101st Spell: The Clan Sword
That night, all the Secondary Students gathered in the Student Dining Hall for their last dinner at Mahoutokoro before their two-week Spring Break. Everyone sat eagerly at their Clan table with the Clan banners waving on bamboo posts that had been laid into the tatami matted floor. Dōmeki, Midorime, and Shō stood in the same spot they were at during the Initiation Ceremony. Only this time, more teachers were present including Ryosei Maki, Yonaki Ishi the talking rock yokai, Gōgu-dono, Fujiko Fuwa, Aringu Seiza, Shiriki Kagaya, and Parupu Sabe.
"While this year may have ended with a tragic loss, not all is bleak," Dōmeki began. "Tomorrow morning, the Fourth-Year Primary students who passed their Final Exams will be graduating to the First-Year of Secondary School. And tonight, one of our school's Clans will be rewarded with the coveted Clan Sword passed down from Princess Iyo of Yamatai, who founded this school all those centuries ago to honor the memory of her departed mother the Witch Queen Himiko. If Iyo was able to persevere in spite of her loss, then so can we."
Many of the students clapped in response along with some of the teachers.
"Now before we reveal the final rankings, there are some last-minute points that need to be awarded," Midorime said and looked toward Hikari, who sat at the Suzaku table. "Miss Hikari Genma, for playing a formidable game of Tenbutsu against a supernatural opponent and surviving, you receive 50 points for Suzaku."
A series of claps erupted from the Suzaku table while Hikari blinked in surprise, unsure of what to make of this sudden development.
"Miss Ruri Wataka," Midorime continued. "For your knowledge of obscure historical facts that got your friends out of a dangerous situation, you get 20 points. And Miss Nayu Rakkashi, for sacrificing yourself for the sake of your friends, 20 points shall also be rewarded. Thus, Byakko Clan gets 40 points in total for your combined efforts."
The Byakko Clan table clapped ferociously to congratulate Rui and Nayu, who were also just as speechless as Hikari.
"And finally, Mr. Haru Ryuji," stated Midorime. "For your commendable bravery and freeing the spirits of your departed stepfamily from their tormented state of limbo without resorting to the Appeasement Ritual, you receive 60 points!"
Hikari glared at Haru, who was too busy smiling from this sudden recognition.
"Unfortunately, these four students broke the rules by entering the storage house that was off-limits to all students," Shō interjected. "Thus, half the points they've just been rewarded will be taken away from their respective Clans. So for Suzaku, that will be 30 points. And for Byakko, it's 20 points plus 30 totaling to a loss of 50 points."
When Shō announced this, Haru, Rui, Hikari, and Nayu's pink school kimonos turned white from the sleeves all the way up to the forearms.
"Consider this a warning to not cause trouble ever again in the second year of Secondary School," Dōmeki insisted. Then she took out a golden scroll from the sash of her lilac kimono. "So with that out of the way, it's time to tally the final rankings for each Clan. In fourth place is Byakko with 213 points. For third place, Suzaku, with 275 points. Second place…is Seiryu, with 345 points. Then, with 487 points, Genbu is in First Place and they shall be rewarded with the Clan Sword!"
As Seita and the other students at the Genbu table silently nodded in approval, the rest of the Clan tables reluctantly clapped in acknowledgement.
"Don't feel too bad about it," Otoma Wan whispered to Haru. "Genbu wins the Clan Sword just about every year, so this isn't you or your friends' fault."
"Still, I wish Byakko could've won this year," Rui's older sister and Byakko's Student Council Leader Peri complained. "I'm going to be graduating from Mahoutokoro next year, and in none of the years I've been here so far has our Clan won the Clan Sword."
As Peri spoke, Dōmeki made a shimmering katana sword appear out of thin air. Its hilt was made of solid opal, causing it to reflect multiple colors in the light of the lanterns that hung around the Student Dining Hall. Then Dōmeki presented the sword to Genma's Student Council Leader Siti Putera, who was the Chaser on the Veteran Team during the Quidditch Exhibition Match. She accepted the sword graciously and bowed in respect to Dōmeki.
"You can consider my previous offer over!" Hikari said to Haru after the Last Feast of the Year was over. "I'm not letting you come to my house, even for a week, because you embarrassed me, Ryuji!"
"Embarrassed you?" Haru was confused. "You were the one who suggested we go into the storage house to stop Warumo, not me!"
"But I didn't think Dōmeki would humiliate us in public and make our robes change color!" Hikari looked down at her white sleeves. "Now I'll never get my robe to turn gold for Secondary School…."
"That's all you care about?" Rui couldn't believe what Hikari said. "Your perfect grades are nothing compared to us stopping Warumo! And at least we should be grateful that Dōmeki-sama didn't force us to serve Detention in addition to having our school robes change color."
Haru noticed Nayu looked upset, which made him feel bad. "I'm sorry I got you involved, Nayu."
Nayu shook her head. "It's not that, Haru."
"Then why are you upset?"
"I wish I had been stronger, to not get left behind…."
"Sorry about that," Hikari apologized, much to Haru and Rui's surprise. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
"No, you made the right call," Nayu claimed. "I would have just slowed you guys down. But that's why I want to get better, so I don't have to end up in a situation like that."
As Nayu walked away, Haru was tempted to go after her. But Rui held him back.
"Let her go," Rui said. "This is her battle, Haru, not yours."
To be continued…