Ch. 176: The Wizards Title and the Wizard and

Miru: Hey, Igni. Igni: Yes? What is it? It was late afternoon. As one of the Student Council members, President Miru was busy making the final arrangements for the Class Competition when she called Igni over.

Miru: So the Competition starts tomorrow, right? Igni: Yes, its tomorrow.

Miru: And so, dont you think Estea should definitely attend?

Igni: .......but she had her reasons, no? Miru: Well, I understand that, but itll be the first time in Rolmod Academy history where the Head of Class doesnt attend the Competition.

Igni: Isnt that okay? The first in history. Wow, that sounds so cool.

Miru: But the teachers dont think so. Besides the fact, the voluntary participation is just to give the non-combat students a school-approved excuse.

Igni: Oh yeah, I remember you mentioning that last time.

Miru: Thats why, Igni. I need you to persuade Estea to participate this time.

Igni: Youre talking about the individual competition, correct? Miru: Yes. The Class Competitions attendance is mandatory.

For Igni, he wanted to respect Esteas wishes.

Thats because of the Ultimate Secret to Popularity No. 8 A man who can accept a woman will become popular.

In other words, if Estea made that choice, then Igni needed to accept it.

Miru: Well, I want you to explain the situation to her, and if she says no this time, Ill push the voluntary participation excuse. And isnt Estea a fan of yours? Igni: .......well, thats what she said, yes, but

Miru: Then if you insist, I think shell listen!

And with that, President Miru pushed Igni out the door with the mission to persuade Esta once more.

This is a complete tangent, but Valia was in the middle of collecting all the curses and was currently wrapped like a mummy with bandages.

<<<<>>>>

Igni really wasnt motivated this time. As he entered the library, he saw Estea sitting at the same desk and doing her reading.

'

Igni: Hey!

Estea: Oh, iits nice to see you again, Mr., Igni.

She closed her book and nodded politely to Igni.

Igni: You didnt have to close the book.

Estea: Oh, but, ssince its you, Mr. Igni.

Igni: Sorry to bother you. I had something I wanted to ask from you.

Estea: Something you wanted to ask? Igni: .......could you.participate in the upcoming competition? Igni had difficulty getting the words out and mumbled slightly at the end.

And Estea seemed genuinely surprised that Igni had brought this up after their last conversation.

She stared blankly at him with rounded eyes.

Igni decided to push forward.

Igni: You know EsteaI know you said you stand out in class, but right now, most of the school considers you a mystery....

Estea: YYes, but.

Igni: But I would love it if more people got to know you better.

Estea: WhWhy..is that? Igni: Because youre the Head of Class. Didnt you work really hard to become Head of Class? Estea: ThThats..true..but..it was just a fluke..

Igni: Theres no way you can become the Head of Class with a fluke. No matter what, you became Head of Class with your skills, Estea. Thats why I want to see how good you are.

Estea: BBut.

Igni: Dont worry. And Igni stepped forward closer to Estea.

Igni: If the class ends up liking you less because of this, come see me. Ill do everything I can to help you.

Estea: Oh..! BButis that really okay..? Estea now blushed a scarlet red.

'

Igni: Dont worry. Im in Class D, so our class is right next to each other. If anything happens, come find me. Im here to help.

Estea: BBut thats..

And not being able to hide her embarrassment, Estea turned her eyes desperately to the floor.

But to Igni, this wasnt a bad flow. He could sense that Estea was now feeling more and more comfortable with the idea.

Igni: (Just one more push!)

Estea: So, Mr. Igni. SSo.. Iif..just as an example, if.if you will do something for me in return..II wouldnt mind..participating in the competition.that.would be fine with me..so.what do you think?

Igni: Like what? Igni pondered all the possibilities.

Since the request was coming from a girl, Ignis personality would never say no, but he was surprised to hear Estea say it nonetheless.

Estea: AActually, nevermind. I cant believe I said that.

Igni: Oh, if its something I can do, just tell me. Ill do my best.

Estea: RReally?!

Estea suddenly brightened at Ignis words.

Igni: So, what did you have in mind? Estea: Yes! Actually And Estea whispered into Ignis ear.

Igni listened to Estea, and then nodded in agreement.

So with that, Estea and Igni walked together after school.

And they headed to Esteas house.

For Igni, Esteas request seemed awfully simple, but for Estea, it might have been a big deal.

Igni: (I need to respect her feelings.)

With that thought in mind, he stood in front of Esteas house.

'

Estea: IIt might be a little messy, so please wait outside for just a second..!

Igni: Sure. I dont mind, but you really dont have to be so formal with me.

Estea: Oh, yyes, thats true.but.I really wouldnt feel comfortable addressing you any way else, Mr. Igni..

Igni: WWell, if thats the case.

Considering what Estea was asking him to do, being so formal probably wasnt the best idea, but Esteas face turned scarlet at the thought and shook her head furiously at the suggestion. Igni had to back down on this one.

Hey, sisters back! Youre back early today!

Estea: WWell, I brought a friend!

Friend? You have friends?!

Estea: Of course I do!!

Igni could hear yelling from inside the house.

Yes, so Esteas favor was to come over to her house as a friend. Apparently, her family has been pressing Estea, who seemed to severely lack friends, to bring a friend over when she could.

And in order to assure her family that she has friends, she asked Igni to fulfill the role.

Estea: II'm so sorry about the mess.

And now Esteas nervous tone was somewhere hanging between formality and friends as she welcomed Igni inside.

Igni: Pardon me. Thank you for having me over.

Estea: YYes, please come this way.!

And now, Esteas limbs stuck straight out with her joints completely frozen as she guided Igni down the hallway.

Wow, Estea really brought a friend over!

Its a boy too! Is that her boyfriend?!

'

And two girls, probably Esteas younger sisters, peered from a doorway to look at them.

Though they were trying to be secretive, Igni heard everything they said.

Estea: Hey! You two, go somewhere else!

Okay

The younger sisters followed Esteas order, and muttered as they left.

Igni: You have a lot of siblings? Estea: YYes, theres 5.

Igni: Five..?

Nobility would have many wives, so that many children would be normal, but not for commoners.

Hi Estea, youre home. oh? Whos this? Estea: A ffriend..from school..

A girl was sitting on the living room sofa, and from her height and appearance, Igni guessed that she must be the second oldest next to Estea. The girls eyes, on the other hand, grew bigger as she began to recognize Igni.

WHWHAT?! Isnt that the [Heavens Flame]....?!

Igni: Uhwait, what? Igni tilted his head at the comment as the girl continued to explain.

Thats the [Heavens Flame] Igni!! Why is he here?!?!

Igni tilted his head yet again at the unfamiliar words.

IgnI: Oh, were friends at school.

FFriends..?! THATS RIGHT! II forgot! Estea and you are going to the same school! IIts nnice to meet you!!

Now the girl was completely frozen but managed to stretch out a stiff arm towards Igni to offer him her hand.

Im a huge fan! Could I shake your hand?!?!

Igni: (Huh? Wait! Am I finally Popular?!?!)