89 – Full-scale sports competition (3)
After a completely unexpected meeting with Jibril. One day passed, then two days. Three days, four days. As of now, a week has passed.
In the meantime, I happened to meet the old man of Geomseong a few times and had a meal with him, and once more I gave blood to Eve, who hesitated to visit.
But even so, Jibril did not appear in front of me even once.
It’s really questionable.
I thought it wouldn’t be strange if he came at some point and tried something if he had the tenacity to live in a way that put his naturally weak personality to shame.
At first, I tried to ignore the fact that this attempt might be killing me. If I cared about that right now, it would seem like neither porridge nor rice would be possible.
Anyway.
About two days ago, I asked Tsumei vaguely in hopes of contacting her first, but I only received the answer that there was no such girl among those staying at the academy’s accommodations.
Because the hair color is so unique, I thought it would be easy to find it if I were staying there. This gets a little embarrassing.
Have you found separate accommodation outside? Or not… ….
‘…… ‘He’s probably homeless.’
For a moment, she imagined Jibril sleeping in the hummingbird forest, using the shade of a tree as a blanket, but that probably wasn’t the case. I’d like to think she doesn’t.
Maybe I should visit the forest again when I have time…… ?
“Tsk.”
There was a brief conflict, but I decided to put Jibril’s matter on hold first. Going to the forest is not a very difficult task, but unfortunately, it is not something that can be done right away.
No matter what happens, no matter how embarrassing her sudden appearance is-.
At this point, the thing to worry about the most was none other than Aria’s work and problem.
For now, all she has to do is keep Jibril’s existence in her head.
Before, I knew it was still okay, so I could move relatively freely, but not anymore.
It was impossible to know when Jihad would appear and begin to move.
‘I can’t accurately predict the timing of her appearance. If you ask me, it’s also random.’
In the game story, the moment Jihad appeared varied several times depending on the branch. Sometimes around the middle of the day, sometimes near the end of the sports competition.
This means that it is not a problem that I can predict or read as it is highly random.
That is why he became close friends with Aria. Because I know that it is safest for me to attend the sports competition in person by her side.
But because of that, I have been hovering around Aria for the past few days.
Change several excuses that don’t work and are truly far-fetched. As a result, Aria’s eyes seemed to be looking at a really suspicious person, and it was truly heartbreaking…….
She thought it was inevitable and accepted it.
Right now, isn’t it the case that we are getting ready to go out as soon as we open our eyes early in the morning?
If an accident were to occur in earnest, Jihad would certainly use ‘it’ first, so it would be possible to read the beginning of the incident itself.
However, in the meantime, I didn’t have the confidence to figure out Aria’s exact location and find her quickly……. In the end, this strategy was adopted.
One of the fortunate things is that even though Aria gives me very subtle looks, she doesn’t really push me away.
It’s an assumption, but if she even tells Geomseong, ‘He’s following me,’ at that moment, I will become Dan/Te.
…… Well, that’s a good thing. Really.
‘Maybe today was a half-participation game? I think I heard that Aria was leaving in person.’
I feel fortunate that the atmosphere is not that bad. Thanks to that, she was able to know Aria’s future schedule to some extent.
Today, a match was scheduled between 1st grade class B and 2nd grade class A.
Of course, the difference in grade naturally leads to a difference in ability, so there was definitely a penalty.
The spectators who were concerned about the difference in power between the two teams were also convinced as soon as they heard the penalty.
In other words, it is an extremely extreme type of match in which ten first-year students face off against three second-year students.
The second year team will also select and send out elite players, but since the first year team will most likely include Grisha and Aria, it will probably be a decent match, right?
Anyway, I had the cause of cheering, so all I had to do was visit like this and join them at the end of the game.
I left the tower thinking that.
“Hmm.”
But I may have stepped forward too early. When you see that there is not a single student in sight.
Even though the game is held in the morning, it feels too rushed.
“This is true.”
I scratched my cheek shamelessly for a moment and then walked away again. But what can I do? It’s already been released, so if you stop by a tea shop and then move on, the time will be right.
I could only feel doubt as I looked at the extremely quiet street, even considering the early hour.
Yes. It’s not as if there are only a few people, but as if there are no people at all.
“… ….”
I had no choice but to stop thinking halfway through. I realized the feeling of incongruity late.
…… Anyway, I think I made some progress after leaving the tower.
As I walked down the street like that, I didn’t encounter a single other person. Is it really a coincidence?
‘No.’
Judgment close to intuition. I thought not.
It’s not a coincidence. Perhaps we should have sensed the alien atmosphere earlier.
I wouldn’t have known what this overly quiet atmosphere foreshadowed.
-Magic.
It is not magic. It doesn’t deal with mana, so it’s safe to say that it has some similarities to a supernatural ability.
Yes, this is also an ability that is used based on mental power.
I felt my expression harden for a moment.
The body suddenly stiffened, and the eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.
Yes, magic doesn’t use mana. In other words, it is an ability that is used based on mental power.
…… To put it another way:
It means that it is a ‘second weapon’ that is perfectly suited for use by people with special abilities who are naturally unable to handle aurors and mana.
“Wow.”
Sharp!
It happened without my knowledge.
I fell to my knees, unable to withstand the pressure of the approaching fog.
Jeobug, jerk.
And, of course, the person walking out of that light fog is-.
“Jib, reel… ….”
“… ….”
It had to be an Eastern astrologer whom I had met only once a week ago.
Two blurry green eyes look down at me emotionlessly.
Sweet-
Soon, Jibril took out a dagger from his chest.
A weapon with nothing special. It’s probably not a dagger with any special abilities.
However, there will definitely be no problem in killing one person who cannot resist.
‘Ha… ….’
I sighed inwardly. Did I let my guard down? Or was the problem a surprise attack that went beyond my expected range?
This is an unknown matter.
What you need to know for sure is that if that dagger is pointed at me, it won’t be easy for me to resist.
This fog, this fog surrounding me right now, was not an ordinary phenomenon.
The correct name is Hwanmu (幻霧).
Fog that deceives people.
Magic, also known as the strange magic of the East in the Empire, ironically was the field in which Jibril was most confident.
First of all, Ilshin’s power itself is quite shallow.
I guess I had no choice but to find another way…….
‘For now, I can only say that it is a truly annoying ability.’
Although I was laughing, I lifted my finger to somehow raise the thunderbolt.
In the first place, if I decided to use my supernatural ability, it was Thunder Lightning that could manifest without any special hand gestures.
Not now.
Not now.
This fog was preventing me from properly activating my abilities. That was the effect of the exchange itself in the first place.
With the body of a weak girl, Jibril found his own ‘way to fight’.
I tried to somehow capture the other person’s appearance through my gradually blurring vision.
‘…… sh*t.’
Just when I thought it wouldn’t be easy to hold on, I was finally able to read the emotions in Jibril’s eyes.
Kkdeuk-
Yes, in her eyes looking down at me while biting my nails gently.
There was clearly undeniable hesitation.
*****
“…… “It’s my first time dealing with a second grader.”
Aria seemed a little nervous, and she gently held on to her temporary sword, which she had prepared after the destruction of the black sword.
Although she did not feel as stable as holding the black sword.
Still, it was enough to calm her mind.
She took a deep breath and let it out, trying to keep her composure.
‘Well… ….’
Then, suddenly, a thought comes to my mind and I smile bitterly without anyone knowing.
‘In the past, I wouldn’t have been nervous about something like this, I’m sure.’
The starting point is the sparring that took place a while ago.
The opponent is a boy from Class A.
As a result of the overwhelming defeat in the sparring with him, he was forced to abandon the pride he had clearly harbored.
And thanks to that, she felt like her eyes were opened…….
Sometimes, yes, I think like that.
Due to the shock of defeat at that time, she seemed to have somehow become more timid.
If it were in the past, I wouldn’t have been this nervous even if I was competing against students who were one year older than me.
I guess he went into the sparring thinking he was going to win.
Of course, the idea has not completely changed even now. The pride was gone, but the confidence was still there, and what’s more, now it’s a fight between 10 people and 3 people.
It was a match I couldn’t lose even if I wanted to. Anyway, it won’t be that easy.
‘Well, that’s enough.’
Anyway, Aria was able to come to a conclusion despite concerns that were not such concerns. No matter how much of a shock she was, she knew that the impact of her loss at that time would not have been negative.
Yes, that’s for sure.
Now, even if you are broken by someone else’s sword, your heart will not be broken, and you will be able to use it as a stepping stone to move to a higher level.
‘…… Thinking about that, I think she should be somewhat grateful for Dante’s merciless hand.’
Hmm.
No matter what, don’t you think you’ll be grateful?
That’s right, because the resentment was still there.
Moreover, she did not have any intention of paying me back someday.
‘Hmm.’
After thinking about that, Aria suddenly realized something. She realized that her heart, which had been beating hard from tension just before now, had calmed down.
“…… Phew.”
She couldn’t help but smile reflexively. Well, isn’t the situation quite funny?
She didn’t even think about it. Really, she never thought the day would come when she would be grateful to Dante.
“… ….”
After being silent for a moment, Aria soon remembered a new thought.
‘That guy, is he going to come today too?’
The face drawn in her mind is none other than Dante’s unknown face. His facial expression and eyes are always filled with mischief.
She doesn’t know why, but lately she’s been feeling like she’s been talking to her often.
It’s probably not an illusion. She came here surprisingly often, and the time we spent together at sports competitions was quite long.
‘…… Well, he’ll probably come. I just came here even when nothing special happened, and today is also the day of my game.’
As Aria thought that, she sighed and laughed.
Well, the reason was nothing else.
‘I am indeed. ‘To act in such an obvious way.’
This is because she could vaguely understand the reason for Dante’s behavior, which was quite different from his usual behavior.
Isn’t her attitude and words and actions so clear that it’s strange that she actually doesn’t know?
I couldn’t bear it if I didn’t notice her. Didn’t you always stay by my side, making excuses that didn’t work?
Aria was twitching slightly at the corners of her new mouth that I didn’t even know about.
‘Hmm~ What should I do?’
It really wasn’t difficult to notice the feelings he had for her. So, Aria continued her thoughts with a strangely excited feeling.
She was usually not very interested in ‘such feelings’, but she was quite different now.
Is it because she is a boy that she doesn’t really like? Or is it because you find the way he approaches you with a clumsy excuse really cute?
Well, maybe it’s both.
‘It’s really difficult…….’
Even though Aria was muttering this to herself, her expression showed a strangely happy expression.
‘Well, I can’t lose in a bad way if that guy is watching.’
A smile that stands out so much that other classmates in the waiting room turn around as if they are puzzled.
It felt a bit different from the kind smile Aria usually wore.
Rather than that, should I call it a more honest smile?
It also looks like it’s somehow fun.
With the corners of her mouth slightly raised, Aria stood up from her seat, sheathing her sword.
“…… Okay, then let’s go.”
Anyway, I’m focusing on the game now. As much as you can deal with them while thinking about other things, the second year will not be easy.
And it was the moment when she was about to leave her waiting room with her classmates.
Suddenly-
An unexpected moment, an unexpected timing.
And, an unexpected opponent.
“…… Uh?”
The moment you open the door, the person in front of you is-.
First of all, it was not someone Aria did not know.
A man with long, light gray hair. The cloudy eyes hidden between her bangs were darker than before.
Yes. He wasn’t someone Aria didn’t know.
‘Why?’
It may be more accurate to say that she is someone I know very well.
The problem, however, is that it has already been nearly seven years since she last met that person.
…… It’s just that such an opponent, at least at this moment, did something that shouldn’t have happened and disappeared.
“Death penalty…… ?”
Aria muttered helplessly, and the next moment, another female student in class B suddenly turned her gaze.
“Uh, Miss Aria?”
Aria had disappeared, leaving no trace of her.