--Nito.

It's all because of this man.
Just because he did such and such a thing to the students at that time, saying 'teach them the truth' and so on, the majority of the best students dropped out of the representative competition.

The better they were, the higher the students aspired to be.
That's why they showed interest in the empire in front of them without evacuating at that moment.
And because they were excellent, they were able to feel close to the word 'power' that he said.
As a result, they turned away from reality in fear and fled.

Of course, he wasn't the only one to blame.
They had their own causes.
But if he hadn't done what he did, the national championship would have gone on smoothly, as usual, by now.

'Sir!　Please nominate me for the third place slot!

I owe you my reputation, and I owe you mine.
But.....

How could you say that?




　--Sabrina asked Nito, suppressing her anger.

'I ... recommend you?'

A red-black man stood in the audience.
All those in the audience looked at Nito.
And Patrick said, "Nito what are you thinking? And I suspected that he was searching Nito's mind again.

''Yes. Currently, there is no other student worthy of representing us other than Alice Cresta-san. But since Cresta-san refused to participate in the competition, we have to choose someone other than her. In that case, wouldn't I be the right person for the job?

--Appropriate.

What does Nito say makes him fit for the job?
Sabrina then asks it.

'Mr. Nito, you have already been selected for an additional match. If you are selected to represent us, you will have two matches in this tournament. Furthermore, the extra match was created as a special exception for Nito-san, who cannot participate in the school match. There is no point in having you as my representative,

Currently, there is no student who can beat Nito the Adventurer.
Nito's participation in a match against the school is like Heil Kuwait getting a win from the start.
This would not even be a meaningful match against a school.

But Nito didn't back down.

'Sir, I don't care if it's two games or three. So why don't we do this?''

Then Nito suggested.

'Give Ficianatica a handicap,' he said. We can start the match at 0-1. Then it would be fair for me to represent them. Besides, it would be more convenient for them.

The audience buzzed at the suggestion.

"Convenient," he said to Sabrina, "is what I'm saying to Sabrina.
It's good for you," he said to Sabrina, "and it's good for your investors. That's what I mean by "suitable".
"That's what I mean by 'suitable'.

Sabrina struggled with what to say.

Marcellus Heilkwaite and Beatrice Fischanatica.
They were the ones who devised the event and the rules for it.
Sabrina had long wondered why they had left this school battle behind.
I understand that the 'Abyss' is involved.
But I've been wondering why the rules are so lax.
The reason is that Masamune's proposal does not violate the rules.
In other words, it's just a level that can be managed through discussion between the principals.
The only thing left to do is to explain to the investors.　That's about it.
But I'm sure the investors who come for Nito are rather pleased.
Sabrina's reputation will be enhanced.

But what will the parents who have their children at the school think?
Public opinion is not the same as the opinion of the top brass.
It can't be seen as favoritism for a gifted student.
So Sabrina was lost and thinking.
Is that the image of the academy?　Or is it the trust of your investors?
But the damage to the academy's image will eventually turn into criticism that it was a mistake to leave it to that principal.
And that would ultimately lead to a loss of trust from the investors.



'Yes, but as for the extra game, I was the one who was originally proposed, so I'll leave it to you to decide. And as for the representative, I'm only asking "What do you think? I'm just suggesting that. I'll leave it all to you.

If only the magic contract hadn't been defied.
Sabrina thought so.

But there was one thing Sabrina was afraid of.

''--I understand. I'll nominate Nito-san as our final representative. But this is a provisional decision. I will make the final decision after we discuss it.

Sabrina finally added that any students who had an objection or were willing to compete should come to the principal's office.

After that, Sabrina hurriedly left the room, not wanting to argue with Nito on the air any further.

And on this day, in a most uncharacteristically uncharacteristic manner, the championship game came to an end.




o




　A few days have passed since then.

'I beg your pardon,'

The principal called me over to him and I was coming to the front of the principal's office.
Just then, I ran into Alice Cresta, who came out of the principal's office.

When Alice noticed me, she gave me a cold look without moving a single eyebrow and left.
Do they still care about that thing?

It was right after Patrick and Nem's game.
That's when Alice asked me for help.

--She wanted me to help her make a genie contract.

I'm not sure what kind of method Patrick used to come up with the spirit contract, but Alice doesn't know the details.
Only the three of us, including the headmaster, know about the one incident in the forbidden room.
But Alice seemed to be aware of it, albeit somehow.
"I thought so when she said, 'I don't care how you do it.'

But I said no.

Patrick and Alice are different.
I did what I believed in.
Patrick got his power.
But Alice doesn't believe.
This isn't a matter of logic. This is a matter of simple emotion.
I've decided that my whims don't make her trustworthy.
I'm not going to do anything about it.
Alice seems to have taken this to heart.

But that's not the point.

--It's a very good idea.

Excuse me.

I walked into the principal's office.
Then I saw Principal Sabrina and another old man.
It was an old man with a long white beard.

Who is this?

I bow my head for now.

"Ho-ho ... you're Nito, aren't you?

I'm not wearing a mask now.

'Yes, I am, but ... are you?'

Then the old man smiled and said his name, "I am Oswald.

I am Oswald," he said with a smile. My name is Oswald, and I am the headmaster of the Fischanatika School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I see........so the three of us are going to have a discussion about the representatives, right?

I was shown to my seat and sat down for now.

The school competition is a place where students and schools appeal to the investors of each country... ostensibly?

Oswald explains slowly and in turn, "But the truth is just a trap to lure the Abyssal Fool.

But the truth is just a trap to lure the Abyssal Fool. From that point of view, you are literally a fool who has fallen for the trick. .....

Old people's stories can be long and depressing.
You have to be prepared for some of it.
But .....

'Let's get to the point, shall we?　Are you going to represent me or not I'm fine with it if you can't.

But I wanted to participate in the competition, even if I was in third place.
Because in Fischanatica, there are "those guys".
I don't know how good they are now, but as long as they participate, there's a chance we'll hit them.

This is also the real issue.

Then Oswald took a sip of the coffee on the table.

The Abyssal Fool is a symbol of the misfortune that lures the world into chaos. That's why we've been watching over the mages who come and go here since I took over as headmaster. But there is rarely an abyss. Sabrina and I have never actually seen the abyss, so we only know about it from the books left to us by Master Marcellus and Beatrice.

I can see how rare it is for a wizard to be able to handle the abyss, if you remember the reactions of Zeke and the others.
No matter how familiar and true the abyss is to me, it's just a 'fairy tale' to this world.

I don't know about Sabrina, but I still don't know if you're actually a fool or not. "I don't know about Sabrina, but I don't know if you're actually a fool. Perhaps he is far more powerful than we are at the moment, no doubt. But that doesn't prove that we are fools.

'So the question is whether or not I'm a fool in that abyss?　You can't represent a fool... is that what you're saying?

Not so. There's no law against sending a fool into a school fight.

Hmm?　So you'll be able to go to a school game then?

This is quite simple. As you have already heard, your power is so great that it can only be described as great. It's so great that it can only be described as great, it's immeasurable. As long as we can't feel your magic, we can't measure your power.

'Well I know what you mean, but then what's the problem?'

We don't want the students to get hurt. That's all I'm saying. It's not worth it for you to go to school. And there are more than just these two schools of magic now. There are many, many more around the world. I think it's probably a good opportunity for the schools to show off their talents. I'm sorry to be of service to you, but...?　This is an opportunity for us, too. But that doesn't mean we can't let someone with a character problem participate in a match against a school.



''I just want........to have a peaceful student life. I tried to get in the way of that and they deserved it. But that's not really a reward, it's just a reality lesson, I wasn't trying to preach any wrong teachings or ideas. It's true that there were parts of me that were emotionally hurt by my friends. But that doesn't mean I was wrong. And if you still can't accept my representation, then I'm fine with that.

The place went quiet for a moment.

Then Sabrina, who cleared her throat, took Oswald's place and began to speak.

First of all, I want to tell you that you are going to be in the national team. You will be playing in the third place slot for this year's tournament against the school. And as for the additional games, we have already discussed this with our investors and we can't just cancel it now. So this time you'll be playing two matches in a row. We'll probably have two fights in a row, so be prepared for that, okay?

I was relieved there, for now.

'Well I understand. Continuous matches are no problem.

Now it's all going my way.

'Well this is an extra match, but who is your opponent?

I asked Oswald.

I asked Oswald, "We already know who we're going to play in the extra match. "We already know who we're going to play for an additional match. "But I cannot tell you," he said, "even if it is a match against a school.

...I see.

Blessings dwell on those summoned by the summoning of the brave.
If so, how strong are those guys now?
Probably all three of the national team and then the additional games will be brave.
I'm not worried. I'll do what I have to do, no matter who it is.
I'll give them a taste of what I've been through.

But of course I can't kill them.
This is a battle against a school.
If I kill my opponent there, it's all for nothing.
The title of 'hero' and the student life I've built up will be for nothing.
And Toa, Nem and Sufilia would also be in trouble.
And so would Sierra, who accompanied me on my journey.

There's no doubt about it. But now ... it's not just about revenge anymore.

"Young mage...

And suddenly, Oswald spoke up.

"--Don't be in a hurry to live?

Please don't....

Ha....ha....

I reply distractedly.

'You are strong, but you are young. You are strong, but you are too young to make decisions about everything. Take your time to think it over.

I'm done talking and I'd like to go home now, but....

You must be suffering from your youth. You have been blessed with a rare gift that is not known to others and you may have hardships that others cannot understand. But you are the same as me. There is no difference between us. There is no difference between you and me. If you show understanding, they will show understanding.

What does this old man say he 'understands' about me?
What's the point of understanding things that you don't need to understand?

In the end, this guy is just imposing his convenience on me too.

''Well maybe there's no difference. Maybe we're all the same in essence, and we're all connected somehow, like magic.......

I can't help but feel sickened by what I'm saying.
If there is such a thing as magic, I'll erase it by 'destroying the magic formula'.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. I'm sorry for the rest, but please.

--I don't have time for hypocrisy.


I finish my talk and leave the headmaster's office.

Later, the headmaster offered to undo the spell of the students who violated the magic contract and had to be exposed to this academy as a condition for me to represent them.
I gladly accepted it.

This is how I got the position of representative.
Although it was an unexpected development, it seems that the heavens are on my side.
I don't believe in the heavens, but it turns out that what I did back then wasn't a mistake either.
The fact that they were afraid of me and left me out of the national team selection round resulted in a vacancy.
That's how I got my spot in the squad.

Maybe it's all connected...

My ... on the palm of my hand.