"Ray. About that... well, to put it bluntly... Rex is Carla's brother"

"Oh, brother...?

That's what they said, and I was remembering.

Sure, the department manager's name is Rex-Hair. And Carla's name is Carla-Hale. Sure it's the same... some say it's not alike and for my brother I'm too old to be apart...

"Guess what these family environments are like. So, yeah. I'm renting a room in my quarters now, we'll talk about the details there. Abby and Carol are already here. I was going to talk to you before the tournament, but there was a lot going on. Sorry I'm late, but I need you to hang out a little bit."

"... Got it"

And I'm headed to that room... and I decided to walk next to the manager and listen.

"General Manager......"

"What's up?

"Maybe you knew about me?

"You mean the Ice Sword Mage."

"I knew... did you know"

"Oh. Lydia asked for you. I want you to help me."

"Was it..."

"Let's talk about it later, including that. And I wonder what's going on in this tournament."

The general manager has certainly helped me so far, but who the hell is this guy... with that in mind, I move on.

"Well, Ray. Come on in."

"... excuse me"

Passed to the largest room on the top floor of the dormitory. They can't book anything without it being the most expensive room in this dorm and VIP treated person.

Once inside, Mr. Abby and Carol were sitting on the couch eating wine. No, if you look closely, I also refrained from the manager's family in the back.

It is precisely the highest sorcerers in the world of sorcery that are present in this room, including three of the seven great sorcerers, as well as a master who is the ice sword of his predecessors.

Also listening to the earlier story, is it going to be the Chief's family and the Seven Great Sorcerers that are here? That means, after all, the General Managers are not the only ones.

"You can sit down."

"Yes, excuse me"

While I sit on an empty couch, Mr. Carla and the department manager are upright on the spot. There doesn't seem to be a way to sit down.

That's how the master opens his mouth.

"Right first...... let's talk about the Hale clan. In short, it's a clan in charge of intelligence in the kingdom. Actually, I've had a personal connection since the Far East. So now Kara's taking care of me."

"Was it... but the general manager..."

"Oh. That's a coincidence about Rex. Even so, I knew you were ahead of school. Of course, he asked for Ray."

"Really, General?

Speaking to the department manager at the end of his gaze, he smiles and joins the conversation.

"That's right. I've known Lydia a long time. I used to be taken care of at Aynsworth-style boot camps, too. But I only heard about Ray. I never thought a teenage boy would succeed Lydia and become an ice sword magician... but I was convinced to actually meet her."

"At that time, we met in the Environmental Investigation Department..."

"It's a coincidence. But even if Lydia hadn't asked me to, and Ray wasn't an ice sword magician, I'd have been just as powerful. I like you. As a senior, I'm purely interested in continuing to interact with Ray. That's all."

"Bu, General Manager..."

Was it?

Think about it, I had a lot to worry about. The general manager told me to talk to him about anything on the first day of the department. I've spoiled the word and talked to a lot of people about it... did you have that background?

And even if he hadn't asked me, as a senior, he said the department manager was treating me the same way... that's what he told me. The words were purely very pleasant.

I'm just amazed at the worrying nature of the master and the dexterity with which he can do anything, but I think I'm really blessed... I thought so.

"And the fact that I run for the Steering Committee every year and open stores every year is also a combination of policing. I work there during the day and move independently at night. From here on out, you should ask Lydia and the others."

When the general manager tells him so, he respectfully bows back.

"Master, may I ask you more?

"You should hear it from Abby here. Abby, please."

"Ah."

Mr. Abby starts talking next. Currently I wear a suit as usual, but on top of wearing it collapses, I always unravel the hair tied to one behind me. Her face was also slightly red and she could hear the alcohol spinning.

"Right. First of all, the Magic Swordsmen's Competition, Magics Chevalier, is a global competition. Is that a good idea?

"Yes."

"That means there will be global attention. And some people abuse this. A few years ago, there was an asshole who was betting on his students' wins and losses. Sometimes they deliberately tried to manipulate wins and losses. Besides, I don't have time to try to interfere with the other player with the aristocratic asshole mentz, or the one with this hand every year. So, on the tabular stage, the Mage Society has responded by sending a mage, and behind us, the Hale clan, which belongs to the Kingdom's best intelligence agency, has responded. But things are a little different this year."

"When you say...?

Mr. Abby continues to talk further when he "oops" just one more glass of wine.

"You told me there was an Imperial spy infiltrated before."

"Sure... was that right after school"

"Ah. I thought that was about eugenics, but that's apparently the assassination organization of the Aywell Empire...... Grimreaper is breaking into Magics Chevalier, a sorcery swordsman competition"

"Reaper" Grimreaper, such a big guy... are you coming...?

"Ah. Definitely information. Besides, we've already been notified that a number of aristocratic students are missing. Probably because of them. Even this one, the guards are completely in place... but when they're dealing with the boulders, they're a little tricky."

Eiwell Empire.

It is a great power with the highest military power in the world. In this world, the kingdom of Arnold and the Aywell Empire dictate its power. And that country has a past that has magnified the damage of the Far East battle.

Originally, the battle for the Far East began with a trivial feud in a small country. That spread one after the other, and the Kingdom of Arnold had to participate.

Because it was a full-scale war using the first sorcery. That is why only the Arnold kingdom, a global magical power, could be suppressed.

Speaking of empires, they were ostensibly silent, but I know those who took part in the war had their presence behind them. It was self-evident that it was spilling magic technology maliciously and prolonging the war.

And the battle of the Far East closed with the victory of the kingdom of Arnold... but is that empire going to create that kind of hell again, as it did then...

When I think about it, my heart is about to be lit with dark emotions, but I swallow them all the time.

Now I need to think about Reaper.

"Actually, I got in touch with him earlier, but he wore a mask with a red and black pattern running, covering his entire body with a robe. Also, the weapon is a shortcut. That had poison on it. Probably still have the dark vessel kind. And as soon as I fought myself, I ran away."

Grimreaper, Reaper.

That's the name of an organization that specializes in assassinations that exist in the Empire. The same is true in the back world, but the name also passes as a symbol of awe in the world of the table.

Assassination technology is the highest in the world. And when it comes to the technique of murder, it is rumored that some are comparable to the Seven Mages. Nothing. The Seven World Mages are not chosen in terms of their ability to fight in action.

Some, like me and other sorcerers, do have remarkable ability in action, but others have gone from merit as researchers to seven mages. Carol is one way or another, that way.

In other words, in terms of combat technology by witchcraft, the world's strongest is not limited to the seven great magicians. Among them, Reaper Grimreaper is regarded as the best killer in the world for combining witchcraft.

"... I see. I guess I retreated to grasp Ray's prowess... but this time it would be for the three great nobles or the upstream nobles. This tournament brings together nobles at once. Besides, are we lucky or bad this time, all three nobles are just in the game. That would be great timing."

"Again... after the aristocratic people?

"Ah. Assassination, or kidnapping, maybe, but you want to sharpen the future of the kingdom's promising magician. There you go, Ray."

Mr. Abby looks me in the eye.

And here's what she told me.

"I want you to be vigilant, too. Of course this is our adult area. But if you're after a student, Ray near it might be more likely to take on an enemy. For once, I want it on my chest."

"I see. If that's the case, I'll do everything I can to help"

"I'm always sorry. Really helpful. For once, I leave it to Rex if you're a student. I want the two of us to work together on the rest. Of course, it doesn't matter how supportive we are because we are in charge of the main thing"

Copy that, sir.

When I glance at the general manager, he nods gently. If you have a general manager, I'm comfortable with you.

That was the end of the conversation and the atmosphere was completely relaxed, so when I started to move back... I would say something that Mr. Abby didn't think of.

"Oh, yeah. Ray."

"? What is it"

"You're selling in women's clothes right now, aren't you?

"Yes."

"That's forbidden from next year. The store is fine, but that woman's clothing weighs herself."

"Ha!?

Huh!? What are you saying......!? What do you mean? What the hell is going on here?

Turning to the general manager, he shook his head to the side. It's like it's all over, and you're out of my sight.

I get up too surprised and unexpected, but I listen as I am.

"You guys, it's too much. Sales are too concentrated in your stores, and complaints from other stores are unusual. Well... we can continue at this year's tournament... we'll have a few thoughts starting next year. And the menu I'm selling is critical to a lot of things... and there's some asshole pink involved, right?

And Carol, who is trying to escape so softly through the door, trembles vividly.

"Oh, haha. Oh, Abby... you're not? Caro Caro thinks it's for the Rays..."

"No. You always do. I don't even listen to people's advice. I just like it...... I hope Ray is just a kid, but you'll be an adult enough already. Come on, learn to tell the difference. Well, that's a sermon again today...... Huh!

"Yes, no, no, no, no! Ha, help me, guys. Ahhhh! Seriously, you're gonna get attacked by a lactating milk. Ugh!

"What? Carol... you said something you shouldn't... kill..."

Soon Mr. Abby wrapped me around and Carol, held beside her, reaches out to us... but each one of them, ignoring me, was headed for the door.

Actually, Mr. Abby. Preaching a sermon is pretty long. Along with being drunk, it will surely be the momentum that will reveal the night. Me, my master, Carol used to be pissed off... but this time the spearhead is apparently headed for asshole pink, so me and my master disperse.

All this activates the breathing of his mentor, Ayum, who has been cultivated over the years. As soon as the master shoots through my eyes, he pushes the wheelchair out, understanding the intent.

And the Hale family also leave in peace as they meet.

Carol, I'm not wasting your sacrifice... no, I'm not doing anything else, but if I can do it to the human pillar, I should.

Don Mai, Carol.

It would be the difference between what you do every day. Give it up honestly. And that's what I say in my heart. Of course, when I put it in my mouth, it will be a hassle later, so I won't put it into words.

"Carol. It's okay. I'll keep the example promise... but I'll leave the matter to you. See you later!"

"Ray's thin lover. Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Carol rammed jittery to the end, stretching her arms this way, but ignoring it, she ruthlessly shuts the door as it is.

Then the master next door starts laughing out loud.

"Kukukukukukuku...... ahahahahahaha! Kukuku...... that asshole pink is not punishable...... hey...... really funny...... kukuku......"

"There used to always be three of us, and Mr. Abby was mad at you. But well, I'm sorry to hear that again... because it's really long..."

"Ah. It's something I miss..."

After a sneer, the master speaks in a serious voice tone.

"Now it's Ray. As I was saying, be careful. I am also not familiar with the abilities of Reaper Grimreaper. I know you'll be fine... but if you're going to be there, don't be alarmed. Besides, they're probably good at fighting in the dark. If you want to use it, get ready."

"Got it. I'll remember the liver."

I know a lot of athletes are thinking about this tournament. That's why we can't let him intervene in this tournament.

At the same time, think about Amelia.

How hard she has worked and fought herself to get here. This tournament will surely be something special for Amelia. That's all for sure.

Believing she can make even more leaps, this is how we come to support her.

That's why I swear.

Never let it get in the way. I will bring this tournament to a successful conclusion.

─ ─ In the name of the Ice Sword Mage.