As I stood there considering Shiro-san’s proposed wager, a staff member carrying an amplification magic tool stepped onto the center stage. The time had come.
"Thank you all for waiting! Target practice—Shateki—is a beloved sport across Trinia, but it usually requires advanced magical prowess, making it difficult for the average person to enjoy. For this festival, however, we’ve prepared a special version that even children can participate in to experience the thrill of the game!"
The announcer began the detailed explanation. To summarize: the attraction utilized phantom magic to create a lifelike illusion. The wooden blocks we held would transform into guns, and the tent’s interior would shift into an aerial combat zone. It was all purely visual, of course—a simulated flight.
Furthermore, while standard Shateki involved combat between players, this was a strictly non-combative attraction. Pointing one's weapon at another person was forbidden. Since it was phantom magic, the "magic bullets" were just light shows that caused no harm, but the rule remained: no shooting at people.
Random targets would fly through the air, and players would compete for points. Scores were tiered by proximity to the target's center: 100, 70, 50, 30, and 10 points. If you reached a certain threshold, you’d walk away with a prize at the exit.
Additionally, as if replicating the magic power limits of actual SYATEKI crystals, there was a cap on how many shots we could fire. It was a test of efficiency and precision.
This really did seem like something a kid could enjoy. In a sense, since the goal was to aim at and hit a target, it felt more like traditional target practice than the high-octane sport usually associated with the name.
The handicap Shiro-san had offered was starting to make sense. She was limited to the same number of targets I hit. If I hit ten, she could hit ten—no more. Furthermore, since she couldn't score higher than 50 points per target, every time I hit a 70 or 100, I gained a lead. Even if I fumbled a subsequent shot and only got a 10, that 100 would still keep me ahead.
It was an incredibly favorable setup. On the flip side, it proved just how much of a gap existed between us; I needed this much of a head start to even stand a chance. But regardless of the reason, the path to victory was clear. There was no penalty for missing, and as long as I hit high-value targets, she couldn't pull ahead.
"I see. With those rules, this really is a proper contest. It all comes down to how well I can handle this gun."
"Precisely. It's nice to have a little competition every now and then, don't you think?"
"Well, I’m definitely curious about what you’ll ask for if I lose, but... alright. You’re on. I accept the bet."
"Wonderful. I’m quite looking forward to this."
When I agreed to the match, Shiro-san’s lips curled into a joyful smile. Ultimately, this match depended on whether I could maintain an average of over 50 points.
I knew that even if it was her first time, Shiro-san’s almighty nature meant she would be able to do it with ease. She would undoubtedly hit the 50-point mark with every single shot she took.
"Wait a second. What about the phantom magic? Won't your Blessing interfere with it?"
"I’ve already made the necessary adjustments. It will function perfectly."
"As expected. That's a relief then."
She was extremely well-prepared. I could really feel her enthusiasm; she seemed unusually motivated for this.
"Shiro-san, by the way, what exactly do you plan on making me do if you win?"
"Telling you now would spoil the surprise. You’ll have to wait and see... though, I must admit, I am torn between two options. It’s a bit of a dilemma, but since either choice would be highly beneficial to me, I suppose it’s a luxurious worry."
As expected, Shiro-san was relishing this. She was enjoying the games, the stakes, and the whole experience of the wager. Unlike our trip to the beach some time ago, she now possessed a deep understanding of what it meant to have a heart and feel emotions. Knowing she was enjoying herself so much made my own anxiety fade into a sense of warmth. It was hard to stay worried when she was this happy.
Serious-senpai: "Modern-day Shiro is totally unpredictable, so I’m genuinely spooked. I don’t think she’ll do anything Kaito actually hates, but... the flirting is going to be off the charts..."