Chapter 40

This is the beginning of Chapter Three.

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

We had been enrolled in the magic academy for a year already.

In the lecture hall illuminated by the light of magic, a large number of new students were chatting with each other.

The opening ceremony, which I hadn't seen since last spring, seemed to have fewer people, perhaps due to the incident that happened back then, or maybe it was just a coincidence.

Since then, there have been no attacks by the demon race, and our school life has been peaceful.

Amu, whose written test scores had gradually dropped, managed to get back on track thanks to Eifa's study group, and we all advanced to the second year.

So, today is the opening ceremony.

This year, we are here as returning students.

Amu, Eifa, and I were allowed to attend as outstanding students of the second year in the elementary department.

"Amu-chan, this is delicious."

"Really? I'll have one then."

Both of them seemed relaxed and were enjoying the ceremony.

Last year, we were so nervous, and there was a demon attack halfway through. There was no time to properly enjoy the food.

The shikigami of the entire school are on the lookout, but there are no signs of assassins this year. It's a relief that everything seems to be going smoothly.

The performances are almost over, and the ceremony will end once the socializing time is over.

Personally, I'm full and would like to go home soon...

"Seika Lamproug."

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me.

I turned around.

There stood an old man with a slender, tall figure.

His bony frame and sharp features were prominent. His hair, all white and neatly combed back, contrasted with his straight posture, which didn't betray his age.

I blinked. This is the vice-principal of the school, whom I only see on such occasions.

I thought he had left after giving his speech at the beginning of the ceremony...

Before I could say anything, the vice-principal looked down at me with an unreadable expression and spoke.

"Come to the principal's office with Eifa tomorrow evening."

With that, he turned and left.

I furrowed my brow. What's this about?

"Is something wrong?"

Amu, holding a plate, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"It seems we've been called. Probably by the principal."

"Hmm...? I've never seen the principal before."

Me neither.

In the school, of course, and even at such ceremonies, all the greetings are handled by the vice-principal. I haven't seen the principal at this year's or last year's opening ceremony.

I thought the principal was just a name on the imperial officials' list, but maybe not?

"But, being called like this doesn't sound good. Is it a warning to drop out?"

"Don't jinx it like the weather forecast. Besides, Eifa is coming too."

Joking aside, what could it be?

I don't have any particular reason to be called...

I had a strange feeling, though.

****

The next evening.

After classes ended, Eifa and I, who looked nervous, arrived at the principal's office on the top floor of the main building.

"Excuse us."

We knocked and entered.

The room was elegantly decorated and had a calm atmosphere.

Two people were waiting inside.

One was the vice-principal with his slender, tall figure.

The other was an elderly woman.

She had a prominent nose and a hooked nose, a typical witch-like appearance, but what was most distinctive was her small stature, which was noticeable even from her seated position in front of the luxurious desk.

She was probably the smallest person in the school.

I could feel Eifa holding her breath beside me.

"Thank you for coming, Lamproug."

The old woman spoke in a raspy voice that matched her appearance.

Her eyes narrowed.

"I must say, I'm surprised. I expected a talent-drunken brat, but you seem rather composed."

"Thank you. I was also surprised. I didn't expect the principal of the Imperial Magic Academy to be a demi-human."

I recognized her from books, but there was no mistake.

She was small and stocky. The principal must be a dwarf.

The small old woman twisted her lips.

"I don't like that term. We are not a race below humans. We might as well be called demons."

Indeed, dwarves are technically part of the demon race.

However, they are not enemies of humans.

During the great war in the past, some races that were originally friendly to humans, such as dwarves and forest people, broke away from the demon coalition and declared neutrality by forming a new community.

Initially, there were conflicts, but now they are a valuable presence that interacts with both humans and demons. Their territory is located between the demon and imperial territories, serving as a buffer zone to prevent military conflicts.

To distinguish them from the hostile demons, the people of the empire call them demi-humans.

It's a term that could be considered derogatory, as it implies a race similar to humans.

"Your attitude in front of me suggests that your composed demeanor is just a facade of arrogant confidence. Hmph, just like one of your bloodline."

"…? Do you know my father?"

"No, your uncle."

Hmm. I hadn't heard that my father had a brother in this life.

From the way he spoke, it seemed he was a student at this school, but perhaps he died young?

The principal continued after a sigh.

"Well, that doesn't matter. Let's get to the point. I'm sure you and that slave girl want to finish this quickly."

I glanced at Eifa, who was tense.

In a big city or a town frequented by adventurers, you might not see demi-humans, so her reaction is understandable.

The principal might avoid public appearances to prevent unnecessary trouble.

"So, what's the point?"

"Have you ever been to the capital, Lamproug?"

"No..."

"Then you wouldn't know, but every spring in the capital, a royal-sponsored swordsmanship tournament is held."

The principal continued.

"The current emperor of Uldwight also attends, making it a royal tournament. The winner receives a large prize and the opportunity to join the imperial guard. It's the largest swordsmanship tournament in the country, attracting the best from all over the empire."

I hadn't heard of it, but it's not surprising that such an event exists.

The principal paused before continuing.

"I want you to participate in this tournament."

"Huh?"

"…Eh, me too?"

Eifa, surprised, spoke for the first time.

I also furrowed my brow.

"What do you mean? We can't use swords."

"The rules have changed this year."

The vice-principal, standing beside the principal, answered in a low voice.

"The rules have changed?"

"The use of magic is now allowed."

The principal spoke again to my silence.

"It's about being strong. The country has finally realized the loss of talented magic swordsmen. Therefore, this year's tournament is an all-inclusive martial arts competition, not limited to swordsmanship. Not only magic swordsmen, but also monk soldiers who use light attribute support magic, puppeteers who control earth attribute golems, and rear-line fighters who use fire or wind attributes can participate freely. Of course, trainers and summoners who use monsters are excluded."

"That sounds like a tournament where people might die."

Magic has no concept of stopping short.

Usually, if you get hit, it's not just a scratch.

"Originally, there were some deaths, but they'll manage somehow. Getting back to the point, our school has been given a spot in the tournament due to the magic rule change. It's a special slot that skips the preliminaries and goes straight to the main event. We have two of these slots."

"And I and Eifa were chosen?"

"Not exactly... one of them is already decided."

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Turning around, I saw a person enter from behind the opened door.

It was a small girl.

Her hair was more rust-colored than red, and her eyes were sky blue. She looked shy, but she didn't seem nervous in this setting, maintaining an unreadable expression.

The principal smiled and spoke.

"Oh, thank you for coming, Mabel. Introduce yourself to the seniors."

The girl glanced at Eifa and me, then calmly stated her name without any emotion.

"...Mabel Crane."

"Crane..."

"She is the daughter of the Crane baron family, adopted."

I had heard of the Crane baron family, but I didn't know they had a daughter at the school. I had never seen her before.

Wait, did he just call us seniors?

"Could it be... a freshman?"

"Yes. Didn't you see her at the opening ceremony?"

After a moment of silence, I voiced my confusion.

"I don't understand. Normally, wouldn't you choose from the upperclassmen?"

"The high school students are busy with their own research. Besides, this school is not a place to learn combat techniques. Even when teaching offensive magic, the focus is on theory. There aren't many students suitable for a combat tournament."

"Why do you think we are suitable?"

"Have you forgotten that you survived the underground dungeon in the Rodnea Forest last year? Additionally... you and Eifa defeated a high-level Elder Nut in the territory about a year and a half ago."

"..."

"Of course, we investigate the past of excellent students. In fact, both of you have good practical test scores."

"Ah, that... most of it was done by Seika, and I didn't do much..."

Eifa, flustered, said. The principal smiled at her.

"Of course, I understand. But I believe you have sufficient strength. Maybe not as much as your master, but enough."

"…And you think the same about her?"

I indicated Mabel with my gaze.

The principal nodded with a smile.

"Yes, Mabel is strong."

"How much do you know about a student who just enrolled yesterday?"

"I told you, we investigate the past of students. She also had excellent entrance exam scores."

"To have a spot reserved before enrollment, what kind of martial achievements does she have?"

The principal responded with a silent smile.

I glanced at Mabel... she stood there, seemingly indifferent to our conversation, maintaining her expressionless demeanor.

I sighed and said,

"I still don't understand. What I don't understand the most is—why isn't Amu here?"

The atmosphere in the room seemed to change slightly.

"She was the top student in the entrance exam, scoring full marks in the practical test. Her grades have been consistently high since enrollment. She also defeated the Lesser Demon and the boss monster in the underground dungeon last year. She had enough combat experience as an adventurer before enrollment. I can't think of anyone more suitable, even among the upperclassmen."

And she is a hero.

Even if someone doesn't know the details, they can't fail to understand her strength.

After a short silence, the principal spoke.

"Even considering that... I believe you two are more suitable. That's all."

"What's the reason?"

"Hmm, let's say it's a hunch. The intuition of an elder is not to be underestimated."

An elder, huh.

I'm not sure if that applies to me.

The principal continued,

"So, what will you do? Will you participate, or will you both decline?"

"…If we decline, what will happen?"

"Then we just won't use that slot. One more person will enter the main event from the preliminaries."

Eifa glanced at me.

What should we do, Seika?

Hmm...

Something seems off. At least part of the explanation is definitely a lie, and there are many things that are strange.

I'm curious about the intentions, but there's no need to stick our necks out...

"…Is the conversation not over yet?"

A voice that mixed dissatisfaction and indifference.

I turned to look at Mabel for the first time.

"…"

After a moment, I sighed and said,

"I will participate."

"Really? I thought you would refuse."

The principal, sounding pleased, nodded, and I silently agreed.

Eifa looked a bit surprised.

The reason I decided to participate is simple.

The atmosphere around Mabel—she reminded me of myself when I was training with my master, fighting to the death with my fellow disciples and demons.

It's not a healthy one.

So, I wanted to see it through a little.

The martial arts tournament with the magic rule change and the various intentions surrounding it.