Chapter 20

"Whew..."

Charlotte let out a pitiful sound, splashing on the ground.

Suddenly freed from the fear of death, she felt a wave of relief, but her brakes had failed.

(What do I do!!)

It's my fault.

Luisha deeply regretted that it was because of her that Charlotte ended up in this situation.

She couldn't be seen by others nearby, but if this continued, someone would notice.

If that happened... Charlotte would be the subject of endless gossip at the school.

"Bed-wetting Hero," "Incontinent Hero"—she might be called something like that.

If Charlotte had kept her wits about her, there might have been a way to handle the situation, but she was in a daze from the shock of having an accident in front of a crowd.

(Now, I have to do something...!)

Realizing this, Luisha quickly began to construct a spell. It was one of the dark magic spells taught directly by the Demon King Testarossa.

"Dark Magic, 'Dark Curtain'!"

As Luisha chanted, a massive black square space appeared, enveloping Luisha and Charlotte.

"What, what is that!?"

The audience was confused, but no one approached the mysterious magic.

Thus, no one knew what was happening inside.

In that space, Charlotte regained her senses.

"Huh? W-What!? Why is everything so dark!?"

Despite being surrounded by black walls, the inside of the Dark Curtain was bright.

Not only that, but the cheers and wind sounds that had been loud a moment ago were completely gone.

"Don't worry, I just separated us from the outside world with my magic."

Luisha gently spoke to Charlotte, who was trembling from the sudden situation, trying to calm her down.

"Separated from the outside world? I've never heard of such a spell... but it's not surprising that you can use it."

Charlotte said, seemingly convinced. She seemed to have grown tired of being surprised.

"Wait a moment. I'll dry you now."

Luisha combined wind and fire magic to create warm air and began drying Charlotte's wet clothes.

"Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you doing!?"

Charlotte wanted to shout, "Stop it!" but she couldn't reject Luisha's kind gesture, so she swallowed her words.

Instead, her face turned bright red, and she teared up, but Luisha, focused on the drying task, didn't notice.

"Okay, now I just need to use magic to eliminate the smell... Yes, all clean now!"

"Thank you, I'm so relieved..."

Charlotte, on the verge of tears from embarrassment, tried to hide it and thanked Luisha.

Seeing her like this, Luisha decided she was fine and tried to dispel the Dark Curtain, but Charlotte stopped her.

"Wait! Why are you doing all this for me? After what I did to you?"

In response to Charlotte's question, Luisha answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Because it's only right to help someone in trouble, isn't it?"

Hearing those words, Charlotte felt a shock as if struck by lightning.

Indeed, helping someone in trouble was a natural thing for her, but she had been jealous of Luisha's grades and had tried to hold her back instead of helping her.

Luisha wasn't a villain or anything; she was supposed to be a hero who should help the people.

"Hehe, I'm completely defeated."

Realizing she had lost not only in strength but also in heart, Charlotte felt a strange sense of clarity.

In fact, having Luisha as a goal to surpass made her feel stronger than before.

"Let me apologize for my rudeness earlier, I'm sorry."

Charlotte bowed her head.

"You, I mean Luisha, you are stronger than me. In every way."

"Me? No, I'm still far from it. But Charlotte, you were really strong too!"

The two complimented each other, their faces turning red with embarrassment.

An unexpectedly warm atmosphere filled the air, unlike the duel they had just had.

"Then, I'll dispel this magic now."

"Okay."

As Luisha dispelled the magic, the Dark Curtain crumbled away.

Watching it, Charlotte said softly,

"W-Well, close friends call me 'Sharo.'"

"Huh? Really?"

Luisha, not understanding the meaning, tilted her head.

Charlotte, blushing, continued,

"S-So, L-Lu... 'Lu' can call me that too!"

Realizing the meaning of her words, Luisha said with a slight blush,

"Sure, nice to meet you, Sharo!"