It's been an early year since we joined the School of Magic.

In the auditorium lit by magical lights, a large number of freshmen are making a reluctant colloquial scene.

The first admissions ceremony I saw last spring seemed slightly smaller in number because of the disturbances then, or just another coincidence.

Since then, there have been no demonic raids, and school life has been calm.

Amu, whose written grades were gradually falling, also succeeded in successfully correcting the track track for the merit of Efa's study group, and we were all advanced to second grade.

So, today's the admissions ceremony.

I'm here as a student this year.

Amu, Efa, and I were both allowed to attend as top performers in the second grade of elementary school.

"Amu, this is delicious"

"Really? I'll take one."

They both enjoy the ceremony in a relaxed manner.

I would have been nervous last year, and there was a demon raid along the way. I wouldn't have even afforded to taste the food satisfactorily.

I watch everywhere at ceremonial gods throughout the school, but there's just no sign of assassins this year.

I'm glad it's going to be over without anything.

The performance had already gone through, and it was scheduled to be closed when the time for a welcome ended.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm already bloated, and I just want to go home...

"Seika Lamplog, you."

I heard a voice from behind me.

I look back.

There stood an old husband like a yarn cedar.

Facial appearance on a boned long body. All the hair that has been tended to total hair is white, but only the pins and stretched spine don't make you feel old.

I remember.

I've only seen it on these occasions, but I'm the vice president of this school.

Before I say anything, the vice president looks down at me with an emotional eye and opens his mouth.

"Tomorrow evening, Efa, come with you to the dean's office."

That's all I said, I turned my back and left.

I frown. [M] What the fuck?

"What's wrong?

From Amu with the plate in his hand, he is called out in surprise.

"Sounds like a call. Probably from the school director."

"Hmm......? Speaking of which, I've never seen a schoolmaster."

Neither do I.

Within the school, as well as in these ceremonial venues, the vice president is in charge of all the greetings.

I thought the Imperial City officials only kept their names... but didn't they?

"But it's not calm to call. Suggested expulsion?

"Don't tell me you're not even on edge with the weather like tomorrow. I mean, Efa's with us."

"You're in trouble..."

"You're in trouble at my point."

Whatever the joke, what is it?

I don't have any particular idea...

Somehow, I had a strange feeling.

****

The next evening.

After class, I was in front of the school director's office, located on the top floor of the main school building, with Efa and I, who looked nervous.

"Excuse me."

Enter the room with Knock.

A luxurious, calm interior room.

It was two people waiting there.

One is a vice school director standing like a yarn cedar.

And the other is an elderly woman.

Hook nose on Ella's tense face. I said witch... but most of all, it was the short body (wagging) in front of a luxurious work desk that I could see while sitting in a chair.

Probably smaller than anyone else in this school.

Next door, there were signs of Efa breathing.

"Nice to see you. of Ramprog."

An old woman said in a squeamish voice that resembled the look.

His eyes are blurred.

"This is surprising. Thought a shitty hungry ghost drowned in talent would come, but he's got an out-of-the-box look."

"... thanks for that. I was surprised, too. I can't believe the head of the Imperial School of Magic was subhuman."

I only know it in books, but definitely.

As a person, it is small and has a dimensional body shape. The school director would be born of a species called Dwarf.

The little old woman distorts her mouth.

"You don't like that name. Atashi and others are second only to men. You should still be called the Demon Clan."

Sure, Dwarves are also technically demonic.

But they are not hostile to humans.

In past wars, some species, such as Dwarves and Elves, who were friendly to original humans, left the demonic coalition and created a new community to proclaim neutrality.

Though initially contentious, it is now a precious being that interacts with both men and demons. Their territory lies halfway between the demonic and imperial territories, which also serve as a buffer zone to prevent military clashes.

To distinguish them from the hostile demons, the people of the Empire called them subhumans.

Well, it means like a human equivalent, so I certainly can't even say it's a disdain.

"With this Atashi in front of me, is that attitude a reversal of grand confidence? Well, there's only one blood family."

…… Did you know my father?

"No. It's about your uncle."

Ha. I didn't hear my father in this life had a man brother.

Seems like he was a student at this school because he talked... but did he die young or something?

The school director goes on exhaling.

"Well, I don't care about that. Shall we get down to business? Atashi, you and the slave lady there will want to get it done soon together."

I look sideways and see Efa stiffened by nervousness.

If it's not a big city or a city of adventurers, the sub-people don't see it first. This would also be a reaction if I saw it for the first time.

Maybe the school director won't show up too publicly to avoid useless trouble.

"So, what's the point?

"Have you ever been to Empire City, Lamprog?

"No......"

"Then you won't know, but every spring in Imperial Capital, there will be a swordsmanship tournament hosted by the court"

The school director keeps explaining.

"The current emperor of Woldwight will also watch the game, the so-called match in front of you. The winner has been granted a huge prize and enlistment in the Kingsguard. It's the biggest swordsmanship tournament in the country, a proud gathering of arms from all over the Empire."

I never heard of it, but there's nothing strange about that.

The school director says, beat it up there.

"I want you to be in this tournament."

"... uh, me?

Not much of a surprise, or the first time Efa came here to raise her voice.

I frown unexpectedly, too.

"What do you mean? We can't use a sword."

The rules have changed this year.

It was the vice president standing beside me who answered me with a low voice.

"The rules have changed?

"Magic use allowed"

Silent me, the school director says again.

"You just have to be strong, that's all. I guess this country has finally realized the loss of talent like a magic swordsman, too. Therefore, this year it became a martial arts tournament of everything, not just swordsmanship. Not only a magical swordsman, but also a monk (monk) who wraps around the supporting magic (buff) of light attributes, a personage who uses the golem of earthly attributes, and a guardian position of fire and wind attributes are free to compete. Not exactly a monster instructor (Tamer) or a summoner."

"It's a rule that the dead are going to die."

Magic has no punching or inching.

Normally, I'm not just sorry if I hit you.

"It was somewhat out of the way, but we'll figure something out around there. Returning to the story, our school was also given a place in the magic ban. Qualifying is exempt, a special treatment framework that suddenly allows you to compete from this game. This is for two."

"And you think me and Efa have been chosen?

"No... actually, one's already decided."

At that time, the door to the room was knocked.

Looking back, I see a single human walking in from behind an open door.

That was a little girl.

Empty eyes for hair that is closer to rust (rust) color than red. Though it looks very generous, it doesn't seem to dwell on this occasion either, and it is beyond the reach of an emotionally unreadable expression.

The school director smiles and speaks up.

"Oh, you've come a long way, Mabel. Come on, say goodbye in the name of the seniors"

When the girl gives me and Efa a glimpse, she pales her name.

"... Mabel Crain"

"Crain......"

"He's the son of the Baron Crain family. My adopted son."

The Baron Crain family had only heard his name, but it was the first time that his daughter was in school. I've never seen this kid in school in the first place.

No, wait, did you just call us seniors?

"No way... are you a freshman"

"Oh. Didn't you see it at the entrance ceremony?

After a lot of silence, I leave my doubts intact.

"You don't know. Isn't this the kind of thing you usually choose from your senior students in the first place?

"High school students are busy with their own research. Besides, this school is not a place to learn combat technology. Theory also focuses on teaching attack magic. Not many students are ready to compete in martial arts competitions."

"Why do you think we're good for this?"

"Did you forget that you survived an underground dungeon in the Rodney Forest last year? Plus... you guys have defeated a high level ElderNewt in the Territory about a year and a half ago"

……

"I'll look into the past of good students. In fact, you both do well in practice."

"Oh, you know, that's pretty much what Seika-kun did, and I'm totally..."

To Efa, who says so in advance, the school director turns a pasted grin.

"Of course I know. But Atashi thinks you have enough power, too. Maybe not as good as my husband."

"... and that says she's the same?

I say by showing Mabel.

The school director nods with a grin affixed.

"Oh, Mabel's strong."

"What the hell do you know about a student who just started school yesterday?"

"I told you, when you look about your students' past. She had a good entrance exam."

"How many martial arts medals do you have that have been embedded in the contest frame since before school?

Returning from the school director was the silence of a smile.

I look at Mabel and I... she just stands there faceless, like she doesn't care about our conversation.

I say with a sigh.

"I knew you didn't know. Most of all, I don't know -- why hasn't Amu been called on this occasion?

I felt the signs of air filling the room had changed only slightly.

"The entrance exam is passed by the chairman. It has a full score leading up to the practical exam, and the grades are much higher even after enrollment. Plus last year, he's defeated the Lesser Demon he's been raiding and the Boss Monster in the Underground Dungeon. I also have enough combat experience playing adventurers before school. I don't think we have the right people, even the upper classmates, more than Amu."

And he's a brave man.

Even those who do not know the circumstances cannot understand its strength.

After a brief silence, the school director opens his mouth.

"Based on that... Atashi decided you guys were better suited. That's all."

"What's the reason?

"Well. If you insist. You can't fool the elderly."

Older people, right?

It's pretty subtle for me, too.

The school director continues.

"So, what are we going to do? Are you leaving, my lady, or are you both quitting?"

"... What happens if I say I resign?

"I just don't use one frame then. There's going to be one more contestant from the qualifying round."

Efa's coming to see me.

What do we do, Seika-kun? He had eyes that

Hmmm......

Hi, I think there's something going on. At least some of the explanations are definitely lies, and a lot of weird.

I'm concerned about intentions. but you also need to bother sticking your neck in......,

"... I'm not done yet."

A voice that mixes and pushes dissatisfaction and indifference together.

I turned my face unexpectedly, and for the first time there, I saw Mabel's eyes properly.

……

Eventually he turns back and I sigh and tell him. [M]

"I'm coming."

"Oh, okay? I thought I'd say no."

I nod silently to the school director for fun. [M]

Efa also looked a little unexpected.

The only reason I decided to compete is if I told you so.

The atmosphere of a girl named Mabel was a little similar to me when I taught my master to kill my brothers and demons.

Not a decent one.

That's why I wanted to see it a little bit.

The martial arts tournament where the magic was unlocked and so on.

It will surround it, the backdrop of various thoughts.