You want me to...?
But of course, if Kurohiko could afford it, right?

　I was at a loss.
　It is because I had never trained with anyone before, although I had been trained by someone before.
　Honestly, I had never thought about giving someone a lesson.

But why me?
'Well, Cecily's going to have Currier train her until the Feast of the Holy War, isn't she?
Yeah, I guess so.
'Ha ha ha ... I'll tell you the truth?　Actually, I was hoping to get Currier to train me at first.

　In other words, Ira-san had been planning to go out to the ungraded class long before that.

''Well I thought Cecily was going to have Kurohiko and Currier practice with her alone. But from what I've seen lately, it didn't seem like Kurohiko hadn't trained anyone so I thought I'd just ask her to do it.

　Ira-san looks down.

"I've been training on my own, but lately I've been feeling a bit limited... Haha, I've been working hard until midnight, but the other day Ray chided me for being too persistent. In fact, it's hard to get up in the morning because there's still some fatigue left...

　So, was his last-minute rush to class this morning because he was tired and had to sleep in?

He said he was looking for someone to practice with him there.
Yeah, so... what do you think?

　Ira-san waits timidly for a response, looking up.

But I have no experience in training people.
When I talked to my brother about it, he said that even if you fight someone stronger than you, you will gain a huge boost in experience. But the only people I can think of who are strong enough to talk to, who are not contestants in the Martial Arts Festival, are Kurohiko and Currier.

　Senior Ray would be reliable, but he's also a contestant.
　Moreover, senior Ray is putting his shoulder to the shoulder with Ira Horn and Koudelka Ferraris.
　If the two of them are going to compete in the same ungraded class, it's hard to put your shoulder to one of them, right?

''Ira-san's big brother is the Holy Tree Eight Swords, right?
Yeah. He can be a little blunt, but to me he's a strong and kind brother.

　
　However, I think the saying that the experience of fighting strong opponents is a source of sustenance is true.

　Myself--although it's largely due to my special nature as a forbidden host--the more I fought against strong opponents, the more I felt I grew.
　Even now, just by crossing swords with Curie-san and Commander Sogut, I can feel my growth.
　Well, in the case of those two, it's probably because of their good training skills.
　And Ray-senpai, who almost hurt Chairman Koudelka, also said that he wanted to let me fight him before the Seibu Festival.
　It's also a good experience for me to touch Chairman Koudelka's "Polaris" and Chairman Driscoll's "Peelkantal" during the mock fight these days.
　So I think it's true that there is something to be gained just by crossing swords.

''As far as I'm concerned, I don't mind accepting that role.
'What?　Okay?
Because...

　This is the only thing I can do.

When you ask for help from Ira-san of all people, you can't say no to this.
I asked him for help, but, I mean, are you sure you want to do this?
I'd like to say that I won't accept anyone's request unconditionally, but on the other hand, there are times when I will accept a request unconditionally, depending on the person. But, on the other hand, depending on the person, there may be times when I accept a request unconditionally. That's just how it is. Well....I don't know if I can be of any use to you, but...
"Oh--

　Ira took my hand in both of hers.

'Thank you, Kurohiko!
Um, one thing........I'd like to ask you about this for personal interest.
Yes.
'Why do you dare to have an ungraded division instead of a grade-level division?

　The Holy War Festival's ungraded class has a dominantly talented participant.

　Koudelka Ferraris.
　Dristos Kielcinha.
　And Cecily Arkwright.

　And Cecily Arkwright.

'The Arkwrights will be there to take them down as Horns, not as Horns, right?

　I don't think Mr. Ira is going to be in the ungraded class because of what the house is like now.
　Ira-san lets go of my hand.
　There's a smile, but an air of seriousness.

'To be strong,'

　--I'll be strong enough to protect the people I love...!

　The words she once said to me.
　Those words are etched in my mind.
　She said that she wanted to be strong in order to protect the people she cared about.
　That's a feeling I can relate to.

That's why I want to challenge the strongest people in the world.
As you know, the ungraded classes are a formidable bunch.
Yeah, I know. But that's why - I'm not going to say right now that I don't know if I'm going to win. I'm going to try to win until after the Holy War Festival.

　I don't know if you can win, but I'm not saying that now, am I?
　........strong.
　I think those words can only come from the mouths of people who are really strong-willed.
　Maybe Ira-san has changed a bit.
　I think this person has already become stronger.
　In terms of feelings, he's stronger than me.

'It's not about the Horns. I don't want to challenge the Horns, I want to challenge them as Ira Horne. To the seniors, to President Koudelka, to President Dristos to Cecily Arkwright.

　I couldn't help but let my mouth fall open.

'I'm glad to hear why you're going to be in the ungraded class.

　I can practice my own - 《Souryu》 even after Ira-san's practice is over.

''I understand. Then let's work hard with me until the Holy Martial Arts Festival.......I won't tell you right now that I don't know if I can do it or not. I'll do my best to find out what I can do for Isla-san.
"Hmm.
'Huh?　What's going on?
No....it's Kurohiko after all.
?

　While I had a question mark on my face, Ira-san straightened her posture and bowed.

"Then I'll leave you to it for a while, Instructor Sagara.

　Ira looked up and scowled shyly.

''Is ... the instructor a bit stiff?''
Yeah, it's tight.
...Ha ha, right?
So, as always, please use the Blackberry.

　Ira salutes with a stern smile.

''Yes!''

　It was a very happy smile that seemed to blow away the exhaustion of training.




''That's why I'm going to practice with Ira-san, but...''

　The next morning, I told Currier and Cecily that I was going to be Ira's trainer for the Holy War Festival.
　While I was talking, their brows were wrinkled and their expressions were very subtle.
　I grew uneasy as I went on with my story, and my voice trailed off at the end.
　Oh, you're angry....?

Yeah. You're Ira's trainer.

　When I finished listening to the story, Currier-san said.

''Nah, was something bad...?

　When I directed my question to Currier-san, Cecily-san said.

''Oh dear, this is a troubling story...''

　Ms. Cecily has a wilting, troubled look on her face.
　Ko, troubling story?

What do you mean you're in trouble?
Hmm?　The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's a bit of a stretch to have you as a training partner for other students. It's just--

　Currier exhaled.

'If that person who asked for it is Isla, then I don't blame you.
Yeah?

　I'm not sure what that means.

'Oh, you're just as dull as usual. Meh, is it?

　With a tap, Cecily pokes me on the forehead with her fingertips.

'Yes?'
"Of course we have no right to restrict Kurohiko from being someone's training partner, because he is free to do so. It's up to her to do so. But for us, the idea of Kurohiko being the training partner of another schoolgirl is a bit distressing. Not as a participant in the Seibutsu Festival, but as a woman.

　This is--

Well, I don't expect you to be jealous...?
Yes, that's correct. Even you, as expected, noticed that? Good. Well, so now you have something to say to us, don't you?
Oh, I'm so glad.

　Slyly, Cecily almost slipped away.
　The classmates' gazes gathered at once.

''You're cute even when you slip off, Cecily-sama...'' ''You're gaining some charm lately, aren't you?'' ''People don't react like that when I slip off...''

　It's amazing how much affirmation you get for anything you do.
　Cecily's shoulders were shaking with a pull.

''That's not what I meant...?　No, in a way, I suppose it's a great answer, but it's a bit more like this...
?

　Tilt your head.
　........I was just giving my honest opinion.

''That's enough. I'm sorry for wasting my time talking about it........''

　Ms. Cecily pulls back with a squeak.
　Currier-san measures the switch with a coughing fit.

The fact is, each individual has a few thoughts on the matter... but if it's about being Ira's training partner, then I guess we don't have any complaints about it, either.

　Currier-san softened her eyes as she looked at Ira's seat, which hadn't yet arrived.

''I like Ira too, you know. There is a point where she is too good-natured, but that is Ira's strength. How can I say.......just being around someone like that makes me feel like I'm saved.
There was a time when we didn't know how to treat each other properly because of the relationship between our houses, but ever since we came to understand each other through the mission to defeat the giants, I have a favorable feeling about Ira. That's why........this may sound strange, but I want to support her. Of course--

　Cecily smiles.

''We don't cut corners at the Holy War Festival, though.

　It's a "smile not made".

''Of course. I think that's what Ira-san wants, too.
'Yes. It's one thing to feel good about it, but the game is another. We are now opponents of each other. So--

　Currier-san, smiling wryly, sniffs with a humph.

''Sorry, but as far as we're concerned, we have no intention of losing. Naturally, to those two chairmen.
I'm going to win.
Hmm I'm looking forward to it, Kurohiko.
Yes. Me too.

　It's nice to be able to play the game this way in a clean way.
　Cecily chuckles.

''But it doesn't feel quite right without one of the main characters, the all-important Isla, here.

　Ira has yet to show up today.
　I wondered if he had been working on his training yesterday, too, by himself until late at night.
　And just when it was time to start the report of the time of climbing

Yes, yes!　Huh ... just in time for the-- Whoa!　Instructor Isabella!　Oh, good morning!

　It was Ira's voice that came from behind the door.