Episode 12: When the Tournament Whistle Blows We Searched for Sound
The Royal Magic Academy tournament venue was filled with excitement from the morning. Magical lights shone brightly on the indoor arena ceiling‚ and students and teachers were gathering one after another in the spectator seats. Strict-looking professors lined up at the referee stand‚ and the adjustment sounds of magical devices echoed with “click‚ click.” The air was filled with tension and anticipation‚ yet somehow carried a festive excitement.
Aria’s team had finished check-in and was holding a final strategy meeting in the waiting room. Aria picked up her staff and tapped her fingertips while proceeding with theoretical confirmation.
“First‚ I will set up the foundation of the barrier. Rinne will support with positioning‚ Cross will create the flow of attacks from the front line. Iris will do the final touch… using emotion magic to involve the audience. The evacuation route is the south side‚ and the signal is three staff taps.”
At her calm voice‚ her companions nodded.
However‚ only Cross was strangely restless.
“Alright! Shall we practice the victory dance!”
He suddenly stood up and started an incomprehensible dance. As he swung both arms wildly and flapped his legs‚ Rinne immediately interjected.
“…That’s not a victory dance‚ it’s ‘a fish flopping around’!”
“No no‚ if we make the audience laugh‚ it’s a win‚ right!” Cross puffed out his chest.
“You’ve got the definition of winning wrong!” Aria thought to herself and tapped her fingertips even more.
Iris looked around at her companions with a smile but serious eyes.
“But things like this are important too. It helps relieve the tension.”
At those words‚ Aria also relaxed her shoulders a little. Indeed‚ becoming soft with laughter was better than stiffening up with tension.
The venue announcement echoed.
“First event‚ preliminary round begins! Competitors‚ to the arena!”
Cheers rose from the spectator seats‚ and the air instantly heated up. Aria took a deep breath and exchanged glances with her companions.
(…We’ll show our growth here. With coordination among companions‚ definitely)
When they stood in the center of the arena‚ murmurs spread from the spectator seats. The referee raised his voice.
“The preliminary round is a display of individual skills! We compete in precision and expressiveness!”
It was Aria’s turn first. She held her staff‚ tapping her fingertips. A magic circle glowed faintly‚ and multiple layers of barriers unfolded. The lines were precise‚ and “Oh…!” sounds of admiration rose from the audience. However‚ due to the magic power restriction‚ a momentary flicker occurred.
(…It’s still not perfect. But I have my companions)
Rinne quickly adjusted her position and stabilized the barrier with support magic. Even louder applause echoed from the spectator seats.
Next was Iris. She played her magic as if dancing‚ and the light became a melody that enveloped the arena. The audience held their breath‚ and soon cheers exploded.
“Amazing… it’s just like a performance!”
The referee also nodded while noting “Expressiveness‚ splendid” in the records.
Meanwhile‚ Cross was waving his hands toward the spectator seats and striking poses on his own.
“Is it still not my turn—!”
The referee warned “Be quiet!” but the audience was wrapped in laughter.
A small mishap also occurred. Someone’s bento from the spectator seats was blown by the wind and landed with a “poof” on Rinne’s head.
“…Why my head?” Rinne made a dumbfounded face.
“The bento is cheering too!” Cross immediately followed up‚ and the venue was wrapped in even more laughter.
The preliminary round progressed with laughter and tension intertwined‚ and Aria’s team showed a definite presence.
(…There is some flickering. But my companions support me. This is my current strength)
The arena bell rang out‚ and the team battle began. Loud cheers flew from the spectator seats‚ and the referee raised his voice.
“Next is the team competition! We compete in coordination and tactics!”
Aria tapped her fingertips and sent a glance to her companions.
“The signal is three times. I’ll set up the foundation. Rinne‚ I’m counting on you for positioning. Cross‚ create the flow of attacks. Iris‚ you do the final touch.”
Her companions nodded and spread out across the battlefield.
First‚ Aria deployed the barrier. She layered magic circles as if reading several moves ahead‚ laying groundwork to seal the enemy’s movements. Rinne quickly changed positions and inserted support to fill the gaps in the barrier. Cross swung his sword wildly on the front line and let out flashy shouts.
“Now‚ it’s the rhythm of victory!”
At that voice‚ the companions’ movements synced for a moment‚ and laughter and cheers arose simultaneously from the spectator seats.
“…Cross‚ your shout is becoming the rhythm.” Aria thought to herself and tapped her fingertips even more.
The enemy team launched an attack. However‚ Aria’s barrier anticipated and blocked it‚ Rinne changed positions to support‚ Cross created openings for attack‚ and finally Iris released magic as if dancing. The light became a melody and enveloped the enemy.
“Finish!” Along with Iris’s voice‚ loud applause echoed from the spectator seats.
The tactics meshed like chess‚ and the companions’ movements created a single flow. Aria felt a small response deep in her chest.
(…This is coordination with companions. It’s a power the old me didn’t have)
During the team battle‚ the arena’s barrier device suddenly made a “crackle” sound‚ and the light became disturbed. Murmurs spread from the spectator seats. The referee hurriedly checked the magical device‚ but it seemed the influence of the remnants was interfering more than expected.
Aria immediately tapped her fingertips and reassembled the theory in her head.
(…The barrier is unstable. A large-scale correction is impossible. In that case‚ I’ll deploy multiple small barriers to disperse the interference!)
He instantly deployed small barriers and protected his companions’ movement lines. Rinne quickly changed positions and supported with auxiliary magic. Cross shouted “I’ll become the shield!” and leaped forward flashily. Cheers mixed with laughter rose from the spectator seats.
Iris mustered her strength and played emotion magic. The light became a melody and enveloped the disturbed barrier. The audience held their breath‚ and soon applause spread. However‚ a hint of fatigue showed on her face. Aria noticed it and felt a stir in her chest.
(…I don’t want to push her too hard. But her power is needed right now)
At that moment‚ a small mistake occurred in signal transmission. Aria tapped her staff three times‚ but Cross misinterpreted it as “jump three times” and started hopping. The enemy team was momentarily confused‚ wondering “What are they doing?”‚ and laughter arose from the spectator seats.
“…Cross‚ your interpretation of the signal is too unique!” Aria thought to herself‚ and Rinne shouted “Come on! Be serious!”
Even in the chaos‚ the team quickly recovered. With Aria’s theoretical correction and her companions’ support‚ the barrier regained stability. “Oh!” cheers rose from the spectator seats‚ and the referee nodded.
Amid the intertwining of tension and laughter‚ Aria felt definite growth.
(…The old me would have stood frozen the moment it collapsed. Now I can correct it together with my companions)
At the end of the tournament‚ the referee stood on the podium and the spectator seats fell silent. The magical lights shone all at once‚ and the moment of result announcement arrived.
“For today’s team battle‚ the Excellence Award goes to… Aria’s team!”
Cheers exploded‚ and applause rang out from the spectator seats. Cross yelled “Yes—!” and tried to perform the victory dance again. Rinne hurriedly stopped him saying “Stop! It’s embarrassing!” but the audience was wrapped in laughter. Iris‚ looking a bit tired‚ smiled and snuggled up to her companions.
The referee continued.
“What should be evaluated more than the ranking is your growth and coordination. Theory and emotion were beautifully fused.”
At those words‚ Aria felt a small light deep in her chest. While tapping her fingertips‚ she murmured in her heart.
(…The old me only pursued accuracy. The current me can fight together with companions‚ infusing emotion. This is growth)
The companions hugged each other‚ sharing joy while exchanging jokes. Cross shouted “Next is the world tournament!” and Rinne immediately interjected “There’s no such thing yet!” Iris quietly murmured‚ “But even bigger trials might come.”
Aria nodded at those words and felt both anxiety and anticipation for the future at the same time. The influence of the remnants was still spreading. Today’s victory was only a small step.
(…Next‚ even bigger trials will come. At that time too‚ I will definitely overcome them together with my companions)
Laughter echoed in the twilight arena‚ and the team’s bonds grew even stronger.
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