Bear-san, Cheering for Shia. Part 1

While we were discussing Noa’s birthday, the wind magic target shooting continued. Some students not only cut the target using [wind blade], but also destroyed it with [air bullet]. I guess that means each person has a different image of what they were supposed to do.

If it’s [wind blade], you have to imagine a thin, sharp wind like a razor to cut the target. Otherwise, the wind will only blow through it. Then you will not be able to defeat the enemy.

The male student, who was now hitting the target, destroyed it by sending air bullets clinging to his fist. [Air bullet] was wind magic, which was helpful for knocking down targets without wounding them.

Incidentally, the target was created regardless of gender.

There was no difference between men and women when it came to magic. The only difference was in magical power and image. Since arm strength was irrelevant, even girls could beat boys.

Anyone can use magic as long as they have magic power and the proper image to create it.

Conversely, magic cannot be used without a certain amount of magical power. That was the most unreasonable part.

“Then again, not many students have staves.” (Noa)

Some students have a staff, and some don’t.

When using magic, having something to use as a medium makes it easier to gather and use magic power. Even adventurers who were in the rear, many mages carry a staff, as they also have to protect themselves. But for some mages who wanted to lighten their loads, they use knives, rings, or other accessories.

Of course, magic can be used without a staff or other medium. It’s only a tool to help gather magical power.

“Yeah. By the looks of it, they’re using rings, bangles, or pendants.” (Yuna)

I can’t see much from here, but I can certainly see the rings and bangles. And some of the students were grabbing their pendants when using magic.

By the way, I’ve tried staves and such to collect magic instead of my bear puppets, but they didn’t work.

I clenched my bear puppet.

“Oh, it’s Cereille-sama.” (Noa)

Noa pointed to Cereille, who was trying to hit the target.

Cereille was very popular, and when she appeared, she was cheered by the people around her. Well, she’s the daughter of the lord. She has a noisy personality, but she’s not the kind of noble who harasses, bullies, or abuses her power. Maybe that’s why she was so popular. And, unlike me, she was stylish and beautiful. She has a lot of curves and mountains on her body.

I wonder. It makes me sad when I say it myself.

Cereille responded to the cheers by lightly raising her hand to the audience.

“Cereille-sama, she sure is popular here. If it were in the royal capital, I’m sure Oneesama wouldn’t be outdone.” (Noa)

Shia was also a noble. And she may also be popular in the royal capital.

But when I remember Tilia at the school festival, I feel that Tilia overtook Shia’s popularity. Tilia was definitely a famous person.

Cereille faced the target with a serious expression.

She gathered magic power in the bracelet she held in her right hand and cut the target with certainty. It’s just as she said. She’s been practicing diligently.

Of course, I also think the other students were practicing.

And Cereille, who went last, got the highest score for the wind category.

After the wind category was over, the next one was the fire category.

“It’s over? I think there are still some students who haven’t got a turn. Even Shia.” (Yuna)

Each school only sent about five or six students.

“It looks like they’ll be split up into wind, fire, water, and earth. Oneesama is good with fire and earth magic, so I think she will be in one of them.” (Noa)

I remember when I first met Shia, she used fire magic at that time.

“I know she uses fire magic, but she’s good at earth magic too.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, you built a flower bed with Sulirina. Oneesama started to help take care of the flower beds, and she told me in her letter that she has gotten better at handling earth magic.” (Noa)

The more you use magic, the better you’ll get good at it. I also just started to use bear magic, and my ability to imagine bears improved. If you don’t use it, you won’t improve. If she became good at earth magic by making flower beds, that would mean killing two birds with one stone.

“Is there any magic that Yuna-san can’t use?” (Noa)

I have no magic that I am bad at. But my favorite magic is bear magic.

“I can use four kinds of elements at the moment. I’m neither good nor bad at it.” (Yuna)

There were others like lightning and ice. By the way, ice was a higher tier of water magic.

“As expected of Yuna-san. I also want to use various kinds of magic.” (Noa)

“But it’s also good to master one attribute at a time.” (Yuna)

Elemental magic would succumb to a stronger opposing attribute. Even in games, the one with the stronger attribute has the advantage. Water magic works well against fire magic. Conversely, wind magic would be weaker than fire magic, so it’s difficult to use in every situation.

But it has more opportunities to work than half-assed magic.

“I see, but still, I’d like to try some different kinds of magic.” (Noa)

I understand Noa’s feelings. I, too, enjoy using various kinds of magic. It’s not that I’m going to defeat the Demon King or the boss of this world. It’s magic, after all. It’s better to have fun with it.

“It’s better to consult with Cliff and Eleanora-san first. But ultimately, it’s about you, so you have to decide for yourself.” (Yuna)

“Yes.” (Noa)

Noa replied.

Then, the teacher created new targets, and the fire magic category began.

Fire magic was more exciting than wind magic. Unlike wind magic, which was difficult to recognize from a distance, fire magic can be seen clearly and easily.

The size of the fire magic varies. Some fireballs were small, and some were large. In addition, some fireballs of the same size will dissipate immediately after hitting the target, while others continue to burn for a while after they hit.

It must be the difference in the magic power contained in the fire.

If it has low magic power, it will disappear quickly. While having a lot of magic power, it can continue to burn after it hits the target.

It was easier to see the difference in their abilities than wind magic, which makes it even more exciting.

If I used bear magic, I’d be in big trouble.

As I watched while thinking about that, Shia’s name was called.

It looks like Noa was right, Shia was in the fire category.

“It looks like it’s Shia’s turn.” (Yuna)

“Oneesama~~~!!!. Please do your best!” (Noa)

Noa stood up and cheered loudly.

I wonder if her voice reached Shia, since she raised her hand, albeit looking embarrassed.

Perhaps thanks to Noa’s cheering, Shia hit the target one after the other without fail. The crowd around her went wild.

That seemed to place her in the upper ranks.

Apparently, points were given for each event’s rankings, and the student with the most points would be hailed as the best.

Although it seems that it will be the overall winner, not just the best in a category.

An outstanding student will be chosen from each of the fire, wind, earth, and water categories.

Shia eventually got up to nine targets and became the best in the fire category. However, the next student from Euphalia also scored nine targets, and ended up tying with Shia. The students cheering for Euphalia were frustrated because they could not surpass Shia’s record.

It’s frustrating to be tied as well, you know…

But they are both still the best.

A student from the royal capital was next to try but was unable to overtake the record set by Shia and the student from Euphalia.

There’s probably one more student left. Shia will be tied for first place if this keeps up, but she will still be ranked first.

But the next one that appeared was

“Cereille? Didn’t she just participate in wind magic?” (Yuna)

“That’s because Cereille-sama participates in every category.” (Girl)

It was not Noa sitting next to me who answered my question, but a voice from behind me. I turned around and saw a girl in a Euphalia uniform.

“Is that so?” (Noa)

Not caring that she suddenly cut in, Noa asked the Euphalia student girl.

“Normally, we participate in one attribute in order to conserve our magical power, but since Cereille-sama has a lot of magical power and is highly competent in all attributes, she participates in all of them.” (Girl)

“That’s amazing!” (Noa)

“Did the other students complain?” (Yuna)

“Everyone at Euphalia knows that Cereille-sama is always practicing and working harder than anyone else. So no one would dare complain about Cereille-sama.” (Girl)

The girl talked happily as if she were in her own world. It seems that everyone was satisfied with the result since they achieved it not because of their status as nobles, but because of their ability.

Noa thanked the girl for telling us, and the girl went closer to support Cereille.

Cereille was not only practicing swords, but she was also practicing magic.

But why does she work so hard? I think with her status, Cereille should have an escort.

Sereille, who participated in the fire category, surpassed Shia’s record and also set the best record in the fire category. Shia, unfortunately, lost to Cereille.

“That’s a shame.” (Yuna)

“Yes, but Cereille-sama was amazing.” (Noa)

“As the girl said earlier, Cereille worked harder than anyone else.” (Yuna)

Unlike me, she must have practiced every day.

But when I was playing games, I logged in every day and used my magic too. Some say I played games too much.

“Sadly, Oneesama lost, but she’s number two. That’s good enough.” (Noa)

I agree. It’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s a great achievement in the presence of upperclassmen.

Then the fire magic category was over, and the water magic was next. Even here, Cereille made an appearance. Three events in a row.

“That Cereille, is her magic power still okay?” (Yuna)

I’m fine, thanks to my bear cheat. But Cereille was an ordinary person.

“I think she’s all right because they’re monitoring the magic power of each student. The student also mentioned earlier said it’s normal for her, so I think the teacher gave her permission.” (Noa)

Certainly, the teacher would not give permission if there was an issue.

And then the water magic category was over. My fears were unfounded, and Cereille ended up with the third-best record, but it was still amazing.

Then, in the final category, earth magic, Shia reappeared following the fire magic, and Noa cheered her on.

However, even after Shia performed well, she still lost to Cereille.

Shia was disappointed, but it was good enough against students older than her. Overall, I feel that Cereille was a step ahead of her game.

=====

Author’s Note:

Shia made it to the top, but Cereille immediately shot her down.

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