Tesfia interrupted before the junior's apology. Of course, she didn't take Fiona's situation into account, and her words were more of a light joke than an arbitration, as she wanted to say.
　Moreover, the intervention was first announced to the silver-haired girl who beat him to death.

'Look, Loki has had enough of this. The main thing is that Maine seems to be remorseful. Al, too. It's a good thing that you're not as strict as you should be. So, from now on, I'll teach you that area as well.

　Tesfia pressed down on the wound to hide it. The empty energy she twisted out of the air forced Ars to swallow the irony any more. As for Loki, there was no way he could take that look as remorse, and he would have been ready to poke her at any moment if Ars hadn't stopped him.

　Ars placed his hand on his head again as if to appease Loki's emotions.

'It's not even the outside world, so don't get so worked up. I know it's for my own good. I have to learn to be honest with my emotions, too.
No, I didn't mean...

　As a magician, it would be folly to work with only your emotions, but as a human being, it seems perfectly natural, and every time Ars is reminded of his or her weaknesses. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

By the way, Fia, I'm not going to forgive you or get that involved.
Umm, well that's fine, but it's kind of a tricky thing to say.
I don't have much time to spare. I don't want to gamble any more. I don't have time for a guy who's just going to die a quick death.
A mouth that won't diminish. What a gamble, you just admitted it.
Just in case........

　The words that followed rang out to interrupt Ars's words.

'Who will die soon!　Even if it's number one, I have no right to be told that by you!

　Zuka Zuka and Maine walked straight up to Ars, overcoming Fiona's restraint.
　Ars was even interested in what the inexperienced chicks were going to say. He wasn't interested, but there were only a few people around at the moment who would still share their thoughts even after knowing that he was first.

　In that sense, I miss the old Tesfia and the like, and just remembering it now would make me look at the poor thing.

'You're not all right!　I'm going to surpass you at some point!　Your methods will only hurt the seniors so I won't lose.
..........!

　That's what made Ars squint lightly, as if he was at a loss for words. Because the silent surprise was truly a scene to be recalled.
　He was reminded once again why so many of those around him had unblemished, straight eyes.
　They are immature, ignorant and stupid, and yet they have an unbreakable will of their own.
　It is a core that will never work in the outside world. And yet, yes, many times in a harsh world, those who struggled did not abandon their comrades to the end.

　That act may be shunned in the disciplined place of the military. But they all struggle to the end, wanting to live, wanting to help.
　They never wilted in their tears. They are even beautiful as people.
　Ars is the one who has abandoned them. That's why he must have abandoned the heart that even feels beautiful.
　However, the same eyes that are reminded in this way still look at Ars with a fragile beauty.

　Those who do not even resent their inadequacies, but are simply saddened by them. What they all lack in common is power. They lack knowledge, gaps in their minds, skills and abilities. It's not that they are lacking in training, but even those who have done their best will always face the outside world.

　However, the boy of today may not have such high aspirations. The reason is that his eyes caught straight at Ars and caught the red-haired girl.

　As the main passed by Ars's side, a small smile appeared on Ars's mouth with a "poof.

'I've changed my mind.'

　The small murmur that suddenly leaked out was not to anyone, and that was the proof that Ars had truly changed his mind.

　Loki was the first to react, and he seemed to decide to shut up when he saw Ars's mouth. Something that was hard to stomach, but Loki obeyed the meddling he was doing until he obeyed.

'Then prove it to me. If you're a magician, you'll show it with your power, not your mouth.
What do you mean...

　The main stopped dead in his tracks at Ars's words. After such a dare, a provocation while the heat had not died down. There is no way he could ignore it, and his mouth must have slipped, after all.
　It was in Ars's hands when he asked back.

It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're talking about. It's a good idea to show that you are prepared to live up to your bravado. Does this make sense to you?　Fortunately, we have time.

　Over his shoulder, Ars turned his cold eyes on the boy.　　
　It wasn't the boy who answered the challenge, but Tesfia.

'What are you talking about!　Maine is only a freshman, and even the standings...
I know. We have a pretty good idea of what to expect. That's why I'm asking for your commitment. I'm sorry, but maybe you don't know what you're talking about it's up to you to decide.

　Perhaps Ars saw a willpower in the boy that he could not give up. This was surely something that Tesfia, being a woman, did not understand. It's not something that would ring a bell with Loki or even Alice.
　Maybe it's a willpower that only a man can understand.

　This boy is like a warrior that Ars knows well. The person who can do any kind of recklessness for the sake of something he knows he doesn't have the power to do, but whose intentions are also easily compromised.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in a situation where you can't move at a critical moment. It's not that he is paralyzed, but he thinks about it. It's not that you cower, but that you think about it.

Okay.

　The main looked away once to Tesfia and immediately issued a response.

'Master Ars, wait a minute. This fool doesn't think twice.''

　Fiona, the girl who raises her voice, Fiona manages to speak up to stop the fight with a known outcome. Normally, she would be jumping for joy if she could have a match with the first place.
　However, because of the tentative exchanges so far - mainly just the main one - Fiona felt that she should refuse.

'Don't worry, I'll take it easy on you. I'll take it easy enough on you, and I don't want any AWR, either.

　With that, Ars unhooked the sheath from his waist and quickly placed it on Loki's hand as he approached. During the exchange, Loki thought he let out a small sigh.

　At the word "tame," the main reflex response was the corner of his eyebrows. In the end, he didn't recoil from the idea of going easy on himself. The difference in competence is needless to say, and Main is aware of it.
　That's why their mouths were tightly knotted, though frustrated.

The rules are simple. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. On the other hand, that one is until you surrender........
Wha...!

　Fiona reflexively let her voice escape from her throat. That was as it should be. Seeing the resolve was a good thing, and the rule was that Maine's character made that earnestness of defeat backfire. Already Fiona couldn't find enough words in her power to make him back down on the first place proposal.
　Hopefully, I wanted it to be over soon.

　Turning to the two men behind him, Tesfia and Alice, with a thumbs up, Ars went into an additional explanation, as if he had forgotten about it.

'That's right, the replacement system here is set to its lowest value, as are these guys. Like you said earlier, if you're afraid of getting hurt, you can max it out. As long as you remain in the academy after you become a magician.
Yes, sir.

　He nodded with a sharp look at the afterword explanation, as if to question Maine's resolve.
　I can't admit that such a melancholy thing is training. Main asked Fiona to give the signal for the command and kept her distance.

　His footsteps were stepped out as if to remind him of his own righteousness.
　As expected of a main man, it's not as if he doesn't feel anything about his opponent's ranking or the rank of first place whispered around him. He is a commoner who grew up in a family that is everywhere, including himself.
　I suppose they are so small that they could easily fly away if they were blown away. To the military and humanity, Ars is an indispensable magician. No one relies on any of them, such as the main one, in comparison to that, so tiny a power.
　So I couldn't refuse the first place offer, and I didn't want to do it out of spite.



　Ars waited for everyone to keep their distance to set the scene as a match, but there was also a girl here with a hand wound.
　Ars slowly pulled his hand away as he approached the front of Tesfia and tightened his hand over the wound hard enough to make a mark.

'Ouch!　...ugh.

　He gritted his teeth and moved his hand away from the wound. The blood is still jiggling and painfully coloring the wound.
　As expected of Ars, even though he went easy on himself, he is not entirely without guilt. Even if you go easy on yourself and sharpen your nerves, it was inevitable.

''You'll heal right away. I've arranged for a good healing magician, so it won't leave any scars.
'No!　The wound is fine. Do you know any better than that?　The main standings are....
Of course I'm taking it into account. But, you see, that's not the only thing a wizard does. You know that as well as I do.

　Seeing a fearless smile on its mouth, Tesfia closed her mouth and covered the wound with her hand again.

　Seeing this, Ars poked Tesfia's forehead with his finger a bit.

'I told you, I've arranged for an excellent one, so it won't be a problem. I don't know if it's going to be a scar, or just a marker that I put it on?
What? You said you'd brought in a good healer yourself. That's pretty d*mn pseudo.
'Sure, though, if the scar I put on it leaves a mark, that's like saying it's yours.

　In a sarcastic tone, Ars gave a thin smile. But the words made the red-headed girl's face turn bright red. Perhaps it was redder than the wound.

　It was as if it was her own, Tesfia was visibly upset by Ars's line, and her thoughts were almost short-circuiting as to where on earth she had gotten that kind of talk from.

''Uh, um... uh... uh... so, who owns you?''
You.....

　Despite her injuries, Tesfia's cheeks were no longer in the process of being injured. Her cheeks become debauched against her will. His mouth falls open sloppily.

　It was just an example, but if nothing else, Ars wasn't going to force him about healing. Of course, he was probably worried about the underclassmen.

''What about Alice?''
'I'll be fine. I'm not seriously hurt, and it's only going to heal with some spit on it.
Okay, well, keep the spit on it.
Huh?　Is that what you say?　Haha, I see. I'm parched in my mouth right now. Do you want to lick it?

　Alice uttered that with a mouth that made a distorted smile from the difference in handling, carrying the black thing behind her back - intentionally, though.
　The back of the hand she held out was scraped.
　Of course, Ars never understood the difference in the treatment, but at least he knew that he was now being countered for his own dialogue.

'S-sorry. I meant to keep the affected area clean, so...'

　"Hah~" Alice raises her hand in a hurried manner to show her understanding.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Compared to before, Alice is.........

　-- Alice has changed too. The distance has grown closer, or perhaps it's just that she's stopped being reserved.

　Although I imagine her to be somewhat frightened, the current Alice must have changed a lot on the inside from before after all. That was evident in this training.
　Maybe she knew. No, she knew. I don't know if Alice's past made it so. She certainly understands death.

'Then let's get started.'

　When he turned back to the boy, Ars's nerves had shifted into a fighting stance in a different way.

　Fiona, who was in the center of the room, listening to the preparations of both parties, was somewhat like a frightened little animal. However, she lifted one hand lightly as if she was ready.

　''Begin!'' And swung down vigorously.
　But as soon as Fiona uttered that, Fiona felt the wind cut in front of her eyes and felt the wind on her skin, "What?! He lets out a thin scream.

　The boy, who holds the loaner sword-type AWR to match the center of his body, poured his magic power with all his might.
　Without removing his gaze from his opponent even for a moment, he carried his enthusiasm for the fight on that sword beyond his awareness of his inexperience.

　However, as soon as the signal to start, the main felt the impact on his face and was blown away. His face leapt up at the impact, and the dull ache left his brain at once.

　As soon as it started, Ars instantly closed the distance between him and Main and struck a palm strike to his unprotected face.
　Without leaving even the slightest bit out of Main's sight, it suddenly struck.
　A straight line from the front. In the shortest possible time, Ars struck the boy with a relentless blow. It was completely meaningless against Ars, no matter how he was poised.

　The boy was violently blown away in less than a second from the start.

''..........!

　Even if there is no AWR, the gap between Ars and Main will not be bridged one bit. That was reaffirmed by everyone in the room, and those watching from the bleachers were no different.