“Uh, um, I drew lots for my duel opponent, and Bella was picked…”
“Hm…”
Should I call this an opportunity or not? I pondered as I looked down at Elisa, who was struggling to string together a coherent sentence.
Honestly, I felt a bit, no, very anxious.
I knew that Elisa had exceptional magical skills, but Bella was no slouch either. Also, since she was likely influenced by the outsider, I had no idea how she would attack.
Moreover, Bella clearly harbored ill feelings toward Elisa. Where that stemmed from, I didn’t know, but every time I caught a glimpse of Bella, there was an unmistakable mix of venom and jealousy in her eyes.
“Elisa. It’s too dangerous, so please request to change your duel opponent if possible.”
“…Johann, I want to be of help.”
Her surprisingly firm voice took me by surprise. The determination in her eyes told me she wouldn’t change her mind no matter what I said. So all I could do was prepare for the worst.
“Alright. If that’s your wish, I won’t stop you. But… take Rue with you. It’s better than being alone.”
[Huh? Me?]
“You need to protect Elisa. If something strange happens, just throw yourself at it or become a meat shield or something.”
[What? This is unfair! Say no to unfairness!]
“Five-hour walk.”
[Just trust me! I’ll block everything that the ballet dancer throws at us!]
“Just block any suspicious attacks. Try not to interfere too much in the duel.”
Rue and I successfully negotiated an agreement.
“Rue will protect you. I’ll keep an eye on your duel, so you have to approach it like usual. If Bella notices any awkwardness, things could get messy. Understood?”
“Y-yes…”
“Thank you. For helping me.”
I felt a bit anxious, but if we mobilized all available measures, I should be able to keep Elisa safe. I wanted to avoid anyone getting hurt as much as possible, but… who knows if that’s actually possible.
Still, I should be able to create at least minimal defenses.
And just in time, I had somewhat figured out how to use that item.
“Well then, have a good weekend.”
“W-where are you going?”
“I’m planning to stay holed up in the workshop all weekend. I need to be prepared on this side too.”
“Isn’t there anything I can help with…?”
“Hm… I don’t think you need to help.”
“W-well, good luck then…”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
I patted Elisa’s shoulder a few times and opened the door.
————————
“I’ve placed the security forces all over the dueling arena. As soon as I send a signal, if any suspicious activity is detected, we’ll evacuate the students…”
Principal Merlin trailed off, squeezing his eyes shut. His expression made it clear that he found it terrifying to continue. I quietly waited for him to gather the courage to continue speaking.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Merlin finally continued.
“…If something happens, prioritize subduing them, and if that’s difficult… some injury is unavoidable. In the worst-case scenario…”
Merlin closed his mouth as if he couldn’t bring himself to say it. However, that alone was enough for me to understand his message, so I silently nodded in response.
Merlin’s gaze shifted away from me, filled with complexity, as he walked up to the reserved seat above the spectator stand. Standing at the front with me would draw too much attention.
Just my presence would be attention enough, but at least I had the excuse of coming to watch Elisa.
I stared blankly at the duel arena, fiddling with the necklace hanging on my neck.
A necklace I had poured my heart and soul into creating over the last two days. I felt the emptiness of my waist and took a spot in front of the spectator stand.
It was a position where I could leap out at any moment if something happened.
“Johann, are you here to see Elisa?”
Spying me from afar, Shuri approached with a cheerful greeting. I nodded in response to Shuri’s question and looked back at the duel arena.
“Shuri. Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for the duel?”
“I’m the last in line, so I’ll be going in the next class!”
“I see…”
Since duels typically took longer when participants were of similar skill level, even ten minutes a group could easily consume most of the class time with six groups battling it out.
So it seemed that Shuri’s group, being the last, would be holding their duel in the next class two days later.
“All of my friends bet on Elisa winning!”
“Seems like many are rooting for her.”
“Because Elisa is kind, you know?”
Indeed, aside from her shyness, she was definitely someone with no shortcomings, and it was understandable why she was popular. She was beautiful, had a great figure, and was intelligent.
Her lineage might be a stumbling block, but unless someone drew blood to check or used a witch’s magic, it was unlikely to be discovered.
And besides, both Karina and I were here to cover for her.
With Karina and me getting some hero treatment, there certainly wouldn’t be anyone foolish enough to try and harm Elisa. If worse came to worst, I was sure Principal Merlin would have her back as well, so I felt reassured on that front.
…But still, the most dangerous aspect was that alien mana, the energy of the outsider potentially harming Elisa… Fortunately, I had prepared for that as well, so I should be able to cover for her.
I had even purposely kept Rue close for this reason.
I wondered how long I had been waiting.
At the entrance to the duel arena, a middle-aged bald man—or rather, a man with a moustache—emerged, stroking his facial hair.
“Ah, I’ll be going then!”
Grabbing hold of the railing, Shuri easily jumped over and dashed towards where the students were gathered.
As expected of a beastkin, her physical ability is impressive.
“As mentioned earlier, we will be conducting a magic combat duel today.”
He surveyed the magic department students gathered in front of the duel arena, shaking his lush moustache back and forth before opening his mouth again.
“I’ll start by taking attendance. Martina.”
“Here.”
“Shuri.”
“Yes!”
The usual attendance call of any class followed. I focused on Bella, standing at the far back corner among the orderly lines of students.
“…As expected.”
Once a villain, always a villain?
I thought as I looked at Bella’s pale face. From her complexion, it seemed like she could be carted away at any moment, but Bella kept smiling brightly as she whispered something to herself.
I wanted to eavesdrop, but unfortunately, the distance between us was quite considerable.
For now, once the duel between Elisa began, Rue would relay the information, so it was better to put that aside for now.
“I’ll announce before starting the duel! I urge all to avoid excessive lethal force!”
“Yes!”
“Then, starting from now, we will begin the magic combat dueling as previously decided last week! First pair! Step forward!”
As soon as the professor’s moustache waved dramatically, two students at the front stepped forward. Both were boys whose names I didn’t know.
“Stand facing each other! And greet each other!”
“Nice to meet you!”
Looks like it’s going to be a boring wait for a while.
I crossed my arms, watching the two boys cast their incantations.
——————-
‘Y-Yohann is watching…’
Elisa fidgeted nervously, glancing at her fingers. If it were an ordinary duel, she might have had a comfortable outcome, but she couldn’t afford that in front of Johann.
She couldn’t show any ugly sides in front of someone she liked.
‘I-I have to win!’
Only then could she stand proudly in front of Johann. With determination, she waited in a corner where no one could see her, wishing for her name to be called.
“Finally! Elisa! Bella! Step forward!”
At the professor’s booming voice, the crowd’s attention shifted to the two girls.
“Wow, both are beauties…”
“One looks fierce, while the other looks innocent…”
“I’m into the purple-haired one; maybe I should make a move…”
“Not a chance! Who’d date a loser like you?”
“What the heck?”
Ignoring the commotion from the sidelines, the two magic duelists stood facing each other at either end of the spacious duel arena. Their gazes met and then broke.
Elisa looked puzzled at Bella’s unusual behavior, noting how she was avoiding eye contact.
‘S-Something’s different about her…’
What could it be?
Could it be the suspicious energy Johann mentioned?
Questions bloomed in her mind, but she had no time to ponder as the professor’s voice echoed.
“Both of you! Greet each other!”
“E-Everyone… nice to meet you…!”
“…Die.”
Chills ran down Elisa’s spine. She gasped, shocked by Bella’s voice, which was nothing like her usual tone.
I’m scared.
I want to run away.
I have to escape!
Instinct was whispering to her.
To survive, she needed to throw away her dignity, honor, and everything else, and just flee.
But Elisa glared at Bella, refusing to budge even an inch.
‘I can’t be a coward in front of Johann…!’
She reformed her resolution and awakened her magical power throughout her body.
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