…However, there's one thing I still don't understand.

　That is――

“By the way, Maine. How do you fight in a Magic Tournament? “

　With a loud noise, everyone dropped at the waiting room. (TLN: Pretty much what is described here is like when someone asks a stupid question and the other characters simply fall to the ground in anime)

“You're partic.i.p.ating without even knowing that!? “

“Sorry. Maybe it's that?　You kill each other with magic? “

“Not even close! “

“Then, do you just kill each other normally? “

“And the magic!?　Where is the magic!? “

“Is that so? Then I knew it, you kill each other with magic…”

“No!　We don't kill each other!　First of all, forget about killing! “

“You're not making any sense.”

“What do you mean I'm not making sense!? “

　The up-until-now frozen atmosphere in the waiting room warmed up a little due to our back and forth. Maine also seems like he's a bit more relaxed now.

“Seriously Second-san, you are…”

　Maine then opened his mouth to give me an explanation.

“The Magic Tournament is done using a ‘Game Crown'. Therefore, it doesn't involve anyone's life.”

　Game Crown―― a PvP（Player vs Player）item. Unlike the 「Everything goes」-type of 『Duel』, it is an item for ‘chickens' who want to fight without risking anything after setting rules, such as item restrictions or skill restrictions, in advance.

　Speaking of why there is no risk, that is because all the 『Games』 that use a Game Crown are virtualized. Your HP and MP, similarly to the damage inflicted, are also virtualized. Therefore, even if your HP becomes zero, after the game ends it is restored without problems. That's why it is for chickens. Still, some gamers fell in love with this type of game and played it with any and all variations of the rules, developing into an interesting 『Game』, different from the normal 『Duel』…

“You have to use Attack Magic. That is the rule this time. You understand? “

　I was convinced by the words of Maine.

　……This is just a stupid game.

“Seventh round!　First year cla.s.s A, Second, against First year cla.s.s F, Dean. “

　I came out to the grounds after having my name called and found that Silvia and Eko were in a position behind me.

　I waved at Eko who was energetically waving her hands at me with a smile. Suddenly, those hands. .h.i.t Silvia in the nose, almost causing her to faint.

“Game Crown, on!”

　Sounded the voice of the referee. As if following his instructions, a large circle with a radius of 50 meters appeared, wrapping Dean and I inside of the game field. If you leave it, you lose.

“Partic.i.p.ants, get ready… Begin! “

　Immediately after the command, Dean began to cast.

　Judging from the color and shape of the magic circle that appeared on his feet, it was wind attribute magic of the Second Form.

　……This guy is a fool.

　The First Form is regular attack. The Second Form is an extended range attack. The Third Form is a strong single target attack. The Fourth Form is a strong extended range attack. The Fifth Form is an extremely powerful extended range attack.

　Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

　If you get attacked during the casting time, the spell will not be completed. Therefore, during Games, using Magic with such a long cast time as the Second Form makes little sense. This is common sense.

　Are you for real, Dean?　Don't tell me you heard a rumor somewhere saying “Second can't use magic properly”?

　I'm at a loss.

　To be looked down upon… Me, the world's top!　By this kid!!

　His spell will be finished in three seconds, but I could settle this in an instant using just the First Form. But that would be boring. I have to teach him not to insult the holiness of a duel.

“Prepare yourself.”

　I advanced two steps and shoot out the spell 《Wind Attribute・First Form》 in front of me. Almost at the same time, Dean released his 《Wind Attribute・Second Form》 spell.

　Magic of the same attribute has the property of “disharmonize” and this is a simple defense technique that makes use of that. I received some damage, but since there's more than double the difference between the cast time of the First Form and the Second Form, you can compensate for the rest and use it to your advantage.

“Eh!? “

　Dean was surprised. 'This is not what I heard! ', 'This guy can properly use magic! ', I wonder if he's thinking along those lines?

　The worst is, since he's daydreaming about what just happened, he hasn't even prepared his next move. Is this really the guy who dared look down on me? Amazingly, my anger calmed down.

“You can choose to either die a man, or die while begging for your life.”

　While I said those things, I began casting 《Fire Attribute・Third Form》 and by the time I finished speaking the cast was ready to activate.

　Its rank is Grade 5. The cast time has been reduced by two levels and it has a 300% of INT converted into pure attack power. Comparing it to the 600% of the Rook Archery at Grade 9, the power seems to be considerably less. But it makes it up by having 20 skill types in Magic compared to the 9 of Archery, and it is easy to just raise the INT and get considerable firepower.

“I g-giv――! “

“Ah!　I got dust in my eye! “

　The moment Dean tried to utter a word of surrender, I slyly made a gesture and fired the Third Form spell.

　The fireball, so big that he had to look up, slowly approached Dean while making a thundering sound. And at that moment, Dean hadn't way to either defend nor dodge.

“Whaaaaaaa! “

　After Dean was. .h.i.t, he screamed as his HP was shaved off in an instant. d.a.m.n, its power was more than I expected. I intended to tease him and leave him with 10% of his HP…

“…Wi-winner, Second! “

　After the game ended, the ground was restored as if nothing had happened. Seems like the specifications back from the game are the same in this world.

　When I glanced at Dean, his crotch region was wet. No matter how virtualized this might be, the physiological phenomenon of the real body isn't virtual. Or maybe he just couldn't hold it?

“Oh. I won.”

　On my way back to the waiting room, I pa.s.sed close to Silvia and Eko and we exchanged some words.

“Second, you're strong! “

“Isn't that obvious, you funny girl.”

“You went too far!　Was that alright? “

“Don't worry. I'll eventually be the number one in the world. Anyway, this is our last day here. I'll make sure to obtain the winning prize.”

“I g-get it, just please don't go too much overboard. Please! “

“I get it, I get it!　What are you, my mother?”

“Second, good luck! “

“Yeah.”

I left the place while Silvia's fainting figure repeated “Mo-mother…?”, and Eko supported her from falling.

　After that, the second fight was finished without any issue.

　I moved up to the semifinals but―― there I found a strange opponent.

Thank you for reading.

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.