"Th-The match is over! But this is... unprecedented! The clock stopped at... two seconds! This is the fastest time in the long history of the Magics Chevalier!"
It was overwhelming.
No, that word alone wasn't enough to capture it.
There were likely few sorcerers in attendance who could even explain what had just transpired. I had nearly missed it myself, but I’d managed to follow the sequence of events. And now everyone knew that this unseeded player, who had suddenly appeared in the Main Tournament, was the true favorite to win the whole competition.
It was simple and clear. He had decided the match with a single stroke. Nothing could be more straightforward than that.
"The winner is... Lucas Forst! Remarkably, he is a second-year student from Mercrose Magic Academy! He was an unseeded player who wasn't even on the list of title contenders... but a dark horse has emerged!"
Lucas Forst.
I had already committed the name to memory. He was a second-year at Mercrose Magic Academy and a rare sorcerer who used a katana instead of a sword. Based on his fighting style, I had assumed he was a Sword Technique-type who excelled in cross-range combat... but I doubt anyone expected him to be this proficient.
I checked his entry in the pamphlet again. The list of participants was distributed as a booklet, and naturally, the more prominent players were given more space. Lucas Forst’s section was likely the smallest of them all—barely a single line of introduction.
He wasn't particularly tall at 165 centimeters, but his handsome features were bound to captivate many. Prior reports had already noted his reputation as an androgynous and beautiful player.
His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail; while his expression lacked intensity, a certain trace of masculinity remained in his features. After sheathing his katana, he gave a polite bow and departed from the arena.
"Hey, Ray. Did you see that?"
"Barely."
"I didn't see a thing... what did he even do?"
"It was simple. He used Inside Code for physical reinforcement to close the gap, then struck in a single flash."
"Seriously? That’s all it was?"
"Yeah. There was nothing flashy about it. Its power lies in its simplicity. It’s also incredibly difficult to counter. When someone specializes in cross-range combat to that degree, there isn't much an opponent can do."
"No way... If I recall, his opponent just now was..."
"The one who fought the final against Rebecca-senpai last year. He was a favorite to win the Main Tournament... and yet he was defeated in the fastest time in history."
"...Yeah. I guess things like this really do happen."
Fortunately, if he were to face Rebecca-senpai, it wouldn't be until the finals. And that match seemed increasingly likely to become a reality. I wondered how she would fight against him.
Thus, the tournament proceeded, even as this great upheaval sent ripples through the crowd.
◇
"Albert?"
"Ray..."
"Quite a coincidence."
"Yeah, it is."
"Congrats on winning your first match."
"Thanks. But..."
While moving to my next post for the Management Committee, I happened to run into Albert.
That’s right—the next match in his bracket was about to begin. Having cleared the first round, he was heading into the second. Once my cleaning duties were done, I was scheduled to watch the matches from the first-floor waiting room as an official.
Since I was trying to stay ahead of schedule, I was heading toward the basement at a brisk pace, but we had a moment for a brief chat.
"Right. In your bracket, Albert..."
"...Ariane Algren. She's my next opponent."
"Ariane, huh? She’ll be a formidable one."
"Yeah. I watched her match. As a competitor, there’s no type more frustrating than her. After all, petty tricks don't work against that kind of power."
"Knowing her personality... I'd have to agree."
Ariane's first match had already caused a massive stir among both the spectators and the players. She had smashed through Crimson Nova—an Extensive Chain Magic—with a head-on assault.
I had finally grasped Ariane's essence. She appeared to be a Balance-type, but in truth, she was a Sword Technique-type. More specifically, she was a sorcerer who thrived in cross-range combat.
The problem with sorcerers who specialize in close quarters is the sheer difficulty of countering them. The only real solution is to keep them out of your guard, but players of her caliber are masters of Inside Code. They know exactly how to force an engagement into their preferred range.
"Ariane specializes in cross-range, but..."
"...I know what you're going to say. It's too late for countermeasures. Besides, I excel at close combat too. In the end, it’ll be a clash of raw power. I'm ready for it."
"I see. Sorry. I didn't mean to meddle."
"I appreciate the thought, though. Well... I’m off."
"Yeah. Good luck out there."
Albert and I shared a firm handshake. With small smiles, we passed each other, heading in opposite directions.
Albert's hand was thick and calloused. I could only imagine the sheer volume of training he had endured. After his fight with me, he had faced the reality of his standing, yet he continued to struggle and press on. And now, another formidable wall named Ariane Algren stood in his way.
I didn't want either of them to lose. However, I found myself wishing that Albert's hard work would finally bear fruit.
After finishing my cleaning duties with Clarice, I watched Albert's match. His second-round opponent was a student from Diom Magic Academy. The opponent was a Balance-type who suddenly tried to force a close-quarters engagement halfway through. Albert was momentarily taken aback, but he maintained his composure and snatched the victory.
With this, Albert had finally advanced to the semi-finals. But just as we had discussed, Ariane would likely be his next opponent. I wondered how that clash would end.
"Please do not push!"
"Please exit slowly and stay calm!"
After the day's matches concluded, the Management Committee was short-handed, so Clarice and I were helping organize the crowds. It wasn't particularly difficult work—mostly just directing traffic—but the summer sun was relentless.
In the middle of the crowd, I spotted a certain player surrounded by reporters. He was the man currently causing the biggest sensation in the tournament.
Lucas Forst.
With his katana still tucked into his belt, he answered questions with a perfectly expressionless face. The swarm of reporters was staggering. I caught a glimpse of his expression through a gap in the crowd, but his face was unreadable. It was as if all emotion had been drained from him. His features were so perfect he looked more like an exquisite doll than a person.
"..."
For a fleeting second, our eyes met.
He was undoubtedly looking at me. If it had been a coincidence, he would have looked away immediately. Instead, he stared intently, as if peering directly into my soul.
Why is he looking at me?
I was just an nameless staff member at this tournament. Could the gaze I felt previously have been his? But why would a sorcerer of his caliber care about me? Did he know?
Did he know that I was one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers—the Ice Sword Sorcerer? That would explain it, but he suddenly averted his gaze.
Perhaps I was just overthinking things.
"Hey, Ray! Don't just stand there daydreaming!"
"A-Ah... sorry, Clarice."
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? If you are, I'll take you to the first-aid room. Heatstroke is no joke in this weather."
"No, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you."
"Hmph. Fine then, but pay attention! You had me worried!"
"Yeah. I'll be more careful."
We went back to work.
From then on, the Magics Chevalier proceeded without incident. Finally, the semi-finalists for both the Newcomers' Tournament and the Main Tournament were decided.
With the top four of each bracket set, only eight players remained in the entire competition. Amelia, Ariane, and Albert had all moved on as expected, as had Rebecca-senpai... and Lucas Forst.
I wondered who would ultimately claim the titles.
But even as I thought about the brackets, a certain concern weighed on me. I hadn't actually spoken to Amelia since the Magics Chevalier began. I had watched all her matches and performed my duties in the cheer squad, of course. Amelia always gave us a smile and waved, looking a bit bashful.
She showed no signs of distress.
But Amelia was an expert at hiding her feelings. I had no idea what was truly in her heart. I wouldn't know until she chose to tell me. I might think I understood her, but that was just my own assumption.
I was... afraid.
Was it right for me to pry? No matter what lay ahead for Amelia, I wanted to help her. But while I told myself it was for her sake, it was also for my own.
I was still a work in progress, just like everyone else. Even as the Ice Sword Sorcerer, the one called the strongest of the Seven Grand Sorcerers, I knew I was still immature.
Master was no longer by my side to guide me. I had to move forward by my own will.
I had believed that if I were with everyone—with Amelia—I could find my way forward. But I found myself questioning if that was true.
Was my choice a mistake?
"Amelia..."
I whispered her name.
At that moment, I desperately wanted to hear her voice.