The two frowned when they heard Delka Bais' story.
　A girl in a red robe that wasn't the right size was already waiting on the match field. Making the opponent wait too long was not something they were interested in.
　However, Tesfia and Alice finished listening to the conversation and looked at the compartment quizzically.

　It's suddenly hard to believe that what Delka Bais is saying is true. It's even more childish than Loki, who thinks he's young.
　In any case, there is no choice for the two of them to say no. That decision is the job of Delka Bais.

　Tesfia asked Alice in a whisper as she walked to the game field.

''What are we going to do, that one?''
I think we have to do it first, don't we?　Fear, you can't be too hard on yourself.

　That's what I rebuke her for, in addition to the amount of magic she has, her control is more easily influenced by her emotions than Alice's.
　It's not that Alice can't say that about others, either.

　It seems that a one-on-two match format is not uncommon in this flexible mock match. I've heard it's a move often used by military personnel to test their abilities.

　I'm confident that both Tesfaye and Alice have gained some confidence through Ars training. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the city.

　Alice once experienced a mock match with an Alpha trooper, but at that time it ended in a painful split because of her physical appearance. In terms of content, Alice's magical aptitude made her close to an overwhelming victory in a match against a person. Of course, there was probably some tinkering and manipulation involved.

　The buzz of the spectators was probably because they accepted the rule change.
　The academy side is sending out two people for each match. The winner and the runner-up of the high-profile seven-nation magic friendly competition grade level winner would go in. That alone will bring the attention to the highest level.

　In fact, there are a surprisingly large number of spectators here who are regulars and never get tired of coming here every year. The reason for this is that there are always a number of things that happen in mock matches.
　This year's mock tournament is a tradition, and many people look forward to it.

　So many people are looking forward to this year's event. The sound of excited and mindlessly floating voices were all over the place.
　Most of the matches so far have been a bit uninspired from such a watching audience, unraveling to boys and girls who are applying for admission.
　At best, they are waiting for the boys and girls to get a shot at it. On the other hand, if military personnel and alumni participate, that's what they're doing, cheering on the students and making the game more exciting.



　From a distance, Delka Bace watched them enter with a worried look on her face. The jinx that something is going on is a cold sweat from the parties involved.
　His fearless face was calm, but what a head-scratching scene was about to begin. We have to pay more attention to this one than to any other match.

　We can't let anything happen to our opponent and we can't let anything happen to our students.
　That is the responsibility and job of the Delka Bais.



　Tesfia and Alice will be treated as superiors, just as we've heard them talk about. It's hard to believe, but it seems to be a military official.
　It's still more understandable if they say they faked their licenses. It's fine if it's just a child's prank, but in case it's true, it's not a good person for the two of you to be lacking in courtesy.

'I'm sorry for the delay,'

　Tesfia lowered her eyes and Alice lowered her head.
　Her opponent's girl responded to them with a smile, as if she didn't care about them.

''Fine, I know it was unreasonable to ask... but I guess I was misguided, I should have picked the strongest student...''

　Tesfia and Alice responded to the girl with a question mark on her small, shapely lips with a finger and a question mark on her lips a beat later.

''I'm sorry, there are some players higher than us on the match squad right now, but they are out with a bad luck, so could we please give them a break?''

　The girl named Tesfia is surprisingly aristocratic on the board because she says these things next to Alice. It's probably because of pride, or maybe it's typical of her that she never calls herself strong just by saying the word high ranking.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to expect.

''I am inexperienced, but I will challenge you to the best of my ability.

　The girl in the robe giggles somewhat happily, "Kukk". It really has the innocence of a child, and not a single one is disgusting.
　Of course, words multiply contrary meanings, but of course.

'That's fine, it's not a bad idea to assess your current alpha, just do your best to see it for what it is, young man.'

　The two of them did not react to this, not even a twitch. Obviously, there was some discomfort with the appearance of being told by a girl younger than them from above, but if anything, there was a peek of cuteness, like a child growing taller. Or rather, it was just that he was so used to being told what to do that it was a hassle to argue with every single one of them.

　Tesfia drew her sword and Alice held her golden spear.
　The girl who saw the AWR snorted with interest. And yet, she still didn't even show any pretense of taking a fighting stance. Clearly, the higher-ups have the luxury of looking down on them.

　Rather than that, the two of them had something else on their minds.
　There is no way you can overlook this when you are about to play a match - something you can't start without.
　It is the tool and weapon that determines a magician - the AWR.

　The girl's hands are completely covered by the wide, embroidered robe. But it's not even wide enough to hold the AWR.

''That AWR is........''

　Alice saw that her opponent wasn't ready and threw in a confirmation.

　A momentary pause descended because the girl was really careless. I couldn't understand what she was saying.
　Finally, I realized my intentions.

(They must think they can't fight without AWR, they're so easy going. I guess I'm going to have to follow the township.)

　His dismissive sigh is tinged with a bit of pity.
　Technology has advanced a lot, and at the same time, the sense of danger is becoming less and less.


　The girl focused her magic power on her arms with another meaning.
　It's the body of such a young child, regrettably, even the little girl ended up being concerned about it, until now I've been patient with the thought of not being able to divide it, but finally being looked down upon by someone with a difference in age of nearly a century, it's hard to give up on it.

　You pull back on the embers and turn the darkness inside to your opponent.
　Then a sword blade reminiscent of clear water that had been stretched long enough grew out.

''----!
Is that all right?

　The two of them looked at the flowing and clear water blade and for the first time in a long time, a shiver ran down their spines.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can get your hands on it. From the two of us who know this firsthand, a single magic can switch the positions of both of us.

　Alice hastily lowered her head.

''S- I'm sorry!
That's fine. I'm not very good at AWR. It's just that I'm too old to keep up with the new stuff.

　The gesture of suppressing her temples while smiling bitterly felt oddly old.

　Of course they responded with a girlish, affectionate smile.

　But this was an opportunity for Tesfia and Alice. They could get a strong man other than Ars to unravel them. Just by looking at that water sword, he's clearly superior to the two of them.
　I don't know how far they can go, but the two of them might be able to fight an even match.

　The frustration that has built up in the mock matches so far is not limited to Tesfia alone in any way. Alice also had a large amount of magic power flowing into the Golden Spear.

''May I take a look at your name?　My name is Tesfia Fevel. This is....
Alice Tirake.

　Tesfia's comment annoyed the girl for a moment. It almost made her feel like she was about to give her usual name.
　I even showed her a fake ID, I wish I could use that name.

''Well it's Minaris. When you call me, you must call me sister or sister!

　At the same time, a sense of weariness presses in.
　It's a habit. It's a good idea to stop using your real name as a pseudonym, but I can't think of a good name for it. Of course, a person with this name should have died long ago, if you think about it in a sensible way. There are no people left in this world who can consider the possibility of being alive.
　But that doesn't mean that I can't easily reveal the name I'm using now, even though I'm a criminal. There is no one who knows her true face, even her clients. That's exactly what you can say that only the members know.

　The name -- Ilyce -- shouldn't be too well known either. It's a name that I'm surprisingly fond of, and one that proves that I've broken away from the mundane world. It's no wonder that you have a little bit of emotional attachment to it.
　On the contrary, the real name was like an abominable name that reminded me of an abominable past.

　The two responded vaguely with a 'yes'.

''Then it's time to go?　I'm not going to spend any time in futility, even if it's killing time until the real deal, so go ahead and give it your all.

　His other empty hand was completely hidden, but he could certainly feel how the fingers moved inside.
　It must have been a queer finger bending.

　Tesfia and Alice tightened their expressions and released their magic power at once.
　Since the cooperation between the two of them is often done even during training, it is easier to fight than individual battles if they are not good at it. Because they know everything, their power is sublimated into a multiplication rather than an addition.

　The buzzer sounds to start the match as both fighters take their designated positions.
　Even after a few seconds of the small start sounded, the two men were still unable to move. I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the best out of the situation.

　The overwhelmingly strong man had unleashed his magic in front of me.
　It wasn't a stagnant magic power that made me want to throw up, but the exact opposite, a clear, fresh release of magic power.
　That was how simple the difference in power was measured.

　I haven't experienced anything like this since the time I saw Arus in battle. Even during training, I had never experienced a rush of magic power like this before.

　I'm not going to be able to get out of it.

The only thing you can do with this kind of experience is to let it down, young man.

　The masculine, soprano tone of the words slapped their eardrums in a magical way.
　It would be enough to rouse them.
　It was a test of what they had built up to now, their true value. An opportunity to show Ars, who wouldn't see where nothing grew but magic and petty skills.

　Tesfia huffed and disciplined her own heartbeat and took a swing of her sword.

　The air around her froze and crackled as the air around her froze and made the ice crystals shake.
　Alice turned her spear at high speed to calm herself down. I'm not going to be swallowed up, I just need to meet them with all the strength I have as usual.

　Even though it was a mock match, the two of them were determined to give their all.