Ice Sword Mage Unites the World - The Boy, the world's most powerful magician, enrolls in the School of Magic

Dream.

That's my dream when I finished my training with Ray.

The sight of that time, it refreshes again and again.

I hugged Ray and I just felt sorry for him... and cried.

Ray took me for it. Just try to wrap it up gently, and he accepted my presence. I was delighted with that.

I... maybe I can be me.

He said he was still a bird in a cage, but I'm sure he'd be winged and loose. Yes... I thought so.

But after all, the human nature of what I call me did not change so easily.

……

Tremble. Now it was just before the opening ceremony. Finally came to this place. Rookie battle for Magics Chevalier, a sorcery swordsman competition. I'm sure a lot of people would take it for granted that I'm in this place.

But that's not true. I don't take it for granted that I'm here.

I am able to stand here in this way thanks to Ray, who is nothing else. Still, the tremor in this hand never stops.

Stare at your right hand.

Oh...... how can I be so weak? I'm afraid of the big stage in front... such a pathetic girl is Amelia-Rose's nature.

I watched from afar as everyone opened the store and enjoyed doing the shop. I was going to say hello at first... but I couldn't move on.

That place dazzled me too much.

Besides, the moment I tried to take my steps, it was Ariane who showed up.

Ariane-Olgren.

Since when do we meet? No, I see her at the party every year, but she's been growing. As the three nobles, Ariane is well on her way. It's all the way to that height.

But how about me now?

She flies all the way up, but I'm in a cage.

When we meet in a place called Magics Chevalier, the Magic Swordsman's Games, we know better. She must be the protagonist of this tournament. I'm just... just there. No temper, no pride, just a fool standing around who keeps getting lost.

That's how I think about it, leaving everyone behind.

I wanted to talk to a very cute Elisa, Clarice, and Ray dressed as a woman to it. I wanted to laugh at each other. I'm sure I'll circle around and indulge in all of each set. But that... I couldn't.

"Ray, the next time I see you..."

"... Shh! Because there's Tiana!

"Ah... right. Rather than that, I just think you're a real woman..."

"Right. I'm Lily now."

"Oh... is that right? Hope to meet you for real one day......"

I wonder why. I couldn't possibly hear anything in the hustle and bustle around me, but I could clearly hear Ray and Ariane talking.

Oh...... dazzling.

They looked great together. Two people with shining eyes everywhere. I'm not lost, I'm not confused. There is no such thing as "kake" in the two walks.

At that moment, the pain runs like a tickle and stab in the chest.

I wonder what this is. Until now, all I had to do was open up to this situation. But now, I felt like another emotion... was in my mind.

But I didn't want to face it. Because I had a bad feeling about it.

That's how I left the place.

◇

"Amelia. Long time no see."

"Ariane......"

Just before the opening ceremony.

Each player was waiting for admission...... just meet Ariane there. Having a decent conversation like this...... I feel like it's been a really long time.

I had a crush on her.

We used to be close enough to say we were best friends.

But one day, I became uncomfortable with myself and jealous of Ariane's glare. No, I don't know if that's really jealous... but anyway, I refused to be near Ariane.

It's not like she did anything.

The way Ariane stretched and grew, I felt a sense of impatience.

So... away.

I compare it to her, because I didn't like being compared.

Ariane was sensing my mood like that, accepting that sense of distance. When we were young, we said we were playing until the sun went down, but our path split into two parts.

I can't believe we're having this conversation here and now... it just seemed a little strange.

"I saw Ray earlier."

"To Ray?

"Yep. Amelia said it was finished. And beat me... I'm sure he'll win."

"Yes... yes..."

I wonder why.

Another sharp pain runs on my chest. But now it's just a little different. Just something warm. Again, it was spreading across my chest.

"Ray is out of standard, isn't he? Did you see that? That womenswear technique is really surprising..."

"Ha, well. Right...... sure that could be a little awesome"

The two of us talked about Ray. In the meantime, somehow, I was able to behave as usual. I usually had a frightening bare gesture against Ariane, but for some reason I was able to talk to her as usual.

"... Amelia, have you changed a little?

"... yeah, I guess?

"Yep. Besides, a friend of mine could have..."

"Yeah. Well... not just Ray, but we made good friends. To me, too."

"Really? Really?"

Even if I knew.

Ariane is a sweet child. She's very, very sweet. That's why I've always kept a certain distance from people. I've also known for a long time that you're worried about me.

But I didn't lean on her like that, I just stuck her in my shell.

Yes. Until now.

But maybe I've changed a little since I met Ray and everyone else.

Ariane was smiling nicely like that, but suddenly she turns to a softly harsh eye.

"Amelia. I won't lose."

"... Neither am I. I'm not going to lose"

The word came out naturally.

Scary. Tremble. Makes me want to run. In front of this big stage, I am... overwhelmed.

But I've been through those training days with Ray. I'm sure I'm trembling all the time right now.

I manage to hold my fist like that and endure it.

On the other hand, words have fallen naturally and zero.

I don't want to lose.

I thought so, you can't lose to Ariane.

"If I were to fight... it would be the final"

"Yeah......"

"I remember."

…… What? "

"That I competed with Amelia."

When I was young, I used to compete with Ariane. That was a competition between the two of us, from cool to painting, even trivial. I just enjoyed being with Ariane then without thinking about purely superiority or inferiority...

"Oh well... I was doing that too..."

"Actually, me and Amelia are the draw. So let's settle here."

"... settled, or"

"Yep. I will neither run nor hide. So also, Amelia, hit me directly in the front. This Ariane-Olgren will take everything and beat you."

Yes, I declare it exalted.

Oh...... how sweet.

At the same time, it makes me seem like I'm tiny. Because I can understand Ariane's true thoughts, I can understand my dwarfiness.

If I had ever been, I would have ended up scared here. Its so greatness would have only crushed me by the way my beautiful heart is.

But now I... can squeeze. The heart that Ray gave me this courage is now with me... because...

"Ariane. I'll see you in the finals. I'll definitely be at the top of this magic swordsman competition, Magicus Chevalier."

"Hehe... That's a good look, Kao. Amelia, I'll be waiting."

That's how we shake hands again.

Warm.

Since when have you touched Ariane?

Reminds me of those young days.

We were on separate paths. No, that's just me escaping on my own. But Ariane has been waiting for me.

Believe me, one day, I'll be back.

Oh... I look into those eyes, thinking I'm really no match for you...

We grew up with each other.

My body is close to an adult already. And my mind is also maturing.

There was only one thing that remained the same among them.

That means me and Ariane are good opponents "rivals.

Thus we proceed to the opening ceremony venue. In great cheer, the athletes move on.

Her figure as she was drunk by the light was more dazzling than anyone else.

If I may, I also... want to be that light.

I hope so.