“Ray. Regarding that matter... well, to put it simply, Lex is Carla’s younger brother.”
“Yo—younger brother...?”
I paused, searching my memory.
The Club President’s name was indeed Lex Hale. And Carla-san’s name was Carla Hale. They certainly shared a surname, but they didn't look alike in the slightest. Besides, he seemed far too young to be her brother.
“Well, just be understanding of their family circumstances. Anyway, I’ve rented a room in the dormitory. We can discuss the details there. Abby and Carol are already waiting. I’d intended to talk to you before the tournament started, but things became complicated. Sorry for the delay, but please bear with me for a bit.”
“...Understood.”
I followed them toward the room. As I walked alongside the Club President, I decided to ask him a question.
“Club President...”
“What is it?”
“Did you... already know who I was?”
“You mean about being the Ice Sword Sorcerer?”
“So you did know.”
“Yeah. Lydia-san asked me to look after you. She wanted me to be of help if you needed it.”
“I see...”
“We’ll talk more about that later, including what’s actually happening behind the scenes of this tournament.”
The Club President had certainly gone out of his way to help me until now, but who was he, really? I pondered this as we continued down the hall.
“Now then, Ray. Go on in.”
“...Excuse me.”
I was led into the largest room on the top floor of the dormitory. Apparently, it was the most expensive suite in the building, reserved strictly for VIPs.
Inside, Abby-san and Carol were sitting on a sofa, enjoying some wine. Looking toward the back of the room, I saw Lex’s family members waiting as well.
Three of the Seven Grand Sorcerers, plus my Master—the previous Ice Sword—were gathered in one place. This was a concentration of the finest sorcerers in the world.
Furthermore, if Carla-san and the Club President were family, it stood to reason that everyone present belonged to either the Hale family or the Seven Grand Sorcerers. It was clear now that the Club President and his kin were no ordinary people.
“You may sit,” Master said.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I took a seat on an empty sofa, while Carla-san and the Club President remained standing at attention. They didn't seem to have any intention of sitting.
Master opened the conversation.
“First, let’s discuss the Hale family. To put it simply, they are the clan that manages the Kingdom’s intelligence agency. I’ve had a personal connection with them since the Far East Campaign. That’s why Carla takes care of me now.”
“I see... But about the Club President...”
“Ah, Lex’s involvement was a coincidence. That said, I knew you were enrolling in the academy where he was a student. Naturally, I told him to look after you.”
“Is that right, Club President?”
I turned to him, and he gave a small, knowing smirk as he joined in.
“That’s right. Lydia-san is an old acquaintance. I also survived the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp back in the day. However, I’d only heard stories about you, Ray. I never imagined a teenage boy would succeed Lydia-san as the Ice Sword Sorcerer... but after meeting you in person, I understood why.”
“Then our meeting at the Environmental Research Club was...”
“Pure chance. But even if Lydia-san hadn't asked me, and even if you weren't the Ice Sword Sorcerer, I would have helped you just the same. I’ve taken a liking to you. As your senior, I purely want to keep being friends with you. That’s all there is to it.”
“Cl—Club President...”
So that was it.
Looking back, there were many things that had struck me as odd. On my first day in the club, he’d told me to come to him if anything happened. I had taken him up on that offer many times... and now I knew why he’d been so welcoming.
But he’d said that even without orders, he would have treated me no differently. Hearing those words from him as my senior made me genuinely happy.
Between Master’s overprotectiveness and the Club President’s sheer competence, I felt truly blessed to have such people in my life.
“My annual decision to volunteer for the Management Committee and run a stall is also part of maintaining public order. I act in those roles during the day and move independently at night. I’ll let Lydia-san and the others handle the rest of the explanation.”
With that, the Club President gave a respectful bow and stepped back.
“Master, may I hear the details?”
“It would be better to hear it from Abby. Abby, you take it.”
“Right.”
Abby-san began to speak. She was wearing her usual suit, but it was disheveled, and her hair—normally tied back in a neat ponytail—was loose. Her face was slightly flushed, indicating the alcohol was taking effect.
“First, remember that the Magics Chevalier is a world-class tournament. You understand the implications, right?”
“Yes.”
“It draws global attention, and that means there are always those who try to exploit it. A few years ago, we had idiots trying to manipulate the results for gambling purposes. There are always nobles trying to sabotage their rivals; the list of petty crimes is endless every year. Normally, sorcerers from the Magic Association handle the public side, while the Hale family—the Kingdom’s best intelligence unit—manages the shadows. But this year is different.”
“In what way...?”
Abby-san knocked back another glass of wine before continuing.
“I told you before that Imperial spies had infiltrated the academy.”
“I believe that was shortly after I enrolled.”
“Yeah. I suspected Eugenics at first, but it turns out the Grim Reaper—an assassination organization from the Ewell Empire—has moved into the Magics Chevalier.”
“The Grim Reaper? That’s... quite a major player to have here.”
“The information is solid. We’ve already received reports of several noble students going missing. It’s almost certainly their doing. We’ve tightened security as much as possible, but against an opponent like that, we’re having a bit of a difficult time.”
The Ewell Empire.
It was a superpower with military strength that rivaled the Arnold Kingdom. The two nations split the world’s power between them. The Empire also had a dark history of fueling the fires of the Far East Campaign.
That war had started as a minor conflict between small nations, but it escalated until the Arnold Kingdom was forced to intervene. Since it was the first modern war involving heavy use of magic, only a magical powerhouse like our Kingdom could suppress it.
The Empire had officially remained silent, but anyone who fought in that war knew they were lurking in the shadows. They had intentionally leaked destructive magical technology to prolong the slaughter.
The Far East Campaign had ended in a victory for the Arnold Kingdom... but it seemed the Empire was intent on creating that same kind of hell once again.
A dark emotion threatened to flare up in my chest, but I forced myself to swallow it down. I needed to focus on the threat at hand.
“Actually, I encountered one of them earlier,” I said. “They wore a robe and a mask with a red and black pattern. They used poisoned daggers and likely have many more hidden weapons. They fled the moment I engaged them.”
The Grim Reaper.
They were an elite assassination unit from the Empire, feared in both the underworld and the public eye. Their techniques were world-class, and it was rumored that their top killers were on par with the Seven Grand Sorcerers in terms of pure lethality.
The Seven Grand Sorcerers weren't chosen based solely on combat prowess; some, like Carol, were selected for their academic and research achievements. In terms of magic-assisted assassination, the Grim Reaper was considered the best in the world.
“...I see. They probably pulled back once they realized your strength, Ray. Their targets this time are likely the Three Great Noble Families or other high-ranking aristocrats. This tournament is the perfect opportunity to strike while the nobility is gathered in one place. For better or worse, all three of the Great Noble Families are participating this year. The timing is perfect for them.”
“So they’re definitely targeting the students?”
“Yes. Whether it’s assassination or kidnapping, they likely want to prune the Kingdom’s next generation of sorcerers. That’s where you come in, Ray.”
Abby-san stared directly into my eyes.
“I want you to be on high alert. This is officially a job for the adults, but if they’re targeting students, you’re in the best position to encounter them. Please keep that in mind.”
“I understand. Under those circumstances, I’ll cooperate with everything I have.”
“Sorry to keep dumping things on you. It’s a huge help. I’ve put Lex in charge of the student-side monitoring. You two should coordinate. We’ll be the primary response team, so you only need to act as support.”
“Understood.”
I glanced at the Club President, who gave me a reassuring nod. Having him as a partner was heartening.
The serious discussion seemed to be over, and the atmosphere in the room began to relax. I was about to head back when Abby-san spoke up again.
“Oh, that’s right. Ray.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“You’re currently working as a sales clerk in cross-dress, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“That’s banned starting next year. The stall is fine, but you need to show some restraint regarding the girl routine.”
“What!?”
I was stunned. What was she talking about? Just when we were hitting our stride, she was shutting us down?
I turned to the Club President for help, but he just shook his head and looked away, as if mourning a lost cause.
I stood up instinctively, unable to hide my shock.
“You guys overdid it,” Abby-san continued. “Your sales are so high that the other stalls are complaining non-stop. You can finish out this year’s tournament... but next year, we’re making changes. Besides, your menu is barely legal as it is... and I assume that pink-haired idiot over there is involved too?”
Carol, who had been trying to sneak out the door, froze.
“A—Ahaha~☆ Abby-chan... you’ve got it all wrong! Caro-caro was just thinking of what’s best for Ray-chan and the others...”
“No. You’re always like this. You never listen and you do whatever you want. Ray is still a kid, so I can let it slide, but you’re a grown woman. It’s time you learned some common sense. Looks like it’s time for another lecture...!”
“N—Noooooooo!! Help me, everyonnnnnne! I’m being attacked by a dead-serious flat-chested girllll!”
Abby-san’s eyes narrowed. “What did you say? Carol... you just crossed the line. I’m going to kill you...”
In an instant, Carol was rolled up in a rug and tucked under Abby-san’s arm. She reached out a hand toward us in a desperate plea for help, but every single one of us ignored her and headed for the exit.
When Abby-san started lecturing, she could go on for hours. Combined with the alcohol, she’d likely keep Carol trapped until morning. Master, Carol, and I had all been on the receiving end of those rants in the past... but since the target today was the pink-haired idiot, Master and I decided to make a quick escape.
In that moment, our long-cultivated master-disciple bond reached a wordless understanding. Master caught my eye, and I immediately began pushing her wheelchair out the door.
The members of the Hale family also bowed politely and made a swift exit.
Carol, I won't let your sacrifice be in vain... I thought. Well, it wasn't like I was actually going to do anything to help, but if anyone had to be the sacrificial lamb, it was better her than me.
Sorry, Carol. It’s just the natural consequence of your daily behavior. Just give up and take it. I said all this in my head, knowing it would be a headache to say it aloud.
“Carol, don’t worry! I’ll keep that promise we made... but I’m leaving this matter to you! See ya!”
“Ray-chan, you traitorrrrrrrrrrr!”
Carol flailed and reached toward us until the very end, but we heartlessly swung the door shut behind us.
Once we were in the hall, Master burst into a loud laugh.
“Heh heh heh... Ahahaha! That pink-haired idiot never learns. My, my... how entertaining.”
“The three of us used to get yelled at by Abby-san all the time. I never want to go through that again... her lectures really are interminable.”
“Indeed. It brings back memories.”
After she finished laughing, Master’s voice turned serious once more.
“Now, Ray. Like I said, be careful. I’m not entirely familiar with the Grim Reaper’s full capabilities. I’m sure you’ll be fine, but if you confront them, do not let your guard down. They likely specialize in fighting in total darkness. If it comes to that, make sure you have that ready.”
“Understood. I’ll keep it in mind.”
I knew how many students had poured their hearts into this tournament. That was exactly why I couldn't allow any outside interference.
I thought of Amelia.
I knew how hard she had worked to get here, and how many internal battles she had fought. This tournament was going to be a turning point for her. I was certain of it.
We were here to support her because we believed she could reach new heights.
That was why I made a vow.
I wouldn't let anyone get in the way. I would see this tournament through to its conclusion.
—In the name of the Ice Sword Sorcerer.