Chapter 63: Second Day

Leave a Comment / Level 999 / By IX

On the second day of the Starry blossom Festival, just like the previous day, a large crowd of spectators gathered at the academy.

The enthusiasm and excitement remained as strong as ever, showing no signs of fading.

Naturally, the students’ motivation was high, and I too was filled with excitement.

So I thought to myself, “Alright, today I’m going to stand out!” But…

“Why am I always stuck in the training grounds?”

Unfortunately, the competition I would be participating in that day was also held in the training grounds.

It was called “Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch.”

It was an indoor competition where participants had to touch the released spirits to earn points.

In simple terms, it was like a game of “tag.”

We had to chase after a magical beast called “Lumiere,” summoned by the teachers using summoning magic, in groups of three.

Although Lumiere was considered a type of magical beast, it had no harmful intent and no physical form.

It was more like a mere “cluster of light” and would disappear when it overlapped with a person’s body—a fleeting and elusive magical creature.

Its existence was faint, and some even argued that it deviated from the concept of magical beasts.

Because of that, it seemed Lumiere had no magical damage even from summoning magic, which was considered dangerous in other cases. Only “Light Spirit Summoning” was permitted for this competition.

“If I remember correctly, Lumiere is divided into different ‘types’ based on color, right? Around five colors?”

“It’s not five, but seven types. Seven-colored Lumiere. Each color has different abilities, so the points you get for capturing them also vary.”

I overheard such a conversation from nearby the training grounds.

Yes, in this competition, it wasn’t just about chasing and touching Lumiere. Lumiere was divided into seven different colors, and each color had a unique ability.

It required precise analysis, or focusing on capturing high-scoring Lumiere, among other strategies. It was a competition that demanded various tactics.

Of course, we also had to consider interference from other classes.

With all this information, one might think it would be quite a flashy competition and attract attention. But unfortunately, just like the recent Spirit Sprint, it would take place in the training grounds.

As a result, it lacked the same level of attention.

The main crowd was drawn to the outdoor stadium, so there weren’t many spectators here.

“…Oh well, I guess there’s no helping it.”

Let’s accept it and do our best with what we can. As Mil said, we were fortunate that our team’s strengths were well-distributed, so I should feel relieved about that.

…But still, it’s not very appealing to me.

Anyway, if I can shine here as well, I can still catch the attention of the spectators to some extent.

So once again, I gathered my determination and thought, ‘I’ll do my best even in the training grounds!’ But…

“You don’t have to do anything special.”

“…”

One of my classmates participating in the Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch competition shattered my expectations with those words.

It was Obergeine, a classmate from Class 1A.

She had long black hair braided into three strands, a cool-looking face, and glasses perched on her nose.

She seemed like the type who would be the student council president or something similar, and she appeared very serious. However, it seems she also disliked commoners like the other students.

“In this Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch, just me and Asperge will be enough. Please stay in the back and make sure not to hold us back.”

“! …!”

Another Class 1A classmate, Asperge Blanche, nodded while hiding behind Obergeine.

She had long flowing emerald-green hair, and her bangs were so long that they mostly covered her eyes.

With a petite figure comparable to Mil and Poire, she was extremely quiet and always clung to Obergeine’s back, seemingly filled with fear.

She communicated mainly by nodding or shaking her head, making it quite difficult to interact with her.

So, I would be participating in the Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch with these two, but judging from their first words, I couldn’t help but feel a bit worried about what lay ahead.

“I’ve been listening to your story, from Karlotte. It seems your luck is abnormally high, and you’re approaching the competition using probability magic,” said Obergeine, 

She was referring to a classmate who participated with me in the Superhuman Sprint Spirit Sprint yesterday. I had become a bit closer to her and explained about probability magic. She asked if she could share it with other classmates, and I agreed. It seems like everyone knows about it now. I thought they might have some expectations of me because of it, but…

“However, relying solely on luck-based magic won’t help you win in the upcoming competition. Claiming victory solely due to luck will only work up to a certain level. Besides, no matter how high your luck is, I can’t believe that a low success rate magic will always work out,” Obergeine remarked, dispelling any illusions I had.

Well, it’s not something easily believed in, to begin with. I don’t fully understand my own capabilities either.

“It would be troublesome if you made a mistake at a critical moment. So, this time, just watching should be enough for you. Also…”

Unexpectedly, Obergeine leaned closer to my ear and whispered in a low voice.

“As a member of the Jullienne family, I hesitate to approach Maron-sama, so I advise you, a mere commoner, not to bother her…!”

“…”

…Hmm.

I seem to be getting better at reading between the lines due to the various angers I’ve incurred from others. In other words, Obergeine seems to have favorable feelings towards Maron, a classmate in the same class, and doesn’t like that I’m on good terms with her.

Come to think of it, Obergeine often gazes at Maron with dreamy eyes when we’re in the classroom…

“For someone from the Jullienne family like me, it would be best if a lowly commoner like you didn’t act so familiar. I suggest you realize that your vulgar presence alone tarnishes her dignity,” Obergeine continued, and Asperge fervently nodded in agreement.

I couldn’t help but release a deep sigh inwardly upon sensing such intense hostility from both of them. Such incredible animosity. Just because I get along with Maron, I receive such intense glares.

If I were to forcibly ignite a sense of rivalry and push back, it could affect the competition. For now, it seems I have no choice but to observe.

“Now, we will begin the Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch in the training grounds!”

Upon that command, the participants took their positions.

The Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch was a competition in which all 21 classes participated simultaneously. Three participants from each class, making a total of 63 competitors, would vie against each other within the venue.

It was bound to be an intense battle, but due to the warning from my teammates, I stayed slightly behind.

“Get ready at your positions… On your mark… Start!”

Immediately, shimmering lights akin to fireflies appeared throughout the venue.

Those floating entities were Lumiere, the targets of the Spirit Capture: Ghost Snatch.

The participants dashed forth energetically, aiming to capture these Lumiere.

“All 63 aspiring magicians reach out their hands toward the Lumiere, as if trying to grasp the future light! However, the Lumiere also evades the students by using their special abilities!”

The red Lumiere possessed high-speed movement ability.

The blue Lumiere had the power to create illusions.

The green Lumiere could teleport instantaneously.

And so on, each color possessed various abilities, mockingly flitting around the venue, eluding our pursuit.

While everyone desperately chased after them, I started by using body enhancement magic and protection magic to pursue Lumiere.

Despite being told to just watch, I couldn’t simply do nothing.

“Here we go! Take this!”

As soon as I touched Lumiere, it disappeared and reappeared somewhere else.

Obergeine and Asperge were also capturing Lumiere with fervor, not just paying lip service. They were doing it with as much energy as I was.

Indeed, it seemed my assistance was not needed.

If things continued to go well, I could aim for the top score…

“A ‘black Lumiere’ has appeared within the venue! Everyone, it’s a great opportunity!”

“——!”

The black Lumiere.

It had an extraordinary point value when captured compared to other Lumiere. However, it possessed the most troublesome ability among all Lumiere: the power to turn invisible. Capturing it was no easy task.

Everyone began searching desperately for the black light.

Then, in the center of the training grounds, they found their target.

Everyone rushed forward, and Obergeine and Asperge were not left behind as they began to run.

But…

“Triple Slipping Successors’ Chain!”

At that moment, the composed third-year students skillfully intervened, taking advantage of the opening.