Black Iron Magician

Chapter 146 Overthinking

The lottery was over and the tournament is steadily progressing. In the memorable first match to start the tournament, Weerel splendidly defeated the 13th ranked student to advance to the second round, and the next match went with the top-ranked student winning. It all went as expected. Currently, the match between the 5th ranked Therese and the 9th ranked student is in progress, and the next match is going to be Chinatsu’s turn.

Normally, the players scheduled for the next match would be preparing near the stage. However, Chinatsu is hiding in the back of the school building, some distance away from the stage. Now, why is she in such a place?

(Shishō, where is she… If I don’t go soon, I’ll be late for the match…)

The answer is that she was called by her super beautiful master. Chinatsu was suddenly being called by Nell and she came to the back of the school building that has no human presence. Of course, the option to use her right to refuse has been completely erased from her mind.

「Sorry to keep you waiting. You are not being followed by anyone, right?」

「……It’s okay. Before I knew it, I got a memo in my pocket with such an instruction, so I came with precaution.」

Even while being surprised a bit, Chinatsu responded calmly to Nell who appeared behind her soundlessly. ‘Being calm no matter what happens!’ Her mentality, which has endured many things with such words in the last few days, seems to have grown once again.

「So, Shis… Nell-danchō, do you need something from me?」

「I used a random excuse to be released from my position and now I’m enjoying a short break. I stand out in the academy and most of the people will approach me, so you should accompany me for a bit now that I have the chance. By the way, I came to praise you.」

Nell is smiling to the point that it’s eerie. It’s a joyful smile.

「To praise me? Um, my match hasn’t started yet, though…」

「No, I’m talking about the lottery! You did well to get a really good position in the lottery!」

「Good position?」

「Yes! Until you fight Haruna in the final, you are in a position where you can fight the temporary top student Weerel and Therese who is like Deris’s half-disciple, right? If you win against them and then win against Haruna, Deris won’t be able to make any excuse! Even if he did, I will force him to admit defeat! You are really a capable disciple, Cinatsu!」

「………」

Hugged by Nell, Chinatsu’s face sinks into her plump breasts. She can’t breathe for a moment, but she calmly secures the path of oxygen and prevents her choking while resisting the feeling of bliss.

If they were to use that theory, Chinatsu, who asks for instruction from Deris quite a lot, would be included as his disciple. Even while having such a thought in her mind, Chinatsu will never say it. The wise Chinatsu, who has overcome many hells of the world and unreasonable requests, has raised her ability to detect danger to a tremendous level. She understands if it’s okay or not to say something, and she has no trouble reading the mood at this level.

「Well, I guess it’s time to go. Chinatsu, do you know who your next opponent will be?」

「Ah, yes. I believe it’s Karua-san, the 3rd ranked girl.」

「The 3rd rank, huh? I guess she’s just right for warming up. Your opponent in the preliminary round was too weak, so let’s expect her a little. Then, I’m going back to the main guest seat. Do your best!」

「Yes!」

Just like when she came, Nell disappeared without Chinatsu being able to sense anything as if she had never been there in the first place.

(I think I’ve become stronger, but the stronger I get, the more I realize how strong my master is…)

After confirming that Nell was completely gone, Chinatsu sighed a little before heading to the stage.

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「Ohohoho!」

The third match ended with Therese’s victory, and the hall is filled with cheers. The audience cheered as Therese walked off the stage with loud laughter, demonstrating her mysterious popularity.

「Well, the battle looks great when she’s on stage.」

「Yeah, a battle of solid defense seems plain at a glance, but she’s like, solid but has a dazzling atmosphere.」

She’s the kind of person you want to have in your workplace, the kind of person who gives you a boost. That seems to be her evaluation. Haruna and Chinatsu are also attracting a lot of attention, but Therese is attracting even more.

「It’s time to start the match. For the fourth match, Karua Iruku and Chinatsu Rokusai, please move to the stage.」

「Oh, the next match is also worth watching. A mysterious girl who instantly defeated the 15th ranked boy and the talented girl who is ranked 3rd in the Golden Generation. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fierce battle.」

「You are right. It’s a luxury to have such a lineup in the first round.」

In the midst of these mixed voices, Kalua was about to go up to the stage after getting prepared for the match.

(I immediately left the girl and the maid from before because I felt the power that I shouldn’t get involved with, but it’s still bothering me. I’ve contacted the management, but… Ahh, jeez! My match is about to start, but I’m just thinking something unnecessary! I have to concentrate!)

Karua was still worried about the case with Touko, but she has to prioritize the match, so she renewed her feelings. Looking ahead, the black-haired girl, Chinatsu was already ready with her feet on the starting line of the match.

(I don’t know if I can trust it, but according to Dry’s prediction, she is a wind magician. She uses the assistance of the wind to speed up. If I think so, that extraordinary speed is somewhat convincing, but…)

Next, Karua stares at the staff that Chinatsu holds. It’s a simple wooden staff that’s more slender and longer than an ordinary staff. A staff usually has a jewel on the top, but it has no such decoration and gives a strong impression of a wood that was just shaved neatly into a rod shape. To put it nicely, there’s no waste. To put it badly, it looks cheap. It feels like that.

On the other hand, the staff that Karua holds is gaudy. A colorful jewel with abundant magic power is added and the staff is dyed purple. The colors are entirely due to Karua’s hobby, but such detailed colors also affect the condition of the user, so there are many magicians who fuss over it.

「Hey, do you know someone such as a gray-haired idiot or a silver-haired maid?」

「…No, I don’t know of any. What about them?」

「No, there’s no real reason. Don’t worry about it~」

Chinatsu knows both of them, but she felt something troublesome and decided to pretend not to know them. She thought that Haruna would honestly answer it, so she decided to warn Haruna after the match is over.

「Also, were you using wind magic in the preliminary? You were pretty quick, weren’t you?」

「I’m sorry, but I can’t answer the questions about the skills I have.」

「Hmm, that’s too bad~. But you see, if that were true, this match won’t be the same as the previous one, you know~? I’m the best wind magic expert in the academy, and you can say that it’s my specialty. If it’s wind magic, I won’t lose, you know?」

「Haa… Anyway, let’s fight with our best.」

Chinatsu, who had never touched wind magic, replied awkwardly and bowed to cut off the conversation. She was completely being probed and judged that there was no point in continuing the conversation. Besides, she wanted to rethink the words of her master, Nell, before the match.

(Shishō said this girl is just right for waring up. In other words, she ordered me to warm up enough in this match. It means that fighting Haruna will be hard if I don’t get my gears up to the top condition before the final. I see, it makes sense. But, I guess it’s against the ethos of kendo where you have to give your all when crossing swords with your opponent… At least, I have to keep the minimum etiquette.)

Just before the match begins, Chinatsu looks into Karua’s eyes and opens her mouth.

「Karua-san.」

「Hm?」

「I think I will terribly hurt your dignity in this match. I’m sorry.」

Chinatsu bowed deeply and apologized.