[Alice POV]

  Milia and I came to the Coliseum early in the morning to receive an explanation of the rules.

  The Coliseum is a historic stone building in the center of the town. Its magnificence was obvious at a glance even from a distance. There was a public space with several chairs around the Coliseum, and I could see several stalls preparing to open nearby.

  In the back of the front area, a large arch-shaped entrance to the Coliseum was open, and the word "Reception" was visible beside it. Going to the reception with Milia, we convey that we are participants. After waiting a little, we were guided inside by a staff member.

  We walk along the passage that continues in a circle, following the staff member. Every step echoed with a light clack-clack sound on the neatly paved yellowish old stones forming the passage.

  Eventually, we arrived at the circular arena. The ground of the arena was firm sandy soil, and it was quite spacious. There were high walls at the edges, and many spectator seats were installed in a stepped manner on top of them. Further up, there was a huge bulletin board and a round clock.

  The bulletin board seems to display characters by magic. It seems a magic barrier is put up at the wall, so there shouldn't be any danger to the audience.

  There were already four other participating pairs there. But Karla-san and Ketty-san don't seem to be there yet. Then two more pairs arrived gradually, but the two of them didn't appear for quite a while.

  "They're late."

  Milia was staring at the clock worriedly.

  "That's right. It's almost time for the explanation to start, I wonder if they're okay."

  Then, just barely in time, Karla-san and Ketty-san finally appeared, led by a staff member.

  "Ah, made it, made it."

  "That was dangerous. What would you have done if we got disqualified?"

  Ketty-san was retorting to what Karla-san said loudly. They were breathing heavily. Did they run all the way here?

  "It's fine. We made it. All's well that ends well, or something like that."

  "Haa... Good grief."

  Karla-san noticed us immediately and waved her hand energetically.

  "Yahoo. Isn't it Alice and Milia? I was a bit surprised when I heard you guys were participating too."

  "Yu said she's participating in the Individual Match, so we thought we would too. Right, Milia?"

  "That's right."

  Milia agrees too. She doesn't show it much on her face, but she seems enthusiastic. Karla-san nodded admiringly.

  "Hoh hoh. Coming out to a place like this from the first year, wonderful attitude. How about it for such wonderful you guys? Aren't you interested in Lost Magic research too? If it's now, Big Sister can specially mediate for you."

  "I'll pass."

  "No thank you."

  I feel bad for Karla-san, though. Asking Yu, who was talked to by her until she wilted, she says the Guief Lab seems to be terribly hard work. Besides, I don't aspire to be a researcher; I want to be a magic class teacher in my hometown in the future.

  Karla-san got flustered with an exaggerated reaction. Since she is originally a beauty, whatever she does looks cute.

  "An immediate answer~~!? Kuh. So Yu blew something into your ears. What should I do with that child?"

  "Hey. Don't say dangerous things."

  Ketty-san smacks Karla-san's head.

  "Ketty, you're strong."

  Ignoring Karla-san pretending to cry saying so, Ketty-san continued.

  "Or rather, you know. It's good that you became energetic, but can't you do something about that research idiot? You're putting too much into it."

  Became energetic? I wonder if there was a time when this lump of energy Karla-san wasn't energetic.

  "Hmph. Research is my purpose in life now. Leave me alone."

  Karla-san who said so, although her attitude was playful, her words seemed serious to me.

  "I see. If you're fine with that, then fine... Just don't ruin your health."

  "I know."

  Karla-san replied as if slightly irritated.

  "By the way. Why were you so late?"

  Looking at Milia, she was directing a cute glare at Karla-san.

  "About that. I don't know if Karla was super excited or what, but apparently she stayed up late last night. She inadvertently almost overslept. Isn't she an idiot? This guy."

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  Ketty-san saying so had an exasperated face as if saying it happens all the time, but she didn't seem entirely displeased. With that face, she directs a cold gaze at Karla-san.

  "Ahaha. Scary, Ketty."

  "Put yourself in my shoes, having to go along with an idiot."

  At that moment, the staff member's voice was heard.

  "Yes. Then, since it is time, I would like to explain the rules."

  At those words as a signal, the chatter stopped abruptly. After receiving explanations for a while, we decided to draw lots for the match-ups.

  As a result. Surprisingly, we ended up facing Karla-san and Ketty-san suddenly in the first round.

  "Suddenly, huh..."

  Milia had a face looking a little shocked. Maybe I'm shocked too. But since it's the first round, we can fight with full power, so I also think it might be lucky.

  "Ouch. Well, I didn't think it would be sudden, but let's do it so neither of us has regrets."

  "That's right. We would face each other eventually anyway."

  Unlike the two showing composure, we had no such thing. But we have competitive spirit.

  "I won't lose!"

  "I won't lose either."

  Milia also puffed out her chest and acted tough with all her might. Karla-san laughed satisfied seeing us like that.

  "Good spirited declaration. I'm expecting a lot."

  And so. Finishing the declaration of war. After the explanation was over, I spent time with Milia devising a strategy and eating lunch.

  Karla-san and Ketty-san are strong. Enough to be called the top candidates for victory. There was no room to think about the next match. Discussing with Milia, we decided to do it intending to give our all in the first match.

  When lunchtime passed and it was about an hour before the match start. Having finished planning the strategy, while chatting with Milia in the public space around the Coliseum, Yu came.

  "How's the condition?"

  Looking back toward the voice, she was staring at us with a cute smile. Her smooth straight black hair, hanging a little over her shoulders, sways sawa-sawa in the wind.

  "About so-so, I guess."

  "Not bad."

  "I see."

  Yu smiled a little fufu. I feel like recent Yu's slight gestures have become girlish little by little. Even though when we first met, she didn't know how to behave enough to make me think she was a man turned directly into a woman. Time changes people.

  "Hey. I heard from Milia. That you finally felt like telling us various things."

  When I heard that from Milia, I was happy, and at the same time, I felt like a burden was lifted from my heart.

  Honestly, I was quite suspicious. That man also having the name Yu Hoshimi is too much for a coincidence. Both have the same black hair, and the atmosphere is very similar. Maybe the two are deep acquaintances from the same country, and although their real names are different, they needed to use that name. And they came to this country for some purpose. And only Yu in front of me got caught up in trouble.

  ...Well, it's a guess full of holes and I haven't said anything after all. I guess I won't know the truth unless Yu tells me.

  "Yeah. If I can sort out my feelings and what to say a little more, though."

  "Of course. I'll wait a little bit totally. Since you felt like telling us."

  "I'll say it in advance, but you'll probably be very surprised."

  Yu had a quite anxious face. Thinking to reassure her even a little, I direct a smile.

  "It's okay. No matter what circumstances, I'm on Yu's side."

  "I said it in the morning too, but at worst it will end with Iron Fist Punishment."

  "Iron Fist!?"

  Why do you say such dangerous things again, Milia.

  "Haha... That's right."

  See, she's laughing with a stiff face. However, Yu didn't seem as agitated as I thought. Usually she would be more flustered. I felt like she had made up her mind or something.

  "More importantly, I saw the match-up chart. To think you'd face Karla-senpai and her partner suddenly in the first match of the first round."

  "Really. But this can't be helped."

  "Indeed. We just do what we can."

  "Yeah. That's the spirit."

  Talking like that for a while, an announcement flowed saying "Players, please gather in the waiting room."

  "Seems we have to go already."

  When I was about to say see you later,

  "Wait. Before that."

  Yu opened her right hand and offered it. Not understanding the meaning, I'm confused. I glanced at Milia, but she didn't seem to understand either.

  "This is?"

  "A little spell to put spirit into it. Alice and Milia too, shake your open palms and hit mine. Just so you know, I'm doing it with my right hand this time, but either hand is fine for this."

  Saying unnecessary things at the end, it's cute that she seems to still hold a grudge about the welcome party. I didn't understand well, but doing as told, a pleasant sound Pan echoed, and the sensation of hitting Yu's palm remained gradually. It was just that, something like nothing, but I certainly felt like I received power.

  "Then I'll be rooting for you from the spectator seats. Good luck!"

  "Yeah!"

  "Yes!"

  Milia and I entered the arena from the East Gate. Karla-san and Ketty-san appeared from the West Gate.

  When we entered, the place was already wrapped in enthusiasm completely different from the morning. Waves of people as far as the eye can see, and roaring voices. It was enough to make me almost swallowed by the overwhelming enthusiasm for a moment.

  Originally fired up, my mood soared even more. On the other hand, Milia was clenching her fists tightly and frozen stiff with tension. Come to think of it, she was extremely shy. It might be tough in a place like this. Thinking it might help even a little, I hold her hand tightly.

  "Come on. Relax, relax."

  "Y-yes."

  Milia, nodding with a stiff voice, closed her eyes and started taking deep breaths desperately. Tension seemed to be transmitted directly from the hand I held. Is she okay?

  Since there is distance from the opponent team, we don't exchange words. At the starting point of the match, about ten meters away from the opponent, we were waiting for the moment that would visit soon.

  "Now, it's here again this year! Magic Combat by Sacris Magic Academy students! The MC is me, the wandering Thomas, bringing it to you!"

  The one taking the MC at the commentary seat specially prepared in the front row of the spectator seats was a man with a bizarre style. Pants almost like underwear, and wearing only a suit jacket on a naked upper body. A full-body macho Bearded Dandy. He's awfully high tension.

  That weird MC person. Or rather, it's really weird.

  Originally, a teacher or someone related to the school should be the MC. Was there such a person among the school staff? Definitely not, right!?

  I thought it was strange, but looking around, no one even feels suspicious. Everyone was just expecting the match starting soon and enthusiastic.

  Why. Why does everyone accept that person without discomfort!?

  "Hey, Milia. Do you know that person?"

  "I don't know. But, I feel like... he has been at the school for a long time."

  Huh? Was he?

  Ah, come to think of it, maybe he was. I feel like he was. I started to feel there's no problem. The male MC named Thomas-san proceeds with the MC with tremendous high tension.

  "Let's go to the introduction of players right away! East is the promising first-year combo, Alice Luckin & Milia Lemak! The two are good friends and both have excellent grades! Since it's their first challenge in Magic Combat, their potential is unknown! Will they become the dark horse of this tournament!?"

  Feeling expected, I forcibly took the frozen Milia's hand too, and waved to the audience together to respond. A thunderous cheer rose, and it felt really good.

  "West is the majestic third-year combo! Karla Ringrad & Ketty Hane! Needless to say, the top candidates for victory! Will they show their overwhelming ability to the freshman combo!?"

  They were also waving and responding to cheers similarly. As expected of the favorites, the cheers raised were even louder.

  Introduction done, finally. Thomas-san declared the start of the match with a voice loud enough to split the cheers.

  "Then, here we go! First Round, First Match! Start————!"

  It began.

  "Let's go. Milia."

  "Yes."