Chapter 33 – ３３ – Aftermath of the Duel

Entrance Ceremony Arc

“Phew. I won.”

I let my guard down slightly as the senior acting as the moderator announced my victory, and Fuchibeni’s Masquerade deactivated, revealing his original, unscathed form.

Just to be safe, I checked how much of my remaining Magic Capacity I had left… I’d definitely dropped below half, but I hadn’t quite hit the quarter mark.

It seemed that Fuchibeni’s final blow alone had drained about half of my magical power.

Considering I had managed to block it with my shield and still took that much damage, there was a very real possibility I could have lost depending on how I was hit or the circumstances.

“—————~~…”

“Hm?”

While I was reflecting on the duel in my mind, my body was still soaking in the lingering adrenaline of the fight… then I noticed.

Without realizing it, the cheers filling the hall had shifted into a low, buzzing murmur.

“Midorikawa! Your clothes! Put some clothes on!!”

Ms. Maruta called out to me, sounding extremely panicked.

That’s when I remembered.

Come to think of it, for some reason, my clothes had been blown away during the duel.

“It’s not like it’s a big deal to show…”

I didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

After all, I possessed a flawless physique—everything that should be out was out, everything that should be tucked was tucked, there wasn’t a single scar, and everything was exactly where it ought to be in perfect proportion.

Just as I was about to say that, a steel cage materialized in Ms. Maruta’s hand, and she had already entered a throwing stance.

“No, wait, I’m sorry! I’ll summon my clothes right now, so please put that cage away, Public Morals Committee Chairman Maruta. I humbly beg for your forgiveness…”

“As long as you get it. Just get it. Now, hurry up and get dressed!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I immediately dropped into a prostrate bow while channeling magical power over my skin to manifest my rider suit.

Ah, yeah, now that I’m wearing it, I can tell—it’s definitely better when I’m wearing nothing. Clothes just feel so suffocating, or rather… No, I’m sorry! Please don’t go back into that throwing stance just because you read my mind!

Since I actually won the duel, the sentiment accompanying my first victory is that I’d like to leave the stage on my own two feet.

“Uh, we had a bit of a delay… but the winner of the duel is now exiting! Everyone, please give them a round of applause!”

“—————~~”

“Good grief. I thought I could just pretend this was an accident and let it slide… but if you’d kept showing off for a few more seconds, I would have had no choice but to do what needs to be done.”

“Yes. I apologize for the trouble.”

Somehow, I was forgiven.

Guided by Ms. Maruta, I stepped off the stage and moved to a place where the audience could no longer see me.

“Regardless, congratulations on your first official duel victory, Midorikawa Naruki. As your senior, it would make me proud if you could continue to excel without becoming complacent over this result—and if you would properly wear your clothes.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

And so, this duel came to a close with my victory.

✧

At the same time, in the VIP section.

“My, my. I cannot believe that was the fighting style of someone who has been enrolled for only a week. It was said that this year was a bumper crop in terms of Magic Capacity, not just with the enrollment of Lady Morikuni, but seeing that fight, it seems the ‘crop’ is plentiful in areas other than just Magic Capacity as well. As the Academy Principal and as a predecessor, I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Ho ho ho.”

Okita Hideo, the Academy Principal of the Duel Academy, was present and had been watching the duel between Naru and Fuchibeni.

As soon as the duel ended, he began his evaluation.

“However, what concerns me is the final attack Fuchibeni unleashed. That wasn’t simply magical power being dragged out to its limit in accordance with an emotional outburst. That was a bullet imbued with the magic of the Abyss. I had my suspicions the moment you arrived at the academy on an emergency basis… I see, Fuchibeni was a Follower of the Abyss. In that case…”

“Okita Hideo.”

There was one other person in the room… the Goddess.

The Goddess stopped the loquacious Principal simply by calling his name.

“Fuchibeni Yoshio is not a Follower of the Abyss. He has merely heard the whispers from somewhere.”

The Goddess stated the fact plainly.

“Oh, is that so? I had misunderstood. But if that is the case… then the real target is someone else?”

“Most likely. However, as long as they are a pure believer and not a fanatic, there is no problem. The Abyss is merely in opposition to me; it is not the enemy of humanity. Therefore, it is most beneficial for me if you simply educate them normally.”

“From my perspective, the fact that it is in opposition to you is the problem… However, if you say so, I shall ignore it as long as no actual harm is done.”

“That is fine. Regarding Fuchibeni Yoshio, his reformation was included in the stakes of this duel, so if you utilize that, monitoring and educating him should be no problem. Make sure you do not mistakenly abandon him.”

“You needn’t tell me. After all, he remains a precious A-Rank Evaluated.”

The identity of the Abyss was not discussed.

The Goddess did not speak of it precisely because she understood what the Abyss was.

She knew that withholding unnecessary knowledge was also a necessity.

“Now, I have finished my business, so I shall take my leave. I look forward to next month’s debut match.”

“Thank you for today, our Lady Goddess. I shall fulfill my duties with all my heart and soul to ensure that the debut match is enjoyable for you.”

And so the Goddess departed, and the Principal also left the VIP room.

✧

At the same time, in the audience seats.

“That was an amazing fight, was it not? I could not believe it was a battle between New Students.”

“Agreed. Ichi felt that the end was almost like watching third-years or professionals fighting.”

“…”

Marie, Ichi, and Suzu were sitting side-by-side in the audience. They had watched Naru’s duel and rejoiced grandly when his victory was confirmed.

Now, while Marie and Ichi were discussing the duel with lingering excitement, Suzu alone seemed lost in thought.

“Suzu? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. I was just wondering how I would have fought.”

Marie spoke to Suzu.

Suzu responded with a smile.

“Do you still think you can beat Fuchibeni after seeing the actual duel?”

“…I think my win rate dropped a bit, but I think I could win about eight out of ten times if we fought. It might be even higher if it’s the first time we’ve faced each other.”

“You have quite the confidence, even though you have not even confirmed the functions of your Masked Form. Normally, I would think the opposite.”

“Maybe it’s a little secret strategy, or just a matter of compatibility. But depending on the other person’s functions and Skills, it might be tougher. Yeah, I have to work hard too. Otherwise…”

Suzu clenched her fists, making a resolution.

If I don’t want to be left behind, if I don’t want him to slip away, I have to hold on tight.

“Otherwise, Naru will leave me behind again. I’m absolutely not letting him get away…”

“…”

She vowed to catch up to Naru and become someone worthy of standing by his side.

With that, Suzu and the others headed toward the waiting room where Naru would be.