As usual, Ars went up to the general bleachers, looking down at the top of the second floor to get a bird's eye view of the whole thing. To tell the truth, even if it's a second year game, they all look the same. If you look into the details, you can see the subtle differences between the strengths of the players, but it's only about 5,000th place in the rankings. The margin of error is only a few hundred, which is theoretically only enough to overtake the difference in a few days if you participate in the outside world mission. It is truly a difference of luck of the hour.
　It's certainly not true that there are not all three digit mages. Even the third year students of Rusalka have them. Of course, it wasn't the second magic academy to plan countermeasures, although we paid attention to it. The only reason for this is because they couldn't secure players who could aim for the main competition.

　It would be easy to recognize a triple-digit magician, but currently the players in the game are unbearable to watch. However, if you look downstairs, you can see players from other schools looking up and down while making notes. Of course, Ars has to remember, but his memory isn't good enough to take notes.
　No matter how much he says it's just a matter of not being able to tell the difference, that's not going to be allowed. It's not for me to gather information, it's for the sake of myself, it's for the purpose of gathering information on the advice and combinations of players from the second magical academy to win when they hit. You must not look at it on your own initiative.

　The only thing I can say is that if I hadn't accepted the job, I would have refused to collect information. On the contrary, I can assure you that I would not have participated in the tournament.
　Even so, I can't bring myself to watch and do it for the third year students.

''Arus-sama, wouldn't it be better to push this kind of role to someone else?''
'I don't think so. I'm participating as one of the players, so there's no need to go out of your way to create discord within the team. Besides, there's Felli in the second year club, so there's no need to punish him for doing this.
Is it because those breasts are... no, because they're socarents, that's why you're giving her that much?

　The words sounded disconcerting for a moment, but even from the fact that he rephrased them, Ars made an effort to ignore them.

And Sir Viziest could do that.
'Yes, of course. I'm sorry to hear that was so strange.

　She looks down from shame and apologizes to Loki, who looks down from shame and controls her with his hand, "Don't worry about it," she says, and ponders for a moment. These kinds of questions she asks are sometimes a sign of change, surprisingly. In the past, teaching Tesfia and Alice was a series of choices I would have never made when I was in the military. Whether this is a change of heart or growth is still unanswered, but such small changes are subtle.
　They remind me of things I can't see for myself. So I don't think even these questions and answers are useless. There may come a time when you have to pass your will because Ars doesn't like to be used unknowingly. It's the reason why he or she doesn't take advantage of the fact that he or she has changed when forced to make a choice.　
　That's why I think about it. The change in response to Felinella, I wonder if this is not an excuse for something.
　But----.

(I knew it was because of what we talked about after the mission...)

　At the end of the day, it's about the engagement that Vizayst brought up. Of course, Ars has no intention of doing so - it's not a matter of whether or not he's attracted to Felinella - but he was evading what he thought he was avoiding, wasn't he?
　If that's the case, it's easy to reason that he is intimately acquainted with Felinella, the daughter of Vizayst.

(Not likely...)

　Snarling and pondering, Loki wondered at Ars, "What's wrong? I voiced my concerns. It was because of the paranoia that he was offended.
　'No, it's nothing,' he snapped back to consciousness, almost opening his mouth to say, 'Loki, marriage...' which was supposed to be followed by, 'I had an engagement proposal, but it might be because of that.' It's not like I'm going to ask her about it. He's already given her an answer, and just imagining what kind of attitude Loki would have towards Felinella after hearing that would be troublesome.

　Loki, who shakes his silver hair without hesitation and tilts his head in a small way, still replies to Loki with a curt, "It's nothing.
　In a sense, I feel like I'm lost in a thought maze of self-discovery. It's unlikely that a circuit without conclusions and emotions will be able to find an answer quickly. Is there a sure sign of change when you are already thinking about such a colorful love affair?

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

'Well, it's true that you can use it.

　I chide myself for sounding terrible when I say that. He thought he was smiling lightly, but it was unconsciousness that made him look twitchy.

　But how Loki interprets this, he thinks back to what Ars said in the big bathhouse about the type of woman - an immediate preference, neither external nor internal - being "a usable woman". I don't need to remind myself of this, though, because it was deeply and directly ingrained in my brain as the most important item.
　Something cold ran down Loki's back. An unreliable footing that was about to crumble in many ways because Felinella had satisfied the conditions.
　Even if you try to maintain your composure, your mouth is open and your mind is not in the right place.
　What brought Loki's stunned consciousness back to reality was the sight of two figures in the distance.
　You're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

'You're late, Ars.'

　That distracted voice, but in the midst of the cheers, this was the only place that often came through. It was a scene like a reoccurring one day when a single mage would show up and the match would be distracted.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with them. I have to watch the match that is currently going on, but it can't be helped.
　One is naturally a familiar man.
　However, Ars's gaze was not on Jean, but next to him. Since he didn't remember making a promise, this makes sense. It was because he had said he would introduce them before.
　Nevertheless, although I objected to the way he said it as if Ars had called him out, it doesn't mean I can't read the air enough to point it out here.
　Instead, he turns his attention to the young man who walks a step back next to Jean. He was playing in the third game, but he couldn't watch the game because it was covered by Ars.
　Nevertheless, he is one of the people currently plaguing Ferrinella. He was sloppy in that the information he gathered was consistently unknowable. It meant that the difference in strength between him and her could not lay bare their abilities. In the end, it was settled with the wind system first level magic. At the first rank level, it was not even possible to determine the suitability of the system.

　So Ars walked next to him, a young man walking next to him, his reddish-black hair reaching almost to his eyes, heaped up in wavy tufts towards the top of his head. It even made him look like Jean in appearance. He has slit eyes, brown mixed eyes, but he has a somewhat sincere temperament without an intimidating impression. I wonder if his personality is in inverse proportion to his mischievous appearance.
　It's also true that you can't gauge a wizard's tendencies just by looking at him or her, although I work hard to gather information.

'It took you a long time.'

　Ars returns sarcastically. I fully understand his intentions. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about that. That's about as light a greeting as you can get.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's nice to meet you, Ars-sama. My name is Filiric Argane, if you don't mind me saying so. I've heard about you from Master Jean for some time now.

　It's a graceful bow with a hand on his chest. A gentlemanly manner, even agreeable.
　Ars took one look at Jean as an afterthought, but immediately opened his mouth in return.

'I've heard about you, too. I heard that you're the Hope of Rusalka, after all. I'm looking forward to the fight. And this is Loki, who has been my partner in the tournament.

　I tried to act like that, but in the end, I just want to confirm the victory of the second magical academy early on.
　The silent bow is an even more perfect action than Phililic - like being a first-class maid.
　Phililic smiles, "Nice to meet you. No one can see through the built-up smile.

'Yes, sir!　In that case, I'll do my best to borrow your chest.
..........

　Her voice was fluent and normal, but Ars didn't miss the hint of hostility in Fililic's eyes as she lifted her gaze.

''You're talking about three figures, are you involved in the mission in the outside world?
'Yes, I'm only accompanying Master Jean on his business, so I'm not registered with him.
Jean. You're the one with the training?
'Sometimes ... but more importantly, I don't want Ars to tell you that.

　Indeed, if you ask me that, I've mentored them both and put a partner on them.

'Then again, Jean's training, or I didn't know you had the dexterity to train the younger generation.

　This is also true of myself. In fact, I even think I'm not cut out for it. But right now, the words have no meaning.
　It's not so much that Jean is angry at being told that as he is quizzical. It's a good thing that you're also leading each unit as an instructor, Ars must know that. He wondered if he had talked about it in a joint operation a few years ago, but had forgotten about it.
　However - he immediately understands when a voice rises from next to him.
And Phililic's voice trailed off mid-sentence. Because a chop was swung down over his head.

'So you're............haha~'

　Ferylik looked back at Jean, who withdrew his hand in disgust, with a questioning look in his eyes.

'Ars, give me a break from that much.
'Yeah, right. I was messing around too much.

　With a smile, Ars expresses his approval. At any rate, it's good to have a little handout. There's no need to feel angry just because I was called you. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to expect. It would be desirable if this was the case even without any eye contact, but this is something that is not generally discernible as to whether it is good or bad.
　Phililic must have felt that Jean was mocked and was upset. This is essentially a trivial conversation between singles. I knew at a glance that it wasn't simply because they were opponents. That's why I used Jean to scythe him in the first place. Anyone would be angry if their own singles were made fun of, but in his eyes, it made a personal impression.
　In other words, Phililic must adore Jean. It's not just because he's a singles from his own country, as evidenced by the fact that he has his training on, either.

'I'm sure the match isn't over yet, so I'll leave you with that introduction, Ars. I've given you a lot of trouble.
Yeah, I'm glad you're here.
'I really wanted to introduce you!　I couldn't say no to that from above.

　The reason Jean went out of his way to show up here was to advertise that he had a relationship with a single mage. To put it bluntly, it was to prevent solicitation. That's why people think that even if Loki, Ars's partner, is a player, he won't be approached for recruitment.
　It is possible that Ars himself could be approached, though.

　In a sense, Ars and Loki are like a set, and if a mage who has a close relationship with a single is recruited, there is a possibility that it won't be a simple matter, no matter how much the solicitation is tacit approval. It's a fine line of demarcation as far as this time is concerned, though.　
　Arus tries to guess that Lusarka's former head Lithia would have said it anyway.

'Alright, alright,'
So we'll be back. So I'll see you later.
'Master Ars, in the unlikely event that we play against each other by chance, would you be willing to give up the first place to Master Jean if I win?
...Hey!
'I don't mind, but that means you're going to do the best you can,'

　It was Jean who put his arm between him and Phililic, who nodded.

'Wait. I can't agree to that. Let me say this not as an individual, but as a single mage in Lusarka. It's the demons that are the enemies, not the humans against each other. Let me take back this fool.

　Jean bowed deeply to Ars. He said that others would interfere in the duel, the promise, and rebel against it.

''Master Jean........''
"You shut up!
'Yeah, Jean, it's just a joke. Even if I give up the first place, if things go in order, I'll just move up.

　Ars chuckles as he scoffs at the shallow Phililic.

'You're still a stiff in that sort of thing.
'Well, my bad. I'm going to have to get the hell out of here before this guy says any more stupid things.

　Ars raises his hand lightly in agreement.
　Philiric bows condescendingly with an intimidating look in his eyes and turns on his heel. There was no withdrawal in his eyes, but instead a somber regret in his eyes. It was for the blunder of making Jean bow.
　Turning his gaze quickly from his distant back to the game field, Ars lifted his cheek lightly.

'Was there something interesting?'
'Well. I just thought Jean was raising an interesting guy, too.
What about it?　If you behave like that next time, I don't think I'll be able to stand it, even if Master Ars allows it.

　He glares at the destination where he was leaving sharply with a look of indignation. As expected of Loki, if this was an exchange between singles, he could have restrained himself a bit more. In terms of combat ability, the first-ranked Ars is the highest-ranked and should be respected, but since they are equal in terms of position, as long as they are a force representing another country, they are not in a position to say anything about it, even if they are partners. Of course, it's not hard to imagine the churning in the gut.

　I placed my hand on Loki's head, which was on the verge of battle, and muttered in a whisper that the people around me could not hear.

''----!
'Not many people would foolishly challenge me when they know I'm number one, and there's some interest in hearing that Jean is working out.

　It is certain that the colors of those who teach it are mixed, after all. In fact, what he teaches Tesfia and Alice is what Ars has learned independently in the outside world in order to efficiently defeat demons, and it can't be helped but be influenced in no small part by the fighting style that he has adopted as being useful besides.
　It was one of the first things that made the granting of magic power thorough.
　Ars turned back to the countermeasure headquarters with Loki in tow.

(If we can make it in time, we might be able to fight.)

　Of course, I'm willing to drop out of the #1 spot if I'm going to lose. Even though his strength is close to double digits, it would be a good laugh if he lost his singles. But that doesn't mean I'm not mature enough to get serious in a match.
　Nevertheless, the original plan was to lose to Loki in the final, or to produce a fluke victory. It's no wonder that life in the academy is inadequate if you can't easily handle three figures in front of the players of the second magical academy and the students who are watching the game.
　In the end, it's a digestion game, such as a battle among friends. Since the point of entry is the same, you want to abstain, but without a valid reason, it seems to result in tarnishing a sacred match. It's a pecking order idea that no one who knows Ars would be able to open their mouths to dispute it, even if they realised they'd cut corners.

(If the opportunity arises, I'll ask Jean to teach me what teaching is all about. It's time for me to go beyond the realm of inexperience. Ahhhh, hassle!)

　Maybe it's because the training has paid off, that he doesn't feel so much pain when he swears.
　When Ars arrived at the task force, a hush filled the interior. If I had to say, it was like after a festival.
　Inside the task force that has settled down, Ferrinella, sitting resolutely in front of her desk, cowered her shoulders and stared at the screen projected on the screen.
　The wrinkles between her eyebrows suggest that the situation is not optimistic.

''From the looks of it, it's not looking good.

　He uttered this to Felinella, who hadn't noticed that Ars had approached her with his eyes on the surroundings.

''----!　

　You can see more or less tiredness in his eyes. However, he smiles with a changed, meek smile in front of Ars.

'This way I've met with Filiric of Rusarka.
"....!　How did it go?
As you might expect, it would be more constructive to deal with them yourself.
''I see, the calculations are in the direction of Ars-san's partner in the estimation as well, so there is no change. So the problem then is........

　Felinella turned back to the tournament table projected in the background.

'The question is, who do we want to advance to the finals?
Yes, Mr. Ars and Mr. Loki, you must be able to enter the competition on merit.

　That's right, not all of the four blocks are held by the second wizarding academy. No matter what happens in tomorrow's two games, the first wizarding academy will take one of its slots to the main competition.
　This won't change even if Ars crushes the players of the first wizarding academy in tomorrow's match. The problem is that it would be best if they could beat them early in tomorrow's match, but they would avoid that as they are also trying to win the championship.

　This wouldn't have happened if they had a chance to bump Loki and win for sure. However, if it was only the current rankings, they were almost on the same level. He couldn't strike because he couldn't even measure his potential fighting ability. It's simply because if Loki is eliminated early after the first game, the amount of points he can expect to gain will be reduced.
　So currently, the move that the Second Magic Academy can make is to advance three slots to the main competition and beat them in the first round.
　What Felinella is asking Ars is whether Tesfia or Alice should advance to the final round.
　This is a choice that bothers her because the match between the students of the same school in the preliminary round can be chosen not to take place depending on the leadership of that academy... If this is just a player, it's a decision that Felinella can make in her mind, but in her mind, it's a choice between the two that Ars is coaching. I was terribly hesitant to make a superior or inferior decision on my own.

'It doesn't matter either way, does it?' And Ars continues in a little whisper.

'Tesfia is out of the loop if only in terms of the amount of magic she has, and Alice also has magic that is effective against people. But the two of them are still too rough around the edges. Regardless of which one you raise, your regrets are the same.

　Felinella chuckled at the statement that it wasn't about which was best, but rather that they were both equally damaging if they were to take the risk.

　As far as Alice was concerned, I'd like to see her in the main race for publicity as well, but apart from selfishness, I don't mind either way.

I'll leave that part up to you. It's just that it's best to avoid the fight.

　This was because Ars had one concern, and he knew that he could make a substitute for the missing slot in the main competition.
　Felinella nodded without question.

　Seven players had won their third game in the first year division today. It's a shame, because it's only a good result that couldn't be better than this.
　This is because after tomorrow, there will be a match between players from the same school.
　But there is no sign of gloom. They are determined to do their best, no matter who they are playing.
　Ferrinella, who was watching it from a distance, broke out in happiness. If it was anyone other than both Tesfia and Alice, she would be better off letting them have a match.

　If we don't know if we can stand in the same place next year, then let's make some memories. It wasn't just because he was the leader, but also because it felt like an effort to be a senior student.