagreeable way of fighting. Right at that time Kazuki was also participating into the fight.

“O undying bird soaring from the twilight to the dawn, grant those wings of hope on my back! For the sake of resurrection, right in this place the destruction…! Blazing Wings!”

Right now there was no opponent that could obstruct Kazuki’s spell chanting. With composure he chanted a high level magic, then he mowed down Nagasaka-senpai and Miyamoto-senpai all together with wings of flame.

“Miyamoto Reina, Nagasaka Yuka, that’s the end!”

With both of them leaving the stage together, the only one left was just Sagawa-senpai.

Mio and Kohaku turned to the last opponent and they were going to pour concentrated attacks on him.

―Kazuki stopped them with his hand.

At the end of Kazuki’s line of sight, Kazuha-senpai was fighting against Sagawa-senpai one-on-one.

Kazuha-senpai didn't notice that the other enemies had been annihilated. Concentrating only on swinging the sword, her swordsmanship was perfectly clear.

If they attacked four-on-one, the match would be decided in a blink of eye. By all rights they should go with all their strengths, it might be a courtesy for their opponent. However, this was discourteous for Sagawa-senpai, but Kazuki would have him as the stepping stone for Kazuha-senpai to take off her veneer.

…Mio and Kohaku too guessed that intention, they took a posture of observing the fight.

A large commotion was running throughout the stands. Surely it was from the students of the Sword Division. Kazuha-senpai, who was known as a quack swordsman, for the first time displayed her true strength in this grand stage.

“E, even though you are just quack Tsukahara!”

Kazuha-senpai’s single minded fierce attack made Sagawa-senpai raise a scream.

“Senpai! Please believe in yourself!” Kazuki was sending a yell of support even more.

“UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA―!”

Kazuha-senpai shouted, she repelled Sagawa-senpai’s sword with all her strength!

Toward the opponent who staggered from his loss in the contest of strength, Kazuha-senpai inserted a beautiful single stroke of katana that fascinated everyone who was watching. The blown away opponent’s magic power was finally used up.

“The match is decided! The winner, Hayashizaki Kazuki’s team!!”

The referee teacher handed down the ruling, the ground was wrapped in a loud excited cheering.

“I, I won…I won!?”

When Kazuha-senpai first returned from the world of sword, her eyes were looking around restlessly as if she couldn't believe the situation that surrounded her. All of the loud cheering from the guest stand was mostly directed to Kazuha-senpai.

“Senpai, congratulations!”

“Ha, Hayashizaki, I…”

“Senpai, you were strong, don't you remember? You gained a complete victory in a one-on-one fight.”

When Kazuki approached her, Kazuha-senpai’s eyes were filled to the brim with tears from the overwhelming emotion and she flew into Kazuki’s chest.

“…wait, who do you think would do something like crying in your chesttttt!”

Kazuha-senpai returned to her senses in a moment, she jumped back in a fluster. And then “D, don’t misunderstand you!” she yelled again and this time she leaped into Kohaku “Hi―n!” and cried.

Continuing, the second match was started by Kaguya-senpai’s team. When Kazuki and the others went to take a seat in the guest stand, they passed each other and Kaguya-senpai and her team entered the tent that was also the waiting room.

“Kaguya-senpai, what kind of fight will she show I wonder.”

“Probably it would be the cooperation attacks just as I predicted, that’s what I think.”

Kazuki knew about Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki’s magic. He knew how terrifying this team was from long beforehand. Moreover Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki’s chanting speed was faster even compared to Mio and Kazuki.

“The second match, teams enter!”

In accordance with the voice of the referee teacher, Kaguya-senpai and her team entered the ground from the tent.

“We too have to root for Kaguya-senpai.”

“But we didn't prepare anything like cheerleader costumes.”

“Even if we had prepared it, how could I show myself as a cheer girl?“

Kaguya-senpai would explode in laughter and become happy for sure, but he had a hunch that Koyuki would look at him with total disappointment.

That was why Kazuki would at least yell with loud voice.

“Kaguya-senpai, Koyuki, Kanae, Torazou-san!! Please do your best!!”

Mio and Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai who were at his side immediately covered their ears.

“Ka, Kazuki, what’s with that loud voice…”

“I reinforced my throat with Enchant Aura.”

Kazuki’s extremely loud voice reached them and Kaguya-senpai’s team was looking back in this direction.

“Otouto-kuuun! Look closely okay!” “Nii-sama―! Please look at my performance Nii-sama―!”

Kaguya-senpai and Kanae were hopping around (pyonpyon) while waving their hands at them.

The match’s curtain was first opened with a textbook clash between the swordsmen.

Kanae and Torazou-san who were in the strongest level at the Sword Division immediately stood in domination against their opponents.

“Everyone, Freeze Formation!”

At the same time Kaguya-senpai gave out such direction.

The flow of the match moved drastically after Koyuki who received that direction invoked her magic.

“O mermaid’s divine protection, stop the step of the hated enemy, hasten the step of the chosen people…. O ice blade, run! Moves in the Field!”

As expected, they used that!

“It really developed just like what Kazuki said.” Mio raised a surprised voice.

With the rule of this match, there was no doubt that [Moves in the Field] was an effective magic for this battle. The cold that was produced from Koyuki as the center froze the ground’s surface in the blink of eye. The swordsmen from the opposing team were slipping on the frozen ground.

In contrast ice boots were created for the feet of all the members in Kaguya-senpai’s team. They began a high-speed movement by sliding on top of the frozen ground.

Kanae and Torazou-senpai glided with their feet and ignored the enemy swordsmen, they assaulted the Magica Stima at the rear in a straight line.

Moreover Koyuki also ran with her ice boots and joined into the fight. Koyuki who equipped the ice boots also became able to fight directly. The boots that were attached with ice blade released a fierce kick.

The panicked expression in the opposing team’s Magica Stigma were plain to see. Because their opponent was that Kaguya-senpai, it seemed those girls were aiming for a sink-or-swim and both started to chant high-level magic at the same time when the match began. However even faster than them, Koyuki had already invoked the [Moves in the Field] completely and decided the victory and defeat already. Kanae and Torazou-san and Koyuki, the three tore the opposing Magica Stigma into shreds with katana and ice blade. The magic that they were preparing was dispersed.

The two swordsmen couldn’t move directly on the frozen ground, they couldn’t go to help their teammate from the disastrous scene. They really were becoming useless in their function as the vanguard.

If it turned like this, then this was a mere bullying.

“S, shit!” Groaning, the opposing team’s leader showed her spirit and forcefully melted the ground using Pyrokinesis. Part of the ground started to melt, finally the vanguard swordsmen obtained their freedom of movement somewhat.

However in the field where some ices were still left, aiming for Kanae and the others who were moving around in high-speed was not a simple matter.

Kaguya-senpai on the other hand was standing imposingly still on the rear.

The two swordsmen slashed at Kaguya-senpai just barely in the critical moment.

[[image:Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou Vol.04 077.png|thumb]]

“Suicide Black.”

The moment both of them brought their katana down, Kaguya-senpai chanted that with calm and composed face.

‘Just as he thought huh’, those who thought that was not just Kazuki. Everyone on this venue knew about that nastiness of Kaguya-senpai as the Nightmare Bringer.

The two swordsmen who completely brought their katana down on Kaguya-senpai whose whole body was covered with black mist were writhing about from the phantom pain of having their flesh split into two.

“Desire Tentacles.”

Kaguya-senpai summoned countless tentacles and restrained the writhing swordsmen.

While Kaguya-senpai was doing that, Kanae and Torazou-senpai and Koyuki were beating their opponents senseless in close-quarter combat and finished dealing with them. It was the pitiful end of Magica Stigmas who didn’t receive the protection from the swordsmen.

And then the two swordsmen who were restrained by the tentacles were surrounded by four people.

It was evidently a complete victory without anything being a hindrance to them.

The third match turned into a strange progressing.

That team of the Takasugi brothers and Ryuutaki sisters were fighting, so Kazuki was being attentive, but―

The Takasugi brothers were desperately protecting the Ryuutaki sisters, and then Ryuutaki Miyabi-senpai invoked her magic.

“O eternally pale full moon, forget the waxing and waning of yourself, become the mirror that illuminate the world! Rise right here oh moonlight, disturb the human’s heart…{{furigana|Lunatic Labyrinth|Lost Moonlight Night Palace}}!!”

The moment that magic was invoked, a strong light (ka―<ref>SFX of strong light being created. Imagine flashbang bomb.</ref>) covered the ground completely.

When the light disappeared, a strange scene where the eight people in the ground remained unmoving could be seen.

“{{furigana|Minds Hack|Mind Encroachment Magic}} is it? It seems like the heart of all the people in that place were dragged into the mental world of Ryuutaki Miyabi. Right now, those eight people are fighting in the mental world. To affect a large number of people with this magic at the same time is supposed to be extremely difficult though…as expected of her huh.”

With a tone that was mixed with a shocked feeling, Kaguya-senpai was commenting from the side.

The magic power of the eight people who were stiffening like an image that was paused temporarily were beginning to decrease. Just as Kaguya-senpai said, those eight were fighting in the mental world. They were fighting in the mental world, that was why they wouldn’t bear any wound in their flesh, but it seemed like if they bore any wound in their mind it would shave off their magic power.

The opposing team’s magic powers were decreasing very fast before their eyes. He completely didn't know what kind of fight was unfolding in there but—it was obvious that Miyabi-senpai and her team was dominating overwhelmingly.

Before long…when time was moving once more, the four people from the opposing team were falling down with their magic power just barely on the amount of almost into magic intoxication. The Takasugi brothers were breathing roughly (zeezee), but the Ryuutaki sisters' expressions were looking calm and composed.

“The match is decided! The winner, Takasugi Shūsui’s team!” The referee teacher gave his verdict.

That [Lunatic Labyrinth] was a magic that dragged both ally and enemy into a particular battlefield. If the person had a high skill in Telepathy then it was most likely possible to resist being dragged inside, but putting aside those like Lotte or Kaguya-senpai, it was likely impossible for Kazuki and his team.

What kind of fight Miyabi-senpai and her team were having—that would become clear if it turned out that Kazuki had to fight them in the future.

===Part 2===

All the matches that were scheduled in the morning had come to an end. Now it was time for afternoon break.

Today was such a rare fine weather too, Kazuki and the others spread a large leisure sheet at one of the corners of the ground. In preparation for this afternoon break, Kazuki had prepared a three layer set of multi-tiered box lunch.

“If it’s fine for everyone of the Sword Division, then please enjoy.”

While giving that invitation, Kazuki opened the box lunch.

In the first layer was rolled omelet and vegetable cuisines and fruits with rich color scheme, the strawberry and mini tomato were beautifully placed inside the jet black box. The second layer was filled with the standard goods like karaage<ref>Fried chicken</ref>, asparagus and mini hamburger, from there things like congratulation bream and fried shrimp for the side dish were prepared plentifully. In the third layer, it was filled with onigiri that was shaped like an anime character’s face that Lotte liked, the face shape was reproduced with the free use of seaweed and fried tofu.

“T, the long missed Nii-sama’s handmade food―!”

When Kazuki called to the bunch of the Sword Division, Kanae unhesitatingly dived onto the sheet, Kazuha-senpai too opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“W, what’s with this family oriented lunch box? Are you really the one that made this?”

“I love housework and maids after all. I am a maid.”<ref>Kazuki is using polite speech here, like a maid.</ref>

“I don't really understand what are you saying but, it’s unexpected…”

Contrary to his expectations, Kazuha-senpai didn’t even insult him with abusive language; but she obediently lowered her knees beside Kazuki.

However she sat a seiza<ref>Formal way of sitting</ref> very formally, even though it was fine for her to relax more.

“Is it okay to eat even for me who is a man?” Torazou-san too finally came.

“Isn’t it obvious that it’s okay. I didn’t particularly make this because I have a secret motive toward the girls. I am a maid-san. Torazou-san’s happiness is my happiness too, that is the heart of devotion…”

“I don't understand well what you are saying, but thank you, friend. As thanks for this time, I will wear a maid uniform too.”

That was unneeded. Don't you dare sully the maid uniform.

Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai too, they sat in a place a little separated from Kazuki and surrounded Hikaru-senpai.

Leme was already eating without saying anything. Before he even realized it, she had already materialized herself.

‘Jiii―’, Kazuha-senpai was looking at Kazuki’s expression as if to peek at his heart.

“I thought you were a carnivorous man, more like those wild and delinquent types. Fuhaha―, all the women in this academy are my women―, making good use of that well-featured face which suits the occasion to forcefully do this and that to the girls in the Magic Division who are not used to men, like that.”

“I dislike a man like what Kazuha-senpai described the most you know?”

Kazuki made a bitter face. Just doing things as one pleases forcefully for one’s own self-interest without even thinking of other people and made a mess of everything…for example someone like Naiarlatoteph.

Why did he have to remember about that kind of guy in this time of fun? When that tentacle bastard floated in his mind the meal’s taste became bad.

“Otouto-kun is not a carnivorous type of young man, he is a totally harmless pet of the Witch’s Mansion. Loo―k here, cutie, cutie!”

Kaguya-senpai sat at Kazuki’s side, hugged Kazuki’s head and pet his head repeatedly. That big and bouncy chest hit Kazuki’s face decisively and it got pressed like a soft marshmallow.

“He is a pet? This Hayashizaki?” Kazuha-senpai looked at him with amazed eyes.

“No, I don't have any intention of being a pet though…”

‘However’, Kazuki thought inside his heart, Kaguya-senpai treats me like this as if she is not considering me as a man at all, but actually she is conscious of me as someone of a different sex.

It was Hikaru-senpai’s fault for telling him that fact, even an innocent skinship like this might not be completely innocent in actuality. He became unable to calm his own feelings because of that.

“Senpai, please release me already.” Saying that, Kazuki slipped out from Kaguya-senpai’s hug.

“Kazuki got sulky when I’m this affectionate.” Without knowing what was inside Kazuki’s heart, Kaguya-senpai became disappointed.

“Things like Kazuki doing this and that to many girls is just an outrageous misunderstanding. Kazuki is a real gentleman. After all, he has never done anything that I dislike at all.”

“On the contrary, Kazuki-oniisan is a hero that risked his life to save my life desu.”

Both Mio and Lotte were sitting at Kazuki’s side and snuggled up to him.

“…Though he is a pervert that has a maid fetish.”

Koyuki said some twisted things while sitting down a little farther away. Because they were in a place where there were other people’s eyes, Koyuki didn’t come to him to be pampered.

“Koyuki too, don't be alone over there, come a little closer okay?”

“…Can't be helped. If you say so.”

When Kazuki called to her, Koyuki’s expression broke out just a little and approached closer to him with little steps (tokotoko<ref>SFX of walking, where someone walked briskly with little steps. Showing some eagerness to get to somewhere.</ref>). She chose a place right behind Kazuki and sat down while gluing her back closely to him.

Kazuki’s surrounding had naturally became a formation where he was surrounded by girls.

“It became a harem posture just like it’s the natural thing…”

Kazuha-senpai was shocked once more from the situation. After that she picked a karaage from the box lunch and ate, “Ah, delicious…” her mouth broke out into a smile.

“You are really surprising…”

For the first time, Kazuha-senpai directed a relaxed smiling face without any tension to Kazuki.

“Senpai’s prejudice against me was really preposterous remember? Suddenly saying things like 'enemy of women.'”

“Right. Certainly it was like that, huh. Recently we were in the same team, you are strong but it is not a conceited strength, more like a strength that protected everyone and brought courage…looking at you from this close, it’s impossible to not understand the feelings of all the children that are all over you or perhaps I should say…certainly it’s not like you are unkind or not cool…wait, what am I saying!?”

Had she opened herself and talked like a broken dam? Or so he thought, but Kazuha-senpai covered her mouth with her hands in panic.

“Ee―err, what I want to say is…I misunderstood you about various things, but you are really not that bad of a guy, just that! Sorry for flaring up at you for various things!”

Kazuha-senpai joined her hands together and apologized. Because of that misunderstanding, it even became the cause of them crossing swords.

“Don’t mind it, thank you very much for recognizing me, senpai.”

“B, but don't misunderstand okay-! There is no way that I will be so lovestruck<ref>The original words in the raw here is deredere</ref> like all these girls towards you! I mean, what’s your deal with these maniac onigiri!!”

“Eh, I have confidence in that work though…”

When Kazuki became despondent, Kazuha-senpai became panicked “Ah, no, it’s well made and delicious but…! But I want to say at least one complaint whatsoever!” and looked the other way.

A small heart mark flew at Kazuki. Her positivity level increased to 42.

“Nii-sama, Nii-sama, please feed me-! Aa―nn♡”

As if having waited long for the conversation to stop, Kanae approached her face near and opened her mouth.

“Here, the usual karaage.”

Saying that, Kazuki fed Kanae. When he did that, Kanae was “Eh?” and her eyes became round.

While Kanae was chewing (mogumogu) inside her mouth, her face completely turned bright red.

“F, for Nii-sama who usually acted embarrassed and wouldn’t do this kind of thing, to be doing ‘aa―nn’ this naturally…what kind of miracle is this!?”

Now that she said it, if it was in the past then he would be reluctant, for him to feed Kanae easily while thinking [it’s only ‘aa―nn’ anyway], even Kazuki was surprised. However, just when he was thinking about that, from Kazuki’s both sides,

“Otouto-kun, here I’ll give you aa―nn! Aa―nn!”

“Wa, Kaguya-senpai, please don’t shove the whole fillet of the fish here, it’s huge!”

“I’ll show you my guess about what Kazuki-oniisan want to eat! It’s onigiri right desu?”

“Thank you Lotte.”

Kazuki moved his neck alternately, he was being fed by both Kaguya-senpai and Lotte.

“Kazuki, a rice is sticking on your cheek.”

From behind, Koyuki snapped at and ate the rice grain that was sticking at Kazuki’s cheek directly.

“Kazu-nii…how about mouth-to-mouth feeding?”

Mio stuck out her lips near him looking for a kiss.

“Are you an idiot?” Saying that, Kazuki chopped Mio’s head.

Seeing that situation, Kanae who was bright red and squirming around from some time ago erupted violently like a volcano.

“Nii-sama―! What in the world is this!? What’s going on with this smooth chain of events!? Is this what’s going on everyday in the Witch’s Mansion―!”

When she was asking whether this is going on everyday or not…he really couldn't deny it.

“Th, then! Then please do even more vividly ecchi<ref>Lewd. At first I put direct translation here. But it doesn’t really go well with the next part.</ref> things to me!”

“What’s with you? What ecchi things!? Choose your words a little more carefully!!”

“I can’t go on without Nii-sama doing lewd things—! I hate it if Nii-sama won’t do lewd things—!”

Kanae toppled over on top of the sheets while kicking around her arms and legs and threw a tantrum.

“Ecchi―! Ecchi―! Quickly do ecchi things—!!”

Under the refreshing clear sky, Kanae yelled out outrageous words.

“…Kanae-oneesan, please don't do anything unbecoming when in front of other people that are looking.”

Kazuki looked at her with extremely cold eyes and spoke with an extremely cold voice.

“Wa, please don't treat me like an older sister all of a sudden! If I am changed completely from a spoilt little sister, I will look like a fool unbecoming of my age, won't I!?”

No, you were not just looking like an idiot, you were a real idiot right from the depth of your mind.

“What ecchi things? We are not doing anything ecchi here! Something ecchi is…must not be done you know!”

Mio came and cut in between Kazuki and Kanae.

“What are you doing pretending to be innocent, this bad horny thieving cat!”

“Wha!? The cat in mating season is you right!?”

Both of them were saying “Nya―!” or “Funya―!” while starting to wrestling with each other.

Kazuki didn’t want to be associated with them so he looked away, then he noticed how, when he thought about it, Kohaku was nowhere to be found. What was she doing…?

“Kazuki, actually this one also made lunch box when coming here, but…”

Looks like Kohaku just got back from taking something from the classroom. She came bringing a large multi-tiered lunch box.

“…When everyone already ate that much, as expected you are full already, aren't you?”

It seemed Kohaku hadn't even imagined that this kind of banquet had already begun. Her shoulders fell dejectedly. Seeing that, Kazuki panicked and tried to encourage her.

“No, I can eat! I'll eat it all!”

“It'll be short work if everyone eats! Kohaku-chan too, sit, sit!! Oka―y, everyone, additional lunch box is coming—!!”

Kaguya-senpai was being tactful from the side and made the smart move. She received the lunch box with a bright smiling face and called out Kohaku to an empty space. Kohaku settled herself there with a little relieved face.

“For you to be able to cook too is quite unexpected.”

Mio stopped her unproductive quarrel with Kanae and pointed at Kohaku’s unexpected side.

“Handling edged tools is this one’s forte.”

“What a comment that made the chest rumble with anxiety just now. Ah, but it’s great!”

When the lid was opened, the content was grilled and stewed marine products, beans and vegetables that were finished with delicate seasoning in Kyoto’s style, chirashi<ref>Sushi rice in a box or bowl with a variety of ingredients sprinkled on top</ref> sushi and the likes. All of it was the workmanship of an amateur but that was as good as a professional.

In contrast with Kazuki’s lunch box that was family-oriented, this was a lunch box that followed through the pure traditional Japanese-style completely.

“Kazuki, here, eat this.”

Kohaku held out a food with her chopstick to Kazuki. However a feeling of opposition was burning inside Kazuki’s chest.

“As a maid…there is no way I'll lose in cooking!”

“Why are you making such a scary face!?”

Kohaku’s hand that was holding the chopstick that presented the food was trembling from shock.

“Ah, no sorry, I’ll eat. …Delicious. This, what’s the seasoning?”

“So it matched your taste! This one did a trick to this cooking so it will still be tasty even when it’s cold…”

When Kazuki asked about the food preparation, Kohaku started her explanation cheerfully. Finding a human that shared their same hobby, both of their eyes glittered together as if in resonance.

“How is that Kazuki, this one can become a good wife right? This is surely what people call a Yamato Nadeshiko<ref>woman who displays the feminine virtues of old Japan</ref>, don’t you agree?”

Kohaku puffed her chest cutely with her face faintly dyed red.

“So Kohaku can become a good maid. Let’s put you in a maid uniform.”

“What the hell is that!?” Kohaku’s body was shaking as if she was receiving the shock of falling thunder.

“Kazuki…marry this one…please marry this one…”

Kohaku was entreating to Kazuki with her already in a state that invited pity.

Right there Mio was “What are you saying, even though we are still in high school!” and cut in. Kaguya-senpai said “Otouto-kun is everyone’s property you know.” and hugged Kazuki closely. Koyuki pulled Kazuki’s clothes in light tugs from behind and nonchalantly made her self-assertion. Lotte was smiling with a friendly grin.

“Somehow…what a cheery bunch just like usual…”

While picking the karaage that had completely became her favorite, Kazuha-senpai whispered while directing a look to Kazuki and the others that was mixed with amazement.

“That’s true, they are interesting people aren’t they?”

Hearing the husky voice that they weren't used to hearing, all members turned to the direction of the voice.

“Ryuutaki Miyabi!?”

When they turned to look, Miyabi-senpai was sitting in seiza on the leisure sheet of her own accord and ate Kazuki’s character onigiri as she pleased.

“Hayashizaki Kazuki, for you to be able to even cook this skillfully, you are becoming more and more of a delicious boy. The way of fighting that was brimming with leadership from before was great. There is no way it won’t make my chest go ‘kyun<ref> Momentary tightening of one's chest caused by powerful feelings</ref> kyun’.”

“You are our enemy right!? Why are you just eating the onigiri with an unruffled face like that!?”

Mio immediately snarled at Miyabi-senpai, but she took it in stride and warded it off with a smiling face.

“When I was just eating silently everyone was looking at nothing other than Hayashizaki Kazuki and no one noticed, so finally I let out my voice. Being an invisible man is harsh, isn’t it? Even though I longed for such a cheerful atmosphere like this.”

“…Nee-sama! What are you doing in this kind of place…?”

Shinobu-senpai dashed here looking like she was in a panic with wrinkles on her eyebrows. She grabbed Miyabi-senpai by the scruff of the neck and stood her up while dragging her away.

“Hayashizaki Kazuki. I’m looking forward for the semifinal. So don't do things like losing to someone like Otonashi Kaguya, okay?”

Miyabi-senpai who was being dragged away (zuruzuru<ref>SFX of being dragged away</ref>) waved her hand at Kazuki with an elegant expression that didn't break at all while leaving.

===Part 3===

“So Hoshikaze-senpai’s match will be in the afternoon right? I wonder how this team will fight?”

Mio asked Kazuki while taking place at the front row of the guest stands.

“This team is going to fight without thinking anything at all.”

“If it’s Hoshikaze-senpai’s team it might be like that.”

Mio innocently said such an impolite thing.

“There is that, but Lotte is also there.”

After thinking for a moment after hearing Kazuki’s words, “I see” she nodded.

“What do you mean?” Kazuha-senpai came seeking a clearer explanation.

“Lotte is a {{furigana|Drive|Possession Summoning}} so her chant is fast. Moreover her telepathy’s level is highly towering above others, it make you understand why she is so desirable as teammate. Even if you are not conscious of such things like cooperation, Lotte will always enter the most suitable follow-up, wouldn’t you think that?”

“That child, she is always really fussing about the people surrounding her…”

Mio whispered thoughtfully. Even Mio had a lot of memories of Lotte doing such things.

Being born and raised in the imperial court where a whirlpool of trickery was raging, it was a miracle that she could grow into such an angel-like child.

“Kazuki, you really value Lotte so highly huh.” Saying that, Kohaku pouted.

“Because, Lotte is an angel, don’t you agree?”

While saying such things, Hikaru-senpai and her team exited the tent and made their entrance onto the ground. Shrill voices of cheering that burst their ears were reverberating. No need to mention the students of the Magic Division, but even the female students of the Sword Division raised the voices loudly. As expected of the Prince…!

“HIKARU-SENPAI, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST!!” Kazuki raised an undaunted voice.

Hikaru-senpai who was waving her hand toward the surrounding’s cheer immediately heard Kazuki’s voice and winked stylishly at Kazuki. For Kazuki who magnified his eyesight with Enchant Aura, he could see that clearly. …What a style.

“In reality, she has even more popularity than me doesn’t she…”

Kaguya-senpai whispered dejectedly. As the student council president, because Kaguya-senpai touted around her wish for the Magic Division and the Sword Division’s equality she received a bashing from a part of the Magic Division’s students.

However the great effort of such a senpai was being passed over right now in this battle election that was conducted.

On the other side, the opponent’s team finally came while were looking uncomfortable somehow.

“I know thy taboo name…thy true name is Baalzebul, all the evil is born in the Middle Ages. Oh disgraced god of harvest, in accordance with my life regain thy shine!”

Hikaru-senpai’s form, switching into her Magic Dress stole Kazuki’s eyes for some reason.

A shine of gold and silver that reminded you of the image of a star.

Gallant yet also beautiful, the figure of a dashing female knight that was like a hero.

“Well then―third match, begin!”

The opening of hostilities started with a textbook clash between swordsmen.

Kimura-senpai who was added to the team later on was quite fair.

At the same time even from this far he could understand how the number 2 most powerful person in the Sword Division, Kamiizumi-senpai constantly paid attention to her team member so she could follow-up the other’s action. They had a nice combination balance.

In the meanwhile, the rear guards were chanting their Summoning Magic. The one who finished chanting first was naturally Lotte.

“Roar! The civilization bring destruction to human! The howl of wisdom scorch thy body, break, that dignity is buried beneath the ruin!! Mitrailleuse!”

The bullets of the gatling gun were scattered amidst the opponent Magica Stigma who were in the middle of chanting.

The damage from the barrage was not so considerable, but it was a magic that considerably shaved off the concentration for chanting.

“O will of the whirling heaven’s god! Gather in my hand, grant me the authority of judgment! O radiance of the royalty’s divine gift, become the drawn bow that shine in splendor! Lightning Line!”

Hikaru-senpai’s lightning arrow also flew. One of the Magica Stigma in the opposing team was broken out from her chanting.

However the other person managed to invoke her attack magic in opposition.

“Lamentation of fetus that’s never able to grow, O king of {{furigana|grudge’s seed|Ralpha}}! Scooping the wave of resentment from the realm of the dead with that hand, throw it to that man! {{furigana|Slowing Gas|Persistent Calling Voice}}!”

A demon with a jelly shape of wandering will-o-wisp that was hard to describe―the avatar of the king of grudge, Bifrons was floating. And then it turned towards Kimura-senpai. A pitch black bullet of curse was flying.

“Dangerous!”

Kamiizumi-senpai who looked like she changed into a different person when fighting, embraced Kimura-senpai closely and evaded the magic. Kamiizumi-senpai was Kanae’s disciple so she could easily avoid a simple Summoning Magic.

With the opposing teams' first wave of Summoning Magic hitting none of the target, it became a severe development for them.

“This hand reached out to the height of Babel, now this hand grasped the thunder of god! In accordance with my life, o lightning, swirled by my will! Collider Field!!”

Even during that time Lotte rapidly chanted her magic. For Lotte, the more she chanted her magic the more her whole body would be covered with even more armaments, raising the height of her battle power.

“Reaching my hand to the height of Babel, I gain total ascendancy! In accordance with my life o lightning, praise to the human race’s foolhardiness! Blitzkrieg!!”

That hand of hers was equipped with a giant lance, Lotte faced the enemy and started to dash.

“Prometheus…{{furigana|Schub|Charge}}!”

Lotte passed by the swordsman without stopping and charged into the opponent Magica Stigma with the electromagnetic lance.

“Lightning descended down to my body, earning me godspeed of lightning’s will…wake up the sleeping lion! Ride Lightning!”

Furthermore Hikaru-senpai also chanted the magic that made her physical ability raise into superhuman and charged the enemy.

“Now that I think about it, those two are both [Striker Magician]!”

Mio reflexively let out her voice. Mio was a magician that needed to receive protection to be able to fight at her best, however Lotte was different. Even without paying any attention to her she would be fine, there was that kind of side in her fighting style.

“This team doesn’t have any concept like rearguard or vanguard!”

Even from this far they could understand how the opponent team had fallen into great chaos with Lotte and Hikaru-senpai’s charge. For those who had nothing but Heaven and Earth Formation in their head, they wouldn’t be able to cope with this team at all.

“Soaring wings, lording over eyes, invading world-destroying conflagration―manifest the authority of god right here, as the agent of civilization, deeper and deeper I advance! Deep Strike!!”

Lotte equipped herself even further with a large thruster system on her back, transforming into a robot girl. She flew to the height of the sky with enormous flames trailing behind her, and then she took a nose dive at unpredicted height and sent her opponent flying like a traffic accident. After that Lotte immediately withdrew back to the sky where her opponent couldn’t stop her.

“O stream of atmosphere, stretch out to my hand, become the lance that strike the hateful enemy! What reach my hand is the tip of the storm!! {{furigana|Maimuur|Wind God Violent Assault Spear}}!!”

Hikaru-senpai also didn’t lose. A storm blew violently at Hikaru-senpai’s surrounding. Those winds converged into one cylinder and turned into a huge spear. She wielded it with physical strength that had been enhanced with reinforcement magic.

Maimuur that had the meaning called <repulse> caused the burst of violent wind when it was swung, it inflicted a terrific shockwave toward the opponent that attacked her directly. Looking at that destructive force reminded him of the peerless manner of a great man from the annals of the Three Kingdom.

“Looks like it had been mostly decided. They are a scary team when they have moved into their gear.”

Kaguya-senpai observed the battle with serious look. It seemed that in one-on-one battle Kaguya-senpai had never lost against Hikaru-senpai, but…what would happen when it was a team battle?

Soon the opponents had fell into the condition where they couldn’t chant their spell normally anymore… Hikaru-senpai and her teams had a sweeping victory.

“Right now, they have won and advanced favorably haven’t they?”

Kaguya-senpai secretly brought her face near and whispered at Kazuki’s ear.

This battle election was by no means an event where they could innocently enjoy it.

The puzzling students and the faint existence of the puppet master behind them. It was possible a scheme for the purpose of taking hold of this academy within their hand was squirming under the surface…one of the three people from the Witch’s Mansion had to win this battle election for sure.

Hikaru-senpai’s team returned back to the guest stand congenially without even showing any color of exhaustion on their face. Replacing them, two teams were entering the constructed waiting tents on the ground’s both ends.

Kazuki’s line of sight naturally concentrated on the tent at the other side.

Magic Division second year, Mibu Akira. Magic Division second year, Asamiya Anna.

Sword Division first year, Katsura Karin. Sword Division second year, Hayashi Shizuka.

Mibu-senpai who, according to Kaguya-senpai, had the leader status in the delinquent group, and Katsura Karin who revealed her true character as an assassin aiming for Kazuki. They were both in the same team.

“Otouto-kun, you are really looking at them so seriously.”

Kaguya-senpai came asking maybe because she sensed the strangeness in Kazuki’s stares.

Kazuki was lost, whether or not he should convey that the true identity of the assassin that assaulted him was Katsura Karin.

However if he disclosed the whole story of the truth and explained, he might be scolded because he did some unreasonable things again. No, he didn’t really mind to be scolded, but even if he told the whole story at this phase it might just gave senpai excessive worry.

“It’s really nothing. It’s just that I was thinking of how interesting Mibu Akira and her team are and only looking at them.”

“Eh, Otouto-kun likes that type of person!?”

“No way, delinquents and the like are scary, I don’t like them.”

When he was in the orphanage, his fellow orphans often got tangled with the neighborhood’s delinquent group that looked like thugs. To protect his friends, Kazuki frequently got into fights with them.

He was joking about how delinquents were scary, but it was the truth that he didn’t like them.

“They are similar with the ill-bred Einherjar aren’t they? Like Damian?”

Hikaru-senpai who was back after her match ended came and entered the conversation while laughing.

If he decided to disclose the whole story, it might be better to tell it to Hikaru-senpai that might possibly meet them in the next match.

―The referee gave the signal for the contestants to make their entrance. The students walked out from the waiting tents in groups.

“Oh my…they spread out in a strange formation.”

Kaguya-senpai raised a surprised voice. The guest stands were also engulfed in a stir.

Certainly a really interesting and strange phenomenon was happening at the ground.

The two swordsmen that originally should stand at the frontline were not moving from the front of the tent. Katsura Karin with a determined spirit on her face and Hayashi Shizuka who looked quiet, the two were watching with an air of detachment while crossing their arms and standing fixedly at the edge of the ground. In contrast the two Magica Stigma who should stand by in reserve at the rear walked lumberingly with a long stride to the center of the ground. …The rearguard and the vanguard were reversed.

The delinquent student with a tall stature―Mibu-senpai held the her Sword Division teammates back with her hand while yelling.

“Iyo―sh! Karin-chan you two just relax back there and watch leisurely! The two of us are more than enough for the like of these small fries of the first round zee―!!”

“Right right, aneki. A real strong Magica Stigma doesn’t need any swordsman to protect themselves anyway―”

The delinquent student with a short stature―Asamiya-senpai followed with that big talk.

“Wa, wait Kazuki, aren’t those guys strange?”

Mio took a grip on Kazuki’s chest with a horrified face.

The four people of the opposing team that finally came out from the other tent made a vacant face of astonishment, though after a moment it turned into fury and they glared at Mibu-senpai.

“I know thy name…thy name is [Astaroth]! Well versed in the history of human’s sins, o {{furigana|slanderer|Diablos}}, show the dark power of the empress of terror!”

At Mibu-senpai’s side, an avatar of a female devil with an intimidating air straddling a large lizard was floating, then that body of hers was equipped with Magic Dress. It resembled Kaguya-senpai somehow, a blue and black Magic Dress.

“I know thy name…thy name is [Gamygyn]! Subordinate to {{furigana|morning star of the dawn|Lucifer}}, o corrupted fallen angel, show the loyalty of hell!”

Beside Asamiya-senpai, an avatar of a beautiful woman with long hair straddling a large horse and covered with clothes in flame was floating, then her body was equipped with Magic Dress. Her Magic Dress was red and black.

The opposing team also performed the Access of their own, sparking the start of the match.

“Fourth match, begin!”

“This is the beginning of the surprise zee―, hyahha―!”

While raising a strange voice with no reason at all, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai charged toward the swordsmen with really just the two of them. The swordsmen slashed their swords with the intention of teaching them a lesson but, the next moment,

“ACHO―!”

Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai warded the attacks with a palm strike that moved like it was drawing a circle.

Warding off the katana with their bare hand was not an ordinary feat. However those movements were similar with the movement of Karin who Kazuki had confronted once before. …That yell of ‘ACHO―’ before, unexpectedly it might not be them joking around, but these guys might be skillful users of Chinese kenpo!!

When Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai defended against the swordsmens' first move, they slipped into the opponent’s bosom and stepped into a position where they were hard to get attacked. If it was Karin, she would step hard on the ground in that position and unleashed Hakkyouken, but it seemed those two hadn’t learned until that far.

In exchange, while they were defending against the opponents' attack earnestly they started chanting their spells.

However before they managed to finish, the Magica Stigma of the opposing team had finished their chanting.

“O faithful and zealous worker, release that flame in your eyes! {{furigana|Lions Fire|Lion Eye Heat Ray}}!!”

A soldier with a lion face and burning red eyes that were gleaming dangerously―soldier of hell, Allocer's avatar was floating with a strange pose. From his eyes a bright red laser was fired.

[[image:Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou Vol.04 088.png|thumb]]

“Thy are crystal exorcism who find lost truth…gouging out the darkness of the deepest sinful heart, it was pierced and broke with the gold of that hand! {{furigana|Golden Dowsing Arrow|Gold Pendulum Arrow}}!!”

A venerable gentleman wearing crimson robe―a man from hell who saw through everything, Vasago’s avatar was floating, the gold pendant that was grasped in his hand flew like an arrow.

“It come, it come, it come, I feel it ze! HOACHA―!!”

Laser and golden arrow were coming to attack Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai respectively, but as if they had completely predicted it beforehand the two somersaulted backward magnificently and dodged.

“A, aneki―, this arrow keeps chasing me aneki―! Hiee―!”

“You idiot―! Keep dodging it with your spirit!!”

The swordsmen slashed at them from their flanks. As expected the two of them couldn’t evade while concentrating at the magic and their defensive magic power were scattered.

“OUCH―! This asshole!” Saying that, Mibu-senpai raised a stupid sounding scream.

“That movement…those two are reading the magic power aren’t they?”

Kanae was whispering in admiration.

“Right now they are just using it on defense, but compared to unskilled swordsman they are still quite better.”

“Moreover even when they were slashed by the swordsmen they used Resist against the damage solidly. That’s why their concentration on their spell didn’t get interrupted. Though their efficiency became bad because they keep talking pointlessly while chanting their spell.”

Kaguya-senpai too was ooh-ing and aah-ing in admiration looking at those two’s way of fighting.

“Resist?”

“I wonder if Otouto-kun and others haven’t learned it in class. What Resist meant is to reduce the damage from the attack against ourselves by using the appropriate general magic.”

He never heard about Resist, but in actual battle there were some instances where he noticed something like that. He had always constantly noticed it when he fought powerful magicians like Beatrix or Kaguya-senpai.

Even Kaya had indirectly explained it to him about Resist.

For example against physical attacks, the user could create an impact with opposite vector using [Psychokinesis] that produced and manipulated movement energy and reduced the damage. Against fire attack, with the use of [Pyrokinesis] that produced – decreased – manipulated heat energy, the user could steal the heat from the flame, create cold air and reduce the damage. It was such a defense method.

[Defensive magic power] instinctually poured out a large amount of magic power for protection, negating every phenomenon. It was an almighty defense, but the magic power’s consumption was enormous. It was a state that discharged a lot of inefficiency.

In contrast with that, [Resist] that reduced the attack power with appropriate use of controlled general magic had a good efficiency in magic power consumption. Kaguya-senpai and Beatrix were people who originally had large amounts of magic power in the first place, but with high Resist skill they wouldn’t easily fall into magic intoxication from damage that much more.

“Though Otouto-kun has Foresight and defensive magic in a great variety of elements, so you might not need this.”

Of course defensive magic that resulted from summoning Diva had a much better efficiency than Resist simply because it could use the power of a Diva.

However for Kaguya-senpai who used defensive magic that was too temporary like [Suicide Black] that didn’t have substantial defensive power, a Resist skill became a lifeline for her.

Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai endured the opponents’ fierce attack with excellent Resist and continued to chant.

They were in the process of preparing magic around level 5!

“Arriving in the future from the past, O goddess that accepted the slanders of human…change that darkness into deadly poison, vomit it everywhere! Slander the foolishness of these people!! {{furigana|Poison Augment|Deadly Poisonous Speech}}!!”

Mibu-senpai’s Diva, Astaroth made the lizard that she straddled vomit out a large amount of pitch black bubbles. When the opposing swordsmen got in contact with those bubbles, they immediately wobbled around as if feeling some kind of dizziness. Even their movement immediately dulled.

“O gathering soul from the calling voice of the god of death, armored my body, turn this body into hell’s tormenting devil…right here is the trump card against the heaven! {{furigana|Black Titan|Ghost Heavy Armor Infantry}}!!”

Asamiya-senpai’s contracted Diva, Gamygyn was crying {Ooooo…} with hoarse voice that was in contrast with that beautiful appearance of hers. Pitch black mist burst forth from the bottom of the earth rapidly and enveloped Asamiya-senpai’s body. Asamiya-senpai’s figure transformed into a giant that was made from a thick density of black mist.

“ACHO―!”

Asamiya-senpai swung those gigantic limbs while raising a strange voice. The fist and kick made from the black mist trampled down the swordsmen that were hazy in consciousness from the poison bubble.

“HOACHA―!”

Furthermore the black mist on the whole body of Asamiya-senpai was concentrating on her arm and stretched (GUGUGU) very long. It transformed into something with the length of dozens of meters and hit the Magica Stigma at the rear hard.

The Magica Stigma at the opposing team were attempting to prepare a high level magic that could turn the table in one shot, but…Mibu-senpai’s black bubbles were flying up to the rear area. They were hit by the black arm while their consciousness were hazy. The magic power they kneaded were dispersed because they couldn’t continue to concentrate.

“That team kept missing with their level 1 magic and they allowed their opponent to invoke their level 5 magic. The match had been decided from that.”

Kaguya-senpai whispered. Just like Hikaru-senpai’s [Ride Lightning] and Lotte’s [Deep Strike] from the previous match, Summoning Magic around level 5 had the power to change the state of the battle drastically.

However there was also the miss in the tactic of the opposing team…the good balance of Mibu Akira and Asamiya Anna’s physical ability and magic skill couldn’t also be overlooked.

“I wonder why they are intentionally fighting in that kind of way? Demonstration?”

Mio tilted her head confusedly. It was a way of fighting that was completely foreign and hard to understand for Mio.

“Didn’t they just want to avoid having the damage focused on just the swordsmen? If they challenge the next match using the normal Heaven and Earth Formation, they could equalize the damage and the recovery period will be more efficient right?”

Hikaru-senpai expressed such opinion. Certainly equalization of damage could bring a lot of merit if it could be done.

“But if they are that strong, I think they won’t get any damage at all even if they just fight normally though.”

That was what Kazuki thought. In reality, even Kazuki and the others finished their respective matches without bearing any damage that would carry over to the next match.

“…What I cannot comprehend is their physical ability. I can understand that their chanting and Resist skill are high because they are a Magica Stigma of the Magic Division. However in addition to that, to have Foresight skill up to that level and also Enchant Aura on their whole body? Do they have some kind of trick?”

Kanae made an expression of confusion. Not to mention about their Chinese kenpo, but also a trick?

They didn’t even have any Sacred Treasure. Were they doing something else despite not showing any appearance of chanting any particular Summoning Magic?

“Certainly their ability feels too over-spec from here. But it has become quite interesting don’t you think so? I was getting worried that it would be quite unfair to Kazuki and Kaguya for me alone to have the path that is too easy until the finals you know!?”

Hikaru-senpai made a fist and hit it to her own palm wile making a cheerful smiling face like a young boy.

“Ee~ going until the finals comfortably is the most fun though, prince~” “That’s right you know―, prince-sama―”

Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai were complaining (buu― buu―) after listening to what Hikaru-senpai said.

“Ahaha, it’s fine you know? After all I’m going to protect everyone!”

“Kya―, prince is so cool―!” “Hug me―!”

―The day after tomorrow, Hikaru-senpai’s team would clash against that team.

===Part 4===

Hikaru-senpai came along again to Kazuki’s room. They passed the time playing things like games together.

“I―lost―a―ga―in―! Kazuki, for some reason your response power is too dreadful. Even when I think of a new way of fighting, you could completely adapt against it immediately. How did you do that?”

“That’s because Hayashizaki-style is a school that puts importance in seeing.”

“So it’s Hayashizaki-style―, it’s Hayashizaki-style after all so it can’t be helped huh―. But except games that we're using our brains, I still have a better battle record against you in games like fighting game isn’t it―. I wonder if I’m too simple?”

Hikaru-senpai sprawled on the floor powerlessly. As usual she was wearing that stimulating attire that looked like body paint. Kazuki was still unable to take a straight look at her.

“Well if I can’t win then I can’t win, though there is the fun in the challenge itself anyway!”

She stretched her body while still sprawling on the floor, then she sat sideways and barrel rolled toward Kazuki (goron―goron―) and crashed at him. When she did this it seemed that she wasn’t conscious that the other party of the skinship is a guy.

Kazuki leaned his body forward and turned off the game console’s power.

The reflection of the three dimensional game that was projected from the phantasmagoria vanished from the room.

“Senpai, tonight is already a good time, let’s go to sleep.”

“Mu, are you quitting while you are ahead!? Someone like that is not manly at all!!”

Rather than game, there was a matter that he wanted to talk about.

“Senpai, I want to tell you something though…”

Toward Hikaru-senpai that was leaning her body forward (goro―) like a cat, Kazuki began to talk about the suspicious shadow that was associated with this battle election and about the assassin that came aiming for his life―Katsura Karin.

“…That’s really dangerous! To ask about the security camera from me for that kind of reason!”

About when at first Kazuki’s heart got stopped, and then after that how he after that he intentionally took a walk and got attacked once more, when Kazuki told the story, Hikaru-senpai sprung up and got angry with a serious face.

“I’m sorry, but I thought it would be more dangerous if we didn’t obtain more information. For a man, there is a time where he has to do something even if it’s dangerous.”

“Mumumu! O―k, certainly it’s just like you said. There are too much unclear matters that feel ominous. If you are a man then it’s not good unless you move decisively, that’s how it is!”

There were times where it was easy to make Hikaru-senpai understand as long as you told her [for a man~].

“Then if we put the story all together, Katsura Karin will use a dangerous Chinese kenpo in the fight the day after tomorrow against my team. By some chance there might also be that unknown Diva she is contracted with too.”

Shintoukei―a technique that inflicted damage directly to the flesh. When he imagined that kind of technique wielded against his important people, it felt like he was assaulted with a chill that made the hair in his whole body stand up.

He was anxious. Far more then when his own heart got stopped.

“Not just Katsura Karin, the other person, that senpai named Hayashi Shizuka might also use the same technique.”

“It’s unnatural to think that she is unrelated in this isn’t it?”

“And then Mibu Akira and Asamiya Anna, these two learned Chinese kenpo from those two, and just like that they could fight like what we saw.”

“In short it was like that. In the worst case, Mibu Akira’s team…all four of them are made of Magica Stigma that could fight in close-quarters with Chinese kenpo that possess the power of instant death. …Ahaha!”

“That’s not something to laugh at.”

Kazuki thought whether or not there was a method to remove those girls in accordance with the rule.

In truth he was having this kind of discussion with Kazuha-senpai during the daytime.

{Kazuha-senpai, suppose that you are still hiding Futsunushi no Kami’s stigmata, how would you get away if the academy suddenly did a surprise inspection stigmata on a certain day?}

{Wh, what’s with that messed up question? Well…it’s simple you know. I will immediately cut my contract with Futsunushi no Kami. If I do that everything will be all right if I bare my body naked in the inspection.}

{So that kind of method exists?}

{That, it’s because the contract between me and Futsunushi no Kami is not done because he particularly seeks a compensation from me anyway. Though it will be hard to restore the contract afterwards because with no stigmata it become hard to Access the Diva.}

―Like that even if he informed the headmaster that [Katsura Karin was contracted with an unknown Diva] and a surprise inspection was performed, it would be useless.

Even in the assault before she didn’t leave any proof behind. In the end a fight with them was unavoidable.

“It will be fine, Kazuki. I don’t think they are that formidable of opponents even with those things. Kaguya and your team are much scarier. Am I wrong?”

Hikaru-senpai floated an easy smile. Certainly…Kaguya-senpai’s team and Mibu Akira’s team, if someone asked him which would be easier to fight, he had a hunch that Kaguya-senpai would be the one that was still be more severe to face even after all that had been said and done.

“When I saw the tournament chart, I felt bad when I noticed that I’m the only one who would arrive at the finals with ease. But now that we arrive at this point, I get the role to stop the opponent that absolutely must be stopped from going further directly to the front. I’m really happy. This is a serious responsibility. A fitting event for a real man. I’ll give the taste of defeat to those guys thoroughly. …That’s why, how about you just concentrate on defeating Kaguya?”

Hikaru-senpai timidly brought her finger near Kazuki’s forehead and poked lightly.

“If you lose to Kaguya here, you will keep getting the cute little brother treatment for a long time too after this you know?”

“That’s…I don’t really mind about that though. In reality I’m the younger one, her junior in school.”

“Ahaha, because she said you are cute. However it’s no good. As a boy you must properly show your reliable side. If you could do that, then surely you’d look aa―mazingly cool!”

He felt that Hikaru-senpai sometimes didn’t seem like a prince but a really fantastic big sister.

“…I’m going to do my best. Of course I don’t intend to lose.”

“Fufufu, we are going to meet in the finals, it’s a promise!”

It was embarrassing but for some reason, Kazuki averted his eyes from senpai’s straightforward gaze.

“Err―rr, that’s all of the talk, let’s get to sleep soon.”

“Right, right. We have to prepare for tomorrow’s practice!”

Turning off the electricity, both of them laid on the floor. Inside the darkness he felt the presence of Hikaru-senpai coming closer.

As though she was going to hug him from behind―.

“Ah, it’s no good…as I though getting near while it’s dark is…still a little scary.”

Now that she mentioned it, the purpose of this get-together was to cure Hikaru-senpai’s phobia of men.

“Then senpai, how is it if I do this?”

Inside the darkness, Kazuki softly took hold of senpai’s hand. Hikaru-senpai twitched for a moment, but,

“Hmm? Even though we are touching, strangely I feel fine…” She was saying that with a relieved voice.

Hikaru-senpai trusted Kazuki with her reasoning, but she said that she was instinctively repulsed by his part that was of a man. Possibly she was instinctually completely afraid of the smell of a man.

However the act of wrapping up their hands together was the exact opposite of such fear and repulsion.

The manly sensation of a boy’s palm, however he only did a [normal hand holding] that was the farthest thing from a dangerous action and did nothing else. ‘I wonder if it would be fine if it’s just this’, that was what Kazuki thought.

“Bu, but this…it makes my heart throb fast, I cannot calm downnn…”

“That throb, does it feel bad?”

“It, it’s not bad at all! Thing like this also has the feel of a man’s friendship right!?”

If male friends did something like this together they would feel revolted though, Kazuki thought inside his heart.

===Part 5===

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou:Volume 7 Chapter 2

2015-07-02T19:15:42Z

73.201.46.119: /* Chapter 2 – Teaser */

==Chapter 2 – Teaser==

First she put her foot on the stirrup on the left side of the horse and then got on its back. Thereupon Kaguya-senpai’s expression turned “Wawawaa, it’s high!” into panic. Even though she would be fine even if she fell because of her magic power, humans had an instinctive fear of height.

Kazuki followed up next and rode behind Kaguya-senpai. Then he encircled his hands around Kaguya-senpai in the front like he was hugging her to grasp the rein, Kaguya-senpai then “Thi, this is so romantic!!” said so in high spirits.

“Don’t curl up your back and stick out your chest, then please support your weight in the saddle using your ischial bone<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischium</ref>.”

According to the instruction of the caretaker Onee-san, rather than sitting on their bottom, they need to put their weight a little in their front section and their upper body need to take an upright posture from the horse.

“Thi, this posture, feels a little strange somehow."

Kaguya-senpai whispered a little. Strange feeling…?

From there the caretaker Onee-san taught them how to use the reins.

“The horse remembered the course and they will walk on their own accord, so it’s okay even if you don’t pay attention. Please think of the reins as something to complete the atmosphere.”

She concluded the explanation concisely, then the caretaker Onee-san rode a different horse.

The Onee-san’s horses walked ahead, Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai’s horse was following along too.

It seems the horses were trained for the use of riding, they were pretty calm. It was shaking, but the horse’s movement didn’t have any instability. Certainly, there was no feeling that the horse needs any instructions even with humans on top of it.

“If the horse stops to eat grass in the roadside, please use the reins to pull its neck from the grass and kick with your leg as hard as possible.”

“We have to kick it? How pitiful.” Kaguya-senpai knitted her eyebrows.

“If you don’t kick it as hard as possible, it won’t get the signal.”

“…Its not that pitiful or painful if you see it from the horse’s point of view, right?”

Kazuki could comprehend it, then the Onee-san also laughed “Right, right, that’s so.” and rode further ahead. Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai’s horse was also following along on its own accord. They passed the time elegantly.

The horse riding course Kazuki reserved was not a simple circle course.

It surrounded the ups and downs of the hills besides the ranch, a tracking course inside the mother nature.

“When going uphill, lean your body forward, when going downhill bend your body backward. Please keep your balance, okay?” The Onee-san advised so. Kazuki and Kaguya did as what she instructed. Each time they did that, the body of Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai touched against each other.

Along the natural road filled with broken branches scattered about, the horse kept advancing forward without care and stepped on those with its hooves. The horse entered the green dense forest course.

“Oohh, how romantic! This is a really good atmosphere!”

Kaguya-senpai was in high spirits when she saw the scenery from the horseback.

The caretaker Onee-san that was leading in front of them was taking into consideration of their status as a couple and kept quiet. She didn’t even look back at all.

Suddenly Kaguya-senpai raised “Nn…” a troubled voice.

“Ka, Kazuki-kun…this vertical vibration is, that is, gradually, somewhat…like climbing a pole…”

“Climbing a pole? What are you saying senpai? Also, calling me Kazuki-kun…”

When senpai called him using that name…. At times when senpai retained her reasoning, she called him as [Otouto-kun] in order to preserve her dignity as a senior.

Senpai turned back to glance at Kazuki a bit.

Those pupils were―turned into violet color like when Asmodeus’s magic power was rising to the surface.

“…Senpai, are you turned on in this kind of place!?”

Kazuki whispered in small voice.

“Nn, no, this is…I also don’t plan to be like this…. Yet there was still part of Asmodeus’ magic that I used a lot from the other day that still remained all along…. And then while Kazuki-kun hugged me, this vertical vibration is, that…at my bottom and back…”

Kaguya-senpai twisted her body restlessly.

This is bad, if it had became like this senpai couldn’t be stopped.

“Kazuki-kun, please…” Kaguya-senpai leaked a coaxing voice.

Kazuki directed his eyes toward the caretaker Onee-san who was leading them. As long as there was no huge accident happening, it didn’t seems like she would turn her attention to this way.

But if this horse riding course reached the end…!

While the Onee-san was not looking, he must disperse Kaguya-senpai’s mood!

Usually senpai would get satisfied after he hugged her tightly and caressed her back for a long period of time. But this time he didn’t have that kind of time….

“Understood, Kaguya. I’ll leave the rein in Kaguya’s hand.”

Kazuki handed over the reins while whispering near Kaguya’s ear.

Kaguya wouldn’t be able to do anything in this posture. Kazuki had to grant pleasure to Kaguya proactively.

Kazuki embraced Kaguya from behind closely. And then he stroked Kaguya’s stomach gently across the soft cloth of her one-piece dress. Her sensitivity was currently amplified several times over, she could attain great pleasures just by having her back and stomach caressed gently. However,

“…Kazuki-kun…” Kaguya raised an unsatisfied voice.

…To answer her pleading in this limited time, he need to act bolder compared to how he usually was.

Kazuki made a momentous decision, he reached his hand toward Kaguya’s chest―her breasts.

He lifted the large bulge gently with both hands, it had such heavy and thick feeling. The feedback he felt from his hand was so heavy. At the same time he buried his fingers on her cloth and felt something soft beyond the thin fabric.

Without change, Kazuki massaged those softness skillfully. What he felt from his fingers were something so frightfully soft.

“Nn! Ahnn!”

Kaguya leaked out stimulating breaths. A breathing that looks like she tried to endure a large voice of pleasure from leaking.

That was, while Kazuki was toying around with those softness he rapidly turned even more intense. Her reaction was not already in the realm of ticklish. Breaking through that territory, it could be seen that Kaguya clearly felt good.

Kazuki also became heated up inside his mind, he couldn’t stop anymore.

The horse keep walking ‘pokupokupoku’ ahead steadily. Pushing into that rhythm, Kazuki continued his massage. Kaguya’s breath rapidly turned wild, she twisted her body on top of the saddle, sometimes sweet voices like “Nnnh!” or “Yaahn!” leaked from her lips.

“Haah haah…Kazuki-kun, please…more…”

Kaguya separated her right hand from the rein, those hand undid the shoulder straps of her one-piece dress. Kazuki removed his hands from her chests reflexively. Thereupon, the upper garment of the one piece dress fell down from Kaguya’s upper body without resistance.

The dress Kaguya wore was the type that inserted cups in the inside to support the breasts.

In short, Kaguya was going no-bra behind the dress. Kazuki opened his eyes wide in amazement because of Kaguya’s bold action.

In a surprise attack, Kaguya’s bare breast shook like a jelly. No, that’s not the correct word, it was tits.

Kazuki reflexively gulped his saliva while taking in the meaning of Kaguya’s bold “Please.”

Kazuki checked the reaction of the caretaker Onee-san in front of them once more. She was totally unaware of anything they did behind her. However they had already passed half of the course, the time limit was approaching. She couldn’t be allowed to see this kind of appearance.

[[image:Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou Vol.07 111.jpg|thumb]]

Staring at a girl’s naked upper body this brazenly was the first time for Kazuki.

Moreover, when it comes to Kaguya’s huge breast…!

Those large globes were going to be held tightly by himself.

A nervousness that he never felt in any kind of battle he was involved until now made Kazuki’s brain lost his mind.

Kazuki resolved himself. He stretched his hand to those abundant bulges.

Those tits beautiful shape were not crumbling because of its size, he lifted them carefully. Its softness couldn’t be compared to when he touched them across the clothes, his fingers sink into them flabbily. Those tits had a profound sense of weight. Different from when he touched them over the clothes, all of those tits wight rested in Kazuki’s palm. And then, it was warm. Kaguya’s bare skin was far smoother compared to when he felt them beyond the clothes.

The glossy and soft mass hadn’t even settled down inside Kazuki’s palm when he already massaged them lightly.

This is the first time Kazuki had ever touched breasts directly, Kaguya wore a happy expression ecstatically.

Her tits were not only soft, those pink tips that looks like flower buds swelled out, it turned hard little by little. It was the response from Kaguya’s body that had learned pleasure.

Kazuki’s hands approached those tips little by little.

When Kaguya notice what he was doing, her looks was filled with feeling of expectation.

Kazuki stimulated those tips like he was plucking a flower with his hands.

“The, there…! Over there, more…♥”

He rolled around those tips with the ball of his fingers gently. Kaguya whose whole body were so sensitive because of Asmodeus’ influence “Nnnn♥” bent her spine backward and then she ‘bikubiku’ trembled violently.

“…mming! Don’t, …mming!!” Kaguya leaked unintelligible sounds from her mouth.

With sensation that was like the surge of a big tsunami, Kaguya forgot herself and started to react intensely. Kazuki anxiously checked the caretaker-san’s back one more time.

It’s still okay. He returned his gaze back to Kaguya.

Then suddenly, he felt envy to the saddle that transmitted the vibrations to Kaguya’s lower body.

It was not only Kazuki’s both hands that gave the pleasure to Kaguya, but also the vibration of this saddle.

Kazuki separated his right hand from Kaguya’s breast and reached toward Kaguya’s right thigh. He stimulated her inner thigh in a surprise attack. While Kaguya was trembling in pleasure, she looked back to Kazuki with eyes that were filled with even more anticipation.

Kaguya hoped for even greater pleasure.

Kazuki moved his hand little by little even deeper into Kaguya’s inner thigh, his hand slide into the space between Kaguya-senpai and the saddle.

Is she sweating? There was a wet sensation.

Kaguya clapped her hands on her mouth “Nnnnnn―!!” and raised a muffled scream.

And then her whole body rippled, like everything she had stored until now were exploding.

‘Bikunbikun’<ref>I think you know that this is the SFX for trembling</ref> Kaguya’s body pulsated in the middle of Kazuki’s arms.

This reaction was not sufficient with only once. He must continue a little bit more for Kaguya to cool down from her condition, Kazuki understood that from his experience.

Since there was not much time left, he must stimulated her even more intensely.

That’s why he continued to stimulate those sensitive place like he was digging deeper.

“……! ……!!” Kaguya convulsed fiercely two times, three times. The sensation was amplified many times over, Kaguya’s pleasure was endlessly deep. It went higher without any end in sight.

She was drenched with sweat in the middle of Kazuki’s arm, the scent of a girl lingered in the air richly. Kazuki too keep stimulated Kaguya in a trance. His instinct as a man was fired up to make her experienced the happiness of girl.

She trembled many times over, finally Kaguya-senpai’s body slumped over tiredly. The rein slipped off from her hand. Kazuki picked it up in panic.

When he peeked at her expression, the color of Kaguya’s eyes gradually returned back to normal.

A thin trail of saliva was flowing down from Kaguya’s absentminded lips.

Her cheeks were also flushed red. Her breathing was rough and her eyes were hazy.

Kazuki felt a strong carnal desire boiled up for him to continue. I want to mess her up even more. However he suppressed those desire somehow and wiped the saliva from her lips. He straightened her back and put her clothes in order.

“Kaguya, you were awfully cute just now.” He whispered so while stroking her head.

Kaguya leaned back to Kazuki while still looking like she was dreaming and said “Kazuki-kun…I love you, I love you so much.”

Suddenly the sunlight became strong. It was the moment where the advancing horse came out from the trees-covered hill into the open ranch.

The caretaker Onee-san said “Well then, let’s get down from the horse!” and turned back to look toward here.

Kaguya-senpai was “Hyai!!” and straightened her back in a fluster.

The caretaker Onee-san was in the state of being unaware of everything.

But when they got down from the horse, only the horse was staring at them with meaningful gaze.

{What the hell are you guys doing on top of me?} Those stare somehow felt like that.

When Kaguya-senpai get down from the horse, she nonchalantly used Pyrokinesis to dry the saddle.

“Again…I was doing something unthinkable. To, to be messed up like that…”

Kaguya-senpai who returned to herself wilted gloomily. To do something so shocking even more than usual in the romantic date that she was looking forward to.

“It can’t be helped because of Asmodeus. Also, I don’t hate doing that at all, so please don’t mind it too much.”

“Otouto-kun, you don’t hate it…?”

“That, well”

“That was embarrassing!!”

Kaguya-senpai covered her head with both hand.

Kazuki looked around in trouble, then his eyes stopped at a stand.

“Senpai, let’s eat soft cream. The soft cream in this ranch is absolutely tasty you know?”

Kaguya-senpai was “…I want to eat, maybe” and raised her head.

Kazuki released his breath in relief and led senpai to the stand.

“Excuse me, two of this [squeezed raw milk soft cream] please!”

Kazuki spontaneously read the menu frankly without even questioning it.

“Otouto-kun…that item’s name, make me feel so complicated somehow…”

Kaguya-senpai was dealt the final blow from a strange place and received even more shock.

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

BlazBlue:Phase Shift 1 Chapter 1

2015-03-12T21:41:10Z

73.201.46.119:

==Chapter 1: Island of Green Wisdom==

===Part 1===

...This is a dream.

He was aware of it since he was inside a scene he had never seen before.

That place appeared to be an absurdly high place. With the wind blowing fiercely, he stood on a stage-like circular place.

There was nothing on the surroundings. The only thing there was a black monolith which was so enormous that just looking up at it wouldn't be enough to see it fully. The monolith had blue veins that were like blood vessels and a crest shown on its surface. The object stood still without saying anything.

No, there was one more. Another person to be exact.

He didn't know how long the person had stood there, but a young man stood while staring at this way.

The strong winds disturbed the young man's white hair and red jacket, rampaging them.

A large and broad sword was gripped in the hands of white-haired young man. The red and green eyes were glaring here with a sharp glint.

What were shown on his gaze were rage and hatred.

"I'll beat you to death!"

A thrown roar of anger.

The overflowing killing intent was thrusted without any hesitation. He was really... really glad that he saw it in a dream.

The 'he' inside the dream laughed.

"Ooh, oooh. You're finally in the mood!"

As his lips moving on his own, it flung a brutal mockery at the white-haired young man.

He understood. The young man before his eyes couldn't possibly compete with him. But even so, the pitiful cry of the puppy that could only oppose from the other side of him felt so, so pleasurable to hear.

"C'mon, lil' doggie! Get here so I can play with you!"

As if sliding, he spun the two knives on his hands at the same time and made clicking sounds.

Roaring with all his might, the white-haired young man ran in a straight line. The large sword his hands had been gripping on made a noise as it tore through the wind.

Dangerous——that was the thought of he who was watching the dream.

Simultaneously, the 'he' inside the dream let a high-pitched laugh out while feeling excitement and joy.

"Hey hey, what's wrong?! Hyaahahahaha!"

He didn't know 'who' was laughing.

Was it the he who felt scared of the white-haired young man's expression? Or was it the he who mocked that expression since it was laughable?

No, was it himself? Was it 'him'? Who was it?

From the bottom of the stomach, from inside the head, from an even deeper place. Something was swelling and breaking out. More and more. Along with the snake heads from the chain, a greedy hunger went to bite the young man.

"———!!"

The red and green pupils glared. They shouted the name of 'someone'.

Clad in the flame of darkness, the large sword swung. A pitch black arm was stretching. It was just like a lump of hatred.

"YES. HATE ME MORE. MORE, MOREMOREMOREMOREMOOOOORE!"

An inner voice was screaming in pleasure. No, it was 'his' voice. No, it was my voice. I don't know anymore. Since when it was me and Since when it was not me? Since when it was a dream and Since when it was not a dream?

I don't know. I don't know. Only greed grew larger, exploding from inside.

Scary. That's what I thought. The weak me just before I vanish.

With only his feeling, he seemed to be pulling himself off from the dream's scene, desperately closing his eyes.

Wake up. Quickly wake up. This is a dream. It's only a dream...

As his body was shivering with a sudden feeling of falling, the young man who had been sleeping until now woke up with a powerful jump.

His cheeks felt the warm light of day.

It was a peaceful morning.

From the square window near the bed, the thin sunlight was crowded between the curtains that weren't fully closed as if pushing them aside.

Below his body was a simple bed. The firm drawers of a desk used to study. A built-in closet. A certainly mass produced rag was laid on the floor.

Nothing's changed. It was the usual room, the usual morning.

His thought slowly starting to wake up from a dream to reality. Although he was in his own room, unconsciously catching his breath, the young man——Kazuma suddenly took a breath.

"It's a dream..."

He dropped his stiff shoulders and wiped his forehead. Covered with unpleasant sweats became droplets, the palm of his hands became wet.

His shoulder width was narrow. If someone had to say, he was a young man with a delicate body. With a pale skin that hardly got sunburn, he couldn't be regarded as strong by any standard. Rather than such words like sword and gun, or sport and stadium, he was more suited to words like book and library.

He, Kazuma Kuvaru, was a person with such appearance.

"Even so, it was a strange dream..."

Scratching his hair which was long enough to cover his eyes, Kazuma complained to no one.

No, was that really a dream?

A place which was so high that clouds were floating nearby. A circular stage. A standing-still black monument... A white-haired man.

On the contrary, the he in the dream absolutely didn't feel like himself. It was like he was reliving someone else's memory.

(But whose... Wait, who was it?)

He didn't have any idea. In the first place, even if it was based on his memory, Kazuma didn't have the knowledge that was needed.

Kazuma's memory had begun at the morning of a day seven years ago. He suddenly had slept above this bed before he realized it. That was the beginning of his memory.

He couldn't remember a single thing prior to that. How long had he lived here? Where was he born? What kind of past did he have? He didn't know anything.

He only knew a little bit about himself.

He didn't know what kind of human relation he had with him, but under the guardianship of a man called Relius Clover, he was now attending the academy he enrolled. The financial aid was all that man's doing. And then during these seven years, he became aware of his preferences and nature, also his strong and weak points.

The kind of information that formed him was those things.

He didn't know about the roots he had born in, especially the prospect beyond this point.

Every day, he only spent time without a purpose. Sometimes, Kazuma thought that he was just like a dandelion seed that could do nothing but drifting on wind.

"...Hey, it's not the time to daze around. I'll be late if I don't quickly get ready."

The things he couldn't remember were just a usual thing. He had grown used to it. Rather than doing that, Kazuma fixed his hair which had been disordered by sleeping while getting down from the bed.

He opened the room's curtains which were closed halfway.

As the morning sun on the opposite side descended all at once, he saw a city spread out as if it was a painting.

White walls with green and blue roofs. The extending roads which had many irregular turns that became stone pavements. The roadside trees, which were cultivated to grow large, were full in deep green leaves.

He started living on this island seven years ago while not knowing anything. This city was the only world for Kazuma.

The rich nature. Buildings with beautiful exterior. It couldn't be seen from here, but there was ocean on the opposite side that sparkled as it was bathed in the light of day.

This place was an island floating on the ocean, ''Ishana''. But outside the island, only a few referred it with that name. ''Mage’s Guild''. This island was called just like that.

===Part 2===

Ishana, or known as Mage’s Guild, was a particular institution that didn't belong to any nation.

In this age when science and technology were being developed, this institution was the only one that specialized in magic and alchemy. For that very reason, there was no activity that made them stood out globally. But behind the scenes, they had connections with all kinds of nation, establishing a self-government that was neutral and completely independent from other countries.

A powerful barrier created by magic was spread around the whole island. It repelled any kind of slight interference from the outside. Furthermore as invasion from the outside was certain, a strict check would be performed when leaving from inside the island.

Therefore, Ishana, and also Mage’s Guild, was said to be the safest city in the world.

Of course, there were all kinds of facilities in the island that provided the minimum needs. As the lifeline began, there were residences and companies, as well as vigilance committee and judicial system existing.

Above all that significant facilities, it was an educational institution.

There was a magnificent academy located on the center of the island. Under the control and management of Mage’s Guild, it taught magic and alchemy in addition to basic education.

[[Image:BB_PS1_025.jpg|thumb]]

Behind the history where machinery and science continued to evolve, sorcery and alchemy had been constantly handed down while concealing their presence. Passing down that vast knowledge and skills to the next generation was the biggest purpose of the academy.

There were dormitories in the academy. Living in dormitory was a requirement, with the exception of the students who lived in the island with their families.

Whatever the form, the students who had determined to live on the island commuted to the academy every day to make an effort to study and practice magic.

Kazuma was also one of the students of such academy.

But unfortunately, Kazuma didn’t know why he attended this particular academy. Did he wish for it? Did his supposedly guardian enlist him?

When he noticed it, Kazuma had been registered as a student of the academy. As a dormitory room where he should be living in had been arranged, his school life begun after a week as if it was natural.

And while he was dumbfounded, no less than seven years of time had passed.

He already had been used to the academy's uniform which consisted of white tunic, black trouser, and short mantle which seemed to have the image of a magician.

(With random students like me able to wander around, the management here is surprisingly lenient.)

During the recess between classes, leaning against a window on the corridor that was wide open while looking outside, Kazuma complained when he thought about it.

He wondered if he shouldn't be thinking about trivial things like the lenient management.

Maybe it would be different if Kazuma were a popular and excellent student. Unfortunately, his grades were so-so. They were amazingly common.

In any case, he was grateful to be placed in this spot. It was because other people didn't have any expectation toward Kazuma.

(Memory... huh.)

Looking up at the clear sky, his mind faintly muttered.

Just like now, he sometimes wondered about it when he wasn't doing anything.

...He had forgotten something really important.

Of course, since he couldn't remember anything of his past, it should be obvious. However, he had a feeling like that there was something special, something that he must not forget. And it had to be remembered no matter what.

He had a feeling like that.

But... if felt a little scary.

What would become of him if he remembered the 'something that had to be remembered no matter what'? If the memory he desperately tried to remember would overturn the foundation of his current self, in that case, it would worth nothing

When that time came, what would be the best thing for him to do? In the first place, what would become of his current self when he regained his memories? Could he keep on being here as if there was no difference?

"...Well, it's not like it'll happen to me though."

Kazuma let out a small sigh as he spoke to himself.

Thinking about futile things made his head felt unpleasant. Giving up on thinking about it, he once again looked outside,

With only a few clouds on the sky, the soft sunlight was shining down. The weather was a nice today.

Regardless, Ishana always had fine weather.

Having a mild climate, the spring was warm enough to wake up and still be half-asleep at the same time. The autumn was fairly cold. No day hot enough to sweat, no day cold enough to be freezing.

There wouldn't be war if there was no hunger. There was nothing sort of a natural disaster here.

The days in Ishana were really peaceful.

That was why Kazuma sometimes forgot.

Taking a step ahead outside the island, the whole world, with the exception of this island, was approaching the crisis of destruction.

Today was 2106 AD.

It started six years ago, 2100 AD, January 1st.

In Japan, an island nation located in Far East, an unidentified monster appeared suddenly.

With an appearance like a snake that had numerous heads, the black monster was gigantic. Only, it had an instinct to lay destruction and massacre indiscriminately.

Furthermore, in the same time as the appearance of the monster, a substance called seithr began to overflow everywhere.

In exchange of neutralizing any harmful substance, as if it was a touch of a living being, the seithr sensed the existence of humans and informed it to the monster. Then, it occasionally became a guide and a lane, summoning the monster.

Following the seithr, the black monster would appear in unexpected places and unexoected moments. When all that lived there weren't quick enough to get away, it would easily destroy everything entirely.

Using nuclear weapon, humanity tried to annihilate the monster by striking the unfortunate country called Japan. But the result ended with failure.

On the contrary, judging by the fact that the destructive being was no longer in Japan, the jet-black apparition bared its fangs toward the whole world.

——The Black Beast.

Facing the apparition which was referred as that, humanity had tried every means they had.

But nothing was proven to be the effective method... Before anyone realized it, people could do nothing but pressured to escape from Black Beast again and again.

In this very moment, some part of the world might be facing destruction because of Black Beast.

Despite that, there were lushly green parks, roadside trees, and variously colored flowers blooming in Ishana where Kazuma lived in.

For Black Beast to be in this island, it would be like an illusion as if it was a depicted nightmare.

"...Hm?"

Kazuma, who had been dazing with his arms placed on the window frame, suddenly took notice of a part of the scenery.

The academy's courtyard could be seen from the windows on the corridor. Naturally, the courtyard had school buildings and auditorium which the students used there. There were many Mage’s Guild's facilities constructed there.

Among those, there was a single pure white building which was called as the Cathedral. Several people were busily going in and out there.

The Cathedral was the most sacred place among the Mage’s Guild. It wasn't only used by the Guild's people to held important meeting or when there was a ceremony. With the exception of when there was a special class for the academy's students, it was prohibited to trespass without reason.

Judging by the robes they wore, the people who were going in and out seemed to be the Mage’s Guild's officials. If it was only that, it shouldn't be unusual. However, there was a single person who put on a big, triangular hat on the head.

That hat that was noticeable from distance held a special meaning for the Mage’s Guild.

"Ten Sages..."

The Ten Sages were the directors among directors who possessed top-class authority within Mage’s Guild. So to say, someone who had been chosen, a privileged class.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that they were the one who presently set the Mage’s Guild in motion. No one would be permitted to approach the Mage’s Guild's most highly classified information that was seemingly stored in the deepest part of the Cathedral if they were not a Ten Sage.

Kazuma watched the fist's movements of the Ten Sages who was giving instruction to the restless subordinates. The mark of the chosen one on the big hat moved right and left.

(Come to think of it, it's said that there's a canonization ceremony for a new Ten Sage today.)

It was a very rare occasion.

Ten Sages was a privileged class. Therefore, to be appointed, one must have an authority over the fitting knowledge and experiences, a degree of contribution toward Mage’s Guild, and most of all, the required strength of magic. Hence why, since Ten Sages was introduced, the number of people kept on being less than ten people for a long time.

The Ten Sage this time seemed to be an active student.

In addition to the rare appointment of a Ten Sage, it was unprecedented for a student to take up a post there.

With that 'unprecedented' coming from his classmates, it drew a somewhat interest even from Kazuma who just spent his days lazing around.

(If I'm not mistaken... it was Konoe Mercury)

She was undisputedly a super excellent student who had been hailed as a prodigy ever since she came to Mage’s Guild. Because of her gorgeous appearance, in addition to known to have a very up-tight personality, she was a very well-known person in Ishana for various reasons.

Having no such grades, and also plain appearance and personality, Kazuma was the polar opposite existence of her.

(In this world, there are people who walk a bright path of life.)

Feeling discouraged, he let out a sigh. It was a world which didn't have much relation with Kazuma.

It was no use looking at it continuously as if he was being jealous of his neighbor's green lawn. As the class would begin soon, Kazuma went away from the window. Granted, there was hardly any jealous feeling left toward the Ten Sages position.

At that moment, suddenly.

————.

A voice was heard.

Kazuma looked back.

But unsurprisingly, there was only an opened window. There was no figure of a person.

"...Huh?"

He felt that he had certainly heard someone's voice just now. At any rate, he had a feeling that he had surely been called.

"I don't like this... Hallucinating after having a memory loss. It seems I can no longer laugh at it sometimes soon."

While scratching his head as if he was disturbing his hair, Kazuma turned his back on the window once more.

The timing was just right as the bell that informed the start of the next class echoed throughout the corridor. Kazuma reflexively looked up at the ceiling and trotted back to the classroom.

===Part 3===

The circular hall made of white stone was enveloped in solemn atmosphere.

The ceiling was high and shaped like a hemisphere. The walls which were in perfect circle had several thick pillars nestled close together. Some statue-like objects silently lined up at regular intervals.

Between the pillars, crystals as big as human head were floating. Since they were charged with the power of magic, like floating water surface, they were flickering up and down while shining in pale white.

Surrounded by some divine light, several figures who were wearing dignified robes and large triangular hats stood in a circular pattern.

The number of people was less than ten.

They uniformly turned their sights to the center. At the end of it, one girl was kneeling. With long mantle spread on the floor and long hair over her back which slipped from her shoulders, she hung her head as if giving a prayer.

From the circle, a single robed figure stepped forward and stood in front of the girl.

"Konoe Mercury. I hereby appoint you as Ten Sage, he who possesses great wisdom... You are now called as 'Nine'."

The one who announced it with a stern voice was a sturdy and massive elderly man.

The girl... Konoe. No, Nine. She answered with her knees still down on the cold floor.

"I humbly accept it."

A different robed figure drew close. First, he walked up to the elderly man before passing a purple hat. A large triangular hat, like what a witch who appeared in fairy tale would wear.

It was the proof of the chosen one, Ten Sage.

The symbol of the passed down knowledge was placed on Nine's head.

"Now, from this very moment, a new wisdom has joined the Ten Sages. According to the sacred order, that intelligence will last for eons."

With the majestic declaration, several other attendances repeated the same phrases. Great number of voices blended, reverberated on the tall ceiling.

The Ten Sage name was bestowed only to the most prominent magicians in Mage’s Guild. With her head remain hung, Nine indifferently listened to the end of the canonization alone.

When Nine came out from the Cathedral, it was already the last half of the noon recess.

The Ten Sage canonization was held deep underground in the Cathedral, a special room that was forbidden to enter for anyone other than a Ten Sage. It was probably because she had always been looking down in the windowless room as she thought that it had been a long time since she felt the refreshing outside air when the wind profusely stirred.

Around the Cathedral was a courtyard within the academy. With the exception of the path that was covered in stone tiles, there were carefully trimmed shrubs and trees enveloping the lush lawn. They stood side-by-side as if it was a natural park.

Within such peaceful spectacle, Nine walked toward the school building. Her long, straight hair which was covering her back was gracefully fluttering as the wind blew through it.

The other Ten Sages were still inside the Cathedral. With nobody on the surroundings, a refreshing serenity was drifting in the air.

Suddenly, there were light footsteps running which broke the silence. From the opposite side of the gently curved path, two figures that Nine knew well appeared.

"Onee-chaaaan!"

The girl, who had deep brown hair that had a ponytail bundled up at high position, furiously waved her hand while calling Nine in a lively voice.

Behind her, there was another girl wearing a big round eye glasses. She barely caught up with the first girl as she was accompanying her. Her fluffy platinum blonde hair was beautiful. As if restraining it, she wore the hood of her robe.

Just as she fixed her eyes at the two figures, Nine's expression that had been looked amused began to become cheerful.

"Celica! Trinity!"

Straining her soft-colored eyes, Nine also faced both of them and waved her hand.

The girl, who had her ponytail jolted as she abruptly stopped in front of Nine, was Celica A. Mercury. She was Nine's younger sister.

Behind her, the glassed girl who was out of breath after she had caught up with Celica was called as Trinity Glassfille. She was Nine's one and only friend.

Celica's eyes which had deep color that resembled wet soil were sparkling. Somewhat excited, she opened her mouth.

"Is it over, Onee-chan? The Ten Sage's canonization, that is!"

"It's over. Although it's a canonization ceremony, I'm just following the old procedure. It's not like I'm doing anything special."

"But still, about that."

Toward the innocently excited Celica, Nine let out a wry smile as she was amazed. While watching the lovable scene of them both, Trinity spoke softly.

"Didn't you receive that peculiar hat~?"

Trinity spoke with a carefree and slow tone of voice. Nine moved her gaze up to look at the top her head. As one would expect, she wasn't able to look at it completely without a mirror, but she could clearly see the unnecessarily wide circular brim.

"The hat's just an ornament."

She uninterestedly snorted.

"Besides, for me to be a Ten Sage seriously bothers me. Actually, rather than me, Trinity is more fitting for it."

"Oh my... You speak of such thing again~."

Looking at her friend's unusual expression that was like a sulking child, Trinity smiled bitterly with her brows down. Just the other day, Nine had spoken the same thing when it was decided that she had been appointed as a Ten Sage.

If Nine was excellent at handling magic, then Trinity was a prodigy in sensing and analyzing magic information in an instant. She also excelled at alchemy. Taken from Trinity's beautiful hair, she was given the nickname of {{Furigana|Platinum the Trinity|The Platinum Alchemist}}. She was that admired of a person.

Natural talent aside, Nine considered that Trinity's profound wisdom which supported her capability was an ability that really should have been evaluated.

Toward Nine who got displeased again, Trinity laughed in a soft voice that truly matched her meek appearance.

"That hat suits you well~."

"...Thanks."

With a troubled smile on her face, Nine shrugged her shoulders as if she was hiding her embarrassment.

Toward the usual and ordinary Nine who had the symbol of greatest honor crowned on her head, Trinity straightened herself while putting her modest respect.

"From now on, I guess you must be called as Nine."

"Nine?"

Slightly inclining her head, Celica asked in her curiosity.

After Nine exchanged glance with Trinity again, she answered with a wry smile.

"A term for the person joining the Sage's sequence... Simply put, it's a particular name that's given to imply that someone is a Ten Sage. Since I'm the ninth, then it's Nine. Although it's only a formality, I'm glad that I don't need to spare a time to change my name anymore."

Since Nine was frank when she spoke, it was Trinity who smiled wryly this time.

Nine's real name was Konoe. Konoe Mercury.

However, Nine wasn't fond of her name. Trinity and Celica knew well the reason. It was because the person who gave the name was Nine and Celica's father.

Nine despised her father. Even that was pushing it. She disliked it when Celica brought up her father.

But six years ago, it had become unknown whether her father was actually alive or dead.

"I see... Since it's been decided, I guess there's no helping it."

Downhearted, Celica pulled her chin.

Nine might loathe the Konoe name, but for Celica, it was an important name of her important sister. Although it was the rule, it was a little sad for her sister's name to get changed.

"But... Although you're the 'Nine of the Ten Sages', Onee-chan is still my big sis... right?'"

Pulling her chin with upturned eyes, Celica looked up at the sister who was taller than her, as if she was peeking.

Looking at the honest eyes which showed courtesy, as if flinching, Nine gasped in a somewhat comical movement.

And then, as she could bear it no longer, she hugged Celica close to her voluptuous bosoms with terrifying strength.

"Of course I am, Celica<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>! Whatever the position, whatever the name, I'm still your big sister! Aah~, don't make that face. There might be an insolent bastard hiding somewhere trying to ruin that adorable and helpless face of yours!"

"O-Onee-cha... It hurts..."

Having her face crushed in the soft chest, Celica struggled. Regulating her breath after she somehow got her face released, Celica raised her eyes to Nine while still being hugged.

"That's right. Onee-chan, you still haven't had a lunch, have you? Let's eat together. I was waiting for you."

"Eh? You what? You still haven't eaten yet? I thought I told you to eat before."

As Nine looked bewildered as she spoke, Celica gave a spoiled smile.

"It's because I wanted to celebrate."

"Celebrate? What for?"

"Of course to congratulate Onee-chan for being a Ten Sage. Hmph, this is a special occasion, but you're still completely the same as usual."

Celica pouted her lips.

Beside them, Trinity giggled. It was like she was watching kittens playing together.

"Come on now, we should go. If we keep chatting here, the noon recess will be over in a flash~. Right, Celica-san? Nine?"

"Wah! That'll be bad!"

Flustered, Celica slipped through from Nine's embrace. Reversing the position, this time she grabbed her sister's arm. With a cheerful voice, she gave a happy smile to her sister.

"Let's go, Onee-chan. I'll treat you the cafeteria's pudding as a celebration!"

"Pudding...? I'm not a kid, you know."

Even if she was reluctant while saying that, Nine started walking to follow Celica.

She had always known about it, but she truly had nice younger sister and best friend.

Slightly fixing the large hat placed on her head while secretly smiling, Nine, sandwiched between her sister and best friend, left the courtyard.

===Part 4===

The school cafeteria in Mage’s Guild's academy. Although it didn't have the capacity to accommodate the whole student body, it was a wide open place that could manage the majority of them.

From the large windows, the scenery of courtyard and soft sunshine came into eyes without restraint. Since today was such a clear day, one would briefly forget that this place existed in a school.

[[Image:BB_PS1_041.jpg|thumb]]

With plenty of menus and even going as far as installing television which was broadcasting news, every day, the place would be filled with a great number of students during the noon recess.

Kazuma was also one of the students who liked to go to this cafeteria. Occupying alone the table close to the wall which was a bit separated from the crowd, he was about to finish eating the daily special Lunch C.

During the day where he had a class, Kazuma's lunch would always be this menu. There were two reasons. First, it was bothersome to think about what to order for every single thing. The other one... inside the daily special Lunch C, a hard-boiled egg would be included there.

Kazuma by no means was a gourmet. He was also not particularly strict in his diet.

However, it's just that the hard-boiled egg was special.

Looks, taste, simplicity. There was nothing to complain about any of them. There were salad and hot sandwich placed in the plate, but the hard-boiled egg was the true main course for Kazuma.

"Well then..."

He had already finished eating the cuisine which had filled his plate, with the exception of the hard-boiled egg he had saved for the last.

First was to taste the black tea and immediately putting it back. Next was to take the smooth texture of that object into his hands.

Just in case not to get its contents damaged, he gently hit it to the table's edge several times. As the white shell started to get numerous cracks, he carefully peeled it with his thumbs.

And finally after the bouncy hard-boiled egg appeared, Kazuma, quite satisfied, raised it near his mouth.

[[Image:BB_PS1_043.jpg|thumb]]

"Beautiful..."

It was an undoubtedly perfect of a shape.

There was nothing special to it and Kazuma didn't have any goal in doing this. Every day, this precise time probably was the time he looked forward the most.

Picking up the salt that was provided for the table, Kazuma lightly sprinkled it to the smooth white skin of the egg. First, he would get a mouthful... and so as he thought. It was during that moment.

"Why, if it isn't Kazuma-san."

"Ah...?"

Toward the out of nowhere voice, Kazuma turned his neck around with his mouth half-opened.

Standing there was a platinum blonde girl wearing round eye glasses. The gentle atmosphere wasn't overflowing from the voice only, but also from her whole body.

Kazuma recognized the girl who had cream sauce pasta in her tray.

"Oh my, Trinity-san. Having lunch now?"

"Yes. I had a little errand today."

She was a female student from the same class. For the uniform, beside the mantle, you could choose any robe. Although she was often wearing the latter, she usually put on the hood as if to hold down her soft hair.

Like a child wondering if she was a witch coming out from a fairy-tale, Kazuma believed that he frequently saw her.

There were two other people behind Trinity. A beautiful female classmate with her long hair flowing over her back and a short girl with her hair bundled up at a high position. They both stood there.

Kazuma also knew about the beautiful girl. She was a classmate just like Trinity.

Her name was Konoe Mercury. Presently, she wasn't a stranger among the academy. She was a rare prodigy who got selected as a Ten Sage even when she was a student.

But the other pony-tailed girl was a new face. The girl's face peeked from behind Trinity.

"Hm? A friend of Trinity-san? Good afternoon."

Her huge eyes looked straight at Kazuma without reservation. Their gaze met.

That moment, the chill he had vaguely felt until now suddenly intensified. His hair stood on its end.

He didn't know the cause. For some reason, he could not return the gaze of the pupils which were facing him. Kazuma averted his eyes as if succumbed to her strength.

"Aah, err. Hello."

He barely answered with a faint voice.

Suspicious at that, Konoe Mercury glanced.

"Who? Your acquaintance?"

Since she flung the remark over her shoulder, Trinity's face became troubled.

"What do you mean by who? He's Kazuma Kuvaru. Isn't he in the same class as you, Kono... Nine?"

"There's such a guy? I didn't know."

"O-Onee-chan, just how impolite you are!? I'm sorry, Kazuma-san. Onee-chan's bad in remembering people's names..."

As she placed the plate containing meat sauce spaghetti, the ponytailed girl proficiently bowed her head.

Taking a few seconds to be aware of the gesture which was addressed at him, Kazuma, late in coming to his senses, hurriedly shook his head. This situation of having three different types of girls standing while looking at him was completely overwhelming.

"N-no... Don't worry about it."

After Kazuma replied, the face of the pony-tailed girl suddenly turned into a smile. The very picture of carefree and innocent of an expression made Kazuma astonished again.

At the same time, he felt another indescribable discomfort accompanied with chills that ran through his spine.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Celica A. Mercury. You're Onee-chan's classmate, right? Thanks for always taking care of my sister."

A voice like the sound of a blooming flower. The tone of voice and expression had to be the characteristic of this girl called Celica.

Rather than envy... he felt a little dislike. Particularly to this girl.

"He didn't take care of me. We've never spoken after all. I didn't even notice his presence."

"Ha, haha..."

As for the point given by Konoe Mercury, who supposed to be Celica's sister, it felt mercilessly cold. Kazuma's stiff mouth laughed. Even though there was several times when they had exchanged words, it seemed they were completely erased from her memory.

"Um... That hat."

When Kazuma took notice of the hat which was placed on the beautiful girl's head, he reflexively let his voice out.

A big, triangular purple hat which had a wide brim. Kazuma understood well its meaning.

"It's the canonization ceremony, right? Congratulations for being a Ten Sage, Konoe Mercury-san."

After he put the egg aside, Kazuma made a gentlemanly smile as much as he could.

But the beautiful woman wearing triangular hat glared at Kazuma with an intense look. With a tone of voice that sounded too arrogant, she spoke clearly.

"It's Nine."

"Yes?"

"My name. I don't have the tiny bit of desire to be addressed by you, but call me Nine if you're going to address me again."

"Aah... Nine, is it."

When someone became a Ten Sage, a name following the number of one to ten was given. From that time, that person would be referred with the name. Kazuma remembered now that such a rule existed.

But somehow, the name Nine had something more than just a rule for her. She was someone that shouldn't be made angry by doing a mistake inadvertently. Kazuma decided to firmly imprint the new name of his classmate which was easy to forget to his brain.

"Ah, that's right."

Celica suddenly came up with something and then opened her mouth.

"Kazuma-san. If you don't mind, can we have lunch together?"

"Yes... Eh, what?"

After he reflexively answered, he spontaneously asked again. He really couldn't comprehend what she had spoken of. Celica on the other hand had an expression as if she had an idea she found splendid.

"I was thinking to do a celebration for Onee-chan today. But... since we're sort of coming late, there's no more empty seat."

"Aaah, I see."

Now that she mentioned it, all the tables in the cafeteria had certainly been filled. Not so many people came to the cafeteria at this time of day, but nevertheless, it was surprisingly crowded today.

Celica, shrugging her shoulders, let out a childish smile.

"Besides, it's not often for a chance to meet Onee-chan's friend that isn't Trinity-san. I want to talk with Kazuma-san more."

"With me? But..."

Even with the smile that was like baiting him, the reluctant Kazuma spoke ambiguously.

For some reason, he didn't want to get too close to this girl named Celica.

In the first place, Kazuma didn't know a lot about Nine. He didn't know what Celica was expecting, but there was nothing worth mentioning to talk about.

It seemed Nine also didn’t want to share a table with Kazuma.

When his eyes fled from Celica's gaze to look forward, sure enough, Konoe... Nine observed Kazuma with her eyebrows furrowed in discontent.

Kazuma spontaneously averted his eyes. Konoe Mercury. Nine. Whichever her name was, he didn't want to have her keep an eye on him too much.

However, that wish was far from being realized.

"Celica-san, you mustn't ask such unreasonable request. He seems to have already finished his lunch~."

"Eeh, so it's no good? I wanted to get along... Too bad."

Lectured by Trinity to take consideration, Celica dropped her small shoulders.

Seeing such a state, how could he turn her down?

For quite a while, his body felt a strange bad feeling. But it might be just his imagination.

"...Umm, I don't mind. There are enough empty seats for exactly another three people."

"Go ahead," said Kazuma as he showed a gentle smile. The smile was by no means his true feelings. It was more like a habit that would come out the moment someone faced other people.

But Celica received the impression of the smile she saw. A smile from the bottom of her heart, which was different than Kazuma's, bloomed all over her expression.

"Really!? Hooray! Thank you, Kazuma-san. Ah, then I'll go buy another congratulatory pudding. It's my thanks for listening to my selfishness!"

No sooner after she talked, Celica put the tray containing her lunch on the seat in front of Kazuma and ran off with her long hair leaped.

"Eh, ah. No, I'm..."

There wasn't any opportunity to stop her.

Like clockwork, Celica had gone to the cafeteria's counter vigorously.

As Kazuma was overcame with surprise watching it, Trinity's tray was placed on the seat next to him.

"My apologies, Kazuma-san. But thanks for helping us out~."

"Good grief... She never listens when she starts talking."

Although she seemed a bit sullen, Nine still reluctantly placed her lunch at the table while also taking a seat.

When he looked at Trinity's tray and also Nine's, small custard puddings sort of placed there.

(I see. So this is the congratulatory gift.)

Most likely, it was that child Celica who suggested it.

As he glanced, a long ponytail swayed left and right as she heading this way. On her hands, Celica was holding a similar pudding to the one in her tray.

Kazuma somehow felt like giving up.

It looked like it's going to be a long lunch.

===Part 5===

A fork was winding around above a plate, intertwining meat sauce and spaghetti.

While carrying it to her mouth, Celica casually stared directly at Kazuma who was sitting in front of her.

"So, Kazuma-san also doesn't talk much except with Trinity-san?"

The topic surrounding the lunch was about the relationships within Kazuma's classroom.

By the way, having lunch with women, Kazuma, already finished eating the hardboiled egg, was now somewhat poking the pudding he received from Celica. The table might look distinctly showy compared to the usual, but still, the hardboiled egg tasted wonderfully delicious.

"Hey, Celica. What do you mean by 'also'? That guy and me aren't in the same level."

The first one to open her mouth at Celica's words was Nine. Dissatisfaction was clearly mixed in her explicit tone which had been going on until now.

But not minding her sister's complaint, Celica instead gave her a straight answer.

"But Onee-chan, if Trinity-san weren't here, wouldn't you only have me as a partner to eat a meal with? When you went for a vacation, there were just Trinity-san and me."

"...It's meaningless to associate myself with people whose level is far from mine."

"See, you said it again. That's why you're considered as a scary person."

As the sisters began quarreling all of a sudden, Kazuma was dumbfounded while grasping tightly at the pudding spoon.

No one had ever thought that there existed a person who could speak so bluntly to the talented Nine who was feared because of her tight personality. On the contrary, Nine was overwhelmed. It was hard to believe that the sudden spectacle could happen to the exceptional prodigy who enrolled the same class as him.

But different from Kazuma, Trinity, who seemed had been used to seeing it, nonchalantly proceeded to eat, smiling as she watched the sisters.

Celica once again got her sight back to Kazuma.

"Ah. I'm sorry, Kazuma-san. Please continue with your story."

"Even if I continue with the talk... As you say, I also speak on daily basis with just Trinity-san."

"'Also'?"

From diagonally in front of him, Nine's sharp voice came.

"Ah, no..."

Kazuma quickly closed his mouth with his hand.

Beside him, Trinity laughed a little.

"Hey. Why are you laughing, Trinity?"

"Fufu... So-sorry, Nine. I don't mean anything bad."

"I'm not asking about that. Good grief."

Pouting, Nine folded her arms beneath her plump chest after she brushed her hair.

Kazuma tried to keep showing a smile while scratching his cheek. Since he wasn't used to be involved in such setting like this, he was actually troubled. Easily creating such awkward atmosphere seemed like one of the strong points of women.

Setting aside the peevish opinion, Kazuma hesitantly opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean Nine-san and I have the same level... I was trying to say that Trinity-san is a nice person since she greeted me even though I'm low profile."

"Oh. But Kazuma-san isn't low profile."

"No, no, that's not true. It's unthinkable."

Even when Kazuma seemed to be giving in, he raised both of his hand at the height of his chest and shook his head to Trinity as she tried to dismiss it.

Seeing that, this time it was Celica who laughed. She curiously let out a girlish laugh, or rather the tone of someone who laughed delightfully.

"Kazuma-san is an interesting person. At first, I thought you aren't that good at chatting. But I learned that you speak about lots of things. I'm somewhat happy."

"Oh... is that so?"

"Umm. Can I talk to you more often from now on? I want to know more about Kazuma-san."

"Eeh!? Err, that's..."

Couldn't answer her right away, Kazuma's eyes wandered as he panicked.

He didn't look back at Celica's eyes that staring directly at him.

Someone who hated this girl called Celica must be rare. Somehow, even if someone was overwhelmed by her nonstop vigor, his heart would quickly be snatched by the honest good will and that adorable laughter. At times, Celica's behavior was similar to the innocence of puppy or kitten.

However, Kazuma for some reason wasn't fond of Celica. The reason was unknown... Looking at her eyes made him had trouble in breathing. It made his chest felt tight.

(She shouldn't be a bad girl though...)

While Kazuma was still trying to decide his answer, Nine stood up as if interrupting his thought. The chair which was pulled roughly made one thought that she wasn't composed no matter how optimistic a person was when he looked at it.

"Celica. Come here for a second."

"Huh?"

As Celica was about to finish the meat sauce spaghetti, her arm was pulled when Nine left the table. Celica followed her sister while still wide-eyed.

The girls stopped their feet at the sandwich and bread counter which would immediately be filled with lines of student once the noon recess start. It was a bit away from the table where Kazuma and Trinity were left behind, but it's not a distance where they could see the girls' expressions.

Along with Trinity who was peeling off the pudding's seal, Kazuma watched over at the situation. No sooner after she suddenly looked over her shoulder, Nine spoke.

"Stop getting involved with that suspicious man! It'll only get you into trouble!"

The flowing disapproval came flying to Kazuma's ears. It cleared the question on why she felt that getting away from her seat was needed.

The powerful tone was enough to make someone cowered, but it didn't even make Celica winced.

"Kazuma-san isn't suspicious! He might be a bit strange of a person, but it's harsh to brand him like that when we don't know him enough!"

"It's not necessary getting to know about him. You should know when you see him. Such questionable man, whose thought can't be figured from his expression, isn't a decent person."

"That's not true!"

"Anyway, don't get familiar and approach that mysterious guy. You have a cute face and personality, but something crucial is missing. It will make sly and dishonest people take advantage of you."

"What are you saying!? You seem to accuse Kazuma-san for a sly and dishonest person!"

The eyes of many students who were spending the moment after their lunch gathered on the voices of the quarreling sisters. It might be because some of them were guessing the 'Kazuma-san' topic that was raised by the sisters as they were gradually looking at the direction of the table where Kazuma was.

Unable to bear the situation, Kazuma fixed his eyes on the yellow milk of the pudding as if turning his eyes from reality.

What quite shocking was Celica's remark when she completely denied the 'questionable man whose thought can't be figured from his expression' Nine had said.

(...I wonder if I'm that questionable?)

He tried to place his hand somewhere on his stunned face. As the mouth his fingers touched expressed a stiff smile that he was unaware of, he got shocked again.

"Umm, Kazuma-san?"

While the paralyzed Kazuma had his hand on his cheek, a worried voice came from beside him.

With a dry smile and trembling shoulders, Kazuma spoke to himself.

"...From now on, I wonder what kind of face would be good when facing them..."

"Uh, umm... please don’t worry about it too much ~. Nine somewhat loses control when it comes to Celica-san. She will just disregard her surroundings~."

Even Trinity also had a bothered smile. She must have given this explanation to someone from times to times. Experiences with troubles seeped from how she talked.

"Besides, I like Kazuma-san's politeness and modesty. I think of you as a good-natured person."

"Haha... Thanks for that."

It's more preferable by far than a harsh criticism, but getting praised straight to his face was embarrassing. Kazuma awkwardly loosened up while scratching his mouth.

"Even so, Trinity-san is also a person who burdened with troubles, right? Like with her and me, you associate with people who aren't used to the class."

"Fufu. But compared to Kazuma-san's hardship, it feels pleasant."

"My hardship?"

"Your memory. It hasn't returned, right?"

"Aah..."

Kazuma had memory loss. It was a story that was known among his classmates.

The first time around, it wasn't a common thing. But now he practically didn't know just how many people had learned about it.

Kazuma also didn't wish for the issue to get mentioned too much. Getting inquired out of curiosity would only bother him. Also, Kazuma usually didn't care about it too much.

However, sometimes Trinity was concerned about Kazuma.

It was by no means wasn't troublesome.

Trinity had an enthusiasm which as if she asked 'how are you doing?' to someone who had chronic disease. She made serious sounding words like 'memory loss' sounded like something lighthearted.

"Well, it hasn't returned at all. I even think that I might not have a past to remember."

"Oh, please don't say about such a thing."

"Aah, no no. I'm aware of it."

Kazuma gave a loose smile to the rebuking Trinity who had a gloomy expression.

"It's not like I'm pessimistic about it, so don't worry."

Even if he was pessimistic, he didn't know if having nothing to remember was something to be delighted or lament with.

Kazuma suddenly realized something and raised his face. Before he knew it, the sisters' quarrel could no longer be heard.

When he looked at them, both of them were silent while still at the same place as before. They stared at the large television which was installed in the cafeteria as if devouring it. Their expressions were pale for being drawn by interest only.

Following the girls' line of sight, Kazuma also looked toward the television.

Inside the rectangular screen, the usual news program was airing. The newscaster talked on and on while somewhat trembling.

It was a news that arrived from a certain particular country.

===Part 6===

"——that. I will report it again. This morning, according to the investigation team of the United Nations who went to Japan, a survivor has been found. For the six years period of time since the nuclear strike on Japan, the survivor took a shelter in the underground and appeared to be living hidden below. Although he is considerably weak, there's nothing serious that might endanger his life. For now, the investigation team will wait for his physical condition to recover before hearing the circumstances that has been going on for six years from him."

Japan.

The country where Black Beast, the monster that spread terror and anxiety throughout the world by appearing in unexpected place and at unexpected moments, had first appeared. In order to eliminate its threat, nuclear missiles were launched and virtually destroyed the country.

Because of high concentration of radioactivity and chemical substances, Japan had been contaminated. It had turned into the land of death where no beings could live there. But as the pollution steadily lessened, the United Nations dispatched an investigation team half a year ago.

As this time civilians were also able to embark to Japan, investigations which had certain purposes had taken place. But it seemed... the result was that a survivor that had been left behind in Japan for six years was found.

"A survivor... in Japan?"

The screen was a bit distant, but the newscaster's voice was clearly audible. Kazuma breathed out in his interest.

But Trinity kept silent with a serious distress of an expression. It seemed Kazuma's murmur didn't reach her ears.

"Trinity Glassfille-san?"

When he questioningly asked, Trinity turned around with a gasping sound trembled on her throat. Her pretty green eyes opened wide. A slight disturbance could be seen there.

"Ah... um, no. It's nothing,"

With a faint smile, Trinity dropped her gaze to the pudding she held in her hand. Most of it was hidden by the hood and hair, but sorrow still spread on her face.

Kazuma moved his gaze.

What Trinity was seeing wasn't the television. It was Nine and Celica.

The sisters had been arguing seriously until a while ago. They got somewhat stunned as they watched the news. Slipping through the students, they returned here. The grim faced Nine urged the dejected Celica to walk.

"C'mon, Celica."

Nine forced the delicate Celica to sit on the chair before she sat down on her own.

Silence fell on the table. The congratulatory pudding seemed gloomy.

No one opened their mouth. Enduring such atmosphere, Kazuma timidly called out to Celica who looked disheartened compared to anyone else.

"Has something happened?"

Although Celica certainly raised her sight, she shook her head without saying anything. The barely expressed smile on her mouth was very unsuitable for the extremely cheerful girl. It really made Kazuma worried.

"Have you been in bad condition? Your face seems..."

Awfully pale.

He was about to say it. The moment his hand somewhat stretched toward Celica, it happened. Terrible chills ran through Kazuma's spine.

(Eh...?)

Delayed for a moment, this time dizziness distorted his vision. In the blink of an eye, his sense of balance went awry. Kazuma held his head using the hand that was intended for Celica.

"Kazuma-san? Are you okay?"

On the contrary, Celica worriedly called out to him. She half rose to her feet, lowering herself down. With her small hand, she touched Kazuma's forehead.

"...!?"

At that moment, Kazuma shook off Celica's hand with all his strength.

A slapping sound echoed. Kazuma kicked down his chair and stood up.

"Ah... I-I'm... sor..."

Celica was confused and Nine grimaced as she started to get upset. When his sight stopped at the two of them, Kazuma squeezed out his trembled voice to speak.

His words never got reverberated until the end. Welled up with terrible nausea, Kazuma immediately fell to his knees and went to a sitting posture.

"Kazuma-san!?"

Trinity left her seat in a hurry and leaned over to Kazuma's side.

Celica also became panic as she rushed over to him.

"H-hold on, what's the matter!? Hang in there!"

Kazuma's stiffened eyes looked up at Celica who was crouching before his eyes.

Welling up along with nausea, his chest was filled with... discomfort as if he was being swallowed.

(No... Don't come... Don't... come here.)

The dizziness was mixed up together with words of rejection. My head hurts. I want to throw up.

"Do you feel sick? We must get to the infirma..."

"I... I'm fine."

Kazuma's desperate thought interrupted the words of the worrying Celica. He straightly refused the stretched hand that was going to rub his back.

Forcibly pulling the shivering mouth, he made a smile.

"I'm... all right. I suddenly felt a bit sick... but I'll go to the infirmary on my own."

"But, you shouldn't be alo..."

"Please. I'm okay."

Do not touch me.

As it nearly slipped from his mouth, Kazuma swallowed the spilled words along with saliva.

He didn't know the reason. He didn't understand but... he couldn't help but felt really unpleasant and horrible.

His fist was so tight that its nails were eating the skin. He placed the fist on the wall as he stood up.

At this rate, he must not remain here. He really shouldn't stay here.

"...Sorry. I beg your pardon to go ahead. I'm really okay."

Trying to sound as healthy as he could, Kazuma left the cafeteria as if he was fleeing.

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