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Tilea-san, will you really be okay with a game?

Leave it to me, Jessica-chan. Im bad with fighting, but using my head is my strong point.

Tilea-san was filled with confidence, but I was terribly uneasy. So terribly, terribly uneasy. I couldnt even picture her winning against these guys.

The demons in front of me had more to them than just their incredible mana. I could see the intelligence in their eyes.

My mana might not be that great, but I have a little bit of confidence when it comes to using my head. But if you ask me if I can win against these guys without losing, then the answer would be no. Depending on the contents of the game, theres more than enough of a possibility that I would be horribly beaten.

Mm mm, I cant think such cowardly things. Otherwise Ill even lose games that Id normally win. Anyway, I need to ask for the details of the game and then form a proper plan. It looks like Tilea-san was curious as well, because she ran over to Horus and asked,

Well? Whats the game about?

The game we have prepared is called Element Predict[Element Prediction Attack and Defence].

Elem?

Her expression turned blank at the unfamiliar word. Are we really going to be okay? I wonder if Tilea-san can follow his explanation Im feeling really uneasy.

I will explain from the basics. Though you are a feeble human, no doubt you know of the elements of magic, correct?

E-, Elements? Y-, Yeah.

And of course you know of the compatibilities and relationships between the elements?

Compatibilities? Relationships?

What? Dont tell me you dont even know that much.

N-, No no, of course I do Its umm, yeah, that thing. Yeah, compatibilities. Yep, yep. Compatibilities and relationships, that stuff is like common sense, you know.

Oh geez, Tilea-san nodded, but her expression told me that she was just pretending and had absolutely no idea. Horus also gave a suspicious glare.

W-, Whats with you? A-, Are you doubting me? Its no problem. I totally get it.

Well, fine then. Element Predict is a game that involves the affinities and relationships between the elements.

Hmm~ I dont really get it. What are the rules, specifically?

For the rest of the explanations, seeing it yourselves would be faster. Human, follow me.

Horus brought Tilea-san and I into a small room in the ruins. From what I heard, its going to be a game about the magical elements.

The elements are fire, water, wood, earth, wind, lightning, light and dark; eight of them in total, and each of them with their own compabitilies. Fire is strong against water. Wind strengthens fire. That kind of thing.

For example, a sword with the fire attribute would do less damage to a fire element magic beast. So using water attribute magic or weapons would be more efficient. One of the popular opinions is that we should be fighting with elements in mind.

Were here. Enter.

When we entered the room, I was assaulted by such a strong smell of blood that I felt like I choked. Guh-, its true that I was on the battlefield earlier, but I cant help that Im not used to it yet.

I felt like I was going to throw up any minute, but I desperately endured.

Ku ku, little girl, do you hate the smell of blood? Youre smelling the blood of all the earlier victims to this game. Naturally, we were not the losers.

Whats the matter? Cat got your tongue? Your blood is going to join theirs, you know. HUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Horus laughed with a cruel smile.

Im scared. I knew it, but demons really are scary. How can we play a game with somebody so

And whats more, a game of life and death. Even at best, were already being exposed to their demonic pressure. Is it even possible to think clearly like this?

I dont think so. At least, its impossible for me.

But Tilea-san is here with me. No matter how terrifying they might be, she never yields. Shes like the sun. Even when Horus intimidated us a moment ago, she was completely firm. Here I am, trembling pathetically instead. You cant even compare the two of us.

Tilea-san, help!

I turned to the side, and begged Tilea-san with my eyes.

Hii-, i-, its blood. Everywhere, blood Wa, wa, wa, wa, aah, I got ahead of myself Oh god, oh god, a death game is completely, completely impossible. Somebody help. Myuu, Maira-san, Remilia-saaaaan! Hahh, hahh, of course nobodys here Jessica-chan, help.

Tilea-san muttered to herself in a small voice. It didnt look like Horus and the others heard, but she begged me for help. My eyes and her eyes met as we tried begging each other for help.

Haha, Tilea-san, with your power, why are you looking at me like that? Youre acting almost like some feeble town girl.

Tilea-san, why are

Jessica-chan, Im sorry! Of course. You must be scared, right? And youre still so young Im such a pathetic adult. Asking you for help just made you uneasy Everythings going to be okay, now. So dont make that face anymore, okay?

With those words, Tilea-san faced off against Horus. None of the fear from before was left on her face.

Huhu, what a strange person. At first I thought she was a dreamy oneesan, but after travelling with her, that fantasy completely collapsed. Shes stubborn and childish, and often she just sort of drags me around. But then, just like a moment ago, shell also take the attitude of a reliable guy.

Haha, I cant understand her at all.

But theres something I do know.

Tilea-san is determined now. So theres nothing left for me to be afraid of.

I dont know when, but the fear inside me disappeared.

Horus, you called yourself? Your little threats are pointless. Because were going to win.

Thats the spirit. Its a death game, so its not interesting if youre petrified.

Well? What kind of game are we going to be playing here?

There are eight swords, and eight helmets in this room. Each pair belongs to one of the eight elements. You can find the labels on the sword handle and underneath the helmet.

Can I have a look?

Very well. See for yourself.

Taking a sword and helmet from Horus, Tilea-san checked them over. There really was a label there.

Jessica-chan, was he telling the truth about them being attributed?

Yes. Im not that great at using Trace Magic[Investigation Magic] either, but I can tell that the labels are correct.

I see. Are there traces of anything suspicious?

Its probably okay, I think Im sorry. Im not good with these sort of analyses, so I cant say for sure

No, no, thats fine. Thank you. I just wanted to see if they were tricking us.

Nodded to herself, Tilea-san handed them back to Horus.

Are you satisfied now?

Yes. Well then, what are we using these for?

Lets say you have the fire attribute helmet on, which has resistance against fire. Because of that, even if I attack with the fire attribute sword, youll take almost no damage. This holds true, even taking our mana into account.

To demonstrate, he struck the fire helmet with the fire sword, but there was just a metallic echo, and not a single scratch on the helmet.

On the other hand, if we instead do the opposite and use the water sword

When Horus struck down with the water sword, to say nothing of the helmet, even the metal table below it was pierced.

T-, This is

These arent just your normal compabitilies. When the enchanted items interact, they synergise to the extreme.

T-, This isnt your normal elemental weaknesses

Indeed, girl of the Academy. These items have been made with their elemental enchantments brought to the extreme. So even if a feeble human uses it, they can accomplish what I just did.

Are these created just for the game?

Thats right. Eight pairs for each of the eight elements. We guess each others choices. The attacker attacks with a sword, while the defender defends with the helmet.

Then this isnt any different to just fighting normally! Its obvious that the demons have the advantage!

Tilea-san objected after hearing Horus.

Relax, blonde girl. We have specifically made seperate sets for humans and demons, with the elemental enchantments adjusted for fairness. If the game isnt balanced, then it would hardly be a battle of wits.

I see. Well, Ill trust you on that for now, but

We will alternate between attacking and defending after each turn. And then, ku ku ku, we continue until one helmet breaks and somebody dies.

Then because of your tougher bodies, you demons have the advantage.

I do not deny it. However, we could simply kill you without the game. I think you should be grateful to us for the small chance to prevail. Whats more, you said that using your head is your strong point, didnt you? If you predict well, you can just continue getting no damage for yourself, and critical damage for our side.

To confirm, I asked,

Can we expect that the other elements behave the conventional way that I learnt in class?

Yeah. Thats exactly right.

Horus then continued on to further explain the relationships between the elements. Just as he said, the compatibilities were just like what I learnt in school.

I see, so if you use the fire sword against the fire helmet, its no damage. But changing to wood, earth or wind swords will multiply the base damage. And using a water sword will maximise the effect for critical damage.

Your first opponent shall be I, Gesu-sama, the Captain of Horus-samas Blitz Unit. Now then, which of you will start?

With those words, a very cunning looking man stepped forward.

His attitude is arrogant, but he seems the careful type, and seems to have a rather determined personality. A match with him is going to be quite difficult.

Even if weve been given a handicap, its impossible for me. Just how many critical hits would I need just to break through a demons defence?

I had considered being the one to play depending on the game they presented, but for something like this Ill leave it to Tilea-san.

Tilea-san, could you go please?

Y-, Yeah. Thats fine, I guess

Tilea-san seemed a bit unsure. Could it be that even with her power, shes still nervous in front of a demon?

Im sorry. My power isnt enough to handle a demon. But with your

No, no, theres no need for you to play, Jessica-chan. Like we agreed earlier, you just keep a look-out for cheating.

I understand. Then, is there something else that youre worried about?

Well, I just kinda wanted to say

Yes?

I dont really remember the rules, but ummm, whats wood strong against again?

U-, Umm, excuse me. Could we please get a pen and paper?

W-, Well, I guess it cant be helped, right? Tilea-san never took lessons in this sort of stuff. Deep down Im still feeling uneasy, but Ive placed my hopes on her raw fighting strength.