"To begin, we will hold the men’s Physique Contest. Contestants, please take the stage."
At Rebecca-senpai’s call, a line of powerful men emerged from the wings. Every one of them was bare-chested and wearing board shorts.
In a physique contest, the focus tended to fall solely on upper-body musculature, but balance was equally vital. Posing, too, played a critical role. I had heard that the Academy invited about five professionals every year to judge the event.
While it seemed like a lot of effort for a student festival, this was a tradition of the Arnold Magic Academy.
Among the contestants were not only Evi but also the Club President and several other club members. To my surprise, members of other clubs also boasted quite impressive bulk. It was difficult to determine who was in the best condition at a glance, but...
"Ray. What’s your take?" Albert asked, his face set in a serious expression as he watched the stage.
"The Club President and Evi are likely the favorites. However, it’s hard to say which of the two has the edge."
"I agree. Their muscle mass is overwhelming, and their cuts are sharp. They must have undergone meticulous tuning for today... but the Club President really is something else. That sheer size of his is staggering."
We exchanged our assessments while the crowd around us buzzed. Every student was busy evaluating the physiques on display.
While some claimed the Miss Contest was the main attraction, they were wrong. This Physique Contest was just as much a centerpiece of the Cultural Festival. I had heard from the Club President that muscle awareness at the Academy had reached new heights thanks to the newly installed gym. He had predicted the event would be a massive hit this year—and he was right.
"Contestants, please perform your poses in order!"
Under Rebecca-senpai’s guidance, the competition proceeded. Evi was contestant number three. The Club President was the very last, number twelve. I still had no idea how this battle would play out.
Set to upbeat music, the men began their posing. As their polished muscles flexed and rippled, shouts erupted from the audience.
"Number two is ripped!"
"You're huge! Looking huge!"
"Shredded! So shredded!"
Supportive cheers filled the hall.
"Hey, Ray."
"What is it, Amelia?"
When I looked to my right, I saw Amelia, Clarice, and Elisa all staring at me.
"How are we supposed to cheer?" Amelia asked.
"Call out their number, and... well, saying things like 'ripped,' 'shredded,' or 'huge' usually works."
"I see... I get it."
The three of them nodded in unison just as Evi's turn arrived.
"Number three, you’re shredded! Totally shredded!"
"The cuts are looking great! Number three, you’re huge!"
Albert and I took the lead, shouting our support for Evi at the top of our lungs. In response, Evi flashed a bright, white-toothed grin as he moved through his routine.
He was truly impressive. Unlike the contestants before him, his posing was graceful. More than anything, he seemed to have a deep understanding of how to showcase his physique to its maximum potential.
"Looking good! You're so big!"
"Shredded! Shredded!"
"Number three, you've got this!"
Amelia, Clarice, and Elisa added their own bright cheers. While the deep, booming voices of the men dominated the hall, the female voices carried surprisingly well. Regardless of gender, everyone seemed captivated by those muscles.
As the contest progressed smoothly, it was finally time for the absolute favorite—the Club President. As his massive frame stepped forward, he began his posing in time with the music.
"He’s... he’s too big..."
"W-what on earth is that...?"
Albert and I were stunned. We forgot to even shout our cheers, standing there in utter silence. We already knew he was massive, but seeing him pose gave him an aura of pure intimidation. We trembled before his overwhelming presence.
Every single person in the venue was awestruck.
When the time finally came for the results, the outcome felt like a foregone conclusion.
"—Second place goes to Evi Armstrong! Which means... our winner is Lex Hale! Everyone, please give a huge round of applause for all our contestants!"
Rebecca-senpai announced the rankings, and the general sentiment was one of "as expected." Evi accepted the cheers with a smile and shared a firm, mutual handshake with the Club President.
Even after all that effort, there was still a Domain that could not be reached. With this victory, the Club President had successfully achieved a legendary four-peat during his time at the Arnold Magic Academy.
"The Miss Contest is next, but... I don’t know any of the entries," I remarked.
"Yeah. Me neither," Albert agreed.
With the high-energy Physique Contest concluded, the focus shifted to the Miss Contest. The goal was to crown the cutest girl in the Academy, with the winner decided by a vote from everyone in attendance. The audience would pick their favorite from the entrants, and the one with the most votes would take the title.
"Moving on, we will now begin the Miss Contest!"
Rebecca-senpai sounded more relaxed now, her voice projecting clearly.
I suddenly remembered something and turned to Amelia. "Amelia, did you have no intention of entering?"
"Eh? Why would you ask me that?"
"I think you could have won."
"Wh—!? Y-you really think so...?"
"Yes. You're very photogenic. I think your radiance would have shone brightly on that stage."
Amelia looked conflicted. "Hmm. But I really wanted to focus my energy on the class project this year..."
"I see. That’s a shame, then."
"Maybe... if Ray says so... I could enter next year?" Amelia stole a glance at me.
I gave my usual reply. "I look forward to it. I'll have high expectations for you next year."
"U-um... okay."
The Miss Contest proceeded without any issues.
"I wonder who the favorite to win this one is..." I muttered.
Elisa was the one to answer. "T-the favorite is a second-year, Natalia Ashley-san!"
"Is that so, Elisa?"
"U-um, yes! She did the play-by-play for the Magics Chevalier, and she’s basically the Academy’s idol!"
"Oh... I had no idea. I see, that makes sense..."
As soon as Elisa finished her explanation, the girl in question stepped forward.
"Now, please tell us your name," Rebecca-senpai prompted.
Ashley-senpai gave a dazzling smile. "I'm Natalia Ashley☆"
She made a horizontal peace sign next to her right eye, triggering a low, collective "Ooh..." from the men in the crowd.
It was true; she was definitely the Academy's idol. The reaction from the male students confirmed it instantly.
"Next, please tell us your appeal points or special talents."
"Let’s see~☆"
She pressed a finger to her lip, acting coy, and I realized something immediately.
She was from the same lineage as Carol.
She was, without a doubt, the type of woman I found most difficult to handle.
"I guess it would be my cute looks? Maybe? My talents are singing and dancing! I’ll be holding another live show soon, so please come and see me~☆"
She gave a wink so sharp I could practically hear the sound effect. I made a silent vow to never go near that woman as I watched the stage.
Finally, it came time for the last contestant.
"And our final entry is... wait, what? Rebecca Bradley? Um, I didn't enter?"
Rebecca-senpai stared at the paper in her hands with a look of pure confusion.
Suddenly, Dina-senpai appeared on stage, smiling broadly as she snatched the paper and the microphone from Rebecca-senpai’s hands. Pushing her friend toward the center of the stage, Dina-senpai made the announcement.
"There you have it! Be glad, boys! Our very own Rebecca-sama has entered the contest!"
"U-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
It was the loudest cheer of the entire day. The volume was so intense I felt like the auditorium was physically shaking—and given the fervor, it might not have been an illusion.
As expected of Rebecca-senpai, her popularity was unrivaled. Amidst the chaos, however, she stood in the center of the stage, looking completely flustered.
"Wait... what? I've been entered? What is the meaning of this...?"
And so, as the final contestant of the Miss Contest, Rebecca-senpai’s turn had arrived.