第５８７堀：新大陸の当たり前 (Part2)
"The match has begun, and it’s just you and me. I’m the only one here who can actually hinder your actions, aren’t I? Or rather, you didn't even notice, did you?"
"What are you talking about..."
*BOOM!*
"Every time you manifested a fireball, I was knocking this little thing into it."
*CRACKLE!*
Visible purple electricity danced along Kagura-san's arms.
"You couldn't hit me while I was moving, so you aimed for the fireballs floating right next to you..."
"Impossible! Face reality, intermediate student Ziman. At your current level, you aren't even qualified to challenge me."
"That’s not true!! I haven't taken a single hit yet!! You’ve been doing nothing but playing defense the whole time!"
"…I see."
To satisfy Ziman-san's request, Kagura-san focused her magic in one burst. She brought a bolt of lightning down to the ground, and a continuous chain of strikes began to crawl steadily toward Ziman-san.
"Oh dear, is she being spiteful, or is Ziman-kun just at fault? He’s made her realize that holding back is a waste of time."
Ziman-san tried to put some distance between himself and the encroaching lightning, but Kagura-san, having given up on persuasion, wasn't about to let him escape...
*BOOM! BOOM!*
"Gyaaaaaah!?"
Ziman-san’s scream echoed across the training grounds as the lightning struck home. Knowing Kagura-san’s capabilities, I doubted she had actually killed him, but the way he was smoking from head to toe certainly made him look like he’d met his end.
"Referee. Are we continuing the match? If so, I’ll just have to keep striking him while he’s down."
"Ah, w-wait a moment, please!!"
Finally snapped out of his daze by Kagura-san’s words, the referee rushed over to check on Ziman-san. He was lying face down and motionless, so I assumed the match was over, but... ah, checking if he’s alive. That is important, I suppose.
"It appears Ziman-dono is merely unconscious. Therefore, this duel is Kagura-dono's victory!"
After the referee’s declaration, there was a beat of silence before the cheers erupted.
"Waaaaah!"
*Phew.* It seemed to have ended without any major issues. I had followed along in case something happened to Kagura-san, but it appeared my worries were unnecessary.
Kagura-san had work to attend to, so she bowed to the audience and turned to leave. However, a fireball came flying toward her back.
I traced the trajectory to find the source and turned my head. Ziman-san was lying on the ground, his hand still pointed at Kagura-san, shouting.
"I... I haven't lost yet!!"
"Eh?"
Kagura-san finally started to turn around at the sound of his voice, but the fireball was already right in front of her...
*Fwip.*
Without ever touching Kagura-san, the fireball simply vanished with a soft sound.
"What!?"
"Eh!? Eh!?"
Both Ziman-san and Kagura-san were stunned. And who could blame them? Because...
"My, my, Ziman-kun. Unfortunately, the referee has already ruled that you lost. Ignoring that and attacking from behind isn't very commendable."
"A... a child?"
Indeed. Just as Ziman-san said, a small girl had drifted down from the sky.
"Eh? What’s with that kid? She was flying, right?"
"Isn't levitation magic supposed to be incredibly difficult to control?"
"I saw it! That girl used water to extinguish Ziman's sneak attack just now."
"Oh, you're right. The spot where the fireball vanished is all wet."
I immediately dashed out and descended onto the training grounds as well.
"Popuri-san, what are you doing!?"
"Oh, it was just convenient, so I thought I’d handle the handover. Kagura-kun, is that alright?"
"Y-Yes!? W-What is it? Popuri-sama!!"
Kagura-san, knowing Popuri-san's true identity, looked flustered. And rightly so. She wasn't just a leader of a nation; she was the principal of an academy just like this one, and a person deeply trusted by his lordship.
"You’re in the middle of your work and have to leave before you can even finish your greetings. But Ziman-kun here seems like he still wants to go a few more rounds. Am I wrong?"
"O-Of course... I do!! I am still...!!"
...He certainly has the motivation. It’s incredibly annoying. Ah, I see. So that’s why.
"Therefore, your opponent from here on out will be me, Popuri Lancer, Principal of the Magic Academy of the If Continent."
"Hah?"
Everyone watching the training grounds was dumbfounded. They were likely wondering what on earth she was talking about. But Kagura-san, who knew exactly who Popuri-san was, began to tremble...
"T-That is... the academy will..."
"Don't worry, it's fine. I’ll hold back. You don't have time to spend any more on Ziman-kun, do you?"
"W-Well, that is true, but..."
"It’s just a matter of convenience. In the previous class, I was treated like someone’s tag-along child. This is the perfect stage to overturn that perception."
Kagura-san realized it. She couldn't handle this on her own anymore.
"I-I understand. I will go call Yuki-sama!!"
"Take your time."
Without waiting for an answer, Kagura-san sprinted away. ...She looked a bit pitiful, but it couldn't be helped. If she’s this busy, she won't have the luxury of sniffing around, anyway.
"A-A child is going to be my opponent!!"
"Oh? I am one of the guests who arrived with Yuki-dono. And have you forgotten my introduction from earlier?"
As Popuri-san said that, she instantly manifested nearly a hundred spells of various attributes floating in the air.
"What!?"
Ignoring Ziman-san, who was left speechless, Popuri-san said with a beaming smile:
"I do serve as a principal, after all. As you can see, I’m quite good at magic. So, I don't think I’ll let Ziman-kun get bored, do you?"
It was as if a grim reaper were delivering a death sentence. Well, Popuri-san wouldn't actually kill him, and since Dressa seemed to be bringing his lordship over here, I should go and explain the situation.
Wait? Did Kagura-san, who went to call him, miss them on the way?
Hmm. That woman is, in many ways, quite unfortunate.
This is the norm in the New Continent, and behold, the norm in Weed. In this world, the strong survive—in more ways than one. Whether it’s physical strength, economic power, or being a cute little girl!!