It was May 27th, the day before the next day's extra-curricular activities.

　The tension in the school was at its peak, which was increasing day by day. The tense atmosphere was that of a first-year student with a tragic feeling in the air.
　After receiving the news of the extracurricular classes, the after-school training area was booked up with reservations and the allotment to date was filled in an instant, at the same time as the group members were recruited. Of course, that priority is the opposite of what it should be, and that priority belongs to the first years. Still, that's what I mean.
　Although it translates into psychological damage at the training ground, if this goes out into the outside world, it is a life-threatening experience.
　Mage chicks, who have never experienced such an experience in their lives, work hard at training without knowing if it's the right training to return safely. Otherwise, she would be anxious to do so.

　Overall, there were complaints about the lack of places where magic could be used. In response to this, the academy put away the students who made a fuss by freeing up some areas for the use of magic outside the training grounds.
　Originally, there wasn't much point in fighting against demons, so the antipathy didn't rise any further.

　Then, a week ago, the group members were announced, and after that, discussions of strategy and cooperation began to be seen here and there.
　The content of the class was also forced to change in a hurry, mainly regarding demons.

　Tesfia and Alice are at the top of the list within the first year. It's not natural for them to be together in that grouping.
　In other words, they would have taken the average of the five's rankings.
　The chancellor further ranked the groups and assigned the top rankers in the school from the anxious group as supervisors.

　The students' faces are definitely filled with tension.
　Still, some of their impatience seemed to have eased. I don't know if this was due to the addition of the senior students, but I guess it was because Ars had never actually seen a demon before.

　It is true that he had a hard expression of anxiety on his face at the beginning, but it could be that time has made the sense of danger of students who have never been exposed to the threat of demons fade for better or worse.

''No training today in preparation for tomorrow.

　Lunch at lunchtime. The usual four people (no Felinella) at the dining room table. Ars opened his mouth if he hoped this wouldn't be a permanent position.
　This opening was abrupt, but the reason it was readily accepted was probably because the two of them offered to do so without Ars's suggestion.
　Unlike the simple manipulation of magic power like in the past, the suppression of magic power using a stick actually consumes magic power and therefore leaves you fatigued the next day.

''That's right. And I also thought I needed to have a meeting with the members after school.''
Yes, sir!　I guess this one is similar.

　I think he understands why, there is no argument.
　Ars believes that we did what we had to do.
　Tomorrow we'll know that the training was more than we expected.


　Even after the class is over, none of us are going home. Except for Ars and Loki, that is.

'We're going to be busy tomorrow,'
Yes, sir.

　Tesfia and Alice would be staying behind like the rest of the students to get ready for tomorrow.
　So now it will be Loki and the two of them going home.
　The only plan for the rest of the day is a brief review in the Chancellor's office once.
　For what it's worth, I'll be going there almost every day until today.
　Thanks to that, there was no more improvement in the discussion in Ars's estimation.
　Because of the strong flavor of a tentative exchange condition, Ars didn't cut corners either.
　Even so, it does not mean that he was able to do everything possible.
　It's just a matter of the students' abilities. As I said when the chancellor first asked for help from Ars, it was only to reduce the damage.


　Even Loki will understand the importance of the role. Supporters with a lot of real-world experience can expect a satisfactory job.
　My only concern ... is that the reinforcements will be useless. Even the senior students are selected from the best students minus the supervisors, but 90% of them have no real battle experience.

I'm going to be cleaning up your mess, Loki. I'll clean up your mess, and you stay at your post.

　I'll make sure of it. I've said a couple of words over to Loki in our preliminary discussions.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.
　It's also a confirmation statement.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for," said Loki, who lightly lowered his eyes, looking as expressionless as usual and not feeling an ounce of tension.

　The likelihood of actually encountering a high rate demon was low.
　In the unlikely event of an invasion, it can be captured by the installed resident detection magic.
　The range spans 20km from the defense line, so there would be no delay in retreating after confirmation.　


　♢ ♢ ♢　


　In front of the laboratory it was Loki's job to open the door. I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done, but I'm going to be able to get the same thing done with my personal registration by magic so that I won't have any inconvenience in living in the same room.
　When you complete the identification authentication with the magic of Loki, who held out his hand to the panel, you can hear the click of the lock being released three times and the door slowly opening.
　Loki gives a chuckle of deep emotion each time. Once wondering, Ars asks.　But what came back was a buoyant, buoyant voice with a bouncy ending, "It's my duty!


　The inside of the laboratory has changed over the past month.
　The inside of the laboratory had changed over the past month, as Loki had completely settled in.

　A simple divider had been set up in one corner of the too large laboratory. There is a bedroom, but even without the inclusion of Ars's personal belongings, it is too small for two people.
　Tesfia pointed out that they had made a simple room. Loki was not happy with it, but he reluctantly agreed to it because he didn't concede that this was a minimum requirement.
　Even if the equipment and other things originally sat in the room, it was still too much - the bedroom was just too small.
　Even if you take up the space for one Loki, there's still plenty of space left.

　
　Normally, I would spare even a small amount of time to devote to my research, but this day was different.
　My last appointment with the Chancellor would not be until later in the evening. It was enough time to devote to his research, but Ars pulled out a jet-black case that was hidden in one corner of the bedroom.

　Behind him, Loki refrained with a curious look on his face.

'I didn't expect you to use this again,'

　It wasn't unleashed against Loki, but a monotonous question was posed from behind him.

'What is it?'

　He always kept his posture, standing orderly and upright, but he took advantage of the question and leaned back to peer in.

'That's my AWR (Aura),'

　He deliberately brushes the top of the clean, jet-black case with his hand. Ars drops his languid gaze on that case, which is not dusty.

'Are you going to use it?'
It's the easiest thing to do.

　I'm not saying that you'll know it when you see it.
　Because the obvious reply was tinged with interest.

　Ars let the magic crawl over the clasp.
　Then, after a light click, the clasp came off by itself.

　When he opened it with a familiar motion, a single knife appeared with an eerie presence, linking the chains together. There is a small gap inside the sheath for the chain to fit inside.
　It's more like a dagger than a knife.

''-----!

　Loki didn't speak because Ars drew his sword barrel.
　It was a black glowing blade, a pressure to slaughter the demon for sure.
　More than that, Loki was surprised by the blade's blade.

　Originally, the AWR served as an auxiliary weapon for transmitting magic power and exercising magic smoothly. In order to use difficult magic, complex and difficult magic formulas must be carved into every corner.
　That was not seen in this sword blade.
　No, they are inscribed, but they are there. Only two letters, Loki didn't know what they meant, but he was sure it was unnatural.
　Especially if it was the strongest magician.

　Ars answered her with a raised eyebrow.

''The magic formula is carved.......over here.

　Ars grabs the chain and pulls it vigorously.
　The jangling, unbroken chain lies on the floor.

　His face changes color with a huff and he opens his mouth as if to notice something.

'May I touch you?'

　Loki scoops it up with both hands as he tells it with his eyes that he doesn't mind.

''-----!　
Yeah, it's easy to use. Of course you have to learn all the magic, though.

　You could assist by inscribing a magical formula into the AWR, but that was basically the best one lineage could do.
　The only magic formula that could be inscribed to aid the lineage was the basics of what makes up the magic. It is only because it is considered the most efficient and versatile.
　It's not recommended to carve more than one core magic formula because of the practical conflicts. Rather, it's more of a disadvantage.

　The composition of a single magic formula is due to the combination of multiple magic formulas. In the case of [Icicle Sword], ice as a system is the foundation of the magical formula, plus convergence, fixation, coordinates, strength, and even molding.
　Tesfia was able to do this with an AWR that was based solely on the magical formula of the ice system, which was probably due to aptitude and effort. Rather, this is more common.
　It's not a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing, but it's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　The case of carving only the lineage formula.
　The advantage is that a wide range of magic that belongs to the systematic formula is assisted. Of course, you can only simplify the process of constructing magic, and if you are immature, it will not appear as magic unless you incorporate the missing components.

　When carving a single magic formula, it takes even more space to add a + element to a lineage.
　Instead of being able to use only one magic, you have the advantage of being able to draw on the original power of the magic, not to mention the complete destruction of the chant. It's not just that you need to read and understand the magic formula to use it, but also that you can't use it with just anything.
　In fact, even if you can break chanting, there aren't many knowledgeable wizards who are able to draw on the power of magic. It's a good thing that a wide variety of magic is useful in a real world situation, so no one carves a single magic formula into the AWR.

''Each one of these is a separate magic?''

　It can't be helped that the always expressionless Loki shivers.
　It's a good thing that the magic formula is so large that it efficiently aids in the exercise of magic.
　On the other hand, if you make it small, even if you can carve the necessary formula, it's difficult to receive the benefit of assistance.
　This is because it requires magic manipulation like threading a needle while fighting.

　The magic formula receives the magic power and begins to glow and build magic. The magician reminds himself of the intended magic structure, and the magic formula replaces the process until it materializes on its own.
　It's also necessary to trace the process of realization, so if you're inexperienced, you're forced to chant a verse or two.

　If you reduce the formula, the magic formula is made up, but the process of materialization is incomplete.
　If the formula is reduced, there will be no difference in the process of chanting.

"This will activate the magic...

　Loki stopped to think about it without finishing.
　He's chopping it up because he can use magic with this. He stared at her like she was the strongest magician he could find.

　He paused midway through, but Loki bowed his head, "I beg your pardon.

　Ars, who is used to being respected, smiles bitterly, though not as much as his live-in roommate would have done that much.
　If he said something like, "Don't worry about it," in response, Loki might be struck down by the gaffe.

'It's no big deal,'

　The fact that I told him it wasn't so much of a grievance as a gaffe brought a little sunshine to his fading face.

'Yes,'

　'The strongest magician can do it effortlessly, right?' the meaning of 'The strongest magician can do it effortlessly,' for some reason, the edges of his mouth seemed to rise slightly as if it were his own.

''Loki, be prepared to fight, if not fight, too, because you never know what's in store for you.
I'm always on the alert.

　Of course, this is a needless worry for her, having performed her duties in the outside world.
　Loki quickly pulls out a throwing knife-type AWR from his waist.

''..........''

　It's not a big deal.
　It's not - Loki is in uniform. That means that arrangements have been made so that he can keep his knife in it.
　




　There's no need to prepare for tomorrow, and the time you have is adjusted by heading out earlier than promised to the chancellor.

'Al, Loki-chan.

　It was Alice, who was returning home, who bothered to call out to him. Since she was coming towards me, I thought it was at this distance.

'You've left a lot behind.

　This is a surprising feeling because it's Ars. The voluntary detentions are not much different from the time of training because from Ars's point of view, he thinks he did his best.

'Everyone is still here. And Fear is still working on it too.

　So--.
　It's probably because they're always together that you want to treat them as a set.
　On the contrary, I even thought it was unusual for Alice to be alone like this.

'You must have had quite a bad pull.
"Haha.

　A bitter, powerless laugh.
　It was typical to say that it was not assertive.

Fear is in the 4,000s, so the other girls are not.
It's a good opportunity to see what I've been through.

　Behind him, Loki repeated his nod of approval with a nod of approval.
　It was Alice who tried to change the subject, which must have come into view.

'Where are you two?'

　Alice knows this, so there's no need to hide it.

'It's at the Chancellor's.
Tomorrow?
Well.
'Don't be too late, Al and Loki. We have an early morning tomorrow.
It's up to the chancellor, but I'll keep that in mind.

　I feel bad for Alice, who is worried about my broken face, but I have to keep the specifics to myself.

'I'm sorry to have disturbed you. We'll do our best tomorrow...................right Loki?

　Alice thought it was rude to the contrary when she saw Ars in 'Let's go for it', but she was about to finish saying ninety percent of what she had to say to take it down. The words she couldn't retract managed to finish saying by changing the target to Loki behind her.

　However, Alice herself knows that she is needlessly worried about Loki as well.　

''.........''
"...........

　The silence, where no one opened their mouths.
　The air in this place was hesitant to speak up, even for the cause, Alice.　

　It was unusual for Alice, she thought. That's how anxious she was. Unlike Tesfia, Alice has a too sensitive side to her.

'Well, if you need anything else, I'll help you.

　As he began to walk, Ars muttered to himself as he passed.
　As far as combat abilities go, both of them should be perfect. It's hard to imagine that a low rate demon would be forced to struggle. Even so, even if Ars encourages you to "be okay", you won't be able to wipe away the fear of the unknown.
　So, he said he would lend his strength.
　In fact, since I'm taking care of the trouble, it's a simple matter of not much difference even if it increases.
　Still--

Thank you.

　With a big smile on her face, Alice replied as if she had just expected it.
　That smile neatly removed the element of anxiety. Even if it was only a temporary thing, the fading of the mind that she was holding at this time was certainly gone.