“Regarding Point Capture, we’ll proceed with the roles I just outlined. We’ll verify the specifics as needed during our actual training.”
“Understood.”
“I have no objections.”
Next, I moved on to the explanation of the Siege Battle.
While my experience as a soldier provided a solid foundation for Point Capture, I was still somewhat feeling my way through the nuances of a Siege Battle. Regardless, I wanted to ensure that every member of the team shared the same tactical vision.
Success in this team competition depended entirely on coordination. The rules were undoubtedly designed to make teamwork the deciding factor.
“Now, let’s discuss the Siege Battle.”
I began sketching the details on the blackboard.
“The Siege Battle is divided into attacking and defending phases. The most crucial thing for us is to understand which side plays to our team's strengths.”
“And which would that be for us?” Ariane asked.
“...It’s hard to say definitively. However, I believe we are stronger on the offensive.”
“And what is your basis for that?”
I answered her immediately.
“First, there’s the matter of myself and you, Ariane. Character-wise, we’re both better suited to attacking, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I cannot deny that.”
Personality is often reflected vividly in one’s magic. Taking that into account, I had made my assessment.
“Furthermore, we have Amelia on support.”
“Me?”
“Yes. The essence of your magic lies in delicate Code Construction. Without that precision, you wouldn't be able to utilize the Butterfly Effect. Even among my own repertoire, there is very little that can rival it. Therefore, the most effective strategy is for Ariane and me to press the attack while you provide support as the situation dictates. It’s simple, but it will be the most effective.”
I drew a castle on the board, sketching out the paths for our three pieces as they advanced.
Carol used to say that visual information was the best way to share a strategy. During our old mission briefings, she was always the one leading the discussion, and she never failed to use diagrams or drawings to illustrate her points.
Knowing from experience how much smoother operations went when everyone had a clear mental map, I did my best to illustrate the battlefield.
“What if we end up on the defensive side?” Ariane inquired.
“I’ll take the vanguard for the defense. Amelia and Ariane, you’ll be responsible for protecting the flag. However, there is a specific rule involved—likely as a countermeasure against Amelia’s Butterfly Effect.”
Indeed.
In a Siege Battle, the attacking side wins by carrying the flag to a designated position. Conversely, the defenders must hold out for exactly two hours.
There was one key regulation: 'Magic must not be applied directly to the flag.'
“Magic cannot be applied directly to the flag. This is because Amelia could use the Butterfly Effect to continuously produce a result where the flag ‘cannot be taken,’ creating a perfect defense.”
“I see... It’s true that my Butterfly Effect could technically do that... though there would be the issue of my stamina.”
Amelia nodded slightly, her hand drifting toward her chin in thought.
She had been consulting me regularly regarding her Butterfly Effect. I knew that she currently had far better control over it than she did during the Magics Chevalier this past summer.
“Amelia, what is your current usage limit for the Butterfly Effect?”
I already knew the answer, but I decided to ask for Ariane’s benefit.
“Let’s see... it depends on the output, but roughly one minute. Anything beyond that starts to get a little dangerous.”
“Understood. Then, during the main tournament, I want you to strictly observe that one-minute limit.”
“Understood.”
“In a defensive scenario, Amelia’s Butterfly Effect will be our trump card. Depending on the timing, it will be a terrifying threat to the opposition.”
We spent a few more minutes confirming formations and positioning. Since these were things we really needed to practice physically to master, I kept the verbal explanation to a general overview.
Finally, I shared information regarding the team we needed to watch most closely.
“One last thing. While the full list of participants isn't out yet... the top candidate for the championship will likely be the team led by Lucas Forst.”
“...The winner of the Magics Chevalier main tournament. To be honest, his swordplay is enough to make my blood run cold. So he really is participating...”
Ariane had also witnessed Lucas Forst’s matches during the summer tournament.
Everyone remembered that overwhelming display of skill. By the time he reached the finals, his reputation was already cemented. Every student at the Academy knew he could end a match with a single, flawless swing.
“So, who are the other two on his team?” Amelia asked, stepping into the conversation.
I revealed the information I had received from the Club President earlier.
“Albert and Evi.”
““...What!!?””
Both of them cried out in shock, clearly blindsided by the news.
I had been just as surprised when I found out. It was a stroke of luck that the Club President had mentioned it to me, and I was glad to have the information early.
Lucas Forst was known at Mercrose Magic Academy as a solitary, aloof figure. He let no one near him, spending his days training in silence. I had even heard rumors that a dedicated space had effectively been reserved for him at the training grounds.
It was hard to imagine him teaming up with anyone. Because of his reputation, there had even been rumors that he might skip the competition entirely. No one had expected him to partner with Albert and Evi.
“...Albert. And Evi is your friend, isn't he?” Ariane asked.
“Yeah.”
“That’s right,” Amelia added.
“And Albert... I certainly felt that he had changed when we fought at the Magics Chevalier. Was that also your influence, Ray?”
I explained the situation with Albert to Ariane. After listening, she pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a long sigh.
“Goodness... I suppose that is exactly the sort of thing the current Albert would do.”
“He’s grown tremendously. He understands his own standing and is putting in an incredible amount of effort. But still, to think he would choose to team up with Lucas Forst...”
I wasn't so dense that I didn't understand the motivation behind it.
If Albert and Evi were looking for teammates, it wouldn't have been strange for them to come to me first. Perhaps it was a bit arrogant to think so, but we were close friends. Had they asked me before Ariane did, I likely would have agreed.
Instead, they had sought out Lucas Forst.
The meaning behind that was clear.
“They want to fight you, Ray,” Amelia said, her voice clear and ringing through the classroom.
“Fufu. That certainly gets the blood pumping! It’s a declaration of war, Ray.”
“...I suspect you’re right.”
Just because we were friends didn't mean we were going to go easy on each other. They wanted to show that we were rivals who could push each other to greater heights.
Furthermore, Lucas Forst had expressed his own desire to fight me. He would likely seek out a duel within the team match or find a way to force such a situation.
The Magics War was going to be anything but simple.
“How do we look in terms of combat power? On paper, we seem to have the advantage,” Ariane noted.
“If I could fight at full capacity, perhaps... but there’s the issue of my Overheat. I’ll be forced to rely primarily on Inside Code. On the other hand, our opponents will be fighting at their peak. It puts us at a disadvantage. More than anything, the presence of Lucas Forst is a massive variable.”
“I see... but since it’s you, Ray, I assume you have a plan?”
“I do. There’s no need for us to simply crash into them head-on. There are ways to manage the situation.”
We hadn't even cleared the qualifiers yet, but I was already operating under the assumption that both our teams would make it through. I was already visualizing the battle in the main tournament.
In a way, I knew it would be a difficult fight.
“Alright. That’s enough talk. We’re starting our training immediately.”
“Ranger! Indeed!” Ariane chirped.
“Umu. Ariane trainee, good response. Keep it up.”
I turned my gaze toward Amelia and stared at her intently. She gave a visible start.
“R-Ranger!!”
“Umu. Amelia trainee, good response as well.”
The muscle memory from my previous 'boot camp' must have kicked in, as Amelia immediately saluted and raised her voice.
“Let’s move!”
““Ranger!””
With that, our official training for the Magics War began in earnest.