A few hours after Ars left for his mission.
　The news of his absence was announced to all the players at the tournament headquarters.

　A lot of things had been asked before that, but both Tesfia and Alice had been floundering. It's a good thing that you're going to the main competition today, because if one of your players is skipping breakfast, everyone will be worried. Some worried that he might not be feeling well, but they could only say that they would find out later.

　Loki said that Felinella, the leader of the team, also knew, and that she would do well as far as Ars was concerned, so it would be better to not say anything unnecessary and leave it to her to avoid unnecessary confusion.

　When the three of us who have changed into our match clothes show up at the operations center, there are five of us who are changing today. This meant that five of them were able to advance to the main game.
　The third year students were all wiped out, while the second year students were Felinella and Illumina, who was the sub-leader of the team, were advancing to the main game.
　And for the first year, there are three slots for Ars, Tesfia and Loki. However, the absence of one of them in this place was disconcerting. The other students twisted their heads with an expression that said they didn't understand the reason, since Alice, who had been informed in advance, had appeared in her match clothes.
　After checking everyone's faces to resolve it, Felinella opened her mouth.

''Ladies and gentlemen, today is the last day. You may have a chance to win, but if you've come this far, let's leave the rest to the players. And as you may have noticed, Ars-san has been forced to miss the event for various reasons.

　The murmurs of astonishment were mixed in with even the disconcerting suggestion that he had made light of the tournament.

'Don't get me wrong, Mr. Ars also had a strong desire to participate in the tournament. I can't tell you what happened, but you must understand that it was not his choice. Besides, he has been able to win this far. Let's not waste it and respond with good news. And so, I'd like to ask Alice to fill Mr. Ars's slot.

　There is no rebuttal. Those who have seen her matches have spoken out and agreed that there is no one more qualified for the job. Those who hadn't been able to properly evaluate Ars were nevertheless better off for it.
　Thanks in part to Felinella, Ars was able to be absent without any unnecessary animosity, but there were a few who were left with their lumps.
　As for those who were left wondering about this situation.

'What's wrong with me? Don't you two know?

　The bobbed haired, small animal-like woman who came to me with that call was Ciel Farleno.
　Although she was eliminated in the semi-finals of the qualifying round, she was not defeated on merit. It was simply a case of not being able to recover from the fatigue of back-to-back matches. At least we could have done better. He is not so disappointed with the result, though, as he is still very satisfied with the result.

Well, to say I don't know is an understatement.

　Tesfia scratched her cheek with an awkward look on her face.

'What's that, Ars, you could have won for sure.
I hear he's a bit of a pain in the ass too, so I don't blame him.
Ciel puts a lot of pressure on me when he says that...
'Ah!　Come to think of it, the two of you are going to fight, aren't you? You can't go uncontested in a situation like this, the main fight.
I'm used to fighting Fear, so I'm hoping for the best, but with an audience like that...

　Alice makes her face tighten.
　The venue for the main match will be divided into four sections, but since it has been divided into one match field, all eyes will be focused on it. Of course, it is too vast to free up the entire battlefield, so a circular stage will be set up in the center. Even so, it was twice as large as any other venue I've fought in.
　On top of that, there will be waves of piercing glances from the Golden AWR. Most importantly, it's the first match of the day, and there are two of them.

'Once it starts, it's business as usual,'
Fear is the only one who can fight as usual.
''It's certainly nice to be able to calm down like that. I was a disgusting abomination whose magic was a dud... well, even Alice is a big deal compared to that.
It's okay. After all, we're doing what we always do once we get started. If you ask me, I don't think it will make any difference.

　I'm going to guess that it's because Ciel doesn't think much of it, as Tesfia says.
　She looks over to the side as Alice is being lectured by Ars in various ways during the third round.
　Time was ticking away and all three of them were talking in the waiting room until it was close to game time. Mostly about the match, but it was nice for Alice to see the time go by so quickly.
　Loki made a final inspection of the AWR in the corner. He seemed to be concentrating his mind on the flow of magic and other things.

'Come on, it's time to go. Let's leave the chatter for now and head to the venue.

　Felinella urged in a dumbfounded manner. There is no rise and fall in points for the second wizarding academy, but when it comes to the main game, it cannot be taken lightly.
　There were no benches in the main match venue for the main match, and they would enter the venue right out of the aisle. For this reason, both Tesfia and Alice are heading there with their AWRs.

　Tesfia was on the other side, so we split up early.
　We went around the first floor, and the other riders who passed us gave way and looked at us. Of course it doesn't matter. The scene is similar to the one in the school.
　I waited for my cue at the exit, or rather the entrance, where the light shone in.

　And then...

Freshman Division, First Round ------------

　The names of Tesfia and Alice are called and both appear at the same time.
　Alice is the one who almost cowered in the midst of the raging cheers.
　As expected of Tesfia, it was inevitable that her stride would be disrupted. There was a section of the crowd that was more overwhelmed than nervous.
　Tens of thousands of spectators gushed over the two contestants.

(That's a 50/50 chance of winning.)

　I don't remember all of our previous matches, but I know that Tesfia has won more than we've ever won. Even when they played a mock match in front of the chancellor, they managed to win.
　However, Tesfia knows that the results from just a week or so ago don't do her any good. After all, the AWR had changed, and he could say that all of his magic had improved. If he had mastered the new magic as well, his odds of winning would be five minutes, maybe even worse than that.

(But the match isn't a calculation. Winning percentage shouldn't help.)

　I shake my face at him for not being like that, tell him to rouse himself, and put my hand in the sheath.
　I can feel the cold air leaking out.
　I've had many matches with Alice in the past, but when it comes to a match on an unbeatable stage like this, it's still different.
　It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's because they know each other well that they are able to deal with each other with all their might. There is no need to have any qualms about it.
　But even though the hand is known, it doesn't mean that everything is completely naked.

(Sorry Alice, but I'll let you win!)

　Meanwhile, Alice headed toward the center with an awkward step in Alice.
　The AWR, lowered at an angle, reflected the light and made her steps heavy. Still, we knew each other. This time there was an AWR that was given to me, and the performance of it had such high performance that I mistakenly thought my abilities had improved.
　It's been like that since the first game. It feels good in my hand as if I had been using it for some time. But, happily and frustratingly, he realized that he couldn't get the most out of the performance. It made him realize his own lack of power.
　The AWR that responds to magic power is not enough, and the magic that is released is powerful and violent, as if to spit out the depression. Also, it's something I understand because I've learned to manipulate the magic power a little bit. It's like a jaywalker. Since the control of the magic doesn't go according to Alice's designated orientation, it's probably still a treasure right now.

　By the time both of them reached their designated positions, Alice's eyes only reflected Tesfia.
　Their gazes crossed.
　Their cheeks naturally lifted as they were both excited to see each other's hearts in a serious clash that wasn't a mock match like before.

　The time for the start of the game is eagerly awaited.
　They concentrated on each other, their cheers dull and muffled as if they were on the other side of the film.
　This was partly because a protective barrier had been erected, but more importantly because of the sharpened consciousness of the two men.
　The signal to start sounded when their concentration was at its most intense--.

''Icicle Sword.''
"Shire Lace.

　As soon as it started, the magic of both sides was released at the same time.
　The collision in the center produced cold air and contained dust. The sound of the collision tells the power of both magic.
　The crowd clenched their fists as they stood up and shook their throats as if they were withering. The flamboyant development raised the voltage of the spectator's seats more than ever before.
　It was completely evenly matched. This is a layman's view from the bleachers.
　However, the people involved sensed the slight difference.
　Although the magic of both parties has disappeared from each other.

'As expected of Fia's 18th. I'm putting more magic than usual into it, and yet you can only push it slightly.

　Alice was still able to obtain a weapon that could be countered compared to before. If I were to despise it, it would still be my own inadequacy.

''So is Alice. I didn't expect to be outnumbered.

　Tesfia was not caught off guard. However, the fact that his own high-level magic, the Icicle Sword, was defeated is nothing short of a miscalculation.
　If there is a winner, it would be the amount of magic power? At least with the current attack, Alice's magic consumption should be higher, then Tesfia, which is winning on the original total amount, would have an advantage in the amount of magic power.
　But I also know that it's not Alice who doesn't notice such things.

(Even if that's the case, it doesn't change what I do........................here it comes!

　As I expected, I kept Alice, who was running to bring her into close combat, in sight and let the magic power crawl on the sword and dipped the blade body into the ground. The tip of the blade buries itself in the ground slightly without any resistance.

''Freeze.''

　A path of ice running in a radial pattern assaulted Alice. The narrow path that used to be able to be called a line is now able to interfere in a wide area. Even though its power and other freezing properties have not improved, it is still sufficient growth.

(Can Fia see that........)

　It was known to both of them that Alice was a cut above them in close combat and simple martial arts.
　Thrusting the tip of the spear into the ground with a thump, she jumped up into the air with the spear on its axis just before the icy road approached.

''Kuch!''

　He quickly drew his sword and jumped right back to avoid it, thrusting his hand into the ground and spinning once, Tesfia flashed his sword in the air.

''Ice Bullets (Ice Bullet)----Shot!

　In an instant, three fist-sized chunks of ice were created, and as soon as they landed, they were released to Alice as if they had been popped. And around the halfway point, a crack appeared in the ice block.

".........

　A fist-sized chunk of ice shattered into a small ball the size of a fingertip and struck Alice countless times.
　However, Alice's astonishment was not against magic, but against Tesfia, who had mastered this magic.
　She had practiced it a little bit before, but it had been perfected at the time of training.
　However, at the time of training, I'm sure he was trying to create five ice blocks, and that's when I remembered when Ars was teaching Ciel the [Piercing Thorns (Thorn Piers)].
　There was no need to foolishly and honestly imitate the magic included in the Daizen. That's exactly how you can learn magic by arranging it to the point of lowering your rank.
　I'm very proud of you, Alice. Still, there is no hint of impatience in her expression. It's a good thing that you have the luxury of being able to scatter them countless times in front of you. I'm not going to be able to completely avoid the rain-like gravel if I try to avoid it.
　But--.

Reflection [Reflection].

　Light radiates from the blade and draws a glow as it paints the campus.
　In no time at all, a veil of light covers the front of the campus. The gravel is sucked into it and goes back the way it came as if it was played.
　This time Tesfia is astonished. She knew it would bounce back, but before she got the AWR, Alice should have only been able to reflect it at the sword blade.

''Wait!　A. The Ice Wall.

　He hurriedly buried the tip of the blade in the ground slightly and cut up in one go.
　A thick iceberg of ice was dragged out to follow the sword. It wasn't large enough to be an iceberg, just enough to hide Tesfia's body.
　She rested her back against the wall of ice and kept her head low, preparing for the coming storm.
　It would come soon enough. The sound of the countless ice debris that I released from diagonally upwards while continuously scraping the ice wall with a huff and the sound of my own ice debris ripping through the air is a surefire way to scrape the wall. I quickly curled up my body as quickly as I could.
　There was no way I could look at my face at the sound of crushing that jumped into my ears. The few seconds of the storm felt like a long time, and I only hoped the iceberg wall would hold.
　Just after the torrential rain stopped, a chill went down on my back.

'----!

　Quickly, I jumped low to the front of the room directly in front of him. Immediately above my head, the tip of the golden spear passed right by me.
　If you flip over and look, you'll see a wall of ice with a crystal-clear cross-section peeking out, neatly cut off. And Alice, who had swung her upper body out of the wall and swung out, was smiling.

''It's not going to be the same as it was before, Fia.

　He lightly leaped and jumped over an ice stump and landed, pulling his spear in a single bound to close the gap between them.

''That one's over here, Serihu!''

　Tesfia was also prepared to fight back with a blade of ice, with cold air on her sword. It is a magic sword called a frozen blade.
　Tesfia met Alice's flash of a sideways cleave while running with a frozen blade swung down from the upper level.
　''Ding!　A pinching, metallic sound makes the eardrums shake, and AWR returns on a trajectory as they are played at each other. It's a knockback that leads to an opening, but this should be the same for the opponent, although Tesfia tries to swing down again with force as it is.

''----!

　In front of her, the hilt butt of a golden spear with a circular ring attached to it was attacking her.
　The Tesfia stopped fighting and barked backwards as her gaze turned to the sword, which was drawn backwards, directly above her, and she stopped fighting. The hilt butt passed between the ceiling that looked up at her, as if sewing between the ceiling and the hilt butt.
　Yes, Alice didn't resist the recoil brought about by the antagonistic force from the beginning, but instead flipped the blade tip backwards and the hilt forward and poked it straight in.
　This is the difference in power between the two in close combat.
　Aiming for a bakuton landing, Alice took a large step forward and shifted the handle to the butt of the hilt. The position of the spear doesn't move as if it were fixed in the air, and only her body slips as if it were imminent to Tesfia. Then it is brought back to the bottom, and with it drawn, the spear is swung down vertically from behind in a semi-circle, directly above.

　Tesfia's dizzying one-turn vision caught the approaching Alice. And as soon as she landed, she raised her sword right beside her with both hands to prevent it.
　But with the heavy and vigorous slashing down, Tesfia unbearably buries her knees in the ground.
　The standoff between the two sides continues for a bit while they remain in the same position.

''Fia, it's okay to surrender.
Jeez, you've got to be kidding me. It's only just getting interesting...

　Moderately, Alice's spear was eroded by the frozen blade, and where the ice was slightly attached to the tip of the blade--.
　I hit the ground with my foot on one knee with a dunk. Cold air crawled from the soles of his shoes to the ground and frost stood up----.

''-----!

　Sensing the danger, Alice took a large backward leap and took the distance.
　However, no further changes occurred at Tesfia's feet.

''It took.''

　With a nimble and childish smile on her face, Alice belatedly realizes what has been done to her by Tesfia.

You cheated...

　That's right, Alice was also in no condition to move because she had pushed her spear into the ground. The magic moved to Tesfia's feet, and the magical alteration of events caused the freezing phenomenon, so she thought the attack would come from the ground and took evasive action, but she was successfully conspired against.

It's not him, so there's no way he can do this without AWR and advanced technology.

　That being said, Alice can't help but make a reluctant face as well. Since she is always dealing with substandard people like Ars and Loki, her overly cautious body unconsciously reacted to the situation. If you think about it, it's natural.
　That's why even Tesfia could only frost the ground at best, and only at the foot of the ground on a small scale.
　And Alice also realizes that this distance is not very good for her.
　The total amount of magic power is different, so Alice wanted to preserve it as much as possible and get the upper hand in the advantageous close combat, but she was well away from the pocket that she had just entered.

　In terms of distance, Tesfia has the advantage. However, she herself is not that optimistic. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good deal more than you think. It wasn't just the number of magic used, but since Alice herself told me that that AWR also suppressed magic consumption, I would have to estimate less.

(After all, reflection is tricky........)

　The two of them had played many matches until now, but Tesfia was able to win over simply because of the little magic that Alice had. Even so, they understood that the reason why they couldn't win and lose all the time was because of that Reflection 《Reflection》.
　A disgusting sweat ran down her cheeks as she thought that perhaps even the Icicle Sword would bounce back sooner or later.
　Due to its performance, Reflection must consume more magic power than the magic it bounces back. Therefore, if you can make Alice continue to use Reflection, you will always win.　
　However, things are not that simple. The threat of reflection is incomparable in terms of power and speed, because the excess magic power is put into the magic that bounces back.
　I'm not sure if I can continue to endure it or not, Tesfia is not confident.
　There is no doubt that if you simply release the Icicle Sword, you could easily be dodged before Alice's bodywork, which is good at proximity.

　While you hesitate, Alice runs towards Tesfia.
　They only know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so both Tesfia's and Alice's thoughts are known to each other.

(The long game isn't good for minutes. Fear is going to let me run out of my magic at long range, but I won't let her.)

　Alice channeled her magic power into AWR and kept her magic on standby to activate it.
　And as well as the same, Tesfia's 《Freeze》 extended as a stall. It flew forward at a large angle and flashed a spear. The ice on the blade is erased, and the slash of the Shire Wraith is released in a straight line this time.
　He knew that Tesfia didn't have any techniques to counter the huge arcing slash that was not blocked by the wall of ice earlier. The only icicle sword also took a slower time to manifest compared to the Shire Wraith.
　Gritting his teeth, Tesfia evaded right beside him as he had expected.

''----!

　But Alice's attack didn't end there.
　The circles hidden on its back appeared in the air, sliding one by one on either side of Alice.
　It swirled around, causing the condensed light just before the magic was unleashed to emerge in the circles.
　Then a smaller slash aimed at Tesfia's landing was released.

　Larger than the first battle, the arc was proof that the arc was filled with that much magical power. A roar that resembled the sound of an explosion sent a cloud of dirt smoke dancing and hid Tesfia's figure.
　Alice was confident of victory and landed with ease. However, she couldn't let her guard down yet. With her spear at the ready, she waits for it to stop.
　Then----.

''You've done it.''

　A dull boom, a dull sound, cut the smoke into a single blade, and the smoke was tugged and released into a horizontal cleft. It was as if something huge had passed by. However, it couldn't be the sharp sword of Tesfia.

''.........!　I'm so jealous.

　Alice unconsciously overflowed when she saw the Tesfia that had appeared.
　There was a long ice sword set right beside her as if it had been dispatched by a sideways cleaver. Probably that ice sword prevented it from doing so.
　Whatever Tesfia had done, the training had fixed the Icicle Sword so that it could be released at any time. It had been nothing more than a sword with a cutting edge pointed at the opponent, but now it was being wielded.
　It was, oddly enough, part of the second stage form that Ars had thought of to sublimate the Icicle Sword, a part of it.
　However, the shape was not just for throwing, as usual, but for being wielded as a sword. Even so, the sword's blade alone is nearly three meters long, so it's not something that a human can handle.
　It floats right next to Tesfia, as if it were fixed on the right side as seen from Alice.

　The true value in this kind of adversity is such that even Alice would be jealous. I've been praised a lot for my own magic, but in front of this best friend, I'm in a haze. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it. During the duel with Gudma, Tesfia had also mastered the frozen blade. You could tell it was not as knowledge, but from an instinctual instinct.
　This is because Tesfia is not a very smart type of person.
　If you say that's the difference between her qualities as a magician, you give up - no, you can't give up. You can't expect her to have everything that you have even if she has something that you don't.