Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou:Volume 4

Novel Illustrations

These are the novel illustrations that were included in Magika No Kenshi To Shoukan Maou Volume 4

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  Cover and color illustrations
  

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  Page 15
  

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  Page 37
  

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  Page 45
  

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  Page 55
  

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  Page 64
  

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  Page 140
  

Chapter 1 – To the End of the Peaceful Day

Part 1

“Kazuki, between the sparklingly cute and feminine me, or the cool, conservative and adult me, which one do you like?”

…Please talk in Japanese, that was what clearly expressed in Kazuki’s bewildered expression.

Mio leaned her body forward even though they were in the middle of a meal, and waited for his reply while her eyes were shining in expectation. She was still in the cute maid uniform that she wore when they prepared the meal.

The dining table of the Witch’s Manor became quiet.

“What an extremely narcissistic way of talking isn’t it?”

When Koyuki ridiculed her while chewing (hamuhamu) her toast, Mio denied it with her red face.

“It’s not like that! Not the uniform or the Magic Dress or the maid uniform, but it’s just when I’m wearing my casual clothes, I’m concerned about what I should wear and what Kazuki thought!”

“It feels like Mio has an obsession in stylish fashion, huh?”

“It’s not to the degree of an obsession but…if they're a girl then of course they'll be concerned, right?”

When Mio said that self-conciously, Koyuki slightly hung her head down.

It appears that Koyuki was disinterested in that kind of thing.

“No, about that there are various kinds of girls, isn’t it fine?”

“Then for Kazuki it doesn’t really matter what kind of appearance the girl has? Even though you like the maid uniform so much.”

“That is, if the girl dressed herself up when she comes to meet me then I’ll be happy, thinking she is cute.”

Hoshikaze-senpai was laughing “ahaha” after she snapped a sausage (mogumogu) with her mouth.

“No, that is strange for senpai, right!? Please behave yourself like a girl properly!”

“But you see, in my situation, I'm happy when I wear men’s clothes. Moreover, could you imagine if I wore a skirt as part of my casual clothes? I'd look funny, wouldn’t I?”

“It wouldn’t", I said. "I want to see senpai in that kind of getup.”

“I'd look scary like that y'know, like when a boy is participating in a crossdressing beauty contest in a cultural festival of a boys’ school.”

You’ve got to be kidding, Kazuki was stricken with grief with all his words repelled back like he was standing in front of a wall of steel.

“Hayashizaki-kun, next time let’s go check out some clothes together. Occasionally doing shopping as bonding between men is cool right?”

“And I just said senpai isn't a man already…”

“All people in Japan are stylish desu. In Norse Mythology, being ostentatious felt like a sin. Though gods that were fashion-crazy like Freia-sama also exist desu.”

Lotte said so while sipping the miso soup. On top of the antique-style wooden table, two kinds of breakfast in Japanese and Western style were arranged. Of course the one who made all of it was Kazuki and Mio.

In addition to Lotte, with Leme there were seven people in the Witch’s Manor. Each of them had their own preference in food.

“Even though there seems to be that kind of Diva, I feel that Leme is someone who prefers practicality more than aesthetic.”

When Kazuki said that, Leme nodded saying “Unyuu” while chewing nattou in her mouth.

When Kazuki tried to wipe up Leme’s mouth from the side, Leme grew restive and struggled while saying “Sto-op”.

“Mio-chan is stylish, and your trademark twintails are cute too. That kind of style doesn’t suit me so I’m jealous.”

Kaguya-senpai who sat beside Mio lightly tugged her twintails repeatedly.

“I-I-I-I looked a little childish like this, that’s what I think tho-tho-tho-though.”

To the right, to the left, having her twintails pulled to the left and right alternately like operating a handle, Mio’s face and voice shook (kakukaku) around.

“…I-i-i-if I did my hair in the same style like when we were in the orphanage, I thought that when I reunited with Kazu-nii he would immediately notice me-me-me-me…”

“That, sorry I didn’t notice it.”

“It’s fine already. So, which kind of me does Kazuki prefer!?”

After shaking off Kaguya-senpai who fooled around cheerfully, Mio once again leaned her body forward to him.

“Errr, in short this is about which one is good between [cute group] and [cool group], right?”

Mio was a really girlish girl, but when she fights proudly and awe-inspiringly she also looked very much like a woman. Both [cute] and [cool], suited this girl.

“I think either of the two suits you.”

“What’s with that~, that crude reply.” Mio pouted her finely shaped lips.

“I thought that both sides of you looked good when I try to picture it in my mind. Because Mio has both cuteness and coolness in you.”

“I, is that so? As I thought, it’s like that? Ehehe.”

“But why are you suddenly asking that?”

Toward Mio who showed a bashful expression in great delight, Kazuki stopped his chopsticks and asked, Mio suddenly stood up from the dining table. Then she abruptly grabbed Kazuki by the scruff of the neck and pulled him up to stand.

“Come with me a little.”

“What’s with you so suddenly, we're still in the middle of a meal! Wait a little, I’m just starting to eat the grilled fish after all the difficulties I had in thoroughly removing the bones from it, you know!?”

“Otouto-kun, thank you for removing all the bones! I will eat it with deep gratitude inside! Wow, even the Japanese cuisine is very delicious~, that’s what I think.”

“Please stop Kaguya-senpai-! My grilled fish-!!”

“…Escort.”

Mio led Kazuki into the corridor and said that one word.

“Eh?” When Kazuki blinked, Mio suddenly opened the chest part of the maid uniform. His sight was absorbed into it against his better judgment but, a ruby silver necklace was shining at the girl’s shaking breast. The shining combination of gold and crimson was the girl’s trademark.

“Kazuki also has one of the pair, right? Are you wearing it?”

“Aah, it’s not visible in the uniform but I’m always wearing it.”

“When I gave that to you as a present, Kazuki, I said that as thanks for that you will give me a [princess escort] again!”

Kazuki finally recalled it in a flash. What she called princess escort was Mio’s alias for date.

“Aah! When we were going to date before, as the excuse for the next one…”

“It’s not a date! It’s because Kazuki said that he wanted to thank me no matter what, that’s why!”

Mio made a ruckus in embarrassment at this late hour while denying the word date.

“Tomorrow! The Sunday tomorrow! Wait in front of the station at noon!”

Mio thrust her index finger sharply at Kazuki.

Then without waiting for the reply, she returned to the dining room with her twintails trailing her.

“How one sided, though I don’t mind at all. …Somehow, it’s a really peaceful talk,”

A Saturday morning where there was nothing urgent.

If he had to say what worried him, it was something at the level of wondering whether the grilled fish was still there.

Speaking of the matter from before…The various regulations of the [Chief Student Council Election] would be decided in the staff meeting this weekend, it looked like it would be announced to the students at the beginning of the next week.

Because Kazuki had been chosen as one of the candidates too, next week he would start activities for the election.

The day where he could enjoy the peaceful days was only until the end of this week.

…Towards that end, he could have a pleasurable schedule.

Part 2

Mio chose their meeting place to be at the front of the station. Not to mention everyone in the Witch’s Manor, this was so anyone in the academy also wouldn’t see them going out on a date.

Kazuki had confirmed that Mio was still preparing this and that when he came out from the manor, so the result was that he would have to wait for a while.

Suddenly, someone covered his eyes from behind while talking in a mischievous voice.

“Guess~ who♥”

It was not Mio’s voice. A voice that was forcefully high-pitched, a made-up voice like it was mimicking an anime character in an extremely clumsy effort, it made him unable to guess at all the owner of the voice.

“…Someone who would do something like this, Kaguya-senpai?”

Considering all that, there was no soft sensation at all hitting his back though.

Then might this be Hoshikaze-senpai that noticed the date and came to play a prank?

While he was hesitating, the palms that blocked his eyes opened to the left and right suddenly.

When Kazuki turned back to confirm the other party, there was Beatrix behind him.

Wearing the Einherjar’s black knight uniform on her body, Beatrix was standing there.

A cold sweat droopingly ran through his back.

It felt like there was a thick darkened wall of steel towering right in front of his eyes.

“Did you think it was a cute girl? How unfortunate! It’s Beatrix-chan!!”

Beatrix puffed her chest proudly as if to say ‘how do you like that?’.

“U…UOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?”

Kazuki screamed out loud while stepping back and put his hand on the katana at his hips.

Why did he bring a katana despite this being a date, that was because in the middle of the date with Mio before he had an experience of being attacked by a [Stigmata Hunter]. For knights, and conforming to that, the knight candidates were permitted to possess swords freely.

“Fufufu, what are you panicking for? I’m not especially here to fight with you, you know?”

While Beatrix laughed with a broad grin, she chided Kazuki who was taking a battle stance.

“Also I’m quite happy that you showed me how you lost your cool befitting with your age. You get like that just from noticing me and my greeting. Though I should say, how unfortunate, I became completely unable to fight Kazuki anymore.”

“…What did you say?”

Finally Kazuki separated his hand from the handle of his katana. However, in front of his rival who he had fought a bitter fight three times already, he couldn’t shake the nervousness that burdened the bottom of his stomach.

“This country's suddenly changing its policy. Hayashizaki Kazuki should be in protective custody, or Charlotte Liebenfrau should be taken into humane consideration, things like that. To change their policy so suddenly like this, I don’t know anymore for what reason we came to this country.”

Beatrix complained mixed with a deep sigh and an astonished expression.

The government’s sudden change in its policy was probably because of Headmaster Otonashi’s research that had veered off course from the path of humans came to light, resulting in many of the politicians that were related with that to lose their standing.

The large faction of politicians that were favoring the Magica Stigma had completely become powerless.

“But the period of cooperation between the Einherjar and the Knight Order of Japan that is being done in the surface is still going to continue for a while. On the surface, the reason is that Loki still hasn’t been captured, we cannot break off the promise of cooperation this late in the game. That’s why there also might be some occasions where Kazuki is going to cooperate with us when you challenge a quest. Fufufu, this time there might come an occasion when you and I join hands together to defeat Loki, don’t you think?”

“…You’re really going to withdraw your hand from Lotte that easily?”

“My own country of Germany is lodging a protest to the government of Japan, but I don’t know myself what will happen.”

If she said that she wouldn’t do anything to Lotte…then there was no reason anymore to be antagonistic to Beatrix. She was an opponent that he had fought a few times, but from the beginning he didn’t have a definite relation of hostility with her.

However even so, he couldn’t even begin to imagine doing something like joining hands together with this person.

“Now I’m just cooperating in patrolling together with Japan’s Knight Order. For some reason with the lack of personnel, there is no one to go around the area of this academy’s surroundings. And then I happened upon Kazuki, like this…I’m playing a prank peacefully that was different until now. Wasn’t it amusing?”

“It’s so amusing that I though my heart was going to stop.”

“Fuffuffu. …But you were really careless huh? The man that is going to become this country’s King is just going to loiter around in town without even bringing any guard. If the one from before was not [Guess~ who?] but [Thor – Lightning Double Finger Attack] then your life would be gone.”

“If you approached with killing intent then I will notice it. No wait, what kind of technique did you say just now?”

The cheeks of Beatrix that talked jokingly with a good mood was faintly showing red, he could see that she was purely having fun in her exchanges with him.

However to even say something like King…at most he was just a lone high school student, something like guards for him was too much.

“Well, if it’s a swordsman at the level of Kazuki can you do something like that? I had heard a legend before that the swordsmen of the orient could somehow sense an attack immediately even if they are asleep and counter-attack.”

“That’s not a legend…well, it’s an area of a master that had brought their Iaijutsu to the extreme though.”

In the past it might be a state that was nothing more than a legend, but now it was not something impossible. Because in this era there was the magic technique <Trance> that was able to control the subconscious mind.

At that time, panicked sounds of footsteps could be heard coming from the direction of the academy.

“Kazuki-! Sorry to make you wai…teEEAAAAAAAAAHH~? Be, Beatrix!?”

Mio who came dashing here, as expected she too was screaming.

“So you are waiting for a woman alone huh, I’m jealous. Today you are wearing casual clothes that looked quite mature aren't you, magician of the fire bird. It’s cuteniedlich even looking from me who is a woman..”

“I got commented on by a weird guy from the very beginning even though I’m dressing up for Kazuki!?”

GA―N! Mio received a big shock. Then Beatrix turned back abruptly toward Kazuki.

“Kazuki. The you right now looks completely like a normal boy don't you? I’m feeling attracted even when this is the case but…let me give you one piece of advice.”

Suddenly the smile was gone completely from Beatrix’s face and she turned completely serious.

“You had already lost your [usual ordinary days] and the like. If added with your strength, one or two countries aiming for your life will surely appear. Germany is a moderate country so that’s why that kind of dangerous direction still hasn’t come yet. Though it’s unfortunate for me.”

“…Thank you for the warning.” Kazuki finally replied with a tone of cynicism.

Other countries…did that kind of matter really exist?

Right now a country that had normal diplomatic relations with Japan didn’t exist anywhere in the world. Kazuki too was raised until now without even imagining what was out there beyond the sea. For other countries to aim at his life was a story that really exceeded his imagination.

“You're welcome. After all, I will be troubled if you got killed by someone other than me. Fufufu, actually the truth is, since I crossed swords with you, I keep thinking about you even when I'm asleep or awake.”

Beatrix suddenly said something strange, her sharp eyes looked like they were in a world of her own.

“Although just talking with you is interesting, but facing you like this, I can’t stand it, I want to immediately pull out my sword and come swinging at you. Completely like an animal that cannot stay calm in its mating season. I want to kill you, even right now I want to cut your neck and make it my distinguished achievement.”

…Kazuki and Mio were becoming speechless together.

“Looks like somehow I've grown to like you! I am in love with you!”

Leaving behind the two that were drawing away because of her speech, Beatrix put even more heat into her voice and yelled.

“That’s why someday again without fail…let’s try to kill each other once more! Farewell!!”

After declaring that one-sidedly, Beatrix turned her back.

That back was going far away with leisurely steps, but maybe because she felt embarrassed with her own actions gradually, she abruptly changed into a fierce dash and was gone from their sight in a flash.

“Kazuki, to be confessed by another girl while I’m not here, you’re heartless!”

“…No, that kind of approach also makes me troubled, such a thrill-seeking confession.”

“There is that, isn’t it?”

After putting his feelings in order, Kazuki turned back to Mio.

Mio was dressing her slender body stylishly with a dungaree shirt that had a dry texture.

Her hairstyle was also not the twintails but a ponytail, changing the impression of her altogether in a big way.

“You are dressing yourself in the cool group huh. But on the contrary, the childish part of Mio is emphasized.”

She wore a miniskirt softly below the shirt and carrying a girlish bag in her hand, so there was no boyish impression on her. She had probably calculated everything to take that kind of balance.

“Really!? Ehehe, just as planned.”

Mio came flying at Kazuki’s arm excitedly. Her breast that was protruding from the shirt changed its shape (muni-) when it pressed into Kazuki’s arm. The inside of his head that had been poisoned by Beatrix brightened like a blooming flower.

Escorting is something like this right, while trying to remember, Kazuki embraced Mio’s slender hips tightly. Mio leaned coquettishly against Kazuki’s neck. A sweet smell was floating around.

“Well then, what kind of date shall we have? Where to?”

“I said, this isn't a date! First is eating lunch, after that a place to play with the both of us is fine! Not something like a movie theater, something like sports center or game center where we can compete. Otherwise something like in a park where we can chat for a long time-!”

Part 3

The two went to the sports center, first they were playing sports like tennis, bowling and ping-pong from start to finish in succession. Kazuki had an edge in movement reflexes, but Mio was quite familiar with the games in general excepting the kenjutsu.

It became quite an even contest, making both of them mutually frustrated and fired up.

Next they went to a race-swimsuit rental and decided that they would determine the conclusion at the indoor pool.

However while they were swimming, the contest became vague, when they noticed they had ran to the water and played around.

“Even though this is a sports facility, why is there a water slide here?”

“It’s really full to the brim with the mood of playing around isn’t it, this uselessly extravagant equipment.”

Once in the period of chaos when magic was born into this world, right after that Tokyo was destroyed at the hands of illegal magicians.

And then for the sake of the revival of the empty space, the land was used extravagantly and large scale public facilities were increased. This sports center was also one of the products of that revival effort.

The Knight Academy that Kazuki attended too, it was constructed on top of a vast plot of land with similar beginnings.

When both of them climbed the water slide with height reaching several tens of meters, Mio got near Kazuki and hugged his arm tightly. “But, it’s scary here.” She said that but she laughed with a face that had no fear at all.

Both of them plunged into the pipe course with the posture of hugging each other, then they were sliding down sharply.

Meandering left and right, and then at the end they were thrown out to the pool (BASHAN!) and the crash sprayed water everywhere grandly.

Even so Mio didn’t release her hug to Kazuki and made it hard for Kazuki to stand up.

“This makes it hard to move you know, move a little.”

“But, after clinging once like this, it made me reluctant to separate you know?”

“What’s with that…. I mean you're going to cling all over the man with that kind of posture!”

Kazuki had only just become aware of the girl’s swimsuit this late in the game. Because of the red high-leg race-swimsuit that displayed the finely-shaped legs, the feel of the thin texture that clung snugly to her skin was bewitching.

“Hehehe-, Kazu-nii’s face is turning red!”

It seems her switch that made her want to flirt was turned on, Mio entwined both of her arms around Kazuki’s neck, she even entangled both of her legs inside the water closely to Kazuki’s lower body. She glued on to him using her entire body.

“Even your face is turning red too! Your face looks like it had been baked in a microwave oven!”

Kazuki also made his opposition and hugged Mio back. Mio’s breasts were smashed (munyun) against Kazuki’s chest.

Mio was “goronya~” making a sweet voice, a large heart mark came flying to him.

His body felt hot from both Mio’s cuteness and also his embarrassment, the cold water of the pool felt good against the heat.

―The various fun they enjoyed made the time pass in the blink of an eye. Being together with a girl like Mio made it hard to spend the time in boredom, Kazuki thought.

By the time they walked home, the outside had become completely dark.

When magic was born into this world, the number of big companies went down due to the alchemists, the workshops could make their presence felt. The workshops everywhere were managed by private management so the time they closed their shops were early, the street was turning dark before they could even say ‘ah’.

[The age of magic reinstated the power of the night], such things could be said as well.

Because the sports center Kazuki and Mio were at was an establishment that opened until relatively late, when they came outside after playing their hearts out thoroughly, the street had began to fall asleep.

Japan’s electricity was generated by Alchimedes System in the artificial island at the southern tip territory, over there the <Etherlight Rechargeable Battery> was recharged and then providing the distribution and substitution of the battery to every household and facility. Due to that, the scenery of electric poles and electric cables had disappeared from the street.

The night sky was boundlessly spreading without anything blocking it, the light of the stars were silently shining.

Kazuki and Mio were walking in that kind of street tonight.

When they walked like this to return home on the previous date, there was that incident when they were attacked by the Stigmata Hunter wasn’t it….

―You should have already lost your usual ordinary days.

For some reason Beatrix’s words were coming to mind.

“…Kazuki, is something wrong?”

Towards Kazuki who unconsciously tightened his expression, Mio inquired him anxiously.

“It’s nothing.” When Kazuki said that, as usual he did the [princess escort] and encircled his hand around Mio’s hips while walking. Entering strength into his arms, he tightened the embrace and made Mio glued onto him even closer.

“Hey. Kazuki, the truth is that you don’t actually like me at all―there is no way you actually feel something like that right?”

“What in the world are you saying? There is no reason something like that is going on, don’t you agree?”

“Th, that’s right isn’t it?”

Mio was looking down, her walking feet were suddenly stopping. Kazuki too matched her and stopped.

“But Kazuki is surrounded by various girls see, from now on in the future too for a long time always like today, where I can monopolize Kazuki like a lover, I won’t be able to do things like that, won’t I?”

That was not a word of idea that she thought just now, there was no doubt that what she spoke out was a thought that she continued to harbor inside her chest for a long time.

With a serious expression, Kazuki turned to look face-to-face with Mio.

“Kazuki must get even stronger, also if Lotte is not with Kazuki then her life will be in danger…with everyone else it’s like that too. Before I knew it, everyone cannot be separated from Kazuki anymore. Kazuki acted believing that it was the right thing to do, from there your relationship with us, with everyone, became like that.”

Mio talked with a dejected voice, like the girl that was having fun throughout this whole day was just a lie.

That expression made Kazuki’s heart hurt.

“But that is fine with me! I, I don’t particularly hate it! But occasionally I want a time with just the two of us alone. And then I want to flirt around like a lover with Kazuki. Because when I’m not with Kazuki I get anxious whether you really like me properly…. Did Kazuki care about me just because you wanted Phoenix’s magic so it can’t be helped, sometimes thoughts like that just came and it made me want to cry…”

Tears started floating in Mio’s eyes.

“That kind of thing is not true! Today I had a lot of fun, there is no way I only aimed for your magic!”

“Then, kiss me. The whole time today, even though I keep wanting to do that but you never did it…”

Mio pressed her body even tighter to Kazuki and looked upward with blurred eyes.

Offering her all completely to Kazuki, that kind of pure eyes were looking at him.

…It’s only me that understands everyone’s positivity level, yet everyone doesn’t know my feelings.

Kazuki once again realized the unfair relationship that he had with everyone.

I must express my feelings even more, with my mouth, with my actions.

Kazuki hugged Mio tightly with a lot of strength. Inside Kazuki’s chest, Mio twitched in nervousness.

On Mio’s lovely lips that would make even a flower feel shame, Kazuki pressed his own lips.

Mio too immediately pushed back to his lips strongly. So that their lips could touch each other even more sweetly, both of them changed the angle of their faces many times and keep kissing each other. The lips that were in contact with each other made ‘chuu chuu’ sounds.

In truth, he had wanted to do this since they were embracing in the pool.

A large heart mark came flying, the positivity level had reached the number of 145.

“Nnn…” Because Mio leaked out a painful voice, Kazuki separated their lips.

“Puhaa! …My, my breath was…I’m happy but, my breath…!”

Mio was gasping for breath with teary eyes from excitement and suffocation.

“No, it’s fine if you breathe through the nose isn’t it?”

“But! Breathing through the nose on Kazuki’s face is too embarrassing!”

“No, I was breathing normally through the nose though,”

“Not fair-! One more time!”

With a bewitching red face, this time Mio was the one that started the kiss.

Bird kiss―like pecking each other, they repeatedly ‘chuu chuu’ touching each other's lips who knew how many times.

“N, lhove, I lhove you sho mhuch…” from the gap between the lips, Mio leaked a whispering voice.

Hearing those whispers, under the vast night sky, it felt like the world had become a place for only the two of them. From the kiss that they repeated so many times, their insides had became vaguely heated, he became unable to think of anything other than Mio. Mio too surely without a doubt was in a similar condition with him. At the point of contact where the hot breaths and soft lips smashed against each other, Kazuki’s heart was melting together with Mio. Both of them became one, ascertaining their mutual feelings against each other―

―Right there Kazuki felt a [killing intent].

Kazuki was a human who was able to notice such a thing.

Inside his deep subconscious, he sensed hostility-filled magic power with his Extra Sense, Kazuki threw off the lingering affection of the kiss to the winds and separated their lips.

“Eh…over already..?” Mio was bewildered from the abrupt end. “More…”

Kazuki carried Mio who was like that in a princess-carry, he quickly dodged his body from the magic power that came approaching.

Something passed through the place where Kazuki and Mio were located before with terrific speed.

“It was avoided…had you sensed me!?”

A voice of an unknown enemy. What passed through was not a magic, but the owner of the voice itself.

This someone killed all the traces of their presence, and like a comet it approached to deal a direct attack.

Kazuki let Mio down after taking some distance and then he faced that opponent.

“Who are you…?”

Kazuki put vigilance into his voice and asked.

Surely a [shadow] was standing right over there. They were clad in black from head to toe complete with a black veil on his face. He hid his face but, from the slender body build it looked like the person was probably a girl. From her impression if he had to express it in one word―an assassin.

“My presence should have been already erased and my magic power was at the minimum already…how could you notice me?”

While facing Kazuki’s direction, the assassin’s whole body was moving languidly without power. That body wasn’t strained at all, a really natural body stance. …Is it a similar old style martial arts like the Hayashizaki-style, Kazuki wondered.

Old style martial arts that prized a languid stance and breathing in their school were many.

“Kazuki, so you were not concentrating at the kiss with me then!? Then after this one more time!!”

Mio lost her temper. How thoughtless were you?

“So you planned to hide your magic power huh? It’s no use, you got found out after all.”

Kazuki talked provocatively with a tone that was out of character for him. There was no information at all about his opponent. At least if he could shake the opponent’s heart, he thought.

The shoulder of the assassin shook with a start, like her pride was completely provoked.

The next moment, that figure shook and vanished like a heat haze.

The black shadow became a hurricane gust and approached Kazuki.

Kazuki tried to grasp that movement―she concentrated her Enchant Aura at only the soles of her feet and created an acceleration with the minimum magic power. Evidently it was the movement of an assassin.

Without any preliminary motion, also with little emission of magic power, it was hard to Foresight.

However that was the story if the one that stood here was just a run-of-the-mill person. Kazuki, who had shown that he could even handle Beatrix’s fierce attack evaded the opponent’s charge like a matador. The assassin’s hand cut the empty space where Kazuki’s body was positioned before.

The wind pressure flapped Kazuki’s clothes with a thud. A punch…no, a palm strike?

Was this person unable to use Summoning Magic?

Or else she was cautious her contracted Diva would be revealed so she didn’t use it?

However to attack bare handed rather than using a sword with higher power, was there any meaning to it?

However this assassin assaulted him with the intention of a surprise attack, then she revealed an agitation when it was dodged.

In other words, [everything is going to be over with that one attack], she had such an aim of certain death.

What kind of attack could make that happen? ―Kazuki harbored both vigilance and curiosity at the same time.

Even if he drove her away normally, he wouldn’t get any information. …Then, should he test it once, letting himself get hit with that attack?

Kazuki turned his head behind to glance at Mio. Mio had already took some distance from Kazuki, her clothes had already transformed into her Magic Dress. If his partner was Mio, it might be okay even if he did something a little unreasonable.

His decision only took a few seconds. When he thought of it calmly, as expected it might be an unreasonable decision. However Kazuki instinctively chose the risk.

Kazuki drew his sword with an inviting manner and slashed it.

A sweeping sideways slash. The assassin sank her body with a jerk and slip through it.

And then the assassin stepped ahead quickly and slipped toward Kazuki’s bosom. A super close-quarters combat range!

Kazuki ventured to receive the opponent into his own bosom, he didn’t even try to dodge, instead he poured all his concentration to observe the opponent’s attack.

To draw near until this close, even if she swung her fist it wouldn’t exhibit a decent power. What in the world was this person going to do coming in at this range?

―What was unleashed, was a palm strike. With a slap, the assassin’s palm hit Kazuki’s chest. There was no impact. The assassin’s palm was just coming into contact lightly with the surface of Kazuki’s defensive magic power.

At that instant, a curious magic power was emitted from the assassin’s palm.

That magic power which possessed a curious wavelength repulsed Kazuki’s defensive magic power. With the assassin’s palm as the center, a ripple was spreading out energetically, Kazuki’s defensive magic power was expanding thinly.

…The defensive’s magic power was nullified!?

But how could it be done with an attack at this range….

―Almost at the same time, the assassin’s one leg where she put her center of gravity stepped (DON!) the ground strongly.

The recoil impact that was created from that action was, just like absorbing the energy from the earth itself, absorbed into the assassin’s body.

The assassin’s whole body was operating in succession as if not to let the produced impact escape. The energy earned from stepping the ground was passing through the knee into the hips, the hips were rotating in a circle making the energy tinged with a spiraling property while passing through the spine into the shoulder, the shoulder was twisted in a circle making the spiraling force accelerate even further while moving to the arm―

As if the whole body was depicting a spiral and turned into a screw.

Seeing that characteristic movement, Kazuki was being reminded of one thing―浸透勁Shintoukei.

With the absence of diplomatic relations with foreign countries, the user of this foreign technique also had become very rare, this technique was also called 発勁Hakkei. This kenpo technique circulates the <Ki of Yin and Yang> through the body and amplified it through the use of unique breathing, that Ki-filled blow was transmitted through the spiraling movement when attacking, making the target self-destruct from the inside.

That technique converted the ground stepping power into destructive power.

When compared with a normal impact, the spiraling movement brought about ten times the piercing power mechanically.

Therefore, for the person who had already mastered this principle, range was not needed. The spiral penetrated the muscle and destroyed the internal organs, consequently it was one hit certain death. Just from touching, the opponent was murdered from the inside, a hakkei of certain death, that was called Shintoukei.

This person’s technique is…Chinese Kenpo! So that means this person is, China’s….

The moment he reached this conclusion, the defensive magic was nullified and that special move was driven (DON!) into Kazuki’s chest. What was hit was not the chest, but the sternum. No, passing through even the sternum, toward the heart….

What depicted the spiral was not only the body’s movement, but the magic power’s aura too. It was as if a large truck was plunging into the inside of his body completely, like his heart was splattered.

This might be bad…Kazuki thought momentarily. This was not a dimension where he could say that this was just a little test.

His thoughts were blacking out.

That one blow halted Kazuki’s heart.

―However Kazuki immediately woke up. When he woke up, Kazuki was lying down on the road with his head sleeping on Mio’s lap. The assassin was not there anymore.

The moon in the sky hadn’t changed for even a little, the time hadn’t progressed much.

“Kazuki!? You awake!?”

“…You used Life Circulation FireAnti-Aging didn't you, thank you.”

Kazuki released a breath in relief towards Mio’s actions that were according to his expectations.

Mio, who was contracted with Phoenix, was a user of <Healing Magic> that was rare even among Summoning Magic.

The human race at this time, as long as they didn’t use up their magic power, the case where they bore a wound in their flesh was mostly none. Because of that, the chances where healing magic could serve its purpose rarely appeared, it became an unusual rare magic to that extent.

From how the assassin came challenging him in close-quarters combat with only the minimum magic power, Kazuki had seen through that the assassin owned some sort of method to pierce through defensive magic and destroy the body.

Because there was the same kind of technique in the Hayashizaki-style, that was not something to be surprised about.

Even if by some chance he had to bear direct damage to the flesh, he thought he would be healed anyway if there was Mio, so Kazuki purposely got hit by the enemy’s technique to obtain information about the enemy.

Though he had never even begun to imagine that he would be forced into [cardiac arrest].

…Kazuki was shivering in his back because of his own dangerous decision at this late hour.

Nevertheless since the opponent was bare-handed, the possibility that he would be wounded to the degree that it couldn’t be treated by [Anti-aging] was zero. Although he fell into cardiac arrest, it was just his heart that stopped functioning temporarily because of a strong impact. The degree of his injury could be said to be light.

Of course if his heart was halted for a while and the treatment was late, then the blood wouldn’t circulate to the brain and the brain cells would suffer necrosis, even with healing magic, if treatment became late then….

Although there was the possibility of side effects remaining because of brain damage….

As if to clear away his dread, Kazuki asked “What happened to that person?”

“[There is no worth in killing you] she escaped after leaving those words to me. That person appeared to be confident that Kazuki couldn’t be saved anymore, so after waiting until that person left I used [Anti-aging].”

Mio talked with a low tone of voice. That voice was as if she was concealing her own emotions.

…As I thought, the enemy seems to not expect that Mio was able to use healing magic.

The medical treatment for cardiac arrest was a fight against time, but with the benefit of defensive magic power, Japan’s emergency medical assistance system was conversely regressing. Even if they called an ambulance in this time of holiday, they wouldn’t make it in time.

Therefore the assassin judged that Kazuki was beyond saving and took flight to avoid a needless fight. Mio who waited for a moment before healing made the best decision. With that the enemy [wouldn’t know about Kazuki’s survival]. Kazuki recovered feeling in his body and stood up.

“Don’t tell me it’s just like what Beatrix said, an assassin really came here…. That assassin’s technique was Chinese kenpo. So that means, this attack was instigated by China?”

“Kazuki? Don’t tell me…you got hit by that on purpose? Even though it’s Kazuki you should've been able to dodge it, I was wondering how that could happen instead.”

“But that’s because I thought that Mio would save me.”

What happened just now was horrifying but, the gain was considerable because they could find out the enemy’s technique and origin.

“IDIOT!”

Mio slapped Kazuki’s cheek weakly with a snap. Kazuki was staring in puzzlement.

“Why did you do something so dangerous? That was your heart that got stopped, what if something happens!”

“No, I never even thought that my heart would get stopped but…to be able to know the enemy’s technique with just that is good, isn’t it? If I get hit by that technique when Mio isn't there, it'd be more serious compared to now.”

“That's no good! I was worried! I was really, really worried!”

Mio’s eyes were wet with tears.

“…Are you maybe thinking, that just like in the past, [It’s fine whatever happens to someone like me]? Just like when our friends at the orphanage were made fun of, you just challenged the opponent even though they were an older delinquent…”

“Certainly, that kind of thing had happened before but. …That was a story of a long time ago right?”

“No, even now I still remembered. If the kindness of Kazuki who gave maximum priority to other people was probably rooted from your own uncaring of what would happen to you, I have that kind of feeling…”

That might be so. Even though he always repeated to Koyuki not to disparage herself, but a similar emotion might be ingrained deeply inside him as well.

“But I’m an orphan after all…, no one needs me anyhow…stop that kind of thinking already! Because I like Kazu-nii very much! Because it made me sad if you are just ignoring my feelings like that! Because it’s not just me, surely everyone else also thinks so too!”

Mio’s words pierced through Kazuki’s chest, as if his own heart was gouged out.

…The feeling was not only a one-way street, so not only the life of his important person but he also had to treasure his own life.

“It was my bad. That was too rash of me. …Thank you, Mio.”

Kazuki hugged Mio who was crying her heart out tightly. He felt that irreplaceable warmth from her.

{It was just like what Amasaki Mio said. You are the King, so Leme’ll be troubled if you treat your own life so lightly.}

Leme too conveyed her scolding through the Astrum into Kazuki’s mind.

“Gusu-. Kazu-nii, kiss me to remove this bad taste.”

“What are you saying, removing a bad taste?”

Part 4

At around that same time, an emergency staff meeting was conducted at the conference room of the Knight Academy.

The main objective of this meeting was to decide the various regulations of the [Chief Student Council President Election], but during this weekend there had been three incidents already where students were attacked by a suspicious person inside the school grounds. The talk about how to deal with these incidents took almost all of meeting's time.

The assaulted students were safe, but the suspicious person wore a veil and his figure was not caught by the security cameras. The penetration route also couldn’t be deduced. All of it happened in the blind spot of the security cameras.

For the time being they considered to add more security cameras, called for caution toward the students, and then a human support in outline―that means increasing the patrolling, nothing else could be done other than drawing such simple measures.

From thereon they finally began the centerpiece topic of discussion.

“I think an election decided by all the students of the Magic Division and the Sword Division is fine.”

The new Headmaster Amasaki proclaimed with a strong tone that didn’t allow any objection.

Headmaster Amasaki was thinking that the man his step-daughter fell in love with at first sight was suitable as the Chief Student Council President. For that, he was scheming to decide election rules that were advantageous for him.

Now that former headmaster Otonashi had lost his standing, there was no one left that would go against him. That was supposed to be the case at least.

However “I have an objection”, that man raised an objection.

―There was a [new Board Chairman] that was dispatched by the government.

His name was Takasugi Takayoshi, a thin man wearing glasses that seemed to be high strung.

“Until now there was no common ground between the Magic Division and the Sword Division, don’t you agree? The Magic Division doesn’t know about the Sword Division’s students. The Sword Division doesn’t know about the Magic Division’s students. Even if an election is to be held with that situation, I wonder if it wouldn’t be unproductive.”

He was an extremely common middle-aged man when seen at a glance, but a strong core could be felt from his tone.

“I don’t think it can be said as unproductive. For example, there is the student called Hayashizaki Kazuki that has popularity in both the Magic Division and the Sword Division. That kind of student also exists. If a student like him is chosen to be the Chief Student Council President, I think it would be suitable for the new Knight Academy.”

Liz Liza Westwood-sensei, who couldn’t be seen as anything but a child at first glance objected without a moment’s delay.

For the sake of appointing Hayashizaki Kazuki as the Chief Student Council President, Liz Liza was colluding with Headmaster Amasaki.

“He has popularity in both the Magic Division and the Sword Division due to his special background of enrolling at the Magic Division despite being a swordsman, right? I wonder if the rule is not too blatantly advantageous for a student like him. As a matter of fact, it’s something like the teachers are appointing the student council one sidedly.”

That was a really surprising sound argument that even made Liz Liza silent.

In the first place, the board chairman was a position for the sake of monitoring the headmaster. But Headmaster Amasaki was thinking something like, ‘there is no way that they would appoint someone that would go against the current me right from the front, that was not supposed to happen’, and the like and made light of his opposition.

A guy like this that ignored the faction with strong connections and cast a sound argument was beyond his expectation….

Who is this guy? What kind of backing does he have that he could be appointed to come into this academy…

In the previous discussion about the serial assaults, he didn’t make any proposals at all…

Board Chairman Takasugi made an intellectual gesture by pushing up the silver frame of his glasses.

“Certainly, Hayashizaki Kazuki might be a suitable person as the Chief Student Council President. From the story I had heard, he is one of the most prominent candidates. However there might be other students that are more qualified. I think a method like a unification election wouldn’t be able to find that undiscovered possibility.”

“Then what should we do? Say it clearly, clearly.”

Toward the skinny man who made the sound argument, Headmaster Amasaki grilled him with a question that revealed his irritation.

“The abilities that are demanded from someone who will stand on top of the knights, it goes without saying that the first is fighting strength, and next is his ability as the one to command his comrades depending on the battle's progression. For the sake of testing those abilities…how about performing a tournament battle with teams formed from a mix of the Sword Division and the Magic Division…by means of [Team Election], the students will decide the Chief Student Council President, is this idea fine?”

Board Chairman Takasugi stood up and wrote out <Battle Election> in large words at the whiteboard.

All the teachers made a commotion.

Chapter 2 – The Prologue of the Election Tournament

Part 1

In the SHR at the beginning of the week, the students were informed of the implementation of not an [election] but a [Team Election Battle].

“Team?”

The students made a stir upon hearing that unusual word, Liz Liza-sensei slammed the teacher’s desk to quiet the students down.

“In order to display the strength and leadership of a knight, the candidates will lead their supporters, as their comrade, and fight in this team battle. You all should think about what is required to organize a good team.”

It was a team battle tournament that would be performed with two swordsmen and two Magica Stigma in each team, four people per team.

That was the Team Election Battle.

“Do all the ordinary students just get to watch?”

“No, when the tournament is all over, a vote will be performed next. Even if, for example, someone wins the overall victory in the tournament, but the students judged that the way he fought is not suitable, then his chances to become the Chief Student Council President are next to zero. A manifesto for the like of a knight is not just lip service but is to be shown through battle…it could be said that this is not just a mere [kouyakumanifesto] but a touyakubattle pledge.”

In other words, this tournament battle served the function of an election campaign like in a conventional election. The students would watch how the candidates fought and decide the result in a vote.

“What will happen with the current student council president of the Magic Division and the Sword Division?”

One of the students inquired anxiously. She might be a fan of Kaguya-senpai or Hoshikaze-senpai.

“This is not a vote of no confidence, so as the general rules the present set-up of the student councils will be maintained.”

Hearing that answer, the students, Kazuki included, released a sigh of relief.

“However, holding two positions at the same time will not be recognized. For example, in the case that Otonashi Kaguya is elected as the Chief Student Council President, then Kaguya will be retired from the seat of the Magic Division student council president. Thereupon, because the seat of the Magic Division student council president will be vacant, an additional election will be performed in response.”

At the blackboard, Liz Liza-sensei put the <Chief Student Council President> at the top, below it <Magic Division Student Council President> and <Sword Division Student Council President> were written side-by-side, forming the picture of an organizational chart.

“The candidates will be gathered either by recommendation or by announcing their candidacy. The applications for this will be accepted in the staff room, so if you are interested then notify the staff room today. For recommendations, in the case that consent from the person concerned is not acquired, then it will be considered invalid. If an application of recommendation comes in, then the person concerned will be contacted, so give your declaration of intent promptly.”

The classroom became noisy with people talking, this event that was happening so suddenly was something of great interest to many students.

However for Kazuki, this event was not somebody else’s problem.

Because long before this day, the headmaster had told him that he would recommend him secretly as the Chief Student Council President.

There was no option to veto. In order to continue to stay at the Witch’s Manor, Kazuki had to win the seat of the Chief Student Council President. Headmaster Amasaki would not allow it otherwise.

However, even though influential people like Kaguya-senpai existed, were they going to gather them all as candidates in this election? How could this develop into such a large-scale tournament, he had a bad feeling about this.

For this event that had no precedent, it couldn't be denied that the teachers were starting this without considering objections from the students.

“The briefing intended for the candidates will be carried out in the auditorium after school, the drawing for the seeding of the candidates in the tournament will be also conducted at that time. Until then, the candidates should begin forming their teams. As everyone knows, people who served as officers in the student council would go through the elite course even at the Knight Order, but this time a bonus will be awarded on their student evaluation from just participating in the tournament. I hope everyone will participate in this proactively. Also, there is one more point...”

At that point the informative matter had been finished or so we thought, but Liz Liza-sensei still had some words to continue.

“As of last weekend, there were three incidents where students were assaulted by a suspicious person, all of it happened in succession. The students are safe, but the perpetrator was not caught by the monitoring cameras and still hasn't been captured. Accordingly, a quest intended for the student council and high-ranking students to perform patrols and strengthen security was created. Reparations must be exacted from the perpetrator as soon as possible for looking down at the Knight Academy, don’t you all agree? For that reason, students who don’t have confidence in their skills should refrain from leaving their dormitory at night.”

The Knight Academy was attacked by a suspicious person…what a bold move.

During the commotion the students created, Kazuki was reminded of the assault by an unknown person during his date.

And then during lunch break that day…

In order to have lunch together, Kazuki, Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki, had joined their desks into a cross shape. The moment they were going to begin, all of their cell phones vibrated simultaneously.

It was a text summons from Kaguya-senpai.

Even Lotte, who came to Japan penniless, was given a cell phone by the academy.

The four people left the school building and headed to the Witch’s Manor by cutting through the garden.

In the living room of the Witch’s Manor, the usual members were already gathered together:

The upperclassmen duo of Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai.

The familiar Sword Division student council trio of Kanae, Kamiizumi-senpai and Torazou-senpai.

Furthermore even Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai were there.

The influential people whom Kazuki was acquainted with were here in full-force.

Everyone was relaxing on the antique sofa and chairs or was standing around the table freely.

Kazuki and the others also took a seat at a suitable sofa. Mio sat on Kazuki’s right, Koyuki sat on his left and Lotte, being a bit lost, sat on Kazuki’s lap.

Kazuki was thinking, ‘Oi’, but hugged Lotte from behind tightly.

“I wonder if everyone is here with this… I called everyone here, of course, because of the matter of Team Election Battle". Kaguya-senpai looked around at everyone from the center of the living room as she started the conversation.

“In this room, the preeminent champions of this academy are gathered en masse. I want us to discuss and decide how these members will be divided into teams. First of all, how many among us are going to become candidates? Of course I got a recommendation for this election.”

“I was recommended too though.”

Hoshikaze-senpai raised her hand at the very beginning. There was no way this popular person wouldn't get recommended.

“That, you don’t have any intention to step down, right?”

“Yes. I lost when we fought for the seat of the Magic Division’s student council presidency, but this time I’ll win for sure against Kaguya, you’ll see!”

“Fufufu, what fine courage… I’ll make Hikaru cry out beautiful sounds this time as well!”

Kaguya-senpai grinned broadly and laughed towards Hoshikaze-senpai who stood up; sparks were flying while they were staring each other down.

“I also received a recommendation, but I turned it down.”

The one who said that brusquely was Kanae, who was leaning against the wall and crossed her arms.

“Why?” Kaguya-senpai asked her.

“That’s obvious. The only suitable person to be the Chief Student Council President is Nii-sama after all. I mean, it’s not like I became the student council president because I wanted to be in the first place. It’s only because when I was aiming to be the strongest in the Sword Division, they made me the president as they pleased, that was all.

“The same with me~”

Hearing Kanae’s words, Kamiizumi-senpai who was sitting languidly on the sofa just followed along blindly without a care.

“These two are no good humans whose good point is their strength, all the practical work was pushed on to me just like that…”

Torazou-senpai who was sitting to the side of Kamiizumi-senpai powerlessly leaned back on the sofa with his exhaustion obvious to see.

“Then, Kana-chan is going to enter Otouto-kun’s team to fight together?”

“No…I’ll fight Nii-sama! Nii-sama, you haven’t forgotten right? During the school entrance ceremony, the oath we made that we are going to be rivals from now on too!”

“I remember but… are we going to fulfill that promise in this tournament!?”

“For Nii-sama to stand at the top of this academy, you have to get through the wall that is me!”

Kanae took a step away from the wall she had been leaning against and stared intensely at Kazuki with burning eyes.

“…With a powerful person like Kanae-san standing at the neutral position, it will become a dividing line between victory and defeat for tose who are able to recruit her. So in other words, the gist of this talk is something like that isn't it?”

When Hoshikaze-senpai murmured so, Kaguya-senpai was nodding strongly while saying “Correct! It’s just as you say!”

“I don’t want a bitter competition unfolding between powerful people, so like this I created a place where we all are gathered to talk it out. First I want all of us gathered here to declare their positions, whether they are a candidate or free! Is Otouto-kun a candidate too?”

“Yes, I was recommended.”

…Although he didn't say who recommended him.

“I am neither recommended nor announcing my candidacy desu.” “I am not either.” “…Same with me.”

In succession Lotte, Koyuki and Mio, that group of three announced their position in turn. Mio was pouting a little in dissatisfaction. It seemed she wanted to get a recommendation from somebody.

“This is a chance that is hard to encounter, so isn’t it fine if you announce your candidacy?”

Koyuki glanced at Mio and said.

When Mio made her self-introduction on the first day of school, there was her proclamation that she was aiming for student council president.

“If I do that I won’t be able to form a team with Kazuki…at any rate I don’t get the feeling that I could win against Kazuki or Kaguya-senpai.”

“That’s unexpectedly realistic of you.” Koyuki made an amazed face while saying that.

“But a student of the Magic Division that can enter Kazuki-oniisan’s team is just one person right desu?”

When Lotte said that, those three were immediately glaring at each other.

Suddenly, Kazuki became conscious of everyone’s positivity level. The positivity level graph floated in front of his eyes spontaneously.

[Amasaki Mio―146 Lotte―114 Hiakari Koyuki―108 Otonashi Kaguya―88

Hoshikaze Hikaru―50 Tsukahara Kazuha―29]

Lotte and Koyuki’s positivity level enabled him to use powerful [level 5 magic], while the high number of positivity that Mio had reached enabled him to use the [level 7 magic] that even Mio herself still couldn’t use.

“Hiakari, didn’t you fight alone with Kazuki constantly the other day in the academy’s underground? You should concede this time.”

“If you say that, wasn’t Amasaki-san in a party with just Kazuki for a long time?”

“Then taking the interval, this is my turn desu.”

Against Lotte who attempted to profit from the fight between Mio and Koyuki, Mio intimidated her with “Nyaa-“.

Thereupon Lotte was barking “Wan!” cheerfully and Koyuki was muttering “Puu”.

Hoshikaze-senpai who was watching over the three quarreling with each other like their guardian laughed “Ahaha”.

“Well, rather than recruiting from the wan-nyaa-puu trio who just entered the academy a month ago, the second year students are stronger, but as I thought, if I can, I want to group together with the girls from the Witch’s Manor."

“I was recommended too, but I stepped back. The burden is too heavy.” “The same with me~”

Torazou senpai was going impossible, impossible, while waving his hands, after that Kamiizumii-senpai was just following after him blindly.

“So all three of the Sword Division’s student council aren't becoming candidates. No, if it’s like that then what will happen to the Sword Division’s student council now? Kanae isn't the president anymore, right?”

Suddenly Kazuki noticed and asked. During the incident before where they fought against Nyarlatoteph, there was the event where Kohaku defeated Kanae and usurped the political power of the Sword Division.

“Even now Kohaku is still the president. I have zero intention to return to that post. At last that burden was removed from my shoulders. From now on I am not chased anymore by any routine tasks and I can give my undivided attention to Nii-sama Love!”

Next to Kanae whose expression was so bright, Kohaku’s expression was darkening drastically.

“…At that time this one had an objective and stole the president’s seat, but now that it has become like this that position is nothing more than a burden. There are lots of routine tasks, it’s like everyday there are always opinion letters and life consultations brought by the students, I don’t even remember the names of all the students…and this one couldn’t possibly reach Kana-nyan-senpai’s charisma. Using this chance this one plans to resign from the position. And then this one will make a proposal for democratic elections to be carried out in the Sword Division from now on!”

“Na!? Wait a second, are you planning to abandon your post!?”

“This one will have Kana-nyan-senpai returned as president by any means necessary! For that reason, regarding the Chief Student Council Presidency too, this one had received the recommendation from Mikohime-sama but I declined it.”

“My recommendation was useless in the end.”

At Kohaku’s side, Kazuha-senpai pouted.

“Conversely, I was recommended by Kohaku but turned it down. If someone like me announced my candidacy, I’d get laughed at…”

These two close friends, Kohaku and Kazuha, mutually recommended each other but it looked like both of them turned it down together.

“Then the candidates that are in this place are Hikaru, Otouto-kun and I, the three of us huh? The number is unexpectedly low.”

“But I feel that based on the number of people is just fine, we can divide the eleven people here into three teams.”

Everyone was nodding while Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai were counting the number on their fingers. There were eleven people in this room, so the calculation was that one team had to invite a swordsman from the outside.

“Then, I’m entering Hikaru-senpai’s team desu!”

From among the group of three who were still glaring each other down, Lotte took a step back and hugged Hoshikaze-senpai.

Hoshikaze-senpai happily laughed and hugged her back. …It felt like seeing a prince and a princess.

“I really want to group together with Koyuki-chan, because I have known her the longest.”

Kaguya-senpai gently took Koyuki’s hand. Koyuki was saying “Understood” and grasped Kaguya-senpai’s hand.

“I’m together with Kazuki-!”

Mio looked as if she was being obstinate by herself alone and grabbed Kazuki’s arm.

“By any chance, is Mio worried about me?”

“After all, if I’m not at your side, if Kazuki’s heart is stopped then…”

While clinging closely to Kazuki’s arm, Mio was looking down with a face that looked like it would burst into tears.

“It’s fine you know, I won’t let something like my heart stopping happen that easily...”

Kazuki smiled wryly while stroking Mio’s head with the intention of soothing her.

“Kazuki, add this one too as your comrade. And then, when we gain overall victory, let’s get married.”

“If you stop pressing for marriage forcefully, then it’s fine to let you join too.”

“Muu… Understood,” with a sour look, Kohaku was added to the team.

In a panic, Kazuha-senpai came and flared up.

“Just wait, wait, wait, Kohaku! So you're joining the team of that shameless man!?”

“Mikohime-sama...Sorry, this one wants to fight together with Kazuki.”

“I don’t have any acquaintances other than Kohaku in this place, you know!? I got called here without even knowing the reason yet I am made to taste this solitude…Gr, group formation nightmare…!”

It seemed a strange trauma was stimulated inside Kazuha-senpai, her face was getting pale. Since a while ago Kazuha-senpai had been continuously feeling uncomfortable in the Witch’s Manor.

“Then enter this team together with this one!”

“Eh? Kazuha-senpai is going to enter my team, is that so?”

When Kazuki’s eyes opened wide in surprise, Kazuha-senpai was shouting “Don’t misunderstand!”

“It’s because I want to fight together with Kohaku! After all Kohaku is…she is my friend!”

“Mikohime-sama…to go as far as joining with this one on the same team with Kazuki, whom you dislike…”

Kohaku felt touched in her heart and stared at Kazuha-senpai.

“Then don’t call me Mikohime-sama! Call my name properly―!”

“Ka, Kazuha-senpai…”

Kohaku who was not allowed to call Kazuha-senpai as mikohime was finally defeated decisively.

“I did it…! Though if you can, I want you to call me Kazuha without an honorific…!”

Kazuha-senpai did a little guts pose.

{GUWAHHAHHA, with this you two are not master and retainer, but have become genuine friends right, Kazuha!}

The avatar of Futsunushi no Kami came out at Kazuha-senpai’s side and guffawed loudly.

Just like how Kohaku had decided Kazuki was her future husband as she pleased, it seemed she also decided Kazuha-senpai was her master.

For some reason, Kohaku really made extreme assumptions, or perhaps he should say that she was a really straightforward person when she had decided something.

“Shut up you stupid Futsu no Kami! Don’t just come out as you please!!”

Kazuha-senpai turned bright red as she waved her hands (funfun!) around at Futsunushi no Kami’s avatar.

The charming and also reliable swordsmen duo were added to Kazuki’s team.

Seeing that situation from where she was leaning on the wall, Kanae walked and approached Kaguya-senpai’s direction.

“Oi, Kaguya. Enter me into your team.”

“Kana-chan is entering my team? So you are finally going to be my friend!?”

“Don’t misunderstand! I’m reluctant to be grouped together with you but…I have to do this to be the greatest wall for Nii-sama. For that I must create the strongest team!”

Kanae and Kaguya-senpai grasped each other’s hands tightly. Without a doubt, the strongest team of this academy was formed right here.

“Oi, Iori. You join us here too.”

“Eh, I don’t want to though~. Hoshikaze-san is way cooler! Though actually with Hayashizaki-kun is also fine~”

“That’s okay, come to me.” When Hoshikaze-senpai spread her hands with a princely smile, “Kyaa—“ Kamiizumi-senpai sprang up from her chair and flew to Hoshikaze-senpai spiritedly.

“Fuh, it couldn’t be helped…Torazou. You’re just a leftover good-for-nothing but it’s sufficient.”

“…Rather than Kanae-kaichou, I too want to be in prince Hoshikaze’s camp that looks gentler, they seem better.”

“What are you saying? Hoshikaze-hikaru has a man-phobia you know? Have some consideration, you idiot.”

Kanae dragged Torazou-senpai’s arm without allowing him to give his consent or refusal. Torazou-senpai was going “Ah, that’s right” and consenting.

“Besides you like mature women and there are no women here that meet your preference right? Don’t get so picky.”

“No, it’s not that I think of Hoshikaze-san in that way, it’s just that the president duo on this side is very scary, you see…”

“Torazou-kun? I'm not scary at all you know?”

Kaguya-senpai crept up unnoticed behind Torazou-senpai, then she suddenly seized his head with both hands.

“HIII!? Guernica-san is coming!”

“Wh, who are you calling Guernica-san!”

Kaguya-senpai was grinding Torazou-senpai’s head (guriguri) with a jolt.

“With this the division of the eleven people is done. Though only my team is lacking a person.”

[Hoshikaze-senpai said so after giving all present an once-over look.

Hayashizaki Kazuki – Amasaki Mio – Hikita Kohaku – Tsukahara Kazuha.

Otonashi Kaguya – Hiakari Koyuki – Hayashizaki Kanae – Yamada Torazou.

Hoshikaze Hikaru – Lotte – Kamiizumi Iori.]

“The presidents duo team is a little bit scary but, our team also isn't bad, right?”

Mio at his side was whispering at his ear. But Kazuki was harboring a faint anxiety, he knitted his eyebrows.

“Certainly we have strong members but…I have a feeling we will be affected by the rules.”

“Rules?” said Mio while she tilted her head.

And then, after school:

The candidates along with their team members were gathered in the auditorium.

The auditorium stood tall in the inner part of the fountain square at the center of the academy, it was a remarkably splendid building. With its classic brickwork, it was fine to say that this building along with the fountain square were the symbols of this academy.

The school entrance ceremony was carried out at the square in front of the fountain for the sake of the dragon handling performance, but large ceremonies like the student general meeting or the graduation ceremony were carried out in the auditorium.

Kazuki and the others, a total of eleven people were finally arriving in groups at the auditorium.

When the heavy door was opened, the auditorium was faintly bright from the indirect lighting that was installed on the high ceiling that drew a gentle curve, innumerable number of chairs were lined up facing the stage like a solemn theatre.

“There is still no one here but I wonder if there are other proper candidates? Most of the top ranks in the second year had been done in by Kaguya in duels, so they won’t even feel like coming yet right? Ahaha.”

While sitting on the suitable seat, Hoshikaze-senpai was laughing.

“What 'done in', come on-, don’t say it like I'm a yankee.”

Kaguya-senpai let out a huff.

Kaguya-senpai had received a hypnotic suggestion that [she should be the strongest] from her father, former headmaster Otonashi.

Because of the influence of that suggestion, it seemed that until now Kaguya-senpai had kicked around the other powerful students in duels.

“Moreover there are a lot of people who didn’t want to fight Kaguya a second time.”

“Ah, I can understand that.”

Kazuki immediately held the same opinion. The spell lineup that would make people faint in agony such as [Fruitless Flower of HatredFeel Pain], [Pitch Black of Self-MutilationSuicide Black], and [Double PainUltra Violence], the senses isolation from [Extreme Circle of Neighboring DeathNear Death Roulette], then while the opponent was suffering from all that they would be assaulted by [Darkness of the Bottom of the ShadowDeep Specter], all of that was a nigh insurmountable horror. She wouldn’t use it in duels against her fellow students, but she also had [Hell Imaginary FireGuernica] as her trump card.

“Hoshikaze-senpai, who keeps challenging Kaguya-senpai however many times, without a doubt, you're an M aren’t you?”

Koyuki was whispering such, hearing that Kazuki made a face of realization.

“Now that you mention it…it’s like that isn’t it?”

“Wait! That's a misunderstanding you know, Hayashizaki-kun! Because, isn’t it frustrating to keep losing!!”

“That’s right, the prince is only being brave!”

From Hoshikaze-senpai’s side, a girl was suddenly putting out her face.

She was the member that Hoshikaze-senpai recruited, the Sword Division’s second year. Her name was Kimura Tomomi-san.

She had a small stature with braided hair, her atmosphere was like a naïve small-breed dog. With just one glance it was impossible to see her as a strong swordsman, but…seeing her leg muscles, he was able to guess that she was fairly skilled.

“Wait a second Kazuki, where are you staring so intensely at!?”

Toward Kazuki who was secretly observing the lower half of a female he was meeting for the first time, Mio pressed a question with her sharp eyes.

“It’s just the leg muscles. The Hayashizaki-style is a school that puts importance on observing.”

“It’s that kind of fetish!? Pervert! …Even my legs are beautiful too, see. Look here-.”

Mio turned her skirt lightly and revealed her beautiful slender legs. Though in truth, he didn’t have that kind of fetish at all.

“Kazuki, make one wrong step with your speech and you’ll become a mere pervert swordsman. Amasaki-san too, please don’t expose your legs so easily.”

Koyuki interjected with an amazed expression.

On the other side, Kimura-senpai continued in Hoshikaze-senpai’s defense heatedly.

“In order to defeat the evil student council president and clear away the darkness in this academy, the prince continued to fight against the unparalleled atrocious magic without faltering! Our fan club is always seeing that courageous back without fail!”

What amazing passion. For some reason it seemed Hoshikaze-senpai had many fans in the Sword Division.

“I wonder if I’m being treated as the great, evil Demon King among all of Hoshikaze Hikaru’s fans?”

The corners of Kaguya-senpai’s lips were twitching hearing those words that were too much.

Hoshikaze-senpai’s team were being held properly in Hoshikaze-senpai’s arms, no need to mention Kimura-senpai, even Lotte and Kamiizumi-senpai, the atmosphere around them felt even more like a harem than Kazuki’s.

“Certainly, I who kicked around everyone indiscriminately became the student council president, but it’s not like I have fought against all the powerful people in this academy you know? For example, like the Ryuutaki sisters…”

Kaguya-senpai, who had pulled herself together started to talk.

“Well, those girls don’t have any reason to announce their candidacy for something like becoming the Chief Student Council President though, isn’t that right?”

“―Ara? I wonder if all of you are talking about us by chance?”

At that time the door of the auditorium was opening (giiii), coinciding with the appearance of a voice that had an impressive presence even in the silence.

Accompanied by the light from the outside at their back, someone was entering.

Just like speaking of the devil, Kaguya-senpai’s eyes opened wide in a great shock.

“Ryuutaki Miyabi-san and Ryuutaki Shinobu-san…”

It seemed they were most likely twins; their faces were like two peas in a pod.

With their soft wavy long hair and their high and slender stature, they had an aura of refined high-class ladies. Symmetrical with their gorgeous impressions, there was an alert sharpness inside those long slit eyes.

And then in spite of the spitting image of their build, hairstyle, and looks, there was also contrast between them.

One side had black hair, while the other side had bright silver hair ―an elf.

“These two always challenged quests by forming a party with just the two of them you see. They left great track records, so it appears that they are considerably strong, however they never had a duel with anyone. They never tried to connect with anybody else, always being just the two of them. They are quite strange.”

Hoshikaze-senpai secretly whispered into Kazuki’s ear. Did they hear the whisper, the two of them were looking this way.

“The elf that is me is Miyabi, this is my twin little sister Shinobu. We are second year students of the Magic Division.”

Miyabi-senpai was immediately looking only at Kazuki. Kazuki was faltering unintentionally.

Miyabi-senpai walked gracefully closer to Kazuki’s position, the expressionless face that contained a sensuality somewhere was brought near Kazuki’s face and then she whispered into Kazuki’s ear.

It was a husky voice, as if it was touching his ears.

“Aren’t you the one who killed the [Tentacle God] that brought forth the elves into this world?”

Kazuki was stunned involuntarily. Not to mention the existence of Nyarlatoteph, even the case about the human experiments that former Headmaster Otonashi performed was not announced to society. How could she know about that guy….

“For the sake of self-protection, I’m always putting information in order. After all, I had been targeted by a strange tentacle guy for a long time. It seems that guy wanted to use an elf like me, who had been raised up safely, as experimental material even more…. That’s why I have to give you my gratitude right?”

Right there Miyabi-senpai smiled widely.

“If it's alright with you, how about you stop being Kaguya’s lover and come to my place?”

Miyabi-senpai reached her hand and stroked Kazuki’s cheek with a manner of touching as if she was admiring a work of art.

“Onee-sama! …Keep the jokes in moderation…!”

From the direction of the younger twin with black hair―a flustered Shinobu-senpai was drawing closer to Miyabi-senpai while shaking her wavy hair and remonstrated that hand.

Both of them had the same face, but in contrast with Miyabi-senpai who had a calm, relaxed expression, Shinobu-senpai had a grim look that seemed like she was always putting strength into her eyebrows.

“What do you mean a joke? I’m serious you know, he is the benefactor that put down a sworn enemy of mine. There's no way I can't feel overwhelmed with emotion in my heart from that.”

Floating a subtle smile, Miyabi-senpai was persistently directing a heated gaze toward Kazuki.

“Miyabi-san! …Miyabi-san and Shinobu-san don’t seem to have any interest towards something like the seat of Chief Student Council president, yet why are you here?”

Kaguya-senpai forced her way through to the middle as if to obstruct the way and inquired of Miyabi-senpai.

“True, I’m not interested at all. I think it's fine even if this kind of academy ceased to function. It’s impossible to not feel a cold hate in this heart. Even the case about us not fighting anyone to this day is in order for us to not get endorsed to be something like student council president imprudently.”

“If that’s the case, then why?”

Kaguya-senpai hugged Kazuki’s shoulder and pulled him closer to her own direction while asking.

“You don’t have any composure, eh.” While teasing Kaguya-senpai’s behavior like that,

“We were just scouted you know? The one who is announcing their candidacy is the older gentleman of these two brothers.”

The one who turned up in this place were not only the Ryuutaki sisters―it was only natural, because the team wouldn’t come into existence with just the two of them. A little late to the party, two male students entered the inside of the auditorium.

“Ta, Takasugi brothers!?” Kohaku shouted with an unpleasant expression.

The ones who appeared were male students of the Sword Division with solid build. With angular faces and crew cut hair, they made a really obstinate face. Were they twins too, both of them were also the splitting image of each other.

“Student Council President Hikita Kohaku…With yours and former president Hayashizaki Kanae’s way of doing things, nothing had changed in the Sword Division! We are taking action in order to change the Sword Division with our own hands!”

“We will reform this academy that give maximum priority to the Magic Division in the truest meaning! By us brothers!!”

They both shouted loudly out of nowhere.

“Takasugi Shūsui-senpai and Takasugi Harunari-senpai. Which is which brother, even this one couldn’t spot the difference. …They are terribly radical [anti-Magic Division] advocates. It’s fine to say that they are already political activists even as students.”

Kohaku talked with a fed up face.

“Even Kohaku was a fairly radical anti-Magic Division student right? You even moved your plan to the next stage.”

“What I advocated was only something worthless if you compared it with these two! It’s like every day that they'd come to the student council room bringing their outrageous letters of opinion…more than half of this one’s anxiety is their fault…!”

Kohaku directed resentful eyes toward those two brothers. If she said that much, then they might be that extreme.

As if they were responding to Kohaku’s stare, both of them made a tight fist and shouted their opinions even though no one asked them.

“The Magica Stigma’s tyranny can't be allowed any more than this! For the sake of the country’s existence, it is necessary to bring Magica Stigma thoroughly under control! Not as humans, but as weapons!”

“Our advocacy is thus, for Magica Stigma to be deprived of their basic human rights!”

Deprivation of human rights―Kazuki reflexively doubted his own ears. These guys, what were they saying?

“Listen well! The most important thing for a modern nation is the complete separation between the <people> and the <military>! So that nothing but the country could carry out war, nothing but the country could wield the military power! Therefore soldiers have to be segregated from the general public, it is unacceptable for weapons to not be controlled and placed where the hand of ordinary persons couldn’t reach them!”

“Soldiers and weapons are only permitted to wield their power for the sake of the country! This rule makes the difference between crime and war! This is the greatest principle that makes the distinction between a primitive community and a modern nation! Don't you understand!?”

I don’t understand. Kazuki was dumbfounded. Kohaku was saying “They are starting again…” and breathed a sigh.

“During the old era, military power was namely science! The members of the nation worked hard to invent resources, due to their hard work the scientific military power was reinforced, and like that the weapons they created could be handled by anyone! The fence between the soldiers with weapon mastery and the general public was erased! Consequently the government and the citizens could easily control military power! However right now is different!”

“Summoning Magic cannot be handled by anyone other than the Magica Stigma! That risk should be considered more carefully by the government! When all the Magica Stigma rebel and bring forth a coup d’état, the government won’t have any means to resist! Even when they are bombed by nuclear weapons, these are the people who are able to laugh in the center of the blast like it was nothing!”

“Therefore, we will see to it that the treatment of Magica Stigma as [emotionless weapons] is carried out as thoroughly as possible without exception! The Magica Stigma have to be imprisoned in quarantine facilities and dyed completely with ideology education, all their blood relatives restrained as hostages! Like this, the new form of the military force in this present era can be regulated!”

“Turn your eyes beyond the sea! Foreign countries throw away their status as a modern country, reduced to a religious country! By giving the Magica Stigma favorable treatment, our country too is in the process of committing the same folly! The correction of direction that is finally being done now is still lukewarm! Too lukewarm I say! We are going to become the Chief Student Council of this academy and change this society little by little! The symbol of the Knight Academy has the power to achieve that much!”

“You bastards! Do you have any reason to fight!? Any motive that could stand in equal with our sublime ideology!!?”

Right there the two became silent. It seemed their long speech was over.

These guys…were they really serious in saying all that?

They didn’t have any human trust at all toward the Magica Stigma, consequently they weren’t going to treat Magica Stigma as human, if it was not like that then the nation wouldn’t hold true―in short it was an irrational argument like that.

{Oi…Hayashizaki Kazuki. Absolutely don’t lose to these guys okay…}

Leme talked inside his head. Her tone of voice was oozing an obvious disdain.

“Wait a second, the tournament is nothing more than appeal time, after the fight there will be a vote right? If these people spread such claims around, there will be no way anyone from the Magic Division is going to vote for them, so even if they get the overall victory in the tournament there is no way they would be elected, isn’t that the case? …It’s futile already from the very beginning, isn’t it?”

Hoshikaze-senpai whispered absent-mindedly. ….It’s futile already from the very beginning she said, that was a really accurate expression.

“We can’t really know, you know. The vote from the Magic Division is going to be distributed among all of us here, but if the votes from the Sword Division are concentrated in a heap to them, then they might get elected. The Sword Division follows the doctrine of real strength after all, if these guys get the overall victory then that kind of concerning idea is…”

“Even if you say that they follow that doctrine of real strength however much, I don’t think even the Sword Division will have thoughts that extreme though…”

Towards Kaguya-senpai’s apprehension, Kohaku shook her head with a stiff expression.

“Fufufufufu. Interesting don’t you agree? What young revolutionaries these children are.”

Miyabi-senpai suddenly leaked out a laughing voice. Kaguya-senpai glared at her sternly.

“Even though you too are Magica Stigma, you're supporting their views?”

“The miserable [victims] of the Japanese government's [Magica Stigma absolutism] are us. Rather it’s fine even if something like this country is toppled over completely right from its roots. We as elves have the right to wish for that. Isn’t that right, Hiakari-san.”

Miyabi-senpai slid her sights toward Koyuki who was an elf like her.

As if to oppose her, Koyuki gripped Kazuki’s sleeve tightly.

“Lamenting my own circumstances, peeving, begrudging someone else, I have already stopped doing all of those things. Because, there is a certain someone who found me. Someone who thought of me as precious.”

Miyabi-senpai opened her eyes wide slightly, and then she once again looked at Kazuki.

“Hayashizaki Kazuki. As I thought, you are an interesting child. To do something like embracing an elf to this point, it makes me also want to try to be tamed just like this.”

“Nee-sama, please cut it out! …Besides…such things like an elf…”

“What are you sulking about? Well then, how about we take a seat, Shinobu.”

Toward Shinobu-senpai whose expression became increasingly grim, Miyabi-senpai pulled her arm along with gentle expression and took seats at a place separate from Kazuki and company. The Takasugi brothers were following along after them.

When they passed by in front of Kazuki and the others on their way, they opened their eyes wide and glared at Kazuki.

“We appreciate your opinion, but we are not able to approve that kind of view after all.”

Kazuki informed such toward the eyes of the two who were glaring at him.

“Is that so? If we are running counter with each other then it is until the fight! Don’t you know, in the present where alchemy has reduced the burden on earth’s resources, the wars that the human race caused are all carried out purely for ideological rivalries?”

“We will surely teach you how powerless that sword of yours, which lack ideology, is!”

“That’s a cool exchange, but as swordsmen these guys are small fries, Nii-sama.”

Kanae whispered with a sigh. The Takasugi brothers’ face became bright red and their appearance filled with fury but, without saying anything back they sat behind the Ryuutaki sisters.

“Nii-sama, what the Takasugi brothers advocated is unpleasant, but what is troublesome might be those Ryuutaki sisters.”

That was, from the appearances those sisters were clad in, even Kazuki could somehow understand.

“With this there are four teams. It’s not like we can't have a tournament with this number but, this is still very lonely isn’t it? I wonder if even more will come?”

Hoshikaze-senpai turned back towards the entrance of the auditorium while shading her eyes with her hand on her forehead and playing the fool.

“Hya—hahha! If you wish for that then we are coming ze!”

“Uwa, don’t get so carried away!?” Hoshikaze-senpai’s eyes opened wide.

The character who opened the door wide while laughing wildly was not just one person. A large number of people were following along steadily behind her. They were a mix of Magic Division and Sword Division students, a group numbering several tens of students.

“Kaguya-chan yoo―, we won’t let you off from ignoring us and introducing yourself as this academy’s strongest zee! I’m going to teach you your place with this tournament for suree-!”

That was what the female Magic Division student that stood at the head of the group said.

“Right rightt―, anekii―”

At her side, a female student of the Magic Division said so with a child-like attitude.

“Mibu Akira-san and…Asamiya Anna-san…?”

“Hyuu―! Kaguya-chan, to remember the names of the likes of us, I’m happy ze!”

“Kaichou-sama is overly serious after all, she surely remembered something like the names of all the students―, anekii―”

The person that was called aneki was tall, while the other person that acted like a child was contrastively short, they were two people that when he looked at them, the word uneven was coming to mind.

“You know, something like memorizing all of your names….I remember how many times I had given all of you a warning. You people are problem children after all.”

Kaguya-senpai, who was entangled with such people that acted so crudely, talked with a bitter face.

“Problem children?” Kazuki asked from the side.

It had been one and a half months since he entered the academy, the strictness of this national academy could be understood quickly from his experiences. This academy was raising the knights who would become the cornerstone of the country’s defense after all, so something like allowing the students to backtalk couldn’t be allowed.

Do something like problem children exist in this academy?

“It’s not like they are delinquents who play hooky in class, or picking fights or committing crimes inside the school, but…these girls are not participating at all in duels or quests. They are students who are non-cooperative with the school’s activities. The tall person is Mibu Akira-san, the short person is Asamiya Anna-san.”

“It’s just that we just want to pass our time in normal high school activities zee. We have no obligation to do any quests, isn’t that rightt―. It’s so tiresome― you know―. Don’t you dare look at us like we're rotten apples just because we're not participating in something like that―”

“Right rightt―, anekii―. That way of talking, these honor students are so irritating huhh―”

Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai’s eyes contained a wildness somewhere, they constantly talked twistedly and floated a sarcastic expression. Even though they had pretty faces if they just smiled normally.

There was no obligation for duels or quests―that was because there was still strong opposition from society for students of the Knight Academy to be forced into real battle.

If a student graduated from the Knight Academy when they still had a low-rank, it would have a major effect toward their career promotion as a knight. Even so if the student himself didn’t mind and rejected quests and duels, even the academy itself couldn’t do anything strict.

It was a little too exaggerated to call them delinquents, but they really seemed like it.

“In the Knight Academy, even if you didn’t have any aspiration to become a knight, but as long as an <enigma> appeared on you, you don’t have any right of refusal and you are forced to enroll, so…these kinds of students also come out as a result. Even so I want them to live their school life positively, that’s why sometimes I called them, but…”

Kaguya-senpai talked with a complicated face.

Kazuki reflexively looked down at his own enigma on the back of his left hand.

Once, I too had experienced enrolling into this academy reluctantly.

Even inside his own heart, there was once a feeling of sympathy toward the words of Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai.

That was why he couldn’t act as if he could be overly careless.

“It’s just, to that extent every one of these girls has low ranks but, their real strength is still unknown.”

For the Ryuutaki sisters, because they frequently raised results in quests, they were still known as powerful people. But in regards to that, it seemed Mibu-senpai and her group, their real strength was completely unknown.

Mibu-senpai and her group was standing at the lead and chattered away as they pleased. But even at their backs a line of a large number of students were gradually forming. It looked like there were several tens of people from the Magic Division and the Sword Division there.

“Err, those students at the rear, are all of them also delinquents?”

“…They are associating with those kinds of children but, it looks like some not so normal children are also mixing there. What in the world is their purpose here?”

Kaguya-senpai made a dubious face. Certainly it was unexpected for the participants to appear like this.

“Nii-sama.” Kanae too was getting near Kazuki’s ear.

“The swordsmen of the Sword Division that are gathering there, rather than saying that I know them as powerful people, it feels like they are quite a plain group aren't they? There is no rank-system in the Sword Division though, so I don’t really know their strength either.”

Because of the restriction that the students of the Sword Division couldn’t challenge the quest without being together with a student of Magic Division, the rank system was not created.

For a long time until now, the Sword Division was treated only as the addition of the Magic Division.

Different with the Magic Division who was filled with just female students, male and females were mixing in the Sword Division. When he was surveying the crowd that were wearing the uniforms of the Sword Division, suddenly, Kazuki sensed a strong gaze being poured on him.

Kazuki too sent his eyes toward the owner of that gaze, his eyes met with the source.

That female student was looking at Kazuki, she was making a slightly shocked face.

Strong surprise could be felt, however her expression was as if it couldn’t be allowed to come to the surface and she was enduring her surprise.

This person was…. No, more precisely this person’s body build, and the impression of her muscle’s composition…. However she pretended not to notice how her eyes met with Kazuki and averted her eyes with a pretending face. Rather if she did something like that, that was, well, she was really surprised wasn’t she?

“Looks like all the candidates have gathered.”

Right then Liz Liza-sensei appeared on the stage holding a megaphone.

As always she was a very tiny, child-like sensei, even when they were looking up at the stage from below.

“Ehem. Ladies and gentlemen of the chosen trash, the explanation of the battle election is going to be carried out. Take a seat, refrain from unintelligent idle talk and dig out the hole in your ears.”

Receiving the instructions from Liz Liza-sensei that was accompanied with pointless abusive language, Mibu-senpai and the others were taking a seat too.

“First…the Chief Student Council President battle election is a team tournament between four-person teams where each team consists of two students from the Magic Division and two students from the Sword Division. The common students will watch the manner in which you fight in this tournament and then voting will be carried out. This vote is going to be carried out at the student’s general meeting. Because of how important it is for the students to watch the match unobtrusively, we won’t invite audiences from outside of the school like in the inter-division opposition matches.”

The event this time was not a festival merrymaking event, to the end this was a strict and rigid situation.

“Originally the student general meeting was arranged for the middle of this month, but it has been postponed until the end of this month. The tournament is…the number of candidates is sixteen, sixteen teams. With this number of teams, the first round will have eight matches, the second round four matches, the semifinal two matches, and then the final…that is how this tournament shapes up.”

A white screen was lowering (sa―) behind Liz Liza-sensei, on the screen the tournament chart was projected with the overall champion at the top and sixteen branches below it.

To achieve the overall victory, a team must win through four matches in total.

Kazuki observed the seats. There were sixteen teams of four people; that was why there were 64 students gathered here in this place.

All of them were students that had seriously gathered with the intention of winning against Kaguya-senpai and Hoshikaze-senpai.

“The first round will be held on Wednesday in the third week of May, the second round is on Friday of the same week, with the weekend in between the semifinals would be on Monday in the week after that, and then the finals will be conducted that Wednesday. The pace is three matches in a week, you got that? After that is the student’s general meeting. Starting from next month, the Knight Academy is going to move under the new Chief Student Council President.”

The auditorium became a little noisy. Within this schedule, an important meaning was hidden.

A pace of three times a week. It meant that there was nothing more than a day after the first match ended until the next match.

There was some individual difference, but if someone used their magic power until rock bottom he would need around two days for a full recovery. With a pace of advancing through three matches in a week, there was the possibility that they couldn’t recover their magic power.

To skillfully preserve their magic power while winning through their matches was a must.

“It’s not a one day tournament. How troublesome.”

…At his side Kaguya-senpai was whispering a frightening thing without hesitation.

If they did something that hardcore, people that fell into magic intoxication would appear one after another you know?

“The rule of the matches is following the same rule of duels. The venue will use each of the Magic Division and the Sword Division’s grounds, only the finals will be held at the fountain square.”

Because duels were conducted with 50 meters distance between the two opponents, a fairly large place was needed. That location had satisfied that condition, on top of that because of the need of installing audience seats around the arena, it was perfectly suited for the event this time.

“However, as a special measure for this time only, the Magic Division’s students are prohibited from using weapons, the same is true of the Sword Division’s students using magic swords―in short fighting only using the combination of weapon skill and common magic. This is for the sake of observing how the leader would control two different units. Each team’s leaders are obviously going to be assumed by the candidates. And Sacred Treasures too, for the sake of fairness, their use is prohibited.”

As he thought that kind of rule was really coming―

“…I, it’s a lie right…”

From the seat behind Kazuki, a voice in a stupor could be heard.

When he turned back, Kazuha-senpai’s face was going pale.

Whether Kazuki’s team was strong or weak was depending on whether these kind of special rules were attached or not.

Kazuki who specialized in kenjutsu despite being in the Magic Division, Kazuha-senpai who could summon Futsunushi no Kami despite being in the Sword Division, and then Kohaku who owned seven pieces of Sacred Treasures and was able to use them all skillfully without restriction…this team was assembled around irregular existences only. When the situation developed where Mio was the only one who could exhibit her real power like this, whether they could still win against the senpais' teams in the end was…

Well, could it still be called fair with this kind of happenstance?

Hayashizaki Kazuki―had to fight not as the swordsman of the Magic Division, but as a pure Magica Stigma, that was how it turned out.

“The referees are the teachers, but a [Battle Election Control Committee] is going to be organized. That’s all. Is there any question?”

Toward Liz Liza-sensei’s question, the auditorium only returned a total silence (shi―n).

“In that case, the anticipated lottery is going to be carried out next. Stand up you trash!”

“Hyahhaa―! It’s lottery zee―!” Mibu-senpai thrust up both her fists and yelled.

“What will we get, what will we get, anekii―!” Asamiya-senpai too followed her with a loud voice.

What’s with them?

“Balls that have written numbers were placed inside this box, take one in turn. Those numbers are the match number. First is starting from Otonashi Kaguya, come!”

Liz Liza-sensei held up and showed the box with both hands, and then she called Kaguya-senpai.

Kaguya-senpai stood on the stage and took out a ball…”It’s two.” She said.

At the column of <Round 1 Match 2> in the tournament’s chart, letters of <Team Kaguya> and characters was surfacing.

Following her, Kazuki was called. When he took out a ball, its number was…”It’s one.”

At the column of <Round 1 Match 1>, <Team Kazuki> and his name were carved.

In other words he was going to fight the first round against a team that would pull out the same number as him, in the second matches the probability of him clashing early against Kaguya-senpai was high.

Following him, Hoshikaze-senpai stood on top of the stage, “Five huh” she informed.

Hoshikaze-senpai got the fifth match in the first round. If she was going to fight against Kazuki, they wouldn’t get the chance until the finals.

When the teams of the Witch’s Manor were done being called up, next was Mibu Akira-senpai who was called to the top of the stage.

“I’m six zee―! What a good-for-nothing number, hyahhaa―! Fuck you mee-n!”

With unclear tension, Mibu-senpai’s name was carved into the column of the sixth match. If by some chance Mibu-senpai won through the first round, it seemed she would fight against Hoshikaze–senpai at the second round.

Takasugi Shūsui was called next. He declared “Three!” with a loud voice.

If by some chance Kazuki defeated Kaguya-senpai, there was a chance he would face against Miyabi-senpai and her group in the semifinals.

Of course there might be a chance that other powerful people were still in hiding, but―the other teams were pulling out the lottery in succession, the remaining columns in the tournament chart were filled one after another.

“With this the explanation meeting is over. After this in the period until the matches begin, begin your own special training.”

Leaving behind those words in the end, Liz Liza-sensei exited the stage.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Just when the explanation meeting ended, Hoshikaze-senpai and Kazuha-senpai drew near Kazuki’s position.

“Hayashizaki-kun, I have something to discuss, is it alright?”

“Hayashizaki Kazuki! Th, there is something I want to discuss!”

After the two were looking at each other, “Please, feel free” “N, no please you can go first”

They became polite and started pushing their turn to each other.

During that interval where Kazuki was gazing at the two vacantly, the cell phone inside his pocket was vibrating.

“Please, you can start first.” Hoshikaze-senpai conceded her turn even further with pleasant behavior.

With how net communication and foreign trade with countries overseas came to an end, the development unique to Japangalapagosization was happening again with cell phones. Under the new domestic platform, various enterprises and workshops were manufacturing and selling a great variety of models as they pleased.

Kazuki’s favorite model was not the so-called multi-purpose devicesmartphone, but the fixed button style devicegarakee that only stressed the telephone call and mailing function. A household account book application was installed in it, an item that was really housewife-like.

What he received on his cell phone was a mail from Liz Liza-sensei. So that students could accept the contact from the academy and quest counter anytime, all of the students contact addresses were known by the teachers.

{After this, come to the conference room at the academy’s main building. Secretly.}

It looked like the message was also sent to Kaguya-senpai at the same time.

“Hoshikaze-senpai, Kazuha-senpai, I have a little errand to run.”

“Understood. It’s fine, it’s fine. Then lend me your time around tonight at the Witch’s Manor, ‘ka―y!”

“Then, then I will come around tomorrow, please…!”

Hoshikaze-senpai with a clear smiling face, and Kazuha-senpai with a voice that seemed to vanish, both of them saw off Kazuki who exited the auditorium.

Kaguya-senpai came along at his side, she linked her hand with Kazuki’s and grasped it tightly.

“Otouto-kun, you got the mail too didn’t you? Let’s go together-!”

Kazuki suddenly remembered the first time he met Kaguya-senpai, at that time she too suddenly linked her hand with his.

I wonder how much she saved the me who was just enrolling into this academy at that time with her kind and amiable personality. There was also the awkward situation where he fought Kaguya-senpai, but he felt really happy that he could get back his connection with her once more.

“What are you smiling about?” Kaguya-senpai came to ask with a gentle expression.

It’s nothing, like that he waved his hand and went out of the auditorium.

―If it was Kaguya-senpai however, she would want to take a detour on the way here.

“You're late, you up-and-coming trash and top class trash!”

The moment they stepped into the conference room, Liz Liza-sensei's jeers were hurled.

The one she meant as up-and-coming was me, while the top class was referring to Kaguya-senpai, was that what she meant?

“I really missed getting insulted like this by Liz Liza-senseii-. Liz Liza-sensei was the one in charge of me last year you know? She was a teacher that behaved with frightening looks and treating everyone with contempt because of her concern over her tiny body, but the truth is that she is a kind, cute and reliable teacher and I love her♡”

“Even I know Liz Liza-sensei is a kind teacher you know? I have received help from her on several occasions.”

“…Stop saying such idiotic things and quickly sit.”

Liz Liza-sensei raised her eyebrows and yelled; Kazuki and Kaguya took the seats at the table side-by-side.

“As a former knight, Westwood-sensei is the teacher with the best track record in this academy. Certainly she has an appearance that is easy to get on with, but don’t forget to pay your respect to her.”

Headmaster Amasaki was also inside the room. Both teachers were facing Kazuki and Kaguya right from the front.

“This has really become such a suspicious affair.”

Headmaster Amasaki talked all of a sudden while leaning his body forward.

“What you meant as suspicious, is it about the battle election that will be held?”

“That’s right. I mean in our position, we planned to decide the Chief Student Council President with a really commonplace general election. But the newly appointed Board Chairman that just came, was against it, and it became like that in the end…”

Headmaster Amasaki made his old wrinkled face even more wrinkled, then he hit the table with his ferocious rage plain to see. …Scary!

“Until now there has been no interaction between the two divisions, so the Magic Division doesn’t know anything about the Sword Division, the Sword Division doesn’t know anything about the Magic Division. Because of that it is unproductive, even if we do something like a general election, so let’s conduct a tournament so we could see the strength and leadership as a knight, that guy gave such an opinion!”

“Isn’t that a really sound argument?” “That’s right isn’t it, that’s a sound argument isn’t it?”

Kazuki and Kaguya-senpai unintentionally matched their voice.

“Because it’s a sound argument it made me angry! Making such a sound argument grandly in front of the other teachers, I couldn’t kill that proposal no matter how much I tried! How dare he throw mud in my face even though he is just a new appointee!”

Oi, oi, what in the world are you saying, this frightening influential person.

“You know in my position, if I spread propaganda about how you defeated Otonashi Kaguya while holding an election, there is no doubt that you will get elected, then I thought of an ideal outcome where Otonashi Kaguya would support you at your side. Despite all of that, now the possibility that others students, who could care less, would get elected suddenly came to the fore!”

“No, for a teacher to do something like backing a specific student is unbecoming you know…”

Though his remark about [other students who could care less], as expected it was really thoughtless wasn’t it?

“Muu, so there was such an intention, to make me the foil…”

Kaguya-senpai furrowed her eyebrows as much as she could; she also pouted her cheeks to the limit. Her dissatisfaction was demonstrated a lot on her face. It was Kaguya-senpai who was greatly indignant and furious.

“Errr…Kaguya-senpai, please don’t make an extremely strange face like that even though you have an extremely rare beauty.”

Kazuki soothed her from the side, but “Otouto-kun-!” Kaguya-senpai turned that face to Kazuki’s direction. She looked like a manju when seen right from the front. Her cheeks were soft after all so she could inflate her cheeks that much.

“I, I didn’t lose to Otouto-kun after all! When I lost my senses and fought Otouto-kun, it looked like Otouto-kun won, however if I am in the state where my reasoning is recovered and overflowing with intelligence, then I am the stronger side! I am still the senpai and Otouto-kun is my pupil!”

“About how senpai said that you were not in your senses at that time, does senpai really not remember about that fight?”

“I don’t remembeerr. I remember Otouto-kun with a cool face in a cute way, however you embraced me with the powerful arms of a boy and said [I love you] to me, other than that I don’t remember anythi―ng.”

“Senpai really remembered the important moment with pinpoint accuracy huh? Though I don’t particularly plan to withdraw.”

“That’s why! It’s no good for Otouto-kun to get carried away! I am the Onee-san still!”

“Ye, yes. Let’s fight fair and square in the tournament.”

Kazuki faced the teachers again while poking Kaguya-senpai’s inflated cheeks repeatedly.

“…With that as the case, is there any problem by doing the tournament normally?”

“Fun, it might be okay for me to be the bad guy if you two said something like fair and square, but even for me, I don’t particularly mind if Otonashi Kaguya or Hoshikaze Hikaru became the Chief Student Council President. But…the new board chairman that was dispatched here from the government let out this kind of opinion, and then in response to that a great number of students announced their candidacy. Those who announced their candidacy were every one of the delinquent students of the Magic Division. Do you think those guys have the will to lead the new academy if they really become the Chief Student Council President? Do you think it’s not suspicious?”

Kazuki finally noticed what this shrewd new headmaster was apprehensive about.

It was wrong to have a prejudice against students because they were a delinquent, however….

When Kaguya-senpai too also reached the same thought as Kazuki, Headmaster Amasaki said.

“The newly appointed board chairman and, the students who suddenly announced their candidacy might be in collaboration with each other. For the purpose of backing a puppet student council president, that will move according to the new board chairman’s intentions. Consequently he would take possession of this academy. So you are concerned of that kind of risk, right?”

“That’s how it is.” Headmaster Amasaki nodded.

The new board chairman might be bribing the delinquent students. If the new board chairman and the Chief Student Council President were in cahoots with each other, then Headmaster Amasaki’s position would be in danger too. In short, the Knight Academy’s hegemony was being targetted.

“Not only the delinquent students, but the Takasugi brothers of the Sword Division also announced their candidacy.”

The content of what they were speaking was another matter, but those people had a strong will.

“The name of the new board chairman is Takasugi Takayoshi. …The father of those brothers.”

“…I see.” Kazuki reflexively made a sour face.

“The new Board Chairman Takasugi at first made the proposal to just make the winner of the tournament as the Chief Student Council President. We were objecting against that point and in the end it was shaped so voting will also be held after the tournament. Surely it is a good thing for all the students to be granted a chance. However this Knight Academy is not a normal academy. A strange conspiracy must not be allowed behind the cover of sound arguments. It will be trouble if this important agency for the country is misappropriated like Headmaster Otonashi once did. …Ah, sorry.”

Kaguya-senpai felt completely despondent because her father was bad mouthed, Headmaster Amasaki glossed it over in a fluster.

Until now the Knight Academy under the guidance of former Headmaster Otonashi gave preferential treatment toward the Magica Stigma, that action made its influence even into current society and the setting up of the Knight Order.

The influence of the National Knight Academy couldn’t be made light off just because at most they were only children of an academy. The students who graduated this academy would form the only national defense organization of this country, the Knight Order, the members of the student council and the Rank A students were also promised an elite course in that organization.

If someone controlled the Knight Academy, it could be said that they controlled the future of the Knight Order.

It was such an important national agency, and that was why…the Knight Academy headmaster and the board chairman were nominated by appropriate people. The former Headmaster Otonashi too, originally he was a high ranking government official that commanded a secret human experimentation project under the government.

Headmaster Amasaki too had a tune of trying to appropriate the Knight Academy, however…if the aim of Headmaster Takasugi was to ride the current’s momentum of recent public opinion and stir it toward the direction of [Magica Stigma’s human rights deprivation], it was a really terrible thing.

“Possibly…Hayashizaki Kazuki, a lot of people are still half in doubt regarding your power, but there is also the possibility that someone wants to weaken your power and position by raising other candidates as obstacles. For the purpose of making you fail to become the Chief Student Council President.”

“You can’t mean…to do something like that intentionally for someone like me…”

“It’s not an exaggeration. Just like I, and Headmaster Otonashi in the past, people who are unable to stomach the existence of [the King of Magica Stigma] also exist. If I had to say more…to make an example from the old world, you are like a new weapon that is in the process of development. A nuclear weapon, something like that. The other Magic Advanced Countries that had sniffed around about you through their spies, there might be such an existence of foreign countries like that who supported Board Chairman Takasugi. What I mean by suspicious is including the matter until that far. You, is there nothing suspicious that happened around you?”

“If we talk about suspicious matters, before this, there is only that attack from a strange person that stopped my heart.”

When Kazuki dropped that sentence so suddenly, the atmosphere of that place was freezing all of a sudden.

“Sorry but just now, what did you say? I don’t really get it.”

“Ah, no, before this, I was attacked by a suspicious woman wearing black completely from head to toe, my heart got stopped, then I got resuscitated by Mio.”

“I, I never heard of that incident you know!? Did you report that case properly!?”

“…I completely forgot to report it. Because I strongly thought that the next time I encounter her again I will catch her completely and expose her true identity.”

“Are you an idiot!? Do you not understand your own value!? Far from being an obstacle in the battle election, they have already tried to assassinate you!!”

Kazuki was rather surprised at Headmaster Amasaki’s angry look.

…My own value. It was something that he himself didn’t understand, yet this person gave his recognition over it.

“Otouto-kun…why are you being that calm after something like that?”

Kaguya-senpai too sent a reproaching gaze right from his side.

“But even if I reported it to the Knight Order in the neighborhood of the Knight Academy, they won’t be able to come immediately anyway.”

Because there was the case that the students of the Knight Academy had been acting as agents of the Knight Order through doing their job in the form of quests, the deployment of knights in the surrounding areas of the Knight Academy was thin. They were foisting the lack of manpower onto the academy.

“…It had really become very suspicious huh. Even these last few days there have been assault incidents against students in this Knight Academy. Both of these cases might have a connection.”

…Kazuki was attacked on the rare day he was going out, that was why that assassin must be someone who was connected with the academy. Headmaster Amasaki had that kind of conjecture. Kazuki too also had some clue.

Even in the other cases where the students were assaulted, all of it happened outside of the range of the security cameras. The meticulous way the perpetrator worked with how they perfectly grasped the blind spots of the security cameras, it was impossible to achieve for someone unconnected with the academy, something like that.

Thereupon certainly these two cases might be connected.

However if that was the case, putting aside the objective of the assault on Kazuki, what seemed to be the objective in attacking other students? All of the student victims managed to escape safely. What kind of foul happenings might be lurking inside these performances? Was that assassin really so incompetent?

“The battle election proposal due to the newly coming board chairman, the students with unknown strength that suddenly show willingness and announced their candidacy, the assassin that assaulted Hayashizaki Kazuki, the assault incident of three students…there are too many strange things happening at once. All of these might be connected by a single thread.”

Liz Liza-sensei compiled all of the suspiciousness and itemized them.

“Do we know anything of Board Chairman Takasugi’s personal history?”

When Kazuki inquired about the character in the middle of this upheaval, Headmaster Amasaki let out a huffing breath.

“Obviously I know. He is a man with deep connections to a political organization called <Will of the Sword PartyKenshitou>. This Kenshitou is opposed to the preferential treatment of the Magica Stigma, they extended their influence by riding the decline of the Stigmata Absolutism faction and are rapidly making their advocacy more extreme.”

The advocacy that the Takasugi brothers spewed out before was also perfectly in line with Kenshitou’s policy.

“We know what they are looking for in this battle election. But to go as far as attempting to assassinate Hayashizaki Kazuki…I doubt they are going that far for the battle election. The one that gained the most from killing Hayashizaki Kazuki are foreign countries. Kenshitou might have a black connection with another Magic Advanced Country. But it’s not simple to understand something like this even if we investigate their background.”

Board Chairman Takasugi was behind the students who were suddenly announcing their candidacy, then there was Kenshitou behind Board Chairman Takasugi, and then behind their back there might be another Magic Advanced Country….

This was not a problem with a shallow origin.

If that was the case, it was not like he wanted to vindicate himself however, when he played a trick on that assassin and obtained information, it unexpectedly turned out to have a big significance.

“The assassin that came aiming for me used Chinese Kenpo. That’s why I think there is a high chance that she was originating from China.”

Hearing Kazuki’s words, the three people that were hanging their heads down spontaneously raised their heads with shocked faces.

“…<Chūkadou> country huh?”

Chūkadou―the nearest of the Seven Magic Advanced Countries to Japan.

The country that was once called the People’s Republic of China, due to the arrival of this age of magic they encountered the object of their faith in the ancient times, the immortal mountain sage of <Taoism>, the structure of their government changed from <communism> to <Taoism doctrine>, even the name of their country was replaced with Chūkadou.

However the teachings of Taoism became their political principle, even as a religious country their government was dyed with a powerful <Sinocentrism>, that China was the center of the world and that all countries should be unified into China, such ideology was held as the religion that they were faithful to. They were said to be the most dangerous among the Magic Advanced Countries.

Beatrix said something about an unreasonable country, where it wouldn’t be strange for that country to send an assassin for Kazuki.

Looking at it geographically and also the ideology, the foremost contender that was going to attempt something like this, there was nothing else other than Chūkadou.

“From the olden days Japan is said to be a [spy heaven], but…. There are a lot of Kenshitou’s politicians that have the personal support of China, are you telling me those guys are the ones that caused this chain of events?”

Kaguya-senpai knitted her eyebrows in worry.

To say that Kenshitou and China had an illicit connection, and that the assault on Kazuki and this uproar for the battle election were tied together, was nothing more than just speculation that rose to the surface.

But when a concrete figure like China became visible, the weirdness was immediately increasing.

“This present state of affairs probably can be said to have started with the defeat of Nyarlatoteph and how the political influence of former Headmaster Otonashi and his faction was falling. We might have opened Pandora’s Box.”

Liz Liza-sensei spoke with a complicated expression.

The former Headmaster Otonashi and his faction regarded the Stigmata as something absolute and even performed human experimentation for the sake of creating even stronger Magica Stigma, but...at the same time they might also have become a deterrent against China. They were also included among those who led diplomacy and the country’s defense until now.

The ones who caused this political chaos completely were none other than Kazuki and the others.

“It would be great if all of this was just needless anxiety. There are also a lot of parts that are just speculation. ...However if the situation is really like what we are thinking, no matter what happens you three must win through anyone in your way. Preventing the assassination of Hayashizaki Kazuki, protecting the seat of the Chief Student Council President, those are the current absolute objectives.”

Headmaster Amasaki talked with a grave tone of voice.

At this late hour, Kazuki finally felt that he was dragged into the middle of an affair so big that he couldn’t even imagine it.

Which reminded him, even when he was enrolling into this academy, there was something that he asked to himself.

―Why, for what kind of purpose did he obtain this kind of power?

Right now, Kazuki’s stigmata was starting to gain even greater power and meaning, from what it was before.

“Otouto-kun...for some reason you are looking very thoughtful?”

The time was already evening. While returning home to the Witch’s Manor, Kaguya-senpai said with concern.

“Just because I have a special power, it’s fine to not get worked up even if I do something unreasonable you know―That’s the kind of face that you seem to make, as I thought, Otouto-kun is still too early to become something like a student council president. You still have some ways to go, so I will protect Otouto-kun.”

Kaguya-senpai grasped Kazuki’s hand tightly. A gentle warmth…if he depended on senpai like this, maybe everything would become more comfortable. However Kazuki had known already, that even senpai had been continuously carrying a heavy burden alone until now in hardships.

“No, I too want to protect senpai.”

The answer he found at the fight from before. That was [the power in order to protect the important things].

Kazuki squeezed back Kaguya-senpai’s hand strongly, Kaguya-senpai took a long hard look at Kazuki.

“…Geez! Again with that cool, cute appearance! Just because you had become a little stronger you overreached yourself once more!!”

Kaguya-senpai waved around her hand that was connected with Kazuki as if she was getting embarrassed.

Part 2

“Welcome home, Hayashizaki-kun!” “So you’ve come home, My King!”

When he got back to his room, inside Hoshikaze-senpai and Leme were playing pro-wrestling. Leme’s flying cross chop hit Hoshikaze-senpai’s nape of the neck, the counter-attack came and Hoshikaze-senpai caught both feet of the escaping Leme and dealt a giant swing.

Of course both of their bodies were protected by magic power, so it was only at the level of playing around with each other.

Kazuki reflexively got bewildered. Mio and the others frequently came to his room, that was why he always cleaned his room so that he wouldn’t be ashamed by anyone seeing them. Recently Kazuki’s room could be entered freely as long as you just knocked before.

However until now Hoshikaze-senpai had never come here before.

“It seems this person has something to talk about.”

Leme, who was flung away to the bed and got toppled over said that. Her tunic one piece was turned up inside out and her no-panty bottom was appearing and disappearing. …She was in a state where her clothes were created by magic power so he didn’t pay attention, but cover yourself with panties at least.

“Right, right, I have something to discuss man to man!”

The senpai that was looking at him face to face was wearing a bra-top and spats that had a mysterious feeling of luster. Those were high-performance fit-wear that were used alchemic material. It was glued to the skin closely, expanding and contracting matching with the body's movements, the breathability was also good, it even regulated the temperature by reacting to the miniscule amount of magic power.

For some reason it seemed senpai was wearing this active underwear as her room-clothes.

However the problem of this underwear was that it made the line of the body perfectly stand out. It distinctly dug into the high leg line at her nether region, it also glued into the breast and bottom and just like that he could understand their shape. It was colored with two exchanging shades of deep blue and light blue, but it completely looked like body paint to him.

He felt like a girl must not be allowed to come out in front of a man wearing this piece of clothes.

“Senpai said man to man, but senpai is not a man right? Besides senpai is…looking like that already.”

Kazuki averted his eyes slightly from Hoshikaze-senpai who had an innocent expression.

“Hmm? Well anyway sit, sit.”

Hoshikaze-senpai dropped her body on the bed with her legs wide open and she sat cross legged, then she urged Kazuki to sit right in front of her. To take that kind of posture with that appearance, how could he call her a man right from the front seeing her like that, he thought. But when Kazuki sat where she was indicating at, Leme came near Kazuki in a toddle.

“The truth is…she genuinely wants to conquer her man phobia. Because of that she is wishing to cooperate with you who is her friend.”

“Conquering her man phobia…is it?”

Hoshikaze-senpai had a phobia of men. Despite the yearning as a prince that she received because of her androgynous beautiful face, the person in question herself was weak with men, even so she still longed for a man’s friendship. What a puzzling person.

“From now on the interaction with the Sword Division will increase drastically right? There are a lot of boys in the Sword Division, so I was thinking that I can't keep being like this. Especially if I’m thinking of winning against Kaguya and become the Chief Student Council President after this!”

“It’s certainly like that huh. But senpai’s phobia of men, what kind of problem is that?”

After Hoshikaze-senpai took a deep breath, she abruptly took hold of Kazuki’s hand tightly.

Even though she talked as a mature prince, what he felt was a soft hand of a girl. Kazuki felt his heart beat a little faster.

On the other hand―the blood was drained from Hoshikaze-senpai’s face very quickly. In the blink of an eye, tears were amassing in senpai’s eyes, and her cold fingertips were shaking.

“Sen, senpai, please don’t force yourself!”

He couldn’t bear to see her like this, Kazuki separated the hands by himself.

“But I don’t want you to misunderstand me, it’s not that I actually hate Hayashizaki-kun.”

“Of course I know that.”

“Talking while meeting face to face like this is fine for me. At first even that was scary for me, but in the time we were together I came to know that Hayashizaki-kun is a kind person then. I can keep my composure with my reasoning.”

Hoshikaze-senpai’s positivity level was―50. A good level where one could be said as a [good friend]. There was also the influence of her man phobia, but while doing sword practice together, their distance was shrinking little by little.

“Even so, things like touching and shortening the distance are still no good huh?”

“Yes. A rugged man that looks strong and their smell are scary. If just talking like this I can feel relieved that Hayashizaki-kun is a kind person, but when touching or the distance is too near, a fear is wells up somewhere deep inside me that is different from my reasoning….”

“Do I, really reek like a man that much? Though I think I’m not effeminate.”

“As expected when I touch you it really felt like you are a real boy. By the way when I consulted Kaguya, conversely Kaguya said [normally he is a kind younger boy, however sometimes there were times where he suddenly became forceful that made my chest tighten]. Keep this a secret okay?”

“She, she said that kind of thing…”

For Kazuki, Kaguya-senpai was someone that he felt the most conscious of as a [woman]. To think that Kaguya-senpai also became strongly conscious of him as a [man] in reality.

Thinking of how she kept treating him like a child…. A, anyway this was not the time!

“Well then, how does senpai plan to treat this?”

“I don’t know, but isn’t it fine if I simply get used to a boy, that’s what I thought. That’s why I want to consult you, however…I want to freeload in this room!”

“Freeloading, does senpai plan to stay here!? Though from the beginning we had been living under the same roof, but for a boy and girl to live together in this cramped room will create problems.”

Certainly Mio, Lotte, and Koyuki also came here to play, but by no means did they come here every night.

“There's no problem! By playing together with the two of us in this airtight space and chatting at night while sleeping, a deep friendship between men will be born, with that I think I will ride past this phobia of men for sure!”

For him to do something like passing a long time together with this innocent senpai who was wearing that kind of suggestive appearance, this side’s reasoning would be the one that would become dangerous.

However…there was no one else that senpai could rely on.

“Understood, if it's really for senpai’s sake, then I will show you the endurance of a swordsman!”

Hearing that declaration, Leme was making a pouting face at his side, she sent telepathic message to Kazuki.

{Recently, my King keeps chasing Leme out immediately…even though it’s nice for Leme to be together with my King when it’s time to sleep. The Lemegetonfamily service is insufficient here…}

Sorry, Kazuki thought inside his heart to reply. Now that she talked about it, he didn’t think about Leme’s circumstances.

Leme materialized in this world using Kazuki’s magic power. That’s why when she was materialized she was at Kazuki’s side as much as possible, it seemed that sleeping together at night was good for her fuel consumption.

But when Mio and the others came playing in this room, Leme took them into consideration and withdrew to Astrum.

If Hoshikaze-senpai was staying in this room for a long time, it would be a big problem as far as Leme was concerned.

{Well, it’s for the sake of the harem so that’s fine. This is a rare chance, so Leme will go to Futsunushi no Kami’s place.}

…Now that she mentioned it, what became of the relationship between fellow Divas at the Astrum?

{Divas have this place called <Mythology DomainTerritory, the image is that Astrum is chaotic, but there is the feel of the divide of each Diva’s turf.. This Territory could be entered and exited freely by Diva with good relations, but Diva from other mythologies cannot step their foot inside at all. In short, generally all the Divas are staying fixed in their own Mythology}

Of course even inside the same Mythology, there was also antagonistic relationships like Thor and others from the Norse Mythology with Loki however.

{Solomon's 72 Pillars are mutually connected strongly with each other, but Leme lost her memory so I am completely detached from them. Though thanks to the bond that you created, Leme is connected with those like Phoenix or Asmodeus. With Futsunushi no Kami too for the moment, Leme should be able to have a conversation with him. Leme was a little concerned with the trend of the Japanese Mythology, so Leme is going to ask that guy about various things. …After all the Japanese Mythology is this country’s original mythology.}

When she conveyed until that point through telepathy to Kazuki, Leme was going “That’s how it is, see ya!” She was saying that by moving the mouth of her materialized body, thereafter that material body vanished with a puff and withdrew to the Astrum.

“Ehh, what’s with Leme-chan? Even though I thought we were going to play with three people.”

Hoshikaze-senpai who didn’t have the self-awareness that she was the one that chased out Leme looked disappointed.

As for Leme, rather than playing with three people, it was more important for Kazuki to be alone together with a girl.

“Anyway, let’s play together first! Let’s play a game, game!”

Hoshikaze-senpai sat on the bed once more with a bouncing sound and took hold of the controller of the game that was in Kazuki’s room. It was the game system that he received to kill time when he was confined by Kohaku in the Sword Division.

Even now when Mio or Lotte came to play in Kazuki’s room they were competing together using this game system.

“The one who lose has to accept a punishment game!”

“Again with a thing that looked like something a high school boy will do…. What kind of thing will be done in this punishment game?”

The playful prince Hoshikaze-senpai looked a little mischievous and her eyes was twinkling brightly.

“The one who loses, will confess to the class’s idol Mio-chan!”

“That’s really just like a high school boy ! …But let’s stop it, something like that.”

“Fufufu, you get cold feet~♪”

“Please don’t stir up someone like a high school boy. Doing something like a joke confession is just looking down on girls you know? Also doing that will make Mio extremely furious. Besides Hoshikaze-senpai has a different class with her right?”

Also, Mio was not particularly an idol in the class.

“Mu. What raging objection power…. Then the one who loses will rub Kaguya’s huge breasts from behind and run away immediately!”

Both Hoshikaze-senpai’s hands were groping around in the air while saying that.

“Isn’t that just falling down to the level of an elementary school boy’s prank!? Please just stop, that kind of thing only looks like harassment to girls. All of the things from just now are too vulgar.”

“Then how about the loser has to wear female clothing!?”

“Then the only one that would get embarrassed is just me right!? You'll just look normal with that punishment, won’t you!?”

“What are you saying! Even I'll get embarrassed with that!!”

“No, wait a second…. Then if senpai loses please wear a maid uniform!”

Kazuki proposed something that leaned heavily in his own tastes.

“Ma, maid uniform you say? Wearing those clothes with a lot of frilly frills? This me?”

“Correct, for the whole day, senpai will provide service as maid-san!”

Senpai was pondering very hard while making a wrinkle with her eyebrows.

“Th, that severeness is really fitting for the punishment game…. However, a man will not go back on what he's said! In exchange, if you lose you will become a cute girl and take a commemorative photo with the setting as my girlfriend!”

Imagining the picture of himself wearing female clothing while acting coquettishly at the side of a good-looking guy like Hoshikaze-senpai, Kazuki felt a chill. As a man, he must not lose this game no matter what!

“Then we are going to play a fighting game for three rounds!” ”Understood, I accept your challenge!”

Both of them faced the screen of the three dimensional game that was projected by the Phantasmagoria and grasped the controllers simultaneously.

―With frightful momentum, Kazuki lost.

“…Pl, please wait a second! No matter what, using [Ride Lightning] is cheating isn’t it!? That can't count as a victory!”

Using Baal’s magic, the electric signal running through Hoshikaze-senpai’s whole body was amplified, she beat down Kazuki mercilessly using the superhuman explosive power and reflexes.

…Something like that, when senpai suddenly chanted the spell beside him, he was wondering what in the world she was doing.

“Hehehe, did we decide any rules that forbid the use of Summoning Magic? To use all methods available within the range of the rule and aim for victory, that’s what is called as a fight between men!”

Certainly they should have decided the rule beforehand.

“Hayashizaki-kun is my girlfriend~♪” Hoshikaze-senpai was singing a strange music.

Kazuki became seriously vexed hearing that.

“Then it’s fine for the first loss to go to this side, in exchange from now on there will be no more Summoning Magic!”

However, it must be remembered it was [Summoning Magic] only. Kazuki made such addition inside his heart.

“I got it, I accept your challenge!” With that senpai took up the controller triumphantly.

―With frightful momentum, Hoshikaze-senpai lost.

“Ha, Hayashizaki-kun, just now, you Foresighted the minute magical power produced from operating the game didn’t you!? You used the Extra Sense fully!”

“I got found out huh.”

Just like his experience when he played games with Lotte before, he couldn’t detect the premonition for the foresight from the digital movement of the game character on top of the projection screen.

However when a magician was going nuts in playing a game he was not used to, he would unconsciously invoke weak Enchant Aura from his determination to operate the game for even a little faster. That movement showed the user’s next action just slightly earlier even compared to the user’s actual body.

What Kazuki Foresighted was not the game screen, but the weak magic power of a human’s body that was operating the game itself.

“How childish! You are really childish! To do something like using the Hayashizaki-style’s secret technique just for a game!”

“Senpai is my disciple, so right now senpai’s condition is quite the same as a swordsman of the Hayashizaki-style. Senpai was defeated in a battle between swordsmen, that’s all there is to it…”

“What kind of reasoning is thatt―! I still haven’t learned the technique of Foresight! To show this kind of behavior, aren’t you ashamed as a swordsman!?”

“The Hayashizaki-style is a kenjutsu for real battle…the most embarrassing thing is to get defeated. Fuffuffu.”

“What [Fuffuffu]! I didn’t think Hayashizaki-kun is a kid like that! Then it’s fine, the fight before is your win. But for the next it’s unacceptable! Reinforcing your senses is cheating!”

“Understood. I too was losing before because there was that [Ride Lightning].”

While twisting her mouth in a pout (muu―), Hoshikaze-senpai took the controller again.

And then the curtain of the destined third fight was opened.

The character that senpai was using from the beginning was a character that emphasized speed and equipped with Japanese katana.

On the other side the character that Kazuki used was a character whose strong point was a long-range flame attack, a technical character that was weak in close-quarters combat even though this was a fighting game. The way to take distance was difficult

“Hayashizaki-kun’s character, she looked a little similar to Mio-chan huh?”

“Now that senpai mentioned it, that’s true isn’t it, I didn’t notice.”

“By the way I chose a cool character that feels like it resembles you!”

“Is, is that so? …no, I got done in while I get embarrassed!”

“Yo―sh, my Hayashizaki-kun, finish off Mio-chan!”

“Uwa, my Mio got done in by me!”

The moment she was approached closely, this Mio (resembling character) was weak! Before he can even say ‘ah’ he was beaten to the ground with a combo, he couldn’t even make use of the character’s specialty of long range attack and fell into this situation completely!

“Mio! My Mio―!”

Kazuki unconsciously raised a scream.

“You called? Kazuki? What’s with that ‘my Mio’…ehehe♪”

The sound of the room’s door opening (gacha-) could be heard, Mio’s voice rang out.

For some reason it seemed the genuine Mio really came. However he didn’t have any room left to be preoccupied with that kind of thing!

“Mio! You have to do your best even more!”

Kazuki raised his voice without averting his eyes from the screen till the end.

“Eh!? I’m always doing my best though!? I always work hard several times more than other people!”

“Aah, Mio the quack magician! You’re really weak at close-quarters combat!!”

“How mean, even though I’m always worrying about that!! Why do you say mean things like that!?”

“Mio, move even faster!”

“Eh!? U, understood! I’ll do my best so watch me, okay!”

Mio was starting to do a repeated side-step (shutan―shutan―) beside Kazuki with amazing speed.

Kuh…he couldn’t concentrate when she was doing such interesting movements like that at the edge of his field of vision!

Right there Hoshikaze-senpai was torturing him severely without mercy.

“Go Hayashizaki-kun! Hack Mio-chan to pieces!!”

“Eeeh, I’m going to be chopped into pieces!?”

“Run, run away Mio―!”

Kazuki yelled desperately to Mio (resembling character) on the game screen.

“Understood!”

Mio was running away from the room in a flash.

She was really a person that was easily dragged into a mood. Though it seemed she vaguely understood the state of affairs in the middle.

In any case now he could concentrate on the game…!

His remaining life was only a little. However he was desperately guarding and evading for the time being and endured while amassing his special move’s gauge. In other words this was like chanting the spell of Summoning Magic.

“Running from place to place restlessly like that, how unmanly!”

At first Hoshikaze-senpai was playing the game using trial and error, but gradually she became able to produce the special moves smoothly, she was beginning to construct attack patterns in her own way. However that was a good thing for Kazuki. It was worthwhile to bring the battle into a protracted war, conversely her movement was becoming easy to read!

…There! While running away from the attack, he released the firing of the super finishing move from long-range with the timing that he wouldn’t get anywhere else!

In the place where Hoshikaze-senpai’s character was stiffening, the attack hit magnificently.

The other side had a lot of moves, but in the power of one shot, Mio (resembling character) had the upper hand!

Aiming for a timing like this turned out to be a good decision, Kazuki had got the hang of the fighting game.

While persisting with barely any life left, Kazuki kept repeating it again and again. And then―

“I won! Maid uniform!!”

―Finally he raised his hands highly to the sky.

“What enthusiasm! Do you really want to put me into a maid uniform and embarrass me that much!?”

Hoshikaze-senpai collapsed on her back with her limbs spread-eagled. To move dynamically with that kind of appearance made her chest shake and tremble, becoming poison to his eyes so he wished she would stop.

“I just want to receive a service from senpai when senpai is in a feminine appearance, that’s all.”

“Muu~. It’s unfair in the first place, Hayashizaki-kun had already gotten used to playing this game!”

“This is my game after all so it’s only natural. But, wasn’t senpai the one that proposed to play this game?”

“It’s fine to go easy on me―!”

While rolling around, senpai kicked and struggled around with her hands and legs.

“If senpai thinks like that, then please don’t propose a punishment game that makes people not want to lose no matter what.”

“But, I thought the first win was a sure thing if I used Ride Lightning, so…”

The prince was sulking. Such thinking was really petty, and yet that was still too naïve of her.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Woow senpai, you are really beautiful you know? Fuffuffu.”

“That’s why, stop it with that [fuffuffu] already―. From a while ago I sensed S vibes from that smiling face of yours…”

Hoshikaze-senpai who wore the maid uniform on top of her fit-wear curled herself up with a boiling red face.

He felt something like [cute maid-san] from Mio and the others, but in the case of Hoshikaze-senpai, words like beautiful or lovely were suitable for her.

“A tall stature with crisp appearance, I can sense the [reliable maid-san] in senpai. No matter what kind of work, senpai looks like you'll be able to do it skillfully and briskly.”

“Mou―, Hayashizaku-kun knows about it already right―. That I'm a really scatterbrained person.”

“There is that kind of gap too, doesn’t that make it even cuter?”

“Don’t say I’m cutee―!” Hoshikaze-senpai waved her arms up and down angrily.

“Well then, let’s go show this to everyone.”

“Eee! No way, no way, I’d get laughed by Kaguya!”

“It won’t be a punishment game if it's not seen by anyone. If it's the commemorative photo of me in female clothing, then senpai too will show it around to everyone right?”

“I will absolutely do it, but. But…I want to be Hayashizaki-kun’s maid only…”

Senpai was looking at him with upturned eyes that were blurred with tears, she pleaded him with her hands lightly clasping her mouth and heartrending expression. Kazuki’s heart suddenly felt tight.

“Please, in exchange I will listen to one thing that you say no matter what it is, so…”

“I, it can’t be helped then. Then I won’t show senpai to anyone else, senpai is a maid only for me.”

“Thank you very much, Master! Master!!”

Hoshikaze-senpai that was overcome with emotion kneeled at Kazuki and called him Master repeatedly.

―Right there the door opened with a click and Koyuki showed her face.

Hoshikaze-senpai’s whole body stiffened with a twitch and she was petrified.

Koyuki’s knocking sound was reserved after all, so sometimes it was hard to hear.

Koyuki looked alternately at Hoshikaze-senpai who was kneeling in a maid uniform and Kazuki, “…coerced service…” with that her eyes turned extremely cold.

“Looks like you two are busy, I’m sorry. Stupid Kazuki.”

The door closed with a bang, Koyuki had departed completely.

“Wait Koyuki-chan! You misunderstand, at least listen to the reason!!”

Hoshikaze-senpai chased her in a panic.

“Which reminds me, everyone frequently comes to this room freely.”

It seemed to have something like a secret maid-san was impossible no matter what.

“Senpai, are you seriously planning to stay over in this room?”

“I’m planning to do that, but is it a bother for you I wonder? Look, I brought my pillow here!”

She took off the maid uniform when it was the time to sleep and went back to her fit-wear, senpai carried out her favorite pillow and showed it to Kazuki.

“Then please sleep on the bed, Senpai. I’m going to sleep on the floor.”

“I'm thankful for you to say that, but…the truth is when I was waiting for you, I was secretly sniffing out the smell of your futon however.”

“…What are you doing, that’s really embarrassing.”

“I am likewise not good with the smell of a boy. But different with directly sniffing a boy, when I sniffed your futon it was not scary but for some reason my heart started to beat fast and I couldn’t calm down…that’s why I’m sleeping on the floor!”

Hoshikaze-senpai fell over on the wooden flooring with a roll.

“But I wouldn’t be able to calm down if it’s only me that is sleeping on the bed while senpai sleep on the floor.”

“Then let’s sleep together in a huddle! If our bodies are not directly touching and get too close, I’ll be okay!”

If she said so, Kazuki too threw himself down at the floor energetically.

The floor felt hard, but for some reason it reminded him of his time as a child.

“Doing something like this really makes you feel what close friends we are, right! That’s right, from now on I’ll call you Kazuki! Hehehe, Kazuki! Kazuki!”

While kicking around her legs on the floor, senpai faced him with a wide smiling face.

“Then, I’ll call senpai as Hikaru-senpai, okay?”

If senpai was seeking for that kind of friendship, then Kazuki too had to answer that feeling of hers.

“Uu―n, you also don’t need to call me senpai. But you care about that kind of thing, so it’s fine!”

When Kazuki turned off the room’s lights, senpai’s tension was raising even further.

“Kazuki, who do you like the most among the girls in the Witch’s Manor?”

“W, what are you saying all of a sudden? Is this the night of a school trip?”

“Come on, say it―, we are fellow men so it’s fine right―. I’ll keep it a secret from everyone―. Hey, say it―”

“I said it already that Hikaru-senpai is not a man!”

Part 3

Early morning, Kazuki and Hoshikaze-senpai woke up at completely the same time.

Their eyes met with a blink, senpai was laughing weirdly “Ahaha”.

“Morning, Kazuki. …Ahaha, we have to change for practice.”

She stood up while smiling with a big grin, then senpai took off her spats smoothly.

The young and lustrous bottom of a girl that was radiantly white flew into his eyes from point-blank range.

Senpai was half-asleep. This too sudden development was impossible to Foresight even for Kazuki.

“Se, senpai!” He let out a loud voice after reflexively averting his eyes. However he noticed that this was still the time where everyone else was still asleep in the other rooms so Kazuki dropped his volume.

“…Please change in your own room, Hikaru-senpai’s clothes are not here after all…”

“Eeeh? Now that you say it, this is my room yet why is Kazuki here?”

“This is my room you know…!”

He couldn’t even chase Hikaru-senpai out, who had a man phobia forcefully, Kazuki accosted her with just his voice.

The rustling sounds of bra-tops being taken off was reaching the ears of Kazuki who was averting his eyes even further.

It was continuing, the sounds of the rustling clothes and the sound of searching in a drawer.

When he spontaneously directed his eyes to the sound’s direction, Hoshikaze-senpai was wearing Kazuki’s trunks.

“Senpai, please don’t wear my pants!!”

“Sorry, Kazuki…. I showed you something dirty.”

“Dirty?”

“My ass…”

“No, it was beautiful though. It was very glossy.”

What’s with this conversation?

“By any chance, are you tired because you accompanied me the whole night yesterday?”

Hikaru-senpai who changed into a gym uniform for training said that in an introspective mood while walking in the corridor.

“There is no way it’s like that. Playing and making a racket with senpai was fun after all.”

“Really!? I’m glad~, because that was my first time to make merry with a friend of the same gender.”

“I said we aren't the same gender already. Are you saying that on purpose to make me tsukkomi?”

“Ahaha. But as expected, we really look like the same gender when there is no hesitation between us like this.”

Hoshikaze-senpai might have been starved for a relationship that could be called friendship for a long time.

The girls that yearned for her as the prince were a little different from a friend.

{…But it’s quite concerning how you haven’t obtained the key from her.}

Inside Kazuki’s head, Leme was coming with telepathy.

Had she came back from Futsunushi no Kami’s place? She was not at Futsunushi no Kami's domain for that long, however Kazuki was completely ignorant of whatever Leme was doing in Astrum.

When Leme was not materializing in this world, she had no connection with other Divas and she might be all alone by herself in Astrum for a long time. When he thought of that, a feeling that he must be more proactive toward girls was sprouting inside him.

Hoshikaze Hikaru―54. Regardless of the enjoyable time they spent from last night, the range of increase of senpai's positivity level, who held a man phobia in her heart, was slow.

{This number might be the limit of the good mood between the same gender from a close friendship.}

Kazuki’s expression became clouded hearing Leme’s words. When he saw Hikaru-senpai who was playing happily, a feeling of wanting to give senpai a good time even more as a friend was welling up inside him.

Was that pointless however? The bond that Leme was looking for, was it pointless if it was friendship….

Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai went out to the courtyard like that. The fresh air of the dawn made his chest feel a little light from the cloudy feeling inside. In the courtyard that was still dark, the figure of a person was waiting.

“…Hayashizaki, that, I also have something to talk about so I was waiting.”

“Kazuha-senpai.”

Now that he thought again, Kazuha-senpai also said before that she had something to talk about.

“So, what did senpai want to talk about?”

For the moment, Kazuki took a little distance from Hikaru-senpai so their talk couldn’t be heard and asked Kazuha-senpai.

“You know…until now I said a lot of unpleasant things about you but, no, I actually don’t like you but…”

While looking down and grumbling, Kazuha-senpai began the preface of what she wanted to talk about. However the positivity level from here was 29. It was by no means high, but the truth was that she didn’t hate him deep inside.

“But I honestly respect you as a swordsman! That’s why actually I too, want to learn kenjutsu from you!”

“We're on the same team anyway, naturally I don’t mind. But is it okay for senpai with me?”

“At first I was trying to get Kohaku to teach me…but that person is not good whether in teaching something or going easy on someone, she was suddenly doing a real battle method and saying things like [I’m sorry] or [Forgive me] while slashing at me earnestly with her full power…I, it was scary. I saw a killing machine.”

“She doesn’t have any ill will and is clumsy but, that will only make senpai lose confidence won’t it?”

“I think you are still better compared to that killing machine! Better, I mean…when you taught me before it was vexing but, what you said was accurate! You're fine already!!”

Had she already got a concrete result? Kazuha-senpai raised her voice in an excited mood.

“Also there is this feeling of playing an active role in the battle election and looking triumphantly to those guys in the Sword Division. At first I thought it’s fine if I make a striking display with Futsunushi no Kami’s power, but the rules forbid it so…if it keeps like this I will be made fun of by everyone…”

Kazuha-senpai who loved swords and made a contract with a Diva of the sword, her own skills in kenjutsu were immature, so it seemed she was made fun of in the Sword Division which held the doctrine of real strength.

In this battle election that was to be held in front of the students of the entire school, it was a chance to be triumphant over everybody.

…Kazuha-senpai kept saying things like Kazuki was an enemy of women, but Kazuki himself didn’t dislike this senpai. Kazuha-senpai loved swords above all else, she was trying to crawl up from the very bottom.

Rather, the one who could get along with him the best, by some chance it might be this girl.

“Hikaru-senpai, is it okay for this senpai to join in our practice too?”

Kazuki called out to Hikaru-senpai who was doing calisthenics early in the place slightly separated from them.

Hikaru-senpai sent the bright smile of a prince in this direction. She looked dazzling with the morning sun as her background.

“Of course, I don’t mind at all. Welcome.”

Kazuha-senpai was staring fixedly toward that smiling face.

“Hayashizaki Kazuki. …That person, she is just too cool, somehow I feel like shrinking in front of her though.”

“But Hikaru-senpai, because of that coolness, has very few friends. That’s why don’t mind her appearance, please think of her as a normal girl and become her friend.”

“I, is that so!? She is in [solitude] like me!?”

Kazuha-senpai stared at Hikaru-senpai with bright eyes that were filled with affinity.

“I am Hoshikaze Hikaru. Best regards.”

“I, I am Tsukahara Kazuha! Please take care of me!”

Both of them approached each other and grasped each other's hands tightly.

Chapter 3 – Secret Special Training and, Secret Assault and, Secret Sweet Night

Part 1

Once school was over, every team began preparing for the battle election and perform special training.

Although there were a great number of schoolyards and gymnasiums in the Knight Academy, with sixteen teams trying to do special training for plans that couldn’t be shown to each other, the space was insufficient. Kazuki who was still a first year was reserved against the other candidates and gathered everyone in the garden near the Witch’s Manor.

The visibility of the place was a little bad, they must be careful not to damage the surrounding forest.

“How should we train our cooperation specifically? I’m always by myself so I don’t really understand.”

Kazuha-senpai crossed her arms as she inquired while pointlessly acting high-handedly.

“This one and Kazuki still haven’t gotten married, so we couldn’t hope for cooperation like a couple that has been husband and wife for many years. That’s why Kazuki, first let’s get married.”

“I won’t do it. Kohaku, how could you repeat that stupid line so many times with that serious face?”

“I, it's not a stupid line, this one is serious that’s why…”

“Whether it's a stupid line or a serious face, right now is not the time for that kind of talk.”

Kohaku’s shoulders dropped despondently from Kazuki’s scolding.

“If we are talking about cooperation then it is the Heaven and Earth Formation right?”

The honor student Mio stated the model answer. Heaven and Earth Formation―with the swordsman as the vanguard to protect the Magica Stigma, the Magica Stigma would prepare a powerful Summoning Magic from the rearguard, it was that kind of formation.

“The foundation is like that, but…the Heaven and Earth Formation has the premise that the swordsmen would be sacrificed. I think that formation is not suitable for this battle election that's going to decide the Chief Student Council.”

Hearing Kazuki’s words, Kohaku, who wished for the improvement of the swordsmen’s position, was nodding repeatedly with great enthusiasm while humming ‘right right’.

In this battle election, voting would be conducted after the tournament. For the sake of the voting, not just winning, they had to show to everyone a way of fighting that could be recognized as appropriate for the Chief Student Council as well. Liz Liza-sensei called it, not a [manifesto] but a [battle pledge].

“Moreover the interval between each match is really hard on the participants, so I think we shouldn’t fight in a way that would concentrate the burden on someone and also to focus on the next match. If we take damage that couldn’t be healed in each fight, then when it’s time for the finals we might fall into magic intoxication.”

“In that case we aren't going to chant attack magic while sacrificing the frontline swordsmen, it’s better to chant Summoning Magic that supports the front line swordsmen isn’t it? For example something like [Self Burning]!”

Mio clapped both of her hands. Kazuki nodded at that.

“If we chanted [Self Burning] to the frontline swordsmen, they could defend against the enemy’s attack with the flame that covers their whole body while also using Psychokinesis to move the flame into the sword to increase their attack power, such a way of fighting is possible. It’s necessary for such a scheme to be shared with everyone beforehand.”

“I see, using that kind of tactic straight off the bat in that place, and doing it after practicing beforehand, there is a big difference in results between the two. Moreover as a swordsman, this one is not good at Psychokinesis. It’s necessary to train beforehand if this one is to use that way of fighting. So this special training also included something like that.”

Kohaku reached an understanding and nodded once more. The swordsmen typically piled up training specializing in Enchant Aura. Even if they were told to suddenly use Psychokinesis, most of the swordsmen would get bewildered for sure.

“Eh, something like moving flame can be done easily even if you have to adlib it right?”

Kazuha-senpai said such a thing nonchalantly, making Kohaku startled.

Kazuha-senpai loved swords very much, however she was a peculiar person whose magic proficiency was far better than her kenjutsu.

From what Kohaku said, it seemed that her magic proficiency was at the level of a genius.

“It’s better for me to train beforehand to apply defensive magic to other people though.”

The spell chanting of Summoning Magic was divided into four stages of process, they were: [Accessing], [Ordering], [Targeting] and [Casting].

There was no need for [Targeting] when casting a defensive spell that was targeted on the user’s own body. Because of that there are a lot of defensive spells that could be cast quickly. But in the case that it was not targeted on one's own body and rather to other people then there would be a need for [Targeting] just like with other Summoning Magic. For Kazuki who still couldn’t be said to have general magic as his strong point, this small twist became a not so small hurdle.

If he performed the special training, guessed how his allies would move beforehand, and changed his own pattern towards how it would relate to his own position, the [Targeting] too would become absolutely smooth.

“Summoning Magic that could be used to cooperate with swordsman isn't limited to only [Self Burning]. For example…I think Kaguya-senpai’s team will use this kind of cooperation.”

Kazuki knew roughly about the magics that Kaguya-senpai and Koyuki use. …When Kazuki conveyed his own prediction to everyone, all his team members tightened their expressions in understanding of the threat right then and there.

“If we challenge them with a normal Heaven and Earth Formation with no plan at all, there is no doubt that we're going to lose to an advanced cooperation attack. I think it’s better for our side to also prepare several patterns and increase our proficiency with them.”

This tournament would develop to a point where the team that created a new way of fighting would trample the team that kept clinging to the old Heaven and Earth Formation, that was how it would be.

All of a sudden, Kazuki noticed how Kazuha-senpai was staring at him from the side while fidgeting.

“I, is there something wrong?”

“No…just thinking of how serious you are considering this tournament. You are an unexpectedly direct person, huh.”

A small heart flew from her chest, it was sucked into Kazuki’s Solomon’s ring.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

With the goal of the battle election, even one second was precious, but to overdo it the special training for magic cooperation until exhausted was also not allowed. Early morning and evening became free time slots.

When the special team training was over, Kazuki did not only do his usual early morning practice, but he also did the kenjutsu practice together with Hikaru-senpai and Kazuha-senpai diligently during the evening too.

With the addition of the third member in the training, the things they could do also increased. So that Kazuki could see the two’s real strength objectively once again, he had both Hikaru-senpai and Kazuha-senpai exchange blows with each other.

“…Ooops…wawawaa!”

The one who immediately let out a panicked voice was Hikaru-senpai.

Kazuha-senpai swung countless varied slashes with smooth movement like flowing water and cornered Hikaru-senpai.

“Kazuha-senpai, you have become very strong compared to when you fought me, haven’t you?”

“Really!? I've become strong!?”

Kazuha-senpai turned back after hearing Kazuki’s words and her expression turned bright.

The origin of her change was from her total lack of unneeded strength. Her swordsmanship was not flabby like before but serene and resolute like a falling star.

That smoothness was none other than the product of her persistent practice-swings and form practice.

That swordsmanship of hers clearly told the story of how hard she worked everyday.

“…But while I can fight like that when practicing, but in a real fight I'm completely no good.”

“Was it because senpai thought of absolutely not wanting to lose against those guys in class, or senpai didn’t want to show an uncool side of yourself that you strained yourself in fights?”

“Y, yes! That’s right! That kind of feeling!”

“There's a problem psychologically with senpai, perhaps? But in reality senpai is strong so please have faith in yourself.”

“…In reality, I am, strong…? Even though everyone made fun of me…”

Hearing Kazuki’s words, Kazuha-senpai’s cheeks were slightly colored by a hope called [by any chance].

“I too thought that I'd learned the forms and beat those movements properly into my body, however...”

Hikaru-senpai tilted her head looking like she was unconvinced.

Hikaru-senpai too had Traced Kazuki’s movements using telepathy, the forms of the kenjutsu had been mostly beaten into her body.

“Even though senpai has learned the forms, but to know how to move your body in various kinds of situations really effectively, experience means everything for that kind of situational assessment. Moreover not only simply Tracing the movements, when you strongly persevere in your practice-swings and form-practice over and over, your movement will become purely serene. Whether in body’s physique or the optimization of the body movement's kinks…in those aspects, Kazuha-senpai’s sword is above.”

The swordsmanship that was polished to its utmost limit wouldn’t be able to be predicted even with Foresight. When Kazuki fought against Yagyuu Nyounsai, even until the end he still couldn’t see through that master swordsman’s <Tengushou> perfectly.

Even if Hikaru-senpai's learning ability was really excellent, the depth of kenjutsu was even deeper.

“So it’s like that? A perfectly clear swordsmanship…that’s super cool! Understood, then I’ll do even more practice-swings just you watch! I’ll show you!!”

“But that’s not something that could be achieved in a day, so for now let’s polish our sense of discernment. You two, how about exchanging blows with me, this time in turn?”

Kazuki also drew his sword from the sheath. The practice of the Hayashizaki-style used real swords. Even if they used real swords, as long as the defensive magic power was still there it would be safe. It would be more economical in magic power if they used bamboo swords, but it would create a large gap in their senses.

When she faced against Kazuki who drew his sword, Kazuha-senpai froze in surprise.

“It’s okay, I'm not thinking of something like returning the resentment of being unjustly accused at all. Fuffuffu.”

“Stoo―pp! Are you actually an S―!?”

“…But to learn swordsmanship from the enemy team, for some reason it might be unfair.”

Hikaru-senpai was laughing while taking a stance with her katana.

“Hikaru-senpai doesn’t really feel like an enemy. Besides, the students of the Magic Division can't use a sword by the rules at any rate.”

“That’s not the case you know, my Baal has a magic that can create a weapon after all.”

Is that so, using weapons created from Summoning Magic was not a problem in the end.

Hikaru-senpai’s Baal had a lot of magic that increased a person’s close range combat ability that was to Kazuki’s liking. Kazuha-senpai’s Futsunushi no Kami was also identical.

If he raised these two's positivity levels, then he could become even stronger…

A calculating thought was crossing his mind, Kazuki quickly shook his head in a fluster.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

When both senpais became completely exhausted, the color of the sky had completely become the color of night.

“By the way Hikaru-senpai. Where is an area in this academy that is located in the blind spot of the security cameras?”

Just before they returned to the Witch’s Manor after the training was over, Kazuki glanced at Hikaru-senpai and asked.

“Why are you asking that kind of thing? Well, I don’t think Kazuki will do anything bad so it doesn’t matter though.”

She didn’t even have a shred of doubt toward Kazuki, Hikaru-senpai obediently taught Kazuki about the here and there of such areas.

Kazuki was nodding while he was listening thinking that so far, the situation was good.

Of course he didn’t plan to do anything bad. Though if Mio or Kaguya-senpai knew, they would get angry.

“I understand. Sorry, there's something that I really need to do tonight, so is it okay if I take a rain check on spending time together in my room?”

“Ok-kay―, it’s fine. In a friendship between men, there's no such thing like prying too deeply into a friend who is having circumstances after all!”

Part 2

The garden at night. In the space between the trees with its dark green color that looked close to an endless black, Kazuki was taking a stroll while pretending something like [sometimes I want to be alone]. In actuality even if Kazuki was together with everyone of the Witch’s Manor for the whole day, he didn’t feel any burden whatsoever.

However, with regards to Kazuki, he ought to have a side as [a guy who waited to become alone quickly].

While taking a stroll inside the school at night, mixed with the cool night wind Kazuki felt a stare that clung all over him following him everywhere. …What a simple to understand person, isn’t she.

So that person could feel safe and come out, Kazuki intentionally chose a time where there were no patrols and "strolled" to an area where the security cameras didn’t reach.

―Immediately there was a slight killing intent that came approaching!

“Are you really thinking something ineffective that you've tried before will suddenly succeed if you tried it again!”

Kazuki avoided the surprise attack like he had an eye on his back, he drew his katana while turning back.

The attacker was getting panicked from Kazuki’s counter attack and immediately recovered her distance.

“You bastard, why are you still alive? I should have killed you already for sure…!”

The person who opened a distance of several steps and confronted him was the girl covered from head to toe in a black costume and veil.

Looking at her build there was no mistake, she was the same assassin who attacked him before.

From how this person was able to grasp the timing of Kazuki going out, he could deduce that she was someone connected with this academy. Moreover if she was also connected with the assault cases against the ordinary students, the possibility that she had grasped the placement of the security cameras was high.

That was why, if he went out alone like this, Kazuki thought he would be able to lure her out.

Although this person had confirmed that she had assassinated Kazuki and left once before, and yet the next day Kazuki was attending school calmly, she must have been shocked when she noticed it and became impatient.

“Isn’t your training that’s what's insufficient? No, in your country it’s called kung fu isn’t it?”

I had guessed your identity already you know, was what Kazuki indicated implicitly.

Instead of a reply, the assassin kicked the ground loudly (DON―!).

<Thunder StepShinkyaku>―in Chinese kenpo, by stepping on the earth powerfully, the recoil was changed into energy.

Using Shinkyaku, the assassin took a large stride forward from the recoil she produced and leapt at Kazuki with high speed. It was the characteristic way of walking in Chinese kenpo that was called <Vertical Leap StepJūchouho>.

With a stance with a low center of gravity that was almost sinking, she stepped into the opponent’s bosom in one stretch using the momentum obtained from Shinkyaku. At the same time her foot landed on the ground, she didn’t let go of that momentum and operated the joints of her whole body together. When she thrust out her palm using that <Spiral Motion>, the technique was fast like purple lightning, possessing the piercing power of a rifle bullet.

Chinese kenpo was a fist martial arts that kicked the earth.

Kazuki remembered the Shintoukei that he was hit with right from the front, he determined that it was dangerous to be touched by this person's attacks. Therefore he mustn’t parry her attacks but dodge, and slash his katana aiming for the time her attack ended.

Against Kazuki’s counterattack, the assassin’s palm moved in a circling motion―spiral motion.

The assassin’s palm heel hit the side of Kazuki’s katana and diverted the slash’s trajectory drastically.

Just like a spinning top that was rotating and repelled something flying to it, the spiral motion exhibited its power even in defense. Similar with Kazuki’s <Instant Positioning>, this person did it with a flowing dance of her bare hands.

The assassin who warded off Kazuki's attack just like that kept her parrying arm sticking to Kazukis katana and gripped it, with that grip as the focal point, she slipped into Kazuki's bosom.

Super close-range distance. The space to swing the katana was lost. If she was glued to him this closely, the opponent was also supposed to be unable to swing her punch and kick sufficiently.

“BREAK!”

However the assassin, while raising her voice with fervor that was unthinkable from a female she kicked the earth again loudly (DON!). The energy from kicking the earth was changed just like that into power.

The assassin’s joints in her whole body were interlocking together in a spiral motion (Gyururu!). If there was this much energy obtained from the earth, a space to swing the fist was unnecessary. A technique that could be called <Brink PowerSunkei> or possibly <One-Inch Punch>. …Regardless of the zero point distance, a strong palm heel was coming!

Kazuki immediately blocked it with the ridges of his katana.

However he staggered from the terrific impact.

I see, Kazuki thought. She got close as soon as she defended the opponent’s attack, from that distance where she looked like she was glued to the opponent, she killed from the interval where the opponent wouldn’t be able to get away. When she did this the opponent couldn’t attack directly. On the other hand she herself kicked the earth strongly and with the power from the spiral motion she was hitting with a powerful blow even from zero point distance.

It was said that Chinese kenpo’s <Eight Extremities FistHakkyouken> specialized in tactics like this.

The assassin’s hand held Kazuki's katana firmly.

Kazuki who was observing calmly changed his expression. A minute wave of magic power was released from the palm of the assassin.

As if opposing this wave of magic power, the magic power aura that covered Kazuki's body and katana was making a ripple and was stretching out thinly. The positive and the negative.

Shintoukei―the katana was going to be broken.

The assassin stepped on the earth firmly and strongly, that energy was going to be transmitted into the palm. That was enough power to break a sword that was forged using alchemy bare-handed.

However before that happened, Kazuki concentrated his Enchant Aura in one point and shook away the hand of the assassin from his katana just barely. From the hand of the assassin, the energy that lost its destination dispersed.

…Interesting. It was a way of fighting that he had never seen before until now, a different battle doctrine.

Kazuki still hadn’t escaped from the range of the assassin. The assassin stepped on the ground strongly, that impact was transmitted to the leg on the opposite side and she released a powerful kick.

It didn’t seem likely that all her blows were infused with that peculiar magic power.

However he was hesitating to get touched, so Kazuki devoted himself fully to dodging.

But he wouldn’t be able to break the stance of the opponent just by evading, the opponent let loose consecutive attacks as she pleased. Soon the situation turned into a one-sided defensive battle for Kazuki.

“How’s that! This is what they mean by Senren Nensui !!”

The assassin’s movements that single-mindedly drew circular trajectories reminded Kazuki of a compass .

“It’s just a different technique, but if it doesn’t hit then it’s no big deal.”

Kazuki provoked her again while evading, the girl assassin replied back in a voice that sounded testy.

“…The kenjutsu of this academy is trash. What you bastards learned is not a killing technique, you aren’t taught anything other than techniques for the sake becoming sacrifices for the Magica Stigma.”

That was a harsh truth for his ears.

“I was taught the technique of human extremity. …BREAK!”

The girl assassin kicked the earth with even more strength. A loud voice (DON!) was reverberating.

It was a Shinkyaku that was loaded with powerful Enchant Aura, all the recoil from kicking the earth was converted into acceleration power.

That speed, its penetrating power was approaching even Beatrix or Hikaru-senpai when they were using body reinforcement magic.

Certainly to reach this power without using Summoning Magic was astounding.

However, because there was the preliminary action of kicking the earth strongly, it was very easy to read.

“Don’t think for a second that you know all there is to know about this country’s kenjutsu just from that much!”

Kazuki leisurely avoided that palm strike that was launched with inhuman speed.

“Kuu!? How did my technique-!? Can it be dodged like that!?”

He had already seen the bottom of this person. That was what Kazuki thought in his heart.

The assassin, stirred up from his provocation, exposed a large opening from the wide swing she was attacking with.

The continuous attacks came to an end right there.

Kazuki finally escaped from the close range where the assassin was glued tightly to him, he took the distance where he could slash his katana.

Then he imaged a flowing stroke that was like a serene clear stream in his mind―and slashed down.

His repeated practice-swings everyday made the image in Kazuki's mind clear, that motion polished with Enchant Aura produced a slash with a speed just as he imagined it.

The single strike that was approaching god-speed slashed apart the defensive magic power of the assassin whose posture was riddled with openings.

Kazuki was not stopping there.

Could he do it or couldn't he, it was a technique whose success rate was just fifty percent, but…,

Hayashizaki-style Dream Sword―<Pile UpKasane>!

Gouging a single scratch on the opponent's defensive magic with the first strike. Then before the new magic power could gush out and fill the location that bore a single scratch the size of a strand of hair, a second return strike following perfectly the same trajectory of the first was piled up.

Due to those miraculous strikes, the defensive magic power of the opponent was pierced through and severed the flesh on the other side.

Just in an instant like a passing haze, Kazuki’s katana carved two piles of line.

Originally it was a technique meant for an instant kill. However this time he didn’t have the intention to hurt his enemy.

Gently, the veil fell from the assassin’s face.

“What the!?” She raised an astonished voice, the exposed girl leaped back as if she was trying to escape.

“Not only your veil, I could even chop your neck if I want. This is Japan’s assassination sword.”

Inside his mind he was glad that the technique was a success while his heart was thumping loudly, even so he informed the opponent coolly.

Dream sword―the secret sword that was like describing a fantasy, it wouldn’t succeed except against an opponent whose skill was separated by a large gap below him.

Even if, for example, he tried to test it against an opponent like Beatrix who was a [formidable enemy with no openings], it could be called nothing but rash.

Though there was also an opponent who was really careless like Loki, the so called [formidable enemy riddled with openings].

“Just as I thought. You were there at the tournament's drawing weren’t you?”

At that time in the auditorium, Kazuki felt a strong gaze that couldn’t hide the shock it felt.

That was why this was nothing more than a confirmation. He had already investigated even her name.

“First year student of the Sword Division who joined Mibu Akira’s team…Katsura Karin. That‘s your name right?”

The assassin who was skilled in Chinese Kenpo―Katsura Karin’s face was colored in fury, a teeth grinding sound (giriri) was sounding.

“You aren't using kenjutsu, but your skill in unarmed martial arts is quite considerable huh?”

“Even if you know my name, it won’t be a problem if I kill you in this place!”

Karin rushed ahead once more with <Jūchouho>.

But he had seen the bottom of this person’s strength.

To say nothing of how her skill became dull from impatience and fury, it was becoming easy to Foresight her movements. Kazuki's out of character provocation that he kept repeating was in order to make the girl lose her presence of mind.

Kazuki was already able to evade her attacks with a wide berth.

…He even had room to chant his spell.

“No hesitation even if cursing thee would bring harm to myself…agonizing together is my joy! Cry and scream in the mirror's reflection! Suicide Black!”

Kazuki's whole body was wrapped in a dusky aura.

Kazuki suddenly stopped trying to dodge, he presented his own body against the opponent’s palm heel.

“!?” Karin noticed the abnormality, but she couldn’t stop her technique so suddenly. (DOSU!) Her palm heel sunk into Kazuki's solar plexus―the pain that should have been produced from that blow was reflected back into Karin.

[Suicide Black] was illusion magic that reflected the pain produced from an attack the user received back onto the attacker.

“Whh…gahaa! Bastard, what are you…”

From the phantom pain in her abdomen that was like being hit by a miniature rocket, Karin leaked out a vomiting voice of pain.

The girl was trying to use Shintoukei, but her magic power control was thrown out of whack from the phantom pain, that magic power wave was dispersed.

Just as he suspected. Most likely this technique read the opponent’s magic power wavelength from the palm, then she clashed the exact opposite wavelength and offset the defensive magic power. A delicate control of magic power was necessary in order to do that, if he used Asmodeus’ pain magic then he would be able to seal her technique. …She was not a threat anymore.

“What a person with no endurance. To become this full of holes and thrown out of whack just from a little pain, what a joke.”

Kazuki made even more merciless eyes and said something like what a sadist would say because of the magic that he used.

“O desire lurking in the sea of the heart, passing through the deeply sinful flesh I reached this hand! O embodiment of violation, entangle all according to my desire! Desire Tentacles!”

And then Kazuki invoked a level 1 magic that didn’t need much time to activate. Countless tentacles were summoned from the ground and captured Karin who was writhing in pain.

“An immature brat like you still has a long way to go before you can be called an assassin.”

Her technique was seen through by Kazuki's calm observation, she became completely furious from his provocation, and was unable to deal with an unknown magic―Right now, Karin’s whole body was restrained one-sidedly.

Karin was struggling around in frustration, but the girl couldn’t escape with physical strength.

“Why did you target me? Is your objective my life? Or else the seat of the Chief Student Council? The backer behind you, is it another Magic Advanced Country…as I thought, is it China?”

Karin averted her eyes from Kazuki and she didn’t even try to open her mouth. It was a natural reaction though, and couldn’t be helped.

“If you don’t confess, then I’ll make that black and thick tentacle do something traumatic to you, do you want that?”

Kazuki lowered his voice and threatened the girl.

…But as expected that kind of thing didn’t really agree with me.

Countless tentacles with black luster that just by looking at them would make you wrap in disgust were twining around the girl’s limbs and wriggling around (nyou-nyou). However Karin’s expression didn’t change.

“…O flower of goblin, blossom in your full glory alluringly…”

In a whisper, Karin’s mouth was spinning words. …A spell!?

Kazuki tightened the tentacles entanglement in a fluster. However this [Desire Tentacles] by nature was an attack for the purpose of obstructing spell chanting, it had no power. Should he cut her with his katana, that thought passed for only an instant before Kazuki hesitated―he chose to dare in letting the opponent invoke her Summoning Magic and observe it.

Katsura Karin who was supposed to be a student of the Sword Division, but she was now attempting to chant Summoning Magic!

“What is opening tonight is the banquet of brutes, raise the red hot pillar against the sinner of brutal theft, inclined that life as the appetizer and the cup of joy. Torture of a thousand years of heaven, right here in this place…Giant Baking Pan Black Rope HellDaihouraku Kokujou Jigoku!!”

(DOGON!) Along with an enormous sound, several steel pillars were rising around the girl while rotating. The number of pillars were ten. The pillars were emitting a glossy light of oil while burning red and giving off a choking stench.

From the ten steel pillars, several lines of black string were suddenly fired radially. The black ropes immediately turned to Kazuki and the black tentacles and stretched out. …This is, a rope made of human’s braided hair!

Kazuki escaped but the hairs in a number that was impossible to escape were reaching out to him.

Finally the black rope twined around Kazuki’s foot!

Kazuki tried to cut it with his katana, but with a grinding sound the black rope resisted the blade, he wasn’t able to sever it.

“Burn all things in contact to ash…scorching heat of rejection without a place to go! Self Burning!”

Kazuki Foresighted the sign of heat element magic and setup his defensive magic. His way of using it was different from expectation but he tried to burn the black rope with the flame armor. ―Even so it couldn’t be burned.

A degree of endurance like it was filled full with a curse.

The black rope dragged Kazuki (zuruzuru) toward the ominous steel pillar that was releasing a wretched stench and fierce heat.

“Shit-!” Impatiently, Kazuki concentrated the flame into the katana in his hand using Psychokinesis.

The katana whose attack power was heightened by the flames―its single blow finally severed the black rope.

Kazuki barely escaped from the fear of being dragged toward the pillar that was emitting a wretched stench and terrible heat. However several more black ropes were stretching out and attempted to capture Kazuki and drag him toward the pillar once more. Kazuki burned and cut apart the approaching black ropes one after another with his flame katana and drove them away.

Using that opportunity, Karin liberated herself from the [Desire Tentacles] that restrained her. The black ropes also reached out to the tentacles, one of the steel pillars used up its energy and sunk into the ground before disappearing.

Karin took a stance once again in preparation for Kazuki.

The flame of battle was revived once more.

{―Just stop already, Karin. You can’t win against that boy.}

At that time, beside Karin an avatar of a Diva was floating. It was no doubt Karin’s contracted Diva. Wearing a gorgeous kimono, she was an adult goddess that emitted a brilliant loveliness. And then on her head were golden ears and from her lower back a tail was growing. That was a fox's appendage.

A fox Diva in kimono appearance…was it a Chinese Diva just as he thought? At the very least that attire which was emitting the atmosphere of Asia was obviously not one of Solomon's 72 Pillars.

“What did you say, Da…”

{Don’t say my name!}

The female Diva interrupted Karin’s word with a strong tone. Karin was twitching in surprise.

{…You mustn’t give any more information, even if it's only a little more to that boy. Such carelessness showed the difference between you and that boy, that is what I want to say. It’s not a simple difference of battle technique or Summoning Magic power. You, who keeps fighting while running in fury, and that boy who fights while calmly drawing out information from the opponent, as soldiers your position is different. Do you understand?}

Karin was silently looking down from her contracted Diva's remonstration.

{I am not a weak Diva. However despite that, even if for example you possess twice the battle power of that boy you will still lose from such a difference, can you see that? …Hey you, boy.}

The aristocrat that grew the fox tail faced Kazuki with her long-slitted eyes.

{It’s surprising how there is a soldier like you in this kind of peaceful country and peaceful era. How many scenes of carnage have you struggled through until this point?}

“I haven’t gone through exaggerated things like scenes of carnage at all. It’s just, my school of sword style puts the most importance in regards to [looking] at the opponent.”

Kazuki's Foresight technique that was as if seeing through the future was fearsome to the degree that he was called [Magic Eye OgreCyclops] from the many dojos he's visited.

{Merely putting the importance in observing, that’s all there is to it? Hohou, what a boy that will likely grow worse in the future. Karin, with this the assassination has already failed. Give up and escape immediately.}

“…Understood.”

{It’s fine even if you come to pursue, but we have confidence in our fleet foot. Until next time, boy.}

Karin concentrated her Enchant Aura in her running legs and disappeared in the darkness of the night right away.

He thought that it would be best if he could restrain her personally, but…in the end it couldn’t go that smoothly.

This exchange that happened outside of the security cameras didn’t leave any evidence behind at all.

Kazuki began to turn back to the road that was wrapped in darkness.

Part 3

When Kazuki returned to his room, it was obvious but there was no one inside the pitch black room.

Although he was the one who proposed to suspend the stay-over for tonight, Kazuki’s feelings clearly felt how unfortunate it was when he returned to this room without Hikaru-senpai in it.

He was wondering whether he should go to senpai’s room after this….

While he was lost pondering such a thing and lowered himself on the bed, a faint sound of knocking could be heard.

The door opened a little and from there Koyuki’s head appeared in a bounce.

“Kazuki… Hoshikaze-senpai is not here tonight?”

“She's not, but… what are you wearing?”

When Kazuki answered, Koyuki entered the room.

“Good evening, Kazuki-oniisan!”

From behind Koyuki, Lotte also entered after her.

These two were wearing unusual clothes. Dresses that were adorned with a lot of frills. Miniskirts that expanded from panier . Socks that were decorated with lace were peeking out from there.

The two petite lovely girls looked mystical in some respects, like perfectly made dolls.

Koyuki’s clothes were pastel blue and Lotte’s were a monotone of black and white with the tinges differing from each other.

“This is a clothing genre that is described as sweet loli.”

“I am a goth loli desu!”

Koyuki talked coolly like she was trying to hide her embarrassment, and Lotte talked with an honestly spirited voice.

“You two look absurdly cute, but what’s the occasion?”

“Kazuki is…going to be happy if we dressed up, it’s because you said that.”

“I received a consultation from Koyuki-oneesan, we went together and bought these desu!”

So this is about that conversation at breakfast last Saturday when he went on a date with Mio before.

It seemed Koyuki was worrying about how she seemed to be completely uninterested in clothing in that conversation.

The result of that was something like this.

Both of them sat on the bed and saddled up to Kazuki, he was pressed from left and right by the two of them. This is the so-called Lolita sandwich situation.

“When I wore a maid uniform, Kazuki said that frills suited me completely. I don’t really understand myself, but I was thinking then, I wonder if something like this really looked good on me…”

Koyuki talked with a tone like she was making an excuse. Her anxiety was peeking out from her voice.

“For me, I have an interest on Japan’s Lolita fashion that came out well from anime desu. Koyuki-oneesan and I are connected as the frills alliance!”

In contrast, Lotte talked brightly. It looked like Lotte guessed Koyuki’s emotions and gave her some support.

Though the circumstances looked like she was really pushing her own hobby.

However, right now, a member of the human race who was able to say that these two weren't cute, was it possible for such a person to exist?

It suited them so perfectly that it could be said that nothing else would look better on them.

“What do you think of the two of us right now desu? Kazuki-oniisan-!”

“It’s cute. It suits you both, you two are absurdly cute!”

From the inside of Kazuki’s mind, the fatigue and nervousness from the fight before this disappeared.

Matters like Katsura Karin or whatever didn’t even matter anymore at all.

“Super cute! What’s with this, even though you two had bought them on Saturday, it would be awesome if you two showed them off earlier than this!”

Kazuki raised a merry voice against his better judgment, then he stroked both of their heads gently.

“But Kazuki, aren’t you always together with Hoshikaze-senpai being in this room…”

Koyuki talked a little peevishly.

“Sorry. Were you lonely, Koyuki?”

“I am, not really… --I was lonely.”

Koyuki was trying to pretend to be tough, however she immediately corrected her words. And then while she was leaking a soft purring “puu”, she rubbed her cheek on Kazuki’s cheek. This rabbit’s purr of [puu] was the signal that Koyuki’s spoiling mood switch was turned on.

“You really are absurdly cute like this, Koyuki. Very cute.”

Towards Koyuki who was pondering to escape, he had to transmit his own feelings to her even if it was a little embarrassing. While Kazuki was calling her cute repeatedly, he kissed Koyuki’s cheek softly.

Koyuki’s expressionless face was faintly turning brighter in happiness, Kazuki could see it.

“Puu” After purring one more time, Koyuki turned to the front of Kazuki like she was straddling one of his legs.

And then she clung to him right from the front and pressed her lips to Kazuki.

While kissing, Koyuki was sucking Kazuki’s lips (chuu―) like a child sucking a baby bottle. It was like this before too, but Koyuki really liked sucking kisses like this.

Koyuki who was entering her mood right now was fawning on him so boldly, like a fierce fire was lit inside her heart.

“Kazuki-oniisan, wan wan!”

From the other side Lotte came near and licked (peropero) Kazuki’s cheek.

Koyuki who was sucking Kazuki’s lips (chuu―chuu―) to her heart’s content, separated with intoxicated and bewitching faces.

After that, Lotte was the one getting near this time, and pressed her lips on Kazuki. Even while kissing, Lotte kept moving her tongue. It seemed she likes to keep licking Kazuki’s face and lips.

Kazuki remembered that Mio liked to kiss like pecking at each other repeatedly in short intervals. Even in kissing preferences, each girl had their own liking.

If that was the case, Kazuki too used his tongue and licked Lotte’s lips in return, it's time for a counterattack. Their wet lips were touching each other, Lotte was clinging closely to Kazuki like a dog that was wagging its tail merrily.

“Kazuki, you didn’t do something like that to me…”

Koyuki reproached him with moist eyes.

When Kazuki separated his lips from Lotte, this time he sucked Koyuki’s lips strongly. When he made a sound (chuuuu-) just like what Koyuki did before, Koyuki’s dainty body was trembling (buruburu), her happiness was overflowing from being tormented with the way of kissing that she liked.

If he was accused of being a Harem King right at this moment, Kazuki wouldn’t be able to make any excuses whatsoever.

“Koyuki-oneesan, we have already become Kazuki-oniisan’s belongings haven't we?”

Lotte asked like she was trying to draw out Koyuki's real thoughts, who by nature had a dishonest character.

“Right now, I want to be with Kazuki like this for a long time… I don’t want to be separated from you.”

Koyuki separated her lips from Kazuki and replied with a bewitching expression.

She was in a state where there was almost no reasoning left inside.

“Kazuki, is it okay if we sleep together tonight too?”

“I also want to sleep together with Onii-san desu.”

“Of course it’s okay, but…”

Before Kazuki could finish talking, Koyuki took off her lovely clothes smoothly. And before he could even say ‘ah’ she was already only in her bustier and panties.

“As expected, you're going to sleep in that kind of appearance again!?”

Moreover, she was always in a shirt and panties, but this time there wasn't even a shirt on top of her clothing arrangement. The contrast between her bare white skin and the underwear that was only adorning the minimum was very lewd.

“After all, this clothing that was praised so highly will get wrinkles if I use it to sleep.”

Then I too will ‘suboboboo―n’ desu!”

Looking like they bought a set complete with underwear, Lotte embraced Kazuki too in completely the same state where her skin was exposed.

The three laid down on the bed vigorously just like that.

“It’s cramped.”

“But this crampness is good desu♪”

“If it's cramped, then isn’t it fine if we hugged more closely?”

Just like two kinds of cheese that were melted on top of bread, the two girls piled themselves on top of Kazuki’s hard body.

Feeling the two’s softness and warmth… Kazuki had to put forth a great effort in order to preserve his reasoning that night.

Chapter 4 – Cooperation Attack

Part 1

May 15th. Finally, the curtain to the battle election was raised.

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 the start.

The stands that surrounded the grounds in a circle were packed full with students. Tents were constructed at both ends of the grounds, those became the waiting rooms 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 motives were based from his experiences in the past from the time when he was a knight.

“But in the end I liked the sword! It doesn't have any relation to how swordsmen are 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. 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 can't become pure. Senpai can't 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 only those kinds of thoughts 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 in you too. But if I just weighed all of you down then it’s even more inexcusable, or how should I put it…sorry…”

“There's 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 think that my feelings have become lighter!”

Right at that time, the broadcast for the team’s entrance resounded. The excited cheering from the audience stands could be heard 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'll see this one wearing the swordsman’s battle uniform 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 your wife, doesn't it?” 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 grounds, they were surrounded 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 pompoms attached. Everyone was dancing in the front row while scattering their lively charms.

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

Their white thighs that looked bright were moving with lively motions, 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 with 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 relationship.

“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 next was a fellow 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 fairly formidable opponents.

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

“Shem ha MeforashI know thy name…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 stands 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 grains from that distance.

“I know thy name. Thy name is [Focalor]. O fallen angel that applauds thieves, 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 bodies were wrapped in Magic Dresses.

―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 big advantage.

Even in the off chance 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 instructions 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 instructions to Kohaku to follow up Mio’s obstruction.

If they did this then as long as the enemy didn’t employ any peculiar tactics, they should be able to seal the enemies' attacks without much difficulty.

The reality of things also seemed to go that way.

“O gryphon that crossed over the ocean, those wings give rise to the wind of north pole, raise upsetting raging waves…Storm SurgeNorthern Wave!”

With fast chanting, Miyamoto-senpai invoked her level 1 magic. The gryphon Diva, Focalor, gave rise to cold winds 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 the matching element.

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

The 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! Flap 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 on 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 Treasures Kohaku was strong enough to deal with him. She dodged her opponent’s attacks smoothly and counterattacked precisely with unrefined movements from her wild instinct made Kazuki, who was the theoretical type, retort with [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 a one-sided defensive battle and was overpowered by the opponent’s strong single blows, slowly she was being pushed back.

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

Sagawa-senpai was hurling jeers at Kazuha-senpai. Both of them were 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 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're just quack Tsukahara!?”

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

“If she lets out all of her real strength, Kazuha-senpai easily outclasses 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 turn the situation around.

“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―).

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 attacks 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 grounds. 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 pleased. In continuous motion she kept chipping at the opponents’ concentration, a disagreeable way of fighting. Right at that time Kazuki was also participating in 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 the blink of an eye. By all rights they should go with all their strengths, it might even 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 on this grand stage.

“E, even though you're 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 her 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 field was wrapped in a loud excited cheering.

“I, I won…I won!?”

When Kazuha-senpai first returned from the world of the 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 stands 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 emotions 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 stands, they passed each other as 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 a 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 directions.

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

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

As expected, they used that!

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

With the rules 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 an 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 high-speed movements 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 the fight. Koyuki, who also equipped the ice boots became able to fight directly. The boots that were attached with ice blades 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 their victory and defeat already. Kanae, Torazou-san and Koyuki, the three tore the opposing Magica Stigma into shreds with katana and ice blades. 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 teammates from the disastrous scene. They really were becoming useless in their function as the vanguard.

If it turned out like this, then this was 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 regained their freedom of movement somewhat.

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

Kaguya-senpai on the other hand, stood imposingly at the rear.

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

“Suicide Black.”

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

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

The two swordsmen who completely brought their katanas down on Kaguya-senpai whose whole body was covered with black mist were writhing about from the phantom pain of having their flesh split in 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 range combat and finished dealing with them. It was the pitiful end of Magica Stigma who didn’t receive the protection from 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 showing.

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 illuminates the world! Rise right here O moonlight, disturb the human’s heart…Lost Moonlight Night PalaceLunatic Labyrinth!!”

The moment that magic was invoked, a strong light (ka―) covered the ground completely.

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

“Mind Encroachment MagicMind Hack 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 that 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 wounds on their flesh, but it seemed like if they bore any wounds 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 falling 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 had such fine weather too, Kazuki and the others spread a large leisure sheet at one of the corners on the grounds. In preparation for this afternoon break, Kazuki had prepared a three layer set of multi-tiered boxed lunch.

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

While giving that invitation, Kazuki opened the box lunch.

In the first layer was rolled omelet and sides of vegetables and fruits with a rich color scheme, the strawberry and mini tomatoes were beautifully placed inside the jet black box. The second layer was filled with standard goods like karaage , asparagus and mini hamburger, from there things like congratulation bream and fried shrimp for the side dishes 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 lunch―!”

When Kazuki called to the bunch from the Sword Division, Kanae unhesitatingly dove 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.”

“I don't really understand what you're 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 in seiza very formally, even though it was fine for her to relax more.

“Is it okay to eat even though I'm a man?” Torazou-san too finally came.

“Isn’t it obvious that it’s okay. I didn’t particularly make this because I have secret motives 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 really understand what you're 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 Nyarlatoteph.

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 isn't a carnivorous young man, he's the totally harmless pet of the Witch’s Manor. Loo―k here, cutie, cutie!”

Kaguya-senpai sat at Kazuki’s side, hugged Kazuki’s 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 isn't considering me a man at all, but actually, she is conscious of me as someone of the opposite sex.

It was Hikaru-senpai’s fault for telling him that fact, even an innocent skinship like this might, in reality, not be completely innocent. 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 mine 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 ). 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 like it’s the most natural thing to do…”

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 protects 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 various things about you, 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 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 though!” 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 enough 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 acts 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 fish here, it’s huge!”

“I’ll show you my guess about what Kazuki-oniisan wants 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, rice is sticking on your cheek.”

From behind, Koyuki snapped at and ate the rice grain that was sticking to 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 Manor―!”

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 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 to me! I hate it if Nii-sama won’t do lewd thiings to me!”

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 to me!!”

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 spoiled little sister, I will look like a fool unbecoming of my age, won't I!?”

No, you weren't just looking like an idiot, you were a real idiot right from the depths of your mind.

“What ecchi things? We aren't doing anything ecchi here! Something ecchi is…must not be done yet, 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 heat is you right!?”

Both of them were saying “Nya―!” or “Funya―!” while starting to wrestle 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 a boxed lunch 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 slightly 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 contents were grilled and stewed marine products, beans and vegetables that were finished with delicate seasoning in Kyoto’s style, chirashi sushi and the like. All of it was the workmanship of an amateur but that was as good as a professional.

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

“Kazuki, here, eat this.”

Kohaku held out food with her chopsticks 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 her chopsticks that presented the food was trembling from shock.

“Ah, no sorry, I’ll eat. …Delicious. This, what’s this 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 , 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 Kazuki with her in a state that invited pity.

Right there Mio was “What are you saying, even though we're 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 become 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 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 invisible 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 to the semifinals. So don't do things like losing to someone like Otonashi Kaguya, okay?”

Miyabi-senpai who was being dragged away (zuruzuru ) 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 their team will fight?”

Mio asked Kazuki while taking a seat in 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 has use of Possession SummoningDrive so her chant speed is really fast. Moreover, the level of her telepathy towers high above the others; it makes you understand why she is so desirable as a teammate. Even if you aren't conscious of such things like cooperation, Lotte will always enter with 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 that 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 grounds. 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 cheers 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 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's and the Sword Division’s equality, she received criticism 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 being conducted.

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

“I know thy forbidden name…thy true name is Baalzebul, all the evil is born in the Middle Ages. O disgraced god of harvests, 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 good.

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 members so she could follow up the other’s actions. They had a nice, balanced combination.

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

“Roar! Civilization brings destruction to humans! The howl of wisdom scorches thy body, break, that dignity is buried beneath the rubble!! 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 disrupted the concentration needed for chanting.

“O will of the whirling heavens' god! Gather in my hand, grant me the authority of judgment! O radiance of royalty’s divine gift, become the drawn bow that shines 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 the fetus that is never able to grow, O king of Ralphagrudge’s seed! Scooping the wave of resentment from the realm of the dead with that hand, throw it to that man! Persistent Calling VoiceSlowing Gas!”

A demon with a jelly like shape of wandering will-o-wisps that was hard to describe―the avatar of the king of grudges, Bifrons was floating. And then it turned towards Kimura-senpai. A pitch black bullet of curses 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…ChargeSchub!”

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 the superhuman and charged the enemy.

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

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 the 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 Striker!!”

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 from an unprecedented 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 strikes the hateful enemy! What reaches my hand is the tip of the storm!! Wind God Violent Assault SpearAyamur!!”

Hikaru-senpai also didn’t lose. A storm blew violently at Hikaru-senpai’s surroundings. 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.

Ayamur, that had the meaning <repulse>, caused a 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 get in the zone.”

Kaguya-senpai observed the battle with a serious look. It seemed that in a 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 fallen into the condition where they couldn’t chant their spells normally anymore… Hikaru-senpai and her teammates 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 that a scheme, with the purpose of taking hold of this academy within their hands, was squirming under the surface…one of the three people from the Witch’s Manor had to win this battle election no matter what.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Hikaru-senpai’s team returned to the guest stands relaxed and without even showing any color of exhaustion on their faces. Replacing them, two teams were entering the constructed waiting tents on both ends of the grounds.

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 on the same team.

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

Maybe Kaguya-senpai came asking because she sensed the strangeness in Kazuki’s stare.

Kazuki was lost on 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 and explained, he might be scolded because he did some unreasonable things again. No, he didn't really mind being scolded; but even if he told the whole story now, it might just give 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 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're similar to the ill-bred Einherjar, aren't they? Like Damian?”

Hikaru-senpai, who was back after the end of her match, 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 who 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 grounds. In contrast, the two Magica Stigma, who should stand by in reserve at the rear, walked lumberingly with long strides to the center of the grounds. …The rearguard and the vanguard were reversed.

The delinquent student with a tall stature―Mibu-senpai held 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 likes of these small fries of the first round zee―!!”

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

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

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

Mio gripped on to Kazuki’s chest with a horrified face.

The four people of the opposing team that finally came out from the other tent made vacant faces 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 Diablosslanderer, 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 a Magic Dress. It resembled Kaguya-senpai's somehow, a blue and black Magic Dress.

“I know thy name…thy name is [Gamygyn]! Subordinate to Lucifermorning star of the dawn, 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 of flame was floating; then her body was equipped with a Magic Dress. Her Magic Dress was red and black.

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

“Fourth match, begin!”

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

While raising a strange voice for no reason at all, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai charged toward the swordsmen with 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 hands was not an ordinary feat. However those movements were similar to Katsura Karin's movements 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 moves, they slipped into the opponents’ bosoms and stepped into a position where they were hard to attack. If it was Karin, she would step hard on the ground in that position and unleash Hakkyouken, but it seemed those two hadn’t learned that skill yet.

In exchange, while they were defending against the opponents' attacks 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! Lion Eye Heat RayLion's Fire!!”

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.

“Thou are crystal exorcisms who find lost truth…gouging out the darkness of the deepest sinful heart, it was pierced and broke with the gold of that hand! Gold Pendulum ArrowGolden Dowsing Arrow!!”

A venerable gentleman wearing a 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 comes, it comes, it comes, 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 on the magic and their defensive magic power was 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 spells didn't get interrupted, though their efficiency has been reduced because they keep talking pointlessly while chanting their spells.”

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 means 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 to him about Resist.

For example against physical attacks, the user could create an impact with the opposite vector using [Psychokinesis] that produced and manipulated movement energy and reduced the damage. Against fire attacks, 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 consumption was enormous. It was a state that was very inefficient.

In contrast with that, [Resist], which 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.

“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 Divas 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 their 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 humans…change that darkness into deadly poison, vomit it everywhere! Slander the foolishness of these people!! Deadly Poisonous SpeechPoison Argument!!”

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 souls from the calling voice of the god of death, armor my body, turn this body into hell’s tormenting devil…right here is the trump card against the heavens! Ghost Heavy Armor InfantryBlack Titan!!”

Asamiya-senpai’s contracted Diva, Gamygyn was crying {Ooooo…} with a 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 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 Asamiya-senpai's body 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 on the opposing team were attempting to prepare a high level magic that could turn the tables 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 was 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 Striker] 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 also couldn't be overlooked.

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

Mio tilted her head in confusion. 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 an 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 can't comprehend is their physical ability. I can understand that their chanting and Resist skills are high because they are 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 is it also a trick?

They didn't even have any Sacred Treasures. 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 her own palm while making a cheerful smiling face like a young boy's.

“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 to Kazuki’s room again. They passed the time playing games together.

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

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

“So it’s the Hayashizaki-style―, it’s the Hayashizaki-style after all so it can't be helped huh―. But except for games that we have to use our brains, I still have a better battle record against you in fighting games, 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 some 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 into him. When she did this it seemed that she wasn't conscious that the other party to the skinship was 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, it's quite late already, let’s go to sleep.”

“Mu, are you quitting while you're ahead!? Someone like that isn't manly at all!!”

Rather than games, 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 cameras from me for that kind of reason!”

First, about when Kazuki’s heart got stopped and then after that, how 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 are times when he has to do something even if it’s dangerous.”

“Mumumu! O―k, certainly it’s just like you said. There are too many 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 skill 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 inflicts damage directly to the flesh. When he imagined that kind of technique used against his important people, it felt like he was assaulted with a chill that made the hairs on his whole body stand up.

He was anxious. Far more than 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 them too; 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 rules.

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

{Kazuha-senpai, suppose that you're still hiding Futsunushi no Kami’s stigmata, how would you get away if the academy suddenly did a surprise stigmata inspection 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 alright 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 becomes 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 would 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 arrived 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 too will keep getting the cute little brother treatment for a long time 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 for 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 thought 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 the part of him that was a man. It is possible that she has a completely instinctive fear 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 can't calm downnn…”

“That throb, does it feel bad?”

“It, it’s not bad at all! Things like this also have 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

May 17th. The day of the second round of the matches had come.

What was conducted first was the decisive match where Kazuki was challenging Kaguya-senpai. The degree of attention from the other students was also high.

“How are we going to fight?”

Inside the temporary tent which was turned into a waiting room, Mio asked Kazuki with a serious way of speaking.

“What’s important is to constantly cooperate and never let it get cut off. We are the ones that are losing in terms of individual strength. If the fight develops into one-on-one fights in four different places, I think we absolutely won't be able to win.”

Kazuki, who didn't bring his katana, would surely lose if he was careless against Kaguya-senpai.

If Kohaku, who didn't have her Sacred Treasures, was careless against Kanae, Kanae would surely win with almost no injury on her.

Mio and Koyuki were even; but against Torazou-san, even if he was careless, it would be severe for Kazuha-senpai.

If someone got defeated somewhere and their team fell into numerical disadvantage, just like that, the outcome would be decided already.

“It’s painful when Kazuki said it so clearly that our own strength is inferior, but…have you discovered a chance of victory somewhere?”

Kohaku who had her own differences with Kanae pointed out, made a bitter face and asked.

“Kaguya-senpai and Kanae have [absolute individual strength]. However, I don't think that those two’s strength is necessarily suitable for team battle. All of us are going to cooperate with each other and fight in the way that shaves off the strength of those two. If we can shave off their strength, we should be able to see a chance of victory.”

“How do you think we are going to do something like that?”

Kazuha-senpai inserted her hands into the pockets of her Sword Division’s battle uniform and said impatiently.

“Kaguya-senpai’s weak point is as the person herself said as well, the lineup of magic that she can use is too showy. And then Kanae’s weak point is…”

And then when the time came for the players to enter the stage, Kazuki and the others came out from the tent.

“How about we decide the conclusion, Otouto-kun!”

Coming out to the grounds, Kaguya-senpai made a declaration of war with a loud voice. Coupled with that Magic Dress form of hers, it was impolite, but he couldn't hear it with the mood as anything other than the speech of an evil female top echelon from a masked hero show.

“What conclusion? It’s not like there's any fate particularly at work here.”

“Not that! Otouto-kun might have had the belief of winning against me, who lost my sanity at that time, however I don't remember it so it’s a no-count―! I am the big sister, the student council president and the master. I will teach those facts to Otouto-kun! Right, Kana-chan!”

Kaguya-senpai moved the talk to Kanae who stood directly next to her.

“Such things are trivial!” Saying that, Kanae curtly threw away Kaguya-senpai’s words.

“However, I will block Nii-sama’s path right here by standing as the strongest enemy! Before Nii-sama spreads his wings as the leader of this academy, I’m going to become your final ordeal! If we talk about a conclusion that has to be reached, then it’s surely about the years long rivalry between Onii-sama and me! Come, it’s time to carry out the promise!”

Promise―the promise between him and Kanae at the school enrollment.

The strongest Magica Stigma and the strongest swordsman were, right now, standing in his way as the [Swordsman of the Magic Division].

““Now is the time to decide this academy’s strongest!”” Both of their voices overlapped together.

Against the statements of the two representatives of the academy, excited cheering that deafened the ear welled up from the stands.

“Even though this is only the quarterfinals, the atmosphere really feels like the climax of a last battle, doesn't it?”

Torazou-san scratched his head with a dumb face.

“…That’s true but I don't have any intention of losing against Kazuki either.”

Koyuki too glared at Kazuki with a composed look.

“This is not a personal battle you know? …Everyone, let’s ignore those overly hot-blooded people. We are going to fight with the bonds between us!!”

Kazuki called out to his comrades at the back. His comrades replied back to him “OOO―!” all together.

And then, the Magica Stigma from the two teams stepped back at the same time toward the rear and formed the Heaven and Earth formation.

Opposing Kohaku was Kanae and Torazou-san stood opposite Kazuha-senpai.

And then all the Magica Stigma performed Access at once, their forms were altered into their Magic Dress.

“Then the quarterfinal first round―begin!”

The referee teacher announced the match. The eight people started to move at the same time…!

“Everyone, Formation Dark!”

Kaguya-senpai gave some kind of instruction. A different tactic from the first match was coming… this was according to his prediction. Even its content was following his guess faintly.

“Begone Kohaku! Don't be a nuisance in my contest with Nii-sama!”

Kanae slashed at Kohaku with force that was filled with more than enough spirit!

“Here I go! Year in, year out, I’m always only getting made fun of by all the girls, I can’t keep getting looked down like that!”

Torazou-san too slashed at Kazuha-senpai!

““Self Burning!””

Kazuki and Mio matched their voice and chanted the same magic.

That changed the state of two battles in a big way.

First was the fight between Kanae and Kohaku―

Against Kanae’s high speed sword dance, the situation immediately developed against Kohaku where she was being pushed back. However after Kohaku held out and a slight time had passed after the start of the fight, the flame armor that Kazuki had chanted immediately wrapped itself around Kohaku.

“What impertinence!”

Kanae ignored the defensive magic and slashed down on the flame armor.

Kanae’s Enchant Aura extended to her katana, enveloping it with aura that turned it into a magic sword that destroyed all magic phenomenon. That aura and the flame armor clashed against each other, offsetting the other.

The aura of the magic sword vanished. If the aura of the blade was erased, Kanae’s sword attack would have no attack power behind it except the original strength of a powerless girl. For Kohaku on the other hand, beneath the flame armor there was the girl’s own defensive magic power.

Kanae’s sword whose attack power was killed by the flame armor inflicted almost no damage on Kohaku.

“There!”

In contrast, Kohaku didn’t even think about dodging and swung her sword with first-class timing for a simultaneous strike. Moreover Kohaku was using Psychokinesis to move the flame to her own blade. As a flame sword, it was adding to its attack power.

“!?” Kanae leapt back in panic. She was unable to avoid it completely and got grazed by the flames.

“Freeze Barrier!”

From the rear Koyuki chanted a defensive magic for Kanae in a panic. The protection of the ice prevented the flames of the sword from reaching.

The two took some distance for the moment and glared at each other.

Kanae concentrated the cold that enveloped her body into her blade and attempted to increase her own attack power.

However, she failed. Compared to the flame that was visible to the eye, the cold in her blade was hard to sense; psychokinesis manipulation was hard. Seeing that, Kohaku laughed provocatively.

“Even after receiving the chant of defensive magic…from the beginning the powerless Kana-nyan-senpai’s attack power is zero anyway.”

Kanae, who secretly held an inferiority complex against her own powerlessness, distorted her eyebrows in irritation.

“Then I won't bother with someone like you!”

Kanae ignored Kohaku and slipped by Kohaku’s side.

“This one won't let you! Absolutely!!”

Kohaku barely Foresighted Kanae’s [next movement] in time and threw her own body in front of Kanae. Without even thinking about defense or offense, only obstructing the direction of Kanae’s travel mattered.

“Shit, you're annoying!” Kanae, whose path was blocked, swung her katana. She hit the defenseless Kohaku; but thanks to the flame armor, there was no damage to Kohaku.

Kohaku spread both her arms and blocked Kanae’s path. A swordsman like Kanae, who could release a great number of attacks, was the natural enemy of Magica Stigma. Consecutive attacks had higher effectiveness in disrupting the spell chanting when compared to a single powerful blow.

Therefore, Kohaku resolved herself to be the wall intently and exclusively.

On the other side, Kazuha-senpai and Torazou-san’s fight was―

“Don't you dare think that degree of flame armor could block my sword! TORAZOU SMAAAAAAAAAAASSHHhh…huh, wha, what’s with this flame’s force!?”

Torazou-san, who brandished his powerful sword with all his strength, raised an utterly astonished voice looking at the situation right in front of his eyes.

The flame armor that covered Kazuha-senpai blazed violently with the force several times the original power.

“I don't want to admit it but…I have talent in the way of magic―! I'm not really happy with this, but…I'm the same, a [Magic Swordsman] like Hayashizaki Kazuki!!”

Kazuha-senpai collected the oxygen in her surroundings beforehand. Within the highly-concentrated oxygen, the flame armor burned up beyond its usual fierceness!

―[Self Burning] with oxygen incited reinforcement. Perceiving the invisible oxygen and controlling it with Psychokinesis was a fairly high-level technique.

However, Kazuha-senpai showed that she did it within only a moment right after the start of the match.

“Yamada Torazou, I will do away with you too and elevate my name! And then become a popular person for sureee!!”

“I, I don't really get it, but you are incredibly burning up with tenacity! How can I looseeee!!”

Kazuha-senpai’s katana that was clad in fierce flame clashed against the Torazou Smash.

The flame drowned out Torazou-san’s aura and even melted the body of the blade. Torazou-san’s magic power was converted from Enchant Aura into Pyrokinesis, stealing the heat from the katana and cooling it down for protection.

The result of such magical counterbalancing was the loss of Enchant Aura’s effect on Torazou Smash, turning it into just a mediocre slash. (GIIN!) The sword of Kazuha-senpai, who was just a greenhorn and often made fun of before, magnificently repelled back Torazou Smash that was feared as the strongest attack in the Sword Division.

Torazou-san’s posture was broken; Kazuha-senpai immediately pursued him to keep attacking.

“Whoaa!” Torazou-san desperately rolled around to dodge.

“…This is looking bad. I won’t get any help from anyone in this Formation Dark.”

“I’ll win…and become a popular person for sure!”

Torazou-san was forced into a one-sided defensive battle by the fierceness of Kazuha-senpai, who was driven on in a trance. Kazuha-senpai, who had separated herself from her nervousness, turned into a flexible beast and stood in overwhelming domination.

The two [Self Burning] shook the two battle states greatly.

―Of course at the same time with that progress, the rearguard had also began the offense and defense of magic.

“Barrett!”

Kazuki checked Koyuki who protected Kanae with [Freeze Barrier] using attack magic.

Koyuki couldn't defend against the attack in order to protect Kanae; her defensive magic power was scattered.

“O nihility of ancient times, become the freezing deep breath that resides in the vacuum of this chest. In the flowing stillness of rejection, freeze and be silent…Glacier Wind!”

Koyuki invoked a magic for counterattack. However the one it aimed for was not Kazuki.

The target was Kohaku. Kohaku could dodge a simple attack magic, but she couldn't do such things while she was fighting Kanae. The wind that contained chilling air erased the flame armor that enveloped Kohaku’s body.

When it happened, Kanae’s high speed sword dance once again became a complete threat.

“Self Burning!”

With the swiftness that was accumulated from training, Kohaku was attached with defensive magic.

“Mio, Kaguya-senpai is preparing her chant!”

At the same time, Kazuki sensed a stimulation of magic power. He had anticipated this beforehand.

That was why he had given detailed instructions to Mio of the countermeasure for that. The problem was the difference in speed between the two.

“O formless mute shadow, become the fish that swim in the darkness that’s pregnant with obstructive thought! Origin of nightmares, vicissitudes of materialism, bite in answer of terror and hope…! Deep Specter!”

Kaguya-senpai invoked a level 5 magic with surprising speed.

The shadow behind Kohaku swelled up greatly, became a huge monster, and attacked her!

However, Kohaku had heard from Kazuki beforehand about his guess that Kaguya-senpai would chant this magic. The girl evaded the shadow monster’s surprise attack as if she had an eye attached on the back of her head.

In the middle of that offense and defense, Kanae finally slipped by Kohaku’s side. And then she headed to the rearguard, Kazuki and Mio, dashing at full speed. There was no doubt that this move was something that they had arranged beforehand.

The Formation Dark that Kaguya-senpai instructed was to create a numerical advantage with the use of [Deep Specter] and directed Kanae to the Magica Stigma. There was no mistake that this was that kind of tactic!

However, he had read their move beforehand- that Kanae might be coming to them like that. The magic Kaguya-senpai could use that was orienting towards teamwork was around something like [Deep Specter] after all.

Even how Koyuki might not use [Moves in the Field] also could be predicted. Because there was the flame magic specialist Mio on this side, this side could melt the ground's surface immediately. Kazuki could also chant the same [Moves in the Field] and affixed his teammates with ice boots to oppose them.

Kanae, who became free, rushed to his position. To protect Mio, Kazuki made an interception against her.

Currently, Mio is chanting, so a disturbance against her Summoning Magic must not be allowed.

That’s why I'll stop Kanae…with this fist!

“Are you saying that you'll stop me bare-handed, Nii-sama!”

“If I can’t do that, then we won't be able to win!”

This match was about how he would fight to protect the Mioprincess.

This was because Mio was that kind of child, so it couldn't be helped.

“My wicked thoughts are filled with curses, I beseech for thy pain…. I have no shame for my ominous thinking! Feel Pain!”

Kaguya-senpai who had finished chanting Deep Specter sensed Torazou-san’s disadvantage and launched a shooting magic of pain illusion to Kazuha-senpai. Unfortunately, Kazuha-senpai didn't have the perception power to just dodge that attack.

“UGUU! …No, no way I'll loseee!”

However, Kazuha-senpai’s talent in general magic was a cut above other people. She had already learned the Trance technique through training in order to soften the pain as the countermeasure for Kaguya-senpai.

Her inherent will-power should be enough to endure around two or three shots of [Feel Pain].

“Nii-sama, prepare yourself!”

Kazuki foresighted Kanae’s slash and repelled it away with his fist. However, Kanae was fast at any rate. Moreover, in order to prevent her from heading towards Mio, Kazuki had to constantly move in a way that blocked Kanae’s path. But…,

“Without hesitation even if cursing, thou also wounded myself…shared pain is my joy! Cry and shout in the mirror's reflection! Suicide Black!”

While Kazuki met Kanae right from the front, he invoked that magic.

“Wh!? For Nii-sama to do such a dreadful thing!?”

The Storm Cat couldn't press the emergency brake even when the red light had turned on. The swing of the katana that was moving toward the black mist fell. It resulted in a raised scream of “NYAAA―!” from the reflected pain.

“Kana-chan!?”

The one who reacted towards that scream was Kaguya-senpai. Kaguya-senpai, who struck Kazuha-senpai with several shots of [Feel Pain], was undoubtedly aiming for [Ultra Violence] next.

However, if she made the evil sound that doubled the pain resound right now, then Kanae would also get affected with its effect. There was no function of allies and enemies identification in [Ultra Violence] after all. …Though now was not the time, was Mio’s chant still not finished yet!?

The magic power of Mio who was advancing her preparation for high level magic, swelled up on a grand scale.

―Koyuki sensed that situation. Noticing that Mio hadn’t invoked any magic since she chanted the [Self Burning] in the opening of the match, she had strengthened her vigilance without doubt.

Koyuki invoked her magic preceding Mio.

“O singing voice of the mermaid, manifest the freezing thought of yours. Sadness to ice flower, loneliness to light snowfall, cover the world with cold white…White Album!”

The invocation rewrote the space itself with the world of a blizzard that was attacking, a large-scale magic that was impossible to avoid.

Besides Kazuki and Mio, Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai too were also locked up completely inside the alternate dimension of blizzard.

“Freeze Barrier!”

Kazuki had to protect Mio at the very least; he chanted defensive magic to Mio.

The other three people ate the damage of the blizzard completely.

“…Resist…!”

Still inexperienced in its usage, Kazuki desperately attempted Resist. Even so Kazuki’s defensive magic power was shaved off by a lot. The flame armors that enveloped Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai were also extinguished and they bore the damage directly.

When the freezing world used up its energy completely and collapsed, Kazuki and the others returned to the previous space.

Koyuki distorted her expression. Due to Kazuki’s [Suicide Black], the phantom pain was reflected back to her.

[Suicide Black] also exerted its influence toward Kanae’s aggression. It was very useful in this match.

“Only this much pain! …For Kaguya’s countermeasure, I secretly trained the Trance technique to reduce the pain! I'll show you that I can endure this much!!”

Kanae came slashing at Kazuki with an expression of pretended endurance.

Is Mio’s magic still not ready yet…! He couldn’t hold out for too long anymore!

“Blooming flower of blood tearing the skin, eternally resounding scream…awaken the hell right here and fell the betrayer! Cochytus!!”

Didn't your [Ultra Violence]’s chanting get interrupted just before this!

With a speed that made Kazuki spontaneously scream inside his heart, Kaguya-senpai invoked her level 4 magic.

Wide scope offense magic―In the area where Kazuki and Mio were standing, wind of freezing hell was raging mad.

“Freeze Barrier!”

Kazuki immediately chanted a defensive magic. The target was of course Mio.

“Even like that, you will still keep protecting Mio-chan!?”

Kaguya-senpai who had the pain of freezing reflected back to her yelled while grimacing.

“Kohaku, Kazuha-senpai, now!”

Sensing that Mio’s magic was in the verge of getting invoked right at this moment, Kazuki gave out his instructions.

Going along with those instructions, Kohaku led the shadow monster into a straight line between Mio and Koyuki.

Kazuha-senpai guided a lot of oxygen towards Koyuki with Psychokinesis.

“…Don't tell me!?”

Noticing what would happen next, Koyuki chanted a defensive magic in panic .

“The light of heaven residing in that body, O bird of paradise, following my accusation reduce to ashes the sins on the earth! Israel Judgment!!”

The highest level of magic that Mio could use, the level 6 magic was invoked!

Light element offense magic―lasers poured on the shadow monster who was weak against the element, it was vanishing like an evaporated shadow. With momentum that showed no sign of declining at all, the laser charged Koyuki!

“Freeze Barrier!”

Instantly Koyuki defended herself with defense magic, but―around the girl’s surroundings was a gathering of highly-concentrated oxygen.

With the laser pouring down on that area, a terrible flame explosion was bursting out. The ice defensive magic was immediately torn apart, Koyuki was blown away to the corner of the ground while the blue light of her defensive magic power was scattering everywhere.

“Koyuki-chan!” Kaguya-senpai shouted.

With the shadow monster obliterated, Kohaku, who became free, charged with the intention of pursuing Koyuki.

“I won't let you!” Kanae left Kazuki alone and dashed away in panic to protect Koyuki.

However, he mustn't let Kanae protect Koyuki. They had to defeat Koyuki with this momentum and obtain numerical superiority.

Kanae and Kazuki, who was pursuing, traded blows of fist and katana while running.

“Kuu…although every bit of the pain is reflected back to me, how could Nii-sama compete with me using only fists!”

Kanae groaned in frustration. In actuality, the state of the battle was not even. Kazuki was accumulating damage again and again from Kanae’s sword that he couldn’t block.

However it was fortunate that he had seen the example of how to repel a katana with a fist before from Katsura Karin. Owing to the reference from that, he could do something like this even more than he thought!

“Five stars shining in the interval of life and death, turning, turning, pillaging on the god of death’s shim, become the silently wretched clay doll…”

At that time, Kazuki sensed an awful spell being chanted.

“Near Death Roulette!!”

Kaguya-senpai brandished the god of death’s scythe and assaulted Kazuki from the side.

…Senpai, isn't your chanting just too fast!?

Striking at the opening in his high-speed sword dance with Kanae, the scythe was swung down at Kazuki.

[Near Death Roulette]―it steals one of the human’s five senses with each hit, in the sixth hit it would sever the entire magic power of the target.

The moment he got hit with that scythe, Kazuki felt the pitch black magic power flowing into his brain. Sparks were scattering in his brain, some kind of sense was destroyed!

Just like when a breaker was halted, Kazuki’s sight was shut inside total darkness. What was stolen was his sense of sight.

Kaguya-senpai fluttered the long blade of the scythe, the returning bladed tore apart Kazuki even further.

This time, Kazuki became unable to feel anything on his whole body’s skin. His sense of touch was stolen too!

Kazuki couldn't see anything already, even the sensation of the ground beneath his feet was lost. It was a sensation that felt completely like there was no earth or sky and he was drifting around in outer space.

“The match is decided! Prepare yourself Nii-sama!!”

Kanae came lunging at him with the total conviction in her victory.

However, Kazuki was able to sense her action.

“With that confident voice believing in your victory, hasn't your sword become extremely rough instead, Kanae! Even when I can’t see I still can see you know!?”

Kazuki poured his whole force of will into Extra Sense and took in the magic power in his surrounding area. As if looking at a thermograph image completely from the difference of strength between magic powers, he was able to grasp the situation around him.

The human model silhouette that was covered with Enchant Aura on its whole body and was coming at Kazuki thrusting with a kodachi―Kanae was thrusting at him in a large swing that was really sloppy for her.

Kazuki dodged it with a paper-thin difference. Moving like that, he grappled with Kanae who was leaping at him from the side.

“Heya!”

Lifting up Kanae, he looked for the silhouette that was holding magic power in the shape of a scythe in its hand―and he threw Kanae, who crashed into Kaguya-senpai.

“Funyaa―!?”

“Kyaa, Kana-chan!?”

The voice of the two falling into pandemonium could be heard.

Koyuki was…which way!? Had she been brought down just by Kohaku already!?

“Moves in the Field!”

Koyuki was running from place to place with wounds all over her body even with Kohaku assaulting her. She invoked the magic that made it possible for herself to fight the close range. However that was just a desperate move.

“Barrett!” Kazuki fired a flame bullet aiming at those ice boots.

When Koyuki shook violently and her balance was broken, Kohaku came assaulting.

“O immortal bird soaring from dusk to dawn, grant those wings of hope on my back! Destruction for the sake of rebirth right here in this place…! Blazing Wings!”

Furthermore Mio fluttered her wings of flame, she headed to Koyuki and took a nose dive.

“At the very least, the conclusion will be given by me who is the rival!”

He could hear the voice of Mio who got really carried away, Kazuki breathed out in relief.

“Hiakari Koyuki, that’s the end!”

The whistle of the referee was sounded, pronouncing the exit of Koyuki whose magic power had been shaved to dangerous levels from the stage.

―How is it going with Kazuha-senpai?

Kazuki magnified the range of his sensing power and peaked at the state of battle in the far away.

“Win…with this, becoming a popular person…”

“I don't get what you're saying at all, but to lose against a female again…”

Kazuha-senpai, who was clad in a flame armor that Mio newly chanted, was getting the better of Torazou-san.

“Yamada Torazou, that’s the end!”

And then, Kazuha-senpai too finally came this way.

“This is four against two now you see, senpai.”

Although those two were almost uninjured, this difference in numbers was big. If they tortured these two severely with a large number of attacks, as expected, even for Kaguya-senpai she wouldn't be able to freely chant her spell in this situation.

“…I never thought that we would get cornered this far.”

Kaguya-senpai took a deep breath in resignation.

“That’s why I told you already, that in any case it’s better to aim for [one shot instant annihilation] with you chanting [Galaxy] while everyone protected you to the death.”

Kanae was grumbling incessantly with a dissatisfied face.

Certainly, if she invoked [Galaxy], with one shot the four people in his team might bear catastrophic damage.

But even at that time when they defeated Nyarlatoteph, even while everyone was in anguish from [Psycho Noise], they protected Kaguya-senpai desperately from the fierce attack of the tentacles. Only with that the grand magic was finally activated. In a team battle where both sides were in equal conditions, they had no intention to let that long chant succeed.

“Even if we win using that reckless way of fighting, the damage would still remain in the semifinals right!? Didn’t Kana-chan also agree with that!?”

“Trying to win against Nii-sama without taking any damage is just too greedy! Besides, don't you just keep chasing the ideal too much and keep failing all the time!!?”

Even though they were in the middle of a match, Kaguya-senpai and Kanae began to shout at each other unanimously.

Kaguya-senpai simply couldn't be stopped from chanting her spell. In addition, she put a counter attack using [Ultra Violence] and [Desire Tentacles] after invoking her [Suicide Black]. That combo would create a dreadful strength when facing Kaguya-senpai one on one. That was why to defeat her there was no other way than to gang up on Kaguya-senpai with a large number of people and beat her senseless.

Kanae had astounding evasion ability but her attack power was low. If someone challenged her one-on-one imprudently, then they would be played around with mercilessly and get slashed continuously in a one-sided battle. But in truth, as long as one put up tight defensive magic, they wouldn’t receive any considerable damage even if they left her alone.

That was why the strategy was to not attack these two until the very last minute.

And then from there on, Kazuki stood in Kanae’s way while Kohaku, Mio, and Kazuha, attacked Kaguya-senpai simultaneously.

“Otouto-kun you idiot―!”

“Otonashi Kaguya, that’s the end!”

Kaguya-senpai’s scream, which felt like incomplete combustion, echoed. Kaguya-senpai left the stage.

And then the four people headed to Kanae’s direction altogether. Kanae twitched with a startle like a cornered kitten, but even Kanae would be unable to escape when she was chased by four people.

“Nii-sama you moron―!”

As expected, Kanae’s scream, which also felt like incomplete combustion, echoed. Kanae had also used up her magic power.

“Match over!”

The referee teacher blew his whistle and proclaimed Kazuki and his team as the winner.

“…We lost.”

Right in the middle of the grounds, Kaguya-senpai’s shoulders dropped dejectedly.

“Even though this side is using a few magics to get by somehow, Otouto-kun had predicted everything and came up with countermeasures for all of that. It’s really not fair. How dirty. I totally feel that I'm only spinning my wheels uselessly.”

“Even if we clashed against senpai’s team right from the front, we understood that we wouldn't be able to win, that’s why.”

‘Thud’, suddenly Kazuki felt a light impact on his back.

When he turned back, Koyuki was lightly poking Kazuki with reproachful eyes.

“…Isn't it fine even if you take it easy in that match?”

“Is, is it really that vexing? But it’s strange to take it easy in a serious match right?”

With a pout (pui), Koyuki turned her face to another direction.

“Arara, Koyuki-chan is sulking. Or perhaps I should say, 'how spoiled.' Koyuki-chan has pride in her fighting skills after all, so she is really shocked, see.”

When Kaguya-senpai pointed that out from the side, Koyuki’s shoulders twitched with a start but she kept her expressionless face.

“There is no such thing. …But I won't like it if Kazuki doesn’t give me something as compensation.”

Compensation. She really couldn't say strongly that she wouldn't forgive him, but how very Koyuki-like.

“Puu.” After muttering a word, Koyuki was walking to the guest stands.

Suddenly, Kaguya-senpai was staggering in her posture.

“Senpai, are you okay?” Saying that, Kazuki immediately supported her body.

“…I'm fine, it’s just that my body became a little hot.”

“Ha? Your body is hot?”

“Because, I fought using Asmodeus’ magic until all my magic power was used up. But I'm okay…I will be patient until tonight.”

“…In other words, senpai is planning to come to my room tonight, is that it?”

“You won against me after all; so take responsibility, okay Kazuki-kun?”

‘Ufufu’, leaving behind a mischievous laugh, Kaguya-senpai was also returning to the stands.

…Kazuki-kun, is it?

Suddenly Kanae was passing by beside Kazuki wordlessly.

“Kanae…?”

Against that unexpected behavior where she said nothing, Kazuki called out to Kanae.

“…As I thought there is a limit…in my powerlessness…. Even though Nii-sama became a Magica Stigma, I have to succeed the Hayashizaki-style, but with someone like me…”

While she was looking down with a gloomy expression, Kanae muttered some words out gravely.

“Oi, Kanae. Don't brood over it too much. This time, that lack of attack power only stood out because of the rule’s limitation in this strict team battle, right? You have that personality that couldn't really get serious like this…”

Kanae stopped her steps like it was the first time she noticed Kazuki, then she turned back.

“Nii-sama! Nii-sama, Nii-sama, you are strong!! Your promise, it certainly has been fulfilled already. This time, I will recognize my defeat, but…next time it cannot be like this again―!!”

Kanae pretended with her usual bright expression and then she ran to the guest stands.

“…She is really seriously injured huh.”

In any case, the next match was being prepared, so Kazuki and his team returned to the guest stands too.

“Fufufu…with this, my friends too will increase…”

When returning back to the guest stands' seating, Kazuha-senpai leaked out a suppressed laugh.

“The Sword Division follows the doctrine of strength. …Now that I have beat the number four of the Sword Division, Yamada Torazou, it’s not an exaggeration to say that every student excepting the top three of the Sword Division have become my friend!”

“Kazuha-senpai. Senpai’s definition of friend is quite sinister somehow. What’s with that brute force theory?”

“Eh!? It, it’s not like that right!? What I'm saying is normal!?”

Against what Kazuki pointed out, Kazuha-senpai was shocked speechless and fell into panic.

Next, the match of the Takasugi brothers – Ryuutaki sisters team began.

However, their second match reached completely the same development as their first match, inviting the sigh of the spectators.

“Lunatic Labyrinth!!”

When Miyabi-senpai invoked that magic, all the movements of the participants on the ground was stopped―

―The moment they started to move again, the opposing team’s state had become unable to continue the fight.

If he had to say what was different with the first match, it was only that the Takasugi brothers’ degree of fatigue had been even more pronounced now.

“This battle election tournament is a place to show a way of fighting fitting for the Chief Student Council President, right? Even if they keep winning like this, there will be no one that would vote for them, would there?”

Kazuki spontaneously couldn't help but harbor such doubts.

Putting aside the Takasugi brothers…those Ryuutaki sisters might have a totally different objective.

Part 6

And then the grounds were moved after the afternoon break, this time the match of Hikaru-senpai began.

“Mibu Akira. Asamiya Anna. This time we are going to go out to meet the swordsmen. You two, don’t allow those Magica Stigma’s [armaments] to come out.”

While entering the grounds, Hayashi Shizuka said that with a chilly voice.

Even Kazuki, who reinforced his hearing ability, could hear that voice.

“G, got it! E, even without you saying it, we are going to do it for sure ze! Hyahha―!”

Toward Hayashi-senpai, who had the same small build like Karin and a quiet look, Mibu-senpai, who was supposed to be the team leader, responded back with a little shaking in her voice. …He caught a glimpse of a strange power balance on that team.

“I know thy name. Thy true name is Baalzebul, every evil was born in the Middle Ages. O disgraced god of harvests, in accordance with my life recover you radiance!”

“Veritas me LiberabitThe truth shall set me free…Thy true name is Prometheus! The proud man is the man who had tasted all suffering! In accordance with my life, show that wisdom!!”

Hikaru-senpai and Lotte performed Access. The Magic Dresses enveloped their bodies.

“I know thy name….Thy name is Astaroth! O Diablosslanderer who is well versed in human’s history of sin, show the radiance of the empress of terror’s authority!”

“I know thy name…thy name is [Gamygyn]! O depraved fallen angel subordinate to the Lucifermorning star of the dawn, show hell’s loyalty to us too!”

Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai too were similarly changed into their Magic Dresses.

In Japan’s study of magic, the people changed where they paid respect only toward the Diva’s pure strength without paying any attention to the religious good and evil of the Diva. However Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai’s Magic Dresses which had black as their basic tone felt like the villain’s costume no matter how you cut it. On the contrary, Hikaru-senpai and Lotte, who had silver and pure white as their Magic Dresses’ basic tone, looked like they were the ones standing on the side of justice.

“Do your best, Hikaru-senpai!” Among the loud cheering voices, Kazuki also raised up his voice of support.

“Quarterfinals second match, begin!”

At the same time as the teacher’s signal, Karin and Hayashi-senpai dashed rapidly toward both swordsmen who were Kamiizumi-senpai and Kimura-senpai.

Both of them were…even though they took along katanas on their hips, it didn’t look like they were going to use them at all.

Empty-handed, they're planning to fight completely with Chinese kenpo!

“Can those guys really do that kind of thing!?”

Surprised voices leaked out from the students of the Sword Division. It had seemed like Karin and Hayashi-senpai were plain existences in the Sword Division, but that was nothing more than their fictitious guise. Only Kazuki knew their true identities.

Jūchouho―the speed of the charging Karin, who gained her acceleration power from the earth, was Foresighted by Kamiizumi-senpai. Even while she was taken aback by that unexpected swiftness, she evaded nimbly. It was hard for her to move against Karin who slipped under her bosom while striking with the palm, but that exchange between them was even. However on the other hand―

“Nii-sama, we were had by that girl called Hayashi.”

Kanae whispered so. It was not an ordinary matter to make Kanae surprised.

Hayashi Shizuka too was the same as Katsura Karin, she was using Chinese kenpo. However, her way of fighting was different from Karin.

That girl’s style was to wait and receive the opponent’s attack. When Kimura-senpai swung down her katana, Hayashi-senpai predicted her movement and evaded while putting her palm at where the moving katana was going.

Kimura-senpai's wrist, which held her katana, was settled inside Hayashi-senpai’s palm as if it was being sucked in completely.

Right before that happened, Hayashi-senpai stepped on the earth powerfully. At the same time she was grasping Kimura-senpai’s arm, she twisted her whole body like a spiral. With all that energy, she crushed Kimura-senpai’s arm in her grip.

At the same time, Hayashi-senpai created that ripple of mysterious magic power that spread from her palm.

Her efficiency was even better than Karin. It was a very refined movement.

From the mouth of Kimura-senpai, “AAAAAAAAAA!”, a painful scream was released. That one blow was an impossible attack that ignored the defensive magic power.

The spectator seats were stirred from the sudden scream. As long as there was defensive magic power, there shouldn’t be any wound inflicted on the flesh. Even though this was supposed to be an absolutely safe mock battle, the only one who could correctly understand the situation before them was Kazuki.

From afar, he could see that it was not a situation where a bone was broken, but Kimura-senpai’s bone might be cracked.

Toward Kimura-senpai, who endured the pain and restored her stance, Hayashi-senpai mercilessly let loose a kick.

Against Kimura-senpai who fell down on her backside, that dangerous palm was once more directed at her….

“Stop! …O god of whirling sky’s will! Gather in my hand, grant me the authority of judgment! O radiance of royalty’s divine gift, become a splendid and dazzling drawn bow! Lightning Line!”

However, Hikaru-senpai fired a lightning arrow at the critical moment.

Hayashi-senpai sensed it just right before and she swiftly leaped back.

“Yoooooo Prince-sama-chan! Your opponent is me zee! …Expelled from the crack of sunlight covered earth, O ugly beast smearing its lips with gore! Set free the worried pig on the surface with that big mouth! Snake Dragon’s Large JawDragon Bite!!”

Coming from Hikaru-senpai’s side, Mibu-senpai invoked her Summoning Magic.

The earth was split, from there a fierce face of a black dragon’s head came out. Its big mouth split open up and down like a crocodile and headed towards Hikaru-senpai.

“O stream of atmosphere, converge on this body, become the storm that rejects the resented person! The eye of the typhoon is my throne! Storm Fort!”

Hikaru-senpai immediately chanted defensive magic of the storm. The large dragon kept its big mouth opened while it was losing to the pressure of the storm area and was slowly being pushed back. Finally it used up its summoning energy and vanished.

The magic user Mibu-senpai was also blown away into the air.

Hikaru-senpai fired one shot, two shots with the lightning bow in her hand toward Mibu-senpai. Even that girl couldn’t dodge in the air, “Gyaa!” she raised such voice and got blown away.

“…Even though I said to restrain the Magica Stigma.”

Hayashi-senpai, who was obstructed by Hikaru-senpai, whispered with a flat tone of voice.

Kimura-senpai fixed her stance while her arm was suffering in pain.

―On the other side, Asamiya-senpai was aiming for Lotte.

“Right now sins are overflowing on the earth! O great arms of the god of death, O arms of fallen angel that sneers at the hollow faith, grasp the scythe of soul and reap the sins of this land! Empty Sky Revolution of God of Death’s ScytheSpinning Death Scythe!”

Asamiya-senpai invoked her magic―a giant scythe floated at her side, as if it was held by unseen hands. It glided through the air with its blade aiming at Lotte.

“O accumulating wisdom throughout human history, become many piles of armor that protect my body! Heavily, thickly, reject all brutality! Seusenhofer!!”

Lotte summoned a mobile armor with Prometheus’ defensive magic. It repelled the blow of the giant scythe.

While her small body staggered from the impact, Lotte fired a volley of gatling bullets from the [Mitrailleuse] that was equipped in her right hand. There was no person who could try to dodge and run away from that gatling gun.

“Ngagugugugugu!” Raising a yell, Asamiya-senpai was thrown back by the bullets.

“I reached my hand to the height of Babel and become the oppressor! O lightning, in accordance with my life, praise the brute force of the human race! Blitzkrieg!!”

Furthermore, on the electromagnetic gauntlet of [Collider Field] at Lotte’s left arm, a lance unit was added and equipped.

“Prometheus…chargeschuu―bb!”

With the lance that was filled with electricity, Lotte pierced Asamiya-senpai vigorously.

“FUGOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Huge blue defensive magic power was scattered, Asamiya-senpai was blown away with a muffled scream.

Seeing that situation with a side glance, Mibu-senpai clicked her tongue “Che!”.

“Reaching the past from the future, O goddess that accepted the slander of man…change that darkness into deadly poison and spit it all around! Let us slander all those foolish people!! Poison Argument!!”

Mibu-senpai made Astaroth’s avatar emerge, spraying poisonous black bubbles everywhere.

That magic was also shown in the first match. The black bubbles discerned between allies and enemies and flew only at Hikaru-senpai’s team.

“Storm Fort!”

Hikaru-senpai spread out a large defensive magic of storm as if to wrap up both swordsmen on her team.

That magic could be applied to not only a person, but it looked like it could be magnified so the effect radius could even include up to two people. The black bubbles looked weak against wind, all of them were blown away in all directions and repelled.

However―the defensive radius couldn’t spread to Hikaru-senpai herself and Lotte. Even armored, Lotte couldn’t defend against the poison. Both of them were afflicted with poison.

“The situation looks bad right now…even if Kimura-san has to be sacrificed so that she leaves the stage, maybe Hikaru-chan should have protected herself.”

Kaguya-senpai whispered such a thing calmly. But for better or worse, Hikaru-senpai was not a person that could make such a decision like that. Even himself, could he decide something like that…he probably couldn’t, Kazuki thought inside his heart.

“Soaring wings, glaring eyes, invading world-destroying conflagaration―manifest the authority of god right here, as the agent of civilization, deeper and deeper, I’ll advance! Deep Striker!!”

Lotte equipped a thruster system to her back and soared to the sky so that she wouldn’t inhale even more of the poison. The machine’s movement compensated for her body, which was staggering from the nerve poison. Even her sight and other senses that grew hazy from the poison should be compensated for by the radar unit that was loaded in the flight unit.

After fixing the electromagnetic lance securely on the machine arm, Lotte prepared a charge toward Asamiya-senpai and took a nose dive.

“Soul of the dead gathered by the God of Death’s calling voice, armor my body, turn this body into hell’s tormenting devil…the trump card against heaven is right here! Black Titan!!”

Black mist was coiling about around Asamiya-senpai. It coagulated and transformed into a black giant.

“ACHOOOOOOOU!”

Asamiya-senpai's yell shrieked while blocking Lotte’s charge, which had surpassed the speed of sound.

However, even though the charge was blocked, Lotte had the superiority in the way of the elements. Electricity was produced from the tip of the lance, pouring damage directly into Asamiya-senpai, who was at the center of the black mist.

“Ju ju ju ju ju, just this much, won’t work―!”

Even while she was shocked by electricity and defensive magic power was shining inside the black mist, she pushed down that recoil by willpower and struck Lotte with a giant fist.

Against the severe blow, Lotte was sent flying while her armor was smashed up.

Lotte soared high to the sky once more―she was once again going to make a decisive charge in a nose dive toward Asamiya-senpai. This was the highest level of magic that Lotte could chant. Asamiya-senpai blocked the assault and hit back while eating the electric shock.

And then finally, both the giant body made from black mist and Lotte’s armament were both pulverized into tatters and vanished.

Lotte, who was staggering from the poison, and Asamiya-senpai returned from the poor condition and glared at each other.

“Lotte-chan and the others became wrapped up in melee combat, didn’t they?”

Kaguya-senpai muttered. Whoever won this fight…they wouldn’t recover completely for the next fight.

“I ascertained the human’s nature with my own eyes. Thy bowel is hell’s crucible, the vomited slander become the indictment toward the children of heaven and men. Fill the earth with anguish of the end! Snake Dragon’s Emesis of Ruinous ScreamApocalypse Venom!”

Astaroth, who was straddling a giant lizard emerged at Mibu-senpai’s side. Red and black liquid was spewed out from the mouth of that giant lizard onto the surface of the ground.

…A different kind of poison!?

Astaroth―This influential empress of hell was a [poison user] Diva. She created even more nightmarish and vicious poisons inside the body of her lizard servant that couldn’t be compared even against the artificial combinations of all poisonous substances.

That black and red vomit passed through the allies without effect, pouring only to those who had been confirmed as the enemy by the empress of hell.

“Storm Fort!” This time too Hikaru-senpai protected the frontline swordsmen and received the poison herself. Lotte also couldn’t defend herself against the poison. Both of them were afflicted with two different kinds of poison.

Even though both of their magic powers were in the situation where they weren’t doing anything, it was gradually beginning to decrease. The poison this time was a poison that gradually erases magic power. The situation would increasingly become worse if this became a protracted battle.

“…Hand down lightning to my body and grant me the godspeed of lightning’s will…wake up the sleeping lion! Ride Lightning!”

Hikaru-senpai circulated accelerated electric currents through her whole body. The electric signals that ran in the nervous system revitalized the body and the mind, negating the effect of the nerve poison. And then with the accelerated movement, she hit Mibu-senpai hard.

Mibu-senpai tried to handle the attack with Chinese kenpo’s movement. However Hikaru-senpai’s full speed was not something that could be defended just from offhand training of Chinese kenpo.

There was no doubt that Hikaru-senpai, who thought that a protracted battle would be unfavorable, was trying to decide the match in one go.

“O flow of the atmosphere, stretch out to my hand, become the spear to repel the resented person! What is extending to my hand is the tip of the storm!! Ayamur!!”

Hitting while chanting a spell, furthermore that hand gripped the repulsing spear tightly. Mibu-senpai, who kept getting hit by Hikaru-senpai was blown away even further from the storm creating spear.

“I’ll come to help you now, Tomomi-chan!”

And then Hikaru-senpai attempted to go help Kimura-senpai, however―,

“Kimura Tomomi, that’s the end!”

Just before she could do that, the voice of the referee teacher sounded out.

“…My bad, but it’s already over.”

Hayashi-senpai’s palm strike had already erased Kimura-senpai’s defensive magic power as she writhed in pain. Even though normally, you had already won when the opponent’s defensive magic power was gone, Kimura-senpai, whose whole body was covered with wounds from having her flesh beaten up in bad taste leaked out a pained moaning voice.

“YOU BASTAAAAARRDD!”

The enraged Hikaru-senpai swung down her repulsing spear silently!

“Black Titan!!”

However Asamiya-senpai, even while being exhausted from her fierce fighting with Lotte wore the black mist on her body once more as she covered for Hayashi-senpai, blocking the attack with that giant body.

“Blitzkrieg!!”

From the back, Lotte prepared her electromagnetic lance and charged.

The lance pierced deeply in the giant’s back, pouring electricity into the internal part.

“A, ASSHOLEEEE…”

That instant, Asamiya Anna’s magic power decreased to dangerous levels.

She was already on the verge of magic intoxication. Kazuki could clearly sense her condition.

Even the black giant's body couldn’t be preserved anymore and was starting to flicker and vanish like a heat haze.

“D, DON’T MESS WITH MEEEEEE! ME AND ANEKI’S MILITARY RULE IS STARTING FROM NOOOOOOWW!!”

But Asamiya Anna shrieked with a voice so loud; as if it would rip her own throat.

The moment she screamed, her magic power, which should be empty already, exploded, overflowing throughout her whole body once more. Receiving a new supply of mental strength, the vanishing black aura was regenerated once more and re-materialized.

“…Such a thing!? How!!”

Lotte’s eyes opened wide in shock. There was no doubt that she had also believed the opponent to be defeated already.

The arm of the black giant body mowed Lotte’s small body down.

“Charlotte Liebenfrau, that’s the end!”

In a reversal, Lotte’s magic power hit rock bottom with that attack. She, unavoidably, exited the stage.

“Wait a second! Isn’t there something strange just now!? This is not something that someone can get through with willpower! For sure, just now…Asamiya Anna’s magic power should have become zero!”

“R, right…I felt it too.”

Hearing Kazuki’s words, Kaguya-senpai also expressed her agreement as if doubting her own eyes.

“FUNGAAAAAAAAAA! ACHoOOOOOOOO!!”

The revived Asamiya-senpai screamed as if she was going crazy while waving about both her legs and arms. Kamiizumi-senpai, whose fight with Karin was unfolding into an even battle, was sent flying. Even for the former vice-president of the Sword Division, if an interruption butted in right in the middle of an even battle, then she would be helpless to do anything.

“Kamiizumi Iori, that’s the end!”

Kamiizumi-senpai’s magic power hit rock bottom too. In the end, Hikaru-senpai was alone.

“…How dare you!”

Hikaru-senpai thrust at Asamiya-senpai with her spear. The body of black mist was destroyed.

“I said it already that your opponent is me, right―! Dragon Bite!!”

Mibu-senpai’s magic was invoked. A giant dragon’s head appeared from the flank and came attacking.

“HaAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

However Hikaru-senpai, who had superhuman abilities from Ride Lightning, released a series of thrusts with speed that couldn’t even be caught by your eyes.

(DOSUDOSUDOSU!) The large jaw of the dragon that was opened wide, the upper part, the bottom part, the inner throats, all were gouged with countless holes consecutively. The dragon’s neck became covered all over with holes like a lotus root and terminated.

“I, impossiblee―! How the hell did a bastard like you have battle strength like that!?”

“That’s why I ordered you to not let her get a weapon!”

Hearing Mibu-senpai raising such a yell, Hayashi-senpai threw a scolding at her.

In a flash, Hikaru-senpai got near Mibu-senpai and released a series of thrusts like a meteor shower. Her speed had already transcended what human eyes could perceive. Countless lines of light pierced Mibu-senpai over and over again.

“GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA―!!”

Each of those blows possessed the destructive power that were produced from the Sacred Treasure that was produced from Summoning Magic. Helplessly Mibu-senpai’s magic power hit rock bottom. Kazuki sensed it happened. Without doubt she had no magic power left.

“Do, don’t think you can beat me just with that muchhh!! YOU HONOR STUDENT-CHAAAAAAANN!”

However, with a scream filled with fighting spirit, the magic power that was supposed to be dried up already welled up explosively from the depth of Mibu-senpai’s body. …An obviously strange thing was happening right now.

“Karin, after this I’ll leave it to you two, ‘kay.”

For some reason, Hayashi-senpai and Karin stopped fighting at that point. They stepped back to a deeper part of the grounds.

“You guys, what are you planning! Why are you not going to fight yourself!?”

Seeing that, Hikaru-senpai tried to give chase.

“Spinning Death Scythe!”

The scythe that Asamiya-senpai summoned came attacking as if to obstruct Hikaru-senpai’s path.

Senpai blocked it with her spear, but her body that was afflicted with poison staggered.

“MOVE!” Even while staggering, Hikaru-senpai thrust at Asamiya-senpai using her spear.

Furthermore, even while fighting in close-quarters with her spear, senpai had been chanting her spell for a long time.

“Know the fury of god with the roar of the sacred flame! The roar of the sky, all of it resided in this hand, grant me the hammer that smashed the world! Break apart the boundary! Yagrush!”

In her left hand, she grasped the wind element spear, and in her right hand, she grasped the lightning element hammer tightly. A battle style that truly symbolized her as the contractor of Baal.

When that hammer was raised overhead, the sky raged thunderously. Gigantic thunder clouds were created above Hikaru-senpai’s head.

“I have had enough with you guys already! Get smashed up…!!”

That large hammer was brought down onto Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai. A storm of electricity broke out where the hammer fell. A giant explosion broke out with light and sound as if it would burn the spectators’ retinas and burst their eardrums.

When the light settled down, a giant crater with a diameter of several dozen meters was gouged in the ground. Inside it, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai were collapsed. Naturally, their magic power was supposed to be dried up already.

However…even so, the two stood up unsteadily like ghosts.

Despite bearing the amount of damage to the degree that it wouldn’t be strange for them to fall into magic intoxication not only once, but two or three times, vivid magic power was regenerated on their whole body.

“My, my head hurts―…but I won’t lose―…hyahha―…!”

“So tiresomeee…. But, but, it's after this you know, anekiii―…!”

The ones who felt a shuddering chill running through their body was not just Kazuki. The students in the guest seats had already forgotten to raise any cheers. They were just watching the ground while holding their breath.

“Stop the match!”

At the side of the ground, an old man’s hoarse voice was resounding.

Headmaster Amasaki and the other teachers were struggling with each other in an argument.

“There is obviously something strange that is going on, don’t you see! Forfeit the match!!”

“On what basis can you say such an unfair thing!?”

The one who replied back was a man with glasses on his slender face. That man was board chairman Takasugi.

“Isn’t there any obvious foul play that is happening here!? As I thought, you are showing favor to particular students, aren’t you headmaster!!?”

Headmaster Amasaki was grinding his teeth while he drew back.

Certainly…there was no suspicious [action] at all.

However, there was obviously a relation with a Diva’s power with this situation.

“This is, as I thought, the deed of the Divas that are contracted with Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka?”

“Eh? Those two are swordsmen right?”

When Kazuki whispered so, Mio turned and looked up at him.

“Yes but…those two, at the very least Katsura Karin is contracted with an unknown Diva.”

Kazuki, who had been attacked by Karin, held a conviction in that fact.

“However, those two didn’t show any sign of chanting Summoning Magic…”

“Then, is it [Divine Protection]?” Kazuha-senpai answered in a sigh.

“Divine Protection?” Kazuki spontaneously asked back.

Words he didn’t have any recollection of…No, he had heard it before just once.

“Divine Protection is the manifestation of a Diva’s power in a different shape from the Summoning Magic. Those Divas like Japan’s Solomon's 72 Pillars that are contracted with multiple humans and have [weak relationships] with each other cannot really manifest it. But those like me and Futsunushi no Kami, who have a deep contract one-on-one, can manifest it. And then the contractor and possibly the comrades in their surroundings could be granted with a special effect. For example, if it’s Futsunushi no Kami…he can grant me and my comrades a Divine Protection to [use the Battou Kaikon of Sacred Treasures that have the form and nature of katana masterfully].”

“The power of Divine Protection, you don’t need some procedure like Summoning Magic to use them?”

“Just as you understand from seeing how Kohaku used her Sacred Treasures, it’s basically invoked continuously without any pause.”

“There is really that kind of thing?”

Even Lotte, who could operate all kinds of machines when she obtained Prometheus’ cooperation, that blessing probably should be called Divine Protection too.

“But Divine Protection that can revive humans who had used up their magic power completely for however many times, no matter how you see it, that’s just too powerful…”

Futsunushi no Kami’s avatar emerged out beside Kazuha-senpai.

“It’s not an impossible matter though. For example, there are also Divas that specialized not in Summoning Magic, but in Divine Protection. Otherwise, if it is just a [simply powerful Diva] that is reigning in the upper part of the mythology’s structure, they too could possibly bring about such a powerful Divine Protection as this. Perhaps…that Divine Protection is looking very powerful, but in truth there is a large weak point in it, something like that?”

A simply powerful Diva that reigned at the upper part of the mythology’s structure…?

Such a Diva like that was possibly contracted with Katsura Karin or Hayashi Shizuka…?

On the ground, Hikaru-senpai had used up the power of [Ride Lightning] and [Ayamur] and became unarmed. Even while being afflicted with two varieties of poison, she was still standing and facing Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai upfront.

“You all…if I stop…I cannot fight with Kazuki.”

“Feh…if you want to try that hard, then how about you try until the last moment?”

While floating a cruel smile, Hayashi-senpai who had stayed back temporarily approached Hikaru-senpai, who was already mostly paralyzed from the nerve poison.

“We are going to play now, Karin.”

When Hayashi Shizuka said that, Mibu-senpai and Asamiya-senpai were the ones that stepped back this time.

Karin’s fist directly hit Hikaru-senpai’s side.

It was a fist that was accompanied with the magic power of Shintoukei. With her step onto the earth and the spiral movement, that strength was magnified.

(Bokii!) A sinister sound rang out and Hikaru-senpai’s body jolted.

Something was broken, probably her ribs.

The wrist of Hikaru-senpai, who was staggering from the impact was grasped by Shizuka. The girl released a wave of magic power and she twisted the fist that wrapped Hikaru-senpai’s wrist. (Buchii!) Sounds of the tendons getting damaged could be heard.

“UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Ha…hahahahahaha!”

Seeing Hikaru-senpai scream and fall down, Hayashi Shizuka released a laugh as if she couldn’t bear with her enjoyment anymore.

Kazuki’s spine froze. Even though she could make Hikaru-senpai use up her defensive magic power until it hit rock bottom if she just hit her normally, those girls penetrated the defensive magic power and hurt the flesh directly.

On the back of Hikaru-senpai, who was leaning forward from enduring the pain, two more fists were striking. As if breaking wooden chopsticks casually, one piece, two pieces of senpai’s ribs were breaking.

Hikaru-senpai’s scream reverberated.

The students in the stands were looking with eyes as if they were seeing an unrealistic scene performed in a theater. They were looking down in blank amazement. For the humans who were blessed with defensive magic power in their everyday life, this reality was something they were unable to understand. Even the referee teacher, he was making a face that showed his inability to understand what was currently happening. He was showing his lost behavior whether to stop the match or not. …Even though this kind of thing had to be stopped an instant earlier!

“Stop it already!!”

Kazuki spontaneously stood from his seat and started to dash heading to the ground.

“…A, Ayamur!”

Hikaru-senpai who was crouching to endure her pain invoked a spell.

And then all of a sudden, she swung the spear with her one remaining healthy hand and launched a surprise attack at Shizuka. That one strike was not filled with strength already. The unsteady and unsure tip of the spear grazed Shizuka’s cheek.

Small wind shook Shizuka’s hair bangs.

“…You bastard.” Inside Shizuka’s eyes, a shuddering violent emotion was flaming ablaze.

And then Shizuka’s fist was…Hikaru-senpai’s chest―her heart was hit.

“…Stop!! Why do you need to go that far!!? Stop―!!”

The only one who understood the meaning of that action was Kazuki. He dashed down the stands while yelling.

“Cut it out already right nowwwwww! M, my head hurts like it will split! I’m already at my limit hereeee! It’s the endddddddddddddddd!! Dra, Dragon Bitee!”

However, the one who was screaming was not only Kazuki. Mibu-senpai, who was watching the gruesome tragic event that Karin and Shizuka interweaved from the side for a while, all of a sudden was yelling a spell.

Summoning a dragon’s jaw, it crunched at Hikaru-senpai who had no power left to resist already.

But that attack only wounded the defensive magic power, it was still better than having her body destroyed.

Thanks to it, Hikaru-senpai’s magic power was finally shaved down until the dangerous area where the match should be stopped―

“...Che. How dull…No, maybe I also played too much.”

While clicking her tongue, Shizuka looked down at Hikaru-senpai, who fell as if she was going to crumble.

“That’s the end!” After saying that, the teacher who took the role as referee finally blew the whistle that signaled the end of the match in a too late fashion.

Part 7

“Haha…just this much isn't really a big deal, you know!?”

Because of how Hikaru-senpai said that with her cheerful and wide grinning face, the surrounding people relaxed their nervousness.

“There's no way what you said is true, Senpai! Your bones are broken and your tendons are snapped apart after all!!”

Mio scolded her harshly at the end of the bed. After that fight…Mio immediately descended down to the grounds, treated Hikaru-senpai and Kimura-senpai with [Anti-Aging], and brought them to their respective rooms.

Even after that, the next match was still performed, but it was out of the question for Kazuki and the others to watch it.

It was his first time entering Hikaru-senpai’s room, but the room was like a boy’s room. It could even be seen that she deliberately excluded girly things from here. Shounen manga were lined up on the bookshelf and finished products of plastic models were lined up on the cabinet. It seems she painted the plastic models herself. There was even a booth for painting here. On the wall, men’s clothes were hanging and posters of soccer players were pasted.

“[Anti-Aging] is a magic that instantaneously magnifies the recovery power that humans personally possess. It’s not a magic that makes the wound nonexistent. The bones and tendons are already starting to stick together but…please stay and rest for the whole day.”

Mio gallantly said.

“So I can do whatever I like tomorrow?”

“…For the moment, the doctor has also said so. Though there might be some uncomfortable feelings in the tendons left for a while.”

Just before, there was also a doctor that came, though he only injected something to stop the pain because it looked like there was nothing left to be treated medically.

Mio and Liz Liza-sensei talked about the effects of [Anti-Aging] to the doctor. The outcome of those three’s discussion was that if they repeated the treatment in a fixed interval, then Hikaru-senpai would be recovered completely by the next day; that was the conclusion that came out.

“Complete recovery in half a day…it's unexpectedly easy to get healed, isn’t it ? It’s a wasted effort to worry like that. I didn’t even get to see Kimura-san’s condition.”

In relief, Kaguya-senpai also relaxed her expression, which had been tense with worry for quite a while. And then, all the concerned people in the student council that were jam-packed inside Hikaru-senpai’s room simultaneously started to leave the place.

“Eh, wait a second, everyone is leaving!?”

Seeing everyone leaving the room one by one, Hikaru-senpai raised her voice in a fluster.

“Who will become my talking partner, just relaxing is boring! I’m lonely here! That’s right, Kazuki! Kazuki, become my talking partnerr―! I’m an injured person after all, so be kind to mee―!!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Sorry, Kazuki. You got stuck with accompanying the injured person. It’s really disheartening to become alone.”

When she became alone with just Kazuki, the smiling face Hikaru-senpai showed became distorted.

When he looked more carefully, of Hikaru-senpai's hands that stuck out from the futon were slightly shaking.

“Senpai, does it hurt?”

“No, the medicine for the pain is effective…probably the injured body itself too has been healed greatly, so I think even if the medicine stopped it won’t even hurt anymore. However, truthfully, from a while ago, I’ve been scared.”

Hikaru-senpai hung her head down frailly.

“Strange isn’t it? Even though I have experienced a lot of real battles in quests, despite having experienced a life and death situation before, yet…the sensation of having [your physical body get destroyed], at that time, it was scary, it’s unbearable when I remember it…. Even though I won’t die from just having one or two of my ribs broken…”

Hikaru-senpai's trembling hands gripped each other. Even so her hands still continued to tremble (katakata ).

“How pathetic huh…Thank you, Kazuki. I’m happy if you're going to be at my side for just a little more.”

The frail figure of Hikaru-senpai, who was always so lively, was heart breaking for Kazuki.

Kazuki went near the bedside, he wrapped Hikaru-senpai’s trembling hands with his own.

“Aa” Senpai, who had a phobia of men, leaked out her voice.

“Is it scary?”

“…It’s not scary. The sensation of being wrapped like this…somehow it makes me feel at peace.”

A small heart mark came flying at him.

Through the hand that was being grasped, from her heart, Hikaru-senpai came to rely on Kazuki, despite being male.

This situation probably came from the long time Hikaru-senpai had spent in getting used to Kazuki and also, it was probably the fault of being in a particular mental state from having herself concentrating intently on her own fear and loneliness.

“Senpai’s man phobia, it might be cured already now right?”

“I, it might be so, I wonder…. But even if that's true, I have a feeling that it’s because it's you.”

For a while, Kazuki stroked Hikaru-senpai’s hand, Hikaru-senpai accepted it with rapt attention.

“How vexing…Despite my plan to beat those guys and sever the future trouble they might bring. And then with a bright feeling, I would enjoy the final match with you, even though it was supposed to be like that.”

“It’s going to be fine. I will avenge senpai without fail.”

In that match―Hayashi Shizuka was without a doubt evil. No, its not about whether she was evil or not, but rather that she was someone unforgivable for Kazuki. For her to do such a thing like destroying human’s flesh with a playful feeling.

“Vengeance. …How cool! When I think about it, it’s such a heated development like in shounen manga!!”

The light that was like a young boy's passion returned to Hikaru-senpai’s eyes.

“In that situation, Kazuki will use my magic―[Ride Lightning], and beat up those guys! Using the technique your dying friend left you behind and defeat the bitter enemy…intense, it’s just too intense!”

“Senpai is still not dead yet right? …Besides, I can't use senpai’s magic, you know?”

“Why? You can use the magic of someone you get along well with, right?”

Hearing those words, Kazuki was taken with surprise.

“So senpai also knows about Lemegeton’s power!?”

“Yeah, I heard it from Liz Liza-sensei together with Kaguya. Something like positivity level as the key to use magic. Then there is no reason why you can't use my magic.”

Amasaki Mio―147 Lotte―120 Hiakari Koyuki―119 Otonashi Kaguya―92

Hoshikaze Hikaru―60 Tsukahara Kazuha―49

“No, the positivity level from senpai is…still not enough.”

When Kazuki told her, the widely smiling face of Hikaru-senpai turned into a pale white expression in the blink of an eye. Her voice became upset in total disbelief.

“Wh, why!? Th, tha- tha- tha- tha- tha- that’s stupid! I like you very much! We are best friends that are bound by hot friendship!! Aren't we!? Why can’t you use my magic!?”

Senpai swung around Kazuki’s hand in a buzz.

“Senpai, you're still in recovery so please don’t get so excited!”

“Uuu―!” Senpai groaned fretfully. “This is treachery! Something is strange!!”

Certainly with how good the relationship between him and senpai, it was strange how he still hadn’t obtained the proof of the connection between their magic power, the <key of the heart>. Even Kazuki actually felt such doubt too.

…Just as he thought, was friendship not good enough?

The relationship that senpai sought from and gave to him…was it insufficient to build a bond between them?

No matter how long the time they spent together, it was as if something like a membrane was dividing them, obstructing the exchange of their feelings. He had a hunch like that.

The relationship between him and senpai, couldn’t it become a genuine bond?

The relationship between him and senpai, was there a lie in it…?

“Kazuki?” Looking at how Kazuki had become quiet, Hikaru-senpai leaked out an anxious voice.

…Senpai, was not a man. Even if she said that she wanted to tie a friendship between fellow males with him from her mouth, senpai is a girl. Inside our relationship, there was a lie and deception.

Perhaps deep inside their hearts, he and senpai were connected with a far different relationship.

The number of the positivity level might be the proof of that.

Kazuki unintentionally put more strength into both hands that wrapped Hikaru-senpai’s thin and graceful hands.

“Hikaru-senpai, I have a request.”

“Wha, what is it so suddenly? If it’s your request, then I'll more or less listen to it though.”

“Senpai, please go on a date with me tomorrow!”

Tomorrow, senpai was going to be recuperating until her condition returned back to normal.

“…Eh? You want to go play together? I don’t really mind.”

“It’s different, not playing, but a date.”

Kazuki corrected her with a strong tone.

“I, isn’t it strange for us to go on something like a date? For fellow males to go doing something like that is…”

“That’s enough, please recognize it, senpai is not a man. I don’t think of senpai as a man. I, as a man, want to go on a date with senpai as a woman!”

“Th, that kind of…. But, I mean why so suddenly…”

“Senpai, the thing that you said when you were wearing the maid uniform, you said that you will listen to what I say for just one day, right?”

“I, I certainly said that, but! You will use that one favor right here!?”

Senpai might dislike it if he talked in this way.

…No, there was no skull mark that signaled the drop in positivity level.

Senpai was only looking down with a face so red that it wouldn’t be strange for her to spit out fire.

“Senpai…let’s meet in front of the station tomorrow at 12 o’clock in the afternoon. I will wait for senpai there.”

“If, if I don’t go, are you planning to keep waiting for the whole day there?”

“Yes. Just like that, I might catch a cold and become unsteady in the next match then.”

“I’ll get troubled if that happens you know―. Don’t threaten me―!”

Senpai raised out a shrinking voice.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Nii-sama, I’m making a fresh start in life.” Across the cell phone, Kanae said such a thing.

Being concerned with Kanae’s state in the afternoon, Kazuki called Kanae before going to sleep to talk with her.

“…What do you mean?”

“If I stay like this I won’t become a suitable successor for the Hayashizaki-style. I have thought about this for the whole day.”

“Oi, don’t worry yourself too much about this. What happened in the afternoon was because you got caught in our plan until the very end after all.”

He had to choose his words in order to cheer her up. Kanae’s powerlessness was…a problem that was hard to resolve. Even when using the Enchant Aura to magnify physical ability, if the original physical ability was low from the start then that magnification value would also become small.

If a person just kept being side-tracked by a field that they were poor at, they might meet a dead-end and stop growing.

“I understand that I also shouldn’t hope for <attack power> beyond what I have right now. However, I might be too fixated on the stereotype of [kenjutsu as something that created physical destructive power]. If I perceive the opponent’s magic power more closely and alter my own magic power according to my image, it might be even possible to [sever the magic power of the opponent itself] with my magic sword. Severing the spell’s chanting or the source of the magic phenomenon…while fighting together with Magica Stigma, I noticed such a possibility…”

The power that distorted reality―magic, there were still possibilities lurking inside it that the Hayashizaki-style hadn’t seen yet. However much the magic distorted reality…there might be nothing that couldn’t be cut using the magic sword depending on the image.

“I am a powerless swordsman. Nevertheless, because of that very powerlessness, I’ll show Nii-sama my pursuit of an entirely new kenjutsu, a new technique for the Hayashizaki-style. I won’t lose to Otonashi Kaguya either. I will immediately train starting from tomorrow!”

The conclusion that she arrived at after her struggle, by no means did he think of it as something mistaken.

“That’s why Nii-sama, I’m happy that you called me, but you don’t need to worry about someone like me. Because from now on too, I will keep continuing to become Nii-sama’s rival as the strongest swordsman!”

“…That's true, isn’t it? My step sisterbig sister wasn't a person so fragile that she would need something like my encouragement in the end.”

“I’m not the older sister but the little sister! That’s why Nii-sama too, please become stronger and stronger, okay!?”

Her usual bright voice returned in the end, then the call was cut.

…But the strength that I was pursuing was heading in a different direction from Kanae's stoicism.

The power of bonds―it was by no means something that he would need to be ashamed of.

Right at that time, as if it had been long-waiting for the call with Kanae to be over, the door of the room was knocked on.

“Good evening.” Kaguya-senpai showed her face.

“Senpai?”

Senpai entered the room while her body was wrapped in her Magic Dress.

He was not conscious of it while in the middle of battle, but her appearance was very lascivious. The slight areas of the body that was covered, rather than hiding the minimum portion it clung to, emphasized the beautiful white skin and the sexy body line instead. Maybe it was because senpai was adjusting her magic power, but the decorations of her Magic Dress was simplified―as if to say, so all of those wouldn’t be a hindrance in what they were going to do after this.

And then her eyes were…different from usual where it had already changed into a violet color.

“Senpai…, did you use too much magic and now you completely have an odd mood?”

The Diva that Kaguya-senpai was contracted with, Asmodeus, was the demon lord that governed lust. Using Asmodeus’ power too much made senpai unable to hold back her own feelings. Kazuki also accepted even that kind of Kaguya-senpai…because of that it became the role of Kazuki to diffuse the mood of Kaguya-senpai who had become like this.

“That’s because Kazuki-kun, you've beaten me completely after all.”

Kaguya-senpai lowered her body on the bed besides Kazuki and came near him closely while sitting.

Usually, she always came hugging at him so suddenly and she would get satisfied with just squeezing him for a while.

For some reason, tonight she didn’t appear to be like that. He felt the calm before the storm from senpai.

“Senpai…come to think of it, why are you suddenly calling me [Kazuki-kun]?”

“Because I already, can't be [a reliable senpai] anymore. I completely lost against an impertinent first year that had only enrolled into the academy for a month and a half after all. My pride as a senpai had been broken apart into small pieces.”

While leaning slovenly on Kazuki, senpai puffed out her cheeks ‘buu’ in a pout. Her hair softly clung on Kazuki. From there, Kaguya-senpai’s characteristic chest pressed on him with a dense sweet smell.

“So, sorry. But for me, senpai is still senpai…”

“It’s okay, actually I too…wanted to [submit] to Kazuki-kun after all.”

“Su, submit!?”

“I've decided already, not to pretend to be tough or be patient anymore. I’m going to stop restraining myself.”

Slowly, Kaguya-senpai’s hand was moving; she put her finger on the front button of Kazuki’s sleep-wear.

“Se, senpai, what are you--!?”

“Just a little. It’s just for a little, so…”

Kaguya-senpai’s passionate finger gently exposed Kazuki’s upper body,

Kaguya-senpai, whose pupils had turned violet, was spellbound looking at Kazuki’s chest. With a gulp she swallowed her saliva.

“To gulp like that, senpai…what do you mean by just a little…”

Mutually staring at each other’s exposed skin, the two were enveloped in an obscene mood.

“I’m sorry, I won’t do anything perverted at all! Only just a little, I just want to hug while our skin meets together, that’s all! It’s wholesome! This is a perfectly wholesome thing to do!”

On Kazuki’s bare skin, Kaguya-senpai’s huge breasts that were mostly exposed from her Magic Dress was pressing so tightly (munyu), that it changed shape. This was not something felt from across the uniform or shirt, it was a direct sensation. This was, surely this bulge was where all the [pleasant softness] in the world was packed into.

No, that wasn't right, probably what was packed into a girl’s chest were dreams and romance.

“You said you weren’t going to do anything perverted…this is already perverted enough you know, senpai!”

“Stop calling me senpai! Call me Kaguya!”

Senpai puffed out her cheeks ‘buu’ once more in a pout.

“Ka, Kaguya…san.”

“No way, no way! It’s fine to call me Kaguya without an honorific!!”

“Ka, Kaguya…”

It was strangely embarrassing, Kazuki felt heat filling his face.

“Kazuki, you too, embrace me back from your direction...”

Hesitatingly, Kazuki hugged her back. Senpai’s naked back felt very smooth.

“I like you, Kazuki-kun…”

As if getting delirious from the passion, Kaguya-senpai rubbed her whole body against Kazuki’s body continuously. When Kazuki’s hard body and Kaguya-senpai’s soft body rubbed against each other, an inflammatory sensation was created between the two. Moreover, their skin gradually became damp from sweat. Even while feeling the softness of the body, a slippery smooth pleasant feeling became mixed inside.

Smoothly smoothly, Kaguya-senpai time and time again rubbed her body against him.

“N, no…it feels good somehow…. Also Kazuki-kun’s nice smell is…”

With a dreamy expression, Kaguya-senpai pressed her face into Kazuki’s neck and sniffed his aroma.

“It feels like I’m going crazy to death inside senpai’s lewd smell and softness…”

Kazuki too unconsciously pressed his face onto Kaguya-senpai’s wet skin. As if both of them were fawning at each other.

“Not senpai, Kaguya!”

He got scolded.

“I’m not perverted, okay? Kazuki-kun’s hopelessly strong and manly…extremely indecent smell and body is the cause, really. It makes me unable to endure. I’m not the one who is bad okay!?”

Kaguya-senpai who had entered a totally peculiar state of mind started talking about some absurd things and rubbed her body on him even more intensely.

Each time their skin rubbed, seductive heavy breathing was leaking from Kaguya-senpai’s gaping lips that looked like flower petals. Senpai’s breath became rough from pleasure.

“If I kiss Kazuki-kun’s lips, you’d be able to invoke a special power that can only be used once right? …I want to kiss. …I really want to kiss. This is unsatisfactory…”

Kaguya-senpai, who knew about Kazuki’s ability, raised a sorrowful voice while avoiding Kazuki’s lips, she passionately pushed those lips on his cheek.

“Uuu, this is really not enough! I want to feel Kazuki-kun more! More, I want to become one even more! Sorry, Kazuki-kun. I will return back to normal soon! So let me fawn like this on Kazuki-kun just a little more!!”

…Kaguya-senpai had wanted to cling on someone for a long time. Being treated as experimental material by her father, being pushed to become the strongest, always continuing to fight…. Kazuki won against that Kaguya-senpai, liberating her from her burdens.

That was why now, she completely became [just Kaguya].

“I’m sorry, you hate it, right? A girl like me that so suddenly becomes this indecent…”

“…I don’t hate it though, Kaguya.”

Kazuki resolved himself to accept Kaguya, he whispered in her ears.

Kaguya’s body trembled in a shiver. A large heart mark came flying at Kazuki.

“I love Kaguya, that’s why it’s okay.”

While Kazuki whispered, he caressed Kaguya’s sweaty back.

“Th, that feels good!”

Kaguya-senpai’s damp body trembled (bikubiku) like a fish that was washed ashore. She raised a high-pitched voice.

Even though he just touched her back…probably the senses that were magnified by Asmodeus made her fall into lewd sensations no matter which part of the body he touched.

If it was only caressing her back, then it was still wholesome. Kazuki assented himself like that. This was a really wholesome action. Kazuki stimulated Kaguya’s back many times over, the back that was damp from sweat made wet voices (guchuguchu)!

“Th, that finger movement is amazing! More! Strum my back more! FuaAAAN!!”

Kaguya-senpai raised a conspicuously strong voice and trembled―after that, she weakly fell into exhaustion.

“Ju, just now…it felt like I passed through a mountain…Otouto-kun.”

“Eh, senpai returned to Otouto-kun. And what mountain?”

“I have a feeling that I have done something really embarrassing…”

Kaguya-senpai averted her eyes from Kazuki and talked in a whisper. It seems she returned to herself.

“Right, it was extremely amazing, Kaguya-senpai.”

When he peeked at Kaguya-senpai’s face, her eye color serenely returned to normal.

“No, don’t stare at my face right now like that.”

Kaguya-senpai averted her boiling red face. Looks like the end of the midnight game had suddenly come.

“It feels like I was seeing a perverted dream. But it was real, wasn’t it? I’ve done a really embarrassing thing…. But I'm happy! I want to enjoy the lingering sensation just like this for a little while.”

Kaguya-senpai exhaustedly kept leaning on Kazuki absentmindedly.

“Funya funya” When Kaguya-senpai moved her lips vaguely, her Magic Dress came apart along with lights and transformed into the appearance of black lacy adult underwear. The exposure rate didn’t really change at all.

“Hey, Otouto-kun. I have been concerned for a while but, sometimes Mio-chan or Koyuki-chan are staying in this room, right?”

Kaguya-senpai said while drawing circles on Kazuki’s back with her finger. It made Kazuki shake.

“No but we didn’t do anything strange! We are just sleeping together!”

“Then I too want to sleep together like this.”

“U, understood. …But I'm a little tired…”

“I feel refreshed somehow. Fufufuu.”

“Senpai, can’t I change my shirt before we sleep? If senpai can, how about wearing some pajamas too…”

“It’s fine like this. I want to sleep while hugging Otouto-kun’s chest―”

Kaguya-senpai was happily rubbing Kazuki’s chest. While that behavior of hers was just like how she usually acted, there was also the feeling that something had changed a little from how she usually acted too.

However senpai was feeling refreshed by herself, while this side felt half dead from what they had just done.

“Otouto-kun, tomorrow, by some chance are you going on a date with Hikaru?”

“…Why do you say that?”

“For some reason, I was wondering if such a development would happen like that. It’s nothing bad though―. Though it’s nothing bad, but―. Kaguya-senpai has never gone on a date with Otouto-kun before huh―, is what I am thinking.”

“I, I’m sorry, that…”

Inside the darkness where the light had been turned off, Kazuki was flustered.

“After this, go on a date with me too, okay? I too wish for a single princess escort.”

“Yes…” when Kazuki strongly answered, Kaguya-senpai laughed strangely.

“Otouto-kun, do your best. You won against me, so take responsibility. You have to take the overall victory. Become even stronger and stronger. You are going to become the symbol of the Magic Division and the Sword Division, growing as the strongest magic swordsman…”

Chapter 5 – Love Simulation

Part 1

“Senpai, she still hasn’t come huh.”

Before, he was waiting for Mio in the afternoon at the front of the station. This time, he was waiting for Hikaru-senpai.

He designated this place in an instant, but like this, it was as if he….

{As if you are taking and replacing girls constantly, right? Exactly like a Harem King!!}

Leme came jeering at him through telepathy. However, it was exactly like what she said.

Next, he had promised to go on a date with Kaguya-senpai. He also had the feeling of wanting to lead Koyuki, who tends to shun other people, outside. He also needed to find a suitable time for Lotte, who wanted to check for the new productions of the workshops in Akihabara again.

{Isn’t it fine to have fun with everyone? When Leme looks at all of you, Leme too feels the desire to become human. …That’s right, I get the feeling that in the past too, I also thought like this along with the <King of Solomon>…}

Leme had said once before that she was [a Diva that harbored a longing for humans]. Because of that [she became a Diva that could materialize easily] also.

“Is that so…even for you to regain your memory, you have to recover your strength completely too right?”

{It’s fine even if you don’t worry too much about Leme though. Well, it’s a good thing to stay positive.}

That was right, he had to stay positive when he faced Hikaru-senpai.

Hikaru-senpai was a girl. She harbored a shirking feeling toward males. He had to correct senpai’s [distortion] that made her keep insisting that she was a male on this date!

{My King…you are really heated up for your proactive date, huh. Oops, looks like Hoshikaze Hikaru has come.}

“…I, I made you wait! Sorry, I didn't realize how much time had passed…!”

When Kazuki turned back while calling out “Senpai!”―right there, what he saw was a handsome guy.

Even in TV shows, there was not such a cool guy as the one before Kazuki now.

Not only a good looking face, the clothes were also so stylish that even Kazuki could understand. She was wearing a crisp black tailored jacket and denim pants that were not too formal. The denim was a slender thing for men, but there was room for Hikaru-senpai, who was actually not a man. It also went well with her small face, an extremely stylish appearance.

There was a stylish feeling that wasn't too rough. Having said that, it was also not too exaggerated. Right in front of him was one of the examples that men should try to follow in what clothing they had to wear on a date. Even Kazuki was taken aback in admiration, wondering whether he also should dress like this.

The problem was that this handsome guy was actually a girl.

“Ho, how is it?”

Feeling Kazuki’s stare, Hikaru-senpai fidgeted around. It looks like her injuries have completely healed.

“It’s very cool. For the first time, I understand the feelings of senpai’s fans. There is no doubt that if I were a girl, I would fall in love.”

“Really? Hehhehhe, as expected. I wonder if it’s like that~. But even something like that could also happen I wonder~”

Hikaru-senpai’s expression burst open brightly just like a young boy.

She was cool, but also cute. She had a smiling face that gave you an unknown throbbing inside when you saw it.

“Please don’t be happy! …Even though I said before to please go on a date with me as a girl, why does senpai look that much like a handsome guy!?”

To have nothing but men’s clothing to this degree, she was a prince that far exceeded his expectations.

“I was thinking about whether I should wear a jersey. But I wonder if it will make you ashamed instead.”

“Even if senpai came looking like that much of a handsome guy, I only got this huge feeling of failure you know…”

“I, I think you look cool though!”

“I don't really feel that I got praised. By the way, for the date, of course for today.”

“As expected, this is really a date?”

“Even I don't really understand something like a date, I didn't really plan anything but…the thing we should do first is decided! Let’s go shopping for women's clothing!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Kazuki forcefully pulled Hikaru-senpai, who repeatedly said, “It’s impossible, impossible you know―” and finally arrived at a Fashion Workshopboutique.

It was a boutique he had visited before with Mio. Saying it clearly, Kazuki didn't understand a thing about women's clothing, but if it was the boutique that the stylish Mio favored then there would be no problem, he thought.

Moreover, this workshop made western clothes by themselves to sell. Of course they also gathered [truly good products] from other workshops and sold them too. These kinds of business conditions were called [Select Shops], that was what Mio-sensei taught him. If it was here, then they should be able to look for various brands of stylish clothes that were not leaning on just a particular brand.

“I want to escape.”

The stylish aura that was emitted from the shop overpowered Hikaru-senpai and made her whisper such.

“No way. After this, I will dye senpai with my color!”

With forcefulness from the experience he had when he was led around by Mio, Kazuki pushed Hikaru-senpai’s back forward.

“Geez, you're really forceful―” saying that, Hikaru-senpai made a troubled expression. However, a skull mark didn't come flying.

When the automatic door opened and they entered the inside of the shop, the stylish shopkeeper Onee-san was,

“Welcome…?” she said.

Her words trailed off in the end, showing her confusion that was surely because she was seeing two males entering this store for females.

When the shopkeeper took a glance at Hikaru-senpai, her expression of confusion receded and her cheeks were dyed pink.

However, as expected of a stylish professional, she immediately saw through Hikaru-senpai’s real identity as a female and floated a smiling face as if having apprehensions toward this side. “Today, what kind of items are you looking for, dear guest?”

Kazuki felt relieved and was going to consult the shopkeeper, at that time―

“Eh, Kazuki? And senpai?”

“Mio!?”

Mio was inside the boutique. Kazuki unconsciously twitched in surprise like a man whose affair was discovered by his wife.

However, when he really thought about it, this was a boutique that Mio regularly visited after all. It was just normal to unexpectedly come across her on a holiday here in this store if he just used his brain.

After Mio tilted her head seeing Kazuki’s behavior, she pulled Kazuki’s arm suddenly and forcefully.

“…Kazuki, come here for a second. Tell me the situation.”

Trailing behind, Kazuki was dragged into one of the corners inside the store, leaving behind Hikaru-senpai.

“Are you taking Hoshikaze-senpai on a date to raise her positivity level for the sake of winning the battle election?”

Mio unreservedly cut to the core of the matter.

“I’m not taking her on a date aiming for her magic! It’s just…there is something distorted in the relationship between me and Hikaru-senpai. I want to correct that distortion so that I can create a bond with senpai in the true sense.”

“…Distortion?” Mio made a dubious face.

“The relationship between me and senpai has become completely wrong somehow. I understand that from Leme’s power. Because of that, I can't use Hikaru-senpai’s magic, but…I'm not doing this for that reason! I just don't want the two of us to stay like this forever!”

“Fuun. Certainly Kazuki and Hoshikaze-senpai looked to be on good terms with each other, yet Kazuki had never used the same magic as senpai huh.”

“For the sake of correcting my relationship with senpai into how it should have been originally, …first senpai has to be made to look feminine, that’s what I'm thinking.”

“I see. Then I'll cooperate too.”

Mio gave that response decisively. “Eh?” Kazuki was raising such a voice.

Because Mio talked with a small voice, Kazuki thought she was angry. But it seems to not be like that. Right at this point, she changed completely and made a lively voice.

“It'd be great if we could make Hoshikaze-senpai look cute using this store’s clothes, wouldn't it? It sounds fun! I too have been thinking for a long time that I wanted to do something about senpai!! If it’s about such things, then leave it to this Great Teacher Mio!!”

“If you say that, then it’s a great help! I really don't understand anything in this area! …But I, after this, I am still planning to continue the date with Hikaru-senpai though…”

“I don't really mind. I have been given a kiss the other day after all. Right now, I'll believe in Kazuki’s feelings. But the things that you do for senpai today, I will hate it if later on, you don't do it all for me too, okay?!”

Mio was not feeling jealous toward his other companion, but she was demanding for the same treatment or if possible, even more of it for herself.

Mio was the type of girl who used that method to make herself content.

“Nevertheless, Hoshikaze-senpai’s personal clothes are really cool, aren’t they? She looks like the second most handsome man in the world.”

“That is the second best you say? Then, who is the first?”

“That’s Kazu-nii without a doubt!”

Suddenly, Mio kissed (chuu) Kazuki’s cheek.

“Yo―sh, I'll show you Hoshikaze-senpai’s fresh start in life! Follow me!!”

Mio exultantly returned to the area of the store’s entrance where the vacantly standing Hoshikaze-senpai was left behind. After Kazuki was dumbfounded for a while, he followed along behind her.

By then, a lecture by Great Teacher Mio had begun.

“For the sake of saving money too, if I can, I want to make use of the clothes that senpai wears right now and spend as little money as possible but…this tailored jacket is completely men’s wear, so I wonder if it’s possible.”

“Don’t girls also wear jackets like this?”

When Kazuki interjected, Mio said “Chihchih. The silhouette is completely different” and waved her finger about.

“There is also a way to make use of this denim as boyfriend denim and coordinate it.”

“Boyfriend denim?”

“A somewhat large denim that looks as if it is borrowed from a boyfriend and when worn is called that. A boyish denim with the cuff rolled-up and then from there the slim ankles are tightly exposed while also wearing something like cute pumps. With that, the girliness would be all the more increased. It’s super cute!! Wearing boyfriend denim for the purpose of falsifying fat legs is no good! Slim ankles are the greatest!!”

“I see, I don’t get it.”

However, the shopkeeper kept nodding while making voices of agreement (un un) with a full, smiling face. It seems there is nothing mistaken in Mio-sensei’s words. Hikaru-senpai was staring vacantly with round eyes.

“But a first date with a boy should use a more orthodox style that looks as girly as possible, right? As I thought, rejected, let’s replace the whole outfit! …Hey, Hoshikaze-senpai, is it okay to let the hair down too?”

“Eh!? …No, no way, it’s embarrassing, it will become disheveled!”

“It'll be okay, we're going to use a brush after all.”

“Mio, so you carry around a mirror and brush? You really are a girl.”

“Fufu, this is only natural for a girl! Come on senpai, please don’t move.”

“U, uuu…” From behind, Mio combed down Hikaru-senpai’s curly hair.

“If we use this product, created by the greatest alchemist of the fashion industry, Junko Takeo…”

When Mio brought out a cream that looked to be very treasured by her and used it in the brushing, in the blink of an eye, Hikaru-senpai’s hair became silky.

“L, lies…” The person herself was the one who was most surprised.

“How great. So this is the secret behind how Mio’s twintails look so pretty.”

“Though this is really expensive you know~. Even though father is like that, he is really generous when it comes to this. At first, I too was hesitating, but he really had fun dressing up his daughter to be stylish. So like that, it couldn't be helped.”

‘Is that so?’ was what he thought. But as expected, it seems that Headmaster Amasaki was extremely doting on Mio.

“Yosh, looks good! As expected, senpai is cute! If it's like this, then senpai already looks extremely girlish and attractive! But still~, there are a lot of spring one-pieces with flower patterns, but it looks a little too sweet though~. On the other hand, now is still not the time to use summer colors.”

“Myon-chan, what if it's this newly arrived product, I wonder!? Although this is not something we made ourselves!”

The shopkeeper came bringing a yellow mustard one-piece in her hand. Myon-chan?

“There is something like that!? Masumi-chan, this is good!!”

So you too were calling the shopkeeper by adding -chan to her name?

Mio was like “Yee―ii!” and did a high-five with the shopkeeper. They're too friendly with each other.

“These clothes aren't good if they're not worn by someone like Hoshikaze-senpai, who would look like a college student or an office lady when wearing them. If that point is coordinated with this one-piece, then it would endow senpai with the combination of the impact of a leading actress with elegance! Yellow suits Hoshikaze-senpai, the fashionable color of the year!”

Mio checked the correctness of the sewing and then she fluently flipped off the tag to confirm.

“This is from a still nameless workshop!? This kind of great bargain…Masumi-chan, not only as a attire alchemistcouturier, but your skills as a stocking officerbuyer have gone up too, haven't they?”

“This is nothing big.”

When Mio’s eyes shined brightly, the shopkeeper Masumi-chan talked strangely while rubbing her hands together.

“Wearing a one-piece means you don't need trousers or a skirt. Then only this is enough right?”

“Idiot! Just calling pants "trousers" already shows that you are an idiot! Kazuki, are you planning to combine this one-piece with the leather sneakers that Hoshikaze-senpai is currently wearing!? Isn’t it obvious that the footwear is the most important thing!!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

―Much, much later, Hikaru-senpai, who was holding a lot of items in her arms, and Mio entered the dressing room.

“Senpai, why are you wrapping something like sarashi on you!?”

Mio’s scream could be heard from the dressing room.

“I, if I’m going to look like the appearance of a cool boy, then the breasts are just a hindrance so…”

“There is that but, please don't do things to the degree of pressing your own breasts just to look cool! Senpai, even though you have beautifully shaped breasts, they were completely crushed!”

“It’s, it’s going to be fine see, it’s not tofu after all.”

What a conversation they were having.

Before long, the curtain was opened swiftly. The figure of Hikaru-senpai, who was starting a fresh life, appeared.

A beautiful lady was standing there. This was not a handsome man, no matter how you saw it.

She looked like an adult. But for Kazuki, the fidgeting and embarrassed figure was cute.

“Senpai, you look really beautiful. I don't really get what Mio was talking about even a little bit, but it really suits you!”

“Th, that’s a lie~. There is no doubt that someone like me dressing as a woman will look like they're wearing a costume.”

“That's not true at all; even I have said that it suits senpai, haven’t I? Hey, Masumi-chan thinks so too, right?”

“It matches dear guest very well, to the degree that I want to have you as the exclusive model for our boutique aimed at the media.”

Even Mio and the shopkeeper said such things. Hikaru-senpai looked down because she couldn't deny it anymore than this.

“Kazuki, I'll bring the clothes that senpai wore before back to the Witch’s Manor. It would be a hindrance on the date, don't you agree?”

Mio held a paper bag while saying that. And then she quietly drew near Kazuki and whispered in his ear.

“My bra, I lent it to Hoshikaze-senpai after adjusting the size. That’s why right now, I am wearing no bra.”

And then Mio hugged Kazuki’s arm as strong as she could. Her breast was pressed on his arm as if mixing together.

(munyuu munyuu munyuu) Softness was transmitted almost directly across just one piece of cloth.

“Yo, you, what are you doing!?”

“Ehehe, Kazu-nii’s face is red! Yosh, I’m satisfied, see you later!”

Mio left the store while laughing mischievously.

“By the way, if dear guest is planning to purchase all of this, the total amount is as followed.”

Looking at the memo the shopkeeper suddenly presented, Kazuki almost screamed.

But to show the memo at Kazuki first was the nice consideration of the shopkeeper.

“Of course, I'll buy it all.” With that, Kazuki took out his wallet.

Kazuki had some savings. The Hayashizaki household was not a wealthy family, but Kazuki had also received some pocket money, just like Kanae. At first he was reserved to receive it. But his stepfather kept saying, “You are already my son.” and scolded him in return; it made him sad so Kazuki obediently accepted it in the end. But with no other way to use the money except for something like buying presents for his family’s birthday, he was doing nothing but continuing to save up the money.

He never imagined that western clothes were this expensive, but this was by no means an amount that he couldn’t afford.

It was for his long-cherished ambition that he was using this money, for the sake of making Hikaru-senpai beautiful.

“Wait, I'll pay for it myself! I won’t do something like making my junior pay!”

Sensing Kazuki trying to settle the bill, Hikaru-senpai tried to butt in.

“Isn't this something that I am forcing senpai to buy? Please let me pay for it.”

“I'm not really forced to buy it, this isn't something I'm grudgingly doing. I was thinking whether it would be better to have at least a piece of clothing like this…”

“Senpai says that, but will senpai really wear this kind of clothing by yourself if you buy it?”

When Kazuki pointed that out, Senpai went “Uu” and muddled her words. Right now, she is wearing a one-piece and has become a cute girl. But it's obvious that when they return home, she would go back to being a prince.

“Then let’s do it like this, at least please, let me pay half the amount.”

Kazuki proposed while taking out some bills.

“On top of senpai paying with your own money, senpai can't let these clothes just lay around uselessly. At the same time, with me paying half the amount, I will have only half the right to meddle with what will be done with these clothes.”

“Half of the right…? It feels complicated somehow, but what kind of meddling will you do?

“When senpai is going out together with me, I beg you to please, absolutely dress yourself like now. It’s already forbidden to look like a male when senpai is together with me!”

“Bu, but when the winter comes, this appearance will be cold you know?”

“When that happens, let’s come shopping together again for the season’s clothing.”

With an exhausted face, senpai went “Uu―….. Okay.” and nodded her head.

For some reason, a heart mark came flying from her chest.

For some reason... in other words, senpai didn't hate looking like a girl deep inside her heart.

Even for senpai, deep within her heart, there were feelings of wanting to become a normal girl.

That was why the [male friendship] that senpai was hoping to create was not actually senpai’s true feelings.

This distortion, he would rectify it throughout this whole day!

When they exited the workshop, the sun was still high in the sky. The date was still in the opening phase.

“What are we going to do after this?”

Hikaru-senpai asked helplessly while holding the short hem of her one-piece.

The moment they came out onto the street, the stares of men in their surroundings were nailed toward senpai. It was different from the usual female fans of Hikaru-senpai. Right now, she was in the state of being unable to calm down from the impolite and vulgar stares of men.

When he saw senpai, who was tightly pinching the hem of her skirt, he hesitated taking her to an active event.

“How about going to the movie theater? I think we can calm down and have fun there. I also think we can watch a romantic movie and ought to learn the thing called adult love between male and female.”

“…Until now, I have never seen any movie except for the hero or ranger squad genre.”

“Actually, I also have never seen any movie except for those kinds of things. Kanae liked that kind of thing since we were small.”

“Even now, I still like them you know, hero!”

Hikaru-senpai took a characteristic pose of some kind of hero with a snap.

“That's the reason why we need to learn from the romantic movie! Watching a romantic movie and learning the examples of dating from there…and then let’s try to imitate various things that are done inside the movie!”

“We're going to imitate it!?” Hearing Kazuki’s idea, Hikaru-senpai made a troubled face again.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

―Two hours later, both Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai came out from the movie theater while crying aloud together.

“For those two happy people to be torn apart from each other like that…I can't bear watching it, it was too heartbreaking…”

Hikaru-senpai wiped her tears while her nose kept sniffling.

Senpai, who was very honest in everything, had really great empathy.

“But isn't it great that in the last scene, they could reunite once more?”

Desperately surviving in the battlefield, the main character returned home to his lover.

Kazuki thought back upon that scene gradually, that was the best last scene without a doubt.

“But I have the feeling that the scene can be interpreted in various ways…for some reason the last scene was depicted in a vague shade. Don't tell me the main character at that time had been a ghost already!?”

“Pl, please stop it! It’s decided already that in the aftermath, the main characters lived happily ever after, okay?!”

Kazuki’s tears leaked out once more. He desperately wiped them away with all his strength. Shit, for a Hayashizaki swordsman of all people to become this serious just from a romantic movie…

“Love is great, isn't it…”

Strangely, senpai too was solemnly whispering what Kazuki was currently feeling in his heart.

Kazuki reflexively stared intently at senpai’s face from the side. When she noticed, she made an excuse in panic.

“No, for me it’s an impossible story though! It’s gross for someone like me to say something about love, isn’t it!?”

“It’s not impossible for senpai. With that in mind senpai…your hand is cold, isn't it?”

Kazuki chose the timing; when their tears had stopped for the time being, he said those words while walking.

“It’s not cold at all because right now, it's May, you know? Ahaha, what’s wrong?”

Hikaru-senpai said it calmly, so Kazuki felt like he was making a fool of himself.

“That’s not it, it’s about that scene in the movie! We were going to study the things that were done in the movie and imitate it ourselves. We talked about this before we watched, right!?”

“Ah, that! Are we really going to do that!? There are a lot of amazing things that were done in that movie, you know!?”

“We're going to do it. This is something that we currently need. This is the main event of today. Having said that…Really, why are you coming here looking that cold?”

While saying that, Kazuki grasped Hikaru-senpai’s hand as if wrapping it with his hand.

In the movie, the main character brusquely said so and grasped the heroine’s hand tightly.

“You're asking why, aren't these the clothes that you guys chose for me…no, saying that is no good huh. Eerrr…because, I thought if I came like this then you would hold my hand.”

Even while being shy, Hikaru-senpai still said it while looking a little happy.

Even senpai’s male phobia looked like it had become okay, even if she was holding hands with Kazuki.

When Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai exited the movie theater, they found a bench and sat down.

“Hey, your face might be cold too…aaa!”

Hikaru-senpai said that as if she had become the heroine completely. But when she noticed the meaning of what she was saying, her face immediately exploded into a red color. When the heroine was saying [your face might be cold], the main character kissed the heroine and said to the heroine whose face became red [now, your face has become hot], it was that kind of scene in the movie.

It stinks. It was just too stinky. Was it okay to imitate the scene this much?

A lot of agitation like [what should I do] was floating in senpai’s expression.

If senpai herself didn't stop, then Kazuki, as the one who was the first who suggested to do this, didn’t have any excuse to not continue.

“Senpai…is it okay, if I kiss your cheek too?”

“If you don't dislike it…but, are you really going to do it…?”

Hikaru-senpai’s cheek was soft and smooth, just like a snow field that had never been stepped on by anyone before. Kazuki brought his face near that cheek―and touched his own lips softly on it.

“Your, your face, has become hot see…”

It was extremely embarrassing saying that line himself. Hikaru-senpai’s face, which had already been red to the limit, didn’t change more than this. But from her chest, a heart mark came flying.

Hikaru-senpai’s positivity level, which was really hard to increase, had gone up again.

“This is really strange, to do something like this to someone like me…”

Hikaru-senpai averted her boiling face away from Kazuki and whispered.

“Ah! Just now those guys are kissing each other's cheeks! ‘chuu―’ at the cheek!”

Suddenly, a jeering voice was coming from the side.

“Che, how annoyin’…showing their flirting around like that.”

“That girl is totally cute eeh! Look here a little hey, Onee-san!”

“They look like they're in a romantic movie and then while reaffirming their own happiness they are ‘chuu―’, see?!”

“Happiness huh, oi you there! How infuriating!!”

When they turned to look at the voices that kept continuing, there was a group of four ill-bred men, who had just come out from the same movie theater. They were glaring at them without reservation.

‘Let’s ignore them’, Kazuki stood and took Hikaru-senpai’s hand and tried to leave this spot.

However before he could do that―

“You four men are seeing a romantic movie together?”

Hikaru-senpai tilted her head from wonderment deep inside her heart and asked the group of men.

…What a terrific reply that really hit the bullseye.

According to Kaguya-senpai, occasionally Hikaru-senpai would say thoughtless words in an airheaded fashion without any malice behind it.

“Al, all of us are fans of Koidzuka Nozomi-chan, the leading actress of this movie you knoowwww!”

One of the men screamed right from the depth of his soul.

“Don’ screw with us! You're only showing off and looking down on us, huh?!”

“We, we aren't particularly intending to look down on…”

It seems Hikaru-senpai really didn't have any ill-will behind her words. She shook in surprise.

“Don’ get carried away you shitty bacouple !!”

“Waa, sorry! I’m sorry!”

The men were enraged without even noticing Hikaru-senpai’s apology, magic power was starting to be refined in their whole bodies. …It was a considerable Enchant Aura. Looks like they were fairly used to brawling.

They didn’t even show any sign of noticing the katana that was attached to Kazuki’s hip.

“…Kazuki, this is bad. We need to run.”

Even for knights and knight candidates, using Summoning Magic without reserve was a no-no.

It was similar with a katana, even though they were specially allowed to wear it freely.

If they used a katana or Summoning Magic on ordinary people outside of official business or quests, it wouldn't be recognized as legitimate self-defense, even in the case where the other side was the one who started the fight first. A strict punishment would be levied against them.

“We're going to make even you two bacouple taste the feelings of the protagonists that were torn apart by the fight!!”

“Hyaa!” Hikaru-senpai spontaneously raised a scream.

The man entered between Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai and then he tried to grab at senpai.

“…Don't touch senpai!”

Instantly, Kazuki was seething in rage. He gripped the man’s wrist as if he was going to crush it.

With strength that was almost crushing, “You, bastard…” the man’s eyes opened wide.

It was not only because senpai couldn't use magic because the opponent was a civilian. Her magic power still hadn't recovered from the match the other day; there was the danger of her getting wounded just from a little violence.

Moreover, senpai had a phobia of men. …This kind of event was undoubtedly scary.

“I, I can’t move. I can’t move at all.”

From the mouth of the man, a voice that seemed scared leaked out. Rather than saying this was because of the difference in physical strength, it was the difference in strength compared to the Enchant Aura of a swordsman that had been tempered earnestly.

Kazuki read the brute strength and the breathing of his opponent. He pushed the movement of his opponent and suddenly reversed his own strength.

“Uwaa!?” Swung forcefully, the man’s body lightly danced on the air.

<Aikido>―Kazuki didn’t learn martial arts until Aikido. But by reading the breathing and strength of the opponent, he could apply the principle of kenjutsu’s sword locking technique in this kind of way too.

“You bastard, what're you doing to Yoshio-kun!?”

The remaining men were coming to assault Kazuki too.

Fellows, who after they were able to produce and hold strong magic power, thought that they were a special existence and wielded violence against weaker humans without even batting an eye…this kind of bunch was not rare in this current era.

Even in the area surrounding Kazuki’s orphanage in the past, there were a great number of these kinds of delinquents and punks that went around looking for and demanding reasons to go wild, picking fights with weaker humans. Kazuki hated these kinds of people.

“Don't you dare think you can touch senpai with those dirty hands!”

Evading the strengths of the opponents, warding off and also using that strength to fling them away.

The men were pounded into the concrete in turn to their wit's end.

Against strength that was used only for the sake of trampling down other people one-sidedly, Kazuki had the confidence to ward them off and fling them all away no matter how many there were. With furious eyes that weren't cooling down, Kazuki looked down on the group of four men that were dropping down in line.

“Ka, Kazuki! It’s no good if you overdo it!”

Right at that time, Hikaru-senpai entered between them. She turned back in panic and lowered her head to the four men.

“Forgive me, I really didn't mean any ill will!”

The group of four men, who were scared from Kazuki’s demonic atmosphere, changed completely from there and looked at Hikaru-senpai as if they were seeing a goddess. With a puff, their faces turned red suddenly.

“Do, do you think it'll be all ok just because you didn’t mean anything bad? Besides, to flirt around like that as if to show off right in public.”

“That’s not it! That was because I’m really not like a girl at all, so he gave me intensive training to make me more girl-like, that’s all there is to it!”

“Not like a girl…you say…” With red faces, the men's mouths hung wide open.

“Aren't you absurdly cute already? Try to look in the mirror…”

“To say something like that with that face, youuu, apologize to your dear mother that gave birth to you with that cuteness…”

“Eeehh!? Tha, that’s not true at all!”

Hikaru-senpai waved her hands with feverish haste. However, that panicked state of hers was also cute.

“So today, I was thinking of trying to study about girliness from Koidzuka Nozomi-chan…I, I completely became her fan just now! She's cute, isn't she, that Nozomi-chan.”

“Is, is that so, if you are a fan of Nozomi-chan, then in deference to Nozomi-chan, we'll let you off this time…”

They averted their eyes from Kazuki while they hurriedly stood up.

“Remember this you two! Watch Nozomi-chan’s weekly highlight program every Friday for sure!”

Leaving behind that parting threat, those guys went away.

Hikaru-senpai turned back and “Ahaha” laughed.

“Sorry, Kazuki. Because of me, a troublesome thing happened.”

“Senpai, are you not scared anymore?”

“Yes…I’m scared, just a little. Ahaha, how pathetic.”

She was laughing, but the fear and upset were coloring her smiling face; it looked just a little stiff.

That is why Kazuki gripped those slender hands tightly and embraced her in his arms. Hikaru-senpai is terrified of men, that's why he hesitated; but there is no doubt that this is the way to treat a girl.

Now that he thought back, there was also this kind of scene in the movie.

“Senpai is mine. That’s why I won't let another man lay even a finger on you.”

When Kazuki whispered in her ear, blood came rushing to Hikaru-senpai’s head in a hurry.

“Wha, what are you saying! Sheesh, stupid!!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Senpai, looks like even being this close, your man phobia is okay, isn't it?”

While walking for some time with both of them glued to one another, Kazuki talked once more.

“Ri, right. If you're the companion, then as expected, it's fine…”

While Hikaru-senpai talked, she pinched at Kazuki’s clothes as if clinging on him.

“But the guys from before were scary. It’s not that my man phobia is healed, as I thought, it might be because you are the one that's with me…”

Kazuki strengthened the hand that was hugging Hikaru-senpai. A refreshing aroma drifted from senpai.

“Senpai. Certainly men are; essentially, they can be aggressive and commit violence against other people.”

While remembering the group of men from before, Kazuki murmured.

If senpai was a flawless prince, even compared to those men in that area, senpai was far stronger. And she also had guts from the experience of how she risked her life in the real battles of quests. However, the fear that senpai felt was not something of that level, surely it was something more instinctual.

“However, men aren't just about violence, there is also the aspect in them that wants to protect their important things and girls by themselves. I think protecting is also a man’s instinct.”

“The strength of men who are protecting something, reliability…”

Hikaru-senpai murmured as if she was noticing this for the first time.

“For a long time, senpai was, as a prince or as a knight, treated as [the substitute man who protects] by the girls around you, weren't you? While being told that you are more knight-like even compared to real men. That’s why in regards to men, senpai was seeing nothing except their one aspect of violence. The one that protects the girls is not the men, but the job of yourself, from that kind of thought. …For senpai, men are nothing but an object of fear. I have the feeling that is what senpai’s phobia of men looks like.”

“I wonder if this is about how I didn't know to [rely on boys]. But certainly, it might be just as Kazuki says. Boys are not just about scariness, right now I understand it from the bottom of my heart…”

Exhaustedly, Hikaru-senpai leaned her head on the area of Kazuki’s neck.

“When I'm inside your embrace, I feel a great persuasiveness that makes me think that being like this is something appropriate…. After all, you're stronger and cooler than me.”

From senpai’s chest, the shining avatar of a key was floating, it was absorbed into Solomon’s ring.

<Key of the Heart>―the proof of the bond that connected him and Hikaru-senpai.

Well, girls nowadays are…they are weaker in physical strength compared to males. But their magic power is stronger, so machoisms like 'men are stronger' are by no means applicable anymore though.

“Now that I think about it senpai, you were told that you are [cute] from other people that you didn't know, weren't you? Like this, in a certain meaning, you are certified as a girl already.”

“Sto, stop it okay! That was embarrassing! …Was everyone saying that seriously?”

Mio has the self-awareness of her own attractiveness, but Hikaru-senpai and Koyuki are troubling because they don't have such awareness of their own attractiveness.

“Of course they were serious. Senpai is cute, you are totally beautiful. If it's the usual senpai, then you might not need it. But this makes me want to protect you.”

“…It’s not true that I don’t need such things. I’m happy, really…”

Hikaru-senpai’s figure with her hair down and wearing a one-piece was fidgeting around inside Kazuki’s arms.

“…Kazuki, now that I remember, your speech from before…we're still continuing from the movie, aren't we…?”

In the movie, after the main character said [you are mine] to the heroine, as if to prove that, he kissed the heroine intensely and passionately. As expected, Kazuki wouldn’t imitate the scene until that far but….

Hikaru-senpai, who looked up at him with hope and fear mingling together, said such a thing.

“As, as expected, it’s nothing! What should we do next!?”

Hikaru-senpai denied her own words and changed the topic of the talk.

Part 2

The figures of the main character and the heroine exchanging vows that they would reunite again while looking up at the full starry sky on the hill, it was a scene from the movie that left a deep impression. That is why to bring a finish to the date, Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai went to a public park with a low-rise hill where they could see the night sky clearly.

[The power of the night was reinstated in the age of magic] ―The light of the town became small and the pollution of the atmosphere was reduced drastically. The current era’s night sky was thoroughly deep and dark, enhancing the radiance of the stars brightly. As if jewels were scattered everywhere on top of dark velvet.

“How beautiful it is!”

“Senpai is more beautiful though.”

“Jeez! Even if you say some borrowed words from the movie, I can't believe it already!”

Had senpai finally gotten used to it? Her composure finally recovered and she laughed.

“Bu, but in the movie, this scene was where the main character kissed the heroine once more, right…?”

Saying it extremely, that was the love scene of the movie. Hikaru-senpai broached the topic once more.

When Kazuki stayed silent, Hikaru-senpai revoked her words once again in fluster.

“Sorry! I suddenly said some weird things just now! …But it’s strange, from some time ago, since you hugged me so tightly, I'd been, until now…”

Even now, their posture was still where Kazuki was lightly holding Hikaru-senpai’s hips while they were looking up at the night sky.

While she was completely settled inside Kazuki’s arm, senpai murmured as if she was overcome with emotion.

“Since some time ago, I've been continuously…thinking to kiss you just like this, in this position…”

Inside Kazuki’s chest too, his heart was beating wildly (dokun).

Senpai has thoroughly become like a girl. She was so cute, he couldn’t stand it.

However, Hikaru-senpai separated their body with a hop.

“That’s not good, isn’t it? If we kissed with our lips, an important power that could only be used just once would be manifested and get used up!”

“Senpai, you know that much about my ability!?”

“Yes. Liz Liza-sensei said 'you all, as his seniors, have to become Kazuki’s strength…'”

Become his strength, they were simple words. However, he had the feeling that it was filled with a not so simple meaning.

“Please wait, senpai. I don’t particularly want to get along well with senpai just because I'm aiming for streng…”

“I know, if your feelings were impure, then you wouldn’t be this kind to a companion that is really troublesome like me. But, ahaha…it’s a little lonely that we couldn’t kiss like in the movie.”

Senpai said that and smiled wryly.

“If I am really a cute girl then…I want to try to do a kiss like in the movie…”

When Kazuki kisses someone, then just once, he could use the strongest level 10 magic of the Diva that is contracted with the person that he kissed and summons the Diva into a material body in this world.

“Something like a one-time use power is a trivial thing.”

Kazuki gripped both of senpai’s arms right from the front; he brought his face near.

“Are you…really going to kiss…?”

“These feelings for senpai are far more important than power, after all.”

Both of their long breaths approached. His heart beat wildly (dokun dokun dokun).

However―even so, Kazuki noticed. Even when his feelings for Hikaru-senpai were overflowing, his subconscious was sharpened to the limit.

Preferably, he didn’t want to notice, but Kazuki noticed it completely.

“Senpai…we're surrounded by something with a potent magic power.”

Kazuki didn’t whisper loving words, instead he had to whisper that fact.

“Eh!?” Hikaru-senpai immediately sharpened her senses too.

The low-rise hill in the park where Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai was located.

Multiple magic powers were whirling in a circular shape in the surroundings.

They were surrounded by a fair number of Magica Stigma…!

That circle of magic power was steadily narrowing and approaching Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai. Were they no longer planning to stay hidden? From the darkness of the night, from the gap between the park’s trees, one person, two people, their figures started to appear.

It was a distance where they couldn’t simply come assaulting with a sword immediately―with a radius of roughly 50 meters similar to a duel’s distance, female students clad in their magic dresses encircled and besieged them.

“…Students of the Magic Division? That’s, Miyamoto Reina-senpai?”

The moment he saw the opponent’s face, a shock ran through him. It was a face he remembered seeing. Miyamoto-senpai and Nagasaka-senpai had fought Kazuki in a match. Even the other people in the group were students that were participating in the battle election.

From the teams that had been defeated, except Kaguya-senpai and Hikaru-senpai’s teams, it was not all of members. But around ten Magica Stigma were spreading out around Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai…!

“O king of eagle and beastgryphon that crossed over the ocean, burst out the wind of the north pole and overturning raging waves with those wings …Northern Waves”

Miyamoto-senpai invoked Focalor’s magic.

“O loyal passionate worker, release the flame in that eye. Lion’s Fire.”

“Thy is the crystal spiritualist that discover the lost truth…gouged out the darkness of the absolutely sinful heart, pierce and tear with the gold in that hand. Golden Dowsing Arrow.”

Divas’ avatars were floating one after another inside the darkness of the night. Summoning Magics were flying here altogether!

However, the problem was not himself, but senpai whose magic power still hadn’t recovered yet!

“Watch out, senpai!”

Kazuki held Hikaru-senpai in a princess carry and dodged with his body from the barrage of offensive magic. A fierce impact ran through the place. Where they were looking up at the starry sky, a cloud of dust was rising.

“Lamentation of the fetus that could never grow, O Uruvaking of the grudge seed. That hand that scoops out the surge of resentment deeper than even Hades, throw it to that person. Slowing Curse.”

Even though it was all just simple level 1 magic, when several were coming in, even Kazuki couldn’t evade them easily.

With Hikaru-senpai in his embrace, Kazuki attempted to break through the encirclement. But with their movements in perfect order, the magicians changed their formation while continuing to surround Kazuki.

This bunch, what the…what’s with their atmosphere that felt like machines? Everyone…moved robotically with eerily expressionless faces…just like when he faced the Quad Core Magica!

In the first place, why were these students attacking altogether? Don’t tell me that all these students were spies!? Their condition was different from when they were fighting at the battle election!

“O my soldier with lion's face, thy fist is my fist. Light that fist with flame, become the agent of my rage. Spill the blood and sweat and tears…Lion King Hot Blood FistLion Heart.”

Toward Kazuki who was trying to break through the encirclement, one of the students stood in his way right from the front and invoked a magic exclusive for close quarters. In front of Kazuki’s eyes, hell’s soldier with a lion's face, Allocer appeared.

“FUN!” The soldier with a lion's face, Allocer swung the fist that was enveloped in flame at Kazuki.

“FUN!FUN!FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN! FUN!”

Along with breathing filled with fighting spirit, he unleashed a barrage of fists. Kazuki abandoned trying to break through and was pushed back to the center of the encirclement. This Allocer was not summoned into a materialized real body, but more like a shadow clone. But it was not an opponent he could resist while carrying Hikaru-senpai.

“Kazuki, I’ll run by myself!”

“No way, senpai still hasn’t gotten her magic power back!”

Kazuki denied Hikaru-senpai’s proposal. He divided his attention toward the magic power in all directions and continued to persist in evasion.

Hikaru-senpai took out a cell phone from somewhere and began to operate it.

In regard to Kazuki, who was running from place to place, some numbers from the ten students began to switch from chanting low level magic to high level magic. From the scale of the whirling magic powers, Kazuki sensed that unfolding action.

This was bad…he became unable to defend!

“…Kazuki, I have reported this!”

Hikaru-senpai had sent a notification to the Knight Order. However the allocation of Knight Order’s personnel in the area around the Knight Academy had become thin. Even if they reported this, they weren’t supposed to be able to come help them immediately.

No, wait…

{Right now, we're just cooperating with Japan’s Knight Order in patrolling . For some reason, the Knight Order is lacking in personnel, it seems they don’t have enough hands for the area around this Knight Academy huh.}

Someone who patrolled around this area, existed…. By some chance, those guys were…!

“…Northern Wave.”

Kazuki continued to evade the attack magic that came pouring down on him.

“O soul that have been deserted, scream the curse from present to the future. Change that loneliness that you keep embracing into corruption, cover the sleepless night completely…The Night of the Forgotten SoulSilent Night.”

Bifrons‘ scream resounded. Kazuki’s surroundings were covered completely with chills like in a graveyard. The chills froze the people as if trying to steal all the warmth from the living person!

“Freeze Barrier!”

Against the large scale offensive magic that was finally activated, Kazuki protected Hikaru-senpai using defensive magic. However Kazuki himself was unprotected. It was fine if it just one shot, but it’d be bad if the situation kept continuing like this!

However, while he was doing this, from afar, [gigantic magic power] was dashing to their position.

“HA―HAHHAHHA! The war is calling us! You are slow Erii, Damian!”

“Captain Beatrix―, your legs are just a little too fast!”

The one who came dashing here with a voice of joy at the prospect of a fight was…!

“Beatrix!”

“Fuhahahaha! Don’t tell me the one that called for help is you, Kazuki!? What a funny blunder, for my hope of a joint struggle situation to come true so suddenly!! …I will have a good fight, welcome a good death and further hope to participate in the fight in the heavens! The divine protection of red blood in my eyes! Berserk!!”

Beatrix who came running immediately chanted her spell and invoked it while charging.

The large western sword became a flash. One of the students was blown away like a ragged cloth.

“…h! Strong!” Hikaru-senpai gulped her breath.

Even though Thor of the Norse Mythology was a powerful Diva, to be able to exhibit such destructive power with just a level 1 reinforcement magic was originally because of the height of Beatrix’s ability as a knight.

“Erii, you go protect Kazuki and the girl! Seems like that princess-sama can't use magic! Damian, you follow me, we are going to kick them around!!”

Beatrix accurately grasped the battle situation. Her situational judgment as a knight with long military service was heartening.

“…We act in accordance of Hodur’s wish, I entrust my body to the exaltation of battle! The war fire of violent emotion running in the fat and blood on my sword…Stories Flame!”

Damian too enveloped her sword in flame and scattered the opponents.

“We are Ægir‘s, lend me the fear of the unknown bottom of the ocean! The raging waves toying the small people, to me….Himinglæva!”

Eleonora who dashed to Kazuki’s side summoned a tsunami, the lump of water fixated on that place. He had experienced how hard it was to break through this thick wall of sea.

“O divine protection of military men, double the Megin whirling in my body! Dashing to endless fights as the will of the gods, in this body! …Megingjord!”

Beatrix chanted a reinforcement magic even more and amplified her destructive power and turned unrivaled.

“What a bunch who aren’t even any challenge…what’s with you guys? Why are you all not looking at me?”

Beatrix murmured in wonderment. …Kazuki too noticed the abnormality.

Despite how Beatrix and her team barged in and rampaged around, the students didn’t look at anyone except Kazuki and Hikaru-senpai. Even when the situation had developed like this they still let their magic fly at Kazuki, though all of it was rebounded by the wall of sea.

“Target change!!” Someone’s voice was flying from between the trees.

There was someone who was concealing himself while cutting off his magic power and used the vast magic power the students produced to camouflage his own. Kazuki used magic to reinforce his sight and saw through that figure.

“Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka!” …The assassin that aimed at his life and also her partner!!

“That girl is, Hayashi ShizukaLin Zhijing!?” At Kazuki’s side, Eleonora too raised her voice. …Lin Zhijing?

With the words [Target change] as the signal, the students finally directed their sight at Beatrix.

“I don’t really get it, but too slow! This is the end! O god Thor in the heavens! Applaud my blade dance and resound thy roar! The thunder of the sky resides in this sword, already not even fight is allowed, consign them to oblivion!! Fjorgyn Megin!!”

Thunder god’s power resided inside Beatrix’s sword―it pulverized one of the students defensive magic power.

“ORAAAAAAAAAAAA! Rot in hell!!”

Damian too stabbed her sword into one of the students, it destroyed all of the student’s magic power.

But―the two students who should have used up their magic power stood up while swaying like ghosts.

Their magic powers have completely recovered!

“What!? …These girls, what’s with them!?”

Beatrix too noticed the strangeness and raised her voice.

“ShitScheisse! I’ll kill you one more time! I don’t get it anyway, so I’ll kill you no matter how many times!!”

While exchanging magic, without even caring about herself being bombed, Damian swung her flame sword. She was trying to defeat the students no matter how many times. However, no matter how many times she defeated the opponent, she kept reviving and standing up.

Her expression was empty like a robot.

“Damian, don’t keep getting hit! These girls are strange, this is gonna be a long battle!”

Even Beatrix was not perfectly unhurt, she had gotten hit with a few of the oncoming shots.

“I’m poor at something like that you knooooww! Scheisseeee!”

The small statured Einherjar, Damian tried to evade the magic coming at her and moved around restlessly while raising a strange voice.

“Captain! The one hiding at the shadow of the trees is Lin Zhijing!”

“Who the hell is that!? Someone famous!?”

Hearing Beatrix’s reply, Eleonora was taken aback and almost fell down.

“You have read the report from the intelligent operatives a few times already right!? She is a person from Chūkadou that requires special attention, the Magica Stigma who is contracted with the Chinese Mythology’s third emperor <Joka>!”

Joka!? The great god that was concerned with the creation of the world in the Chinese Mythology!

“Eei, in short, what is that girl!? For this bunch to keep reviving so many times, is it that girl’s power!?”

“In the disputed area in the surroundings of Chūkadou, Lin Zhijing’s figure has frequently appeared as the suppression army and shown a part of that power. She manipulated the enemies and added them into her allies’ own ranks, reinforcing that army’s power. Even further, she granted the Divine Protection of immortality…that kind of report was given to us.”

“Immortality!? That’s freaking impossible!”

Damian raised a scream hearing the shocking details.

“We don’t understand the particulars completely. But in Joka’s legend, there was this legend where they would be revived 70 times even if they were killed 70 times. It’s not a perfect immortality, it is thought to be such a thing!”

If it was a famous Diva, he could imagine such an ability from that legend.

“So in short, we need to defeat each of these girls 70 times!? Interesting!”

Beatrix exploded in laughter while swinging her sword.

“It’s not interesting at all captain! It’s totally impossible to do this 70 times, right!!?”

“Both of you, they are going to be revived 70 times so we have to defeat them 71 times! …It’s not realistic at all, don’t you agree? I want to defeat the caster Lin Zhijing, but it looks impossible to break through the encirclement of ten people. If we have nothing like a powerful purging magic, we won’t be able to break the deadlock of this situation.”

Besides Eleonora, a small misgiving was created inside Kazuki’s heart.

“…Is Germany sending spies to each country around the world and collecting information?”

Eleonora took a glance at Kazuki and replied coldly.

“I’ll leave it to your imagination. Well, Chūkadou have a lot of disputes in their surrounding area that surpassed the rest of the world, so there is no mistake that they are a country that is easy to collect information from though.”

In short, leaving aside Beatrix, this intellectual female―Eleonora while staying in Japan she was also gathering the information on Japan and Solomon's 72 Pillars. She was also working as a spy.

No, right now, what’s important is the enemy in front of him!

“Err, about purging magic…it’s going to be ok if I use [Mistilteinn II] huh!”

“Stop it Damian! That sword couldn’t go easy on the target, you know that!”

[Mistilteinn II]. That was a cursed sure-kill weapon that consigned the son of god Baldur into oblivion with one shot, even though he was blessed with a divine protection of absolute indestructibility in the Norse Mythology.

If it followed the legend, its strength would destroy all defensive effects and inflicted lethal damage on the opponent.

“Kazuki, these girls are mind-controlled by a Diva and made to rampage around, am I wrong!?”

“…These girls are students of the Knight Academy!”

Beatrix made a rare exhausted face.

“In short, if we kill these girls and they fall into severe magic intoxication, it would become an international problem!”

“How, how troublesomeeeeeee! What the hell's with that, aren’t we screwed!”

Even while they were talking like this, offensive magic kept flying toward Beatrix and Damian.

{O King. If it’s a method to do something about this, it exists.}

At Kazuki’s side―Hikaru-senpai’s contracted Diva, Baal’s avatar was floating.

“Kazuki!” Hikaru-senpai who was being held in princess carry shook and untangled herself before landing on the ground.

“Kazuki…, absorb my power!”

The next moment, without even giving Kazuki time to hesitate, Hikaru-senpai pressed her lips on his.

And then a terrific magic power was flowing into Kazuki. It was a sensation he had experienced personally a number of times. Their magic power circuits were connected by the kissing, the true power of his partner’s contracted Diva was flowing into him!

“This phenomenon…is this the special characteristic of Japan’s BasileusKing!?”

Eleonora was looking at them. However, this was not a situation where he had to worry about her.

“Violent but benevolent personification of mother nature, O the great god of harvests…however thy honor has been disgraced…”

Kazuki chanted that spell. Certainly if it was with this power, he knew that he could settle this situation.

At Kazuki’s side, the great god of the Ugaritic Mythology was summoned into material body with imposing air!

“O King…You’re going to release all of my curse! Become a figure that should be loathed!!”

“All evils were born in the Middle Ages. Faith of self-interest, false loyalty, those forsaken people demanded a demon. Corrupting the sublime Baal. From the falsehood the army of demons increased and increased, thy stood at such summit…”

Because of Kazuki’s spell, the golden king where the light of the stars resided, Baal’s form transformed into pitch black and vanished in tatters. Then a completely different figure was floating. Divas were…from the faith and imagination of humans, their form was changed from how they originally were.

“I know thy disgraced nameShem ha Mephorash. Thy dishonored name is…Beelzebub!!”

The completely different appearance of Baal―he changed into the appearance of <the Demon King of hell, Beelzebub>.

His brilliant figure was dyed with an ominous pitch black color. That black majestic appearance was dispersed without a sound. Those countless black fragments of the materialized body transformed into countless giant flies.

The large swarm of giant flies around the size of a human’s face were (bubububububu!) roaring out with their wings and blocked the night sky completely! They were the black boisterous clouds that summoned human’s disgust instinctively without fail!

“Liberate thy rage right here…BeelzebubKing of Flies!”

The swarm of giant flies assaulted the ten students―Kazuki looked back at Hikaru-senpai.

“Senpai, I didn’t wish for senpai’s pow…”

“I know, I believe in you. But you need power, you are our, everyone’s hero after all. That’s why…never lose your way.”

Hikaru-senpai smiled and embraced Kazuki.

“Something unbelievable is coming here!? That’s seriously gross!?”

‘Uwaa, I’m looking at something dreadful’, such tension overtook Damian. The giant swarm of the flies clung on the students one after another. The flies emitted red light. They sucked all of the magic power from the opponents. <Greed>. One of the seven sins that Beelzebub represented as it was, the swarm of flies stole everything from every enemy without leaving anything behind.

Yes, the dubious Divine Protection that Joka affixed was plundered completely by the flies. On top of that, the magic power of the students was also eaten untidily, the students collapsed one after another. However the flies that received Kazuki’s will wouldn’t suck their magic power more than necessary.

“Karin, this is bad! Your effect is also erased! We are escaping!!”

Hayashi Shizuka and Katsura Karin, who were lying hidden in the shadows of the trees, were also overwhelmed by the large swarm of the flies.

“Kyaaa!” Karin, who was crowded by the flies, raised a scream.

“O earth of Pangu , reveal all the possibilities of the abyss following my wish. ...Gush up from the ground, dance in ecstasy! Earth Violent FormationChiretsujin!!”

Besides Hayashi Shizuka, an unknown Diva’s avatar was floating vaguely.

Thereupon the surrounding earth shook violently. Countless cracks ran through the ground, bedrock rose gradually, the terrain undulated as if going crazy. The rising bedrock hit the flies, the raining down falling rocks knocked down the flies, layers of soil slide left and right and crushed the flies between them.

The earth crushed all the flies that clung to Karin.

“O five colors worthy to be Joka’s light, repaint the world! My desired sky is not here! Carry us to the destination of that compass…Sky Formation TransferKūjinhen’i!”

The vague avatar of the Diva on Hayashi Shizuka’s side put up the thing that it carried on both hands to the sky. From its right hand were red, blue, yellow, white, black, five colors of lights shined intensely.

When they thought the light had disappeared, Hayashi Shizuka and Katsura Karin had vanished from this place.

They got away, though rather than that, he felt as if just driving them away had been the best he could hope for anyway. But, as expected, those two were….

“Is it over? …In the end, you two are the ones that settled it. All of us look like idiots huh.”

Beatrix laughed while she went near the collapsed Magica Stigma students―she approached Miyamoto Reina, then “Oi, wake up Japanese” she slapped her cheek. But there was no reaction from Miyamoto-senpai.

“It should be about time for Japan’s Knight Order to arrive. After these girls get collected, we too will withdraw. Well, our role as freeloaders has been fulfilled! I want to get praised. Hahhahha!”

Looking at Beatrix, who laughed like an idiot, Kazuki once again thought about something unbelievable.

“I never thought I would really be helped by you.”

“Fufufu, it’s the responsibility of someone that is called a knight. There is no difference in just this much, whether in the east or west.”

Knight. ―Suddenly Kazuki felt a life-sized feeling of empathy toward the female in front of him, his interest was pulled onto her as a knight.

This girl who fought, he felt inclined against her circumstances.

“Beatrix and the Einherjar, for what kind of purpose are you all fighting?”

His question became something abstract.

Without even taking any time at all to think, Beatrix reflexively answered like this.

As if the [creed] inside her head came out from her mouth without anything unnecessary added, it was such a reply.

“War is something performed for the sake of proving the righteousness of the god’s selection.”

It was an answer that was very far from Kazuki’s beliefs.

Kazuki realized the confusion Beatrix’s unhesitating answer brought about to him. He made a face as if he was chewing a bitter bug.

“I’m happy that you showed an interest. But leave this behind with the answer that this is a knight’s duty. Against humans who have faith in a different mythology, don’t ask any question that pierces so deeply. …It’s nothing more than a confirmation that we couldn’t understand each other. You know, I like you, whether when it was fighting against you or when we talk about something stupid.”

He felt the presence of the Knight Order who were dashing here from afar.

“We're going home, Damian, Erii.”

Beatrix said that and turned her back to Kazuki.

Chapter 6 – Trial of the Moon

Part 1

“Hikaru-senpai, will doing this really quicken the magic power recovery?”

“Yeah. I heard about this somewhere before. When fellow Magica Stigma get into close contact with each other, their minds will increase their activity mutually and heighten their magic power recovery.”

On top of the bed in Kazuki’s room, the two took a seat and huddled their bodies together while Hikaru-senpai whispered.

Today is Sunday, the day after their date. Despite the semifinals match that was waiting for Kazuki on Monday, he had consumed a considerable amount of magic power in their date last night.

He could take a break this Sunday, but with only this much time, it would be hard to completely recover.

Thereupon Hikaru-senpai said something about a strange superstition. She came clinging to Kazuki’s side.

Until now, they had passed their time together for quite a while under the pretext of curing the male phobia. But since Hikaru-senpai had the male phobia they never stuck this close to each other meaninglessly like this.

“Senpai said somewhere, where exactly? How vague.” Kazuki murmured shyly.

“Your consumption of magic is my responsibility, so let us both pass this day clinging to each other like this!”

“It’s too late to say this but, can senpai stop looking like that if we are going to cling to each other like this? The truth is, I've been concerned for quite a while, but that appearance is a little lewd you know?”

Today too, senpai was in her usual thin and tightly sticking fit-wear appearance.

“…Actually I have noticed Kazuki is troubled over where to stare. But I’m really happy that you're being conscious of me as a girl.”

“So senpai is actually doing this intentionally!?”

“Yes. I was being obstinate and said that I’m a man, but deep inside I also felt that even though Kazuki was looking at me with that kind of eye…”

Senpai looked down with a red face, she did an unbelievable coming-out .

“…I, I was aroused.”

“Senpai…are you a closet pervert…”

Hikaru-senpai touched her fit-wear covered breasts pointedly to the area around Kazuki’s elbow. Kazuki spontaneously stiffened his body, making senpai peek at that expression with upturned eyes.

“Senpai, weren’t you also saying that you aren't very good on my bed? Right now, you're sitting on my bed though.”

“I was embarrassed so I said that, but actually, I don’t really hate the smell of a boy.”

Now that she mentioned it, senpai had never said that she hated the smell of the bed. She only said that her heart kept beating hard and she couldn’t calm down. Hikaru-senpai took Kazuki’s pillow in her hand and hugged it hard while burying her face in it.

“Rather this smell might become a habit…”

“Wa, please stop it senpai!”

Kazuki forcefully confiscated the pillow from Hikaru-senpai who kept sniffing it.

“I, became unable to understand my condition but…by some chance, do I look like I’m becoming a deviant?”

Senpai, whose pillow was confiscated, lowered her eyebrows and made an anxious face.

Was this so? For a long time, she had killed her feelings as a girl. Senpai, who for the first time had been liberated, now had her feelings completely running wild because she hadn’t found her balance as a girl.

“That's not true, I don’t think a beautiful person like senpai is a pervert at all.”

“Is that so? I’m glad! Then I have a request though, Kazuki. I wonder, could you take off your clothes?”

“…Eh?” Kazuki froze.

“Actually, I have an interest in how the shape of the symbol of a man would change when it got aroused…I was treated as a male but I didn’t have something like that attached to me…that’s why, I wonder if you could show it to me!”

“Senpai is a pervert! Pervert prince!!”

Against senpai, who was coming closer with a red face while trying to take off his clothes, Kazuki reflexively shouted.

“When you say it like that, for some reason, I get excited you know.”

“Please don’t be delighted when you're called a pervert!”

“Of course it’s a joke. By the way, I remembered just now, but I had also heard before about how entering the bathtub together would also stimulate magic power recovery. Why don't we enter together? Take off your clothes.”

“Senpai, you said magic power recovery, but from some time ago, you've just been saying really irresponsible things, right!?”

“How about playing games like usual for a bit then. The one who loses will take off one piece of clothing as the punishment game.”

“Please stop it with the undressing! Rather, if the senpai right now lost two times, then you'll become nude!”

“Whatever is fine. So come on, show me your penis♪”

“Hey, use indirect expressions at the very least!”

Kazuki knocked Hikaru-senpai’s head with a snap. Hikaru-senpai said “Ahaha, it’s a joke, a joke” and laughed.

He had the feeling that half of it was serious.

From there, the breasts that kept poking at him from some time ago was pressed at him while Hikaru-senpai said “Breast attack!” and made fun of Kazuki. And then, wondering whether there was no change that happened at Kazuki’s lower half, she kept throwing glances downward. As a Hayashizaki swordsman, Kazuki had to resist by freeing himself from all worldly thoughts. The prince was a pervert in reality.

Heart marks kept flying at him without pause from Senpai, who had been liberated as a girl.

Part 2

May 20th―The day of the semifinals.

Now that he looked back once again, unexpectedly and also terrifyingly, Kaguya-senpai and Hikaru-senpai had been eliminated on the road to the semifinals.

The only one remaining from the Witch's Manor, who has the chance to grasp the championship, is Kazuki alone.

There was no more uncertainty left about the existence of a dark shadow of someone who was lurking in this battle election. On that subject, the investigation of the students who attacked Kazuki and Hikaru and had been recovered by the Knight Order was supposed to be performed steadily. But there was still no information that had been sent to Kazuki or Headmaster Amasaki.

It would be better if he could understand something but…. In any case for now, he should concentrate on winning this semifinals match.

“I should have said it already! A sword without ideology is powerless!”

Going out from the waiting tent and entering the grounds, the moment they faced the opposing team, the Takasugi brothers came pouring disparagements on them.

“Looking at the cowardly face of a bastard like you, I can't see any meaning to your fight! From the very beginning, a bastard like you was a human who entered the Magic Division grudgingly just because an enigma appeared on your hand!”

―The purpose of his fight.

Since he enrolled into this Magic Division, he had the feeling that he kept continuing to think about such matters.

But then he noticed he had already naturally found what was important to him. Then in order to protect those important things, he entered many battles. Right now in this moment too, if he let these guys, Hayashi Shizuka and her partner do whatever they pleased, then his companions in this academy, possibly even a far greater number of people, would all fall into some great predicament; this is something that he understands.

The answer that Kazuki found was also Headmaster Amasaki, who spoke for him in the form of written opinion.

He had no more hesitation in battle. By no means was he fighting without possessing any purpose at all.

“My strength is not something so powerless, just so you know. Enough with the tedious talk, let’s decide that in the match.”

While thinking of his many bonds, Kazuki replied.

“…Fufufu, it’s just as you say. It’s troubling for my leader-dono to be big headed.”

Miyabi-senpai laughed with a low voice. Her fluffy, wavy, silver hair swayed behind her.

“There is no doubt in your strength. That has been proven in your battles until now. It is a different strength that had never existed until now in the Magic Division. However…I wonder about the strength of your heart?”

“…Heart?”

“I’m going to test the strength of your heart, okay? Prove the strength of your heart and make my heart go kyun-kyun too! …Shem ha MeforashI know thy name! Thy name is…Gremory! Become the moonlight that is affection! O goddess who puts a smile on the moon, light the bottom of the heart!”

While the long silver hair glittered and fluttered, Miyabi-senpai’s body was wrapped in light. What floated beside her was <the countess of hell Gremory>. However, she was once known as <the moon goddess Levana>, but it was said that in later years, her existence was repainted.

But as if proving that her essence was by no means stained, Gremory’s avatar floated a smile filled with affection and granted Miyabi-senpai a lovely Magic Dress.

What was created was a rare dress with little exposure rate as a Magic Dress. The Prima Materials that were forming it one by one were releasing spiritual silver light that shined like stars.

According to what he had heard from Kaguya-senpai, Gremory’s strong point was in mental attack and reinforcement magic.

“Shem ha MeforashI know thy name…. Thy name is Marchosias. O gallant hell’s bombing beast, spread the contradicting wings on your back, display that longing.”

Miyabi-senpai’s twin little sister, the black wavy haired Shinobu-senpai also performed Access. What was floating beside her was the female wolf with wings made from red crystal Marchosias. The wolf pup that lost its mother and wandered the forest was picked up by Gremory, it was said that she was a beast that received that power and brought up by Gremory.

At first, she was nothing more than a mere wolf. Nevertheless for the sake of Gremory, who was swallowed in a war with the heavens, she built the war exploits of the greatest demon of the sixth realm with furious vigor, <the strongest Demon Beast>. She didn’t even heed king Solomon, only fighting for the sake of Gremory. It was reported in the mythology that her offensive power might be the strongest among Solomon's 72 Pillars.

The avatar of Marchosias granted her contractor, Shinobu-senpai, a Magic Dress consisting of armor that was constructed with mysterious red and blue metal decorated with fur that made the one seeing it think of a Demon Beast’s pelt.

As if to protect those two, the Takasugi brothers moved forward to form the Heaven and Earth Formation.

“Shem ha MeforashI know thy name…Thy name is [Phoenix]…Become a poet that is a magician! O singing bird that plays with reason with its sweet tongue, show that strength in accordance with my life!”

Kazuki’s trusted partner also wrapped her own body with Magic Dress.

As if to oppose the Takasugi brothers, Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai moved forward.

“Then without further ado…Semifinal match, begin!”

The referee teacher announced the start of the match loudly.

The swordsmen clashed against each other in two versus two at the very front. Kanae said before that the Takasugi brothers were nothing great. But even with a glance from Kazuki, he too knew that they were no match against Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai.

That was why the ones that Kazuki and Mio should be aware of were the Ryuutaki sisters.

“”Barrett!””

Kazuki and Mio matched their voices and invoked the attack magic that they were both most proficient in. Their aim was―Miyabi-senpai. In all their matches until now, this team was always using Miyabi-senpai’s [Lunatic Labyrinth] to fight. First, they had to make her unable to use this magic.

The flame bullet went past the Takasugi brothers, directly flying towards Miyabi-senpai.

Those lines of shots were predicted by Shinobu-senpai, who wedged herself in to block.

Shinobu-senpai covered Miyabi-senpai and blocked the bullets using Resist. With excellent Pyrokinesis and Psychokinesis, the heat and force of the flame bullets were killed and the damage reduced.

“Mio, one more shot at the same time!”

“Understood! …Barrett!”

“Glacier Wind!”

With an instant flash, Kazuki matched Mio’s timing and attacked with magic of cold this time.

Simultaneous attacks of flame and cold. …If it was like this, then Resist wouldn’t be able to be used. If she tried to steal the heat of the flame then the consequence was the power of the cold would be heightened.

Even if she chanted a defensive magic, she shouldn't be able to defend perfectly no matter what element she used!

However Shinobu-senpai chanted a defensive spell and invoked it.

“Thy wing granted from Belphegor, O <icicle of flame>! Cover and hide me, become an irrational wall of contradiction! Wings Fall of Flame and IceCross Conflict!!”

From Shinobu-senpai’s back, wings made of red crystal spread out widely, wrapping around herself and Miyabi-senpai. It was something impossible but―those wings emitted heat and cold at the same time.

The bullet of flame and the stream of cold were perfectly blocked at the same time.

While being protected by the wings of red crystal, inside it Miyabi-senpai was chanting her spell.

“Kazuki, if it’s me I can't break through that effectively!”

Reluctantly, Mio moved her target to the Takasugi brothers.

“Understood! …Lightning Line!”

Kazuki chose the magic of Hikaru-senpai which he became able to use recently.

The bow and arrow of lightning pierced the defensive wall of wings. The <electric heat> possessed by the lightning was erased completely by the power of cold owned by the wings. However the <electricity> that flowed through the wings and was transmitted to Miyabi-senpai couldn’t be blocked. On the other side of the wings, the blue light of defensive magic power could be seen.

However it couldn’t obstruct Miyabi-senpai’s chanting.

“Lunatic Labyrinth!!”

With a flash, a light so bright it dazzled the eyes flickered. The light didn’t permit any Resist, it invaded the heart of Kazuki and the others.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

…When he came back to his senses, Kazuki was in a world of pure white. Inside the light, countless images of himself were floating. He soon noticed that he was surrounded by countless mirrors.

He was surrounded by walls of mirrors in every direction.

The mental world of Miyabi-senpai where Kazuki and the others' hearts were dragged into―it was a <labyrinth of mirrors>.

The mirrors that surrounded him from four directions reflected the scenery, putting close-quarters combat out of the question. He couldn’t grasp at all whether in front of him, there was a wall of mirrors or a road to proceed forward.

There were none of his comrades around him. He could guess that the initial positioning of the allies and enemies in this alternate world was controlled by Miyabi-senpai to a certain degree. And then their attempts to regroup would be blocked by these walls of mirrors.

If he didn’t hurry to regroup with his comrades, they would be picked off one by one. This place was a labyrinth with a terrifying time limit.

Kazuki dashed with an impatient feeling, but his face immediately crashed against a mirror.

His current self should be a <spiritual body>, but it felt completely similar to his original flesh and blood body.

Even though it's a spiritual body, it doesn’t seem like he can make anything he likes using his imagination.

The flesh and blood body and the spirit were bound to each other at an atomic level. Something that couldn’t be done in the actual physical body wouldn’t be able to be performed in this spiritual body, both were tied with each other. …Magic should be able to be used just the same as usual too.

From afar―he could hear the scream of Kazuha-senpai.

“Kazuha-senpai!”

He spontaneously ran in the direction of the voice, but the direction where he was running to was a wall of mirrors which Kazuki crashed hard into with his face once more.

Even with the defensive magic power erased it didn’t mean it was painful but…how dare they look down on him with this child’s play!

Kazuki tottered for a step or two and looked around his surroundings, he discerned that this magic couldn’t be torn down with a feat of strength.

Then―with his own magic at hand, how would he break down the deception produced by the mirrors.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

At that time, Kazuha, who was abruptly summoned into this alternate dimension, suddenly found herself standing in front of the Takasugi brothers and Ryuutaki Shinobu, that was why she spontaneously raised a voice of terror. These three people in front of her were a group with scary faces after all.

During the moment when she still couldn’t even grasp the situation, the Takasugi brothers came slashing at Kazuha.

“Kuh…what cowards! Even though I’m not going to lose in one-on-one, to do this kind of thing!”

When Kazuha blocked the attack on one side, she got slashed on the other side. She immediately kept getting hit repeatedly. The mirror world reflected irregularly the blue light that Kazuha emitted from her defensive magic power.

At the same time, Shinobu was chanting a spell. To defend or the like against that was something that Kazuha couldn’t possibly do.

“O lonely wolf wandering the forest, thou art bestowed with moonlight from the goddess. That light is the power of soldiers…change the sharp fang into blade, show that valor! Twin Sword of Beast FangBlade Tusk!!”

At Shinobu’s side, the avatar of a female soldier holding swords in two swords style was floating.

It was said that Marchosias could also take the form of a human soldier.

The avatar of the female soldier vanished in a moment, with only the pair of swords remaining behind floating in the air. As if they were being manipulated by an unseen swordsman, both swords flew at Kazuha.

Counting the attacks by the Takasugi brothers, Kazuha was attacked by four swords in total. Her chance to defend against those swords didn’t exist.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Watch out! Kazuha-senpai!!”

With timing exactly on that verge of a desperate situation, Kazuki came running.

“O wisdom piled up in the history of the human race, become the armor that armored my body in many layers! Heavily, thickly, reject every brutality! Seusenhofer!!”

He immediately protected Kazuha-senpai with defensive magic that was effective against physical attacks.

The armor reliably repelled the four swords.

“Ha, Hayashizaki! Thank you!!” A heart mark came flying from Kazuha-senpai.

“…How, to arrive this fast.” Inside Shinobu-senpai’s expressionless face, a look of surprise was mixed.

Kazuki had his body covered with faint wind. It was [Storm Fort] with its output suppressed. The wind that spread and swirled around Kazuki was pushing the walls of mirrors and only flowed into one point of the surroundings.

The direction that the air current indicated―that was the path that the irregular reflection of the mirror masked.

Furthermore, with the help of Leme’s Magic Dress <Solomon’s Ring>, it not only showed the graph of his companion’s positivity level, but it was also equipped with a map function to display the coordinate of his companions that were a target of conquest.

With these two abilities, Kazuki headed to help Kazuha-senpai at full speed.

“We, we are retreating from here!” “Ou Big Bro!”

He didn’t know which one was the big brother, but the Takasugi brothers quickly leaped into a mirror while raising pathetic voices. Both of them weren't colliding with the mirror, but instead they were absorbed and vanished.

Wordlessly Shinobu-senpai too followed them from behind and vanished as well.

“Kazuha-senpai, we are going to search for Mio and Kohaku and regroup!”

Kazuki took Kazuha-senpai’s hand. It was so they wouldn’t collide against the mirrors, that was all, he didn’t have any other intention. With a little shy expression, she grasped back that hand hesitantly.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Kazukii―! Kazuki Kazuki Kazukii―!! Kazu-nii! Nyaa―!”

While they were running, they immediately heard Mio’s loud voice reverberating.

“Amasaki-san, she is shouting so recklessly but…”

Kazuha-senpai made a face that was wondering what in the world Mio was shouting, but…there was no way Mio was just shouting around without thinking. Most likely, she was yelling loudly to echo her voice against the walls of mirror. Then she read the wave motion of the sound with Extra Sense and grasped the structure of the surrounding labyrinth like a sonar.

At the same time, it looked like she also had the intention to notify her comrades about her current position. It was also like this when she healed his heart which was stopped, but Mio was surprisingly clever when in a fight.

However, he could feel what kind of route Mio was taking with Solomon’s Ring, but her steps were uncertain. Even Mio, who was said to be a prodigy in magic, she couldn’t possibly dash ferociously like Kazuki while using such advanced Extra Sense.

[Lunatic Labyrinth] was a magic that originally couldn’t be smashed if they didn’t go until that far.

And then―Mio was probably being chased by the enemy.

Kazuki and Kazuha-senpai ran with all their strength for a while, they found Mio’s figure at the end of the road turn.

“Kazu-nii!” Mio noticed Kazuki with a bright voice.

Kohaku was also in that place with Mio. It seem Mio was able to link up with her while running around.

The place where the two of them were located was not a narrow path, the space became a slightly open spot like a plaza.

From the opposite side…The four people of the Ryuutaki sisters and the Taksugi brothers were coming in pursuit. From the katanas of the Takasugi brothers and Shinobu-senpai’s [Blade Tusk], Mio and Kohaku had already bore considerable damage on them.

“Lightning Line!”

As soon as Kazuki came running, he attacked Shinobu-senpai who was manipulating the twin swords with an arrow.

“Kazuki, rather than this side…Miyabi-senpai has been chanting some kind of high level magic since some time ago!”

After listening of Mio’s call, Kazuki finally directed his attention toward Miyabi-senpai. However, it was already too late.

“Oh, you are surprisingly quick. But your expression when you came running so desperately was so cute.”

Miyabi-senpai turned her face to Kazuki with an elusive smile and calm voice.

“However I wonder about this next one? …The maiden offering prayer every night, be that as it may, the moonlight illuminates the beast in thy heart. Expose thy true nature…Moon Mirror Heart GnawingLunatic Luna Light!”

At Miyabi-senpai’s back, a gigantic moon was floating, looking like a halo that shined, and releasing silver light!

Kazuki who received that light...was just fine.

“…!? Everyone is”

However, looking at the companions around him, Kazuki was startled.

The face of Mio, who was looking at Kazuki…turned into a sullen look in the blink of an eye.

The eyes of Kohaku, who was looking at Kazuki …turned into teary eyes in the blink of an eye.

Kazuha-senpai who was looking at Kazuki…gritted her teeth grindingly and glared at him with a terrible look.

“Kazu-nii you idiot! I don’t know you anymore!!”

Mio suddenly yelled and came attacking with “Barrett!".

“Mi, Mio, what are you doing!?” Kazuki yelled while evading in panic.

“Kazuki…why, why are you acting cold only to this one! Prepare yourself!!”

“Hayashizaki Kazuki! Filthy! Pervert! Harem king! I won’t hand over Kohaku to someone like you!!”

Kohaku, who was half crying, and Kazuha-senpai, who looked scary, came slashing at Kazuki altogether.

At the same time the Takasugi brothers also came attacking.

“Blade Tusk.” Furthermore the twin swords that Shinobu-senpai summoned were also dancing in the air and came attacking.

“Wha, what the hell is this!? Mio, what are you doing! …Seusenhofer!!”

Kazuki Foresighted and evaded the flame bullet, the remaining everything were fortunately only physical attacks coming from all direction that he repelled using Prometheus' heavy armor that covered his body.

“You asked me why…just ask that question to yourself!”

“Do you really think I can ask myself in this kind of situation!”

Tears were slowly gathering in Mio’s eyes―she suddenly yelled out some inappropriate things.

“Kazu-nii only pampered Koyuki and Lotte, calling them cute, cute! You never called me cute except just a few times! Even though I also want to be pampered, Kazu-nii you idiot!!”

Wha, what the hell is this! What is this girl saying in the middle of battle!?

“You, you misunderstand Mio! Because Koyuki looked lonely, Lotte’s situation is where she’s all alone in an unknown country…I can’t just leave them alone so…”

“Compared to those two, you think someone like me is just inconsequential, right!?”

“Wrong! To have Mio as my partner…I unconsciously feel really relieved! I didn’t intend to make light of you but I unconsciously feel too comfortable…if I hurt Mio’s feelings, I’m sorry!”

For Kazuki, Mio was a companion who he could come into contact with a relaxed and open attitude next after Kanae.

However, that carefree feeling in reality might be him taking advantage of Mio.

That’s right, because Mio was always wondering anxiously how Kazuki was thinking about her.

At that point Kazuki noticed it. …The magic just before, was that a magic that magnified the dissatisfaction of his companions!?

“Cornering all of you into this plaza and chanting this magic just as planned. Now it’s seven versus one. Well now, what will you do?”

Miyabi-senpai grinned widely. Certainly this would still be better if they were still in a narrow corridor.

In this plaza of mirrors, Kazuki was surrounded by the hostility of seven people.

However…there was no way their bonds could be torn apart with this kind of magic!

From the hostility that surrounded him, Kazuki immediately fixed his face on Mio.

“Mio…I like you! It’s embarrassing to say it like this, but there is no way Mio is not cute!”

Mio’s spell chanting suddenly stopped. “I’m cute? Really?”

“You are cute! That’s obvious, you always keep making my heart beat so hard! No matter whether it's your angry or smiling face, even your rapidly changing expressions are cute, each of them is my precious treasure! You are also the one most suited in a maid uniform! Even though I didn’t like maid uniforms that much, it’s your fault that I turned to like them so much before I even noticed! Besides, when you hugged and fawned on me in stimulating appearances like your Magic Dress or racing swimsuit, before long…my male instincts were always at the limit you know!? Why are you always feeling anxious so willfully, stop bullshitting me! There's no way in the world that you are not cute!!”

While Kazuki shouted with all his strength he hugged Mio tightly. Immediately after he did that,

“Kazu-nii…I like you Kazu-nii! I love you too!!”

Mio hugged Kazuki back. Mio had returned to her sanity!

Right there, Kohaku’s sword, that didn’t forgive their negligence, came flying.

“This one will kill Kazuki and then die together too―!”

Kazuki took Mio who fawned on him in a princess carry and nimbly dodged.

“Kazuki…why are you being cold only to this one!?”

Kohaku blamed him with teary eyes.

“I’m not being cold to you or anything!”

So Kohaku thought about things like that. But…,

“Isn’t Kohaku the one that doesn’t try to face me right from the front!? I don’t have any intention to go out with a girl just for the sake of a sword school!”

“Bu, but, because…!”

“There is no but or because! All this time, wasn’t Kohaku just pushing your own convenience onto me!!?”

He properly understood that Kohaku liked him in her true feelings. However, he had been thinking all along that if Kohaku acted like that, then there was no way Kazuki could accept her feelings.

Even between that kind of conversation, the Takasugi brothers were still attacking. Shit, don’t be a nuisance!

“So I beg you, face me right from the front! Don’t hide behind something like the sword school or the like! The starting line of our relationship begins from there, right!?”

“This one was…running away even from taking the normal first step on the starting line…”

The color of sanity had returned back into Kohaku’s eyes.

“Kazuki…until now, this one only kept saying unreasonable things, forgive this one! This one is incompetent, but let’s start back from friends!!”

Kohaku too came hugging Kazuki. Looking at that situation…Kazuha-senpai flared up even more in fury.

“Youu―! How dare you seduce even Kohakuu!!”

“I’m not seducing her!”

Carrying Mio and Kohaku in both arms, Kazuki continued to run from Kazuha-senpai’s sword while talking back.

What an absurd battlefield…!

“If you're saying this is not seducing, then what do you think this is!? You are liked by a great number of girls. In the meanwhile, you keep tottering, saying things like harem with a lewd look on your face! E, even me…. But, do you think I can trust someone like that!?”

“Certainly I might be in a harem situation…. But I also don’t have any reason to betray anyone!”

He might be running away from the matter of choosing just one person. However the truth was that there was no need to choose one person.

It might be cowardice. No, I’m not doing anything cowardly.

“What are you saying!?”

“Everyone is important to me! I don’t want to make anyone unhappy; I want everyone to laugh together! If it’s for that sake…I will offer my everything to everyone until the very last!!”

“You, you are prepared to go that far…if it’s like that, then it’s as if Hayashizaki is not having a harem, doesn’t it look like Hayashizaki is everyone’s pet instead!!”

“Harem or pet, it’s the same! It’s not a relationship where I make everyone my servant and everyone is also not making me their servant, it’s only…the connection of our bonds are our happiness, that’s all!!”

Right now with this situation right now…I can accept it just as it is!

{My King! …Right now, in a certain meaning you have attained a great enlightenment!}

Against Kazuki’s determination, Leme came and transmitted her voice in delight.

“I, I don’t get it…are you a man with great caliber, or are you just a simple good-for–nothing…”

“If senpai wants to know, then regain your sanity and please ascertain it with your own eyes.”

“…Okay. I will be by your side, only to make sure of that with my own eyes okay! Remember that I’m not the same as those other girls!”

Kazuha-senpai suddenly made a reversal and slashed at the Takasugi brothers. She also had her sanity returned!

Kohaku too separated herself from Kazuki’s arm and gave her assistance. Mio too launched her offense magic.

The order of the battlefield had recovered to how it was originally.

“Kuh, to persuade your comrades while running away from our swords.” “Ryuutaki Shinobu, use even stronger magic!”

“Useless…” Shinobu-senpai murmured. “…I am already doing it.”

Using the opportunity while Kazuki and the others fell into pandemonium―Shinobu-senpai was chanting her spell.

From the scale of that magic power―just from a glance he understood that it was a dangerous magic.

“Thy wings granted by Belphegor, O <icicle of flame>! Grasp the air superiority of hell, hand down the inescapable contradicting bombing! Icicle of FlameBurning Icicle!”

The space split apart with ‘bikibikibiki!’ sounds, then a gigantic wolf with red crystal as its wings flew out from it. That wolf should not be the real materialization of Marchosias herself, but it looked like a clone body that contained some percentage of Marchosias’ strength. When Shinobu-senpai and Miyabi-senpai rode on its back, the wolf flapped its wings and flew.

“You, you're not going to let us ride too!?”

The Takasugi brothers that were left behind hopped up and down (pyon pyon) from below.

“My bad, but this wolf is for the exclusive use of only me and Nee-sama.”

“Fufufu, oh Shinobu. …You two run away so you won’t get swallowed into this.”

The wolf smoothly evaded Mio’s [Barrett]. From those wings, countless red crystals were scattered toward the people below in drops. Those red crystals were explosive. DON! DON! DON! Explosion roars were ringing one after another, the surrounding area was swallowed into the explosions’ blasts.

The explosions’ blasts were inconsistent but―they possessed both sides of mighty heat and cold.

Resist was ineffective! That explosion didn’t permit any defense and reliably gouged large damage on the target. Kazuki and the others desperately ran from place to place away from the red crystals―[Burning Icicle]. However the wolf Ryuutaki sisters were riding on flew in the sky as if there was nothing like a wall of mirrors in their way. In regards to that, Kazuki and the others had to run around the mirror walls so they wouldn’t collide.

When they slipped out from the plaza they had been fighting at since a while before, Kazuki and the others entered a narrow path.

Even with red crystals exploding, the walls of mirror didn’t break, instead the narrow spot made the blast from the bomb’s explosion even stronger. The explosions that kept arising one after another shaved out Kazuki and the others' magic power rapidly while they were running with their bodies close to each other even though they couldn’t possibly escape.

<Burning Icicle>. Marchosias who boasted unrivaled strength in spite of being just a mere wolf was transplanted with a weapon called <Burning Icicle> by the Demon King Belphegor. She was remodeled even further as the ultimate fighting beast. That terrible strength was right now becoming reality and raining down at them.

Think. What kind of magic did he have that could defend against these explosions? To defend against this magic…!

But even faster than Kazuki could work his brain―Miyabi-senpai invoked her magic.

The girl was again concentrating on chanting for quite long.

“O heart locking mirror, open…the reflection of the moon shoots out the illusion of ostentation until everywhere deeply! Illuminated his true nature as a person in this place…Moon Mirror SealMan in the Moon!!”

Suddenly a mirror appeared right in front of Kazuki who was escaping. Kazuki’s face was largely rising to the surface in that mirror, that face grinned widely on its own accord. At that instant, Kazuki’s consciousness became distant…,

“Wa, wait Kazuki!? In this kind of emergency, just wait!!”

Kazuki fainted.

His mind sunk down deeper and deeper.

Kazuki had a similar experience of fainting like this―when he fell into magic intoxication.

The bottom of his own mind. The border line between his own mind and Astrum. In the lowest strata of his unconsciousness that was far separated from the consciousness, forgotten pasts were precipitating as if being thrown away,

A deep memory that he already couldn’t even recall anymore even if he willed it himself.

Inside the darkness, only the reminiscence was shaking.

Suddenly among those memories, one memory came back to life on its own accord inside the darkness of the mind.

The sounds, scenery, and touch of that time were being reproduced as it was.

That’s right, this magic forcibly made the person remember their [trauma]…!

The drawn scenery was a snowy night. The orphanage Kazuki once lived at, <Nanohana Institute>, in front of its gate there was a lone woman holding a baby.

The moment he saw that woman’s face, Kazuki’s chest tightened.

If right now, there was a physical body along with his consciousness, he wouldn’t even be able to try to bear it before shedding tears.

His mother. His mother had this kind of face.

He remembered. He remembered about this day. The coldness that pricked the childish skin just before the dawn. My mother deserted me at this time in this place and was gone!!

Why…what kind of situation made her do this…?

Around this time was an age of chaos immediately following the birth of magic in this world.

Tokyo was destroyed because of the illegal magicians; this country was just in the middle of pandemonium. She might have had some kind of circumstances. However, what kind of circumstances made her do this kind of thing….

{After all your reason for fighting is this kind of thing.}

There was a woman’s voice. It seemed like the voice of Miyabi-senpai, but it also sounded similar to Gremory’s voice.

“A pitiful child that didn’t even get loved by his own mother. That is you. In actuality, you don’t think of the other person as important or anything. Your true essence is servility . That is not kindness. You fight only for your own sake in the end.”

While Kazuki was seeing off his mother’s back that became farther from Nanohana Institute, he heard that voice.

Isolation without end. Yes, the former Kazuki was always crying.

But suddenly inside Kazuki’s head, a voice reverberated like a flash of lightning. Mio’s voice.

{But I’m an orphan after all…, no one needs me anyway…stop that kind of thinking already! Because I like Kazu-nii very much! Because it makes me sad if you are just ignoring my feelings like that! Because it’s not just me, surely everyone else also thinks so too!}

…That’s right, right now is different! I’m not throwing a tantrum continuously at everyone asking [give me love] from them! The feeling is not a one-way street, didn’t Mio just get worried about him not long ago!?

Certainly, the me in the past was without a doubt desperate about wanting to be loved by someone.

Even right now, sometimes there were moments where he got close into desperation without thinking of his own well-being.

However, if I say something self-deprecating, I’m going to be scolded by Mio.

Even Kanae would say something like “Nii-sama you moron―!” and sock him hard.

Even in the Nanohana Institute, even in the Hayashizaki house, everyone loved me like a real family.

That was why I got back on my feet already from this kind of traumapast. The past is the past, now is right now.

If he got caught in this kind of past, the words he said to Koyuki and Lotte would become completely irresponsible.

Kazuki looked back at the back of his mother that became more distant.

…Kaa-san , I don’t know what kind of circumstance you had.

However…I’m fine now.

At that moment, the world of darkness was filled with light in a flash.

…Though someday, why did Kaa-san throw me away, I want to know that reason….

While leaving a trail of such feelings faintly, Kazuki returned to the world of reality.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

How much time had passed?

After the world was overflowing with light once more―Kazuki returned to the former world where his companions were waiting.

It seems that in the time Kazuki had lost consciousness, [Lunatic Labyrinth] had used up its energy and the battlefield revolved back to the original grounds. Kazuki’s heart returned to his real body.

And then the first sight that entered Kazuki, who just awakened, was a wall of flame. Mio invoked [Blazing Wings], as if a parent bird protecting her chicks, those gigantic wings enveloped and defended everyone.

Over their head, even now too, the Ryuutaki sisters were still riding on top of the huge wolf and flew in circles while dropping bombs of [Burning Icicle] repeatedly.

His companions were in a tattered condition with their remaining magic power almost used up. While running about trying to escape, it seemed Mio finally succeeded in chanting the [Blazing Wings].

However, even that was nothing more than buying time. The contradicting explosions of [Burning Icicle] emitted heat and cold at the same time. The wings of flame protected them from the heat but the cold was encroaching inside little by little. Even the wings of Phoenix were already on the verge of decaying. He woke up with that kind of timing.

“Kazuki, you're awake!?” Mio’s expression brightened.

Kazuki immediately exerted his brain, groping about for a means of protection against this bombing with the magic at hand. Even armor of flame, or divine protection of cold, or armor of steel, all of it couldn’t defend against this bombing. To protect themselves from this…!

“O stream of atmosphere, converge on this body, become the storm that rejects the resented person! The eye of the typhoon is my throne! Storm Fort!”

Kazuki remembered what was probably the single most optimum solution. In the surroundings of the four people that were huddling together under the exposure of aerial bombing, fierce wind was whirling about forming a typhoon.

The raining down of red crystals was blown about even before they exploded by the typhoon.

The typhoon also counterbalanced the blasts of the explosions from far away.

“To return this fast…you really make my heartbeat become increasingly faster.”

Miyabi-senpai, who was riding on the wolf flying in the sky looked down at Kazuki leisurely.

The bombing stopped. Maybe the Burning Icicle was finally running out of bombs.

When he looked around, Takasugi brothers had exited the grounds. Had Mio and the others made a frantic effort and defeated them, or had they possibly gotten swallowed by the aerial bombing of the Burning Icicle…?

“Kazuki, that…” Mio’s eyes opened wide looking at Kazuki.

Suddenly, Kazuki noticed how he, before he was even aware, was currently gripping a thing he had no recollection of in his hand.

It was a sword transparent like water and emitting a magical gloss of rainbow color.

Where in the world did it come from?

The sword constantly released weak magic power, little by little its substance was fading. Before long it would vanish. However right now Kazuki’s palm felt it, the fierce strength it possessed.

“With your victory over your trauma, Gremory gave that proof of your spiritual purity. That is the shape of your spirit’s crystallization, your symbol.”

Miyabi-senpai informed him from the sky.

“Gremory is a goddess that changes those with a strong heart into a true warrior. A warrior that can prove their strength of heart would be granted power, it’s that kind of magic.”

Kazuki was baffled inside his heart. …Why did she use that kind of magic on me?

Was it because she had the confidence of deciding the match while I was being tied up?

The fact was, Kazuki recovered with just a paper thin difference in timing.

“It’s troubling for a magic to do things like empowering the enemy. But we too were also chanting a spell while your heart was restrained though. If you can do it, try to protect your important comrades with that sword…Right here right now I will test the purity of your heart!”

Miyabi-senpai stopped the idle talk and restarted her interrupted spell chanting.

“”Moon at the sky, wolf at the ground, the fierce howling voice prosecuted the sin above the earth loudly!””

That chanting was not from Miyabi-senpai alone. She matched the magic power’s wavelength of Shibobu-senpai beside her. That magic was something spun by two people. …Chorus Magic!!

It couldn’t possibly be level 10 Materialization Summoning!?

…No, no matter how long Kazuki had fainted, that magic was supposed to need an even longer time.

Moreover this magic, he felt how the magic power of Gremory and Marchosias were mixing and overlapping with each other….

<Union Magic>. Mixing the strength of two Divas together and realizing a single magic.

…There is that kind of magic!? There was no doubt that this was only possible because of the connection possessed by Gremory and Marchosias that was really strong to the degree that could be said to be unique even among Solomon's 72 Pillars.

“”O moon that shines even above the sinful person, transform that light of motherhood into anger, squash this surface! The nightmare of the setting moon is right here…Panic Setting Moon DestructionMoon Strike!!”

The clone body of Marchosias faced the moon in the sky and howled as if calling for someone beloved. Gremory was the goddess of the moon. In the clear sky of the broad daylight, a faint white full moon was emerging.

That white moon gradually became bigger, filling up the sky completely. It grew bigger vividly until he could make the distinction of several craters on it with naked eye…the moon was falling!!

GOGOGOGOGO! The celestial sphere falling down with reverberating sounds as if crushing flat the air resistance had already made it obvious to Kazuki that there was no defensive magic at his hands that could possibly do anything. If they got hit, Kazuki whose damage was relatively small might be able to hold out, but the other three's removal from the fight would be inevitable.

In the end, Kazuki brandished the sword held in his hand.

This was Kazuki’s spirit in the form of sword. Its power was inferior compared to the katana produced by Prometheus’ [Olympia Forger] but―if you call yourself the crystallization of my spirit, then show me how to rescue my companions!!

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

Against the falling celestial sphere, Kazuki brought down his sword. There was no other resistance he could offer.

A light that made everything else vanish. A sound that made everything else seem far away.

Like the legend of Moses splitting the sea with his cane, that slash of Kazuki's parted the approaching celestial sphere that was covering up the sky in two. The largely bisected moon and the sword inside Kazuki’s hand scattered apart into particles of rainbow light like a momentary dream.

In the audience stands, loud cheers were raised from their witnessing of the embodiment of human’s spirit to protect their comrades.

Ryuutaki-senpai was watching that with her own eyes. The clone body of Marchosias that flew in the sky used up its power, it put down the sisters on the ground and vanished.

“I had hypothesized anything and everything, but what an unforeseen result.”

Miyabi-senpai, who went down and stood on the same surface, faced Kazuki and talked.

Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai prepared their stance with their katanas as though they were about to attack.

Seeing that, Miyabi-senpai turned to Kazuki and raised both her arms high.

“I surrender.”

“Nee-sama!” The one who reacted first was Shinobu-senpai, who was on the immediate side of Miyabi-senpai. She flared up hearing that declaration.

Kazuki and the others were dumbfounded too hearing that sudden declaration.

“It can’t be helped, can it? We have no chance of victory anymore, right? The Takasugi brothers have left the stage, our greatest offensive magic that was invoked by sacrificing those two was also defended completely. If it has become like this, to spin a new magic from zero with these four as the opponents without a vanguard of our own, it’s impossible with our chanting ability you know. This is unexpected, but it’s also my expected conclusion.”

Miyabi-senpai shrugged her shoulders. The referee teacher that watched over the situation also agreed with that point of argument.

“Winner, Team Hayashizaki!” The referee declared.

The watching students, who were satisfied with the flashy offense and defense at the end, raised loud cheers. Even the voice of blessings from Kaguya-senpai and the others were also audible from here. However for Kazuki all of it felt very far away.

He was not fully satisfied with Miyabi-senpai’s intentions.

[I’m going to test the strength of your heart], that was what Miyabi-senpai said before the match.

Certainly throughout this match, there were many things that he was tested on, he thought.

Because of that, he had this strange feeling that he wanted to thank the opponent rather than the victory itself.

“Why didn’t senpai fight normally, rather senpai behaved as if senpai was testing me, wasn’t it?”

Within the loud cheers, Kazuki asked Miyabi-senpai who had become the loser.

He didn’t think that she had pulled her punches. That miraculous sword that Kazuki received was from Miyabi-senpai's magic, but at the same time if she didn’t use that magic, then Kazuki’s team wouldn’t allow them to finish chanting that Union Magic.

On the other hand, the Takasugi brothers of the opposite team had been defeated by their own doing before Kazuki’s team even noticed. By no means could they say that they were the ones in the disadvantaged situation in this battle.

However, he had the feeling that Miyabi-senpai had another way of fighting that she was more used to.

Like this, everything was shrouded in mist.

“Nee-sama, what are your intentions?”

Shinobu-senpai too, she asked Miyabi-senpai because she was unable to surmise Miyabi-senpai’s intention.

“Ryuutaki Miyabi! Why didn’t you fight until the very end!!?”

The Takasugi brothers, who had been removed from the match and had taken refuge in the tent, glared at Miyabi-senpai with burning eyes.

Judging from how the Takasugi brothers were the sons of Board Chairman Takasugi, they were most likely complicit with the scheme behind the scenes of this battle election. However Miyabi-senpai, who was solicited by the Takasugi brothers, might actually hold a totally different objective close to her chest.

“My plan was only like that, you know. Fufufu, things like the reason for my plan, even I myself don’t understand, in the end, this plan is just something like a whim, don’t you agree?”

Miyabi-senpai laughed and dodged the question about her true intentions.

“No, it must not be like that.” Kazuki shook his head and denied it.

“Before the battle election began, senpai was despairing against this country and this academy. 'It doesn’t matter whatever this country becomes', senpai said those words carelessly. However, humans who have truly despaired won’t ever think of trying things like testing someone else. Something comes into mind. Surely, it's because someone can't give up hope that they planned this, not merely on a whim. Senpai…what are you expecting from me?”

Hearing Kazuki’s straight to the core question, Miyabi-senpai showed a surprised expression for the first time.

“I give up. …When my true feelings are seen through so completely up to that point, as a contrary person, it feels really embarrassing. Yes, certainly I have an expectation of you. But for someone in my position, it’s not strange to discover hope in you, right?”

Miyabi-senpai is an elf. ―And Kazuki had defeated the sworn enemy of every elf with this hand.

At the center of the grounds, Miyabi-senpai, whose body was covered with dress-type Magic Dress slowly approached Kazuki. She gently brought her face near Kazuki…’chuu’ and she kissed his cheek.

“””Wha!?””” Mio, Kohaku and Kazuha-senpai opened their eyes wide.

Kazuki too made an amazed face and looked back at Miyabi-senpai.

Miyabi-senpai’s cheek reddened, then she made a bewitching smile and stared at Kazuki.

“Onee-sama!? Wh, why did you do that kind of thing to that kind of man!? Even Shinobu, even though I never got a kiss or anything from Onee-sama!?”

Shinobu-senpai, who had been wrinkling up her eyebrows the whole time, suddenly had her expression crumbling. She clung to Miyabi-senpai while tears were falling down from her eyes in big drops.

“What are you saying? There is no reason for sisters to kiss, you know? Kissing is something to be done to good-looking guys you know.”

“Onee-sama is recognizing that man as a man!?”

“This person overcame the trial. There is no way I can't feel my heart going pitter-patter for him.”

Miyabi-senpai said while brushing up her silver long hair. What on earth is this trial she was talking about?

“NO! NO NO NO!! Shinobu doesn’t approve that kind of thing! Shinobu and Nee-sama will be together forever just the two of us! Onee-sama must only look at me…If Nee-sama is not, then Shinobu…”

“This person is the savior of elves, my heart is charmed by him already. It’s going kyun-kyun right now.”

“That’s why- what is nee-sama saying!? Onee-sama is not an elf or the like at all!”

…What? Kazuki felt like his breath was stopping. Even Mio and the others, who were flaring up at Miyabi-senpai even now because she suddenly kissed Kazuki, now had their expressions frozen with a start from the surprise.

“No, I am an elf you know, Shinobu.”

Miyabi-senpai floated a bitter smiling face and turned back to Kazuki.

“We are twins with a really intimate relationship after all…when I became an elf this child was shocked and she became unable to recognize [the real me]. She can’t hear words inconvenient to her. This child rejected reality and shut herself in a world where she is together with a false me, just the two of us. In the eyes of this child, my hair still looks pitch black, it reflects me as her older twin sister that is her spitting image.”

Miyabi-senpai stroked the head of her twin with sadness, but Shinobu-senpai’s pupils were empty. She made a face as if she didn’t hear any of the words just now.

“But thanks to this child, I was saved. When I became an elf, just like all other elves, I was treated by the world like a monster too. But only this child stayed by my side. If this child was not there, I wouldn’t have been able to get back on my feet like this. But even though I stood back up like this, this child is still unable to see reality. She keeps seeing only the false me, locking herself in a world of just the two of us―where she is actually just by herself alone. That’s sorrowful, isn’t it?”

Kazuki was also saved from solitude by all his companions from the orphanage and everyone of the Hayashizaki house.

For Miyabi-senpai, Shinobu-senpai was the only existence that had saved her.

The feelings of Miyabi-senpai, who wished to save Shinobu-senpai, Kazuki could understand it so well it was heartbreaking.

“Hey, Ou-sama . I wonder if this girl’s heart could be conquered if it’s you?”

…How does she know my ability? This person, isn’t she really too well informed…?

{Oi, Gremory. You gave unneeded hints to your contractor, right?}

Leme materialized besides Kazuki.

{…Forgive me Leme-chan. Because these sisters, they are really pitiful even though they are such good children, see? That’s why I wanted to teach them that there is a great person called BasilleusKing.}

Besides Miyabi-senpai, an avatar of a really neat and clean young lady, even though she was called <The Duchess of Hell>, was floating. She was wearing a silver dress that had a similar shape with Miyabi-senpai’s dress.

{Right now is the testing phase for the humans, that’s why we have already decided not to get too involved, haven’t we?}

When Leme was scolding her with cold eyes, Gremory vanished as if to run away.

“That was the hope I embraced. Does Ou-sama not have an interest in a sister sandwich?”

Sister sandwich. A terrific word came out, Kazuki was losing strength and faltering halfway.

“The merit of conquering both of us is really big, you know? Marchosias is a powerful Diva and probably, if it’s you, you could also chant the Union Magic of Gremory and Marchosias, other name [Gremory-neesan Great Indignation Pun-pun Full Moon Fall], by yourself alone.”

Miyabi-senpai proposed while raising her index finger. What’s with that other name where people could do nothing other than make a tsukkomiretort.

“…I won’t do such a thing like conquering a girl just for the sake of power.”

“Don’t say such a lonesome matter like ‘for the sake of power’. You are a king that I recognize…”

While whispering with a sweet voice, Miyabi-senpai once again brought her face near Kazuki―

“Nee-sama, please stop!” “Kazuki, what are you doing in a public place!”

―However Shinobu-senpai and Mio cut in between them and put a stop to it.

Just like they said, they were in front of the eyes of the students from the whole school.

“Fufufu.” A heart mark come flying from Miyabi-senpai who laughed in amusement. …Don’t tell me!

Amasaki Mio―150 Lotte―120 Hiakari Koyuki―119 Otonashi Kaguya―100

Hoshikaze Hikaru―87 Tsukahara Kazuha―55 Ryuutaki Miyabi―40 Ryuutaki Shinobu―2

Both of their positivity levels was displayed! Even with positivity level of 40, could a person do all these kinds of bold things? Also Shinobu-senpai’s score of 2…

With a glare, Shinobu-senpai’s teary eyes were stabbing at Kazuki while she made a terrible expression. It was as if she was a wolf pup that stood in front of the enemy of her mother wolf and growled [gururu]. It was absolutely impossible, wasn’t it, to conquer this girl.

“You have seen it right, the positivity level? Gremory is an existence that also governs the love between males and females after all; I wonder if there is a blessing from her?”

Certainly the positivity level of Mio and Kazuha-senpai had gone up in a casual manner. Especially conspicuous was Kazuha-senpai’s climb in numbers.

“…Even though I challenged the match with the intention of fighting seriously, as I expected, I can't be fully satisfied when it looks like I was only made to dance on top of your palm the whole time.”

“There is no such thing. Without a doubt, this victory is something you should be most proud of even compared to all your victories before this, right? You have proven your strength in all your battles until now, you have proven your quality as a leader with this battle election, and you have proven the strength of your heart with the trial of Gremory and me. If it’s said by me, then right now you had become a King in its truest meaning.”

The meaning of strength, the reason for fighting, the significance of bonds…Such things couldn’t be expressed clearly in words. However, its forms were built little by little inside him; such feelings clearly existed inside him.

{Uh huh, when you spoke sharply to Tsukahara Kazuha and made her return to her sanity was also excellent. Leme too has gotten a better opinion of My King. That is for sure, Leme’s contractor…the Harem King.}

“However, enemies who are threatening against that kind of you are still remaining.”

Even now, Miyabi-senpai continued her words that were as if seeing through behind the scene.

“Win through the battle election and take the first step as a King. Regarding your true enemy, saying it clearly, those like the Takasugi brothers are just pawns that look like a joke. The star performer is the opponent that you are going to meet in the finals.”

Final…the team which Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka belonged…. At that time, Kazuki had an auditory hallucination of the most unforgivable enemy who tormented Hikaru-senpai while raising an evil laughing voice.

The semifinals was nothing more than a trial. The enemy who he really needed to defeat was waiting in the final.

Intermission – Renewing Determination

Part 1

The second match of the semifinals should be said to be as expected, Hayashi Shizuka’s team took the victory.

Around the evening when the match ended, Kazuki was called by Headmaster Amasaki. The results of the investigation of the students that assaulted him in the middle of his date with Hikaru-senpai had arrived from the Knight Order.

“All of those students had lost their memories of the battle election. From the result of the mind scan, there were traces of the work performed in their minds. Though currently, they are in normal condition. Those girls didn’t even understand why they announced their own candidacy.”

“They're all safe…although there is that, but there is no clue or testimony in the end.”

Hearing the results that betrayed his expectation, Kazuki released a heavy sigh.

“The students were [brainwashed] by someone. When they asked the friends of the girls, those girls were strangely blank during the day. They didn’t even reply when talked to, other than their sudden entry into the battle election, it seemed there was also a lot of other unnatural speech and actions from them. Even if they were left alone, soon there will be the problem of people around them thinking [something is strange about their condition].”

Even if it was said to be brainwashing, it looks like it was not a perfect technique where it could deceive the eyes of the surrounding people.

Of course it was so, that Nyarlatoteph too, even though he made the former Headmaster Otonashi into his own pawn, a long period of time was needed.

If there was a convenient magic that could perfectly brainwash a great number of people for long periods of time continuously, this country would have been conquered already a long time ago.

“Also, do you remember about the assault incidents that occurred just before the battle election? According to the story that we heard from the brainwashed students, we know that those girls too were attacked in the interval of a few days just before the battle election and fell into magic intoxication.”

“You said that they were attacked just before the battle election, could that possibly mean…!”

“The assault incidents were not just three cases. The victims in those three cases had good luck and managed to escape so there were reports that reached the academy. However, the other victims were brainwashed without anyone knowing at all.”

And then the brainwashed students attended the school the following day normally and went to announce their candidacy for the battle election.

“In short, the success requirement for this brainwashing magic is [the target has to be in magic intoxication], right?”

Headmaster Amasaki said “Right” and nodded toward Kazuki’s hypothesis. “This is an eerie story, but the enemy’s brainwashing magic is not perfect and it’s also not something that could be completed so easily on their whim either.”

They were starting to see through the enemy’s circumstances little by little.

“With how imperfect the brainwashing is, that it couldn’t deceive the eyes of the surrounding people, then that means Board Chairman Takasugi and his backing, the politicians of the Kenshitou party are also not being brainwashed and manipulated.”

“Probably so. Probably they were hiding in this country and slowly blending in here as Japanese along with the passage of time and then they became politicians, possibly they are spies with ideology education performed on them without relying on brainwashing magic. Possibly in the period when magic was born in this world and Japan fell into pandemonium, perhaps China had started to move at that time. Even though Japan established the Knight Order, it took a considerable amount of time. But at that period, China changed into Chūkadou and settled their national policy with Taoism as their base so their efforts went smoothly.”

China, who managed to consolidate their nation slightly early, sent spies to Japan, who was still in a state of chaos at that time. The spies became politicians. Before long, they became a political power that put a stance of [Anti Magica Stigma] as their outward appearance, forming the [Kenshitou]. With former Headmaster Otonashi and his faction’s loss of standing as the impetus, their actions came to the surface….

“…What an out-of-there story.”

The impetus that made Kazuki into an orphan was also [Tokyo’s Great Destruction] by the illegal magicians, but the period of chaos after the birth of magic had been more than ten years ago from the present.

“Actually, an investigation regarding Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka, who have been confirmed as the perpetrators, also has been done.”

Those two were present at the location where Kazuki was attacked. But on top of the fact that they were not even captured red-handed, Kazuki’s eyewitness testimony was not recognized as proof.

With the birth of the concept that was known as magic, the power of <the testimony of victim> as proof decreased and was not as recognized if compared to the past. It was so that people were not easily tricked by magic that fooled the senses.

“Katsura Karin’s father was a former police officer. But he was killed in line of duty against an illegal magician during the period of chaos. Katsura Karin, who became an orphan, was taken into the custody of the Hayashi household, it was the encounter of those two.”

So it was a parentless family. Hearing the word orphan, a deep shadow fell inside Kazuki’s chest.

“There is a point of contact with China in the household of Hayashi. The mother was someone originating from China and went through naturalization into a Japanese citizen. …Of course I don’t mean that she is suspicious because she is a naturalized Japanese person. Liz Liza-sensei is also a naturalized Japanese citizen originating from England, but her service as a knight is without doubt.”

Even England or China, it didn’t change the fact that they were countries that had ceased diplomatic relations with Japan.

“Of course I understand that.”

With the ceasing of the diplomatic relations with foreign countries, the discrimination towards naturalized foreigner that lived in Japan became a social problem. Even Kazuki had the experiences of receiving slanders just because he was an orphan without any other reason, so he hated discrimination.

This was a problem with regards to Katsura Karin and Hayashi Shizuka as individuals.

“After that, both of them took the examination for the Knight Academy as swordsmen. They passed the exam due to their high physical ability. Their grades as swordsmen are in average degree and they reached until this point as inconspicuous students.”

After Katsura Karin came into the Hayashi household, it seems she learned Chinese Kenpo. Just like Kazuki, who was learning the Hayashizaki-style.

However, if what Eleonora said was true, Hayashi Shizuka’s figure often appeared in the disputed areas of China. She was an existence that was known secretly as <dangerous character> by every country’s intelligence agency.

No matter how he looked at it, her identity was fake. Even her age was suspicious, whether it was true if she really was in the same generation as him.

“Couldn’t we abort the finals itself? Although injuring Hikaru-senpai was not in violation of rules, it’s obvious that she overdid it, don’t you agree?”

“Regarding that case, I had called both of them, but she said [I intended to have a showy performance about the technique I have that can penetrate defensive magic power, but I overdid it completely. I didn’t intend to go that far], like that. On the contrary, she claimed that if they get the seat of student council president, they will add this technique into the curriculum and plan to raise the position of swordsman among other things.”

It was an argument that made him want to hold his head in frustration.

“Isn’t that actually a really great battle pledge…moreover it would gather a lot of votes too…”

“That’s why the finals with you cannot be avoided. But this might also become our best chance to catch the tail of those guys in this final battle. Hereafter the monitoring of those two will become even stricter. Those guys should perceive this final match as [their last chance to assassinate Hayashizaki Kazuki]. Your life and the seat of the Chief Student Council President, if they have to choose one of those two…those guys will aim for your life without doubt.”

Taking advantage of the match and killing the opponent. Those girls had the technique needed to make it happen.

“If they couldn’t kill you easily in the middle of the match, those guys would ignore the rules and might use their summoning magic. If that happens, those guys won’t have any excuse to fall back on anymore.”

“To risk my life until that far…it has to be like that in the end. Certainly if the situation develops like that, it would be really dangerous, but it might still be better than having this end without a definite conclusion. But, I’m the bait?”

This country still hadn’t recognized him, yet there was this gap when another country regarded him as dangerous as a King. Like this, he was just bait.

In the first place Beatrix called him a BasilleusKing or the like and that meant that in other countries there were also existences that were also called King? The existence that stood at the summit of the Mythology….

“Win through the finals as a King. This was supposed to be the requirement for your continuing living arrangement in the Witch’s Manor. All the same, if you can’t do at least this much, then I too won’t recognize that you are a King.”

Part 2

“””””Welcome home, Goshujin-sama!”””””

Kazuki, who went home from the headmaster’s office to the Witch’s Manor, was greeted with brilliant voices.

Kaguya-senpai, Hikaru-senpai, Mio, Lotte, Koyuki, the five people, everyone was wearing maid uniforms and welcomed Kazuki, who was called to the headmaster’s office and came home late. The Witch’s Manor―had become the Maid’s Manor.

“…What in the world is going on with this spectacle?”

Kaguya-senpai pulled the arm (gui-gui) of the wide eyed Kazuki repeatedly and led him to the living room. In the living room, cakes and a feast were spread out in a row as if it was someone’s birthday.

“You see, this is [Otouto-kun’s advance to the finals congratulation maid party]!”

“Party…that should be done after I get the overall victory though. No, if I say more it should be after the last voting is over that we celebrate.”

“When you get the overall victory, it’s fine if we party again. It’s great even if we do it a few times, right?”

Mio laughed cheerfully.

“This also doubles for a cheering party for you who is heading to the final match. …Kaguya-senpai said, the opponents in the final have some kind of shady history. …I can't really cooperate much but, I plan to work hard at the tidying up after this.”

Koyuki said so and displayed the table with her hand. The food lined up in a row were…broiled eel and rice, a full course of soft-shelled turtle, lever with oyster and garlic….

“It looks delicious, but…what a lineup that looks like it would wake up something different somehow even before the finals…”

“We always kept leaving the housework to Otouto-kun, but it’s fine if you do nothing until the finals while feeling like a master. We are the maids right now, not Otouto-kun!”

{Well, but this is quite a juncture right? My King has obtained all of the <keys of the heart> from the girls here, they are companions with whom you have tied bonds with. My King still hasn’t become able to use all of their magic, but it’s fine even if Leme says that you have succeeded in conquering all of them. Uh huh…so finally everyone of the Witch’s Manor are conquered! But My King still has a long way to go, your harem starts for real from here so don’t relax yet!}

Leme came telling such frightening things to Kazuki using telepathy.

Now that she said it, that was true. I…had finally conquered everyone in the Witch’s Manor!?

When he looked around, everyone was directing a gaze filled with affection at Kazuki that made him ticklish.

Right now, all of the warmth of the Witch’s Manor was changed into his strength. That truth granted Kazuki, who would challenge the finals after this, a hot and seething courage.

“Kazuki, use my [Ride Lightning] and take revenge for me okay!”

“Please take revenge for me too! It’s a promise desu♪”

Hikaru-senpai and Lotte were also jumping at him. Leme too materialized and raised her voice.

“Rather than that kind of thing, let’s immediately eat without delay, My King! The food is getting cold here!!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

After the full swing of the party, around the time when he was starting to make seasoned rice gruel from the remaining turtle hotpot, Leme came and was secretly sending words to Kazuki with telepathy.

{Come to think of it, there is one thing that I remember. King Solomon said regarding Leme’s power…it’s a power for the sake of releasing humans from theocracythe rule of god and let humans stand on their own feet.}

The age of gods and the age of humans….

What immediately came to Kazuki’s mind was about the encounter of humans and gods, the turning point of the era.

Fifteen years ago, humankind obtained the power of magic in their hand due to the philosopher's stone that was given birth by the mysterious alchemist and encountered Divas. At that time, the age of humans and science was replaced by the age of gods and magic….

{What is born from the connection between human and human, the power that makes humans as humans…without a doubt it was the bonds between them. For you to follow the same path as king Solomon, Leme feels very happy right now.}

―Beatrix said that she fought with god’s will as her foundation.

―I am always fighting for the sake of protecting my important people.

Inside the party that was overflowing with warmth, Kazuki embraced the bonds that he found by himself inside his chest, he once again ascertained his own feelings inside him that he wouldn’t waver anymore for sure.

Afterword

Merry Christmas! Hello again after three months, this is Santa Mihara. The release date is January, but presently I’m writing this afterword when the calendar is still the twelfth month, the December.

Even though it’s Christmas, for the sake of passing the New Year calmly the December has turned into a scene of carnage, a really terrible work phenomenon. This is the birthday of Christ-san that had become sacrifice so vividly.

The master is running around too, so the editor too is in the situation where he ran around frantically, a novice like me too had to run around too. When writing [Shoukan Maou], it’s not [Basilleus] but [Run! Yosh!] read with that kind of vigor. “Run!” was said by the editor, and then “Yosh!” was said by me, the editor had seen through me “Why you don’t have any plan for Christmas?” and there was that kind of feeling, its sad. Yes, I will run no matter where.

That kind of me and editor-san take each other’s hand and connected together in the Christmas, like this a spirited Magika’s fourth volume is born with a ‘GYAAA’. What is a little bit heavy is the miracle of the holy night. It’s the feel of Magika no Kenshi and the Christmas isn’t it?

That reminds me, looking back I was spending the night together with the editor-san at the Christmas four years ago too. That time too was like this the January publication was in waiting and got swallowed in the Christmas, at the very day of the Christmas Eve I got summoned, boarded the last train and headed to the publisher-san. That time I thought of the atmosphere and bought a cake together with me and when I invite him to “Let’s eat this together♡”, “It’s revolting so no thanks” he replied with an absolute zero tone that would make even Koyuki jump in surprise, I did my work while I ate the cake alone silently in a confinement so I could concentrate on the work, the work was finished after three hours. It was a time where the first train of the day still didn’t move yet, but I was driven out with “Thanks for your hard work”, I was loitering in Shibuya after that….

This year too it might also become a Christmas Eve that I spend together with my editor-san…I have a slight expectation.

<The current 18th December>

I have the feeling that the industry of light novel and Christmas has bad chemistry with each other so I’ll move to the thanks.

At the first half of the afterword I pointlessly emphasized the love with my editor-san too much, but for CHuN-san to draw the wonderful illustrations in the middle of your busy schedule, thank you very much! This front cover’s…the angel of the high legs that’s slightly from the bottom as if it could be peeked, it’s already the current craze of high leg without needing any sound source of high leg front cover, or perhaps I should say…this is the miracle of the holy night. When you turned the page what come out next is cheerleaders! Necktie girls! I want CHuN-san to keep being the one that draw the illustration no matter how many dozens or hundreds of volume this series is continuing…There is no way I could avert my eyes and not wishing for that after he had become the one in charge for the illustration in my own writing.

Again the comic version by Monrin-san is still in the middle of serialization in Comic Alive! When I see the manga, the characters rapid change in expression are cute, I can see the magic Dress from various angles as if licking it, the scene of the Summoning Magic too have a great impact, with that many points worthy of note, even I as the original author am looking forward for it every month!

And then of course to everyone of the reader, thank you very much that you all have read until this far! Please treat me well too in the fifth book where with a fierce fighting as the beginning we are going to enter a stormy development! Mihara Mitsuki

Translator's Notes & References

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