第２４７掘：人の恋路を邪魔する奴は…… (Part3)
Indeed, we had come to the Academy to conduct research, but that wasn't all. Nina, one of the members of the Holy Sword group that had attacked Enaria, was accompanying us to assist with information gathering.
The remaining support member, after collecting information from Rurua, Milly, and Ratz back in Enaria, seemed to be operating covertly around Betan.
"Right. Since we’ll get to see Eris’s combat potential, this might be the trigger for us to move in earnest. *Sigh*, I wish I didn't have to juggle so many things at once," Yuki remarked.
"Everything is prepared, so there won't be any problems. Right, Tori, Riel, Kaya?" I asked the three of them, who were watching us with envious eyes.
"Ah, yes! The fortress is ready to handle monsters of that scale whenever they show up," Tori replied.
"Mhm, the defenses at Betan are perfect. It’s not just me; Aslin and the others are there too," Riel added.
"Leave it to us!" Kaya chirped.
"Indeed!"
"My district is fine as well," I noted. "Mist’s subordinates are excellent, and Britt and his men are there too."
Those Holy Sword users may have their own circumstances, but they shouldn't think for a moment that they can achieve their goals in a city where we reside.
Well, more importantly...
"As per Yuki-san’s plan, the defensive preparations over there are complete. What matters now is tomorrow's duel with the Principal. The question is how to make her cry."
"Hey, give her a break already," Yuki sighed.
No, I won't. That woman is still forgetting something very important. I’ll make tomorrow’s duel the end of it, but I’ll make sure she remembers exactly what she’s forgotten.
***
The next day, as planned by the Principal and ourselves, we were introduced to the entire student body, followed by a demonstration duel. Naturally, since they had proposed a wager, I accepted with pleasure.
"Now then, Eris-san, are you ready?"
"Yes, I am quite ready."
The Principal and I walked to the center of the dueling grounds.
"Since I believe this is your first duel, Eris-san, I may be repeating myself, but I shall explain the rules once more."
"No, I think your commitment to preventing accidents is wonderful," I replied.
"I am honored by your praise. Now then..."
Vice Principal Lara began to explain the rules of the duel, speaking loudly as if to instruct the gathered students.
First: The duel shall be conducted using magic. The use of weapons is forbidden; only unarmed magical combat is permitted.
Second: Attacks on vital points are prohibited.
Third: The match duration shall be twenty minutes.
Fourth: Magic that may cause harm to the spectators is prohibited.
Fifth: Falling out of the dueling ring results in immediate defeat.
Sixth: Victory or defeat shall be determined by a declaration of surrender, the referee’s judgment of inability to continue, a points decision after the time limit, or the discovery of a violation.
Seventh: If the duel is intended to resolve a dispute, the promise made must never be broken. However, the terms of the promise must be declared to the referee and approved beforehand.
Eighth: Give your all until the very end and use your magic; that is the path to the pinnacle of strength.
Well, that sounds about right. Having finished her explanation, Lara looked at both of us and spoke.
"Do both parties swear to abide by the rules of the duel?"
""We swear.""
Hearing our response, Lara backed away to the edge of the stage to avoid being caught in the crossfire and raised one hand.
"Then, let the duel between Principal Popuri Lancer and Zilba transfer student Eris begin... Start!"
Her hand swept down.
*Waaaaaaaah!*
The cheers of the crowd erupted. If I listened closely, most of them didn't doubt the Principal's victory for a second and seemed to pity me. Well, that was to be expected. However, I’m afraid I’m about to disappoint them.
"Now then, Eris-san, now that the duel has begun, I shall give it my all. I won't hold back just because you're a transfer student we've inconvenienced."
"Yes, that is exactly what I hope for."
"Mhm, a good answer. But it would be meaningless if it ended in an instant, so I shall test your abilities as we go."
With that, the Principal immediately fired a *Fireball* using chantless casting.
"Now, let's see how you handle this."
She seemed quite confident, intending to measure my strength with room to spare. In that case, I shall do the same.
*Snap.*
With a sharp sound, the *Fireball* vanished.
"Heh, so you can use chantless casting too. Did you offset it by hitting it with your own *Fireball*? In that case..."
Driven by absolute confidence and curiosity, the Principal gradually began to showcase a variety of powerful spells. I neutralized every single one of them.
"No... way. What on earth are you...?"
"That doesn't matter. It's almost time. What will you do?" I asked, glancing at the clock in the arena.
Sixteen minutes had already passed since the match began. Only four minutes remained. Honestly, I was getting bored of just neutralizing her attacks.
"Haah... haah... *Firestorm*!"
Perhaps reaching her limit, the Principal was out of breath and had begun using short chants. I thought she could do a bit more than this...
I met her spell with the same element, canceling it out. *Sigh, let's end this.* Just as my vision cleared from the dissipated magic, the Principal was no longer in front of me.
"Hah!"
I heard a sharp intake of breath beside me.
*Whoosh!*
"Kyan!?"
A cute little yelp echoed, followed by a *thud* as something hit the ground. Without even looking toward the source of the sound, I turned my gaze to Lara and spoke.
"Lara-san, the time is up."
"...Pri-Principal?"
"Lara-san, please snap out of it. If you don't declare the match over, I’ll have to follow up on the one rolling on the floor."
"Ah, y-yes! Principal Popuri Lancer is judged unable to continue! The winner is the Zilba transfer student, Eris!"
*Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!*
After a moment of stunned silence, the arena erupted in cheers. Well, matching the Principal's pace in a magical battle paid off. If I had ended it in an instant, they would have suspected it was rigged.
"Fueeeeeeh. Th-That’s cheating! Why are you so ridiculously strong!?"
Oh, she didn't become Principal for nothing. I had surrounded myself with a considerable wall of flames, but she only suffered a brief moment of unconsciousness.
I turned my palm toward the Principal.
"Hiee!? S-Stop it!?"
"Eris-san, the duel is over! Please stop!" Lara cried out.
But I had no intention of stopping. After all, with the level of medical treatment on this continent, burns would leave scars.
"Eh? Is this... healing magic?"
"No way... can she use all elements?"
I wondered what they were talking about, but then I remembered that the recognition of magic on this continent was limited to Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, and Healing. Therefore, even someone like me would be considered a master of all elements here.
"That doesn't matter. I won, so please fulfill your promise properly."
Yes, that was the most important part.
"Eh? Um... I'm sorry."
"No. That wasn't from the heart."
"I-I'm sorry!"
The Principal merely bowed her head and spoke the words, but I saw no sincerity. There was only confusion.
"...Principal, do you even understand why you must apologize?"
"Eh? Isn't it because we caused you trouble with our blunders?"
"I have already received an apology for that."
Exactly. The apology I wanted as per our promise was a personal one.
"...?"
The Principal tilted her head cutely, but that gesture finally made me snap.
"Because of you, my time to flirt with my husband has been reduced! It is only right that you apologize to me with everything you've got! Understand that much! Waaaaah!"
I was the one who wanted to cry!
Finally hearing the answer, the Principal took on a serious expression and performed a perfect *dogeza*...
"I am truly, deeply sorry!"
She finally gave me an apology that satisfied me.
Afterward, for some reason, a strange situation occurred where I, the winner, received more sympathy from everyone at the Academy than the Principal who lost. But that was a trivial matter. Yuki-san was very kind to me that day, which made me very happy.
With this, the Principal has been completely brought to heel, and we have effectively secured the top of the Academy Arc. Well, it's the Principal's fault for making Eris cry. She is a classic example of someone who gets in the way of a person's romance...
However, the real show is yet to come.
Listen well, Yuki and Taiki! There is a "Protagonist" in this Academy. Do your best!