"President!"
I threw the door open with a bang.
I had come to the Environmental Research Club room for my usual activities, but today, I carried a specific ambition.
"What is it, Ray?"
"President... no, everyone, I have a request."
"Very well. You're our next ace. Speak your mind."
"Yes. Actually..."
Steeling my resolve, I let the words flow.
"I want to form the Amelia Cheer Squad!"
For an instant, a buzz of excitement rippled through the club room.
"...Amelia Rose, huh?"
"The daughter of the Head of the Three Great Noble Families?"
"Is it actually okay to form a cheer squad for someone like her?"
"Yeah. The Three Great Noble Families are a delicate matter."
"But she's quite a beauty. Honestly, I'm a bit of a fan..."
"You too? To tell you the truth, so am I..."
The reactions of the club members didn't seem bad at all.
"I see. And why did you come to us? I have duties on the Management Committee. But that’s the same for you, isn't it, Ray?"
The President’s overwhelming muscles seemed to envelop me as he questioned me.
Indeed... we had already shed our clothes. This was no longer a conscious action. It was a subconscious impulse, ingrained into our very bodies, commanding us to do so.
In this overwhelming space, clothes were nothing but an obstacle.
Naturally, we began to speak through our bulk.
"Cheering... while spirit is important, I believe volume is also crucial."
"Go on."
"Furthermore, I believe that an overwhelming presence is also a vital factor in cheering."
"I see..."
"To be able to fight while feeling the presence of those cheering for you—that is a great strength. And I have realized that that presence... is muscles."
"..."
"The heart of the universe is muscles."
I was no longer conscious of what I was saying. I was merely embodying the passion in my heart through the form of words.
"...Heh. I see. So that's how it is."
"I believe that we, possessing the finest bulk in this academy, can provide the ultimate support."
"Hey, everyone... what do you say we get in on this?"
The Club President glanced back, and the members voiced their agreement.
"Of course!"
"Yeah! Let's cheer her on with the ultimate bulk!"
"The Amelia Cheer Squad, huh... Heh, that sounds amazing!"
"Alright! Let's do this!"
I knew it was right to speak up.
Apparently, upon further investigation, I had learned that cheer squads existed for various competitors. Among them, the one led by Rebecca-senpai was said to be a massive force. It was even rumored to transcend the boundaries of the academy... As expected, Rebecca-senpai was truly a great person.
And the one leading that squad was Sera-senpai. She was balancing many responsibilities, but she said that was what she lived for, so I found myself strangely convinced that it was just another way of life.
Inspired by them, I had decided to establish the Amelia Cheer Squad.
"Now then, Ray. First, we must look the part."
"Look the part...?"
"Yes. That means... we start by making the cheer squad uniforms."
"I see... That's very educational."
While displaying his overwhelming bulk, the Club President walked toward the window. Then, he spun around and addressed the entire room.
"Listen up! Since we're doing this, half-measures will not be tolerated!"
"Ooh!"
"The Amelia Cheer Squad! A fine name! We'll show them at the Magics Chevalier! We'll show them our overwhelming bulk!"
"Ooh!"
And so, we immediately set to work.
◇
"Whoa...!? What is this!?"
Evi arrived a little later. However, the moment he opened the club room door, he froze in shock.
"Uh... what are you guys doing?"
"Evi. Let me explain."
"Ray... what's going on here?"
"We are currently making hachimaki, happi coats, and the squad banner."
"No... I can see that, but... why?"
"We've formed the Amelia Cheer Squad."
"The Amelia Cheer Squad? You mean literally?"
"Exactly. We've formed a group to cheer for Amelia. The members are primarily from the Environmental Research Club. You'll join us too, won't you, Evi?"
"Heh... I see. That’s a stupid question. Of course I’m in!"
"Hehehe... Good. In that case, help us out."
"Yeah!"
Currently, everyone was sewing. We weren't going to just use a pen to write "Amelia Cheer Squad" on the headbands.
They were being hand-sewn.
For some reason, the Club President possessed a sewing kit and a massive amount of fabric. Furthermore, since he had experience making clothes, he was handling everything from the pattern-making to the design.
The other members also seemed accustomed to this work; a group of sturdy, half-naked men gathered to perform delicate needlework.
This, too, must be the result of their daily muscle training.
Thus, we also dedicated ourselves to the task.
"Excuse me..."
"Pardon the intrusion...!"
A few minutes later, Clarice and Elisa arrived. I had already informed them of the plan, and they had agreed to help. Since it wouldn't do to have only men, I had invited the two of them to join the squad as well.
They both said it was a good opportunity since they wanted to support Amelia anyway.
"Oh! You two, thanks for coming!"
"Wait...!? Aren't you naked...?! I mean, why isn't anyone wearing clothes...!?"
"...Eh!? Eh!?"
"Don't panic, you two. We're wearing boxer briefs."
"That's not the point! Two girls are here, so act properly!!"
"Mm... My apologies. President, apparently that's the case!"
When I raised my voice to convey this, the Club President, who was meticulously sewing, looked up.
"Hm? Ah, sorry about that. This is our usual attire. Hey, everyone! Some first-year girls are here! Everyone, put on your uniforms!"
"Ooh!"
After having Clarice and Elisa wait outside for a moment, we put our uniforms back on. Once everyone had resumed their work, we invited the two of them back into the room.
"Sorry about that, you two. Come on in."
"Honestly! Watch yourselves!"
"Muscles... so many muscles..."
And so, with all the members of the Environmental Research Club plus Clarice and Elisa, the Amelia Cheer Squad officially began its operations.
◇
"Haa... haa... haa..."
"Amelia trainee. Let's call it a day."
"R-Ranger!"
Today, as always, I was training with Amelia. We had mostly finished the physical conditioning phase and had entered the week of magic strengthening. The true severity of the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp actually began here. Of course, the period for physical reinforcement was quite difficult... but this week of magic training was the most grueling.
This was primarily because we were conducting thorough drills on the processing phase within Code Theory.
Currently, various shapes of ice sculptures were placed in front of Amelia. She would create the one I specified and then melt it within a designated time. Of course, blowing it to pieces was out of the question. She had to melt it slowly from the inside with heat... which meant incorporating the process of vibrating internal molecules to generate heat into the code to exercise her magic.
It was something I had noticed for a while, but because Amelia had a massive Magic Capacity, she tended to be sloppy with the processing phase within Code Theory.
In fact, sorcerers with small Magic Capacities tended to perform the processing phase more carefully out of necessity... but it was precisely because one had a large capacity that delicate processing was vital.
Amelia had compensated for it with her overflowing talent until now... but that would no longer suffice.
Regarding the Magics Chevalier, I wanted to conduct my own investigation, specifically to gather data on the students Amelia would likely face, but since everyone possessed considerable skill, it was difficult to narrow down the targets. That was precisely why, from here on out, a more delicate level of magical skill was required.
"Here's some water."
"Ah... thank you..."
When I handed her the water bottle, Amelia gulped it down and poured the rest over her head. Her magic area was likely generating a significant amount of heat, even if it wasn't quite a magic area overheat. On top of that, it was the weather. The scorching summer heat shone down on us relentlessly.
"How is it? How are you feeling?"
"I'm realizing just how haphazardly I've been doing magic until now..."
"To be honest, Amelia, you're too sloppy. It might be fine for a student level, but the level at the Magics Chevalier is quite high. Besides, the eldest daughter of House Algren seems like a formidable opponent. This level of skill will be the baseline."
"Did you look into Ariane?"
"Yes. Ariane Algren. She's 175 centimeters tall, and more than anything, her limbs have a very long reach. That's a significant advantage in combat. Furthermore, what's noteworthy is the delicacy of her magic. I hear she can even use Grand-tier Magic. However, in the Magics Chevalier, Quick Magic, Chain Magic, and Delay Magic will be crucial. But she likely knows that as well. That said, this is information anyone can gather. Therefore, tomorrow, I will infiltrate Diom Magic Academy."
When I announced this, Amelia's expression was dyed entirely in shock.
"...Eh!? In-Infiltrate!?"
"Yes. Leave it to me. I'm used to this kind of sneaking mission. I have experience with everything from infiltrating enemy territory and facilities to sabotage and intelligence activities, all beaten into me by Master. I will certainly bring back the best results."
"...Is that really okay?"
"Of course. Trust me."
"That's not what I meant... well, you'll go even if I try to stop you, so whatever... should I just do the usual training on tomorrow's holiday?"
"Yes. I'm counting on you for self-study. You're not going to slack off, are you?"
"Of course not! Well... good luck, Ray..."
"Heh, leave it to me."
I wanted to do everything possible for Amelia's sake. To that end, it was best to gather data on the top contenders participating in the Newcomers' Tournament.
For now, I'll obtain the uniforms for each academy and walk around the campuses with a nonchalant face... within the setting of an academy, that is surprisingly effective. Alternatively, I could go for a stealthier approach, but I'll decide based on the situation.
And so, I began various preparations for tomorrow's mission.