NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53.1
Stage 2-22. Hey, Ouga-Kun… Could You Be… A Perv?
“Sorry!!”
The next day, with the sun swirling overhead, Reina was greeted by Mashiro’s deep apology, the same beautiful bow she’d offered last night.
Even breakfast was lighter than usual, a clear sign of her regret.
“Hehe, it’s alright, Riche-san. No rule says you have to show up with three people, after all.”
“Reina-san, you’re so kind! Thank you so much!”
“There, there.”
Reina gently patted Mashiro, who clung to her like a child.
She looked just like a doting mother, though her maternal instinct differed in some ways.
“…Ouga-kun? Did you just think something rude?”
“…Must be your imagination.”
Why are girls so sharp about boobs? It’s a little scary.
“Mashiro, it was probably for the best that you didn’t come last night. Some strange guys caused trouble.”
“Weirdos? Like the ones who messed with me?”
“Exactly. And today’s opponent is someone like Bourbond.”
“What!? That’s serious!”
“No need to worry. We’ve got Riche-san and Ouga-kun here this time. No concerns at all.”
“Hehe, I see~”
Mashiro was fully charmed by Reina.
But her words were true.
“Alright, let’s start crafting a strategy to bring our chances of losing down to zero. Alice?”
“Already prepared, sir.”
She handed over a file with last year’s lineup of Sherba’s magic formations and strategies.
After Reina and Mashiro reviewed it, I spoke up.
“Let’s go over the conditions for victory again. Our loss will be determined if everyone on the team is knocked out or surrenders, or if all three judges declare the match can’t go on. Is that correct?”
They both nodded.
“Good. Now, Reina, does this file match what you remember?”
“Yes, as written. They’re an attack-focused team that is overwhelmed with lightning-attribute speed attacks and the destructive fire-attribute magic from Sherba. And since the members haven’t changed, I’d say it’s the same.”
There’s no dual magic caster at Misosona Magic Academy, so they can’t adapt their strategy too much.
“They’ll almost certainly open with [Thunder] to seize the initiative.”
[Thunder] is a lightning spell specialized in speed.
If it hits, your whole body feels a paralyzing jolt, creating an opening.
A powerful [Thunder] could even knock someone out instantly.
“Their winning pattern is to start with repeated lightning strikes, then hit hard with Sherba’s powerfully destructive magic once we struggle to keep up.”
“I have a question: Is it even okay to use such magic?”
“Yes, there’s a safety mechanism to suppress its power. So, Riche-san, feel free to use your magic as much as you like.”
“Alright, leave it to me!”
In magic duels, contestants must wear items that limit their magic’s power.
This ensures no fatalities, keeping the battles within the bounds of competition.
Thanks to her experience in the fight with Aliban, Mashiro won’t be fazed by their magic.
“So why did we lose last year? If we know their approach, we should be able to counter it.”
From the footage, it seemed like the other two members were taken out, letting them set the pace.
But considering how Reina is, it’s unlikely she didn’t have a strategy against them.