Chapter 73 – ７３ – Early May Meeting

Sports Festival Arc

Monday arrived after a weekend break, following the successful conclusion of the debut matches for both the A-Rank and B-Rank new students.

Classes proceeded as usual during the morning. I expected the afternoon to follow the same pattern—an A-Rank exclusive meeting—but the classroom for the day’s meeting felt slightly different.

“Hm? Some unfamiliar faces?”

Inside the classroom, there were students who, while new, were not supposed to be A-Rank.

I wondered what was going on.

“Oh? Didn’t they tell you? Starting this week, B-Rank students are also invited to this meeting if necessary. Naru.”

“I didn’t hear anything. Which means… is that why Suzu has been acting separately from Marie and the others?”

“Yep, that’s why. I’m here today, too. Though, I suspect it’s less about my academic excellence and more because they expect me to act as your brain, Naru.”

“I see.”

As I pondered this, Suzu’s voice came from behind me, explaining the situation.

I see; the teacher had mentioned before that B-Rank students would be called in if needed, and it seems that has now begun. And since the topics would be quite difficult and problematic if not understood, Suzu was called in as my support.

“Midorikawa, stop flirting at the classroom entrance. We can’t get in.”

“Hm, ah, sorry, Fuchibeni.”

“…”

Fuchibeni spoke up, looking somewhat irritated. However, since his complaint was perfectly valid, I led Suzu into the classroom.

“Suzu. I know you’re trying to hide it from Fuchibeni, but stop glaring. We were the ones in the wrong just now.”

“I know, Naru. But that’s one thing, and this is another.”

Since Suzu had cast a gaze full of intimidation the moment Fuchibeni turned his back, I felt it was only right to reprimand her.

“Yo, Midorikawa. Morning.”

“Ms. Minasono is with us today, too.”

“The seating seems to be grouped by dormitory, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“Tokuto, Tōsaka, Magariya, morning. There are some unfamiliar faces with you guys, too. And yeah, they’re definitely grouped by dorm today, apparently because of the topic of discussion.”

“I see…”

After we took our seats, the usual crowd and some new faces began filing into the room.

For instance, Tokuto and his group were the usual trio, but they weren’t with Kibitsu; instead, they were with a boy whose hair was white with a faint yellowish tint. He was likely a student from the Shin-Yu Dormitory, assigned as a support for Tokuto and the others, much like Suzu was for me.

Shortly after, more unfamiliar boys and girls arrived and sat nearby. Most likely, all six of them were from the Shin-Yu Dormitory.

“Excuse me, sorry for cutting in front.”

“I look forward to working with you, Ms. Minasono, Mr. Midorikawa.”

“Ah, yeah, likewise.”

“Yes, please.”

A boy and girl I recognized from the Inui Dormitory took the seats in front of us. It seemed they had gravitated toward us because we were already there.

“Hello, Lord Midorikawa. And Ms. Minasono.”

“Hello, Ms. Morikuni. And everyone behind you.”

“Hello, Ms. Morikuni.”

Ms. Morikuni and her group arrived. However, behind her were Ms. Kamei, Ms. Ōasari, and another pair of unfamiliar students. They were likely grouped by the Kou-U Dormitory.

Though there was a slight distance, Ms. Morikuni sat next to me—on the opposite side of Suzu—ensuring no one was between us. Since we hadn’t discussed the annulment of our engagement yet, I suppose she was acting as my fiancée.

“Hmm…”

“…”

“Fuwaaa~”

” “…” “

“The atmosphere is terrible in one specific spot.”

“I guess it can’t be helped.”

“True. Ms. Hitsujiuta is often with me, and Mr. Kibitsu was often with Mr. Tokuto and the others.”

As a side note, Fuchibeni and the other Koushi Dormitory students were also gathered together. There were also two unfamiliar students, one boy and one girl.

But… a truly dismal aura was drifting from them.

Still, Kibitsu seemed to be trying his best to mediate, and Fuchibeni looked conflicted, so I think it’ll be fine.

Actually, where was this aura coming from? Ms. Hitsujiuta didn’t seem to mind, and the unfamiliar students were just sitting there seriously. Was it because they were next to the Shin-Yu Dormitory, which was a hub for extroverts, making them look gloomy by comparison?

I have no idea.

Anyway.

Ten from the A-Rank Group and ten from the B-Rank Group—twenty people in total gathered in the classroom. Though the number was small, it felt like a typical high school classroom.

“Wonderful. Everyone seems to be here before the time.”

“…Yes. I think it’s a good thing that not a single person is missing.”

At that point, Mr. Ajitori and Ms. Tarui arrived. Then, the chime rang, signaling the start of the afternoon session.

✧

“Now then. First of all, congratulations on your Duelist debuts! Everyone fought splendidly! I hope you will continue to devote yourselves, hone your skills, and become magnificent Duelists!”

The meeting began with Mr. Ajitori praising our debut matches. However, a few students didn’t look happy and wore bitter expressions; they were likely the ones whose performance didn’t meet their own expectations.

“Furthermore, as you can see from the group gathered here today, the A-Rank exclusive meeting will no longer be a meeting for those who simply have A-Rank Magic Capacity. It has become a meeting for those with outstanding overall academic and practical records within the grade. There are many students who wish they could join this meeting but cannot. Therefore, I expect you all to strive to be role models for them.”

I suppose that explains why students with poor self-evaluations were still invited; academic grades are also important.

Hmm, I have a feeling that eventually, I’ll stop being invited due to my academic performance… I’ll try my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“Now, let us discuss the contents of today’s meeting. There are three main topics.”

“Three?”

The meeting was officially starting. I made sure to listen closely.

“First, now that the debut matches are over, you may have received inquiries from sponsors or scouts from professional Duelist teams. We will discuss that.”

“Ah…”

Right, I remembered that. I recall seeing a few of those on my phone—or rather, on my Masutter profile page.

“Second is the upcoming class schedule. This directly affects your grades, so listen carefully.”

“…I wonder what Lord Midorikawa will do?”

This part was, in a sense, business as usual. Ms. Morikuni muttered something, but I ignored it.

“Third, the Sports Festival will take place in a little over a month. I will provide a basic explanation and discuss the roles that those present here are expected to fulfill.”

“Sports Festival… hehehe.”

“Suzu?”

“Is something wrong, Naru?”

“No, nothing.”

It was currently early May, and the Sports Festival was in mid-June. However, it seemed there was something going on—not just regarding preparations and practice, but also regarding the administration. Because of that, some information was to be handed out today.

Suzu was laughing next to me… well, she didn’t seem to be plotting anything truly problematic, so I figured I didn’t need to worry too much.

“Now, let’s go through these in order.”

Mr. Ajitori began his explanation.