Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

2nd Play: Symphony of the Masses

Part 1

Large groups of s outside theWith still about half an hour left until the start of ho their club’s ht now, there were not many students in the classroom

“Oh, Kululu, what’s wrong? You came very early today”

Mio was an exception, being one of the few people currently in the classroom She seemed to arrive earlier than anyone else in the class, but still secretly studies diligently by herself every h she herself wanted to conceal that fact, this becao

“Although there was o Think carefully, the recital contest is almost here Also, my injury from yesterday must also heal quickly”

“That’s true Then, in the end, will Kululu choose a bird? It will be bad if you still don’t start practicing”

“Oh, I was considering it all the way until I fell asleep yesterday, but I still haven’t decided”

It would be bad if she didn’t decide soon Kluele clearly knew this However, like Mio pointed out before, the only thing she had thought about was birds She totally hadn’t considered any other things

……If a bird wouldn’t work, could she use the flower she had tried out yesterday?

While she was thinking with her arms crossed, another student walked into the classroom

It was a boy with grape-colored hair and a childish face Although he wore a s, causing it to wrinkle everywhere

“Neight-kun, good !”

“Ah, Kluele-san, Mio-san, good !”

“’Morning You arrived pretty early”

“Ah, speaking of that……”

After quietly saying those words, Mio closed the textbook she had been reading

“While I alking to school, I think I heard the third-year or fourth-year students talking about Neight-kun”

Because of those words, Neight’s expression became stiff

“……Well, I did cause the laboratory to be filled with smoke”

“Ah, not that, not that!”

Was it opposite from the reaction she had anticipated? Mio rarely showed such a forced smile

“Isn’t Neight-kun only thirteen years old? Attending high school at such an age is truly very strange”

“Is that so?”

As if he had relaxed, Neight’s tone of voice rose

“Yeah Also, it was called Night Color Recitation, right? I think they also mentioned that”

The teacher, Kate, definitely knew about it, so the other teachers should also know During homeroom or some other time, they had probably mentioned it to their students

Mio was still not done speaking, but the boy holding the black bag suddenly showed an expression even more child-like than yesterday’s His eyelids seeht wavered as if it could not stay in focus

……He looked like he was sleeping

She silently gazed at him, but in the end their eyes happened to meet

“Because I recently transferred schools, that…… I’m still nervous, so I can’t sleep well”

Neight, who had narrowed his eyes, indeed looked like he lacked sleep He embarrassedly scratched his head

“Don’t worry, Kate-sensei is a good person Even if you co to school”

“Hey, don’t teach his”

Mio acted just like she used to do, shtly poked her on the head, and continued to place the stuff in her bag on the table

Throughout the ca the start of the first class

However, there was no sign of the teacher who should have been standing on the stage, and there also weren’t many students

There were two days left until the recital contest Because the combined test had already ended, except for ho by themselves They conducted Recitation exercises on campus, went out to purchase catalysts, or studied theory in the library When the bell rang, more than half of the students had already rushed out of the classroom

Therefore, after the bell had rung, the only people still sitting motionless in the classroom were herself and Mio

“Mio, do you have any plans?”

The person being questioned was currently leaning on a table and staring at the ceiling

“Yeah— I have already decided the thing I want to call out, so right now, I’ what to use as a catalyst”

“Eh? Aren’t you using drawing paper?”

“I need to think it over again If I can’t find a better catalyst, my Recitation is likely to fail”

A high-level Recitation requires the use of a ?

……However, considering Mio’s personality, even if I asked her right now, she surely wouldn’t tell me

“Want to try rando a few catalysts?”

“Mm But isn’t Kululu still unsure of what to Recite? Is it okay for you to accompany me?”

“Instead of continuously thinking about it, I’d rather do so else Perhaps I’ll have a sudden inspiration So don’t worry”

What did Neight intend to do? If he had no other plans, she should invite hi such an idea, when Kluele immediately looked at his seat, she noticed that he had already left a long tio

“Did Neight-kun also leave already? It couldn’t be that you were planning to invite him……”

“It doesn’t o”

Kluele walked towards one end of the hallway, and Mio hastily chased after her While she walked down the stairs, she looked at Kluele

“Eh, why is Kululu acting so cold?”

“I’ht probably left already”

Last night, she had escorted Neight to the boys’ dormitories, and then returned afterwards When they talked about the recital contest, once she mentioned that she didn’t knohat to choose as a catalyst— Kluele suddenly remembered the words that he had whispered quietly But if she were to say it out loud, Mio would definitely interrogate her about it In order to stay away from the friend at her side, Kluele moved rapidly down the hallway

The laboratory was located at the northernmost side of the first floor In order to prevent the cheo bad, only this classroom was located in such a place that it would not be exposed to sunlight even in thesu past the hallway contained coldness

It was a close distance fro these, only in the inner out from the classroom into the corridor

Stealthily peeking inside, she saw a boy wearing a white school uniform

—See, he’s here!

After expressing this with only her gaze, Mio suddenly turned around

“Stop sulking Hurry up and go in”

After the door opened, the boy immediately turned to face them

“Ah, Kluele-san, and Mio-san is here too”

Kluele didn’t speak, but instead lightly waved her hand Alone at the table ht silently prepared experiment materials

On the table were five triangular flasks, ten test tubes, and twocylinders, in addition to a pipette, scales, Bunsen burner, and even a ents, fro about twenty different types on the table ……You certainly are a person who tries hard

Although the preparation was thorough, one could not help but feel speechless

“Do you have an idea for a catalyst?”

Mio asked hi the Bunsen burner

Catalysts, used during all Recitations, can be classified into two categories: natural materials, and manmade materials Out of the former, the research about which catalysts were the best was approximately complete However, becausevarious materials, an almost innumerable amount could be made

“Eh…… Not a clue”

Neight shook his head bluntly while ents

“Anyhow, I figured that I would just try randomly”

However, this was also fairly convenient for the two girls If he already had an idea of what to use and they hung around him like this, he would be unable to concentrate and it would cause complications If he hadn’t decided what to use yet, then it didn’t matter even if the two of them were here

“Can ork together with you? We are also discussing it, and we hope to find soood catalysts”

“Of course you can, but…… other people have already come before you”

Other people were here already? After showing a questioning expression, Neight focused his glance on the shadow of the desk

[Hirls]

Sitting alone on the chair was that arrogant lizard

“Eh? Why is Arma here?”

Mio’s tone of voice did not indicate surprise, but rather, that she found the situation simply inconceivable

[Today, if so like yesterday were to happen, I wouldn’t have the nerve to face this guy’s mother]

“Just recently, when I looked inside ly……”

Neight hung his shoulders as if he was tired He had opened his backpack to take out a textbook, but instead discovered a large lizard inside —Kluele didn’t even want to think about this type of thing She finally understood why Neight had hurriedly left and hid in the laboratory without saying a word to them

“Are you knowledgeable about catalysts?”

The lizard roughly waved his tail fro his head

[Not at all If it was so about Recitations, then I would understand it somewhat, but a Recited creature does not meddle with stuff like catalysts]

“That's no good!”

Kluele sighed exaggeratedly, deliberately wanting to make him feel her disappointment

……Then, for what reason are you here?

Part 2

“Well then, where should we go to test it?”

Carrying laboratory flasks in her arms, Kluele looked all around

Even though they had ether a few possible catalysts, if they didn’t put it to actual practice in a Recitation, it wouldn’t be possible to tell whether or not they truly could be used as catalysts The proble a location for the practice It h space—

“About the recital contest the day after toht decided what to call out?”

“Speaking of that”

The boy carrying beakers in both of his hands turned around

“Because Night Color Recitations can only call out black-colored things, it isn’t ideal for this kind of debut Previously, I have called black snakes and crows, as well as bats……”

“…What you said makes a lot of sense”

All the animals that he had listed were ones that people didn’t really want to look at

“Neight, let’s just choose there”

Using her gaze to substitute for her hands which were occupied by flasks, she gestured at a grassy field in one corner of the carew If it were a wide-open space with a good view, then Neight’s Night Color Recitation would very possibly be noticed by other people Thus, in order to avoid the attention of those around them, this was a perfect place

The fact that there was a first-year student who used Night Color Recitations was already well known throughout the school In addition to the unexpected accident had happened in the laboratory yesterday, theya low profile

“The re one that I still haven’t tried is the black horse”

As if he had suddenly remembered this, he turned his head around and added

……Oh After thinking it over a little, Kluele nodded at him

“That’s a good idea Do you want to give it a try?”

Compared to a black snake or bat, a black horse would be much more popular at the recital contest So that’s why he e even if he failed It was a worthy challenge

“That’s true This opportunity won’t come by often, so I’ll just try it”

“I’m ready here”

Holding the record-sheet with one hand, she waved a pen at hiht prepared five types while Mio ether seven types Because Mio had the most, she would be the last to experi, they had her take care of that troublesohtly distant location

“Then, watch me try it out”

Pulling open the lid of the flask, Neight sprinkled the liquid all around hireen laas stained with black, he silently closed his eyes

Mixed in with the as the Night Color Recitation’s <oratoriosong of=”” praise=””>

Listening to the Recitation’s Serafeno Musical Language— Oh, this ti of=”” praise=””> It was nearly identical to the <oratoriosong of=”” praise=””> used by White Recitations to call out a white horse In addition, it see very hard

When the catalyst was synchronized with the Recited creature, a black ChannelRecital Gate eht After arriving at this stage, all that remained was the last breath

Good luck! Kluele tightly clenched her fists, staring at the situation—

—At that moment……

So called out

“Neight!”

With no ti out his name A red object immediately flew over their heads

“Are you okay?”

After confirht had nodded his head, Kluele turned her line of sight to the object About fivea uniform He was a tall man with short hair the yellow color of dirt On the cuff and collar of his uniforrade, who specialized in Red

“What was that just now?”

“Don’t stare at me like that! My Recitation siuys”

Kluele shi+fted her field of vision and aze The surface of the tree that had been hit by the flying object was burned black

“The Recitation you just conducted was a flaht?”

“For a first year student, you’re really knowledgeable about this Do you also specialize in Red?”

“Don’t change the topic!”

After hearing his see tone, Kluele hardened her voice

The Recitation of a fla other than fire as a catalyst, and is corade catalyst like paint is generally used to call out fire, then that flah rank Recitation But for a skilled person, “throwing the flame at an opponent” like before is not difficult at all

“Just now, you were aiht, weren’t you!”

“Don’t falsely accuse me What proof do you have?”

Maintaining a position with his hands in the pockets of his uniform, the student snarled

But to Kluele, for hi she had expected

“When conducting the Recitation of a flame, you must make sure that everyone is a otten this? Even in middle school, this is part of the basics! No matter how you put it, you are the one at fault!”

The student’s expression twisted But even so, he still had a sneer on his face

“If he is the legendary Night Color Reciter, shouldn’t he be able to dodge sonificant as that?”

……I see, so it’s like that

'On my way to school, I think I heard third-year or fourth-year higher grade students talking about Neight-kun'

—It was like what Mio had said this ht also had this kind of

“Are you afraid of losing to him in the recital contest?”

“I only thought it was necessary to give hith”

She had thought that he would pretend to act oblivious, but she didn’t expect hihtforwardly

Many famous Reciters will be invited to the recital contest To this year’s fourth-year students ere about to graduate, this recital contest was their last opportunity If they were able to give off a good impression, they could become the Reciter’s apprentice, or use that occasion as a powerful stepping stone However, in this year’s recital contest, thirteen-year-old Neight will be there, in addition to using a mysterious Recitation Color No ht Color will attract the attention of visitors is an obvious fact

—That student…… Is he afraid of such a boring thing?

“How sha him head-on?”

“H him directly”

Moving slowly and dramatically, he took both of his hands out of the pocket of his uniform

“Night Color Recitation apprentice, let’s have a contest! The one who loses is not allowed to enter the recital contest I assume that you will accept?”

“Wha……!”

Such an excessively unreasonable and dreadful statement caused Kluele to become momentarily speechless

“Are you an idiot?! Neight is only thirteen, how could he do such a thing!”

Kluele stood up straight to protect the terrified boy as currently getting up froht hi behind his opponent’s words

The word “contest” that is used between Reciters

It implicitly indicated— a duel

Although Reciters used their skills to fight each other one on one, that wasn’t the only action they were capable of By using aggressive Recited creatures or flames, it was possible to attack an opponent directly Needless to say, one could be seriously hurt, or soht happen

“It’s too bad, you don’t have the right to decline!”

The opponent’s right hand flashed with red light So the reason that he had hidden his hands in his pockets was so they wouldn’t notice he was holding a catalyst?

No, that’s not as iht?

However, the crazy look in his eyes sent shi+vers up Kluele’s spine This boy was serious Without the slightest hesitation, he threw the flaht hand

The chill that she felt had become reality A flame the size of a child’s head flew at the boy who stood stock still and didn’t understand the current situation

“Neight!”

Would she make it in time?

Just when she wanted to push Neight out of the path of the flame……

A splash of water ca from the side and doused the flame

“You shouldn’t do that!”

Other than the sound of theof water and fire, came a familiar voice

“’Contests’ between students must have the permission of the headmaster, and one of the students must hold Reciter qualifications Without that, contests are not allowed Further to duel!”

The voice see fro only several steps away fro a coat the color of dry grass

He was fairly young, probably less than thirty years old Although from afar one could tell that he had shapely facial features, Kluele had never met him before If he had appeared on the caht?

“……Are you a teacher?”

The boy’s voice was filled with malice

“No However, I am still your senior”

See the plain coat replied indifferently

“People who don’t understand the circumstances shouldn’t interfere”

“Although I don’t understand the situation, no ht”

“Ah…… Even though you suddenly intrude like this, you still dare to preach at !”

After shouting out those words, the hands of the boy being confronted eht

It was really too sudden Carrying out a one-sided attack without warning, it would not be allowed even in a duel Unconcernedly, he—

Facing the approaching flame, the Reciter’s coat fluttered like a cloak

“Even if I’estion”

The flame stopped before it touched his hair Not only did he not bother to avoid it, but he also blocked it with his bare hands

“Flames are truly effective when used to impede someone’s actions But in a 'contest' between Reciters, it should not be used so lightly”

The flaht hand still burned as fiercely as before But instead of severely burning hiht the flame, and lifted it up in his hand He was not burned…… In other words, “he had diverted the heat of the flame somewhere else”?

“If your opponent is a Red Color Reciter, this attack could be reversed…… Like so!”

The flaht of a Recitation? The appearing radiance filled all of the space around the, Kluele couldn’t help but close her eyes

So created a sound that resounded in her eardru noise She felt like an enormous creature had appeared beside her……

“Ah…… ah……?”

Neight let out a wordless murmur

In a place where he could reach out and touch, a lion with scarlet fur had been called out Siht’s shoulder, and its body length was definitely over twoflas on its back was also red colored Amidst all of that, its amber eyes stood out exceptionally

—Asuch a creature

“What! You… you’ve got to be kidding o? Not only BlueRuguz, but you can also use RedKeinez!”

Was he angry or stunned? The male student’s shoulders shook However, those were truly harsh but powerless words Because, before he had finished his Recitation, the outcome of the battle had already been decided

Even if the student wanted to start a Recitation now, the attack of the manticore would still be a step ahead of him In that split second, the truth was, he had been checkmated

“……So, do you still want to continue?”

Instead of sounding like a command, the man’s tone seemed to be more of a confirmation

It was an overwhel the opponent’s color, the outcoth was understood By using the fla a <oratoriosong of=”” praise=””>, to be able to call out such a heavyweight Recited creature like theteachers, there were only a few people at this school who could actually acco when required

Although the student indignantly showed a dangerous glare, he silently turned around and left

After seeing him depart—

With a soft command of “Return”, the ht

“I–I’m sorry! That…… Th–Thank you very much!”

“If you wish to express your thanks, you should also speak to the young lady who first assisted you”

Neight frantically lowered his head After seeing this, the Reciter winked at Kluele

“Oh, you two are both resting Did you finish? That was pretty fast!”

With the lizard settled down in her left hand, Mio walked towards them Before she could open her h its contents had evaporated slightly due to the sun, the amount pretty much hadn’t decreased at all

“Let me tell you, we haven’t even finished once!”

“Eh?”

“A senior student whose situation I didn’t really understand was causing us trouble, and he even requested a 'Contest' Because of that, asted a lot of time”

“……Since you two aren’t injured, that means…… you won?”

Mio gazed steadily at the two people Faced with such an approach, Neight frantically shook his head

“N-No, it was Kluele-san who protected me”

[Hht now, or criticizing Neight? It truly does make one perplexed]

Kluele ignored the lizard that was troubled by such a strange question, and replied

“I didn’t do anything A familiar person helped us”

“Another person?”

Because the subject had been brought up suddenly, Mio was doubtful

“It was a person wearing a yellow-green coat He was a Also, he seeh he didn’t tell us his name, I think he should be a very famous person”

Neight’s excitement hadn’t cooled down, and the speed at which he talked was faster than usual

After hearing that, Mio suddenly sat down on the grass

“Yellow-green…… In other words, a coat the color of dried grass…… Proficient in more than one Recitation Color……”

“Mio, what’s wrong?”

Mio crossed her arms and looked up at the two

“I just thought of a very famous person However, I don’t think it would be possible for such a thing to happen Also, no matter how I put it, it would be impossible for that person to be here”

“Who are you talking about?”

After hearing the question, she only shook her head and replied unimportantly

“Don’t worry about it Couys should hurry up and continue! Let Arma and I have a look also”

How nostalgic……

It was theat the setting sun whose rays entered through the laboratory , he calmly narrowed his eyes

The odor ofequipment was pretty much the same as before This was the place where students wasteda borrowed library book in one hand, creating catalysts one after the other, and then atteh he didn’t have any special feelings about campus life, this place still made him reminisce

“Xins-kun”

After hearing the sound of so his name, he turned around to face the laboratory door

“Really, I didn’t expect you to be in this sort of place The head for you”

A wolasses appeared by the doorway Her lavender-colored hair flowed as she walked