And the day of the Schoolwide Standardized Magic Proficiency Exam is here.
Just like its ceremonious name, it’s an exam to square up the students to judge their magic talents.
Presentations by researcher’s course students are being held all over campus. Bigwigs who dress like they study too much are walking around, peppering students with questions that begin with “Pardon my lack of knowledge, but,” followed by complicated queries that have the researchers fumbling for a response. It hurts to watch.
The knight’s course exams are all about striking magic attacks. Compared to the researcher’s exams, the pressure on the students is silent. The examiners would scoff or walk away without a word after the student confidently fires a large-scale attack─the kids are left inconsolable.
Looks like hell.
Finally, it’s time for the main event: the Four Knights Match.
The participants in this exam are the best in the Academy; tons of people are flooding in to watch the top-scoring students show off their skills.
This match is being held at the outdoor arena.
The sun is shining as if to fuel the contestants’ vigor. However, not a single seat in the stands is filled─scratch that. There’s one person in the commentary booth: Headmistress Theresia Montpellier. I daresay she looks a bit peeved.
As for where the audience is, they’re gathered in the school yard, which is a much bigger space than the stands.
Unlike the previous years, the game this year allows much more lethal magic attacks to be used thanks to it being under Shiva’s supervision. In order to ensure the audience’s safety, the match will be available for viewing in the form of a public screening.
I’ve gotten the hang of how to run it during the Olympius Ruins exploration contest against Numbers. There shouldn’t be any problem.
“And now we begin the Four Knights Match!” a man dressed in all-black announces the start of the game. His voice is amplified with a megaphone-ish barrier.
Sup, Mr. Shiva.
Surprise! I’m here today as Haruto-Mode (my usual self), looking up at the commentary booth from the arena entrance.
Why, you ask?
Because as per usual, Haruto C expressed his reluctance:
“The two people from Numbers? You mean that loud, burly guy with the big attitude and that sadistic whip-girl? You expect me to communicate rationally with them? And what do you mean the third teammate is a devil? Hell no. I don’t wanna do it!”
I don’t wanna do it, either!
I could’ve just dumped the chore on him, but he’s my copy; he knows all my weak spots.
“Char wants to battle against you, the original. Are you going to make her fight against an imposter? Char’s a very keen girl; I’m sure she’ll notice.”
Would she? I’m sure I can think of some way to deceive her.
“Even if she doesn’t notice, would your moral conscience be all right with that?”
Honestly, no. I normally wouldn’t care who I deceive, but with Char… Yeah, weak spot.
I can’t help but feel like he’s coaxed me into doing what he wants, but forcing a task onto someone who’s reluctant will probably only result in problems.
That’s why I have Haruto C wearing the all-black costume and sportscasting as Fake Shiva.
Which means I’ll be acting as Haruto Zenfis, a regular student at the Academy.
Wait a minute─I also have to covertly take on the responsibilities that are expected of Shiva, too.
Lethal magic is free to use in this game because Shiva’s here to supervise. I’ll have to shield everyone with my defensive barriers.
On top of that, I’m facilitating and setting up the public streaming station.
I’m working way too hard!
“Now for the first match! Both teams, enter the areeenaaa!” Fake Shiva is really getting into his role.
Look who’s having all the fun. Screw you.
The electrified cheering of the audience echoes from the public screening venue far away. I lead my team into the arena.
“Fwahahaha! My blood is coursing!” The burly guy and his obnoxious laughter follow close behind me.
“Finally! My whip can get some action.” The dom-girl smirks and licks her lips. She scares me.
These two are the people underneath the headdresses numbered 4 and 12. I don’t know if it’s because they’re a part of that silly after-school club, but they look like dopey peons.
In contrast with these two, who are hopped up to fight, the fourth teammate slogs behind us in silence.
It’s Vari the devil.
“Why…? How…?” she mumbles. “I collected all the cards on campus, didn’t I? Yet I still have to romp around with a bunch of humans in a team game? But Lord Lucifyra instructed that I do… There must be a meaning for this, right? Still, though…”
She can’t seem to stop complaining. Her voice is low, but I’m able to pick it up.
“Get readdyyy… Begin!” Fake Shiva declares with gusto.
In spite of my reluctance, the game commences.
“Whoooaaa!”
“Haaah!”
The two Numbers students yell out their battle cries as they pounce forth like predators who’ve found prey.
The offense players on the other team are your typical mages; they abstain from getting physically close, and instead, conjure magic attacks from a distance. Despite that…
“Hyaaw?!”
“W-Wait, they’re fast?!”
…they’re wigging out.
“Ghbah!”
“Hyeek?!”
Immediately KO-ed.
The opposing team’s leader and assist player have completely lost the will to fight. But that doesn’t stop Number 4 and Number 12 from merrily hunting them down and decimating them, too.
Show some mercy, geez.
Gotta admit, though, they’re incredibly strong. I guess members of an underground student council or whatever have to really work for their positions. It’s too bad they have zero self-awareness or shame about their cringy teen blunders.
I think I’ll stand back and let them do all the work.
While it looks like I’m doing nothing, I’ve secretly been shielding the opponents with my barriers so they won’t get hurt.
With multiple people on the battle ground, I gotta be on high alert. If I guard them too well, it could give them a window to counterattack. Tweaking my defense barrier to provide the right amount of protection is tricky.
Do I have to keep this up until the finals?
First game in and I’m already drained.