Chapter 23

Recalling that Van was participating in the dueling tournament, Wendy and I decided to go and watch. The tournament is being held in the largest indoor gymnasium on campus. As we climbed the stairs to the spectator stands on the second floor, we were enveloped in a cacophony of noise. There were more people than I had imagined. The students, who had been suppressed in this small box of a school and were starved for entertainment, were flocking to the arena, seeking stimulation from the battles of the strong. I wish they would have a bit more awareness as civilized individuals.

We found two empty seats and sat down. Immediately, a particularly loud cheer went up. Looking down at the gymnasium on the first floor, we saw that Van and his female opponent were just coming out, dressed in the special competition uniforms.

"This must be the final match!" Wendy said into my ear to be heard over the surrounding noise. Indeed, that's why it's so exciting. Wait, hold on. Despite being a first-year, Van made it to the final? If Van wins here, he'll be guaranteed to win the championship in the years to come. I hope the senior does her best.

The students watching settled down, and the teacher serving as the referee raised his voice to explain the rules. The players use special wands that suppress lethality and attack each other with magic bullets. When a magic bullet hits, points are awarded based on the hit location, ranging from 1 to 4 points. The first to score 4 points wins. The center of the torso is worth 4 points, the outer parts are worth 2 points, and the limbs are worth 1 point. While the impact of the magic bullets is not problematic, attacks to the head are invalid.

Judging hits used to be done by the referee's visual inspection, but now, with the special uniforms Van and the others are wearing, it's immediately clear to everyone. These uniforms are magical devices developed by Mr. Nash, which change color in the hit area. Given the confession ball and these uniforms, Mr. Nash might be researching the relationship between magic and color.

"Is that senior strong?" I asked Wendy on my left.

"Altmann is last year's champion. And she's still a fourth-year."

So, this senior won against upperclassmen when she was a third-year. This is promising.

"Let's bet on who will win."

"Huh? What are we betting on?"

"Let's say... the loser gives the winner their favorite snack?"

"Well, that's fine, I guess."

"Deal. Who are you betting on?"

"Hmm, I think Altmann. She was overwhelming at last year's Spirit Festival, and I can't imagine a first-year from Spellvia beating her."

"That means I have to bet on Van, doesn't it?"

"Sure, why not? You're in the drama club, right?"

"...Alright."

I was a bit reluctant, but given Van's physical abilities, which I had seen during our time at the affiliated school, I couldn't imagine him losing. This shouldn't be a bad bet.

After the teacher finished explaining, Van and Altmann shook hands and faced each other at a distance.

"Take your positions!"

They raised their wands.

"Begin!"

As soon as the teacher declared the start, Van kicked off the ground. Had she read his move? Altmann immediately started firing magic bullets. Van quickly jumped to the side to avoid them. Frustrated, Van seemed to have given up on closing the distance for the moment.

The situation seemed to be at a stalemate, but Altmann continued to bombard Van with magic bullets. Van was forced to run around, barely catching his breath.

"Ahaha! So quick!"

Altmann was chasing Van with an innocent smile, while Van was serious and focused on dodging.

"How about this!"

Altmann increased the speed of her shots. Van, who was already dodging at the limit, couldn't keep up. Finally, a magic bullet hit his leg, turning the area pink.

"1 point for Altmann!"

The referee raised his hand. The match was heating up, and the audience was getting excited. Then, another magic bullet hit Van's left arm, and the referee announced 2 points for Altmann.

"Come on! Try harder!"

Altmann looked disappointed. If this continued, it would only be a matter of time—except, if Van were that weak, I wouldn't have lost to him so many times at the affiliated school's sports day. His strength lies in optimization. He constantly adjusts his movements during the fight to avoid magic bullets with the most efficient movements. His expression no longer showed any signs of panic.

With newfound confidence, Van dodged the magic bullets and fired his first one. It passed by Altmann, but her smile faded.

Van's counterattack began, but there was a significant difference in the proficiency of their wand magic. It seemed unlikely that Van's magic bullets would hit Altmann. Realizing this, Van charged into the rain of magic bullets, intent on bringing the fight to close quarters.

Van gradually closed the distance with Altmann. When he was close enough, he fired a magic bullet. One of them grazed Altmann's leg, turning the area blue, and the referee awarded 1 point to Van.

Seemingly shaken by the hit, Altmann's continuous attack came to a halt. Seizing the opportunity, Van closed in on her. At point-blank range, he aimed his wand at her chest. If it hit, he would gain 4 points and win the match.

A magic bullet was fired from Van's wand. It seemed to hit Altmann's chest straight on—then, she quickly stepped diagonally forward. The magic bullet missed her chest, and her shoulder turned blue. She then used the momentum to punch Van in the face. Van dodged the unexpected attack with a backflip but was hit by a magic bullet in the abdomen and fell to his knees.

Most of the spectators seemed unaware of what had happened, and the gymnasium fell silent.

"4 to 3, Altmann wins!"

The referee's words made the audience erupt in cheers.

"What happened?"

Wendy asked me for an explanation. To be heard over the cheers, I leaned close to her ear.

"Van aimed for her heart, but she deliberately took the hit on her shoulder and countered to win."

"Deliberately took the hit?"

"If it didn't hit her chest, he couldn't have reversed the score. She must have thought it was better to not completely avoid it and counterattack."

"To do that in an instant..."

Wendy looked at the center of the gymnasium with a complex expression. Van and Altmann were shaking hands after the match.

"Congratulations on your victory. I didn't expect you to use body enhancement to that extent..."

Van congratulated Altmann, his voice tinged with regret.

"Hehe! I don't just use my wand! You should have done your research!"

"...I was lacking in preparation. I won't lose next year."

"Sure, sure, you have potential. You'll definitely get stronger. Maybe to my level! Ahahaha!"

Altmann patted Van's shoulder and left the gymnasium with a loud laugh.

"How childish..."

Wendy muttered, looking at her arrogant behavior.

It was about time to start preparing for the play. Since we were here, I decided to go to the auditorium with Van. When I told Wendy, she decided to return to the dormitory.

"Don't forget about the bet."

Wendy said as we parted ways.

"I won't. I'm confident in my choice of snacks, so look forward to it."

"That's great."

Wendy smiled, looking happier than when she entered the common room this morning with a gloomy face.

"I might come to see the play if I feel like it."

"I'm not in it."

"I'm just interested. See you."

Wendy waved at me. I watched her until she was out of sight. Thinking of joining Van, I turned around and met his eyes. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"How long have you been there?"

"Since you were saying your goodbyes to her. Are you close to her?"

"Close? I guess we're on good terms, considering we're going around the festival together."

"Hmm."

Van nodded meaningfully.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I just thought it was an unexpected combination."

"I won't deny that. —Can we go now?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Van and I started walking towards the auditorium.

"Didn't Ruby and Livy go around with you too?"

"How do you know that? Are you stalking me?"

"You and Roy were pretty noticeable. It became a rumor."

"Hmm."

"Hey, Roy. Those two... are they okay?"

Van asked ambiguously.

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't she Liam's sister?"

"So what?"

I understood that Van was worried about Ruby, who had been bullied by Liam. I had been exposed to that kind of gaze all day, and I would have thought the same if I were an outsider. But now, I felt a bit irritated. Even if their relationship started off twisted, they were trying to move forward.

"So what... As long as they're okay, that's fine."

Van seemed to notice my irritation and decided not to push further. Maybe I had come off as a bit harsh. I took a deep breath to calm down.

"I don't know Liam, but I know Wendy. I'll vouch for her character."

"...Okay. If that's the case, it's fine. ...I'm sorry for doubting them."

"It's fine. It's a suspicious combination, after all."

"But it's rare for you to say something like that, Roy."

"Like what?"

"You don't usually defend people. You show it through your actions."

Is that true? Maybe it is. Maybe spending time with them at the festival has brought us closer than I thought.

"Well... we're the 'Misfit Alliance.'"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Van looked puzzled, but I just chuckled without answering.