Chapter 2: The Strongest Onmyoji, Admonished

　The next day.

“Huh? What’s that?”

　In between lectures, when I asked Amiyu about the academy headmaster on the side of the road, that was the answer that came back.

　Amiyu says, dissatisfied.

“Why didn’t I hear anything! It’s originally a swordsmanship tournament, right? Putting magic aside, I can’t lose to anyone in this academy when it comes to swordsmanship!”

“Did you really want to attend?”

“Hmmm …… on second thought, not so much. I’m not interested in the Kingsguard or anything like that, and I’m not really …… interested in fighting against other people compared to fighting against monsters.”

　Amiyu says with a snort.

　Surprising for a girl who said she liked fighting,…… well, she never showed that much interest in fighting against others to begin with, did she?

　Or maybe she’s rounded out a bit.

　Lately, she hasn’t had a prickly attitude toward anyone anymore.

　Amiyu complains again.

“But I’m not convinced as to why I wasn’t approached.”

“I think they didn’t want to send out someone too strong. Depending on how you look at it, it could be said that the Kingsguard would take away some of our personnel. There seems to be a faction of academy graduates at the court, so depending on what the higher-ups want, such a choice may be possible.”

　And when I said such an appropriate thing, Amiyu glared at me with thin eyes.

“Then why were you chosen?”

“Me?  I don’t have that much ability either.”

“Stop that fake smile.”

“… I understand. But I’m surprised. I didn’t know you appreciated me that much.”

“… You saved me in the dungeon, didn’t you? And if you’ve been an adventurer for a while, you’ll have a pretty good idea of your opponent’s ability.”

　Amiyu looked away and said so mendaciously.

　Hmm….

　I guess I’ll have to be a little more careful. Even though it was unavoidable at the time.

　Amiyu groans again.

“I still don’t understand how …… you, let alone Ifa, could have been a candidate.”

“Yeah …… haha, that’s right …….”

　Amiyu closes one eye and says to Ifa who laughs as if she’s in trouble.

“I’m not saying you don’t have the ability. But can you direct the magic of spirits at people?”

“that is……”

“Magic is even harder to aim at people than swords. If it hits you, you won’t get away with minor injuries. There are some crazy guys who can shoot without hesitation from the beginning, but usually you have to get used to it through training and actual combat.You’ve never even killed a monster, have you? You won’t be able to fight properly in a real fight.”

“That’s how it works.”

　I mutter.

　Remembering my own case, I was in the crazy guy category because I cursed and killed a gang of wild thieves and their blood relatives collectively with the first curse I used …….

　Amiyu continues.

“And then there’s this new student named Mabel or something.”

“Oh… that’s right. Who is she?”

　I’ve been using shikigami to monitor her since yesterday, but she doesn’t seem to be interacting with anyone, and today she is just attending lectures in a nonchalant manner.

　It seems that she specializes in the dark attribute for her practical skills, but I am not sure how good she is at it, as she just plays it safe.

　Amiyu says.

“You’re a nobleman, aren’t you? What kind of family is the Baron Crane family?”

“Like the Lamprogs’, they seem to have a lot of magical researchers… but I don’t know the details.”

　Or rather, it’s just not a very famous house.

　I guess I could ask my parents. ……

“I think…”

　Amiyu speaks in a serious tone.

“Probably a nobleman’s mouthpiece.”

“There it is. The backhandedness of the nobility.”

“I’m not biased. The fact that the child of an aristocrat who has grown up in the comfort of his or her own home is not strong is not surprising. I’m sure they want her to have a record of participating in martial arts competitions in the imperial capital while she is still in school, so that they can use it to their advantage to get her promoted to a senior official position.”

“I doubt it.”

　I don’t understand what you’re saying, though.

　But looking at Mabel’s depressed eyes, I didn’t think it was such a lukewarm situation.

　The fact that she was adopted also bothered me.

　However, Amiyu, who had not seen the girl in person, seemed confident in her idea.

“Of course it is. Well, Aren’t you going to abandon the main tournament early? It would be a disaster if you got hurt. —-“

“――――You are the one who grew up lukewarm.”

　The cold voice made me turn around.

　Staring at Amiyu from behind was a girl with rust-colored hair.

　Mabel Crane.

　Amiyu turns to Mabel and stares back into her murky sky-blue eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“Even though you’re weak, you think you’re allowed to do that. You must have been very spoiled.”

　Mabel continues as if talking to herself.

“The reason you weren’t chosen is simply because you don’t have the power. Neither magic nor sword.”

“Wow, you’re telling me.”

　Amiyu smiled angrily.

　Then, turning her attention to the school swordsmanship club members who were hanging out across the street, she called out to them, filling them in.

“Hey you guys. Lend me two of those mock swords.”

　Amiyu is apparently popular with some of the boys these days, and two of the boys smiled and offered their mock swords.

　Amiyu throws one of the borrowed mock swords at Mabel’s feet.

“…”

“Come with me for a fight. You can at least use a sword, can’t you?”

“……, what’s the point of this?”

“You’re the one who started the fight, so saying that is laughable.”

　Mabel silently picked up the mock sword and faced Amiyu.

　I was surprised.

　The way she held her one-handed sword in a relaxed manner was so graceful that it could be compared to that of Amiyu.

　Can she really use a sword?

“Se-Seika-kun… is it okay if we don’t stop them?”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

　I answered the worried Ifa.

　Neither of them would be willing to go that far, and if push came to shove, I could stop them.

　Besides… we might even catch a glimpse of what Mabel is capable of.

“Seika. Please give the signal.”

“Oh”

　I answer Amiyu, take a short pause, and then raise my voice.

“start”

　At the same time as the signal, Amiyu kicked the ground.

　Then, with the same momentum, a sharp slash from the upper level was unleashed.

　She must have been aiming for the weapon from the beginning.

　Amiyu’s blow, which was probably close to her full strength, struck the sword in Mabel’s hand so fast that it was difficult to follow with the eye.

　A hero’s flash that seemed to decide the game.

　Mabel received it――――with a single step back.

“…!”

　There is a high-pitched metallic sound and sparks scattered, and Amiyu’s eyes widened in surprise.

　It would be so. It is hard to believe that an ordinary person could take that first blow.

　A fierce battle begins, but Mabel remains expressionless, parrying Amiyu’s ridiculous power, and eventually begins to push back.

　It was Amiyu who pulled out first.

　A retreat to fix her bad position.

　Mabel didn’t miss it.

　The follow-up attack is a flash of lateral cleave.

　Amu raises her sword and tries to catch it.

　However, it didn’t come true.

　With a rupturing sound――――the mock sword bursts from Amiyu’s hand.

　A few moments later, the mock sword rolled to the ground in the distance, distorted and twisted.

　Mabel released her zanshin posture, threw her mock sword to the ground, and muttered as she walked away from Amiyu’s side.

“You can continue to be pampered. Cute and brave.”

　I frowned.

　Now, Mabel can be considered…… 

“Wait a minute.”

　Mabel turns around at the sound of the voice.

　Amiyu puts her hand on her waist and says.

“No magic, right? I was going to do that.”

“…”

　Hmm, I guess Amiyu noticed that too.

　Ever since the first blow, Mabel had felt a flow of power.

　They didn’t use a staff, staff sword, or magic circles, so it was hard to tell at first glance.

　I thought it might be a body enhancement type of support magic, but if you’re a dark attribute user, it’s probably ……

“…… you think there will be a next time. That’s why you’re weak.”

　Mabel said.

　Then she turned her eyes on me.

　She looked at me as if she were looking at an outsider.

“If you’re feeling lighthearted, you should decline now.”

“Why is that ……?”

“It’s not going to be one of those sweet competitions where you don’t get hurt.”

　I answer with a smile.

“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

“…”

　Mabel silently turned on her heel and left.

　What is it?

　Angry and provoked by Amiyu’s jokes, worried about others and advising them.

　She is totally more decent than I expected. At least, a lot better than I was when I was younger.

“Amu-chan…are you hurt?”

“Are you okay?”

　Amiyu didn’t answer our questions, but crossed her arms and pondered for a while. …… Then she looked up and said in a high-spirited voice.

“Okay, I’ve made up my mind.”

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