I wasn't wrong. It wasn't a mistake to trust my intuition - a feeling I couldn't explain - and it wasn't a mistake.
　The power of Ars, both at the goodwill magic competition and the mock battle at the school festival, and the unspeakable elation and craving he felt when he witnessed it, was real.

　The magician who was called the strongest with a batty face spoke his true feelings without the slightest intention of withdrawing his current words. It wasn't because it was a goal, or because I respected him, or any other simple reason - the weight of the teachings etched into my chest.

　Humans are easily frayed, and his words left no room for doubt in Schulte's mind as he continued to fight in the outside world where he was forced to do so. It was so easily ingrained in him.
　At the same time, Ars's expression when he spoke of being "deadly" seemed somehow to blind himself - to the rightness of his actions.

　But at the same time, I understood. Schulte had always thought he should follow the same path, but he might be wrong. He is probably groping for the end of a path that there is no turning back.

　It must be a long road, Schuld decided to keep walking without sighing.

'Thank you!

　The powerful gratitude that naturally flowed from his mouth.
　His head bowed deeply, as if he had forgotten how to behave as a nobleman. I'm glad to hear it, I thought with all my heart. That's all there is to it.
　I can't find the answer, but I have a vague idea of what the answer itself is. I knew that the image of the magician lurking in my chest, which was vaguely outlined, was close to the meaning of my very existence. And though I can't be sure of its identity, I can be sure of my own unique rightness.

　Ars opened his mouth in dismay as if he realized at such a possessed expression from Shults.

''I can't imagine someone like Fia, Alice, or anyone else who goes out of their way to choose a difficult path.

　The words "We're going to have a hard time in the dark," Arus said dazzlingly.

　From Loki's point of view, though, it was Ars who was leading the way.
　It can't be helped that he is dragged by such an Ars, because even Loki is the one who follows his back in search of him.

''Well then, I'll take my leave now.

　Shults, who again expressed his deep gratitude, suddenly looked up at the fact that his feet on the ground were not moving as they were.

'Don't be in such a hurry. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. It won't take you long to learn it in one shot.

　Without interrupting, Shults cleared his throat. It was possible that he might be able to receive that guidance that Maine had grown so rapidly.
　However, Ars held his fist to his mouth as if he was a little troubled, "What is the matter with that?

　It's not just anyone's way of making you realize death, or forcing you to bring out your instinctive crisis-sensing abilities. Naturally, he had to have the aptitude and the ability to do so.
　And moreover, the eyes that Schulte turns on him can only be a detriment in this case. Stripping out the killing intent against it could even undermine his qualities as a magician.

　Since it was asked for, it may not be responsible for what happened afterwards, but that doesn't mean there is no guarantee that the core won't be broken like the main one.
　As for the previous question, Schult's inner thoughts are vulnerable. He still lacks something to believe in, something to keep wavering. He hasn't yet developed the kind of conviction that will carry him through.
　If you hit a defenseless baby with a lump of murderous intent, it will often disintegrate.

'Well, go ahead and do it Loki,'
"--!　Me?

　It was just fine from Ars, who knew her dexterity better than anyone else.

'You don't mind, do you?　And I'm sure Loki would be more useful to you than me.
'Yes, sir!　Please.

　Upright and immobile, Shults straightens his back. His hand lightly unravels from a bit of disappointment and damp palms dry up.

　It's also a heavenly difference in the level of respect between Ars and Loki for Shults. It's true that a single mage's partner is a person who is respected for that alone. There is a view that they are more important than double-digit mages.
　It's simply because the partner of a single-digit "single" is the best detecting mage in the country.

　But.........Shults lowers his gaze once.

　The silver-haired girl in front of him is a fierce competitor who has gained a position that is commensurate with her appearance and has also overcome the battlefield with Ars. Even though she knows it in her head, her physique is smaller than she is, and her lovely eyes seem to be unrelated to the battle.

'You don't move, that's all you need to know.

　Nodding his head and agreeing, Shults stood upright as he was told.
　Following that, Loki, who received an earful from Ars, gradually pulled out a knife-type AWR from his waist. It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　The faintly clothed magic power only increases the accuracy of the knife as a weapon.
　It's as if every sensation in your entire body was concentrated in sight, making the rest of your body diluted. If you are not careful, even standing up seemed to sink into the mud of consciousness.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Shults had been sitting in the pitch-black cold air for an hour since then. No, rightly so, he couldn't stand up because he was out of his seat.
　Ars finally told him only to leave before curfew and walked into the research building.

　That instruction would have lasted less than a minute.

　I rubbed my neck again and again to make sure it was attached. To my relief, I rubbed and checked again to make sure I was feeling it right.
　The process repeated. Even now, I wonder what that was, and I rub it carefully to make sure my neck is attached to it.

　The knife that Loki held out was slowly coming straight at him.
　The signs changed as if it was extremely cold, and his whole body began to shake as if he refused. There was no way to resist the knife that was trying to pierce his brow at a constant speed.

　Rough, erratic breathing was shaking the knife in his vision.
　But the heavy air increased as the cutting edge approached. The girl's eyes behind the knife were nihilistic, seemingly devoid of any interest in taking life.

　And a moment before he was about to touch her between the eyes, Shult's hand reflexively grasped the hilt of the dagger-type AWR that was inserted at her waist.
　However, he was unable to pull out the hilt. Immediately after trying to pull it out, I felt something snap at my neck. I felt the blade slicing through my neck.
　Dead, he thought, and then Shults broke his knees and pressed his hands to his neck. To stop the blood from overflowing.

　But as it turned out, there wasn't a scratch on his neck.
　Then, one way or the other, until he could breathe, Ars only said, "Remember what it feels like to hold the handle. As a fear of life being snatched away, that action is the very symbol of fear.

　Unable to even spin a word of thanks, Shults dropped his gaze to the ground without uttering a word.

''Was it good to be like that?''

　It's a good idea," said Loki, who asked in a somewhat questioning tone, "Ah, well done," he said, as if melting in the air.
　It's not really a matter of practice to be able to unleash this kind of killing intent and intent to kill as much as the opponent is aware of. In other words, she had a fair amount of experience with it.

　It's a good idea, but I can't help but hesitate to praise her without a price.

　It was a little after curfew that Schulte, who didn't have time to pay attention to Ars and Loki's conversation on his way to the research building, started to move.
　He didn't have the energy to run, but he did understand some things for sure. What kind of place is the outside world, and what kind of being is a magician who runs the dead ground there?

　The cold sweat I had scratched all over my body was still clinging to my clothes. To let the cold air in, Shult picked at his clothes as he staggered around.

''........Just what you learn at the academy is too slimy.''

　Shult, who had overflowed, turned his eyes to the far outside world. And by chance, a shadow of a person appeared in his vision.

Fiona what are you doing here at this hour?

　A girl as melancholy as herself was sitting on the bench. Naturally, the curfew of the girls' dormitory must have passed.
　Both of them are not willing to face each other in this state. If possible, Schulte did not want anyone to see her pale face.

　It's not that they are particularly close, so Shults walked quietly to the boys' dormitory.