Chapter 21: The Magician of Fortune

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The simulated battle was to be held at a training ground located a little away from the school building.

Basically, as long as it was within the school grounds, it didn’t matter where the simulated battle took place.

Many students seemed to choose the training ground as the battlefield, so I followed suit and designated it as the location.

Fortunately, there was no one using the training ground from early morning on that day, so my application was smoothly approved.

“When participating in a simulated battle, it is essential to have a faculty member from our school accompany you, so please keep that in mind.”

When I went to the Student Council to submit my application, they kindly informed me of this. So, I caught Professor Lezan, whom I happened to pass by in the hallway, and asked him to accompany me for the simulated battle.

He was taken aback. “I thought the reception desk was noisy in the morning, but I didn’t expect it to be your doing. And to think you’re still new to the school and already engaging in a simulated battle.”

“Well, to be precise, it’s not me.”

I was met with a bewildered look from Professor Lezan. It wasn’t my fault, though. But well, since Mil had worked hard for me and I had assisted her, maybe it was partly my fault.

Anyway, the preparations for the simulated battle were now complete.

It seemed that there were various detailed rules for the simulated battle, but for now, excessive attacks were strictly prohibited.

It was not allowed to use magic that would cause the opponent to die or to inflict irreparable damage.

It went without saying that causing excessive harm was prohibited, and I was reminded to fight within the range where immediate repair was possible with healing magic.

There were other rules, such as the prohibition of premeditated magic usage and the allowance of direct attacks, but they also had to be within the range of repair.

And in the end, the victory or defeat would be determined when one side admitted defeat or when the referee deemed the continuation impossible.

After listening to the explanation from Professor Lezan, we arrived at the training ground, which would be the battlefield.

The opponent was probably already waiting inside the training ground.

Besides, there wasn’t much time left until the first period, so it would be better to finish it quickly.

Let’s go as fast as possible, I thought and quickened my pace, but Mil stopped at the entrance.

“What’s wrong, Mil? Let’s go quickly.”

…

Ever since that incident, Mil had been silent, following behind me.

When her pendant was broken, her face was wet with tears, but now she had a gloomy expression.

As Mil stood there without saying anything, Professor Lezan seemed to understand the atmosphere and said, “I’ll go ahead and take my place as the referee. The opponent should be that Kaien Sifonard, right? Do your best, please.”

The teacher entered the training ground first.

Perhaps it was difficult to talk with the teacher around, but now that we were alone, Mil finally spoke.

“Why did you do something like that?”

“Something like what?”

“Hitting that red-haired student.”

It was a question that came rather late, and it was difficult to sum up the reason in one word.

Since I couldn’t think of a suitable reason, I gave a casual answer.

“Well, there’s nothing I could do. My body moved on its own, you know.”

“Your body moved on its own, but why did you come up with the idea of slapping his cheek of all things? And why did you even start a simulated battle…”

Mil once again lowered her head and fell silent.

Even though I was the one being blamed, Mil had a look of apology on her face for some reason.

Perhaps she was regretting getting me involved because of her actions.

In reality, I was the one who stuck my nose into it, so Mil had no reason to feel guilty.

So, in order to cheer up Mil, I teasingly said, “Well, it’s no use crying over spilt milk. Besides, you were so cold to me, but now you’re talking a lot. Maybe you’ve forgotten your own character?”

“Th-There are various reasons for that!”

As I asked with a smirk, Mil raised her blushing face.

I wonder if that distracted her a bit.

It’s not like Mil asked me to slap that red-haired idiot, so she shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

“Anyway, this is a fight that I instigated, so there’s no need for you to make that face. I just attacked him because he was annoying me.”

I tried to encourage her again, but for some reason, Mil’s expression darkened once more.

“But are you really going to fight against him?”

“Huh?”

“In this simulated battle, you won’t be able to use your instant-death magic that you’re good at. And I heard that the opponent is the son of the Sifonard family. They’re skilled not only in hunting magical beasts but also in dealing with mages.”

Since they come from a family of martial magicians, they must have trained to fight against other mages as well.

One of the duties of a National Mage is to apprehend mages who have committed crimes.

With the widespread use of magic, there have been cases of mages using it for criminal purposes, so National Mages go around catching them to maintain public safety.

I’ve heard that the Sifonard family is quite active in that field.

If that’s the case, the red-haired guy must be skilled at fighting against mages.

“If you fight against someone like him, even someone like you, Sachi-san, won’t get away unscathed. The difference in combat experience is too great.”

“Well… I’ll manage somehow. Probably.”

“B-But relying on such vague reasons…”

“My mentor used to say, ‘There are no absolutes in battles between mages.’ So I think it’ll probably be fine.”

“However, the opponent is just too formidable. Maybe we should ask to cancel this simulated battle. Otherwise, Sachi-san will be in serious trouble…”

Mil started to ramble on.

Certainly, there are some concerns about this simulated battle.

The loser will have to obey whatever the winner says.

But that is not a reason to run away from this challenge.

Even if there are concerns, I must never run away from this battle.

Mil really doesn’t understand anything.

So, with a sigh, I murmured, “Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Huh…”

“You really don’t understand why I picked a fight with him, do you, Mil?”

“W-Why… Well, that is…”

I tease Mil, who suddenly becomes fidgety and uncomfortable, in a slightly teasing manner.

“If you don’t understand that either, maybe I should stop talking to Mil altogether. You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder anyway. It seems like we never really understood each other, did we?”

“Huh, no, it’s not that, it’s just…”

I intentionally say something dismissive, and Mil frantically moves their hands.

And with a flushed face, she hesitantly speak unfamiliar words.

“S-So, because we’re friends…?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Anyone would get angry seeing their friend cry and their precious things being broken. And yet, Mil says it’s better to stop and that I’ll suffer. What about your feelings?”

I finally managed to say the words I wanted to hear.

I am fighting with that red-haired person because my friend, Mil, was made to cry. And my anger reached its peak. I should be allowed to vent those feelings.

After conveying that once again, Mil appeared apologetic and dejected.

“If you got angry on my behalf, I don’t want Sachiko to fight anymore. There’s no need for Sachiko to get hurt because of someone like me.”

She started saying something troublesome again.

I understand Mil’s sense of guilt to some extent, but this fight was completely my decision, so there’s no need for them to make such a face.

“This is for Mil’s sake as well as mine. Mil doesn’t need to feel any worse. …And hey, from what I’ve been hearing, it seems like Mil only expects me to lose. You don’t trust your friend at all. Oh well, it seems our friendship was only that much.”

“N-No, it’s not like that! It’s not that I don’t trust Sachiko, but rather, I’m worried…”

Worried.

I didn’t miss that word.

That’s right, just like Mil worries about me, I’m concerned about her too. She had her pendant broken by that person, and she must have been truly frustrated, right?

“That may be true, but Mil is kind, so she wouldn’t even think of retaliating against that person. That’s why I thought someone else had to punish that red-haired person, and I took it upon myself to do it.”

Mil is timid and cowardly.

But more than that, she is an incredibly kind girl, so even if she were subjected to something terrible, she wouldn’t seek revenge. That’s why someone else needed to punish that red-haired person. And I just happened to take on that role.

As time is running out, I place my hand on Mil’s small head and make a declaration.

“I will make that person bow his head without fail. I will channel your frustrations, Mil, so rest assured and watch from here.”

“Sachiko…”

I turn towards the training ground where Kaien is waiting and walk towards the battlefield.

During that time, I can feel Mil continuously watching me with worried eyes from behind.

To reassure her, I turn around once again and say,

“And besides…”

“…?”

“He was taught how to defeat ‘ordinary magicians,’ right? I’m not an ‘ordinary magician.'”

“…Are you saying that about yourself?”

It feels like I haven’t seen that in a long time.

Mil lets out a small chuckle and quietly smiles at me.