Vol 4 Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The Second Key

“––You look a little better now.” Julis said, as soon as she took a look, to Ayato who just entered the waiting room.

It was the day of the quarterfinals.

“Well, somehow, thanks to you.”

“Does it mean that you have strengthened your resolve?”

Catching Julis’ surveying look… Ayato slowly nodded.

“Yeah. I have decided. I will look for Nee-san. ––For that… Borrowing the Integrated Enterprise Foundation’s power is the fastest way.”

“…I see.” Julis joyfully smiled.

Immediately after that she tightened her expression and opened a space window.

“Then. We must first win today’s match.”

When Julis operated the portable terminal, which she held in her hand, a pair of a boy and a girl, who looked very much alike, were projected there. It was the opponents that they would confront a few hours from now; The Li siblings.

“There are two trends, which can be grasped from the past data. First, those twins only aim at their opponent’s weakness thoroughly, –– in other words, they take the strategy that their opponents will dislike the most. Of course, you may say that it’s the basics of a fight in its own right, but I think… that even such a thing is secondary to them.”

“When you say ‘secondary’, do you mean that for them, there is something more important than that?”

As Ayato asked about it Julis frowned in displeasure.

“Probably. From my opinion the technique those twins regard as most pleasant, is to torment their opponents.”

“Torment. Huh…”

Certainly, even from Ayato’s perspective, there was the impression that the twins loved to torment their opponents more than necessary.

“For them… Even winning is also probably something secondary. Well, in one word, they are ‘sadists’ drunk with power.”

“…It’s not much the type you want to get along with.”

“You're quite right. And there is another trend –– these twins never act rashly. They create an absolutely advantageous situation for themselves and they only begin their offensive after ensuring a safety zone. Although they are reputed to be very prudent, one can only see that they are mean cowards who are afraid to get themselves hurt.”

Julis seemed to be somewhat amazed while saying these words.

In fact, with Julis’ character and creed, it was an opponent whom she could never become compatible with.

“Even so, there is no doubt that those twins’ ability is the real thing. In addition, they are extremely clever in making good use of strategy. The essence of their strength doesn’t come from the height of their technique in Star Senjutsu but probably from their, unique to them, combination of ability and strategy composition.”

“Come to think of it… Song-san and Luo-san has also said that.”

“Yeah. Those two’s words are probably right. In a battle to iron out a plan… I’m probably no match for those twins.” Julis frankly admitted.

Even if Julis’ tactics could directly aim at the opponents during their unguarded moments they still could not entrap them. That was something purely based on their particular character so, and on that point, it could not be helped that she was no match for the twins.

“However, for only this time, we also have some advantageous points.” Julis broadly grinned.

“Advantageous points?”

“Yeah. If the twins use the specific strategy of aiming at their opponents’ obvious weaknesses, this time, won’t it be extremely easy for us to know their aim?”

“Ah!” Ayato clapped his hands.

“…My seal. Huh.”

“Yeah. To be more precise, the twins will aim at the limit. For them, there is no more desirable weakness than this. In that case, naturally, we may expect the strategy that they will come up with.”

“––Time-buying.” At Ayato’s words, Julis nodded.

“Most likely. Well, with that in mind, what kind of measures we will take is the problem, but ideally speaking, instantly bringing them down by applying a swift attack would be best. If we can first defeat even one of them… The match would be almost decided.”

However, even while saying so, Julis shrugged her shoulders.

“That said, honestly, this will be difficult. There is no doubt that the twins will take counter-measures of some sort. They will certainly be on guard.”

“I guess…”

Someone who used a plan, always first began by calculating the opponent’s movement. In this case, the twins should first assume that an opponent with a time limit would attempt to setup a swift attack. There was no way that they would not undertake counter-measures.

“There. Regarding what to do…” Julis somehow lowered the volume of her voice and explained her strategy.

“…I see.”

“It’s not a bad idea. Is it? I mean, honestly, I wouldn’t be lying if I said that it was the best I could come up with.”

“No, even I don’t think that I can come up with a better strategy. Let's go with this.”

He lightly simulated it in his head and the result was excellent. If he had to say something, it was that the timing of the finish was difficult, but it was already a usual thing and it was too late to be concerned about it.

“Hmm. I see, then, let’s work out the details based on this premise.” Julis said so with a somewhat relieved face.

---

『"Now, now, I guess everyone has been waiting long for this! At last… The quarterfinal match is about to begin even in this Sirius Dome! First, from the east gate, the ones making their appearance are the Seidoukan pair Amagiri Ayato/Julis-Alexia van Riessfeld! And then on the other side! From the west gate is the entrance of the World Dragon Seventh Institute pair Li ShenYun/Li ShenHua!"』

『"Oddly, like in the fifth round, it is also a Seidoukan vs. World Dragon match."』

『"That's right! Still, all the matches are already over in other stages, and among the best four, up to three frames have already been decided! And now, which pair is to fill the last frame?"』

While the earsplitting great cheers, which increased in volume, almost to a level that drowned out the voice's of the commentator and reporter, resounded as Ayato and Julis slowly stepped into the arena.

“…It feels like the voltage is at its climax.”

“This Phoenix will soon reach the final stage. After all. They're probably fired up just by watching.” Julis said curtly.

As she put a hand on her waist and looked at Ayato with a sidelong glance.

“More importantly… Sasamiya and Toudou have safely won through. We can’t afford to stumble in here.”

As the commentator said the other quarterfinal matches were all already over; Saya and Kirin had safely advanced to the semifinal. Ayato and Julis had seen their match broadcasting in the waiting room; including the other matches, one might say that it was indeed the expected results.

The members of the best four that had currently been decided were Saya/Kirin of Seidoukan Academy, the True Knights duo of St. Garrardsworth Academy and –– the autonomy type puppets pair, Ardi and Rimsi of Allekant Academy.

“––I know. I’m fired up.”

Ayato strongly grasped Ser-Versta's activation body and answered so.

"That’s right. I can’t afford to stumble in a place like this…!"

“…Is that so? Then it’s fine, but, don’t be fired up more than necessary.”

Julis observed Ayato with a slightly dubious face but she immediately turned her gaze forward.

The twins of World Dragon were coming over in their direction.

“Nice to meet you. Gruene RosePetalblaze Witch and Murakumo. I am Li ShenYun.”

“I am Li ShenHua. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

The two greeted so with a light smile on their faces.

At any rate, looking at them up close like this, they surprisingly truly looked so much alike. Because World Dragon’s uniform was loose, and their body’s lines could not be seen, one could tell them apart only with the chignon on ShenHua’s head.

“…What the heck do you want?”

On the other hand. Julis briefly replied without concealing her wariness.

“No. We thought that we should apologize just in case.”

“Apologize? You say?”

“Yes, the other day, our peers seemed to have displayed a shameless match…”

“And as disciples of the same master… we are just ashamed.”

The twins talked as ShenHua, without any pause, took over from ShenYun’s words.

“Peers… Are you talking about Song and Luo?”

“I don’t think that those two were cowardly though.”

As Ayato turned his gaze ShenYun exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

“No, no, we would be troubled if the