“How’s it looking, Headmistress Theresia?”
“The two offense players are proficient in mid-range combat. But by allowing their opponents to come within arm’s reach, they’ve made the battle much more challenging for themselves. The other two are assisting from behind, but Charlotte and Uranis are nullifying every move.”
As she appraises, the enemy side’s two defense players are trying to back up the two offense players, but Char’s magic attacks and Uranis’s weird magic are smashing their every attack.
“What’s that weird magic he’s using?” Fake Shiva asks in earnest.
He’s breaking out of character.
“Antimagic, perhaps. The opponent commands magic that buffs his comrade’s defense and debuffs his enemy’s speed. The fact that Uranis is able to nullify both effects at that speed is astonishing.”
The headmistress answers in a nonchalant tone. But I hear another voice in my ear responding to the question.
‘Antimagic…’
“Do you disagree, Professor Tear?” I ask so only she can hear.
‘No, it is antimagic, technically. It is nullifying the opponent’s magic, after all. But the standard antimagic uses a spell that is specific to the magic it is countering. In his case, he seems to be only using one type of magic.’
“So a versatile antimagic?”
‘If so, that would completely turn modern-day magic theory upside down. But his seems like something much simpler. To cut to the chase─’
She says that, but I really just want her to cut to the chase.
‘He’s just smashing one big chunk of mana into their magic.’
“Is mana something you can physically smash things with?”
First time hearing of this.
‘You sometimes do it too, Haruto.’
“I have no recollection of doing such a thing.”
‘You give your barriers mass and crash it into things. What that is, is a large amount of mana materializing inside a confined space─a barrier.’
I-It is? I’ve been doing it all this time without even thinking about how it works.
‘I don’t understand its principle in detail either. Why won’t you just let me probe around your head already,’ she mumbles.
Uh-oh, she’s starting to complain about something.
‘Regardless, the fact that he can pull off such a feat means he’s able to wield an inconceivable amount of mana. You said his current mana level is 24? Sheesh, that’s hardly enough for a skill like that.’
Level 2 right here. Which could only mean one thing: mana levels aren’t reliable.
I turn my attention back to the match.
“Char!”
“Yes, Yulia!”
The two pretty magical girls soar high into the sky in a spiral motion.
“Tell me when!” says Yulia.
“All right! Let’s do this!”
They begin to recite as they hover in the air:
Char: We’re here to protect the weak and crush the hostile.
Yulia: When our two hearts overlap,
Char: Venus shall flicker in the clear blue sky.
Yulia: Behold the destruction we command!
Together: Twin Satellite Buster!!!
They point their magic wands in a crisscross in front of them. A coiling beam of black and white rays plunges into the earth.
Fusion attacks are so cool.
The astronomical energy attack irradiates and gouges a chunk of the ground. The sound and impact are unbelievable.
““““Are you trying to kill us?!””””
The four opposing team members are wailing in tears. Don’t worry─I temporarily evacuated them to safety before the impact.
“If I hadn’t saved them in the nick of time, that would’ve been a clean hit! Which means Team Charlotte wins!” Fake Shiva jumps out of the commentary booth and declares loud and proud.
I (Haruto, the ordinary student) am hiding in the shadows, cleaning up the arena (while making it look like Shiva’s doing it).
Sheesh, did they gouge the crap out of it.
I don’t think even I could win against that if I tried, I think to myself.
As I’m trembling at my little sister and her partner…
‘Shiva, may I have a word with you?’ I hear.
The voice on the other end of the communication barrier belongs to Alexei-senpai.
“Is something the matter?” I try to answer with gravitas.
‘Oh, nothing. I’m just bored. I’d be happy to take on some menial tasks if you have any.’
Huh? I didn’t know he was such a good guy.
But menial tasks for him? Do I have any─oh yeah.
“Not at the moment, but there’s something I’d like for you to do soon. I’ve come up with a good finale for the card hunting game.”
‘Hm, you mean what to do after Charlotte and her friends collect all seven cards?’
“Right. It’ll require making some preparations. That should help pass the time.” But it’s not something I could relay verbally.
I ask him, “Do you have some time to meet after the next game?”
‘……’
Huh? He isn’t responding. Bad reception?
‘Yes, I do.’
Weird pause. Alexei-senpai usually doesn’t go completely silent even when he’s thinking of what to say next. Usually, he just fills the pause with small talk. Oh well.
We decide on a time and place to meet and hang up.
Speaking of Alexei-senpai, there’s something I’ve been wanting to try with him. It’s the perfect chance to test it out. Actually, now that we’re so close to the showdown with the Devil Lord, I really don’t have much time left, I think as I look at the restored arena ground in satisfaction.