Akane Mikumo, the chairman of the Mikumo Trading Company, stood before a certain shop, accompanied by her guard and secretary, Frau.
"Is this the place? Hmph... It certainly is written in kanji, ya know."
"Chairman, there is something I would like to confirm before we enter."
"What is it?"
"We are currently treating this as being on duty, correct? In other words, regarding the meal here..."
"...Eat whatever ya want."
"As expected of the Chairman, such a great capacity."
Though she spoke in a roundabout way, Akane, having known Frau for a long time, immediately understood the subtext: the woman wanted to eat, and she was demanding Akane treat her since she was on guard duty. Akane replied with her usual exasperated expression before leading the way inside.
"Welcome! Please, take any seat you like."
"Excuse the intrusion... Hmmm, it’s got a nice atmosphere. So, you’re the one called Kaori Mizuhara, right?"
"Eh? A Kansai dialect? ...Could it be?"
"Nice to meet ya. I’m from the same place as ya—a former Hero-role. The name’s Akane Mikumo. I heard about this shop from a lad I met recently named Kaito Miyama. I figured since I was here, I’d come by and see a face from back home."
"I see, from Kaito-kun... Well, regardless of the reason, I’m happy to meet someone from the same world! There aren’t any other customers right now, so please, feel free to sit here at the counter."
Upon learning that Akane was a fellow Japanese otherworlder, Kaori’s face lit up with joy. She guided them to the seats in front of the counter. Once she confirmed that Akane and Frau were settled, she set out glasses of water and spoke.
"...But, wait. A former Hero-role? The last Hero-role was a boy, and before that was me... which means you were a Hero-role from even further back?"
"That’s right. I’m from quite a while ago."
"Eeeehhh?! Then you’re older than me? I-I’m sorry, but you don’t look a day over your teens no matter how I look at you."
"That’s a grand reaction... Well, don’t ya worry about it. Just use a casual tone with me. We’re part of the few Otherworlders in this world, so let’s take it easy."
Seeing Kaori’s exaggerated surprise, Akane laughed pleasantly and insisted they speak comfortably with one another.
"Really? Then, I’ll take you up on that... So, Akane-san, when exactly were you a Hero-role?"
"I was the one four cycles ago."
"Eh?! Four cycles... That means you’re in your fifties? N-No way... No matter how I look at you, you don't look that age at all. It’s not even on the level of being a 'beautiful mature woman' anymore..."
"Ah, well, I’ve been rejuvenated once by the God of Life-sama’s Temporary Blessing. Right now, I’ve got the body of a teenager again."
"...A blessing from the God of Life-sama? Why? Between Kaito-kun and you, Akane-san... is every Otherworlder besides me and Shige-san caught up in something incredible?"
"Nah, please don't lump me in with that lad... If that surprises ya, then I take it you didn’t participate in the first Six Kings Festival, Kaori?"
"The Six Kings Festival? Ah, right, I heard a massive festival was established in the Demon Realm... but teleporting there is quite expensive, so I’ve never gone."
Kaori had heard rumors about the festival, but only after it had become a regular fixture. During its first occurrence, she had no real connections to the Six Kings. As a Hero-role, she had only spoken briefly with Kuromueina and Lilliwood, so unlike Akane, she had not received a formal invitation. She had only learned the details much later through gossip from her customers.
"Well, during that first festival, Shallow Vernal-sama decided to make it a special occasion and gave all the participants the God of Life-sama’s Temporary Blessing. I was able to get younger because of its effect."
"I see. That’s amazing. I’m jealous—I want to be younger too."
"Couldn't ya just ask Kaito?"
"...The fact that it feels like he could actually make it happen is terrifying."
Though it was meant as a joke, the realization that Kaito truly might have the connections to manage such a feat caused Kaori to look off into the distance for a moment.
"Ah, we can't just talk all day! What can I get for you?"
"Oh, right. Since I’m here... Hmmm, I heard this was a private business, but you’ve got quite the variety. Isn't it tough making so many different things?"
"I used to have less, but I recently got a large Magic Box that made preservation easy, so I expanded the menu."
"I see... Then I’ll have the Croquette Set Meal."
"I will have... the most expensive item on the menu, please. Since the Chairman is paying."
Akane gave Frau a flat look for ordering the most expensive item without a shred of hesitation, then turned back to Kaori. While the owner quickly began preparing the food, she continued the conversation.
"By the way, Akane-san, how did you meet Kaito-kun? For me, it was just by chance when he visited the shop..."
"In my case, there’s a beastman named Anima-san who serves Kaito. It started when she brought me a business deal for items made from the Dragon King-sama’s scales."
"The Dragon King-sama’s scales? Suddenly something incomprehensible has come out... But when I think about it being Kaito-kun, I find myself thinking 'Ah, of course,' and it makes my stomach hurt."
"Ahaha, I hear ya. Kaito is way too far beyond common sense. I wonder how he ended up like that in just two years or so. It’s too scary."
"I know! I really know!! Seriously, everything is just a mess, and since he says it like it's nothing, it's bad for my heart and my stomach!"
"Ah—certainly, it feels like the people around him are so incredible that he doesn't realize just how incredible he is himself."
Laughing pleasantly at Kaori’s reaction, Akane took a sip of water. Since both women had been shocked by Kaito in various ways, their conversation became even more lively than either had expected.
Bonus: WANAGE
Basic Rules of WANAGE
- At the start of the match, both players hold fifteen rings.
- There are thirty poles on each player's back. Points are scored by bypassing the opponent's defense and hooking a ring onto a pole.
- The match ends when one player reaches ten points or when the five-minute time limit expires. In the event of a time-out, the player with more points wins; if points are tied, the player who consumed fewer rings wins.
- A ring is considered "used" once it touches the ground or a pole. When all fifteen rings are used, they are replenished after a five-second waiting period.
- Rings cannot be blocked by anything other than another ring.
- Players possessing magic power above a certain threshold (Peerage-class or higher) must register their magic power while suppressed to a standard level; they are disqualified if they use magic power exceeding that standard during the match.
- Even if a ring is cloned to hook onto multiple poles, or enlarged to hook onto multiple poles at once, it is only counted as one point.
- The use of causality interference magic, time and space manipulation, and any other magic designated as prohibited in the rulebook is forbidden.
- Attacks that significantly damage or destroy the venue are a foul.
World Nagelist Rankings
A ranking of 1st to 100th place based on official match results, coveted by all Nagelists. Players in the rankings are called "Rankers." The top ten are further called "Top Rankers," and they are super-Nagelists of immense skill and popularity.
World Rank 1st "The Absolute Summit" Nightmare The undefeated champion who has reigned at the top since the dawn of WANAGE. Possessing absolute strength, he is highly popular due to his focus on flashy "performance play" that thrills the audience, making him the very symbol of WANAGE. His battle style favors the "One-Shot Kill"—taking ten points at once with a single attack, such as his signature Shooting Star. However, he has a wide strategic range, occasionally utilizing steady play or counter-tactics.
—Signature Special Moves— Shooting Star: He throws ten rings high into the sky, and they rain down in complex trajectories to accurately capture the poles. It is a legendary technique synonymous with Nightmare; his pose of pointing a finger toward the sky before the match starts is famous as the "Announced Shooting Star." It is truly the strongest special move and has only ever been broken once. Neo-Shooting Star: An evolved version of the Shooting Star that Nightmare unleashed when cornered by Baby Castella Mask, utilizing all fifteen rings. While extremely powerful, it is a self-sacrificing strike that abandons all defense.
World Rank 2nd "The Master" Baby Castella Mask Her history as a Nagelist is not particularly long; she appeared one day like a comet and climbed the rankings with overwhelming strength. She is undefeated against everyone except Nightmare, and since she has cornered Nightmare multiple times during their matches, she is called the only Nagelist with the potential to bring an end to Nightmare’s legend of invincibility. She almost never uses original techniques, primarily fighting with basic techniques found in textbooks. However, every movement is polished to the extreme; she is the embodiment of the idea that basic techniques can become lethal if mastered, earning her titles such as the "ideal form of a Nagelist" and "The Master of WANAGE."
—Signature Special Moves— The End: Virtually the only original technique used by Baby Castella Mask. Holding seven rings in the right hand and six in the left, she releases them simultaneously with explosive force. Its power is beyond description; in the past, it successfully shattered Nightmare’s special move, Shooting Star.
World Rank 3rd "The Roaring Beast" Battle King A Nagelist who fights with an ultra-aggressive battle style. His attack power is, in a word, breathtaking. Because his style is to attack, attack, and attack more, his defense is somewhat lacking, leading to his defeats when Nightmare or Baby Castella Mask exploit that weakness. His popularity is high due to his flashy strength that is easy for amateurs to understand. Of course, he possesses the skill to back it up, but in the past, he has destroyed the venue several times with his excessive power, resulting in disqualification losses.
—Signature Special Moves— Zoodshell Catastrophe: An ultra-power throw released with immense strength that forcibly crushes the opponent's defense. It has refined the single point of "destructive force" to the limit, making it difficult to deal with due to its simplicity.
World Rank 4th "The Invisible Wind" An Old Man Who Is Everywhere Contrary to his ridiculous Nagelist name, he is a skilled player excellent in both offense and defense. He specializes in wind magic, and many Nagelists are toyed with by rings flying in complex trajectories. He specializes in technical combat, such as rings flying in from blind spots before the opponent even notices. However, perhaps due to being busy, he frequently misses official matches and loses by default.
—Signature Special Moves— Invisible Feather: He throws a ring in a completely irrelevant direction. The ring circles high above the venue twice before flying in during the middle of the battle. It is a technical shot with a high success rate because it naturally slips from the opponent's awareness.
World Rank 5th "The Royal Knight" Mermaid Who Returned from the Royal Palace A Nagelist favored by experts who specializes in very steady combat. While lacking extreme flashiness, she unfolds a simple yet effective battle. Anyone who knows WANAGE well can understand the high level of her skill. She has many famous matches and is highly popular, but because of her duties at the Royal Palace, knights often arrive during a match, causing her to withdraw. Because of this, it is rumored that she is a knight serving the Hydra Kingdom, and she is called by the epithet "The Royal Knight."
—Signature Special Moves— Trident Shot: A technique where three rings are quickly released in a straight line; it is simple yet powerful. It has almost no telegraphing, and its surprise factor is excellent, as an opponent might mistake it for a normal shot until the Trident Shot is already flying.
World Rank 6th "The Guardian of the Earth" Earth Guardian (Tree Dragon) A defense-type Nagelist who boasts extremely solid protection despite her small stature. She often wins via time-out due to the difference in consumed rings after perfectly blocking the opponent's attacks. Her defense is truly iron-clad; half-hearted attacks are simply blocked. However, it is not as though she lacks attack power; she occasionally shifts to the offensive, and her attacks at those times are extremely troublesome.
—Signature Special Moves— Geo Viper: A ground-hugging low shot released by utilizing her small body. Since a ring is considered "used" once it touches the ground, and defending with a used ring is a foul, one needs very delicate ring control to block this ultra-low shot.
World Rank 7th "The Flame Demon Dragon" Volcano Dragoon A Nagelist with excellent attack power, particularly showing tremendous explosive potential when the opponent takes the first point or a lead, leading to many brilliant comeback dramas. Though it is only a rumor, it is said that she is the Heavenly Dragon Nizbel, an executive under the Dragon King. Perhaps because she is busy as a Six Kings' Executive, her number of official match appearances is low, leaving her at 7th place, but her actual skill is not inferior to those in the top ranks.
—Signature Special Moves— Rebellion Burst: A technique where she releases rings clad in flames. It seems to be influenced by her own emotions, as the flames shine more brilliantly the more she is at a disadvantage. The rings possess the property of accelerating by causing an explosion in mid-air after being thrown; the explosion makes it a blind shot, making it hard to read which pole she is aiming for.
World Rank 8th "Wings of Twilight" Black Tempest A Nagelist widely known to be Amel, the leader of the Winged Race, due to her characteristic black wings. Her skill is remarkably high, but she often strikes poses irrelevant to the battle or delivers long chants before attacking, creating large openings that lead to her defeat. The fact that she maintains her win rate as a top ranker despite this is a testament to her talent.
—Signature Special Moves— True Flame Prison-style Black Heaven Castle-Crushing Annihilation Formation: A special move where she flies high into the sky and releases a steep-angled shot from a high altitude. The angle of attack is powerful and difficult to defend... but it is a double-edged sword that leaves her own poles wide open during the attack.
World Rank 9th "The Spearing Demon" Spear Maiden (Lord of Demon) A Nagelist who uses the unusual expression "spearing" to mean scoring points. He is highly skilled and excels in throwing, offense, and defense, but occasionally his attention wanders after scoring a point as he says things like, "That was a wonderful angle for a spear." Also, perhaps due to being busy, his number of official match appearances is low.
—Signature Special Moves— Pierce Dead End: A special technique with no offensive capability; once activated, it has the characteristic of "making the opponent's poles longer." While it might make defense slightly harder, it shouldn't have any other effect... and yet, for some reason, Lord of Demon’s scoring ability explodes after activating this move, so it may also have a buff effect on himself.
World Rank 10th "The Frozen Cage" Ice Ogre A very tall Nagelist whose shots are difficult to block as they are released from a high angle even normally. She often performs attacks clad in cold air; as the battle progresses through the middle and final stages, the opponent's movements become sluggish and their performance drops due to the cold. The way they gradually weaken looks like a prisoner caught in a cage of ice.
—Signature Special Moves— Cross Freeze: A simple technique where she throws two rings at once, but the rings are clad in intense cold; it is a troublesome move where an opponent's hands might even freeze along with the ring if they defend carelessly.
The Legendary Match
The first match between the undefeated strongest Nagelist, Nightmare, and the up-and-coming Baby Castella Mask, which is still talked about as a legendary battle. As Nightmare declared an Announced Shooting Star as if to crush the spirited newcomer, the audience was certain the match would be decided instantly. However, against the unleashed Shooting Star, Baby Castella Mask—who had won up to that point using only basic techniques—released her original technique, The End. The End did more than just cancel out the Shooting Star; it shattered it and claimed five points at once. The venue was shaken by Baby Castella Mask completely breaking the Shooting Star that no one had ever broken before. As the thought of Nightmare’s defeat crossed people's minds... Nightmare alone had acted instantly. He "discarded" rather than threw the five rings he should have had left. This was because he chose to replenish them even while exposing a five-second opening, knowing he could not turn the tide even if he took back five points. In response to this, Baby Castella Mask’s initial movement was slightly delayed. Baby Castella Mask was an extremely excellent player, and it is speculated that for that very reason, he was trapped by the preconception that "I should keep defensive rings against an opponent with five rings," causing the delay. Baby Castella Mask discarded his rings as if chasing after Nightmare. The difference between the two was only a few tenths of a second, but that decided the match. The moment the rings were replenished, Nightmare used all fifteen rings to unleash the Neo-Shooting Star. Baby Castella Mask also reacted immediately, but the slight difference in the initial move took its toll; although he deflected five rings, ten points were scored against him, and the match ended in a come-from-behind victory for Nightmare. However, it cannot be said that it was an overwhelming victory for Nightmare. Rather, it is fair to say he was cornered to the point where he had no choice but to take the fifty-fifty gamble of releasing all fifteen rings. If Baby Castella Mask had deflected just one more ring, Nightmare would have been exposed before Baby Castella Mask until his own were replenished, and the outcome would likely have been reversed. After this battle, Nightmare began to unfold a steady game only against Baby Castella Mask, without aiming for Announced Shooting Stars or flashy One-Shot Kills. Their battles are always close matches contested over a single point; for now, Nightmare has won them all, but it is predicted that the day Baby Castella Mask wins is not far off.
The Mysterious Supernova
This occurred during a mid-sized tournament where both professionals and amateurs could participate. The tournament also functioned as an event where the winner could fight against the world rank 1st, Nightmare, and it drew many participants. Although there were no top rankers, many participants whose names were in the rankings were present, and a shockwave erupted. A completely unknown amateur... a being wearing a patched-up cat kigurumi, overwhelmed every opponent 10 to 0 to win the tournament and earn the right to fight Nightmare. Furthermore, in the battle against Nightmare, the mysterious newcomer demonstrated terrifying strength, becoming the first person other than Baby Castella Mask to take 9 points from the undefeated King. In the end, Nightmare won a narrow victory, but many were horrified by that skill level, which was impossible for an amateur. However, that mysterious amateur never appeared in any tournaments after that, and their true identity is whispered about in rumors.
World Rank: Extra "The Unidentified" Mystic Cat A menacing existence that appeared suddenly at a tournament and snatched the victory by mowing down many participants, including rankers, without letting them take a single point. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and since there are no rumors of them being seen after that tournament, various theories are flying about.
—Signature Special Moves— Lord of Legion: It is unknown who named it, but those who witnessed that overwhelming battle said this: "It was a fight as if the victory had been decided from the very beginning..." The opponent could not block Mystic Cat’s attacks even once, and all their own attacks were blocked effortlessly. The battle—which looked as though a path to victory had opened before Mystic Cat from the start and they were simply walking along it—was truly worthy of being called a King’s Procession.