Chapter 37 – ３７ – Functionality Check of the Masked Body

Debut Match Arc

“Now that everyone is here! Today’s Masquerade class will be dedicated to confirming the functions of your respective Masked Forms! As Masquerade is a technique used to create and manipulate a Masked Form using magical power, these forms may contain elements that cannot be explained by the laws of physics as they existed before the Descent of the Goddess. This week’s lesson is to identify where and in what form these Masquerade-specific elements manifest within yourselves.”

Afternoon.

We first-years had all been gathered on the grounds.

As usual, there was a tendency for people to cluster by dormitory, though we were free to stand wherever we liked. Suzu, Ichi, and Marie were the three surrounding me.

Currently, Mr. Ajitori was in the middle of giving a general explanation from the podium.

“Now, it goes without saying that the functions of one’s Masked Form are, in a sense, one’s lifeline. Therefore, today’s lesson will be conducted individually, or in pairs/groups of those who feel comfortable revealing their functions to one another. A teacher will only be present if the student requests it, or if it was determined over the past week that it would be too dangerous to let the students handle it alone.”

“…Additionally, just in case, I will hand out emergency call switches, so please ensure each group takes at least one. Also, if you are forming a group, please limit it to a maximum of four people,” Ms. Tarui added to Mr. Ajitori’s instructions.

Hearing Ms. Tarui’s words, I finally understood why Suzu and the others were around me.

I see. Suzu felt comfortable revealing her functions to me, and Ichi and Marie likely just followed Suzu’s lead.

Me… do I even have “functions” in my Masked Form?

If I don’t manifest clothes, I’m stark naked.

Well, I suppose confirming that I have no functions is also an important part of the process.

“Now, those who have submitted their notification regarding where and with whom they will be confirming their functions may begin! Start!!”

The students began to move all at once.

“Naru. Shall we confirm together?”

“Alright. Let’s do it with Suzu. What about Ichi and Marie? This seems like an important matter, so I don’t think you have to force yourselves to stick with Suzu and me.”

Suzu spoke up at the same time.

Yep, I knew that would happen.

From my perspective, it was obvious that having Suzu’s eyes and opinions would make the confirmation go smoother, and I wouldn’t be troubled by her knowing my secrets, so I had no reason to refuse.

“Ichi will be joining you. Considering the future, it will be smoother if we know about each other,” Ichi said.

“Marie is coming too. At this point, I cannot imagine betting—I mean, pairing up—with anyone else, ne,” Marie added.

“See, Naru?” Suzu teased.

“I get it. Let’s go together then.”

And so, I went with Suzu and the others to Mr. Ajitori and notified him that the four of us would be confirming together.

After receiving the emergency call switch from Ms. Tarui, we headed toward our assigned classroom… but before we left, she said this to me.

“…Oh, that’s right, Midorikawa. Since this is a class for function confirmation, and Ms. Minasono is with you, you don’t need to wear clothes as long as you are inside the assigned classroom.”

“Ah… okay.”

“…However, make sure the classroom door is locked tight. Just be careful not to accidentally walk outside without clothes after the lesson ends. Understood?”

“I understand.”

She spoke in a low voice, so Suzu and the others probably didn’t hear, and while she was technically correct… it left me with a vaguely indescribable feeling.

“…Well then, good luck.”

With that, we set off for the function confirmation.

✧

On the grounds, after Naru and his group had departed.

“I knew those four were…”

“Well, that’s probably how it is. Ms. Minasono is a childhood friend, and the other two are her roommates. It looks like they’ve come to fence him in, right?”

“Well, with those looks and that Magic Capacity, it’s only natural they’d go for him.”

“I’m jealous. In two or three different ways. Especially now that we know Midorikawa’s Masked Form isn’t just for show…”

Naru and his group, who had naturally acted together and decided their group membership without a moment’s hesitation, were naturally drawing attention.

“Midorikawa and Ms. Minasono’s group… it really is like that, huh?”

“Of course it is. It’s an open secret that men who are A-Rank Magic Capacity Holders are effectively polygamous.”

“Well, that’s just the privilege of the gifted. Fortunately, Midorikawa isn’t the kind of scumbag who’d mess around with anyone other than his chosen partners, so let’s just focus on what we can do.”

“I’m jealous. Though, thinking about having to keep three girls happy by himself, it actually sounds like a lot of work.”

The nature of the gazes directed at them varied.

Some were simple jealousy or envy, while others were pity.

However, the vast majority of the looks were directed at the four of them as a collective, rather than at Naru alone.

“Kibitsu, sorry! Lend us your wisdom!”

“With our brains, we don’t even know how to start investigating!”

“With our connections and personalities, we can’t find anyone we trust other than these two!”

“Eh, eeh… well, if you’re relying on me, I don’t mind…”

While this was happening, other groups were being formed.

For example, Tokuto and his two companions approached Kibitsu, a fellow A-Rank Evaluated, and decided to form a group.

“Lady Tomoe~ let’s group up with Moe and the others~”

“Why should I group with you? Today’s lesson should be fine individually.”

“According to Hitsujiuta, it’s ‘for the sake of the future.’ So she says.”

“For the sake of the future… ah, I see. In that case, I look forward to our long-term cooperation.”

“Yes, please! We’ll do our best not to hold you back, Ms. Morikuni!”

Morikuni Tomoe decided to group with four girls who were all A-Rank Evaluated.

Others formed groups based on current friendships or in anticipation of certain events waiting for them soon.

There were also some who, understanding these circumstances, deliberately chose to conduct their confirmation alone.

Thus, the number of students on the grounds gradually decreased, and the classrooms prepared for function confirmation grew slowly noisier.

“…Hmph.”

“Fuchibeni, wait there. I will handle you one-on-one later.”

“…Thank you.”

In the midst of this, Fuchibeni ended up confirming his functions with Mr. Ajitori.

This was the result of several factors overlapping.

Eventually, those who had paired with no one due to their passive nature also left the grounds.

And so, the full-scale confirmation of the Masked Forms began.

It should be noted here that the day the teachers of the National Duel Academy feel the most stomach pain is this day—the day they first conduct the function confirmation for the new students.

Public Morals Committee Chairman as a new student: “Something came out (fires cannon).”

Student Council President as a new student: “I swung my sword and accidentally scarred the wall.”