“I think today is the day we finally settle things, oh rival of mine!”
Which meant it was time for the duel.
…But before we do that, I guess I’d better explain just who I am and what I’m doing.
My name is Crechill.
I’m a mage, standing in a grassy field outside of town, my dark blue hair fluttering in the wind as I raise my voice loudly. My age is seventeen. My face is cute. My magic skills are decent. And my face is cute.
My scholastic performance is always top of the class. Even though I go to a prestigious magic high school, there’s only one person there who gets the grades to stand shoulder to shoulder with me. I guess I’m pretty perfect.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the phrases accomplished in both the literary and military arts and gifted with both intelligence and beauty were made to describe me. In fact, they’re so fitting that I could almost claim to be the inspiration behind them both.
Now that I’ve explained myself to this extent, I’m sure it would be easy for even a little fawn that had just stood up on its own four legs to understand what kind of person I am.
However, there is one person whom I can call my rival.
“Huh? Settle things…? Didn’t we plan to have a picnic today?”
The person cocking her head at me as she spread a blanket out on the grass was my rival. Imagine, having a picnic in a situation like this! As someone accomplished in both the literary and military arts and gifted with both intelligence and beauty, I can only conclude that she is my enemy.
In both academic performance and magical skill, this girl, Nadona, is the only person in my class competent enough to measure up to me.
It’s no exaggeration to say our abilities are evenly matched.
However, being so evenly matched really makes me want to settle the matter. Doesn’t that make sense?
Accordingly, I had called Nadona to a grassy field outside town.
The time had come to determine which of us was the superior mage.
Of course it was not so that we could treat ourselves to a pleasant little picnic.
“It should be obvious that I called you out here so we could fight, you foolish girl!”
“Huh? You did? It’s been so long since you invited me anywhere, Crechill, I was sure we were having a picnic!”
“Wrong. We’re having a battle.”
“Aw. It’s such lovely weather, and you want to battle with spells? A picnic will be more fun.”
“No way. We’re battling.”
“Maybe the fact that you came in second on the test we had earlier is bothering you?”
“Silence.”
“Actually, since I never heard anything about a battle, I didn’t bring my wand with me today, you know?”
“Huh?”
What did you say?
“Well, I told you, I didn’t feel like battling. So even if you want to, we can’t.”
……
Whaaat?
I don’t suppose I have to tell you that I was indignant to hear that.
“Then what in the hell did you come here for?!”
“Well, I told you, for a picnic…”
Laughing foolishly and chiding me not to be so upset, Nadona pulled a baguette out of her bag. From the way she was acting, I could tell that the only thing she was at all interested in was eating.
“Now, if you were to lend me a wand, I guess we could have your duel.”
She stood up reluctantly, just like she was humoring a child throwing a tantrum. Nadona seemed to think a duel with me would be a bit of light exercise before the meal.
You’re really underestimating me, huh?
I laughed.
“Ha-ha-ha! Nadona, just so we’re clear, I don’t want to hear any complaints afterward about you losing because you used a borrowed wand!”
“Okay, okay. No problem here!”
My rival waved her hand dismissively and gave me a foolish smile.
Apparently, I need to make this girl understand her own position.
“Just to let you know, I’m different than usual today, Nadona. Heh-heh-heh. I’m worried you might wind up in tears.”
“Wow, really? So scary. Go easy on me, okay?”
Nadona displayed a frivolous attitude the whole time she was answering me.
You won’t be able to wear that placid expression for long.
And so Nadona and I dueled.
In total, it was our forty-second duel.