Right in front of Heilkway, a figure can be seen there, clad in black robes and with a deep hood.

'It's like an amusement park...'

He looked up at the academy and then muttered to himself.

Entering and leaving the academy is free for these three days.
Visitors were free to tour the academy.
But he did not do more than look at the exterior for a while.
He just walked past the main gate and went in the opposite direction to the institute.

After walking for a while, he could see the venue.

It's a good idea to have a good time. That means that the match was held there...

As he muttered this, there was a piece of paper in his hand.
On it was the schedule of the match and other information, as well as the names of the contestants.

A pure white castle visible in the distance from the shadows of the venue.

''So that's Ficianatica...''


Then he passed even the venue and went straight into the surrounding drinking district.





â?





　He sits down at the bar counter with his hood deeply covered to hide his face.
After a few moments, the master brings him a poured glass of whiskey.
He pours some of the liquor down and relaxes after the journey so far.

There is a tradition in this world of celebrating everything with alcohol.
It was no longer a tradition, it had become more rooted and routine.

"Are you an adventurer?

Then the master calls out to him.

'No, I'm just a traveler.'

I see. So, you came here to watch the game?

'Yes. Actually, a friend of mine is competing, so I'm here to support her.


Just then, four of them entered the tavern.
They are all dressed in white school uniforms.
You can tell at a glance that they are students of Fischanatika.

'We'll be there.'

A group of four students.
They walked in and immediately took their seats.

"Joanna, how are you doing?　It's on me today.

I don't want you to buy me a drink, Mr. Saeki.

Joanna looks sulky after losing her match with Patrick.

'Don't say that, come on?　Saeki-kun said he's going to buy me a drink today, so why don't we take him up on his offer?

David consoled.

'Do you have any money, Saeki?'

Kida was worried about the contents of Saeki's wallet.

''Isn't it obvious?''

Saeki, Kida, Joanna and David.
The four of them were there.

They say that Saeki is treating them to a drink today.
But the source of Saeki's money is not known.


He had already found out.
He had been aware of the magic even before they entered the shop, or perhaps even earlier.

Then he took a sip of his drink and watched them quietly.


'But I didn't expect Joanna to lose, did I?

To Kida, it was surprising that Joanna had lost.

'It can't be helped. That was a foul. I didn't expect that any of the students in Heilkwaite could handle spirit magic.''

Spiritual magic?

Joanna politely told the questioning Saeki about spirit magic.

''In other words, if you make a contract with a spirit, you can use that much magic?''

'It's not that easy. It is said that there are two main ways to encounter the spirits. One is to go to the spirit forest.

The Forest of the Spirits?

'Yes. I don't know where it is, but I hear there is a forest where such spirits live.

And the second?

The second is spirit summoning. But I heard that this magic has already been lost. So the spirit contract is not something that can be done easily.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.
That's why Sabrina previously noticed that Patrick had performed a spirit summoning with just a glance.
This was because since there was no forest of spirits in the surrounding area, it could only be considered as a result of the summoning.
Naturally, the existence of the forbidden book and the face of the person who guided it came into my mind.

''So that means........''

Saeki organizes Joanna's words.

'As it stands, that means it's impossible.'

'Then how did that guy make a deal with a genie?'

'Well?　If you want to know, why don't you ask him?

Saeki let out a troublesome sigh at that fact and this exchange.

'It's not about that, it's about tomorrow's game. Saeki-sama, please, as always, keep your eyes open. I'm sure Nito-sama is strong and will cut corners for you, but please don't take advantage of that and do something bad, okay?

'Pampered?　Ha!　If I coddle him, then what does that make me?　He's just going to have to play it lightly, like he did the other day.　Right?

Did Saeki tell everyone I was wrong? I ask.

Then David opines.

'Yes. We'll end this year's match against the school with a victory over Heilkwaite.'

In fact, Nito proposed it. The idea was to give one win to Fischanatica beforehand, but due to opposition from the investors, it did not go through.
So as it stands, Joanna's loss to Patrick ensured a 2-0 victory for Heilkwaite.
And in the end, Saeki lost and this year it was Ficianatica's loss.
'It's a love game,' says David.

'.....

Saeki heard that and looked a little unhappy.
Of course, Saeki knows that kind of thing.

''I didn't expect that Tim Lloyd would lose, you know.

David said, recalling that game with a sincere smile.

'That was Nito's companion kid, as I recall, wasn't it?

Saeki is referring to Nem.

'You don't like it?　Well, you're right. I don't think it's not only the person himself, but also his Otsukis are strong. And she was still small.

Is that normal in this world?

What's normal?

Then Joanna understands Saeki's question and answers.

It's not that I'm not a big fan of the idea.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'What's this earth magic thing you're talking about?　Is it a special kind of magic?

''Also known as 'natural grade magic'. It's a special kind of magic. This is often mistaken for earth magic by those who don't know it, but in reality, it's the difference between heaven and earth.

'The difference between heaven and earth?　What does that mean?

Most importantly, it's different in scale. It's classified as an attribute, but it's a different kind of magic, you know?　It is also different from attribute magic. What can I say, in addition to generating the earth attribute by himself, he also controls nature. That's the big difference from the earth attribute. But it's not that the earth attribute is completely irrelevant, so although it's usually recognized as the upper compatible of the earth attribute, it's still better to think of it as a different thing.

The only thing I know is the fact that Nito's goatee is strong, and Saeki naturally sighs.

I'm sure you're not the only one. It's totally unreasonable.

Then David snapped at the word.

'If you're going to call it unreasonable, aren't you?　You said the summoned heroes have a boon, right?　You're growing up faster than you think, and you're stronger than you think, so I don't think you need to be in a hurry.

It's a good thing that we have a lot of money to spend on this project. I don't know if I have the earth attribute....

'Wasn't Saeki-sama's specialty magic the fire attribute?

Yeah, but?

Then it's difficult. Even if you're a wise man, it's impossible for Saeki-sama, who has no aptitude for the earth attribute, to do so.

'Tsk! .........I know, I know that.......

Saeki's empty voice sounded quiet.



He was alone, listening to such a sterile conversation and wondering how he was doing.

Then, a group of miscreants appeared to talk to him.

Hey, An-chan?　You look like you've been drinking alone for a while now.　Would you like to have a drink with us?

A man with his head shaved like a turn-of-the-century villain.
And three others of the same caliber at the table behind him.
They stared at him, grinning.

'No, don't worry about it.'

He took a sip of whisky without looking at her.

'Don't say that, yo?　Why don't you come have a drink with us?　Yes!　I'm gonna let you buy the drinks in here!　When you drink with us, it's customary to buy first!

The master of the tavern peeked sideways at the situation for a moment.
But he doesn't say anything, as if he doesn't want to get into any trouble.

Then, Saiki and others also begin to notice the situation.

''Hey, that.....

I'd rather not be involved.

Yeah.

It's always so noisy in here, isn't it?

Really?

Joanna had a question mark over Kida's words.

Kida and Saeki had been coming here often these days.
And today was the first time he had brought the two of them here.



He put down his whisky and muttered again with a pause.

'Don't mind me. I like to drink alone.

'Tsk!　f*ck you!　We asked you out, and what's your attitude?

At that moment, the man swung his arms wide at him.
His expression was that of a high-minded fool.

But a moment after the man's fist was about to touch him, there was a small explosion.
A soundless explosion.
"An explosion that could only be seen by those with good eyesight.

"Gwow!

The man was inexplicably hit by a strong headwind and was blown backwards.
Then he was knocked into a large figure on the table with his grinning companions, and the weight of the table knocked down further, knocking the entire table to the ground.

''Excuse me, Master, I broke the table.''

'Heh!　Don't worry about it. They'll pay for the rest of my shit.

The Master instantly thought he was not a mere mortal and replied generously.
No, maybe Master had realized that he wasn't just anyone even before that.

'You!　How dare you!

The other three drew their swords in anger at having their friends hurt.

''Excuse me, Master, we're going to disturb the place a bit.''

Master smiles at his words while polishing his glass.

'Don't look at me like that!　[Magura Enchantment] Ohhhh!

The tips of their swords glow with a blue light.

''Nah!''

But then the headwind came in again.

''Gwaaaaah!''

But two people were blown up.
The one in the middle lost his balance, but managed to stay there.

"Lick it!

Regaining his stance, the man raised his sword again.

The blade struck him again.
Then he gulped down the last of the whiskey in his glass.

And then.....

He pulls his right hand out of his robe and quickly points it at the man who is closing in on his right armpit from behind. Then he muttered something in an inaudible little voice.

[Lightning wave.....


"Aaaaahhhhhh!


At that moment, a violent electric shock flowed through the man's entire body.

The man's body repeatedly twitched, glowing yellow and white.

''Aaah..........''

Even after the electric current disappeared, the man continued to convulse and emit black steam from his body.

The man then fell to the spot and fainted.

'You guys!　You'll have to pay for what you broke, you know!

The master smiles at the situation and says with enthusiasm.

Then he puts his glass on the counter and gets up from his seat.

'What?'　Are you going to go now?

'Yes, thank you for the meal. I'm sorry for the disturbance.

And as he said this, he left the tavern without saying a word, with the four fallen men at his side.



'This is not just any man, is it?'

Joanna admired the way he looked.

'Yes, it's as if I didn't see the chanting.

David was amazed too, and cold sweat was running down his forehead.

'Black robes ... you were a picture-perfect wizard, weren't you?'

Kida didn't seem to particularly understand what had happened.

''Hmm?　Saeki?　What's going on?

But on the other hand, Saeki had a different reaction than the three of them.
What could be seen from his expression was astonishment and confusion.

''Why........he........''

After the interrupted words, Saeki stood up suddenly and walked out of the store without saying a word.

''Saeki-kun!''

Saeki-sama!

Joanna and David chased after Saeki as he left and then ran out of the store.

Kida followed, puzzled by their appearance.

After that, the price was placed exactly on the table.
Of course, Kida had put it on the table.



And when he went outside, he found Saeki questioning the man in the hood.

'Hey you!　What the hell are you doing here?

Saeki-kun!

David is confused by Saeki's angry bellow.

'Saeki!　Hah ... hah ... what the hell is wrong with you?

Kida asks, out of breath.
Apparently, he came running out of the store.

''Don't ignore me!''

Saeki had been hurling his words with hostility.

'Apparently you've been training in magic for a while now, haven't you?

Then the man in the black robe with his back to me muttered.

'Isn't it obvious?　To kill you ... to kill you, the Dragon's Heart!　I'll do whatever it takes!

Huh... okay.

He slowly chuckled.
Then he took his hood and slowly turned his head towards the four of them.

'You're ... still trapped in Aries, aren't you?

Saeki glared more fiercely at that one.
There was Saeki's figure, which was more than ever, tempered with hatred.

''........Ichijo.

It was someone Saeki and Kida knew well.


Kochimura Ichijo.


His black robe fluttering in the wind, Ichijo looked into Saeki's eyes and smiled softly.