275 Protein

We had a light interpersonal combat session during our afternoon class.

The Intermediate-year Students were all gathered down in the Underground Arena. The match-ups were decided based on our current rankings, and that was when I saw something truly surprising.

Rank two, Allen, versus rank eleven, Luna.

Initially, the nobles despised Allen for his Mimicry Magic, but he’s pretty much earned their respect by now. Well, except for the ones who aren't fans of him abolishing slavery; they still hate his guts with a passion. Even so, most people have come to acknowledge his raw strength.

Yet, even against a monster like Allen, Luna was holding her own with some incredible maneuvering.

“—Ha!”

“...Absorption (Delete).”

The shifting darkness simply sank inward, swallowing the attack Allen launched.

Most people would imagine a solid shield for defense, but she’s probably picturing something more like soft jelly. She blocked the attack with a squish, then fired off a Mana Cannon as she retreated.

She carried a sword, but her style was strictly magic-focused. It was understated—plain, even—yet Allen couldn't land a single decisive blow on her.

“Wait, Allen's opponent... was there always someone like Luna?”

“Who is that girl?”

“Never seen her before in my life.”

Her natural lack of presence was still as strong as ever, but I had a feeling people were finally going to start noticing her after this. Then, I noticed Luna was staring at me again.

“............”

I have no idea what’s going through her head. But, hey, she’s doing a great job.

Just as I was thinking that, for some reason, a faint smile played across her lips.

Should I just... go for broke? Just dive right in?

“Weiss! Today’s the day you die! My fists are gonna go pom-pom all over your stomach!”

“...Your brain is clearly as muscle-bound as ever, Sasami.”

By the way, my opponent was the physical embodiment of "muscle." Naturally, I ended the fight in seconds.

“Dammit... My protein...!”

Apparently, he’d expanded his vocabulary from some unknown source. Was this also part of the world's alterations?