Kenji had been called by Tsunoda Arata, the person who invited him to participate in the GCC. Arata only called him for a quick talk about the participants and strategy meeting.

Kenji was walking while counting with his fingers.

First is with Arata, then Umi, then Kazuki, and in a couple of days, act as Erina's potential suitor.

When remembering that, he felt a headache coming. He only had to make some lies for Umi and decided to put it next because it was the easiest. Kazuki's potential duel will be held in the afternoon after school at an arena with no witnesses other than Haru.

"Kenji, over here."

Arata raised his arm to get Kenji's attention. It was lunch but the three who had pestered him yesterday showed no signs of following him. Yes, that's because they were already there.

Kenji wanted to sigh when he got to the table. Sitting there were Arata, Erina, Haru, Kazuki, and Umi.

"So, why is Your Highness here?"

"I want to participate in this GCC or whatever you call it. I heard that your group was missing a member due to certain circumstances and so I volunteered for the role."

Want to participate my ass. It's obvious that you want to keep close tabs on me and Haru regardless of the results later. If the duel is held and I win, you'll use the GCC to get close to Haru and if I lose, you'll pull Haru away from the GCC and resign as well. But, that's only if the duel is held.

Kenji had a smirk as he sat down next to Erina who was next to edge of the seat to avoid trouble.

Erina looked at Kenji as she shook her head with a wry smile.

Avoiding the crown prince by sitting next to me to establish our relationship and since he didn't sit next to Haru, the crown prince's suspicion would lessen. At the same time because I'm a girl, Umi who's trying to figure out Kai can't move properly. What a tactician.

"So, shall we start? The other members won't be able to meet us this week but they'll meet us before the competition starts. Although it's bad for team coordination, we can't do anything since they're busy. First, let's introduce ourselves and give our specialties."

Arata stood up although unnecessary.

"I'm Tsunoda Arata, my role is vanguard. I use a rectangle shield and a spear."

After he sat down, Umi stood up.

"I'm Sasaki Umi, my main role is mage. I specialize in water-related support spells but my attack spells are also decent enough."

Although it was evident by her hair color, sometimes dual attributes would sprout and so it was necessary.

"Alteria Kazuki, main role is vanguard but I can also switch to a mage who uses wind. My main weapon is a long sword but I can also use a great sword."

"T-Takamiya Haruka, mage and archer. My attribute is wind but I can also cast support magic..."

After Haru, it was Erina's turn.

"Mariko Erina, I can go for mage or middle line fighter. Attribute is ice and my main weapon is a rapier."

"Satou Kenji, I can go for any role and use a variety of weapons but my main weapon is a sword and flames would enhance my attack power."

Erina's eyes sharpened but she didn't show it.

When Kenji sat down and Erina whispered in his ear.

"There were two lies in that sentence of yours."

With those words, Erina sat back and it was Kenji's turn to whisper.

"Even if you know I'm lying, you still don't know the truth."

He didn't answer Erina's inquiry and decided to listen to Arata.

"Alright, we're a well-balanced team. I, His Highness, and Kenji will take vanguard. Miss Erina, Miss Umi, and Miss Haru will take long range. The only members left are Kuroshi Yoko, Onigawara Kei, and, Masuhiro Date and they've already given their consent to fulfill mid or vanguard."

Vanguard was a role entrusted to protect the team and were front line attackers. Mid was a role entrusted to attack the enemy and support the vanguard. Mages or archers were the main attack force in battle and were protected by both the vanguard and mid and at times, use support spells.

(A/N: If there are any other recommendations to call the middle part of a formation behind the vanguard and in front of the long range, please suggest the name in the comments.)

"Since I'll take vanguard, I'll be a magic swordsman. My only attribute is fire and I'd have a bit of trouble defending so I'll leave that up to you, Arata."

"Leave it to me. I specialize in defense but I'm rather weak when it comes to attack so I'll be counting you as well."

"I-I have support spells that I can use to enhance basic abilities for fighting. Attack, defense, and speed."

Erina leaked out a noise of praise at Haru's words.

"Amazing. Those types of spells are difficult and to have affinity with them is quite rare. Even I don't have affinity with them."

Saying those words, Erina was inspecting Haru closely. Of course, they knew each other's identity and hence, Haru was flustered. Kai had told Erina about the backstory he had thought of with Haru beforehand. They both met each other due to certain circumstances and had been acquainted with her since then.

He didn't tell a lie but that wasn't the whole truth. A lie would certainly be found out by her eye. But her eye still wasn't strong enough to be able to read minds or habits.

"T-thanks for the praise."

Haru deflated after that.

"Then, it's my turn. Since I was given the role of mage, I'd have to use long range ice spells. I'll do my best not to obstruct anyone with the ice but don't be scared when ice suddenly appears beside you."

True... Ice is more suited for mid-ranged or close ranged combat. In the past, I could only use [Icicles] as a long ranged attack.

"I can use recovery magic using water and also some other basic water spells. For attack, I can't say I have too much power but it's above average. I have a trump card that could pierce through walls and armor like they were paper though."

Normally, a trump card shouldn't be revealed but they were her teammates. If she were to suddenly use an attack that would confuse her team, it'd have the opposite effect.

"Then it's my turn. Even though I use a great sword, I can actually swing it quite fast by using the wind to accompany me. At best, I can swing as fast as one swings a short sword but I can only keep up that pace for... two minutes at best I'd say. And normally, I can swing my great sword as fast as a long sword."

'Frightening' was the only thought that went through the minds of everyone except Kenji and Erina.

A great sword with considerable power swinging as fast as a long sword would absolutely destroy any normal fighter. But if it was swinging as fast as a short sword with the reach of a great sword, even experienced fighters would have trouble. And the one swinging it was the crown prince who has had a fair amount of training in close combat.

As Kenji was looking at Kazuki, he raised his brows.

I see, so he's revealing that much to us because of me. I guess a duel is inevitable later. He doesn't know that I already fought and defeated him before though...

After that, the group continued to talk about strategies until lunch ended. Lessons continued without a hitch and it was now Umi's turn. She only wanted an explanation so her matter was only expected to take a few minutes after class.

"-And that's how I could tell you could manipulate organic water."

"Umu. Umu. I understand. I've done quite a bit of research on the subject and I can say that your explanation was feasible."

(A/N: Umu = sound effect for agreeing.)

Except that it was all a lie. Kenji covered his true thoughts behind a poker face.

"Alright, I'm satisfied with this for now but you must give more proof to me after the competition."

"That's no problem."

With those words, Kenji turned on his heel and walked out from school.

"So it's here."

Kenji went through an alley and through an unlocked door. It was quite the long hallway and it was completely dark but after a few seconds of walking, light could be seen from the end. Not like the darkness was a problem for Kenji who could manipulate it.

When Kenji passed through, he could see that Haru was seated at the sides and Kazuki was standing on the stage wearing armor and wielding his great sword.

"Oi."

"What?"

"Wasn't this going to be a talk?"

"Talk? I invited you to a duel not a talk."

As always, he's such a musclehead but at least, he's good at dealing with political affairs.

"Alright, I just have to defeat you, am I right?"

"That's right!"

This is such a pain, even if I'm strong this is still the crown prince. If the fact that the crown prince and the captain of the third princess' royal guard were fighting, it would be quite the nationwide event.

Kenji stood atop the stage and a sword manifested on his hand. It looked like a normal sword from every angle but when Kenji held it, Kazuki felt like he had just been thrown into the tiger's den.

"Well, shall we start?"