Now that the Athletic Festival has started, I wonder where I should go. I only had to participate in the 3-legged race today, so I had a lot of time both before and after that.
Probably it's best to go watch someone, but who? I could also go back and see if Lizel-senpai or my parents had anything in mind.
As I was half aimlessly walking, I noticed a scene I'd never seen before.
"Hey, watch where you're going!"
"Sorry, excuse me."
The crowd was a little overwhelming right now. There were students walking to where events would be held, be it to take part in them or just watch, and there were also other people like parents or big-shot devils walking to their own particular destinations.
It would be a tough crowd to navigate even in the best of conditions, but a certain girl caught my attention in the middle of it all.
The girl had light brown hair that seemed to reach about the middle of her back, she looked to be about my age, or maybe slightly older. She wore an all white dress, and even though it was a simple dress, it seemed really feminine. But what caught my attention the most was the blindfold on her eyes.
She was also holding a cane with her left hand. I think it's called a probing cane? Anyway, it's the one blind people use.
Given the context clues, plus the girl's repeatedly bumping into someone, getting yelled at and apologizing, it seems fair to assume she is blind, or something to that effect.
I can hardly imagine she stumbled her way here, so she's probably a devil or someone related to devils at least. Maybe I'm putting my head where it doesn't belong, but I don't think I should just pretend I saw nothing and move along.
"Sorry if I'm disturbing, but maybe you need help?"
"M-me? It seems it's a bit harder to find my way around than I expected. Yes I would appreciate some help."
"Here, hold on to my arm, I'll get us out of this crowd."
The girl wrapped her arm around mine. I navigated us both through the crowd until I found a spot that was reasonably empty.
I didn't notice at first, but it's a pretty embarrassing thing we're doing. I mean, she is a pretty girl, and we're linking arms in front of so many people. But then again, there's no romantic subtext here, and considering how calm she seemed, maybe it's a normal way to guide someone who can't see.
Anyway, we eventually reached a place with a bench, so I helped her sit down so we could wait for the crowd to calm a bit.
"Phew, we're finally out of there. For a second I thought we'd be drowned in that wave of people."
"Indeed, things would have turned out bad if I was left alone. Thank you for offering help, um…"
"Ah, right, I never introduced myself. My name is Yuuto Morioka."
"Again, thank you, Yuuto. My name is Swordia Nihondou."
"It's nice to meet you, Swordia."
Her name seems a bit eccentric, but maybe that's just from my point of view. If nothing else, it makes her easy to remember.
After a few minutes, the crowd became much more manageable. I figure it was time I decided where I should go. But before that, I might as well check with Swordia.
"Do you have anywhere in particular you want to visit? I don't really have any plans for now, so I can take you around."
"I came here to watch the sword tournament. Someone I know will be taking part in it."
Ah, so she came here to meet an acquaintance in the sword tournament, makes enough sense. Reina will also be taking part there, so I suppose our interests align well enough.
"Actually, I also have a friend taking part in the sword tournament. I can take you there if you want me to."
"I would appreciate it."
So Swordia and I would be walking together for a while more. We waited for the crowd to clear just a bit more so we'd be able to move even easier.
The martial arts tournament would be taking place in the gym, and the sword tournament was going to be held at the sword-practice building. I didn't even know that was a thing, but I've come to expect such things from Ginsei Academy.
We eventually arrived at the building where the sword tournament would take place. From what I heard, today would be basically a series of battle royals. In short, a number of people would be put on the ring, or however you call it, together and the winner of each one would come back tomorrow for the quarter-finals and subsequent matches.
The martial arts tournament also worked in similar fashion. I couldn't help but worry for Miyabi and Reina, but I also had faith they could pull through.
Ah, right, before I forget, I'll message Lizel-senpai telling her where I'm at.
"So these are the swordsmen of Ginsei Academy, huh."
Swordia suddenly commented. But what exactly is she commenting on? Maybe she's not actually blind, just has sensitive vision? She's still wearing a blindfold though…
I was curious, but I was afraid to ask. I couldn't imagine it was a pleasant topic and I didn't want to seem insensitive…
"I am blind, if you're curious, Yuuto. But I can still use my other senses and feel the mana to have an idea of what's around me. Earlier, I was just having trouble due to the sheer number of people."
Ah, I see. Even if Swordia doesn't have her sight, between her other senses and mana feel, she can get around.
"Thanks for telling me. But are you sure you can't read minds as well? I'm pretty sure you answered something I was only thinking of asking."
"I can't read minds, but between the feel of your mana, the sounds of your breathing and heartbeat, and the feel of your skin, I can make some guesses. Plus, you wouldn't be the first to ask me that."
"Eh? Isn't that amazing? It's like a superhero."
"It may be, but it doesn't really work with everyone. Only with honest people like Yuuto."
Swordia laughed to herself. I guess I walked right into that one. Well, not like there's any harm.
The sword tournament was about to start. Maybe it was just my luck, but Reina was right in the first group, so I wouldn't have to wait much to see her in action.
Along with her, there were 9 other people, so 10 in total. Since there should be 8 of these fights today, that means there were 80 people in this tournament.
I couldn't say if it was popular or not, but it certainly was a far cry from a normal school's athletic festival. I mean, this looked like a professional event. I'm pretty sure I even saw someone gathering bets.
"Let the first round begin."
The first round started soon enough. Needless to say, I had my attention focused on Reina.
Reina prepared her sword, Pon-chan, and immediately locked herself in combat with a nearby opponent. Everyone else did the same.
But of course, there was no need to stay stuck with 1 opponent, after all there were 8 others as well. The ones that managed to break through their opponent's defenses charged ahead, while the ones who couldn't broke apart and tried to get someone else.
Reina managed to break through her opponent's defenses, but another opponent aimed at her at that moment. I couldn't blame him for underestimating Reina, even among other girls she was rather short and didn't seem like a fighter.
But they would soon regret that decision.
"Hyaa!"
Reina parried his attack and drove him back to where the other guy was at. Both opponents were now facing Reina, and she had her eyes trained on them.
Coming to a silent agreement, both of them seemed to have decided to work together for now. They teamed up against Reina, but that was hardly a problem for her.
"Thunder desu!"
She waited until they had come closer to her to coat her sword with magic. Figa, Iza and Thunder, as long as it was 1 of the elemental Basic Magics, Reina could coat her sword with those spells.
Reina swung her sword, sending the electricity towards her opponents. As a reflex, they tried to defend with their swords, but that was the wrong move.
The electricity shocked them all the same. 1 was knocked out and transported out with Transite, the other barely managed to stay in, but he had to cast healing magic on himself.
It was now his turn to attack. Reina defended to the best of her ability, which allowed her to come out with minimal damage.
She was showing much superior sword skills than her opponent, which forced him to abandon technique and rely solely on trying to overpower her.
But that had been the wrong move again. It took a few minutes, but Reina waited for her chance and took it when she saw it. She slashed at him, defeating her opponent in 1 swift attack.
He was also transported out with Transite and received first aid. It wasn't a big wound, so it wouldn't even leave a scar, but I could see he was frustrated with his defeat.
"Next is… desu?"
Reina almost fell down all on her own. Was she tired? Regardless, she soon got back steady on her feet.
Other people had been defeated during Reina's fight. The ones left now were her and 4 other competitors. And it seems they view Reina as the bigger threat.
They surrounded her and waited for a little bit. Everyone had fought, so they were all tired, but there were no breaks. Being ready to attack at any moment while resting was the best they could do.
But of course, there would be no point if they allowed Reina to recover as well. It wasn't long before they went for the attack. Reina made use of her small size to dodge.
After she cleared the attacks, she slashed at the closest opponent and then froze the second closest with Iza and attacked him, taking the 2 of them out.
There were only 3 people left now, including Reina. There was little point to any team up now, so everyone was carefully looking at the other.
How long did they spend looking at each other like that? I don't know, but it seems they all attacked at the same time.
Reina and another girl went for the last guy remaining. He blocked Reina's attack, but received the other girl's, since there wasn't much he could do about it.
Reina was still recovering from that blocked attack, the other girl took that chance and attacked. A hit! I thought that was it for Reina, but she managed to stay in the fight.
"Haaaa!"
Giving it her all, Reina went for fast and strong attacks, overwhelming the other girl. It was only a matter of time before Reina won, but not without great effort.
As soon as her opponent was defeated, Reina dropped down breathing hard. She was tired, but she had won. The medical staff went to take care of her.
"Sorry, Swordia, but I have to go talk with my friend. Do you want to stay or come with me?"
"I'll go. The person I came to see also participated in this first battle, so I'd like to go talk with her."
What a coincidence. I suppose I'll take Swordia to her friend after I talk with Reina. Everyone's being healed in basically the same place anyway.
I moved to where the injured people were being taken care of. Reina was easy enough to spot.
"Yuuto-san, you came to see Reina desu. Eh? That's… Eeeh?! W-what's Swordia-senpai doing with Yuuto-san?!"
Swordia and I looked at each other with a "huh?" face. It just so happens the person she came to see was Reina, my Card.
"Swordia-senpai was Reina's senior disciple back when Reina was training desu. What are you doing here?"
"I came to see how Reina's doing, and to challenge you to a revenge match. Of course, not right now, since you're injured, but once you're better."
"A-ah. Reina's sorry, but right now Reina is taking part in the Devil King War as Yuuto-san's Card desu. Reina can't just accept any challenge. And besides, against the current Reina, Swordia-senpai would surely win desu."
Personally, I don't really mind if Reina wanted to take Swordia up on her challenge. It would be one thing if it was someone trying to harm Reina, but Swordia didn't seem like a bad person so I'm sure it would be just some friendly competition.
But if Reina wants to use me as an excuse to not duel her, I also won't stop her. Maybe there was more to this than I know.
"Yuuto's Card? As in, this Yuuto here? But I thought he was human…"
"I am a human, but I'm also this time's Lovers' Candidate."
"I see. I had heard rumors, but I didn't think they were true. Interesting…"
Swordia looked at me with interest. Or is that even the right way to say it?
Oh no, is she going to challenge Reina to become my Card in her place? Or maybe she'll just ask to join for now and challenge her later? I'll be troubled either way though!
"Well, that's fine. I'll think of a way we can still have our duel, Reina."
Oh… well, that's a bit disappointing. But then again I'm expecting too much of me. Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina are the strange ones that wanted to join a human's team.
Since we were already there, we waited for Reina to be discharged. After that, we left together, since Swordia and I didn't have any more interest in the following matches, and Reina decided to follow.
By the way, Swordia was still clinging to my arm, which made Reina jealous and she held my other arm. Also, Swordia probably didn't mean it, but it was pretty clear Reina was purposely rubbing her chest on my arm.
"Also, I forgot to ask you this before, Reina, are you sick?"
"Eh? No, Reina doesn't think so desu. Why?"
"It's nothing. Your mana just feels different than I remember, but it has been a while."
It seems that feeling someone's mana has many practical uses. Maybe I should learn it in the future. I mean, I can tell when someone is using a spell, but not normally like Swordia is doing.
Reina wanted to take Swordia around Ginsei Academy before I had to go to my event, so that's what we did during that time.
When I found Ruki already waiting for me where the 3-legged race would take place, there was still a good amount of time left, but we figured we might as well get our act together now.
"Yuuto-kun, who was that with Reina?"
"Aah, a friend of hers. It doesn't seem like she's from Ginsei Academy, so she's probably taking this chance to see her after a long time."
"Eeh, that's nice. I wish I also had friends like that. But I'll make due with Yuuto-kun~"
Ruki hugged me then. I have to keep reminding myself he is a dude, otherwise I'll fall into a trap.
But really he does look like a girl, if not for a few small details I've learned to pick up, like the tone of his voice, which was more like a young boy than a girl, it might have slipped my mind already.
Also, it's worth pointing out, Ruki is in the girl's PE uniform, by that I mean bloomers. I'm pretty sure I'm even feeling a bra on his chest. I suppose there's no limit to his crossdressing. Then again, he was wearing that during his training, so it was expected.
Anyway, we got into position and waited for our event to start. Once we heard the gunshot, the race had started.
""1, 2. 1, 2.""
We had trained a lot, so our tempo wasn't even slightly off. We were even using Stride, since the course was rather long.
Of course, we weren't the only ones using magic, but we were leaving everyone else behind. Everyone, except a certain duo.
"Master Ibiza sends his regards."
"Woah!"
They started throwing Figas at us. I'm pretty sure it's against the rules to directly attack your opponent.
… Wait, it isn't? God damn it, Ginsei Academy! What's the point of this being a race then?!
Should I fire back? But what if they're also victims of Ibiza? I'd feel bad if that's the case.
While I was wondering that, Ruki was already a step ahead of me.
"Thunderio."
Ruki's Intermediate Magic stun Ibiza's Cards, allowing us to easily pass them and gain a big advantage before they recovered.
I wondered if that was alright, but Ruki answered before I could ask.
"They'll be fine. I'm sure they'll endure a little shock if it's to be free of that guy. And if they're his friends, then there's no need to have mercy."
Fair enough, I suppose. I fired a Thunderio at them as well just to make sure we'd win without problems. Ruki and I took 1st place, with Ibiza's Cards coming in 3rd.
Someone else passed them right before the end, and it turns out they were also part of Lovers' team for the Devil VS Lovers Festival. That means some more points for us.
"Yaaay! We did it, Yuuto-kun!"
Ruki once again hugged me. I almost thought he was going to kiss me for a second. Please don't. You're a nice guy, but I don't swing that way.
That aside, the Festival seems to have had a good start for us. We just have to keep it up.
