Chapter 58 The Second Battle Fiesta (1)
During the preparation period, Razé evaded Ian’s invitation for a match with various excuses. She was mentally tired before the tournament had even started. But the midsummer Battle Fiesta was finally here.
The night before the tournament, Razé planned to meet Harlens for some final confirmation. Before that, she had to make sure Folia was asleep.
Folia had already changed into her cute pajamas. She sat on her bed and muttered, “Hmm. Your opponent is Luca-kun…”
Razé was writing her diary. It was her daily practice. She lifted up her head and glanced at Folia. “Your opponent is a 3rd Year student?”
“Un. 3rd Year Class B. A male senior.”
“I see. 3rd Year students are normally more motivated. Both of us are not going to have it easy.”
“You’re right…”
Razé smiled at Folia who was hugging her pillow. “Don’t worry. Doing our best and getting something in the process is more important than the results.”
“You’re right!”
Razé knew she was not in a position to say that, so she just closed her diary without saying anything else. Folia saw her getting ready to sleep, so she put down her pillow too.
Razé: “Let’s do our best tomorrow. Good night.”
Folia: “Un. Good night.”
Folia pulled the partition curtain and lay down on her bed. After a while, Razé confirmed that Folia was sound asleep, and teleported to Harlens’ room.
Harlens: “You’re here.”
Razé: “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Razé felt a bit awkward because Harlens was wearing a nightshirt. But she herself was wearing pajama, so she decided to simply ignore it. By right, it was really odd to have a secret meeting with one’s superior in sleepwear, but she already got used to it since they always met at night.
There was a heap of documents piled up on the coffee table. They sat on a sofa and began talking.
Razé: “I didn’t see you at the campus for one whole day. Was it a busy day?”
Harlens: “A tricky situation came up. I had a meeting with Welrian about the countermeasure and didn’t have time to go out.”
Harlens often visited the training ground and dojo gym to observe the students, but Razé didn’t see him today. When she heard the name of her direct superior, she became wary.
Harlens: “Lieutenant Colonel Orphan. For the tournament this time… I need you to take the first place.”
She looked dazedly at Harlens.
Razé: “Did something happen outside?”
Harlens: “Yes. A troublesome matter.”
He heaved out a sigh and passed a document to her. Razé immediately read through it.
Razé: “I see. A clairvoyant miko…”
Razé knitted her brows. She had a sense of foreboding that something troublesome was coming her way.
On the document, it was written that a person with precognition ability, known as the ‘Clairvoyant Miko’ was under the protection of Magenda Empire and they had one-sidedly decided to inform Shian about her prophecy.
In addition, before she could tell her prophecy about a major incident in Shian, they wanted to prove her credibility by giving a prophecy on who would win the Battle Fiesta in Centrior Imperial Magic Academy this year.
Looking at how they purposely trying to predict an event inside the academy, this ‘Clairvoyant Miko’ must be a reincarnator who knows about the otome game.
Razé wondered why did Magenda would suddenly mention this matter now when they had been in a cold war for years. She was well aware that the enemy had been eyeing for Shian’s territory after many years of battle. But she was baffled why suddenly they would want to provide information as if they wanted to make a mutual concession.
Are they trying to increase their morale by glorifying their Clairvoyant Miko?
Razé couldn’t make an infallible judgement because there wasn’t much information right now. One thing for sure, Shian had no intention to believe their prophecy.
Razé: “By the way, who is the person that I must make sure not to win?”
Harlens: “… 2nd Year Class A. Ruben Ank Roseberry.”
So, this was a reverse match fixing that involved the Crown Prince. Razé didn’t really want to do it, but she just needed to show her true capability and not cheating. She had a confounded look on her face as she put the document back on the table.
Razé: “Is it okay for me to win?”
Harlens: “Welrian also agreed. It may draw a lot of attention, but it’s towards Razé Granoli. The fake identity is well prepared, so there should be no problem even if someone do a background check on you. You don’t have to worry about that.”
Harlens gave a dry laugh.
Harlens: “By right, I want the students to do their best without having to worry about such prophecies. That includes you. … Of course, I know that if you win the tournament, it might cause some trouble for you.”
Razé: “You don’t have to mind me. This is my job.”
Harlens: “… Hmm.”
Razé meant that it was an appropriate matter, but Harlens looked worried. He always felt that she was a workaholic.
When Razé first joined Centrior, Harlens initially thought that if a young girl her age with more power than others entered the academy, other students would soon be suspicious of her identity after seeing a glimpse of her ability.
Up until now, except for Razé, any talented students who were enrolled in this school would one day display their abilities. However, his prediction based on his experience had missed. Even after two years, Razé Orphan had never attracted attention at the academy except for her academic ability that matched her status as a scholarship student.
Harlens: “I have decided to increase the number of security personnel from tomorrow. You can focus on your match.”
Razé: “I understood.”
Razé, who was wearing pajama, assented to him. Harlens was still unused with the fact that she was the soldier called the ‘Ghost of the Executioner’ who had commanded a battalion on the battlefield.
* * *
The next day.
All students participated in the summer tournament match. As usual, the parents, guardians and some talent scouts were watching the match from the audience seats. Battle Fiesta had begun.
Claude: “I’m looking forward to watch the match between Razé-san and Luca.”
Adis: “You know her. She just going to lose her first match as usual.”
Ian: “Not sure. I saw her just now. She looks different than usual. I think we can look forward for an interesting match.”
The three of them watched Razé and Luca standing on the stage. Ruben, Carna and Folia were there too.
Adis: “Ian. You seem to be idolizing the scholarship student since last tournament.”
Ian: “Razé-san thought me about the polearm. She’s not an ordinary person. I had a match with her once using swords. She’s really strong.”
Claude: “Now that you mention it, I remember back then at the Jade Palace, she crushed the beasts like they were insects. How long has she been an adventurer? She even seems to be acquainted with Sesemann. I think she must be an influential figure or something.”
Adis let out a sigh after listening to Claude’s explanation.
Adis: “I thought so too and tried to dig out some information from the Adventurer Guild, but there was no conspicuous info. Every time she came back from a long holiday, you can see her dark circle getting worse. It makes me wonder what was she doing on a holiday to become like that.”
Claude and Ian widened their eyes.
Ian: “Oh, I see. Adis, I used to think that you didn’t like her. I never thought that you like her so much and is worried about her!”
If he didn’t dislike her, it meant he like her. Ian was a very simple-minded person.
Adis: “What did you say?!”
His flustered reaction was very easy to read. Seeing him losing his calm, Claude had a lightbulb moment.
Adis: “I was checking on her only out of curiosity. It’s not like I have any feeling towards her or anything…”
Folia: “Oh! The game is about to start! Ganbare-!”
Saved by Folia’s interruption, Adis remained silence. Only Claude noticed that his ears were slightly red.
Looking down at the stage, Razé and Luca were facing each other and gave a bow.
Carna: “Huh? Razé’s not holding any weapon?”
Folia: “It seems so! Normally she would bring a practice sword. Is she going to fight bare handed? I’ve never seen her sparring (kumite) before.”
Folia replied enthusiastically at Carna.
Ruben: “That reminds me, Granoli repelled Luca’s magic activation before, right?”
Carna: “Perhaps this match…”
Everyone knew Luca’s strength. Most of the people here would expect him to win. However, the Razé Granoli this time was a bit different.
The bell rang and the match started.
Everyone: “Huh?”
It was over in a flash. Right after the bell sound ended, the referee announced Razé’s victory.
The match ended at the fastest speed.
Razé made a lariat[1] strike at Luca’s neck with one arm, and then caught his body on her knees. Luca was staring at the ceiling with a blank face. When the match started, he immediately activated his magic. But in the blink of an eye, he was already in a vertical position.
Razé: “Sorry. For some reason, I couldn’t lose this time.”
When he heard her words as she helped him stood up, he finally realized that he had lost. It seemed her magic activation had no time lag at all. It was a first-class trick. Although he was aware about it, she really wasn’t an ordinary person.
Luca: “Humph. I hate you.”
Razé gave a forced laugh after hearing his words.
[1] Lariat is a common word in Japanese, especially in manga and anime. The definition is technically different from the English word. I will use lariat for future chapters too. Refer wiki.
