It has already been a year since we entered the school.

　In the magic-lit auditorium, many new students are chatting among themselves.
　It's not just because of the turmoil of last spring's entrance ceremony, or maybe it was just a coincidence that the number of people was a little small.

　Since then, there have been no attacks by the demon tribe, and school life has been calm.
　Amu's grades in writing have been gradually declining, but thanks to Efa's study sessions, he successfully corrected his course and we have all moved up to the second grade.

　And today is the entrance ceremony.
　This year, we're here as current students.
　Amu, Yifa, and I were allowed to attend the ceremony as the top scorer of the second year of the primary school.

"This is delicious, Amu-chan,
Really?　I'll take one.

　They both look at home and enjoy the ceremony.

　You were probably nervous last year, and there was a demon attack in the middle of the day. They wouldn't have had time to taste the food to their satisfaction.
　I'm watching here and there with the ceremonial gods throughout the school, but as expected, there's no sign of assassins this year.
　It's a good thing that the event seemed to end without incident.

　The program had already been completed, and the closing ceremony was scheduled to take place after the time for chatting was over.
　I'd like to go home now that I'm full, but....

Seika Lamprogue-kun

　Suddenly I hear a voice from behind me.
　I turned around to see an old man standing there, looking like a cypress tree.

　There stood an old man who looked like a cypress.

　He had a tall, bony body and an expression on his face. His hair was all white, but his straight spine showed no signs of age.

　I remembered him.
　I've only seen him in these occasions, but he was the vice principal of the school.

　Before I can say anything, the vice principal looks down at me with emotionless eyes and opens his mouth.

I want you to come to the headmaster's office tomorrow evening with Yifa.

　After saying that, he turned away and walked away.
　I furrow my brow. What?

What's going on?

　He is approached suspiciously by Amu, who has a plate in his hand.

''It sounds like a call. Probably from the headmaster.''
'Hmm...?　Come to think of it, I've never seen a headmaster before.

　The same is true for me.
　Not to mention within the academy, at ceremonies like this, the vice principal is responsible for all greetings.
　I'm sure you're not the only one who thought it was an official from the imperial capital who put his or her name on the list, but that's not the case.

''But a call out is not a peaceful thing to do. Is it a recommendation for expulsion?
'Don't talk like it's the weather for tomorrow, not an auspicious occasion. I mean, Yifa is with you.
I don't know...
You're in trouble with me, too.

　All joking aside, what is it?
　I don't have any idea what it was....

　Somehow, I had a strange feeling.


****


　The evening of the next day.
　After class was over, a nervous-looking Yifa and I came to the headmaster's office located on the top floor of the main building of the school.

'Excuse me,'

　Enter the room with a knock on the door.

　The room has a luxurious and serene interior.
　There were two people waiting there.

　One was the vice-principal, standing like a cypress.
　And the other was an elderly woman.

　She has a gelled face and a hooked nose. But the most distinctive feature was the diminutive physique that could be recognized even while sitting in a chair in front of a luxurious work desk.
　Probably smaller than anyone else in this school.

　Next to me, I heard Yifa gasp for air.

''You're welcome. The Lamprog's.''

　The old woman said in a hoarse voice that matched her appearance.
　Her eyes were scrutinized.

This is surprising. I was expecting to see a brat who had become addicted to his own talent, but he looks much more experienced than I expected.
Thanks for that. I was also surprised to hear that. I didn't expect the head of the Imperial Magical Academy to be a subhuman.

　I only know him from books, but I'm sure of it.
　He is small for a human and has a small, skittish build. The headmaster must have been born of a race called dwarves.

　The little old woman twists her mouth.

I don't like that name. We're not second only to humans. We're not second only to humans, we're still better off being called demons.

　Sure, dwarves are technically demons too.
　But they are not hostile to humans.

　In the past wars, some races that were originally friendly to humans, such as dwarves and elves, broke away from the allied forces of the demon race and declared their neutrality by forming new communities.
　Although there were some conflicts in the beginning, they are now valuable in interacting with both humans and demon races. Their territory is located between the demon territory and the imperial territory, which also serves as a buffer zone to prevent military conflict.

　In order to distinguish them from the hostile demon race, the people of the Empire called them sub-humans.
　Well, it means something like a race equivalent to humans, so it's certainly not a derogatory term.

I'm not sure if that attitude in front of this guy is the flip side of his arrogant confidence. Hmph, it's only his bloodline.
"...?　Did you know my father?
No. It's your uncle.

　Huh. I hadn't heard that my father in this life had a male brother.
　From the way he talks, he was a student at this school but did he die young or something?

　The headmaster exhaled and continued.

'Well, that doesn't matter. Let's just get to the point. I'm sure you, you and your little slave girl want to get this done as soon as possible.

　I glanced sideways at Yifa, who was frozen with tension.
　I'm not sure I'd ever see a subhuman unless I was in a big city or a city full of adventurers. If you've never seen one before, this is the kind of reaction you'd expect.

　Maybe the reason why the headmaster doesn't show himself too publicly is to avoid unnecessary trouble.

So, what's the point?
Lamprog, have you ever been to the Imperial City?
No....
"Then you wouldn't know it, but the Imperial City hosts a swordsmanship competition every spring at the imperial court.

　The Dean continues to explain.

''It's the so-called Imperial Tournament, which is watched by the current Emperor of Uldwight. The winner is awarded huge cash prizes and enlistment in the Kingsguard. It's the largest swordsmanship tournament in the country, where skilled swordsmen from all over the empire gather to compete.

　I'd never heard of it, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was something like that.
　The headmaster takes a beat there and says.

'I want you guys to be in this tournament.
What's mine?

　Yifa raised her voice for the first time since her arrival, perhaps in surprise.
　I raised an eyebrow at him.

What do you mean?　We can't use a sword.
The rules have changed this year.

　It was the vice principal standing beside me who answered in a low voice.

"The rules have changed?
You have been given permission to use magic.

　The headmaster says again to the silent me.

The headmaster says to me again, "The more powerful you are, the better. I guess this country has finally realized the loss of people like the magic swordsman. Therefore, this year's tournament was not limited to swordsmanship, it was a martial arts tournament where anything goes. Not only magic swordsmen, but also monks who wear light-attribute support magic (buffs), puppeteers who use earth-attribute golems, and even fire- and wind-attribute rearguard positions are free to compete. As expected, though, monster-using trainers (tamer) and summoners (summoner) are not eligible.
That's a deadly rule, isn't it?

　There are no peaks or stoppages in magic.
　Normally, if it hits you, you won't get away with it.

It's a bit out originally, but well, they'll do something about that. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. This is for two people.
And you think they chose me and Yifa?
'No actually I've already got one in mind.

　Just then, there was a knock on the door of the room.
　I turned around and saw a person walk in from behind the open door.

　It was a small girl.

　Her hair was more rust-colored than red, and she had sky-blue eyes. She has a mature appearance, but even here she doesn't seem frightened, and is still supernatural with an unreadable expression of emotion.

　The headmaster of the school raises his voice with a smile.

''Oh, good to see you, Mabel. Now, go ahead and tell your seniors your name.

　The girl gives me and Yifa a quick glance, and then she says her name in a matter-of-fact way.

"...Mabel Crain.

Crane....
The Baron Crane's daughter. Adopted, though.

　I had only heard of the Baron Crane family by name, but this was the first time I had heard of their daughter being in the school. I've never seen this girl in the school to begin with.

　The only thing that's important to me is the fact that I'm not the only one.

Don't tell me you're a... freshman?
Yeah. Didn't you see him at the Commencement?

　There was a pause, and then I just said my question.

I don't know. Don't these things usually come from the upperclassmen in the first place?
The students of the high school are busy with their own research. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands dirty. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
How did you know we'd be good at this?
"Remember last year when I survived the dungeon beneath the forest of Rodnea?　In addition........you guys beat a high level Elder Newt in your territory about a year and a half ago.
....
I'll at least look into the past of the best students. In fact, both of you have good grades in your practical skills.
Oh, um, that was mostly Seika-kun's doing, and I didn't do anything at all...

　The headmaster gives Yifa a pasted-on smile as she says in a rush.

'Of course I understand. But I think you have enough power to do that. Maybe not as much as my master.
...and it's the same for her?

　I say, indicating Mabel.
　The headmaster nods with a plastered smile on his face.

"Yeah, Mabel's strong.
What the hell do you know about the students who just enrolled yesterday?
I told you I'd at least look into the student's past. She's a great admissions officer.
'How much of a warrior's achievement is it that you've been offered a slot before you've even been admitted?

　The Dean replied with a smiling silence.

　I glance at Mabel and she just stands there, expressionless, as if she doesn't care what we're talking about.

　I sighed and said, "I don't understand.

I don't understand. I don't understand why Amu wasn't invited to this place.

　The air that filled the room felt a little different.

''I passed the entrance exam with the lead. I got a perfect score when it came to the practical test, and my grades have been on top of the charts ever since I entered the school. Furthermore, I've defeated the Lesser Demon that attacked me last year and the boss monster in the underground dungeon. He's also been an adventurer before enrolling in school and has ample combat experience. I can't think of anyone more suitable than Amu, even if you include the upperclassmen.

　And he's a brave man.
　Even if you don't know the situation, there is no way you can't understand his strength.

　After a short silence, the head of the school opens his mouth.

''Based on that........I have decided that you guys are more suitable for the job. That's all.''
And why is that?
Well. If I had to choose, I'd say it was intuition. An elder's intuition is not something to be trifled with.

　The elders, you know.
　I'm not so sure about that for me either.

　"So," he said.

"So, what do you say? Are you going to play or are you going to play or are you both going to withdraw?
What happens if I tell you I'm not going to do it?
We won't use one of the slots then. I'm sure we'll have one more qualifier for that one.

　Yifa glances over at me.
　What do we do now, Seika-kun?　He had a look in his eyes.

　Hmm.....
　Thanks, I have a feeling that there might be something to it. At least some of the explanations are definitely false, and it's strange in many ways.
　I'm curious about the intentions. But I don't want to get into it.

I'm not done talking to you yet.

　The sound of dissatisfaction and indifference mixed and pressed together.
　I turned my head, and for the first time I saw Mabel's eyes for real.

"....

　Eventually he turns his head and I tell him with a sigh.

"I'll be competing,
Oh, you don't mind?　I thought you were going to say no, though.

　I nodded at the headmaster, who was enjoying himself.

　Yifa also looked a little surprised.

　The reason why I decided to participate in the contest is because of one reason.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the company.
　Well, it's not a normal thing.

　So I wanted to witness a bit of it.

　Magic is now banned, and a martial arts tournament.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see the various ideas that surround it.