Chapter 12 – １２ – First Masquerade Lesson

Entrance Ceremony Arc

“So this is the place.”

“…You’ve arrived, Midorikawa.”

“Hello, Ms. Tarui.”

When I arrived at the designated classroom, Ms. Tarui was there.

The room was equipped with various pieces of equipment; some were easy to identify, like dumbbells, barbells, and grip strength testers, while others were completely unrecognizable.

“Oh, arriving early shows a good mindset. Midorikawa.”

“Hello, Public Morals Committee Chairman Maruta.”

Shortly after my arrival, the Public Morals Committee Chairman, Maruta—a girl with metallic, iron-like hair—also appeared.

“You can just call me Maruta in a place like this. Attaching ‘Public Morals Committee Chairman’ every time is too long.”

“Then, Ms. Maruta it is. By the way, why are you here? I wasn’t told anyone would be taking the class with me, and I don’t think there’s any reason for a third-year like you to take a class I’m taking.”

“To put it simply: assistant and observer. ‘Assistant’ is exactly what it sounds like. As for ‘observer’… Midorikawa, it’s because some suspicions have arisen regarding your Masked Form.”

“I see?”

It seemed Ms. Maruta had come to help. However, the fact that she wouldn’t reveal the details suggested there was something she didn’t want me to have preconceived notions about.

“…Well, it’s time. Let’s begin the lesson, Midorikawa.”

“Yes.”

Right then, the chime rang, signaling the start of the period.

Class was in session.

“…The equipment is already prepared, so for now, activate your Masquerade.”

“Understood.”

I put on the hood and the Device I had brought for the class. I activated the Device and triggered the Masquerade.

Light overflowed…

“Activation complete.”

I had become a naked woman.

“…Now, beginning measurements. Midorikawa, stay still right there… Ah, since we’re at it, why don’t you look at yourself in the mirror over there?”

“All right.”

Following Ms. Tarui’s instructions, I stood firmly in place and looked into the large mirror.

Yes, it was a form that could be declared beautiful at a single glance.

Silver hair reached down to my waist, fine and smooth as silk thread. My eyes were a vivid turquoise blue, sparkling like gemstones. My facial features were striking and well-proportioned, despite the total lack of makeup. My skin was like white porcelain, without a single mole, blemish, or scar. My breasts were large yet firm, completely devoid of any sag.

As for that area… no matter how much it was my own body, perhaps it was best to remain no comment, though I will say it was beautiful.

As for clothing, including accessories, there was indeed none.

Therefore, as I said at the beginning, the overall evaluation would be this:

“Yeah, I’m beautiful. I’m what you’d call a peerless beauty.”

And so, with honest confidence and a smug look on my face, I declared it. There wasn’t a shred of shame or hesitation in my heart. I was simply stating the facts.

“The look is actually too good. It’s annoying that even if I wanted to criticize this guy from that angle, I can’t,” Maruta remarked.

“Hehehe. Right?”

I struck a pose in response to Ms. Maruta’s words. This was a verification and practice session to see which angle and posture would make my form look the most beautiful.

“…Testing complete. Ah, Midorikawa, keep the Masquerade active. Since we’re doing this, I’ll measure your maintenance time as well.”

“Understood.”

“…Maruta, any sense of incongruity?”

“None.”

“…Then it really is as I thought.”

It seemed the initial test was over. However, she intended to proceed with other measurements.

“…Right. Let’s start with grip strength and side-to-side jumps.”

“It’s like a normal physical exam.”

“…In fact, it is a normal physical exam. However, I think the numbers will surprise you.”

“?”

I performed the simple tests that could be done in the room as instructed. When the results came out… I was surprised by my own performance.

For simple things like grip strength, I easily produced numbers two to three times higher than what I had measured in my third year of middle school. For the side-to-side jumps, it was actually harder to stop abruptly so as not to slip, and I didn’t lose my breath at all.

It wasn’t just that my physical abilities had been enhanced.

“How are Midorikawa’s results, Ms. Tarui?”

“…There are imbalances, and the output is strange in some areas. But the strangest part is… well. Midorikawa, could I have a moment?”

“What is it?”

Ms. Tarui called out to me. I returned the barbell—which weighed over 100 kilograms—to its position and responded to her.

“…Even if it’s not a clear sensation of your magical power running out or cutting off, do you feel anything like shortness of breath or lethargy?”

“? I don’t feel any of that at all. At this rate, I think I have several hours left with ease.”

“…I thought so.”

“Seriously?”

Ms. Tarui nodded as if satisfied by my words. Conversely, Ms. Maruta looked extremely shocked.

Had I said something strange? Well, judging by the reaction, I probably had.

“…Now then, at this rate, we won’t be able to find Midorikawa’s Magic Capacity limit even if we spend hours. For that reason, Public Morals Committee Chairman Maruta. Midorikawa.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Yes?”

“…A Mock Duel… I suppose. Well, I guess that’s how it’ll be. Hmm, it’s a fine line. Midorikawa will likely just be punched one-sidedly. Anyway, punch and be punched.”

“Huh?”

While I was thinking, Ms. Tarui started saying something strange, leaving both me and Ms. Maruta stunned.

Punched?

I mean, this is Duel Academy, and considering the nature of a Duelist’s work, punching and being punched is likely something that will happen in the future, but right here, right now?

“…To explain simply, Midorikawa’s Magic Capacity is too vast; the measurements won’t end at this rate. Furthermore, there are several other items that need to be verified. The fastest way to solve these issues collectively is to spar. However, the only people here besides Midorikawa are myself and Maruta, and I must concentrate on measurement and recording. Therefore, Midorikawa and Maruta have no choice but to fight. Don’t worry, regardless of the result, it won’t be recorded in the official duel logs.”

“Eh…!”

“…”

The logic was sound. It was sound, but… Ms. Maruta and I are going to hit each other? I’m going to hit Ms. Maruta? Hit a woman, and someone smaller than me, even if she is older?

I mean, if that’s the job of a Duelist, then maybe, but right here?

“Is this much space enough, Midorikawa?”

“What is it, Ms. Maruta?”

While I was in a state of confusion, Ms. Maruta called out to me from a short distance away.

“Don’t worry. No matter how severe the damage the Masked Form takes, it won’t be reflected in the original body. Far from dying, you won’t even get a scratch. Also, if you think you can’t hit a woman, you don’t have to hit me this time. Come forth, ‘Steel Colossus’ Stahl!”

“…”

Ms. Maruta placed a Device, very similar to the one I used, over her face. Then, a rather dark light was emitted, and beyond the light, Ms. Maruta’s body expanded.

“I’ll just be the one doing the punching.”

“E-Eh…!”

What appeared was a giant—no, a robot—nearly three meters tall, clad in metal armor over its entire body. The face was a construction of cameras and metal to look the part. In both hands, it held two metal cages—like the ones thrown at me yesterday—connected by chains and gripped like nunchucks. Multiple giant turrets grew from its back, pointing their muzzles toward me. Various other small parts were attached here and there, making the sound of metal grinding against metal and scattering sparks.

Additionally, before I knew it, a curtain of light had been erected to surround me and Ms. Maruta, making it impossible to move beyond the Barrier.

It seemed the preparations were complete.

“Wait, this isn’t a Masquerade, it’s a robot!?”

“It’s definitely a mask, so relax!”

Even so, I couldn’t fully grasp the situation and shouted instinctively.

And as if to drown out that shout, Ms. Maruta flung one of the cages, which scored a perfect clean hit right on my head.