Mr. Second, you're a very strong man.

　Final.
　Just before the start, Mine spoke to me about that.

'Well. I'm sorry for hiding it. Do you despise me?
'No way!　I love it even more.

　Nice guy, Mine.

"So take me to the palace sometime. I'd like to read the four types.

　When I said this in a clear voice, Mine smiled happily and said.

'Of course. Um, but in return, ...... me, me and--


"Both of you, take a stand. ...... Start!

　Just as Mine is about to say something, the ref calls out.

　The final match has begun.

'......!'

　Mine interrupted the conversation and immediately switched over to chant the "Wind Attribute, Ichino Type" immediately.

　I combined the Infantry Archery and the Water Attribute, Ichino Type almost simultaneously and finished preparing to activate it.

　And then we shot at each other.

　If this is the case, the resolution will come soon - my prediction was immediately overturned.


"Hey!

　Mein immediately broke his chant and dove into the magic I had unleashed.

　A large chunk of water hits Mine. Mine's HP is reduced by about 30%, but he doesn't mind it and starts chanting while eating the damage.

　This guy, he forced out a chanting time twist!

　Indeed, if he ate the attack while chanting, the chanting would be interrupted, but if he chanted while he was being attacked, the chanting would not be interrupted.
　Mine knew that characteristic. I have to say that he is a "pompous prince".

　It's also ...... this formation is a wind attribute and a sanno type. This guy remembered that--!

Tsk.

　With a single click of my tongue, I then chant "Wind Attribute, Sanno Type".

　This one has a higher skill rank. It's not just a matter of time before you chant, it's also a matter of time before you chant.


　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the world.

Ah ......

　Simple power makes a difference. Mine stumbled backwards and fell on his ass.

'I've lost.'

　He smiled sadly at that. 'Declaration of surrender.

'Winner, second!'

　The judges' decision will be made.


　...... No good. This is not good.

"Hey, why are you smiling?

　I mocked myself inwardly and then lunged at Mine.
　I needed to show him that I had an attitude.

　Before the game, this guy was going to say. He was pale and embarrassed, and he was going to laugh and fool me, but he was going to clench his fists and blush his cheeks, and he was going to do it with great seriousness.

　I have to answer them.
　You need to point out the weaknesses of this guy that you've overlooked as "Oh well" until now, but you have to hide them.
　That's what it's all about, I thought.

"Eh, ...... because Second-san is so strong,
'No matter. If your samino kata had been more than 5-dan, I would have lost. There were many dangerous situations. I unconsciously underestimated you. There's not a hint of strength in you.
You're very strong at .......
No, I'm not. I'm saying you're not sorry. You lost to the man who disrespected you. Doesn't that frustrate you?
No, no, it's not.
Don't fool yourself. If you don't feel sorry for yourself here, you're going to stay that way forever.

............
　Mine falls silent.


　Suddenly, a crackling sound of applause approached.

'Excellent point, Mr. Second. You're right. My foolish brother lacks the guts. I've always told him that.

　I knew it. He appeared.
　It was the First Prince Klaus, a sharp-eyed beauty with long golden hair tied back in a bun, the First Prince Klaus.

　When Klaus looked at me, he opened his mouth with a generous smile.

''I've had the pleasure of watching your skills. You have good skills. I give you special permission to work for me. Come work for me and learn to conduct.

　Roughly ...... the people around me are surprised.

　To be directly under the direct control of the First Prince of Klaus means that he is promised the position of First Knight's Executive. By extension, when the new King Klaus is born, he is promised an even bigger promotion.

　This is outrageous. Even I can see that.
　The fact that I've recruited in front of this public, this is my official invitation as the First Knight Commander, and it's the best proof that First Prince Klaus has publicly acknowledged my abilities.

　But on the contrary.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

　-- there's no way I can refuse. Everyone thinks so.

　That's what Klaus was aiming for.

　A solicitation that no decent person would be able to refuse.

　Yes, to a decent person.


'No.'

　Just one word, I replied.

'What?'

　Klaus asks back.

'I-ya-dee-su,'

　Again, I said slowly.

　Mine is looking at me with a pouty face.
　It's going to be okay. I expected it. I knew that as soon as Klaus couldn't beat you up because of me, he would come to take you in like this anyway. Because, you know, you're the top of that Order.　The world's number one is not so sweet that the same move can work twice.

............~

　Klaus's face was turning red in a flash. This is exactly what it means to be angry.

　But I can't be angry.

　This is a public place.
　This is not the capacity of a king to be distracted by the fact that he has been refused an invitation.

You sure you want to go to ......?

　Klaus said with a bright red face.

　Here I cut the joker I had prepared.

'Before the game, I made a promise to Mine. That I would visit him at the Royal Palace sometime.

-Oh!

　Mine's eyes widened.

　''Yes. The meaning of these words on this occasion was the declaration that I am already under the second prince.

　Just a few minutes ago, I did indeed make a promise. That can be proven by the judges who were nearby.

''Huh ...... so, is that right?''

　Klaus looked at Mine and the judge, a blue streak forming on his forehead.

　Mine nods his head in a perturbed way.
　The referee nods his head as well, nodding deeply.

'...... I see.'

　There was already a contract between the second prince and me.

　To interrupt and solicit there is, in other words, an attempt to "pull out" in public. That was a breach of etiquette.

　He had no choice but to back down. The tide has turned.

Very, very much so. You will do your best.

　Klaus left, his red face turning even darker.


'Mr. Second: ......'

　Mine is looking up at me with a stained cheek.
　This guy forgot all about the sermon he just gave me.

Now, on with the rest of the sermon. Well, you can play a game with me until you start to feel frustrated.
...... eh, eh!　Come on!　There's no way I'm going to win!
'Baka, you're not good at that. That's why they call you a soft, weak, and stupid little brother.
That's terrible. ...... You're really hard on me, Second, aren't you? It's just like your brother.
I'm not with you.
What ......?
That's why I'm your friend, a**h*le.

　I slammed my fist into Mine's head.
　It must have hurt, because Mine had tears in the corner of her eyes, but she smiled the best smile I've seen since we met and said, "Yes! I nodded.



　　* * * *



'Shit!　Meinmelee: ......!

　Klaus entered the school building and made his way to the principal's office, spitting out his brother's name in an abominable manner.
　His foolish brother beat him to it. With just that, Klaus's pride was torn to shreds.

'Paula Memento!　I know you're in there!
Calm down, Your Highness, Klaus.
Shut up!　Give me all the information on that second and other creepy people!

　Paula, the headmaster of the Royal School of Magic, sighed at the angry First Prince and took out a bunch of materials from her desk drawer.

''Give it to me!''
　Klaus snatched the material from Paula's hands and looked it over on the spot.

'Is this all you've got at ......?

　What was written there was trivial information about how Second spent his time in the school.

'He is somewhat of an enigma. There's nothing obvious about his native island nation of Zipangu, either.
...... That's right, Gah!

　Klaus slammed the material on the floor and left the headmaster's office.


'Oh dear, I heard you were having a tantrum,'

　Paula gathered up the materials scattered on the floor in dismay.

'...... But, Mr. Second. I'll have to look him up.

　The black-rimmed glasses that hung over his downcast face glowed suspiciously.