Chapter 525

Bear-san, Is Restless

The girls’ match was over, and the boys’ match was next. So we left the grounds.

Shia and I moved away from the girls’ group before we were surrounded and went to Noa.

“Oneesama, Yuna-san, that was amazing! It was unfortunate that Oneesama’s flag was taken, but it was cool to see you take their flag. Yuna-san was also cool to protect her flag.” (Noa)

!!

Noa says excitedly.

“Thanks.”

Shia and I thanked her.

According to Noa, Shia was up against a strong student because of her excellent performance. Still, she said, she managed to defend it, but another joined in, and the pair attacked her, so unfortunately, she could not protect her flag.

However, it seems that Shia, whose flag was taken down, immediately turned to offense and got the opponent’s flag.

Shortly after, the tournament organizers completed the preparation of replacing new flags, and the boys’ match began.

When the boys’ match started, they were being cheered on by the girls around them. The boys from both schools also cheered at the girls earlier. And then, the match started to become heated as the boys tried to show off their good side.

It’s nice to be young. Ahh, youth. It’s dazzling to a recluse like me.

“There’s the attack. Look out! Oh, the flag has been taken. Now, that magic is great. He did it, he got the flag.” (Noa)

Noa, sitting next to me, was excitedly watching the match.

Perhaps she was cheering like this at us during our match.

The match went on, and although there were some tactics in play in the beginning, the match became a race against time in the final stages.

Both schools were down to one flag. The boys from both schools, whose flags have been knocked down, ran. All of them were aiming for their opponent’s last flag. Both defenders and attackers were moving around, and magic flew everywhere. Attacking the flag. Defending the flag. The back and forth offense and defense went on.

But if it’s one against two, two have the advantage. Gradually, the attackers pushed through.

The cheers got louder.

The final flag defended by the Euphalia school fell. We thought we had won, but the royal capital’s flag had also fallen simultaneously.

Who won?

All eyes were on the teachers acting as referees.

Everyone waited with bated breath. The teachers began to discuss.

And then it was announced.

“Because they were knocked down at the same time, it’s a draw.”

From the surroundings, I hear voices such as “Ah ~” and “If only it was a little earlier”.

With the flags falling at the same time, the boys’ match was also declared to be a draw. Since there were no video cameras to prove otherwise, this was a reasonable decision.

The match was now a draw for both boys and girls.

But since I participated, was it actually a loss for the royal capital?

The boys’ match was over, and the school’s magic exchange meet came to an end.

They were going to bring the food to the grounds, and both schools would have a meal together.

I wanted to escape, but Noa started talking happily with Shia, so I couldn’t leave by myself. I tried to stay in the corner to avoid being noticed, but the girls surrounded me.

“Does Yuuna live in Crimonia?” (Girl 1)

“Well, yeah…” (Yuuna)

“Are you a friend of Shia?” (Girl 2)

“Yeah.” (Yuuna)

“Why didn’t you enroll in the school?” (Girl 3)

“Do you have any plans to enroll?” (Girl 4)

I totally missed my chance to escape and was now surrounded by girls.

I tried to get help from Noa and Shia, but they were not nearby.

“That’s right! If you enroll, you guys can definitely beat Euphalia next year!” (Girl 5)

“Does that mean you won’t be there next year?” (Yuuna)

“It’s okay since my senior year is about to end anyway.” (Girl 5)

“Maybe next year we’ll have more excellent students.” (Girl 6)

The girls laughed.

I nodded my head appropriately, and as I was plotting my escape, even the students of Euphalia arrived. They were the girls who had fought with me.

“I lost this time.” (Wind Magic Girl)

“It’s frustrating, but you are strong.” (Water Magic Girl)

“Even so, you’re using such a cute thing as a magical medium.” (Wind Magic Girl)

The girl who used wind magic at the beginning of the fight holds my bear puppet.

“I was surprised the first time I saw it, because during the match, you cast magic out of this bear. But still, it’s nice and soft.” (Wind Magic Girl)

“I’m also thinking of getting one like that instead of a staff.” (Water Magic Girl)

The girl, who was controlling the water magic, said as she looked at the staff she was holding.

If it was another animal, I’m fine with it, but don’t make it a bear.

“I want to fight you again next year, but you weren’t a student in the royal capital, right?” (Water Magic Girl)

“Yeah.” (Yuuna)

“Then, enroll in the Euphalia academy, and we’ll be able to beat the royal capital school next year.” (Wind Magic Girl)

I think I heard a similar line earlier.

“Of course not. Yuuna will enroll at the Royal Capital Academy.” (Girl 1)

“It’s up to her to decide which school to enroll in.” (Wind Magic Girl)

“Yuuna is a friend of Shia, so it’s the royal capital.” (Girl 2)

“A match between friends may also be interesting.” (Water Magic Girl)

Somehow, a dispute between the girls of both schools began.

If I were a normie, I might say, “Don’t fight over me,” but I don’t have that skill set as a recluse.

I slowly and inconspicuously escaped the place.

“Ha~a”

I exhaled in an empty place.

Being surrounded by students was exhausting. It’s different from being surrounded by children.

“Yuna, what are you doing here all alone?” (Cereille)

“Cereille!?” (Yuna)

I wondered who called out to me for a moment, but it was Cereille.

“I’m not good with commotions.” (Yuna)

Hikikomoris were not fond of the noise made by a large crowd.

And I don’t want them to make a fuss about me. If they’re trying to pick a fight with me, I just get on with it, but if they’re not, I don’t know how to react.

“Is it okay for you, who played an active part in this event, to be in a place like this, Cereille?” (Yuna)

“Fufu, like you, Yuna, I’m also not good with noisy groups, so I escaped. Then I saw you.” (Cereille)

And that’s why she called out to me.

“Yuna, this time I lost. I didn’t think I could lose to you even with magic.” (Cereille)

“Just barely.” (Yuna)

“It didn’t look like that, though. I didn’t feel like we could take down your flag with a combination attack.” (Cereille)

“That’s not the case.” (Yuna)

By the rules, that’s the limit. Dangerous magic was forbidden, so I was on edge. The same can be said for the attackers like Cereille, so perhaps the situation was mutual.

“I wanted to have a serious match with you, Yuna.” (Cereille)

“That means we will have to kill each other.” (Yuna)

“Yes, indeed. If we have a serious match, it will happen.” (Cereille)

Cereille smiled.

“Yuna, you’re an adventurer, right?” (Cereille)

“For the time being.” (Yuna)

I don’t think I’ve done any adventurer-related work lately.

“Yuna, have you ever killed anyone on your job?” (Cereille)

“A person? I’ve seriously injured them, but I’ve never killed one.” (Yuna)

I have been inflicting severe injuries on people many times. The first adventurer I met, the bandit who attacked us on our way to the royal capital, the merchant who attacked Morin-san and her daughter in the royal capital, the bandit on the mountain path in the town of Mereera, and the guys in a black outfit that kidnapped Misa. I’ve left them half-dead, but I have yet to kill anyone.

“Why do you ask?” (Yuna)

“No, I just wondered since you had that much power. I am sorry if I offended you.” (Cereille)

Cereille slightly bowed her head.

“I just wondered what kind of feelings one would have to have to be able to kill someone.” (Cereille)

“It’s difficult.” (Yuna)

Even if you can beat them half-dead, the last step could still be held back. There’s a difference between half-dead and dead.

“Really, what’s wrong? I will hear you out.” (Yuna)

I would like to say that it’s not like her, but it hasn’t been that long since I met Cereille.

So, it just felt, somehow, uncomfortable.

“It’s nothing. Forget about what I just said.” (Cereille)

Cereille said, then she ran away.

I watched her back.

What was that about?

The meal held on the grounds was over, and we dispersed. But Noa would not leave Shia’s side, so we ended up going to the room where she was staying.

Shia and her schoolmates were staying in a building on Euphalia Academy grounds.

“Oneesama……” (Noa)

Noa talks in her sleep.

Perhaps tired from cheering, Noa fell asleep while we chatted.

“Fufu, Yuna-san, thank you for bringing Noa. I think I did my best because of Noa’s cheering.” (Shia)

“It was fun for me, too.” (Yuna)

I enjoyed the last match for some reason.

“Thanks to Yuna-san, we won the match.” (Shia)

“Well, it ended up in a draw.” (Yuna)

Since I was not a student at their school, even though we won the match, it was still treated as a draw.

“It’s a draw, which is equal to a win. I think we would have lost otherwise. Though I wish we could have won without your help, Yuna-san.” (Shia)

I am not unaware of such feelings.

This is a match between the royal capital and Euphalia academies. Yet, an outsider participated in it and won.

“But, as the teacher said, it was a good inspiration for everyone.” (Shia)

I’m glad I was an inspiration to all of them.

Then we talked about tomorrow’s activities.

Tomorrow they were going to swim together where the pier was.

Come to think of it, I was told to bring my swimsuit because we would be swimming in the lake.

I don’t intend to swim, but Noa was looking forward to it, so I have to tag along.

Above all, I don’t intend to swim in a bathing suit, since many of the girls were about my age and well-developed.

Well then, I’ll head back.

We were talking in Shia’s room, and it’s already dark outside now.

Leaving the sleeping Noa to Shia, I decide to return to the inn.

“Why don’t you stay the night, Yuna-san?” (Shia)

“I have to go back. I don’t want the innkeeper to worry.” (Yuna)

Staying out might cause them to worry, so I have to return.

“But it’s already dark outside. You’re still a girl, Yuna-san.” (Shia)

“I’m fine. I’m strong, you know.” (Yuna)

“Yes, but still……” (Shia)

Shia looked worried.

“Besides, I have reliable escorts to protect me, so you don’t have to worry.” (Yuna)

I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cubs.

They will tell me if there’s any danger.

“Cute little escorts.” (Shia)

Shia pet Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear’s heads.

I’m here as Noa’s escort, so I’m leaving Swaying Bear behind. Swaying Bear, please take care of Noa.

`Ku~u 〜 n’

Swaying Bear responded and moved to the bed where Noa was sleeping and curled up on the side to protect her.

I hugged Hugging Bear.

“Well then, I’ll come back tomorrow morning.” (Yuna)

‘Yes, please be really careful on your way back.” (Shia)

I nodded to Shia’s worried words as I left the room.

=====

Author’s Note:

Sorry for the delay.

My next post will be in 3-4 days.

Maybe it will settle down by then.

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