Chapter 73

The school festival project has begun. First, everyone was gathered in the hall where all the students could assemble, and Prince announced the details of the event. Despite the unprecedented nature of the event, there was some restlessness, but things proceeded smoothly.

The students of Solos are primarily focused on the martial arts competition, so they were not particularly confused and were enthusiastic. The issue was with the students of Alerios and Laraios, who had not participated before. However, thanks to the thorough explanations provided by Prince, Magilka, and the Grandmasters, their willingness to participate gradually increased.

Now, I was in the Alerios discussion room. Of course, it was to discuss participation in the school festival.

“So, what exactly do we need to do?”

Magilka stood in front of everyone, and for some reason, I was standing slightly behind her.

(Well, it’s only natural that I, who initiated this, should come up with specific ideas. But why does everyone look at me as if it’s a given that I should be standing here? Don’t they find it strange? Hmm, I can’t understand.)

“First, we need to divide into those who will perform and those who will manage the event. Please think carefully and choose what you can do.”

When Magilka answered someone’s question, everyone started chatting with their preferred people. Occasionally, she answered questions about what management entailed and what kind of performances were suitable, and the conversation continued in a casual manner.

“You don’t need to think too hard about it. For performances, you can showcase the magic you’ve learned so far, or present your research in magic or alchemy. Think of it as an extension of what you’ve studied.”

Because everyone was overthinking the need to present something entirely new or to show a magic trick that would surprise everyone, I suggested something more straightforward. As a result, things progressed quickly.

(Phew, that was close. They were almost heading down the path of creating an original recipe for a simple omelet and then spectacularly failing. I wonder if the other classes are okay?)

Later, I would see the results of my concerns in the form of application forms.

“Display a group battle with magical beasts. It’s a monster that anyone can see is vicious, and there’s no way to win. Please somehow make it possible to win. No, no, no, that’s not a fairy tale!”

After class, in the old school building’s discussion room, which had become the school festival office, Magilka, who was seething with anger, slammed the application form on the table. I watched her with a sigh, thinking, “Oh dear.”

I had tried to set a precedent, but it seemed that several application forms were overtly showing the nobles’ desire to satisfy their own vanity, which had pushed Magilka to her boiling point. This was not only a problem in Alerios but also in other classes, and the applications were being rejected or requested for resubmission.

In the midst of this, Prince approached the seats where we were sitting, looking apologetic.

“I’m sorry to ask this while you’re dealing with unreasonable applications, but could I ask for one more fairy tale?”

Prince sat down in an empty seat and called for Zaha and Safina. Magilka, who had used the phrase “fairy tale,” looked uncomfortable and bowed her head. Was he going to make such an unreasonable request? Prince began speaking once everyone was gathered.

“Regarding the martial arts competition, when the final tournament starts, there’s something I want you to do.”

Prince paused to look at all of us, and I felt a bad premonition and involuntarily held my breath.

“I want you to perform a mock battle with two swordsmen and two mages, two against two.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand what Prince was saying and showed a blank expression, then quickly looked down to hide it.

“Your Highness, do you mean a tag team battle of ‘swordsman and mage’ against ‘swordsman and mage’?”

Magilka, who quickly understood, asked on behalf of everyone. Prince nodded quietly.

“Yes, the students of Alerios are learning offensive magic, but they don’t use it in person-to-person combat in this school.”

“Well, Your Highness, magic has no difference in power, and there is a clear hierarchy, so it may not be suitable for a mock battle.”

“But with the addition of swordsmen, it might be different, right?”

Zaha supported Magilka’s comment on Prince’s proposal.

“In other words, Your Highness wants to show a joint battle between Alerios and Solos to the audience.”

“Yes, magic and swordsmanship are also the military power of our country. I want the students to experience the possibility of combining these two at this stage. I want you to demonstrate a mock battle in front of everyone to provide a hint for the future martial arts competition. It’s unprecedented, but I want you to do it.”

As Prince spoke seriously, everyone fell silent and began to think. I didn’t want to stand out, so I wanted to decline, but I couldn’t refuse Prince’s proposal. Besides, it’s just a demonstration, so it’s not a big deal if we lose. However, if I could decline, that would be better.

“A joint battle between Alerios and Solos... That does sound interesting.”

“I’m getting excited.”

Seeing the enthusiastic class masters and Safina, who looked pale and was looking at me with a desperate expression, I felt a bit guilty.

“Alright, let’s start dividing into teams.”

“Wait, it’s not decided yet.”

As Zaha tried to move things forward, I couldn’t help but object, and in the next moment, I looked at Prince with a “I messed up” expression.

“Miss Mary, are you against it?”

“N-no, not at all. I just thought I might not be up to such a big task. There might be someone more suitable.”

“If there is someone better than the White Princess and the Silver Knight, I would like to know.”

“Huh!”

Magilka, with a mischievous smile, made me speechless.

“A-ah, Safina, where do you want to go?”

In a desperate attempt to involve Safina, I called her, and she looked as if she was about to faint from the pressure of everyone’s gaze.

(Ah, sorry. I shouldn’t have thrown her into this pressure.)

“I... I will follow Miss Mary.”

She said this with great effort, looking down and waiting for the result. All eyes were on me.

“Alright, I’ll participate.”

I raised the white flag and said this, hanging my head.

“It’s decided. For the teams, let’s have ‘me, Magilka, and Safina’ against ‘Miss Mary.’”

“Hey, it’s a tag team battle. Why am I alone?”

I couldn’t help but point out the unfairness of Zaha’s team division, which seemed so natural.

“Well, the power balance doesn’t look good. Miss Mary, you can do both magic and swordsmanship, so it’s easy for you to handle two roles.”

“I’m not that good. Anyway, I want to team up with Safina. I won’t let her go! I have no intention of teaming up with someone as foolish as you.”

“Haha, Miss Mary, you said before that calling someone foolish makes you foolish, hahaha.”

“Ugh... I absolutely won’t team up with you! If you apologize and cry on the day, I won’t forgive you. I’ll beat you up until you’re a mess.”

Inspired by Zaha’s comment, I forcibly brought Safina into my team and declared a full-scale beatdown while hugging her, who was frozen in shock.

Magilka, who was watching the silly argument with a sigh, was being calmed by Prince, but I was too busy hugging Safina to avoid being alone.

Thank you for reading this far.