"I want you to participate in the Magics War with me!"
"…Eh?"
Ariane’s words were sudden. Then, she handed me a set of documents.
"This is…?"
"Materials regarding the Magics War. They aren't actually scheduled for public release until tomorrow."
"Let me take a look."
I scanned the documents. The event was set to take place in two months, on the day before the Carol Festival.
Teams would consist of three members. For the team matches, the formats would be Point Capture and Siege Battle. The field for Point Capture was to be the Kafka Forest, while the Siege Battle would be held in an ancient castle located in the northernmost reaches of the Kingdom.
The castle was a structure that had been left abandoned for years… it seemed they intended to use this event as an opportunity to put it to use.
Furthermore, one detail was particularly noteworthy: there were no restrictions regarding one's academy when forming a team. This came as a genuine surprise even to me.
"Ariane…"
"Yes?"
"There are no academy restrictions. Is that for real?"
"Yes. There is no mistake."
"I see…"
It was difficult to believe. I had been at this academy for over half a year now, and I had heard a fair amount about noble society from my Master. Given how conservative this society was, I found it hard to imagine them adopting such an innovative proposal for a new event—especially with these new rules.
Perhaps there were various agendas at play behind the scenes that I wasn't aware of.
"I see. I understand the gist of it."
I handed the documents back to Ariane. She gazed at me with sparkling eyes. I felt as though her platinum hair was looking particularly glossy today. She had it tied up in a ponytail, which gave her a different, more active impression than usual. She had likely run all the way to the academy; her hair was slightly disheveled, leaving little room for doubt.
"It will be me, Ray, and Amelia! Our goal is victory!"
"Wait a moment."
I tried to calm the excited Ariane down.
"? What is it? We're heading to Amelia's room for now!"
Ariane started heading toward the girls' dormitory with great enthusiasm, but I grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
"…What's wrong?"
"I can understand why you'd pick Amelia."
"Yes."
"But why me? I don't have any particular achievements to my name."
She didn't know that I was the Ice Sword Sorcerer. Why would she invite me, an Ordinary? Did she know something?
"Ray, you have the achievement of guiding Amelia!"
She declared this while proudly puffing out her chest.
"Regarding this matter, I've been asking around about you, Ray. Specifically, how you trained Amelia."
"Ho…"
I decided to listen to her explanation first. Ariane wasn't a bad person, but she was a daughter of the Three Great Noble Families. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious.
"I heard that you executed the legendary Ainsworth-style Boot Camp."
"That's right. I did some tuning, but Amelia made it through that training."
"Fufufu… I knew it. And I’ve also heard that your combat capabilities are second to none!"
She stared intently at me with a triumphant look on her face.
"I already know that you're no ordinary person, Ray."
Ariane smirked, and I gave a small shrug.
"I'm no match for you, Ariane."
"Fufu… Aren't you?"
She gave me a beaming, charming smile. She was truly beautiful. Ariane’s personality—straightforward and honest without resorting to mind games—was something I found very likable.
"So, will you participate?"
I thought about it. Was it alright for me to join? To be honest, my current condition wasn't bad. After the incident with my senior, my abilities were certainly returning to me.
Up until now, I had mostly been an observer. However, after watching the Magics Chevalier, there was no doubt that I wanted to test my own strength in battle again. I would need to consult with my Master, but for now, I felt I could give a positive response.
"You're right… there's someone I want to talk to first, but I do want to participate."
"I see. It seems you have your own circumstances, Ray. Very well. How about we consider it a provisional agreement for now?"
"Yeah. I'll be in your care then."
We exchanged a handshake. Afterward, the two of us headed toward Amelia's room. She should be in the dormitory at this hour.
"Um. Why do you know where her room is, Ray?"
Ariane asked with a suspicious expression.
"During the Magics Chevalier, there was a time I went to pick her up early in the morning. Though she banned me immediately after because I was too noisy so early in the day."
"Fufu. That sounds like you, Ray."
As we chatted, we reached Amelia's room. Entering the girls' dormitory was generally prohibited, but when I explained the situation to Dina-senpai, she had told me, "I'll make an exception this time. But make sure the other students don't catch you."
Therefore, I was proceeding with the utmost caution.
"It's here."
"Then, allow me. Amelia, it's me. It's Ariane."
As Ariane knocked, a tremendous clattering sound erupted from inside the room.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
"No. She was surely reading or something. I've had similar experiences myself."
"How can someone make a sound like that just from reading?"
"Well… you see, even maidens have their various circumstances."
"I see…"
I wasn't entirely convinced, but I let it go. My Master had told me not to think too deeply about the mysteries of women… there must be some unavoidable reason.
After a short wait, the door swung open with a bang.
"Sorry to keep you! Wait… huh? Ray's here too?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm. Is it Ariane this time?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing! Well… come in."
Ariane and I entered the room. It wasn't much different from any other dorm room, but since Amelia had a single, it felt quite spacious.
"Both of you, sit. I assume it's about that."
We took our seats as she urged. Amelia brewed tea for the three of us and brought it over. Once she placed the cups on the table, the discussion began in earnest.
"I'll get straight to the point. I want you to enter the Magics War with us!"
Upon hearing those words, Amelia looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I don't mind, personally… but, um. Since Ray is here, does that mean…"
"I plan to consult with my Master, but I want to participate."
"Are you in good condition?"
"It's just my personal feeling, but it's not bad."
"I see."
As the two of us spoke, Ariane interjected.
"Are you feeling unwell, Ray?"
"That's… hey, Ray. If we're going to form a team, shouldn't you explain things properly to Ariane? You might have your reasons, but she's not the type of person to go around blabbing to others…"
"You're right…"
Amelia was referring to my past—specifically, the fact that I was the Ice Sword Sorcerer. I agreed that it would be better to disclose my identity if we were going to form a team.
I preferred that the secret didn't spread, but Ariane wasn't the kind of person to carelessly reveal a friend's secret. Since Amelia vouched for her and I trusted her as well, I made my decision. After everything I had been through, I wanted to face my friends with sincerity.
"Yeah. I should speak properly."
"? What are you talking about?"
I turned to Ariane, and while gazing into her beautiful eyes, I spoke.
"Ariane. I am the current Ice Sword Sorcerer."
"Eh… wha…?"
Ariane's expression went completely blank. And so, I began to tell her the story of my past.