The strongest magician in this school.

　First place in the Little Saint rank.

　It's no wonder that many students switch to the attack team over there.
　You can't blame them for having the most powerful magician in the school, if the reward is high enough, they may look more attractive to the attack team.
　In fact, there are a number of students who have noticed that Beoza is here and are looking at us.
　The gazes they directed at me spoke volumes about Beosa's fame.

''The Little Saint rank over here is the fourteenth highest. It's frustrating, but the difference between it and the first place is hard to make up. Moreover, Beosa's brother is the Holy Tree Eight Swords, and furthermore, Bashkata is the son of the Duke of Troia... In addition, if he's even losing the financial strength, there's no way he can win the battle to acquire students.

　Ira says in frustration.

'The strongest, is it?'

　Slightly disapprovingly, Beoza turned to Ira-san.

'I've never considered myself stronger than the student council president, though.

　Bashkata pushes aside Beoza as he speaks and steps in front of Ira.

It doesn't matter. It's no big deal to me," he said, "but it doesn't matter if you're ranked first or sixth. It's a good idea to have the grade of the education class included in the petit sanctuary. The most important thing is--who is actually stronger than the other.

　Bashkatha smirks while looking down at Ira-san.

''Well this time, defeating the giants, it ain't fun if it's just a competition. What do you think?　I don't see how we can punish the group that was slow to complete the defeat.
'I wouldn't take you up on a proposal like that if you're just being competitive on your own.

　Ira rejects Bashkatha's suggestion.

''Hmm, I see. Well, I guess that's why the Horns keep falling behind the Arkwright family.
-Oh!

　Ira-san's face quickly turns red.

''The house... it's none of your business!
'This has nothing to do with the house?　If that's the case, why did you say earlier that you can't win because your opponent is the Trojan Dukes?
It's not...

　A blatant provocation.
　But Ira-san wouldn't be easy to get on board with - or so I thought.
　Maybe it's because of the fact that the house was brought up, but the cloud is getting a little cloudy.
　It can't be helped.
　I've been thinking that I should just let it go without a second thought, but I can't leave a man who talks to me like that unattended.
　When I was about to interrupt him with that thought.

What, you guys want to compete?

　Currier-san, who had been watching the proceedings quietly, opened her mouth.

''Hmm?''
Then how about we don't call it a giant we just play it by the levels you reach?

　Bashkatha stands in front of Mr. Currier.

'Let me ask you a question, in case you don't mind.
Well how about a month?　"For the next month, your Fibrug team and Aila's team will compete for the maximum number of levels to reach.
You think you can beat me?
I don't know. You don't know until you try.

　Currier says plainly.
　Vashkata's expression changes dramatically.
　A generous smile on her mouth.

''Then, may I make one suggestion from here as well?
Say it.
'The loser does one thing the opponent says, unconditionally... how about that?'
I don't mind, but I'm going to set a limit on the number of subjects. We can't move forward with this without his consent. Of course, I'll be one of the targets.
'Oh?　It would be more interesting if all the losers would listen to the one who won.
Then we won't talk about it?

　Currier-san and Bashkata's sharp gaze crossed.
　And Currier-san questioned me with her gaze.
　What I can see from her face is the odds of victory.
　She must have gauged her opponent's strength on this occasion and stepped up to win.

''I don't mind being made a target, sir.

　I said.

'Then ... so do I.'

　Ira-san then raised his hand.

''I'm the one who got you two involved in the operation to defeat the Titans. There's no way I wouldn't be on board.

　Ira glared at Bashkatha.

'And to be honest, I don't like the way you guys are doing things. So this is a good time. Let's set the record straight for once, black and white.
Oh, are you going to give yourself up too?　All right. It's made it all worthwhile. That's it for Fibruk too, right?
Yeah, all right.

　Fibruk nodded with satisfaction.
　I could understand by looking at the situation.
　He probably wanted to bring the composition like this from the beginning.
　Is their aim me or Isla-san?
　But their miscalculation is that they don't know that Currier-san dared to take the suggestion after seeing through their intentions.

''That's all right with Beosa too, right?''
I'm not sure I'm up for it, to be honest.
Even if I, a Trojan, ask for it?

　Beoza made a blank expression and lowered her gaze.

''....I understand. Then I'll be the subject as well.''
All right, that's it. The others are just a bunch of strangers. But we'll let the leader draw the line at them and be done with it. Thanks to my generosity of spirit.

　Bashkatha looks at the clock in the dining room.

'Oh, you're running out of time for lunch!　I'll get back to you with the details later!　Come on, Fibruk!
Oh!

　Asaro, who felt that he had completely turned into a hipster character, left with a sticky smile and took off with Bashkata.
　As they headed upstairs, they had some kind of dispute on the way, but eventually they disappeared upstairs (probably because Asaro, who wasn't in the top 100 of the Small Holy Rankings, tried to enter. But it seems that Bashkatha forced his way through).
　And after watching them disappear upstairs, Beoza turned to me.

''I'm sorry about earlier, Miss Isla.
..........
''It seems that you too are having a hard time with house-to-house matters, but as you can see, I'm in a troublesome position with house-to-house matters as well. The Marquess of Marrow is the same, but most of all, when the other party is a person from the Duke of Troia's family, you can't blatantly disobey them. Well, that's no excuse for displeasing you.
No it's not your fault.
'Huh, you're an adult, Miss Ira. But then again--

　Suddenly Beoza crowded over to Currier's side.

'Currier Versteen, was it?'
Yes, but...
Oh, what a beautiful person.
What?
I've actually seen her on campus a few times, but she's so beautiful that I was hesitant to even speak to her.
What the f*ck do you mean by that?
You must forgive me. I'm a sucker for beautiful things but this beauty, this beauty that, if you take into account what's inside, is almost as beautiful as Cecily Arkwright's. ...Oh, I can't help but lament the fact that we are hostile!　God was cruel!

　Beoza is devastated for some reason.
　With a look on her face as if she doesn't know how to handle it, Curie-san silently asks me for help.

''Hmm?　You are....

　And Beoza came toward me this time.

"Oh, hi. I'm a one-year lion.
Sagara Kurohiko, right?
Yeah, yeah.

　Apparently, he knows the name.

''A forbidden user who suddenly appeared in the school. Of course I know it.

　Beoza smiled as he pushed up the frames of his glasses and held out his right hand.

'My name is Beoza Fallontessa. Henceforth, I hope you'll get to know me.

　Hmm?
　I return the handshake.

"Well it's my pleasure,

　This guy.
　No hostility.

'This is how we met, and I have no intention of antagonizing you, as far as I'm concerned. But you must understand. There are ties between the houses. And ... and ... poor Fibruk is a poor boy, too.
Hemp--Fibruk?
I used to be a bit more decent in the past, but I don't know when I got to be like that. Looking back, I think I became like that when I started hanging out with Bashkatha.

　
　If that was the case, he might have been watching Asaro close to him, even though he was teetering on the edge of Asaro's changing form, influenced by Bashkata.
　At the very least, he wanted to stay close and help her out when she was decisively about to lose her footing.

''And about the promise I made to Bashkatha earlier, even if we win, I'm not going to let you go too far. No matter how much he is the son of the Trojan duke family, even I have a line that I cannot cross. However........that's only if we win.
What?

　Mr. Beoza released his handshake and looked up at the upstairs seats.

'That idiot,'

　The atmosphere from earlier is reversed, and all emotion disappears from his face.
　And then he said in a cold voice filled with contempt

''If you could understand even half of Sagara Kurohiko and Currier Versteen's strength--you'd at least know that you can't compete.

　Mr. Beoza turned himself around.
　The robe danced easily.

'Now, excuse me.'

　Thus, Beosa-san left the dining room alone, without going upstairs.

　　　　　　　　　　*

Anyway, we'll try to do a little better.

　Right after we left the cafeteria, Ira-san said with a wry smile.

''Also I'm sorry things got weird for you?
That's my line. I had a good chance of winning, of course, but I'm sorry I had to do that on my own.

　Mr. Currier apologizes.

'Oh, no!　Don't apologize!　I'm the one who's in over my head...
It's your fault. You have nothing to apologize for, Ira.
Kurohiko is right. Most idiots like that are very good at talking, you know. The only thing they're good at is making their opponents angry.

　Ira-san scratches her head in embarrassment.

''Haha I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable about it...''

　Ira-san drops her eyelashes and looks down at the floor.

'But you know, I think the only reason I decided to take the match was because of Kurohiko and Currier. Why?　I thought we could win with the two of us. Hey, it's weird without any evidence, right?
No. You're right, Ira.
"Huh?

　Currier's mouth relaxed slightly and he smiled at Ira.

''Don't worry. As far as this game is concerned, you can leave it to me.

　Ira looked thrilled.
　Then the blush on her face increased.

''Nah........you're kind of cool enough to make even a woman's heart skip a beat sometimes, Currier.
Hmph, you can count on me for once. I don't like that Bashkatha or whatever it is he's called.
Yeah, well thanks. Thank you, Kurohiko.
I don't know if I can be as useful as Currier-san, but I'll do all I can to help.

　Then we headed to the magic class.

　So, after the magic class was over and after school.
　After school, Ira-san left the classroom, saying she was going to have a discussion with the members of the attack team.

It's a good thing that Ira-san is a leader, or perhaps a committee chairman,

　I muttered to myself as I looked at the door that Ira-san had left.
　Currier-san gives me a strange look.

''Is it okay?''
It's not braids and glasses, though.
?

　But anyway.

It was a good idea to play the game in a month's worth of hierarchy.
Hmm?　Yeah well whoever takes them down first is in danger depending on how strong the giants are.

　If it's a game of who's going to take them down first, there's a chance that the other side will dive in and take them down today.
　Most importantly, me and Currier-san haven't reached the ninth level yet.
　If the other side were to solidify it with students who have already reached it, there would be no chance of winning due to the nature of the Holy Ruins.
　Or maybe Asaro had been hiding in the Holy Ruins recently in anticipation of this kind of match.

It was obvious that he wanted to somehow bring the game to a conditional match, so I figured that if it wasn't too unreasonable, he would come on board even if I changed the content. It seems that they wanted to get the word out of us that they would take the fight.
It was a little too obvious, though.

　So me and Currier weren't sure if I should speak out or not.
　We knew we were stirring things up with an agenda.

''And those two upperclassmen must definitely be diving deeper than we are now. Considering the level of hierarchical attainment of each grade in previous years, they clearly have an advantage. From their point of view, there's no reason not to take the test with that content.
I see, indeed.
It's just... that Beoza guy is a bit of a turn-off, though.
'Me too. That man feels a little different from Bashkatha and Fibruk.
''Well, you and I will still be able to win with you. If that guy is the first Little Sage, that means that no more students than that guy will come out. What I'm more afraid of is whether the Holy Ruins will not make any strange moves.
Yeah.

　Mr. Currier put his hand over his mouth.

'And this may not have anything to do with this but that man Fibruk.
What's wrong with him?

　Currier-san said after putting it forward, yes.

''Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that guy likes Isla?''
...Do you still think so?

　He had somehow thought of that possibility.
　When there was an exchange at the entrance of the classroom before, Asaro had surprisingly quickly backed off when Ira-san told him he was in the way.
　Furthermore, the words he had released earlier in the cafeteria.

　--It's your fault, isn't it!

　It depends on how you look at it, 'I like you, so why in the world would I invite Kurohiko to be my guest? I think it can be taken as a way to show off.
　The fact that he wants to show off is likely to be his way of appealing to himself.
　Is this competition for students also a result of his desire to be mean to the girl he likes?
　That "do what I say" condition may have been a success if only Ira-san was on board.
　Hmmm.
　However, I don't know.
　It's just a hypothesis, and there's also a theory that Asaro himself might not be aware of his feelings.

Well, it's no use thinking about other people's love affairs. Let's think about defeating that giant first.
Yeah.

　Well.

''I'm going to the library to ask about that holy magic sword, what do you want to do after this, Curie-san?

　Mr. Currier looked at the entrance to the classroom.

'There's something that's been bothering me I'm sorry, but I can't go out with you today.
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah, I'm sorry.

　I left the classroom before Currier-san with the disappointing Holy Magic Sword in my hand and headed to the library.

　　　　　　　　　　*

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　The books on the desk fell to the floor and scattered with the impact of their hips hitting each other in pieces.

''Ze, the Holy Magic Sword!　This is a holy demon sword, isn't it!　You stole it!
No way!　I got it from the Holy Ruins!

　As soon as she entered the room and showed him the holy magic sword, Clarice was startled and jumped up - or rather, jumped off.
　Clarice-san got down on all fours to approach the holy magic sword on the floor that she had removed.

The holy magic sword has been found in the holy ruins in the past. .....

　Mr. Clarice looked up.

'This is an amazing find, Mr. Kurohiko!
Is that so?
''No, because it's the Holy Demon Sword!　Ooohhhhhh, I'm feeling so energized!

　Clarice-san, who was in a daze, picked up the holy magic sword and began to observe it critically.
　Well, I remember Zeke saying that there were only three of them in the country.
　I didn't think it was such an amazing thing because everyone's reaction was so calm at the time.

'Hmm?　Is this a coat of arms?　Hmmm?　Huh?　I've seen this shield-like crest before........mmmmmm, where did I see it?

　Clarisse-san groaned with a question mark in her head.

''Um, I'd like to ask you about the earthly prison world if possible...''

　That's rather the main thing I came here today.

'The Earth's Prison Realm?　There is no such thing in this world. Mmmm, this sigil is....
Didn't we talk about how it might be deep underneath the apocalypse the other day!
Hmm, where did I see this...?
'Well I don't care if it's about legends. Well, at least you can tell me where the book with the information is....
''It's beautiful though.......I wonder what kind of glow it will show when the holy element is poured into it....

　I can't hear you.
　Huh.
　What can I do?
　Let's hear about this holy magic sword first.

"Actually, I heard that the holy magic sword doesn't have any special powers.
Oh, yeah?　It's interesting. What does that mean?

　Do you react to the story of the Holy Magic Sword?
　I explained what I heard from Currier-san.

''It looks like a key, so maybe it's not actually a weapon?　I wondered what it would be like........well, it's not.
Key?　The key ... the key ... the key ... ah!

　Mr. Clarice popped his palm with the hilt of his sword.

'Yes!　Now I remember!　The Great Clock Tower's unopened chamber!　This is probably the coat of arms on that door!
The Great Clock Tower?
'Yes!　There's a room in the basement of the Great Clock Tower with an altar, and behind that altar there's a door that doesn't open!　I only checked with permission once, but I couldn't get into that room by any means...
Could it be the key to that door?
Yes, sir!　Well, then, let's go!
Go where?
The Great Clock Tower, of course!

　　　　　　　　　　*

So... you came to me?
'Because neither I nor Kurohiko-san can use the holy element.　Then who is going to pour the holy element into this holy demon sword?　And who is going to get permission to enter the underground altar!　You are the only person who meets both requirements and I can negotiate with you, Headmaster!　Do you understand?!

　Makina-san, who is sitting in the headmaster's chair, puts her forehead to her folded hands and sighs.

''I'm ... busy?''
'Don't say that!　Please, sir, I beg of you!　Please, please, please, please........!

　Clarice banged her forehead hard against the headmaster's desk.

I know, I know, I know. Please don't do that.
So, Headmaster?

　With a bang, Mr. Clarice looked up.
　Makina-san sighed for the second time.

''Yes, I'm going ... I should go, right?''
'Oh!　And while we're at it, please increase the library's budget!
What do you think you're asking for on top of that?　No!

　Clarice looks like she's already soaring.
　Can a person make such a happy expression?
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　It's a good thing that Makina-san is quite a caring person while saying something or other....
　And Makina-san, who made a disapproving face, gave me a look.

''........You're also curious about it, aren't you?
Yeah, well,

　'Huh,' sighs Makina for the third time.

'Alright. Then I'll get ready now, so wait in front of the main gate.