087 Snowball Fight

“Everyone, make sure the formulas around the King are meticulously woven.”

We were on the rooftop of the urban combat training center.

In the midst of a heavy snowfall, Coco issued her orders. She had some kind of cigarette-looking thing clamped in her mouth and didn't even bother to brush the accumulation of snow off her own head.

The “King” she was referring to was the snowman I was currently molding. I dutifully attached the hands, nose, and hat exactly as instructed. Honestly, there probably isn't any point to the accessories.

Finally, I began applying the defensive formulas.

Surrounding me were various lowerclassmen and a handful of upperclassmen I rarely had the chance to meet. This class was a joint session intended to serve as a social mixer. We were the Blue Team; our opponents were the Red Team.

And this was a Noblesse-style Snowball Fight.

“Weiss, are your hands okay? Shall I warm your wittle hands with mine?”

“I’m fine, Cynthia. Thank you.”

“Let’s definitely win!”

Teacher Coco acted as the representative for the Blue Team, while the Red Team was—surprisingly—led by Teacher Milk.

Each team also had a designated leader among the upperclassmen. Our leader was…

“L-Let’s do our best, everyone!”

It was Eleanor of the Witch Sisters.

She was shouting at the top of her lungs, her face crimson with what I assumed was embarrassment. However, since most of the lowerclassmen had seen her during the tournament finals, they could only offer strained, awkward smiles in return.

The leader of the opposing upperclassmen was, predictably, Sierra.

…Can we even win this?

I knew Eleanor was incredible in her own right, but still…

To make matters worse, the Allen Team and Cecil Team were both on the other side. The lowerclassmen were already grumbling about the lack of Balance, and I couldn't help but agree.

When the students complained to Teacher Milk, however, her only response was: “Shut up.”

I had been hoping for a logical explanation regarding combat power distribution, but apparently, she just wasn't in the mood for it.

That said, Coco just shrugged and said, “Well, seems fair enough to me.”

Is there some kind of hidden balance-breaker on our side?

I recalled a similar lesson from the Original Story. When you only fight against peers in your own year, you tend to develop predictable habits. By throwing seniors and juniors into the mix, the movements on the battlefield become far more random and chaotic. It was a lesson designed to prepare us for any eventuality in the future.

Though, to put it simply, it was just a snowball fight involving swords and magic.

Coco, who was usually the definition of listless, was currently radiating motivation. Come to think of it, she mentioned she’d been reading books about the Knight Army for her curriculum. Yeah, she’s nothing if not easy to read.

“Do not bring personal feelings onto the battlefield! Even if they’re your seniors or juniors, pelt them with snowballs without mercy!”

“““Yes, ma'am!”””

We were, after all, adolescent students. We were easily swept up in the heat of the moment.

Glancing at the opposing team on the other side of the rooftop, I saw Teacher Milk saying something to her students. Every single one of them looked deathly pale.

Yeah, I’m definitely glad I’m on this team today.

“Alright, Eleanor, give ‘em a quick word as their senior,” Coco said with her usual lack of ceremony.

Eleanor stepped forward. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say that her chest possessed about ten layers of boing-boing-boing-boing-boing-boing-boing-boing-boing-boing.

“U-Um! My sister really likes this sort of thing, so I don't think she’ll hold back… so let’s all try our best!”

It was a speech that did absolutely nothing for our morale. However, the moment Eleanor raised her right hand, something moved with a distinct boing.

That alone was enough to unite the men in an instant.

“““““YES!!”””””

The rules were simple: destroy the enemy’s King—the snowman. However, because defensive magic was applied to the King, it wouldn't be a simple task.

So, how were we supposed to do it?

Just like in the volleyball match, we had to imbue the snowballs with mana. If you got hit by a snowball, you were out. Whether we prioritized eliminating the enemy players or went straight for the King depended on our strategy.

Apparently, though, anything was legal as long as you were using snow. In other words… it’s going to be that kind of fight.

[Five seconds until the match starts. Five seconds until the match starts.]

The Magic Bird’s announcement rang out. Its usual jet-black plumage had been swapped for white. It was wearing a camouflage pattern that was almost impossible to spot without using Mana Sense.

Now then, let the fun begin.

Following Eleanor's instructions, we started by moving freely. The match was a best-of-three; the first team to take two rounds would claim Victory.

“Cynthia, Lilith, stay here and guard the snowman. I’m heading out first.”

The match began. I broke away from the group, gathering snow as I went. Using Dark Eye, I locked onto several members of the enemy team who thought they were cleverly hidden and let fly from long range.

“—Gwah?! That hurt?!”

“Wait, wha—?!”

“Crap! It’s Weiss! Hide!”

I managed to take out two of them, but my third snowball shattered mid-air. My mana construction must have been too loose. This was actually excellent practice for long-range magical sniping.

As expected, this lesson is well-thought-out.

Just as I was starting to feel relaxed, a massive shadow loomed over me from above. I threw myself aside in surprise as a giant boulder of snow slammed into the ground where I’d been standing.

“Hah, I figured it was you.”

The one who launched it was Carta. I knew she was the most proficient with the Mana Cannon, but I hadn't realized she could apply the same principles to snowballs.

However…

“Looks like it takes you a while to reload.”

“—Eh?!”

The use of movement magic was permitted. I used Unnatural to sprint into the air and hurled a snowball right at Carta’s face… only for it to be swallowed by her “bounce.”

The boing-boing is truly terrifying.

Regardless, Carta was eliminated.

I could hear the screams of other students behind me. The main forces must have clashed. I needed to hurry.

The next person to stand in my path was a literal wall of moving muscle.

“Weiss! This is for all the times you've frustrated me!”

He wound up with the beautiful form of a professional pitcher. Baseball didn't exist in this world’s culture, so I had to admire his raw instinct.

However…

“I’m not a batter.”

“Wait, wha—?! Ow?!”

I had no reason to wait for him to throw. I simply nailed him in the face with a counter-shot. If this had been a proper game of baseball, his fastball might have actually gotten me.

After that, a swarm of upperclassmen and lowerclassmen charged me, but I picked them off without much trouble. Finally, I set my sights on the snowman and launched a high-speed projectile. It was fast enough that it should have pierced right through the defensive magic—

“Clink! Too bad, so sad! Better luck next week!”

But my snowball was swatted away by Sierra. She was holding… a Snow Scythe?

“Isn't that… cheating?”

“As long as it’s made of snow, anything goes, Weiss,” Teacher Milk said, standing nearby with her arms crossed.

The next moment—

[Allen has destroyed the snowman! Red Team wins!]

“Looo-ser, looo-ser!” Sierra taunted me with a smug grin.

…Dammit, that’s annoying.

I’d had a feeling, but now I completely understood the “rules.” Once I returned to our formation, I explained the situation to everyone.

“I see. So that’s how it works.”

“…Teacher Coco, did you really not know?”

“I’m a very ‘go with the flow’ kind of person, you know?”

I decided it was best not to say anything more.

As the second round began, I generated a snowball in my left hand and a Snow Sword in my right.

“What’s the plan for this one?”

“Come with me!”

If Eleanor was leading the charge, I’d follow. As the two of us pushed forward, we found Sierra rampaging through our lines.

“Bye-bye!”

Her Snow Scythe blended into the snowy backdrop so perfectly it was almost invisible. It seemed she’d imbued it with a massive amount of mana; anyone she “cut” was left writhing in the snow.

But before I could react, Eleanor was already in front of her. She caught Sierra’s scythe with her bare hands, and the snow weapon instantly turned into a muddy slush.

This was Corrosion Magic.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

“Y-You’re going way too far, Sierra…!”

To my amazement, the two of them began exchanging snowballs at a speed the eye could barely follow. I’d assumed Eleanor was purely a slow, power-based fighter, but I was dead wrong. She was reading Sierra’s attacks perfectly and dodging everything.

“Whoa, the Witch Sisters are on another level.”

“How are we even supposed to help with that?”

“Yeah… better just stay out of their way.”

Everyone was mesmerized. Even I found myself stopping to watch the spectacle. Wait, this is my chance!

I dashed toward the King again, but this time, Allen stood in my path.

“I won’t let you, Weiss.”

“Hah. Bring it on, number two.”

He had generated a Snow Sword just like mine. Our blades clashed in the next instant, but only my sword chipped. Looking closer, I realized the snow on his blade had been partially turned to ice.

This guy… he’s copying Cynthia’s ice!

Was that cheating? No, it was probably just barely within the rules.

“You copycat bastard.”

“I am definitely… going to win!”

Yeah, sure you are.

“Lilith!”

This was a team match, not a duel. Lilith, who had been trailing behind me, lobbed a small snowball at Allen’s head. He was forced to scramble out of the way, and I didn't miss the opening.

“—See ya.”

But just as I thought I had him, a humanoid shape of snow lunged in front of Allen to take the hit. It looked like Subjugation.

“Allen!”

Olynn was remotely controlling the snow. Immediately after, the snow beneath my feet began to give way. A trap from Shari.

“Tch!”

“Weiss, this is the end!”

Allen swung his Snow Sword with everything he had—but I caught the blade.

I’m not just playing around here either.

“Dark Rain!”

I thrust my hand toward the sky, and the falling snow suddenly became saturated with mana.

“No way, what is this—?!”

“Wait, I can’t move?!”

“What do we do?!”

And just like that, I wiped out everyone in the immediate area.

[Allen, Shari, and Olynn are disqualified!]

The rest were just small fry. The remaining upperclassmen tried to guard the snowman, but without Sierra, they stood no chance.

“D-Dammit!”

“Sorry, seniors.”

I dispelled the defensive magic and decapitated the snowman.

[Winner: Blue Team!]

That made it 1-1. We regrouped to discuss the strategy for the tiebreaker. It seemed Eleanor and Sierra’s fight had ended in a draw. I would have liked to see the conclusion, but there was no time.

“Now then, do your best for the final round, everyone.”

Coco clearly just liked the sound of her own voice; she offered zero actual instructions. Seeing this, the entire team turned to look at me.

Why me?!

“Weiss, for the final match, would you mind taking command?”

“…Fine. I’ll do it.”

If Eleanor-senpai was asking, I couldn't exactly say no. The other team had likely been following Cecil’s lead, and my last attack had probably caught them off guard. They’d be looking for a counter-strategy now.

In that case, I needed to do something they’d never expect.

“Everyone, listen up.”

I recalled the principle of the "first move."

[Final match. Final match.]

The moment the bird’s announcement ended, we charged.

“Ice Powder!”

Cynthia unleashed a barrage of snowballs like a machine gun. For the final round, we went with a full-team offensive—no tricks, just pure aggression. I expected them to be caught off guard, but…

“Oh, so you were thinking the same thing. Cecil is as sharp as ever.”

With Sierra at the lead, their entire team was already waiting for us in the courtyard. They’d read us perfectly.

The battle immediately dissolved into a chaotic free-for-all. Neither side was aiming for the snowman anymore; they wanted a decisive victory over the players. I guess that’s Noblesse students for you—nothing but a bunch of prideful idiots.

“Allen, I’m leaving Eleanor to you. I’m taking Weiss!”

“Y-Yes, ma'am!”

Allen dashed toward Eleanor as ordered. Hah, that looks like a fun fight. I would have loved to spectate, but I didn't have the luxury.

“Let’s settle this, Junior.”

“After you, Senior.”

While Cynthia and Lilith clashed with Duke and Carta, Sierra vanished from my sight. But I could see her.

—Behind me!

I used Unnatural to leap into the air, narrowly dodging a scythe swing from the rear. I fired a snowball back at her instantly.

“Not bad! But you’re still naive!”

She swatted it away easily. Good, that was just a distraction to keep her focused on me.

“—I know.”

“Huh?!”

While in mid-air, I’d already cast a second Unnatural. She’d probably expected me to fall slowly, but I changed my trajectory at a right angle and slashed down with my Snow Sword. I was moving so fast the sword was literally falling apart, but I only needed one hit.

“Wait, you’re too fast—?!”

Sierra was forced entirely onto the defensive. Sensing my sword was at its limit, I put everything into a final strike—

I got her!

But then Sierra did something unexpected. Her hands glowed with a brilliant light, and her speed suddenly spiked. Her magic had never been fully explained in the Original Story. Our weapons collided above my head, and her scythe shattered.

My follow-through hit her square in the shoulder. Because her magic resistance was so high, it didn't do much damage, but it counted as a hit.

“Wh-What was that?!” she demanded.

“Barrier.”

Specifically, the optimized version Coco had taught us. It was a formula that sensed incoming mana and activated automatically.

And then—

[Match over. Match over. Blue Team wins!]

The announcement cut through the air. Looking around, the Red Team had been wiped out. The one who had destroyed the snowman was, surprisingly, Eleanor.

“Ehehe. We won!”

I really wished I could have seen how she managed to get past everyone. Oh well, this was just a social mixer, not a real battle. I’d save the excitement for later.

Sierra was busy brushing snow off her shoulder. When I looked closer, I saw her eyes were watering. Wait, is she actually that upset about losing?

“Are you crying?”

“I am not.”

“But your eyes are all red.”

“I. Am. Not.”

I realized that no matter how many times I asked, I was going to get the same answer. Well, I guess that’s just part of her charm.

“…Next time, I’m winning,” she muttered, her fighting spirit still burning.

I can hear you, you know.

Since I was technically her junior, I pretended not to hear anything and made my exit.

“Well done, everyone.”

“Everyone, we won! We won!”

The day ended with a final word from Coco and a victory bounce from Eleanor. As we were leaving, however, Sierra called out to me.

“Vai, see you later.”

“Bye-bye, Weiss!”

She called my name as she walked away. Something clicked in my memory. I remembered reading that Sierra only slightly changed the names of men she actually had feelings for. In the Original Story, she’d called Allen “Ale” near the end.

…No way. That can’t be it. Right?

“…I see. It’s a plot alteration. In this version, she probably changes the names of people she finds incredibly annoying.”

I felt much better after reaching that logical conclusion.

(Rumor has it the losing Red Team was forced to go on a midnight march through the mountains, but I can't confirm that.)

---

Upperclassmen Building, Witch Sisters’ Room

That night, Eleanor was busy putting Sierra’s hair into twin tails.

“Hum-hum-hum~♪”

“You seem unusually happy today, Sister.”

“O-Oh? I don't think so.”

“Hehe. Well, today was fun, wasn't it?”

“I suppose. It felt like I finally got to have a real fight after a long time.”

“Why is that?”

Sierra’s ears turned a faint shade of red. “…No particular reason.”

“Hmm. By the way, do you like Weiss?”

“E-Eleanor?! What are you talking about?!”

“I mean, you called him ‘Vai.’”

“Th-That’s just because it’s easier to say! Who needs the ‘ss’ at the end?! Humanity has no need for the letter S!”

“I think we probably do… but he is pretty cool, isn't he? And strong.”

“…Well, he’s decent. His movements didn't look like a lowerclassman’s at all.”

“You definitely like him.”

“I do not!!”