NOVEL NEXT Chapter 312 - To the Spectator Seats
To the Spectator Seats
We said goodbye to Mara-san, because it was almost time. I’m sure she’s feeling better, because she was able to walk without any help. I’m still a bit worried though….
“Mara always has that blue watchdog with her, and I’ll also be there during the opening ceremony. So stop making that face, Meg.”
“D-Dad…”
A blue watchdog? He’s talking about Razield, right? He doesn’t need to be so hostile, just because he glared at me a bit. Razield’s just worried about Mara-san. He’s incredibly overprotective.
But I see, it’ll probably be fine if Dad’s nearby. “Stop it,” I protested to Dad, who’d been ruffling my hair.
“But High Elves really are incredible, huh? Dr. Ludo’s the only one in our group who can change the quality of magical power. And even he can’t do it as smoothly as that.”
Kei-san, watching Mara-san and the others walk away, said that, resting his chin on his hand, sounding impressed. So it really isn’t something that can be done easily… but this is my first time hearing that Dr. Ludo can do it. I wonder if it’s because of his medical knowledge? At any rate, it’s incredible that he can do those things that most people can’t. Dr. Ludo and of course, Mara-san.
“They’re the race that’s most adept at handling magic. They’re a superior race, even above us elves.”
“Hmm, it’s kind of… frustrating!”
“Asuka, that’s like a fish saying it’s frustrated that a bird can fly faster than it can swim. Every race has its strengths and weaknesses, and experiences unique hardships that others wouldn’t understand.”
“Hmm, I see. So basically, it’s fine if I just… continue to grow as myself, right?”
Ooh, Schlie-san’s words are convincing, as always. Seeing Asuka, it really makes you feel like they’re master and disciple. B-But I’m Schlie-san’s number one disciple! I can’t help but feel a bit jealous. I’m being petty.
“Okay, okay! It’s time to head for the spectator seats! The opening ceremony’s about to start!”
Saura-san clapped her hands together, taking charge. That’s right, it would be a nuisance if we just stood around here. It looks like a passage used by everyone, even though the entrances are different. We immediately started to move.
The sheer size of the venue was obvious, once we were in the spectator seats. The building itself is already quite large, but it’s probably even larger inside. Ortus’ technology was probably used.
“It’s… big… and there are so many people! We’re having our matches here?”
Asuka, gripping the handrail, staring at the venue, muttered this, sounding nervous. I’m also feeling the same. I-I’m nervous. And Asuka’s probably even more nervous because he’s in the first match.
“It looks like it’s fine to use magic here. Weapons aren’t allowed in the tournament, so all kinds of magic will be used, and this is a reasonable size, I’d say.”
That’s true. It’s not just for the underage division, the adults are also fighting. The matches will be held in that raised, central area, so this space is probably to prevent any magic from reaching the walls of the venue and the spectator seats. It’s better to minimize damage, even though it can be repaired. They’ve also set up a barrier, but tools break eventually. They’ll probably be doing regular maintenance, but it’s always best to minimize the burden!
“There are… a lot of spectators.”
“A-Ahaha, there are so many people here!”
Ronny was looking at the spectator seats across from us, smiling wryly. I also let out a dry laugh. There’s probably never been a form of entertainment like this, and they did announce the tournament, so of course, those with the time and money will be here. Wow, it’s full, all the way to the third floor!
“So the spectator seats for the other guilds are lined up here?”
Asuka, leaning over the railing, was looking from side to side. It’s probably safe, but I’m nervous that he might fall!
And then Schlie-san, grabbing him by the neck, lifted him up. He easily did it with just one hand… He’s deceptively strong. Asuka’s not that light.
“That’s right. Each team is separated to prevent any unnecessary trouble or cheating. And those walls aren’t just walls, so no matter how hard you look, you won’t be able to see the spectator seats next to you.”
“I see, that makes sense. But they’re right next to us, right?”
“Yes, the Demon Kingdom’s to our right, and then it’s Annulus, Stella, and Schutor, I think.”
Unlike the spectator seats across from us, our area is like a small private room. It also doubles as a waiting room. There’s also a large, open area, so the contestants can use it to warm up before their matches.
And if you go out the door, you’ll be in the waiting room right before the venue. Apparently, that’s where you first meet your opponent. They really put a lot of thought and money into this. Mara-san probably used her skills to negotiate some kind of deal with Ortus and Annulus. A bargaining chip or something. She was incredibly capable, even at that meeting a while back.
“We still have some time until the opening ceremony. How about we go over the information on those in the underage division? I’m sure the other teams are also going over that information right now.”
“Eh? Yes, please!”
Saura-san, sitting on one of the chairs, said that, winking at us. Asuka was the first to be interested, and of course, I also want to know, so I raised my hand. It’s only fair to listen, because I’m sure the other teams are also discussing our information!
“Fufu, well then, let’s start with Asuka’s first opponent. His name’s Myke, a Water Lizard demi-human from Stella.”
A Water Lizard, huh. So that means his specialty’s probably water magic. Asuka was leaning forward, intently listening. How adorable, how enthusiastic he is.
“Myke’s almost an adult, so he’s older than you, Asuka. He’s barely underage, so he’s probably quite experienced. But he can only use water magic, so I’m sure you’ll be able to figure something out. He’s not an opponent you can’t win against. Do your best!”
“U-Ugh, it looks like he’s much more experienced… but there’s nothing I can do about that. Yeah, I’ll think of something!”
Asuka, immediately starting to come up with strategies, muttering, really is a hard worker! He’s so honest, so Gil-san’s right when he said that it makes you want to teach him.
I’m sure he’s going to get even stronger. I hope we’ll be able to work together when he becomes a member of Ortus. But for that to happen, I also have to work hard!
“The second match is Goot, a Lightning Speed Dog, and Pia, a Sea Rabbit. You know Goot, he’s one of those twins from Annulus. He uses lightning magic, so I’m sure he’ll be using his speed. And Pia is a girl from Stella. She’s a bit timid, a bit of a crybaby, but I’m sure her attacks pack a punch, because she has a lot of magic power.”
Heh~, Goot’s a Lightning Speed Dog, huh? I knew he was a dog-type demi-human, but this is my first time hearing the specifics.
Speed, huh? I wonder if I’ll be able to keep up? If I fight, it’ll be in the final round, so I don’t even know if we’ll fight. But we shouldn’t underestimate Pia-chan, the Sea Rabbit either. Maybe she uses the same kind of magic as Kron-san because she’s a sea creature. It would be bad if a tsunami appeared.
“And the third round is Heidemarie from Schutor, and Rune from Annulus. A battle between girls.”
Saura-san told us that Heidemarie’s a Dark Cloth Fox demi-human, and she might spread darkness like a cloth and obstruct our vision. I remember her being quiet, but she doesn’t know much else about her because they don’t really interact. I’m grateful just knowing that!
And her opponent is Rune. She’s an Underground Dog demi-human, so she probably uses magic to manipulate the earth and soil. Heh~, I’ve never heard of that before. They’re twins, and they look exactly alike, but they’re different races. It’s strange.
“Only Myke’s almost an adult, so there shouldn’t be much of an age difference between the others. This is a good opportunity, I hope you’ll be able to make friends and deepen your bonds.”
Yes! I was actually hoping to do that! My secret goal was to become friends with everyone participating in the underage division. I want to at least introduce myself. Then maybe we can exchange letters, like Rune, Goot, and Urbano!
“Ah, Saura. Come to think of it, isn’t anyone participating from Demon Castle? In the underage division?”
Asuka asked that, just as we’d finished listening to her explanation. I then answered.
“Demon Castle isn’t a guild. There’s a nursery school, but it’s just a place to take care of children, they don’t teach them how to fight, or train them.”
“Ah, that’s right! Then won’t all the children near Demon Castle… be unable to fight?”
Come to think of it, he’s right. But everyone who works at Demon Castle is incredibly strong. Just as I was thinking about this, crossing my arms, Saura-san explained.
“They do train them, if they want to. But this tournament is for those who are children of guild members. It’s not the same.”
She’s saying that there’ll be a difference in abilities. Apparently, they haven’t reached the level where they can participate in the tournament.
“Hmm, I’ll say this just in case you forget, but the children in the underage division are all incredibly skilled, you know? They’re all elite. Most children, even if they’re trained, won’t be able to fight like Meg-chan or Asuka.”
“Eh? Really? I thought… everyone could fight like this!”
Asuka was surprised by Kei-san’s explanation, and everyone else just chuckled wryly. But sorry, I was also thinking the same thing…!
B-Because everyone I’m always with is so skilled! It can’t be helped that my standards are skewed! But I see, I need to be aware of it. I have to realize… that I’m a child who’s been specially trained, among a group of top athletes! But I still feel like I have a long way to go.
“It looks like… it’s starting.”
“Ah, you’re right. Everyone, look at the venue!”
We looked at the venue when Ronny said that, and saw five people appear in the center. It’s the leaders of each guild, and Father-sama, the Demon King. Hmm, he does stand out. Even from a distance, his presence is overwhelming, and I could hear people murmuring in the spectator stands.
But Mara-san’s also standing out. She’s so dazzling, she looks like she’s glowing. She’s incredibly beautiful! I can’t see clearly from here, but she seems to be alright, I’m relieved. And Dad’s also next to her, so everything’s fine.
“Sorry for the wait. Thank you all for gathering here today.”
Mara-san’s voice resonated throughout the venue, through a magic tool that looks like a microphone. The opening ceremony’s finally started!