The School Preliminaries.
While the main event of the Magics Chevalier is a bracket-style tournament, the School Preliminaries utilize a round-robin league format. Every student who registers must face everyone else in their pool, and only the top six advance to the Magics Chevalier proper.
Incidentally, since first-year students are restricted to the Newcomers' Tournament, they only face other first-years. However, for the upper-level students, the grade boundaries disappear. It becomes a grueling struggle to determine the top six contenders from across the second, third, and fourth years, which is why it is also known as the Selection Battle.
Because the schedule is so relentless, I had heard that some students even drop out from sheer physical exhaustion.
Currently, Clarice and I were observing the matches.
"Who do you think is going to win this one?"
"I don't know her name, but likely the girl. For starters, her construction speed and precision with Code Formulas are on another level. Her opponent is trying to force his way through with brute swordplay, but he's still unrefined. In terms of overall ability, the victory goes to her... and, it looks like it's over."
"That's actually a little creepy..."
"What is?"
"What do you mean, 'what is'?! The fact that you can see the outcome within seconds of a match starting is what's abnormal!"
"Hm... Is that so? But the difference in skill was obvious. At this level, one can usually determine the result within the first five seconds of engagement."
Our current duty was to record the results of the back-to-back matches. Since academy teachers acted as the official referees, we stood toward the back, filling out the paperwork while making small talk.
Before every match, Clarice would ask, "Who do you think will win?" and each time, I would give her a prediction based on my observations. Apparently, she found this habit of mine bizarre.
Still, Clarice was an aspiring Hunter. Since she didn't necessarily need the specialized skills required for high-level dueling, it didn't really matter if she couldn't see it.
What a Hunter needs is survivability. Therefore, she should focus on polishing that... but it seemed Clarice had various complaints about me—or rather, things she found irritating.
"Hey."
"What is it?"
"Are you really an Ordinary?"
"Without a doubt. I am not of noble birth, and there shouldn't be any record of a sorcerer in my family line."
"You're such a mystery. Nowadays, even more than the rumors about the Withered Wizard, there’s a theory going around that you’re actually a secret child of the Three Great Noble Families, hiding some massive power..."
"Oh... the rumors about me have certainly taken a turn."
"Yeah, I figured as much. Knowing you, Ray, you probably don't care about rumors at all... yeah..."
"Oh... more importantly, she's up. The heavy favorite."
"Amelia Rose."
The next match featured Amelia.
With her crimson hair fluttering and a firm will dwelling in those burning eyes, she took the field.
However, the victory was already hers. I could tell just by looking at the boy standing across from her. He was completely intimidated. Clarice had told me that everyone knew the history of the girl named Amelia Rose.
I didn't know all the details, but having demonstrated her genius from a young age and already holding the title of a Gold Rank sorcerer, she was nothing short of an exceptional existence.
In fact, the talk of the school was that it was almost unfair for her to compete in the Newcomers' Tournament. There were even those who argued she should have been sent straight to the main event.
"Ah... it's over. Even I could tell that one."
"Under ten seconds. As expected of Amelia, but..."
"What's wrong? Did you see something?"
"No..."
I chose not to mention it to Clarice.
Amelia had won with a lightning-fast blitz, but her eyes had felt freezing—as if I were staring into the Abyss.
It wasn't that she viewed victory as a given; it was as if she were simply performing a chore with cold detachment. I was left with the impression that her own will wasn't present in the fight—that something else was driving her.
The next day, during lunch break.
The academy was buzzing with talk of the Magics Chevalier. From the first-years' Newcomers' Tournament to the main event for the upper years, the School Preliminaries were in full swing, and everyone was busy predicting who would make the cut.
The atmosphere was so lively that some people were even taking bets. Even I was a little taken aback by the intensity of it all.
Still, it wasn't a bad feeling. Caught up in the festive air, I felt as though I was truly enjoying my life as a student.
As I was carrying my tray through the cafeteria, I happened to run into Clarice.
"Ah! Ray! What a coincidence! Ah, what a truly random encounter!"
"Clarice. This is the first time I've seen you in the dining hall."
"Y-yes. So... I-I wouldn't mind eating with you if you want! It's not like I don't have other friends! You're just a special case, okay? Special!"
"I see. I appreciate that."
"...Is something wrong?"
She looked somewhat anxious as she asked.
"I usually have lunch with my friends. They've already saved a spot and are waiting for me."
I indicated the table with a nod. Evi, Amelia, and Elisa were already there, eating.
"Oh... I see... Well, then I'll... go find somewhere else..."
Even I, who am admittedly slow when it comes to the nuances of human emotion, could see it. Clarice was crushed. She looked dejected, bowing her head and preparing to slink off to an empty seat by herself. But I couldn't let her go like that.
After all, Clarice was also an irreplaceable, precious friend to me.
I stopped her by lightly catching her arm.
"...Eh? What is it?"
"Why don't you join us? I'll introduce you to everyone. Even though we're in different classes, you are a dear friend to me."
"...Is it really okay? I won't be in the way?"
"Of course not. Besides, they all have wonderful personalities. I'm sure they will welcome you."
"...W-well, if you say so."
Whether she was hesitant or just shy, Clarice followed silently behind me.
"Yo, you're late, Ray... Wait, who's the girl?"
"Ah. Allow me to introduce her."
Evi, Amelia, and Elisa all turned their attention to Clarice. She trembled slightly, but managed to speak.
"I-I'm Clarice Cleveland! Um... Ray and I are together on the Magics Chevalier Management Committee... and, well, I'm Ray's friend!"
As she puffed out her chest with a mix of pride and nerves, the others introduced themselves.
"I see. Nice to meet you. I'm Evi Armstrong. You can just call me Evi."
"My turn. You probably know me, but I'm Amelia Rose. You can call me Amelia."
"...Um, well... I'm Elisa Griffith! I'm a half-elf! You can call me Elisa... too!"
Elisa's introduction was a bit awkward, perhaps due to her own nerves, but everyone accepted her without hesitation.
I pulled up a nearby chair, and the five of us gathered around the table.
"Ah... um! You can... call me Clarice, too! It's nice to meet you all!"
With the introductions finished, we began our lunch. After a moment, Amelia directed a question toward Clarice.
"Clarice, you're working the committee with Ray, right?"
"Y-yeah. They paired us up for our duties this time... so I'm with Ray."
"Ah... that's why you two were together yesterday."
"You saw us?"
"Just a glimpse out of the corner of my eye."
"A-as expected of the Three Great Noble Families. Th-that's amazing..."
For some reason, Clarice began to shiver. Well, Amelia had glanced over at us for a split second yesterday. She must have noticed then.
"So, Clarice. What's it like working with Ray?" Evi asked.
"...Ray is pretty strange, isn't he?"
"Ah—"
"Definitely."
"...That's... certainly true."
Wait, why is everyone just casually agreeing with her?
I considered myself a person with perfectly normal common sense... but it appeared my self-perception was vastly different from the perception of those around me.
"Clarice."
"What is it, Ray?"
"They're good people, aren't they?"
"U-um! Y-yes! But don't get the wrong idea! It's n-not like I've changed my mind about you... or that I think you're kind or cool... or anything like that!"
"Yes, I understand."
"B-but!"
"What?"
"Th-thank you! And to the rest of you... I look forward to being friends!"
The smile Clarice gave us then was the most charming expression I had ever seen on her face. It was so lovely and bright that it could have easily rivaled the flowers I so admired.
And so, we spent a quiet, modest afternoon.
Together with a new friend.