"Physical race participants, please gather here. All other participants, please wait over there until the physical race review is over.

　As Mira quickly gave the instructions, I briefly checked the faces of the students around me.
　I don't have a lot of friendships, so I don't know many familiar faces. I remembered a few faces of my classmates, but they didn't seem to be that close to me and didn't call out to me.

　The only other person I knew was Zeke.
　He's a student of the Heroic Department, with whom I once fought a duel. Since that duel, Zeke seems to be somewhat isolated in the Heroic Department. However, rather than being ostracized by the rest of the community, he seems to want to be alone. When I saw him at the guild before, he didn't seem to get along with the other hero students.

These are the candidates for the physical race.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

The physical race is an event where you literally use your own body to compete. Only melee magic may be used. The course runs around the outside of the elementary, middle and high school buildings and circles the school grounds.

　It's a long distance for a mere race, but if you can use magic, you don't have to think too much about pacing. It's a competition that requires you to run as fast as you can in the same way as a short-distance runner.
　But even if you're allowed to use magic, most close combat magic requires a lot of physical ability.

　I understand why ...... I was judged to have an aptitude for physical racing.
　It's probably because I'm perceived as a student who's not good at magic. No wonder. I can't even use D-rank magic, except for the ones I'm good at. In the environment of Builders Academy's high school, my grades are below average.
　That's why I was assigned to an event where the winner is determined by physical ability, not magic.

"Is there any interference?

　I said what was bothering me.

Yes. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. ...... This is a practice session, so no interference please.

　I nodded at Mira's words. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to move with the real thing in mind.
　You can interfere, but you are only allowed to use melee style magic. If that were the case, it would be impossible to shoot an enemy who had already moved on with a remote ranged weapon. You should only be able to interfere when you are in close proximity to an enemy. When you come into contact with an enemy, you have to choose between overtaking and blocking. There seems to be room for strategy there. ...... is deeper than you think.

The race will be run as a relay, with six teams of six running simultaneously. There are three teams of eagles, three teams of lions, and so on. There are forty-two of us at the ...... study stage, so let's divide into seven teams and start practicing.

　The teaming begins. I teamed up with some of the nearby students at random.
　After dividing into seven teams, the order of the runners is decided. I told them that I didn't care what order they were in, and I became the first runner. The anchor was a student from the heroics department who seemed to have confidence in his speed.

The first runner, get ready. First runner, get ready.

　Follow Mira's lead and line up on the course.
　The first runners of the other six teams were lined up next to her.

You're really going for it, aren't you?

　A boy to my right calls out to me. 　

You're Two-Eight, right?

Yeah, but ......

You run in front of the dorm every morning. I know you because I run by you every morning.

　I knew there were other Builders Academy students running in the morning besides Gran and me. Gran and I are the only ones who run outside the castle walls, but we occasionally pass students in the castle town.

I've been in touch with Gran, ...... he said. You're not as fast as you think you are, are you?

...... I don't think there's much of a connection between being a regular student and being fast.

I'm sure you're right, but it's rare for a normal student to have high physical abilities.　I'm sure you'll be able to understand if you have high magic power.

　The purpose of the students who attend the normal course is to learn advanced magic that is suitable for production jobs such as alchemy. This is why there are students with high magical abilities in the normal course. On the other hand, there are few students with high physical abilities.

Let's do our best as students of the same department.

......

　The race is about to start, so we keep our mouths shut.
　By the way, who is this guy?



　Who is this guy?



　As a result of the race, my team finished in third place.
　The physical race is a relay race. Even if one person is fast, it means nothing if the whole team isn't. In this respect, our team was all average in speed, as the rankings showed.

Mr. Toate, you were fast.

　"You were fast, Mr. Toate," said Mize, coming to me after the race.

"But you can go faster, can't you?

　"But you can run faster, can't you?" says Mize, with a hint of intimidation.
　I remember the events of last month. During that escape, Mize had seen firsthand what I was capable of. Mize is probably the most knowledgeable person in the school about my abilities.



I'm at the stage where I'm considering which events to compete in. There's no need to get so excited.

　The race was just a practice run, so to speak.
　Unlike the actual race, there was no sabotage.

How do you plan to do in the ...... race?

"I'm going to try to do reasonably well.

　Mize puffed up his cheeks, as if he didn't like the answer.
　But this time, there was no way around it.

　--There's going to be a big audience at the show.

　According to Dr. Sylphias, the king of Terraria and the king of Varrival would be coming to observe the performance. As expected, I couldn't stand out too much in front of these people. Even if we stand out, we should keep it within the scope of students.

　However, if we cut corners here at ......, nothing will change.
　I decided to try something new as a student, as a human being going about my daily life. It might be a good idea to decide on a policy before the show starts.

Those considering a sledgehammer, please step forward.

　The consideration of the next event begins.
　The second event on the first day, the sledgehammer, was a sort of team contest of strength.

　The venue was equipped with a magical device that could absorb any impact and quantify the scale of it - in other words, a magical device that could quantify the damage done. There was a time limit, and the players had to inflict damage on the magic tools, and the team with the highest damage would win .......

　This is an event that requires magical output (power) among magical power.
　For this reason, many of the students who were judged to be suitable for the event were from the hero department.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the hammer, but I'm sure I'll be able to use it.

　One of the students asks.
　In addition to the magic tools that quantify damage, there was also a huge hammer-like tool on the ground. The handle is as thick as a log, and the head is about the size of six barrels.

You may use it, of course. In other words, you don't have to use it. You can use the hammer or not.

　If he could master that hammer, he could do a lot of damage.
　The image of Gran passed through my mind. With that man's advanced "Rage", he could use the hammer.

　As I began my examination, I heard a series of roars.
　A sledgehammer has no magic limitations. Both close-combat and ranged magic would be used incessantly. During the course of the game, a student attacking a magic tool with melee magic almost got hit by a friendly's remote fire magic. We both immediately apologized and focused on the competition again, but the time loss was significant. We'll have to be careful about friendly fire.

Next we will discuss the shooting star.

　Mira tells the students.
　I believe that's the event Mize is considering.

I'm off.

"Yeah.

　Seeing Mize's heartfelt enjoyment, I almost unconsciously said another word.

Good luck.

"...... Yes!

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

　The first day, the third day's event, the Shooting Star, began to be discussed.
　In Shooting Star, the team that destroys the most targets in three minutes within a designated area wins. Only remote fire magic can be used. The teams consisted of three people, and Mize was teamed up with two girls who were her classmates.

　When the competition began, Mize activated her remote fire magic.
　Since lending her BF28 during last month's getaway, Mize has been getting the hang of remote fire magic. This growth was also reflected in her grades at school. Mize was chosen to be a shooting star because of her physical inferiority and because she is good at magic. It's the exact opposite of my evaluation.

　Mize accurately shot down the targets that flew freely around the area. The students around her were impressed by her ability.
　I know that Mize works hard and independently every day. Seeing the scene in front of me, I felt a deep sense of emotion.

"...... hmm?

　I hear a noisy voice coming from somewhere.

　I turned away from the practicing mise-en-scene and approached a corner of the field.
　There was Mira, the leader of the hawk group. She was holding a strip of what looked like paper to her ear, and had a grim look on her face.

　Is that a "communication paper"?
　It's not an inexpensive magical tool. It's unusual for a student to have one.

"Mr. Balen!　Why don't you join us for practice!　I told you that we would start the review meeting after school today. ............ Huh!　Sleeping in!　You can't use that excuse!

　I'm not sure what to say.
　A blue streak appeared on Mira's forehead.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to make it, but I'm sure you can.　...... What?　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. ......　Please don't hang up!

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. It seems that the communication was cut off unilaterally.



　Mira clicks her tongue loudly.
　Right after that, she made eye contact with me.

　The officers of the student council are regarded as role models for the students. She looked very uncomfortable, as if it was not good for her position to be seen by others in such a gesture.

I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry about that.

No, ...... being on the student council sounds like a lot of work.

"Thank you for your concern, .......

　Mira walked away with a twitchy smile on her face.
　This is a great way to get the most out of your time and money.

　It seems that the shooting star practice has just finished.
　I'm sure you've had a good response, but Mize is approaching you with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Mr. Toate!　Did you see that?

I'm sorry, I was just looking over my shoulder.

　He silently kicks me in the shin.
　Apparently, since last month's escapade,......, he has lost his reserve towards me.