Episode 15: Shadow Spectators — The Two Squinting Figures
The wind crossed the ridgeline of Wind Hill‚ rustling the dry grass. In the distance‚ black smoke rose from deep within the forest‚ and occasionally the sounds of battle echoed. The clash of metal‚ flashes of magic‚ the roars of beasts — even from afar‚ they conveyed plenty of tension.
On that ridgeline‚ two shadows were hiding.
One was Nagi‚ crouched low behind a rock‚ quietly peering into a magical observation device. His calm gaze captured the battlefield like a game board‚ and his fingertips steadily recorded the information.
The other was Mark‚ a short distance away‚ restlessly moving his hands. He would pull at the grass‚ clench his fists‚ and occasionally start to stand up only to be glared at by Nagi and sit back down.
「……Keep quiet. Sound carries.」
Nagi said in a low voice.
「Whoa‚ look‚ look! Over there! Aria put up a barrier! Amazing!」
Mark was excited like a boy and couldn’t keep his voice down. He tried to slap Nagi’s shoulder while waving his hands‚ but was stopped by a cold glare.
「No commentary needed. Just watch silently.」
「But! That movement‚ she’s a hero‚ right!? I got goosebumps!」
「Get goosebumps on your own. Don’t report them to me.」
At Nagi’s sharp tongue‚ Mark laughed saying 「That’s harsh」 but his eyes never left the battlefield.
Their purpose for being here was unclear. Were they hired to observe‚ or just peeking out of curiosity — that had not yet been revealed. But their first impressions were clear. A calm and composed observer‚ and a cheerful‚ infatuated spectator. The contrast in their personalities stood out even more vividly than the wind on the ridgeline.
Nagi hid behind the rock and peered into the magical observation device. In the distant battlefield‚ Aria and the others were moving. The light of the barrier flickered intermittently‚ Cross’s sword flashes occasionally scattered sparks. Iris’s melody magic became pale waves of light that shook the forest‚ and Rinne’s barrier support filled in the gaps.
（……The positioning isn’t bad. Bait‚ containment‚ support‚ and finish. The basic four roles are working together. The problem is the interference from the remnants.）
Nagi continued his calm analysis.
The barrier’s fluctuations were periodic. Aria was reading them and dispersing small barriers. Like a chess player reading the board‚ she was clearly anticipating several moves ahead.
（In three seconds‚ a wave from the remnants. Aria is calculating it. ……Interesting. She has not only theory but also flexible adaptability.）
Through the lens of the observation device‚ he could see Aria’s fingertips moving with light taps. Nagi nodded slightly.
（She’s incorporating her habits into her tactics. The rhythm of her fingertips is the tempo of her thoughts…… I see.）
Beside him‚ Mark was quietly making a fuss.
「Did you see that!? Just now! Aria broke the barrier and immediately rebuilt it! She’s a genius!」
「……Don’t make noise. I’m in the middle of analysis.」
「No‚ no‚ I’m in the middle of being moved!」
「Be moved on your own. I don’t need a report.」
At Nagi’s harsh remark‚ Mark laughed and said 「You’re so cold.」 But Nagi didn’t take his eyes off the observation device.
（This person…… is not just a theorist. He has eyes that can read the board and is commanding in a way that utilizes his comrades. ……Interesting.）
Within his calm observation‚ a small interest began to sprout in Nagi’s heart.
Mark leaned out from behind the rock and let out small cheers as he watched the battlefield.
「Uooooh! Did you see!? Aria broke the barrier and immediately rebuilt it! That’s art!」
He clenched his fists‚ pouring heat into it like a sports spectator.
Nagi‚ still peering through the observation device‚ replied calmly.
「It’s not art‚ it’s emergency repair. She simply dispersed the barrier’s fluctuations.」
「No‚ no! That emergency repair is what’s beautiful! Look‚ the rhythm of her fingertips! Tap tap‚ that’s exactly the heartbeat of a hero!」
「……Is there anyone who expresses a heartbeat with their fingers? Your metaphor is sloppy.」
Mark paid no attention and continued his commentary.
「Iris’s melody! Look‚ the light is dancing! That’s a miracle! I’m about to cry!」
「Don’t cry. It will interfere with observation.」
「Rinne’s barrier is amazing too! That delicacy‚ it’s like a mother’s包容力 (embracing power)!」
「Don’t compare it to a mother. It’s tactical support.」
To Nagi’s deadpan retorts‚ Mark laughed but didn’t stop.
「Cross’s charge! That’s a hero’s strike! I want to run too!」
「Don’t run. We are observers.」
「But my heart is running!」
「……If your heart is running‚ sit quietly.」
Mark’s commentary didn’t stop‚ and the contrast with Nagi’s calmness stood out.
While continuing his analysis‚ Nagi was half exasperated and half amused by Mark’s enthusiasm.
（……This man’s infatuation is excessive‚ but it has the effect of raising the evaluation of the observation target. It is true that Aria’s movements look “heroic.”）
Before the light and shadow of the battlefield‚ the observations of the two became a duet of calmness and frenzy.
The light on the battlefield calmed for a moment‚ and the distant figures of Aria and the others appeared small. Nagi lowered the observation device and calmly took notes.
（……Conclusion. Their tactics are immature‚ but they have flexibility. Especially Aria. Her eyes that read the board are solid. However‚ there are signs that she is disregarding the burden on her comrades. Iris’s exhaustion is noticeable. ……Even so‚ his command gives a sense of “potential.”）
Nagi’s thoughts were calm itself. But deep in his heart‚ a small ripple had been born.
（……Interesting. Not just as an observation target‚ I’m starting to take personal interest. Is this…… an unnecessary emotion?）
Beside him‚ Mark clenched his fists and shouted.
「Alright! I’ve decided! I’m going to become Aria’s apprentice! I’ll have him be my master!」
「……Huh?」
Nagi turned a cold gaze toward him.
「You’re too simple. Becoming an apprentice? Where is the fool who jumps into the observation target?」
「It’s fine if I’m a fool! My heart has decided!」
「Don’t decide with your heart. Think with your head.」
「My head is already infatuated!」
「……There’s no saving you.」
While exasperated‚ Nagi almost let a small smile slip at Mark’s straightforward enthusiasm. But he quickly tightened his expression.
（……Aria’s weakness is being unable to protect his comrades to the end. But he has comrades who compensate for that weakness. That is why he can grow. ……There is value in continuing the observation.）
It was the moment when Nagi‚ who was supposed to be a calm observer‚ first held “personal interest.”
The sounds of the battlefield grew distant‚ and only the sound of the wind remained on the ridgeline. Nagi quietly closed the observation device and wrote a short record in his notebook. The handwriting was coldly neat and showed no trace of emotional fluctuation.
「Observation complete — High potential value. Contact with caution.」
He left that single short line and closed the page.
On the other hand‚ Mark was still excited‚ swinging his fists.
「Alright! Aria is the best! I’m gonna make a cheering song!」
He began humming an impromptu song on the spot. The tune was off-key and the lyrics were nonsensical like 「Aria! Barrier! Tap tap!」 but he himself looked satisfied.
「……Don’t make noise. It will carry on the wind.」
「It’s fine if it reaches them! It’s cheering!」
「Save the cheering until it reaches the person’s ears.」
Nagi sighed as if exasperated and stood up. He stepped on the dry grass and began descending the ridgeline. Mark followed behind‚ still humming.
The backs of Aria and the others visible in the distance were swaying slightly.
Nagi‚ as a calm observer‚ had found tactical value.
Mark‚ as an infatuated spectator‚ had dreamed of a hero.
Though their reasons differed‚ the direction of their gazes was the same.
In those backs‚ the foreshadowing of the story to come was quietly being etched.
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