The Magics War.
The Qualifiers are divided into Leagues A through G, with six teams per league. Each league holds a round-robin tournament, and the top two teams from each move on to the Main Tournament.
Once the Main Tournament begins, the format shifts from a league to a bracket. A single loss means elimination. In contrast, even a defeat in the Qualifiers leaves some room to recover.
Of course, we intend to sweep every match and cruise through the Qualifiers.
The first match of League A—it is our debut, and the opening bell for the entire tournament.
On our way to Kafka Forest, we stopped by the Academy to finish our preparations and change. Since the upcoming battle takes place in the woods, we have been issued khaki training uniforms modeled after military gear.
The color is designed for concealment within the forest. We have to keep that advantage in mind as we fight.
I made sure to go over that with Amelia and Ariane during our training sessions as well.
I slipped my arms into the sleeves.
Then, I stood before the full-length mirror, staring intently at my reflection.
After a few light stretches, I began to map out the upcoming match in my mind. The path to victory was already clear. However, there is no telling what might happen in the heat of battle.
I will have to remain adaptable.
"Right."
I gave my cheeks two quick slaps. Preparations were complete.
My physical condition was good. In fact, it was perfect.
However, when I looked down at my hands, they were trembling ever so slightly. It certainly wasn't out of fear.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I would ever stand on such a stage. Until now, I had always been an observer. But now, I was finally stepping into the spotlight.
At first, I only thought about giving it a try because Ariane had invited me... but things are different now.
I will fight while carrying the weight of their feelings on my shoulders.
"Let's go."
I left my room behind. Without looking back, I simply moved straight forward.
"Are you two ready?"
We gathered near the entrance to Kafka Forest. It was currently 11:30 AM. In thirty minutes, the match would begin.
The area was thick with tension.
The matches would be broadcast live at the Colosseum. Furthermore, they were scheduled to be Trans via Projection Magic throughout the Academy as well.
Because of this, a great number of people had already gathered to watch.
Spotting two familiar faces in the crowd, I walked toward them.
"Albert. Evi."
"Ray. It's the first match. Don't you dare lose."
"I'm counting on you! You better make it to the Finals League!"
"Of course. I'll see you in the finals."
No more words were needed. We were rivals, after all. Looking at their composure and the way they carried themselves, I could tell they had put in an immense amount of effort.
Since we were in different leagues, the only place we would clash was the Main Tournament.
Thirsting for that future battle, I exchanged a firm handshake with both of them.
I turned around and headed back to Amelia and Ariane.
The surrounding crowd was letting out loud cheers... but it felt as though the cheers for Team Hartnett were even louder.
In that moment, I heard voices supporting us as well.
"White! Go get 'em!"
"Rose-san! Good luck!"
"Lady Algren! We're rooting for you!"
While most of the cheers were for Amelia and Ariane, our classmates shouted my name too.
I gave a light wave in response. I was well aware that my presence wasn't exactly welcome in this aristocratic society.
Even now, many within the nobility are proponents of bloodline elitism.
I don't intend to deny that fact.
Even so, there are those who acknowledge me.
If that's the case, I will give my absolute all for their sake.
"You are quite popular, aren't you, Ray?"
"Those are just my classmates. Though their cheers pale in comparison to the ones for you two."
"We are nobles, after all. We have been accustomed to such things since we were children," Ariane said.
Amelia responded as well. "True. But it doesn't feel bad this time."
"Indeed. Since Ray is with us as well."
"?" I wondered what she meant by that. But just as I was about to ask, Hartnett-senpai approached me once again.
"O-ho-ho-ho! I have finally arrived! Witness my magnificent entrance!"
"Indeed, Milady."
"Milady, you are standing out even more than usual."
The two maids standing behind her were somehow scattering confetti everywhere. She called it a magnificent entrance... but I suppose she just wanted to be the center of attention.
In a way, she was the most "noble" person among the nobility, which filled me with a strange sort of admiration.
More importantly, I found her impossible to hate. That was my honest impression of Hartnett-senpai.
"Ray White! And the two of you from the Three Great Noble Families! We will definitely defeat you!"
"Milady, truly magnificent."
"Yeah! The best in the world!"
Confetti fluttered through the air once more. We watched the scene, utterly dumbfounded.
Amelia and Ariane stood there with completely blank expressions.
"And with that, look forward to your defeat!"
"Milady, you are beautiful."
"You're standing out more than usual."
With that, the three of them quickly gathered up the fallen confetti and made their exit.
They really were like a whirlwind.
"...Well, it certainly seems like Ray has taken her fancy."
"You think so?"
"I do."
Amelia's sharp gaze pierced through me from the side.
"What is it, Amelia? Why the scary face?"
"I just... have a bad feeling about this."
"What? Did you sense something about our opponents?"
I should have expected nothing less from Amelia. It seemed she had picked up on something from those three during that brief encounter.
I, too, had felt something extraordinary coming from Hartnett-senpai. To think Amelia could sense it as well...
However, Amelia continued to glare at me.
"No, it's not that... It's just... I smell the same scent coming from her..."
"Amelia. Could it be that you mean...?"
Amelia and Ariane began whispering to each other. Apparently, it was a conversation they didn't want me to hear.
As they spoke, the faculty members serving as referees arrived.
It appeared that Carol, Abby-san, and instructors from other academies would be overseeing the matches.
"Ray. It's been a while."
"Yes. It has, Abby-san."
"These are the bases for this match. There are five locations in total."
"Thank you."
I took the documents from Abby-san. They indicated the capture points for the upcoming battle.
Hartnett-senpai's team received the same documents from Carol.
In the Point Capture portion of the Magics War Qualifiers, the bases are set before the match, and the players are informed only shortly before the start.
"I know I shouldn't really do this, but..."
Abby-san suddenly leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"I'm rooting for you. Do your best, Ray."
"Yes... thank you very much."
I bowed to her and immediately rejoined the other two with the maps.
"You two, let's have our final meeting."
"Right."
"Understood, Ray."
Using the documents, we held our final briefing. We already had the general strategy memorized, but we couldn't account for the specific locations of the bases until now.
This was exactly why we had planned to set aside this time.
"The distances are surprisingly well-balanced..."
"Indeed. Although the final base is a bit of a trek..."
As Amelia and Ariane pointed out, there wasn't much variation in the spacing between most of the points.
Each of the five bases would remain active for exactly six minutes. Over the course of the thirty-minute match, the winner would be the team that accumulated the most Prima Materia in their magic tool.
Regarding our Base Defense, Ariane and I would act as the vanguard. Amelia would serve as the rearguard, remaining at the base with the magic tool to accumulate energy. That was our formation.
Ideally, if we can hold the first three points, our victory will be secured early on.
However, given our opponents' skills, it's bound to be a close fight. Furthermore, it is still too early to reveal our Origin Magic. The fundamental goal of this match is to win without relying on it.
This isn't the only match we have to worry about. The league continues after this, and the Finals Tournament is still ahead.
I want to keep our cards hidden for as long as possible.
"You both have the bases memorized?"
"Yes."
"Of course."
"I'll be the one to decide whether we abandon a point or not. Other than that, let's stick to the plan."
I held out my hand.
The two of them placed their hands over mine.
Once more, we locked eyes.
"We're definitely going to win—!"
Yeah—!!
We raised our voices to fire ourselves up.
We had poured endless effort into reaching this moment.
Now was the time to show the results.
We can do this. We will win.
With that conviction in my heart, I finally stepped forward to face our first match.