Sixty-Ninth Spell: Rookies versus Veterans

A month later, Haru and his fellow classmates in the Byakko Clan went to the Quidditch Cove on the western side of Minami Island to attend the Quidditch Exhibition Match. The other clans attended as well, including Suzaku, Seiryu, and Genbu.

"That's Kino Fue," Rui said to Haru, pointing at a thin well-dressed man who sat to the left of them with the teachers. "He's the Prime Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Magic."

"Oh, wow," Haru remarked. "I've never seen a prime minister before."

"I've met him once or twice," Rui mentioned. When Haru looked shocked, she explained, "My mom has…connections in high places."

"Because of the trading company?"

"Exactly."

Haru then thought back to what Hikari told him the other night after she didn't speak to him for several weeks.

"I'm not sure how I feel about Hikari's plan," Haru admitted.

"You're lucky she didn't just stop talking to you altogether," said Rui. "But I too feel conflicted. I mean, I know what she's trying to do, but—

"Getting Shō-sensei to use kotodama on me again to confirm her connection to Warumo is insane!" Realizing he was unnecessarily raising his voice, Haru stopped talking.

When no one reacted to what he said, Rui rubbed Haru's back in comfort.

"You'll be fine, Haru," Rui insisted. "I'll be here."

"Do you really think the Kotodama Counterspell will work?"

"I have it memorized in my head. Watch!" Holding her wand slightly out of her school robe to not attract too much attention, Rui made a reverse circular motion and said, "Kotoki Bùzai!"

Haru didn't feel anything, so he had no idea if the spell was in effect or not. Just then, a set of drums thumped loudly followed by wooden hyōshigi clappers that made cracking sounds as they were stuck together. Everyone's attention was drawn to the cove, where the players were now flying on broomsticks. Their uniforms consisted of rose-pink cloaks for the younger students and hydrangea-purple for the older students, while both teams had brown protective pads on their arms and legs.

"Good day, everyone!" said a voice that boomed from the top-center row of seats.

This made Haru look up and see an older student with pigtails, who was using the Ventriloquist Spell to carry her voice through a wooden loudspeaker across the cove.

"My name is Rusa Jeong, and I'll be your announcer!" the pigtailed student then pointed to Fue. "Welcome to Mahoutokoro, Prime Minister Fue! I hope you'll enjoy the match as much as we will! Have you got anything to say?"

Fue waved his hand dismissively in a polite manner to imply he had no comment.

"All right, then let's start today's Quidditch Exhibition Match, which will also be the first Quidditch match of the season!" Followed by loud cheers and applause, Rusa continued, "Unlike typical matches, which are done between Clans, today's match is between the Youngest Quidditch Team in the World versus our school's best Quidditch players!"

Over the cove, the two teams stopped their brooms midair to form distinct lines.

Rusa then swept her hand. "To my left is the Rookie Team, which includes: Daizō Maki of Seiryu, who is a Chaser and the Team Captain, Hikari Genma of Suzaku, the team's Seeker, Cheng Chun of Byakko, who's also a Chaser, Sumi Boin of Suzaku, the third Chaser, Juna Fuyuki of Genbu, the team's Keeper, Driyo Tore of Byakko, one of the team's Beaters, and Mutsumi Bōtei of Seiryu, who is the team's second Beater."

As the First-Year Secondary Students cheered for them with Rui and Nayu being the loudest, Haru tried to keep up with the fervor by clapping loudly. Then the students started a sporadic sports chant:

Gōgōrūkī!

Beteran o taose!

(Go go Rookies!

Beat the Veterans!)

"Wow, love the enthusiasm from the First-Years!" Rusa noted. Then she turned her attention back to the players. "On my right is the Veteran Team! We have: Akaji Juro of Byakko, who is one of the best Chasers in this school, Seiko Dōkutsu of Suzaku, one of the school's best Beaters, Masu Fura of Seiryu, another Beater that rivals Seiko in prowess, Peri Wataka of Byakko, who is a great Keeper and the Team Captain, Arito Suru of Seiryu, one of the best Seekers in our school currently, Arun Xem of Genbu, another great Chaser this school has, and finally Siti Putera of Genbu, who rivals Arun as a Chaser."

This time, the older students cheered and began their own chant to rival the First-Year Secondary Students' earlier one:

Beteran no hō ga ī yo!

Shinjin wa yowai yo!

(Veterans are better!

Rookies are weaker!)

"All right, great school spirit!" Rusa said, clapping along with the older students. But she stopped midway. "So now Gōgu-dono is going to begin the game proper while our players will take their proper positions over the cove!"

The Quidditch players immediately broke from their lines and faced each other. At the front row seats, Gōgu-dono was standing next to the trunk with all the Quidditch balls in it with his ornate broomstick in one hand.

"You chickies had better play a nice, clean game!" shouted Gōgu. "That goes double for you Veterans! If any First-Year gets severely injured, I'm ending the game regardless of how many points both teams have! Understand?"

"Yes, Gōgu-dono!" shouted the two Quidditch teams.

Nodding in satisfaction, Gōgu raised his broomstick like a samurai sword and slammed it into the trunk. The latch on the trunk came loose and the top part opened. From the trunk flew the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch, with the former balls circling around the cove while the latter ball flew into the sun.

"Okay, so the Bludgers are active!" Rusa announced. "Better watch your heads in case one of them decides to come your way! As for the Snitch, it's being cheeky today for some reason! Just remember, whichever Seeker catches the Snitch first ends the game."

Gōgu then picked up the Quaffle by hand and raised it behind his head for an overhand throw.

"Once the Quaffle is released, the game can begin!" added Rusa. "Ready…set…GO!"

To be continued…