Episode 5: Magic Combat Training
- Kai (Toudou Toudou Kai)
Protagonist. Black hair, black eyes. Reincarnated as the eldest son of a poor noble family in this world where beauty and ugliness are reversed, with memories from his previous life.
I enrolled in a military academy where a noble title is granted for the "right to marry."
- Erika (Jōgasaki Erika)
The heir to the Jōgasaki family, one of the three great families. A beautiful girl with blonde hair and emerald green eyes, an O-cup, and the same age as Kai.
We decided to participate in the magic training battle together with Kai.
- Komazawa Haruka
The heir daughter of the Komazawa family, one of the three prestigious families. Influenced by her fiancé, Usui, she is glaring at Erika, accusing her of wrongdoing.
◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆
In front of the military students lined up in the auditorium, the president delivered the opening remarks for the "Magical Combat Training."
Perhaps because high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Defense's Education General Bureau were visiting, the military students receiving the lecture showed an even greater degree of tension than usual.
"Then, starting today, we will begin the 'Magic Combat Training' among the first-year officer candidates. Those who have matches in the morning session of the first day, please wait at your designated positions."
The opening ceremony has ended, and the classmates who have matches in the morning session are rushing towards the magic training grounds.
"Haah…."
As I watched them leave, I sighed alone.
According to the grouping chart distributed this morning, it seems that Erika and I will be facing Komazawa right from the start.
I thought the first match would be just a warm-up, but it seems I was too optimistic.
Our first match will take place this afternoon.
Before then, I want to have an early strategy meeting with Erika.
However, the auditorium was crowded with external visitors, nursing students from the rescue team, observing instructors, and senior students, making it difficult to find her.
While doing that, I accidentally came across his face, and my cheeks involuntarily twitched.
"Hello, Toudou-kun."
Usui, Komazawa's fiancée with a distinctive bowl cut, appeared before me with a silly, superficial smile.
"Even though I didn't ask, he showed me the armband on his left arm, saying, 'Nursing students are supposed to help the rescue team.'"
Every time I see Usui's face, the irritation from that time resurfaces, but I can't cause any trouble here.
I suppress the urge to frown and give him a slight nod.
"Todo-kun, make sure to take a good look around the military academy during the training period. It might be your last chance to be here... After this, you'll be kicked out of the military academy after being thoroughly crushed by Komazawa-san in the training battle."
Usui said that with a thin smile, as if to say I was someone not worth his time.
When I see his mocking smile right in front of me, my heart races with irritation no matter what.
Ignoring Usui, I strained my eyes in the auditorium, but I still couldn't find Erika.
"But you're such an idiot, aren't you? Even after I warned you countless times, you still sided with Jougasaki-san. It doesn't benefit you at all..."
"There's a silver lining. At least, I was able to thwart your plan to expel Erika from the military academy. Seeing those arrogant folks not getting their way is quite satisfying."
It seems that my childish retort, which I reflexively shot back, succeeded in irritating him more than I expected.
I didn't miss the slight twitch at the corner of Usui's narrow eyes.
"Besides, if we win this match, we can show Komazawa our true abilities. We can prove that the story you spread about 'Jougasaki forming a team through backdoor dealings' is a lie."
"...There's no way you guys can win."
"We have a chance. If we win and your lie is exposed... your engagement with Komazawa might be called off."
"Don't mess with me... Stop saying whatever you want! Besides, Komazawa trusts me completely! Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter!"
With a malicious grin on my face, Usui visibly flinched, spat out a string of curses, and retreated.
(Well then. I've made a big deal out of it. I can't lose here, can I?)
Seeing Erika fidgeting in the distance, I ran over to her side and thought to myself once again.
◆◆◆◆
After finishing the final strategy check with Erika, I wait by the large drill field to prepare for the afternoon match.
From the iron gate of the large training ground, which was several times larger than the usual training room, a chilling sense of intimidation could be felt.
Thinking about Komazawa and the others, who are probably facing us directly on the opposite side, makes the tension build up, whether I like it or not.
Erika seemed to be the same way; her hands had been trembling for a while, and she was having trouble putting on the team leader's armband.
"Wow, I'm really nervous."
"...Ah"
Even the words I called out cheerfully were met with a gloomy face.
"What's wrong? For now, we managed to avoid repeating the year without even forming a team."
"But if we lose, Toudou, it'll be a hassle for you..."
Saying that, she averted her gaze from me, looking guilty.
For the past month or so, Erika and I have been diligently continuing our training.
At first, Erika struggled even with constructing the basic attack magic formulas.
Now, she has grown to the point where she can fight alongside me to some extent, using both body enhancement magic and other attack magic.
If the trump card of using the unique magic of
(No, even if I lose, I don't regret my choice .)
From the argument with Usui, I ended up siding with Erika on impulse...
Looking back now, I can truly say from the bottom of my heart that I'm really glad I didn't abandon her back then.
Despite being clumsy, Erika continues to make earnest efforts.
From my perspective back in my previous life, where I did nothing but live a lazy life devoid of anything special, her appearance and attitude seemed dear and precious.
(Win or lose, I want Erika to fully showcase the fruits of her efforts in today's match and make everyone look back at her. ...But if she's this unusually nervous, that might be difficult.)
"Jōgasaki... no, Erika!"
I show her the best smile I can muster.
"We've been working hard together for almost a month. Win or lose, I have no regrets."
I wanted to ease Erika's tension, who was biting her lips tightly and had an urgent expression, so I inadvertently patted her shoulder gently.
The warmth felt through the fabric of the military school uniform evokes the delicate and gentle presence of her.
"Fuh...!? Huh?! Ahh... my shoulder, our hands are touching... and... and... using first names..."
Caught off guard, Erica's platinum hair flew in disarray as she jumped up in surprise like a rabbit.
Transparent sweat from embarrassment trickled down her forehead, and a complexion as red as a boiled octopus quickly rose in her face, making her seem flustered.
"Ah, sorry! I was being too familiar, huh...."
When I said that and pulled my hand back, Erika showed a reluctant expression.
After a brief moment of silence...
"Um... Is it okay if I call you by your name too?"
"Huh?"
"W-well, um... c-can I call you by your first name, Kai?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, of course! Then from now on, let's call each other Erika and Kai."
Just a little longer until the match starts.
The tension that had been as taut as a drawn bowstring until just now was gone, and a somewhat awkward atmosphere dominated the place.
(Well, it's still better than that gloomy vibe from earlier... But still, just calling each other by our first names and getting all shy like this, it's not like we're middle schoolers or anything.)
As I forced a wry smile to hide my embarrassment, the sound of a salute echoed, announcing the completion of the magic stone's power charging in the
The iron gate of the large training ground creaks open.
Finally, the practice match is about to begin.
◆◆◆◆
Before our eyes, a dense forest area characteristic of an arctic tundra biome, filled with coniferous trees, spread out before us.
In the dim sky, large clouds are hanging low, and the sun is shining through the gaps.
The sharp coldness of the wind brushing my cheek is indistinguishable from reality.
The scene before me is so incredibly realistic that it's hard to believe it's a
(...Well, it's not the time to be dazed and confused anymore)
I immediately start probing the enemy's movements through the
Originally, the size of the large training ground was about that of a small baseball field, but due to the influence of the magic stone from the "virtual battlefield," it has now expanded to several dozen times its original size.
Therefore, such reconnaissance actions are extremely important.
(Three people are coming this way. Komazawa thinks she doesn't even need to move?)
In the magical training battle, the outcome is decided either by (1) the complete annihilation of the team members or (2) the defeat of the team leader.
The team leader here is Erika.
Naturally, the leader of the opposing team is Komazawa.
"I saved the trouble of keeping the other members away from the captain. Alright, Erika. As planned, limit your magic and proceed with stealth."
"Got it, Kai, please be careful too."
With a smirk at Erika, who shyly uttered my first name, I activated the
and decided to head towards the approaching enemy.As I was lightly bouncing between the trees constructed within the
I decided to deliberately provoke them by scattering some random attack magic to draw their attention.
"Enemy sighted at two o'clock! It's just one of them!"
"Attacking us three all of a sudden! I don't know if it's a test of our strength, but they're underestimating us!"
(Yay, I caught it well!)
As the enemy, in a fit of frustration, unleashes a barrage of
While evading the enemy's attacks, maintaining a razor-thin distance so that they don't completely lose sight of us... It's easier said than done, a classic case of "easier said than done," and quite difficult to achieve.
However, thanks to the diligent training with Erika over the course of nearly a month, we successfully lured the enemy to the designated position without them realizing our intentions.
(Is it about time... and just one minute to get ready? Impressive.)
Having confirmed that a signal flare was fired from near the center of the forest, I launched a response flare.
"Hey, what's that guy's deal...?"
"Doesn't matter! Now that his movements have stopped, it's our chance! He's been moving around like a monkey, and finally, it looks like he's running out of gas!"
"No, wait a minute! This is strange! The trees... the terrain... are they starting to warp little by little?!"
I heard the sound of a magic stone placed in the center of the large forest of the "virtual battlefield" a few kilometers away starting to screech.
The "Tuning Magic" passed down in the Jougasaki family, which can draw out and perfectly control the latent abilities of magical tools.
I had entrusted Erika with a borderline rule-breaking operation to use her powers to take control of the magic stones in the virtual battlefield from the instructors at the signal.
I was worried whether she could control the magic stone with the magic wand that had its magical output limited for training purposes, but it seems my worries were unfounded.
The terrain of the
"What the hell is going on...?!"
"Hey! Look over there!!"
"U... Uwaaaaaa!! A... a monster!!!"
The three enemies, paralyzed with fear, try to escape, but in the blink of an eye, they are entangled in the vines of the trees.
The more you struggle, the more the vines wrap around your body, binding you in a tight, intricate pattern... Hmm, I'm not a bondage enthusiast, but that does look quite erotic.
In the meantime, the three of them were swallowed up and trapped in a round prison formed by the intertwined trunks of the great tree.
"Wow, I didn't expect the plan to go so smoothly... whoa, that was close!"
On the tree, while leisurely watching the three being engulfed using the "Divination Magic," they suddenly come under attack from the "Inferno Magic" from an unexpected direction.
The power is quite something, and now there's only one layer of the protective membrane left covering my body.
"Is it Jōgasaki's unique magic, the 'Tuning Magic'? I never thought she would treat the magic stone in the training ground as a magical tool... However, it seems she's run out of magic power. The great tree's movement has completely stopped. It seems her magical response has also ceased."
Kozawa, who had launched a surprise attack, showed no sign of hiding any further. Cloaked in the "Magic of Wind Garb," he floated closer to us.
Even though she is outnumbered two to one, she maintains an expression of absolute superiority, showing no sign of doubt.
When she thrusts the magic staff into the ground, the air around us changes.
――＜Shadow Puppeteer's Magic＞――
A black wind howls, and from the shadow where Komazawa stands, darkness erupts like a geyser.
"I underestimated you as a man... I will admit that I was wrong. You have the talent to command difficult personnel like Jōgasaki, and the courage to challenge strong opponents. You are indeed an excellent soldier... But this is where it ends."
From her shadow, black figures keep emerging one after another.
Faced with the spear-wielding soldiers honed by pure magical power, I couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"What's so funny? Have you gone crazy and become reckless?"
"No, Komazawa. Even at this point, you still only acknowledge me, huh?"
"...What do you mean?"
"The end is yours, Komazawa. That damn carelessness of yours will trip you up."
When I point to the sky, her gaze follows it.
"Is the sun... flickering?!"
The sun shining in the sky of the virtual battlefield.
That light began to ripple, swaying like a heat haze.
Not only that... the sun was slowly flickering and multiplying .
On the battlefield controlled by Erika's "Tuning Magic," the proliferated suns began to form a circle and revolve around Komazawa.
"My shadow puppets... are disappearing?!"
The intense sunlight pouring in from all directions erases the source of Komazawa's shadow, preventing the proliferation of shadowy figures.
In a state of confusion, Komazawa seemed unable to even control the shadow clones hiding in the shadows of the trees.
I can't miss this opportunity that Erika created for me!!!
I let out a guttural roar and unleash all my magical power on Komazawa.
Amid the intense shockwaves generated by the clash of magical powers, a screeching sound like thick metal being twisted apart echoed from their protective membranes...
"Ugh..."
My last line of defense was twisted apart by Komazawa's magic, leaving only a few fragments behind.
On the other hand, there is still an intact defensive membrane left on Komazawa.
"It's over, Todo. It was a good match."
Komazawa said that and walked over here with a calm demeanor, ready to deliver the final blow.
Due to the earlier clash of magical powers, air has been expelled from my lungs, and I can barely move my body properly.
Kozawa quietly looked down at me, who was collapsed and writhing.
A face unique to a strong person who never doubts their own victory.
A look of arrogant pity towards the fallen enemy before me, despite their valiant struggle.
...Suddenly, a look of surprise crossed her face, which was otherwise so composed.
"Wha...!?"
A supersonic sniper shot from a completely unexpected direction using the "Starshot Magic."
From the shadows of the distant forest, she is shot through by a stealthy sniper, unable to do anything.
Kozawa, realizing the attacker who had instantly destroyed her defensive barrier, couldn't hide her astonishment.
"Jougasaki... What?! No way... How could she not be detected by my magic detection... she should have definitely run out of magic power due to the
Komazawa only had eyes for me until the very end...
Other than the use of her unique magic, the
"That's it!!! The match is over!!! The winners... the Jougasaki-Toudo team!!!"
Hearing the instructor's voice resound loudly across the training ground, I, who had been on high alert, finally let out a sigh of relief.
◆◆◆◆
Among the group of nursing students attending to the rescue at Komazawa, one can see Usui, his face pale and trembling.
Thanks to being well-protected by the defensive membrane, Komazawa's injury was minor.
He's not trembling because he's worried about Komazawa's condition; he's just scared that our victory will expose his lies.
As someone who has a twisted nature, I can only laugh and think, "Serves you right."
On the other hand, Komazawa, while showing a hint of regret, had a somehow refreshing expression on her face.
The demeanor of a warrior who, having given their all, was defeated... that's how it appeared to me.
I think the result of this match clearly showed our abilities to Komazawa.
I haven't had a proper conversation with her yet, but I felt relieved, thinking that the doubts might clear up surprisingly easily.
Perhaps because the shock of winning the match was so great, Erika was still in a daze.
"Erika, good job."
When she came to her senses at my call, she gave me a melted smile, as if she were melting.
Erika, perhaps embarrassed to look me in the eye, frequently averted her gaze. It seemed she was at a loss on how to react, her joy from victory mixed with shyness.
"W-We actually won... we did it."
Even in her usual stammering and hesitant way of speaking, I could sense her joy and affection towards me.
"Ah, we won... With the combined strength of Erika and me, we were able to defeat Komazawa and the others."
As I said those words, I was savoring today's victory once again.