Loki, Tesfia, and Alice, who were watching the second year's game on the bed, watched the progress of the match with relief.
　As expected of a final, they thought it was not going to be an easy match, but Felinella won a convincing victory that was unrivaled. Illumina put up a good fight, but unfortunately, she was a step short of defeat.
　As for her, even though she is expressionless, she even looks like a winner because she doesn't even show her fatigue, but even now her cheeks have regret mixed in with the sweat.
　With this, Illumina's opponent's ability was measured. That's how you can know the outcome of the match in your hand. His ability against Felinella was obvious.
　And when the third year match was over, Ferrinella showed up late and announced his plans for the future.
　The problem, he says, is that Phililic still hasn't woken up.

'I heard that the tournament committee members debated quite a bit about whether or not to lay down a special exception to change the game, but now that the Alpha Head of State, Lady Cicernia Il Ahrzeit, is here for the tournament, it's up to the Head of State who has the power to make the decision. The Second Wizarding Academy will be putting the first year section on the back burner. It looks like they'll do the second year division first and have no effect on the first year division in overall points, and if Mr. Phillyric doesn't wake up, they'll be tied for third place. As far as the finals are concerned, it seems to have been agreed that they will be uncontested due to Mr. Loki's injury.

　Even though there will be an individual winner, it is probably inevitable for the purpose of the competition that the group winner at the Academy will be given priority.

''So you're saying you don't know who will win?
''Right. If it were simple combat skills, Loki-san would probably deserve to win, but injuries are also self-management.
'This much doesn't count as an injury. Either one of these two guys can compete with no problem.

　Felinella plucks her eyebrows at Loki, who declares with decisive determination, and lets out a sigh.

''Da~me!　If this gets any worse, I'm going to be pissed at Mr. Ars. Besides, he doesn't object to my decision to be the leader. I'm sure we've discussed this beforehand, right?

　I realize that I can't bite off a bitter face. I guess childish selfishness is not allowed. And if Ars is cited, Loki has no choice - even if it leaves a bit of a lump in his heart.

'I'll tell you the combination first, because if I wait until after the results are in, it will seem like I'm getting personal. I'm sorry, but it's Alice-san in the third-place match, and Fia and Loki in the final, but ostensibly it's treated as a non-conflict due to injury, and the plot of the Second Magic Academy is that Fia will win.

　Loki lowered his eyes and internalized the regret of seeming to have lost to Tesfia.

'I understand. So I'm going to be in the battle for third place?'
''I'm sorry, Alice-san. I know you won't be able to fight it satisfactorily, but it's standard practice to counter the elements with elements, so in terms of odds, Alice-san has a higher chance of winning.
I'd be happy to do that.

　If it's said that I thought about the possibility of winning, Alice didn't feel bad about it, but rather responded with a broken face.

''Ostensibly it's Fia's victory, but the results recorded at the second magic academy will be the same rate of victory. It's only because we have to decide on the rankings above the competition that we do this. Don't get me wrong.

　Tesfia is so happy that she is upset. He came to himself.

''Of course. The same goes for Loki, and in fact, with Alice, either of us could have won, so I'm more surprised that we've come through to this point than we are to win.''
I'll put it that way.
It's true.

　Felinella also heard it and left it to the broken cheeks.


　This news would be made known to the tens of thousands of spectators watching the match.
　There was no animosity from those who had watched the match between Tesfia and Alice, or the match between Loki and Phililic. The air of disappointment was due to the expectation of a copious flowing match to be seen again, though.
　But the applause to praise the players who gave their best effort was silent.

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.
　Unintentionally, this resulted in the spreading of Felinella's two names, [Orchesis].
　The applause given to the winner in a match that makes the opponent feel sorry for them, a match that leaves those watching in awe, is awkward and mixed with reverence in places.
　You could say it was a match that calmed the heat.
　And the heat was reignited again, as the second Academy of Magic was declared the winner. After all the games were over, there was an award ceremony, and the players of the second school of magic were given a round of applause as if they forgot about it.

　Time passed, and the award ceremony was conducted in an orderly fashion. Phililic still hasn't woken up, and preparations for the award ceremony were made early.
　Loki looked quizzically at the small trophy he received for runner-up.
　Beside him, Tesfia was holding up the trophy as tall as her body was dangerously propped up, as if she couldn't hold it.

(This......dirty.

　I don't want to think that this is normal, but I looked at it probingly and pondered how to report it to Ars.
　

　I don't know everything about the internal structure, but I frown at this difference in reaction between the surface and the depths. At the end of the day, I'm going to guess that mithril is only used on the surface, so to speak, as a kind of plating.
　No, I'm almost certain. I can tell that only a small amount of mithril is used. The way it's done is dirty, the mithril has a weight like iron, but the material used for the core has a weight to camouflage whatever it is. It's dirty because you can't judge it just by holding it.

　Even though it's inevitable, Loki, who suggested it, begins to be tormented by a sort of guilt, but I guess I have no choice but to give up. A gulp and a shrug of the shoulders. It's not like the trophy is supposed to be a decoration to honor the winner, a kind of proof to melt down and remake it separately.

　The overall winner of the second wizarding academy, such as the alpha, comes with various privileges.
　The second witchcraft academy, like this one, comes with a number of benefits for Alpha, including tariff exemptions for some trade.
　I'm not going to be able to get any more than a year's supply of the latest AWR from each country. As a result, more and more people from other countries travel to the country to purchase goods, and the country itself becomes richer.
　I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing before.
　The purpose of these events is to remove the prejudice against wizards. Even though they are proud to save humanity, they often don't live out their lives. It is not possible for parents to send their children off to such a war zone with a smile on their face. That's not the case for nobles, though.

　That's why we can say that the magic tournament is necessary. Simply put, it's to raise awareness so that the supply of wizards is not cut off. It's also a publicity stunt to motivate young people who want to become wizards.
　This is evident as the competition gets more and more exciting. Naturally, the ability to train excellent wizards will be recognized, and more chicks will be knocking on the door of the second wizarding academy next year and beyond.
　In Alpha, nearly three hundred people a year are assigned to various military-related locations. That's the annual supply. In a few years, it could be less than two hundred, but thanks to Ars, the reduction in the annual mortality rate has greatly encouraged the young people to take a step forward.

　The closing ceremony was over, and although it seemed to be a solemn affair, the athletes gathered in the waiting room were once again elated to have won with their hands. We were all winners on this occasion, and it was an honor we all won together.

''By being united, we were able to win the second wizard academy, our longed-for championship. We can be proud and triumphant.

　I'm sure you'll find that each and every one of us can see what we need to do in this tournament. It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

(Now that might be tactless.)

　I'm sighing at the stupendous amount of frivolity, but I'm keeping my mouth shut at this time.
　Besides, the players have one more event to look forward to, or rather, to their future.


　Every year, after the Seven Nations Magical Friendship Tournament, a victory celebration is held at the hotel where the winning country is staying. This year's tournament must have ended earlier than expected, so preparations must be underway now.
　Each day of the two-day party is divided into three stages, with the victory party at the end of the second day. It is a party, but a different kind of tension awaits the players.
　The primary party on the first day is special and is open to military personnel from various countries, and the secondary party is open to nobles, so it's not uncommon to be approached by scouts. But aristocrats like Felinella and Tesfia are not approached so quickly.
　For the rest of the players, it's like a draft where troop assignments are decided, even if they are from another country.
　If it was the previous Second Magic Academy, they would have been recruited directly by the Alpha Army, the captains of each squad, and so on. However, Ferrinella knows that only this time the recruitment of other countries in addition to her own country will become more active, so she is also considering the possibility of being pulled out.
　Depending on the negotiations, it's customary to say after graduation, but if he's a civilian, he won't be able to come on strong. She feared that the face might change if that happened, but she told herself that she couldn't prevent them from making the choices that would affect their future, and that she should be happy to watch them with respect.



　On the first day, we turned back to the hotel once, as we had more than two hours to go before the first and second parties after this one.
　The topic of conversation on the way back was still mostly about recruitment.
　Tesfia and Alice have no problem moving normally, just waiting for their magic power to recover. Loki had also recovered to the extent that he could walk without hindrance, but he is in a wheelchair at least.
　Of course it's automatic, and because it's powered by pseudo-magic power, the ride is perfect.

''It's still a battlefield in a way after this.

　So Tesfia overflows. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. It's because it's the time for connections to come into play, such as troop assignments.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. I'm sure he'll be able to handle that kind of situation very well. The name value is not to be trifled with.
　But the ones who don't are.


'Is Alice going to say no?　You might get a call from some good place. I'm sure Lady Letty is watching you, and you might get an invitation.
'That's true, but I can't think about the future right now, and the pressure is against me right now.
''Well, that's true, but Letty-sama's unit is the elite unit that everyone wants to be in, and kicking it is the opposite...''

　Tesfia says ominously, though.

'That will be all right. Master Letty has gone on a mission with Master Ars, though someone else may stay behind to fill in for her.'

　Alice doesn't know how to react to Loki's words, but she throws a question.

I'm sure that if you say that, Fia might be approached by you. And I'm pretty sure that an arranged marriage or even an engagement proposal is a possibility.
I don't want to hear this!　Yeah, I'll take them all down!　Yes, it's all right, but help me out if it's too much, Alice.
'What!　It might be counter-intuitive to me, so that's not really...
"Heartless!　For the love of God!

　Alice cowered her shoulders and broke down in tears as her eyes were moistened like an abandoned cat's.

'I understand that side, but what if they really do recruit the troops?
'Probably fine. I'd have to go through your mother first to recruit, too, but if it's Lady Letty's squad, I'd answer immediately.
''Well, then you can ask Fia to do it for me... right?
All right. Let's keep it mutual.

　And Loki, who was listening to such an exchange, looked at him mockingly with narrowed eyes.

'What!'
You may get a call from the lords, but...

　Loki fixes his gaze on one part of them, especially Alice. One of the woman's features, the twin mounds that are clearly visible even through her clothes.
　He shakes his head that he's been admiring them enviously for some time and scratches the two bulges off his head.

''Do you really think Letty-sama will call you, you're dreaming a bit too much... as expected of a first year, you're probably worried about your prospects... and the two of you...'' ..........

　Loki laughed a deliberate laugh.

'Good!　It's free to dream for free!
Loki-chan was in the army, so you must know a lot of things~
'Then let me give you a reality check. Lady Letty's troops are all fierce men who can lead their own troops as captains. I've heard that double-digits are the norm, and even triple-digits are only for those who actually meet Master Letty's requirements. And moreover, Leti-sama's troops are so elite that they are claimed to be Alpha's best fighting force. If you still want to dream about it, then I won't say anything.
Ugh..........

　As expected of Tesfia, her illusions were cooled by the rankings in the realm of double digits, a realm that an ordinary person cannot reach.
　A ranking that only ninety people out of over a hundred thousand magicians could become. It's a dream come true for my four-digit self.

''I mean, that kind of strength is a mission with Al...''
..........

　Loki realizes that it was gibberish.

'Loki-chan, Al's mission is...'
I don't know!　I don't know anything about it either.

　He was probably grudgingly convinced. Alice is as anxious as Loki about the fact that she doesn't know about a situation where she has to bump up so much power - even though she knows that's the difference in rank.

'You'll have to ask Master Ars when he comes back. He won't tell you, though.
'I suppose...'

　Anxiety sat firmly in Tesfia's empty smile.