Chapter 125
The first selection involves the electors and the candidates forming a team to survive the competition.
The three-member electorate plays the role of the bridge, while the candidate acts as the fist.
In the original story, the stage for the first selection was the sky.
Four people would ride on a large platform specially crafted with magical power, racing to reach the finish line at the edge of the sky.
The three electors must control the platform, while the candidate takes on the task of fighting off any interference.
At first glance, it seems simple, but matching mana output and achieving ‘resonance’ is quite a challenge.
Even a slight misalignment can tilt the platform soaring into the sky, leading to a free fall.
Thus, in this event, the most crucial factor is the level and harmony of the team members, serving as the engine.
As can be inferred, training is essential for this competition, so I’ve gathered everyone to check our current status…
A dark dome-shaped barrier envelops us.
This unusual form was created by my precious familiar, Darky, and Supplier, through a dual fusion.
With an interior like this, the large black hemisphere stuck to the ground would appear suspicious from the outside, but I don’t care.
Thanks to Darky’s darkness manipulation and size adjustment, combined with Supplier’s mana absorption, it’s impossible for anyone who isn’t of considerable skill to see inside.
After all, there are many informants trailing us since the moment one becomes a candidate or an elector. Even if we secretly gather in one place, the information will leak out.
So, it’s better to continue training quickly. Whether someone hides or not, the outcome will be the same.
Swish—.
In the center of the seemingly dark dome, a blue mana radiates.
The mana leisurely swirls around like a sailboat, evoking a serene dawn.
This is the mana of Alicia and Erica.
The two of them are holding hands tightly, with their eyes closed.
Their mana interacts, creating harmony that dances gently.
Dipehelia and I can feel that energy.
The brightness slowly decreases, then increases again, repeating the cycle.
From that vibrant blue light, we can sense their unique traces.
Perched on Dipehelia’s shoulder, my familiar is bouncing around, turning her small body to look at me as her head turns too.
She turned her body. Her head followed suit, and she looked at me.
“What do you think of their combination?”
Diphelia asked me that, knowing the answer already.
In response, I gave her a relaxed smile, with a tone that was more deflated than usual.
“Far worse than imagined.”
I almost expressed it as garbage, but I toned it down.
I can assure you.
If I go into the election like this, I’ll get completely wiped out.
*
Surpassing the expected numbers, it was clear that Erica and Alicia’s mana affinities were extremely mismatched.
I was aware their combination, which should serve as two wings, was off, but seeing it laid out made it even more severe.
“What does that mean, specifically?”
When I bluntly inserted the facts, Erica asked me with a sulky gaze. Alicia also seemed curious, turning her face slightly.
I shook my head and calmly spoke.
“First, their mana flows don’t align.”
It’s like they’re both racing in opposite directions, and the energy ultimately converges to zero. The two different forms of mana are grasping at each other.
If they’re holding on, I’d at least expect them to combine, but that’s not happening either.
“Moreover, they fail to blend and excessively show their individual colors.”
If two paints are mixed, they should reveal a new color, but instead, they’re like oil and water, stubbornly separated.
Even knowing it’s not intentional, neither of them seems willing to let go of their uniqueness.
This isn’t a personality issue; it’s something rooted in their very being.
Hearing from my own mouth that the situation was the worst only drained Erika’s spirit further, making her go silent.
From the moment they clasped hands and resonated their mana, there was no way they wouldn’t have noticed.
Yet, the need to reconfirm suggested they were holding onto even the slightest hope.
Erica said helplessly.
“Then why did you choose us….”
It seemed she believed there must be a valid reason for putting her and Alicia on the electoral board.
“The faith in my fiancée is rising steadily.”
“…Schugenharz, is this really the time for jokes?”
“Hmm, yeah. It’s not unreasonable to be worried.”
I extended my hand toward Erica.
She flinched reflexively. With cat-like eyes, she stared at my outstretched hand without a word.
Just as I expected, she was ready to pull back in disgust, but she didn’t go that far.
“Don’t worry, Erica. This isn’t a prank or nonsense.”
“Then what is it?”
“Anyway, utilizing your and Alicia’s mana from the center is also part of my duty, so this is practice.”
With my other hand, I reached out to Alicia.
Alicia alternated between looking at my hand and my face, then cautiously took my hand.
In actual practice, we wouldn’t physically contact each other to resonate mana directly, but some physical touch was necessary for smoother practice.
“……”
Erica’s eyes stared intently at one spot for a moment.
“How many times is this now?”
She raised a small hand.
Her expression clearly indicated that she wasn’t pleased with the current situation.
“Let’s start.”
Without delay, I resumed the training.
I did it.
Erica’s mana and Alicia’s mana flow into my hands. I act as a mediator, helping the two powers blend together.
Right in the center of my chest, they clash in a way that’s incredibly different.
The two extreme magics, reminiscent of yin and yang, collide.
They merge into the form of two dragons, entwining into a dragon whirl.
I connect them while managing the relentless struggle between them.
Soon, the forms of the two beasts, which had retained their individuality, start to stick together like clay.
I tenderly shaped the melding form with my hands, as if combing it out.
Though they were extremely different, it was precisely that difference that granted them immense power.
The glorious energy that could be called repulsive force finally integrates completely.
I gently covered my outer garment with that mana, essentially cloaking my power.
And then…
BOOM⎯⎯!
A massive resonance erupted within the dome.
The mana vibrated and was lost, dissipating into the surrounding atmosphere.
Though I wasn’t quite accustomed, a significant amount of mana vanished, yet the source remained undeniably present.
“It’s astonishing mana…”
Diphelia’s eyes flutter open, trying to contain this stunning power within her gaze.
Seeing her vivid reaction, I couldn’t help but smile.
“This is why I’m stepping up as the current team member.”
Balance? Absolutely important.
Unless everything aligns perfectly, no matter how powerful the force is, it can’t be controlled, ending up like a sword stuck in a warehouse.
However.
The opponent is none other than Clemens, the strongest aerial fighter within the Academia, thoroughly prepared regardless of circumstances.
Even with perfect balance, it would take more than ordinary strength to face her.
There’s only one strategy to deal with her in the first selection.
「Overwhelming Output」
The flying devices for this selection cannot operate solely on my mana; the strengths of Erica and Alicia are absolutely essential.
In that situation, using a stable method to face Clemens is extremely difficult.
Even if it’s a bit unstable, we must soar with unmatched output.
The drastically different magics of Erica and Alicia, when finely adjusted, could exhibit an even higher output.
Moreover, since it’s pure mana now, if it transforms into elemental forms, it will produce a different synergy.
This will be used in the second selection, and if we successfully complete the first, passing the second will be a given.
“But… it seems to take too long to get here. Is it suitable for actual use?”
Diphelia raises a valid question.
“I know teachers who can raise their potential in a short timeframe.”
The saint inquires.
“Who are they?”
Diphelia, along with Alicia and Erica, look at me. I answered without hesitation, feeling the anticipation in their gazes.
“Upperclassmen who haven’t made much of a mark until now.”
Members of Arbol Purtal.
Fourth-year Alexeria and fourth-year Bracchium.
It’s about time they get put to good use.
*
“… That’s all the information I have.”
“Looks like he’ll be the biggest obstacle. You’ve done well.”
“Major, you’ve worked hard.”
Even though the sun still hung in the sky, the room was quite dark with its shadows.
The woman with crimson hair sitting in the luxurious leather chair couldn’t be hidden by the shadows.
She smiled naturally at the respectful address from her classmate who had stepped back.
Despite being the same age, her expression and gestures exuded sophistication.
She, Ocel Julio Clemens, spoke.
“This year’s new students are quite remarkable. It seems like the future of Academia is bright, bringing a smile of relief to my face.”
She continued speaking without a response.
Interest and anticipation.
At the same time, a subtle tension brewed, enhancing her excitement.
“Especially the third son of the Schugenhartz family. What a waste! If he had been part of my electors, he wouldn’t have to walk up a slope.”
Clemens, who had smiled slightly, lifted her face and erased the traces of her laughter.
The shape of her deep, intense red eyes changed.
The calm gaze.
It was more defined than autumn leaves, but a chill gust whispered through, and the leaves fell.
It seemed to signal the approaching winter.
Sitting opposite her was a man.
His head bowed so low that he couldn’t lift it, his body trembled.
The tightly gripped pen moved busily across the paper.
The dense characters he wrote spelled out his name.
“C…clo…!”
He was angry.
But he couldn’t let it show.
He had to stew in the feelings he kept inside.
Clemens briskly snatched the completed paper to examine it. It was quite interesting content. A satisfying result.
However, unlike earlier, Clemens showed no smile this time. Instead, she cast a cold gaze as if looking at a lowly creature.
After her review, Clemens stood up.
The man suddenly grabbed her hand as she tried to walk away. His trembling lips opened to speak.
“Clemens. I trust you won’t spill anything about this to the outside.”
She paused, giving him a cold look.
“Don’t worry. Senior Rezek.”
As if shaking off the moisture on her hand, she brushed aside his earnest grip.
The continued use of formal speech reflected her minimal courtesy towards a senior.
“In the sacred election, neither you nor that professor will face consequences for the fraud committed.”
Rezek, a third-year student and a prominent candidate for the next Student Council President.
He looked at the woman who regarded him as utterly worthless with his anxious eyes. She continued.
Clemens washed away the feeling of disgust clinging to her face and returned to her relaxed smile.
“After all, I too do not wish to miss this ‘sky’ of a stage.”
⎯Ah, now it’s ‘just me’ left.
With that final remark, Clemens left behind a thick sneer.
In her hand was a paper that read partially:
「I, third-year Student Council President candidate Rezek, hereby withdraw from this election and actively support second-year Ocel Julio Clemens.」
