I woke up with a start. It was just before five in the morning.
At last, we were set to arrive at the venue for the Magics Chevalier. Today marked the beginning of a two-week battle to determine the strongest magic swordsman among the students.
Would Amelia be able to truly face herself?
I had done everything I could for her. One could even say I had done my absolute best. However, that was only in regards to her physical and magical capabilities. I still didn't know what was in her heart.
After she had finished her final Completion Exam, she had done nothing but weep.
I never asked for the reason behind that wailing. She was moving forward, yet I still felt as if her heart was being dominated by something. I hoped that through this Magics Chevalier, Amelia would also grow as a person.
It wouldn't be too late to step into her personal space after that. If she didn't move forward of her own accord, it wouldn't mean anything.
"Alright."
After changing into my school uniform, I finished packing my things. Today’s schedule was packed: the Management Committee members were to gather at six, after which we would head to the venue to set up.
Spectators would begin entering at nine, the opening ceremony would be at eleven, and the matches were set to start at noon.
Furthermore, during the entry window, I was scheduled to sell roasted corn alongside the Club President and the others. The product was named "Devil's Corn."
When I had visited Master’s house, I had requested a massive order and brought it back to the academy to hand over to the Club President. Master said she would come to watch the tournament, so I truly hoped she would enjoy the corn.
"The weather is perfect."
I decided to leave my room early. I intended to water the flowers in the garden bed I had built before heading out.
As I walked along with a large backpack on my shoulders, I spotted a familiar figure standing before the flowers.
With her lustrous black hair fluttering in the breeze, gazing intently at the blossoms with a faint smile, stood Senior Rebecca.
"Good morning, Senior Rebecca. It’s a beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Ray. Good morning. You're right, it's a very clear... lovely day."
She smiled brightly at me, her demeanor as resolute as always.
If I recalled correctly, Senior Rebecca was scheduled to compete in the third match today. I thought she might have taken the opportunity to rest a bit longer, but...
"You're up early, Senior."
"Well... I just happened to wake up."
"I see."
"Actually, I'm a bit nervous. I've participated in the Magics Chevalier twice before, but I can never seem to get used to this tension."
"I see... so that's how it is."
"Yes."
Tucking a strand of silky black hair behind her ear, she smiled.
She looked no different than usual—beautiful, serene, and perfectly composed. Yet even someone like her felt the weight of anxiety.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed her body was trembling ever so slightly.
Senior Rebecca was a member of the Three Great Noble Families, the Gardening Club President, and the Student Council President. She was a woman who seemed beyond reproach, but after seeing Amelia and Albert, I understood. Competing in the Magics Chevalier carried an immense amount of pressure.
Perhaps that weight was the same for everyone, regardless of who they were.
"Ah... haha... I'm sorry. I'm just a bit anxious—fretting like this is quite unseemly of me..."
"Senior. That is a perfectly natural human reaction. So..."
I slowly approached her and took both of her hands in mine.
"Ah..."
"It’s okay. As a member of the Management Committee, I’ve watched your matches. It might sound like a cliché, but I truly believe you can reach the summit once again."
"Do you... really think so?"
"I do. Being expected to win might be a burden, but whether you win or lose, I will sear the sight of your strength into my memory. So, please, do your best."
"Ray, you're so... kind."
"Kind, am I? Someone did the same for me in the past whenever I felt anxious."
"Your parents?"
"No. My Master. She was the one who did that for me."
"Is that so?"
I gently let go of her hands. Senior Rebecca was no longer trembling.
I looked up at the sky, where a clear blue expanse stretched out indefinitely. It was the kind of cloudless, piercing sky unique to summer. It was safe to say it was perfect weather for a tournament.
"U-um... could I ask for just one selfish favor?"
Senior Rebecca looked up at me, her eyes locked onto mine. Her face was flushed, and she looked quite bashful. I wondered what this "selfish favor" could be.
"Of course. Please, tell me anything."
She twirled a lock of hair around her finger and spoke softly.
"C-can I touch your arm?"
"My arm?"
"It would make me... happy, if you flexed it for me..."
"I don't mind at all."
I flexed my arm with all my might. She timidly reached out and placed her hand gently against my bicep.
"Wow... your muscles really are incredible..."
"Are you interested in musculature, by any chance?"
"Ah... well... everyone was saying how amazing you were, Ray, so I was actually a little curious..."
"I see. In that case, feel free to touch as much as you like."
To accommodate her request, I exerted even more strength. I pumped up my muscles, expanding my bulk to the limit of what my uniform could contain without bursting.
"Whoa...! That’s amazing...!"
"Hehe... isn't it?"
"Ray, you really are an interesting person."
"Am I?"
"Yes. I feel much more energetic now!"
Senior Rebecca pulled her hand away and flexed her own arm with a bright smile. Of course, she didn't have much muscle mass to speak of, so nothing really showed. But by acting that way, she was wordlessly signaling that I didn't need to worry about her anymore.
"You're quite cute, Senior."
"Eh!? R-really...?"
"Yes. Quite frankly, I thought you were very adorable just now."
"T-thank you."
I genuinely found her behavior charming. Though her face turned red again, she smiled happily.
"Well then, I should be going."
"Yes. Good luck with your duties on the Management Committee."
"Thank you! Also, we'll be selling corn in front of the venue around the time entry starts. Please stop by if you'd like a taste."
"Oh? I'll look forward to that."
"I'm going to put my heart and soul into being a vendor."
"I see. So that’s what all the luggage is for. I'll definitely be looking forward to it then."
We exchanged final parting words, and I headed toward the academy's main gate.
Despite my conversation with Senior Rebecca, it was still only 5:35 AM. While a few Management Committee members had already gathered, the area was mostly empty. In the distance, I spotted a pair of familiar twintails.
Perhaps she was nervous today, as those translucent golden twintails were bouncing restlessly.
"Morning, Clarice."
"Ah, morning, Ray... wait, what's with all that gear?"
"Hm? Oh, a change of clothes and various other supplies. Since we'll likely be staying over there for the next two weeks, I wanted to be prepared."
"Right... you really are unconventional in every possible way..."
"Well, they say it’s better to be safe than sorry. By the way, your costume is in here too, so don't worry."
"Ah... right. I did have the size adjusted, but... yeah..."
"I'll give it to you as soon as we arrive at the venue."
"Yeah... I guess... okay..."
Her twintails drooped.
Clarice, Elisa, and I were helping as vendors for the corn stall. Elisa and I had gone through several rounds of discussions to produce three specific costumes. I had helped with the crafting as well. Clarice had been reluctant at first, but she had eventually agreed. We had even sought the help of a certain person as a special advisor.
The resulting outfits were perfect.
This was something to truly look forward to. While the Magics Chevalier itself was exciting, I was equally eager for this.
"You look like you're having fun."
"Hm. Is it that obvious?"
"Well, you're practically beaming. Your eyes are sparkling."
"This is my first time participating in a festival like this. To be honest, my heart is racing."
"I see."
"Are you not looking forward to it, Clarice?"
"No... it's n-not that I'm not looking forward to it, but..."
She was being unusually hesitant. I wondered if something was bothering her.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just... this is my first time doing something like this with friends... I'm not really sure how to act..."
"Your first time? I thought you said you had many friends."
"Ah... w-well... ugh, never mind!"
Clarice let out a long sigh, then looked me straight in the eye.
"...The truth is, I've never really had anyone I could call a 'friend' until now."
"Is that so?"
"People always kept their distance because I'm from the upper-noble House Cleveland... and I have this personality... things just got complicated. So... this is a first for me, too!"
"I see. So you were just putting on a front."
She had been posturing. Clarice certainly had a stubborn, contrary side to her. But since she had been honest with me, I felt genuinely happy. I decided that I should tell her about my own past someday—I had to face her honesty with my own.
Clarice glared up at me, her face flush. "I-is that a problem!?"
"No. I'm glad you told me the truth. And it seems we're in the same boat—both of us experiencing this for the first time."
"Well... I guess. I'm grateful to you for a lot of things, Ray..."
Her voice trailed off into a whisper at the end, as if she were talking to herself. However, my hearing is quite sharp, and I caught every word.
"I see. That makes me very happy."
"I said that under my breath! You heard me!?"
"My ears are quite good."
"Ugh... how embarrassing..."
Her face was bright red, and her twintails were now pointing straight up. I addressed her once more.
"Because I met you, Clarice, I think I'm going to enjoy this Magics Chevalier even more."
"H-hmph! D-don't get the wrong idea! I-I'm not... it's not like..."
"Not like what?"
"Nothing! I'm looking forward to it too! Is that a crime!?"
"Not at all. Then let us enjoy it to the fullest together!"
"Y-yeah!"
"Alright, let's go!"
"Yeah!"
With that, we set off immediately for the venue where the Magics Chevalier would be held.