Chapter 70 – ７０ – The Debut Match of the B-Rank

Debut Match Arc

“Well, starting today, it is time for Suzu and the others to have their debut matches.”

✧

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“The first impression is the most important one, after all.”

It was the day after my own debut match ended.

For the next two days, the debut matches for those with B-Rank Magic Capacity—meaning Suzu and her group—would be held.

As for the number of participants… let’s see, out of 300 new students, 290 were B-Rank.

Among them, 266 had agreed to participate in the debut matches.

These 266 students would be paired off randomly, and the duels would be carried out sequentially and efficiently across various dueling stages located throughout the academy.

By this stage, the pairings were set in stone. If someone refused now, it would simply be counted as a forfeit.

“…Are all three of them fighting today?”

“Yeah. Plus, they’re all at different venues, so if you want to see all of them, Naru, I think you’ll have to push yourself.”

“O-oh, okay. I’ll do my best.”

Incidentally, the reasons for refusing a debut match varied from person to person. Some were simply under-prepared, or had a Masked Form unsuited for dueling. Others might have personality issues, or perhaps they possessed some kind of “first-sight killer” trick they wanted to keep hidden for now.

There were even cases where family circumstances meant they had no need to stand out.

“Well then, Naru. I’m heading off.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Well, none of that really concerned us.

After finishing breakfast, Suzu and the others headed toward the halls that served as their respective dueling venues.

“Now then, I guess I’ll go watch.”

By the way, there were no classroom studies for any year from first to third today. One could say that watching the first-years’ debut matches was, in itself, a form of study.

Also, while not as many as yesterday, many outsiders were entering the campus again today. These included scouts from Duelist teams, scouts from various sponsoring companies looking for students worth supporting, students’ families, and simply curious spectators.

Because of this, students were expected to conduct themselves with propriety.

As a side note, while it was free for students to watch the debut matches, outsiders had to pay a fee to view the duels.

“First… I’ll start with Ichi.”

After buying something to keep my throat hydrated while spectating, I headed toward the venue where Ichi was fighting.

“So this is the place.”

Time had passed. It was almost time for Suzu’s duel.

“Indeed. I hope Ms. Suzu can win just like Ichi and the others did,” Ichi said.

Regarding Ichi’s duel, her opponent had a Masked Form that wore a suit and sunglasses and wielded two pistols. He was, for lack of a better word, a standard Masked Form—an opponent with no particularly distinguishing features.

Perhaps because of that, Ichi didn’t use her trump card; she relied on ordinary skills and won a conventional victory. I feel like I’m saying “ordinary” too much, but it really was that plain, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Is she going to be okay? I mean, it’s Suzu, right? As long as she doesn’t run into someone like Marie and her group, I think it’ll be no problem,” Marie added.

As for Marie’s duel, her opponent had a Masked Form wearing a leather helmet and armor, carrying a large shield and an axe—something closest to what one would call a Viking pirate.

Against such an opponent, Marie also refrained from using her trump card, relying on ordinary skills to almost completely shut him down. Her ability to keep him from closing the distance was a testament to her tactical movement, but otherwise, it was a duel without any particular highlights.

“Is that what they call… trump card holders… like those two?”

“Precisely. In some families, it’s only common by the third generation, but the families that have them, have them. That kind of trump card,” Ichi explained.

“That said, they don’t necessarily use them in a debut match. Ichi’s and Marie’s trump cards might be effective even against the A-Rank Group, but that’s largely because of the element of surprise.”

I had already been told about the two of their trump cards. Even so, if I may say so… I don’t think they are things that can be easily dealt with just because you’ve seen them once.

Once the debut matches end, students will start bringing in their own unique Devices and skills. When those are combined, I feel that their trump cards possess enough potential to be dangerous or impossible to counter, even if you know they’re coming.

“By the way, does the Morikuni Family have anything like that?”

“No. Not that Ichi knows of.”

“Marie doesn’t know either. That said, with that family’s level of skill, I think polishing the basics is far more powerful.”

While we were talking, we entered the hall where Suzu’s debut match was to take place and took some random seats.

The crowd was… decent, I suppose. About half the seats were occupied and half were empty. Well, since it was possible to watch via the dorm televisions or the internet, it made sense that many students wouldn’t bother coming to the venue.

“That’s right. We of the Morikuni Family have no particular trump cards or techniques referred to as secret arts. Until now, we had no need for them.”

“Ms. Morikuni.”

“…”

And right then, Ms. Morikuni appeared. Behind her were the other three girls from the A-Rank Group.

“Why are you here?”

“Well, Ms. Minasono invited me to come watch. Since I didn’t have any particular errands, I decided to come.”

“I see. But why did Suzu…?”

“W-well, who knows? I wonder why?”

Before I knew it, Ichi and Marie were both on my left. Ms. Morikuni was sitting on my right, and the other three were seated behind me.

“…”

“…”

Ms. Hitsujiuta and Marie were whispering about something… well, whatever.

More importantly, why Suzu had invited Ms. Morikuni to watch… I really couldn’t tell. Was it to show her true strength? If that were the case, it might make some sense.

“Ahem. To return to the topic, there is a possibility that the Morikuni Family will develop that kind of trump card in the future. Although the Device used was one distributed by the academy, it is certain that we have faced the challenge of insufficient firepower, which must be resolved no matter what.”

“Ah, because of me. True, there’s no guarantee that someone other than me won’t appear with a Masked Form possessing abnormal durability.”

“Yes, exactly. To be unable to deal with that, to be unable to win… that is unacceptable for a family that bears the name of protecting the nation.”

“I doubt anyone like that will show up anytime soon, though.”

Regardless, it seemed the Morikuni Family intended to consider and prepare some sort of trump card moving forward. Well, given my existence, the necessity of it couldn’t be denied.

“Even so. Furthermore, there is a possibility that I may… gulp… duel Lord Midorikawa again, as long as we are in the same academy.”

“Lord?”

“…”

Since she had used a formal title, I asked her about it, but Ms. Morikuni simply looked away. Is this… because we’re fiancés? Since neither I nor Ms. Morikuni have brought up the topic of breaking the engagement, and given the result of yesterday’s duel, we are currently in the position of being fiancés.

Wait, Suzu told me about this yesterday. She told me repeatedly not to bring it up, as there were various discussions to be had with the Morikuni Family first.

In that case, it’s probably safer not to touch upon it further.

“Oh my. Looking closely, the entire first-year A-Rank Group is gathered in this venue.”

“Hm? Oh, you’re right.”

“Aside from Mr. Naru and Ms. Morikuni, I think it’s just a coincidence, but it is true.”

Now then, it’s almost time. According to the schedule on my smartphone, the next duel is Suzu’s.

Looking around, Tokuto and his group are here, as well as Ms. Maruta and the Student Council President. It seems Suzu will be dueling under a fair amount of scrutiny.

And while I was thinking this, Suzu and her opponent, a male student, made their appearance.