Chapter 76

So, it was decided that we would face off against the former class masters.

The result was our defeat. Well, I surrendered almost immediately...

I was preoccupied with trying to cast a second-level spell from behind Safina, and Safina was so focused on protecting me that we failed to communicate effectively. When Senior Alice cast an attack spell at Safina, she dodged to the right, and I dodged to the left, leaving me wide open. Senior Karlis then lunged at me. I was too fixated on using magic to react in time, and Safina, trying to protect me, was held back by Senior Alice's spell.

As a result, we ended up just floundering and accomplishing nothing.

"Hmm... It was even more anticlimactic than I thought it would be."

Senior Karlis sheathed his sword with a look of disappointment.

(I couldn't do anything. In a tag team battle, you can't just think about yourself. We need to communicate better.)

I experienced my first tag team battle and couldn't help but groan at its difficulty.

"I'm sorry, Mary-sama. If I had protected you better, we might have done better."

Safina came to me, looking dejected like a dog with its tail and ears drooping, and apologized.

"No, it's not your fault, Safina. This is a tag team battle, so I also have responsibility."

"Yeah, that's right. First, you two need to work on coordinating better."

As I supported Safina, Senior Karlis offered some advice.

"Coordination? Sometimes, the seniors didn't seem to be consulting each other, yet they worked well together. How did they do that?"

"Of course, it's because Alice and I are in love, hehe—"

Before Senior Karlis could finish his strange declaration, Senior Alice, with a very cheerful smile, hit him on the head with her rod from behind.

"Let's cut the jokes. If Safina is going to protect Mary-sama while moving, you two need to communicate and synchronize better."

Sighing, Senior Karlis rubbed his head as Senior Alice came over to us.

"Communication and synchronization, huh?"

The word 'synchronization rate' came to mind, and I recalled a certain humanoid combat anime I watched in my past life.

"Understood, we'll give it a try."

"That's great. It seems I was able to help a little. I look forward to seeing you next time."

Senior Karlis gave us a thumbs up with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.

"Thank you, seniors."

Despite everything, I was grateful to the seniors who had helped us, and I realized that having seniors on your side is a great asset. However, the seniors then made a problematic statement as they prepared to leave.

"Alright, next we're going to Magilka and Zach's place!"

"Wh-What? Senpai, you were supposed to help us!"

I couldn't help but stop them and ask.

"Huh? Of course, I'll help. To keep things fair."

Senior Karlis answered with a sunny smile, and I could only nod in agreement, though I couldn't help but laugh dryly. The seniors then left the room, leaving me behind.

"By the way... Wasn't Senior Karlis here to discuss security with Mary-sama?"

"Oh, right. What was he even here for? He lost sight of his purpose!"

Safina, who had been left behind, suddenly remembered and I, recalling our original purpose, raised my voice.

Later.

I was determined to improve my synchronization rate with Safina and started training right away.

(But how do I improve our synchronization rate? In that anime, the protagonist and the returnee improved their synchronization by moving in sync with music. Alright!)

"Alright, Safina, let's dance!"

"Huh?"

My sudden suggestion made Safina let out an uncharacteristic exclamation.

"Ahem... Miss, you're jumping to conclusions. Don't get carried away in your own head."

After Tütte's comment, I finally realized what I was saying and cleared my throat to start over.

"To improve our synchronization, let's move in perfect sync with music. Let's give it a try."

"Yes, Miss."

Safina agreed, tilting her head, and we stood side by side in the private training room.

"Since there's no music, Tütte, can you clap for us?"

"Sure."

"Um, what kind of dance are we doing? I only know the ballroom dance I learned in class."

As Tütte agreed and prepared to clap, Safina revealed her limited repertoire.

To be honest, I had never danced in my past life, and in this life, I only learned ballroom dance as part of my lady's education.

"Let's go with that."

Safina and I stood side by side, assuming the ballroom dance position.

Since ballroom dance usually involves a partner, we pretended to dance with an imaginary partner.

"Alright, let's go. One, two, three, go!"

To the rhythm of Tütte's clapping, Safina and I danced gracefully side by side.

We danced.

We danced.

We danced.

Until...

"This isn't what I expected!"

I clutched my head and writhed in frustration.

"Miss, from an outsider's perspective, this just looks like ballroom dance practice. If this improves your synchronization, you would have already improved during class."

"You're right. I realized halfway through that it wasn't much different from class."

(Obviously, half-baked knowledge without understanding the essence doesn't work.)

"Then, how about we spend all our time together to improve our synchronization?"

"Um... That's impossible since we're in different classes, isn't it?"

Safina's suggestion quickly put my next idea to rest.

"What do we do? What do we do?"

"Miss! Please, don't shake me!"

I grabbed Tütte's shoulder and shook her, and Tütte, with her head bobbing, protested.

"Um... Mary-sama, if I may, how about using 'Transmit Magic'?"

"Huh?"

Hearing Safina's hesitant suggestion, I stopped shaking Tütte and looked at her with Tütte.

"Transmit Magic, the spell that allows two people to communicate no matter how far apart they are?"

"Yes, that's right."

Safina nodded happily in response to my confirming question.

"Miss... You forgot about such a convenient spell."

As I wiped sweat from my forehead and looked at Tütte, she glared at me with a half-lidded gaze from close range.

(I was so caught up in my past life knowledge that I completely forgot about magic.)

"Th-That's not true..."

My voice grew smaller as I succumbed to Tütte's pressure and averted my eyes.

"..."

"I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

Unable to bear Tütte's silence, I confessed and apologized. Tütte then stepped back and returned to her usual gentle self.

"Still, Safina, you knew about that. Did you research it?"

Taking a deep breath, I asked Safina.

"No, I saw the seniors use it, and we learned about it in class. But Mary-sama is amazing. You're not bound by convention and are always exploring new methods. I admire you."

Safina, unaware of the truth, looked at me with sparkling eyes, and I averted my gaze again.

(But now we have a way to communicate without others knowing. Let's consider this a step forward.)

I tried to stay positive and forced myself to be optimistic about the progress we had made.

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