第５８７堀：新大陸の当たり前 (Part1)
### Chapter 587: The Norms of the New Continent
**Side: Vilia**
I followed the students toward the training grounds. The entrance was flooded with a constant stream of people, and the commotion was far greater than I had anticipated.
Just as I stepped inside, intending to verify if the rumors I’d heard were true, a hand suddenly rested on my shoulder.
"Now, now. You were told that acting alone is strictly forbidden, weren't you?"
"Who is... oh, Popuri-san."
I was startled for a moment when I turned around and saw no one, but when I lowered my gaze, I found Popuri-san standing there. I recognized her immediately because I’m used to dealing with Hiiro, a small child, but anyone else might have tilted their head in confusion and walked away.
Setting that aside, Popuri-san was here today for a tour of the academy and was supposed to be observing classes with Agil-san and the others. Why was she here?
"Well, the faculty doesn't seem to believe that I’m a teacher from a different continent. It’s quite uncomfortable."
"...Well, you do look very young, Popuri-san."
"Young" was an understatement; she looked like a little girl, about the same age as Hiiro.
"Sigh. If only I had participated in yesterday’s magic demonstration. Anyway, I’m being treated like one of Yuki-dono’s dependents. When I try to speak, people just assume I’m a child and won't have a proper conversation. So, I figured I’d head out to the hallway where the commotion was, and I saw you all splitting up. I thought, as an adult, I really ought to follow along."
"Thank you. Thanks to you, Popuri-san, I didn't break my promise to my brother."
I thanked her sincerely. Appearance aside, Popuri-san is a veteran mage and holds my brother’s deep trust. There is no doubt that she is a magnificent adult woman who is here to compensate for my own shortcomings.
"Then let's go, Vilia-oneechan. It seems Kagura-san has gotten herself wrapped up in some trouble."
"...Yes. You're right."
I felt a strange sense of dissonance. Knowing Popuri-san’s true identity made it surreal, but to any bystander, it would look exactly as she said: I was the older sister, and she was the younger. The fact that she could act like a child without a hint of hesitation proved she was truly a mature woman. I realized I needed to develop that kind of resilience for my brother’s sake as well.
As I pondered this, we stepped into the training grounds. Kagura-san and Zieman-san, who had participated in yesterday’s magic demonstration on short notice, were facing each other in the center of the arena.
"Oh, it seems we made it before the fireworks started."
"What should we do? Should we stop them?"
"Hmm. I think we should observe for a moment. It’s still just a squabble between students. Kagura-kun is technically on official duty, but stepping in now would be a bit unseemly for an adult. If we handle it poorly, not only could Zieman-kun be punished for interfering, but Kagura-kun could also face disciplinary action for engaging in this fight."
"I see. That makes sense."
If Zieman-san were stopped for obstructing official duties, it would simultaneously imply that Kagura-san had neglected her duties to accept this challenge. That would be unfavorable not only for my brother, who supports Kagura-san, but also for Princess Cleena and the others. If people started labeling her behavior as inappropriate for someone in a position of authority, there would be no way to shield her.
"Besides, this continent has a strong ideology of male chauvinism. If we, who don't know how to navigate that, carelessly intervene, it might actually worsen Kagura-kun's standing."
"It’s so complicated. Then, what should we do?"
"First, as I said, let's observe while recording. You brought a video camera, right?"
"Yes. It’s a digital camera."
"...Hmm. Well, as long as it can record, that’s fine. We’ll document Kagura-kun’s justification, and if things get ugly, we’ll step in. Leave the intervention to me."
Popuri-san winked, and I found her incredibly reliable. As expected of the head of the Lancer Magic Academy—she had the dignity of an adult. Even if she was small.
However, she didn't seem to react well to the word "digital," so she probably isn't very good with machines. Ah, right—digital cameras are tools that essentially require a computer. It’s only natural she wouldn't know, as even in Weed, such tools are only handled by the upper echelons.
Actually, normally we would use the "Call" function to record, but we can't let the people of the If Continent or the New Continent know about that ability. So, we use cameras as a facade for recording. It also makes editing easier.
As I finished preparing the camera, Zieman-san spoke to Kagura-san in a voice loud enough for everyone in the training ground to hear.
"I appreciate you accepting the duel, Kagura-senpai."
He performed a noble’s bow, as if trying to show courtesy, but from every angle, it was clear he was looking down on her. Kagura-san seemed to realize this, as she answered with a sullen expression.
"Zieman-chui-sei (Mid-ranking student). This is the last time I’m going to play along with your games, alright? Do you understand?"
"Yes. I apologize for involving you in such a matter. However, I truly wish to know your true strength, Kagura-senpai. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have challenged you to a duel."
That look on his face—it was the look of someone who thought he could defeat Kagura-san in a real fight.
"Sigh. I’ve said it many times: even if you defeat me in a duel like this, it proves nothing about my strength. Back at Bide, I was a commander focusing on rear-guard instructions and magic support."
Kagura-san told him this with an annoyed tone, but Zieman-san didn't seem convinced.
"You were just a commander by chance, and you happened to support the front lines, right? If it were me, I would have led the troops and annihilated the enemy."
"...Sigh. I thought you understood the difference in our strength during yesterday’s magic demonstration?"
"That was only because you were fully prepared. Real combat isn't like that."
His logic sounded sound, but it was little more than a provocation. He was determined to refuse to acknowledge Kagura-san no matter what.
"It’s useless no matter what I say. *Sigh*, fine. As we agreed: if you lose this duel, stop getting in my way."
"Yes. If you can defeat me in this duel, I shall acknowledge the achievements of a woman like you."
"So that’s what it comes down to. You just don't want to acknowledge women."
"Exactly! You should have stayed quiet, but instead, you get carried away calling yourself a 'Special Student' and a 'Hero'? Don't mess with me!! Those are honors that belong to men!!"
...I suppose this is what it means to be speechless. While I stood there stunned, Popuri-san opened her mouth with a bitter smile.
"My, my. Male chauvinism seems to be a serious problem here. Then again, if we didn't have the Holy Sword and the Magic Sword, things might have turned out the same way back home. I suppose I should be grateful to my master."
Popuri-san showed a certain level of understanding, but to me, not a single word Zieman-san said made sense. Those with ability obtain the positions they desire. It has nothing to do with being a man or a woman. Talent isn't determined by gender, and my brother always said that everything depends on how you use it. Perhaps the reason Zieman-san couldn't catch up to or surpass Kagura-san was precisely because he looked down on her for being a woman.
While I was thinking this, the match began.
"Here I come!!"
"...Sigh."
Zieman-san started running with his declaration, floating several fireballs in the air...
*Crackle, crackle...*
With a sharp sound, the fireballs vanished.
"W-what!?"
It wasn't his intention, and Zieman-san panicked. In contrast, Kagura-san remained expressionless, using lightning magic to strike down his fireballs one by one.
"Judging by that, she’s noticed. Kagura-kun is using the minimum amount of magic power to fire needle-like lightning to drop the fireballs. And she’s doing it without a change in expression. Ah, experience in real combat really makes a difference. She doesn't reveal her hand unnecessarily. That’s quite impressive for someone her age."
...As Popuri-san said, but it must seem incredibly strange to everyone else that she calls the students here "young."
Meanwhile, Zieman-san, perhaps having some knowledge of combat, didn't stop moving and tried to generate fireballs repeatedly, but they were shot down as soon as they appeared, throwing him into confusion.
"Damn it!? What, what is happening..."
"What is happening? I’m the one shooting down your fireballs."
"What!?"